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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Stories of King Arthur and His Knights, by U.
+Waldo Cutler
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Stories of King Arthur and His Knights
+       Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"
+
+
+Author: U. Waldo Cutler
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 12, 2007  [eBook #22053]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS
+KNIGHTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22053-h.htm or 22053-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/5/22053/22053-h/22053-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/5/22053/22053-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS
+
+Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"
+
+by
+
+U. WALDO CUTLER
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: King Arthur]
+
+
+
+  _The goodliest fellowship of famous knights_
+  _Whereof this world holds record._
+        TENNYSON
+
+
+
+George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd.
+London ---- Bombay ---- Sydney
+
+First published January 1905
+by GEORGE G. HARRAP & COMPANY
+39-41 Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.,
+
+Reprinted: December 1905; July 1906; May 1907;
+January 1909; September 1909; July 1910; July 1911;
+October 1912; October 1913; March 1915; February
+1917; August 1917; May 1918; October 1919;
+June 1920; October 1921; October 1922;
+June 1923; January 1925; April 1936;
+September 1927; October 1928;
+January 1930; January 1931;
+April 1932
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+CHAPTER
+
+       I. OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR
+      II. UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND
+     III. HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
+      IV. BALIN AND BALAN
+       V. THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE
+      VI. THE LADIES' KNIGHT
+     VII. WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS
+    VIII. A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+      IX. THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY
+       X. SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+      XI. A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
+     XII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
+    XIII. THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON
+     XIV. HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR
+      XV. HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS
+     XVI. HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
+    XVII. HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN
+          OF LYONESSE
+   XVIII. SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE
+     XIX. SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD
+      XX. HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD FOR KING MARK,
+          AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION
+     XXI. HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL, AND WAS LONG
+          IN THE FOREST
+    XXII. HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD RENOWN
+          OF SIR TRISTRAM
+   XXIII. HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND FOUND
+          SIR LAUNCELOT
+    XXIV. OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD
+     XXV. HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN
+    XXVI. HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD
+   XXVII. SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS
+  XXVIII. SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE
+    XXIX. SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION
+     XXX. THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
+    XXXI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
+   XXXII. THE END OF THE QUEST
+  XXXIII. SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT
+   XXXIV. OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY
+    XXXV. QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+   XXXVI. OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
+  XXXVII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING AND
+          FROM JOYOUS GARD
+ XXXVIII. HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED
+          SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM
+   XXXIX. OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON
+      XL. OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST
+     XLI. OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR
+    XLII. OF THE END OF THIS BOOK
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+KING ARTHUR  . . . . . . . . . . . . (W. B. Margetson)  _Frontispiece_
+
+THE DEDICATION . . . . . . . . . . . (J. Pettie, R.A.)
+
+MERLIN AND NIMUE . . . . . . . . . . (Burne-Jones)
+
+SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD  . . (D. G. Rosetti)
+
+SIR GALAHAD  . . . . . . . . . . . . (G. F. Watts)
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT AT THE CROSS . . . . . (Stella Langdale)
+
+ELAINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (J. M. Strudwick)
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR  . . . . . . . (Stella Langdale)
+
+
+
+
+"We have from the kind Creator a variety of mental powers, to which we
+must not neglect giving their proper culture in our earliest years, and
+which cannot be cultivated either by logic or metaphysics, Latin or
+Greek.  We have an imagination, before which, since it should not seize
+upon the very first conceptions that chance to present themselves, we
+ought to place the fittest and most beautiful images, and thus accustom
+and practise the mind to recognise and love the beautiful everywhere."
+
+Quoted from Wieland by Goethe in his Autobiography
+
+
+
+
+Introduction
+
+Among the best liked stories of five or six hundred years ago were
+those which told of chivalrous deeds--of joust and tourney and knightly
+adventure.  To be sure, these stories were not set forth in printed
+books, for there were no printed books as early as the times of the
+first three King Edwards, and few people could have read them if there
+had been any.  But children and grown people alike were eager to hear
+these old-time tales read or recited by the minstrels, and the interest
+in them has continued in some measure through all the changing years
+and tastes.  We now, in the times of the seventh King Edward, still
+find them far more worth our while than many modern stories.  For us
+they have a special interest, because of home setting and Christian
+basis, and they may well share in our attention with the legends of
+Greece and Rome.
+
+In these early romances of chivalry, Arthur and his knights of the
+Round Table are by far the most popular heroes, and the finding of the
+Holy Grail is the highest achievement of knightly valour.  The material
+for the Arthur stories came from many countries and from many different
+periods of history.  Much of it is wholly fanciful, but the writers
+connected all the incidents directly or indirectly with the old Briton
+king of the fifth century, who was the model of knighthood, "without
+fear and without reproach."
+
+Perhaps there was a real King Arthur, who led the Britons against the
+Saxon invaders of their land, who was killed by his traitor nephew, and
+who was buried at Glastonbury,--the valley of Avilion of the legends;
+perhaps there was a slight historical nucleus around which all the
+romantic material was crystallising through the centuries, but the
+Arthur of romance came largely from the imagination of the early
+writers.
+
+And yet, though our "own ideal knight" may never have trod the soil of
+Britain or Roman or Saxon England, his chivalrous character and the
+knightly deeds of his followers are real to us, if we read them
+rightly, for "the poet's ideal was the truest truth."  Though the
+sacred vessel--the Holy Grail--of the Christ's last supper with His
+disciples has not been borne about the earth in material form, to be
+seen only by those of stainless life and character, it is eternally
+true that the "pure in heart" are "blessed," "for they shall see God."
+This is what the Quest of the Holy Grail means, and there is still many
+a true Sir Galahad, who can say, as he did,
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+and who attains the highest glory of knighthood, as before his clear
+vision
+
+   "down dark tides the glory glides,
+  And starlike mingles with the stars."
+
+
+We call these beautiful stories of long ago Stories of Chivalry, for,
+in the Middle Ages, chivalry influenced all that people did and said
+and thought.  It began in the times of Charlemagne, a hundred years
+before our own King Alfred, and only very gradually it made its way
+through all the social order.  Charlemagne was really a very great man,
+and because he was so, he left Western Europe a far better place to
+live in than he found it.  Into the social life of his time he brought
+something like order and justice and peace, and so he greatly helped
+the Christian Church to do its work of teaching the rough and warlike
+Franks and Saxons and Normans the gentle ways of thrift and helpfulness.
+
+Charlemagne's "heerban," or call to arms, required that certain of his
+men should attend him on horseback, and this mounted service was the
+beginning of what is known as chivalry.  The lesser nobles of each
+feudal chief served their overlords on horseback, _à cheval_, in times
+of war; they were called _knights_, which originally meant
+servants,--German _knechte_; and the system of knighthood, its rules,
+customs, and duties, was called chivalry,--French _chevalerie_.
+
+Chivalry belongs chiefly to the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
+centuries,--to about the time between King Richard of the Lion Heart
+and Prince Hal.  There is no trace of ideas peculiar to it in the
+writings of the old Anglo-Saxons or in the _Nibelungen Lied_ of
+Germany.  Geoffrey of Monmouth, who died, it is said, in the year 1154,
+is about the earliest writer who mentions customs that belong
+especially to chivalry.  The Crusades, of Geoffrey's century and of the
+one following, gave much opportunity for its growth and practice; but
+in the fifteenth century chivalrous fashions and fancies began to seem
+absurd, and later, perhaps partly through the ridicule of that old-time
+book "Don Quixote," chivalry was finally laughed quite out of existence.
+
+The order of knighthood was given only after years of training and
+discipline.  From his seventh year to his fourteenth the nobleman's son
+was a _page_ at the court or in the castle of his patron, learning the
+principles of religion, obedience, and gallantry.  At fourteen, as a
+_squire_, the boy began a severer course of training, in order to
+become skilled in horsemanship, and to gain strength and courage, as
+well as the refinements and graces necessary in the company of knights
+and ladies.
+
+Finally, at twenty-one, his training was complete, and with elaborate
+and solemn formality the _squire_ was made a _knight_.  Then, after a
+strict oath to be loyal, courteous, and brave, the armour was buckled
+on, and the proud young chevalier rode out into the world, strong for
+good or ill in limb, strong in impenetrable armour, strong in a social
+custom that lifted him above the common people about him.
+
+When rightly exercised chivalry was a great blessing to the people of
+its time.  It offered high ideals of pure-minded, warm-hearted,
+courtly, courageous Christian manhood.  It did much to arouse thought,
+to quicken sympathy, to purify morals, to make men truly brave and
+loyal.  Of course this ideal of character was not in the days of
+chivalry--ideals are not often now--very fully realised.  The
+Mediaeval, like the Modern, abused his power of muscle, of sword, of
+rank.  His liberty as a knight-errant sometimes descended into the
+licence of a highwayman; his pride in the opportunity for helpfulness
+grew to be the braggadocio of a bully; his freedom of personal choice
+became the insolence of lawlessness; his pretended purity and justice
+proved wanton selfishness.
+
+Because of these abuses that crept into the system, it is well for the
+world that gunpowder at last came, to break through the knight's coat
+of mail, to teach the nobility respect for common men, roughly to end
+this age of so much superficial politeness and savage bravery, and to
+bring in a more democratic social order.
+
+The books of any age are for us a record of how the people of that age
+thought, how they lived, and what kind of men and women they tried to
+be.  The old romances of chivalry give us clear pictures of the knights
+and ladies of the Middle Ages, and we shall lose the delight and the
+profit they may give us, if we think only of the defects of chivalry,
+and close our eyes to the really worthy motives of those far-off times,
+and so miss seeing what chivalry was able to do, while it lasted, to
+make men and women better and happier.
+
+Before reading the Arthur stories themselves it is well to know
+something about the way they have been built up, as one writer after
+another has taken the material left by predecessors, and has worked
+into it fresh conceptions of things brave and true.  First there was
+the old Latin chronicle of Nennius, the earliest trace of Arthurian
+fact or fancy, with a single paragraph given to Arthur and his twelve
+great battles.  This chronicle itself may have been based on yet
+earlier Welsh stories, which had been passed on, perhaps for centuries,
+by oral tradition from father to son, and gradually woven together into
+some legendary history of Oldest England in the local language of
+Brittany, across the English Channel.  This original book is referred
+to by later writers, but was long ago lost.  Geoffrey of Monmouth says
+it was the source of his material for his "Historia Britonum."
+Geoffrey's history, in Latin prose, written some time about the middle
+of the twelfth century, remains as the earliest definite record of the
+legends connected with King Arthur.
+
+Only a little later Geoffrey's Latin history was translated by Wace and
+others into Norman French, and here the Arthur material first appeared
+in verse form.  Then, still later in the twelfth century, Walter Map
+worked the same stories over into French prose, and at the same time
+put so much of his own knowledge and imagination with them, that we may
+almost say that he was the maker of the Arthur romances.
+
+Soon after the year twelve hundred,--a half century after Geoffrey of
+Monmouth first set our English ancestors to thinking about the
+legendary old hero of the times of the Anglo-Saxon conquest--Layamon,
+parish priest of Ernly, in Worcestershire, gave to the English language
+(as distinct from the earlier Anglo-Saxon) his poem "Brut."  This was a
+translation and enlargement of Wace's old French poem having Arthur as
+hero.  So these stories of King Arthur, of Welsh or Celtic origin, came
+through the Latin, and then through French verse and prose, into our
+own speech, and so began their career down the centuries of our more
+modern history.
+
+After giving ideas to generation after generation of romance writers of
+many countries and in many languages, these same romantic stories were,
+in the fifteenth century, skilfully brought together into one connected
+prose narrative,--one of the choicest of the older English classics,
+"Le Morte Darthur," by Sir Thomas Malory.  Those were troublous times
+when Sir Thomas, perhaps after having himself fought and suffered in
+the Wars of the Roses then in progress, found some quiet spot in
+Warwickshire in which to put together in lasting form the fine old
+stories that already in his day were classics.
+
+Malory finished his book in 1470, and its permanence for all time was
+assured fifteen years later, when Caxton, after the "symple connynge"
+that God had sent him (to use the quaint forms of expression then
+common), "under the favour and correctyon of al noble lordes and
+gentylmen emprysed to emprynte a book of the noble hystoryes of the
+sayd Kynge Arthur and of certeyn of his knyghtes after a copye unto him
+delyuerd whyche copye Syr Thomas Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn
+bookes of Frensche and reduced it in to Englysche."  This hard-headed
+business man,--this fifteenth-century publisher,--was rather doubtful
+about the Briton king of a thousand years before his day, and to those
+urging upon him the venture of printing Malory's book he answered:
+"Dyuers men holde oppynyon that there was no suche Arthur and that alle
+suche bookes as been maad of hym ben fayned and fables by cause that
+somme cronycles make of him no mencyon ne remember him noo thynge ne of
+his knyghtes."
+
+But the arguments of those in favour of the undertaking prevailed,
+greatly to the advantage of the four centuries that have followed,
+during which "Le Morte Darthur" has been a constant source of poetic
+inspiration.  Generation after generation of readers and of writers
+have drawn life from its chapters, and the new delight in Tennyson's
+"Idylls of the King," almost of our own time, shows that the fountain
+has not yet been drained dry.
+
+Malory's "Morte Darthur" is a long book, and its really great interest
+is partly hidden from us by forms of expression that belong only to the
+time when it was first written.  Besides this, the ideas of what was
+right and proper in conduct and speech--moral standards--were far lower
+in Malory's day than they are now.
+
+The purpose of this new little volume is to bring the old tales freshly
+to the attention of young people of the present time.  It keeps, as far
+as may be, the exact language and the spirit of the original, chooses
+such stories as best represent the whole, and modifies these only in
+order to remove what could possibly hide the thought, or be so crude in
+taste and morals as to seem unworthy of the really high-minded author
+of five hundred years ago.  It aims also so to condense the book that,
+in this age of hurry, readers may not be repelled from the tales merely
+because of their length.
+
+Chivalry of just King Arthur's kind was given up long ago, but that for
+which it stood--human fellowship in noble purpose--is far older than
+the institution of knighthood or than even the traditions of the
+energetic, brave, true, helpful King Arthur himself.  It links us with
+all the past and all the future.  The knights of the twentieth century
+do not set out in chain-armour to right the wrongs of the oppressed by
+force of arms, but the best influences of chivalry have been preserved
+for the quickening of a broader and a nobler world than was ever in the
+dreams of knight-errant of old.  Modern heroes of the genuine type owe
+more than they know to those of Arthur's court who swore:
+
+  "To reverence the King, as if he were
+  Their conscience, and their conscience as their King,
+  To break the heathen and uphold the Christ,
+  To ride abroad redressing human wrongs,
+  To speak no slander, no, nor listen to it,
+  To honour his own word as if his God's,
+  To lead sweet lives in purest chastity,
+  To love one maiden only, cleave to her,
+  And worship her by years of noble deeds,
+  Until they won her."
+
+
+"Antiquity produced heroes, but not gentlemen," someone has said.  In
+the days of Charlemagne and Alfred began the training which, continued
+in the days of Chaucer and Sir Thomas Malory and many, many more, has
+given to this our age that highest type of manhood, the Christian
+gentleman.
+
+U. W. C.
+
+
+
+
+Stories of King Arthur
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR
+
+It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
+England, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against
+him a long time.  And the duke was named the Duke of Tintagil.  Ten
+miles away from his castle, called Terrabil, there was, in the castle
+Tintagil, Igraine of Cornwall, that King Uther liked and loved well,
+for she was a good and fair lady, and passing wise.  He made her great
+cheer out of measure, and desired to have her love in return; but she
+would not assent unto him, and for pure anger and for great love of
+fair Igraine King Uther fell sick.
+
+At that time there lived a powerful magician named Merlin, who could
+appear in any place he chose, could change his looks as he liked, and
+at will could do wonderful things to help or to harm knights and
+ladies.  So to King Uther came Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and said, "I
+will seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy so that your heart shall
+be pleased."  So Ulfius departed, and by adventure met Merlin in
+beggar's array, and made him promise to be not long behind in riding to
+Uther's pavilion.
+
+Soon Merlin stood by the king's side and said: "I know all your heart,
+and promise ye shall have your desire, if ye will be sworn to fulfil my
+wish."  This the king solemnly agreed to do, and then Merlin said:
+"After ye shall win Igraine as wife, a child shall be born to you that
+is to be given unto me to be brought up as I will; this shall be for
+your honour and the child's avail."
+
+That night King Uther met in battle the Duke of Tintagil, who had
+protected Igraine in her castle, and overcame him.  Then Igraine
+welcomed Uther as her true lover, for Merlin had given him the
+appearance of one dear to her, and, the barons being all well accorded,
+the two were married on a morning with great mirth and joy.
+
+When the time came that Igraine should bear a son, Merlin came again
+unto the King to claim his promise, and he said: "I know a lord of
+yours in this land, a passing true man and a faithful, named Sir Ector,
+and he shall have the nourishing of your child.  Let the young Prince
+be delivered to me at yonder privy postern, when I come for him."
+
+So the babe, Arthur Pendragon, bound in a cloth of gold, was taken by
+two knights and two ladies to the postern gate of the castle and
+delivered unto Merlin, disguised as a poor man, and by him was carried
+forth to Sir Ector, whose wife nourished him as her own child.
+
+Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady.
+Wherefore all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what
+counsel were best, for few of them had ever seen or heard of the young
+child, Arthur.  On the morn all by Merlin's counsel came before the
+King, and Merlin said: "Sir, shall your son Arthur be king, after your
+days, of this realm with all the appurtenance?"
+
+Then Uther Pendragon turned him and said in hearing of them all, "I
+give him God's blessing and mine, and bid him righteously and
+honourably to claim the crown upon forfeiture of my blessing."
+
+Therewith he died, and he was buried as befitted a king, and the Queen,
+fair Igraine, and all the barons made great sorrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND
+
+Then stood the kingdom in great jeopardy a long while, for every lord
+strengthened himself, and many a one thought to be king rather than be
+ruled by a child that they had never known.  All this confusion Merlin
+had foreseen, and he had taken the young prince away, to keep him safe
+from the jealous barons until he should be old enough to rule wisely
+for himself.  Even Sir Ector did not know that the boy growing up with
+his own son Kay was the King's child, and heir to the realm.
+
+When now young Arthur had grown into a tall youth, well trained in all
+the exercises of honourable knighthood, Merlin went to the Archbishop
+of Canterbury and counselled him to send to all the lords of the realm
+and all the gentlemen of arms, that they should come to London at
+Christmas time, since God of His great mercy would at that time show by
+miracle who should be rightwise king of the realm.  The Archbishop did
+as Merlin advised, and all the great knights made them clean of their
+life so that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God, and
+when Christmas came they went unto London, each one thinking that
+perchance his wish to be made king should be granted.  So in the
+greatest church of the city (whether it was St Paul's or not the old
+chronicle maketh no mention) all were at their prayers long ere day.
+
+When matins were done and they came out of the church, there was seen
+in the churchyard a great square stone, in the midst of which was an
+anvil of steel, a foot high, with a fair sword naked at the point
+sticking through it.  Written in gold about the sword were letters that
+read thus: "Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil is
+rightwise king born of all England."
+
+[Illustration: The Dedication.]
+
+All the people marvelled at the stone and the inscription, and some
+assayed--such as would be king--to draw out the sword.  But none might
+stir it, and the Archbishop said: "He is not here that shall achieve
+this sword, but doubt not God will make him known.  This now is my
+counsel, that we cause to be chosen ten knights, men of good fame, to
+guard this sword until the rightful possessor shall appear."
+
+So it was ordained, and it was proclaimed that every man should assay
+that would, to win the sword.  And upon New Year's Day the barons held
+jousts and a tournament for all knights that would engage.  All this
+was ordained for to keep the lords and the commons together, for the
+Archbishop trusted that God would soon make him known that should win
+the sword.  So upon New Year's Day the barons rode to the field, some
+to joust and some to tourney; and it happened that Sir Ector rode also,
+and with him Sir Kay, his son, that had just been made knight, and
+young Arthur that was his foster-brother.
+
+As they rode to the joust-ward Sir Kay suddenly missed his sword, which
+he had left at his father's lodging, and he begged young Arthur to ride
+and fetch it.  "I will gladly," said Arthur, and he hastened off home.
+But the lady and all the household were out to see the jousting, and he
+found nobody at home to deliver him the sword.  Then was Arthur
+troubled, and said to himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not
+be without a sword this day."
+
+So when he came to the great stone Arthur alighted, and tied his horse
+to the stile.  He then went straight to the tent of the guards, but
+found no knights there, for they were at the jousting.  So he took the
+sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the
+anvil; then he mounted his horse and rode his way till he came to his
+brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword.
+
+As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew well it was that one of the
+stone, and so he rode away 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, all three returned to the church and
+entered it.  Anon Sir Ector made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how he
+came by that sword.  And Sir Kay answered that Arthur had brought it to
+him.  "And how gat ye the sword?" said he to Arthur; and when Sir Ector
+heard how it had been pulled from the anvil, he said to Arthur: "Now I
+understand ye must be king of this land."
+
+"Wherefore I?" said Arthur, "and for what cause?"
+
+"Sir," said Ector, "for God will have it so; for there should never man
+have drawn out this sword but he that shall be rightwise king.  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 into the stone.
+Therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword, and failed.  Then
+Sir Kay pulled at it with all his might, but it would not yield.
+
+"Now shall ye assay again," said Sir Ector to Arthur.
+
+"I will well," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily a second time.
+
+Now was Sir Ector sure that Arthur was of higher blood than had been
+thought, and that the rightful king had been made known.  And he told
+his foster-son all, how he was not his father, but had taken him to
+nourish at Merlin's request.  Arthur was grieved indeed when he
+understood that Sir Ector was not his father, and that the good lady
+that had fostered and kept him as her own son was not his true mother,
+and he said to Sir Ector, "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."
+
+Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop and told him how the sword
+was achieved, and by whom.  And all the barons came thither, that
+whoever would might assay to take the sword.  But there before them all
+none might take it out but Arthur.  Now many lords became wroth, and
+said it was great shame unto them all and to the realm to be governed
+by a boy.  They contended so at that time that the matter was put off
+till Candlemas, when all the barons should meet there again.  A
+pavilion was set over the stone and the sword, and the ten knights were
+ordained to watch there day and night, five being always on guard.
+
+So at Candlemas many more great lords came thither to win the sword,
+but none might prevail except Arthur.  The barons were sore aggrieved
+at this, and again put it off in delay till the high feast of Easter.
+And as Arthur sped afore, so did he at Easter; yet there were some of
+the great lords that had indignation that Arthur should be their king,
+and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost.
+
+At the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the
+sword, yet none might prevail but Arthur; and he 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 as traitor."
+And they kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and begged mercy
+of Arthur, because they had delayed so long.  And Arthur forgave 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 the best
+man that was there.
+
+And anon was the coronation made, and there Arthur swore unto his lords
+and the commons to be a true king, to stand for justice all the days of
+his life.  Then he made all the lords that were subject to the crown to
+come in, and to do service as they ought to do.  And many great wrongs
+that had been done since the death of King Uther were righted, and to
+lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen were given back the lands of
+which they had been unjustly deprived.  When the king had thus
+established justice in all the countries about London, he made Sir Kay
+seneschal of England, and other officers he appointed also that should
+aid in keeping back his enemies and holding his realm in peace and
+orderliness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on
+horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking
+justice against the murderer.  Then came up Griflet, that was but a
+squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given
+the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that
+had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
+
+Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving
+him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the
+last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to
+the fountain.
+
+There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and
+bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on
+a tree hard by.  Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear,
+so that it fell clattering down to the ground.  With that the knight
+came out of the pavilion and said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my
+shield?"
+
+"For I will joust with you," said Griflet.
+
+"It is better ye do not," said the knight, "for ye are but a young and
+late-made knight, and your might is nothing to mine."
+
+But Griflet would have it so, and the two ran together with such force
+that Griflet's spear was all shattered, and horse and rider fell down
+sore wounded.  When the knight saw the youth lying on the ground, he
+was heavy of heart; and he unlaced his helm to give him air, and
+finally setting him on his horse, sent him with cheering words back to
+the court.  Here great dole was made for him because of his wounds, and
+Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet.
+
+The next morning ere day the King ordered his best horse, and in full
+armour rode out alone to encounter the knight of the fountain.  It was
+a strong battle they had.  Arthur's spear was all shattered, and his
+horse fell to the ground.  Then they fought with swords with many great
+strokes and much blood-shed on both sides.  Finally by a mighty blow
+from his enemy,--a passing big man of might,--Arthur's sword was
+smitten in two pieces, and he was called upon to yield himself as
+overcome and recreant, or die.
+
+"As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but to
+yield me unto thee as recreant, I had rather die than to be so shamed."
+
+Therewithal came Merlin, and made known who Arthur was.  Then by
+enchantment he caused the knight to fall into a deep sleep, and bore
+Arthur away to a hermit to be cured of his wounds.
+
+When, after three days of rest and healing, he was riding with Merlin
+through the forest, King Arthur said, "I have no sword."
+
+"No matter," said Merlin; "there is one near by that I can perhaps get
+for you."
+
+So they rode on till it chanced that they passed a fair and broad lake.
+In the midst of the water Arthur became aware of an arm clothed in
+white samite[1] holding aloft a beautiful sword.
+
+"Lo! there is the sword of which I spake," said Merlin, "and yonder is
+the Lady of the Lake ready to help you to it, if ye speak fair to her."
+
+Anon came the damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, and he her again.
+"Damsel," said Arthur, "what sword is it that the arm holdeth above the
+water yonder?  I would it were mine, for I have no sword."
+
+"Sir Arthur King," said the damsel, "that sword is mine, and if ye will
+give me a gift when I ask it you, go ye into yonder barge and row
+yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you."
+
+So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to a tree, and
+then they went into the magic boat.  Soon they were beside the sword
+that the hand held up.  Arthur took it by the handle, the arm and the
+hand went down beneath the water, and the two travellers rowed back to
+the land and went forth.
+
+As they rode along Arthur looked on the sword, which had the name
+Excalibur, that is as much as to say Cut-steel, and he liked it passing
+well, for the handle was all set with precious stones.
+
+"Which like you better," said Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?"
+
+"The sword," replied Arthur.
+
+"Ye are unwise," said Merlin; "the scabbard is worth ten of the sword,
+for while ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood;
+therefore keep well the scabbard always with you."
+
+In this way Arthur came by Excalibur, and many an adventure he was to
+have with it, and was to suffer great danger when by evil interference
+it was, as we shall see, for a time stolen from him.  With it in hand
+the hardest fight went well in the end, for the scabbard kept him from
+weakness, and a mysterious power lay in the strong, true blade that
+none could withstand, until the time came for King Arthur to give back
+the sword to the Lady of the Lake and to die of the wounds of a traitor.
+
+So King Arthur and Merlin rode on, and when they came back safe to
+Carlion and the court the knights were passing glad.  Some wondered
+that the king would risk himself abroad so alone, but all men of valour
+said it was merry to be under such a chief that would put his person in
+adventure as other poor knights did.
+
+
+
+[1] Samite: silk stuff
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+BALIN AND BALAN
+
+On a day there came a messenger to King Arthur saying that King Ryons
+of North Wales, a strong man in body, and passing proud, had
+discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and each of these to do him
+homage had cut his beard clean off as trimming for King Ryons' royal
+mantle.  One place of the mantle still lacked trimming; wherefore he
+sent for Arthur's beard, and if he did not receive it he would enter
+England to burn and slay, and never would he leave till he had Arthur,
+head and all.
+
+"Well," said Arthur to the messenger, "thou hast said thy message, the
+most insolent ever sent unto a king.  Thou seest my beard is full young
+yet to make a trimming of it.  Tell thou thy king I owe him no homage,
+but ere long he shall do me homage on both his knees."  So the
+messenger departed.
+
+Among those who, at Arthur's call, gathered at Camelot to withstand
+King Ryons' invasion of the land was a knight that had been Arthur's
+prisoner half a year and more for some wrong done to one of the court.
+The name of this knight was Balin, a strong, courageous man, but poor
+and so poorly clothed that he was thought to be of no honour.  But
+worthiness and good deeds are not all only in arrayment.  Manhood and
+honour is hid within man's person, and many an honourable knight is not
+known unto all people through his clothing.  This Balin felt deeply the
+insult of King Ryons, and anon armed himself to ride forth to meet with
+him and mayhap to destroy him, in the hope that then King Arthur would
+again be his good and gracious lord.
+
+The meanwhile that this knight was making ready to depart on this
+adventure, there came to Arthur's court the Lady of the Lake, and she
+now asked of him the gift that he promised her when she gave him his
+sword Excalibur.
+
+"Ask what ye will," said the King, "and ye shall have it, if it lie in
+my power to give."
+
+Thereupon she demanded Balin's head, and would take none other thing.
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I may not grant this with my honour," and
+Balin was allowed to make ready for the adventure with King Ryons.
+
+But ere he had left the court he saw the Lady of the Lake.  He went
+straight to her, and with his sword lightly smote off her head before
+King Arthur, for he knew her as the untruest lady living, one that by
+enchantment and sorcery had been the destroyer of many good knights.
+
+"Alas! for shame," said Arthur.  "Why have ye done so?  Ye have shamed
+me and all my court, for this was a lady that I was beholden to, and
+hither she came under my safe conduct.  I shall never forgive you that
+trespass.  What cause soever ye had, ye should have spared her in my
+presence; therefore withdraw you out of my court in all haste that ye
+may."
+
+So Balin,--called Balin the Wild for his savage and reckless
+nature,--departed with his squire, and King Arthur and all the court
+made great mourning, and had shame at the death of the Lady of the
+Lake.  Then the King buried her richly.
+
+In sorrow over the evil he had wrought and the disfavour of his king,
+Balin turned his horse towards a great forest, and there by the armour
+he was ware of his brother Balan.  And when they were met, they put off
+their helms and kissed together, and wept for joy.
+
+Anon the knight Balin told his brother of the death of the Lady of the
+Lake, and said: "Truly I am right heavy of heart that my lord Arthur is
+displeased with me, for he is the most honourable knight that reigneth
+on earth, and his love I will get or else I will put my life in
+adventure with King Ryons, that lieth now at the castle Terrabil.
+Thither will we ride together in all haste, to prove our honour and
+prowess upon him."
+
+"I will gladly do that," said Balan; "we will help each other as
+brothers ought to do."
+
+So they took their way to find King Ryons, and as they rode along
+together they encountered him in a straight way with threescore
+knights.  Anon Balin and Balan smote him down from his horse, and slew
+on the right hand and the left hand more than forty of his men.  The
+remnant fled, and King Ryons yielded him unto their grace as prisoner.
+So they laid him on a horse-litter, for he was fiercely wounded, and
+brought him to Camelot.  There they delivered him to the porters and
+charged them with him; and then they two returned to further adventure.
+
+And Balin rode towards the castle of King Pellam to revenge the wrongs
+of knights and ladies on a treacherous knight named Garlon.  He had a
+fifteen days' journey thither, and the day he came unto the castle
+there began a great feast.  Balin was well received, and led to a
+chamber, where he laid off his armour.  They also brought him robes to
+his pleasure, and would have had him leave his sword behind him.
+
+"Nay," said Balin, "that do I not, for it is the custom of my country
+for a knight always to have his weapon with him, and that custom will I
+keep, or else I will depart as I came."
+
+Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went unto the
+hall and was set among the knights of honour.
+
+Soon he saw the false knight Garlon, and thought to himself: "If I slay
+him here I shall not escape, and if I leave him now, peradventure I
+shall never meet with him again at such a good time, and much harm will
+he do if he live."
+
+Then this Garlon espied that Balin watched him, and he came and smote
+Balin on the face, and said: "Knight, why watchest thou me so?  Eat thy
+meat, and do that thou camest for."
+
+Then Balin said, "I will do that I came for," and rose up fiercely and
+clove his head to the shoulders.
+
+Anon all the knights arose from the table to set on Balin, and King
+Pellam himself caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword betwixt his head and the stroke.  With
+that his sword was broken in sunder, and he, now weaponless, ran into
+the chamber to seek some weapon, and so, from chamber to chamber, but
+no weapon could he find, and alway King Pellam came after him.
+
+At last Balin entered into a chamber that was marvellously well
+furnished and richly, wherein was a bed arrayed with cloth of gold, the
+richest that might be thought, and thereby a table of clean gold, and
+upon the table a marvellous spear, strangely wrought.  And when Balin
+saw that spear he took it in his hand, and turned to King Pellam and
+smote him passing hard with it so that he fell down in a swoon.
+Therewith the castle roof and walls brake and fell to the earth, and
+Balin also, so that he might not stir foot nor hand, for through that
+dolorous stroke the most part of the castle that was fallen down lay
+upon him and Pellam.
+
+After three days Merlin came thither, and he took up Balin and gat him
+a good horse, for his was dead, and bade him ride out of the country.
+Merlin also told him that his stroke had turned to great dole, trouble,
+and grief, for the marvellous spear was the same with which Longius,
+the Roman soldier, smote our Lord Jesus Christ to the heart at the
+crucifixion.
+
+Then departed Balin from Merlin, never to meet him again, and rode
+forth through the fair countries and cities about Pellam Castle, and
+found people dead, slain on every side.  And all that were left alive
+cried: "O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries, for
+by the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are
+destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the
+last."
+
+When Balin was out of those countries he was passing glad, and after
+many days he came by a cross, whereon were letters of gold written that
+said, "It is not for any knight alone to ride towards this castle."
+Then saw he an old hoary gentleman coming towards him that said, "Balin
+the Wild, thou passest thy bounds to come this way; therefore turn
+again and it will avail thee."  The old gentleman vanished away, and
+then Balin heard a horn blow, as if for the death of a beast in the
+chase.  "That blast," said he, "is blown for me, for I am the prize,
+yet am I not dead."  Anon he saw a hundred ladies and many knights,
+that welcomed him with fair semblance, and made him passing good cheer
+seemingly, and led him into the castle, where there were dancing and
+minstrelsy, and all manner of joy.
+
+Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight, you must have ado with
+a knight close by that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass
+this way but he must joust, ere he go farther."
+
+"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin, "that a knight may not pass
+this way unless he joust, but since that is my duty, thereto am I
+ready.  Travelling men are oft weary, and their horses also; but though
+my horse be weary my heart is not weary."
+
+"Sir," said the knight then to Balin, "me thinketh your shield is not
+good; I will lend you a better."
+
+So Balin took the shield that was unknown, and left his own, and rode
+unto the island.  He put himself and his horse in a great boat, and
+when he came on the other side he met with a damsel, and she said, "O
+Knight Balin, why hast thou left thine own shield?  Alas! thou hast put
+thyself in great danger, for by thine own shield thou shouldst have
+been known.  It is a great pity, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou
+hast no equal living."
+
+"Me repenteth," said Balin, "that ever I came within this country, but
+I may not turn now again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to
+me, be it life or death, I will take the adventure that shall come to
+me."
+
+Then he looked on his armour, and understood he was well armed, for
+which he was thankful, and so he mounted upon his horse.  Then before
+him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight in red armour, and his
+horse was all trapped in the same colour.  When this knight in red
+beheld Balin, he thought he was like his brother; but because he knew
+not his shield, he deemed it was not he.  And so they couched their
+spears and came marvellously fast together, and they smote each other
+in the shields; but their spears were so heavy and their course so
+swift that horse and man were borne down, and both knights lay in a
+swoon.  Balin was bruised sore with the fall of his horse, for he was
+weary with travel, and Balan (for the knight in red was none other) was
+the first that rose to his feet.  He drew his sword and went towards
+Balin, who arose and went against him.  But Balan smote Balin first,
+striking through his shield and cleaving his helm.  Then Balin smote
+him in return with that unhappy sword that had already wrought so great
+harm, and the blow well nigh felled his brother Balan.  So they fought
+there together till their breaths failed.
+
+Then Balin looked up to the castle, and saw the towers stand full of
+ladies; so they went to battle again and wounded each other dolefully.
+Then they breathed ofttimes, and yet again went unto battle, until all
+the place there was blood-red from the great wounds that either had
+smitten other, and their hauberks became unriveted so that naked they
+were on every side.
+
+At last Balan, the younger brother, withdrew a little and laid himself
+down.  Then said Balin the Wild, "What knight art thou? for ere now I
+found never a knight that matched me."
+
+"My name is," said he, "Balan, brother to the good knight Balin."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "that ever I should see this day."  Thereupon he
+fell backward in a swoon.
+
+Then Balan crept on all fours to his brother and put oft his helm, but
+he might not know him, his visage was so disguised by blood and wounds.
+But when Balin awoke, he said, "O Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me
+and I thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speak of us both."
+
+"Alas!" said Balan; "that ever I saw this day, that through mishap I
+might not know thee!  Because thou hadst another shield I deemed thou
+wert another knight."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "all this was caused by an unhappy knight in the
+castle, that made me leave mine own shield, to the destruction of us
+both."
+
+Then anon Balan died, and at midnight after, Balin; so both were buried
+together, and the lady of the castle had Balan's name written on the
+tomb and how he was there slain by his brother's hand, but she knew not
+Balin's name.  In the morn came Merlin and wrote Balin's inscription
+also in letters of gold: "Here lieth Balin the Wild, that smote the
+dolorous stroke."
+
+Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the
+dolorous stroke that Balin gave King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan
+fought together the most marvellous battle that ever was heard of, and
+how they buried both in one tomb.  "Alas!" said King Arthur; "this is
+the greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the
+world I know not such two knights."
+
+Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
+Northumberland, good knights both.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+Arthur was indeed king, but enemies long held out against his just
+authority.  When he went into Wales to be crowned at the city of
+Carlion, he let cry a great feast to be holden at Pentecost.  Unto this
+feast came the six kings of that region with many of their knights, and
+Arthur thought it was to do him honour.  But when he made joy of their
+coming and sent them great presents, the kings would none receive, and
+said they had no joy to receive gifts of a beardless boy that was come
+of low birth.  They sent him word that they were come to give him gifts
+with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders, for it was great
+shame to all of them to see such a boy have rule of so noble a realm as
+this land was.
+
+This answer was told King Arthur, who now betook himself to a strong
+tower and five hundred good men with him.  Here the six kings laid
+siege to him, but he was well victualled; and soon Merlin came and bade
+him fear not, but speak boldly to his enemies, "for," said he, "ye
+shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill."
+
+So the King armed himself and all his knights and came out to do battle
+with his enemies.  Then three hundred good men of the best that were
+with the kings went straight over unto King Arthur, which comforted him
+greatly.  So he set upon the hosts of the six kings, and he and his men
+did marvellous deeds of arms.  Therewith he put them back, and then the
+commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves and slew many of the
+enemy, and so they fled away.
+
+Since the enemy were still passing strong, Merlin counselled King
+Arthur to send letters well devised beyond the sea to the two brethren,
+marvellous good men of their hands, named one King Ban of Benwick and
+the other King Bors of Gaul, and to say to them that, if they would
+come and help King Arthur in his wars, he in turn would be sworn unto
+them to help them in their wars against King Claudas, a mighty man that
+strove with them for a castle.
+
+So there were made letters in the pleasantest wise, according to King
+Arthur's desire, and Ulfius and Brastias, the messengers, rode forth
+well horsed and well armed, and so passed the sea and came to the city
+of Benwick.  Here they had good cheer as long as they tarried, and
+received the answer that King Ban and King Bors would come unto King
+Arthur in all the haste they might.
+
+Now those six kings in Wales had by their means gotten unto them five
+other kings, and all swore together that for weal or woe they would not
+leave each other till they had destroyed Arthur.  So their whole host
+drew towards Arthur, now strengthened by Ban and Bors with their
+followers that had crossed from Gaul to his aid.  Then followed a great
+battle, and they did on both sides great deeds of arms until at the
+last Merlin counselled Arthur to fight no longer, since the eleven
+kings had more on hand than they were ware of, and would soon depart
+home; for a messenger would come and tell them that lawless people as
+well as Saracens, forty thousand in number, had entered their lands and
+were burning and slaying without mercy.  So the great battle was ended,
+and the eleven kings went to their own country.
+
+Now King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors came with their following into
+the country of Cameliard, and there aided King Leodegrance against an
+enemy of that land.  King Leodegrance thanked them for their goodness,
+and made them great cheer ere King Ban and King Bors departed back
+towards Benwick.
+
+In Cameliard Arthur had the first sight of Guenever, the King's
+daughter, and ever afterwards he loved her.  So when peace was once
+more in his land, King Arthur asked counsel of Merlin about seeking her
+as his wife, for to him she was the most valiant and fairest lady
+living or to be found.
+
+"Sir," said Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+alive, but if ye loved her not so well as ye do, I could choose better
+for you.  Yet when a man's heart is set, he will be loath to change."
+
+So Merlin was sent forth to King Leodegrance, and he told him of King
+Arthur's desire.  King Leodegrance was glad that so worthy a king of
+prowess and of nobleness would wed his daughter, and promised him as
+wedding gift,--not lands, for he had enough and needed none,--but what
+would please him much more, the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon had
+given to the King of Cameliard,--a table made by Merlin at which an
+hundred and fifty knights might be seated.
+
+So Guenever, attended by Merlin and an hundred good knights (all King
+Leodegrance could spare, so many had been slain in his wars) with the
+Round Table rode with great pomp by water and by land to London.  There
+King Arthur made great joy of their coming, for he had long loved
+Guenever.  Also the gift pleased him more than right great riches.  And
+the marriage and the coronation were ordained with all speed in the
+most honourable wise that could be devised.
+
+Merlin was sent to espy out in all the land fifty knights of most
+prowess and honour, who should make up the full number for the Round
+Table.  Only twenty-eight could he find worthy enough, and these Merlin
+fetched to Arthur's court.  And Merlin made sieges (seats), an hundred
+and fifty in all, for the knights, and he placed in every knight's
+siege his name in letters of gold.
+
+On that same day King Arthur founded the great order of the Round
+Table, the fame of which was to last for all time.  An hundred and
+twenty-eight were then sworn as Knights of the Table Round, and every
+year at the high feast of Pentecost others were to be added as they
+showed themselves worthy.  Only one siege was long empty, the Siege
+Perilous, for no man should sit therein but one, and if any one of
+unworthy life were so hardy as to sit therein, he should be destroyed.
+
+With great ceremony each one took the vows of true knighthood, solemnly
+promising to do no wicked deed, to be loyal to the King, to give mercy
+to those asking it, always to be courteous and helpful to ladies, and
+to fight in no wrongful quarrel for wordly gain, upon pain of death or
+forfeiture of knighthood and King Arthur's favour.  Unto this were all
+the knights of the Round Table sworn, both old and young.  To dishonour
+knighthood was the greatest disgrace; to prove themselves worthy of
+knightly honour by strong, brave, courteous, loyal bearing under great
+difficulties was the highest end of living.
+
+So King Arthur stablished all his knights, and to them that were not
+rich he gave lands; and they rode abroad to right the wrongs of men,
+and to give help to the oppressed.  With their aid he secured order and
+justice throughout his realm, and then the weakest man might do his
+work in peace, and prosper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE LADIES' KNIGHT
+
+The King was wedded unto Dame Guenever at Camelot with great solemnity.
+Just as all were sitting at the high feast that followed the marriage,
+there came running into the hall a white hart, followed by a whole pack
+of hounds with a great cry, and the hart went about the Table Round.
+At a fierce bite from one of the dogs the hart made a great leap, and
+overthrew a knight that sat at the table, and so passed forth out of
+the hall again, with all the dogs after him.  When they were gone the
+King was glad, for they made such a noise, but Merlin said, "Ye may not
+leave this adventure so lightly.  Let call Sir Gawaine, for he must
+bring again the white hart."
+
+"I will," said the King, "that all be done by your advice."  So Sir
+Gawaine was called, and he took his charge and armed himself for the
+adventure.  Sir Gawaine was one of King Arthur's nephews, and had just
+been made a knight, for he had asked of the King the gift of knighthood
+on the same day that he should wed fair Guenever.
+
+So Sir Gawaine rode quickly forth, and Gaheris his brother rode with
+him, instead of a squire, to do him service.  As they followed the hart
+by the cry of the hounds, they came to a great river.  The hart swam
+over, and they followed after, and so at length they chased him into a
+castle, where in the chief courtyard the dogs slew the hart before Sir
+Gawaine and young Gaheris came up.  Right so there came a knight out of
+a room, with a sword drawn in his hand, and he slew two of the
+greyhounds even in the sight of Sir Gawaine, and the remnant he chased
+with his sword out of the castle.
+
+When he came back he said, "O my white hart, me repenteth that thou art
+dead, for my sovereign lady gave thee to me, and poorly have I kept
+thee.  Thy death shall be dear bought, if I live."
+
+Anon he came fiercely towards Sir Gawaine, and they struck mightily
+together.  They clove their shields and broke their helms and hauberks
+so that the blood ran down to their feet.  At the last Sir Gawaine
+smote the knight so hard that he fell to the earth; and then he cried
+for mercy and yielded himself, and besought Sir Gawaine as he was a
+knight and gentleman to save his life.
+
+"Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawaine, "for slaying of my hounds."
+
+"I will make amends," said the knight, "unto my power."
+
+Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to strike off his
+head, when at that instant came his lady out of a chamber.  She fell
+upon her husband just as the blow descended, and so Sir Gawaine smote
+off her head by misadventure, and the knight was saved.
+
+"Alas!" said Gaheris, "that is foul and shamefully done; that shame
+shall never depart from you.  Ye should give mercy unto them that ask
+mercy, for a knight without mercy is without honour."
+
+Sir Gawaine was so astonished at the death of the fair lady that he
+knew not what he did, and he said unto the knight, "Arise, I will give
+thee mercy; and go thou unto King Arthur, and tell him how thou art
+overcome by the knight that went in the quest of the white hart."
+
+"I care not for mercy now," said the knight, "for thou hast slain my
+lady that I loved best of all earthly things it matters not whether I
+live or die."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine went into the castle and made ready to rest there all
+night.
+
+"What will ye do?" said Gaheris; "will ye unarm you in this country?
+Ye may believe ye have many enemies here."
+
+He had no sooner said that word than there came four knights well
+armed, and anon they made Sir Gawaine and Gaheris yield themselves as
+prisoners, in spite of the brave battle wherein Sir Gawaine was sore
+wounded in the arm.
+
+Early on the morrow there came to Sir Gawaine in the prison one of the
+ladies of the castle, and said, "Sir Knight, what cheer?"
+
+"Not good," said he.
+
+"It is your own fault," said the lady, "for ye have done a passing foul
+deed in the slaying of the lady, which will be great disgrace unto you.
+Be ye not of King Arthur's kin?"
+
+"Yes, truly," said Sir Gawaine.  "My name is Gawaine, and my mother is
+King Arthur's sister."
+
+"Ah, then are ye nephew unto King Arthur," said the lady, "and I shall
+so speak for you that ye shall have conduct to King Arthur, for love of
+him."
+
+Then anon they delivered Sir Gawaine under this promise, that he should
+bear the dead lady to the court, the severed head hanging about his
+neck.  Right so he rode forth unto Camelot, and Merlin made him tell of
+his adventure, and how he slew the lady, and how he would give no mercy
+unto the knight, whereby the lady was slain.  Then the King and the
+Queen were greatly displeased with Sir Gawaine, and by ordinance of the
+Queen there was set a quest of ladies on Sir Gawaine, and they ordered
+him for ever while he lived to be with all ladies, and to fight for
+their quarrels; and that ever he should be courteous, and never refuse
+mercy to him that asketh mercy.  Thus was Gawaine sworn upon the four
+Evangelists that he should never be against lady nor gentlewoman,
+except if he fought for a lady and his adversary fought for another.
+
+Thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine, that he did at the marriage
+of King Arthur.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS
+
+Arthur was now established as king over all the land.  The great
+council hall at Camelot, that is Winchester, had been built, some say
+by Merlin's skill; and the most loyal and the bravest knights of the
+world had been gathered at Arthur's court to do honour to him and his
+fair Queen Guenever.
+
+Merlin was Arthur's wisest helper and most powerful friend, as he had
+before been the helper and friend of his father Uther, for whom he had
+made the Round Table, signifying the roundness of the world.  We have
+seen how he hid the young Arthur away from the jealousy of the wild
+barons, and how, by his power over men and his knowledge of what would
+be, he had saved the King's life and guided his wise rule.  The old
+magician Bleise, that dwelt in Northumberland, was Merlin's master, and
+he it was that wrote down all the battles of Arthur with his enemies
+word by word as Merlin told him, and all the battles that were done in
+Arthur's days, until Merlin was lost, as we shall see, through his own
+foolishness.
+
+On a time Merlin told King Arthur that he should not endure long, but
+for all his crafts he should be put in the earth alive.  Also he told
+many things that should befall, and how the king would miss him, so
+that rather than all his lands he would wish to have him again.
+
+"Ah," said King Arthur, "since ye know of this, provide against it, and
+put away by your crafts that misadventure."
+
+"Nay," said Merlin, "it cannot be done."  For Merlin, now grown an old
+man in his dotage, had fallen under the spell of a damsel of the court
+named Nimue.  With her he soon departed from the King, and evermore
+went with her wheresoever she went.  Ofttimes he wished to break away
+from her, but he was so held that he could not be out of her presence.
+Ever she made him good cheer, till she had learned from him all she
+desired of his secret craft, and had made him swear that he would never
+do any enchantment upon her.
+
+[Illustration: Merlin and Nimue]
+
+They went together over the sea unto the land of Benwick, where Ban was
+king, that had helped Arthur against his enemies.  Here Merlin saw
+young Launcelot, King Ban's son, and he told the queen that this same
+child should grow to be a man of great honour, so that all Christendom
+should speak of his prowess.  So the queen was comforted of her great
+sorrow that she made for the mortal war that King Claudas waged on her
+lord and on her lands.
+
+Then afterwards Nimue and Merlin departed into Cornwall, and by the way
+he showed her many wonders, and wearied her with his desire for her
+love.  She would fain have been delivered of him, for she was afraid of
+him, almost believing him a devil's son, and yet she could not put him
+away by any means.
+
+And so on a time it happened that Merlin showed to her a wonderful
+cavern in the cliff, closed by an enchanted stone.  By her subtle
+working she soon made Merlin remove the stone and go into the cavern to
+let her know of the marvels there.  Then she so wrought through the
+magic he had taught her that the stone was placed back again, so that
+he never came out for all the craft that he could do.  And then she
+departed and left him there.
+
+On a day a certain knight rode to see adventures, and happened to come
+to the rock where Nimue had put Merlin, and there he heard him make
+great lamentation.  The knight would gladly have helped him, and tried
+to move the great stone; but it was so heavy that a hundred men might
+not lift it up.  When Merlin knew that the knight sought his
+deliverance, he bade him leave his labour, for all was in vain.  He
+could never be helped but by her that put him there.
+
+So Merlin's prophecy of his own end was fulfilled, and he passed from
+the world of men.  Arthur truly missed his old friend and marvelled
+what had become of him.  Afterwards, when the last great battle came,
+he would have given everything to have Merlin with him again, but it
+could not be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+
+It befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode on hunting into a
+deep forest, and King Arthur, King Uriens of Gore that was the husband
+of Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, and Sir Accolon of Gaul followed a
+great hart so fast that within a while they were ten miles from their
+fellowship.  At the last they chased so sore that they slew their
+horses underneath them.  Then were they all three on foot, and ever
+they saw the hart afore them passing weary and hard bestead[1].  "Let
+us go on foot," said King Uriens, "till we meet with some lodging."
+
+Then were they ware of the hart that lay on a great water bank, and a
+dog biting on his throat, and more other hounds came after.  King
+Arthur now blew the prize[2] and dight[3] the hart.
+
+But the three knights were in sore straits, so far from home, and
+without horses, and they began to look about the world.  Then Arthur
+saw afore him in a great lake a little ship, all apparelled with silk
+down to the water, coming right unto them, and it landed on the sands.
+They went on board, all three, to see what was in the ship.  Soon it
+was dark night, and there suddenly were about them an hundred torches
+set upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave great light.
+
+Therewithal there came out twelve fair damsels, and they set forth for
+the knights a supper of all meats that they could think.  Then they
+showed them richly beseen[4] chambers for the night, where the three
+huntsmen slept marvellously.  But when they awoke next morning,
+everything had been changed through the sorcery of Morgan le Fay, that
+was secretly plotting against her brother, to destroy him.  King Uriens
+awoke in his own bed in Camelot, and Arthur found himself in a dark
+prison, with many woeful knights complaining about him, and they soon
+told him for what cause they were there.
+
+The lord of the castle where they were prisoners was the falsest knight
+alive, a treacherous, cowardly man, named Sir Damas.  He had a younger
+brother, Sir Ontzlake, a good knight of prowess, well beloved of all
+people, from whom he was keeping back unjustly a full fair manor.
+Great war had been betwixt these brothers.  Ontzlake was a far better
+fighter than the cowardly Damas, and yet he could not bring the elder
+to give over the younger brother's inheritance.  He offered to fight
+for it, and wished Sir Damas to find a knight to fight in his stead, if
+he himself dared not engage.  But Sir Damas was so hated that there was
+never one would fight for him, though he had by force taken all the
+knights of that whole region and brought them to his prison for to make
+them willing to take up his cause.  Many had died there, and the twenty
+that were yet alive were lean and spent with hunger, but no one of them
+would stand against Sir Ontzlake.
+
+Anon there came a damsel unto Arthur and asked him, "What cheer?"  "I
+cannot say," said he.  "Sir," said she, "if ye will fight for my lord,
+ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never with
+life."
+
+"Now," said Arthur, "that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a
+knight than to die in prison," and so it was agreed that he should do
+the battle on this covenant, that he should be delivered and all the
+prisoners.  With that all the twenty knights were brought out of the
+dark prison into the hall, and set free, but they all abode to see the
+battle.
+
+Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that was with King Arthur and King
+Uriens on the stag-hunt and that fell asleep on the magic ship.  When
+he awoke he found himself beside a deep well, within half a foot of its
+edge, in great peril of death.
+
+"Heaven save my lord King Arthur and King Uriens," said he, "for these
+damsels in the ship have betrayed us.  They were devils and no women,
+and if I may escape this misadventure, I shall destroy all false
+damsels that use enchantments, wherever I may find them."
+
+Right then there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose, and
+saluted Sir Accolon and said he came from Queen Morgan le Fay.  "She
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be of strong heart, for
+ye shall fight to-morn with a knight at the hour of prime, and
+therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, Arthur's sword, and the
+scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to
+the uttermost without any mercy, like as ye promised her when ye spake
+together in private."
+
+Sir Accolon believed he fully understood the message, and he said he
+should keep his promise now that he had the sword.  Just then a knight,
+who was no other than Sir Ontzlake himself, with a lady and six
+squires, came up on horseback, saluted Sir Accolon, and begged him to
+come and rest himself at his manor.  So Accolon mounted upon a spare
+horse and rode to the manor, where he had passing good cheer.
+
+Meantime Sir Damas sent to his brother, Sir Ontzlake, and bade him make
+ready to fight the next day with a good knight who had agreed to do
+battle for the disputed heritage; and it happened through Morgan le
+Fay's trickery that Accolon was lodged with Sir Ontzlake at the very
+time when this message came.  Now Sir Ontzlake was sore troubled at the
+message, for he had been wounded in both thighs by a spear a short time
+before, and was suffering much.  Still, wounded as he was, he would
+have taken the battle in hand, had not Sir Accolon offered to fight in
+his stead, because Morgan le Fay had sent Excalibur and the sheath for
+the battle with the knight on the morrow.  Then Sir Ontzlake was
+passing glad, and sent word unto his brother, Sir Damas, that he had a
+knight who would be ready in the field by to-morrow at the hour of
+prime.
+
+So it was arranged that Sir Arthur and Sir Accolon, unknown to one
+another, were to fight over the quarrel of the two brothers.
+Preparations were made accordingly, and all the knights and commons of
+the country were there to see the encounter.  Just as Arthur was ready
+upon horseback, there came a damsel from Morgan le Fay bringing unto
+him a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said: "Morgan le
+Fay sendeth you here your sword for great love."  He thanked her, not
+knowing that the sword and scabbard were counterfeit, and brittle and
+false.
+
+They went eagerly to the battle, and gave many great strokes.  Sir
+Accolon had all advantage on his side, for he had the real Excalibur,
+Morgan le Fay having so ordained that King Arthur should have been
+slain that day.  King Arthur's sword never bit like Sir Accolon's, and
+almost every stroke Sir Accolon gave wounded sore, so that it was a
+marvel that Arthur stood.  Almost from the first it seemed to him that
+the sword in Accolon's hand must be Excalibur, but he was so full of
+knighthood that knightly he endured the pain of the many wounds, and
+held out as well as he might until his sword brake at the cross and
+fell in the grass among the blood.
+
+Now he expected to die, but he held up his shield, and lost no ground,
+nor bated any cheer.  All men that beheld him said they never saw
+knight fight so well as Arthur did, considering the blood that he bled,
+and they were sorry for him.  But Accolon was so bold because of
+Excalibur that he grew passing hardy, and called upon Arthur to yield
+himself as recreant.
+
+"Nay," said Sir Arthur, "I may not so, for I have promised to do the
+battle to the uttermost by the faith of my body while my life lasteth,
+and therefore I had rather die with honour than live with shame; and if
+it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I had rather die so
+oft than yield myself to thee; for, though I lack weapon I shall lack
+no honour, and if thou slay me weaponless that shall be thy shame."
+
+But Accolon cared not for shame, and would not spare.  He gave Arthur
+such a stroke that he fell nigh to the earth; yet he pressed upon
+Accolon with his shield, and with the pommel of his sword in his hand
+gave such a blow that Accolon fell back a little.
+
+Now it chanced that one of the damsels of the court, she that had put
+Merlin under the stone, had come into the field for love of King
+Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le Fay had determined that Arthur
+should be slain; therefore she came to save his life.  She saw how full
+of prowess Arthur was, and grieved that so good a knight should be
+slain through false treason.  So when Accolon gave another blow, the
+sword Excalibur fell out of his hand to the earth.  Arthur lightly
+leaped to it and got it in his hand, and forthwith knew that it was his
+own Excalibur.  Then he saw the scabbard hanging by Accolon's side, and
+anon pulling it from him, he threw it off as far as he might throw it.
+Therewith Sir Arthur rushed upon Accolon with all his might and pulled
+him to the earth.  He then snatched off his helmet for the final blow,
+and the fierce battle was at an end.
+
+"Slay me ye may well," said Accolon, "if it please you, for ye are the
+best knight that ever I found, and I see well that God is with you."
+
+But now Sir Arthur thought he must have seen this knight, and asked,
+"Of what country art thou, and of what court?"  And when Sir Accolon
+told him his name, then he remembered him of his sister, Morgan le Fay,
+and of the enchantment of the ship.  He made Accolon tell how he came
+by the sword, and then Arthur knew all the plot of his sister and of
+Accolon to have the King slain and herself made queen.
+
+For the first time Arthur now let Accolon know against whom he had been
+fighting.  The fallen knight cried aloud for mercy, when he learned
+that he had nearly slain the King, and said to all the knights and men
+that were then there gathered together, "O lords, this noble knight
+that I have fought withal, which I sorely repent of, is the best man of
+prowess, of manhood, and of honour in the world, for it is King Arthur
+himself, the liege lord of us all, and with mishap and with
+misadventure have I done this battle with the king and lord in whose
+power I am."  Then all the people fell down on their knees, and called
+upon King Arthur for mercy, which he forthwith granted.
+
+The King was sorely hurt and Accolon's wounds were even worse.  Arthur
+made haste to settle the quarrel of the brothers Sir Damas and Sir
+Ontzlake by giving the latter his rights and charging Sir Damas upon
+pain of death never to distress knights-errant that ride on their
+adventures, and then was carried off to a near-by abbey, and Sir
+Accolon with him, to have their wounds searched.
+
+Within four days Sir Accolon died from loss of blood during the fight,
+but King Arthur was well recovered.  When Accolon was dead the King let
+send him on a horse-bier with six knights unto Camelot and said, "Bear
+him to my sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I send him to her as a
+present, and tell her that I have my sword Excalibur again and the
+scabbard."
+
+So they departed with the body.
+
+
+
+[1] Hard bestead: in a bad plight.
+
+[2] Prize: death note.
+
+[3] Dight: dressed.
+
+[4] Beseen: of good appearance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY
+
+The meanwhile Morgan le Fay thought that King Arthur was slain, and
+that she might now be queen of the land, with Sir Accolon as King.
+Then came tidings unto her that Accolon was dead and King Arthur had
+his sword again.  When Queen Morgan wist all this she was so sorrowful
+that near her heart brake, but because she would not it were known,
+outward she kept her countenance, and made no semblance of sorrow.  But
+well she wist, if she remained till her brother Arthur came thither,
+there should no gold go for her life.  Then she went unto Queen
+Guenever, and asked her leave to ride into the country.
+
+"Ye may abide," said Queen Guenever, "till your brother the King come
+home."
+
+"I may not," said Morgan le Fay, "for I have such hasty tidings that I
+may not tarry."
+
+"Well," said Guenever, "ye may depart when ye will."
+
+So early on the morn, ere it was day, she took her horse and rode all
+that day and most part of the night, and on the morn by noon she came
+to the abbey of nuns where lay King Arthur.  Knowing he was there, she
+asked where he was at that time; and they answered how he had laid him
+in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little rest these three nights.
+
+Then she alighted off her horse, and thought for to steal away
+Excalibur his sword.  So she went straight unto his chamber, and no man
+durst disobey her commandment.  There she found Arthur asleep in his
+bed, and Excalibur in his right hand naked.  When she saw that, she was
+passing heavy that she might not come by the sword without awaking him,
+and that she wist well would be her death.  Then she took the scabbard,
+and went her way on horseback.
+
+When the King a woke and missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and he
+asked who had been there.  They said his sister Queen Morgan had been
+there, and had put the scabbard under her mantle, and was gone.
+
+"Alas," said Arthur, "falsely have ye watched me."
+
+"Sir," said they all, "we durst not disobey your sister's commandment."
+
+"Ah," said the King, "let fetch the best horse that may be found, and
+bid Sir Ontzlake arm him in all haste, and take another good horse and
+ride with me."
+
+So anon the King and Ontzlake were well armed, and rode after this
+lady; and so they came by a cross, and asked a cowherd if there came
+any lady late riding that way.
+
+"Sir," said the poor man, "right late came a lady riding with forty
+horses, and to yonder forest she rode."
+
+Then they spurred their horses and followed fast.  Within a while
+Arthur had a sight of Morgan le Fay, and he chased as fast as he might.
+When she espied him following her, she rode a greater pace through the
+forest till she came to a plain.  She saw she might not escape,
+wherefore she rode unto a lake thereby, and said, "Whatsoever becometh
+of me, my brother shall not have this scabbard."  And then she let
+throw the scabbard in the deepest of the water, where it sank anon, for
+it was heavy of gold and precious stones.
+
+Thereupon Queen Morgan rode into a valley where many great stones were,
+and when she saw that she must be overtaken, she shaped herself, horse
+and man, by enchantment, unto great marble stones.  Anon came Sir
+Arthur and Sir Ontzlake, but they might not know the lady from her men,
+nor one knight from another.
+
+"Ah," said the King, "here may ye see the vengeance of God, and now I
+am sorry that this misadventure is befallen."
+
+And then he looked for the scabbard, but it could not be found, so he
+returned to the abbey where he came from.  When Arthur was gone, Queen
+Morgan turned all into the likeness as she and they were before, and
+said, "Sirs, now may we go where we will."
+
+So she departed into the country of Gore, and there was she richly
+received, and made her castles and towns passing strong, for always she
+feared much King Arthur.
+
+When the King had well rested him at the abbey, he rode unto Camelot,
+and found his Queen and his barons right glad of his coming.  And when
+they heard of his strange adventures as is afore rehearsed, they all
+had marvel of the falsehood of Morgan le Fay, and many knights wished
+her burned because of her wicked enchantments.  "Well," said the King,
+"I shall so be avenged on her, if I live, that all Christendom shall
+speak of it."
+
+On the morn there came a damsel from Morgan to the King, and she
+brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen in that court,
+for it was set as full of precious stones as one might stand by
+another, and there were the richest stones that ever the King saw.  And
+the damsel said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and desireth
+that ye should take this gift of her, and in what thing she hath
+offended you, she will amend it at your own pleasure."
+
+When the King beheld this mantle it pleased him much, but he said
+little.  With that came one of the Damsels of the Lake unto the King
+and said, "Sir, I must speak with you in private."
+
+"Say on," said the King, "what ye will."
+
+"Sir," said the damsel, "put not on you this mantle till ye have seen
+more, and in no wise let it come on you or any knight of yours, till ye
+command the bringer thereof to put it upon her."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "it shall be done as ye counsel me."  And
+then he said unto the damsel that came from his sister, "Damsel, this
+mantle that ye have brought me I will see upon you."
+
+"Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a king's garment."
+
+"By my head," said Arthur, "ye shall wear it ere it come on my back, or
+any man's that here is."
+
+And so the King made it to be put upon her, and forthwithal she fell
+down dead, and nevermore spake word after, but burned to coals.
+
+Then was the King wonderfully wroth, more than he was beforehand, and
+said unto King Uriens, "My sister, your wife, is alway about to betray
+me, and well I wot either ye or your son Sir Uwaine is of counsel with
+her to have me destroyed; but as for you," said the King to King
+Uriens, "I deem not greatly that ye be of her counsel, for she plotted
+with Accolon to destroy you as well as me.  Therefore I hold you
+excused; but as for your son, Sir Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and
+therefore I charge you put him out of my court."
+
+So Sir Uwaine was discharged.  And when Sir Gawaine wist that, he made
+himself ready to go with his cousin.  So they two departed, and rode
+into a great forest, and came to an abbey of monks, where they were
+well lodged.  But when the King wist that Sir Gawaine was departed from
+the court, there was made great sorrow among all the estates.
+
+"Now," said Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, "we have lost two good knights
+for the sake of one."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+
+When King Arthur, after long wars, rested and held a royal feast with
+his allies and noble knights of the Round Table, there came into his
+hall, he sitting on his throne royal, twelve ambassadors from Rome, and
+said to him: "The high and mighty emperor Lucius sendeth to the king of
+Britain greeting, commanding thee to acknowledge him for thy lord and
+to send the tribute due from this realm unto the empire according to
+the statutes and decrees made by the noble and worthy Julius Caesar,
+conqueror of this realm and first emperor of Rome.  And if thou refuse
+his demand and commandment, know thou for certain that he shall make
+strong war against thee, thy realms and lands, and shall chastise thee
+and thy subjects, so that it shall be warning perpetual unto all kings
+and princes not to deny their tribute unto the noble empire which
+dominateth the universal world."
+
+Some of the young knights hearing this message would have run on the
+ambassadors to slay them, saying that it was a rebuke unto all the
+knights there present to suffer them to say so to the King.  But King
+Arthur commanded that none should do them any harm, and anon let call
+all his lords and knights of the Round Table to council upon the
+matter.  And all agreed to make sharp war on the Romans, and to aid
+after their power.
+
+So the messengers were allowed to depart, and they took ship at
+Sandwich and passed forth by Flanders, Almaine, the mountains and all
+Italy until they came unto Rome.  There they said to Lucius, "Certainly
+he is a lord to be feared, for his estate is the royalest that ever we
+saw, and in his person he is the most manly man that liveth, and is
+likely to conquer all the world, for unto his courage it is too little;
+wherefore we advise you to keep well your marches and straits[1] in the
+mountains."
+
+Then Lucius made ready a great host and marched into Gaul, and Arthur
+met him there with his army.  The old chronicles tell of the great
+battles that were fought and the brave deeds of knights and lords, how
+Arthur himself with Excalibur cleft the head of Lucius, and at length
+passed over the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany, and so came into
+Rome.  On a day appointed, as the romance telleth, he was crowned
+emperor by the Pope's hand with all the royalty that could be made.
+
+After he had established all his lands from Rome unto France, and had
+given lands and realms unto his servants and knights, to each after his
+desert in such wise that none complained, rich nor poor, all his lords
+and all the great men of estate assembled before him and said: "Blessed
+be God, your war is finished and your conquest achieved, insomuch that
+we know none so great nor mighty that dare make war against you;
+wherefore we beseech you to return homeward and give us licence to go
+home to our wives, from whom we have been long, and to rest us, for
+your journey is finished with honour."
+
+So they all came over sea, and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guenever
+came and met the King.  And he was nobly received of all the commons in
+every city and borough, and great gifts were presented to him at his
+home-coming, to welcome him.
+
+Of all the knights that, when Arthur came into England, had increased
+in honour, Sir Launcelot of the Lake in especial excelled in deeds of
+arms both for life and death.  His parents, King Ban of Benwick and his
+fair queen, Elaine, had first named him Galahad, and, as has already
+been said, Merlin, before he disappeared under the stone, had foretold
+that within twenty years he should be known over the whole world as a
+great and worthy knight.  It is no marvel, therefore, that Launcelot is
+the first knight that the French book maketh mention of after King
+Arthur came from Rome.  He passed with Arthur into England, where he
+was received gladly and was made a knight of the Round Table.  Queen
+Guenever had him in great favour above all other knights, and in return
+he was loyal to her above all other ladies and damsels all his life,
+and for love of her he did many deeds of arms, and saved her from the
+fire through his noble chivalry.  Therefore jealous people spoke evil
+of Sir Launcelot and the Queen, because they were of less prowess and
+honour than he, and thereby great mischief arose in Arthur's court.
+From this came Arthur's overthrow in the end, and the downfall of his
+noble realm.
+
+But for long years Launcelot was the glory of knighthood, and he vied
+with King Arthur himself in deeds of prowess and of chivalrous courtesy
+in the tournament and on adventure.
+
+
+
+[1] Strait: narrow pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+In fulfilment of his oath as a knight of the Round Table Sir Launcelot
+rode into many strange and wild countries and through many waters and
+valleys.  He slew Sir Turquine, who watched to destroy knights, and he
+clove the head of another false traitor who attended to destroy and
+distress ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen.  Other wrongs besides these
+he righted, and bravely withstood many a struggle.
+
+Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep forest, where, as often
+before, he found strait lodging.  But he was brave and strong, and
+feared no hardship provided he did nothing contrary to his honour as a
+worthy knight.  As he was riding over a long bridge there started upon
+him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his horse upon the nose
+and asked Sir Launcelot why he rode over that bridge without licence.
+
+"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot; "it is the way I
+choose to ride."
+
+"Thou shall not choose," said the churl, and began to beat him with his
+great club shod with iron.
+
+Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short work of this rough porter.
+Then he rode right on to the end of the bridge, through the fair
+village, where all the people in vain gave him warning, and on straight
+into the green courtyard of the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall.
+
+Anon there came upon him two great giants, with horrible clubs in their
+hands.  With shield and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these
+giants.  The other ran away for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
+Launcelot entered the hall.  Here he set free three-score gentlewomen,
+who for seven years had been prisoners of the two giants, working all
+manner of silk works for their food.
+
+"Show me such cheer as ye have," said Sir Launcelot, "and what treasure
+there is in this castle I give you for a reward for your grievance."
+Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode away upon further
+adventure.
+
+One night he came to the courtyard of an old gentleman, who lodged him
+with a good will, and there he had good cheer for himself and his
+horse.  When time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the
+gate to his bed.  There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armour
+beside him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep.  Soon afterward
+there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste.
+When Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the
+window, and saw by the moonlight three knights come after that one man;
+all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned
+on them knightly again and defended himself.
+
+"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 in his death."
+
+Therewith he took his armour and let himself down from the window by a
+sheet to the four knights.
+
+"Turn you knights unto me," cried Sir Launcelot aloud, "and leave your
+fighting with that knight."
+
+And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard
+bestead, 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.  Sir Kay would have helped
+him, but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon within six strokes he
+had struck all three to the earth.  Sir Launcelot made them yield
+themselves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whitsunday to the court as
+prisoners of Queen Guenever.  So they were suffered to depart, and Sir
+Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword.  The host
+came, and they entered, Sir Kay and he.  "Sir," said the host, "I
+thought you were in your bed."  "So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
+arose and leaped out at my window to help an old fellow of mine."
+
+When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir
+Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him for all his
+kindness that he had holpen him from death.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "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 for meat; there was meat fetched
+him, and he ate strongly.  Then they went to their beds, and Sir
+Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in one bed.  On the morn Sir
+Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping.  He put on Sir Kay's
+armour and took his shield, and so went to the stable.  He here got Sir
+Kay's horse, took leave of his host, and so departed.
+
+Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose.  He missed Sir Launcelot, and then
+he espied that his armour and his horse had been taken.  "Now by my
+faith," said he, "I know well that he will grieve some of the court of
+King Arthur, for my armour and horse will beguile all knights; they
+will believe it is I, and will be bold to him.  And because I have his
+armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace."  Then soon
+afterward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.
+
+So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and there in a dell he saw
+four knights standing under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court.
+Anon as they espied Sir Launcelot they thought by his arms it was Sir
+Kay.
+
+"Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, one of the four knights, "I will
+prove Sir Kay's might"; so he got his spear in his hand, and came
+toward Sir Launcelot.  Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware, and knew him
+well; and he smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man fell both
+to the earth.
+
+"Lo, my fellows," said Sir Ector, another of the four, "yonder ye may
+see what a buffet he hath; that knight is much bigger than ever was Sir
+Kay.  Now shall ye see what I may do to him."
+
+So Sir Ector got his spear in his hand and galloped toward Sir
+Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot smote him through shield and shoulder so
+that horse and man went to the earth, and ever his spear held.
+
+"By my faith," said Sir Uwaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and I am
+sure he hath slain Sir Kay; and I see by his great strength it will be
+hard to match him."
+
+Therewithal Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand and rode toward Sir
+Launcelot.  Sir Launcelot knew him well, and so he met him on the
+plain, and gave him such a buffet that he was stunned, and long he wist
+not where he was.
+
+"Now see I well," said Sir Gawaine, the last of the four knights, "I
+must encounter with that knight."
+
+Then he dressed his shield and gat a good spear in his hand, and then
+they let run their horses with all their mights, and either knight
+smote other in midst of the shield.  But Sir Gawaine's spear brake, and
+Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his horse reversed
+up-so-down.
+
+Much sorrow had Sir Gawaine to get clear of his horse, and so Sir
+Launcelot passed on a pace, and smiled, and said, "God give him joy
+that made this spear, for there came never a better in my hand."
+
+Then the four knights went each one to other and comforted each other.
+"What say ye to this deed?" said Sir Gawaine.  "He is a man of great
+might, for that one spear hath felled us four.  I dare lay my head it
+is Sir Launcelot; I know it by his riding."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
+
+On a day as Sir Launcelot rode a great while in a deep forest, he was
+ware of an old manor beyond a bridge.  And he passed over the bridge,
+that was old and feeble, and came into a great hall, where he saw lie a
+dead knight, that was a seemly man.  And therewithal came out a lady
+weeping and wringing her hands, and she said: "Oh, knight, too much
+sorrow hast thou brought me."
+
+"Why say ye so?" said Sir Launcelot; "I did never this knight any harm;
+therefore, fair lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore
+aggrieved at your grievance."
+
+"Truly sir," she said, "I know it is not ye that have slain my husband,
+for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never likely to
+recover; that I assure you."
+
+"What was your husband's name?" asked Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Sir," said she, "his name was Sir Gilbert, one of the best knights of
+the world, and he that hath slain him, I know not his name."
+
+"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 who knew
+him well, and said aloud, "Well are ye come, my lord; and now I require
+thee on thy knighthood help my brother that is sore wounded, and never
+ceaseth bleeding, for this day fought he with Sir Gilbert and slew him
+in plain battle.  My brother was sore wounded, and a sorceress that
+dwelleth in a castle hard by told me this day that my brother's wounds
+should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the
+Chapel Perilous where he should find a sword and a bloody cloth that
+the wounded knight was wrapped in.  A piece of that cloth and the sword
+should heal my brother's wounds, if his wounds were searched 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."
+
+"That me repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for he is a fellow of the
+Table Round, and to help him I will do all in my power."
+
+"Then, sir," said she, "follow this highway, and it will bring you into
+the Chapel Perilous, and here I shall wait till God send you again;
+except you I know no knight living that may achieve that adventure."
+
+So Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel Perilous, he
+alighted and tied his horse to the little gate of the churchyard.  And
+soon he saw on the front of the chapel many fair rich shields turned
+up-so-down, and many of these shields he had seen borne by knights that
+he had known aforetime.  Then he saw standing there by him thirty great
+knights, taller by a yard than any man that ever he had seen, all clad
+in black armour, ready with their shields, and their swords drawn.
+They all grinned and gnashed at Sir Launcelot, and when he saw their
+countenances, he put his shield afore him, and took his sword in his
+hand ready unto battle.  He started to go right past the giants, and
+then they scattered on every side and gave him the way.  Therewith he
+waxed all bold and entered into the chapel, where he saw no light but a
+dim lamp burning, and soon became aware of a corpse covered with a
+cloth of silk.  Sir Launcelot stooped down and cut off a piece of that
+cloth, whereupon the earth under him seemed to quake a little, and at
+this he feared.  Then he saw a fair sword lying by the dead knight.
+This he gat into his hand and hied out of the chapel.
+
+As soon as ever he was in the chapel yard all the giants 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, "no loud words will get it
+again; therefore fight for it if ye will."
+
+Then he immediately passed right through their midst, and beyond the
+chapel yard there met him a fair damsel, who said, "Sir Launcelot,
+leave that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die for it."
+
+"I leave it not," said Sir Launcelot, "for any entreaties."
+
+"It is well," said she.  "If thou didst leave that sword thou shouldst
+never see Queen Guenever again.  Now, gentle knight, I request one
+thing of thee.  Kiss me but once."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "God forbid that I should do that."
+
+"It is well, sir," said she; "if thou hadst kissed me thy life days had
+been done.  But now, alas, I have lost all my labour, for I ordained
+this chapel to win thee.  Once I had Sir Gawaine well nigh within my
+power, but he fought with that knight that lieth there dead in yonder
+chapel, Sir Gilbert, and smote off his left hand and so escaped.  Sir
+Launcelot, I have loved thee these seven years, but now I know no woman
+may have thy love but Queen Guenever."
+
+"Ye say well," said Sir Launcelot.  "God preserve me from your subtile
+crafts."
+
+Thereupon he took his horse and so departed from her, and soon met the
+damsel, Sir Meliot's sister.  Anon she led him to the castle where Sir
+Meliot lay, pale as the earth from bleeding.  Sir Launcelot leaped unto
+him and touched his wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword, and then wiped his
+wounds with a part of the cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in, and
+anon he was as whole a man as ever he had been in all his life.  And
+then there was great joy between them.  They made Sir Launcelot all the
+cheer that they might, and on the morn he took his leave of Sir Meliot
+and his sister, and rode away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON
+
+And Sir Launcelot by fortune came to a fair castle, and as he passed by
+he was ware of a falcon that came flying over his head toward a high
+elm.  As the bird flew into the tree to take her perch, the long lines
+about her feet caught on a bough, and when she would take flight again
+she hung fast by the legs.  Sir Launcelot saw how the fair falcon hung
+there, and he was sorry for her.
+
+Meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and cried aloud, "O Launcelot,
+Launcelot, as thou art the flower of all knights, help me to get my
+hawk.  I was holding my hawk and she slipped from me, and if my lord my
+husband knows that she is lost he will slay me."
+
+"What is your lord's name?" said Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Sir," said the lady, "his name is Sir Phelot, a knight of Northgalis."
+
+"Well, fair lady," said Launcelot, "since ye know my name, and request
+me as a courteous knight to help you, I will do what I may to get your
+hawk.  And yet truly I am an ill climber, and the tree is passing high,
+with few boughs to cling to."
+
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot alighted, and tied his horse to the elm.  Then
+the lady helped him to unarm, and with might and force he climbed up to
+the falcon.  He tied the lines to a great rotten branch, brake it off,
+and threw it and the hawk down.  Anon the lady gat the hawk in her
+hand, and thereupon came Sir Phelot suddenly out of the grove, all
+armed and with his naked sword in his hand.  He called up to Sir
+Launcelot and said, "O knight, now have I found thee as I would"; and
+he stood at the foot of the tree to slay him.
+
+"Ah lady," said Sir Launcelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+
+"She hath done," said Sir Phelot, "but as I commanded her; there is no
+help for it; thine hour is come, and thou must die."
+
+"It were shame unto thee," said Sir Launcelot, "for thee, an armed
+knight, to slay an unarmed man by treason."
+
+"Thou gettest no other grace," said Sir Phelot; "therefore help thyself
+if thou canst."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever knight should die weaponless."
+
+Then he looked above and below him, and saw a big leafless bough.  This
+he brake off; then he climbed down with it in his hand, and, observing
+how his horse stood, he suddenly leaped down to the ground on the
+farther side of the horse from the knight.
+
+Then Sir Phelot lashed at him eagerly, thinking to slay him.  But Sir
+Launcelot put away the stroke with the branch, and then with it gave
+Sir Phelot such a blow on one side of the head that he fell down in a
+swoon to the ground.  Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his hand
+and struck his head from his body.
+
+"Alas," cried the lady, "why hast thou slain my husband?"
+
+"I am not the cause," said Sir Launcelot, "for with falsehood ye would
+have slain me by treason, and now it is fallen on you both."
+
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot gat all his armour as well as he might, and put
+it on for fear of further attack, since the knight's castle was so
+near.  As soon as he might he took his horse, and, thanking God that he
+had escaped that adventure, he went on his adventures over many wild
+ways, through marsh and valley and forest.
+
+At Pentecost he returned home, and the King and all the court were
+passing glad of his coming.  And ever now and now came all the knights
+back, those that had encountered with Sir Launcelot, those that he had
+set free from prison, and all those that knew of his great deeds of
+arms.  And they all bare record of Sir Launcelot's prowess, so at that
+time he had the greatest name of any knight of the world, and most he
+was honoured of high and low.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR
+
+Arthur was holding the high feast of Pentecost at a city and castle
+called in those days Kink-Kenadon, upon the sands nigh Wales, and he
+sat at meat with all the knights of the Round Table.  Then 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 any of the
+knights had seen.  He was higher than the other two by a foot and a
+half, broad in the shoulders, well visaged, and the fairest and largest
+handed that ever man saw; but he acted as though he might not walk nor
+support himself unless he leaned upon their shoulders.  They went with
+him right unto the high dais without saying of any words.
+
+Then this much young man pulled himself away, and easily stretched up
+straight, saying: "King Arthur, God you bless and all your fair
+fellowship of the Round Table.  For this cause I am come hither, to
+pray you to give me three gifts.  They shall not be so unreasonable but
+that ye may honourably grant them me, and to you no great hurt nor
+loss.  The first 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 you will give me
+meat and drink sufficiently for this twelve-month, and at that day I
+will ask mine other two gifts."
+
+"This is but a simple asking," said the King; "ye shall have meat and
+drink enough; I never refuse that to any, neither my friend nor my foe.
+But what is your name I would know?"
+
+"I cannot tell you," said he.
+
+The King marvelled at this answer, but took him to Sir Kay, the
+steward, and charged him that he should give the youth of all manner of
+meats and drinks of the best, and also that he should have all manner
+of finding as though he were a lord's son.
+
+"That need not be," said Sir Kay, "to do such cost upon him; for I dare
+undertake he is a villain born, and never will make a man, for had he
+come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and armour; but such
+as he is, so he asketh.  And since he hath no name, I shall give him
+the name Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall
+bring him, and there he shall have rich broth every day, so that he
+shall be as fat by the twelvemonth's end as a pork hog."
+
+So the two men departed, and left him to Sir Kay, who scorned him and
+mocked him.  Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and especially Sir
+Launcelot bade Sir Kay leave off his mocking, "for," said he, "I dare
+wager he shall prove a man of great honour."
+
+"It may not be by any reason," said Sir Kay, "for as he is, so hath he
+asked."
+
+So Sir Kay ordered that a place be made for him, and Fair-hands went to
+the hall door, and sat down among boys and lads, and there he ate
+sadly.  After meat Sir Launcelot bade him come to his chamber, where 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.
+As touching Sir Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him lodging, meat,
+and drink, for he was nearer kin to him than he knew.  But what Sir
+Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.
+
+Thus Fair-hands 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 there was any jousting of knights, that would he see if he could.
+And where were any masteries done, thereat would he be, and there might
+none cast bar nor 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 least of Whitsuntide, which at that time the
+King held at Carlion in the most royal wise that might be, as he did
+every year.  As he again sat at meat, there came a damsel into the hall
+and saluted the King, and prayed him for succour.  "For whom?" said the
+King; "what is the adventure?"
+
+"Sir," she said, "I have a lady of great honour and renown, and she is
+besieged by a tyrant so that she may not out of her castle.  And
+because your knights are called the noblest of the world, I come to you
+to pray you for succour."
+
+"What is the name of your lady? and where dwelleth she? and who is he,
+and what is his name, that hath besieged her?"
+
+"Sir King," she said, "as for my lady's name, that shall not ye know
+from me at this time, but I let you know she is a lady of great honour
+and of great lands.  And as for the tyrant that besiegeth and
+destroyeth her lands, 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 most
+dangerous 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 would do their
+best 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.
+
+With these words Fair-hands came before the King, while the damsel was
+there, and thus he said: "Sir King, God reward you, I have been these
+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 this
+adventure of the damsel, and second, that ye shall bid Launcelot of the
+Lake to make me knight, for of him I will be made knight, and else of
+none.  I pray you let him ride after me, and make me knight when I
+request 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.
+
+Thereupon there came one to Fair-hands, and told him that his horse and
+armour was come for him, with all things that he needed in the richest
+manner.  Thereat all the court had much marvel from whence came all
+that gear.  When he was armed and came into the hall to take leave of
+King Arthur and Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot, there were but few so
+goodly knights as he was.  He prayed Sir Launcelot that he would hie
+after him, and so departed and rode after the damsel.
+
+Many people followed after Fair-hands to behold how well he was horsed
+and trapped in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear.
+Then Sir Kay said all openly in the hall, "I will ride after my boy of
+the kitchen, to see whether he will know me for his better."
+
+Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine counselled him to abide at home;
+nevertheless he made ready and took his horse and his spear and rode
+off.  Just as Fair-hands overtook the damsel, Sir Kay came up, and
+said, "Fair-hands, 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 we have heard afore.  "Yea," said Fair-hands, "I
+know you for an ungentle knight of the court and therefore beware of
+me."
+
+Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in its rest, and ran straight upon him,
+and Fair-hands came on just as fast with his sword in his hand.  And so
+he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin[1] thrust him
+through the side, so that Sir Kay fell down as if he were dead.  Then
+Fair-hands alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, had
+his dwarf mount upon Sir Kay's horse, and started upon his own horse
+and rode his way.  All this Sir Launcelot saw, and so did the damsel.
+
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come up, and Fair-hands offered to joust
+with him.  So they rushed together like boars, and for upwards of an
+hour they had a hard fight, wherein Sir Launcelot had so much ado with
+Fair-hands that he feared himself to be shamed.  At length he said,
+"Fair-hands, fight not so sore; your quarrel and mine is not so great
+but we may leave off."
+
+"That is truth," said Fair-hands, "but it doth me good to feel your
+might, and yet, my lord, I showed not my uttermost."
+
+"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I promise you I had as much to do as I
+might to save myself from you unashamed; therefore ye need have no fear
+of any earthly knight."
+
+"Hope ye then," said Fair-hands, "that I may anywhere stand as a proved
+knight?"
+
+"Yea," said Launcelot, "do as ye have done, and I shall be your
+warrant."
+
+"Then I pray you give me the order of knighthood," said Fair-hands.
+
+"Then must ye tell me your name," said Launcelot, "and of what kin ye
+be born."
+
+"Sir, if ye will not make me known, I will," said Fair-hands.
+
+"That I promise you by the faith of my body, until it be openly known,"
+said Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Then, sir," he said, "my name is Gareth; I am own brother unto Sir
+Gawaine."
+
+"Ah! sir," said Launcelot, "I am more glad of you than I was, for ever
+me thought ye should be of great blood, and that ye came not to the
+court either for meat or for drink."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood, and Sir Gareth
+went his way.
+
+Sir Launcelot now came to Sir Kay and had him carried home upon his
+shield.  He was with difficulty healed of his wounds, and all men
+scorned him.  In especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot said it was not
+for Sir Kay to rebuke the young man, for full little he knew of what
+birth he was and for what cause he came to this court.
+
+
+
+[1] Foin: reach forth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS
+
+After the damsel rode Fair-hands, now well provided with shield and
+spear, and known to Sir Launcelot, at least, as Sir Gareth and nephew
+to King Arthur.  When he had overtaken the damsel, anon she said: "What
+dost thou here?  Thou smellest all of the kitchen; thy clothes be foul
+with the grease and tallow that thou gainedst in King Arthur's kitchen;
+therefore turn again, foul kitchen-page.  I know thee well, for Sir Kay
+named thee Fair-hands.  What art thou but a lubber and a turner of
+spits, and a ladle washer?"
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "say to me what ye will, I will not go from
+you, for I have undertaken, in King Arthur's presence, to achieve your
+adventure, and so shall I finish it, or I shall die therefore."
+
+Thus as they rode along in the wood, there came a man flying all that
+ever he might.  "Whither wilt thou?" said Fair-hands.
+
+"O lord," he said, "help me, for yonder in a dell are six thieves that
+have taken my lord and bound him, and I am afeard lest they will slay
+him."
+
+So Fair-hands rode with the man until they came to where the knight lay
+bound, and the thieves hard by.  Fair-hands struck one unto the death,
+and then another, and at the third stroke he slew the third thief; and
+then the other three fled.  He rode after them and overtook them, and
+then those three thieves turned again and assailed Fair-hands hard, but
+at the last he slew them also, and returned and unbound the knight.
+The knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride with him to his castle
+there a little beside, and he should honourably reward him for his good
+deeds.
+
+"Sir," said Fair-hands, "I will no reward have except as God reward me.
+And also I must follow this damsel."
+
+When he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her, "for," said she,
+"thou smellest all of the kitchen; thinkest thou that I have joy of
+thee?  All this deed thou hast done is but mishapped thee, but thou
+shalt see a sight that shall make thee turn again, and that lightly."
+
+Then the same knight who was rescued from the thieves rode after that
+damsel, and prayed her to lodge with him that night.  And because it
+was near night the damsel rode with him to the castle, and there they
+had great cheer.  At supper the knight set Sir Fair-hands afore the
+damsel.
+
+"Fie, fie," said she, "sir knight, ye are uncourteous to set a
+kitchen-page afore me; him beseemeth better to stick a swine than to
+sit afore a damsel of high parentage."
+
+Then the knight was ashamed at her words, and took Fair-hands up and
+set him at a sideboard, and seated himself afore him.  So all that
+night they had good cheer and merry rest.
+
+On the morn the damsel and Fair-hands thanked the knight and took their
+leave, and rode on their way until they came to a great forest.
+Therein was a great river with but one passage, and there were ready
+two knights on the farther side, to prevent their crossing.  Fair-hands
+would not have turned back had there been six more, and he rushed into
+the water.  One of the two encountered with him in the midst of the
+stream, and both spears were broken.  Then they drew their swords and
+smote eagerly at one another.  At the last Sir Fair-hands smote the
+other upon the helm so that he fell down stunned in the water, and
+there was he drowned.  Then Sir Fair-hands spurred his horse upon the
+land, where the other fell upon him, and they fought long together.  At
+the last Sir Fair-hands clove his helm and his head, and so rode unto
+the damsel and bade her ride forth on her way.
+
+"Alas," she said, "that ever a kitchen-page should have that fortune to
+destroy two such doughty knights.  Thou thinkest thou hast done
+doughtily, but that is not so, for the first knight's horse stumbled,
+and so he was drowned in the water; it was never by thy force or by thy
+might.  And as for the second knight, by mishap thou camest behind him
+and slewest him."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye may say what ye will, but whomsoever I
+have ado with I trust to God to serve him ere he depart, and therefore
+I reck not what ye say, provided I may win your lady."
+
+"Fie, fie, foul kitchen-knave, thou shalt see knights that shall abate
+thy boast.  I see all that ever thou doest is but by misadventure, and
+not by prowess of thy hands."
+
+"Fair damsel," said he, "give me goodly language, and then my care is
+past.  Ye may say what ye will; what knights soever I shall meet, I
+fear them not, and wheresoever ye go I will follow you."
+
+So they rode on till even-song time, and ever she chid him and would
+not cease.  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 great and long, and
+a great black horse covered with silk, and a black stone fast by,
+whereon sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the
+Knight of the Black Lawns.
+
+The damsel, when she saw this knight, bade Fair-hands flee down the
+valley.  "Grammercy," said he, "always ye would have me a coward."
+
+With that the Black Knight, when she came nigh him, spake and said,
+"Damsel, have ye brought this knight of King Arthur to be your
+champion?"
+
+"Nay, fair knight," said she, "this is but a kitchen-knave, that was
+fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms.  I cannot be rid of him, for
+with me he rideth against my will.  Would that ye should put him from
+me, or else slay him, if ye may, for he is a troublesome knave, and
+evilly he hath done this day."
+
+"Thus much shall I grant you," said the Black Knight: "I shall put him
+down upon one foot, 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 Fair-hands heard him say thus, he said, "Sir knight, thou art
+full generous with my horse and my harness; I let thee know it cost
+thee naught, and whether thou like it or not, this lawn will I pass,
+and neither horse nor harness gettest thou of me, except as thou win
+them with thy hands.  I am no kitchen-page, as the damsel saith I am; 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 drew back with their horses, and rushed
+together as it had been the thunder.  The Black Knight's spear brake,
+and Fair-hands thrust him through both his sides, whereupon his own
+spear brake also.  Nevertheless the Black Knight drew his sword and
+smote many eager strokes of great might, and hurt Fair-hands full sore.
+But at the last he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and there he
+died.
+
+When Fair-hands saw that the Black Knight had been so well horsed and
+armed, he alighted down and armed himself in the dead man's armour,
+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 offendeth me.  Alas that ever such a knave as thou art
+should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done.  All this is
+my ill luck, but hard by is one that shall requite thee, and therefore
+again I counsel thee, flee."
+
+"It may be my lot," said Fair-hands, "to be beaten or slain, but I warn
+you, fair damsel, I will not flee away or leave your company for all
+that ye can say, for ever ye say that they will kill me or beat me, yet
+it happeneth that I escape and they lie on the ground.  Therefore it
+were as good for you to stop thus all day rebuking me, for away will I
+not till I see 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."
+
+As they rode along 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 her, "Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye have
+brought with you?"
+
+"Nay, nay," said she, "this unlucky kitchen-knave hath slain your
+brother through mischance."
+
+"Alas," said the Green Knight, "that is great pity that so noble a
+knight as he was should so unfortunately be slain, and by a knave's
+hand, as ye say that he is.  Ah! traitor, thou shalt die for slaying my
+brother; he was a full noble knight."
+
+"I defy thee," said Fair-hands, "for I make known to thee I slew him
+knightly and not shamefully."
+
+Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto a horn that was green that hung
+on a green thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, whereupon came
+two damsels and armed him lightly.  Then he took a great horse and a
+green shield and a green spear, and the two knights ran together with
+all their mights.  They brake their spears unto their hands, and then
+drew their swords.  Now they gave many sad strokes, and either of them
+wounded other full ill.
+
+At the last Fair-hands' horse struck the Green Knight's horse upon the
+side, and it fell to the earth.  Then the Green Knight left his horse
+lightly, and prepared to fight on foot.  That saw Fair-hands, 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 if the weed overgrew the corn."
+
+Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and gave a great stroke of
+might, and clave Fair-hands' shield through.  When the young knight saw
+his shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke and of
+her language, and then he gave the other such a buffet upon the helm
+that he fell on his knees, and Fair-hands quickly pulled him upon the
+ground grovelling.  Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and yielded
+himself unto Sir Fair-hands, and prayed him to slay him not.
+
+"All is in vain," said Fair-hands, "for thou shalt die unless this
+damsel that came with me pray me to save thy life."
+
+Therewithal he unlaced his helm as if to slay him.  "Let be," said the
+damsel, "thou foul kitchen-knave, slay him not, for if thou do, thou
+shalt repent it."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "your charge is to me a pleasure, and at
+your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not.  Sir Knight
+with the green arms, I release thee quit 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, promising for ever to become his man together with thirty
+knights that held of him.  Then said the damsel, "Me repenteth, Green
+Knight, of your damage and of the death of your brother the Black
+Knight; of your help I had great need, for I fear me sore to pass this
+forest."
+
+"Nay, fear ye not," said the Green Knight, "for ye shall lodge with me
+this night, and to-morn I shall help you through this forest."
+
+So they took their horses and rode to his manor, which was fast there
+beside.  And ever the damsel rebuked Fair-hands, and would not suffer
+him to sit at her table.  But the Green Knight took him and set him at
+a side table, and did him honour, for he saw that he was come of noble
+blood and had proved himself a full noble knight.  All that night he
+commanded thirty men privily to watch Fair-hands for to keep him from
+all treason.  And on the morn they arose, and after breaking their fast
+they took their horses and rode on their way.
+
+As the Green Knight conveyed them through the forest he said, "My lord
+Fair-hands, I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons,
+both early and late at your call wherever ye will send us."
+
+"It is well," said Fair-hands; "when I call upon you ye must go unto
+King Arthur with all your knights."
+
+So the Green Knight took his leave, and the damsel said unto
+Fair-hands, "Why followest thou me, thou kitchen-boy; cast away thy
+shield and thy spear and flee, for thou shalt not pass a pass here,
+that is called the pass Perilous."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "who is afraid let him flee, for it were
+shame to turn again since I have ridden so long with you."
+
+"Well," said she, "ye shall soon, whether ye will or not."
+
+In like manner on the next day Sir Fair-hands overcame a third brother,
+the Red Knight, and in like manner the damsel would have Fair-hands
+spare his life.  Albeit she spake unto him many contemptuous words,
+whereof the Red Knight had great marvel, and all that night made
+three-score men to watch Fair-hands that he should have no shame or
+villainy.  The Red Knight yielded himself to Fair-hands with fifty
+knights, and they all proffered him homage and fealty at all times to
+do him service.
+
+"I thank you," said Fair-hands; "this ye shall grant me when I call
+upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur and yield yourselves unto
+him to be his knights."
+
+"Sir," said the Red Knight, "I will be ready and my fellowship at your
+summons."
+
+So again upon the morn Sir Fair-hands and the damsel departed, and ever
+she rode chiding him in the foulest manner.
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me as ye
+do, for me seemeth I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten
+me I shall be beaten with knights that we meet; but ever for all your
+boasts they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray you
+rebuke me no more.  When ye see me beaten or yielded 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 if I should depart
+from you all the while that I win honour."
+
+"Well," said she, "right soon there shall come a knight that shall pay
+thee all thy wages, for he is the most man of honour of the world,
+except King Arthur."
+
+"The more he is of honour," said Fair-hands, "the more shall be my
+honour to have ado with him.  Have no doubt, damsel, by the grace of
+God I shall so deal with this knight that within two hours after noon I
+shall overcome him, and then shall we come to the siege of your lady's
+castle seven miles hence by daylight."
+
+"Marvel have I," said the damsel, "what manner of man ye be, for it may
+never be otherwise but that ye be come of 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 gentle
+blood."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "a knight may little do that may not suffer
+a damsel, for whatsoever ye said unto me I took no 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 missaid 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.  All that I did to prove and to assay my friends, and
+whether I be a gentleman born or not, I let you wit, fair damsel, I
+have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure better service yet
+will I do ere I depart from you."
+
+"Alas," she said, "good Fair-hands, forgive me all that I have missaid
+or done against thee."
+
+"With all my heart," said he, "I forgive it you, and damsel, since it
+liketh you to say thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth mine heart
+greatly, and now me seemeth there is no knight living but I am able
+enough for him."
+
+With this Sir Persant of Inde, the fourth of the brethren that stood in
+Fair-hands' way to the siege, espied them as they came upon the fair
+meadow where his pavilion was.  Sir Persant was the most lordly knight
+that ever thou lookedst on.  His pavilion and all manner of thing that
+there is about, men and women, and horses' trappings, shields and
+spears were all of dark blue colour.  Anon he and Fair-hands prepared
+themselves and rode against one another that both their spears were
+shattered to pieces, and their horses fell dead to the earth.  Then
+they fought two hours and more on foot, until their armour was all hewn
+to pieces, and in many places they were wounded.  At the last, though
+loath to do it, Fair-hands smote Sir Persant above upon the helm so
+that he fell grovelling to the earth, and the fierce battle was at an
+end.  Like his three brethren before, Sir Persant yielded himself and
+asked for mercy, and at the damsel's request Fair-hands gladly granted
+his life, and received homage and fealty from him and a hundred
+knights, to be always at his commandment.
+
+On the morn as the damsel and Sir Fair-hands departed from Sir
+Persant's pavilion, "Fair damsel," said Persant, "whitherward are ye
+away leading this knight?"
+
+"Sir," she said, "this knight is going to the siege that besiegeth my
+sister in the Castle Perilous."
+
+"Ah, ah," said Persant, "that is the Knight of the Red Lawns, the most
+perilous knight that I know now living, a man that is without mercy,
+and men say that he hath seven men's strength.  God save you, sir, from
+that knight, for he doth great wrong to that lady, which is great pity,
+for she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and me seemeth that
+this damsel is her sister.  Is not your name Linet?"
+
+"Yea, sir," said she, "and my lady my sister's name is Dame Liones.
+Now, my lord Sir Persant of Inde, I request you that ye make this
+gentleman knight or ever he fight with the Red Knight."
+
+"I will with all my heart," said Sir Persant, "if it please him to take
+the order of knighthood of so simple a man as I am."
+
+But Fair-hands thanked him for his good will, and told him he was
+better sped, as the noble Sir Launcelot had already made him knight.
+Then, after Persant and the damsel had promised to keep it close, he
+told them his real name was Gareth of Orkney, King Arthur's nephew, and
+that Sir Gawaine and Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris were all his
+brethren, he being the youngest of them all.  "And yet," said he, "wot
+not King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I am."
+
+The book saith that the lady that was besieged had word of her sister's
+coming and a knight with her, and how he had passed all the perilous
+passages, had won all the four brethren, and had slain the Black
+Knight, and how he overthrew Sir Kay, and did great battle with Sir
+Launcelot, and was made knight by him.  She was glad of these tidings,
+and sent them wine and dainty foods and bade Sir Fair-hands be of good
+heart and good courage.
+
+The next day Fair-hands and Linet took their horses again and rode
+through a fair forest and came to a spot where they saw across the
+plain many pavilions and a fair castle and much smoke.  And when they
+came near the siege Sir Fair-hands espied upon great trees, as he rode,
+how there hung goodly armed knights by the necks, nigh forty of them,
+their shields about their necks with their swords.  These were knights
+that had come to the siege to rescue Dame Liones, and had been overcome
+and put to this shameful death by the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.
+
+Then they rode to the dykes, and saw how strong were the defences, and
+many great lords nigh the walls, and the sea upon the one side of the
+walls, where were many ships and mariners' noise, with "hale" and "ho."
+Fast by there was a sycamore tree, whereupon hung a horn, the greatest
+that ever they saw, of an elephant's bone.  This the Knight of the Red
+Lawns had hung up there that any errant knight might blow it, if he
+wished the Knight of the Red Lawns to come to him to do battle.  The
+damsel Linet besought Fair-hands not to blow the horn till high noon,
+for the Red Knight's might grew greater all through the morn, till, as
+men said, he had seven men's strength.
+
+"Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel," said Fair-hands, "say ye never so
+more to me, for, were he as good a knight as ever was, I shall never
+fail him in his most might, for either I will win honour honourably, or
+die knightly in the field."
+
+Therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree, and blew
+the horn so eagerly that all the siege and all the castle rang thereof.
+And then there leaped out knights out of their tents, and they within
+the castle looked over the walls and out at windows.  Then the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns armed himself hastily, and two barons set his
+spurs upon his heels, and all was blood red,--his armour, spear, and
+shield.  And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, and then they
+brought him 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 Fair-hands looked up at a window of the castle, and there he saw
+the Lady Liones, the fairest lady, it seemed to him, that ever he
+looked upon.  She made courtesy down to him, and ever he looked up to
+the window with glad countenance, and loved her from that time and
+vowed to rescue her or else to die.
+
+"Leave, Sir Knight, thy looking," said the Red Knight, "and behold me,
+I counsel thee, and make thee ready."
+
+Then they both put their spears in their rests, and came together with
+all the might that they had.  Either smote other in the midst of the
+shield with such force that the breastplates, horse-girths, and
+cruppers brake, and both fell to the earth stunned, and lay so long
+that all they that were in the castle and in the siege thought their
+necks had been broken.  But at length they put their shields afore
+them, drew their swords, and ran together like two fierce lions.
+Either gave other such buffets upon the helm that they reeled backward;
+then they recovered both, and hewed off great pieces of their harness
+and their shields.
+
+Thus they fought till it was past noon, and never would stint, till at
+last they lacked wind both, and stood panting and blowing a while.
+Then they went to battle again, and thus they endured till even-song
+time, and none that beheld them might know whether was like to win.
+Then by assent of them both they granted either other to rest; and so
+they sat down on two molehills, and unlaced their helms to take the
+cool wind.  Then Sir Fair-hands looked up at the window, and there he
+saw the fair lady, Dame Liones.  She made him such countenance that his
+heart waxed light and jolly; and therewith he bade the Red Knight of
+the Red Lawns make ready to do battle to the uttermost.
+
+So they laced up their helms and fought freshly.  By a cross stroke the
+Red Knight of the Red Lawns smote Sir Fair-hands' sword from him, and
+then gave him another buffet on the helm so that he fell grovelling to
+the earth, and the Red Knight fell upon him to hold him down.  Then
+Linet cried to him aloud and said that the lady beheld and wept.  When
+Sir Fair-hands heard her say so he started up with great might, gat
+upon his feet, and leaped to his sword.  He gripped it in his hand,
+doubled his pace unto the Red Knight, and there they fought a new
+battle together.
+
+Now Sir Fair-hands doubled his strokes and smote so thick that soon he
+had the better of the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, and unlaced his helm
+to slay him, whereupon he yielded himself to Fair-hands' mercy.
+
+Sir Fair-hands bethought him upon the knights that he had made to be
+hanged shamefully, and said, "I may not with my honour save thy life."
+
+Then came there many earls and barons and noble knights, and prayed
+Fair-hands to save his life and take him as prisoner.  Then he released
+him upon this covenant that he go within to the castle and yield
+himself there to the lady, and if she would forgive him he might have
+his life with making amends to the lady of all the trespass he had done
+against her and her lands.
+
+The Red Knight of the Red Lawns promised to do as Sir Fair-hands
+commanded and so with all those earls and barons he made his homage and
+fealty to him.  Within a while he went unto the castle, where he made
+peace with the Lady Liones, and departed unto the court of King Arthur.
+There he told openly how he was overcome and by whom, and also he told
+all the battles of Fair-hands from the beginning unto the ending.
+
+"Mercy," said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, "we marvel much of what
+blood he is come, for he is a noble knight."  But Sir Launcelot had no
+marvel, for he knew whence he came, yet because of his promise he would
+not discover Fair-hands until he permitted it or else it were known
+openly by some other.
+
+Dame Liones soon learned through her brother Sir Gringamore that the
+knight who had wrought her deliverance was a king's son, Sir Gareth of
+Orkney, and nephew of King Arthur himself.  And she made him passing
+good cheer, and he her again, and they had goodly language and lovely
+countenance together.  And she promised the noble knight Sir Gareth
+certainly to love him and none other the days of her life.  Then there
+was not a gladder man than he, for ever since he saw her at the window
+of Castle Perilous he had so burned in love for her that he was nigh
+past himself in his reason.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
+
+Now leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir Gringamore and his sisters,
+Liones and Linet, and turn we unto King Arthur that held the next feast
+of Pentecost at Carlion.  And there came the Green Knight with his
+fifty knights, and they yielded themselves all unto King Arthur.  And
+so there came the Red Knight, his brother, and yielded himself and
+three-score knights with him.  Also there came the Blue Knight, brother
+to them, and his hundred knights, and yielded themselves.  These three
+brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by a knight that a
+damsel had with her, and called him Fair-hands.  Also they told how the
+fourth brother, the Black Knight, was slain in an encounter with Sir
+Fair-hands, and of the adventure with the two brethren that kept the
+passage of the water; and ever more King Arthur marvelled who the
+knight might be that was in his kitchen a twelvemonth and that Sir Kay
+in scorn named Fair-hands.
+
+Right as the King stood so talking with these three brethren there came
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake and told him that there was come a goodly
+lord with six hundred knights.  The King went out, and there came to
+him and saluted him in a goodly manner the Red Knight of the Red Lawns,
+and he said, "I am sent to you by a knight that is called Fair-hands,
+for he won me in plain battle, hand for hand.  No knight has ever had
+the better of me before.  I and my knights yield ourselves to your
+will, as he commanded, to do you such service as may be in our power."
+
+King Arthur received him courteously, as he had before received the
+three brethren, and he promised to do them honour for the love of Sir
+Fair-hands.  Then the King and they went to meat, and were served in
+the best manner.
+
+And as they sat at the table, there came in the Queen of Orkney, with
+ladies and knights a great number.  And her sons, Sir Gawaine, Sir
+Agravaine, and Gaheris arose and went to her, and saluted her upon
+their knees and asked her blessing, for in fifteen years they had not
+seen her.
+
+Then she spake on high to her brother, King Arthur, "Where have ye done
+my young son, Sir Gareth?  He was here amongst you a twelvemonth, and
+ye made a kitchen-knave of him, which is shame to you all."
+
+"Oh dear mother," said Sir Gawaine, "I knew him not."
+
+"Nor I," said the King; "but thanked be God, he is proved an honourable
+knight as any of his years now living, and I shall never be glad till I
+may find him.  Sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to know of his
+coming, and then, had I not done well to him, ye might have blamed me.
+For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's
+shoulders, as though he might not walk.  And then he asked of me three
+gifts,--one the same day, that was that I would give him meat for that
+twelvemonth.  The other two gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and
+those were that he might have the adventure of the damsel Linet, and
+that Sir Launcelot should make him knight when he desired him.  I
+granted him all his desire, and many in this court marvelled that he
+desired his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us
+that he was not come of a noble house."
+
+"Sir," said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur, her brother, "I sent
+him unto you right well armed and horsed, and gold and silver plenty to
+spend."
+
+"It may be," said the King, "but thereof saw we none, save that same
+day as he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf
+hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse, full well and
+richly beseen, and thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches
+came.  Then we deemed all that he was come of men of honour."
+
+"Brother," said the queen, "all that ye say I believe, for ever since
+he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and
+true to his promise.  But I marvel that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn
+him, and give him the name Fair-hands.  Yet Sir Kay named him more
+justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, he is as
+fair-handed a man and as well disposed as any living."
+
+"Sister," said Arthur, "by the grace of God he shall be found if he be
+within these seven realms.  Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is proved
+to be a man of honour, and that is my joy."
+
+So then goodly letters were made and a messenger sent forth to the Lady
+Liones, praying her to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be
+found.  She answered that she could not then tell where he was; but she
+let proclaim a great tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir
+Gareth would be heard of there.  So King Arthur and all his knights of
+valour and prowess came together at the Lady Liones' castle by the Isle
+of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were done there, but most of all
+Sir Gareth gained honour, though no one knew that it was he until a
+herald rode near him and saw his name written about his helm.
+
+Wit ye well the King made great joy when he found Sir Gareth again, and
+ever he wept as he had been a child.  With that came his mother, the
+Queen of Orkney, and when she saw Sir Gareth really face to face she
+suddenly fell down in a swoon.  Then Sir Gareth comforted his mother in
+such a wise that she recovered, and made good cheer.  And the Lady
+Liones came, among all the ladies there named the fairest and peerless.
+And there the King asked his nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have
+that lady to his wife.
+
+"My lord," said he, "wit ye well that I love her above all ladies."
+
+"Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+
+"Most noble King," said Dame Liones, "wit ye well that my Lord Gareth
+is to me more dear to have and to hold as my husband than any king or
+prince that is christened, and if ye will suffer him to have his will
+and free choice, I dare say he will have me."
+
+"That is truth," said Sir Gareth, "and if I have not you and hold not
+you as my wife I wed no lady."
+
+"What, nephew," said the King, "is the wind in that door!  Wit ye well
+I would not for the stint of my crown be causer to withdraw your
+hearts.  Ye shall have my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise
+that may lie in my power."
+
+Then was there made a provision for the day of marriage, and by the
+King's advice it should be at Michaelmas following at Kink-Kenadon by
+the seaside.  And when the day came the Bishop of Canterbury made the
+wedding betwixt Sir Gareth and the Lady Liones with great solemnity.
+And at the same time Gaheris was wedded to Linet.
+
+When this solemnisation was done there came in the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and all the others that had yielded themselves to Sir
+Gareth, and did homage and fealty to hold their lands of him for ever,
+and desired to serve him at the feast.  And the kings and queens,
+princes, earls, and barons, and many bold knights went unto meat, and
+well may ye wit that there was all manner of meat plenteously, all
+manner of revels, and games, with all manner of minstrelsy that was
+used in those days.  So they held the court forty days with great
+solemnity.
+
+And this Sir Gareth was a noble knight, and a well ruled, and fair
+languaged.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN OF LYONESSE
+
+There was a king called Meliodas, as likely a knight as any living, and
+he was lord of the country of Lyonesse.  At that time King Arthur
+reigned supreme over England, Wales, Scotland, and many other realms,
+howbeit there were many lords of countries that held their lands under
+King Arthur.  So also was the King of France subject to him, and the
+King of Brittany, and all the lordships as far as Rome.  The wife of
+this King Meliodas was a full good and fair lady, called Elizabeth, the
+sister of King Mark of Cornwall.  Well she loved her lord, and he her
+again, and there was much joy betwixt them.  There was a lady in that
+country who bore ill will towards this king and queen, and therefore
+upon a day, as he rode on hunting, for he was a great chaser, she by an
+enchantment made him chase a hart by himself alone till he came to an
+old castle, where anon she had him taken prisoner.
+
+When Queen Elizabeth missed her lord she was nigh out of her wit, and
+she took a gentlewoman with her and ran into the forest to seek him.
+When she was far in the forest and might go no farther, she sank down
+exhausted.  For the default of help she took cold there, and she soon
+knew that she must die.  So she begged her gentlewoman to commend her
+to King Meliodas, and to say that she was full sorry to depart out of
+this world from him, and that their little child, that was to have such
+sorrow even in his infancy, should be christened Tristram.
+
+Therewith this queen gave up the ghost and died.  The gentlewoman laid
+her under the shadow of a great tree, and right so there came the
+barons, following after the queen.  When they saw that she was dead
+they had her carried home, and much dole[1] was made for her.
+
+The morn after his queen died King Meliodas was delivered out of
+prison, and the sorrow he made for her, when he was come home, no
+tongue might tell.  He had her richly interred, and afterwards, as she
+had commanded afore her death, had his child christened Tristram, the
+sorrowful born child.  For seven years he remained without a wife, and
+all that time young Tristram was nourished well.
+
+Then, when he wedded King Howell's daughter of Brittany and had other
+children, the stepmother was wroth that Tristram should be heir to the
+country of Lyonesse rather than her own son.  Wherefore this jealous
+queen resolved to become rid of her stepson, and she put poison into a
+silver cup in the chamber where Tristram and her children were
+together, intending that when Tristram was thirsty he should drink it.
+But it happened that the queen's own son espied the cup with poison,
+and, because the child was thirsty and supposed it was good drink, he
+took of it freely.  Therewithal he died suddenly, and when the queen
+wist of the death of her son, wit ye well that she was heavy of heart.
+But yet the king understood nothing of her treason.
+
+Notwithstanding all this the queen would not leave her jealousy, and
+soon had more poison put in a cup.  By fortune King Meliodas, her
+husband, found the cup where was the poison, and being much thirsty he
+took to drink thereout.  Anon the queen espied him and ran unto him and
+pulled the cup from him suddenly.  The king marvelled why she did so,
+and remembered how her son was suddenly slain with poison.  Then he
+took her by the hand, and said: "Thou false traitress, thou shalt tell
+me what manner of drink this is."  Therewith he pulled out his sword,
+and swore a great oath that he should slay her if she told him not the
+truth.
+
+Then she told him all, and by the assent of the barons she was
+condemned to be burned as a traitress, according to the law.  A great
+fire was made, and just as she was at the fire to take her execution
+young Tristram kneeled afore King Meliodas and besought of him a boon.
+"I grant it," said the king, whereupon the youth demanded the life of
+the queen, his stepmother.
+
+"That is unrightfully asked," said King Melodias, "for she would have
+slain thee, if she had had her will, and for thy sake most is my cause
+that she should die."
+
+But Tristram besought his father to forgive her, as he himself did, and
+required him to hold his promise.  Then said the king, "Since ye will
+have it so, I give her to you; go ye to the fire and take her, and do
+with her what ye will."
+
+So Sir Tristram went to the fire, and by the commandment of the king
+delivered her from death.  But thereafter King Meliodas would never
+have aught to do with her, though by the good means of young Tristram
+he at length forgave her.  Ever after in her life she never hated her
+stepson more, but loved him and had great joy of him, because he saved
+her from the fire.  But the king would not suffer him to abide longer
+at his court.
+
+
+
+[1] Dole: sorrow; mourning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE
+
+King Melodias sought out a gentleman that was well learned, and taught,
+and with him, named Gouvernail, he sent young Tristram away from
+Lyonesse court into France, to learn the language and customs and deeds
+of arms.  There he learned to be a harper passing all others of his
+time, and he also applied himself well to the gentlemanly art of
+hawking and hunting, for he that gentle is will draw unto him gentle
+qualities and follow the customs of noble gentlemen.  The old chronicle
+saith he adopted good methods for the chase, and the terms he used we
+have yet in hawking and hunting.  Therefore the book of forest sports
+is called the Book of Sir Tristram.
+
+When he well could speak the language and had learned all that he might
+in that country, he came home again, and remained in Cornwall until he
+was big and strong, of the age of nineteen years, and his father, King
+Meliodas, had great joy of him.
+
+Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of
+Cornwall for the tribute long paid him, but now seven years behind.
+King Mark and his barons gave unto the messenger of Ireland the answer
+that they would no tribute pay, and bade him tell his king that if he
+wished tribute he should send a trusty knight of his land to fight for
+it against another that Cornwall should find to defend its right.  With
+this the messenger departed into Ireland.
+
+When King Anguish understood the answer, he was wonderfully wroth, and
+called unto him Sir Marhaus, the good and proved knight, brother unto
+the queen of Ireland, and a knight of the Round Table, and said to him:
+"Fair brother, I pray you go into Cornwall for my sake, and do battle
+for the tribute that of right we ought to have."
+
+Sir Marhaus was not loath to do battle for his king and his land, and
+in all haste he was fitted with all things that to him needed, and so
+he departed out of Ireland and arrived in Cornwall even fast by the
+castle of Tintagil.
+
+When King Mark understood that the good and noble knight Sir Marhaus
+was come to fight for Ireland, he made great sorrow, for he knew no
+knight that durst have ado with him.  Sir Marhaus remained on his ship,
+and every day he sent word unto King Mark that he should pay the
+tribute or else find a champion to fight for it with him.
+
+Then they of Cornwall let make cries in every place, that what knight
+would fight to save the tribute should be rewarded so that he should
+fare the better the term of his life.  But no one came to do the
+battle, and some counselled King Mark to send to the court of King
+Arthur to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that at that time was named
+for the marvellousest knight of all the world.  Others said it were
+labour in vain to do so, because Sir Marhaus was one of the knights of
+the Round Table, and any one of them would be loath to have ado with
+other.  So the king and all his barons at the last agreed that it was
+no boot to seek any knight of the Round Table.
+
+Meanwhile came the language and the noise unto young Tristram how Sir
+Marhaus abode battle fast by Tintagil, and how King Mark could find no
+manner of knight to fight for him.  Then Sir Tristram was wroth and
+sore ashamed that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir
+Marhaus, and he went unto his father, King Meliodas, and said: "Alas,
+that I am not made knight; if I were, I would engage with him.  I pray
+you give me leave to ride to King Mark to be made knight by him."
+
+"I will well," said the father, "that ye be ruled as your courage will
+rule you."
+
+So Tristram went unto his uncle, who quickly gave him the order of
+knighthood, and anon sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters
+that said he had found a young knight ready to take the battle to the
+uttermost.  Then in all haste King Mark had Sir Tristram horsed and
+armed in the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or
+silver, and he was put into a vessel, both his horse and he, and all
+that to him belonged both for his body and for his horse, to be taken
+to an island nigh Sir Marhaus' ships, where it was agreed that they
+should fight.  And when King Mark and his barons beheld young Sir
+Tristram depart to fight for the right of Cornwall, there was neither
+man nor woman of honour but wept to see so young a knight jeopard
+himself for their right.
+
+When Sir Tristram was arrived at the island, he commanded his servant
+Gouvernail to bring his horse to the land and to dress his horse
+rightly, and then, when he was in the saddle well apparelled and his
+shield dressed upon his shoulder, he commanded Gouvernail to go to his
+vessel again and return to King Mark.  "And upon thy life," said he,
+"come thou not nigh this island till thou see me overcome or slain, or
+else that I win yonder knight."  So either departed from other.
+
+When Sir Marhaus perceived this young knight seeking to encounter with
+himself, one of the most renowned knights of the world, he said, "Fair
+sir, since thou hopest to win honour of me, I let thee wit honour
+mayest thou none lose by me if thou mayest stand me three strokes, for
+I let thee wit for my noble deeds, proved and seen, King Arthur made me
+knight of the Table Round."
+
+Then they put spears in rest and ran together so fiercely that they
+smote either other down, horse and all.  Anon they pulled out their
+swords and lashed together as men that were wild and courageous.  Thus
+they fought more than half a day, and either was wounded passing sore,
+so that the blood ran down freshly from them upon the ground.  By then
+Sir Tristram waxed more fresh 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, the edge of Tristram's sword left in his brain-pan.
+Suddenly Sir Marhaus rose grovelling, and threw his sword and his
+shield from him, and so ran to his ships and fled his way, sore
+groaning.
+
+Anon he and his fellowship departed into Ireland, and, as soon as he
+came to the king his brother, he had his wounds searched, and in his
+head was found a piece of Sir Tristram's sword.  No surgeons might cure
+this wound, and so he died of Sir Tristram's sword.  That piece of the
+sword the queen his sister kept ever with her, for she thought to be
+revenged, if she might.
+
+Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded by a
+spear-thrust of Sir Marhaus so that he might scarcely stir.  He sat
+down softly upon a little hill, and bled fast.  Then anon came
+Gouvernail, his man, with his vessel, and Sir Tristram was quickly
+taken back into the castle of Tintagil.  He was cared for in the best
+manner possible, but he lay there a month and more, and ever he was
+like to die of the stroke from Sir Marhaus' spear, for, as the French
+book saith, the spear's head was envenomed.  Then was King Mark passing
+heavy, and he sent after all manner of surgeons, but there was none
+that would promise him life.
+
+At last there came a right wise lady, and she said plainly that he
+should never be whole unless he went into the same country that the
+venom came from, and in that country he should be holpen, or else
+never.  When King Mark understood that, he let provide for Sir Tristram
+a fair vessel, well victualled, and therein was put Sir Tristram and
+Gouvernail, with him.  Sir Tristram took his harp with him, and so they
+put to sea to sail into Ireland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD
+
+By good fortune Sir Tristram with Gouvernail arrived in Ireland fast by
+a castle where King Anguish and the queen were.  As he came to land he
+sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, such as none in Ireland ever
+heard afore that time.  And when the king and queen were told of this
+stranger that was such a harper, anon they sent for him and let search
+his wounds, and then asked him his name.  Then he answered, "I am of
+the country of Lyonesse; my name is Tramtrist, and I was thus 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.  But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss as ever
+king had, for there I lost the best knight of the world.  His name was
+Marhaus, a full noble knight of the Table Round."  Then he told Sir
+Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain.  Sir Tristram made semblant
+as if he were sorry, and yet better knew he how it was than the king.
+
+The king for great favour had Tramtrist put in his daughter's keeping,
+because she was a noble surgeon.  When she searched his wound she found
+that therein was poison, and so she healed him within a while.
+Therefore Tramtrist cast great devotion to the Fair Isoud, for she was
+at that time the fairest maid of the world.  He taught her to harp, and
+she soon began to have a great fancy unto him.  Then soon he showed
+himself to be so brave and true a knight in the jousts that she had
+great suspicion that he was some man of honour proved, and she loved
+him more than heretofore.
+
+Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cherished by the king and the
+queen and especially by Isoud the Fair.  Upon a day as Sir Tramtrist
+was absent, the queen and Isoud roamed up and down in the chamber, and
+beheld his sword there as it lay upon his bed.  And then by mishap the
+queen drew out the sword and regarded it a long while.  Both thought it
+a passing fair sword, but within a foot and a half of the point there
+was a great piece thereof broken out of the edge.  When the queen
+espied that gap in the sword, she remembered her of a piece of a sword
+that was found in the brain-pan of Sir Marhaus, her brother.  "Alas,"
+then said she unto her daughter, the Fair Isoud, "this is the traitor
+knight that slew thine uncle."
+
+When Isoud heard her say so she was sore abashed, for much she loved
+Sir Tramtrist, and full well she knew the cruelness of her mother.
+Anon the queen went unto her own chamber and sought her coffer, and
+there she took out the piece of the sword that was pulled out of Sir
+Marhaus' head.  Then she ran with that piece of iron to the sword that
+lay upon the bed, and when she put that piece unto the sword, it was as
+meet as it could be when new broken.  The queen now gripped that sword
+in her hand fiercely, and with all her might ran straight to where she
+knew Tramtrist was, and there she would have thrust him through, had
+not a knight pulled the sword from her.
+
+Then when she was letted of her evil will, she ran to King Anguish and
+told him on her knees what traitor he had in his house.  The king was
+right heavy thereof, but charged the queen to leave him to deal with
+the knight.  He went straight into the chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, that
+he found by now all ready armed to mount upon his horse.  King Anguish
+saw that it was of no avail to fight, and that it was no honour to slay
+Sir Tramtrist while a guest within his court; so he gave him leave to
+depart from Ireland in safety, if he would tell who he was, and whether
+he slew Sir Marhaus.
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "now I shall tell you all the truth: My father's
+name is Meliodas, king of Lyonesse, and my mother is called Elizabeth,
+that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall.  I was christened Tristram,
+but, because I would not be known in this country, I turned my name,
+and had myself called Tramtrist.  For the tribute 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 I did the battle for the love of
+mine uncle, King Mark, for the love of the country of Cornwall, and to
+increase mine honour."
+
+"Truly," said the king, "I may not say but ye did as a knight should;
+howbeit I may not maintain you in this country with my honour."
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you for your good lordship that I have
+had with you here, and the great goodness my lady your daughter hath
+shown me.  It may so happen that ye shall win more by my life than by
+my death, for in the parts of England it may be I may do you service at
+some season so that ye shall be glad that ever ye showed me your good
+lordship.  I beseech your good grace that I may take my leave of your
+daughter and of all the barons and knights."
+
+This request the king granted, and Sir Tristram went unto the Fair
+Isoud and took leave of her.  And he told her all,--what he was, 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.  She was full woe of his departing, and wept
+heartily.
+
+"Madam," said Tristram, "I promise you faithfully that I shall be all
+the days of my life your knight."
+
+"Grammercy," said the Fair Isoud, "and I promise you against that I
+shall not be married this seven years but by your assent."
+
+Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and
+therewith he departed from her, leaving her making great dole and
+lamentation.  And he straight went unto the court among all the barons,
+and there he took his leave of most and least, and so departed and took
+the sea, and with good wind he arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD
+  FOR KING MARK, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM
+  AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION
+
+When there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived and whole of his
+wounds, King Mark was passing glad, and so were all the barons.  And
+Sir Tristram lived at the court of King Mark in great joy long time,
+until at the last there befell a jealousy and an unkindness between
+them.  Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir
+Tristram.
+
+The beauty and goodness of the Fair Isoud were so praised by Sir
+Tristram that King Mark said he would wed her, and prayed Sir Tristram
+to take his way into Ireland for him, as his messenger, to bring her to
+Cornwall.  All this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for any
+danger or peril, and made ready to go in the goodliest wise that might
+be devised.  He took with him the goodliest knights that he might find
+in the court, arrayed them after the guise that was then used, and so
+departed over sea with all his fellowship.
+
+Anon as he was in the broad sea a tempest took them and drove them back
+into the coast of England.  They came to land fast by Camelot, and
+there Sir Tristram set up his pavilion.  Now it fell that King Anguish
+of Ireland was accused of slaying by treason a cousin of Sir Launcelot
+of the Lake, and just at this time he was come to the court at the
+summoning of King Arthur upon pain of forfeiture of his lands; yet ere
+he arrived at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was sent after.  When he
+heard the accusation he understood full well there was no remedy but to
+answer it knightly, for the custom was in those days, that if any man
+were accused of any treason or murder, he should fight body for body or
+else find another knight to fight for him.  Now King Anguish grew
+passing heavy when he heard his accusing, for the knights of King Ban's
+blood, as Sir Launcelot was, were as hard men to win in battle as any
+then living.
+
+The meanwhile Sir Tristram was told how King Anguish was come thither
+in great distress, and he sent Gouvernail to bring him to his pavilion.
+When Sir Tristram saw the king coming he ran unto him and would have
+holden his stirrup, but King Anguish leaped lightly from his horse, and
+either embraced other heartily.  Sir Tristram remembered his promise,
+made when departing from Ireland, to do service to King Anguish if ever
+it lay in his power, and never had there been so great need of knight's
+help as now.  So when King Anguish told Sir Tristram all, Sir Tristram
+took the battle for the sake of the good lordship showed him in
+Ireland, and for the sake of the Fair Isoud, upon the condition that
+King Anguish grant two things.  One was that he should swear that he
+was in the right and had never consented to the death of the knight.
+The second request was to be granted after the battle, if God should
+speed him therein.
+
+King Anguish quickly granted Sir Tristram whatsoever he asked, and anon
+departed unto King Arthur's judges, and told them he had found a
+champion ready to do the battle for him.  So Sir Tristram fought for
+King Anguish and overcame his adversary, a most noble knight.  Then
+King Anguish and Sir Tristram joyfully took their leave, and sailed
+into Ireland with great nobleness.
+
+When they were in Ireland the king let make it known throughout all the
+land, how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him.  Then the
+queen and all that were there made the most of him that they might.
+But the joy that the Fair Isoud made of Sir Tristram no tongue might
+tell, for of men earthly she loved him most.
+
+Then upon a day King Anguish would know from Sir Tristram why he asked
+not his boon, for whatsoever had been promised he should have without
+fail.  "Sir," said Tristram, "now is it time, and this is what I
+desire: that ye will give me the Fair Isoud, 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 rather than all the land that I have ye
+would wed her yourself."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "if I did, then were I ashamed for ever in
+this world, and false of my promise.  Therefore I pray you hold your
+promise that ye gave me, for this is my desire, that ye will give me
+the Fair Isoud to go with me into Cornwall, to be wedded to King Mark,
+mine uncle."
+
+[Illustration: Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud]
+
+"As for that," said King Anguish, "ye shall have her with you, to do
+with her what it please you; that is to say, if ye list to wed her
+yourself, that is to me lievest[1]; and if ye will give her unto King
+Mark, that is in your choice."
+
+So, to make a short conclusion, the Fair Isoud was made ready to go
+with Sir Tristram, and Dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief
+gentlewoman, with many others.  The queen, Isoud's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail a drink, and charged them that what day
+King Mark should wed, that same day they should give him that drink,
+"and then," said the queen, "I undertake either shall love other the
+days of their life."
+
+So this drink was given unto Dame Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail, and
+then anon Sir Tristram took the sea with the Fair Isoud.  When they
+were in the cabin, it happened that they were thirsty, and they saw a
+little flask of gold stand by them, that seemed by the colour and the
+taste to be noble wine.  Then Sir Tristram took the flask in his hand,
+and said: "Madam Isoud, here is the best drink that ever ye drank, that
+Dame Bragwaine your maid and Gouvernail my servant have kept for
+themselves."
+
+Then they laughed and made good cheer, and either drank to other,
+thinking never drink was so sweet or so good.  But after they had drunk
+that magic wine, they loved either other so truly that never their love
+departed either for weal or for woe.
+
+So they sailed on till by fortune they came into Cornwall.  There all
+the barons met them, and anon King Mark and the Fair Isoud were richly
+wedded with great splendour.  But ever, as the French book saith, Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud loved each other truly, and his life long
+he was her loyal and honourable knight.
+
+
+
+[1] Lievest: dearest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL,
+  AND WAS LONG IN THE FOREST
+
+There were great jousts and tourneying at that time in Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram was most praised of all the knights.  But some were
+jealous because of his prowess, and especially Sir Andred, that was
+cousin unto Sir Tristram, ever lay in a watch to wait betwixt him and
+the Fair Isoud, for to take them and slander them.  So upon a day Sir
+Tristram talked with Isoud in a window, and that espied Sir Andred, and
+told it to the king.
+
+Then King Mark took a sword in his hand and came to Sir Tristram, and
+called him false traitor, and would have stricken him.  But Sir
+Tristram ran under his sword, and took it out of his hand.  And then
+the king cried, "Where are my knights and my men?  I charge you slay
+this traitor."
+
+But there was not one would move for his words.  When Sir Tristram saw
+there was not one would be against him, he shook the sword to the king,
+and made as though he would strike him.  And then King Mark fled, for
+he was a coward, and Sir Tristram followed him, and smote upon him five
+or six strokes with the flat of his sword on the neck so that he made
+him fall upon the nose.  Sir Tristram then went his way and armed
+himself, and took his horse and his man, and so he rode into the forest.
+
+King Mark called his council unto him and asked advice of his barons
+what was best to do with Sir Tristram.  Their counsel was to send for
+him, that they might be friends, for in a quarrel, if Sir Tristram were
+hard bestead, many men would hold with him against the king; and if so
+peerless a knight should depart from King Mark's court and go to King
+Arthur's he would get himself such friends there that Cornwall would be
+in ill repute.
+
+So the barons sent for Sir Tristram under a safe conduct, and he was
+welcomed back by King Mark.  But his enemies ever plotted against him,
+and on a day Sir Andred and some of the barons set upon him secretly,
+seized him, and took him, bound hand and foot, unto a chapel which
+stood upon the sea rocks.  When Sir Tristram saw that Andred meant to
+kill him there, he said: "Fair Lords, remember what I have done for the
+country Cornwall, and in what jeopardy I have been for the weal of you
+all, and see not me die thus to the shame of all knighthood."
+
+But Andred held to his purpose, and when Sir Tristram saw him draw his
+sword to kill him, he looked upon both his hands that were fast bound
+unto two knights, and suddenly he pulled them both to him and so freed
+his hands.  Then he leaped unto his cousin Andred and wrested his sword
+out of his hands.  Then he smote Sir Andred to the earth, and fought
+with the others till he had killed ten knights.  So Sir Tristram gat
+the chapel and kept it by force.
+
+Then the uproar became great, and the people gathered unto Sir Andred,
+more than a hundred, whereupon Sir Tristram shut fast the chapel door,
+and brake the bars of a window, and so he leaped out and fell upon the
+crags by the sea.  Here Sir Andred and his fellows might not get to him
+at that time, and so they departed.
+
+When Sir Tristram's men heard that he was escaped they were passing
+glad, and on the rocks they found him, and with towels they pulled him
+up.  Then Sir Tristram dreaded sore lest he were discovered unto the
+king, wherefore he sent Gouvernail for his horse and his spear, and so
+he rode his way into the forest.  As he rode he was in great sorrow at
+departing in this wise; and there, as he made great dole, by fortune a
+damsel met him, and she and her lady brought him meat and drink.  Also
+they brought him a harp, for they knew him, and wist that for goodly
+harping he bore the prize in the world.
+
+So they tried to give him comfort, but he ate little of the food, and
+at the last, came wholly out his mind for sorrow.  He would go about in
+the wilderness breaking 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.  Sometimes when Sir Tristram was in the
+wood, then would the lady sit down and play upon the harp; then would
+he come to that harp and hearken thereto, and sometimes he would harp
+himself.
+
+Thus it went on a quarter of a year, when at the last Sir Tristram ran
+his way, and the lady wist not what had become of him.  He waxed lean
+and poor of flesh, and fell into the fellowship of herdmen and
+shepherds, and daily they would give him of their meat and drink.  And
+when he did any evil 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.  The weather was
+hot, and they alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile
+their horses brake loose.  Just then Sir Tristram came unto them, and
+first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and then his squires, and
+thereat laughed the shepherds.  Forthwithal he ran after their horses,
+and brought them again one by one, and right so, wet as they were, he
+made Sir Dagonet and his squires mount and ride their ways.
+
+Thus Sir Tristram endured there a half-year, and would never come in
+town or village.  Then Sir Andred, that was cousin unto Sir Tristram,
+let a tale be brought unto King Mark's court that Sir Tristram was
+dead, and that ere he died he besought King Mark to make Sir Andred
+king of the country of Lyonesse, of the which Sir Tristram was lord.
+When Queen Isoud heard of these tidings she made such sorrow that she
+was nigh out of her mind, and she lay long sick, at the point of death.
+
+Meanwhile a knight came unto King Mark and told him of a mad man in the
+forest at the fair fountain.  So he commanded his knights to take Sir
+Tristram with fairness, and bring him to his castle, yet he knew not
+that the mad man was Sir Tristram.  They did softly and fair, and cast
+mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil.  There they
+bathed 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.
+
+Now it fell upon a day that the queen, the Fair Isoud, heard of this
+man that ran wild in the forest and how the king had brought him home
+to the court, and with Dame Bragwaine she went to see him in the
+garden, where he was reposing in the sun.  When she looked upon Sir
+Tristram she knew not that it was he, yet it seemed to her she had seen
+him before.  But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he knew her well
+enough, and he turned away his visage and wept.  The queen had always
+with her a little dog that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that
+ever she came into Cornwall, and never would that dog depart from her
+unless Sir Tristram was nigh there with Isoud.  Anon as this little dog
+caught a scent of Sir Tristram, she leaped upon him, licked his cheeks,
+whined and smelled at his feet and over his whole body.  Then the Fair
+Isoud saw that it was her lord, Sir Tristram, and thereupon she fell
+down in a swoon, and so lay a great while.
+
+When she might speak, she blessed God that Sir Tristram was still
+alive, yet she knew that her lord King Mark would discover him by the
+little dog that would never leave him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD
+  RENOWN OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+The queen departed from Sir Tristram but the little dog would not from
+him.  Therewithal came King Mark, and the dog set upon him and bayed at
+all the barons.  Thereupon Sir Andred saw by the dog that it was Sir
+Tristram, and King Mark repented that he had brought the mad man in
+from the forest.  Then he let call his barons to judge Sir Tristram to
+death.  They would not assent thereto, but by the advice of them all he
+was banished out of the country for ten years.
+
+So Sir Tristram was made to depart out of the country of Cornwall, and
+there were many barons brought him into his ship.  When he was ready to
+set sail he said: "Greet well King Mark and all mine enemies, and say I
+will come again when I may.  And well am I rewarded for the fighting
+with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all this country from servage, and
+well am I rewarded for the fetching of the Fair Isoud out of Ireland,
+and the danger I was in first and last."
+
+So Sir Tristram departed over sea, and arrived in Wales.  As he rode
+there through the Forest Perilous, a lady in great distress met him,
+that said: "O my lord, come with me, and that in all the haste ye may,
+for ye shall see the most honourable knight of the world hard bestead,
+and he is none other than the noble King Arthur himself."
+
+"God defend," said Sir Tristram, "that ever he should be in such
+distress.  I am ready to help him if I may."
+
+So they rode at a great pace, till they saw a knight, that was King
+Arthur, on foot fighting with two knights, and anon the one knight was
+smitten down, and they unlaced his helm to slay him.  Therewithal came
+Sir Tristram with all his might, and smote the two traitors so that
+they fell dead.  Then he horsed King Arthur, and as they rode forth
+together, the King thanked heartily Sir Tristram and desired to wit his
+name.  He would not tell him, but said that he was a poor knight
+adventurous.  So he bare King Arthur fellowship, till he met with some
+of his knights.
+
+Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight toward Camelot.  Then was
+he ware of a seemly knight riding against him with a covered shield.
+They dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all the
+mights of their horses.  They met so fiercely that both horses and
+knights fell to the earth.  As fast as they were able they then gat
+free from their horses, and put their shields before them; and they
+strake together with bright swords, like men of might, and either
+wounded other wonderly sore, so that the blood ran out upon the grass.
+
+Thus they two fought the space of four hours.  Never one would speak to
+other one word, and of their harness they hewed off many pieces.  Then
+at the last spake the one with the covered shield; "Knight, thou
+fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight; therefore if it please you
+tell me your name."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "that is me loath to tell any man my name."
+
+"Truly," said the other, "if I was requested, I was never loath to tell
+my name.  I am Sir Launcelot of the Lake."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Tristram, "what have I done, for ye are the man in the
+world that I love best."
+
+"Fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me now your name."
+
+"Truly," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"Oh," said Sir Launcelot, "what adventure is befallen me!"
+
+Therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword.
+And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his
+sword.  So either gave other the victory.  Thereupon they both
+forthwithal went to a stone, and sat down upon it, and took off their
+helms to cool themselves.  Then after a while they took their helms and
+rode together to Camelot.
+
+There soon they met King Arthur, and when he wist that it was Sir
+Tristram, he ran unto him and took him by the hand and said, "Sir
+Tristram, ye be as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court."
+Then they went to the Table Round, where Queen Guenever came, and many
+ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one voice, "Welcome, Sir
+Tristram."  "Welcome," said the damsels; "Welcome," said the knights;
+"Welcome," said Arthur, "for one of the best knights and the gentlest
+of the world, and the man of most honour.  For of all manner of hunting
+ye bear the prize; 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, ye are welcome to this court.  Now I pray you, grant me
+a boon."
+
+"It shall be at your commandment," said Tristram.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in my
+court."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto is me loath, for I have ado in many
+countries."
+
+"Not so," said Arthur; "ye have promised it me, and ye may not say nay."
+
+So Tristram agreed to remain with King Arthur, who then went unto the
+sieges about the Round Table, and looked in every siege that lacked a
+knight.  Then the King saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said,
+"This is the siege of the noble knight Sir Tristram."  And then Arthur
+made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round with great splendour and
+great feast, as might be thought.  For that Sir Marhaus, a worthy
+knight, was slain afore by the hands of Sir Tristram was well known at
+that time in the court of Arthur; and that for evil deeds that he did
+unto the country of Cornwall Sir Tristram and he fought; and that they
+fought so long tracing and traversing till they fell bleeding to the
+earth, for they were so sore wounded that they might not stand; and
+that Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and Sir Marhaus died through
+the stroke on the head.
+
+King Mark had had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram, and
+therefore had chased him out of Cornwall.  When now he heard of the
+great prowess that Sir Tristram did in England he was sore grieved, and
+sent men to espy what deeds he did.  The Queen Isoud also on her part
+sent privily spies to know what deeds he had done, for great love was
+between them twain.  When the messengers came home, and told that Sir
+Tristram passed all other knights at Arthur's court unless it were Sir
+Launcelot, King Mark was right heavy of the tidings, and as glad was
+the Fair Isoud.  Then in great despite King Mark took with him two good
+knights and two squires, disguised himself, and took his way into
+England, to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+
+So King Mark came into England, where he soon became known as the most
+horrible coward that ever bestrode horse; and there was much laughing
+and jesting at the knight of Cornwall, and much he was despised.  Sir
+Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, at one time chased him through thick and
+thin over the forests; and when on a day Sir Launcelot overtook him and
+bade him turn and fight, he made no defence, but tumbled down out off
+the saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and cried
+Sir Launcelot mercy.
+
+So King Mark was soon brought as recreant before King Arthur, who
+already knew wherefore he was come into his country, and that he had
+not done the service and homage he owed as King Arthur's under-lord.
+But King Mark promised to make large amends for the wrongs he had done,
+for he was a fair speaker, and false thereunder.  So on a day King
+Arthur prayed of him one gift, and King Mark promised to give him
+whatsoever he desired, if it were in his power.  Then King Arthur asked
+him to be good lord unto Sir Tristram, and to take him back into
+Cornwall, and to cherish him for Arthur's sake.  King Mark promised
+this, and swore upon a book afore Arthur and all his knights.
+Therewith King Arthur forgave him all the evil will that ever he owed
+him, and 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 afterward.
+
+Then soon afterward King Mark took his leave to ride into Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram rode with him; wherefore the most part of the Round Table
+were passing heavy, and some were wroth, knowing that King Mark was the
+most coward and the villainest knight living.
+
+After a while letters came out of Cornwall that spake ill of Sir
+Tristram and showed plainly that King Mark took Sir Tristram for his
+mortal enemy.  Sir Launcelot in especial made great sorrow for anger,
+wherefore Dinadan, a gentle, wise, and courteous knight, said to him:
+"King Mark is so villainous that by fair speech shall never man get of
+him.  But ye shall see what I shall do.  I will make a lay for him, and
+when it is made I shall make a harper sing it afore him."
+
+So anon Dinadan went and made the lay, hoping thereby to humble the
+crafty king; and he taught it an harper named Eliot, and when he knew
+it, he taught it to many harpers.  And so, by the will of Sir Launcelot
+and of Arthur, the harpers went straight into Wales and into Cornwall,
+to sing the lay that Sir Dinadan made of King Mark, which was the worst
+lay that ever harper sang with harp or with any other instrument.
+
+At a great feast that King Mark made came in Eliot the harper, and
+because he was a curious harper, men heard him sing the lay that
+Dinadan had made, the which spake the most villainy of King Mark's
+treason that ever man heard.  When the harper had sung his song to the
+end, King Mark was wonderly wroth, for he deemed that the lay that was
+sung afore him was made by Sir Tristram's counsel, wherefore he thought
+to slay him and all his well willers in that country.
+
+So King Mark grew ever more jealous of Sir Tristram because of his
+prowess as knight and his great love and loyal devotion to the queen,
+the Fair Isoud; and by treason King Mark let take him and put him in
+prison, contrary to his promise that he made unto King Arthur.  When
+Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in prison, she made as
+great sorrow as ever made lady or gentlewoman.  Then Sir Tristram sent
+a letter unto her, and prayed her to be his good lady; and if it
+pleased her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he would go with
+her unto the realm of Logris, that is this land.
+
+When the Fair Isoud understood Sir Tristram's letter and his intent,
+she sent him another, and bade him be of good comfort, for she would
+make the vessel ready, and all things to purpose.  Then she had King
+Mark taken and put in prison, until the time that she and Sir Tristram
+were departed unto the realm of Logris.  And then Sir Tristram was
+delivered out of prison, and anon in all haste they took their vessel,
+and came by water into England.
+
+When Sir Launcelot understood that Sir Tristram was there, he was full
+glad.  He espied whither he went, and after him he rode, and then
+either made of other great joy.  And so Sir Launcelot brought Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that was Sir Launcelot's
+own castle that he had won with his own hands.  And he charged all his
+people to honour them and love them as they would do himself.
+
+Near three years Sir Tristram kept the Fair Isoud with him in Joyous
+Gard, and then by means of treaties he brought her again unto King Fox,
+which was the name Sir Launcelot gave unto Mark because of his wiles
+and treason.  But ever the malice of King Fox followed his brave
+nephew, and in the end he slew him as he sat harping afore his lady,
+the Fair Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, thrust in behind to the heart.
+
+For his death was much bewailing of every knight that ever was in
+Arthur's days, for he was traitorously slain.  And the Fair Isoud died,
+swooning upon the cross of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity.  And
+all that were with King Mark that were consenting to the death of Sir
+Tristram were slain, as Sir Andred and many others.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND
+  FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+While King Arthur and his knights were still sorrowful over Sir
+Tristram's return to Cornwall, greatly fearing mischief to the good
+knight by some manner of falsehood or treason of King Mark, there came
+to the court a knight bringing a young squire with him.  It was Sir
+Aglovale, King Pellinore's son, and the squire was his brother,
+Percivale, that he wished King Arthur to make knight.  The boy was the
+youngest of five sons, and for love of the father and the brothers,
+good knights all, the King made him a knight the next day in Camelot;
+yet the King and all the knights thought it would be long ere he proved
+a man of prowess, and Sir Kay and Sir Mordred made sport of his rude
+manner.
+
+At the dinner, when every knight was set after his honour, the King
+commanded Sir Percivale to be placed among mean knights.  But there was
+a maiden in the Queen's court that was come of high blood, yet she was
+dumb, and never spake a word.  Right so she came straight into the
+hall, went unto Sir Percivale, took him by the hand, and said aloud,
+that the King and all the knights might hear it, "Arise, Sir Percivale,
+the noble knight and God's knight, and go with me."
+
+So he did, and she brought him to the right side of the Siege Perilous,
+and said, "Fair knight, take here thy siege, for that siege
+appertaineth to thee, and to none other."  Right so she departed, and
+soon afterward she died.  Then the King and all the court made great
+joy of Sir Percivale.
+
+Then Sir Percivale rode forth upon adventures, and came unto Cornwall
+to seek Sir Tristram.  And he delivered him from a prison where King
+Mark had placed him, and then rode straight unto King Mark and told him
+he had done himself great shame to treat so falsely Sir Tristram, the
+knight of most renown in all the world.  Then Sir Percivale departed,
+but anon King Mark bethought him of more treason, notwithstanding his
+promise never by any manner of means to hurt Sir Tristram, and he let
+take him and put him again in prison.  How he then escaped with Isoud
+into England we have already read in the tale of Sir Tristram.
+
+Now it chanced that Sir Launcelot of the Lake had sore offended the
+Queen Guenever, and she rebuked him harshly, called him false traitor
+knight, and sent him from her court.  Therewith he took such an hearty
+sorrow at her words that he went clean out of his mind, and leaped out
+at a bay window into a garden, and there with thorns he was all
+scratched up in his visage.  So he ran forth he wist not whither, and
+for a long while none of his kin wist what was become of him.
+
+Soon Queen Guenever was right sorry that she had been so angry with her
+faithful knight, and on her knees besought Sir Bors and many others to
+seek Sir Launcelot throughout all England, Wales, and Scotland.  So
+these noble knights by one assent rode forth by twos and threes; and
+ever they assigned where they should meet.
+
+Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together unto their mother that was
+a queen in those days.  And when she saw her two sons, for joy she wept
+tenderly and said, "Ah my dear sons, when your father was slain he left
+me five sons, of the which now be three slain; my heart shall never be
+glad more."  Then she kneeled down tofore Aglovale and Percivale, and
+besought them to abide at home with her.
+
+"Ah, sweet mother," said Sir Percivale, "we may not, for we be come of
+king's blood on both sides, and therefore, mother, it is our kind to
+follow arms and noble deeds."
+
+Then there was but weeping and sobbing when they should depart, and
+after they were gone, she sent a squire after them with spending
+enough.  When the squire had overtaken them, they would not suffer him
+to ride with them, but sent him home again to comfort their mother,
+praying her meekly for her blessing.
+
+So this squire was benighted as he rode homeward, and by misfortune
+happened to come into the castle of a baron whose brother (a false
+knight and betrayer of ladies and of good knights) Sir Aglovale had
+slain.  When this baron knew from the squire that he served a good
+knight called Sir Aglovale, he commanded his men to have him away
+without mercy.
+
+On the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale riding by a churchyard
+where men and women were busy in burying this same dead squire.  When
+the brothers heard from a good man of the company how the baron had
+shamefully slain the squire that night, they alighted both, left their
+horses with their men, and went on foot to the castle.  All so soon as
+they were within the castle gate Sir Aglovale bade the porter "Go thou
+unto thy lord and tell him that I am Sir Aglovale, for whom the squire
+was slain this night."
+
+Anon the lord of the castle, whose name was Goodewin, came armed into
+the court, and he and Sir Aglovale lashed together as eagerly as it had
+been two lions.  Sir Percivale fought with all the remnant that would
+fight, and within a while had slain all that would withstand him, for
+he dealt so his strokes that there durst no man abide him.  Within a
+while Sir Aglovale had Sir Goodewin also at the earth, and so the two
+brethren departed and took their horses.  Then they let carry the dead
+squire unto a priory, and there they interred him.  When this was done
+they rode their way into many countries, ever inquiring after Sir
+Launcelot, but never they could hear of him.
+
+At last, at a castle that was called Cardican, Sir Percivale parted
+from Sir Aglovale, and with his squire rode alone.  In the afternoon he
+came upon a bridge of stone, where he found a knight that was bound
+with a chain fast about unto a pillar of stone.  This was Sir Persides,
+a knight of the Table Round, who by adventure came this way and lodged
+in the castle at the bridge foot.  There by an evil custom of the
+castle men set upon him suddenly or ever he might come to his weapon,
+and bound him, and chained him at the bridge.  There he knew he should
+die unless some man of honour brake his bands.
+
+"Be ye of good cheer," said Sir Percivale, "and because ye are a knight
+of the Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to make you free."
+
+Therewith Sir Percivale drew out his sword, and struck at the chain
+with such a might that he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir
+Persides' hauberk, and hurt him a little.
+
+"Truly," said Sir Persides, "that was a mighty stroke if ever I felt
+one, for had it not been for the chain, ye had slain me."
+
+Therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming out of the castle, flying
+all that ever he might.  "Beware, sir," said he; "yonder cometh a man
+that will have ado with you."
+
+"Let him come," said Sir Percivale.
+
+So he met with that knight in the midst of the bridge, and gave him
+such a buffet that he smote him quite from his horse and over a part of
+the bridge so that, had there not been a little vessel under the
+bridge, that knight had been drowned.  Then Sir Percivale took the
+knight's horse, and made Sir Persides to mount upon him.  So they rode
+to the castle, and made the lady deliver Sir Persides' servants.
+
+Had he not had a great matter in hand, he would have remained to do
+away with the evil customs there.  But Sir Percivale might not long
+abide, for he rode to seek Sir Launcelot.
+
+Sir Persides brought him unto his own castle, and there made him great
+cheer for that night.  Then on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard
+mass and broken his fast, he said to Sir Persides: "Ride unto King
+Arthur, and tell the King how that ye met with me, and tell my brother
+Sir Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid him seek not after me, for I am
+in the quest to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and will not see him or
+the court till Sir Launcelot is found.  Also tell Sir Kay and Sir
+Mordred that I trust to God to be of as good worthiness as either of
+them, and that I will never see that court till men speak more honour
+of me than ever men did of any of them both."
+
+So Sir Persides departed from Sir Percivale, and rode unto King Arthur,
+and told there of Sir Percivale.  And King Arthur said he must needs
+prove a good knight, for his father and his brethren were noble knights.
+
+Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of his care and woe and what
+pain he endured from cold, hunger, and thirst.  As he wandered like a
+mad man here and there, he by fortune came to the castle of King
+Pelles.  There he was healed of his madness, and when he was recovered
+he was sore ashamed that he had thus been clean out of his wit.  And
+King Pelles gave him his castle of Bliant, that stood in an island
+enclosed with a fair water, deep and large.  Sir Launcelot called it
+the Joyous Isle, and here he dwelt a long while.  Because he was driven
+from King Arthur's court he desired not to be known, and he named
+himself "The knight that hath trespassed."
+
+Now it fell at that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting hard by
+his castle, and he sent word thither that there was one knight in the
+Joyous Isle, by name "The knight that hath trespassed," that will joust
+against any knights that will come to him.  When this cry was made,
+unto Joyous Isle drew many knights, and wit you well there was not seen
+at Arthur's court one knight that did so much deeds of arms as were
+done in that gay castle.
+
+And in the meanwhile came also Sir Percivale nigh to Joyous Isle, and
+would have gone to that castle, but might not for the broad water.
+Then he saw on the other side a lady, and he called unto her and asked
+who was in that castle.
+
+"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest knight
+and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and he calleth
+himself 'The knight that hath trespassed.'  He came into this country
+like a mad man, with dogs and boys chasing him, and by miracle he was
+brought into his wit again.  If ye list to come into the castle, ye
+must ride unto the farther side of the isle, and there ye shall find a
+vessel that will bear you and your horse."
+
+Then Sir Percivale came unto the vessel, and passed the water.  When he
+came to the castle gate, he bade the porter, "Go thou to the good
+knight within the castle, and tell him here is come an errant knight to
+joust with him."
+
+Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and anon Sir Launcelot had
+warning, he was soon ready.  And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot
+encountered with such a might that both the horses and the knights fell
+to the earth.  Then they left their horses, swung out noble swords, and
+hewed away pieces of their shields, and dashed together like two boars,
+and either wounded other passing sore.
+
+At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had fought there more than
+two hours: "Fair knight," saith he, "I pray thee tell me thy name, for
+I met never with such a knight."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is 'The knight that hath
+trespassed.'  Now tell me your name, I pray you, gentle knight."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Percivale, "my name is Sir Percivale of Galis; King
+Pellinore was my father and Sir Aglovale is my brother."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done to fight with you that
+art a knight of the Table Round, that sometime was your fellow."
+
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw away
+his shield and his sword from him.  When Sir Percivale saw him do so,
+he marvelled what he meant.  Then he begged him upon the high order of
+knighthood to tell his true name, and Sir Launcelot told him all.
+
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "what have I done!  I was sent by the Queen
+for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh these two years.  I pray
+you forgive me mine offence that I have here done."
+
+"It is soon forgiven," said Sir Launcelot.
+
+Then Sir Percivale told him how King Arthur and all his knights, and in
+especial Queen Guenever, made great dole and sorrow that ever he
+departed from them, and that never knight was better welcome back to
+the court than he would be.  So Sir Launcelot agreed to do after Sir
+Percivale's counsel, and ride with him to the King.
+
+So then they took their horses and departed from the Joyous Isle, and
+within five days' journey they came to Camelot, that is called in
+English Winchester.  And when Sir Launcelot was come among them, the
+King and all the knights made great joy of him.  Then Sir Percivale of
+Galis began and told the whole adventures, and all the tales of Sir
+Launcelot.  And the Queen made great cheer, and there were great feasts
+made, and many great lords and ladies, when they heard that Sir
+Launcelot was come to the court again, made great joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table
+were come unto Camelot, and the tables were set ready to the meat,
+right so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman before the King,
+and on behalf of King Pelles requested that Sir Launcelot should go
+with her hereby into a forest.  Sir Launcelot bade his squire saddle
+his horse and bring his arms, and right so he departed with the
+gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a great valley, where
+they saw an abbey of nuns.  There was a squire ready, and opened the
+gates; and so they entered and descended off their horses, and there
+came a fair fellowship about Sir Launcelot and welcomed him, and were
+passing glad of his coming.
+
+In the meanwhile there came twelve nuns which brought with them
+Galahad, the which was passing fair and well made, so that in the world
+men might scarcely find his match.  "Sir," said the ladies, "we bring
+you here this child, the which we have nourished, and we pray you to
+make him a knight; for of a worthier man's hand may he not receive the
+order of knighthood."
+
+Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and saw him seemly and demure
+as a dove, with all manner of good features, and he thought 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 to-morrow."
+
+That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer, and on the morn at the
+hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him knight, and said, "God
+make you a good man, for beauty faileth you not as any that liveth."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot departed from them, and came again unto Camelot by
+the hour of nine on Whitsunday morning.  By that time the King and the
+Queen and all the fellowship were gone to the minster to hear the
+service.
+
+When they were come from service all were passing glad of Sir
+Launcelot's return.  And as they entered the hall each of the barons
+sought his name, written with gold letters, in the sieges of the Round
+Table.  Thus they went along from seat to seat, 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 filled."
+
+All thought this a marvellous thing, and an adventurous.  And then Sir
+Launcelot accounted the term of the writing from the birth of our Lord
+unto that day, and said: "It seemeth me this siege ought to be filled
+this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four
+hundred and four and fifty years; 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 they provided a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in the
+Siege Perilous, and the King bade haste unto dinner.
+
+It was an old custom of Arthur's court that on this day they should not
+sit at their meat until they had seen some adventure.  As they stood
+waiting therefor, in came a squire bringing the marvellous tidings that
+beneath at the river there was a great stone, as it were of red marble,
+floating above the water, wherein a sword stuck.  So the King and all
+the knights went unto the river to see this marvel, and they found it
+even as the squire had said.  There in the stone was the fair rich
+sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious stones and subtile
+letters wrought with gold.  Then the barons read the letters, which
+said in this wise: "Never shall man take me hence but only he by whose
+side 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 ye be the best knight
+of the world."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly, conscious of a great sin:
+"Certes, sir, it is not my sword; also, sir, wit ye well I have no
+hardiness to set my hand thereto, for it belongs not by my side."
+
+"Now, fair nephew," said the King unto Sir Gawaine, "assay ye to take
+the sword for my love."
+
+Therewith Sir Gawaine took the sword by the handles, though unwillingly
+and only at the King's commandment, but he might not stir it.  Then the
+King said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay.  So he set his hand
+on the sword and drew it strongly, but he might not move it.  Then were
+there more that durst be so hardy as to set their hands thereto, but
+all failed.
+
+"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Kay unto King Arthur, "for a
+marvellous adventure have ye seen."
+
+So the King and all went in, and every knight knew his own place and
+set himself therein, and all sieges were filled save only the Siege
+Perilous.  Anon there befell a marvellous adventure, for all the doors
+and the windows of the place shut of themselves, yet then the hall was
+not greatly darkened, and therewith they were amazed, both one and
+other.
+
+While they sat there in suspense as to what should happen, came in a
+good old man, and an ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no
+knight knew from whence he came.  With him he brought a young knight in
+red arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side.
+Then the old man said unto Arthur, "Sir, I bring here a young knight
+the which 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 the good man's words, and bade him and the
+young knight welcome.  Then the old man made the young man unarm; and
+he was in a coat of red silk, and bore a mantle upon his shoulder that
+was furred with ermine.  Anon the old knight led him unto the Siege
+Perilous, where beside sat Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot.  The good
+man lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus: "This
+is the siege of Galahad, the high prince."  He set him down surely in
+that siege, saying, "Wit ye well that place is yours," and then,
+departed and went his way.
+
+All the knights of the Table Round marvelled greatly that Sir Galahad
+durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so tender of age; for
+never before had anyone sat therein but he was mischieved.  And they
+foresaw that Sir Galahad would come to great honour, and outdo them all
+in knightly courtesy.
+
+Then the King bade him welcome to the court, and taking him by the
+hand, went down from the palace to show Galahad the adventures of the
+stone.  "Sir" said the King unto him, "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."
+
+Anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the
+stone and put it in the sheath, saying, "Now it goeth better than it
+did aforehand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN
+
+The dish from which our Lord Jesu Christ ate the paschal lamb at His
+last supper with His disciples men call the Holy Grail.  Therein also
+Joseph of Arimathea caught the last drops of sacred blood, and after
+the passion of our Lord that gentle knight, the which took down the
+body off the holy cross, at that time departed from Jerusalem with a
+great party of his kindred, bearing the Holy Grail with them.
+
+It befell that they came first to a city that was called Sarras, and at
+the last they crossed to Britain, and through them all the heathen
+people of this land were turned to the Christian faith.
+
+Ever as years went by the Holy Grail became more precious, and the
+possession of it ever more a sacred trust.  But after a long while it
+was lost from the world through men's sinfulness, and only those of
+pure heart and life might from time to time see it.
+
+Merlin, before he was put under the stone, had foreseen that by them
+which should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of the Holy Grail
+would be well known, and in the good days of King Arthur the longing
+grew to be worthy of the vision of this sign of the Lord's presence
+among men.  Moreover a holy hermit had said that, when the Siege
+Perilous was filled, the achieving of the Holy Grail should be near.
+
+After Galahad drew the sword out of the stone the King and all estates
+went thoughtful home unto Camelot, and so to even-song in the great
+minster.  After that they went to supper, and every knight sat in his
+own place at the Round Table.  Then anon they heard cracking and crying
+of thunder that should, as it seemed to them, shake the place all to
+pieces.  In the midst of this 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 looked afore.  There was no knight might
+speak one word, and so they looked every man on his fellows, as if they
+were dumb.  Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered
+with white samite, but there was none might see it, or who bare it.
+And there was all the hall filled full with good odours, and every
+knight was nourished in his soul.  When the Holy Grail had been borne
+through the hall, then it departed suddenly, so that they wist not what
+became of it.
+
+Then had they all breath to speak, and the King yielded thankings unto
+God for His good grace that He had sent them.  "Now," said Sir Gawaine,
+"we have been richly blessed this day, 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
+labour in the quest of the Holy Grail a twelvemonth and a day, or more
+if need be, and shall not return 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 at the end of the time 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, the most part of
+them arose, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.  Anon as King
+Arthur heard this he was greatly grieved, for he wist well that they
+might not gainsay their avows, and he should be bereft of the fairest
+fellowship and the truest knighthood that ever were seen together in
+any realm of the world.  For, when they departed from hence, they
+should never all meet again in this world, and many of his true
+fellowship of noble knights should die in the quest.
+
+When the Queen also and all the court wist these tidings, they had such
+sorrow and heaviness that there might no tongue tell it.  Many of the
+ladies would have gone with the knights that they loved, had not an old
+man in religious clothing said on high that none in this quest should
+lead wife with him.  Moreover he warned the knights plainly that he
+that was not clean of his sins should not see the mysteries of our Lord
+Jesu Christ.  Then they went to rest themselves, and in honour of the
+highness of Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there
+rested in his own bed.
+
+As soon as it was day the King arose, for he had no rest all that night
+for sorrow.  Then the King and the Queen went unto the minster, and all
+the knights, armed fully save their shields and their helms, followed
+them to hear the service.
+
+Then after the service was done, the King would wit how many had taken
+the quest of the Holy Grail, and found by tale there were an hundred
+and fifty, all knights of the Round Table.  Then they put on their
+helms, and so mounted upon their horses, and rode through the streets
+of Camelot.  And there was weeping of rich and poor, and the King
+turned away, and might not speak for weeping.
+
+Within a while they came to a city and a castle called Vagon.  The lord
+of that castle was a good old man and set open the gates, and made them
+all the good cheer that he might.  On the morrow they were all accorded
+that they should ride every each from other.  Then they departed with
+weeping and mourning cheer, and every knight took the way that him best
+liked.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD
+
+Now Sir Galahad was yet without shield, and so he rode four days
+without any adventure.  After even-song of the fourth day he came to a
+white abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and led to
+a chamber wherein he was ware of two knights of the Round Table, the
+one King Bagdemagus and the other Sir Uwaine.  They went unto him and
+made of him great solace; and they told him that within this place was
+a shield that no man might bear about his neck without great harm to
+himself, unless he were the worthiest knight of the world.
+
+[Illustration: Sir Galahad]
+
+"Ah, sir," said King Bagdemagus to Galahad, "I shall to-morrow assay
+this strange adventure, and if I may not achieve it ye shall take it
+upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail."
+
+"Sir," said Galahad, "I agree right well thereto, for I have no shield."
+
+So on the morn 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.  The monk counselled him to be well advised before taking it,
+and King Bagdemagus answered:
+
+"Well, I wot well that I am not the best knight of the world, but yet
+shall I assay to bear it."
+
+And so, bidding Sir Galahad to abide there still, till it was known how
+he sped, King Bagdemagus bore the red cross shield out of the
+monastery, took with him a squire, the which should bring tidings unto
+Sir Galahad how he sped, and rode away.
+
+Two miles off they came into a fair valley afore a hermitage, and there
+they saw a goodly knight in white armour, horse and all.  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.  The other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, and
+thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered him not
+at that time, and so he bare him from his horse.
+
+Therewith the White Knight alighted and took the white shield from King
+Bagdemagus, 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."  Then he came to the squire, and said, "Bear this shield
+unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and
+greet him well from me."
+
+The squire first went unto Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+sore wounded or not.  "Yea, forsooth," said he, "I shall escape hard
+from death."  Then the squire fetched his horse, and brought him with
+great pain unto an abbey.  Then was he taken down safely, and unarmed,
+and laid in a bed.  There his wounds were looked to, and, as the book
+telleth, he lay there long, and escaped hard with life.
+
+"Sir," said the squire, when he came to Galahad, "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," said Sir Galahad.  Then he asked his arms,
+mounted upon his horse, and, commending himself unto God, hung the
+white shield about his neck.  So he departed, and within a while came
+by the hermitage, where the White Knight awaited him.  Every each
+saluted other courteously, and the knight told Sir Galahad the marvels
+of the shield.
+
+"Sir," said he, "at that same hour that Joseph of Arimathea came to
+Sarras, there was a king in that city called Evelake, that had great
+war against the Saracens, and there Joseph made this shield for him in
+the name of Him that died upon the cross.  Then through his good belief
+he had the better of his enemies; 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 his enemies saw a
+figure of a man on the cross, wherethrough they all were discomfited.
+
+"Soon afterwards Joseph departed from Sarras, and King Evelake would go
+with him whether he would or nould, and they came unto this land of
+Britain.  Not long after this, when Joseph lay on his death-bed, King
+Evelake begged of him some token that would lead him to think on the
+old knight for love of whom he had left his own country.  So Joseph
+took this shield, and thereupon he made a cross with his own blood;
+that should be Evelake's token.  Then he said that no man should bear
+this shield until the time that Galahad come, the last of Joseph's
+lineage, that should do many marvellous deeds while bearing it about
+his neck.  To-day is the time they then set when ye shall have King
+Evelake's shield."
+
+So spake the White Knight, and then vanished away; and Sir Galahad rode
+with the squire back to the abbey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS
+
+The men of the abbey made great joy of Sir Galahad, and he rested there
+that night.  Upon the morn he gave the order of knighthood to the
+squire who had brought him the red-cross shield, and asked him his
+name, and of what kindred he was come.
+
+"Sir," said he, "men call me Melias of Lile, and I am the son of the
+King of Denmark."
+
+"Now, fair sir," said Galahad, "since ye are of noble birth, see that
+knighthood be well placed in you, for ye ought to be a mirror unto all
+chivalry."
+
+"Sir," said Melias, "ye say truly.  But, sir, since ye have made me a
+knight, ye must of right grant me my first desire that is reasonable."
+
+"Ye say truly," said Galahad.
+
+Then Melias said, "Suffer me to ride with you in this quest of the Holy
+Grail till some adventure part us."
+
+"I grant you, sir," said Galahad.
+
+Then men brought Sir Melias his armour and his spear and his horse; and
+so Sir Galahad and he rode forth all that week ere they found any
+adventure.  And then upon a Monday, in the morning, as they had
+departed from an abbey, they came to a fork in the road, where stood
+written these words: "Now ye knights errant, who go to seek knights
+adventurous, see here two ways; the right-hand road ye are warned
+against, for knight shall never ride out of that place again unless he
+be a good man and a worthy knight; and if ye go to the left hand ye
+shall not there easily win prowess, for ye shall in this road be soon
+attacked."
+
+"Sir," said Melias to Galahad, "if ye are pleased to suffer me to take
+the way on the left hand, tell me, for there I shall well prove my
+strength."
+
+"It were better," said Galahad, "ye rode not that way, for I believe I
+should better escape in that way than ye."
+
+"Nay, my lord," said Melias, "I pray you, let me have that adventure."
+
+"Take it, in God's name," said Galahad.
+
+So Melias rode far through an old forest, and after two days or more
+came into a fair meadow.  Here in a fair lodge of boughs he espied a
+chair wherein was a subtilely-wrought crown of gold, and near by was a
+cloth spread upon the ground with many delicious meats upon it.  Sir
+Melias had no desire for the food, but the crown of gold pleased him
+much, so he stooped down and took it and rode his way with it.  And
+anon he saw a knight come riding after him, who called upon him to set
+down the crown that was not his, and to defend himself.
+
+The new-made knight was glad of this adventure, and the two let their
+horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight smote Sir
+Melias through his hauberk and through the left side, and he fell to
+the earth nigh dead.  Then the knight took the crown and went his way,
+and Sir Melias lay still, and had no power to stir.  In the meanwhile
+by good fortune there came Sir Galahad and found him there in peril of
+death.
+
+Then he said, "Ah, Melias, who hath wounded you?  It would have been
+better to ride the other way."
+
+And when Sir Melias heard him speak, "Sir," he said, "for God's love
+let me not die in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey near at hand."
+
+"It shall be done," said Galahad, "but where is he that hath wounded
+you?"
+
+With that Sir Galahad heard some one cry, "Knight, keep thee from me!"
+
+"Ah, sir," said Melias, "beware, for that is he that hath slain me."
+
+Sir Galahad answered, "Sir knight, come at your peril."
+
+So they came together as fast as their horses might run; and Galahad
+smote the other so that his spear went through the knight's shoulder
+and smote him down off his horse, and in the falling Galahad's spear
+brake.  With that came out another knight from the leaves, and brake a
+spear upon Galahad before he might turn about.  Then Galahad drew out
+his sword and smote this one so that he fled away, and Sir Galahad
+pursued fast after him.  But soon he turned again unto Sir Melias, and
+there he alighted and placed him softly on his horse before him, and
+Sir Galahad climbed up behind, and held him in his arms, and so brought
+him to the abbey and into his chamber.  Here he placed the wounded
+knight in the care of an old monk, that promised to heal him of his
+wounds.
+
+"Now I will depart," said Galahad, "for I have much on hand; many good
+knights be full busy about it, and this knight and I were in the same
+quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+"Sir," said the good monk, "for his sins he was thus wounded; and I
+marvel," said he to Melias, "how ye durst take upon you so rich a thing
+as the high order of knighthood without clean confession, and that was
+the cause ye were bitterly wounded.  For the way on the right hand
+betokeneth the high way of our Lord Jesu Christ, and the way of a true
+good liver.  And the other way betokeneth the way of sinners and of
+misbelievers.  Your pride and presumption in taking the quest of the
+blessed Holy Grail made you to be overthrown, for it may not be
+achieved but by virtuous living.  Pride is head of all deadly sins, and
+that caused you to depart from Sir Galahad.  And when ye took the crown
+of gold your sin was covetousness and theft.  But this Galahad, the
+holy knight, the which fought with the two knights that signify the two
+deadly sins which were wholly in you, was able to overthrow them, for
+he is pure in his heart."
+
+"My lord Galahad," said Sir Melias, "as soon as I may ride I shall seek
+you."
+
+"God send you health," said Galahad, and so he took his horse and
+departed, and rode many journeys forward and backward, as adventure
+would lead him.
+
+Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain.  There he found an old chapel,
+where all was desolate, and he knelt before the altar and besought of
+God wholesome counsel.  As he prayed, he heard a voice that said, "Go
+thou now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there
+do thou away the wicked customs."
+
+When Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God and took his horse, and he
+had ridden but half a mile when he saw in a valley afore him a strong
+castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river, that
+was called Severn.  Then he met with a man of great age.  Either
+saluted other, and Galahad asked him the castle's name.  "Fair sir,"
+said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens."
+
+"That is a cursed castle," said Galahad, "and all who have intercourse
+therein are cursed, for all pity is lacking there, and all cruelty and
+mischief are therein."
+
+"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the other, "that ye turn
+back."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "ye may be sure I shall not turn back."
+
+Then Sir Galahad looked on his armour to see that nothing was lacking,
+and he put his shield afore him, and anon there met him seven fair
+maidens, which said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in great folly,
+for ye have the water to pass over."
+
+"Why should I not pass the water?" said Galahad.  So he rode away from
+them, and met with a squire, who said.  "Knight, those knights in the
+castle defy you, and forbid you to go farther till they know what ye
+would."
+
+"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come to destroy the wicked customs of this
+castle."
+
+"Sir," said the squire, "if ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough
+to do."
+
+The squire entered into the castle, and anon there came out seven
+knights, all brethren.  And when they saw Galahad they cried, "Knight,
+defend thyself, for we assure thee nothing but death."
+
+Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth.
+And therewith all the others 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.  Galahad chased them till
+they entered into the castle, and then passed through the castle and
+out at another gate.
+
+Now there met Sir Galahad an old man, who said, "Sir, have here the
+keys of this castle."
+
+Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so many people in the
+passages that he might not number them, and all said, "Sir, ye be
+welcome, for long have we awaited here our deliverance."
+
+Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, "These knights are fled, but
+they will come again this night, and here begin again their evil
+practices."
+
+"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 to use the
+customs that were used heretofore of old time."
+
+"I will well," said Galahad.
+
+She brought him a horn of ivory, richly bound with gold, and said,
+"Sir, blow this horn, which will be heard two miles about this castle."
+
+When Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set himself down upon a bed.
+Then a priest came and told him of the evil practices of the castle,
+and why it was called the Castle of Maidens.  "It chanced in this
+wise," said he: "More than seven years agone the seven brethren came,
+and lodged with the lord of this castle and of all the country round
+about.  When they espied the duke's daughter, a full fair woman, they
+plotted falsely betwixt themselves and slew the duke and his eldest
+son.  Then they took the maiden and the treasure of the castle, and by
+great force they held all the knights of this castle against their will
+under their power in great slavery, and robbed and pillaged the poor
+common people of all that they had.  Then it happened on a day the
+duke's daughter said, 'Ye have done unto me great wrong to slay my own
+father and my brother, and thus to hold our lands.  But ye shall not
+hold this castle many years, for by one knight ye shall be overcome.'
+Thus she had prophesied seven years agone.
+
+"'Well,' said the seven knights, 'if that be so, there shall never lady
+nor knight pass by this castle but they shall abide here, whether they
+will or not, or die for it, till that knight be come by whom we shall
+lose this castle.'  Therefore it is called the Maidens' Castle, for
+many maidens have here been destroyed."
+
+By the time the priest had finished, the knights of the country were
+come at the call from the ivory horn.  Then Sir Galahad made them do
+homage and fealty to the duke's daughter, and set the people in great
+ease of heart.
+
+And the next morning one came to Galahad and told him how Gawaine,
+Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren.  "I am glad to hear
+it," said Sir Galahad, and he took his armour, mounted his horse, and
+commended the people of the Castle of Maidens unto God, and so rode
+away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE
+
+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
+Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised.  Right so,
+Sir Launcelot dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir Galahad; and Sir
+Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse and man.  Then he
+drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on
+the helm that, had not the sword swerved, Sir Percivale had been slain,
+and with the stroke he fell out of his saddle.
+
+This joust was done tofore the hermitage where a recluse dwelt, and,
+when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, "God be with thee, best knight
+of the world.  Ah, verily, if 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.
+Therefore he smote his horse with his spurs, and rode at a great pace
+away from 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 they turned again with heavy cheer, and
+Sir Percivale said, "Let us ask some tidings at yonder recluse."
+
+"Do as ye list," said Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Percivale turned back, but
+Sir Launcelot rode on across and endlong in a wild forest, and held no
+path, but as wild adventure led him.  At last he came to a stone cross,
+which pointed two ways, and by the cross was a stone that was of
+marble; but it was so dark that he might not wit what it was.
+
+Sir Launcelot looked about him, and saw an old chapel.  There he
+expected to find people, so he tied his horse, and took off his shield
+and hung it upon a tree.  Then he went to the chapel door, and found it
+waste and broken.  Within he saw a fair altar full richly arrayed with
+cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick of silver
+which bare six great candles.
+
+When Sir Launcelot saw this light, he had great will to enter into the
+chapel, but he could find no place where he might enter.  Then was he
+passing heavy and dismayed.  He returned to his horse, took off his
+saddle and bridle, and let him pasture.  Then he unlaced his helm, and
+ungirded his sword, and laid himself down to sleep upon his shield
+tofore the cross.
+
+[Illustration: Sir Launcelot at the Cross]
+
+So he fell on sleep, and half waking and half sleeping he saw in a
+vision two fair white palfreys come toward him, bearing in a litter a
+sick knight.  When he was nigh the cross he abode still, and Sir
+Launcelot heard him say, "Oh, sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave
+me? and when shall the holy vessel come by me, wherethrough I shall be
+blessed?  For I have endured thus long for little trespass."
+
+A full great while lamented the knight thus, and always Sir Launcelot
+heard it.  Then he saw the candlestick with the six tapers come before
+the cross, yet he saw nobody that brought it.  Also there came a table
+of silver, and the sacred vessel of the Holy Grail upon it.
+
+Therewith the sick knight sat up, and, holding up both hands, he prayed
+that he might be whole of his malady.  Then on his hands and knees he
+went so nigh that he touched the holy vessel, and kissed it, and anon
+he was whole.  Then he said, "Lord God, I thank thee, for I am healed
+of this sickness."
+
+When the holy vessel had been there a great while, it went unto the
+chapel, with the candlestick and the light, so that Launcelot wist not
+what became of it, for he was overtaken with a feeling of his sin, so
+that he had no power to arise and follow the holy vessel.
+
+Then the sick knight raised himself up, and kissed the cross.  Anon his
+squire brought him his arms, and asked his lord how he did.  "Verily,"
+said he, "I thank God, right well; through the holy vessel I am healed.
+But I have great marvel of this sleeping knight, that had no power to
+awake when the Holy Grail was brought hither."
+
+"I dare right well say," said the squire, "that he dwelleth in some
+deadly sin, whereof he has never repented."
+
+"By my faith," said the knight, "whatsoever he be, he is unhappy, for,
+as I deem, he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, the which is
+entered into the quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+"Sir," said the squire, "here I have brought you all your arms, save
+your helm and your sword.  By my assent now may ye take this knight's
+helm and his sword."
+
+So he did, and when he was clean armed, he took Sir Launcelot's horse,
+for he was better than his own, and so they departed from the cross.
+Anon Sir Launcelot awoke, and bethought him what he had seen there, and
+whether it were a dream or not.  Right so heard he a voice that said:
+"Sir Launcelot, more hard than is stone, more bitter than is wood, and
+more naked and barer than is the fig tree, go thou from hence, and
+withdraw thee from this holy place."
+
+When Sir Launcelot heard this he was passing heavy, and wist not what
+to do.  So he arose, sore weeping, and cursed the time when he was
+born, for he thought never to have honour more.  Then he went to the
+cross, and found his helm, his sword, and his horse taken away.  Then
+he called himself a very wretch, and the most unhappy of all knights.
+And he said: "My sin and my wickedness have brought me unto great
+dishonour.  When I sought worldly adventures from worldly desires, I
+ever achieved them, and had the better in every place, and never was I
+discomfited in any quarrel, were it right or wrong.  But now when I
+take upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that
+mine old sin hindereth and shameth me, so that I had no power to stir
+or to speak when the Holy Grail appeared afore me."
+
+Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing.  Then
+somewhat he was comforted, but, when he missed his horse and his
+harness, he wist well God was displeased with him.  He departed from
+the cross on foot into a forest, and came to a hermitage, and a hermit
+therein.  There Launcelot kneeled down and cried on the Lord for mercy,
+and begged the hermit for charity to hear his confession.
+
+"With a good will," said the good man; "art thou of King Arthur's
+court, and of the fellowship of the Round Table?"
+
+"Yea, forsooth," was the answer, "and my name is Sir Launcelot of the
+Lake, that hath been right well said of; but now my good fortune is
+changed, for I am the worst wretch of the world."
+
+The hermit beheld him, and had marvel how he was humbled.
+
+"Sir," said he, "thou oughtest to thank God more than any knight
+living, for He hath caused thee to have more worldly honour than any
+other knight that now liveth.  For thy presumption in taking upon thee,
+while in deadly sin, to be in His presence through the sacred vessel,
+that was the cause that thou mightest not see it with worldly eyes, for
+He will not appear where such sinners be, unless to their great hurt
+and shame.  There is no knight living now that ought to give God so
+great thanks as thou; for He hath given thee beauty, seemliness, and
+great strength, above all other knights.  Therefore thou art the more
+beholden unto God than any other man to love Him and fear Him; for thy
+strength and manhood will little avail thee if God be against thee."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, for he knew the hermit said
+sooth.
+
+"Sir," said the good man, "hide none old sin from me."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "that were me full loath to disclose, for
+one thing that I have done I never disclosed these fourteen years, and
+for that may I now blame my shamelessness and my misadventure."
+
+Then he told there that good man all his life, and how he had loved a
+queen unmeasurably, and out of measure long.  "And," said he, "all my
+great deeds of arms that I have done, I did the most part for that
+queen's sake.  For her sake would I battle, were it right or wrong; and
+never did I battle wholly for God's sake, but for to win honour and to
+make myself better beloved, and little or naught I thanked God for it.
+I pray you counsel me."
+
+"I will counsel thee," said the hermit, "if thou wilt assure me that
+thou wilt never come into that queen's companionship when thou canst
+prevent it."  This Sir Launcelot solemnly promised, whereupon the good
+man said, "Look that thy heart and mouth accord, and I assure thee that
+thou shalt have more honour than ever thou hadst.  For it seemeth well
+God loveth thee, and in all the world men shall not find one knight to
+whom He hath given so much grace as He hath given thee; He hath given
+thee beauty with seemliness; He hath given thee wit, discretion to know
+good from evil; He hath given thee prowess and hardiness; and He hath
+given thee to work so largely that thou hast had at all times the
+better wheresoever thou camest.  And now our Lord will suffer thee no
+longer, but that thou shalt know Him, whether thou wilt or nilt.
+
+"Why the voice called thee bitterer than wood was because, where
+overmuch sin dwelleth, there may be but little sweetness; wherefore
+thou art likened to an old rotten tree.  Why thou art harder than stone
+is because thou wilt not leave thy sin for any goodness that God hath
+sent thee; therefore thou art more than any stone, and never wouldest
+thou be made soft, neither by water nor by fire,--that is, the heat of
+the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee.
+
+"Now shall I show thee why thou art more naked and barer than the fig
+tree.  It befell that our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in Jerusalem,
+and there He found in the people that all hardness was harboured in
+them, and there He found in all the town not one that would harbour
+Him.  And then He went without the town, and found in the midst of the
+way a fig tree, the which was right fair and well garnished of leaves,
+but fruit had it none.  Then our Lord cursed the tree that bare no
+fruit; that likeneth the fig tree unto Jerusalem, that had leaves and
+no fruit.  So thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy Grail was brought
+afore thee, He found in thee no fruit, nor good thought, nor good will,
+and thou wert befouled with sin."
+
+"Verily," said Sir Launcelot, "all that ye have said is true, and from
+henceforward I undertake by the grace of God never to be so wicked as I
+have been, but to follow knighthood and to do feats of arms."
+
+Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot to such penance as he might
+do, and to sue knighthood, and so blessed him, and prayed him to abide
+there all that day.  "I will well," said Sir Launcelot, "for I have
+neither helm, nor horse, nor sword."
+
+"As for that," said the good man, "I shall help you ere to-morn to a
+horse and all that belongeth unto you."  And so Sir Launcelot repented
+him greatly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION
+
+When Sir Percivale departed from the recluse to seek Sir Galahad, he
+rode till the hour of noon, when he met in a valley about twenty men of
+arms.  As they saw him they asked him whence he was, and he answered,
+"Of the court of King Arthur."  Then they cried all at once, "Slay
+him."  Then Sir Percivale smote the first to the earth, and his horse
+upon him.  Thereupon seven of the knights smote upon his shield all at
+once, and the remnant slew his horse, so that he fell to the earth.
+
+So had they slain him or taken him, had not the good knight Sir
+Galahad, with the red arms, come there by adventure into those parts.
+And when he saw all those knights upon one knight, he cried, "Save me
+that knight's life."  Then he dressed him towards the twenty men of
+arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in the rest, and
+smote the foremost horse and man to the earth.  And when his spear was
+broken he set his hand to his sword, and smote on the right hand and on
+the left hand, that it was marvel to see.  At every stroke he smote one
+down, or put him to rebuke, so that they would fight no more, but fled
+to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad followed them.
+
+When Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made great sorrow that his
+horse was away, for he wist well it was Sir Galahad.  Then he cried
+aloud, "Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee,
+for much have ye done for me!"
+
+But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast, that at the last he passed out of
+his sight, and Sir Percivale went after him on foot as fast as he
+might.  Soon he met a yeoman riding upon a hackney, who led in his hand
+a great black steed, blacker than any bear.
+
+"Ah, fair friend," said Sir Percivale, "as ever I may do for you and be
+your true knight in the first place ye will require me, I beg ye will
+lend me that black steed, that I may overtake a knight, the which
+rideth afore me."
+
+"Sir knight," said the yeoman, "I pray you hold me excused of that, for
+that I may not do; for wit ye well, the horse belongs to a man that, if
+I lent it you or any other man, would slay me."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "I had never so great sorrow as I have for
+losing of yonder knight."
+
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
+would beseem you well, but I dare not deliver you this horse unless ye
+take it from me."
+
+"That will I not do," said Sir Percivale.
+
+So they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him down under a tree, and made
+sorrow out of measure.  Anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale, "Saw ye, sir, any knight riding
+on my black steed?  It hath been taken from me by force, wherefore my
+lord will slay me in what place he findeth me."
+
+"Well," said Sir Percivale, "what wouldest thou that I did?  Thou seest
+well that I am on foot, but had I a good horse I should bring him soon
+again."
+
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "take my hackney and do the best ye can, and I
+shall follow you on foot, to wit how that ye shall speed."
+
+Then Sir Percivale mounted upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he
+might.  At the last he saw the knight on the black steed, and cried out
+to him to turn again.  And he turned, and set his spear against Sir
+Percivale; and he smote the hackney in the midst of the breast, that he
+fell down dead to the earth.  There Sir Percivale had a great fall, and
+the other rode his way.
+
+Sir Percivale was very wroth, and cried, "Abide, wicked knight, coward
+and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot."
+
+He answered not, but passed on his way.  When Sir Percivale saw he
+would not turn, he cast away his helm and sword, and thought himself
+unhappy above all other knights.
+
+In this sorrow he abode all that day till it was night.  Then he was
+faint, and laid him down and slept till it was midnight.  Then he
+awaked, and saw afore him a woman which said unto him right fiercely,
+"Sir Percivale, abide here, and I shall go fetch you a horse, which
+shall bear you whither you will."
+
+So she came soon again, and brought a horse with her that was inky
+black.  When Sir Percivale beheld that horse, he marvelled that it was
+so great and so well apparelled.  Courageously he leaped upon him, and
+took no heed of himself.  As soon as ever he was mounted he thrust in
+the spurs, and so rode away by the forest, and the moon shone clear.
+
+Within an hour, and less, the black steed bare him four day's journey
+thence, till he came to a rough water the which roared, and his horse
+would have borne him into it.  And when Sir Percivale came nigh the
+brim, and saw the water so boisterous, he feared to overpass it.  Then
+he made a sign of the cross in his forehead, whereupon the horse shook
+off Sir Percivale, and he fell into the water, crying and roaring,
+making great sorrow; and it seemed unto him that the water burned.
+Then Sir Percivale perceived the steed was a fiend, the which would
+have brought him unto his perdition.  Then he commended himself unto
+God, and prayed our Lord to keep him from all such temptations.
+
+So he prayed all that night till it was day.  Then he saw that he was
+in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea nigh all about, so
+that he might see no land about him which might relieve him.  Then was
+Sir Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship come sailing towards him;
+and he went unto the ship, and found it covered within and without with
+white samite.  At the board stood an old man clothed in a surplice in
+likeness of a priest.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "ye be welcome."
+
+"God keep you," said the good man, "of whence be ye?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "I am of King Arthur's court, and a knight
+of the Table Round, the which am in the quest of the Holy Grail.  Here
+I am in great duress, and never likely to escape out of this
+wilderness."
+
+"Doubt not," said the good man, "if ye be so true a knight as the order
+of chivalry requireth, and of heart as ye ought to be, ye need not fear
+that any enemy shall slay you."
+
+"What are ye?" said Sir Percivale.
+
+"Sir," said the old man, "I am of a strange country, and hither I come
+to comfort you, and to warn you of your great battle that shall befall
+you."
+
+"With whom," said Sir Percivale, "shall I fight?"
+
+"With the most champion of the world," said the old man, "but, if ye
+quit you well, ye shall lose no limb, even though vanquished and
+seemingly shamed to the world's end."
+
+Then the good man leaped over the board, and the ship and all went
+away, Sir Percivale wist not whither.  He abode there till midday, when
+he saw a ship come rowing in the sea as if all the winds of the world
+had driven it.  It drove under the rock on which he sat; and when he
+hied thither he found the ship covered with silk blacker than any bier,
+and therein was a gentlewoman of great beauty, and she was clothed
+richly that none might be better.
+
+When she saw Sir Percivale, she said, "Who brought you in this
+wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence? for ye shall die here
+for hunger and mischief."
+
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "I serve the best man of the world, and
+in His service He will not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh
+shall enter, and who that asketh shall have, and from the man that
+seeketh Him, He hideth Him not."
+
+"And I came out of the waste forest where I found the red knight with
+the white shield," said the damsel.
+
+"Ah, damsel," said he, "with that knight would I meet passing fain."
+
+"Sir," said she, "if ye will ensure me, by the faith that ye owe unto
+knighthood, that ye will do my will what time I summon you, I shall
+bring you unto that knight."
+
+"Yea," said he, "I shall promise you to fulfil your desire.  But what
+are ye that proffereth me thus great kindness?"
+
+"I am," said she, "a gentlewoman that am disherited, which was sometime
+the richest woman of the world."
+
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "who hath disherited you? for I have
+great pity of you."
+
+"Sir," said she, "I dwell with the greatest man of the world, and he
+made me so fair and so clear that there was none like me, and of that
+great beauty I had a little pride, more than I ought to have had.  Also
+I said a word that pleased him not, and then he would not suffer me to
+be any longer in his company.  He drove me from mine heritage, and so
+disowned me, and he had never pity for me, and would none of my council
+nor of my court.  Since, sir knight, it hath befallen me so, I and mine
+have taken from him many of his men, and have made them to become my
+men, for they ask never anything of me, but I give it them, that and
+much more.  Therefore I and my servants war against him night and day.
+I know now no good knight and no good man but I get on my side, if I
+may.  And since I know that ye are a good knight I beseech you to help
+me; and since ye are a fellow of the Round Table, ye ought not to fail
+any gentlewoman which is disherited, if she beseech you of help."
+
+Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he might.  She
+thanked him, and since the weather was at that time hot, she bade a
+gentlewoman bring a pavilion.  So she did, and pitched it there upon
+the gravel.  He slept a great while there in the heat of the day; and
+when he awoke, there was set before him upon a table all manner of
+meats that he could think of.  Also he drank there the strongest wine
+that ever he drank, him thought, and therewith he was a little heated
+more than he ought to be.  With that he beheld the gentlewoman, and him
+thought that she was the fairest creature that ever he saw.
+
+When she saw him well refreshed, then she said, "Sir Percivale, wit ye
+well, I shall not fulfil your will, but if ye swear from henceforth to
+be my true servant, and do nothing but that I shall command you.  Will
+ye ensure me this as ye be a true knight?"
+
+Sir Percivale was on the point of promising her all, when by adventure
+and grace he saw his sword lie upon the ground, all naked, in whose
+pommel was a red cross.  Then he bethought him of his knighthood and
+the warning spoken toforehand by the good man, and he made the sign of
+the cross in his forehead.  Thereupon the pavilion turned up-so-down,
+and changed unto a smoke and a black cloud.
+
+Sir Percivale was adread at this, and cried aloud, "Fair sweet Father,
+Jesu Christ, let me not be shamed, that was nigh lost, had not Thy good
+grace been!"
+
+Then he looked upon the ship, and saw the damsel enter therein, which
+said, "Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me."  So she went with the wind
+roaring and yelling, that it seemed that all the water burned after her.
+
+Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and drew his sword unto him
+saying, "Since my flesh will be my master, I shall punish it."
+Therewith he stabbed himself through the thigh so that the blood
+started, and he said, "O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that
+I have done against Thee, my Lord."  Then he clothed him and armed him,
+and called himself a wretch, saying, "How nigh was I lost, and to have
+lost that I should never have gotten again, my honour as a pure man and
+worthy knight, for that may never be recovered after it is once lost."
+
+As he thus made his moan, he saw the same ship come from the Orient
+that the good man was in the day before, and the noble knight was
+ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon.  When he awoke
+he went unto this good man weakly, and saluted him.  Then he asked Sir
+Percivale, "How hast thou done since I departed?"
+
+"Sir," said he, "here was a gentlewoman that led me into deadly sin,"
+and there he told him all his temptation.
+
+"Knew ye not the maid?" said the good man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "nay; but well I wot the fiend sent her hither to shame
+me."
+
+"Oh, good knight," said he, "that gentlewoman was the master fiend of
+hell, the champion that thou foughtest withal, the which would have
+overcome thee, had it not been for the grace of God.  Now, beware, Sir
+Percivale, and take this for an ensample."
+
+Then the good man vanished away, and Sir Percivale took his arms, and
+entered into the ship and so departed from thence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
+
+When Sir Bors was departed from Vagon, he met with a religious man
+riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him.  Anon the good man knew him
+to be one of the knights errant that was in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+"What are ye?" said the good man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "I am a knight that fain would be counselled in the
+quest of the Holy Grail, for he shall have much earthly honour that may
+bring it to an end."
+
+"Verily," said the good man, "that is sooth, for he shall be the best
+knight of the world, and the fairest of all the fellowship.  But wit ye
+well, there shall none attain it but by cleanness of heart and of life."
+
+So rode they together till they came to a hermitage, and there he
+prayed Bors to dwell all that night with him.  So he alighted and put
+away his armour, and prayed him that he might be confessed.  So they
+went into the chapel, and there he was clean confessed; and they ate
+bread and drank water together.
+
+"Now," said the good man, "I pray thee that thou eat none other, till
+that thou sit at the table where the Holy Grail shall be."
+
+"Sir," said he, "I agree thereto; but how wit ye that I shall sit
+there?"
+
+"Yes," said the good man, "that know I, but there shall be few of your
+fellowship with you."
+
+"All is welcome," said Sir Bors, "that God sendeth me."
+
+Also the good man in sign of chastisement put on him a scarlet coat,
+instead of his shirt, and found him in so vigorous a life, and so
+stable, that he marvelled, and felt that he was never corrupt in
+fleshly lusts.  Then Sir Bors put on his armour, and took his leave,
+and so departed.
+
+After he had ridden a day or two on his road, he met about the hour of
+noon at the parting of two ways two knights, that led Lionel, his
+brother, bound upon a strong hackney and his hands bound tofore his
+breast.  Each of the two held in his hands thorns, wherewith they went
+beating him so sore that the blood trailed down more than in a hundred
+places of his body.  But he said never a word, as he which was great of
+heart; he suffered all that ever they did to him as though he had felt
+none anguish.
+
+Anon Sir Bors dressed him to rescue him that was his brother.  Just
+then he chanced to look upon his other side, and saw a knight which
+brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have dragged her into the
+thickest part of the forest out of the way of them that sought to
+rescue her.
+
+Anon she espied where Sir Bors came riding.  She deemed him a knight of
+the Round Table, wherefore she hoped to have some comfort; and she
+conjured him by the faith that he owed unto him in whose service he had
+entered, and the fidelity he owed unto the high order of knighthood,
+and for the noble King Arthur's sake, to help her in her sore distress.
+
+When Sir Bors heard her cry, he had so much sorrow he knew not what to
+do.  "For," said he, "if I let my brother be in adventure he must be
+slain, and that would I not for all the earth.  And if I help not the
+maid in her peril, I am shamed for ever."  Then he lifted up his eyes,
+and said weeping, "Fair Lord Jesu Christ, whose liege man I am, keep
+Lionel my brother, that these knights slay him not; and for Mary's
+sake, I shall succour this maid."
+
+Then dressed he him unto the knight the which had the gentlewoman, and
+cried, "Sir knight, let your hand off that maiden, or ye be but a dead
+man."
+
+The knight set down the maiden, and drew out his sword, but Bors smote
+him so hard that he beat him down to the earth.  Then came twelve
+knights seeking the gentlewoman, and anon she told them all how Bors
+had delivered her.  They made great joy, and besought him to come to
+her father, a noble lord; but Bors had a great adventure in hand, and
+might not delay.  So he commended them unto God, and departed.
+
+Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel his brother by the trace of their
+horses.  He sought a great while; and at the last he overtook a man
+clothed in religious clothing, that told him Lionel was dead, and
+showed him a slain body, lying in a thicket, that well seemed to him
+the body of Lionel.  Then he made such a sorrow that he fell to the
+earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while there.
+
+When he came to himself he said, "Fair brother, since the company of
+you and me is parted, shall I never have joy in my heart; and now He
+which I have taken as to my Master, He be my help."
+
+When he had said thus, he took the body lightly in his arms and put it
+upon the bow of his saddle, and so rode to an old feeble chapel fast
+by, and put him into a tomb of marble.
+
+Then went Sir Bors from thence, and rode all that day, and then turned
+to a hermitage, at the entry of a forest.  There he found Lionel his
+brother, which sat all armed at the chapel door.  For he was yet on
+life, and a fiend had deceived Bors with the body left in the chapel,
+for to put him in error so that he might not find the blessed adventure
+of the Holy Grail.
+
+When Sir Bors saw his brother alive he had great joy of him, that it
+was marvel to tell of his joy.  And then he alighted off his horse, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, when came ye thither?"
+
+Anon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, "Ah, Bors, ye may make no boast.
+For all you I might have been slain.  When ye saw two knights leading
+me away, beating me, ye left me for to succour a gentlewoman, and
+suffered me to remain in peril of death.  Never before did any brother
+to another so great an untruth.  And for that misdeed now I ensure you
+but death, for well have ye deserved it.  Therefore guard yourself from
+henceforward, and that shall ye find needful as soon as I am armed."
+
+When Sir Bors understood his brother's wrath, he kneeled down to the
+earth and cried him mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed him to
+forgive him his evil will; but Lionel would show no pity, and made his
+avow to God that he should have only death.  Right so he went in and
+put on his harness; then he mounted upon his horse and came tofore him,
+and said, "Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do to thee as I would
+to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight that ever came
+out of so worthy a house as was that of our father, King Bors of Ganis."
+
+When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or else die, he
+wist not what to do.  Then his heart counselled him not to fight,
+inasmuch as Lionel was born before him, wherefore he ought to bear him
+reverence.  Again kneeled he down afore Lionel's horse's feet, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, have mercy upon me and slay me not, and have
+in remembrance the great love which ought to be between us twain."
+
+What Sir Bors said Lionel recked not, for the fiend had brought him in
+such a will that he was determined to slay him.  Then when Lionel saw
+he would none other, and that he would not rise to give him battle, he
+rushed over him, so that his horse's feet smote Bors to the earth, and
+hurt him so sore that he swooned of distress.  When Lionel saw this, he
+alighted from his horse to smite off his head.  So he took him by the
+helm, and would have rent it from his head, had not the hermit come
+running unto him, which was a good man and of great age.  Well had he
+heard all the words that were between them, and so fell down upon Sir
+Bors.
+
+Then he said to Lionel, "Ah, gentle knight, have mercy upon me and on
+thy brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt commit a deadly sin, and
+that were sorrowful; for he is one of the worthiest knights of the
+world, and of the best conditions."
+
+"So God me help," said Lionel, "sir priest, unless ye flee from him I
+shall slay you, and he shall never the sooner be quit."
+
+"Verily," said the good man, "I had rather ye slay me than him, for my
+death shall not be great harm, not half so much as his."
+
+"Well," said Lionel, "I am agreed"; and he set his hand to his sword,
+and smote the hermit so hard that his head went backward.
+
+For all that, he restrained him not of his evil will, but took his
+brother by the helm, and unlaced it to strike off his head.  And he
+would have slain him without fail, but so it happened that Colgrevance,
+a fellow of the Round Table, came at that time thither, as our Lord's
+will was.  First he saw the good man slain, then he beheld how Lionel
+would slay his brother, whom he knew and loved right well.  Anon he
+sprang down and took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew him strongly
+back from Bors, and said, "Lionel, will ye slay your brother, one of
+the worthiest knights of the world?  That should no good man suffer."
+
+"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me?  If ye interfere in this, I
+shall slay you, and him after."
+
+Then Lionel ran upon Bors, and would have smitten him through the head,
+but Sir Colgrevance ran betwixt them, and said, "If ye be so hardy as
+to do so more, we two shall meddle together."
+
+Then Lionel defied him, and gave a great stroke through the helm.  Now
+Colgrevance drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and
+defended himself right manfully.  So long endured the battle that Sir
+Bors awoke from his swoon, and rose up all anguishly, and beheld Sir
+Colgrevance, the good knight, fight with his brother for his quarrel.
+Then was he full sorry and heavy, and would have risen to part them.
+But he had not so much might as to stand on foot, and must abide so
+long till Colgrevance had the worse, for Sir Lionel was of great
+chivalry and right hardy.
+
+Only death awaited Colgrevance, when he beheld Sir Bors assaying to
+rise, and he cried, "Ah, Bors, come ye and cast me out of peril of
+death, wherein I have put me to succour you, which were right now nigh
+to death."
+
+When Bors heard that, he did so much as to rise and put on his helm,
+making a marvellous sorrow at the sight of the dead hermit hard by.
+With that Lionel smote Colgrevance so sore that he bare him to the
+earth.
+
+When he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon his brother as a fiendly
+man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop; and he, full of
+humility, prayed him for God's love to leave this battle.  But Lionel
+would not, and then Bors drew his sword, all weeping, and said, "Fair
+brother, God knoweth mine intent.  Ah, brother, ye have done full evil
+this day to slay such a holy priest, the which never trespassed.  Also
+ye have slain a gentle knight, one of our fellows.  And well wot ye
+that I am not afraid of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God.
+This is an unkindly war; therefore may God show miracle upon us both.
+Now God have mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother."
+
+With that Bors lifted up his hands, and would have smitten Lionel, but
+even then he heard a voice that said, "Flee, Bors, and touch him not."
+
+Right so came a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire, so that both
+their shields burned.  Then were they sore afraid, and fell both to the
+earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon.  When they came to
+themselves, Bors saw that his brother had no harm, wherefore he gave
+thanks, for he feared God had taken vengeance upon him.  With that he
+heard a voice say, "Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no longer
+fellowship, but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale
+abideth thee there."
+
+So Sir Bors departed from Lionel, and rode the next way to the sea.  On
+the strand he found a ship covered all with white samite.  He alighted
+from his horse and entered into the ship, and anon it departed into the
+sea, and went so fast that him seemed the ship went flying.  Then he
+saw in the midst of the ship a knight lie, all armed save his helm, and
+he knew that it was Sir Percivale.  And either made great joy of other,
+that it was marvel to hear.
+
+Then Sir Bors told Sir Percivale how he came into the ship, and by
+whose admonishment, and either told other of his temptations, as ye
+have heard toforehand.  So went they downward in the sea, one while
+backward, another while forward, and each comforted other, and oft were
+they in their prayers.  Then said Sir Percivale, "We lack nothing but
+Galahad, the good knight."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+When the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days, he gat him a horse,
+a helm, and a sword.  So he departed, and took the adventure that God
+would send him.  On a night, as he slept, there came a vision unto him,
+and a voice said, "Launcelot, arise up, and take thine armour, and
+enter into the first ship that thou shalt find."
+
+When he heard these words, he started up and saw great clearness about
+him.  Then he lifted up his hand in worship, and so took his arms, and
+made him ready.  By adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship,
+the which was without sail or oar.  And as soon as he was within the
+ship, he felt the most sweetness that ever he felt, and he was filled
+with a peace such as he had never known before.  In this joy he laid
+himself down on the ship's board, and slept till day.
+
+So Sir Launcelot was a month and more on the ship, and if ye would ask
+how he lived, as God fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert,
+so was he fed.  On a night he went to play him by the waterside, for he
+was somewhat weary of the ship.  And then he listened, and heard a
+horse come, and one riding upon him.  When he came nigh he seemed a
+knight, and soon he saw that it was Galahad.  And there was great joy
+between them, for there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made
+either of other; and there was many a friendly word spoken between
+them, the which need not here be rehearsed.  And there each told other
+of the adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in many
+journeys since they were departed from the court.
+
+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.  There they found many strange adventures and perilous, which
+they brought to an end.  But because the adventures were with wild
+beasts, and not in the quest of the Holy Grail, therefore the tale
+maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all
+those adventures that befell them.
+
+Thereafter it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest tofore a
+cross, and then saw they a knight, armed all in white and richly
+horsed, leading in his right hand a white horse.  He came to the ship
+and saluted the two knights on the high Lord's behalf, and said,
+"Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with Launcelot.  Come out of
+the ship, and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall
+lead thee in the quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+So Galahad took sorrowful leave of Sir Launcelot, for they knew that
+one should never see the other before the dreadful day of doom.
+Galahad took his horse and entered into the forest, and the wind arose
+and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he
+slept little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings of the
+Holy Grail.
+
+And it befell on a night, at midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on
+the back side, which was rich and fair.  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 for his arms, and so he went to the gate, and saw the
+lions.  He set his hand to his sword, and drew it, whereupon there came
+a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell
+out of his hand.  Then heard he a voice say, "Oh, man of evil faith and
+poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy harness than in thy
+Maker?  He in whose service thou art set might more avail thee than
+thine armour."
+
+Then said Launcelot, "Fair Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy
+great mercy, that Thou reprovest me of my misdeed.  Now see I well that
+ye hold me for your servant."
+
+Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, and came to
+the lions, and they made semblant[1] to do him harm.  Notwithstanding
+he passed by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the
+chief fortress, and there were all at rest.  Launcelot entered in so
+armed, for he found no gate nor door but it was open.  At last he found
+a chamber whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to
+open it, but he might not, though he enforced himself much to undo the
+door.
+
+Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it
+seemed none earthly thing.  Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber,
+for well wist he that there was the Holy Grail within that chamber.
+Then said he: "Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that
+pleased Thee, for Thy pity have me not in despite for my sins done
+aforetime, and show me something of that I seek!"
+
+With that he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great
+clearness, so that the house was as bright as if all the torches of the
+world had been there.  So came he to the chamber door, and would have
+entered, but anon a voice said to him, "Flee, Launcelot, and enter not,
+for thou oughtest not to do it; and if thou enter thou shalt repent it."
+
+He withdrew himself back right heavy, and 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 so came he to
+the door at a great pace, entered into the chamber, and drew towards
+the table of silver.
+
+When he came nigh he felt a breath that seemed intermingled with fire,
+which smote him so sore in the visage that he thought it burned his
+visage.  Therewith he fell to the earth, and had no power to arise.
+Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and bare him out
+of the chamber door, and left him there seeming dead to all people.
+
+Upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they within were arisen, and
+found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door, and all they marvelled
+how he came in.  They looked upon him, and felt his pulse, to wit
+whether there were any life in him.  And so they found life in him, but
+he might neither stand nor stir any limb that he had.  They took him
+up, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from
+all folk, and so he lay still as a dead man four and twenty days, in
+punishment, he afterwards thought, for the twenty-four years that he
+had been a sinner.
+
+At the twenty-fifth day it befell that he opened his eyes, and the folk
+asked how it stood with him.  He answered that he was whole of body,
+and then he would know where he was.  They told him he was in the
+castle of Carboneck, and that the quest of the Holy Grail had been
+achieved by him, and that he should never see the sacred vessel more
+nearly than he had seen it.
+
+Soon Sir Launcelot took his leave of all the fellowship that were there
+at the castle, and thanked them for the great labour.  So he took his
+armour and departed, and said that he would go back to the realm of
+Logris.
+
+
+
+[1] Made semblant: threatened.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+THE END OF THE QUEST
+
+Now, saith the story, Sir Galahad rode into a vast forest, wherein he
+rode many journeys, and he found many adventures, the which he brought
+to an end, whereof the story maketh here no mention.  And on a day it
+befell him that he was benighted in a hermitage.  The good man there
+was glad when he saw a knight-errant, and made him what cheer he might.
+Then when they were at rest, there came a gentlewoman knocking at the
+door, and called Galahad.  So the hermit came to the door to wit what
+she would, and she said to him that she would speak with the knight
+that was lodged there.  The good man awoke Galahad, and bade him arise
+and speak with a gentlewoman that seemed to have great need of him.
+
+Then Galahad went to her, and asked her what she would.  "Galahad,"
+said she, "I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse and follow
+me, for I shall show you within these three days the highest adventure
+that ever any knight saw."  Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse,
+and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow as she liked.
+
+So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till they came to
+the seaside, and there they found the ship wherein were Bors and
+Percivale, the which cried on the ship's board, "Sir Galahad, ye be
+welcome; we have awaited you long."
+
+So, leaving his horse behind, Galahad entered into the ship, where the
+two knights received him with great joy.  And the wind arose, and drove
+them through the sea marvellously.
+
+Now saith the story that they rode a great while till they came to the
+castle of Carboneck, where Sir Launcelot had been tofore.  They entered
+within the castle, and then there was great joy, for they wist well
+that they had fulfilled the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+As they were alone in the hall, it seemed to them that there came a
+man, in likeness of a bishop, with four angels from heaven, and held
+mass about a table of silver, whereupon the Holy Grail was.  And in a
+vision they saw in the bread of the sacrament a figure in likeness of a
+child, and the visage was as bright as any fire.
+
+Then said the bishop to them, "Servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be fed
+afore this table with sweet food, that never knights tasted."
+
+When he had said, he vanished away; and they sat them at the table in
+great reverence, and made their prayers.  Then looked they, and saw a
+man that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, and he said:
+"My knights and my servants and my true children, which be come out of
+deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no longer hide me from you,
+but ye shall see now a part of my secrets and of my hid things; now
+hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much desired."
+
+Then took He Himself the holy vessel, and came to Galahad, who knelt
+down and there he received the sacrament, and after him so received all
+his fellows; and they thought it so sweet that it was marvellous to
+tell.
+
+Then said He to Galahad, "Son, knowest thou what I hold betwixt my
+hands?"
+
+"Nay," said he, "unless ye will tell me."
+
+"This is," said He, "the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb at the Last
+Supper.  And now hast thou seen that thou most desiredst to see, but
+yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see it in the city of
+Sarras, in the spiritual place.  Therefore thou must go hence, and bear
+with thee this holy vessel, for this night it shall depart from the
+realm of Logris, that it shall never be seen more here.  And knowest
+thou wherefore?  Because they of this land be turned to evil living;
+therefore I shall disinherit them of the honour which I have done them.
+Therefore go ye three unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship
+ready."
+
+Right so departed Galahad, Percivale and Bors with him.  They rode
+three days, and then they came to a rivage[1], where they found the
+ship whereof the tale speaketh tofore.  When they came to the board,
+they found in the midst the table of silver, which they had left in the
+castle of Carboneck, and the Holy Grail, which was covered with red
+samite.  Then were they glad to have such things in their fellowship.
+
+They had remained some time in the ship, when they awoke of a morning
+to see the city of Sarras afore them.  Here they landed, and took out
+of the ship the table of silver, Percivale and Bors going tofore and
+Galahad behind.  Right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the
+city they saw an old bent man.  Then Galahad called him, and bade him
+help to bear this heavy thing.
+
+"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I might go without
+crutches."
+
+"Care thou not," said Galahad; "arise up and show thy good will."
+
+So he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was.  Then ran he
+to the table, and took one part opposite Galahad.
+
+Anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole
+by knights marvellous that entered into the city.  When the king of the
+city, which was called Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked them
+from whence they were, and what thing it was that they had brought upon
+the table of silver.  And they told him the truth of the Holy Grail,
+and the power which God had set there.
+
+Now King Estorause was a tyrant, and was come of a line of pagans.  He
+took the three knights and put them in a deep hole.  But as soon as
+they were there our Lord sent them the Holy Grail, through whose grace
+they were always satisfied while that they were in prison.
+
+At the year's end it befell that this king lay sick, and felt that he
+should die.  Then he sent for the three knights.  They came afore him,
+and he cried them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave
+it him goodly, and he died anon.
+
+When the king was dead, all the city was dismayed, and wist not who
+might be their king.  Right so as they were in counsel, there came a
+voice among them, and bade them choose the youngest knight of them
+there to be their king, for he should well maintain them and all
+theirs.  So they made Galahad king by all the assent of the whole city.
+
+When he was come to behold the land, he let make about the table of
+silver a chest of gold and of precious stones that covered the holy
+vessel; and every day early the three fellows would come afore it and
+make their prayers.
+
+Now at the year's end the three knights arose early and came to the
+palace, and saw before them the holy vessel, and a man kneeling, in
+likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of angels.
+And he called Galahad and said to him, "Come forth, thou servant of
+Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much desired to see."
+
+Then Galahad began to tremble right hard, when the deadly flesh began
+to behold the spiritual things.  Then he held up his hands towards
+heaven, and said, "Lord, I thank Thee, for now I see what hath been my
+desire many a day.  Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it
+might please thee, Lord."
+
+Therewith the good man took the sacrament and proffered it to Galahad,
+and he received it right gladly and meekly.
+
+"Now, wotest thou what I am?" said the good man; "I am Joseph of
+Arimathea, which our Lord hath sent here to thee to bear thee
+fellowship.  And wotest thou wherefore He hath sent me more than any
+other?  For thou hast resembled me in two things, in that thou hast
+seen the marvels of the Holy Grail, and in that thou hast been a clean
+and virtuous knight, as I have been and am."
+
+When these words had been spoken, Galahad went to Percivale and to Bors
+and kissed them and commended them to God, and said, "Salute me to my
+lord Sir Launcelot, and bid him remember of this unstable world."
+
+Therewith he kneeled down tofore the table and made his prayers, and
+then suddenly his soul departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude
+of angels bare his soul up to heaven, and the two fellows might well
+behold it.  Also they saw come from heaven a hand, but they saw not the
+body; and it came right to the vessel, and took it, and bare it up to
+heaven.  Since then was there never man so hard as to say that he had
+seen the Holy Grail.
+
+When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad had died, they made as much sorrow
+as ever did two men; and if they had not been good men, they might
+lightly have fallen in despair.  And the people of the country and of
+the city were right heavy.  And then he was buried.  And as soon as he
+was buried, Sir Percivale betook himself to a hermitage out of the
+city, where for a year and two months he lived a full holy life, and
+then passed out of this world.
+
+When Bors saw that he was alone in so far countries, he departed from
+Sarras and came to the sea.  There he entered into a ship, and so it
+befell that in good adventure he came into the realm of Logris.  And he
+rode to Camelot, where King Arthur was, and then was there great joy
+made of him in the court, for they believed all that he was dead,
+forasmuch as he had been so long out of the country.
+
+When they had eaten, the King made great clerks to come afore him, that
+they should chronicle of the high adventures of the good knights.  When
+Bors had told of the adventures of the Holy Grail, such as had befallen
+him and his two fellows, that was Percivale and Galahad, then Launcelot
+told the adventures of the Holy Grail that he had seen.  All this was
+made in great books, and put in chests at Salisbury.
+
+
+
+[1] Rivage: bank; shore.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT
+
+After the quest of the Holy Grail was fulfilled, and all knights that
+were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, then was there
+great joy in the court, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever
+made great joy of the remnant that were come home.  Passing glad were
+the King and the Queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had
+been long away in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
+Guenever again, and forgat the promise that he made in the quest.  For,
+had he not been in his privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly
+to the Queen, as he was in seeming outward to God, there had no knight
+passed him in the quest of the Holy Grail.  But ever his thoughts were
+privily on the Queen, more than toforehand, so that many in the court
+spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, for
+he was ever open mouthed.
+
+Thus it passed forth till on a day the King let cry great jousts and a
+tournament that should be at Camelot, that is Winchester, and thither
+came many knights.  So King Arthur made him ready to depart to these
+jousts, and would have had the Queen with him, but she would not go,
+pretending to be sick.  This grieved the King, for such a fellowship of
+knights had not been seen together since the Whitsuntide when Galahad
+departed from the court.  And many deemed the Queen would not be there
+because of Sir Launcelot of the Lake, who would not ride with the King,
+for he said he was not whole of a wound.
+
+So when the King was departed, the Queen called Sir Launcelot unto her,
+and told him he was greatly to blame, thus to hold himself behind his
+lord, and counselled him to take his way towards the tournament at
+Winchester.  So upon the morn he took his leave of the Queen, and
+departed.  He rode all that day, and at eventide he came to Astolat,
+that is Gilford, and was lodged at the place of an old baron, named Sir
+Bernard of Astolat.  The old knight welcomed him in the best manner,
+but he knew not that he was Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot to his host, "I would pray you to lend
+me a shield that is not openly known, for mine be well known, and I
+would go to the tournament in disguise."
+
+"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for me seemeth ye be
+one of the likeliest knights of the world, and I shall show you
+friendship.  Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but late made
+knights.  The eldest is called Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that same day
+that he was made knight, so that he may not ride.  His shield ye shall
+have, for that is not known, I dare say, except in this place.  And my
+youngest son is named Sir Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride
+with you unto the jousts, for he is of his age strong and brave.  Much
+my heart leads me to believe that ye should be a noble knight;
+therefore I pray you tell me your name."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "ye must hold me excused at his
+time, but if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall
+come again and tell you.  But I pray you in any wise let me have your
+son Sir Lavaine with me, and his brother's shield."
+
+"This shall be done," said Sir Bernard.
+
+This old baron had a daughter, Elaine le Blank, that was called at that
+time the Fair Maid of Astolat.  Ever she beheld Sir Launcelot
+admiringly, and, as the book saith, she cast such a love unto him that
+she could never withdraw her love, so she besought him to wear at the
+jousts a token of hers.  "Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "if I grant
+you that, ye may say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady
+or damsel."
+
+[Illustration: Elaine]
+
+Then he remembered that he would go to the jousts disguised; and
+because he had never afore that time borne any manner of token of any
+damsel, he bethought him that he would bear one of her, so that none of
+his blood thereby might know him.  And then he said, "Fair maiden, I
+will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet; therefore, show
+me what it is."
+
+"Sir," she said, "it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well
+embroidered with great pearls."
+
+So she brought it him, and Sir Launcelot received it, saying that he
+had never done so much for any damsel.  Then he left his shield in the
+fair maiden's keeping, and prayed her to care for it until that he came
+again.  So that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the
+damsel Elaine was about Sir Launcelot, all the while she might be
+suffered.
+
+On the morn Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine took their leave of Sir
+Bernard, the old baron, and of his daughter, the Fair Maiden of
+Astolat, and then they rode so long till they came to Camelot.  There
+was great press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and many noble
+knights; but there Sir Launcelot was lodged privily, by the means of
+Sir Lavaine, with a rich burgess, so that no man in that town was ware
+what they were.
+
+At the time appointed the jousts began, and Sir Launcelot made him
+ready in his best manner, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and
+fastened it fast.  Then he with Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of
+the press, and did marvellous deeds of arms, so that all wondered what
+knight he might be.  Sir Gawaine said it might be Sir Launcelot by his
+riding and his buffets, but ever it seemed it should not be he, for he
+bore the red sleeve upon his head, and he never wist Sir Launcelot bear
+token of lady or gentleman at any jousts.
+
+At the last by misfortune Sir Bors unhorsed Sir Launcelot, and smote
+him through the shield into the side; and the spear brake, and the head
+was left still in his side.  But Sir Lavaine by great force took the
+horse from the King of Scots and brought it to his lord, Sir Launcelot,
+and in spite of them all he made him to mount upon that horse.  Then
+Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and then he smote Sir Bors horse and
+man to the earth.  In the same wise served he other knights, and, as
+the book saith, he might have slain them, but his heart might not serve
+him thereto, and he left them there.
+
+Then afterwards he hurled in the thickest press of them all, and did
+there the marvellousest deeds of arms that ever man saw or heard speak
+of; and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight, was with him.  And there Sir
+Launcelot with his sword smote and pulled down, as the French book
+maketh mention, more than thirty knights, and the most part were of the
+Table Round.  And Sir Lavaine also did full well that day.
+
+At the last the King blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
+heralds unto the knight with the white shield, that bare the red
+sleeve.  But Sir Launcelot was sore hurt, and cared not for honour; and
+groaning piteously, he rode at a great gallop away-ward from all the
+knights, until he came under a wood's side.  When he saw that he was
+from the field nigh a mile, so that he was sure he might not be seen,
+he besought Sir Lavaine as he loved him to draw the truncheon out of
+his side.  This Sir Lavaine dreaded sore to do, lest Sir Launcelot
+should be in peril of death from loss of blood, if the truncheon were
+drawn out.  Yet he did as his lord would have him do, and Sir Launcelot
+gave a great shriek, and so swooned pale and deadly.
+
+Thereupon Sir Lavaine took him to a hermitage fast by within two miles,
+where dwelt a gentle hermit, that sometime was a full noble knight and
+a great lord of possessions.  For great goodness he had taken himself
+to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands.  He was a full noble
+surgeon, and anon he stanched Sir Launcelot's blood, and made him to
+drink good wine, so that he was well refreshed, and came to himself.
+
+Meanwhile King Arthur let seek the knight that bare the red sleeve,
+that he might have his laud and honour, and the prize, as was right.
+But he could not be found, and the King and all the knights feared he
+was sore hurt in the battle.  Then Sir Gawaine took a squire with him
+and drove all about Camelot within six or seven miles, but could hear
+no word of him.
+
+Then within two days King Arthur and all the fellowship returned unto
+London again, and so, as they rode by the way, it happened that Sir
+Gawaine was lodged at Astolat with Sir Bernard.  There by the means of
+the shield left in Elaine's care he learned that the knight who won
+such honour at the tournament was none other than Sir Launcelot
+himself, and the Fair Maid of Astolat learned on how valiant a knight
+she had fixed her love.
+
+When Elaine heard also that Sir Launcelot was grievously wounded and
+that the knights knew not where he lay, she said to Sir Bernard, her
+father: "Now I request 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 stop till
+that I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine."
+
+"Do as it liketh you," said her father, "for I am right sore grieved of
+the hurt of that noble knight."
+
+Right so the maid made herself ready, and Sir Gawaine rode on to
+London, where he openly disclosed to all the court that it was Sir
+Launcelot that bore the red sleeve, and that jousted best.  And when
+Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was a heavy man, and so were all
+his kinsmen, for it was he who had given Sir Launcelot, that was his
+own cousin, the grievous wound in the tournament.  But when Queen
+Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, she was nigh out of her mind for wrath, and called him
+false traitor, because he had worn the token of any lady but herself.
+
+As fair Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all about, and by
+fortune Sir Lavaine had ridden out to refresh himself and to exercise
+his horse.  Anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried
+aloud unto him.  When he heard her, anon he came hither, and then she
+asked her brother how Sir Launcelot did.
+
+"Who told you, sister," said he, "that my lord's name is Sir Launcelot?"
+
+Then she told him how Sir Gawaine knew him by his shield, and so they
+rode together till they came to the hermitage.  Anon she alighted, and
+Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot.  So this maiden, Elaine,
+never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and night, and did
+such attendance to him that the French book saith there was never woman
+did kindlier for man than she.
+
+After a long while he was healed of his wounds, and so upon a morn they
+took their horses, and Elaine le Blank with them, and departed from the
+hermit.  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.
+
+When Sir Launcelot should depart from Astolat for to return to King
+Arthur's court, fair Elaine seemed like to die for love of him and for
+sorrow at his going.  But Sir Launcelot loved only Queen Guenever, and
+thought never to be wedded man, and could only grieve at her great
+sorrow; and for her good will and great kindness he promised that,
+whensoever she should set her heart upon some good knight that would
+wed her, he would give her a thousand pounds yearly, and always while
+he lived be her own true knight.
+
+Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and with Sir Lavaine he came unto
+Winchester.  And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
+sound, he made great joy of him, and so did 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, ate, or drank, and ever she made her
+lament for Sir Launcelot.  When she had thus endured a ten days, and
+weakened so that she must needs pass out of this world, she prepared
+for death, but ever she mourned for Sir Launcelot.
+
+Then her priest bade her leave such thoughts; but 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 lament, for I do none offence, though I
+love an earthly man, and I take God to my record I never loved any but
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and as I am a pure maiden I never shall.
+And since it is the sufferance of God that I shall die for the love of
+so noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy
+upon my soul; and sweet Lord Jesu, I take Thee to record, I was never
+great offender against Thy laws, but that I loved this noble knight Sir
+Launcelot out of measure, and of myself, good Lord, I might not
+withstand the fervent love wherefore I have my death."
+
+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 did endite it, and so her father granted her.  And when the
+letter was written word by word as she devised, then she prayed her
+father that after her death she might be put in a barge in all her
+richest clothes, the letter fast in her right hand, and that the barge,
+covered over and over with black samite, might be steered by one
+boatman only down the Thames to Westminster.
+
+So she died, and all was done as she desired.  Now by fortune King
+Arthur and Queen Guenever were speaking together at a window of the
+palace, and as they looked they espied this black barge, and had marvel
+what it meant.  And the King sent three knights thither to bring him
+ready word what was there.  Then these three knights came to the barge,
+and found therein the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor
+man sitting at the barge's end, and no word would he speak.  Then the
+King took the Queen by the hand and went thither, and there they saw
+the fair woman in all the rich clothing lying as though she smiled.
+And the Queen espied the letter in her right hand, and a clerk read it
+in the presence of many knights.
+
+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 Maiden of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I
+make my moan; yet pray for my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer
+my mass-penny.  This is my last request.  And a clean maiden I died, I
+take God to witness.  Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art
+peerless."
+
+When the letter was read, the King, the Queen, and all the knights wept
+for pity at the doleful lament.  Then was Sir Launcelot sent for, and
+when he heard the letter word by word, he said: "My lord Arthur, wit ye
+well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damsel, but God knoweth
+I was never cause of her death by my willing.  I will not say but that
+she was both fair and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she
+loved me out of measure."
+
+Then said the King unto Sir Launcelot, "It will be your honour that ye
+oversee that she be interred honourably."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that shall be done as I can best devise."
+
+So upon the morn she was interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her
+mass-penny, and all the knights of the Table Round that were there at
+that time offered with Sir Launcelot.
+
+And the Queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and prayed him of mercy, because
+she had been wroth with him causeless, and he willingly forgave her.
+
+So it passed on all that winter with all manner of hunting and hawking,
+and jousts and tourneys were many betwixt the great lords; and ever in
+all places Sir Lavaine gat great honour, so that he was nobly renowned
+among many knights of the Table Round.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY
+
+At Christmas time many knights were together at the court, and every
+day there was a joust made.  Sir Lavaine jousted there all that
+Christmas passing well, and was praised best, for there were but few
+that did so well.  Wherefore all knights thought that Sir Lavaine
+should be made knight of the Round Table at the next feast of Pentecost.
+
+But Sir Launcelot would joust only when a great tournament was held.
+So after Christmas King Arthur had many knights called unto him, and
+there they agreed together to make a party and a great tournament near
+Westminster on Candlemas Day.  Of this many knights were glad, and made
+themselves ready to be at these jousts in the freshest manner.  The
+Queen Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and said: "At these jousts that
+shall be ye shall bear upon your helmet the sleeve of gold that ye
+shall have of me, and I pray you, for my sake exert yourself there so
+that men may speak of your honour."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "it shall be done."
+
+And when Sir Launcelot saw his time, he told Sir Bors that he would
+depart, and have no others with him than Sir Lavaine, unto the good
+hermit that dwelt in the forest of Windsor,--his name was Sir
+Brastias,--and there he intended to take all the repose he might,
+because he wished to be fresh on the day of the jousts.
+
+So Sir Launcelot with Sir Lavaine departed so quietly that no creature
+except the noble men of his own kin knew what had become of him.  And
+when he had come to the hermitage, you may be sure he had good cheer.
+Daily he would go to a spring hard by the hermitage, and there he would
+lie down and watch the spring bubble, and sometimes he slept there.
+
+At that time a lady dwelt in the forest, who was a great huntress.
+Every day she used to hunt, and no men ever went with her, but always
+women.  They were all shooters, and could well kill a deer both under
+cover and in the open.  They always carried bows and arrows, horns and
+wood-knives, and many good dogs they had.
+
+Now it happened that this lady, the huntress, was one day chasing a
+deer, keeping the direction by the noise of the hounds.  The deer, hard
+pressed, came down to the spring where Sir Launcelot was sleeping, and
+there sank down exhausted, and lay there a great while.  At length the
+dogs came fast after, and beat about, for they had lost the very
+perfect track of the deer.  Just then there came that lady, the
+huntress, who knew by the sounds of the dogs that the deer must be at
+the spring.  So she came swiftly and found the deer.  She put a broad
+arrow in her bow, and shot at it, but aimed too high, and so by
+misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot deep in the thick of the
+thigh.  When Sir Launcelot felt himself so hurt, he jumped up madly,
+and saw the lady that had smitten him.  And when he saw it was a woman,
+he said thus; "Lady or damsel, whatever thou be, in an evil time ye
+bare a bow; the devil made you a shooter."
+
+"Now mercy, fair sir," said the lady; "I am a gentlewoman that am wont
+to hunt here in this forest, and truly I saw you not; there was the
+deer by the spring, and I believed I was doing well to shoot, but my
+hand swerved."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "ye have done mischief to me."
+
+And so the lady departed, and Sir Launcelot, as well as he might,
+pulled out the arrow, but the head remained still in his thigh; and so
+he went feebly to the hermitage, ever bleeding as he went.  And when
+Sir Lavaine and the hermit spied that Sir Launcelot was hurt, wit ye
+well they were passing sorry; but neither Sir Lavaine nor the hermit
+knew how he was hurt, or by whom.  Then with great pain the hermit gat
+the arrow's head out of Sir Launcelot's thigh, but much of his blood
+was shed, and the wound was passing sore.
+
+"Ah, mercy," said Sir Launcelot, "I call myself the most unhappy man
+that liveth; for ever when I would most gladly have honour there
+befalleth me some unhappy thing.  Now, so heaven help me, I shall be in
+the field upon Candlemas Day at the jousts, whatsoever come of it."
+
+So all that might heal Sir Launcelot was gotten, and, when the day
+came, he and Sir Lavaine had themselves and their horses arrayed, and
+so departed and came nigh to the field.  Many proved good knights with
+their retainers were there ready to joust, and King Arthur himself came
+into the field with two hundred knights, the most part noble knights of
+the Table Round.  And there were old knights set in scaffolds, for to
+judge with the Queen who did best.
+
+Then they blew to the field, and the knights met in the battle,
+furiously smiting down one and another in the rush of the tournament.
+King Arthur himself ran into the lists with a hundred followers,
+smiting to the earth four knights, one after the other, and even when
+his spear was broken he did passing well.  And so knight after knight
+came in,--Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gaheris, and Sir Agravaine, and Sir
+Mordred, and many others; all pressed their opponents hard, some being
+discomfited and others gaining great honour by their mighty prowess.
+
+All this doing Sir Launcelot saw, and then he came into the field with
+Sir Lavaine, as if it had been thunder.  He encountered with Sir
+Gawaine, and by force smote him and his horse to the earth, and then
+one knight after another all with one spear.  And Sir Lavaine
+encountered with Sir Palamides, and either met other so hard and so
+fiercely that both their horses fell to the earth.  But they were
+horsed again, and then Sir Launcelot met with Sir Palamides, and there
+Sir Palamides had a fall.  And so Sir Launcelot, as fast as he could
+get spears, smote down thirty knights, and the most part of them were
+knights of the Table Round.  And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw
+Sir Launcelot do such deeds, and with nine chosen knights made ready to
+set upon Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine.
+
+All this espied Sir Gareth, and he said to Sir Bors, "I will ride unto
+my lord Sir Launcelot for to help him, fall of it what may, for he is
+the same man that made me knight."
+
+"Ye shall not so," said Sir Bors, "by my counsel, unless ye be
+disguised."
+
+"Ye shall see me disguised," said Sir Gareth.
+
+So he rode to a Welsh knight who lay to repose himself, for he was sore
+hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gareth prayed him of his knighthood
+to lend him his green shield for his.
+
+"I will well," said the Welsh knight.
+
+So Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot with all his might, and
+bore him fellowship for old love he had shown him.  And so the King and
+his nine knights encountered with Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine and Sir
+Gareth.  And Sir Gareth did such deeds of arms that all men wondered
+what knight he was with the green shield; for he smote down that day
+and pulled down more than thirty knights.  Also Sir Launcelot knew not
+Sir Gareth, and marvelled, when he beheld him do such deeds, what
+knight he might be.
+
+So this tournament and this joust lasted long, till it was near
+evening, for the knights of the Round Table ever came to the relief of
+King Arthur, who was wroth out of measure that he and his knights could
+not prevail that day over Sir Launcelot and the knights who were with
+him.
+
+So when they had long dealt one another great strokes and neither might
+prevail, King Arthur said to Sir Gawaine, "Tell me now, nephew, what is
+your best counsel?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "ye shall have my counsel.  Have sounded the
+call unto lodging, for, trust me, truly it will be of no avail to
+strive with Sir Launcelot of the Lake and my brother, Sir Gareth,--for
+he it is with the green shield,--helped as they are by that good young
+knight, Sir Lavaine, unless we should fall ten or twelve upon one
+knight, and that would be no honour, but shame."
+
+"Ye say truth," said the King, "and it were shame to us, so many as we
+are, to set upon them any more."
+
+So then they blew unto lodging, and King Arthur rode after Sir
+Launcelot and prayed him and other of the knights to supper.
+
+So they went unto Arthur's lodging all together, and there was a great
+feast and great revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launcelot.
+Then Sir Launcelot told the King and the Queen how the lady huntress
+shot him in the forest of Windsor in the thigh with a broad arrow.
+Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth, because he left his fellowship and held
+with Sir Launcelot.
+
+"My lord," said Sir Gareth, "he made me a knight, and when I saw him so
+hard bestead, me thought it was my honour to help him, for I saw him do
+so much, and I was ashamed to see so many noble knights against him
+alone."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, "ye say well, and honourably
+have ye done, and all the days of my life be sure I shall love you and
+trust you the more for the great honour ye have done to yourself.  For
+ever it is an honourable knight's duty to help another honourable
+knight when he seeth him in a great danger, for ever an honourable man
+will be loath to see an honourable man put to shame.  He that is of no
+honour, and fareth with cowardice, will never show gentleness nor any
+manner of goodness where he seeth a man in any danger, for never will a
+coward show any mercy, and always a good man will do to another man as
+he would be done to himself."
+
+So then there were great feasts unto kings and dukes; and revel, game,
+and play, and all manner of nobleness was used; and he that was
+courteous, true, and faithful to his friend was at that time cherished.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+
+Thus it passed on from Candlemas until after Easter, and soon the month
+of May was come, when every manly heart begins to blossom and to bring
+forth fruit.  For as herbs and trees flourish in May, likewise every
+lusty heart springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds, for more than any
+other month May giveth unto all men renewed courage, and calleth again
+to their mind old gentleness and old service, and many kind deeds that
+were forgotten by negligence.  Therefore, as the month of May flowereth
+and flourisheth in many gardens, so let every man of honour bring forth
+fruit in his heart, first unto God, and next unto the joy of them to
+whom he has promised his faith.
+
+So it befell in the month of May that Queen Guenever called unto her
+ten knights of the Table Round, and she bade them ride with her
+a-Maying on the morrow into the woods and fields near Westminster.  And
+"I bid you," said she, "that ye all be well horsed, and that ye all be
+clothed in green, either silk or woollen, and I shall bring with me ten
+ladies, and every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every knight
+shall have a squire and two yeomen."
+
+So they made themselves ready in the freshest manner, and in the
+morning rode with the Queen a-Maying in woods and meadows as it pleased
+them in great joy and delight.  The Queen purposed to be again with
+King Arthur at the furthest by ten of the clock.
+
+Now there was a knight called Meliagrance, who had at that time a
+castle, the gift of King Arthur, within seven miles of Westminster.  He
+had long lain in wait to steal away the Queen, but had feared to do the
+base deed when Sir Launcelot was in her company.  It was her custom at
+that time never to ride without a great fellowship of men of arms about
+her, for the most part young men eager for honour, and called the
+Queen's knights.  But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the
+Queen well and her purpose on this May morning, and had seen how Sir
+Launcelot was not with her, and how she had for this once no men of
+arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for
+Maying.  Then he provided him twenty men of arms and a hundred archers,
+to destroy the Queen's knights, for he thought that time was the best
+season to take the Queen prisoner.
+
+So while the Queen and all her knights were gathering herbs and mosses
+and flowers in the best manner and freshest, just then there came out
+of a wood Sir Meliagrance with eight-score men, well armed, and bade
+the Queen and her knights to stand.
+
+"Traitor knight," said Queen Guenever, "what intendest thou to do?
+Wilt thou shame thyself?  Bethink thee how thou art a king's son, and
+knight of the Table Round, and thou art about to dishonour the noble
+king that made thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself;
+but me, I let thee wit, thou shalt never shame, for I had rather cut my
+throat in twain than that thou shouldst dishonour me."
+
+"As for all this language," said Sir Meliagrance, "be it as it may,
+never before could I get you at such advantage as I do now, and
+therefore I will take you as I find you."
+
+All the ten noble knights sought to dissuade him from dishonouring
+himself and from forcing them to jeopard their lives, unarmed as they
+were, in defending the Queen.  But Sir Meliagrance would not yield, and
+the ten knights of the Table Round drew their swords and stood manly
+against the spears and swords of the others.  But Sir Meliagrance had
+them at great advantage, and anon six of them were smitten to the earth
+with grimly wounds.  The other four fought long, but at last they also
+were sore wounded.
+
+When the Queen saw that her knights needs must be slain at the last,
+she for pity and sorrow agreed to go with Sir Meliagrance to his castle
+upon this covenant, that he suffer not her knights to be more hurt, and
+that they be led wheresoever she was taken.  "For," said she, "I will
+rather slay myself than go with thee, unless these my noble knights may
+be in my presence."
+
+Meliagrance consented, and by the Queen's commandment they left battle.
+The wounded knights were placed on horseback, some sitting, some across
+the horses' backs in a pitiful manner, and all rode in haste to the
+castle.  Then Sir Meliagrance charged the Queen and all her knights
+that no one should depart from her, for full sore he dreaded Sir
+Launcelot, lest he should have any knowledging.
+
+But the Queen privily called unto her a page who could ride swiftly,
+gave him her ring, and told him to bear it, when he saw a chance to
+slip away quietly, unto Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and pray him to
+rescue her.  "And spare thou not thy horse," said she, "neither for
+water nor for land."
+
+So the page espied his time, and lightly he touched his horse with the
+spurs, and departed as fast as he might.  Sir Meliagrance saw him so
+flee, and understood that it was to warn Sir Launcelot.  Then they that
+were best horsed chased him and shot at him, but he escaped them all,
+and anon found Sir Launcelot.  And when he had told his message, and
+delivered him the Queen's ring, "Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "now am I
+shamed forever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from
+dishonour."
+
+Then he eagerly called for his armour, and ever the page told him how
+the ten knights had fought marvellously, till at last the Queen made
+appointment to go with Sir Meliagrance for to save their lives.
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that most noble lady, that she should be
+so destroyed!  I would give all France to have been there well armed."
+
+So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he sent the Queen's
+page to tell Sir Lavaine how suddenly he had departed, and for what
+cause, and to pray him to come anon to the castle where Sir Meliagrance
+abideth.
+
+Sir Launcelot, it is said, took to the water at Westminster bridge and
+made his horse swim over the Thames to Lambeth; and then he rode as
+fast as he might, until within a while he came to the place where the
+ten knights had fought with Sir Meliagrance.  He then followed the path
+until he came to a straight way through the wood.  Here he was stopped
+by thirty archers that Sir Meliagrance had sent out to slay Sir
+Launcelot's horse, but in no wise to have ado with him bodily, "for,"
+he had said, "he is overhard to overcome."  These archers bade Sir
+Launcelot to turn again and follow no longer that track, and when Sir
+Launcelot gave right naught for them, then they shot his horse, and
+smote him with many arrows.  Sir Launcelot now set out on foot, but
+there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him that
+he could not meddle with any one of them.
+
+He went on a while, but was much cumbered by his armour, his shield,
+and his spear.  Wit ye well he was sore annoyed at his slow progress,
+but was loath to leave anything that belonged unto him, for he dreaded
+sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance.
+
+Just then by chance there came by a cart, that was sent thither to
+fetch wood.  "Tell me, carter," said Sir Launcelot, "what shall I give
+thee to take me in thy cart unto a castle within two miles of here?"
+
+"Thou shalt not set foot in my cart," said the man, "for I am sent to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagrance."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot jumped upon him and gave the man such a blow that he
+fell to the earth stark dead.  Then the other carter, his fellow, was
+afraid of going the same way, and cried out, "Fair lord, save my life
+and I will bring you where ye will."
+
+Sir Launcelot leaped into the cart, and the carter drove at a great
+gallop, Sir Launcelot's horse following after with more than forty
+arrows in him.
+
+More than an hour and a half later, Queen Guenever was in a bay window
+of the castle with her ladies, and espied an armed knight approaching,
+standing in a cart.
+
+"See, madam," said a lady to her, "there rideth in a cart a goodly
+armed knight; I suppose he rideth to hanging."
+
+Then the Queen espied by his shield that Sir Launcelot of the Lake
+himself was there.  "Alas," said the Queen; "now I see that well is it
+with him who hath a trusty friend.  Ah, most noble knight, I see well
+thou are hard bestead, when thou ridest in a cart."
+
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come to the gates of that castle, and
+there he descended from the cart, and cried so that all the castle
+rang: "Where art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the
+Table Round?  Now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy
+fellowship with thee, for here I am, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that
+shall fight with thee."
+
+With these words he burst the gate wide open upon the porter, and smote
+him under his ear with his gauntlet so that he staggered back like a
+dead man.  When Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was there, he
+ran unto Queen Guenever and fell upon his knees, putting himself wholly
+at her mercy, and begging her to control the wrath of Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Better is peace than ever war," said the Queen, "and the less noise
+the more is my honour."
+
+So she and her ladies went down to Sir Launcelot, thanked him for all
+his trouble in her behalf, told him of Meliagrance's repentance, and
+bade him come in peaceably with her.
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "if ye are accorded with him, I am not
+inclined to be against peace, howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full
+shamefully to me, and cowardly.  Ah, madam, had I known ye would be so
+soon accorded with him, I would not have made such haste unto you."
+
+"What," said the Queen, "do ye repent of your good deeds?  Wit ye well
+I never made peace with him for labour or love that I had unto him, but
+to suppress all shameful noise."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "ye understand full well I was never glad
+of shameful slander nor noise; and there is neither king, queen, nor
+knight alive except my lord King Arthur and you, madam, that should
+hinder me from making Sir Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I
+departed from hence."
+
+Then the Queen and Sir Launcelot went in together, and she commanded
+him to be unarmed.  Then he asked where the ten knights were that were
+wounded sore.  So she led Sir Launcelot to them, and they made great
+joy of his coming, and he made great dole of their hurts, and bewailed
+them greatly.  And then Sir Launcelot told them how he had been obliged
+to put himself into a cart.  Thus they complained each to other, and
+full gladly would they have been revenged, but they restrained
+themselves because of the Queen.  So Sir Launcelot was called for many
+a day thereafter the Chevalier of the Cart, and he did many deeds, and
+great adventures he had.  And so we leave this tale of the Knight of
+the Cart, and turn to others.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+In this same month of May when every lusty heart flourisheth and
+bourgeoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill
+fortune that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world
+was destroyed.  And all was due to two evil knights, the which were
+named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were nephews unto King Arthur
+and brethren unto Sir Gawaine.  For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred
+had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, Dame Guenever, and to Sir
+Launcelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon him.
+
+So it mishapped that Sir Agravaine on a day said openly, so that many
+knights might hear, that the friendship between Sir Launcelot and the
+Queen was a disgrace to knighthood and a shame to so noble a king as
+Arthur.  But Sir Gawaine would not hear any of these tales nor be of
+Agravaine's counsel; moreover he charged his brother to move no such
+matters afore him, for he wist well what mischief would come, should
+war arise betwixt Sir Launcelot and the King, and he remembered how
+ofttimes Sir Launcelot had proved his goodness and loyalty by knightly
+deeds.  Also Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, two other brethren, would know
+nothing of Agravaine's base accusation.
+
+But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons of the Queen of
+Orkney, the which had mocked the good Percivale when first he came to
+the court, and who had ever been jealous and ready to think evil of
+another, joined with Sir Agravaine.  Therewithal they three, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Gareth departed, making great dole over
+the mischief that threatened the destruction of the realm and the
+dispersion of the noble fellowship of the Round Table.
+
+So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him
+they might no longer suffer Sir Launcelot's deeds, for he was a traitor
+to his kingly person.  But the King would believe nothing unless he
+might have proofs of it, for, as the French book saith, he was full
+loath to hear ill of a knight who had done so much for him and for the
+Queen so many times that, as was fully known, he loved him passingly
+well.
+
+Then these two brethren made a plot for taking Sir Launcelot when in
+the Queen's presence, and bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur.
+So on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights
+and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen
+Guenever was; thus they plotted to take Sir Launcelot by force, if she
+should have speech with him.  Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared
+not what liars said about him, since he wist his own good will and
+loyalty.  So when the Queen sent for him to speak with her, he went as
+true knight to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set for him.
+In the battle that followed he was hard bestead, but slew Sir Agravaine
+at the first buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve
+chosen knights cold to the earth.  Also he wounded Sir Mordred, who,
+when he escaped from the noble Sir Launcelot, anon gat his horse and
+rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded and all bleeding.
+
+Then he told the King how it was, and how they were all slain save
+himself only.  So the King believed Sir Mordred's evil accusation true,
+and he said: "Alas, me sore repenteth that ever Sir Launcelot should be
+against me.  Now am I sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is
+broken for ever, for with him will many a noble knight hold.  And now
+it is fallen so that I may not keep my honour unless the Queen suffer
+the death."
+
+So then there was made great ordinance that the Queen must be judged to
+the death, for the law was such in those days that whatsoever they
+were, of what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason,
+there should be none other remedy but death.  Right so it was ordained
+for Queen Guenever, and she was commanded to the fire, there to be
+burned.
+
+King Arthur prayed Sir Gawaine to make himself ready in his best
+armour, with his brethren Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring the
+Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment, and receive the death.
+But Sir Gawaine ever believed Dame Guenever guiltless of the treason
+charged against her, and he would never have it said that he had any
+part in her shameful end.  Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth also were loath
+to be there present, but they were young, and full unable to say him
+nay.  "If we be there by your straight commandment," said they, "ye
+shall plainly hold us excused though we go in peaceable wise, and bear
+none harness of war upon us."
+
+So the Queen was led forth without Carlisle, and she prepared herself
+for death.  There was weeping and wailing and wringing of hands of many
+lords and ladies, and few in comparison there present would bear any
+armour for to keep order.
+
+Anon as the fire was to be lighted, there was spurring and plucking up
+of horses, and right so Sir Launcelot and his followers came hither,
+and whoever stood against them was slain.  And so in this rushing and
+hurling, as Sir Launcelot pressed here and there, it mishapped him to
+slay Gaheris and Gareth, the noble knights, for they were unarmed and
+unaware.  In 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 slain or put to flight
+all that would withstand him, he rode straight unto Dame Guenever, and
+made her to be set behind him on his horse, and prayed her to be of
+good cheer.  Wit ye well the Queen was glad that she was escaped from
+the death, and then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot.
+
+And so he rode his way with the Queen, as the French book saith, unto
+Joyous Gard, his own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the Fair
+Isoud after her flight from Cornwall.  There Sir Launcelot kept
+Guenever as a noble knight should do, and many great lords and some
+kings sent him many good knights, and many noble knights drew unto Sir
+Launcelot.
+
+When it was known openly that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at
+debate, many were full heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for
+pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what wise the Queen was
+taken away from the fire, and as he heard of the death of his noble
+knights, in especial that of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth.  And when he
+awoke of his swoon, he said: "Alas that ever I bare crown upon my head,
+for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever
+Christian king held together.  Alas that ever this war began.  The
+death of these two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war that
+ever was, for I am sure, wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I
+should never have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin
+and himself, or else he had destroyed me.  Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine,
+Jesu forgive it thy soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir
+Mordred haddest unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this sorrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING
+  AND FROM JOYOUS GARD
+
+There came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the Queen was led
+away by Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty-four knights slain.
+
+"Full well wist I," said then Sir Gawaine, "that Sir Launcelot would
+rescue her, or else he would die in that field.  To say the truth, had
+he not rescued the Queen he would not have been a man of honour,
+inasmuch as she was to have been burned for his sake.  He hath done but
+knightly, and as I would have done myself, had I stood in like case.
+But where are my brethren?  I marvel I hear not of them."
+
+Then the man told him that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris were slain, both
+by the hand of Launcelot.  "That may I not believe," said Sir Gawaine,
+"that he slew my brother Sir Gareth, for I dare say Gareth loved him
+better than me and all his brethren, and the King also.  Sir Launcelot
+made him knight, and had he desired my brother Sir Gareth with him, he
+would have been with him against the King and us all.  Therefore I may
+never believe that Sir Launcelot slew my brother."
+
+When at the last he knew in truth that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris had
+died by Sir Launcelot's hand, all his joy was gone.  He fell down in a
+swoon, and long he lay there as he had been dead.  When he arose of his
+swoon he ran to the King crying, and weeping, and said: "O King Arthur,
+my lord and mine uncle, wit ye well, from this day I shall never fail
+Sir Launcelot, until the one of us have slain the other.  Therefore
+dress you to the war, for wit ye well I will be revenged upon him."
+
+Unto King Arthur now drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he
+had a great host.  Then they made them ready to lay siege about Sir
+Launcelot, where he lay within Joyous Gard.  Thereof heard Sir
+Launcelot, and he gathered together his followers, for with him held
+many good knights, some for his own sake, and some for the Queen's
+sake.  Thus they were on both sides well furnished and provided with
+all manner of things that belonged to the war.
+
+But Sir Launcelot was full loath to do battle against the King, and so
+he withdrew into his strong castle with all manner of victual and as
+many noble men as might suffice, and for a long time would in no wise
+ride out, neither would he allow any of his good knights to issue out,
+though King Arthur with Sir Gawaine came and laid a siege all about
+Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the castle.
+
+Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Launcelot looked over
+the walls, and spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: "My
+lords both, wit ye well all is in vain that ye make at this siege; here
+win ye no honour, for if I list to come out with my good knights, I
+should full soon make an end of this war.  But God defend me, that ever
+I should encounter with the most noble King that made me knight."
+
+"Fie upon thy fair language," said the King; "come forth, if thou
+darest.  Wit thou well, I am thy mortal foe, and ever shall be to my
+death day, for thou hast slain my good knights and full noble men of my
+blood, and like a traitor hast taken my Queen from me by force."
+
+"My most noble lord and king," answered Sir Launcelot, "ye may say what
+ye will, for ye wot well with yourself I will not strive.  I wot well
+that I have slain your good knights, and that me sore repenteth; but I
+was forced to do battle with them in saving of my life, or else I must
+have suffered them to slay me.  And as for my lady, Queen Guenever,
+except your highness and my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no knight under
+heaven that dare make it good upon me, that ever I was traitor unto
+your person, and I will prove it upon any knight alive, except you and
+Sir Gawaine, that my lady Queen Guenever is as true and loyal unto you
+as any living unto her lord.  Howbeit, it hath pleased her good grace
+to have me in charity, and to cherish me more than any other knight,
+and unto my power I in return have deserved her love; for ofttimes, my
+lord, it fortuned me to do battle for her, and ye thanked me when I
+saved her life.  Now me thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good
+service, and me seemeth I had lost a great part of my honour in my
+knighthood, had I suffered my lady your queen to be burned, inasmuch as
+she was to be burned for my sake.  For, since I have done battle for
+your queen in other quarrels than in mine own, me seemeth now I had
+more right to do battle for her in right quarrel.  Therefore, my good
+and gracious lord, take your queen unto your good grace, for she is
+both fair, true, and good."
+
+"Fie on thy proud words," said Sir Gawaine; "as for my lady the Queen,
+I will never say of her shame, but thou false and recreant knight, what
+cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee
+more than all my kin?  Alas, thou madest him knight with thine own
+hands; why slewest thou him that loved thee so well?"
+
+"For to excuse myself," said Sir Launcelot, "it helpeth me not, but by
+the faith I owe to the high order of knighthood, I should with as good
+will have slain my nephew Sir Bors of Ganis.  Alas, that ever I was so
+unhappy that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris."
+
+But Sir Gawaine was mischievously set, and it helped not Sir Launcelot
+to seek accordment.  King Arthur must needs unto battle because of his
+nephew's great anger, and on the morn he was ready in the field with
+three great hosts.  Then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three
+gates in a full good array, in order and rule as noble knights.  And
+always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save King
+Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
+
+Then began a great battle, and much people was slain.  Ever Sir
+Launcelot did what he might to save the people on King Arthur's side,
+and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to slay him.  Sir
+Launcelot suffered him, and would not strike again; but at the last Sir
+Bors encountered with King Arthur, and with a spear smote him down.  He
+alighted and drew his sword to slay him, and then he said to Sir
+Launcelot, "Shall I make an end of this war?"
+
+"Not so hardy," said Sir Launcelot, "upon pain of thy head, touch him
+no further, for I will never see that most noble king, that made me
+knight, either slain or shamed."
+
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted oft his horse and took up the King,
+and horsed him again, and said thus: "My lord Arthur, for God's love
+stint this strife, for ye get here no honour, if I will to do mine
+uttermost; always I forbear you, but neither you nor any of yours
+forbeareth me.  My lord, remember what I have done in many places, and
+now I am evil rewarded."
+
+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.
+Therewith the King might no longer behold him, and he rode his way,
+saying, "Alas that ever this war began."
+
+And then both sides withdrew to repose themselves, to bury the dead,
+and to lay soft salves on the wounded.  Thus they passed the night, but
+on the morn they made ready again to do battle.  At the end of this day
+also Sir Launcelot and his party stood better, but for pity he withheld
+his knights, and suffered King Arthur's party to withdraw one side, and
+Sir Launcelot again returned into his castle.
+
+So the war went on day after day.  It was noised through all
+Christendom, and at the last it was noised afore the Pope.  He,
+considering the great goodness of King Arthur and of Sir Launcelot,
+that were called the noblest knights of the world, called unto him a
+noble clerk, that at that time was there present,--the French book
+saith it was the Bishop of Rochester,--and gave him bulls unto King
+Arthur of England, charging him upon pain of interdicting of all
+England, that he take his queen, Dame Guenever, unto him again, and
+accord with Sir Launcelot.
+
+So when this bishop was come to Carlisle he showed the King the bulls,
+and by their means peace was made between King Arthur and Sir
+Launcelot.  With great pomp and ceremony Sir Launcelot rode with the
+Queen from Joyous Gard to Carlisle, and they knelt before King Arthur,
+that was full gladly accorded with them both.  But Sir Gawaine would
+never be at peace with the knight that had slain his brethren.
+
+"The King may take his Queen again, if he will," said Sir Gawaine to
+Sir Launcelot, "and may be accorded with thee, but thou and I are past
+pardon.  Thou shalt go from Carlisle safe, as thou camest, but in this
+land thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give
+thee;--so the King and I were consented and accorded ere thou camest
+hither, and else, wit thou well, thou shouldest not have come here
+except without thy head.  If it were not for the Pope's commandment, I
+should do battle with mine own body against thy body, and prove it upon
+thee that thou hast been both false unto mine uncle and to me, 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 he said: "Alas, most noble Christian realm, that I have loved above
+all others, in thee have I gotten a great part of my honour, and now I
+shall depart in this wise.  Truly me repenteth that ever I came in this
+realm that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved, and
+causeless.  But fortune is so variant, and the wheel so movable, there
+is no constant abiding.  Wit ye well,  Sir Gawaine, I may live upon my
+lands as well as any knight that here is.  And if ye, most redoubted
+King, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to war upon me, I must
+endure you as well as I may.  But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye
+come there, I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, for if ye
+do, I must answer you."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in hearing of the King and them
+all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship for
+ever; and since 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."
+
+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, if he dare."
+
+Then he brought her to the King, and so took his leave and departed.
+And there was neither king, duke nor earl, baron nor 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.  So he took his way unto Joyous Gard, that ever after he
+called Dolorous Gard, and thus left the court for ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED
+  SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM
+
+When Sir Launcelot came again to Joyous Gard from Carlisle, he called
+his fellowship unto him, and asked them what they would do.  Then they
+answered all wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do.
+
+"My fair fellows," said he: "I must depart out of this most noble
+realm.  And now I am to depart, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart
+with no honour.  A banished man departed never out of any realm with
+honour; and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear that after my days
+they will chronicle upon me that I was banished out of this land."
+
+Then spake many noble knights: "Sir, we will never fail.  Since it
+liked us to take a part with you in your distress and heaviness in this
+realm, wit ye well it shall like us as well to go in other countries
+with you, and there to take such part as ye do."
+
+"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "I well understand you, and, as I
+can, thank you.  And ye shall understand, such livelihood and lands as
+I am born unto I shall freely share among you, and I myself will have
+as little as any of you, for if I have sufficient for my personal
+needs, I will ask none other rich array; and I trust to God to maintain
+you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any knights."
+
+Then spake all the knights at once: "He have shame that will leave you.
+We all understand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever strife
+and debate, now the fellowship of the Round Table is broken; for by the
+noble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthur upborne, and by
+their nobleness the King and all his realm was in quiet and in rest.
+And a great part," they said all, "was because of your nobleness."
+
+So, to make short tale, they packed up, and paid all that would ask
+them, and wholly an hundred knights departed with Sir Launcelot at
+once, and made avows they would never leave him for weal nor for woe.
+They shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick.  But to say the
+sooth, Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords of all France, and of
+all the lands that belong unto France through Sir Launcelot's noble
+prowess.  When he had established all these countries, he shortly
+called a parliament, and appointed officers for his realm.  Thus Sir
+Launcelot rewarded his noble knights and many more, that me seemeth it
+were too long to rehearse.
+
+Now leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights with
+him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that made
+a great host ready, to the number of three-score thousand.  All things
+were made 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.
+
+So King Arthur passed over the sea, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's
+lands, and there burned and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir
+Gawaine, all that they might overrun.
+
+When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that King Arthur and Sir Gawaine
+were landed upon his lands, and made a full destruction and waste, then
+said Sir Lionel, that was ware and wise: "My Lord, Sir Launcelot, I
+will give you this counsel: Let us keep our strong walled towns until
+they have hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails, and then let us
+freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep in a field, that
+aliens may take ensample for ever how they set foot upon our lands."
+
+Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Launcelot, "Sir, here be knights come of
+king's blood that will not long droop; therefore give us leave, like as
+we be 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 all at once seven brethren of North Wales,--and they were
+seven noble knights, a man might seek in seven lands ere he might find
+such seven knights: "Sir Launcelot, let us ride out with Sir Galihud,
+for we be never wont to cower in castle, or in noble towns."
+
+But then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master and governor of them all:
+"My fair lords, wit ye well I am full loath to ride out with my
+knights, for shedding of Christian blood; and yet my lands I understand
+to be full bare to sustain any host a while, for the mighty wars that
+whilom made King Claudas upon this country, upon my father King Ban and
+on mine uncle King Bors.  Howbeit we will at this time keep our strong
+walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, a treaty for
+to take, for better is peace than always war."
+
+So he sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with her, requiring King Arthur
+to leave his warring upon his lands.  When she came to the pavilion of
+King Arthur there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the butler, and
+when he knew that she was a messenger from Sir Launcelot to the King he
+said: "I pray God, damsel, ye may speed well.  My Lord Arthur would
+love Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him."
+
+So Lucan led the damsel unto the King, and when she had told her tale,
+all the lords were full glad to advise him to be accorded with Sir
+Launcelot, save only Sir Gawaine, who would not turn again, now that
+they were past thus far upon the journey.
+
+"Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine," said Arthur, "I will do as ye will advise
+me; and yet me seemeth his fair proffers were not good to be refused."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine sent the damsel away with the answer that it was now
+too late for peace.  And so the war went on.  Sir Launcelot was never
+so loath to do battle, but he must needs defend himself; and when King
+Arthur's host besieged Benwick round about, and fast began to set up
+ladders, then Sir Launcelot beat them from the walls mightily.
+
+Then upon a day it befell that Sir Gawaine came before the gates fully
+armed on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand, and cried with
+a loud voice: "Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Launcelot?  Why
+hidest thou 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 he wist well that he must
+defend himself, or else be recreant.  So he armed himself at all
+points, and mounted upon his horse, and gat 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 to hold them still, to see and behold the battle
+of these two noble knights.
+
+Then they laid their spears in their rests, and came together as
+thunder.  Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot in an hundred
+pieces unto his hand, and Sir Launcelot smote him with a greater might,
+so that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and the horse and he fell to
+the earth.  Then they dressed their shields and fought with swords on
+foot, giving many sad strokes, so that all men on both parties had
+thereof passing great wonder.  But Sir Launcelot withheld his courage
+and his wind, and kept himself wonderly covert of his might.  Under his
+shield he traced and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine's
+strokes and his courage, and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with all his
+might to destroy Sir Launcelot.
+
+At the first ever Sir Gawaine's power increased, and right so his wind
+and his evil will.  For a time Sir Launcelot had great pain to defend
+himself, but when three hours were passed, and Sir Launcelot felt that
+Sir Gawaine was come to his full strength, then Sir Launcelot said, "I
+feel that ye have done your mighty deeds; now wit you well I must do my
+deeds."
+
+So he doubled his strokes, and soon smote such a buffet upon Sir
+Gawaine's helm that he sank down upon his side in a swoon.  Anon as he
+did awake, he waved 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.  "When I see
+you on foot I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand on
+your feet; but to smite a wounded man, that may not stand, God defend
+me from such a shame."
+
+Then he turned and went his way towards the city, and Sir Gawaine,
+evermore calling him traitor knight, said, "Wit thou well, Sir
+Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again; for I
+shall never leave thee till one of us be slain."
+
+Thus this siege endured.  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 Arthur from England,
+that made him and all his host to remove.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON
+
+As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England he did make letters 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.  So was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a
+feast there fifteen days.  Afterwards he drew unto Winchester, and
+there he took the Queen, Guenever, and said plainly that he would wed
+her which was his uncle's wife.
+
+So he made ready for the feast, and a day was prefixed when they should
+be wedded.  Wherefore Queen Guenever was passing heavy, but she durst
+not discover her heart, and spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's
+will.  Then she desired of him for to go to London, to buy all manner
+of things that longed unto the wedding, and because of her fair speech
+Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her leave to go.  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
+garnished it with men, and so kept it.
+
+Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood 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, because Queen
+Guenever, for fair speech nor for foul, would never trust to come in
+his hands again.
+
+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 then shame yourself and all knighthood?
+Leave this matter, 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 ye well I shall not fear me to do that
+I ought to do.  Also, when ye noise that my lord Arthur is slain, that
+is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work in this land."
+
+"Peace, thou false priest," said Sir Mordred, "for, if thou chafe me
+any more, I shall make strike off thy head."
+
+So the Bishop departed, and did the curse in the haughtiest wise that
+might be done.  Then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury for to
+slay him, and he fled, and, taking part of his goods with him, went
+nigh unto Glastonbury, and there lived in poverty and in holy prayers
+as priest-hermit in a chapel, for well he understood that mischievous
+war was at hand.
+
+Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege
+from Sir Launcelot, and was coming homeward with a great host, to be
+avenged upon Sir Mordred.  Wherefore Sir Mordred made write writs to
+all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him, for then was
+the common voice among them, that with Arthur was none other life but
+war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss.  Thus was
+Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of, and many there were that King
+Arthur had made up of naught, and had given lands to, who might not
+then say of him a good word.
+
+Lo all ye Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was, for Arthur
+was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the
+fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden.  Now
+might not these Englishmen hold us content with him.  Lo, thus was the
+old custom and usage of this land, and men say, that we of this land
+have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage.  Alas, this is a
+great fault of all Englishmen, for there may no thing please us.  And
+so fared the people at that time; 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.
+
+So Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say
+that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own uncle
+from his lands.  And the most part of all England held with Sir
+Mordred, the people were so new-fangle.
+
+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 landage, to keep his own uncle from
+landing in the country that he was king over.  Then there was launching
+of great boats and small, full of noble men of arms, and there was much
+slaughter of gentle knights, and many a bold baron was laid full low on
+both sides.  But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no
+manner of knights prevent him from landing, and his knights fiercely
+followed him.
+
+So they landed in spite of Sir Mordred and all his power, and they put
+him aback, so that he fled and all his people.  When this battle was
+done, King Arthur let bury his 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 made
+sorrow out of measure, for this sister's son was the man in the world
+that he most loved.  Sir Gawaine felt that he must die, for he was
+smitten upon the old wound that Sir Launcelot had given him afore the
+city of Benwick.  He now knew that he was the cause of this unhappy
+war, for had Sir Launcelot remained with the King, it would never have
+been, and now King Arthur would sore miss his brave knights of the
+Round Table.
+
+Then he prayed his uncle that he might have paper, pen, and ink, and
+when they were brought, he with his own hand wrote thus, as the French
+book maketh mention: "Unto Sir Launcelot, flower of all noble knights
+that ever I heard of, or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son
+of Orkney, sister's son unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting,
+and let thee have knowledge, that this tenth day of May, through the
+same wound that thou gavest me I am come to my death.  And I will that
+all the world wit that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table Round,
+sought my death; it came not through thy deserving, but it was mine own
+seeking.  Wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, to return again unto
+this realm, and see my tomb, and pray some prayer, more or less, for my
+soul.  For all the love that ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but
+come over the sea in all haste, that thou mayest with thy noble knights
+rescue that noble king that made thee knight, that is my lord Arthur,
+for he is full straitly bestead with a false traitor, my half-brother,
+Sir Mordred.  We all landed upon him and his host at Dover, and there
+put him to flight, and there it misfortuned me to be stricken in the
+same wound the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot.  Of a nobler man
+might I not be slain.  This letter was written but two hours and an
+half afore my death, with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of
+my heart's blood."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept, and then they swooned
+both.  When they awaked both, the King made Sir Gawaine to receive the
+sacrament, 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 the King let inter
+him in a chapel within Dover Castle.
+
+Then was it told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field
+upon Barham Down.  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 Sir Arthur's party stood best, and Sir
+Mordred and his party fled to Canterbury.  Upon this much people drew
+unto King Arthur, and he went with his host down by the seaside,
+westward towards Salisbury, and there was a day assigned between him
+and Sir Mordred when they should meet in battle upon a down beside
+Salisbury, not far from the sea.
+
+In the night before the battle King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream,
+and it seemed to him verily that there came Sir Gawaine unto him, and
+said; "God giveth me leave to come hither for to warn you that, if ye
+fight to-morn 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 the great grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath unto you, and
+for pity of you and many other good men that there shall be slain, God
+hath sent me to you, of His special grace, to give you warning, that in
+no wise ye do battle to-morn, but that ye take a treaty for a month;
+and proffer ye largely, so as to-morn to be put in delay, for within a
+month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his noble knights, and rescue
+you honourably, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever will hold with
+him."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine vanished, and anon the King commanded Sir Lucan and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and charged them
+to take a treaty for a month with Sir Mordred in any wise they might.
+So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim
+host of an hundred thousand men.  There they entreated Sir Mordred long
+time, and at the last he was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent by King
+Arthur's days, and after the days of King Arthur all England.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST
+
+Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere were agreed with Sir Mordred that King
+Arthur and he should meet betwixt both their hosts, for to conclude the
+treaty they had made, and every each of them should bring fourteen
+persons.  And they came with this word unto King Arthur.  Then said he,
+"I am glad that this is done."
+
+So Arthur made ready to go into the field, and when he would depart, he
+warned all his hosts that if they saw any sword drawn, they should come
+on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for he in no wise
+trusted him.  In like manner Sir Mordred warned his host: "If ye see
+any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that
+ever before you stand, for in no wise will I trust for this treaty.  I
+know well mine uncle will be avenged upon me."
+
+So they met as their appointment was, and they were agreed and accorded
+thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank.  Right so came an
+adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot.
+When the knight felt himself stung, he looked down and saw the adder;
+then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none other
+harm.  But when the hosts on both parties saw the sword drawn, then
+they blew trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly.  And so both hosts
+dressed them together.
+
+King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas this unhappy day," and so
+rode to his party; and Sir Mordred did likewise.  And never was there
+seen a dolefuller battle in any Christian land, for there was but
+rushing and riding, foining, and striking, and many a grim word was
+there spoken either to other, and there was given many a deadly stroke.
+Thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted, till the noble
+knights were laid to the cold ground.  And ever they fought still, till
+it was near night, and by that time were there an hundred thousand laid
+dead upon the down.
+
+Then the King looked about him, and was 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 his brother Sir Bedivere, and even they
+were full sore wounded.
+
+"Jesu, mercy," said the King, "where are all my noble knights become?
+Alas that ever I should see this doleful day.  Now I am come to mine
+end.  But would to God that I wist where is that traitor Sir Mordred,
+that 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 Arthur unto Sir
+Lucan, "for yonder I have espied the traitor that all this woe hath
+wrought."
+
+"Sir, let him be," said Sir Lucan.  "If ye pass this evil day, ye shall
+be right well revenged upon him.  My lord remember ye of your night's
+dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you last night.  God of
+His great goodness hath preserved you hitherto.  Therefore, for God's
+sake, my lord, leave off with this.  For blessed be God, ye have won
+the field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none.
+If ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is past."
+
+"Tide me death, betide me life," saith the King, "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I
+never have him."  Then he gat his spear in both his hands, and ran
+towards Sir Mordred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death day come."
+
+When Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword drawn
+in his hand, and then King Arthur smote him under the shield with a
+foin of his spear throughout the body.  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 his uncle
+Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head
+so 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 and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heaved him up, and
+so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little chapel not far
+from the seaside.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR
+
+When the King was laid in the chapel he thought himself well eased.
+Then heard they people cry in the field, and Sir Lucan went out to wit
+what the noise betokened.  As he went he saw and heard in the moonlight
+how the plunderers and robbers were come into the battlefield to
+pillage and rob many a full noble knight of rings and jewels; and who
+that were not dead all out, 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 my
+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, my head
+works so.  Ah, Sir Launcelot, 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 and Sir Bedivere took up the King, and in the lifting
+the King swooned, and Sir Lucan, that was grievously wounded in many
+places, also fell in a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble
+knight died.  When King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir
+Lucan dead and Sir Bedivere weeping for his brother, and he said: "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.
+Yet, Sir Bedivere, weeping and mourning will not avail me; for wit thou
+well, if I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me
+evermore.  But my time hieth fast.  Therefore, Sir Bedivere, take thou
+Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder waterside, and when
+thou comest there, I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come
+again, and tell me what thou there seest."
+
+"My lord," said Bedivere, "your commandment shall be done, and I will
+lightly bring you word again."
+
+So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble sword,
+whose pommel and haft were all of precious stones, and then he said to
+himself, "If I throw this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never
+come good, but harm and loss."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he might
+he came again unto the King, and said he had been at the water, and had
+thrown the sword into the water.
+
+"What sawest thou there?" said the King.
+
+"Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but waves and winds."
+
+"That is untruly said of thee," said the King; "therefore go thou
+lightly again, and do my command as thou art to me lief and dear; spare
+not, but throw it."
+
+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 again he hid the sword, and returned, and told the King that he had
+been at the water, and done his commandment.
+
+"What sawest thou there?" said the King.
+
+"Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but the waters lap and the waves toss."
+
+"Ah, traitor, untrue," said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me
+twice.  Who would have thought that thou that hast been to me so lief
+and dear, and that art named a noble knight, wouldest betray me for the
+riches of the sword.  But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying
+putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold.  And
+unless thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay
+thee with mine own hands, for thou wouldest 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 waterside.  There he bound the girdle about the
+hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water 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 vanished
+away the hand with the sword in the water.
+
+So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and told him what he saw.
+"Alas," said the King, "help me thence, for I fear me I have tarried
+over long."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere took the King upon his back, and so went with him to
+that waterside.  And when they were at the waterside, even fast by the
+bank hove a little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and among them
+all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and all they wept and
+shrieked when they saw King Arthur.
+
+[Illustration: The Passing of 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 they set
+him 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 caught over much cold."
+
+And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all these
+ladies go from him.  Then he 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 the King, "and do as well as thou mayest, for
+in me is no trust for to trust in.  For I will into the vale of
+Avilion, to heal me of my grievous wound.  And if thou hear never more
+of me, pray for my soul."
+
+Ever the queens and the ladies wept and shrieked, that it was pity to
+hear.  And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge he
+wept and wailed, and so took the forest, and he went all that night;
+and in the morning he was ware betwixt two ancient cliffs of a chapel
+and an hermitage, and he was glad.
+
+When he came into the chapel he saw a hermit praying by a tomb new
+graven.  The hermit was the Bishop of Canterbury that Sir Mordred had
+banished, and Sir Bedivere asked him what man was there interred.
+
+"Fair son," said the hermit, "I wot not verily, but this night, at
+midnight, here came a 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."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere knew that King Arthur lay buried in that chapel, and
+he prayed the hermit that he might abide with him still there.  So
+there abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that was tofore Bishop of
+Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere put on poor clothes, and served the
+hermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers.
+
+Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be authorised,
+nor more of the certainty of his death heard I tell, but that he was
+thus led away in a ship wherein were three queens.  The hermit that
+some time was Bishop of Canterbury bare witness that ladies brought a
+knight to his burial in the chapel, but the hermit knew not in certain
+that it was verily the body of King Arthur;--for this tale Sir
+Bedivere, knight of the Round Table, made to be written.
+
+Some men still say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not
+dead, but tarried by the will of our Lord Jesu in another place.  And
+men say that he shall come again, and shall win the holy cross.  I will
+not say it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he
+changed his life.  But many men say that there is written upon his tomb
+these words: "_Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quondam Rex que futurus_": "_Here
+lies Arthur, King that was and King that shall be._"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+OF THE END OF THIS BOOK
+
+When Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and all the
+noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then she stole away,
+and five ladies with her, and so she went to Almesbury, and there she
+let make herself a nun, and lived in fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds,
+that all manner of people marvelled how virtuously she was changed.
+And there she was abbess and ruler, as reason would.
+
+When Sir Launcelot of the Lake heard in his country that Sir Mordred
+was crowned king, and made war against his uncle, then he made all
+haste with ships and galleys to go unto England.  So he passed over the
+sea till he came to Dover.  There the people told him how that King
+Arthur was slain, and Sir Mordred, and an hundred thousand died on a
+day, and how Sir Mordred gave King Arthur there the first battle at his
+landing, and how there was good Sir Gawaine slain.  And then certain
+people of the town brought him unto the castle of Dover, and showed him
+the tomb.  And he made a dole for Sir Gawaine, and all the priests and
+clerks that might be gotten in the country were there and sang mass of
+requiem.
+
+Two nights Sir Launcelot lay on Sir Gawaine's tomb in prayers and in
+weeping, and then on the third day he called his kings, dukes, earls,
+barons, and knights, 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 against death may no man rebel.
+Since 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.  Therefore ye
+all abide me here fifteen days, and then, if I come not again, take
+your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country."
+
+So Sir Launcelot rode forth alone on his journey into the west country.
+There he sought seven or eight days, and at the last came to the
+nunnery where was Queen Guenever.  Once only he had speech with her,
+and then took his horse and rode away to forsake the world, as she had
+done.
+
+He rode all that day and all that night in a forest, and at the last he
+was ware of an hermitage and a chapel betwixt two cliffs.  Thither he
+rode, and there found Sir Bedivere with the Bishop of Canterbury, for
+he was come to their hermitage.  And then he besought the Bishop that
+he might remain there as a brother.  The Bishop would gladly have it
+so, and there he put hermit's clothes upon Sir Launcelot, and there Sir
+Launcelot served God day and night with prayers and fasting.
+
+The great host abode in Dover fifteen days, as Sir Launcelot had bidden
+them.  Then, since Sir Launcelot did not return, Sir Bors of Ganis made
+them take ship and return home again to Benwick.  But Sir Bors himself
+and others of Sir Launcelot's kin took on them to ride all England
+across and endlong, to seek Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Bors by fortune rode
+so long till he came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot and Sir
+Bedivere were, and he prayed the Bishop that he also might remain and
+be of their fellowship.  So there was an habit put upon him, and there
+he lived in prayers and fasting.  And within half a year there were
+come seven other knights, and when they saw Sir Launcelot, they had no
+list to depart, but took such an habit as he had.
+
+Thus they remained in true devotion six years, and Sir Launcelot took
+the habit of priesthood.  And there were none of those other knights
+but read in books, and holp in the worship and did bodily all manner of
+service.  And so their horses went where they would, for they took no
+regard of worldly riches.
+
+Thus upon a night there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him
+to haste unto Almesbury, for Queen Guenever was dead, and he should
+fetch the corpse and bury her by her husband, the noble King Arthur.
+Then Sir Launcelot rose up ere day, took seven fellows with him, and on
+foot they went from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more
+than thirty miles.  They came thither within two days, for they were
+weak and feeble to go, and found that Queen Guenever had died but half
+an hour before.  The ladies said she had told them all, ere she passed,
+that Sir Launcelot had been a priest near a twelvemonth, and that he
+came thither as fast as he might, to take her corpse to Glastonbury for
+burial.
+
+So Sir Launcelot and his seven fellows went back on foot beside the
+corpse of Queen Guenever from Almesbury unto Glastonbury, and they
+buried her with solemn devotion in the chapel at the hermitage.  When
+she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned, for he remembered the
+noblesse and kindness that was both with the King and with herself, and
+how by his fault and his pride they were both laid full low.  Then Sir
+Launcelot sickened more and more, and within six weeks afterwards Sir
+Bors and his fellows found him dead in his bed.  The Bishop did his
+mass of requiem, and he and all the nine knights went with the corpse
+till they came to Joyous Gard, his own castle, and there they buried
+him in the choir of the chapel, as he had wished, with great devotion.
+Thereafter the knights went all with the Bishop of Canterbury back to
+his hermitage.
+
+Then Sir Constantine of Cornwall was chosen King of England, a full
+noble knight that honourably ruled this realm.  And this King
+Constantine sent for the Bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say where
+he was, and so was he restored unto his bishopric, and left that
+hermitage.  Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's end,
+but the French book maketh mention that Sir Bors and three of the
+knights that were with him at the hermitage went into the Holy Land,
+and there did many battles upon the miscreant Turks, and there they
+died upon a Good Friday, for God's sake.
+
+
+Here is the end of the book of King Arthur and his noble knights of the
+Round Table, that when they were whole together were ever an hundred
+and forty.  And here is the end of the Death of Arthur.  I pray you all
+gentlemen and gentlewomen that read this book of 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 ended the ninth year of the reign of King
+Edward the Fourth by Sir Thomas Maleore, knight, as Jesu help him for
+his great might, as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night.
+
+_Thus endeth thys noble and joyous book entytled Le Morte Darthur.
+Notwithstanding, it treateth of the byrth, lyf and actes of the sayd
+Kynge Arthur, of his noble knyghtes of the Round Table, theyr
+mervayllous enquestes and adventures, the achyevying of the Holy Grail,
+and in the end the dolourous deth and departyng out of thys world of
+them al.  Whiche book was reduced in to englysshe by Syr Thomas Malory
+knyght as afore is sayd, and by me enprynted and fynyshed in the abbey
+Westminster the last day of July, the yere of our Lord MCCCCLXXXV._
+
+_Caxton me fieri fecit._
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS
+KNIGHTS***
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+<body>
+<h1 align="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Stories of King Arthur and His Knights, by U.
+Waldo Cutler</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Stories of King Arthur and His Knights</p>
+<p>       Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"</p>
+<p>Author: U. Waldo Cutler</p>
+<p>Release Date: July 12, 2007  [eBook #22053]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS***</p>
+<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<A NAME="img-front"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="King Arthur" BORDER="2" WIDTH="434" HEIGHT="614">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 434px">
+King Arthur
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+STORIES OF
+</H2>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+KING ARTHUR
+</H1>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+AND HIS KNIGHTS
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+RETOLD FROM MALORY'S "MORTE DARTHUR"
+<BR>
+BY
+</H3>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+U. WALDO CUTLER
+</H2>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="dedication">
+<I>The goodliest fellowship of famous knights</I><BR>
+<I>Whereof this world holds record.</I><BR>
+<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 3em">TENNYSON</SPAN><BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+GEORGE G. HARRAP &amp; CO. LTD.
+<BR>
+LONDON &mdash;&mdash; BOMBAY &mdash;&mdash; SYDNEY
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+First published January 1905<BR>
+by GEORGE G. HARRAP & COMPANY<BR>
+39-41 Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.,<BR>
+<BR>
+Reprinted: December 1905; July 1906; May 1907;<BR>
+January 1909; September 1909; July 1910; July 1911;<BR>
+October 1912; October 1913; March 1915; February<BR>
+1917; August 1917; May 1918; October 1919;<BR>
+June 1920; October 1921; October 1922;<BR>
+June 1923; January 1925; April 1936;<BR>
+September 1927; October 1928;<BR>
+January 1930; January 1931;<BR>
+April 1932<BR>
+</H5>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+CONTENTS
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<CENTER>
+
+<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap00b">INTRODUCTION</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap01">OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap02">UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap03">HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap04">BALIN AND BALAN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap05">THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap06">THE LADIES' KNIGHT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap07">WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap08">A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap09">THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap10">SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap11">A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap12">HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap13">THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap14">HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap15">HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap16">HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap17">HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN OF LYONESSE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap18">SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap19">SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap20">HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD FOR KING MARK, <BR>
+AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap21">HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL, <BR>
+AND WAS LONG IN THE FOREST</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap22">HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD RENOWN OF SIR TRISTRAM</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap23">HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap24">OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap25">HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap26">HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap27">SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap28">SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap29">SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap30">THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap31">HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap32">THE END OF THE QUEST</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap33">SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap34">OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap35">QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap36">OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap37">HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING <BR>
+AND FROM JOYOUS GARD</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap38">HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED <BR>
+SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap39">OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XL.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap40">OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap41">OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap42">OF THE END OF THIS BOOK</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+</TABLE>
+
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="100%">
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%">
+<A HREF="#img-front">KING ARTHUR </A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="40%">
+(W. B. Margetson)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="10%">
+<I>Frontispiece</I>
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-004">THE DEDICATION</A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+ (J. Pettie, R.A.)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-030">MERLIN AND NIMUE</A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+ (Burne-Jones)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-102">SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD </A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+(D. G. Rosetti)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-134">SIR GALAHAD </A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+(G. F. Watts)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-144">SIR LAUNCELOT AT THE CROSS</A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+ (Stella Langdale)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-180">ELAINE</A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+ (J. M. Strudwick)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#img-228">THE PASSING OF ARTHUR </A>
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+(Stella Langdale)
+</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">
+&nbsp;
+</TD>
+</TR>
+
+</TABLE>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="intro">
+"We have from the kind Creator a variety of mental powers, to which we
+must not neglect giving their proper culture in our earliest years, and
+which cannot be cultivated either by logic or metaphysics, Latin or
+Greek.  We have an imagination, before which, since it should not seize
+upon the very first conceptions that chance to present themselves, we
+ought to place the fittest and most beautiful images, and thus accustom
+and practise the mind to recognise and love the beautiful everywhere."
+<BR><BR>
+Quoted from Wieland by Goethe in his Autobiography
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap00b"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+Introduction
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Among the best liked stories of five or six hundred years ago were
+those which told of chivalrous deeds&mdash;of joust and tourney and knightly
+adventure.  To be sure, these stories were not set forth in printed
+books, for there were no printed books as early as the times of the
+first three King Edwards, and few people could have read them if there
+had been any.  But children and grown people alike were eager to hear
+these old-time tales read or recited by the minstrels, and the interest
+in them has continued in some measure through all the changing years
+and tastes.  We now, in the times of the seventh King Edward, still
+find them far more worth our while than many modern stories.  For us
+they have a special interest, because of home setting and Christian
+basis, and they may well share in our attention with the legends of
+Greece and Rome.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In these early romances of chivalry, Arthur and his knights of the
+Round Table are by far the most popular heroes, and the finding of the
+Holy Grail is the highest achievement of knightly valour.  The material
+for the Arthur stories came from many countries and from many different
+periods of history.  Much of it is wholly fanciful, but the writers
+connected all the incidents directly or indirectly with the old Briton
+king of the fifth century, who was the model of knighthood, "without
+fear and without reproach."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Perhaps there was a real King Arthur, who led the Britons against the
+Saxon invaders of their land, who was killed by his traitor nephew, and
+who was buried at Glastonbury,&mdash;the valley of Avilion of the legends;
+perhaps there was a slight historical nucleus around which all the
+romantic material was crystallising through the centuries, but the
+Arthur of romance came largely from the imagination of the early
+writers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And yet, though our "own ideal knight" may never have trod the soil of
+Britain or Roman or Saxon England, his chivalrous character and the
+knightly deeds of his followers are real to us, if we read them
+rightly, for "the poet's ideal was the truest truth."  Though the
+sacred vessel&mdash;the Holy Grail&mdash;of the Christ's last supper with His
+disciples has not been borne about the earth in material form, to be
+seen only by those of stainless life and character, it is eternally
+true that the "pure in heart" are "blessed," "for they shall see God."
+This is what the Quest of the Holy Grail means, and there is still many
+a true Sir Galahad, who can say, as he did,
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+"My strength is as the strength of ten,<BR>
+Because my heart is pure,"<BR>
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+and who attains the highest glory of knighthood, as before his clear
+vision
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 0.5em">"down dark tides the glory glides,</SPAN><BR>
+And starlike mingles with the stars."<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+We call these beautiful stories of long ago Stories of Chivalry, for,
+in the Middle Ages, chivalry influenced all that people did and said
+and thought.  It began in the times of Charlemagne, a hundred years
+before our own King Alfred, and only very gradually it made its way
+through all the social order.  Charlemagne was really a very great man,
+and because he was so, he left Western Europe a far better place to
+live in than he found it.  Into the social life of his time he brought
+something like order and justice and peace, and so he greatly helped
+the Christian Church to do its work of teaching the rough and warlike
+Franks and Saxons and Normans the gentle ways of thrift and helpfulness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Charlemagne's "heerban," or call to arms, required that certain of his
+men should attend him on horseback, and this mounted service was the
+beginning of what is known as chivalry.  The lesser nobles of each
+feudal chief served their overlords on horseback, <I>à cheval</I>, in times
+of war; they were called <I>knights</I>, which originally meant
+servants,&mdash;German <I>knechte</I>; and the system of knighthood, its rules,
+customs, and duties, was called chivalry,&mdash;French <I>chevalerie</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Chivalry belongs chiefly to the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
+centuries,&mdash;to about the time between King Richard of the Lion Heart
+and Prince Hal.  There is no trace of ideas peculiar to it in the
+writings of the old Anglo-Saxons or in the <I>Nibelungen Lied</I> of
+Germany.  Geoffrey of Monmouth, who died, it is said, in the year 1154,
+is about the earliest writer who mentions customs that belong
+especially to chivalry.  The Crusades, of Geoffrey's century and of the
+one following, gave much opportunity for its growth and practice; but
+in the fifteenth century chivalrous fashions and fancies began to seem
+absurd, and later, perhaps partly through the ridicule of that old-time
+book "Don Quixote," chivalry was finally laughed quite out of existence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The order of knighthood was given only after years of training and
+discipline.  From his seventh year to his fourteenth the nobleman's son
+was a <I>page</I> at the court or in the castle of his patron, learning the
+principles of religion, obedience, and gallantry.  At fourteen, as a
+<I>squire</I>, the boy began a severer course of training, in order to
+become skilled in horsemanship, and to gain strength and courage, as
+well as the refinements and graces necessary in the company of knights
+and ladies.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Finally, at twenty-one, his training was complete, and with elaborate
+and solemn formality the <I>squire</I> was made a <I>knight</I>.  Then, after a
+strict oath to be loyal, courteous, and brave, the armour was buckled
+on, and the proud young chevalier rode out into the world, strong for
+good or ill in limb, strong in impenetrable armour, strong in a social
+custom that lifted him above the common people about him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When rightly exercised chivalry was a great blessing to the people of
+its time.  It offered high ideals of pure-minded, warm-hearted,
+courtly, courageous Christian manhood.  It did much to arouse thought,
+to quicken sympathy, to purify morals, to make men truly brave and
+loyal.  Of course this ideal of character was not in the days of
+chivalry&mdash;ideals are not often now&mdash;very fully realised.  The
+Mediaeval, like the Modern, abused his power of muscle, of sword, of
+rank.  His liberty as a knight-errant sometimes descended into the
+licence of a highwayman; his pride in the opportunity for helpfulness
+grew to be the braggadocio of a bully; his freedom of personal choice
+became the insolence of lawlessness; his pretended purity and justice
+proved wanton selfishness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Because of these abuses that crept into the system, it is well for the
+world that gunpowder at last came, to break through the knight's coat
+of mail, to teach the nobility respect for common men, roughly to end
+this age of so much superficial politeness and savage bravery, and to
+bring in a more democratic social order.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The books of any age are for us a record of how the people of that age
+thought, how they lived, and what kind of men and women they tried to
+be.  The old romances of chivalry give us clear pictures of the knights
+and ladies of the Middle Ages, and we shall lose the delight and the
+profit they may give us, if we think only of the defects of chivalry,
+and close our eyes to the really worthy motives of those far-off times,
+and so miss seeing what chivalry was able to do, while it lasted, to
+make men and women better and happier.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before reading the Arthur stories themselves it is well to know
+something about the way they have been built up, as one writer after
+another has taken the material left by predecessors, and has worked
+into it fresh conceptions of things brave and true.  First there was
+the old Latin chronicle of Nennius, the earliest trace of Arthurian
+fact or fancy, with a single paragraph given to Arthur and his twelve
+great battles.  This chronicle itself may have been based on yet
+earlier Welsh stories, which had been passed on, perhaps for centuries,
+by oral tradition from father to son, and gradually woven together into
+some legendary history of Oldest England in the local language of
+Brittany, across the English Channel.  This original book is referred
+to by later writers, but was long ago lost.  Geoffrey of Monmouth says
+it was the source of his material for his "Historia Britonum."
+Geoffrey's history, in Latin prose, written some time about the middle
+of the twelfth century, remains as the earliest definite record of the
+legends connected with King Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Only a little later Geoffrey's Latin history was translated by Wace and
+others into Norman French, and here the Arthur material first appeared
+in verse form.  Then, still later in the twelfth century, Walter Map
+worked the same stories over into French prose, and at the same time
+put so much of his own knowledge and imagination with them, that we may
+almost say that he was the maker of the Arthur romances.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon after the year twelve hundred,&mdash;a half century after Geoffrey of
+Monmouth first set our English ancestors to thinking about the
+legendary old hero of the times of the Anglo-Saxon conquest&mdash;Layamon,
+parish priest of Ernly, in Worcestershire, gave to the English language
+(as distinct from the earlier Anglo-Saxon) his poem "Brut."  This was a
+translation and enlargement of Wace's old French poem having Arthur as
+hero.  So these stories of King Arthur, of Welsh or Celtic origin, came
+through the Latin, and then through French verse and prose, into our
+own speech, and so began their career down the centuries of our more
+modern history.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After giving ideas to generation after generation of romance writers of
+many countries and in many languages, these same romantic stories were,
+in the fifteenth century, skilfully brought together into one connected
+prose narrative,&mdash;one of the choicest of the older English classics,
+"Le Morte Darthur," by Sir Thomas Malory.  Those were troublous times
+when Sir Thomas, perhaps after having himself fought and suffered in
+the Wars of the Roses then in progress, found some quiet spot in
+Warwickshire in which to put together in lasting form the fine old
+stories that already in his day were classics.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Malory finished his book in 1470, and its permanence for all time was
+assured fifteen years later, when Caxton, after the "symple connynge"
+that God had sent him (to use the quaint forms of expression then
+common), "under the favour and correctyon of al noble lordes and
+gentylmen emprysed to emprynte a book of the noble hystoryes of the
+sayd Kynge Arthur and of certeyn of his knyghtes after a copye unto him
+delyuerd whyche copye Syr Thomas Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn
+bookes of Frensche and reduced it in to Englysche."  This hard-headed
+business man,&mdash;this fifteenth-century publisher,&mdash;was rather doubtful
+about the Briton king of a thousand years before his day, and to those
+urging upon him the venture of printing Malory's book he answered:
+"Dyuers men holde oppynyon that there was no suche Arthur and that alle
+suche bookes as been maad of hym ben fayned and fables by cause that
+somme cronycles make of him no mencyon ne remember him noo thynge ne of
+his knyghtes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the arguments of those in favour of the undertaking prevailed,
+greatly to the advantage of the four centuries that have followed,
+during which "Le Morte Darthur" has been a constant source of poetic
+inspiration.  Generation after generation of readers and of writers
+have drawn life from its chapters, and the new delight in Tennyson's
+"Idylls of the King," almost of our own time, shows that the fountain
+has not yet been drained dry.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Malory's "Morte Darthur" is a long book, and its really great interest
+is partly hidden from us by forms of expression that belong only to the
+time when it was first written.  Besides this, the ideas of what was
+right and proper in conduct and speech&mdash;moral standards&mdash;were far lower
+in Malory's day than they are now.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The purpose of this new little volume is to bring the old tales freshly
+to the attention of young people of the present time.  It keeps, as far
+as may be, the exact language and the spirit of the original, chooses
+such stories as best represent the whole, and modifies these only in
+order to remove what could possibly hide the thought, or be so crude in
+taste and morals as to seem unworthy of the really high-minded author
+of five hundred years ago.  It aims also so to condense the book that,
+in this age of hurry, readers may not be repelled from the tales merely
+because of their length.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Chivalry of just King Arthur's kind was given up long ago, but that for
+which it stood&mdash;human fellowship in noble purpose&mdash;is far older than
+the institution of knighthood or than even the traditions of the
+energetic, brave, true, helpful King Arthur himself.  It links us with
+all the past and all the future.  The knights of the twentieth century
+do not set out in chain-armour to right the wrongs of the oppressed by
+force of arms, but the best influences of chivalry have been preserved
+for the quickening of a broader and a nobler world than was ever in the
+dreams of knight-errant of old.  Modern heroes of the genuine type owe
+more than they know to those of Arthur's court who swore:
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+"To reverence the King, as if he were<BR>
+Their conscience, and their conscience as their King,<BR>
+To break the heathen and uphold the Christ,<BR>
+To ride abroad redressing human wrongs,<BR>
+To speak no slander, no, nor listen to it,<BR>
+To honour his own word as if his God's,<BR>
+To lead sweet lives in purest chastity,<BR>
+To love one maiden only, cleave to her,<BR>
+And worship her by years of noble deeds,<BR>
+Until they won her."<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"Antiquity produced heroes, but not gentlemen," someone has said.  In
+the days of Charlemagne and Alfred began the training which, continued
+in the days of Chaucer and Sir Thomas Malory and many, many more, has
+given to this our age that highest type of manhood, the Christian
+gentleman.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+U. W. C.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap01"></A>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+Stories of King Arthur
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER I
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
+England, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against
+him a long time.  And the duke was named the Duke of Tintagil.  Ten
+miles away from his castle, called Terrabil, there was, in the castle
+Tintagil, Igraine of Cornwall, that King Uther liked and loved well,
+for she was a good and fair lady, and passing wise.  He made her great
+cheer out of measure, and desired to have her love in return; but she
+would not assent unto him, and for pure anger and for great love of
+fair Igraine King Uther fell sick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that time there lived a powerful magician named Merlin, who could
+appear in any place he chose, could change his looks as he liked, and
+at will could do wonderful things to help or to harm knights and
+ladies.  So to King Uther came Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and said, "I
+will seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy so that your heart shall
+be pleased."  So Ulfius departed, and by adventure met Merlin in
+beggar's array, and made him promise to be not long behind in riding to
+Uther's pavilion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon Merlin stood by the king's side and said: "I know all your heart,
+and promise ye shall have your desire, if ye will be sworn to fulfil my
+wish."  This the king solemnly agreed to do, and then Merlin said:
+"After ye shall win Igraine as wife, a child shall be born to you that
+is to be given unto me to be brought up as I will; this shall be for
+your honour and the child's avail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That night King Uther met in battle the Duke of Tintagil, who had
+protected Igraine in her castle, and overcame him.  Then Igraine
+welcomed Uther as her true lover, for Merlin had given him the
+appearance of one dear to her, and, the barons being all well accorded,
+the two were married on a morning with great mirth and joy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the time came that Igraine should bear a son, Merlin came again
+unto the King to claim his promise, and he said: "I know a lord of
+yours in this land, a passing true man and a faithful, named Sir Ector,
+and he shall have the nourishing of your child.  Let the young Prince
+be delivered to me at yonder privy postern, when I come for him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the babe, Arthur Pendragon, bound in a cloth of gold, was taken by
+two knights and two ladies to the postern gate of the castle and
+delivered unto Merlin, disguised as a poor man, and by him was carried
+forth to Sir Ector, whose wife nourished him as her own child.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady.
+Wherefore all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what
+counsel were best, for few of them had ever seen or heard of the young
+child, Arthur.  On the morn all by Merlin's counsel came before the
+King, and Merlin said: "Sir, shall your son Arthur be king, after your
+days, of this realm with all the appurtenance?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Uther Pendragon turned him and said in hearing of them all, "I
+give him God's blessing and mine, and bid him righteously and
+honourably to claim the crown upon forfeiture of my blessing."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith he died, and he was buried as befitted a king, and the Queen,
+fair Igraine, and all the barons made great sorrow.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap02"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER II
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Then stood the kingdom in great jeopardy a long while, for every lord
+strengthened himself, and many a one thought to be king rather than be
+ruled by a child that they had never known.  All this confusion Merlin
+had foreseen, and he had taken the young prince away, to keep him safe
+from the jealous barons until he should be old enough to rule wisely
+for himself.  Even Sir Ector did not know that the boy growing up with
+his own son Kay was the King's child, and heir to the realm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When now young Arthur had grown into a tall youth, well trained in all
+the exercises of honourable knighthood, Merlin went to the Archbishop
+of Canterbury and counselled him to send to all the lords of the realm
+and all the gentlemen of arms, that they should come to London at
+Christmas time, since God of His great mercy would at that time show by
+miracle who should be rightwise king of the realm.  The Archbishop did
+as Merlin advised, and all the great knights made them clean of their
+life so that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God, and
+when Christmas came they went unto London, each one thinking that
+perchance his wish to be made king should be granted.  So in the
+greatest church of the city (whether it was St Paul's or not the old
+chronicle maketh no mention) all were at their prayers long ere day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When matins were done and they came out of the church, there was seen
+in the churchyard a great square stone, in the midst of which was an
+anvil of steel, a foot high, with a fair sword naked at the point
+sticking through it.  Written in gold about the sword were letters that
+read thus: "Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil is
+rightwise king born of all England."
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-004"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-004.jpg" ALT="The Dedication." BORDER="2" WIDTH="611" HEIGHT="435">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 611px">
+The Dedication.
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+All the people marvelled at the stone and the inscription, and some
+assayed&mdash;such as would be king&mdash;to draw out the sword.  But none might
+stir it, and the Archbishop said: "He is not here that shall achieve
+this sword, but doubt not God will make him known.  This now is my
+counsel, that we cause to be chosen ten knights, men of good fame, to
+guard this sword until the rightful possessor shall appear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it was ordained, and it was proclaimed that every man should assay
+that would, to win the sword.  And upon New Year's Day the barons held
+jousts and a tournament for all knights that would engage.  All this
+was ordained for to keep the lords and the commons together, for the
+Archbishop trusted that God would soon make him known that should win
+the sword.  So upon New Year's Day the barons rode to the field, some
+to joust and some to tourney; and it happened that Sir Ector rode also,
+and with him Sir Kay, his son, that had just been made knight, and
+young Arthur that was his foster-brother.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As they rode to the joust-ward Sir Kay suddenly missed his sword, which
+he had left at his father's lodging, and he begged young Arthur to ride
+and fetch it.  "I will gladly," said Arthur, and he hastened off home.
+But the lady and all the household were out to see the jousting, and he
+found nobody at home to deliver him the sword.  Then was Arthur
+troubled, and said to himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not
+be without a sword this day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when he came to the great stone Arthur alighted, and tied his horse
+to the stile.  He then went straight to the tent of the guards, but
+found no knights there, for they were at the jousting.  So he took the
+sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the
+anvil; then he mounted his horse and rode his way till he came to his
+brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew well it was that one of the
+stone, and so he rode away to his father, Sir Ector, and said: "Sir, lo
+here is the sword of the stone; wherefore I must be king of this land."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Ector beheld the sword, all three returned to the church and
+entered it.  Anon Sir Ector made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how he
+came by that sword.  And Sir Kay answered that Arthur had brought it to
+him.  "And how gat ye the sword?" said he to Arthur; and when Sir Ector
+heard how it had been pulled from the anvil, he said to Arthur: "Now I
+understand ye must be king of this land."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wherefore I?" said Arthur, "and for what cause?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Ector, "for God will have it so; for there should never man
+have drawn out this sword but he that shall be rightwise king.  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 into the stone.
+Therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword, and failed.  Then
+Sir Kay pulled at it with all his might, but it would not yield.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now shall ye assay again," said Sir Ector to Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will well," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily a second time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now was Sir Ector sure that Arthur was of higher blood than had been
+thought, and that the rightful king had been made known.  And he told
+his foster-son all, how he was not his father, but had taken him to
+nourish at Merlin's request.  Arthur was grieved indeed when he
+understood that Sir Ector was not his father, and that the good lady
+that had fostered and kept him as her own son was not his true mother,
+and he said to Sir Ector, "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>
+Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop and told him how the sword
+was achieved, and by whom.  And all the barons came thither, that
+whoever would might assay to take the sword.  But there before them all
+none might take it out but Arthur.  Now many lords became wroth, and
+said it was great shame unto them all and to the realm to be governed
+by a boy.  They contended so at that time that the matter was put off
+till Candlemas, when all the barons should meet there again.  A
+pavilion was set over the stone and the sword, and the ten knights were
+ordained to watch there day and night, five being always on guard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So at Candlemas many more great lords came thither to win the sword,
+but none might prevail except Arthur.  The barons were sore aggrieved
+at this, and again put it off in delay till the high feast of Easter.
+And as Arthur sped afore, so did he at Easter; yet there were some of
+the great lords that had indignation that Arthur should be their king,
+and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the
+sword, yet none might prevail but Arthur; and he 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 as traitor."
+And they kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and begged mercy
+of Arthur, because they had delayed so long.  And Arthur forgave 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 the best
+man that was there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And anon was the coronation made, and there Arthur swore unto his lords
+and the commons to be a true king, to stand for justice all the days of
+his life.  Then he made all the lords that were subject to the crown to
+come in, and to do service as they ought to do.  And many great wrongs
+that had been done since the death of King Uther were righted, and to
+lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen were given back the lands of
+which they had been unjustly deprived.  When the king had thus
+established justice in all the countries about London, he made Sir Kay
+seneschal of England, and other officers he appointed also that should
+aid in keeping back his enemies and holding his realm in peace and
+orderliness.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap03"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER III
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on
+horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking
+justice against the murderer.  Then came up Griflet, that was but a
+squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given
+the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that
+had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving
+him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the
+last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to
+the fountain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and
+bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on
+a tree hard by.  Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear,
+so that it fell clattering down to the ground.  With that the knight
+came out of the pavilion and said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my
+shield?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For I will joust with you," said Griflet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is better ye do not," said the knight, "for ye are but a young and
+late-made knight, and your might is nothing to mine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Griflet would have it so, and the two ran together with such force
+that Griflet's spear was all shattered, and horse and rider fell down
+sore wounded.  When the knight saw the youth lying on the ground, he
+was heavy of heart; and he unlaced his helm to give him air, and
+finally setting him on his horse, sent him with cheering words back to
+the court.  Here great dole was made for him because of his wounds, and
+Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next morning ere day the King ordered his best horse, and in full
+armour rode out alone to encounter the knight of the fountain.  It was
+a strong battle they had.  Arthur's spear was all shattered, and his
+horse fell to the ground.  Then they fought with swords with many great
+strokes and much blood-shed on both sides.  Finally by a mighty blow
+from his enemy,&mdash;a passing big man of might,&mdash;Arthur's sword was
+smitten in two pieces, and he was called upon to yield himself as
+overcome and recreant, or die.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but to
+yield me unto thee as recreant, I had rather die than to be so shamed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal came Merlin, and made known who Arthur was.  Then by
+enchantment he caused the knight to fall into a deep sleep, and bore
+Arthur away to a hermit to be cured of his wounds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When, after three days of rest and healing, he was riding with Merlin
+through the forest, King Arthur said, "I have no sword."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No matter," said Merlin; "there is one near by that I can perhaps get
+for you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they rode on till it chanced that they passed a fair and broad lake.
+In the midst of the water Arthur became aware of an arm clothed in
+white samite[1] holding aloft a beautiful sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lo! there is the sword of which I spake," said Merlin, "and yonder is
+the Lady of the Lake ready to help you to it, if ye speak fair to her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon came the damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, and he her again.
+"Damsel," said Arthur, "what sword is it that the arm holdeth above the
+water yonder?  I would it were mine, for I have no sword."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir Arthur King," said the damsel, "that sword is mine, and if ye will
+give me a gift when I ask it you, go ye into yonder barge and row
+yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to a tree, and
+then they went into the magic boat.  Soon they were beside the sword
+that the hand held up.  Arthur took it by the handle, the arm and the
+hand went down beneath the water, and the two travellers rowed back to
+the land and went forth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As they rode along Arthur looked on the sword, which had the name
+Excalibur, that is as much as to say Cut-steel, and he liked it passing
+well, for the handle was all set with precious stones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which like you better," said Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The sword," replied Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye are unwise," said Merlin; "the scabbard is worth ten of the sword,
+for while ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood;
+therefore keep well the scabbard always with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In this way Arthur came by Excalibur, and many an adventure he was to
+have with it, and was to suffer great danger when by evil interference
+it was, as we shall see, for a time stolen from him.  With it in hand
+the hardest fight went well in the end, for the scabbard kept him from
+weakness, and a mysterious power lay in the strong, true blade that
+none could withstand, until the time came for King Arthur to give back
+the sword to the Lady of the Lake and to die of the wounds of a traitor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Arthur and Merlin rode on, and when they came back safe to
+Carlion and the court the knights were passing glad.  Some wondered
+that the king would risk himself abroad so alone, but all men of valour
+said it was merry to be under such a chief that would put his person in
+adventure as other poor knights did.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Samite: silk stuff
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap04"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+BALIN AND BALAN
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+On a day there came a messenger to King Arthur saying that King Ryons
+of North Wales, a strong man in body, and passing proud, had
+discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and each of these to do him
+homage had cut his beard clean off as trimming for King Ryons' royal
+mantle.  One place of the mantle still lacked trimming; wherefore he
+sent for Arthur's beard, and if he did not receive it he would enter
+England to burn and slay, and never would he leave till he had Arthur,
+head and all.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Arthur to the messenger, "thou hast said thy message, the
+most insolent ever sent unto a king.  Thou seest my beard is full young
+yet to make a trimming of it.  Tell thou thy king I owe him no homage,
+but ere long he shall do me homage on both his knees."  So the
+messenger departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Among those who, at Arthur's call, gathered at Camelot to withstand
+King Ryons' invasion of the land was a knight that had been Arthur's
+prisoner half a year and more for some wrong done to one of the court.
+The name of this knight was Balin, a strong, courageous man, but poor
+and so poorly clothed that he was thought to be of no honour.  But
+worthiness and good deeds are not all only in arrayment.  Manhood and
+honour is hid within man's person, and many an honourable knight is not
+known unto all people through his clothing.  This Balin felt deeply the
+insult of King Ryons, and anon armed himself to ride forth to meet with
+him and mayhap to destroy him, in the hope that then King Arthur would
+again be his good and gracious lord.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The meanwhile that this knight was making ready to depart on this
+adventure, there came to Arthur's court the Lady of the Lake, and she
+now asked of him the gift that he promised her when she gave him his
+sword Excalibur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ask what ye will," said the King, "and ye shall have it, if it lie in
+my power to give."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon she demanded Balin's head, and would take none other thing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I may not grant this with my honour," and
+Balin was allowed to make ready for the adventure with King Ryons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But ere he had left the court he saw the Lady of the Lake.  He went
+straight to her, and with his sword lightly smote off her head before
+King Arthur, for he knew her as the untruest lady living, one that by
+enchantment and sorcery had been the destroyer of many good knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas! for shame," said Arthur.  "Why have ye done so?  Ye have shamed
+me and all my court, for this was a lady that I was beholden to, and
+hither she came under my safe conduct.  I shall never forgive you that
+trespass.  What cause soever ye had, ye should have spared her in my
+presence; therefore withdraw you out of my court in all haste that ye
+may."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Balin,&mdash;called Balin the Wild for his savage and reckless
+nature,&mdash;departed with his squire, and King Arthur and all the court
+made great mourning, and had shame at the death of the Lady of the
+Lake.  Then the King buried her richly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In sorrow over the evil he had wrought and the disfavour of his king,
+Balin turned his horse towards a great forest, and there by the armour
+he was ware of his brother Balan.  And when they were met, they put off
+their helms and kissed together, and wept for joy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon the knight Balin told his brother of the death of the Lady of the
+Lake, and said: "Truly I am right heavy of heart that my lord Arthur is
+displeased with me, for he is the most honourable knight that reigneth
+on earth, and his love I will get or else I will put my life in
+adventure with King Ryons, that lieth now at the castle Terrabil.
+Thither will we ride together in all haste, to prove our honour and
+prowess upon him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will gladly do that," said Balan; "we will help each other as
+brothers ought to do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they took their way to find King Ryons, and as they rode along
+together they encountered him in a straight way with threescore
+knights.  Anon Balin and Balan smote him down from his horse, and slew
+on the right hand and the left hand more than forty of his men.  The
+remnant fled, and King Ryons yielded him unto their grace as prisoner.
+So they laid him on a horse-litter, for he was fiercely wounded, and
+brought him to Camelot.  There they delivered him to the porters and
+charged them with him; and then they two returned to further adventure.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Balin rode towards the castle of King Pellam to revenge the wrongs
+of knights and ladies on a treacherous knight named Garlon.  He had a
+fifteen days' journey thither, and the day he came unto the castle
+there began a great feast.  Balin was well received, and led to a
+chamber, where he laid off his armour.  They also brought him robes to
+his pleasure, and would have had him leave his sword behind him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay," said Balin, "that do I not, for it is the custom of my country
+for a knight always to have his weapon with him, and that custom will I
+keep, or else I will depart as I came."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went unto the
+hall and was set among the knights of honour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon he saw the false knight Garlon, and thought to himself: "If I slay
+him here I shall not escape, and if I leave him now, peradventure I
+shall never meet with him again at such a good time, and much harm will
+he do if he live."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then this Garlon espied that Balin watched him, and he came and smote
+Balin on the face, and said: "Knight, why watchest thou me so?  Eat thy
+meat, and do that thou camest for."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Balin said, "I will do that I came for," and rose up fiercely and
+clove his head to the shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon all the knights arose from the table to set on Balin, and King
+Pellam himself caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword betwixt his head and the stroke.  With
+that his sword was broken in sunder, and he, now weaponless, ran into
+the chamber to seek some weapon, and so, from chamber to chamber, but
+no weapon could he find, and alway King Pellam came after him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last Balin entered into a chamber that was marvellously well
+furnished and richly, wherein was a bed arrayed with cloth of gold, the
+richest that might be thought, and thereby a table of clean gold, and
+upon the table a marvellous spear, strangely wrought.  And when Balin
+saw that spear he took it in his hand, and turned to King Pellam and
+smote him passing hard with it so that he fell down in a swoon.
+Therewith the castle roof and walls brake and fell to the earth, and
+Balin also, so that he might not stir foot nor hand, for through that
+dolorous stroke the most part of the castle that was fallen down lay
+upon him and Pellam.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After three days Merlin came thither, and he took up Balin and gat him
+a good horse, for his was dead, and bade him ride out of the country.
+Merlin also told him that his stroke had turned to great dole, trouble,
+and grief, for the marvellous spear was the same with which Longius,
+the Roman soldier, smote our Lord Jesus Christ to the heart at the
+crucifixion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then departed Balin from Merlin, never to meet him again, and rode
+forth through the fair countries and cities about Pellam Castle, and
+found people dead, slain on every side.  And all that were left alive
+cried: "O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries, for
+by the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are
+destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the
+last."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Balin was out of those countries he was passing glad, and after
+many days he came by a cross, whereon were letters of gold written that
+said, "It is not for any knight alone to ride towards this castle."
+Then saw he an old hoary gentleman coming towards him that said, "Balin
+the Wild, thou passest thy bounds to come this way; therefore turn
+again and it will avail thee."  The old gentleman vanished away, and
+then Balin heard a horn blow, as if for the death of a beast in the
+chase.  "That blast," said he, "is blown for me, for I am the prize,
+yet am I not dead."  Anon he saw a hundred ladies and many knights,
+that welcomed him with fair semblance, and made him passing good cheer
+seemingly, and led him into the castle, where there were dancing and
+minstrelsy, and all manner of joy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight, you must have ado with
+a knight close by that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass
+this way but he must joust, ere he go farther."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin, "that a knight may not pass
+this way unless he joust, but since that is my duty, thereto am I
+ready.  Travelling men are oft weary, and their horses also; but though
+my horse be weary my heart is not weary."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the knight then to Balin, "me thinketh your shield is not
+good; I will lend you a better."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Balin took the shield that was unknown, and left his own, and rode
+unto the island.  He put himself and his horse in a great boat, and
+when he came on the other side he met with a damsel, and she said, "O
+Knight Balin, why hast thou left thine own shield?  Alas! thou hast put
+thyself in great danger, for by thine own shield thou shouldst have
+been known.  It is a great pity, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou
+hast no equal living."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me repenteth," said Balin, "that ever I came within this country, but
+I may not turn now again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to
+me, be it life or death, I will take the adventure that shall come to
+me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he looked on his armour, and understood he was well armed, for
+which he was thankful, and so he mounted upon his horse.  Then before
+him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight in red armour, and his
+horse was all trapped in the same colour.  When this knight in red
+beheld Balin, he thought he was like his brother; but because he knew
+not his shield, he deemed it was not he.  And so they couched their
+spears and came marvellously fast together, and they smote each other
+in the shields; but their spears were so heavy and their course so
+swift that horse and man were borne down, and both knights lay in a
+swoon.  Balin was bruised sore with the fall of his horse, for he was
+weary with travel, and Balan (for the knight in red was none other) was
+the first that rose to his feet.  He drew his sword and went towards
+Balin, who arose and went against him.  But Balan smote Balin first,
+striking through his shield and cleaving his helm.  Then Balin smote
+him in return with that unhappy sword that had already wrought so great
+harm, and the blow well nigh felled his brother Balan.  So they fought
+there together till their breaths failed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Balin looked up to the castle, and saw the towers stand full of
+ladies; so they went to battle again and wounded each other dolefully.
+Then they breathed ofttimes, and yet again went unto battle, until all
+the place there was blood-red from the great wounds that either had
+smitten other, and their hauberks became unriveted so that naked they
+were on every side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last Balan, the younger brother, withdrew a little and laid himself
+down.  Then said Balin the Wild, "What knight art thou? for ere now I
+found never a knight that matched me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My name is," said he, "Balan, brother to the good knight Balin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas!" said Balin, "that ever I should see this day."  Thereupon he
+fell backward in a swoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Balan crept on all fours to his brother and put oft his helm, but
+he might not know him, his visage was so disguised by blood and wounds.
+But when Balin awoke, he said, "O Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me
+and I thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speak of us both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas!" said Balan; "that ever I saw this day, that through mishap I
+might not know thee!  Because thou hadst another shield I deemed thou
+wert another knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas!" said Balin, "all this was caused by an unhappy knight in the
+castle, that made me leave mine own shield, to the destruction of us
+both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then anon Balan died, and at midnight after, Balin; so both were buried
+together, and the lady of the castle had Balan's name written on the
+tomb and how he was there slain by his brother's hand, but she knew not
+Balin's name.  In the morn came Merlin and wrote Balin's inscription
+also in letters of gold: "Here lieth Balin the Wild, that smote the
+dolorous stroke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the
+dolorous stroke that Balin gave King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan
+fought together the most marvellous battle that ever was heard of, and
+how they buried both in one tomb.  "Alas!" said King Arthur; "this is
+the greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the
+world I know not such two knights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
+Northumberland, good knights both.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap05"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER V
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Arthur was indeed king, but enemies long held out against his just
+authority.  When he went into Wales to be crowned at the city of
+Carlion, he let cry a great feast to be holden at Pentecost.  Unto this
+feast came the six kings of that region with many of their knights, and
+Arthur thought it was to do him honour.  But when he made joy of their
+coming and sent them great presents, the kings would none receive, and
+said they had no joy to receive gifts of a beardless boy that was come
+of low birth.  They sent him word that they were come to give him gifts
+with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders, for it was great
+shame to all of them to see such a boy have rule of so noble a realm as
+this land was.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This answer was told King Arthur, who now betook himself to a strong
+tower and five hundred good men with him.  Here the six kings laid
+siege to him, but he was well victualled; and soon Merlin came and bade
+him fear not, but speak boldly to his enemies, "for," said he, "ye
+shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the King armed himself and all his knights and came out to do battle
+with his enemies.  Then three hundred good men of the best that were
+with the kings went straight over unto King Arthur, which comforted him
+greatly.  So he set upon the hosts of the six kings, and he and his men
+did marvellous deeds of arms.  Therewith he put them back, and then the
+commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves and slew many of the
+enemy, and so they fled away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Since the enemy were still passing strong, Merlin counselled King
+Arthur to send letters well devised beyond the sea to the two brethren,
+marvellous good men of their hands, named one King Ban of Benwick and
+the other King Bors of Gaul, and to say to them that, if they would
+come and help King Arthur in his wars, he in turn would be sworn unto
+them to help them in their wars against King Claudas, a mighty man that
+strove with them for a castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So there were made letters in the pleasantest wise, according to King
+Arthur's desire, and Ulfius and Brastias, the messengers, rode forth
+well horsed and well armed, and so passed the sea and came to the city
+of Benwick.  Here they had good cheer as long as they tarried, and
+received the answer that King Ban and King Bors would come unto King
+Arthur in all the haste they might.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now those six kings in Wales had by their means gotten unto them five
+other kings, and all swore together that for weal or woe they would not
+leave each other till they had destroyed Arthur.  So their whole host
+drew towards Arthur, now strengthened by Ban and Bors with their
+followers that had crossed from Gaul to his aid.  Then followed a great
+battle, and they did on both sides great deeds of arms until at the
+last Merlin counselled Arthur to fight no longer, since the eleven
+kings had more on hand than they were ware of, and would soon depart
+home; for a messenger would come and tell them that lawless people as
+well as Saracens, forty thousand in number, had entered their lands and
+were burning and slaying without mercy.  So the great battle was ended,
+and the eleven kings went to their own country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors came with their following into
+the country of Cameliard, and there aided King Leodegrance against an
+enemy of that land.  King Leodegrance thanked them for their goodness,
+and made them great cheer ere King Ban and King Bors departed back
+towards Benwick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In Cameliard Arthur had the first sight of Guenever, the King's
+daughter, and ever afterwards he loved her.  So when peace was once
+more in his land, King Arthur asked counsel of Merlin about seeking her
+as his wife, for to him she was the most valiant and fairest lady
+living or to be found.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+alive, but if ye loved her not so well as ye do, I could choose better
+for you.  Yet when a man's heart is set, he will be loath to change."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Merlin was sent forth to King Leodegrance, and he told him of King
+Arthur's desire.  King Leodegrance was glad that so worthy a king of
+prowess and of nobleness would wed his daughter, and promised him as
+wedding gift,&mdash;not lands, for he had enough and needed none,&mdash;but what
+would please him much more, the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon had
+given to the King of Cameliard,&mdash;a table made by Merlin at which an
+hundred and fifty knights might be seated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Guenever, attended by Merlin and an hundred good knights (all King
+Leodegrance could spare, so many had been slain in his wars) with the
+Round Table rode with great pomp by water and by land to London.  There
+King Arthur made great joy of their coming, for he had long loved
+Guenever.  Also the gift pleased him more than right great riches.  And
+the marriage and the coronation were ordained with all speed in the
+most honourable wise that could be devised.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Merlin was sent to espy out in all the land fifty knights of most
+prowess and honour, who should make up the full number for the Round
+Table.  Only twenty-eight could he find worthy enough, and these Merlin
+fetched to Arthur's court.  And Merlin made sieges (seats), an hundred
+and fifty in all, for the knights, and he placed in every knight's
+siege his name in letters of gold.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On that same day King Arthur founded the great order of the Round
+Table, the fame of which was to last for all time.  An hundred and
+twenty-eight were then sworn as Knights of the Table Round, and every
+year at the high feast of Pentecost others were to be added as they
+showed themselves worthy.  Only one siege was long empty, the Siege
+Perilous, for no man should sit therein but one, and if any one of
+unworthy life were so hardy as to sit therein, he should be destroyed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With great ceremony each one took the vows of true knighthood, solemnly
+promising to do no wicked deed, to be loyal to the King, to give mercy
+to those asking it, always to be courteous and helpful to ladies, and
+to fight in no wrongful quarrel for wordly gain, upon pain of death or
+forfeiture of knighthood and King Arthur's favour.  Unto this were all
+the knights of the Round Table sworn, both old and young.  To dishonour
+knighthood was the greatest disgrace; to prove themselves worthy of
+knightly honour by strong, brave, courteous, loyal bearing under great
+difficulties was the highest end of living.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Arthur stablished all his knights, and to them that were not
+rich he gave lands; and they rode abroad to right the wrongs of men,
+and to give help to the oppressed.  With their aid he secured order and
+justice throughout his realm, and then the weakest man might do his
+work in peace, and prosper.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap06"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE LADIES' KNIGHT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The King was wedded unto Dame Guenever at Camelot with great solemnity.
+Just as all were sitting at the high feast that followed the marriage,
+there came running into the hall a white hart, followed by a whole pack
+of hounds with a great cry, and the hart went about the Table Round.
+At a fierce bite from one of the dogs the hart made a great leap, and
+overthrew a knight that sat at the table, and so passed forth out of
+the hall again, with all the dogs after him.  When they were gone the
+King was glad, for they made such a noise, but Merlin said, "Ye may not
+leave this adventure so lightly.  Let call Sir Gawaine, for he must
+bring again the white hart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will," said the King, "that all be done by your advice."  So Sir
+Gawaine was called, and he took his charge and armed himself for the
+adventure.  Sir Gawaine was one of King Arthur's nephews, and had just
+been made a knight, for he had asked of the King the gift of knighthood
+on the same day that he should wed fair Guenever.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Gawaine rode quickly forth, and Gaheris his brother rode with
+him, instead of a squire, to do him service.  As they followed the hart
+by the cry of the hounds, they came to a great river.  The hart swam
+over, and they followed after, and so at length they chased him into a
+castle, where in the chief courtyard the dogs slew the hart before Sir
+Gawaine and young Gaheris came up.  Right so there came a knight out of
+a room, with a sword drawn in his hand, and he slew two of the
+greyhounds even in the sight of Sir Gawaine, and the remnant he chased
+with his sword out of the castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came back he said, "O my white hart, me repenteth that thou art
+dead, for my sovereign lady gave thee to me, and poorly have I kept
+thee.  Thy death shall be dear bought, if I live."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon he came fiercely towards Sir Gawaine, and they struck mightily
+together.  They clove their shields and broke their helms and hauberks
+so that the blood ran down to their feet.  At the last Sir Gawaine
+smote the knight so hard that he fell to the earth; and then he cried
+for mercy and yielded himself, and besought Sir Gawaine as he was a
+knight and gentleman to save his life.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawaine, "for slaying of my hounds."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will make amends," said the knight, "unto my power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to strike off his
+head, when at that instant came his lady out of a chamber.  She fell
+upon her husband just as the blow descended, and so Sir Gawaine smote
+off her head by misadventure, and the knight was saved.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas!" said Gaheris, "that is foul and shamefully done; that shame
+shall never depart from you.  Ye should give mercy unto them that ask
+mercy, for a knight without mercy is without honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Gawaine was so astonished at the death of the fair lady that he
+knew not what he did, and he said unto the knight, "Arise, I will give
+thee mercy; and go thou unto King Arthur, and tell him how thou art
+overcome by the knight that went in the quest of the white hart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I care not for mercy now," said the knight, "for thou hast slain my
+lady that I loved best of all earthly things it matters not whether I
+live or die."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Gawaine went into the castle and made ready to rest there all
+night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What will ye do?" said Gaheris; "will ye unarm you in this country?
+Ye may believe ye have many enemies here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He had no sooner said that word than there came four knights well
+armed, and anon they made Sir Gawaine and Gaheris yield themselves as
+prisoners, in spite of the brave battle wherein Sir Gawaine was sore
+wounded in the arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Early on the morrow there came to Sir Gawaine in the prison one of the
+ladies of the castle, and said, "Sir Knight, what cheer?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not good," said he.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is your own fault," said the lady, "for ye have done a passing foul
+deed in the slaying of the lady, which will be great disgrace unto you.
+Be ye not of King Arthur's kin?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, truly," said Sir Gawaine.  "My name is Gawaine, and my mother is
+King Arthur's sister."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, then are ye nephew unto King Arthur," said the lady, "and I shall
+so speak for you that ye shall have conduct to King Arthur, for love of
+him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then anon they delivered Sir Gawaine under this promise, that he should
+bear the dead lady to the court, the severed head hanging about his
+neck.  Right so he rode forth unto Camelot, and Merlin made him tell of
+his adventure, and how he slew the lady, and how he would give no mercy
+unto the knight, whereby the lady was slain.  Then the King and the
+Queen were greatly displeased with Sir Gawaine, and by ordinance of the
+Queen there was set a quest of ladies on Sir Gawaine, and they ordered
+him for ever while he lived to be with all ladies, and to fight for
+their quarrels; and that ever he should be courteous, and never refuse
+mercy to him that asketh mercy.  Thus was Gawaine sworn upon the four
+Evangelists that he should never be against lady nor gentlewoman,
+except if he fought for a lady and his adversary fought for another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine, that he did at the marriage
+of King Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap07"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Arthur was now established as king over all the land.  The great
+council hall at Camelot, that is Winchester, had been built, some say
+by Merlin's skill; and the most loyal and the bravest knights of the
+world had been gathered at Arthur's court to do honour to him and his
+fair Queen Guenever.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Merlin was Arthur's wisest helper and most powerful friend, as he had
+before been the helper and friend of his father Uther, for whom he had
+made the Round Table, signifying the roundness of the world.  We have
+seen how he hid the young Arthur away from the jealousy of the wild
+barons, and how, by his power over men and his knowledge of what would
+be, he had saved the King's life and guided his wise rule.  The old
+magician Bleise, that dwelt in Northumberland, was Merlin's master, and
+he it was that wrote down all the battles of Arthur with his enemies
+word by word as Merlin told him, and all the battles that were done in
+Arthur's days, until Merlin was lost, as we shall see, through his own
+foolishness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On a time Merlin told King Arthur that he should not endure long, but
+for all his crafts he should be put in the earth alive.  Also he told
+many things that should befall, and how the king would miss him, so
+that rather than all his lands he would wish to have him again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah," said King Arthur, "since ye know of this, provide against it, and
+put away by your crafts that misadventure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay," said Merlin, "it cannot be done."  For Merlin, now grown an old
+man in his dotage, had fallen under the spell of a damsel of the court
+named Nimue.  With her he soon departed from the King, and evermore
+went with her wheresoever she went.  Ofttimes he wished to break away
+from her, but he was so held that he could not be out of her presence.
+Ever she made him good cheer, till she had learned from him all she
+desired of his secret craft, and had made him swear that he would never
+do any enchantment upon her.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-030"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-030.jpg" ALT="Merlin and Nimue" BORDER="2" WIDTH="441" HEIGHT="617">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 441px">
+Merlin and Nimue
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+They went together over the sea unto the land of Benwick, where Ban was
+king, that had helped Arthur against his enemies.  Here Merlin saw
+young Launcelot, King Ban's son, and he told the queen that this same
+child should grow to be a man of great honour, so that all Christendom
+should speak of his prowess.  So the queen was comforted of her great
+sorrow that she made for the mortal war that King Claudas waged on her
+lord and on her lands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then afterwards Nimue and Merlin departed into Cornwall, and by the way
+he showed her many wonders, and wearied her with his desire for her
+love.  She would fain have been delivered of him, for she was afraid of
+him, almost believing him a devil's son, and yet she could not put him
+away by any means.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so on a time it happened that Merlin showed to her a wonderful
+cavern in the cliff, closed by an enchanted stone.  By her subtle
+working she soon made Merlin remove the stone and go into the cavern to
+let her know of the marvels there.  Then she so wrought through the
+magic he had taught her that the stone was placed back again, so that
+he never came out for all the craft that he could do.  And then she
+departed and left him there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On a day a certain knight rode to see adventures, and happened to come
+to the rock where Nimue had put Merlin, and there he heard him make
+great lamentation.  The knight would gladly have helped him, and tried
+to move the great stone; but it was so heavy that a hundred men might
+not lift it up.  When Merlin knew that the knight sought his
+deliverance, he bade him leave his labour, for all was in vain.  He
+could never be helped but by her that put him there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Merlin's prophecy of his own end was fulfilled, and he passed from
+the world of men.  Arthur truly missed his old friend and marvelled
+what had become of him.  Afterwards, when the last great battle came,
+he would have given everything to have Merlin with him again, but it
+could not be.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap08"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+It befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode on hunting into a
+deep forest, and King Arthur, King Uriens of Gore that was the husband
+of Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, and Sir Accolon of Gaul followed a
+great hart so fast that within a while they were ten miles from their
+fellowship.  At the last they chased so sore that they slew their
+horses underneath them.  Then were they all three on foot, and ever
+they saw the hart afore them passing weary and hard bestead[1].  "Let
+us go on foot," said King Uriens, "till we meet with some lodging."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then were they ware of the hart that lay on a great water bank, and a
+dog biting on his throat, and more other hounds came after.  King
+Arthur now blew the prize[2] and dight[3] the hart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the three knights were in sore straits, so far from home, and
+without horses, and they began to look about the world.  Then Arthur
+saw afore him in a great lake a little ship, all apparelled with silk
+down to the water, coming right unto them, and it landed on the sands.
+They went on board, all three, to see what was in the ship.  Soon it
+was dark night, and there suddenly were about them an hundred torches
+set upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave great light.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal there came out twelve fair damsels, and they set forth for
+the knights a supper of all meats that they could think.  Then they
+showed them richly beseen[4] chambers for the night, where the three
+huntsmen slept marvellously.  But when they awoke next morning,
+everything had been changed through the sorcery of Morgan le Fay, that
+was secretly plotting against her brother, to destroy him.  King Uriens
+awoke in his own bed in Camelot, and Arthur found himself in a dark
+prison, with many woeful knights complaining about him, and they soon
+told him for what cause they were there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The lord of the castle where they were prisoners was the falsest knight
+alive, a treacherous, cowardly man, named Sir Damas.  He had a younger
+brother, Sir Ontzlake, a good knight of prowess, well beloved of all
+people, from whom he was keeping back unjustly a full fair manor.
+Great war had been betwixt these brothers.  Ontzlake was a far better
+fighter than the cowardly Damas, and yet he could not bring the elder
+to give over the younger brother's inheritance.  He offered to fight
+for it, and wished Sir Damas to find a knight to fight in his stead, if
+he himself dared not engage.  But Sir Damas was so hated that there was
+never one would fight for him, though he had by force taken all the
+knights of that whole region and brought them to his prison for to make
+them willing to take up his cause.  Many had died there, and the twenty
+that were yet alive were lean and spent with hunger, but no one of them
+would stand against Sir Ontzlake.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon there came a damsel unto Arthur and asked him, "What cheer?"  "I
+cannot say," said he.  "Sir," said she, "if ye will fight for my lord,
+ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never with
+life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said Arthur, "that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a
+knight than to die in prison," and so it was agreed that he should do
+the battle on this covenant, that he should be delivered and all the
+prisoners.  With that all the twenty knights were brought out of the
+dark prison into the hall, and set free, but they all abode to see the
+battle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that was with King Arthur and King
+Uriens on the stag-hunt and that fell asleep on the magic ship.  When
+he awoke he found himself beside a deep well, within half a foot of its
+edge, in great peril of death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heaven save my lord King Arthur and King Uriens," said he, "for these
+damsels in the ship have betrayed us.  They were devils and no women,
+and if I may escape this misadventure, I shall destroy all false
+damsels that use enchantments, wherever I may find them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Right then there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose, and
+saluted Sir Accolon and said he came from Queen Morgan le Fay.  "She
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be of strong heart, for
+ye shall fight to-morn with a knight at the hour of prime, and
+therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, Arthur's sword, and the
+scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to
+the uttermost without any mercy, like as ye promised her when ye spake
+together in private."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Accolon believed he fully understood the message, and he said he
+should keep his promise now that he had the sword.  Just then a knight,
+who was no other than Sir Ontzlake himself, with a lady and six
+squires, came up on horseback, saluted Sir Accolon, and begged him to
+come and rest himself at his manor.  So Accolon mounted upon a spare
+horse and rode to the manor, where he had passing good cheer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meantime Sir Damas sent to his brother, Sir Ontzlake, and bade him make
+ready to fight the next day with a good knight who had agreed to do
+battle for the disputed heritage; and it happened through Morgan le
+Fay's trickery that Accolon was lodged with Sir Ontzlake at the very
+time when this message came.  Now Sir Ontzlake was sore troubled at the
+message, for he had been wounded in both thighs by a spear a short time
+before, and was suffering much.  Still, wounded as he was, he would
+have taken the battle in hand, had not Sir Accolon offered to fight in
+his stead, because Morgan le Fay had sent Excalibur and the sheath for
+the battle with the knight on the morrow.  Then Sir Ontzlake was
+passing glad, and sent word unto his brother, Sir Damas, that he had a
+knight who would be ready in the field by to-morrow at the hour of
+prime.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it was arranged that Sir Arthur and Sir Accolon, unknown to one
+another, were to fight over the quarrel of the two brothers.
+Preparations were made accordingly, and all the knights and commons of
+the country were there to see the encounter.  Just as Arthur was ready
+upon horseback, there came a damsel from Morgan le Fay bringing unto
+him a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said: "Morgan le
+Fay sendeth you here your sword for great love."  He thanked her, not
+knowing that the sword and scabbard were counterfeit, and brittle and
+false.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They went eagerly to the battle, and gave many great strokes.  Sir
+Accolon had all advantage on his side, for he had the real Excalibur,
+Morgan le Fay having so ordained that King Arthur should have been
+slain that day.  King Arthur's sword never bit like Sir Accolon's, and
+almost every stroke Sir Accolon gave wounded sore, so that it was a
+marvel that Arthur stood.  Almost from the first it seemed to him that
+the sword in Accolon's hand must be Excalibur, but he was so full of
+knighthood that knightly he endured the pain of the many wounds, and
+held out as well as he might until his sword brake at the cross and
+fell in the grass among the blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now he expected to die, but he held up his shield, and lost no ground,
+nor bated any cheer.  All men that beheld him said they never saw
+knight fight so well as Arthur did, considering the blood that he bled,
+and they were sorry for him.  But Accolon was so bold because of
+Excalibur that he grew passing hardy, and called upon Arthur to yield
+himself as recreant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay," said Sir Arthur, "I may not so, for I have promised to do the
+battle to the uttermost by the faith of my body while my life lasteth,
+and therefore I had rather die with honour than live with shame; and if
+it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I had rather die so
+oft than yield myself to thee; for, though I lack weapon I shall lack
+no honour, and if thou slay me weaponless that shall be thy shame."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Accolon cared not for shame, and would not spare.  He gave Arthur
+such a stroke that he fell nigh to the earth; yet he pressed upon
+Accolon with his shield, and with the pommel of his sword in his hand
+gave such a blow that Accolon fell back a little.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now it chanced that one of the damsels of the court, she that had put
+Merlin under the stone, had come into the field for love of King
+Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le Fay had determined that Arthur
+should be slain; therefore she came to save his life.  She saw how full
+of prowess Arthur was, and grieved that so good a knight should be
+slain through false treason.  So when Accolon gave another blow, the
+sword Excalibur fell out of his hand to the earth.  Arthur lightly
+leaped to it and got it in his hand, and forthwith knew that it was his
+own Excalibur.  Then he saw the scabbard hanging by Accolon's side, and
+anon pulling it from him, he threw it off as far as he might throw it.
+Therewith Sir Arthur rushed upon Accolon with all his might and pulled
+him to the earth.  He then snatched off his helmet for the final blow,
+and the fierce battle was at an end.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Slay me ye may well," said Accolon, "if it please you, for ye are the
+best knight that ever I found, and I see well that God is with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But now Sir Arthur thought he must have seen this knight, and asked,
+"Of what country art thou, and of what court?"  And when Sir Accolon
+told him his name, then he remembered him of his sister, Morgan le Fay,
+and of the enchantment of the ship.  He made Accolon tell how he came
+by the sword, and then Arthur knew all the plot of his sister and of
+Accolon to have the King slain and herself made queen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the first time Arthur now let Accolon know against whom he had been
+fighting.  The fallen knight cried aloud for mercy, when he learned
+that he had nearly slain the King, and said to all the knights and men
+that were then there gathered together, "O lords, this noble knight
+that I have fought withal, which I sorely repent of, is the best man of
+prowess, of manhood, and of honour in the world, for it is King Arthur
+himself, the liege lord of us all, and with mishap and with
+misadventure have I done this battle with the king and lord in whose
+power I am."  Then all the people fell down on their knees, and called
+upon King Arthur for mercy, which he forthwith granted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King was sorely hurt and Accolon's wounds were even worse.  Arthur
+made haste to settle the quarrel of the brothers Sir Damas and Sir
+Ontzlake by giving the latter his rights and charging Sir Damas upon
+pain of death never to distress knights-errant that ride on their
+adventures, and then was carried off to a near-by abbey, and Sir
+Accolon with him, to have their wounds searched.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Within four days Sir Accolon died from loss of blood during the fight,
+but King Arthur was well recovered.  When Accolon was dead the King let
+send him on a horse-bier with six knights unto Camelot and said, "Bear
+him to my sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I send him to her as a
+present, and tell her that I have my sword Excalibur again and the
+scabbard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they departed with the body.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Hard bestead: in a bad plight.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[2] Prize: death note.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[3] Dight: dressed.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[4] Beseen: of good appearance.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap09"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The meanwhile Morgan le Fay thought that King Arthur was slain, and
+that she might now be queen of the land, with Sir Accolon as King.
+Then came tidings unto her that Accolon was dead and King Arthur had
+his sword again.  When Queen Morgan wist all this she was so sorrowful
+that near her heart brake, but because she would not it were known,
+outward she kept her countenance, and made no semblance of sorrow.  But
+well she wist, if she remained till her brother Arthur came thither,
+there should no gold go for her life.  Then she went unto Queen
+Guenever, and asked her leave to ride into the country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye may abide," said Queen Guenever, "till your brother the King come
+home."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I may not," said Morgan le Fay, "for I have such hasty tidings that I
+may not tarry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Guenever, "ye may depart when ye will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So early on the morn, ere it was day, she took her horse and rode all
+that day and most part of the night, and on the morn by noon she came
+to the abbey of nuns where lay King Arthur.  Knowing he was there, she
+asked where he was at that time; and they answered how he had laid him
+in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little rest these three nights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she alighted off her horse, and thought for to steal away
+Excalibur his sword.  So she went straight unto his chamber, and no man
+durst disobey her commandment.  There she found Arthur asleep in his
+bed, and Excalibur in his right hand naked.  When she saw that, she was
+passing heavy that she might not come by the sword without awaking him,
+and that she wist well would be her death.  Then she took the scabbard,
+and went her way on horseback.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the King a woke and missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and he
+asked who had been there.  They said his sister Queen Morgan had been
+there, and had put the scabbard under her mantle, and was gone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Arthur, "falsely have ye watched me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said they all, "we durst not disobey your sister's commandment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah," said the King, "let fetch the best horse that may be found, and
+bid Sir Ontzlake arm him in all haste, and take another good horse and
+ride with me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So anon the King and Ontzlake were well armed, and rode after this
+lady; and so they came by a cross, and asked a cowherd if there came
+any lady late riding that way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the poor man, "right late came a lady riding with forty
+horses, and to yonder forest she rode."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they spurred their horses and followed fast.  Within a while
+Arthur had a sight of Morgan le Fay, and he chased as fast as he might.
+When she espied him following her, she rode a greater pace through the
+forest till she came to a plain.  She saw she might not escape,
+wherefore she rode unto a lake thereby, and said, "Whatsoever becometh
+of me, my brother shall not have this scabbard."  And then she let
+throw the scabbard in the deepest of the water, where it sank anon, for
+it was heavy of gold and precious stones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon Queen Morgan rode into a valley where many great stones were,
+and when she saw that she must be overtaken, she shaped herself, horse
+and man, by enchantment, unto great marble stones.  Anon came Sir
+Arthur and Sir Ontzlake, but they might not know the lady from her men,
+nor one knight from another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah," said the King, "here may ye see the vengeance of God, and now I
+am sorry that this misadventure is befallen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then he looked for the scabbard, but it could not be found, so he
+returned to the abbey where he came from.  When Arthur was gone, Queen
+Morgan turned all into the likeness as she and they were before, and
+said, "Sirs, now may we go where we will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she departed into the country of Gore, and there was she richly
+received, and made her castles and towns passing strong, for always she
+feared much King Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the King had well rested him at the abbey, he rode unto Camelot,
+and found his Queen and his barons right glad of his coming.  And when
+they heard of his strange adventures as is afore rehearsed, they all
+had marvel of the falsehood of Morgan le Fay, and many knights wished
+her burned because of her wicked enchantments.  "Well," said the King,
+"I shall so be avenged on her, if I live, that all Christendom shall
+speak of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the morn there came a damsel from Morgan to the King, and she
+brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen in that court,
+for it was set as full of precious stones as one might stand by
+another, and there were the richest stones that ever the King saw.  And
+the damsel said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and desireth
+that ye should take this gift of her, and in what thing she hath
+offended you, she will amend it at your own pleasure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the King beheld this mantle it pleased him much, but he said
+little.  With that came one of the Damsels of the Lake unto the King
+and said, "Sir, I must speak with you in private."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Say on," said the King, "what ye will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the damsel, "put not on you this mantle till ye have seen
+more, and in no wise let it come on you or any knight of yours, till ye
+command the bringer thereof to put it upon her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said King Arthur, "it shall be done as ye counsel me."  And
+then he said unto the damsel that came from his sister, "Damsel, this
+mantle that ye have brought me I will see upon you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a king's garment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By my head," said Arthur, "ye shall wear it ere it come on my back, or
+any man's that here is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so the King made it to be put upon her, and forthwithal she fell
+down dead, and nevermore spake word after, but burned to coals.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then was the King wonderfully wroth, more than he was beforehand, and
+said unto King Uriens, "My sister, your wife, is alway about to betray
+me, and well I wot either ye or your son Sir Uwaine is of counsel with
+her to have me destroyed; but as for you," said the King to King
+Uriens, "I deem not greatly that ye be of her counsel, for she plotted
+with Accolon to destroy you as well as me.  Therefore I hold you
+excused; but as for your son, Sir Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and
+therefore I charge you put him out of my court."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Uwaine was discharged.  And when Sir Gawaine wist that, he made
+himself ready to go with his cousin.  So they two departed, and rode
+into a great forest, and came to an abbey of monks, where they were
+well lodged.  But when the King wist that Sir Gawaine was departed from
+the court, there was made great sorrow among all the estates.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, "we have lost two good knights
+for the sake of one."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap10"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER X
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When King Arthur, after long wars, rested and held a royal feast with
+his allies and noble knights of the Round Table, there came into his
+hall, he sitting on his throne royal, twelve ambassadors from Rome, and
+said to him: "The high and mighty emperor Lucius sendeth to the king of
+Britain greeting, commanding thee to acknowledge him for thy lord and
+to send the tribute due from this realm unto the empire according to
+the statutes and decrees made by the noble and worthy Julius Caesar,
+conqueror of this realm and first emperor of Rome.  And if thou refuse
+his demand and commandment, know thou for certain that he shall make
+strong war against thee, thy realms and lands, and shall chastise thee
+and thy subjects, so that it shall be warning perpetual unto all kings
+and princes not to deny their tribute unto the noble empire which
+dominateth the universal world."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some of the young knights hearing this message would have run on the
+ambassadors to slay them, saying that it was a rebuke unto all the
+knights there present to suffer them to say so to the King.  But King
+Arthur commanded that none should do them any harm, and anon let call
+all his lords and knights of the Round Table to council upon the
+matter.  And all agreed to make sharp war on the Romans, and to aid
+after their power.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the messengers were allowed to depart, and they took ship at
+Sandwich and passed forth by Flanders, Almaine, the mountains and all
+Italy until they came unto Rome.  There they said to Lucius, "Certainly
+he is a lord to be feared, for his estate is the royalest that ever we
+saw, and in his person he is the most manly man that liveth, and is
+likely to conquer all the world, for unto his courage it is too little;
+wherefore we advise you to keep well your marches and straits[1] in the
+mountains."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lucius made ready a great host and marched into Gaul, and Arthur
+met him there with his army.  The old chronicles tell of the great
+battles that were fought and the brave deeds of knights and lords, how
+Arthur himself with Excalibur cleft the head of Lucius, and at length
+passed over the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany, and so came into
+Rome.  On a day appointed, as the romance telleth, he was crowned
+emperor by the Pope's hand with all the royalty that could be made.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After he had established all his lands from Rome unto France, and had
+given lands and realms unto his servants and knights, to each after his
+desert in such wise that none complained, rich nor poor, all his lords
+and all the great men of estate assembled before him and said: "Blessed
+be God, your war is finished and your conquest achieved, insomuch that
+we know none so great nor mighty that dare make war against you;
+wherefore we beseech you to return homeward and give us licence to go
+home to our wives, from whom we have been long, and to rest us, for
+your journey is finished with honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they all came over sea, and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guenever
+came and met the King.  And he was nobly received of all the commons in
+every city and borough, and great gifts were presented to him at his
+home-coming, to welcome him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of all the knights that, when Arthur came into England, had increased
+in honour, Sir Launcelot of the Lake in especial excelled in deeds of
+arms both for life and death.  His parents, King Ban of Benwick and his
+fair queen, Elaine, had first named him Galahad, and, as has already
+been said, Merlin, before he disappeared under the stone, had foretold
+that within twenty years he should be known over the whole world as a
+great and worthy knight.  It is no marvel, therefore, that Launcelot is
+the first knight that the French book maketh mention of after King
+Arthur came from Rome.  He passed with Arthur into England, where he
+was received gladly and was made a knight of the Round Table.  Queen
+Guenever had him in great favour above all other knights, and in return
+he was loyal to her above all other ladies and damsels all his life,
+and for love of her he did many deeds of arms, and saved her from the
+fire through his noble chivalry.  Therefore jealous people spoke evil
+of Sir Launcelot and the Queen, because they were of less prowess and
+honour than he, and thereby great mischief arose in Arthur's court.
+From this came Arthur's overthrow in the end, and the downfall of his
+noble realm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But for long years Launcelot was the glory of knighthood, and he vied
+with King Arthur himself in deeds of prowess and of chivalrous courtesy
+in the tournament and on adventure.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Strait: narrow pass.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap11"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+In fulfilment of his oath as a knight of the Round Table Sir Launcelot
+rode into many strange and wild countries and through many waters and
+valleys.  He slew Sir Turquine, who watched to destroy knights, and he
+clove the head of another false traitor who attended to destroy and
+distress ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen.  Other wrongs besides these
+he righted, and bravely withstood many a struggle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep forest, where, as often
+before, he found strait lodging.  But he was brave and strong, and
+feared no hardship provided he did nothing contrary to his honour as a
+worthy knight.  As he was riding over a long bridge there started upon
+him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his horse upon the nose
+and asked Sir Launcelot why he rode over that bridge without licence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot; "it is the way I
+choose to ride."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thou shall not choose," said the churl, and began to beat him with his
+great club shod with iron.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short work of this rough porter.
+Then he rode right on to the end of the bridge, through the fair
+village, where all the people in vain gave him warning, and on straight
+into the green courtyard of the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon there came upon him two great giants, with horrible clubs in their
+hands.  With shield and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these
+giants.  The other ran away for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
+Launcelot entered the hall.  Here he set free three-score gentlewomen,
+who for seven years had been prisoners of the two giants, working all
+manner of silk works for their food.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Show me such cheer as ye have," said Sir Launcelot, "and what treasure
+there is in this castle I give you for a reward for your grievance."
+Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode away upon further
+adventure.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One night he came to the courtyard of an old gentleman, who lodged him
+with a good will, and there he had good cheer for himself and his
+horse.  When time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the
+gate to his bed.  There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armour
+beside him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep.  Soon afterward
+there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste.
+When Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the
+window, and saw by the moonlight three knights come after that one man;
+all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned
+on them knightly again and defended himself.
+</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 in his death."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith he took his armour and let himself down from the window by a
+sheet to the four knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Turn you knights unto me," cried Sir Launcelot aloud, "and leave your
+fighting with that knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard
+bestead, 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.  Sir Kay would have helped
+him, but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon within six strokes he
+had struck all three to the earth.  Sir Launcelot made them yield
+themselves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whitsunday to the court as
+prisoners of Queen Guenever.  So they were suffered to depart, and Sir
+Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword.  The host
+came, and they entered, Sir Kay and he.  "Sir," said the host, "I
+thought you were in your bed."  "So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
+arose and leaped out at my window to help an old fellow of mine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir
+Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him for all his
+kindness that he had holpen him from death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "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 for meat; there was meat fetched
+him, and he ate strongly.  Then they went to their beds, and Sir
+Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in one bed.  On the morn Sir
+Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping.  He put on Sir Kay's
+armour and took his shield, and so went to the stable.  He here got Sir
+Kay's horse, took leave of his host, and so departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose.  He missed Sir Launcelot, and then
+he espied that his armour and his horse had been taken.  "Now by my
+faith," said he, "I know well that he will grieve some of the court of
+King Arthur, for my armour and horse will beguile all knights; they
+will believe it is I, and will be bold to him.  And because I have his
+armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace."  Then soon
+afterward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and there in a dell he saw
+four knights standing under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court.
+Anon as they espied Sir Launcelot they thought by his arms it was Sir
+Kay.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, one of the four knights, "I will
+prove Sir Kay's might"; so he got his spear in his hand, and came
+toward Sir Launcelot.  Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware, and knew him
+well; and he smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man fell both
+to the earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lo, my fellows," said Sir Ector, another of the four, "yonder ye may
+see what a buffet he hath; that knight is much bigger than ever was Sir
+Kay.  Now shall ye see what I may do to him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Ector got his spear in his hand and galloped toward Sir
+Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot smote him through shield and shoulder so
+that horse and man went to the earth, and ever his spear held.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By my faith," said Sir Uwaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and I am
+sure he hath slain Sir Kay; and I see by his great strength it will be
+hard to match him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand and rode toward Sir
+Launcelot.  Sir Launcelot knew him well, and so he met him on the
+plain, and gave him such a buffet that he was stunned, and long he wist
+not where he was.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now see I well," said Sir Gawaine, the last of the four knights, "I
+must encounter with that knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he dressed his shield and gat a good spear in his hand, and then
+they let run their horses with all their mights, and either knight
+smote other in midst of the shield.  But Sir Gawaine's spear brake, and
+Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his horse reversed
+up-so-down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Much sorrow had Sir Gawaine to get clear of his horse, and so Sir
+Launcelot passed on a pace, and smiled, and said, "God give him joy
+that made this spear, for there came never a better in my hand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the four knights went each one to other and comforted each other.
+"What say ye to this deed?" said Sir Gawaine.  "He is a man of great
+might, for that one spear hath felled us four.  I dare lay my head it
+is Sir Launcelot; I know it by his riding."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap12"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+On a day as Sir Launcelot rode a great while in a deep forest, he was
+ware of an old manor beyond a bridge.  And he passed over the bridge,
+that was old and feeble, and came into a great hall, where he saw lie a
+dead knight, that was a seemly man.  And therewithal came out a lady
+weeping and wringing her hands, and she said: "Oh, knight, too much
+sorrow hast thou brought me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why say ye so?" said Sir Launcelot; "I did never this knight any harm;
+therefore, fair lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore
+aggrieved at your grievance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly sir," she said, "I know it is not ye that have slain my husband,
+for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never likely to
+recover; that I assure you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What was your husband's name?" asked Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said she, "his name was Sir Gilbert, one of the best knights of
+the world, and he that hath slain him, I know not his name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"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 who knew
+him well, and said aloud, "Well are ye come, my lord; and now I require
+thee on thy knighthood help my brother that is sore wounded, and never
+ceaseth bleeding, for this day fought he with Sir Gilbert and slew him
+in plain battle.  My brother was sore wounded, and a sorceress that
+dwelleth in a castle hard by told me this day that my brother's wounds
+should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the
+Chapel Perilous where he should find a sword and a bloody cloth that
+the wounded knight was wrapped in.  A piece of that cloth and the sword
+should heal my brother's wounds, if his wounds were searched 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."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That me repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for he is a fellow of the
+Table Round, and to help him I will do all in my power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, sir," said she, "follow this highway, and it will bring you into
+the Chapel Perilous, and here I shall wait till God send you again;
+except you I know no knight living that may achieve that adventure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel Perilous, he
+alighted and tied his horse to the little gate of the churchyard.  And
+soon he saw on the front of the chapel many fair rich shields turned
+up-so-down, and many of these shields he had seen borne by knights that
+he had known aforetime.  Then he saw standing there by him thirty great
+knights, taller by a yard than any man that ever he had seen, all clad
+in black armour, ready with their shields, and their swords drawn.
+They all grinned and gnashed at Sir Launcelot, and when he saw their
+countenances, he put his shield afore him, and took his sword in his
+hand ready unto battle.  He started to go right past the giants, and
+then they scattered on every side and gave him the way.  Therewith he
+waxed all bold and entered into the chapel, where he saw no light but a
+dim lamp burning, and soon became aware of a corpse covered with a
+cloth of silk.  Sir Launcelot stooped down and cut off a piece of that
+cloth, whereupon the earth under him seemed to quake a little, and at
+this he feared.  Then he saw a fair sword lying by the dead knight.
+This he gat into his hand and hied out of the chapel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As soon as ever he was in the chapel yard all the giants 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, "no loud words will get it
+again; therefore fight for it if ye will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he immediately passed right through their midst, and beyond the
+chapel yard there met him a fair damsel, who said, "Sir Launcelot,
+leave that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die for it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I leave it not," said Sir Launcelot, "for any entreaties."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is well," said she.  "If thou didst leave that sword thou shouldst
+never see Queen Guenever again.  Now, gentle knight, I request one
+thing of thee.  Kiss me but once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "God forbid that I should do that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is well, sir," said she; "if thou hadst kissed me thy life days had
+been done.  But now, alas, I have lost all my labour, for I ordained
+this chapel to win thee.  Once I had Sir Gawaine well nigh within my
+power, but he fought with that knight that lieth there dead in yonder
+chapel, Sir Gilbert, and smote off his left hand and so escaped.  Sir
+Launcelot, I have loved thee these seven years, but now I know no woman
+may have thy love but Queen Guenever."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye say well," said Sir Launcelot.  "God preserve me from your subtile
+crafts."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon he took his horse and so departed from her, and soon met the
+damsel, Sir Meliot's sister.  Anon she led him to the castle where Sir
+Meliot lay, pale as the earth from bleeding.  Sir Launcelot leaped unto
+him and touched his wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword, and then wiped his
+wounds with a part of the cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in, and
+anon he was as whole a man as ever he had been in all his life.  And
+then there was great joy between them.  They made Sir Launcelot all the
+cheer that they might, and on the morn he took his leave of Sir Meliot
+and his sister, and rode away.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap13"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+And Sir Launcelot by fortune came to a fair castle, and as he passed by
+he was ware of a falcon that came flying over his head toward a high
+elm.  As the bird flew into the tree to take her perch, the long lines
+about her feet caught on a bough, and when she would take flight again
+she hung fast by the legs.  Sir Launcelot saw how the fair falcon hung
+there, and he was sorry for her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and cried aloud, "O Launcelot,
+Launcelot, as thou art the flower of all knights, help me to get my
+hawk.  I was holding my hawk and she slipped from me, and if my lord my
+husband knows that she is lost he will slay me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What is your lord's name?" said Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the lady, "his name is Sir Phelot, a knight of Northgalis."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, fair lady," said Launcelot, "since ye know my name, and request
+me as a courteous knight to help you, I will do what I may to get your
+hawk.  And yet truly I am an ill climber, and the tree is passing high,
+with few boughs to cling to."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot alighted, and tied his horse to the elm.  Then
+the lady helped him to unarm, and with might and force he climbed up to
+the falcon.  He tied the lines to a great rotten branch, brake it off,
+and threw it and the hawk down.  Anon the lady gat the hawk in her
+hand, and thereupon came Sir Phelot suddenly out of the grove, all
+armed and with his naked sword in his hand.  He called up to Sir
+Launcelot and said, "O knight, now have I found thee as I would"; and
+he stood at the foot of the tree to slay him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah lady," said Sir Launcelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She hath done," said Sir Phelot, "but as I commanded her; there is no
+help for it; thine hour is come, and thou must die."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It were shame unto thee," said Sir Launcelot, "for thee, an armed
+knight, to slay an unarmed man by treason."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thou gettest no other grace," said Sir Phelot; "therefore help thyself
+if thou canst."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever knight should die weaponless."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he looked above and below him, and saw a big leafless bough.  This
+he brake off; then he climbed down with it in his hand, and, observing
+how his horse stood, he suddenly leaped down to the ground on the
+farther side of the horse from the knight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Phelot lashed at him eagerly, thinking to slay him.  But Sir
+Launcelot put away the stroke with the branch, and then with it gave
+Sir Phelot such a blow on one side of the head that he fell down in a
+swoon to the ground.  Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his hand
+and struck his head from his body.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," cried the lady, "why hast thou slain my husband?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am not the cause," said Sir Launcelot, "for with falsehood ye would
+have slain me by treason, and now it is fallen on you both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot gat all his armour as well as he might, and put
+it on for fear of further attack, since the knight's castle was so
+near.  As soon as he might he took his horse, and, thanking God that he
+had escaped that adventure, he went on his adventures over many wild
+ways, through marsh and valley and forest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At Pentecost he returned home, and the King and all the court were
+passing glad of his coming.  And ever now and now came all the knights
+back, those that had encountered with Sir Launcelot, those that he had
+set free from prison, and all those that knew of his great deeds of
+arms.  And they all bare record of Sir Launcelot's prowess, so at that
+time he had the greatest name of any knight of the world, and most he
+was honoured of high and low.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap14"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Arthur was holding the high feast of Pentecost at a city and castle
+called in those days Kink-Kenadon, upon the sands nigh Wales, and he
+sat at meat with all the knights of the Round Table.  Then 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 any of the
+knights had seen.  He was higher than the other two by a foot and a
+half, broad in the shoulders, well visaged, and the fairest and largest
+handed that ever man saw; but he acted as though he might not walk nor
+support himself unless he leaned upon their shoulders.  They went with
+him right unto the high dais without saying of any words.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then this much young man pulled himself away, and easily stretched up
+straight, saying: "King Arthur, God you bless and all your fair
+fellowship of the Round Table.  For this cause I am come hither, to
+pray you to give me three gifts.  They shall not be so unreasonable but
+that ye may honourably grant them me, and to you no great hurt nor
+loss.  The first 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 you will give me
+meat and drink sufficiently for this twelve-month, and at that day I
+will ask mine other two gifts."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is but a simple asking," said the King; "ye shall have meat and
+drink enough; I never refuse that to any, neither my friend nor my foe.
+But what is your name I would know?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I cannot tell you," said he.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King marvelled at this answer, but took him to Sir Kay, the
+steward, and charged him that he should give the youth of all manner of
+meats and drinks of the best, and also that he should have all manner
+of finding as though he were a lord's son.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That need not be," said Sir Kay, "to do such cost upon him; for I dare
+undertake he is a villain born, and never will make a man, for had he
+come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and armour; but such
+as he is, so he asketh.  And since he hath no name, I shall give him
+the name Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall
+bring him, and there he shall have rich broth every day, so that he
+shall be as fat by the twelvemonth's end as a pork hog."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the two men departed, and left him to Sir Kay, who scorned him and
+mocked him.  Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and especially Sir
+Launcelot bade Sir Kay leave off his mocking, "for," said he, "I dare
+wager he shall prove a man of great honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may not be by any reason," said Sir Kay, "for as he is, so hath he
+asked."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Kay ordered that a place be made for him, and Fair-hands went to
+the hall door, and sat down among boys and lads, and there he ate
+sadly.  After meat Sir Launcelot bade him come to his chamber, where 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.
+As touching Sir Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him lodging, meat,
+and drink, for he was nearer kin to him than he knew.  But what Sir
+Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus Fair-hands 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 there was any jousting of knights, that would he see if he could.
+And where were any masteries done, thereat would he be, and there might
+none cast bar nor stone to him by two yards.  Then would Sir Kay say,
+"How like you my boy of the kitchen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it passed on till the least of Whitsuntide, which at that time the
+King held at Carlion in the most royal wise that might be, as he did
+every year.  As he again sat at meat, there came a damsel into the hall
+and saluted the King, and prayed him for succour.  "For whom?" said the
+King; "what is the adventure?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," she said, "I have a lady of great honour and renown, and she is
+besieged by a tyrant so that she may not out of her castle.  And
+because your knights are called the noblest of the world, I come to you
+to pray you for succour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What is the name of your lady? and where dwelleth she? and who is he,
+and what is his name, that hath besieged her?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir King," she said, "as for my lady's name, that shall not ye know
+from me at this time, but I let you know she is a lady of great honour
+and of great lands.  And as for the tyrant that besiegeth and
+destroyeth her lands, 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 most
+dangerous 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 would do their
+best 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>
+
+<P>
+With these words Fair-hands came before the King, while the damsel was
+there, and thus he said: "Sir King, God reward you, I have been these
+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 this
+adventure of the damsel, and second, that ye shall bid Launcelot of the
+Lake to make me knight, for of him I will be made knight, and else of
+none.  I pray you let him ride after me, and make me knight when I
+request 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?"  Then was she wroth, and took her horse and departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon there came one to Fair-hands, and told him that his horse and
+armour was come for him, with all things that he needed in the richest
+manner.  Thereat all the court had much marvel from whence came all
+that gear.  When he was armed and came into the hall to take leave of
+King Arthur and Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot, there were but few so
+goodly knights as he was.  He prayed Sir Launcelot that he would hie
+after him, and so departed and rode after the damsel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Many people followed after Fair-hands to behold how well he was horsed
+and trapped in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear.
+Then Sir Kay said all openly in the hall, "I will ride after my boy of
+the kitchen, to see whether he will know me for his better."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine counselled him to abide at home;
+nevertheless he made ready and took his horse and his spear and rode
+off.  Just as Fair-hands overtook the damsel, Sir Kay came up, and
+said, "Fair-hands, 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 we have heard afore.  "Yea," said Fair-hands, "I
+know you for an ungentle knight of the court and therefore beware of
+me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in its rest, and ran straight upon him,
+and Fair-hands came on just as fast with his sword in his hand.  And so
+he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin[1] thrust him
+through the side, so that Sir Kay fell down as if he were dead.  Then
+Fair-hands alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, had
+his dwarf mount upon Sir Kay's horse, and started upon his own horse
+and rode his way.  All this Sir Launcelot saw, and so did the damsel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come up, and Fair-hands offered to joust
+with him.  So they rushed together like boars, and for upwards of an
+hour they had a hard fight, wherein Sir Launcelot had so much ado with
+Fair-hands that he feared himself to be shamed.  At length he said,
+"Fair-hands, fight not so sore; your quarrel and mine is not so great
+but we may leave off."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is truth," said Fair-hands, "but it doth me good to feel your
+might, and yet, my lord, I showed not my uttermost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I promise you I had as much to do as I
+might to save myself from you unashamed; therefore ye need have no fear
+of any earthly knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hope ye then," said Fair-hands, "that I may anywhere stand as a proved
+knight?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yea," said Launcelot, "do as ye have done, and I shall be your
+warrant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I pray you give me the order of knighthood," said Fair-hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then must ye tell me your name," said Launcelot, "and of what kin ye
+be born."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir, if ye will not make me known, I will," said Fair-hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That I promise you by the faith of my body, until it be openly known,"
+said Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, sir," he said, "my name is Gareth; I am own brother unto Sir
+Gawaine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah! sir," said Launcelot, "I am more glad of you than I was, for ever
+me thought ye should be of great blood, and that ye came not to the
+court either for meat or for drink."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood, and Sir Gareth
+went his way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot now came to Sir Kay and had him carried home upon his
+shield.  He was with difficulty healed of his wounds, and all men
+scorned him.  In especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot said it was not
+for Sir Kay to rebuke the young man, for full little he knew of what
+birth he was and for what cause he came to this court.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Foin: reach forth.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap15"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+After the damsel rode Fair-hands, now well provided with shield and
+spear, and known to Sir Launcelot, at least, as Sir Gareth and nephew
+to King Arthur.  When he had overtaken the damsel, anon she said: "What
+dost thou here?  Thou smellest all of the kitchen; thy clothes be foul
+with the grease and tallow that thou gainedst in King Arthur's kitchen;
+therefore turn again, foul kitchen-page.  I know thee well, for Sir Kay
+named thee Fair-hands.  What art thou but a lubber and a turner of
+spits, and a ladle washer?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "say to me what ye will, I will not go from
+you, for I have undertaken, in King Arthur's presence, to achieve your
+adventure, and so shall I finish it, or I shall die therefore."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus as they rode along in the wood, there came a man flying all that
+ever he might.  "Whither wilt thou?" said Fair-hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"O lord," he said, "help me, for yonder in a dell are six thieves that
+have taken my lord and bound him, and I am afeard lest they will slay
+him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Fair-hands rode with the man until they came to where the knight lay
+bound, and the thieves hard by.  Fair-hands struck one unto the death,
+and then another, and at the third stroke he slew the third thief; and
+then the other three fled.  He rode after them and overtook them, and
+then those three thieves turned again and assailed Fair-hands hard, but
+at the last he slew them also, and returned and unbound the knight.
+The knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride with him to his castle
+there a little beside, and he should honourably reward him for his good
+deeds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Fair-hands, "I will no reward have except as God reward me.
+And also I must follow this damsel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her, "for," said she,
+"thou smellest all of the kitchen; thinkest thou that I have joy of
+thee?  All this deed thou hast done is but mishapped thee, but thou
+shalt see a sight that shall make thee turn again, and that lightly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the same knight who was rescued from the thieves rode after that
+damsel, and prayed her to lodge with him that night.  And because it
+was near night the damsel rode with him to the castle, and there they
+had great cheer.  At supper the knight set Sir Fair-hands afore the
+damsel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fie, fie," said she, "sir knight, ye are uncourteous to set a
+kitchen-page afore me; him beseemeth better to stick a swine than to
+sit afore a damsel of high parentage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the knight was ashamed at her words, and took Fair-hands up and
+set him at a sideboard, and seated himself afore him.  So all that
+night they had good cheer and merry rest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the morn the damsel and Fair-hands thanked the knight and took their
+leave, and rode on their way until they came to a great forest.
+Therein was a great river with but one passage, and there were ready
+two knights on the farther side, to prevent their crossing.  Fair-hands
+would not have turned back had there been six more, and he rushed into
+the water.  One of the two encountered with him in the midst of the
+stream, and both spears were broken.  Then they drew their swords and
+smote eagerly at one another.  At the last Sir Fair-hands smote the
+other upon the helm so that he fell down stunned in the water, and
+there was he drowned.  Then Sir Fair-hands spurred his horse upon the
+land, where the other fell upon him, and they fought long together.  At
+the last Sir Fair-hands clove his helm and his head, and so rode unto
+the damsel and bade her ride forth on her way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," she said, "that ever a kitchen-page should have that fortune to
+destroy two such doughty knights.  Thou thinkest thou hast done
+doughtily, but that is not so, for the first knight's horse stumbled,
+and so he was drowned in the water; it was never by thy force or by thy
+might.  And as for the second knight, by mishap thou camest behind him
+and slewest him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye may say what ye will, but whomsoever I
+have ado with I trust to God to serve him ere he depart, and therefore
+I reck not what ye say, provided I may win your lady."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fie, fie, foul kitchen-knave, thou shalt see knights that shall abate
+thy boast.  I see all that ever thou doest is but by misadventure, and
+not by prowess of thy hands."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair damsel," said he, "give me goodly language, and then my care is
+past.  Ye may say what ye will; what knights soever I shall meet, I
+fear them not, and wheresoever ye go I will follow you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they rode on till even-song time, and ever she chid him and would
+not cease.  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 great and long, and
+a great black horse covered with silk, and a black stone fast by,
+whereon sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the
+Knight of the Black Lawns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The damsel, when she saw this knight, bade Fair-hands flee down the
+valley.  "Grammercy," said he, "always ye would have me a coward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With that the Black Knight, when she came nigh him, spake and said,
+"Damsel, have ye brought this knight of King Arthur to be your
+champion?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay, fair knight," said she, "this is but a kitchen-knave, that was
+fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms.  I cannot be rid of him, for
+with me he rideth against my will.  Would that ye should put him from
+me, or else slay him, if ye may, for he is a troublesome knave, and
+evilly he hath done this day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thus much shall I grant you," said the Black Knight: "I shall put him
+down upon one foot, 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 Fair-hands heard him say thus, he said, "Sir knight, thou art
+full generous with my horse and my harness; I let thee know it cost
+thee naught, and whether thou like it or not, this lawn will I pass,
+and neither horse nor harness gettest thou of me, except as thou win
+them with thy hands.  I am no kitchen-page, as the damsel saith I am; 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 drew back with their horses, and rushed
+together as it had been the thunder.  The Black Knight's spear brake,
+and Fair-hands thrust him through both his sides, whereupon his own
+spear brake also.  Nevertheless the Black Knight drew his sword and
+smote many eager strokes of great might, and hurt Fair-hands full sore.
+But at the last he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and there he
+died.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Fair-hands saw that the Black Knight had been so well horsed and
+armed, he alighted down and armed himself in the dead man's armour,
+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 offendeth me.  Alas that ever such a knave as thou art
+should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done.  All this is
+my ill luck, but hard by is one that shall requite thee, and therefore
+again I counsel thee, flee."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may be my lot," said Fair-hands, "to be beaten or slain, but I warn
+you, fair damsel, I will not flee away or leave your company for all
+that ye can say, for ever ye say that they will kill me or beat me, yet
+it happeneth that I escape and they lie on the ground.  Therefore it
+were as good for you to stop thus all day rebuking me, for away will I
+not till I see 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>
+
+<P>
+As they rode along 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 her, "Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye have
+brought with you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay, nay," said she, "this unlucky kitchen-knave hath slain your
+brother through mischance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said the Green Knight, "that is great pity that so noble a
+knight as he was should so unfortunately be slain, and by a knave's
+hand, as ye say that he is.  Ah! traitor, thou shalt die for slaying my
+brother; he was a full noble knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I defy thee," said Fair-hands, "for I make known to thee I slew him
+knightly and not shamefully."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto a horn that was green that hung
+on a green thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, whereupon came
+two damsels and armed him lightly.  Then he took a great horse and a
+green shield and a green spear, and the two knights ran together with
+all their mights.  They brake their spears unto their hands, and then
+drew their swords.  Now they gave many sad strokes, and either of them
+wounded other full ill.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the last Fair-hands' horse struck the Green Knight's horse upon the
+side, and it fell to the earth.  Then the Green Knight left his horse
+lightly, and prepared to fight on foot.  That saw Fair-hands, and
+therewithal he alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty
+champions a long while, and sore they bled both.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 if the weed overgrew the corn."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and gave a great stroke of
+might, and clave Fair-hands' shield through.  When the young knight saw
+his shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke and of
+her language, and then he gave the other such a buffet upon the helm
+that he fell on his knees, and Fair-hands quickly pulled him upon the
+ground grovelling.  Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and yielded
+himself unto Sir Fair-hands, and prayed him to slay him not.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All is in vain," said Fair-hands, "for thou shalt die unless this
+damsel that came with me pray me to save thy life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal he unlaced his helm as if to slay him.  "Let be," said the
+damsel, "thou foul kitchen-knave, slay him not, for if thou do, thou
+shalt repent it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "your charge is to me a pleasure, and at
+your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not.  Sir Knight
+with the green arms, I release thee quit 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, promising for ever to become his man together with thirty
+knights that held of him.  Then said the damsel, "Me repenteth, Green
+Knight, of your damage and of the death of your brother the Black
+Knight; of your help I had great need, for I fear me sore to pass this
+forest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay, fear ye not," said the Green Knight, "for ye shall lodge with me
+this night, and to-morn I shall help you through this forest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they took their horses and rode to his manor, which was fast there
+beside.  And ever the damsel rebuked Fair-hands, and would not suffer
+him to sit at her table.  But the Green Knight took him and set him at
+a side table, and did him honour, for he saw that he was come of noble
+blood and had proved himself a full noble knight.  All that night he
+commanded thirty men privily to watch Fair-hands for to keep him from
+all treason.  And on the morn they arose, and after breaking their fast
+they took their horses and rode on their way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the Green Knight conveyed them through the forest he said, "My lord
+Fair-hands, I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons,
+both early and late at your call wherever ye will send us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is well," said Fair-hands; "when I call upon you ye must go unto
+King Arthur with all your knights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the Green Knight took his leave, and the damsel said unto
+Fair-hands, "Why followest thou me, thou kitchen-boy; cast away thy
+shield and thy spear and flee, for thou shalt not pass a pass here,
+that is called the pass Perilous."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "who is afraid let him flee, for it were
+shame to turn again since I have ridden so long with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said she, "ye shall soon, whether ye will or not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In like manner on the next day Sir Fair-hands overcame a third brother,
+the Red Knight, and in like manner the damsel would have Fair-hands
+spare his life.  Albeit she spake unto him many contemptuous words,
+whereof the Red Knight had great marvel, and all that night made
+three-score men to watch Fair-hands that he should have no shame or
+villainy.  The Red Knight yielded himself to Fair-hands with fifty
+knights, and they all proffered him homage and fealty at all times to
+do him service.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thank you," said Fair-hands; "this ye shall grant me when I call
+upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur and yield yourselves unto
+him to be his knights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the Red Knight, "I will be ready and my fellowship at your
+summons."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So again upon the morn Sir Fair-hands and the damsel departed, and ever
+she rode chiding him in the foulest manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me as ye
+do, for me seemeth I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten
+me I shall be beaten with knights that we meet; but ever for all your
+boasts they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray you
+rebuke me no more.  When ye see me beaten or yielded 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 if I should depart
+from you all the while that I win honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said she, "right soon there shall come a knight that shall pay
+thee all thy wages, for he is the most man of honour of the world,
+except King Arthur."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The more he is of honour," said Fair-hands, "the more shall be my
+honour to have ado with him.  Have no doubt, damsel, by the grace of
+God I shall so deal with this knight that within two hours after noon I
+shall overcome him, and then shall we come to the siege of your lady's
+castle seven miles hence by daylight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Marvel have I," said the damsel, "what manner of man ye be, for it may
+never be otherwise but that ye be come of 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 gentle
+blood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "a knight may little do that may not suffer
+a damsel, for whatsoever ye said unto me I took no 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 missaid 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.  All that I did to prove and to assay my friends, and
+whether I be a gentleman born or not, I let you wit, fair damsel, I
+have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure better service yet
+will I do ere I depart from you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," she said, "good Fair-hands, forgive me all that I have missaid
+or done against thee."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With all my heart," said he, "I forgive it you, and damsel, since it
+liketh you to say thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth mine heart
+greatly, and now me seemeth there is no knight living but I am able
+enough for him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With this Sir Persant of Inde, the fourth of the brethren that stood in
+Fair-hands' way to the siege, espied them as they came upon the fair
+meadow where his pavilion was.  Sir Persant was the most lordly knight
+that ever thou lookedst on.  His pavilion and all manner of thing that
+there is about, men and women, and horses' trappings, shields and
+spears were all of dark blue colour.  Anon he and Fair-hands prepared
+themselves and rode against one another that both their spears were
+shattered to pieces, and their horses fell dead to the earth.  Then
+they fought two hours and more on foot, until their armour was all hewn
+to pieces, and in many places they were wounded.  At the last, though
+loath to do it, Fair-hands smote Sir Persant above upon the helm so
+that he fell grovelling to the earth, and the fierce battle was at an
+end.  Like his three brethren before, Sir Persant yielded himself and
+asked for mercy, and at the damsel's request Fair-hands gladly granted
+his life, and received homage and fealty from him and a hundred
+knights, to be always at his commandment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the morn as the damsel and Sir Fair-hands departed from Sir
+Persant's pavilion, "Fair damsel," said Persant, "whitherward are ye
+away leading this knight?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," she said, "this knight is going to the siege that besiegeth my
+sister in the Castle Perilous."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, ah," said Persant, "that is the Knight of the Red Lawns, the most
+perilous knight that I know now living, a man that is without mercy,
+and men say that he hath seven men's strength.  God save you, sir, from
+that knight, for he doth great wrong to that lady, which is great pity,
+for she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and me seemeth that
+this damsel is her sister.  Is not your name Linet?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yea, sir," said she, "and my lady my sister's name is Dame Liones.
+Now, my lord Sir Persant of Inde, I request you that ye make this
+gentleman knight or ever he fight with the Red Knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will with all my heart," said Sir Persant, "if it please him to take
+the order of knighthood of so simple a man as I am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Fair-hands thanked him for his good will, and told him he was
+better sped, as the noble Sir Launcelot had already made him knight.
+Then, after Persant and the damsel had promised to keep it close, he
+told them his real name was Gareth of Orkney, King Arthur's nephew, and
+that Sir Gawaine and Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris were all his
+brethren, he being the youngest of them all.  "And yet," said he, "wot
+not King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The book saith that the lady that was besieged had word of her sister's
+coming and a knight with her, and how he had passed all the perilous
+passages, had won all the four brethren, and had slain the Black
+Knight, and how he overthrew Sir Kay, and did great battle with Sir
+Launcelot, and was made knight by him.  She was glad of these tidings,
+and sent them wine and dainty foods and bade Sir Fair-hands be of good
+heart and good courage.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next day Fair-hands and Linet took their horses again and rode
+through a fair forest and came to a spot where they saw across the
+plain many pavilions and a fair castle and much smoke.  And when they
+came near the siege Sir Fair-hands espied upon great trees, as he rode,
+how there hung goodly armed knights by the necks, nigh forty of them,
+their shields about their necks with their swords.  These were knights
+that had come to the siege to rescue Dame Liones, and had been overcome
+and put to this shameful death by the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they rode to the dykes, and saw how strong were the defences, and
+many great lords nigh the walls, and the sea upon the one side of the
+walls, where were many ships and mariners' noise, with "hale" and "ho."
+Fast by there was a sycamore tree, whereupon hung a horn, the greatest
+that ever they saw, of an elephant's bone.  This the Knight of the Red
+Lawns had hung up there that any errant knight might blow it, if he
+wished the Knight of the Red Lawns to come to him to do battle.  The
+damsel Linet besought Fair-hands not to blow the horn till high noon,
+for the Red Knight's might grew greater all through the morn, till, as
+men said, he had seven men's strength.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel," said Fair-hands, "say ye never so
+more to me, for, were he as good a knight as ever was, I shall never
+fail him in his most might, for either I will win honour honourably, or
+die knightly in the field."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree, and blew
+the horn so eagerly that all the siege and all the castle rang thereof.
+And then there leaped out knights out of their tents, and they within
+the castle looked over the walls and out at windows.  Then the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns armed himself hastily, and two barons set his
+spurs upon his heels, and all was blood red,&mdash;his armour, spear, and
+shield.  And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, and then they
+brought him 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>
+
+<P>
+Sir Fair-hands looked up at a window of the castle, and there he saw
+the Lady Liones, the fairest lady, it seemed to him, that ever he
+looked upon.  She made courtesy down to him, and ever he looked up to
+the window with glad countenance, and loved her from that time and
+vowed to rescue her or else to die.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Leave, Sir Knight, thy looking," said the Red Knight, "and behold me,
+I counsel thee, and make thee ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they both put their spears in their rests, and came together with
+all the might that they had.  Either smote other in the midst of the
+shield with such force that the breastplates, horse-girths, and
+cruppers brake, and both fell to the earth stunned, and lay so long
+that all they that were in the castle and in the siege thought their
+necks had been broken.  But at length they put their shields afore
+them, drew their swords, and ran together like two fierce lions.
+Either gave other such buffets upon the helm that they reeled backward;
+then they recovered both, and hewed off great pieces of their harness
+and their shields.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus they fought till it was past noon, and never would stint, till at
+last they lacked wind both, and stood panting and blowing a while.
+Then they went to battle again, and thus they endured till even-song
+time, and none that beheld them might know whether was like to win.
+Then by assent of them both they granted either other to rest; and so
+they sat down on two molehills, and unlaced their helms to take the
+cool wind.  Then Sir Fair-hands looked up at the window, and there he
+saw the fair lady, Dame Liones.  She made him such countenance that his
+heart waxed light and jolly; and therewith he bade the Red Knight of
+the Red Lawns make ready to do battle to the uttermost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they laced up their helms and fought freshly.  By a cross stroke the
+Red Knight of the Red Lawns smote Sir Fair-hands' sword from him, and
+then gave him another buffet on the helm so that he fell grovelling to
+the earth, and the Red Knight fell upon him to hold him down.  Then
+Linet cried to him aloud and said that the lady beheld and wept.  When
+Sir Fair-hands heard her say so he started up with great might, gat
+upon his feet, and leaped to his sword.  He gripped it in his hand,
+doubled his pace unto the Red Knight, and there they fought a new
+battle together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now Sir Fair-hands doubled his strokes and smote so thick that soon he
+had the better of the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, and unlaced his helm
+to slay him, whereupon he yielded himself to Fair-hands' mercy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Fair-hands bethought him upon the knights that he had made to be
+hanged shamefully, and said, "I may not with my honour save thy life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then came there many earls and barons and noble knights, and prayed
+Fair-hands to save his life and take him as prisoner.  Then he released
+him upon this covenant that he go within to the castle and yield
+himself there to the lady, and if she would forgive him he might have
+his life with making amends to the lady of all the trespass he had done
+against her and her lands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Red Knight of the Red Lawns promised to do as Sir Fair-hands
+commanded and so with all those earls and barons he made his homage and
+fealty to him.  Within a while he went unto the castle, where he made
+peace with the Lady Liones, and departed unto the court of King Arthur.
+There he told openly how he was overcome and by whom, and also he told
+all the battles of Fair-hands from the beginning unto the ending.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mercy," said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, "we marvel much of what
+blood he is come, for he is a noble knight."  But Sir Launcelot had no
+marvel, for he knew whence he came, yet because of his promise he would
+not discover Fair-hands until he permitted it or else it were known
+openly by some other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dame Liones soon learned through her brother Sir Gringamore that the
+knight who had wrought her deliverance was a king's son, Sir Gareth of
+Orkney, and nephew of King Arthur himself.  And she made him passing
+good cheer, and he her again, and they had goodly language and lovely
+countenance together.  And she promised the noble knight Sir Gareth
+certainly to love him and none other the days of her life.  Then there
+was not a gladder man than he, for ever since he saw her at the window
+of Castle Perilous he had so burned in love for her that he was nigh
+past himself in his reason.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap16"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Now leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir Gringamore and his sisters,
+Liones and Linet, and turn we unto King Arthur that held the next feast
+of Pentecost at Carlion.  And there came the Green Knight with his
+fifty knights, and they yielded themselves all unto King Arthur.  And
+so there came the Red Knight, his brother, and yielded himself and
+three-score knights with him.  Also there came the Blue Knight, brother
+to them, and his hundred knights, and yielded themselves.  These three
+brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by a knight that a
+damsel had with her, and called him Fair-hands.  Also they told how the
+fourth brother, the Black Knight, was slain in an encounter with Sir
+Fair-hands, and of the adventure with the two brethren that kept the
+passage of the water; and ever more King Arthur marvelled who the
+knight might be that was in his kitchen a twelvemonth and that Sir Kay
+in scorn named Fair-hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Right as the King stood so talking with these three brethren there came
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake and told him that there was come a goodly
+lord with six hundred knights.  The King went out, and there came to
+him and saluted him in a goodly manner the Red Knight of the Red Lawns,
+and he said, "I am sent to you by a knight that is called Fair-hands,
+for he won me in plain battle, hand for hand.  No knight has ever had
+the better of me before.  I and my knights yield ourselves to your
+will, as he commanded, to do you such service as may be in our power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Arthur received him courteously, as he had before received the
+three brethren, and he promised to do them honour for the love of Sir
+Fair-hands.  Then the King and they went to meat, and were served in
+the best manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And as they sat at the table, there came in the Queen of Orkney, with
+ladies and knights a great number.  And her sons, Sir Gawaine, Sir
+Agravaine, and Gaheris arose and went to her, and saluted her upon
+their knees and asked her blessing, for in fifteen years they had not
+seen her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she spake on high to her brother, King Arthur, "Where have ye done
+my young son, Sir Gareth?  He was here amongst you a twelvemonth, and
+ye made a kitchen-knave of him, which is shame to you all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh dear mother," said Sir Gawaine, "I knew him not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nor I," said the King; "but thanked be God, he is proved an honourable
+knight as any of his years now living, and I shall never be glad till I
+may find him.  Sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to know of his
+coming, and then, had I not done well to him, ye might have blamed me.
+For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's
+shoulders, as though he might not walk.  And then he asked of me three
+gifts,&mdash;one the same day, that was that I would give him meat for that
+twelvemonth.  The other two gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and
+those were that he might have the adventure of the damsel Linet, and
+that Sir Launcelot should make him knight when he desired him.  I
+granted him all his desire, and many in this court marvelled that he
+desired his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us
+that he was not come of a noble house."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur, her brother, "I sent
+him unto you right well armed and horsed, and gold and silver plenty to
+spend."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may be," said the King, "but thereof saw we none, save that same
+day as he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf
+hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse, full well and
+richly beseen, and thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches
+came.  Then we deemed all that he was come of men of honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Brother," said the queen, "all that ye say I believe, for ever since
+he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and
+true to his promise.  But I marvel that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn
+him, and give him the name Fair-hands.  Yet Sir Kay named him more
+justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, he is as
+fair-handed a man and as well disposed as any living."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sister," said Arthur, "by the grace of God he shall be found if he be
+within these seven realms.  Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is proved
+to be a man of honour, and that is my joy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So then goodly letters were made and a messenger sent forth to the Lady
+Liones, praying her to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be
+found.  She answered that she could not then tell where he was; but she
+let proclaim a great tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir
+Gareth would be heard of there.  So King Arthur and all his knights of
+valour and prowess came together at the Lady Liones' castle by the Isle
+of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were done there, but most of all
+Sir Gareth gained honour, though no one knew that it was he until a
+herald rode near him and saw his name written about his helm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wit ye well the King made great joy when he found Sir Gareth again, and
+ever he wept as he had been a child.  With that came his mother, the
+Queen of Orkney, and when she saw Sir Gareth really face to face she
+suddenly fell down in a swoon.  Then Sir Gareth comforted his mother in
+such a wise that she recovered, and made good cheer.  And the Lady
+Liones came, among all the ladies there named the fairest and peerless.
+And there the King asked his nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have
+that lady to his wife.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My lord," said he, "wit ye well that I love her above all ladies."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Most noble King," said Dame Liones, "wit ye well that my Lord Gareth
+is to me more dear to have and to hold as my husband than any king or
+prince that is christened, and if ye will suffer him to have his will
+and free choice, I dare say he will have me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is truth," said Sir Gareth, "and if I have not you and hold not
+you as my wife I wed no lady."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What, nephew," said the King, "is the wind in that door!  Wit ye well
+I would not for the stint of my crown be causer to withdraw your
+hearts.  Ye shall have my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise
+that may lie in my power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then was there made a provision for the day of marriage, and by the
+King's advice it should be at Michaelmas following at Kink-Kenadon by
+the seaside.  And when the day came the Bishop of Canterbury made the
+wedding betwixt Sir Gareth and the Lady Liones with great solemnity.
+And at the same time Gaheris was wedded to Linet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When this solemnisation was done there came in the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and all the others that had yielded themselves to Sir
+Gareth, and did homage and fealty to hold their lands of him for ever,
+and desired to serve him at the feast.  And the kings and queens,
+princes, earls, and barons, and many bold knights went unto meat, and
+well may ye wit that there was all manner of meat plenteously, all
+manner of revels, and games, with all manner of minstrelsy that was
+used in those days.  So they held the court forty days with great
+solemnity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And this Sir Gareth was a noble knight, and a well ruled, and fair
+languaged.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap17"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE <BR>
+OF THE QUEEN OF LYONESSE
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+There was a king called Meliodas, as likely a knight as any living, and
+he was lord of the country of Lyonesse.  At that time King Arthur
+reigned supreme over England, Wales, Scotland, and many other realms,
+howbeit there were many lords of countries that held their lands under
+King Arthur.  So also was the King of France subject to him, and the
+King of Brittany, and all the lordships as far as Rome.  The wife of
+this King Meliodas was a full good and fair lady, called Elizabeth, the
+sister of King Mark of Cornwall.  Well she loved her lord, and he her
+again, and there was much joy betwixt them.  There was a lady in that
+country who bore ill will towards this king and queen, and therefore
+upon a day, as he rode on hunting, for he was a great chaser, she by an
+enchantment made him chase a hart by himself alone till he came to an
+old castle, where anon she had him taken prisoner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Queen Elizabeth missed her lord she was nigh out of her wit, and
+she took a gentlewoman with her and ran into the forest to seek him.
+When she was far in the forest and might go no farther, she sank down
+exhausted.  For the default of help she took cold there, and she soon
+knew that she must die.  So she begged her gentlewoman to commend her
+to King Meliodas, and to say that she was full sorry to depart out of
+this world from him, and that their little child, that was to have such
+sorrow even in his infancy, should be christened Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith this queen gave up the ghost and died.  The gentlewoman laid
+her under the shadow of a great tree, and right so there came the
+barons, following after the queen.  When they saw that she was dead
+they had her carried home, and much dole[1] was made for her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The morn after his queen died King Meliodas was delivered out of
+prison, and the sorrow he made for her, when he was come home, no
+tongue might tell.  He had her richly interred, and afterwards, as she
+had commanded afore her death, had his child christened Tristram, the
+sorrowful born child.  For seven years he remained without a wife, and
+all that time young Tristram was nourished well.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, when he wedded King Howell's daughter of Brittany and had other
+children, the stepmother was wroth that Tristram should be heir to the
+country of Lyonesse rather than her own son.  Wherefore this jealous
+queen resolved to become rid of her stepson, and she put poison into a
+silver cup in the chamber where Tristram and her children were
+together, intending that when Tristram was thirsty he should drink it.
+But it happened that the queen's own son espied the cup with poison,
+and, because the child was thirsty and supposed it was good drink, he
+took of it freely.  Therewithal he died suddenly, and when the queen
+wist of the death of her son, wit ye well that she was heavy of heart.
+But yet the king understood nothing of her treason.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Notwithstanding all this the queen would not leave her jealousy, and
+soon had more poison put in a cup.  By fortune King Meliodas, her
+husband, found the cup where was the poison, and being much thirsty he
+took to drink thereout.  Anon the queen espied him and ran unto him and
+pulled the cup from him suddenly.  The king marvelled why she did so,
+and remembered how her son was suddenly slain with poison.  Then he
+took her by the hand, and said: "Thou false traitress, thou shalt tell
+me what manner of drink this is."  Therewith he pulled out his sword,
+and swore a great oath that he should slay her if she told him not the
+truth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she told him all, and by the assent of the barons she was
+condemned to be burned as a traitress, according to the law.  A great
+fire was made, and just as she was at the fire to take her execution
+young Tristram kneeled afore King Meliodas and besought of him a boon.
+"I grant it," said the king, whereupon the youth demanded the life of
+the queen, his stepmother.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is unrightfully asked," said King Melodias, "for she would have
+slain thee, if she had had her will, and for thy sake most is my cause
+that she should die."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Tristram besought his father to forgive her, as he himself did, and
+required him to hold his promise.  Then said the king, "Since ye will
+have it so, I give her to you; go ye to the fire and take her, and do
+with her what ye will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Tristram went to the fire, and by the commandment of the king
+delivered her from death.  But thereafter King Meliodas would never
+have aught to do with her, though by the good means of young Tristram
+he at length forgave her.  Ever after in her life she never hated her
+stepson more, but loved him and had great joy of him, because he saved
+her from the fire.  But the king would not suffer him to abide longer
+at his court.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Dole: sorrow; mourning.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap18"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+King Melodias sought out a gentleman that was well learned, and taught,
+and with him, named Gouvernail, he sent young Tristram away from
+Lyonesse court into France, to learn the language and customs and deeds
+of arms.  There he learned to be a harper passing all others of his
+time, and he also applied himself well to the gentlemanly art of
+hawking and hunting, for he that gentle is will draw unto him gentle
+qualities and follow the customs of noble gentlemen.  The old chronicle
+saith he adopted good methods for the chase, and the terms he used we
+have yet in hawking and hunting.  Therefore the book of forest sports
+is called the Book of Sir Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he well could speak the language and had learned all that he might
+in that country, he came home again, and remained in Cornwall until he
+was big and strong, of the age of nineteen years, and his father, King
+Meliodas, had great joy of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of
+Cornwall for the tribute long paid him, but now seven years behind.
+King Mark and his barons gave unto the messenger of Ireland the answer
+that they would no tribute pay, and bade him tell his king that if he
+wished tribute he should send a trusty knight of his land to fight for
+it against another that Cornwall should find to defend its right.  With
+this the messenger departed into Ireland.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When King Anguish understood the answer, he was wonderfully wroth, and
+called unto him Sir Marhaus, the good and proved knight, brother unto
+the queen of Ireland, and a knight of the Round Table, and said to him:
+"Fair brother, I pray you go into Cornwall for my sake, and do battle
+for the tribute that of right we ought to have."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Marhaus was not loath to do battle for his king and his land, and
+in all haste he was fitted with all things that to him needed, and so
+he departed out of Ireland and arrived in Cornwall even fast by the
+castle of Tintagil.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When King Mark understood that the good and noble knight Sir Marhaus
+was come to fight for Ireland, he made great sorrow, for he knew no
+knight that durst have ado with him.  Sir Marhaus remained on his ship,
+and every day he sent word unto King Mark that he should pay the
+tribute or else find a champion to fight for it with him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they of Cornwall let make cries in every place, that what knight
+would fight to save the tribute should be rewarded so that he should
+fare the better the term of his life.  But no one came to do the
+battle, and some counselled King Mark to send to the court of King
+Arthur to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that at that time was named
+for the marvellousest knight of all the world.  Others said it were
+labour in vain to do so, because Sir Marhaus was one of the knights of
+the Round Table, and any one of them would be loath to have ado with
+other.  So the king and all his barons at the last agreed that it was
+no boot to seek any knight of the Round Table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile came the language and the noise unto young Tristram how Sir
+Marhaus abode battle fast by Tintagil, and how King Mark could find no
+manner of knight to fight for him.  Then Sir Tristram was wroth and
+sore ashamed that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir
+Marhaus, and he went unto his father, King Meliodas, and said: "Alas,
+that I am not made knight; if I were, I would engage with him.  I pray
+you give me leave to ride to King Mark to be made knight by him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will well," said the father, "that ye be ruled as your courage will
+rule you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Tristram went unto his uncle, who quickly gave him the order of
+knighthood, and anon sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters
+that said he had found a young knight ready to take the battle to the
+uttermost.  Then in all haste King Mark had Sir Tristram horsed and
+armed in the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or
+silver, and he was put into a vessel, both his horse and he, and all
+that to him belonged both for his body and for his horse, to be taken
+to an island nigh Sir Marhaus' ships, where it was agreed that they
+should fight.  And when King Mark and his barons beheld young Sir
+Tristram depart to fight for the right of Cornwall, there was neither
+man nor woman of honour but wept to see so young a knight jeopard
+himself for their right.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Tristram was arrived at the island, he commanded his servant
+Gouvernail to bring his horse to the land and to dress his horse
+rightly, and then, when he was in the saddle well apparelled and his
+shield dressed upon his shoulder, he commanded Gouvernail to go to his
+vessel again and return to King Mark.  "And upon thy life," said he,
+"come thou not nigh this island till thou see me overcome or slain, or
+else that I win yonder knight."  So either departed from other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Marhaus perceived this young knight seeking to encounter with
+himself, one of the most renowned knights of the world, he said, "Fair
+sir, since thou hopest to win honour of me, I let thee wit honour
+mayest thou none lose by me if thou mayest stand me three strokes, for
+I let thee wit for my noble deeds, proved and seen, King Arthur made me
+knight of the Table Round."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they put spears in rest and ran together so fiercely that they
+smote either other down, horse and all.  Anon they pulled out their
+swords and lashed together as men that were wild and courageous.  Thus
+they fought more than half a day, and either was wounded passing sore,
+so that the blood ran down freshly from them upon the ground.  By then
+Sir Tristram waxed more fresh 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, the edge of Tristram's sword left in his brain-pan.
+Suddenly Sir Marhaus rose grovelling, and threw his sword and his
+shield from him, and so ran to his ships and fled his way, sore
+groaning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon he and his fellowship departed into Ireland, and, as soon as he
+came to the king his brother, he had his wounds searched, and in his
+head was found a piece of Sir Tristram's sword.  No surgeons might cure
+this wound, and so he died of Sir Tristram's sword.  That piece of the
+sword the queen his sister kept ever with her, for she thought to be
+revenged, if she might.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded by a
+spear-thrust of Sir Marhaus so that he might scarcely stir.  He sat
+down softly upon a little hill, and bled fast.  Then anon came
+Gouvernail, his man, with his vessel, and Sir Tristram was quickly
+taken back into the castle of Tintagil.  He was cared for in the best
+manner possible, but he lay there a month and more, and ever he was
+like to die of the stroke from Sir Marhaus' spear, for, as the French
+book saith, the spear's head was envenomed.  Then was King Mark passing
+heavy, and he sent after all manner of surgeons, but there was none
+that would promise him life.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last there came a right wise lady, and she said plainly that he
+should never be whole unless he went into the same country that the
+venom came from, and in that country he should be holpen, or else
+never.  When King Mark understood that, he let provide for Sir Tristram
+a fair vessel, well victualled, and therein was put Sir Tristram and
+Gouvernail, with him.  Sir Tristram took his harp with him, and so they
+put to sea to sail into Ireland.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap19"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+By good fortune Sir Tristram with Gouvernail arrived in Ireland fast by
+a castle where King Anguish and the queen were.  As he came to land he
+sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, such as none in Ireland ever
+heard afore that time.  And when the king and queen were told of this
+stranger that was such a harper, anon they sent for him and let search
+his wounds, and then asked him his name.  Then he answered, "I am of
+the country of Lyonesse; my name is Tramtrist, and I was thus 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.  But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss as ever
+king had, for there I lost the best knight of the world.  His name was
+Marhaus, a full noble knight of the Table Round."  Then he told Sir
+Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain.  Sir Tristram made semblant
+as if he were sorry, and yet better knew he how it was than the king.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The king for great favour had Tramtrist put in his daughter's keeping,
+because she was a noble surgeon.  When she searched his wound she found
+that therein was poison, and so she healed him within a while.
+Therefore Tramtrist cast great devotion to the Fair Isoud, for she was
+at that time the fairest maid of the world.  He taught her to harp, and
+she soon began to have a great fancy unto him.  Then soon he showed
+himself to be so brave and true a knight in the jousts that she had
+great suspicion that he was some man of honour proved, and she loved
+him more than heretofore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cherished by the king and the
+queen and especially by Isoud the Fair.  Upon a day as Sir Tramtrist
+was absent, the queen and Isoud roamed up and down in the chamber, and
+beheld his sword there as it lay upon his bed.  And then by mishap the
+queen drew out the sword and regarded it a long while.  Both thought it
+a passing fair sword, but within a foot and a half of the point there
+was a great piece thereof broken out of the edge.  When the queen
+espied that gap in the sword, she remembered her of a piece of a sword
+that was found in the brain-pan of Sir Marhaus, her brother.  "Alas,"
+then said she unto her daughter, the Fair Isoud, "this is the traitor
+knight that slew thine uncle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Isoud heard her say so she was sore abashed, for much she loved
+Sir Tramtrist, and full well she knew the cruelness of her mother.
+Anon the queen went unto her own chamber and sought her coffer, and
+there she took out the piece of the sword that was pulled out of Sir
+Marhaus' head.  Then she ran with that piece of iron to the sword that
+lay upon the bed, and when she put that piece unto the sword, it was as
+meet as it could be when new broken.  The queen now gripped that sword
+in her hand fiercely, and with all her might ran straight to where she
+knew Tramtrist was, and there she would have thrust him through, had
+not a knight pulled the sword from her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then when she was letted of her evil will, she ran to King Anguish and
+told him on her knees what traitor he had in his house.  The king was
+right heavy thereof, but charged the queen to leave him to deal with
+the knight.  He went straight into the chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, that
+he found by now all ready armed to mount upon his horse.  King Anguish
+saw that it was of no avail to fight, and that it was no honour to slay
+Sir Tramtrist while a guest within his court; so he gave him leave to
+depart from Ireland in safety, if he would tell who he was, and whether
+he slew Sir Marhaus.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Tristram, "now I shall tell you all the truth: My father's
+name is Meliodas, king of Lyonesse, and my mother is called Elizabeth,
+that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall.  I was christened Tristram,
+but, because I would not be known in this country, I turned my name,
+and had myself called Tramtrist.  For the tribute 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 I did the battle for the love of
+mine uncle, King Mark, for the love of the country of Cornwall, and to
+increase mine honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said the king, "I may not say but ye did as a knight should;
+howbeit I may not maintain you in this country with my honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you for your good lordship that I have
+had with you here, and the great goodness my lady your daughter hath
+shown me.  It may so happen that ye shall win more by my life than by
+my death, for in the parts of England it may be I may do you service at
+some season so that ye shall be glad that ever ye showed me your good
+lordship.  I beseech your good grace that I may take my leave of your
+daughter and of all the barons and knights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This request the king granted, and Sir Tristram went unto the Fair
+Isoud and took leave of her.  And he told her all,&mdash;what he was, 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.  She was full woe of his departing, and wept
+heartily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madam," said Tristram, "I promise you faithfully that I shall be all
+the days of my life your knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Grammercy," said the Fair Isoud, "and I promise you against that I
+shall not be married this seven years but by your assent."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and
+therewith he departed from her, leaving her making great dole and
+lamentation.  And he straight went unto the court among all the barons,
+and there he took his leave of most and least, and so departed and took
+the sea, and with good wind he arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap20"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD<BR>
+FOR KING MARK, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM<BR>
+AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION<BR>
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived and whole of his
+wounds, King Mark was passing glad, and so were all the barons.  And
+Sir Tristram lived at the court of King Mark in great joy long time,
+until at the last there befell a jealousy and an unkindness between
+them.  Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir
+Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The beauty and goodness of the Fair Isoud were so praised by Sir
+Tristram that King Mark said he would wed her, and prayed Sir Tristram
+to take his way into Ireland for him, as his messenger, to bring her to
+Cornwall.  All this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for any
+danger or peril, and made ready to go in the goodliest wise that might
+be devised.  He took with him the goodliest knights that he might find
+in the court, arrayed them after the guise that was then used, and so
+departed over sea with all his fellowship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon as he was in the broad sea a tempest took them and drove them back
+into the coast of England.  They came to land fast by Camelot, and
+there Sir Tristram set up his pavilion.  Now it fell that King Anguish
+of Ireland was accused of slaying by treason a cousin of Sir Launcelot
+of the Lake, and just at this time he was come to the court at the
+summoning of King Arthur upon pain of forfeiture of his lands; yet ere
+he arrived at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was sent after.  When he
+heard the accusation he understood full well there was no remedy but to
+answer it knightly, for the custom was in those days, that if any man
+were accused of any treason or murder, he should fight body for body or
+else find another knight to fight for him.  Now King Anguish grew
+passing heavy when he heard his accusing, for the knights of King Ban's
+blood, as Sir Launcelot was, were as hard men to win in battle as any
+then living.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The meanwhile Sir Tristram was told how King Anguish was come thither
+in great distress, and he sent Gouvernail to bring him to his pavilion.
+When Sir Tristram saw the king coming he ran unto him and would have
+holden his stirrup, but King Anguish leaped lightly from his horse, and
+either embraced other heartily.  Sir Tristram remembered his promise,
+made when departing from Ireland, to do service to King Anguish if ever
+it lay in his power, and never had there been so great need of knight's
+help as now.  So when King Anguish told Sir Tristram all, Sir Tristram
+took the battle for the sake of the good lordship showed him in
+Ireland, and for the sake of the Fair Isoud, upon the condition that
+King Anguish grant two things.  One was that he should swear that he
+was in the right and had never consented to the death of the knight.
+The second request was to be granted after the battle, if God should
+speed him therein.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Anguish quickly granted Sir Tristram whatsoever he asked, and anon
+departed unto King Arthur's judges, and told them he had found a
+champion ready to do the battle for him.  So Sir Tristram fought for
+King Anguish and overcame his adversary, a most noble knight.  Then
+King Anguish and Sir Tristram joyfully took their leave, and sailed
+into Ireland with great nobleness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they were in Ireland the king let make it known throughout all the
+land, how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him.  Then the
+queen and all that were there made the most of him that they might.
+But the joy that the Fair Isoud made of Sir Tristram no tongue might
+tell, for of men earthly she loved him most.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then upon a day King Anguish would know from Sir Tristram why he asked
+not his boon, for whatsoever had been promised he should have without
+fail.  "Sir," said Tristram, "now is it time, and this is what I
+desire: that ye will give me the Fair Isoud, 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 rather than all the land that I have ye
+would wed her yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "if I did, then were I ashamed for ever in
+this world, and false of my promise.  Therefore I pray you hold your
+promise that ye gave me, for this is my desire, that ye will give me
+the Fair Isoud to go with me into Cornwall, to be wedded to King Mark,
+mine uncle."
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-102"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-102.jpg" ALT="Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud" BORDER="2" WIDTH="455" HEIGHT="615">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 455px">
+Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+"As for that," said King Anguish, "ye shall have her with you, to do
+with her what it please you; that is to say, if ye list to wed her
+yourself, that is to me lievest[1]; and if ye will give her unto King
+Mark, that is in your choice."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, to make a short conclusion, the Fair Isoud was made ready to go
+with Sir Tristram, and Dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief
+gentlewoman, with many others.  The queen, Isoud's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail a drink, and charged them that what day
+King Mark should wed, that same day they should give him that drink,
+"and then," said the queen, "I undertake either shall love other the
+days of their life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So this drink was given unto Dame Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail, and
+then anon Sir Tristram took the sea with the Fair Isoud.  When they
+were in the cabin, it happened that they were thirsty, and they saw a
+little flask of gold stand by them, that seemed by the colour and the
+taste to be noble wine.  Then Sir Tristram took the flask in his hand,
+and said: "Madam Isoud, here is the best drink that ever ye drank, that
+Dame Bragwaine your maid and Gouvernail my servant have kept for
+themselves."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they laughed and made good cheer, and either drank to other,
+thinking never drink was so sweet or so good.  But after they had drunk
+that magic wine, they loved either other so truly that never their love
+departed either for weal or for woe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they sailed on till by fortune they came into Cornwall.  There all
+the barons met them, and anon King Mark and the Fair Isoud were richly
+wedded with great splendour.  But ever, as the French book saith, Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud loved each other truly, and his life long
+he was her loyal and honourable knight.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Lievest: dearest.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap21"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL,<BR>
+AND WAS LONG IN THE FOREST
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+There were great jousts and tourneying at that time in Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram was most praised of all the knights.  But some were
+jealous because of his prowess, and especially Sir Andred, that was
+cousin unto Sir Tristram, ever lay in a watch to wait betwixt him and
+the Fair Isoud, for to take them and slander them.  So upon a day Sir
+Tristram talked with Isoud in a window, and that espied Sir Andred, and
+told it to the king.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then King Mark took a sword in his hand and came to Sir Tristram, and
+called him false traitor, and would have stricken him.  But Sir
+Tristram ran under his sword, and took it out of his hand.  And then
+the king cried, "Where are my knights and my men?  I charge you slay
+this traitor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But there was not one would move for his words.  When Sir Tristram saw
+there was not one would be against him, he shook the sword to the king,
+and made as though he would strike him.  And then King Mark fled, for
+he was a coward, and Sir Tristram followed him, and smote upon him five
+or six strokes with the flat of his sword on the neck so that he made
+him fall upon the nose.  Sir Tristram then went his way and armed
+himself, and took his horse and his man, and so he rode into the forest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Mark called his council unto him and asked advice of his barons
+what was best to do with Sir Tristram.  Their counsel was to send for
+him, that they might be friends, for in a quarrel, if Sir Tristram were
+hard bestead, many men would hold with him against the king; and if so
+peerless a knight should depart from King Mark's court and go to King
+Arthur's he would get himself such friends there that Cornwall would be
+in ill repute.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the barons sent for Sir Tristram under a safe conduct, and he was
+welcomed back by King Mark.  But his enemies ever plotted against him,
+and on a day Sir Andred and some of the barons set upon him secretly,
+seized him, and took him, bound hand and foot, unto a chapel which
+stood upon the sea rocks.  When Sir Tristram saw that Andred meant to
+kill him there, he said: "Fair Lords, remember what I have done for the
+country Cornwall, and in what jeopardy I have been for the weal of you
+all, and see not me die thus to the shame of all knighthood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Andred held to his purpose, and when Sir Tristram saw him draw his
+sword to kill him, he looked upon both his hands that were fast bound
+unto two knights, and suddenly he pulled them both to him and so freed
+his hands.  Then he leaped unto his cousin Andred and wrested his sword
+out of his hands.  Then he smote Sir Andred to the earth, and fought
+with the others till he had killed ten knights.  So Sir Tristram gat
+the chapel and kept it by force.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the uproar became great, and the people gathered unto Sir Andred,
+more than a hundred, whereupon Sir Tristram shut fast the chapel door,
+and brake the bars of a window, and so he leaped out and fell upon the
+crags by the sea.  Here Sir Andred and his fellows might not get to him
+at that time, and so they departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Tristram's men heard that he was escaped they were passing
+glad, and on the rocks they found him, and with towels they pulled him
+up.  Then Sir Tristram dreaded sore lest he were discovered unto the
+king, wherefore he sent Gouvernail for his horse and his spear, and so
+he rode his way into the forest.  As he rode he was in great sorrow at
+departing in this wise; and there, as he made great dole, by fortune a
+damsel met him, and she and her lady brought him meat and drink.  Also
+they brought him a harp, for they knew him, and wist that for goodly
+harping he bore the prize in the world.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they tried to give him comfort, but he ate little of the food, and
+at the last, came wholly out his mind for sorrow.  He would go about in
+the wilderness breaking 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.  Sometimes when Sir Tristram was in the
+wood, then would the lady sit down and play upon the harp; then would
+he come to that harp and hearken thereto, and sometimes he would harp
+himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus it went on a quarter of a year, when at the last Sir Tristram ran
+his way, and the lady wist not what had become of him.  He waxed lean
+and poor of flesh, and fell into the fellowship of herdmen and
+shepherds, and daily they would give him of their meat and drink.  And
+when he did any evil deed they would beat him with rods, and so they
+clipped him with shears and made him like a fool.
+</P>
+
+<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.  The weather was
+hot, and they alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile
+their horses brake loose.  Just then Sir Tristram came unto them, and
+first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and then his squires, and
+thereat laughed the shepherds.  Forthwithal he ran after their horses,
+and brought them again one by one, and right so, wet as they were, he
+made Sir Dagonet and his squires mount and ride their ways.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus Sir Tristram endured there a half-year, and would never come in
+town or village.  Then Sir Andred, that was cousin unto Sir Tristram,
+let a tale be brought unto King Mark's court that Sir Tristram was
+dead, and that ere he died he besought King Mark to make Sir Andred
+king of the country of Lyonesse, of the which Sir Tristram was lord.
+When Queen Isoud heard of these tidings she made such sorrow that she
+was nigh out of her mind, and she lay long sick, at the point of death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile a knight came unto King Mark and told him of a mad man in the
+forest at the fair fountain.  So he commanded his knights to take Sir
+Tristram with fairness, and bring him to his castle, yet he knew not
+that the mad man was Sir Tristram.  They did softly and fair, and cast
+mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil.  There they
+bathed 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.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now it fell upon a day that the queen, the Fair Isoud, heard of this
+man that ran wild in the forest and how the king had brought him home
+to the court, and with Dame Bragwaine she went to see him in the
+garden, where he was reposing in the sun.  When she looked upon Sir
+Tristram she knew not that it was he, yet it seemed to her she had seen
+him before.  But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he knew her well
+enough, and he turned away his visage and wept.  The queen had always
+with her a little dog that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that
+ever she came into Cornwall, and never would that dog depart from her
+unless Sir Tristram was nigh there with Isoud.  Anon as this little dog
+caught a scent of Sir Tristram, she leaped upon him, licked his cheeks,
+whined and smelled at his feet and over his whole body.  Then the Fair
+Isoud saw that it was her lord, Sir Tristram, and thereupon she fell
+down in a swoon, and so lay a great while.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When she might speak, she blessed God that Sir Tristram was still
+alive, yet she knew that her lord King Mark would discover him by the
+little dog that would never leave him.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap22"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD<BR>
+RENOWN OF SIR TRISTRAM
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The queen departed from Sir Tristram but the little dog would not from
+him.  Therewithal came King Mark, and the dog set upon him and bayed at
+all the barons.  Thereupon Sir Andred saw by the dog that it was Sir
+Tristram, and King Mark repented that he had brought the mad man in
+from the forest.  Then he let call his barons to judge Sir Tristram to
+death.  They would not assent thereto, but by the advice of them all he
+was banished out of the country for ten years.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Tristram was made to depart out of the country of Cornwall, and
+there were many barons brought him into his ship.  When he was ready to
+set sail he said: "Greet well King Mark and all mine enemies, and say I
+will come again when I may.  And well am I rewarded for the fighting
+with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all this country from servage, and
+well am I rewarded for the fetching of the Fair Isoud out of Ireland,
+and the danger I was in first and last."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Tristram departed over sea, and arrived in Wales.  As he rode
+there through the Forest Perilous, a lady in great distress met him,
+that said: "O my lord, come with me, and that in all the haste ye may,
+for ye shall see the most honourable knight of the world hard bestead,
+and he is none other than the noble King Arthur himself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God defend," said Sir Tristram, "that ever he should be in such
+distress.  I am ready to help him if I may."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they rode at a great pace, till they saw a knight, that was King
+Arthur, on foot fighting with two knights, and anon the one knight was
+smitten down, and they unlaced his helm to slay him.  Therewithal came
+Sir Tristram with all his might, and smote the two traitors so that
+they fell dead.  Then he horsed King Arthur, and as they rode forth
+together, the King thanked heartily Sir Tristram and desired to wit his
+name.  He would not tell him, but said that he was a poor knight
+adventurous.  So he bare King Arthur fellowship, till he met with some
+of his knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight toward Camelot.  Then was
+he ware of a seemly knight riding against him with a covered shield.
+They dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all the
+mights of their horses.  They met so fiercely that both horses and
+knights fell to the earth.  As fast as they were able they then gat
+free from their horses, and put their shields before them; and they
+strake together with bright swords, like men of might, and either
+wounded other wonderly sore, so that the blood ran out upon the grass.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus they two fought the space of four hours.  Never one would speak to
+other one word, and of their harness they hewed off many pieces.  Then
+at the last spake the one with the covered shield; "Knight, thou
+fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight; therefore if it please you
+tell me your name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "that is me loath to tell any man my name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said the other, "if I was requested, I was never loath to tell
+my name.  I am Sir Launcelot of the Lake."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Tristram, "what have I done, for ye are the man in the
+world that I love best."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me now your name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh," said Sir Launcelot, "what adventure is befallen me!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword.
+And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his
+sword.  So either gave other the victory.  Thereupon they both
+forthwithal went to a stone, and sat down upon it, and took off their
+helms to cool themselves.  Then after a while they took their helms and
+rode together to Camelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There soon they met King Arthur, and when he wist that it was Sir
+Tristram, he ran unto him and took him by the hand and said, "Sir
+Tristram, ye be as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court."
+Then they went to the Table Round, where Queen Guenever came, and many
+ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one voice, "Welcome, Sir
+Tristram."  "Welcome," said the damsels; "Welcome," said the knights;
+"Welcome," said Arthur, "for one of the best knights and the gentlest
+of the world, and the man of most honour.  For of all manner of hunting
+ye bear the prize; 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, ye are welcome to this court.  Now I pray you, grant me
+a boon."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It shall be at your commandment," said Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in my
+court."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto is me loath, for I have ado in many
+countries."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not so," said Arthur; "ye have promised it me, and ye may not say nay."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Tristram agreed to remain with King Arthur, who then went unto the
+sieges about the Round Table, and looked in every siege that lacked a
+knight.  Then the King saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said,
+"This is the siege of the noble knight Sir Tristram."  And then Arthur
+made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round with great splendour and
+great feast, as might be thought.  For that Sir Marhaus, a worthy
+knight, was slain afore by the hands of Sir Tristram was well known at
+that time in the court of Arthur; and that for evil deeds that he did
+unto the country of Cornwall Sir Tristram and he fought; and that they
+fought so long tracing and traversing till they fell bleeding to the
+earth, for they were so sore wounded that they might not stand; and
+that Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and Sir Marhaus died through
+the stroke on the head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Mark had had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram, and
+therefore had chased him out of Cornwall.  When now he heard of the
+great prowess that Sir Tristram did in England he was sore grieved, and
+sent men to espy what deeds he did.  The Queen Isoud also on her part
+sent privily spies to know what deeds he had done, for great love was
+between them twain.  When the messengers came home, and told that Sir
+Tristram passed all other knights at Arthur's court unless it were Sir
+Launcelot, King Mark was right heavy of the tidings, and as glad was
+the Fair Isoud.  Then in great despite King Mark took with him two good
+knights and two squires, disguised himself, and took his way into
+England, to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Mark came into England, where he soon became known as the most
+horrible coward that ever bestrode horse; and there was much laughing
+and jesting at the knight of Cornwall, and much he was despised.  Sir
+Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, at one time chased him through thick and
+thin over the forests; and when on a day Sir Launcelot overtook him and
+bade him turn and fight, he made no defence, but tumbled down out off
+the saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and cried
+Sir Launcelot mercy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Mark was soon brought as recreant before King Arthur, who
+already knew wherefore he was come into his country, and that he had
+not done the service and homage he owed as King Arthur's under-lord.
+But King Mark promised to make large amends for the wrongs he had done,
+for he was a fair speaker, and false thereunder.  So on a day King
+Arthur prayed of him one gift, and King Mark promised to give him
+whatsoever he desired, if it were in his power.  Then King Arthur asked
+him to be good lord unto Sir Tristram, and to take him back into
+Cornwall, and to cherish him for Arthur's sake.  King Mark promised
+this, and swore upon a book afore Arthur and all his knights.
+Therewith King Arthur forgave him all the evil will that ever he owed
+him, and 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 afterward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then soon afterward King Mark took his leave to ride into Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram rode with him; wherefore the most part of the Round Table
+were passing heavy, and some were wroth, knowing that King Mark was the
+most coward and the villainest knight living.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a while letters came out of Cornwall that spake ill of Sir
+Tristram and showed plainly that King Mark took Sir Tristram for his
+mortal enemy.  Sir Launcelot in especial made great sorrow for anger,
+wherefore Dinadan, a gentle, wise, and courteous knight, said to him:
+"King Mark is so villainous that by fair speech shall never man get of
+him.  But ye shall see what I shall do.  I will make a lay for him, and
+when it is made I shall make a harper sing it afore him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So anon Dinadan went and made the lay, hoping thereby to humble the
+crafty king; and he taught it an harper named Eliot, and when he knew
+it, he taught it to many harpers.  And so, by the will of Sir Launcelot
+and of Arthur, the harpers went straight into Wales and into Cornwall,
+to sing the lay that Sir Dinadan made of King Mark, which was the worst
+lay that ever harper sang with harp or with any other instrument.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At a great feast that King Mark made came in Eliot the harper, and
+because he was a curious harper, men heard him sing the lay that
+Dinadan had made, the which spake the most villainy of King Mark's
+treason that ever man heard.  When the harper had sung his song to the
+end, King Mark was wonderly wroth, for he deemed that the lay that was
+sung afore him was made by Sir Tristram's counsel, wherefore he thought
+to slay him and all his well willers in that country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Mark grew ever more jealous of Sir Tristram because of his
+prowess as knight and his great love and loyal devotion to the queen,
+the Fair Isoud; and by treason King Mark let take him and put him in
+prison, contrary to his promise that he made unto King Arthur.  When
+Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in prison, she made as
+great sorrow as ever made lady or gentlewoman.  Then Sir Tristram sent
+a letter unto her, and prayed her to be his good lady; and if it
+pleased her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he would go with
+her unto the realm of Logris, that is this land.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the Fair Isoud understood Sir Tristram's letter and his intent,
+she sent him another, and bade him be of good comfort, for she would
+make the vessel ready, and all things to purpose.  Then she had King
+Mark taken and put in prison, until the time that she and Sir Tristram
+were departed unto the realm of Logris.  And then Sir Tristram was
+delivered out of prison, and anon in all haste they took their vessel,
+and came by water into England.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot understood that Sir Tristram was there, he was full
+glad.  He espied whither he went, and after him he rode, and then
+either made of other great joy.  And so Sir Launcelot brought Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that was Sir Launcelot's
+own castle that he had won with his own hands.  And he charged all his
+people to honour them and love them as they would do himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Near three years Sir Tristram kept the Fair Isoud with him in Joyous
+Gard, and then by means of treaties he brought her again unto King Fox,
+which was the name Sir Launcelot gave unto Mark because of his wiles
+and treason.  But ever the malice of King Fox followed his brave
+nephew, and in the end he slew him as he sat harping afore his lady,
+the Fair Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, thrust in behind to the heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For his death was much bewailing of every knight that ever was in
+Arthur's days, for he was traitorously slain.  And the Fair Isoud died,
+swooning upon the cross of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity.  And
+all that were with King Mark that were consenting to the death of Sir
+Tristram were slain, as Sir Andred and many others.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap23"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND<BR>
+FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+While King Arthur and his knights were still sorrowful over Sir
+Tristram's return to Cornwall, greatly fearing mischief to the good
+knight by some manner of falsehood or treason of King Mark, there came
+to the court a knight bringing a young squire with him.  It was Sir
+Aglovale, King Pellinore's son, and the squire was his brother,
+Percivale, that he wished King Arthur to make knight.  The boy was the
+youngest of five sons, and for love of the father and the brothers,
+good knights all, the King made him a knight the next day in Camelot;
+yet the King and all the knights thought it would be long ere he proved
+a man of prowess, and Sir Kay and Sir Mordred made sport of his rude
+manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the dinner, when every knight was set after his honour, the King
+commanded Sir Percivale to be placed among mean knights.  But there was
+a maiden in the Queen's court that was come of high blood, yet she was
+dumb, and never spake a word.  Right so she came straight into the
+hall, went unto Sir Percivale, took him by the hand, and said aloud,
+that the King and all the knights might hear it, "Arise, Sir Percivale,
+the noble knight and God's knight, and go with me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he did, and she brought him to the right side of the Siege Perilous,
+and said, "Fair knight, take here thy siege, for that siege
+appertaineth to thee, and to none other."  Right so she departed, and
+soon afterward she died.  Then the King and all the court made great
+joy of Sir Percivale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Percivale rode forth upon adventures, and came unto Cornwall
+to seek Sir Tristram.  And he delivered him from a prison where King
+Mark had placed him, and then rode straight unto King Mark and told him
+he had done himself great shame to treat so falsely Sir Tristram, the
+knight of most renown in all the world.  Then Sir Percivale departed,
+but anon King Mark bethought him of more treason, notwithstanding his
+promise never by any manner of means to hurt Sir Tristram, and he let
+take him and put him again in prison.  How he then escaped with Isoud
+into England we have already read in the tale of Sir Tristram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now it chanced that Sir Launcelot of the Lake had sore offended the
+Queen Guenever, and she rebuked him harshly, called him false traitor
+knight, and sent him from her court.  Therewith he took such an hearty
+sorrow at her words that he went clean out of his mind, and leaped out
+at a bay window into a garden, and there with thorns he was all
+scratched up in his visage.  So he ran forth he wist not whither, and
+for a long while none of his kin wist what was become of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon Queen Guenever was right sorry that she had been so angry with her
+faithful knight, and on her knees besought Sir Bors and many others to
+seek Sir Launcelot throughout all England, Wales, and Scotland.  So
+these noble knights by one assent rode forth by twos and threes; and
+ever they assigned where they should meet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together unto their mother that was
+a queen in those days.  And when she saw her two sons, for joy she wept
+tenderly and said, "Ah my dear sons, when your father was slain he left
+me five sons, of the which now be three slain; my heart shall never be
+glad more."  Then she kneeled down tofore Aglovale and Percivale, and
+besought them to abide at home with her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, sweet mother," said Sir Percivale, "we may not, for we be come of
+king's blood on both sides, and therefore, mother, it is our kind to
+follow arms and noble deeds."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then there was but weeping and sobbing when they should depart, and
+after they were gone, she sent a squire after them with spending
+enough.  When the squire had overtaken them, they would not suffer him
+to ride with them, but sent him home again to comfort their mother,
+praying her meekly for her blessing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So this squire was benighted as he rode homeward, and by misfortune
+happened to come into the castle of a baron whose brother (a false
+knight and betrayer of ladies and of good knights) Sir Aglovale had
+slain.  When this baron knew from the squire that he served a good
+knight called Sir Aglovale, he commanded his men to have him away
+without mercy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale riding by a churchyard
+where men and women were busy in burying this same dead squire.  When
+the brothers heard from a good man of the company how the baron had
+shamefully slain the squire that night, they alighted both, left their
+horses with their men, and went on foot to the castle.  All so soon as
+they were within the castle gate Sir Aglovale bade the porter "Go thou
+unto thy lord and tell him that I am Sir Aglovale, for whom the squire
+was slain this night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon the lord of the castle, whose name was Goodewin, came armed into
+the court, and he and Sir Aglovale lashed together as eagerly as it had
+been two lions.  Sir Percivale fought with all the remnant that would
+fight, and within a while had slain all that would withstand him, for
+he dealt so his strokes that there durst no man abide him.  Within a
+while Sir Aglovale had Sir Goodewin also at the earth, and so the two
+brethren departed and took their horses.  Then they let carry the dead
+squire unto a priory, and there they interred him.  When this was done
+they rode their way into many countries, ever inquiring after Sir
+Launcelot, but never they could hear of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, at a castle that was called Cardican, Sir Percivale parted
+from Sir Aglovale, and with his squire rode alone.  In the afternoon he
+came upon a bridge of stone, where he found a knight that was bound
+with a chain fast about unto a pillar of stone.  This was Sir Persides,
+a knight of the Table Round, who by adventure came this way and lodged
+in the castle at the bridge foot.  There by an evil custom of the
+castle men set upon him suddenly or ever he might come to his weapon,
+and bound him, and chained him at the bridge.  There he knew he should
+die unless some man of honour brake his bands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be ye of good cheer," said Sir Percivale, "and because ye are a knight
+of the Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to make you free."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith Sir Percivale drew out his sword, and struck at the chain
+with such a might that he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir
+Persides' hauberk, and hurt him a little.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said Sir Persides, "that was a mighty stroke if ever I felt
+one, for had it not been for the chain, ye had slain me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming out of the castle, flying
+all that ever he might.  "Beware, sir," said he; "yonder cometh a man
+that will have ado with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him come," said Sir Percivale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he met with that knight in the midst of the bridge, and gave him
+such a buffet that he smote him quite from his horse and over a part of
+the bridge so that, had there not been a little vessel under the
+bridge, that knight had been drowned.  Then Sir Percivale took the
+knight's horse, and made Sir Persides to mount upon him.  So they rode
+to the castle, and made the lady deliver Sir Persides' servants.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Had he not had a great matter in hand, he would have remained to do
+away with the evil customs there.  But Sir Percivale might not long
+abide, for he rode to seek Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Persides brought him unto his own castle, and there made him great
+cheer for that night.  Then on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard
+mass and broken his fast, he said to Sir Persides: "Ride unto King
+Arthur, and tell the King how that ye met with me, and tell my brother
+Sir Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid him seek not after me, for I am
+in the quest to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and will not see him or
+the court till Sir Launcelot is found.  Also tell Sir Kay and Sir
+Mordred that I trust to God to be of as good worthiness as either of
+them, and that I will never see that court till men speak more honour
+of me than ever men did of any of them both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Persides departed from Sir Percivale, and rode unto King Arthur,
+and told there of Sir Percivale.  And King Arthur said he must needs
+prove a good knight, for his father and his brethren were noble knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of his care and woe and what
+pain he endured from cold, hunger, and thirst.  As he wandered like a
+mad man here and there, he by fortune came to the castle of King
+Pelles.  There he was healed of his madness, and when he was recovered
+he was sore ashamed that he had thus been clean out of his wit.  And
+King Pelles gave him his castle of Bliant, that stood in an island
+enclosed with a fair water, deep and large.  Sir Launcelot called it
+the Joyous Isle, and here he dwelt a long while.  Because he was driven
+from King Arthur's court he desired not to be known, and he named
+himself "The knight that hath trespassed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now it fell at that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting hard by
+his castle, and he sent word thither that there was one knight in the
+Joyous Isle, by name "The knight that hath trespassed," that will joust
+against any knights that will come to him.  When this cry was made,
+unto Joyous Isle drew many knights, and wit you well there was not seen
+at Arthur's court one knight that did so much deeds of arms as were
+done in that gay castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And in the meanwhile came also Sir Percivale nigh to Joyous Isle, and
+would have gone to that castle, but might not for the broad water.
+Then he saw on the other side a lady, and he called unto her and asked
+who was in that castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest knight
+and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and he calleth
+himself 'The knight that hath trespassed.'  He came into this country
+like a mad man, with dogs and boys chasing him, and by miracle he was
+brought into his wit again.  If ye list to come into the castle, ye
+must ride unto the farther side of the isle, and there ye shall find a
+vessel that will bear you and your horse."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Percivale came unto the vessel, and passed the water.  When he
+came to the castle gate, he bade the porter, "Go thou to the good
+knight within the castle, and tell him here is come an errant knight to
+joust with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and anon Sir Launcelot had
+warning, he was soon ready.  And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot
+encountered with such a might that both the horses and the knights fell
+to the earth.  Then they left their horses, swung out noble swords, and
+hewed away pieces of their shields, and dashed together like two boars,
+and either wounded other passing sore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had fought there more than
+two hours: "Fair knight," saith he, "I pray thee tell me thy name, for
+I met never with such a knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is 'The knight that hath
+trespassed.'  Now tell me your name, I pray you, gentle knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said Sir Percivale, "my name is Sir Percivale of Galis; King
+Pellinore was my father and Sir Aglovale is my brother."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done to fight with you that
+art a knight of the Table Round, that sometime was your fellow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw away
+his shield and his sword from him.  When Sir Percivale saw him do so,
+he marvelled what he meant.  Then he begged him upon the high order of
+knighthood to tell his true name, and Sir Launcelot told him all.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "what have I done!  I was sent by the Queen
+for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh these two years.  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 Percivale told him how King Arthur and all his knights, and in
+especial Queen Guenever, made great dole and sorrow that ever he
+departed from them, and that never knight was better welcome back to
+the court than he would be.  So Sir Launcelot agreed to do after Sir
+Percivale's counsel, and ride with him to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So then they took their horses and departed from the Joyous Isle, and
+within five days' journey they came to Camelot, that is called in
+English Winchester.  And when Sir Launcelot was come among them, the
+King and all the knights made great joy of him.  Then Sir Percivale of
+Galis began and told the whole adventures, and all the tales of Sir
+Launcelot.  And the Queen made great cheer, and there were great feasts
+made, and many great lords and ladies, when they heard that Sir
+Launcelot was come to the court again, made great joy.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap24"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXIV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table
+were come unto Camelot, and the tables were set ready to the meat,
+right so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman before the King,
+and on behalf of King Pelles requested that Sir Launcelot should go
+with her hereby into a forest.  Sir Launcelot bade his squire saddle
+his horse and bring his arms, and right so he departed with the
+gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a great valley, where
+they saw an abbey of nuns.  There was a squire ready, and opened the
+gates; and so they entered and descended off their horses, and there
+came a fair fellowship about Sir Launcelot and welcomed him, and were
+passing glad of his coming.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the meanwhile there came twelve nuns which brought with them
+Galahad, the which was passing fair and well made, so that in the world
+men might scarcely find his match.  "Sir," said the ladies, "we bring
+you here this child, the which we have nourished, and we pray you to
+make him a knight; for of a worthier man's hand may he not receive the
+order of knighthood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and saw him seemly and demure
+as a dove, with all manner of good features, and he thought of his age
+never to have seen so fair a man of form.  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 to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer, and on the morn at the
+hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him knight, and said, "God
+make you a good man, for beauty faileth you not as any that liveth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot departed from them, and came again unto Camelot by
+the hour of nine on Whitsunday morning.  By that time the King and the
+Queen and all the fellowship were gone to the minster to hear the
+service.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they were come from service all were passing glad of Sir
+Launcelot's return.  And as they entered the hall each of the barons
+sought his name, written with gold letters, in the sieges of the Round
+Table.  Thus they went along from seat to seat, 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 filled."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All thought this a marvellous thing, and an adventurous.  And then Sir
+Launcelot accounted the term of the writing from the birth of our Lord
+unto that day, and said: "It seemeth me this siege ought to be filled
+this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four
+hundred and four and fifty years; 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 they provided a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in the
+Siege Perilous, and the King bade haste unto dinner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an old custom of Arthur's court that on this day they should not
+sit at their meat until they had seen some adventure.  As they stood
+waiting therefor, in came a squire bringing the marvellous tidings that
+beneath at the river there was a great stone, as it were of red marble,
+floating above the water, wherein a sword stuck.  So the King and all
+the knights went unto the river to see this marvel, and they found it
+even as the squire had said.  There in the stone was the fair rich
+sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious stones and subtile
+letters wrought with gold.  Then the barons read the letters, which
+said in this wise: "Never shall man take me hence but only he by whose
+side 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 Launcelot, "Fair
+sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight
+of the world."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly, conscious of a great sin:
+"Certes, sir, it is not my sword; also, sir, wit ye well I have no
+hardiness to set my hand thereto, for it belongs not by my side."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, fair nephew," said the King unto Sir Gawaine, "assay ye to take
+the sword for my love."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith Sir Gawaine took the sword by the handles, though unwillingly
+and only at the King's commandment, but he might not stir it.  Then the
+King said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay.  So he set his hand
+on the sword and drew it strongly, but he might not move it.  Then were
+there more that durst be so hardy as to set their hands thereto, but
+all failed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Kay unto King Arthur, "for a
+marvellous adventure have ye seen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the King and all went in, and every knight knew his own place and
+set himself therein, and all sieges were filled save only the Siege
+Perilous.  Anon there befell a marvellous adventure, for all the doors
+and the windows of the place shut of themselves, yet then the hall was
+not greatly darkened, and therewith they were amazed, both one and
+other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While they sat there in suspense as to what should happen, came in a
+good old man, and an ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no
+knight knew from whence he came.  With him he brought a young knight in
+red arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side.
+Then the old man said unto Arthur, "Sir, I bring here a young knight
+the which 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 the good man's words, and bade him and the
+young knight welcome.  Then the old man made the young man unarm; and
+he was in a coat of red silk, and bore a mantle upon his shoulder that
+was furred with ermine.  Anon the old knight led him unto the Siege
+Perilous, where beside sat Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot.  The good
+man lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus: "This
+is the siege of Galahad, the high prince."  He set him down surely in
+that siege, saying, "Wit ye well that place is yours," and then,
+departed and went his way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All the knights of the Table Round marvelled greatly that Sir Galahad
+durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so tender of age; for
+never before had anyone sat therein but he was mischieved.  And they
+foresaw that Sir Galahad would come to great honour, and outdo them all
+in knightly courtesy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the King bade him welcome to the court, and taking him by the
+hand, went down from the palace to show Galahad the adventures of the
+stone.  "Sir" said the King unto him, "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>
+Anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the
+stone and put it in the sheath, saying, "Now it goeth better than it
+did aforehand."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap25"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The dish from which our Lord Jesu Christ ate the paschal lamb at His
+last supper with His disciples men call the Holy Grail.  Therein also
+Joseph of Arimathea caught the last drops of sacred blood, and after
+the passion of our Lord that gentle knight, the which took down the
+body off the holy cross, at that time departed from Jerusalem with a
+great party of his kindred, bearing the Holy Grail with them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It befell that they came first to a city that was called Sarras, and at
+the last they crossed to Britain, and through them all the heathen
+people of this land were turned to the Christian faith.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ever as years went by the Holy Grail became more precious, and the
+possession of it ever more a sacred trust.  But after a long while it
+was lost from the world through men's sinfulness, and only those of
+pure heart and life might from time to time see it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Merlin, before he was put under the stone, had foreseen that by them
+which should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of the Holy Grail
+would be well known, and in the good days of King Arthur the longing
+grew to be worthy of the vision of this sign of the Lord's presence
+among men.  Moreover a holy hermit had said that, when the Siege
+Perilous was filled, the achieving of the Holy Grail should be near.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After Galahad drew the sword out of the stone the King and all estates
+went thoughtful home unto Camelot, and so to even-song in the great
+minster.  After that they went to supper, and every knight sat in his
+own place at the Round Table.  Then anon they heard cracking and crying
+of thunder that should, as it seemed to them, shake the place all to
+pieces.  In the midst of this 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.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then began every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their
+seeming fairer than ever they looked afore.  There was no knight might
+speak one word, and so they looked every man on his fellows, as if they
+were dumb.  Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered
+with white samite, but there was none might see it, or who bare it.
+And there was all the hall filled full with good odours, and every
+knight was nourished in his soul.  When the Holy Grail had been borne
+through the hall, then it departed suddenly, so that they wist not what
+became of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then had they all breath to speak, and the King yielded thankings unto
+God for His good grace that He had sent them.  "Now," said Sir Gawaine,
+"we have been richly blessed this day, but one thing beguiled us,&mdash;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
+labour in the quest of the Holy Grail a twelvemonth and a day, or more
+if need be, and shall not return 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 at the end of the time 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, the most part of
+them arose, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.  Anon as King
+Arthur heard this he was greatly grieved, for he wist well that they
+might not gainsay their avows, and he should be bereft of the fairest
+fellowship and the truest knighthood that ever were seen together in
+any realm of the world.  For, when they departed from hence, they
+should never all meet again in this world, and many of his true
+fellowship of noble knights should die in the quest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the Queen also and all the court wist these tidings, they had such
+sorrow and heaviness that there might no tongue tell it.  Many of the
+ladies would have gone with the knights that they loved, had not an old
+man in religious clothing said on high that none in this quest should
+lead wife with him.  Moreover he warned the knights plainly that he
+that was not clean of his sins should not see the mysteries of our Lord
+Jesu Christ.  Then they went to rest themselves, and in honour of the
+highness of Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there
+rested in his own bed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As soon as it was day the King arose, for he had no rest all that night
+for sorrow.  Then the King and the Queen went unto the minster, and all
+the knights, armed fully save their shields and their helms, followed
+them to hear the service.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then after the service was done, the King would wit how many had taken
+the quest of the Holy Grail, and found by tale there were an hundred
+and fifty, all knights of the Round Table.  Then they put on their
+helms, and so mounted upon their horses, and rode through the streets
+of Camelot.  And there was weeping of rich and poor, and the King
+turned away, and might not speak for weeping.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Within a while they came to a city and a castle called Vagon.  The lord
+of that castle was a good old man and set open the gates, and made them
+all the good cheer that he might.  On the morrow they were all accorded
+that they should ride every each from other.  Then they departed with
+weeping and mourning cheer, and every knight took the way that him best
+liked.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap26"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXVI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Now Sir Galahad was yet without shield, and so he rode four days
+without any adventure.  After even-song of the fourth day he came to a
+white abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and led to
+a chamber wherein he was ware of two knights of the Round Table, the
+one King Bagdemagus and the other Sir Uwaine.  They went unto him and
+made of him great solace; and they told him that within this place was
+a shield that no man might bear about his neck without great harm to
+himself, unless he were the worthiest knight of the world.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-134"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-134.jpg" ALT="Sir Galahad" BORDER="2" WIDTH="364" HEIGHT="635">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 364px">
+Sir Galahad
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, sir," said King Bagdemagus to Galahad, "I shall to-morrow assay
+this strange adventure, and if I may not achieve it ye shall take it
+upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Galahad, "I agree right well thereto, for I have no shield."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So on the morn 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.  The monk counselled him to be well advised before taking it,
+and King Bagdemagus answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, 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, bidding Sir Galahad to abide there still, till it was known how
+he sped, King Bagdemagus bore the red cross shield out of the
+monastery, took with him a squire, the which should bring tidings unto
+Sir Galahad how he sped, and rode away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two miles off they came into a fair valley afore a hermitage, and there
+they saw a goodly knight in white armour, horse and all.  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.  The other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, and
+thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered him not
+at that time, and so he bare him from his horse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith the White Knight alighted and took the white shield from King
+Bagdemagus, 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."  Then he came to the 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>
+The squire first went unto Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+sore wounded or not.  "Yea, forsooth," said he, "I shall escape hard
+from death."  Then the squire fetched his horse, and brought him with
+great pain unto an abbey.  Then was he taken down safely, and unarmed,
+and laid in a bed.  There his wounds were looked to, and, as the book
+telleth, he lay there long, and escaped hard with life.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the squire, when he came to Galahad, "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," said Sir Galahad.  Then he asked his arms,
+mounted upon his horse, and, commending himself unto God, hung the
+white shield about his neck.  So he departed, and within a while came
+by the hermitage, where the White Knight awaited him.  Every each
+saluted other courteously, and the knight told Sir Galahad the marvels
+of the shield.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "at that same hour that Joseph of Arimathea came to
+Sarras, there was a king in that city called Evelake, that had great
+war against the Saracens, and there Joseph made this shield for him in
+the name of Him that died upon the cross.  Then through his good belief
+he had the better of his enemies; 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 his enemies saw a
+figure of a man on the cross, wherethrough they all were discomfited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Soon afterwards Joseph departed from Sarras, and King Evelake would go
+with him whether he would or nould, and they came unto this land of
+Britain.  Not long after this, when Joseph lay on his death-bed, King
+Evelake begged of him some token that would lead him to think on the
+old knight for love of whom he had left his own country.  So Joseph
+took this shield, and thereupon he made a cross with his own blood;
+that should be Evelake's token.  Then he said that no man should bear
+this shield until the time that Galahad come, the last of Joseph's
+lineage, that should do many marvellous deeds while bearing it about
+his neck.  To-day is the time they then set when ye shall have King
+Evelake's shield."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So spake the White Knight, and then vanished away; and Sir Galahad rode
+with the squire back to the abbey.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap27"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXVII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The men of the abbey made great joy of Sir Galahad, and he rested there
+that night.  Upon the morn he gave the order of knighthood to the
+squire who had brought him the red-cross shield, and asked him his
+name, and of what kindred he was come.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "men call me Melias of Lile, and I am the son of the
+King of Denmark."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, fair sir," said Galahad, "since ye are of noble birth, see that
+knighthood be well placed in you, for ye ought to be a mirror unto all
+chivalry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Melias, "ye say truly.  But, sir, since ye have made me a
+knight, ye must of right grant me my first desire that is reasonable."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye say truly," said Galahad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Melias said, "Suffer me to ride with you in this quest of the Holy
+Grail till some adventure part us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I grant you, sir," said Galahad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then men brought Sir Melias his armour and his spear and his horse; and
+so Sir Galahad and he rode forth all that week ere they found any
+adventure.  And then upon a Monday, in the morning, as they had
+departed from an abbey, they came to a fork in the road, where stood
+written these words: "Now ye knights errant, who go to seek knights
+adventurous, see here two ways; the right-hand road ye are warned
+against, for knight shall never ride out of that place again unless he
+be a good man and a worthy knight; and if ye go to the left hand ye
+shall not there easily win prowess, for ye shall in this road be soon
+attacked."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Melias to Galahad, "if ye are pleased to suffer me to take
+the way on the left hand, tell me, for there I shall well prove my
+strength."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It were better," said Galahad, "ye rode not that way, for I believe I
+should better escape in that way than ye."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay, my lord," said Melias, "I pray you, let me have that adventure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Take it, in God's name," said Galahad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Melias rode far through an old forest, and after two days or more
+came into a fair meadow.  Here in a fair lodge of boughs he espied a
+chair wherein was a subtilely-wrought crown of gold, and near by was a
+cloth spread upon the ground with many delicious meats upon it.  Sir
+Melias had no desire for the food, but the crown of gold pleased him
+much, so he stooped down and took it and rode his way with it.  And
+anon he saw a knight come riding after him, who called upon him to set
+down the crown that was not his, and to defend himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The new-made knight was glad of this adventure, and the two let their
+horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight smote Sir
+Melias through his hauberk and through the left side, and he fell to
+the earth nigh dead.  Then the knight took the crown and went his way,
+and Sir Melias lay still, and had no power to stir.  In the meanwhile
+by good fortune there came Sir Galahad and found him there in peril of
+death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he said, "Ah, Melias, who hath wounded you?  It would have been
+better to ride the other way."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And when Sir Melias heard him speak, "Sir," he said, "for God's love
+let me not die in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey near at hand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It shall be done," said Galahad, "but where is he that hath wounded
+you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With that Sir Galahad heard some one cry, "Knight, keep thee from me!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, sir," said Melias, "beware, for that is he that hath slain me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Galahad answered, "Sir knight, come at your peril."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they came together as fast as their horses might run; and Galahad
+smote the other so that his spear went through the knight's shoulder
+and smote him down off his horse, and in the falling Galahad's spear
+brake.  With that came out another knight from the leaves, and brake a
+spear upon Galahad before he might turn about.  Then Galahad drew out
+his sword and smote this one so that he fled away, and Sir Galahad
+pursued fast after him.  But soon he turned again unto Sir Melias, and
+there he alighted and placed him softly on his horse before him, and
+Sir Galahad climbed up behind, and held him in his arms, and so brought
+him to the abbey and into his chamber.  Here he placed the wounded
+knight in the care of an old monk, that promised to heal him of his
+wounds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now I will depart," said Galahad, "for I have much on hand; many good
+knights be full busy about it, and this knight and I were in the same
+quest of the Holy Grail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the good monk, "for his sins he was thus wounded; and I
+marvel," said he to Melias, "how ye durst take upon you so rich a thing
+as the high order of knighthood without clean confession, and that was
+the cause ye were bitterly wounded.  For the way on the right hand
+betokeneth the high way of our Lord Jesu Christ, and the way of a true
+good liver.  And the other way betokeneth the way of sinners and of
+misbelievers.  Your pride and presumption in taking the quest of the
+blessed Holy Grail made you to be overthrown, for it may not be
+achieved but by virtuous living.  Pride is head of all deadly sins, and
+that caused you to depart from Sir Galahad.  And when ye took the crown
+of gold your sin was covetousness and theft.  But this Galahad, the
+holy knight, the which fought with the two knights that signify the two
+deadly sins which were wholly in you, was able to overthrow them, for
+he is pure in his heart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My lord Galahad," said Sir Melias, "as soon as I may ride I shall seek
+you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God send you health," said Galahad, and so he took his horse and
+departed, and rode many journeys forward and backward, as adventure
+would lead him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain.  There he found an old chapel,
+where all was desolate, and he knelt before the altar and besought of
+God wholesome counsel.  As he prayed, he heard a voice that said, "Go
+thou now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there
+do thou away the wicked customs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God and took his horse, and he
+had ridden but half a mile when he saw in a valley afore him a strong
+castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river, that
+was called Severn.  Then he met with a man of great age.  Either
+saluted other, and Galahad asked him the castle's name.  "Fair sir,"
+said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is a cursed castle," said Galahad, "and all who have intercourse
+therein are cursed, for all pity is lacking there, and all cruelty and
+mischief are therein."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the other, "that ye turn
+back."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "ye may be sure I shall not turn back."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Galahad looked on his armour to see that nothing was lacking,
+and he put his shield afore him, and anon there met him seven fair
+maidens, which said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in great folly,
+for ye have the water to pass over."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why should I not pass the water?" said Galahad.  So he rode away from
+them, and met with a squire, who said.  "Knight, those knights in the
+castle defy you, and forbid you to go farther till they know what ye
+would."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come to destroy the wicked customs of this
+castle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the squire, "if ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough
+to do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The squire entered into the castle, and anon there came out seven
+knights, all brethren.  And when they saw Galahad they cried, "Knight,
+defend thyself, for we assure thee nothing but death."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth.
+And therewith all the others 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.  Galahad chased them till
+they entered into the castle, and then passed through the castle and
+out at another gate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now there met Sir Galahad an old man, who said, "Sir, have here the
+keys of this castle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so many people in the
+passages that he might not number them, and all said, "Sir, ye be
+welcome, for long have we awaited here our deliverance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, "These knights are fled, but
+they will come again this night, and here begin again their evil
+practices."
+</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 to use the
+customs that were used heretofore of old time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will well," said Galahad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She brought him a horn of ivory, richly bound with gold, and said,
+"Sir, blow this horn, which will be heard two miles about this castle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set himself down upon a bed.
+Then a priest came and told him of the evil practices of the castle,
+and why it was called the Castle of Maidens.  "It chanced in this
+wise," said he: "More than seven years agone the seven brethren came,
+and lodged with the lord of this castle and of all the country round
+about.  When they espied the duke's daughter, a full fair woman, they
+plotted falsely betwixt themselves and slew the duke and his eldest
+son.  Then they took the maiden and the treasure of the castle, and by
+great force they held all the knights of this castle against their will
+under their power in great slavery, and robbed and pillaged the poor
+common people of all that they had.  Then it happened on a day the
+duke's daughter said, 'Ye have done unto me great wrong to slay my own
+father and my brother, and thus to hold our lands.  But ye shall not
+hold this castle many years, for by one knight ye shall be overcome.'
+Thus she had prophesied seven years agone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Well,' said the seven knights, 'if that be so, there shall never lady
+nor knight pass by this castle but they shall abide here, whether they
+will or not, or die for it, till that knight be come by whom we shall
+lose this castle.'  Therefore it is called the Maidens' Castle, for
+many maidens have here been destroyed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By the time the priest had finished, the knights of the country were
+come at the call from the ivory horn.  Then Sir Galahad made them do
+homage and fealty to the duke's daughter, and set the people in great
+ease of heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And the next morning one came to Galahad and told him how Gawaine,
+Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren.  "I am glad to hear
+it," said Sir Galahad, and he took his armour, mounted his horse, and
+commended the people of the Castle of Maidens unto God, and so rode
+away.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap28"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+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
+Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised.  Right so,
+Sir Launcelot dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir Galahad; and Sir
+Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse and man.  Then he
+drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on
+the helm that, had not the sword swerved, Sir Percivale had been slain,
+and with the stroke he fell out of his saddle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This joust was done tofore the hermitage where a recluse dwelt, and,
+when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, "God be with thee, best knight
+of the world.  Ah, verily, if 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.
+Therefore he smote his horse with his spurs, and rode at a great pace
+away from 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 they turned again with heavy cheer, and
+Sir Percivale said, "Let us ask some tidings at yonder recluse."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do as ye list," said Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Percivale turned back, but
+Sir Launcelot rode on across and endlong in a wild forest, and held no
+path, but as wild adventure led him.  At last he came to a stone cross,
+which pointed two ways, and by the cross was a stone that was of
+marble; but it was so dark that he might not wit what it was.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot looked about him, and saw an old chapel.  There he
+expected to find people, so he tied his horse, and took off his shield
+and hung it upon a tree.  Then he went to the chapel door, and found it
+waste and broken.  Within he saw a fair altar full richly arrayed with
+cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick of silver
+which bare six great candles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot saw this light, he had great will to enter into the
+chapel, but he could find no place where he might enter.  Then was he
+passing heavy and dismayed.  He returned to his horse, took off his
+saddle and bridle, and let him pasture.  Then he unlaced his helm, and
+ungirded his sword, and laid himself down to sleep upon his shield
+tofore the cross.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-144"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-144.jpg" ALT="Sir Launcelot at the Cross" BORDER="2" WIDTH="405" HEIGHT="618">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 405px">
+Sir Launcelot at the Cross
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+So he fell on sleep, and half waking and half sleeping he saw in a
+vision two fair white palfreys come toward him, bearing in a litter a
+sick knight.  When he was nigh the cross he abode still, and Sir
+Launcelot heard him say, "Oh, sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave
+me? and when shall the holy vessel come by me, wherethrough I shall be
+blessed?  For I have endured thus long for little trespass."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A full great while lamented the knight thus, and always Sir Launcelot
+heard it.  Then he saw the candlestick with the six tapers come before
+the cross, yet he saw nobody that brought it.  Also there came a table
+of silver, and the sacred vessel of the Holy Grail upon it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith the sick knight sat up, and, holding up both hands, he prayed
+that he might be whole of his malady.  Then on his hands and knees he
+went so nigh that he touched the holy vessel, and kissed it, and anon
+he was whole.  Then he said, "Lord God, I thank thee, for I am healed
+of this sickness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the holy vessel had been there a great while, it went unto the
+chapel, with the candlestick and the light, so that Launcelot wist not
+what became of it, for he was overtaken with a feeling of his sin, so
+that he had no power to arise and follow the holy vessel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the sick knight raised himself up, and kissed the cross.  Anon his
+squire brought him his arms, and asked his lord how he did.  "Verily,"
+said he, "I thank God, right well; through the holy vessel I am healed.
+But I have great marvel of this sleeping knight, that had no power to
+awake when the Holy Grail was brought hither."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I dare right well say," said the squire, "that he dwelleth in some
+deadly sin, whereof he has never repented."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By my faith," said the knight, "whatsoever he be, he is unhappy, for,
+as I deem, he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, the which is
+entered into the quest of the Holy Grail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the squire, "here I have brought you all your arms, save
+your helm and your sword.  By my assent now may ye take this knight's
+helm and his sword."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he did, and when he was clean armed, he took Sir Launcelot's horse,
+for he was better than his own, and so they departed from the cross.
+Anon Sir Launcelot awoke, and bethought him what he had seen there, and
+whether it were a dream or not.  Right so heard he a voice that said:
+"Sir Launcelot, more hard than is stone, more bitter than is wood, and
+more naked and barer than is the fig tree, go thou from hence, and
+withdraw thee from this holy place."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot heard this he was passing heavy, and wist not what
+to do.  So he arose, sore weeping, and cursed the time when he was
+born, for he thought never to have honour more.  Then he went to the
+cross, and found his helm, his sword, and his horse taken away.  Then
+he called himself a very wretch, and the most unhappy of all knights.
+And he said: "My sin and my wickedness have brought me unto great
+dishonour.  When I sought worldly adventures from worldly desires, I
+ever achieved them, and had the better in every place, and never was I
+discomfited in any quarrel, were it right or wrong.  But now when I
+take upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that
+mine old sin hindereth and shameth me, so that I had no power to stir
+or to speak when the Holy Grail appeared afore me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing.  Then
+somewhat he was comforted, but, when he missed his horse and his
+harness, he wist well God was displeased with him.  He departed from
+the cross on foot into a forest, and came to a hermitage, and a hermit
+therein.  There Launcelot kneeled down and cried on the Lord for mercy,
+and begged the hermit for charity to hear his confession.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With a good will," said the good man; "art thou of King Arthur's
+court, and of the fellowship of the Round Table?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yea, forsooth," was the answer, "and my name is Sir Launcelot of the
+Lake, that hath been right well said of; but now my good fortune is
+changed, for I am the worst wretch of the world."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hermit beheld him, and had marvel how he was humbled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "thou oughtest to thank God more than any knight
+living, for He hath caused thee to have more worldly honour than any
+other knight that now liveth.  For thy presumption in taking upon thee,
+while in deadly sin, to be in His presence through the sacred vessel,
+that was the cause that thou mightest not see it with worldly eyes, for
+He will not appear where such sinners be, unless to their great hurt
+and shame.  There is no knight living now that ought to give God so
+great thanks as thou; for He hath given thee beauty, seemliness, and
+great strength, above all other knights.  Therefore thou art the more
+beholden unto God than any other man to love Him and fear Him; for thy
+strength and manhood will little avail thee if God be against thee."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, for he knew the hermit said
+sooth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the good man, "hide none old sin from me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "that were me full loath to disclose, for
+one thing that I have done I never disclosed these fourteen years, and
+for that may I now blame my shamelessness and my misadventure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he told there that good man all his life, and how he had loved a
+queen unmeasurably, and out of measure long.  "And," said he, "all my
+great deeds of arms that I have done, I did the most part for that
+queen's sake.  For her sake would I battle, were it right or wrong; and
+never did I battle wholly for God's sake, but for to win honour and to
+make myself better beloved, and little or naught I thanked God for it.
+I pray you counsel me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will counsel thee," said the hermit, "if thou wilt assure me that
+thou wilt never come into that queen's companionship when thou canst
+prevent it."  This Sir Launcelot solemnly promised, whereupon the good
+man said, "Look that thy heart and mouth accord, and I assure thee that
+thou shalt have more honour than ever thou hadst.  For it seemeth well
+God loveth thee, and in all the world men shall not find one knight to
+whom He hath given so much grace as He hath given thee; He hath given
+thee beauty with seemliness; He hath given thee wit, discretion to know
+good from evil; He hath given thee prowess and hardiness; and He hath
+given thee to work so largely that thou hast had at all times the
+better wheresoever thou camest.  And now our Lord will suffer thee no
+longer, but that thou shalt know Him, whether thou wilt or nilt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why the voice called thee bitterer than wood was because, where
+overmuch sin dwelleth, there may be but little sweetness; wherefore
+thou art likened to an old rotten tree.  Why thou art harder than stone
+is because thou wilt not leave thy sin for any goodness that God hath
+sent thee; therefore thou art more than any stone, and never wouldest
+thou be made soft, neither by water nor by fire,&mdash;that is, the heat of
+the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now shall I show thee why thou art more naked and barer than the fig
+tree.  It befell that our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in Jerusalem,
+and there He found in the people that all hardness was harboured in
+them, and there He found in all the town not one that would harbour
+Him.  And then He went without the town, and found in the midst of the
+way a fig tree, the which was right fair and well garnished of leaves,
+but fruit had it none.  Then our Lord cursed the tree that bare no
+fruit; that likeneth the fig tree unto Jerusalem, that had leaves and
+no fruit.  So thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy Grail was brought
+afore thee, He found in thee no fruit, nor good thought, nor good will,
+and thou wert befouled with sin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Verily," said Sir Launcelot, "all that ye have said is true, and from
+henceforward I undertake by the grace of God never to be so wicked as I
+have been, but to follow knighthood and to do feats of arms."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot to such penance as he might
+do, and to sue knighthood, and so blessed him, and prayed him to abide
+there all that day.  "I will well," said Sir Launcelot, "for I have
+neither helm, nor horse, nor sword."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As for that," said the good man, "I shall help you ere to-morn to a
+horse and all that belongeth unto you."  And so Sir Launcelot repented
+him greatly.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap29"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXIX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Percivale departed from the recluse to seek Sir Galahad, he
+rode till the hour of noon, when he met in a valley about twenty men of
+arms.  As they saw him they asked him whence he was, and he answered,
+"Of the court of King Arthur."  Then they cried all at once, "Slay
+him."  Then Sir Percivale smote the first to the earth, and his horse
+upon him.  Thereupon seven of the knights smote upon his shield all at
+once, and the remnant slew his horse, so that he fell to the earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So had they slain him or taken him, had not the good knight Sir
+Galahad, with the red arms, come there by adventure into those parts.
+And when he saw all those knights upon one knight, he cried, "Save me
+that knight's life."  Then he dressed him towards the twenty men of
+arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in the rest, and
+smote the foremost horse and man to the earth.  And when his spear was
+broken he set his hand to his sword, and smote on the right hand and on
+the left hand, that it was marvel to see.  At every stroke he smote one
+down, or put him to rebuke, so that they would fight no more, but fled
+to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad followed them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made great sorrow that his
+horse was away, for he wist well it was Sir Galahad.  Then he cried
+aloud, "Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee,
+for much have ye done for me!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast, that at the last he passed out of
+his sight, and Sir Percivale went after him on foot as fast as he
+might.  Soon he met a yeoman riding upon a hackney, who led in his hand
+a great black steed, blacker than any bear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, fair friend," said Sir Percivale, "as ever I may do for you and be
+your true knight in the first place ye will require me, I beg ye will
+lend me that black steed, that I may overtake a knight, the which
+rideth afore me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir knight," said the yeoman, "I pray you hold me excused of that, for
+that I may not do; for wit ye well, the horse belongs to a man that, if
+I lent it you or any other man, would slay me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "I had never so great sorrow as I have for
+losing of yonder knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
+would beseem you well, but I dare not deliver you this horse unless ye
+take it from me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That will I not do," said Sir Percivale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him down under a tree, and made
+sorrow out of measure.  Anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale, "Saw ye, sir, any knight riding
+on my black steed?  It hath been taken from me by force, wherefore my
+lord will slay me in what place he findeth me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Sir Percivale, "what wouldest thou that I did?  Thou seest
+well that I am on foot, but had I a good horse I should bring him soon
+again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "take my hackney and do the best ye can, and I
+shall follow you on foot, to wit how that ye shall speed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Percivale mounted upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he
+might.  At the last he saw the knight on the black steed, and cried out
+to him to turn again.  And he turned, and set his spear against Sir
+Percivale; and he smote the hackney in the midst of the breast, that he
+fell down dead to the earth.  There Sir Percivale had a great fall, and
+the other rode his way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Percivale was very wroth, and cried, "Abide, wicked knight, coward
+and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He answered not, but passed on his way.  When Sir Percivale saw he
+would not turn, he cast away his helm and sword, and thought himself
+unhappy above all other knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In this sorrow he abode all that day till it was night.  Then he was
+faint, and laid him down and slept till it was midnight.  Then he
+awaked, and saw afore him a woman which said unto him right fiercely,
+"Sir Percivale, abide here, and I shall go fetch you a horse, which
+shall bear you whither you will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she came soon again, and brought a horse with her that was inky
+black.  When Sir Percivale beheld that horse, he marvelled that it was
+so great and so well apparelled.  Courageously he leaped upon him, and
+took no heed of himself.  As soon as ever he was mounted he thrust in
+the spurs, and so rode away by the forest, and the moon shone clear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Within an hour, and less, the black steed bare him four day's journey
+thence, till he came to a rough water the which roared, and his horse
+would have borne him into it.  And when Sir Percivale came nigh the
+brim, and saw the water so boisterous, he feared to overpass it.  Then
+he made a sign of the cross in his forehead, whereupon the horse shook
+off Sir Percivale, and he fell into the water, crying and roaring,
+making great sorrow; and it seemed unto him that the water burned.
+Then Sir Percivale perceived the steed was a fiend, the which would
+have brought him unto his perdition.  Then he commended himself unto
+God, and prayed our Lord to keep him from all such temptations.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he prayed all that night till it was day.  Then he saw that he was
+in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea nigh all about, so
+that he might see no land about him which might relieve him.  Then was
+Sir Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship come sailing towards him;
+and he went unto the ship, and found it covered within and without with
+white samite.  At the board stood an old man clothed in a surplice in
+likeness of a priest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "ye be welcome."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God keep you," said the good man, "of whence be ye?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "I am of King Arthur's court, and a knight
+of the Table Round, the which am in the quest of the Holy Grail.  Here
+I am in great duress, and never likely to escape out of this
+wilderness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubt not," said the good man, "if ye be so true a knight as the order
+of chivalry requireth, and of heart as ye ought to be, ye need not fear
+that any enemy shall slay you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are ye?" said Sir Percivale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said the old man, "I am of a strange country, and hither I come
+to comfort you, and to warn you of your great battle that shall befall
+you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With whom," said Sir Percivale, "shall I fight?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With the most champion of the world," said the old man, "but, if ye
+quit you well, ye shall lose no limb, even though vanquished and
+seemingly shamed to the world's end."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the good man leaped over the board, and the ship and all went
+away, Sir Percivale wist not whither.  He abode there till midday, when
+he saw a ship come rowing in the sea as if all the winds of the world
+had driven it.  It drove under the rock on which he sat; and when he
+hied thither he found the ship covered with silk blacker than any bier,
+and therein was a gentlewoman of great beauty, and she was clothed
+richly that none might be better.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When she saw Sir Percivale, she said, "Who brought you in this
+wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence? for ye shall die here
+for hunger and mischief."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "I serve the best man of the world, and
+in His service He will not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh
+shall enter, and who that asketh shall have, and from the man that
+seeketh Him, He hideth Him not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I came out of the waste forest where I found the red knight with
+the white shield," said the damsel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, damsel," said he, "with that knight would I meet passing fain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said she, "if ye will ensure me, by the faith that ye owe unto
+knighthood, that ye will do my will what time I summon you, I shall
+bring you unto that knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yea," said he, "I shall promise you to fulfil your desire.  But what
+are ye that proffereth me thus great kindness?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am," said she, "a gentlewoman that am disherited, which was sometime
+the richest woman of the world."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "who hath disherited you? for I have
+great pity of you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said she, "I dwell with the greatest man of the world, and he
+made me so fair and so clear that there was none like me, and of that
+great beauty I had a little pride, more than I ought to have had.  Also
+I said a word that pleased him not, and then he would not suffer me to
+be any longer in his company.  He drove me from mine heritage, and so
+disowned me, and he had never pity for me, and would none of my council
+nor of my court.  Since, sir knight, it hath befallen me so, I and mine
+have taken from him many of his men, and have made them to become my
+men, for they ask never anything of me, but I give it them, that and
+much more.  Therefore I and my servants war against him night and day.
+I know now no good knight and no good man but I get on my side, if I
+may.  And since I know that ye are a good knight I beseech you to help
+me; and since ye are a fellow of the Round Table, ye ought not to fail
+any gentlewoman which is disherited, if she beseech you of help."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he might.  She
+thanked him, and since the weather was at that time hot, she bade a
+gentlewoman bring a pavilion.  So she did, and pitched it there upon
+the gravel.  He slept a great while there in the heat of the day; and
+when he awoke, there was set before him upon a table all manner of
+meats that he could think of.  Also he drank there the strongest wine
+that ever he drank, him thought, and therewith he was a little heated
+more than he ought to be.  With that he beheld the gentlewoman, and him
+thought that she was the fairest creature that ever he saw.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When she saw him well refreshed, then she said, "Sir Percivale, wit ye
+well, I shall not fulfil your will, but if ye swear from henceforth to
+be my true servant, and do nothing but that I shall command you.  Will
+ye ensure me this as ye be a true knight?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Percivale was on the point of promising her all, when by adventure
+and grace he saw his sword lie upon the ground, all naked, in whose
+pommel was a red cross.  Then he bethought him of his knighthood and
+the warning spoken toforehand by the good man, and he made the sign of
+the cross in his forehead.  Thereupon the pavilion turned up-so-down,
+and changed unto a smoke and a black cloud.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Percivale was adread at this, and cried aloud, "Fair sweet Father,
+Jesu Christ, let me not be shamed, that was nigh lost, had not Thy good
+grace been!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he looked upon the ship, and saw the damsel enter therein, which
+said, "Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me."  So she went with the wind
+roaring and yelling, that it seemed that all the water burned after her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and drew his sword unto him
+saying, "Since my flesh will be my master, I shall punish it."
+Therewith he stabbed himself through the thigh so that the blood
+started, and he said, "O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that
+I have done against Thee, my Lord."  Then he clothed him and armed him,
+and called himself a wretch, saying, "How nigh was I lost, and to have
+lost that I should never have gotten again, my honour as a pure man and
+worthy knight, for that may never be recovered after it is once lost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he thus made his moan, he saw the same ship come from the Orient
+that the good man was in the day before, and the noble knight was
+ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon.  When he awoke
+he went unto this good man weakly, and saluted him.  Then he asked Sir
+Percivale, "How hast thou done since I departed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "here was a gentlewoman that led me into deadly sin,"
+and there he told him all his temptation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Knew ye not the maid?" said the good man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "nay; but well I wot the fiend sent her hither to shame
+me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, good knight," said he, "that gentlewoman was the master fiend of
+hell, the champion that thou foughtest withal, the which would have
+overcome thee, had it not been for the grace of God.  Now, beware, Sir
+Percivale, and take this for an ensample."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the good man vanished away, and Sir Percivale took his arms, and
+entered into the ship and so departed from thence.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap30"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Bors was departed from Vagon, he met with a religious man
+riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him.  Anon the good man knew him
+to be one of the knights errant that was in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are ye?" said the good man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "I am a knight that fain would be counselled in the
+quest of the Holy Grail, for he shall have much earthly honour that may
+bring it to an end."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Verily," said the good man, "that is sooth, for he shall be the best
+knight of the world, and the fairest of all the fellowship.  But wit ye
+well, there shall none attain it but by cleanness of heart and of life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So rode they together till they came to a hermitage, and there he
+prayed Bors to dwell all that night with him.  So he alighted and put
+away his armour, and prayed him that he might be confessed.  So they
+went into the chapel, and there he was clean confessed; and they ate
+bread and drank water together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said the good man, "I pray thee that thou eat none other, till
+that thou sit at the table where the Holy Grail shall be."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said he, "I agree thereto; but how wit ye that I shall sit
+there?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said the good man, "that know I, but there shall be few of your
+fellowship with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All is welcome," said Sir Bors, "that God sendeth me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Also the good man in sign of chastisement put on him a scarlet coat,
+instead of his shirt, and found him in so vigorous a life, and so
+stable, that he marvelled, and felt that he was never corrupt in
+fleshly lusts.  Then Sir Bors put on his armour, and took his leave,
+and so departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After he had ridden a day or two on his road, he met about the hour of
+noon at the parting of two ways two knights, that led Lionel, his
+brother, bound upon a strong hackney and his hands bound tofore his
+breast.  Each of the two held in his hands thorns, wherewith they went
+beating him so sore that the blood trailed down more than in a hundred
+places of his body.  But he said never a word, as he which was great of
+heart; he suffered all that ever they did to him as though he had felt
+none anguish.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon Sir Bors dressed him to rescue him that was his brother.  Just
+then he chanced to look upon his other side, and saw a knight which
+brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have dragged her into the
+thickest part of the forest out of the way of them that sought to
+rescue her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon she espied where Sir Bors came riding.  She deemed him a knight of
+the Round Table, wherefore she hoped to have some comfort; and she
+conjured him by the faith that he owed unto him in whose service he had
+entered, and the fidelity he owed unto the high order of knighthood,
+and for the noble King Arthur's sake, to help her in her sore distress.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Bors heard her cry, he had so much sorrow he knew not what to
+do.  "For," said he, "if I let my brother be in adventure he must be
+slain, and that would I not for all the earth.  And if I help not the
+maid in her peril, I am shamed for ever."  Then he lifted up his eyes,
+and said weeping, "Fair Lord Jesu Christ, whose liege man I am, keep
+Lionel my brother, that these knights slay him not; and for Mary's
+sake, I shall succour this maid."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then dressed he him unto the knight the which had the gentlewoman, and
+cried, "Sir knight, let your hand off that maiden, or ye be but a dead
+man."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The knight set down the maiden, and drew out his sword, but Bors smote
+him so hard that he beat him down to the earth.  Then came twelve
+knights seeking the gentlewoman, and anon she told them all how Bors
+had delivered her.  They made great joy, and besought him to come to
+her father, a noble lord; but Bors had a great adventure in hand, and
+might not delay.  So he commended them unto God, and departed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel his brother by the trace of their
+horses.  He sought a great while; and at the last he overtook a man
+clothed in religious clothing, that told him Lionel was dead, and
+showed him a slain body, lying in a thicket, that well seemed to him
+the body of Lionel.  Then he made such a sorrow that he fell to the
+earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came to himself he said, "Fair brother, since the company of
+you and me is parted, shall I never have joy in my heart; and now He
+which I have taken as to my Master, He be my help."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he had said thus, he took the body lightly in his arms and put it
+upon the bow of his saddle, and so rode to an old feeble chapel fast
+by, and put him into a tomb of marble.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then went Sir Bors from thence, and rode all that day, and then turned
+to a hermitage, at the entry of a forest.  There he found Lionel his
+brother, which sat all armed at the chapel door.  For he was yet on
+life, and a fiend had deceived Bors with the body left in the chapel,
+for to put him in error so that he might not find the blessed adventure
+of the Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Bors saw his brother alive he had great joy of him, that it
+was marvel to tell of his joy.  And then he alighted off his horse, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, when came ye thither?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, "Ah, Bors, ye may make no boast.
+For all you I might have been slain.  When ye saw two knights leading
+me away, beating me, ye left me for to succour a gentlewoman, and
+suffered me to remain in peril of death.  Never before did any brother
+to another so great an untruth.  And for that misdeed now I ensure you
+but death, for well have ye deserved it.  Therefore guard yourself from
+henceforward, and that shall ye find needful as soon as I am armed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Bors understood his brother's wrath, he kneeled down to the
+earth and cried him mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed him to
+forgive him his evil will; but Lionel would show no pity, and made his
+avow to God that he should have only death.  Right so he went in and
+put on his harness; then he mounted upon his horse and came tofore him,
+and said, "Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do to thee as I would
+to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight that ever came
+out of so worthy a house as was that of our father, King Bors of Ganis."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or else die, he
+wist not what to do.  Then his heart counselled him not to fight,
+inasmuch as Lionel was born before him, wherefore he ought to bear him
+reverence.  Again kneeled he down afore Lionel's horse's feet, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, have mercy upon me and slay me not, and have
+in remembrance the great love which ought to be between us twain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What Sir Bors said Lionel recked not, for the fiend had brought him in
+such a will that he was determined to slay him.  Then when Lionel saw
+he would none other, and that he would not rise to give him battle, he
+rushed over him, so that his horse's feet smote Bors to the earth, and
+hurt him so sore that he swooned of distress.  When Lionel saw this, he
+alighted from his horse to smite off his head.  So he took him by the
+helm, and would have rent it from his head, had not the hermit come
+running unto him, which was a good man and of great age.  Well had he
+heard all the words that were between them, and so fell down upon Sir
+Bors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he said to Lionel, "Ah, gentle knight, have mercy upon me and on
+thy brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt commit a deadly sin, and
+that were sorrowful; for he is one of the worthiest knights of the
+world, and of the best conditions."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So God me help," said Lionel, "sir priest, unless ye flee from him I
+shall slay you, and he shall never the sooner be quit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Verily," said the good man, "I had rather ye slay me than him, for my
+death shall not be great harm, not half so much as his."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Lionel, "I am agreed"; and he set his hand to his sword,
+and smote the hermit so hard that his head went backward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For all that, he restrained him not of his evil will, but took his
+brother by the helm, and unlaced it to strike off his head.  And he
+would have slain him without fail, but so it happened that Colgrevance,
+a fellow of the Round Table, came at that time thither, as our Lord's
+will was.  First he saw the good man slain, then he beheld how Lionel
+would slay his brother, whom he knew and loved right well.  Anon he
+sprang down and took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew him strongly
+back from Bors, and said, "Lionel, will ye slay your brother, one of
+the worthiest knights of the world?  That should no good man suffer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me?  If ye interfere in this, I
+shall slay you, and him after."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lionel ran upon Bors, and would have smitten him through the head,
+but Sir Colgrevance ran betwixt them, and said, "If ye be so hardy as
+to do so more, we two shall meddle together."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lionel defied him, and gave a great stroke through the helm.  Now
+Colgrevance drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and
+defended himself right manfully.  So long endured the battle that Sir
+Bors awoke from his swoon, and rose up all anguishly, and beheld Sir
+Colgrevance, the good knight, fight with his brother for his quarrel.
+Then was he full sorry and heavy, and would have risen to part them.
+But he had not so much might as to stand on foot, and must abide so
+long till Colgrevance had the worse, for Sir Lionel was of great
+chivalry and right hardy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Only death awaited Colgrevance, when he beheld Sir Bors assaying to
+rise, and he cried, "Ah, Bors, come ye and cast me out of peril of
+death, wherein I have put me to succour you, which were right now nigh
+to death."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Bors heard that, he did so much as to rise and put on his helm,
+making a marvellous sorrow at the sight of the dead hermit hard by.
+With that Lionel smote Colgrevance so sore that he bare him to the
+earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon his brother as a fiendly
+man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop; and he, full of
+humility, prayed him for God's love to leave this battle.  But Lionel
+would not, and then Bors drew his sword, all weeping, and said, "Fair
+brother, God knoweth mine intent.  Ah, brother, ye have done full evil
+this day to slay such a holy priest, the which never trespassed.  Also
+ye have slain a gentle knight, one of our fellows.  And well wot ye
+that I am not afraid of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God.
+This is an unkindly war; therefore may God show miracle upon us both.
+Now God have mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With that Bors lifted up his hands, and would have smitten Lionel, but
+even then he heard a voice that said, "Flee, Bors, and touch him not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Right so came a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire, so that both
+their shields burned.  Then were they sore afraid, and fell both to the
+earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon.  When they came to
+themselves, Bors saw that his brother had no harm, wherefore he gave
+thanks, for he feared God had taken vengeance upon him.  With that he
+heard a voice say, "Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no longer
+fellowship, but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale
+abideth thee there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Bors departed from Lionel, and rode the next way to the sea.  On
+the strand he found a ship covered all with white samite.  He alighted
+from his horse and entered into the ship, and anon it departed into the
+sea, and went so fast that him seemed the ship went flying.  Then he
+saw in the midst of the ship a knight lie, all armed save his helm, and
+he knew that it was Sir Percivale.  And either made great joy of other,
+that it was marvel to hear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Bors told Sir Percivale how he came into the ship, and by
+whose admonishment, and either told other of his temptations, as ye
+have heard toforehand.  So went they downward in the sea, one while
+backward, another while forward, and each comforted other, and oft were
+they in their prayers.  Then said Sir Percivale, "We lack nothing but
+Galahad, the good knight."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap31"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days, he gat him a horse,
+a helm, and a sword.  So he departed, and took the adventure that God
+would send him.  On a night, as he slept, there came a vision unto him,
+and a voice said, "Launcelot, arise up, and take thine armour, and
+enter into the first ship that thou shalt find."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he heard these words, he started up and saw great clearness about
+him.  Then he lifted up his hand in worship, and so took his arms, and
+made him ready.  By adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship,
+the which was without sail or oar.  And as soon as he was within the
+ship, he felt the most sweetness that ever he felt, and he was filled
+with a peace such as he had never known before.  In this joy he laid
+himself down on the ship's board, and slept till day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Launcelot was a month and more on the ship, and if ye would ask
+how he lived, as God fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert,
+so was he fed.  On a night he went to play him by the waterside, for he
+was somewhat weary of the ship.  And then he listened, and heard a
+horse come, and one riding upon him.  When he came nigh he seemed a
+knight, and soon he saw that it was Galahad.  And there was great joy
+between them, for there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made
+either of other; and there was many a friendly word spoken between
+them, the which need not here be rehearsed.  And there each told other
+of the adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in many
+journeys since they were departed from the court.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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.  There they found many strange adventures and perilous, which
+they brought to an end.  But because the adventures were with wild
+beasts, and not in the quest of the Holy Grail, therefore the tale
+maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all
+those adventures that befell them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereafter it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest tofore a
+cross, and then saw they a knight, armed all in white and richly
+horsed, leading in his right hand a white horse.  He came to the ship
+and saluted the two knights on the high Lord's behalf, and said,
+"Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with Launcelot.  Come out of
+the ship, and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall
+lead thee in the quest of the Holy Grail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Galahad took sorrowful leave of Sir Launcelot, for they knew that
+one should never see the other before the dreadful day of doom.
+Galahad took his horse and entered into the forest, and the wind arose
+and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he
+slept little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings of the
+Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And it befell on a night, at midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on
+the back side, which was rich and fair.  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."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he ran for his arms, and so he went to the gate, and saw the
+lions.  He set his hand to his sword, and drew it, whereupon there came
+a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell
+out of his hand.  Then heard he a voice say, "Oh, man of evil faith and
+poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy harness than in thy
+Maker?  He in whose service thou art set might more avail thee than
+thine armour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then said Launcelot, "Fair Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy
+great mercy, that Thou reprovest me of my misdeed.  Now see I well that
+ye hold me for your servant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, and came to
+the lions, and they made semblant[1] to do him harm.  Notwithstanding
+he passed by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the
+chief fortress, and there were all at rest.  Launcelot entered in so
+armed, for he found no gate nor door but it was open.  At last he found
+a chamber whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to
+open it, but he might not, though he enforced himself much to undo the
+door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it
+seemed none earthly thing.  Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber,
+for well wist he that there was the Holy Grail within that chamber.
+Then said he: "Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that
+pleased Thee, for Thy pity have me not in despite for my sins done
+aforetime, and show me something of that I seek!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With that he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great
+clearness, so that the house was as bright as if all the torches of the
+world had been there.  So came he to the chamber door, and would have
+entered, but anon a voice said to him, "Flee, Launcelot, and enter not,
+for thou oughtest not to do it; and if thou enter thou shalt repent it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He withdrew himself back right heavy, and 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 so came he to
+the door at a great pace, entered into the chamber, and drew towards
+the table of silver.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came nigh he felt a breath that seemed intermingled with fire,
+which smote him so sore in the visage that he thought it burned his
+visage.  Therewith he fell to the earth, and had no power to arise.
+Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and bare him out
+of the chamber door, and left him there seeming dead to all people.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they within were arisen, and
+found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door, and all they marvelled
+how he came in.  They looked upon him, and felt his pulse, to wit
+whether there were any life in him.  And so they found life in him, but
+he might neither stand nor stir any limb that he had.  They took him
+up, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from
+all folk, and so he lay still as a dead man four and twenty days, in
+punishment, he afterwards thought, for the twenty-four years that he
+had been a sinner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the twenty-fifth day it befell that he opened his eyes, and the folk
+asked how it stood with him.  He answered that he was whole of body,
+and then he would know where he was.  They told him he was in the
+castle of Carboneck, and that the quest of the Holy Grail had been
+achieved by him, and that he should never see the sacred vessel more
+nearly than he had seen it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon Sir Launcelot took his leave of all the fellowship that were there
+at the castle, and thanked them for the great labour.  So he took his
+armour and departed, and said that he would go back to the realm of
+Logris.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Made semblant: threatened.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap32"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE END OF THE QUEST
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Now, saith the story, Sir Galahad rode into a vast forest, wherein he
+rode many journeys, and he found many adventures, the which he brought
+to an end, whereof the story maketh here no mention.  And on a day it
+befell him that he was benighted in a hermitage.  The good man there
+was glad when he saw a knight-errant, and made him what cheer he might.
+Then when they were at rest, there came a gentlewoman knocking at the
+door, and called Galahad.  So the hermit came to the door to wit what
+she would, and she said to him that she would speak with the knight
+that was lodged there.  The good man awoke Galahad, and bade him arise
+and speak with a gentlewoman that seemed to have great need of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Galahad went to her, and asked her what she would.  "Galahad,"
+said she, "I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse and follow
+me, for I shall show you within these three days the highest adventure
+that ever any knight saw."  Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse,
+and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow as she liked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till they came to
+the seaside, and there they found the ship wherein were Bors and
+Percivale, the which cried on the ship's board, "Sir Galahad, ye be
+welcome; we have awaited you long."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, leaving his horse behind, Galahad entered into the ship, where the
+two knights received him with great joy.  And the wind arose, and drove
+them through the sea marvellously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now saith the story that they rode a great while till they came to the
+castle of Carboneck, where Sir Launcelot had been tofore.  They entered
+within the castle, and then there was great joy, for they wist well
+that they had fulfilled the quest of the Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As they were alone in the hall, it seemed to them that there came a
+man, in likeness of a bishop, with four angels from heaven, and held
+mass about a table of silver, whereupon the Holy Grail was.  And in a
+vision they saw in the bread of the sacrament a figure in likeness of a
+child, and the visage was as bright as any fire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then said the bishop to them, "Servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be fed
+afore this table with sweet food, that never knights tasted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he had said, he vanished away; and they sat them at the table in
+great reverence, and made their prayers.  Then looked they, and saw a
+man that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, and he said:
+"My knights and my servants and my true children, which be come out of
+deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no longer hide me from you,
+but ye shall see now a part of my secrets and of my hid things; now
+hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much desired."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then took He Himself the holy vessel, and came to Galahad, who knelt
+down and there he received the sacrament, and after him so received all
+his fellows; and they thought it so sweet that it was marvellous to
+tell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then said He to Galahad, "Son, knowest thou what I hold betwixt my
+hands?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay," said he, "unless ye will tell me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is," said He, "the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb at the Last
+Supper.  And now hast thou seen that thou most desiredst to see, but
+yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see it in the city of
+Sarras, in the spiritual place.  Therefore thou must go hence, and bear
+with thee this holy vessel, for this night it shall depart from the
+realm of Logris, that it shall never be seen more here.  And knowest
+thou wherefore?  Because they of this land be turned to evil living;
+therefore I shall disinherit them of the honour which I have done them.
+Therefore go ye three unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship
+ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Right so departed Galahad, Percivale and Bors with him.  They rode
+three days, and then they came to a rivage[1], where they found the
+ship whereof the tale speaketh tofore.  When they came to the board,
+they found in the midst the table of silver, which they had left in the
+castle of Carboneck, and the Holy Grail, which was covered with red
+samite.  Then were they glad to have such things in their fellowship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They had remained some time in the ship, when they awoke of a morning
+to see the city of Sarras afore them.  Here they landed, and took out
+of the ship the table of silver, Percivale and Bors going tofore and
+Galahad behind.  Right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the
+city they saw an old bent man.  Then Galahad called him, and bade him
+help to bear this heavy thing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I might go without
+crutches."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Care thou not," said Galahad; "arise up and show thy good will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was.  Then ran he
+to the table, and took one part opposite Galahad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole
+by knights marvellous that entered into the city.  When the king of the
+city, which was called Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked them
+from whence they were, and what thing it was that they had brought upon
+the table of silver.  And they told him the truth of the Holy Grail,
+and the power which God had set there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now King Estorause was a tyrant, and was come of a line of pagans.  He
+took the three knights and put them in a deep hole.  But as soon as
+they were there our Lord sent them the Holy Grail, through whose grace
+they were always satisfied while that they were in prison.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the year's end it befell that this king lay sick, and felt that he
+should die.  Then he sent for the three knights.  They came afore him,
+and he cried them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave
+it him goodly, and he died anon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the king was dead, all the city was dismayed, and wist not who
+might be their king.  Right so as they were in counsel, there came a
+voice among them, and bade them choose the youngest knight of them
+there to be their king, for he should well maintain them and all
+theirs.  So they made Galahad king by all the assent of the whole city.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he was come to behold the land, he let make about the table of
+silver a chest of gold and of precious stones that covered the holy
+vessel; and every day early the three fellows would come afore it and
+make their prayers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now at the year's end the three knights arose early and came to the
+palace, and saw before them the holy vessel, and a man kneeling, in
+likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of angels.
+And he called Galahad and said to him, "Come forth, thou servant of
+Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much desired to see."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Galahad began to tremble right hard, when the deadly flesh began
+to behold the spiritual things.  Then he held up his hands towards
+heaven, and said, "Lord, I thank Thee, for now I see what hath been my
+desire many a day.  Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it
+might please thee, Lord."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith the good man took the sacrament and proffered it to Galahad,
+and he received it right gladly and meekly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, wotest thou what I am?" said the good man; "I am Joseph of
+Arimathea, which our Lord hath sent here to thee to bear thee
+fellowship.  And wotest thou wherefore He hath sent me more than any
+other?  For thou hast resembled me in two things, in that thou hast
+seen the marvels of the Holy Grail, and in that thou hast been a clean
+and virtuous knight, as I have been and am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When these words had been spoken, Galahad went to Percivale and to Bors
+and kissed them and commended them to God, and said, "Salute me to my
+lord Sir Launcelot, and bid him remember of this unstable world."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewith he kneeled down tofore the table and made his prayers, and
+then suddenly his soul departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude
+of angels bare his soul up to heaven, and the two fellows might well
+behold it.  Also they saw come from heaven a hand, but they saw not the
+body; and it came right to the vessel, and took it, and bare it up to
+heaven.  Since then was there never man so hard as to say that he had
+seen the Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad had died, they made as much sorrow
+as ever did two men; and if they had not been good men, they might
+lightly have fallen in despair.  And the people of the country and of
+the city were right heavy.  And then he was buried.  And as soon as he
+was buried, Sir Percivale betook himself to a hermitage out of the
+city, where for a year and two months he lived a full holy life, and
+then passed out of this world.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Bors saw that he was alone in so far countries, he departed from
+Sarras and came to the sea.  There he entered into a ship, and so it
+befell that in good adventure he came into the realm of Logris.  And he
+rode to Camelot, where King Arthur was, and then was there great joy
+made of him in the court, for they believed all that he was dead,
+forasmuch as he had been so long out of the country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they had eaten, the King made great clerks to come afore him, that
+they should chronicle of the high adventures of the good knights.  When
+Bors had told of the adventures of the Holy Grail, such as had befallen
+him and his two fellows, that was Percivale and Galahad, then Launcelot
+told the adventures of the Holy Grail that he had seen.  All this was
+made in great books, and put in chests at Salisbury.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="footnote">
+[1] Rivage: bank; shore.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap33"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+After the quest of the Holy Grail was fulfilled, and all knights that
+were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, then was there
+great joy in the court, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever
+made great joy of the remnant that were come home.  Passing glad were
+the King and the Queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had
+been long away in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
+Guenever again, and forgat the promise that he made in the quest.  For,
+had he not been in his privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly
+to the Queen, as he was in seeming outward to God, there had no knight
+passed him in the quest of the Holy Grail.  But ever his thoughts were
+privily on the Queen, more than toforehand, so that many in the court
+spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, for
+he was ever open mouthed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus it passed forth till on a day the King let cry great jousts and a
+tournament that should be at Camelot, that is Winchester, and thither
+came many knights.  So King Arthur made him ready to depart to these
+jousts, and would have had the Queen with him, but she would not go,
+pretending to be sick.  This grieved the King, for such a fellowship of
+knights had not been seen together since the Whitsuntide when Galahad
+departed from the court.  And many deemed the Queen would not be there
+because of Sir Launcelot of the Lake, who would not ride with the King,
+for he said he was not whole of a wound.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when the King was departed, the Queen called Sir Launcelot unto her,
+and told him he was greatly to blame, thus to hold himself behind his
+lord, and counselled him to take his way towards the tournament at
+Winchester.  So upon the morn he took his leave of the Queen, and
+departed.  He rode all that day, and at eventide he came to Astolat,
+that is Gilford, and was lodged at the place of an old baron, named Sir
+Bernard of Astolat.  The old knight welcomed him in the best manner,
+but he knew not that he was Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot to his host, "I would pray you to lend
+me a shield that is not openly known, for mine be well known, and I
+would go to the tournament in disguise."
+</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 I shall show you
+friendship.  Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but late made
+knights.  The eldest is called Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that same day
+that he was made knight, so that he may not ride.  His shield ye shall
+have, for that is not known, I dare say, except in this place.  And my
+youngest son is named Sir Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride
+with you unto the jousts, for he is of his age strong and brave.  Much
+my heart leads me to believe that ye should be a noble knight;
+therefore I pray you tell me your name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "ye must hold me excused at his
+time, but if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall
+come again and tell you.  But I pray you in any wise let me have your
+son Sir Lavaine with me, and his brother's shield."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This shall be done," said Sir Bernard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This old baron had a daughter, Elaine le Blank, that was called at that
+time the Fair Maid of Astolat.  Ever she beheld Sir Launcelot
+admiringly, and, as the book saith, she cast such a love unto him that
+she could never withdraw her love, so she besought him to wear at the
+jousts a token of hers.  "Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "if I grant
+you that, ye may say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady
+or damsel."
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-180"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-180.jpg" ALT="Elaine" BORDER="2" WIDTH="438" HEIGHT="608">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 438px">
+Elaine
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+Then he remembered that he would go to the jousts disguised; and
+because he had never afore that time borne any manner of token of any
+damsel, he bethought him that he would bear one of her, so that none of
+his blood thereby might know him.  And then he said, "Fair maiden, I
+will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet; therefore, show
+me what it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," she said, "it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well
+embroidered with great pearls."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she brought it him, and Sir Launcelot received it, saying that he
+had never done so much for any damsel.  Then he left his shield in the
+fair maiden's keeping, and prayed her to care for it until that he came
+again.  So that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the
+damsel Elaine was about Sir Launcelot, all the while she might be
+suffered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the morn Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine took their leave of Sir
+Bernard, the old baron, and of his daughter, the Fair Maiden of
+Astolat, and then they rode so long till they came to Camelot.  There
+was great press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and many noble
+knights; but there Sir Launcelot was lodged privily, by the means of
+Sir Lavaine, with a rich burgess, so that no man in that town was ware
+what they were.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the time appointed the jousts began, and Sir Launcelot made him
+ready in his best manner, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and
+fastened it fast.  Then he with Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of
+the press, and did marvellous deeds of arms, so that all wondered what
+knight he might be.  Sir Gawaine said it might be Sir Launcelot by his
+riding and his buffets, but ever it seemed it should not be he, for he
+bore the red sleeve upon his head, and he never wist Sir Launcelot bear
+token of lady or gentleman at any jousts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the last by misfortune Sir Bors unhorsed Sir Launcelot, and smote
+him through the shield into the side; and the spear brake, and the head
+was left still in his side.  But Sir Lavaine by great force took the
+horse from the King of Scots and brought it to his lord, Sir Launcelot,
+and in spite of them all he made him to mount upon that horse.  Then
+Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and then he smote Sir Bors horse and
+man to the earth.  In the same wise served he other knights, and, as
+the book saith, he might have slain them, but his heart might not serve
+him thereto, and he left them there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then afterwards he hurled in the thickest press of them all, and did
+there the marvellousest deeds of arms that ever man saw or heard speak
+of; and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight, was with him.  And there Sir
+Launcelot with his sword smote and pulled down, as the French book
+maketh mention, more than thirty knights, and the most part were of the
+Table Round.  And Sir Lavaine also did full well that day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the last the King blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
+heralds unto the knight with the white shield, that bare the red
+sleeve.  But Sir Launcelot was sore hurt, and cared not for honour; and
+groaning piteously, he rode at a great gallop away-ward from all the
+knights, until he came under a wood's side.  When he saw that he was
+from the field nigh a mile, so that he was sure he might not be seen,
+he besought Sir Lavaine as he loved him to draw the truncheon out of
+his side.  This Sir Lavaine dreaded sore to do, lest Sir Launcelot
+should be in peril of death from loss of blood, if the truncheon were
+drawn out.  Yet he did as his lord would have him do, and Sir Launcelot
+gave a great shriek, and so swooned pale and deadly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thereupon Sir Lavaine took him to a hermitage fast by within two miles,
+where dwelt a gentle hermit, that sometime was a full noble knight and
+a great lord of possessions.  For great goodness he had taken himself
+to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands.  He was a full noble
+surgeon, and anon he stanched Sir Launcelot's blood, and made him to
+drink good wine, so that he was well refreshed, and came to himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile King Arthur let seek the knight that bare the red sleeve,
+that he might have his laud and honour, and the prize, as was right.
+But he could not be found, and the King and all the knights feared he
+was sore hurt in the battle.  Then Sir Gawaine took a squire with him
+and drove all about Camelot within six or seven miles, but could hear
+no word of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then within two days King Arthur and all the fellowship returned unto
+London again, and so, as they rode by the way, it happened that Sir
+Gawaine was lodged at Astolat with Sir Bernard.  There by the means of
+the shield left in Elaine's care he learned that the knight who won
+such honour at the tournament was none other than Sir Launcelot
+himself, and the Fair Maid of Astolat learned on how valiant a knight
+she had fixed her love.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Elaine heard also that Sir Launcelot was grievously wounded and
+that the knights knew not where he lay, she said to Sir Bernard, her
+father: "Now I request 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 stop till
+that I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do as it liketh you," said her father, "for I am right sore grieved of
+the hurt of that noble knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Right so the maid made herself ready, and Sir Gawaine rode on to
+London, where he openly disclosed to all the court that it was Sir
+Launcelot that bore the red sleeve, and that jousted best.  And when
+Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was a heavy man, and so were all
+his kinsmen, for it was he who had given Sir Launcelot, that was his
+own cousin, the grievous wound in the tournament.  But when Queen
+Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, she was nigh out of her mind for wrath, and called him
+false traitor, because he had worn the token of any lady but herself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As fair Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all about, and by
+fortune Sir Lavaine had ridden out to refresh himself and to exercise
+his horse.  Anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried
+aloud unto him.  When he heard her, anon he came hither, and then she
+asked her brother how Sir Launcelot did.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who told you, sister," said he, "that my lord's name is Sir Launcelot?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she told him how Sir Gawaine knew him by his shield, and so they
+rode together till they came to the hermitage.  Anon she alighted, and
+Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot.  So this maiden, Elaine,
+never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and night, and did
+such attendance to him that the French book saith there was never woman
+did kindlier for man than she.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a long while he was healed of his wounds, and so upon a morn they
+took their horses, and Elaine le Blank with them, and departed from the
+hermit.  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.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot should depart from Astolat for to return to King
+Arthur's court, fair Elaine seemed like to die for love of him and for
+sorrow at his going.  But Sir Launcelot loved only Queen Guenever, and
+thought never to be wedded man, and could only grieve at her great
+sorrow; and for her good will and great kindness he promised that,
+whensoever she should set her heart upon some good knight that would
+wed her, he would give her a thousand pounds yearly, and always while
+he lived be her own true knight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and with Sir Lavaine he came unto
+Winchester.  And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
+sound, he made great joy of him, and so did 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, ate, or drank, and ever she made her
+lament for Sir Launcelot.  When she had thus endured a ten days, and
+weakened so that she must needs pass out of this world, she prepared
+for death, but ever she mourned for Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then her priest bade her leave such thoughts; but 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 lament, for I do none offence, though I
+love an earthly man, and I take God to my record I never loved any but
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and as I am a pure maiden I never shall.
+And since it is the sufferance of God that I shall die for the love of
+so noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy
+upon my soul; and sweet Lord Jesu, I take Thee to record, I was never
+great offender against Thy laws, but that I loved this noble knight Sir
+Launcelot out of measure, and of myself, good Lord, I might not
+withstand the fervent love wherefore I have my death."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 did endite it, and so her father granted her.  And when the
+letter was written word by word as she devised, then she prayed her
+father that after her death she might be put in a barge in all her
+richest clothes, the letter fast in her right hand, and that the barge,
+covered over and over with black samite, might be steered by one
+boatman only down the Thames to Westminster.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she died, and all was done as she desired.  Now by fortune King
+Arthur and Queen Guenever were speaking together at a window of the
+palace, and as they looked they espied this black barge, and had marvel
+what it meant.  And the King sent three knights thither to bring him
+ready word what was there.  Then these three knights came to the barge,
+and found therein the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor
+man sitting at the barge's end, and no word would he speak.  Then the
+King took the Queen by the hand and went thither, and there they saw
+the fair woman in all the rich clothing lying as though she smiled.
+And the Queen espied the letter in her right hand, and a clerk read it
+in the presence of many knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 Maiden of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I
+make my moan; yet pray for my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer
+my mass-penny.  This is my last request.  And a clean maiden I died, I
+take God to witness.  Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art
+peerless."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the letter was read, the King, the Queen, and all the knights wept
+for pity at the doleful lament.  Then was Sir Launcelot sent for, and
+when he heard the letter word by word, he said: "My lord Arthur, wit ye
+well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damsel, but God knoweth
+I was never cause of her death by my willing.  I will not say but that
+she was both fair and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she
+loved me out of measure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then said the King unto Sir Launcelot, "It will be your honour that ye
+oversee that she be interred honourably."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that shall be done as I can best devise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So upon the morn she was interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her
+mass-penny, and all the knights of the Table Round that were there at
+that time offered with Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And the Queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and prayed him of mercy, because
+she had been wroth with him causeless, and he willingly forgave her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it passed on all that winter with all manner of hunting and hawking,
+and jousts and tourneys were many betwixt the great lords; and ever in
+all places Sir Lavaine gat great honour, so that he was nobly renowned
+among many knights of the Table Round.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap34"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+At Christmas time many knights were together at the court, and every
+day there was a joust made.  Sir Lavaine jousted there all that
+Christmas passing well, and was praised best, for there were but few
+that did so well.  Wherefore all knights thought that Sir Lavaine
+should be made knight of the Round Table at the next feast of Pentecost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Sir Launcelot would joust only when a great tournament was held.
+So after Christmas King Arthur had many knights called unto him, and
+there they agreed together to make a party and a great tournament near
+Westminster on Candlemas Day.  Of this many knights were glad, and made
+themselves ready to be at these jousts in the freshest manner.  The
+Queen Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and said: "At these jousts that
+shall be ye shall bear upon your helmet the sleeve of gold that ye
+shall have of me, and I pray you, for my sake exert yourself there so
+that men may speak of your honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "it shall be done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And when Sir Launcelot saw his time, he told Sir Bors that he would
+depart, and have no others with him than Sir Lavaine, unto the good
+hermit that dwelt in the forest of Windsor,&mdash;his name was Sir
+Brastias,&mdash;and there he intended to take all the repose he might,
+because he wished to be fresh on the day of the jousts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Launcelot with Sir Lavaine departed so quietly that no creature
+except the noble men of his own kin knew what had become of him.  And
+when he had come to the hermitage, you may be sure he had good cheer.
+Daily he would go to a spring hard by the hermitage, and there he would
+lie down and watch the spring bubble, and sometimes he slept there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that time a lady dwelt in the forest, who was a great huntress.
+Every day she used to hunt, and no men ever went with her, but always
+women.  They were all shooters, and could well kill a deer both under
+cover and in the open.  They always carried bows and arrows, horns and
+wood-knives, and many good dogs they had.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now it happened that this lady, the huntress, was one day chasing a
+deer, keeping the direction by the noise of the hounds.  The deer, hard
+pressed, came down to the spring where Sir Launcelot was sleeping, and
+there sank down exhausted, and lay there a great while.  At length the
+dogs came fast after, and beat about, for they had lost the very
+perfect track of the deer.  Just then there came that lady, the
+huntress, who knew by the sounds of the dogs that the deer must be at
+the spring.  So she came swiftly and found the deer.  She put a broad
+arrow in her bow, and shot at it, but aimed too high, and so by
+misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot deep in the thick of the
+thigh.  When Sir Launcelot felt himself so hurt, he jumped up madly,
+and saw the lady that had smitten him.  And when he saw it was a woman,
+he said thus; "Lady or damsel, whatever thou be, in an evil time ye
+bare a bow; the devil made you a shooter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now mercy, fair sir," said the lady; "I am a gentlewoman that am wont
+to hunt here in this forest, and truly I saw you not; there was the
+deer by the spring, and I believed I was doing well to shoot, but my
+hand swerved."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "ye have done mischief to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so the lady departed, and Sir Launcelot, as well as he might,
+pulled out the arrow, but the head remained still in his thigh; and so
+he went feebly to the hermitage, ever bleeding as he went.  And when
+Sir Lavaine and the hermit spied that Sir Launcelot was hurt, wit ye
+well they were passing sorry; but neither Sir Lavaine nor the hermit
+knew how he was hurt, or by whom.  Then with great pain the hermit gat
+the arrow's head out of Sir Launcelot's thigh, but much of his blood
+was shed, and the wound was passing sore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, mercy," said Sir Launcelot, "I call myself the most unhappy man
+that liveth; for ever when I would most gladly have honour there
+befalleth me some unhappy thing.  Now, so heaven help me, I shall be in
+the field upon Candlemas Day at the jousts, whatsoever come of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So all that might heal Sir Launcelot was gotten, and, when the day
+came, he and Sir Lavaine had themselves and their horses arrayed, and
+so departed and came nigh to the field.  Many proved good knights with
+their retainers were there ready to joust, and King Arthur himself came
+into the field with two hundred knights, the most part noble knights of
+the Table Round.  And there were old knights set in scaffolds, for to
+judge with the Queen who did best.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they blew to the field, and the knights met in the battle,
+furiously smiting down one and another in the rush of the tournament.
+King Arthur himself ran into the lists with a hundred followers,
+smiting to the earth four knights, one after the other, and even when
+his spear was broken he did passing well.  And so knight after knight
+came in,&mdash;Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gaheris, and Sir Agravaine, and Sir
+Mordred, and many others; all pressed their opponents hard, some being
+discomfited and others gaining great honour by their mighty prowess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this doing Sir Launcelot saw, and then he came into the field with
+Sir Lavaine, as if it had been thunder.  He encountered with Sir
+Gawaine, and by force smote him and his horse to the earth, and then
+one knight after another all with one spear.  And Sir Lavaine
+encountered with Sir Palamides, and either met other so hard and so
+fiercely that both their horses fell to the earth.  But they were
+horsed again, and then Sir Launcelot met with Sir Palamides, and there
+Sir Palamides had a fall.  And so Sir Launcelot, as fast as he could
+get spears, smote down thirty knights, and the most part of them were
+knights of the Table Round.  And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw
+Sir Launcelot do such deeds, and with nine chosen knights made ready to
+set upon Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this espied Sir Gareth, and he said to Sir Bors, "I will ride unto
+my lord Sir Launcelot for to help him, fall of it what may, for he is
+the same man that made me knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye shall not so," said Sir Bors, "by my counsel, unless ye be
+disguised."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye shall see me disguised," said Sir Gareth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he rode to a Welsh knight who lay to repose himself, for he was sore
+hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gareth prayed him of his knighthood
+to lend him his green shield for his.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will well," said the Welsh knight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot with all his might, and
+bore him fellowship for old love he had shown him.  And so the King and
+his nine knights encountered with Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine and Sir
+Gareth.  And Sir Gareth did such deeds of arms that all men wondered
+what knight he was with the green shield; for he smote down that day
+and pulled down more than thirty knights.  Also Sir Launcelot knew not
+Sir Gareth, and marvelled, when he beheld him do such deeds, what
+knight he might be.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So this tournament and this joust lasted long, till it was near
+evening, for the knights of the Round Table ever came to the relief of
+King Arthur, who was wroth out of measure that he and his knights could
+not prevail that day over Sir Launcelot and the knights who were with
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when they had long dealt one another great strokes and neither might
+prevail, King Arthur said to Sir Gawaine, "Tell me now, nephew, what is
+your best counsel?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "ye shall have my counsel.  Have sounded the
+call unto lodging, for, trust me, truly it will be of no avail to
+strive with Sir Launcelot of the Lake and my brother, Sir Gareth,&mdash;for
+he it is with the green shield,&mdash;helped as they are by that good young
+knight, Sir Lavaine, unless we should fall ten or twelve upon one
+knight, and that would be no honour, but shame."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye say truth," said the King, "and it were shame to us, so many as we
+are, to set upon them any more."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So then they blew unto lodging, and King Arthur rode after Sir
+Launcelot and prayed him and other of the knights to supper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they went unto Arthur's lodging all together, and there was a great
+feast and great revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launcelot.
+Then Sir Launcelot told the King and the Queen how the lady huntress
+shot him in the forest of Windsor in the thigh with a broad arrow.
+Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth, because he left his fellowship and held
+with Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My lord," said Sir Gareth, "he made me a knight, and when I saw him so
+hard bestead, me thought it was my honour to help him, for I saw him do
+so much, and I was ashamed to see so many noble knights against him
+alone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly," said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, "ye say well, and honourably
+have ye done, and all the days of my life be sure I shall love you and
+trust you the more for the great honour ye have done to yourself.  For
+ever it is an honourable knight's duty to help another honourable
+knight when he seeth him in a great danger, for ever an honourable man
+will be loath to see an honourable man put to shame.  He that is of no
+honour, and fareth with cowardice, will never show gentleness nor any
+manner of goodness where he seeth a man in any danger, for never will a
+coward show any mercy, and always a good man will do to another man as
+he would be done to himself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So then there were great feasts unto kings and dukes; and revel, game,
+and play, and all manner of nobleness was used; and he that was
+courteous, true, and faithful to his friend was at that time cherished.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap35"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Thus it passed on from Candlemas until after Easter, and soon the month
+of May was come, when every manly heart begins to blossom and to bring
+forth fruit.  For as herbs and trees flourish in May, likewise every
+lusty heart springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds, for more than any
+other month May giveth unto all men renewed courage, and calleth again
+to their mind old gentleness and old service, and many kind deeds that
+were forgotten by negligence.  Therefore, as the month of May flowereth
+and flourisheth in many gardens, so let every man of honour bring forth
+fruit in his heart, first unto God, and next unto the joy of them to
+whom he has promised his faith.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it befell in the month of May that Queen Guenever called unto her
+ten knights of the Table Round, and she bade them ride with her
+a-Maying on the morrow into the woods and fields near Westminster.  And
+"I bid you," said she, "that ye all be well horsed, and that ye all be
+clothed in green, either silk or woollen, and I shall bring with me ten
+ladies, and every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every knight
+shall have a squire and two yeomen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they made themselves ready in the freshest manner, and in the
+morning rode with the Queen a-Maying in woods and meadows as it pleased
+them in great joy and delight.  The Queen purposed to be again with
+King Arthur at the furthest by ten of the clock.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now there was a knight called Meliagrance, who had at that time a
+castle, the gift of King Arthur, within seven miles of Westminster.  He
+had long lain in wait to steal away the Queen, but had feared to do the
+base deed when Sir Launcelot was in her company.  It was her custom at
+that time never to ride without a great fellowship of men of arms about
+her, for the most part young men eager for honour, and called the
+Queen's knights.  But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the
+Queen well and her purpose on this May morning, and had seen how Sir
+Launcelot was not with her, and how she had for this once no men of
+arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for
+Maying.  Then he provided him twenty men of arms and a hundred archers,
+to destroy the Queen's knights, for he thought that time was the best
+season to take the Queen prisoner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So while the Queen and all her knights were gathering herbs and mosses
+and flowers in the best manner and freshest, just then there came out
+of a wood Sir Meliagrance with eight-score men, well armed, and bade
+the Queen and her knights to stand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Traitor knight," said Queen Guenever, "what intendest thou to do?
+Wilt thou shame thyself?  Bethink thee how thou art a king's son, and
+knight of the Table Round, and thou art about to dishonour the noble
+king that made thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself;
+but me, I let thee wit, thou shalt never shame, for I had rather cut my
+throat in twain than that thou shouldst dishonour me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As for all this language," said Sir Meliagrance, "be it as it may,
+never before could I get you at such advantage as I do now, and
+therefore I will take you as I find you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All the ten noble knights sought to dissuade him from dishonouring
+himself and from forcing them to jeopard their lives, unarmed as they
+were, in defending the Queen.  But Sir Meliagrance would not yield, and
+the ten knights of the Table Round drew their swords and stood manly
+against the spears and swords of the others.  But Sir Meliagrance had
+them at great advantage, and anon six of them were smitten to the earth
+with grimly wounds.  The other four fought long, but at last they also
+were sore wounded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the Queen saw that her knights needs must be slain at the last,
+she for pity and sorrow agreed to go with Sir Meliagrance to his castle
+upon this covenant, that he suffer not her knights to be more hurt, and
+that they be led wheresoever she was taken.  "For," said she, "I will
+rather slay myself than go with thee, unless these my noble knights may
+be in my presence."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meliagrance consented, and by the Queen's commandment they left battle.
+The wounded knights were placed on horseback, some sitting, some across
+the horses' backs in a pitiful manner, and all rode in haste to the
+castle.  Then Sir Meliagrance charged the Queen and all her knights
+that no one should depart from her, for full sore he dreaded Sir
+Launcelot, lest he should have any knowledging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the Queen privily called unto her a page who could ride swiftly,
+gave him her ring, and told him to bear it, when he saw a chance to
+slip away quietly, unto Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and pray him to
+rescue her.  "And spare thou not thy horse," said she, "neither for
+water nor for land."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the page espied his time, and lightly he touched his horse with the
+spurs, and departed as fast as he might.  Sir Meliagrance saw him so
+flee, and understood that it was to warn Sir Launcelot.  Then they that
+were best horsed chased him and shot at him, but he escaped them all,
+and anon found Sir Launcelot.  And when he had told his message, and
+delivered him the Queen's ring, "Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "now am I
+shamed forever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from
+dishonour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he eagerly called for his armour, and ever the page told him how
+the ten knights had fought marvellously, till at last the Queen made
+appointment to go with Sir Meliagrance for to save their lives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that most noble lady, that she should be
+so destroyed!  I would give all France to have been there well armed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he sent the Queen's
+page to tell Sir Lavaine how suddenly he had departed, and for what
+cause, and to pray him to come anon to the castle where Sir Meliagrance
+abideth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot, it is said, took to the water at Westminster bridge and
+made his horse swim over the Thames to Lambeth; and then he rode as
+fast as he might, until within a while he came to the place where the
+ten knights had fought with Sir Meliagrance.  He then followed the path
+until he came to a straight way through the wood.  Here he was stopped
+by thirty archers that Sir Meliagrance had sent out to slay Sir
+Launcelot's horse, but in no wise to have ado with him bodily, "for,"
+he had said, "he is overhard to overcome."  These archers bade Sir
+Launcelot to turn again and follow no longer that track, and when Sir
+Launcelot gave right naught for them, then they shot his horse, and
+smote him with many arrows.  Sir Launcelot now set out on foot, but
+there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him that
+he could not meddle with any one of them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He went on a while, but was much cumbered by his armour, his shield,
+and his spear.  Wit ye well he was sore annoyed at his slow progress,
+but was loath to leave anything that belonged unto him, for he dreaded
+sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then by chance there came by a cart, that was sent thither to
+fetch wood.  "Tell me, carter," said Sir Launcelot, "what shall I give
+thee to take me in thy cart unto a castle within two miles of here?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thou shalt not set foot in my cart," said the man, "for I am sent to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagrance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot jumped upon him and gave the man such a blow that he
+fell to the earth stark dead.  Then the other carter, his fellow, was
+afraid of going the same way, and cried out, "Fair lord, save my life
+and I will bring you where ye will."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sir Launcelot leaped into the cart, and the carter drove at a great
+gallop, Sir Launcelot's horse following after with more than forty
+arrows in him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+More than an hour and a half later, Queen Guenever was in a bay window
+of the castle with her ladies, and espied an armed knight approaching,
+standing in a cart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See, madam," said a lady to her, "there rideth in a cart a goodly
+armed knight; I suppose he rideth to hanging."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Queen espied by his shield that Sir Launcelot of the Lake
+himself was there.  "Alas," said the Queen; "now I see that well is it
+with him who hath a trusty friend.  Ah, most noble knight, I see well
+thou are hard bestead, when thou ridest in a cart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come to the gates of that castle, and
+there he descended from the cart, and cried so that all the castle
+rang: "Where art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the
+Table Round?  Now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy
+fellowship with thee, for here I am, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that
+shall fight with thee."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With these words he burst the gate wide open upon the porter, and smote
+him under his ear with his gauntlet so that he staggered back like a
+dead man.  When Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was there, he
+ran unto Queen Guenever and fell upon his knees, putting himself wholly
+at her mercy, and begging her to control the wrath of Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better is peace than ever war," said the Queen, "and the less noise
+the more is my honour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So she and her ladies went down to Sir Launcelot, thanked him for all
+his trouble in her behalf, told him of Meliagrance's repentance, and
+bade him come in peaceably with her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "if ye are accorded with him, I am not
+inclined to be against peace, howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full
+shamefully to me, and cowardly.  Ah, madam, had I known ye would be so
+soon accorded with him, I would not have made such haste unto you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What," said the Queen, "do ye repent of your good deeds?  Wit ye well
+I never made peace with him for labour or love that I had unto him, but
+to suppress all shameful noise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "ye understand full well I was never glad
+of shameful slander nor noise; and there is neither king, queen, nor
+knight alive except my lord King Arthur and you, madam, that should
+hinder me from making Sir Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I
+departed from hence."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Queen and Sir Launcelot went in together, and she commanded
+him to be unarmed.  Then he asked where the ten knights were that were
+wounded sore.  So she led Sir Launcelot to them, and they made great
+joy of his coming, and he made great dole of their hurts, and bewailed
+them greatly.  And then Sir Launcelot told them how he had been obliged
+to put himself into a cart.  Thus they complained each to other, and
+full gladly would they have been revenged, but they restrained
+themselves because of the Queen.  So Sir Launcelot was called for many
+a day thereafter the Chevalier of the Cart, and he did many deeds, and
+great adventures he had.  And so we leave this tale of the Knight of
+the Cart, and turn to others.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap36"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+In this same month of May when every lusty heart flourisheth and
+bourgeoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill
+fortune that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world
+was destroyed.  And all was due to two evil knights, the which were
+named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were nephews unto King Arthur
+and brethren unto Sir Gawaine.  For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred
+had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, Dame Guenever, and to Sir
+Launcelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it mishapped that Sir Agravaine on a day said openly, so that many
+knights might hear, that the friendship between Sir Launcelot and the
+Queen was a disgrace to knighthood and a shame to so noble a king as
+Arthur.  But Sir Gawaine would not hear any of these tales nor be of
+Agravaine's counsel; moreover he charged his brother to move no such
+matters afore him, for he wist well what mischief would come, should
+war arise betwixt Sir Launcelot and the King, and he remembered how
+ofttimes Sir Launcelot had proved his goodness and loyalty by knightly
+deeds.  Also Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, two other brethren, would know
+nothing of Agravaine's base accusation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons of the Queen of
+Orkney, the which had mocked the good Percivale when first he came to
+the court, and who had ever been jealous and ready to think evil of
+another, joined with Sir Agravaine.  Therewithal they three, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Gareth departed, making great dole over
+the mischief that threatened the destruction of the realm and the
+dispersion of the noble fellowship of the Round Table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him
+they might no longer suffer Sir Launcelot's deeds, for he was a traitor
+to his kingly person.  But the King would believe nothing unless he
+might have proofs of it, for, as the French book saith, he was full
+loath to hear ill of a knight who had done so much for him and for the
+Queen so many times that, as was fully known, he loved him passingly
+well.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then these two brethren made a plot for taking Sir Launcelot when in
+the Queen's presence, and bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur.
+So on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights
+and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen
+Guenever was; thus they plotted to take Sir Launcelot by force, if she
+should have speech with him.  Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared
+not what liars said about him, since he wist his own good will and
+loyalty.  So when the Queen sent for him to speak with her, he went as
+true knight to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set for him.
+In the battle that followed he was hard bestead, but slew Sir Agravaine
+at the first buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve
+chosen knights cold to the earth.  Also he wounded Sir Mordred, who,
+when he escaped from the noble Sir Launcelot, anon gat his horse and
+rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded and all bleeding.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he told the King how it was, and how they were all slain save
+himself only.  So the King believed Sir Mordred's evil accusation true,
+and he said: "Alas, me sore repenteth that ever Sir Launcelot should be
+against me.  Now am I sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is
+broken for ever, for with him will many a noble knight hold.  And now
+it is fallen so that I may not keep my honour unless the Queen suffer
+the death."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So then there was made great ordinance that the Queen must be judged to
+the death, for the law was such in those days that whatsoever they
+were, of what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason,
+there should be none other remedy but death.  Right so it was ordained
+for Queen Guenever, and she was commanded to the fire, there to be
+burned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Arthur prayed Sir Gawaine to make himself ready in his best
+armour, with his brethren Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring the
+Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment, and receive the death.
+But Sir Gawaine ever believed Dame Guenever guiltless of the treason
+charged against her, and he would never have it said that he had any
+part in her shameful end.  Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth also were loath
+to be there present, but they were young, and full unable to say him
+nay.  "If we be there by your straight commandment," said they, "ye
+shall plainly hold us excused though we go in peaceable wise, and bear
+none harness of war upon us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the Queen was led forth without Carlisle, and she prepared herself
+for death.  There was weeping and wailing and wringing of hands of many
+lords and ladies, and few in comparison there present would bear any
+armour for to keep order.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anon as the fire was to be lighted, there was spurring and plucking up
+of horses, and right so Sir Launcelot and his followers came hither,
+and whoever stood against them was slain.  And so in this rushing and
+hurling, as Sir Launcelot pressed here and there, it mishapped him to
+slay Gaheris and Gareth, the noble knights, for they were unarmed and
+unaware.  In truth Sir Launcelot saw them not, and so were they found
+dead among the thickest of the press.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then when Sir Launcelot had thus done, and had slain or put to flight
+all that would withstand him, he rode straight unto Dame Guenever, and
+made her to be set behind him on his horse, and prayed her to be of
+good cheer.  Wit ye well the Queen was glad that she was escaped from
+the death, and then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so he rode his way with the Queen, as the French book saith, unto
+Joyous Gard, his own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the Fair
+Isoud after her flight from Cornwall.  There Sir Launcelot kept
+Guenever as a noble knight should do, and many great lords and some
+kings sent him many good knights, and many noble knights drew unto Sir
+Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When it was known openly that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at
+debate, many were full heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for
+pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what wise the Queen was
+taken away from the fire, and as he heard of the death of his noble
+knights, in especial that of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth.  And when he
+awoke of his swoon, he said: "Alas that ever I bare crown upon my head,
+for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever
+Christian king held together.  Alas that ever this war began.  The
+death of these two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war that
+ever was, for I am sure, wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I
+should never have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin
+and himself, or else he had destroyed me.  Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine,
+Jesu forgive it thy soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir
+Mordred haddest unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this sorrow."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap37"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING<BR>
+AND FROM JOYOUS GARD
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+There came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the Queen was led
+away by Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty-four knights slain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Full well wist I," said then Sir Gawaine, "that Sir Launcelot would
+rescue her, or else he would die in that field.  To say the truth, had
+he not rescued the Queen he would not have been a man of honour,
+inasmuch as she was to have been burned for his sake.  He hath done but
+knightly, and as I would have done myself, had I stood in like case.
+But where are my brethren?  I marvel I hear not of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the man told him that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris were slain, both
+by the hand of Launcelot.  "That may I not believe," said Sir Gawaine,
+"that he slew my brother Sir Gareth, for I dare say Gareth loved him
+better than me and all his brethren, and the King also.  Sir Launcelot
+made him knight, and had he desired my brother Sir Gareth with him, he
+would have been with him against the King and us all.  Therefore I may
+never believe that Sir Launcelot slew my brother."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When at the last he knew in truth that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris had
+died by Sir Launcelot's hand, all his joy was gone.  He fell down in a
+swoon, and long he lay there as he had been dead.  When he arose of his
+swoon he ran to the King crying, and weeping, and said: "O King Arthur,
+my lord and mine uncle, wit ye well, from this day I shall never fail
+Sir Launcelot, until the one of us have slain the other.  Therefore
+dress you to the war, for wit ye well I will be revenged upon him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Unto King Arthur now drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he
+had a great host.  Then they made them ready to lay siege about Sir
+Launcelot, where he lay within Joyous Gard.  Thereof heard Sir
+Launcelot, and he gathered together his followers, for with him held
+many good knights, some for his own sake, and some for the Queen's
+sake.  Thus they were on both sides well furnished and provided with
+all manner of things that belonged to the war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Sir Launcelot was full loath to do battle against the King, and so
+he withdrew into his strong castle with all manner of victual and as
+many noble men as might suffice, and for a long time would in no wise
+ride out, neither would he allow any of his good knights to issue out,
+though King Arthur with Sir Gawaine came and laid a siege all about
+Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Launcelot looked over
+the walls, and spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: "My
+lords both, wit ye well all is in vain that ye make at this siege; here
+win ye no honour, for if I list to come out with my good knights, I
+should full soon make an end of this war.  But God defend me, that ever
+I should encounter with the most noble King that made me knight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fie upon thy fair language," said the King; "come forth, if thou
+darest.  Wit thou well, I am thy mortal foe, and ever shall be to my
+death day, for thou hast slain my good knights and full noble men of my
+blood, and like a traitor hast taken my Queen from me by force."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My most noble lord and king," answered Sir Launcelot, "ye may say what
+ye will, for ye wot well with yourself I will not strive.  I wot well
+that I have slain your good knights, and that me sore repenteth; but I
+was forced to do battle with them in saving of my life, or else I must
+have suffered them to slay me.  And as for my lady, Queen Guenever,
+except your highness and my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no knight under
+heaven that dare make it good upon me, that ever I was traitor unto
+your person, and I will prove it upon any knight alive, except you and
+Sir Gawaine, that my lady Queen Guenever is as true and loyal unto you
+as any living unto her lord.  Howbeit, it hath pleased her good grace
+to have me in charity, and to cherish me more than any other knight,
+and unto my power I in return have deserved her love; for ofttimes, my
+lord, it fortuned me to do battle for her, and ye thanked me when I
+saved her life.  Now me thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good
+service, and me seemeth I had lost a great part of my honour in my
+knighthood, had I suffered my lady your queen to be burned, inasmuch as
+she was to be burned for my sake.  For, since I have done battle for
+your queen in other quarrels than in mine own, me seemeth now I had
+more right to do battle for her in right quarrel.  Therefore, my good
+and gracious lord, take your queen unto your good grace, for she is
+both fair, true, and good."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fie on thy proud words," said Sir Gawaine; "as for my lady the Queen,
+I will never say of her shame, but thou false and recreant knight, what
+cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee
+more than all my kin?  Alas, thou madest him knight with thine own
+hands; why slewest thou him that loved thee so well?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For to excuse myself," said Sir Launcelot, "it helpeth me not, but by
+the faith I owe to the high order of knighthood, I should with as good
+will have slain my nephew Sir Bors of Ganis.  Alas, that ever I was so
+unhappy that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Sir Gawaine was mischievously set, and it helped not Sir Launcelot
+to seek accordment.  King Arthur must needs unto battle because of his
+nephew's great anger, and on the morn he was ready in the field with
+three great hosts.  Then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three
+gates in a full good array, in order and rule as noble knights.  And
+always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save King
+Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then began a great battle, and much people was slain.  Ever Sir
+Launcelot did what he might to save the people on King Arthur's side,
+and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to slay him.  Sir
+Launcelot suffered him, and would not strike again; but at the last Sir
+Bors encountered with King Arthur, and with a spear smote him down.  He
+alighted and drew his sword to slay him, and then he said to Sir
+Launcelot, "Shall I make an end of this war?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not so hardy," said Sir Launcelot, "upon pain of thy head, touch him
+no further, for I will never see that most noble king, that made me
+knight, either slain or shamed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted oft his horse and took up the King,
+and horsed him again, and said thus: "My lord Arthur, for God's love
+stint this strife, for ye get here no honour, if I will to do mine
+uttermost; always I forbear you, but neither you nor any of yours
+forbeareth me.  My lord, remember what I have done in many places, and
+now I am evil rewarded."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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.
+Therewith the King might no longer behold him, and he rode his way,
+saying, "Alas that ever this war began."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then both sides withdrew to repose themselves, to bury the dead,
+and to lay soft salves on the wounded.  Thus they passed the night, but
+on the morn they made ready again to do battle.  At the end of this day
+also Sir Launcelot and his party stood better, but for pity he withheld
+his knights, and suffered King Arthur's party to withdraw one side, and
+Sir Launcelot again returned into his castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the war went on day after day.  It was noised through all
+Christendom, and at the last it was noised afore the Pope.  He,
+considering the great goodness of King Arthur and of Sir Launcelot,
+that were called the noblest knights of the world, called unto him a
+noble clerk, that at that time was there present,&mdash;the French book
+saith it was the Bishop of Rochester,&mdash;and gave him bulls unto King
+Arthur of England, charging him upon pain of interdicting of all
+England, that he take his queen, Dame Guenever, unto him again, and
+accord with Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when this bishop was come to Carlisle he showed the King the bulls,
+and by their means peace was made between King Arthur and Sir
+Launcelot.  With great pomp and ceremony Sir Launcelot rode with the
+Queen from Joyous Gard to Carlisle, and they knelt before King Arthur,
+that was full gladly accorded with them both.  But Sir Gawaine would
+never be at peace with the knight that had slain his brethren.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The King may take his Queen again, if he will," said Sir Gawaine to
+Sir Launcelot, "and may be accorded with thee, but thou and I are past
+pardon.  Thou shalt go from Carlisle safe, as thou camest, but in this
+land thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give
+thee;&mdash;so the King and I were consented and accorded ere thou camest
+hither, and else, wit thou well, thou shouldest not have come here
+except without thy head.  If it were not for the Pope's commandment, I
+should do battle with mine own body against thy body, and prove it upon
+thee that thou hast been both false unto mine uncle and to me, 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 he said: "Alas, most noble Christian realm, that I have loved above
+all others, in thee have I gotten a great part of my honour, and now I
+shall depart in this wise.  Truly me repenteth that ever I came in this
+realm that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved, and
+causeless.  But fortune is so variant, and the wheel so movable, there
+is no constant abiding.  Wit ye well,  Sir Gawaine, I may live upon my
+lands as well as any knight that here is.  And if ye, most redoubted
+King, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to war upon me, I must
+endure you as well as I may.  But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye
+come there, I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, for if ye
+do, I must answer you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in hearing of the King and them
+all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship for
+ever; and since 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>
+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, if he dare."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he brought her to the King, and so took his leave and departed.
+And there was neither king, duke nor earl, baron nor 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.  So he took his way unto Joyous Gard, that ever after he
+called Dolorous Gard, and thus left the court for ever.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap38"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED<BR>
+SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot came again to Joyous Gard from Carlisle, he called
+his fellowship unto him, and asked them what they would do.  Then they
+answered all wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My fair fellows," said he: "I must depart out of this most noble
+realm.  And now I am to depart, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart
+with no honour.  A banished man departed never out of any realm with
+honour; and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear that after my days
+they will chronicle upon me that I was banished out of this land."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then spake many noble knights: "Sir, we will never fail.  Since it
+liked us to take a part with you in your distress and heaviness in this
+realm, wit ye well it shall like us as well to go in other countries
+with you, and there to take such part as ye do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "I well understand you, and, as I
+can, thank you.  And ye shall understand, such livelihood and lands as
+I am born unto I shall freely share among you, and I myself will have
+as little as any of you, for if I have sufficient for my personal
+needs, I will ask none other rich array; and I trust to God to maintain
+you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any knights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then spake all the knights at once: "He have shame that will leave you.
+We all understand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever strife
+and debate, now the fellowship of the Round Table is broken; for by the
+noble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthur upborne, and by
+their nobleness the King and all his realm was in quiet and in rest.
+And a great part," they said all, "was because of your nobleness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, to make short tale, they packed up, and paid all that would ask
+them, and wholly an hundred knights departed with Sir Launcelot at
+once, and made avows they would never leave him for weal nor for woe.
+They shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick.  But to say the
+sooth, Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords of all France, and of
+all the lands that belong unto France through Sir Launcelot's noble
+prowess.  When he had established all these countries, he shortly
+called a parliament, and appointed officers for his realm.  Thus Sir
+Launcelot rewarded his noble knights and many more, that me seemeth it
+were too long to rehearse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights with
+him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that made
+a great host ready, to the number of three-score thousand.  All things
+were made 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.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So King Arthur passed over the sea, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's
+lands, and there burned and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir
+Gawaine, all that they might overrun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that King Arthur and Sir Gawaine
+were landed upon his lands, and made a full destruction and waste, then
+said Sir Lionel, that was ware and wise: "My Lord, Sir Launcelot, I
+will give you this counsel: Let us keep our strong walled towns until
+they have hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails, and then let us
+freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep in a field, that
+aliens may take ensample for ever how they set foot upon our lands."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Launcelot, "Sir, here be knights come of
+king's blood that will not long droop; therefore give us leave, like as
+we be 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 all at once seven brethren of North Wales,&mdash;and they were
+seven noble knights, a man might seek in seven lands ere he might find
+such seven knights: "Sir Launcelot, let us ride out with Sir Galihud,
+for we be never wont to cower in castle, or in noble towns."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master and governor of them all:
+"My fair lords, wit ye well I am full loath to ride out with my
+knights, for shedding of Christian blood; and yet my lands I understand
+to be full bare to sustain any host a while, for the mighty wars that
+whilom made King Claudas upon this country, upon my father King Ban and
+on mine uncle King Bors.  Howbeit we will at this time keep our strong
+walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, a treaty for
+to take, for better is peace than always war."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with her, requiring King Arthur
+to leave his warring upon his lands.  When she came to the pavilion of
+King Arthur there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the butler, and
+when he knew that she was a messenger from Sir Launcelot to the King he
+said: "I pray God, damsel, ye may speed well.  My Lord Arthur would
+love Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Lucan led the damsel unto the King, and when she had told her tale,
+all the lords were full glad to advise him to be accorded with Sir
+Launcelot, save only Sir Gawaine, who would not turn again, now that
+they were past thus far upon the journey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine," said Arthur, "I will do as ye will advise
+me; and yet me seemeth his fair proffers were not good to be refused."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Gawaine sent the damsel away with the answer that it was now
+too late for peace.  And so the war went on.  Sir Launcelot was never
+so loath to do battle, but he must needs defend himself; and when King
+Arthur's host besieged Benwick round about, and fast began to set up
+ladders, then Sir Launcelot beat them from the walls mightily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then upon a day it befell that Sir Gawaine came before the gates fully
+armed on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand, and cried with
+a loud voice: "Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Launcelot?  Why
+hidest thou 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 he wist well that he must
+defend himself, or else be recreant.  So he armed himself at all
+points, and mounted upon his horse, and gat 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 to hold them still, to see and behold the battle
+of these two noble knights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they laid their spears in their rests, and came together as
+thunder.  Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot in an hundred
+pieces unto his hand, and Sir Launcelot smote him with a greater might,
+so that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and the horse and he fell to
+the earth.  Then they dressed their shields and fought with swords on
+foot, giving many sad strokes, so that all men on both parties had
+thereof passing great wonder.  But Sir Launcelot withheld his courage
+and his wind, and kept himself wonderly covert of his might.  Under his
+shield he traced and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine's
+strokes and his courage, and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with all his
+might to destroy Sir Launcelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the first ever Sir Gawaine's power increased, and right so his wind
+and his evil will.  For a time Sir Launcelot had great pain to defend
+himself, but when three hours were passed, and Sir Launcelot felt that
+Sir Gawaine was come to his full strength, then Sir Launcelot said, "I
+feel that ye have done your mighty deeds; now wit you well I must do my
+deeds."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he doubled his strokes, and soon smote such a buffet upon Sir
+Gawaine's helm that he sank down upon his side in a swoon.  Anon as he
+did awake, he waved 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.  "When I see
+you on foot I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand on
+your feet; but to smite a wounded man, that may not stand, God defend
+me from such a shame."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he turned and went his way towards the city, and Sir Gawaine,
+evermore calling him traitor knight, said, "Wit thou well, Sir
+Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again; for I
+shall never leave thee till one of us be slain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus this siege endured.  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 Arthur from England,
+that made him and all his host to remove.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap39"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England he did make letters 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.  So was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a
+feast there fifteen days.  Afterwards he drew unto Winchester, and
+there he took the Queen, Guenever, and said plainly that he would wed
+her which was his uncle's wife.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he made ready for the feast, and a day was prefixed when they should
+be wedded.  Wherefore Queen Guenever was passing heavy, but she durst
+not discover her heart, and spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's
+will.  Then she desired of him for to go to London, to buy all manner
+of things that longed unto the wedding, and because of her fair speech
+Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her leave to go.  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
+garnished it with men, and so kept it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood 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, because Queen
+Guenever, for fair speech nor for foul, would never trust to come in
+his hands again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 then shame yourself and all knighthood?
+Leave this matter, 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 ye well I shall not fear me to do that
+I ought to do.  Also, when ye noise that my lord Arthur is slain, 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, if thou chafe me
+any more, I shall make strike off thy head."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the Bishop departed, and did the curse in the haughtiest wise that
+might be done.  Then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury for to
+slay him, and he fled, and, taking part of his goods with him, went
+nigh unto Glastonbury, and there lived in poverty and in holy prayers
+as priest-hermit in a chapel, for well he understood that mischievous
+war was at hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege
+from Sir Launcelot, and was coming homeward with a great host, to be
+avenged upon Sir Mordred.  Wherefore Sir Mordred made write writs to
+all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him, for then was
+the common voice among them, that with Arthur was none other life but
+war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss.  Thus was
+Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of, and many there were that King
+Arthur had made up of naught, and had given lands to, who might not
+then say of him a good word.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lo all ye Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was, for Arthur
+was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the
+fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden.  Now
+might not these Englishmen hold us content with him.  Lo, thus was the
+old custom and usage of this land, and men say, that we of this land
+have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage.  Alas, this is a
+great fault of all Englishmen, for there may no thing please us.  And
+so fared the people at that time; 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.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say
+that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own uncle
+from his lands.  And the most part of all England held with Sir
+Mordred, the people were so new-fangle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 landage, to keep his own uncle from
+landing in the country that he was king over.  Then there was launching
+of great boats and small, full of noble men of arms, and there was much
+slaughter of gentle knights, and many a bold baron was laid full low on
+both sides.  But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no
+manner of knights prevent him from landing, and his knights fiercely
+followed him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they landed in spite of Sir Mordred and all his power, and they put
+him aback, so that he fled and all his people.  When this battle was
+done, King Arthur let bury his 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 made
+sorrow out of measure, for this sister's son was the man in the world
+that he most loved.  Sir Gawaine felt that he must die, for he was
+smitten upon the old wound that Sir Launcelot had given him afore the
+city of Benwick.  He now knew that he was the cause of this unhappy
+war, for had Sir Launcelot remained with the King, it would never have
+been, and now King Arthur would sore miss his brave knights of the
+Round Table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he prayed his uncle that he might have paper, pen, and ink, and
+when they were brought, he with his own hand wrote thus, as the French
+book maketh mention: "Unto Sir Launcelot, flower of all noble knights
+that ever I heard of, or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son
+of Orkney, sister's son unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting,
+and let thee have knowledge, that this tenth day of May, through the
+same wound that thou gavest me I am come to my death.  And I will that
+all the world wit that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table Round,
+sought my death; it came not through thy deserving, but it was mine own
+seeking.  Wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, to return again unto
+this realm, and see my tomb, and pray some prayer, more or less, for my
+soul.  For all the love that ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but
+come over the sea in all haste, that thou mayest with thy noble knights
+rescue that noble king that made thee knight, that is my lord Arthur,
+for he is full straitly bestead with a false traitor, my half-brother,
+Sir Mordred.  We all landed upon him and his host at Dover, and there
+put him to flight, and there it misfortuned me to be stricken in the
+same wound the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot.  Of a nobler man
+might I not be slain.  This letter was written but two hours and an
+half afore my death, with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of
+my heart's blood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept, and then they swooned
+both.  When they awaked both, the King made Sir Gawaine to receive the
+sacrament, 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 the King let inter
+him in a chapel within Dover Castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then was it told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field
+upon Barham Down.  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 Sir Arthur's party stood best, and Sir
+Mordred and his party fled to Canterbury.  Upon this much people drew
+unto King Arthur, and he went with his host down by the seaside,
+westward towards Salisbury, and there was a day assigned between him
+and Sir Mordred when they should meet in battle upon a down beside
+Salisbury, not far from the sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the night before the battle King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream,
+and it seemed to him verily that there came Sir Gawaine unto him, and
+said; "God giveth me leave to come hither for to warn you that, if ye
+fight to-morn 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 the great grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath unto you, and
+for pity of you and many other good men that there shall be slain, God
+hath sent me to you, of His special grace, to give you warning, that in
+no wise ye do battle to-morn, but that ye take a treaty for a month;
+and proffer ye largely, so as to-morn to be put in delay, for within a
+month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his noble knights, and rescue
+you honourably, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever will hold with
+him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Gawaine vanished, and anon the King commanded Sir Lucan and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and charged them
+to take a treaty for a month with Sir Mordred in any wise they might.
+So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim
+host of an hundred thousand men.  There they entreated Sir Mordred long
+time, and at the last he was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent by King
+Arthur's days, and after the days of King Arthur all England.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap40"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XL
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere were agreed with Sir Mordred that King
+Arthur and he should meet betwixt both their hosts, for to conclude the
+treaty they had made, and every each of them should bring fourteen
+persons.  And they came with this word unto King Arthur.  Then said he,
+"I am glad that this is done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Arthur made ready to go into the field, and when he would depart, he
+warned all his hosts that if they saw any sword drawn, they should come
+on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for he in no wise
+trusted him.  In like manner Sir Mordred warned his host: "If ye see
+any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that
+ever before you stand, for in no wise will I trust for this treaty.  I
+know well mine uncle will be avenged upon me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they met as their appointment was, and they were agreed and accorded
+thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank.  Right so came an
+adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot.
+When the knight felt himself stung, he looked down and saw the adder;
+then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none other
+harm.  But when the hosts on both parties saw the sword drawn, then
+they blew trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly.  And so both hosts
+dressed them together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas this unhappy day," and so
+rode to his party; and Sir Mordred did likewise.  And never was there
+seen a dolefuller battle in any Christian land, for there was but
+rushing and riding, foining, and striking, and many a grim word was
+there spoken either to other, and there was given many a deadly stroke.
+Thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted, till the noble
+knights were laid to the cold ground.  And ever they fought still, till
+it was near night, and by that time were there an hundred thousand laid
+dead upon the down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the King looked about him, and was 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 his brother Sir Bedivere, and even they
+were full sore wounded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Jesu, mercy," said the King, "where are all my noble knights become?
+Alas that ever I should see this doleful day.  Now I am come to mine
+end.  But would to God that I wist where is that traitor Sir Mordred,
+that 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.  "Now give me my spear," said Arthur unto Sir
+Lucan, "for yonder I have espied the traitor that all this woe hath
+wrought."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir, let him be," said Sir Lucan.  "If ye pass this evil day, ye shall
+be right well revenged upon him.  My lord remember ye of your night's
+dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you last night.  God of
+His great goodness hath preserved you hitherto.  Therefore, for God's
+sake, my lord, leave off with this.  For blessed be God, ye have won
+the field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none.
+If ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is past."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tide me death, betide me life," saith the King, "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I
+never have him."  Then he gat his spear in both his hands, and ran
+towards Sir Mordred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death day come."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword drawn
+in his hand, and then King Arthur smote him under the shield with a
+foin of his spear throughout the body.  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 his uncle
+Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head
+so that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain-pan, and therewithal
+Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he swooned
+ofttimes.  And Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heaved him up, and
+so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little chapel not far
+from the seaside.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap41"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XLI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When the King was laid in the chapel he thought himself well eased.
+Then heard they people cry in the field, and Sir Lucan went out to wit
+what the noise betokened.  As he went he saw and heard in the moonlight
+how the plunderers and robbers were come into the battlefield to
+pillage and rob many a full noble knight of rings and jewels; and who
+that were not dead all out, there they slew them for their harness and
+their riches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+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 my
+advice," said Sir Lucan, "it is best that we bring you to some town."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would it were so," said the King, "but I may not stand, my head
+works so.  Ah, Sir Launcelot, 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 and Sir Bedivere took up the King, and in the lifting
+the King swooned, and Sir Lucan, that was grievously wounded in many
+places, also fell in a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble
+knight died.  When King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir
+Lucan dead and Sir Bedivere weeping for his brother, and he said: "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.
+Yet, Sir Bedivere, weeping and mourning will not avail me; for wit thou
+well, if I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me
+evermore.  But my time hieth fast.  Therefore, Sir Bedivere, take thou
+Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder waterside, and when
+thou comest there, I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come
+again, and tell me what thou there seest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My lord," said Bedivere, "your commandment shall be done, and I will
+lightly bring you word again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble sword,
+whose pommel and haft were all of precious stones, and then he said to
+himself, "If I throw this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never
+come good, but harm and loss."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he might
+he came again unto the King, 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," he said, "I saw nothing but waves and winds."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is untruly said of thee," said the King; "therefore go thou
+lightly again, and do my command as thou art to me lief and dear; spare
+not, but throw it."
+</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 again he hid the sword, and returned, and told the King that he had
+been at the water, and done his commandment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What sawest thou there?" said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but the waters lap and the waves toss."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, traitor, untrue," said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me
+twice.  Who would have thought that thou that hast been to me so lief
+and dear, and that art named a noble knight, wouldest betray me for the
+riches of the sword.  But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying
+putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold.  And
+unless thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay
+thee with mine own hands, for thou wouldest 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 waterside.  There he bound the girdle about the
+hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water 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 vanished
+away the hand with the sword in the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and told him what he saw.
+"Alas," said the King, "help me thence, for I fear me I have tarried
+over long."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Bedivere took the King upon his back, and so went with him to
+that waterside.  And when they were at the waterside, even fast by the
+bank hove a little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and among them
+all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and all they wept and
+shrieked when they saw King Arthur.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-228"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-228.jpg" ALT="The Passing of Arthur" BORDER="2" WIDTH="611" HEIGHT="440">
+<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 611px">
+The Passing of Arthur
+</H3>
+</CENTER>
+
+<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 they set
+him 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 caught over much cold."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all these
+ladies go from him.  Then he 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 the King, "and do as well as thou mayest, for
+in me is no trust for to trust in.  For I will into the vale of
+Avilion, to heal me of my grievous wound.  And if thou hear never more
+of me, pray for my soul."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ever the queens and the ladies wept and shrieked, that it was pity to
+hear.  And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge he
+wept and wailed, and so took the forest, and he went all that night;
+and in the morning he was ware betwixt two ancient cliffs of a chapel
+and an hermitage, and he was glad.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came into the chapel he saw a hermit praying by a tomb new
+graven.  The hermit was the Bishop of Canterbury that Sir Mordred had
+banished, and Sir Bedivere asked him what man was there interred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair son," said the hermit, "I wot not verily, but this night, at
+midnight, here came a 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>
+Then Sir Bedivere knew that King Arthur lay buried in that chapel, and
+he prayed the hermit that he might abide with him still there.  So
+there abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that was tofore Bishop of
+Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere put on poor clothes, and served the
+hermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be authorised,
+nor more of the certainty of his death heard I tell, but that he was
+thus led away in a ship wherein were three queens.  The hermit that
+some time was Bishop of Canterbury bare witness that ladies brought a
+knight to his burial in the chapel, but the hermit knew not in certain
+that it was verily the body of King Arthur;&mdash;for this tale Sir
+Bedivere, knight of the Round Table, made to be written.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some men still say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not
+dead, but tarried by the will of our Lord Jesu in another place.  And
+men say that he shall come again, and shall win the holy cross.  I will
+not say it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he
+changed his life.  But many men say that there is written upon his tomb
+these words: "<I>Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quondam Rex que futurus</I>": "<I>Here
+lies Arthur, King that was and King that shall be.</I>"
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap42"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XLII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF THE END OF THIS BOOK
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+When Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and all the
+noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then she stole away,
+and five ladies with her, and so she went to Almesbury, and there she
+let make herself a nun, and lived in fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds,
+that all manner of people marvelled how virtuously she was changed.
+And there she was abbess and ruler, as reason would.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Sir Launcelot of the Lake heard in his country that Sir Mordred
+was crowned king, and made war against his uncle, then he made all
+haste with ships and galleys to go unto England.  So he passed over the
+sea till he came to Dover.  There the people told him how that King
+Arthur was slain, and Sir Mordred, and an hundred thousand died on a
+day, and how Sir Mordred gave King Arthur there the first battle at his
+landing, and how there was good Sir Gawaine slain.  And then certain
+people of the town brought him unto the castle of Dover, and showed him
+the tomb.  And he made a dole for Sir Gawaine, and all the priests and
+clerks that might be gotten in the country were there and sang mass of
+requiem.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two nights Sir Launcelot lay on Sir Gawaine's tomb in prayers and in
+weeping, and then on the third day he called his kings, dukes, earls,
+barons, and knights, 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 against death may no man rebel.
+Since 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.  Therefore ye
+all abide me here fifteen days, and then, if I come not again, take
+your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Launcelot rode forth alone on his journey into the west country.
+There he sought seven or eight days, and at the last came to the
+nunnery where was Queen Guenever.  Once only he had speech with her,
+and then took his horse and rode away to forsake the world, as she had
+done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He rode all that day and all that night in a forest, and at the last he
+was ware of an hermitage and a chapel betwixt two cliffs.  Thither he
+rode, and there found Sir Bedivere with the Bishop of Canterbury, for
+he was come to their hermitage.  And then he besought the Bishop that
+he might remain there as a brother.  The Bishop would gladly have it
+so, and there he put hermit's clothes upon Sir Launcelot, and there Sir
+Launcelot served God day and night with prayers and fasting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The great host abode in Dover fifteen days, as Sir Launcelot had bidden
+them.  Then, since Sir Launcelot did not return, Sir Bors of Ganis made
+them take ship and return home again to Benwick.  But Sir Bors himself
+and others of Sir Launcelot's kin took on them to ride all England
+across and endlong, to seek Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Bors by fortune rode
+so long till he came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot and Sir
+Bedivere were, and he prayed the Bishop that he also might remain and
+be of their fellowship.  So there was an habit put upon him, and there
+he lived in prayers and fasting.  And within half a year there were
+come seven other knights, and when they saw Sir Launcelot, they had no
+list to depart, but took such an habit as he had.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus they remained in true devotion six years, and Sir Launcelot took
+the habit of priesthood.  And there were none of those other knights
+but read in books, and holp in the worship and did bodily all manner of
+service.  And so their horses went where they would, for they took no
+regard of worldly riches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus upon a night there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him
+to haste unto Almesbury, for Queen Guenever was dead, and he should
+fetch the corpse and bury her by her husband, the noble King Arthur.
+Then Sir Launcelot rose up ere day, took seven fellows with him, and on
+foot they went from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more
+than thirty miles.  They came thither within two days, for they were
+weak and feeble to go, and found that Queen Guenever had died but half
+an hour before.  The ladies said she had told them all, ere she passed,
+that Sir Launcelot had been a priest near a twelvemonth, and that he
+came thither as fast as he might, to take her corpse to Glastonbury for
+burial.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So Sir Launcelot and his seven fellows went back on foot beside the
+corpse of Queen Guenever from Almesbury unto Glastonbury, and they
+buried her with solemn devotion in the chapel at the hermitage.  When
+she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned, for he remembered the
+noblesse and kindness that was both with the King and with herself, and
+how by his fault and his pride they were both laid full low.  Then Sir
+Launcelot sickened more and more, and within six weeks afterwards Sir
+Bors and his fellows found him dead in his bed.  The Bishop did his
+mass of requiem, and he and all the nine knights went with the corpse
+till they came to Joyous Gard, his own castle, and there they buried
+him in the choir of the chapel, as he had wished, with great devotion.
+Thereafter the knights went all with the Bishop of Canterbury back to
+his hermitage.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Sir Constantine of Cornwall was chosen King of England, a full
+noble knight that honourably ruled this realm.  And this King
+Constantine sent for the Bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say where
+he was, and so was he restored unto his bishopric, and left that
+hermitage.  Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's end,
+but the French book maketh mention that Sir Bors and three of the
+knights that were with him at the hermitage went into the Holy Land,
+and there did many battles upon the miscreant Turks, and there they
+died upon a Good Friday, for God's sake.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Here is the end of the book of King Arthur and his noble knights of the
+Round Table, that when they were whole together were ever an hundred
+and forty.  And here is the end of the Death of Arthur.  I pray you all
+gentlemen and gentlewomen that read this book of 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 ended the ninth year of the reign of King
+Edward the Fourth by Sir Thomas Maleore, knight, as Jesu help him for
+his great might, as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Thus endeth thys noble and joyous book entytled Le Morte Darthur.
+Notwithstanding, it treateth of the byrth, lyf and actes of the sayd
+Kynge Arthur, of his noble knyghtes of the Round Table, theyr
+mervayllous enquestes and adventures, the achyevying of the Holy Grail,
+and in the end the dolourous deth and departyng out of thys world of
+them al.  Whiche book was reduced in to englysshe by Syr Thomas Malory
+knyght as afore is sayd, and by me enprynted and fynyshed in the abbey
+Westminster the last day of July, the yere of our Lord MCCCCLXXXV.</I>
+</P>
+
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+<I>Caxton me fieri fecit.</I>
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 22053-h.txt or 22053-h.zip *******</p>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Stories of King Arthur and His Knights, by U.
+Waldo Cutler
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Stories of King Arthur and His Knights
+       Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"
+
+
+Author: U. Waldo Cutler
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 12, 2007  [eBook #22053]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS
+KNIGHTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22053-h.htm or 22053-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/5/22053/22053-h/22053-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/5/22053/22053-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS
+
+Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"
+
+by
+
+U. WALDO CUTLER
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: King Arthur]
+
+
+
+  _The goodliest fellowship of famous knights_
+  _Whereof this world holds record._
+        TENNYSON
+
+
+
+George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd.
+London ---- Bombay ---- Sydney
+
+First published January 1905
+by GEORGE G. HARRAP & COMPANY
+39-41 Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.,
+
+Reprinted: December 1905; July 1906; May 1907;
+January 1909; September 1909; July 1910; July 1911;
+October 1912; October 1913; March 1915; February
+1917; August 1917; May 1918; October 1919;
+June 1920; October 1921; October 1922;
+June 1923; January 1925; April 1936;
+September 1927; October 1928;
+January 1930; January 1931;
+April 1932
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+CHAPTER
+
+       I. OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR
+      II. UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND
+     III. HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
+      IV. BALIN AND BALAN
+       V. THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE
+      VI. THE LADIES' KNIGHT
+     VII. WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS
+    VIII. A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+      IX. THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY
+       X. SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+      XI. A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
+     XII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
+    XIII. THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON
+     XIV. HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR
+      XV. HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS
+     XVI. HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
+    XVII. HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN
+          OF LYONESSE
+   XVIII. SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE
+     XIX. SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD
+      XX. HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD FOR KING MARK,
+          AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION
+     XXI. HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL, AND WAS LONG
+          IN THE FOREST
+    XXII. HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD RENOWN
+          OF SIR TRISTRAM
+   XXIII. HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND FOUND
+          SIR LAUNCELOT
+    XXIV. OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD
+     XXV. HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN
+    XXVI. HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD
+   XXVII. SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS
+  XXVIII. SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE
+    XXIX. SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION
+     XXX. THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
+    XXXI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
+   XXXII. THE END OF THE QUEST
+  XXXIII. SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT
+   XXXIV. OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY
+    XXXV. QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+   XXXVI. OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
+  XXXVII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING AND
+          FROM JOYOUS GARD
+ XXXVIII. HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED
+          SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM
+   XXXIX. OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON
+      XL. OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST
+     XLI. OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR
+    XLII. OF THE END OF THIS BOOK
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+KING ARTHUR  . . . . . . . . . . . . (W. B. Margetson)  _Frontispiece_
+
+THE DEDICATION . . . . . . . . . . . (J. Pettie, R.A.)
+
+MERLIN AND NIMUE . . . . . . . . . . (Burne-Jones)
+
+SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD  . . (D. G. Rosetti)
+
+SIR GALAHAD  . . . . . . . . . . . . (G. F. Watts)
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT AT THE CROSS . . . . . (Stella Langdale)
+
+ELAINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (J. M. Strudwick)
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR  . . . . . . . (Stella Langdale)
+
+
+
+
+"We have from the kind Creator a variety of mental powers, to which we
+must not neglect giving their proper culture in our earliest years, and
+which cannot be cultivated either by logic or metaphysics, Latin or
+Greek.  We have an imagination, before which, since it should not seize
+upon the very first conceptions that chance to present themselves, we
+ought to place the fittest and most beautiful images, and thus accustom
+and practise the mind to recognise and love the beautiful everywhere."
+
+Quoted from Wieland by Goethe in his Autobiography
+
+
+
+
+Introduction
+
+Among the best liked stories of five or six hundred years ago were
+those which told of chivalrous deeds--of joust and tourney and knightly
+adventure.  To be sure, these stories were not set forth in printed
+books, for there were no printed books as early as the times of the
+first three King Edwards, and few people could have read them if there
+had been any.  But children and grown people alike were eager to hear
+these old-time tales read or recited by the minstrels, and the interest
+in them has continued in some measure through all the changing years
+and tastes.  We now, in the times of the seventh King Edward, still
+find them far more worth our while than many modern stories.  For us
+they have a special interest, because of home setting and Christian
+basis, and they may well share in our attention with the legends of
+Greece and Rome.
+
+In these early romances of chivalry, Arthur and his knights of the
+Round Table are by far the most popular heroes, and the finding of the
+Holy Grail is the highest achievement of knightly valour.  The material
+for the Arthur stories came from many countries and from many different
+periods of history.  Much of it is wholly fanciful, but the writers
+connected all the incidents directly or indirectly with the old Briton
+king of the fifth century, who was the model of knighthood, "without
+fear and without reproach."
+
+Perhaps there was a real King Arthur, who led the Britons against the
+Saxon invaders of their land, who was killed by his traitor nephew, and
+who was buried at Glastonbury,--the valley of Avilion of the legends;
+perhaps there was a slight historical nucleus around which all the
+romantic material was crystallising through the centuries, but the
+Arthur of romance came largely from the imagination of the early
+writers.
+
+And yet, though our "own ideal knight" may never have trod the soil of
+Britain or Roman or Saxon England, his chivalrous character and the
+knightly deeds of his followers are real to us, if we read them
+rightly, for "the poet's ideal was the truest truth."  Though the
+sacred vessel--the Holy Grail--of the Christ's last supper with His
+disciples has not been borne about the earth in material form, to be
+seen only by those of stainless life and character, it is eternally
+true that the "pure in heart" are "blessed," "for they shall see God."
+This is what the Quest of the Holy Grail means, and there is still many
+a true Sir Galahad, who can say, as he did,
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+and who attains the highest glory of knighthood, as before his clear
+vision
+
+   "down dark tides the glory glides,
+  And starlike mingles with the stars."
+
+
+We call these beautiful stories of long ago Stories of Chivalry, for,
+in the Middle Ages, chivalry influenced all that people did and said
+and thought.  It began in the times of Charlemagne, a hundred years
+before our own King Alfred, and only very gradually it made its way
+through all the social order.  Charlemagne was really a very great man,
+and because he was so, he left Western Europe a far better place to
+live in than he found it.  Into the social life of his time he brought
+something like order and justice and peace, and so he greatly helped
+the Christian Church to do its work of teaching the rough and warlike
+Franks and Saxons and Normans the gentle ways of thrift and helpfulness.
+
+Charlemagne's "heerban," or call to arms, required that certain of his
+men should attend him on horseback, and this mounted service was the
+beginning of what is known as chivalry.  The lesser nobles of each
+feudal chief served their overlords on horseback, _a cheval_, in times
+of war; they were called _knights_, which originally meant
+servants,--German _knechte_; and the system of knighthood, its rules,
+customs, and duties, was called chivalry,--French _chevalerie_.
+
+Chivalry belongs chiefly to the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
+centuries,--to about the time between King Richard of the Lion Heart
+and Prince Hal.  There is no trace of ideas peculiar to it in the
+writings of the old Anglo-Saxons or in the _Nibelungen Lied_ of
+Germany.  Geoffrey of Monmouth, who died, it is said, in the year 1154,
+is about the earliest writer who mentions customs that belong
+especially to chivalry.  The Crusades, of Geoffrey's century and of the
+one following, gave much opportunity for its growth and practice; but
+in the fifteenth century chivalrous fashions and fancies began to seem
+absurd, and later, perhaps partly through the ridicule of that old-time
+book "Don Quixote," chivalry was finally laughed quite out of existence.
+
+The order of knighthood was given only after years of training and
+discipline.  From his seventh year to his fourteenth the nobleman's son
+was a _page_ at the court or in the castle of his patron, learning the
+principles of religion, obedience, and gallantry.  At fourteen, as a
+_squire_, the boy began a severer course of training, in order to
+become skilled in horsemanship, and to gain strength and courage, as
+well as the refinements and graces necessary in the company of knights
+and ladies.
+
+Finally, at twenty-one, his training was complete, and with elaborate
+and solemn formality the _squire_ was made a _knight_.  Then, after a
+strict oath to be loyal, courteous, and brave, the armour was buckled
+on, and the proud young chevalier rode out into the world, strong for
+good or ill in limb, strong in impenetrable armour, strong in a social
+custom that lifted him above the common people about him.
+
+When rightly exercised chivalry was a great blessing to the people of
+its time.  It offered high ideals of pure-minded, warm-hearted,
+courtly, courageous Christian manhood.  It did much to arouse thought,
+to quicken sympathy, to purify morals, to make men truly brave and
+loyal.  Of course this ideal of character was not in the days of
+chivalry--ideals are not often now--very fully realised.  The
+Mediaeval, like the Modern, abused his power of muscle, of sword, of
+rank.  His liberty as a knight-errant sometimes descended into the
+licence of a highwayman; his pride in the opportunity for helpfulness
+grew to be the braggadocio of a bully; his freedom of personal choice
+became the insolence of lawlessness; his pretended purity and justice
+proved wanton selfishness.
+
+Because of these abuses that crept into the system, it is well for the
+world that gunpowder at last came, to break through the knight's coat
+of mail, to teach the nobility respect for common men, roughly to end
+this age of so much superficial politeness and savage bravery, and to
+bring in a more democratic social order.
+
+The books of any age are for us a record of how the people of that age
+thought, how they lived, and what kind of men and women they tried to
+be.  The old romances of chivalry give us clear pictures of the knights
+and ladies of the Middle Ages, and we shall lose the delight and the
+profit they may give us, if we think only of the defects of chivalry,
+and close our eyes to the really worthy motives of those far-off times,
+and so miss seeing what chivalry was able to do, while it lasted, to
+make men and women better and happier.
+
+Before reading the Arthur stories themselves it is well to know
+something about the way they have been built up, as one writer after
+another has taken the material left by predecessors, and has worked
+into it fresh conceptions of things brave and true.  First there was
+the old Latin chronicle of Nennius, the earliest trace of Arthurian
+fact or fancy, with a single paragraph given to Arthur and his twelve
+great battles.  This chronicle itself may have been based on yet
+earlier Welsh stories, which had been passed on, perhaps for centuries,
+by oral tradition from father to son, and gradually woven together into
+some legendary history of Oldest England in the local language of
+Brittany, across the English Channel.  This original book is referred
+to by later writers, but was long ago lost.  Geoffrey of Monmouth says
+it was the source of his material for his "Historia Britonum."
+Geoffrey's history, in Latin prose, written some time about the middle
+of the twelfth century, remains as the earliest definite record of the
+legends connected with King Arthur.
+
+Only a little later Geoffrey's Latin history was translated by Wace and
+others into Norman French, and here the Arthur material first appeared
+in verse form.  Then, still later in the twelfth century, Walter Map
+worked the same stories over into French prose, and at the same time
+put so much of his own knowledge and imagination with them, that we may
+almost say that he was the maker of the Arthur romances.
+
+Soon after the year twelve hundred,--a half century after Geoffrey of
+Monmouth first set our English ancestors to thinking about the
+legendary old hero of the times of the Anglo-Saxon conquest--Layamon,
+parish priest of Ernly, in Worcestershire, gave to the English language
+(as distinct from the earlier Anglo-Saxon) his poem "Brut."  This was a
+translation and enlargement of Wace's old French poem having Arthur as
+hero.  So these stories of King Arthur, of Welsh or Celtic origin, came
+through the Latin, and then through French verse and prose, into our
+own speech, and so began their career down the centuries of our more
+modern history.
+
+After giving ideas to generation after generation of romance writers of
+many countries and in many languages, these same romantic stories were,
+in the fifteenth century, skilfully brought together into one connected
+prose narrative,--one of the choicest of the older English classics,
+"Le Morte Darthur," by Sir Thomas Malory.  Those were troublous times
+when Sir Thomas, perhaps after having himself fought and suffered in
+the Wars of the Roses then in progress, found some quiet spot in
+Warwickshire in which to put together in lasting form the fine old
+stories that already in his day were classics.
+
+Malory finished his book in 1470, and its permanence for all time was
+assured fifteen years later, when Caxton, after the "symple connynge"
+that God had sent him (to use the quaint forms of expression then
+common), "under the favour and correctyon of al noble lordes and
+gentylmen emprysed to emprynte a book of the noble hystoryes of the
+sayd Kynge Arthur and of certeyn of his knyghtes after a copye unto him
+delyuerd whyche copye Syr Thomas Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn
+bookes of Frensche and reduced it in to Englysche."  This hard-headed
+business man,--this fifteenth-century publisher,--was rather doubtful
+about the Briton king of a thousand years before his day, and to those
+urging upon him the venture of printing Malory's book he answered:
+"Dyuers men holde oppynyon that there was no suche Arthur and that alle
+suche bookes as been maad of hym ben fayned and fables by cause that
+somme cronycles make of him no mencyon ne remember him noo thynge ne of
+his knyghtes."
+
+But the arguments of those in favour of the undertaking prevailed,
+greatly to the advantage of the four centuries that have followed,
+during which "Le Morte Darthur" has been a constant source of poetic
+inspiration.  Generation after generation of readers and of writers
+have drawn life from its chapters, and the new delight in Tennyson's
+"Idylls of the King," almost of our own time, shows that the fountain
+has not yet been drained dry.
+
+Malory's "Morte Darthur" is a long book, and its really great interest
+is partly hidden from us by forms of expression that belong only to the
+time when it was first written.  Besides this, the ideas of what was
+right and proper in conduct and speech--moral standards--were far lower
+in Malory's day than they are now.
+
+The purpose of this new little volume is to bring the old tales freshly
+to the attention of young people of the present time.  It keeps, as far
+as may be, the exact language and the spirit of the original, chooses
+such stories as best represent the whole, and modifies these only in
+order to remove what could possibly hide the thought, or be so crude in
+taste and morals as to seem unworthy of the really high-minded author
+of five hundred years ago.  It aims also so to condense the book that,
+in this age of hurry, readers may not be repelled from the tales merely
+because of their length.
+
+Chivalry of just King Arthur's kind was given up long ago, but that for
+which it stood--human fellowship in noble purpose--is far older than
+the institution of knighthood or than even the traditions of the
+energetic, brave, true, helpful King Arthur himself.  It links us with
+all the past and all the future.  The knights of the twentieth century
+do not set out in chain-armour to right the wrongs of the oppressed by
+force of arms, but the best influences of chivalry have been preserved
+for the quickening of a broader and a nobler world than was ever in the
+dreams of knight-errant of old.  Modern heroes of the genuine type owe
+more than they know to those of Arthur's court who swore:
+
+  "To reverence the King, as if he were
+  Their conscience, and their conscience as their King,
+  To break the heathen and uphold the Christ,
+  To ride abroad redressing human wrongs,
+  To speak no slander, no, nor listen to it,
+  To honour his own word as if his God's,
+  To lead sweet lives in purest chastity,
+  To love one maiden only, cleave to her,
+  And worship her by years of noble deeds,
+  Until they won her."
+
+
+"Antiquity produced heroes, but not gentlemen," someone has said.  In
+the days of Charlemagne and Alfred began the training which, continued
+in the days of Chaucer and Sir Thomas Malory and many, many more, has
+given to this our age that highest type of manhood, the Christian
+gentleman.
+
+U. W. C.
+
+
+
+
+Stories of King Arthur
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR
+
+It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
+England, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against
+him a long time.  And the duke was named the Duke of Tintagil.  Ten
+miles away from his castle, called Terrabil, there was, in the castle
+Tintagil, Igraine of Cornwall, that King Uther liked and loved well,
+for she was a good and fair lady, and passing wise.  He made her great
+cheer out of measure, and desired to have her love in return; but she
+would not assent unto him, and for pure anger and for great love of
+fair Igraine King Uther fell sick.
+
+At that time there lived a powerful magician named Merlin, who could
+appear in any place he chose, could change his looks as he liked, and
+at will could do wonderful things to help or to harm knights and
+ladies.  So to King Uther came Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and said, "I
+will seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy so that your heart shall
+be pleased."  So Ulfius departed, and by adventure met Merlin in
+beggar's array, and made him promise to be not long behind in riding to
+Uther's pavilion.
+
+Soon Merlin stood by the king's side and said: "I know all your heart,
+and promise ye shall have your desire, if ye will be sworn to fulfil my
+wish."  This the king solemnly agreed to do, and then Merlin said:
+"After ye shall win Igraine as wife, a child shall be born to you that
+is to be given unto me to be brought up as I will; this shall be for
+your honour and the child's avail."
+
+That night King Uther met in battle the Duke of Tintagil, who had
+protected Igraine in her castle, and overcame him.  Then Igraine
+welcomed Uther as her true lover, for Merlin had given him the
+appearance of one dear to her, and, the barons being all well accorded,
+the two were married on a morning with great mirth and joy.
+
+When the time came that Igraine should bear a son, Merlin came again
+unto the King to claim his promise, and he said: "I know a lord of
+yours in this land, a passing true man and a faithful, named Sir Ector,
+and he shall have the nourishing of your child.  Let the young Prince
+be delivered to me at yonder privy postern, when I come for him."
+
+So the babe, Arthur Pendragon, bound in a cloth of gold, was taken by
+two knights and two ladies to the postern gate of the castle and
+delivered unto Merlin, disguised as a poor man, and by him was carried
+forth to Sir Ector, whose wife nourished him as her own child.
+
+Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady.
+Wherefore all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what
+counsel were best, for few of them had ever seen or heard of the young
+child, Arthur.  On the morn all by Merlin's counsel came before the
+King, and Merlin said: "Sir, shall your son Arthur be king, after your
+days, of this realm with all the appurtenance?"
+
+Then Uther Pendragon turned him and said in hearing of them all, "I
+give him God's blessing and mine, and bid him righteously and
+honourably to claim the crown upon forfeiture of my blessing."
+
+Therewith he died, and he was buried as befitted a king, and the Queen,
+fair Igraine, and all the barons made great sorrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+UTHER'S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL ENGLAND
+
+Then stood the kingdom in great jeopardy a long while, for every lord
+strengthened himself, and many a one thought to be king rather than be
+ruled by a child that they had never known.  All this confusion Merlin
+had foreseen, and he had taken the young prince away, to keep him safe
+from the jealous barons until he should be old enough to rule wisely
+for himself.  Even Sir Ector did not know that the boy growing up with
+his own son Kay was the King's child, and heir to the realm.
+
+When now young Arthur had grown into a tall youth, well trained in all
+the exercises of honourable knighthood, Merlin went to the Archbishop
+of Canterbury and counselled him to send to all the lords of the realm
+and all the gentlemen of arms, that they should come to London at
+Christmas time, since God of His great mercy would at that time show by
+miracle who should be rightwise king of the realm.  The Archbishop did
+as Merlin advised, and all the great knights made them clean of their
+life so that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God, and
+when Christmas came they went unto London, each one thinking that
+perchance his wish to be made king should be granted.  So in the
+greatest church of the city (whether it was St Paul's or not the old
+chronicle maketh no mention) all were at their prayers long ere day.
+
+When matins were done and they came out of the church, there was seen
+in the churchyard a great square stone, in the midst of which was an
+anvil of steel, a foot high, with a fair sword naked at the point
+sticking through it.  Written in gold about the sword were letters that
+read thus: "Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil is
+rightwise king born of all England."
+
+[Illustration: The Dedication.]
+
+All the people marvelled at the stone and the inscription, and some
+assayed--such as would be king--to draw out the sword.  But none might
+stir it, and the Archbishop said: "He is not here that shall achieve
+this sword, but doubt not God will make him known.  This now is my
+counsel, that we cause to be chosen ten knights, men of good fame, to
+guard this sword until the rightful possessor shall appear."
+
+So it was ordained, and it was proclaimed that every man should assay
+that would, to win the sword.  And upon New Year's Day the barons held
+jousts and a tournament for all knights that would engage.  All this
+was ordained for to keep the lords and the commons together, for the
+Archbishop trusted that God would soon make him known that should win
+the sword.  So upon New Year's Day the barons rode to the field, some
+to joust and some to tourney; and it happened that Sir Ector rode also,
+and with him Sir Kay, his son, that had just been made knight, and
+young Arthur that was his foster-brother.
+
+As they rode to the joust-ward Sir Kay suddenly missed his sword, which
+he had left at his father's lodging, and he begged young Arthur to ride
+and fetch it.  "I will gladly," said Arthur, and he hastened off home.
+But the lady and all the household were out to see the jousting, and he
+found nobody at home to deliver him the sword.  Then was Arthur
+troubled, and said to himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not
+be without a sword this day."
+
+So when he came to the great stone Arthur alighted, and tied his horse
+to the stile.  He then went straight to the tent of the guards, but
+found no knights there, for they were at the jousting.  So he took the
+sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the
+anvil; then he mounted his horse and rode his way till he came to his
+brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword.
+
+As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew well it was that one of the
+stone, and so he rode away 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, all three returned to the church and
+entered it.  Anon Sir Ector made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how he
+came by that sword.  And Sir Kay answered that Arthur had brought it to
+him.  "And how gat ye the sword?" said he to Arthur; and when Sir Ector
+heard how it had been pulled from the anvil, he said to Arthur: "Now I
+understand ye must be king of this land."
+
+"Wherefore I?" said Arthur, "and for what cause?"
+
+"Sir," said Ector, "for God will have it so; for there should never man
+have drawn out this sword but he that shall be rightwise king.  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 into the stone.
+Therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword, and failed.  Then
+Sir Kay pulled at it with all his might, but it would not yield.
+
+"Now shall ye assay again," said Sir Ector to Arthur.
+
+"I will well," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily a second time.
+
+Now was Sir Ector sure that Arthur was of higher blood than had been
+thought, and that the rightful king had been made known.  And he told
+his foster-son all, how he was not his father, but had taken him to
+nourish at Merlin's request.  Arthur was grieved indeed when he
+understood that Sir Ector was not his father, and that the good lady
+that had fostered and kept him as her own son was not his true mother,
+and he said to Sir Ector, "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."
+
+Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop and told him how the sword
+was achieved, and by whom.  And all the barons came thither, that
+whoever would might assay to take the sword.  But there before them all
+none might take it out but Arthur.  Now many lords became wroth, and
+said it was great shame unto them all and to the realm to be governed
+by a boy.  They contended so at that time that the matter was put off
+till Candlemas, when all the barons should meet there again.  A
+pavilion was set over the stone and the sword, and the ten knights were
+ordained to watch there day and night, five being always on guard.
+
+So at Candlemas many more great lords came thither to win the sword,
+but none might prevail except Arthur.  The barons were sore aggrieved
+at this, and again put it off in delay till the high feast of Easter.
+And as Arthur sped afore, so did he at Easter; yet there were some of
+the great lords that had indignation that Arthur should be their king,
+and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost.
+
+At the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the
+sword, yet none might prevail but Arthur; and he 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 as traitor."
+And they kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and begged mercy
+of Arthur, because they had delayed so long.  And Arthur forgave 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 the best
+man that was there.
+
+And anon was the coronation made, and there Arthur swore unto his lords
+and the commons to be a true king, to stand for justice all the days of
+his life.  Then he made all the lords that were subject to the crown to
+come in, and to do service as they ought to do.  And many great wrongs
+that had been done since the death of King Uther were righted, and to
+lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen were given back the lands of
+which they had been unjustly deprived.  When the king had thus
+established justice in all the countries about London, he made Sir Kay
+seneschal of England, and other officers he appointed also that should
+aid in keeping back his enemies and holding his realm in peace and
+orderliness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on
+horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking
+justice against the murderer.  Then came up Griflet, that was but a
+squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given
+the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that
+had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
+
+Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving
+him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the
+last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to
+the fountain.
+
+There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and
+bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on
+a tree hard by.  Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear,
+so that it fell clattering down to the ground.  With that the knight
+came out of the pavilion and said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my
+shield?"
+
+"For I will joust with you," said Griflet.
+
+"It is better ye do not," said the knight, "for ye are but a young and
+late-made knight, and your might is nothing to mine."
+
+But Griflet would have it so, and the two ran together with such force
+that Griflet's spear was all shattered, and horse and rider fell down
+sore wounded.  When the knight saw the youth lying on the ground, he
+was heavy of heart; and he unlaced his helm to give him air, and
+finally setting him on his horse, sent him with cheering words back to
+the court.  Here great dole was made for him because of his wounds, and
+Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet.
+
+The next morning ere day the King ordered his best horse, and in full
+armour rode out alone to encounter the knight of the fountain.  It was
+a strong battle they had.  Arthur's spear was all shattered, and his
+horse fell to the ground.  Then they fought with swords with many great
+strokes and much blood-shed on both sides.  Finally by a mighty blow
+from his enemy,--a passing big man of might,--Arthur's sword was
+smitten in two pieces, and he was called upon to yield himself as
+overcome and recreant, or die.
+
+"As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but to
+yield me unto thee as recreant, I had rather die than to be so shamed."
+
+Therewithal came Merlin, and made known who Arthur was.  Then by
+enchantment he caused the knight to fall into a deep sleep, and bore
+Arthur away to a hermit to be cured of his wounds.
+
+When, after three days of rest and healing, he was riding with Merlin
+through the forest, King Arthur said, "I have no sword."
+
+"No matter," said Merlin; "there is one near by that I can perhaps get
+for you."
+
+So they rode on till it chanced that they passed a fair and broad lake.
+In the midst of the water Arthur became aware of an arm clothed in
+white samite[1] holding aloft a beautiful sword.
+
+"Lo! there is the sword of which I spake," said Merlin, "and yonder is
+the Lady of the Lake ready to help you to it, if ye speak fair to her."
+
+Anon came the damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, and he her again.
+"Damsel," said Arthur, "what sword is it that the arm holdeth above the
+water yonder?  I would it were mine, for I have no sword."
+
+"Sir Arthur King," said the damsel, "that sword is mine, and if ye will
+give me a gift when I ask it you, go ye into yonder barge and row
+yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you."
+
+So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to a tree, and
+then they went into the magic boat.  Soon they were beside the sword
+that the hand held up.  Arthur took it by the handle, the arm and the
+hand went down beneath the water, and the two travellers rowed back to
+the land and went forth.
+
+As they rode along Arthur looked on the sword, which had the name
+Excalibur, that is as much as to say Cut-steel, and he liked it passing
+well, for the handle was all set with precious stones.
+
+"Which like you better," said Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?"
+
+"The sword," replied Arthur.
+
+"Ye are unwise," said Merlin; "the scabbard is worth ten of the sword,
+for while ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood;
+therefore keep well the scabbard always with you."
+
+In this way Arthur came by Excalibur, and many an adventure he was to
+have with it, and was to suffer great danger when by evil interference
+it was, as we shall see, for a time stolen from him.  With it in hand
+the hardest fight went well in the end, for the scabbard kept him from
+weakness, and a mysterious power lay in the strong, true blade that
+none could withstand, until the time came for King Arthur to give back
+the sword to the Lady of the Lake and to die of the wounds of a traitor.
+
+So King Arthur and Merlin rode on, and when they came back safe to
+Carlion and the court the knights were passing glad.  Some wondered
+that the king would risk himself abroad so alone, but all men of valour
+said it was merry to be under such a chief that would put his person in
+adventure as other poor knights did.
+
+
+
+[1] Samite: silk stuff
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+BALIN AND BALAN
+
+On a day there came a messenger to King Arthur saying that King Ryons
+of North Wales, a strong man in body, and passing proud, had
+discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and each of these to do him
+homage had cut his beard clean off as trimming for King Ryons' royal
+mantle.  One place of the mantle still lacked trimming; wherefore he
+sent for Arthur's beard, and if he did not receive it he would enter
+England to burn and slay, and never would he leave till he had Arthur,
+head and all.
+
+"Well," said Arthur to the messenger, "thou hast said thy message, the
+most insolent ever sent unto a king.  Thou seest my beard is full young
+yet to make a trimming of it.  Tell thou thy king I owe him no homage,
+but ere long he shall do me homage on both his knees."  So the
+messenger departed.
+
+Among those who, at Arthur's call, gathered at Camelot to withstand
+King Ryons' invasion of the land was a knight that had been Arthur's
+prisoner half a year and more for some wrong done to one of the court.
+The name of this knight was Balin, a strong, courageous man, but poor
+and so poorly clothed that he was thought to be of no honour.  But
+worthiness and good deeds are not all only in arrayment.  Manhood and
+honour is hid within man's person, and many an honourable knight is not
+known unto all people through his clothing.  This Balin felt deeply the
+insult of King Ryons, and anon armed himself to ride forth to meet with
+him and mayhap to destroy him, in the hope that then King Arthur would
+again be his good and gracious lord.
+
+The meanwhile that this knight was making ready to depart on this
+adventure, there came to Arthur's court the Lady of the Lake, and she
+now asked of him the gift that he promised her when she gave him his
+sword Excalibur.
+
+"Ask what ye will," said the King, "and ye shall have it, if it lie in
+my power to give."
+
+Thereupon she demanded Balin's head, and would take none other thing.
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I may not grant this with my honour," and
+Balin was allowed to make ready for the adventure with King Ryons.
+
+But ere he had left the court he saw the Lady of the Lake.  He went
+straight to her, and with his sword lightly smote off her head before
+King Arthur, for he knew her as the untruest lady living, one that by
+enchantment and sorcery had been the destroyer of many good knights.
+
+"Alas! for shame," said Arthur.  "Why have ye done so?  Ye have shamed
+me and all my court, for this was a lady that I was beholden to, and
+hither she came under my safe conduct.  I shall never forgive you that
+trespass.  What cause soever ye had, ye should have spared her in my
+presence; therefore withdraw you out of my court in all haste that ye
+may."
+
+So Balin,--called Balin the Wild for his savage and reckless
+nature,--departed with his squire, and King Arthur and all the court
+made great mourning, and had shame at the death of the Lady of the
+Lake.  Then the King buried her richly.
+
+In sorrow over the evil he had wrought and the disfavour of his king,
+Balin turned his horse towards a great forest, and there by the armour
+he was ware of his brother Balan.  And when they were met, they put off
+their helms and kissed together, and wept for joy.
+
+Anon the knight Balin told his brother of the death of the Lady of the
+Lake, and said: "Truly I am right heavy of heart that my lord Arthur is
+displeased with me, for he is the most honourable knight that reigneth
+on earth, and his love I will get or else I will put my life in
+adventure with King Ryons, that lieth now at the castle Terrabil.
+Thither will we ride together in all haste, to prove our honour and
+prowess upon him."
+
+"I will gladly do that," said Balan; "we will help each other as
+brothers ought to do."
+
+So they took their way to find King Ryons, and as they rode along
+together they encountered him in a straight way with threescore
+knights.  Anon Balin and Balan smote him down from his horse, and slew
+on the right hand and the left hand more than forty of his men.  The
+remnant fled, and King Ryons yielded him unto their grace as prisoner.
+So they laid him on a horse-litter, for he was fiercely wounded, and
+brought him to Camelot.  There they delivered him to the porters and
+charged them with him; and then they two returned to further adventure.
+
+And Balin rode towards the castle of King Pellam to revenge the wrongs
+of knights and ladies on a treacherous knight named Garlon.  He had a
+fifteen days' journey thither, and the day he came unto the castle
+there began a great feast.  Balin was well received, and led to a
+chamber, where he laid off his armour.  They also brought him robes to
+his pleasure, and would have had him leave his sword behind him.
+
+"Nay," said Balin, "that do I not, for it is the custom of my country
+for a knight always to have his weapon with him, and that custom will I
+keep, or else I will depart as I came."
+
+Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went unto the
+hall and was set among the knights of honour.
+
+Soon he saw the false knight Garlon, and thought to himself: "If I slay
+him here I shall not escape, and if I leave him now, peradventure I
+shall never meet with him again at such a good time, and much harm will
+he do if he live."
+
+Then this Garlon espied that Balin watched him, and he came and smote
+Balin on the face, and said: "Knight, why watchest thou me so?  Eat thy
+meat, and do that thou camest for."
+
+Then Balin said, "I will do that I came for," and rose up fiercely and
+clove his head to the shoulders.
+
+Anon all the knights arose from the table to set on Balin, and King
+Pellam himself caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword betwixt his head and the stroke.  With
+that his sword was broken in sunder, and he, now weaponless, ran into
+the chamber to seek some weapon, and so, from chamber to chamber, but
+no weapon could he find, and alway King Pellam came after him.
+
+At last Balin entered into a chamber that was marvellously well
+furnished and richly, wherein was a bed arrayed with cloth of gold, the
+richest that might be thought, and thereby a table of clean gold, and
+upon the table a marvellous spear, strangely wrought.  And when Balin
+saw that spear he took it in his hand, and turned to King Pellam and
+smote him passing hard with it so that he fell down in a swoon.
+Therewith the castle roof and walls brake and fell to the earth, and
+Balin also, so that he might not stir foot nor hand, for through that
+dolorous stroke the most part of the castle that was fallen down lay
+upon him and Pellam.
+
+After three days Merlin came thither, and he took up Balin and gat him
+a good horse, for his was dead, and bade him ride out of the country.
+Merlin also told him that his stroke had turned to great dole, trouble,
+and grief, for the marvellous spear was the same with which Longius,
+the Roman soldier, smote our Lord Jesus Christ to the heart at the
+crucifixion.
+
+Then departed Balin from Merlin, never to meet him again, and rode
+forth through the fair countries and cities about Pellam Castle, and
+found people dead, slain on every side.  And all that were left alive
+cried: "O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries, for
+by the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are
+destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the
+last."
+
+When Balin was out of those countries he was passing glad, and after
+many days he came by a cross, whereon were letters of gold written that
+said, "It is not for any knight alone to ride towards this castle."
+Then saw he an old hoary gentleman coming towards him that said, "Balin
+the Wild, thou passest thy bounds to come this way; therefore turn
+again and it will avail thee."  The old gentleman vanished away, and
+then Balin heard a horn blow, as if for the death of a beast in the
+chase.  "That blast," said he, "is blown for me, for I am the prize,
+yet am I not dead."  Anon he saw a hundred ladies and many knights,
+that welcomed him with fair semblance, and made him passing good cheer
+seemingly, and led him into the castle, where there were dancing and
+minstrelsy, and all manner of joy.
+
+Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight, you must have ado with
+a knight close by that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass
+this way but he must joust, ere he go farther."
+
+"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin, "that a knight may not pass
+this way unless he joust, but since that is my duty, thereto am I
+ready.  Travelling men are oft weary, and their horses also; but though
+my horse be weary my heart is not weary."
+
+"Sir," said the knight then to Balin, "me thinketh your shield is not
+good; I will lend you a better."
+
+So Balin took the shield that was unknown, and left his own, and rode
+unto the island.  He put himself and his horse in a great boat, and
+when he came on the other side he met with a damsel, and she said, "O
+Knight Balin, why hast thou left thine own shield?  Alas! thou hast put
+thyself in great danger, for by thine own shield thou shouldst have
+been known.  It is a great pity, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou
+hast no equal living."
+
+"Me repenteth," said Balin, "that ever I came within this country, but
+I may not turn now again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to
+me, be it life or death, I will take the adventure that shall come to
+me."
+
+Then he looked on his armour, and understood he was well armed, for
+which he was thankful, and so he mounted upon his horse.  Then before
+him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight in red armour, and his
+horse was all trapped in the same colour.  When this knight in red
+beheld Balin, he thought he was like his brother; but because he knew
+not his shield, he deemed it was not he.  And so they couched their
+spears and came marvellously fast together, and they smote each other
+in the shields; but their spears were so heavy and their course so
+swift that horse and man were borne down, and both knights lay in a
+swoon.  Balin was bruised sore with the fall of his horse, for he was
+weary with travel, and Balan (for the knight in red was none other) was
+the first that rose to his feet.  He drew his sword and went towards
+Balin, who arose and went against him.  But Balan smote Balin first,
+striking through his shield and cleaving his helm.  Then Balin smote
+him in return with that unhappy sword that had already wrought so great
+harm, and the blow well nigh felled his brother Balan.  So they fought
+there together till their breaths failed.
+
+Then Balin looked up to the castle, and saw the towers stand full of
+ladies; so they went to battle again and wounded each other dolefully.
+Then they breathed ofttimes, and yet again went unto battle, until all
+the place there was blood-red from the great wounds that either had
+smitten other, and their hauberks became unriveted so that naked they
+were on every side.
+
+At last Balan, the younger brother, withdrew a little and laid himself
+down.  Then said Balin the Wild, "What knight art thou? for ere now I
+found never a knight that matched me."
+
+"My name is," said he, "Balan, brother to the good knight Balin."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "that ever I should see this day."  Thereupon he
+fell backward in a swoon.
+
+Then Balan crept on all fours to his brother and put oft his helm, but
+he might not know him, his visage was so disguised by blood and wounds.
+But when Balin awoke, he said, "O Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me
+and I thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speak of us both."
+
+"Alas!" said Balan; "that ever I saw this day, that through mishap I
+might not know thee!  Because thou hadst another shield I deemed thou
+wert another knight."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "all this was caused by an unhappy knight in the
+castle, that made me leave mine own shield, to the destruction of us
+both."
+
+Then anon Balan died, and at midnight after, Balin; so both were buried
+together, and the lady of the castle had Balan's name written on the
+tomb and how he was there slain by his brother's hand, but she knew not
+Balin's name.  In the morn came Merlin and wrote Balin's inscription
+also in letters of gold: "Here lieth Balin the Wild, that smote the
+dolorous stroke."
+
+Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the
+dolorous stroke that Balin gave King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan
+fought together the most marvellous battle that ever was heard of, and
+how they buried both in one tomb.  "Alas!" said King Arthur; "this is
+the greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the
+world I know not such two knights."
+
+Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
+Northumberland, good knights both.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+Arthur was indeed king, but enemies long held out against his just
+authority.  When he went into Wales to be crowned at the city of
+Carlion, he let cry a great feast to be holden at Pentecost.  Unto this
+feast came the six kings of that region with many of their knights, and
+Arthur thought it was to do him honour.  But when he made joy of their
+coming and sent them great presents, the kings would none receive, and
+said they had no joy to receive gifts of a beardless boy that was come
+of low birth.  They sent him word that they were come to give him gifts
+with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders, for it was great
+shame to all of them to see such a boy have rule of so noble a realm as
+this land was.
+
+This answer was told King Arthur, who now betook himself to a strong
+tower and five hundred good men with him.  Here the six kings laid
+siege to him, but he was well victualled; and soon Merlin came and bade
+him fear not, but speak boldly to his enemies, "for," said he, "ye
+shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill."
+
+So the King armed himself and all his knights and came out to do battle
+with his enemies.  Then three hundred good men of the best that were
+with the kings went straight over unto King Arthur, which comforted him
+greatly.  So he set upon the hosts of the six kings, and he and his men
+did marvellous deeds of arms.  Therewith he put them back, and then the
+commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves and slew many of the
+enemy, and so they fled away.
+
+Since the enemy were still passing strong, Merlin counselled King
+Arthur to send letters well devised beyond the sea to the two brethren,
+marvellous good men of their hands, named one King Ban of Benwick and
+the other King Bors of Gaul, and to say to them that, if they would
+come and help King Arthur in his wars, he in turn would be sworn unto
+them to help them in their wars against King Claudas, a mighty man that
+strove with them for a castle.
+
+So there were made letters in the pleasantest wise, according to King
+Arthur's desire, and Ulfius and Brastias, the messengers, rode forth
+well horsed and well armed, and so passed the sea and came to the city
+of Benwick.  Here they had good cheer as long as they tarried, and
+received the answer that King Ban and King Bors would come unto King
+Arthur in all the haste they might.
+
+Now those six kings in Wales had by their means gotten unto them five
+other kings, and all swore together that for weal or woe they would not
+leave each other till they had destroyed Arthur.  So their whole host
+drew towards Arthur, now strengthened by Ban and Bors with their
+followers that had crossed from Gaul to his aid.  Then followed a great
+battle, and they did on both sides great deeds of arms until at the
+last Merlin counselled Arthur to fight no longer, since the eleven
+kings had more on hand than they were ware of, and would soon depart
+home; for a messenger would come and tell them that lawless people as
+well as Saracens, forty thousand in number, had entered their lands and
+were burning and slaying without mercy.  So the great battle was ended,
+and the eleven kings went to their own country.
+
+Now King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors came with their following into
+the country of Cameliard, and there aided King Leodegrance against an
+enemy of that land.  King Leodegrance thanked them for their goodness,
+and made them great cheer ere King Ban and King Bors departed back
+towards Benwick.
+
+In Cameliard Arthur had the first sight of Guenever, the King's
+daughter, and ever afterwards he loved her.  So when peace was once
+more in his land, King Arthur asked counsel of Merlin about seeking her
+as his wife, for to him she was the most valiant and fairest lady
+living or to be found.
+
+"Sir," said Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+alive, but if ye loved her not so well as ye do, I could choose better
+for you.  Yet when a man's heart is set, he will be loath to change."
+
+So Merlin was sent forth to King Leodegrance, and he told him of King
+Arthur's desire.  King Leodegrance was glad that so worthy a king of
+prowess and of nobleness would wed his daughter, and promised him as
+wedding gift,--not lands, for he had enough and needed none,--but what
+would please him much more, the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon had
+given to the King of Cameliard,--a table made by Merlin at which an
+hundred and fifty knights might be seated.
+
+So Guenever, attended by Merlin and an hundred good knights (all King
+Leodegrance could spare, so many had been slain in his wars) with the
+Round Table rode with great pomp by water and by land to London.  There
+King Arthur made great joy of their coming, for he had long loved
+Guenever.  Also the gift pleased him more than right great riches.  And
+the marriage and the coronation were ordained with all speed in the
+most honourable wise that could be devised.
+
+Merlin was sent to espy out in all the land fifty knights of most
+prowess and honour, who should make up the full number for the Round
+Table.  Only twenty-eight could he find worthy enough, and these Merlin
+fetched to Arthur's court.  And Merlin made sieges (seats), an hundred
+and fifty in all, for the knights, and he placed in every knight's
+siege his name in letters of gold.
+
+On that same day King Arthur founded the great order of the Round
+Table, the fame of which was to last for all time.  An hundred and
+twenty-eight were then sworn as Knights of the Table Round, and every
+year at the high feast of Pentecost others were to be added as they
+showed themselves worthy.  Only one siege was long empty, the Siege
+Perilous, for no man should sit therein but one, and if any one of
+unworthy life were so hardy as to sit therein, he should be destroyed.
+
+With great ceremony each one took the vows of true knighthood, solemnly
+promising to do no wicked deed, to be loyal to the King, to give mercy
+to those asking it, always to be courteous and helpful to ladies, and
+to fight in no wrongful quarrel for wordly gain, upon pain of death or
+forfeiture of knighthood and King Arthur's favour.  Unto this were all
+the knights of the Round Table sworn, both old and young.  To dishonour
+knighthood was the greatest disgrace; to prove themselves worthy of
+knightly honour by strong, brave, courteous, loyal bearing under great
+difficulties was the highest end of living.
+
+So King Arthur stablished all his knights, and to them that were not
+rich he gave lands; and they rode abroad to right the wrongs of men,
+and to give help to the oppressed.  With their aid he secured order and
+justice throughout his realm, and then the weakest man might do his
+work in peace, and prosper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE LADIES' KNIGHT
+
+The King was wedded unto Dame Guenever at Camelot with great solemnity.
+Just as all were sitting at the high feast that followed the marriage,
+there came running into the hall a white hart, followed by a whole pack
+of hounds with a great cry, and the hart went about the Table Round.
+At a fierce bite from one of the dogs the hart made a great leap, and
+overthrew a knight that sat at the table, and so passed forth out of
+the hall again, with all the dogs after him.  When they were gone the
+King was glad, for they made such a noise, but Merlin said, "Ye may not
+leave this adventure so lightly.  Let call Sir Gawaine, for he must
+bring again the white hart."
+
+"I will," said the King, "that all be done by your advice."  So Sir
+Gawaine was called, and he took his charge and armed himself for the
+adventure.  Sir Gawaine was one of King Arthur's nephews, and had just
+been made a knight, for he had asked of the King the gift of knighthood
+on the same day that he should wed fair Guenever.
+
+So Sir Gawaine rode quickly forth, and Gaheris his brother rode with
+him, instead of a squire, to do him service.  As they followed the hart
+by the cry of the hounds, they came to a great river.  The hart swam
+over, and they followed after, and so at length they chased him into a
+castle, where in the chief courtyard the dogs slew the hart before Sir
+Gawaine and young Gaheris came up.  Right so there came a knight out of
+a room, with a sword drawn in his hand, and he slew two of the
+greyhounds even in the sight of Sir Gawaine, and the remnant he chased
+with his sword out of the castle.
+
+When he came back he said, "O my white hart, me repenteth that thou art
+dead, for my sovereign lady gave thee to me, and poorly have I kept
+thee.  Thy death shall be dear bought, if I live."
+
+Anon he came fiercely towards Sir Gawaine, and they struck mightily
+together.  They clove their shields and broke their helms and hauberks
+so that the blood ran down to their feet.  At the last Sir Gawaine
+smote the knight so hard that he fell to the earth; and then he cried
+for mercy and yielded himself, and besought Sir Gawaine as he was a
+knight and gentleman to save his life.
+
+"Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawaine, "for slaying of my hounds."
+
+"I will make amends," said the knight, "unto my power."
+
+Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to strike off his
+head, when at that instant came his lady out of a chamber.  She fell
+upon her husband just as the blow descended, and so Sir Gawaine smote
+off her head by misadventure, and the knight was saved.
+
+"Alas!" said Gaheris, "that is foul and shamefully done; that shame
+shall never depart from you.  Ye should give mercy unto them that ask
+mercy, for a knight without mercy is without honour."
+
+Sir Gawaine was so astonished at the death of the fair lady that he
+knew not what he did, and he said unto the knight, "Arise, I will give
+thee mercy; and go thou unto King Arthur, and tell him how thou art
+overcome by the knight that went in the quest of the white hart."
+
+"I care not for mercy now," said the knight, "for thou hast slain my
+lady that I loved best of all earthly things it matters not whether I
+live or die."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine went into the castle and made ready to rest there all
+night.
+
+"What will ye do?" said Gaheris; "will ye unarm you in this country?
+Ye may believe ye have many enemies here."
+
+He had no sooner said that word than there came four knights well
+armed, and anon they made Sir Gawaine and Gaheris yield themselves as
+prisoners, in spite of the brave battle wherein Sir Gawaine was sore
+wounded in the arm.
+
+Early on the morrow there came to Sir Gawaine in the prison one of the
+ladies of the castle, and said, "Sir Knight, what cheer?"
+
+"Not good," said he.
+
+"It is your own fault," said the lady, "for ye have done a passing foul
+deed in the slaying of the lady, which will be great disgrace unto you.
+Be ye not of King Arthur's kin?"
+
+"Yes, truly," said Sir Gawaine.  "My name is Gawaine, and my mother is
+King Arthur's sister."
+
+"Ah, then are ye nephew unto King Arthur," said the lady, "and I shall
+so speak for you that ye shall have conduct to King Arthur, for love of
+him."
+
+Then anon they delivered Sir Gawaine under this promise, that he should
+bear the dead lady to the court, the severed head hanging about his
+neck.  Right so he rode forth unto Camelot, and Merlin made him tell of
+his adventure, and how he slew the lady, and how he would give no mercy
+unto the knight, whereby the lady was slain.  Then the King and the
+Queen were greatly displeased with Sir Gawaine, and by ordinance of the
+Queen there was set a quest of ladies on Sir Gawaine, and they ordered
+him for ever while he lived to be with all ladies, and to fight for
+their quarrels; and that ever he should be courteous, and never refuse
+mercy to him that asketh mercy.  Thus was Gawaine sworn upon the four
+Evangelists that he should never be against lady nor gentlewoman,
+except if he fought for a lady and his adversary fought for another.
+
+Thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine, that he did at the marriage
+of King Arthur.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WISE MERLIN'S FOOLISHNESS
+
+Arthur was now established as king over all the land.  The great
+council hall at Camelot, that is Winchester, had been built, some say
+by Merlin's skill; and the most loyal and the bravest knights of the
+world had been gathered at Arthur's court to do honour to him and his
+fair Queen Guenever.
+
+Merlin was Arthur's wisest helper and most powerful friend, as he had
+before been the helper and friend of his father Uther, for whom he had
+made the Round Table, signifying the roundness of the world.  We have
+seen how he hid the young Arthur away from the jealousy of the wild
+barons, and how, by his power over men and his knowledge of what would
+be, he had saved the King's life and guided his wise rule.  The old
+magician Bleise, that dwelt in Northumberland, was Merlin's master, and
+he it was that wrote down all the battles of Arthur with his enemies
+word by word as Merlin told him, and all the battles that were done in
+Arthur's days, until Merlin was lost, as we shall see, through his own
+foolishness.
+
+On a time Merlin told King Arthur that he should not endure long, but
+for all his crafts he should be put in the earth alive.  Also he told
+many things that should befall, and how the king would miss him, so
+that rather than all his lands he would wish to have him again.
+
+"Ah," said King Arthur, "since ye know of this, provide against it, and
+put away by your crafts that misadventure."
+
+"Nay," said Merlin, "it cannot be done."  For Merlin, now grown an old
+man in his dotage, had fallen under the spell of a damsel of the court
+named Nimue.  With her he soon departed from the King, and evermore
+went with her wheresoever she went.  Ofttimes he wished to break away
+from her, but he was so held that he could not be out of her presence.
+Ever she made him good cheer, till she had learned from him all she
+desired of his secret craft, and had made him swear that he would never
+do any enchantment upon her.
+
+[Illustration: Merlin and Nimue]
+
+They went together over the sea unto the land of Benwick, where Ban was
+king, that had helped Arthur against his enemies.  Here Merlin saw
+young Launcelot, King Ban's son, and he told the queen that this same
+child should grow to be a man of great honour, so that all Christendom
+should speak of his prowess.  So the queen was comforted of her great
+sorrow that she made for the mortal war that King Claudas waged on her
+lord and on her lands.
+
+Then afterwards Nimue and Merlin departed into Cornwall, and by the way
+he showed her many wonders, and wearied her with his desire for her
+love.  She would fain have been delivered of him, for she was afraid of
+him, almost believing him a devil's son, and yet she could not put him
+away by any means.
+
+And so on a time it happened that Merlin showed to her a wonderful
+cavern in the cliff, closed by an enchanted stone.  By her subtle
+working she soon made Merlin remove the stone and go into the cavern to
+let her know of the marvels there.  Then she so wrought through the
+magic he had taught her that the stone was placed back again, so that
+he never came out for all the craft that he could do.  And then she
+departed and left him there.
+
+On a day a certain knight rode to see adventures, and happened to come
+to the rock where Nimue had put Merlin, and there he heard him make
+great lamentation.  The knight would gladly have helped him, and tried
+to move the great stone; but it was so heavy that a hundred men might
+not lift it up.  When Merlin knew that the knight sought his
+deliverance, he bade him leave his labour, for all was in vain.  He
+could never be helped but by her that put him there.
+
+So Merlin's prophecy of his own end was fulfilled, and he passed from
+the world of men.  Arthur truly missed his old friend and marvelled
+what had become of him.  Afterwards, when the last great battle came,
+he would have given everything to have Merlin with him again, but it
+could not be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+
+It befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode on hunting into a
+deep forest, and King Arthur, King Uriens of Gore that was the husband
+of Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, and Sir Accolon of Gaul followed a
+great hart so fast that within a while they were ten miles from their
+fellowship.  At the last they chased so sore that they slew their
+horses underneath them.  Then were they all three on foot, and ever
+they saw the hart afore them passing weary and hard bestead[1].  "Let
+us go on foot," said King Uriens, "till we meet with some lodging."
+
+Then were they ware of the hart that lay on a great water bank, and a
+dog biting on his throat, and more other hounds came after.  King
+Arthur now blew the prize[2] and dight[3] the hart.
+
+But the three knights were in sore straits, so far from home, and
+without horses, and they began to look about the world.  Then Arthur
+saw afore him in a great lake a little ship, all apparelled with silk
+down to the water, coming right unto them, and it landed on the sands.
+They went on board, all three, to see what was in the ship.  Soon it
+was dark night, and there suddenly were about them an hundred torches
+set upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave great light.
+
+Therewithal there came out twelve fair damsels, and they set forth for
+the knights a supper of all meats that they could think.  Then they
+showed them richly beseen[4] chambers for the night, where the three
+huntsmen slept marvellously.  But when they awoke next morning,
+everything had been changed through the sorcery of Morgan le Fay, that
+was secretly plotting against her brother, to destroy him.  King Uriens
+awoke in his own bed in Camelot, and Arthur found himself in a dark
+prison, with many woeful knights complaining about him, and they soon
+told him for what cause they were there.
+
+The lord of the castle where they were prisoners was the falsest knight
+alive, a treacherous, cowardly man, named Sir Damas.  He had a younger
+brother, Sir Ontzlake, a good knight of prowess, well beloved of all
+people, from whom he was keeping back unjustly a full fair manor.
+Great war had been betwixt these brothers.  Ontzlake was a far better
+fighter than the cowardly Damas, and yet he could not bring the elder
+to give over the younger brother's inheritance.  He offered to fight
+for it, and wished Sir Damas to find a knight to fight in his stead, if
+he himself dared not engage.  But Sir Damas was so hated that there was
+never one would fight for him, though he had by force taken all the
+knights of that whole region and brought them to his prison for to make
+them willing to take up his cause.  Many had died there, and the twenty
+that were yet alive were lean and spent with hunger, but no one of them
+would stand against Sir Ontzlake.
+
+Anon there came a damsel unto Arthur and asked him, "What cheer?"  "I
+cannot say," said he.  "Sir," said she, "if ye will fight for my lord,
+ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never with
+life."
+
+"Now," said Arthur, "that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a
+knight than to die in prison," and so it was agreed that he should do
+the battle on this covenant, that he should be delivered and all the
+prisoners.  With that all the twenty knights were brought out of the
+dark prison into the hall, and set free, but they all abode to see the
+battle.
+
+Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that was with King Arthur and King
+Uriens on the stag-hunt and that fell asleep on the magic ship.  When
+he awoke he found himself beside a deep well, within half a foot of its
+edge, in great peril of death.
+
+"Heaven save my lord King Arthur and King Uriens," said he, "for these
+damsels in the ship have betrayed us.  They were devils and no women,
+and if I may escape this misadventure, I shall destroy all false
+damsels that use enchantments, wherever I may find them."
+
+Right then there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose, and
+saluted Sir Accolon and said he came from Queen Morgan le Fay.  "She
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be of strong heart, for
+ye shall fight to-morn with a knight at the hour of prime, and
+therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, Arthur's sword, and the
+scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to
+the uttermost without any mercy, like as ye promised her when ye spake
+together in private."
+
+Sir Accolon believed he fully understood the message, and he said he
+should keep his promise now that he had the sword.  Just then a knight,
+who was no other than Sir Ontzlake himself, with a lady and six
+squires, came up on horseback, saluted Sir Accolon, and begged him to
+come and rest himself at his manor.  So Accolon mounted upon a spare
+horse and rode to the manor, where he had passing good cheer.
+
+Meantime Sir Damas sent to his brother, Sir Ontzlake, and bade him make
+ready to fight the next day with a good knight who had agreed to do
+battle for the disputed heritage; and it happened through Morgan le
+Fay's trickery that Accolon was lodged with Sir Ontzlake at the very
+time when this message came.  Now Sir Ontzlake was sore troubled at the
+message, for he had been wounded in both thighs by a spear a short time
+before, and was suffering much.  Still, wounded as he was, he would
+have taken the battle in hand, had not Sir Accolon offered to fight in
+his stead, because Morgan le Fay had sent Excalibur and the sheath for
+the battle with the knight on the morrow.  Then Sir Ontzlake was
+passing glad, and sent word unto his brother, Sir Damas, that he had a
+knight who would be ready in the field by to-morrow at the hour of
+prime.
+
+So it was arranged that Sir Arthur and Sir Accolon, unknown to one
+another, were to fight over the quarrel of the two brothers.
+Preparations were made accordingly, and all the knights and commons of
+the country were there to see the encounter.  Just as Arthur was ready
+upon horseback, there came a damsel from Morgan le Fay bringing unto
+him a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said: "Morgan le
+Fay sendeth you here your sword for great love."  He thanked her, not
+knowing that the sword and scabbard were counterfeit, and brittle and
+false.
+
+They went eagerly to the battle, and gave many great strokes.  Sir
+Accolon had all advantage on his side, for he had the real Excalibur,
+Morgan le Fay having so ordained that King Arthur should have been
+slain that day.  King Arthur's sword never bit like Sir Accolon's, and
+almost every stroke Sir Accolon gave wounded sore, so that it was a
+marvel that Arthur stood.  Almost from the first it seemed to him that
+the sword in Accolon's hand must be Excalibur, but he was so full of
+knighthood that knightly he endured the pain of the many wounds, and
+held out as well as he might until his sword brake at the cross and
+fell in the grass among the blood.
+
+Now he expected to die, but he held up his shield, and lost no ground,
+nor bated any cheer.  All men that beheld him said they never saw
+knight fight so well as Arthur did, considering the blood that he bled,
+and they were sorry for him.  But Accolon was so bold because of
+Excalibur that he grew passing hardy, and called upon Arthur to yield
+himself as recreant.
+
+"Nay," said Sir Arthur, "I may not so, for I have promised to do the
+battle to the uttermost by the faith of my body while my life lasteth,
+and therefore I had rather die with honour than live with shame; and if
+it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I had rather die so
+oft than yield myself to thee; for, though I lack weapon I shall lack
+no honour, and if thou slay me weaponless that shall be thy shame."
+
+But Accolon cared not for shame, and would not spare.  He gave Arthur
+such a stroke that he fell nigh to the earth; yet he pressed upon
+Accolon with his shield, and with the pommel of his sword in his hand
+gave such a blow that Accolon fell back a little.
+
+Now it chanced that one of the damsels of the court, she that had put
+Merlin under the stone, had come into the field for love of King
+Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le Fay had determined that Arthur
+should be slain; therefore she came to save his life.  She saw how full
+of prowess Arthur was, and grieved that so good a knight should be
+slain through false treason.  So when Accolon gave another blow, the
+sword Excalibur fell out of his hand to the earth.  Arthur lightly
+leaped to it and got it in his hand, and forthwith knew that it was his
+own Excalibur.  Then he saw the scabbard hanging by Accolon's side, and
+anon pulling it from him, he threw it off as far as he might throw it.
+Therewith Sir Arthur rushed upon Accolon with all his might and pulled
+him to the earth.  He then snatched off his helmet for the final blow,
+and the fierce battle was at an end.
+
+"Slay me ye may well," said Accolon, "if it please you, for ye are the
+best knight that ever I found, and I see well that God is with you."
+
+But now Sir Arthur thought he must have seen this knight, and asked,
+"Of what country art thou, and of what court?"  And when Sir Accolon
+told him his name, then he remembered him of his sister, Morgan le Fay,
+and of the enchantment of the ship.  He made Accolon tell how he came
+by the sword, and then Arthur knew all the plot of his sister and of
+Accolon to have the King slain and herself made queen.
+
+For the first time Arthur now let Accolon know against whom he had been
+fighting.  The fallen knight cried aloud for mercy, when he learned
+that he had nearly slain the King, and said to all the knights and men
+that were then there gathered together, "O lords, this noble knight
+that I have fought withal, which I sorely repent of, is the best man of
+prowess, of manhood, and of honour in the world, for it is King Arthur
+himself, the liege lord of us all, and with mishap and with
+misadventure have I done this battle with the king and lord in whose
+power I am."  Then all the people fell down on their knees, and called
+upon King Arthur for mercy, which he forthwith granted.
+
+The King was sorely hurt and Accolon's wounds were even worse.  Arthur
+made haste to settle the quarrel of the brothers Sir Damas and Sir
+Ontzlake by giving the latter his rights and charging Sir Damas upon
+pain of death never to distress knights-errant that ride on their
+adventures, and then was carried off to a near-by abbey, and Sir
+Accolon with him, to have their wounds searched.
+
+Within four days Sir Accolon died from loss of blood during the fight,
+but King Arthur was well recovered.  When Accolon was dead the King let
+send him on a horse-bier with six knights unto Camelot and said, "Bear
+him to my sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I send him to her as a
+present, and tell her that I have my sword Excalibur again and the
+scabbard."
+
+So they departed with the body.
+
+
+
+[1] Hard bestead: in a bad plight.
+
+[2] Prize: death note.
+
+[3] Dight: dressed.
+
+[4] Beseen: of good appearance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY
+
+The meanwhile Morgan le Fay thought that King Arthur was slain, and
+that she might now be queen of the land, with Sir Accolon as King.
+Then came tidings unto her that Accolon was dead and King Arthur had
+his sword again.  When Queen Morgan wist all this she was so sorrowful
+that near her heart brake, but because she would not it were known,
+outward she kept her countenance, and made no semblance of sorrow.  But
+well she wist, if she remained till her brother Arthur came thither,
+there should no gold go for her life.  Then she went unto Queen
+Guenever, and asked her leave to ride into the country.
+
+"Ye may abide," said Queen Guenever, "till your brother the King come
+home."
+
+"I may not," said Morgan le Fay, "for I have such hasty tidings that I
+may not tarry."
+
+"Well," said Guenever, "ye may depart when ye will."
+
+So early on the morn, ere it was day, she took her horse and rode all
+that day and most part of the night, and on the morn by noon she came
+to the abbey of nuns where lay King Arthur.  Knowing he was there, she
+asked where he was at that time; and they answered how he had laid him
+in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little rest these three nights.
+
+Then she alighted off her horse, and thought for to steal away
+Excalibur his sword.  So she went straight unto his chamber, and no man
+durst disobey her commandment.  There she found Arthur asleep in his
+bed, and Excalibur in his right hand naked.  When she saw that, she was
+passing heavy that she might not come by the sword without awaking him,
+and that she wist well would be her death.  Then she took the scabbard,
+and went her way on horseback.
+
+When the King a woke and missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and he
+asked who had been there.  They said his sister Queen Morgan had been
+there, and had put the scabbard under her mantle, and was gone.
+
+"Alas," said Arthur, "falsely have ye watched me."
+
+"Sir," said they all, "we durst not disobey your sister's commandment."
+
+"Ah," said the King, "let fetch the best horse that may be found, and
+bid Sir Ontzlake arm him in all haste, and take another good horse and
+ride with me."
+
+So anon the King and Ontzlake were well armed, and rode after this
+lady; and so they came by a cross, and asked a cowherd if there came
+any lady late riding that way.
+
+"Sir," said the poor man, "right late came a lady riding with forty
+horses, and to yonder forest she rode."
+
+Then they spurred their horses and followed fast.  Within a while
+Arthur had a sight of Morgan le Fay, and he chased as fast as he might.
+When she espied him following her, she rode a greater pace through the
+forest till she came to a plain.  She saw she might not escape,
+wherefore she rode unto a lake thereby, and said, "Whatsoever becometh
+of me, my brother shall not have this scabbard."  And then she let
+throw the scabbard in the deepest of the water, where it sank anon, for
+it was heavy of gold and precious stones.
+
+Thereupon Queen Morgan rode into a valley where many great stones were,
+and when she saw that she must be overtaken, she shaped herself, horse
+and man, by enchantment, unto great marble stones.  Anon came Sir
+Arthur and Sir Ontzlake, but they might not know the lady from her men,
+nor one knight from another.
+
+"Ah," said the King, "here may ye see the vengeance of God, and now I
+am sorry that this misadventure is befallen."
+
+And then he looked for the scabbard, but it could not be found, so he
+returned to the abbey where he came from.  When Arthur was gone, Queen
+Morgan turned all into the likeness as she and they were before, and
+said, "Sirs, now may we go where we will."
+
+So she departed into the country of Gore, and there was she richly
+received, and made her castles and towns passing strong, for always she
+feared much King Arthur.
+
+When the King had well rested him at the abbey, he rode unto Camelot,
+and found his Queen and his barons right glad of his coming.  And when
+they heard of his strange adventures as is afore rehearsed, they all
+had marvel of the falsehood of Morgan le Fay, and many knights wished
+her burned because of her wicked enchantments.  "Well," said the King,
+"I shall so be avenged on her, if I live, that all Christendom shall
+speak of it."
+
+On the morn there came a damsel from Morgan to the King, and she
+brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen in that court,
+for it was set as full of precious stones as one might stand by
+another, and there were the richest stones that ever the King saw.  And
+the damsel said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and desireth
+that ye should take this gift of her, and in what thing she hath
+offended you, she will amend it at your own pleasure."
+
+When the King beheld this mantle it pleased him much, but he said
+little.  With that came one of the Damsels of the Lake unto the King
+and said, "Sir, I must speak with you in private."
+
+"Say on," said the King, "what ye will."
+
+"Sir," said the damsel, "put not on you this mantle till ye have seen
+more, and in no wise let it come on you or any knight of yours, till ye
+command the bringer thereof to put it upon her."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "it shall be done as ye counsel me."  And
+then he said unto the damsel that came from his sister, "Damsel, this
+mantle that ye have brought me I will see upon you."
+
+"Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a king's garment."
+
+"By my head," said Arthur, "ye shall wear it ere it come on my back, or
+any man's that here is."
+
+And so the King made it to be put upon her, and forthwithal she fell
+down dead, and nevermore spake word after, but burned to coals.
+
+Then was the King wonderfully wroth, more than he was beforehand, and
+said unto King Uriens, "My sister, your wife, is alway about to betray
+me, and well I wot either ye or your son Sir Uwaine is of counsel with
+her to have me destroyed; but as for you," said the King to King
+Uriens, "I deem not greatly that ye be of her counsel, for she plotted
+with Accolon to destroy you as well as me.  Therefore I hold you
+excused; but as for your son, Sir Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and
+therefore I charge you put him out of my court."
+
+So Sir Uwaine was discharged.  And when Sir Gawaine wist that, he made
+himself ready to go with his cousin.  So they two departed, and rode
+into a great forest, and came to an abbey of monks, where they were
+well lodged.  But when the King wist that Sir Gawaine was departed from
+the court, there was made great sorrow among all the estates.
+
+"Now," said Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, "we have lost two good knights
+for the sake of one."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+
+When King Arthur, after long wars, rested and held a royal feast with
+his allies and noble knights of the Round Table, there came into his
+hall, he sitting on his throne royal, twelve ambassadors from Rome, and
+said to him: "The high and mighty emperor Lucius sendeth to the king of
+Britain greeting, commanding thee to acknowledge him for thy lord and
+to send the tribute due from this realm unto the empire according to
+the statutes and decrees made by the noble and worthy Julius Caesar,
+conqueror of this realm and first emperor of Rome.  And if thou refuse
+his demand and commandment, know thou for certain that he shall make
+strong war against thee, thy realms and lands, and shall chastise thee
+and thy subjects, so that it shall be warning perpetual unto all kings
+and princes not to deny their tribute unto the noble empire which
+dominateth the universal world."
+
+Some of the young knights hearing this message would have run on the
+ambassadors to slay them, saying that it was a rebuke unto all the
+knights there present to suffer them to say so to the King.  But King
+Arthur commanded that none should do them any harm, and anon let call
+all his lords and knights of the Round Table to council upon the
+matter.  And all agreed to make sharp war on the Romans, and to aid
+after their power.
+
+So the messengers were allowed to depart, and they took ship at
+Sandwich and passed forth by Flanders, Almaine, the mountains and all
+Italy until they came unto Rome.  There they said to Lucius, "Certainly
+he is a lord to be feared, for his estate is the royalest that ever we
+saw, and in his person he is the most manly man that liveth, and is
+likely to conquer all the world, for unto his courage it is too little;
+wherefore we advise you to keep well your marches and straits[1] in the
+mountains."
+
+Then Lucius made ready a great host and marched into Gaul, and Arthur
+met him there with his army.  The old chronicles tell of the great
+battles that were fought and the brave deeds of knights and lords, how
+Arthur himself with Excalibur cleft the head of Lucius, and at length
+passed over the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany, and so came into
+Rome.  On a day appointed, as the romance telleth, he was crowned
+emperor by the Pope's hand with all the royalty that could be made.
+
+After he had established all his lands from Rome unto France, and had
+given lands and realms unto his servants and knights, to each after his
+desert in such wise that none complained, rich nor poor, all his lords
+and all the great men of estate assembled before him and said: "Blessed
+be God, your war is finished and your conquest achieved, insomuch that
+we know none so great nor mighty that dare make war against you;
+wherefore we beseech you to return homeward and give us licence to go
+home to our wives, from whom we have been long, and to rest us, for
+your journey is finished with honour."
+
+So they all came over sea, and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guenever
+came and met the King.  And he was nobly received of all the commons in
+every city and borough, and great gifts were presented to him at his
+home-coming, to welcome him.
+
+Of all the knights that, when Arthur came into England, had increased
+in honour, Sir Launcelot of the Lake in especial excelled in deeds of
+arms both for life and death.  His parents, King Ban of Benwick and his
+fair queen, Elaine, had first named him Galahad, and, as has already
+been said, Merlin, before he disappeared under the stone, had foretold
+that within twenty years he should be known over the whole world as a
+great and worthy knight.  It is no marvel, therefore, that Launcelot is
+the first knight that the French book maketh mention of after King
+Arthur came from Rome.  He passed with Arthur into England, where he
+was received gladly and was made a knight of the Round Table.  Queen
+Guenever had him in great favour above all other knights, and in return
+he was loyal to her above all other ladies and damsels all his life,
+and for love of her he did many deeds of arms, and saved her from the
+fire through his noble chivalry.  Therefore jealous people spoke evil
+of Sir Launcelot and the Queen, because they were of less prowess and
+honour than he, and thereby great mischief arose in Arthur's court.
+From this came Arthur's overthrow in the end, and the downfall of his
+noble realm.
+
+But for long years Launcelot was the glory of knighthood, and he vied
+with King Arthur himself in deeds of prowess and of chivalrous courtesy
+in the tournament and on adventure.
+
+
+
+[1] Strait: narrow pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+In fulfilment of his oath as a knight of the Round Table Sir Launcelot
+rode into many strange and wild countries and through many waters and
+valleys.  He slew Sir Turquine, who watched to destroy knights, and he
+clove the head of another false traitor who attended to destroy and
+distress ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen.  Other wrongs besides these
+he righted, and bravely withstood many a struggle.
+
+Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep forest, where, as often
+before, he found strait lodging.  But he was brave and strong, and
+feared no hardship provided he did nothing contrary to his honour as a
+worthy knight.  As he was riding over a long bridge there started upon
+him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his horse upon the nose
+and asked Sir Launcelot why he rode over that bridge without licence.
+
+"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot; "it is the way I
+choose to ride."
+
+"Thou shall not choose," said the churl, and began to beat him with his
+great club shod with iron.
+
+Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short work of this rough porter.
+Then he rode right on to the end of the bridge, through the fair
+village, where all the people in vain gave him warning, and on straight
+into the green courtyard of the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall.
+
+Anon there came upon him two great giants, with horrible clubs in their
+hands.  With shield and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these
+giants.  The other ran away for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
+Launcelot entered the hall.  Here he set free three-score gentlewomen,
+who for seven years had been prisoners of the two giants, working all
+manner of silk works for their food.
+
+"Show me such cheer as ye have," said Sir Launcelot, "and what treasure
+there is in this castle I give you for a reward for your grievance."
+Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode away upon further
+adventure.
+
+One night he came to the courtyard of an old gentleman, who lodged him
+with a good will, and there he had good cheer for himself and his
+horse.  When time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the
+gate to his bed.  There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armour
+beside him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep.  Soon afterward
+there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste.
+When Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the
+window, and saw by the moonlight three knights come after that one man;
+all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned
+on them knightly again and defended himself.
+
+"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 in his death."
+
+Therewith he took his armour and let himself down from the window by a
+sheet to the four knights.
+
+"Turn you knights unto me," cried Sir Launcelot aloud, "and leave your
+fighting with that knight."
+
+And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard
+bestead, 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.  Sir Kay would have helped
+him, but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon within six strokes he
+had struck all three to the earth.  Sir Launcelot made them yield
+themselves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whitsunday to the court as
+prisoners of Queen Guenever.  So they were suffered to depart, and Sir
+Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword.  The host
+came, and they entered, Sir Kay and he.  "Sir," said the host, "I
+thought you were in your bed."  "So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
+arose and leaped out at my window to help an old fellow of mine."
+
+When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir
+Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him for all his
+kindness that he had holpen him from death.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "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 for meat; there was meat fetched
+him, and he ate strongly.  Then they went to their beds, and Sir
+Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in one bed.  On the morn Sir
+Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping.  He put on Sir Kay's
+armour and took his shield, and so went to the stable.  He here got Sir
+Kay's horse, took leave of his host, and so departed.
+
+Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose.  He missed Sir Launcelot, and then
+he espied that his armour and his horse had been taken.  "Now by my
+faith," said he, "I know well that he will grieve some of the court of
+King Arthur, for my armour and horse will beguile all knights; they
+will believe it is I, and will be bold to him.  And because I have his
+armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace."  Then soon
+afterward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.
+
+So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and there in a dell he saw
+four knights standing under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court.
+Anon as they espied Sir Launcelot they thought by his arms it was Sir
+Kay.
+
+"Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, one of the four knights, "I will
+prove Sir Kay's might"; so he got his spear in his hand, and came
+toward Sir Launcelot.  Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware, and knew him
+well; and he smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man fell both
+to the earth.
+
+"Lo, my fellows," said Sir Ector, another of the four, "yonder ye may
+see what a buffet he hath; that knight is much bigger than ever was Sir
+Kay.  Now shall ye see what I may do to him."
+
+So Sir Ector got his spear in his hand and galloped toward Sir
+Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot smote him through shield and shoulder so
+that horse and man went to the earth, and ever his spear held.
+
+"By my faith," said Sir Uwaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and I am
+sure he hath slain Sir Kay; and I see by his great strength it will be
+hard to match him."
+
+Therewithal Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand and rode toward Sir
+Launcelot.  Sir Launcelot knew him well, and so he met him on the
+plain, and gave him such a buffet that he was stunned, and long he wist
+not where he was.
+
+"Now see I well," said Sir Gawaine, the last of the four knights, "I
+must encounter with that knight."
+
+Then he dressed his shield and gat a good spear in his hand, and then
+they let run their horses with all their mights, and either knight
+smote other in midst of the shield.  But Sir Gawaine's spear brake, and
+Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his horse reversed
+up-so-down.
+
+Much sorrow had Sir Gawaine to get clear of his horse, and so Sir
+Launcelot passed on a pace, and smiled, and said, "God give him joy
+that made this spear, for there came never a better in my hand."
+
+Then the four knights went each one to other and comforted each other.
+"What say ye to this deed?" said Sir Gawaine.  "He is a man of great
+might, for that one spear hath felled us four.  I dare lay my head it
+is Sir Launcelot; I know it by his riding."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
+
+On a day as Sir Launcelot rode a great while in a deep forest, he was
+ware of an old manor beyond a bridge.  And he passed over the bridge,
+that was old and feeble, and came into a great hall, where he saw lie a
+dead knight, that was a seemly man.  And therewithal came out a lady
+weeping and wringing her hands, and she said: "Oh, knight, too much
+sorrow hast thou brought me."
+
+"Why say ye so?" said Sir Launcelot; "I did never this knight any harm;
+therefore, fair lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore
+aggrieved at your grievance."
+
+"Truly sir," she said, "I know it is not ye that have slain my husband,
+for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never likely to
+recover; that I assure you."
+
+"What was your husband's name?" asked Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Sir," said she, "his name was Sir Gilbert, one of the best knights of
+the world, and he that hath slain him, I know not his name."
+
+"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 who knew
+him well, and said aloud, "Well are ye come, my lord; and now I require
+thee on thy knighthood help my brother that is sore wounded, and never
+ceaseth bleeding, for this day fought he with Sir Gilbert and slew him
+in plain battle.  My brother was sore wounded, and a sorceress that
+dwelleth in a castle hard by told me this day that my brother's wounds
+should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the
+Chapel Perilous where he should find a sword and a bloody cloth that
+the wounded knight was wrapped in.  A piece of that cloth and the sword
+should heal my brother's wounds, if his wounds were searched 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."
+
+"That me repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for he is a fellow of the
+Table Round, and to help him I will do all in my power."
+
+"Then, sir," said she, "follow this highway, and it will bring you into
+the Chapel Perilous, and here I shall wait till God send you again;
+except you I know no knight living that may achieve that adventure."
+
+So Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel Perilous, he
+alighted and tied his horse to the little gate of the churchyard.  And
+soon he saw on the front of the chapel many fair rich shields turned
+up-so-down, and many of these shields he had seen borne by knights that
+he had known aforetime.  Then he saw standing there by him thirty great
+knights, taller by a yard than any man that ever he had seen, all clad
+in black armour, ready with their shields, and their swords drawn.
+They all grinned and gnashed at Sir Launcelot, and when he saw their
+countenances, he put his shield afore him, and took his sword in his
+hand ready unto battle.  He started to go right past the giants, and
+then they scattered on every side and gave him the way.  Therewith he
+waxed all bold and entered into the chapel, where he saw no light but a
+dim lamp burning, and soon became aware of a corpse covered with a
+cloth of silk.  Sir Launcelot stooped down and cut off a piece of that
+cloth, whereupon the earth under him seemed to quake a little, and at
+this he feared.  Then he saw a fair sword lying by the dead knight.
+This he gat into his hand and hied out of the chapel.
+
+As soon as ever he was in the chapel yard all the giants 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, "no loud words will get it
+again; therefore fight for it if ye will."
+
+Then he immediately passed right through their midst, and beyond the
+chapel yard there met him a fair damsel, who said, "Sir Launcelot,
+leave that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die for it."
+
+"I leave it not," said Sir Launcelot, "for any entreaties."
+
+"It is well," said she.  "If thou didst leave that sword thou shouldst
+never see Queen Guenever again.  Now, gentle knight, I request one
+thing of thee.  Kiss me but once."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "God forbid that I should do that."
+
+"It is well, sir," said she; "if thou hadst kissed me thy life days had
+been done.  But now, alas, I have lost all my labour, for I ordained
+this chapel to win thee.  Once I had Sir Gawaine well nigh within my
+power, but he fought with that knight that lieth there dead in yonder
+chapel, Sir Gilbert, and smote off his left hand and so escaped.  Sir
+Launcelot, I have loved thee these seven years, but now I know no woman
+may have thy love but Queen Guenever."
+
+"Ye say well," said Sir Launcelot.  "God preserve me from your subtile
+crafts."
+
+Thereupon he took his horse and so departed from her, and soon met the
+damsel, Sir Meliot's sister.  Anon she led him to the castle where Sir
+Meliot lay, pale as the earth from bleeding.  Sir Launcelot leaped unto
+him and touched his wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword, and then wiped his
+wounds with a part of the cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in, and
+anon he was as whole a man as ever he had been in all his life.  And
+then there was great joy between them.  They made Sir Launcelot all the
+cheer that they might, and on the morn he took his leave of Sir Meliot
+and his sister, and rode away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE FALCON
+
+And Sir Launcelot by fortune came to a fair castle, and as he passed by
+he was ware of a falcon that came flying over his head toward a high
+elm.  As the bird flew into the tree to take her perch, the long lines
+about her feet caught on a bough, and when she would take flight again
+she hung fast by the legs.  Sir Launcelot saw how the fair falcon hung
+there, and he was sorry for her.
+
+Meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and cried aloud, "O Launcelot,
+Launcelot, as thou art the flower of all knights, help me to get my
+hawk.  I was holding my hawk and she slipped from me, and if my lord my
+husband knows that she is lost he will slay me."
+
+"What is your lord's name?" said Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Sir," said the lady, "his name is Sir Phelot, a knight of Northgalis."
+
+"Well, fair lady," said Launcelot, "since ye know my name, and request
+me as a courteous knight to help you, I will do what I may to get your
+hawk.  And yet truly I am an ill climber, and the tree is passing high,
+with few boughs to cling to."
+
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot alighted, and tied his horse to the elm.  Then
+the lady helped him to unarm, and with might and force he climbed up to
+the falcon.  He tied the lines to a great rotten branch, brake it off,
+and threw it and the hawk down.  Anon the lady gat the hawk in her
+hand, and thereupon came Sir Phelot suddenly out of the grove, all
+armed and with his naked sword in his hand.  He called up to Sir
+Launcelot and said, "O knight, now have I found thee as I would"; and
+he stood at the foot of the tree to slay him.
+
+"Ah lady," said Sir Launcelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+
+"She hath done," said Sir Phelot, "but as I commanded her; there is no
+help for it; thine hour is come, and thou must die."
+
+"It were shame unto thee," said Sir Launcelot, "for thee, an armed
+knight, to slay an unarmed man by treason."
+
+"Thou gettest no other grace," said Sir Phelot; "therefore help thyself
+if thou canst."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever knight should die weaponless."
+
+Then he looked above and below him, and saw a big leafless bough.  This
+he brake off; then he climbed down with it in his hand, and, observing
+how his horse stood, he suddenly leaped down to the ground on the
+farther side of the horse from the knight.
+
+Then Sir Phelot lashed at him eagerly, thinking to slay him.  But Sir
+Launcelot put away the stroke with the branch, and then with it gave
+Sir Phelot such a blow on one side of the head that he fell down in a
+swoon to the ground.  Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his hand
+and struck his head from his body.
+
+"Alas," cried the lady, "why hast thou slain my husband?"
+
+"I am not the cause," said Sir Launcelot, "for with falsehood ye would
+have slain me by treason, and now it is fallen on you both."
+
+Thereupon Sir Launcelot gat all his armour as well as he might, and put
+it on for fear of further attack, since the knight's castle was so
+near.  As soon as he might he took his horse, and, thanking God that he
+had escaped that adventure, he went on his adventures over many wild
+ways, through marsh and valley and forest.
+
+At Pentecost he returned home, and the King and all the court were
+passing glad of his coming.  And ever now and now came all the knights
+back, those that had encountered with Sir Launcelot, those that he had
+set free from prison, and all those that knew of his great deeds of
+arms.  And they all bare record of Sir Launcelot's prowess, so at that
+time he had the greatest name of any knight of the world, and most he
+was honoured of high and low.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOUR
+
+Arthur was holding the high feast of Pentecost at a city and castle
+called in those days Kink-Kenadon, upon the sands nigh Wales, and he
+sat at meat with all the knights of the Round Table.  Then 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 any of the
+knights had seen.  He was higher than the other two by a foot and a
+half, broad in the shoulders, well visaged, and the fairest and largest
+handed that ever man saw; but he acted as though he might not walk nor
+support himself unless he leaned upon their shoulders.  They went with
+him right unto the high dais without saying of any words.
+
+Then this much young man pulled himself away, and easily stretched up
+straight, saying: "King Arthur, God you bless and all your fair
+fellowship of the Round Table.  For this cause I am come hither, to
+pray you to give me three gifts.  They shall not be so unreasonable but
+that ye may honourably grant them me, and to you no great hurt nor
+loss.  The first 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 you will give me
+meat and drink sufficiently for this twelve-month, and at that day I
+will ask mine other two gifts."
+
+"This is but a simple asking," said the King; "ye shall have meat and
+drink enough; I never refuse that to any, neither my friend nor my foe.
+But what is your name I would know?"
+
+"I cannot tell you," said he.
+
+The King marvelled at this answer, but took him to Sir Kay, the
+steward, and charged him that he should give the youth of all manner of
+meats and drinks of the best, and also that he should have all manner
+of finding as though he were a lord's son.
+
+"That need not be," said Sir Kay, "to do such cost upon him; for I dare
+undertake he is a villain born, and never will make a man, for had he
+come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and armour; but such
+as he is, so he asketh.  And since he hath no name, I shall give him
+the name Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall
+bring him, and there he shall have rich broth every day, so that he
+shall be as fat by the twelvemonth's end as a pork hog."
+
+So the two men departed, and left him to Sir Kay, who scorned him and
+mocked him.  Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and especially Sir
+Launcelot bade Sir Kay leave off his mocking, "for," said he, "I dare
+wager he shall prove a man of great honour."
+
+"It may not be by any reason," said Sir Kay, "for as he is, so hath he
+asked."
+
+So Sir Kay ordered that a place be made for him, and Fair-hands went to
+the hall door, and sat down among boys and lads, and there he ate
+sadly.  After meat Sir Launcelot bade him come to his chamber, where 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.
+As touching Sir Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him lodging, meat,
+and drink, for he was nearer kin to him than he knew.  But what Sir
+Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.
+
+Thus Fair-hands 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 there was any jousting of knights, that would he see if he could.
+And where were any masteries done, thereat would he be, and there might
+none cast bar nor 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 least of Whitsuntide, which at that time the
+King held at Carlion in the most royal wise that might be, as he did
+every year.  As he again sat at meat, there came a damsel into the hall
+and saluted the King, and prayed him for succour.  "For whom?" said the
+King; "what is the adventure?"
+
+"Sir," she said, "I have a lady of great honour and renown, and she is
+besieged by a tyrant so that she may not out of her castle.  And
+because your knights are called the noblest of the world, I come to you
+to pray you for succour."
+
+"What is the name of your lady? and where dwelleth she? and who is he,
+and what is his name, that hath besieged her?"
+
+"Sir King," she said, "as for my lady's name, that shall not ye know
+from me at this time, but I let you know she is a lady of great honour
+and of great lands.  And as for the tyrant that besiegeth and
+destroyeth her lands, 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 most
+dangerous 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 would do their
+best 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.
+
+With these words Fair-hands came before the King, while the damsel was
+there, and thus he said: "Sir King, God reward you, I have been these
+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 this
+adventure of the damsel, and second, that ye shall bid Launcelot of the
+Lake to make me knight, for of him I will be made knight, and else of
+none.  I pray you let him ride after me, and make me knight when I
+request 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.
+
+Thereupon there came one to Fair-hands, and told him that his horse and
+armour was come for him, with all things that he needed in the richest
+manner.  Thereat all the court had much marvel from whence came all
+that gear.  When he was armed and came into the hall to take leave of
+King Arthur and Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot, there were but few so
+goodly knights as he was.  He prayed Sir Launcelot that he would hie
+after him, and so departed and rode after the damsel.
+
+Many people followed after Fair-hands to behold how well he was horsed
+and trapped in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear.
+Then Sir Kay said all openly in the hall, "I will ride after my boy of
+the kitchen, to see whether he will know me for his better."
+
+Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine counselled him to abide at home;
+nevertheless he made ready and took his horse and his spear and rode
+off.  Just as Fair-hands overtook the damsel, Sir Kay came up, and
+said, "Fair-hands, 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 we have heard afore.  "Yea," said Fair-hands, "I
+know you for an ungentle knight of the court and therefore beware of
+me."
+
+Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in its rest, and ran straight upon him,
+and Fair-hands came on just as fast with his sword in his hand.  And so
+he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin[1] thrust him
+through the side, so that Sir Kay fell down as if he were dead.  Then
+Fair-hands alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, had
+his dwarf mount upon Sir Kay's horse, and started upon his own horse
+and rode his way.  All this Sir Launcelot saw, and so did the damsel.
+
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come up, and Fair-hands offered to joust
+with him.  So they rushed together like boars, and for upwards of an
+hour they had a hard fight, wherein Sir Launcelot had so much ado with
+Fair-hands that he feared himself to be shamed.  At length he said,
+"Fair-hands, fight not so sore; your quarrel and mine is not so great
+but we may leave off."
+
+"That is truth," said Fair-hands, "but it doth me good to feel your
+might, and yet, my lord, I showed not my uttermost."
+
+"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I promise you I had as much to do as I
+might to save myself from you unashamed; therefore ye need have no fear
+of any earthly knight."
+
+"Hope ye then," said Fair-hands, "that I may anywhere stand as a proved
+knight?"
+
+"Yea," said Launcelot, "do as ye have done, and I shall be your
+warrant."
+
+"Then I pray you give me the order of knighthood," said Fair-hands.
+
+"Then must ye tell me your name," said Launcelot, "and of what kin ye
+be born."
+
+"Sir, if ye will not make me known, I will," said Fair-hands.
+
+"That I promise you by the faith of my body, until it be openly known,"
+said Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Then, sir," he said, "my name is Gareth; I am own brother unto Sir
+Gawaine."
+
+"Ah! sir," said Launcelot, "I am more glad of you than I was, for ever
+me thought ye should be of great blood, and that ye came not to the
+court either for meat or for drink."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood, and Sir Gareth
+went his way.
+
+Sir Launcelot now came to Sir Kay and had him carried home upon his
+shield.  He was with difficulty healed of his wounds, and all men
+scorned him.  In especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot said it was not
+for Sir Kay to rebuke the young man, for full little he knew of what
+birth he was and for what cause he came to this court.
+
+
+
+[1] Foin: reach forth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY OF CASTLE PERILOUS
+
+After the damsel rode Fair-hands, now well provided with shield and
+spear, and known to Sir Launcelot, at least, as Sir Gareth and nephew
+to King Arthur.  When he had overtaken the damsel, anon she said: "What
+dost thou here?  Thou smellest all of the kitchen; thy clothes be foul
+with the grease and tallow that thou gainedst in King Arthur's kitchen;
+therefore turn again, foul kitchen-page.  I know thee well, for Sir Kay
+named thee Fair-hands.  What art thou but a lubber and a turner of
+spits, and a ladle washer?"
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "say to me what ye will, I will not go from
+you, for I have undertaken, in King Arthur's presence, to achieve your
+adventure, and so shall I finish it, or I shall die therefore."
+
+Thus as they rode along in the wood, there came a man flying all that
+ever he might.  "Whither wilt thou?" said Fair-hands.
+
+"O lord," he said, "help me, for yonder in a dell are six thieves that
+have taken my lord and bound him, and I am afeard lest they will slay
+him."
+
+So Fair-hands rode with the man until they came to where the knight lay
+bound, and the thieves hard by.  Fair-hands struck one unto the death,
+and then another, and at the third stroke he slew the third thief; and
+then the other three fled.  He rode after them and overtook them, and
+then those three thieves turned again and assailed Fair-hands hard, but
+at the last he slew them also, and returned and unbound the knight.
+The knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride with him to his castle
+there a little beside, and he should honourably reward him for his good
+deeds.
+
+"Sir," said Fair-hands, "I will no reward have except as God reward me.
+And also I must follow this damsel."
+
+When he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her, "for," said she,
+"thou smellest all of the kitchen; thinkest thou that I have joy of
+thee?  All this deed thou hast done is but mishapped thee, but thou
+shalt see a sight that shall make thee turn again, and that lightly."
+
+Then the same knight who was rescued from the thieves rode after that
+damsel, and prayed her to lodge with him that night.  And because it
+was near night the damsel rode with him to the castle, and there they
+had great cheer.  At supper the knight set Sir Fair-hands afore the
+damsel.
+
+"Fie, fie," said she, "sir knight, ye are uncourteous to set a
+kitchen-page afore me; him beseemeth better to stick a swine than to
+sit afore a damsel of high parentage."
+
+Then the knight was ashamed at her words, and took Fair-hands up and
+set him at a sideboard, and seated himself afore him.  So all that
+night they had good cheer and merry rest.
+
+On the morn the damsel and Fair-hands thanked the knight and took their
+leave, and rode on their way until they came to a great forest.
+Therein was a great river with but one passage, and there were ready
+two knights on the farther side, to prevent their crossing.  Fair-hands
+would not have turned back had there been six more, and he rushed into
+the water.  One of the two encountered with him in the midst of the
+stream, and both spears were broken.  Then they drew their swords and
+smote eagerly at one another.  At the last Sir Fair-hands smote the
+other upon the helm so that he fell down stunned in the water, and
+there was he drowned.  Then Sir Fair-hands spurred his horse upon the
+land, where the other fell upon him, and they fought long together.  At
+the last Sir Fair-hands clove his helm and his head, and so rode unto
+the damsel and bade her ride forth on her way.
+
+"Alas," she said, "that ever a kitchen-page should have that fortune to
+destroy two such doughty knights.  Thou thinkest thou hast done
+doughtily, but that is not so, for the first knight's horse stumbled,
+and so he was drowned in the water; it was never by thy force or by thy
+might.  And as for the second knight, by mishap thou camest behind him
+and slewest him."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye may say what ye will, but whomsoever I
+have ado with I trust to God to serve him ere he depart, and therefore
+I reck not what ye say, provided I may win your lady."
+
+"Fie, fie, foul kitchen-knave, thou shalt see knights that shall abate
+thy boast.  I see all that ever thou doest is but by misadventure, and
+not by prowess of thy hands."
+
+"Fair damsel," said he, "give me goodly language, and then my care is
+past.  Ye may say what ye will; what knights soever I shall meet, I
+fear them not, and wheresoever ye go I will follow you."
+
+So they rode on till even-song time, and ever she chid him and would
+not cease.  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 great and long, and
+a great black horse covered with silk, and a black stone fast by,
+whereon sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the
+Knight of the Black Lawns.
+
+The damsel, when she saw this knight, bade Fair-hands flee down the
+valley.  "Grammercy," said he, "always ye would have me a coward."
+
+With that the Black Knight, when she came nigh him, spake and said,
+"Damsel, have ye brought this knight of King Arthur to be your
+champion?"
+
+"Nay, fair knight," said she, "this is but a kitchen-knave, that was
+fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms.  I cannot be rid of him, for
+with me he rideth against my will.  Would that ye should put him from
+me, or else slay him, if ye may, for he is a troublesome knave, and
+evilly he hath done this day."
+
+"Thus much shall I grant you," said the Black Knight: "I shall put him
+down upon one foot, 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 Fair-hands heard him say thus, he said, "Sir knight, thou art
+full generous with my horse and my harness; I let thee know it cost
+thee naught, and whether thou like it or not, this lawn will I pass,
+and neither horse nor harness gettest thou of me, except as thou win
+them with thy hands.  I am no kitchen-page, as the damsel saith I am; 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 drew back with their horses, and rushed
+together as it had been the thunder.  The Black Knight's spear brake,
+and Fair-hands thrust him through both his sides, whereupon his own
+spear brake also.  Nevertheless the Black Knight drew his sword and
+smote many eager strokes of great might, and hurt Fair-hands full sore.
+But at the last he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and there he
+died.
+
+When Fair-hands saw that the Black Knight had been so well horsed and
+armed, he alighted down and armed himself in the dead man's armour,
+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 offendeth me.  Alas that ever such a knave as thou art
+should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done.  All this is
+my ill luck, but hard by is one that shall requite thee, and therefore
+again I counsel thee, flee."
+
+"It may be my lot," said Fair-hands, "to be beaten or slain, but I warn
+you, fair damsel, I will not flee away or leave your company for all
+that ye can say, for ever ye say that they will kill me or beat me, yet
+it happeneth that I escape and they lie on the ground.  Therefore it
+were as good for you to stop thus all day rebuking me, for away will I
+not till I see 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."
+
+As they rode along 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 her, "Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye have
+brought with you?"
+
+"Nay, nay," said she, "this unlucky kitchen-knave hath slain your
+brother through mischance."
+
+"Alas," said the Green Knight, "that is great pity that so noble a
+knight as he was should so unfortunately be slain, and by a knave's
+hand, as ye say that he is.  Ah! traitor, thou shalt die for slaying my
+brother; he was a full noble knight."
+
+"I defy thee," said Fair-hands, "for I make known to thee I slew him
+knightly and not shamefully."
+
+Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto a horn that was green that hung
+on a green thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, whereupon came
+two damsels and armed him lightly.  Then he took a great horse and a
+green shield and a green spear, and the two knights ran together with
+all their mights.  They brake their spears unto their hands, and then
+drew their swords.  Now they gave many sad strokes, and either of them
+wounded other full ill.
+
+At the last Fair-hands' horse struck the Green Knight's horse upon the
+side, and it fell to the earth.  Then the Green Knight left his horse
+lightly, and prepared to fight on foot.  That saw Fair-hands, 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 if the weed overgrew the corn."
+
+Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and gave a great stroke of
+might, and clave Fair-hands' shield through.  When the young knight saw
+his shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke and of
+her language, and then he gave the other such a buffet upon the helm
+that he fell on his knees, and Fair-hands quickly pulled him upon the
+ground grovelling.  Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and yielded
+himself unto Sir Fair-hands, and prayed him to slay him not.
+
+"All is in vain," said Fair-hands, "for thou shalt die unless this
+damsel that came with me pray me to save thy life."
+
+Therewithal he unlaced his helm as if to slay him.  "Let be," said the
+damsel, "thou foul kitchen-knave, slay him not, for if thou do, thou
+shalt repent it."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "your charge is to me a pleasure, and at
+your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not.  Sir Knight
+with the green arms, I release thee quit 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, promising for ever to become his man together with thirty
+knights that held of him.  Then said the damsel, "Me repenteth, Green
+Knight, of your damage and of the death of your brother the Black
+Knight; of your help I had great need, for I fear me sore to pass this
+forest."
+
+"Nay, fear ye not," said the Green Knight, "for ye shall lodge with me
+this night, and to-morn I shall help you through this forest."
+
+So they took their horses and rode to his manor, which was fast there
+beside.  And ever the damsel rebuked Fair-hands, and would not suffer
+him to sit at her table.  But the Green Knight took him and set him at
+a side table, and did him honour, for he saw that he was come of noble
+blood and had proved himself a full noble knight.  All that night he
+commanded thirty men privily to watch Fair-hands for to keep him from
+all treason.  And on the morn they arose, and after breaking their fast
+they took their horses and rode on their way.
+
+As the Green Knight conveyed them through the forest he said, "My lord
+Fair-hands, I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons,
+both early and late at your call wherever ye will send us."
+
+"It is well," said Fair-hands; "when I call upon you ye must go unto
+King Arthur with all your knights."
+
+So the Green Knight took his leave, and the damsel said unto
+Fair-hands, "Why followest thou me, thou kitchen-boy; cast away thy
+shield and thy spear and flee, for thou shalt not pass a pass here,
+that is called the pass Perilous."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "who is afraid let him flee, for it were
+shame to turn again since I have ridden so long with you."
+
+"Well," said she, "ye shall soon, whether ye will or not."
+
+In like manner on the next day Sir Fair-hands overcame a third brother,
+the Red Knight, and in like manner the damsel would have Fair-hands
+spare his life.  Albeit she spake unto him many contemptuous words,
+whereof the Red Knight had great marvel, and all that night made
+three-score men to watch Fair-hands that he should have no shame or
+villainy.  The Red Knight yielded himself to Fair-hands with fifty
+knights, and they all proffered him homage and fealty at all times to
+do him service.
+
+"I thank you," said Fair-hands; "this ye shall grant me when I call
+upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur and yield yourselves unto
+him to be his knights."
+
+"Sir," said the Red Knight, "I will be ready and my fellowship at your
+summons."
+
+So again upon the morn Sir Fair-hands and the damsel departed, and ever
+she rode chiding him in the foulest manner.
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me as ye
+do, for me seemeth I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten
+me I shall be beaten with knights that we meet; but ever for all your
+boasts they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray you
+rebuke me no more.  When ye see me beaten or yielded 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 if I should depart
+from you all the while that I win honour."
+
+"Well," said she, "right soon there shall come a knight that shall pay
+thee all thy wages, for he is the most man of honour of the world,
+except King Arthur."
+
+"The more he is of honour," said Fair-hands, "the more shall be my
+honour to have ado with him.  Have no doubt, damsel, by the grace of
+God I shall so deal with this knight that within two hours after noon I
+shall overcome him, and then shall we come to the siege of your lady's
+castle seven miles hence by daylight."
+
+"Marvel have I," said the damsel, "what manner of man ye be, for it may
+never be otherwise but that ye be come of 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 gentle
+blood."
+
+"Damsel," said Fair-hands, "a knight may little do that may not suffer
+a damsel, for whatsoever ye said unto me I took no 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 missaid 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.  All that I did to prove and to assay my friends, and
+whether I be a gentleman born or not, I let you wit, fair damsel, I
+have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure better service yet
+will I do ere I depart from you."
+
+"Alas," she said, "good Fair-hands, forgive me all that I have missaid
+or done against thee."
+
+"With all my heart," said he, "I forgive it you, and damsel, since it
+liketh you to say thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth mine heart
+greatly, and now me seemeth there is no knight living but I am able
+enough for him."
+
+With this Sir Persant of Inde, the fourth of the brethren that stood in
+Fair-hands' way to the siege, espied them as they came upon the fair
+meadow where his pavilion was.  Sir Persant was the most lordly knight
+that ever thou lookedst on.  His pavilion and all manner of thing that
+there is about, men and women, and horses' trappings, shields and
+spears were all of dark blue colour.  Anon he and Fair-hands prepared
+themselves and rode against one another that both their spears were
+shattered to pieces, and their horses fell dead to the earth.  Then
+they fought two hours and more on foot, until their armour was all hewn
+to pieces, and in many places they were wounded.  At the last, though
+loath to do it, Fair-hands smote Sir Persant above upon the helm so
+that he fell grovelling to the earth, and the fierce battle was at an
+end.  Like his three brethren before, Sir Persant yielded himself and
+asked for mercy, and at the damsel's request Fair-hands gladly granted
+his life, and received homage and fealty from him and a hundred
+knights, to be always at his commandment.
+
+On the morn as the damsel and Sir Fair-hands departed from Sir
+Persant's pavilion, "Fair damsel," said Persant, "whitherward are ye
+away leading this knight?"
+
+"Sir," she said, "this knight is going to the siege that besiegeth my
+sister in the Castle Perilous."
+
+"Ah, ah," said Persant, "that is the Knight of the Red Lawns, the most
+perilous knight that I know now living, a man that is without mercy,
+and men say that he hath seven men's strength.  God save you, sir, from
+that knight, for he doth great wrong to that lady, which is great pity,
+for she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and me seemeth that
+this damsel is her sister.  Is not your name Linet?"
+
+"Yea, sir," said she, "and my lady my sister's name is Dame Liones.
+Now, my lord Sir Persant of Inde, I request you that ye make this
+gentleman knight or ever he fight with the Red Knight."
+
+"I will with all my heart," said Sir Persant, "if it please him to take
+the order of knighthood of so simple a man as I am."
+
+But Fair-hands thanked him for his good will, and told him he was
+better sped, as the noble Sir Launcelot had already made him knight.
+Then, after Persant and the damsel had promised to keep it close, he
+told them his real name was Gareth of Orkney, King Arthur's nephew, and
+that Sir Gawaine and Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris were all his
+brethren, he being the youngest of them all.  "And yet," said he, "wot
+not King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I am."
+
+The book saith that the lady that was besieged had word of her sister's
+coming and a knight with her, and how he had passed all the perilous
+passages, had won all the four brethren, and had slain the Black
+Knight, and how he overthrew Sir Kay, and did great battle with Sir
+Launcelot, and was made knight by him.  She was glad of these tidings,
+and sent them wine and dainty foods and bade Sir Fair-hands be of good
+heart and good courage.
+
+The next day Fair-hands and Linet took their horses again and rode
+through a fair forest and came to a spot where they saw across the
+plain many pavilions and a fair castle and much smoke.  And when they
+came near the siege Sir Fair-hands espied upon great trees, as he rode,
+how there hung goodly armed knights by the necks, nigh forty of them,
+their shields about their necks with their swords.  These were knights
+that had come to the siege to rescue Dame Liones, and had been overcome
+and put to this shameful death by the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.
+
+Then they rode to the dykes, and saw how strong were the defences, and
+many great lords nigh the walls, and the sea upon the one side of the
+walls, where were many ships and mariners' noise, with "hale" and "ho."
+Fast by there was a sycamore tree, whereupon hung a horn, the greatest
+that ever they saw, of an elephant's bone.  This the Knight of the Red
+Lawns had hung up there that any errant knight might blow it, if he
+wished the Knight of the Red Lawns to come to him to do battle.  The
+damsel Linet besought Fair-hands not to blow the horn till high noon,
+for the Red Knight's might grew greater all through the morn, till, as
+men said, he had seven men's strength.
+
+"Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel," said Fair-hands, "say ye never so
+more to me, for, were he as good a knight as ever was, I shall never
+fail him in his most might, for either I will win honour honourably, or
+die knightly in the field."
+
+Therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree, and blew
+the horn so eagerly that all the siege and all the castle rang thereof.
+And then there leaped out knights out of their tents, and they within
+the castle looked over the walls and out at windows.  Then the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns armed himself hastily, and two barons set his
+spurs upon his heels, and all was blood red,--his armour, spear, and
+shield.  And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, and then they
+brought him 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 Fair-hands looked up at a window of the castle, and there he saw
+the Lady Liones, the fairest lady, it seemed to him, that ever he
+looked upon.  She made courtesy down to him, and ever he looked up to
+the window with glad countenance, and loved her from that time and
+vowed to rescue her or else to die.
+
+"Leave, Sir Knight, thy looking," said the Red Knight, "and behold me,
+I counsel thee, and make thee ready."
+
+Then they both put their spears in their rests, and came together with
+all the might that they had.  Either smote other in the midst of the
+shield with such force that the breastplates, horse-girths, and
+cruppers brake, and both fell to the earth stunned, and lay so long
+that all they that were in the castle and in the siege thought their
+necks had been broken.  But at length they put their shields afore
+them, drew their swords, and ran together like two fierce lions.
+Either gave other such buffets upon the helm that they reeled backward;
+then they recovered both, and hewed off great pieces of their harness
+and their shields.
+
+Thus they fought till it was past noon, and never would stint, till at
+last they lacked wind both, and stood panting and blowing a while.
+Then they went to battle again, and thus they endured till even-song
+time, and none that beheld them might know whether was like to win.
+Then by assent of them both they granted either other to rest; and so
+they sat down on two molehills, and unlaced their helms to take the
+cool wind.  Then Sir Fair-hands looked up at the window, and there he
+saw the fair lady, Dame Liones.  She made him such countenance that his
+heart waxed light and jolly; and therewith he bade the Red Knight of
+the Red Lawns make ready to do battle to the uttermost.
+
+So they laced up their helms and fought freshly.  By a cross stroke the
+Red Knight of the Red Lawns smote Sir Fair-hands' sword from him, and
+then gave him another buffet on the helm so that he fell grovelling to
+the earth, and the Red Knight fell upon him to hold him down.  Then
+Linet cried to him aloud and said that the lady beheld and wept.  When
+Sir Fair-hands heard her say so he started up with great might, gat
+upon his feet, and leaped to his sword.  He gripped it in his hand,
+doubled his pace unto the Red Knight, and there they fought a new
+battle together.
+
+Now Sir Fair-hands doubled his strokes and smote so thick that soon he
+had the better of the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, and unlaced his helm
+to slay him, whereupon he yielded himself to Fair-hands' mercy.
+
+Sir Fair-hands bethought him upon the knights that he had made to be
+hanged shamefully, and said, "I may not with my honour save thy life."
+
+Then came there many earls and barons and noble knights, and prayed
+Fair-hands to save his life and take him as prisoner.  Then he released
+him upon this covenant that he go within to the castle and yield
+himself there to the lady, and if she would forgive him he might have
+his life with making amends to the lady of all the trespass he had done
+against her and her lands.
+
+The Red Knight of the Red Lawns promised to do as Sir Fair-hands
+commanded and so with all those earls and barons he made his homage and
+fealty to him.  Within a while he went unto the castle, where he made
+peace with the Lady Liones, and departed unto the court of King Arthur.
+There he told openly how he was overcome and by whom, and also he told
+all the battles of Fair-hands from the beginning unto the ending.
+
+"Mercy," said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, "we marvel much of what
+blood he is come, for he is a noble knight."  But Sir Launcelot had no
+marvel, for he knew whence he came, yet because of his promise he would
+not discover Fair-hands until he permitted it or else it were known
+openly by some other.
+
+Dame Liones soon learned through her brother Sir Gringamore that the
+knight who had wrought her deliverance was a king's son, Sir Gareth of
+Orkney, and nephew of King Arthur himself.  And she made him passing
+good cheer, and he her again, and they had goodly language and lovely
+countenance together.  And she promised the noble knight Sir Gareth
+certainly to love him and none other the days of her life.  Then there
+was not a gladder man than he, for ever since he saw her at the window
+of Castle Perilous he had so burned in love for her that he was nigh
+past himself in his reason.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
+
+Now leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir Gringamore and his sisters,
+Liones and Linet, and turn we unto King Arthur that held the next feast
+of Pentecost at Carlion.  And there came the Green Knight with his
+fifty knights, and they yielded themselves all unto King Arthur.  And
+so there came the Red Knight, his brother, and yielded himself and
+three-score knights with him.  Also there came the Blue Knight, brother
+to them, and his hundred knights, and yielded themselves.  These three
+brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by a knight that a
+damsel had with her, and called him Fair-hands.  Also they told how the
+fourth brother, the Black Knight, was slain in an encounter with Sir
+Fair-hands, and of the adventure with the two brethren that kept the
+passage of the water; and ever more King Arthur marvelled who the
+knight might be that was in his kitchen a twelvemonth and that Sir Kay
+in scorn named Fair-hands.
+
+Right as the King stood so talking with these three brethren there came
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake and told him that there was come a goodly
+lord with six hundred knights.  The King went out, and there came to
+him and saluted him in a goodly manner the Red Knight of the Red Lawns,
+and he said, "I am sent to you by a knight that is called Fair-hands,
+for he won me in plain battle, hand for hand.  No knight has ever had
+the better of me before.  I and my knights yield ourselves to your
+will, as he commanded, to do you such service as may be in our power."
+
+King Arthur received him courteously, as he had before received the
+three brethren, and he promised to do them honour for the love of Sir
+Fair-hands.  Then the King and they went to meat, and were served in
+the best manner.
+
+And as they sat at the table, there came in the Queen of Orkney, with
+ladies and knights a great number.  And her sons, Sir Gawaine, Sir
+Agravaine, and Gaheris arose and went to her, and saluted her upon
+their knees and asked her blessing, for in fifteen years they had not
+seen her.
+
+Then she spake on high to her brother, King Arthur, "Where have ye done
+my young son, Sir Gareth?  He was here amongst you a twelvemonth, and
+ye made a kitchen-knave of him, which is shame to you all."
+
+"Oh dear mother," said Sir Gawaine, "I knew him not."
+
+"Nor I," said the King; "but thanked be God, he is proved an honourable
+knight as any of his years now living, and I shall never be glad till I
+may find him.  Sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to know of his
+coming, and then, had I not done well to him, ye might have blamed me.
+For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's
+shoulders, as though he might not walk.  And then he asked of me three
+gifts,--one the same day, that was that I would give him meat for that
+twelvemonth.  The other two gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and
+those were that he might have the adventure of the damsel Linet, and
+that Sir Launcelot should make him knight when he desired him.  I
+granted him all his desire, and many in this court marvelled that he
+desired his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us
+that he was not come of a noble house."
+
+"Sir," said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur, her brother, "I sent
+him unto you right well armed and horsed, and gold and silver plenty to
+spend."
+
+"It may be," said the King, "but thereof saw we none, save that same
+day as he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf
+hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse, full well and
+richly beseen, and thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches
+came.  Then we deemed all that he was come of men of honour."
+
+"Brother," said the queen, "all that ye say I believe, for ever since
+he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and
+true to his promise.  But I marvel that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn
+him, and give him the name Fair-hands.  Yet Sir Kay named him more
+justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, he is as
+fair-handed a man and as well disposed as any living."
+
+"Sister," said Arthur, "by the grace of God he shall be found if he be
+within these seven realms.  Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is proved
+to be a man of honour, and that is my joy."
+
+So then goodly letters were made and a messenger sent forth to the Lady
+Liones, praying her to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be
+found.  She answered that she could not then tell where he was; but she
+let proclaim a great tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir
+Gareth would be heard of there.  So King Arthur and all his knights of
+valour and prowess came together at the Lady Liones' castle by the Isle
+of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were done there, but most of all
+Sir Gareth gained honour, though no one knew that it was he until a
+herald rode near him and saw his name written about his helm.
+
+Wit ye well the King made great joy when he found Sir Gareth again, and
+ever he wept as he had been a child.  With that came his mother, the
+Queen of Orkney, and when she saw Sir Gareth really face to face she
+suddenly fell down in a swoon.  Then Sir Gareth comforted his mother in
+such a wise that she recovered, and made good cheer.  And the Lady
+Liones came, among all the ladies there named the fairest and peerless.
+And there the King asked his nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have
+that lady to his wife.
+
+"My lord," said he, "wit ye well that I love her above all ladies."
+
+"Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+
+"Most noble King," said Dame Liones, "wit ye well that my Lord Gareth
+is to me more dear to have and to hold as my husband than any king or
+prince that is christened, and if ye will suffer him to have his will
+and free choice, I dare say he will have me."
+
+"That is truth," said Sir Gareth, "and if I have not you and hold not
+you as my wife I wed no lady."
+
+"What, nephew," said the King, "is the wind in that door!  Wit ye well
+I would not for the stint of my crown be causer to withdraw your
+hearts.  Ye shall have my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise
+that may lie in my power."
+
+Then was there made a provision for the day of marriage, and by the
+King's advice it should be at Michaelmas following at Kink-Kenadon by
+the seaside.  And when the day came the Bishop of Canterbury made the
+wedding betwixt Sir Gareth and the Lady Liones with great solemnity.
+And at the same time Gaheris was wedded to Linet.
+
+When this solemnisation was done there came in the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and all the others that had yielded themselves to Sir
+Gareth, and did homage and fealty to hold their lands of him for ever,
+and desired to serve him at the feast.  And the kings and queens,
+princes, earls, and barons, and many bold knights went unto meat, and
+well may ye wit that there was all manner of meat plenteously, all
+manner of revels, and games, with all manner of minstrelsy that was
+used in those days.  So they held the court forty days with great
+solemnity.
+
+And this Sir Gareth was a noble knight, and a well ruled, and fair
+languaged.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN OF LYONESSE
+
+There was a king called Meliodas, as likely a knight as any living, and
+he was lord of the country of Lyonesse.  At that time King Arthur
+reigned supreme over England, Wales, Scotland, and many other realms,
+howbeit there were many lords of countries that held their lands under
+King Arthur.  So also was the King of France subject to him, and the
+King of Brittany, and all the lordships as far as Rome.  The wife of
+this King Meliodas was a full good and fair lady, called Elizabeth, the
+sister of King Mark of Cornwall.  Well she loved her lord, and he her
+again, and there was much joy betwixt them.  There was a lady in that
+country who bore ill will towards this king and queen, and therefore
+upon a day, as he rode on hunting, for he was a great chaser, she by an
+enchantment made him chase a hart by himself alone till he came to an
+old castle, where anon she had him taken prisoner.
+
+When Queen Elizabeth missed her lord she was nigh out of her wit, and
+she took a gentlewoman with her and ran into the forest to seek him.
+When she was far in the forest and might go no farther, she sank down
+exhausted.  For the default of help she took cold there, and she soon
+knew that she must die.  So she begged her gentlewoman to commend her
+to King Meliodas, and to say that she was full sorry to depart out of
+this world from him, and that their little child, that was to have such
+sorrow even in his infancy, should be christened Tristram.
+
+Therewith this queen gave up the ghost and died.  The gentlewoman laid
+her under the shadow of a great tree, and right so there came the
+barons, following after the queen.  When they saw that she was dead
+they had her carried home, and much dole[1] was made for her.
+
+The morn after his queen died King Meliodas was delivered out of
+prison, and the sorrow he made for her, when he was come home, no
+tongue might tell.  He had her richly interred, and afterwards, as she
+had commanded afore her death, had his child christened Tristram, the
+sorrowful born child.  For seven years he remained without a wife, and
+all that time young Tristram was nourished well.
+
+Then, when he wedded King Howell's daughter of Brittany and had other
+children, the stepmother was wroth that Tristram should be heir to the
+country of Lyonesse rather than her own son.  Wherefore this jealous
+queen resolved to become rid of her stepson, and she put poison into a
+silver cup in the chamber where Tristram and her children were
+together, intending that when Tristram was thirsty he should drink it.
+But it happened that the queen's own son espied the cup with poison,
+and, because the child was thirsty and supposed it was good drink, he
+took of it freely.  Therewithal he died suddenly, and when the queen
+wist of the death of her son, wit ye well that she was heavy of heart.
+But yet the king understood nothing of her treason.
+
+Notwithstanding all this the queen would not leave her jealousy, and
+soon had more poison put in a cup.  By fortune King Meliodas, her
+husband, found the cup where was the poison, and being much thirsty he
+took to drink thereout.  Anon the queen espied him and ran unto him and
+pulled the cup from him suddenly.  The king marvelled why she did so,
+and remembered how her son was suddenly slain with poison.  Then he
+took her by the hand, and said: "Thou false traitress, thou shalt tell
+me what manner of drink this is."  Therewith he pulled out his sword,
+and swore a great oath that he should slay her if she told him not the
+truth.
+
+Then she told him all, and by the assent of the barons she was
+condemned to be burned as a traitress, according to the law.  A great
+fire was made, and just as she was at the fire to take her execution
+young Tristram kneeled afore King Meliodas and besought of him a boon.
+"I grant it," said the king, whereupon the youth demanded the life of
+the queen, his stepmother.
+
+"That is unrightfully asked," said King Melodias, "for she would have
+slain thee, if she had had her will, and for thy sake most is my cause
+that she should die."
+
+But Tristram besought his father to forgive her, as he himself did, and
+required him to hold his promise.  Then said the king, "Since ye will
+have it so, I give her to you; go ye to the fire and take her, and do
+with her what ye will."
+
+So Sir Tristram went to the fire, and by the commandment of the king
+delivered her from death.  But thereafter King Meliodas would never
+have aught to do with her, though by the good means of young Tristram
+he at length forgave her.  Ever after in her life she never hated her
+stepson more, but loved him and had great joy of him, because he saved
+her from the fire.  But the king would not suffer him to abide longer
+at his court.
+
+
+
+[1] Dole: sorrow; mourning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SIR TRISTRAM'S FIRST BATTLE
+
+King Melodias sought out a gentleman that was well learned, and taught,
+and with him, named Gouvernail, he sent young Tristram away from
+Lyonesse court into France, to learn the language and customs and deeds
+of arms.  There he learned to be a harper passing all others of his
+time, and he also applied himself well to the gentlemanly art of
+hawking and hunting, for he that gentle is will draw unto him gentle
+qualities and follow the customs of noble gentlemen.  The old chronicle
+saith he adopted good methods for the chase, and the terms he used we
+have yet in hawking and hunting.  Therefore the book of forest sports
+is called the Book of Sir Tristram.
+
+When he well could speak the language and had learned all that he might
+in that country, he came home again, and remained in Cornwall until he
+was big and strong, of the age of nineteen years, and his father, King
+Meliodas, had great joy of him.
+
+Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of
+Cornwall for the tribute long paid him, but now seven years behind.
+King Mark and his barons gave unto the messenger of Ireland the answer
+that they would no tribute pay, and bade him tell his king that if he
+wished tribute he should send a trusty knight of his land to fight for
+it against another that Cornwall should find to defend its right.  With
+this the messenger departed into Ireland.
+
+When King Anguish understood the answer, he was wonderfully wroth, and
+called unto him Sir Marhaus, the good and proved knight, brother unto
+the queen of Ireland, and a knight of the Round Table, and said to him:
+"Fair brother, I pray you go into Cornwall for my sake, and do battle
+for the tribute that of right we ought to have."
+
+Sir Marhaus was not loath to do battle for his king and his land, and
+in all haste he was fitted with all things that to him needed, and so
+he departed out of Ireland and arrived in Cornwall even fast by the
+castle of Tintagil.
+
+When King Mark understood that the good and noble knight Sir Marhaus
+was come to fight for Ireland, he made great sorrow, for he knew no
+knight that durst have ado with him.  Sir Marhaus remained on his ship,
+and every day he sent word unto King Mark that he should pay the
+tribute or else find a champion to fight for it with him.
+
+Then they of Cornwall let make cries in every place, that what knight
+would fight to save the tribute should be rewarded so that he should
+fare the better the term of his life.  But no one came to do the
+battle, and some counselled King Mark to send to the court of King
+Arthur to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that at that time was named
+for the marvellousest knight of all the world.  Others said it were
+labour in vain to do so, because Sir Marhaus was one of the knights of
+the Round Table, and any one of them would be loath to have ado with
+other.  So the king and all his barons at the last agreed that it was
+no boot to seek any knight of the Round Table.
+
+Meanwhile came the language and the noise unto young Tristram how Sir
+Marhaus abode battle fast by Tintagil, and how King Mark could find no
+manner of knight to fight for him.  Then Sir Tristram was wroth and
+sore ashamed that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir
+Marhaus, and he went unto his father, King Meliodas, and said: "Alas,
+that I am not made knight; if I were, I would engage with him.  I pray
+you give me leave to ride to King Mark to be made knight by him."
+
+"I will well," said the father, "that ye be ruled as your courage will
+rule you."
+
+So Tristram went unto his uncle, who quickly gave him the order of
+knighthood, and anon sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters
+that said he had found a young knight ready to take the battle to the
+uttermost.  Then in all haste King Mark had Sir Tristram horsed and
+armed in the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or
+silver, and he was put into a vessel, both his horse and he, and all
+that to him belonged both for his body and for his horse, to be taken
+to an island nigh Sir Marhaus' ships, where it was agreed that they
+should fight.  And when King Mark and his barons beheld young Sir
+Tristram depart to fight for the right of Cornwall, there was neither
+man nor woman of honour but wept to see so young a knight jeopard
+himself for their right.
+
+When Sir Tristram was arrived at the island, he commanded his servant
+Gouvernail to bring his horse to the land and to dress his horse
+rightly, and then, when he was in the saddle well apparelled and his
+shield dressed upon his shoulder, he commanded Gouvernail to go to his
+vessel again and return to King Mark.  "And upon thy life," said he,
+"come thou not nigh this island till thou see me overcome or slain, or
+else that I win yonder knight."  So either departed from other.
+
+When Sir Marhaus perceived this young knight seeking to encounter with
+himself, one of the most renowned knights of the world, he said, "Fair
+sir, since thou hopest to win honour of me, I let thee wit honour
+mayest thou none lose by me if thou mayest stand me three strokes, for
+I let thee wit for my noble deeds, proved and seen, King Arthur made me
+knight of the Table Round."
+
+Then they put spears in rest and ran together so fiercely that they
+smote either other down, horse and all.  Anon they pulled out their
+swords and lashed together as men that were wild and courageous.  Thus
+they fought more than half a day, and either was wounded passing sore,
+so that the blood ran down freshly from them upon the ground.  By then
+Sir Tristram waxed more fresh 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, the edge of Tristram's sword left in his brain-pan.
+Suddenly Sir Marhaus rose grovelling, and threw his sword and his
+shield from him, and so ran to his ships and fled his way, sore
+groaning.
+
+Anon he and his fellowship departed into Ireland, and, as soon as he
+came to the king his brother, he had his wounds searched, and in his
+head was found a piece of Sir Tristram's sword.  No surgeons might cure
+this wound, and so he died of Sir Tristram's sword.  That piece of the
+sword the queen his sister kept ever with her, for she thought to be
+revenged, if she might.
+
+Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded by a
+spear-thrust of Sir Marhaus so that he might scarcely stir.  He sat
+down softly upon a little hill, and bled fast.  Then anon came
+Gouvernail, his man, with his vessel, and Sir Tristram was quickly
+taken back into the castle of Tintagil.  He was cared for in the best
+manner possible, but he lay there a month and more, and ever he was
+like to die of the stroke from Sir Marhaus' spear, for, as the French
+book saith, the spear's head was envenomed.  Then was King Mark passing
+heavy, and he sent after all manner of surgeons, but there was none
+that would promise him life.
+
+At last there came a right wise lady, and she said plainly that he
+should never be whole unless he went into the same country that the
+venom came from, and in that country he should be holpen, or else
+never.  When King Mark understood that, he let provide for Sir Tristram
+a fair vessel, well victualled, and therein was put Sir Tristram and
+Gouvernail, with him.  Sir Tristram took his harp with him, and so they
+put to sea to sail into Ireland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD
+
+By good fortune Sir Tristram with Gouvernail arrived in Ireland fast by
+a castle where King Anguish and the queen were.  As he came to land he
+sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, such as none in Ireland ever
+heard afore that time.  And when the king and queen were told of this
+stranger that was such a harper, anon they sent for him and let search
+his wounds, and then asked him his name.  Then he answered, "I am of
+the country of Lyonesse; my name is Tramtrist, and I was thus 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.  But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss as ever
+king had, for there I lost the best knight of the world.  His name was
+Marhaus, a full noble knight of the Table Round."  Then he told Sir
+Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain.  Sir Tristram made semblant
+as if he were sorry, and yet better knew he how it was than the king.
+
+The king for great favour had Tramtrist put in his daughter's keeping,
+because she was a noble surgeon.  When she searched his wound she found
+that therein was poison, and so she healed him within a while.
+Therefore Tramtrist cast great devotion to the Fair Isoud, for she was
+at that time the fairest maid of the world.  He taught her to harp, and
+she soon began to have a great fancy unto him.  Then soon he showed
+himself to be so brave and true a knight in the jousts that she had
+great suspicion that he was some man of honour proved, and she loved
+him more than heretofore.
+
+Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cherished by the king and the
+queen and especially by Isoud the Fair.  Upon a day as Sir Tramtrist
+was absent, the queen and Isoud roamed up and down in the chamber, and
+beheld his sword there as it lay upon his bed.  And then by mishap the
+queen drew out the sword and regarded it a long while.  Both thought it
+a passing fair sword, but within a foot and a half of the point there
+was a great piece thereof broken out of the edge.  When the queen
+espied that gap in the sword, she remembered her of a piece of a sword
+that was found in the brain-pan of Sir Marhaus, her brother.  "Alas,"
+then said she unto her daughter, the Fair Isoud, "this is the traitor
+knight that slew thine uncle."
+
+When Isoud heard her say so she was sore abashed, for much she loved
+Sir Tramtrist, and full well she knew the cruelness of her mother.
+Anon the queen went unto her own chamber and sought her coffer, and
+there she took out the piece of the sword that was pulled out of Sir
+Marhaus' head.  Then she ran with that piece of iron to the sword that
+lay upon the bed, and when she put that piece unto the sword, it was as
+meet as it could be when new broken.  The queen now gripped that sword
+in her hand fiercely, and with all her might ran straight to where she
+knew Tramtrist was, and there she would have thrust him through, had
+not a knight pulled the sword from her.
+
+Then when she was letted of her evil will, she ran to King Anguish and
+told him on her knees what traitor he had in his house.  The king was
+right heavy thereof, but charged the queen to leave him to deal with
+the knight.  He went straight into the chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, that
+he found by now all ready armed to mount upon his horse.  King Anguish
+saw that it was of no avail to fight, and that it was no honour to slay
+Sir Tramtrist while a guest within his court; so he gave him leave to
+depart from Ireland in safety, if he would tell who he was, and whether
+he slew Sir Marhaus.
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "now I shall tell you all the truth: My father's
+name is Meliodas, king of Lyonesse, and my mother is called Elizabeth,
+that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall.  I was christened Tristram,
+but, because I would not be known in this country, I turned my name,
+and had myself called Tramtrist.  For the tribute 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 I did the battle for the love of
+mine uncle, King Mark, for the love of the country of Cornwall, and to
+increase mine honour."
+
+"Truly," said the king, "I may not say but ye did as a knight should;
+howbeit I may not maintain you in this country with my honour."
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you for your good lordship that I have
+had with you here, and the great goodness my lady your daughter hath
+shown me.  It may so happen that ye shall win more by my life than by
+my death, for in the parts of England it may be I may do you service at
+some season so that ye shall be glad that ever ye showed me your good
+lordship.  I beseech your good grace that I may take my leave of your
+daughter and of all the barons and knights."
+
+This request the king granted, and Sir Tristram went unto the Fair
+Isoud and took leave of her.  And he told her all,--what he was, 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.  She was full woe of his departing, and wept
+heartily.
+
+"Madam," said Tristram, "I promise you faithfully that I shall be all
+the days of my life your knight."
+
+"Grammercy," said the Fair Isoud, "and I promise you against that I
+shall not be married this seven years but by your assent."
+
+Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and
+therewith he departed from her, leaving her making great dole and
+lamentation.  And he straight went unto the court among all the barons,
+and there he took his leave of most and least, and so departed and took
+the sea, and with good wind he arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR ISOUD
+  FOR KING MARK, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM
+  AND ISOUD DRANK THE LOVE POTION
+
+When there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived and whole of his
+wounds, King Mark was passing glad, and so were all the barons.  And
+Sir Tristram lived at the court of King Mark in great joy long time,
+until at the last there befell a jealousy and an unkindness between
+them.  Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir
+Tristram.
+
+The beauty and goodness of the Fair Isoud were so praised by Sir
+Tristram that King Mark said he would wed her, and prayed Sir Tristram
+to take his way into Ireland for him, as his messenger, to bring her to
+Cornwall.  All this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for any
+danger or peril, and made ready to go in the goodliest wise that might
+be devised.  He took with him the goodliest knights that he might find
+in the court, arrayed them after the guise that was then used, and so
+departed over sea with all his fellowship.
+
+Anon as he was in the broad sea a tempest took them and drove them back
+into the coast of England.  They came to land fast by Camelot, and
+there Sir Tristram set up his pavilion.  Now it fell that King Anguish
+of Ireland was accused of slaying by treason a cousin of Sir Launcelot
+of the Lake, and just at this time he was come to the court at the
+summoning of King Arthur upon pain of forfeiture of his lands; yet ere
+he arrived at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was sent after.  When he
+heard the accusation he understood full well there was no remedy but to
+answer it knightly, for the custom was in those days, that if any man
+were accused of any treason or murder, he should fight body for body or
+else find another knight to fight for him.  Now King Anguish grew
+passing heavy when he heard his accusing, for the knights of King Ban's
+blood, as Sir Launcelot was, were as hard men to win in battle as any
+then living.
+
+The meanwhile Sir Tristram was told how King Anguish was come thither
+in great distress, and he sent Gouvernail to bring him to his pavilion.
+When Sir Tristram saw the king coming he ran unto him and would have
+holden his stirrup, but King Anguish leaped lightly from his horse, and
+either embraced other heartily.  Sir Tristram remembered his promise,
+made when departing from Ireland, to do service to King Anguish if ever
+it lay in his power, and never had there been so great need of knight's
+help as now.  So when King Anguish told Sir Tristram all, Sir Tristram
+took the battle for the sake of the good lordship showed him in
+Ireland, and for the sake of the Fair Isoud, upon the condition that
+King Anguish grant two things.  One was that he should swear that he
+was in the right and had never consented to the death of the knight.
+The second request was to be granted after the battle, if God should
+speed him therein.
+
+King Anguish quickly granted Sir Tristram whatsoever he asked, and anon
+departed unto King Arthur's judges, and told them he had found a
+champion ready to do the battle for him.  So Sir Tristram fought for
+King Anguish and overcame his adversary, a most noble knight.  Then
+King Anguish and Sir Tristram joyfully took their leave, and sailed
+into Ireland with great nobleness.
+
+When they were in Ireland the king let make it known throughout all the
+land, how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him.  Then the
+queen and all that were there made the most of him that they might.
+But the joy that the Fair Isoud made of Sir Tristram no tongue might
+tell, for of men earthly she loved him most.
+
+Then upon a day King Anguish would know from Sir Tristram why he asked
+not his boon, for whatsoever had been promised he should have without
+fail.  "Sir," said Tristram, "now is it time, and this is what I
+desire: that ye will give me the Fair Isoud, 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 rather than all the land that I have ye
+would wed her yourself."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "if I did, then were I ashamed for ever in
+this world, and false of my promise.  Therefore I pray you hold your
+promise that ye gave me, for this is my desire, that ye will give me
+the Fair Isoud to go with me into Cornwall, to be wedded to King Mark,
+mine uncle."
+
+[Illustration: Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud]
+
+"As for that," said King Anguish, "ye shall have her with you, to do
+with her what it please you; that is to say, if ye list to wed her
+yourself, that is to me lievest[1]; and if ye will give her unto King
+Mark, that is in your choice."
+
+So, to make a short conclusion, the Fair Isoud was made ready to go
+with Sir Tristram, and Dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief
+gentlewoman, with many others.  The queen, Isoud's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail a drink, and charged them that what day
+King Mark should wed, that same day they should give him that drink,
+"and then," said the queen, "I undertake either shall love other the
+days of their life."
+
+So this drink was given unto Dame Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail, and
+then anon Sir Tristram took the sea with the Fair Isoud.  When they
+were in the cabin, it happened that they were thirsty, and they saw a
+little flask of gold stand by them, that seemed by the colour and the
+taste to be noble wine.  Then Sir Tristram took the flask in his hand,
+and said: "Madam Isoud, here is the best drink that ever ye drank, that
+Dame Bragwaine your maid and Gouvernail my servant have kept for
+themselves."
+
+Then they laughed and made good cheer, and either drank to other,
+thinking never drink was so sweet or so good.  But after they had drunk
+that magic wine, they loved either other so truly that never their love
+departed either for weal or for woe.
+
+So they sailed on till by fortune they came into Cornwall.  There all
+the barons met them, and anon King Mark and the Fair Isoud were richly
+wedded with great splendour.  But ever, as the French book saith, Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud loved each other truly, and his life long
+he was her loyal and honourable knight.
+
+
+
+[1] Lievest: dearest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM TINTAGIL,
+  AND WAS LONG IN THE FOREST
+
+There were great jousts and tourneying at that time in Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram was most praised of all the knights.  But some were
+jealous because of his prowess, and especially Sir Andred, that was
+cousin unto Sir Tristram, ever lay in a watch to wait betwixt him and
+the Fair Isoud, for to take them and slander them.  So upon a day Sir
+Tristram talked with Isoud in a window, and that espied Sir Andred, and
+told it to the king.
+
+Then King Mark took a sword in his hand and came to Sir Tristram, and
+called him false traitor, and would have stricken him.  But Sir
+Tristram ran under his sword, and took it out of his hand.  And then
+the king cried, "Where are my knights and my men?  I charge you slay
+this traitor."
+
+But there was not one would move for his words.  When Sir Tristram saw
+there was not one would be against him, he shook the sword to the king,
+and made as though he would strike him.  And then King Mark fled, for
+he was a coward, and Sir Tristram followed him, and smote upon him five
+or six strokes with the flat of his sword on the neck so that he made
+him fall upon the nose.  Sir Tristram then went his way and armed
+himself, and took his horse and his man, and so he rode into the forest.
+
+King Mark called his council unto him and asked advice of his barons
+what was best to do with Sir Tristram.  Their counsel was to send for
+him, that they might be friends, for in a quarrel, if Sir Tristram were
+hard bestead, many men would hold with him against the king; and if so
+peerless a knight should depart from King Mark's court and go to King
+Arthur's he would get himself such friends there that Cornwall would be
+in ill repute.
+
+So the barons sent for Sir Tristram under a safe conduct, and he was
+welcomed back by King Mark.  But his enemies ever plotted against him,
+and on a day Sir Andred and some of the barons set upon him secretly,
+seized him, and took him, bound hand and foot, unto a chapel which
+stood upon the sea rocks.  When Sir Tristram saw that Andred meant to
+kill him there, he said: "Fair Lords, remember what I have done for the
+country Cornwall, and in what jeopardy I have been for the weal of you
+all, and see not me die thus to the shame of all knighthood."
+
+But Andred held to his purpose, and when Sir Tristram saw him draw his
+sword to kill him, he looked upon both his hands that were fast bound
+unto two knights, and suddenly he pulled them both to him and so freed
+his hands.  Then he leaped unto his cousin Andred and wrested his sword
+out of his hands.  Then he smote Sir Andred to the earth, and fought
+with the others till he had killed ten knights.  So Sir Tristram gat
+the chapel and kept it by force.
+
+Then the uproar became great, and the people gathered unto Sir Andred,
+more than a hundred, whereupon Sir Tristram shut fast the chapel door,
+and brake the bars of a window, and so he leaped out and fell upon the
+crags by the sea.  Here Sir Andred and his fellows might not get to him
+at that time, and so they departed.
+
+When Sir Tristram's men heard that he was escaped they were passing
+glad, and on the rocks they found him, and with towels they pulled him
+up.  Then Sir Tristram dreaded sore lest he were discovered unto the
+king, wherefore he sent Gouvernail for his horse and his spear, and so
+he rode his way into the forest.  As he rode he was in great sorrow at
+departing in this wise; and there, as he made great dole, by fortune a
+damsel met him, and she and her lady brought him meat and drink.  Also
+they brought him a harp, for they knew him, and wist that for goodly
+harping he bore the prize in the world.
+
+So they tried to give him comfort, but he ate little of the food, and
+at the last, came wholly out his mind for sorrow.  He would go about in
+the wilderness breaking 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.  Sometimes when Sir Tristram was in the
+wood, then would the lady sit down and play upon the harp; then would
+he come to that harp and hearken thereto, and sometimes he would harp
+himself.
+
+Thus it went on a quarter of a year, when at the last Sir Tristram ran
+his way, and the lady wist not what had become of him.  He waxed lean
+and poor of flesh, and fell into the fellowship of herdmen and
+shepherds, and daily they would give him of their meat and drink.  And
+when he did any evil 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.  The weather was
+hot, and they alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile
+their horses brake loose.  Just then Sir Tristram came unto them, and
+first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and then his squires, and
+thereat laughed the shepherds.  Forthwithal he ran after their horses,
+and brought them again one by one, and right so, wet as they were, he
+made Sir Dagonet and his squires mount and ride their ways.
+
+Thus Sir Tristram endured there a half-year, and would never come in
+town or village.  Then Sir Andred, that was cousin unto Sir Tristram,
+let a tale be brought unto King Mark's court that Sir Tristram was
+dead, and that ere he died he besought King Mark to make Sir Andred
+king of the country of Lyonesse, of the which Sir Tristram was lord.
+When Queen Isoud heard of these tidings she made such sorrow that she
+was nigh out of her mind, and she lay long sick, at the point of death.
+
+Meanwhile a knight came unto King Mark and told him of a mad man in the
+forest at the fair fountain.  So he commanded his knights to take Sir
+Tristram with fairness, and bring him to his castle, yet he knew not
+that the mad man was Sir Tristram.  They did softly and fair, and cast
+mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil.  There they
+bathed 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.
+
+Now it fell upon a day that the queen, the Fair Isoud, heard of this
+man that ran wild in the forest and how the king had brought him home
+to the court, and with Dame Bragwaine she went to see him in the
+garden, where he was reposing in the sun.  When she looked upon Sir
+Tristram she knew not that it was he, yet it seemed to her she had seen
+him before.  But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he knew her well
+enough, and he turned away his visage and wept.  The queen had always
+with her a little dog that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that
+ever she came into Cornwall, and never would that dog depart from her
+unless Sir Tristram was nigh there with Isoud.  Anon as this little dog
+caught a scent of Sir Tristram, she leaped upon him, licked his cheeks,
+whined and smelled at his feet and over his whole body.  Then the Fair
+Isoud saw that it was her lord, Sir Tristram, and thereupon she fell
+down in a swoon, and so lay a great while.
+
+When she might speak, she blessed God that Sir Tristram was still
+alive, yet she knew that her lord King Mark would discover him by the
+little dog that would never leave him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE GOOD
+  RENOWN OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+The queen departed from Sir Tristram but the little dog would not from
+him.  Therewithal came King Mark, and the dog set upon him and bayed at
+all the barons.  Thereupon Sir Andred saw by the dog that it was Sir
+Tristram, and King Mark repented that he had brought the mad man in
+from the forest.  Then he let call his barons to judge Sir Tristram to
+death.  They would not assent thereto, but by the advice of them all he
+was banished out of the country for ten years.
+
+So Sir Tristram was made to depart out of the country of Cornwall, and
+there were many barons brought him into his ship.  When he was ready to
+set sail he said: "Greet well King Mark and all mine enemies, and say I
+will come again when I may.  And well am I rewarded for the fighting
+with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all this country from servage, and
+well am I rewarded for the fetching of the Fair Isoud out of Ireland,
+and the danger I was in first and last."
+
+So Sir Tristram departed over sea, and arrived in Wales.  As he rode
+there through the Forest Perilous, a lady in great distress met him,
+that said: "O my lord, come with me, and that in all the haste ye may,
+for ye shall see the most honourable knight of the world hard bestead,
+and he is none other than the noble King Arthur himself."
+
+"God defend," said Sir Tristram, "that ever he should be in such
+distress.  I am ready to help him if I may."
+
+So they rode at a great pace, till they saw a knight, that was King
+Arthur, on foot fighting with two knights, and anon the one knight was
+smitten down, and they unlaced his helm to slay him.  Therewithal came
+Sir Tristram with all his might, and smote the two traitors so that
+they fell dead.  Then he horsed King Arthur, and as they rode forth
+together, the King thanked heartily Sir Tristram and desired to wit his
+name.  He would not tell him, but said that he was a poor knight
+adventurous.  So he bare King Arthur fellowship, till he met with some
+of his knights.
+
+Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight toward Camelot.  Then was
+he ware of a seemly knight riding against him with a covered shield.
+They dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all the
+mights of their horses.  They met so fiercely that both horses and
+knights fell to the earth.  As fast as they were able they then gat
+free from their horses, and put their shields before them; and they
+strake together with bright swords, like men of might, and either
+wounded other wonderly sore, so that the blood ran out upon the grass.
+
+Thus they two fought the space of four hours.  Never one would speak to
+other one word, and of their harness they hewed off many pieces.  Then
+at the last spake the one with the covered shield; "Knight, thou
+fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight; therefore if it please you
+tell me your name."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "that is me loath to tell any man my name."
+
+"Truly," said the other, "if I was requested, I was never loath to tell
+my name.  I am Sir Launcelot of the Lake."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Tristram, "what have I done, for ye are the man in the
+world that I love best."
+
+"Fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me now your name."
+
+"Truly," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"Oh," said Sir Launcelot, "what adventure is befallen me!"
+
+Therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword.
+And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his
+sword.  So either gave other the victory.  Thereupon they both
+forthwithal went to a stone, and sat down upon it, and took off their
+helms to cool themselves.  Then after a while they took their helms and
+rode together to Camelot.
+
+There soon they met King Arthur, and when he wist that it was Sir
+Tristram, he ran unto him and took him by the hand and said, "Sir
+Tristram, ye be as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court."
+Then they went to the Table Round, where Queen Guenever came, and many
+ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one voice, "Welcome, Sir
+Tristram."  "Welcome," said the damsels; "Welcome," said the knights;
+"Welcome," said Arthur, "for one of the best knights and the gentlest
+of the world, and the man of most honour.  For of all manner of hunting
+ye bear the prize; 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, ye are welcome to this court.  Now I pray you, grant me
+a boon."
+
+"It shall be at your commandment," said Tristram.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in my
+court."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto is me loath, for I have ado in many
+countries."
+
+"Not so," said Arthur; "ye have promised it me, and ye may not say nay."
+
+So Tristram agreed to remain with King Arthur, who then went unto the
+sieges about the Round Table, and looked in every siege that lacked a
+knight.  Then the King saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said,
+"This is the siege of the noble knight Sir Tristram."  And then Arthur
+made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round with great splendour and
+great feast, as might be thought.  For that Sir Marhaus, a worthy
+knight, was slain afore by the hands of Sir Tristram was well known at
+that time in the court of Arthur; and that for evil deeds that he did
+unto the country of Cornwall Sir Tristram and he fought; and that they
+fought so long tracing and traversing till they fell bleeding to the
+earth, for they were so sore wounded that they might not stand; and
+that Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and Sir Marhaus died through
+the stroke on the head.
+
+King Mark had had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram, and
+therefore had chased him out of Cornwall.  When now he heard of the
+great prowess that Sir Tristram did in England he was sore grieved, and
+sent men to espy what deeds he did.  The Queen Isoud also on her part
+sent privily spies to know what deeds he had done, for great love was
+between them twain.  When the messengers came home, and told that Sir
+Tristram passed all other knights at Arthur's court unless it were Sir
+Launcelot, King Mark was right heavy of the tidings, and as glad was
+the Fair Isoud.  Then in great despite King Mark took with him two good
+knights and two squires, disguised himself, and took his way into
+England, to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
+
+So King Mark came into England, where he soon became known as the most
+horrible coward that ever bestrode horse; and there was much laughing
+and jesting at the knight of Cornwall, and much he was despised.  Sir
+Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, at one time chased him through thick and
+thin over the forests; and when on a day Sir Launcelot overtook him and
+bade him turn and fight, he made no defence, but tumbled down out off
+the saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and cried
+Sir Launcelot mercy.
+
+So King Mark was soon brought as recreant before King Arthur, who
+already knew wherefore he was come into his country, and that he had
+not done the service and homage he owed as King Arthur's under-lord.
+But King Mark promised to make large amends for the wrongs he had done,
+for he was a fair speaker, and false thereunder.  So on a day King
+Arthur prayed of him one gift, and King Mark promised to give him
+whatsoever he desired, if it were in his power.  Then King Arthur asked
+him to be good lord unto Sir Tristram, and to take him back into
+Cornwall, and to cherish him for Arthur's sake.  King Mark promised
+this, and swore upon a book afore Arthur and all his knights.
+Therewith King Arthur forgave him all the evil will that ever he owed
+him, and 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 afterward.
+
+Then soon afterward King Mark took his leave to ride into Cornwall, and
+Sir Tristram rode with him; wherefore the most part of the Round Table
+were passing heavy, and some were wroth, knowing that King Mark was the
+most coward and the villainest knight living.
+
+After a while letters came out of Cornwall that spake ill of Sir
+Tristram and showed plainly that King Mark took Sir Tristram for his
+mortal enemy.  Sir Launcelot in especial made great sorrow for anger,
+wherefore Dinadan, a gentle, wise, and courteous knight, said to him:
+"King Mark is so villainous that by fair speech shall never man get of
+him.  But ye shall see what I shall do.  I will make a lay for him, and
+when it is made I shall make a harper sing it afore him."
+
+So anon Dinadan went and made the lay, hoping thereby to humble the
+crafty king; and he taught it an harper named Eliot, and when he knew
+it, he taught it to many harpers.  And so, by the will of Sir Launcelot
+and of Arthur, the harpers went straight into Wales and into Cornwall,
+to sing the lay that Sir Dinadan made of King Mark, which was the worst
+lay that ever harper sang with harp or with any other instrument.
+
+At a great feast that King Mark made came in Eliot the harper, and
+because he was a curious harper, men heard him sing the lay that
+Dinadan had made, the which spake the most villainy of King Mark's
+treason that ever man heard.  When the harper had sung his song to the
+end, King Mark was wonderly wroth, for he deemed that the lay that was
+sung afore him was made by Sir Tristram's counsel, wherefore he thought
+to slay him and all his well willers in that country.
+
+So King Mark grew ever more jealous of Sir Tristram because of his
+prowess as knight and his great love and loyal devotion to the queen,
+the Fair Isoud; and by treason King Mark let take him and put him in
+prison, contrary to his promise that he made unto King Arthur.  When
+Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in prison, she made as
+great sorrow as ever made lady or gentlewoman.  Then Sir Tristram sent
+a letter unto her, and prayed her to be his good lady; and if it
+pleased her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he would go with
+her unto the realm of Logris, that is this land.
+
+When the Fair Isoud understood Sir Tristram's letter and his intent,
+she sent him another, and bade him be of good comfort, for she would
+make the vessel ready, and all things to purpose.  Then she had King
+Mark taken and put in prison, until the time that she and Sir Tristram
+were departed unto the realm of Logris.  And then Sir Tristram was
+delivered out of prison, and anon in all haste they took their vessel,
+and came by water into England.
+
+When Sir Launcelot understood that Sir Tristram was there, he was full
+glad.  He espied whither he went, and after him he rode, and then
+either made of other great joy.  And so Sir Launcelot brought Sir
+Tristram and the Fair Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that was Sir Launcelot's
+own castle that he had won with his own hands.  And he charged all his
+people to honour them and love them as they would do himself.
+
+Near three years Sir Tristram kept the Fair Isoud with him in Joyous
+Gard, and then by means of treaties he brought her again unto King Fox,
+which was the name Sir Launcelot gave unto Mark because of his wiles
+and treason.  But ever the malice of King Fox followed his brave
+nephew, and in the end he slew him as he sat harping afore his lady,
+the Fair Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, thrust in behind to the heart.
+
+For his death was much bewailing of every knight that ever was in
+Arthur's days, for he was traitorously slain.  And the Fair Isoud died,
+swooning upon the cross of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity.  And
+all that were with King Mark that were consenting to the death of Sir
+Tristram were slain, as Sir Andred and many others.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT AND
+  FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+While King Arthur and his knights were still sorrowful over Sir
+Tristram's return to Cornwall, greatly fearing mischief to the good
+knight by some manner of falsehood or treason of King Mark, there came
+to the court a knight bringing a young squire with him.  It was Sir
+Aglovale, King Pellinore's son, and the squire was his brother,
+Percivale, that he wished King Arthur to make knight.  The boy was the
+youngest of five sons, and for love of the father and the brothers,
+good knights all, the King made him a knight the next day in Camelot;
+yet the King and all the knights thought it would be long ere he proved
+a man of prowess, and Sir Kay and Sir Mordred made sport of his rude
+manner.
+
+At the dinner, when every knight was set after his honour, the King
+commanded Sir Percivale to be placed among mean knights.  But there was
+a maiden in the Queen's court that was come of high blood, yet she was
+dumb, and never spake a word.  Right so she came straight into the
+hall, went unto Sir Percivale, took him by the hand, and said aloud,
+that the King and all the knights might hear it, "Arise, Sir Percivale,
+the noble knight and God's knight, and go with me."
+
+So he did, and she brought him to the right side of the Siege Perilous,
+and said, "Fair knight, take here thy siege, for that siege
+appertaineth to thee, and to none other."  Right so she departed, and
+soon afterward she died.  Then the King and all the court made great
+joy of Sir Percivale.
+
+Then Sir Percivale rode forth upon adventures, and came unto Cornwall
+to seek Sir Tristram.  And he delivered him from a prison where King
+Mark had placed him, and then rode straight unto King Mark and told him
+he had done himself great shame to treat so falsely Sir Tristram, the
+knight of most renown in all the world.  Then Sir Percivale departed,
+but anon King Mark bethought him of more treason, notwithstanding his
+promise never by any manner of means to hurt Sir Tristram, and he let
+take him and put him again in prison.  How he then escaped with Isoud
+into England we have already read in the tale of Sir Tristram.
+
+Now it chanced that Sir Launcelot of the Lake had sore offended the
+Queen Guenever, and she rebuked him harshly, called him false traitor
+knight, and sent him from her court.  Therewith he took such an hearty
+sorrow at her words that he went clean out of his mind, and leaped out
+at a bay window into a garden, and there with thorns he was all
+scratched up in his visage.  So he ran forth he wist not whither, and
+for a long while none of his kin wist what was become of him.
+
+Soon Queen Guenever was right sorry that she had been so angry with her
+faithful knight, and on her knees besought Sir Bors and many others to
+seek Sir Launcelot throughout all England, Wales, and Scotland.  So
+these noble knights by one assent rode forth by twos and threes; and
+ever they assigned where they should meet.
+
+Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together unto their mother that was
+a queen in those days.  And when she saw her two sons, for joy she wept
+tenderly and said, "Ah my dear sons, when your father was slain he left
+me five sons, of the which now be three slain; my heart shall never be
+glad more."  Then she kneeled down tofore Aglovale and Percivale, and
+besought them to abide at home with her.
+
+"Ah, sweet mother," said Sir Percivale, "we may not, for we be come of
+king's blood on both sides, and therefore, mother, it is our kind to
+follow arms and noble deeds."
+
+Then there was but weeping and sobbing when they should depart, and
+after they were gone, she sent a squire after them with spending
+enough.  When the squire had overtaken them, they would not suffer him
+to ride with them, but sent him home again to comfort their mother,
+praying her meekly for her blessing.
+
+So this squire was benighted as he rode homeward, and by misfortune
+happened to come into the castle of a baron whose brother (a false
+knight and betrayer of ladies and of good knights) Sir Aglovale had
+slain.  When this baron knew from the squire that he served a good
+knight called Sir Aglovale, he commanded his men to have him away
+without mercy.
+
+On the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale riding by a churchyard
+where men and women were busy in burying this same dead squire.  When
+the brothers heard from a good man of the company how the baron had
+shamefully slain the squire that night, they alighted both, left their
+horses with their men, and went on foot to the castle.  All so soon as
+they were within the castle gate Sir Aglovale bade the porter "Go thou
+unto thy lord and tell him that I am Sir Aglovale, for whom the squire
+was slain this night."
+
+Anon the lord of the castle, whose name was Goodewin, came armed into
+the court, and he and Sir Aglovale lashed together as eagerly as it had
+been two lions.  Sir Percivale fought with all the remnant that would
+fight, and within a while had slain all that would withstand him, for
+he dealt so his strokes that there durst no man abide him.  Within a
+while Sir Aglovale had Sir Goodewin also at the earth, and so the two
+brethren departed and took their horses.  Then they let carry the dead
+squire unto a priory, and there they interred him.  When this was done
+they rode their way into many countries, ever inquiring after Sir
+Launcelot, but never they could hear of him.
+
+At last, at a castle that was called Cardican, Sir Percivale parted
+from Sir Aglovale, and with his squire rode alone.  In the afternoon he
+came upon a bridge of stone, where he found a knight that was bound
+with a chain fast about unto a pillar of stone.  This was Sir Persides,
+a knight of the Table Round, who by adventure came this way and lodged
+in the castle at the bridge foot.  There by an evil custom of the
+castle men set upon him suddenly or ever he might come to his weapon,
+and bound him, and chained him at the bridge.  There he knew he should
+die unless some man of honour brake his bands.
+
+"Be ye of good cheer," said Sir Percivale, "and because ye are a knight
+of the Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to make you free."
+
+Therewith Sir Percivale drew out his sword, and struck at the chain
+with such a might that he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir
+Persides' hauberk, and hurt him a little.
+
+"Truly," said Sir Persides, "that was a mighty stroke if ever I felt
+one, for had it not been for the chain, ye had slain me."
+
+Therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming out of the castle, flying
+all that ever he might.  "Beware, sir," said he; "yonder cometh a man
+that will have ado with you."
+
+"Let him come," said Sir Percivale.
+
+So he met with that knight in the midst of the bridge, and gave him
+such a buffet that he smote him quite from his horse and over a part of
+the bridge so that, had there not been a little vessel under the
+bridge, that knight had been drowned.  Then Sir Percivale took the
+knight's horse, and made Sir Persides to mount upon him.  So they rode
+to the castle, and made the lady deliver Sir Persides' servants.
+
+Had he not had a great matter in hand, he would have remained to do
+away with the evil customs there.  But Sir Percivale might not long
+abide, for he rode to seek Sir Launcelot.
+
+Sir Persides brought him unto his own castle, and there made him great
+cheer for that night.  Then on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard
+mass and broken his fast, he said to Sir Persides: "Ride unto King
+Arthur, and tell the King how that ye met with me, and tell my brother
+Sir Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid him seek not after me, for I am
+in the quest to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and will not see him or
+the court till Sir Launcelot is found.  Also tell Sir Kay and Sir
+Mordred that I trust to God to be of as good worthiness as either of
+them, and that I will never see that court till men speak more honour
+of me than ever men did of any of them both."
+
+So Sir Persides departed from Sir Percivale, and rode unto King Arthur,
+and told there of Sir Percivale.  And King Arthur said he must needs
+prove a good knight, for his father and his brethren were noble knights.
+
+Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of his care and woe and what
+pain he endured from cold, hunger, and thirst.  As he wandered like a
+mad man here and there, he by fortune came to the castle of King
+Pelles.  There he was healed of his madness, and when he was recovered
+he was sore ashamed that he had thus been clean out of his wit.  And
+King Pelles gave him his castle of Bliant, that stood in an island
+enclosed with a fair water, deep and large.  Sir Launcelot called it
+the Joyous Isle, and here he dwelt a long while.  Because he was driven
+from King Arthur's court he desired not to be known, and he named
+himself "The knight that hath trespassed."
+
+Now it fell at that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting hard by
+his castle, and he sent word thither that there was one knight in the
+Joyous Isle, by name "The knight that hath trespassed," that will joust
+against any knights that will come to him.  When this cry was made,
+unto Joyous Isle drew many knights, and wit you well there was not seen
+at Arthur's court one knight that did so much deeds of arms as were
+done in that gay castle.
+
+And in the meanwhile came also Sir Percivale nigh to Joyous Isle, and
+would have gone to that castle, but might not for the broad water.
+Then he saw on the other side a lady, and he called unto her and asked
+who was in that castle.
+
+"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest knight
+and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and he calleth
+himself 'The knight that hath trespassed.'  He came into this country
+like a mad man, with dogs and boys chasing him, and by miracle he was
+brought into his wit again.  If ye list to come into the castle, ye
+must ride unto the farther side of the isle, and there ye shall find a
+vessel that will bear you and your horse."
+
+Then Sir Percivale came unto the vessel, and passed the water.  When he
+came to the castle gate, he bade the porter, "Go thou to the good
+knight within the castle, and tell him here is come an errant knight to
+joust with him."
+
+Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and anon Sir Launcelot had
+warning, he was soon ready.  And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot
+encountered with such a might that both the horses and the knights fell
+to the earth.  Then they left their horses, swung out noble swords, and
+hewed away pieces of their shields, and dashed together like two boars,
+and either wounded other passing sore.
+
+At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had fought there more than
+two hours: "Fair knight," saith he, "I pray thee tell me thy name, for
+I met never with such a knight."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is 'The knight that hath
+trespassed.'  Now tell me your name, I pray you, gentle knight."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Percivale, "my name is Sir Percivale of Galis; King
+Pellinore was my father and Sir Aglovale is my brother."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done to fight with you that
+art a knight of the Table Round, that sometime was your fellow."
+
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw away
+his shield and his sword from him.  When Sir Percivale saw him do so,
+he marvelled what he meant.  Then he begged him upon the high order of
+knighthood to tell his true name, and Sir Launcelot told him all.
+
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "what have I done!  I was sent by the Queen
+for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh these two years.  I pray
+you forgive me mine offence that I have here done."
+
+"It is soon forgiven," said Sir Launcelot.
+
+Then Sir Percivale told him how King Arthur and all his knights, and in
+especial Queen Guenever, made great dole and sorrow that ever he
+departed from them, and that never knight was better welcome back to
+the court than he would be.  So Sir Launcelot agreed to do after Sir
+Percivale's counsel, and ride with him to the King.
+
+So then they took their horses and departed from the Joyous Isle, and
+within five days' journey they came to Camelot, that is called in
+English Winchester.  And when Sir Launcelot was come among them, the
+King and all the knights made great joy of him.  Then Sir Percivale of
+Galis began and told the whole adventures, and all the tales of Sir
+Launcelot.  And the Queen made great cheer, and there were great feasts
+made, and many great lords and ladies, when they heard that Sir
+Launcelot was come to the court again, made great joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table
+were come unto Camelot, and the tables were set ready to the meat,
+right so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman before the King,
+and on behalf of King Pelles requested that Sir Launcelot should go
+with her hereby into a forest.  Sir Launcelot bade his squire saddle
+his horse and bring his arms, and right so he departed with the
+gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a great valley, where
+they saw an abbey of nuns.  There was a squire ready, and opened the
+gates; and so they entered and descended off their horses, and there
+came a fair fellowship about Sir Launcelot and welcomed him, and were
+passing glad of his coming.
+
+In the meanwhile there came twelve nuns which brought with them
+Galahad, the which was passing fair and well made, so that in the world
+men might scarcely find his match.  "Sir," said the ladies, "we bring
+you here this child, the which we have nourished, and we pray you to
+make him a knight; for of a worthier man's hand may he not receive the
+order of knighthood."
+
+Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and saw him seemly and demure
+as a dove, with all manner of good features, and he thought 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 to-morrow."
+
+That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer, and on the morn at the
+hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him knight, and said, "God
+make you a good man, for beauty faileth you not as any that liveth."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot departed from them, and came again unto Camelot by
+the hour of nine on Whitsunday morning.  By that time the King and the
+Queen and all the fellowship were gone to the minster to hear the
+service.
+
+When they were come from service all were passing glad of Sir
+Launcelot's return.  And as they entered the hall each of the barons
+sought his name, written with gold letters, in the sieges of the Round
+Table.  Thus they went along from seat to seat, 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 filled."
+
+All thought this a marvellous thing, and an adventurous.  And then Sir
+Launcelot accounted the term of the writing from the birth of our Lord
+unto that day, and said: "It seemeth me this siege ought to be filled
+this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four
+hundred and four and fifty years; 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 they provided a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in the
+Siege Perilous, and the King bade haste unto dinner.
+
+It was an old custom of Arthur's court that on this day they should not
+sit at their meat until they had seen some adventure.  As they stood
+waiting therefor, in came a squire bringing the marvellous tidings that
+beneath at the river there was a great stone, as it were of red marble,
+floating above the water, wherein a sword stuck.  So the King and all
+the knights went unto the river to see this marvel, and they found it
+even as the squire had said.  There in the stone was the fair rich
+sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious stones and subtile
+letters wrought with gold.  Then the barons read the letters, which
+said in this wise: "Never shall man take me hence but only he by whose
+side 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 ye be the best knight
+of the world."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly, conscious of a great sin:
+"Certes, sir, it is not my sword; also, sir, wit ye well I have no
+hardiness to set my hand thereto, for it belongs not by my side."
+
+"Now, fair nephew," said the King unto Sir Gawaine, "assay ye to take
+the sword for my love."
+
+Therewith Sir Gawaine took the sword by the handles, though unwillingly
+and only at the King's commandment, but he might not stir it.  Then the
+King said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay.  So he set his hand
+on the sword and drew it strongly, but he might not move it.  Then were
+there more that durst be so hardy as to set their hands thereto, but
+all failed.
+
+"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Kay unto King Arthur, "for a
+marvellous adventure have ye seen."
+
+So the King and all went in, and every knight knew his own place and
+set himself therein, and all sieges were filled save only the Siege
+Perilous.  Anon there befell a marvellous adventure, for all the doors
+and the windows of the place shut of themselves, yet then the hall was
+not greatly darkened, and therewith they were amazed, both one and
+other.
+
+While they sat there in suspense as to what should happen, came in a
+good old man, and an ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no
+knight knew from whence he came.  With him he brought a young knight in
+red arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side.
+Then the old man said unto Arthur, "Sir, I bring here a young knight
+the which 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 the good man's words, and bade him and the
+young knight welcome.  Then the old man made the young man unarm; and
+he was in a coat of red silk, and bore a mantle upon his shoulder that
+was furred with ermine.  Anon the old knight led him unto the Siege
+Perilous, where beside sat Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot.  The good
+man lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus: "This
+is the siege of Galahad, the high prince."  He set him down surely in
+that siege, saying, "Wit ye well that place is yours," and then,
+departed and went his way.
+
+All the knights of the Table Round marvelled greatly that Sir Galahad
+durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so tender of age; for
+never before had anyone sat therein but he was mischieved.  And they
+foresaw that Sir Galahad would come to great honour, and outdo them all
+in knightly courtesy.
+
+Then the King bade him welcome to the court, and taking him by the
+hand, went down from the palace to show Galahad the adventures of the
+stone.  "Sir" said the King unto him, "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."
+
+Anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the
+stone and put it in the sheath, saying, "Now it goeth better than it
+did aforehand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL WAS BEGUN
+
+The dish from which our Lord Jesu Christ ate the paschal lamb at His
+last supper with His disciples men call the Holy Grail.  Therein also
+Joseph of Arimathea caught the last drops of sacred blood, and after
+the passion of our Lord that gentle knight, the which took down the
+body off the holy cross, at that time departed from Jerusalem with a
+great party of his kindred, bearing the Holy Grail with them.
+
+It befell that they came first to a city that was called Sarras, and at
+the last they crossed to Britain, and through them all the heathen
+people of this land were turned to the Christian faith.
+
+Ever as years went by the Holy Grail became more precious, and the
+possession of it ever more a sacred trust.  But after a long while it
+was lost from the world through men's sinfulness, and only those of
+pure heart and life might from time to time see it.
+
+Merlin, before he was put under the stone, had foreseen that by them
+which should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of the Holy Grail
+would be well known, and in the good days of King Arthur the longing
+grew to be worthy of the vision of this sign of the Lord's presence
+among men.  Moreover a holy hermit had said that, when the Siege
+Perilous was filled, the achieving of the Holy Grail should be near.
+
+After Galahad drew the sword out of the stone the King and all estates
+went thoughtful home unto Camelot, and so to even-song in the great
+minster.  After that they went to supper, and every knight sat in his
+own place at the Round Table.  Then anon they heard cracking and crying
+of thunder that should, as it seemed to them, shake the place all to
+pieces.  In the midst of this 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 looked afore.  There was no knight might
+speak one word, and so they looked every man on his fellows, as if they
+were dumb.  Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered
+with white samite, but there was none might see it, or who bare it.
+And there was all the hall filled full with good odours, and every
+knight was nourished in his soul.  When the Holy Grail had been borne
+through the hall, then it departed suddenly, so that they wist not what
+became of it.
+
+Then had they all breath to speak, and the King yielded thankings unto
+God for His good grace that He had sent them.  "Now," said Sir Gawaine,
+"we have been richly blessed this day, 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
+labour in the quest of the Holy Grail a twelvemonth and a day, or more
+if need be, and shall not return 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 at the end of the time 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, the most part of
+them arose, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.  Anon as King
+Arthur heard this he was greatly grieved, for he wist well that they
+might not gainsay their avows, and he should be bereft of the fairest
+fellowship and the truest knighthood that ever were seen together in
+any realm of the world.  For, when they departed from hence, they
+should never all meet again in this world, and many of his true
+fellowship of noble knights should die in the quest.
+
+When the Queen also and all the court wist these tidings, they had such
+sorrow and heaviness that there might no tongue tell it.  Many of the
+ladies would have gone with the knights that they loved, had not an old
+man in religious clothing said on high that none in this quest should
+lead wife with him.  Moreover he warned the knights plainly that he
+that was not clean of his sins should not see the mysteries of our Lord
+Jesu Christ.  Then they went to rest themselves, and in honour of the
+highness of Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there
+rested in his own bed.
+
+As soon as it was day the King arose, for he had no rest all that night
+for sorrow.  Then the King and the Queen went unto the minster, and all
+the knights, armed fully save their shields and their helms, followed
+them to hear the service.
+
+Then after the service was done, the King would wit how many had taken
+the quest of the Holy Grail, and found by tale there were an hundred
+and fifty, all knights of the Round Table.  Then they put on their
+helms, and so mounted upon their horses, and rode through the streets
+of Camelot.  And there was weeping of rich and poor, and the King
+turned away, and might not speak for weeping.
+
+Within a while they came to a city and a castle called Vagon.  The lord
+of that castle was a good old man and set open the gates, and made them
+all the good cheer that he might.  On the morrow they were all accorded
+that they should ride every each from other.  Then they departed with
+weeping and mourning cheer, and every knight took the way that him best
+liked.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD
+
+Now Sir Galahad was yet without shield, and so he rode four days
+without any adventure.  After even-song of the fourth day he came to a
+white abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and led to
+a chamber wherein he was ware of two knights of the Round Table, the
+one King Bagdemagus and the other Sir Uwaine.  They went unto him and
+made of him great solace; and they told him that within this place was
+a shield that no man might bear about his neck without great harm to
+himself, unless he were the worthiest knight of the world.
+
+[Illustration: Sir Galahad]
+
+"Ah, sir," said King Bagdemagus to Galahad, "I shall to-morrow assay
+this strange adventure, and if I may not achieve it ye shall take it
+upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail."
+
+"Sir," said Galahad, "I agree right well thereto, for I have no shield."
+
+So on the morn 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.  The monk counselled him to be well advised before taking it,
+and King Bagdemagus answered:
+
+"Well, I wot well that I am not the best knight of the world, but yet
+shall I assay to bear it."
+
+And so, bidding Sir Galahad to abide there still, till it was known how
+he sped, King Bagdemagus bore the red cross shield out of the
+monastery, took with him a squire, the which should bring tidings unto
+Sir Galahad how he sped, and rode away.
+
+Two miles off they came into a fair valley afore a hermitage, and there
+they saw a goodly knight in white armour, horse and all.  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.  The other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, and
+thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered him not
+at that time, and so he bare him from his horse.
+
+Therewith the White Knight alighted and took the white shield from King
+Bagdemagus, 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."  Then he came to the squire, and said, "Bear this shield
+unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and
+greet him well from me."
+
+The squire first went unto Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+sore wounded or not.  "Yea, forsooth," said he, "I shall escape hard
+from death."  Then the squire fetched his horse, and brought him with
+great pain unto an abbey.  Then was he taken down safely, and unarmed,
+and laid in a bed.  There his wounds were looked to, and, as the book
+telleth, he lay there long, and escaped hard with life.
+
+"Sir," said the squire, when he came to Galahad, "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," said Sir Galahad.  Then he asked his arms,
+mounted upon his horse, and, commending himself unto God, hung the
+white shield about his neck.  So he departed, and within a while came
+by the hermitage, where the White Knight awaited him.  Every each
+saluted other courteously, and the knight told Sir Galahad the marvels
+of the shield.
+
+"Sir," said he, "at that same hour that Joseph of Arimathea came to
+Sarras, there was a king in that city called Evelake, that had great
+war against the Saracens, and there Joseph made this shield for him in
+the name of Him that died upon the cross.  Then through his good belief
+he had the better of his enemies; 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 his enemies saw a
+figure of a man on the cross, wherethrough they all were discomfited.
+
+"Soon afterwards Joseph departed from Sarras, and King Evelake would go
+with him whether he would or nould, and they came unto this land of
+Britain.  Not long after this, when Joseph lay on his death-bed, King
+Evelake begged of him some token that would lead him to think on the
+old knight for love of whom he had left his own country.  So Joseph
+took this shield, and thereupon he made a cross with his own blood;
+that should be Evelake's token.  Then he said that no man should bear
+this shield until the time that Galahad come, the last of Joseph's
+lineage, that should do many marvellous deeds while bearing it about
+his neck.  To-day is the time they then set when ye shall have King
+Evelake's shield."
+
+So spake the White Knight, and then vanished away; and Sir Galahad rode
+with the squire back to the abbey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS
+
+The men of the abbey made great joy of Sir Galahad, and he rested there
+that night.  Upon the morn he gave the order of knighthood to the
+squire who had brought him the red-cross shield, and asked him his
+name, and of what kindred he was come.
+
+"Sir," said he, "men call me Melias of Lile, and I am the son of the
+King of Denmark."
+
+"Now, fair sir," said Galahad, "since ye are of noble birth, see that
+knighthood be well placed in you, for ye ought to be a mirror unto all
+chivalry."
+
+"Sir," said Melias, "ye say truly.  But, sir, since ye have made me a
+knight, ye must of right grant me my first desire that is reasonable."
+
+"Ye say truly," said Galahad.
+
+Then Melias said, "Suffer me to ride with you in this quest of the Holy
+Grail till some adventure part us."
+
+"I grant you, sir," said Galahad.
+
+Then men brought Sir Melias his armour and his spear and his horse; and
+so Sir Galahad and he rode forth all that week ere they found any
+adventure.  And then upon a Monday, in the morning, as they had
+departed from an abbey, they came to a fork in the road, where stood
+written these words: "Now ye knights errant, who go to seek knights
+adventurous, see here two ways; the right-hand road ye are warned
+against, for knight shall never ride out of that place again unless he
+be a good man and a worthy knight; and if ye go to the left hand ye
+shall not there easily win prowess, for ye shall in this road be soon
+attacked."
+
+"Sir," said Melias to Galahad, "if ye are pleased to suffer me to take
+the way on the left hand, tell me, for there I shall well prove my
+strength."
+
+"It were better," said Galahad, "ye rode not that way, for I believe I
+should better escape in that way than ye."
+
+"Nay, my lord," said Melias, "I pray you, let me have that adventure."
+
+"Take it, in God's name," said Galahad.
+
+So Melias rode far through an old forest, and after two days or more
+came into a fair meadow.  Here in a fair lodge of boughs he espied a
+chair wherein was a subtilely-wrought crown of gold, and near by was a
+cloth spread upon the ground with many delicious meats upon it.  Sir
+Melias had no desire for the food, but the crown of gold pleased him
+much, so he stooped down and took it and rode his way with it.  And
+anon he saw a knight come riding after him, who called upon him to set
+down the crown that was not his, and to defend himself.
+
+The new-made knight was glad of this adventure, and the two let their
+horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight smote Sir
+Melias through his hauberk and through the left side, and he fell to
+the earth nigh dead.  Then the knight took the crown and went his way,
+and Sir Melias lay still, and had no power to stir.  In the meanwhile
+by good fortune there came Sir Galahad and found him there in peril of
+death.
+
+Then he said, "Ah, Melias, who hath wounded you?  It would have been
+better to ride the other way."
+
+And when Sir Melias heard him speak, "Sir," he said, "for God's love
+let me not die in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey near at hand."
+
+"It shall be done," said Galahad, "but where is he that hath wounded
+you?"
+
+With that Sir Galahad heard some one cry, "Knight, keep thee from me!"
+
+"Ah, sir," said Melias, "beware, for that is he that hath slain me."
+
+Sir Galahad answered, "Sir knight, come at your peril."
+
+So they came together as fast as their horses might run; and Galahad
+smote the other so that his spear went through the knight's shoulder
+and smote him down off his horse, and in the falling Galahad's spear
+brake.  With that came out another knight from the leaves, and brake a
+spear upon Galahad before he might turn about.  Then Galahad drew out
+his sword and smote this one so that he fled away, and Sir Galahad
+pursued fast after him.  But soon he turned again unto Sir Melias, and
+there he alighted and placed him softly on his horse before him, and
+Sir Galahad climbed up behind, and held him in his arms, and so brought
+him to the abbey and into his chamber.  Here he placed the wounded
+knight in the care of an old monk, that promised to heal him of his
+wounds.
+
+"Now I will depart," said Galahad, "for I have much on hand; many good
+knights be full busy about it, and this knight and I were in the same
+quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+"Sir," said the good monk, "for his sins he was thus wounded; and I
+marvel," said he to Melias, "how ye durst take upon you so rich a thing
+as the high order of knighthood without clean confession, and that was
+the cause ye were bitterly wounded.  For the way on the right hand
+betokeneth the high way of our Lord Jesu Christ, and the way of a true
+good liver.  And the other way betokeneth the way of sinners and of
+misbelievers.  Your pride and presumption in taking the quest of the
+blessed Holy Grail made you to be overthrown, for it may not be
+achieved but by virtuous living.  Pride is head of all deadly sins, and
+that caused you to depart from Sir Galahad.  And when ye took the crown
+of gold your sin was covetousness and theft.  But this Galahad, the
+holy knight, the which fought with the two knights that signify the two
+deadly sins which were wholly in you, was able to overthrow them, for
+he is pure in his heart."
+
+"My lord Galahad," said Sir Melias, "as soon as I may ride I shall seek
+you."
+
+"God send you health," said Galahad, and so he took his horse and
+departed, and rode many journeys forward and backward, as adventure
+would lead him.
+
+Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain.  There he found an old chapel,
+where all was desolate, and he knelt before the altar and besought of
+God wholesome counsel.  As he prayed, he heard a voice that said, "Go
+thou now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there
+do thou away the wicked customs."
+
+When Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God and took his horse, and he
+had ridden but half a mile when he saw in a valley afore him a strong
+castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river, that
+was called Severn.  Then he met with a man of great age.  Either
+saluted other, and Galahad asked him the castle's name.  "Fair sir,"
+said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens."
+
+"That is a cursed castle," said Galahad, "and all who have intercourse
+therein are cursed, for all pity is lacking there, and all cruelty and
+mischief are therein."
+
+"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the other, "that ye turn
+back."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "ye may be sure I shall not turn back."
+
+Then Sir Galahad looked on his armour to see that nothing was lacking,
+and he put his shield afore him, and anon there met him seven fair
+maidens, which said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in great folly,
+for ye have the water to pass over."
+
+"Why should I not pass the water?" said Galahad.  So he rode away from
+them, and met with a squire, who said.  "Knight, those knights in the
+castle defy you, and forbid you to go farther till they know what ye
+would."
+
+"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come to destroy the wicked customs of this
+castle."
+
+"Sir," said the squire, "if ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough
+to do."
+
+The squire entered into the castle, and anon there came out seven
+knights, all brethren.  And when they saw Galahad they cried, "Knight,
+defend thyself, for we assure thee nothing but death."
+
+Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth.
+And therewith all the others 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.  Galahad chased them till
+they entered into the castle, and then passed through the castle and
+out at another gate.
+
+Now there met Sir Galahad an old man, who said, "Sir, have here the
+keys of this castle."
+
+Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so many people in the
+passages that he might not number them, and all said, "Sir, ye be
+welcome, for long have we awaited here our deliverance."
+
+Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, "These knights are fled, but
+they will come again this night, and here begin again their evil
+practices."
+
+"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 to use the
+customs that were used heretofore of old time."
+
+"I will well," said Galahad.
+
+She brought him a horn of ivory, richly bound with gold, and said,
+"Sir, blow this horn, which will be heard two miles about this castle."
+
+When Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set himself down upon a bed.
+Then a priest came and told him of the evil practices of the castle,
+and why it was called the Castle of Maidens.  "It chanced in this
+wise," said he: "More than seven years agone the seven brethren came,
+and lodged with the lord of this castle and of all the country round
+about.  When they espied the duke's daughter, a full fair woman, they
+plotted falsely betwixt themselves and slew the duke and his eldest
+son.  Then they took the maiden and the treasure of the castle, and by
+great force they held all the knights of this castle against their will
+under their power in great slavery, and robbed and pillaged the poor
+common people of all that they had.  Then it happened on a day the
+duke's daughter said, 'Ye have done unto me great wrong to slay my own
+father and my brother, and thus to hold our lands.  But ye shall not
+hold this castle many years, for by one knight ye shall be overcome.'
+Thus she had prophesied seven years agone.
+
+"'Well,' said the seven knights, 'if that be so, there shall never lady
+nor knight pass by this castle but they shall abide here, whether they
+will or not, or die for it, till that knight be come by whom we shall
+lose this castle.'  Therefore it is called the Maidens' Castle, for
+many maidens have here been destroyed."
+
+By the time the priest had finished, the knights of the country were
+come at the call from the ivory horn.  Then Sir Galahad made them do
+homage and fealty to the duke's daughter, and set the people in great
+ease of heart.
+
+And the next morning one came to Galahad and told him how Gawaine,
+Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren.  "I am glad to hear
+it," said Sir Galahad, and he took his armour, mounted his horse, and
+commended the people of the Castle of Maidens unto God, and so rode
+away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE
+
+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
+Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised.  Right so,
+Sir Launcelot dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir Galahad; and Sir
+Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse and man.  Then he
+drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on
+the helm that, had not the sword swerved, Sir Percivale had been slain,
+and with the stroke he fell out of his saddle.
+
+This joust was done tofore the hermitage where a recluse dwelt, and,
+when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, "God be with thee, best knight
+of the world.  Ah, verily, if 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.
+Therefore he smote his horse with his spurs, and rode at a great pace
+away from 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 they turned again with heavy cheer, and
+Sir Percivale said, "Let us ask some tidings at yonder recluse."
+
+"Do as ye list," said Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Percivale turned back, but
+Sir Launcelot rode on across and endlong in a wild forest, and held no
+path, but as wild adventure led him.  At last he came to a stone cross,
+which pointed two ways, and by the cross was a stone that was of
+marble; but it was so dark that he might not wit what it was.
+
+Sir Launcelot looked about him, and saw an old chapel.  There he
+expected to find people, so he tied his horse, and took off his shield
+and hung it upon a tree.  Then he went to the chapel door, and found it
+waste and broken.  Within he saw a fair altar full richly arrayed with
+cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick of silver
+which bare six great candles.
+
+When Sir Launcelot saw this light, he had great will to enter into the
+chapel, but he could find no place where he might enter.  Then was he
+passing heavy and dismayed.  He returned to his horse, took off his
+saddle and bridle, and let him pasture.  Then he unlaced his helm, and
+ungirded his sword, and laid himself down to sleep upon his shield
+tofore the cross.
+
+[Illustration: Sir Launcelot at the Cross]
+
+So he fell on sleep, and half waking and half sleeping he saw in a
+vision two fair white palfreys come toward him, bearing in a litter a
+sick knight.  When he was nigh the cross he abode still, and Sir
+Launcelot heard him say, "Oh, sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave
+me? and when shall the holy vessel come by me, wherethrough I shall be
+blessed?  For I have endured thus long for little trespass."
+
+A full great while lamented the knight thus, and always Sir Launcelot
+heard it.  Then he saw the candlestick with the six tapers come before
+the cross, yet he saw nobody that brought it.  Also there came a table
+of silver, and the sacred vessel of the Holy Grail upon it.
+
+Therewith the sick knight sat up, and, holding up both hands, he prayed
+that he might be whole of his malady.  Then on his hands and knees he
+went so nigh that he touched the holy vessel, and kissed it, and anon
+he was whole.  Then he said, "Lord God, I thank thee, for I am healed
+of this sickness."
+
+When the holy vessel had been there a great while, it went unto the
+chapel, with the candlestick and the light, so that Launcelot wist not
+what became of it, for he was overtaken with a feeling of his sin, so
+that he had no power to arise and follow the holy vessel.
+
+Then the sick knight raised himself up, and kissed the cross.  Anon his
+squire brought him his arms, and asked his lord how he did.  "Verily,"
+said he, "I thank God, right well; through the holy vessel I am healed.
+But I have great marvel of this sleeping knight, that had no power to
+awake when the Holy Grail was brought hither."
+
+"I dare right well say," said the squire, "that he dwelleth in some
+deadly sin, whereof he has never repented."
+
+"By my faith," said the knight, "whatsoever he be, he is unhappy, for,
+as I deem, he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, the which is
+entered into the quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+"Sir," said the squire, "here I have brought you all your arms, save
+your helm and your sword.  By my assent now may ye take this knight's
+helm and his sword."
+
+So he did, and when he was clean armed, he took Sir Launcelot's horse,
+for he was better than his own, and so they departed from the cross.
+Anon Sir Launcelot awoke, and bethought him what he had seen there, and
+whether it were a dream or not.  Right so heard he a voice that said:
+"Sir Launcelot, more hard than is stone, more bitter than is wood, and
+more naked and barer than is the fig tree, go thou from hence, and
+withdraw thee from this holy place."
+
+When Sir Launcelot heard this he was passing heavy, and wist not what
+to do.  So he arose, sore weeping, and cursed the time when he was
+born, for he thought never to have honour more.  Then he went to the
+cross, and found his helm, his sword, and his horse taken away.  Then
+he called himself a very wretch, and the most unhappy of all knights.
+And he said: "My sin and my wickedness have brought me unto great
+dishonour.  When I sought worldly adventures from worldly desires, I
+ever achieved them, and had the better in every place, and never was I
+discomfited in any quarrel, were it right or wrong.  But now when I
+take upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that
+mine old sin hindereth and shameth me, so that I had no power to stir
+or to speak when the Holy Grail appeared afore me."
+
+Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing.  Then
+somewhat he was comforted, but, when he missed his horse and his
+harness, he wist well God was displeased with him.  He departed from
+the cross on foot into a forest, and came to a hermitage, and a hermit
+therein.  There Launcelot kneeled down and cried on the Lord for mercy,
+and begged the hermit for charity to hear his confession.
+
+"With a good will," said the good man; "art thou of King Arthur's
+court, and of the fellowship of the Round Table?"
+
+"Yea, forsooth," was the answer, "and my name is Sir Launcelot of the
+Lake, that hath been right well said of; but now my good fortune is
+changed, for I am the worst wretch of the world."
+
+The hermit beheld him, and had marvel how he was humbled.
+
+"Sir," said he, "thou oughtest to thank God more than any knight
+living, for He hath caused thee to have more worldly honour than any
+other knight that now liveth.  For thy presumption in taking upon thee,
+while in deadly sin, to be in His presence through the sacred vessel,
+that was the cause that thou mightest not see it with worldly eyes, for
+He will not appear where such sinners be, unless to their great hurt
+and shame.  There is no knight living now that ought to give God so
+great thanks as thou; for He hath given thee beauty, seemliness, and
+great strength, above all other knights.  Therefore thou art the more
+beholden unto God than any other man to love Him and fear Him; for thy
+strength and manhood will little avail thee if God be against thee."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, for he knew the hermit said
+sooth.
+
+"Sir," said the good man, "hide none old sin from me."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "that were me full loath to disclose, for
+one thing that I have done I never disclosed these fourteen years, and
+for that may I now blame my shamelessness and my misadventure."
+
+Then he told there that good man all his life, and how he had loved a
+queen unmeasurably, and out of measure long.  "And," said he, "all my
+great deeds of arms that I have done, I did the most part for that
+queen's sake.  For her sake would I battle, were it right or wrong; and
+never did I battle wholly for God's sake, but for to win honour and to
+make myself better beloved, and little or naught I thanked God for it.
+I pray you counsel me."
+
+"I will counsel thee," said the hermit, "if thou wilt assure me that
+thou wilt never come into that queen's companionship when thou canst
+prevent it."  This Sir Launcelot solemnly promised, whereupon the good
+man said, "Look that thy heart and mouth accord, and I assure thee that
+thou shalt have more honour than ever thou hadst.  For it seemeth well
+God loveth thee, and in all the world men shall not find one knight to
+whom He hath given so much grace as He hath given thee; He hath given
+thee beauty with seemliness; He hath given thee wit, discretion to know
+good from evil; He hath given thee prowess and hardiness; and He hath
+given thee to work so largely that thou hast had at all times the
+better wheresoever thou camest.  And now our Lord will suffer thee no
+longer, but that thou shalt know Him, whether thou wilt or nilt.
+
+"Why the voice called thee bitterer than wood was because, where
+overmuch sin dwelleth, there may be but little sweetness; wherefore
+thou art likened to an old rotten tree.  Why thou art harder than stone
+is because thou wilt not leave thy sin for any goodness that God hath
+sent thee; therefore thou art more than any stone, and never wouldest
+thou be made soft, neither by water nor by fire,--that is, the heat of
+the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee.
+
+"Now shall I show thee why thou art more naked and barer than the fig
+tree.  It befell that our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in Jerusalem,
+and there He found in the people that all hardness was harboured in
+them, and there He found in all the town not one that would harbour
+Him.  And then He went without the town, and found in the midst of the
+way a fig tree, the which was right fair and well garnished of leaves,
+but fruit had it none.  Then our Lord cursed the tree that bare no
+fruit; that likeneth the fig tree unto Jerusalem, that had leaves and
+no fruit.  So thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy Grail was brought
+afore thee, He found in thee no fruit, nor good thought, nor good will,
+and thou wert befouled with sin."
+
+"Verily," said Sir Launcelot, "all that ye have said is true, and from
+henceforward I undertake by the grace of God never to be so wicked as I
+have been, but to follow knighthood and to do feats of arms."
+
+Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot to such penance as he might
+do, and to sue knighthood, and so blessed him, and prayed him to abide
+there all that day.  "I will well," said Sir Launcelot, "for I have
+neither helm, nor horse, nor sword."
+
+"As for that," said the good man, "I shall help you ere to-morn to a
+horse and all that belongeth unto you."  And so Sir Launcelot repented
+him greatly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+SIR PERCIVALE'S TEMPTATION
+
+When Sir Percivale departed from the recluse to seek Sir Galahad, he
+rode till the hour of noon, when he met in a valley about twenty men of
+arms.  As they saw him they asked him whence he was, and he answered,
+"Of the court of King Arthur."  Then they cried all at once, "Slay
+him."  Then Sir Percivale smote the first to the earth, and his horse
+upon him.  Thereupon seven of the knights smote upon his shield all at
+once, and the remnant slew his horse, so that he fell to the earth.
+
+So had they slain him or taken him, had not the good knight Sir
+Galahad, with the red arms, come there by adventure into those parts.
+And when he saw all those knights upon one knight, he cried, "Save me
+that knight's life."  Then he dressed him towards the twenty men of
+arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in the rest, and
+smote the foremost horse and man to the earth.  And when his spear was
+broken he set his hand to his sword, and smote on the right hand and on
+the left hand, that it was marvel to see.  At every stroke he smote one
+down, or put him to rebuke, so that they would fight no more, but fled
+to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad followed them.
+
+When Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made great sorrow that his
+horse was away, for he wist well it was Sir Galahad.  Then he cried
+aloud, "Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee,
+for much have ye done for me!"
+
+But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast, that at the last he passed out of
+his sight, and Sir Percivale went after him on foot as fast as he
+might.  Soon he met a yeoman riding upon a hackney, who led in his hand
+a great black steed, blacker than any bear.
+
+"Ah, fair friend," said Sir Percivale, "as ever I may do for you and be
+your true knight in the first place ye will require me, I beg ye will
+lend me that black steed, that I may overtake a knight, the which
+rideth afore me."
+
+"Sir knight," said the yeoman, "I pray you hold me excused of that, for
+that I may not do; for wit ye well, the horse belongs to a man that, if
+I lent it you or any other man, would slay me."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "I had never so great sorrow as I have for
+losing of yonder knight."
+
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
+would beseem you well, but I dare not deliver you this horse unless ye
+take it from me."
+
+"That will I not do," said Sir Percivale.
+
+So they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him down under a tree, and made
+sorrow out of measure.  Anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale, "Saw ye, sir, any knight riding
+on my black steed?  It hath been taken from me by force, wherefore my
+lord will slay me in what place he findeth me."
+
+"Well," said Sir Percivale, "what wouldest thou that I did?  Thou seest
+well that I am on foot, but had I a good horse I should bring him soon
+again."
+
+"Sir," said the yeoman, "take my hackney and do the best ye can, and I
+shall follow you on foot, to wit how that ye shall speed."
+
+Then Sir Percivale mounted upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he
+might.  At the last he saw the knight on the black steed, and cried out
+to him to turn again.  And he turned, and set his spear against Sir
+Percivale; and he smote the hackney in the midst of the breast, that he
+fell down dead to the earth.  There Sir Percivale had a great fall, and
+the other rode his way.
+
+Sir Percivale was very wroth, and cried, "Abide, wicked knight, coward
+and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot."
+
+He answered not, but passed on his way.  When Sir Percivale saw he
+would not turn, he cast away his helm and sword, and thought himself
+unhappy above all other knights.
+
+In this sorrow he abode all that day till it was night.  Then he was
+faint, and laid him down and slept till it was midnight.  Then he
+awaked, and saw afore him a woman which said unto him right fiercely,
+"Sir Percivale, abide here, and I shall go fetch you a horse, which
+shall bear you whither you will."
+
+So she came soon again, and brought a horse with her that was inky
+black.  When Sir Percivale beheld that horse, he marvelled that it was
+so great and so well apparelled.  Courageously he leaped upon him, and
+took no heed of himself.  As soon as ever he was mounted he thrust in
+the spurs, and so rode away by the forest, and the moon shone clear.
+
+Within an hour, and less, the black steed bare him four day's journey
+thence, till he came to a rough water the which roared, and his horse
+would have borne him into it.  And when Sir Percivale came nigh the
+brim, and saw the water so boisterous, he feared to overpass it.  Then
+he made a sign of the cross in his forehead, whereupon the horse shook
+off Sir Percivale, and he fell into the water, crying and roaring,
+making great sorrow; and it seemed unto him that the water burned.
+Then Sir Percivale perceived the steed was a fiend, the which would
+have brought him unto his perdition.  Then he commended himself unto
+God, and prayed our Lord to keep him from all such temptations.
+
+So he prayed all that night till it was day.  Then he saw that he was
+in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea nigh all about, so
+that he might see no land about him which might relieve him.  Then was
+Sir Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship come sailing towards him;
+and he went unto the ship, and found it covered within and without with
+white samite.  At the board stood an old man clothed in a surplice in
+likeness of a priest.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "ye be welcome."
+
+"God keep you," said the good man, "of whence be ye?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Percivale, "I am of King Arthur's court, and a knight
+of the Table Round, the which am in the quest of the Holy Grail.  Here
+I am in great duress, and never likely to escape out of this
+wilderness."
+
+"Doubt not," said the good man, "if ye be so true a knight as the order
+of chivalry requireth, and of heart as ye ought to be, ye need not fear
+that any enemy shall slay you."
+
+"What are ye?" said Sir Percivale.
+
+"Sir," said the old man, "I am of a strange country, and hither I come
+to comfort you, and to warn you of your great battle that shall befall
+you."
+
+"With whom," said Sir Percivale, "shall I fight?"
+
+"With the most champion of the world," said the old man, "but, if ye
+quit you well, ye shall lose no limb, even though vanquished and
+seemingly shamed to the world's end."
+
+Then the good man leaped over the board, and the ship and all went
+away, Sir Percivale wist not whither.  He abode there till midday, when
+he saw a ship come rowing in the sea as if all the winds of the world
+had driven it.  It drove under the rock on which he sat; and when he
+hied thither he found the ship covered with silk blacker than any bier,
+and therein was a gentlewoman of great beauty, and she was clothed
+richly that none might be better.
+
+When she saw Sir Percivale, she said, "Who brought you in this
+wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence? for ye shall die here
+for hunger and mischief."
+
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "I serve the best man of the world, and
+in His service He will not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh
+shall enter, and who that asketh shall have, and from the man that
+seeketh Him, He hideth Him not."
+
+"And I came out of the waste forest where I found the red knight with
+the white shield," said the damsel.
+
+"Ah, damsel," said he, "with that knight would I meet passing fain."
+
+"Sir," said she, "if ye will ensure me, by the faith that ye owe unto
+knighthood, that ye will do my will what time I summon you, I shall
+bring you unto that knight."
+
+"Yea," said he, "I shall promise you to fulfil your desire.  But what
+are ye that proffereth me thus great kindness?"
+
+"I am," said she, "a gentlewoman that am disherited, which was sometime
+the richest woman of the world."
+
+"Damsel," said Sir Percivale, "who hath disherited you? for I have
+great pity of you."
+
+"Sir," said she, "I dwell with the greatest man of the world, and he
+made me so fair and so clear that there was none like me, and of that
+great beauty I had a little pride, more than I ought to have had.  Also
+I said a word that pleased him not, and then he would not suffer me to
+be any longer in his company.  He drove me from mine heritage, and so
+disowned me, and he had never pity for me, and would none of my council
+nor of my court.  Since, sir knight, it hath befallen me so, I and mine
+have taken from him many of his men, and have made them to become my
+men, for they ask never anything of me, but I give it them, that and
+much more.  Therefore I and my servants war against him night and day.
+I know now no good knight and no good man but I get on my side, if I
+may.  And since I know that ye are a good knight I beseech you to help
+me; and since ye are a fellow of the Round Table, ye ought not to fail
+any gentlewoman which is disherited, if she beseech you of help."
+
+Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he might.  She
+thanked him, and since the weather was at that time hot, she bade a
+gentlewoman bring a pavilion.  So she did, and pitched it there upon
+the gravel.  He slept a great while there in the heat of the day; and
+when he awoke, there was set before him upon a table all manner of
+meats that he could think of.  Also he drank there the strongest wine
+that ever he drank, him thought, and therewith he was a little heated
+more than he ought to be.  With that he beheld the gentlewoman, and him
+thought that she was the fairest creature that ever he saw.
+
+When she saw him well refreshed, then she said, "Sir Percivale, wit ye
+well, I shall not fulfil your will, but if ye swear from henceforth to
+be my true servant, and do nothing but that I shall command you.  Will
+ye ensure me this as ye be a true knight?"
+
+Sir Percivale was on the point of promising her all, when by adventure
+and grace he saw his sword lie upon the ground, all naked, in whose
+pommel was a red cross.  Then he bethought him of his knighthood and
+the warning spoken toforehand by the good man, and he made the sign of
+the cross in his forehead.  Thereupon the pavilion turned up-so-down,
+and changed unto a smoke and a black cloud.
+
+Sir Percivale was adread at this, and cried aloud, "Fair sweet Father,
+Jesu Christ, let me not be shamed, that was nigh lost, had not Thy good
+grace been!"
+
+Then he looked upon the ship, and saw the damsel enter therein, which
+said, "Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me."  So she went with the wind
+roaring and yelling, that it seemed that all the water burned after her.
+
+Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and drew his sword unto him
+saying, "Since my flesh will be my master, I shall punish it."
+Therewith he stabbed himself through the thigh so that the blood
+started, and he said, "O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that
+I have done against Thee, my Lord."  Then he clothed him and armed him,
+and called himself a wretch, saying, "How nigh was I lost, and to have
+lost that I should never have gotten again, my honour as a pure man and
+worthy knight, for that may never be recovered after it is once lost."
+
+As he thus made his moan, he saw the same ship come from the Orient
+that the good man was in the day before, and the noble knight was
+ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon.  When he awoke
+he went unto this good man weakly, and saluted him.  Then he asked Sir
+Percivale, "How hast thou done since I departed?"
+
+"Sir," said he, "here was a gentlewoman that led me into deadly sin,"
+and there he told him all his temptation.
+
+"Knew ye not the maid?" said the good man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "nay; but well I wot the fiend sent her hither to shame
+me."
+
+"Oh, good knight," said he, "that gentlewoman was the master fiend of
+hell, the champion that thou foughtest withal, the which would have
+overcome thee, had it not been for the grace of God.  Now, beware, Sir
+Percivale, and take this for an ensample."
+
+Then the good man vanished away, and Sir Percivale took his arms, and
+entered into the ship and so departed from thence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
+
+When Sir Bors was departed from Vagon, he met with a religious man
+riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him.  Anon the good man knew him
+to be one of the knights errant that was in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+"What are ye?" said the good man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "I am a knight that fain would be counselled in the
+quest of the Holy Grail, for he shall have much earthly honour that may
+bring it to an end."
+
+"Verily," said the good man, "that is sooth, for he shall be the best
+knight of the world, and the fairest of all the fellowship.  But wit ye
+well, there shall none attain it but by cleanness of heart and of life."
+
+So rode they together till they came to a hermitage, and there he
+prayed Bors to dwell all that night with him.  So he alighted and put
+away his armour, and prayed him that he might be confessed.  So they
+went into the chapel, and there he was clean confessed; and they ate
+bread and drank water together.
+
+"Now," said the good man, "I pray thee that thou eat none other, till
+that thou sit at the table where the Holy Grail shall be."
+
+"Sir," said he, "I agree thereto; but how wit ye that I shall sit
+there?"
+
+"Yes," said the good man, "that know I, but there shall be few of your
+fellowship with you."
+
+"All is welcome," said Sir Bors, "that God sendeth me."
+
+Also the good man in sign of chastisement put on him a scarlet coat,
+instead of his shirt, and found him in so vigorous a life, and so
+stable, that he marvelled, and felt that he was never corrupt in
+fleshly lusts.  Then Sir Bors put on his armour, and took his leave,
+and so departed.
+
+After he had ridden a day or two on his road, he met about the hour of
+noon at the parting of two ways two knights, that led Lionel, his
+brother, bound upon a strong hackney and his hands bound tofore his
+breast.  Each of the two held in his hands thorns, wherewith they went
+beating him so sore that the blood trailed down more than in a hundred
+places of his body.  But he said never a word, as he which was great of
+heart; he suffered all that ever they did to him as though he had felt
+none anguish.
+
+Anon Sir Bors dressed him to rescue him that was his brother.  Just
+then he chanced to look upon his other side, and saw a knight which
+brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have dragged her into the
+thickest part of the forest out of the way of them that sought to
+rescue her.
+
+Anon she espied where Sir Bors came riding.  She deemed him a knight of
+the Round Table, wherefore she hoped to have some comfort; and she
+conjured him by the faith that he owed unto him in whose service he had
+entered, and the fidelity he owed unto the high order of knighthood,
+and for the noble King Arthur's sake, to help her in her sore distress.
+
+When Sir Bors heard her cry, he had so much sorrow he knew not what to
+do.  "For," said he, "if I let my brother be in adventure he must be
+slain, and that would I not for all the earth.  And if I help not the
+maid in her peril, I am shamed for ever."  Then he lifted up his eyes,
+and said weeping, "Fair Lord Jesu Christ, whose liege man I am, keep
+Lionel my brother, that these knights slay him not; and for Mary's
+sake, I shall succour this maid."
+
+Then dressed he him unto the knight the which had the gentlewoman, and
+cried, "Sir knight, let your hand off that maiden, or ye be but a dead
+man."
+
+The knight set down the maiden, and drew out his sword, but Bors smote
+him so hard that he beat him down to the earth.  Then came twelve
+knights seeking the gentlewoman, and anon she told them all how Bors
+had delivered her.  They made great joy, and besought him to come to
+her father, a noble lord; but Bors had a great adventure in hand, and
+might not delay.  So he commended them unto God, and departed.
+
+Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel his brother by the trace of their
+horses.  He sought a great while; and at the last he overtook a man
+clothed in religious clothing, that told him Lionel was dead, and
+showed him a slain body, lying in a thicket, that well seemed to him
+the body of Lionel.  Then he made such a sorrow that he fell to the
+earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while there.
+
+When he came to himself he said, "Fair brother, since the company of
+you and me is parted, shall I never have joy in my heart; and now He
+which I have taken as to my Master, He be my help."
+
+When he had said thus, he took the body lightly in his arms and put it
+upon the bow of his saddle, and so rode to an old feeble chapel fast
+by, and put him into a tomb of marble.
+
+Then went Sir Bors from thence, and rode all that day, and then turned
+to a hermitage, at the entry of a forest.  There he found Lionel his
+brother, which sat all armed at the chapel door.  For he was yet on
+life, and a fiend had deceived Bors with the body left in the chapel,
+for to put him in error so that he might not find the blessed adventure
+of the Holy Grail.
+
+When Sir Bors saw his brother alive he had great joy of him, that it
+was marvel to tell of his joy.  And then he alighted off his horse, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, when came ye thither?"
+
+Anon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, "Ah, Bors, ye may make no boast.
+For all you I might have been slain.  When ye saw two knights leading
+me away, beating me, ye left me for to succour a gentlewoman, and
+suffered me to remain in peril of death.  Never before did any brother
+to another so great an untruth.  And for that misdeed now I ensure you
+but death, for well have ye deserved it.  Therefore guard yourself from
+henceforward, and that shall ye find needful as soon as I am armed."
+
+When Sir Bors understood his brother's wrath, he kneeled down to the
+earth and cried him mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed him to
+forgive him his evil will; but Lionel would show no pity, and made his
+avow to God that he should have only death.  Right so he went in and
+put on his harness; then he mounted upon his horse and came tofore him,
+and said, "Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do to thee as I would
+to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight that ever came
+out of so worthy a house as was that of our father, King Bors of Ganis."
+
+When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or else die, he
+wist not what to do.  Then his heart counselled him not to fight,
+inasmuch as Lionel was born before him, wherefore he ought to bear him
+reverence.  Again kneeled he down afore Lionel's horse's feet, and
+said, "Fair sweet brother, have mercy upon me and slay me not, and have
+in remembrance the great love which ought to be between us twain."
+
+What Sir Bors said Lionel recked not, for the fiend had brought him in
+such a will that he was determined to slay him.  Then when Lionel saw
+he would none other, and that he would not rise to give him battle, he
+rushed over him, so that his horse's feet smote Bors to the earth, and
+hurt him so sore that he swooned of distress.  When Lionel saw this, he
+alighted from his horse to smite off his head.  So he took him by the
+helm, and would have rent it from his head, had not the hermit come
+running unto him, which was a good man and of great age.  Well had he
+heard all the words that were between them, and so fell down upon Sir
+Bors.
+
+Then he said to Lionel, "Ah, gentle knight, have mercy upon me and on
+thy brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt commit a deadly sin, and
+that were sorrowful; for he is one of the worthiest knights of the
+world, and of the best conditions."
+
+"So God me help," said Lionel, "sir priest, unless ye flee from him I
+shall slay you, and he shall never the sooner be quit."
+
+"Verily," said the good man, "I had rather ye slay me than him, for my
+death shall not be great harm, not half so much as his."
+
+"Well," said Lionel, "I am agreed"; and he set his hand to his sword,
+and smote the hermit so hard that his head went backward.
+
+For all that, he restrained him not of his evil will, but took his
+brother by the helm, and unlaced it to strike off his head.  And he
+would have slain him without fail, but so it happened that Colgrevance,
+a fellow of the Round Table, came at that time thither, as our Lord's
+will was.  First he saw the good man slain, then he beheld how Lionel
+would slay his brother, whom he knew and loved right well.  Anon he
+sprang down and took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew him strongly
+back from Bors, and said, "Lionel, will ye slay your brother, one of
+the worthiest knights of the world?  That should no good man suffer."
+
+"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me?  If ye interfere in this, I
+shall slay you, and him after."
+
+Then Lionel ran upon Bors, and would have smitten him through the head,
+but Sir Colgrevance ran betwixt them, and said, "If ye be so hardy as
+to do so more, we two shall meddle together."
+
+Then Lionel defied him, and gave a great stroke through the helm.  Now
+Colgrevance drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and
+defended himself right manfully.  So long endured the battle that Sir
+Bors awoke from his swoon, and rose up all anguishly, and beheld Sir
+Colgrevance, the good knight, fight with his brother for his quarrel.
+Then was he full sorry and heavy, and would have risen to part them.
+But he had not so much might as to stand on foot, and must abide so
+long till Colgrevance had the worse, for Sir Lionel was of great
+chivalry and right hardy.
+
+Only death awaited Colgrevance, when he beheld Sir Bors assaying to
+rise, and he cried, "Ah, Bors, come ye and cast me out of peril of
+death, wherein I have put me to succour you, which were right now nigh
+to death."
+
+When Bors heard that, he did so much as to rise and put on his helm,
+making a marvellous sorrow at the sight of the dead hermit hard by.
+With that Lionel smote Colgrevance so sore that he bare him to the
+earth.
+
+When he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon his brother as a fiendly
+man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop; and he, full of
+humility, prayed him for God's love to leave this battle.  But Lionel
+would not, and then Bors drew his sword, all weeping, and said, "Fair
+brother, God knoweth mine intent.  Ah, brother, ye have done full evil
+this day to slay such a holy priest, the which never trespassed.  Also
+ye have slain a gentle knight, one of our fellows.  And well wot ye
+that I am not afraid of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God.
+This is an unkindly war; therefore may God show miracle upon us both.
+Now God have mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother."
+
+With that Bors lifted up his hands, and would have smitten Lionel, but
+even then he heard a voice that said, "Flee, Bors, and touch him not."
+
+Right so came a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire, so that both
+their shields burned.  Then were they sore afraid, and fell both to the
+earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon.  When they came to
+themselves, Bors saw that his brother had no harm, wherefore he gave
+thanks, for he feared God had taken vengeance upon him.  With that he
+heard a voice say, "Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no longer
+fellowship, but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale
+abideth thee there."
+
+So Sir Bors departed from Lionel, and rode the next way to the sea.  On
+the strand he found a ship covered all with white samite.  He alighted
+from his horse and entered into the ship, and anon it departed into the
+sea, and went so fast that him seemed the ship went flying.  Then he
+saw in the midst of the ship a knight lie, all armed save his helm, and
+he knew that it was Sir Percivale.  And either made great joy of other,
+that it was marvel to hear.
+
+Then Sir Bors told Sir Percivale how he came into the ship, and by
+whose admonishment, and either told other of his temptations, as ye
+have heard toforehand.  So went they downward in the sea, one while
+backward, another while forward, and each comforted other, and oft were
+they in their prayers.  Then said Sir Percivale, "We lack nothing but
+Galahad, the good knight."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+When the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days, he gat him a horse,
+a helm, and a sword.  So he departed, and took the adventure that God
+would send him.  On a night, as he slept, there came a vision unto him,
+and a voice said, "Launcelot, arise up, and take thine armour, and
+enter into the first ship that thou shalt find."
+
+When he heard these words, he started up and saw great clearness about
+him.  Then he lifted up his hand in worship, and so took his arms, and
+made him ready.  By adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship,
+the which was without sail or oar.  And as soon as he was within the
+ship, he felt the most sweetness that ever he felt, and he was filled
+with a peace such as he had never known before.  In this joy he laid
+himself down on the ship's board, and slept till day.
+
+So Sir Launcelot was a month and more on the ship, and if ye would ask
+how he lived, as God fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert,
+so was he fed.  On a night he went to play him by the waterside, for he
+was somewhat weary of the ship.  And then he listened, and heard a
+horse come, and one riding upon him.  When he came nigh he seemed a
+knight, and soon he saw that it was Galahad.  And there was great joy
+between them, for there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made
+either of other; and there was many a friendly word spoken between
+them, the which need not here be rehearsed.  And there each told other
+of the adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in many
+journeys since they were departed from the court.
+
+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.  There they found many strange adventures and perilous, which
+they brought to an end.  But because the adventures were with wild
+beasts, and not in the quest of the Holy Grail, therefore the tale
+maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all
+those adventures that befell them.
+
+Thereafter it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest tofore a
+cross, and then saw they a knight, armed all in white and richly
+horsed, leading in his right hand a white horse.  He came to the ship
+and saluted the two knights on the high Lord's behalf, and said,
+"Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with Launcelot.  Come out of
+the ship, and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall
+lead thee in the quest of the Holy Grail."
+
+So Galahad took sorrowful leave of Sir Launcelot, for they knew that
+one should never see the other before the dreadful day of doom.
+Galahad took his horse and entered into the forest, and the wind arose
+and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he
+slept little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings of the
+Holy Grail.
+
+And it befell on a night, at midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on
+the back side, which was rich and fair.  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 for his arms, and so he went to the gate, and saw the
+lions.  He set his hand to his sword, and drew it, whereupon there came
+a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell
+out of his hand.  Then heard he a voice say, "Oh, man of evil faith and
+poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy harness than in thy
+Maker?  He in whose service thou art set might more avail thee than
+thine armour."
+
+Then said Launcelot, "Fair Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy
+great mercy, that Thou reprovest me of my misdeed.  Now see I well that
+ye hold me for your servant."
+
+Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, and came to
+the lions, and they made semblant[1] to do him harm.  Notwithstanding
+he passed by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the
+chief fortress, and there were all at rest.  Launcelot entered in so
+armed, for he found no gate nor door but it was open.  At last he found
+a chamber whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to
+open it, but he might not, though he enforced himself much to undo the
+door.
+
+Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it
+seemed none earthly thing.  Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber,
+for well wist he that there was the Holy Grail within that chamber.
+Then said he: "Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that
+pleased Thee, for Thy pity have me not in despite for my sins done
+aforetime, and show me something of that I seek!"
+
+With that he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great
+clearness, so that the house was as bright as if all the torches of the
+world had been there.  So came he to the chamber door, and would have
+entered, but anon a voice said to him, "Flee, Launcelot, and enter not,
+for thou oughtest not to do it; and if thou enter thou shalt repent it."
+
+He withdrew himself back right heavy, and 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 so came he to
+the door at a great pace, entered into the chamber, and drew towards
+the table of silver.
+
+When he came nigh he felt a breath that seemed intermingled with fire,
+which smote him so sore in the visage that he thought it burned his
+visage.  Therewith he fell to the earth, and had no power to arise.
+Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and bare him out
+of the chamber door, and left him there seeming dead to all people.
+
+Upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they within were arisen, and
+found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door, and all they marvelled
+how he came in.  They looked upon him, and felt his pulse, to wit
+whether there were any life in him.  And so they found life in him, but
+he might neither stand nor stir any limb that he had.  They took him
+up, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from
+all folk, and so he lay still as a dead man four and twenty days, in
+punishment, he afterwards thought, for the twenty-four years that he
+had been a sinner.
+
+At the twenty-fifth day it befell that he opened his eyes, and the folk
+asked how it stood with him.  He answered that he was whole of body,
+and then he would know where he was.  They told him he was in the
+castle of Carboneck, and that the quest of the Holy Grail had been
+achieved by him, and that he should never see the sacred vessel more
+nearly than he had seen it.
+
+Soon Sir Launcelot took his leave of all the fellowship that were there
+at the castle, and thanked them for the great labour.  So he took his
+armour and departed, and said that he would go back to the realm of
+Logris.
+
+
+
+[1] Made semblant: threatened.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+THE END OF THE QUEST
+
+Now, saith the story, Sir Galahad rode into a vast forest, wherein he
+rode many journeys, and he found many adventures, the which he brought
+to an end, whereof the story maketh here no mention.  And on a day it
+befell him that he was benighted in a hermitage.  The good man there
+was glad when he saw a knight-errant, and made him what cheer he might.
+Then when they were at rest, there came a gentlewoman knocking at the
+door, and called Galahad.  So the hermit came to the door to wit what
+she would, and she said to him that she would speak with the knight
+that was lodged there.  The good man awoke Galahad, and bade him arise
+and speak with a gentlewoman that seemed to have great need of him.
+
+Then Galahad went to her, and asked her what she would.  "Galahad,"
+said she, "I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse and follow
+me, for I shall show you within these three days the highest adventure
+that ever any knight saw."  Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse,
+and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow as she liked.
+
+So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till they came to
+the seaside, and there they found the ship wherein were Bors and
+Percivale, the which cried on the ship's board, "Sir Galahad, ye be
+welcome; we have awaited you long."
+
+So, leaving his horse behind, Galahad entered into the ship, where the
+two knights received him with great joy.  And the wind arose, and drove
+them through the sea marvellously.
+
+Now saith the story that they rode a great while till they came to the
+castle of Carboneck, where Sir Launcelot had been tofore.  They entered
+within the castle, and then there was great joy, for they wist well
+that they had fulfilled the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+As they were alone in the hall, it seemed to them that there came a
+man, in likeness of a bishop, with four angels from heaven, and held
+mass about a table of silver, whereupon the Holy Grail was.  And in a
+vision they saw in the bread of the sacrament a figure in likeness of a
+child, and the visage was as bright as any fire.
+
+Then said the bishop to them, "Servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be fed
+afore this table with sweet food, that never knights tasted."
+
+When he had said, he vanished away; and they sat them at the table in
+great reverence, and made their prayers.  Then looked they, and saw a
+man that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, and he said:
+"My knights and my servants and my true children, which be come out of
+deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no longer hide me from you,
+but ye shall see now a part of my secrets and of my hid things; now
+hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much desired."
+
+Then took He Himself the holy vessel, and came to Galahad, who knelt
+down and there he received the sacrament, and after him so received all
+his fellows; and they thought it so sweet that it was marvellous to
+tell.
+
+Then said He to Galahad, "Son, knowest thou what I hold betwixt my
+hands?"
+
+"Nay," said he, "unless ye will tell me."
+
+"This is," said He, "the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb at the Last
+Supper.  And now hast thou seen that thou most desiredst to see, but
+yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see it in the city of
+Sarras, in the spiritual place.  Therefore thou must go hence, and bear
+with thee this holy vessel, for this night it shall depart from the
+realm of Logris, that it shall never be seen more here.  And knowest
+thou wherefore?  Because they of this land be turned to evil living;
+therefore I shall disinherit them of the honour which I have done them.
+Therefore go ye three unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship
+ready."
+
+Right so departed Galahad, Percivale and Bors with him.  They rode
+three days, and then they came to a rivage[1], where they found the
+ship whereof the tale speaketh tofore.  When they came to the board,
+they found in the midst the table of silver, which they had left in the
+castle of Carboneck, and the Holy Grail, which was covered with red
+samite.  Then were they glad to have such things in their fellowship.
+
+They had remained some time in the ship, when they awoke of a morning
+to see the city of Sarras afore them.  Here they landed, and took out
+of the ship the table of silver, Percivale and Bors going tofore and
+Galahad behind.  Right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the
+city they saw an old bent man.  Then Galahad called him, and bade him
+help to bear this heavy thing.
+
+"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I might go without
+crutches."
+
+"Care thou not," said Galahad; "arise up and show thy good will."
+
+So he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was.  Then ran he
+to the table, and took one part opposite Galahad.
+
+Anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole
+by knights marvellous that entered into the city.  When the king of the
+city, which was called Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked them
+from whence they were, and what thing it was that they had brought upon
+the table of silver.  And they told him the truth of the Holy Grail,
+and the power which God had set there.
+
+Now King Estorause was a tyrant, and was come of a line of pagans.  He
+took the three knights and put them in a deep hole.  But as soon as
+they were there our Lord sent them the Holy Grail, through whose grace
+they were always satisfied while that they were in prison.
+
+At the year's end it befell that this king lay sick, and felt that he
+should die.  Then he sent for the three knights.  They came afore him,
+and he cried them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave
+it him goodly, and he died anon.
+
+When the king was dead, all the city was dismayed, and wist not who
+might be their king.  Right so as they were in counsel, there came a
+voice among them, and bade them choose the youngest knight of them
+there to be their king, for he should well maintain them and all
+theirs.  So they made Galahad king by all the assent of the whole city.
+
+When he was come to behold the land, he let make about the table of
+silver a chest of gold and of precious stones that covered the holy
+vessel; and every day early the three fellows would come afore it and
+make their prayers.
+
+Now at the year's end the three knights arose early and came to the
+palace, and saw before them the holy vessel, and a man kneeling, in
+likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of angels.
+And he called Galahad and said to him, "Come forth, thou servant of
+Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much desired to see."
+
+Then Galahad began to tremble right hard, when the deadly flesh began
+to behold the spiritual things.  Then he held up his hands towards
+heaven, and said, "Lord, I thank Thee, for now I see what hath been my
+desire many a day.  Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it
+might please thee, Lord."
+
+Therewith the good man took the sacrament and proffered it to Galahad,
+and he received it right gladly and meekly.
+
+"Now, wotest thou what I am?" said the good man; "I am Joseph of
+Arimathea, which our Lord hath sent here to thee to bear thee
+fellowship.  And wotest thou wherefore He hath sent me more than any
+other?  For thou hast resembled me in two things, in that thou hast
+seen the marvels of the Holy Grail, and in that thou hast been a clean
+and virtuous knight, as I have been and am."
+
+When these words had been spoken, Galahad went to Percivale and to Bors
+and kissed them and commended them to God, and said, "Salute me to my
+lord Sir Launcelot, and bid him remember of this unstable world."
+
+Therewith he kneeled down tofore the table and made his prayers, and
+then suddenly his soul departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude
+of angels bare his soul up to heaven, and the two fellows might well
+behold it.  Also they saw come from heaven a hand, but they saw not the
+body; and it came right to the vessel, and took it, and bare it up to
+heaven.  Since then was there never man so hard as to say that he had
+seen the Holy Grail.
+
+When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad had died, they made as much sorrow
+as ever did two men; and if they had not been good men, they might
+lightly have fallen in despair.  And the people of the country and of
+the city were right heavy.  And then he was buried.  And as soon as he
+was buried, Sir Percivale betook himself to a hermitage out of the
+city, where for a year and two months he lived a full holy life, and
+then passed out of this world.
+
+When Bors saw that he was alone in so far countries, he departed from
+Sarras and came to the sea.  There he entered into a ship, and so it
+befell that in good adventure he came into the realm of Logris.  And he
+rode to Camelot, where King Arthur was, and then was there great joy
+made of him in the court, for they believed all that he was dead,
+forasmuch as he had been so long out of the country.
+
+When they had eaten, the King made great clerks to come afore him, that
+they should chronicle of the high adventures of the good knights.  When
+Bors had told of the adventures of the Holy Grail, such as had befallen
+him and his two fellows, that was Percivale and Galahad, then Launcelot
+told the adventures of the Holy Grail that he had seen.  All this was
+made in great books, and put in chests at Salisbury.
+
+
+
+[1] Rivage: bank; shore.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT
+
+After the quest of the Holy Grail was fulfilled, and all knights that
+were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, then was there
+great joy in the court, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever
+made great joy of the remnant that were come home.  Passing glad were
+the King and the Queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had
+been long away in the quest of the Holy Grail.
+
+Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
+Guenever again, and forgat the promise that he made in the quest.  For,
+had he not been in his privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly
+to the Queen, as he was in seeming outward to God, there had no knight
+passed him in the quest of the Holy Grail.  But ever his thoughts were
+privily on the Queen, more than toforehand, so that many in the court
+spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, for
+he was ever open mouthed.
+
+Thus it passed forth till on a day the King let cry great jousts and a
+tournament that should be at Camelot, that is Winchester, and thither
+came many knights.  So King Arthur made him ready to depart to these
+jousts, and would have had the Queen with him, but she would not go,
+pretending to be sick.  This grieved the King, for such a fellowship of
+knights had not been seen together since the Whitsuntide when Galahad
+departed from the court.  And many deemed the Queen would not be there
+because of Sir Launcelot of the Lake, who would not ride with the King,
+for he said he was not whole of a wound.
+
+So when the King was departed, the Queen called Sir Launcelot unto her,
+and told him he was greatly to blame, thus to hold himself behind his
+lord, and counselled him to take his way towards the tournament at
+Winchester.  So upon the morn he took his leave of the Queen, and
+departed.  He rode all that day, and at eventide he came to Astolat,
+that is Gilford, and was lodged at the place of an old baron, named Sir
+Bernard of Astolat.  The old knight welcomed him in the best manner,
+but he knew not that he was Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot to his host, "I would pray you to lend
+me a shield that is not openly known, for mine be well known, and I
+would go to the tournament in disguise."
+
+"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for me seemeth ye be
+one of the likeliest knights of the world, and I shall show you
+friendship.  Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but late made
+knights.  The eldest is called Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that same day
+that he was made knight, so that he may not ride.  His shield ye shall
+have, for that is not known, I dare say, except in this place.  And my
+youngest son is named Sir Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride
+with you unto the jousts, for he is of his age strong and brave.  Much
+my heart leads me to believe that ye should be a noble knight;
+therefore I pray you tell me your name."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "ye must hold me excused at his
+time, but if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall
+come again and tell you.  But I pray you in any wise let me have your
+son Sir Lavaine with me, and his brother's shield."
+
+"This shall be done," said Sir Bernard.
+
+This old baron had a daughter, Elaine le Blank, that was called at that
+time the Fair Maid of Astolat.  Ever she beheld Sir Launcelot
+admiringly, and, as the book saith, she cast such a love unto him that
+she could never withdraw her love, so she besought him to wear at the
+jousts a token of hers.  "Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "if I grant
+you that, ye may say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady
+or damsel."
+
+[Illustration: Elaine]
+
+Then he remembered that he would go to the jousts disguised; and
+because he had never afore that time borne any manner of token of any
+damsel, he bethought him that he would bear one of her, so that none of
+his blood thereby might know him.  And then he said, "Fair maiden, I
+will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet; therefore, show
+me what it is."
+
+"Sir," she said, "it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well
+embroidered with great pearls."
+
+So she brought it him, and Sir Launcelot received it, saying that he
+had never done so much for any damsel.  Then he left his shield in the
+fair maiden's keeping, and prayed her to care for it until that he came
+again.  So that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the
+damsel Elaine was about Sir Launcelot, all the while she might be
+suffered.
+
+On the morn Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine took their leave of Sir
+Bernard, the old baron, and of his daughter, the Fair Maiden of
+Astolat, and then they rode so long till they came to Camelot.  There
+was great press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and many noble
+knights; but there Sir Launcelot was lodged privily, by the means of
+Sir Lavaine, with a rich burgess, so that no man in that town was ware
+what they were.
+
+At the time appointed the jousts began, and Sir Launcelot made him
+ready in his best manner, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and
+fastened it fast.  Then he with Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of
+the press, and did marvellous deeds of arms, so that all wondered what
+knight he might be.  Sir Gawaine said it might be Sir Launcelot by his
+riding and his buffets, but ever it seemed it should not be he, for he
+bore the red sleeve upon his head, and he never wist Sir Launcelot bear
+token of lady or gentleman at any jousts.
+
+At the last by misfortune Sir Bors unhorsed Sir Launcelot, and smote
+him through the shield into the side; and the spear brake, and the head
+was left still in his side.  But Sir Lavaine by great force took the
+horse from the King of Scots and brought it to his lord, Sir Launcelot,
+and in spite of them all he made him to mount upon that horse.  Then
+Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and then he smote Sir Bors horse and
+man to the earth.  In the same wise served he other knights, and, as
+the book saith, he might have slain them, but his heart might not serve
+him thereto, and he left them there.
+
+Then afterwards he hurled in the thickest press of them all, and did
+there the marvellousest deeds of arms that ever man saw or heard speak
+of; and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight, was with him.  And there Sir
+Launcelot with his sword smote and pulled down, as the French book
+maketh mention, more than thirty knights, and the most part were of the
+Table Round.  And Sir Lavaine also did full well that day.
+
+At the last the King blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
+heralds unto the knight with the white shield, that bare the red
+sleeve.  But Sir Launcelot was sore hurt, and cared not for honour; and
+groaning piteously, he rode at a great gallop away-ward from all the
+knights, until he came under a wood's side.  When he saw that he was
+from the field nigh a mile, so that he was sure he might not be seen,
+he besought Sir Lavaine as he loved him to draw the truncheon out of
+his side.  This Sir Lavaine dreaded sore to do, lest Sir Launcelot
+should be in peril of death from loss of blood, if the truncheon were
+drawn out.  Yet he did as his lord would have him do, and Sir Launcelot
+gave a great shriek, and so swooned pale and deadly.
+
+Thereupon Sir Lavaine took him to a hermitage fast by within two miles,
+where dwelt a gentle hermit, that sometime was a full noble knight and
+a great lord of possessions.  For great goodness he had taken himself
+to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands.  He was a full noble
+surgeon, and anon he stanched Sir Launcelot's blood, and made him to
+drink good wine, so that he was well refreshed, and came to himself.
+
+Meanwhile King Arthur let seek the knight that bare the red sleeve,
+that he might have his laud and honour, and the prize, as was right.
+But he could not be found, and the King and all the knights feared he
+was sore hurt in the battle.  Then Sir Gawaine took a squire with him
+and drove all about Camelot within six or seven miles, but could hear
+no word of him.
+
+Then within two days King Arthur and all the fellowship returned unto
+London again, and so, as they rode by the way, it happened that Sir
+Gawaine was lodged at Astolat with Sir Bernard.  There by the means of
+the shield left in Elaine's care he learned that the knight who won
+such honour at the tournament was none other than Sir Launcelot
+himself, and the Fair Maid of Astolat learned on how valiant a knight
+she had fixed her love.
+
+When Elaine heard also that Sir Launcelot was grievously wounded and
+that the knights knew not where he lay, she said to Sir Bernard, her
+father: "Now I request 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 stop till
+that I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine."
+
+"Do as it liketh you," said her father, "for I am right sore grieved of
+the hurt of that noble knight."
+
+Right so the maid made herself ready, and Sir Gawaine rode on to
+London, where he openly disclosed to all the court that it was Sir
+Launcelot that bore the red sleeve, and that jousted best.  And when
+Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was a heavy man, and so were all
+his kinsmen, for it was he who had given Sir Launcelot, that was his
+own cousin, the grievous wound in the tournament.  But when Queen
+Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, she was nigh out of her mind for wrath, and called him
+false traitor, because he had worn the token of any lady but herself.
+
+As fair Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all about, and by
+fortune Sir Lavaine had ridden out to refresh himself and to exercise
+his horse.  Anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried
+aloud unto him.  When he heard her, anon he came hither, and then she
+asked her brother how Sir Launcelot did.
+
+"Who told you, sister," said he, "that my lord's name is Sir Launcelot?"
+
+Then she told him how Sir Gawaine knew him by his shield, and so they
+rode together till they came to the hermitage.  Anon she alighted, and
+Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot.  So this maiden, Elaine,
+never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and night, and did
+such attendance to him that the French book saith there was never woman
+did kindlier for man than she.
+
+After a long while he was healed of his wounds, and so upon a morn they
+took their horses, and Elaine le Blank with them, and departed from the
+hermit.  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.
+
+When Sir Launcelot should depart from Astolat for to return to King
+Arthur's court, fair Elaine seemed like to die for love of him and for
+sorrow at his going.  But Sir Launcelot loved only Queen Guenever, and
+thought never to be wedded man, and could only grieve at her great
+sorrow; and for her good will and great kindness he promised that,
+whensoever she should set her heart upon some good knight that would
+wed her, he would give her a thousand pounds yearly, and always while
+he lived be her own true knight.
+
+Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and with Sir Lavaine he came unto
+Winchester.  And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
+sound, he made great joy of him, and so did 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, ate, or drank, and ever she made her
+lament for Sir Launcelot.  When she had thus endured a ten days, and
+weakened so that she must needs pass out of this world, she prepared
+for death, but ever she mourned for Sir Launcelot.
+
+Then her priest bade her leave such thoughts; but 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 lament, for I do none offence, though I
+love an earthly man, and I take God to my record I never loved any but
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and as I am a pure maiden I never shall.
+And since it is the sufferance of God that I shall die for the love of
+so noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy
+upon my soul; and sweet Lord Jesu, I take Thee to record, I was never
+great offender against Thy laws, but that I loved this noble knight Sir
+Launcelot out of measure, and of myself, good Lord, I might not
+withstand the fervent love wherefore I have my death."
+
+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 did endite it, and so her father granted her.  And when the
+letter was written word by word as she devised, then she prayed her
+father that after her death she might be put in a barge in all her
+richest clothes, the letter fast in her right hand, and that the barge,
+covered over and over with black samite, might be steered by one
+boatman only down the Thames to Westminster.
+
+So she died, and all was done as she desired.  Now by fortune King
+Arthur and Queen Guenever were speaking together at a window of the
+palace, and as they looked they espied this black barge, and had marvel
+what it meant.  And the King sent three knights thither to bring him
+ready word what was there.  Then these three knights came to the barge,
+and found therein the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor
+man sitting at the barge's end, and no word would he speak.  Then the
+King took the Queen by the hand and went thither, and there they saw
+the fair woman in all the rich clothing lying as though she smiled.
+And the Queen espied the letter in her right hand, and a clerk read it
+in the presence of many knights.
+
+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 Maiden of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I
+make my moan; yet pray for my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer
+my mass-penny.  This is my last request.  And a clean maiden I died, I
+take God to witness.  Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art
+peerless."
+
+When the letter was read, the King, the Queen, and all the knights wept
+for pity at the doleful lament.  Then was Sir Launcelot sent for, and
+when he heard the letter word by word, he said: "My lord Arthur, wit ye
+well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damsel, but God knoweth
+I was never cause of her death by my willing.  I will not say but that
+she was both fair and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she
+loved me out of measure."
+
+Then said the King unto Sir Launcelot, "It will be your honour that ye
+oversee that she be interred honourably."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that shall be done as I can best devise."
+
+So upon the morn she was interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her
+mass-penny, and all the knights of the Table Round that were there at
+that time offered with Sir Launcelot.
+
+And the Queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and prayed him of mercy, because
+she had been wroth with him causeless, and he willingly forgave her.
+
+So it passed on all that winter with all manner of hunting and hawking,
+and jousts and tourneys were many betwixt the great lords; and ever in
+all places Sir Lavaine gat great honour, so that he was nobly renowned
+among many knights of the Table Round.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON CANDLEMAS DAY
+
+At Christmas time many knights were together at the court, and every
+day there was a joust made.  Sir Lavaine jousted there all that
+Christmas passing well, and was praised best, for there were but few
+that did so well.  Wherefore all knights thought that Sir Lavaine
+should be made knight of the Round Table at the next feast of Pentecost.
+
+But Sir Launcelot would joust only when a great tournament was held.
+So after Christmas King Arthur had many knights called unto him, and
+there they agreed together to make a party and a great tournament near
+Westminster on Candlemas Day.  Of this many knights were glad, and made
+themselves ready to be at these jousts in the freshest manner.  The
+Queen Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and said: "At these jousts that
+shall be ye shall bear upon your helmet the sleeve of gold that ye
+shall have of me, and I pray you, for my sake exert yourself there so
+that men may speak of your honour."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "it shall be done."
+
+And when Sir Launcelot saw his time, he told Sir Bors that he would
+depart, and have no others with him than Sir Lavaine, unto the good
+hermit that dwelt in the forest of Windsor,--his name was Sir
+Brastias,--and there he intended to take all the repose he might,
+because he wished to be fresh on the day of the jousts.
+
+So Sir Launcelot with Sir Lavaine departed so quietly that no creature
+except the noble men of his own kin knew what had become of him.  And
+when he had come to the hermitage, you may be sure he had good cheer.
+Daily he would go to a spring hard by the hermitage, and there he would
+lie down and watch the spring bubble, and sometimes he slept there.
+
+At that time a lady dwelt in the forest, who was a great huntress.
+Every day she used to hunt, and no men ever went with her, but always
+women.  They were all shooters, and could well kill a deer both under
+cover and in the open.  They always carried bows and arrows, horns and
+wood-knives, and many good dogs they had.
+
+Now it happened that this lady, the huntress, was one day chasing a
+deer, keeping the direction by the noise of the hounds.  The deer, hard
+pressed, came down to the spring where Sir Launcelot was sleeping, and
+there sank down exhausted, and lay there a great while.  At length the
+dogs came fast after, and beat about, for they had lost the very
+perfect track of the deer.  Just then there came that lady, the
+huntress, who knew by the sounds of the dogs that the deer must be at
+the spring.  So she came swiftly and found the deer.  She put a broad
+arrow in her bow, and shot at it, but aimed too high, and so by
+misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot deep in the thick of the
+thigh.  When Sir Launcelot felt himself so hurt, he jumped up madly,
+and saw the lady that had smitten him.  And when he saw it was a woman,
+he said thus; "Lady or damsel, whatever thou be, in an evil time ye
+bare a bow; the devil made you a shooter."
+
+"Now mercy, fair sir," said the lady; "I am a gentlewoman that am wont
+to hunt here in this forest, and truly I saw you not; there was the
+deer by the spring, and I believed I was doing well to shoot, but my
+hand swerved."
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "ye have done mischief to me."
+
+And so the lady departed, and Sir Launcelot, as well as he might,
+pulled out the arrow, but the head remained still in his thigh; and so
+he went feebly to the hermitage, ever bleeding as he went.  And when
+Sir Lavaine and the hermit spied that Sir Launcelot was hurt, wit ye
+well they were passing sorry; but neither Sir Lavaine nor the hermit
+knew how he was hurt, or by whom.  Then with great pain the hermit gat
+the arrow's head out of Sir Launcelot's thigh, but much of his blood
+was shed, and the wound was passing sore.
+
+"Ah, mercy," said Sir Launcelot, "I call myself the most unhappy man
+that liveth; for ever when I would most gladly have honour there
+befalleth me some unhappy thing.  Now, so heaven help me, I shall be in
+the field upon Candlemas Day at the jousts, whatsoever come of it."
+
+So all that might heal Sir Launcelot was gotten, and, when the day
+came, he and Sir Lavaine had themselves and their horses arrayed, and
+so departed and came nigh to the field.  Many proved good knights with
+their retainers were there ready to joust, and King Arthur himself came
+into the field with two hundred knights, the most part noble knights of
+the Table Round.  And there were old knights set in scaffolds, for to
+judge with the Queen who did best.
+
+Then they blew to the field, and the knights met in the battle,
+furiously smiting down one and another in the rush of the tournament.
+King Arthur himself ran into the lists with a hundred followers,
+smiting to the earth four knights, one after the other, and even when
+his spear was broken he did passing well.  And so knight after knight
+came in,--Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gaheris, and Sir Agravaine, and Sir
+Mordred, and many others; all pressed their opponents hard, some being
+discomfited and others gaining great honour by their mighty prowess.
+
+All this doing Sir Launcelot saw, and then he came into the field with
+Sir Lavaine, as if it had been thunder.  He encountered with Sir
+Gawaine, and by force smote him and his horse to the earth, and then
+one knight after another all with one spear.  And Sir Lavaine
+encountered with Sir Palamides, and either met other so hard and so
+fiercely that both their horses fell to the earth.  But they were
+horsed again, and then Sir Launcelot met with Sir Palamides, and there
+Sir Palamides had a fall.  And so Sir Launcelot, as fast as he could
+get spears, smote down thirty knights, and the most part of them were
+knights of the Table Round.  And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw
+Sir Launcelot do such deeds, and with nine chosen knights made ready to
+set upon Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine.
+
+All this espied Sir Gareth, and he said to Sir Bors, "I will ride unto
+my lord Sir Launcelot for to help him, fall of it what may, for he is
+the same man that made me knight."
+
+"Ye shall not so," said Sir Bors, "by my counsel, unless ye be
+disguised."
+
+"Ye shall see me disguised," said Sir Gareth.
+
+So he rode to a Welsh knight who lay to repose himself, for he was sore
+hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gareth prayed him of his knighthood
+to lend him his green shield for his.
+
+"I will well," said the Welsh knight.
+
+So Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot with all his might, and
+bore him fellowship for old love he had shown him.  And so the King and
+his nine knights encountered with Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine and Sir
+Gareth.  And Sir Gareth did such deeds of arms that all men wondered
+what knight he was with the green shield; for he smote down that day
+and pulled down more than thirty knights.  Also Sir Launcelot knew not
+Sir Gareth, and marvelled, when he beheld him do such deeds, what
+knight he might be.
+
+So this tournament and this joust lasted long, till it was near
+evening, for the knights of the Round Table ever came to the relief of
+King Arthur, who was wroth out of measure that he and his knights could
+not prevail that day over Sir Launcelot and the knights who were with
+him.
+
+So when they had long dealt one another great strokes and neither might
+prevail, King Arthur said to Sir Gawaine, "Tell me now, nephew, what is
+your best counsel?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "ye shall have my counsel.  Have sounded the
+call unto lodging, for, trust me, truly it will be of no avail to
+strive with Sir Launcelot of the Lake and my brother, Sir Gareth,--for
+he it is with the green shield,--helped as they are by that good young
+knight, Sir Lavaine, unless we should fall ten or twelve upon one
+knight, and that would be no honour, but shame."
+
+"Ye say truth," said the King, "and it were shame to us, so many as we
+are, to set upon them any more."
+
+So then they blew unto lodging, and King Arthur rode after Sir
+Launcelot and prayed him and other of the knights to supper.
+
+So they went unto Arthur's lodging all together, and there was a great
+feast and great revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launcelot.
+Then Sir Launcelot told the King and the Queen how the lady huntress
+shot him in the forest of Windsor in the thigh with a broad arrow.
+Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth, because he left his fellowship and held
+with Sir Launcelot.
+
+"My lord," said Sir Gareth, "he made me a knight, and when I saw him so
+hard bestead, me thought it was my honour to help him, for I saw him do
+so much, and I was ashamed to see so many noble knights against him
+alone."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, "ye say well, and honourably
+have ye done, and all the days of my life be sure I shall love you and
+trust you the more for the great honour ye have done to yourself.  For
+ever it is an honourable knight's duty to help another honourable
+knight when he seeth him in a great danger, for ever an honourable man
+will be loath to see an honourable man put to shame.  He that is of no
+honour, and fareth with cowardice, will never show gentleness nor any
+manner of goodness where he seeth a man in any danger, for never will a
+coward show any mercy, and always a good man will do to another man as
+he would be done to himself."
+
+So then there were great feasts unto kings and dukes; and revel, game,
+and play, and all manner of nobleness was used; and he that was
+courteous, true, and faithful to his friend was at that time cherished.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+QUEEN GUENEVER'S MAY-DAY RIDE AND WHAT CAME OF IT
+
+Thus it passed on from Candlemas until after Easter, and soon the month
+of May was come, when every manly heart begins to blossom and to bring
+forth fruit.  For as herbs and trees flourish in May, likewise every
+lusty heart springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds, for more than any
+other month May giveth unto all men renewed courage, and calleth again
+to their mind old gentleness and old service, and many kind deeds that
+were forgotten by negligence.  Therefore, as the month of May flowereth
+and flourisheth in many gardens, so let every man of honour bring forth
+fruit in his heart, first unto God, and next unto the joy of them to
+whom he has promised his faith.
+
+So it befell in the month of May that Queen Guenever called unto her
+ten knights of the Table Round, and she bade them ride with her
+a-Maying on the morrow into the woods and fields near Westminster.  And
+"I bid you," said she, "that ye all be well horsed, and that ye all be
+clothed in green, either silk or woollen, and I shall bring with me ten
+ladies, and every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every knight
+shall have a squire and two yeomen."
+
+So they made themselves ready in the freshest manner, and in the
+morning rode with the Queen a-Maying in woods and meadows as it pleased
+them in great joy and delight.  The Queen purposed to be again with
+King Arthur at the furthest by ten of the clock.
+
+Now there was a knight called Meliagrance, who had at that time a
+castle, the gift of King Arthur, within seven miles of Westminster.  He
+had long lain in wait to steal away the Queen, but had feared to do the
+base deed when Sir Launcelot was in her company.  It was her custom at
+that time never to ride without a great fellowship of men of arms about
+her, for the most part young men eager for honour, and called the
+Queen's knights.  But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the
+Queen well and her purpose on this May morning, and had seen how Sir
+Launcelot was not with her, and how she had for this once no men of
+arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for
+Maying.  Then he provided him twenty men of arms and a hundred archers,
+to destroy the Queen's knights, for he thought that time was the best
+season to take the Queen prisoner.
+
+So while the Queen and all her knights were gathering herbs and mosses
+and flowers in the best manner and freshest, just then there came out
+of a wood Sir Meliagrance with eight-score men, well armed, and bade
+the Queen and her knights to stand.
+
+"Traitor knight," said Queen Guenever, "what intendest thou to do?
+Wilt thou shame thyself?  Bethink thee how thou art a king's son, and
+knight of the Table Round, and thou art about to dishonour the noble
+king that made thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself;
+but me, I let thee wit, thou shalt never shame, for I had rather cut my
+throat in twain than that thou shouldst dishonour me."
+
+"As for all this language," said Sir Meliagrance, "be it as it may,
+never before could I get you at such advantage as I do now, and
+therefore I will take you as I find you."
+
+All the ten noble knights sought to dissuade him from dishonouring
+himself and from forcing them to jeopard their lives, unarmed as they
+were, in defending the Queen.  But Sir Meliagrance would not yield, and
+the ten knights of the Table Round drew their swords and stood manly
+against the spears and swords of the others.  But Sir Meliagrance had
+them at great advantage, and anon six of them were smitten to the earth
+with grimly wounds.  The other four fought long, but at last they also
+were sore wounded.
+
+When the Queen saw that her knights needs must be slain at the last,
+she for pity and sorrow agreed to go with Sir Meliagrance to his castle
+upon this covenant, that he suffer not her knights to be more hurt, and
+that they be led wheresoever she was taken.  "For," said she, "I will
+rather slay myself than go with thee, unless these my noble knights may
+be in my presence."
+
+Meliagrance consented, and by the Queen's commandment they left battle.
+The wounded knights were placed on horseback, some sitting, some across
+the horses' backs in a pitiful manner, and all rode in haste to the
+castle.  Then Sir Meliagrance charged the Queen and all her knights
+that no one should depart from her, for full sore he dreaded Sir
+Launcelot, lest he should have any knowledging.
+
+But the Queen privily called unto her a page who could ride swiftly,
+gave him her ring, and told him to bear it, when he saw a chance to
+slip away quietly, unto Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and pray him to
+rescue her.  "And spare thou not thy horse," said she, "neither for
+water nor for land."
+
+So the page espied his time, and lightly he touched his horse with the
+spurs, and departed as fast as he might.  Sir Meliagrance saw him so
+flee, and understood that it was to warn Sir Launcelot.  Then they that
+were best horsed chased him and shot at him, but he escaped them all,
+and anon found Sir Launcelot.  And when he had told his message, and
+delivered him the Queen's ring, "Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "now am I
+shamed forever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from
+dishonour."
+
+Then he eagerly called for his armour, and ever the page told him how
+the ten knights had fought marvellously, till at last the Queen made
+appointment to go with Sir Meliagrance for to save their lives.
+
+"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that most noble lady, that she should be
+so destroyed!  I would give all France to have been there well armed."
+
+So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he sent the Queen's
+page to tell Sir Lavaine how suddenly he had departed, and for what
+cause, and to pray him to come anon to the castle where Sir Meliagrance
+abideth.
+
+Sir Launcelot, it is said, took to the water at Westminster bridge and
+made his horse swim over the Thames to Lambeth; and then he rode as
+fast as he might, until within a while he came to the place where the
+ten knights had fought with Sir Meliagrance.  He then followed the path
+until he came to a straight way through the wood.  Here he was stopped
+by thirty archers that Sir Meliagrance had sent out to slay Sir
+Launcelot's horse, but in no wise to have ado with him bodily, "for,"
+he had said, "he is overhard to overcome."  These archers bade Sir
+Launcelot to turn again and follow no longer that track, and when Sir
+Launcelot gave right naught for them, then they shot his horse, and
+smote him with many arrows.  Sir Launcelot now set out on foot, but
+there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him that
+he could not meddle with any one of them.
+
+He went on a while, but was much cumbered by his armour, his shield,
+and his spear.  Wit ye well he was sore annoyed at his slow progress,
+but was loath to leave anything that belonged unto him, for he dreaded
+sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance.
+
+Just then by chance there came by a cart, that was sent thither to
+fetch wood.  "Tell me, carter," said Sir Launcelot, "what shall I give
+thee to take me in thy cart unto a castle within two miles of here?"
+
+"Thou shalt not set foot in my cart," said the man, "for I am sent to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagrance."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot jumped upon him and gave the man such a blow that he
+fell to the earth stark dead.  Then the other carter, his fellow, was
+afraid of going the same way, and cried out, "Fair lord, save my life
+and I will bring you where ye will."
+
+Sir Launcelot leaped into the cart, and the carter drove at a great
+gallop, Sir Launcelot's horse following after with more than forty
+arrows in him.
+
+More than an hour and a half later, Queen Guenever was in a bay window
+of the castle with her ladies, and espied an armed knight approaching,
+standing in a cart.
+
+"See, madam," said a lady to her, "there rideth in a cart a goodly
+armed knight; I suppose he rideth to hanging."
+
+Then the Queen espied by his shield that Sir Launcelot of the Lake
+himself was there.  "Alas," said the Queen; "now I see that well is it
+with him who hath a trusty friend.  Ah, most noble knight, I see well
+thou are hard bestead, when thou ridest in a cart."
+
+By this time Sir Launcelot had come to the gates of that castle, and
+there he descended from the cart, and cried so that all the castle
+rang: "Where art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the
+Table Round?  Now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy
+fellowship with thee, for here I am, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that
+shall fight with thee."
+
+With these words he burst the gate wide open upon the porter, and smote
+him under his ear with his gauntlet so that he staggered back like a
+dead man.  When Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was there, he
+ran unto Queen Guenever and fell upon his knees, putting himself wholly
+at her mercy, and begging her to control the wrath of Sir Launcelot.
+
+"Better is peace than ever war," said the Queen, "and the less noise
+the more is my honour."
+
+So she and her ladies went down to Sir Launcelot, thanked him for all
+his trouble in her behalf, told him of Meliagrance's repentance, and
+bade him come in peaceably with her.
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "if ye are accorded with him, I am not
+inclined to be against peace, howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full
+shamefully to me, and cowardly.  Ah, madam, had I known ye would be so
+soon accorded with him, I would not have made such haste unto you."
+
+"What," said the Queen, "do ye repent of your good deeds?  Wit ye well
+I never made peace with him for labour or love that I had unto him, but
+to suppress all shameful noise."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "ye understand full well I was never glad
+of shameful slander nor noise; and there is neither king, queen, nor
+knight alive except my lord King Arthur and you, madam, that should
+hinder me from making Sir Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I
+departed from hence."
+
+Then the Queen and Sir Launcelot went in together, and she commanded
+him to be unarmed.  Then he asked where the ten knights were that were
+wounded sore.  So she led Sir Launcelot to them, and they made great
+joy of his coming, and he made great dole of their hurts, and bewailed
+them greatly.  And then Sir Launcelot told them how he had been obliged
+to put himself into a cart.  Thus they complained each to other, and
+full gladly would they have been revenged, but they restrained
+themselves because of the Queen.  So Sir Launcelot was called for many
+a day thereafter the Chevalier of the Cart, and he did many deeds, and
+great adventures he had.  And so we leave this tale of the Knight of
+the Cart, and turn to others.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+In this same month of May when every lusty heart flourisheth and
+bourgeoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill
+fortune that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world
+was destroyed.  And all was due to two evil knights, the which were
+named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were nephews unto King Arthur
+and brethren unto Sir Gawaine.  For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred
+had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, Dame Guenever, and to Sir
+Launcelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon him.
+
+So it mishapped that Sir Agravaine on a day said openly, so that many
+knights might hear, that the friendship between Sir Launcelot and the
+Queen was a disgrace to knighthood and a shame to so noble a king as
+Arthur.  But Sir Gawaine would not hear any of these tales nor be of
+Agravaine's counsel; moreover he charged his brother to move no such
+matters afore him, for he wist well what mischief would come, should
+war arise betwixt Sir Launcelot and the King, and he remembered how
+ofttimes Sir Launcelot had proved his goodness and loyalty by knightly
+deeds.  Also Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, two other brethren, would know
+nothing of Agravaine's base accusation.
+
+But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons of the Queen of
+Orkney, the which had mocked the good Percivale when first he came to
+the court, and who had ever been jealous and ready to think evil of
+another, joined with Sir Agravaine.  Therewithal they three, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Gareth departed, making great dole over
+the mischief that threatened the destruction of the realm and the
+dispersion of the noble fellowship of the Round Table.
+
+So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him
+they might no longer suffer Sir Launcelot's deeds, for he was a traitor
+to his kingly person.  But the King would believe nothing unless he
+might have proofs of it, for, as the French book saith, he was full
+loath to hear ill of a knight who had done so much for him and for the
+Queen so many times that, as was fully known, he loved him passingly
+well.
+
+Then these two brethren made a plot for taking Sir Launcelot when in
+the Queen's presence, and bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur.
+So on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights
+and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen
+Guenever was; thus they plotted to take Sir Launcelot by force, if she
+should have speech with him.  Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared
+not what liars said about him, since he wist his own good will and
+loyalty.  So when the Queen sent for him to speak with her, he went as
+true knight to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set for him.
+In the battle that followed he was hard bestead, but slew Sir Agravaine
+at the first buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve
+chosen knights cold to the earth.  Also he wounded Sir Mordred, who,
+when he escaped from the noble Sir Launcelot, anon gat his horse and
+rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded and all bleeding.
+
+Then he told the King how it was, and how they were all slain save
+himself only.  So the King believed Sir Mordred's evil accusation true,
+and he said: "Alas, me sore repenteth that ever Sir Launcelot should be
+against me.  Now am I sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is
+broken for ever, for with him will many a noble knight hold.  And now
+it is fallen so that I may not keep my honour unless the Queen suffer
+the death."
+
+So then there was made great ordinance that the Queen must be judged to
+the death, for the law was such in those days that whatsoever they
+were, of what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason,
+there should be none other remedy but death.  Right so it was ordained
+for Queen Guenever, and she was commanded to the fire, there to be
+burned.
+
+King Arthur prayed Sir Gawaine to make himself ready in his best
+armour, with his brethren Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring the
+Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment, and receive the death.
+But Sir Gawaine ever believed Dame Guenever guiltless of the treason
+charged against her, and he would never have it said that he had any
+part in her shameful end.  Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth also were loath
+to be there present, but they were young, and full unable to say him
+nay.  "If we be there by your straight commandment," said they, "ye
+shall plainly hold us excused though we go in peaceable wise, and bear
+none harness of war upon us."
+
+So the Queen was led forth without Carlisle, and she prepared herself
+for death.  There was weeping and wailing and wringing of hands of many
+lords and ladies, and few in comparison there present would bear any
+armour for to keep order.
+
+Anon as the fire was to be lighted, there was spurring and plucking up
+of horses, and right so Sir Launcelot and his followers came hither,
+and whoever stood against them was slain.  And so in this rushing and
+hurling, as Sir Launcelot pressed here and there, it mishapped him to
+slay Gaheris and Gareth, the noble knights, for they were unarmed and
+unaware.  In 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 slain or put to flight
+all that would withstand him, he rode straight unto Dame Guenever, and
+made her to be set behind him on his horse, and prayed her to be of
+good cheer.  Wit ye well the Queen was glad that she was escaped from
+the death, and then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot.
+
+And so he rode his way with the Queen, as the French book saith, unto
+Joyous Gard, his own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the Fair
+Isoud after her flight from Cornwall.  There Sir Launcelot kept
+Guenever as a noble knight should do, and many great lords and some
+kings sent him many good knights, and many noble knights drew unto Sir
+Launcelot.
+
+When it was known openly that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at
+debate, many were full heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for
+pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what wise the Queen was
+taken away from the fire, and as he heard of the death of his noble
+knights, in especial that of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth.  And when he
+awoke of his swoon, he said: "Alas that ever I bare crown upon my head,
+for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever
+Christian king held together.  Alas that ever this war began.  The
+death of these two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war that
+ever was, for I am sure, wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I
+should never have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin
+and himself, or else he had destroyed me.  Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine,
+Jesu forgive it thy soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir
+Mordred haddest unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this sorrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING
+  AND FROM JOYOUS GARD
+
+There came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the Queen was led
+away by Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty-four knights slain.
+
+"Full well wist I," said then Sir Gawaine, "that Sir Launcelot would
+rescue her, or else he would die in that field.  To say the truth, had
+he not rescued the Queen he would not have been a man of honour,
+inasmuch as she was to have been burned for his sake.  He hath done but
+knightly, and as I would have done myself, had I stood in like case.
+But where are my brethren?  I marvel I hear not of them."
+
+Then the man told him that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris were slain, both
+by the hand of Launcelot.  "That may I not believe," said Sir Gawaine,
+"that he slew my brother Sir Gareth, for I dare say Gareth loved him
+better than me and all his brethren, and the King also.  Sir Launcelot
+made him knight, and had he desired my brother Sir Gareth with him, he
+would have been with him against the King and us all.  Therefore I may
+never believe that Sir Launcelot slew my brother."
+
+When at the last he knew in truth that Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris had
+died by Sir Launcelot's hand, all his joy was gone.  He fell down in a
+swoon, and long he lay there as he had been dead.  When he arose of his
+swoon he ran to the King crying, and weeping, and said: "O King Arthur,
+my lord and mine uncle, wit ye well, from this day I shall never fail
+Sir Launcelot, until the one of us have slain the other.  Therefore
+dress you to the war, for wit ye well I will be revenged upon him."
+
+Unto King Arthur now drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he
+had a great host.  Then they made them ready to lay siege about Sir
+Launcelot, where he lay within Joyous Gard.  Thereof heard Sir
+Launcelot, and he gathered together his followers, for with him held
+many good knights, some for his own sake, and some for the Queen's
+sake.  Thus they were on both sides well furnished and provided with
+all manner of things that belonged to the war.
+
+But Sir Launcelot was full loath to do battle against the King, and so
+he withdrew into his strong castle with all manner of victual and as
+many noble men as might suffice, and for a long time would in no wise
+ride out, neither would he allow any of his good knights to issue out,
+though King Arthur with Sir Gawaine came and laid a siege all about
+Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the castle.
+
+Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Launcelot looked over
+the walls, and spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: "My
+lords both, wit ye well all is in vain that ye make at this siege; here
+win ye no honour, for if I list to come out with my good knights, I
+should full soon make an end of this war.  But God defend me, that ever
+I should encounter with the most noble King that made me knight."
+
+"Fie upon thy fair language," said the King; "come forth, if thou
+darest.  Wit thou well, I am thy mortal foe, and ever shall be to my
+death day, for thou hast slain my good knights and full noble men of my
+blood, and like a traitor hast taken my Queen from me by force."
+
+"My most noble lord and king," answered Sir Launcelot, "ye may say what
+ye will, for ye wot well with yourself I will not strive.  I wot well
+that I have slain your good knights, and that me sore repenteth; but I
+was forced to do battle with them in saving of my life, or else I must
+have suffered them to slay me.  And as for my lady, Queen Guenever,
+except your highness and my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no knight under
+heaven that dare make it good upon me, that ever I was traitor unto
+your person, and I will prove it upon any knight alive, except you and
+Sir Gawaine, that my lady Queen Guenever is as true and loyal unto you
+as any living unto her lord.  Howbeit, it hath pleased her good grace
+to have me in charity, and to cherish me more than any other knight,
+and unto my power I in return have deserved her love; for ofttimes, my
+lord, it fortuned me to do battle for her, and ye thanked me when I
+saved her life.  Now me thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good
+service, and me seemeth I had lost a great part of my honour in my
+knighthood, had I suffered my lady your queen to be burned, inasmuch as
+she was to be burned for my sake.  For, since I have done battle for
+your queen in other quarrels than in mine own, me seemeth now I had
+more right to do battle for her in right quarrel.  Therefore, my good
+and gracious lord, take your queen unto your good grace, for she is
+both fair, true, and good."
+
+"Fie on thy proud words," said Sir Gawaine; "as for my lady the Queen,
+I will never say of her shame, but thou false and recreant knight, what
+cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee
+more than all my kin?  Alas, thou madest him knight with thine own
+hands; why slewest thou him that loved thee so well?"
+
+"For to excuse myself," said Sir Launcelot, "it helpeth me not, but by
+the faith I owe to the high order of knighthood, I should with as good
+will have slain my nephew Sir Bors of Ganis.  Alas, that ever I was so
+unhappy that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris."
+
+But Sir Gawaine was mischievously set, and it helped not Sir Launcelot
+to seek accordment.  King Arthur must needs unto battle because of his
+nephew's great anger, and on the morn he was ready in the field with
+three great hosts.  Then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three
+gates in a full good array, in order and rule as noble knights.  And
+always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save King
+Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
+
+Then began a great battle, and much people was slain.  Ever Sir
+Launcelot did what he might to save the people on King Arthur's side,
+and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to slay him.  Sir
+Launcelot suffered him, and would not strike again; but at the last Sir
+Bors encountered with King Arthur, and with a spear smote him down.  He
+alighted and drew his sword to slay him, and then he said to Sir
+Launcelot, "Shall I make an end of this war?"
+
+"Not so hardy," said Sir Launcelot, "upon pain of thy head, touch him
+no further, for I will never see that most noble king, that made me
+knight, either slain or shamed."
+
+Therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted oft his horse and took up the King,
+and horsed him again, and said thus: "My lord Arthur, for God's love
+stint this strife, for ye get here no honour, if I will to do mine
+uttermost; always I forbear you, but neither you nor any of yours
+forbeareth me.  My lord, remember what I have done in many places, and
+now I am evil rewarded."
+
+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.
+Therewith the King might no longer behold him, and he rode his way,
+saying, "Alas that ever this war began."
+
+And then both sides withdrew to repose themselves, to bury the dead,
+and to lay soft salves on the wounded.  Thus they passed the night, but
+on the morn they made ready again to do battle.  At the end of this day
+also Sir Launcelot and his party stood better, but for pity he withheld
+his knights, and suffered King Arthur's party to withdraw one side, and
+Sir Launcelot again returned into his castle.
+
+So the war went on day after day.  It was noised through all
+Christendom, and at the last it was noised afore the Pope.  He,
+considering the great goodness of King Arthur and of Sir Launcelot,
+that were called the noblest knights of the world, called unto him a
+noble clerk, that at that time was there present,--the French book
+saith it was the Bishop of Rochester,--and gave him bulls unto King
+Arthur of England, charging him upon pain of interdicting of all
+England, that he take his queen, Dame Guenever, unto him again, and
+accord with Sir Launcelot.
+
+So when this bishop was come to Carlisle he showed the King the bulls,
+and by their means peace was made between King Arthur and Sir
+Launcelot.  With great pomp and ceremony Sir Launcelot rode with the
+Queen from Joyous Gard to Carlisle, and they knelt before King Arthur,
+that was full gladly accorded with them both.  But Sir Gawaine would
+never be at peace with the knight that had slain his brethren.
+
+"The King may take his Queen again, if he will," said Sir Gawaine to
+Sir Launcelot, "and may be accorded with thee, but thou and I are past
+pardon.  Thou shalt go from Carlisle safe, as thou camest, but in this
+land thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give
+thee;--so the King and I were consented and accorded ere thou camest
+hither, and else, wit thou well, thou shouldest not have come here
+except without thy head.  If it were not for the Pope's commandment, I
+should do battle with mine own body against thy body, and prove it upon
+thee that thou hast been both false unto mine uncle and to me, 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 he said: "Alas, most noble Christian realm, that I have loved above
+all others, in thee have I gotten a great part of my honour, and now I
+shall depart in this wise.  Truly me repenteth that ever I came in this
+realm that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved, and
+causeless.  But fortune is so variant, and the wheel so movable, there
+is no constant abiding.  Wit ye well,  Sir Gawaine, I may live upon my
+lands as well as any knight that here is.  And if ye, most redoubted
+King, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to war upon me, I must
+endure you as well as I may.  But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye
+come there, I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, for if ye
+do, I must answer you."
+
+Then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in hearing of the King and them
+all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship for
+ever; and since 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."
+
+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, if he dare."
+
+Then he brought her to the King, and so took his leave and departed.
+And there was neither king, duke nor earl, baron nor 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.  So he took his way unto Joyous Gard, that ever after he
+called Dolorous Gard, and thus left the court for ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED
+  SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM
+
+When Sir Launcelot came again to Joyous Gard from Carlisle, he called
+his fellowship unto him, and asked them what they would do.  Then they
+answered all wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do.
+
+"My fair fellows," said he: "I must depart out of this most noble
+realm.  And now I am to depart, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart
+with no honour.  A banished man departed never out of any realm with
+honour; and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear that after my days
+they will chronicle upon me that I was banished out of this land."
+
+Then spake many noble knights: "Sir, we will never fail.  Since it
+liked us to take a part with you in your distress and heaviness in this
+realm, wit ye well it shall like us as well to go in other countries
+with you, and there to take such part as ye do."
+
+"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "I well understand you, and, as I
+can, thank you.  And ye shall understand, such livelihood and lands as
+I am born unto I shall freely share among you, and I myself will have
+as little as any of you, for if I have sufficient for my personal
+needs, I will ask none other rich array; and I trust to God to maintain
+you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any knights."
+
+Then spake all the knights at once: "He have shame that will leave you.
+We all understand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever strife
+and debate, now the fellowship of the Round Table is broken; for by the
+noble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthur upborne, and by
+their nobleness the King and all his realm was in quiet and in rest.
+And a great part," they said all, "was because of your nobleness."
+
+So, to make short tale, they packed up, and paid all that would ask
+them, and wholly an hundred knights departed with Sir Launcelot at
+once, and made avows they would never leave him for weal nor for woe.
+They shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick.  But to say the
+sooth, Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords of all France, and of
+all the lands that belong unto France through Sir Launcelot's noble
+prowess.  When he had established all these countries, he shortly
+called a parliament, and appointed officers for his realm.  Thus Sir
+Launcelot rewarded his noble knights and many more, that me seemeth it
+were too long to rehearse.
+
+Now leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights with
+him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that made
+a great host ready, to the number of three-score thousand.  All things
+were made 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.
+
+So King Arthur passed over the sea, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's
+lands, and there burned and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir
+Gawaine, all that they might overrun.
+
+When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that King Arthur and Sir Gawaine
+were landed upon his lands, and made a full destruction and waste, then
+said Sir Lionel, that was ware and wise: "My Lord, Sir Launcelot, I
+will give you this counsel: Let us keep our strong walled towns until
+they have hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails, and then let us
+freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep in a field, that
+aliens may take ensample for ever how they set foot upon our lands."
+
+Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Launcelot, "Sir, here be knights come of
+king's blood that will not long droop; therefore give us leave, like as
+we be 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 all at once seven brethren of North Wales,--and they were
+seven noble knights, a man might seek in seven lands ere he might find
+such seven knights: "Sir Launcelot, let us ride out with Sir Galihud,
+for we be never wont to cower in castle, or in noble towns."
+
+But then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master and governor of them all:
+"My fair lords, wit ye well I am full loath to ride out with my
+knights, for shedding of Christian blood; and yet my lands I understand
+to be full bare to sustain any host a while, for the mighty wars that
+whilom made King Claudas upon this country, upon my father King Ban and
+on mine uncle King Bors.  Howbeit we will at this time keep our strong
+walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, a treaty for
+to take, for better is peace than always war."
+
+So he sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with her, requiring King Arthur
+to leave his warring upon his lands.  When she came to the pavilion of
+King Arthur there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the butler, and
+when he knew that she was a messenger from Sir Launcelot to the King he
+said: "I pray God, damsel, ye may speed well.  My Lord Arthur would
+love Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him."
+
+So Lucan led the damsel unto the King, and when she had told her tale,
+all the lords were full glad to advise him to be accorded with Sir
+Launcelot, save only Sir Gawaine, who would not turn again, now that
+they were past thus far upon the journey.
+
+"Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine," said Arthur, "I will do as ye will advise
+me; and yet me seemeth his fair proffers were not good to be refused."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine sent the damsel away with the answer that it was now
+too late for peace.  And so the war went on.  Sir Launcelot was never
+so loath to do battle, but he must needs defend himself; and when King
+Arthur's host besieged Benwick round about, and fast began to set up
+ladders, then Sir Launcelot beat them from the walls mightily.
+
+Then upon a day it befell that Sir Gawaine came before the gates fully
+armed on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand, and cried with
+a loud voice: "Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Launcelot?  Why
+hidest thou 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 he wist well that he must
+defend himself, or else be recreant.  So he armed himself at all
+points, and mounted upon his horse, and gat 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 to hold them still, to see and behold the battle
+of these two noble knights.
+
+Then they laid their spears in their rests, and came together as
+thunder.  Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot in an hundred
+pieces unto his hand, and Sir Launcelot smote him with a greater might,
+so that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and the horse and he fell to
+the earth.  Then they dressed their shields and fought with swords on
+foot, giving many sad strokes, so that all men on both parties had
+thereof passing great wonder.  But Sir Launcelot withheld his courage
+and his wind, and kept himself wonderly covert of his might.  Under his
+shield he traced and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine's
+strokes and his courage, and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with all his
+might to destroy Sir Launcelot.
+
+At the first ever Sir Gawaine's power increased, and right so his wind
+and his evil will.  For a time Sir Launcelot had great pain to defend
+himself, but when three hours were passed, and Sir Launcelot felt that
+Sir Gawaine was come to his full strength, then Sir Launcelot said, "I
+feel that ye have done your mighty deeds; now wit you well I must do my
+deeds."
+
+So he doubled his strokes, and soon smote such a buffet upon Sir
+Gawaine's helm that he sank down upon his side in a swoon.  Anon as he
+did awake, he waved 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.  "When I see
+you on foot I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand on
+your feet; but to smite a wounded man, that may not stand, God defend
+me from such a shame."
+
+Then he turned and went his way towards the city, and Sir Gawaine,
+evermore calling him traitor knight, said, "Wit thou well, Sir
+Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again; for I
+shall never leave thee till one of us be slain."
+
+Thus this siege endured.  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 Arthur from England,
+that made him and all his host to remove.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+OF SIR MORDRED'S TREASON
+
+As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England he did make letters 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.  So was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a
+feast there fifteen days.  Afterwards he drew unto Winchester, and
+there he took the Queen, Guenever, and said plainly that he would wed
+her which was his uncle's wife.
+
+So he made ready for the feast, and a day was prefixed when they should
+be wedded.  Wherefore Queen Guenever was passing heavy, but she durst
+not discover her heart, and spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's
+will.  Then she desired of him for to go to London, to buy all manner
+of things that longed unto the wedding, and because of her fair speech
+Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her leave to go.  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
+garnished it with men, and so kept it.
+
+Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood 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, because Queen
+Guenever, for fair speech nor for foul, would never trust to come in
+his hands again.
+
+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 then shame yourself and all knighthood?
+Leave this matter, 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 ye well I shall not fear me to do that
+I ought to do.  Also, when ye noise that my lord Arthur is slain, that
+is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work in this land."
+
+"Peace, thou false priest," said Sir Mordred, "for, if thou chafe me
+any more, I shall make strike off thy head."
+
+So the Bishop departed, and did the curse in the haughtiest wise that
+might be done.  Then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury for to
+slay him, and he fled, and, taking part of his goods with him, went
+nigh unto Glastonbury, and there lived in poverty and in holy prayers
+as priest-hermit in a chapel, for well he understood that mischievous
+war was at hand.
+
+Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege
+from Sir Launcelot, and was coming homeward with a great host, to be
+avenged upon Sir Mordred.  Wherefore Sir Mordred made write writs to
+all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him, for then was
+the common voice among them, that with Arthur was none other life but
+war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss.  Thus was
+Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of, and many there were that King
+Arthur had made up of naught, and had given lands to, who might not
+then say of him a good word.
+
+Lo all ye Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was, for Arthur
+was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the
+fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden.  Now
+might not these Englishmen hold us content with him.  Lo, thus was the
+old custom and usage of this land, and men say, that we of this land
+have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage.  Alas, this is a
+great fault of all Englishmen, for there may no thing please us.  And
+so fared the people at that time; 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.
+
+So Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say
+that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own uncle
+from his lands.  And the most part of all England held with Sir
+Mordred, the people were so new-fangle.
+
+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 landage, to keep his own uncle from
+landing in the country that he was king over.  Then there was launching
+of great boats and small, full of noble men of arms, and there was much
+slaughter of gentle knights, and many a bold baron was laid full low on
+both sides.  But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no
+manner of knights prevent him from landing, and his knights fiercely
+followed him.
+
+So they landed in spite of Sir Mordred and all his power, and they put
+him aback, so that he fled and all his people.  When this battle was
+done, King Arthur let bury his 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 made
+sorrow out of measure, for this sister's son was the man in the world
+that he most loved.  Sir Gawaine felt that he must die, for he was
+smitten upon the old wound that Sir Launcelot had given him afore the
+city of Benwick.  He now knew that he was the cause of this unhappy
+war, for had Sir Launcelot remained with the King, it would never have
+been, and now King Arthur would sore miss his brave knights of the
+Round Table.
+
+Then he prayed his uncle that he might have paper, pen, and ink, and
+when they were brought, he with his own hand wrote thus, as the French
+book maketh mention: "Unto Sir Launcelot, flower of all noble knights
+that ever I heard of, or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son
+of Orkney, sister's son unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting,
+and let thee have knowledge, that this tenth day of May, through the
+same wound that thou gavest me I am come to my death.  And I will that
+all the world wit that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table Round,
+sought my death; it came not through thy deserving, but it was mine own
+seeking.  Wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, to return again unto
+this realm, and see my tomb, and pray some prayer, more or less, for my
+soul.  For all the love that ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but
+come over the sea in all haste, that thou mayest with thy noble knights
+rescue that noble king that made thee knight, that is my lord Arthur,
+for he is full straitly bestead with a false traitor, my half-brother,
+Sir Mordred.  We all landed upon him and his host at Dover, and there
+put him to flight, and there it misfortuned me to be stricken in the
+same wound the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot.  Of a nobler man
+might I not be slain.  This letter was written but two hours and an
+half afore my death, with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of
+my heart's blood."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept, and then they swooned
+both.  When they awaked both, the King made Sir Gawaine to receive the
+sacrament, 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 the King let inter
+him in a chapel within Dover Castle.
+
+Then was it told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field
+upon Barham Down.  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 Sir Arthur's party stood best, and Sir
+Mordred and his party fled to Canterbury.  Upon this much people drew
+unto King Arthur, and he went with his host down by the seaside,
+westward towards Salisbury, and there was a day assigned between him
+and Sir Mordred when they should meet in battle upon a down beside
+Salisbury, not far from the sea.
+
+In the night before the battle King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream,
+and it seemed to him verily that there came Sir Gawaine unto him, and
+said; "God giveth me leave to come hither for to warn you that, if ye
+fight to-morn 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 the great grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath unto you, and
+for pity of you and many other good men that there shall be slain, God
+hath sent me to you, of His special grace, to give you warning, that in
+no wise ye do battle to-morn, but that ye take a treaty for a month;
+and proffer ye largely, so as to-morn to be put in delay, for within a
+month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his noble knights, and rescue
+you honourably, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever will hold with
+him."
+
+Then Sir Gawaine vanished, and anon the King commanded Sir Lucan and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and charged them
+to take a treaty for a month with Sir Mordred in any wise they might.
+So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim
+host of an hundred thousand men.  There they entreated Sir Mordred long
+time, and at the last he was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent by King
+Arthur's days, and after the days of King Arthur all England.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST
+
+Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere were agreed with Sir Mordred that King
+Arthur and he should meet betwixt both their hosts, for to conclude the
+treaty they had made, and every each of them should bring fourteen
+persons.  And they came with this word unto King Arthur.  Then said he,
+"I am glad that this is done."
+
+So Arthur made ready to go into the field, and when he would depart, he
+warned all his hosts that if they saw any sword drawn, they should come
+on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for he in no wise
+trusted him.  In like manner Sir Mordred warned his host: "If ye see
+any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that
+ever before you stand, for in no wise will I trust for this treaty.  I
+know well mine uncle will be avenged upon me."
+
+So they met as their appointment was, and they were agreed and accorded
+thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank.  Right so came an
+adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot.
+When the knight felt himself stung, he looked down and saw the adder;
+then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none other
+harm.  But when the hosts on both parties saw the sword drawn, then
+they blew trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly.  And so both hosts
+dressed them together.
+
+King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas this unhappy day," and so
+rode to his party; and Sir Mordred did likewise.  And never was there
+seen a dolefuller battle in any Christian land, for there was but
+rushing and riding, foining, and striking, and many a grim word was
+there spoken either to other, and there was given many a deadly stroke.
+Thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted, till the noble
+knights were laid to the cold ground.  And ever they fought still, till
+it was near night, and by that time were there an hundred thousand laid
+dead upon the down.
+
+Then the King looked about him, and was 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 his brother Sir Bedivere, and even they
+were full sore wounded.
+
+"Jesu, mercy," said the King, "where are all my noble knights become?
+Alas that ever I should see this doleful day.  Now I am come to mine
+end.  But would to God that I wist where is that traitor Sir Mordred,
+that 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 Arthur unto Sir
+Lucan, "for yonder I have espied the traitor that all this woe hath
+wrought."
+
+"Sir, let him be," said Sir Lucan.  "If ye pass this evil day, ye shall
+be right well revenged upon him.  My lord remember ye of your night's
+dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you last night.  God of
+His great goodness hath preserved you hitherto.  Therefore, for God's
+sake, my lord, leave off with this.  For blessed be God, ye have won
+the field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none.
+If ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is past."
+
+"Tide me death, betide me life," saith the King, "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I
+never have him."  Then he gat his spear in both his hands, and ran
+towards Sir Mordred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death day come."
+
+When Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword drawn
+in his hand, and then King Arthur smote him under the shield with a
+foin of his spear throughout the body.  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 his uncle
+Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head
+so 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 and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heaved him up, and
+so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little chapel not far
+from the seaside.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR
+
+When the King was laid in the chapel he thought himself well eased.
+Then heard they people cry in the field, and Sir Lucan went out to wit
+what the noise betokened.  As he went he saw and heard in the moonlight
+how the plunderers and robbers were come into the battlefield to
+pillage and rob many a full noble knight of rings and jewels; and who
+that were not dead all out, 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 my
+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, my head
+works so.  Ah, Sir Launcelot, 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 and Sir Bedivere took up the King, and in the lifting
+the King swooned, and Sir Lucan, that was grievously wounded in many
+places, also fell in a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble
+knight died.  When King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir
+Lucan dead and Sir Bedivere weeping for his brother, and he said: "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.
+Yet, Sir Bedivere, weeping and mourning will not avail me; for wit thou
+well, if I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me
+evermore.  But my time hieth fast.  Therefore, Sir Bedivere, take thou
+Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder waterside, and when
+thou comest there, I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come
+again, and tell me what thou there seest."
+
+"My lord," said Bedivere, "your commandment shall be done, and I will
+lightly bring you word again."
+
+So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble sword,
+whose pommel and haft were all of precious stones, and then he said to
+himself, "If I throw this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never
+come good, but harm and loss."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he might
+he came again unto the King, and said he had been at the water, and had
+thrown the sword into the water.
+
+"What sawest thou there?" said the King.
+
+"Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but waves and winds."
+
+"That is untruly said of thee," said the King; "therefore go thou
+lightly again, and do my command as thou art to me lief and dear; spare
+not, but throw it."
+
+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 again he hid the sword, and returned, and told the King that he had
+been at the water, and done his commandment.
+
+"What sawest thou there?" said the King.
+
+"Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but the waters lap and the waves toss."
+
+"Ah, traitor, untrue," said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me
+twice.  Who would have thought that thou that hast been to me so lief
+and dear, and that art named a noble knight, wouldest betray me for the
+riches of the sword.  But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying
+putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold.  And
+unless thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay
+thee with mine own hands, for thou wouldest 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 waterside.  There he bound the girdle about the
+hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water 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 vanished
+away the hand with the sword in the water.
+
+So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and told him what he saw.
+"Alas," said the King, "help me thence, for I fear me I have tarried
+over long."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere took the King upon his back, and so went with him to
+that waterside.  And when they were at the waterside, even fast by the
+bank hove a little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and among them
+all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and all they wept and
+shrieked when they saw King Arthur.
+
+[Illustration: The Passing of 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 they set
+him 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 caught over much cold."
+
+And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all these
+ladies go from him.  Then he 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 the King, "and do as well as thou mayest, for
+in me is no trust for to trust in.  For I will into the vale of
+Avilion, to heal me of my grievous wound.  And if thou hear never more
+of me, pray for my soul."
+
+Ever the queens and the ladies wept and shrieked, that it was pity to
+hear.  And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge he
+wept and wailed, and so took the forest, and he went all that night;
+and in the morning he was ware betwixt two ancient cliffs of a chapel
+and an hermitage, and he was glad.
+
+When he came into the chapel he saw a hermit praying by a tomb new
+graven.  The hermit was the Bishop of Canterbury that Sir Mordred had
+banished, and Sir Bedivere asked him what man was there interred.
+
+"Fair son," said the hermit, "I wot not verily, but this night, at
+midnight, here came a 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."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere knew that King Arthur lay buried in that chapel, and
+he prayed the hermit that he might abide with him still there.  So
+there abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that was tofore Bishop of
+Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere put on poor clothes, and served the
+hermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers.
+
+Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be authorised,
+nor more of the certainty of his death heard I tell, but that he was
+thus led away in a ship wherein were three queens.  The hermit that
+some time was Bishop of Canterbury bare witness that ladies brought a
+knight to his burial in the chapel, but the hermit knew not in certain
+that it was verily the body of King Arthur;--for this tale Sir
+Bedivere, knight of the Round Table, made to be written.
+
+Some men still say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not
+dead, but tarried by the will of our Lord Jesu in another place.  And
+men say that he shall come again, and shall win the holy cross.  I will
+not say it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he
+changed his life.  But many men say that there is written upon his tomb
+these words: "_Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quondam Rex que futurus_": "_Here
+lies Arthur, King that was and King that shall be._"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+OF THE END OF THIS BOOK
+
+When Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and all the
+noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then she stole away,
+and five ladies with her, and so she went to Almesbury, and there she
+let make herself a nun, and lived in fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds,
+that all manner of people marvelled how virtuously she was changed.
+And there she was abbess and ruler, as reason would.
+
+When Sir Launcelot of the Lake heard in his country that Sir Mordred
+was crowned king, and made war against his uncle, then he made all
+haste with ships and galleys to go unto England.  So he passed over the
+sea till he came to Dover.  There the people told him how that King
+Arthur was slain, and Sir Mordred, and an hundred thousand died on a
+day, and how Sir Mordred gave King Arthur there the first battle at his
+landing, and how there was good Sir Gawaine slain.  And then certain
+people of the town brought him unto the castle of Dover, and showed him
+the tomb.  And he made a dole for Sir Gawaine, and all the priests and
+clerks that might be gotten in the country were there and sang mass of
+requiem.
+
+Two nights Sir Launcelot lay on Sir Gawaine's tomb in prayers and in
+weeping, and then on the third day he called his kings, dukes, earls,
+barons, and knights, 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 against death may no man rebel.
+Since 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.  Therefore ye
+all abide me here fifteen days, and then, if I come not again, take
+your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country."
+
+So Sir Launcelot rode forth alone on his journey into the west country.
+There he sought seven or eight days, and at the last came to the
+nunnery where was Queen Guenever.  Once only he had speech with her,
+and then took his horse and rode away to forsake the world, as she had
+done.
+
+He rode all that day and all that night in a forest, and at the last he
+was ware of an hermitage and a chapel betwixt two cliffs.  Thither he
+rode, and there found Sir Bedivere with the Bishop of Canterbury, for
+he was come to their hermitage.  And then he besought the Bishop that
+he might remain there as a brother.  The Bishop would gladly have it
+so, and there he put hermit's clothes upon Sir Launcelot, and there Sir
+Launcelot served God day and night with prayers and fasting.
+
+The great host abode in Dover fifteen days, as Sir Launcelot had bidden
+them.  Then, since Sir Launcelot did not return, Sir Bors of Ganis made
+them take ship and return home again to Benwick.  But Sir Bors himself
+and others of Sir Launcelot's kin took on them to ride all England
+across and endlong, to seek Sir Launcelot.  So Sir Bors by fortune rode
+so long till he came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot and Sir
+Bedivere were, and he prayed the Bishop that he also might remain and
+be of their fellowship.  So there was an habit put upon him, and there
+he lived in prayers and fasting.  And within half a year there were
+come seven other knights, and when they saw Sir Launcelot, they had no
+list to depart, but took such an habit as he had.
+
+Thus they remained in true devotion six years, and Sir Launcelot took
+the habit of priesthood.  And there were none of those other knights
+but read in books, and holp in the worship and did bodily all manner of
+service.  And so their horses went where they would, for they took no
+regard of worldly riches.
+
+Thus upon a night there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him
+to haste unto Almesbury, for Queen Guenever was dead, and he should
+fetch the corpse and bury her by her husband, the noble King Arthur.
+Then Sir Launcelot rose up ere day, took seven fellows with him, and on
+foot they went from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more
+than thirty miles.  They came thither within two days, for they were
+weak and feeble to go, and found that Queen Guenever had died but half
+an hour before.  The ladies said she had told them all, ere she passed,
+that Sir Launcelot had been a priest near a twelvemonth, and that he
+came thither as fast as he might, to take her corpse to Glastonbury for
+burial.
+
+So Sir Launcelot and his seven fellows went back on foot beside the
+corpse of Queen Guenever from Almesbury unto Glastonbury, and they
+buried her with solemn devotion in the chapel at the hermitage.  When
+she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned, for he remembered the
+noblesse and kindness that was both with the King and with herself, and
+how by his fault and his pride they were both laid full low.  Then Sir
+Launcelot sickened more and more, and within six weeks afterwards Sir
+Bors and his fellows found him dead in his bed.  The Bishop did his
+mass of requiem, and he and all the nine knights went with the corpse
+till they came to Joyous Gard, his own castle, and there they buried
+him in the choir of the chapel, as he had wished, with great devotion.
+Thereafter the knights went all with the Bishop of Canterbury back to
+his hermitage.
+
+Then Sir Constantine of Cornwall was chosen King of England, a full
+noble knight that honourably ruled this realm.  And this King
+Constantine sent for the Bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say where
+he was, and so was he restored unto his bishopric, and left that
+hermitage.  Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's end,
+but the French book maketh mention that Sir Bors and three of the
+knights that were with him at the hermitage went into the Holy Land,
+and there did many battles upon the miscreant Turks, and there they
+died upon a Good Friday, for God's sake.
+
+
+Here is the end of the book of King Arthur and his noble knights of the
+Round Table, that when they were whole together were ever an hundred
+and forty.  And here is the end of the Death of Arthur.  I pray you all
+gentlemen and gentlewomen that read this book of 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 ended the ninth year of the reign of King
+Edward the Fourth by Sir Thomas Maleore, knight, as Jesu help him for
+his great might, as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night.
+
+_Thus endeth thys noble and joyous book entytled Le Morte Darthur.
+Notwithstanding, it treateth of the byrth, lyf and actes of the sayd
+Kynge Arthur, of his noble knyghtes of the Round Table, theyr
+mervayllous enquestes and adventures, the achyevying of the Holy Grail,
+and in the end the dolourous deth and departyng out of thys world of
+them al.  Whiche book was reduced in to englysshe by Syr Thomas Malory
+knyght as afore is sayd, and by me enprynted and fynyshed in the abbey
+Westminster the last day of July, the yere of our Lord MCCCCLXXXV._
+
+_Caxton me fieri fecit._
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS
+KNIGHTS***
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