initial commit of ebook 26646HEADmain

452 files changed, 30798 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/26646-8.txt b/26646-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f2d943
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10178 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Book of Romance
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Andrew Lang
+
+Illustrator: H. J. Ford
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2008 [EBook #26646]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+        [Illustration: LANCELOT BEARS OFF GUENEVERE (p. 153)]
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                           BOOK OF ROMANCE
+
+
+
+
+                              EDITED BY
+
+                             ANDREW LANG
+
+
+             _WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. J. FORD_
+
+
+
+
+                       LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
+
+                      39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
+
+                         NEW YORK AND BOMBAY
+
+                                 1902
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright 1902
+
+                                  BY
+
+                        LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_PREFACE_
+
+
+It is to be supposed that children do not read Prefaces; these are
+Bluebeard's rooms, which they are not curious to unlock. A few words
+may therefore be said about the Romances contained in this book. In
+the editor's opinion, romances are only fairy tales grown up. The
+whole mass of the plot and incident of romance was invented by nobody
+knows who, nobody knows when, nobody knows where. Almost every people
+has the Cinderella story, with all sorts of variations: a boy hero in
+place of a girl heroine, a beast in place of a fairy godmother, and so
+on. The Zuñis, an agricultural tribe of New Mexico, have a version in
+which the moral turns out to be against poor Cinderella, who comes to
+an ill end. The Red Indians have the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice,
+told in a very touching shape, but without the music. On the other
+hand, the negroes in the States have the Orpheus tale, adapted to
+plantation life, in a form which is certainly borrowed from Europeans.
+This version was sent to me some years ago, by Mr. Barnet Phillips,
+Brooklyn, New York, and I give it here for its curiosity. If the
+proper names, Jim Orpus and Dicey, had not been given, we might not
+feel absolutely certain that the story was borrowed. It is a good
+example of adaptation from the heroic age of Greece to the servile age
+of Africans.
+
+
+DICEY AND ORPUS
+
+
+Dat war eber so long ago, 'cause me granmammy tell me so. It h'aint no
+white-folks yarn--no Sah. Gall she war call Dicey, an' she war borned
+on de plantation. Whar Jim Orpus kum from, granmammy she disremember.
+He war a boss-fiddler, he war, an' jus' that powerful, dat when de
+mules in de cotton field listen to um, dey no budge in de furrer.
+Orpus he neber want no mess of fish, ketched wid a angle. He just take
+him fiddle an' fool along de branch, an' play a tune, an' up dey
+comes, an' he cotch 'em in he hans. He war mighty sot on Dicey, an'
+dey war married all proper an' reg'lar. Hit war so long ago, dat de
+railroad war a bran-new spick an' span ting in dose days. Dicey once
+she lounge 'round de track, 'cause she tink she hear Orpus a fiddlin'
+in de fur-fur-away. Onyways de hengine smash her. Den Jim Orpus he
+took on turrible, an' when she war buried, he sot him down on de
+grave, an' he fiddle an' he fiddle till most yo' heart was bruk.
+
+An' he play so long dat de groun' crummle (crumble) an' sink, an' nex'
+day, when de peoples look for Jim Orpus, dey no find um; oney big-hole
+in de lot, an' nobody never see Jim Orpus no mo'. An' dey do say, dat
+ef yo' go inter a darky's burial-groun', providin' no white man been
+planted thar, an' yo' clap yo' ear to de groun', yo' can hear Jim's
+fiddle way down deep belo', a folloin' Dicey fru' de lan' of de Golden
+Slippah.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: Mr. Phillips, writing in 1896, says that the tale was
+told him by a plantation hand, thirty years ago, 'long before the
+Uncle Remus period.']
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The original touch, the sound of Orpus's fiddle heard only in the
+graveyards of the negroes (like the fairy music under the fairy hill
+at Ballachulish), is very remarkable. Now the Red Indian story has no
+harper, and no visit by the hero to the land of the dead. His grief
+brings his wife back to him, and he loses her again by breaking a
+taboo, as Orpheus did by looking back, a thing always forbidden. Thus
+we do not know whether or not the Red Indian version is borrowed from
+the European myth, probably enough it is not. But in no case--not
+even when the same plot and incidents occur among Egyptians and the
+Central Australian tribes, or among the frosty Samoyeds and Eskimo,
+the Samoans, the Andamanese, the Zulus, and the Japanese, as well as
+among Celts and ancient Greeks--can we be absolutely certain that the
+story has not been diffused and borrowed, in the backward of time.
+Thus the date and place of origin of these eternal stories, the
+groundwork of ballads and popular tales, can never be ascertained. The
+oldest known version may be found in the literature of Egypt or
+Chaldæa, but it is an obvious fallacy to argue that the place of
+origin must be the place where the tale was first written down in
+hieroglyph or cuneiform characters.
+
+There the stories are: they are as common among the remotest savages
+as among the peasants of Hungary, France, or Assynt. They bear all the
+birth-marks of an early society, with the usual customs and
+superstitions of man in such a stage of existence. Their oldest and
+least corrupted forms exist among savages, and people who do not read
+and write. But when reading and writing and a class of professional
+minstrels and tellers of tales arose, these men invented no new plots,
+but borrowed the plots and incidents of the world-old popular stories.
+They adapted these to their own condition of society, just as the
+plantation negroes adapted Orpheus and Eurydice. They elevated the
+nameless heroes and heroines into Kings, Queens, and Knights,
+Odysseus, Arthur, Charlemagne, Diarmid, and the rest. They took an
+ancient popular tale, known all over the earth, and attributed the
+adventures of the characters to historical persons, like Charlemagne
+and his family, or to Saints, for the legends of early Celtic Saints
+are full of fairy-tale materials. Characters half historic, half
+fabulous, like Arthur, were endowed with fairy gifts, and inherited
+the feats of nameless imaginary heroes.
+
+The results of this uncritical literary handling of elements really
+popular were the national romances of Arthur, of Charlemagne, of
+Sigurd, or of Etzel. The pagan legends were Christianised, like that
+of Beowulf; they were expanded into measureless length, whole cycles
+were invented about the heroic families; poets altered the materials
+each in his own way and to serve his own purpose, and often to glorify
+his own country. If the Saracens told their story of Roland at
+Roncevalles, it would be very different from that of the old Frankish
+_chansons de geste_. Thus the romances are a mixture of popular tales,
+of literary invention, and of history as transmitted in legend. To the
+charm of fairy tale they add the fascination of the age of chivalry,
+yet I am not sure but that children will prefer the fairy tale pure
+and simple, nor am I sure that their taste would be wrong, if they
+did.
+
+In the versions here offered, the story of Arthur is taken mainly from
+Malory's compilation, from sources chiefly French, but the opening of
+the Graal story is adapted from Mr. Sebastian Evans's 'High History of
+the Holy Graal,' a masterpiece of the translator's art. For permission
+to adapt this chapter I have to thank the kindness of Mr. Evans.
+
+The story of Roland is from the French Epic, probably of the eleventh
+century, but resting on earlier materials, legend and ballad. William
+Short Nose is also from the _chanson de geste_ of that hero.
+
+The story of Diarmid, ancient Irish and also current among the
+Dalriadic invaders of Argyle, is taken from the translations in the
+Transactions of the Ossianic Society.
+
+The story of Robin Hood is from the old English ballads of the
+courteous outlaw, whose feast, in Scotland, fell in the early days of
+May. His alleged date varies between the ages of Richard I. and Edward
+II., but all the labours of the learned have thrown no light on this
+popular hero.
+
+A child can see how _English_ Robin is, how human, and possible and
+good-humoured are his character and feats, while Arthur is half
+Celtic, half French and chivalrous, and while the deeds of the French
+Roland, and of the Celtic Diarmid, are exaggerated beyond the
+possible. There is nothing of the fairylike in Robin, and he has no
+thirst for the Ideal. Had we given the adventures of Sir William
+Wallace, from Blind Harry, it would have appeared that the Lowland
+Scots could exaggerate like other people.
+
+The story of Wayland the Smith is very ancient. An ivory in the
+British Museum, apparently of the eighth century, represents Wayland
+making the cups out of the skulls. As told here the legend is adapted
+from the amplified version by Oehlenschläger. Scott's use of the story
+in 'Kenilworth' will be remembered.
+
+All the romances are written by Mrs. Lang, except the story of Grettir
+the Strong, done by Mr. H. S. C. Everard from the saga translated by
+Mr. William Morris.
+
+A. LANG.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_CONTENTS_
+
+
+                                                     PAGE
+
+_The Drawing of the Sword_                             3
+
+_The Questing Beast_                                   9
+
+_The Sword Excalibur_                                 14
+
+_The Story of Sir Balin_                              16
+
+_How the Round Table began_                           25
+
+_The Passing of Merlin_                               31
+
+_How Morgan Le Fay tried to kill King Arthur_         33
+
+_What Beaumains asked of the King_                    38
+
+_The Quest of the Holy Graal_                         64
+
+_The Fight for the Queen_                            102
+
+_The Fair Maid of Astolat_                           113
+
+_Lancelot and Guenevere_                             132
+
+_The End of it All_                                  160
+
+_The Battle of Roncevalles_                          177
+
+_The Pursuit of Diarmid_                             215
+
+_Some Adventures of William Short Nose_              253
+
+_Wayland the Smith_                                  293
+
+_The Story of Robin Hood_                            323
+
+_The Story of Grettir the Strong_                    359
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_ILLUSTRATIONS_
+
+
+_COLOURED PLATES_
+
+_Lancelot bears off Guenevere_ (p. 153)               _Frontispiece_
+
+_Arthur meets the Lady of the Lake_              _to face p_.    14
+
+_Lancelot at the Chapel_                               "         77
+
+_Guenevere and Sir Bors_                               "        106
+
+_Lancelot brings Guenevere to Arthur_                  "        132
+
+_Alix kisses Rainouart_                                "        275
+
+_Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains_        "        301
+
+_The Chariot of Freya_                                 "        318
+
+
+_FULL-PAGE PLATES_
+
+_How Arthur drew the Sword_                      _to face p_.     4
+
+_Arthur and the Questing Beast_                        "         10
+
+_The Death of Balin and Balan_                         "         20
+
+_Merlin and Vivien_                                    "         31
+
+_Morgan Le Fay casts away the Scabbard_                "         34
+
+_Gareth and Linet_                                     "         41
+
+_Linet and the Black Knight_                           "         46
+
+_The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth_                 "         54
+
+_Sir Galahad opens the Tomb_                           "         72
+
+_Sir Percivale slays the Serpent_                      "         80
+
+_Lancelot and the Dwarf_                               "         96
+
+_Arthur and Guenevere kiss before all the People_      "        108
+
+_Elaine ties her Sleeve round Sir Lancelot's
+     Helmet_                                           "        116
+
+_The Black Barget_                                     "        127
+
+_The Archers threaten Lancelot_                        "        138
+
+_Sir Mordred_                                    _to face p_.   164
+
+_Excalibur returns to the Mere_                        "        168
+
+_Charlemagne_                                          "        178
+
+_Marsile threatens Ganélon with a Javelin_             "        184
+
+_Roland winds his horn in the Valley of
+     Roncevalles_........                              "        202
+
+_Grania questions the Druid_                           "        216
+
+_Diarmid seizes the Giant's Club_                      "        230
+
+_Diarmid and Grania in the Quicken Tree_               "        236
+
+_The Death of Diarmid_                                 "        242
+
+_Vivian's last Confession_                             "        256
+
+_The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William
+     Short Nose_                                       "        270
+
+_The Lady Gibourc with Rainouart in the
+     Kitchen_                                          "        278
+
+_Rainouart stops the Cowards_                          "        282
+
+_The Three Women by the Stream_                        "        294
+
+_Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda_             "        310
+
+_The Merman warns Banvilda in vain_                    "        314
+
+_'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin Hood_         "        346
+
+_Robin Hood shoots his last Arrow_                     "        354
+
+_Grettir feels Karr's grip_                            "        362
+
+_Grettir overthrows Thorir Redbeard_                   "        372
+
+
+IN TEXT
+
+
+                                                                PAGE
+
+_The Damsel warns Sir Balin_                                     19
+
+_How Sir Bors was saved from killing his Brother_                88
+
+_Sir Mador accuses Guenevere_                                   104
+
+_Guenevere sends her Page to Lancelot for help_                 136
+
+_Lancelot comes out of Guenevere's room_                        148
+
+_The Dream of Charlemagne_                                      193
+
+_The Captives: William Short Nose rides to the rescue_          263
+
+_The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log_                      381
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TALES OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+_THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD_
+
+
+Long, long ago, after Uther Pendragon died, there was no King in
+Britain, and every Knight hoped to seize the crown for himself. The
+country was like to fare ill when laws were broken on every side, and
+the corn which was to give the poor bread was trodden underfoot, and
+there was none to bring the evildoer to justice. Then, when things
+were at their worst, came forth Merlin the magician, and fast he rode
+to the place where the Archbishop of Canterbury had his dwelling. And
+they took counsel together, and agreed that all the lords and
+gentlemen of Britain should ride to London and meet on Christmas Day,
+now at hand, in the Great Church. So this was done. And on Christmas
+morning, as they left the church, they saw in the churchyard a large
+stone, and on it a bar of steel, and in the steel a naked sword was
+held, and about it was written in letters of gold, 'Whoso pulleth out
+this sword is by right of birth King of England.' They marvelled at
+these words, and called for the Archbishop, and brought him into the
+place where the stone stood. Then those Knights who fain would be King
+could not hold themselves back, and they tugged at the sword with all
+their might; but it never stirred. The Archbishop watched them in
+silence, but when they were faint from pulling he spoke: 'The man is
+not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find
+him. But this is my counsel--that two Knights be chosen, good and true
+men, to keep guard over the sword.'
+
+Thus it was done. But the lords and gentlemen-at-arms cried out that
+every man had a right to try to win the sword, and they decided that
+on New Year's Day a tournament should be held, and any Knight who
+would, might enter the lists.
+
+So on New Year's Day, the Knights, as their custom was, went to hear
+service in the Great Church, and after it was over they met in the
+field to make ready for the tourney. Among them was a brave Knight
+called Sir Ector, who brought with him Sir Kay, his son, and Arthur,
+Kay's foster-brother. Now Kay had unbuckled his sword the evening
+before, and in his haste to be at the tourney had forgotten to put it
+on again, and he begged Arthur to ride back and fetch it for him. But
+when Arthur reached the house the door was locked, for the women had
+gone out to see the tourney, and though Arthur tried his best to get
+in he could not. Then he rode away in great anger, and said to
+himself, 'Kay shall not be without a sword this day. I will take that
+sword in the churchyard, and give it to him'; and he galloped fast
+till he reached the gate of the churchyard. Here he jumped down and
+tied his horse tightly to a tree, then, running up to the stone, he
+seized the handle of the sword, and drew it easily out; afterwards he
+mounted his horse again, and delivered the sword to Sir Kay. The
+moment Sir Kay saw the sword he knew it was not his own, but the sword
+of the stone, and he sought out his father Sir Ector, and said to him,
+'Sir, this is the sword of the stone, therefore I am the rightful
+King.' Sir Ector made no answer, but signed to Kay and Arthur to
+follow him, and they all three went back to the church. Leaving their
+horses outside, they entered the choir, and here Sir Ector took a holy
+book and bade Sir Kay swear how he came by that sword. 'My brother
+Arthur gave it to me,' replied Sir Kay. 'How did you come by it?'
+asked Sir Ector, turning to Arthur. 'Sir,' said Arthur, 'when I rode
+home for my brother's sword I found no one to deliver it to me, and as
+I resolved he should not be swordless I thought of the sword in
+this stone, and I pulled it out.' 'Were any Knights present when you
+did this?' asked Sir Ector. 'No, none,' said Arthur. 'Then it is you,'
+said Sir Ector, 'who are the rightful King of this land.' 'But why am
+I the King?' inquired Arthur. 'Because,' answered Sir Ector, 'this is
+an enchanted sword, and no man could draw it but he who was born a
+King. Therefore put the sword back into the stone, and let me see you
+take it out.' 'That is soon done,' said Arthur replacing the sword,
+and Sir Ector himself tried to draw it, but he could not. 'Now it is
+your turn,' he said to Sir Kay, but Sir Kay fared no better than his
+father, though he tugged with all his might and main. 'Now you,
+Arthur,' and Arthur pulled it out as easily as if it had been lying in
+its sheath, and as he did so Sir Ector and Sir Kay sank on their knees
+before him. 'Why do you, my father and brother, kneel to me?' asked
+Arthur in surprise. 'Nay, nay, my lord,' answered Sir Ector, 'I was
+never your father, though till to-day I did not know who your father
+really was. You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought
+to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the
+time came I should know from whom you sprang. And now it has been
+revealed to me.' But when Arthur heard that Sir Ector was not his
+father, he wept bitterly. 'If I am King,' he said at last, 'ask what
+you will, and I shall not fail you. For to you, and to my lady and
+mother, I owe more than to anyone in the world, for she loved me and
+treated me as her son.' 'Sir,' replied Sir Ector, I only ask that you
+will make your foster-brother, Sir Kay, Seneschal[2] of all your
+lands.' 'That I will readily,' answered Arthur, 'and while he and I
+live no other shall fill that office.'
+
+[Footnote 2: 'Seneschal' means steward.]
+
+[Illustration: HOW ARTHUR DREW THE SWORD]
+
+Sir Ector then bade them seek out the Archbishop with him, and they
+told him all that had happened concerning the sword, which Arthur had
+left standing in the stone. And on the Twelfth Day the Knights and
+Barons came again, but none could draw it out but Arthur. When they
+saw this, many of the Barons became angry and cried out that they
+would never own a boy for King whose blood was no better than their
+own. So it was agreed to wait till Candlemas, when more Knights might
+be there, and meanwhile the same two men who had been chosen before
+watched the sword night and day; but at Candlemas it was the same
+thing, and at Easter. And when Pentecost came, the common people who
+were present, and saw Arthur pull out the sword, cried with one voice
+that he was their King, and they would kill any man who said
+differently. Then rich and poor fell on their knees before him, and
+Arthur took the sword and offered it upon the altar where the
+Archbishop stood, and the best man that was there made him Knight.
+After that the crown was put on his head, and he swore to his lords
+and commons that he would be a true King, and would do them justice
+all the days of his life.
+
+
+
+
+_THE QUESTING BEAST_
+
+
+But Arthur had many battles to fight and many Kings to conquer before
+he was acknowledged lord of them all, and often he would have failed
+had he not listened to the wisdom of Merlin, and been helped by his
+sword Excalibur, which in obedience to Merlin's orders he never drew
+till things were going ill with him. Later it shall be told how the
+King got the sword Excalibur, which shone so bright in his enemies'
+eyes that they fell back, dazzled by the brightness. Many Knights came
+to his standard, and among them Sir Ban, King of Gaul beyond the sea,
+who was ever his faithful friend. And it was in one of these wars,
+when King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors went to the rescue of the
+King of Cameliard, that Arthur saw Guenevere, the King's daughter,
+whom he afterwards wedded. By and by King Ban and King Bors returned
+to their own country across the sea, and the King went to Carlion, a
+town on the river Usk, where a strange dream came to him.
+
+He thought that the land was over-run with gryphons and serpents which
+burnt and slew his people, and he made war on the monsters, and was
+sorely wounded, though at last he killed them all. When he awoke the
+remembrance of his dream was heavy upon him, and to shake it off he
+summoned his Knights to hunt with him, and they rode fast till they
+reached a forest. Soon they spied a hart before them, which the King
+claimed as his game, and he spurred his horse and rode after him. But
+the hart ran fast and the King could not get near it, and the chase
+lasted so long that the King himself grew heavy and his horse fell
+dead under him. Then he sat under a tree and rested, till he heard the
+baying of hounds, and fancied he counted as many as thirty of them. He
+raised his head to look, and, coming towards him, saw a beast so
+strange that its like was not to be found throughout his kingdom. It
+went straight to the well and drank, making as it did so the noise of
+many hounds baying, and when it had drunk its fill the beast went its
+way.
+
+While the King was wondering what sort of a beast this could be, a
+Knight rode by, who, seeing a man lying under a tree, stopped and said
+to him: 'Knight full of thought and sleepy, tell me if a strange beast
+has passed this way?'
+
+'Yes, truly,' answered Arthur, 'and by now it must be two miles
+distant. What do you want with it?'
+
+'Oh sir, I have followed that beast from far,' replied he, 'and have
+ridden my horse to death. If only I could find another I would still
+go after it.' As he spoke a squire came up leading a fresh horse for
+the King, and when the Knight saw it he prayed that it might be given
+to him, 'for,' said he, 'I have followed this quest this twelvemonth,
+and either I shall slay him or he will slay me.'
+
+'Sir Knight,' answered the King, 'you have done your part; leave now
+your quest, and let me follow the beast for the same time that you
+have done.' 'Ah, fool!' replied the Knight, whose name was Pellinore,
+'it would be all in vain, for none may slay that beast but I or my
+next of kin'; and without more words he sprang into the saddle. 'You
+may take my horse by force,' said the King, 'but I should like to
+prove first which of us two is the better horseman.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR AND THE QUESTING BEAST]
+
+'Well,' answered the Knight, 'when you want me, come to this spring.
+Here you will always find me,' and, spurring his horse, he galloped
+away. The King watched him till he was out of sight, then turned to
+his squire and bade him bring another horse as quickly as he could.
+While he was waiting for it the wizard Merlin came along in the
+likeness of a boy, and asked the King why he was so thoughtful.
+
+'I may well be thoughtful,' replied the King, 'for I have seen the
+most wonderful sight in all the world.'
+
+'That I know well,' said Merlin, 'for I know all your thoughts. But it
+is folly to let your mind dwell on it, for thinking will mend nothing.
+I know, too, that Uther Pendragon was your father, and your mother was
+the Lady Igraine.'
+
+'How can a boy like you know that?' cried Arthur, growing angry; but
+Merlin only answered, 'I know it better than any man living,' and
+passed, returning soon after in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore, and sitting down by the well to rest.
+
+'What makes you so sad?' asked he.
+
+'I may well be sad,' replied Arthur, 'there is plenty to make me so.
+And besides, there was a boy here who told me things that he had no
+business to know, and among them the names of my father and mother.'
+
+'He told you the truth,' said the old man, 'and if you would have
+listened he could have told you still more; how that your sister shall
+have a child who shall destroy you and all your Knights.'
+
+'Who are you?' asked Arthur, wondering.
+
+'I am Merlin, and it was I who came to you in the likeness of a boy. I
+know all things; how that you shall die a noble death, being slain in
+battle, while my end will be shameful, for I shall be put alive into
+the earth.'
+
+There was no time to say more, for the man brought up the King's
+horse, and he mounted, and rode fast till he came to Carlion.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SWORD EXCALIBUR_
+
+
+King Arthur had fought a hard battle with the tallest Knight in all
+the land, and though he struck hard and well, he would have been slain
+had not Merlin enchanted the Knight and cast him into a deep sleep,
+and brought the King to a hermit who had studied the art of healing,
+and cured all his wounds in three days. Then Arthur and Merlin waited
+no longer, but gave the hermit thanks and departed.
+
+As they rode together Arthur said, 'I have no sword,' but Merlin bade
+him be patient and he would soon give him one. In a little while they
+came to a large lake, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an
+arm rising out of the water, holding up a sword. 'Look!' said Merlin,
+'that is the sword I spoke of.' And the King looked again, and a
+maiden stood upon the water. 'That is the Lady of the Lake,' said
+Merlin, 'and she is coming to you, and if you ask her courteously she
+will give you the sword.' So when the maiden drew near Arthur saluted
+her and said, 'Maiden, I pray you tell me whose sword is that which an
+arm is holding out of the water? I wish it were mine, for I have lost
+my sword.'
+
+'That sword is mine, King Arthur,' answered she, 'and I will give it
+to you, if you in return will give me a gift when I ask you.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR MEETS THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND GETS THE SWORD
+EXCALIBUR]
+
+'By my faith,' said the King, 'I will give you whatever gift you ask.'
+'Well,' said the maiden, 'get into the barge yonder, and row yourself
+to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you.' For this was the
+sword Excalibur. 'As for _my_ gift, I will ask it in my own time.'
+Then King Arthur and Merlin dismounted from their horses and tied them
+up safely, and went into the barge, and when they came to the place
+where the arm was holding the sword Arthur took it by the handle, and
+the arm disappeared. And they brought the sword back to land. As they
+rode the King looked lovingly on his sword, which Merlin saw, and,
+smiling, said, 'Which do you like best, the sword or the scabbard?' 'I
+like the sword,' answered Arthur. 'You are not wise to say that,'
+replied Merlin, 'for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword, and as
+long as it is buckled on you you will lose no blood, however sorely
+you may be wounded.' So they rode into the town of Carlion, and
+Arthur's Knights gave them a glad welcome, and said it was a joy to
+serve under a King who risked his life as much as any common man.
+
+
+
+
+_THE STORY OF SIR BALIN_
+
+
+In those days many Kings reigned in the Islands of the Sea, and they
+constantly waged war upon each other, and on their liege lord, and
+news came to Arthur that Ryons, King of North Wales, had collected a
+large host and had ravaged his lands and slain some of his people.
+When he heard this, Arthur rose in anger, and commanded that all
+lords, Knights, and gentlemen of arms should meet him at Camelot,
+where he would call a council, and hold a tourney.
+
+From every part the Knights flocked to Camelot, and the town was full
+to overflowing of armed men and their horses. And when they were all
+assembled, there rode in a damsel, who said she had come with a
+message from the great Lady Lile of Avelion, and begged that they
+would bring her before King Arthur. When she was led into his presence
+she let her mantle of fur slip off her shoulders, and they saw that by
+her side a richly wrought sword was buckled. The King was silent with
+wonder at the strange sight, but at last he said, 'Damsel, why do you
+wear this sword? for swords are not the ornaments of women.' 'Oh, my
+lord,' answered she, 'I would I could find some Knight to rid me of
+this sword, which weighs me down and causes me much sorrow. But the
+man who will deliver me of it must be one who is mighty of his hands,
+and pure in his deeds, without villainy, or treason. If I find a
+Knight such as this, he will draw this sword out of its sheath, and
+he only. For I have been at the Court of King Ryons, and he and his
+Knights tried with all their strength to draw the sword and they could
+not.'
+
+'Let me see if I can draw it,' said Arthur, 'not because I think
+myself the best Knight, for well I know how far I am outdone by
+others, but to set them an example that they may follow me.' With that
+the King took the sword by the sheath and by the girdle, and pulled at
+it with all his force, but the sword stuck fast. 'Sir,' said the
+damsel, 'you need not pull half so hard, for he that shall pull it out
+shall do it with little strength.' 'It is not for me,' answered
+Arthur, 'and now, my Barons, let each man try his fortune.' So most of
+the Knights of the Round Table there present pulled, one after
+another, at the sword, but none could stir it from its sheath. 'Alas!
+alas!' cried the damsel in great grief, 'I thought to find in this
+Court Knights that were blameless and true of heart, and now I know
+not where to look for them.' 'By my faith,' said Arthur, 'there are no
+better Knights in the world than these of mine, but I am sore
+displeased that they cannot help me in this matter.'
+
+Now at that time there was a poor Knight at Arthur's Court who had
+been kept prisoner for a year and a half because he had slain the
+King's cousin. He was of high birth and his name was Balin, and after
+he had suffered eighteen months the punishment of his misdeed the
+Barons prayed the King to set him free, which Arthur did willingly.
+When Balin, standing apart beheld the Knights one by one try the
+sword, and fail to draw it, his heart beat fast, yet he shrank from
+taking his turn, for he was meanly dressed, and could not compare with
+the other Barons. But after the damsel had bid farewell to Arthur and
+his Court, and was setting out on her journey homewards, he called to
+her and said, 'Damsel, I pray you to suffer me to try your sword, as
+well as these lords, for though I am so poorly clothed, my heart is as
+high as theirs.' The damsel stopped and looked at him, and answered,
+'Sir, it is not needful to put you to such trouble, for where so many
+have failed it is hardly likely that you will succeed.' 'Ah! fair
+damsel,' said Balin, 'it is not fine clothes that make good deeds.'
+'You speak truly,' replied the damsel, 'therefore do what you can.'
+Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and pulled it out
+easily, and when he looked at the sword he was greatly pleased with
+it. The King and the Knights were dumb with surprise that it was Balin
+who had triumphed over them, and many of them envied him and felt
+anger towards him. 'In truth,' said the damsel, 'this is the best
+Knight that I ever found, but, Sir, I pray you give me the sword
+again.'
+
+'No,' answered Balin, 'I will keep it till it is taken from me by
+force.' 'It is for your sake, not mine, that I ask for it,' said the
+damsel, 'for with that sword you shall slay the man you love best, and
+it shall bring about your own ruin.' 'I will take what befalls me,'
+replied Balin, 'but the sword I will not give up, by the faith of my
+body.' So the damsel departed in great sorrow. The next day Sir Balin
+left the Court, and, armed with his sword, set forth in search of
+adventures, which he found in many places where he had not thought to
+meet with them. In all the fights that he fought, Sir Balin was the
+victor, and Arthur, and Merlin his friend, knew that there was no
+Knight living of greater deeds, or more worthy of worship. And he was
+known to all as Sir Balin le Savage, the Knight of the two swords.
+
+One day he was riding forth when at the turning of a road he saw a
+cross, and on it was written in letters of gold, 'Let no Knight ride
+towards this castle.' Sir Balin was still reading the writing when
+there came towards him an old man with white hair, who said, 'Sir
+Balin le Savage, this is not the way for you, so turn again and choose
+some other path.' And so he vanished, and a horn blew loudly, as a
+horn is blown at the death of a beast. 'That blast,' said Balin, 'is
+for me, but I am still alive,' and he rode to the castle, where a
+great company of knights and ladies met him and welcomed him, and made
+him a feast. Then the lady of the castle said to him, 'Knight with the
+two swords, you must now fight a Knight that guards an island, for it
+is our law that no man may leave us without he first fight a tourney.'
+
+[Illustration: The Damsel Warns Sir Balin.]
+
+'That is a bad custom,' said Balin, 'but if I must I am ready; for
+though my horse is weary my heart is strong.'
+
+'Sir,' said a Knight to him, 'your shield does not look whole to me; I
+will lend you another'; so Balin listened to him and took the shield
+that was offered, and left his own with his own coat of arms behind
+him. He rode down to the shore, and led his horse into a boat, which
+took them across. When he reached the other side, a damsel came to him
+crying, 'O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield behind you?
+Alas! you have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield you
+should have been known. I grieve over your doom, for there is no man
+living that can rival you for courage and bold deeds.'
+
+'I repent,' answered Balin, 'ever having come into this country, but
+for very shame I must go on. Whatever befalls me, either for life or
+death, I am ready to take it.' Then he examined his armour, and saw
+that it was whole, and mounted his horse.
+
+As he went along the path he beheld a Knight come out of a castle in
+front, clothed in red, riding a horse with red trappings. When this
+red Knight looked on the two swords, he thought for a moment it was
+Balin, but the shield did not bear Balin's device. So they rode at
+each other with their spears, and smote each other's shields so hard
+that both horses and men fell to the ground with the shock, and the
+Knights lay unconscious on the ground for some minutes. But soon they
+rose up again and began the fight afresh, and they fought till the
+place was red with their blood, and they had each seven great wounds.
+'What Knight are you?' asked Balin le Savage, pausing for breath, 'for
+never before have I found any Knight to match me.' 'My name,' said he,
+'is Balan, brother to the good Knight Balin.'
+
+[Illustration: The Death of Balin and Balan]
+
+'Alas!' cried Balin, 'that I should ever live to see this day,' and he
+fell back fainting to the ground. At this sight Balan crept on his
+feet and hands, and pulled off Balin's helmet, so that he might see
+his face. The fresh air revived Balin, and he awoke and said: 'O
+Balan, my brother, you have slain me, and I you, and the whole world
+shall speak ill of us both.'
+
+'Alas,' sighed Balan, 'if I had only known you! I saw your two swords,
+but from your shield I thought you had been another knight.'
+
+'Woe is me!' said Balin, 'all this was wrought by an unhappy knight in
+the castle, who caused me to change my shield for his. If I lived, I
+would destroy that castle that he should not deceive other men.'
+
+'You would have done well,' answered Balan, 'for they have kept me
+prisoner ever since I slew a Knight that guarded this island, and they
+would have kept you captive too.' Then came the lady of the castle and
+her companions, and listened as they made their moan. And Balan prayed
+that she would grant them the grace to lie together, there where they
+died, and their wish was given them, and she and those that were with
+her wept for pity.
+
+So they died; and the lady made a tomb for them, and put Balan's name
+alone on it, for Balin's name she knew not. But Merlin knew, and next
+morning he came and wrote it in letters of gold, and he ungirded
+Balin's sword, and unscrewed the pommel, and put another pommel on it,
+and bade a Knight that stood by handle it, but the Knight could not.
+At that Merlin laughed. 'Why do you laugh?' asked the Knight.
+'Because,' said Merlin, 'no man shall handle this sword but the best
+Knight in the world, and that is either Sir Lancelot or his son Sir
+Galahad. With this sword Sir Lancelot shall slay the man he loves
+best, and Sir Gawaine is his name.' And this was later done, in a
+fight across the seas.
+
+All this Merlin wrote on the pommel of the sword. Next he made a
+bridge of steel to the island, six inches broad, and no man could pass
+over it that was guilty of any evil deeds. The scabbard of the sword
+he left on this side of the island, so that Galahad should find it.
+The sword itself he put in a magic stone, which floated down the
+stream to Camelot, that is now called Winchester. And the same day
+Galahad came to the river, having in his hand the scabbard, and he saw
+the sword and pulled it out of the stone, as is told in another
+place.
+
+
+
+
+_HOW THE ROUND TABLE BEGAN_
+
+
+It was told in the story of the Questing Beast that King Arthur
+married the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard, but there was
+not space there to say how it came about. And as the tales of the
+Round Table are full of this lady, Queen Guenevere, it is well that
+anybody who reads this book should learn how she became Queen.
+
+After King Arthur had fought and conquered many enemies, he said one
+day to Merlin, whose counsel he took all the days of his life, 'My
+Barons will let me have no rest, but bid me take a wife, and I have
+answered them that I shall take none, except you advise me.'
+
+'It is well,' replied Merlin, 'that you should take a wife, but is
+there any woman that you love better than another?' 'Yes,' said
+Arthur, 'I love Guenevere, daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard,
+in whose house is the Round Table that my father gave him. This maiden
+is the fairest that I have ever seen, or ever shall see.' 'Sir,'
+answered Merlin, 'what you say as to her beauty is true, but, if your
+heart was not set on her, I could find you another as fair, and of
+more goodness, than she. But if a man's heart is once set it is idle
+to try to turn him.' Then Merlin asked the King to give him a company
+of knights and esquires, that he might go to the Court of King
+Leodegrance and tell him that King Arthur desired to wed his daughter,
+which Arthur did gladly. Therefore Merlin rode forth and made all the
+haste he could till he came to the Castle of Cameliard, and told King
+Leodegrance who had sent him and why.
+
+'That is the best news I have ever had,' replied Leodegrance, 'for
+little did I think that so great and noble a King should seek to marry
+my daughter. As for lands to endow her with, I would give whatever he
+chose; but he has lands enough of his own, so I will give him instead
+something that will please him much more, the Round Table which Uther
+Pendragon gave me, where a hundred and fifty Knights can sit at one
+time. I myself can call to my side a hundred good Knights, but I lack
+fifty, for the wars have slain many, and some are absent.' And without
+more words King Leodegrance gave his consent that his daughter should
+wed King Arthur. And Merlin returned with his Knights and esquires,
+journeying partly by water and partly by land, till they drew near to
+London.
+
+When King Arthur heard of the coming of Merlin and of the Knights with
+the Round Table he was filled with joy, and said to those that stood
+about him, 'This news that Merlin has brought me is welcome indeed,
+for I have long loved this fair lady, and the Round Table is dearer to
+me than great riches.' Then he ordered that Sir Lancelot should ride
+to fetch the Queen, and that preparations for the marriage and her
+coronation should be made, which was done. 'Now, Merlin,' said the
+King, 'go and look about my kingdom and bring fifty of the bravest and
+most famous Knights that can be found throughout the land.' But no
+more than eight and twenty Knights could Merlin find. With these
+Arthur had to be content, and the Bishop of Canterbury was fetched,
+and he blessed the seats that were placed by the Round Table, and the
+Knights sat in them. 'Fair Sirs,' said Merlin, when the Bishop had
+ended his blessing, 'arise all of you, and pay your homage to the
+King.' So the Knights arose to do his bidding, and in every seat was
+the name of the Knight who had sat on it, written in letters of gold,
+but two seats were empty. After that young Gawaine came to the King,
+and prayed him to make him a Knight on the day that he should wed
+Guenevere. 'That I will gladly,' replied the King, 'for you are my
+sister's son.'
+
+As the King was speaking, a poor man entered the Court, bringing with
+him a youth about eighteen years old, riding on a lean mare, though it
+was not the custom for gentlemen to ride on mares. 'Where is King
+Arthur?' asked the man. 'Yonder,' answered the Knights. 'Have you
+business with him?' 'Yes,' said the man, and he went and bowed low
+before the King: 'I have heard, O King Arthur, flower of Knights and
+Kings, that at the time of your marriage you would give any man the
+gift he should ask for.'
+
+'That is truth,' answered the King, 'as long as I do no wrong to other
+men or to my kingdom.'
+
+'I thank you for your gracious words,' said the poor man; 'the boon I
+would ask is that you would make my son a Knight.' 'It is a great boon
+to ask,' answered the King. 'What is your name?'
+
+'Sir, my name is Aries the cowherd.'
+
+'Is it you or your son that has thought of this honour?'
+
+'It is my son who desires it, and not I,' replied the man. 'I have
+thirteen sons who tend cattle, and work in the fields if I bid them;
+but this boy will do nothing but shoot and cast darts, or go to watch
+battles and look on Knights, and all day long he beseeches me to bring
+him to you, that he may be knighted also.'
+
+'What is your name?' said Arthur, turning to the young man.
+
+'Sir, my name is Tor.'
+
+'Where is your sword that I may knight you?' said the King.
+
+'It is here, my lord.'
+
+'Take it out of its sheath,' said the King, 'and require me to make
+you a Knight.' Then Tor jumped off his mare and pulled out his sword,
+and knelt before the King, praying that he might be made a Knight and
+a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+'As for a Knight, that I will make you,' said Arthur, smiting him in
+the neck with the sword, 'and if you are worthy of it you shall be a
+Knight of the Round Table.' And the next day he made Gawaine Knight
+also.
+
+[Illustration: MERLIN AND VIVIEN]
+
+
+
+
+_THE PASSING OF MERLIN._
+
+
+Sir Tor proved before long by his gallant deeds that he was worthy to
+sit in one of the two empty seats of the Round Table. Many of the
+other Knights went out also in search of adventures, and one of them,
+Sir Pellinore, brought a damsel of the lake to Arthur's Court, and
+when Merlin saw her he fell in love with her, so that he desired to be
+always in her company. The damsel laughed in secret at Merlin, but
+made use of him to tell her all she would know, and the wizard had no
+strength to say her nay, though he knew what would come of it. For he
+told King Arthur that before long he should be put into the earth
+alive, for all his cunning. He likewise told the King many things that
+should befall him, and warned him always to keep the scabbard as well
+as the sword Excalibur, and foretold that both sword and scabbard
+should be stolen from him by a woman whom he most trusted. 'You will
+miss my counsel sorely,' added Merlin, 'and would give all your lands
+to have me back again.' 'But since you know what will happen,' said
+the King, 'you may surely guard against it.' 'No,' answered Merlin,
+'that will not be.' So he departed from the King, and the maiden
+followed him whom some call Nimue and others Vivien, and wherever she
+went Merlin went also.
+
+They journeyed together to many places, both at home and across the
+seas, and the damsel was wearied of him, and sought by every means to
+be rid of him, but he would not be shaken off. At last these two
+wandered back to Cornwall, and one day Merlin showed Vivien a rock
+under which he said great marvels were hidden. Then Vivien put forth
+all her powers, and told Merlin how she longed to see the wonders
+beneath the stone, and, in spite of all his wisdom, Merlin listened to
+her and crept under the rock to bring forth the strange things that
+lay there. And when he was under the stone she used the magic he had
+taught her, and the rock rolled over him, and buried him alive, as he
+had told King Arthur. But the damsel departed with joy, and thought no
+more of him: now that she knew all the magic he could teach her.
+
+
+
+
+_HOW MORGAN LE FAY TRIED TO KILL_
+
+_KING ARTHUR_
+
+
+King Arthur had a sister called Morgan le Fay, who was skilled in
+magic of all sorts, and hated her brother because he had slain in
+battle a Knight whom she loved. But to gain her own ends, and to
+revenge herself upon the King, she kept a smiling face, and let none
+guess the passion in her heart.
+
+One day Morgan le Fay went to Queen Guenevere, and asked her leave to
+go into the country. The Queen wished her to wait till Arthur
+returned, but Morgan le Fay said she had had bad news and could not
+wait. Then the Queen let her depart without delay.
+
+Early next morning at break of day Morgan le Fay mounted her horse and
+rode all day and all night, and at noon next day reached the Abbey of
+nuns where King Arthur had gone to rest, for he had fought a hard
+battle, and for three nights had slept but little. 'Do not wake him,'
+said Morgan le Fay, who had come there knowing she would find him, 'I
+will rouse him myself when I think he has had enough sleep,' for she
+thought to steal his sword Excalibur from him. The nuns dared not
+disobey her, so Morgan le Fay went straight into the room where King
+Arthur was lying fast asleep in his bed, and in his right hand was
+grasped his sword Excalibur. When she beheld that sight, her heart
+fell, for she dared not touch the sword, knowing well that if Arthur
+waked and saw her she was a dead woman. So she took the scabbard, and
+went away on horseback.
+
+When the King awoke and missed his scabbard, he was angry, and asked
+who had been there; and the nuns told him that it was his sister
+Morgan le Fay, who had gone away with a scabbard under her mantle.
+'Alas!' said Arthur, 'you have watched me badly!'
+
+'Sir,' said they, 'we dared not disobey your sister.'
+
+'Saddle the best horse that can be found,' commanded the King, 'and
+bid Sir Ontzlake take another and come with me.' And they buckled on
+their armour and rode after Morgan le Fay.
+
+They had not gone far before they met a cowherd, and they stopped to
+ask if he had seen any lady riding that way. 'Yes,' said the cowherd,
+'a lady passed by here, with forty horses behind her, and went into
+the forest yonder.' Then they galloped hard till Arthur caught sight
+of Morgan le Fay, who looked back, and, seeing that it was Arthur who
+gave chase, pushed on faster than before. And when she saw she could
+not escape him, she rode into a lake that lay in the plain on the edge
+of the forest, and, crying out, 'Whatever may befall me, my brother
+shall not have the scabbard,' she threw the scabbard far into the
+water, and it sank, for it was heavy with gold and jewels. After that
+she fled into a valley full of great stones, and turned herself and
+her men and her horses into blocks of marble. Scarcely had she done
+this when the King rode up, but seeing her nowhere thought some evil
+must have befallen her in vengeance for her misdeeds. He then sought
+high and low for the scabbard, but could not find it, so he returned
+unto the Abbey. When Arthur was gone, Morgan le Fay turned herself and
+her horses and her men back into their former shapes and said, 'Now,
+Sirs, we may go where we will.' And she departed into the country of
+Gore, and made her towns and castles stronger than before, for she
+feared King Arthur greatly. Meanwhile King Arthur had rested himself
+at the Abbey, and afterwards he rode to Camelot, and was welcomed by
+his Queen and all his Knights. And when he told his adventures and
+how Morgan le Fay sought his death they longed to burn her for her
+treason.
+
+[Illustration: MORGAN LE FAY CASTS AWAY THE SCABBARD]
+
+The next morning there arrived a damsel at the Court with a message
+from Morgan le Fay, saying that she had sent the King her brother a
+rich mantle for a gift, covered with precious stones, and begged him
+to receive it and to forgive her in whatever she might have offended
+him. The King answered little, but the mantle pleased him, and he was
+about to throw it over his shoulders when the lady of the lake stepped
+forward, and begged that she might speak to him in private. 'What is
+it?' asked the King. 'Say on here, and fear nothing.' 'Sir,' said the
+lady, 'do not put on this mantle, or suffer your Knights to put it on,
+till the bringer of it has worn it in your presence.' 'Your words are
+wise,' answered the King, 'I will do as you counsel me. Damsel, I
+desire you to put on this mantle that you have brought me, so that I
+may see it.' 'Sir,' said she, 'it does not become me to wear a King's
+garment.' 'By my head,' cried Arthur, 'you shall wear it before I put
+it on my back, or on the back of any of my Knights,' and he signed to
+them to put it on her, and she fell down dead, burnt to ashes by the
+enchanted mantle. Then the King was filled with anger, more than he
+was before, that his sister should have dealt so wickedly by him.
+
+
+
+
+_WHAT BEAUMAINS ASKED OF THE KING_
+
+
+As Pentecost drew near King Arthur commanded that all the Knights of
+the Round Table should keep the feast at a city called Kin-Kenadon,
+hard by the sands of Wales, where there was a great castle. Now it was
+the King's custom that he would eat no food on the day of Pentecost,
+which we call Whit Sunday, until he had heard or seen some great
+marvel. So on that morning Sir Gawaine was looking from the window a
+little before noon when he espied three men on horseback, and with
+them a dwarf on foot, who held their horses when they alighted. Then
+Sir Gawaine went to the King and said, 'Sir, go to your food, for
+strange adventures are at hand.' And Arthur called the other Kings
+that were in the castle, and all the Knights of the Round Table that
+were a hundred and fifty, and they sat down to dine. When they were
+seated there entered the hall two men well and richly dressed, and
+upon their shoulders leaned the handsomest young man that ever was
+seen of any of them, higher than the other two by a cubit. He was wide
+in the chest and large handed, but his great height seemed to be a
+burden and a shame to him, therefore it was he leaned on the shoulders
+of his friends. As soon as Arthur beheld him he made a sign, and
+without more words all three went up to the high daïs, where the King
+sat. Then the tall young man stood up straight, and said: 'King
+Arthur, God bless you and all your fair fellowship, and in especial
+the fellowship of the Table Round. I have come hither to pray you to
+give me three gifts, which you can grant me honourably, for they will
+do no hurt to you or to anyone.' 'Ask,' answered Arthur, 'and you
+shall have your asking.'
+
+'Sir, this is my petition for this feast, for the other two I will ask
+after. Give me meat and drink for this one twelvemonth.' 'Well,' said
+the king, 'you shall have meat and drink enough, for that I give to
+every man, whether friend or foe. But tell me your name!'
+
+'I cannot tell you that,' answered he. 'That is strange,' replied the
+King, 'but you are the goodliest young man I ever saw,' and, turning
+to Sir Kay, the steward, charged him to give the young man to eat and
+drink of the best, and to treat him in all ways as if he were a lord's
+son. 'There is little need to do that,' answered Sir Kay, 'for if he
+had come of gentlemen and not of peasants he would have asked of you a
+horse and armour. But as the birth of a man is so are his requests.
+And seeing he has no name I will give him one, and it shall be
+Beaumains, or Fair-hands, and he shall sit in the kitchen and eat
+broth, and at the end of a year he shall be as fat as any pig that
+feeds on acorns.' So the young man was left in charge of Sir Kay, that
+scorned and mocked him.
+
+Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth when they heard what Sir Kay
+said, and bade him leave off his mocking, for they believed the youth
+would turn out to be a man of great deeds; but Sir Kay paid no heed to
+them, and took him down to the great hall, and set him among the boys
+and lads, where he ate sadly. After he had finished eating both Sir
+Lancelot and Sir Gawaine bade him come to their room, and would have
+had him eat and drink there, but he refused, saying he was bound to
+obey Sir Kay, into whose charge the King had given him. So he was put
+into the kitchen by Sir Kay, and slept nightly with the kitchen boys.
+This he bore for a whole year, and was always mild and gentle, and
+gave hard words to no one. Only, whenever the Knights played at
+tourney he would steal out and watch them. And Sir Lancelot gave him
+gold to spend, and clothes to wear, and so did Gawaine. Also, if there
+were any games held whereat he might be, none could throw a bar nor
+cast a stone as far as he by two good yards.
+
+Thus the year passed by till the feast of Whitsuntide came again, and
+this time the king held it at Carlion. But King Arthur would eat no
+meat at Whitsuntide till some adventures were told him, and glad was
+he when a squire came and said to him, 'Sir you may go to your food,
+for here is a damsel with some strange tales.' At this the damsel was
+led into the hall, and bowed low before the King, and begged he would
+give her help. 'For whom?' asked the King, 'and what is the
+adventure?' 'Sir,' answered she, 'my sister is a noble lady of great
+fame, who is besieged by a tyrant, and may not get out of her castle.
+And it is because your Knights are said to be the noblest in all the
+world that I came to you for aid.' 'What is your sister's name, and
+where does she dwell? And who is the man that besieges her, and where
+does he come from?' 'Sir King,' answered she, 'as for my sister's
+name, I cannot tell it you now, but she is a lady of great beauty and
+goodness, and of many lands. As for the tyrant who besieges her, he is
+called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.' 'I know nothing of him,' said
+the King. 'But I know him,' cried Sir Gawaine, 'and he is one of the
+most dangerous Knights in the world. Men say he has the strength of
+seven, and once when we had crossed swords I hardly escaped from him
+with my life.' 'Fair damsel,' then said the King, 'there are many
+Knights here who would go gladly to the rescue of your lady, but none
+of them shall do so with my consent unless you will tell us her name,
+and the place of her castle.' 'Then I must speak further,' said the
+damsel. But before she had made answer to the King up came Beaumains,
+and spoke to Arthur, saying, 'Sir King, I thank you that for this
+whole year I have lived in your kitchen, and had meat and drink, and
+now I will ask you for the two gifts that you promised me on this
+day.' 'Ask them,' answered the King. 'Sir, this shall be my two gifts.
+First grant me the adventure of this damsel, for it is mine by right.'
+'You shall have it,' said the King. 'Then, Sir, you shall bid Sir
+Lancelot du Lake to make me Knight, for I will receive Knighthood at
+the hands of no other.' 'All this shall be done,' said the King. 'Fie
+on you,' cried the damsel, 'will you give me none but a kitchen boy to
+rescue my lady?' and she went away in a rage, and mounted her horse.
+
+No sooner had she left the hall than a page came to Beaumains and told
+him that a horse and fair armour had been brought for him, also there
+had arrived a dwarf carrying all things that a Knight needed. And when
+he was armed there were few men that were handsomer than he, and the
+Court wondered greatly whence these splendid trappings had come. Then
+Beaumains came into the hall, and took farewell of the King, and Sir
+Gawaine and Sir Lancelot, and prayed Sir Lancelot that he would follow
+after him. So he departed, and rode after the damsel. Many looked upon
+him and marvelled at the strength of his horse, and its golden
+trappings, and envied Beaumains his shining coat of mail; but they
+noted that he had neither shield nor spear. 'I will ride after him,'
+laughed Sir Kay, 'and see if my kitchen boy will own me for his
+better.' 'Leave him and stay at home,' said Sir Gawaine and Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Kay would not listen and sprang upon his horse. Just
+as Beaumains came up with the damsel, Sir Kay reached Beaumains, and
+said, 'Beaumains, do you not know me?'
+
+Beaumains turned and looked at him, and answered, 'Yes, I know you for
+an ill-mannered Knight, therefore beware of me.' At this Sir Kay put
+his spear in rest and charged him, and Beaumains drew his sword and
+charged Sir Kay, and dashed aside the spear, and thrust him through
+the side, till Sir Kay fell down as if he had been dead, and Beaumains
+took his shield and spear for himself. Then he sprang on his own
+horse, bidding first his dwarf take Sir Kay's horse, and rode away.
+All this was seen by Sir Lancelot, who had followed him, and also by
+the damsel. In a little while Beaumains stopped, and asked Sir
+Lancelot if he would tilt with him, and they came together with such a
+shock that both the horses and their riders fell to the earth and were
+bruised sorely. Sir Lancelot was the first to rise, and he helped
+Beaumains from his horse, and Beaumains threw his shield from him, and
+offered to fight on foot. And they rushed together like wild boars,
+turning and thrusting and parrying for the space of an hour, and Sir
+Lancelot marvelled at the young man's strength, and thought he was
+more like a giant than a Knight, and dreading lest he himself should
+be put to shame, he said: 'Beaumains, do not fight so hard, we have no
+quarrel that forbids us to leave off.' 'That is true,' answered
+Beaumains, laying down his arms, 'but it does me good, my lord, to
+feel your might.' 'Well,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I promise you I had much
+ado to save myself from you unshamed, therefore have no fear of any
+other Knight.' 'Do you think I could really stand against a proved
+Knight?' asked Beaumains. 'Yes,' said Lancelot, 'if you fight as you
+have fought to-day I will be your warrant against anyone.' 'Then I
+pray you,' cried Beaumains, 'give me the order of knighthood.' 'You
+must first tell me your name,' replied Lancelot, 'and who are your
+kindred.' 'You will not betray me if I do?' asked Beaumains. 'No, that
+I will never do, till it is openly known,' said Lancelot. 'Then, Sir,
+my name is Gareth, and Sir Gawaine is my brother.' 'Ah, Sir,' cried
+Lancelot, 'I am gladder of you than ever I was, for I was sure you
+came of good blood, and that you did not come to the Court for meat
+and drink only.' And he bade him kneel, and gave him the order of
+knighthood.
+
+[Illustration: Faugh sir! You smell of ye Kitchen Gareth & Linet]
+
+After that Sir Gareth wished to go his own ways, and departed. When he
+was gone, Sir Lancelot went back to Sir Kay and ordered some men that
+were by to bear him home on a shield, and in time his wounds were
+healed; but he was scorned of all men, and especially of Sir Gawaine
+and Sir Lancelot, who told him it was no good deed to treat any young
+man so, and no one could tell what his birth might be, or what had
+brought him to the Court.
+
+Then Beaumains rode after the damsel, who stopped when she saw him
+coming. 'What are you doing here?' said she. 'Your clothes smell of
+the grease and tallow of the kitchen! Do you think to change my heart
+towards you because of yonder Knight whom you slew? No, truly! I know
+well who you are, you turner of spits! Go back to King Arthur's
+kitchen, which is your proper place.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains,
+'you may say to me what you will, but I shall not quit you whatever
+you may do, for I have vowed to King Arthur to relieve the lady in the
+castle, and I shall set her free or die fighting for her.' 'Fie on
+you, Scullion,' answered she. 'You will meet with one who will make
+you such a welcome that you would give all the broth you ever cooked
+never to have seen his face.' 'I shall do my best to fight him,' said
+Beaumains, and held his peace.
+
+Soon they entered the wood, and there came a man flying towards them,
+galloping with all his might. 'Oh, help! help! lord,' cried he, 'for
+my master lies in a thicket, bound by six thieves, and I greatly fear
+they will slay him.' 'Show me the way,' said Sir Beaumains, and they
+rode together till they reached the place where the Knight lay bound.
+Then Sir Beaumains charged the six thieves, and struck one dead, and
+another, and another still, and the other three fled, not liking the
+battle. Sir Beaumains pursued them till they turned at bay, and fought
+hard for their lives; but in the end Sir Beaumains slew them, and
+returned to the Knight and unbound him. The Knight thanked Beaumains
+heartily for his deliverance, and prayed him to come to his castle,
+where he would reward him. 'Sir,' said Beaumains, 'I was this day made
+Knight by noble Sir Lancelot, and that is reward enough for anything I
+may do. Besides, I must follow this damsel.' But when he came near her
+she reviled him as before, and bade him ride far from her. 'Do you
+think I set store by what you have done? You will soon see a sight
+that will make you tell a very different tale.' At this the Knight
+whom Beaumains had rescued rode up to the damsel, and begged that she
+would rest in his castle that night, as the sun was now setting. The
+damsel agreed, and the Knight ordered a great supper, and gave Sir
+Beaumains a seat above the seat of the damsel, who rose up in anger.
+'Fie! fie! Sir Knight,' cried she, 'you are uncourteous to set a mere
+kitchen page before me; he is not fit to be in the company of
+high-born people.' Her words struck shame into the Knight, and he took
+Beaumains and set him at a side table, and seated himself before him.
+
+In the early morning Sir Beaumains and the damsel bade farewell to the
+Knight, and rode through the forest till they came to a great river,
+where stood two Knights on the further side, guarding the passage.
+'Well, what do you say now?' asked the damsel. 'Will you fight them or
+turn back?' 'I would not turn if there were six more of them,'
+answered Sir Beaumains, and he rushed into the water and so did one of
+the Knights. They came together in the middle of the stream, and their
+spears broke in two with the force of the charge, and they drew their
+swords, hitting hard at each other. At length Sir Beaumains dealt the
+other Knight such a blow that he fell from his horse, and was drowned
+in the river. Then Beaumains put his horse at the bank, where the
+second Knight was waiting for him, and they fought long together, till
+Sir Beaumains clave his helmet in two. So he left him dead, and
+rode after the damsel. 'Alas!' she cried, 'that even a kitchen page
+should have power to destroy two such Knights! You think you have done
+mighty things, but you are wrong! As to the first Knight, his horse
+stumbled, and he was drowned before you ever touched him. And the
+other you took from behind, and struck him when he was defenceless.'
+'Damsel!' answered Beaumains, 'you may say what you will, I care not
+what it is, so I may deliver this lady.' 'Fie, foul kitchen knave, you
+shall see Knights that will make you lower your crest.' 'I pray you be
+more civil in your language,' answered Beaumains, 'for it matters not
+to me what Knights they be, I will do battle with them.' 'I am trying
+to turn you back for your own good,' answered she, 'for if you follow
+me you are certainly a dead man, as well I know all you have won
+before has been by luck.' 'Say what you will, damsel,' said he, 'but
+where you go I will follow you,' and they rode together till eventide,
+and all the way she chid him and gave him no rest.
+
+[Illustration: LINET AND THE BLACK KNIGHT]
+
+At length they reached an open space where there was a black lawn, and
+on the lawn a black hawthorn, whereon hung a black banner on one side,
+and a black shield and spear, big and long, on the other. Close by
+stood a black horse covered with silk, fastened to a black stone. A
+Knight, covered with black armour, sat on the horse, and when she saw
+him the damsel bade him ride away, as his horse was not saddled. But
+the Knight drew near and said to her, 'Damsel, have you brought this
+Knight from King Arthur's Court to be your champion?' 'No, truly,'
+answered she, 'this is but a kitchen boy, fed by King Arthur for
+charity.' 'Then why is he clad in armour?' asked the Knight; 'it is a
+shame that he should even bear you company.' 'I cannot be rid of him,'
+said she, 'he rides with me against my will. I would that you were
+able to deliver me from him! Either slay him or frighten him off, for
+by ill fortune he has this day slain the two Knights of the passage.'
+'I wonder much,' said the Black Knight, 'that any man who is well born
+should consent to fight with him.' 'They do not know him,' replied the
+damsel, 'and they think he must be a famous Knight because he rides
+with me.' 'That may be,' said the Black Knight, 'but he is well made,
+and looks likely to be a strong man; still I promise you I will just
+throw him to the ground, and take away his horse and armour, for it
+would be a shame to me to do more.' When Sir Beaumains heard him talk
+thus he looked up and said, 'Sir Knight, you are lightly disposing of
+my horse and armour, but I would have you know that I will pass this
+lawn, against your will or not, and you will only get my horse and
+armour if you win them in fair fight. Therefore let me see what you
+can do.' 'Say you so?' answered the Knight, 'now give up the lady at
+once, for it ill becomes a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high
+degree.' 'It is a lie,' said Beaumains, 'I am a gentleman born, and my
+birth is better than yours, as I will prove upon your body.'
+
+With that they drew back their horses so as to charge each other
+hotly, and for the space of an hour and a half they fought fiercely
+and well, but in the end a blow from Beaumains threw the Knight from
+his horse, and he swooned and died. Then Beaumains jumped down, and
+seeing that the Knight's horse and armour were better than his own, he
+took them for himself, and rode after the damsel. While they were thus
+riding together, and the damsel was chiding him as ever she did, they
+saw a Knight coming towards them dressed all in green. 'Is that my
+brother the Black Knight who is with you?' asked he of the damsel.
+'No, indeed,' she replied, 'this unhappy kitchen knave has slain your
+brother, to my great sorrow.' 'Alas!' sighed the Green Knight, 'that
+my brother should die so meanly at the hand of a kitchen knave.
+Traitor!' he added, turning to Beaumains, 'thou shalt die for slaying
+my brother, for he was a noble Knight, and his name was Sir Percard.'
+'I defy you,' said Beaumains, 'for I slew him as a good Knight
+should.'
+
+Then the Green Knight seized a horn which hung from a horn tree, and
+blew three notes upon it, and two damsels came and armed him, and
+fastened on him a green shield and a green spear. So the fight began
+and raged long, first on horseback and then on foot, till both were
+sore wounded. At last the damsel came and stood beside them, and said,
+'My lord the Green Knight, why for very shame do you stand so long
+fighting a kitchen knave? You ought never to have been made a Knight
+at all!' These scornful words stung the heart of the Green Knight, and
+he dealt a mighty stroke which cleft asunder the shield of Beaumains.
+And when Beaumains saw this, he struck a blow upon the Knight's helmet
+which brought him to his knees, and Beaumains leapt on him, and
+dragged him to the ground. Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and
+offered to yield himself prisoner unto Beaumains. 'It is all in vain,'
+answered Beaumains, 'unless the damsel prays me for your life,' and
+therewith he unlaced his helmet as though he would slay him. 'Fie upon
+thee, false kitchen page!' said the damsel, 'I will never pray to save
+his life, for I am sure he is in no danger.' 'Suffer me not to die,'
+entreated the Knight, 'when a word may save me!' 'Fair Knight,' he
+went on, turning to Beaumains, 'save my life, and I will forgive you
+the death of my brother, and will do you service for ever, and will
+bring thirty of my Knights to serve you likewise.' 'It is a shame,'
+cried the damsel, 'that such a kitchen knave should have you and
+thirty Knights besides.' 'Sir Knight,' said Beaumains, 'I care nothing
+for all this, but if I am to spare your life the damsel must ask for
+it,' and he stepped forward as if to slay him. 'Let be, foul knave,'
+then said the damsel, 'do not slay him. If you do, you will repent
+it.' 'Damsel,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a pleasure to me to obey
+you, and at your wish I will save his life. Sir Knight with the green
+arms, I release you at the request of this damsel, and I will fulfil
+all she charges me.'
+
+Then the Green Knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword.
+'I am sorry,' said the damsel, 'for the wounds you have received, and
+for your brother's death, for I had great need of you both, and have
+much dread of passing the forest.' 'Fear nothing,' answered the Green
+Knight, 'for this evening you shall lodge in my house, and to-morrow I
+will show you the way through the forest.' And they went with the
+Green Knight. But the damsel did not mend her ways with Beaumains, and
+ever more reviled him, till the Green Knight rebuked her, saying
+Beaumains was the noblest Knight that held a spear, and that in the
+end she would find he had sprung from some great King. And the Green
+Knight summoned the thirty Knights who did him service, and bade them
+henceforth do service to Beaumains, and keep him from treachery, and
+when he had need of them they would be ready to obey his orders. So
+they bade each other farewell, and Beaumains and the damsel rode forth
+anew. In like manner did Sir Beaumains overcome the Red Knight, who
+was the third brother, and the Red Knight cried for mercy, and offered
+to bring sixty Knights to do him service, and Beaumains spared his
+life at the request of the damsel, and likewise it so happened to Sir
+Persant of Inde.
+
+And this time the damsel prayed Beaumains to give up the fight,
+saying, 'Sir, I wonder who you are and of what kindred you have come.
+Boldly you speak, and boldly you have done; therefore I pray you to
+depart and save yourself while you may, for both you and your horse
+have suffered great fatigues, and I fear we delay too long, for the
+besieged castle is but seven miles from this place, and all the perils
+are past save this one only. I dread sorely lest you should get some
+hurt; yet this Sir Persant of Inde is nothing in might to the Knight
+who has laid siege to my lady.' But Sir Beaumains would not listen to
+her words, and vowed that by two hours after noon he would have
+overthrown him, and that it would still be daylight when they reached
+the castle. 'What sort of a man can you be?' answered the damsel,
+looking at him in wonder, 'for never did a woman treat a Knight as ill
+and shamefully as I have done you, while you have always been gentle
+and courteous to me, and no one bears himself like that save he who is
+of noble blood.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains, 'your hard words only
+drove me to strike the harder, and though I ate in King Arthur's
+kitchen, perhaps I might have had as much food as I wanted elsewhere.
+But all I have done was to make proof of my friends, and whether I am
+a gentleman or not, fair damsel, I have done you gentleman's service,
+and may perchance, do you greater service before we part from each
+other.' 'Alas, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have said and
+done against you.' 'With all my heart,' he answered, 'and since you
+are pleased now to speak good words to me, know that I hear them
+gladly, and there is no Knight living but I feel strong enough to meet
+him.'
+
+So Beaumains conquered Sir Persant of Inde, who brought a hundred
+Knights to be sworn into his service, and the next morning the damsel
+led him to the castle, where the Red Knight of the Red Lawn held fast
+the lady. 'Heaven defend you,' cried Sir Persant, when they told him
+where they were going; 'that is the most perilous Knight now living,
+for he has the strength of seven men. He has done great wrong to that
+lady, who is one of the fairest in all the world, and it seems to me
+as if this damsel must be her sister. Is not her name Linet?' 'Yes,
+Sir,' answered she, 'and my lady my sister's name is dame Lyonesse.'
+'The Red Knight has drawn out the siege for two years,' said Sir
+Persant, 'though he might have forced an entrance many a time, but he
+hoped that Sir Lancelot du Lake or Sir Tristram or Sir Gawaine should
+come to do battle with him.' 'My Lord Sir Persant of Inde,' said the
+damsel, 'I bid you knight this gentleman before he fight with the Red
+Knight.' 'That I will gladly,' replied Sir Persant, 'if it please him
+to take the order of knighthood from so simple a man as I am.' 'Sir,'
+answered Beaumains, 'I thank you for your goodwill, but at the
+beginning of this quest I was made a Knight by Sir Lancelot. My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney and Sir Gawaine is my brother, though neither
+he nor King Arthur, whose sister is my mother, knows of it. I pray you
+to keep it close also.'
+
+Now word was brought unto the besieged lady by the dwarf that her
+sister was coming to her with a Knight sent by King Arthur. And when
+the lady heard all that Beaumains had done, and how he had overthrown
+all who stood in his way, she bade her dwarf take baked venison, and
+fat capons, and two silver flagons of wine and a gold cup, and put
+them into the hands of a hermit that dwelt in a hermitage close by.
+The dwarf did so, and the lady then sent him to greet her sister and
+Sir Beaumains, and to beg them to eat and drink in the hermit's cell,
+and rest themselves, which they did. When they drew near the besieged
+castle Sir Beaumains saw full forty Knights, with spurs on their heels
+and swords in their hands, hanging from the tall trees that stood upon
+the lawn. 'Fair Sir,' said the damsel, 'these Knights came hither to
+rescue my sister, dame Lyonesse; and if you cannot overthrow the
+Knight of the Red Lawn, you will hang there too.'
+
+'Truly,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a marvel that none of King
+Arthur's Knights has dealt with the Knight of the Red Lawn ere this';
+and they rode up to the castle, which had round it high walls and deep
+ditches, till they came to a great sycamore tree, where hung a
+horn. And whoso desired to do battle with the Red Knight must blow
+that horn loudly.
+
+[Illustration: The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth]
+
+'Sir, I pray you,' said Linet, as Beaumains bent forward to seize it,
+'do not blow it till it is full noontide, for during three hours
+before that the Red Knight's strength so increases that it is as the
+strength of seven men; but when noon is come, he has the might of one
+man only.'
+
+'Ah! for shame, damsel, to say such words. I will fight him as he is,
+or not at all,' and Beaumains blew such a blast that it rang through
+the castle. And the Red Knight buckled on his armour, and came to
+where Beaumains stood. So the battle began, and a fierce one it was,
+and much ado had Beaumains to last out till noon, when the Red
+Knight's strength began to wane; they rested, and came on again, and
+in the end the Red Knight yielded to Sir Beaumains, and the lords and
+barons in the castle did homage to the victor, and begged that the Red
+Knight's life might be spared on condition they all took service with
+Beaumains. This was granted to them, and Linet bound up his wounds and
+put ointment on them, and so she did likewise to Sir Beaumains. But
+the Red Knight was sent to the Court of King Arthur, and told him all
+that Sir Beaumains had done. And King Arthur and his Knights
+marvelled.
+
+Now Sir Beaumains had looked up at the windows of Castle Perilous
+before the fight, and had seen the face of the Lady Lyonesse, and had
+thought it the fairest in all the world. After he had subdued the Red
+Knight, he hasted into the castle, and the Lady Lyonesse welcomed him,
+and he told her he had bought her love with the best blood in his
+body. And she did not say him nay, but put him off for a time. Then
+the King sent letters to her to bid her, and likewise Sir Gareth, come
+to his Court, and by the counsel of Sir Gareth she prayed the King to
+let her call a tournament, and to proclaim that the Knight who bore
+himself best should, if he was unwedded, take her and all her lands.
+But if he had a wife already he should be given a white ger-falcon,
+and for his wife a crown of gold, set about with precious stones.
+
+So the Lady Lyonesse did as Sir Gareth had counselled her, and
+answered King Arthur that where Sir Gareth was she could not tell, but
+that if the King would call a tourney he might be sure that Sir Gareth
+would come to it. 'It is well thought of,' said Arthur, and the Lady
+Lyonesse departed unto Castle Perilous, and summoned all her Knights
+around her, and told them what she had done, and how they were to make
+ready to fight in the tournament. She began at once to set her castle
+in order, and to think what she should do with the great array of
+Knights that would ride hither from the furthest parts--from Scotland
+and Wales and Cornwall--and to lodge fitly the Kings, Dukes, Earls,
+and Barons that should come with Arthur. Queen Guenevere also she
+awaited, and the Queen of Orkney, Sir Gareth's mother. But Sir Gareth
+entreated the Lady Lyonesse and those Knights that were in the castle
+with him not to let his name be known, and this they agreed to.
+
+'Sir Gareth,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I will lend you a ring, which I
+beseech you for the love you bear me to give me back when the
+tournament is done, for without it I have but little beauty. This ring
+is like no other ring, it will turn green red, and blue white, and the
+bearer shall lose no blood, however sore he may be wounded.'
+
+'Truly, my own lady,' answered Sir Gareth, 'this ring will serve me
+well, and by its help I shall not fear that any man shall know me.'
+And Sir Gringamore, brother to the Lady Lyonesse, gave him a bay
+horse, and strong armour, and a sharp sword that had once belonged to
+his father. On the morning of the fifteenth of August, when the Feast
+of the Assumption was kept, the King commanded his heralds to blow
+loudly their trumpets, so that every Knight might know that he must
+enter the lists. It was a noble sight to see them flocking clad in
+shining armour, each man with his device upon his shield. And the
+heralds marked who bare them best, and who were overthrown. All
+marvelled as to who the Knight could be whose armour sometimes seemed
+green, and sometimes white, but no man knew it was Sir Gareth. And
+whosoever Sir Gareth tilted with was straightway overthrown. 'Of a
+truth,' cried King Arthur, 'that Knight with the many colours is a
+good Knight,' and he called Sir Lancelot and bade him to challenge
+that Knight to combat. But Sir Lancelot said that though the Knight
+had come off victor in every fight, yet his limbs must be weary, for
+he had fought as a man fights under the eyes of his lady, 'and for
+this day,' said Sir Lancelot, 'he shall have the honour. Though it lay
+in my power to put it from him, I would not.'
+
+Then they paused for a while to rest, and afterwards the tournament
+began again more fiercely than before, and Sir Lancelot was set upon
+by two Knights at once. When Sir Gareth saw that, he rode in between
+them, but no stroke would he deal Sir Lancelot, which Sir Lancelot
+noted, and guessed that it was the good Knight Sir Gareth. Sir Gareth
+went hither and thither, smiting anyone that came in his way, and by
+fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawaine, and knocked off his
+helmet. Now it happened that while he was fighting a Knight dealt Sir
+Gareth a fierce blow on his helm, and he rode off the field to mend
+it. Then his dwarf, who had been watching eagerly, cried out to Sir
+Gareth to leave the ring with him, lest he should lose it while he was
+drinking, which Sir Gareth did; and when he had drunk and mended his
+helm he forgot the ring, at which the dwarf was glad, for he knew his
+name could no longer be hid. And when Sir Gareth returned to the
+field, his armour shone yellow like gold, and King Arthur marvelled
+what Knight he was, for he saw by his hair that he was the same Knight
+who had worn the many colours. 'Go,' he said to his heralds, 'ride
+near him and see what manner of Knight he is, for none can tell me his
+name.' So a herald drew close to him, and saw that on his helm was
+written in golden letters 'This helm belongs to Sir Gareth of Orkney';
+and the herald cried out and made proclamation, and the Kings and
+Knights pressed to behold him. And when Sir Gareth saw he was
+discovered, he struck more fiercely than before, and smote down Sir
+Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine. 'O brother,' said Sir Gawaine,
+'I did not think you would have smitten me!' When Sir Gareth heard him
+say that he rode out of the press, and cried to his dwarf, 'Boy, you
+have played me foul, for you have kept my ring. Give it to me now,
+that I may hide myself,' and he galloped swiftly into the forest, and
+no one knew where he had gone. 'What shall I do next?' asked he of the
+dwarf. 'Sir,' answered the dwarf, 'send the Lady Lyonesse back her
+ring.' 'Your counsel is good,' said Gareth; 'take it to her, and
+commend me to her grace, and say I will come when I may, and bid her
+to be faithful to me, as I am to her.' After that Sir Gareth rode
+deeper into the forest.
+
+Though Sir Gareth had left the tournament he found that there were as
+many fights awaiting him as if he had remained there. He overcame all
+his foes, and sent them and their followers to do homage to King
+Arthur, but he himself stayed behind. He was standing alone after they
+had gone, when he beheld an armed Knight coming towards him. Sir
+Gareth sprang on his horse, and without a word the two crashed
+together like thunder, and strove hard for two hours, till the ground
+was wet with blood. At that time the damsel Linet came riding by, and
+saw what was doing, and knew who were the fighters. And she cried 'Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave fighting with your brother Sir Gareth.'
+Then he threw down his shield and sword, and ran to Sir Gareth, and
+first took him in his arms and next kneeled down and asked mercy of
+him. 'Why do you, who were but now so strong and mighty, so suddenly
+yield to me?' asked Sir Gareth, who had not perceived the damsel. 'O
+Gareth, I am your brother, and have had much sorrow for your sake.'
+At this Sir Gareth unlaced his helm and knelt before Sir Gawaine, and
+they rose and embraced each other. 'Ah, my fair brother,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'I ought rightly to do you homage, even if you were not my
+brother, for in this twelvemonth you have sent King Arthur more
+Knights than any six of the best men of the Round Table.' While he was
+speaking there came the Lady Linet, and healed the wounds of Sir
+Gareth and of Sir Gawaine. 'What are you going to do now?' asked she.
+'It is time that King Arthur had tidings of you both, and your horses
+are not fit to bear you.'
+
+'Ride, I pray you,' said Sir Gawaine, 'to my uncle King Arthur, who is
+but two miles away, and tell him what adventure has befallen me.' So
+she mounted her mule, and when she had told her tale to King Arthur,
+he bade them saddle him a palfrey and invited all the Knights and
+ladies of his Court to ride with him. When they reached the place they
+saw Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine sitting on the hill-side. The King
+jumped off his horse, and would have greeted them, but he swooned away
+for gladness, and they ran and comforted him, and also their mother.
+
+The two Knights stayed in King Arthur's Court for eight days, and
+rested themselves and grew strong. Then said the King to Linet, 'I
+wonder that your sister, dame Lyonesse, does not come here to visit
+me, or more truly to visit my nephew, Sir Gareth, who has worked so
+hard to win her love.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Linet, 'you must, by your grace, hold her excused,
+for she does not know that Sir Gareth is here.'
+
+'Go and fetch her, then,' said Arthur.
+
+'That I will do quickly,' replied Linet, and by the next morning she
+had brought dame Lyonesse, and her brother Sir Gringamore, and forty
+Knights, but among the ladies dame Lyonesse was the fairest, save only
+Queen Guenevere. They were all welcomed of King Arthur, who turned to
+his nephew Sir Gareth and asked him whether he would have that lady to
+his wife.
+
+'My lord,' replied Sir Gareth, 'you know well that I love her above
+all the ladies in the world.'
+
+'And what say you, fair lady?' asked the King.
+
+'Most noble King,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I would sooner have Sir Gareth
+as my husband than any King or Prince that may be christened, and if I
+may not have him I promise you I will have none. For he is my first
+love, and shall be my last. And if you will suffer him to have his
+will and choice, I dare say he will have me.'
+
+'That is truth,' said Sir Gareth.
+
+'What, nephew,' cried the King, 'sits the wind in that door? Then you
+shall have all the help that is in my power,' and so said Gareth's
+mother. And it was fixed that the marriage should be at Michaelmas, at
+Kin-Kenadon by the sea-shore, and thus it was proclaimed in all places
+of the realm. Then Sir Gareth sent his summons to all the Knights and
+ladies that he had won in battle that they should be present, and he
+gave a rich ring to the Lady Lyonesse, and she gave him one likewise.
+And before she departed she had from King Arthur a shining golden bee,
+as a token. After that Sir Gareth set her on her way towards her
+castle, and returned unto the King. But he would ever be in Sir
+Lancelot's company, for there was no Knight that Sir Gareth loved so
+well as Sir Lancelot. The days drew fast to Michaelmas, and there came
+the Lady Lyonesse with her sister Linet and her brother Sir Gringamore
+to Kin-Kenadon by the sea, and there were they lodged by order of King
+Arthur. And upon Michaelmas Day the Bishop of Canterbury wedded Sir
+Gareth and the Lady Lyonesse with great ceremonies, and King Arthur
+commanded that Sir Gawaine should be joined to the damsel Linet, and
+Sir Agrawaine to the niece of dame Lyonesse, whose name was Laurel.
+Then the Knights whom Sir Gareth had won in battle came with their
+followings and did homage to him, and the Green Knight besought him
+that he might act as chamberlain at the feast, and the Red Knight that
+he might be his steward. As soon as the feast was ended, they had all
+manner of minstrelsy and games and a great tournament that lasted
+three days, but at the prayer of dame Lyonesse the King would not
+suffer that any man who was wedded should fight at that feast.
+
+
+
+
+_THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAAL_
+
+
+This is a mysterious part of the adventures of King Arthur's Knights.
+We must remember that parts of these stories are very old; they were
+invented by the heathen Welsh, or by the ancient Britons, from whom
+the Welsh are descended, and by the old pagan Irish, who spoke Gaelic,
+a language not very unlike Welsh. Then these ancient stories were
+translated by French and other foreign writers, and Christian beliefs
+and chivalrous customs were added in the French romances, and,
+finally, the French was translated into English about the time of
+Edward IV. by Sir Thomas Malory, who altered as he pleased. The Story
+of the Holy Graal, in this book, is mostly taken from Malory, but
+partly from 'The High History of the Holy Graal,' translated by Dr.
+Sebastian Evans from an old French book.
+
+What _was_ the Holy Graal? In the stories it is the holy vessel used
+by our Lord, and brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea. But in the
+older heathen Irish stories there is a mysterious vessel of a magical
+sort, full of miraculous food, and probably the French writers of the
+romances confused this with the sacred vessel brought from the Holy
+Land. On account of the sins of men this relic was made invisible, but
+now and then it appeared, borne by angels or floating in a heavenly
+light. The Knights, against King Arthur's wish, made a vow to find it,
+and gave up their duties of redressing wrongs and keeping order, to
+pursue the beautiful vision. But most of them, for their sins, were
+unsuccessful, like Sir Lancelot, and the Round Table was scattered
+and the kingdom was weakened by the neglect of ordinary duties in the
+search for what could never be gained by mortal men. This appears to
+be the moral of the story, if it has any moral. But the stories are
+confused almost like a dream, though it is a beautiful dream.
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THE KING WENT ON PILGRIMAGE, AND HIS
+
+SQUIRE WAS SLAIN IN A DREAM
+
+
+Now the King was minded to go on a pilgrimage, and he agreed with the
+Queen that he would set forth to seek the holy chapel of St.
+Augustine, which is in the White Forest, and may only be found by
+adventure. Much he wished to undertake the quest alone, but this the
+Queen would not suffer, and to do her pleasure he consented that a
+youth, tall and strong of limb, should ride with him as his squire.
+Chaus was the youth's name, and he was son to Gwain li Aoutres. 'Lie
+within to-night,' commanded the King, 'and take heed that my horse be
+saddled at break of day, and my arms ready.' 'At your pleasure, Sir,'
+answered the youth, whose heart rejoiced because he was going alone
+with the King.
+
+As night came on, all the Knights quitted the hall, but Chaus the
+squire stayed where he was, and would not take off his clothes or his
+shoes, lest sleep should fall on him and he might not be ready when
+the King called him. So he sat himself down by the great fire, but in
+spite of his will sleep fell heavily on him, and he dreamed a strange
+dream.
+
+In his dream it seemed that the King had ridden away to the quest, and
+had left his squire behind him, which filled the young man with fear.
+And in his dream he set the saddle and bridle on his horse, and
+fastened his spurs, and girt on his sword, and galloped out of the
+castle after the King. He rode on a long space, till he entered a
+thick forest, and there before him lay traces of the King's horse, and
+he followed till the marks of the hoofs ceased suddenly at some open
+ground and he thought that the King had alighted there. On the right
+stood a chapel, and about it was a graveyard, and in the graveyard
+many coffins, and in his dream it seemed as if the King had entered
+the chapel, so the young man entered also. But no man did he behold
+save a Knight that lay dead upon a bier in the midst of the chapel,
+covered with a pall of rich silk, and four tapers in golden
+candlesticks were burning round him. The squire marvelled to see the
+body lying there so lonely, with no one near it, and likewise that the
+King was nowhere to be seen. Then he took out one of the tall tapers,
+and hid the candlestick under his cloak, and rode away until he should
+find the King.
+
+On his journey through the forest he was stopped by a man black and
+ill-favoured, holding a large knife in his hand.
+
+'Ho! you that stand there, have you seen King Arthur?' asked the
+squire.
+
+'No, but I have met you, and I am glad thereof, for you have under
+your cloak one of the candlesticks of gold that was placed in honour
+of the Knight who lies dead in the chapel. Give it to me, and I will
+carry it back; and if you do not this of your own will, I will make
+you.'
+
+'By my faith!' cried the squire, 'I will never yield it to you!
+Rather, will I carry it off and make a present of it to King Arthur.'
+
+'You will pay for it dearly,' answered the man, 'if you yield it not
+up forthwith.'
+
+To this the squire did not make answer, but dashed forward, thinking
+to pass him by; but the man thrust at him with his knife, and it
+entered his body up to the hilt. And when the squire dreamed this, he
+cried, 'Help! help! for I am a dead man!'
+
+As soon as the King and the Queen heard that cry they awoke from their
+sleep, and the Chamberlain said, 'Sir, you must be moving, for it is
+day'; and the King rose and dressed himself, and put on his shoes.
+Then the cry came again: 'Fetch me a priest, for I die!' and the King
+ran at great speed into the hall, while the Queen and the Chamberlain
+followed him with torches and candles. 'What aileth you?' asked the
+King of his squire, and the squire told him of all that he had
+dreamed. 'Ha,' said the King, 'is it, then, a dream?' 'Yes, Sir,'
+answered the squire, 'but it is a right foul dream for me, for right
+foully it hath come true,' and he lifted his left arm, and said, 'Sir,
+look you here! Lo, here is the knife that was struck in my side up to
+the haft.' After that, he drew forth the candlestick, and showed it to
+the King. 'Sir, for this candlestick that I present to you was I
+wounded to the death!' The King took the candlestick in his hands and
+looked at it, and none so rich had he seen before, and he bade the
+Queen look also. 'Sir,' said the squire again, 'draw not forth the
+knife out of my body till I be shriven of the priest.' So the King
+commanded that a priest should be sent for, and when the squire had
+confessed his sins, the King drew the knife out of the body and the
+soul departed forthwith. Then the King grieved that the young man had
+come to his death in such strange wise, and ordered him a fair burial,
+and desired that the golden candlestick should be sent to the Church
+of Saint Paul in London, which at that time was newly built.
+
+After this King Arthur would have none to go with him on his quest,
+and many strange adventures he achieved before he reached the chapel
+of St. Augustine, which was in the midst of the White Forest. There he
+alighted from his horse, and sought to enter, but though there was
+neither door nor bar he might not pass the threshold. But from without
+he heard wondrous voices singing, and saw a light shining brighter
+than any that he had seen before, and visions such as he scarcely
+dared to look upon. And he resolved greatly to amend his sins, and to
+bring peace and order into his kingdom. So he set forth, strengthened
+and comforted, and after divers more adventures returned to his
+Court.
+
+
+II
+
+THE COMING OF THE HOLY GRAAL
+
+
+It was on the eve of Pentecost that all the Knights of the Table Round
+met together at Camelot, and a great feast was made ready for them.
+And as they sat at supper they heard a loud noise, as of the crashing
+of thunder, and it seemed as if the roof would fall on them. Then, in
+the midst of the thunder, there entered a sunbeam, brighter by seven
+times than the brightest day, and its brightness was not of this
+world. The Knights held their peace, but every man looked at his
+neighbour, and his countenance shone fairer than ever it had done
+before. As they sat dumb, for their tongues felt as if they could
+speak nothing, there floated in the hall the Holy Graal, and over it a
+veil of white samite, so that none might see it nor who bare it. But
+sweet odours filled the place, and every Knight had set before him the
+food he loved best; and after that the Holy Vessel departed suddenly,
+they wist not where. When it had gone their tongues were loosened, and
+the King gave thanks for the wonders that they had been permitted to
+see. After that he had finished, Sir Gawaine stood up and vowed to
+depart the next morning in quest of the Holy Graal, and not to return
+until he had seen it. 'But if after a year and a day I may not speed
+in my quest,' said he, 'I shall come again, for I shall know that the
+sight of it is not for me.' And many of the Knights there sitting
+swore a like vow.
+
+But King Arthur, when he heard this, was sore displeased. 'Alas!'
+cried he unto Sir Gawaine, 'you have undone me by your vow. For
+through you is broken up the fairest fellowship, and the truest of
+knighthood, that ever the world saw, and when they have once departed
+they shall meet no more at the Table Round, for many shall die in the
+quest. It grieves me sore, for I have loved them as well as my own
+life.' So he spoke, and paused, and tears came into his eyes. 'Ah,
+Gawaine, Gawaine! you have set me in great sorrow.'
+
+'Comfort yourself,' said Sir Lancelot, 'for we shall win for ourselves
+great honour, and much more than if we had died in any other wise,
+since die we must.' But the King would not be comforted, and the Queen
+and all the Court were troubled also for the love which they had to
+these Knights. Then the Queen came to Sir Galahad, who was sitting
+among those Knights though younger he was than any of them, and asked
+him whence he came, and of what country, and if he was son to Sir
+Lancelot. And King Arthur did him great honour, and he rested him in
+his own bed. And next morning the King and Queen went into the
+Minster, and the Knights followed them, dressed all in armour, save
+only their shields and their helmets. When the service was finished
+the King would know how many of the fellowship had sworn to undertake
+the quest of the Graal, and they were counted, and found to number a
+hundred and fifty. They bade farewell, and mounted their horses, and
+rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was weeping of both
+rich and poor, and the King could not speak for weeping. And at
+sunrise they all parted company with each other, and every Knight took
+the way he best liked.
+
+
+III
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+
+Now Sir Galahad had as yet no shield, and he rode four days without
+meeting any adventure, till at last he came to a White Abbey, where he
+dismounted and asked if he might sleep there that night. The brethren
+received him with great reverence, and led him to a chamber, where he
+took off his armour, and then saw that he was in the presence of two
+Knights. 'Sirs,' said Sir Galahad, 'what adventure brought you
+hither?' 'Sir,' replied they, 'we heard that within this Abbey is a
+shield that no man may hang round his neck without being dead within
+three days, or some mischief befalling him. And if we fail in the
+adventure, you shall take it upon you.' 'Sirs,' replied Sir Galahad,
+'I agree well thereto, for as yet I have no shield.'
+
+So on the morn they arose and heard Mass, and then a monk led them
+behind an altar where hung a shield white as snow, with a red cross in
+the middle of it. 'Sirs,' said the monk, 'this shield cannot be hung
+round no Knight's neck, unless he be the worthiest Knight in the
+world, and therefore I counsel you to be well advised.'
+
+'Well,' answered one of the Knights, whose name was King Bagdemagus,
+'I know truly that I am not the best Knight in the world, but yet
+shall I try to bear it,' and he bare it out of the Abbey. Then he said
+to Sir Galahad, 'I pray you abide here still, till you know how I
+shall speed,' and he rode away, taking with him a squire to send
+tidings back to Sir Galahad.
+
+After King Bagdemagus had ridden two miles he entered a fair valley,
+and there met him a goodly Knight seated on a white horse and clad in
+white armour. And they came together with their spears, and Sir
+Bagdemagus was borne from his horse, for the shield covered him not at
+all. Therewith the strange Knight alighted and took the white shield
+from him, and gave it to the squire, saying, 'Bear this shield to the
+good Knight Sir Galahad that thou hast left in the Abbey, and greet
+him well from me.'
+
+'Sir,' said the squire, 'what is your name?'
+
+'Take thou no heed of my name,' answered the Knight, 'for it is not
+for thee to know, nor for any earthly man.'
+
+'Now, fair Sir,' said the squire, 'tell me for what cause this shield
+may not be borne lest ill befalls him who bears it.'
+
+'Since you have asked me,' answered the Knight, 'know that no man
+shall bear this shield, save Sir Galahad only.'
+
+Then the squire turned to Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+wounded or not. 'Yes, truly,' said he, 'and I shall hardly escape from
+death'; and scarcely could he climb on to his horse's back when the
+squire brought it near him. But the squire led him to a monastery that
+lay in the valley, and there he was treated of his wounds, and after
+long lying came back to life. After the squire had given the Knight
+into the care of the monks, he rode back to the Abbey, bearing with
+him the shield. 'Sir Galahad,' said he, alighting before him, 'the
+Knight that wounded Bagdemagus sends you greeting, and bids you bear
+this shield, which shall bring you many adventures.'
+
+'Now blessed be God and fortune,' answered Sir Galahad, and called for
+his arms, and mounted his horse, hanging the shield about his neck.
+Then, followed by the squire, he set out. They rode straight to the
+hermitage, where they saw the White Knight who had sent the shield to
+Sir Galahad. The two Knights saluted each other courteously, and
+then the White Knight told Sir Galahad the story of the shield, and
+how it had been given into his charge. Afterwards they parted, and Sir
+Galahad and his squire returned unto the Abbey whence they came.
+
+[Illustration: SIR GALAHAD OPENS THE TOMB]
+
+The monks made great joy at seeing Sir Galahad again, for they feared
+he was gone for ever; and as soon as he was alighted from his horse
+they brought him unto a tomb in the churchyard where there was night
+and day such a noise that any man who heard it should be driven nigh
+mad, or else lose his strength. 'Sir,' they said, 'we deem it a
+fiend.' Sir Galahad drew near, all armed save his helmet, and stood by
+the tomb. 'Lift up the stone,' said a monk, and Galahad lifted it, and
+a voice cried, 'Come thou not nigh me, Sir Galahad, for thou shalt
+make me go again where I have been so long.' But Galahad took no heed
+of him, and lifted the stone yet higher, and there rushed from the
+tomb a foul smoke, and in the midst of it leaped out the foulest
+figure that ever was seen in the likeness of a man. 'Galahad,' said
+the figure, 'I see about thee so many angels that my power dare not
+touch thee.' Then Galahad, stooping down, looked into the tomb, and he
+saw a body all armed lying there, with a sword by his side. 'Fair
+brother,' said Galahad, 'let us remove this body, for he is not worthy
+to be in this churchyard, being a false Christian man.'
+
+This being done they all departed and returned unto the monastery,
+where they lay that night, and the next morning Sir Galahad knighted
+Melias his squire, as he had promised him aforetime. So Sir Galahad
+and Sir Melias departed thence, in quest of the Holy Graal, but they
+soon went their different ways and fell upon different adventures. In
+his first encounter Sir Melias was sore wounded, and Sir Galahad came
+to his help, and left him to an old monk who said that he would heal
+him of his wounds in the space of seven weeks, and that he was thus
+wounded because he had not come clean to the quest of the Graal, as
+Sir Galahad had done. Sir Galahad left him there, and rode on till he
+came to the Castle of Maidens, which he alone might enter who was free
+from sin. There he chased away the Knights who had seized the castle
+seven years agone, and restored all to the Duke's daughter, who owned
+it of right. Besides this he set free the maidens who were kept in
+prison, and summoned all those Knights in the country round who had
+held their lands of the Duke, bidding them do homage to his daughter.
+And in the morning one came to him and told him that as the seven
+Knights fled from the Castle of Maidens they fell upon the path of Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gareth, and Sir Lewaine, who were seeking Sir Galahad,
+and they gave battle; and the seven Knights were slain by the three
+Knights. 'It is well,' said Galahad, and he took his armour and his
+horse and rode away.
+
+So when Sir Galahad left the Castle of Maidens he rode till he came to
+a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale;
+but they knew him not, for he was now disguised. And they fought
+together, and the two Knights were smitten down out of the saddle.
+'God be with thee, thou best Knight in the world,' cried a nun who
+dwelt in a hermitage close by; and she said it in a loud voice, so
+that Lancelot and Percivale might hear. But Sir Galahad feared that
+she would make known who he was, so he spurred his horse and struck
+deep into the forest before Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale could mount
+again. They knew not which path he had taken, so Sir Percivale turned
+back to ask advice of the nun, and Sir Lancelot pressed forward.
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT AT THE CHAPEL]
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW SIR LANCELOT SAW A VISION, AND REPENTED
+
+OF HIS SINS
+
+
+He halted when he came to a stone cross, which had by it a block of
+marble, while nigh at hand stood an old chapel. He tied his horse to a
+tree, and hung his shield on a branch, and looked into the chapel, for
+the door was waste and broken. And he saw there a fair altar covered
+with a silken cloth, and a candlestick which had six branches, all of
+shining silver. A great light streamed from it, and at this sight Sir
+Lancelot would fain have entered in, but he could not. So he turned
+back sorrowful and dismayed, and took the saddle and bridle off his
+horse, and let him pasture where he would, while he himself unlaced
+his helm, and ungirded his sword, and lay down to sleep upon his
+shield, at the foot of the cross.
+
+As he lay there, half waking and half sleeping, he saw two white
+palfreys come by, drawing a litter, wherein lay a sick Knight. When
+they reached the cross they paused, and Sir Lancelot heard the Knight
+say, 'O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and when shall
+the Holy Vessel come by me, through which I shall be blessed? For I
+have endured long, though my ill deeds were few.' Thus he spoke, and
+Sir Lancelot heard it, and of a sudden the great candlestick stood
+before the cross, though no man had brought it. And with it was a
+table of silver and the Holy Vessel of the Graal, which Lancelot had
+seen aforetime. Then the Knight rose up, and on his hands and knees
+he approached the Holy Vessel, and prayed, and was made whole of his
+sickness. After that the Graal went back into the chapel, and the
+light and the candlestick also, and Sir Lancelot would fain have
+followed, but could not, so heavy was the weight of his sins upon him.
+And the sick Knight arose and kissed the cross, and saw Sir Lancelot
+lying at the foot with his eyes shut. 'I marvel greatly at this
+sleeping Knight,' he said to his squire, 'that he had no power to wake
+when the Holy Vessel was brought hither.' 'I dare right well say,'
+answered the squire, 'that he dwelleth in some deadly sin, whereof he
+was never confessed.' 'By my faith,' said the Knight, 'he is unhappy,
+whoever he is, for he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, which
+have undertaken the quest of the Graal.' 'Sir,' replied the squire,
+'you have all your arms here, save only your sword and your helm. Take
+therefore those of this strange Knight, who has just put them off.'
+And the Knight did as his squire said, and took Sir Lancelot's horse
+also, for it was better than his own.
+
+After they had gone Sir Lancelot waked up wholly, and thought of what
+he had seen, wondering if he were in a dream or not. Suddenly a voice
+spoke to him, and it said, 'Sir Lancelot, more hard than is the stone,
+more bitter than is the wood, more naked and barren than is the leaf
+of the fig tree, art thou; therefore go from hence and withdraw thee
+from this holy place.' When Sir Lancelot heard this, his heart was
+passing heavy, and he wept, cursing the day when he had been born. But
+his helm and sword had gone from the spot where he had lain them at
+the foot of the cross, and his horse was gone also. And he smote
+himself and cried, 'My sin and my wickedness have done me this
+dishonour; for when I sought worldly adventures for 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. And now I take
+upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that my
+old sin hinders me, so that I could not move nor speak when the Holy
+Graal passed by.' Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the
+birds sing, and at that he felt comforted. And as his horse was gone
+also, he departed on foot with a heavy heart.
+
+
+V
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR PERCIVALE
+
+
+All this while Sir Percivale had pursued adventures of his own, and
+came nigh unto losing his life, but he was saved from his enemies by
+the good Knight, Sir Galahad, whom he did not know, although he was
+seeking him, for Sir Galahad now bore a red shield, and not a white
+one. And at last the foes fled deep into the forest, and Sir Galahad
+followed; but Sir Percivale had no horse and was forced to stay
+behind. Then his eyes were opened, and he knew it was Sir Galahad who
+had come to his help, and he sat down under a tree and grieved sore.
+
+While he was sitting there a Knight passed by riding a black horse,
+and when he was out of sight a yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+he might, and, seeing Sir Percivale, asked if he had seen a Knight
+mounted on a black horse. 'Yes, Sir, forsooth,' answered Sir
+Percivale, 'why do you want to know?' 'Ah, Sir, that is my steed which
+he has taken from me, and wherever my lord shall find me, he is sure
+to slay me.' 'Well,' said Sir Percivale, 'thou seest that I am on
+foot, but had I a good horse I would soon come up with him.' 'Take my
+hackney,' said the yeoman, 'and do the best you can, and I shall
+follow you on foot to watch how you speed.' So Sir Percivale rode as
+fast as he might, and at last he saw that Knight, and he hailed him.
+The Knight turned and set his spear against Sir Percivale, and smote
+the hackney in the breast, so that he fell dead to the earth, and Sir
+Percivale fell with him; then the Knight rode away. But Sir Percivale
+was mad with wrath, and cried to the Knight to return and fight with
+him on foot, and the Knight answered not and went on his way. When
+Sir Percivale saw that he would not turn, he threw himself on the
+ground, and cast away his helm and sword, and bemoaned himself for the
+most unhappy of all Knights; and there he abode the whole day, and,
+being faint and weary, slept till it was midnight. And at midnight he
+waked and saw before him a woman, who said to him right fiercely, 'Sir
+Percivale, what doest thou here?' 'Neither good nor great ill,'
+answered he. 'If thou wilt promise to do my will when I call upon
+you,' said she, 'I will lend you my own horse, and he shall bear thee
+whither thou shalt choose.' This Sir Percivale promised gladly, and
+the woman went and returned with a black horse, so large and
+well-apparelled that Sir Percivale marvelled. But he mounted him
+gladly, and drove in his spurs, and within an hour and less the horse
+bare him four days' journey hence, and would have borne him into a
+rough water that roared, had not Sir Percivale pulled at his bridle.
+The Knight stood doubting, for the water made a great noise, and he
+feared lest his horse could not get through it. Still, wishing greatly
+to pass over, he made himself ready, and signed the sign of the cross
+upon his forehead.
+
+[Illustration: SIR PERCIVALE SLAYS THE SERPENT]
+
+At that the fiend which had taken the shape of a horse shook off Sir
+Percivale and dashed into the water, crying and making great sorrow;
+and it seemed to him that the water burned. Then Sir Percivale knew
+that it was not a horse but a fiend, which would have brought him to
+perdition, and he gave thanks and prayed all that night long. As soon
+as it was day he looked about him, and saw he was in a wild mountain,
+girt round with the sea and filled with wild beasts. Then he rose and
+went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young
+lion by the neck, and after that there passed a great lion, crying and
+roaring after the serpent, and a fierce battle began between them. Sir
+Percivale thought to help the lion, as he was the more natural beast
+of the twain, and he drew his sword and set his shield before him, and
+gave the serpent a deadly buffet. When the lion saw that, he made him
+all the cheer that a beast might make a man, and fawned about him like
+a spaniel, and stroked him with his paws. And about noon the lion took
+his little whelp, and placed him on his back, and bare him home again,
+and Sir Percivale, being left alone, prayed till he was comforted. But
+at eventide the lion returned, and couched down at his feet, and all
+night long he and the lion slept together.
+
+
+VI
+
+AN ADVENTURE OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+
+As Lancelot went his way through the forest he met with many hermits
+who dwelled therein, and had adventure with the Knight who stole his
+horse and his helm, and got them back again. And he learned from one
+of the hermits that Sir Galahad was his son, and that it was he who at
+the Feast of Pentecost had sat in the Siege Perilous, which it was
+ordained by Merlin that none should sit in save the best Knight in the
+world. All that night Sir Lancelot abode with the hermit and laid him
+to rest, a hair shirt always on his body, and it pricked him sorely,
+but he bore it meekly and suffered the pain. When the day dawned he
+bade the hermit farewell. As he rode he came to a fair plain, in which
+was a great castle set about with tents and pavilions of divers hues.
+Here were full five hundred Knights riding on horseback, and those
+near the castle were mounted on black horses with black trappings, and
+they that were without were on white horses and their trappings white.
+And the two sides fought together, and Sir Lancelot looked on.
+
+At last it seemed to him that the black Knights nearest the castle
+fared the worst, so, as he ever took the part of the weaker, he rode
+to their help and smote many of the white Knights to the earth and did
+marvellous deeds of arms. But always the white Knights held round Sir
+Lancelot to tire him out. And as no man may endure for ever, in the
+end Sir Lancelot waxed so faint of fighting that his arms would not
+lift themselves to deal a stroke; then they took him, and led him away
+into the forest and made him alight from his horse and rest, and when
+he was taken the fellowship of the castle were overcome for want of
+him. 'Never ere now was I at tournament or jousts but I had the best,'
+moaned Sir Lancelot to himself, as soon as the Knights had left him
+and he was alone. 'But now am I shamed, and I am persuaded that I am
+more sinful than ever I was.' Sorrowfully he rode on till he passed a
+chapel, where stood a nun, who called to him and asked him his name
+and what he was seeking.
+
+So he told her who he was, and what had befallen him at the
+tournament, and the vision that had come to him in his sleep. 'Ah,
+Lancelot,' said she, 'as long as you were a knight of earthly
+knighthood you were the most wonderful man in the world and the most
+adventurous. But now, since you are set among Knights of heavenly
+adventures, if you were worsted at that tournament it is no marvel.
+For the tournament was meant for a sign, and the earthly Knights were
+they who were clothed in black in token of the sins of which they were
+not yet purged. And the white Knights were they who had chosen the way
+of holiness, and in them the quest has already begun. Thus you beheld
+both the sinners and the good men, and when you saw the sinners
+overcome you went to their help, as they were your fellows in boasting
+and pride of the world, and all that must be left in that quest. And
+that caused your misadventure. Now that I have warned you of your
+vain-glory and your pride, beware of everlasting pain, for of all
+earthly Knights I have pity of you, for I know well that among earthly
+sinful Knights you are without peer.'
+
+
+VII
+
+AN ADVENTURE OF SIR GAWAINE
+
+
+Sir Gawaine rode long without meeting any adventure, and from
+Pentecost to Michaelmas found none that pleased him. But at Michaelmas
+he met Sir Ector de Maris and rejoiced greatly.
+
+As they sat talking there appeared before them a hand showing unto the
+elbow covered with red samite, and holding a great candle that burned
+right clear; and the hand passed into the chapel and vanished, they
+knew not where. Then they heard a voice which said, 'Knights full of
+evil faith and poor belief, these two things have failed you, and
+therefore you may not come to the adventure of the Holy Graal.' And
+this same told them a holy man to whom they confessed their sins,
+'for,' said he, 'you have failed in three things, charity, fasting,
+and truth, and have been great murderers. But sinful as Sir Lancelot
+was, since he went into the quest he never slew man, nor shall, till
+he come into Camelot again. For he has taken upon him to forsake sin.
+And were he not so unstable, he should be the next to achieve it,
+after Galahad his son. Yet shall he die an holy man, and in earthly
+sinful men he has no fellow.'
+
+'Sir,' said Gawaine, 'by your words it seems that our sins will not
+let us labour in that quest?' 'Truly,' answered the hermit, 'there be
+an hundred such as you to whom it will bring naught but shame.' So
+Gawaine departed and followed Sir Ector, who had ridden on before.
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR BORS
+
+
+When Sir Bors left Camelot on his quest he met a holy man riding on an
+ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Then the good man knew him to be one of
+the Knights who were in quest of the Holy Graal. 'What are you?' said
+he, and Sir Bors answered, 'I am a Knight that fain would be
+counselled in the quest of the Graal, for he shall have much earthly
+worship that brings it to an end.' 'That is true,' said the good man,
+'for he will be the best Knight in the world, but know well that there
+shall none attain it but by holiness and by confession of sin.' So
+they rode together till they came to the hermitage, and the good man
+led Sir Bors into the chapel, where he made confession of his sins,
+and they ate bread and drank water together. 'Now,' said the hermit,
+'I pray you that you eat none other till you sit at the table where
+the Holy Graal shall be.' 'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'I agree thereto,
+but how know you that I shall sit there?' 'That know I,' said the holy
+man, 'but there will be but few of your fellows with you. Also instead
+of a shirt you shall wear this garment until you have achieved your
+quest,' and Sir Bors took off his clothes, and put on instead a
+scarlet coat. Then the good man questioned him, and marvelled to find
+him pure in life, and he armed him and bade him go. After this Sir
+Bors rode through many lands, and had many adventures, and was often
+sore tempted, but remembered the words of the holy man and kept his
+life clean of wrong. And once he had by mischance almost slain his own
+brother, but a voice cried, 'Flee, Bors, and touch him not,' and he
+hearkened and stayed his hand. And there fell between them a fiery
+cloud, which burned up both their shields, and they two fell to the
+earth in a great swoon; but when they awakened out of it Bors saw that
+his brother had no harm. With that the voice spoke to him saying,
+'Bors, go hence and bear your brother fellowship no longer; but take
+your way to the sea, where Sir Percivale abides till you come.' Then
+Sir Bors prayed his brother to forgive him all he had unknowingly
+done, and rode straight to the sea. On the shore he found a vessel
+covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel it
+set sail so fast it might have been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and
+slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the
+midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for
+Sir Percivale, and welcomed him with great joy; and they told each
+other of their adventures and of their temptations, and had great
+happiness in each other's company. 'We lack nothing but Galahad, the
+good Knight,' Sir Percivale said.
+
+[Illustration: HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER]
+
+
+IX
+
+ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+
+Sir Galahad rested one evening at a hermitage. And while he was
+resting, there came a gentlewoman and asked leave of the hermit to
+speak with Sir Galahad, and would not be denied, though she was told
+he was weary and asleep. Then the hermit waked Sir Galahad and bade
+him rise, as a gentlewoman had great need of him, so Sir Galahad rose
+and asked her what she wished. 'Galahad,' said she, 'I will that you
+arm yourself, and mount your horse and follow me, and I will show you
+the highest adventure that ever any Knight saw.' And Sir Galahad bade
+her go, and he would follow wherever she led. In three days they
+reached the sea, where they found the ship where Sir Bors and Sir
+Percivale were lying. And the lady bade him leave his horse behind and
+said she would leave hers also, but their saddles and bridles they
+would take on board the ship. This they did, and were received with
+great joy by the two Knights; then the sails were spread, and the ship
+was driven before the wind at a marvellous pace till they reached the
+land of Logris, the entrance to which lies between two great rocks
+with a whirlpool in the middle.
+
+Their own ship might not get safely through; but they left it and went
+into another ship that lay there, which had neither man nor woman in
+it. At the end of the ship was written these words: 'Thou man which
+shalt enter this ship beware thou be in steadfast belief; if thou
+fail, I shall not help thee.' Then the gentlewoman turned and said,
+'Percivale, do you know who I am?' 'No, truly,' answered he. 'I am
+your sister, and therefore you are the man in the world that I most
+love. If you are without faith, or have any hidden sin, beware how you
+enter, else you will perish.' 'Fair sister,' answered he, 'I shall
+enter therein, for if I am an untrue Knight then shall I perish.' So
+they entered the ship, and it was rich and well adorned, that they all
+marvelled.
+
+In the midst of it was a fair bed, and Sir Galahad went thereto and
+found on it a crown of silk, and a sword drawn out of its sheath half
+a foot and more. The sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel of
+stone, wrought about with colours, and every colour with its own
+virtue, and the handle was of the ribs of two beasts. The one was the
+bone of a serpent, and no hand that handles it shall ever become weary
+or hurt; and the other is a bone of a fish that swims in Euphrates,
+and whoso handles it shall not think on joy or sorrow that he has had,
+but only on that which he beholds before him. And no man shall grip
+this sword but one that is better than other men. So first Sir
+Percivale stepped forward and set his hand to the sword, but he might
+not grasp it. Next Sir Bors tried to seize it, but he also failed.
+When Sir Galahad beheld the sword, he saw that there was written on
+it, in letters of blood, that he who tried to draw it should never
+fail of shame in his body or be wounded to the death. 'By my faith,'
+said Galahad, 'I would draw this sword out of its sheath, but the
+offending is so great I shall not lay my hand thereto.' 'Sir,'
+answered the gentlewoman, 'know that no man can draw this sword save
+you alone'; and she told him many tales of the Knights who had set
+their hands to it, and of the evil things that had befallen them. And
+they all begged Sir Galahad to grip the sword, as it was ordained that
+he should. 'I will grip it,' said Galahad, 'to give you courage, but
+it belongs no more to me than it does to you.' Then he gripped it
+tight with his fingers, and the gentlewoman girt him about the middle
+with the sword, and after that they left that ship and went into
+another, which brought them to land, where they fell upon many
+strange adventures. And when they had wrought many great deeds, they
+departed from each other. But first Sir Percivale's sister died, being
+bled to death, so that another lady might live, and she prayed them to
+lay her body in a boat and leave the boat to go as the winds and waves
+carried it. And so it was done, and Sir Percivale wrote a letter
+telling how she had helped them in all their adventures; and he put it
+in her right hand, and laid her in a barge, and covered it with black
+silk. And the wind arose and drove it from their sight.
+
+
+X
+
+SIR LANCELOT MEETS SIR GALAHAD, AND THEY PART
+
+FOR EVER
+
+
+Now we must tell what happened to Sir Lancelot.
+
+When he was come to a water called Mortoise he fell asleep, awaiting
+for the adventure that should be sent to him, and in his sleep a voice
+spoke to him, and bade him rise and take his armour, and enter the
+first ship he should find. So he started up and took his arms and made
+him ready, and on the strand he found a ship that was without sail or
+oar. As soon as he was within the ship, he felt himself wrapped round
+with a sweetness such as he had never known before, as if all that he
+could desire was fulfilled. And with this joy and peace about him he
+fell asleep. When he woke he found near him a fair bed, with a dead
+lady lying on it, whom he knew to be Sir Percivale's sister, and in
+her hand was the tale of her adventures, which Sir Lancelot took and
+read. For a month or more they dwelt in that ship together, and one
+day, when it had drifted near the shore, he heard a sound as of a
+horse; and when the steps came nearer he saw that a Knight was riding
+him. At the sight of the ship the Knight alighted and took the saddle
+and bridle, and entered the ship. 'You are welcome,' said Lancelot,
+and the Knight saluted him and said, 'What is your name? for my heart
+goeth out to you.'
+
+'Truly,' answered he, 'my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.'
+
+'Sir,' said the new Knight, 'you are welcome, for you were the
+beginner of me in the world.'
+
+'Ah,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'is it you, then, Galahad?'
+
+'Yes, in sooth,' said he, and kneeled down and asked Lancelot's
+blessing, and then took off his helm and kissed him. And there was
+great joy between them, and they told each other all that had befallen
+them since they left King Arthur's Court. Then Galahad saw the
+gentlewoman dead on the bed, and he knew her, and said he held her in
+great worship, and that she was the best maid in the world, and how it
+was great pity that she had come to her death. But when Lancelot heard
+that Galahad had won the marvellous sword he prayed that he might see
+it, and kissed the pommel and the hilt, and the scabbard. 'In truth,'
+he said, 'never did I know of adventures so wonderful and strange.' So
+dwelled Lancelot and Galahad in that ship for half a year, and served
+God daily and nightly with all their power. And after six months had
+gone it befell that on a Monday they drifted to the edge of the
+forest, where they saw a Knight with white armour bestriding one horse
+and holding another all white, by the bridle. And he came to the ship,
+and saluted the two Knights and said, 'Galahad, you have been long
+enough with your father, therefore leave that ship and start upon this
+horse, and go on the quest of the Holy Graal.' So Galahad went to his
+father and kissed him, saying, 'Fair sweet father, I know not if I
+shall see you more till I have beheld the Holy Graal.' Then they heard
+a voice which said, 'The one shall never see the other till the day of
+doom.' 'Now, Galahad,' said Lancelot, 'since we are to bid farewell
+for ever now, I pray to the great Father to preserve me and you both.'
+'Sir,' answered Galahad, 'no prayer availeth so much as yours.'
+
+The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found
+King Arthur and Guenevere; but many of the Knights of the Round Table
+were slain and destroyed, more than the half. All the Court was
+passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of
+his son Sir Galahad.
+
+
+XI
+
+HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUND THE GRAAL AND DIED OF
+
+THAT FINDING
+
+
+Sir Galahad rode on till he met Sir Percivale and afterwards Sir Bors,
+whom they greeted most gladly, and they bare each other company. First
+they came to the Castle of Carbonek, where dwelled King Pelles, who
+welcomed them with joy, for he knew by their coming that they had
+fulfilled the quest of the Graal. They then departed on other
+adventures, and with the blood out of the Holy Lance Galahad anointed
+the maimed King and healed him. That same night at midnight a voice
+bade them arise and quit the castle, which they did, followed by three
+Knights of Gaul. Then Galahad prayed every one of them that if they
+reached King Arthur's Court they should salute Sir Lancelot his
+father, and those Knights of the Round Table that were present, and
+with that he left them, and Sir Bors and Sir Percivale with him. For
+three days they rode till they came to a shore, and found a ship
+awaiting them. And in the midst of it was the table of silver, and the
+Holy Graal which was covered with red samite. Then were their hearts
+right glad, and they made great reverence thereto, and Galahad prayed
+that at what time he asked, he might depart out of this world. So long
+he prayed that at length a voice said to him, 'Galahad, thou shalt
+have thy desire, and when thou askest the death of the body thou shalt
+have it, and shalt find the life of the soul.' Percivale likewise
+heard the voice, and besought Galahad to tell him why he asked such
+things. And Galahad answered, 'The other day when we saw a part of the
+adventures of the Holy Graal, I was in such a joy of heart that
+never did man feel before, and I knew well that when my body is dead
+my soul shall be in joy of which the other was but a shadow.'
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT & THE DWARF.]
+
+Some time were the three Knights in that ship, till at length they saw
+before them the city of Sarras. Then they took from the ship the table
+of silver, and Sir Percivale and Sir Bors went first, and Sir Galahad
+followed after to the gate of the city, where sat an old man that was
+crooked. At the sight of the old man Sir Galahad called to him to help
+them carry the table, for it was heavy. 'Truly,' answered the old man,
+'it is ten years since I have gone without crutches.' 'Care not for
+that,' said Galahad, 'but rise up and show your good will.' So he
+arose and found himself as whole as ever he was, and he ran to the
+table and held up the side next Galahad. And there was much noise in
+the city that a cripple was healed by three Knights newly entered in.
+This reached the ears of the King, who sent for the Knights and
+questioned them. And they told him the truth, and of the Holy Graal;
+but the King listened nothing to all they said, but put them into a
+deep hole in the prison. Even here they were not without comfort, for
+a vision of the Holy Graal sustained them. And at the end of a year
+the King lay sick and felt he should die, and he called the three
+Knights and asked forgiveness of the evil he had done to them, which
+they gave gladly. Then he died, and the whole city was afraid and knew
+not what to do, till while they were in counsel a voice came to them
+and bade them choose the youngest of the three strange Knights for
+their King. And they did so. After Galahad was proclaimed King, he
+ordered that a coffer of gold and precious stones should be made to
+encompass the table of silver, and every day he and the two Knights
+would kneel before it and make their prayers.
+
+Now at the year's end, and on the selfsame day that Galahad had been
+crowned King, he arose up early and came with the two Knights to the
+Palace; and he saw a man in the likeness of a Bishop, encircled by a
+great crowd of angels, kneeling before the Holy Vessel. And he called
+to Galahad and said to him, 'Come forth, thou servant of Christ, and
+thou shalt see what thou hast much desired to see.' Then Galahad began
+to tremble right hard, when the flesh first beheld the things of the
+spirit, and he held up his hands to heaven and said, 'Lord, I thank
+thee, for now I see that which hath been my desire for many a day.
+Now, blessed Lord, I would no longer live, if it might please Thee.'
+Then Galahad went to Percivale and kissed him, and commended him to
+God; and he went to Sir Bors and kissed him, and commended him to God,
+and said, 'Fair lord, salute me to my lord Sir Lancelot, my father,
+and bid him remember this unstable world.' Therewith he kneeled down
+before the table and made his prayers, and while he was praying his
+soul suddenly left the body and was carried by angels up into heaven,
+which the two Knights right well beheld. Also they saw come from
+heaven a hand, but no body behind it, and it came unto the Vessel, and
+took it and the spear, and bare them back to heaven. And since then no
+man has dared to say that he has seen the Holy Graal.
+
+When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad lying dead they made as much
+sorrow as ever two men did, and the people of the country and of the
+city were right heavy. And they buried him as befitted their King. As
+soon as Galahad was buried, Sir Percivale sought a hermitage outside
+the city, and put on the dress of a hermit, and Sir Bors was always
+with him, but kept the dress that he wore at Court. When a year and
+two months had passed Sir Percivale died also, and was buried by the
+side of Galahad; and Sir Bors left that land, and after long riding
+came to Camelot. Then was there great joy made of him in the Court,
+for they had held him as dead; and the King ordered great clerks to
+attend him, and to write down all his adventures and those of Sir
+Percivale and Sir Galahad. Next, Sir Lancelot told the adventures of
+the Graal which he had seen, and this likewise was written and placed
+with the other in almonries at Salisbury. And by and by Sir Bors said
+to Sir Lancelot, 'Galahad your son saluteth you by me, and after you
+King Arthur and all the Court, and so did Sir Percivale; for I buried
+them with mine own hands in the City of Sarras. Also, Sir Lancelot,
+Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain world, as you
+promised when you were together!' 'That is true,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'and I trust his prayer may avail me.' But the prayer but little
+availed Sir Lancelot, for he fell to his old sins again. And now the
+Knights were few that survived the search for the Graal, and the evil
+days of Arthur began.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN
+
+
+So the quest of the Holy Graal had been fulfilled, and the few Knights
+that had been left alive returned to the Round Table, and there was
+great joy in the Court. To do them honour the Queen made them a
+dinner; and there were four and twenty Knights present, and among them
+Sir Patrise of Ireland, and Sir Gawaine and his brethren, the King's
+nephews, which were Sir Agrawaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir
+Mordred. Now it was the custom of Sir Gawaine daily at dinner and
+supper to eat all manner of fruit, and especially pears and apples,
+and this the Queen knew, and set fruit of all sorts before him. And
+there was present at the dinner one Sir Pinel le Savage, who hated Sir
+Gawaine because he and his brethren had slain Sir Lamorak du Galis,
+cousin to Sir Pinel; so he put poison into some of the apples, hoping
+that Sir Gawaine would eat one and die. But by ill fortune it befell
+that the good Knight Sir Patrise took a poisoned apple, and in a few
+moments he lay dead and stark in his seat. At this sight all the
+Knights leapt to their feet, but said nothing, for they bethought them
+that Queen Guenevere had made them the dinner, and feared that she had
+poisoned the fruit.
+
+'My lady, the Queen,' said Sir Gawaine, who was the first to speak,
+'this fruit was brought for me, for all know how well I love it;
+therefore, Madam, the shame of this ill deed is yours.' The Queen
+stood still, pale and trembling, but kept silence, and next spoke Sir
+Mador de la Porte.
+
+'This shall not be ended so,' said he, 'for I have lost a noble Knight
+of my blood, and I will be avenged of the person who has wrought this
+evil.' And he turned to the Queen and said 'Madam, it is you who have
+brought about the death of my cousin Sir Patrise!' The Knights round
+listened in silence, for they too thought Sir Mador spake truth. And
+the Queen still said nothing, but fell to weeping bitterly, till King
+Arthur heard and came to look into the matter. And when they told him
+of their trouble his heart was heavy within him.
+
+'Fair lords,' said the King at last, 'I grieve for this ill deed; but
+I cannot meddle therein, or do battle for my wife, for I have to judge
+justly. Sure I am that this deed is none of hers, therefore many a
+good Knight will stand her champion that she be not burned to death in
+a wrong quarrel. And, Sir Mador, hold not your head so high, but fix
+the day of battle, when you shall find a Knight to answer you, or else
+it were great shame to all my Court.'
+
+'My gracious lord,' said Sir Mador, 'you must hold me excused. But
+though you are a King you are also a Knight, and must obey the laws of
+Knighthood. Therefore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that
+none of the four and twenty Knights here present will fight that
+battle. What say you, my lords?' Then the Knights answered that they
+could not hold the Queen guiltless, for as the dinner was made by her
+either she or her servants must have done this thing.
+
+'Alas!' said the Queen, 'no evil was in my heart when I prepared this
+feast, for never have I done such foul deeds.'
+
+'My lord the King,' cried Sir Mador, 'I require of you, as you are a
+just King, to fix a day that I may get ready for the fight!'
+
+'Well,' answered the King, 'on the fifteenth day from this come on
+horseback to the meadow that is by Westminster. And if it happens that
+there be a Knight to fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God
+will speed the right. But if no Knight is there, then must my Queen be
+burned, and a fire shall be made in the meadow.'
+
+[Illustration: SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE]
+
+'I am answered,' said Sir Mador, and he and the rest of the Knights
+departed.
+
+When the King and Queen were left alone he asked her what had brought
+all this about. 'God help me, that I know not,' said the Queen, 'nor
+how it was done.'
+
+'Where is Sir Lancelot?' said King Arthur, looking round. 'If he were
+here he would not grudge to do battle for you.'
+
+'Sir,' replied the Queen, 'I know not where he is, but his brother and
+his kinsmen think he is not in this realm.'
+
+'I grieve for that,' said the King, 'for he would soon stop this
+strife. But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and he will not refuse you.
+For well I see that none of the four and twenty Knights who were with
+you at dinner will be your champion, and none will say well of you,
+but men will speak evil of you at the Court.'
+
+'Alas!' sighed the Queen, 'I do indeed miss Sir Lancelot, for he would
+soon ease my heart.'
+
+'What ails you?' asked the King, 'that you cannot keep Sir Lancelot at
+your side, for well you know that he who Sir Lancelot fights for has
+the best Knight in the world for his champion. Now go your way, and
+command Sir Bors to do battle with you for Sir Lancelot's sake.' So
+the Queen departed from the King, and sent for Sir Bors into her
+chamber, and when he came she besought his help.
+
+'Madam,' said he, 'what can I do? for I may not meddle in this matter
+lest the Knights who were at the dinner have me in suspicion, for I
+was there also. It is now, Madam, that you miss Sir Lancelot, whom you
+have driven away, as he would have done battle for you were you right
+or wrong, and I wonder how for shame's sake you can ask me, knowing
+how I love and honour him.'
+
+'Alas,' said the Queen, 'I throw myself on your grace,' and she went
+down on her knees and besought Sir Bors to have mercy on her, 'else I
+shall have a shameful death, and one I have never deserved.' At that
+King Arthur came in, and found her kneeling before Sir Bors. 'Madam!
+you do me great dishonour,' said Sir Bors, raising her up.
+
+'Ah, gentle Knight,' cried the King, 'have mercy on my Queen, for I am
+sure that they speak falsely. And I require by the love of Sir
+Lancelot that you do battle for her instead of him.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Bors, 'you require of me the hardest thing
+that ever anyone asked of me, for well you know that if I fight for
+the Queen I shall anger all my companions of the Round Table; but I
+will not say nay, my lord, for Sir Lancelot's sake and for your sake!
+On that day I will be the Queen's champion, unless a better Knight is
+found to do battle for her.'
+
+'Will you promise me this?' asked the King.
+
+'Yes,' answered Sir Bors, 'I will not fail you nor her, unless there
+should come a better Knight than I, then he shall have the battle.'
+Then the King and Queen rejoiced greatly, and thanked Sir Bors with
+all their hearts.
+
+So Sir Bors departed and rode unto Sir Lancelot, who was with the
+hermit Sir Brasias, and told him of this adventure. 'Ah,' said Sir
+Lancelot, 'this has befallen as I would have it, and therefore I pray
+you make ready to do battle, but delay the fight as long as you can
+that I may appear. For I am sure that Sir Mador is a hot Knight, and
+the longer he waits the more impatient he will be for the combat.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'let me deal with him. Doubt not you shall
+have all your will.' And he rode away, and came again to the Court.
+
+It was soon noised about that Sir Bors would be the Queen's champion,
+and many Knights were displeased with him; but there were a few who
+held the Queen to be innocent. Sir Bors spoke unto them all and said,
+'It were shameful, my fair lords, if we suffered the most noble Queen
+in the world to be disgraced openly, not only for her sake, but for
+the King's.' But they answered him: 'As for our lord King Arthur, we
+love him and honour him as much as you; but as for Queen Guenevere,
+we love her not, for she is the destroyer of good Knights.'
+
+[Illustration: GUENEVERE & SIR BORS]
+
+'Fair lords,' said Sir Bors, 'you shall not speak such words, for
+never yet have I heard that she was the destroyer of good Knights. But
+at all times, as far as I ever knew, she maintained them and gave them
+many gifts. And therefore it were a shame to us all if we suffered our
+noble King's wife to be put to death, and I will not suffer it. So
+much I will say, that the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise's death;
+for she owed him no ill will, and bade him and us to the dinner for no
+evil purpose, which will be proved hereafter. And in any case there
+was foul dealing among us.'
+
+'We may believe your words,' said some of the Knights, but others held
+that he spoke falsely.
+
+The days passed quickly by until the evening before the battle, when
+the Queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him if he was ready to keep his
+promise.
+
+'Truly, Madam,' answered he, 'I shall not fail you, unless a better
+Knight than I am come to do battle for you. Then, Madam, I am
+discharged of my promise.'
+
+'Shall I tell this to my lord Arthur?' said the Queen.
+
+'If it pleases you, Madam,' answered Sir Bors. So the Queen went to
+the King, and told him what Sir Bors had said, and the King bade her
+to be comforted, as Sir Bors was one of the best Knights of the Round
+Table.
+
+The next morning the King and Queen, and all manner of Knights, rode
+into the meadow of Westminster, where the battle was to be; and the
+Queen was put into the Guard of the High Constable, and a stout iron
+stake was planted, and a great fire made about it, at which the Queen
+should be burned if Sir Mador de la Porte won the fight. For it was
+the custom in those days that neither fear nor favour, love nor
+kinship, should hinder right judgment. Then came Sir Mador de la
+Porte, and made oath before the King that the Queen had done to death
+his cousin Sir Patrise, and he would prove it on her Knight's body,
+let who would say the contrary. Sir Bors likewise made answer that
+Queen Guenevere had done no wrong, and that he would make good with
+his two hands. 'Then get you ready,' said Sir Mador. 'Sir Mador,'
+answered Sir Bors, 'I know you for a good Knight, but I trust to be
+able to withstand your malice; and I have promised King Arthur and my
+Lady the Queen that I will do battle for her to the uttermost, unless
+there come forth a better Knight than I am.'
+
+'Is that all?' asked Sir Mador; 'but you must either fight now or own
+that you are beaten.'
+
+'Take your horse,' said Sir Bors, 'for I shall not tarry long,' and
+Sir Mador forthwith rode into the field with his shield on his
+shoulder, and his spear in his hand, and he went up and down crying
+unto King Arthur, 'Bid your champion come forth if he dare.' At that
+Sir Bors was ashamed, and took his horse, and rode to the end of the
+lists. But from a wood hard by appeared a Knight riding fast on a
+white horse, bearing a shield full of strange devices. When he reached
+Sir Bors he drew rein and said, 'Fair Knight, be not displeased, but
+this battle must be to a better Knight than you. For I have come a
+great journey to fight this fight, as I promised when I spoke with you
+last, and I thank you heartily for your goodwill.' So Sir Bors went to
+King Arthur and told him that a Knight had come who wished to do
+battle for the Queen. 'What Knight is he?' asked the King.
+
+'That I know not,' said Sir Bors; 'but he made a covenant with me to
+be here this day, and now I am discharged,' said Sir Bors.
+
+Then the King called to that Knight and asked him if he would fight
+for the Queen. 'For that purpose I came hither,' replied he, 'and
+therefore, Sir King, delay me no longer, for as soon as I have ended
+this battle I must go hence, as I have many matters elsewhere. And
+I would have you know that it is a dishonour to all the Knights of the
+Round Table to let so noble a lady and so courteous a Queen as Queen
+Guenevere be shamed amongst you.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE]
+
+The Knights who were standing round looked at each other at these
+words, and wondered much what man this was who took the battle upon
+him, for none knew him save Sir Bors.
+
+'Sir,' said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the King, 'let me know the name
+of him with whom I have to do.' But the King answered nothing, and
+made a sign for the fight to begin. They rode to the end of the lists,
+and couched their spears and rushed together with all their force, and
+Sir Mador's spear broke in pieces. But the other Knight's spear held
+firm, and he pressed on Sir Mador's horse till it fell backward with a
+great fall. Sir Mador sprang from his horse, and, placing his shield
+before him, drew his sword, and bade his foe dismount from his horse
+also, and do battle with him on foot, which the unknown Knight did.
+For an hour they fought thus, as Sir Mador was a strong man, and had
+proved himself the victor in many combats. At last the Knight smote
+Sir Mador grovelling to his knees, and the Knight stepped forward to
+have struck him flat upon the ground. Therewith Sir Mador suddenly
+rose, and smote the Knight upon the thigh, so that the blood ran out
+fiercely. But when the Knight felt himself wounded, and saw his blood,
+he let Sir Mador rise to his feet, and then he gave him such a buffet
+on the helm that this time Sir Mador fell his length on the earth, and
+the Knight sprang to him, to unloose his helm. At this Sir Mador
+prayed for his life, acknowledging that he was overcome, and confessed
+that the Queen's innocence had been proved. 'I will only grant you
+your life,' said the Knight, 'if you will proclaim publicly that you
+have foully slandered the Queen, and that you make no mention, on the
+tomb of Sir Patrise, that ever Queen Guenevere consented to his
+murder.' 'All that will I do,' said Sir Mador, and some Knights took
+him up, and carried him away to heal his wounds. And the other Knight
+went straight to the foot of the steps where sat King Arthur, and
+there the Queen had just come, and the King and the Queen kissed each
+other before all the people. When King Arthur saw the Knight standing
+there he stooped down to him and thanked him, and so likewise did the
+Queen; and they prayed him to put off his helmet, and commanded wine
+to be brought, and when he unlaced his helmet to drink they knew him
+to be Sir Lancelot du Lake. Then Arthur took the Queen's hand and led
+her to Sir Lancelot and said, 'Sir, I give you the most heartfelt
+thanks of the great deed you have done this day for me and my Queen.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you know well that I ought of right
+ever to fight your battles, and those of my lady the Queen. For it was
+you who gave me the high honour of Knighthood, and that same day my
+lady the Queen did me a great service, else I should have been put to
+shame before all men. Because in my hastiness I lost my sword, and my
+lady the Queen found it and gave it to me when I had sore need of it.
+And therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her that day that I would be
+her Knight in right or in wrong.'
+
+'I owe you great thanks,' said the King, 'and some time I hope to
+repay you.' The Queen, beholding Sir Lancelot, wept tears of joy for
+her deliverance, and felt bowed to the ground with sorrow at the
+thought of what he had done for her, when she had sent him away with
+unkind words. Then all the Knights of the Round Table and his kinsmen
+drew near to him and welcomed him, and there was great mirth in the
+Court.
+
+
+
+
+_THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT_
+
+
+Soon after this it befell that the damsel of the lake, called by some
+Nimue and by others Vivien, wedded Sir Pelleas, and came to the Court
+of King Arthur. And when she heard the talk of the death of Sir
+Patrise and how the Queen had been accused of it, she found out by
+means of her magic that the tale was false, and told it openly that
+the Queen was innocent and that it was Sir Pinel who had poisoned the
+apple. Then he fled into his own country, where none might lay hands
+on him. So Sir Patrise was buried in the Church of Westminster, and on
+his tomb was written, 'Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir
+Pinel le Savage, that empoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and
+by misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples and then suddenly he
+burst.' Also there was put upon the tomb that Queen Guenevere was
+accused of the death of Sir Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and how
+Sir Lancelot fought with him and overcame him in battle. All this was
+written on the tomb.
+
+And daily Sir Mador prayed to have the Queen's grace once more, and by
+means of Sir Lancelot he was forgiven. It was now the middle of the
+summer, and King Arthur proclaimed that in fifteen days a great
+tourney should be held at Camelot, which is now called Winchester, and
+many Knights and Kings made ready to do themselves honour. But the
+Queen said she would stay behind, for she was sick, and did not care
+for the noise and bustle of a tourney. 'It grieves me you should say
+that,' said the King, for you will not have seen so noble a company
+gathered together this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when
+Galahad departed from the Court.'
+
+'Truly,' answered the Queen, 'the sight will be grand. Nevertheless
+you must hold me excused, for I cannot be there.'
+
+Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and
+that he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At
+this the King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or
+his best Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by
+the way lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And
+when the King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told
+him he was to blame for having excused himself from going with the
+King, who set such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he
+would be ruled by her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to
+Winchester; 'but I should have you know,' said he, 'that at the
+tourney I shall be against the King and his Knights.'
+
+'You must do as you please,' replied the Queen, 'but if you will be
+ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you not to be displeased with me.
+I will take the adventure as it comes,' and early next morning he rode
+away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town
+till he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of
+Astolat, and as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from
+the gardens of the castle. 'It is well,' he said smiling to the
+Knights that were beside him, 'I see one man who will play his part in
+the jousts, and I will undertake that he will do marvels.'
+
+'Who is that?' asked they all. 'You must wait to know that,' replied
+the King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered
+his lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not it
+was Sir Lancelot. 'Fair Sir,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you lend me,
+if you can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they
+know well.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bernard, 'you shall have your wish, for you seem
+one of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons,
+both but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his
+Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir
+Lavaine, shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the
+jousts. For my heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you,
+what name I shall call you by.'
+
+'You must hold me excused as to that, just now,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'but if I speedwell at the jousts, I will come again and tell you. But
+let me have Sir Lavaine with me, and lend me, as you have offered, his
+brother's shield.' 'This shall be done,' replied Sir Bernard.
+
+Besides these two sons, Sir Bernard had a daughter whom everyone
+called The Fair Maid of Astolat, though her real name was Elaine le
+Blanc. And when she looked on Sir Lancelot, her love went forth to him
+and she could never take it back, and in the end it killed her. As
+soon as her father told her that Sir Lancelot was going to the tourney
+she besought him to wear her token in the jousts, but he was not
+willing. 'Fair damsel,' he said, 'if I did that, I should have done
+more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel.' But then he
+remembered that he was to go disguised to the tourney, and because he
+had before never worn any manner of token of any damsel, he bethought
+him that, if he should take one of hers, none would know him. So he
+said to her, 'Fair damsel, I will wear your token on my helmet, if you
+will show me what it is.'
+
+'Sir,' she answered, 'it is a red sleeve, embroidered in great
+pearls,' and she brought it to him. 'Never have I done so much for any
+damsel,' said he, and gave his own shield into her keeping, till he
+came again. Sir Arthur had waited three days in Astolat for some
+Knights who were long on the road, and when they had arrived they all
+set forth, and were followed by Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine, both
+with white shields, and Sir Lancelot bore besides the red sleeve that
+was a token. Now Camelot was filled with a great number of Kings and
+Lords and Knights, but Sir Lavaine found means to lodge both himself
+and Sir Lancelot secretly with a rich burgess, and no man knew who
+they were or whence they came. And there they stayed till the day of
+the tourney. At earliest dawn the trumpets blew, and King Arthur took
+his seat upon a high scaffold, so that he might see who had done best;
+but he would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from his side, for Sir
+Gawaine never won the prize when Sir Lancelot was in the field, and as
+King Arthur knew, Sir Lancelot oftentimes disguised himself.
+
+Then the Knights formed into two parties and Sir Lancelot made him
+ready, and fastened the red sleeve upon his helmet, and he and Sir
+Lavaine rode into a little wood that lay behind the Knights who should
+fight against those of the Round Table. 'Sir,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'yonder is a company of good Knights and they hold together as boars
+that are vexed with dogs.'
+
+'That is truth,' said Sir Lavaine.
+
+'Now,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you will help me a little, you shall see
+King Arthur's side, which is winning, driven back as fast as they
+came.'
+
+'Spare not, Sir,' answered Sir Lavaine, 'for I shall do what I may.'
+So they rode into the thickest of the press, and smote so hard both
+with spear and sword that the Knights of the Round Table fell back. 'O
+mercy!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'what Knight is that yonder who does such
+marvellous deeds?'
+
+'I know well who it is,' said King Arthur, 'but I will not tell you
+yet.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'I should say it was Sir Lancelot by the
+blows he deals and the manner that he rides, but it cannot be he, for
+this man has a red sleeve upon his helmet, and Sir Lancelot has
+never borne the token of any lady.'
+
+[Illustration: ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROUND SIR LANCELOT'S HELMET]
+
+'Let him be,' said Sir Arthur, 'you will find out his name, and see
+him do greater deeds yet, before he departs.' And the Knights that
+were fighting against the King's party took heart again, for before
+they feared they would be beaten. But when Sir Bors saw this, he
+called unto him the Knights that were of kin to Sir Lancelot, and they
+banded together to make a great charge, and threw Sir Lancelot's horse
+to the ground, and by misfortune the spear of Sir Bors broke, and its
+head was left in Sir Lancelot's side. When Sir Lavaine saw that, he
+unhorsed the King of Scots, and brought his horse to Sir Lancelot, and
+helped him mount thereon and gave him a spear, with which Sir Lancelot
+smote Sir Bors to the earth and Sir Ector de Maris, the foster-father
+of King Arthur, and buffeted sorely the Knights that were with them.
+Afterward he hurled himself into the thick _mêlée_ of them all, and
+did the most wonderful deeds that ever were heard of. And Sir Lavaine
+likewise did well that day, for he smote down full two Knights of the
+Round Table. 'Mercy,' again cried Sir Gawaine to Arthur, 'I marvel
+what Knight that is with the red sleeve.'
+
+'That you shall know soon,' said King Arthur, and commanded that the
+trumpets should be blown, and declared that the prize belonged to the
+Knight with the white shield, who bare the red sleeve, for he had
+unhorsed more than thirty Knights. And the Kings and Lords who were of
+his party came round him and thanked him for the help he had given
+them, by which means the honours of the day had been theirs.
+
+'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if I have deserved thanks, I have
+paid for them sorely, for I shall hardly escape with my life,
+therefore I pray you let me depart, for my hurt is grievous.' Then he
+groaned piteously, and galloped from them to a wood's side, followed
+by Sir Lavaine. 'Oh help me, Sir Lavaine,' said he, 'to get this
+spear's head out of my side, for it is killing me.' But Sir Lavaine
+feared to touch it, lest Sir Lancelot should bleed to death. 'I charge
+you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you love me draw out the head,' so Sir
+Lavaine drew it out. And Sir Lancelot gave a great shriek, and a
+marvellous grisly groan, and his blood flowed out so fast, that he
+fell into a swoon. 'Oh what shall I do?' cried Sir Lavaine, and he
+loosed Sir Lancelot's helm and coat of mail, and turned him so that
+the wind might blow on him, but for full half an hour he lay as if he
+had been dead. And at last Sir Lancelot opened his eyes, and said, 'O
+Lavaine, help me on my horse, for two miles from this place there
+lives a hermit who once was a Knight of the Round Table, and he can
+heal my wounds.' Then Sir Lavaine, with much ado, helped him on his
+horse, and brought him bleeding to the hermit. The hermit looked at
+him as he rode up, leaning piteously on his saddle-bow, and he thought
+that he should know him, but could not tell who he was for the
+paleness of his face, till he saw by a wound on his cheek that it was
+Sir Lancelot.
+
+'You cannot hide your name from me,' said the hermit, 'for you are the
+noblest Knight in the world, and well I know you to be Sir Lancelot.'
+
+'Since you know me, Sir,' said he, 'help me for God's sake, and for
+death or life put me out of this pain.'
+
+'Fear nothing,' answered the hermit, 'your pain will soon be gone,'
+and he called his servants to take the armour off the Knight, and laid
+him in bed. After that he dressed the wound, and gave him good wine to
+drink, and Sir Lancelot slept and awoke free of his pain. So we will
+leave him to be healed of his wound, under the care of the hermit, and
+go back to King Arthur.
+
+Now it was the custom in those days that after a tourney was finished,
+a great feast should be held at which both parties were assembled, so
+King Arthur sent to ask the King of Northgalis, where was the Knight
+with the red sleeve, who had fought on his side. 'Bring him before
+me,' he said, 'that he may have the prize he has won, which is his
+right.' Then answered the King with the hundred Knights, 'we fear the
+Knight must have been sore hurt, and that neither you nor we are ever
+like to see him again, which is grievous to think of.'
+
+'Alas!' said King Arthur, 'is he then so badly wounded? What is his
+name?'
+
+'Truly,' said they all, 'we know not his name, nor whence he came, nor
+whither he went.'
+
+'As for me,' answered King Arthur, 'these tidings are the worst that I
+have heard these seven years, for I would give all the lands I hold
+that no harm had befallen this Knight.'
+
+'Do you know him?' asked they all.
+
+'Whether I know him or not,' said King Arthur, 'I shall not tell you,
+but may Heaven send me good news of him.' 'Amen,' answered they.
+
+'By my head,' said Sir Gawaine, 'if this good Knight is really wounded
+unto death, it is a great evil for all this land, for he is one of the
+noblest that ever I saw for handling a sword or spear. And if he may
+be found, I shall find him, for I am sure he is not far from this
+town,' so he took his Squire with him, and they rode all round
+Camelot, six or seven miles on every side, but nothing could they hear
+of him. And he returned heavily to the Court of King Arthur.
+
+Two days after the King and all his company set out for London, and by
+the way, it happened to Sir Gawaine to lodge with Sir Bernard at
+Astolat. And when he was in his chamber, Sir Bernard and his daughter
+Elaine came unto Sir Gawaine, to ask him tidings of the Court, and who
+did best in the tourney at Winchester.
+
+'Truly,' said Sir Gawaine, 'there were two Knights that bare white
+shields, but one of them had a red sleeve upon his helm, and he was
+one of the best Knights that ever I saw joust in the field, for I dare
+say he smote down forty Knights of the Table Round.'
+
+'Now blessed be God,' said the Maid of Astolat, 'that that Knight sped
+so well, for he is the man in the world that I loved first, and he
+will also be the last that ever I shall love.'
+
+'Fair Maid,' asked Sir Gawaine, 'is that Knight your love?'
+
+'Certainly he is my love,' said she.
+
+'Then you know his name?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'Nay, truly,' answered the damsel, 'I know neither his name, nor
+whence he cometh, but I love him for all that.'
+
+'How did you meet him first?' asked Sir Gawaine. At that she told him
+the whole story, and how her brother went with Sir Lancelot to do him
+service, and lent him the white shield of her brother Sir Tirre and
+left his own shield with her. 'Why did he do that?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'For this cause,' said the damsel, 'his shield was too well known
+among many noble Knights.'
+
+'Ah, fair damsel,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I beg of you to let me have a
+sight of that shield.'
+
+'Sir,' answered she, 'it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if
+you will come with me, you shall see it.'
+
+'Not so,' said Sir Bernard, and sent his Squire for it. And when Sir
+Gawaine took off the case and beheld the shield, and saw the arms, he
+knew it to be Sir Lancelot's. 'Ah mercy,' cried he, 'my heart is
+heavier than ever it was before!'
+
+'Why?' asked Elaine.
+
+'I have great cause,' answered Sir Gawaine. 'Is that Knight who owns
+this shield your love?'
+
+'Yes, truly,' said she; 'I would I were his love.'
+
+'You are right, fair damsel,' replied Gawaine, 'for if you love him,
+you love the most honourable Knight in the world. I have known him for
+four-and-twenty years, and never did I or any other Knight see him
+wear a token of either lady or damsel at a tournament. Therefore,
+damsel, he has paid you great honour. But I fear that I may never
+behold him again upon earth, and that is grievous to think of.'
+
+'Alas!' she said, 'how may this be? Is he slain?'
+
+'I did not say that,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'but he is sorely wounded,
+and is more likely to be dead than alive. And, maiden, by this shield
+I know that he is Sir Lancelot.'
+
+'How can this be?' said the Maid of Astolat, 'and what was his hurt?'
+
+'Truly,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'it was the man that loved him best who
+hurt him so, and I am sure that if that man knew that it was Sir
+Lancelot whom he had wounded, he would think it was the darkest deed
+that ever he did.'
+
+'Now, dear father,' said Elaine, 'give me leave to ride and to seek
+him, for I shall go out of my mind unless I find him and my brother.'
+
+'Do as you will,' answered her father, 'for I am grieved to hear of
+the hurt of that noble Knight.' So the damsel made ready.
+
+On the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur and told him how he had
+found the shield in the keeping of the Maid of Astolat. 'All that I
+knew beforehand,' said the King, 'and that was why I would not suffer
+you to fight at the tourney, for I had espied him when he entered his
+lodging the night before. But this is the first time that ever I heard
+of his bearing the token of some lady, and much I marvel at it.'
+
+'By my head,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'the Fair Maiden of Astolat loves
+him wondrous well. What it all means, or what will be the end, I
+cannot say, but she has ridden after him to seek him.' So the King and
+his company came to London, and everyone in the Court knew that it was
+Sir Lancelot who had jousted the best.
+
+And when the tidings came to Sir Bors, his heart grew heavy, and also
+the hearts of his kinsmen. But when the Queen heard that Sir Lancelot
+bore the red sleeve of the Fair Maid of Astolat, she was nearly mad
+with wrath and summoned Sir Bors before her in haste.
+
+'Ah, Sir Bors,' she cried when he was come, 'have the tidings reached
+you that Sir Lancelot has been a false Knight to me?'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I pray you say not so, for I cannot hear
+such language of him.'
+
+'Why, is he not false and a traitor when, after swearing that for
+right or wrong he would be my Knight and mine only, he bore the red
+sleeve upon his helm at the great jousts at Camelot?'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Bors, 'I grieve bitterly as to that sleeve-bearing,
+but I think he did it that none of his kin should know him. For no man
+before that had seen him bear the token of any lady, be she what she
+may.'
+
+'Fie on him!' said the Queen, 'I myself heard Sir Gawaine tell my lord
+Arthur of the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of Astolat
+and him.'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I cannot hinder Sir Gawaine from saying
+what he pleases, but as for Sir Lancelot, I am sure that he loves no
+one lady or maiden better than another. And therefore I will hasten to
+seek him wherever he be.'
+
+Meanwhile fair Elaine came to Winchester to find Sir Lancelot, who lay
+in peril of his life in the hermit's dwelling. And when she was riding
+hither and thither, not knowing where she should turn, she fell on her
+brother Sir Lavaine, who was exercising his horse. 'How doth my lord
+Sir Lancelot?' asked she.
+
+'Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Lancelot?' answered
+Sir Lavaine.
+
+'Sir Gawaine, who came to my father's house to rest after the tourney,
+knew him by his shield,' said she, and they rode on till they reached
+the hermitage, and Sir Lavaine brought her to Sir Lancelot. And when
+she saw him so pale, and in such a plight, she fell to the earth in a
+swoon, but by-and-bye she opened her eyes and said, 'My lord Sir
+Lancelot, what has brought you to this?' and swooned again. When she
+came to herself and stood up, Sir Lancelot prayed her to be of good
+cheer, for if she had come to comfort him she was right welcome, and
+that his wound would soon heal. 'But I marvel,' said he, 'how you know
+my name.' Then the maiden told him how Sir Gawaine had been at Astolat
+and had seen his shield.
+
+'Alas!' sighed Sir Lancelot, 'it grieves me that my name is known, for
+trouble will come of it.' For he knew full well that Sir Gawaine would
+tell Queen Guenevere, and that she would be wroth. And Elaine stayed
+and tended him, and Sir Lancelot begged Sir Lavaine to ride to
+Winchester and ask if Sir Bors was there, and said that he should know
+him by token of a wound which Sir Bors had on his forehead. 'For well
+I am sure,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that Sir Bors will seek me, as he is
+the same good Knight that hurt me.'
+
+Therefore as Sir Lancelot commanded, Sir Lavaine rode to Winchester
+and inquired if Sir Bors had been seen there, so that when he entered
+the town Sir Lavaine readily found him. Sir Bors was overjoyed to hear
+good tidings of Sir Lancelot, and they rode back together to the
+hermitage. At the sight of Sir Lancelot lying in his bed, pale and
+thin, Sir Bors' heart gave way, and he wept long without speaking.
+'Oh, my lord Sir Lancelot,' he said at last, 'God send you hasty
+recovery; great is my shame for having wounded you thus, you who are
+the noblest Knight in the world. I wonder that my arm would lift
+itself against you, and I ask your mercy.'
+
+'Fair cousin,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'such words please me not at
+all, for it is the fault of my pride which would overcome you all,
+that I lie here to-day. We will not speak of it any more, for what is
+done cannot be undone, but let us find a cure so that I may soon be
+whole.' Then Sir Bors leaned upon his bed, and told him how the Queen
+was filled with anger against him, because he wore the red sleeve at
+the jousts.
+
+'I am sorrowful at what you tell me,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'for all I
+did was to hinder my being known.'
+
+'That I said to excuse you,' answered Sir Bors, 'though it was all in
+vain. But is this damsel that is so busy about you the Fair Maid of
+Astolat?'
+
+'She it is, and she will not go from me!'
+
+'Why should she go from you?' asked Sir Bors. 'She is a passing fair
+damsel, and of gentle breeding, and I would that you could love her,
+for it is easy to see by her bearing that she loves you entirely.'
+
+'It grieves me to hear that,' said Sir Lancelot.
+
+After this they talked of other things, till in a few days Sir
+Lancelot's wounds were whole again. When Sir Lancelot felt his
+strength return, Sir Bors made him ready, and departed for the Court
+of King Arthur, and told them how he had left Sir Lancelot. And there
+was on All Hallows a great tournament, and Sir Bors won the prize for
+the unhorsing of twenty Knights, and Sir Gareth did great deeds also,
+but vanished suddenly from the field, and no man knew where he had
+gone. After the tourney was over, Sir Bors rode to the hermitage to
+see Sir Lancelot, whom he found walking on his feet, and on the next
+morning they bade farewell to the hermit, taking with them Elaine le
+Blanc. They went first to Astolat, where they were well lodged in the
+house of Sir Bernard, but when the morrow came, and Sir Lancelot would
+have departed from them, Elaine called to her father and to her
+brothers Sir Tirre and Sir Lavaine, and thus she said:
+
+'My lord Sir Lancelot, fair Knight, leave me not, I pray you, but have
+mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die of love of thee.'
+
+'What do you wish me to do?' asked Sir Lancelot.
+
+'I would have you for my husband,' answered she.
+
+'Fair damsel, I thank you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but truly I shall
+never have a wife. But in token and thanks of all your good will
+towards me, gladly will I give a thousand pounds yearly when you set
+your heart upon some other Knight.'
+
+'Of such gifts I will have none,' answered Elaine, 'and I would have
+you know, Sir Lancelot, that if you refuse to wed me, my good days are
+done.'
+
+'Fair damsel,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I cannot do the thing that you
+ask.'
+
+At these words she fell down in a swoon, and her maids bore her to her
+chamber, where she made bitter sorrow. Sir Lancelot thought it would
+be well for him to depart before she came to her senses again, and he
+asked Sir Lavaine what he would do.
+
+'What should I do?' asked Sir Lavaine, 'but follow you if you will
+have me.' Then Sir Bernard came and said to Sir Lancelot, 'I see well
+that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake.'
+
+'I cannot marry her,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'and it grieves me
+sorely, for she is a good maiden, fair and gentle.'
+
+'Father,' said Sir Lavaine, 'she is as pure and good as Sir Lancelot
+has said, and she is like me, for since first I saw him I can never
+leave him.' And after that they bade the old man farewell and came
+unto Winchester, where the King and all the Knights of the Round Table
+made great joy of him, save only Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred. But
+the Queen was angry and would not speak to him, though he tried by all
+means to make her. Now when the Fair Maid of Astolat knew he was gone,
+she would neither eat nor sleep, but cried after Sir Lancelot all the
+day long. And when she had spent ten days in this manner, she grew so
+weak that they thought her soul must quit this world, and the priest
+came to her, and bade her dwell no more on earthly things. She would
+not listen to him, but cried ever after Sir Lancelot, and how she had
+loved none other, no, nor ever would, and that her love would be her
+death. Then she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir
+Tirre, and begged her brother to write her a letter as she should tell
+him, and her father that he would have her watched till she was dead.
+'And while my body is warm,' said she, 'let this letter be put in my
+right hand, and my hand bound fast with the letter until I be cold,
+and let me be dressed in my richest clothes and be lain on a fair bed,
+and driven in a chariot to the Thames. There let me be put on a barge,
+and a dumb man with me, to steer the barge, which shall be covered
+over with black samite. Thus, father, I beseech you, let it be done.'
+And her father promised her faithfully that so it should be done to
+her when she was dead. Next day she died, and her body was lain on the
+bed, and placed in a chariot, and driven to the Thames, where the man
+awaited her with the barge. When she was put on board, he steered the
+barge to Westminster and rowed a great while to and fro, before any
+espied it. At last King Arthur and Queen Guenevere withdrew into a
+window to speak together, and espied the black barge and wondered
+greatly what it meant. The King summoned Sir Kay, and bade him take
+Sir Brandiles and Sir Agrawaine, and find out who was lying there, and
+they ran down to the river side, and came and told the King. 'That
+fair corpse will I see,' returned the King, and he took the Queen's
+hand and led her thither. Then he ordered the barge to be made fast,
+and he entered it, and the Queen likewise, and certain Knights with
+them. And there he saw a fair woman on a rich bed, and her clothing
+was of cloth of gold, and she lay smiling. While they looked, all
+being silent, the Queen spied a letter in her right hand, and pointed
+it out to the King, who took it saying, 'Now I am sure this letter
+will tell us what she was, and why she came hither.' So leaving the
+barge in charge of a trusty man, they went into the King's chamber,
+followed by many Knights, for the King would have the letter read
+openly. He then broke the seal himself, and bade a clerk read it, and
+this was what it said:
+
+'Most noble Knight Sir Lancelot, I was your lover, whom men called the
+Fair Maid of Astolat: therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet
+pray for my soul, and bury me. This is my last request. Pray for my
+soul, Sir Lancelot, as thou art peerless.'
+
+[Illustration: THE BLACK BARGET]
+
+This was all the letter, and the King and Queen and all the Knights
+wept when they heard it.
+
+'Let Sir Lancelot be sent for,' presently said the King, and when Sir
+Lancelot came the letter was read to him also.
+
+'My lord Arthur,' said he, after he had heard it all, 'I am right
+grieved at the death of this damsel. God knows I was not, of my own
+will, guilty of her death, and that I will call on her brother, Sir
+Lavaine, to witness. She was both fair and good, and much was I
+beholden to her, but she loved me out of measure.'
+
+'You might have been a little gentle with her,' answered the Queen,
+'and have found some way to save her life.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'she would have nothing but my love, and
+that I could not give her, though I offered her a thousand pounds
+yearly if she should set her heart on any other Knight. For, Madam, I
+love not to be forced to love; love must arise of itself, and not by
+command.'
+
+'That is truth,' replied the King, 'love is free in himself, and never
+will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth himself. But, Sir
+Lancelot, be it your care to see that the damsel is buried as is
+fitting.'
+
+
+
+
+_LANCELOT AND GUENEVERE_
+
+
+Now we come to the sorrowful tale of Lancelot and Guenevere, and of
+the death of King Arthur. Already it has been told that King Arthur
+had wedded Guenevere, the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cornwall, a
+damsel who seemed made of all the flowers, so fair was she, and
+slender, and brilliant to look upon. And the Knights in her father's
+Court bowed down before her, and smote their hardest in the jousts
+where Guenevere was present, but none dared ask her in marriage till
+Arthur came. Like the rest he saw and loved her, but, unlike them, he
+was a King, and might lift his eyes even unto Guenevere. The maiden
+herself scarcely saw or spoke to him, but did her father's bidding in
+all things, and when he desired her to make everything ready to go
+clothed as beseemed a Princess to King Arthur's Court, her heart beat
+with joy at the sight of rich stuffs and shining jewels. Then one day
+there rode up to the Castle a band of horsemen sent by the King to
+bring her to his Court, and at the head of them Sir Lancelot du Lake,
+friend of King Arthur, and winner of all the jousts and tournaments
+where Knights meet to gain honour. Day by day they rode together apart
+and he told her tales of gallant deeds done for love of beautiful
+ladies, and they passed under trees gay with the first green of
+spring, and over hyacinths covering the earth with sheets of blue,
+till at sunset they drew rein before the silken pavilion, with the
+banner of Uther Pendragon floating on the top. And Guenevere's heart
+went out to Lancelot before she knew. One evening she noted, far
+across the plain, towers and buildings shining in the sun, and an
+array of horsemen ride forth to meet her. One stopped before her
+dazzled eyes, and leaping from his horse bowed low. Arthur had come to
+welcome her, and do her honour, and to lead her home. But looking up
+at him, she thought him cold, and, timid and alone, her thoughts
+turned again to Lancelot. After that the days and years slipped by,
+and these two were ever nearest the King, and in every time of danger
+the King cried for Lancelot, and trusted his honour and the Queen's to
+him. Sir Lancelot spoke truly when he told Elaine that he had never
+worn the badge of lady or maiden, but for all that every one looked on
+Sir Lancelot as the Queen's Knight, who could do no worship to any
+other woman. The King likewise held Sir Lancelot bound to fight the
+Queen's battles, and if he was absent on adventures of his own,
+messengers hastened to bring him back, as in the fight with Sir Mador.
+So things went on for many years, and the King never guessed that the
+Queen loved Lancelot best.
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT BRINGS GUENEVERE TO ARTHUR]
+
+It befell one spring, in the month of May, that Queen Guenevere
+bethought herself that she would like to go a-maying in the woods and
+fields that lay round the City of Westminster on both sides of the
+river. To this intent she called her own especial Knights, and bade
+them be ready the next morning clothed all in green, whether of silk
+or cloth, 'and,' said she, 'I shall bring with me ten ladies, and
+every Knight shall have a lady behind him, and be followed by a Squire
+and two yeomen, and I will that you shall all be well horsed.' Thus it
+was done, and the ten Knights, arrayed in fresh green, the emblem of
+the spring, rode with the Queen and her ladies in the early dawn, and
+smelt the sweet of the year, and gathered flowers which they stuck in
+their girdles and doublets. The Queen was as happy and light of heart
+as the youngest maiden, but she had promised to be with the King at
+the hour of ten, and gave the signal for departure unwillingly. The
+Knights were mounting their horses, when suddenly out of a wood on the
+other side rode Sir Meliagraunce, who for many years had loved the
+Queen, and had sought an occasion to carry her off, but found none so
+fair as this. Out of the forest he rode, with two score men in armour,
+and a hundred archers behind him, and bade the Queen and her followers
+stay where they were, or they would fare badly. 'Traitor,' cried the
+Queen, 'what evil deed would you do? You are a King's son and a Knight
+of the Round Table, yet you seek to shame the man who gave you
+knighthood. But I tell you that you may bring dishonour on yourself,
+but you will bring none on me, for rather would I cut my throat in
+twain.'
+
+'As for your threats, Madam, I pay them no heed,' returned Sir
+Meliagraunce; 'I have loved you many a year, and never could I get you
+at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I will take you as I
+find you.' Then all the Knights spoke together saying, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, bethink yourself that in attacking men who are unarmed
+you put not only our lives in peril but your own honour. Rather than
+allow the Queen to be shamed we will each one fight to the death, and
+if we did aught else we should dishonour our knighthood for ever.'
+
+'Fight as well as you can,' answered Sir Meliagraunce, 'and keep the
+Queen if you may.' So the Knights of the Round Table drew their
+swords, and the men of Sir Meliagraunce ran at them with spears; but
+the Knights stood fast, and clove the spears in two before they
+touched them. Then both sides fought with swords, and Sir Kay and five
+other Knights were felled to the ground with wounds all over their
+bodies. The other four fought long, and slew forty of the men and
+archers of Sir Meliagraunce; but in the end they too were overcome.
+When the Queen saw that she cried out for pity and sorrow, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, spare my noble Knights and I will go with you quietly
+on this condition, that their lives be saved, and that wherever you
+may carry me they shall follow. For I give you warning that I would
+rather slay myself than go with you without my Knights, whose duty it
+is to guard me.'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Meliagraunce, 'for your sake they shall be led
+with you into my own castle, if you will consent to ride with me.' So
+the Queen prayed the four Knights to fight no more, and she and they
+would not part, and to this, though their hearts were heavy, they
+agreed.
+
+The fight being ended the wounded Knights were placed on horseback,
+some sitting, some lying across the saddle, according as they were
+hurt, and Sir Meliagraunce forbade anyone to leave the castle (which
+had been a gift to him from King Arthur), for sore he dreaded the
+vengeance of Sir Lancelot if this thing should reach his ears. But the
+Queen knew well what was passing in his mind, and she called a little
+page who served her in her chamber and desired him to take her ring
+and hasten with all speed to Sir Lancelot, 'and pray him, if he loves
+me, to rescue me. Spare not your horse, neither for water nor for
+land.' And the boy bided his time, then mounted his horse, and rode
+away as fast as he might. Sir Meliagraunce spied him as he flew, and
+knew whither he went, and who had sent him; and he commanded his best
+archers to ride after him and shoot him ere he reached Sir Lancelot.
+But the boy escaped their arrows, and vanished from their sight. Then
+Sir Meliagraunce said to the Queen, 'You seek to betray me, Madam; but
+Sir Lancelot shall not so lightly come at you.' And he bade his men
+follow him to the castle in haste, and left an ambush of thirty
+archers in the road, charging them that if a Knight mounted on a white
+horse came along that way they were to slay the horse but to leave the
+man alone, as he was hard to overcome. After Sir Meliagraunce had
+given these orders his company galloped fast to the castle; but the
+Queen would listen to nothing that he said, demanding always that her
+Knights and ladies should be lodged with her, and Sir Meliagraunce was
+forced to let her have her will.
+
+[Illustration: GUENEVERE SENDS HER PAGE TO LANCELOT FOR HELP]
+
+The castle of Sir Meliagraunce was distant seven miles from
+Westminster, so it did not take long for the boy to find Sir Lancelot,
+and to give him the Queen's ring and her message. 'I am shamed for
+ever,' said Sir Lancelot, 'unless I can rescue that noble lady,' and
+while he put on his armour, he called to the boy to tell him the whole
+adventure. When he was armed and mounted, he begged the page to warn
+Sir Lavaine where he had gone, and for what cause. 'And pray him, as
+he loves me, that he follow me to the castle of Sir Meliagraunce, for
+if I am a living man, he will find me there.'
+
+Sir Lancelot put his horse into the water at Westminster, and he swam
+straight over to Lambeth, and soon after he landed he found traces of
+the fight. He rode along the track till he came to the wood, where the
+archers were lying waiting for him, and when they saw him, they bade
+him on peril of his life to go no further along that path.
+
+'Why should I, who am a Knight of the Round Table, turn out of any
+path that pleases me?' asked Sir Lancelot.
+
+'Either you will leave this path or your horse will be slain,'
+answered the archers.
+
+'You may slay my horse if you will,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but when my
+horse is slain I shall fight you on foot, and so would I do, if there
+were five hundred more of you.' With that they smote the horse with
+their arrows, but Sir Lancelot jumped off, and ran into the wood, and
+they could not catch him. He went on some way, but the ground was
+rough, and his armour was heavy, and sore he dreaded the treason of
+Sir Meliagraunce. His heart was near to fail him, when there passed by
+a cart with two carters that came to fetch wood. 'Tell me, carter,'
+asked Sir Lancelot, 'what will you take to suffer me to go in your
+cart till we are within two miles of the castle of Sir Meliagraunce?'
+
+'I cannot take you at all,' answered the carter, 'for I am come to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagraunce.'
+
+'It is with him that I would speak.'
+
+'You shall not go with me,' said the carter, but hardly had he uttered
+the words when Sir Lancelot leapt up into the cart, and gave him such
+a buffet that he fell dead on the ground. At this sight the other
+carter cried that he would take the Knight where he would if he would
+only spare his life. 'Then I charge you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that you
+bring me to the castle gate.' So the carter drove at a great gallop,
+and Sir Lancelot's horse, who had espied his master, followed the
+cart, though more than fifty arrows were standing in his body. In an
+hour and a half they reached the castle gate, and were seen of
+Guenevere and her ladies, who were standing in a window. 'Look,
+Madam,' cried one of her ladies, 'in that cart yonder is a goodly
+armed Knight. I suppose he is going to his hanging.'
+
+'Where?' asked the Queen, and as she spoke she espied that it was Sir
+Lancelot, and that his horse was following riderless. 'Well is he that
+has a trusty friend,' said she, 'for a noble Knight is hard pressed
+when he rides in a cart,' and she rebuked the lady who had declared he
+was going to his hanging. 'It was foul talking, to liken the noblest
+Knight in the world to one going to a shameful death.' By this Sir
+Lancelot had come to the gate of the castle, and he got down and
+called till the castle rang with his voice. 'Where is that false
+traitor Sir Meliagraunce, Knight of the Round Table? Come forth, you
+and your company, for I, Sir Lancelot du Lake, am here to do battle
+with you.' Then he burst the gate open wide, and smote the porter who
+tried to hold it against him. When Sir Meliagraunce heard Sir
+Lancelot's voice, he ran into Queen Guenevere's chamber, and fell on
+his knees before her: 'Mercy, Madam, mercy! I throw myself upon your
+grace.'
+
+'What ails you now?' said she; 'of a truth I might well expect some
+good Knight to avenge me, though my lord Arthur knew not of your
+work.'
+
+[Illustration: THE ARCHERS THREATEN LANCELOT]
+
+'Madam, I will make such amends as you yourself may desire,' pleaded
+Sir Meliagraunce, 'and I trust wholly to your grace.'
+
+'What would you have me do?' asked the Queen.
+
+'Rule in this castle as if it were your own, and give Sir Lancelot
+cheer till to-morrow, and then you shall all return to Westminster.'
+
+'You say well,' answered the Queen. 'Peace is ever better than war,
+and I take no pleasure in fighting.' So she went down with her ladies
+to Sir Lancelot, who still stood full of rage in the inner court,
+calling as before, 'Traitor Knight, come forth!'
+
+'Sir Lancelot,' asked the Queen, 'what is the cause of all this
+wrath?'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'does such a question come from you?
+Methinks your wrath should be greater than mine, for all the hurt and
+the dishonour have fallen upon you. My own hurt is but little, but the
+shame is worse than any hurt.'
+
+'You say truly,' replied the Queen, 'but you must come in with me
+peaceably, as all is put into my hand, and the Knight repents bitterly
+of his adventure.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'since you have made agreement with him,
+it is not my part to say nay, although Sir Meliagraunce has borne
+himself both shamefully and cowardly towards me. But had I known you
+would have pardoned him so soon, I should not have made such haste to
+come to you.'
+
+'Why do you say that?' asked the Queen; 'do you repent yourself of
+your good deeds? I only made peace with him to have done with all this
+noise of slanderous talk, and for the sake of my Knights.'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you understand full well that I was
+never glad of slander nor noise, but there is neither King, Queen nor
+Knight alive, save yourself, Madam, and my lord Arthur, that should
+hinder me from giving Sir Meliagraunce a cold heart before I departed
+hence.'
+
+'That I know well,' said the Queen, 'but what would you have more?
+Everything shall be ordered as you will.'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'as long as you are pleased, that is
+all I care for,' so the Queen led Sir Lancelot into her chamber, and
+commanded him to take off his armour, and then took him to where her
+ten Knights were lying sore wounded. And their souls leapt with joy
+when they saw him, and he told them how falsely Sir Meliagraunce had
+dealt with him, and had set archers to slay his horse, so that he was
+fain to place himself in a cart. Thus they complained each to the
+other, and would have avenged themselves on Sir Meliagraunce but for
+the peace made by the Queen. And in the evening came Sir Lavaine,
+riding in great haste, and Sir Lancelot was glad that he was come.
+
+Now Sir Lancelot was right when he feared to trust Sir Meliagraunce,
+for that Knight only sought to work ill both to him and to the Queen,
+for all his fair words. And first he began to speak evil of the Queen
+to Sir Lancelot, who dared him to prove his foul words, and it was
+settled between them that a combat should take place in eight days in
+the field, near Westminster. 'And now,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'since
+it is decided that we must fight together, I beseech you, as you are a
+noble Knight, do me no treason nor villainy in the meantime.'
+
+'Any Knight will bear me witness,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that never
+have I broken faith with any man, nor borne fellowship with those that
+have done so.' 'Then let us go to dinner,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'and
+afterwards you may all ride to Westminster. Meanwhile would it please
+you to see the inside of this castle?' 'That I will gladly,' said Sir
+Lancelot, and they went from chamber to chamber, till they reached the
+floor of the castle, and as he went Sir Lancelot trod on a trap, and
+the board rolled, and he fell down in a cave which was filled with
+straw, and Sir Meliagraunce departed and no man knew where Sir
+Lancelot might be. The Queen bethought herself that he was wont to
+disappear suddenly, and as Sir Meliagraunce had first removed Sir
+Lavaine's horse from the place where it had been tethered, the Knights
+agreed with her. So time passed till dinner had been eaten, and then
+Sir Lavaine demanded litters for the wounded Knights, that they might
+be carried to Westminster with as little hurt as might be. And the
+Queen and her ladies followed. When they arrived, the Knights told of
+their adventure, and how Sir Meliagraunce had accused the Queen of
+treason, and how he and Sir Lancelot were to fight for her good name
+in eight days.
+
+'Sir Meliagraunce has taken a great deal upon him,' said the King,
+'but where is Sir Lancelot?'
+
+'Sir,' answered they all, 'we know not, but we think he has ridden to
+some adventure.' 'Well, leave him alone,' said the King. 'He will be
+here when the day comes, unless some treason has befallen him.'
+
+All this while Sir Lancelot was lying in great pain within the cave,
+and he would have died for lack of food had not one of the ladies in
+the castle found out the place where he was held captive, and brought
+him meat and drink, and hoped that he might be brought to love her.
+But he would not. 'Sir Lancelot,' said she, 'you are not wise, for
+without my help you will never get out of this prison, and if you do
+not appear on the day of battle, your lady, Queen Guenevere, will be
+burnt in default.' 'If I am not there,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'the
+King and the Queen and all men of worship will know that I am either
+dead or in prison. And sure I am that there is some good Knight who
+loves me or is of my kin, that will take my quarrel in hand, therefore
+you cannot frighten me by such words as these. If there was not
+another woman in the world, I could give you no different answer.'
+'Then you will be shamed openly,' replied the lady, and left the
+dungeon. But on the day that the battle was to be fought she came
+again, and said, 'Sir Lancelot, if you will only kiss me once, I will
+deliver you, and give you the best horse in Sir Meliagraunce's
+stable.' 'Yes, I will kiss you,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'since I may
+do that honourably; but if I thought it were any shame to kiss you, I
+would not do it, whatever the cost.' So he kissed her, and she brought
+him his armour, and led him to a stable where twelve noble horses
+stood, and bade him choose the best. He chose a white courser, and
+bade the keepers put on the best saddle they had, and with his spear
+in his hand and his sword by his side, he rode away, thanking the lady
+for all she had done for him, which some day he would try to repay.
+
+As the hours passed on and Sir Lancelot did not come, Sir Meliagraunce
+called ever on King Arthur to burn the Queen, or else bring forth Sir
+Lancelot, for he deemed full well that he had Sir Lancelot safe in his
+dungeon. The King and Queen were sore distressed that Sir Lancelot was
+missing, and knew not where to look for him, and what to do. Then
+stepped forth Sir Lavaine and said, 'My lord Arthur, you know well
+that some ill-fortune has happened to Sir Lancelot, and if he is not
+dead, he is either sick or in prison. Therefore I beseech you, let me
+do battle instead of my lord and master for my lady the Queen.'
+
+'I thank you heartily, gentle Knight,' answered Arthur, 'for I am sure
+that Sir Meliagraunce accuses the Queen falsely, and there is not one
+of the ten Knights who would not fight for her were it not for his
+wounds. So do your best, for it is plain that some evil has been
+wrought on Sir Lancelot.' Sir Lavaine was filled with joy when the
+King gave him leave to do battle with Sir Meliagraunce, and rode
+swiftly to his place at the end of the lists. And just as the heralds
+were about to cry 'Lesses les aler!' Sir Lancelot dashed into the
+middle on his white horse. 'Hold and abide!' commanded the King, and
+Sir Lancelot rode up before him, and told before them all how Sir
+Meliagraunce had treated him. When the King and Queen and all the
+Lords heard Sir Lancelot's tale, their hearts stirred within them with
+anger, and the Queen took her seat by the King, in great trust of her
+champion. Sir Lancelot and Sir Meliagraunce prepared themselves for
+battle, and took their spears, and came together as thunder, and Sir
+Lancelot bore Sir Meliagraunce right over his horse. Then Sir Lancelot
+jumped down, and they fought on foot, till in the end Sir Meliagraunce
+was smitten to the ground by a blow on his head from his enemy. 'Most
+noble Knight, save my life,' cried he, 'for I yield myself unto you,
+and put myself into the King's hands and yours.' Sir Lancelot did not
+know what to answer, for he longed above anything in the world to have
+revenge upon him; so he looked at the Queen to see whether she would
+give him any sign of what she would have done. The Queen wagged her
+head in answer, and Sir Lancelot knew by that token that she would
+have him dead, and he understood, and bade Sir Meliagraunce get up,
+and continue the fight. 'Nay,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'I will never
+rise till you accept my surrender.' 'Listen,' answered Sir Lancelot.
+'I will leave my head and left side bare, and my left arm shall be
+bound behind me, and in this guise I will fight with you.' At this Sir
+Meliagraunce started to his feet, and cried, 'My lord Arthur, take
+heed to this offer, for I will take it, therefore let him be bound and
+unarmed as he has said.' So the Knights disarmed Sir Lancelot, first
+his head and then his side, and his left hand was bound behind his
+back, in such a manner that he could not use his shield, and full many
+a Knight and lady marvelled that Sir Lancelot would risk himself so.
+And Sir Meliagraunce lifted his sword on high and would have smitten
+Sir Lancelot on his bare head, had he not leapt lightly to one side,
+and, before Sir Meliagraunce could right himself, Sir Lancelot had
+struck him so hard upon his helmet that his skull split in two, and
+there was nothing left to do but to carry his dead body from the
+field. And because the Knights of the Round Table begged to have him
+honourably buried, the King agreed thereto, and on his tomb mention
+was made of how he came by his death, and who slew him. After this Sir
+Lancelot was more cherished by the King and Queen than ever he was
+before.
+
+Among the many Knights at Arthur's Court who owned kings for their
+fathers were Sir Mordred and Sir Agrawaine, who had for brothers, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. And their mother was Queen of
+Orkney, sister to King Arthur. Now Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred had
+evil natures, and loved both to invent slanders and to repeat them.
+And at this time they were full of envy of the noble deeds Sir
+Lancelot had done, and how men called him the bravest Knight of the
+Table Round, and said that he was the friend of the King, and the
+sworn defender of the Queen. So they cast about how they might ruin
+him, and found the way by putting jealous thoughts into the mind of
+Arthur.
+
+As was told in the tale of the marriage of Arthur, Queen Guenevere's
+heart had gone out to Lancelot, on the journey to the Court, and ever
+she loved to have him with her. This was known well to Sir Mordred,
+who watched eagerly for a chance to work her ill.
+
+It came one day when Arthur proclaimed a hunt, and Sir Mordred guessed
+that Sir Lancelot, who did not love hunting, would stay behind, and
+would spend the time holding talk with the Queen. Therefore he went to
+the King and began to speak evil of the Queen and Sir Lancelot. At
+first King Arthur would listen to nothing, but slowly his jealousy
+burned within him, and he let the ill words that accused the Queen of
+loving Sir Lancelot the best, sink into his mind, and told Sir Mordred
+and Sir Agrawaine that they might do their worst, and he would not
+meddle with them. But they let so many of their fellowship into the
+secret of their foul plot, that at last it came to the ears of Sir
+Bors, who begged Sir Lancelot not to go near the Queen that day, or
+harm would come of it. But Sir Lancelot answered that the Queen had
+sent for him, and that she was his liege lady, and never would he hold
+back when she summoned him to her presence. Therefore Sir Bors went
+heavily away. By ill fortune, Sir Lancelot only wore his sword under
+his great mantle, and scarcely had he passed inside the door when Sir
+Agrawaine and Sir Mordred, and twelve other Knights of the Table
+Round, all armed and ready for battle, cried loudly upon Sir Lancelot,
+that all the Court might hear.
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'is there any armour within your chamber
+that I might cover my body withal, for if I was armed as they are I
+would soon crush them?'
+
+'Alas!' replied the Queen, 'I have neither sword nor spear nor armour,
+and how can you resist them? You will be slain and I shall be burnt.
+If you could only escape their hands, I know you would deliver me from
+danger.'
+
+'It is grievous,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that I who was never conquered
+in all my life should be slain for lack of armour.'
+
+'Traitor Knight,' cried Sir Mordred again, 'come out and fight us, for
+you are so sore beset that you cannot escape us.'
+
+'Oh, mercy,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'I may not suffer longer this shame
+and noise! For better were death at once than to endure this pain.'
+Then he took the Queen in his arms and kissed her, and said, 'Most
+noble Christian Queen, I beseech you, as you have ever been my special
+good lady, and I at all times your true poor Knight, and as I never
+failed you in right or in wrong, since the first day that King Arthur
+made me Knight, that you will pray for my soul, if I be here slain.
+For I am well assured that Sir Bors, my nephew, and Sir Lavaine and
+many more, will rescue you from the fire, and therefore, mine own
+lady, comfort yourself whatever happens to me, and go with Sir Bors,
+my nephew, and you shall live like a Queen on my lands.'
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT COMES OUT OF GUENEVERE'S ROOM]
+
+'Nay, Lancelot,' said the Queen, 'I will never live after your days,
+but if you are slain I will take my death as meekly as ever did any
+Christian Queen.'
+
+'Well, Madam,' answered Lancelot, 'since it is so I shall sell my life
+as dear as I may, and a thousandfold I am more heavy for you than for
+myself.'
+
+Therewith Sir Lancelot wrapped his mantle thickly round his arm, and
+stood beside the door, which the Knights without were trying to break
+in by aid of a stout wooden form.
+
+'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'leave this noise, and I will open
+the door, and you may do with me what you will.'
+
+'Open it then,' answered they, 'for well you know you cannot escape
+us, and we will save your life and bring you before King Arthur.' So
+Sir Lancelot opened the door and held it with his left hand, so that
+but one man could come in at once. Then came forward a strong Knight,
+Sir Colgrevance of Gore, who struck fiercely at Lancelot with his
+sword. But Sir Lancelot stepped on one side, that the blow fell
+harmless, and with his arm he gave Sir Colgrevance a buffet on the
+head so that he fell dead. And Sir Lancelot drew him into the chamber,
+and barred the door.
+
+Hastily he unbuckled the dead Knight's armour, and the Queen and her
+ladies put it on him, Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred ever calling to
+him the while, 'Traitor Knight, come out of that chamber!' But Sir
+Lancelot cried to them all to go away and he would appear next morning
+before the King, and they should accuse him of what they would, and he
+would answer them, and prove his words in battle. 'Fie on you,
+traitor,' said Sir Agrawaine, 'we have you in our power, to save or to
+slay, for King Arthur will listen to our words, and will believe what
+we tell him.'
+
+'As you like,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'look to yourself,' and he flung
+open the chamber door, and strode in amongst them and killed Sir
+Agrawaine with his first blow, and in a few minutes the bodies of the
+other twelve Knights lay on the ground beside his, for no man ever
+withstood that buffet of Sir Lancelot's. He wounded Sir Mordred also,
+so that he fled away with all his might. When the clamour of the
+battle was still, Sir Lancelot turned back to the Queen and said,
+'Alas, Madam, they will make King Arthur my foe, and yours also, but
+if you will come with me to my castle, I will save you from all
+dangers.'
+
+'I will not go with you now,' answered the Queen, 'but if you see
+to-morrow that they will burn me to death, then you may deliver me as
+you shall think best.'
+
+'While I live I will deliver you,' said Sir Lancelot, and he left her
+and went back to his lodging. When Sir Bors, who was awaiting him, saw
+Sir Lancelot, he was gladder than he ever had been in his whole life
+before. 'Mercy!' cried Sir Lancelot, 'why you are all armed!'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'after you had left us I and your friends
+and your kinsmen were so troubled that we felt some great strife was
+at hand, and that perchance some trap had been laid for you. So we put
+on armour that we might help you whatever need you were in.' 'Fair
+nephew,' said Lancelot, 'but now I have been more hardly beset than
+ever I was in my life, and yet I escaped,' and he told them all that
+had happened. 'I pray you, my fellows, that you will be of good
+courage and stand by me in my need, for war is come to us all.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'all is welcome that God sends us, and we
+have had much good with you and much fame, so now we will take the bad
+as we have taken the good.' And so said they all.
+
+'I thank you for your comfort in my great distress,' replied Sir
+Lancelot, 'and you, fair nephew, haste to the Knights which be in this
+place, and find who is with me and who is against me, for I would know
+my friends from my foes.'
+
+'Sir,' said Sir Bors, 'before seven of the clock in the morning you
+shall know.'
+
+By seven o'clock, as Sir Bors had promised, many noble Knights stood
+before Sir Lancelot, and were sworn to his cause. 'My lords,' said he,
+'you know well that since I came into this country I have given
+faithful service unto my lord King Arthur and unto my lady Queen
+Guenevere. Last evening my lady, the Queen, sent for me to speak to
+her, and certain Knights that were lying in wait for me cried
+"Treason," and much ado I had to escape their blows. But I slew twelve
+of them, and Sir Agrawaine, who is Sir Gawaine's brother; and for this
+cause I am sure of mortal war, as these Knights were ordered by King
+Arthur to betray me, and therefore the Queen will be judged to the
+fire, and I may not suffer that she should be burnt for my sake.'
+
+And Sir Bors answered Sir Lancelot that it was truly his part to
+rescue the Queen, as he had done so often before, and that if she was
+burned the shame would be his. Then they all took counsel together how
+the thing might best be done, and Sir Bors deemed it wise to carry her
+off to the Castle of Joyous Gard, and counselled that she should be
+kept there, a prisoner, till the King's anger was past and he would be
+willing to welcome her back again. To this the other Knights agreed,
+and by the advice of Sir Lancelot they hid themselves in a wood close
+by the town till they saw what King Arthur would do. Meanwhile Sir
+Mordred, who had managed to escape the sword of Sir Lancelot, rode,
+wounded and bleeding, unto King Arthur, and told the King all that had
+passed, and how, of the fourteen Knights, he only was left alive. The
+King grieved sore at his tale, which Sir Mordred had made to sound as
+ill as was possible; for, in spite of all, Arthur loved Sir Lancelot.
+'It is a bitter blow,' he said, 'that Sir Lancelot must be against me,
+and the fellowship of the Table Round is broken for ever, as many a
+noble Knight will go with him. And as I am the judge, the Queen will
+have to die, as she is the cause of the death of these thirteen
+Knights.'
+
+'My lord Arthur,' said Sir Gawaine, 'be not over-hasty; listen not to
+the foul tongue of Sir Mordred, who laid this trap for Sir Lancelot,
+that we all know to be the Queen's own Knight, who has done battle for
+her when none else would. As for Sir Lancelot, he will prove the right
+on the body of any Knight living that shall accuse him of
+wrong--either him, or my lady Guenevere.'
+
+'That I believe well,' said King Arthur, 'for he trusts so much in his
+own might that he fears no man; and never more shall he fight for the
+Queen, for she must suffer death by the law. Put on, therefore, your
+best armour, and go with your brothers, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth,
+and bring the Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and suffer
+her death.'
+
+'Nay, my lord, that I will never do,' cried Sir Gawaine; 'my heart
+will never serve me to see her die, and I will never stand by and see
+so noble a lady brought to a shameful end.'
+
+'Then,' said the King, 'let your brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth
+be there.'
+
+'My lord,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'I know well how loth they will be,
+but they are young and unable to say you nay.'
+
+At this Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth spoke to King Arthur: 'Sir, if you
+command us we will obey, but it will be sore against our will. And if
+we go we shall be dressed as men of peace, and wear no armour.'
+
+'Make yourselves ready, then,' answered the King, 'for I would delay
+no longer in giving judgment.'
+
+'Alas!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'that I should have lived to see this day';
+and he turned and wept bitterly, and went into his chamber.
+
+So the Queen was led outside the gates, and her rich dress was taken
+off, while her lords and ladies wrung their hands in grief, and few
+men wore armour, for in that day it was held that the presence of
+mail-clad Knights made death more shameful. Now among those present
+was one sent by Sir Lancelot, and when he saw the Queen's dress
+unclasped, and the priest step forth to listen to her confession, he
+rode to warn Sir Lancelot that the hour had come. And suddenly there
+was heard a sound as of rushing horses, and Sir Lancelot dashed up to
+the fire, and all the Knights that stood around were slain, for few
+men wore armour. Sir Lancelot looked not where he struck, and Sir
+Gaheris and Sir Gareth were found in the thickest of the throng. At
+last he reached the Queen, and, throwing a mantle over her, he caught
+her on to his saddle and rode away with her. Right thankful was the
+Queen at being snatched from the fire, and her heart was grateful to
+Sir Lancelot, who took her to his Castle of Joyous Gard, and many
+noble Knights and Kings had fellowship with them.
+
+After King Arthur had given judgment for the Queen to die he went back
+into his Palace of Westminster, where men came and told him how Sir
+Lancelot had delivered her, and of the death of his Knights, and in
+especial of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, and he swooned away from
+sorrow. 'Alas!' he cried, when he recovered from his swoon, 'alas!
+that a crown was ever on my head, for in these two days I have lost
+forty Knights and the fellowship of Sir Lancelot and his kinsmen, and
+never more will they be of my company. But I charge you that none tell
+Sir Gawaine of the death of his brothers, for I am sure that when he
+hears of Sir Gareth he will go out of his mind. Oh, why did Sir
+Lancelot slay them? for Sir Gareth loved Sir Lancelot more than any
+other man.'
+
+'That is true,' answered some of the Knights, 'but Sir Lancelot saw
+not whom he smote, and therefore were they slain.'
+
+'The death of those two,' said Arthur, 'will cause the greatest mortal
+war that ever was. I am sure that when Sir Gawaine knows Sir Gareth is
+slain he will never suffer me to rest till I have destroyed Sir
+Lancelot and all his kin, or till they have destroyed me. My heart
+was never so heavy as it is now, and far more grievous to me is the
+loss of my good Knights than of my Queen; for Queens I might have in
+plenty, but no man had ever such a company of Knights, and it hurts me
+sore that Sir Lancelot and I should be at war. It is the ill will
+borne by Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred to Sir Lancelot that has caused
+all this sorrow.' Then one came to Sir Gawaine and told him that Sir
+Lancelot had borne off the Queen, and that twenty-four Knights had
+been slain in the combat. 'I knew well he would deliver her,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'and in that, he has but acted as a Knight should and as I
+would have done myself. But where are my brethren? I marvel they have
+not been to seek me.'
+
+'Truly,' said the man, 'Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth are slain.'
+
+'Heaven forbid any such thing,' returned Sir Gawaine. 'I would not for
+all the world that that had happened, especially to my brother Sir
+Gareth.'
+
+'He is slain,' said the man, 'and it is grievous news.'
+
+'Who slew him?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'Sir Lancelot slew them both,' answered the man.
+
+'He cannot have slain Sir Gareth,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'for my
+brother Gareth loved him better than me and all his brethren, and King
+Arthur too. And had Sir Lancelot desired my brother to go with him, he
+would have turned his back on us all. Therefore I can never believe
+that Sir Lancelot slew my brother.'
+
+'Sir, it is in everyone's mouth,' said the man. At this Sir Gawaine
+fell back in a swoon and lay long as if he were dead. Then he ran to
+the King, crying, 'O King Arthur, mine uncle, my good brother Sir
+Gareth is slain, and Sir Gaheris also,' and the King wept with him. At
+length Sir Gawaine said, 'Sir, I will go and see my brother Sir
+Gareth.'
+
+'You cannot do that,' returned the King, 'for I have caused him to be
+buried with Sir Gaheris, as I knew well that the sight would cause you
+overmuch sorrow.'
+
+'How came he, Sir Lancelot, to slay Sir Gareth?' asked Sir Gawaine;
+'mine own good lord, I pray you tell me, for neither Sir Gareth nor
+Sir Gaheris bore arms against him.'
+
+'It is said,' answered the King, 'that Sir Lancelot slew them in the
+thickest of the press and knew them not. Therefore let us think upon a
+plan to avenge their deaths.'
+
+'My King, my lord and mine uncle,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I swear to you
+by my knighthood that from this day I will never rest until Sir
+Lancelot or I be slain. And I will go to the world's end till I find
+him.'
+
+'You need not seek him so far,' answered the King, 'for I am told that
+Sir Lancelot will await me and you in the Castle of Joyous Gard, and
+many people are flocking to him. But call your friends together, and I
+will call mine,' and the King ordered letters to be sent throughout
+all England summoning his Knights and vassals to the siege of Joyous
+Gard. The Castle of Joyous Gard was strong, and after fifteen weeks
+had passed no breach had been made in its walls. And one day, at the
+time of harvest, Sir Lancelot came forth on a truce, and the King and
+Sir Gawaine challenged him to do battle.
+
+'Nay,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'with yourself I will never strive, and
+I grieve sorely that I have slain your Knights. But I was forced to
+it, for the saving of my life and that of my lady the Queen. And
+except yourself, my lord, and Sir Gawaine, there is no man that shall
+call me traitor but he shall pay for it with his body. As to Queen
+Guenevere, oft times, my lord, you have consented in the heat of your
+passion that she should be burnt and destroyed, and it fell to me to
+do battle for her, and her enemies confessed their untruth, and
+acknowledged her innocent. And at such times, my lord Arthur, you
+loved me and thanked me when I saved your Queen from the fire, and
+promised ever to be my good lord, for I have fought for her many times
+in other quarrels than my own. Therefore, my gracious lord, take your
+Queen back into your grace again.'
+
+To these words of Sir Lancelot's, King Arthur answered nothing, but in
+his heart he would fain have made peace with Sir Lancelot, but Sir
+Gawaine would not let him. He reproached Sir Lancelot bitterly for the
+deaths of his brothers and kinsmen, and called Sir Lancelot a craven
+and other ill names that he would not fight with King Arthur. So at
+the last Sir Lancelot's patience and courtesy failed him, and he told
+them that the next morning he would give them battle.
+
+The heart of Sir Gawaine leaped with joy when he heard these words of
+Sir Lancelot, and he summoned all his friends and his kinsfolk, and
+bade them watch well Sir Lancelot, and to slay him if a chance
+offered. But he knew not that Sir Lancelot had bidden the Knights of
+his following in no wise to touch King Arthur or Sir Gawaine. And when
+the dawn broke a great host marched out of the Castle of Joyous Gard,
+with Sir Lancelot at the head, and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel commanding
+on either side. All that day they fought, and sometimes one army
+seemed to be gaining, and sometimes the other. Many times King Arthur
+drew near Sir Lancelot, and would have slain him, and Sir Lancelot
+suffered him, and would not strike again. But the King was unhorsed by
+Sir Bors, and would have been slain but for Sir Lancelot, who stayed
+his hand. 'My lord Arthur,' he said, 'for God's love stop this strife.
+I cannot strike you, so you will gain no fame by it, though your
+friends never cease from trying to slay me. My lord, remember what I
+have done in many places and how evil is now my reward.' Then when
+King Arthur was on his horse again he looked on Sir Lancelot, and
+tears burst from his eyes, thinking of the great courtesy that was in
+Sir Lancelot more than in any other man. He sighed to himself, saying
+softly, 'Alas! that ever this war began,' and rode away, while the
+battle ended for that time and the dead were buried.
+
+But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to make peace, and they
+fought on, now in one place, and now in another, till the Pope heard
+of the strife and sent a noble clerk, the Bishop of Rochester, to
+charge the King to make peace with Sir Lancelot, and to take back unto
+him his Queen, the Lady Guenevere. Now the King, as has been said,
+would fain have followed the Pope's counsel and have accorded with Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him. However, as to the
+Queen Sir Gawaine said nothing; and King Arthur gave audience to the
+Bishop, and swore on his great seal that he would take back the Queen
+as the Pope desired, and that if Sir Lancelot brought her he should
+come safe and go safe. So the Bishop rode to Joyous Gard and showed
+Sir Lancelot what the Pope had written and King Arthur had answered,
+and told him of the perils which would befall him if he withheld the
+Queen. 'It was never in my thought,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'to
+withhold the Queen from King Arthur, but as she would have been dead
+for my sake it was my part to save her life, and to keep her from
+danger till better times came. And I thank God that the Pope has made
+peace, and I shall be a thousand times gladder to bring her back than
+I was to take her away. Therefore ride to the King, and say that in
+eight days I myself will bring the Lady Guenevere unto him.' So the
+Bishop departed, and came to the King at Carlisle, and told him what
+Sir Lancelot had answered, and tears burst from the King's eyes once
+more.
+
+A goodly host of a hundred Knights rode eight days later from the
+Castle of Joyous Gard; every Knight was clothed in green velvet, and
+held in his hand a branch of olive, and bestrode a horse with
+trappings down to his heels. And behind the Queen were four and twenty
+gentlewomen clad in green likewise, while twelve esquires attended on
+Sir Lancelot. He and the Queen wore dresses of white and gold tissue,
+and their horses were clothed in housings of the same, set with
+precious stones and pearls; and no man had ever gazed on such a noble
+pair, as they rode from Joyous Gard to Carlisle. When they reached the
+castle, Sir Lancelot sprang from his horse and helped the Queen from
+hers, and led her to where King Arthur sat, with Sir Gawaine and many
+lords around him. He kneeled down, and the Queen kneeled with him, and
+many Knights wept as though it had been their own kin. But Arthur sat
+still and said nothing. At that Sir Lancelot rose, and the Queen
+likewise, and, looking straight at the King, he spoke:
+
+'Most noble King, I have brought to you my lady the Queen, as right
+requires; and time hath been, my lord Arthur, that you have been
+greatly pleased with me when I did battle for my lady your Queen. And
+full well you know that she has been put to great wrong ere this, and
+it seems to me I had more cause to deliver her from this fire, seeing
+she would have been burnt for my sake.'
+
+'Well, well, Sir Lancelot,' said the King, 'I have given you no cause
+to do to me as you have done, for I have held you dearer than any of
+my Knights.' But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to listen to
+anything Sir Lancelot said, and told him roughly that while one of
+them lived peace could never be made, and desired on behalf of the
+King that in fifteen days he should be gone out of the country. And
+still King Arthur said nothing, but suffered Sir Gawaine to talk as he
+would; and Sir Lancelot took farewell of him and of the Queen, and
+rode, grieving sorely, out of the Court, and sailed to his lands
+beyond the sea.
+
+Though the Queen was returned again, and Sir Lancelot was beyond the
+sea, the hate of Sir Gawaine towards him was in no way set at rest,
+but he raised a great host and persuaded the King to follow him. And
+after many sieges and long fighting Sir Gawaine did battle with Sir
+Lancelot once more, and was worsted, and Sir Lancelot might have slain
+him, but would not. While he lay wounded tidings came to King Arthur
+from England that caused the King to give up his war with Sir Lancelot
+and return in all haste to his own country.
+
+
+
+
+_THE END OF IT ALL_
+
+
+Now when King Arthur left England to fight with Sir Lancelot he
+ordered his nephew Sir Mordred to govern the land, which that false
+Knight did gladly. And as soon as he thought he might safely do so he
+caused some letters to be written saying that King Arthur had been
+slain in battle, and he had himself crowned King at Canterbury, where
+he made a great feast which lasted fifteen days. After it was over, he
+went to Winchester and summoned Queen Guenevere, and told her that on
+a certain day he would wed her and that she should make herself ready.
+Queen Guenevere's soul grew cold and heavy as she heard these words of
+Sir Mordred's, for she hated him with all her might, as he hated her;
+but she dared show nothing, and answered softly that she would do his
+bidding, only she desired that first she might go to London to buy all
+manner of things for her wedding. Sir Mordred trusted her because of
+her fair speech, and let her go. Then the Queen rode to London with
+all speed, and went straight to the Tower, which she filled in haste
+with food, and called her men-at-arms round her. When Sir Mordred knew
+how she had beguiled him he was wroth out of measure, and besieged the
+Tower, and assaulted it many times with battering rams and great
+engines, but could prevail nothing, for the Queen would never, for
+fair speech nor for foul, give herself into his hands again.
+
+The Bishop of Canterbury hastened unto Sir Mordred, and rebuked him
+for wishing to marry his uncle's wife. 'Leave such desires,' said the
+Bishop, 'or else I shall curse you with bell, book, and candle. Also,
+you noise abroad that my lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and
+therefore you will make ill work in the land.' At this Sir Mordred
+waxed very wroth, and would have killed the Bishop had he not fled to
+Glastonbury, where he became a hermit, and lived in poverty and prayed
+all day long for the realm, for he knew that a fierce war was at hand.
+Soon word came to Sir Mordred that King Arthur was hurrying home
+across the seas, to be avenged on his nephew, who had proved traitor.
+Wherefore Sir Mordred sent letters to all the people throughout the
+kingdom, and many followed after him, for he had cunningly sown among
+them that with him was great joy and softness of life, while King
+Arthur would bring war and strife with him. So Sir Mordred drew with a
+great host to Dover, and waited for the King. Before King Arthur and
+his men could land from the boats and ships that had brought them over
+the sea Sir Mordred set upon them, and there was heavy slaughter. But
+in the end he and his men were driven back, and he fled, and his
+people with him. After the fight was over the King ordered the dead to
+be buried; and there came a man and told him that he had found Sir
+Gawaine lying in a boat, and that he was sore wounded. And the King
+went to him and made moan over him: 'You were ever the man in the
+world that I loved most,' said he, 'you and Sir Lancelot.' 'Mine uncle
+King Arthur,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'my death day has come, and all
+through my own fault. Had Sir Lancelot been with you as he used to be
+this unhappy war had never begun, and of that I am the cause, for I
+would not accord with him. And therefore, I pray you, give me paper,
+pen, and ink that I may write to him.' So paper and ink were brought,
+and Sir Gawaine was held up by King Arthur, and a letter was writ
+wherein Sir Gawaine confessed that he was dying of an old wound given
+him by Sir Lancelot in the siege of one of the cities across the sea,
+and thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Merlin. 'Of a more noble man
+might I not be slain,' said he. 'Also, Sir Lancelot, make no tarrying,
+but come in haste to King Arthur, for sore bested is he with my
+brother Sir Mordred, who has taken the crown, and would have wedded my
+lady Queen Guenevere had she not sought safety in the Tower of London.
+Pray for my soul, I beseech you, and visit my tomb.' And after writing
+this letter, at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine gave up his spirit, and
+was buried by the King in the chapel within Dover Castle. Then was it
+told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barham
+Down, and the next morning the King rode hither to him, and there was
+a fierce battle between them, and many on both sides were slain. But
+at the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his
+men fled to Canterbury.
+
+After the Knights which were dead had been buried, and those that were
+wounded tended with healing salves, King Arthur drew westwards towards
+Salisbury, and many of Sir Mordred's men followed after him, but they
+that loved Sir Lancelot went unto Sir Mordred. And a day was fixed
+between the King and Sir Mordred that they should meet upon a down
+near Salisbury, and give battle once more. But the night before the
+battle Sir Gawaine appeared unto the King in a vision, and warned him
+not to fight next day, which was Trinity Sunday, as he would be slain
+and many of his Knights also; but to make a truce for a month, and at
+the end of that time Sir Lancelot would arrive, and would slay Sir
+Mordred, and all his Knights with him. As soon as he awoke the King
+called the Bishops and the wisest men of his army, and told them of
+his vision, and took counsel what should be done. And it was agreed
+that the King should send an embassage of two Knights and two Bishops
+unto Sir Mordred, and offer him as much goods and lands as they
+thought best if he would engage to make a treaty for a month with King
+Arthur.
+
+So they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of
+an hundred thousand men. For a long time he would not suffer himself
+to be entreated, but at the last he agreed to have Cornwall and Kent
+in King Arthur's days, and after all England. Furthermore, it was
+decided that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet in the plain
+between their hosts, each with fourteen persons. 'I am glad of this,'
+said King Arthur, when he heard what had been done; but he warned his
+men that if they were to see a sword drawn they were to come-on
+swiftly and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, 'for I in no wise trust
+him.' And in like wise spake Sir Mordred unto his host. Then they two
+met, and agreed on the truce, and wine was fetched and they drank, and
+all was well. But while they were drinking an adder crept out of a
+bush, and stung one of the fourteen Knights on his foot, and he drew
+his sword to slay the adder, not thinking of anything but his pain.
+And when the men of both armies beheld that drawn sword, they blew
+trumpets and horns and shouted grimly, and made them ready for battle.
+So King Arthur leaped on his horse, and Sir Mordred on his, and they
+went back to their own armies, and thus began the fight, and never was
+there seen one more doleful in any Christian land. For all day long
+there was rushing and riding, spearing and striking, and many a grim
+word was there spoken, and many a deadly stroke given. And at the end
+full an hundred thousand dead men lay upon the down, and King Arthur
+had but two Knights left living, Sir Lucan and his brother Sir
+Bedivere. 'Alas! that I should have lived to see this day,' cried the
+King, 'for now I am come to mine end; but would to God that I knew
+where were that traitor Sir Mordred that hath caused all this
+mischief.' Then suddenly he saw Sir Mordred leaning on his sword among
+a great heap of dead men.
+
+'Give me my spear,' said King Arthur unto Sir Lucan.
+
+'Sir, let him be,' answered Sir Lucan. 'Remember your dream, and leave
+off by this. For, blessed be God, you have won the field, and we three
+be alive, and of the others none is alive save Sir Mordred himself. If
+you leave off now, the day of destiny is past.'
+
+'Tide me death, tide me life,' said the King, 'he shall not escape my
+hands, for a better chance I shall never have,' and he took his spear
+in both hands and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying 'Traitor! now is
+your death day come,' and smote him under the shield, so that the
+spear went through his body. And when Sir Mordred felt he had his
+death wound, he raised himself up and struck King Arthur such a blow
+that the sword clave his helmet, and then fell stark dead on the earth
+again. When Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere saw that sight they carried the
+King to a little chapel, but they hoped not to leave him there long,
+for Sir Lucan had noted that many people were stealing out to rob the
+slain of the ornaments on their armour. And those that were not dead
+already they slew.
+
+'Would that I could quit this place to go to some large town,' said
+the King, when he had heard this, 'but I cannot stand, my head works
+so. Ah, Lancelot, sorely have I missed thee.' At that Sir Lucan and
+Sir Bedivere tried to lift him, but Sir Lucan had been grievously
+wounded in the fight, and the blood burst forth again as he lifted
+Arthur, and he died and fell at the feet of the King.
+
+'Alas!' said the King, 'he has died for my sake, and he had more need
+of help than I. But he would not complain, his heart was so set to
+help me. And I should sorrow yet more if I were still to live long,
+but my time flieth fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, cease moaning and
+weeping, and take Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder
+water side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword
+in that water, and come again and tell me what thou hast seen.'
+
+[Illustration: THE LAST BATTLE
+
+Sir Mordred]
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'your commandment shall be done,'
+and he departed. But when he looked at that noble sword, and beheld
+the jewels and gold that covered the pommel and hilt, he said to
+himself, 'If I throw this rich sword into the water no good will come
+of it, but only harm and loss'; so he hid Excalibur under a tree, and
+returned unto the King and told him his bidding was done. 'What did
+you see there?' asked the King.
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'I saw nothing but the winds and the
+waves.'
+
+'You have not dealt truly with me,' said the King. 'Go back, and do my
+command; spare not, but throw it in.' But again Sir Bedivere's heart
+failed him, and he hid the sword, and returned to tell the King he had
+seen nothing but the wan water.
+
+'Ah, traitor!' cried King Arthur, 'this is twice you have betrayed me.
+If you do not now fulfil my bidding, with mine own hands will I slay
+you, for you would gladly see me dead for the sake of my sword.' Then
+Sir Bedivere was shamed at having disobeyed the King, and drew forth
+the sword from its hiding place, and carried it to the water side, and
+with a mighty swing threw it far into the water. And as it flew
+through the air, an arm and hand lifted itself out of the water, and
+caught the hilt, and brandished the sword thrice, and vanished with it
+beneath the water. So Sir Bedivere came again unto the King, and told
+him what he saw.
+
+'Alas!' said the King, 'help me hence, for I have tarried overlong,'
+and Sir Bedivere took him on his back, and bare him to the water side.
+And when they stood by the bank, a little barge containing many fair
+ladies and a Queen, all in black hoods, drew near, and they wept and
+shrieked when they beheld King Arthur.
+
+'Now put me into the barge,' said the King, and Sir Bedivere laid him
+softly down, and the ladies made great mourning and the barge rowed
+from the land.
+
+'Ah, my lord Arthur!' cried Sir Bedivere, 'what shall become of me now
+you go from me, and I am left here alone with my enemies?'
+
+'Comfort yourself,' replied the King, 'and do as well as you may, for
+I go unto the valley of Avilion, to be healed of my grievous wound.
+And if you never more hear of me, pray for my soul.' But Sir Bedivere
+watched the barge till it was beyond his sight, then he rode all night
+till he came to a hermitage. Now when Queen Guenevere heard of the
+battle, and how that King Arthur was slain and Sir Mordred and all
+their Knights, she stole away, and five ladies with her, and rode to
+Amesbury; and there she put on clothes of black and white, and became
+a nun, and did great penance, and many alms deeds, and people
+marvelled at her and at her godly life. And ever she wept and moaned
+over the years that were past, and for King Arthur.
+
+As soon as the messenger whom the King had sent with Sir Gawaine's
+letter reached Sir Lancelot, and he learned that Sir Mordred had taken
+for himself the crown of England, he rose up in wrath, and, calling
+Sir Bors, bid him collect their host, that they should pass at once
+over the sea to avenge themselves on that false Knight. A fair wind
+blew them to Dover, and there Sir Lancelot asked tidings of King
+Arthur. Then the people told him that the King was slain, and Sir
+Mordred, and an hundred thousand men besides, and that the King had
+buried Sir Gawaine in the chapel at Dover Castle. 'Fair Sirs,' said
+Sir Lancelot, 'show me that tomb'; and they showed it to him, and Sir
+Lancelot kneeled before it, and wept and prayed, and this he did for
+two days. And on the third morning he summoned before him all the
+great lords and leaders of his host, and said to them, 'Fair lords, I
+thank you all for coming here with me, but we come too late, and that
+will be bitter grief to me as long as I shall live. But since it is
+so, I will myself ride and seek my lady Guenevere in the west country,
+where they say she has gone, and tarry you here, I entreat you, for
+fifteen days, and if I should not return take your ships and depart
+into your own country.'
+
+[Illustration: EXCALIBUR RETURNS TO THE MERE]
+
+Sir Bors strove to reason with him that the quest was fruitless, and
+that in the west country he would find few friends; but his words
+availed nothing. For seven days Sir Lancelot rode, and at last he came
+to a nunnery, where Queen Guenevere was looking out from her lattice,
+and was ware of his presence as he walked in the cloister. And when
+she saw him she swooned, and her ladies and gentlewomen tended her.
+When she was recovered, she spoke to them and said, 'You will marvel,
+fair ladies, why I should swoon. It was caused by the sight of yonder
+Knight who stands there, and I pray you bring him to me.' As soon as
+Sir Lancelot was brought she said to her ladies, 'Through me and this
+man has this war been wrought, for which I repent me night and day.
+Therefore, Sir Lancelot, I require and pray you never to see my face
+again, but go back to your own land, and govern it and protect it; and
+take to yourself a wife, and pray that my soul may be made clean of
+its ill doing.'
+
+'Nay, Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that shall I never do; but the
+same life that you have taken upon you, will I take upon me likewise.'
+
+'If you will do so,' said the Queen, 'it is well; but I may never
+believe but that you will turn to the world again.'
+
+'Well, Madam,' answered he, 'you speak as it pleases you, but you
+never knew me false to my promise, and I will forsake the world as you
+have done. For if in the quest of the Sangreal I had forsaken its
+vanities with all my heart and will, I had passed all Knights in the
+quest, except Sir Galahad my son. And therefore, lady, since you have
+taken you to perfection, I must do so also, and if I may find a hermit
+that will receive me I will pray and do penance while my life lasts.
+Wherefore, Madam, I beseech you to kiss me once again.'
+
+'No,' said the Queen, 'that I may not do,' and Sir Lancelot took his
+horse and departed in great sorrow. All that day and the next night he
+rode through the forest till he beheld a hermitage and a chapel
+between two cliffs, and heard a little bell ring to Mass. And he that
+sang Mass was the Bishop of Canterbury, and Sir Bedivere was with him.
+After Mass Sir Bedivere told Sir Lancelot how King Arthur had thrown
+away his sword and had sailed to the valley of Avilion, and Sir
+Lancelot's heart almost burst for grief. Then he kneeled down and
+besought the Bishop that he might be his brother. 'That I will,
+gladly,' said the Bishop, and put a robe upon him.
+
+After the fifteen days were ended, and still Sir Lancelot did not
+return, Sir Bors made the great host go back across the sea, while he
+and some of Sir Lancelot's kin set forth to seek all over England till
+they found Sir Lancelot. They rode different ways, and by fortune Sir
+Bors came one day to the chapel where Sir Lancelot was. And he prayed
+that he might stay and be one of their fellowship, and in six months
+six other Knights were joined to them, and their horses went where
+they would, for the Knights spent their lives in fasting and prayer,
+and kept no riches for themselves.
+
+In this wise six years passed, and one night a vision came to Sir
+Lancelot in his sleep charging him to hasten unto Amesbury. 'By the
+time that thou come there,' said the vision, 'thou shalt find Queen
+Guenevere dead; therefore take thy fellows with thee and fetch her
+corpse, and bury it by the side of her husband, the noble King
+Arthur.'
+
+Then Sir Lancelot rose up and told the hermit, and the hermit ordered
+him to make ready and to do all as the vision had commanded. And Sir
+Lancelot and seven of the other Knights went on foot from Glastonbury
+to Amesbury, and it took them two days to compass the distance, for
+it was far and they were weak with fasting. When they reached the
+nunnery Queen Guenevere had been dead but half an hour, and she had
+first summoned her ladies to her, and told them that Sir Lancelot had
+been a priest for near a twelvemonth. 'And hither he cometh as fast as
+he may,' she said, 'to fetch my corpse, and beside my lord King Arthur
+he shall bury me. And I beseech Almighty God that I may never have
+power to see Sir Lancelot with my bodily eyes.' 'Thus,' said the
+ladies, 'she prayed for two days till she was dead.' Then Sir Lancelot
+looked upon her face and sighed, but wept little, and next day he sang
+Mass. After that the Queen was laid on a bier drawn by horses, and an
+hundred torches were carried round her, and Sir Lancelot and his
+fellows walked behind her singing holy chants, and at times one would
+come forward and throw incense on the dead. So they came to
+Glastonbury, and the Bishop of Canterbury sang a Requiem Mass over the
+Queen, and she was wrapped in cloth, and placed first in a web of
+lead, and then in a coffin of marble, and when she was put into the
+earth Sir Lancelot swooned away.
+
+'You are to blame,' said the hermit, when he awaked from his swoon,
+'you ought not make such manner of sorrow.'
+
+'Truly,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'I trust I do not displease God, but
+when I remember her beauty, and her nobleness, and that of the King,
+and when I saw his corpse and her corpse lie together, my heart would
+not bear up my body. And I remembered, too, that it was through me and
+my pride that they both came to their end.'
+
+From that day Sir Lancelot ate so little food that he dwined away, and
+for the most part was found kneeling by the tomb of King Arthur and
+Queen Guenevere. None could comfort him, and after six weeks he was
+too weak to rise from his bed. Then he sent for the hermit and to his
+fellows, and asked in a weary voice that they would give him the last
+rites of the Church; and begged that when he was dead his body might
+be taken to Joyous Gard, which some say is Alnwick and others
+Bamborough. That night the hermit had a vision that he saw Sir
+Lancelot being carried up to heaven by the angels, and he waked Sir
+Bors and bade him go and see if anything ailed Sir Lancelot. So Sir
+Bors went and Sir Lancelot lay on his bed, stark dead, and he smiled
+as he lay there. Then was there great weeping and wringing of hands,
+more than had been made for any man; but they placed him on the horse
+bier that had carried Queen Guenevere, and lit a hundred torches, and
+in fifteen days they reached Joyous Gard. There his body was laid in
+the choir, with his face uncovered, and many prayers were said over
+him. And there, in the midst of their praying, came Sir Ector de
+Maris, who for seven years had sought Sir Lancelot through all the
+land.
+
+'Ah, Lancelot,' he said, when he stood looking beside his dead body,
+'thou wert head of all Christian Knights. Thou wert the courtliest
+Knight that ever drew sword, and the faithfulest friend that ever
+bestrode a horse. Thou wert the goodliest Knight that ever man has
+seen, and the truest lover that ever loved a woman.'
+
+
+
+
+THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES
+
+_THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES_
+
+
+About twelve hundred years ago there lived an Emperor of the West
+whose name was Charles the Great, or, as some called him, Charlemagne,
+which means Carolus Magnus. When he was not making war he ruled well
+and wisely at Aix-la-Chapelle, but at the time that this story begins
+he had been for seven years in Spain, fighting against the Saracens.
+The whole country had fallen before him, except only Saragossa, a
+famous town on the river Ebro, not far from the outskirts of the
+Pyrenees, which was held by the Moorish King Marsile, with a great
+host.
+
+One hot day Marsile was lying on a cool slab of blue marble which was
+shaded by overhanging fruit trees, and his nobles were sitting all
+round him. Suddenly the King sat up, and, turning to his followers, he
+said:
+
+'Listen to me, my Lords, for I have something of note to say unto you.
+Evil days are upon us, for the Emperor of fair France will never rest
+until he has driven us out of our country, and I have no army
+wherewith to meet him. Then counsel me, my wise men, how to escape
+both death and shame.'
+
+At the King's speech there was silence, for none knew how to reply,
+till Blancandrin, Lord of Val-Fonde, stood up.
+
+'Fear nothing,' he said to the King, 'but send a messenger to this
+proud Charles, promising to do him faithful service and asking for his
+friendship. And let there go with the messenger presents to soften his
+heart, bears and lions, and dogs to hunt them; seven hundred camels
+and four hundred mules, loaded with gold and silver, so that he shall
+have money to pay his soldiers. The messenger shall tell him that on
+the Feast of St. Michael you yourself will appear before him, and
+suffer yourself to be converted to the faith of Christ, and that you
+will be his man and do homage to him. If he asks for hostages, well!
+send ten or twenty, so as to gain his confidence; the sons of our
+wives. I myself will offer up my own son, even if it leads to his
+death. Better they should all die, than that we should lose our
+country and our lands, and be forced to beg till the end of our
+lives.' And the nobles answered, 'He has spoken well.'
+
+King Marsile broke up his Council, and chose out those who were to go
+on the embassy. 'My lords,' he said, 'you will start at once on your
+mission to King Charles, and be sure you take olive branches in your
+hands, and beg him to have pity on me. Tell him that before a month
+has passed over his head I will follow you with a thousand of my
+servants, to receive baptism and do him homage. If, besides, he asks
+for hostages, they shall be sent.' 'It is well,' said Blancandrin,
+'the treaty is good.'
+
+The Emperor Charles was happier than he had ever been in his life. He
+had taken Cordova, and thrown down the walls; his war machines had
+laid low the towers, and the rich city had been plundered, while every
+Saracen who refused to be baptized had been slain. Now he felt he
+might rest, and sought the cool of an orchard, where were already
+gathered his nephew Roland, with Oliver his comrade, Geoffrey of Anjou
+his standard bearer, and many other famous Knights. They lay about on
+white carpets doing what they best liked--some played games, chess or
+draughts, but these were mostly the old men who were glad to be still:
+the young ones fenced and tilted. Under a pine tree, close to a
+sweet-briar, a seat of massive gold was placed, and on it sat the
+Emperor of the fair country of France, a strong man, with his beard
+white as snow. But his rest was short. Soon came the messengers of the
+Saracen King, and, descending from their mules, they bowed low before
+him.
+
+[Illustration: UNDER A PINE TREE CLOSE TO A SWEET-BRIAR ON A SEAT OF
+GOLD SAT--THE KING OF THE FAIR COUNTRY OF FRANCE
+
+Charlemagne]
+
+It was Blancandrin who first spoke, showing with his hands the
+presents he had brought with him, and offering that the King would
+receive baptism, and do homage for his lands, if only the Emperor
+Charles would return with his army into France, 'for,' said
+Blancandrin, 'you have been too long in this country.'
+
+When Blancandrin had spoken, the Emperor sat silent with his head
+bent, thinking of the words of the Saracen, for never was it his
+custom to be hasty in his speech. At length he looked up, and a proud
+look was on his face.
+
+'You have said well,' he answered, 'yet King Marsile is my deadly
+enemy, and how do I know that I can put my trust in your offers?'
+
+'You will have hostages,' replied the Saracen, 'sons of the highest
+nobles, and my own son will be among them. And when you have gone back
+to your own palace, my master will follow you on the Feast of St.
+Michael, and will be made a Christian in the waters of Aix.'
+
+'If he does this,' said Charles, 'his soul may still be saved,' and he
+bade hospitality to be shown to his guests.
+
+Before sunrise next morning the Emperor left his bed, and heard Mass
+said and Matins sung. Then he seated himself under a pine, and called
+his Barons to council. Many there were whose names men still remember:
+Ogier the Dane, and Archbishop Turpin of Rheims, and the brave Count
+of Gascony, Count Roland, nephew of Charles, and his friend the
+valiant Oliver. Ganélon was there too, by whom the wrong was to be
+wrought. As soon as they were all seated, the Emperor spoke and told
+them afresh what the messengers had said. 'But Marsile makes one
+condition,' continued Charles, 'which is that I must return to France,
+where he will come to me as my vassal. Now, does he swear falsely, or
+can I trust his oath?' 'Let us be very careful how we answer him,'
+cried the nobles with one voice.
+
+At that Roland sprang to his feet. 'It is madness to put faith in
+Marsile,' said he; 'seven years have we been in Spain, and many towns
+have I conquered for you, but Marsile we have always proved a traitor.
+Once before he sent us an embassy of Unbelievers each one bearing an
+olive branch, and they made you the same promises. Once before you
+called a meeting of your barons who counselled you to do the thing
+they knew you wished, and you sent to the Court of the Unbelievers the
+noble Counts Basil and Bazan. And how did Marsile treat them? He
+commanded that they should be led into the mountains and that their
+heads should be cut off, which was done. No! Go on with the war, as
+you have begun it; march on Saragossa and lay siege to the town,
+though it should last to the end of your life, and avenge those whom
+Marsile put to death.'
+
+With bent head the Emperor listened to Roland, twisting all the while
+his fingers in his moustache. He kept silent, turning over in his mind
+the things Roland had said, and the nobles kept silence, too, all
+except Ganélon. For Ganélon rose and stood before Charles and began to
+speak. 'Believe none of us,' he said; 'think of nothing but your own
+advantage when Marsile offers to become your vassal, and to do homage
+for the whole of Spain, and to receive baptism besides; he who wishes
+you to reject such offers cares nothing for the deaths the rest of us
+may die. Pay no attention to such madness, but listen to your wise
+men.'
+
+He sat down in his place, and then the Duke Naimes took up his words.
+'You have heard,' he said to Charles, 'the words of Ganélon. Wise
+counsel, if we only follow it! Marsile knows that he is conquered at
+last. You have won his towns, and vanquished him in battle, and he is
+reduced to beg for your pity. It would be shameful to ask for anything
+further, and the more so as you have hostages as pledges of his good
+faith. It is time that the war ended; therefore send him one of your
+barons to speak with him face to face.' And the nobles answered, 'The
+Duke has spoken well.'
+
+'Noble lords, what envoy shall we send to King Marsile at Saragossa?'
+'I will go, if it is your pleasure,' said Duke Naimes. 'Give me your
+glove and the wand of office.' 'No,' replied Charles, 'your wisdom is
+great, and I cannot spare you from my side. Remain where you are, I
+command you.'
+
+'Let me go,' cried Roland. 'No, no,' answered Count Oliver; 'you are
+too hasty and too imprudent. You would only fall into some trap. With
+the King's good leave I will go instead.'
+
+'Hold your peace,' said Charles, shaking his head; 'you will neither
+of you go. None of my twelve peers shall be chosen.'
+
+Then Turpin of Rheims left his seat and spoke to Charles with his loud
+and ringing voice. 'Fair King, give your Franks a little peace. For
+seven years you have been in Spain, and your barons have all that time
+been fighting and suffering. It is now, sire, that the glove and the
+wand of office should be given. I will go and visit this Unbeliever,
+and will tell him in what scorn I hold him.' But the Emperor, full of
+rage, cried out, 'By my beard, you will stop with me. Go to your place
+on the white carpet, and give me none of your advice unless I ask for
+it.'
+
+'Good Frankish Knights,' said Charles, 'choose me a baron from my own
+land, who shall be envoy to King Marsile, and who, at need, can fight
+well.'
+
+'Ah,' cried Roland, 'let it be Ganélon, my stepfather; you will not
+find a better man.' 'Yes,' said the Franks, 'he is the man; let him go
+if the King pleases.'
+
+'Ganélon,' commanded the King, 'come here and I will give you the
+glove and the wand of office. It is the voice of the barons that has
+chosen you.'
+
+'No,' replied Ganélon, 'it is Roland's doing, and to the end of my
+life I will bear him hatred for it. Oliver also will I hate, since
+Oliver is his friend. And never more will I love the twelve peers, for
+they love him. Under your own eyes, sire, I throw down my challenge.'
+
+'You are angry about nothing,' said the King, 'and as I have commanded
+you, you will go.'
+
+'I can go, but it will be my death, as it was the death of Basil and
+of his brother Bazan. Who goes there, returns not. But, sire, do not
+forget that your sister is my wife and that I have a son Baldwin, who,
+if he lives, will be the bravest of the brave. To him I leave all my
+lands. Guard him well, for I shall see him no more.'
+
+'Your heart is too tender,' said Charles, 'but there is no help for
+it, you must go.'
+
+At the words of the King, Ganélon flung his fur mantle to the ground
+in fury. 'It is to you,' he cried, turning to Roland, 'that I owe this
+peril. I am your stepfather, and that is reason enough that you send
+me to lose my head at the Court of King Marsile. Let it be so; but if
+ever I return I will bring on you such trouble that it will only end
+with your life.'
+
+'You talk like a madman,' said Roland. 'All men know that I care
+nothing for threats. But it needs a wise man to go on such a mission,
+and if the King pleases, I will go in your place.'
+
+'You will not go in my place,' answered Ganélon. 'I am not your
+vassal, to do as you bid me. Charles has commanded me to go to
+Saragossa, therefore to Saragossa I go. But beware of what I do when I
+get there.'
+
+At this Roland began to laugh, and when Ganélon saw him laughing, it
+seemed as if his heart would burst with anger. 'I hate you,' he
+muttered to Roland. 'I should never have been chosen but for you.
+Great Emperor,' he said aloud to Charles, 'behold me ready to obey
+your orders.'
+
+[Illustration: MARSILE THREATENS GANELON WITH A JAVELIN]
+
+'Listen, fair Count,' replied Charles, 'for this is the message I
+would have you bear to King Marsile. If he agrees to become my vassal,
+and to receive Holy Baptism, I will give him half of Spain as a fief.
+The other half will be held by Roland, my nephew. If these terms do
+not please King Marsile, I will myself besiege Saragossa, and will
+take him and bind him in chains. Then he shall be brought to Aix,
+where he shall be put to a shameful death. So take this letter which
+is sealed with my seal, and give it into the hand of the Infidel.'
+When Ganélon had put the letter in safety, the King held out to him
+his glove, but the Count was not quick to seize it, and it fell to the
+ground. 'Heavens,' cried the Franks who were standing round, 'how
+dreadful an omen! This message will be the cause of dire misfortunes.'
+'I will send you news of them,' Ganélon answered. And he said to
+Charles, 'Let me depart, sire, as I must go. I wish to lose no time.'
+
+'Go then,' replied the King, making over him the sign of the cross and
+giving him the wand of office. And Ganélon went.
+
+It was not long before he overtook the Saracens, who had lingered,
+hoping he might join them, and Blancandrin began to sing the praises
+of Charles and his conquests. 'He is a wonderful man,' answered
+Ganélon, 'and of such a strong will that no man may strive against
+it.'
+
+'How brave are these Franks,' went on Blancandrin; 'but your nobles
+were ill-advised in the counsel they gave the King upon this matter.
+It bodes evil to Charles and to many beside him.'
+
+'None of them merit this blame,' said Ganélon, 'save Roland only, and
+the shame will be on his head. His pride is so great that he thinks no
+sword can touch him, but until he is really dead peace we can never
+have.' Here the Saracen glanced at Ganélon beside him. 'He is a fine
+man,' thought he, 'but there is cunning in his eye,' and then
+Blancandrin spoke. 'Let us understand each other plainly,' he said;
+'is it your wish to be avenged of Roland? Then, by the beard of
+Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous
+master, and knows how to repay those who serve him.' Ganélon heard his
+words, and bent his head in silence.
+
+But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at
+Saragossa, Ganélon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they
+would find some means of causing Roland to perish. This decided, they
+rode through the gates of the town, and dismounted from their horses.
+In the shadow of a pine, a throne was placed covered with soft silk
+from Alexandria, and on it sat he who was once the master of the whole
+of Spain. Twenty thousand Saracens stood around him, but not a sound
+was made, so eager they were to hear Charles's answer. Blancandrin
+advanced to the King's throne, leading Ganélon by the wrist.
+'Greeting, great King,' said he; 'we delivered your message to
+Charles, and he raised his two hands to heaven, and answered nothing.
+But he has sent you one of his great lords, and he will tell you if it
+is peace or no peace.'
+
+'Let him speak,' replied Marsile, 'and we will listen.'
+
+Ganélon waited a little before he spoke, for he knew that one careless
+word might prove his own ruin. 'Greeting,' he said, when at last he
+had made ready his speech. 'This is the message sent you by
+Charlemagne. You must receive Holy Baptism, and Charles will allow you
+to do homage for half of Spain. The other half he gives to Roland, his
+nephew, and a proud neighbour you will find him. If these terms do not
+please you, he will lay siege to Saragossa, and will seize your
+person, and carry you to Aix, the capital of the Empire, where you
+will die a shameful death.' When he heard this, Marsile trembled with
+rage, and drawing a dart he would have thrown it at Ganélon had not
+someone held him from behind. Ganélon looked on, his hand on his
+sword, which he drew a little from its scabbard. 'Sword,' said he,
+'you are sharp and bright. While I wear you at the Court of this
+King, the Emperor can never say that I have died alone in a foreign
+land. But before I die you shall drink the blood of the best in his
+army.'
+
+The Infidels who were standing by prayed Marsile to go back to his
+seat in order that the matter might be decided, 'You put yourself in
+the wrong,' said the old Caliph, 'when you wish to strike this Frank.'
+
+'Sire,' answered Ganélon, 'I will suffer this insult patiently, but
+not all the treasure of your kingdom should hinder my delivering the
+message of my master.' With that he threw from his shoulders his
+mantle of zibeline, but kept light hold of his sword. 'See,' said the
+Saracens, 'did you ever behold a prouder warrior?' Ganélon drew near
+the King and repeated the message that Charles had given him. When he
+had finished he held out the letter, and Marsile, who had studied in
+the best schools of learning, broke the seal and read it to himself.
+'Listen to this, my lords,' he cried, 'and say if ever you heard such
+madness! Charles bids me think of Basil and Bazan, whose heads I cut
+off, up there in the mountains. And if I wish my own life to be
+spared, I am to send him my uncle, the Caliph, to deal with as he
+thinks fit.' The Saracens heard the message in grim silence, which was
+broken by the voice of the King's son. 'Ganélon must be mad indeed to
+give such a message as that,' said he, 'and he deserves death for his
+boldness. Deliver him to me, and I will do justice on him.' Ganélon
+understood his words but said nothing, only he quietly placed his back
+against a pine tree, and played with the hilt of his sword.
+
+King Marsile rose and went into his orchard, followed by his best
+councillors, Jorfalon his son, his uncle the Caliph, and others whom
+he most trusted. 'Summon the Frank also,' Blancandrin whispered in his
+ear, 'for he has promised to throw in his lot with us.' 'Bring him,'
+answered the King, and Blancandrin brought him into the orchard, where
+the web of treason was woven.
+
+'Noble Ganélon,' said Marsile, 'I acted foolishly towards you just
+now, when, in my anger, I sought to strike you. Let me offer you the
+mantle of marten fur in amends. It has just arrived from a far
+country, and is worth five hundred pounds in gold.' 'I accept it
+gladly,' replied Ganélon as the King hung the cloak round his neck,
+'and may you be rewarded in as splendid a gift!'
+
+'Ganélon,' continued the King, 'I wish you to be my friend, though it
+will not be wise to show you openly my goodwill. Tell me about
+Charlemagne, and whether what I have heard of him is really the truth.
+They say he is very old, nearly two hundred years, and that he has
+wandered from one country to another and been in the thick of every
+fight, and has made the most powerful Kings beggars. When will he grow
+tired of all these wars? It is time that he rested himself at Aix.'
+
+'No,' said Ganélon, 'those who told you that Charlemagne was like that
+did not speak truly. My tongue could never tell of his goodness and
+his honour towards all men. Who could ever paint what Charlemagne is?
+I would rather die than leave his service.'
+
+'What you say is wonderful,' replied Marsile, 'but after all he has
+done, will repose never seem sweet to him?'
+
+'Not while his nephew Roland lives,' said Ganélon. 'There is not such
+a fighter under heaven, and his comrade Oliver is famous also for his
+prowess. The twelve peers whom the Emperor so dearly loves, with
+twenty thousand picked men from the van of the army--truly Charlemagne
+may rest in peace, and fear no man.'
+
+'Fair lord,' answered Marsile, 'my subjects are the finest you can
+see, and at any moment I can summon four hundred thousand men to give
+battle to Charlemagne.'
+
+'You will not conquer him this time,' said Ganélon, 'and in a fight
+thousands of your soldiers would be killed. Hear my counsel. Send
+Charles yet more gold and silver, and offer twenty other hostages, on
+condition he returns himself to France, leaving his rear-guard behind
+him. This, being the post of danger, will be claimed by his nephew
+Roland, whose comrade Oliver is always by his side. It will be easy to
+manage that the two Counts shall meet their deaths, and Roland and
+Oliver once dead the King will have no more heart for war.'
+
+'Fair lord,' replied Marsile, 'what shall I have to do in order to
+kill Roland?'
+
+'That I can easily tell you,' answered Ganélon. 'When Charlemagne has
+passed safely through the mountains, with the most part of his
+soldiers, his baggage and his hostages, then have a hundred thousand
+of your Infidels ready to fall upon Roland and his rear-guard of
+twenty thousand men. The Franks will fight hard, but they cannot stand
+against such numbers, though of their foes many will be left upon the
+field. Then lose not a moment, but give them battle a second time.
+They will be too few and too weak to fight long, and for the rest of
+your life you will have peace. If you kill Roland, you will have cut
+off the Emperor's right arm. Farewell to the splendid armies of the
+Franks; never more will such forces be gathered together; never will
+Charles wear again his golden crown, but all Spain shall be in peace.'
+
+Marsile heard the words of Ganélon, and stooped and kissed his neck,
+and ordered his costliest treasures to be brought before him. Then he
+said: 'There is no further need of speech between us; swear that I
+shall find him in the rear-guard, and I shall swear that you shall
+have your revenge.' And Ganélon swore. But Marsile was not content
+with the oath that Ganélon made. He commanded that a copy of the Koran
+should be brought, the sacred book of Mahomet, and placed it on a
+chair of ivory, which stood under an olive tree. With his hand on the
+book Marsile also took his oath, that if among the rear-guard of
+Charlemagne's army he found Roland, he would fall upon him with all
+his host and compass his death, and that of the twelve peers of
+France. So the bond of treachery was sealed. Then the Infidels crowded
+round, and one offered Ganélon his sword, and another his helmet,
+while the Queen brought bracelets of precious stones as gifts for his
+wife. Marsile asked his treasurer if he had made ready the presents
+that were to be sent to Charles, and pressing Ganélon in his arms, he
+declared that not a day should pass without his friend likewise
+receiving presents, if only he would give his help in the slaying of
+Roland. 'You keep me too long,' was Ganélon's answer, and he mounted
+his horse and went.
+
+All this while the Emperor Charles was marching towards France, but he
+halted at a small town which long ago had been taken by Roland,
+waiting till he heard some tidings of Ganélon, and received the news
+that Marsile had agreed to do homage for Spain. At length, one morning
+at dawn, a messenger came to the King's tent telling him that Ganélon
+had arrived, and Charles hastened forth with Roland and Oliver, Duke
+Naimes and a thousand more, to meet Ganélon. 'Greeting,' said the
+traitor, bowing low; 'I bring you the keys of Saragossa, and twenty
+hostages, and great gifts. The noble King Marsile beseeches you not to
+blame him, because the Caliph, his uncle, has not come with me. I have
+seen--seen with my own eyes--three hundred thousand men all covered
+with armour sail away in ships with the Caliph for their leader,
+because they could neither defend their own faith nor forswear it. But
+hardly were they out of sight of land than a fierce tempest overtook
+them, and they were all lost. The Caliph must have died with the rest,
+or the King would have bade him come with me. As to the King himself,
+sire, before a month has passed he will be in France, ready to receive
+baptism in your presence. And he will become your vassal, and do
+homage for the kingdom of Spain.'
+
+'You have done wisely,' said Charles, 'and your reward shall be
+great.' So trumpets were sounded and tents were struck, and the host
+marched with gaiety in their hearts to France the Fair.
+
+[Illustration: The Dream of Charlemagne]
+
+'My war is finished,' said the King, as his army gladly turned their
+backs on Spain, and at nightfall spread their tents and slept till day
+began. But little he knew that four hundred thousand Unbelievers, with
+shields slung from their necks and swords in their hands, were riding
+silently through the mountain passes with the intent of hiding
+themselves in a wood till the moment came. There they were, and the
+Franks knew nothing of it, nor what would come.
+
+Charles slept, and in his sleep he dreamed that Ganélon took his stout
+lance of ash wood from his hands and brandished it in the air, then
+broke it with his fists. After this dream came another. He was no
+longer shut fast in by the mountains, but was at home in France,
+standing in his chapel at Aix. Here a bear appeared before him and bit
+so deep into his arm that it reached the bone. Then from the other
+side, from the Ardennes, there sprang a leopard and would have torn
+him in pieces, had not a greyhound come to his aid, and attacked first
+the bear and then the leopard. 'A fight! a fight!' cried the Franks,
+but they knew not which would be victorious. And all the while Charles
+slept soundly. With the dawn a thousand horns awoke the sleepers, and
+the clamour of a camp began. 'My lords,' said Charles, calling all his
+barons together, 'you see these narrow defiles through which we must
+pass? To whom shall I give the command of the rear-guard which must
+protect the rest of my army?'
+
+'To Roland, to Roland my stepson,' cried Ganélon. 'No Knight is so
+brave as he, and we may trust to him the safety of our host.' Charles
+listened and looked him in the face. 'You must be the devil himself,'
+he said, 'for you seem as if your body was shaken by some evil
+passion. If Roland goes to the rear, who then shall command the van?'
+
+'Ogier, the Dane,' answered Ganélon. 'There is no better man.'
+
+When Count Roland heard his name he pressed forward. 'Fair stepfather,
+I owe you much love for proposing me to lead the rear-guard of the
+army. Charles the King shall lose nothing through me; not a horse or a
+mule shall fall till his price is paid in blows received by the
+Infidels.' 'You speak well,' said Ganélon, 'and what you say is true.'
+
+Then Roland turned to Charlemagne: 'Give me, O King, the bow which you
+hold in your hand. I will promise not to let it fall, as Ganélon did
+your glove.'
+
+But the King sat silent, with his head bent, and tears ran down his
+cheeks. At last Naimes drew near and spoke to him, and among them all
+Charles had no more faithful friend. 'You have heard, sire, what Count
+Roland said. If he is to lead the rear-guard--and there is no man that
+can do it better--give him the bow that you have drawn, for which he
+asks.' So the King gave it to him, and Roland took it gladly. 'Fair
+nephew,' said the King, 'I wish to leave half of my army behind with
+you; keep it close to you, it will be your safeguard.'
+
+'No,' answered the Count; 'to accept the half of your army would be to
+shame my race. Leave me twenty thousand Franks, and you will pass the
+defiles in safety. While I live you need fear no man.' Quickly Count
+Roland girded on his armour, girded on his sword Durendal, the comrade
+of many fights, and mounted his horse Veillantif, whom all men knew.
+'We will follow you to death,' cried the Franks as they saw him. But
+Roland answered them nothing. The first to come to his side was
+Oliver, his old companion, then Turpin the Archbishop, the Count
+Gautier, and many more, and after that they chose twenty thousand men,
+the best that Charles had with him. Some of them he sent, under Count
+Gautier, to drive the Unbelievers from the hill-top, and that same day
+they fought a fierce battle. And while Charles and his army entered
+the pass of Roncevalles, Roland took up his ground and prepared for
+the fight, which he knew must come shortly. And Ganélon, the traitor,
+knew it too.
+
+High were the mountains, and dark the valleys; terrible were the
+defiles amidst the black rocks. The army marched slowly and with great
+difficulty; fifteen miles away you could hear the sound of their
+tramping. But when they caught sight of Gascony, of France, where they
+had left their homes and their wives, there was not a man among them
+who did not weep for happiness. Charles alone shed tears of sorrow,
+for he thought of his nephew in the passes of Spain. 'Ganélon has
+betrayed us,' said he to Duke Naimes, 'and he has betrayed Roland too.
+It was he who caused him to stay behind with the rear-guard, and if I
+lose him--O God! I shall never find such another.'
+
+The nephew of Marsile had craved a boon, that he and eleven of his
+comrades should measure themselves against the Twelve Peers of France,
+and that none but himself should strike the first blow at Roland. The
+noblest subjects of Marsile flocked at his call, and a gay show they
+made when ready for battle, and mounted on horses as eager for the
+fray as themselves. So great was the noise that the sound reached even
+to the French camp. 'I think, comrade, that it will not be long before
+we fight with the Saracens,' said Oliver.
+
+'May it be as you say,' answered Roland; 'it is our duty to make a
+stand here for the King, as one should be ready to suffer all pains
+for one's liege lord. For him one must endure heat and cold, hunger
+and thirst, and strike hard blows with all one's might, and take heed
+that no evil song can be made on us after we are dead. The right is on
+the side of the Christians. Look to yourselves, for you will never see
+a bad example from me.'
+
+
+THE BATTLE
+
+
+Oliver had climbed a hill, from which he could see into the plains of
+Spain. 'Roland,' cried he, 'do you see those shining helmets and
+glittering swords? It is Ganélon who has done this, and it was he who
+had you left here.'
+
+'Be silent, Oliver,' answered Roland. 'He is my stepfather. I will not
+hear him ill spoken of.' Then Oliver went down the hill and told his
+soldiers what he had seen. 'No battle will ever be like this one,' he
+said; 'you will need all your strength to keep your ground and not be
+driven back.' 'Cursed be he who runs away,' answered they. 'There is
+not one of us but knows how to die.'
+
+'The Infidels are many,' said Oliver again, 'and our Franks are but
+few. Roland, blow your horn; Charles will hear it and come to our
+help.'
+
+'You are mad to say that,' replied Roland, 'for in France I should
+lose all my glory. No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike, and
+our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It was an ill day for
+the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I tell you, none will
+escape.'
+
+'The Unbelievers are many,' said Oliver again, 'and we are very few.
+Roland, my friend, sound your horn; Charles will hear it, and come to
+our help.'
+
+'I should be mad if I did so,' answered Roland. 'In France, when they
+knew it, I should lose all my glory! No; but my sword Durendal knows
+how to strike, and our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It
+was an ill day for the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I
+tell you, none will escape death.'
+
+'O Roland, I pray you sound your horn, and Charles will hear it as he
+passes the defiles, and the Franks, I will swear it, will come to our
+help.'
+
+'Now God forbid,' said Roland, 'that through me my parents should be
+shamed, or that I should bring dishonour on the fair land of France.
+No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike. The Unbelievers have
+come to their death, and they will find it.'
+
+'I see no dishonour,' said Oliver. 'With my own eyes have I beheld the
+Saracens of Spain; the mountains and the valleys alike are full of
+them. And how few are we!'
+
+'Then we shall have the more fighting,' answered Roland. 'God forbid
+that I should turn my Franks into cowards! Rather death than
+dishonour. The more we kill, the better the Emperor will love us.'
+
+Roland was brave, but Oliver was wise also, and the souls of both were
+as high as their words. 'Look round you, and think for a moment,' said
+Oliver; 'they are close to us, and Charles is far. Ah! if you would
+only have sounded your horn, the King would have been here, and our
+troops would not have been in danger. The poor rear-guard will never
+more be again such as it is to-day.'
+
+'You speak foolishly,' answered Roland. 'Cursed be he whose heart is
+afraid. We will be strong to hold our ground. From us will come the
+blows, from us the battle.'
+
+When Roland saw that he must give battle to the Infidels, he called
+his Franks and bade Oliver stand beside him. 'Do not say these things,
+my friend and comrade,' said he. 'The Emperor has left us twenty
+thousand picked men, with not one craven heart amongst them. For our
+liege lord, one must be ready to suffer cold and heat, hunger and
+thirst, and cheerfully shed his blood and endure every ill. Strike
+with your lance, Oliver, as I shall strike with Durendal, the sword
+which was given me by the King himself. And if I am slain, the man who
+wins it may say, "it was the sword of a noble vassal."'
+
+Then from a little hill Turpin the Archbishop spoke to them. 'Charles
+has left us here; he is our King, and it is our duty to die for him.
+Christianity is in danger, and you must defend it. You cannot escape a
+battle; then fight, and ask God's pardon for your sins. In His Name, I
+will give you absolution, and already they wait for you in Paradise.'
+The Franks got off their horses and knelt on the ground, and the
+Archbishop blessed them. After this they mounted again, and placed
+themselves in order of battle.
+
+Like lightning Roland on his horse Veillantif swept along the defiles,
+his face bright and smiling, his lance in rest. Oliver his friend was
+close behind him, and the Franks said to each other, 'Look at our
+champion!' He glanced proudly at the Infidels, but when his eyes fell
+upon the Franks they were soft and gentle. 'Go slowly, noble barons,'
+said he; 'the Unbelievers to-day are seeking their martyrdom, and you
+will find richer booty than ever King of France did before.'
+
+'Words of mine are useless,' said Oliver; 'you would not let Charles
+know of our peril, so you cannot blame him for our danger. Ride as
+hard as you can, and think only of two things, how best to give and
+receive blows. And do not forget the battle cry of King Charles.'
+
+'Montjoie! Montjoie!' shouted the Franks, as the two armies came
+together with a crash.
+
+It were long to tell of that battle and of the brave deeds that were
+done both by Christians and Unbelievers. Roland was there where the
+strife was hardest, and struck with his lance till the wood snapped.
+Then he drew Durendal from the scabbard and drove a bloody path
+through the ranks of the Infidels. Oliver and the Twelve Peers were
+not far behind him, and the ground was red from the corpses of the
+pagans. 'Well fought, well fought!' cried the Archbishop, 'Montjoie,
+Montjoie!'
+
+Oliver seemed to be everywhere at once. His lance was broken in two,
+and there was only the head and a splinter remaining, but it dealt
+more death blows than the sword of many another man. 'What are you
+doing, comrade?' cried Roland, when for a moment their horses touched.
+'It is not wood that is needed in this battle, but well-tempered
+steel! Where is your sword Hauteclair, with its guard of gold and its
+handle of crystal?'
+
+'I have no time to draw it,' said Oliver. 'There are too many blows to
+strike.'
+
+Fiercer and fiercer grew the combat; thicker and thicker the corpses
+lay on the ground. Who could count the Franks who were stretched
+there, never more to see their wives or their mothers, or the comrades
+that awaited them in the defiles? But the number of the dead Saracens
+was greater even than theirs. And while they fought on Spanish soil, a
+strange tempest arose in France, thunder and wild winds, and a
+trembling of the earth; walls fell down, and at mid-day there was
+darkness. Men whispered to each other: 'It is the end of the world.'
+No, no; the end of all things was not yet, it was nature mourning for
+the death of Roland. At length the Saracens turned and fled, and the
+Franks pursued them, and Margaris the Valiant was left alone. His
+lance was broken, his shield pierced with holes, his sword-blade
+bloody, while he himself was sorely wounded. Heavens! what a warrior
+he would have made if he had only been a Christian. He rode fast to
+Marsile the King, and cried to him to mount his horse, and rally his
+men, and bring up fresh soldiers to deal the Franks a last blow, while
+they were exhausted from the long fight. 'It will be easy to revenge
+the thousands that they have slain,' said he; 'but if you let them
+slip now the tide of battle may turn against us.'
+
+The King Marsile sent for fresh forces, and at sight of them the
+Franks embraced each other for the last time, while the Archbishop
+promised them a speedy entrance into Paradise. 'The Emperor will
+avenge the treachery of Ganélon,' cried Roland, 'whether we live or
+die, but the worst part of the fight is before us, and we shall need
+all our strength to beat back the Unbelievers. They must not tell
+tales of cowardice in the fair land of France.' Then they spurred
+their horses and advanced in line, crying 'Montjoie! Montjoie!'
+
+'Count Roland is not as other men,' said King Marsile, 'and as he is
+not content with two battles, we will give him a third. To-day Charles
+will cease to have power over Spain, and France will bow her head with
+shame.' And he gave his orders to the vanguard to go forward, while he
+himself waited on a little hill till the moment came to charge. Fierce
+was the shock as the two armies met, and bravely did their leaders
+fight, hand to hand and sword to sword. None struck harder than Turpin
+the Archbishop, who cursed his foes as he bore them from their
+saddles. 'He fights well,' said the Franks who watched his blows. But
+the Franks had fought long, and were faint and weary. They had lost
+much blood, and their arms were weak to strike. 'See how our brothers
+fall,' they whispered one to another, and Roland heard their groans,
+and his heart was near breaking. Thousands lay dead, thousands more
+were wounded, but still the battle went on. Horses without riders
+wandered about the field neighing for their masters. Then Marsile bade
+the trumpets sound, and his army gathered round the great standard
+with the Dragon, borne by a Saracen named Abimus. When Turpin the
+Archbishop caught sight of him, he dashed straight towards the banner,
+and with one blow of his mighty sword stretched the Unbeliever dead on
+the ground before the Dragon. 'Montjoie! Montjoie!' he cried, and the
+Franks heard, and said one to the other, 'Heaven send that Charles has
+many like him!' The lances of the Franks were broken, and their
+shields were for the most part split in two, but three hundred naked
+swords still were left to deal blows at the shining helmets of the
+Infidels. 'Help! help! O King!' cried the Saracens, and Marsile heard,
+and answered, 'Better die than flee before these Franks. Let no one
+think of himself, but all press round Roland. If Roland dies, Charles
+is conquered. If Roland lives, all is over for us!' But Roland, with
+Oliver at his side, swept a clear space with Durendal, and none might
+come near him; the Archbishop kept his enemies at bay with his lance.
+Four times the Franks endured the shock of the onset, but at the fifth
+they were borne down by numbers, and now only sixty remained upon the
+ground.
+
+Then Roland turned to Oliver and said, 'Fair sir and dearest friend,
+well may we pity France who will henceforth be widowed of such brave
+warriors. O Charles, my King, why do you not come to us? Oliver, tell
+me, how can we let him know what straits we are in?' 'There is no
+way,' said Oliver, 'and death rather than dishonour.'
+
+'I will sound my horn,' said Roland, 'and Charles will hear, and come
+back through the defiles. I know that the Franks will retrace their
+steps and come to our aid.'
+
+'That would be a shameful thing for them,' replied Oliver; 'all our
+kinsfolk would blush for us for ever, and we should likewise blush for
+ourselves. When I begged you to do it you would not, and now the time
+is past.'
+
+'The battle is sore,' said Roland, 'I shall sound the horn, and
+Charles will hear it.'
+
+'You refused to do it while yet there was time,' answered Oliver. 'If
+the Emperor had come then, so many of our best warriors would not be
+lying dead before us. It is not his fault that he is not here. But if
+you sound the horn now, I will never give you my sister, the fair
+Aude, for your wife.'
+
+'Why do you bear such malice?' said Roland.
+
+[Illustration: ROLAND WINDS HIS HORN IN THE VALLEY OF RONCESVALLES]
+
+'It is your fault,' answered Oliver. 'Courage and madness are not
+the same thing, and prudence is always better than fury. If so many
+Franks lie dead, it is your folly which has killed them, and now we
+can no longer serve the Emperor. If you would have listened to me,
+Charles would have been here, and Marsile and his Saracens would have
+been slain. Your courage, Roland, has cost us dear! For yourself, you
+will be killed and France be covered with dishonour. And before night
+falls our friendship will be ended.' Then he wept, and Roland wept
+also.
+
+The Archbishop had been near, and heard their words. 'Do not quarrel
+at this hour,' he said. 'Your horn could not save them now. Charles is
+too far; it would take him too long to come. Yet sound it, for he will
+return and avenge himself on the Unbelievers. And they will take our
+bodies and put them on biers, and lay them on horses, and will bury us
+with tears of pity among the mountains, building up high walls round
+us, so that the dogs and the wild boar shall not devour us.' 'What you
+say is good,' answered Roland, and he lifted his horn, and its mighty
+voice rang through the mountains and Charles heard the echo thirty
+miles away. 'Our men are fighting,' he cried, but Ganélon answered,
+'If another man had said that, we should have called him a liar.'
+Count Roland was sorely wounded and the effort to sound the horn
+caused the blood to pour from his mouth. But he sounded it once more,
+and the echoes leaped far. Charles heard it in the defiles, and all
+his Franks heard it too. 'It is Roland's horn,' said the King, 'and he
+is fighting.'
+
+'He is not fighting,' answered Ganélon; 'you are old, and your words
+are those of a child. Beside, you know how great is the pride of
+Roland; it is a marvel that God has suffered him to live so long. For
+a hare, Roland would sound his horn all day, and at this moment he is
+most likely laughing with his Twelve Peers over the fright he has
+caused us. And again, who is there who would dare to attack Roland?
+No one. March on, sire; why make halt? France is still distant.'
+
+Count Roland suffered grievous pain and a great wound was across his
+forehead. He sounded his horn for the third time, and Charles and his
+Franks heard it. 'That horn carries far,' said he, and Naimes
+answered, 'It is Roland who is calling for help. A battle is going on;
+some one has betrayed him. Quick, sire, he has called often enough.
+Sound your war-cry and hasten to his help.' Then the Emperor ordered
+his trumpets to be sounded, and his army gathered itself together and
+girded on their armour with what speed they might, and each man said
+to the other, 'If only we are in time to save Roland from death, what
+blows we will strike for him.' Alas, they are too late, too late!
+
+But before the march back there was something for the Emperor to do.
+He sent for his head cook to appear in his presence, and he delivered
+the traitor Ganélon into his custody, and told him to treat his
+prisoner as he liked, for he had shown himself unworthy to mix with
+warriors. So the head cook did as he pleased with him, and beat him
+with sticks and put a heavy chain about his neck. And thus he guarded
+him till Charles came back.
+
+How tall the mountains seemed to the returning army! how deep the
+valleys, and how swift the streams! but all the while the trumpets
+were sounded, that Roland might hear them and take heart. And as he
+rode, Charles had only one thought, 'If Roland is slain, shall I find
+one man alive?'
+
+Roland stood looking at the mountains and at the plains, and wherever
+his eyes fell his dead comrades lay before him. Loudly he mourned
+their loss, and then he turned to Oliver, saying, 'Brother, we must
+die here with the rest of the Franks.' He spurred his horse and blew
+his horn, and dashed into the ranks of the foe, shouting 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' The remnant that was left closed eagerly round him, and the
+battle-cries were fierce and loud. If Marsile and his host fled
+before them, others not less valiant remained behind, and Roland knew
+that the hour of his doom was come. And in valour, Oliver was no whit
+behind him, but flung himself into the thickest of the battle. It was
+the Caliph who gave Oliver his death blow. 'Charles made a mistake
+when he left you to guard these defiles,' said he, 'but your life will
+pay for many that you have slain.' But Oliver was not dead yet, and
+the taunt of the Caliph stung his blood. With all the strength he had
+left, he swung his sword Hauteclair on high, and it came down upon the
+Caliph's helmet with a crash, cleaving it clean through. 'Ah, pagan,'
+said he, 'you will never boast now of the prizes you have taken in
+battle.' Then 'Roland! Roland!' he cried, and Roland came. When he saw
+Oliver before him, livid and bleeding, he swayed on his horse as if he
+should faint. Oliver's sight was weak and troubled from loss of blood,
+and not hearing Roland's voice he mistook him for an enemy, and struck
+him a hard blow on his helmet. This blow restored Roland to his
+senses, and he sat upright. 'My friend,' said he, 'why have you done
+this? I am Roland, who loves you well, and never did I think you could
+lift your hand against me.'
+
+'I hear you,' answered Oliver, 'I hear you speak, but I cannot see
+you. If I have struck you, forgive me, for I knew it not.'
+
+'I forgive you from my heart,' said Roland, and they embraced each
+other for the last time.
+
+The agony of death was falling upon Oliver; his sight had failed, his
+hearing was fast failing too. Slowly he dismounted from his horse and
+laid himself painfully on the ground, making, in a loud voice, the
+confession of his sins. Then he prayed God to bless Charlemagne, fair
+France, and Roland his friend, and after that his soul left him. And
+Roland returned and found him dead, and wept for him bitterly. At last
+he stood up and looked around. Of all the twenty thousand men, not
+one was left except himself, and Turpin and Gautier. And these three
+placed themselves shoulder to shoulder, and sent many an Infidel to
+join his dead brothers. But the wounds they received in their bodies
+were without number, and at length the Archbishop tottered and fell.
+But they had not slain him yet: with a mighty struggle he rose to his
+feet and looked round for Roland. 'I am not conquered yet,' he said;
+'a brave man dies but never surrenders.' Then with his good sword he
+rushed into the _mêlée_ dealing death around him. Roland fought as
+keenly as his friend, but the moments seemed long till Charles brought
+them help. Again he sounded his horn, though the wound in his head
+burst out afresh with his effort. And the Emperor heard it, and
+stopped for an instant on his march. 'My lords,' he said, 'things are
+going badly with us; we shall lose my nephew Roland to-day, for I know
+by the way he blows his horn that he has not long to live. Spur your
+horses, for I would fain see him before he dies. And let every trumpet
+in the army sound its loudest!' The Unbelievers heard the noise of the
+trumpets, which echoed through the mountains and valleys, and they
+whispered fearfully to each other, 'It is Charles who is coming, it is
+Charles!' It was their last chance, and a band of their best warriors
+rode straight at Roland. At that sight the strength rushed back into
+his veins, and he waited for them proudly. 'I will fight beside you,'
+he said to Turpin, 'and till I am dead I will never leave you. Let
+them strike as hard as they will; Durendal knows how to strike back.'
+
+'Shame be upon every man who does not fight his best,' answered the
+Archbishop, 'for this is our last battle. Charles draws near, and will
+avenge us.'
+
+The Infidels said afterwards that an army could not have wrought the
+ruin that was done that day by the Archbishop and Roland. Veillantif
+received thirty wounds in his body and then fell dead under his
+master. But Roland leaped off, and smote the Saracens, who turned and
+fled before him. He was too weak to follow after them, and turned to
+see if the Archbishop still breathed. Kneeling by his side he unlaced
+Turpin's golden helmet, and bound up his gaping wounds. Then he
+pressed him closely to his heart and laid him gently on the ground. 'O
+friend, we must take farewell of each other, now all our comrades have
+gone before us. But let us do all we can for their bodies, which
+cannot be left lying here. I will myself go and seek their corpses,
+and bring them here and place them in rows before you.'
+
+'Go,' answered the Archbishop, 'but do not stay long. Thanks be to
+God, the victory remains with you and me.'
+
+Alone Roland searched the battle-field; he went up the sides of the
+mountains, he descended into the plains, and everywhere he saw the
+dead faces of his friends. One after another he brought them, and laid
+them at the feet of Turpin, and at the sight of their faces the
+Archbishop wept sore. Then he held up his hand to bless them for the
+last time. 'Noble lords,' he said, 'you have fallen upon evil days.
+May God receive your souls into His Paradise. As for me, among all the
+pains I suffer, the worst is that never shall I see my Emperor again.'
+
+Under a pine, close to a sweet-briar, the corpse of Oliver was lying,
+and Roland raised him in his arms and bare him to the Archbishop,
+where he laid him on a shield, near to the other peers. Then his heart
+broke with a cry, and he fell fainting beside Oliver. At the sight of
+Roland's grief the Archbishop's own sorrow grew double, and he
+stretched out his hand for the horn which lay near him. A stream ran
+down the valley of Roncevalles, and he dragged himself towards it, to
+fetch water to revive Roland. But he was too weak from the blood he
+had lost to reach the river, and he fell where he stood. 'Pardon for
+my sins,' he said, and died, the servant of God and of Charles. The
+cry was heard by Roland, who was slowly coming back to life, and he
+rose to his feet and went to the dead Archbishop and crossed his hands
+upon his breast. 'Ah, noble Knight,' he said, 'in God's hands I leave
+you, for never since the Apostles has He had a more faithful servant.
+May your soul henceforth be free from sorrow, and may the Gates of
+Paradise stand wide for you to enter in!'
+
+As he spoke, Roland knew that his own death was not far off. He made
+his peace with God, and took his horn in one hand and Durendal in the
+other. Then he mounted a small hill where stood two pine trees, but
+fell almost unconscious as soon as he reached the top. But a Saracen
+who had watched him, and had feigned to be dead, sprang up and seeing
+him cried, 'Conquered! he is conquered, the nephew of Charles! and his
+famous sword will be carried into Arabia'; so he grasped Durendal
+tightly in his fist, and pulled Roland's beard in derision. If the
+Saracen had been wise he would have left Roland's beard alone, for at
+his touch the Count was brought back to consciousness. He felt his
+sword being taken from him, and with his horn, which was always beside
+him, he struck the Saracen such a blow on his helmet that he dropped
+Durendal, and sank dead to the earth. 'Coward,' said Roland, 'who has
+told you that you might dare to set hands on Roland, living or dead?
+You were not worthy a blow from my horn.' Still death was pressing
+closer and closer, and Roland knew it. He rose panting for breath, his
+face as white as if he was already in the grave, and took Durendal out
+of its scabbard. Ten times he struck it hard on a brown rock before
+him, but the steel never gave way. 'O my faithful Durendal, do you
+know that the hour of our parting has come?' he cried. 'You have
+gained many battles for me, and won Charles many kingdoms. You shall
+never serve another master after I am dead.' Again he smote the rock
+with all his force, but the steel of Durendal glanced aside. When
+Roland saw that he could not break it, he sat down and wept and
+lamented sore, calling back to him all the fights that they had fought
+together. Yet another time he struck, but the steel held good. Death
+was drawing nearer; what was he to do? Under a pine tree he laid
+himself down to die, his head resting on the green grass, his face
+turned towards the Infidels. Beneath him he placed Durendal and his
+horn. Alone on the mountain, looking towards Spain, he made the
+confession of his sins, and offered up his last prayer. Then he held
+up his right hand, and the Angels came and bore his soul to Paradise.
+
+
+
+
+THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID
+
+_THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID_
+
+
+Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, rose early from his bed and went and sat
+upon the clearing of grass that stretched at the foot of the hill of
+Allen, where was the favourite palace of the Irish Kings of Leinster.
+He had stolen out alone, while his attendants were sleeping, but soon
+he was missed and two of his men followed him to the green plain.
+
+'Why have you risen so early?' said Ossian as he came up.
+
+'Since my wife died,' answered Fionn, 'little sleep has come to me,
+and better I like to be sitting by the hill-side than to toss
+restlessly between walls.'
+
+'Why did you not tell us?' answered Ossian, 'for there is not a girl
+in the whole land of Erin whom we would not have brought you by fair
+means or foul.'
+
+Dearing, who had till now kept silence, then spoke. 'I myself know of
+a wife who would be a fitting mate even for Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill--Grania, the daughter of Cormac, who is fairer of speech and
+form than the daughters of other men.'
+
+Fionn looked up quickly at Dearing's words.
+
+'There has been strife for long between me and Cormac,' said he, 'and
+it is not seemly that I should ask anything of him which might be
+refused. Therefore go you and Ossian and, as from yourselves, see if
+this marriage pleases him. It were better that he should refuse you,
+rather than me.'
+
+'Farewell then,' said Ossian, 'but let no man know of our journey till
+we come back again.'
+
+So the two went their ways, and found Cormac, King of Erin, holding a
+great council on a wide plain, with the chiefs and the great nobles
+gathered before him. He welcomed Ossian and Dearing with courtesy, and
+as he felt sure they bore some message, he bade the council meet again
+on the morrow. When the nobles and chiefs had betaken themselves to
+their homes, Ossian told the King of Erin that they had come to know
+his thoughts as to a marriage between his daughter and Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill.
+
+'There is not the son of a king or of a great prince, a hero or a
+champion in the whole of Erin,' answered Cormac, 'whom my daughter has
+not refused to wed, and it is I whom all hold guilty for it, though it
+is none of my doing. Therefore betake yourselves to my daughter, and
+she will speak for herself. It is better that you be displeased with
+her than with me.'
+
+Thereupon Ossian and Dearing were led by the King to the dwelling of
+the women, and they found Grania lying on a high couch. 'Here, O
+Grania,' said the King, 'are two of the men of Fionn, the son of
+Cumhaill, and they have come to ask you as wife for him. What is your
+answer?'
+
+'If he be a fitting son-in-law for you, why should he not be a fitting
+husband for me?' said Grania. And at her words, her father ordered a
+banquet to be made in the palace for Ossian and Dearing, and sent them
+back to Fionn with a message summoning him to a tryst in a fortnight's
+time.
+
+When Ossian and Dearing were returned into Kildare, they found Fionn
+and his men, the Fenians, on the hill of Allen, and they told them
+their tale from the beginning to end. And the heart of Fionn grew
+light as he heard it, and the fortnight of waiting stretched long
+before him. But everything wears away at last, and so did those
+fifteen days; and on the last, Fionn assembled seven battalions of his
+Fenians from wherever they might be, and they set forth in troops
+for the great plain where Cormac, King of Erin, had given them tryst.
+
+[Illustration: GRANIA QUESTIONS THE DRUID]
+
+The King had made ready a splendid feast, and welcomed the new-comers
+gladly, and they ate and drank together. When the feast was over the
+Druid Derry sang songs before Grania, and she, knowing he was a man of
+wisdom, asked him why Fionn had come thither. 'If you know not that,'
+said the Druid, 'it is no wonder that I know it not.'
+
+'I wish to learn it from you,' answered Grania.
+
+'Well then,' replied the Druid, 'it is to ask you for wife that he is
+come.'
+
+'I marvel,' said Grania, 'that it is not for Ossian that he asks me.
+For my father himself is not as old as Fionn. But tell me, I pray you,
+who is that softly spoken man with the curling black hair and ruddy
+countenance, that sits on the left hand of Ossian, the son of Fionn?'
+
+'That is Diarmid, son of Dowd, the best lover in the whole world.'
+
+'It is a goodly company,' said Grania, and ordered her lady to bring
+her the golden goblet chased with jewels. When it was brought she
+filled it up with the drink of nine times nine men, then bade her
+handmaid carry it to Fionn and say that she had sent it to him, and
+that he was to drink from it. Fionn took the goblet with joy, but no
+sooner had he drunk than he fell down into a deep slumber; and the
+same thing befel also Cormac, and Cormac's wife, and as many as drank
+of the goblet sent by Grania.
+
+When all were sleeping soundly, she rose softly and said to Ossian, 'I
+marvel that Fionn should ask such a wife as I, for it were fitter that
+he should give me a husband of my own age than a man older than my
+father.'
+
+'Say not so, O Grania,' answered Ossian, 'for if Fionn were to hear
+you, he would not have you, neither should I dare to ask for you.'
+
+'Then you will not listen to word of marriage from me?' asked Grania.
+
+'I will not,' answered Ossian, 'for I must not lay my hand on what
+Fionn has looked on.'
+
+Then Grania turned her face to Diarmid Dowd and what she said was,
+'Will you receive courtship from me, O Son of Dowd, since Ossian will
+not receive it?'
+
+'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'for whatever woman is betrothed to
+Fionn, I may not take her.'
+
+'I will put you under bonds of destruction, O Diarmid,' said Grania,
+'if you take me not out of this house to-night.'
+
+'Those are indeed evil bonds,' answered Diarmid, 'and wherefore have
+you laid them on me, seeing there is no man less worthy to be loved by
+you than myself?'
+
+'Not so, O son of Dowd,' said Grania, 'and I will tell you wherefore.'
+
+'One day the King of Erin held a muster on the great plain of Tara,
+and Fionn and his seven battalions were there. And a goaling match was
+played, and all took part, save only the King, and Fionn, and myself
+and you, O Diarmid. We watched till the game was going against the men
+of the kingdom of Erin, then you rose, and, taking the pole of the man
+who was standing by, threw him to the ground, and, joining the others,
+did thrice win the goal from the warriors of Tara. And I turned the
+light of my eyes upon you that day, and I never gave that love to any
+other from that time to this, and will not for ever. So to-night we
+will pass through my wicket-gate, and take heed you follow me.'
+
+After she had spoken, Diarmid turned to Ossian and his companions.
+'What shall I do, O Ossian, with the bonds that have been laid on me?'
+
+'Follow Grania,' said Ossian, 'and keep away from the wiles of Fionn.'
+
+'Is that the counsel of you all to me?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'It is the counsel of us all,' said they.
+
+Then Diarmid bade them farewell, and went to the top of the Fort, and
+put the shafts of his two javelins under him, and rose like a bird
+into the air, and found himself on the plain where Grania met him. 'I
+trow, O Grania,' said he, 'this is an evil course upon which you are
+come, for I know not to which corner of Erin I can take you. Return to
+the town, and Fionn will never harm you.'
+
+'I will never go back,' answered Grania, 'and nothing save death shall
+part us.'
+
+'Then go forward,' said Diarmid.
+
+The town was a mile behind them when Grania stopped. 'I am weary, son
+of O'Dowd.'
+
+'It is a good time to weary, Grania, for your father's house is still
+nigh at hand, and I give you my word as a warrior that I will never
+carry you or any woman.'
+
+'You need not do that,' answered Grania, 'for my father's horses are
+in a fenced meadow by themselves, and have chariots behind them. Go
+and bring two horses and a chariot, and I will wait for you here.'
+
+And Diarmid did what Grania bade him, and he brought two of the
+horses, and they journeyed together as far as Athlone.
+
+'It is the easier for Fionn to follow our track,' said Diarmid at
+last, 'now we have the horses.'
+
+'Then leave them,' cried Grania, 'one on each side of the stream, and
+we will travel on foot.' So they went on till they reached Galway, and
+there Diarmid cut down a grove, and made a palisade with seven doors
+of wattles, and gathered together the tops of the birch trees and soft
+rushes for a bed for Grania.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Fionn and all that were in Tara awoke and found that Diarmid and
+Grania were not among them, a burning rage seized upon Fionn. At once
+he sent out trackers before him, and he followed them himself with
+his men, till they reached the land of Connaught. 'Ah, well I know
+where Grania and Diarmid shall be sought,' cried Fionn. And Ossian and
+Dearing heard him, and said to each other, 'We must send Diarmid a
+warning, lest he should be taken. Look where Bran is, the hound of
+Fionn, and he shall take it, for he does not love Fionn better than he
+loves Diarmid, so, Oscar, tell him to go to Diarmid who is in Derry.'
+And Oscar told that to Bran, and Bran understood, and stole round to
+the back part of the army where Fionn might not see him; then he
+bounded away to Derry and thrust his head into Diarmid's bosom as he
+lay asleep.
+
+At that Diarmid awoke and sprang up and woke Grania, and told her that
+Bran had come, which was a token that Fionn himself was coming. 'Fly
+then,' said Grania; but Diarmid would not fly. 'He may take me now,'
+said he, 'seeing he must take me some time.' At his words Grania shook
+with fear, and Bran departed.
+
+All this while the friends of Diarmid took counsel together, and they
+dreaded lest Bran had not found them, and they resolved to give them
+another warning. So they bade the henchman Feargus to give three
+shouts, for every shout could be heard over three counties. And
+Diarmid heard them, and awoke Grania, and told her that it was a
+warning they had sent him of Fionn. 'Then take that warning,' said
+she. 'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'but will stay in this wood till
+Fionn comes.' And Grania trembled when she heard him.
+
+By-and-by the trackers came back to Fionn with news that they had seen
+Diarmid and Grania, and though Ossian and Diarmid's friends tried to
+persuade Fionn that the men had been mistaken, Fionn was not to be
+deceived. 'Well did I know the meaning of the three shouts of Feargus,
+and why you sent Bran, my own hound, away. But it shall profit him
+nothing, for Diarmid shall not leave Derry till he has paid me for
+every slight he has put upon me.'
+
+'Great foolishness it is of you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'to think that
+Diarmid would stay in this plain waiting to have his head taken from
+him.'
+
+'Who else would have cut down the trees, and have made a palisade of
+them, and cut seven doors in it? Speak, O Diarmid, is the truth with
+me or with Oscar?'
+
+'With you, O Fionn,' said Diarmid, 'and truly I and Grania are here.'
+
+When he heard this, Fionn bade his men surround Diarmid and take him,
+and Diarmid rose up and kissed Grania three times in presence of Fionn
+and his men, and Fionn, seeing that, swore that Diarmid should pay for
+those kisses with his head.
+
+But Angus, the foster-father of Diarmid, knew in what straits his
+foster-son was, and he stole secretly to the place where Diarmid was
+hidden with Grania, and asked him what he had done to bring his head
+into such danger. 'This,' said Diarmid; 'Grania, the daughter of
+Cormac, King of Erin, has fled with me against my will to escape
+marriage with Fionn.'
+
+'Then let one of you come under my mantle,' answered Angus, 'and I
+will carry you out of your prison.'
+
+'Take Grania,' answered Diarmid. 'If I live, then will I follow you,
+but if not, carry her to her father, and let him deal with her as
+seems good.'
+
+After that Angus put Grania under his mantle and they went their ways,
+and neither Fionn nor his Fenians knew of it.
+
+When Angus and Grania had left him, Diarmid girded his arms upon him,
+and standing at one of the seven wattled doors, asked who stood
+behind. 'No foe to you,' answered a voice, 'but Ossian, the son of
+Fionn, and Oscar, the son of Ossian, and others who are your friends.
+Come out, and none will do you hurt.'
+
+'I will not open the door until I find out where Fionn himself is.'
+And so it befel at six of the doors, and Diarmid would not open them,
+lest his friends should come under the wrath of Fionn. But as he drew
+near the seventh, and put his question, the answer came loud: 'Here
+are Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, and four hundred of his servants, and
+we bear you no love, and if you come out we will tear your bones in
+sunder.'
+
+'I pledge my word,' said Diarmid, 'that yours is the first door by
+which I will pass,' and he rose into the air on the shafts of his
+javelins, with a bound as light as a bird's, and went far beyond Fionn
+and his people, and they knew nothing of it. Then he looked back and
+shouted that he had got the better of them, and followed after the
+track of Angus and Grania.
+
+He found them warm in a hut with a fire in it, watching a wild boar
+roasting on a spit, and Grania's soul almost left her body for joy at
+seeing Diarmid. They told their stories before the fire, and when
+morning broke Angus rose and said to Diarmid, 'I must now depart, O
+son of O'Dowd, and this counsel I leave you. Go not into a tree having
+but one trunk, when you fly before Fionn. And go not to a cave of the
+earth having only one door, or to an island which can only be reached
+by one channel. And in whatever place you cook your meal, there eat it
+not; and in whatever place you eat, there lie not; and in whatever
+place you lie down to sleep, there rise not on the morrow.' So saying,
+he bade them farewell, and went his way.
+
+The next day Diarmid and Grania journeyed up the Shannon, and they
+killed a salmon, and crossed the river to eat it, as Angus had told
+them. Soon they met a youth called Muadan, who wished to take service
+with them; and he was strong, and carried them over the rivers across
+their path. When evening came they found a cave, where Muadan spread
+out soft rushes and birch twigs for Diarmid and Grania to lie on, and
+as soon as they were asleep he stole into the next wood, and broke a
+long straight rod from a tree, and put a hair line and a hook upon
+it, and a holly berry on the rod, and fished in the stream. In three
+casts he had taken three fish. That night they ate a good supper, and
+while Diarmid and Grania slept, Muadan kept watch for them.
+
+At dawn Diarmid woke Grania and told her to watch while Muadan slept,
+as he was going to climb a hill near by, and see where they had best
+go.
+
+He soon stood on the top and looked round about him. In front of him
+was a great company of ships bearing towards him out of the west. They
+landed at the foot of the hill where Diarmid stood, and he swiftly ran
+down to meet them and to ask of what country they were.
+
+'We are three royal chiefs,' said they, 'and are sent by Fionn to take
+an enemy of his whom he has outlawed, called Diarmid O'Dowd. And with
+us are three fierce hounds whom we will loose upon his track. Fire
+burns them not, nor water drowns them, nor weapons wound them, and of
+us there are two thousand men. Moreover, tell us who you yourself are,
+and if you have any tidings of the son of O'Dowd.'
+
+'I am but a warrior walking the world with the strength of my arm and
+the blade of my sword. But I warn you, you will have no common man to
+deal with if you meet Diarmid, whom but yesterday I saw.'
+
+'Well, no one has been found yet,' said they.
+
+'Is there wine in your ships?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'There is,' answered they.
+
+'If you would bring a tun of it here, I would do a trick for you.' So
+the wine was sent for, and Diarmid raised the cask up and drank from
+it, and took it up to the top of the hill and stood on it, and it
+glided with him to the bottom. And that trick he did thrice, standing
+on the tun as it came and went. But the strangers only scoffed, and
+they told him they could do a much better trick than that, and one of
+them jumped on the tun. Then, before it could move, Diarmid gave the
+tun a kick, and the young man fell, and the tun rolled over and
+crushed him. And in like manner he did to many more, and the rest fled
+back to their ships.
+
+The next morning they came to Diarmid where he stood on the hill, and
+he asked if they would like him to show them any more tricks, but they
+said they would rather hear some news of Diarmid first. 'I have seen a
+man who met him to-day,' answered Diarmid, and thereupon he laid his
+weapons on the ground and bounded upwards upon his javelin, coming
+down lightly beyond the host.
+
+'If you call that a feat, then you have never seen a feat,' said a
+young warrior of the green Fenians--for so were they called from the
+colour of their armour. And he rose in like manner on his javelin and
+came down heavily on it, and it pierced his heart. Diarmid drew out
+the javelin, and another man took it and tried to do the same thing,
+and he also was slain, and so to the number of fifty. And they went to
+their ships while Diarmid returned to Muadan and Grania.
+
+As soon as Diarmid awoke he went to the forest and cut two forked
+poles, which he took to the hill and placed upright, and he balanced
+the sword of Angus across the top. Then he rose lightly over and came
+down safely over it. 'Is there any man among you who can do that?'
+asked he of the men who had come up from their ships.
+
+'That is a foolish question,' answered one, 'for no man ever did a
+feat in Erin which one of us could not do,' and he arose and leapt
+over the sword, but his foot caught in it, and he was cut in half.
+After that others tried, but none jumped that sword and lived. 'Have
+you any tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' asked the rest at last.
+
+'I have seen him that saw him to-day,' answered Diarmid. 'I will seek
+tidings of him to-night.' And he returned to Grania.
+
+When the sun rose Diarmid put on his coat of mail which no sword could
+pierce, and girded on the sword of Angus, and took his two javelins,
+whose stroke none could cure. Grania trembled at this brave sight, but
+Diarmid soothed her fears, and went off to meet the Fenians.
+
+'What tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' said they. 'Show us where he is,
+that we may take his head to Fionn.'
+
+'The body and life of Diarmid are under my protection, and I will not
+betray him.'
+
+'Then we will take your head, as Fionn is your enemy,' said they.
+
+'Take it if you can,' answered Diarmid, and he drew his sword and
+struck at the head of the man next him, and it rolled away from the
+body. Then he rushed on the host, and slew them right and left, and
+none lived to tell the tale but the three green chiefs and a few men
+who went back to their ships. And they returned the next morning and
+renewed the fight, but Diarmid vanquished them, and binding them fast,
+left them where they were. For he knew that there were only four men
+in the world that could loose them.
+
+After this Diarmid called to Grania and Muadan to come with him, and
+they travelled till Grania grew weary, and Muadan carried her on his
+back to the foot of a great mountain. And there they rested on the
+bank of the stream.
+
+Meanwhile the few men who had been left alive abandoned their ship,
+and sought the three chiefs who were lying bound on the hill. They
+tried to loosen the bands of the captives, but only drew them tighter.
+
+Soon they saw the witch-messenger of Fionn coming over the tops of the
+hills skimming from one to the other as lightly as a swallow.
+
+'Who has made this great slaughter?' said she.
+
+'Who are you that ask?' said they.
+
+'I am Deirdre, the witch-messenger of Fionn, and he has sent me to
+look for you.'
+
+'We know not who the man was,' answered they, 'but his hair was black
+and curly, and his countenance ruddy. And he has bound our three
+chiefs, so that we cannot loose them.'
+
+'It was Diarmid himself,' said she; 'so loosen your hounds on his
+track, and I will send Fionn and his Fenians to help you.'
+
+The men went down to their ships, and brought out their hounds, and
+loosened them on the track of Diarmid. The hounds made straight for
+the door of the cave, and the men followed them; and the hounds left
+the cave, and set forth westwards.
+
+But Diarmid knew not of their coming till he saw silken banners
+waving, and three mighty warriors marching at the head. And he was
+filled with hatred of them, and went his ways, and Muadan took Grania
+on his back and bore her a mile along the mountain.
+
+It was not long before they heard the hound coming, and Muadan bade
+Diarmid follow Grania, and he would keep the hound at bay. And when he
+had slain the hound, he departed after Diarmid and Grania.
+
+Then the second hound was loosened, and Diarmid waited till he came
+close, so that he could take sure aim; and he cast his javelin into
+the hound and it fell dead like its fellow, and having drawn his
+javelin, he followed after Grania.
+
+They had not gone much farther before the third hound was upon them.
+He bounded straight over the head of Diarmid, and would have seized
+Grania, but Diarmid took hold of his two hind legs, and swung him so
+fiercely against a rock that he was slain on the spot. And when that
+was done, Diarmid put on his arms, and slipped his little finger into
+the silken string of the javelin, and cast it straight at a youth in a
+green mantle that had outstripped his fellows, and slew him; and so to
+the rest, while Deirdre, the witch, wheeled and hovered about them
+all.
+
+Now when news of the green Fenians that were bound by Diarmid reached
+Fionn he summoned his men, and they took the shortest ways till they
+reached the hill of slaughter. Then Fionn spoke, and what he said was,
+'O Ossian, loose the three chiefs for me.'
+
+'I will not,' replied Ossian, 'for Diarmid bound me not to loose any
+warrior that he should bind.'
+
+'O Oscar, loose them,' said Fionn.
+
+'Nay,' answered Oscar, 'rather would I place more bands upon them.'
+And so said the other two, and, before their eyes, the chiefs died of
+their bondage. So Fionn ordered their graves to be dug, and their flag
+laid upon their stone, and the heart of Fionn was heavy.
+
+He raised his head and saw drawing near Deirdre, the witch, her legs
+trembling, her tongue raving, and her eyes dropping out of her head.
+'I have great and evil tidings for you,' said she, and she told him of
+all the slaughter Diarmid had made, and how she herself had hardly
+escaped.
+
+'Whither went the son of O'Dowd?' asked Fionn.
+
+'I know not,' said she. At that Fionn and his Fenians departed, and
+wandered far before they could hear news of Diarmid.
+
+On the road that led to the county of Galway, Fionn saw fifty stout
+warriors coming towards him. 'I know not who they are,' said Fionn,
+'yet I think they are enemies of mine'; and, indeed, this proved to be
+so, for the leaders of the company told Fionn that his father and
+their fathers had fought in battle. 'Then you must give me payment for
+the death of my father,' said Fionn, 'and in return you shall have
+power among the Fenians.'
+
+'But we have neither silver, nor gold, nor herds, O Fionn,' answered
+the two young men.
+
+'I want none of these,' replied Fionn; 'the payment I ask is but the
+head of a warrior, or a handful of berries from the magic tree of
+Dooros.'
+
+'Take counsel from me,' cried Ossian, 'for it is no light matter to
+bring to Fionn that which he asks of you. The head is the head of
+Diarmid, son of Dowd, and if there were two thousand of you instead of
+fifty, Diarmid would not let it go.'
+
+'And what are the berries that Fionn asks of us?' said they.
+
+'Those berries would never have been heard of but for the jealousy of
+two women of different tribes, each of whom swore that her husband
+could hurl a pole farther than the other. So all the rest of the
+tribes came out to take part in the goaling match, and the game lasted
+long, and neither won a goal. At last the tribe of the Tuatha De
+Denann saw that the Fenians were stronger than they, and they went
+away bearing their provisions with them--nuts, and apples, and
+fragrant berries. And as they passed near the river Moy one of the
+berries fell, and turned into a quicken tree. No disease or sickness
+can touch anyone who eats three of its berries, and were he a hundred
+years old, the eater of them shall become no more than thirty.
+
+'Since those days the tribe has set a guard over it. He is a crooked
+giant, with an eye in the midst of his forehead. No weapon can wound
+him, and he can only die of three strokes from his own iron club. At
+night he sleeps on the top of the tree, and by day watches at the
+foot. Around him is a wilderness, and the Fenians dare not hunt there,
+for fear of that terrible one. These are the berries which Fionn asks
+of you.'
+
+But Aod, the son of Andala, spoke and declared that he would rather
+die seeking those berries than return to his own land with his head
+bowed in shame. So he and Angus his cousin took farewell of Ossian and
+went their ways, and as they drew near the forest they came on the
+track of Diarmid; and they followed to the tent, where they found him
+with Grania. 'Who are you?' asked Diarmid.
+
+[Illustration: Diarmid Seizes The Giant's Club]
+
+'We are Aod and Angus of the Clan Moirna,' said Aod, 'and it is
+your head that we seek, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd. For Fionn will either
+have that, or a handful of berries from the quicken tree.'
+
+'Neither task is easy,' answered Diarmid, 'and woe to him that falls
+under the power of Fionn. He it was who slew your father, and surely
+that is payment enough. And whichever of those things you take him,
+you shall never have peace.'
+
+'What berries are those that Fionn wants?' asked Grania, 'and why
+cannot they be got for him?' Then Diarmid told her the story, and how
+the country round was laid waste. 'But when Fionn put me under his
+ban,' continued he, 'the giant gave me leave to hunt there if I would,
+but forbade me to touch the berries. And now, O children of Moirna,
+will you fight me or seek the berries?'
+
+'We will fight you first,' said they.
+
+They fought long and well, but Diarmid got the better of them both,
+and bound them on the spot where they fell. 'You struck valiantly,'
+said Grania to Diarmid, 'but I vow that even if the children of Moirna
+go not after those berries, I will never rest in my bed till I have
+eaten them.'
+
+'Force me not to break faith with the giant,' answered Diarmid, 'for
+he would not give them me more readily for that.'
+
+'Loose our bonds,' said the children of Moirna, 'and we will go with
+you, and give ourselves for your sake.'
+
+'Not so,' answered Diarmid, 'for the sight of him might kill you.'
+
+'Then let us go to watch you fight, before you cut off our heads.' And
+Diarmid did so.
+
+They found the giant asleep before the tree, and Diarmid pushed him
+with his foot.
+
+The giant raised his head and looked at him: 'Are you fain to break
+peace, O Diarmid?'
+
+'Not I,' answered he, 'but Grania my wife is ill, and she longs for
+the taste of your berries, and it is to get a handful of them that I
+am now come.'
+
+'If she should die,' said the giant, 'she should have none.'
+
+'I may not do you treachery,' replied Diarmid, 'therefore I tell you I
+will have them by fair means or foul.'
+
+The giant having heard that, stood up and dealt Diarmid three mighty
+strokes with his club, so that he staggered. Then, flinging down his
+weapons, he sprang upon the giant and grasped the club between his
+hands, hurling the giant to the ground by the weight of his body.
+Without giving him time to rise, Diarmid struck three blows with the
+club at the giant's head and he died without a word.
+
+Aod and Angus had watched the combat, and now came forth. 'Bury the
+giant under the brushwood of the forest,' said Diarmid, 'so that
+Grania may not see him, and then go and bring her to me, for I am very
+weary.'
+
+And the young men did so. 'There, Grania, are the berries you asked
+for,' said Diarmid when she came, but she swore that she would not
+taste a berry except he plucked it for her. So he plucked the berries
+for her and for the children of Moirna, and they ate their fill of
+them. 'Now go,' said he, 'take as many berries as you can to Fionn,
+and tell him that it was you who slew the giant.' And they gave thanks
+to Diarmid and left him, and he and Grania went to sleep on the top of
+the tree where the sweetest berries grew.
+
+The children of Moirna reached Fionn, and bowed before him. 'We have
+slain the giant,' said they, 'and have brought you the berries, and
+now we shall have peace for the death of our father.' Fionn took the
+berries into his hand, and stooped down and smelt them. 'I swear,' he
+cried, 'that it was Diarmid O'Dowd who gathered these berries, and
+full sure I am that it was he who slew the giant. I will follow him
+to the quicken tree, and it shall profit you nothing to have brought
+the berries to me.'
+
+With seven battalions of his Fenians, he marched along Diarmid's track
+till he reached the foot of the quicken tree, and finding the berries
+with no watch on them, they ate their fill. The sun was hot, and Fionn
+said he would stay at the foot of the tree till it grew cooler, as
+well he knew that Diarmid was at the top. 'You judge foolishly,'
+answered Ossian, 'to think that Diarmid would stay up there when he
+knows that you are bent on his death.'
+
+In spite of the heat and his long march, Fionn could not sleep, and
+called for a chess-board, and bade Ossian play with him. Fionn was the
+most skilled, and at length he said, 'There is but one move that can
+save you the game, O Ossian, and I dare all that are by to show you
+that move.' And in the top of the tree Diarmid heard him, and said, 'O
+Ossian, why am I not there to show you?'
+
+'It is worse for you to be here in the power of Fionn, than for Ossian
+to lack that move,' answered Grania.
+
+But Diarmid plucked one of the berries, and aimed it at the man which
+should be moved, and Ossian moved it, and turned the game against
+Fionn. And so he did a second time, and a third, when Ossian was in
+straits, and he won the game and the Fenians sent up a great shout.
+
+'I marvel not at your winning, O Ossian, seeing that Oscar is doing
+his best for you, and that the skilled knowledge of Dearing, and the
+prompting of Diarmid, are all with you.'
+
+'Now your eyes must be blinded, O Fionn, to think that Diarmid would
+stay in that tree when you are beneath him.'
+
+'Which of us has the truth on his side, O Diarmid?' said Fionn,
+looking up.
+
+'Never did you err in your wisdom, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid, 'and
+truly, I and Grania are here.' Then, in presence of them all, he
+kissed Grania three times. 'Thou shalt give thy head for those three
+kisses,' said Fionn.
+
+So Fionn and the four hundred that were with him surrounded the
+quicken tree, and he bade them on pain of death not to let Diarmid
+pass through them. Further, he promised to whichever man should go up
+the tree and fetch down Diarmid, he would give him arms and armour,
+and whatever place his father held among the Fenians. But Angus heard
+what Fionn said, and being somewhat of a wizard, came to Diarmid's
+help, without being seen of the Fenians. And one man after another
+rolled down the tree.
+
+Howbeit, both Diarmid and Angus felt that this was no place for
+Grania, and Angus said he would take her with him.
+
+'Take her,' answered Diarmid; 'if I be alive this evening I will
+follow you. If not, send Grania to her father at Tara.' And with that
+Angus bade farewell to Diarmid, and flung his magic mantle over
+himself and Grania, and they passed out and no man knew aught of them
+till they reached the river Boyne.
+
+When they were safely gone, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd, spoke from the top
+of the tree. 'I will go down to you, O Fionn, and to the Fenians, and
+will deal slaughter and discomfiture upon you and your people, seeing
+that I know your wish is to allow me no escape, but to work my death
+after some manner. Moreover, I have no friend who will help or protect
+me, since full often have I wrought havoc among the warriors of the
+world, for love of you. For there never came on you battle or strait,
+but I would plunge into it for your sake, and for that of the Fenians.
+Therefore I swear, O Fionn, that thou shalt not get me for nothing.'
+
+'Diarmid speaks truth,' said Oscar. 'Grant him, I pray you, mercy and
+forgiveness.'
+
+[Illustration: Diarmid & Grania in the Quicken Tree]
+
+'I will not,' answered Fionn, 'till he has paid for every slight put
+upon me.'
+
+'It is a foul shame in thee to say that,' said Oscar, 'and I pledge
+the word of a soldier that unless the heavens fall upon me or the
+earth opens under my feet, I will not suffer you nor your Fenians to
+strike him a single blow, and I will take him under my protection, and
+keep him safe in spite of you all. Therefore, O Diarmid, come down out
+of the tree, since Fionn will not grant you mercy. 'I will pledge that
+no evil will come to you to-day.'
+
+So Diarmid rose, and stood upon the topmost bough of the tree, and
+leapt light and birdlike, by the shafts of his spears, and passed out
+far beyond Fionn and the Fenians of Erin. And he and Oscar went their
+way, and no tidings were heard of them till they reached Grania and
+Angus on the banks of the Boyne.
+
+After Diarmid and Oscar had departed, Fionn ordered a ship to be made
+ready, and as soon as it was done he marched on board with a thousand
+of his warriors and set sail for the north of Scotland. When he
+arrived at the harbour nearest the King's palace, he moored his ship
+and took the path to the palace, where the King received him kindly,
+and gave him food and drink. Then Fionn told the King why he was come.
+'And truly you should give me a host,' said he, 'for Diarmid it was
+who slew your father and two brothers and many of your men besides.'
+
+'That is so,' answered the King, 'and I will give you my two sons,
+with a thousand men to each of them.' Joyful was Fionn to hear this,
+and he departed with his company, and nothing was known of them till
+they reached the Boyne, where Fionn challenged Diarmid and Angus to
+battle.
+
+'What shall I do touching this, O Oscar?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'We will give them battle and slay them all,' answered Oscar.
+
+On the morrow Diarmid and Oscar rose, and put on their armour and went
+their way to the place of combat, where they bound the rims of their
+shields together, so that they might not be parted in the fight. Next
+they proclaimed battle against Fionn, and the Scots said they would
+land and fight them first. They rushed together, and Diarmid passed
+under them and through them and over them, as a whale would go through
+small fish. And all of them fell by Diarmid and Oscar before night
+came, while they themselves had neither cut nor wound.
+
+When Fionn saw that great slaughter he and his men put out to sea, and
+sailed to the cave where dwelt an old woman, Fionn's nurse. And he
+told her his story from the beginning. 'I will go with you,' said she,
+'and will practise magic against him.'
+
+They came to the Boyne, and the witch threw magic over Fionn and his
+Fenians, so that the men of Erin knew not they were there; and that
+day Diarmid was hunting alone, for he had parted from Oscar the day
+before. Now the witch knew this, and she flew to where a water-lily
+leaf lay with a hole in the middle of it, and as the wind lifted the
+leaf from the surface of the water she cast deadly darts at Diarmid
+through the hole, and did him great hurt. And every evil that had come
+upon him was little compared with that evil. Then he felt that unless
+he could strike her through the hole in the leaf she would slay him on
+the spot; so he lay down on his back and took his javelin in his hand,
+and reached her through the hole, and she fell dead.
+
+After that he cut off her head and carried it with him to Angus.
+
+The next day Diarmid rose early and Angus with him, and they went to
+Fionn and asked if he would make peace with Diarmid, and also to
+Cormac, King of Erin, with a like question; and they agreed thereto,
+and asked Diarmid what terms he wanted. Diarmid demanded several of
+the best baronies in Ireland, and he got them, and they blotted out
+all Diarmid had done during the sixteen years of his outlawry, and
+Cormac gave his other daughter to Fionn that he might let Diarmid be,
+and there was peace for many years, and Diarmid prospered mightily,
+and had four sons and one daughter.
+
+
+THE GREEN BOAR
+
+
+But one day a restless spirit seized on Grania, and she told Diarmid
+that it was a shame to them that the two greatest men in Erin, Cormac
+and Fionn, had never visited their house, and she wished to give a
+splendid feast and to bid them to it. And this was done: for a year
+Grania and her daughter were preparing the feast, and when it was
+ready the guests came, and stayed feasting for a year.
+
+It was on the last day of the year that in his sleep Diarmid heard the
+voice of a dog that caused him to start and to wake Grania. 'What is
+the matter?' said she, and Diarmid told her. 'May you be kept safely,'
+answered Grania; 'lie down again.' So Diarmid lay down, but no sleep
+would come to him, and by-and-by he heard the hound's voice again, but
+again Grania kept him from seeking it. This time he fell into a deep
+slumber, and a third time the hound bayed, and he woke and said to
+Grania, 'Now it is day, and I will go.' 'Well, then,' said she, 'take
+your large sword and the red javelin.' But Diarmid answered, 'No, I
+will take the little sword that bites, and the small javelin, and my
+favourite hound on a chain.'
+
+So he went without stopping to the top of a mountain, where Fionn
+stood alone. Diarmid asked if he was hunting, and Fionn said no, but
+that after midnight a company of Fenians had come out, and one of the
+hounds had crossed the track of the wild boar of Ben Gulbain, which
+had slain thirty Fenians that morning.
+
+'He is even now coming up this mountain against us,' added he, 'so let
+us leave the place.'
+
+'I will never leave the place for him,' answered Diarmid.
+
+'Know you not that when you were a child a wizard prophesied that you
+should live as long as a green boar without ears or tail, and that it
+was by him that you should fall at last?'
+
+'No, I knew nothing of these things, but for all that I will not leave
+the mountain,' answered Diarmid. And Fionn went his way, and Diarmid
+stood alone on the top. 'It was to slay me that you made this hunt, O
+Fionn; and if it is fated that I die here, die I must.'
+
+The wild boar came tearing up the mountain, and behind him followed
+the Fenians. Diarmid slipped his hound, but it profited him nothing,
+for he did not await the boar, but fled before him. 'Woe unto him that
+doeth not the counsel of a good wife,' said Diarmid to himself, 'for
+Grania bade me take my best hound and my red javelin.' Then he aimed
+carefully at the boar's head, and smote him in the middle of his
+forehead; but he did not so much as cut one of his bristles, far less
+pierce his skin. At that Diarmid felt his heart quail like those of
+weaker men, and he drew his sword and dealt the boar a stout blow, but
+the sword broke in two; and the beast stood unharmed. With a spring he
+threw himself upon Diarmid, so that he tripped and fell, and somehow
+when he rose up he was sitting astride the back of the boar, with his
+face looking towards the tail. The boar tried to fling him off but
+could not, though he rushed down the hill and jumped three times
+backwards and forwards out of the river at the foot; but Diarmid never
+stirred, and at last the boar dashed up the hill again, and Diarmid
+fell from his back. Then the boar sprang upon Diarmid with a mighty
+spring, and wounded him mortally; but Diarmid swung his broken
+sword about his head as he lay, and hit the boar such a blow on his
+head that where he stood there he fell dead.
+
+[Illustration: The Death of Diarmid]
+
+Not long after that Fionn and his Fenians came up and watched Diarmid,
+who was dying fast. 'It pleases me well to see you in that plight, O
+Diarmid,' said Fionn, 'and I grieve that all the fair women of Erin
+cannot see you also.'
+
+'If you wished you could still heal me, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid.
+
+'How could I heal you, O Diarmid?'
+
+'Easily,' answered Diarmid. 'Was it not given to you that whoever
+should drink from the palms of your hands should become young and
+whole again?'
+
+'You have not deserved that I should give you that drink,' said Fionn.
+
+'That is not true, O Fionn, well have I deserved it of you. Was it not
+I who avenged you and slew fifty of your enemies who tried to set on
+fire the house wherein you were holding your great feast? Had I asked
+you for such a drink then, you would have given it to me, and now I
+deserve it no less.'
+
+'Not so,' answered Fionn; 'you have deserved ill at my hands since
+that time, and little reason have I to give you drinks or any good
+thing. For did you not bear away Grania from me before all the men of
+Erin the night you were set as guard over her in Tara?'
+
+'The guilt of that was not mine, O Fionn, but Grania besought me, else
+I would not have failed to keep my charge for all the bonds in the
+world. And well do I deserve you should give me a drink, for many is
+the day since I came among the Fenians in which I have perilled my
+life for your sake. Therefore you should not do me this foul
+treachery. And soon a dire defeat will come upon the Fenians, and few
+children will be left to them to carry on the race. It is not for you
+that I grieve, O Fionn, but for Ossian and for Oscar, and for the
+rest of my faithful comrades. And you shall lack me sorely yet, O
+Fionn.'
+
+'I am near of kin to you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'but you shall not do
+Diarmid this wrong. Further, I swear that were any other prince in the
+world to have done this to Diarmid, we would have seen whose hand was
+strongest and who should bring him a drink.'
+
+'I know no well upon this mountain,' answered Fionn.
+
+'That is not true,' replied Diarmid, 'for nine paces from this is the
+best well of pure water in the world.'
+
+So Fionn went to the well and filled his palms with water; but he had
+only come half way to where Diarmid lay when he let the water run down
+between his fingers. 'The water would not stay in my hands,' he said,
+as he reached the rest.
+
+'You spilt it of your will,' answered Diarmid.
+
+For the second time Fionn set out to fetch the water, but returning he
+thought of Grania, and let it run upon the ground. Diarmid saw and
+sighed piteously. 'I swear by my sword,' cried Oscar, 'that if this
+time you bring not that water either you or I, O Fionn, shall leave
+our body here.'
+
+And Fionn trembled when he heard those words, and brought back the
+water, but as he came to his side the life went out of Diarmid. And
+the company of the Fenians raised three exceeding great cries; while
+Oscar looked fiercely at Fionn, and told him it had been better for
+the Fenians had Fionn himself died, and not Diarmid. Then Fionn left
+the top of the mountain, leading Diarmid's hound, and his Fenians came
+after. But Ossian and Oscar and two others returned and laid their
+four mantles over Diarmid, and when they had done that they went their
+ways after Fionn.
+
+Now Grania was standing on the ramparts of her house when she saw
+Fionn and the Fenians approaching. She said to herself that if Diarmid
+were alive it was not Fionn who would lead his hound, and at this
+thought she swooned and fell heavily over the battlements. Ossian's
+heart was full of pity, and he bade Fionn and the Fenians to go, and
+ran himself to help her, but she lifted her head and begged that Fionn
+would leave her the hound of Diarmid. Fionn said No, he would not; but
+Ossian took the stag-hound from Fionn's hand and put it into Grania's,
+and then followed after the Fenians.
+
+When they had gone, Grania uttered a loud and grievous cry that was
+heard far round, so that the people came to her and asked her what was
+the matter, and when she told them that Diarmid was dead they sat down
+and wailed also. After that Grania sent five hundred men to bring her
+the body of Diarmid.
+
+That night it was shown to Angus in a dream that Diarmid was dead on
+Ben Gulbain; and he was carried by the wind, and reached the place at
+the same moment as Grania's men, who knew him, and held out the
+insides of their shields to him in token of peace. And they sent up
+three exceeding great cries, which were heard even at the gates of
+heaven.
+
+Then Angus spoke: 'There has not been one night since I took you, an
+infant of nine months old, to the Boyne that I have not watched over
+you, O Diarmid, until last night, when Fionn did you basely to death,
+for all you were at peace with him.' And he told Grania's men he
+himself would bear Diarmid's body to the Boyne. So the dead man was
+placed on a gilded bier with his javelins over him pointed upwards,
+and the men of Grania returned to their mistress, and said as Angus
+had bade them.
+
+The first thing she did was to send messengers to her sons, who lived
+each in his own house, and bade them come with their followings to the
+house of Grania, for that their father Diarmid had been foully slain
+by Fionn. They all came forthwith, and after they had eaten and drunk
+she pointed to the weapons and arms of Diarmid, and said they were
+theirs, and by them they should learn all arts of brave men, till they
+should reach their full strength, and after that they should avenge
+themselves on Fionn.
+
+The sayings of Grania were whispered in the ears of Fionn, and a great
+fear fell upon him. He called his Fenians together, and told them how
+the sons of Diarmid had gone to their mother, and returned to their
+own homes again. 'It is to rebel against me that they have done this,'
+and he asked counsel in the matter. 'The guilt is yours and no other
+man's,' spoke Ossian, 'and we will not stand by you, for you slew
+Diarmid in time of peace.'
+
+Without Ossian, Oscar, and their men Fionn knew that he could not
+conquer Grania, and resolved to try what cunning would do. So he
+slipped away secretly, and went to her house, and greeted her with
+soft words, in reply to her bitter ones. But so cunning was he that at
+last her wrath broke down, and she agreed to go with him back to his
+Fenians.
+
+It was a long while before the Fenians knew who that could be walking
+by the side of Fionn, but when they did they laughed and mocked till
+Grania bowed her head for shame. 'This time, O Fionn, you will guard
+her well,' said Ossian.
+
+For seven years the sons of Diarmid exercised themselves in all the
+skill of a warrior, and then they came back to Grania's house. There
+they learned how long ago Grania had fled with Fionn, and in wrath
+they set out to seek Fionn, and proclaimed battle against him. Fionn
+sent Dearing to ask how many men it would take to fight them, and they
+answered that each one of them would fight a hundred. So Fionn brought
+four hundred men, and the young men rushed under them and through them
+and over them, till there was not a man left. 'What shall we do
+concerning these youths, O Grania,' said Fionn, 'for I have not men
+enough to go through many such fights?'
+
+'I will visit them,' answered Grania, 'and will try to make peace
+between you.'
+
+And Fionn bade her offer them terms such as no man then living would
+refuse, yet for long the young men did refuse them. But at the last
+the prayers of Grania prevailed, and peace was made, and Fionn and
+Grania lived together till they died.[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: From the Transactions of the Ossianic Society.]
+
+
+
+
+SOME ADVENTURES
+
+OF
+
+WILLIAM SHORT NOSE
+
+
+
+
+_SOME_
+
+_ADVENTURES OF WILLIAM SHORT NOSE_
+
+
+William Short Nose was also styled William of Orange, quite a
+different man from the one who came to be King of England, although
+they both took their title from the same small town in the south of
+France. This William of Orange spent his life battling with the
+Saracens in the south of France, and a very hard task he had, for
+their numbers seemed endless, and as fast as one army was beaten
+another was gathered together.
+
+Now by a great effort the Infidels had been driven back south in the
+year 732, but before a hundred years had passed they had again crossed
+the Pyrenees and were streaming over France, south of the Loire, and,
+what was worse, the men of Gascony were rising too. Someone had to
+meet the enemy and to crush the rebels, and of all the subjects of
+King Louis, the son of the Emperor Charles, no one was so fit to lead
+the army of the Franks as William Short Nose, Count of Orange, husband
+of the Lady Gibourc.
+
+It was at the Aliscans that he met them, and a great host they were,
+spreading over the country till whichever way you looked you saw men
+flocking round the Golden Dragon, which was the banner of the
+Saracens. But it was not Count William's way to think about numbers,
+and he ordered his trumpeters to sound the charge. Spurring his horse,
+he dashed from one part of the fight to the other, striking and
+killing as he went, and heeding as little the wounds that he got as
+those that he gave, and _they_ were many. The Franks whom he led
+followed after him, and slew the Pagans as they came on; but the
+Christians were in comparison but a handful, and their enemies as the
+sands of the sea. The young warriors whom William had brought with him
+were prisoners or dying men, and from far he saw Vivian, whom he loved
+the best, charging a multitude with his naked sword. 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' cried he, 'O noble Count! O Bertrand my cousin, come to my
+aid! O my Lady Gibourc, never more shall my eyes look upon you!'
+
+Bertrand heard and pressed to his side. 'Ride to the river,' he said,
+'and I will protect you with my life'; but Vivian was too weak even to
+sit on his horse, and fell half fainting at the feet of Bertrand.
+
+At this moment there rode at them a large troop of Saracens, headed by
+their King Haucebier, and the Christian Knights knew that all was
+lost. 'It is too late now for me to think of life,' said Vivian, 'but
+I will die fighting,' and again they faced their enemies till
+Bertrand's horse was killed under him. Then Vivian seized the horse of
+a dead Infidel, and thrust the bridle into Bertrand's hand, 'Fly, for
+God's sake, it is your only chance. Where is my uncle? If he is dead
+we have lost the battle.'
+
+But Bertrand did not fly, though every instant made the danger more
+deadly. 'If I forsake you, if I take flight,' he said, 'I shall bring
+eternal shame upon myself.'
+
+'No, no,' cried Vivian, 'seek my uncle down there in the Aliscans, and
+bring him to my aid.'
+
+'Never till my sword breaks,' answered Bertrand, and laid about him
+harder than ever. And to their joy they heard a war cry sounding in
+their ears, and five Frankish Counts, cousins of Vivian and of
+Bertrand, galloped up. Fight they did with all their might, but none
+fought like Vivian. 'Heavens! what a warrior!' cried the Counts as
+they saw his blows, while the Saracens asked themselves if the man
+whom they had killed at mid-day had been brought back to life by the
+help of devils. 'If we let them escape now we shall be covered with
+shame before Mahomet,' said they, 'but ere night falls William shall
+acknowledge that he is conquered.'
+
+'Indeed!' said Bertrand, and with his cousins he fell upon them till
+they fled.
+
+The Counts were victors on this field, but, wounded and weary as they
+were, another combat lay before them, for a force of twenty thousand
+Saracens was advancing from the valley. Their hearts never failed
+them, but they had no strength left; the young Counts were all taken
+prisoners, except Vivian, who was left for dead by the side of a
+fountain where he had been struck down. 'O Father in Heaven,' he said,
+feeling his life going from him, 'forgive me my sins, and help my
+uncle, if it is Thy holy will.'
+
+William Short Nose was still fighting, though he knew that the victory
+lay with the Unbelievers and their hosts. 'We are beaten,' he said to
+the fourteen faithful comrades that stood by him. 'Listen as you will,
+no sound of our war cry can be heard. But by the Holy Rood, the
+Infidels will know no rest while I am alive. I will give my
+forefathers no cause for shame, and the minstrels shall not tell in
+their songs how I fell back before the enemy.'
+
+They then gave battle once more, and fought valiantly, till all lay
+dead upon the ground, save only William himself.
+
+Now the Count knew that if the Infidel was ever to be vanquished and
+beaten out of fair France he must take heed of his own life, for the
+task was his and no other man's; so he turned his horse's head towards
+Orange, and then stopped, for he saw a troop of freshly landed
+Saracens approaching him along the same road.
+
+'The whole world is full of these Infidels!' he cried in anger;
+'cursed be the day when they were born. Fair God, you alone can save
+me. My Lady Gibourc, shall I ever again behold you? My good horse,'
+added he, 'you are very tired. If you had had only five hours' rest, I
+would have led you to the charge; but I see plainly that I can get no
+help from you, and I cannot blame you for it, as you have served me
+well all day, and for this I thank you greatly. If ever we reach
+Orange you shall wear no saddle for twenty days, your food shall be
+the finest corn, and you shall drink out of a golden trough. But how
+should I bear it if the Pagans captured you and carried you to Spain?'
+
+And the horse understood as well as a man, and he threw up his head,
+and pawed the ground, and his strength came back to him as of old. At
+this sight William Short Nose felt more glad than if he had been given
+fourteen cities.
+
+But no sooner had he entered a valley that led along the road to
+Orange than he saw a fresh body of Pagans blocking one end. He turned
+to escape into another path, but in front of him rode a handful of his
+enemies. 'By the faith that I swore to my dear Lady Gibourc,' he said,
+'I had better die than never strike a blow,' and so went straight at
+Telamon, their leader, on his horse Marchepierre. 'William!' cried the
+Saracen, 'this time you will not escape me.' But the sun was in his
+eyes, and his sword missed his aim. Before he could strike another
+blow William had borne him from his horse and galloped away on
+Bausant.
+
+The mountain that he was climbing now was beset with Infidels, like
+all the rest, and William looked in vain for a way of escape. He
+jumped from his horse and rubbed his flanks, saying to him the while,
+'Bausant, what will you do? Your sides are all bloody, and you can
+scarcely stand; but remember, if once you fall it means my death.' At
+these words Bausant neighed, pricked up his ears and shook himself,
+and as he did so the blood seemed to flow strongly in his veins, as of
+old. Then the Count rode down into the field of the Aliscans, and
+found his nephew Vivian lying under a tree.
+
+[Illustration: VIVIAN'S LAST CONFESSION]
+
+'Ah! my God,' cried William, 'what sorrow for me! To the end of my
+life I shall mourn this day. Earth, do thou open and swallow me! Lady
+Gibourc, await me no longer, for never more shall I return to Orange!'
+
+So he lamented, grieving sore, till Vivian spoke to him. The Count was
+full of joy to hear his words, and, kneeling beside the youth, took
+him in his arms, and bade him, as no priest was there, confess his
+sins to him, as to his own father. One by one Vivian remembered them
+all, then a mist floated before his eyes, and, murmuring a farewell to
+the Lady Gibourc, his soul left the world.
+
+William laid him gently down on his shield, and took another shield
+for covering, and turned to mount his horse, but at this his heart
+failed him.
+
+'Is it you, William, that men look to as their leader, and whom they
+call Fierbras, who will do this cowardly deed?' he said to himself,
+and he went back to his nephew's side, and lifted the body on to his
+horse, to bury it in his city of Orange.
+
+He had done what he could to give honour to Vivian, but he might as
+well, after all, have left him where he fell, for in a fierce combat
+with some Pagans on the road the Count was forced to abandon his
+nephew's body and fight for his own life. He knew the two Saracens
+well as brave men, but he soon slew one, and the other he unhorsed
+after a struggle.
+
+'Come back, come back,' cried the Unbeliever; 'sell me your horse, for
+never did I behold his like! I will give you for him twice his weight
+in gold, and set free besides all your nephews that have been taken
+prisoners.' But William loved his horse, and would not have parted
+with him to Charles himself; so he cut off the Saracen's head with his
+sword, and mounted his horse Folatisse, taking the saddle and bridle
+off Bausant so that he might the more easily escape from the Pagans.
+
+At length, after fighting nearly every step of the way, he saw the
+towers of Orange before him, and his palace, Gloriette, where dwelt
+his wife, the Lady Gibourc. 'Ah, with what joy did I leave these
+walls,' he said to himself, 'and how many noble Knights have I lost
+since then! Oh! Gibourc, my wife, will you not go mad when you hear
+the tidings I have brought!' And, overcome with grief, the Count bowed
+his head on the neck of his horse.
+
+When he recovered himself he rode straight to the City Gate, and
+commanded the porter to let him in. 'Let down the drawbridge,' called
+he, 'and be quick, for time presses.' But he forgot that he had
+changed his own arms, and had taken instead those of Aeroflé the
+Saracen; therefore the porter, seeing a man with a shield and pennon
+and helmet that were strange to him, thought he was an enemy, and
+stood still where he was. 'Begone!' he said to William; 'if you
+approach one step nearer I will deal you a blow that will unhorse you!
+Begone, I tell you, and as quick as you can, or when William Short
+Nose returns from the Aliscans it will be the worse for you.'
+
+'Fear nothing, friend,' replied the Count, 'for I am William himself.
+I went to the Aliscans to fight the Saracens, and to help Vivian; but
+all my men are dead, and I only am left to bring these evil tidings.
+So open the gates, for the Saracens are close behind.'
+
+'You must wait a moment,' answered the porter, and he quitted the
+turret where he had been standing and hastened to the chamber of the
+Lady Gibourc. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'there knocks at the
+drawbridge a Knight in pagan armour, who seems fresh from battle, for
+his arms are bloody. He is tall of stature and bears himself proudly,
+and he says he is William Short Nose. I pray you, my lady, come with
+me and see him for yourself.'
+
+The face of Gibourc grew red when she heard the porter's words, and
+she left the Palace and mounted the battlements, where she called
+across the fosse, 'Warrior, what is your will?'
+
+'Oh, lady!' answered he, 'open the gate, and that quickly. Twenty
+thousand Saracens are close upon my track; if they reach me, I am a
+dead man.'
+
+'You cannot enter,' replied Gibourc. 'I am alone here except for this
+porter, a priest, a few children, and some ladies whose husbands are
+all at the war. Neither gate nor wicket will be opened until the
+return of my beloved lord, William the Count.' Then William bowed his
+head for a moment, and two tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+'My lady, I am William himself,' said he. 'Do you not know me?'
+
+'Infidel, you lie,' replied Gibourc. 'Take off your helmet, and let me
+see who you are!'
+
+But the Count in his thought felt the earth trembling under his feet
+from the steps of the accursed ones. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'this
+is no time to parley. Look round you! Is not every hill covered with
+Pagans?'
+
+'Ah, now I know you are not William,' answered she, 'for all the
+Pagans in the world would never have stirred him with fear. By St.
+Peter! neither gate nor wicket shall be opened till I have seen your
+face. I am alone and must defend myself. The voices of many men are
+alike.'
+
+Then the Count lifted his helmet: 'Lady, look and be content. I am
+William himself. Now let me in.'
+
+Gibourc knew that it was indeed the Count who had returned, and was
+about to order the gates to be opened when there appeared in sight a
+troop of Saracens escorting two hundred prisoners, all of them young
+Knights, and thirty ladies with fair white faces. Each one was loaded
+with chains, and they cowered under the blows of their captors. Their
+cries and prayers for mercy reached the ears of Gibourc, and,
+changing her mind, she said quickly: 'There is the proof that you are
+not William my husband, the "Strong Arm," whose fame has spread far!
+For _he_ would never have suffered his brethren to be so shamefully
+entreated while he was by!'
+
+'Heavens!' cried the Count, 'to what hard tests does she put me! But
+if I lose my head I will do her bidding, for what is there that I
+would _not_ do for the love of God and of her!' Without a word more he
+turned, and, relacing his helmet, spurred his horse at the Saracens
+with his lance in rest. So sudden and fierce was his attack that the
+foremost riders fell back on those behind, who were thrown into
+confusion, while William's sword swept him a path to the centre, where
+the prisoners stood bound. The Pagans expected the city gates to open
+and a body of Franks to come forth to destroy them, and without
+waiting another moment they turned and fled. Though the prisoners were
+free, William pursued the enemy hotly.
+
+'Oh, fair lord!' called Gibourc, who from the battlements had watched
+the fight, 'come back, come back, for now indeed you may enter.' And
+William heard her voice, and left the Saracens to go where they would
+while he struck the chains off the prisoners, and led them to the
+gates of Orange, while he himself rode back to the Saracens.
+
+Not again would the Lady Gibourc have reason to call him coward.
+
+And Gibourc saw, and her heart swelled within her, and she repented
+her of her words. 'It is my fault if he is slain,' she wept. 'Oh, come
+back, come back!'
+
+And William came.
+
+Now the drawbridge was let down before him, and he entered the city
+followed by the Christians whom he had delivered, and the Countess
+unlaced his helmet, and bathed his wounds, and then stopped, doubting.
+
+'You cannot be William after all,' said she, 'for William would have
+brought back the young kinsmen who went with him; and Guy and Vivian,
+and all the young Barons of the country side. And William would have
+been encircled by minstrels singing the great deeds he had done.'
+
+[Illustration: THE CAPTIVES William Short-nose rides to the rescue]
+
+'Ah, noble Countess, you speak truth,' answered he. 'Henceforth my
+life will be spent in mourning, for my friends and comrades who went
+to war with me are lying dead at the Aliscans. Vivian is dead also,
+but Bertrand and Guy, Guichard the bold, and Gerard the brave, are
+captives in the Saracen camp.'
+
+Great was the sorrow in the city of Orange, great likewise was the
+sorrow in the palace of her lord, where the ladies of the Countess
+mourned for their husbands. But it was Gibourc herself who first dried
+her tears, and roused herself from her grief for Vivian and others
+whom she had loved well. 'Noble Count,' she said, 'do not lose your
+courage, and let the Infidels crush your spirit. Remember it is not
+near Orleans, in safety, that your lands lie, but in the very midst of
+the Saracens. Orange never will have peace till they are subdued. So
+send messengers to Paris, to your brother-in-law King Louis, and to
+your father Aimeri, asking for aid. Then march upon the Saracens, and
+rescue the captives that are in their hands before they are carried
+across the sea.'
+
+'Heavens!' cried William, 'has the world ever seen so wise a lady?'
+
+'Let no one turn you from your road,' she went on. 'At the news of
+your distress Ermengarde of Pavia, whom may God bless, and Aimeri with
+the white beard, and all the Barons that are your kin, will fly to
+your help. Their numbers are as the sands of the sea.'
+
+'But how shall I make them believe in what has befallen us?' answered
+William. 'Gibourc, sweetheart, in France they would hold any man mad
+who brought such a message. If I do not go myself I will send nobody,
+and go myself I will not, for I will not leave you alone again for all
+the gold in Pavia.'
+
+'Sir, you must go,' said Gibourc, weeping. 'I will stay here with my
+ladies, of whom there are plenty, and each will place a helmet on her
+head, and hang a shield round her neck, and buckle a sword to her
+side, and with the help of the Knights whom you have delivered we
+shall know how to defend ourselves if the Unbelievers should seek to
+take the city by assault.'
+
+William's heart bounded at her words; he took her in his arms, and
+promised that he himself would go, and more, that he would never lie
+soft nor eat delicately nor kiss the cheek of any lady, however fair,
+till he returned again to Orange.
+
+Thus William Short Nose set forth and the next day passed through
+Orleans. There he met with his brother Ernaut, who had ridden home
+from escorting King Louis back to Paris. Ernaut promised his help and
+that of his father and brothers, but counselled William to go to Laon,
+where a great feast would be held and many persons would be assembled.
+The Count followed Ernaut's counsel, but refused the troop of Knights
+and men-at-arms which Ernaut offered him, liking rather to ride alone.
+
+He made his entrance into Laon on Sunday, and the people laughed at
+him and made jests on his tall thin horse; but William let them laugh,
+and rode on until he reached the Palace. There he alighted under an
+olive tree, and, fastening his horse to one of the branches, took off
+his helmet and unbuckled his breastplate. The people stared as they
+passed by, but nobody spoke to him.
+
+Someone told the King that a strange man without a squire or even a
+man-at-arms was sitting before the Palace under an olive tree. The
+King's face grew dark as he heard their tale, for he loved to keep his
+gardens for his own pleasure. 'Sanson,' he called to one of his
+guards, 'go and find out who this stranger is and whence he comes, but
+beware of bringing him hither.'
+
+Sanson hastened to do his errand, and William answered, 'My name is
+one that is known to France. I am William Short Nose, and I come from
+Orange. My body is worn out with much riding; I pray you hold my horse
+until I have spoken to King Louis.'
+
+'Noble Count,' replied Sanson, 'let me first return to the King and
+tell him who you are. And be not angry, I beseech you, for such are my
+orders.'
+
+'Be quick, then, my friend,' said William, 'and do not neglect to tell
+the King that I am in great distress. This is the time to show his
+love for me; and if he truly does love me, let him come to meet me
+with the great lords of his Court. If he does not come, I have no
+other hope.'
+
+'I will tell him what you say,' said Sanson, 'and if it rests with me
+you shall be content.'
+
+Then Sanson went back to the King. 'It is William, the famous
+William!' he said, 'and he wishes you to go out to meet him.'
+
+'Never!' answered Louis. 'Will he always be a thorn in my side? Woe be
+to him who rejoices at his coming.'
+
+So the King sat still, and on the steps of the Palace there gathered
+Knights and Nobles in goodly numbers, and hardly one but wore a mantle
+of ermine or marten, a helmet set with precious stones, a sword or a
+shield which had been given him by William himself. But now they were
+rich and he was poor, so they mocked at him.
+
+'My lords,' said William, 'you do ill to treat me so. I have loved you
+all, and you bear the tokens of my love about you at this moment. If I
+can give you no more gifts, it is because I have lost all I have in
+the world at the Aliscans. My men are dead, and my nephews are
+prisoners in the hands of the Saracens. It is the Lady Gibourc who
+bade me come here, and it is she who asks for help through me. Have
+pity on us, and help us.' But without a word, they rose up and went
+into the Palace, and William knew what their love was worth.
+
+The young men told Louis of the words that the Count had spoken, and
+the King rose and leaned out of the window. 'Sir William,' said he,
+'go to the inn, and let them bathe your horse. You seem in a sorry
+plight, without a groom or esquire to help you.'
+
+William heard and vowed vengeance. But if the King and the courtiers
+had no hearts, in his need a friend came to him, Guimard, a citizen of
+Laon, who took the Count home and offered him rich food. But because
+of his vow to the Lady Gibourc, he would only eat coarse bread, and
+drink water from the spring; and as soon as it was light he rose up
+from his bed of fresh hay, and dressed himself. 'Where are you going?'
+asked his host.
+
+'To the Palace, to entreat the aid of the King, and woe be to him who
+tries to stop me.'
+
+'May God protect you, Sir,' answered Guimard. 'To-day the King crowns
+Blanchefleur, your sister, who no doubt loves you well. And he gives
+her the Vermandois for her dower, the richest land in all fair France,
+but a land that is never at peace.'
+
+'Well,' said William, 'I will be present at the ceremony. Indeed they
+cannot do without me, for all France is under my care, and it is my
+right to bear her standard in battle. And let them beware how they
+move me to wrath, lest I depose the King of France and tear the crown
+from his head.'
+
+The Count placed a breastplate under his jerkin and hid his sword
+under his cloak. The gates of the Palace opened before him and he
+entered the vaulted hall. It was filled with the greatest nobles in
+the land, and ladies with rich garments of silk and gold. Lords and
+ladies both knew him, but not one gave him welcome--not even his
+sister, the Queen. His fingers played with his sword, and he had much
+ado not to use it. But while his wrath was yet kindling the heralds
+announced that his father Aimeri had come.
+
+The Lord of Narbonne stepped on to the grass with Ermengarde, his
+noble Countess, his four sons, and many servants. King Louis and the
+Queen hastened to meet them, and amid cries of joy they mounted the
+steps into the hall. Aimeri sat beside the King of Saint-Denis, and
+the Countess was seated next the Queen, while the Knights placed
+themselves on the floor of the hall. And William sat also, but alone
+and apart, nursing his anger.
+
+At last he rose, and, advancing to the middle of the floor, he said
+with a loud voice: 'Heaven protect my mother, my father, my brothers
+and my friends; but may His curse alight on my sister and on the King,
+who have no hearts, and have left me to be the butt of all the mockers
+of the Court. By all the Saints! were not my father sitting next him,
+this sword should ere now have cloven his skull.' The King listened,
+pale with fright, and the Queen wished herself at Paris or at Senlis.
+The rest whispered to each other, 'William is angry, something will
+happen!'
+
+When Ermengarde and Aimeri saw their son standing before them great
+joy filled their souls. They left their seats and flung themselves on
+his neck, and William's brother also ran to greet him. The Count told
+them how he had been vanquished at the Aliscans, how Vivian had been
+killed, and he himself had fled to Orange, and of the distress in
+which he had left Gibourc. 'It was at her bidding I came here to ask
+aid from Louis, the base King, but from the way he has treated me I
+see plainly that he has no heart. By St. Peter! he shall repent before
+I go, and my sister also.'
+
+The King heard and again waxed cold with fear; the nobles heard and
+whispered low, 'Who is strong enough to compass this matter? No man,
+be he the bravest in France, ever went to his help and came back to
+tell the tale. Let him abandon Orange, and let the King give him
+instead the Vermandois.'
+
+It was the Lady Ermengarde who broke the silence. 'O God,' she cried,
+'to think that the Franks should be such cowards! And you, Sir Aimeri,
+has your courage failed you also? Have no fear, fair son William, I
+have still left gold that would fill thirty chariots, and I will give
+it to those who enrol themselves under your banner. I myself will don
+breastplate and shield, and will fight in the front rank of your
+army.'
+
+Aimeri smiled and sighed as he listened to her words, and his sons
+shed tears.
+
+William answered nothing, but remained standing in the middle of the
+hall, his eyes fixed on his sister sitting on her throne, with a small
+golden crown upon her head, and on her husband King Louis.
+
+'This, then, O King, is the reward of all I have done! When
+Charlemagne your father died, and all the Barons of the Empire met at
+Paris, you would have lost your crown if I had not forced them to
+place it upon your head.'
+
+'That is true,' answered the King, 'and in remembrance of your
+services I will to-day bestow on you a fief.'
+
+'Yes,' cried Blanchefleur, 'and no doubt will deprive me of one. A
+nice agreement, truly! Woe to him who dares carry it out.'
+
+'Be silent, woman without shame!' said William. 'Every word you speak
+proclaims the depth of your baseness! You pass your days wrapped in
+rich clothing, eating costly food, and drinking rare wines, and little
+you care that we endure heat and cold, hunger and thirst, and suffer
+wounds and death so that your life may be easy.' Then he bounded
+forwards and tore off the crown, and, drawing his sword, would have
+cut off her head had not Ermengarde wrenched the weapon from his
+hands. Before he could seize it again the Queen darted away and took
+refuge in her chamber, where she fell fainting on the floor.
+
+It was her daughter Alix, the fair and the wise, who raised her up and
+brought her back to consciousness; then heard with shame the tale she
+had to tell. 'How could you speak so to my uncle, the best man that
+ever wore a sword?' asked Alix. 'It was he who made you Queen of
+France, and the words that you uttered must have been taught you by
+devils.'
+
+'Yes, my daughter, you say truth,' answered the Queen, 'I have done
+ill, and if it rests with me I will make peace with my brother'; and
+she wept over her wicked speech, while Alix, red and white as the
+roses in May, went down into the hall, where the Franks were still
+whispering together, and calling curses on the head of William.
+
+They all rose as the maiden entered; Aimeri, her grandfather, took her
+in his arms, and her four uncles kissed her cheek. Her presence seemed
+to calm the anger and trouble which before had reigned throughout the
+hall, and Ermengarde flung herself at William's feet and besought his
+pardon for the Queen. William raised his mother from her knees, but
+his anger was not soothed. 'I have no love for the King,' he said,
+'and before night I will break his pride,' and he stood where he had
+been always standing, his face red with wrath, leaning on his naked
+sword. Not a sound was heard, and the eyes of all were fixed
+breathlessly upon William. Then in her turn Alix stepped forward and
+knelt at his feet. 'Punish me in my mother's place,' said she, 'and
+cut off my head if you will, or send me into exile, but let there be
+peace, I pray you, between you and my father and mother. Her ill words
+towards you did not come from her heart, but were put into her mouth
+by devils.'
+
+At the voice of Alix William's wrath melted, but at first he would
+promise nothing. 'Fair son William,' said Ermengarde again, 'be
+content. The King will do what you desire, and will aid you to the
+uttermost.'
+
+'Yes, I will aid you,' answered the King.
+
+So peace was made, the Queen was fetched, and they all sat down to a
+great feast.
+
+In this manner the pride of the King was broken.
+
+[Illustration: The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William-Shortnose]
+
+But when one man is shifty and another is hasty wrath is not apt to
+slumber long, and treaties of peace are easier made than kept. When
+the feast was over William pressed King Louis to prepare an army at
+once, so that no time might be lost in giving battle to the Infidels,
+but the King would bind himself to nothing. 'We will speak of it
+again,' said he; 'I will tell you to-morrow whether I will go or not.'
+
+At this answer William grew red with rage, and holding out a wand he
+said to the King, 'I give you back your fief. I will take nothing from
+you, and henceforth will neither be your friend nor your vassal.'
+
+'Keep your fief,' said Ernaut to his brother, 'and leave the King to
+do as he will. I will help you and my brothers also, and between us
+twenty thousand men shall march to the Aliscans, and deal death to any
+Infidels we shall find there.'
+
+'You speak weak words,' cried Aimeri; 'he is Seneschal of France, and
+also her Standard Bearer; he has a right to our help, and if that
+fails a right to vengeance.' And Alix approved of his saying, and the
+Queen likewise.
+
+The King saw that none was on his side and from fear of Aimeri and of
+his sons he dared refuse no longer. 'Count William, for love of you I
+will call together my army, and a hundred thousand men shall obey your
+commands. But I myself will not go with you, for my kingdom needs me
+badly.'
+
+'Remain, Sire,' answered William, 'I myself will lead the host.' And
+the King sent out his messengers, and soon a vast army was gathered
+under the walls of Laon.
+
+It was on one of these days when the Count stood in the great hall
+that there entered from the kitchen a young man whom he had never seen
+before. The youth, whose name was Rainouart, was tall; strong as a
+wild boar, and swift as a deer. The scullions and grooms had played
+off jests upon him during the night, but had since repented them
+sorely, for he had caught the leaders up in his arms and broken their
+heads against the walls. The rest, eager to avenge their comrades'
+death, prepared to overcome him with numbers, and in spite of his
+strength it might have gone ill with Rainouart had not Aimeri de
+Narbonne, hearing the noise, forbade more brawling.
+
+Count William was told of the unseemly scuffle, and asked the King who
+and what the young man was who could keep at bay so many of his
+fellows. 'I bought him once at sea,' said Louis, 'and paid a hundred
+marks for him. They pretend that he is the son of a Saracen, but he
+will never reveal the name of his father. Not knowing what to do with
+him, I sent him to the kitchen.'
+
+'Give him to me, King Louis,' said William, smiling, 'I promise you he
+shall have plenty to eat.'
+
+'Willingly,' answered the King.
+
+Far off in the kitchen Rainouart knew nothing of what was passing
+between the King and the Count, and his soul chafed at the sound of
+the horses' hoofs, and at the scraps of talk he heard let fall by the
+Knights, who were seeing to the burnishing of their armour before they
+started to fight the Unbelievers. 'To think,' he said to himself,
+'that I, who am of right King of Spain, should be loitering here,
+heaping logs on the fire and skimming the pot. But let King Louis look
+to himself! Before a year is past I will snatch the crown from his
+head.'
+
+When the army had finished its preparations and was ready to march he
+made up his mind what to do, and it was thus that he sought out
+William in the great hall. 'Noble Count, let me come with you, I
+implore you. I can help to look after the horses and cook the food,
+and if at any time blows are needed I can strike as well as any man.'
+
+'Good fellow,' answered William, who wished to try what stuff he was
+made of, 'you dream idle dreams! How could you, who have passed your
+days in the warmth of the kitchen, sleeping on the hearth when you
+were not busy turning the spit--how could you bear all the fatigue
+of war, the long fasts, and the longer watches? Before a month had
+passed you would be dead by the roadside!'
+
+[Illustration: ALIX KISSES RAINOUART]
+
+'Put me to the proof,' said he, 'and if you will not have me I will go
+alone to the Aliscans, and fight barefoot. My only weapon will be an
+iron-bound staff, and I promise you it shall kill as many Saracens as
+the best sword among you all.'
+
+'Come then,' answered the Count.
+
+The next morning the army set forth, and Alix and the Queen
+Blanchefleur watched them go from the steps of the Palace. When Alix
+saw Rainouart stepping proudly along with his heavy staff on his
+shoulder her heart stirred, and she said to her mother, 'See, what a
+goodly young man! In the whole army there is not one like him! Let me
+bid him farewell, for nevermore shall I see his match.'
+
+'Peace! my daughter,' answered the Queen, 'I hope indeed that he may
+never more return to Laon.' But Alix took no heed of her mother's
+words, but signed to Rainouart to draw near. Then Alix put her arms
+round his neck, and said, 'Brother, you have been a long time at
+Court, and now you are going to fight under my uncle's banner. If ever
+I have given you pain, I ask your pardon.' After that she kissed him,
+and bade him go.
+
+At Orleans William took leave of his father Count Aimeri and his
+mother Ermengarde, the noble Countess, who returned to their home at
+Narbonne, and also of his brothers, who promised to return to meet
+William under the walls of Orange, which they did faithfully. He
+himself led his army by a different road, and pressed on quickly till
+he came in sight of his native city. But little of it could he see,
+for a great smoke covered all the land, rising up from the burning
+towers which the Saracens had that morning set on fire. Enter the city
+they could not, for Gibourc and her ladies held it firm, and, armed
+with helmets and breastplates, flung stones upon the head of any
+Saracen who appeared on the walls. So the Unbelievers fell back and
+took the way to the Aliscans, there to build as quickly as they might
+an engine to bring up against the tower and overthrow it.
+
+When William beheld the smoke, and whence it came, he cried 'Orange is
+burning! Holy Saint Mary, Gibourc is carried captive! To arms! To
+arms!' And he spurred his horse to Orange, Rainouart running by his
+side. From her tower Gibourc saw through the smoke a thousand banners
+waving and the sparkle of armour, and heard the sound of the horses'
+hoofs, and it seemed to her that the Infidels were drawing near anew.
+'Oh, William!' cried she, 'have you really forgotten me? Noble Count,
+you linger overlong! Never more shall I look upon your face.' And so
+saying she fell fainting on the floor.
+
+But something stirred the pulses of Gibourc, and she soon sat up
+again, and there at the gate was William the Count, with Rainouart
+behind him. 'Fear nothing, noble lady,' said he, 'it is the army of
+France that I have brought with me. Open, and welcome to us!' The news
+seemed so good to Gibourc that she could not believe it, and she bade
+the Count unlace his helmet, so that she might indeed be sure that it
+was he. William did her bidding, then like an arrow she ran to the
+gate and let down the drawbridge, and William stepped across it and
+embraced her tenderly. Then he ordered his army to take up its
+quarters in the city.
+
+Gibourc's eyes had fallen upon Rainouart, who had passed her on his
+way to the kitchen, where he meant to leave his stout wooden staff.
+'Tell me,' said she to the Count, 'who is that young man who bears
+lightly on his shoulder that huge piece of wood which would weigh down
+a horse? He is handsome and well made. Where did you find him?'
+
+'Lady,' answered William, 'he was given me by the King.'
+
+'My Lord,' said Gibourc, 'be sure you see that he is honourably
+treated. He looks to me to be of high birth. Has he been baptized?'
+
+'No, Madam, he is not a Christian. He was brought from Spain as a
+child, and kept for seven years in the kitchen. But take him, I pray
+you, under your protection, and do with him as you will.'
+
+The Count was hungry, and while waiting for dinner to be served he
+stood with Gibourc at the windows which looked out beyond the city. An
+army was drawing near; thousands of men, well mounted and freshly
+equipped. 'Gibourc!' cried the Count joyfully, 'here is my brother
+Ernaut de Gironde, with his vassals. Now all the Saracens in the world
+shall not prevent Bertrand from being delivered to-morrow.'
+
+'No,' answered Gibourc, 'nor Vivian from being avenged.'
+
+On all sides warriors began to arrive, led by the fathers of those who
+had been taken prisoners with Bertrand, and with them came Aimeri de
+Narbonne and the brothers of William. Glad was the heart of the Count
+as he bade them welcome to his Palace of Gloriette, and ordered a
+feast to be made ready, and showed each Knight where he should sit.
+
+It was late before the supper was served, but when every man had his
+trencher filled Rainouart entered the hall, armed with his staff, and
+stood leaning against a pillar, watching the noble company. 'Sir,'
+said Aimeri, the man whom the Saracens most dreaded, 'who is it that I
+see standing there holding a piece of wood that five peasants could
+hardly lift? Does he mean to murder us?'
+
+'That youth,' replied William, 'is a gift to me from King Louis. None
+living is as strong as he.' Then Aimeri called Rainouart, and bade him
+sit at his side, and eat and drink as he would. 'Noble Count,' said
+Aimeri, 'such men grow not on every bush. Keep him and cherish him,
+and bring him with you to the Aliscans. For with his staff he will
+slay many Pagans.'
+
+'Yes,' answered Rainouart, 'wherever I appear the Pagans will fall
+dead at the sight of me.' Aimeri and William laughed to hear him, but
+ere four days were past they had learnt what he was worth.
+
+Rainouart went back to the kitchen and slept soundly, but as he had
+drunk much wine the cooks and scullions thought to play jokes upon
+him, and lighted some wooden shavings with which to burn his
+moustache. At the first touch of the flame Rainouart leapt to his
+feet, seized the head cook by his legs, flung him on to the blazing
+fire, and turned for another victim, but they had all fled.
+
+At daybreak they went to William to complain of the death of their
+chief, and to pray for vengeance on his murderer. If the Count would
+not forbid him the kitchen, not a morsel of food would they cook. But
+William only laughed at their threats, and said, 'Beware henceforth
+how you meddle with Rainouart, or it will cost you dear. Did I not
+forbid anyone to mock at him, and do you dare to disobey my orders?
+Lady Gibourc, take Rainouart to your chamber, and keep him beside
+you.'
+
+So the Countess went to the kitchen to look for Rainouart and found
+him sitting on a bench, his head leaning against his staff. She sat
+down by him and said graciously, 'Brother, come with me. I will give
+you my ermine pelisse and a mantle of marten, and we will have some
+talk together.'
+
+'Willingly,' answered Rainouart, 'the more as I can hardly keep my
+hands off these low-born scoundrels.'
+
+He followed Gibourc to her room, and then she questioned him about
+himself and the days of his childhood.
+
+'Have you brothers or sisters?' asked she.
+
+[Illustration: THE LADY GIBOURC WITH RAINOUART IN THE KITCHEN]
+
+'Yes,' he answered, 'beyond the sea I have a brother who is a King,
+and a sister who is more beautiful than a fairy,' and as he spoke
+he bent his head. Something in her heart told Gibourc that this might
+be her brother, but she only asked again, 'Where do you come from?'
+
+'Lady,' he replied, 'I will answer that question the day I come back
+from the battle which William shall have won, thanks to my aid.'
+
+Gibourc kept silence, but she opened a chest and drew from it a white
+breastplate that had belonged to the Emir Tournefer, her uncle, which
+was so finely wrought that no sword could pierce it. Likewise a helmet
+of steel and a sword that could cut through iron more easily than a
+scythe cuts grass. 'My friend,' she said, 'buckle this sword to your
+left side. It may be useful to you.' Rainouart took the sword and drew
+it from its scabbard, but it seemed so light that he threw it down
+again. 'Lady,' he cried, 'what good can such a plaything do me? But
+with my staff between my hands there is not a Pagan that can stand up
+against me, and if one escapes then let Count William drive me from
+his door.'
+
+At this Gibourc felt sure this was indeed her brother, but she did not
+yet like to ask him more questions, and in her joy and wonder she
+began to weep. 'Lady Countess,' said Rainouart, 'do not weep. As long
+as my staff is whole William shall be safe.'
+
+'My friend, may Heaven protect you,' she answered, 'but a man without
+armour is soon cut down; one blow will be his death. So take these
+things and wear them in battle,' and she laced on the helmet, and
+buckled the breastplate, and fastened the sword on his thigh. 'If your
+staff breaks, it may serve you,' said she.
+
+Rainouart's heart was proud indeed when the armour was girded on him,
+and he sat himself down well pleased at William's table. The Knights
+vied with each other in pouring him out bumpers of wine, and after
+dinner every man tried to lift his iron-bound staff, but none could
+raise it from the ground, except William himself, who by putting forth
+all his strength lifted it the height of a foot.
+
+'Let me aid you,' said Rainouart, and catching it up he whirled it
+round his head, throwing it lightly from hand to hand. 'We are wasting
+time,' he went on. 'I fear lest the Pagans should fly before we come
+up with them. If I only have the chance to make them feel the weight
+of my staff, I shall soon sweep the battle-field clean.' And William
+embraced him for these words, and ordered the trumpets to be sounded
+and the army to march.
+
+From her window Gibourc watched them go. She saw the Knights, each
+with his following, stream out into the plain, their banners floating
+on the wind, their helmets shining in the sun, their shields
+glittering with gold. She heard their horses neigh with delight, as
+they snuffed up the air, and she prayed God to bless all this noble
+host.
+
+After two days' march they came within sight of the Aliscans, but for
+five miles round the country was covered by the Pagan army. William
+perceived that some of his men quailed at the number of the foe, so he
+turned and spoke to his soldiers. 'My good lords,' he said, 'a fearful
+battle awaits us, and we must not give way an inch. If any man feels
+afraid let him go back to his own land. This is no place for cowards.'
+
+The cowards heard joyfully, and without shame took the road by which
+they had come. They spurred their horses and thought themselves safe,
+but they rejoiced too soon.
+
+At the mouth of a bridge Rainouart met them, and he took them for
+Pagans who were flying for their lives. But when he saw that they were
+part of the Christian host he raised his staff and barred their
+passage. 'Where are you going?' asked he. 'To France, for rest,'
+answered the cowards; 'the Count has dismissed us, and when we reach
+our homes we shall bathe ourselves and have good cheer, and see to the
+rebuilding of our castles, which have fallen into ill-repair during
+the wars. With William one has to bear pains without end, and at
+the last to die suffering. Come with us, if you are a wise man.'
+
+[Illustration: RAINOUART STOPS THE COWARDS]
+
+'Ask someone else,' said Rainouart; 'Count William has given me the
+command of the army, and it is to him that I have to render account.
+Do you think I shall let you run away like hares? By Saint Denis! not
+another step shall you stir!' And, swinging his staff round his head,
+he laid about him. Struck dumb with terror at the sight of their
+comrades falling rapidly round them they had no mind to go on, and
+cried with one voice, 'Sir Rainouart, we will return and fight with
+you in the Aliscans; you shall lead us whither you will.' So they
+turned their horses' heads and rode the way they had come, and
+Rainouart followed, keeping guard over them with his staff. When they
+reached the army he went straight to William, and begged that he might
+have the command of them. 'I will change them into a troop of lions,'
+said he.
+
+Harsh words and gibes greeted the cowards, but Rainouart soon forced
+the mockers to silence. 'Leave my men alone!' he cried, 'or by the
+faith I owe to Gibourc I will make you. I am a King's son, and the
+time has come to show you what manner of man I am. I have idled long,
+but I will idle no longer. I am of the blood royal, and the saying is
+true that good blood cannot lie.'
+
+'How well he speaks!' whispered the Franks to each other, for they
+dared not let their voices be heard.
+
+Now the battle was to begin, for the two armies were drawn up in
+fighting array, and Rainouart took his place at the head of his
+cowards opposite the Saracens, from which race he sprang.
+
+The charge was sounded, and the two armies met with a shock, and many
+a man fell from his horse and was trampled under foot. 'Narbonne!
+Narbonne!' shouted Aimeri, advancing within reach of a crossbow shot,
+and he would have been slain had not his sons dashed to his rescue.
+Count William did miracles, and the Saracens were driven so far back
+that Rainouart feared that the battle would be ended before he had
+struck a blow.
+
+Followed by his troop of cowards Rainouart made straight for the
+enemy, and before him they fell as corn before a sickle. 'Strike,
+soldiers,' shouted he; 'strike and avenge the noble Vivian; woe to the
+King Desramé if he crosses my path.' And a messenger came and said to
+Desramé, 'It is Rainouart with the iron staff, the strongest man in
+the world.'
+
+Rainouart and his cowards pressed on and on, and the Saracens fell
+back, step by step, till they reached the sea, where their ships were
+anchored.
+
+Then Rainouart drove his staff in the sand, and by its help swung
+himself on board a small vessel, which happened to be the very one in
+which the nephews of William were imprisoned. He laid about him right
+and left with his staff, till he had slain all the gaolers, and at
+last he came to a young man whose eyes were bandaged and his feet tied
+together. 'Who are you?' asked Rainouart.
+
+'I am Bertrand of France, nephew of William Short Nose. Four months
+ago I was taken captive by the Pagans, and if, as I think, they carry
+me into Arabia, then may God have pity on my soul, for it is all over
+with my body.'
+
+'Sir Count,' answered Rainouart, 'for love of William I will deliver
+you.'
+
+Bertrand was set free and his companions also. Seizing the weapons of
+the dead Saracens, they scrambled on shore, and, while fighting for
+their lives, looked about for their uncle, whom they knew at last by
+the sweep of his sword, which kept a clean space round him. More than
+once Rainouart swept back fresh foes that were pressing forwards till
+the tide of battle carried him away and brought him opposite Desramé
+the King. 'Who are you?' asked Desramé, struck by his face, for there
+was nothing royal in his dress or his arms.
+
+'I am Rainouart, vassal of William whom I love, and if you do hurt to
+him I will do hurt to you also.'
+
+'Rainouart, I am your father,' cried Desramé, and he besought him to
+forswear Christianity and to become a follower of Mahomet; but
+Rainouart turned a deaf ear, and challenged him to continue the
+combat. Desramé was no match for his son, and was soon struck from his
+horse. 'Oh, wretch that I am,' said Rainouart to himself, 'I have
+slain my brothers and wounded my father--it is my staff which has done
+all this evil,' and he flung it far from him.
+
+He would have been wiser to have kept it, for in a moment three giants
+surrounded him, and he had only his fists with which to beat them
+back. Suddenly his hand touched the sword buckled on him by Gibourc,
+which he had forgotten, and he drew it from its scabbard, and with
+three blows clove the heads of the giants in twain. Meanwhile King
+Desramé took refuge in the only ship that had not been sunk by the
+Christians, and spread its sails. 'Come back whenever you like, fair
+father,' called Rainouart after him.
+
+The fight was over; the Saracens acknowledged that they were beaten,
+and the booty they had left behind them was immense. The army, wearied
+with the day's toil, lay down to sleep, but before midnight Rainouart
+was awake and trumpets called to arms. 'Vivian must be buried,' said
+he, 'and then the march to Orange will begin.'
+
+Rainouart rode at the head, his sword drawn, prouder than a lion; and
+as he went along a poor peasant threw himself before him, asking for
+vengeance on some wretches who had torn up a field of beans which was
+all he had with which to feed his family. Rainouart ordered the
+robbers to be brought before him and had them executed. Then he gave
+to the peasant their horses and their armour in payment of the ruined
+beans. 'Ah, it has turned out a good bargain for me,' said the
+peasant. 'Blessed be the hour when I sowed such a crop.'
+
+William entered into his Palace, where a great feast was spread for
+the visitors, but one man only remained outside the walls, and that
+was Rainouart, of whom no one thought in the hour of triumph. His
+heart swelled with bitterness as he thought of the blows he had given,
+and the captives he had set free, and, weeping with anger, he turned
+his face towards the Aliscans. On the road some Knights met him, and
+asked him whither he was going and why he looked so sad. Then his
+wrath and grief burst out, and he told how he mourned that ever he had
+slain a man in William's cause, and that he was now hastening to serve
+under the banner of Mahomet, and would shortly return with a hundred
+thousand men behind him, and would avenge himself on France and her
+King. Only towards Alix would he show any pity!
+
+In vain the Knights tried to soften his heart, it was too sore to
+listen. So they rode fast to Orange and told the Count what Rainouart
+had said.
+
+'I have done him grievous wrong,' answered William, and ordered twenty
+Knights to ride after him. But the Knights were received with threats
+and curses, and came back to Orange faster than they had left it,
+thinking that Rainouart was at their heels.
+
+William smiled when he heard the tale of his messengers, and bade them
+bring his horse, and commanded that a hundred Knights should follow
+him, and prayed Gibourc to ride at his side. They found Rainouart
+entering a vessel whose sails were already spread, and all William's
+entreaties would have availed nothing had not Gibourc herself implored
+his forgiveness.
+
+'I am your brother,' cried Rainouart, throwing himself on her neck; 'I
+may confess it now, and for you I will pardon the Count's ingratitude
+and never more will I remind you of it.'
+
+There was great joy in Orange when William rode through the gates with
+Rainouart beside him, and the next day the Count made him his
+Seneschal, and he was baptized. Then William sent his brothers on an
+embassy to the King in Paris, to beg that he would bestow the hand of
+Princess Alix on Rainouart, son of King Desramé and brother of Lady
+Gibourc. And when the embassy returned Alix returned with it, and the
+marriage took place with great splendour; but to the end of his life,
+whenever Rainouart felt cold, he warmed himself in the kitchen.
+
+
+
+
+WAYLAND THE SMITH
+
+_WAYLAND THE SMITH_
+
+
+Far up to the north of Norway and Sweden, looking straight at the
+Pole, lies the country of Finmark. It is very cold and very bare, and
+for half the year very dark; but inside its stony mountains are rich
+stores of metals, and the strong, ugly men of the country spent their
+lives in digging out the ore and in working it. Like many people who
+dwell in mountains, they saw and heard strange things, which were
+unknown to the inhabitants of the lands to the south.
+
+Now in Finmark there were three brothers whose names were Slagfid,
+Eigil, and Wayland, all much handsomer and cleverer than their
+neighbours. They had some money of their own, but this did not prevent
+them working as hard as anyone else; and as they were either very
+clever or very lucky, they were soon in a fair way to grow rich.
+
+One day they went to a new part of the mountains which was yet
+untouched, and began to throw up the earth with their pick-axes; but
+instead of the iron they expected to see they found they had lighted
+upon a mine of gold. This discovery pleased them greatly and their
+blows became stronger and harder, for the gold was deep in the rock
+and it was not easy to get it out. At last a huge lump rolled out at
+their feet, and when they picked it up they saw three stones shining
+in it, one red and one blue and one green. They took it home to their
+mother, who began to weep bitterly at the sight of it. 'What is the
+matter?' asked her sons anxiously, for they knew things lay open to
+her which were hidden from others.
+
+'Ah, my sons,' she said as soon as she could speak, 'you will have
+much happiness, but I shall be forced to part with you. Therefore I
+shed tears, for I hoped that only death would divide us! Green is the
+grass, blue is the sky, red are the roses, golden is the maiden. The
+Norns' (for so in that country they called the Fates) 'beckon you to a
+land where green fields lie under a blue sky, fields where
+golden-haired maidens lie among the flowers.'
+
+Great was the joy of the three brothers when they heard the words of
+their mother; for they hated the looks of the women who dwelt about
+them, and longed for the tall stature and white skins of the maidens
+of the south.
+
+Next morning they rose early and buckled on their swords and coats of
+mail, and fastened on their heads helmets that they had made the day
+before from the lump of gold. In the centre of Slagfid's helmet was
+the green stone, and in the centre of Eigil's was the blue stone, and
+in the centre of Wayland's was the red stone; and when they were ready
+they put their reindeer into their sledges, and set out over the snow.
+
+When they reached the mountains where only yesterday they had been
+digging they saw by the light of the moon a host of little men running
+to meet them. They were dressed all in grey, except for their caps,
+which were red; they had red eyes, too, and black tongues, which never
+ceased chattering. These were the mountain elves, and when they came
+near they formed themselves into a fairy ring, and sang while they
+danced round it:
+
+    Will you leave us? Will you leave us?
+    Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland, sons of a King.
+    Is not the emerald better than grass?
+    Is not the ruby better than roses?
+    Is not the sapphire better than the sky?
+    Why do you leave the mountains of Finmark?
+
+[Illustration: The Three Women By The Stream]
+
+But Eigil was impatient and struck his reindeer, that willing beast
+which flies like the wind and needs not the touch of a whip. It
+bounded forward in surprise, and knocked down one of the elves that
+stood in its path. But the hands of his brothers laid hold of the
+reins, and stopped the reindeer, and sang again,
+
+    The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,
+        Lies under the earth;
+    Seek not without what we offer within,
+    Despise not the elves, small and dark though they be.
+        The best is within, do not seek it without:
+        The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,
+        Lies under the earth.
+
+Slagfid struck his reindeer. It bounded forward and struck down an elf
+who stood in its road. Then his brothers stood in its path, and
+stopped the reindeer, and sang:
+
+        Because Slagfid struck his reindeer,
+        Because Eigil struck his reindeer,
+          Our hatred shall follow you.
+    A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.
+        Because Wayland also forsook us,
+        Though he struck not the reindeer,
+    A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.
+        Farewell, O Finlanders, sons of a King.
+
+Their voices died away as they crossed a bright strip of moonlight
+which lay between them and the mountains and were seen no more.
+
+The brothers thought no more about them or their words, but went
+swiftly on their way south, sleeping at night in their reindeer skins.
+
+After many days they came to a lake full of fish, in a place which was
+called the Valley of Wolves, because of the number of wolves which hid
+there. But the Finlanders did not mind the wolves, and built a house
+close to the lake, and hunted bears, and caught fish through holes in
+the ice, till winter had passed away and spring had come. Then one
+day they noticed that the sky was blue and the earth covered with
+flowers.
+
+By-and-by they noticed something more, and that was that three maidens
+were sitting on the grass, spinning flax on the bank of a stream.
+Their eyes were blue, and their skins were white as the snow on the
+mountains, while instead of the mantles of swansdown they generally
+wore, golden hair covered their shoulders.
+
+The hearts of the brothers beat as they looked on the maidens, who
+were such as they had often dreamed of, but had never seen; and as
+they drew near they found to their surprise that the maidens were
+dressed each in red, green, and blue garments, and the meadow was so
+thickly dotted with yellow flowers that it seemed as if it were a mass
+of solid gold.
+
+'Hail, noble princes! Hail, Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland,' sang the
+maidens.
+
+    Swanvite, Alvilda, and Alruna are sent by the Norns,
+    To bring joy to the princes of Finland.
+
+Then the tongues of the young men were unloosed, and Slagfid married
+Swanvite, Eigil Alruna, and Wayland Alvilda.
+
+For nine years they all lived on the shores of the lake, and no people
+in the world were as happy as these six: till one morning the three
+wives stood before their husbands and said with weeping eyes:
+
+'Dear lords, the time has now come when we must bid you farewell, for
+we are not allowed to stay with you any longer. We are Norns--or, as
+some call us, Valkyrie. Nine years of joy are granted to us, but these
+are paid for by nine years during which we hover round the combatants
+on every field of battle. But bear your souls in patience, for on
+earth all things have an end, and in nine years we will return to be
+your wives as before.'
+
+'But we shall be getting old then,' answered the brothers, 'and you
+will have forgotten us. Stay now, we pray you, for we love you well.'
+
+'_We_ are not mortals to grow old,' said the Norns, 'and true love
+does not grow old either. Still, we do not wish you to fall sick with
+grieving, so we leave you these three keys, with which you may open
+the mountain, and busy yourselves by digging out the treasures it
+contains. By the time the nine years are over you will have become
+rich men, and men of renown.' So they laid down the keys and vanished.
+
+For a long while the young men only left their houses to seek for
+food, so dreary had the Valley of Wolves become. At last Slagfid and
+Eigil could bear it no longer, and declared they would travel through
+the whole world till they found their wives; but Wayland, the
+youngest, determined to stay at home.
+
+'You would do much better to remain where you are,' said he. 'You do
+not know in which direction to look for them, and it is useless to
+seek on earth for those who fly through the air. You will only lose
+yourselves, and starve, and when the nine years are ended who can tell
+where you may be?'
+
+But his words fell on deaf ears; for Slagfid and Eigil merely filled
+their wallets with food and their horns with drink, and prepared to
+take leave of their brother. Wayland embraced them weeping, for he
+feared that he would never more see them, and once again he implored
+them to give up their quest. Slagfid and Eigil only shook their heads.
+'We have no rest, night or day, without them,' they said, and they
+begged him to look after their property till they came back again.
+
+Wayland saw that more words would be wasted, so he walked with them to
+the edge of the forest, where their ways would part. Then Slagfid
+said, 'Our fathers, when they went a journey, left behind them a token
+by which it might be known whether they were dead or alive, and I will
+do so also.' So he stamped heavily on the soft ground, and added, 'As
+long as this footmark remains sharp and clear, I shall be safe. If it
+is filled with water I shall be drowned; if with blood, I shall have
+fallen in battle. But if it is filled with earth an illness will have
+killed me, and I shall lie under the ground.' Thus he did, and Eigil
+did likewise. Then they cut stout sticks to aid their journeys, and
+went their ways.
+
+Wayland stood gazing after them as long as they were in sight, then he
+went sadly home.
+
+Slagfid and Eigil walked steadily on through the day, and when evening
+came they reached a stream bordered with trees, where they took off
+their golden helmets and sat down to rest and eat. They had gone far
+that day and were tired, and drank somewhat heavily, so that they knew
+not what they did. 'If I lose my Swanvite,' said Slagfid, 'I am
+undone. She is the fairest woman that sun ever looked on, or that man
+ever loved.'
+
+'It is a lie,' answered Eigil. 'I know one lovelier still, and her
+name is Alruna. Odin does not love Freya so fondly as Eigil adores
+her.'
+
+'It is no lie,' cried Slagfid, 'and may shame fall on him who slanders
+me.'
+
+'And I,' answered Eigil, 'stand to what I have said, and declare that
+you are the liar.' At this they both drew their swords and fell
+fighting, till Slagfid struck Eigil's helmet so hard that the jewel
+flew into a thousand pieces, while Eigil himself fell backwards into
+the river.
+
+Slagfid stood still, leaning on his sword and looking at the river
+into which his brother had fallen. Suddenly the trees behind him
+rustled, and a voice came out of them, saying, 'A time of weal, a time
+of woe, a time of tears, a time of death'; and though he could see
+nothing he remembered the mountain elves, and thought how true their
+prophecy had been. 'I have slain my brother,' he said to himself, 'my
+wife has forsaken me; I am miserable and alone. What shall I do? Go
+back to Wayland, or follow Eigil into the river? No. After all I
+may find my wife. The Norns do not always bring misfortune.'
+
+[Illustration: Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains]
+
+As he spoke a light gleamed in the darkness of the night, and, looking
+up, Slagfid saw it was shed by a bright star which seemed to be
+drawing nearer to the earth, and the nearer it drew the more its shape
+seemed to change into a human figure. Then Slagfid knew that it was
+his wife Swanvite floating just over his head and encircled by a rim
+of clear green light. He could not speak for joy, but held out his
+arms to her. She beckoned to him to follow her, and, drawing out a
+lute, played on it, and Slagfid, flinging away his sword and coat of
+mail, began to climb the mountain. Half way up it seemed to him as if
+a hand from behind was pulling him back, and turning he fancied he
+beheld his mother and heard her say, 'My son, seek not after vain
+shadows, which yet may be your ruin. Strive not against the will of
+Odin, nor against the Norns.' The words caused Slagfid to pause for a
+moment, then the figure of Swanvite danced before him and beckoned to
+him again, and his mother was forgotten. There were rivers to swim,
+precipices to climb, chasms to leap, but he passed them all gladly
+till at last he noticed that the higher he got the less the figure
+seemed like Swanvite. He felt frightened and tried to turn back, but
+he could not. On he had to go, till just as he reached the top of the
+mountain the first rays of the sun appeared above the horizon, and he
+saw that, instead of Swanvite, he had followed a black elf.
+
+He paused and looked over the green plain that lay thousands of feet
+below him, cool and inviting after the stony mountain up which he had
+come. 'A time of death,' whispered the black elf in his ear, and
+Slagfid flung himself over the precipice.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After his brothers had forsaken him Wayland went to bed lonely and
+sad; but the next morning he got up and looked at the three keys that
+the Norns had left behind them. One was of copper, one was of iron,
+and one was of gold. Taking up the copper one, he walked to the
+mountain till he reached a flat wall of rock. He laid his key against
+it, and immediately the mountain flew open and showed a cave where
+everything was green. Green emeralds studded the rocks, green crystals
+hung from the ceiling or formed rows of pillars, even the copper which
+made the walls of the cave had a coating of green. Wayland broke off a
+huge projecting lump and left the cave, which instantly closed up so
+that not a crack remained to tell where the opening had been.
+
+He carried the lump home, and put it into the fire till all the earth
+and stones which clung to it were burned away; and then he fashioned
+the pure copper into a helmet, and in the front of the helmet he set
+three of his largest emeralds.
+
+This occupied some days, and when it was done he took the iron key,
+and went to another mountain, and laid the key against the rock, which
+flew open like the other one. But now the walls were of iron, which
+shone like blue steel, while sapphires glittered in the midst. From an
+opening above, the blue of the sky was reflected in the river beneath,
+and gentians and other blue flowers grew along the edge. Wayland gazed
+with wonder at all these things; then he broke off a piece of the
+iron, and carried it home with him. For many days after he busied
+himself in forging a sword that was so supple he could wind it round
+his body, and so sharp it could cut through a rock as if it had been a
+stick. In the handle and in the sheath he set some of the finest
+sapphires that he had brought away with him.
+
+When all was finished he laid the sword aside, and returned to the
+mountain, with the golden key. This time the mountain parted, and he
+saw before him an archway, with a glimpse of the sea in the distance.
+Before the entrance roses were lying, and inside the golden walls
+sparkled with rubies, while branches of red coral filled every
+crevice. Vines clambered about the pillars, and bore large bunches of
+red grapes.
+
+Wayland stood long, looking at these marvels; then he plucked some of
+the grapes, broke off a lump of gold, and set out home again.
+
+Next day he began to make himself a golden breastplate, and in it he
+placed the jewels, and it was so bright that you could have seen the
+glitter a mile off.
+
+After he had tried all the three keys, and found out the secrets of
+the mountain, Wayland felt dull, and as if he had nothing to do or to
+think about. So his mind went back to his brothers, and he wondered
+how they had fared all this time. The first thing he did was to go to
+the edge of the forest, and see if he could find the two footprints
+they had left. He soon arrived at the spot where they had taken
+farewell of each other, but a blue pool of water covered the trace of
+Eigil's foot. He turned to look at the impression made by Slagfid, but
+fresh green grass had sprung up over it, and on a birch-tree near it a
+bird had perched, which sang a mournful song.
+
+Then Wayland knew that his brothers were dead, and he returned to his
+hut, grieving sore.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a long time before Wayland could bring himself to go out, so
+great was his sorrow; but at last he roused himself from his misery,
+and went to the mountain for more gold, meaning to work hard till the
+nine years should be over and he should get his wife back again. All
+day long he stood in his forge, smelting and hammering, till he had
+made hundreds of suits of armour and thousands of swords, and his fame
+travelled far, so that all men spoke of his industry. At last he grew
+tired of making armour, and hammered a number of gold rings, which he
+strung on strips of bark, and as he hammered he thought of Alvilda
+his wife, and how the rings would gleam on her arms when once she came
+back again.
+
+Now at this time Nidud the Little reigned over Sweden, and was hated
+by his people, for he was vain and cowardly and had many other bad
+qualities. It came to his ears that away in the forests lived a man
+who was very rich, and worked all day long in pure gold. The King was
+one of those people who could not bear to see anyone with things which
+he did not himself possess, and he began to make plans how to get hold
+of Wayland's wealth. At length he called together his chief
+counsellors, and said to them: 'I hear a man has come to my kingdom
+who is called Wayland, famous in many lands for his skill in
+sword-making. I have set men to inquire after him, and I have found
+that when first he came here he was poor and of no account, so he must
+have grown rich either by magic or else by violence. I command,
+therefore, that my stoutest men-at-arms should buckle on their iron
+breastplates and ride in the dead of night to Wayland's house, and
+seize his goods and his person.'
+
+'King Nidud,' answered one of the courtiers, 'that you should take
+himself and his goods is well, but why send a troop of soldiers
+against one man? If he is no sorcerer, then a single one of your
+soldiers could take him captive; but if, on the other hand, he is a
+magician, then a whole army could do nothing with him against his
+will.' At this reply the King flew in a rage, and, snatching up a
+sword, ran it through his counsellor's body; then, turning to the
+rest, told them that they would suffer the same fate if they refused
+to submit to his will.
+
+So the men-at-arms put on all their armour, and, mounting their
+horses, set forth at sunset to Wayland's house, King Nidud riding at
+their head. The door stood wide open, and they entered quietly, in
+deadly fear lest Wayland should attack them. But no one was inside,
+and they looked about, their eyes dazzled by the gold on the walls.
+The King gazed with wonder and delight at the long string of golden
+rings, and, slipping the finest off a strip of bark, placed it on his
+finger. At that moment steps were heard in the outer court, and the
+King hastily desired his followers to hide themselves and not to stir
+till he signed to them to do so. In another moment Wayland stood in
+the doorway, carrying on his shoulders a bear which he had killed with
+his spear and was bringing home for supper. He was both tired and
+hungry, for he had been hunting all day; but he had first to skin the
+animal, and make a bright fire, before he could cut off some steaks
+and cook them at the end of the spear. Then he poured some mead into a
+cup and drank, as he always did, to the memory of his brothers. After
+that he spread out his bear's skin to dry in the wind, and this done
+he stretched himself out on his bed and went to sleep.
+
+King Nidud waited till he thought all was safe, then crept forth with
+his men, who held heavy chains in their hands wherewith to chain the
+sleeping Wayland. But the task was harder than they expected, and he
+started up in wrath, asking why he should be treated so. 'If you want
+my gold, take it and release me. It is useless fighting against such
+odds.'
+
+'I am no robber,' said the King, 'but Nidud your sovereign.'
+
+'You do me much honour,' replied Wayland, 'but what have I done to be
+loaded with chains like this?'
+
+'Wayland, I know you well,' said Nidud. 'Poor enough you were when you
+came from Finland, and now your jewels are finer and your drinking
+cups heavier than mine.'
+
+'If I am indeed a thief,' answered Wayland, 'then you do well to load
+me with chains and lead me bound into your dungeons; but if not, I ask
+again, Why do you misuse me?'
+
+'Riches do not come of themselves,' said Nidud, 'and if you are not a
+thief, then you must be a magician and must be watched.'
+
+'If I were a magician,' answered Wayland, 'it would be easy for me to
+burst these bonds. I know not that ever I have wronged any man, but if
+he can prove it I will restore it to him tenfold. As to the gifts that
+may come from the gods, no man should grudge them to his fellow.
+Therefore release me, O King, and I will pay whatever ransom you may
+fix.'
+
+But Nidud only bade his guards take him away, and Wayland, seeing that
+resistance availed nothing, went with them quietly. By the King's
+orders he was thrown into a dark hole fifteen fathoms under ground,
+and the soldiers then came and robbed the house of all its treasures,
+which they took to the Palace. The ring which Wayland had made for his
+wife, Nidud gave to his daughter Banvilda.
+
+One day the Queen was playing the harp in her own room when the King
+came in to ask her counsel how best to deal with Wayland, as he did
+not think it wise to put him to death, for he hoped to make some
+profit out of his skill. 'His heart will beat high,' said the Queen,
+'when he sees his good sword, and beholds his ring on Banvilda's
+finger. But cut asunder the sinews of his strength, so that he can
+never more escape from us, and keep him a prisoner on the island of
+Savarsted.'
+
+The King was pleased with the Queen's words, and sent soldiers to
+carry Wayland to the tower on the island. The sinews of his leg were
+cut so that he could not swim away; but they gave him his boots, and
+the chests of gold they had found in his house. Here he was left, with
+nothing to do from morning till night but to make helmets and drinking
+cups and splendid armour for the King.
+
+On this island Wayland remained for a whole year, chained to a stone
+and visited by no one but the King, who came from time to time to see
+how his prisoner was getting on with a suit of golden armour he had
+been ordered to make. The shield was also of gold, and on it Wayland
+had beaten out a history of the gods and their great deeds. He was
+very miserable, for the hope of revenge which had kept him alive
+seemed as far off as ever in its fulfilment, and finding a sword he
+had lately forged lying close to his hand, he seized it, with the
+intent of putting an end to his wretched life. He had hardly stretched
+out his hand when a bird began to sing at the iron bars of his window,
+while the evening sun shone into his prison. 'I should like to see the
+world once more,' thought he, and, raising himself on the stone to
+which his chain was fastened, he was able to look at what lay beneath
+him. The sea washed the base of the rock on which the tower was built,
+and on a neck of land a little way off some children were playing
+before the door of a hut. Everything was bathed in red light from the
+glow of the setting sun.
+
+Wayland stood quite still on the top of the stone, gazing at the scene
+with all his eyes, yet thinking of the land of his birth, which was so
+different. Then he looked again at the sea, which was already turning
+to steel, and in the distance he saw something moving on the waves. As
+it came nearer he discovered it was a young Nixie, or water sprite,
+and she held a lyre in her hand, and sang a song which blended with
+the murmur of the waves and the notes of the bird. And the song put
+new life and courage into his heart, for it told him that if he would
+endure and wait the pleasure of the gods, joy would be his one day.
+
+The Nixie finished her song, and smiled up at Wayland at the window
+before turning and swimming over the waves till she dived beneath
+them. That same instant the bird flew away, and the moon was covered
+by a cloud. But Wayland's heart was cheered, and when he lay down to
+rest he slept quietly.
+
+Some days later the King paid another visit, and suddenly espied the
+three keys which had been hidden in a corner with some of Wayland's
+tools. He at once asked Wayland what they were, and when he would not
+tell him the King grew so angry that, seizing an axe, he declared that
+he would put his prisoner to death unless he confessed all he knew.
+There was no help for it, and Wayland had to say how he came by them
+and what wonders they wrought. The King heard him with delight and
+went away, taking the keys with him.
+
+No time was lost in preparing for a journey to the mountains, and when
+he reached the spot described by Wayland he divided his followers into
+three parties, sending two to await him some distance off, and keeping
+the third to enter the mountain with himself, if the copper key did
+the wonders it had done before. So he gave it to one of the bravest of
+his men, and told him to lay it against the side of the mountain. The
+man obeyed, and instantly the mountain split from top to bottom. The
+King bade them enter, never doubting that rich spoils awaited him; but
+instead the men sank into a green marsh, which swallowed up many of
+them, while the rest were stung to death by the green serpents hanging
+from the roof. Those who, like the King, were near the entrance alone
+escaped.
+
+As soon as he had recovered from the terror into which this adventure
+had thrown him he commanded that it should be kept very secret from
+the other two parties, and desired Storbiorn, his Chamberlain, to take
+the key of iron and the key of gold and deliver them to the leaders of
+the divisions he had left behind, with orders to try their fortune in
+different parts of the mountain. 'Give the keys to me, my lord King,'
+answered Storbiorn, 'and I shall know what to do with them. These
+magicians may do their worst, my heart will not beat one whit the
+faster; and I will see all that happens.' So he went and gave his
+message to the two divisions, and one stayed behind while Storbiorn
+went to the mountain with the other.
+
+When they arrived the man who held the key laid it against the rock,
+which burst asunder, and half the men entered at Storbiorn's command.
+Suddenly an icy blue stream poured upon them from the depths of the
+cavern and drowned most of them before they had time to fly. Only
+those behind escaped, and Storbiorn bade them go instantly to the King
+and tell him what had befallen them. Then he went to the third troop
+and marched with them to the rock, where he gave the golden key to one
+of the men, and ordered him to try it. The rock flew open at once, and
+Storbiorn told the men to enter, taking care, however, to keep behind
+himself. They obeyed and found themselves in a lovely golden cave,
+whose walls were lit up by thousands of precious stones of every hue.
+There was neither sight nor sound to frighten them, and even
+Storbiorn, when he saw the gold, forgot his prudence and his fears,
+and followed them in. In a moment a red fire burst out with a terrific
+noise, and clouds of smoke poured over them, so that they fell down
+choked into the flames. Only one man escaped, and he ran back as fast
+as he could to the King to tell him of the fate of his army.
+
+All this time Wayland was working quietly in his island prison waiting
+for the day of his revenge. The suit of golden armour which the King
+had commanded kept him busy day and night, and, besides the wonderful
+shield with figures of the gods, he had wrought a coat of mail, a
+helmet, and armour for the thighs, such as never had been seen before.
+The King had invited all his great nobles to meet him at the Palace
+when he returned from the mountain, that they might both see his
+armour and behold all the precious things he should bring with him
+from the caverns.
+
+When Nidud reached his Palace the Queen and Banvilda, their daughter,
+came forth to meet him, and told him that the great hall was already
+full of guests, expecting the wonders he had brought. The King said
+little about his adventures, but went into the armoury to put on his
+armour in order to appear before his nobles. Piece by piece he
+fastened it, but he found the helmet so heavy that he could hardly
+bear it on his head. However, he did not look properly dressed without
+it, so he had to wear it, though it felt as if a whole mountain was
+pressing on his forehead. Then, buckling on the sword which Wayland
+had forged, he entered the hall, and seated himself on the throne. The
+Earls were struck dumb by his splendour, and thought at first that it
+was the god Thor himself, till they looked under the helmet and saw
+the ugly little man with the pale cowardly face. So they turned their
+eyes gladly on the Queen and Princess, both tall and beautiful and
+glittering with jewels, though inwardly they were not much better than
+the King.
+
+A magnificent dinner made the nobles feel more at ease, and they
+begged the King to tell them what man there was in Sweden so skilled
+in smith's work. Now Nidud had drunk deeply of mead, and longed to
+revenge himself on Wayland, whom he held to have caused the loss of
+his army; so he gave the key of the tower to one of his Earls, and
+bade him take two men and bring forth Wayland, adding that if the next
+time he visited the tower he should find a grain of gold missing, they
+should pay for it with their lives.
+
+The three men got a boat, and rowed towards the tower, but on the way
+one who, like the King, had drunk too much mead, fell into the sea and
+was drowned. The other two reached the tower in safety, and finding
+Wayland, blackened with dust, busy at his forge, bade him come just as
+he was to the boat. With his hands bound they led him before the King,
+and Eyvind the Earl bowed low and said, 'We have done your desire, Sir
+King, and must now hasten back to look for Gullorm, who fell into the
+sea.'
+
+'Leave him where he is,' replied Nidud; 'if he is not drowned by now
+he will never drown at all, but in token of your obedience to my
+orders I will give you each these golden chains.'
+
+[Illustration: Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda]
+
+The guests had not thought to see the man who had made such wonderful
+armour helpless and a cripple, and said so to the King. 'He was once
+handsome and stately enough,' answered Nidud, 'but I have bowed his
+stubborn head.' And the Queen and her daughter joined in saying, 'The
+maidens of Finland will hardly fancy a lover who cannot stand
+upright.' But Wayland stood as if he heard nothing till the King's son
+snatched a bone from the table and threw it at his head. Then his
+patience gave way, and, seizing the bone, he beat Nidud about the head
+with it till the straps of the helmet gave way and the helmet itself
+fell off. The guests all took his side, and said that, though a
+cripple, he was braver than many men whose legs were straight, and
+begged the King to allow him to go back to his prison without being
+teased further. But the King cried that Wayland had done mischief
+enough, and must now be punished, and told them the story of his visit
+to the mountain and the loss of his followers. 'It would be a small
+punishment to put him to death,' he said, 'for to so wretched a
+cripple death would be welcome. He may use the gold that is left, but
+henceforth he shall only have one eye to work with,' and the Princess
+came forward and carried out the cruel sentence herself. And Wayland
+bore it all, saying nothing, but praying the gods to grant him
+vengeance.
+
+One night Wayland sat filled with grief and despair at his window,
+looking out over the sea, when he caught sight of two red lights,
+bobbing in his direction. He watched them curiously till they vanished
+beneath the tower; and soon the key of the outer door turned, and two
+men, whom he knew to be the King's sons, Gram and Skule, talked softly
+together. He kept very still, so that they might think he was asleep,
+and he heard Skule say: 'Let us first get the golden key from him, and
+when we have taken from the chest as much as we can carry we will put
+him to death, lest he should betray us to our father.' Then Wayland
+took a large sword which lay by his side and hid it behind his seat,
+and he had scarcely done so when the princes entered the prison. 'Good
+greeting to you,' said Gram. 'Nidud our father has gone a journey into
+the country, and as he is so greedy of wealth that he will give us
+none, we have come here to get it for ourselves. Hand us the key and
+swear not to tell our father, or you shall die.'
+
+'My good lords,' answered Wayland, 'your request is reasonable, and I
+am not so foolish as to refuse it. Here is the key, and in the name of
+the gods I will swear not to betray you.'
+
+The brothers took the key, and opened the chest that stood by Wayland,
+which was still half full of gold. It dazzled their eyes, and they
+both stooped down so as to see it better. This was what Wayland had
+waited for, and, seizing his sword, he cut off their heads, which fell
+into the chest. He then shut down the lid, and dug a grave for the
+bodies in the floor of his dungeon. Afterwards he dried the skulls in
+the sun, and made them into two drinking cups wrought with gold. The
+eyes he set with precious stones and fashioned into armlets, while the
+teeth he filed till they were shaped like pearls, and strung like a
+necklace.
+
+As soon as the King came back from his journey he paid a visit to
+Wayland, who produced the drinking cups, which he said were made of
+some curious shells washed up in a gale close to his window. The
+armlet he sent as a present to the Queen, and the bracelet to the
+Princess.
+
+[Illustration: The Merman warns Banvilda in vain.]
+
+After some days had passed, and Gram and Skule had not returned, the
+King ordered a search to be made for them, and that very evening some
+sailors brought back their boat, which had drifted into the open sea.
+Their bodies, of course, were not to be found, and the King ordered a
+splendid funeral feast to be prepared to do them honour. On this
+occasion the new drinking cups were filled with mead, and, besides her
+necklace, Banvilda wore the ring which her father had taken long
+ago from Wayland's house. As was the custom, the feast lasted long,
+and the dead Princes were forgotten by the guests, who drank deeply
+and grew merry. But at midnight their gaiety suddenly came to an end.
+The King was in the act of drinking from the cup of mead when he felt
+a violent pain in his head and let the vessel fall. The hues of the
+armlet became so strange and dreadful that the Queen's eyes suffered
+agony from looking at them, and she tore the armlets off her; while
+Banvilda was seized with such severe toothache that she could sit at
+table no longer. The guests at once took leave, but it was not till
+the sun rose that the pains of their hosts went away.
+
+In the torture of toothache which she had endured during the night
+Banvilda had dashed her arm against the wall, and had broken some of
+the ornaments off the ring. She feared to tell her father, who would
+be sure to punish her, and was in despair how to get the ring mended
+when she caught sight of the island on which Wayland's tower stood.
+'If I had not mocked at him he might have helped me now,' thought she.
+But no other way seemed to offer itself, and in the evening she
+loosened a boat and began to row to the tower. On the way she met an
+old merman with a long beard, floating on the waves, who warned her
+not to go on; but she paid no heed, and only rowed the faster.
+
+She entered the tower by a false key, and, holding the ring out to
+Wayland, begged him to mend it as fast as possible, so that she might
+return before she was missed. Wayland answered her with courtesy, and
+promised to do his best, but said that she would have to blow the
+bellows to keep the forge fire alight. 'How comes it that these
+bellows are sprinkled with blood?' asked Banvilda.
+
+'It is the blood of two young sea dogs,' answered Wayland; 'they
+troubled me for long, but I caught them when they least expected it.
+But blow, I pray you, the bellows harder, or I shall never be
+finished.'
+
+Banvilda did as she was told, but soon grew tired and thirsty, and
+begged Wayland to give her something to drink. He mixed something
+sweet in a cup, which she swallowed hastily, and soon fell fast asleep
+on a bench. Then Wayland bound her hands, and placed her in the boat,
+after which he cut the rope that held it and let it drift out to sea.
+This done, he shut the door of the tower, and, taking a piece of gold,
+he engraved on it the history of all that had happened and put it
+where it must meet the King's eye when next he came. 'Now is my hour
+come,' he cried with joy, snatching his spear from the wall, but
+before he could throw himself on it he heard a distant song and the
+notes of a lute.
+
+By this time the sun was high in the heavens, yet its brightness did
+not hinder Wayland from seeing a large star, which was floating
+towards him, and a brilliant rainbow spanned the sky. The flowers on
+the island unfolded themselves as the star drew near, and he could
+smell the smell of the roses on the shore. And now Wayland saw it was
+no star, but the golden chariot of Freya the goddess, whose blue
+mantle floated behind her till it was lost in the blue of the sky. On
+her left was a maiden dressed in garlands of fresh green leaves, and
+on her right was one clad in a garment of red. At the sight Wayland's
+heart beat high, for he thought of the lump of gold set with jewels
+which he and his brothers had found in the mountain so long ago.
+Fairies fluttered round them, mermaids rose from the depths of the sea
+to welcome them, and as Freya and her maidens entered the prison
+Wayland saw that she who wore the red garment was really Alvilda.
+'Wayland,' said the goddess, 'your time of woe is past. You have
+suffered much and have avenged your wrongs, and now Odin has granted
+my prayer that Alvilda shall stay by you for the rest of your life,
+and when you die she shall carry you in her arms to the country of
+Walhalla, where you shall forge golden armour and fashion drinking
+horns for the gods.'
+
+[Illustration: THE CHARIOT OF FREYA]
+
+When Freya had spoken, she beckoned to the green maiden, who held in
+her hand a root and a knife. She cut pieces off the root and laid them
+on Wayland's feet, and on his eye, then, placing some leaves from her
+garland over the whole, she breathed gently on it. 'Eyr the physician
+has healed me,' cried Wayland, and the fairies took him in their arms
+and bore him across the waves to a bower in the forest, where he
+dreamed that Alvilda and Slagfid and Eigil were all bending over him.
+
+When he woke Alvilda was indeed there, and he seemed to catch glimpses
+of his brothers amid the leaves of the trees. 'Arise, my husband,'
+said Alvilda, 'and go straight to the Court of Nidud. He still sleeps,
+and knows nothing. Throw this mantle on your shoulders, and they will
+take you for his servant.'
+
+So Wayland went, and reached the royal chamber, and in his sleep the
+King trembled, though he knew not that Wayland was near. 'Awake,'
+cried Wayland, and the King woke, and asked who had dared to disturb
+him thus.
+
+'Be not angry,' answered Wayland; 'had you slain Wayland long ago, the
+misfortune that I have to tell you of would never have happened.'
+
+'Do not name his name,' said the King, 'since he sent me those
+drinking cups a burning fever has laid hold upon me.'
+
+'They were not shells, as he told you,' answered Wayland, 'but the
+skulls of your two sons, Sir King. Their bodies you will find in
+Wayland's tower. As for your daughter she is tossing, bound, on the
+wild waves of the sea. But now I, Wayland, have come to give you your
+deathblow----' But before he could draw his sword fear had slain the
+King yet more quickly.
+
+So Wayland went back to Alvilda, and they went into another country,
+where he became a famous smith, and he lived to a good old age; and
+when he died he was carried in Alvilda's arms to Walhalla, as Freya
+had promised.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD
+
+_THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD_
+
+
+Many hundreds of years ago, when the Plantagenets were kings, England
+was so covered with woods that a squirrel was said to be able to hop
+from tree to tree from the Severn to the Humber. It must have been
+very different to look at from the country we travel through now; but
+still there were roads that ran from north to south and from east to
+west, for the use of those that wished to leave their homes, and at
+certain times of the year these roads were thronged with people.
+Pilgrims going to some holy shrine passed along, merchants taking
+their wares to Court, fat Abbots and Bishops ambling by on palfreys
+nearly as fat as themselves, to bear their part in the King's Council,
+and, more frequently still, a solitary Knight, seeking adventures.
+
+Besides the broad roads there were small tracks and little green
+paths, and these led to clumps of low huts, where dwelt the peasants,
+charcoal-burners, and plough-men, and here and there some larger
+clearing than usual told that the house of a yeoman was near. Now and
+then as you passed through the forest you might ride by a splendid
+abbey, and catch a glimpse of monks in long black or white gowns,
+fishing in the streams and rivers that abound in this part of England,
+or casting nets in the fish ponds which were in the midst of the abbey
+gardens. Or you might chance to see a castle with round turrets and
+high battlements, circled by strong walls, and protected by a moat
+full of water.
+
+This was the sort of England into which the famous Robin Hood was
+born. We do not know anything about him, who he was, or where he
+lived, or what evil deed he had done to put him beyond the King's
+grace. For he was an outlaw, and any man might kill him and never pay
+penalty for it. But, outlaw or not, the poor people loved him and
+looked on him as their friend, and many a stout fellow came to join
+him, and led a merry life in the greenwood, with moss and fern for
+bed, and for meat the King's deer, which it was death to slay.
+Peasants of all sorts, tillers of the land, yeomen, and as some say
+Knights, went on their ways freely, for of them Robin took no toll;
+but lordly churchmen with money-bags well filled, or proud Bishops
+with their richly dressed followers, trembled as they drew near to
+Sherwood Forest--who was to know whether behind every tree there did
+not lurk Robin Hood or one of his men?
+
+
+THE COMING OF LITTLE JOHN
+
+
+One day Robin was walking alone in the wood, and reached a river which
+was spanned by a very narrow bridge, over which one man only could
+pass. In the midst stood a stranger, and Robin bade him go back and
+let him go over. 'I am no man of yours,' was all the answer Robin got,
+and in anger he drew his bow and fitted an arrow to it. 'Would you
+shoot a man who has no arms but a staff?' asked the stranger in scorn;
+and with shame Robin laid down his bow, and unbuckled an oaken stick
+at his side. 'We will fight till one of us falls into the water,' he
+said; and fight they did, till the stranger planted a blow so well
+that Robin rolled over into the river. 'You are a brave soul,' said
+he, when he had waded to land, and he blew a blast with his horn which
+brought fifty good fellows, clad in green, to the little bridge. 'Have
+you fallen into the river that your clothes are wet?' asked one; and
+Robin made answer, 'No, but this stranger, fighting on the bridge, got
+the better of me, and tumbled me into the stream.'
+
+At this the foresters seized the stranger, and would have ducked him
+had not their leader bade them stop, and begged the stranger to stay
+with them and make one of themselves. 'Here is my hand,' replied the
+stranger, 'and my heart with it. My name, if you would know it, is
+John Little.'
+
+'That must be altered,' cried Will Scarlett; 'we will call a feast,
+and henceforth, because he is full seven feet tall and round the waist
+at least an ell, he shall be called Little John.'
+
+And thus it was done; but at the feast Little John, who always liked
+to know exactly what work he had to do, put some questions to Robin
+Hood. 'Before I join hands with you, tell me first what sort of life
+is this you lead? How am I to know whose goods I shall take, and whose
+I shall leave? Whom I shall beat, and whom I shall refrain from
+beating?'
+
+And Robin answered: 'Look that you harm not any tiller of the ground,
+nor any yeoman of the greenwood--no, nor no Knight nor Squire, unless
+you have heard him ill spoken of. But if Bishops or Archbishops come
+your way, see that you spoil _them_, and mark that you always hold in
+your mind the High Sheriff of Nottingham.'
+
+This being settled, Robin Hood declared Little John to be second in
+command to himself among the brotherhood of the forest, and the new
+outlaw never forgot to 'hold in his mind' the High Sheriff of
+Nottingham, who was the bitterest enemy the foresters had.
+
+
+LITTLE JOHN'S FIRST ADVENTURE
+
+
+Robin Hood, however, had no liking for a company of idle men about
+him, and he at once sent off Little John and Will Scarlett to the
+great road known as Watling Street, with orders to hide among the
+trees and wait till some adventure might come to them; and if they
+took captive Earl or Baron, Abbot or Knight, he was to be brought
+unharmed back to Robin Hood.
+
+But all along Watling Street the road was bare; white and hard it lay
+in the sun, without the tiniest cloud of dust to show that a rich
+company might be coming: east and west the land lay still.
+
+At length, just where a side path turned into the broad highway, there
+rode a Knight, and a sorrier man than he never sat a horse on summer
+day. One foot only was in the stirrup, the other hung carelessly by
+his side; his head was bowed, the reins dropped loose, and his horse
+went on as he would. At so sad a sight the hearts of the outlaws were
+filled with pity, and Little John fell on his knees and bade the
+Knight welcome in the name of his master.
+
+'Who is your master?' asked the Knight.
+
+'Robin Hood,' answered Little John.
+
+'I have heard much good of him,' replied the Knight, 'and will go with
+you gladly.'
+
+Then they all set off together, tears running down the Knight's cheeks
+as he rode, but he said nothing, neither was anything said to him. And
+in this wise they came to Robin Hood.
+
+'Welcome, Sir Knight,' cried he, 'and thrice welcome, for I waited to
+break my fast till you or some other had come to me.'
+
+'God save you, good Robin,' answered the Knight, and after they had
+washed themselves in the stream they sat down to dine off bread and
+wine, with flesh of the King's deer, and swans and pheasants. 'Such a
+dinner have I not had for three weeks and more,' said the Knight. 'And
+if I ever come again this way, good Robin, I will give you as fine a
+dinner as you have given me.'
+
+'I thank you,' replied Robin, 'my dinner is always welcome; still, I
+am none so greedy but I can wait for it. But before you go, pay me, I
+pray you, for the food which you have had. It was never the custom for
+a yeoman to pay for a Knight.'
+
+'My bag is empty,' said the Knight, 'save for ten shillings only.'
+
+'Go, Little John, and look in his wallet,' said Robin, 'and, Sir
+Knight, if in truth you have no more, not one penny will I take, nay,
+I will give you all that you shall need.'
+
+So Little John spread out the Knight's mantle, and opened the bag, and
+therein lay ten shillings and naught besides.
+
+'What tidings, Little John?' cried his master.
+
+'Sir, the Knight speaks truly,' said Little John.
+
+'Then fill a cup of the best wine and tell me, Sir Knight, whether it
+is your own ill doings which have brought you to this sorry pass.'
+
+'For an hundred years my fathers have dwelt in the forest,' answered
+the Knight, 'and four hundred pounds might they spend yearly. But
+within two years misfortune has befallen me, and my wife and children
+also.'
+
+'How did this evil come to pass?' asked Robin.
+
+'Through my own folly,' answered the Knight, 'and because of the great
+love I bore my son, who would never be guided of my counsel, and slew,
+ere he was twenty years old, a Knight of Lancaster and his Squire. For
+their deaths I had to pay a large sum, which I could not raise
+without giving my lands in pledge to the rich Abbot of St. Mary's. If
+I cannot bring him the money by a certain day they will be lost to me
+for ever.'
+
+'What is the sum?' asked Robin. 'Tell me truly.'
+
+'It is four hundred pounds,' said the Knight.
+
+'And what will you do if you lose your lands?' asked Robin again.
+
+'Hide myself over the sea,' said the Knight, 'and bid farewell to my
+friends and country. There is no better way open to me.'
+
+At this tears fell from his eyes, and he turned him to depart. 'Good
+day, my friend,' he said to Robin, 'I cannot pay you what I should--'
+But Robin held him fast. 'Where _are_ your friends?' asked he.
+
+'Sir, they have all forsaken me since I became poor, and they turn
+away their heads if we meet upon the road, though when I was rich they
+were ever in my castle.'
+
+When Little John and Will Scarlett and the rest heard this they wept
+for very shame and fury and Robin bade them fill a cup of the best
+wine, and give it to the Knight.
+
+'Have you no one who would stay surety for you?' said he.
+
+'None,' answered the Knight, 'but only Our Lady, who has never yet
+failed to help me.'
+
+'You speak well,' said Robin, 'and you, Little John, go to my treasure
+chest, and bring me thence four hundred pounds. And be sure you count
+it truly.'
+
+So Little John went, and Will Scarlett, and they brought back the
+money.
+
+'Sir,' said Little John, when Robin had counted it and found it no
+more nor no less, 'look at his clothes, how thin they are! You have
+stores of garments, green and scarlet, in your coffers--no merchant in
+England can boast the like. I will measure some out with my bow.' And
+thus he did.
+
+'Master,' spoke Little John again, 'there is still something else. You
+must give him a horse, that he may go as beseems his quality to the
+Abbey.'
+
+'Take the grey horse,' said Robin, 'and put a new saddle on it, and
+take likewise a good palfrey and a pair of boots, with gilt spurs on
+them. And as it were a shame for a Knight to ride by himself on this
+errand, I will lend you Little John as Squire--perchance he may stand
+you in yeoman's stead.'
+
+'When shall we meet again?' asked the Knight.
+
+'This day twelve months,' said Robin, 'under the greenwood tree.'
+
+Then the Knight rode on his way, with Little John behind him, and as
+he went he thought of Robin Hood and his men, and blessed them for the
+goodness they had shown towards him.
+
+'To-morrow,' he said to Little John, 'I must be at the Abbey of St.
+Mary, which is in the city of York, for if I am but so much as a day
+late my lands are lost for ever, and though I were to bring the money
+I should not be suffered to redeem them.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Now the Abbot had been counting the days as well as the Knight, and
+the next morning he said to his monks: 'This day year there came a
+Knight and borrowed of me four hundred pounds, giving his lands in
+surety. And if he come not to pay his debt ere midnight tolls they
+will be ours for ever.'
+
+'It is full early yet,' answered the Prior, 'he may still be coming.'
+
+'He is far beyond the sea,' said the Abbot, 'and suffers from hunger
+and cold. How is he to get here?'
+
+'It were a shame,' said the Prior, 'for you to take his lands. And you
+do him much wrong if you drive such a hard bargain.'
+
+'He is dead or hanged,' spake a fat-headed monk who was the cellarer,
+'and we shall have his four hundred pounds to spend on our gardens
+and our wines,' and he went with the Abbot to attend the court of
+justice wherein the Knight's lands would be declared forfeited by the
+High Justiciar.
+
+'If he come not this day,' cried the Abbot, rubbing his hands, 'if he
+come not this day, they will be ours.'
+
+'He will not come yet,' said the Justiciar, but he knew not that the
+Knight was already at the outer gate, and Little John with him.
+
+'Welcome, Sir Knight,' said the porter. 'The horse that you ride is
+the noblest that ever I saw. Let me lead them both to the stable, that
+they may have food and rest.'
+
+'They shall not pass these gates,' answered the Knight sternly, and he
+entered the hall alone, where the monks were sitting at meat, and
+knelt down and bowed to them.
+
+'I have come back, my lord,' he said to the Abbot, who had just
+returned from the court. 'I have come back this day as I promised.'
+
+'Have you brought my money?' was all the Abbot said.
+
+'Not a penny,' answered the Knight, who wished to see how the Abbot
+would treat him.
+
+'Then what do you here without it?' cried the Abbot in angry tones.
+
+'I have come to pray you for a longer day,' answered the Knight
+meekly.
+
+'The day was fixed and cannot be gainsaid,' replied the Justiciar, but
+the Knight only begged that he would stand his friend and help him in
+his strait. 'I am with the Abbot,' was all the Justiciar would answer.
+
+'Good Sir Abbot, be my friend,' prayed the Knight again, 'and give me
+one chance more to get the money and free my lands. I will serve you
+day and night till I have four hundred pounds to redeem them.'
+
+But the Abbot only swore a great oath, and vowed that the money must
+be paid that day or the lands be forfeited.
+
+The Knight stood up straight and tall: 'It is well,' said he, 'to
+prove one's friends against the hour of need,' and he looked the Abbot
+full in the face, and the Abbot felt uneasy, he did not know why, and
+hated the Knight more than ever. 'Out of my hall, false Knight!' cried
+he, pretending to a courage which he did not feel. But the Knight
+stayed where he was, and answered him, 'You lie, Abbot. Never was I
+false, and that I have shown in jousts and in tourneys.'
+
+'Give him two hundred pounds more,' said the Justiciar to the Abbot,
+'and keep the lands yourself.'
+
+'No, by Heaven!' answered the Knight, 'not if you offered me a
+thousand pounds would I do it! Neither Justiciar, Abbot, nor Monk
+shall be heir of mine.' Then he strode up to a table and emptied out
+four hundred pounds. 'Take your gold, Sir Abbot, which you lent to me
+a year agone. Had you but received me civilly, I would have paid you
+something more.
+
+    'Sir Abbot, and ye men of law,
+      Now have I kept my day!
+    Now shall I have my land again,
+      For aught that you may say.'
+
+So he passed out of the hall singing merrily, leaving the Abbot
+staring silently after him, and rode back to his house in Verisdale,
+where his wife met him at the gate.
+
+    'Welcome, my lord,' said his lady,
+      'Sir, lost is all your good.'
+    'Be merry, dame,' said the Knight,
+      'And pray for Robin Hood.'
+
+'But for his kindness, we had been beggars.'
+
+After this the Knight dwelt at home, looking after his lands, and
+saving his money carefully till the four hundred pounds lay ready for
+Robin Hood. Then he bought a hundred bows and a hundred arrows, and
+every arrow was an ell long, and had a head of silver and peacock's
+feathers. And clothing himself in white and red, and with a hundred
+men in his train, he set off to Sherwood Forest.
+
+On the way he passed an open space near a bridge where there was a
+wrestling, and the Knight stopped and looked, for he himself had taken
+many a prize in that sport. Here the prizes were such as to fill any
+man with envy; a fine horse, saddled and bridled, a great white bull,
+a pair of gloves, a ring of bright red gold, and a pipe of wine. There
+was not a yeoman present who did not hope to win one of them. But when
+the wrestling was over, the yeoman who had beaten them all was a man
+who kept apart from his fellows, and was said to think much of
+himself. Therefore the men grudged him his skill, and set upon him
+with blows, and would have killed him, had not the Knight, for love of
+Robin Hood, taken pity on him, while his followers fought with the
+crowd, and would not suffer them to touch the prizes a better man had
+won.
+
+When the wrestling was finished the Knight rode on, and there under
+the greenwood tree, in the place appointed, he found Robin Hood and
+his merry men waiting for him, according to the tryst that they had
+fixed last year:
+
+    'God save thee, Robin Hood,
+      And all this company.'
+    'Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
+      And right welcome to me.'
+
+    'Hast thou thy land again?' said Robin,
+      'Truth then tell thou me.'
+    'Yea, for God,' said the Knight,
+      'And that thank I God and thee.'
+
+    'Have here four hundred pounds,' said the Knight,
+      'The which you lent to me;
+    And here are also twenty marks
+      For your courtesie.'
+
+But Robin would not take the money. A miracle had happened, he said,
+and Our Lady had paid it to him, and shame would it be for him to take
+it twice over. Then he noticed for the first time the bows and arrows
+which the Knight had brought, and asked what they were. 'A poor
+present to you,' answered the Knight, and Robin, who would not be
+outdone, sent Little John once more to his treasury, and bade him
+bring forth four hundred pounds, which was given to the Knight. After
+that they parted, in much love, and Robin prayed the Knight if he were
+in any strait 'to let him know at the greenwood tree, and while there
+was any gold there he should have it.'
+
+
+HOW LITTLE JOHN BECAME THE
+
+SHERIFF'S SERVANT
+
+
+Meanwhile the High Sheriff of Nottingham proclaimed a great
+shooting-match in a broad open space, and Little John was minded to
+try his skill with the rest. He rode through the forest, whistling
+gaily to himself, for well he knew that not one of Robin Hood's men
+could send an arrow as straight as he, and he felt little fear of
+anyone else. When he reached the trysting place he found a large
+company assembled, the Sheriff with them, and the rules of the match
+were read out: where they were to stand, how far the mark was to be,
+and how that three tries should be given to every man.
+
+Some of the shooters shot near the mark, some of them even touched it,
+but none but Little John split the slender wand of willow with every
+arrow that flew from his bow. And at this sight the Sheriff of
+Nottingham swore a great oath that Little John was the best archer
+that ever he had seen, and asked him who he was and where he was born,
+and vowed that if he would enter his service he would give twenty
+marks a year to so good a bowman.
+
+Little John, who did not wish to confess that he was one of Robin
+Hood's men and an outlaw, said his name was Reynold Greenleaf, and
+that he was in the service of a Knight, whose leave he must get before
+he became the servant of any man. This was given heartily by the
+Knight, and Little John bound himself to the Sheriff for the space of
+twelve months, and was given a good white horse to ride on whenever he
+went abroad. But for all that he did not like his bargain, and made
+up his mind to do the Sheriff, who was hated of the outlaws, all the
+mischief he could.
+
+His chance came on a Wednesday when the Sheriff always went hunting
+and Little John lay in bed till noon, when he grew hungry. Then he got
+up, and told the steward that he wanted some dinner. The steward
+answered he should have nothing till the Sheriff came home, so Little
+John grumbled and left him, and sought out the butler. Here he was no
+more successful than before; the butler just went to the buttery door
+and locked it, and told Little John that he would have to make himself
+happy till his lord returned.
+
+Rude words mattered nothing to Little John, who was not accustomed to
+be baulked by trifles, so he gave a mighty kick which burst open the
+door, and then ate and drank as much as he would, and when he had
+finished all there was in the buttery, he went down into the kitchen.
+
+Now the Sheriff's cook was a strong man and a bold one, and had no
+mind to let another man play the king in his kitchen; so he gave
+Little John three smart blows, which were returned heartily. 'Thou art
+a brave man and hardy,' said Little John, 'and a good fighter withal.
+I have a sword, take you another, and let us see which is the better
+man of us twain.'
+
+The cook did as he was bid, and for two hours they fought, neither of
+them harming the other. 'Fellow,' said Little John at last, 'you are
+one of the best swordsmen that I ever saw--and if you could shoot as
+well with the bow I would take you back to the merry greenwood, and
+Robin Hood would give you twenty marks a year and two changes of
+clothing.'
+
+'Put up your sword,' said the cook, 'and I will go with you. But first
+we will have some food in my kitchen, and carry off a little of the
+gold that is in the Sheriff's treasure house.'
+
+They ate and drank till they wanted no more, then they broke the locks
+of the treasure house, and took of the silver as much as they could
+carry, three hundred pounds and more, and departed unseen by anyone to
+Robin in the forest.
+
+'Welcome! Welcome!' cried Robin when he saw them, 'welcome, too, to
+the fair yeoman you bring with you. What tidings from Nottingham,
+Little John?'
+
+'The proud Sheriff greets you, and sends you by my hand his cook and
+his silver vessels, and three hundred pounds and three also.'
+
+Robin shook his head, for he knew better than to believe Little John's
+tale. 'It was never by his good will that you brought such treasure to
+me,' he answered, and Little John, fearing that he might be ordered to
+take it back again, slipped away into the forest to carry out a plan
+that had just come into his head.
+
+He ran straight on for five miles, till he came up with the Sheriff,
+who was still hunting, and flung himself on his knees before him.
+
+'Reynold Greenleaf,' cried the Sheriff, 'what are you doing here, and
+where have you been?'
+
+'I have been in the forest, where I saw a fair hart of a green colour,
+and sevenscore deer feeding hard by.'
+
+'That sight would I see too,' said the Sheriff.
+
+'Then follow me,' answered Little John, and he ran back the way he
+came, the Sheriff following on horseback, till they turned a corner of
+the forest, and found themselves in Robin Hood's presence. 'Sir, here
+is the master-hart,' said Little John.
+
+    Still stood the proud Sheriff,
+      A sorry man was he,
+    'Woe be to you, Reynold Greenleaf,
+      Thou hast betrayed me!'
+
+'It was not my fault,' answered Little John, 'but the fault of your
+servants, master. For they would not give me my dinner,' and he went
+away to see to the supper.
+
+It was spread under the greenwood tree, and they sat down to it,
+hungry men all. But when the Sheriff saw himself served from his own
+vessels, his appetite went from him.
+
+'Take heart, man,' said Robin Hood, 'and think not we will poison you.
+For charity's sake, and for the love of Little John, your life shall
+be granted you. Only for twelve months you shall dwell with me, and
+learn what it is to be an outlaw.'
+
+To the Sheriff this punishment was worse to bear than the loss of gold
+or silver dishes, and earnestly he begged Robin Hood to set him free,
+vowing he would prove himself the best friend that ever the foresters
+had.
+
+Neither Robin nor any of his men believed him, but he took a great
+oath that he would never seek to do them harm, and that if he found
+any of them in evil plight he would deliver them out of it. With that
+Robin let him go.
+
+
+HOW ROBIN MET FRIAR TUCK
+
+
+In many ways life in the forest was dull in the winter, and often the
+days passed slowly; but in summer, when the leaves grew green, and
+flowers and ferns covered all the woodland, Robin Hood and his men
+would come out of their warm resting places, like the rabbits and the
+squirrels, and would play too. Races they ran, to stretch their legs,
+or leaping matches were arranged, or they would shoot at a mark.
+Anything was pleasant, when the grass was soft once more under their
+feet.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Who can kill a hart of grace five hundred paces off?'
+
+So said Robin to his men in the bright May time; and they went into
+the wood and tried their skill, and in the end it was Little John who
+brought down the 'hart of grace,' to the great joy of Robin Hood. 'I
+would ride my horse a hundred miles to find one who could match with
+thee,' he said to Little John, and Will Scarlett, who was perhaps
+rather jealous of this mighty deed, answered with a laugh, 'There
+lives a friar in Fountains Abbey who would beat both him and you.'
+
+Now Robin Hood did not like to be told that any man could shoot better
+than himself or his foresters, so he swore lustily that he would
+neither eat nor drink till he had seen that friar. Leaving his men
+where they were, he put on a coat of mail and a steel cap, took his
+shield and sword, slung his bow over his shoulder, and filled his
+quiver with arrows. Thus armed, he set forth to Fountains Dale.
+
+By the side of the river a friar was walking, armed like Robin, but
+without a bow. At this sight Robin jumped from his horse, which he
+tied to a thorn, and called to the friar to carry him over the water
+or it would cost him his life.
+
+The friar said nothing, but hoisted Robin on his broad back and
+marched into the river. Not a word was spoken till they reached the
+other side, when Robin leaped lightly down, and was going on his way
+when the friar stopped him. 'Not so fast, my fine fellow,' said he.
+'It is my turn now, and you shall take me across the river, or woe
+will betide you.' So Robin carried him, and when they had reached the
+side from which they had started he set down the friar and jumped for
+the second time on his back, and bade him take him whence he had come.
+The friar strode into the stream with his burden, but as soon as they
+got to the middle he bent his head and Robin fell into the water. 'Now
+you can sink or swim as you like,' said the friar, as he stood and
+laughed.
+
+Robin Hood swam to a bush of golden broom, and pulled himself out of
+the water, and while the friar was scrambling out Robin fitted an
+arrow to his bow and let fly at him. But the friar quickly held up his
+shield, and the arrow fell harmless.
+
+'Shoot on, my fine fellow, shoot on all day if you like,' shouted the
+friar, and Robin shot till his arrows were gone, but always missed his
+mark. Then they took their swords, and at four of the afternoon they
+were still fighting.
+
+By this time Robin's strength was wearing, and he felt he could not
+fight much more. 'A boon, a boon!' cried he. 'Let me but blow three
+blasts on my horn, and I will thank you on my bended knees for it.'
+
+The friar told him to blow as many blasts as he liked, and in an
+instant the forest echoed with his horn; it was but a few minutes
+before 'half a hundred yeomen were racing over the lea.' The friar
+stared when he saw them; then, turning to Robin, he begged of him a
+boon also, and leave being granted he gave three whistles, which were
+followed by the noise of a great crashing through the trees, as fifty
+great dogs bounded towards him.
+
+'Here's a dog for each of your men,' said the friar, 'and I myself for
+you'; but the dogs did not listen to his words, for two of them rushed
+at Robin, and tore his mantle of Lincoln green from off his back. His
+men were too busy defending themselves to take heed of their master's
+plight, for every arrow shot at a dog was caught and held in the
+creature's mouth.
+
+Robin's men were not used to fight with dogs, and felt they were
+getting beaten. At last Little John bade the friar call off his dogs,
+and as he did not do so at once he let fly some arrows, which this
+time left half a dozen dead on the ground.
+
+'Hold, hold, my good fellow,' said the friar, 'till your master and I
+can come to a bargain,' and when the bargain was made this was how it
+ran. That the friar was to forswear Fountains Abbey and join Robin
+Hood, and that he should be paid a golden noble every Sunday
+throughout the year, besides a change of clothes on each holy day.
+
+    This Friar had kept Fountains Dale
+      Seven long years or more,
+    There was neither Knight, nor Lord, nor Earl
+      Could make him yield before.
+
+But now he became one of the most famous members of Robin Hood's men
+under the name of Friar Tuck.
+
+
+HOW ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
+
+FELL OUT
+
+
+One Whitsunday morning, when the sun was shining and the birds
+singing, Robin Hood called to Little John to come with him into
+Nottingham to hear Mass. As was their custom, they took their bows,
+and on the way Little John proposed that they should shoot a match
+with a penny for a wager. Robin, who held that he himself shot better
+than any man living, laughed in scorn, and told Little John that he
+should have three tries to his master's one, which John without more
+ado accepted. But Robin soon repented both of his offer and his scorn,
+for Little John speedily won five shillings, whereat Robin became
+angry and smote Little John with his hand. Little John was not the man
+to bear being treated so, and he told Robin roundly that he would
+never more own him for master, and straightway turned back into the
+wood. At this Robin was ashamed of what he had done, but his pride
+would not suffer him to say so, and he continued his way to
+Nottingham, and entered the Church of St. Mary, not without secret
+fears, for the Sheriff of the town was ever his enemy. However, there
+he was, and there he meant to stay.
+
+He knelt down before the great cross in the sight of all the people,
+but none knew him save one monk only, and he stole out of church and
+ran to the Sheriff, and bade him come quickly and take his foe. The
+Sheriff was not slow to do the monk's bidding, and, calling his men
+to follow him, he marched to the church. The noise they made in
+entering caused Robin to look round. 'Alas, alas,' he said to himself,
+'now miss I Little John.'
+
+But he drew his two-handed sword and laid about him in such wise that
+twelve of the Sheriff's men lay dead before him. Then Robin found
+himself face to face with the Sheriff, and gave him a fierce blow; but
+his sword broke on the Sheriff's head, and he had shot away all his
+arrows. So the men closed round him, and bound his arms.
+
+Ill news travels fast, and not many hours had passed before the
+foresters heard that their master was in prison. They wept and moaned
+and wrung their hands, and seemed to have gone suddenly mad, till
+Little John bade them pluck up their hearts and help him to deal with
+the monk.
+
+The next morning he hid himself, and waited with a comrade, Much by
+name, till he saw the monk riding along the road, with a page behind
+him, carrying letters from the Sheriff to the King telling of Robin's
+capture.
+
+'Whence come you?' asked Little John, going up to the monk, 'and can
+you give us tidings of a false outlaw named Robin Hood, who was taken
+prisoner yesterday? He robbed both me and my fellow of twenty marks,
+and glad should we be to hear of his undoing.'
+
+'He robbed me, too,' said the monk, 'of a hundred pounds and more, but
+I have laid hands on him, and for that you may thank me.'
+
+'I thank you so much that, with your leave, I and my friend will bear
+you company,' answered Little John; 'for in this forest are many wild
+men who own Robin Hood for leader, and you ride along this road at the
+peril of your life.'
+
+They went on together, talking the while, when suddenly Little John
+seized the horse by the head and pulled down the monk by his hood.
+
+    'He was my master,' said Little John,
+      'That you have brought to bale,
+    'Never shall you come at the King
+      'For to tell him that tale.'
+
+At these words the monk uttered loud cries, but Little John took no
+heed of him, and smote off his head, as Much had already smitten off
+that of the page, lest he should carry the news of what had happened
+back to the Sheriff. After this they buried the bodies, and, taking
+the letters, carried them themselves to the King.
+
+When they arrived at the Palace, in the presence of the King, Little
+John fell on his knees and held the letter out. 'God save you, my
+liege lord,' he said; and the King unfolded the letters and read them.
+
+'There never was yeoman in Merry England I longed so sore to see,' he
+said. 'But where is the monk that should have brought these letters?'
+
+'He died by the way,' answered Little John; and the King asked no more
+questions.
+
+Twenty pounds each he ordered his treasurer to give to Much and to
+Little John, and made them yeomen of the crown. After which he handed
+his own seal to Little John and ordered him to bear it to the Sheriff,
+and bid him without delay bring Robin Hood unhurt into his presence.
+
+Little John did as the King bade him, and the Sheriff, at sight of the
+seal, gave him and Much welcome, and set a feast before them, at which
+John led him to drink heavily. Soon he fell asleep, and then the two
+outlaws stole softly to the prison. Here John ran the porter through
+the body for trying to stop his entrance, and, taking the keys, hunted
+through the cells until he had found Robin. Thrusting a sword into his
+hand Little John whispered to his master to follow him, and they crept
+along till they reached the lowest part of the city wall, from which
+they jumped and were safe and free.
+
+'Now, farewell,' said Little John, 'I have done you a good turn for
+an ill.' 'Not so,' answered Robin Hood, 'I make you master of my men
+and me,' but Little John would hear nothing of it. 'I only wish to be
+your comrade, and thus it shall be,' he replied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Little John has beguiled us both,' said the King, when he heard of
+the adventure.
+
+
+HOW THE KING VISITED ROBIN HOOD
+
+
+Now the King had no mind that Robin Hood should do as he willed, and
+called his Knights to follow him to Nottingham, where they would lay
+plans how best to take captive the felon. Here they heard sad tales of
+Robin's misdoings, and how of the many herds of wild deer that had
+been wont to roam the forest in some places scarce one remained. This
+was the work of Robin Hood and his merry men, on whom the King swore
+vengeance with a great oath.
+
+'I would I had this Robin Hood in my hands,' cried he, 'and an end
+should soon be put to his doings.' So spake the King; but an old
+Knight, full of days and wisdom, answered him and warned him that the
+task of taking Robin Hood would be a sore one, and best let alone. The
+King, who had seen the vanity of his hot words the moment that he had
+uttered them, listened to the old man, and resolved to bide his time,
+if perchance some day Robin should fall into his power.
+
+All this time and for six weeks later that he dwelt in Nottingham the
+King could hear nothing of Robin, who seemed to have vanished into the
+earth with his merry men, though one by one the deer were vanishing
+too!
+
+At last one day a forester came to the King, and told him that if he
+would see Robin he must come with him and take five of his best
+Knights. The King eagerly sprang up to do his bidding, and the six men
+clad in monks' clothes mounted their palfreys and rode down to the
+Abbey, the King wearing an Abbot's broad hat over his crown and
+singing as he passed through the greenwood.
+
+[Illustration: There is Pith in your arm said ROBIN HOOD]
+
+Suddenly at the turn of a path Robin and his archers appeared before
+them.
+
+'By your leave, Sir Abbot,' said Robin, seizing the King's bridle,
+'you will stay a while with us. Know that we are yeomen, who live upon
+the King's deer, and other food have we none. Now you have abbeys and
+churches, and gold in plenty; therefore give us some of it, in the
+name of holy charity.'
+
+'I have no more than forty pounds with me,' answered the King, 'but
+sorry I am it is not a hundred, for you should have had it all.'
+
+So Robin took the forty pounds, and gave half to his men, and then
+told the King he might go on his way. 'I thank you,' said the King,
+'but I would have you know that our liege lord has bid me bear you his
+seal, and pray you to come to Nottingham.'
+
+At this message Robin bent his knee.
+
+    'I love no man in all the world
+      So well as I do my King';
+
+he cried, 'and Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, which fill my heart with
+joy, to-day thou shalt dine with me, for love of my King.' Then he led
+the King into an open place, and Robin took a horn and blew it loud,
+and at its blast seven score of young men came speedily to do his
+will.
+
+'They are quicker to do his bidding than my men are to do mine,' said
+the King to himself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Speedily the foresters set out the dinner, venison, and white bread,
+and the good red wine, and Robin and Little John served the King.
+'Make good cheer,' said Robin, 'Abbot, for charity, and then you shall
+see what sort of life we lead, that so you may tell our King.'
+
+When he had finished eating the archers took their bows, and hung
+rose-garlands up with a string, and every man was to shoot through
+the garland. If he failed, he should have a buffet on the head from
+Robin.
+
+Good bowmen as they were, few managed to stand the test. Little John
+and Will Scarlett, and Much, all shot wide of the mark, and at length
+no one was left in but Robin himself and Gilbert of the White Hand.
+Then Robin fired his last bolt, and it fell three fingers from the
+garland. 'Master,' said Gilbert, 'you have lost, stand forth and take
+your punishment.'
+
+'I will take it,' answered Robin, 'but, Sir Abbot, I pray you that I
+may suffer it at your hands.'
+
+The King hesitated. 'It did not become him,' he said, 'to smite such a
+stout yeoman,' but Robin bade him smite on; so he turned up his
+sleeve, and gave Robin such a buffet on the head that he rolled upon
+the ground.
+
+'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin. 'Come, shoot a main with me.'
+And the King took up a bow, and in so doing his hat fell back and
+Robin saw his face.
+
+'My lord the King of England, now I know you well,' cried he, and he
+fell on his knees and all the outlaws with him. 'Mercy I ask, my lord
+the King, for my men and me.'
+
+'Mercy I grant,' then said the King, 'and therefore I came hither, to
+bid you and your men leave the greenwood and dwell in my Court with
+me.'
+
+'So shall it be,' answered Robin, 'I and my men will come to your
+Court, and see how your service liketh us.'
+
+
+ROBIN AT COURT
+
+
+'Have you any green cloth,' asked the King, 'that you could sell to
+me?' and Robin brought out thirty yards and more, and clad the King
+and his men in coats of Lincoln green. 'Now we will all ride to
+Nottingham,' said he, and they went merrily, shooting by the way.
+
+The people of Nottingham saw them coming, and trembled as they watched
+the dark mass of Lincoln green drawing near over the fields. 'I fear
+lest our King be slain,' whispered one to another, 'and if Robin Hood
+gets into the town there is not one of us whose life is safe'; and
+every man, woman, and child made ready to fly.
+
+The King laughed out when he saw their fright, and called them back.
+Right glad were they to hear his voice, and they feasted and made
+merry. A few days later the King returned to London, and Robin dwelt
+in his Court for twelve months. By that time he had spent a hundred
+pounds, for he gave largely to the Knights and Squires he met, and
+great renown he had for his open-handedness.
+
+But his men, who had been born under the shadow of the forest, could
+not live amid streets and houses. One by one they slipped away, till
+only Little John and Will Scarlett were left. Then Robin himself grew
+home-sick, and at the sight of some young men shooting thought upon
+the time when he was accounted the best archer in all England, and
+went straightway to the King and begged for leave to go on a
+pilgrimage to Bernisdale.
+
+'I may not say you nay,' answered the King, 'seven nights you may be
+gone and no more.' And Robin thanked him, and that evening set out for
+the greenwood.
+
+It was early morning when he reached it at last, and listened
+thirstily to the notes of singing birds, great and small.
+
+'It seems long since I was here,' he said to himself; 'it would give
+me great joy if I could bring down a deer once more'; and he shot a
+great hart, and blew his horn, and all the outlaws of the forest came
+flocking round him. 'Welcome,' they said, 'our dear master, back to
+the greenwood tree,' and they threw off their caps and fell on their
+knees before him in delight at his return.
+
+
+THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD
+
+
+For two and twenty years Robin Hood dwelt in Sherwood Forest after he
+had run away from Court, and naught that the King could say would
+tempt him back again. At the end of that time he fell ill; he neither
+ate nor drank, and had no care for the things he loved. 'I must go to
+merry Kirkley,' said he, 'and have my blood let.'
+
+But Will Scarlett, who heard his words, spoke roundly to him. 'Not by
+_my_ leave, nor without a hundred bowmen at your back. For there
+abides an evil man, who is sure to quarrel with you, and you will need
+us badly.'
+
+'If you are afraid, Will Scarlett, you may stay at home, for me,' said
+Robin, 'and in truth no man will I take with me, save Little John
+only, to carry my bow.'
+
+'Bear your bow yourself, master, and I will bear mine, and we will
+shoot for a penny as we ride.'
+
+'Very well, let it be so,' said Robin, and they went on merrily enough
+till they came to some women weeping sorely near a stream.
+
+'What is the matter, good wives?' said Robin Hood.
+
+'We weep for Robin Hood and his dear body, which to-day must let
+blood,' was their answer.
+
+'Pray why do you weep for me?' asked Robin; 'the Prioress is the
+daughter of my aunt, and my cousin, and well I know she would not do
+me harm for all the world.' And he passed on, with Little John at his
+side.
+
+Soon they reached the Priory, where they were let in by the Prioress
+herself, who bade them welcome heartily, and not the less because
+Robin handed her twenty pounds in gold as payment for his stay, and
+told her if he cost her more she was to let him know of it. Then she
+began to bleed him, and for long Robin said nothing, giving her credit
+for kindness and for knowing her art, but at length so much blood came
+from him that he suspected treason. He tried to open the door, for she
+had left him alone in the room, but it was locked fast, and while the
+blood was still flowing he could not escape from the casement. So he
+lay down for many hours, and none came near him, and at length the
+blood stopped. Slowly Robin uprose and staggered to the
+lattice-window, and blew thrice on his horn; but the blast was so low,
+and so little like what Robin was wont to give, that Little John, who
+was watching for some sound, felt that his master must be nigh to
+death.
+
+At this thought he started to his feet, and ran swiftly to the Priory.
+He broke the locks of all the doors that stood between him and Robin
+Hood, and soon entered the chamber where his master lay, white, with
+nigh all his blood gone from him.
+
+'I crave a boon of you, dear master,' cried Little John.
+
+'And what is that boon,' said Robin Hood, 'which Little John begs of
+me?' And Little John answered, 'It is to burn fair Kirkley Hall, and
+all the nunnery.'
+
+But Robin Hood, in spite of the wrong that had been done him, would
+not listen to Little John's cry for revenge. 'I never hurt a woman in
+all my life,' he said, 'nor a man that was in her company. But now my
+time is done, that know I well; so give me my bow and a broad arrow,
+and wheresoever it falls there shall my grave be digged. Lay a green
+sod under my head and another at my feet, and put beside me my bow,
+which ever made sweetest music to my ears, and see that green and
+gravel make my grave. And, Little John, take care that I have length
+enough and breadth enough to lie in.' So he loosened his last arrow
+from the string and then died, and where the arrow fell Robin was
+buried.
+
+[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD SHOOTS HIS LAST ARROW]
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+_THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG_
+
+
+About nine hundred years ago, more or less, there lived in Iceland, at
+a homestead called Biarg, two old folks named Asmund the Greyhaired
+and his wife Asdis. At the time our story begins they had two sons,
+Atli the eldest, and Grettir, besides daughters; sixteen years later
+another son was born to them, named Illugi. Atli was a general
+favourite, in disposition good-natured and yielding, in this the very
+opposite of Grettir, who held to his own way, and was, besides,
+silent, reserved, and rough in manner. But he is described as fair to
+look on, broad-faced, short-faced, red-haired and much freckled, not
+of quick growth in his childhood. There was little love lost between
+him and his father, but his mother loved the boy right well. So
+matters sped till Grettir was ten years old, when, one day, his father
+told him to go and watch the geese on the farm, fifty of them, besides
+many goslings. The boy went, but with an ill grace, and shortly
+afterwards the geese were found all dead or dying, with many of their
+necks wrung, at which Asmund was mightily vexed. Again, one evening,
+being cold, he asked the boy to warm him by rubbing his back, but
+Grettir, taking up a wool-carder's comb, dropped it down his father's
+back. The old man was furiously angry, and would have beaten Grettir,
+had he not run away, while Asdis, though vexed, tried her best to make
+peace between them.
+
+Next, Grettir was sent to tend the horses, amongst which was a
+favourite mare called Keingala, who always preferred the coldest and
+windiest spots to graze in; the boy was ill-clad and half-starved with
+cold, so, by way of paying Keingala out for her uncomfortable choice
+of pasture, he drew a sharp knife right across her shoulder and along
+both sides of her back. When Asmund next saw the mare and stroked her
+back, the hide came off beneath his hand. He taxed Grettir with the
+deed, but the boy sneered mockingly and said nothing. Keingala had to
+be killed. Such and many other scurvy tricks did Grettir play in his
+childhood, but meanwhile he grew in body and strength, though none as
+yet knew him to be strong beyond his years.
+
+This first came to be known shortly afterwards at Midfirth Water,
+where some ball games were being held on the ice. Grettir was now
+fourteen; and was matched to play with one Audun, several years older
+than himself. Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he
+could not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir
+brought it back, and in a rage threw it at Audun's forehead; Audun
+struck at him with his bat, but Grettir closed with him and wrestled,
+for a long time holding his own; but Audun was a man of full strength,
+and at last prevailed. Grettir's next performance brought him into
+more trouble. Asmund had a bosom friend named Thorkel Krafla, who paid
+him a visit at Biarg on his way to the Thing, or Icelandic parliament,
+with a retinue of sixty followers, for Thorkel was a great chief, and
+a man of substance. Each traveller had to carry his own provisions for
+the journey, including Grettir, who joined Thorkel's company.
+Grettir's saddle turned over, however, and his meal bag was lost, nor
+could he find it, notwithstanding a long search. Just then he saw a
+man who was in like plight with himself, having also lost his meal
+sack: his name was Skeggi, one of Thorkel's followers. All of a sudden
+Skeggi darted off, and Grettir saw him stoop and pick up a mealsack,
+which Skeggi claimed as his own. Grettir was not satisfied, and they
+fought for it; Skeggi cut at Grettir with his axe, but he wrenched it
+out of his hand, and clove his head in twain. Thorkel then allowed
+Grettir his choice: whether to go on to the Thing, or return home. He
+chose the first alternative; but a lawsuit was set on foot by the
+heirs of the dead man. Thorkel paid the necessary fines, but Grettir
+was outlawed, banished from the country, and had to stay abroad three
+years.
+
+Asmund entrusted his son to the keeping of a man called Haflidi, the
+captain of a ship that was sailing for Norway; father and son parted
+with but little sorrow between them, but Asdis accompanied the boy
+part of the way, and gave him a sword which had been owned by Jokul,
+her grandfather; for which Grettir thanked her well, saying he deemed
+it better than things of more worth, so he came to the ship. With the
+sailors he was no more popular than he had been elsewhere, for he
+would work only by fits and starts, as he pleased; besides, he had a
+gift of making very biting rhymes, which he indulged in at the expense
+of all on board. But when he did condescend to work he was a match for
+any four, or, as some say, for any eight men by reason of his
+strength. After they had sailed some way east over the sea, and had
+much thick weather, one night they ran aground on a rock near an
+island which turned out to be Haramsey, off Norway. The lord of that
+island was called Thorfinn, son of Karr the Old. When day dawned he
+sent down a boat to rescue the shipwrecked sailors, who were saved,
+with their merchandise, but their vessel broke up. Grettir remained
+with Thorfinn some time; and was fond of rambling about the island,
+going from house to house; and he made friends with one Audun, not, of
+course, the one who has already been mentioned.
+
+One night the two noticed a great blaze on a ness or headland, and
+Grettir asked the reason of it, adding, that in his country such a
+fire would only burn above hidden treasure. Audun told him he had
+better not inquire too closely into the matter, which, however, as one
+might expect, only whetted his curiosity the more. He was told
+accordingly that on that headland Karr the Old was buried; that at
+first father and son had but one farm on the island, but since Karr
+died he had so haunted the place that all the farmers who owned land
+were driven away. Thorfinn, therefore, now held the whole island, and
+to such good purpose, that whosoever enjoyed his protection was not
+worried by the ghost. Grettir determined to investigate, and providing
+himself with spades and tools, set off with Audun to dig into the
+'barrow,' as these mounds of earth are called, which northern races
+and others used to raise over their dead. Leaving Audun to guard the
+rope by which he descended, Grettir found the interior of the cavern
+very dark, and a smell therein none of the sweetest. First he saw
+horse-bones, then he stumbled against the arm of a high chair wherein
+was a man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver lay heaped
+together, and under the man's feet a small chest full of silver. All
+this Grettir carried towards the rope, but while doing so he was
+suddenly seized in a strong grip; whereupon he let go the treasure and
+rushed at the Thing which lived in the barrow; and now they set on one
+another unsparingly enough. There was a battle, first one, then the
+other gaining a slight advantage, but at last the barrow-wight fell
+over on his back with a huge din; whereupon Grettir drew his sword,
+'Jokul's gift,' and cut off Karr's head, laying it beside the thigh,
+for, in this way only, men said, could a ghost be laid. Grettir took
+the treasure and brought it to Thorfinn, who was not ill-pleased that
+his father's tomb had been rifled, for he held that wealth hidden in
+the ground was wealth wrongly placed, in which we shall probably agree
+with him.
+
+[Illustration: GRETTIR FEELS KARR'S GRIP.]
+
+After the events just described, Thorfinn went away with thirty of his
+men to one of his farms on the mainland, in order to keep the
+Yule-tide feast (Christmas). His wife and daughter, the latter of whom
+was ill in bed, remained at home. Now Thorfinn, some time previously,
+had taken a leading part in passing a law, the object of which was
+that all berserkers should be outlawed. These berserkers were roving
+bands of pirates, brave fighters, but respecting no man's property; on
+the contrary, their chief object was to lay violent hands on women and
+goods to which they had no title. It is easily to be understood that
+Thorfinn, in consequence of his action, had incurred their bitterest
+enmity. One day Grettir observed a ship approaching, rowed by twelve
+men; it landed near Thorfinn's boat-stand, wherein was his boat which
+was never launched by less than thirty men; nevertheless these twelve
+pushed it down to the water's edge, laid their own boat upon it, and
+bore it into the boat-stand.
+
+Grettir's suspicions being aroused, he went down, and after giving
+them a hearty welcome, asked who they were. The leader told him he was
+known as Thorir Paunch; that his brother was Ogmund, and the rest
+fellows of theirs. Grettir told them they could not have come at a
+better time, if, as he thought, they had some grudge against Thorfinn,
+for he was away from home, and would not be back till Yule was past,
+but his wife and daughter were in the house. 'Now am I well enough
+minded to take revenge on Thorfinn,' said Thorir, 'and this man is
+ready enough of tidings, and no need have we to drag the words out of
+him.' So they all went up to the farm, but the women were distracted
+with fear, thinking that Grettir had played false. He, however,
+induced the berserkers to lay aside their arms, and when evening was
+come, brought them beer in abundance, and entertained them with tales
+and merry jests. After a while he proposed to lead them to Thorfinn's
+treasure house: nothing loth they followed readily; when they were all
+inside he managed to slip out and lock them in. He then ran back for
+weapons: a broad-headed barbed spear, his sword and helmet. Now the
+berserkers knew they had been entrapped; breaking down the panelling
+of a wall they rushed out into the passage, where in the nick of time
+arrived Grettir, who thrust Thorir through with his spear; Ogmund the
+Evil was pressing close behind, so that the same thrust which pierced
+the one transfixed the other also. The remainder defended themselves
+with logs and whatever lay ready to hand, or tried to escape; but
+Grettir slew all of them save two, who for the moment escaped, but
+were found next day under a rock, dead from cold and wounds.
+
+Shortly afterwards Thorfinn returned, and when he was told of the
+wondrous deeds of Grettir, who had thus saved the honour of his house,
+he bade him come to him whenever he needed aid; and the two were now
+close friends; moreover, Grettir's fame began to spread abroad, and he
+became renowned all over Norway. Leaving his friend Thorfinn, he took
+passage in a ship belonging to one Thorkel, who lived in Heligoland.
+He welcomed Grettir heartily to his house, but with a man called
+Biorn, who lived there with him, the Icelander could by no means
+agree, nor indeed did others find it easy, for Biorn's temper was
+hasty and difficult.
+
+It happened that a savage bear wrought havoc at that time, being so
+grim that it spared neither man nor beast, so one night Biorn set out
+to slay it. The bear was in its cave, in the track leading to which
+Biorn lay down, with his shield over him, to wait for the beast to
+stir abroad as its manner was. But the beast suspected the presence of
+the man, and was slow to move; delayed so long indeed that Biorn fell
+asleep. Now the bear became brisk enough, sallied forth, hooked its
+claws in Biorn's shield, and threw it over the cliff. Biorn woke
+suddenly and ran, just escaping its clutch; but the whole proceedings
+had been watched, and he had to endure many taunts and jeers. Grettir
+went afterwards and killed the beast, though not without a terrible
+struggle, in which they both fell over the rocks, but the bear was
+underneath, and Grettir was able to stab it to the heart. More than
+ever then on account of this did ill-will against Grettir rankle in
+Biorn's breast. He sailed west to England, as master of Thorkel's
+ship; when he returned he met Grettir at a place called
+Drontheim-firth. The two took up their old quarrel again, fought on
+the strand, and Biorn was killed.
+
+At that time Earl Svein was ruling over Norway as regent, the rightful
+king being but a boy. At the court in the Earl's service was Biorn's
+brother, Hiarandi, who was exceedingly wroth when he heard of Biorn's
+death, and begged the Earl's assistance in the matter. Svein therefore
+sent for Thorfinn and Grettir, but Hiarandi would not agree to any
+terms proposed, and lay in wait to take Grettir's life. With five
+others he sprang out from a certain court gate, dealt a blow at him
+with an axe, and wounded him; but Grettir and a companion turned on
+them and slew them all save one, who escaped and told the Earl. There
+remained yet another brother of Biorn and Hiarandi to take up the
+feud, but he fared no better, and was also slain. Earl Svein was now
+'wondrous wroth' at this tale, for said he, 'Grettir has now slain
+three brothers, one at the heels of the other, and I will not thus
+bring wrongs into the land so as to take compensation for such
+unmeasured misdeeds'; so he would not listen to any proposals by
+Thorfinn to pay blood-money. However, many more added their words to
+Thorfinn's, and prayed the Earl to spare Grettir's life, for, after
+all, he had acted in self-defence, and if his life were to be forfeit,
+there would be slayings throughout the whole land. These arguments at
+length prevailed, Grettir was allowed to go in peace, and went back to
+Iceland, the term of his outlawry being expired.
+
+Being now grown to man's estate, and having waxed greatly in bodily
+strength, he roamed about the country to see if there were any with
+whom he might match himself, and took it very ill that he found none.
+About this time, strange rumours were flying about to the effect that
+a farm belonging to one Thorhall was haunted. Thorhall was an honest
+man and very rich in cattle and livestock, but could hardly get a
+shepherd to stay in his service; whereat, being sore perplexed, he
+went for advice to Skapti the Lawman. Skapti promised to get him a
+shepherd called Glam, a Swede, for which Thorhall thanked him. On his
+return he missed two dun cows, went to look for them, and on the way
+met a man carrying faggots, who said his name was Glam. He was great
+of stature, uncouth in appearance, his eyes grey and glaring, and his
+hair wolf-grey. Thorhall told him Skapti had recommended him, adding
+that the place was haunted, but Glam made light of this: 'Such bugs
+will not scare me,' quoth he. There was a church at Thorhall-stead,
+but Glam loathed church-song, being godless, foul-tempered and surly,
+and no man could abide him, Thorhall's wife least of all. So time wore
+on till Christmas-eve, when Glam called for his meat, but was told
+that no Christian man would eat meat on that day. He insisted; and the
+housewife gave it, though prophesying evil would come of it. Glam took
+the food and went out growling and grumbling.
+
+He was heard in the early morning on the hills, but not as the day
+wore on; then a snowstorm came, and Glam returned not that night nor
+yet the day following, so search parties were sent out, who found the
+sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten down by the storm, or
+strayed up into the mountains. Then they came to a great beaten place
+high up in a valley, where it seemed as though there had been
+wrestling, stones and earth torn up, and signs of a severe struggle;
+looking closer, they found Glam dead, his body blue and swollen to the
+size of an ox. They tried to bring the body down to the church, but
+could only move it a very little way; they returned, therefore, and
+told how they had tracked steps as great as if a cask bottom had been
+stamped down, leading from the beaten place up to beneath sheer rocks
+high up the valley, and along the track great stains of blood. From
+this men thought that the evil wight which had killed Glam had got
+such wounds as had sufficed for him, but none ever could say for
+certain.
+
+The second day after Christmas men were sent again to bring Glam's
+body to the church, but though horses were put to drag it, they could
+not move the corpse except down hill, so Glam was buried where he lay.
+Now within a little time men became aware that Glam lay not quiet; he
+walked well-nigh night and day, and took to riding the house roofs at
+night, so much so that he nearly broke them in. The folk were
+exceedingly afraid thereat; many fainted or went mad, while others
+incontinently fled there and then. Another shepherd, big and strong,
+came to take Glam's place; he was nowise dismayed by the hauntings,
+but deemed it good sport rather than not when Glam rode the
+house-roofs. But when another Christmas came the shepherd was missed;
+search was made, and he was found on the hill-side by Glam's cairn,
+his neck broken, and every bone in his body smashed. Then Glam waxed
+more mighty than ever; the cattle bellowed and roared, and gored each
+other; the byre cracked, and a cattle-man who had been long in
+Thorhall's service was found dead, his head in one stall and feet in
+another. None could go up the dale with horse or hound, because it was
+straightway slain, and it was no easy task to get servants to remain
+at the steading.
+
+Things had come to this pass when Grettir rode over to Thorhall-stead,
+where the owner gave him good welcome, though warning him that few
+cared to stay long under his roof. Grettir's horse was locked up in
+the stable, and the first night nothing happened; but on the second
+the stable was broken into, the horse dragged out to the door, and
+every bone of him broken. Next night Grettir sat up to watch; and when
+a third of the night was past, he heard a terrible din as of one
+riding the roof, and driving his heels against the thatch so that
+every rafter cracked again. He went to the door, and saw Glam, whose
+head, as it appeared to him, was monstrously big. Glam came slowly in
+and took hold of a bundle lying on the seat, but Grettir planted his
+foot against a beam, seized the bundle also, and pulled against Glam
+with such strength that the wrapper was rent between them. Glam
+wondered who might this be that pulled with such strength against him,
+when Grettir rushed in, seized him round the waist, and tried to force
+him down backwards; but he shrank all aback by reason of Glam's
+strength, which, indeed, seemed to be almost greater than his own. A
+wondrous hard wrestling bout was that; but at last Grettir, gathering
+up his strength for a sudden effort, drove against Glam's breast, at
+the same moment pushing with both feet against the half-sunken stone
+that stood in the threshold of the door. For this Glam was not ready,
+therefore he reeled backwards and spun against the door, so that his
+shoulders caught against the upper part of it; the roof burst--both
+rafters and frozen thatch--and he fell open-armed backwards out of the
+house with Grettir over him.
+
+It was bright moonlight without, with drift scudding over the moon; at
+that instant the moon's face cleared, and Glam glared up against her.
+By that sight only Grettir confessed himself dismayed beyond all that
+he had ever seen; nor, for weariness and fear together, could he draw
+his sword to strike off Glam's head withal. But Glam was crafty beyond
+other ghosts, so that now he spoke: 'Exceeding eager hast thou been to
+meet me, Grettir, but it will be deemed no wonder if this meeting work
+thee harm. This must I tell thee, that thou now hast but half the
+strength and manhood which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me; I may
+not take from thee the strength that was thine before, but this may I
+rule--that thou shalt never be mightier than thou now art. Hitherto
+thou hast earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will wrongs and
+manslayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings will turn to
+thy woe and ill-hap, an outlaw shalt thou be made, and ever shall it
+be thy lot to dwell abroad. Therefore this fate I lay upon thee, ever
+in those days to see these eyes of mine with thine eyes, and thou wilt
+find it hard to be alone, and that shall drag thee unto death.'
+Grettir's wits came back to him, and therewith he drew his short
+sword, cut off Glam's head, and laid it at his thigh. Glam's body was
+burnt, the ashes put into a beast's skin and buried. Thorhall,
+overjoyed at the deliverance, treated Grettir handsomely, giving him a
+good horse and decent clothes, for his own had been torn to pieces in
+the struggle. Grettir's fame spread far abroad for this deed, and none
+was deemed his equal for boldness and prowess. Yet Glam's curse began
+already to work, for Grettir dared not go out after nightfall, for
+then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors. It became a proverb in the
+land that Glam gives Glam-sight to those who see things otherwise than
+as they are, which we now express by the word 'glamour.'
+
+Now Grettir had a strong wish to go to Norway, for Earl Svein had fled
+the country after being beaten in a battle, and Olaf the Saint held
+sole rule as king. There was also a man named Thorir of Garth who had
+been in Norway, and was a friend of the king; this man was anxious to
+send out his sons to become the king's men. The sons accordingly
+sailed, and came to a haven at Stead, where they remained some days,
+during stormy weather. Grettir also had sailed after them, and the
+crew bore down on Stead, being hard put to it by reason of foul
+weather, snow and frost; and they were all worn, weary and wet. To
+save expense they did not put into the harbour, but lay to beside a
+dyke, where, though perished with cold, they could not light a fire.
+As the night wore on they saw that a great fire was burning on the
+opposite side of the sound up which they had sailed, and fell to
+talking and wondering whether by possibility any man might fetch that
+fire. Grettir said little, but made ready for swimming; he had on but
+a cape and sail-cloth breeches. He girt up the cape and tied a rope
+strongly round his middle, and had with him a cask; then he leaped
+overboard and swam across. There he saw a house, and heard much
+talking and noise, so he turned towards it, and found it to be a house
+of refuge for coasting sailors; twelve men were inside sitting round a
+great fire on the floor, drinking, and these were the sons of Thorir.
+When Grettir burst in he knew not who was there, he himself seemed
+huge of bulk, for his cape was frozen all over into ice; therefore the
+men took him to be some evil troll, and smote at him with anything
+that lay to hand; but Grettir put all blows aside, snatched up some
+firebrands, and swam therewith back to the ship. Grettir's comrades
+were mightily pleased, and bepraised him and his journey and his
+prowess.
+
+[Illustration: GRETTIR OVERTHROWS THORIR REDBEARD]
+
+Next morning they crossed the sound, but found no house, only a great
+heap of ashes, and therein many bones of men. They asked if Grettir
+had done this misdeed; but he said it had happened even as he had
+expected. The men said wherever they came that Grettir had burnt those
+people; and the news soon spread that the victims were the sons of
+Thorir of Garth. Grettir therefore now grew into such bad repute that
+he was driven from the ship, and scarcely anyone would say a good word
+for him. As matters were so hopeless he determined to explain all to
+the king, and offer to free himself from the slander by handling hot
+iron without being burned. His ill-luck still pursued him, for when
+all was ready in the church where the ceremony was about to take
+place, a wild-looking lad, or, as some said, an unclean spirit,
+started up from no one knew where, and spoke such impertinent words to
+Grettir that he felled him with a blow of his fist. After this the
+king would not allow the ceremony to go on: 'Thou art far too
+luckless a man to abide with us, and if ever man has been cursed, of
+all men must thou have been,' said he; and advised him to go back to
+Iceland in the summer. Meanwhile Asmund the Greyhaired died, and was
+buried at Biarg, and Atli succeeded to his goods, but was soon
+afterwards basely murdered by a neighbouring chief who bore him
+ill-will for his many friendships, and grudged him his possessions.
+Thorir of Garth brought a suit at the Thing to have Grettir outlawed
+for the burning of his sons; but Skapti the Lawman thought it scarcely
+fair to condemn a man unheard, and spoke these wise words: 'A tale is
+half told if one man tells it, for most folk are readiest to bring
+their stories to the worser side when there are two ways of telling
+them.' Thorir, however, was a man of might, and had powerful friends;
+these between them pushed on the suit, and with a high hand rather
+than according to law obtained their decree. Thus was Grettir outlawed
+for a deed of which he was innocent. These three pieces of bad news
+greeted him all at once on his return to Iceland: his father's death,
+his brother's murder, and his own outlawry.
+
+One of the first things he did was to avenge his brother's murder, but
+there was a price on his head, and he wandered about from place to
+place in the wilderness. On one occasion, as he lay asleep, some men
+of Icefirth came upon him, and though they were ten in number they had
+much ado to take him; but at last they bound him, and put up a
+gallows, for they intended to hang him. Fortunately for Grettir, at
+that moment there rode along the wife of the ruling chief of that
+district, who interposed and set him free, on his promise not to stir
+up strife in that neighbourhood. His next adventure was at a place
+called Ernewaterheath where he had built himself a hut, and lived by
+fishing in the river. There were other outlaws, who, on hearing that
+Grettir was in the neighbourhood, made a bargain with one Grim that he
+should slay him. Grim begged Grettir to take him into his hut, which
+he agreed to do, as he was so frightened when alone in the dark;
+nevertheless, having his suspicions of the man, he kept his short
+sword always within reach. One day Grim came back from fishing, and
+thought Grettir was asleep, for he made no movement when Grim suddenly
+stamped his foot; thinking he now had his chance, he stole on tip-toe
+to the bedside, took Grettir's short sword and unsheathed it. But at
+the very moment when Grim had it raised aloft to stab Grettir, the
+supposed sleeping man sprang up, knocked Grim down, wrenched the sword
+out of his hand and killed him. Next, Grettir's enemy Thorir of Garth
+heard of his whereabouts, and prevailed upon one Thorir Redbeard to
+attempt to slay him. So Redbeard laid his plans, with the object, as
+it is quaintly phrased, of 'winning' Grettir. He, however, declined to
+be 'won,' for Redbeard fared no better than Grim. He tried to slay the
+outlaw while he was swimming back from his nets, but Grettir sank like
+a stone and swam along the bottom till he reached a place where he
+could land unseen by Redbeard. He then came on him from behind, while
+Redbeard was still looking for his appearance out of the water; heaved
+him over his head, and caused him to fall so heavily that his weapon
+fell out of his hand. Grettir seized it and smote off his head.
+
+Thorir of Garth was anything but satisfied with the result of his
+endeavour to have Grettir killed, and gathered together a force of
+nearly eighty men to take him; but this time Grettir was forewarned by
+a friend, and took up a position in a very narrow pass. When Thorir's
+men came up and attacked him he slew them one by one till he had
+killed eighteen and wounded many more, so that Thorir said, 'Lo, now
+we have to do with trolls and not men,' and bade the rest retire.
+Shortly afterwards he collected some twenty men and rode off again to
+search for Grettir. This time he was within an ace of coming upon the
+outlaw unawares; but Grettir and a friend had just time to conceal
+themselves when Thorir rode by. After the party had passed, an idea
+occurred to Grettir. 'They will not deem their journey good if we be
+not found,' he said; so, though much against the advice of his friend,
+he disguised himself in a slouch hat and other clothes, took a staff
+and intercepted Thorir's band at a point where he knew they must pass.
+They asked him whether he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+'Yes,' he said, 'the men you seek I have seen, and you have missed
+them only by a very little; they are there on the south side of these
+bogs to the left.' On hearing this, off galloped Thorir and his men,
+but the bogs were a sort of quagmire, wherein the horses stuck fast;
+and remained wallowing and struggling for the greater part of the day,
+while the riders 'gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had
+so befooled them.'
+
+Grettir now deemed it advisable to go about the country in disguise,
+and, under the name of Guest, came to a place called Sandheaps, much
+haunted by trolls. Two winters before he arrived the husband of the
+good-wife had mysteriously disappeared during her absence, none knew
+whither; her name was Steinvor. A loud crashing had been heard in the
+night about the man's bed, but the folk were too frightened to rise
+and find out the cause; in the morning Steinvor came back, but her
+husband was gone. Again, the next year, while she was away at church,
+a house-servant remained behind; but he too vanished, and bloodstains
+were found about the outer door. Grettir was told of this when he came
+to Sandheaps on Christmas-eve, staying there under the name of Guest.
+Steinvor, as usual, went away to worship, and remained absent that
+night, leaving Grettir at home. He sat up to watch, and about midnight
+he heard a great noise outside, shortly after which there came into
+the hall a huge troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a monstrous
+chopper in the other. Seeing Grettir she rushed at him, but he closed
+with her, and there was a terrible wrestling match. She was the
+stronger, and dragged him from the house, breaking down all the
+fittings of the door; down she dragged him to the river which flowed
+through the farm, and Grettir, exhausted with the struggle, was
+well-nigh at the limit of his endurance. Making one last great effort,
+he managed to draw his short sword and strike off the hag's arm at the
+shoulder; then was he free, and she fell into the gulf and was carried
+down the rapids. This, at least, was Grettir's story; but the men of
+the neighbourhood say that day dawned on them while they were still
+wrestling, and that therefore the troll burst; for this trolls do,
+according to Norse tradition, if they happen to be caught above ground
+by the rising sun.
+
+Steinvor came back with the priest, who asked Grettir where he thought
+the two men were who had disappeared. He replied they were, he
+thought, in the gulf; but if the priest would help him he would find
+out. The priest agreed. Accordingly, taking a rope with them, they
+followed the stream down to a waterfall where they saw a cave up under
+the cliff--a sheer rock the cliff was, nearly fifty fathoms down to
+the water. The priest's heart misgave him, but Grettir determined to
+make the attempt; so, driving a peg into the ground, he made the rope
+fast to it and bade the priest watch it; then he tied a stone to the
+end and let it sink into the water. When all was ready, he took his
+short sword and leapt into the water. Disappearing from the priest's
+view, he dived under the waterfall--and hard work it was, for the
+whirlpool was strong; but he reached a projecting rock on which he
+rested awhile. A great cave was under the waterfall, and the river
+fell over it from the sheer rocks. Grettir climbed into the cave,
+where he found a great fire flaming, and a giant sitting beside it,
+huge and horrible to look upon. He smote at the new-comer with a
+broadsword, but Grettir avoided the blow, and returned such a mighty
+stroke with his own sword that the giant fell dead at once. The priest
+on the bank, seeing blood washed down by the swirling waters, and
+thinking Grettir was killed, fled in alarm and spread the report of
+his death. Grettir meanwhile stayed in the cave till far on into the
+night; he found there the bones of two men, which he put in a bag;
+swimming with them to the rope, he shook it, but as the priest had
+gone he had to draw himself up by strength of hands. He took the bones
+to the church, where he left them, returning himself to Sandheaps.
+When the priest saw Grettir, the latter taxed him with breach of faith
+in quitting the rope, which charge the priest must needs admit;
+however, no great harm had resulted, the bones were buried, and the
+district was freed from hauntings. Grettir received much credit, in so
+far as he had cleansed the land from these evil wights who had wrought
+the loss of the men there in the dale.
+
+Our hero remained in hiding at Sandheaps, but Thorir of Garth heard of
+him and sent men to take him. Grettir accordingly left the place and
+went to Maddervales, to Gudmund the Rich, of whom he begged shelter.
+Gudmund, however, dared not harbour him, but advised him to seek
+shelter in an isle called Drangey in Skagafirth. The place, he said,
+was excellent for defence, for without ladders no one could land.
+Grettir agreed to go, and went home to Biarg to bid his mother
+farewell. His brother, Illugi, was now fifteen years old, a handsome
+boy, and he overheard Grettir's conversation with his mother about his
+proposed departure to Drangey. 'I will go with thee, brother,' said
+he, 'though I know not that I shall be of any help to thee, unless
+that I shall be ever true to thee, nor run from thee whiles thou
+standest up.' Asdis bade them farewell, warning Grettir against
+sorcery; yet well she knew that she would never see either of her sons
+again. They left Biarg, going north towards Drangey; and on the way
+met with a big ill-clad loon called Thorbiorn Noise, a man too lazy to
+work, and a great swaggerer; but they allowed him to join them.
+
+Now Drangey was an island whose cliffs rose sheer up from the sea;
+there was good pasturage on it, and many sheep and cattle, owned by
+about twenty men, who amongst them held the island in shares. Two men
+called Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, being the richest men, had the
+largest shares. When the men got ready to fetch their beasts from the
+island for slaughter, they found it occupied, which they thought
+strange; but supposing the men in possession to be shipwrecked
+sailors, they rowed to the place where the ladders were, but found
+these drawn up. Persuasion was of no avail, so the baffled owners
+retired, and in one way or another made over their respective shares
+to Angle, on the understanding that he would free the island from
+these unwelcome intruders. The months wore on, and brought no change;
+but now Grettir said he would go to the mainland and get victuals.
+Disguising himself, he carried out his plan, leaving Illugi and Noise
+to guard the ladders. Sports were being held at a place called
+Heron-ness, and the stranger was asked if he would wrestle. 'Time
+was,' he said, 'when he had been fond of it, but he had now given it
+up; yet, upon condition of peace and safe conduct being assured to him
+until such time as he returned home, he was willing to try a bout.'
+This was agreed to, whereupon he cast aside his disguise, and stood
+revealed as Grettir the outlaw. All saw that they had been beguiled,
+yet, for their oath's sake, they could do nothing. First Hialti alone
+tried to throw Grettir, but met with nothing but a mighty fall; then
+he and his brother Angle tried together, but though each of them had
+the strength of two men they were no match for their antagonist, and
+had to retire discomfited.
+
+Then Grettir went back to Drangey. Two winters had now been spent on
+the island, but firewood was hard to come by; Noise was sent down to
+gather drifted logs from the sea, but he grew lazier and grumbled more
+and more every day, letting the fire out on one occasion, whereas his
+duty was to keep it burning. Grettir determined to swim to the
+mainland and bring back wood; in this he was successful, though the
+distance was a sea mile, whereat all said his prowess both on land and
+sea was marvellous. Meanwhile Angle, having been baffled in a second
+attempt to land and drive out Grettir, induced a young man called
+Hoering, an expert climber, to try to scale the cliffs, promising
+him if successful a very large reward. Angle rowed him over, and
+Hoering did, indeed, scale the precipice, but young Illugi was on
+the watch, chased him round the island, and Hoering, sore pressed,
+leapt over the cliff and was killed.
+
+[Illustration: The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log.]
+
+About this time, Grettir having been so many years in outlawry, many
+thought that the sentence should be annulled; and it was deemed
+certain that he would be pardoned in the next ensuing summer; but they
+who had owned the island were exceedingly discontented at the
+prospect of his acquittal, and urged Angle either to give back the
+island or slay Grettir. Now Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid; she was
+old and cunning in witchcraft, which she had learnt in her youth; for
+though Christianity had now been established in the island, yet there
+remained still many traces of heathendom. Angle and she put out in a
+ten-oared boat to pick a quarrel with Grettir, of which the upshot was
+that the outlaw threw a huge stone into the boat, where the witch lay
+covered up with wrappings, and broke her leg. Angle had to endure many
+taunts at the failure of all his attempts to outplay Grettir. One day,
+Thurid was limping along by the sea, when she found a large log, part
+of the trunk of a tree. She cut a flat space on it, carved magic
+characters, or runes, on the root, reddened them with her blood, and
+sang witch-words over them; then she walked backwards round it, and
+widdershins--which means in a direction against the sun--and thrust
+the log out to sea under many strong spells, in such wise that it
+should drive out to Drangey. In the teeth of the wind it went, till it
+came to the island, where Illugi and Grettir saw it, but knowing it
+boded them ill, they thrust it out from shore; yet next morning was it
+there again, nearer the ladders than before; but again they drove it
+out to sea. The days wore on to summer, and a gale sprang up with wet;
+the brothers being short of firewood, Noise was sent down to the shore
+to look for drift, grumbling at being ordered out in bad weather,
+when, lo! the log was there again, and he fetched it up.
+
+Grettir was angry with Noise, and not noticing what the log was, hewed
+at it with his axe, which glanced from the wood and cut into his leg,
+right down to the bone. Illugi bound it up, and at first it seemed as
+though the wound was healed. But after a time his leg took to paining
+Grettir, and became blue and swollen, so that he could not sleep, and
+Illugi watched by him night and day. At this time Thurid advised
+Angle to make another attempt on the island; he therefore gathered a
+force of a dozen men together, and set sail in very foul weather, but
+no sooner had they reached open sea than the wind lulled, so they came
+to Drangey at dusk. Noise had been told to guard the ladders, and had
+gone out as usual with very ill grace; he thought to himself he would
+not draw them up, so he lay down there and fell asleep, remaining all
+day long in slumber till Angle came to the island. Mounting the
+ladders, he and his men found Noise snoring at the top; arousing him
+roughly, they learned from him what had happened, and how Grettir lay
+sick in the hut with Illugi tending him. Angle thrashed Noise soundly
+for betraying his master, and the men made for the hut. Illugi guarded
+the door with the greatest valour, and when they thrust at him with
+spears he struck off all the spear heads from the shafts. But some of
+the men leapt up on to the roof, tore away the thatch, and broke one
+of the rafters. Grettir thrust up with a spear and killed one man, but
+he could not rise from his knee by reason of his wound; the others
+leapt down and attacked him; young Illugi threw his shield over him
+and made defence for both in most manly wise. Grettir killed another
+man, whose body fell upon him, so that he could not use his sword;
+wherefore Angle at that moment was able to stab him between the
+shoulders, and many another wound they gave him till they thought he
+was dead. Angle took Grettir's short sword and struck at the head of
+the body with such force that a piece of the sword-blade was nicked
+out. So died Grettir, the bravest man of all who ever dwelt in
+Iceland.
+
+The gallant young Illugi was offered his life by Angle if he would
+promise not to try to avenge Grettir; but he scorned the offer, and
+was slain next day; the brothers were buried in a cairn on the island.
+Noise was taken aboard the boat, but bore himself so ill that he too
+was killed. Now Angle thought to claim from Thorir of Garth the
+reward set upon Grettir's head; but the murderer was very ill spoken
+of in the land: first, because he had used sorcery, which was against
+the law; next, that he had acted a cowardly part in bearing arms
+against a half-dead man. A suit of outlawry was brought against him in
+the Thing; but seeing that it would go against him he escaped to
+Norway. In that country lived an elder half-brother of Grettir, who
+had heard of his fate and determined to avenge him; neither knew the
+other by sight. Angle, however, becoming uneasy, went to Micklegarth
+(Constantinople), whither he was followed by Thorstein Dromond. One
+day, at a weapon-showing, or exhibition of arms, Angle drew the short
+sword which had belonged to Grettir; it was praised by all as a good
+weapon, but the notch in the edge was a blemish. Angle related how he
+had slain Grettir, and how the notch came to be there. Thereupon
+Thorstein, who was present, knew his man, and asked to be allowed,
+like the rest, to see the short sword; Angle gave it to him, whereupon
+Thorstein clove his head in two with it, and Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.
+
+Thus Grettir was avenged.
+
+
+The End.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EDITED BY ANDREW LANG.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK. With 138 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED FAIRY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. With 99 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK. With 104 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE PINK FAIRY BOOK. With 67 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE GREY FAIRY BOOK. With 65 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK.  With 8 Coloured
+Plates and 54 other Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE BLUE POETRY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE BLUE POETRY BOOK.  School Edition,
+without Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo. 2s. 6d.
+
+THE TRUE STORY BOOK. With 66 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED TRUE STORY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE ANIMAL STORY BOOK. With 67 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED BOOK OF ANIMAL STORIES. With
+65 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS.
+With 66 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 39 Paternoster Row, London
+New York and Bombay.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26646-8.txt or 26646-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/4/26646/
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/26646-8.zip b/26646-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e7a5e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-8.zip
diff --git a/26646-h.zip b/26646-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62da652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h.zip
diff --git a/26646-h/26646-h.htm b/26646-h/26646-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5301be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/26646-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,10426 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Book of Romance, by Andrew Lang
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; background-color:#FFFFFF; }
+
+p { margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em; }
+
+h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6
+{
+    text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+hr
+{
+    width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 2em;
+    margin-bottom: 2em;
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+a[name] { position: static; }
+     a:link {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none; }
+    a:visited {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none; }
+     a:hover { color:#ff0000; }
+
+table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+.tb1 { width:80%; }
+.tocpg    {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;}
+
+
+.f1 { font-size:smaller; }
+.f2 { font-size:larger; font-weight:bold; text-align:center; }
+.f3 { text-align:center; }
+.f4 { margin-left:75%; }
+
+.pagenum
+{ /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+    /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 92%;
+    font-size: smaller;
+    text-align: right;
+    font-style: normal;
+} /* page numbers */
+
+.img1 { border-color:#000000; border-style:solid; border-width:1px; }
+.center   {text-align: center;}
+.smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+.caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+/* Images */
+.figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+
+/* Footnotes */
+.footnotes        {border: dashed 1px;}
+.footnote         {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
+.footnote .label  {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;}
+.fnanchor
+{
+    vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal;
+}
+
+/* Poetry */
+.poem             {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;}
+
+.poem br          {display: none;}
+
+.poem .stanza     {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+
+.poem span.i0
+{
+    display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+.poem span.i2
+{
+    display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+.poem span.i4
+{
+    display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+// -->
+/* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Book of Romance
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Andrew Lang
+
+Illustrator: H. J. Ford
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2008 [EBook #26646]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" height="592" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/front_paper.jpg" width="600" height="509" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a>
+<img src="images/image_005.jpg" width="500" height="790" alt="" title="" />
+<span class="caption">LANCELOT BEARS OFF GUENEVERE (<a href="#Page_153">p. 153</a>)</span></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h3>THE</h3>
+
+<h1>BOOK OF ROMANCE</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>EDITED BY</h4>
+
+<h2>ANDREW LANG</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;">
+<img src="images/image_006.jpg" width="200" height="371" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h4><i>WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. J. FORD</i></h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.</h2>
+
+<h3>39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON</h3>
+<h3>NEW YORK AND BOMBAY</h3>
+
+<h3>1902</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>Copyright 1902</h4>
+
+<h4>BY</h4>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Longmans</span>, <span class="smcap">Green</span>, &amp; <span class="smcap">Co</span>.</h3>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a><i>PREFACE</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>It is to be supposed that children do not read Prefaces; these are
+Bluebeard's rooms, which they are not curious to unlock. A few words
+may therefore be said about the Romances contained in this book. In
+the editor's opinion, romances are only fairy tales grown up. The
+whole mass of the plot and incident of romance was invented by nobody
+knows who, nobody knows when, nobody knows where. Almost every people
+has the Cinderella story, with all sorts of variations: a boy hero in
+place of a girl heroine, a beast in place of a fairy godmother, and so
+on. The Zu&ntilde;is, an agricultural tribe of New Mexico, have a version in
+which the moral turns out to be against poor Cinderella, who comes to
+an ill end. The Red Indians have the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice,
+told in a very touching shape, but without the music. On the other
+hand, the negroes in the States have the Orpheus tale, adapted to
+plantation life, in a form which is certainly borrowed from Europeans.
+This version was sent to me some years ago, by Mr. Barnet Phillips,
+Brooklyn, New York, and I give it here for its curiosity. If the
+proper names, Jim Orpus and Dicey, had not been given, we might not
+feel absolutely certain that the story was borrowed. It is a good
+example of adaptation from the heroic age of Greece to the servile age
+of Africans.</p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Dicey and Orpus</span></h3>
+<p>Dat war eber so long ago, 'cause me granmammy tell me so. It h'aint no
+white-folks yarn&mdash;no Sah. Gall she war call Dicey, an' she war borned
+on de plantation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> Whar Jim Orpus kum from, granmammy she disremember.
+He war a boss-fiddler, he war, an' jus' that powerful, dat when de
+mules in de cotton field listen to um, dey no budge in de furrer.
+Orpus he neber want no mess of fish, ketched wid a angle. He just take
+him fiddle an' fool along de branch, an' play a tune, an' up dey
+comes, an' he cotch 'em in he hans. He war mighty sot on Dicey, an'
+dey war married all proper an' reg'lar. Hit war so long ago, dat de
+railroad war a bran-new spick an' span ting in dose days. Dicey once
+she lounge 'round de track, 'cause she tink she hear Orpus a fiddlin'
+in de fur-fur-away. Onyways de hengine smash her. Den Jim Orpus he
+took on turrible, an' when she war buried, he sot him down on de
+grave, an' he fiddle an' he fiddle till most yo' heart was bruk.</p>
+
+<p>An' he play so long dat de groun' crummle (crumble) an' sink, an' nex'
+day, when de peoples look for Jim Orpus, dey no find um; oney big-hole
+in de lot, an' nobody never see Jim Orpus no mo'. An' dey do say, dat
+ef yo' go inter a darky's burial-groun', providin' no white man been
+planted thar, an' yo' clap yo' ear to de groun', yo' can hear Jim's
+fiddle way down deep belo', a folloin' Dicey fru' de lan' of de Golden
+Slippah.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Mr. Phillips, writing in 1896, says that the tale was
+told him by a plantation hand, thirty years ago, 'long before the
+Uncle Remus period.'</p></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The original touch, the sound of Orpus's fiddle heard only in the
+graveyards of the negroes (like the fairy music under the fairy hill
+at Ballachulish), is very remarkable. Now the Red Indian story has no
+harper, and no visit by the hero to the land of the dead. His grief
+brings his wife back to him, and he loses her again by breaking a
+taboo, as Orpheus did by looking back, a thing always forbidden. Thus
+we do not know whether or not the Red Indian version is borrowed from
+the European myth, probably enough it is not. But in no <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span>case&mdash;not
+even when the same plot and incidents occur among Egyptians and the
+Central Australian tribes, or among the frosty Samoyeds and Eskimo,
+the Samoans, the Andamanese, the Zulus, and the Japanese, as well as
+among Celts and ancient Greeks&mdash;can we be absolutely certain that the
+story has not been diffused and borrowed, in the backward of time.
+Thus the date and place of origin of these eternal stories, the
+groundwork of ballads and popular tales, can never be ascertained. The
+oldest known version may be found in the literature of Egypt or
+Chald&aelig;a, but it is an obvious fallacy to argue that the place of
+origin must be the place where the tale was first written down in
+hieroglyph or cuneiform characters.</p>
+
+<p>There the stories are: they are as common among the remotest savages
+as among the peasants of Hungary, France, or Assynt. They bear all the
+birth-marks of an early society, with the usual customs and
+superstitions of man in such a stage of existence. Their oldest and
+least corrupted forms exist among savages, and people who do not read
+and write. But when reading and writing and a class of professional
+minstrels and tellers of tales arose, these men invented no new plots,
+but borrowed the plots and incidents of the world-old popular stories.
+They adapted these to their own condition of society, just as the
+plantation negroes adapted Orpheus and Eurydice. They elevated the
+nameless heroes and heroines into Kings, Queens, and Knights,
+Odysseus, Arthur, Charlemagne, Diarmid, and the rest. They took an
+ancient popular tale, known all over the earth, and attributed the
+adventures of the characters to historical persons, like Charlemagne
+and his family, or to Saints, for the legends of early Celtic Saints
+are full of fairy-tale materials. Characters half historic, half
+fabulous, like Arthur, were endowed with fairy gifts, and inherited
+the feats of nameless imaginary heroes.</p>
+
+<p>The results of this uncritical literary handling of elements really
+popular were the national romances of Arthur,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> of Charlemagne, of
+Sigurd, or of Etzel. The pagan legends were Christianised, like that
+of Beowulf; they were expanded into measureless length, whole cycles
+were invented about the heroic families; poets altered the materials
+each in his own way and to serve his own purpose, and often to glorify
+his own country. If the Saracens told their story of Roland at
+Roncevalles, it would be very different from that of the old Frankish
+<i>chansons de geste</i>. Thus the romances are a mixture of popular tales,
+of literary invention, and of history as transmitted in legend. To the
+charm of fairy tale they add the fascination of the age of chivalry,
+yet I am not sure but that children will prefer the fairy tale pure
+and simple, nor am I sure that their taste would be wrong, if they
+did.</p>
+
+<p>In the versions here offered, the story of Arthur is taken mainly from
+Malory's compilation, from sources chiefly French, but the opening of
+the Graal story is adapted from Mr. Sebastian Evans's 'High History of
+the Holy Graal,' a masterpiece of the translator's art. For permission
+to adapt this chapter I have to thank the kindness of Mr. Evans.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Roland is from the French Epic, probably of the eleventh
+century, but resting on earlier materials, legend and ballad. William
+Short Nose is also from the <i>chanson de geste</i> of that hero.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Diarmid, ancient Irish and also current among the
+Dalriadic invaders of Argyle, is taken from the translations in the
+Transactions of the Ossianic Society.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Robin Hood is from the old English ballads of the
+courteous outlaw, whose feast, in Scotland, fell in the early days of
+May. His alleged date varies between the ages of Richard I. and Edward
+II., but all the labours of the learned have thrown no light on this
+popular hero.</p>
+
+<p>A child can see how <i>English</i> Robin is, how human,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> and possible and
+good-humoured are his character and feats, while Arthur is half
+Celtic, half French and chivalrous, and while the deeds of the French
+Roland, and of the Celtic Diarmid, are exaggerated beyond the
+possible. There is nothing of the fairylike in Robin, and he has no
+thirst for the Ideal. Had we given the adventures of Sir William
+Wallace, from Blind Harry, it would have appeared that the Lowland
+Scots could exaggerate like other people.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Wayland the Smith is very ancient. An ivory in the
+British Museum, apparently of the eighth century, represents Wayland
+making the cups out of the skulls. As told here the legend is adapted
+from the amplified version by Oehlenschl&auml;ger. Scott's use of the story
+in 'Kenilworth' will be remembered.</p>
+
+<p>All the romances are written by Mrs. Lang, except the story of Grettir
+the Strong, done by Mr. H. S. C. Everard from the saga translated by
+Mr. William Morris.</p>
+
+<p class="f4"><span class="smcap">A. Lang.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>CONTENTS</i></h2>
+
+
+<table class="tb1" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td></td><td class="tocpg f1">PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_DRAWING_OF_THE_SWORD"><i>The Drawing of the Sword</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_QUESTING_BEAST"><i>The Questing Beast</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_SWORD_EXCALIBUR"><i>The Sword Excalibur</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_SIR_BALIN"><i>The Story of Sir Balin</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#HOW_THE_ROUND_TABLE_BEGAN"><i>How the Round Table began</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_PASSING_OF_MERLIN"><i>The Passing of Merlin</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#HOW_MORGAN_LE_FAY_TRIED"><i>How Morgan Le Fay tried to kill King Arthur</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#WHAT_BEAUMAINS_ASKED_OF_THE_KING"><i>What Beaumains asked of the King</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAAL"><i>The Quest of the Holy Graal</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_FIGHT_FOR_THE_QUEEN"><i>The Fight for the Queen</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_FAIR_MAID_OF_ASTOLAT"><i>The Fair Maid of Astolat</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LANCELOT_AND_GUENEVERE"><i>Lancelot and Guenevere</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_END_OF_IT_ALL"><i>The End of it All</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_BATTLE_OF_RONCEVALLES"><i>The Battle of Roncevalles</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_PURSUIT_OF_DIARMID"><i>The Pursuit of Diarmid</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#SOME_ADVENTURES_OF_WILLIAM"><i>Some Adventures of William Short Nose</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#WAYLAND_THE_SMITH"><i>Wayland the Smith</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_ROBIN_HOOD"><i>The Story of Robin Hood</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG"><i>The Story of Grettir the Strong</i></a></td>
+<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_359">359</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2><i>ILLUSTRATIONS</i></h2>
+<table class="tb1" summary="Coloured Plates">
+<tr><td colspan="3" class="f2"><i>COLOURED PLATES</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+  <td colspan="3" class="f2">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><i>Lancelot bears off Guenevere</i> (p. <a href="#Page_153">153</a>)</td><td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece</i></a><i></i></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><i>Arthur meets the Lady of the Lake</i></td><td><i>to face p</i>.</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><i>Lancelot at the Chapel</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Guenevere and Sir Bors</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Lancelot brings Guenevere to Arthur</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Alix kisses Rainouart</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_301">301</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Chariot of Freya</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="3" class="f2"><i>FULL-PAGE PLATES</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+  <td colspan="3" class="f2">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><i>How Arthur drew the Sword</i></td><td><i>to face p</i>.</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Arthur and the Questing Beast</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Death of Balin and Balan</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Merlin and Vivien</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Morgan Le Fay casts away the Scabbard</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Gareth and Linet</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Linet and the Black Knight</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Sir Galahad opens the Tomb</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Sir Percivale slays the Serpent</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Lancelot and the Dwarf</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Arthur and Guenevere kiss before all the People</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Elaine ties her Sleeve round Sir Lancelot's
+Helmet</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Black Barget</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Archers threaten Lancelot</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Sir Mordred</i></td><td><i>to face p</i>.</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Excalibur returns to the Mere</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Charlemagne</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Marsile threatens Gan&eacute;lon with a Javelin</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Roland winds his horn in the Valley of Roncevalles</i>........
+</td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Grania questions the Druid</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Diarmid seizes the Giant's Club</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Diarmid and Grania in the Quicken Tree</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Death of Diarmid</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Vivian's last Confession</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William
+Short Nose</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Lady Gibourc with Rainouart in the
+Kitchen</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Rainouart stops the Cowards</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Three Women by the Stream</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Merman warns Banvilda in vain</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_314">314</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin Hood</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Robin Hood shoots his last Arrow</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Grettir feels Karr's grip</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_362">362</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Grettir overthrows Thorir Redbeard</i></td><td class="f3">"</td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_372">372</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+
+<table class="tb1" summary="In text illustrations">
+<tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="f2">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2" class="f2">IN TEXT</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td class="tocpg f1">PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Damsel warns Sir Balin</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>How Sir Bors was saved from killing his Brother</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Sir Mador accuses Guenevere</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Guenevere sends her Page to Lancelot for help</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>Lancelot comes out of Guenevere's room</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Dream of Charlemagne</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Captives: William Short Nose rides to the rescue</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><i>The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log</i></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_381">381</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p>
+<h2>TALES OF THE ROUND TABLE</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="THE_DRAWING_OF_THE_SWORD" id="THE_DRAWING_OF_THE_SWORD"></a><i>THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>Long, long ago, after Uther Pendragon died, there was no King in
+Britain, and every Knight hoped to seize the crown for himself. The
+country was like to fare ill when laws were broken on every side, and
+the corn which was to give the poor bread was trodden underfoot, and
+there was none to bring the evildoer to justice. Then, when things
+were at their worst, came forth Merlin the magician, and fast he rode
+to the place where the Archbishop of Canterbury had his dwelling. And
+they took counsel together, and agreed that all the lords and
+gentlemen of Britain should ride to London and meet on Christmas Day,
+now at hand, in the Great Church. So this was done. And on Christmas
+morning, as they left the church, they saw in the churchyard a large
+stone, and on it a bar of steel, and in the steel a naked sword was
+held, and about it was written in letters of gold, 'Whoso pulleth out
+this sword is by right of birth King of England.' They marvelled at
+these words, and called for the Archbishop, and brought him into the
+place where the stone stood. Then those Knights who fain would be King
+could not hold themselves back, and they tugged at the sword with all
+their might; but it never stirred. The Archbishop watched them in
+silence, but when they were faint from pulling he spoke: 'The man is
+not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find
+him. But this is my counsel&mdash;that two Knights be chosen, good and true
+men, to keep guard over the sword.'</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was done. But the lords and gentlemen-at-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>arms cried out that
+every man had a right to try to win the sword, and they decided that
+on New Year's Day a tournament should be held, and any Knight who
+would, might enter the lists.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_022.jpg" width="500" height="777" alt="HOW ARTHUR DREW THE SWORD" title="" />
+<span class="caption">HOW ARTHUR DREW THE SWORD</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>So on New Year's Day, the Knights, as their custom was, went to hear
+service in the Great Church, and after it was over they met in the
+field to make ready for the tourney. Among them was a brave Knight
+called Sir Ector, who brought with him Sir Kay, his son, and Arthur,
+Kay's foster-brother. Now Kay had unbuckled his sword the evening
+before, and in his haste to be at the tourney had forgotten to put it
+on again, and he begged Arthur to ride back and fetch it for him. But
+when Arthur reached the house the door was locked, for the women had
+gone out to see the tourney, and though Arthur tried his best to get
+in he could not. Then he rode away in great anger, and said to
+himself, 'Kay shall not be without a sword this day. I will take that
+sword in the churchyard, and give it to him'; and he galloped fast
+till he reached the gate of the churchyard. Here he jumped down and
+tied his horse tightly to a tree, then, running up to the stone, he
+seized the handle of the sword, and drew it easily out; afterwards he
+mounted his horse again, and delivered the sword to Sir Kay. The
+moment Sir Kay saw the sword he knew it was not his own, but the sword
+of the stone, and he sought out his father Sir Ector, and said to him,
+'Sir, this is the sword of the stone, therefore I am the rightful
+King.' Sir Ector made no answer, but signed to Kay and Arthur to
+follow him, and they all three went back to the church. Leaving their
+horses outside, they entered the choir, and here Sir Ector took a holy
+book and bade Sir Kay swear how he came by that sword. 'My brother
+Arthur gave it to me,' replied Sir Kay. 'How did you come by it?'
+asked Sir Ector, turning to Arthur. 'Sir,' said Arthur, 'when I rode
+home for my brother's sword I found no one to deliver it to me, and as
+I resolved he should not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>be swordless I thought of the sword in
+this stone, and I pulled it out.' 'Were any Knights present when you
+did this?' asked Sir Ector. 'No, none,' said Arthur. 'Then it is you,'
+said Sir Ector, 'who are the rightful King of this land.' 'But why am
+I the King?' inquired Arthur. 'Because,' answered Sir Ector, 'this is
+an enchanted sword, and no man could draw it but he who was born a
+King. Therefore put the sword back into the stone, and let me see you
+take it out.' 'That is soon done,' said Arthur replacing the sword,
+and Sir Ector himself tried to draw it, but he could not. 'Now it is
+your turn,' he said to Sir Kay, but Sir Kay fared no better than his
+father, though he tugged with all his might and main. 'Now you,
+Arthur,' and Arthur pulled it out as easily as if it had been lying in
+its sheath, and as he did so Sir Ector and Sir Kay sank on their knees
+before him. 'Why do you, my father and brother, kneel to me?' asked
+Arthur in surprise. 'Nay, nay, my lord,' answered Sir Ector, 'I was
+never your father, though till to-day I did not know who your father
+really was. You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought
+to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the
+time came I should know from whom you sprang. And now it has been
+revealed to me.' But when Arthur heard that Sir Ector was not his
+father, he wept bitterly. 'If I am King,' he said at last, 'ask what
+you will, and I shall not fail you. For to you, and to my lady and
+mother, I owe more than to anyone in the world, for she loved me and
+treated me as her son.' 'Sir,' replied Sir Ector, I only ask that you
+will make your foster-brother, Sir Kay, Seneschal<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> of all your
+lands.' 'That I will readily,' answered Arthur, 'and while he and I
+live no other shall fill that office.'</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 'Seneschal' means steward.</p></div>
+
+<p>Sir Ector then bade them seek out the Archbishop with him, and they
+told him all that had happened concerning the sword, which Arthur had
+left standing in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>stone. And on the Twelfth Day the Knights and
+Barons came again, but none could draw it out but Arthur. When they
+saw this, many of the Barons became angry and cried out that they
+would never own a boy for King whose blood was no better than their
+own. So it was agreed to wait till Candlemas, when more Knights might
+be there, and meanwhile the same two men who had been chosen before
+watched the sword night and day; but at Candlemas it was the same
+thing, and at Easter. And when Pentecost came, the common people who
+were present, and saw Arthur pull out the sword, cried with one voice
+that he was their King, and they would kill any man who said
+differently. Then rich and poor fell on their knees before him, and
+Arthur took the sword and offered it upon the altar where the
+Archbishop stood, and the best man that was there made him Knight.
+After that the crown was put on his head, and he swore to his lords
+and commons that he would be a true King, and would do them justice
+all the days of his life.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_QUESTING_BEAST" id="THE_QUESTING_BEAST"></a><i>THE QUESTING BEAST</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>But Arthur had many battles to fight and many Kings to conquer before
+he was acknowledged lord of them all, and often he would have failed
+had he not listened to the wisdom of Merlin, and been helped by his
+sword Excalibur, which in obedience to Merlin's orders he never drew
+till things were going ill with him. Later it shall be told how the
+King got the sword Excalibur, which shone so bright in his enemies'
+eyes that they fell back, dazzled by the brightness. Many Knights came
+to his standard, and among them Sir Ban, King of Gaul beyond the sea,
+who was ever his faithful friend. And it was in one of these wars,
+when King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors went to the rescue of the
+King of Cameliard, that Arthur saw Guenevere, the King's daughter,
+whom he afterwards wedded. By and by King Ban and King Bors returned
+to their own country across the sea, and the King went to Carlion, a
+town on the river Usk, where a strange dream came to him.</p>
+
+<p>He thought that the land was over-run with gryphons and serpents which
+burnt and slew his people, and he made war on the monsters, and was
+sorely wounded, though at last he killed them all. When he awoke the
+remembrance of his dream was heavy upon him, and to shake it off he
+summoned his Knights to hunt with him, and they rode fast till they
+reached a forest. Soon they spied a hart before them, which the King
+claimed as his game, and he spurred his horse and rode after him. But
+the hart ran fast and the King could not get near it, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> the chase
+lasted so long that the King himself grew heavy and his horse fell
+dead under him. Then he sat under a tree and rested, till he heard the
+baying of hounds, and fancied he counted as many as thirty of them. He
+raised his head to look, and, coming towards him, saw a beast so
+strange that its like was not to be found throughout his kingdom. It
+went straight to the well and drank, making as it did so the noise of
+many hounds baying, and when it had drunk its fill the beast went its
+way.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_028.jpg" width="500" height="787" alt="ARTHUR AND THE QUESTING BEAST" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ARTHUR AND THE QUESTING BEAST</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>While the King was wondering what sort of a beast this could be, a
+Knight rode by, who, seeing a man lying under a tree, stopped and said
+to him: 'Knight full of thought and sleepy, tell me if a strange beast
+has passed this way?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, truly,' answered Arthur, 'and by now it must be two miles
+distant. What do you want with it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh sir, I have followed that beast from far,' replied he, 'and have
+ridden my horse to death. If only I could find another I would still
+go after it.' As he spoke a squire came up leading a fresh horse for
+the King, and when the Knight saw it he prayed that it might be given
+to him, 'for,' said he, 'I have followed this quest this twelvemonth,
+and either I shall slay him or he will slay me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Knight,' answered the King, 'you have done your part; leave now
+your quest, and let me follow the beast for the same time that you
+have done.' 'Ah, fool!' replied the Knight, whose name was Pellinore,
+'it would be all in vain, for none may slay that beast but I or my
+next of kin'; and without more words he sprang into the saddle. 'You
+may take my horse by force,' said the King, 'but I should like to
+prove first which of us two is the better horseman.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' answered the Knight, 'when you want me, come to this spring.
+Here you will always find me,' and, spurring his horse, he galloped
+away. The King watched <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>him till he was out of sight, then turned to
+his squire and bade him bring another horse as quickly as he could.
+While he was waiting for it the wizard Merlin came along in the
+likeness of a boy, and asked the King why he was so thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p>'I may well be thoughtful,' replied the King, 'for I have seen the
+most wonderful sight in all the world.'</p>
+
+<p>'That I know well,' said Merlin, 'for I know all your thoughts. But it
+is folly to let your mind dwell on it, for thinking will mend nothing.
+I know, too, that Uther Pendragon was your father, and your mother was
+the Lady Igraine.'</p>
+
+<p>'How can a boy like you know that?' cried Arthur, growing angry; but
+Merlin only answered, 'I know it better than any man living,' and
+passed, returning soon after in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore, and sitting down by the well to rest.</p>
+
+<p>'What makes you so sad?' asked he.</p>
+
+<p>'I may well be sad,' replied Arthur, 'there is plenty to make me so.
+And besides, there was a boy here who told me things that he had no
+business to know, and among them the names of my father and mother.'</p>
+
+<p>'He told you the truth,' said the old man, 'and if you would have
+listened he could have told you still more; how that your sister shall
+have a child who shall destroy you and all your Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'Who are you?' asked Arthur, wondering.</p>
+
+<p>'I am Merlin, and it was I who came to you in the likeness of a boy. I
+know all things; how that you shall die a noble death, being slain in
+battle, while my end will be shameful, for I shall be put alive into
+the earth.'</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to say more, for the man brought up the King's
+horse, and he mounted, and rode fast till he came to Carlion.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_SWORD_EXCALIBUR" id="THE_SWORD_EXCALIBUR"></a><i>THE SWORD EXCALIBUR</i></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;">
+<img src="images/image_032.jpg" width="700" height="462" alt="ARTHUR MEETS THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND GETS THE SWORD
+EXCALIBUR" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ARTHUR MEETS THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND GETS THE SWORD
+EXCALIBUR</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>King Arthur had fought a hard battle with the tallest Knight in all
+the land, and though he struck hard and well, he would have been slain
+had not Merlin enchanted the Knight and cast him into a deep sleep,
+and brought the King to a hermit who had studied the art of healing,
+and cured all his wounds in three days. Then Arthur and Merlin waited
+no longer, but gave the hermit thanks and departed.</p>
+
+<p>As they rode together Arthur said, 'I have no sword,' but Merlin bade
+him be patient and he would soon give him one. In a little while they
+came to a large lake, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an
+arm rising out of the water, holding up a sword. 'Look!' said Merlin,
+'that is the sword I spoke of.' And the King looked again, and a
+maiden stood upon the water. 'That is the Lady of the Lake,' said
+Merlin, 'and she is coming to you, and if you ask her courteously she
+will give you the sword.' So when the maiden drew near Arthur saluted
+her and said, 'Maiden, I pray you tell me whose sword is that which an
+arm is holding out of the water? I wish it were mine, for I have lost
+my sword.'</p>
+
+<p>'That sword is mine, King Arthur,' answered she, 'and I will give it
+to you, if you in return will give me a gift when I ask you.'</p>
+
+
+<p>'By my faith,' said the King, 'I will give you whatever gift you ask.'
+'Well,' said the maiden, 'get into the barge yonder, and row yourself
+to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you.' For this was the
+sword <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>Excalibur. 'As for <i>my</i> gift, I will ask it in my own time.'
+Then King Arthur and Merlin dismounted from their horses and tied them
+up safely, and went into the barge, and when they came to the place
+where the arm was holding the sword Arthur took it by the handle, and
+the arm disappeared. And they brought the sword back to land. As they
+rode the King looked lovingly on his sword, which Merlin saw, and,
+smiling, said, 'Which do you like best, the sword or the scabbard?' 'I
+like the sword,' answered Arthur. 'You are not wise to say that,'
+replied Merlin, 'for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword, and as
+long as it is buckled on you you will lose no blood, however sorely
+you may be wounded.' So they rode into the town of Carlion, and
+Arthur's Knights gave them a glad welcome, and said it was a joy to
+serve under a King who risked his life as much as any common man.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_SIR_BALIN" id="THE_STORY_OF_SIR_BALIN"></a><i>THE STORY OF SIR BALIN</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>In those days many Kings reigned in the Islands of the Sea, and they
+constantly waged war upon each other, and on their liege lord, and
+news came to Arthur that Ryons, King of North Wales, had collected a
+large host and had ravaged his lands and slain some of his people.
+When he heard this, Arthur rose in anger, and commanded that all
+lords, Knights, and gentlemen of arms should meet him at Camelot,
+where he would call a council, and hold a tourney.</p>
+
+<p>From every part the Knights flocked to Camelot, and the town was full
+to overflowing of armed men and their horses. And when they were all
+assembled, there rode in a damsel, who said she had come with a
+message from the great Lady Lile of Avelion, and begged that they
+would bring her before King Arthur. When she was led into his presence
+she let her mantle of fur slip off her shoulders, and they saw that by
+her side a richly wrought sword was buckled. The King was silent with
+wonder at the strange sight, but at last he said, 'Damsel, why do you
+wear this sword? for swords are not the ornaments of women.' 'Oh, my
+lord,' answered she, 'I would I could find some Knight to rid me of
+this sword, which weighs me down and causes me much sorrow. But the
+man who will deliver me of it must be one who is mighty of his hands,
+and pure in his deeds, without villainy, or treason. If I find a
+Knight such as this, he will draw this sword out of its sheath,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> and
+he only. For I have been at the Court of King Ryons, and he and his
+Knights tried with all their strength to draw the sword and they could
+not.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let me see if I can draw it,' said Arthur, 'not because I think
+myself the best Knight, for well I know how far I am outdone by
+others, but to set them an example that they may follow me.' With that
+the King took the sword by the sheath and by the girdle, and pulled at
+it with all his force, but the sword stuck fast. 'Sir,' said the
+damsel, 'you need not pull half so hard, for he that shall pull it out
+shall do it with little strength.' 'It is not for me,' answered
+Arthur, 'and now, my Barons, let each man try his fortune.' So most of
+the Knights of the Round Table there present pulled, one after
+another, at the sword, but none could stir it from its sheath. 'Alas!
+alas!' cried the damsel in great grief, 'I thought to find in this
+Court Knights that were blameless and true of heart, and now I know
+not where to look for them.' 'By my faith,' said Arthur, 'there are no
+better Knights in the world than these of mine, but I am sore
+displeased that they cannot help me in this matter.'</p>
+
+<p>Now at that time there was a poor Knight at Arthur's Court who had
+been kept prisoner for a year and a half because he had slain the
+King's cousin. He was of high birth and his name was Balin, and after
+he had suffered eighteen months the punishment of his misdeed the
+Barons prayed the King to set him free, which Arthur did willingly.
+When Balin, standing apart beheld the Knights one by one try the
+sword, and fail to draw it, his heart beat fast, yet he shrank from
+taking his turn, for he was meanly dressed, and could not compare with
+the other Barons. But after the damsel had bid farewell to Arthur and
+his Court, and was setting out on her journey homewards, he called to
+her and said, 'Damsel, I pray you to suffer me to try your sword, as
+well as these lords, for though I am so poorly clothed, my heart is as
+high as theirs.' The damsel stopped and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> looked at him, and answered,
+'Sir, it is not needful to put you to such trouble, for where so many
+have failed it is hardly likely that you will succeed.' 'Ah! fair
+damsel,' said Balin, 'it is not fine clothes that make good deeds.'
+'You speak truly,' replied the damsel, 'therefore do what you can.'
+Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and pulled it out
+easily, and when he looked at the sword he was greatly pleased with
+it. The King and the Knights were dumb with surprise that it was Balin
+who had triumphed over them, and many of them envied him and felt
+anger towards him. 'In truth,' said the damsel, 'this is the best
+Knight that I ever found, but, Sir, I pray you give me the sword
+again.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' answered Balin, 'I will keep it till it is taken from me by
+force.' 'It is for your sake, not mine, that I ask for it,' said the
+damsel, 'for with that sword you shall slay the man you love best, and
+it shall bring about your own ruin.' 'I will take what befalls me,'
+replied Balin, 'but the sword I will not give up, by the faith of my
+body.' So the damsel departed in great sorrow. The next day Sir Balin
+left the Court, and, armed with his sword, set forth in search of
+adventures, which he found in many places where he had not thought to
+meet with them. In all the fights that he fought, Sir Balin was the
+victor, and Arthur, and Merlin his friend, knew that there was no
+Knight living of greater deeds, or more worthy of worship. And he was
+known to all as Sir Balin le Savage, the Knight of the two swords.</p>
+
+<p>One day he was riding forth when at the turning of a road he saw a
+cross, and on it was written in letters of gold, 'Let no Knight ride
+towards this castle.' Sir Balin was still reading the writing when
+there came towards him an old man with white hair, who said, 'Sir
+Balin le Savage, this is not the way for you, so turn again and choose
+some other path.' And so he vanished, and a horn blew loudly, as a
+horn is blown at the death of a beast. 'That blast,' said Balin, 'is
+for me, but I am still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> alive,' and he rode to the castle, where a
+great company of knights and ladies met him and welcomed him, and made
+him a feast. Then the lady of the castle said to him, 'Knight with the
+two swords, you must now fight a Knight that guards an island, for it
+is our law that no man may leave us without he first fight a tourney.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_038.jpg" width="500" height="700" alt="The Damsel Warns Sir Balin." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Damsel Warns Sir Balin.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'That is a bad custom,' said Balin, 'but if I must I am ready; for
+though my horse is weary my heart is strong.'</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_040.jpg" width="500" height="813" alt="The Death of Balin and Balan" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Death of Balin and Balan</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said a Knight to him, 'your shield does not look whole to me; I
+will lend you another'; so Balin listened to him and took the shield
+that was offered, and left his own with his own coat of arms behind
+him. He rode down to the shore, and led his horse into a boat, which
+took them across. When he reached the other side, a damsel came to him
+crying, 'O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield behind you?
+Alas! you have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield you
+should have been known. I grieve over your doom, for there is no man
+living that can rival you for courage and bold deeds.'</p>
+
+<p>'I repent,' answered Balin, 'ever having come into this country, but
+for very shame I must go on. Whatever befalls me, either for life or
+death, I am ready to take it.' Then he examined his armour, and saw
+that it was whole, and mounted his horse.</p>
+
+<p>As he went along the path he beheld a Knight come out of a castle in
+front, clothed in red, riding a horse with red trappings. When this
+red Knight looked on the two swords, he thought for a moment it was
+Balin, but the shield did not bear Balin's device. So they rode at
+each other with their spears, and smote each other's shields so hard
+that both horses and men fell to the ground with the shock, and the
+Knights lay unconscious on the ground for some minutes. But soon they
+rose up again and began the fight afresh, and they fought till the
+place was red with their blood, and they had each seven great wounds.
+'What Knight are you?' asked Balin le Savage, pausing for breath, 'for
+never before have I found any Knight to match me.' 'My name,' said he,
+'is Balan, brother to the good Knight Balin.'</p>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' cried Balin, 'that I should ever live to see this day,' and he
+fell back fainting to the ground. At this sight Balan crept on his
+feet and hands, and pulled off Balin's helmet, so that he might see
+his face. The fresh air revived Balin, and he awoke and said: 'O
+Balan, my brother, you have slain me, and I you, and the whole world
+shall speak ill of us both.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas,' sighed Balan, 'if I had only known you! I saw your two swords,
+but from your shield I thought you had been another knight.'</p>
+
+<p>'Woe is me!' said Balin, 'all this was wrought by an unhappy knight in
+the castle, who caused me to change my shield for his. If I lived, I
+would destroy that castle that he should not deceive other men.'</p>
+
+<p>'You would have done well,' answered Balan, 'for they have kept me
+prisoner ever since I slew a Knight that guarded this island, and they
+would have kept you captive too.' Then came the lady of the castle and
+her companions, and listened as they made their moan. And Balan prayed
+that she would grant them the grace to lie together, there where they
+died, and their wish was given them, and she and those that were with
+her wept for pity.</p>
+
+<p>So they died; and the lady made a tomb for them, and put Balan's name
+alone on it, for Balin's name she knew not. But Merlin knew, and next
+morning he came and wrote it in letters of gold, and he ungirded
+Balin's sword, and unscrewed the pommel, and put another pommel on it,
+and bade a Knight that stood by handle it, but the Knight could not.
+At that Merlin laughed. 'Why do you laugh?' asked the Knight.
+'Because,' said Merlin, 'no man shall handle this sword but the best
+Knight in the world, and that is either Sir Lancelot or his son Sir
+Galahad. With this sword Sir Lancelot shall slay the man he loves
+best, and Sir Gawaine is his name.' And this was later done, in a
+fight across the seas.</p>
+
+<p>All this Merlin wrote on the pommel of the sword.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> Next he made a
+bridge of steel to the island, six inches broad, and no man could pass
+over it that was guilty of any evil deeds. The scabbard of the sword
+he left on this side of the island, so that Galahad should find it.
+The sword itself he put in a magic stone, which floated down the
+stream to Camelot, that is now called Winchester. And the same day
+Galahad came to the river, having in his hand the scabbard, and he saw
+the sword and pulled it out of the stone, as is told in another
+place.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="HOW_THE_ROUND_TABLE_BEGAN" id="HOW_THE_ROUND_TABLE_BEGAN"></a><i>HOW THE ROUND TABLE BEGAN</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>It was told in the story of the Questing Beast that King Arthur
+married the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard, but there was
+not space there to say how it came about. And as the tales of the
+Round Table are full of this lady, Queen Guenevere, it is well that
+anybody who reads this book should learn how she became Queen.</p>
+
+<p>After King Arthur had fought and conquered many enemies, he said one
+day to Merlin, whose counsel he took all the days of his life, 'My
+Barons will let me have no rest, but bid me take a wife, and I have
+answered them that I shall take none, except you advise me.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is well,' replied Merlin, 'that you should take a wife, but is
+there any woman that you love better than another?' 'Yes,' said
+Arthur, 'I love Guenevere, daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard,
+in whose house is the Round Table that my father gave him. This maiden
+is the fairest that I have ever seen, or ever shall see.' 'Sir,'
+answered Merlin, 'what you say as to her beauty is true, but, if your
+heart was not set on her, I could find you another as fair, and of
+more goodness, than she. But if a man's heart is once set it is idle
+to try to turn him.' Then Merlin asked the King to give him a company
+of knights and esquires, that he might go to the Court of King
+Leodegrance and tell him that King Arthur desired to wed his daughter,
+which Arthur did gladly. Therefore Merlin rode forth and made all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> the
+haste he could till he came to the Castle of Cameliard, and told King
+Leodegrance who had sent him and why.</p>
+
+<p>'That is the best news I have ever had,' replied Leodegrance, 'for
+little did I think that so great and noble a King should seek to marry
+my daughter. As for lands to endow her with, I would give whatever he
+chose; but he has lands enough of his own, so I will give him instead
+something that will please him much more, the Round Table which Uther
+Pendragon gave me, where a hundred and fifty Knights can sit at one
+time. I myself can call to my side a hundred good Knights, but I lack
+fifty, for the wars have slain many, and some are absent.' And without
+more words King Leodegrance gave his consent that his daughter should
+wed King Arthur. And Merlin returned with his Knights and esquires,
+journeying partly by water and partly by land, till they drew near to
+London.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur heard of the coming of Merlin and of the Knights with
+the Round Table he was filled with joy, and said to those that stood
+about him, 'This news that Merlin has brought me is welcome indeed,
+for I have long loved this fair lady, and the Round Table is dearer to
+me than great riches.' Then he ordered that Sir Lancelot should ride
+to fetch the Queen, and that preparations for the marriage and her
+coronation should be made, which was done. 'Now, Merlin,' said the
+King, 'go and look about my kingdom and bring fifty of the bravest and
+most famous Knights that can be found throughout the land.' But no
+more than eight and twenty Knights could Merlin find. With these
+Arthur had to be content, and the Bishop of Canterbury was fetched,
+and he blessed the seats that were placed by the Round Table, and the
+Knights sat in them. 'Fair Sirs,' said Merlin, when the Bishop had
+ended his blessing, 'arise all of you, and pay your homage to the
+King.' So the Knights arose to do his bidding, and in every seat was
+the name of the Knight who had sat on it, written in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> letters of gold,
+but two seats were empty. After that young Gawaine came to the King,
+and prayed him to make him a Knight on the day that he should wed
+Guenevere. 'That I will gladly,' replied the King, 'for you are my
+sister's son.'</p>
+
+<p>As the King was speaking, a poor man entered the Court, bringing with
+him a youth about eighteen years old, riding on a lean mare, though it
+was not the custom for gentlemen to ride on mares. 'Where is King
+Arthur?' asked the man. 'Yonder,' answered the Knights. 'Have you
+business with him?' 'Yes,' said the man, and he went and bowed low
+before the King: 'I have heard, O King Arthur, flower of Knights and
+Kings, that at the time of your marriage you would give any man the
+gift he should ask for.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is truth,' answered the King, 'as long as I do no wrong to other
+men or to my kingdom.'</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you for your gracious words,' said the poor man; 'the boon I
+would ask is that you would make my son a Knight.' 'It is a great boon
+to ask,' answered the King. 'What is your name?'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, my name is Aries the cowherd.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it you or your son that has thought of this honour?'</p>
+
+<p>'It is my son who desires it, and not I,' replied the man. 'I have
+thirteen sons who tend cattle, and work in the fields if I bid them;
+but this boy will do nothing but shoot and cast darts, or go to watch
+battles and look on Knights, and all day long he beseeches me to bring
+him to you, that he may be knighted also.'</p>
+
+<p>'What is your name?' said Arthur, turning to the young man.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, my name is Tor.'</p>
+
+<p>'Where is your sword that I may knight you?' said the King.</p>
+
+<p>'It is here, my lord.'</p>
+
+<p>'Take it out of its sheath,' said the King, 'and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> require me to make
+you a Knight.' Then Tor jumped off his mare and pulled out his sword,
+and knelt before the King, praying that he might be made a Knight and
+a Knight of the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>'As for a Knight, that I will make you,' said Arthur, smiting him in
+the neck with the sword, 'and if you are worthy of it you shall be a
+Knight of the Round Table.' And the next day he made Gawaine Knight
+also.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_PASSING_OF_MERLIN" id="THE_PASSING_OF_MERLIN"></a><i>THE PASSING OF MERLIN.</i></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_049.jpg" width="500" height="781" alt="MERLIN AND VIVIEN" title="" />
+<span class="caption">MERLIN AND VIVIEN</span>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Sir Tor proved before long by his gallant deeds that he was worthy to
+sit in one of the two empty seats of the Round Table. Many of the
+other Knights went out also in search of adventures, and one of them,
+Sir Pellinore, brought a damsel of the lake to Arthur's Court, and
+when Merlin saw her he fell in love with her, so that he desired to be
+always in her company. The damsel laughed in secret at Merlin, but
+made use of him to tell her all she would know, and the wizard had no
+strength to say her nay, though he knew what would come of it. For he
+told King Arthur that before long he should be put into the earth
+alive, for all his cunning. He likewise told the King many things that
+should befall him, and warned him always to keep the scabbard as well
+as the sword Excalibur, and foretold that both sword and scabbard
+should be stolen from him by a woman whom he most trusted. 'You will
+miss my counsel sorely,' added Merlin, 'and would give all your lands
+to have me back again.' 'But since you know what will happen,' said
+the King, 'you may surely guard against it.' 'No,' answered Merlin,
+'that will not be.' So he departed from the King, and the maiden
+followed him whom some call Nimue and others Vivien, and wherever she
+went Merlin went also.</p>
+
+<p>They journeyed together to many places, both at home and across the
+seas, and the damsel was wearied of him, and sought by every means to
+be rid of him, but he would not be shaken off. At last these two
+wandered back to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> Cornwall, and one day Merlin showed Vivien a rock
+under which he said great marvels were hidden. Then Vivien put forth
+all her powers, and told Merlin how she longed to see the wonders
+beneath the stone, and, in spite of all his wisdom, Merlin listened to
+her and crept under the rock to bring forth the strange things that
+lay there. And when he was under the stone she used the magic he had
+taught her, and the rock rolled over him, and buried him alive, as he
+had told King Arthur. But the damsel departed with joy, and thought no
+more of him: now that she knew all the magic he could teach her.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="HOW_MORGAN_LE_FAY_TRIED" id="HOW_MORGAN_LE_FAY_TRIED"></a>
+  <i>HOW MORGAN LE FAY TRIED TO KILL<br />
+  KING ARTHUR</i><br />
+</h2>
+<p>King Arthur had a sister called Morgan le Fay, who was skilled in
+magic of all sorts, and hated her brother because he had slain in
+battle a Knight whom she loved. But to gain her own ends, and to
+revenge herself upon the King, she kept a smiling face, and let none
+guess the passion in her heart.</p>
+
+<p>One day Morgan le Fay went to Queen Guenevere, and asked her leave to
+go into the country. The Queen wished her to wait till Arthur
+returned, but Morgan le Fay said she had had bad news and could not
+wait. Then the Queen let her depart without delay.</p>
+
+<p>Early next morning at break of day Morgan le Fay mounted her horse and
+rode all day and all night, and at noon next day reached the Abbey of
+nuns where King Arthur had gone to rest, for he had fought a hard
+battle, and for three nights had slept but little. 'Do not wake him,'
+said Morgan le Fay, who had come there knowing she would find him, 'I
+will rouse him myself when I think he has had enough sleep,' for she
+thought to steal his sword Excalibur from him. The nuns dared not
+disobey her, so Morgan le Fay went straight into the room where King
+Arthur was lying fast asleep in his bed, and in his right hand was
+grasped his sword Excalibur. When she beheld that sight, her heart
+fell, for she dared not touch the sword, knowing well that if Arthur
+waked and saw her she was a dead woman. So she took the scabbard, and
+went away on horseback.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_052.jpg" width="500" height="760" alt="MORGAN LE FAY CASTS AWAY THE SCABBARD" title="" />
+<span class="caption">MORGAN LE FAY CASTS AWAY THE SCABBARD</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>When the King awoke and missed his scabbard, he was angry, and asked
+who had been there; and the nuns told him that it was his sister
+Morgan le Fay, who had gone away with a scabbard under her mantle.
+'Alas!' said Arthur, 'you have watched me badly!'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said they, 'we dared not disobey your sister.'</p>
+
+<p>'Saddle the best horse that can be found,' commanded the King, 'and
+bid Sir Ontzlake take another and come with me.' And they buckled on
+their armour and rode after Morgan le Fay.</p>
+
+<p>They had not gone far before they met a cowherd, and they stopped to
+ask if he had seen any lady riding that way. 'Yes,' said the cowherd,
+'a lady passed by here, with forty horses behind her, and went into
+the forest yonder.' Then they galloped hard till Arthur caught sight
+of Morgan le Fay, who looked back, and, seeing that it was Arthur who
+gave chase, pushed on faster than before. And when she saw she could
+not escape him, she rode into a lake that lay in the plain on the edge
+of the forest, and, crying out, 'Whatever may befall me, my brother
+shall not have the scabbard,' she threw the scabbard far into the
+water, and it sank, for it was heavy with gold and jewels. After that
+she fled into a valley full of great stones, and turned herself and
+her men and her horses into blocks of marble. Scarcely had she done
+this when the King rode up, but seeing her nowhere thought some evil
+must have befallen her in vengeance for her misdeeds. He then sought
+high and low for the scabbard, but could not find it, so he returned
+unto the Abbey. When Arthur was gone, Morgan le Fay turned herself and
+her horses and her men back into their former shapes and said, 'Now,
+Sirs, we may go where we will.' And she departed into the country of
+Gore, and made her towns and castles stronger than before, for she
+feared King Arthur greatly. Meanwhile King Arthur had rested himself
+at the Abbey, and afterwards he rode to Camelot, and was welcomed by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>his Queen and all his Knights. And when he told his adventures and
+how Morgan le Fay sought his death they longed to burn her for her
+treason.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning there arrived a damsel at the Court with a message
+from Morgan le Fay, saying that she had sent the King her brother a
+rich mantle for a gift, covered with precious stones, and begged him
+to receive it and to forgive her in whatever she might have offended
+him. The King answered little, but the mantle pleased him, and he was
+about to throw it over his shoulders when the lady of the lake stepped
+forward, and begged that she might speak to him in private. 'What is
+it?' asked the King. 'Say on here, and fear nothing.' 'Sir,' said the
+lady, 'do not put on this mantle, or suffer your Knights to put it on,
+till the bringer of it has worn it in your presence.' 'Your words are
+wise,' answered the King, 'I will do as you counsel me. Damsel, I
+desire you to put on this mantle that you have brought me, so that I
+may see it.' 'Sir,' said she, 'it does not become me to wear a King's
+garment.' 'By my head,' cried Arthur, 'you shall wear it before I put
+it on my back, or on the back of any of my Knights,' and he signed to
+them to put it on her, and she fell down dead, burnt to ashes by the
+enchanted mantle. Then the King was filled with anger, more than he
+was before, that his sister should have dealt so wickedly by him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="WHAT_BEAUMAINS_ASKED_OF_THE_KING" id="WHAT_BEAUMAINS_ASKED_OF_THE_KING"></a><i>WHAT BEAUMAINS ASKED OF THE KING</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>As Pentecost drew near King Arthur commanded that all the Knights of
+the Round Table should keep the feast at a city called Kin-Kenadon,
+hard by the sands of Wales, where there was a great castle. Now it was
+the King's custom that he would eat no food on the day of Pentecost,
+which we call Whit Sunday, until he had heard or seen some great
+marvel. So on that morning Sir Gawaine was looking from the window a
+little before noon when he espied three men on horseback, and with
+them a dwarf on foot, who held their horses when they alighted. Then
+Sir Gawaine went to the King and said, 'Sir, go to your food, for
+strange adventures are at hand.' And Arthur called the other Kings
+that were in the castle, and all the Knights of the Round Table that
+were a hundred and fifty, and they sat down to dine. When they were
+seated there entered the hall two men well and richly dressed, and
+upon their shoulders leaned the handsomest young man that ever was
+seen of any of them, higher than the other two by a cubit. He was wide
+in the chest and large handed, but his great height seemed to be a
+burden and a shame to him, therefore it was he leaned on the shoulders
+of his friends. As soon as Arthur beheld him he made a sign, and
+without more words all three went up to the high da&iuml;s, where the King
+sat. Then the tall young man stood up straight, and said: 'King
+Arthur, God bless you and all your fair fellowship, and in especial
+the fellowship of the Table Round. I have come hither to pray you to
+give me three gifts, which you can grant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> me honourably, for they will
+do no hurt to you or to anyone.' 'Ask,' answered Arthur, 'and you
+shall have your asking.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, this is my petition for this feast, for the other two I will ask
+after. Give me meat and drink for this one twelvemonth.' 'Well,' said
+the king, 'you shall have meat and drink enough, for that I give to
+every man, whether friend or foe. But tell me your name!'</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot tell you that,' answered he. 'That is strange,' replied the
+King, 'but you are the goodliest young man I ever saw,' and, turning
+to Sir Kay, the steward, charged him to give the young man to eat and
+drink of the best, and to treat him in all ways as if he were a lord's
+son. 'There is little need to do that,' answered Sir Kay, 'for if he
+had come of gentlemen and not of peasants he would have asked of you a
+horse and armour. But as the birth of a man is so are his requests.
+And seeing he has no name I will give him one, and it shall be
+Beaumains, or Fair-hands, and he shall sit in the kitchen and eat
+broth, and at the end of a year he shall be as fat as any pig that
+feeds on acorns.' So the young man was left in charge of Sir Kay, that
+scorned and mocked him.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth when they heard what Sir Kay
+said, and bade him leave off his mocking, for they believed the youth
+would turn out to be a man of great deeds; but Sir Kay paid no heed to
+them, and took him down to the great hall, and set him among the boys
+and lads, where he ate sadly. After he had finished eating both Sir
+Lancelot and Sir Gawaine bade him come to their room, and would have
+had him eat and drink there, but he refused, saying he was bound to
+obey Sir Kay, into whose charge the King had given him. So he was put
+into the kitchen by Sir Kay, and slept nightly with the kitchen boys.
+This he bore for a whole year, and was always mild and gentle, and
+gave hard words to no one. Only, whenever the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> Knights played at
+tourney he would steal out and watch them. And Sir Lancelot gave him
+gold to spend, and clothes to wear, and so did Gawaine. Also, if there
+were any games held whereat he might be, none could throw a bar nor
+cast a stone as far as he by two good yards.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the year passed by till the feast of Whitsuntide came again, and
+this time the king held it at Carlion. But King Arthur would eat no
+meat at Whitsuntide till some adventures were told him, and glad was
+he when a squire came and said to him, 'Sir you may go to your food,
+for here is a damsel with some strange tales.' At this the damsel was
+led into the hall, and bowed low before the King, and begged he would
+give her help. 'For whom?' asked the King, 'and what is the
+adventure?' 'Sir,' answered she, 'my sister is a noble lady of great
+fame, who is besieged by a tyrant, and may not get out of her castle.
+And it is because your Knights are said to be the noblest in all the
+world that I came to you for aid.' 'What is your sister's name, and
+where does she dwell? And who is the man that besieges her, and where
+does he come from?' 'Sir King,' answered she, 'as for my sister's
+name, I cannot tell it you now, but she is a lady of great beauty and
+goodness, and of many lands. As for the tyrant who besieges her, he is
+called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.' 'I know nothing of him,' said
+the King. 'But I know him,' cried Sir Gawaine, 'and he is one of the
+most dangerous Knights in the world. Men say he has the strength of
+seven, and once when we had crossed swords I hardly escaped from him
+with my life.' 'Fair damsel,' then said the King, 'there are many
+Knights here who would go gladly to the rescue of your lady, but none
+of them shall do so with my consent unless you will tell us her name,
+and the place of her castle.' 'Then I must speak further,' said the
+damsel. But before she had made answer to the King up came Beaumains,
+and spoke to Arthur, saying, 'Sir King, I thank you that for this
+whole year I have lived in your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> kitchen, and had meat and drink, and
+now I will ask you for the two gifts that you promised me on this
+day.' 'Ask them,' answered the King. 'Sir, this shall be my two gifts.
+First grant me the adventure of this damsel, for it is mine by right.'
+'You shall have it,' said the King. 'Then, Sir, you shall bid Sir
+Lancelot du Lake to make me Knight, for I will receive Knighthood at
+the hands of no other.' 'All this shall be done,' said the King. 'Fie
+on you,' cried the damsel, 'will you give me none but a kitchen boy to
+rescue my lady?' and she went away in a rage, and mounted her horse.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_054.jpg" width="500" height="722" alt="Faugh sir! You smell of y^e Kitchen Gareth &amp; Linet" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Faugh sir! You smell of y<sup>e</sup> Kitchen Gareth &amp; Linet</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>No sooner had she left the hall than a page came to Beaumains and told
+him that a horse and fair armour had been brought for him, also there
+had arrived a dwarf carrying all things that a Knight needed. And when
+he was armed there were few men that were handsomer than he, and the
+Court wondered greatly whence these splendid trappings had come. Then
+Beaumains came into the hall, and took farewell of the King, and Sir
+Gawaine and Sir Lancelot, and prayed Sir Lancelot that he would follow
+after him. So he departed, and rode after the damsel. Many looked upon
+him and marvelled at the strength of his horse, and its golden
+trappings, and envied Beaumains his shining coat of mail; but they
+noted that he had neither shield nor spear. 'I will ride after him,'
+laughed Sir Kay, 'and see if my kitchen boy will own me for his
+better.' 'Leave him and stay at home,' said Sir Gawaine and Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Kay would not listen and sprang upon his horse. Just
+as Beaumains came up with the damsel, Sir Kay reached Beaumains, and
+said, 'Beaumains, do you not know me?'</p>
+
+<p>Beaumains turned and looked at him, and answered, 'Yes, I know you for
+an ill-mannered Knight, therefore beware of me.' At this Sir Kay put
+his spear in rest and charged him, and Beaumains drew his sword and
+charged Sir Kay, and dashed aside the spear, and thrust<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> him through
+the side, till Sir Kay fell down as if he had been dead, and Beaumains
+took his shield and spear for himself. Then he sprang on his own
+horse, bidding first his dwarf take Sir Kay's horse, and rode away.
+All this was seen by Sir Lancelot, who had followed him, and also by
+the damsel. In a little while Beaumains stopped, and asked Sir
+Lancelot if he would tilt with him, and they came together with such a
+shock that both the horses and their riders fell to the earth and were
+bruised sorely. Sir Lancelot was the first to rise, and he helped
+Beaumains from his horse, and Beaumains threw his shield from him, and
+offered to fight on foot. And they rushed together like wild boars,
+turning and thrusting and parrying for the space of an hour, and Sir
+Lancelot marvelled at the young man's strength, and thought he was
+more like a giant than a Knight, and dreading lest he himself should
+be put to shame, he said: 'Beaumains, do not fight so hard, we have no
+quarrel that forbids us to leave off.' 'That is true,' answered
+Beaumains, laying down his arms, 'but it does me good, my lord, to
+feel your might.' 'Well,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I promise you I had much
+ado to save myself from you unshamed, therefore have no fear of any
+other Knight.' 'Do you think I could really stand against a proved
+Knight?' asked Beaumains. 'Yes,' said Lancelot, 'if you fight as you
+have fought to-day I will be your warrant against anyone.' 'Then I
+pray you,' cried Beaumains, 'give me the order of knighthood.' 'You
+must first tell me your name,' replied Lancelot, 'and who are your
+kindred.' 'You will not betray me if I do?' asked Beaumains. 'No, that
+I will never do, till it is openly known,' said Lancelot. 'Then, Sir,
+my name is Gareth, and Sir Gawaine is my brother.' 'Ah, Sir,' cried
+Lancelot, 'I am gladder of you than ever I was, for I was sure you
+came of good blood, and that you did not come to the Court for meat
+and drink only.' And he bade him kneel, and gave him the order of
+knighthood.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After that Sir Gareth wished to go his own ways, and departed. When he
+was gone, Sir Lancelot went back to Sir Kay and ordered some men that
+were by to bear him home on a shield, and in time his wounds were
+healed; but he was scorned of all men, and especially of Sir Gawaine
+and Sir Lancelot, who told him it was no good deed to treat any young
+man so, and no one could tell what his birth might be, or what had
+brought him to the Court.</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains rode after the damsel, who stopped when she saw him
+coming. 'What are you doing here?' said she. 'Your clothes smell of
+the grease and tallow of the kitchen! Do you think to change my heart
+towards you because of yonder Knight whom you slew? No, truly! I know
+well who you are, you turner of spits! Go back to King Arthur's
+kitchen, which is your proper place.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains,
+'you may say to me what you will, but I shall not quit you whatever
+you may do, for I have vowed to King Arthur to relieve the lady in the
+castle, and I shall set her free or die fighting for her.' 'Fie on
+you, Scullion,' answered she. 'You will meet with one who will make
+you such a welcome that you would give all the broth you ever cooked
+never to have seen his face.' 'I shall do my best to fight him,' said
+Beaumains, and held his peace.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they entered the wood, and there came a man flying towards them,
+galloping with all his might. 'Oh, help! help! lord,' cried he, 'for
+my master lies in a thicket, bound by six thieves, and I greatly fear
+they will slay him.' 'Show me the way,' said Sir Beaumains, and they
+rode together till they reached the place where the Knight lay bound.
+Then Sir Beaumains charged the six thieves, and struck one dead, and
+another, and another still, and the other three fled, not liking the
+battle. Sir Beaumains pursued them till they turned at bay, and fought
+hard for their lives; but in the end Sir Beaumains slew them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> and
+returned to the Knight and unbound him. The Knight thanked Beaumains
+heartily for his deliverance, and prayed him to come to his castle,
+where he would reward him. 'Sir,' said Beaumains, 'I was this day made
+Knight by noble Sir Lancelot, and that is reward enough for anything I
+may do. Besides, I must follow this damsel.' But when he came near her
+she reviled him as before, and bade him ride far from her. 'Do you
+think I set store by what you have done? You will soon see a sight
+that will make you tell a very different tale.' At this the Knight
+whom Beaumains had rescued rode up to the damsel, and begged that she
+would rest in his castle that night, as the sun was now setting. The
+damsel agreed, and the Knight ordered a great supper, and gave Sir
+Beaumains a seat above the seat of the damsel, who rose up in anger.
+'Fie! fie! Sir Knight,' cried she, 'you are uncourteous to set a mere
+kitchen page before me; he is not fit to be in the company of
+high-born people.' Her words struck shame into the Knight, and he took
+Beaumains and set him at a side table, and seated himself before him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_066.jpg" width="500" height="795" alt="LINET AND THE BLACK KNIGHT" title="" />
+<span class="caption">LINET AND THE BLACK KNIGHT</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>In the early morning Sir Beaumains and the damsel bade farewell to the
+Knight, and rode through the forest till they came to a great river,
+where stood two Knights on the further side, guarding the passage.
+'Well, what do you say now?' asked the damsel. 'Will you fight them or
+turn back?' 'I would not turn if there were six more of them,'
+answered Sir Beaumains, and he rushed into the water and so did one of
+the Knights. They came together in the middle of the stream, and their
+spears broke in two with the force of the charge, and they drew their
+swords, hitting hard at each other. At length Sir Beaumains dealt the
+other Knight such a blow that he fell from his horse, and was drowned
+in the river. Then Beaumains put his horse at the bank, where the
+second Knight was waiting for him, and they fought long together, till
+Sir Beaumains clave his helmet in two. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>So he left him dead, and
+rode after the damsel. 'Alas!' she cried, 'that even a kitchen page
+should have power to destroy two such Knights! You think you have done
+mighty things, but you are wrong! As to the first Knight, his horse
+stumbled, and he was drowned before you ever touched him. And the
+other you took from behind, and struck him when he was defenceless.'
+'Damsel!' answered Beaumains, 'you may say what you will, I care not
+what it is, so I may deliver this lady.' 'Fie, foul kitchen knave, you
+shall see Knights that will make you lower your crest.' 'I pray you be
+more civil in your language,' answered Beaumains, 'for it matters not
+to me what Knights they be, I will do battle with them.' 'I am trying
+to turn you back for your own good,' answered she, 'for if you follow
+me you are certainly a dead man, as well I know all you have won
+before has been by luck.' 'Say what you will, damsel,' said he, 'but
+where you go I will follow you,' and they rode together till eventide,
+and all the way she chid him and gave him no rest.</p>
+
+<p>At length they reached an open space where there was a black lawn, and
+on the lawn a black hawthorn, whereon hung a black banner on one side,
+and a black shield and spear, big and long, on the other. Close by
+stood a black horse covered with silk, fastened to a black stone. A
+Knight, covered with black armour, sat on the horse, and when she saw
+him the damsel bade him ride away, as his horse was not saddled. But
+the Knight drew near and said to her, 'Damsel, have you brought this
+Knight from King Arthur's Court to be your champion?' 'No, truly,'
+answered she, 'this is but a kitchen boy, fed by King Arthur for
+charity.' 'Then why is he clad in armour?' asked the Knight; 'it is a
+shame that he should even bear you company.' 'I cannot be rid of him,'
+said she, 'he rides with me against my will. I would that you were
+able to deliver me from him! Either slay him or frighten him off, for
+by ill fortune he has this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> day slain the two Knights of the passage.'
+'I wonder much,' said the Black Knight, 'that any man who is well born
+should consent to fight with him.' 'They do not know him,' replied the
+damsel, 'and they think he must be a famous Knight because he rides
+with me.' 'That may be,' said the Black Knight, 'but he is well made,
+and looks likely to be a strong man; still I promise you I will just
+throw him to the ground, and take away his horse and armour, for it
+would be a shame to me to do more.' When Sir Beaumains heard him talk
+thus he looked up and said, 'Sir Knight, you are lightly disposing of
+my horse and armour, but I would have you know that I will pass this
+lawn, against your will or not, and you will only get my horse and
+armour if you win them in fair fight. Therefore let me see what you
+can do.' 'Say you so?' answered the Knight, 'now give up the lady at
+once, for it ill becomes a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high
+degree.' 'It is a lie,' said Beaumains, 'I am a gentleman born, and my
+birth is better than yours, as I will prove upon your body.'</p>
+
+<p>With that they drew back their horses so as to charge each other
+hotly, and for the space of an hour and a half they fought fiercely
+and well, but in the end a blow from Beaumains threw the Knight from
+his horse, and he swooned and died. Then Beaumains jumped down, and
+seeing that the Knight's horse and armour were better than his own, he
+took them for himself, and rode after the damsel. While they were thus
+riding together, and the damsel was chiding him as ever she did, they
+saw a Knight coming towards them dressed all in green. 'Is that my
+brother the Black Knight who is with you?' asked he of the damsel.
+'No, indeed,' she replied, 'this unhappy kitchen knave has slain your
+brother, to my great sorrow.' 'Alas!' sighed the Green Knight, 'that
+my brother should die so meanly at the hand of a kitchen knave.
+Traitor!' he added, turning to Beaumains, 'thou shalt die for slaying
+my brother, for he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> was a noble Knight, and his name was Sir Percard.'
+'I defy you,' said Beaumains, 'for I slew him as a good Knight
+should.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the Green Knight seized a horn which hung from a horn tree, and
+blew three notes upon it, and two damsels came and armed him, and
+fastened on him a green shield and a green spear. So the fight began
+and raged long, first on horseback and then on foot, till both were
+sore wounded. At last the damsel came and stood beside them, and said,
+'My lord the Green Knight, why for very shame do you stand so long
+fighting a kitchen knave? You ought never to have been made a Knight
+at all!' These scornful words stung the heart of the Green Knight, and
+he dealt a mighty stroke which cleft asunder the shield of Beaumains.
+And when Beaumains saw this, he struck a blow upon the Knight's helmet
+which brought him to his knees, and Beaumains leapt on him, and
+dragged him to the ground. Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and
+offered to yield himself prisoner unto Beaumains. 'It is all in vain,'
+answered Beaumains, 'unless the damsel prays me for your life,' and
+therewith he unlaced his helmet as though he would slay him. 'Fie upon
+thee, false kitchen page!' said the damsel, 'I will never pray to save
+his life, for I am sure he is in no danger.' 'Suffer me not to die,'
+entreated the Knight, 'when a word may save me!' 'Fair Knight,' he
+went on, turning to Beaumains, 'save my life, and I will forgive you
+the death of my brother, and will do you service for ever, and will
+bring thirty of my Knights to serve you likewise.' 'It is a shame,'
+cried the damsel, 'that such a kitchen knave should have you and
+thirty Knights besides.' 'Sir Knight,' said Beaumains, 'I care nothing
+for all this, but if I am to spare your life the damsel must ask for
+it,' and he stepped forward as if to slay him. 'Let be, foul knave,'
+then said the damsel, 'do not slay him. If you do, you will repent
+it.' 'Damsel,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> pleasure to me to obey
+you, and at your wish I will save his life. Sir Knight with the green
+arms, I release you at the request of this damsel, and I will fulfil
+all she charges me.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the Green Knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword.
+'I am sorry,' said the damsel, 'for the wounds you have received, and
+for your brother's death, for I had great need of you both, and have
+much dread of passing the forest.' 'Fear nothing,' answered the Green
+Knight, 'for this evening you shall lodge in my house, and to-morrow I
+will show you the way through the forest.' And they went with the
+Green Knight. But the damsel did not mend her ways with Beaumains, and
+ever more reviled him, till the Green Knight rebuked her, saying
+Beaumains was the noblest Knight that held a spear, and that in the
+end she would find he had sprung from some great King. And the Green
+Knight summoned the thirty Knights who did him service, and bade them
+henceforth do service to Beaumains, and keep him from treachery, and
+when he had need of them they would be ready to obey his orders. So
+they bade each other farewell, and Beaumains and the damsel rode forth
+anew. In like manner did Sir Beaumains overcome the Red Knight, who
+was the third brother, and the Red Knight cried for mercy, and offered
+to bring sixty Knights to do him service, and Beaumains spared his
+life at the request of the damsel, and likewise it so happened to Sir
+Persant of Inde.</p>
+
+<p>And this time the damsel prayed Beaumains to give up the fight,
+saying, 'Sir, I wonder who you are and of what kindred you have come.
+Boldly you speak, and boldly you have done; therefore I pray you to
+depart and save yourself while you may, for both you and your horse
+have suffered great fatigues, and I fear we delay too long, for the
+besieged castle is but seven miles from this place, and all the perils
+are past save this one only. I dread sorely lest you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> should get some
+hurt; yet this Sir Persant of Inde is nothing in might to the Knight
+who has laid siege to my lady.' But Sir Beaumains would not listen to
+her words, and vowed that by two hours after noon he would have
+overthrown him, and that it would still be daylight when they reached
+the castle. 'What sort of a man can you be?' answered the damsel,
+looking at him in wonder, 'for never did a woman treat a Knight as ill
+and shamefully as I have done you, while you have always been gentle
+and courteous to me, and no one bears himself like that save he who is
+of noble blood.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains, 'your hard words only
+drove me to strike the harder, and though I ate in King Arthur's
+kitchen, perhaps I might have had as much food as I wanted elsewhere.
+But all I have done was to make proof of my friends, and whether I am
+a gentleman or not, fair damsel, I have done you gentleman's service,
+and may perchance, do you greater service before we part from each
+other.' 'Alas, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have said and
+done against you.' 'With all my heart,' he answered, 'and since you
+are pleased now to speak good words to me, know that I hear them
+gladly, and there is no Knight living but I feel strong enough to meet
+him.'</p>
+
+<p>So Beaumains conquered Sir Persant of Inde, who brought a hundred
+Knights to be sworn into his service, and the next morning the damsel
+led him to the castle, where the Red Knight of the Red Lawn held fast
+the lady. 'Heaven defend you,' cried Sir Persant, when they told him
+where they were going; 'that is the most perilous Knight now living,
+for he has the strength of seven men. He has done great wrong to that
+lady, who is one of the fairest in all the world, and it seems to me
+as if this damsel must be her sister. Is not her name Linet?' 'Yes,
+Sir,' answered she, 'and my lady my sister's name is dame Lyonesse.'
+'The Red Knight has drawn out the siege for two years,' said Sir
+Persant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> 'though he might have forced an entrance many a time, but he
+hoped that Sir Lancelot du Lake or Sir Tristram or Sir Gawaine should
+come to do battle with him.' 'My Lord Sir Persant of Inde,' said the
+damsel, 'I bid you knight this gentleman before he fight with the Red
+Knight.' 'That I will gladly,' replied Sir Persant, 'if it please him
+to take the order of knighthood from so simple a man as I am.' 'Sir,'
+answered Beaumains, 'I thank you for your goodwill, but at the
+beginning of this quest I was made a Knight by Sir Lancelot. My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney and Sir Gawaine is my brother, though neither
+he nor King Arthur, whose sister is my mother, knows of it. I pray you
+to keep it close also.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_074.jpg" width="500" height="805" alt="The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Now word was brought unto the besieged lady by the dwarf that her
+sister was coming to her with a Knight sent by King Arthur. And when
+the lady heard all that Beaumains had done, and how he had overthrown
+all who stood in his way, she bade her dwarf take baked venison, and
+fat capons, and two silver flagons of wine and a gold cup, and put
+them into the hands of a hermit that dwelt in a hermitage close by.
+The dwarf did so, and the lady then sent him to greet her sister and
+Sir Beaumains, and to beg them to eat and drink in the hermit's cell,
+and rest themselves, which they did. When they drew near the besieged
+castle Sir Beaumains saw full forty Knights, with spurs on their heels
+and swords in their hands, hanging from the tall trees that stood upon
+the lawn. 'Fair Sir,' said the damsel, 'these Knights came hither to
+rescue my sister, dame Lyonesse; and if you cannot overthrow the
+Knight of the Red Lawn, you will hang there too.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a marvel that none of King
+Arthur's Knights has dealt with the Knight of the Red Lawn ere this';
+and they rode up to the castle, which had round it high walls and deep
+ditches, till they came to a great sycamore tree, where hung a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>horn. And whoso desired to do battle with the Red Knight must blow
+that horn loudly.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, I pray you,' said Linet, as Beaumains bent forward to seize it,
+'do not blow it till it is full noontide, for during three hours
+before that the Red Knight's strength so increases that it is as the
+strength of seven men; but when noon is come, he has the might of one
+man only.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! for shame, damsel, to say such words. I will fight him as he is,
+or not at all,' and Beaumains blew such a blast that it rang through
+the castle. And the Red Knight buckled on his armour, and came to
+where Beaumains stood. So the battle began, and a fierce one it was,
+and much ado had Beaumains to last out till noon, when the Red
+Knight's strength began to wane; they rested, and came on again, and
+in the end the Red Knight yielded to Sir Beaumains, and the lords and
+barons in the castle did homage to the victor, and begged that the Red
+Knight's life might be spared on condition they all took service with
+Beaumains. This was granted to them, and Linet bound up his wounds and
+put ointment on them, and so she did likewise to Sir Beaumains. But
+the Red Knight was sent to the Court of King Arthur, and told him all
+that Sir Beaumains had done. And King Arthur and his Knights
+marvelled.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Beaumains had looked up at the windows of Castle Perilous
+before the fight, and had seen the face of the Lady Lyonesse, and had
+thought it the fairest in all the world. After he had subdued the Red
+Knight, he hasted into the castle, and the Lady Lyonesse welcomed him,
+and he told her he had bought her love with the best blood in his
+body. And she did not say him nay, but put him off for a time. Then
+the King sent letters to her to bid her, and likewise Sir Gareth, come
+to his Court, and by the counsel of Sir Gareth she prayed the King to
+let her call a tournament, and to proclaim that the Knight who bore
+himself best should, if he was unwedded, take her and all her lands.
+But if he had a wife already<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> he should be given a white ger-falcon,
+and for his wife a crown of gold, set about with precious stones.</p>
+
+<p>So the Lady Lyonesse did as Sir Gareth had counselled her, and
+answered King Arthur that where Sir Gareth was she could not tell, but
+that if the King would call a tourney he might be sure that Sir Gareth
+would come to it. 'It is well thought of,' said Arthur, and the Lady
+Lyonesse departed unto Castle Perilous, and summoned all her Knights
+around her, and told them what she had done, and how they were to make
+ready to fight in the tournament. She began at once to set her castle
+in order, and to think what she should do with the great array of
+Knights that would ride hither from the furthest parts&mdash;from Scotland
+and Wales and Cornwall&mdash;and to lodge fitly the Kings, Dukes, Earls,
+and Barons that should come with Arthur. Queen Guenevere also she
+awaited, and the Queen of Orkney, Sir Gareth's mother. But Sir Gareth
+entreated the Lady Lyonesse and those Knights that were in the castle
+with him not to let his name be known, and this they agreed to.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Gareth,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I will lend you a ring, which I
+beseech you for the love you bear me to give me back when the
+tournament is done, for without it I have but little beauty. This ring
+is like no other ring, it will turn green red, and blue white, and the
+bearer shall lose no blood, however sore he may be wounded.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly, my own lady,' answered Sir Gareth, 'this ring will serve me
+well, and by its help I shall not fear that any man shall know me.'
+And Sir Gringamore, brother to the Lady Lyonesse, gave him a bay
+horse, and strong armour, and a sharp sword that had once belonged to
+his father. On the morning of the fifteenth of August, when the Feast
+of the Assumption was kept, the King commanded his heralds to blow
+loudly their trumpets, so that every Knight might know that he must
+enter the lists. It was a noble sight to see them flocking clad in
+shining armour, each man with his device upon his shield. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> the
+heralds marked who bare them best, and who were overthrown. All
+marvelled as to who the Knight could be whose armour sometimes seemed
+green, and sometimes white, but no man knew it was Sir Gareth. And
+whosoever Sir Gareth tilted with was straightway overthrown. 'Of a
+truth,' cried King Arthur, 'that Knight with the many colours is a
+good Knight,' and he called Sir Lancelot and bade him to challenge
+that Knight to combat. But Sir Lancelot said that though the Knight
+had come off victor in every fight, yet his limbs must be weary, for
+he had fought as a man fights under the eyes of his lady, 'and for
+this day,' said Sir Lancelot, 'he shall have the honour. Though it lay
+in my power to put it from him, I would not.'</p>
+
+<p>Then they paused for a while to rest, and afterwards the tournament
+began again more fiercely than before, and Sir Lancelot was set upon
+by two Knights at once. When Sir Gareth saw that, he rode in between
+them, but no stroke would he deal Sir Lancelot, which Sir Lancelot
+noted, and guessed that it was the good Knight Sir Gareth. Sir Gareth
+went hither and thither, smiting anyone that came in his way, and by
+fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawaine, and knocked off his
+helmet. Now it happened that while he was fighting a Knight dealt Sir
+Gareth a fierce blow on his helm, and he rode off the field to mend
+it. Then his dwarf, who had been watching eagerly, cried out to Sir
+Gareth to leave the ring with him, lest he should lose it while he was
+drinking, which Sir Gareth did; and when he had drunk and mended his
+helm he forgot the ring, at which the dwarf was glad, for he knew his
+name could no longer be hid. And when Sir Gareth returned to the
+field, his armour shone yellow like gold, and King Arthur marvelled
+what Knight he was, for he saw by his hair that he was the same Knight
+who had worn the many colours. 'Go,' he said to his heralds, 'ride
+near him and see what manner of Knight he is, for none can tell me his
+name.' So a herald drew close to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> him, and saw that on his helm was
+written in golden letters 'This helm belongs to Sir Gareth of Orkney';
+and the herald cried out and made proclamation, and the Kings and
+Knights pressed to behold him. And when Sir Gareth saw he was
+discovered, he struck more fiercely than before, and smote down Sir
+Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine. 'O brother,' said Sir Gawaine,
+'I did not think you would have smitten me!' When Sir Gareth heard him
+say that he rode out of the press, and cried to his dwarf, 'Boy, you
+have played me foul, for you have kept my ring. Give it to me now,
+that I may hide myself,' and he galloped swiftly into the forest, and
+no one knew where he had gone. 'What shall I do next?' asked he of the
+dwarf. 'Sir,' answered the dwarf, 'send the Lady Lyonesse back her
+ring.' 'Your counsel is good,' said Gareth; 'take it to her, and
+commend me to her grace, and say I will come when I may, and bid her
+to be faithful to me, as I am to her.' After that Sir Gareth rode
+deeper into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Though Sir Gareth had left the tournament he found that there were as
+many fights awaiting him as if he had remained there. He overcame all
+his foes, and sent them and their followers to do homage to King
+Arthur, but he himself stayed behind. He was standing alone after they
+had gone, when he beheld an armed Knight coming towards him. Sir
+Gareth sprang on his horse, and without a word the two crashed
+together like thunder, and strove hard for two hours, till the ground
+was wet with blood. At that time the damsel Linet came riding by, and
+saw what was doing, and knew who were the fighters. And she cried 'Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave fighting with your brother Sir Gareth.'
+Then he threw down his shield and sword, and ran to Sir Gareth, and
+first took him in his arms and next kneeled down and asked mercy of
+him. 'Why do you, who were but now so strong and mighty, so suddenly
+yield to me?' asked Sir Gareth, who had not perceived the damsel. 'O
+Gareth, I am your brother, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> have had much sorrow for your sake.'
+At this Sir Gareth unlaced his helm and knelt before Sir Gawaine, and
+they rose and embraced each other. 'Ah, my fair brother,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'I ought rightly to do you homage, even if you were not my
+brother, for in this twelvemonth you have sent King Arthur more
+Knights than any six of the best men of the Round Table.' While he was
+speaking there came the Lady Linet, and healed the wounds of Sir
+Gareth and of Sir Gawaine. 'What are you going to do now?' asked she.
+'It is time that King Arthur had tidings of you both, and your horses
+are not fit to bear you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ride, I pray you,' said Sir Gawaine, 'to my uncle King Arthur, who is
+but two miles away, and tell him what adventure has befallen me.' So
+she mounted her mule, and when she had told her tale to King Arthur,
+he bade them saddle him a palfrey and invited all the Knights and
+ladies of his Court to ride with him. When they reached the place they
+saw Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine sitting on the hill-side. The King
+jumped off his horse, and would have greeted them, but he swooned away
+for gladness, and they ran and comforted him, and also their mother.</p>
+
+<p>The two Knights stayed in King Arthur's Court for eight days, and
+rested themselves and grew strong. Then said the King to Linet, 'I
+wonder that your sister, dame Lyonesse, does not come here to visit
+me, or more truly to visit my nephew, Sir Gareth, who has worked so
+hard to win her love.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' answered Linet, 'you must, by your grace, hold her excused,
+for she does not know that Sir Gareth is here.'</p>
+
+<p>'Go and fetch her, then,' said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>'That I will do quickly,' replied Linet, and by the next morning she
+had brought dame Lyonesse, and her brother Sir Gringamore, and forty
+Knights, but among the ladies dame Lyonesse was the fairest, save only
+Queen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> Guenevere. They were all welcomed of King Arthur, who turned to
+his nephew Sir Gareth and asked him whether he would have that lady to
+his wife.</p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' replied Sir Gareth, 'you know well that I love her above
+all the ladies in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>'And what say you, fair lady?' asked the King.</p>
+
+<p>'Most noble King,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I would sooner have Sir Gareth
+as my husband than any King or Prince that may be christened, and if I
+may not have him I promise you I will have none. For he is my first
+love, and shall be my last. And if you will suffer him to have his
+will and choice, I dare say he will have me.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is truth,' said Sir Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>'What, nephew,' cried the King, 'sits the wind in that door? Then you
+shall have all the help that is in my power,' and so said Gareth's
+mother. And it was fixed that the marriage should be at Michaelmas, at
+Kin-Kenadon by the sea-shore, and thus it was proclaimed in all places
+of the realm. Then Sir Gareth sent his summons to all the Knights and
+ladies that he had won in battle that they should be present, and he
+gave a rich ring to the Lady Lyonesse, and she gave him one likewise.
+And before she departed she had from King Arthur a shining golden bee,
+as a token. After that Sir Gareth set her on her way towards her
+castle, and returned unto the King. But he would ever be in Sir
+Lancelot's company, for there was no Knight that Sir Gareth loved so
+well as Sir Lancelot. The days drew fast to Michaelmas, and there came
+the Lady Lyonesse with her sister Linet and her brother Sir Gringamore
+to Kin-Kenadon by the sea, and there were they lodged by order of King
+Arthur. And upon Michaelmas Day the Bishop of Canterbury wedded Sir
+Gareth and the Lady Lyonesse with great ceremonies, and King Arthur
+commanded that Sir Gawaine should be joined to the damsel Linet, and
+Sir Agrawaine to the niece of dame Lyonesse, whose name was Laurel.
+Then the Knights whom Sir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> Gareth had won in battle came with their
+followings and did homage to him, and the Green Knight besought him
+that he might act as chamberlain at the feast, and the Red Knight that
+he might be his steward. As soon as the feast was ended, they had all
+manner of minstrelsy and games and a great tournament that lasted
+three days, but at the prayer of dame Lyonesse the King would not
+suffer that any man who was wedded should fight at that feast.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAAL" id="THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAAL"></a><i>THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAAL</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>This is a mysterious part of the adventures of King Arthur's Knights.
+We must remember that parts of these stories are very old; they were
+invented by the heathen Welsh, or by the ancient Britons, from whom
+the Welsh are descended, and by the old pagan Irish, who spoke Gaelic,
+a language not very unlike Welsh. Then these ancient stories were
+translated by French and other foreign writers, and Christian beliefs
+and chivalrous customs were added in the French romances, and,
+finally, the French was translated into English about the time of
+Edward IV. by Sir Thomas Malory, who altered as he pleased. The Story
+of the Holy Graal, in this book, is mostly taken from Malory, but
+partly from 'The High History of the Holy Graal,' translated by Dr.
+Sebastian Evans from an old French book.</p>
+
+<p>What <i>was</i> the Holy Graal? In the stories it is the holy vessel used
+by our Lord, and brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea. But in the
+older heathen Irish stories there is a mysterious vessel of a magical
+sort, full of miraculous food, and probably the French writers of the
+romances confused this with the sacred vessel brought from the Holy
+Land. On account of the sins of men this relic was made invisible, but
+now and then it appeared, borne by angels or floating in a heavenly
+light. The Knights, against King Arthur's wish, made a vow to find it,
+and gave up their duties of redressing wrongs and keeping order, to
+pursue the beautiful vision. But most of them, for their sins, were
+unsuccessful, like Sir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> Lancelot, and the Round Table was scattered
+and the kingdom was weakened by the neglect of ordinary duties in the
+search for what could never be gained by mortal men. This appears to
+be the moral of the story, if it has any moral. But the stories are
+confused almost like a dream, though it is a beautiful dream.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+<h3>I</h3>
+<h3>
+  HOW THE KING WENT ON PILGRIMAGE, AND HIS<br />
+  SQUIRE WAS SLAIN IN A DREAM
+</h3>
+
+<p>Now the King was minded to go on a pilgrimage, and he agreed with the
+Queen that he would set forth to seek the holy chapel of St.
+Augustine, which is in the White Forest, and may only be found by
+adventure. Much he wished to undertake the quest alone, but this the
+Queen would not suffer, and to do her pleasure he consented that a
+youth, tall and strong of limb, should ride with him as his squire.
+Chaus was the youth's name, and he was son to Gwain li Aoutres. 'Lie
+within to-night,' commanded the King, 'and take heed that my horse be
+saddled at break of day, and my arms ready.' 'At your pleasure, Sir,'
+answered the youth, whose heart rejoiced because he was going alone
+with the King.</p>
+
+<p>As night came on, all the Knights quitted the hall, but Chaus the
+squire stayed where he was, and would not take off his clothes or his
+shoes, lest sleep should fall on him and he might not be ready when
+the King called him. So he sat himself down by the great fire, but in
+spite of his will sleep fell heavily on him, and he dreamed a strange
+dream.</p>
+
+<p>In his dream it seemed that the King had ridden away to the quest, and
+had left his squire behind him, which filled the young man with fear.
+And in his dream he set the saddle and bridle on his horse, and
+fastened his spurs, and girt on his sword, and galloped out of the
+castle after the King. He rode on a long space, till he entered a
+thick forest, and there before him lay traces of the King's horse, and
+he followed till the marks of the hoofs ceased suddenly at some open
+ground and he thought that the King had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> alighted there. On the right
+stood a chapel, and about it was a graveyard, and in the graveyard
+many coffins, and in his dream it seemed as if the King had entered
+the chapel, so the young man entered also. But no man did he behold
+save a Knight that lay dead upon a bier in the midst of the chapel,
+covered with a pall of rich silk, and four tapers in golden
+candlesticks were burning round him. The squire marvelled to see the
+body lying there so lonely, with no one near it, and likewise that the
+King was nowhere to be seen. Then he took out one of the tall tapers,
+and hid the candlestick under his cloak, and rode away until he should
+find the King.</p>
+
+<p>On his journey through the forest he was stopped by a man black and
+ill-favoured, holding a large knife in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>'Ho! you that stand there, have you seen King Arthur?' asked the
+squire.</p>
+
+<p>'No, but I have met you, and I am glad thereof, for you have under
+your cloak one of the candlesticks of gold that was placed in honour
+of the Knight who lies dead in the chapel. Give it to me, and I will
+carry it back; and if you do not this of your own will, I will make
+you.'</p>
+
+<p>'By my faith!' cried the squire, 'I will never yield it to you!
+Rather, will I carry it off and make a present of it to King Arthur.'</p>
+
+<p>'You will pay for it dearly,' answered the man, 'if you yield it not
+up forthwith.'</p>
+
+<p>To this the squire did not make answer, but dashed forward, thinking
+to pass him by; but the man thrust at him with his knife, and it
+entered his body up to the hilt. And when the squire dreamed this, he
+cried, 'Help! help! for I am a dead man!'</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the King and the Queen heard that cry they awoke from their
+sleep, and the Chamberlain said, 'Sir, you must be moving, for it is
+day'; and the King rose and dressed himself, and put on his shoes.
+Then the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> cry came again: 'Fetch me a priest, for I die!' and the King
+ran at great speed into the hall, while the Queen and the Chamberlain
+followed him with torches and candles. 'What aileth you?' asked the
+King of his squire, and the squire told him of all that he had
+dreamed. 'Ha,' said the King, 'is it, then, a dream?' 'Yes, Sir,'
+answered the squire, 'but it is a right foul dream for me, for right
+foully it hath come true,' and he lifted his left arm, and said, 'Sir,
+look you here! Lo, here is the knife that was struck in my side up to
+the haft.' After that, he drew forth the candlestick, and showed it to
+the King. 'Sir, for this candlestick that I present to you was I
+wounded to the death!' The King took the candlestick in his hands and
+looked at it, and none so rich had he seen before, and he bade the
+Queen look also. 'Sir,' said the squire again, 'draw not forth the
+knife out of my body till I be shriven of the priest.' So the King
+commanded that a priest should be sent for, and when the squire had
+confessed his sins, the King drew the knife out of the body and the
+soul departed forthwith. Then the King grieved that the young man had
+come to his death in such strange wise, and ordered him a fair burial,
+and desired that the golden candlestick should be sent to the Church
+of Saint Paul in London, which at that time was newly built.</p>
+
+<p>After this King Arthur would have none to go with him on his quest,
+and many strange adventures he achieved before he reached the chapel
+of St. Augustine, which was in the midst of the White Forest. There he
+alighted from his horse, and sought to enter, but though there was
+neither door nor bar he might not pass the threshold. But from without
+he heard wondrous voices singing, and saw a light shining brighter
+than any that he had seen before, and visions such as he scarcely
+dared to look upon. And he resolved greatly to amend his sins, and to
+bring peace and order into his kingdom. So he set forth, strengthened
+and comforted, and after divers more adventures returned to his
+Court.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+<h3>II</h3>
+<h3>THE COMING OF THE HOLY GRAAL</h3>
+<p>It was on the eve of Pentecost that all the Knights of the Table Round
+met together at Camelot, and a great feast was made ready for them.
+And as they sat at supper they heard a loud noise, as of the crashing
+of thunder, and it seemed as if the roof would fall on them. Then, in
+the midst of the thunder, there entered a sunbeam, brighter by seven
+times than the brightest day, and its brightness was not of this
+world. The Knights held their peace, but every man looked at his
+neighbour, and his countenance shone fairer than ever it had done
+before. As they sat dumb, for their tongues felt as if they could
+speak nothing, there floated in the hall the Holy Graal, and over it a
+veil of white samite, so that none might see it nor who bare it. But
+sweet odours filled the place, and every Knight had set before him the
+food he loved best; and after that the Holy Vessel departed suddenly,
+they wist not where. When it had gone their tongues were loosened, and
+the King gave thanks for the wonders that they had been permitted to
+see. After that he had finished, Sir Gawaine stood up and vowed to
+depart the next morning in quest of the Holy Graal, and not to return
+until he had seen it. 'But if after a year and a day I may not speed
+in my quest,' said he, 'I shall come again, for I shall know that the
+sight of it is not for me.' And many of the Knights there sitting
+swore a like vow.</p>
+
+<p>But King Arthur, when he heard this, was sore displeased. 'Alas!'
+cried he unto Sir Gawaine, 'you have undone me by your vow. For
+through you is broken up the fairest fellowship, and the truest of
+knighthood, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> ever the world saw, and when they have once departed
+they shall meet no more at the Table Round, for many shall die in the
+quest. It grieves me sore, for I have loved them as well as my own
+life.' So he spoke, and paused, and tears came into his eyes. 'Ah,
+Gawaine, Gawaine! you have set me in great sorrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'Comfort yourself,' said Sir Lancelot, 'for we shall win for ourselves
+great honour, and much more than if we had died in any other wise,
+since die we must.' But the King would not be comforted, and the Queen
+and all the Court were troubled also for the love which they had to
+these Knights. Then the Queen came to Sir Galahad, who was sitting
+among those Knights though younger he was than any of them, and asked
+him whence he came, and of what country, and if he was son to Sir
+Lancelot. And King Arthur did him great honour, and he rested him in
+his own bed. And next morning the King and Queen went into the
+Minster, and the Knights followed them, dressed all in armour, save
+only their shields and their helmets. When the service was finished
+the King would know how many of the fellowship had sworn to undertake
+the quest of the Graal, and they were counted, and found to number a
+hundred and fifty. They bade farewell, and mounted their horses, and
+rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was weeping of both
+rich and poor, and the King could not speak for weeping. And at
+sunrise they all parted company with each other, and every Knight took
+the way he best liked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+<h3>III</h3>
+<h3>THE ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD</h3>
+<p>Now Sir Galahad had as yet no shield, and he rode four days without
+meeting any adventure, till at last he came to a White Abbey, where he
+dismounted and asked if he might sleep there that night. The brethren
+received him with great reverence, and led him to a chamber, where he
+took off his armour, and then saw that he was in the presence of two
+Knights. 'Sirs,' said Sir Galahad, 'what adventure brought you
+hither?' 'Sir,' replied they, 'we heard that within this Abbey is a
+shield that no man may hang round his neck without being dead within
+three days, or some mischief befalling him. And if we fail in the
+adventure, you shall take it upon you.' 'Sirs,' replied Sir Galahad,
+'I agree well thereto, for as yet I have no shield.'</p>
+
+<p>So on the morn they arose and heard Mass, and then a monk led them
+behind an altar where hung a shield white as snow, with a red cross in
+the middle of it. 'Sirs,' said the monk, 'this shield cannot be hung
+round no Knight's neck, unless he be the worthiest Knight in the
+world, and therefore I counsel you to be well advised.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' answered one of the Knights, whose name was King Bagdemagus,
+'I know truly that I am not the best Knight in the world, but yet
+shall I try to bear it,' and he bare it out of the Abbey. Then he said
+to Sir Galahad, 'I pray you abide here still, till you know how I
+shall speed,' and he rode away, taking with him a squire to send
+tidings back to Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+<p>After King Bagdemagus had ridden two miles he entered a fair valley,
+and there met him a goodly Knight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> seated on a white horse and clad in
+white armour. And they came together with their spears, and Sir
+Bagdemagus was borne from his horse, for the shield covered him not at
+all. Therewith the strange Knight alighted and took the white shield
+from him, and gave it to the squire, saying, 'Bear this shield to the
+good Knight Sir Galahad that thou hast left in the Abbey, and greet
+him well from me.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_092.jpg" width="500" height="760" alt="SIR GALAHAD OPENS THE TOMB" title="" />
+<span class="caption">SIR GALAHAD OPENS THE TOMB</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said the squire, 'what is your name?'</p>
+
+<p>'Take thou no heed of my name,' answered the Knight, 'for it is not
+for thee to know, nor for any earthly man.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now, fair Sir,' said the squire, 'tell me for what cause this shield
+may not be borne lest ill befalls him who bears it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Since you have asked me,' answered the Knight, 'know that no man
+shall bear this shield, save Sir Galahad only.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the squire turned to Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+wounded or not. 'Yes, truly,' said he, 'and I shall hardly escape from
+death'; and scarcely could he climb on to his horse's back when the
+squire brought it near him. But the squire led him to a monastery that
+lay in the valley, and there he was treated of his wounds, and after
+long lying came back to life. After the squire had given the Knight
+into the care of the monks, he rode back to the Abbey, bearing with
+him the shield. 'Sir Galahad,' said he, alighting before him, 'the
+Knight that wounded Bagdemagus sends you greeting, and bids you bear
+this shield, which shall bring you many adventures.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now blessed be God and fortune,' answered Sir Galahad, and called for
+his arms, and mounted his horse, hanging the shield about his neck.
+Then, followed by the squire, he set out. They rode straight to the
+hermitage, where they saw the White Knight who had sent the shield to
+Sir Galahad. The two Knights saluted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> each other courteously, and
+then the White Knight told Sir Galahad the story of the shield, and
+how it had been given into his charge. Afterwards they parted, and Sir
+Galahad and his squire returned unto the Abbey whence they came.</p>
+
+<p>The monks made great joy at seeing Sir Galahad again, for they feared
+he was gone for ever; and as soon as he was alighted from his horse
+they brought him unto a tomb in the churchyard where there was night
+and day such a noise that any man who heard it should be driven nigh
+mad, or else lose his strength. 'Sir,' they said, 'we deem it a
+fiend.' Sir Galahad drew near, all armed save his helmet, and stood by
+the tomb. 'Lift up the stone,' said a monk, and Galahad lifted it, and
+a voice cried, 'Come thou not nigh me, Sir Galahad, for thou shalt
+make me go again where I have been so long.' But Galahad took no heed
+of him, and lifted the stone yet higher, and there rushed from the
+tomb a foul smoke, and in the midst of it leaped out the foulest
+figure that ever was seen in the likeness of a man. 'Galahad,' said
+the figure, 'I see about thee so many angels that my power dare not
+touch thee.' Then Galahad, stooping down, looked into the tomb, and he
+saw a body all armed lying there, with a sword by his side. 'Fair
+brother,' said Galahad, 'let us remove this body, for he is not worthy
+to be in this churchyard, being a false Christian man.'</p>
+
+<p>This being done they all departed and returned unto the monastery,
+where they lay that night, and the next morning Sir Galahad knighted
+Melias his squire, as he had promised him aforetime. So Sir Galahad
+and Sir Melias departed thence, in quest of the Holy Graal, but they
+soon went their different ways and fell upon different adventures. In
+his first encounter Sir Melias was sore wounded, and Sir Galahad came
+to his help, and left him to an old monk who said that he would heal
+him of his wounds in the space of seven weeks, and that he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> thus
+wounded because he had not come clean to the quest of the Graal, as
+Sir Galahad had done. Sir Galahad left him there, and rode on till he
+came to the Castle of Maidens, which he alone might enter who was free
+from sin. There he chased away the Knights who had seized the castle
+seven years agone, and restored all to the Duke's daughter, who owned
+it of right. Besides this he set free the maidens who were kept in
+prison, and summoned all those Knights in the country round who had
+held their lands of the Duke, bidding them do homage to his daughter.
+And in the morning one came to him and told him that as the seven
+Knights fled from the Castle of Maidens they fell upon the path of Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gareth, and Sir Lewaine, who were seeking Sir Galahad,
+and they gave battle; and the seven Knights were slain by the three
+Knights. 'It is well,' said Galahad, and he took his armour and his
+horse and rode away.</p>
+
+<p>So when Sir Galahad left the Castle of Maidens he rode till he came to
+a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale;
+but they knew him not, for he was now disguised. And they fought
+together, and the two Knights were smitten down out of the saddle.
+'God be with thee, thou best Knight in the world,' cried a nun who
+dwelt in a hermitage close by; and she said it in a loud voice, so
+that Lancelot and Percivale might hear. But Sir Galahad feared that
+she would make known who he was, so he spurred his horse and struck
+deep into the forest before Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale could mount
+again. They knew not which path he had taken, so Sir Percivale turned
+back to ask advice of the nun, and Sir Lancelot pressed forward.</p>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<h3>
+  HOW SIR LANCELOT SAW A VISION, AND REPENTED<br />
+  OF HIS SINS<br />
+</h3>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_097.jpg" width="600" height="935" alt="LANCELOT AT THE CHAPEL" title="" />
+<span class="caption">LANCELOT AT THE CHAPEL</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>He halted when he came to a stone cross, which had by it a block of
+marble, while nigh at hand stood an old chapel. He tied his horse to a
+tree, and hung his shield on a branch, and looked into the chapel, for
+the door was waste and broken. And he saw there a fair altar covered
+with a silken cloth, and a candlestick which had six branches, all of
+shining silver. A great light streamed from it, and at this sight Sir
+Lancelot would fain have entered in, but he could not. So he turned
+back sorrowful and dismayed, and took the saddle and bridle off his
+horse, and let him pasture where he would, while he himself unlaced
+his helm, and ungirded his sword, and lay down to sleep upon his
+shield, at the foot of the cross.</p>
+
+<p>As he lay there, half waking and half sleeping, he saw two white
+palfreys come by, drawing a litter, wherein lay a sick Knight. When
+they reached the cross they paused, and Sir Lancelot heard the Knight
+say, 'O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and when shall
+the Holy Vessel come by me, through which I shall be blessed? For I
+have endured long, though my ill deeds were few.' Thus he spoke, and
+Sir Lancelot heard it, and of a sudden the great candlestick stood
+before the cross, though no man had brought it. And with it was a
+table of silver and the Holy Vessel of the Graal, which Lancelot had
+seen aforetime. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> the Knight rose up, and on his hands and knees
+he approached the Holy Vessel, and prayed, and was made whole of his
+sickness. After that the Graal went back into the chapel, and the
+light and the candlestick also, and Sir Lancelot would fain have
+followed, but could not, so heavy was the weight of his sins upon him.
+And the sick Knight arose and kissed the cross, and saw Sir Lancelot
+lying at the foot with his eyes shut. 'I marvel greatly at this
+sleeping Knight,' he said to his squire, 'that he had no power to wake
+when the Holy Vessel was brought hither.' 'I dare right well say,'
+answered the squire, 'that he dwelleth in some deadly sin, whereof he
+was never confessed.' 'By my faith,' said the Knight, 'he is unhappy,
+whoever he is, for he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, which
+have undertaken the quest of the Graal.' 'Sir,' replied the squire,
+'you have all your arms here, save only your sword and your helm. Take
+therefore those of this strange Knight, who has just put them off.'
+And the Knight did as his squire said, and took Sir Lancelot's horse
+also, for it was better than his own.</p>
+
+<p>After they had gone Sir Lancelot waked up wholly, and thought of what
+he had seen, wondering if he were in a dream or not. Suddenly a voice
+spoke to him, and it said, 'Sir Lancelot, more hard than is the stone,
+more bitter than is the wood, more naked and barren than is the leaf
+of the fig tree, art thou; therefore go from hence and withdraw thee
+from this holy place.' When Sir Lancelot heard this, his heart was
+passing heavy, and he wept, cursing the day when he had been born. But
+his helm and sword had gone from the spot where he had lain them at
+the foot of the cross, and his horse was gone also. And he smote
+himself and cried, 'My sin and my wickedness have done me this
+dishonour; for when I sought worldly adventures for 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> And now I take
+upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that my
+old sin hinders me, so that I could not move nor speak when the Holy
+Graal passed by.' Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the
+birds sing, and at that he felt comforted. And as his horse was gone
+also, he departed on foot with a heavy heart.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>V</h3>
+
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURE OF SIR PERCIVALE</h3>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_102.jpg" width="500" height="757" alt="SIR PERCIVALE SLAYS THE SERPENT" title="" />
+<span class="caption">SIR PERCIVALE SLAYS THE SERPENT</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>All this while Sir Percivale had pursued adventures of his own, and
+came nigh unto losing his life, but he was saved from his enemies by
+the good Knight, Sir Galahad, whom he did not know, although he was
+seeking him, for Sir Galahad now bore a red shield, and not a white
+one. And at last the foes fled deep into the forest, and Sir Galahad
+followed; but Sir Percivale had no horse and was forced to stay
+behind. Then his eyes were opened, and he knew it was Sir Galahad who
+had come to his help, and he sat down under a tree and grieved sore.</p>
+
+<p>While he was sitting there a Knight passed by riding a black horse,
+and when he was out of sight a yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+he might, and, seeing Sir Percivale, asked if he had seen a Knight
+mounted on a black horse. 'Yes, Sir, forsooth,' answered Sir
+Percivale, 'why do you want to know?' 'Ah, Sir, that is my steed which
+he has taken from me, and wherever my lord shall find me, he is sure
+to slay me.' 'Well,' said Sir Percivale, 'thou seest that I am on
+foot, but had I a good horse I would soon come up with him.' 'Take my
+hackney,' said the yeoman, 'and do the best you can, and I shall
+follow you on foot to watch how you speed.' So Sir Percivale rode as
+fast as he might, and at last he saw that Knight, and he hailed him.
+The Knight turned and set his spear against Sir Percivale, and smote
+the hackney in the breast, so that he fell dead to the earth, and Sir
+Percivale fell with him; then the Knight rode away. But Sir Percivale
+was mad with wrath, and cried to the Knight to return and fight with
+him on foot,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> and the Knight answered not and went on his way. When
+Sir Percivale saw that he would not turn, he threw himself on the
+ground, and cast away his helm and sword, and bemoaned himself for the
+most unhappy of all Knights; and there he abode the whole day, and,
+being faint and weary, slept till it was midnight. And at midnight he
+waked and saw before him a woman, who said to him right fiercely, 'Sir
+Percivale, what doest thou here?' 'Neither good nor great ill,'
+answered he. 'If thou wilt promise to do my will when I call upon
+you,' said she, 'I will lend you my own horse, and he shall bear thee
+whither thou shalt choose.' This Sir Percivale promised gladly, and
+the woman went and returned with a black horse, so large and
+well-apparelled that Sir Percivale marvelled. But he mounted him
+gladly, and drove in his spurs, and within an hour and less the horse
+bare him four days' journey hence, and would have borne him into a
+rough water that roared, had not Sir Percivale pulled at his bridle.
+The Knight stood doubting, for the water made a great noise, and he
+feared lest his horse could not get through it. Still, wishing greatly
+to pass over, he made himself ready, and signed the sign of the cross
+upon his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>At that the fiend which had taken the shape of a horse shook off Sir
+Percivale and dashed into the water, crying and making great sorrow;
+and it seemed to him that the water burned. Then Sir Percivale knew
+that it was not a horse but a fiend, which would have brought him to
+perdition, and he gave thanks and prayed all that night long. As soon
+as it was day he looked about him, and saw he was in a wild mountain,
+girt round with the sea and filled with wild beasts. Then he rose and
+went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young
+lion by the neck, and after that there passed a great lion, crying and
+roaring after the serpent, and a fierce battle began between them. Sir
+Percivale thought to help the lion, as he was the more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> natural beast
+of the twain, and he drew his sword and set his shield before him, and
+gave the serpent a deadly buffet. When the lion saw that, he made him
+all the cheer that a beast might make a man, and fawned about him like
+a spaniel, and stroked him with his paws. And about noon the lion took
+his little whelp, and placed him on his back, and bare him home again,
+and Sir Percivale, being left alone, prayed till he was comforted. But
+at eventide the lion returned, and couched down at his feet, and all
+night long he and the lion slept together.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+<h3>VI</h3>
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE OF SIR LANCELOT</h3>
+<p>As Lancelot went his way through the forest he met with many hermits
+who dwelled therein, and had adventure with the Knight who stole his
+horse and his helm, and got them back again. And he learned from one
+of the hermits that Sir Galahad was his son, and that it was he who at
+the Feast of Pentecost had sat in the Siege Perilous, which it was
+ordained by Merlin that none should sit in save the best Knight in the
+world. All that night Sir Lancelot abode with the hermit and laid him
+to rest, a hair shirt always on his body, and it pricked him sorely,
+but he bore it meekly and suffered the pain. When the day dawned he
+bade the hermit farewell. As he rode he came to a fair plain, in which
+was a great castle set about with tents and pavilions of divers hues.
+Here were full five hundred Knights riding on horseback, and those
+near the castle were mounted on black horses with black trappings, and
+they that were without were on white horses and their trappings white.
+And the two sides fought together, and Sir Lancelot looked on.</p>
+
+<p>At last it seemed to him that the black Knights nearest the castle
+fared the worst, so, as he ever took the part of the weaker, he rode
+to their help and smote many of the white Knights to the earth and did
+marvellous deeds of arms. But always the white Knights held round Sir
+Lancelot to tire him out. And as no man may endure for ever, in the
+end Sir Lancelot waxed so faint of fighting that his arms would not
+lift themselves to deal a stroke; then they took him, and led him away
+into the forest and made him alight from his horse and rest, and when
+he was taken the fellowship of the castle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> were overcome for want of
+him. 'Never ere now was I at tournament or jousts but I had the best,'
+moaned Sir Lancelot to himself, as soon as the Knights had left him
+and he was alone. 'But now am I shamed, and I am persuaded that I am
+more sinful than ever I was.' Sorrowfully he rode on till he passed a
+chapel, where stood a nun, who called to him and asked him his name
+and what he was seeking.</p>
+
+<p>So he told her who he was, and what had befallen him at the
+tournament, and the vision that had come to him in his sleep. 'Ah,
+Lancelot,' said she, 'as long as you were a knight of earthly
+knighthood you were the most wonderful man in the world and the most
+adventurous. But now, since you are set among Knights of heavenly
+adventures, if you were worsted at that tournament it is no marvel.
+For the tournament was meant for a sign, and the earthly Knights were
+they who were clothed in black in token of the sins of which they were
+not yet purged. And the white Knights were they who had chosen the way
+of holiness, and in them the quest has already begun. Thus you beheld
+both the sinners and the good men, and when you saw the sinners
+overcome you went to their help, as they were your fellows in boasting
+and pride of the world, and all that must be left in that quest. And
+that caused your misadventure. Now that I have warned you of your
+vain-glory and your pride, beware of everlasting pain, for of all
+earthly Knights I have pity of you, for I know well that among earthly
+sinful Knights you are without peer.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+<h3>VII</h3>
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE OF SIR GAWAINE</h3>
+<p>Sir Gawaine rode long without meeting any adventure, and from
+Pentecost to Michaelmas found none that pleased him. But at Michaelmas
+he met Sir Ector de Maris and rejoiced greatly.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat talking there appeared before them a hand showing unto the
+elbow covered with red samite, and holding a great candle that burned
+right clear; and the hand passed into the chapel and vanished, they
+knew not where. Then they heard a voice which said, 'Knights full of
+evil faith and poor belief, these two things have failed you, and
+therefore you may not come to the adventure of the Holy Graal.' And
+this same told them a holy man to whom they confessed their sins,
+'for,' said he, 'you have failed in three things, charity, fasting,
+and truth, and have been great murderers. But sinful as Sir Lancelot
+was, since he went into the quest he never slew man, nor shall, till
+he come into Camelot again. For he has taken upon him to forsake sin.
+And were he not so unstable, he should be the next to achieve it,
+after Galahad his son. Yet shall he die an holy man, and in earthly
+sinful men he has no fellow.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said Gawaine, 'by your words it seems that our sins will not
+let us labour in that quest?' 'Truly,' answered the hermit, 'there be
+an hundred such as you to whom it will bring naught but shame.' So
+Gawaine departed and followed Sir Ector, who had ridden on before.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p>
+<h3>VIII</h3>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURE OF SIR BORS</h3>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_110.jpg" width="500" height="581" alt="HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER" title="" />
+<span class="caption">HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Sir Bors left Camelot on his quest he met a holy man riding on an
+ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Then the good man knew him to be one of
+the Knights who were in quest of the Holy Graal. 'What are you?' said
+he, and Sir Bors answered, 'I am a Knight that fain would be
+counselled in the quest of the Graal, for he shall have much earthly
+worship that brings it to an end.' 'That is true,' said the good man,
+'for he will be the best Knight in the world, but know well that there
+shall none attain it but by holiness and by confession of sin.' So
+they rode together till they came to the hermitage, and the good man
+led Sir Bors into the chapel, where he made confession of his sins,
+and they ate bread and drank water together. 'Now,' said the hermit,
+'I pray you that you eat none other till you sit at the table where
+the Holy Graal shall be.' 'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'I agree thereto,
+but how know you that I shall sit there?' 'That know I,' said the holy
+man, 'but there will be but few of your fellows with you. Also instead
+of a shirt you shall wear this garment until you have achieved your
+quest,' and Sir Bors took off his clothes, and put on instead a
+scarlet coat. Then the good man questioned him, and marvelled to find
+him pure in life, and he armed him and bade him go. After this Sir
+Bors rode through many lands, and had many adventures, and was often
+sore tempted, but remembered the words of the holy man and kept his
+life clean of wrong. And once he had by mischance almost slain his own
+brother, but a voice cried, 'Flee, Bors, and touch him not,' and he
+hearkened and stayed his hand. And there fell between them a fiery
+cloud, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> burned up both their shields, and they two fell to the
+earth in a great swoon; but when they awakened out of it Bors saw that
+his brother had no harm. With that the voice spoke to him saying,
+'Bors, go hence and bear your brother fellowship no longer; but take
+your way to the sea, where Sir Percivale abides till you come.' Then
+Sir Bors prayed his brother to forgive him all he had unknowingly
+done, and rode straight to the sea. On the shore he found a vessel
+covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel it
+set sail so fast it might have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and
+slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the
+midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for
+Sir Percivale, and welcomed him with great joy; and they told each
+other of their adventures and of their temptations, and had great
+happiness in each other's company. 'We lack nothing but Galahad, the
+good Knight,' Sir Percivale said.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+<h3>IX</h3>
+<h3>ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD</h3>
+<p>Sir Galahad rested one evening at a hermitage. And while he was
+resting, there came a gentlewoman and asked leave of the hermit to
+speak with Sir Galahad, and would not be denied, though she was told
+he was weary and asleep. Then the hermit waked Sir Galahad and bade
+him rise, as a gentlewoman had great need of him, so Sir Galahad rose
+and asked her what she wished. 'Galahad,' said she, 'I will that you
+arm yourself, and mount your horse and follow me, and I will show you
+the highest adventure that ever any Knight saw.' And Sir Galahad bade
+her go, and he would follow wherever she led. In three days they
+reached the sea, where they found the ship where Sir Bors and Sir
+Percivale were lying. And the lady bade him leave his horse behind and
+said she would leave hers also, but their saddles and bridles they
+would take on board the ship. This they did, and were received with
+great joy by the two Knights; then the sails were spread, and the ship
+was driven before the wind at a marvellous pace till they reached the
+land of Logris, the entrance to which lies between two great rocks
+with a whirlpool in the middle.</p>
+
+<p>Their own ship might not get safely through; but they left it and went
+into another ship that lay there, which had neither man nor woman in
+it. At the end of the ship was written these words: 'Thou man which
+shalt enter this ship beware thou be in steadfast belief; if thou
+fail, I shall not help thee.' Then the gentlewoman turned and said,
+'Percivale, do you know who I am?' 'No, truly,' answered he. 'I am
+your sister, and therefore you are the man in the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> that I most
+love. If you are without faith, or have any hidden sin, beware how you
+enter, else you will perish.' 'Fair sister,' answered he, 'I shall
+enter therein, for if I am an untrue Knight then shall I perish.' So
+they entered the ship, and it was rich and well adorned, that they all
+marvelled.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of it was a fair bed, and Sir Galahad went thereto and
+found on it a crown of silk, and a sword drawn out of its sheath half
+a foot and more. The sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel of
+stone, wrought about with colours, and every colour with its own
+virtue, and the handle was of the ribs of two beasts. The one was the
+bone of a serpent, and no hand that handles it shall ever become weary
+or hurt; and the other is a bone of a fish that swims in Euphrates,
+and whoso handles it shall not think on joy or sorrow that he has had,
+but only on that which he beholds before him. And no man shall grip
+this sword but one that is better than other men. So first Sir
+Percivale stepped forward and set his hand to the sword, but he might
+not grasp it. Next Sir Bors tried to seize it, but he also failed.
+When Sir Galahad beheld the sword, he saw that there was written on
+it, in letters of blood, that he who tried to draw it should never
+fail of shame in his body or be wounded to the death. 'By my faith,'
+said Galahad, 'I would draw this sword out of its sheath, but the
+offending is so great I shall not lay my hand thereto.' 'Sir,'
+answered the gentlewoman, 'know that no man can draw this sword save
+you alone'; and she told him many tales of the Knights who had set
+their hands to it, and of the evil things that had befallen them. And
+they all begged Sir Galahad to grip the sword, as it was ordained that
+he should. 'I will grip it,' said Galahad, 'to give you courage, but
+it belongs no more to me than it does to you.' Then he gripped it
+tight with his fingers, and the gentlewoman girt him about the middle
+with the sword, and after that they left that ship and went into
+another,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> which brought them to land, where they fell upon many
+strange adventures. And when they had wrought many great deeds, they
+departed from each other. But first Sir Percivale's sister died, being
+bled to death, so that another lady might live, and she prayed them to
+lay her body in a boat and leave the boat to go as the winds and waves
+carried it. And so it was done, and Sir Percivale wrote a letter
+telling how she had helped them in all their adventures; and he put it
+in her right hand, and laid her in a barge, and covered it with black
+silk. And the wind arose and drove it from their sight.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+<h3>X</h3>
+<h3>
+  SIR LANCELOT MEETS SIR GALAHAD, AND THEY PART<br />
+  FOR EVER<br />
+</h3>
+<p>Now we must tell what happened to Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>When he was come to a water called Mortoise he fell asleep, awaiting
+for the adventure that should be sent to him, and in his sleep a voice
+spoke to him, and bade him rise and take his armour, and enter the
+first ship he should find. So he started up and took his arms and made
+him ready, and on the strand he found a ship that was without sail or
+oar. As soon as he was within the ship, he felt himself wrapped round
+with a sweetness such as he had never known before, as if all that he
+could desire was fulfilled. And with this joy and peace about him he
+fell asleep. When he woke he found near him a fair bed, with a dead
+lady lying on it, whom he knew to be Sir Percivale's sister, and in
+her hand was the tale of her adventures, which Sir Lancelot took and
+read. For a month or more they dwelt in that ship together, and one
+day, when it had drifted near the shore, he heard a sound as of a
+horse; and when the steps came nearer he saw that a Knight was riding
+him. At the sight of the ship the Knight alighted and took the saddle
+and bridle, and entered the ship. 'You are welcome,' said Lancelot,
+and the Knight saluted him and said, 'What is your name? for my heart
+goeth out to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' answered he, 'my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said the new Knight, 'you are welcome, for you were the
+beginner of me in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'is it you, then, Galahad?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, in sooth,' said he, and kneeled down and asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> Lancelot's
+blessing, and then took off his helm and kissed him. And there was
+great joy between them, and they told each other all that had befallen
+them since they left King Arthur's Court. Then Galahad saw the
+gentlewoman dead on the bed, and he knew her, and said he held her in
+great worship, and that she was the best maid in the world, and how it
+was great pity that she had come to her death. But when Lancelot heard
+that Galahad had won the marvellous sword he prayed that he might see
+it, and kissed the pommel and the hilt, and the scabbard. 'In truth,'
+he said, 'never did I know of adventures so wonderful and strange.' So
+dwelled Lancelot and Galahad in that ship for half a year, and served
+God daily and nightly with all their power. And after six months had
+gone it befell that on a Monday they drifted to the edge of the
+forest, where they saw a Knight with white armour bestriding one horse
+and holding another all white, by the bridle. And he came to the ship,
+and saluted the two Knights and said, 'Galahad, you have been long
+enough with your father, therefore leave that ship and start upon this
+horse, and go on the quest of the Holy Graal.' So Galahad went to his
+father and kissed him, saying, 'Fair sweet father, I know not if I
+shall see you more till I have beheld the Holy Graal.' Then they heard
+a voice which said, 'The one shall never see the other till the day of
+doom.' 'Now, Galahad,' said Lancelot, 'since we are to bid farewell
+for ever now, I pray to the great Father to preserve me and you both.'
+'Sir,' answered Galahad, 'no prayer availeth so much as yours.'</p>
+
+<p>The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found
+King Arthur and Guenevere; but many of the Knights of the Round Table
+were slain and destroyed, more than the half. All the Court was
+passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of
+his son Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p>
+<h3>XI</h3>
+<h3>
+  HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUND THE GRAAL AND DIED OF<br />
+  THAT FINDING<br />
+</h3>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_118.jpg" width="500" height="754" alt="LANCELOT &amp; THE DWARF." title="" />
+<span class="caption">LANCELOT &amp; THE DWARF.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Sir Galahad rode on till he met Sir Percivale and afterwards Sir Bors,
+whom they greeted most gladly, and they bare each other company. First
+they came to the Castle of Carbonek, where dwelled King Pelles, who
+welcomed them with joy, for he knew by their coming that they had
+fulfilled the quest of the Graal. They then departed on other
+adventures, and with the blood out of the Holy Lance Galahad anointed
+the maimed King and healed him. That same night at midnight a voice
+bade them arise and quit the castle, which they did, followed by three
+Knights of Gaul. Then Galahad prayed every one of them that if they
+reached King Arthur's Court they should salute Sir Lancelot his
+father, and those Knights of the Round Table that were present, and
+with that he left them, and Sir Bors and Sir Percivale with him. For
+three days they rode till they came to a shore, and found a ship
+awaiting them. And in the midst of it was the table of silver, and the
+Holy Graal which was covered with red samite. Then were their hearts
+right glad, and they made great reverence thereto, and Galahad prayed
+that at what time he asked, he might depart out of this world. So long
+he prayed that at length a voice said to him, 'Galahad, thou shalt
+have thy desire, and when thou askest the death of the body thou shalt
+have it, and shalt find the life of the soul.' Percivale likewise
+heard the voice, and besought Galahad to tell him why he asked such
+things. And Galahad answered, 'The other day when we saw a part of the
+adventures of the Holy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> Graal, I was in such a joy of heart that
+never did man feel before, and I knew well that when my body is dead
+my soul shall be in joy of which the other was but a shadow.'</p>
+
+<p>Some time were the three Knights in that ship, till at length they saw
+before them the city of Sarras. Then they took from the ship the table
+of silver, and Sir Percivale and Sir Bors went first, and Sir Galahad
+followed after to the gate of the city, where sat an old man that was
+crooked. At the sight of the old man Sir Galahad called to him to help
+them carry the table, for it was heavy. 'Truly,' answered the old man,
+'it is ten years since I have gone without crutches.' 'Care not for
+that,' said Galahad, 'but rise up and show your good will.' So he
+arose and found himself as whole as ever he was, and he ran to the
+table and held up the side next Galahad. And there was much noise in
+the city that a cripple was healed by three Knights newly entered in.
+This reached the ears of the King, who sent for the Knights and
+questioned them. And they told him the truth, and of the Holy Graal;
+but the King listened nothing to all they said, but put them into a
+deep hole in the prison. Even here they were not without comfort, for
+a vision of the Holy Graal sustained them. And at the end of a year
+the King lay sick and felt he should die, and he called the three
+Knights and asked forgiveness of the evil he had done to them, which
+they gave gladly. Then he died, and the whole city was afraid and knew
+not what to do, till while they were in counsel a voice came to them
+and bade them choose the youngest of the three strange Knights for
+their King. And they did so. After Galahad was proclaimed King, he
+ordered that a coffer of gold and precious stones should be made to
+encompass the table of silver, and every day he and the two Knights
+would kneel before it and make their prayers.</p>
+
+<p>Now at the year's end, and on the selfsame day that Galahad had been
+crowned King, he arose up early and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> came with the two Knights to the
+Palace; and he saw a man in the likeness of a Bishop, encircled by a
+great crowd of angels, kneeling before the Holy Vessel. And he called
+to Galahad and said to him, 'Come forth, thou servant of Christ, and
+thou shalt see what thou hast much desired to see.' Then Galahad began
+to tremble right hard, when the flesh first beheld the things of the
+spirit, and he held up his hands to heaven and said, 'Lord, I thank
+thee, for now I see that which hath been my desire for many a day.
+Now, blessed Lord, I would no longer live, if it might please Thee.'
+Then Galahad went to Percivale and kissed him, and commended him to
+God; and he went to Sir Bors and kissed him, and commended him to God,
+and said, 'Fair lord, salute me to my lord Sir Lancelot, my father,
+and bid him remember this unstable world.' Therewith he kneeled down
+before the table and made his prayers, and while he was praying his
+soul suddenly left the body and was carried by angels up into heaven,
+which the two Knights right well beheld. Also they saw come from
+heaven a hand, but no body behind it, and it came unto the Vessel, and
+took it and the spear, and bare them back to heaven. And since then no
+man has dared to say that he has seen the Holy Graal.</p>
+
+<p>When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad lying dead they made as much
+sorrow as ever two men did, and the people of the country and of the
+city were right heavy. And they buried him as befitted their King. As
+soon as Galahad was buried, Sir Percivale sought a hermitage outside
+the city, and put on the dress of a hermit, and Sir Bors was always
+with him, but kept the dress that he wore at Court. When a year and
+two months had passed Sir Percivale died also, and was buried by the
+side of Galahad; and Sir Bors left that land, and after long riding
+came to Camelot. Then was there great joy made of him in the Court,
+for they had held him as dead; and the King ordered great clerks to
+attend him, and to write<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> down all his adventures and those of Sir
+Percivale and Sir Galahad. Next, Sir Lancelot told the adventures of
+the Graal which he had seen, and this likewise was written and placed
+with the other in almonries at Salisbury. And by and by Sir Bors said
+to Sir Lancelot, 'Galahad your son saluteth you by me, and after you
+King Arthur and all the Court, and so did Sir Percivale; for I buried
+them with mine own hands in the City of Sarras. Also, Sir Lancelot,
+Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain world, as you
+promised when you were together!' 'That is true,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'and I trust his prayer may avail me.' But the prayer but little
+availed Sir Lancelot, for he fell to his old sins again. And now the
+Knights were few that survived the search for the Graal, and the evil
+days of Arthur began.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_FIGHT_FOR_THE_QUEEN" id="THE_FIGHT_FOR_THE_QUEEN"></a>THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN</h2>
+
+
+<p>So the quest of the Holy Graal had been fulfilled, and the few Knights
+that had been left alive returned to the Round Table, and there was
+great joy in the Court. To do them honour the Queen made them a
+dinner; and there were four and twenty Knights present, and among them
+Sir Patrise of Ireland, and Sir Gawaine and his brethren, the King's
+nephews, which were Sir Agrawaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir
+Mordred. Now it was the custom of Sir Gawaine daily at dinner and
+supper to eat all manner of fruit, and especially pears and apples,
+and this the Queen knew, and set fruit of all sorts before him. And
+there was present at the dinner one Sir Pinel le Savage, who hated Sir
+Gawaine because he and his brethren had slain Sir Lamorak du Galis,
+cousin to Sir Pinel; so he put poison into some of the apples, hoping
+that Sir Gawaine would eat one and die. But by ill fortune it befell
+that the good Knight Sir Patrise took a poisoned apple, and in a few
+moments he lay dead and stark in his seat. At this sight all the
+Knights leapt to their feet, but said nothing, for they bethought them
+that Queen Guenevere had made them the dinner, and feared that she had
+poisoned the fruit.</p>
+
+<p>'My lady, the Queen,' said Sir Gawaine, who was the first to speak,
+'this fruit was brought for me, for all know how well I love it;
+therefore, Madam, the shame of this ill deed is yours.' The Queen
+stood still, pale and trembling, but kept silence, and next spoke Sir
+Mador de la Porte.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'This shall not be ended so,' said he, 'for I have lost a noble Knight
+of my blood, and I will be avenged of the person who has wrought this
+evil.' And he turned to the Queen and said 'Madam, it is you who have
+brought about the death of my cousin Sir Patrise!' The Knights round
+listened in silence, for they too thought Sir Mador spake truth. And
+the Queen still said nothing, but fell to weeping bitterly, till King
+Arthur heard and came to look into the matter. And when they told him
+of their trouble his heart was heavy within him.</p>
+
+<p>'Fair lords,' said the King at last, 'I grieve for this ill deed; but
+I cannot meddle therein, or do battle for my wife, for I have to judge
+justly. Sure I am that this deed is none of hers, therefore many a
+good Knight will stand her champion that she be not burned to death in
+a wrong quarrel. And, Sir Mador, hold not your head so high, but fix
+the day of battle, when you shall find a Knight to answer you, or else
+it were great shame to all my Court.'</p>
+
+<p>'My gracious lord,' said Sir Mador, 'you must hold me excused. But
+though you are a King you are also a Knight, and must obey the laws of
+Knighthood. Therefore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that
+none of the four and twenty Knights here present will fight that
+battle. What say you, my lords?' Then the Knights answered that they
+could not hold the Queen guiltless, for as the dinner was made by her
+either she or her servants must have done this thing.</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' said the Queen, 'no evil was in my heart when I prepared this
+feast, for never have I done such foul deeds.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord the King,' cried Sir Mador, 'I require of you, as you are a
+just King, to fix a day that I may get ready for the fight!'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' answered the King, 'on the fifteenth day from this come on
+horseback to the meadow that is by Westminster. And if it happens that
+there be a Knight to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God
+will speed the right. But if no Knight is there, then must my Queen be
+burned, and a fire shall be made in the meadow.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_125.jpg" width="500" height="621" alt="SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE" title="" />
+<span class="caption">SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'I am answered,' said Sir Mador, and he and the rest of the Knights
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>When the King and Queen were left alone he asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> her what had brought
+all this about. 'God help me, that I know not,' said the Queen, 'nor
+how it was done.'</p>
+
+<p>'Where is Sir Lancelot?' said King Arthur, looking round. 'If he were
+here he would not grudge to do battle for you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' replied the Queen, 'I know not where he is, but his brother and
+his kinsmen think he is not in this realm.'</p>
+
+<p>'I grieve for that,' said the King, 'for he would soon stop this
+strife. But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and he will not refuse you.
+For well I see that none of the four and twenty Knights who were with
+you at dinner will be your champion, and none will say well of you,
+but men will speak evil of you at the Court.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' sighed the Queen, 'I do indeed miss Sir Lancelot, for he would
+soon ease my heart.'</p>
+
+<p>'What ails you?' asked the King, 'that you cannot keep Sir Lancelot at
+your side, for well you know that he who Sir Lancelot fights for has
+the best Knight in the world for his champion. Now go your way, and
+command Sir Bors to do battle with you for Sir Lancelot's sake.' So
+the Queen departed from the King, and sent for Sir Bors into her
+chamber, and when he came she besought his help.</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said he, 'what can I do? for I may not meddle in this matter
+lest the Knights who were at the dinner have me in suspicion, for I
+was there also. It is now, Madam, that you miss Sir Lancelot, whom you
+have driven away, as he would have done battle for you were you right
+or wrong, and I wonder how for shame's sake you can ask me, knowing
+how I love and honour him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas,' said the Queen, 'I throw myself on your grace,' and she went
+down on her knees and besought Sir Bors to have mercy on her, 'else I
+shall have a shameful death, and one I have never deserved.' At that
+King Arthur came in, and found her kneeling before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> Sir Bors. 'Madam!
+you do me great dishonour,' said Sir Bors, raising her up.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_128.jpg" width="600" height="946" alt="GUENEVERE &amp; SIR BORS" title="" />
+<span class="caption">GUENEVERE &amp; SIR BORS</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Ah, gentle Knight,' cried the King, 'have mercy on my Queen, for I am
+sure that they speak falsely. And I require by the love of Sir
+Lancelot that you do battle for her instead of him.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' answered Sir Bors, 'you require of me the hardest thing
+that ever anyone asked of me, for well you know that if I fight for
+the Queen I shall anger all my companions of the Round Table; but I
+will not say nay, my lord, for Sir Lancelot's sake and for your sake!
+On that day I will be the Queen's champion, unless a better Knight is
+found to do battle for her.'</p>
+
+<p>'Will you promise me this?' asked the King.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' answered Sir Bors, 'I will not fail you nor her, unless there
+should come a better Knight than I, then he shall have the battle.'
+Then the King and Queen rejoiced greatly, and thanked Sir Bors with
+all their hearts.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Bors departed and rode unto Sir Lancelot, who was with the
+hermit Sir Brasias, and told him of this adventure. 'Ah,' said Sir
+Lancelot, 'this has befallen as I would have it, and therefore I pray
+you make ready to do battle, but delay the fight as long as you can
+that I may appear. For I am sure that Sir Mador is a hot Knight, and
+the longer he waits the more impatient he will be for the combat.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'let me deal with him. Doubt not you shall
+have all your will.' And he rode away, and came again to the Court.</p>
+
+<p>It was soon noised about that Sir Bors would be the Queen's champion,
+and many Knights were displeased with him; but there were a few who
+held the Queen to be innocent. Sir Bors spoke unto them all and said,
+'It were shameful, my fair lords, if we suffered the most noble Queen
+in the world to be disgraced openly, not only for her sake, but for
+the King's.' But they answered him: 'As for our lord King Arthur, we
+love him and honour him <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>as much as you; but as for Queen Guenevere,
+we love her not, for she is the destroyer of good Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair lords,' said Sir Bors, 'you shall not speak such words, for
+never yet have I heard that she was the destroyer of good Knights. But
+at all times, as far as I ever knew, she maintained them and gave them
+many gifts. And therefore it were a shame to us all if we suffered our
+noble King's wife to be put to death, and I will not suffer it. So
+much I will say, that the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise's death;
+for she owed him no ill will, and bade him and us to the dinner for no
+evil purpose, which will be proved hereafter. And in any case there
+was foul dealing among us.'</p>
+
+<p>'We may believe your words,' said some of the Knights, but others held
+that he spoke falsely.</p>
+
+<p>The days passed quickly by until the evening before the battle, when
+the Queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him if he was ready to keep his
+promise.</p>
+
+<p>'Truly, Madam,' answered he, 'I shall not fail you, unless a better
+Knight than I am come to do battle for you. Then, Madam, I am
+discharged of my promise.'</p>
+
+<p>'Shall I tell this to my lord Arthur?' said the Queen.</p>
+
+<p>'If it pleases you, Madam,' answered Sir Bors. So the Queen went to
+the King, and told him what Sir Bors had said, and the King bade her
+to be comforted, as Sir Bors was one of the best Knights of the Round
+Table.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the King and Queen, and all manner of Knights, rode
+into the meadow of Westminster, where the battle was to be; and the
+Queen was put into the Guard of the High Constable, and a stout iron
+stake was planted, and a great fire made about it, at which the Queen
+should be burned if Sir Mador de la Porte won the fight. For it was
+the custom in those days that neither fear nor favour, love nor
+kinship, should hinder right judgment. Then came Sir Mador de la
+Porte, and made oath before the King that the Queen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> had done to death
+his cousin Sir Patrise, and he would prove it on her Knight's body,
+let who would say the contrary. Sir Bors likewise made answer that
+Queen Guenevere had done no wrong, and that he would make good with
+his two hands. 'Then get you ready,' said Sir Mador. 'Sir Mador,'
+answered Sir Bors, 'I know you for a good Knight, but I trust to be
+able to withstand your malice; and I have promised King Arthur and my
+Lady the Queen that I will do battle for her to the uttermost, unless
+there come forth a better Knight than I am.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_132.jpg" width="500" height="773" alt="ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Is that all?' asked Sir Mador; 'but you must either fight now or own
+that you are beaten.'</p>
+
+<p>'Take your horse,' said Sir Bors, 'for I shall not tarry long,' and
+Sir Mador forthwith rode into the field with his shield on his
+shoulder, and his spear in his hand, and he went up and down crying
+unto King Arthur, 'Bid your champion come forth if he dare.' At that
+Sir Bors was ashamed, and took his horse, and rode to the end of the
+lists. But from a wood hard by appeared a Knight riding fast on a
+white horse, bearing a shield full of strange devices. When he reached
+Sir Bors he drew rein and said, 'Fair Knight, be not displeased, but
+this battle must be to a better Knight than you. For I have come a
+great journey to fight this fight, as I promised when I spoke with you
+last, and I thank you heartily for your goodwill.' So Sir Bors went to
+King Arthur and told him that a Knight had come who wished to do
+battle for the Queen. 'What Knight is he?' asked the King.</p>
+
+<p>'That I know not,' said Sir Bors; 'but he made a covenant with me to
+be here this day, and now I am discharged,' said Sir Bors.</p>
+
+<p>Then the King called to that Knight and asked him if he would fight
+for the Queen. 'For that purpose I came hither,' replied he, 'and
+therefore, Sir King, delay me no longer, for as soon as I have ended
+this battle I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> must go hence, as I have many matters elsewhere. And
+I would have you know that it is a dishonour to all the Knights of the
+Round Table to let so noble a lady and so courteous a Queen as Queen
+Guenevere be shamed amongst you.'</p>
+
+<p>The Knights who were standing round looked at each other at these
+words, and wondered much what man this was who took the battle upon
+him, for none knew him save Sir Bors.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the King, 'let me know the name
+of him with whom I have to do.' But the King answered nothing, and
+made a sign for the fight to begin. They rode to the end of the lists,
+and couched their spears and rushed together with all their force, and
+Sir Mador's spear broke in pieces. But the other Knight's spear held
+firm, and he pressed on Sir Mador's horse till it fell backward with a
+great fall. Sir Mador sprang from his horse, and, placing his shield
+before him, drew his sword, and bade his foe dismount from his horse
+also, and do battle with him on foot, which the unknown Knight did.
+For an hour they fought thus, as Sir Mador was a strong man, and had
+proved himself the victor in many combats. At last the Knight smote
+Sir Mador grovelling to his knees, and the Knight stepped forward to
+have struck him flat upon the ground. Therewith Sir Mador suddenly
+rose, and smote the Knight upon the thigh, so that the blood ran out
+fiercely. But when the Knight felt himself wounded, and saw his blood,
+he let Sir Mador rise to his feet, and then he gave him such a buffet
+on the helm that this time Sir Mador fell his length on the earth, and
+the Knight sprang to him, to unloose his helm. At this Sir Mador
+prayed for his life, acknowledging that he was overcome, and confessed
+that the Queen's innocence had been proved. 'I will only grant you
+your life,' said the Knight, 'if you will proclaim publicly that you
+have foully slandered the Queen, and that you make no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> mention, on the
+tomb of Sir Patrise, that ever Queen Guenevere consented to his
+murder.' 'All that will I do,' said Sir Mador, and some Knights took
+him up, and carried him away to heal his wounds. And the other Knight
+went straight to the foot of the steps where sat King Arthur, and
+there the Queen had just come, and the King and the Queen kissed each
+other before all the people. When King Arthur saw the Knight standing
+there he stooped down to him and thanked him, and so likewise did the
+Queen; and they prayed him to put off his helmet, and commanded wine
+to be brought, and when he unlaced his helmet to drink they knew him
+to be Sir Lancelot du Lake. Then Arthur took the Queen's hand and led
+her to Sir Lancelot and said, 'Sir, I give you the most heartfelt
+thanks of the great deed you have done this day for me and my Queen.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you know well that I ought of right
+ever to fight your battles, and those of my lady the Queen. For it was
+you who gave me the high honour of Knighthood, and that same day my
+lady the Queen did me a great service, else I should have been put to
+shame before all men. Because in my hastiness I lost my sword, and my
+lady the Queen found it and gave it to me when I had sore need of it.
+And therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her that day that I would be
+her Knight in right or in wrong.'</p>
+
+<p>'I owe you great thanks,' said the King, 'and some time I hope to
+repay you.' The Queen, beholding Sir Lancelot, wept tears of joy for
+her deliverance, and felt bowed to the ground with sorrow at the
+thought of what he had done for her, when she had sent him away with
+unkind words. Then all the Knights of the Round Table and his kinsmen
+drew near to him and welcomed him, and there was great mirth in the
+Court.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_FAIR_MAID_OF_ASTOLAT" id="THE_FAIR_MAID_OF_ASTOLAT"></a><i>THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>Soon after this it befell that the damsel of the lake, called by some
+Nimue and by others Vivien, wedded Sir Pelleas, and came to the Court
+of King Arthur. And when she heard the talk of the death of Sir
+Patrise and how the Queen had been accused of it, she found out by
+means of her magic that the tale was false, and told it openly that
+the Queen was innocent and that it was Sir Pinel who had poisoned the
+apple. Then he fled into his own country, where none might lay hands
+on him. So Sir Patrise was buried in the Church of Westminster, and on
+his tomb was written, 'Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir
+Pinel le Savage, that empoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and
+by misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples and then suddenly he
+burst.' Also there was put upon the tomb that Queen Guenevere was
+accused of the death of Sir Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and how
+Sir Lancelot fought with him and overcame him in battle. All this was
+written on the tomb.</p>
+
+<p>And daily Sir Mador prayed to have the Queen's grace once more, and by
+means of Sir Lancelot he was forgiven. It was now the middle of the
+summer, and King Arthur proclaimed that in fifteen days a great
+tourney should be held at Camelot, which is now called Winchester, and
+many Knights and Kings made ready to do themselves honour. But the
+Queen said she would stay behind, for she was sick, and did not care
+for the noise and bustle of a tourney. 'It grieves me you should say
+that,' said the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> King, for you will not have seen so noble a company
+gathered together this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when
+Galahad departed from the Court.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' answered the Queen, 'the sight will be grand. Nevertheless
+you must hold me excused, for I cannot be there.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and
+that he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At
+this the King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or
+his best Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by
+the way lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And
+when the King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told
+him he was to blame for having excused himself from going with the
+King, who set such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he
+would be ruled by her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to
+Winchester; 'but I should have you know,' said he, 'that at the
+tourney I shall be against the King and his Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'You must do as you please,' replied the Queen, 'but if you will be
+ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you not to be displeased with me.
+I will take the adventure as it comes,' and early next morning he rode
+away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town
+till he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of
+Astolat, and as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from
+the gardens of the castle. 'It is well,' he said smiling to the
+Knights that were beside him, 'I see one man who will play his part in
+the jousts, and I will undertake that he will do marvels.'</p>
+
+<p>'Who is that?' asked they all. 'You must wait to know that,' replied
+the King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered
+his lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> it
+was Sir Lancelot. 'Fair Sir,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you lend me,
+if you can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they
+know well.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Bernard, 'you shall have your wish, for you seem
+one of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons,
+both but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his
+Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir
+Lavaine, shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the
+jousts. For my heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you,
+what name I shall call you by.'</p>
+
+<p>'You must hold me excused as to that, just now,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'but if I speedwell at the jousts, I will come again and tell you. But
+let me have Sir Lavaine with me, and lend me, as you have offered, his
+brother's shield.' 'This shall be done,' replied Sir Bernard.</p>
+
+<p>Besides these two sons, Sir Bernard had a daughter whom everyone
+called The Fair Maid of Astolat, though her real name was Elaine le
+Blanc. And when she looked on Sir Lancelot, her love went forth to him
+and she could never take it back, and in the end it killed her. As
+soon as her father told her that Sir Lancelot was going to the tourney
+she besought him to wear her token in the jousts, but he was not
+willing. 'Fair damsel,' he said, 'if I did that, I should have done
+more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel.' But then he
+remembered that he was to go disguised to the tourney, and because he
+had before never worn any manner of token of any damsel, he bethought
+him that, if he should take one of hers, none would know him. So he
+said to her, 'Fair damsel, I will wear your token on my helmet, if you
+will show me what it is.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' she answered, 'it is a red sleeve, embroidered in great
+pearls,' and she brought it to him. 'Never have I done so much for any
+damsel,' said he, and gave his own shield into her keeping, till he
+came again. Sir Arthur had waited three days in Astolat for some
+Knights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> who were long on the road, and when they had arrived they all
+set forth, and were followed by Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine, both
+with white shields, and Sir Lancelot bore besides the red sleeve that
+was a token. Now Camelot was filled with a great number of Kings and
+Lords and Knights, but Sir Lavaine found means to lodge both himself
+and Sir Lancelot secretly with a rich burgess, and no man knew who
+they were or whence they came. And there they stayed till the day of
+the tourney. At earliest dawn the trumpets blew, and King Arthur took
+his seat upon a high scaffold, so that he might see who had done best;
+but he would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from his side, for Sir
+Gawaine never won the prize when Sir Lancelot was in the field, and as
+King Arthur knew, Sir Lancelot oftentimes disguised himself.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_140.jpg" width="500" height="817" alt="ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROUND SIR LANCELOT&#39;S HELMET" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROUND SIR LANCELOT&#39;S HELMET</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Then the Knights formed into two parties and Sir Lancelot made him
+ready, and fastened the red sleeve upon his helmet, and he and Sir
+Lavaine rode into a little wood that lay behind the Knights who should
+fight against those of the Round Table. 'Sir,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'yonder is a company of good Knights and they hold together as boars
+that are vexed with dogs.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is truth,' said Sir Lavaine.</p>
+
+<p>'Now,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you will help me a little, you shall see
+King Arthur's side, which is winning, driven back as fast as they
+came.'</p>
+
+<p>'Spare not, Sir,' answered Sir Lavaine, 'for I shall do what I may.'
+So they rode into the thickest of the press, and smote so hard both
+with spear and sword that the Knights of the Round Table fell back. 'O
+mercy!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'what Knight is that yonder who does such
+marvellous deeds?'</p>
+
+<p>'I know well who it is,' said King Arthur, 'but I will not tell you
+yet.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'I should say it was Sir Lancelot by the
+blows he deals and the manner that he rides, but it cannot be he, for
+this man has a red sleeve <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>upon his helmet, and Sir Lancelot has
+never borne the token of any lady.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let him be,' said Sir Arthur, 'you will find out his name, and see
+him do greater deeds yet, before he departs.' And the Knights that
+were fighting against the King's party took heart again, for before
+they feared they would be beaten. But when Sir Bors saw this, he
+called unto him the Knights that were of kin to Sir Lancelot, and they
+banded together to make a great charge, and threw Sir Lancelot's horse
+to the ground, and by misfortune the spear of Sir Bors broke, and its
+head was left in Sir Lancelot's side. When Sir Lavaine saw that, he
+unhorsed the King of Scots, and brought his horse to Sir Lancelot, and
+helped him mount thereon and gave him a spear, with which Sir Lancelot
+smote Sir Bors to the earth and Sir Ector de Maris, the foster-father
+of King Arthur, and buffeted sorely the Knights that were with them.
+Afterward he hurled himself into the thick <i>m&ecirc;l&eacute;e</i> of them all, and
+did the most wonderful deeds that ever were heard of. And Sir Lavaine
+likewise did well that day, for he smote down full two Knights of the
+Round Table. 'Mercy,' again cried Sir Gawaine to Arthur, 'I marvel
+what Knight that is with the red sleeve.'</p>
+
+<p>'That you shall know soon,' said King Arthur, and commanded that the
+trumpets should be blown, and declared that the prize belonged to the
+Knight with the white shield, who bare the red sleeve, for he had
+unhorsed more than thirty Knights. And the Kings and Lords who were of
+his party came round him and thanked him for the help he had given
+them, by which means the honours of the day had been theirs.</p>
+
+<p>'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if I have deserved thanks, I have
+paid for them sorely, for I shall hardly escape with my life,
+therefore I pray you let me depart, for my hurt is grievous.' Then he
+groaned piteously, and galloped from them to a wood's side, followed
+by Sir Lavaine. 'Oh help me, Sir Lavaine,' said he, 'to get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> this
+spear's head out of my side, for it is killing me.' But Sir Lavaine
+feared to touch it, lest Sir Lancelot should bleed to death. 'I charge
+you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you love me draw out the head,' so Sir
+Lavaine drew it out. And Sir Lancelot gave a great shriek, and a
+marvellous grisly groan, and his blood flowed out so fast, that he
+fell into a swoon. 'Oh what shall I do?' cried Sir Lavaine, and he
+loosed Sir Lancelot's helm and coat of mail, and turned him so that
+the wind might blow on him, but for full half an hour he lay as if he
+had been dead. And at last Sir Lancelot opened his eyes, and said, 'O
+Lavaine, help me on my horse, for two miles from this place there
+lives a hermit who once was a Knight of the Round Table, and he can
+heal my wounds.' Then Sir Lavaine, with much ado, helped him on his
+horse, and brought him bleeding to the hermit. The hermit looked at
+him as he rode up, leaning piteously on his saddle-bow, and he thought
+that he should know him, but could not tell who he was for the
+paleness of his face, till he saw by a wound on his cheek that it was
+Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot hide your name from me,' said the hermit, 'for you are the
+noblest Knight in the world, and well I know you to be Sir Lancelot.'</p>
+
+<p>'Since you know me, Sir,' said he, 'help me for God's sake, and for
+death or life put me out of this pain.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fear nothing,' answered the hermit, 'your pain will soon be gone,'
+and he called his servants to take the armour off the Knight, and laid
+him in bed. After that he dressed the wound, and gave him good wine to
+drink, and Sir Lancelot slept and awoke free of his pain. So we will
+leave him to be healed of his wound, under the care of the hermit, and
+go back to King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was the custom in those days that after a tourney was finished,
+a great feast should be held at which both parties were assembled, so
+King Arthur sent to ask the King of Northgalis, where was the Knight
+with the red sleeve, who had fought on his side. 'Bring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> him before
+me,' he said, 'that he may have the prize he has won, which is his
+right.' Then answered the King with the hundred Knights, 'we fear the
+Knight must have been sore hurt, and that neither you nor we are ever
+like to see him again, which is grievous to think of.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' said King Arthur, 'is he then so badly wounded? What is his
+name?'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' said they all, 'we know not his name, nor whence he came, nor
+whither he went.'</p>
+
+<p>'As for me,' answered King Arthur, 'these tidings are the worst that I
+have heard these seven years, for I would give all the lands I hold
+that no harm had befallen this Knight.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do you know him?' asked they all.</p>
+
+<p>'Whether I know him or not,' said King Arthur, 'I shall not tell you,
+but may Heaven send me good news of him.' 'Amen,' answered they.</p>
+
+<p>'By my head,' said Sir Gawaine, 'if this good Knight is really wounded
+unto death, it is a great evil for all this land, for he is one of the
+noblest that ever I saw for handling a sword or spear. And if he may
+be found, I shall find him, for I am sure he is not far from this
+town,' so he took his Squire with him, and they rode all round
+Camelot, six or seven miles on every side, but nothing could they hear
+of him. And he returned heavily to the Court of King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Two days after the King and all his company set out for London, and by
+the way, it happened to Sir Gawaine to lodge with Sir Bernard at
+Astolat. And when he was in his chamber, Sir Bernard and his daughter
+Elaine came unto Sir Gawaine, to ask him tidings of the Court, and who
+did best in the tourney at Winchester.</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' said Sir Gawaine, 'there were two Knights that bare white
+shields, but one of them had a red sleeve upon his helm, and he was
+one of the best Knights that ever I saw joust in the field, for I dare
+say he smote down forty Knights of the Table Round.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Now blessed be God,' said the Maid of Astolat, 'that that Knight sped
+so well, for he is the man in the world that I loved first, and he
+will also be the last that ever I shall love.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair Maid,' asked Sir Gawaine, 'is that Knight your love?'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly he is my love,' said she.</p>
+
+<p>'Then you know his name?' asked Sir Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, truly,' answered the damsel, 'I know neither his name, nor
+whence he cometh, but I love him for all that.'</p>
+
+<p>'How did you meet him first?' asked Sir Gawaine. At that she told him
+the whole story, and how her brother went with Sir Lancelot to do him
+service, and lent him the white shield of her brother Sir Tirre and
+left his own shield with her. 'Why did he do that?' asked Sir Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>'For this cause,' said the damsel, 'his shield was too well known
+among many noble Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, fair damsel,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I beg of you to let me have a
+sight of that shield.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered she, 'it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if
+you will come with me, you shall see it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not so,' said Sir Bernard, and sent his Squire for it. And when Sir
+Gawaine took off the case and beheld the shield, and saw the arms, he
+knew it to be Sir Lancelot's. 'Ah mercy,' cried he, 'my heart is
+heavier than ever it was before!'</p>
+
+<p>'Why?' asked Elaine.</p>
+
+<p>'I have great cause,' answered Sir Gawaine. 'Is that Knight who owns
+this shield your love?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, truly,' said she; 'I would I were his love.'</p>
+
+<p>'You are right, fair damsel,' replied Gawaine, 'for if you love him,
+you love the most honourable Knight in the world. I have known him for
+four-and-twenty years, and never did I or any other Knight see him
+wear a token of either lady or damsel at a tournament. Therefore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+damsel, he has paid you great honour. But I fear that I may never
+behold him again upon earth, and that is grievous to think of.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' she said, 'how may this be? Is he slain?'</p>
+
+<p>'I did not say that,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'but he is sorely wounded,
+and is more likely to be dead than alive. And, maiden, by this shield
+I know that he is Sir Lancelot.'</p>
+
+<p>'How can this be?' said the Maid of Astolat, 'and what was his hurt?'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'it was the man that loved him best who
+hurt him so, and I am sure that if that man knew that it was Sir
+Lancelot whom he had wounded, he would think it was the darkest deed
+that ever he did.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now, dear father,' said Elaine, 'give me leave to ride and to seek
+him, for I shall go out of my mind unless I find him and my brother.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do as you will,' answered her father, 'for I am grieved to hear of
+the hurt of that noble Knight.' So the damsel made ready.</p>
+
+<p>On the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur and told him how he had
+found the shield in the keeping of the Maid of Astolat. 'All that I
+knew beforehand,' said the King, 'and that was why I would not suffer
+you to fight at the tourney, for I had espied him when he entered his
+lodging the night before. But this is the first time that ever I heard
+of his bearing the token of some lady, and much I marvel at it.'</p>
+
+<p>'By my head,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'the Fair Maiden of Astolat loves
+him wondrous well. What it all means, or what will be the end, I
+cannot say, but she has ridden after him to seek him.' So the King and
+his company came to London, and everyone in the Court knew that it was
+Sir Lancelot who had jousted the best.</p>
+
+<p>And when the tidings came to Sir Bors, his heart grew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> heavy, and also
+the hearts of his kinsmen. But when the Queen heard that Sir Lancelot
+bore the red sleeve of the Fair Maid of Astolat, she was nearly mad
+with wrath and summoned Sir Bors before her in haste.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, Sir Bors,' she cried when he was come, 'have the tidings reached
+you that Sir Lancelot has been a false Knight to me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I pray you say not so, for I cannot hear
+such language of him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, is he not false and a traitor when, after swearing that for
+right or wrong he would be my Knight and mine only, he bore the red
+sleeve upon his helm at the great jousts at Camelot?'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said Sir Bors, 'I grieve bitterly as to that sleeve-bearing,
+but I think he did it that none of his kin should know him. For no man
+before that had seen him bear the token of any lady, be she what she
+may.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fie on him!' said the Queen, 'I myself heard Sir Gawaine tell my lord
+Arthur of the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of Astolat
+and him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I cannot hinder Sir Gawaine from saying
+what he pleases, but as for Sir Lancelot, I am sure that he loves no
+one lady or maiden better than another. And therefore I will hasten to
+seek him wherever he be.'</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile fair Elaine came to Winchester to find Sir Lancelot, who lay
+in peril of his life in the hermit's dwelling. And when she was riding
+hither and thither, not knowing where she should turn, she fell on her
+brother Sir Lavaine, who was exercising his horse. 'How doth my lord
+Sir Lancelot?' asked she.</p>
+
+<p>'Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Lancelot?' answered
+Sir Lavaine.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Gawaine, who came to my father's house to rest after the tourney,
+knew him by his shield,' said she, and they rode on till they reached
+the hermitage, and Sir Lavaine brought her to Sir Lancelot. And when
+she saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> him so pale, and in such a plight, she fell to the earth in a
+swoon, but by-and-bye she opened her eyes and said, 'My lord Sir
+Lancelot, what has brought you to this?' and swooned again. When she
+came to herself and stood up, Sir Lancelot prayed her to be of good
+cheer, for if she had come to comfort him she was right welcome, and
+that his wound would soon heal. 'But I marvel,' said he, 'how you know
+my name.' Then the maiden told him how Sir Gawaine had been at Astolat
+and had seen his shield.</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' sighed Sir Lancelot, 'it grieves me that my name is known, for
+trouble will come of it.' For he knew full well that Sir Gawaine would
+tell Queen Guenevere, and that she would be wroth. And Elaine stayed
+and tended him, and Sir Lancelot begged Sir Lavaine to ride to
+Winchester and ask if Sir Bors was there, and said that he should know
+him by token of a wound which Sir Bors had on his forehead. 'For well
+I am sure,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that Sir Bors will seek me, as he is
+the same good Knight that hurt me.'</p>
+
+<p>Therefore as Sir Lancelot commanded, Sir Lavaine rode to Winchester
+and inquired if Sir Bors had been seen there, so that when he entered
+the town Sir Lavaine readily found him. Sir Bors was overjoyed to hear
+good tidings of Sir Lancelot, and they rode back together to the
+hermitage. At the sight of Sir Lancelot lying in his bed, pale and
+thin, Sir Bors' heart gave way, and he wept long without speaking.
+'Oh, my lord Sir Lancelot,' he said at last, 'God send you hasty
+recovery; great is my shame for having wounded you thus, you who are
+the noblest Knight in the world. I wonder that my arm would lift
+itself against you, and I ask your mercy.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair cousin,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'such words please me not at
+all, for it is the fault of my pride which would overcome you all,
+that I lie here to-day. We will not speak of it any more, for what is
+done cannot be undone, but let us find a cure so that I may soon be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+whole.' Then Sir Bors leaned upon his bed, and told him how the Queen
+was filled with anger against him, because he wore the red sleeve at
+the jousts.</p>
+
+<p>'I am sorrowful at what you tell me,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'for all I
+did was to hinder my being known.'</p>
+
+<p>'That I said to excuse you,' answered Sir Bors, 'though it was all in
+vain. But is this damsel that is so busy about you the Fair Maid of
+Astolat?'</p>
+
+<p>'She it is, and she will not go from me!'</p>
+
+<p>'Why should she go from you?' asked Sir Bors. 'She is a passing fair
+damsel, and of gentle breeding, and I would that you could love her,
+for it is easy to see by her bearing that she loves you entirely.'</p>
+
+<p>'It grieves me to hear that,' said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>After this they talked of other things, till in a few days Sir
+Lancelot's wounds were whole again. When Sir Lancelot felt his
+strength return, Sir Bors made him ready, and departed for the Court
+of King Arthur, and told them how he had left Sir Lancelot. And there
+was on All Hallows a great tournament, and Sir Bors won the prize for
+the unhorsing of twenty Knights, and Sir Gareth did great deeds also,
+but vanished suddenly from the field, and no man knew where he had
+gone. After the tourney was over, Sir Bors rode to the hermitage to
+see Sir Lancelot, whom he found walking on his feet, and on the next
+morning they bade farewell to the hermit, taking with them Elaine le
+Blanc. They went first to Astolat, where they were well lodged in the
+house of Sir Bernard, but when the morrow came, and Sir Lancelot would
+have departed from them, Elaine called to her father and to her
+brothers Sir Tirre and Sir Lavaine, and thus she said:</p>
+
+<p>'My lord Sir Lancelot, fair Knight, leave me not, I pray you, but have
+mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die of love of thee.'</p>
+
+<p>'What do you wish me to do?' asked Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>'I would have you for my husband,' answered she.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Fair damsel, I thank you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but truly I shall
+never have a wife. But in token and thanks of all your good will
+towards me, gladly will I give a thousand pounds yearly when you set
+your heart upon some other Knight.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;">
+<img src="images/image_152.jpg" width="700" height="372" alt="THE BLACK BARGET" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE BLACK BARGET</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Of such gifts I will have none,' answered Elaine, 'and I would have
+you know, Sir Lancelot, that if you refuse to wed me, my good days are
+done.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair damsel,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I cannot do the thing that you
+ask.'</p>
+
+<p>At these words she fell down in a swoon, and her maids bore her to her
+chamber, where she made bitter sorrow. Sir Lancelot thought it would
+be well for him to depart before she came to her senses again, and he
+asked Sir Lavaine what he would do.</p>
+
+<p>'What should I do?' asked Sir Lavaine, 'but follow you if you will
+have me.' Then Sir Bernard came and said to Sir Lancelot, 'I see well
+that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake.'</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot marry her,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'and it grieves me
+sorely, for she is a good maiden, fair and gentle.'</p>
+
+<p>'Father,' said Sir Lavaine, 'she is as pure and good as Sir Lancelot
+has said, and she is like me, for since first I saw him I can never
+leave him.' And after that they bade the old man farewell and came
+unto Winchester, where the King and all the Knights of the Round Table
+made great joy of him, save only Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred. But
+the Queen was angry and would not speak to him, though he tried by all
+means to make her. Now when the Fair Maid of Astolat knew he was gone,
+she would neither eat nor sleep, but cried after Sir Lancelot all the
+day long. And when she had spent ten days in this manner, she grew so
+weak that they thought her soul must quit this world, and the priest
+came to her, and bade her dwell no more on earthly things. She would
+not listen to him, but cried ever after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> Sir Lancelot, and how she had
+loved none other, no, nor ever would, and that her love would be her
+death. Then she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir
+Tirre, and begged her brother to write her a letter as she should tell
+him, and her father that he would have her watched till she was dead.
+'And while my body is warm,' said she, 'let this letter be put in my
+right hand, and my hand bound fast with the letter until I be cold,
+and let me be dressed in my richest clothes and be lain on a fair bed,
+and driven in a chariot to the Thames. There let me be put on a barge,
+and a dumb man with me, to steer the barge, which shall be covered
+over with black samite. Thus, father, I beseech you, let it be done.'
+And her father promised her faithfully that so it should be done to
+her when she was dead. Next day she died, and her body was lain on the
+bed, and placed in a chariot, and driven to the Thames, where the man
+awaited her with the barge. When she was put on board, he steered the
+barge to Westminster and rowed a great while to and fro, before any
+espied it. At last King Arthur and Queen Guenevere withdrew into a
+window to speak together, and espied the black barge and wondered
+greatly what it meant. The King summoned Sir Kay, and bade him take
+Sir Brandiles and Sir Agrawaine, and find out who was lying there, and
+they ran down to the river side, and came and told the King. 'That
+fair corpse will I see,' returned the King, and he took the Queen's
+hand and led her thither. Then he ordered the barge to be made fast,
+and he entered it, and the Queen likewise, and certain Knights with
+them. And there he saw a fair woman on a rich bed, and her clothing
+was of cloth of gold, and she lay smiling. While they looked, all
+being silent, the Queen spied a letter in her right hand, and pointed
+it out to the King, who took it saying, 'Now I am sure this letter
+will tell us what she was, and why she came hither.' So leaving the
+barge in charge of a trusty man, they went into the King's chamber,
+followed by many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> Knights, for the King would have the letter read
+openly. He then broke the seal himself, and bade a clerk read it, and
+this was what it said:</p>
+
+<p>'Most noble Knight Sir Lancelot, I was your lover, whom men called the
+Fair Maid of Astolat: therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet
+pray for my soul, and bury me. This is my last request. Pray for my
+soul, Sir Lancelot, as thou art peerless.'</p>
+
+<p>This was all the letter, and the King and Queen and all the Knights
+wept when they heard it.</p>
+
+<p>'Let Sir Lancelot be sent for,' presently said the King, and when Sir
+Lancelot came the letter was read to him also.</p>
+
+<p>'My lord Arthur,' said he, after he had heard it all, 'I am right
+grieved at the death of this damsel. God knows I was not, of my own
+will, guilty of her death, and that I will call on her brother, Sir
+Lavaine, to witness. She was both fair and good, and much was I
+beholden to her, but she loved me out of measure.'</p>
+
+<p>'You might have been a little gentle with her,' answered the Queen,
+'and have found some way to save her life.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'she would have nothing but my love, and
+that I could not give her, though I offered her a thousand pounds
+yearly if she should set her heart on any other Knight. For, Madam, I
+love not to be forced to love; love must arise of itself, and not by
+command.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is truth,' replied the King, 'love is free in himself, and never
+will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth himself. But, Sir
+Lancelot, be it your care to see that the damsel is buried as is
+fitting.'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LANCELOT_AND_GUENEVERE" id="LANCELOT_AND_GUENEVERE"></a><i>LANCELOT AND GUENEVERE</i></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;">
+<img src="images/image_156.jpg" width="700" height="437" alt="LANCELOT BRINGS GUENEVERE TO ARTHUR" title="" />
+<span class="caption">LANCELOT BRINGS GUENEVERE TO ARTHUR</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Now we come to the sorrowful tale of Lancelot and Guenevere, and of
+the death of King Arthur. Already it has been told that King Arthur
+had wedded Guenevere, the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cornwall, a
+damsel who seemed made of all the flowers, so fair was she, and
+slender, and brilliant to look upon. And the Knights in her father's
+Court bowed down before her, and smote their hardest in the jousts
+where Guenevere was present, but none dared ask her in marriage till
+Arthur came. Like the rest he saw and loved her, but, unlike them, he
+was a King, and might lift his eyes even unto Guenevere. The maiden
+herself scarcely saw or spoke to him, but did her father's bidding in
+all things, and when he desired her to make everything ready to go
+clothed as beseemed a Princess to King Arthur's Court, her heart beat
+with joy at the sight of rich stuffs and shining jewels. Then one day
+there rode up to the Castle a band of horsemen sent by the King to
+bring her to his Court, and at the head of them Sir Lancelot du Lake,
+friend of King Arthur, and winner of all the jousts and tournaments
+where Knights meet to gain honour. Day by day they rode together apart
+and he told her tales of gallant deeds done for love of beautiful
+ladies, and they passed under trees gay with the first green of
+spring, and over hyacinths covering the earth with sheets of blue,
+till at sunset they drew rein before the silken pavilion, with the
+banner of Uther Pendragon floating on the top. And Guenevere's heart
+went out to Lancelot before she knew. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>One evening she noted, far
+across the plain, towers and buildings shining in the sun, and an
+array of horsemen ride forth to meet her. One stopped before her
+dazzled eyes, and leaping from his horse bowed low. Arthur had come to
+welcome her, and do her honour, and to lead her home. But looking up
+at him, she thought him cold, and, timid and alone, her thoughts
+turned again to Lancelot. After that the days and years slipped by,
+and these two were ever nearest the King, and in every time of danger
+the King cried for Lancelot, and trusted his honour and the Queen's to
+him. Sir Lancelot spoke truly when he told Elaine that he had never
+worn the badge of lady or maiden, but for all that every one looked on
+Sir Lancelot as the Queen's Knight, who could do no worship to any
+other woman. The King likewise held Sir Lancelot bound to fight the
+Queen's battles, and if he was absent on adventures of his own,
+messengers hastened to bring him back, as in the fight with Sir Mador.
+So things went on for many years, and the King never guessed that the
+Queen loved Lancelot best.</p>
+
+<p>It befell one spring, in the month of May, that Queen Guenevere
+bethought herself that she would like to go a-maying in the woods and
+fields that lay round the City of Westminster on both sides of the
+river. To this intent she called her own especial Knights, and bade
+them be ready the next morning clothed all in green, whether of silk
+or cloth, 'and,' said she, 'I shall bring with me ten ladies, and
+every Knight shall have a lady behind him, and be followed by a Squire
+and two yeomen, and I will that you shall all be well horsed.' Thus it
+was done, and the ten Knights, arrayed in fresh green, the emblem of
+the spring, rode with the Queen and her ladies in the early dawn, and
+smelt the sweet of the year, and gathered flowers which they stuck in
+their girdles and doublets. The Queen was as happy and light of heart
+as the youngest maiden, but she had promised to be with the King at
+the hour of ten, and gave the signal for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> departure unwillingly. The
+Knights were mounting their horses, when suddenly out of a wood on the
+other side rode Sir Meliagraunce, who for many years had loved the
+Queen, and had sought an occasion to carry her off, but found none so
+fair as this. Out of the forest he rode, with two score men in armour,
+and a hundred archers behind him, and bade the Queen and her followers
+stay where they were, or they would fare badly. 'Traitor,' cried the
+Queen, 'what evil deed would you do? You are a King's son and a Knight
+of the Round Table, yet you seek to shame the man who gave you
+knighthood. But I tell you that you may bring dishonour on yourself,
+but you will bring none on me, for rather would I cut my throat in
+twain.'</p>
+
+<p>'As for your threats, Madam, I pay them no heed,' returned Sir
+Meliagraunce; 'I have loved you many a year, and never could I get you
+at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I will take you as I
+find you.' Then all the Knights spoke together saying, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, bethink yourself that in attacking men who are unarmed
+you put not only our lives in peril but your own honour. Rather than
+allow the Queen to be shamed we will each one fight to the death, and
+if we did aught else we should dishonour our knighthood for ever.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fight as well as you can,' answered Sir Meliagraunce, 'and keep the
+Queen if you may.' So the Knights of the Round Table drew their
+swords, and the men of Sir Meliagraunce ran at them with spears; but
+the Knights stood fast, and clove the spears in two before they
+touched them. Then both sides fought with swords, and Sir Kay and five
+other Knights were felled to the ground with wounds all over their
+bodies. The other four fought long, and slew forty of the men and
+archers of Sir Meliagraunce; but in the end they too were overcome.
+When the Queen saw that she cried out for pity and sorrow, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, spare my noble Knights and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> I will go with you quietly
+on this condition, that their lives be saved, and that wherever you
+may carry me they shall follow. For I give you warning that I would
+rather slay myself than go with you without my Knights, whose duty it
+is to guard me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' replied Sir Meliagraunce, 'for your sake they shall be led
+with you into my own castle, if you will consent to ride with me.' So
+the Queen prayed the four Knights to fight no more, and she and they
+would not part, and to this, though their hearts were heavy, they
+agreed.</p>
+
+<p>The fight being ended the wounded Knights were placed on horseback,
+some sitting, some lying across the saddle, according as they were
+hurt, and Sir Meliagraunce forbade anyone to leave the castle (which
+had been a gift to him from King Arthur), for sore he dreaded the
+vengeance of Sir Lancelot if this thing should reach his ears. But the
+Queen knew well what was passing in his mind, and she called a little
+page who served her in her chamber and desired him to take her ring
+and hasten with all speed to Sir Lancelot, 'and pray him, if he loves
+me, to rescue me. Spare not your horse, neither for water nor for
+land.' And the boy bided his time, then mounted his horse, and rode
+away as fast as he might. Sir Meliagraunce spied him as he flew, and
+knew whither he went, and who had sent him; and he commanded his best
+archers to ride after him and shoot him ere he reached Sir Lancelot.
+But the boy escaped their arrows, and vanished from their sight. Then
+Sir Meliagraunce said to the Queen, 'You seek to betray me, Madam; but
+Sir Lancelot shall not so lightly come at you.' And he bade his men
+follow him to the castle in haste, and left an ambush of thirty
+archers in the road, charging them that if a Knight mounted on a white
+horse came along that way they were to slay the horse but to leave the
+man alone, as he was hard to overcome. After Sir Meliagraunce had
+given these orders his company galloped fast to the castle; but the
+Queen would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> listen to nothing that he said, demanding always that her
+Knights and ladies should be lodged with her, and Sir Meliagraunce was
+forced to let her have her will.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_161.jpg" width="500" height="689" alt="GUENEVERE SENDS HER PAGE TO LANCELOT FOR HELP" title="" />
+<span class="caption">GUENEVERE SENDS HER PAGE TO LANCELOT FOR HELP</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The castle of Sir Meliagraunce was distant seven miles from
+Westminster, so it did not take long for the boy to find Sir Lancelot,
+and to give him the Queen's ring and her message. 'I am shamed for
+ever,' said Sir Lancelot, 'unless I can rescue that noble lady,' and
+while he put on his armour, he called to the boy to tell him the whole
+adventure. When he was armed and mounted, he begged the page to warn
+Sir Lavaine where he had gone, and for what cause. 'And pray him, as
+he loves me, that he follow me to the castle of Sir Meliagraunce, for
+if I am a living man, he will find me there.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lancelot put his horse into the water at Westminster, and he swam
+straight over to Lambeth, and soon after he landed he found traces of
+the fight. He rode along the track till he came to the wood, where the
+archers were lying waiting for him, and when they saw him, they bade
+him on peril of his life to go no further along that path.</p>
+
+<p>'Why should I, who am a Knight of the Round Table, turn out of any
+path that pleases me?' asked Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>'Either you will leave this path or your horse will be slain,'
+answered the archers.</p>
+
+<p>'You may slay my horse if you will,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but when my
+horse is slain I shall fight you on foot, and so would I do, if there
+were five hundred more of you.' With that they smote the horse with
+their arrows, but Sir Lancelot jumped off, and ran into the wood, and
+they could not catch him. He went on some way, but the ground was
+rough, and his armour was heavy, and sore he dreaded the treason of
+Sir Meliagraunce. His heart was near to fail him, when there passed by
+a cart with two carters that came to fetch wood. 'Tell me, carter,'
+asked Sir Lancelot, 'what will you take to suffer me to go in your
+cart till we are within two miles of the castle of Sir Meliagraunce?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_164.jpg" width="500" height="804" alt="THE ARCHERS THREATEN LANCELOT" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE ARCHERS THREATEN LANCELOT</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'I cannot take you at all,' answered the carter, 'for I am come to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagraunce.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is with him that I would speak.'</p>
+
+<p>'You shall not go with me,' said the carter, but hardly had he uttered
+the words when Sir Lancelot leapt up into the cart, and gave him such
+a buffet that he fell dead on the ground. At this sight the other
+carter cried that he would take the Knight where he would if he would
+only spare his life. 'Then I charge you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that you
+bring me to the castle gate.' So the carter drove at a great gallop,
+and Sir Lancelot's horse, who had espied his master, followed the
+cart, though more than fifty arrows were standing in his body. In an
+hour and a half they reached the castle gate, and were seen of
+Guenevere and her ladies, who were standing in a window. 'Look,
+Madam,' cried one of her ladies, 'in that cart yonder is a goodly
+armed Knight. I suppose he is going to his hanging.'</p>
+
+<p>'Where?' asked the Queen, and as she spoke she espied that it was Sir
+Lancelot, and that his horse was following riderless. 'Well is he that
+has a trusty friend,' said she, 'for a noble Knight is hard pressed
+when he rides in a cart,' and she rebuked the lady who had declared he
+was going to his hanging. 'It was foul talking, to liken the noblest
+Knight in the world to one going to a shameful death.' By this Sir
+Lancelot had come to the gate of the castle, and he got down and
+called till the castle rang with his voice. 'Where is that false
+traitor Sir Meliagraunce, Knight of the Round Table? Come forth, you
+and your company, for I, Sir Lancelot du Lake, am here to do battle
+with you.' Then he burst the gate open wide, and smote the porter who
+tried to hold it against him. When Sir Meliagraunce heard Sir
+Lancelot's voice, he ran into Queen Guenevere's chamber, and fell on
+his knees before her: 'Mercy, Madam, mercy! I throw myself upon your
+grace.'</p>
+
+<p>'What ails you now?' said she; 'of a truth I might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> well expect some
+good Knight to avenge me, though my lord Arthur knew not of your
+work.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam, I will make such amends as you yourself may desire,' pleaded
+Sir Meliagraunce, 'and I trust wholly to your grace.'</p>
+
+<p>'What would you have me do?' asked the Queen.</p>
+
+<p>'Rule in this castle as if it were your own, and give Sir Lancelot
+cheer till to-morrow, and then you shall all return to Westminster.'</p>
+
+<p>'You say well,' answered the Queen. 'Peace is ever better than war,
+and I take no pleasure in fighting.' So she went down with her ladies
+to Sir Lancelot, who still stood full of rage in the inner court,
+calling as before, 'Traitor Knight, come forth!'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Lancelot,' asked the Queen, 'what is the cause of all this
+wrath?'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'does such a question come from you?
+Methinks your wrath should be greater than mine, for all the hurt and
+the dishonour have fallen upon you. My own hurt is but little, but the
+shame is worse than any hurt.'</p>
+
+<p>'You say truly,' replied the Queen, 'but you must come in with me
+peaceably, as all is put into my hand, and the Knight repents bitterly
+of his adventure.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'since you have made agreement with him,
+it is not my part to say nay, although Sir Meliagraunce has borne
+himself both shamefully and cowardly towards me. But had I known you
+would have pardoned him so soon, I should not have made such haste to
+come to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why do you say that?' asked the Queen; 'do you repent yourself of
+your good deeds? I only made peace with him to have done with all this
+noise of slanderous talk, and for the sake of my Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you understand full well that I was
+never glad of slander nor noise, but there is neither King, Queen nor
+Knight alive, save your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>self, Madam, and my lord Arthur, that should
+hinder me from giving Sir Meliagraunce a cold heart before I departed
+hence.'</p>
+
+<p>'That I know well,' said the Queen, 'but what would you have more?
+Everything shall be ordered as you will.'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'as long as you are pleased, that is
+all I care for,' so the Queen led Sir Lancelot into her chamber, and
+commanded him to take off his armour, and then took him to where her
+ten Knights were lying sore wounded. And their souls leapt with joy
+when they saw him, and he told them how falsely Sir Meliagraunce had
+dealt with him, and had set archers to slay his horse, so that he was
+fain to place himself in a cart. Thus they complained each to the
+other, and would have avenged themselves on Sir Meliagraunce but for
+the peace made by the Queen. And in the evening came Sir Lavaine,
+riding in great haste, and Sir Lancelot was glad that he was come.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Lancelot was right when he feared to trust Sir Meliagraunce,
+for that Knight only sought to work ill both to him and to the Queen,
+for all his fair words. And first he began to speak evil of the Queen
+to Sir Lancelot, who dared him to prove his foul words, and it was
+settled between them that a combat should take place in eight days in
+the field, near Westminster. 'And now,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'since
+it is decided that we must fight together, I beseech you, as you are a
+noble Knight, do me no treason nor villainy in the meantime.'</p>
+
+<p>'Any Knight will bear me witness,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that never
+have I broken faith with any man, nor borne fellowship with those that
+have done so.' 'Then let us go to dinner,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'and
+afterwards you may all ride to Westminster. Meanwhile would it please
+you to see the inside of this castle?' 'That I will gladly,' said Sir
+Lancelot, and they went from chamber to chamber, till they reached the
+floor of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> the castle, and as he went Sir Lancelot trod on a trap, and
+the board rolled, and he fell down in a cave which was filled with
+straw, and Sir Meliagraunce departed and no man knew where Sir
+Lancelot might be. The Queen bethought herself that he was wont to
+disappear suddenly, and as Sir Meliagraunce had first removed Sir
+Lavaine's horse from the place where it had been tethered, the Knights
+agreed with her. So time passed till dinner had been eaten, and then
+Sir Lavaine demanded litters for the wounded Knights, that they might
+be carried to Westminster with as little hurt as might be. And the
+Queen and her ladies followed. When they arrived, the Knights told of
+their adventure, and how Sir Meliagraunce had accused the Queen of
+treason, and how he and Sir Lancelot were to fight for her good name
+in eight days.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Meliagraunce has taken a great deal upon him,' said the King,
+'but where is Sir Lancelot?'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered they all, 'we know not, but we think he has ridden to
+some adventure.' 'Well, leave him alone,' said the King. 'He will be
+here when the day comes, unless some treason has befallen him.'</p>
+
+<p>All this while Sir Lancelot was lying in great pain within the cave,
+and he would have died for lack of food had not one of the ladies in
+the castle found out the place where he was held captive, and brought
+him meat and drink, and hoped that he might be brought to love her.
+But he would not. 'Sir Lancelot,' said she, 'you are not wise, for
+without my help you will never get out of this prison, and if you do
+not appear on the day of battle, your lady, Queen Guenevere, will be
+burnt in default.' 'If I am not there,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'the
+King and the Queen and all men of worship will know that I am either
+dead or in prison. And sure I am that there is some good Knight who
+loves me or is of my kin, that will take my quarrel in hand, therefore
+you cannot frighten me by such words as these. If there was not
+another woman in the world, I could give you no different<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> answer.'
+'Then you will be shamed openly,' replied the lady, and left the
+dungeon. But on the day that the battle was to be fought she came
+again, and said, 'Sir Lancelot, if you will only kiss me once, I will
+deliver you, and give you the best horse in Sir Meliagraunce's
+stable.' 'Yes, I will kiss you,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'since I may
+do that honourably; but if I thought it were any shame to kiss you, I
+would not do it, whatever the cost.' So he kissed her, and she brought
+him his armour, and led him to a stable where twelve noble horses
+stood, and bade him choose the best. He chose a white courser, and
+bade the keepers put on the best saddle they had, and with his spear
+in his hand and his sword by his side, he rode away, thanking the lady
+for all she had done for him, which some day he would try to repay.</p>
+
+<p>As the hours passed on and Sir Lancelot did not come, Sir Meliagraunce
+called ever on King Arthur to burn the Queen, or else bring forth Sir
+Lancelot, for he deemed full well that he had Sir Lancelot safe in his
+dungeon. The King and Queen were sore distressed that Sir Lancelot was
+missing, and knew not where to look for him, and what to do. Then
+stepped forth Sir Lavaine and said, 'My lord Arthur, you know well
+that some ill-fortune has happened to Sir Lancelot, and if he is not
+dead, he is either sick or in prison. Therefore I beseech you, let me
+do battle instead of my lord and master for my lady the Queen.'</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you heartily, gentle Knight,' answered Arthur, 'for I am sure
+that Sir Meliagraunce accuses the Queen falsely, and there is not one
+of the ten Knights who would not fight for her were it not for his
+wounds. So do your best, for it is plain that some evil has been
+wrought on Sir Lancelot.' Sir Lavaine was filled with joy when the
+King gave him leave to do battle with Sir Meliagraunce, and rode
+swiftly to his place at the end of the lists. And just as the heralds
+were about to cry 'Lesses les aler!' Sir Lancelot dashed into the
+middle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> on his white horse. 'Hold and abide!' commanded the King, and
+Sir Lancelot rode up before him, and told before them all how Sir
+Meliagraunce had treated him. When the King and Queen and all the
+Lords heard Sir Lancelot's tale, their hearts stirred within them with
+anger, and the Queen took her seat by the King, in great trust of her
+champion. Sir Lancelot and Sir Meliagraunce prepared themselves for
+battle, and took their spears, and came together as thunder, and Sir
+Lancelot bore Sir Meliagraunce right over his horse. Then Sir Lancelot
+jumped down, and they fought on foot, till in the end Sir Meliagraunce
+was smitten to the ground by a blow on his head from his enemy. 'Most
+noble Knight, save my life,' cried he, 'for I yield myself unto you,
+and put myself into the King's hands and yours.' Sir Lancelot did not
+know what to answer, for he longed above anything in the world to have
+revenge upon him; so he looked at the Queen to see whether she would
+give him any sign of what she would have done. The Queen wagged her
+head in answer, and Sir Lancelot knew by that token that she would
+have him dead, and he understood, and bade Sir Meliagraunce get up,
+and continue the fight. 'Nay,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'I will never
+rise till you accept my surrender.' 'Listen,' answered Sir Lancelot.
+'I will leave my head and left side bare, and my left arm shall be
+bound behind me, and in this guise I will fight with you.' At this Sir
+Meliagraunce started to his feet, and cried, 'My lord Arthur, take
+heed to this offer, for I will take it, therefore let him be bound and
+unarmed as he has said.' So the Knights disarmed Sir Lancelot, first
+his head and then his side, and his left hand was bound behind his
+back, in such a manner that he could not use his shield, and full many
+a Knight and lady marvelled that Sir Lancelot would risk himself so.
+And Sir Meliagraunce lifted his sword on high and would have smitten
+Sir Lancelot on his bare head, had he not leapt lightly to one side,
+and, before Sir Meliagraunce could right himself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> Sir Lancelot had
+struck him so hard upon his helmet that his skull split in two, and
+there was nothing left to do but to carry his dead body from the
+field. And because the Knights of the Round Table begged to have him
+honourably buried, the King agreed thereto, and on his tomb mention
+was made of how he came by his death, and who slew him. After this Sir
+Lancelot was more cherished by the King and Queen than ever he was
+before.</p>
+
+<p>Among the many Knights at Arthur's Court who owned kings for their
+fathers were Sir Mordred and Sir Agrawaine, who had for brothers, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. And their mother was Queen of
+Orkney, sister to King Arthur. Now Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred had
+evil natures, and loved both to invent slanders and to repeat them.
+And at this time they were full of envy of the noble deeds Sir
+Lancelot had done, and how men called him the bravest Knight of the
+Table Round, and said that he was the friend of the King, and the
+sworn defender of the Queen. So they cast about how they might ruin
+him, and found the way by putting jealous thoughts into the mind of
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>As was told in the tale of the marriage of Arthur, Queen Guenevere's
+heart had gone out to Lancelot, on the journey to the Court, and ever
+she loved to have him with her. This was known well to Sir Mordred,
+who watched eagerly for a chance to work her ill.</p>
+
+<p>It came one day when Arthur proclaimed a hunt, and Sir Mordred guessed
+that Sir Lancelot, who did not love hunting, would stay behind, and
+would spend the time holding talk with the Queen. Therefore he went to
+the King and began to speak evil of the Queen and Sir Lancelot. At
+first King Arthur would listen to nothing, but slowly his jealousy
+burned within him, and he let the ill words that accused the Queen of
+loving Sir Lancelot the best, sink into his mind, and told Sir Mordred
+and Sir Agrawaine that they might do their worst, and he would not
+meddle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> with them. But they let so many of their fellowship into the
+secret of their foul plot, that at last it came to the ears of Sir
+Bors, who begged Sir Lancelot not to go near the Queen that day, or
+harm would come of it. But Sir Lancelot answered that the Queen had
+sent for him, and that she was his liege lady, and never would he hold
+back when she summoned him to her presence. Therefore Sir Bors went
+heavily away. By ill fortune, Sir Lancelot only wore his sword under
+his great mantle, and scarcely had he passed inside the door when Sir
+Agrawaine and Sir Mordred, and twelve other Knights of the Table
+Round, all armed and ready for battle, cried loudly upon Sir Lancelot,
+that all the Court might hear.</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'is there any armour within your chamber
+that I might cover my body withal, for if I was armed as they are I
+would soon crush them?'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' replied the Queen, 'I have neither sword nor spear nor armour,
+and how can you resist them? You will be slain and I shall be burnt.
+If you could only escape their hands, I know you would deliver me from
+danger.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is grievous,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that I who was never conquered
+in all my life should be slain for lack of armour.'</p>
+
+<p>'Traitor Knight,' cried Sir Mordred again, 'come out and fight us, for
+you are so sore beset that you cannot escape us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, mercy,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'I may not suffer longer this shame
+and noise! For better were death at once than to endure this pain.'
+Then he took the Queen in his arms and kissed her, and said, 'Most
+noble Christian Queen, I beseech you, as you have ever been my special
+good lady, and I at all times your true poor Knight, and as I never
+failed you in right or in wrong, since the first day that King Arthur
+made me Knight, that you will pray for my soul, if I be here slain.
+For I am well assured that Sir Bors, my nephew, and Sir Lavaine and
+many more, will rescue you from the fire, and therefore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> mine own
+lady, comfort yourself whatever happens to me, and go with Sir Bors,
+my nephew, and you shall live like a Queen on my lands.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_173.jpg" width="500" height="623" alt="LANCELOT COMES OUT OF GUENEVERE&#39;S ROOM" title="" />
+<span class="caption">LANCELOT COMES OUT OF GUENEVERE&#39;S ROOM</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Nay, Lancelot,' said the Queen, 'I will never live after your days,
+but if you are slain I will take my death as meekly as ever did any
+Christian Queen.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Well, Madam,' answered Lancelot, 'since it is so I shall sell my life
+as dear as I may, and a thousandfold I am more heavy for you than for
+myself.'</p>
+
+<p>Therewith Sir Lancelot wrapped his mantle thickly round his arm, and
+stood beside the door, which the Knights without were trying to break
+in by aid of a stout wooden form.</p>
+
+<p>'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'leave this noise, and I will open
+the door, and you may do with me what you will.'</p>
+
+<p>'Open it then,' answered they, 'for well you know you cannot escape
+us, and we will save your life and bring you before King Arthur.' So
+Sir Lancelot opened the door and held it with his left hand, so that
+but one man could come in at once. Then came forward a strong Knight,
+Sir Colgrevance of Gore, who struck fiercely at Lancelot with his
+sword. But Sir Lancelot stepped on one side, that the blow fell
+harmless, and with his arm he gave Sir Colgrevance a buffet on the
+head so that he fell dead. And Sir Lancelot drew him into the chamber,
+and barred the door.</p>
+
+<p>Hastily he unbuckled the dead Knight's armour, and the Queen and her
+ladies put it on him, Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred ever calling to
+him the while, 'Traitor Knight, come out of that chamber!' But Sir
+Lancelot cried to them all to go away and he would appear next morning
+before the King, and they should accuse him of what they would, and he
+would answer them, and prove his words in battle. 'Fie on you,
+traitor,' said Sir Agrawaine, 'we have you in our power, to save or to
+slay, for King Arthur will listen to our words, and will believe what
+we tell him.'</p>
+
+<p>'As you like,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'look to yourself,' and he flung
+open the chamber door, and strode in amongst them and killed Sir
+Agrawaine with his first blow, and in a few minutes the bodies of the
+other twelve Knights lay on the ground beside his, for no man ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+withstood that buffet of Sir Lancelot's. He wounded Sir Mordred also,
+so that he fled away with all his might. When the clamour of the
+battle was still, Sir Lancelot turned back to the Queen and said,
+'Alas, Madam, they will make King Arthur my foe, and yours also, but
+if you will come with me to my castle, I will save you from all
+dangers.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will not go with you now,' answered the Queen, 'but if you see
+to-morrow that they will burn me to death, then you may deliver me as
+you shall think best.'</p>
+
+<p>'While I live I will deliver you,' said Sir Lancelot, and he left her
+and went back to his lodging. When Sir Bors, who was awaiting him, saw
+Sir Lancelot, he was gladder than he ever had been in his whole life
+before. 'Mercy!' cried Sir Lancelot, 'why you are all armed!'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'after you had left us I and your friends
+and your kinsmen were so troubled that we felt some great strife was
+at hand, and that perchance some trap had been laid for you. So we put
+on armour that we might help you whatever need you were in.' 'Fair
+nephew,' said Lancelot, 'but now I have been more hardly beset than
+ever I was in my life, and yet I escaped,' and he told them all that
+had happened. 'I pray you, my fellows, that you will be of good
+courage and stand by me in my need, for war is come to us all.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'all is welcome that God sends us, and we
+have had much good with you and much fame, so now we will take the bad
+as we have taken the good.' And so said they all.</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you for your comfort in my great distress,' replied Sir
+Lancelot, 'and you, fair nephew, haste to the Knights which be in this
+place, and find who is with me and who is against me, for I would know
+my friends from my foes.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said Sir Bors, 'before seven of the clock in the morning you
+shall know.'</p>
+
+<p>By seven o'clock, as Sir Bors had promised, many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> noble Knights stood
+before Sir Lancelot, and were sworn to his cause. 'My lords,' said he,
+'you know well that since I came into this country I have given
+faithful service unto my lord King Arthur and unto my lady Queen
+Guenevere. Last evening my lady, the Queen, sent for me to speak to
+her, and certain Knights that were lying in wait for me cried
+"Treason," and much ado I had to escape their blows. But I slew twelve
+of them, and Sir Agrawaine, who is Sir Gawaine's brother; and for this
+cause I am sure of mortal war, as these Knights were ordered by King
+Arthur to betray me, and therefore the Queen will be judged to the
+fire, and I may not suffer that she should be burnt for my sake.'</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Bors answered Sir Lancelot that it was truly his part to
+rescue the Queen, as he had done so often before, and that if she was
+burned the shame would be his. Then they all took counsel together how
+the thing might best be done, and Sir Bors deemed it wise to carry her
+off to the Castle of Joyous Gard, and counselled that she should be
+kept there, a prisoner, till the King's anger was past and he would be
+willing to welcome her back again. To this the other Knights agreed,
+and by the advice of Sir Lancelot they hid themselves in a wood close
+by the town till they saw what King Arthur would do. Meanwhile Sir
+Mordred, who had managed to escape the sword of Sir Lancelot, rode,
+wounded and bleeding, unto King Arthur, and told the King all that had
+passed, and how, of the fourteen Knights, he only was left alive. The
+King grieved sore at his tale, which Sir Mordred had made to sound as
+ill as was possible; for, in spite of all, Arthur loved Sir Lancelot.
+'It is a bitter blow,' he said, 'that Sir Lancelot must be against me,
+and the fellowship of the Table Round is broken for ever, as many a
+noble Knight will go with him. And as I am the judge, the Queen will
+have to die, as she is the cause of the death of these thirteen
+Knights.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord Arthur,' said Sir Gawaine, 'be not over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>-hasty; listen not to
+the foul tongue of Sir Mordred, who laid this trap for Sir Lancelot,
+that we all know to be the Queen's own Knight, who has done battle for
+her when none else would. As for Sir Lancelot, he will prove the right
+on the body of any Knight living that shall accuse him of
+wrong&mdash;either him, or my lady Guenevere.'</p>
+
+<p>'That I believe well,' said King Arthur, 'for he trusts so much in his
+own might that he fears no man; and never more shall he fight for the
+Queen, for she must suffer death by the law. Put on, therefore, your
+best armour, and go with your brothers, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth,
+and bring the Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and suffer
+her death.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, my lord, that I will never do,' cried Sir Gawaine; 'my heart
+will never serve me to see her die, and I will never stand by and see
+so noble a lady brought to a shameful end.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then,' said the King, 'let your brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth
+be there.'</p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'I know well how loth they will be,
+but they are young and unable to say you nay.'</p>
+
+<p>At this Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth spoke to King Arthur: 'Sir, if you
+command us we will obey, but it will be sore against our will. And if
+we go we shall be dressed as men of peace, and wear no armour.'</p>
+
+<p>'Make yourselves ready, then,' answered the King, 'for I would delay
+no longer in giving judgment.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'that I should have lived to see this day';
+and he turned and wept bitterly, and went into his chamber.</p>
+
+<p>So the Queen was led outside the gates, and her rich dress was taken
+off, while her lords and ladies wrung their hands in grief, and few
+men wore armour, for in that day it was held that the presence of
+mail-clad Knights made death more shameful. Now among those present
+was one sent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> by Sir Lancelot, and when he saw the Queen's dress
+unclasped, and the priest step forth to listen to her confession, he
+rode to warn Sir Lancelot that the hour had come. And suddenly there
+was heard a sound as of rushing horses, and Sir Lancelot dashed up to
+the fire, and all the Knights that stood around were slain, for few
+men wore armour. Sir Lancelot looked not where he struck, and Sir
+Gaheris and Sir Gareth were found in the thickest of the throng. At
+last he reached the Queen, and, throwing a mantle over her, he caught
+her on to his saddle and rode away with her. Right thankful was the
+Queen at being snatched from the fire, and her heart was grateful to
+Sir Lancelot, who took her to his Castle of Joyous Gard, and many
+noble Knights and Kings had fellowship with them.</p>
+
+<p>After King Arthur had given judgment for the Queen to die he went back
+into his Palace of Westminster, where men came and told him how Sir
+Lancelot had delivered her, and of the death of his Knights, and in
+especial of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, and he swooned away from
+sorrow. 'Alas!' he cried, when he recovered from his swoon, 'alas!
+that a crown was ever on my head, for in these two days I have lost
+forty Knights and the fellowship of Sir Lancelot and his kinsmen, and
+never more will they be of my company. But I charge you that none tell
+Sir Gawaine of the death of his brothers, for I am sure that when he
+hears of Sir Gareth he will go out of his mind. Oh, why did Sir
+Lancelot slay them? for Sir Gareth loved Sir Lancelot more than any
+other man.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is true,' answered some of the Knights, 'but Sir Lancelot saw
+not whom he smote, and therefore were they slain.'</p>
+
+<p>'The death of those two,' said Arthur, 'will cause the greatest mortal
+war that ever was. I am sure that when Sir Gawaine knows Sir Gareth is
+slain he will never suffer me to rest till I have destroyed Sir
+Lancelot and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> all his kin, or till they have destroyed me. My heart
+was never so heavy as it is now, and far more grievous to me is the
+loss of my good Knights than of my Queen; for Queens I might have in
+plenty, but no man had ever such a company of Knights, and it hurts me
+sore that Sir Lancelot and I should be at war. It is the ill will
+borne by Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred to Sir Lancelot that has caused
+all this sorrow.' Then one came to Sir Gawaine and told him that Sir
+Lancelot had borne off the Queen, and that twenty-four Knights had
+been slain in the combat. 'I knew well he would deliver her,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'and in that, he has but acted as a Knight should and as I
+would have done myself. But where are my brethren? I marvel they have
+not been to seek me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' said the man, 'Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth are slain.'</p>
+
+<p>'Heaven forbid any such thing,' returned Sir Gawaine. 'I would not for
+all the world that that had happened, especially to my brother Sir
+Gareth.'</p>
+
+<p>'He is slain,' said the man, 'and it is grievous news.'</p>
+
+<p>'Who slew him?' asked Sir Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Lancelot slew them both,' answered the man.</p>
+
+<p>'He cannot have slain Sir Gareth,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'for my
+brother Gareth loved him better than me and all his brethren, and King
+Arthur too. And had Sir Lancelot desired my brother to go with him, he
+would have turned his back on us all. Therefore I can never believe
+that Sir Lancelot slew my brother.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, it is in everyone's mouth,' said the man. At this Sir Gawaine
+fell back in a swoon and lay long as if he were dead. Then he ran to
+the King, crying, 'O King Arthur, mine uncle, my good brother Sir
+Gareth is slain, and Sir Gaheris also,' and the King wept with him. At
+length Sir Gawaine said, 'Sir, I will go and see my brother Sir
+Gareth.'</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot do that,' returned the King, 'for I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> caused him to be
+buried with Sir Gaheris, as I knew well that the sight would cause you
+overmuch sorrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'How came he, Sir Lancelot, to slay Sir Gareth?' asked Sir Gawaine;
+'mine own good lord, I pray you tell me, for neither Sir Gareth nor
+Sir Gaheris bore arms against him.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is said,' answered the King, 'that Sir Lancelot slew them in the
+thickest of the press and knew them not. Therefore let us think upon a
+plan to avenge their deaths.'</p>
+
+<p>'My King, my lord and mine uncle,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I swear to you
+by my knighthood that from this day I will never rest until Sir
+Lancelot or I be slain. And I will go to the world's end till I find
+him.'</p>
+
+<p>'You need not seek him so far,' answered the King, 'for I am told that
+Sir Lancelot will await me and you in the Castle of Joyous Gard, and
+many people are flocking to him. But call your friends together, and I
+will call mine,' and the King ordered letters to be sent throughout
+all England summoning his Knights and vassals to the siege of Joyous
+Gard. The Castle of Joyous Gard was strong, and after fifteen weeks
+had passed no breach had been made in its walls. And one day, at the
+time of harvest, Sir Lancelot came forth on a truce, and the King and
+Sir Gawaine challenged him to do battle.</p>
+
+<p>'Nay,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'with yourself I will never strive, and
+I grieve sorely that I have slain your Knights. But I was forced to
+it, for the saving of my life and that of my lady the Queen. And
+except yourself, my lord, and Sir Gawaine, there is no man that shall
+call me traitor but he shall pay for it with his body. As to Queen
+Guenevere, oft times, my lord, you have consented in the heat of your
+passion that she should be burnt and destroyed, and it fell to me to
+do battle for her, and her enemies confessed their untruth, and
+acknowledged her innocent. And at such times, my lord Arthur, you
+loved me and thanked me when I saved your Queen from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> fire, and
+promised ever to be my good lord, for I have fought for her many times
+in other quarrels than my own. Therefore, my gracious lord, take your
+Queen back into your grace again.'</p>
+
+<p>To these words of Sir Lancelot's, King Arthur answered nothing, but in
+his heart he would fain have made peace with Sir Lancelot, but Sir
+Gawaine would not let him. He reproached Sir Lancelot bitterly for the
+deaths of his brothers and kinsmen, and called Sir Lancelot a craven
+and other ill names that he would not fight with King Arthur. So at
+the last Sir Lancelot's patience and courtesy failed him, and he told
+them that the next morning he would give them battle.</p>
+
+<p>The heart of Sir Gawaine leaped with joy when he heard these words of
+Sir Lancelot, and he summoned all his friends and his kinsfolk, and
+bade them watch well Sir Lancelot, and to slay him if a chance
+offered. But he knew not that Sir Lancelot had bidden the Knights of
+his following in no wise to touch King Arthur or Sir Gawaine. And when
+the dawn broke a great host marched out of the Castle of Joyous Gard,
+with Sir Lancelot at the head, and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel commanding
+on either side. All that day they fought, and sometimes one army
+seemed to be gaining, and sometimes the other. Many times King Arthur
+drew near Sir Lancelot, and would have slain him, and Sir Lancelot
+suffered him, and would not strike again. But the King was unhorsed by
+Sir Bors, and would have been slain but for Sir Lancelot, who stayed
+his hand. 'My lord Arthur,' he said, 'for God's love stop this strife.
+I cannot strike you, so you will gain no fame by it, though your
+friends never cease from trying to slay me. My lord, remember what I
+have done in many places and how evil is now my reward.' Then when
+King Arthur was on his horse again he looked on Sir Lancelot, and
+tears burst from his eyes, thinking of the great courtesy that was in
+Sir Lancelot more than in any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> other man. He sighed to himself, saying
+softly, 'Alas! that ever this war began,' and rode away, while the
+battle ended for that time and the dead were buried.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to make peace, and they
+fought on, now in one place, and now in another, till the Pope heard
+of the strife and sent a noble clerk, the Bishop of Rochester, to
+charge the King to make peace with Sir Lancelot, and to take back unto
+him his Queen, the Lady Guenevere. Now the King, as has been said,
+would fain have followed the Pope's counsel and have accorded with Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him. However, as to the
+Queen Sir Gawaine said nothing; and King Arthur gave audience to the
+Bishop, and swore on his great seal that he would take back the Queen
+as the Pope desired, and that if Sir Lancelot brought her he should
+come safe and go safe. So the Bishop rode to Joyous Gard and showed
+Sir Lancelot what the Pope had written and King Arthur had answered,
+and told him of the perils which would befall him if he withheld the
+Queen. 'It was never in my thought,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'to
+withhold the Queen from King Arthur, but as she would have been dead
+for my sake it was my part to save her life, and to keep her from
+danger till better times came. And I thank God that the Pope has made
+peace, and I shall be a thousand times gladder to bring her back than
+I was to take her away. Therefore ride to the King, and say that in
+eight days I myself will bring the Lady Guenevere unto him.' So the
+Bishop departed, and came to the King at Carlisle, and told him what
+Sir Lancelot had answered, and tears burst from the King's eyes once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>A goodly host of a hundred Knights rode eight days later from the
+Castle of Joyous Gard; every Knight was clothed in green velvet, and
+held in his hand a branch of olive, and bestrode a horse with
+trappings down to his heels. And behind the Queen were four and twenty
+gentlewomen clad in green likewise, while twelve esquires<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> attended on
+Sir Lancelot. He and the Queen wore dresses of white and gold tissue,
+and their horses were clothed in housings of the same, set with
+precious stones and pearls; and no man had ever gazed on such a noble
+pair, as they rode from Joyous Gard to Carlisle. When they reached the
+castle, Sir Lancelot sprang from his horse and helped the Queen from
+hers, and led her to where King Arthur sat, with Sir Gawaine and many
+lords around him. He kneeled down, and the Queen kneeled with him, and
+many Knights wept as though it had been their own kin. But Arthur sat
+still and said nothing. At that Sir Lancelot rose, and the Queen
+likewise, and, looking straight at the King, he spoke:</p>
+
+<p>'Most noble King, I have brought to you my lady the Queen, as right
+requires; and time hath been, my lord Arthur, that you have been
+greatly pleased with me when I did battle for my lady your Queen. And
+full well you know that she has been put to great wrong ere this, and
+it seems to me I had more cause to deliver her from this fire, seeing
+she would have been burnt for my sake.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, well, Sir Lancelot,' said the King, 'I have given you no cause
+to do to me as you have done, for I have held you dearer than any of
+my Knights.' But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to listen to
+anything Sir Lancelot said, and told him roughly that while one of
+them lived peace could never be made, and desired on behalf of the
+King that in fifteen days he should be gone out of the country. And
+still King Arthur said nothing, but suffered Sir Gawaine to talk as he
+would; and Sir Lancelot took farewell of him and of the Queen, and
+rode, grieving sorely, out of the Court, and sailed to his lands
+beyond the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Though the Queen was returned again, and Sir Lancelot was beyond the
+sea, the hate of Sir Gawaine towards him was in no way set at rest,
+but he raised a great host and persuaded the King to follow him. And
+after many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> sieges and long fighting Sir Gawaine did battle with Sir
+Lancelot once more, and was worsted, and Sir Lancelot might have slain
+him, but would not. While he lay wounded tidings came to King Arthur
+from England that caused the King to give up his war with Sir Lancelot
+and return in all haste to his own country.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_END_OF_IT_ALL" id="THE_END_OF_IT_ALL"></a><i>THE END OF IT ALL</i></h2>
+
+
+<p>Now when King Arthur left England to fight with Sir Lancelot he
+ordered his nephew Sir Mordred to govern the land, which that false
+Knight did gladly. And as soon as he thought he might safely do so he
+caused some letters to be written saying that King Arthur had been
+slain in battle, and he had himself crowned King at Canterbury, where
+he made a great feast which lasted fifteen days. After it was over, he
+went to Winchester and summoned Queen Guenevere, and told her that on
+a certain day he would wed her and that she should make herself ready.
+Queen Guenevere's soul grew cold and heavy as she heard these words of
+Sir Mordred's, for she hated him with all her might, as he hated her;
+but she dared show nothing, and answered softly that she would do his
+bidding, only she desired that first she might go to London to buy all
+manner of things for her wedding. Sir Mordred trusted her because of
+her fair speech, and let her go. Then the Queen rode to London with
+all speed, and went straight to the Tower, which she filled in haste
+with food, and called her men-at-arms round her. When Sir Mordred knew
+how she had beguiled him he was wroth out of measure, and besieged the
+Tower, and assaulted it many times with battering rams and great
+engines, but could prevail nothing, for the Queen would never, for
+fair speech nor for foul, give herself into his hands again.</p>
+
+<p>The Bishop of Canterbury hastened unto Sir Mordred, and rebuked him
+for wishing to marry his uncle's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> wife. 'Leave such desires,' said the
+Bishop, 'or else I shall curse you with bell, book, and candle. Also,
+you noise abroad that my lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and
+therefore you will make ill work in the land.' At this Sir Mordred
+waxed very wroth, and would have killed the Bishop had he not fled to
+Glastonbury, where he became a hermit, and lived in poverty and prayed
+all day long for the realm, for he knew that a fierce war was at hand.
+Soon word came to Sir Mordred that King Arthur was hurrying home
+across the seas, to be avenged on his nephew, who had proved traitor.
+Wherefore Sir Mordred sent letters to all the people throughout the
+kingdom, and many followed after him, for he had cunningly sown among
+them that with him was great joy and softness of life, while King
+Arthur would bring war and strife with him. So Sir Mordred drew with a
+great host to Dover, and waited for the King. Before King Arthur and
+his men could land from the boats and ships that had brought them over
+the sea Sir Mordred set upon them, and there was heavy slaughter. But
+in the end he and his men were driven back, and he fled, and his
+people with him. After the fight was over the King ordered the dead to
+be buried; and there came a man and told him that he had found Sir
+Gawaine lying in a boat, and that he was sore wounded. And the King
+went to him and made moan over him: 'You were ever the man in the
+world that I loved most,' said he, 'you and Sir Lancelot.' 'Mine uncle
+King Arthur,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'my death day has come, and all
+through my own fault. Had Sir Lancelot been with you as he used to be
+this unhappy war had never begun, and of that I am the cause, for I
+would not accord with him. And therefore, I pray you, give me paper,
+pen, and ink that I may write to him.' So paper and ink were brought,
+and Sir Gawaine was held up by King Arthur, and a letter was writ
+wherein Sir Gawaine confessed that he was dying of an old wound given
+him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> by Sir Lancelot in the siege of one of the cities across the sea,
+and thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Merlin. 'Of a more noble man
+might I not be slain,' said he. 'Also, Sir Lancelot, make no tarrying,
+but come in haste to King Arthur, for sore bested is he with my
+brother Sir Mordred, who has taken the crown, and would have wedded my
+lady Queen Guenevere had she not sought safety in the Tower of London.
+Pray for my soul, I beseech you, and visit my tomb.' And after writing
+this letter, at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine gave up his spirit, and
+was buried by the King in the chapel within Dover Castle. Then was it
+told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barham
+Down, and the next morning the King rode hither to him, and there was
+a fierce battle between them, and many on both sides were slain. But
+at the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his
+men fled to Canterbury.</p>
+
+<p>After the Knights which were dead had been buried, and those that were
+wounded tended with healing salves, King Arthur drew westwards towards
+Salisbury, and many of Sir Mordred's men followed after him, but they
+that loved Sir Lancelot went unto Sir Mordred. And a day was fixed
+between the King and Sir Mordred that they should meet upon a down
+near Salisbury, and give battle once more. But the night before the
+battle Sir Gawaine appeared unto the King in a vision, and warned him
+not to fight next day, which was Trinity Sunday, as he would be slain
+and many of his Knights also; but to make a truce for a month, and at
+the end of that time Sir Lancelot would arrive, and would slay Sir
+Mordred, and all his Knights with him. As soon as he awoke the King
+called the Bishops and the wisest men of his army, and told them of
+his vision, and took counsel what should be done. And it was agreed
+that the King should send an embassage of two Knights and two Bishops
+unto Sir Mordred, and offer him as much goods and lands as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> they
+thought best if he would engage to make a treaty for a month with King
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>So they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of
+an hundred thousand men. For a long time he would not suffer himself
+to be entreated, but at the last he agreed to have Cornwall and Kent
+in King Arthur's days, and after all England. Furthermore, it was
+decided that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet in the plain
+between their hosts, each with fourteen persons. 'I am glad of this,'
+said King Arthur, when he heard what had been done; but he warned his
+men that if they were to see a sword drawn they were to come-on
+swiftly and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, 'for I in no wise trust
+him.' And in like wise spake Sir Mordred unto his host. Then they two
+met, and agreed on the truce, and wine was fetched and they drank, and
+all was well. But while they were drinking an adder crept out of a
+bush, and stung one of the fourteen Knights on his foot, and he drew
+his sword to slay the adder, not thinking of anything but his pain.
+And when the men of both armies beheld that drawn sword, they blew
+trumpets and horns and shouted grimly, and made them ready for battle.
+So King Arthur leaped on his horse, and Sir Mordred on his, and they
+went back to their own armies, and thus began the fight, and never was
+there seen one more doleful in any Christian land. For all day long
+there was rushing and riding, spearing and striking, and many a grim
+word was there spoken, and many a deadly stroke given. And at the end
+full an hundred thousand dead men lay upon the down, and King Arthur
+had but two Knights left living, Sir Lucan and his brother Sir
+Bedivere. 'Alas! that I should have lived to see this day,' cried the
+King, 'for now I am come to mine end; but would to God that I knew
+where were that traitor Sir Mordred that hath caused all this
+mischief.' Then suddenly he saw Sir Mordred leaning on his sword among
+a great heap of dead men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_190.jpg" width="500" height="736" alt="THE LAST BATTLE
+
+Sir Mordred" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE LAST BATTLE<br /><br />
+Sir Mordred</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Give me my spear,' said King Arthur unto Sir Lucan.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, let him be,' answered Sir Lucan. 'Remember your dream, and leave
+off by this. For, blessed be God, you have won the field, and we three
+be alive, and of the others none is alive save Sir Mordred himself. If
+you leave off now, the day of destiny is past.'</p>
+
+<p>'Tide me death, tide me life,' said the King, 'he shall not escape my
+hands, for a better chance I shall never have,' and he took his spear
+in both hands and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying 'Traitor! now is
+your death day come,' and smote him under the shield, so that the
+spear went through his body. And when Sir Mordred felt he had his
+death wound, he raised himself up and struck King Arthur such a blow
+that the sword clave his helmet, and then fell stark dead on the earth
+again. When Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere saw that sight they carried the
+King to a little chapel, but they hoped not to leave him there long,
+for Sir Lucan had noted that many people were stealing out to rob the
+slain of the ornaments on their armour. And those that were not dead
+already they slew.</p>
+
+<p>'Would that I could quit this place to go to some large town,' said
+the King, when he had heard this, 'but I cannot stand, my head works
+so. Ah, Lancelot, sorely have I missed thee.' At that Sir Lucan and
+Sir Bedivere tried to lift him, but Sir Lucan had been grievously
+wounded in the fight, and the blood burst forth again as he lifted
+Arthur, and he died and fell at the feet of the King.</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' said the King, 'he has died for my sake, and he had more need
+of help than I. But he would not complain, his heart was so set to
+help me. And I should sorrow yet more if I were still to live long,
+but my time flieth fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, cease moaning and
+weeping, and take Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder
+water side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword
+in that water, and come again and tell me what thou hast seen.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'My lord,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'your commandment shall be done,'
+and he departed. But when he looked at that noble sword, and beheld
+the jewels and gold that covered the pommel and hilt, he said to
+himself, 'If I throw this rich sword into the water no good will come
+of it, but only harm and loss'; so he hid Excalibur under a tree, and
+returned unto the King and told him his bidding was done. 'What did
+you see there?' asked the King.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'I saw nothing but the winds and the
+waves.'</p>
+
+<p>'You have not dealt truly with me,' said the King. 'Go back, and do my
+command; spare not, but throw it in.' But again Sir Bedivere's heart
+failed him, and he hid the sword, and returned to tell the King he had
+seen nothing but the wan water.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, traitor!' cried King Arthur, 'this is twice you have betrayed me.
+If you do not now fulfil my bidding, with mine own hands will I slay
+you, for you would gladly see me dead for the sake of my sword.' Then
+Sir Bedivere was shamed at having disobeyed the King, and drew forth
+the sword from its hiding place, and carried it to the water side, and
+with a mighty swing threw it far into the water. And as it flew
+through the air, an arm and hand lifted itself out of the water, and
+caught the hilt, and brandished the sword thrice, and vanished with it
+beneath the water. So Sir Bedivere came again unto the King, and told
+him what he saw.</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' said the King, 'help me hence, for I have tarried overlong,'
+and Sir Bedivere took him on his back, and bare him to the water side.
+And when they stood by the bank, a little barge containing many fair
+ladies and a Queen, all in black hoods, drew near, and they wept and
+shrieked when they beheld King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>'Now put me into the barge,' said the King, and Sir Bedivere laid him
+softly down, and the ladies made great mourning and the barge rowed
+from the land.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_194.jpg" width="500" height="738" alt="EXCALIBUR RETURNS TO THE MERE" title="" />
+<span class="caption">EXCALIBUR RETURNS TO THE MERE</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Ah, my lord Arthur!' cried Sir Bedivere, 'what shall become of me now
+you go from me, and I am left here alone with my enemies?'</p>
+
+<p>'Comfort yourself,' replied the King, 'and do as well as you may, for
+I go unto the valley of Avilion, to be healed of my grievous wound.
+And if you never more hear of me, pray for my soul.' But Sir Bedivere
+watched the barge till it was beyond his sight, then he rode all night
+till he came to a hermitage. Now when Queen Guenevere heard of the
+battle, and how that King Arthur was slain and Sir Mordred and all
+their Knights, she stole away, and five ladies with her, and rode to
+Amesbury; and there she put on clothes of black and white, and became
+a nun, and did great penance, and many alms deeds, and people
+marvelled at her and at her godly life. And ever she wept and moaned
+over the years that were past, and for King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the messenger whom the King had sent with Sir Gawaine's
+letter reached Sir Lancelot, and he learned that Sir Mordred had taken
+for himself the crown of England, he rose up in wrath, and, calling
+Sir Bors, bid him collect their host, that they should pass at once
+over the sea to avenge themselves on that false Knight. A fair wind
+blew them to Dover, and there Sir Lancelot asked tidings of King
+Arthur. Then the people told him that the King was slain, and Sir
+Mordred, and an hundred thousand men besides, and that the King had
+buried Sir Gawaine in the chapel at Dover Castle. 'Fair Sirs,' said
+Sir Lancelot, 'show me that tomb'; and they showed it to him, and Sir
+Lancelot kneeled before it, and wept and prayed, and this he did for
+two days. And on the third morning he summoned before him all the
+great lords and leaders of his host, and said to them, 'Fair lords, I
+thank you all for coming here with me, but we come too late, and that
+will be bitter grief to me as long as I shall live. But since it is
+so, I will myself ride and seek my lady Guenevere in the west country,
+where they say she has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> gone, and tarry you here, I entreat you, for
+fifteen days, and if I should not return take your ships and depart
+into your own country.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Bors strove to reason with him that the quest was fruitless, and
+that in the west country he would find few friends; but his words
+availed nothing. For seven days Sir Lancelot rode, and at last he came
+to a nunnery, where Queen Guenevere was looking out from her lattice,
+and was ware of his presence as he walked in the cloister. And when
+she saw him she swooned, and her ladies and gentlewomen tended her.
+When she was recovered, she spoke to them and said, 'You will marvel,
+fair ladies, why I should swoon. It was caused by the sight of yonder
+Knight who stands there, and I pray you bring him to me.' As soon as
+Sir Lancelot was brought she said to her ladies, 'Through me and this
+man has this war been wrought, for which I repent me night and day.
+Therefore, Sir Lancelot, I require and pray you never to see my face
+again, but go back to your own land, and govern it and protect it; and
+take to yourself a wife, and pray that my soul may be made clean of
+its ill doing.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that shall I never do; but the
+same life that you have taken upon you, will I take upon me likewise.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you will do so,' said the Queen, 'it is well; but I may never
+believe but that you will turn to the world again.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, Madam,' answered he, 'you speak as it pleases you, but you
+never knew me false to my promise, and I will forsake the world as you
+have done. For if in the quest of the Sangreal I had forsaken its
+vanities with all my heart and will, I had passed all Knights in the
+quest, except Sir Galahad my son. And therefore, lady, since you have
+taken you to perfection, I must do so also, and if I may find a hermit
+that will receive me I will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> pray and do penance while my life lasts.
+Wherefore, Madam, I beseech you to kiss me once again.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said the Queen, 'that I may not do,' and Sir Lancelot took his
+horse and departed in great sorrow. All that day and the next night he
+rode through the forest till he beheld a hermitage and a chapel
+between two cliffs, and heard a little bell ring to Mass. And he that
+sang Mass was the Bishop of Canterbury, and Sir Bedivere was with him.
+After Mass Sir Bedivere told Sir Lancelot how King Arthur had thrown
+away his sword and had sailed to the valley of Avilion, and Sir
+Lancelot's heart almost burst for grief. Then he kneeled down and
+besought the Bishop that he might be his brother. 'That I will,
+gladly,' said the Bishop, and put a robe upon him.</p>
+
+<p>After the fifteen days were ended, and still Sir Lancelot did not
+return, Sir Bors made the great host go back across the sea, while he
+and some of Sir Lancelot's kin set forth to seek all over England till
+they found Sir Lancelot. They rode different ways, and by fortune Sir
+Bors came one day to the chapel where Sir Lancelot was. And he prayed
+that he might stay and be one of their fellowship, and in six months
+six other Knights were joined to them, and their horses went where
+they would, for the Knights spent their lives in fasting and prayer,
+and kept no riches for themselves.</p>
+
+<p>In this wise six years passed, and one night a vision came to Sir
+Lancelot in his sleep charging him to hasten unto Amesbury. 'By the
+time that thou come there,' said the vision, 'thou shalt find Queen
+Guenevere dead; therefore take thy fellows with thee and fetch her
+corpse, and bury it by the side of her husband, the noble King
+Arthur.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot rose up and told the hermit, and the hermit ordered
+him to make ready and to do all as the vision had commanded. And Sir
+Lancelot and seven of the other Knights went on foot from Glastonbury
+to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> Amesbury, and it took them two days to compass the distance, for
+it was far and they were weak with fasting. When they reached the
+nunnery Queen Guenevere had been dead but half an hour, and she had
+first summoned her ladies to her, and told them that Sir Lancelot had
+been a priest for near a twelvemonth. 'And hither he cometh as fast as
+he may,' she said, 'to fetch my corpse, and beside my lord King Arthur
+he shall bury me. And I beseech Almighty God that I may never have
+power to see Sir Lancelot with my bodily eyes.' 'Thus,' said the
+ladies, 'she prayed for two days till she was dead.' Then Sir Lancelot
+looked upon her face and sighed, but wept little, and next day he sang
+Mass. After that the Queen was laid on a bier drawn by horses, and an
+hundred torches were carried round her, and Sir Lancelot and his
+fellows walked behind her singing holy chants, and at times one would
+come forward and throw incense on the dead. So they came to
+Glastonbury, and the Bishop of Canterbury sang a Requiem Mass over the
+Queen, and she was wrapped in cloth, and placed first in a web of
+lead, and then in a coffin of marble, and when she was put into the
+earth Sir Lancelot swooned away.</p>
+
+<p>'You are to blame,' said the hermit, when he awaked from his swoon,
+'you ought not make such manner of sorrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'Truly,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'I trust I do not displease God, but
+when I remember her beauty, and her nobleness, and that of the King,
+and when I saw his corpse and her corpse lie together, my heart would
+not bear up my body. And I remembered, too, that it was through me and
+my pride that they both came to their end.'</p>
+
+<p>From that day Sir Lancelot ate so little food that he dwined away, and
+for the most part was found kneeling by the tomb of King Arthur and
+Queen Guenevere. None could comfort him, and after six weeks he was
+too weak to rise from his bed. Then he sent for the hermit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> and to his
+fellows, and asked in a weary voice that they would give him the last
+rites of the Church; and begged that when he was dead his body might
+be taken to Joyous Gard, which some say is Alnwick and others
+Bamborough. That night the hermit had a vision that he saw Sir
+Lancelot being carried up to heaven by the angels, and he waked Sir
+Bors and bade him go and see if anything ailed Sir Lancelot. So Sir
+Bors went and Sir Lancelot lay on his bed, stark dead, and he smiled
+as he lay there. Then was there great weeping and wringing of hands,
+more than had been made for any man; but they placed him on the horse
+bier that had carried Queen Guenevere, and lit a hundred torches, and
+in fifteen days they reached Joyous Gard. There his body was laid in
+the choir, with his face uncovered, and many prayers were said over
+him. And there, in the midst of their praying, came Sir Ector de
+Maris, who for seven years had sought Sir Lancelot through all the
+land.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, Lancelot,' he said, when he stood looking beside his dead body,
+'thou wert head of all Christian Knights. Thou wert the courtliest
+Knight that ever drew sword, and the faithfulest friend that ever
+bestrode a horse. Thou wert the goodliest Knight that ever man has
+seen, and the truest lover that ever loved a woman.'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_RONCEVALLES" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_RONCEVALLES"></a>THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES</i></h2>
+<p>About twelve hundred years ago there lived an Emperor of the West
+whose name was Charles the Great, or, as some called him, Charlemagne,
+which means Carolus Magnus. When he was not making war he ruled well
+and wisely at Aix-la-Chapelle, but at the time that this story begins
+he had been for seven years in Spain, fighting against the Saracens.
+The whole country had fallen before him, except only Saragossa, a
+famous town on the river Ebro, not far from the outskirts of the
+Pyrenees, which was held by the Moorish King Marsile, with a great
+host.</p>
+
+<p>One hot day Marsile was lying on a cool slab of blue marble which was
+shaded by overhanging fruit trees, and his nobles were sitting all
+round him. Suddenly the King sat up, and, turning to his followers, he
+said:</p>
+
+<p>'Listen to me, my Lords, for I have something of note to say unto you.
+Evil days are upon us, for the Emperor of fair France will never rest
+until he has driven us out of our country, and I have no army
+wherewith to meet him. Then counsel me, my wise men, how to escape
+both death and shame.'</p>
+
+<p>At the King's speech there was silence, for none knew how to reply,
+till Blancandrin, Lord of Val-Fonde, stood up.</p>
+
+<p>'Fear nothing,' he said to the King, 'but send a messenger to this
+proud Charles, promising to do him faithful service and asking for his
+friendship. And let there go with the messenger presents to soften his
+heart,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> bears and lions, and dogs to hunt them; seven hundred camels
+and four hundred mules, loaded with gold and silver, so that he shall
+have money to pay his soldiers. The messenger shall tell him that on
+the Feast of St. Michael you yourself will appear before him, and
+suffer yourself to be converted to the faith of Christ, and that you
+will be his man and do homage to him. If he asks for hostages, well!
+send ten or twenty, so as to gain his confidence; the sons of our
+wives. I myself will offer up my own son, even if it leads to his
+death. Better they should all die, than that we should lose our
+country and our lands, and be forced to beg till the end of our
+lives.' And the nobles answered, 'He has spoken well.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_204.jpg" width="500" height="860" alt="UNDER A PINE TREE CLOSE TO A SWEET-BRIAR ON A SEAT OF
+GOLD SAT&mdash;THE KING OF THE FAIR COUNTRY OF FRANCE
+
+Charlemagne" title="" />
+<span class="caption">UNDER A PINE TREE CLOSE TO A SWEET-BRIAR ON A SEAT OF
+GOLD SAT&mdash;THE KING OF THE FAIR COUNTRY OF FRANCE<br />
+<br />
+Charlemagne</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>King Marsile broke up his Council, and chose out those who were to go
+on the embassy. 'My lords,' he said, 'you will start at once on your
+mission to King Charles, and be sure you take olive branches in your
+hands, and beg him to have pity on me. Tell him that before a month
+has passed over his head I will follow you with a thousand of my
+servants, to receive baptism and do him homage. If, besides, he asks
+for hostages, they shall be sent.' 'It is well,' said Blancandrin,
+'the treaty is good.'</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor Charles was happier than he had ever been in his life. He
+had taken Cordova, and thrown down the walls; his war machines had
+laid low the towers, and the rich city had been plundered, while every
+Saracen who refused to be baptized had been slain. Now he felt he
+might rest, and sought the cool of an orchard, where were already
+gathered his nephew Roland, with Oliver his comrade, Geoffrey of Anjou
+his standard bearer, and many other famous Knights. They lay about on
+white carpets doing what they best liked&mdash;some played games, chess or
+draughts, but these were mostly the old men who were glad to be still:
+the young ones fenced and tilted. Under a pine tree, close to a
+sweet-briar, a seat of massive gold was placed, and on it sat the
+Emperor of the fair country of France, a strong man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> with his beard
+white as snow. But his rest was short. Soon came the messengers of the
+Saracen King, and, descending from their mules, they bowed low before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>It was Blancandrin who first spoke, showing with his hands the
+presents he had brought with him, and offering that the King would
+receive baptism, and do homage for his lands, if only the Emperor
+Charles would return with his army into France, 'for,' said
+Blancandrin, 'you have been too long in this country.'</p>
+
+<p>When Blancandrin had spoken, the Emperor sat silent with his head
+bent, thinking of the words of the Saracen, for never was it his
+custom to be hasty in his speech. At length he looked up, and a proud
+look was on his face.</p>
+
+<p>'You have said well,' he answered, 'yet King Marsile is my deadly
+enemy, and how do I know that I can put my trust in your offers?'</p>
+
+<p>'You will have hostages,' replied the Saracen, 'sons of the highest
+nobles, and my own son will be among them. And when you have gone back
+to your own palace, my master will follow you on the Feast of St.
+Michael, and will be made a Christian in the waters of Aix.'</p>
+
+<p>'If he does this,' said Charles, 'his soul may still be saved,' and he
+bade hospitality to be shown to his guests.</p>
+
+<p>Before sunrise next morning the Emperor left his bed, and heard Mass
+said and Matins sung. Then he seated himself under a pine, and called
+his Barons to council. Many there were whose names men still remember:
+Ogier the Dane, and Archbishop Turpin of Rheims, and the brave Count
+of Gascony, Count Roland, nephew of Charles, and his friend the
+valiant Oliver. Gan&eacute;lon was there too, by whom the wrong was to be
+wrought. As soon as they were all seated, the Emperor spoke and told
+them afresh what the messengers had said. 'But Marsile makes one
+condition,' continued Charles, 'which is that I must return to France,
+where he will come to me as my vassal. Now, does he swear falsely, or
+can I trust his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> oath?' 'Let us be very careful how we answer him,'
+cried the nobles with one voice.</p>
+
+<p>At that Roland sprang to his feet. 'It is madness to put faith in
+Marsile,' said he; 'seven years have we been in Spain, and many towns
+have I conquered for you, but Marsile we have always proved a traitor.
+Once before he sent us an embassy of Unbelievers each one bearing an
+olive branch, and they made you the same promises. Once before you
+called a meeting of your barons who counselled you to do the thing
+they knew you wished, and you sent to the Court of the Unbelievers the
+noble Counts Basil and Bazan. And how did Marsile treat them? He
+commanded that they should be led into the mountains and that their
+heads should be cut off, which was done. No! Go on with the war, as
+you have begun it; march on Saragossa and lay siege to the town,
+though it should last to the end of your life, and avenge those whom
+Marsile put to death.'</p>
+
+<p>With bent head the Emperor listened to Roland, twisting all the while
+his fingers in his moustache. He kept silent, turning over in his mind
+the things Roland had said, and the nobles kept silence, too, all
+except Gan&eacute;lon. For Gan&eacute;lon rose and stood before Charles and began to
+speak. 'Believe none of us,' he said; 'think of nothing but your own
+advantage when Marsile offers to become your vassal, and to do homage
+for the whole of Spain, and to receive baptism besides; he who wishes
+you to reject such offers cares nothing for the deaths the rest of us
+may die. Pay no attention to such madness, but listen to your wise
+men.'</p>
+
+<p>He sat down in his place, and then the Duke Naimes took up his words.
+'You have heard,' he said to Charles, 'the words of Gan&eacute;lon. Wise
+counsel, if we only follow it! Marsile knows that he is conquered at
+last. You have won his towns, and vanquished him in battle, and he is
+reduced to beg for your pity. It would be shameful to ask for anything
+further, and the more so as you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> have hostages as pledges of his good
+faith. It is time that the war ended; therefore send him one of your
+barons to speak with him face to face.' And the nobles answered, 'The
+Duke has spoken well.'</p>
+
+<p>'Noble lords, what envoy shall we send to King Marsile at Saragossa?'
+'I will go, if it is your pleasure,' said Duke Naimes. 'Give me your
+glove and the wand of office.' 'No,' replied Charles, 'your wisdom is
+great, and I cannot spare you from my side. Remain where you are, I
+command you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let me go,' cried Roland. 'No, no,' answered Count Oliver; 'you are
+too hasty and too imprudent. You would only fall into some trap. With
+the King's good leave I will go instead.'</p>
+
+<p>'Hold your peace,' said Charles, shaking his head; 'you will neither
+of you go. None of my twelve peers shall be chosen.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Turpin of Rheims left his seat and spoke to Charles with his loud
+and ringing voice. 'Fair King, give your Franks a little peace. For
+seven years you have been in Spain, and your barons have all that time
+been fighting and suffering. It is now, sire, that the glove and the
+wand of office should be given. I will go and visit this Unbeliever,
+and will tell him in what scorn I hold him.' But the Emperor, full of
+rage, cried out, 'By my beard, you will stop with me. Go to your place
+on the white carpet, and give me none of your advice unless I ask for
+it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good Frankish Knights,' said Charles, 'choose me a baron from my own
+land, who shall be envoy to King Marsile, and who, at need, can fight
+well.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah,' cried Roland, 'let it be Gan&eacute;lon, my stepfather; you will not
+find a better man.' 'Yes,' said the Franks, 'he is the man; let him go
+if the King pleases.'</p>
+
+<p>'Gan&eacute;lon,' commanded the King, 'come here and I will give you the
+glove and the wand of office. It is the voice of the barons that has
+chosen you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_210.jpg" width="500" height="814" alt="MARSILE THREATENS GANELON WITH A JAVELIN" title="" />
+<span class="caption">MARSILE THREATENS GANELON WITH A JAVELIN</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'No,' replied Gan&eacute;lon, 'it is Roland's doing, and to the end of my
+life I will bear him hatred for it. Oliver also will I hate, since
+Oliver is his friend. And never more will I love the twelve peers, for
+they love him. Under your own eyes, sire, I throw down my challenge.'</p>
+
+<p>'You are angry about nothing,' said the King, 'and as I have commanded
+you, you will go.'</p>
+
+<p>'I can go, but it will be my death, as it was the death of Basil and
+of his brother Bazan. Who goes there, returns not. But, sire, do not
+forget that your sister is my wife and that I have a son Baldwin, who,
+if he lives, will be the bravest of the brave. To him I leave all my
+lands. Guard him well, for I shall see him no more.'</p>
+
+<p>'Your heart is too tender,' said Charles, 'but there is no help for
+it, you must go.'</p>
+
+<p>At the words of the King, Gan&eacute;lon flung his fur mantle to the ground
+in fury. 'It is to you,' he cried, turning to Roland, 'that I owe this
+peril. I am your stepfather, and that is reason enough that you send
+me to lose my head at the Court of King Marsile. Let it be so; but if
+ever I return I will bring on you such trouble that it will only end
+with your life.'</p>
+
+<p>'You talk like a madman,' said Roland. 'All men know that I care
+nothing for threats. But it needs a wise man to go on such a mission,
+and if the King pleases, I will go in your place.'</p>
+
+<p>'You will not go in my place,' answered Gan&eacute;lon. 'I am not your
+vassal, to do as you bid me. Charles has commanded me to go to
+Saragossa, therefore to Saragossa I go. But beware of what I do when I
+get there.'</p>
+
+<p>At this Roland began to laugh, and when Gan&eacute;lon saw him laughing, it
+seemed as if his heart would burst with anger. 'I hate you,' he
+muttered to Roland. 'I should never have been chosen but for you.
+Great Emperor,' he said aloud to Charles, 'behold me ready to obey
+your orders.'</p>
+
+<p>'Listen, fair Count,' replied Charles, 'for this is the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>message I
+would have you bear to King Marsile. If he agrees to become my vassal,
+and to receive Holy Baptism, I will give him half of Spain as a fief.
+The other half will be held by Roland, my nephew. If these terms do
+not please King Marsile, I will myself besiege Saragossa, and will
+take him and bind him in chains. Then he shall be brought to Aix,
+where he shall be put to a shameful death. So take this letter which
+is sealed with my seal, and give it into the hand of the Infidel.'
+When Gan&eacute;lon had put the letter in safety, the King held out to him
+his glove, but the Count was not quick to seize it, and it fell to the
+ground. 'Heavens,' cried the Franks who were standing round, 'how
+dreadful an omen! This message will be the cause of dire misfortunes.'
+'I will send you news of them,' Gan&eacute;lon answered. And he said to
+Charles, 'Let me depart, sire, as I must go. I wish to lose no time.'</p>
+
+<p>'Go then,' replied the King, making over him the sign of the cross and
+giving him the wand of office. And Gan&eacute;lon went.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before he overtook the Saracens, who had lingered,
+hoping he might join them, and Blancandrin began to sing the praises
+of Charles and his conquests. 'He is a wonderful man,' answered
+Gan&eacute;lon, 'and of such a strong will that no man may strive against
+it.'</p>
+
+<p>'How brave are these Franks,' went on Blancandrin; 'but your nobles
+were ill-advised in the counsel they gave the King upon this matter.
+It bodes evil to Charles and to many beside him.'</p>
+
+<p>'None of them merit this blame,' said Gan&eacute;lon, 'save Roland only, and
+the shame will be on his head. His pride is so great that he thinks no
+sword can touch him, but until he is really dead peace we can never
+have.' Here the Saracen glanced at Gan&eacute;lon beside him. 'He is a fine
+man,' thought he, 'but there is cunning in his eye,' and then
+Blancandrin spoke. 'Let us understand each other plainly,' he said;
+'is it your wish to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> avenged of Roland? Then, by the beard of
+Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous
+master, and knows how to repay those who serve him.' Gan&eacute;lon heard his
+words, and bent his head in silence.</p>
+
+<p>But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at
+Saragossa, Gan&eacute;lon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they
+would find some means of causing Roland to perish. This decided, they
+rode through the gates of the town, and dismounted from their horses.
+In the shadow of a pine, a throne was placed covered with soft silk
+from Alexandria, and on it sat he who was once the master of the whole
+of Spain. Twenty thousand Saracens stood around him, but not a sound
+was made, so eager they were to hear Charles's answer. Blancandrin
+advanced to the King's throne, leading Gan&eacute;lon by the wrist.
+'Greeting, great King,' said he; 'we delivered your message to
+Charles, and he raised his two hands to heaven, and answered nothing.
+But he has sent you one of his great lords, and he will tell you if it
+is peace or no peace.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let him speak,' replied Marsile, 'and we will listen.'</p>
+
+<p>Gan&eacute;lon waited a little before he spoke, for he knew that one careless
+word might prove his own ruin. 'Greeting,' he said, when at last he
+had made ready his speech. 'This is the message sent you by
+Charlemagne. You must receive Holy Baptism, and Charles will allow you
+to do homage for half of Spain. The other half he gives to Roland, his
+nephew, and a proud neighbour you will find him. If these terms do not
+please you, he will lay siege to Saragossa, and will seize your
+person, and carry you to Aix, the capital of the Empire, where you
+will die a shameful death.' When he heard this, Marsile trembled with
+rage, and drawing a dart he would have thrown it at Gan&eacute;lon had not
+someone held him from behind. Gan&eacute;lon looked on, his hand on his
+sword, which he drew a little from its scabbard. 'Sword,' said he,
+'you are sharp and bright. While I wear you at the Court of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> this
+King, the Emperor can never say that I have died alone in a foreign
+land. But before I die you shall drink the blood of the best in his
+army.'</p>
+
+<p>The Infidels who were standing by prayed Marsile to go back to his
+seat in order that the matter might be decided, 'You put yourself in
+the wrong,' said the old Caliph, 'when you wish to strike this Frank.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sire,' answered Gan&eacute;lon, 'I will suffer this insult patiently, but
+not all the treasure of your kingdom should hinder my delivering the
+message of my master.' With that he threw from his shoulders his
+mantle of zibeline, but kept light hold of his sword. 'See,' said the
+Saracens, 'did you ever behold a prouder warrior?' Gan&eacute;lon drew near
+the King and repeated the message that Charles had given him. When he
+had finished he held out the letter, and Marsile, who had studied in
+the best schools of learning, broke the seal and read it to himself.
+'Listen to this, my lords,' he cried, 'and say if ever you heard such
+madness! Charles bids me think of Basil and Bazan, whose heads I cut
+off, up there in the mountains. And if I wish my own life to be
+spared, I am to send him my uncle, the Caliph, to deal with as he
+thinks fit.' The Saracens heard the message in grim silence, which was
+broken by the voice of the King's son. 'Gan&eacute;lon must be mad indeed to
+give such a message as that,' said he, 'and he deserves death for his
+boldness. Deliver him to me, and I will do justice on him.' Gan&eacute;lon
+understood his words but said nothing, only he quietly placed his back
+against a pine tree, and played with the hilt of his sword.</p>
+
+<p>King Marsile rose and went into his orchard, followed by his best
+councillors, Jorfalon his son, his uncle the Caliph, and others whom
+he most trusted. 'Summon the Frank also,' Blancandrin whispered in his
+ear, 'for he has promised to throw in his lot with us.' 'Bring him,'
+answered the King, and Blancandrin brought him into the orchard, where
+the web of treason was woven.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Noble Gan&eacute;lon,' said Marsile, 'I acted foolishly towards you just
+now, when, in my anger, I sought to strike you. Let me offer you the
+mantle of marten fur in amends. It has just arrived from a far
+country, and is worth five hundred pounds in gold.' 'I accept it
+gladly,' replied Gan&eacute;lon as the King hung the cloak round his neck,
+'and may you be rewarded in as splendid a gift!'</p>
+
+<p>'Gan&eacute;lon,' continued the King, 'I wish you to be my friend, though it
+will not be wise to show you openly my goodwill. Tell me about
+Charlemagne, and whether what I have heard of him is really the truth.
+They say he is very old, nearly two hundred years, and that he has
+wandered from one country to another and been in the thick of every
+fight, and has made the most powerful Kings beggars. When will he grow
+tired of all these wars? It is time that he rested himself at Aix.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Gan&eacute;lon, 'those who told you that Charlemagne was like that
+did not speak truly. My tongue could never tell of his goodness and
+his honour towards all men. Who could ever paint what Charlemagne is?
+I would rather die than leave his service.'</p>
+
+<p>'What you say is wonderful,' replied Marsile, 'but after all he has
+done, will repose never seem sweet to him?'</p>
+
+<p>'Not while his nephew Roland lives,' said Gan&eacute;lon. 'There is not such
+a fighter under heaven, and his comrade Oliver is famous also for his
+prowess. The twelve peers whom the Emperor so dearly loves, with
+twenty thousand picked men from the van of the army&mdash;truly Charlemagne
+may rest in peace, and fear no man.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair lord,' answered Marsile, 'my subjects are the finest you can
+see, and at any moment I can summon four hundred thousand men to give
+battle to Charlemagne.'</p>
+
+<p>'You will not conquer him this time,' said Gan&eacute;lon, 'and in a fight
+thousands of your soldiers would be killed. Hear my counsel. Send
+Charles yet more gold and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> silver, and offer twenty other hostages, on
+condition he returns himself to France, leaving his rear-guard behind
+him. This, being the post of danger, will be claimed by his nephew
+Roland, whose comrade Oliver is always by his side. It will be easy to
+manage that the two Counts shall meet their deaths, and Roland and
+Oliver once dead the King will have no more heart for war.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fair lord,' replied Marsile, 'what shall I have to do in order to
+kill Roland?'</p>
+
+<p>'That I can easily tell you,' answered Gan&eacute;lon. 'When Charlemagne has
+passed safely through the mountains, with the most part of his
+soldiers, his baggage and his hostages, then have a hundred thousand
+of your Infidels ready to fall upon Roland and his rear-guard of
+twenty thousand men. The Franks will fight hard, but they cannot stand
+against such numbers, though of their foes many will be left upon the
+field. Then lose not a moment, but give them battle a second time.
+They will be too few and too weak to fight long, and for the rest of
+your life you will have peace. If you kill Roland, you will have cut
+off the Emperor's right arm. Farewell to the splendid armies of the
+Franks; never more will such forces be gathered together; never will
+Charles wear again his golden crown, but all Spain shall be in peace.'</p>
+
+<p>Marsile heard the words of Gan&eacute;lon, and stooped and kissed his neck,
+and ordered his costliest treasures to be brought before him. Then he
+said: 'There is no further need of speech between us; swear that I
+shall find him in the rear-guard, and I shall swear that you shall
+have your revenge.' And Gan&eacute;lon swore. But Marsile was not content
+with the oath that Gan&eacute;lon made. He commanded that a copy of the Koran
+should be brought, the sacred book of Mahomet, and placed it on a
+chair of ivory, which stood under an olive tree. With his hand on the
+book Marsile also took his oath, that if among the rear-guard of
+Charlemagne's army he found Roland, he would fall upon him with all
+his host and compass his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> death, and that of the twelve peers of
+France. So the bond of treachery was sealed. Then the Infidels crowded
+round, and one offered Gan&eacute;lon his sword, and another his helmet,
+while the Queen brought bracelets of precious stones as gifts for his
+wife. Marsile asked his treasurer if he had made ready the presents
+that were to be sent to Charles, and pressing Gan&eacute;lon in his arms, he
+declared that not a day should pass without his friend likewise
+receiving presents, if only he would give his help in the slaying of
+Roland. 'You keep me too long,' was Gan&eacute;lon's answer, and he mounted
+his horse and went.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the Emperor Charles was marching towards France, but he
+halted at a small town which long ago had been taken by Roland,
+waiting till he heard some tidings of Gan&eacute;lon, and received the news
+that Marsile had agreed to do homage for Spain. At length, one morning
+at dawn, a messenger came to the King's tent telling him that Gan&eacute;lon
+had arrived, and Charles hastened forth with Roland and Oliver, Duke
+Naimes and a thousand more, to meet Gan&eacute;lon. 'Greeting,' said the
+traitor, bowing low; 'I bring you the keys of Saragossa, and twenty
+hostages, and great gifts. The noble King Marsile beseeches you not to
+blame him, because the Caliph, his uncle, has not come with me. I have
+seen&mdash;seen with my own eyes&mdash;three hundred thousand men all covered
+with armour sail away in ships with the Caliph for their leader,
+because they could neither defend their own faith nor forswear it. But
+hardly were they out of sight of land than a fierce tempest overtook
+them, and they were all lost. The Caliph must have died with the rest,
+or the King would have bade him come with me. As to the King himself,
+sire, before a month has passed he will be in France, ready to receive
+baptism in your presence. And he will become your vassal, and do
+homage for the kingdom of Spain.'</p>
+
+<p>'You have done wisely,' said Charles, 'and your reward shall be
+great.' So trumpets were sounded and tents<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> were struck, and the host
+marched with gaiety in their hearts to France the Fair.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_218.jpg" width="500" height="649" alt="The Dream of Charlemagne" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Dream of Charlemagne</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'My war is finished,' said the King, as his army gladly turned their
+backs on Spain, and at nightfall spread their tents and slept till day
+began. But little he knew that four hundred thousand Unbelievers, with
+shields slung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> from their necks and swords in their hands, were riding
+silently through the mountain passes with the intent of hiding
+themselves in a wood till the moment came. There they were, and the
+Franks knew nothing of it, nor what would come.</p>
+
+<p>Charles slept, and in his sleep he dreamed that Gan&eacute;lon took his stout
+lance of ash wood from his hands and brandished it in the air, then
+broke it with his fists. After this dream came another. He was no
+longer shut fast in by the mountains, but was at home in France,
+standing in his chapel at Aix. Here a bear appeared before him and bit
+so deep into his arm that it reached the bone. Then from the other
+side, from the Ardennes, there sprang a leopard and would have torn
+him in pieces, had not a greyhound come to his aid, and attacked first
+the bear and then the leopard. 'A fight! a fight!' cried the Franks,
+but they knew not which would be victorious. And all the while Charles
+slept soundly. With the dawn a thousand horns awoke the sleepers, and
+the clamour of a camp began. 'My lords,' said Charles, calling all his
+barons together, 'you see these narrow defiles through which we must
+pass? To whom shall I give the command of the rear-guard which must
+protect the rest of my army?'</p>
+
+<p>'To Roland, to Roland my stepson,' cried Gan&eacute;lon. 'No Knight is so
+brave as he, and we may trust to him the safety of our host.' Charles
+listened and looked him in the face. 'You must be the devil himself,'
+he said, 'for you seem as if your body was shaken by some evil
+passion. If Roland goes to the rear, who then shall command the van?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ogier, the Dane,' answered Gan&eacute;lon. 'There is no better man.'</p>
+
+<p>When Count Roland heard his name he pressed forward. 'Fair stepfather,
+I owe you much love for proposing me to lead the rear-guard of the
+army. Charles the King shall lose nothing through me; not a horse or a
+mule shall fall till his price is paid in blows received by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> the
+Infidels.' 'You speak well,' said Gan&eacute;lon, 'and what you say is true.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Roland turned to Charlemagne: 'Give me, O King, the bow which you
+hold in your hand. I will promise not to let it fall, as Gan&eacute;lon did
+your glove.'</p>
+
+<p>But the King sat silent, with his head bent, and tears ran down his
+cheeks. At last Naimes drew near and spoke to him, and among them all
+Charles had no more faithful friend. 'You have heard, sire, what Count
+Roland said. If he is to lead the rear-guard&mdash;and there is no man that
+can do it better&mdash;give him the bow that you have drawn, for which he
+asks.' So the King gave it to him, and Roland took it gladly. 'Fair
+nephew,' said the King, 'I wish to leave half of my army behind with
+you; keep it close to you, it will be your safeguard.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' answered the Count; 'to accept the half of your army would be to
+shame my race. Leave me twenty thousand Franks, and you will pass the
+defiles in safety. While I live you need fear no man.' Quickly Count
+Roland girded on his armour, girded on his sword Durendal, the comrade
+of many fights, and mounted his horse Veillantif, whom all men knew.
+'We will follow you to death,' cried the Franks as they saw him. But
+Roland answered them nothing. The first to come to his side was
+Oliver, his old companion, then Turpin the Archbishop, the Count
+Gautier, and many more, and after that they chose twenty thousand men,
+the best that Charles had with him. Some of them he sent, under Count
+Gautier, to drive the Unbelievers from the hill-top, and that same day
+they fought a fierce battle. And while Charles and his army entered
+the pass of Roncevalles, Roland took up his ground and prepared for
+the fight, which he knew must come shortly. And Gan&eacute;lon, the traitor,
+knew it too.</p>
+
+<p>High were the mountains, and dark the valleys; terrible were the
+defiles amidst the black rocks. The army marched slowly and with great
+difficulty; fifteen miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> away you could hear the sound of their
+tramping. But when they caught sight of Gascony, of France, where they
+had left their homes and their wives, there was not a man among them
+who did not weep for happiness. Charles alone shed tears of sorrow,
+for he thought of his nephew in the passes of Spain. 'Gan&eacute;lon has
+betrayed us,' said he to Duke Naimes, 'and he has betrayed Roland too.
+It was he who caused him to stay behind with the rear-guard, and if I
+lose him&mdash;O God! I shall never find such another.'</p>
+
+<p>The nephew of Marsile had craved a boon, that he and eleven of his
+comrades should measure themselves against the Twelve Peers of France,
+and that none but himself should strike the first blow at Roland. The
+noblest subjects of Marsile flocked at his call, and a gay show they
+made when ready for battle, and mounted on horses as eager for the
+fray as themselves. So great was the noise that the sound reached even
+to the French camp. 'I think, comrade, that it will not be long before
+we fight with the Saracens,' said Oliver.</p>
+
+<p>'May it be as you say,' answered Roland; 'it is our duty to make a
+stand here for the King, as one should be ready to suffer all pains
+for one's liege lord. For him one must endure heat and cold, hunger
+and thirst, and strike hard blows with all one's might, and take heed
+that no evil song can be made on us after we are dead. The right is on
+the side of the Christians. Look to yourselves, for you will never see
+a bad example from me.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>THE BATTLE</h3>
+<p>Oliver had climbed a hill, from which he could see into the plains of
+Spain. 'Roland,' cried he, 'do you see those shining helmets and
+glittering swords? It is Gan&eacute;lon who has done this, and it was he who
+had you left here.'</p>
+
+<p>'Be silent, Oliver,' answered Roland. 'He is my stepfather. I will not
+hear him ill spoken of.' Then Oliver went down the hill and told his
+soldiers what he had seen. 'No battle will ever be like this one,' he
+said; 'you will need all your strength to keep your ground and not be
+driven back.' 'Cursed be he who runs away,' answered they. 'There is
+not one of us but knows how to die.'</p>
+
+<p>'The Infidels are many,' said Oliver again, 'and our Franks are but
+few. Roland, blow your horn; Charles will hear it and come to our
+help.'</p>
+
+<p>'You are mad to say that,' replied Roland, 'for in France I should
+lose all my glory. No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike, and
+our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It was an ill day for
+the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I tell you, none will
+escape.'</p>
+
+<p>'The Unbelievers are many,' said Oliver again, 'and we are very few.
+Roland, my friend, sound your horn; Charles will hear it, and come to
+our help.'</p>
+
+<p>'I should be mad if I did so,' answered Roland. 'In France, when they
+knew it, I should lose all my glory! No; but my sword Durendal knows
+how to strike, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It
+was an ill day for the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I
+tell you, none will escape death.'</p>
+
+<p>'O Roland, I pray you sound your horn, and Charles will hear it as he
+passes the defiles, and the Franks, I will swear it, will come to our
+help.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now God forbid,' said Roland, 'that through me my parents should be
+shamed, or that I should bring dishonour on the fair land of France.
+No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike. The Unbelievers have
+come to their death, and they will find it.'</p>
+
+<p>'I see no dishonour,' said Oliver. 'With my own eyes have I beheld the
+Saracens of Spain; the mountains and the valleys alike are full of
+them. And how few are we!'</p>
+
+<p>'Then we shall have the more fighting,' answered Roland. 'God forbid
+that I should turn my Franks into cowards! Rather death than
+dishonour. The more we kill, the better the Emperor will love us.'</p>
+
+<p>Roland was brave, but Oliver was wise also, and the souls of both were
+as high as their words. 'Look round you, and think for a moment,' said
+Oliver; 'they are close to us, and Charles is far. Ah! if you would
+only have sounded your horn, the King would have been here, and our
+troops would not have been in danger. The poor rear-guard will never
+more be again such as it is to-day.'</p>
+
+<p>'You speak foolishly,' answered Roland. 'Cursed be he whose heart is
+afraid. We will be strong to hold our ground. From us will come the
+blows, from us the battle.'</p>
+
+<p>When Roland saw that he must give battle to the Infidels, he called
+his Franks and bade Oliver stand beside him. 'Do not say these things,
+my friend and comrade,' said he. 'The Emperor has left us twenty
+thousand picked men, with not one craven heart amongst them. For our
+liege lord, one must be ready to suffer cold and heat, hunger and
+thirst, and cheerfully shed his blood and endure every ill. Strike
+with your lance, Oliver,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> as I shall strike with Durendal, the sword
+which was given me by the King himself. And if I am slain, the man who
+wins it may say, "it was the sword of a noble vassal."'</p>
+
+<p>Then from a little hill Turpin the Archbishop spoke to them. 'Charles
+has left us here; he is our King, and it is our duty to die for him.
+Christianity is in danger, and you must defend it. You cannot escape a
+battle; then fight, and ask God's pardon for your sins. In His Name, I
+will give you absolution, and already they wait for you in Paradise.'
+The Franks got off their horses and knelt on the ground, and the
+Archbishop blessed them. After this they mounted again, and placed
+themselves in order of battle.</p>
+
+<p>Like lightning Roland on his horse Veillantif swept along the defiles,
+his face bright and smiling, his lance in rest. Oliver his friend was
+close behind him, and the Franks said to each other, 'Look at our
+champion!' He glanced proudly at the Infidels, but when his eyes fell
+upon the Franks they were soft and gentle. 'Go slowly, noble barons,'
+said he; 'the Unbelievers to-day are seeking their martyrdom, and you
+will find richer booty than ever King of France did before.'</p>
+
+<p>'Words of mine are useless,' said Oliver; 'you would not let Charles
+know of our peril, so you cannot blame him for our danger. Ride as
+hard as you can, and think only of two things, how best to give and
+receive blows. And do not forget the battle cry of King Charles.'</p>
+
+<p>'Montjoie! Montjoie!' shouted the Franks, as the two armies came
+together with a crash.</p>
+
+<p>It were long to tell of that battle and of the brave deeds that were
+done both by Christians and Unbelievers. Roland was there where the
+strife was hardest, and struck with his lance till the wood snapped.
+Then he drew Durendal from the scabbard and drove a bloody path
+through the ranks of the Infidels. Oliver and the Twelve Peers were
+not far behind him, and the ground was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> red from the corpses of the
+pagans. 'Well fought, well fought!' cried the Archbishop, 'Montjoie,
+Montjoie!'</p>
+
+<p>Oliver seemed to be everywhere at once. His lance was broken in two,
+and there was only the head and a splinter remaining, but it dealt
+more death blows than the sword of many another man. 'What are you
+doing, comrade?' cried Roland, when for a moment their horses touched.
+'It is not wood that is needed in this battle, but well-tempered
+steel! Where is your sword Hauteclair, with its guard of gold and its
+handle of crystal?'</p>
+
+<p>'I have no time to draw it,' said Oliver. 'There are too many blows to
+strike.'</p>
+
+<p>Fiercer and fiercer grew the combat; thicker and thicker the corpses
+lay on the ground. Who could count the Franks who were stretched
+there, never more to see their wives or their mothers, or the comrades
+that awaited them in the defiles? But the number of the dead Saracens
+was greater even than theirs. And while they fought on Spanish soil, a
+strange tempest arose in France, thunder and wild winds, and a
+trembling of the earth; walls fell down, and at mid-day there was
+darkness. Men whispered to each other: 'It is the end of the world.'
+No, no; the end of all things was not yet, it was nature mourning for
+the death of Roland. At length the Saracens turned and fled, and the
+Franks pursued them, and Margaris the Valiant was left alone. His
+lance was broken, his shield pierced with holes, his sword-blade
+bloody, while he himself was sorely wounded. Heavens! what a warrior
+he would have made if he had only been a Christian. He rode fast to
+Marsile the King, and cried to him to mount his horse, and rally his
+men, and bring up fresh soldiers to deal the Franks a last blow, while
+they were exhausted from the long fight. 'It will be easy to revenge
+the thousands that they have slain,' said he; 'but if you let them
+slip now the tide of battle may turn against us.'</p>
+
+<p>The King Marsile sent for fresh forces, and at sight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> of them the
+Franks embraced each other for the last time, while the Archbishop
+promised them a speedy entrance into Paradise. 'The Emperor will
+avenge the treachery of Gan&eacute;lon,' cried Roland, 'whether we live or
+die, but the worst part of the fight is before us, and we shall need
+all our strength to beat back the Unbelievers. They must not tell
+tales of cowardice in the fair land of France.' Then they spurred
+their horses and advanced in line, crying 'Montjoie! Montjoie!'</p>
+
+<p>'Count Roland is not as other men,' said King Marsile, 'and as he is
+not content with two battles, we will give him a third. To-day Charles
+will cease to have power over Spain, and France will bow her head with
+shame.' And he gave his orders to the vanguard to go forward, while he
+himself waited on a little hill till the moment came to charge. Fierce
+was the shock as the two armies met, and bravely did their leaders
+fight, hand to hand and sword to sword. None struck harder than Turpin
+the Archbishop, who cursed his foes as he bore them from their
+saddles. 'He fights well,' said the Franks who watched his blows. But
+the Franks had fought long, and were faint and weary. They had lost
+much blood, and their arms were weak to strike. 'See how our brothers
+fall,' they whispered one to another, and Roland heard their groans,
+and his heart was near breaking. Thousands lay dead, thousands more
+were wounded, but still the battle went on. Horses without riders
+wandered about the field neighing for their masters. Then Marsile bade
+the trumpets sound, and his army gathered round the great standard
+with the Dragon, borne by a Saracen named Abimus. When Turpin the
+Archbishop caught sight of him, he dashed straight towards the banner,
+and with one blow of his mighty sword stretched the Unbeliever dead on
+the ground before the Dragon. 'Montjoie! Montjoie!' he cried, and the
+Franks heard, and said one to the other, 'Heaven send that Charles has
+many like him!' The lances of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> Franks were broken, and their
+shields were for the most part split in two, but three hundred naked
+swords still were left to deal blows at the shining helmets of the
+Infidels. 'Help! help! O King!' cried the Saracens, and Marsile heard,
+and answered, 'Better die than flee before these Franks. Let no one
+think of himself, but all press round Roland. If Roland dies, Charles
+is conquered. If Roland lives, all is over for us!' But Roland, with
+Oliver at his side, swept a clear space with Durendal, and none might
+come near him; the Archbishop kept his enemies at bay with his lance.
+Four times the Franks endured the shock of the onset, but at the fifth
+they were borne down by numbers, and now only sixty remained upon the
+ground.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_228.jpg" width="500" height="799" alt="ROLAND WINDS HIS HORN IN THE VALLEY OF RONCESVALLES" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ROLAND WINDS HIS HORN IN THE VALLEY OF RONCESVALLES</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Then Roland turned to Oliver and said, 'Fair sir and dearest friend,
+well may we pity France who will henceforth be widowed of such brave
+warriors. O Charles, my King, why do you not come to us? Oliver, tell
+me, how can we let him know what straits we are in?' 'There is no
+way,' said Oliver, 'and death rather than dishonour.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will sound my horn,' said Roland, 'and Charles will hear, and come
+back through the defiles. I know that the Franks will retrace their
+steps and come to our aid.'</p>
+
+<p>'That would be a shameful thing for them,' replied Oliver; 'all our
+kinsfolk would blush for us for ever, and we should likewise blush for
+ourselves. When I begged you to do it you would not, and now the time
+is past.'</p>
+
+<p>'The battle is sore,' said Roland, 'I shall sound the horn, and
+Charles will hear it.'</p>
+
+<p>'You refused to do it while yet there was time,' answered Oliver. 'If
+the Emperor had come then, so many of our best warriors would not be
+lying dead before us. It is not his fault that he is not here. But if
+you sound the horn now, I will never give you my sister, the fair
+Aude, for your wife.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why do you bear such malice?' said Roland.</p>
+
+<p>'It is your fault,' answered Oliver. 'Courage and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> madness are not
+the same thing, and prudence is always better than fury. If so many
+Franks lie dead, it is your folly which has killed them, and now we
+can no longer serve the Emperor. If you would have listened to me,
+Charles would have been here, and Marsile and his Saracens would have
+been slain. Your courage, Roland, has cost us dear! For yourself, you
+will be killed and France be covered with dishonour. And before night
+falls our friendship will be ended.' Then he wept, and Roland wept
+also.</p>
+
+<p>The Archbishop had been near, and heard their words. 'Do not quarrel
+at this hour,' he said. 'Your horn could not save them now. Charles is
+too far; it would take him too long to come. Yet sound it, for he will
+return and avenge himself on the Unbelievers. And they will take our
+bodies and put them on biers, and lay them on horses, and will bury us
+with tears of pity among the mountains, building up high walls round
+us, so that the dogs and the wild boar shall not devour us.' 'What you
+say is good,' answered Roland, and he lifted his horn, and its mighty
+voice rang through the mountains and Charles heard the echo thirty
+miles away. 'Our men are fighting,' he cried, but Gan&eacute;lon answered,
+'If another man had said that, we should have called him a liar.'
+Count Roland was sorely wounded and the effort to sound the horn
+caused the blood to pour from his mouth. But he sounded it once more,
+and the echoes leaped far. Charles heard it in the defiles, and all
+his Franks heard it too. 'It is Roland's horn,' said the King, 'and he
+is fighting.'</p>
+
+<p>'He is not fighting,' answered Gan&eacute;lon; 'you are old, and your words
+are those of a child. Beside, you know how great is the pride of
+Roland; it is a marvel that God has suffered him to live so long. For
+a hare, Roland would sound his horn all day, and at this moment he is
+most likely laughing with his Twelve Peers over the fright he has
+caused us. And again, who is there who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> would dare to attack Roland?
+No one. March on, sire; why make halt? France is still distant.'</p>
+
+<p>Count Roland suffered grievous pain and a great wound was across his
+forehead. He sounded his horn for the third time, and Charles and his
+Franks heard it. 'That horn carries far,' said he, and Naimes
+answered, 'It is Roland who is calling for help. A battle is going on;
+some one has betrayed him. Quick, sire, he has called often enough.
+Sound your war-cry and hasten to his help.' Then the Emperor ordered
+his trumpets to be sounded, and his army gathered itself together and
+girded on their armour with what speed they might, and each man said
+to the other, 'If only we are in time to save Roland from death, what
+blows we will strike for him.' Alas, they are too late, too late!</p>
+
+<p>But before the march back there was something for the Emperor to do.
+He sent for his head cook to appear in his presence, and he delivered
+the traitor Gan&eacute;lon into his custody, and told him to treat his
+prisoner as he liked, for he had shown himself unworthy to mix with
+warriors. So the head cook did as he pleased with him, and beat him
+with sticks and put a heavy chain about his neck. And thus he guarded
+him till Charles came back.</p>
+
+<p>How tall the mountains seemed to the returning army! how deep the
+valleys, and how swift the streams! but all the while the trumpets
+were sounded, that Roland might hear them and take heart. And as he
+rode, Charles had only one thought, 'If Roland is slain, shall I find
+one man alive?'</p>
+
+<p>Roland stood looking at the mountains and at the plains, and wherever
+his eyes fell his dead comrades lay before him. Loudly he mourned
+their loss, and then he turned to Oliver, saying, 'Brother, we must
+die here with the rest of the Franks.' He spurred his horse and blew
+his horn, and dashed into the ranks of the foe, shouting 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' The remnant that was left closed eagerly round him, and the
+battle-cries were fierce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> and loud. If Marsile and his host fled
+before them, others not less valiant remained behind, and Roland knew
+that the hour of his doom was come. And in valour, Oliver was no whit
+behind him, but flung himself into the thickest of the battle. It was
+the Caliph who gave Oliver his death blow. 'Charles made a mistake
+when he left you to guard these defiles,' said he, 'but your life will
+pay for many that you have slain.' But Oliver was not dead yet, and
+the taunt of the Caliph stung his blood. With all the strength he had
+left, he swung his sword Hauteclair on high, and it came down upon the
+Caliph's helmet with a crash, cleaving it clean through. 'Ah, pagan,'
+said he, 'you will never boast now of the prizes you have taken in
+battle.' Then 'Roland! Roland!' he cried, and Roland came. When he saw
+Oliver before him, livid and bleeding, he swayed on his horse as if he
+should faint. Oliver's sight was weak and troubled from loss of blood,
+and not hearing Roland's voice he mistook him for an enemy, and struck
+him a hard blow on his helmet. This blow restored Roland to his
+senses, and he sat upright. 'My friend,' said he, 'why have you done
+this? I am Roland, who loves you well, and never did I think you could
+lift your hand against me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hear you,' answered Oliver, 'I hear you speak, but I cannot see
+you. If I have struck you, forgive me, for I knew it not.'</p>
+
+<p>'I forgive you from my heart,' said Roland, and they embraced each
+other for the last time.</p>
+
+<p>The agony of death was falling upon Oliver; his sight had failed, his
+hearing was fast failing too. Slowly he dismounted from his horse and
+laid himself painfully on the ground, making, in a loud voice, the
+confession of his sins. Then he prayed God to bless Charlemagne, fair
+France, and Roland his friend, and after that his soul left him. And
+Roland returned and found him dead, and wept for him bitterly. At last
+he stood up and looked around.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> Of all the twenty thousand men, not
+one was left except himself, and Turpin and Gautier. And these three
+placed themselves shoulder to shoulder, and sent many an Infidel to
+join his dead brothers. But the wounds they received in their bodies
+were without number, and at length the Archbishop tottered and fell.
+But they had not slain him yet: with a mighty struggle he rose to his
+feet and looked round for Roland. 'I am not conquered yet,' he said;
+'a brave man dies but never surrenders.' Then with his good sword he
+rushed into the <i>m&ecirc;l&eacute;e</i> dealing death around him. Roland fought as
+keenly as his friend, but the moments seemed long till Charles brought
+them help. Again he sounded his horn, though the wound in his head
+burst out afresh with his effort. And the Emperor heard it, and
+stopped for an instant on his march. 'My lords,' he said, 'things are
+going badly with us; we shall lose my nephew Roland to-day, for I know
+by the way he blows his horn that he has not long to live. Spur your
+horses, for I would fain see him before he dies. And let every trumpet
+in the army sound its loudest!' The Unbelievers heard the noise of the
+trumpets, which echoed through the mountains and valleys, and they
+whispered fearfully to each other, 'It is Charles who is coming, it is
+Charles!' It was their last chance, and a band of their best warriors
+rode straight at Roland. At that sight the strength rushed back into
+his veins, and he waited for them proudly. 'I will fight beside you,'
+he said to Turpin, 'and till I am dead I will never leave you. Let
+them strike as hard as they will; Durendal knows how to strike back.'</p>
+
+<p>'Shame be upon every man who does not fight his best,' answered the
+Archbishop, 'for this is our last battle. Charles draws near, and will
+avenge us.'</p>
+
+<p>The Infidels said afterwards that an army could not have wrought the
+ruin that was done that day by the Archbishop and Roland. Veillantif
+received thirty wounds in his body and then fell dead under his
+master.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> But Roland leaped off, and smote the Saracens, who turned and
+fled before him. He was too weak to follow after them, and turned to
+see if the Archbishop still breathed. Kneeling by his side he unlaced
+Turpin's golden helmet, and bound up his gaping wounds. Then he
+pressed him closely to his heart and laid him gently on the ground. 'O
+friend, we must take farewell of each other, now all our comrades have
+gone before us. But let us do all we can for their bodies, which
+cannot be left lying here. I will myself go and seek their corpses,
+and bring them here and place them in rows before you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Go,' answered the Archbishop, 'but do not stay long. Thanks be to
+God, the victory remains with you and me.'</p>
+
+<p>Alone Roland searched the battle-field; he went up the sides of the
+mountains, he descended into the plains, and everywhere he saw the
+dead faces of his friends. One after another he brought them, and laid
+them at the feet of Turpin, and at the sight of their faces the
+Archbishop wept sore. Then he held up his hand to bless them for the
+last time. 'Noble lords,' he said, 'you have fallen upon evil days.
+May God receive your souls into His Paradise. As for me, among all the
+pains I suffer, the worst is that never shall I see my Emperor again.'</p>
+
+<p>Under a pine, close to a sweet-briar, the corpse of Oliver was lying,
+and Roland raised him in his arms and bare him to the Archbishop,
+where he laid him on a shield, near to the other peers. Then his heart
+broke with a cry, and he fell fainting beside Oliver. At the sight of
+Roland's grief the Archbishop's own sorrow grew double, and he
+stretched out his hand for the horn which lay near him. A stream ran
+down the valley of Roncevalles, and he dragged himself towards it, to
+fetch water to revive Roland. But he was too weak from the blood he
+had lost to reach the river, and he fell where he stood. 'Pardon for
+my sins,' he said, and died, the servant of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> God and of Charles. The
+cry was heard by Roland, who was slowly coming back to life, and he
+rose to his feet and went to the dead Archbishop and crossed his hands
+upon his breast. 'Ah, noble Knight,' he said, 'in God's hands I leave
+you, for never since the Apostles has He had a more faithful servant.
+May your soul henceforth be free from sorrow, and may the Gates of
+Paradise stand wide for you to enter in!'</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, Roland knew that his own death was not far off. He made
+his peace with God, and took his horn in one hand and Durendal in the
+other. Then he mounted a small hill where stood two pine trees, but
+fell almost unconscious as soon as he reached the top. But a Saracen
+who had watched him, and had feigned to be dead, sprang up and seeing
+him cried, 'Conquered! he is conquered, the nephew of Charles! and his
+famous sword will be carried into Arabia'; so he grasped Durendal
+tightly in his fist, and pulled Roland's beard in derision. If the
+Saracen had been wise he would have left Roland's beard alone, for at
+his touch the Count was brought back to consciousness. He felt his
+sword being taken from him, and with his horn, which was always beside
+him, he struck the Saracen such a blow on his helmet that he dropped
+Durendal, and sank dead to the earth. 'Coward,' said Roland, 'who has
+told you that you might dare to set hands on Roland, living or dead?
+You were not worthy a blow from my horn.' Still death was pressing
+closer and closer, and Roland knew it. He rose panting for breath, his
+face as white as if he was already in the grave, and took Durendal out
+of its scabbard. Ten times he struck it hard on a brown rock before
+him, but the steel never gave way. 'O my faithful Durendal, do you
+know that the hour of our parting has come?' he cried. 'You have
+gained many battles for me, and won Charles many kingdoms. You shall
+never serve another master after I am dead.' Again he smote the rock
+with all his force, but the steel of Durendal glanced aside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> When
+Roland saw that he could not break it, he sat down and wept and
+lamented sore, calling back to him all the fights that they had fought
+together. Yet another time he struck, but the steel held good. Death
+was drawing nearer; what was he to do? Under a pine tree he laid
+himself down to die, his head resting on the green grass, his face
+turned towards the Infidels. Beneath him he placed Durendal and his
+horn. Alone on the mountain, looking towards Spain, he made the
+confession of his sins, and offered up his last prayer. Then he held
+up his right hand, and the Angels came and bore his soul to Paradise.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_PURSUIT_OF_DIARMID" id="THE_PURSUIT_OF_DIARMID"></a>THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID</i></h2>
+<p>Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, rose early from his bed and went and sat
+upon the clearing of grass that stretched at the foot of the hill of
+Allen, where was the favourite palace of the Irish Kings of Leinster.
+He had stolen out alone, while his attendants were sleeping, but soon
+he was missed and two of his men followed him to the green plain.</p>
+
+<p>'Why have you risen so early?' said Ossian as he came up.</p>
+
+<p>'Since my wife died,' answered Fionn, 'little sleep has come to me,
+and better I like to be sitting by the hill-side than to toss
+restlessly between walls.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why did you not tell us?' answered Ossian, 'for there is not a girl
+in the whole land of Erin whom we would not have brought you by fair
+means or foul.'</p>
+
+<p>Dearing, who had till now kept silence, then spoke. 'I myself know of
+a wife who would be a fitting mate even for Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill&mdash;Grania, the daughter of Cormac, who is fairer of speech and
+form than the daughters of other men.'</p>
+
+<p>Fionn looked up quickly at Dearing's words.</p>
+
+<p>'There has been strife for long between me and Cormac,' said he, 'and
+it is not seemly that I should ask anything of him which might be
+refused. Therefore go you and Ossian and, as from yourselves, see if
+this marriage pleases him. It were better that he should refuse you,
+rather than me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Farewell then,' said Ossian, 'but let no man know of our journey till
+we come back again.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_242.jpg" width="500" height="843" alt="GRANIA QUESTIONS THE DRUID" title="" />
+<span class="caption">GRANIA QUESTIONS THE DRUID</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>So the two went their ways, and found Cormac, King of Erin, holding a
+great council on a wide plain, with the chiefs and the great nobles
+gathered before him. He welcomed Ossian and Dearing with courtesy, and
+as he felt sure they bore some message, he bade the council meet again
+on the morrow. When the nobles and chiefs had betaken themselves to
+their homes, Ossian told the King of Erin that they had come to know
+his thoughts as to a marriage between his daughter and Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill.</p>
+
+<p>'There is not the son of a king or of a great prince, a hero or a
+champion in the whole of Erin,' answered Cormac, 'whom my daughter has
+not refused to wed, and it is I whom all hold guilty for it, though it
+is none of my doing. Therefore betake yourselves to my daughter, and
+she will speak for herself. It is better that you be displeased with
+her than with me.'</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon Ossian and Dearing were led by the King to the dwelling of
+the women, and they found Grania lying on a high couch. 'Here, O
+Grania,' said the King, 'are two of the men of Fionn, the son of
+Cumhaill, and they have come to ask you as wife for him. What is your
+answer?'</p>
+
+<p>'If he be a fitting son-in-law for you, why should he not be a fitting
+husband for me?' said Grania. And at her words, her father ordered a
+banquet to be made in the palace for Ossian and Dearing, and sent them
+back to Fionn with a message summoning him to a tryst in a fortnight's
+time.</p>
+
+<p>When Ossian and Dearing were returned into Kildare, they found Fionn
+and his men, the Fenians, on the hill of Allen, and they told them
+their tale from the beginning to end. And the heart of Fionn grew
+light as he heard it, and the fortnight of waiting stretched long
+before him. But everything wears away at last, and so did those
+fifteen days; and on the last, Fionn assembled seven battalions of his
+Fenians from wherever they might be, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> set forth in troops
+for the great plain where Cormac, King of Erin, had given them tryst.</p>
+
+<p>The King had made ready a splendid feast, and welcomed the new-comers
+gladly, and they ate and drank together. When the feast was over the
+Druid Derry sang songs before Grania, and she, knowing he was a man of
+wisdom, asked him why Fionn had come thither. 'If you know not that,'
+said the Druid, 'it is no wonder that I know it not.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish to learn it from you,' answered Grania.</p>
+
+<p>'Well then,' replied the Druid, 'it is to ask you for wife that he is
+come.'</p>
+
+<p>'I marvel,' said Grania, 'that it is not for Ossian that he asks me.
+For my father himself is not as old as Fionn. But tell me, I pray you,
+who is that softly spoken man with the curling black hair and ruddy
+countenance, that sits on the left hand of Ossian, the son of Fionn?'</p>
+
+<p>'That is Diarmid, son of Dowd, the best lover in the whole world.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is a goodly company,' said Grania, and ordered her lady to bring
+her the golden goblet chased with jewels. When it was brought she
+filled it up with the drink of nine times nine men, then bade her
+handmaid carry it to Fionn and say that she had sent it to him, and
+that he was to drink from it. Fionn took the goblet with joy, but no
+sooner had he drunk than he fell down into a deep slumber; and the
+same thing befel also Cormac, and Cormac's wife, and as many as drank
+of the goblet sent by Grania.</p>
+
+<p>When all were sleeping soundly, she rose softly and said to Ossian, 'I
+marvel that Fionn should ask such a wife as I, for it were fitter that
+he should give me a husband of my own age than a man older than my
+father.'</p>
+
+<p>'Say not so, O Grania,' answered Ossian, 'for if Fionn were to hear
+you, he would not have you, neither should I dare to ask for you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Then you will not listen to word of marriage from me?' asked Grania.</p>
+
+<p>'I will not,' answered Ossian, 'for I must not lay my hand on what
+Fionn has looked on.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Grania turned her face to Diarmid Dowd and what she said was,
+'Will you receive courtship from me, O Son of Dowd, since Ossian will
+not receive it?'</p>
+
+<p>'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'for whatever woman is betrothed to
+Fionn, I may not take her.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will put you under bonds of destruction, O Diarmid,' said Grania,
+'if you take me not out of this house to-night.'</p>
+
+<p>'Those are indeed evil bonds,' answered Diarmid, 'and wherefore have
+you laid them on me, seeing there is no man less worthy to be loved by
+you than myself?'</p>
+
+<p>'Not so, O son of Dowd,' said Grania, 'and I will tell you wherefore.'</p>
+
+<p>'One day the King of Erin held a muster on the great plain of Tara,
+and Fionn and his seven battalions were there. And a goaling match was
+played, and all took part, save only the King, and Fionn, and myself
+and you, O Diarmid. We watched till the game was going against the men
+of the kingdom of Erin, then you rose, and, taking the pole of the man
+who was standing by, threw him to the ground, and, joining the others,
+did thrice win the goal from the warriors of Tara. And I turned the
+light of my eyes upon you that day, and I never gave that love to any
+other from that time to this, and will not for ever. So to-night we
+will pass through my wicket-gate, and take heed you follow me.'</p>
+
+<p>After she had spoken, Diarmid turned to Ossian and his companions.
+'What shall I do, O Ossian, with the bonds that have been laid on me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Follow Grania,' said Ossian, 'and keep away from the wiles of Fionn.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is that the counsel of you all to me?' asked Diarmid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It is the counsel of us all,' said they.</p>
+
+<p>Then Diarmid bade them farewell, and went to the top of the Fort, and
+put the shafts of his two javelins under him, and rose like a bird
+into the air, and found himself on the plain where Grania met him. 'I
+trow, O Grania,' said he, 'this is an evil course upon which you are
+come, for I know not to which corner of Erin I can take you. Return to
+the town, and Fionn will never harm you.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will never go back,' answered Grania, 'and nothing save death shall
+part us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then go forward,' said Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>The town was a mile behind them when Grania stopped. 'I am weary, son
+of O'Dowd.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is a good time to weary, Grania, for your father's house is still
+nigh at hand, and I give you my word as a warrior that I will never
+carry you or any woman.'</p>
+
+<p>'You need not do that,' answered Grania, 'for my father's horses are
+in a fenced meadow by themselves, and have chariots behind them. Go
+and bring two horses and a chariot, and I will wait for you here.'</p>
+
+<p>And Diarmid did what Grania bade him, and he brought two of the
+horses, and they journeyed together as far as Athlone.</p>
+
+<p>'It is the easier for Fionn to follow our track,' said Diarmid at
+last, 'now we have the horses.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then leave them,' cried Grania, 'one on each side of the stream, and
+we will travel on foot.' So they went on till they reached Galway, and
+there Diarmid cut down a grove, and made a palisade with seven doors
+of wattles, and gathered together the tops of the birch trees and soft
+rushes for a bed for Grania.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>When Fionn and all that were in Tara awoke and found that Diarmid and
+Grania were not among them, a burning rage seized upon Fionn. At once
+he sent out trackers before him, and he followed them himself with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+his men, till they reached the land of Connaught. 'Ah, well I know
+where Grania and Diarmid shall be sought,' cried Fionn. And Ossian and
+Dearing heard him, and said to each other, 'We must send Diarmid a
+warning, lest he should be taken. Look where Bran is, the hound of
+Fionn, and he shall take it, for he does not love Fionn better than he
+loves Diarmid, so, Oscar, tell him to go to Diarmid who is in Derry.'
+And Oscar told that to Bran, and Bran understood, and stole round to
+the back part of the army where Fionn might not see him; then he
+bounded away to Derry and thrust his head into Diarmid's bosom as he
+lay asleep.</p>
+
+<p>At that Diarmid awoke and sprang up and woke Grania, and told her that
+Bran had come, which was a token that Fionn himself was coming. 'Fly
+then,' said Grania; but Diarmid would not fly. 'He may take me now,'
+said he, 'seeing he must take me some time.' At his words Grania shook
+with fear, and Bran departed.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the friends of Diarmid took counsel together, and they
+dreaded lest Bran had not found them, and they resolved to give them
+another warning. So they bade the henchman Feargus to give three
+shouts, for every shout could be heard over three counties. And
+Diarmid heard them, and awoke Grania, and told her that it was a
+warning they had sent him of Fionn. 'Then take that warning,' said
+she. 'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'but will stay in this wood till
+Fionn comes.' And Grania trembled when she heard him.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by the trackers came back to Fionn with news that they had seen
+Diarmid and Grania, and though Ossian and Diarmid's friends tried to
+persuade Fionn that the men had been mistaken, Fionn was not to be
+deceived. 'Well did I know the meaning of the three shouts of Feargus,
+and why you sent Bran, my own hound, away. But it shall profit him
+nothing, for Diarmid shall not leave Derry till he has paid me for
+every slight he has put upon me.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Great foolishness it is of you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'to think that
+Diarmid would stay in this plain waiting to have his head taken from
+him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Who else would have cut down the trees, and have made a palisade of
+them, and cut seven doors in it? Speak, O Diarmid, is the truth with
+me or with Oscar?'</p>
+
+<p>'With you, O Fionn,' said Diarmid, 'and truly I and Grania are here.'</p>
+
+<p>When he heard this, Fionn bade his men surround Diarmid and take him,
+and Diarmid rose up and kissed Grania three times in presence of Fionn
+and his men, and Fionn, seeing that, swore that Diarmid should pay for
+those kisses with his head.</p>
+
+<p>But Angus, the foster-father of Diarmid, knew in what straits his
+foster-son was, and he stole secretly to the place where Diarmid was
+hidden with Grania, and asked him what he had done to bring his head
+into such danger. 'This,' said Diarmid; 'Grania, the daughter of
+Cormac, King of Erin, has fled with me against my will to escape
+marriage with Fionn.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then let one of you come under my mantle,' answered Angus, 'and I
+will carry you out of your prison.'</p>
+
+<p>'Take Grania,' answered Diarmid. 'If I live, then will I follow you,
+but if not, carry her to her father, and let him deal with her as
+seems good.'</p>
+
+<p>After that Angus put Grania under his mantle and they went their ways,
+and neither Fionn nor his Fenians knew of it.</p>
+
+<p>When Angus and Grania had left him, Diarmid girded his arms upon him,
+and standing at one of the seven wattled doors, asked who stood
+behind. 'No foe to you,' answered a voice, 'but Ossian, the son of
+Fionn, and Oscar, the son of Ossian, and others who are your friends.
+Come out, and none will do you hurt.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will not open the door until I find out where Fionn himself is.'
+And so it befel at six of the doors, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> Diarmid would not open them,
+lest his friends should come under the wrath of Fionn. But as he drew
+near the seventh, and put his question, the answer came loud: 'Here
+are Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, and four hundred of his servants, and
+we bear you no love, and if you come out we will tear your bones in
+sunder.'</p>
+
+<p>'I pledge my word,' said Diarmid, 'that yours is the first door by
+which I will pass,' and he rose into the air on the shafts of his
+javelins, with a bound as light as a bird's, and went far beyond Fionn
+and his people, and they knew nothing of it. Then he looked back and
+shouted that he had got the better of them, and followed after the
+track of Angus and Grania.</p>
+
+<p>He found them warm in a hut with a fire in it, watching a wild boar
+roasting on a spit, and Grania's soul almost left her body for joy at
+seeing Diarmid. They told their stories before the fire, and when
+morning broke Angus rose and said to Diarmid, 'I must now depart, O
+son of O'Dowd, and this counsel I leave you. Go not into a tree having
+but one trunk, when you fly before Fionn. And go not to a cave of the
+earth having only one door, or to an island which can only be reached
+by one channel. And in whatever place you cook your meal, there eat it
+not; and in whatever place you eat, there lie not; and in whatever
+place you lie down to sleep, there rise not on the morrow.' So saying,
+he bade them farewell, and went his way.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Diarmid and Grania journeyed up the Shannon, and they
+killed a salmon, and crossed the river to eat it, as Angus had told
+them. Soon they met a youth called Muadan, who wished to take service
+with them; and he was strong, and carried them over the rivers across
+their path. When evening came they found a cave, where Muadan spread
+out soft rushes and birch twigs for Diarmid and Grania to lie on, and
+as soon as they were asleep he stole into the next wood, and broke a
+long straight rod from a tree, and put a hair line and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> hook upon
+it, and a holly berry on the rod, and fished in the stream. In three
+casts he had taken three fish. That night they ate a good supper, and
+while Diarmid and Grania slept, Muadan kept watch for them.</p>
+
+<p>At dawn Diarmid woke Grania and told her to watch while Muadan slept,
+as he was going to climb a hill near by, and see where they had best
+go.</p>
+
+<p>He soon stood on the top and looked round about him. In front of him
+was a great company of ships bearing towards him out of the west. They
+landed at the foot of the hill where Diarmid stood, and he swiftly ran
+down to meet them and to ask of what country they were.</p>
+
+<p>'We are three royal chiefs,' said they, 'and are sent by Fionn to take
+an enemy of his whom he has outlawed, called Diarmid O'Dowd. And with
+us are three fierce hounds whom we will loose upon his track. Fire
+burns them not, nor water drowns them, nor weapons wound them, and of
+us there are two thousand men. Moreover, tell us who you yourself are,
+and if you have any tidings of the son of O'Dowd.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am but a warrior walking the world with the strength of my arm and
+the blade of my sword. But I warn you, you will have no common man to
+deal with if you meet Diarmid, whom but yesterday I saw.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, no one has been found yet,' said they.</p>
+
+<p>'Is there wine in your ships?' asked Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>'There is,' answered they.</p>
+
+<p>'If you would bring a tun of it here, I would do a trick for you.' So
+the wine was sent for, and Diarmid raised the cask up and drank from
+it, and took it up to the top of the hill and stood on it, and it
+glided with him to the bottom. And that trick he did thrice, standing
+on the tun as it came and went. But the strangers only scoffed, and
+they told him they could do a much better trick than that, and one of
+them jumped on the tun. Then, before it could move, Diarmid gave the
+tun a kick, and the young man fell, and the tun rolled over and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+crushed him. And in like manner he did to many more, and the rest fled
+back to their ships.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning they came to Diarmid where he stood on the hill, and
+he asked if they would like him to show them any more tricks, but they
+said they would rather hear some news of Diarmid first. 'I have seen a
+man who met him to-day,' answered Diarmid, and thereupon he laid his
+weapons on the ground and bounded upwards upon his javelin, coming
+down lightly beyond the host.</p>
+
+<p>'If you call that a feat, then you have never seen a feat,' said a
+young warrior of the green Fenians&mdash;for so were they called from the
+colour of their armour. And he rose in like manner on his javelin and
+came down heavily on it, and it pierced his heart. Diarmid drew out
+the javelin, and another man took it and tried to do the same thing,
+and he also was slain, and so to the number of fifty. And they went to
+their ships while Diarmid returned to Muadan and Grania.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Diarmid awoke he went to the forest and cut two forked
+poles, which he took to the hill and placed upright, and he balanced
+the sword of Angus across the top. Then he rose lightly over and came
+down safely over it. 'Is there any man among you who can do that?'
+asked he of the men who had come up from their ships.</p>
+
+<p>'That is a foolish question,' answered one, 'for no man ever did a
+feat in Erin which one of us could not do,' and he arose and leapt
+over the sword, but his foot caught in it, and he was cut in half.
+After that others tried, but none jumped that sword and lived. 'Have
+you any tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' asked the rest at last.</p>
+
+<p>'I have seen him that saw him to-day,' answered Diarmid. 'I will seek
+tidings of him to-night.' And he returned to Grania.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun rose Diarmid put on his coat of mail which no sword could
+pierce, and girded on the sword of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> Angus, and took his two javelins,
+whose stroke none could cure. Grania trembled at this brave sight, but
+Diarmid soothed her fears, and went off to meet the Fenians.</p>
+
+<p>'What tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' said they. 'Show us where he is,
+that we may take his head to Fionn.'</p>
+
+<p>'The body and life of Diarmid are under my protection, and I will not
+betray him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then we will take your head, as Fionn is your enemy,' said they.</p>
+
+<p>'Take it if you can,' answered Diarmid, and he drew his sword and
+struck at the head of the man next him, and it rolled away from the
+body. Then he rushed on the host, and slew them right and left, and
+none lived to tell the tale but the three green chiefs and a few men
+who went back to their ships. And they returned the next morning and
+renewed the fight, but Diarmid vanquished them, and binding them fast,
+left them where they were. For he knew that there were only four men
+in the world that could loose them.</p>
+
+<p>After this Diarmid called to Grania and Muadan to come with him, and
+they travelled till Grania grew weary, and Muadan carried her on his
+back to the foot of a great mountain. And there they rested on the
+bank of the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the few men who had been left alive abandoned their ship,
+and sought the three chiefs who were lying bound on the hill. They
+tried to loosen the bands of the captives, but only drew them tighter.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they saw the witch-messenger of Fionn coming over the tops of the
+hills skimming from one to the other as lightly as a swallow.</p>
+
+<p>'Who has made this great slaughter?' said she.</p>
+
+<p>'Who are you that ask?' said they.</p>
+
+<p>'I am Deirdre, the witch-messenger of Fionn, and he has sent me to
+look for you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'We know not who the man was,' answered they, 'but his hair was black
+and curly, and his countenance ruddy. And he has bound our three
+chiefs, so that we cannot loose them.'</p>
+
+<p>'It was Diarmid himself,' said she; 'so loosen your hounds on his
+track, and I will send Fionn and his Fenians to help you.'</p>
+
+<p>The men went down to their ships, and brought out their hounds, and
+loosened them on the track of Diarmid. The hounds made straight for
+the door of the cave, and the men followed them; and the hounds left
+the cave, and set forth westwards.</p>
+
+<p>But Diarmid knew not of their coming till he saw silken banners
+waving, and three mighty warriors marching at the head. And he was
+filled with hatred of them, and went his ways, and Muadan took Grania
+on his back and bore her a mile along the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before they heard the hound coming, and Muadan bade
+Diarmid follow Grania, and he would keep the hound at bay. And when he
+had slain the hound, he departed after Diarmid and Grania.</p>
+
+<p>Then the second hound was loosened, and Diarmid waited till he came
+close, so that he could take sure aim; and he cast his javelin into
+the hound and it fell dead like its fellow, and having drawn his
+javelin, he followed after Grania.</p>
+
+<p>They had not gone much farther before the third hound was upon them.
+He bounded straight over the head of Diarmid, and would have seized
+Grania, but Diarmid took hold of his two hind legs, and swung him so
+fiercely against a rock that he was slain on the spot. And when that
+was done, Diarmid put on his arms, and slipped his little finger into
+the silken string of the javelin, and cast it straight at a youth in a
+green mantle that had outstripped his fellows, and slew him; and so to
+the rest, while Deirdre, the witch, wheeled and hovered about them
+all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now when news of the green Fenians that were bound by Diarmid reached
+Fionn he summoned his men, and they took the shortest ways till they
+reached the hill of slaughter. Then Fionn spoke, and what he said was,
+'O Ossian, loose the three chiefs for me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will not,' replied Ossian, 'for Diarmid bound me not to loose any
+warrior that he should bind.'</p>
+
+<p>'O Oscar, loose them,' said Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>'Nay,' answered Oscar, 'rather would I place more bands upon them.'
+And so said the other two, and, before their eyes, the chiefs died of
+their bondage. So Fionn ordered their graves to be dug, and their flag
+laid upon their stone, and the heart of Fionn was heavy.</p>
+
+<p>He raised his head and saw drawing near Deirdre, the witch, her legs
+trembling, her tongue raving, and her eyes dropping out of her head.
+'I have great and evil tidings for you,' said she, and she told him of
+all the slaughter Diarmid had made, and how she herself had hardly
+escaped.</p>
+
+<p>'Whither went the son of O'Dowd?' asked Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>'I know not,' said she. At that Fionn and his Fenians departed, and
+wandered far before they could hear news of Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>On the road that led to the county of Galway, Fionn saw fifty stout
+warriors coming towards him. 'I know not who they are,' said Fionn,
+'yet I think they are enemies of mine'; and, indeed, this proved to be
+so, for the leaders of the company told Fionn that his father and
+their fathers had fought in battle. 'Then you must give me payment for
+the death of my father,' said Fionn, 'and in return you shall have
+power among the Fenians.'</p>
+
+<p>'But we have neither silver, nor gold, nor herds, O Fionn,' answered
+the two young men.</p>
+
+<p>'I want none of these,' replied Fionn; 'the payment I ask is but the
+head of a warrior, or a handful of berries from the magic tree of
+Dooros.'</p>
+
+<p>'Take counsel from me,' cried Ossian, 'for it is no light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> matter to
+bring to Fionn that which he asks of you. The head is the head of
+Diarmid, son of Dowd, and if there were two thousand of you instead of
+fifty, Diarmid would not let it go.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_256.jpg" width="500" height="788" alt="Diarmid Seizes The Giant&#39;s Club" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Diarmid Seizes The Giant&#39;s Club</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'And what are the berries that Fionn asks of us?' said they.</p>
+
+<p>'Those berries would never have been heard of but for the jealousy of
+two women of different tribes, each of whom swore that her husband
+could hurl a pole farther than the other. So all the rest of the
+tribes came out to take part in the goaling match, and the game lasted
+long, and neither won a goal. At last the tribe of the Tuatha De
+Denann saw that the Fenians were stronger than they, and they went
+away bearing their provisions with them&mdash;nuts, and apples, and
+fragrant berries. And as they passed near the river Moy one of the
+berries fell, and turned into a quicken tree. No disease or sickness
+can touch anyone who eats three of its berries, and were he a hundred
+years old, the eater of them shall become no more than thirty.</p>
+
+<p>'Since those days the tribe has set a guard over it. He is a crooked
+giant, with an eye in the midst of his forehead. No weapon can wound
+him, and he can only die of three strokes from his own iron club. At
+night he sleeps on the top of the tree, and by day watches at the
+foot. Around him is a wilderness, and the Fenians dare not hunt there,
+for fear of that terrible one. These are the berries which Fionn asks
+of you.'</p>
+
+<p>But Aod, the son of Andala, spoke and declared that he would rather
+die seeking those berries than return to his own land with his head
+bowed in shame. So he and Angus his cousin took farewell of Ossian and
+went their ways, and as they drew near the forest they came on the
+track of Diarmid; and they followed to the tent, where they found him
+with Grania. 'Who are you?' asked Diarmid.</p>
+
+
+<p>'We are Aod and Angus of the Clan Moirna,' said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> Aod, 'and it is
+your head that we seek, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd. For Fionn will either
+have that, or a handful of berries from the quicken tree.'</p>
+
+<p>'Neither task is easy,' answered Diarmid, 'and woe to him that falls
+under the power of Fionn. He it was who slew your father, and surely
+that is payment enough. And whichever of those things you take him,
+you shall never have peace.'</p>
+
+<p>'What berries are those that Fionn wants?' asked Grania, 'and why
+cannot they be got for him?' Then Diarmid told her the story, and how
+the country round was laid waste. 'But when Fionn put me under his
+ban,' continued he, 'the giant gave me leave to hunt there if I would,
+but forbade me to touch the berries. And now, O children of Moirna,
+will you fight me or seek the berries?'</p>
+
+<p>'We will fight you first,' said they.</p>
+
+<p>They fought long and well, but Diarmid got the better of them both,
+and bound them on the spot where they fell. 'You struck valiantly,'
+said Grania to Diarmid, 'but I vow that even if the children of Moirna
+go not after those berries, I will never rest in my bed till I have
+eaten them.'</p>
+
+<p>'Force me not to break faith with the giant,' answered Diarmid, 'for
+he would not give them me more readily for that.'</p>
+
+<p>'Loose our bonds,' said the children of Moirna, 'and we will go with
+you, and give ourselves for your sake.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not so,' answered Diarmid, 'for the sight of him might kill you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then let us go to watch you fight, before you cut off our heads.' And
+Diarmid did so.</p>
+
+<p>They found the giant asleep before the tree, and Diarmid pushed him
+with his foot.</p>
+
+<p>The giant raised his head and looked at him: 'Are you fain to break
+peace, O Diarmid?'</p>
+
+<p>'Not I,' answered he, 'but Grania my wife is ill, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> she longs for
+the taste of your berries, and it is to get a handful of them that I
+am now come.'</p>
+
+<p>'If she should die,' said the giant, 'she should have none.'</p>
+
+<p>'I may not do you treachery,' replied Diarmid, 'therefore I tell you I
+will have them by fair means or foul.'</p>
+
+<p>The giant having heard that, stood up and dealt Diarmid three mighty
+strokes with his club, so that he staggered. Then, flinging down his
+weapons, he sprang upon the giant and grasped the club between his
+hands, hurling the giant to the ground by the weight of his body.
+Without giving him time to rise, Diarmid struck three blows with the
+club at the giant's head and he died without a word.</p>
+
+<p>Aod and Angus had watched the combat, and now came forth. 'Bury the
+giant under the brushwood of the forest,' said Diarmid, 'so that
+Grania may not see him, and then go and bring her to me, for I am very
+weary.'</p>
+
+<p>And the young men did so. 'There, Grania, are the berries you asked
+for,' said Diarmid when she came, but she swore that she would not
+taste a berry except he plucked it for her. So he plucked the berries
+for her and for the children of Moirna, and they ate their fill of
+them. 'Now go,' said he, 'take as many berries as you can to Fionn,
+and tell him that it was you who slew the giant.' And they gave thanks
+to Diarmid and left him, and he and Grania went to sleep on the top of
+the tree where the sweetest berries grew.</p>
+
+<p>The children of Moirna reached Fionn, and bowed before him. 'We have
+slain the giant,' said they, 'and have brought you the berries, and
+now we shall have peace for the death of our father.' Fionn took the
+berries into his hand, and stooped down and smelt them. 'I swear,' he
+cried, 'that it was Diarmid O'Dowd who gathered these berries, and
+full sure I am that it was he who slew the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> giant. I will follow him
+to the quicken tree, and it shall profit you nothing to have brought
+the berries to me.'</p>
+
+<p>With seven battalions of his Fenians, he marched along Diarmid's track
+till he reached the foot of the quicken tree, and finding the berries
+with no watch on them, they ate their fill. The sun was hot, and Fionn
+said he would stay at the foot of the tree till it grew cooler, as
+well he knew that Diarmid was at the top. 'You judge foolishly,'
+answered Ossian, 'to think that Diarmid would stay up there when he
+knows that you are bent on his death.'</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the heat and his long march, Fionn could not sleep, and
+called for a chess-board, and bade Ossian play with him. Fionn was the
+most skilled, and at length he said, 'There is but one move that can
+save you the game, O Ossian, and I dare all that are by to show you
+that move.' And in the top of the tree Diarmid heard him, and said, 'O
+Ossian, why am I not there to show you?'</p>
+
+<p>'It is worse for you to be here in the power of Fionn, than for Ossian
+to lack that move,' answered Grania.</p>
+
+<p>But Diarmid plucked one of the berries, and aimed it at the man which
+should be moved, and Ossian moved it, and turned the game against
+Fionn. And so he did a second time, and a third, when Ossian was in
+straits, and he won the game and the Fenians sent up a great shout.</p>
+
+<p>'I marvel not at your winning, O Ossian, seeing that Oscar is doing
+his best for you, and that the skilled knowledge of Dearing, and the
+prompting of Diarmid, are all with you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now your eyes must be blinded, O Fionn, to think that Diarmid would
+stay in that tree when you are beneath him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Which of us has the truth on his side, O Diarmid?' said Fionn,
+looking up.</p>
+
+<p>'Never did you err in your wisdom, O Fionn,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> answered Diarmid, 'and
+truly, I and Grania are here.' Then, in presence of them all, he
+kissed Grania three times. 'Thou shalt give thy head for those three
+kisses,' said Fionn.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_262.jpg" width="500" height="801" alt="Diarmid &amp; Grania in the Quicken Tree" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Diarmid &amp; Grania in the Quicken Tree</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>So Fionn and the four hundred that were with him surrounded the
+quicken tree, and he bade them on pain of death not to let Diarmid
+pass through them. Further, he promised to whichever man should go up
+the tree and fetch down Diarmid, he would give him arms and armour,
+and whatever place his father held among the Fenians. But Angus heard
+what Fionn said, and being somewhat of a wizard, came to Diarmid's
+help, without being seen of the Fenians. And one man after another
+rolled down the tree.</p>
+
+<p>Howbeit, both Diarmid and Angus felt that this was no place for
+Grania, and Angus said he would take her with him.</p>
+
+<p>'Take her,' answered Diarmid; 'if I be alive this evening I will
+follow you. If not, send Grania to her father at Tara.' And with that
+Angus bade farewell to Diarmid, and flung his magic mantle over
+himself and Grania, and they passed out and no man knew aught of them
+till they reached the river Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>When they were safely gone, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd, spoke from the top
+of the tree. 'I will go down to you, O Fionn, and to the Fenians, and
+will deal slaughter and discomfiture upon you and your people, seeing
+that I know your wish is to allow me no escape, but to work my death
+after some manner. Moreover, I have no friend who will help or protect
+me, since full often have I wrought havoc among the warriors of the
+world, for love of you. For there never came on you battle or strait,
+but I would plunge into it for your sake, and for that of the Fenians.
+Therefore I swear, O Fionn, that thou shalt not get me for nothing.'</p>
+
+<p>'Diarmid speaks truth,' said Oscar. 'Grant him, I pray you, mercy and
+forgiveness.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I will not,' answered Fionn, 'till he has paid for every slight put
+upon me.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is a foul shame in thee to say that,' said Oscar, 'and I pledge
+the word of a soldier that unless the heavens fall upon me or the
+earth opens under my feet, I will not suffer you nor your Fenians to
+strike him a single blow, and I will take him under my protection, and
+keep him safe in spite of you all. Therefore, O Diarmid, come down out
+of the tree, since Fionn will not grant you mercy. 'I will pledge that
+no evil will come to you to-day.'</p>
+
+<p>So Diarmid rose, and stood upon the topmost bough of the tree, and
+leapt light and birdlike, by the shafts of his spears, and passed out
+far beyond Fionn and the Fenians of Erin. And he and Oscar went their
+way, and no tidings were heard of them till they reached Grania and
+Angus on the banks of the Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>After Diarmid and Oscar had departed, Fionn ordered a ship to be made
+ready, and as soon as it was done he marched on board with a thousand
+of his warriors and set sail for the north of Scotland. When he
+arrived at the harbour nearest the King's palace, he moored his ship
+and took the path to the palace, where the King received him kindly,
+and gave him food and drink. Then Fionn told the King why he was come.
+'And truly you should give me a host,' said he, 'for Diarmid it was
+who slew your father and two brothers and many of your men besides.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is so,' answered the King, 'and I will give you my two sons,
+with a thousand men to each of them.' Joyful was Fionn to hear this,
+and he departed with his company, and nothing was known of them till
+they reached the Boyne, where Fionn challenged Diarmid and Angus to
+battle.</p>
+
+<p>'What shall I do touching this, O Oscar?' asked Diarmid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'We will give them battle and slay them all,' answered Oscar.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow Diarmid and Oscar rose, and put on their armour and went
+their way to the place of combat, where they bound the rims of their
+shields together, so that they might not be parted in the fight. Next
+they proclaimed battle against Fionn, and the Scots said they would
+land and fight them first. They rushed together, and Diarmid passed
+under them and through them and over them, as a whale would go through
+small fish. And all of them fell by Diarmid and Oscar before night
+came, while they themselves had neither cut nor wound.</p>
+
+<p>When Fionn saw that great slaughter he and his men put out to sea, and
+sailed to the cave where dwelt an old woman, Fionn's nurse. And he
+told her his story from the beginning. 'I will go with you,' said she,
+'and will practise magic against him.'</p>
+
+<p>They came to the Boyne, and the witch threw magic over Fionn and his
+Fenians, so that the men of Erin knew not they were there; and that
+day Diarmid was hunting alone, for he had parted from Oscar the day
+before. Now the witch knew this, and she flew to where a water-lily
+leaf lay with a hole in the middle of it, and as the wind lifted the
+leaf from the surface of the water she cast deadly darts at Diarmid
+through the hole, and did him great hurt. And every evil that had come
+upon him was little compared with that evil. Then he felt that unless
+he could strike her through the hole in the leaf she would slay him on
+the spot; so he lay down on his back and took his javelin in his hand,
+and reached her through the hole, and she fell dead.</p>
+
+<p>After that he cut off her head and carried it with him to Angus.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Diarmid rose early and Angus with him, and they went to
+Fionn and asked if he would make peace with Diarmid, and also to
+Cormac, King of Erin, with a like question; and they agreed thereto,
+and asked Diarmid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> what terms he wanted. Diarmid demanded several of
+the best baronies in Ireland, and he got them, and they blotted out
+all Diarmid had done during the sixteen years of his outlawry, and
+Cormac gave his other daughter to Fionn that he might let Diarmid be,
+and there was peace for many years, and Diarmid prospered mightily,
+and had four sons and one daughter.</p>
+
+
+<h3>THE GREEN BOAR</h3>
+<p>But one day a restless spirit seized on Grania, and she told Diarmid
+that it was a shame to them that the two greatest men in Erin, Cormac
+and Fionn, had never visited their house, and she wished to give a
+splendid feast and to bid them to it. And this was done: for a year
+Grania and her daughter were preparing the feast, and when it was
+ready the guests came, and stayed feasting for a year.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the last day of the year that in his sleep Diarmid heard the
+voice of a dog that caused him to start and to wake Grania. 'What is
+the matter?' said she, and Diarmid told her. 'May you be kept safely,'
+answered Grania; 'lie down again.' So Diarmid lay down, but no sleep
+would come to him, and by-and-by he heard the hound's voice again, but
+again Grania kept him from seeking it. This time he fell into a deep
+slumber, and a third time the hound bayed, and he woke and said to
+Grania, 'Now it is day, and I will go.' 'Well, then,' said she, 'take
+your large sword and the red javelin.' But Diarmid answered, 'No, I
+will take the little sword that bites, and the small javelin, and my
+favourite hound on a chain.'</p>
+
+<p>So he went without stopping to the top of a mountain, where Fionn
+stood alone. Diarmid asked if he was hunting, and Fionn said no, but
+that after midnight a company of Fenians had come out, and one of the
+hounds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> had crossed the track of the wild boar of Ben Gulbain, which
+had slain thirty Fenians that morning.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_268.jpg" width="500" height="845" alt="The Death of Diarmid" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Death of Diarmid</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'He is even now coming up this mountain against us,' added he, 'so let
+us leave the place.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will never leave the place for him,' answered Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>'Know you not that when you were a child a wizard prophesied that you
+should live as long as a green boar without ears or tail, and that it
+was by him that you should fall at last?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, I knew nothing of these things, but for all that I will not leave
+the mountain,' answered Diarmid. And Fionn went his way, and Diarmid
+stood alone on the top. 'It was to slay me that you made this hunt, O
+Fionn; and if it is fated that I die here, die I must.'</p>
+
+<p>The wild boar came tearing up the mountain, and behind him followed
+the Fenians. Diarmid slipped his hound, but it profited him nothing,
+for he did not await the boar, but fled before him. 'Woe unto him that
+doeth not the counsel of a good wife,' said Diarmid to himself, 'for
+Grania bade me take my best hound and my red javelin.' Then he aimed
+carefully at the boar's head, and smote him in the middle of his
+forehead; but he did not so much as cut one of his bristles, far less
+pierce his skin. At that Diarmid felt his heart quail like those of
+weaker men, and he drew his sword and dealt the boar a stout blow, but
+the sword broke in two; and the beast stood unharmed. With a spring he
+threw himself upon Diarmid, so that he tripped and fell, and somehow
+when he rose up he was sitting astride the back of the boar, with his
+face looking towards the tail. The boar tried to fling him off but
+could not, though he rushed down the hill and jumped three times
+backwards and forwards out of the river at the foot; but Diarmid never
+stirred, and at last the boar dashed up the hill again, and Diarmid
+fell from his back. Then the boar sprang upon Diarmid with a mighty
+spring, and wounded him <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>mortally; but Diarmid swung his broken
+sword about his head as he lay, and hit the boar such a blow on his
+head that where he stood there he fell dead.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after that Fionn and his Fenians came up and watched Diarmid,
+who was dying fast. 'It pleases me well to see you in that plight, O
+Diarmid,' said Fionn, 'and I grieve that all the fair women of Erin
+cannot see you also.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you wished you could still heal me, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>'How could I heal you, O Diarmid?'</p>
+
+<p>'Easily,' answered Diarmid. 'Was it not given to you that whoever
+should drink from the palms of your hands should become young and
+whole again?'</p>
+
+<p>'You have not deserved that I should give you that drink,' said Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>'That is not true, O Fionn, well have I deserved it of you. Was it not
+I who avenged you and slew fifty of your enemies who tried to set on
+fire the house wherein you were holding your great feast? Had I asked
+you for such a drink then, you would have given it to me, and now I
+deserve it no less.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not so,' answered Fionn; 'you have deserved ill at my hands since
+that time, and little reason have I to give you drinks or any good
+thing. For did you not bear away Grania from me before all the men of
+Erin the night you were set as guard over her in Tara?'</p>
+
+<p>'The guilt of that was not mine, O Fionn, but Grania besought me, else
+I would not have failed to keep my charge for all the bonds in the
+world. And well do I deserve you should give me a drink, for many is
+the day since I came among the Fenians in which I have perilled my
+life for your sake. Therefore you should not do me this foul
+treachery. And soon a dire defeat will come upon the Fenians, and few
+children will be left to them to carry on the race. It is not for you
+that I grieve, O Fionn, but for Ossian and for Oscar, and for the
+rest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> of my faithful comrades. And you shall lack me sorely yet, O
+Fionn.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am near of kin to you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'but you shall not do
+Diarmid this wrong. Further, I swear that were any other prince in the
+world to have done this to Diarmid, we would have seen whose hand was
+strongest and who should bring him a drink.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know no well upon this mountain,' answered Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>'That is not true,' replied Diarmid, 'for nine paces from this is the
+best well of pure water in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>So Fionn went to the well and filled his palms with water; but he had
+only come half way to where Diarmid lay when he let the water run down
+between his fingers. 'The water would not stay in my hands,' he said,
+as he reached the rest.</p>
+
+<p>'You spilt it of your will,' answered Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>For the second time Fionn set out to fetch the water, but returning he
+thought of Grania, and let it run upon the ground. Diarmid saw and
+sighed piteously. 'I swear by my sword,' cried Oscar, 'that if this
+time you bring not that water either you or I, O Fionn, shall leave
+our body here.'</p>
+
+<p>And Fionn trembled when he heard those words, and brought back the
+water, but as he came to his side the life went out of Diarmid. And
+the company of the Fenians raised three exceeding great cries; while
+Oscar looked fiercely at Fionn, and told him it had been better for
+the Fenians had Fionn himself died, and not Diarmid. Then Fionn left
+the top of the mountain, leading Diarmid's hound, and his Fenians came
+after. But Ossian and Oscar and two others returned and laid their
+four mantles over Diarmid, and when they had done that they went their
+ways after Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grania was standing on the ramparts of her house when she saw
+Fionn and the Fenians approaching. She said to herself that if Diarmid
+were alive it was not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> Fionn who would lead his hound, and at this
+thought she swooned and fell heavily over the battlements. Ossian's
+heart was full of pity, and he bade Fionn and the Fenians to go, and
+ran himself to help her, but she lifted her head and begged that Fionn
+would leave her the hound of Diarmid. Fionn said No, he would not; but
+Ossian took the stag-hound from Fionn's hand and put it into Grania's,
+and then followed after the Fenians.</p>
+
+<p>When they had gone, Grania uttered a loud and grievous cry that was
+heard far round, so that the people came to her and asked her what was
+the matter, and when she told them that Diarmid was dead they sat down
+and wailed also. After that Grania sent five hundred men to bring her
+the body of Diarmid.</p>
+
+<p>That night it was shown to Angus in a dream that Diarmid was dead on
+Ben Gulbain; and he was carried by the wind, and reached the place at
+the same moment as Grania's men, who knew him, and held out the
+insides of their shields to him in token of peace. And they sent up
+three exceeding great cries, which were heard even at the gates of
+heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Then Angus spoke: 'There has not been one night since I took you, an
+infant of nine months old, to the Boyne that I have not watched over
+you, O Diarmid, until last night, when Fionn did you basely to death,
+for all you were at peace with him.' And he told Grania's men he
+himself would bear Diarmid's body to the Boyne. So the dead man was
+placed on a gilded bier with his javelins over him pointed upwards,
+and the men of Grania returned to their mistress, and said as Angus
+had bade them.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing she did was to send messengers to her sons, who lived
+each in his own house, and bade them come with their followings to the
+house of Grania, for that their father Diarmid had been foully slain
+by Fionn. They all came forthwith, and after they had eaten and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> drunk
+she pointed to the weapons and arms of Diarmid, and said they were
+theirs, and by them they should learn all arts of brave men, till they
+should reach their full strength, and after that they should avenge
+themselves on Fionn.</p>
+
+<p>The sayings of Grania were whispered in the ears of Fionn, and a great
+fear fell upon him. He called his Fenians together, and told them how
+the sons of Diarmid had gone to their mother, and returned to their
+own homes again. 'It is to rebel against me that they have done this,'
+and he asked counsel in the matter. 'The guilt is yours and no other
+man's,' spoke Ossian, 'and we will not stand by you, for you slew
+Diarmid in time of peace.'</p>
+
+<p>Without Ossian, Oscar, and their men Fionn knew that he could not
+conquer Grania, and resolved to try what cunning would do. So he
+slipped away secretly, and went to her house, and greeted her with
+soft words, in reply to her bitter ones. But so cunning was he that at
+last her wrath broke down, and she agreed to go with him back to his
+Fenians.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long while before the Fenians knew who that could be walking
+by the side of Fionn, but when they did they laughed and mocked till
+Grania bowed her head for shame. 'This time, O Fionn, you will guard
+her well,' said Ossian.</p>
+
+<p>For seven years the sons of Diarmid exercised themselves in all the
+skill of a warrior, and then they came back to Grania's house. There
+they learned how long ago Grania had fled with Fionn, and in wrath
+they set out to seek Fionn, and proclaimed battle against him. Fionn
+sent Dearing to ask how many men it would take to fight them, and they
+answered that each one of them would fight a hundred. So Fionn brought
+four hundred men, and the young men rushed under them and through them
+and over them, till there was not a man left. 'What shall we do
+concerning these youths, O Grania,' said Fionn, 'for I have not men
+enough to go through many such fights?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I will visit them,' answered Grania, 'and will try to make peace
+between you.'</p>
+
+<p>And Fionn bade her offer them terms such as no man then living would
+refuse, yet for long the young men did refuse them. But at the last
+the prayers of Grania prevailed, and peace was made, and Fionn and
+Grania lived together till they died.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> From the Transactions of the Ossianic Society.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="SOME_ADVENTURES_OF_WILLIAM" id="SOME_ADVENTURES_OF_WILLIAM"></a>SOME ADVENTURES</h2>
+<h4>OF</h4>
+<h2>WILLIAM SHORT NOSE</h2>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>SOME<br />
+  ADVENTURES OF WILLIAM SHORT NOSE</i>
+</h2>
+<p>William Short Nose was also styled William of Orange, quite a
+different man from the one who came to be King of England, although
+they both took their title from the same small town in the south of
+France. This William of Orange spent his life battling with the
+Saracens in the south of France, and a very hard task he had, for
+their numbers seemed endless, and as fast as one army was beaten
+another was gathered together.</p>
+
+<p>Now by a great effort the Infidels had been driven back south in the
+year 732, but before a hundred years had passed they had again crossed
+the Pyrenees and were streaming over France, south of the Loire, and,
+what was worse, the men of Gascony were rising too. Someone had to
+meet the enemy and to crush the rebels, and of all the subjects of
+King Louis, the son of the Emperor Charles, no one was so fit to lead
+the army of the Franks as William Short Nose, Count of Orange, husband
+of the Lady Gibourc.</p>
+
+<p>It was at the Aliscans that he met them, and a great host they were,
+spreading over the country till whichever way you looked you saw men
+flocking round the Golden Dragon, which was the banner of the
+Saracens. But it was not Count William's way to think about numbers,
+and he ordered his trumpeters to sound the charge. Spurring his horse,
+he dashed from one part of the fight to the other, striking and
+killing as he went, and heeding as little the wounds that he got as
+those that he gave,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> and <i>they</i> were many. The Franks whom he led
+followed after him, and slew the Pagans as they came on; but the
+Christians were in comparison but a handful, and their enemies as the
+sands of the sea. The young warriors whom William had brought with him
+were prisoners or dying men, and from far he saw Vivian, whom he loved
+the best, charging a multitude with his naked sword. 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' cried he, 'O noble Count! O Bertrand my cousin, come to my
+aid! O my Lady Gibourc, never more shall my eyes look upon you!'</p>
+
+<p>Bertrand heard and pressed to his side. 'Ride to the river,' he said,
+'and I will protect you with my life'; but Vivian was too weak even to
+sit on his horse, and fell half fainting at the feet of Bertrand.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment there rode at them a large troop of Saracens, headed by
+their King Haucebier, and the Christian Knights knew that all was
+lost. 'It is too late now for me to think of life,' said Vivian, 'but
+I will die fighting,' and again they faced their enemies till
+Bertrand's horse was killed under him. Then Vivian seized the horse of
+a dead Infidel, and thrust the bridle into Bertrand's hand, 'Fly, for
+God's sake, it is your only chance. Where is my uncle? If he is dead
+we have lost the battle.'</p>
+
+<p>But Bertrand did not fly, though every instant made the danger more
+deadly. 'If I forsake you, if I take flight,' he said, 'I shall bring
+eternal shame upon myself.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, no,' cried Vivian, 'seek my uncle down there in the Aliscans, and
+bring him to my aid.'</p>
+
+<p>'Never till my sword breaks,' answered Bertrand, and laid about him
+harder than ever. And to their joy they heard a war cry sounding in
+their ears, and five Frankish Counts, cousins of Vivian and of
+Bertrand, galloped up. Fight they did with all their might, but none
+fought like Vivian. 'Heavens! what a warrior!' cried the Counts as
+they saw his blows, while the Saracens asked themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> if the man
+whom they had killed at mid-day had been brought back to life by the
+help of devils. 'If we let them escape now we shall be covered with
+shame before Mahomet,' said they, 'but ere night falls William shall
+acknowledge that he is conquered.'</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed!' said Bertrand, and with his cousins he fell upon them till
+they fled.</p>
+
+<p>The Counts were victors on this field, but, wounded and weary as they
+were, another combat lay before them, for a force of twenty thousand
+Saracens was advancing from the valley. Their hearts never failed
+them, but they had no strength left; the young Counts were all taken
+prisoners, except Vivian, who was left for dead by the side of a
+fountain where he had been struck down. 'O Father in Heaven,' he said,
+feeling his life going from him, 'forgive me my sins, and help my
+uncle, if it is Thy holy will.'</p>
+
+<p>William Short Nose was still fighting, though he knew that the victory
+lay with the Unbelievers and their hosts. 'We are beaten,' he said to
+the fourteen faithful comrades that stood by him. 'Listen as you will,
+no sound of our war cry can be heard. But by the Holy Rood, the
+Infidels will know no rest while I am alive. I will give my
+forefathers no cause for shame, and the minstrels shall not tell in
+their songs how I fell back before the enemy.'</p>
+
+<p>They then gave battle once more, and fought valiantly, till all lay
+dead upon the ground, save only William himself.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Count knew that if the Infidel was ever to be vanquished and
+beaten out of fair France he must take heed of his own life, for the
+task was his and no other man's; so he turned his horse's head towards
+Orange, and then stopped, for he saw a troop of freshly landed
+Saracens approaching him along the same road.</p>
+
+<p>'The whole world is full of these Infidels!' he cried in anger;
+'cursed be the day when they were born. Fair<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> God, you alone can save
+me. My Lady Gibourc, shall I ever again behold you? My good horse,'
+added he, 'you are very tired. If you had had only five hours' rest, I
+would have led you to the charge; but I see plainly that I can get no
+help from you, and I cannot blame you for it, as you have served me
+well all day, and for this I thank you greatly. If ever we reach
+Orange you shall wear no saddle for twenty days, your food shall be
+the finest corn, and you shall drink out of a golden trough. But how
+should I bear it if the Pagans captured you and carried you to Spain?'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_282.jpg" width="500" height="885" alt="VIVIAN&#39;S LAST CONFESSION" title="" />
+<span class="caption">VIVIAN&#39;S LAST CONFESSION</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>And the horse understood as well as a man, and he threw up his head,
+and pawed the ground, and his strength came back to him as of old. At
+this sight William Short Nose felt more glad than if he had been given
+fourteen cities.</p>
+
+<p>But no sooner had he entered a valley that led along the road to
+Orange than he saw a fresh body of Pagans blocking one end. He turned
+to escape into another path, but in front of him rode a handful of his
+enemies. 'By the faith that I swore to my dear Lady Gibourc,' he said,
+'I had better die than never strike a blow,' and so went straight at
+Telamon, their leader, on his horse Marchepierre. 'William!' cried the
+Saracen, 'this time you will not escape me.' But the sun was in his
+eyes, and his sword missed his aim. Before he could strike another
+blow William had borne him from his horse and galloped away on
+Bausant.</p>
+
+<p>The mountain that he was climbing now was beset with Infidels, like
+all the rest, and William looked in vain for a way of escape. He
+jumped from his horse and rubbed his flanks, saying to him the while,
+'Bausant, what will you do? Your sides are all bloody, and you can
+scarcely stand; but remember, if once you fall it means my death.' At
+these words Bausant neighed, pricked up his ears and shook himself,
+and as he did so the blood seemed to flow strongly in his veins, as of
+old. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>Then the Count rode down into the field of the Aliscans, and
+found his nephew Vivian lying under a tree.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! my God,' cried William, 'what sorrow for me! To the end of my
+life I shall mourn this day. Earth, do thou open and swallow me! Lady
+Gibourc, await me no longer, for never more shall I return to Orange!'</p>
+
+<p>So he lamented, grieving sore, till Vivian spoke to him. The Count was
+full of joy to hear his words, and, kneeling beside the youth, took
+him in his arms, and bade him, as no priest was there, confess his
+sins to him, as to his own father. One by one Vivian remembered them
+all, then a mist floated before his eyes, and, murmuring a farewell to
+the Lady Gibourc, his soul left the world.</p>
+
+<p>William laid him gently down on his shield, and took another shield
+for covering, and turned to mount his horse, but at this his heart
+failed him.</p>
+
+<p>'Is it you, William, that men look to as their leader, and whom they
+call Fierbras, who will do this cowardly deed?' he said to himself,
+and he went back to his nephew's side, and lifted the body on to his
+horse, to bury it in his city of Orange.</p>
+
+<p>He had done what he could to give honour to Vivian, but he might as
+well, after all, have left him where he fell, for in a fierce combat
+with some Pagans on the road the Count was forced to abandon his
+nephew's body and fight for his own life. He knew the two Saracens
+well as brave men, but he soon slew one, and the other he unhorsed
+after a struggle.</p>
+
+<p>'Come back, come back,' cried the Unbeliever; 'sell me your horse, for
+never did I behold his like! I will give you for him twice his weight
+in gold, and set free besides all your nephews that have been taken
+prisoners.' But William loved his horse, and would not have parted
+with him to Charles himself; so he cut off the Saracen's head with his
+sword, and mounted his horse Folatisse, taking the saddle and bridle
+off Bausant so that he might the more easily escape from the Pagans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At length, after fighting nearly every step of the way, he saw the
+towers of Orange before him, and his palace, Gloriette, where dwelt
+his wife, the Lady Gibourc. 'Ah, with what joy did I leave these
+walls,' he said to himself, 'and how many noble Knights have I lost
+since then! Oh! Gibourc, my wife, will you not go mad when you hear
+the tidings I have brought!' And, overcome with grief, the Count bowed
+his head on the neck of his horse.</p>
+
+<p>When he recovered himself he rode straight to the City Gate, and
+commanded the porter to let him in. 'Let down the drawbridge,' called
+he, 'and be quick, for time presses.' But he forgot that he had
+changed his own arms, and had taken instead those of Aerofl&eacute; the
+Saracen; therefore the porter, seeing a man with a shield and pennon
+and helmet that were strange to him, thought he was an enemy, and
+stood still where he was. 'Begone!' he said to William; 'if you
+approach one step nearer I will deal you a blow that will unhorse you!
+Begone, I tell you, and as quick as you can, or when William Short
+Nose returns from the Aliscans it will be the worse for you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fear nothing, friend,' replied the Count, 'for I am William himself.
+I went to the Aliscans to fight the Saracens, and to help Vivian; but
+all my men are dead, and I only am left to bring these evil tidings.
+So open the gates, for the Saracens are close behind.'</p>
+
+<p>'You must wait a moment,' answered the porter, and he quitted the
+turret where he had been standing and hastened to the chamber of the
+Lady Gibourc. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'there knocks at the
+drawbridge a Knight in pagan armour, who seems fresh from battle, for
+his arms are bloody. He is tall of stature and bears himself proudly,
+and he says he is William Short Nose. I pray you, my lady, come with
+me and see him for yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>The face of Gibourc grew red when she heard the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> porter's words, and
+she left the Palace and mounted the battlements, where she called
+across the fosse, 'Warrior, what is your will?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, lady!' answered he, 'open the gate, and that quickly. Twenty
+thousand Saracens are close upon my track; if they reach me, I am a
+dead man.'</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot enter,' replied Gibourc. 'I am alone here except for this
+porter, a priest, a few children, and some ladies whose husbands are
+all at the war. Neither gate nor wicket will be opened until the
+return of my beloved lord, William the Count.' Then William bowed his
+head for a moment, and two tears ran down his cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>'My lady, I am William himself,' said he. 'Do you not know me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Infidel, you lie,' replied Gibourc. 'Take off your helmet, and let me
+see who you are!'</p>
+
+<p>But the Count in his thought felt the earth trembling under his feet
+from the steps of the accursed ones. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'this
+is no time to parley. Look round you! Is not every hill covered with
+Pagans?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, now I know you are not William,' answered she, 'for all the
+Pagans in the world would never have stirred him with fear. By St.
+Peter! neither gate nor wicket shall be opened till I have seen your
+face. I am alone and must defend myself. The voices of many men are
+alike.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the Count lifted his helmet: 'Lady, look and be content. I am
+William himself. Now let me in.'</p>
+
+<p>Gibourc knew that it was indeed the Count who had returned, and was
+about to order the gates to be opened when there appeared in sight a
+troop of Saracens escorting two hundred prisoners, all of them young
+Knights, and thirty ladies with fair white faces. Each one was loaded
+with chains, and they cowered under the blows of their captors. Their
+cries and prayers for mercy reached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> ears of Gibourc, and,
+changing her mind, she said quickly: 'There is the proof that you are
+not William my husband, the "Strong Arm," whose fame has spread far!
+For <i>he</i> would never have suffered his brethren to be so shamefully
+entreated while he was by!'</p>
+
+<p>'Heavens!' cried the Count, 'to what hard tests does she put me! But
+if I lose my head I will do her bidding, for what is there that I
+would <i>not</i> do for the love of God and of her!' Without a word more he
+turned, and, relacing his helmet, spurred his horse at the Saracens
+with his lance in rest. So sudden and fierce was his attack that the
+foremost riders fell back on those behind, who were thrown into
+confusion, while William's sword swept him a path to the centre, where
+the prisoners stood bound. The Pagans expected the city gates to open
+and a body of Franks to come forth to destroy them, and without
+waiting another moment they turned and fled. Though the prisoners were
+free, William pursued the enemy hotly.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, fair lord!' called Gibourc, who from the battlements had watched
+the fight, 'come back, come back, for now indeed you may enter.' And
+William heard her voice, and left the Saracens to go where they would
+while he struck the chains off the prisoners, and led them to the
+gates of Orange, while he himself rode back to the Saracens.</p>
+
+<p>Not again would the Lady Gibourc have reason to call him coward.</p>
+
+<p>And Gibourc saw, and her heart swelled within her, and she repented
+her of her words. 'It is my fault if he is slain,' she wept. 'Oh, come
+back, come back!'</p>
+
+<p>And William came.</p>
+
+<p>Now the drawbridge was let down before him, and he entered the city
+followed by the Christians whom he had delivered, and the Countess
+unlaced his helmet, and bathed his wounds, and then stopped, doubting.</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot be William after all,' said she, 'for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> William would have
+brought back the young kinsmen who went with him; and Guy and Vivian,
+and all the young Barons of the country side. And William would have
+been encircled by minstrels singing the great deeds he had done.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_288.jpg" width="500" height="585" alt="THE CAPTIVES William Short-nose rides to the rescue" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE CAPTIVES<br />
+<br />
+William Short-nose rides to the rescue</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Ah, noble Countess, you speak truth,' answered he.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> 'Henceforth my
+life will be spent in mourning, for my friends and comrades who went
+to war with me are lying dead at the Aliscans. Vivian is dead also,
+but Bertrand and Guy, Guichard the bold, and Gerard the brave, are
+captives in the Saracen camp.'</p>
+
+<p>Great was the sorrow in the city of Orange, great likewise was the
+sorrow in the palace of her lord, where the ladies of the Countess
+mourned for their husbands. But it was Gibourc herself who first dried
+her tears, and roused herself from her grief for Vivian and others
+whom she had loved well. 'Noble Count,' she said, 'do not lose your
+courage, and let the Infidels crush your spirit. Remember it is not
+near Orleans, in safety, that your lands lie, but in the very midst of
+the Saracens. Orange never will have peace till they are subdued. So
+send messengers to Paris, to your brother-in-law King Louis, and to
+your father Aimeri, asking for aid. Then march upon the Saracens, and
+rescue the captives that are in their hands before they are carried
+across the sea.'</p>
+
+<p>'Heavens!' cried William, 'has the world ever seen so wise a lady?'</p>
+
+<p>'Let no one turn you from your road,' she went on. 'At the news of
+your distress Ermengarde of Pavia, whom may God bless, and Aimeri with
+the white beard, and all the Barons that are your kin, will fly to
+your help. Their numbers are as the sands of the sea.'</p>
+
+<p>'But how shall I make them believe in what has befallen us?' answered
+William. 'Gibourc, sweetheart, in France they would hold any man mad
+who brought such a message. If I do not go myself I will send nobody,
+and go myself I will not, for I will not leave you alone again for all
+the gold in Pavia.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, you must go,' said Gibourc, weeping. 'I will stay here with my
+ladies, of whom there are plenty, and each will place a helmet on her
+head, and hang a shield round her neck, and buckle a sword to her
+side, and with the help of the Knights whom you have delivered we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+shall know how to defend ourselves if the Unbelievers should seek to
+take the city by assault.'</p>
+
+<p>William's heart bounded at her words; he took her in his arms, and
+promised that he himself would go, and more, that he would never lie
+soft nor eat delicately nor kiss the cheek of any lady, however fair,
+till he returned again to Orange.</p>
+
+<p>Thus William Short Nose set forth and the next day passed through
+Orleans. There he met with his brother Ernaut, who had ridden home
+from escorting King Louis back to Paris. Ernaut promised his help and
+that of his father and brothers, but counselled William to go to Laon,
+where a great feast would be held and many persons would be assembled.
+The Count followed Ernaut's counsel, but refused the troop of Knights
+and men-at-arms which Ernaut offered him, liking rather to ride alone.</p>
+
+<p>He made his entrance into Laon on Sunday, and the people laughed at
+him and made jests on his tall thin horse; but William let them laugh,
+and rode on until he reached the Palace. There he alighted under an
+olive tree, and, fastening his horse to one of the branches, took off
+his helmet and unbuckled his breastplate. The people stared as they
+passed by, but nobody spoke to him.</p>
+
+<p>Someone told the King that a strange man without a squire or even a
+man-at-arms was sitting before the Palace under an olive tree. The
+King's face grew dark as he heard their tale, for he loved to keep his
+gardens for his own pleasure. 'Sanson,' he called to one of his
+guards, 'go and find out who this stranger is and whence he comes, but
+beware of bringing him hither.'</p>
+
+<p>Sanson hastened to do his errand, and William answered, 'My name is
+one that is known to France. I am William Short Nose, and I come from
+Orange. My body is worn out with much riding; I pray you hold my horse
+until I have spoken to King Louis.'</p>
+
+<p>'Noble Count,' replied Sanson, 'let me first return to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> the King and
+tell him who you are. And be not angry, I beseech you, for such are my
+orders.'</p>
+
+<p>'Be quick, then, my friend,' said William, 'and do not neglect to tell
+the King that I am in great distress. This is the time to show his
+love for me; and if he truly does love me, let him come to meet me
+with the great lords of his Court. If he does not come, I have no
+other hope.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will tell him what you say,' said Sanson, 'and if it rests with me
+you shall be content.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Sanson went back to the King. 'It is William, the famous
+William!' he said, 'and he wishes you to go out to meet him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Never!' answered Louis. 'Will he always be a thorn in my side? Woe be
+to him who rejoices at his coming.'</p>
+
+<p>So the King sat still, and on the steps of the Palace there gathered
+Knights and Nobles in goodly numbers, and hardly one but wore a mantle
+of ermine or marten, a helmet set with precious stones, a sword or a
+shield which had been given him by William himself. But now they were
+rich and he was poor, so they mocked at him.</p>
+
+<p>'My lords,' said William, 'you do ill to treat me so. I have loved you
+all, and you bear the tokens of my love about you at this moment. If I
+can give you no more gifts, it is because I have lost all I have in
+the world at the Aliscans. My men are dead, and my nephews are
+prisoners in the hands of the Saracens. It is the Lady Gibourc who
+bade me come here, and it is she who asks for help through me. Have
+pity on us, and help us.' But without a word, they rose up and went
+into the Palace, and William knew what their love was worth.</p>
+
+<p>The young men told Louis of the words that the Count had spoken, and
+the King rose and leaned out of the window. 'Sir William,' said he,
+'go to the inn, and let them bathe your horse. You seem in a sorry
+plight, without a groom or esquire to help you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>William heard and vowed vengeance. But if the King and the courtiers
+had no hearts, in his need a friend came to him, Guimard, a citizen of
+Laon, who took the Count home and offered him rich food. But because
+of his vow to the Lady Gibourc, he would only eat coarse bread, and
+drink water from the spring; and as soon as it was light he rose up
+from his bed of fresh hay, and dressed himself. 'Where are you going?'
+asked his host.</p>
+
+<p>'To the Palace, to entreat the aid of the King, and woe be to him who
+tries to stop me.'</p>
+
+<p>'May God protect you, Sir,' answered Guimard. 'To-day the King crowns
+Blanchefleur, your sister, who no doubt loves you well. And he gives
+her the Vermandois for her dower, the richest land in all fair France,
+but a land that is never at peace.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' said William, 'I will be present at the ceremony. Indeed they
+cannot do without me, for all France is under my care, and it is my
+right to bear her standard in battle. And let them beware how they
+move me to wrath, lest I depose the King of France and tear the crown
+from his head.'</p>
+
+<p>The Count placed a breastplate under his jerkin and hid his sword
+under his cloak. The gates of the Palace opened before him and he
+entered the vaulted hall. It was filled with the greatest nobles in
+the land, and ladies with rich garments of silk and gold. Lords and
+ladies both knew him, but not one gave him welcome&mdash;not even his
+sister, the Queen. His fingers played with his sword, and he had much
+ado not to use it. But while his wrath was yet kindling the heralds
+announced that his father Aimeri had come.</p>
+
+<p>The Lord of Narbonne stepped on to the grass with Ermengarde, his
+noble Countess, his four sons, and many servants. King Louis and the
+Queen hastened to meet them, and amid cries of joy they mounted the
+steps into the hall. Aimeri sat beside the King of Saint-Denis, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+the Countess was seated next the Queen, while the Knights placed
+themselves on the floor of the hall. And William sat also, but alone
+and apart, nursing his anger.</p>
+
+<p>At last he rose, and, advancing to the middle of the floor, he said
+with a loud voice: 'Heaven protect my mother, my father, my brothers
+and my friends; but may His curse alight on my sister and on the King,
+who have no hearts, and have left me to be the butt of all the mockers
+of the Court. By all the Saints! were not my father sitting next him,
+this sword should ere now have cloven his skull.' The King listened,
+pale with fright, and the Queen wished herself at Paris or at Senlis.
+The rest whispered to each other, 'William is angry, something will
+happen!'</p>
+
+<p>When Ermengarde and Aimeri saw their son standing before them great
+joy filled their souls. They left their seats and flung themselves on
+his neck, and William's brother also ran to greet him. The Count told
+them how he had been vanquished at the Aliscans, how Vivian had been
+killed, and he himself had fled to Orange, and of the distress in
+which he had left Gibourc. 'It was at her bidding I came here to ask
+aid from Louis, the base King, but from the way he has treated me I
+see plainly that he has no heart. By St. Peter! he shall repent before
+I go, and my sister also.'</p>
+
+<p>The King heard and again waxed cold with fear; the nobles heard and
+whispered low, 'Who is strong enough to compass this matter? No man,
+be he the bravest in France, ever went to his help and came back to
+tell the tale. Let him abandon Orange, and let the King give him
+instead the Vermandois.'</p>
+
+<p>It was the Lady Ermengarde who broke the silence. 'O God,' she cried,
+'to think that the Franks should be such cowards! And you, Sir Aimeri,
+has your courage failed you also? Have no fear, fair son William, I
+have still left gold that would fill thirty chariots, and I will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> give
+it to those who enrol themselves under your banner. I myself will don
+breastplate and shield, and will fight in the front rank of your
+army.'</p>
+
+<p>Aimeri smiled and sighed as he listened to her words, and his sons
+shed tears.</p>
+
+<p>William answered nothing, but remained standing in the middle of the
+hall, his eyes fixed on his sister sitting on her throne, with a small
+golden crown upon her head, and on her husband King Louis.</p>
+
+<p>'This, then, O King, is the reward of all I have done! When
+Charlemagne your father died, and all the Barons of the Empire met at
+Paris, you would have lost your crown if I had not forced them to
+place it upon your head.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is true,' answered the King, 'and in remembrance of your
+services I will to-day bestow on you a fief.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' cried Blanchefleur, 'and no doubt will deprive me of one. A
+nice agreement, truly! Woe to him who dares carry it out.'</p>
+
+<p>'Be silent, woman without shame!' said William. 'Every word you speak
+proclaims the depth of your baseness! You pass your days wrapped in
+rich clothing, eating costly food, and drinking rare wines, and little
+you care that we endure heat and cold, hunger and thirst, and suffer
+wounds and death so that your life may be easy.' Then he bounded
+forwards and tore off the crown, and, drawing his sword, would have
+cut off her head had not Ermengarde wrenched the weapon from his
+hands. Before he could seize it again the Queen darted away and took
+refuge in her chamber, where she fell fainting on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>It was her daughter Alix, the fair and the wise, who raised her up and
+brought her back to consciousness; then heard with shame the tale she
+had to tell. 'How could you speak so to my uncle, the best man that
+ever wore a sword?' asked Alix. 'It was he who made you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> Queen of
+France, and the words that you uttered must have been taught you by
+devils.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_296.jpg" width="500" height="806" alt="The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William-Shortnose" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William-Shortnose</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Yes, my daughter, you say truth,' answered the Queen, 'I have done
+ill, and if it rests with me I will make peace with my brother'; and
+she wept over her wicked speech, while Alix, red and white as the
+roses in May, went down into the hall, where the Franks were still
+whispering together, and calling curses on the head of William.</p>
+
+<p>They all rose as the maiden entered; Aimeri, her grandfather, took her
+in his arms, and her four uncles kissed her cheek. Her presence seemed
+to calm the anger and trouble which before had reigned throughout the
+hall, and Ermengarde flung herself at William's feet and besought his
+pardon for the Queen. William raised his mother from her knees, but
+his anger was not soothed. 'I have no love for the King,' he said,
+'and before night I will break his pride,' and he stood where he had
+been always standing, his face red with wrath, leaning on his naked
+sword. Not a sound was heard, and the eyes of all were fixed
+breathlessly upon William. Then in her turn Alix stepped forward and
+knelt at his feet. 'Punish me in my mother's place,' said she, 'and
+cut off my head if you will, or send me into exile, but let there be
+peace, I pray you, between you and my father and mother. Her ill words
+towards you did not come from her heart, but were put into her mouth
+by devils.'</p>
+
+<p>At the voice of Alix William's wrath melted, but at first he would
+promise nothing. 'Fair son William,' said Ermengarde again, 'be
+content. The King will do what you desire, and will aid you to the
+uttermost.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I will aid you,' answered the King.</p>
+
+<p>So peace was made, the Queen was fetched, and they all sat down to a
+great feast.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner the pride of the King was broken.</p>
+
+<p>But when one man is shifty and another is hasty wrath is not apt to
+slumber long, and treaties of peace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> are easier made than kept. When
+the feast was over William pressed King Louis to prepare an army at
+once, so that no time might be lost in giving battle to the Infidels,
+but the King would bind himself to nothing. 'We will speak of it
+again,' said he; 'I will tell you to-morrow whether I will go or not.'</p>
+
+<p>At this answer William grew red with rage, and holding out a wand he
+said to the King, 'I give you back your fief. I will take nothing from
+you, and henceforth will neither be your friend nor your vassal.'</p>
+
+<p>'Keep your fief,' said Ernaut to his brother, 'and leave the King to
+do as he will. I will help you and my brothers also, and between us
+twenty thousand men shall march to the Aliscans, and deal death to any
+Infidels we shall find there.'</p>
+
+<p>'You speak weak words,' cried Aimeri; 'he is Seneschal of France, and
+also her Standard Bearer; he has a right to our help, and if that
+fails a right to vengeance.' And Alix approved of his saying, and the
+Queen likewise.</p>
+
+<p>The King saw that none was on his side and from fear of Aimeri and of
+his sons he dared refuse no longer. 'Count William, for love of you I
+will call together my army, and a hundred thousand men shall obey your
+commands. But I myself will not go with you, for my kingdom needs me
+badly.'</p>
+
+<p>'Remain, Sire,' answered William, 'I myself will lead the host.' And
+the King sent out his messengers, and soon a vast army was gathered
+under the walls of Laon.</p>
+
+<p>It was on one of these days when the Count stood in the great hall
+that there entered from the kitchen a young man whom he had never seen
+before. The youth, whose name was Rainouart, was tall; strong as a
+wild boar, and swift as a deer. The scullions and grooms had played
+off jests upon him during the night, but had since repented them
+sorely, for he had caught the leaders up in his arms and broken their
+heads against the walls. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> rest, eager to avenge their comrades'
+death, prepared to overcome him with numbers, and in spite of his
+strength it might have gone ill with Rainouart had not Aimeri de
+Narbonne, hearing the noise, forbade more brawling.</p>
+
+<p>Count William was told of the unseemly scuffle, and asked the King who
+and what the young man was who could keep at bay so many of his
+fellows. 'I bought him once at sea,' said Louis, 'and paid a hundred
+marks for him. They pretend that he is the son of a Saracen, but he
+will never reveal the name of his father. Not knowing what to do with
+him, I sent him to the kitchen.'</p>
+
+<p>'Give him to me, King Louis,' said William, smiling, 'I promise you he
+shall have plenty to eat.'</p>
+
+<p>'Willingly,' answered the King.</p>
+
+<p>Far off in the kitchen Rainouart knew nothing of what was passing
+between the King and the Count, and his soul chafed at the sound of
+the horses' hoofs, and at the scraps of talk he heard let fall by the
+Knights, who were seeing to the burnishing of their armour before they
+started to fight the Unbelievers. 'To think,' he said to himself,
+'that I, who am of right King of Spain, should be loitering here,
+heaping logs on the fire and skimming the pot. But let King Louis look
+to himself! Before a year is past I will snatch the crown from his
+head.'</p>
+
+<p>When the army had finished its preparations and was ready to march he
+made up his mind what to do, and it was thus that he sought out
+William in the great hall. 'Noble Count, let me come with you, I
+implore you. I can help to look after the horses and cook the food,
+and if at any time blows are needed I can strike as well as any man.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good fellow,' answered William, who wished to try what stuff he was
+made of, 'you dream idle dreams! How could you, who have passed your
+days in the warmth of the kitchen, sleeping on the hearth when you
+were not busy turning the spit&mdash;how could you bear all <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>the fatigue
+of war, the long fasts, and the longer watches? Before a month had
+passed you would be dead by the roadside!'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_301.jpg" width="500" height="844" alt="ALIX KISSES RAINOUART" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ALIX KISSES RAINOUART</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Put me to the proof,' said he, 'and if you will not have me I will go
+alone to the Aliscans, and fight barefoot. My only weapon will be an
+iron-bound staff, and I promise you it shall kill as many Saracens as
+the best sword among you all.'</p>
+
+<p>'Come then,' answered the Count.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the army set forth, and Alix and the Queen
+Blanchefleur watched them go from the steps of the Palace. When Alix
+saw Rainouart stepping proudly along with his heavy staff on his
+shoulder her heart stirred, and she said to her mother, 'See, what a
+goodly young man! In the whole army there is not one like him! Let me
+bid him farewell, for nevermore shall I see his match.'</p>
+
+<p>'Peace! my daughter,' answered the Queen, 'I hope indeed that he may
+never more return to Laon.' But Alix took no heed of her mother's
+words, but signed to Rainouart to draw near. Then Alix put her arms
+round his neck, and said, 'Brother, you have been a long time at
+Court, and now you are going to fight under my uncle's banner. If ever
+I have given you pain, I ask your pardon.' After that she kissed him,
+and bade him go.</p>
+
+<p>At Orleans William took leave of his father Count Aimeri and his
+mother Ermengarde, the noble Countess, who returned to their home at
+Narbonne, and also of his brothers, who promised to return to meet
+William under the walls of Orange, which they did faithfully. He
+himself led his army by a different road, and pressed on quickly till
+he came in sight of his native city. But little of it could he see,
+for a great smoke covered all the land, rising up from the burning
+towers which the Saracens had that morning set on fire. Enter the city
+they could not, for Gibourc and her ladies held it firm, and, armed
+with helmets and breastplates, flung stones upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> head of any
+Saracen who appeared on the walls. So the Unbelievers fell back and
+took the way to the Aliscans, there to build as quickly as they might
+an engine to bring up against the tower and overthrow it.</p>
+
+<p>When William beheld the smoke, and whence it came, he cried 'Orange is
+burning! Holy Saint Mary, Gibourc is carried captive! To arms! To
+arms!' And he spurred his horse to Orange, Rainouart running by his
+side. From her tower Gibourc saw through the smoke a thousand banners
+waving and the sparkle of armour, and heard the sound of the horses'
+hoofs, and it seemed to her that the Infidels were drawing near anew.
+'Oh, William!' cried she, 'have you really forgotten me? Noble Count,
+you linger overlong! Never more shall I look upon your face.' And so
+saying she fell fainting on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>But something stirred the pulses of Gibourc, and she soon sat up
+again, and there at the gate was William the Count, with Rainouart
+behind him. 'Fear nothing, noble lady,' said he, 'it is the army of
+France that I have brought with me. Open, and welcome to us!' The news
+seemed so good to Gibourc that she could not believe it, and she bade
+the Count unlace his helmet, so that she might indeed be sure that it
+was he. William did her bidding, then like an arrow she ran to the
+gate and let down the drawbridge, and William stepped across it and
+embraced her tenderly. Then he ordered his army to take up its
+quarters in the city.</p>
+
+<p>Gibourc's eyes had fallen upon Rainouart, who had passed her on his
+way to the kitchen, where he meant to leave his stout wooden staff.
+'Tell me,' said she to the Count, 'who is that young man who bears
+lightly on his shoulder that huge piece of wood which would weigh down
+a horse? He is handsome and well made. Where did you find him?'</p>
+
+<p>'Lady,' answered William, 'he was given me by the King.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'My Lord,' said Gibourc, 'be sure you see that he is honourably
+treated. He looks to me to be of high birth. Has he been baptized?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, Madam, he is not a Christian. He was brought from Spain as a
+child, and kept for seven years in the kitchen. But take him, I pray
+you, under your protection, and do with him as you will.'</p>
+
+<p>The Count was hungry, and while waiting for dinner to be served he
+stood with Gibourc at the windows which looked out beyond the city. An
+army was drawing near; thousands of men, well mounted and freshly
+equipped. 'Gibourc!' cried the Count joyfully, 'here is my brother
+Ernaut de Gironde, with his vassals. Now all the Saracens in the world
+shall not prevent Bertrand from being delivered to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' answered Gibourc, 'nor Vivian from being avenged.'</p>
+
+<p>On all sides warriors began to arrive, led by the fathers of those who
+had been taken prisoners with Bertrand, and with them came Aimeri de
+Narbonne and the brothers of William. Glad was the heart of the Count
+as he bade them welcome to his Palace of Gloriette, and ordered a
+feast to be made ready, and showed each Knight where he should sit.</p>
+
+<p>It was late before the supper was served, but when every man had his
+trencher filled Rainouart entered the hall, armed with his staff, and
+stood leaning against a pillar, watching the noble company. 'Sir,'
+said Aimeri, the man whom the Saracens most dreaded, 'who is it that I
+see standing there holding a piece of wood that five peasants could
+hardly lift? Does he mean to murder us?'</p>
+
+<p>'That youth,' replied William, 'is a gift to me from King Louis. None
+living is as strong as he.' Then Aimeri called Rainouart, and bade him
+sit at his side, and eat and drink as he would. 'Noble Count,' said
+Aimeri, 'such men grow not on every bush. Keep him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> and cherish him,
+and bring him with you to the Aliscans. For with his staff he will
+slay many Pagans.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_306.jpg" width="500" height="745" alt="THE LADY GIBOURC WITH RAINOUART IN THE KITCHEN" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE LADY GIBOURC WITH RAINOUART IN THE KITCHEN</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Yes,' answered Rainouart, 'wherever I appear the Pagans will fall
+dead at the sight of me.' Aimeri and William laughed to hear him, but
+ere four days were past they had learnt what he was worth.</p>
+
+<p>Rainouart went back to the kitchen and slept soundly, but as he had
+drunk much wine the cooks and scullions thought to play jokes upon
+him, and lighted some wooden shavings with which to burn his
+moustache. At the first touch of the flame Rainouart leapt to his
+feet, seized the head cook by his legs, flung him on to the blazing
+fire, and turned for another victim, but they had all fled.</p>
+
+<p>At daybreak they went to William to complain of the death of their
+chief, and to pray for vengeance on his murderer. If the Count would
+not forbid him the kitchen, not a morsel of food would they cook. But
+William only laughed at their threats, and said, 'Beware henceforth
+how you meddle with Rainouart, or it will cost you dear. Did I not
+forbid anyone to mock at him, and do you dare to disobey my orders?
+Lady Gibourc, take Rainouart to your chamber, and keep him beside
+you.'</p>
+
+<p>So the Countess went to the kitchen to look for Rainouart and found
+him sitting on a bench, his head leaning against his staff. She sat
+down by him and said graciously, 'Brother, come with me. I will give
+you my ermine pelisse and a mantle of marten, and we will have some
+talk together.'</p>
+
+<p>'Willingly,' answered Rainouart, 'the more as I can hardly keep my
+hands off these low-born scoundrels.'</p>
+
+<p>He followed Gibourc to her room, and then she questioned him about
+himself and the days of his childhood.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you brothers or sisters?' asked she.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' he answered, 'beyond the sea I have a brother who is a King,
+and a sister who is more beautiful than a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> fairy,' and as he spoke
+he bent his head. Something in her heart told Gibourc that this might
+be her brother, but she only asked again, 'Where do you come from?'</p>
+
+<p>'Lady,' he replied, 'I will answer that question the day I come back
+from the battle which William shall have won, thanks to my aid.'</p>
+
+<p>Gibourc kept silence, but she opened a chest and drew from it a white
+breastplate that had belonged to the Emir Tournefer, her uncle, which
+was so finely wrought that no sword could pierce it. Likewise a helmet
+of steel and a sword that could cut through iron more easily than a
+scythe cuts grass. 'My friend,' she said, 'buckle this sword to your
+left side. It may be useful to you.' Rainouart took the sword and drew
+it from its scabbard, but it seemed so light that he threw it down
+again. 'Lady,' he cried, 'what good can such a plaything do me? But
+with my staff between my hands there is not a Pagan that can stand up
+against me, and if one escapes then let Count William drive me from
+his door.'</p>
+
+<p>At this Gibourc felt sure this was indeed her brother, but she did not
+yet like to ask him more questions, and in her joy and wonder she
+began to weep. 'Lady Countess,' said Rainouart, 'do not weep. As long
+as my staff is whole William shall be safe.'</p>
+
+<p>'My friend, may Heaven protect you,' she answered, 'but a man without
+armour is soon cut down; one blow will be his death. So take these
+things and wear them in battle,' and she laced on the helmet, and
+buckled the breastplate, and fastened the sword on his thigh. 'If your
+staff breaks, it may serve you,' said she.</p>
+
+<p>Rainouart's heart was proud indeed when the armour was girded on him,
+and he sat himself down well pleased at William's table. The Knights
+vied with each other in pouring him out bumpers of wine, and after
+dinner every man tried to lift his iron-bound staff, but none could
+raise it from the ground, except William himself, who by putting forth
+all his strength lifted it the height of a foot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_310.jpg" width="500" height="768" alt="RAINOUART STOPS THE COWARDS" title="" />
+<span class="caption">RAINOUART STOPS THE COWARDS</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Let me aid you,' said Rainouart, and catching it up he whirled it
+round his head, throwing it lightly from hand to hand. 'We are wasting
+time,' he went on. 'I fear lest the Pagans should fly before we come
+up with them. If I only have the chance to make them feel the weight
+of my staff, I shall soon sweep the battle-field clean.' And William
+embraced him for these words, and ordered the trumpets to be sounded
+and the army to march.</p>
+
+<p>From her window Gibourc watched them go. She saw the Knights, each
+with his following, stream out into the plain, their banners floating
+on the wind, their helmets shining in the sun, their shields
+glittering with gold. She heard their horses neigh with delight, as
+they snuffed up the air, and she prayed God to bless all this noble
+host.</p>
+
+<p>After two days' march they came within sight of the Aliscans, but for
+five miles round the country was covered by the Pagan army. William
+perceived that some of his men quailed at the number of the foe, so he
+turned and spoke to his soldiers. 'My good lords,' he said, 'a fearful
+battle awaits us, and we must not give way an inch. If any man feels
+afraid let him go back to his own land. This is no place for cowards.'</p>
+
+<p>The cowards heard joyfully, and without shame took the road by which
+they had come. They spurred their horses and thought themselves safe,
+but they rejoiced too soon.</p>
+
+<p>At the mouth of a bridge Rainouart met them, and he took them for
+Pagans who were flying for their lives. But when he saw that they were
+part of the Christian host he raised his staff and barred their
+passage. 'Where are you going?' asked he. 'To France, for rest,'
+answered the cowards; 'the Count has dismissed us, and when we reach
+our homes we shall bathe ourselves and have good cheer, and see to the
+rebuilding of our castles, which have fallen into ill-repair during
+the wars. With<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> William one has to bear pains without end, and at
+the last to die suffering. Come with us, if you are a wise man.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ask someone else,' said Rainouart; 'Count William has given me the
+command of the army, and it is to him that I have to render account.
+Do you think I shall let you run away like hares? By Saint Denis! not
+another step shall you stir!' And, swinging his staff round his head,
+he laid about him. Struck dumb with terror at the sight of their
+comrades falling rapidly round them they had no mind to go on, and
+cried with one voice, 'Sir Rainouart, we will return and fight with
+you in the Aliscans; you shall lead us whither you will.' So they
+turned their horses' heads and rode the way they had come, and
+Rainouart followed, keeping guard over them with his staff. When they
+reached the army he went straight to William, and begged that he might
+have the command of them. 'I will change them into a troop of lions,'
+said he.</p>
+
+<p>Harsh words and gibes greeted the cowards, but Rainouart soon forced
+the mockers to silence. 'Leave my men alone!' he cried, 'or by the
+faith I owe to Gibourc I will make you. I am a King's son, and the
+time has come to show you what manner of man I am. I have idled long,
+but I will idle no longer. I am of the blood royal, and the saying is
+true that good blood cannot lie.'</p>
+
+<p>'How well he speaks!' whispered the Franks to each other, for they
+dared not let their voices be heard.</p>
+
+<p>Now the battle was to begin, for the two armies were drawn up in
+fighting array, and Rainouart took his place at the head of his
+cowards opposite the Saracens, from which race he sprang.</p>
+
+<p>The charge was sounded, and the two armies met with a shock, and many
+a man fell from his horse and was trampled under foot. 'Narbonne!
+Narbonne!' shouted Aimeri, advancing within reach of a crossbow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> shot,
+and he would have been slain had not his sons dashed to his rescue.
+Count William did miracles, and the Saracens were driven so far back
+that Rainouart feared that the battle would be ended before he had
+struck a blow.</p>
+
+<p>Followed by his troop of cowards Rainouart made straight for the
+enemy, and before him they fell as corn before a sickle. 'Strike,
+soldiers,' shouted he; 'strike and avenge the noble Vivian; woe to the
+King Desram&eacute; if he crosses my path.' And a messenger came and said to
+Desram&eacute;, 'It is Rainouart with the iron staff, the strongest man in
+the world.'</p>
+
+<p>Rainouart and his cowards pressed on and on, and the Saracens fell
+back, step by step, till they reached the sea, where their ships were
+anchored.</p>
+
+<p>Then Rainouart drove his staff in the sand, and by its help swung
+himself on board a small vessel, which happened to be the very one in
+which the nephews of William were imprisoned. He laid about him right
+and left with his staff, till he had slain all the gaolers, and at
+last he came to a young man whose eyes were bandaged and his feet tied
+together. 'Who are you?' asked Rainouart.</p>
+
+<p>'I am Bertrand of France, nephew of William Short Nose. Four months
+ago I was taken captive by the Pagans, and if, as I think, they carry
+me into Arabia, then may God have pity on my soul, for it is all over
+with my body.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sir Count,' answered Rainouart, 'for love of William I will deliver
+you.'</p>
+
+<p>Bertrand was set free and his companions also. Seizing the weapons of
+the dead Saracens, they scrambled on shore, and, while fighting for
+their lives, looked about for their uncle, whom they knew at last by
+the sweep of his sword, which kept a clean space round him. More than
+once Rainouart swept back fresh foes that were pressing forwards till
+the tide of battle carried him away and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> brought him opposite Desram&eacute;
+the King. 'Who are you?' asked Desram&eacute;, struck by his face, for there
+was nothing royal in his dress or his arms.</p>
+
+<p>'I am Rainouart, vassal of William whom I love, and if you do hurt to
+him I will do hurt to you also.'</p>
+
+<p>'Rainouart, I am your father,' cried Desram&eacute;, and he besought him to
+forswear Christianity and to become a follower of Mahomet; but
+Rainouart turned a deaf ear, and challenged him to continue the
+combat. Desram&eacute; was no match for his son, and was soon struck from his
+horse. 'Oh, wretch that I am,' said Rainouart to himself, 'I have
+slain my brothers and wounded my father&mdash;it is my staff which has done
+all this evil,' and he flung it far from him.</p>
+
+<p>He would have been wiser to have kept it, for in a moment three giants
+surrounded him, and he had only his fists with which to beat them
+back. Suddenly his hand touched the sword buckled on him by Gibourc,
+which he had forgotten, and he drew it from its scabbard, and with
+three blows clove the heads of the giants in twain. Meanwhile King
+Desram&eacute; took refuge in the only ship that had not been sunk by the
+Christians, and spread its sails. 'Come back whenever you like, fair
+father,' called Rainouart after him.</p>
+
+<p>The fight was over; the Saracens acknowledged that they were beaten,
+and the booty they had left behind them was immense. The army, wearied
+with the day's toil, lay down to sleep, but before midnight Rainouart
+was awake and trumpets called to arms. 'Vivian must be buried,' said
+he, 'and then the march to Orange will begin.'</p>
+
+<p>Rainouart rode at the head, his sword drawn, prouder than a lion; and
+as he went along a poor peasant threw himself before him, asking for
+vengeance on some wretches who had torn up a field of beans which was
+all he had with which to feed his family. Rainouart ordered the
+robbers to be brought before him and had them executed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> Then he gave
+to the peasant their horses and their armour in payment of the ruined
+beans. 'Ah, it has turned out a good bargain for me,' said the
+peasant. 'Blessed be the hour when I sowed such a crop.'</p>
+
+<p>William entered into his Palace, where a great feast was spread for
+the visitors, but one man only remained outside the walls, and that
+was Rainouart, of whom no one thought in the hour of triumph. His
+heart swelled with bitterness as he thought of the blows he had given,
+and the captives he had set free, and, weeping with anger, he turned
+his face towards the Aliscans. On the road some Knights met him, and
+asked him whither he was going and why he looked so sad. Then his
+wrath and grief burst out, and he told how he mourned that ever he had
+slain a man in William's cause, and that he was now hastening to serve
+under the banner of Mahomet, and would shortly return with a hundred
+thousand men behind him, and would avenge himself on France and her
+King. Only towards Alix would he show any pity!</p>
+
+<p>In vain the Knights tried to soften his heart, it was too sore to
+listen. So they rode fast to Orange and told the Count what Rainouart
+had said.</p>
+
+<p>'I have done him grievous wrong,' answered William, and ordered twenty
+Knights to ride after him. But the Knights were received with threats
+and curses, and came back to Orange faster than they had left it,
+thinking that Rainouart was at their heels.</p>
+
+<p>William smiled when he heard the tale of his messengers, and bade them
+bring his horse, and commanded that a hundred Knights should follow
+him, and prayed Gibourc to ride at his side. They found Rainouart
+entering a vessel whose sails were already spread, and all William's
+entreaties would have availed nothing had not Gibourc herself implored
+his forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>'I am your brother,' cried Rainouart, throwing himself on her neck; 'I
+may confess it now, and for you I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> will pardon the Count's ingratitude
+and never more will I remind you of it.'</p>
+
+<p>There was great joy in Orange when William rode through the gates with
+Rainouart beside him, and the next day the Count made him his
+Seneschal, and he was baptized. Then William sent his brothers on an
+embassy to the King in Paris, to beg that he would bestow the hand of
+Princess Alix on Rainouart, son of King Desram&eacute; and brother of Lady
+Gibourc. And when the embassy returned Alix returned with it, and the
+marriage took place with great splendour; but to the end of his life,
+whenever Rainouart felt cold, he warmed himself in the kitchen.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="WAYLAND_THE_SMITH" id="WAYLAND_THE_SMITH"></a>WAYLAND THE SMITH</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>WAYLAND THE SMITH</i></h2>
+<p>Far up to the north of Norway and Sweden, looking straight at the
+Pole, lies the country of Finmark. It is very cold and very bare, and
+for half the year very dark; but inside its stony mountains are rich
+stores of metals, and the strong, ugly men of the country spent their
+lives in digging out the ore and in working it. Like many people who
+dwell in mountains, they saw and heard strange things, which were
+unknown to the inhabitants of the lands to the south.</p>
+
+<p>Now in Finmark there were three brothers whose names were Slagfid,
+Eigil, and Wayland, all much handsomer and cleverer than their
+neighbours. They had some money of their own, but this did not prevent
+them working as hard as anyone else; and as they were either very
+clever or very lucky, they were soon in a fair way to grow rich.</p>
+
+<p>One day they went to a new part of the mountains which was yet
+untouched, and began to throw up the earth with their pick-axes; but
+instead of the iron they expected to see they found they had lighted
+upon a mine of gold. This discovery pleased them greatly and their
+blows became stronger and harder, for the gold was deep in the rock
+and it was not easy to get it out. At last a huge lump rolled out at
+their feet, and when they picked it up they saw three stones shining
+in it, one red and one blue and one green. They took it home to their
+mother, who began to weep bitterly at the sight of it. 'What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> is the
+matter?' asked her sons anxiously, for they knew things lay open to
+her which were hidden from others.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_322.jpg" width="500" height="825" alt="The Three Women By The Stream" title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Three Women By The Stream</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'Ah, my sons,' she said as soon as she could speak, 'you will have
+much happiness, but I shall be forced to part with you. Therefore I
+shed tears, for I hoped that only death would divide us! Green is the
+grass, blue is the sky, red are the roses, golden is the maiden. The
+Norns' (for so in that country they called the Fates) 'beckon you to a
+land where green fields lie under a blue sky, fields where
+golden-haired maidens lie among the flowers.'</p>
+
+<p>Great was the joy of the three brothers when they heard the words of
+their mother; for they hated the looks of the women who dwelt about
+them, and longed for the tall stature and white skins of the maidens
+of the south.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning they rose early and buckled on their swords and coats of
+mail, and fastened on their heads helmets that they had made the day
+before from the lump of gold. In the centre of Slagfid's helmet was
+the green stone, and in the centre of Eigil's was the blue stone, and
+in the centre of Wayland's was the red stone; and when they were ready
+they put their reindeer into their sledges, and set out over the snow.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the mountains where only yesterday they had been
+digging they saw by the light of the moon a host of little men running
+to meet them. They were dressed all in grey, except for their caps,
+which were red; they had red eyes, too, and black tongues, which never
+ceased chattering. These were the mountain elves, and when they came
+near they formed themselves into a fairy ring, and sang while they
+danced round it:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Will you leave us? Will you leave us?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland, sons of a King.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Is not the emerald better than grass?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Is not the ruby better than roses?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Is not the sapphire better than the sky?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Why do you leave the mountains of Finmark?<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Eigil was impatient and struck his reindeer, that willing beast
+which flies like the wind and needs not the touch of a whip. It
+bounded forward in surprise, and knocked down one of the elves that
+stood in its path. But the hands of his brothers laid hold of the
+reins, and stopped the reindeer, and sang again,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Lies under the earth;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Seek not without what we offer within,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Despise not the elves, small and dark though they be.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">The best is within, do not seek it without:<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Lies under the earth.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Slagfid struck his reindeer. It bounded forward and struck down an elf
+who stood in its road. Then his brothers stood in its path, and
+stopped the reindeer, and sang:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">Because Slagfid struck his reindeer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Because Eigil struck his reindeer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Our hatred shall follow you.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Because Wayland also forsook us,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Though he struck not the reindeer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Farewell, O Finlanders, sons of a King.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Their voices died away as they crossed a bright strip of moonlight
+which lay between them and the mountains and were seen no more.</p>
+
+<p>The brothers thought no more about them or their words, but went
+swiftly on their way south, sleeping at night in their reindeer skins.</p>
+
+<p>After many days they came to a lake full of fish, in a place which was
+called the Valley of Wolves, because of the number of wolves which hid
+there. But the Finlanders did not mind the wolves, and built a house
+close to the lake, and hunted bears, and caught fish through holes in
+the ice, till winter had passed away and spring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> had come. Then one
+day they noticed that the sky was blue and the earth covered with
+flowers.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by they noticed something more, and that was that three maidens
+were sitting on the grass, spinning flax on the bank of a stream.
+Their eyes were blue, and their skins were white as the snow on the
+mountains, while instead of the mantles of swansdown they generally
+wore, golden hair covered their shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>The hearts of the brothers beat as they looked on the maidens, who
+were such as they had often dreamed of, but had never seen; and as
+they drew near they found to their surprise that the maidens were
+dressed each in red, green, and blue garments, and the meadow was so
+thickly dotted with yellow flowers that it seemed as if it were a mass
+of solid gold.</p>
+
+<p>'Hail, noble princes! Hail, Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland,' sang the
+maidens.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Swanvite, Alvilda, and Alruna are sent by the Norns,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To bring joy to the princes of Finland.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then the tongues of the young men were unloosed, and Slagfid married
+Swanvite, Eigil Alruna, and Wayland Alvilda.</p>
+
+<p>For nine years they all lived on the shores of the lake, and no people
+in the world were as happy as these six: till one morning the three
+wives stood before their husbands and said with weeping eyes:</p>
+
+<p>'Dear lords, the time has now come when we must bid you farewell, for
+we are not allowed to stay with you any longer. We are Norns&mdash;or, as
+some call us, Valkyrie. Nine years of joy are granted to us, but these
+are paid for by nine years during which we hover round the combatants
+on every field of battle. But bear your souls in patience, for on
+earth all things have an end, and in nine years we will return to be
+your wives as before.'</p>
+
+<p>'But we shall be getting old then,' answered the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> brothers, 'and you
+will have forgotten us. Stay now, we pray you, for we love you well.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>We</i> are not mortals to grow old,' said the Norns, 'and true love
+does not grow old either. Still, we do not wish you to fall sick with
+grieving, so we leave you these three keys, with which you may open
+the mountain, and busy yourselves by digging out the treasures it
+contains. By the time the nine years are over you will have become
+rich men, and men of renown.' So they laid down the keys and vanished.</p>
+
+<p>For a long while the young men only left their houses to seek for
+food, so dreary had the Valley of Wolves become. At last Slagfid and
+Eigil could bear it no longer, and declared they would travel through
+the whole world till they found their wives; but Wayland, the
+youngest, determined to stay at home.</p>
+
+<p>'You would do much better to remain where you are,' said he. 'You do
+not know in which direction to look for them, and it is useless to
+seek on earth for those who fly through the air. You will only lose
+yourselves, and starve, and when the nine years are ended who can tell
+where you may be?'</p>
+
+<p>But his words fell on deaf ears; for Slagfid and Eigil merely filled
+their wallets with food and their horns with drink, and prepared to
+take leave of their brother. Wayland embraced them weeping, for he
+feared that he would never more see them, and once again he implored
+them to give up their quest. Slagfid and Eigil only shook their heads.
+'We have no rest, night or day, without them,' they said, and they
+begged him to look after their property till they came back again.</p>
+
+<p>Wayland saw that more words would be wasted, so he walked with them to
+the edge of the forest, where their ways would part. Then Slagfid
+said, 'Our fathers, when they went a journey, left behind them a token
+by which it might be known whether they were dead or alive, and I will
+do so also.' So he stamped heavily on the soft<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> ground, and added, 'As
+long as this footmark remains sharp and clear, I shall be safe. If it
+is filled with water I shall be drowned; if with blood, I shall have
+fallen in battle. But if it is filled with earth an illness will have
+killed me, and I shall lie under the ground.' Thus he did, and Eigil
+did likewise. Then they cut stout sticks to aid their journeys, and
+went their ways.</p>
+
+<p>Wayland stood gazing after them as long as they were in sight, then he
+went sadly home.</p>
+
+<p>Slagfid and Eigil walked steadily on through the day, and when evening
+came they reached a stream bordered with trees, where they took off
+their golden helmets and sat down to rest and eat. They had gone far
+that day and were tired, and drank somewhat heavily, so that they knew
+not what they did. 'If I lose my Swanvite,' said Slagfid, 'I am
+undone. She is the fairest woman that sun ever looked on, or that man
+ever loved.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is a lie,' answered Eigil. 'I know one lovelier still, and her
+name is Alruna. Odin does not love Freya so fondly as Eigil adores
+her.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is no lie,' cried Slagfid, 'and may shame fall on him who slanders
+me.'</p>
+
+<p>'And I,' answered Eigil, 'stand to what I have said, and declare that
+you are the liar.' At this they both drew their swords and fell
+fighting, till Slagfid struck Eigil's helmet so hard that the jewel
+flew into a thousand pieces, while Eigil himself fell backwards into
+the river.</p>
+
+<p>Slagfid stood still, leaning on his sword and looking at the river
+into which his brother had fallen. Suddenly the trees behind him
+rustled, and a voice came out of them, saying, 'A time of weal, a time
+of woe, a time of tears, a time of death'; and though he could see
+nothing he remembered the mountain elves, and thought how true their
+prophecy had been. 'I have slain my brother,' he said to himself, 'my
+wife has forsaken me; I am miserable and alone. What shall I do? Go
+back to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>Wayland, or follow Eigil into the river? No. After all I
+may find my wife. The Norns do not always bring misfortune.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_329.jpg" width="500" height="811" alt="Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>As he spoke a light gleamed in the darkness of the night, and, looking
+up, Slagfid saw it was shed by a bright star which seemed to be
+drawing nearer to the earth, and the nearer it drew the more its shape
+seemed to change into a human figure. Then Slagfid knew that it was
+his wife Swanvite floating just over his head and encircled by a rim
+of clear green light. He could not speak for joy, but held out his
+arms to her. She beckoned to him to follow her, and, drawing out a
+lute, played on it, and Slagfid, flinging away his sword and coat of
+mail, began to climb the mountain. Half way up it seemed to him as if
+a hand from behind was pulling him back, and turning he fancied he
+beheld his mother and heard her say, 'My son, seek not after vain
+shadows, which yet may be your ruin. Strive not against the will of
+Odin, nor against the Norns.' The words caused Slagfid to pause for a
+moment, then the figure of Swanvite danced before him and beckoned to
+him again, and his mother was forgotten. There were rivers to swim,
+precipices to climb, chasms to leap, but he passed them all gladly
+till at last he noticed that the higher he got the less the figure
+seemed like Swanvite. He felt frightened and tried to turn back, but
+he could not. On he had to go, till just as he reached the top of the
+mountain the first rays of the sun appeared above the horizon, and he
+saw that, instead of Swanvite, he had followed a black elf.</p>
+
+<p>He paused and looked over the green plain that lay thousands of feet
+below him, cool and inviting after the stony mountain up which he had
+come. 'A time of death,' whispered the black elf in his ear, and
+Slagfid flung himself over the precipice.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>After his brothers had forsaken him Wayland went to bed lonely and
+sad; but the next morning he got up and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> looked at the three keys that
+the Norns had left behind them. One was of copper, one was of iron,
+and one was of gold. Taking up the copper one, he walked to the
+mountain till he reached a flat wall of rock. He laid his key against
+it, and immediately the mountain flew open and showed a cave where
+everything was green. Green emeralds studded the rocks, green crystals
+hung from the ceiling or formed rows of pillars, even the copper which
+made the walls of the cave had a coating of green. Wayland broke off a
+huge projecting lump and left the cave, which instantly closed up so
+that not a crack remained to tell where the opening had been.</p>
+
+<p>He carried the lump home, and put it into the fire till all the earth
+and stones which clung to it were burned away; and then he fashioned
+the pure copper into a helmet, and in the front of the helmet he set
+three of his largest emeralds.</p>
+
+<p>This occupied some days, and when it was done he took the iron key,
+and went to another mountain, and laid the key against the rock, which
+flew open like the other one. But now the walls were of iron, which
+shone like blue steel, while sapphires glittered in the midst. From an
+opening above, the blue of the sky was reflected in the river beneath,
+and gentians and other blue flowers grew along the edge. Wayland gazed
+with wonder at all these things; then he broke off a piece of the
+iron, and carried it home with him. For many days after he busied
+himself in forging a sword that was so supple he could wind it round
+his body, and so sharp it could cut through a rock as if it had been a
+stick. In the handle and in the sheath he set some of the finest
+sapphires that he had brought away with him.</p>
+
+<p>When all was finished he laid the sword aside, and returned to the
+mountain, with the golden key. This time the mountain parted, and he
+saw before him an archway, with a glimpse of the sea in the distance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>
+Before the entrance roses were lying, and inside the golden walls
+sparkled with rubies, while branches of red coral filled every
+crevice. Vines clambered about the pillars, and bore large bunches of
+red grapes.</p>
+
+<p>Wayland stood long, looking at these marvels; then he plucked some of
+the grapes, broke off a lump of gold, and set out home again.</p>
+
+<p>Next day he began to make himself a golden breastplate, and in it he
+placed the jewels, and it was so bright that you could have seen the
+glitter a mile off.</p>
+
+<p>After he had tried all the three keys, and found out the secrets of
+the mountain, Wayland felt dull, and as if he had nothing to do or to
+think about. So his mind went back to his brothers, and he wondered
+how they had fared all this time. The first thing he did was to go to
+the edge of the forest, and see if he could find the two footprints
+they had left. He soon arrived at the spot where they had taken
+farewell of each other, but a blue pool of water covered the trace of
+Eigil's foot. He turned to look at the impression made by Slagfid, but
+fresh green grass had sprung up over it, and on a birch-tree near it a
+bird had perched, which sang a mournful song.</p>
+
+<p>Then Wayland knew that his brothers were dead, and he returned to his
+hut, grieving sore.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>It was a long time before Wayland could bring himself to go out, so
+great was his sorrow; but at last he roused himself from his misery,
+and went to the mountain for more gold, meaning to work hard till the
+nine years should be over and he should get his wife back again. All
+day long he stood in his forge, smelting and hammering, till he had
+made hundreds of suits of armour and thousands of swords, and his fame
+travelled far, so that all men spoke of his industry. At last he grew
+tired of making armour, and hammered a number of gold rings, which he
+strung on strips of bark, and as he hammered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> he thought of Alvilda
+his wife, and how the rings would gleam on her arms when once she came
+back again.</p>
+
+<p>Now at this time Nidud the Little reigned over Sweden, and was hated
+by his people, for he was vain and cowardly and had many other bad
+qualities. It came to his ears that away in the forests lived a man
+who was very rich, and worked all day long in pure gold. The King was
+one of those people who could not bear to see anyone with things which
+he did not himself possess, and he began to make plans how to get hold
+of Wayland's wealth. At length he called together his chief
+counsellors, and said to them: 'I hear a man has come to my kingdom
+who is called Wayland, famous in many lands for his skill in
+sword-making. I have set men to inquire after him, and I have found
+that when first he came here he was poor and of no account, so he must
+have grown rich either by magic or else by violence. I command,
+therefore, that my stoutest men-at-arms should buckle on their iron
+breastplates and ride in the dead of night to Wayland's house, and
+seize his goods and his person.'</p>
+
+<p>'King Nidud,' answered one of the courtiers, 'that you should take
+himself and his goods is well, but why send a troop of soldiers
+against one man? If he is no sorcerer, then a single one of your
+soldiers could take him captive; but if, on the other hand, he is a
+magician, then a whole army could do nothing with him against his
+will.' At this reply the King flew in a rage, and, snatching up a
+sword, ran it through his counsellor's body; then, turning to the
+rest, told them that they would suffer the same fate if they refused
+to submit to his will.</p>
+
+<p>So the men-at-arms put on all their armour, and, mounting their
+horses, set forth at sunset to Wayland's house, King Nidud riding at
+their head. The door stood wide open, and they entered quietly, in
+deadly fear lest Wayland should attack them. But no one was inside,
+and they looked about, their eyes dazzled by the gold on the walls.
+The King gazed with wonder and delight at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> the long string of golden
+rings, and, slipping the finest off a strip of bark, placed it on his
+finger. At that moment steps were heard in the outer court, and the
+King hastily desired his followers to hide themselves and not to stir
+till he signed to them to do so. In another moment Wayland stood in
+the doorway, carrying on his shoulders a bear which he had killed with
+his spear and was bringing home for supper. He was both tired and
+hungry, for he had been hunting all day; but he had first to skin the
+animal, and make a bright fire, before he could cut off some steaks
+and cook them at the end of the spear. Then he poured some mead into a
+cup and drank, as he always did, to the memory of his brothers. After
+that he spread out his bear's skin to dry in the wind, and this done
+he stretched himself out on his bed and went to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>King Nidud waited till he thought all was safe, then crept forth with
+his men, who held heavy chains in their hands wherewith to chain the
+sleeping Wayland. But the task was harder than they expected, and he
+started up in wrath, asking why he should be treated so. 'If you want
+my gold, take it and release me. It is useless fighting against such
+odds.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am no robber,' said the King, 'but Nidud your sovereign.'</p>
+
+<p>'You do me much honour,' replied Wayland, 'but what have I done to be
+loaded with chains like this?'</p>
+
+<p>'Wayland, I know you well,' said Nidud. 'Poor enough you were when you
+came from Finland, and now your jewels are finer and your drinking
+cups heavier than mine.'</p>
+
+<p>'If I am indeed a thief,' answered Wayland, 'then you do well to load
+me with chains and lead me bound into your dungeons; but if not, I ask
+again, Why do you misuse me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Riches do not come of themselves,' said Nidud, 'and if you are not a
+thief, then you must be a magician and must be watched.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'If I were a magician,' answered Wayland, 'it would be easy for me to
+burst these bonds. I know not that ever I have wronged any man, but if
+he can prove it I will restore it to him tenfold. As to the gifts that
+may come from the gods, no man should grudge them to his fellow.
+Therefore release me, O King, and I will pay whatever ransom you may
+fix.'</p>
+
+<p>But Nidud only bade his guards take him away, and Wayland, seeing that
+resistance availed nothing, went with them quietly. By the King's
+orders he was thrown into a dark hole fifteen fathoms under ground,
+and the soldiers then came and robbed the house of all its treasures,
+which they took to the Palace. The ring which Wayland had made for his
+wife, Nidud gave to his daughter Banvilda.</p>
+
+<p>One day the Queen was playing the harp in her own room when the King
+came in to ask her counsel how best to deal with Wayland, as he did
+not think it wise to put him to death, for he hoped to make some
+profit out of his skill. 'His heart will beat high,' said the Queen,
+'when he sees his good sword, and beholds his ring on Banvilda's
+finger. But cut asunder the sinews of his strength, so that he can
+never more escape from us, and keep him a prisoner on the island of
+Savarsted.'</p>
+
+<p>The King was pleased with the Queen's words, and sent soldiers to
+carry Wayland to the tower on the island. The sinews of his leg were
+cut so that he could not swim away; but they gave him his boots, and
+the chests of gold they had found in his house. Here he was left, with
+nothing to do from morning till night but to make helmets and drinking
+cups and splendid armour for the King.</p>
+
+<p>On this island Wayland remained for a whole year, chained to a stone
+and visited by no one but the King, who came from time to time to see
+how his prisoner was getting on with a suit of golden armour he had
+been ordered to make. The shield was also of gold, and on it Wayland<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>
+had beaten out a history of the gods and their great deeds. He was
+very miserable, for the hope of revenge which had kept him alive
+seemed as far off as ever in its fulfilment, and finding a sword he
+had lately forged lying close to his hand, he seized it, with the
+intent of putting an end to his wretched life. He had hardly stretched
+out his hand when a bird began to sing at the iron bars of his window,
+while the evening sun shone into his prison. 'I should like to see the
+world once more,' thought he, and, raising himself on the stone to
+which his chain was fastened, he was able to look at what lay beneath
+him. The sea washed the base of the rock on which the tower was built,
+and on a neck of land a little way off some children were playing
+before the door of a hut. Everything was bathed in red light from the
+glow of the setting sun.</p>
+
+<p>Wayland stood quite still on the top of the stone, gazing at the scene
+with all his eyes, yet thinking of the land of his birth, which was so
+different. Then he looked again at the sea, which was already turning
+to steel, and in the distance he saw something moving on the waves. As
+it came nearer he discovered it was a young Nixie, or water sprite,
+and she held a lyre in her hand, and sang a song which blended with
+the murmur of the waves and the notes of the bird. And the song put
+new life and courage into his heart, for it told him that if he would
+endure and wait the pleasure of the gods, joy would be his one day.</p>
+
+<p>The Nixie finished her song, and smiled up at Wayland at the window
+before turning and swimming over the waves till she dived beneath
+them. That same instant the bird flew away, and the moon was covered
+by a cloud. But Wayland's heart was cheered, and when he lay down to
+rest he slept quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Some days later the King paid another visit, and suddenly espied the
+three keys which had been hidden in a corner with some of Wayland's
+tools. He at once asked Wayland what they were, and when he would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>
+tell him the King grew so angry that, seizing an axe, he declared that
+he would put his prisoner to death unless he confessed all he knew.
+There was no help for it, and Wayland had to say how he came by them
+and what wonders they wrought. The King heard him with delight and
+went away, taking the keys with him.</p>
+
+<p>No time was lost in preparing for a journey to the mountains, and when
+he reached the spot described by Wayland he divided his followers into
+three parties, sending two to await him some distance off, and keeping
+the third to enter the mountain with himself, if the copper key did
+the wonders it had done before. So he gave it to one of the bravest of
+his men, and told him to lay it against the side of the mountain. The
+man obeyed, and instantly the mountain split from top to bottom. The
+King bade them enter, never doubting that rich spoils awaited him; but
+instead the men sank into a green marsh, which swallowed up many of
+them, while the rest were stung to death by the green serpents hanging
+from the roof. Those who, like the King, were near the entrance alone
+escaped.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had recovered from the terror into which this adventure
+had thrown him he commanded that it should be kept very secret from
+the other two parties, and desired Storbiorn, his Chamberlain, to take
+the key of iron and the key of gold and deliver them to the leaders of
+the divisions he had left behind, with orders to try their fortune in
+different parts of the mountain. 'Give the keys to me, my lord King,'
+answered Storbiorn, 'and I shall know what to do with them. These
+magicians may do their worst, my heart will not beat one whit the
+faster; and I will see all that happens.' So he went and gave his
+message to the two divisions, and one stayed behind while Storbiorn
+went to the mountain with the other.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived the man who held the key laid it against the rock,
+which burst asunder, and half the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> entered at Storbiorn's command.
+Suddenly an icy blue stream poured upon them from the depths of the
+cavern and drowned most of them before they had time to fly. Only
+those behind escaped, and Storbiorn bade them go instantly to the King
+and tell him what had befallen them. Then he went to the third troop
+and marched with them to the rock, where he gave the golden key to one
+of the men, and ordered him to try it. The rock flew open at once, and
+Storbiorn told the men to enter, taking care, however, to keep behind
+himself. They obeyed and found themselves in a lovely golden cave,
+whose walls were lit up by thousands of precious stones of every hue.
+There was neither sight nor sound to frighten them, and even
+Storbiorn, when he saw the gold, forgot his prudence and his fears,
+and followed them in. In a moment a red fire burst out with a terrific
+noise, and clouds of smoke poured over them, so that they fell down
+choked into the flames. Only one man escaped, and he ran back as fast
+as he could to the King to tell him of the fate of his army.</p>
+
+<p>All this time Wayland was working quietly in his island prison waiting
+for the day of his revenge. The suit of golden armour which the King
+had commanded kept him busy day and night, and, besides the wonderful
+shield with figures of the gods, he had wrought a coat of mail, a
+helmet, and armour for the thighs, such as never had been seen before.
+The King had invited all his great nobles to meet him at the Palace
+when he returned from the mountain, that they might both see his
+armour and behold all the precious things he should bring with him
+from the caverns.</p>
+
+<p>When Nidud reached his Palace the Queen and Banvilda, their daughter,
+came forth to meet him, and told him that the great hall was already
+full of guests, expecting the wonders he had brought. The King said
+little about his adventures, but went into the armoury to put on his
+armour in order to appear before his nobles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> Piece by piece he
+fastened it, but he found the helmet so heavy that he could hardly
+bear it on his head. However, he did not look properly dressed without
+it, so he had to wear it, though it felt as if a whole mountain was
+pressing on his forehead. Then, buckling on the sword which Wayland
+had forged, he entered the hall, and seated himself on the throne. The
+Earls were struck dumb by his splendour, and thought at first that it
+was the god Thor himself, till they looked under the helmet and saw
+the ugly little man with the pale cowardly face. So they turned their
+eyes gladly on the Queen and Princess, both tall and beautiful and
+glittering with jewels, though inwardly they were not much better than
+the King.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_340.jpg" width="500" height="835" alt="Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>A magnificent dinner made the nobles feel more at ease, and they
+begged the King to tell them what man there was in Sweden so skilled
+in smith's work. Now Nidud had drunk deeply of mead, and longed to
+revenge himself on Wayland, whom he held to have caused the loss of
+his army; so he gave the key of the tower to one of his Earls, and
+bade him take two men and bring forth Wayland, adding that if the next
+time he visited the tower he should find a grain of gold missing, they
+should pay for it with their lives.</p>
+
+<p>The three men got a boat, and rowed towards the tower, but on the way
+one who, like the King, had drunk too much mead, fell into the sea and
+was drowned. The other two reached the tower in safety, and finding
+Wayland, blackened with dust, busy at his forge, bade him come just as
+he was to the boat. With his hands bound they led him before the King,
+and Eyvind the Earl bowed low and said, 'We have done your desire, Sir
+King, and must now hasten back to look for Gullorm, who fell into the
+sea.'</p>
+
+<p>'Leave him where he is,' replied Nidud; 'if he is not drowned by now
+he will never drown at all, but in token of your obedience to my
+orders I will give you each these golden chains.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The guests had not thought to see the man who had made such wonderful
+armour helpless and a cripple, and said so to the King. 'He was once
+handsome and stately enough,' answered Nidud, 'but I have bowed his
+stubborn head.' And the Queen and her daughter joined in saying, 'The
+maidens of Finland will hardly fancy a lover who cannot stand
+upright.' But Wayland stood as if he heard nothing till the King's son
+snatched a bone from the table and threw it at his head. Then his
+patience gave way, and, seizing the bone, he beat Nidud about the head
+with it till the straps of the helmet gave way and the helmet itself
+fell off. The guests all took his side, and said that, though a
+cripple, he was braver than many men whose legs were straight, and
+begged the King to allow him to go back to his prison without being
+teased further. But the King cried that Wayland had done mischief
+enough, and must now be punished, and told them the story of his visit
+to the mountain and the loss of his followers. 'It would be a small
+punishment to put him to death,' he said, 'for to so wretched a
+cripple death would be welcome. He may use the gold that is left, but
+henceforth he shall only have one eye to work with,' and the Princess
+came forward and carried out the cruel sentence herself. And Wayland
+bore it all, saying nothing, but praying the gods to grant him
+vengeance.</p>
+
+<p>One night Wayland sat filled with grief and despair at his window,
+looking out over the sea, when he caught sight of two red lights,
+bobbing in his direction. He watched them curiously till they vanished
+beneath the tower; and soon the key of the outer door turned, and two
+men, whom he knew to be the King's sons, Gram and Skule, talked softly
+together. He kept very still, so that they might think he was asleep,
+and he heard Skule say: 'Let us first get the golden key from him, and
+when we have taken from the chest as much as we can carry we will put
+him to death, lest he should betray us to our father.' Then Wayland
+took a large sword which lay by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> his side and hid it behind his seat,
+and he had scarcely done so when the princes entered the prison. 'Good
+greeting to you,' said Gram. 'Nidud our father has gone a journey into
+the country, and as he is so greedy of wealth that he will give us
+none, we have come here to get it for ourselves. Hand us the key and
+swear not to tell our father, or you shall die.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_344.jpg" width="500" height="749" alt="The Merman warns Banvilda in vain." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Merman warns Banvilda in vain.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>'My good lords,' answered Wayland, 'your request is reasonable, and I
+am not so foolish as to refuse it. Here is the key, and in the name of
+the gods I will swear not to betray you.'</p>
+
+<p>The brothers took the key, and opened the chest that stood by Wayland,
+which was still half full of gold. It dazzled their eyes, and they
+both stooped down so as to see it better. This was what Wayland had
+waited for, and, seizing his sword, he cut off their heads, which fell
+into the chest. He then shut down the lid, and dug a grave for the
+bodies in the floor of his dungeon. Afterwards he dried the skulls in
+the sun, and made them into two drinking cups wrought with gold. The
+eyes he set with precious stones and fashioned into armlets, while the
+teeth he filed till they were shaped like pearls, and strung like a
+necklace.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the King came back from his journey he paid a visit to
+Wayland, who produced the drinking cups, which he said were made of
+some curious shells washed up in a gale close to his window. The
+armlet he sent as a present to the Queen, and the bracelet to the
+Princess.</p>
+
+<p>After some days had passed, and Gram and Skule had not returned, the
+King ordered a search to be made for them, and that very evening some
+sailors brought back their boat, which had drifted into the open sea.
+Their bodies, of course, were not to be found, and the King ordered a
+splendid funeral feast to be prepared to do them honour. On this
+occasion the new drinking cups were filled with mead, and, besides her
+necklace, Banvilda wore the ring which her father had taken long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> ago from Wayland's house. As was the custom, the feast lasted long,
+and the dead Princes were forgotten by the guests, who drank deeply
+and grew merry. But at midnight their gaiety suddenly came to an end.
+The King was in the act of drinking from the cup of mead when he felt
+a violent pain in his head and let the vessel fall. The hues of the
+armlet became so strange and dreadful that the Queen's eyes suffered
+agony from looking at them, and she tore the armlets off her; while
+Banvilda was seized with such severe toothache that she could sit at
+table no longer. The guests at once took leave, but it was not till
+the sun rose that the pains of their hosts went away.</p>
+
+<p>In the torture of toothache which she had endured during the night
+Banvilda had dashed her arm against the wall, and had broken some of
+the ornaments off the ring. She feared to tell her father, who would
+be sure to punish her, and was in despair how to get the ring mended
+when she caught sight of the island on which Wayland's tower stood.
+'If I had not mocked at him he might have helped me now,' thought she.
+But no other way seemed to offer itself, and in the evening she
+loosened a boat and began to row to the tower. On the way she met an
+old merman with a long beard, floating on the waves, who warned her
+not to go on; but she paid no heed, and only rowed the faster.</p>
+
+<p>She entered the tower by a false key, and, holding the ring out to
+Wayland, begged him to mend it as fast as possible, so that she might
+return before she was missed. Wayland answered her with courtesy, and
+promised to do his best, but said that she would have to blow the
+bellows to keep the forge fire alight. 'How comes it that these
+bellows are sprinkled with blood?' asked Banvilda.</p>
+
+<p>'It is the blood of two young sea dogs,' answered Wayland; 'they
+troubled me for long, but I caught them when they least expected it.
+But blow, I pray you, the bellows harder, or I shall never be
+finished.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_348.jpg" width="500" height="850" alt="THE CHARIOT OF FREYA" title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE CHARIOT OF FREYA</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Banvilda did as she was told, but soon grew tired and thirsty, and
+begged Wayland to give her something to drink. He mixed something
+sweet in a cup, which she swallowed hastily, and soon fell fast asleep
+on a bench. Then Wayland bound her hands, and placed her in the boat,
+after which he cut the rope that held it and let it drift out to sea.
+This done, he shut the door of the tower, and, taking a piece of gold,
+he engraved on it the history of all that had happened and put it
+where it must meet the King's eye when next he came. 'Now is my hour
+come,' he cried with joy, snatching his spear from the wall, but
+before he could throw himself on it he heard a distant song and the
+notes of a lute.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the sun was high in the heavens, yet its brightness did
+not hinder Wayland from seeing a large star, which was floating
+towards him, and a brilliant rainbow spanned the sky. The flowers on
+the island unfolded themselves as the star drew near, and he could
+smell the smell of the roses on the shore. And now Wayland saw it was
+no star, but the golden chariot of Freya the goddess, whose blue
+mantle floated behind her till it was lost in the blue of the sky. On
+her left was a maiden dressed in garlands of fresh green leaves, and
+on her right was one clad in a garment of red. At the sight Wayland's
+heart beat high, for he thought of the lump of gold set with jewels
+which he and his brothers had found in the mountain so long ago.
+Fairies fluttered round them, mermaids rose from the depths of the sea
+to welcome them, and as Freya and her maidens entered the prison
+Wayland saw that she who wore the red garment was really Alvilda.
+'Wayland,' said the goddess, 'your time of woe is past. You have
+suffered much and have avenged your wrongs, and now Odin has granted
+my prayer that Alvilda shall stay by you for the rest of your life,
+and when you die she shall carry you in her arms to the country of
+Walhalla, where you shall forge golden armour and fashion drinking
+horns for the gods.'</p>
+
+<p>When Freya had spoken, she beckoned to the green maiden, who held in
+her hand a root and a knife. She cut pieces off the root and laid them
+on Wayland's feet, and on his eye, then, placing some leaves from her
+garland over the whole, she breathed gently on it. 'Eyr the physician
+has healed me,' cried Wayland, and the fairies took him in their arms
+and bore him across the waves to a bower in the forest, where he
+dreamed that Alvilda and Slagfid and Eigil were all bending over him.</p>
+
+<p>When he woke Alvilda was indeed there, and he seemed to catch glimpses
+of his brothers amid the leaves of the trees. 'Arise, my husband,'
+said Alvilda, 'and go straight to the Court of Nidud. He still sleeps,
+and knows nothing. Throw this mantle on your shoulders, and they will
+take you for his servant.'</p>
+
+<p>So Wayland went, and reached the royal chamber, and in his sleep the
+King trembled, though he knew not that Wayland was near. 'Awake,'
+cried Wayland, and the King woke, and asked who had dared to disturb
+him thus.</p>
+
+<p>'Be not angry,' answered Wayland; 'had you slain Wayland long ago, the
+misfortune that I have to tell you of would never have happened.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do not name his name,' said the King, 'since he sent me those
+drinking cups a burning fever has laid hold upon me.'</p>
+
+<p>'They were not shells, as he told you,' answered Wayland, 'but the
+skulls of your two sons, Sir King. Their bodies you will find in
+Wayland's tower. As for your daughter she is tossing, bound, on the
+wild waves of the sea. But now I, Wayland, have come to give you your
+deathblow&mdash;&mdash;' But before he could draw his sword fear had slain the
+King yet more quickly.</p>
+
+<p>So Wayland went back to Alvilda, and they went into another country,
+where he became a famous smith, and he lived to a good old age; and
+when he died he was carried in Alvilda's arms to Walhalla, as Freya
+had promised.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_ROBIN_HOOD" id="THE_STORY_OF_ROBIN_HOOD"></a>THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD</i></h2>
+<p>Many hundreds of years ago, when the Plantagenets were kings, England
+was so covered with woods that a squirrel was said to be able to hop
+from tree to tree from the Severn to the Humber. It must have been
+very different to look at from the country we travel through now; but
+still there were roads that ran from north to south and from east to
+west, for the use of those that wished to leave their homes, and at
+certain times of the year these roads were thronged with people.
+Pilgrims going to some holy shrine passed along, merchants taking
+their wares to Court, fat Abbots and Bishops ambling by on palfreys
+nearly as fat as themselves, to bear their part in the King's Council,
+and, more frequently still, a solitary Knight, seeking adventures.</p>
+
+<p>Besides the broad roads there were small tracks and little green
+paths, and these led to clumps of low huts, where dwelt the peasants,
+charcoal-burners, and plough-men, and here and there some larger
+clearing than usual told that the house of a yeoman was near. Now and
+then as you passed through the forest you might ride by a splendid
+abbey, and catch a glimpse of monks in long black or white gowns,
+fishing in the streams and rivers that abound in this part of England,
+or casting nets in the fish ponds which were in the midst of the abbey
+gardens. Or you might chance to see a castle with round turrets and
+high battlements, circled by strong walls, and protected by a moat
+full of water.</p>
+
+<p>This was the sort of England into which the famous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> Robin Hood was
+born. We do not know anything about him, who he was, or where he
+lived, or what evil deed he had done to put him beyond the King's
+grace. For he was an outlaw, and any man might kill him and never pay
+penalty for it. But, outlaw or not, the poor people loved him and
+looked on him as their friend, and many a stout fellow came to join
+him, and led a merry life in the greenwood, with moss and fern for
+bed, and for meat the King's deer, which it was death to slay.
+Peasants of all sorts, tillers of the land, yeomen, and as some say
+Knights, went on their ways freely, for of them Robin took no toll;
+but lordly churchmen with money-bags well filled, or proud Bishops
+with their richly dressed followers, trembled as they drew near to
+Sherwood Forest&mdash;who was to know whether behind every tree there did
+not lurk Robin Hood or one of his men?</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span></p>
+<h3>THE COMING OF LITTLE JOHN</h3>
+<p>One day Robin was walking alone in the wood, and reached a river which
+was spanned by a very narrow bridge, over which one man only could
+pass. In the midst stood a stranger, and Robin bade him go back and
+let him go over. 'I am no man of yours,' was all the answer Robin got,
+and in anger he drew his bow and fitted an arrow to it. 'Would you
+shoot a man who has no arms but a staff?' asked the stranger in scorn;
+and with shame Robin laid down his bow, and unbuckled an oaken stick
+at his side. 'We will fight till one of us falls into the water,' he
+said; and fight they did, till the stranger planted a blow so well
+that Robin rolled over into the river. 'You are a brave soul,' said
+he, when he had waded to land, and he blew a blast with his horn which
+brought fifty good fellows, clad in green, to the little bridge. 'Have
+you fallen into the river that your clothes are wet?' asked one; and
+Robin made answer, 'No, but this stranger, fighting on the bridge, got
+the better of me, and tumbled me into the stream.'</p>
+
+<p>At this the foresters seized the stranger, and would have ducked him
+had not their leader bade them stop, and begged the stranger to stay
+with them and make one of themselves. 'Here is my hand,' replied the
+stranger, 'and my heart with it. My name, if you would know it, is
+John Little.'</p>
+
+<p>'That must be altered,' cried Will Scarlett; 'we will call a feast,
+and henceforth, because he is full seven feet tall and round the waist
+at least an ell, he shall be called Little John.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And thus it was done; but at the feast Little John, who always liked
+to know exactly what work he had to do, put some questions to Robin
+Hood. 'Before I join hands with you, tell me first what sort of life
+is this you lead? How am I to know whose goods I shall take, and whose
+I shall leave? Whom I shall beat, and whom I shall refrain from
+beating?'</p>
+
+<p>And Robin answered: 'Look that you harm not any tiller of the ground,
+nor any yeoman of the greenwood&mdash;no, nor no Knight nor Squire, unless
+you have heard him ill spoken of. But if Bishops or Archbishops come
+your way, see that you spoil <i>them</i>, and mark that you always hold in
+your mind the High Sheriff of Nottingham.'</p>
+
+<p>This being settled, Robin Hood declared Little John to be second in
+command to himself among the brotherhood of the forest, and the new
+outlaw never forgot to 'hold in his mind' the High Sheriff of
+Nottingham, who was the bitterest enemy the foresters had.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span></p>
+<h3>LITTLE JOHN'S FIRST ADVENTURE</h3>
+<p>Robin Hood, however, had no liking for a company of idle men about
+him, and he at once sent off Little John and Will Scarlett to the
+great road known as Watling Street, with orders to hide among the
+trees and wait till some adventure might come to them; and if they
+took captive Earl or Baron, Abbot or Knight, he was to be brought
+unharmed back to Robin Hood.</p>
+
+<p>But all along Watling Street the road was bare; white and hard it lay
+in the sun, without the tiniest cloud of dust to show that a rich
+company might be coming: east and west the land lay still.</p>
+
+<p>At length, just where a side path turned into the broad highway, there
+rode a Knight, and a sorrier man than he never sat a horse on summer
+day. One foot only was in the stirrup, the other hung carelessly by
+his side; his head was bowed, the reins dropped loose, and his horse
+went on as he would. At so sad a sight the hearts of the outlaws were
+filled with pity, and Little John fell on his knees and bade the
+Knight welcome in the name of his master.</p>
+
+<p>'Who is your master?' asked the Knight.</p>
+
+<p>'Robin Hood,' answered Little John.</p>
+
+<p>'I have heard much good of him,' replied the Knight, 'and will go with
+you gladly.'</p>
+
+<p>Then they all set off together, tears running down the Knight's cheeks
+as he rode, but he said nothing, neither was anything said to him. And
+in this wise they came to Robin Hood.</p>
+
+<p>'Welcome, Sir Knight,' cried he, 'and thrice welcome,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> for I waited to
+break my fast till you or some other had come to me.'</p>
+
+<p>'God save you, good Robin,' answered the Knight, and after they had
+washed themselves in the stream they sat down to dine off bread and
+wine, with flesh of the King's deer, and swans and pheasants. 'Such a
+dinner have I not had for three weeks and more,' said the Knight. 'And
+if I ever come again this way, good Robin, I will give you as fine a
+dinner as you have given me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you,' replied Robin, 'my dinner is always welcome; still, I
+am none so greedy but I can wait for it. But before you go, pay me, I
+pray you, for the food which you have had. It was never the custom for
+a yeoman to pay for a Knight.'</p>
+
+<p>'My bag is empty,' said the Knight, 'save for ten shillings only.'</p>
+
+<p>'Go, Little John, and look in his wallet,' said Robin, 'and, Sir
+Knight, if in truth you have no more, not one penny will I take, nay,
+I will give you all that you shall need.'</p>
+
+<p>So Little John spread out the Knight's mantle, and opened the bag, and
+therein lay ten shillings and naught besides.</p>
+
+<p>'What tidings, Little John?' cried his master.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, the Knight speaks truly,' said Little John.</p>
+
+<p>'Then fill a cup of the best wine and tell me, Sir Knight, whether it
+is your own ill doings which have brought you to this sorry pass.'</p>
+
+<p>'For an hundred years my fathers have dwelt in the forest,' answered
+the Knight, 'and four hundred pounds might they spend yearly. But
+within two years misfortune has befallen me, and my wife and children
+also.'</p>
+
+<p>'How did this evil come to pass?' asked Robin.</p>
+
+<p>'Through my own folly,' answered the Knight, 'and because of the great
+love I bore my son, who would never be guided of my counsel, and slew,
+ere he was twenty years old, a Knight of Lancaster and his Squire. For
+their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> deaths I had to pay a large sum, which I could not raise
+without giving my lands in pledge to the rich Abbot of St. Mary's. If
+I cannot bring him the money by a certain day they will be lost to me
+for ever.'</p>
+
+<p>'What is the sum?' asked Robin. 'Tell me truly.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is four hundred pounds,' said the Knight.</p>
+
+<p>'And what will you do if you lose your lands?' asked Robin again.</p>
+
+<p>'Hide myself over the sea,' said the Knight, 'and bid farewell to my
+friends and country. There is no better way open to me.'</p>
+
+<p>At this tears fell from his eyes, and he turned him to depart. 'Good
+day, my friend,' he said to Robin, 'I cannot pay you what I should&mdash;'
+But Robin held him fast. 'Where <i>are</i> your friends?' asked he.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir, they have all forsaken me since I became poor, and they turn
+away their heads if we meet upon the road, though when I was rich they
+were ever in my castle.'</p>
+
+<p>When Little John and Will Scarlett and the rest heard this they wept
+for very shame and fury and Robin bade them fill a cup of the best
+wine, and give it to the Knight.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you no one who would stay surety for you?' said he.</p>
+
+<p>'None,' answered the Knight, 'but only Our Lady, who has never yet
+failed to help me.'</p>
+
+<p>'You speak well,' said Robin, 'and you, Little John, go to my treasure
+chest, and bring me thence four hundred pounds. And be sure you count
+it truly.'</p>
+
+<p>So Little John went, and Will Scarlett, and they brought back the
+money.</p>
+
+<p>'Sir,' said Little John, when Robin had counted it and found it no
+more nor no less, 'look at his clothes, how thin they are! You have
+stores of garments, green and scarlet, in your coffers&mdash;no merchant in
+England can boast the like. I will measure some out with my bow.' And
+thus he did.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Master,' spoke Little John again, 'there is still something else. You
+must give him a horse, that he may go as beseems his quality to the
+Abbey.'</p>
+
+<p>'Take the grey horse,' said Robin, 'and put a new saddle on it, and
+take likewise a good palfrey and a pair of boots, with gilt spurs on
+them. And as it were a shame for a Knight to ride by himself on this
+errand, I will lend you Little John as Squire&mdash;perchance he may stand
+you in yeoman's stead.'</p>
+
+<p>'When shall we meet again?' asked the Knight.</p>
+
+<p>'This day twelve months,' said Robin, 'under the greenwood tree.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the Knight rode on his way, with Little John behind him, and as
+he went he thought of Robin Hood and his men, and blessed them for the
+goodness they had shown towards him.</p>
+
+<p>'To-morrow,' he said to Little John, 'I must be at the Abbey of St.
+Mary, which is in the city of York, for if I am but so much as a day
+late my lands are lost for ever, and though I were to bring the money
+I should not be suffered to redeem them.'</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Now the Abbot had been counting the days as well as the Knight, and
+the next morning he said to his monks: 'This day year there came a
+Knight and borrowed of me four hundred pounds, giving his lands in
+surety. And if he come not to pay his debt ere midnight tolls they
+will be ours for ever.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is full early yet,' answered the Prior, 'he may still be coming.'</p>
+
+<p>'He is far beyond the sea,' said the Abbot, 'and suffers from hunger
+and cold. How is he to get here?'</p>
+
+<p>'It were a shame,' said the Prior, 'for you to take his lands. And you
+do him much wrong if you drive such a hard bargain.'</p>
+
+<p>'He is dead or hanged,' spake a fat-headed monk who was the cellarer,
+'and we shall have his four hundred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> pounds to spend on our gardens
+and our wines,' and he went with the Abbot to attend the court of
+justice wherein the Knight's lands would be declared forfeited by the
+High Justiciar.</p>
+
+<p>'If he come not this day,' cried the Abbot, rubbing his hands, 'if he
+come not this day, they will be ours.'</p>
+
+<p>'He will not come yet,' said the Justiciar, but he knew not that the
+Knight was already at the outer gate, and Little John with him.</p>
+
+<p>'Welcome, Sir Knight,' said the porter. 'The horse that you ride is
+the noblest that ever I saw. Let me lead them both to the stable, that
+they may have food and rest.'</p>
+
+<p>'They shall not pass these gates,' answered the Knight sternly, and he
+entered the hall alone, where the monks were sitting at meat, and
+knelt down and bowed to them.</p>
+
+<p>'I have come back, my lord,' he said to the Abbot, who had just
+returned from the court. 'I have come back this day as I promised.'</p>
+
+<p>'Have you brought my money?' was all the Abbot said.</p>
+
+<p>'Not a penny,' answered the Knight, who wished to see how the Abbot
+would treat him.</p>
+
+<p>'Then what do you here without it?' cried the Abbot in angry tones.</p>
+
+<p>'I have come to pray you for a longer day,' answered the Knight
+meekly.</p>
+
+<p>'The day was fixed and cannot be gainsaid,' replied the Justiciar, but
+the Knight only begged that he would stand his friend and help him in
+his strait. 'I am with the Abbot,' was all the Justiciar would answer.</p>
+
+<p>'Good Sir Abbot, be my friend,' prayed the Knight again, 'and give me
+one chance more to get the money and free my lands. I will serve you
+day and night till I have four hundred pounds to redeem them.'</p>
+
+<p>But the Abbot only swore a great oath, and vowed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> that the money must
+be paid that day or the lands be forfeited.</p>
+
+<p>The Knight stood up straight and tall: 'It is well,' said he, 'to
+prove one's friends against the hour of need,' and he looked the Abbot
+full in the face, and the Abbot felt uneasy, he did not know why, and
+hated the Knight more than ever. 'Out of my hall, false Knight!' cried
+he, pretending to a courage which he did not feel. But the Knight
+stayed where he was, and answered him, 'You lie, Abbot. Never was I
+false, and that I have shown in jousts and in tourneys.'</p>
+
+<p>'Give him two hundred pounds more,' said the Justiciar to the Abbot,
+'and keep the lands yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, by Heaven!' answered the Knight, 'not if you offered me a
+thousand pounds would I do it! Neither Justiciar, Abbot, nor Monk
+shall be heir of mine.' Then he strode up to a table and emptied out
+four hundred pounds. 'Take your gold, Sir Abbot, which you lent to me
+a year agone. Had you but received me civilly, I would have paid you
+something more.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Sir Abbot, and ye men of law,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Now have I kept my day!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Now shall I have my land again,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">For aught that you may say.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>So he passed out of the hall singing merrily, leaving the Abbot
+staring silently after him, and rode back to his house in Verisdale,
+where his wife met him at the gate.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Welcome, my lord,' said his lady,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'Sir, lost is all your good.'<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Be merry, dame,' said the Knight,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'And pray for Robin Hood.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>'But for his kindness, we had been beggars.'</p>
+
+<p>After this the Knight dwelt at home, looking after his lands, and
+saving his money carefully till the four hundred pounds lay ready for
+Robin Hood. Then he bought a hundred bows and a hundred arrows, and
+every arrow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> was an ell long, and had a head of silver and peacock's
+feathers. And clothing himself in white and red, and with a hundred
+men in his train, he set off to Sherwood Forest.</p>
+
+<p>On the way he passed an open space near a bridge where there was a
+wrestling, and the Knight stopped and looked, for he himself had taken
+many a prize in that sport. Here the prizes were such as to fill any
+man with envy; a fine horse, saddled and bridled, a great white bull,
+a pair of gloves, a ring of bright red gold, and a pipe of wine. There
+was not a yeoman present who did not hope to win one of them. But when
+the wrestling was over, the yeoman who had beaten them all was a man
+who kept apart from his fellows, and was said to think much of
+himself. Therefore the men grudged him his skill, and set upon him
+with blows, and would have killed him, had not the Knight, for love of
+Robin Hood, taken pity on him, while his followers fought with the
+crowd, and would not suffer them to touch the prizes a better man had
+won.</p>
+
+<p>When the wrestling was finished the Knight rode on, and there under
+the greenwood tree, in the place appointed, he found Robin Hood and
+his merry men waiting for him, according to the tryst that they had
+fixed last year:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'God save thee, Robin Hood,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And all this company.'<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And right welcome to me.'<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Hast thou thy land again?' said Robin,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'Truth then tell thou me.'<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Yea, for God,' said the Knight,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'And that thank I God and thee.'<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Have here four hundred pounds,' said the Knight,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'The which you lent to me;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And here are also twenty marks<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">For your courtesie.'<br /></span>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span></div></div>
+
+<p>But Robin would not take the money. A miracle had happened, he said,
+and Our Lady had paid it to him, and shame would it be for him to take
+it twice over. Then he noticed for the first time the bows and arrows
+which the Knight had brought, and asked what they were. 'A poor
+present to you,' answered the Knight, and Robin, who would not be
+outdone, sent Little John once more to his treasury, and bade him
+bring forth four hundred pounds, which was given to the Knight. After
+that they parted, in much love, and Robin prayed the Knight if he were
+in any strait 'to let him know at the greenwood tree, and while there
+was any gold there he should have it.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span></p>
+<h3>
+  HOW LITTLE JOHN BECAME THE<br />
+  SHERIFF'S SERVANT</h3>
+<p>Meanwhile the High Sheriff of Nottingham proclaimed a great
+shooting-match in a broad open space, and Little John was minded to
+try his skill with the rest. He rode through the forest, whistling
+gaily to himself, for well he knew that not one of Robin Hood's men
+could send an arrow as straight as he, and he felt little fear of
+anyone else. When he reached the trysting place he found a large
+company assembled, the Sheriff with them, and the rules of the match
+were read out: where they were to stand, how far the mark was to be,
+and how that three tries should be given to every man.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the shooters shot near the mark, some of them even touched it,
+but none but Little John split the slender wand of willow with every
+arrow that flew from his bow. And at this sight the Sheriff of
+Nottingham swore a great oath that Little John was the best archer
+that ever he had seen, and asked him who he was and where he was born,
+and vowed that if he would enter his service he would give twenty
+marks a year to so good a bowman.</p>
+
+<p>Little John, who did not wish to confess that he was one of Robin
+Hood's men and an outlaw, said his name was Reynold Greenleaf, and
+that he was in the service of a Knight, whose leave he must get before
+he became the servant of any man. This was given heartily by the
+Knight, and Little John bound himself to the Sheriff for the space of
+twelve months, and was given a good white horse to ride on whenever he
+went abroad. But for all that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> he did not like his bargain, and made
+up his mind to do the Sheriff, who was hated of the outlaws, all the
+mischief he could.</p>
+
+<p>His chance came on a Wednesday when the Sheriff always went hunting
+and Little John lay in bed till noon, when he grew hungry. Then he got
+up, and told the steward that he wanted some dinner. The steward
+answered he should have nothing till the Sheriff came home, so Little
+John grumbled and left him, and sought out the butler. Here he was no
+more successful than before; the butler just went to the buttery door
+and locked it, and told Little John that he would have to make himself
+happy till his lord returned.</p>
+
+<p>Rude words mattered nothing to Little John, who was not accustomed to
+be baulked by trifles, so he gave a mighty kick which burst open the
+door, and then ate and drank as much as he would, and when he had
+finished all there was in the buttery, he went down into the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Sheriff's cook was a strong man and a bold one, and had no
+mind to let another man play the king in his kitchen; so he gave
+Little John three smart blows, which were returned heartily. 'Thou art
+a brave man and hardy,' said Little John, 'and a good fighter withal.
+I have a sword, take you another, and let us see which is the better
+man of us twain.'</p>
+
+<p>The cook did as he was bid, and for two hours they fought, neither of
+them harming the other. 'Fellow,' said Little John at last, 'you are
+one of the best swordsmen that I ever saw&mdash;and if you could shoot as
+well with the bow I would take you back to the merry greenwood, and
+Robin Hood would give you twenty marks a year and two changes of
+clothing.'</p>
+
+<p>'Put up your sword,' said the cook, 'and I will go with you. But first
+we will have some food in my kitchen, and carry off a little of the
+gold that is in the Sheriff's treasure house.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They ate and drank till they wanted no more, then they broke the locks
+of the treasure house, and took of the silver as much as they could
+carry, three hundred pounds and more, and departed unseen by anyone to
+Robin in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>'Welcome! Welcome!' cried Robin when he saw them, 'welcome, too, to
+the fair yeoman you bring with you. What tidings from Nottingham,
+Little John?'</p>
+
+<p>'The proud Sheriff greets you, and sends you by my hand his cook and
+his silver vessels, and three hundred pounds and three also.'</p>
+
+<p>Robin shook his head, for he knew better than to believe Little John's
+tale. 'It was never by his good will that you brought such treasure to
+me,' he answered, and Little John, fearing that he might be ordered to
+take it back again, slipped away into the forest to carry out a plan
+that had just come into his head.</p>
+
+<p>He ran straight on for five miles, till he came up with the Sheriff,
+who was still hunting, and flung himself on his knees before him.</p>
+
+<p>'Reynold Greenleaf,' cried the Sheriff, 'what are you doing here, and
+where have you been?'</p>
+
+<p>'I have been in the forest, where I saw a fair hart of a green colour,
+and sevenscore deer feeding hard by.'</p>
+
+<p>'That sight would I see too,' said the Sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>'Then follow me,' answered Little John, and he ran back the way he
+came, the Sheriff following on horseback, till they turned a corner of
+the forest, and found themselves in Robin Hood's presence. 'Sir, here
+is the master-hart,' said Little John.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Still stood the proud Sheriff,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">A sorry man was he,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Woe be to you, Reynold Greenleaf,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Thou hast betrayed me!'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>'It was not my fault,' answered Little John, 'but the fault of your
+servants, master. For they would not give me my dinner,' and he went
+away to see to the supper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was spread under the greenwood tree, and they sat down to it,
+hungry men all. But when the Sheriff saw himself served from his own
+vessels, his appetite went from him.</p>
+
+<p>'Take heart, man,' said Robin Hood, 'and think not we will poison you.
+For charity's sake, and for the love of Little John, your life shall
+be granted you. Only for twelve months you shall dwell with me, and
+learn what it is to be an outlaw.'</p>
+
+<p>To the Sheriff this punishment was worse to bear than the loss of gold
+or silver dishes, and earnestly he begged Robin Hood to set him free,
+vowing he would prove himself the best friend that ever the foresters
+had.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Robin nor any of his men believed him, but he took a great
+oath that he would never seek to do them harm, and that if he found
+any of them in evil plight he would deliver them out of it. With that
+Robin let him go.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span></p>
+<h3>HOW ROBIN MET FRIAR TUCK</h3>
+<p>In many ways life in the forest was dull in the winter, and often the
+days passed slowly; but in summer, when the leaves grew green, and
+flowers and ferns covered all the woodland, Robin Hood and his men
+would come out of their warm resting places, like the rabbits and the
+squirrels, and would play too. Races they ran, to stretch their legs,
+or leaping matches were arranged, or they would shoot at a mark.
+Anything was pleasant, when the grass was soft once more under their
+feet.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>'Who can kill a hart of grace five hundred paces off?'</p>
+
+<p>So said Robin to his men in the bright May time; and they went into
+the wood and tried their skill, and in the end it was Little John who
+brought down the 'hart of grace,' to the great joy of Robin Hood. 'I
+would ride my horse a hundred miles to find one who could match with
+thee,' he said to Little John, and Will Scarlett, who was perhaps
+rather jealous of this mighty deed, answered with a laugh, 'There
+lives a friar in Fountains Abbey who would beat both him and you.'</p>
+
+<p>Now Robin Hood did not like to be told that any man could shoot better
+than himself or his foresters, so he swore lustily that he would
+neither eat nor drink till he had seen that friar. Leaving his men
+where they were, he put on a coat of mail and a steel cap, took his
+shield and sword, slung his bow over his shoulder, and filled his
+quiver with arrows. Thus armed, he set forth to Fountains Dale.</p>
+
+<p>By the side of the river a friar was walking, armed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> like Robin, but
+without a bow. At this sight Robin jumped from his horse, which he
+tied to a thorn, and called to the friar to carry him over the water
+or it would cost him his life.</p>
+
+<p>The friar said nothing, but hoisted Robin on his broad back and
+marched into the river. Not a word was spoken till they reached the
+other side, when Robin leaped lightly down, and was going on his way
+when the friar stopped him. 'Not so fast, my fine fellow,' said he.
+'It is my turn now, and you shall take me across the river, or woe
+will betide you.' So Robin carried him, and when they had reached the
+side from which they had started he set down the friar and jumped for
+the second time on his back, and bade him take him whence he had come.
+The friar strode into the stream with his burden, but as soon as they
+got to the middle he bent his head and Robin fell into the water. 'Now
+you can sink or swim as you like,' said the friar, as he stood and
+laughed.</p>
+
+<p>Robin Hood swam to a bush of golden broom, and pulled himself out of
+the water, and while the friar was scrambling out Robin fitted an
+arrow to his bow and let fly at him. But the friar quickly held up his
+shield, and the arrow fell harmless.</p>
+
+<p>'Shoot on, my fine fellow, shoot on all day if you like,' shouted the
+friar, and Robin shot till his arrows were gone, but always missed his
+mark. Then they took their swords, and at four of the afternoon they
+were still fighting.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Robin's strength was wearing, and he felt he could not
+fight much more. 'A boon, a boon!' cried he. 'Let me but blow three
+blasts on my horn, and I will thank you on my bended knees for it.'</p>
+
+<p>The friar told him to blow as many blasts as he liked, and in an
+instant the forest echoed with his horn; it was but a few minutes
+before 'half a hundred yeomen were racing over the lea.' The friar
+stared when he saw them; then, turning to Robin, he begged of him a
+boon also, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> leave being granted he gave three whistles, which were
+followed by the noise of a great crashing through the trees, as fifty
+great dogs bounded towards him.</p>
+
+<p>'Here's a dog for each of your men,' said the friar, 'and I myself for
+you'; but the dogs did not listen to his words, for two of them rushed
+at Robin, and tore his mantle of Lincoln green from off his back. His
+men were too busy defending themselves to take heed of their master's
+plight, for every arrow shot at a dog was caught and held in the
+creature's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Robin's men were not used to fight with dogs, and felt they were
+getting beaten. At last Little John bade the friar call off his dogs,
+and as he did not do so at once he let fly some arrows, which this
+time left half a dozen dead on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>'Hold, hold, my good fellow,' said the friar, 'till your master and I
+can come to a bargain,' and when the bargain was made this was how it
+ran. That the friar was to forswear Fountains Abbey and join Robin
+Hood, and that he should be paid a golden noble every Sunday
+throughout the year, besides a change of clothes on each holy day.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">This Friar had kept Fountains Dale<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Seven long years or more,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">There was neither Knight, nor Lord, nor Earl<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Could make him yield before.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>But now he became one of the most famous members of Robin Hood's men
+under the name of Friar Tuck.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span></p>
+<h3>
+  HOW ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN<br />
+  FELL OUT</h3>
+<p>One Whitsunday morning, when the sun was shining and the birds
+singing, Robin Hood called to Little John to come with him into
+Nottingham to hear Mass. As was their custom, they took their bows,
+and on the way Little John proposed that they should shoot a match
+with a penny for a wager. Robin, who held that he himself shot better
+than any man living, laughed in scorn, and told Little John that he
+should have three tries to his master's one, which John without more
+ado accepted. But Robin soon repented both of his offer and his scorn,
+for Little John speedily won five shillings, whereat Robin became
+angry and smote Little John with his hand. Little John was not the man
+to bear being treated so, and he told Robin roundly that he would
+never more own him for master, and straightway turned back into the
+wood. At this Robin was ashamed of what he had done, but his pride
+would not suffer him to say so, and he continued his way to
+Nottingham, and entered the Church of St. Mary, not without secret
+fears, for the Sheriff of the town was ever his enemy. However, there
+he was, and there he meant to stay.</p>
+
+<p>He knelt down before the great cross in the sight of all the people,
+but none knew him save one monk only, and he stole out of church and
+ran to the Sheriff, and bade him come quickly and take his foe. The
+Sheriff was not slow to do the monk's bidding, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> calling his men
+to follow him, he marched to the church. The noise they made in
+entering caused Robin to look round. 'Alas, alas,' he said to himself,
+'now miss I Little John.'</p>
+
+<p>But he drew his two-handed sword and laid about him in such wise that
+twelve of the Sheriff's men lay dead before him. Then Robin found
+himself face to face with the Sheriff, and gave him a fierce blow; but
+his sword broke on the Sheriff's head, and he had shot away all his
+arrows. So the men closed round him, and bound his arms.</p>
+
+<p>Ill news travels fast, and not many hours had passed before the
+foresters heard that their master was in prison. They wept and moaned
+and wrung their hands, and seemed to have gone suddenly mad, till
+Little John bade them pluck up their hearts and help him to deal with
+the monk.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning he hid himself, and waited with a comrade, Much by
+name, till he saw the monk riding along the road, with a page behind
+him, carrying letters from the Sheriff to the King telling of Robin's
+capture.</p>
+
+<p>'Whence come you?' asked Little John, going up to the monk, 'and can
+you give us tidings of a false outlaw named Robin Hood, who was taken
+prisoner yesterday? He robbed both me and my fellow of twenty marks,
+and glad should we be to hear of his undoing.'</p>
+
+<p>'He robbed me, too,' said the monk, 'of a hundred pounds and more, but
+I have laid hands on him, and for that you may thank me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you so much that, with your leave, I and my friend will bear
+you company,' answered Little John; 'for in this forest are many wild
+men who own Robin Hood for leader, and you ride along this road at the
+peril of your life.'</p>
+
+<p>They went on together, talking the while, when suddenly Little John
+seized the horse by the head and pulled down the monk by his hood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'He was my master,' said Little John,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'That you have brought to bale,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Never shall you come at the King<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'For to tell him that tale.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>At these words the monk uttered loud cries, but Little John took no
+heed of him, and smote off his head, as Much had already smitten off
+that of the page, lest he should carry the news of what had happened
+back to the Sheriff. After this they buried the bodies, and, taking
+the letters, carried them themselves to the King.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived at the Palace, in the presence of the King, Little
+John fell on his knees and held the letter out. 'God save you, my
+liege lord,' he said; and the King unfolded the letters and read them.</p>
+
+<p>'There never was yeoman in Merry England I longed so sore to see,' he
+said. 'But where is the monk that should have brought these letters?'</p>
+
+<p>'He died by the way,' answered Little John; and the King asked no more
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty pounds each he ordered his treasurer to give to Much and to
+Little John, and made them yeomen of the crown. After which he handed
+his own seal to Little John and ordered him to bear it to the Sheriff,
+and bid him without delay bring Robin Hood unhurt into his presence.</p>
+
+<p>Little John did as the King bade him, and the Sheriff, at sight of the
+seal, gave him and Much welcome, and set a feast before them, at which
+John led him to drink heavily. Soon he fell asleep, and then the two
+outlaws stole softly to the prison. Here John ran the porter through
+the body for trying to stop his entrance, and, taking the keys, hunted
+through the cells until he had found Robin. Thrusting a sword into his
+hand Little John whispered to his master to follow him, and they crept
+along till they reached the lowest part of the city wall, from which
+they jumped and were safe and free.</p>
+
+<p>'Now, farewell,' said Little John, 'I have done you a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> good turn for
+an ill.' 'Not so,' answered Robin Hood, 'I make you master of my men
+and me,' but Little John would hear nothing of it. 'I only wish to be
+your comrade, and thus it shall be,' he replied.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>'Little John has beguiled us both,' said the King, when he heard of
+the adventure.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<h3>HOW THE KING VISITED ROBIN HOOD</h3>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_378.jpg" width="500" height="797" alt="There is Pith in your arm said ROBIN HOOD" title="" />
+<span class="caption">There is Pith in your arm said ROBIN HOOD</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Now the King had no mind that Robin Hood should do as he willed, and
+called his Knights to follow him to Nottingham, where they would lay
+plans how best to take captive the felon. Here they heard sad tales of
+Robin's misdoings, and how of the many herds of wild deer that had
+been wont to roam the forest in some places scarce one remained. This
+was the work of Robin Hood and his merry men, on whom the King swore
+vengeance with a great oath.</p>
+
+<p>'I would I had this Robin Hood in my hands,' cried he, 'and an end
+should soon be put to his doings.' So spake the King; but an old
+Knight, full of days and wisdom, answered him and warned him that the
+task of taking Robin Hood would be a sore one, and best let alone. The
+King, who had seen the vanity of his hot words the moment that he had
+uttered them, listened to the old man, and resolved to bide his time,
+if perchance some day Robin should fall into his power.</p>
+
+<p>All this time and for six weeks later that he dwelt in Nottingham the
+King could hear nothing of Robin, who seemed to have vanished into the
+earth with his merry men, though one by one the deer were vanishing
+too!</p>
+
+<p>At last one day a forester came to the King, and told him that if he
+would see Robin he must come with him and take five of his best
+Knights. The King eagerly sprang up to do his bidding, and the six men
+clad in monks' clothes mounted their palfreys and rode down to the
+Abbey, the King wearing an Abbot's broad hat over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> his crown and
+singing as he passed through the greenwood.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly at the turn of a path Robin and his archers appeared before
+them.</p>
+
+<p>'By your leave, Sir Abbot,' said Robin, seizing the King's bridle,
+'you will stay a while with us. Know that we are yeomen, who live upon
+the King's deer, and other food have we none. Now you have abbeys and
+churches, and gold in plenty; therefore give us some of it, in the
+name of holy charity.'</p>
+
+<p>'I have no more than forty pounds with me,' answered the King, 'but
+sorry I am it is not a hundred, for you should have had it all.'</p>
+
+<p>So Robin took the forty pounds, and gave half to his men, and then
+told the King he might go on his way. 'I thank you,' said the King,
+'but I would have you know that our liege lord has bid me bear you his
+seal, and pray you to come to Nottingham.'</p>
+
+<p>At this message Robin bent his knee.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'I love no man in all the world<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">So well as I do my King';<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>he cried, 'and Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, which fill my heart with
+joy, to-day thou shalt dine with me, for love of my King.' Then he led
+the King into an open place, and Robin took a horn and blew it loud,
+and at its blast seven score of young men came speedily to do his
+will.</p>
+
+<p>'They are quicker to do his bidding than my men are to do mine,' said
+the King to himself.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Speedily the foresters set out the dinner, venison, and white bread,
+and the good red wine, and Robin and Little John served the King.
+'Make good cheer,' said Robin, 'Abbot, for charity, and then you shall
+see what sort of life we lead, that so you may tell our King.'</p>
+
+<p>When he had finished eating the archers took their bows, and hung
+rose-garlands up with a string, and every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> man was to shoot through
+the garland. If he failed, he should have a buffet on the head from
+Robin.</p>
+
+<p>Good bowmen as they were, few managed to stand the test. Little John
+and Will Scarlett, and Much, all shot wide of the mark, and at length
+no one was left in but Robin himself and Gilbert of the White Hand.
+Then Robin fired his last bolt, and it fell three fingers from the
+garland. 'Master,' said Gilbert, 'you have lost, stand forth and take
+your punishment.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will take it,' answered Robin, 'but, Sir Abbot, I pray you that I
+may suffer it at your hands.'</p>
+
+<p>The King hesitated. 'It did not become him,' he said, 'to smite such a
+stout yeoman,' but Robin bade him smite on; so he turned up his
+sleeve, and gave Robin such a buffet on the head that he rolled upon
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p>'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin. 'Come, shoot a main with me.'
+And the King took up a bow, and in so doing his hat fell back and
+Robin saw his face.</p>
+
+<p>'My lord the King of England, now I know you well,' cried he, and he
+fell on his knees and all the outlaws with him. 'Mercy I ask, my lord
+the King, for my men and me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mercy I grant,' then said the King, 'and therefore I came hither, to
+bid you and your men leave the greenwood and dwell in my Court with
+me.'</p>
+
+<p>'So shall it be,' answered Robin, 'I and my men will come to your
+Court, and see how your service liketh us.'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>ROBIN AT COURT</h3>
+<p>'Have you any green cloth,' asked the King, 'that you could sell to
+me?' and Robin brought out thirty yards and more, and clad the King
+and his men in coats of Lincoln green. 'Now we will all ride to
+Nottingham,' said he, and they went merrily, shooting by the way.</p>
+
+<p>The people of Nottingham saw them coming, and trembled as they watched
+the dark mass of Lincoln green drawing near over the fields. 'I fear
+lest our King be slain,' whispered one to another, 'and if Robin Hood
+gets into the town there is not one of us whose life is safe'; and
+every man, woman, and child made ready to fly.</p>
+
+<p>The King laughed out when he saw their fright, and called them back.
+Right glad were they to hear his voice, and they feasted and made
+merry. A few days later the King returned to London, and Robin dwelt
+in his Court for twelve months. By that time he had spent a hundred
+pounds, for he gave largely to the Knights and Squires he met, and
+great renown he had for his open-handedness.</p>
+
+<p>But his men, who had been born under the shadow of the forest, could
+not live amid streets and houses. One by one they slipped away, till
+only Little John and Will Scarlett were left. Then Robin himself grew
+home-sick, and at the sight of some young men shooting thought upon
+the time when he was accounted the best archer in all England, and
+went straightway to the King and begged for leave to go on a
+pilgrimage to Bernisdale.</p>
+
+<p>'I may not say you nay,' answered the King, 'seven nights you may be
+gone and no more.' And Robin thanked him, and that evening set out for
+the greenwood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was early morning when he reached it at last, and listened
+thirstily to the notes of singing birds, great and small.</p>
+
+<p>'It seems long since I was here,' he said to himself; 'it would give
+me great joy if I could bring down a deer once more'; and he shot a
+great hart, and blew his horn, and all the outlaws of the forest came
+flocking round him. 'Welcome,' they said, 'our dear master, back to
+the greenwood tree,' and they threw off their caps and fell on their
+knees before him in delight at his return.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD</h3>
+<p>For two and twenty years Robin Hood dwelt in Sherwood Forest after he
+had run away from Court, and naught that the King could say would
+tempt him back again. At the end of that time he fell ill; he neither
+ate nor drank, and had no care for the things he loved. 'I must go to
+merry Kirkley,' said he, 'and have my blood let.'</p>
+
+<p>But Will Scarlett, who heard his words, spoke roundly to him. 'Not by
+<i>my</i> leave, nor without a hundred bowmen at your back. For there
+abides an evil man, who is sure to quarrel with you, and you will need
+us badly.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you are afraid, Will Scarlett, you may stay at home, for me,' said
+Robin, 'and in truth no man will I take with me, save Little John
+only, to carry my bow.'</p>
+
+<p>'Bear your bow yourself, master, and I will bear mine, and we will
+shoot for a penny as we ride.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well, let it be so,' said Robin, and they went on merrily enough
+till they came to some women weeping sorely near a stream.</p>
+
+<p>'What is the matter, good wives?' said Robin Hood.</p>
+
+<p>'We weep for Robin Hood and his dear body, which to-day must let
+blood,' was their answer.</p>
+
+<p>'Pray why do you weep for me?' asked Robin; 'the Prioress is the
+daughter of my aunt, and my cousin, and well I know she would not do
+me harm for all the world.' And he passed on, with Little John at his
+side.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they reached the Priory, where they were let in by the Prioress
+herself, who bade them welcome heartily, and not the less because
+Robin handed her twenty pounds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> in gold as payment for his stay, and
+told her if he cost her more she was to let him know of it. Then she
+began to bleed him, and for long Robin said nothing, giving her credit
+for kindness and for knowing her art, but at length so much blood came
+from him that he suspected treason. He tried to open the door, for she
+had left him alone in the room, but it was locked fast, and while the
+blood was still flowing he could not escape from the casement. So he
+lay down for many hours, and none came near him, and at length the
+blood stopped. Slowly Robin uprose and staggered to the
+lattice-window, and blew thrice on his horn; but the blast was so low,
+and so little like what Robin was wont to give, that Little John, who
+was watching for some sound, felt that his master must be nigh to
+death.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_386.jpg" width="500" height="789" alt="ROBIN HOOD SHOOTS HIS LAST ARROW" title="" />
+<span class="caption">ROBIN HOOD SHOOTS HIS LAST ARROW</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>At this thought he started to his feet, and ran swiftly to the Priory.
+He broke the locks of all the doors that stood between him and Robin
+Hood, and soon entered the chamber where his master lay, white, with
+nigh all his blood gone from him.</p>
+
+<p>'I crave a boon of you, dear master,' cried Little John.</p>
+
+<p>'And what is that boon,' said Robin Hood, 'which Little John begs of
+me?' And Little John answered, 'It is to burn fair Kirkley Hall, and
+all the nunnery.'</p>
+
+<p>But Robin Hood, in spite of the wrong that had been done him, would
+not listen to Little John's cry for revenge. 'I never hurt a woman in
+all my life,' he said, 'nor a man that was in her company. But now my
+time is done, that know I well; so give me my bow and a broad arrow,
+and wheresoever it falls there shall my grave be digged. Lay a green
+sod under my head and another at my feet, and put beside me my bow,
+which ever made sweetest music to my ears, and see that green and
+gravel make my grave. And, Little John, take care that I have length
+enough and breadth enough to lie in.' So he loosened his last arrow
+from the string and then died, and where the arrow fell Robin was
+buried.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span></p>
+<h3><a name="THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG" id="THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG"></a>THE</h3>
+ <h2>STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</i></h2>
+<p>About nine hundred years ago, more or less, there lived in Iceland, at
+a homestead called Biarg, two old folks named Asmund the Greyhaired
+and his wife Asdis. At the time our story begins they had two sons,
+Atli the eldest, and Grettir, besides daughters; sixteen years later
+another son was born to them, named Illugi. Atli was a general
+favourite, in disposition good-natured and yielding, in this the very
+opposite of Grettir, who held to his own way, and was, besides,
+silent, reserved, and rough in manner. But he is described as fair to
+look on, broad-faced, short-faced, red-haired and much freckled, not
+of quick growth in his childhood. There was little love lost between
+him and his father, but his mother loved the boy right well. So
+matters sped till Grettir was ten years old, when, one day, his father
+told him to go and watch the geese on the farm, fifty of them, besides
+many goslings. The boy went, but with an ill grace, and shortly
+afterwards the geese were found all dead or dying, with many of their
+necks wrung, at which Asmund was mightily vexed. Again, one evening,
+being cold, he asked the boy to warm him by rubbing his back, but
+Grettir, taking up a wool-carder's comb, dropped it down his father's
+back. The old man was furiously angry, and would have beaten Grettir,
+had he not run away, while Asdis, though vexed, tried her best to make
+peace between them.</p>
+
+<p>Next, Grettir was sent to tend the horses, amongst which was a
+favourite mare called Keingala, who always preferred the coldest and
+windiest spots to graze in; the boy was ill-clad and half-starved with
+cold, so, by way of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> paying Keingala out for her uncomfortable choice
+of pasture, he drew a sharp knife right across her shoulder and along
+both sides of her back. When Asmund next saw the mare and stroked her
+back, the hide came off beneath his hand. He taxed Grettir with the
+deed, but the boy sneered mockingly and said nothing. Keingala had to
+be killed. Such and many other scurvy tricks did Grettir play in his
+childhood, but meanwhile he grew in body and strength, though none as
+yet knew him to be strong beyond his years.</p>
+
+<p>This first came to be known shortly afterwards at Midfirth Water,
+where some ball games were being held on the ice. Grettir was now
+fourteen; and was matched to play with one Audun, several years older
+than himself. Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he
+could not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir
+brought it back, and in a rage threw it at Audun's forehead; Audun
+struck at him with his bat, but Grettir closed with him and wrestled,
+for a long time holding his own; but Audun was a man of full strength,
+and at last prevailed. Grettir's next performance brought him into
+more trouble. Asmund had a bosom friend named Thorkel Krafla, who paid
+him a visit at Biarg on his way to the Thing, or Icelandic parliament,
+with a retinue of sixty followers, for Thorkel was a great chief, and
+a man of substance. Each traveller had to carry his own provisions for
+the journey, including Grettir, who joined Thorkel's company.
+Grettir's saddle turned over, however, and his meal bag was lost, nor
+could he find it, notwithstanding a long search. Just then he saw a
+man who was in like plight with himself, having also lost his meal
+sack: his name was Skeggi, one of Thorkel's followers. All of a sudden
+Skeggi darted off, and Grettir saw him stoop and pick up a mealsack,
+which Skeggi claimed as his own. Grettir was not satisfied, and they
+fought for it; Skeggi cut at Grettir with his axe, but he wrenched it
+out of his hand, and clove his head in twain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> Thorkel then allowed
+Grettir his choice: whether to go on to the Thing, or return home. He
+chose the first alternative; but a lawsuit was set on foot by the
+heirs of the dead man. Thorkel paid the necessary fines, but Grettir
+was outlawed, banished from the country, and had to stay abroad three
+years.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund entrusted his son to the keeping of a man called Haflidi, the
+captain of a ship that was sailing for Norway; father and son parted
+with but little sorrow between them, but Asdis accompanied the boy
+part of the way, and gave him a sword which had been owned by Jokul,
+her grandfather; for which Grettir thanked her well, saying he deemed
+it better than things of more worth, so he came to the ship. With the
+sailors he was no more popular than he had been elsewhere, for he
+would work only by fits and starts, as he pleased; besides, he had a
+gift of making very biting rhymes, which he indulged in at the expense
+of all on board. But when he did condescend to work he was a match for
+any four, or, as some say, for any eight men by reason of his
+strength. After they had sailed some way east over the sea, and had
+much thick weather, one night they ran aground on a rock near an
+island which turned out to be Haramsey, off Norway. The lord of that
+island was called Thorfinn, son of Karr the Old. When day dawned he
+sent down a boat to rescue the shipwrecked sailors, who were saved,
+with their merchandise, but their vessel broke up. Grettir remained
+with Thorfinn some time; and was fond of rambling about the island,
+going from house to house; and he made friends with one Audun, not, of
+course, the one who has already been mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>One night the two noticed a great blaze on a ness or headland, and
+Grettir asked the reason of it, adding, that in his country such a
+fire would only burn above hidden treasure. Audun told him he had
+better not inquire too closely into the matter, which, however, as one
+might expect, only whetted his curiosity the more. He was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> told
+accordingly that on that headland Karr the Old was buried; that at
+first father and son had but one farm on the island, but since Karr
+died he had so haunted the place that all the farmers who owned land
+were driven away. Thorfinn, therefore, now held the whole island, and
+to such good purpose, that whosoever enjoyed his protection was not
+worried by the ghost. Grettir determined to investigate, and providing
+himself with spades and tools, set off with Audun to dig into the
+'barrow,' as these mounds of earth are called, which northern races
+and others used to raise over their dead. Leaving Audun to guard the
+rope by which he descended, Grettir found the interior of the cavern
+very dark, and a smell therein none of the sweetest. First he saw
+horse-bones, then he stumbled against the arm of a high chair wherein
+was a man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver lay heaped
+together, and under the man's feet a small chest full of silver. All
+this Grettir carried towards the rope, but while doing so he was
+suddenly seized in a strong grip; whereupon he let go the treasure and
+rushed at the Thing which lived in the barrow; and now they set on one
+another unsparingly enough. There was a battle, first one, then the
+other gaining a slight advantage, but at last the barrow-wight fell
+over on his back with a huge din; whereupon Grettir drew his sword,
+'Jokul's gift,' and cut off Karr's head, laying it beside the thigh,
+for, in this way only, men said, could a ghost be laid. Grettir took
+the treasure and brought it to Thorfinn, who was not ill-pleased that
+his father's tomb had been rifled, for he held that wealth hidden in
+the ground was wealth wrongly placed, in which we shall probably agree
+with him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_394.jpg" width="500" height="726" alt="GRETTIR FEELS KARR&#39;S GRIP." title="" />
+<span class="caption">GRETTIR FEELS KARR&#39;S GRIP.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>After the events just described, Thorfinn went away with thirty of his
+men to one of his farms on the mainland, in order to keep the
+Yule-tide feast (Christmas). His wife and daughter, the latter of whom
+was ill in bed, remained at home. Now Thorfinn, some time previously,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> had taken a leading part in passing a law, the object of which was
+that all berserkers should be outlawed. These berserkers were roving
+bands of pirates, brave fighters, but respecting no man's property; on
+the contrary, their chief object was to lay violent hands on women and
+goods to which they had no title. It is easily to be understood that
+Thorfinn, in consequence of his action, had incurred their bitterest
+enmity. One day Grettir observed a ship approaching, rowed by twelve
+men; it landed near Thorfinn's boat-stand, wherein was his boat which
+was never launched by less than thirty men; nevertheless these twelve
+pushed it down to the water's edge, laid their own boat upon it, and
+bore it into the boat-stand.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir's suspicions being aroused, he went down, and after giving
+them a hearty welcome, asked who they were. The leader told him he was
+known as Thorir Paunch; that his brother was Ogmund, and the rest
+fellows of theirs. Grettir told them they could not have come at a
+better time, if, as he thought, they had some grudge against Thorfinn,
+for he was away from home, and would not be back till Yule was past,
+but his wife and daughter were in the house. 'Now am I well enough
+minded to take revenge on Thorfinn,' said Thorir, 'and this man is
+ready enough of tidings, and no need have we to drag the words out of
+him.' So they all went up to the farm, but the women were distracted
+with fear, thinking that Grettir had played false. He, however,
+induced the berserkers to lay aside their arms, and when evening was
+come, brought them beer in abundance, and entertained them with tales
+and merry jests. After a while he proposed to lead them to Thorfinn's
+treasure house: nothing loth they followed readily; when they were all
+inside he managed to slip out and lock them in. He then ran back for
+weapons: a broad-headed barbed spear, his sword and helmet. Now the
+berserkers knew they had been entrapped;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span> breaking down the panelling
+of a wall they rushed out into the passage, where in the nick of time
+arrived Grettir, who thrust Thorir through with his spear; Ogmund the
+Evil was pressing close behind, so that the same thrust which pierced
+the one transfixed the other also. The remainder defended themselves
+with logs and whatever lay ready to hand, or tried to escape; but
+Grettir slew all of them save two, who for the moment escaped, but
+were found next day under a rock, dead from cold and wounds.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterwards Thorfinn returned, and when he was told of the
+wondrous deeds of Grettir, who had thus saved the honour of his house,
+he bade him come to him whenever he needed aid; and the two were now
+close friends; moreover, Grettir's fame began to spread abroad, and he
+became renowned all over Norway. Leaving his friend Thorfinn, he took
+passage in a ship belonging to one Thorkel, who lived in Heligoland.
+He welcomed Grettir heartily to his house, but with a man called
+Biorn, who lived there with him, the Icelander could by no means
+agree, nor indeed did others find it easy, for Biorn's temper was
+hasty and difficult.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that a savage bear wrought havoc at that time, being so
+grim that it spared neither man nor beast, so one night Biorn set out
+to slay it. The bear was in its cave, in the track leading to which
+Biorn lay down, with his shield over him, to wait for the beast to
+stir abroad as its manner was. But the beast suspected the presence of
+the man, and was slow to move; delayed so long indeed that Biorn fell
+asleep. Now the bear became brisk enough, sallied forth, hooked its
+claws in Biorn's shield, and threw it over the cliff. Biorn woke
+suddenly and ran, just escaping its clutch; but the whole proceedings
+had been watched, and he had to endure many taunts and jeers. Grettir
+went afterwards and killed the beast, though not without a terrible
+struggle, in which they both fell over the rocks, but the bear was
+underneath,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> and Grettir was able to stab it to the heart. More than
+ever then on account of this did ill-will against Grettir rankle in
+Biorn's breast. He sailed west to England, as master of Thorkel's
+ship; when he returned he met Grettir at a place called
+Drontheim-firth. The two took up their old quarrel again, fought on
+the strand, and Biorn was killed.</p>
+
+<p>At that time Earl Svein was ruling over Norway as regent, the rightful
+king being but a boy. At the court in the Earl's service was Biorn's
+brother, Hiarandi, who was exceedingly wroth when he heard of Biorn's
+death, and begged the Earl's assistance in the matter. Svein therefore
+sent for Thorfinn and Grettir, but Hiarandi would not agree to any
+terms proposed, and lay in wait to take Grettir's life. With five
+others he sprang out from a certain court gate, dealt a blow at him
+with an axe, and wounded him; but Grettir and a companion turned on
+them and slew them all save one, who escaped and told the Earl. There
+remained yet another brother of Biorn and Hiarandi to take up the
+feud, but he fared no better, and was also slain. Earl Svein was now
+'wondrous wroth' at this tale, for said he, 'Grettir has now slain
+three brothers, one at the heels of the other, and I will not thus
+bring wrongs into the land so as to take compensation for such
+unmeasured misdeeds'; so he would not listen to any proposals by
+Thorfinn to pay blood-money. However, many more added their words to
+Thorfinn's, and prayed the Earl to spare Grettir's life, for, after
+all, he had acted in self-defence, and if his life were to be forfeit,
+there would be slayings throughout the whole land. These arguments at
+length prevailed, Grettir was allowed to go in peace, and went back to
+Iceland, the term of his outlawry being expired.</p>
+
+<p>Being now grown to man's estate, and having waxed greatly in bodily
+strength, he roamed about the country to see if there were any with
+whom he might match him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span>self, and took it very ill that he found none.
+About this time, strange rumours were flying about to the effect that
+a farm belonging to one Thorhall was haunted. Thorhall was an honest
+man and very rich in cattle and livestock, but could hardly get a
+shepherd to stay in his service; whereat, being sore perplexed, he
+went for advice to Skapti the Lawman. Skapti promised to get him a
+shepherd called Glam, a Swede, for which Thorhall thanked him. On his
+return he missed two dun cows, went to look for them, and on the way
+met a man carrying faggots, who said his name was Glam. He was great
+of stature, uncouth in appearance, his eyes grey and glaring, and his
+hair wolf-grey. Thorhall told him Skapti had recommended him, adding
+that the place was haunted, but Glam made light of this: 'Such bugs
+will not scare me,' quoth he. There was a church at Thorhall-stead,
+but Glam loathed church-song, being godless, foul-tempered and surly,
+and no man could abide him, Thorhall's wife least of all. So time wore
+on till Christmas-eve, when Glam called for his meat, but was told
+that no Christian man would eat meat on that day. He insisted; and the
+housewife gave it, though prophesying evil would come of it. Glam took
+the food and went out growling and grumbling.</p>
+
+<p>He was heard in the early morning on the hills, but not as the day
+wore on; then a snowstorm came, and Glam returned not that night nor
+yet the day following, so search parties were sent out, who found the
+sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten down by the storm, or
+strayed up into the mountains. Then they came to a great beaten place
+high up in a valley, where it seemed as though there had been
+wrestling, stones and earth torn up, and signs of a severe struggle;
+looking closer, they found Glam dead, his body blue and swollen to the
+size of an ox. They tried to bring the body down to the church, but
+could only move it a very little way; they returned, therefore, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span>
+told how they had tracked steps as great as if a cask bottom had been
+stamped down, leading from the beaten place up to beneath sheer rocks
+high up the valley, and along the track great stains of blood. From
+this men thought that the evil wight which had killed Glam had got
+such wounds as had sufficed for him, but none ever could say for
+certain.</p>
+
+<p>The second day after Christmas men were sent again to bring Glam's
+body to the church, but though horses were put to drag it, they could
+not move the corpse except down hill, so Glam was buried where he lay.
+Now within a little time men became aware that Glam lay not quiet; he
+walked well-nigh night and day, and took to riding the house roofs at
+night, so much so that he nearly broke them in. The folk were
+exceedingly afraid thereat; many fainted or went mad, while others
+incontinently fled there and then. Another shepherd, big and strong,
+came to take Glam's place; he was nowise dismayed by the hauntings,
+but deemed it good sport rather than not when Glam rode the
+house-roofs. But when another Christmas came the shepherd was missed;
+search was made, and he was found on the hill-side by Glam's cairn,
+his neck broken, and every bone in his body smashed. Then Glam waxed
+more mighty than ever; the cattle bellowed and roared, and gored each
+other; the byre cracked, and a cattle-man who had been long in
+Thorhall's service was found dead, his head in one stall and feet in
+another. None could go up the dale with horse or hound, because it was
+straightway slain, and it was no easy task to get servants to remain
+at the steading.</p>
+
+<p>Things had come to this pass when Grettir rode over to Thorhall-stead,
+where the owner gave him good welcome, though warning him that few
+cared to stay long under his roof. Grettir's horse was locked up in
+the stable, and the first night nothing happened; but on the second
+the stable was broken into, the horse dragged out to the door,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> and
+every bone of him broken. Next night Grettir sat up to watch; and when
+a third of the night was past, he heard a terrible din as of one
+riding the roof, and driving his heels against the thatch so that
+every rafter cracked again. He went to the door, and saw Glam, whose
+head, as it appeared to him, was monstrously big. Glam came slowly in
+and took hold of a bundle lying on the seat, but Grettir planted his
+foot against a beam, seized the bundle also, and pulled against Glam
+with such strength that the wrapper was rent between them. Glam
+wondered who might this be that pulled with such strength against him,
+when Grettir rushed in, seized him round the waist, and tried to force
+him down backwards; but he shrank all aback by reason of Glam's
+strength, which, indeed, seemed to be almost greater than his own. A
+wondrous hard wrestling bout was that; but at last Grettir, gathering
+up his strength for a sudden effort, drove against Glam's breast, at
+the same moment pushing with both feet against the half-sunken stone
+that stood in the threshold of the door. For this Glam was not ready,
+therefore he reeled backwards and spun against the door, so that his
+shoulders caught against the upper part of it; the roof burst&mdash;both
+rafters and frozen thatch&mdash;and he fell open-armed backwards out of the
+house with Grettir over him.</p>
+
+<p>It was bright moonlight without, with drift scudding over the moon; at
+that instant the moon's face cleared, and Glam glared up against her.
+By that sight only Grettir confessed himself dismayed beyond all that
+he had ever seen; nor, for weariness and fear together, could he draw
+his sword to strike off Glam's head withal. But Glam was crafty beyond
+other ghosts, so that now he spoke: 'Exceeding eager hast thou been to
+meet me, Grettir, but it will be deemed no wonder if this meeting work
+thee harm. This must I tell thee, that thou now hast but half the
+strength and manhood which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me; I may
+not take from thee the strength that was thine before, but this may I
+rule&mdash;that thou shalt never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> be mightier than thou now art. Hitherto
+thou hast earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will wrongs and
+manslayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings will turn to
+thy woe and ill-hap, an outlaw shalt thou be made, and ever shall it
+be thy lot to dwell abroad. Therefore this fate I lay upon thee, ever
+in those days to see these eyes of mine with thine eyes, and thou wilt
+find it hard to be alone, and that shall drag thee unto death.'
+Grettir's wits came back to him, and therewith he drew his short
+sword, cut off Glam's head, and laid it at his thigh. Glam's body was
+burnt, the ashes put into a beast's skin and buried. Thorhall,
+overjoyed at the deliverance, treated Grettir handsomely, giving him a
+good horse and decent clothes, for his own had been torn to pieces in
+the struggle. Grettir's fame spread far abroad for this deed, and none
+was deemed his equal for boldness and prowess. Yet Glam's curse began
+already to work, for Grettir dared not go out after nightfall, for
+then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors. It became a proverb in the
+land that Glam gives Glam-sight to those who see things otherwise than
+as they are, which we now express by the word 'glamour.'</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir had a strong wish to go to Norway, for Earl Svein had fled
+the country after being beaten in a battle, and Olaf the Saint held
+sole rule as king. There was also a man named Thorir of Garth who had
+been in Norway, and was a friend of the king; this man was anxious to
+send out his sons to become the king's men. The sons accordingly
+sailed, and came to a haven at Stead, where they remained some days,
+during stormy weather. Grettir also had sailed after them, and the
+crew bore down on Stead, being hard put to it by reason of foul
+weather, snow and frost; and they were all worn, weary and wet. To
+save expense they did not put into the harbour, but lay to beside a
+dyke, where, though perished with cold, they could not light a fire.
+As the night wore on they saw that a great fire was burning on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> the
+opposite side of the sound up which they had sailed, and fell to
+talking and wondering whether by possibility any man might fetch that
+fire. Grettir said little, but made ready for swimming; he had on but
+a cape and sail-cloth breeches. He girt up the cape and tied a rope
+strongly round his middle, and had with him a cask; then he leaped
+overboard and swam across. There he saw a house, and heard much
+talking and noise, so he turned towards it, and found it to be a house
+of refuge for coasting sailors; twelve men were inside sitting round a
+great fire on the floor, drinking, and these were the sons of Thorir.
+When Grettir burst in he knew not who was there, he himself seemed
+huge of bulk, for his cape was frozen all over into ice; therefore the
+men took him to be some evil troll, and smote at him with anything
+that lay to hand; but Grettir put all blows aside, snatched up some
+firebrands, and swam therewith back to the ship. Grettir's comrades
+were mightily pleased, and bepraised him and his journey and his
+prowess.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_404.jpg" width="500" height="809" alt="GRETTIR OVERTHROWS THORIR REDBEARD" title="" />
+<span class="caption">GRETTIR OVERTHROWS THORIR REDBEARD</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Next morning they crossed the sound, but found no house, only a great
+heap of ashes, and therein many bones of men. They asked if Grettir
+had done this misdeed; but he said it had happened even as he had
+expected. The men said wherever they came that Grettir had burnt those
+people; and the news soon spread that the victims were the sons of
+Thorir of Garth. Grettir therefore now grew into such bad repute that
+he was driven from the ship, and scarcely anyone would say a good word
+for him. As matters were so hopeless he determined to explain all to
+the king, and offer to free himself from the slander by handling hot
+iron without being burned. His ill-luck still pursued him, for when
+all was ready in the church where the ceremony was about to take
+place, a wild-looking lad, or, as some said, an unclean spirit,
+started up from no one knew where, and spoke such impertinent words to
+Grettir that he felled him with a blow of his fist. After this the
+king would not allow the ceremony to go on: 'Thou art far too <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span>luckless a man to abide with us, and if ever man has been cursed, of
+all men must thou have been,' said he; and advised him to go back to
+Iceland in the summer. Meanwhile Asmund the Greyhaired died, and was
+buried at Biarg, and Atli succeeded to his goods, but was soon
+afterwards basely murdered by a neighbouring chief who bore him
+ill-will for his many friendships, and grudged him his possessions.
+Thorir of Garth brought a suit at the Thing to have Grettir outlawed
+for the burning of his sons; but Skapti the Lawman thought it scarcely
+fair to condemn a man unheard, and spoke these wise words: 'A tale is
+half told if one man tells it, for most folk are readiest to bring
+their stories to the worser side when there are two ways of telling
+them.' Thorir, however, was a man of might, and had powerful friends;
+these between them pushed on the suit, and with a high hand rather
+than according to law obtained their decree. Thus was Grettir outlawed
+for a deed of which he was innocent. These three pieces of bad news
+greeted him all at once on his return to Iceland: his father's death,
+his brother's murder, and his own outlawry.</p>
+
+<p>One of the first things he did was to avenge his brother's murder, but
+there was a price on his head, and he wandered about from place to
+place in the wilderness. On one occasion, as he lay asleep, some men
+of Icefirth came upon him, and though they were ten in number they had
+much ado to take him; but at last they bound him, and put up a
+gallows, for they intended to hang him. Fortunately for Grettir, at
+that moment there rode along the wife of the ruling chief of that
+district, who interposed and set him free, on his promise not to stir
+up strife in that neighbourhood. His next adventure was at a place
+called Ernewaterheath where he had built himself a hut, and lived by
+fishing in the river. There were other outlaws, who, on hearing that
+Grettir was in the neighbourhood, made a bargain with one Grim that he
+should slay him. Grim begged Grettir to take him into his hut, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span>
+he agreed to do, as he was so frightened when alone in the dark;
+nevertheless, having his suspicions of the man, he kept his short
+sword always within reach. One day Grim came back from fishing, and
+thought Grettir was asleep, for he made no movement when Grim suddenly
+stamped his foot; thinking he now had his chance, he stole on tip-toe
+to the bedside, took Grettir's short sword and unsheathed it. But at
+the very moment when Grim had it raised aloft to stab Grettir, the
+supposed sleeping man sprang up, knocked Grim down, wrenched the sword
+out of his hand and killed him. Next, Grettir's enemy Thorir of Garth
+heard of his whereabouts, and prevailed upon one Thorir Redbeard to
+attempt to slay him. So Redbeard laid his plans, with the object, as
+it is quaintly phrased, of 'winning' Grettir. He, however, declined to
+be 'won,' for Redbeard fared no better than Grim. He tried to slay the
+outlaw while he was swimming back from his nets, but Grettir sank like
+a stone and swam along the bottom till he reached a place where he
+could land unseen by Redbeard. He then came on him from behind, while
+Redbeard was still looking for his appearance out of the water; heaved
+him over his head, and caused him to fall so heavily that his weapon
+fell out of his hand. Grettir seized it and smote off his head.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir of Garth was anything but satisfied with the result of his
+endeavour to have Grettir killed, and gathered together a force of
+nearly eighty men to take him; but this time Grettir was forewarned by
+a friend, and took up a position in a very narrow pass. When Thorir's
+men came up and attacked him he slew them one by one till he had
+killed eighteen and wounded many more, so that Thorir said, 'Lo, now
+we have to do with trolls and not men,' and bade the rest retire.
+Shortly afterwards he collected some twenty men and rode off again to
+search for Grettir. This time he was within an ace of coming upon the
+outlaw unawares; but Grettir and a friend had just time to conceal
+themselves when Thorir rode by. After the party had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> passed, an idea
+occurred to Grettir. 'They will not deem their journey good if we be
+not found,' he said; so, though much against the advice of his friend,
+he disguised himself in a slouch hat and other clothes, took a staff
+and intercepted Thorir's band at a point where he knew they must pass.
+They asked him whether he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+'Yes,' he said, 'the men you seek I have seen, and you have missed
+them only by a very little; they are there on the south side of these
+bogs to the left.' On hearing this, off galloped Thorir and his men,
+but the bogs were a sort of quagmire, wherein the horses stuck fast;
+and remained wallowing and struggling for the greater part of the day,
+while the riders 'gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had
+so befooled them.'</p>
+
+<p>Grettir now deemed it advisable to go about the country in disguise,
+and, under the name of Guest, came to a place called Sandheaps, much
+haunted by trolls. Two winters before he arrived the husband of the
+good-wife had mysteriously disappeared during her absence, none knew
+whither; her name was Steinvor. A loud crashing had been heard in the
+night about the man's bed, but the folk were too frightened to rise
+and find out the cause; in the morning Steinvor came back, but her
+husband was gone. Again, the next year, while she was away at church,
+a house-servant remained behind; but he too vanished, and bloodstains
+were found about the outer door. Grettir was told of this when he came
+to Sandheaps on Christmas-eve, staying there under the name of Guest.
+Steinvor, as usual, went away to worship, and remained absent that
+night, leaving Grettir at home. He sat up to watch, and about midnight
+he heard a great noise outside, shortly after which there came into
+the hall a huge troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a monstrous
+chopper in the other. Seeing Grettir she rushed at him, but he closed
+with her, and there was a terrible wrestling match. She was the
+stronger, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> dragged him from the house, breaking down all the
+fittings of the door; down she dragged him to the river which flowed
+through the farm, and Grettir, exhausted with the struggle, was
+well-nigh at the limit of his endurance. Making one last great effort,
+he managed to draw his short sword and strike off the hag's arm at the
+shoulder; then was he free, and she fell into the gulf and was carried
+down the rapids. This, at least, was Grettir's story; but the men of
+the neighbourhood say that day dawned on them while they were still
+wrestling, and that therefore the troll burst; for this trolls do,
+according to Norse tradition, if they happen to be caught above ground
+by the rising sun.</p>
+
+<p>Steinvor came back with the priest, who asked Grettir where he thought
+the two men were who had disappeared. He replied they were, he
+thought, in the gulf; but if the priest would help him he would find
+out. The priest agreed. Accordingly, taking a rope with them, they
+followed the stream down to a waterfall where they saw a cave up under
+the cliff&mdash;a sheer rock the cliff was, nearly fifty fathoms down to
+the water. The priest's heart misgave him, but Grettir determined to
+make the attempt; so, driving a peg into the ground, he made the rope
+fast to it and bade the priest watch it; then he tied a stone to the
+end and let it sink into the water. When all was ready, he took his
+short sword and leapt into the water. Disappearing from the priest's
+view, he dived under the waterfall&mdash;and hard work it was, for the
+whirlpool was strong; but he reached a projecting rock on which he
+rested awhile. A great cave was under the waterfall, and the river
+fell over it from the sheer rocks. Grettir climbed into the cave,
+where he found a great fire flaming, and a giant sitting beside it,
+huge and horrible to look upon. He smote at the new-comer with a
+broadsword, but Grettir avoided the blow, and returned such a mighty
+stroke with his own sword that the giant fell dead at once. The priest
+on the bank,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> seeing blood washed down by the swirling waters, and
+thinking Grettir was killed, fled in alarm and spread the report of
+his death. Grettir meanwhile stayed in the cave till far on into the
+night; he found there the bones of two men, which he put in a bag;
+swimming with them to the rope, he shook it, but as the priest had
+gone he had to draw himself up by strength of hands. He took the bones
+to the church, where he left them, returning himself to Sandheaps.
+When the priest saw Grettir, the latter taxed him with breach of faith
+in quitting the rope, which charge the priest must needs admit;
+however, no great harm had resulted, the bones were buried, and the
+district was freed from hauntings. Grettir received much credit, in so
+far as he had cleansed the land from these evil wights who had wrought
+the loss of the men there in the dale.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero remained in hiding at Sandheaps, but Thorir of Garth heard of
+him and sent men to take him. Grettir accordingly left the place and
+went to Maddervales, to Gudmund the Rich, of whom he begged shelter.
+Gudmund, however, dared not harbour him, but advised him to seek
+shelter in an isle called Drangey in Skagafirth. The place, he said,
+was excellent for defence, for without ladders no one could land.
+Grettir agreed to go, and went home to Biarg to bid his mother
+farewell. His brother, Illugi, was now fifteen years old, a handsome
+boy, and he overheard Grettir's conversation with his mother about his
+proposed departure to Drangey. 'I will go with thee, brother,' said
+he, 'though I know not that I shall be of any help to thee, unless
+that I shall be ever true to thee, nor run from thee whiles thou
+standest up.' Asdis bade them farewell, warning Grettir against
+sorcery; yet well she knew that she would never see either of her sons
+again. They left Biarg, going north towards Drangey; and on the way
+met with a big ill-clad loon called Thorbiorn Noise, a man too lazy to
+work, and a great swaggerer; but they allowed him to join them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now Drangey was an island whose cliffs rose sheer up from the sea;
+there was good pasturage on it, and many sheep and cattle, owned by
+about twenty men, who amongst them held the island in shares. Two men
+called Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, being the richest men, had the
+largest shares. When the men got ready to fetch their beasts from the
+island for slaughter, they found it occupied, which they thought
+strange; but supposing the men in possession to be shipwrecked
+sailors, they rowed to the place where the ladders were, but found
+these drawn up. Persuasion was of no avail, so the baffled owners
+retired, and in one way or another made over their respective shares
+to Angle, on the understanding that he would free the island from
+these unwelcome intruders. The months wore on, and brought no change;
+but now Grettir said he would go to the mainland and get victuals.
+Disguising himself, he carried out his plan, leaving Illugi and Noise
+to guard the ladders. Sports were being held at a place called
+Heron-ness, and the stranger was asked if he would wrestle. 'Time
+was,' he said, 'when he had been fond of it, but he had now given it
+up; yet, upon condition of peace and safe conduct being assured to him
+until such time as he returned home, he was willing to try a bout.'
+This was agreed to, whereupon he cast aside his disguise, and stood
+revealed as Grettir the outlaw. All saw that they had been beguiled,
+yet, for their oath's sake, they could do nothing. First Hialti alone
+tried to throw Grettir, but met with nothing but a mighty fall; then
+he and his brother Angle tried together, but though each of them had
+the strength of two men they were no match for their antagonist, and
+had to retire discomfited.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir went back to Drangey. Two winters had now been spent on
+the island, but firewood was hard to come by; Noise was sent down to
+gather drifted logs from the sea, but he grew lazier and grumbled more
+and more every day, letting the fire out on one occasion,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> whereas his
+duty was to keep it burning. Grettir determined to swim to the
+mainland and bring back wood; in this he was successful, though the
+distance was a sea mile, whereat all said his prowess both on land and
+sea was marvellous. Meanwhile Angle, having been baffled in a second
+attempt to land and drive out Grettir, induced a young man called
+H&oelig;ring, an expert climber, to try to scale the cliffs, promising
+him if successful a very large reward. Angle rowed him over, and
+H&oelig;ring did, indeed, scale the precipice, but young Illugi was on
+the watch, chased him round the island, and H&oelig;ring, sore pressed,
+leapt over the cliff and was killed.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_412.jpg" width="500" height="433" alt="The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>About this time, Grettir having been so many years in outlawry, many
+thought that the sentence should be annulled; and it was deemed
+certain that he would be pardoned in the next ensuing summer; but they
+who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> owned the island were exceedingly discontented at the
+prospect of his acquittal, and urged Angle either to give back the
+island or slay Grettir. Now Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid; she was
+old and cunning in witchcraft, which she had learnt in her youth; for
+though Christianity had now been established in the island, yet there
+remained still many traces of heathendom. Angle and she put out in a
+ten-oared boat to pick a quarrel with Grettir, of which the upshot was
+that the outlaw threw a huge stone into the boat, where the witch lay
+covered up with wrappings, and broke her leg. Angle had to endure many
+taunts at the failure of all his attempts to outplay Grettir. One day,
+Thurid was limping along by the sea, when she found a large log, part
+of the trunk of a tree. She cut a flat space on it, carved magic
+characters, or runes, on the root, reddened them with her blood, and
+sang witch-words over them; then she walked backwards round it, and
+widdershins&mdash;which means in a direction against the sun&mdash;and thrust
+the log out to sea under many strong spells, in such wise that it
+should drive out to Drangey. In the teeth of the wind it went, till it
+came to the island, where Illugi and Grettir saw it, but knowing it
+boded them ill, they thrust it out from shore; yet next morning was it
+there again, nearer the ladders than before; but again they drove it
+out to sea. The days wore on to summer, and a gale sprang up with wet;
+the brothers being short of firewood, Noise was sent down to the shore
+to look for drift, grumbling at being ordered out in bad weather,
+when, lo! the log was there again, and he fetched it up.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was angry with Noise, and not noticing what the log was, hewed
+at it with his axe, which glanced from the wood and cut into his leg,
+right down to the bone. Illugi bound it up, and at first it seemed as
+though the wound was healed. But after a time his leg took to paining
+Grettir, and became blue and swollen, so that he could not sleep, and
+Illugi watched by him night<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> and day. At this time Thurid advised
+Angle to make another attempt on the island; he therefore gathered a
+force of a dozen men together, and set sail in very foul weather, but
+no sooner had they reached open sea than the wind lulled, so they came
+to Drangey at dusk. Noise had been told to guard the ladders, and had
+gone out as usual with very ill grace; he thought to himself he would
+not draw them up, so he lay down there and fell asleep, remaining all
+day long in slumber till Angle came to the island. Mounting the
+ladders, he and his men found Noise snoring at the top; arousing him
+roughly, they learned from him what had happened, and how Grettir lay
+sick in the hut with Illugi tending him. Angle thrashed Noise soundly
+for betraying his master, and the men made for the hut. Illugi guarded
+the door with the greatest valour, and when they thrust at him with
+spears he struck off all the spear heads from the shafts. But some of
+the men leapt up on to the roof, tore away the thatch, and broke one
+of the rafters. Grettir thrust up with a spear and killed one man, but
+he could not rise from his knee by reason of his wound; the others
+leapt down and attacked him; young Illugi threw his shield over him
+and made defence for both in most manly wise. Grettir killed another
+man, whose body fell upon him, so that he could not use his sword;
+wherefore Angle at that moment was able to stab him between the
+shoulders, and many another wound they gave him till they thought he
+was dead. Angle took Grettir's short sword and struck at the head of
+the body with such force that a piece of the sword-blade was nicked
+out. So died Grettir, the bravest man of all who ever dwelt in
+Iceland.</p>
+
+<p>The gallant young Illugi was offered his life by Angle if he would
+promise not to try to avenge Grettir; but he scorned the offer, and
+was slain next day; the brothers were buried in a cairn on the island.
+Noise was taken aboard the boat, but bore himself so ill that he too
+was killed. Now Angle thought to claim from Thorir of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> Garth the
+reward set upon Grettir's head; but the murderer was very ill spoken
+of in the land: first, because he had used sorcery, which was against
+the law; next, that he had acted a cowardly part in bearing arms
+against a half-dead man. A suit of outlawry was brought against him in
+the Thing; but seeing that it would go against him he escaped to
+Norway. In that country lived an elder half-brother of Grettir, who
+had heard of his fate and determined to avenge him; neither knew the
+other by sight. Angle, however, becoming uneasy, went to Micklegarth
+(Constantinople), whither he was followed by Thorstein Dromond. One
+day, at a weapon-showing, or exhibition of arms, Angle drew the short
+sword which had belonged to Grettir; it was praised by all as a good
+weapon, but the notch in the edge was a blemish. Angle related how he
+had slain Grettir, and how the notch came to be there. Thereupon
+Thorstein, who was present, knew his man, and asked to be allowed,
+like the rest, to see the short sword; Angle gave it to him, whereupon
+Thorstein clove his head in two with it, and Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.</p>
+
+<p>Thus Grettir was avenged.</p>
+
+
+<h3>The End.</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">EDITED BY ANDREW LANG</span>.</h3>
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+
+<p><b>THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 138 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE RED FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 100 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 99 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+</p>
+
+<p><b>THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 104 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+</p>
+
+<p><b>THE PINK FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 67 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE GREY FAIRY BOOK.</b> With 65 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK.</b>  With 8 Coloured Plates and 54 other Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+</p>
+
+<p><b>THE BLUE POETRY BOOK.</b> With 100 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE BLUE POETRY BOOK.</b>  School Edition, without Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fcp. 8vo. 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE TRUE STORY BOOK.</b> With 66 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE RED TRUE STORY BOOK.</b> With 100 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+</p>
+
+<p><b>THE ANIMAL STORY BOOK.</b> With 67 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE RED BOOK OF ANIMAL STORIES.</b> With 65 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<p><b>THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS.</b> With 66 Illustrations.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<h4>LONGMANS, GREEN, &amp; CO., 39 Paternoster Row, London<br />
+New York and Bombay.</h4>
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/back_paper.jpg" width="600" height="435" alt="" title="" />
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26646-h.htm or 26646-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/4/26646/
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/26646-h/images/back_paper.jpg b/26646-h/images/back_paper.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13ece99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/back_paper.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/cover.jpg b/26646-h/images/cover.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c0f492
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/cover.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/front_paper.jpg b/26646-h/images/front_paper.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77b3c2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/front_paper.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_005.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_005.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f3db40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_005.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_006.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_006.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fee9248
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_006.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_022.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_022.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2def507
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_022.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_028.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_028.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcba1e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_028.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_032.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_032.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7c12ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_032.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_038.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_038.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98ac611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_038.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_040.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_040.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4395319
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_040.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_049.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_049.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..baa6ceb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_049.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_052.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_052.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdb5b2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_052.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_054.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_054.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2ec9a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_054.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_066.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_066.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..629d1d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_066.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_074.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_074.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddc5023
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_074.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_092.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_092.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aed49a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_092.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_097.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_097.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53bd155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_097.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_102.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_102.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..617595a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_102.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_110.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_110.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1683c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_110.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_118.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_118.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..183dac6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_118.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_125.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_125.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07f8c57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_125.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_128.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_128.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed48ba7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_128.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_132.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_132.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c7be80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_132.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_140.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_140.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d760a7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_140.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_152.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_152.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5974a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_152.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_156.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_156.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69d6ad3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_156.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_161.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_161.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97ee7a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_161.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_164.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_164.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e1c53d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_164.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_173.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_173.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1bba184
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_173.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_190.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_190.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3979f4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_190.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_194.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_194.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ad286f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_194.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_204.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_204.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d43412c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_204.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_210.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_210.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1f50dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_210.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_218.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_218.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15c1ddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_218.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_228.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_228.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7fb2f60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_228.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_242.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_242.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b0efff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_242.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_256.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_256.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17869fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_256.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_262.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_262.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..676a944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_262.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_268.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_268.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..187f76b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_268.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_282.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_282.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47c2f19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_282.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_288.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_288.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e535ca3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_288.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_296.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_296.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7289cf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_296.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_301.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_301.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f763476
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_301.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_306.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_306.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09b38c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_306.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_310.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_310.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..948138e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_310.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_322.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_322.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d1cace
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_322.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_329.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_329.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad82d0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_329.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_340.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_340.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..569cc75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_340.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_344.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_344.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..843b141
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_344.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_348.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_348.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c15c37e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_348.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_378.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_378.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..141b295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_378.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_386.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_386.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c05f94a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_386.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_394.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_394.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a241eb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_394.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_404.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_404.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..735968e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_404.jpg
diff --git a/26646-h/images/image_412.jpg b/26646-h/images/image_412.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f299aa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-h/images/image_412.jpg
diff --git a/26646-page-images/004.png b/26646-page-images/004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..840574b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/004.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/P089-image.png b/26646-page-images/P089-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9b5626
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/P089-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/c001.png b/26646-page-images/c001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f33fc95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/c001.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/c003.png b/26646-page-images/c003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2deebb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/c003.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/c005.png b/26646-page-images/c005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28ddda4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/c005.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/c006.png b/26646-page-images/c006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57129bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/c006.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f001.png b/26646-page-images/f001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5247c8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f001.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f002.png b/26646-page-images/f002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03c8708
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f002.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f003.png b/26646-page-images/f003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dc6ebd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f003.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f004.png b/26646-page-images/f004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..324feca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f004.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f005.png b/26646-page-images/f005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19bcd1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f005.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f006-image.png b/26646-page-images/f006-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bf2f17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f006-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f006.png b/26646-page-images/f006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..932d89b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f006.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f007.png b/26646-page-images/f007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..150e4ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f007.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f008.png b/26646-page-images/f008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df65533
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f008.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f009.png b/26646-page-images/f009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..025d07e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f009.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f010.png b/26646-page-images/f010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdbf467
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f010.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f011.png b/26646-page-images/f011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02683e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f011.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f012.png b/26646-page-images/f012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f24e824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f012.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f013.png b/26646-page-images/f013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..974351a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f013.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f014.png b/26646-page-images/f014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79783b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f014.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f015.png b/26646-page-images/f015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f796ba3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f015.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f016.png b/26646-page-images/f016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8a063a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f016.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f017.png b/26646-page-images/f017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6016b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f017.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f018.png b/26646-page-images/f018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e90db27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f018.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/f019.png b/26646-page-images/f019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f237bc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/f019.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p003.png b/26646-page-images/p003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6cc4db8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p003.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p004.png b/26646-page-images/p004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0fd461
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p004.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p005.png b/26646-page-images/p005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aff4c8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p005.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p007.png b/26646-page-images/p007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81b05f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p007.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p008.png b/26646-page-images/p008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b945675
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p008.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p009.png b/26646-page-images/p009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b035b1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p009.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p010.png b/26646-page-images/p010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f1cf6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p010.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p011.png b/26646-page-images/p011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4701fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p011.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p013.png b/26646-page-images/p013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9052ba1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p013.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p014-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p014-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3dd4265
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p014-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p014.png b/26646-page-images/p014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b425fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p014.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p015.png b/26646-page-images/p015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72d91f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p015.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p016.png b/26646-page-images/p016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7b54fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p016.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p017.png b/26646-page-images/p017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8a87cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p017.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p018.png b/26646-page-images/p018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8598120
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p018.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p019-image.png b/26646-page-images/p019-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82df21a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p019-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p019.png b/26646-page-images/p019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e1aa25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p019.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p020.png b/26646-page-images/p020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1abbc8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p020.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p021.png b/26646-page-images/p021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e49a4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p021.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p023.png b/26646-page-images/p023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4b8ff2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p023.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p024.png b/26646-page-images/p024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8bd57c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p024.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p025.png b/26646-page-images/p025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..291d3e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p025.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p026.png b/26646-page-images/p026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c3cc10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p026.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p027.png b/26646-page-images/p027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cadc364
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p027.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p028.png b/26646-page-images/p028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6dc3b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p028.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p029.png b/26646-page-images/p029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d33132
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p029.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p031.png b/26646-page-images/p031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4174457
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p031.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p032.png b/26646-page-images/p032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bb561b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p032.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p033.png b/26646-page-images/p033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68f9327
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p033.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p034-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p034-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5629a5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p034-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p034.png b/26646-page-images/p034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..973d9cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p034.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p035.png b/26646-page-images/p035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c17939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p035.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p037.png b/26646-page-images/p037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4fc5d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p037.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p038.png b/26646-page-images/p038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6ff649
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p038.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p039.png b/26646-page-images/p039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9e601a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p039.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p040.png b/26646-page-images/p040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68ff874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p040.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p041.png b/26646-page-images/p041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f5856f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p041.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p042.png b/26646-page-images/p042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cfb890f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p042.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p043.png b/26646-page-images/p043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..390e86c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p043.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p044.png b/26646-page-images/p044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce0fe13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p044.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p045.png b/26646-page-images/p045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e4e827
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p045.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p046.png b/26646-page-images/p046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04c8aff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p046.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p047.png b/26646-page-images/p047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03619ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p047.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p049.png b/26646-page-images/p049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b19a6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p049.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p050.png b/26646-page-images/p050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4631d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p050.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p051.png b/26646-page-images/p051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e56e54c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p051.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p052.png b/26646-page-images/p052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c595d2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p052.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p053.png b/26646-page-images/p053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cb14a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p053.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p054.png b/26646-page-images/p054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb2df3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p054.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p055.png b/26646-page-images/p055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e63ebc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p055.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p057.png b/26646-page-images/p057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4fda0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p057.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p058.png b/26646-page-images/p058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b29d124
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p058.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p059.png b/26646-page-images/p059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73d3906
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p059.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p060.png b/26646-page-images/p060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11186c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p060.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p061.png b/26646-page-images/p061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..86b74ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p061.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p062.png b/26646-page-images/p062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af9bdaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p062.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p063.png b/26646-page-images/p063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6db5ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p063.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p064.png b/26646-page-images/p064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d15c0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p064.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p065.png b/26646-page-images/p065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef58892
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p065.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p066.png b/26646-page-images/p066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c80ab91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p066.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p067.png b/26646-page-images/p067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f7fb46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p067.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p068.png b/26646-page-images/p068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed71c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p068.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p069.png b/26646-page-images/p069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..028edb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p069.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p070.png b/26646-page-images/p070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bba9c52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p070.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p071.png b/26646-page-images/p071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1ee615
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p071.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p072.png b/26646-page-images/p072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47f7248
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p072.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p073.png b/26646-page-images/p073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d753cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p073.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p075.png b/26646-page-images/p075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c9027a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p075.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p076-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p076-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e231813
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p076-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p076.png b/26646-page-images/p076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9696c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p076.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p077.png b/26646-page-images/p077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f7aff4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p077.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p078.png b/26646-page-images/p078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf81a50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p078.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p079.png b/26646-page-images/p079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81f17b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p079.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p080.png b/26646-page-images/p080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e3ce04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p080.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p081.png b/26646-page-images/p081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c060992
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p081.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p083.png b/26646-page-images/p083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff0fa62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p083.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p084.png b/26646-page-images/p084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ffb993
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p084.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p085.png b/26646-page-images/p085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4148806
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p085.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p086.png b/26646-page-images/p086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c617f35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p086.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p087.png b/26646-page-images/p087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fa172c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p087.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p088.png b/26646-page-images/p088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7203c8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p088.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p089.png b/26646-page-images/p089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d269a2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p089.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p090.png b/26646-page-images/p090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ac5c69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p090.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p091.png b/26646-page-images/p091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3afada3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p091.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p092.png b/26646-page-images/p092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba20b1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p092.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p093.png b/26646-page-images/p093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed5dcb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p093.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p094.png b/26646-page-images/p094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1a9e7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p094.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p095.png b/26646-page-images/p095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4319440
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p095.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p096.png b/26646-page-images/p096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1019937
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p096.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p097.png b/26646-page-images/p097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22b8fb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p097.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p099.png b/26646-page-images/p099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12cd746
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p099.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p100.png b/26646-page-images/p100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3e6e74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p100.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p101.png b/26646-page-images/p101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ac1dfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p101.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p102.png b/26646-page-images/p102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81f955c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p102.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p103.png b/26646-page-images/p103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1459af0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p103.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p104-image.png b/26646-page-images/p104-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab7dcf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p104-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p104.png b/26646-page-images/p104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8e6bbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p104.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p105.png b/26646-page-images/p105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0fdc2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p105.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p106-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p106-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2b54a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p106-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p106.png b/26646-page-images/p106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5284ac7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p106.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p107.png b/26646-page-images/p107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f01c48d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p107.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p108.png b/26646-page-images/p108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16f0574
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p108.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p109.png b/26646-page-images/p109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddff1cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p109.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p111.png b/26646-page-images/p111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..280a515
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p111.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p112.png b/26646-page-images/p112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02e0469
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p112.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p113.png b/26646-page-images/p113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbb1892
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p113.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p114.png b/26646-page-images/p114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c636fc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p114.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p115.png b/26646-page-images/p115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dcad4a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p115.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p116.png b/26646-page-images/p116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a42f7e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p116.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p117.png b/26646-page-images/p117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11b80a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p117.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p119.png b/26646-page-images/p119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35df8fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p119.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p120.png b/26646-page-images/p120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4807e7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p120.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p121.png b/26646-page-images/p121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b32820a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p121.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p122.png b/26646-page-images/p122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49555f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p122.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p123.png b/26646-page-images/p123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a77a7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p123.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p124.png b/26646-page-images/p124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3de7e9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p124.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p125.png b/26646-page-images/p125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b315496
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p125.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p126.png b/26646-page-images/p126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa829c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p126.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p127.png b/26646-page-images/p127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e0e775
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p127.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p128.png b/26646-page-images/p128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f423d36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p128.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p131.png b/26646-page-images/p131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63bc2f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p131.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p132-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p132-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ae75a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p132-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p132.png b/26646-page-images/p132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a049bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p132.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p133.png b/26646-page-images/p133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d372fa8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p133.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p134.png b/26646-page-images/p134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..541bf1b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p134.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p135.png b/26646-page-images/p135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca25477
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p135.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p136-image.png b/26646-page-images/p136-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83bca0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p136-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p136.png b/26646-page-images/p136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7069e48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p136.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p137.png b/26646-page-images/p137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08fd0d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p137.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p138.png b/26646-page-images/p138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47637b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p138.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p139.png b/26646-page-images/p139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed7d63a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p139.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p141.png b/26646-page-images/p141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..476c912
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p141.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p142.png b/26646-page-images/p142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a427e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p142.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p143.png b/26646-page-images/p143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba9cf48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p143.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p144.png b/26646-page-images/p144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49d6422
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p144.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p145.png b/26646-page-images/p145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f343362
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p145.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p146.png b/26646-page-images/p146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e74811
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p146.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p147.png b/26646-page-images/p147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70ecbb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p147.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p148-image.png b/26646-page-images/p148-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e08237
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p148-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p148.png b/26646-page-images/p148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e043265
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p148.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p149.png b/26646-page-images/p149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94b856f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p149.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p150.png b/26646-page-images/p150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2280ad4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p150.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p151.png b/26646-page-images/p151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0533d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p151.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p152.png b/26646-page-images/p152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8bef13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p152.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p153.png b/26646-page-images/p153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27598e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p153.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p154.png b/26646-page-images/p154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9c9ae3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p154.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p155.png b/26646-page-images/p155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0a02cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p155.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p156.png b/26646-page-images/p156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4916b29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p156.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p157.png b/26646-page-images/p157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39de21b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p157.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p158.png b/26646-page-images/p158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cdabf1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p158.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p159.png b/26646-page-images/p159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5187e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p159.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p160.png b/26646-page-images/p160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..670d78a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p160.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p161.png b/26646-page-images/p161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07005d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p161.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p162.png b/26646-page-images/p162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eda909a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p162.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p163.png b/26646-page-images/p163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b909dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p163.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p164.png b/26646-page-images/p164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7684899
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p164.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p165.png b/26646-page-images/p165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1516f86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p165.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p167.png b/26646-page-images/p167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..efe0f42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p167.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p168.png b/26646-page-images/p168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c90fec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p168.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p169.png b/26646-page-images/p169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a57621d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p169.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p171.png b/26646-page-images/p171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a142f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p171.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p172.png b/26646-page-images/p172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d048404
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p172.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p173.png b/26646-page-images/p173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd1c294
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p173.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p174.png b/26646-page-images/p174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87aaa62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p174.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p175.png b/26646-page-images/p175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6379dff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p175.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p176.png b/26646-page-images/p176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab8d8d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p176.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p177.png b/26646-page-images/p177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48c10b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p177.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p178.png b/26646-page-images/p178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b6bf79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p178.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p179.png b/26646-page-images/p179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ab9c85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p179.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p181.png b/26646-page-images/p181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..deec6ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p181.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p182.png b/26646-page-images/p182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b553190
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p182.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p183.png b/26646-page-images/p183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8d59fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p183.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p184.png b/26646-page-images/p184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e92bcbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p184.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p185.png b/26646-page-images/p185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19f7df3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p185.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p187.png b/26646-page-images/p187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83063b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p187.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p188.png b/26646-page-images/p188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dceeb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p188.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p189.png b/26646-page-images/p189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f7df3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p189.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p190.png b/26646-page-images/p190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16634b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p190.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p191.png b/26646-page-images/p191.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46b8d09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p191.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p192.png b/26646-page-images/p192.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4254c7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p192.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p193-image.png b/26646-page-images/p193-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a965b0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p193-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p193.png b/26646-page-images/p193.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..968e7f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p193.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p194.png b/26646-page-images/p194.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d86425
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p194.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p195.png b/26646-page-images/p195.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3cd5b6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p195.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p196.png b/26646-page-images/p196.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5eea03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p196.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p197.png b/26646-page-images/p197.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c088999
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p197.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p198.png b/26646-page-images/p198.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27a1370
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p198.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p199.png b/26646-page-images/p199.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..056f452
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p199.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p200.png b/26646-page-images/p200.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f79188
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p200.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p201.png b/26646-page-images/p201.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c85b32
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p201.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p202.png b/26646-page-images/p202.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..986b70e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p202.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p203.png b/26646-page-images/p203.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a78196
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p203.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p205.png b/26646-page-images/p205.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bcb7ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p205.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p206.png b/26646-page-images/p206.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..174ce46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p206.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p207.png b/26646-page-images/p207.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..739fb50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p207.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p208.png b/26646-page-images/p208.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9edcda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p208.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p209.png b/26646-page-images/p209.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27e7ec7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p209.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p210.png b/26646-page-images/p210.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..181d23f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p210.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p211.png b/26646-page-images/p211.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d4143c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p211.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p212.png b/26646-page-images/p212.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cf65cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p212.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p213.png b/26646-page-images/p213.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c07910f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p213.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p214.png b/26646-page-images/p214.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c53b207
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p214.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p215.png b/26646-page-images/p215.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..956beea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p215.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p216.png b/26646-page-images/p216.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63894f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p216.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p217.png b/26646-page-images/p217.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1b5820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p217.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p219.png b/26646-page-images/p219.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d592c8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p219.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p220.png b/26646-page-images/p220.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2641b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p220.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p221.png b/26646-page-images/p221.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8eea28d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p221.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p222.png b/26646-page-images/p222.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e398d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p222.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p223.png b/26646-page-images/p223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b82b2cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p223.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p224.png b/26646-page-images/p224.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09f9829
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p224.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p225.png b/26646-page-images/p225.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc3cfa8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p225.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p226.png b/26646-page-images/p226.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..729ab47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p226.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p227.png b/26646-page-images/p227.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4df35f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p227.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p228.png b/26646-page-images/p228.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2842e56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p228.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p229.png b/26646-page-images/p229.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f99b975
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p229.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p230.png b/26646-page-images/p230.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80dc81b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p230.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p231.png b/26646-page-images/p231.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f108d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p231.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p233.png b/26646-page-images/p233.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5afd3e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p233.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p234.png b/26646-page-images/p234.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af05c54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p234.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p235.png b/26646-page-images/p235.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec39f8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p235.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p236.png b/26646-page-images/p236.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c2652e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p236.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p237.png b/26646-page-images/p237.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47e431e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p237.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p239.png b/26646-page-images/p239.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcea691
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p239.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p240.png b/26646-page-images/p240.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc0c2f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p240.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p241.png b/26646-page-images/p241.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..250dde2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p241.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p242.png b/26646-page-images/p242.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..821183e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p242.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p243.png b/26646-page-images/p243.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27a84eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p243.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p245.png b/26646-page-images/p245.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..051bc1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p245.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p246.png b/26646-page-images/p246.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5132b22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p246.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p247.png b/26646-page-images/p247.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69e003
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p247.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p248.png b/26646-page-images/p248.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93e9f42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p248.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p249.png b/26646-page-images/p249.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4423a0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p249.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p250.png b/26646-page-images/p250.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c54448b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p250.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p251.png b/26646-page-images/p251.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9302fbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p251.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p252.png b/26646-page-images/p252.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..038efc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p252.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p253.png b/26646-page-images/p253.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3f6257
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p253.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p254.png b/26646-page-images/p254.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..129a045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p254.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p255.png b/26646-page-images/p255.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62cc4f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p255.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p256.png b/26646-page-images/p256.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9befce2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p256.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p257.png b/26646-page-images/p257.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..881d029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p257.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p259.png b/26646-page-images/p259.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..505dfd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p259.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p260.png b/26646-page-images/p260.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2951ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p260.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p261.png b/26646-page-images/p261.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad4880b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p261.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p262.png b/26646-page-images/p262.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b9c460
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p262.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p263-image.png b/26646-page-images/p263-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb0484e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p263-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p263.png b/26646-page-images/p263.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc4fe0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p263.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p264.png b/26646-page-images/p264.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11ef35e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p264.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p265.png b/26646-page-images/p265.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3fd197
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p265.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p266.png b/26646-page-images/p266.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fdc90c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p266.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p267.png b/26646-page-images/p267.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3c3799
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p267.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p268.png b/26646-page-images/p268.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f109a9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p268.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p269.png b/26646-page-images/p269.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d3b3e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p269.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p270.png b/26646-page-images/p270.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eec5e4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p270.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p271.png b/26646-page-images/p271.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5551a89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p271.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p273.png b/26646-page-images/p273.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d6ea20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p273.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p274-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p274-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17905e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p274-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p274.png b/26646-page-images/p274.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33da8ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p274.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p275.png b/26646-page-images/p275.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c82933d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p275.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p276.png b/26646-page-images/p276.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..512b462
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p276.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p277.png b/26646-page-images/p277.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5b00a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p277.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p278.png b/26646-page-images/p278.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa14bb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p278.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p279.png b/26646-page-images/p279.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d397148
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p279.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p281.png b/26646-page-images/p281.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7681f34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p281.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p282.png b/26646-page-images/p282.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7066c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p282.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p283.png b/26646-page-images/p283.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..721eac3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p283.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p285.png b/26646-page-images/p285.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e87194a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p285.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p286.png b/26646-page-images/p286.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bd9cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p286.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p287.png b/26646-page-images/p287.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ababf77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p287.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p288.png b/26646-page-images/p288.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6713d7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p288.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p289.png b/26646-page-images/p289.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b02b8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p289.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p290.png b/26646-page-images/p290.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08f29a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p290.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p291.png b/26646-page-images/p291.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad0e07e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p291.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p292.png b/26646-page-images/p292.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b04c9aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p292.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p293.png b/26646-page-images/p293.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e075cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p293.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p294.png b/26646-page-images/p294.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94608a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p294.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p295.png b/26646-page-images/p295.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..495db8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p295.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p297.png b/26646-page-images/p297.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7355418
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p297.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p298.png b/26646-page-images/p298.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6617303
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p298.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p299.png b/26646-page-images/p299.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ffe2d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p299.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p300-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p300-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8263014
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p300-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p300.png b/26646-page-images/p300.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2b013e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p300.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p301.png b/26646-page-images/p301.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1774920
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p301.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p302.png b/26646-page-images/p302.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6e36ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p302.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p303.png b/26646-page-images/p303.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a2cfc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p303.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p304.png b/26646-page-images/p304.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d4fce3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p304.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p305.png b/26646-page-images/p305.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..433968e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p305.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p306.png b/26646-page-images/p306.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae86ab1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p306.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p307.png b/26646-page-images/p307.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5973815
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p307.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p308.png b/26646-page-images/p308.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0f8bfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p308.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p309.png b/26646-page-images/p309.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d800c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p309.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p310.png b/26646-page-images/p310.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0309d6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p310.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p311.png b/26646-page-images/p311.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc7fc07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p311.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p313.png b/26646-page-images/p313.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6cd2ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p313.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p314.png b/26646-page-images/p314.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf8727a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p314.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p315.png b/26646-page-images/p315.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..139e474
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p315.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p317.png b/26646-page-images/p317.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e3fcdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p317.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p318-insert.png b/26646-page-images/p318-insert.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5b213a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p318-insert.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p318.png b/26646-page-images/p318.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..254376b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p318.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p319.png b/26646-page-images/p319.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0142891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p319.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p320.png b/26646-page-images/p320.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbfd166
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p320.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p321.png b/26646-page-images/p321.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01ab9fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p321.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p322.png b/26646-page-images/p322.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd0bc8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p322.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p323.png b/26646-page-images/p323.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6783419
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p323.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p324.png b/26646-page-images/p324.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2528e40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p324.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p325.png b/26646-page-images/p325.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6eae46a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p325.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p326.png b/26646-page-images/p326.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48fd656
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p326.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p327.png b/26646-page-images/p327.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67efb54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p327.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p328.png b/26646-page-images/p328.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c631fbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p328.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p329.png b/26646-page-images/p329.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..246cd0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p329.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p330.png b/26646-page-images/p330.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df0c3f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p330.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p331.png b/26646-page-images/p331.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e01dcf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p331.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p332.png b/26646-page-images/p332.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97f2c16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p332.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p333.png b/26646-page-images/p333.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3478d96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p333.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p334.png b/26646-page-images/p334.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2305bb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p334.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p335.png b/26646-page-images/p335.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90d87bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p335.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p336.png b/26646-page-images/p336.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f8dd10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p336.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p337.png b/26646-page-images/p337.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1950b8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p337.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p338.png b/26646-page-images/p338.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b57a941
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p338.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p339.png b/26646-page-images/p339.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fca981b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p339.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p340.png b/26646-page-images/p340.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bbc00e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p340.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p341.png b/26646-page-images/p341.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6143f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p341.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p342.png b/26646-page-images/p342.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8447a24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p342.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p343.png b/26646-page-images/p343.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c035541
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p343.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p344.png b/26646-page-images/p344.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..848bf7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p344.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p345.png b/26646-page-images/p345.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6fb29cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p345.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p346.png b/26646-page-images/p346.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b82c5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p346.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p347.png b/26646-page-images/p347.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcfdd66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p347.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p349.png b/26646-page-images/p349.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d2464e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p349.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p350.png b/26646-page-images/p350.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ea51cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p350.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p351.png b/26646-page-images/p351.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a5aeb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p351.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p352.png b/26646-page-images/p352.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb4df9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p352.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p353.png b/26646-page-images/p353.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d705e0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p353.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p354.png b/26646-page-images/p354.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea87913
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p354.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p355.png b/26646-page-images/p355.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..44d7a42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p355.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p357.png b/26646-page-images/p357.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2536434
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p357.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p358.png b/26646-page-images/p358.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be7fa18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p358.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p359.png b/26646-page-images/p359.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..822bffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p359.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p360.png b/26646-page-images/p360.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7faae04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p360.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p361.png b/26646-page-images/p361.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc381a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p361.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p362.png b/26646-page-images/p362.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..968d52b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p362.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p365.png b/26646-page-images/p365.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdafe5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p365.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p366.png b/26646-page-images/p366.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ec53ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p366.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p367.png b/26646-page-images/p367.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e3274c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p367.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p368.png b/26646-page-images/p368.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b16ba2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p368.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p369.png b/26646-page-images/p369.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1eb9762
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p369.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p370.png b/26646-page-images/p370.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06fc2fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p370.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p371.png b/26646-page-images/p371.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab47218
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p371.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p372.png b/26646-page-images/p372.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab3a046
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p372.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p373.png b/26646-page-images/p373.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06cf3f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p373.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p375.png b/26646-page-images/p375.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a74c76d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p375.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p376.png b/26646-page-images/p376.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b880b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p376.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p377.png b/26646-page-images/p377.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0a100c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p377.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p378.png b/26646-page-images/p378.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34ebdf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p378.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p379.png b/26646-page-images/p379.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5c6e18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p379.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p380.png b/26646-page-images/p380.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a077f10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p380.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p381-image.png b/26646-page-images/p381-image.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6fc9ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p381-image.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p381.png b/26646-page-images/p381.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eba5fcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p381.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p382.png b/26646-page-images/p382.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..192dacb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p382.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p383.png b/26646-page-images/p383.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4590e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p383.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p384.png b/26646-page-images/p384.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14670d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p384.png
diff --git a/26646-page-images/p385.png b/26646-page-images/p385.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6ac90f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646-page-images/p385.png
diff --git a/26646.txt b/26646.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2cba417
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10178 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Book of Romance
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Andrew Lang
+
+Illustrator: H. J. Ford
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2008 [EBook #26646]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+        [Illustration: LANCELOT BEARS OFF GUENEVERE (p. 153)]
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                           BOOK OF ROMANCE
+
+
+
+
+                              EDITED BY
+
+                             ANDREW LANG
+
+
+             _WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. J. FORD_
+
+
+
+
+                       LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
+
+                      39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
+
+                         NEW YORK AND BOMBAY
+
+                                 1902
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright 1902
+
+                                  BY
+
+                        LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_PREFACE_
+
+
+It is to be supposed that children do not read Prefaces; these are
+Bluebeard's rooms, which they are not curious to unlock. A few words
+may therefore be said about the Romances contained in this book. In
+the editor's opinion, romances are only fairy tales grown up. The
+whole mass of the plot and incident of romance was invented by nobody
+knows who, nobody knows when, nobody knows where. Almost every people
+has the Cinderella story, with all sorts of variations: a boy hero in
+place of a girl heroine, a beast in place of a fairy godmother, and so
+on. The Zunis, an agricultural tribe of New Mexico, have a version in
+which the moral turns out to be against poor Cinderella, who comes to
+an ill end. The Red Indians have the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice,
+told in a very touching shape, but without the music. On the other
+hand, the negroes in the States have the Orpheus tale, adapted to
+plantation life, in a form which is certainly borrowed from Europeans.
+This version was sent to me some years ago, by Mr. Barnet Phillips,
+Brooklyn, New York, and I give it here for its curiosity. If the
+proper names, Jim Orpus and Dicey, had not been given, we might not
+feel absolutely certain that the story was borrowed. It is a good
+example of adaptation from the heroic age of Greece to the servile age
+of Africans.
+
+
+DICEY AND ORPUS
+
+
+Dat war eber so long ago, 'cause me granmammy tell me so. It h'aint no
+white-folks yarn--no Sah. Gall she war call Dicey, an' she war borned
+on de plantation. Whar Jim Orpus kum from, granmammy she disremember.
+He war a boss-fiddler, he war, an' jus' that powerful, dat when de
+mules in de cotton field listen to um, dey no budge in de furrer.
+Orpus he neber want no mess of fish, ketched wid a angle. He just take
+him fiddle an' fool along de branch, an' play a tune, an' up dey
+comes, an' he cotch 'em in he hans. He war mighty sot on Dicey, an'
+dey war married all proper an' reg'lar. Hit war so long ago, dat de
+railroad war a bran-new spick an' span ting in dose days. Dicey once
+she lounge 'round de track, 'cause she tink she hear Orpus a fiddlin'
+in de fur-fur-away. Onyways de hengine smash her. Den Jim Orpus he
+took on turrible, an' when she war buried, he sot him down on de
+grave, an' he fiddle an' he fiddle till most yo' heart was bruk.
+
+An' he play so long dat de groun' crummle (crumble) an' sink, an' nex'
+day, when de peoples look for Jim Orpus, dey no find um; oney big-hole
+in de lot, an' nobody never see Jim Orpus no mo'. An' dey do say, dat
+ef yo' go inter a darky's burial-groun', providin' no white man been
+planted thar, an' yo' clap yo' ear to de groun', yo' can hear Jim's
+fiddle way down deep belo', a folloin' Dicey fru' de lan' of de Golden
+Slippah.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: Mr. Phillips, writing in 1896, says that the tale was
+told him by a plantation hand, thirty years ago, 'long before the
+Uncle Remus period.']
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The original touch, the sound of Orpus's fiddle heard only in the
+graveyards of the negroes (like the fairy music under the fairy hill
+at Ballachulish), is very remarkable. Now the Red Indian story has no
+harper, and no visit by the hero to the land of the dead. His grief
+brings his wife back to him, and he loses her again by breaking a
+taboo, as Orpheus did by looking back, a thing always forbidden. Thus
+we do not know whether or not the Red Indian version is borrowed from
+the European myth, probably enough it is not. But in no case--not
+even when the same plot and incidents occur among Egyptians and the
+Central Australian tribes, or among the frosty Samoyeds and Eskimo,
+the Samoans, the Andamanese, the Zulus, and the Japanese, as well as
+among Celts and ancient Greeks--can we be absolutely certain that the
+story has not been diffused and borrowed, in the backward of time.
+Thus the date and place of origin of these eternal stories, the
+groundwork of ballads and popular tales, can never be ascertained. The
+oldest known version may be found in the literature of Egypt or
+Chaldaea, but it is an obvious fallacy to argue that the place of
+origin must be the place where the tale was first written down in
+hieroglyph or cuneiform characters.
+
+There the stories are: they are as common among the remotest savages
+as among the peasants of Hungary, France, or Assynt. They bear all the
+birth-marks of an early society, with the usual customs and
+superstitions of man in such a stage of existence. Their oldest and
+least corrupted forms exist among savages, and people who do not read
+and write. But when reading and writing and a class of professional
+minstrels and tellers of tales arose, these men invented no new plots,
+but borrowed the plots and incidents of the world-old popular stories.
+They adapted these to their own condition of society, just as the
+plantation negroes adapted Orpheus and Eurydice. They elevated the
+nameless heroes and heroines into Kings, Queens, and Knights,
+Odysseus, Arthur, Charlemagne, Diarmid, and the rest. They took an
+ancient popular tale, known all over the earth, and attributed the
+adventures of the characters to historical persons, like Charlemagne
+and his family, or to Saints, for the legends of early Celtic Saints
+are full of fairy-tale materials. Characters half historic, half
+fabulous, like Arthur, were endowed with fairy gifts, and inherited
+the feats of nameless imaginary heroes.
+
+The results of this uncritical literary handling of elements really
+popular were the national romances of Arthur, of Charlemagne, of
+Sigurd, or of Etzel. The pagan legends were Christianised, like that
+of Beowulf; they were expanded into measureless length, whole cycles
+were invented about the heroic families; poets altered the materials
+each in his own way and to serve his own purpose, and often to glorify
+his own country. If the Saracens told their story of Roland at
+Roncevalles, it would be very different from that of the old Frankish
+_chansons de geste_. Thus the romances are a mixture of popular tales,
+of literary invention, and of history as transmitted in legend. To the
+charm of fairy tale they add the fascination of the age of chivalry,
+yet I am not sure but that children will prefer the fairy tale pure
+and simple, nor am I sure that their taste would be wrong, if they
+did.
+
+In the versions here offered, the story of Arthur is taken mainly from
+Malory's compilation, from sources chiefly French, but the opening of
+the Graal story is adapted from Mr. Sebastian Evans's 'High History of
+the Holy Graal,' a masterpiece of the translator's art. For permission
+to adapt this chapter I have to thank the kindness of Mr. Evans.
+
+The story of Roland is from the French Epic, probably of the eleventh
+century, but resting on earlier materials, legend and ballad. William
+Short Nose is also from the _chanson de geste_ of that hero.
+
+The story of Diarmid, ancient Irish and also current among the
+Dalriadic invaders of Argyle, is taken from the translations in the
+Transactions of the Ossianic Society.
+
+The story of Robin Hood is from the old English ballads of the
+courteous outlaw, whose feast, in Scotland, fell in the early days of
+May. His alleged date varies between the ages of Richard I. and Edward
+II., but all the labours of the learned have thrown no light on this
+popular hero.
+
+A child can see how _English_ Robin is, how human, and possible and
+good-humoured are his character and feats, while Arthur is half
+Celtic, half French and chivalrous, and while the deeds of the French
+Roland, and of the Celtic Diarmid, are exaggerated beyond the
+possible. There is nothing of the fairylike in Robin, and he has no
+thirst for the Ideal. Had we given the adventures of Sir William
+Wallace, from Blind Harry, it would have appeared that the Lowland
+Scots could exaggerate like other people.
+
+The story of Wayland the Smith is very ancient. An ivory in the
+British Museum, apparently of the eighth century, represents Wayland
+making the cups out of the skulls. As told here the legend is adapted
+from the amplified version by Oehlenschlaeger. Scott's use of the story
+in 'Kenilworth' will be remembered.
+
+All the romances are written by Mrs. Lang, except the story of Grettir
+the Strong, done by Mr. H. S. C. Everard from the saga translated by
+Mr. William Morris.
+
+A. LANG.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_CONTENTS_
+
+
+                                                     PAGE
+
+_The Drawing of the Sword_                             3
+
+_The Questing Beast_                                   9
+
+_The Sword Excalibur_                                 14
+
+_The Story of Sir Balin_                              16
+
+_How the Round Table began_                           25
+
+_The Passing of Merlin_                               31
+
+_How Morgan Le Fay tried to kill King Arthur_         33
+
+_What Beaumains asked of the King_                    38
+
+_The Quest of the Holy Graal_                         64
+
+_The Fight for the Queen_                            102
+
+_The Fair Maid of Astolat_                           113
+
+_Lancelot and Guenevere_                             132
+
+_The End of it All_                                  160
+
+_The Battle of Roncevalles_                          177
+
+_The Pursuit of Diarmid_                             215
+
+_Some Adventures of William Short Nose_              253
+
+_Wayland the Smith_                                  293
+
+_The Story of Robin Hood_                            323
+
+_The Story of Grettir the Strong_                    359
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_ILLUSTRATIONS_
+
+
+_COLOURED PLATES_
+
+_Lancelot bears off Guenevere_ (p. 153)               _Frontispiece_
+
+_Arthur meets the Lady of the Lake_              _to face p_.    14
+
+_Lancelot at the Chapel_                               "         77
+
+_Guenevere and Sir Bors_                               "        106
+
+_Lancelot brings Guenevere to Arthur_                  "        132
+
+_Alix kisses Rainouart_                                "        275
+
+_Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains_        "        301
+
+_The Chariot of Freya_                                 "        318
+
+
+_FULL-PAGE PLATES_
+
+_How Arthur drew the Sword_                      _to face p_.     4
+
+_Arthur and the Questing Beast_                        "         10
+
+_The Death of Balin and Balan_                         "         20
+
+_Merlin and Vivien_                                    "         31
+
+_Morgan Le Fay casts away the Scabbard_                "         34
+
+_Gareth and Linet_                                     "         41
+
+_Linet and the Black Knight_                           "         46
+
+_The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth_                 "         54
+
+_Sir Galahad opens the Tomb_                           "         72
+
+_Sir Percivale slays the Serpent_                      "         80
+
+_Lancelot and the Dwarf_                               "         96
+
+_Arthur and Guenevere kiss before all the People_      "        108
+
+_Elaine ties her Sleeve round Sir Lancelot's
+     Helmet_                                           "        116
+
+_The Black Barget_                                     "        127
+
+_The Archers threaten Lancelot_                        "        138
+
+_Sir Mordred_                                    _to face p_.   164
+
+_Excalibur returns to the Mere_                        "        168
+
+_Charlemagne_                                          "        178
+
+_Marsile threatens Ganelon with a Javelin_             "        184
+
+_Roland winds his horn in the Valley of
+     Roncevalles_........                              "        202
+
+_Grania questions the Druid_                           "        216
+
+_Diarmid seizes the Giant's Club_                      "        230
+
+_Diarmid and Grania in the Quicken Tree_               "        236
+
+_The Death of Diarmid_                                 "        242
+
+_Vivian's last Confession_                             "        256
+
+_The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William
+     Short Nose_                                       "        270
+
+_The Lady Gibourc with Rainouart in the
+     Kitchen_                                          "        278
+
+_Rainouart stops the Cowards_                          "        282
+
+_The Three Women by the Stream_                        "        294
+
+_Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda_             "        310
+
+_The Merman warns Banvilda in vain_                    "        314
+
+_'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin Hood_         "        346
+
+_Robin Hood shoots his last Arrow_                     "        354
+
+_Grettir feels Karr's grip_                            "        362
+
+_Grettir overthrows Thorir Redbeard_                   "        372
+
+
+IN TEXT
+
+
+                                                                PAGE
+
+_The Damsel warns Sir Balin_                                     19
+
+_How Sir Bors was saved from killing his Brother_                88
+
+_Sir Mador accuses Guenevere_                                   104
+
+_Guenevere sends her Page to Lancelot for help_                 136
+
+_Lancelot comes out of Guenevere's room_                        148
+
+_The Dream of Charlemagne_                                      193
+
+_The Captives: William Short Nose rides to the rescue_          263
+
+_The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log_                      381
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TALES OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+_THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD_
+
+
+Long, long ago, after Uther Pendragon died, there was no King in
+Britain, and every Knight hoped to seize the crown for himself. The
+country was like to fare ill when laws were broken on every side, and
+the corn which was to give the poor bread was trodden underfoot, and
+there was none to bring the evildoer to justice. Then, when things
+were at their worst, came forth Merlin the magician, and fast he rode
+to the place where the Archbishop of Canterbury had his dwelling. And
+they took counsel together, and agreed that all the lords and
+gentlemen of Britain should ride to London and meet on Christmas Day,
+now at hand, in the Great Church. So this was done. And on Christmas
+morning, as they left the church, they saw in the churchyard a large
+stone, and on it a bar of steel, and in the steel a naked sword was
+held, and about it was written in letters of gold, 'Whoso pulleth out
+this sword is by right of birth King of England.' They marvelled at
+these words, and called for the Archbishop, and brought him into the
+place where the stone stood. Then those Knights who fain would be King
+could not hold themselves back, and they tugged at the sword with all
+their might; but it never stirred. The Archbishop watched them in
+silence, but when they were faint from pulling he spoke: 'The man is
+not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find
+him. But this is my counsel--that two Knights be chosen, good and true
+men, to keep guard over the sword.'
+
+Thus it was done. But the lords and gentlemen-at-arms cried out that
+every man had a right to try to win the sword, and they decided that
+on New Year's Day a tournament should be held, and any Knight who
+would, might enter the lists.
+
+So on New Year's Day, the Knights, as their custom was, went to hear
+service in the Great Church, and after it was over they met in the
+field to make ready for the tourney. Among them was a brave Knight
+called Sir Ector, who brought with him Sir Kay, his son, and Arthur,
+Kay's foster-brother. Now Kay had unbuckled his sword the evening
+before, and in his haste to be at the tourney had forgotten to put it
+on again, and he begged Arthur to ride back and fetch it for him. But
+when Arthur reached the house the door was locked, for the women had
+gone out to see the tourney, and though Arthur tried his best to get
+in he could not. Then he rode away in great anger, and said to
+himself, 'Kay shall not be without a sword this day. I will take that
+sword in the churchyard, and give it to him'; and he galloped fast
+till he reached the gate of the churchyard. Here he jumped down and
+tied his horse tightly to a tree, then, running up to the stone, he
+seized the handle of the sword, and drew it easily out; afterwards he
+mounted his horse again, and delivered the sword to Sir Kay. The
+moment Sir Kay saw the sword he knew it was not his own, but the sword
+of the stone, and he sought out his father Sir Ector, and said to him,
+'Sir, this is the sword of the stone, therefore I am the rightful
+King.' Sir Ector made no answer, but signed to Kay and Arthur to
+follow him, and they all three went back to the church. Leaving their
+horses outside, they entered the choir, and here Sir Ector took a holy
+book and bade Sir Kay swear how he came by that sword. 'My brother
+Arthur gave it to me,' replied Sir Kay. 'How did you come by it?'
+asked Sir Ector, turning to Arthur. 'Sir,' said Arthur, 'when I rode
+home for my brother's sword I found no one to deliver it to me, and as
+I resolved he should not be swordless I thought of the sword in
+this stone, and I pulled it out.' 'Were any Knights present when you
+did this?' asked Sir Ector. 'No, none,' said Arthur. 'Then it is you,'
+said Sir Ector, 'who are the rightful King of this land.' 'But why am
+I the King?' inquired Arthur. 'Because,' answered Sir Ector, 'this is
+an enchanted sword, and no man could draw it but he who was born a
+King. Therefore put the sword back into the stone, and let me see you
+take it out.' 'That is soon done,' said Arthur replacing the sword,
+and Sir Ector himself tried to draw it, but he could not. 'Now it is
+your turn,' he said to Sir Kay, but Sir Kay fared no better than his
+father, though he tugged with all his might and main. 'Now you,
+Arthur,' and Arthur pulled it out as easily as if it had been lying in
+its sheath, and as he did so Sir Ector and Sir Kay sank on their knees
+before him. 'Why do you, my father and brother, kneel to me?' asked
+Arthur in surprise. 'Nay, nay, my lord,' answered Sir Ector, 'I was
+never your father, though till to-day I did not know who your father
+really was. You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought
+to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the
+time came I should know from whom you sprang. And now it has been
+revealed to me.' But when Arthur heard that Sir Ector was not his
+father, he wept bitterly. 'If I am King,' he said at last, 'ask what
+you will, and I shall not fail you. For to you, and to my lady and
+mother, I owe more than to anyone in the world, for she loved me and
+treated me as her son.' 'Sir,' replied Sir Ector, I only ask that you
+will make your foster-brother, Sir Kay, Seneschal[2] of all your
+lands.' 'That I will readily,' answered Arthur, 'and while he and I
+live no other shall fill that office.'
+
+[Footnote 2: 'Seneschal' means steward.]
+
+[Illustration: HOW ARTHUR DREW THE SWORD]
+
+Sir Ector then bade them seek out the Archbishop with him, and they
+told him all that had happened concerning the sword, which Arthur had
+left standing in the stone. And on the Twelfth Day the Knights and
+Barons came again, but none could draw it out but Arthur. When they
+saw this, many of the Barons became angry and cried out that they
+would never own a boy for King whose blood was no better than their
+own. So it was agreed to wait till Candlemas, when more Knights might
+be there, and meanwhile the same two men who had been chosen before
+watched the sword night and day; but at Candlemas it was the same
+thing, and at Easter. And when Pentecost came, the common people who
+were present, and saw Arthur pull out the sword, cried with one voice
+that he was their King, and they would kill any man who said
+differently. Then rich and poor fell on their knees before him, and
+Arthur took the sword and offered it upon the altar where the
+Archbishop stood, and the best man that was there made him Knight.
+After that the crown was put on his head, and he swore to his lords
+and commons that he would be a true King, and would do them justice
+all the days of his life.
+
+
+
+
+_THE QUESTING BEAST_
+
+
+But Arthur had many battles to fight and many Kings to conquer before
+he was acknowledged lord of them all, and often he would have failed
+had he not listened to the wisdom of Merlin, and been helped by his
+sword Excalibur, which in obedience to Merlin's orders he never drew
+till things were going ill with him. Later it shall be told how the
+King got the sword Excalibur, which shone so bright in his enemies'
+eyes that they fell back, dazzled by the brightness. Many Knights came
+to his standard, and among them Sir Ban, King of Gaul beyond the sea,
+who was ever his faithful friend. And it was in one of these wars,
+when King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors went to the rescue of the
+King of Cameliard, that Arthur saw Guenevere, the King's daughter,
+whom he afterwards wedded. By and by King Ban and King Bors returned
+to their own country across the sea, and the King went to Carlion, a
+town on the river Usk, where a strange dream came to him.
+
+He thought that the land was over-run with gryphons and serpents which
+burnt and slew his people, and he made war on the monsters, and was
+sorely wounded, though at last he killed them all. When he awoke the
+remembrance of his dream was heavy upon him, and to shake it off he
+summoned his Knights to hunt with him, and they rode fast till they
+reached a forest. Soon they spied a hart before them, which the King
+claimed as his game, and he spurred his horse and rode after him. But
+the hart ran fast and the King could not get near it, and the chase
+lasted so long that the King himself grew heavy and his horse fell
+dead under him. Then he sat under a tree and rested, till he heard the
+baying of hounds, and fancied he counted as many as thirty of them. He
+raised his head to look, and, coming towards him, saw a beast so
+strange that its like was not to be found throughout his kingdom. It
+went straight to the well and drank, making as it did so the noise of
+many hounds baying, and when it had drunk its fill the beast went its
+way.
+
+While the King was wondering what sort of a beast this could be, a
+Knight rode by, who, seeing a man lying under a tree, stopped and said
+to him: 'Knight full of thought and sleepy, tell me if a strange beast
+has passed this way?'
+
+'Yes, truly,' answered Arthur, 'and by now it must be two miles
+distant. What do you want with it?'
+
+'Oh sir, I have followed that beast from far,' replied he, 'and have
+ridden my horse to death. If only I could find another I would still
+go after it.' As he spoke a squire came up leading a fresh horse for
+the King, and when the Knight saw it he prayed that it might be given
+to him, 'for,' said he, 'I have followed this quest this twelvemonth,
+and either I shall slay him or he will slay me.'
+
+'Sir Knight,' answered the King, 'you have done your part; leave now
+your quest, and let me follow the beast for the same time that you
+have done.' 'Ah, fool!' replied the Knight, whose name was Pellinore,
+'it would be all in vain, for none may slay that beast but I or my
+next of kin'; and without more words he sprang into the saddle. 'You
+may take my horse by force,' said the King, 'but I should like to
+prove first which of us two is the better horseman.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR AND THE QUESTING BEAST]
+
+'Well,' answered the Knight, 'when you want me, come to this spring.
+Here you will always find me,' and, spurring his horse, he galloped
+away. The King watched him till he was out of sight, then turned to
+his squire and bade him bring another horse as quickly as he could.
+While he was waiting for it the wizard Merlin came along in the
+likeness of a boy, and asked the King why he was so thoughtful.
+
+'I may well be thoughtful,' replied the King, 'for I have seen the
+most wonderful sight in all the world.'
+
+'That I know well,' said Merlin, 'for I know all your thoughts. But it
+is folly to let your mind dwell on it, for thinking will mend nothing.
+I know, too, that Uther Pendragon was your father, and your mother was
+the Lady Igraine.'
+
+'How can a boy like you know that?' cried Arthur, growing angry; but
+Merlin only answered, 'I know it better than any man living,' and
+passed, returning soon after in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore, and sitting down by the well to rest.
+
+'What makes you so sad?' asked he.
+
+'I may well be sad,' replied Arthur, 'there is plenty to make me so.
+And besides, there was a boy here who told me things that he had no
+business to know, and among them the names of my father and mother.'
+
+'He told you the truth,' said the old man, 'and if you would have
+listened he could have told you still more; how that your sister shall
+have a child who shall destroy you and all your Knights.'
+
+'Who are you?' asked Arthur, wondering.
+
+'I am Merlin, and it was I who came to you in the likeness of a boy. I
+know all things; how that you shall die a noble death, being slain in
+battle, while my end will be shameful, for I shall be put alive into
+the earth.'
+
+There was no time to say more, for the man brought up the King's
+horse, and he mounted, and rode fast till he came to Carlion.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SWORD EXCALIBUR_
+
+
+King Arthur had fought a hard battle with the tallest Knight in all
+the land, and though he struck hard and well, he would have been slain
+had not Merlin enchanted the Knight and cast him into a deep sleep,
+and brought the King to a hermit who had studied the art of healing,
+and cured all his wounds in three days. Then Arthur and Merlin waited
+no longer, but gave the hermit thanks and departed.
+
+As they rode together Arthur said, 'I have no sword,' but Merlin bade
+him be patient and he would soon give him one. In a little while they
+came to a large lake, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an
+arm rising out of the water, holding up a sword. 'Look!' said Merlin,
+'that is the sword I spoke of.' And the King looked again, and a
+maiden stood upon the water. 'That is the Lady of the Lake,' said
+Merlin, 'and she is coming to you, and if you ask her courteously she
+will give you the sword.' So when the maiden drew near Arthur saluted
+her and said, 'Maiden, I pray you tell me whose sword is that which an
+arm is holding out of the water? I wish it were mine, for I have lost
+my sword.'
+
+'That sword is mine, King Arthur,' answered she, 'and I will give it
+to you, if you in return will give me a gift when I ask you.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR MEETS THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND GETS THE SWORD
+EXCALIBUR]
+
+'By my faith,' said the King, 'I will give you whatever gift you ask.'
+'Well,' said the maiden, 'get into the barge yonder, and row yourself
+to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you.' For this was the
+sword Excalibur. 'As for _my_ gift, I will ask it in my own time.'
+Then King Arthur and Merlin dismounted from their horses and tied them
+up safely, and went into the barge, and when they came to the place
+where the arm was holding the sword Arthur took it by the handle, and
+the arm disappeared. And they brought the sword back to land. As they
+rode the King looked lovingly on his sword, which Merlin saw, and,
+smiling, said, 'Which do you like best, the sword or the scabbard?' 'I
+like the sword,' answered Arthur. 'You are not wise to say that,'
+replied Merlin, 'for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword, and as
+long as it is buckled on you you will lose no blood, however sorely
+you may be wounded.' So they rode into the town of Carlion, and
+Arthur's Knights gave them a glad welcome, and said it was a joy to
+serve under a King who risked his life as much as any common man.
+
+
+
+
+_THE STORY OF SIR BALIN_
+
+
+In those days many Kings reigned in the Islands of the Sea, and they
+constantly waged war upon each other, and on their liege lord, and
+news came to Arthur that Ryons, King of North Wales, had collected a
+large host and had ravaged his lands and slain some of his people.
+When he heard this, Arthur rose in anger, and commanded that all
+lords, Knights, and gentlemen of arms should meet him at Camelot,
+where he would call a council, and hold a tourney.
+
+From every part the Knights flocked to Camelot, and the town was full
+to overflowing of armed men and their horses. And when they were all
+assembled, there rode in a damsel, who said she had come with a
+message from the great Lady Lile of Avelion, and begged that they
+would bring her before King Arthur. When she was led into his presence
+she let her mantle of fur slip off her shoulders, and they saw that by
+her side a richly wrought sword was buckled. The King was silent with
+wonder at the strange sight, but at last he said, 'Damsel, why do you
+wear this sword? for swords are not the ornaments of women.' 'Oh, my
+lord,' answered she, 'I would I could find some Knight to rid me of
+this sword, which weighs me down and causes me much sorrow. But the
+man who will deliver me of it must be one who is mighty of his hands,
+and pure in his deeds, without villainy, or treason. If I find a
+Knight such as this, he will draw this sword out of its sheath, and
+he only. For I have been at the Court of King Ryons, and he and his
+Knights tried with all their strength to draw the sword and they could
+not.'
+
+'Let me see if I can draw it,' said Arthur, 'not because I think
+myself the best Knight, for well I know how far I am outdone by
+others, but to set them an example that they may follow me.' With that
+the King took the sword by the sheath and by the girdle, and pulled at
+it with all his force, but the sword stuck fast. 'Sir,' said the
+damsel, 'you need not pull half so hard, for he that shall pull it out
+shall do it with little strength.' 'It is not for me,' answered
+Arthur, 'and now, my Barons, let each man try his fortune.' So most of
+the Knights of the Round Table there present pulled, one after
+another, at the sword, but none could stir it from its sheath. 'Alas!
+alas!' cried the damsel in great grief, 'I thought to find in this
+Court Knights that were blameless and true of heart, and now I know
+not where to look for them.' 'By my faith,' said Arthur, 'there are no
+better Knights in the world than these of mine, but I am sore
+displeased that they cannot help me in this matter.'
+
+Now at that time there was a poor Knight at Arthur's Court who had
+been kept prisoner for a year and a half because he had slain the
+King's cousin. He was of high birth and his name was Balin, and after
+he had suffered eighteen months the punishment of his misdeed the
+Barons prayed the King to set him free, which Arthur did willingly.
+When Balin, standing apart beheld the Knights one by one try the
+sword, and fail to draw it, his heart beat fast, yet he shrank from
+taking his turn, for he was meanly dressed, and could not compare with
+the other Barons. But after the damsel had bid farewell to Arthur and
+his Court, and was setting out on her journey homewards, he called to
+her and said, 'Damsel, I pray you to suffer me to try your sword, as
+well as these lords, for though I am so poorly clothed, my heart is as
+high as theirs.' The damsel stopped and looked at him, and answered,
+'Sir, it is not needful to put you to such trouble, for where so many
+have failed it is hardly likely that you will succeed.' 'Ah! fair
+damsel,' said Balin, 'it is not fine clothes that make good deeds.'
+'You speak truly,' replied the damsel, 'therefore do what you can.'
+Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and pulled it out
+easily, and when he looked at the sword he was greatly pleased with
+it. The King and the Knights were dumb with surprise that it was Balin
+who had triumphed over them, and many of them envied him and felt
+anger towards him. 'In truth,' said the damsel, 'this is the best
+Knight that I ever found, but, Sir, I pray you give me the sword
+again.'
+
+'No,' answered Balin, 'I will keep it till it is taken from me by
+force.' 'It is for your sake, not mine, that I ask for it,' said the
+damsel, 'for with that sword you shall slay the man you love best, and
+it shall bring about your own ruin.' 'I will take what befalls me,'
+replied Balin, 'but the sword I will not give up, by the faith of my
+body.' So the damsel departed in great sorrow. The next day Sir Balin
+left the Court, and, armed with his sword, set forth in search of
+adventures, which he found in many places where he had not thought to
+meet with them. In all the fights that he fought, Sir Balin was the
+victor, and Arthur, and Merlin his friend, knew that there was no
+Knight living of greater deeds, or more worthy of worship. And he was
+known to all as Sir Balin le Savage, the Knight of the two swords.
+
+One day he was riding forth when at the turning of a road he saw a
+cross, and on it was written in letters of gold, 'Let no Knight ride
+towards this castle.' Sir Balin was still reading the writing when
+there came towards him an old man with white hair, who said, 'Sir
+Balin le Savage, this is not the way for you, so turn again and choose
+some other path.' And so he vanished, and a horn blew loudly, as a
+horn is blown at the death of a beast. 'That blast,' said Balin, 'is
+for me, but I am still alive,' and he rode to the castle, where a
+great company of knights and ladies met him and welcomed him, and made
+him a feast. Then the lady of the castle said to him, 'Knight with the
+two swords, you must now fight a Knight that guards an island, for it
+is our law that no man may leave us without he first fight a tourney.'
+
+[Illustration: The Damsel Warns Sir Balin.]
+
+'That is a bad custom,' said Balin, 'but if I must I am ready; for
+though my horse is weary my heart is strong.'
+
+'Sir,' said a Knight to him, 'your shield does not look whole to me; I
+will lend you another'; so Balin listened to him and took the shield
+that was offered, and left his own with his own coat of arms behind
+him. He rode down to the shore, and led his horse into a boat, which
+took them across. When he reached the other side, a damsel came to him
+crying, 'O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield behind you?
+Alas! you have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield you
+should have been known. I grieve over your doom, for there is no man
+living that can rival you for courage and bold deeds.'
+
+'I repent,' answered Balin, 'ever having come into this country, but
+for very shame I must go on. Whatever befalls me, either for life or
+death, I am ready to take it.' Then he examined his armour, and saw
+that it was whole, and mounted his horse.
+
+As he went along the path he beheld a Knight come out of a castle in
+front, clothed in red, riding a horse with red trappings. When this
+red Knight looked on the two swords, he thought for a moment it was
+Balin, but the shield did not bear Balin's device. So they rode at
+each other with their spears, and smote each other's shields so hard
+that both horses and men fell to the ground with the shock, and the
+Knights lay unconscious on the ground for some minutes. But soon they
+rose up again and began the fight afresh, and they fought till the
+place was red with their blood, and they had each seven great wounds.
+'What Knight are you?' asked Balin le Savage, pausing for breath, 'for
+never before have I found any Knight to match me.' 'My name,' said he,
+'is Balan, brother to the good Knight Balin.'
+
+[Illustration: The Death of Balin and Balan]
+
+'Alas!' cried Balin, 'that I should ever live to see this day,' and he
+fell back fainting to the ground. At this sight Balan crept on his
+feet and hands, and pulled off Balin's helmet, so that he might see
+his face. The fresh air revived Balin, and he awoke and said: 'O
+Balan, my brother, you have slain me, and I you, and the whole world
+shall speak ill of us both.'
+
+'Alas,' sighed Balan, 'if I had only known you! I saw your two swords,
+but from your shield I thought you had been another knight.'
+
+'Woe is me!' said Balin, 'all this was wrought by an unhappy knight in
+the castle, who caused me to change my shield for his. If I lived, I
+would destroy that castle that he should not deceive other men.'
+
+'You would have done well,' answered Balan, 'for they have kept me
+prisoner ever since I slew a Knight that guarded this island, and they
+would have kept you captive too.' Then came the lady of the castle and
+her companions, and listened as they made their moan. And Balan prayed
+that she would grant them the grace to lie together, there where they
+died, and their wish was given them, and she and those that were with
+her wept for pity.
+
+So they died; and the lady made a tomb for them, and put Balan's name
+alone on it, for Balin's name she knew not. But Merlin knew, and next
+morning he came and wrote it in letters of gold, and he ungirded
+Balin's sword, and unscrewed the pommel, and put another pommel on it,
+and bade a Knight that stood by handle it, but the Knight could not.
+At that Merlin laughed. 'Why do you laugh?' asked the Knight.
+'Because,' said Merlin, 'no man shall handle this sword but the best
+Knight in the world, and that is either Sir Lancelot or his son Sir
+Galahad. With this sword Sir Lancelot shall slay the man he loves
+best, and Sir Gawaine is his name.' And this was later done, in a
+fight across the seas.
+
+All this Merlin wrote on the pommel of the sword. Next he made a
+bridge of steel to the island, six inches broad, and no man could pass
+over it that was guilty of any evil deeds. The scabbard of the sword
+he left on this side of the island, so that Galahad should find it.
+The sword itself he put in a magic stone, which floated down the
+stream to Camelot, that is now called Winchester. And the same day
+Galahad came to the river, having in his hand the scabbard, and he saw
+the sword and pulled it out of the stone, as is told in another
+place.
+
+
+
+
+_HOW THE ROUND TABLE BEGAN_
+
+
+It was told in the story of the Questing Beast that King Arthur
+married the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard, but there was
+not space there to say how it came about. And as the tales of the
+Round Table are full of this lady, Queen Guenevere, it is well that
+anybody who reads this book should learn how she became Queen.
+
+After King Arthur had fought and conquered many enemies, he said one
+day to Merlin, whose counsel he took all the days of his life, 'My
+Barons will let me have no rest, but bid me take a wife, and I have
+answered them that I shall take none, except you advise me.'
+
+'It is well,' replied Merlin, 'that you should take a wife, but is
+there any woman that you love better than another?' 'Yes,' said
+Arthur, 'I love Guenevere, daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard,
+in whose house is the Round Table that my father gave him. This maiden
+is the fairest that I have ever seen, or ever shall see.' 'Sir,'
+answered Merlin, 'what you say as to her beauty is true, but, if your
+heart was not set on her, I could find you another as fair, and of
+more goodness, than she. But if a man's heart is once set it is idle
+to try to turn him.' Then Merlin asked the King to give him a company
+of knights and esquires, that he might go to the Court of King
+Leodegrance and tell him that King Arthur desired to wed his daughter,
+which Arthur did gladly. Therefore Merlin rode forth and made all the
+haste he could till he came to the Castle of Cameliard, and told King
+Leodegrance who had sent him and why.
+
+'That is the best news I have ever had,' replied Leodegrance, 'for
+little did I think that so great and noble a King should seek to marry
+my daughter. As for lands to endow her with, I would give whatever he
+chose; but he has lands enough of his own, so I will give him instead
+something that will please him much more, the Round Table which Uther
+Pendragon gave me, where a hundred and fifty Knights can sit at one
+time. I myself can call to my side a hundred good Knights, but I lack
+fifty, for the wars have slain many, and some are absent.' And without
+more words King Leodegrance gave his consent that his daughter should
+wed King Arthur. And Merlin returned with his Knights and esquires,
+journeying partly by water and partly by land, till they drew near to
+London.
+
+When King Arthur heard of the coming of Merlin and of the Knights with
+the Round Table he was filled with joy, and said to those that stood
+about him, 'This news that Merlin has brought me is welcome indeed,
+for I have long loved this fair lady, and the Round Table is dearer to
+me than great riches.' Then he ordered that Sir Lancelot should ride
+to fetch the Queen, and that preparations for the marriage and her
+coronation should be made, which was done. 'Now, Merlin,' said the
+King, 'go and look about my kingdom and bring fifty of the bravest and
+most famous Knights that can be found throughout the land.' But no
+more than eight and twenty Knights could Merlin find. With these
+Arthur had to be content, and the Bishop of Canterbury was fetched,
+and he blessed the seats that were placed by the Round Table, and the
+Knights sat in them. 'Fair Sirs,' said Merlin, when the Bishop had
+ended his blessing, 'arise all of you, and pay your homage to the
+King.' So the Knights arose to do his bidding, and in every seat was
+the name of the Knight who had sat on it, written in letters of gold,
+but two seats were empty. After that young Gawaine came to the King,
+and prayed him to make him a Knight on the day that he should wed
+Guenevere. 'That I will gladly,' replied the King, 'for you are my
+sister's son.'
+
+As the King was speaking, a poor man entered the Court, bringing with
+him a youth about eighteen years old, riding on a lean mare, though it
+was not the custom for gentlemen to ride on mares. 'Where is King
+Arthur?' asked the man. 'Yonder,' answered the Knights. 'Have you
+business with him?' 'Yes,' said the man, and he went and bowed low
+before the King: 'I have heard, O King Arthur, flower of Knights and
+Kings, that at the time of your marriage you would give any man the
+gift he should ask for.'
+
+'That is truth,' answered the King, 'as long as I do no wrong to other
+men or to my kingdom.'
+
+'I thank you for your gracious words,' said the poor man; 'the boon I
+would ask is that you would make my son a Knight.' 'It is a great boon
+to ask,' answered the King. 'What is your name?'
+
+'Sir, my name is Aries the cowherd.'
+
+'Is it you or your son that has thought of this honour?'
+
+'It is my son who desires it, and not I,' replied the man. 'I have
+thirteen sons who tend cattle, and work in the fields if I bid them;
+but this boy will do nothing but shoot and cast darts, or go to watch
+battles and look on Knights, and all day long he beseeches me to bring
+him to you, that he may be knighted also.'
+
+'What is your name?' said Arthur, turning to the young man.
+
+'Sir, my name is Tor.'
+
+'Where is your sword that I may knight you?' said the King.
+
+'It is here, my lord.'
+
+'Take it out of its sheath,' said the King, 'and require me to make
+you a Knight.' Then Tor jumped off his mare and pulled out his sword,
+and knelt before the King, praying that he might be made a Knight and
+a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+'As for a Knight, that I will make you,' said Arthur, smiting him in
+the neck with the sword, 'and if you are worthy of it you shall be a
+Knight of the Round Table.' And the next day he made Gawaine Knight
+also.
+
+[Illustration: MERLIN AND VIVIEN]
+
+
+
+
+_THE PASSING OF MERLIN._
+
+
+Sir Tor proved before long by his gallant deeds that he was worthy to
+sit in one of the two empty seats of the Round Table. Many of the
+other Knights went out also in search of adventures, and one of them,
+Sir Pellinore, brought a damsel of the lake to Arthur's Court, and
+when Merlin saw her he fell in love with her, so that he desired to be
+always in her company. The damsel laughed in secret at Merlin, but
+made use of him to tell her all she would know, and the wizard had no
+strength to say her nay, though he knew what would come of it. For he
+told King Arthur that before long he should be put into the earth
+alive, for all his cunning. He likewise told the King many things that
+should befall him, and warned him always to keep the scabbard as well
+as the sword Excalibur, and foretold that both sword and scabbard
+should be stolen from him by a woman whom he most trusted. 'You will
+miss my counsel sorely,' added Merlin, 'and would give all your lands
+to have me back again.' 'But since you know what will happen,' said
+the King, 'you may surely guard against it.' 'No,' answered Merlin,
+'that will not be.' So he departed from the King, and the maiden
+followed him whom some call Nimue and others Vivien, and wherever she
+went Merlin went also.
+
+They journeyed together to many places, both at home and across the
+seas, and the damsel was wearied of him, and sought by every means to
+be rid of him, but he would not be shaken off. At last these two
+wandered back to Cornwall, and one day Merlin showed Vivien a rock
+under which he said great marvels were hidden. Then Vivien put forth
+all her powers, and told Merlin how she longed to see the wonders
+beneath the stone, and, in spite of all his wisdom, Merlin listened to
+her and crept under the rock to bring forth the strange things that
+lay there. And when he was under the stone she used the magic he had
+taught her, and the rock rolled over him, and buried him alive, as he
+had told King Arthur. But the damsel departed with joy, and thought no
+more of him: now that she knew all the magic he could teach her.
+
+
+
+
+_HOW MORGAN LE FAY TRIED TO KILL_
+
+_KING ARTHUR_
+
+
+King Arthur had a sister called Morgan le Fay, who was skilled in
+magic of all sorts, and hated her brother because he had slain in
+battle a Knight whom she loved. But to gain her own ends, and to
+revenge herself upon the King, she kept a smiling face, and let none
+guess the passion in her heart.
+
+One day Morgan le Fay went to Queen Guenevere, and asked her leave to
+go into the country. The Queen wished her to wait till Arthur
+returned, but Morgan le Fay said she had had bad news and could not
+wait. Then the Queen let her depart without delay.
+
+Early next morning at break of day Morgan le Fay mounted her horse and
+rode all day and all night, and at noon next day reached the Abbey of
+nuns where King Arthur had gone to rest, for he had fought a hard
+battle, and for three nights had slept but little. 'Do not wake him,'
+said Morgan le Fay, who had come there knowing she would find him, 'I
+will rouse him myself when I think he has had enough sleep,' for she
+thought to steal his sword Excalibur from him. The nuns dared not
+disobey her, so Morgan le Fay went straight into the room where King
+Arthur was lying fast asleep in his bed, and in his right hand was
+grasped his sword Excalibur. When she beheld that sight, her heart
+fell, for she dared not touch the sword, knowing well that if Arthur
+waked and saw her she was a dead woman. So she took the scabbard, and
+went away on horseback.
+
+When the King awoke and missed his scabbard, he was angry, and asked
+who had been there; and the nuns told him that it was his sister
+Morgan le Fay, who had gone away with a scabbard under her mantle.
+'Alas!' said Arthur, 'you have watched me badly!'
+
+'Sir,' said they, 'we dared not disobey your sister.'
+
+'Saddle the best horse that can be found,' commanded the King, 'and
+bid Sir Ontzlake take another and come with me.' And they buckled on
+their armour and rode after Morgan le Fay.
+
+They had not gone far before they met a cowherd, and they stopped to
+ask if he had seen any lady riding that way. 'Yes,' said the cowherd,
+'a lady passed by here, with forty horses behind her, and went into
+the forest yonder.' Then they galloped hard till Arthur caught sight
+of Morgan le Fay, who looked back, and, seeing that it was Arthur who
+gave chase, pushed on faster than before. And when she saw she could
+not escape him, she rode into a lake that lay in the plain on the edge
+of the forest, and, crying out, 'Whatever may befall me, my brother
+shall not have the scabbard,' she threw the scabbard far into the
+water, and it sank, for it was heavy with gold and jewels. After that
+she fled into a valley full of great stones, and turned herself and
+her men and her horses into blocks of marble. Scarcely had she done
+this when the King rode up, but seeing her nowhere thought some evil
+must have befallen her in vengeance for her misdeeds. He then sought
+high and low for the scabbard, but could not find it, so he returned
+unto the Abbey. When Arthur was gone, Morgan le Fay turned herself and
+her horses and her men back into their former shapes and said, 'Now,
+Sirs, we may go where we will.' And she departed into the country of
+Gore, and made her towns and castles stronger than before, for she
+feared King Arthur greatly. Meanwhile King Arthur had rested himself
+at the Abbey, and afterwards he rode to Camelot, and was welcomed by
+his Queen and all his Knights. And when he told his adventures and
+how Morgan le Fay sought his death they longed to burn her for her
+treason.
+
+[Illustration: MORGAN LE FAY CASTS AWAY THE SCABBARD]
+
+The next morning there arrived a damsel at the Court with a message
+from Morgan le Fay, saying that she had sent the King her brother a
+rich mantle for a gift, covered with precious stones, and begged him
+to receive it and to forgive her in whatever she might have offended
+him. The King answered little, but the mantle pleased him, and he was
+about to throw it over his shoulders when the lady of the lake stepped
+forward, and begged that she might speak to him in private. 'What is
+it?' asked the King. 'Say on here, and fear nothing.' 'Sir,' said the
+lady, 'do not put on this mantle, or suffer your Knights to put it on,
+till the bringer of it has worn it in your presence.' 'Your words are
+wise,' answered the King, 'I will do as you counsel me. Damsel, I
+desire you to put on this mantle that you have brought me, so that I
+may see it.' 'Sir,' said she, 'it does not become me to wear a King's
+garment.' 'By my head,' cried Arthur, 'you shall wear it before I put
+it on my back, or on the back of any of my Knights,' and he signed to
+them to put it on her, and she fell down dead, burnt to ashes by the
+enchanted mantle. Then the King was filled with anger, more than he
+was before, that his sister should have dealt so wickedly by him.
+
+
+
+
+_WHAT BEAUMAINS ASKED OF THE KING_
+
+
+As Pentecost drew near King Arthur commanded that all the Knights of
+the Round Table should keep the feast at a city called Kin-Kenadon,
+hard by the sands of Wales, where there was a great castle. Now it was
+the King's custom that he would eat no food on the day of Pentecost,
+which we call Whit Sunday, until he had heard or seen some great
+marvel. So on that morning Sir Gawaine was looking from the window a
+little before noon when he espied three men on horseback, and with
+them a dwarf on foot, who held their horses when they alighted. Then
+Sir Gawaine went to the King and said, 'Sir, go to your food, for
+strange adventures are at hand.' And Arthur called the other Kings
+that were in the castle, and all the Knights of the Round Table that
+were a hundred and fifty, and they sat down to dine. When they were
+seated there entered the hall two men well and richly dressed, and
+upon their shoulders leaned the handsomest young man that ever was
+seen of any of them, higher than the other two by a cubit. He was wide
+in the chest and large handed, but his great height seemed to be a
+burden and a shame to him, therefore it was he leaned on the shoulders
+of his friends. As soon as Arthur beheld him he made a sign, and
+without more words all three went up to the high dais, where the King
+sat. Then the tall young man stood up straight, and said: 'King
+Arthur, God bless you and all your fair fellowship, and in especial
+the fellowship of the Table Round. I have come hither to pray you to
+give me three gifts, which you can grant me honourably, for they will
+do no hurt to you or to anyone.' 'Ask,' answered Arthur, 'and you
+shall have your asking.'
+
+'Sir, this is my petition for this feast, for the other two I will ask
+after. Give me meat and drink for this one twelvemonth.' 'Well,' said
+the king, 'you shall have meat and drink enough, for that I give to
+every man, whether friend or foe. But tell me your name!'
+
+'I cannot tell you that,' answered he. 'That is strange,' replied the
+King, 'but you are the goodliest young man I ever saw,' and, turning
+to Sir Kay, the steward, charged him to give the young man to eat and
+drink of the best, and to treat him in all ways as if he were a lord's
+son. 'There is little need to do that,' answered Sir Kay, 'for if he
+had come of gentlemen and not of peasants he would have asked of you a
+horse and armour. But as the birth of a man is so are his requests.
+And seeing he has no name I will give him one, and it shall be
+Beaumains, or Fair-hands, and he shall sit in the kitchen and eat
+broth, and at the end of a year he shall be as fat as any pig that
+feeds on acorns.' So the young man was left in charge of Sir Kay, that
+scorned and mocked him.
+
+Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth when they heard what Sir Kay
+said, and bade him leave off his mocking, for they believed the youth
+would turn out to be a man of great deeds; but Sir Kay paid no heed to
+them, and took him down to the great hall, and set him among the boys
+and lads, where he ate sadly. After he had finished eating both Sir
+Lancelot and Sir Gawaine bade him come to their room, and would have
+had him eat and drink there, but he refused, saying he was bound to
+obey Sir Kay, into whose charge the King had given him. So he was put
+into the kitchen by Sir Kay, and slept nightly with the kitchen boys.
+This he bore for a whole year, and was always mild and gentle, and
+gave hard words to no one. Only, whenever the Knights played at
+tourney he would steal out and watch them. And Sir Lancelot gave him
+gold to spend, and clothes to wear, and so did Gawaine. Also, if there
+were any games held whereat he might be, none could throw a bar nor
+cast a stone as far as he by two good yards.
+
+Thus the year passed by till the feast of Whitsuntide came again, and
+this time the king held it at Carlion. But King Arthur would eat no
+meat at Whitsuntide till some adventures were told him, and glad was
+he when a squire came and said to him, 'Sir you may go to your food,
+for here is a damsel with some strange tales.' At this the damsel was
+led into the hall, and bowed low before the King, and begged he would
+give her help. 'For whom?' asked the King, 'and what is the
+adventure?' 'Sir,' answered she, 'my sister is a noble lady of great
+fame, who is besieged by a tyrant, and may not get out of her castle.
+And it is because your Knights are said to be the noblest in all the
+world that I came to you for aid.' 'What is your sister's name, and
+where does she dwell? And who is the man that besieges her, and where
+does he come from?' 'Sir King,' answered she, 'as for my sister's
+name, I cannot tell it you now, but she is a lady of great beauty and
+goodness, and of many lands. As for the tyrant who besieges her, he is
+called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.' 'I know nothing of him,' said
+the King. 'But I know him,' cried Sir Gawaine, 'and he is one of the
+most dangerous Knights in the world. Men say he has the strength of
+seven, and once when we had crossed swords I hardly escaped from him
+with my life.' 'Fair damsel,' then said the King, 'there are many
+Knights here who would go gladly to the rescue of your lady, but none
+of them shall do so with my consent unless you will tell us her name,
+and the place of her castle.' 'Then I must speak further,' said the
+damsel. But before she had made answer to the King up came Beaumains,
+and spoke to Arthur, saying, 'Sir King, I thank you that for this
+whole year I have lived in your kitchen, and had meat and drink, and
+now I will ask you for the two gifts that you promised me on this
+day.' 'Ask them,' answered the King. 'Sir, this shall be my two gifts.
+First grant me the adventure of this damsel, for it is mine by right.'
+'You shall have it,' said the King. 'Then, Sir, you shall bid Sir
+Lancelot du Lake to make me Knight, for I will receive Knighthood at
+the hands of no other.' 'All this shall be done,' said the King. 'Fie
+on you,' cried the damsel, 'will you give me none but a kitchen boy to
+rescue my lady?' and she went away in a rage, and mounted her horse.
+
+No sooner had she left the hall than a page came to Beaumains and told
+him that a horse and fair armour had been brought for him, also there
+had arrived a dwarf carrying all things that a Knight needed. And when
+he was armed there were few men that were handsomer than he, and the
+Court wondered greatly whence these splendid trappings had come. Then
+Beaumains came into the hall, and took farewell of the King, and Sir
+Gawaine and Sir Lancelot, and prayed Sir Lancelot that he would follow
+after him. So he departed, and rode after the damsel. Many looked upon
+him and marvelled at the strength of his horse, and its golden
+trappings, and envied Beaumains his shining coat of mail; but they
+noted that he had neither shield nor spear. 'I will ride after him,'
+laughed Sir Kay, 'and see if my kitchen boy will own me for his
+better.' 'Leave him and stay at home,' said Sir Gawaine and Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Kay would not listen and sprang upon his horse. Just
+as Beaumains came up with the damsel, Sir Kay reached Beaumains, and
+said, 'Beaumains, do you not know me?'
+
+Beaumains turned and looked at him, and answered, 'Yes, I know you for
+an ill-mannered Knight, therefore beware of me.' At this Sir Kay put
+his spear in rest and charged him, and Beaumains drew his sword and
+charged Sir Kay, and dashed aside the spear, and thrust him through
+the side, till Sir Kay fell down as if he had been dead, and Beaumains
+took his shield and spear for himself. Then he sprang on his own
+horse, bidding first his dwarf take Sir Kay's horse, and rode away.
+All this was seen by Sir Lancelot, who had followed him, and also by
+the damsel. In a little while Beaumains stopped, and asked Sir
+Lancelot if he would tilt with him, and they came together with such a
+shock that both the horses and their riders fell to the earth and were
+bruised sorely. Sir Lancelot was the first to rise, and he helped
+Beaumains from his horse, and Beaumains threw his shield from him, and
+offered to fight on foot. And they rushed together like wild boars,
+turning and thrusting and parrying for the space of an hour, and Sir
+Lancelot marvelled at the young man's strength, and thought he was
+more like a giant than a Knight, and dreading lest he himself should
+be put to shame, he said: 'Beaumains, do not fight so hard, we have no
+quarrel that forbids us to leave off.' 'That is true,' answered
+Beaumains, laying down his arms, 'but it does me good, my lord, to
+feel your might.' 'Well,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I promise you I had much
+ado to save myself from you unshamed, therefore have no fear of any
+other Knight.' 'Do you think I could really stand against a proved
+Knight?' asked Beaumains. 'Yes,' said Lancelot, 'if you fight as you
+have fought to-day I will be your warrant against anyone.' 'Then I
+pray you,' cried Beaumains, 'give me the order of knighthood.' 'You
+must first tell me your name,' replied Lancelot, 'and who are your
+kindred.' 'You will not betray me if I do?' asked Beaumains. 'No, that
+I will never do, till it is openly known,' said Lancelot. 'Then, Sir,
+my name is Gareth, and Sir Gawaine is my brother.' 'Ah, Sir,' cried
+Lancelot, 'I am gladder of you than ever I was, for I was sure you
+came of good blood, and that you did not come to the Court for meat
+and drink only.' And he bade him kneel, and gave him the order of
+knighthood.
+
+[Illustration: Faugh sir! You smell of ye Kitchen Gareth & Linet]
+
+After that Sir Gareth wished to go his own ways, and departed. When he
+was gone, Sir Lancelot went back to Sir Kay and ordered some men that
+were by to bear him home on a shield, and in time his wounds were
+healed; but he was scorned of all men, and especially of Sir Gawaine
+and Sir Lancelot, who told him it was no good deed to treat any young
+man so, and no one could tell what his birth might be, or what had
+brought him to the Court.
+
+Then Beaumains rode after the damsel, who stopped when she saw him
+coming. 'What are you doing here?' said she. 'Your clothes smell of
+the grease and tallow of the kitchen! Do you think to change my heart
+towards you because of yonder Knight whom you slew? No, truly! I know
+well who you are, you turner of spits! Go back to King Arthur's
+kitchen, which is your proper place.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains,
+'you may say to me what you will, but I shall not quit you whatever
+you may do, for I have vowed to King Arthur to relieve the lady in the
+castle, and I shall set her free or die fighting for her.' 'Fie on
+you, Scullion,' answered she. 'You will meet with one who will make
+you such a welcome that you would give all the broth you ever cooked
+never to have seen his face.' 'I shall do my best to fight him,' said
+Beaumains, and held his peace.
+
+Soon they entered the wood, and there came a man flying towards them,
+galloping with all his might. 'Oh, help! help! lord,' cried he, 'for
+my master lies in a thicket, bound by six thieves, and I greatly fear
+they will slay him.' 'Show me the way,' said Sir Beaumains, and they
+rode together till they reached the place where the Knight lay bound.
+Then Sir Beaumains charged the six thieves, and struck one dead, and
+another, and another still, and the other three fled, not liking the
+battle. Sir Beaumains pursued them till they turned at bay, and fought
+hard for their lives; but in the end Sir Beaumains slew them, and
+returned to the Knight and unbound him. The Knight thanked Beaumains
+heartily for his deliverance, and prayed him to come to his castle,
+where he would reward him. 'Sir,' said Beaumains, 'I was this day made
+Knight by noble Sir Lancelot, and that is reward enough for anything I
+may do. Besides, I must follow this damsel.' But when he came near her
+she reviled him as before, and bade him ride far from her. 'Do you
+think I set store by what you have done? You will soon see a sight
+that will make you tell a very different tale.' At this the Knight
+whom Beaumains had rescued rode up to the damsel, and begged that she
+would rest in his castle that night, as the sun was now setting. The
+damsel agreed, and the Knight ordered a great supper, and gave Sir
+Beaumains a seat above the seat of the damsel, who rose up in anger.
+'Fie! fie! Sir Knight,' cried she, 'you are uncourteous to set a mere
+kitchen page before me; he is not fit to be in the company of
+high-born people.' Her words struck shame into the Knight, and he took
+Beaumains and set him at a side table, and seated himself before him.
+
+In the early morning Sir Beaumains and the damsel bade farewell to the
+Knight, and rode through the forest till they came to a great river,
+where stood two Knights on the further side, guarding the passage.
+'Well, what do you say now?' asked the damsel. 'Will you fight them or
+turn back?' 'I would not turn if there were six more of them,'
+answered Sir Beaumains, and he rushed into the water and so did one of
+the Knights. They came together in the middle of the stream, and their
+spears broke in two with the force of the charge, and they drew their
+swords, hitting hard at each other. At length Sir Beaumains dealt the
+other Knight such a blow that he fell from his horse, and was drowned
+in the river. Then Beaumains put his horse at the bank, where the
+second Knight was waiting for him, and they fought long together, till
+Sir Beaumains clave his helmet in two. So he left him dead, and
+rode after the damsel. 'Alas!' she cried, 'that even a kitchen page
+should have power to destroy two such Knights! You think you have done
+mighty things, but you are wrong! As to the first Knight, his horse
+stumbled, and he was drowned before you ever touched him. And the
+other you took from behind, and struck him when he was defenceless.'
+'Damsel!' answered Beaumains, 'you may say what you will, I care not
+what it is, so I may deliver this lady.' 'Fie, foul kitchen knave, you
+shall see Knights that will make you lower your crest.' 'I pray you be
+more civil in your language,' answered Beaumains, 'for it matters not
+to me what Knights they be, I will do battle with them.' 'I am trying
+to turn you back for your own good,' answered she, 'for if you follow
+me you are certainly a dead man, as well I know all you have won
+before has been by luck.' 'Say what you will, damsel,' said he, 'but
+where you go I will follow you,' and they rode together till eventide,
+and all the way she chid him and gave him no rest.
+
+[Illustration: LINET AND THE BLACK KNIGHT]
+
+At length they reached an open space where there was a black lawn, and
+on the lawn a black hawthorn, whereon hung a black banner on one side,
+and a black shield and spear, big and long, on the other. Close by
+stood a black horse covered with silk, fastened to a black stone. A
+Knight, covered with black armour, sat on the horse, and when she saw
+him the damsel bade him ride away, as his horse was not saddled. But
+the Knight drew near and said to her, 'Damsel, have you brought this
+Knight from King Arthur's Court to be your champion?' 'No, truly,'
+answered she, 'this is but a kitchen boy, fed by King Arthur for
+charity.' 'Then why is he clad in armour?' asked the Knight; 'it is a
+shame that he should even bear you company.' 'I cannot be rid of him,'
+said she, 'he rides with me against my will. I would that you were
+able to deliver me from him! Either slay him or frighten him off, for
+by ill fortune he has this day slain the two Knights of the passage.'
+'I wonder much,' said the Black Knight, 'that any man who is well born
+should consent to fight with him.' 'They do not know him,' replied the
+damsel, 'and they think he must be a famous Knight because he rides
+with me.' 'That may be,' said the Black Knight, 'but he is well made,
+and looks likely to be a strong man; still I promise you I will just
+throw him to the ground, and take away his horse and armour, for it
+would be a shame to me to do more.' When Sir Beaumains heard him talk
+thus he looked up and said, 'Sir Knight, you are lightly disposing of
+my horse and armour, but I would have you know that I will pass this
+lawn, against your will or not, and you will only get my horse and
+armour if you win them in fair fight. Therefore let me see what you
+can do.' 'Say you so?' answered the Knight, 'now give up the lady at
+once, for it ill becomes a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high
+degree.' 'It is a lie,' said Beaumains, 'I am a gentleman born, and my
+birth is better than yours, as I will prove upon your body.'
+
+With that they drew back their horses so as to charge each other
+hotly, and for the space of an hour and a half they fought fiercely
+and well, but in the end a blow from Beaumains threw the Knight from
+his horse, and he swooned and died. Then Beaumains jumped down, and
+seeing that the Knight's horse and armour were better than his own, he
+took them for himself, and rode after the damsel. While they were thus
+riding together, and the damsel was chiding him as ever she did, they
+saw a Knight coming towards them dressed all in green. 'Is that my
+brother the Black Knight who is with you?' asked he of the damsel.
+'No, indeed,' she replied, 'this unhappy kitchen knave has slain your
+brother, to my great sorrow.' 'Alas!' sighed the Green Knight, 'that
+my brother should die so meanly at the hand of a kitchen knave.
+Traitor!' he added, turning to Beaumains, 'thou shalt die for slaying
+my brother, for he was a noble Knight, and his name was Sir Percard.'
+'I defy you,' said Beaumains, 'for I slew him as a good Knight
+should.'
+
+Then the Green Knight seized a horn which hung from a horn tree, and
+blew three notes upon it, and two damsels came and armed him, and
+fastened on him a green shield and a green spear. So the fight began
+and raged long, first on horseback and then on foot, till both were
+sore wounded. At last the damsel came and stood beside them, and said,
+'My lord the Green Knight, why for very shame do you stand so long
+fighting a kitchen knave? You ought never to have been made a Knight
+at all!' These scornful words stung the heart of the Green Knight, and
+he dealt a mighty stroke which cleft asunder the shield of Beaumains.
+And when Beaumains saw this, he struck a blow upon the Knight's helmet
+which brought him to his knees, and Beaumains leapt on him, and
+dragged him to the ground. Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and
+offered to yield himself prisoner unto Beaumains. 'It is all in vain,'
+answered Beaumains, 'unless the damsel prays me for your life,' and
+therewith he unlaced his helmet as though he would slay him. 'Fie upon
+thee, false kitchen page!' said the damsel, 'I will never pray to save
+his life, for I am sure he is in no danger.' 'Suffer me not to die,'
+entreated the Knight, 'when a word may save me!' 'Fair Knight,' he
+went on, turning to Beaumains, 'save my life, and I will forgive you
+the death of my brother, and will do you service for ever, and will
+bring thirty of my Knights to serve you likewise.' 'It is a shame,'
+cried the damsel, 'that such a kitchen knave should have you and
+thirty Knights besides.' 'Sir Knight,' said Beaumains, 'I care nothing
+for all this, but if I am to spare your life the damsel must ask for
+it,' and he stepped forward as if to slay him. 'Let be, foul knave,'
+then said the damsel, 'do not slay him. If you do, you will repent
+it.' 'Damsel,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a pleasure to me to obey
+you, and at your wish I will save his life. Sir Knight with the green
+arms, I release you at the request of this damsel, and I will fulfil
+all she charges me.'
+
+Then the Green Knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword.
+'I am sorry,' said the damsel, 'for the wounds you have received, and
+for your brother's death, for I had great need of you both, and have
+much dread of passing the forest.' 'Fear nothing,' answered the Green
+Knight, 'for this evening you shall lodge in my house, and to-morrow I
+will show you the way through the forest.' And they went with the
+Green Knight. But the damsel did not mend her ways with Beaumains, and
+ever more reviled him, till the Green Knight rebuked her, saying
+Beaumains was the noblest Knight that held a spear, and that in the
+end she would find he had sprung from some great King. And the Green
+Knight summoned the thirty Knights who did him service, and bade them
+henceforth do service to Beaumains, and keep him from treachery, and
+when he had need of them they would be ready to obey his orders. So
+they bade each other farewell, and Beaumains and the damsel rode forth
+anew. In like manner did Sir Beaumains overcome the Red Knight, who
+was the third brother, and the Red Knight cried for mercy, and offered
+to bring sixty Knights to do him service, and Beaumains spared his
+life at the request of the damsel, and likewise it so happened to Sir
+Persant of Inde.
+
+And this time the damsel prayed Beaumains to give up the fight,
+saying, 'Sir, I wonder who you are and of what kindred you have come.
+Boldly you speak, and boldly you have done; therefore I pray you to
+depart and save yourself while you may, for both you and your horse
+have suffered great fatigues, and I fear we delay too long, for the
+besieged castle is but seven miles from this place, and all the perils
+are past save this one only. I dread sorely lest you should get some
+hurt; yet this Sir Persant of Inde is nothing in might to the Knight
+who has laid siege to my lady.' But Sir Beaumains would not listen to
+her words, and vowed that by two hours after noon he would have
+overthrown him, and that it would still be daylight when they reached
+the castle. 'What sort of a man can you be?' answered the damsel,
+looking at him in wonder, 'for never did a woman treat a Knight as ill
+and shamefully as I have done you, while you have always been gentle
+and courteous to me, and no one bears himself like that save he who is
+of noble blood.' 'Damsel,' replied Beaumains, 'your hard words only
+drove me to strike the harder, and though I ate in King Arthur's
+kitchen, perhaps I might have had as much food as I wanted elsewhere.
+But all I have done was to make proof of my friends, and whether I am
+a gentleman or not, fair damsel, I have done you gentleman's service,
+and may perchance, do you greater service before we part from each
+other.' 'Alas, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have said and
+done against you.' 'With all my heart,' he answered, 'and since you
+are pleased now to speak good words to me, know that I hear them
+gladly, and there is no Knight living but I feel strong enough to meet
+him.'
+
+So Beaumains conquered Sir Persant of Inde, who brought a hundred
+Knights to be sworn into his service, and the next morning the damsel
+led him to the castle, where the Red Knight of the Red Lawn held fast
+the lady. 'Heaven defend you,' cried Sir Persant, when they told him
+where they were going; 'that is the most perilous Knight now living,
+for he has the strength of seven men. He has done great wrong to that
+lady, who is one of the fairest in all the world, and it seems to me
+as if this damsel must be her sister. Is not her name Linet?' 'Yes,
+Sir,' answered she, 'and my lady my sister's name is dame Lyonesse.'
+'The Red Knight has drawn out the siege for two years,' said Sir
+Persant, 'though he might have forced an entrance many a time, but he
+hoped that Sir Lancelot du Lake or Sir Tristram or Sir Gawaine should
+come to do battle with him.' 'My Lord Sir Persant of Inde,' said the
+damsel, 'I bid you knight this gentleman before he fight with the Red
+Knight.' 'That I will gladly,' replied Sir Persant, 'if it please him
+to take the order of knighthood from so simple a man as I am.' 'Sir,'
+answered Beaumains, 'I thank you for your goodwill, but at the
+beginning of this quest I was made a Knight by Sir Lancelot. My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney and Sir Gawaine is my brother, though neither
+he nor King Arthur, whose sister is my mother, knows of it. I pray you
+to keep it close also.'
+
+Now word was brought unto the besieged lady by the dwarf that her
+sister was coming to her with a Knight sent by King Arthur. And when
+the lady heard all that Beaumains had done, and how he had overthrown
+all who stood in his way, she bade her dwarf take baked venison, and
+fat capons, and two silver flagons of wine and a gold cup, and put
+them into the hands of a hermit that dwelt in a hermitage close by.
+The dwarf did so, and the lady then sent him to greet her sister and
+Sir Beaumains, and to beg them to eat and drink in the hermit's cell,
+and rest themselves, which they did. When they drew near the besieged
+castle Sir Beaumains saw full forty Knights, with spurs on their heels
+and swords in their hands, hanging from the tall trees that stood upon
+the lawn. 'Fair Sir,' said the damsel, 'these Knights came hither to
+rescue my sister, dame Lyonesse; and if you cannot overthrow the
+Knight of the Red Lawn, you will hang there too.'
+
+'Truly,' answered Beaumains, 'it is a marvel that none of King
+Arthur's Knights has dealt with the Knight of the Red Lawn ere this';
+and they rode up to the castle, which had round it high walls and deep
+ditches, till they came to a great sycamore tree, where hung a
+horn. And whoso desired to do battle with the Red Knight must blow
+that horn loudly.
+
+[Illustration: The Lady of Lyonesse sees Sir Gareth]
+
+'Sir, I pray you,' said Linet, as Beaumains bent forward to seize it,
+'do not blow it till it is full noontide, for during three hours
+before that the Red Knight's strength so increases that it is as the
+strength of seven men; but when noon is come, he has the might of one
+man only.'
+
+'Ah! for shame, damsel, to say such words. I will fight him as he is,
+or not at all,' and Beaumains blew such a blast that it rang through
+the castle. And the Red Knight buckled on his armour, and came to
+where Beaumains stood. So the battle began, and a fierce one it was,
+and much ado had Beaumains to last out till noon, when the Red
+Knight's strength began to wane; they rested, and came on again, and
+in the end the Red Knight yielded to Sir Beaumains, and the lords and
+barons in the castle did homage to the victor, and begged that the Red
+Knight's life might be spared on condition they all took service with
+Beaumains. This was granted to them, and Linet bound up his wounds and
+put ointment on them, and so she did likewise to Sir Beaumains. But
+the Red Knight was sent to the Court of King Arthur, and told him all
+that Sir Beaumains had done. And King Arthur and his Knights
+marvelled.
+
+Now Sir Beaumains had looked up at the windows of Castle Perilous
+before the fight, and had seen the face of the Lady Lyonesse, and had
+thought it the fairest in all the world. After he had subdued the Red
+Knight, he hasted into the castle, and the Lady Lyonesse welcomed him,
+and he told her he had bought her love with the best blood in his
+body. And she did not say him nay, but put him off for a time. Then
+the King sent letters to her to bid her, and likewise Sir Gareth, come
+to his Court, and by the counsel of Sir Gareth she prayed the King to
+let her call a tournament, and to proclaim that the Knight who bore
+himself best should, if he was unwedded, take her and all her lands.
+But if he had a wife already he should be given a white ger-falcon,
+and for his wife a crown of gold, set about with precious stones.
+
+So the Lady Lyonesse did as Sir Gareth had counselled her, and
+answered King Arthur that where Sir Gareth was she could not tell, but
+that if the King would call a tourney he might be sure that Sir Gareth
+would come to it. 'It is well thought of,' said Arthur, and the Lady
+Lyonesse departed unto Castle Perilous, and summoned all her Knights
+around her, and told them what she had done, and how they were to make
+ready to fight in the tournament. She began at once to set her castle
+in order, and to think what she should do with the great array of
+Knights that would ride hither from the furthest parts--from Scotland
+and Wales and Cornwall--and to lodge fitly the Kings, Dukes, Earls,
+and Barons that should come with Arthur. Queen Guenevere also she
+awaited, and the Queen of Orkney, Sir Gareth's mother. But Sir Gareth
+entreated the Lady Lyonesse and those Knights that were in the castle
+with him not to let his name be known, and this they agreed to.
+
+'Sir Gareth,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I will lend you a ring, which I
+beseech you for the love you bear me to give me back when the
+tournament is done, for without it I have but little beauty. This ring
+is like no other ring, it will turn green red, and blue white, and the
+bearer shall lose no blood, however sore he may be wounded.'
+
+'Truly, my own lady,' answered Sir Gareth, 'this ring will serve me
+well, and by its help I shall not fear that any man shall know me.'
+And Sir Gringamore, brother to the Lady Lyonesse, gave him a bay
+horse, and strong armour, and a sharp sword that had once belonged to
+his father. On the morning of the fifteenth of August, when the Feast
+of the Assumption was kept, the King commanded his heralds to blow
+loudly their trumpets, so that every Knight might know that he must
+enter the lists. It was a noble sight to see them flocking clad in
+shining armour, each man with his device upon his shield. And the
+heralds marked who bare them best, and who were overthrown. All
+marvelled as to who the Knight could be whose armour sometimes seemed
+green, and sometimes white, but no man knew it was Sir Gareth. And
+whosoever Sir Gareth tilted with was straightway overthrown. 'Of a
+truth,' cried King Arthur, 'that Knight with the many colours is a
+good Knight,' and he called Sir Lancelot and bade him to challenge
+that Knight to combat. But Sir Lancelot said that though the Knight
+had come off victor in every fight, yet his limbs must be weary, for
+he had fought as a man fights under the eyes of his lady, 'and for
+this day,' said Sir Lancelot, 'he shall have the honour. Though it lay
+in my power to put it from him, I would not.'
+
+Then they paused for a while to rest, and afterwards the tournament
+began again more fiercely than before, and Sir Lancelot was set upon
+by two Knights at once. When Sir Gareth saw that, he rode in between
+them, but no stroke would he deal Sir Lancelot, which Sir Lancelot
+noted, and guessed that it was the good Knight Sir Gareth. Sir Gareth
+went hither and thither, smiting anyone that came in his way, and by
+fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawaine, and knocked off his
+helmet. Now it happened that while he was fighting a Knight dealt Sir
+Gareth a fierce blow on his helm, and he rode off the field to mend
+it. Then his dwarf, who had been watching eagerly, cried out to Sir
+Gareth to leave the ring with him, lest he should lose it while he was
+drinking, which Sir Gareth did; and when he had drunk and mended his
+helm he forgot the ring, at which the dwarf was glad, for he knew his
+name could no longer be hid. And when Sir Gareth returned to the
+field, his armour shone yellow like gold, and King Arthur marvelled
+what Knight he was, for he saw by his hair that he was the same Knight
+who had worn the many colours. 'Go,' he said to his heralds, 'ride
+near him and see what manner of Knight he is, for none can tell me his
+name.' So a herald drew close to him, and saw that on his helm was
+written in golden letters 'This helm belongs to Sir Gareth of Orkney';
+and the herald cried out and made proclamation, and the Kings and
+Knights pressed to behold him. And when Sir Gareth saw he was
+discovered, he struck more fiercely than before, and smote down Sir
+Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine. 'O brother,' said Sir Gawaine,
+'I did not think you would have smitten me!' When Sir Gareth heard him
+say that he rode out of the press, and cried to his dwarf, 'Boy, you
+have played me foul, for you have kept my ring. Give it to me now,
+that I may hide myself,' and he galloped swiftly into the forest, and
+no one knew where he had gone. 'What shall I do next?' asked he of the
+dwarf. 'Sir,' answered the dwarf, 'send the Lady Lyonesse back her
+ring.' 'Your counsel is good,' said Gareth; 'take it to her, and
+commend me to her grace, and say I will come when I may, and bid her
+to be faithful to me, as I am to her.' After that Sir Gareth rode
+deeper into the forest.
+
+Though Sir Gareth had left the tournament he found that there were as
+many fights awaiting him as if he had remained there. He overcame all
+his foes, and sent them and their followers to do homage to King
+Arthur, but he himself stayed behind. He was standing alone after they
+had gone, when he beheld an armed Knight coming towards him. Sir
+Gareth sprang on his horse, and without a word the two crashed
+together like thunder, and strove hard for two hours, till the ground
+was wet with blood. At that time the damsel Linet came riding by, and
+saw what was doing, and knew who were the fighters. And she cried 'Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave fighting with your brother Sir Gareth.'
+Then he threw down his shield and sword, and ran to Sir Gareth, and
+first took him in his arms and next kneeled down and asked mercy of
+him. 'Why do you, who were but now so strong and mighty, so suddenly
+yield to me?' asked Sir Gareth, who had not perceived the damsel. 'O
+Gareth, I am your brother, and have had much sorrow for your sake.'
+At this Sir Gareth unlaced his helm and knelt before Sir Gawaine, and
+they rose and embraced each other. 'Ah, my fair brother,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'I ought rightly to do you homage, even if you were not my
+brother, for in this twelvemonth you have sent King Arthur more
+Knights than any six of the best men of the Round Table.' While he was
+speaking there came the Lady Linet, and healed the wounds of Sir
+Gareth and of Sir Gawaine. 'What are you going to do now?' asked she.
+'It is time that King Arthur had tidings of you both, and your horses
+are not fit to bear you.'
+
+'Ride, I pray you,' said Sir Gawaine, 'to my uncle King Arthur, who is
+but two miles away, and tell him what adventure has befallen me.' So
+she mounted her mule, and when she had told her tale to King Arthur,
+he bade them saddle him a palfrey and invited all the Knights and
+ladies of his Court to ride with him. When they reached the place they
+saw Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine sitting on the hill-side. The King
+jumped off his horse, and would have greeted them, but he swooned away
+for gladness, and they ran and comforted him, and also their mother.
+
+The two Knights stayed in King Arthur's Court for eight days, and
+rested themselves and grew strong. Then said the King to Linet, 'I
+wonder that your sister, dame Lyonesse, does not come here to visit
+me, or more truly to visit my nephew, Sir Gareth, who has worked so
+hard to win her love.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Linet, 'you must, by your grace, hold her excused,
+for she does not know that Sir Gareth is here.'
+
+'Go and fetch her, then,' said Arthur.
+
+'That I will do quickly,' replied Linet, and by the next morning she
+had brought dame Lyonesse, and her brother Sir Gringamore, and forty
+Knights, but among the ladies dame Lyonesse was the fairest, save only
+Queen Guenevere. They were all welcomed of King Arthur, who turned to
+his nephew Sir Gareth and asked him whether he would have that lady to
+his wife.
+
+'My lord,' replied Sir Gareth, 'you know well that I love her above
+all the ladies in the world.'
+
+'And what say you, fair lady?' asked the King.
+
+'Most noble King,' said dame Lyonesse, 'I would sooner have Sir Gareth
+as my husband than any King or Prince that may be christened, and if I
+may not have him I promise you I will have none. For he is my first
+love, and shall be my last. And if you will suffer him to have his
+will and choice, I dare say he will have me.'
+
+'That is truth,' said Sir Gareth.
+
+'What, nephew,' cried the King, 'sits the wind in that door? Then you
+shall have all the help that is in my power,' and so said Gareth's
+mother. And it was fixed that the marriage should be at Michaelmas, at
+Kin-Kenadon by the sea-shore, and thus it was proclaimed in all places
+of the realm. Then Sir Gareth sent his summons to all the Knights and
+ladies that he had won in battle that they should be present, and he
+gave a rich ring to the Lady Lyonesse, and she gave him one likewise.
+And before she departed she had from King Arthur a shining golden bee,
+as a token. After that Sir Gareth set her on her way towards her
+castle, and returned unto the King. But he would ever be in Sir
+Lancelot's company, for there was no Knight that Sir Gareth loved so
+well as Sir Lancelot. The days drew fast to Michaelmas, and there came
+the Lady Lyonesse with her sister Linet and her brother Sir Gringamore
+to Kin-Kenadon by the sea, and there were they lodged by order of King
+Arthur. And upon Michaelmas Day the Bishop of Canterbury wedded Sir
+Gareth and the Lady Lyonesse with great ceremonies, and King Arthur
+commanded that Sir Gawaine should be joined to the damsel Linet, and
+Sir Agrawaine to the niece of dame Lyonesse, whose name was Laurel.
+Then the Knights whom Sir Gareth had won in battle came with their
+followings and did homage to him, and the Green Knight besought him
+that he might act as chamberlain at the feast, and the Red Knight that
+he might be his steward. As soon as the feast was ended, they had all
+manner of minstrelsy and games and a great tournament that lasted
+three days, but at the prayer of dame Lyonesse the King would not
+suffer that any man who was wedded should fight at that feast.
+
+
+
+
+_THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAAL_
+
+
+This is a mysterious part of the adventures of King Arthur's Knights.
+We must remember that parts of these stories are very old; they were
+invented by the heathen Welsh, or by the ancient Britons, from whom
+the Welsh are descended, and by the old pagan Irish, who spoke Gaelic,
+a language not very unlike Welsh. Then these ancient stories were
+translated by French and other foreign writers, and Christian beliefs
+and chivalrous customs were added in the French romances, and,
+finally, the French was translated into English about the time of
+Edward IV. by Sir Thomas Malory, who altered as he pleased. The Story
+of the Holy Graal, in this book, is mostly taken from Malory, but
+partly from 'The High History of the Holy Graal,' translated by Dr.
+Sebastian Evans from an old French book.
+
+What _was_ the Holy Graal? In the stories it is the holy vessel used
+by our Lord, and brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea. But in the
+older heathen Irish stories there is a mysterious vessel of a magical
+sort, full of miraculous food, and probably the French writers of the
+romances confused this with the sacred vessel brought from the Holy
+Land. On account of the sins of men this relic was made invisible, but
+now and then it appeared, borne by angels or floating in a heavenly
+light. The Knights, against King Arthur's wish, made a vow to find it,
+and gave up their duties of redressing wrongs and keeping order, to
+pursue the beautiful vision. But most of them, for their sins, were
+unsuccessful, like Sir Lancelot, and the Round Table was scattered
+and the kingdom was weakened by the neglect of ordinary duties in the
+search for what could never be gained by mortal men. This appears to
+be the moral of the story, if it has any moral. But the stories are
+confused almost like a dream, though it is a beautiful dream.
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THE KING WENT ON PILGRIMAGE, AND HIS
+
+SQUIRE WAS SLAIN IN A DREAM
+
+
+Now the King was minded to go on a pilgrimage, and he agreed with the
+Queen that he would set forth to seek the holy chapel of St.
+Augustine, which is in the White Forest, and may only be found by
+adventure. Much he wished to undertake the quest alone, but this the
+Queen would not suffer, and to do her pleasure he consented that a
+youth, tall and strong of limb, should ride with him as his squire.
+Chaus was the youth's name, and he was son to Gwain li Aoutres. 'Lie
+within to-night,' commanded the King, 'and take heed that my horse be
+saddled at break of day, and my arms ready.' 'At your pleasure, Sir,'
+answered the youth, whose heart rejoiced because he was going alone
+with the King.
+
+As night came on, all the Knights quitted the hall, but Chaus the
+squire stayed where he was, and would not take off his clothes or his
+shoes, lest sleep should fall on him and he might not be ready when
+the King called him. So he sat himself down by the great fire, but in
+spite of his will sleep fell heavily on him, and he dreamed a strange
+dream.
+
+In his dream it seemed that the King had ridden away to the quest, and
+had left his squire behind him, which filled the young man with fear.
+And in his dream he set the saddle and bridle on his horse, and
+fastened his spurs, and girt on his sword, and galloped out of the
+castle after the King. He rode on a long space, till he entered a
+thick forest, and there before him lay traces of the King's horse, and
+he followed till the marks of the hoofs ceased suddenly at some open
+ground and he thought that the King had alighted there. On the right
+stood a chapel, and about it was a graveyard, and in the graveyard
+many coffins, and in his dream it seemed as if the King had entered
+the chapel, so the young man entered also. But no man did he behold
+save a Knight that lay dead upon a bier in the midst of the chapel,
+covered with a pall of rich silk, and four tapers in golden
+candlesticks were burning round him. The squire marvelled to see the
+body lying there so lonely, with no one near it, and likewise that the
+King was nowhere to be seen. Then he took out one of the tall tapers,
+and hid the candlestick under his cloak, and rode away until he should
+find the King.
+
+On his journey through the forest he was stopped by a man black and
+ill-favoured, holding a large knife in his hand.
+
+'Ho! you that stand there, have you seen King Arthur?' asked the
+squire.
+
+'No, but I have met you, and I am glad thereof, for you have under
+your cloak one of the candlesticks of gold that was placed in honour
+of the Knight who lies dead in the chapel. Give it to me, and I will
+carry it back; and if you do not this of your own will, I will make
+you.'
+
+'By my faith!' cried the squire, 'I will never yield it to you!
+Rather, will I carry it off and make a present of it to King Arthur.'
+
+'You will pay for it dearly,' answered the man, 'if you yield it not
+up forthwith.'
+
+To this the squire did not make answer, but dashed forward, thinking
+to pass him by; but the man thrust at him with his knife, and it
+entered his body up to the hilt. And when the squire dreamed this, he
+cried, 'Help! help! for I am a dead man!'
+
+As soon as the King and the Queen heard that cry they awoke from their
+sleep, and the Chamberlain said, 'Sir, you must be moving, for it is
+day'; and the King rose and dressed himself, and put on his shoes.
+Then the cry came again: 'Fetch me a priest, for I die!' and the King
+ran at great speed into the hall, while the Queen and the Chamberlain
+followed him with torches and candles. 'What aileth you?' asked the
+King of his squire, and the squire told him of all that he had
+dreamed. 'Ha,' said the King, 'is it, then, a dream?' 'Yes, Sir,'
+answered the squire, 'but it is a right foul dream for me, for right
+foully it hath come true,' and he lifted his left arm, and said, 'Sir,
+look you here! Lo, here is the knife that was struck in my side up to
+the haft.' After that, he drew forth the candlestick, and showed it to
+the King. 'Sir, for this candlestick that I present to you was I
+wounded to the death!' The King took the candlestick in his hands and
+looked at it, and none so rich had he seen before, and he bade the
+Queen look also. 'Sir,' said the squire again, 'draw not forth the
+knife out of my body till I be shriven of the priest.' So the King
+commanded that a priest should be sent for, and when the squire had
+confessed his sins, the King drew the knife out of the body and the
+soul departed forthwith. Then the King grieved that the young man had
+come to his death in such strange wise, and ordered him a fair burial,
+and desired that the golden candlestick should be sent to the Church
+of Saint Paul in London, which at that time was newly built.
+
+After this King Arthur would have none to go with him on his quest,
+and many strange adventures he achieved before he reached the chapel
+of St. Augustine, which was in the midst of the White Forest. There he
+alighted from his horse, and sought to enter, but though there was
+neither door nor bar he might not pass the threshold. But from without
+he heard wondrous voices singing, and saw a light shining brighter
+than any that he had seen before, and visions such as he scarcely
+dared to look upon. And he resolved greatly to amend his sins, and to
+bring peace and order into his kingdom. So he set forth, strengthened
+and comforted, and after divers more adventures returned to his
+Court.
+
+
+II
+
+THE COMING OF THE HOLY GRAAL
+
+
+It was on the eve of Pentecost that all the Knights of the Table Round
+met together at Camelot, and a great feast was made ready for them.
+And as they sat at supper they heard a loud noise, as of the crashing
+of thunder, and it seemed as if the roof would fall on them. Then, in
+the midst of the thunder, there entered a sunbeam, brighter by seven
+times than the brightest day, and its brightness was not of this
+world. The Knights held their peace, but every man looked at his
+neighbour, and his countenance shone fairer than ever it had done
+before. As they sat dumb, for their tongues felt as if they could
+speak nothing, there floated in the hall the Holy Graal, and over it a
+veil of white samite, so that none might see it nor who bare it. But
+sweet odours filled the place, and every Knight had set before him the
+food he loved best; and after that the Holy Vessel departed suddenly,
+they wist not where. When it had gone their tongues were loosened, and
+the King gave thanks for the wonders that they had been permitted to
+see. After that he had finished, Sir Gawaine stood up and vowed to
+depart the next morning in quest of the Holy Graal, and not to return
+until he had seen it. 'But if after a year and a day I may not speed
+in my quest,' said he, 'I shall come again, for I shall know that the
+sight of it is not for me.' And many of the Knights there sitting
+swore a like vow.
+
+But King Arthur, when he heard this, was sore displeased. 'Alas!'
+cried he unto Sir Gawaine, 'you have undone me by your vow. For
+through you is broken up the fairest fellowship, and the truest of
+knighthood, that ever the world saw, and when they have once departed
+they shall meet no more at the Table Round, for many shall die in the
+quest. It grieves me sore, for I have loved them as well as my own
+life.' So he spoke, and paused, and tears came into his eyes. 'Ah,
+Gawaine, Gawaine! you have set me in great sorrow.'
+
+'Comfort yourself,' said Sir Lancelot, 'for we shall win for ourselves
+great honour, and much more than if we had died in any other wise,
+since die we must.' But the King would not be comforted, and the Queen
+and all the Court were troubled also for the love which they had to
+these Knights. Then the Queen came to Sir Galahad, who was sitting
+among those Knights though younger he was than any of them, and asked
+him whence he came, and of what country, and if he was son to Sir
+Lancelot. And King Arthur did him great honour, and he rested him in
+his own bed. And next morning the King and Queen went into the
+Minster, and the Knights followed them, dressed all in armour, save
+only their shields and their helmets. When the service was finished
+the King would know how many of the fellowship had sworn to undertake
+the quest of the Graal, and they were counted, and found to number a
+hundred and fifty. They bade farewell, and mounted their horses, and
+rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was weeping of both
+rich and poor, and the King could not speak for weeping. And at
+sunrise they all parted company with each other, and every Knight took
+the way he best liked.
+
+
+III
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+
+Now Sir Galahad had as yet no shield, and he rode four days without
+meeting any adventure, till at last he came to a White Abbey, where he
+dismounted and asked if he might sleep there that night. The brethren
+received him with great reverence, and led him to a chamber, where he
+took off his armour, and then saw that he was in the presence of two
+Knights. 'Sirs,' said Sir Galahad, 'what adventure brought you
+hither?' 'Sir,' replied they, 'we heard that within this Abbey is a
+shield that no man may hang round his neck without being dead within
+three days, or some mischief befalling him. And if we fail in the
+adventure, you shall take it upon you.' 'Sirs,' replied Sir Galahad,
+'I agree well thereto, for as yet I have no shield.'
+
+So on the morn they arose and heard Mass, and then a monk led them
+behind an altar where hung a shield white as snow, with a red cross in
+the middle of it. 'Sirs,' said the monk, 'this shield cannot be hung
+round no Knight's neck, unless he be the worthiest Knight in the
+world, and therefore I counsel you to be well advised.'
+
+'Well,' answered one of the Knights, whose name was King Bagdemagus,
+'I know truly that I am not the best Knight in the world, but yet
+shall I try to bear it,' and he bare it out of the Abbey. Then he said
+to Sir Galahad, 'I pray you abide here still, till you know how I
+shall speed,' and he rode away, taking with him a squire to send
+tidings back to Sir Galahad.
+
+After King Bagdemagus had ridden two miles he entered a fair valley,
+and there met him a goodly Knight seated on a white horse and clad in
+white armour. And they came together with their spears, and Sir
+Bagdemagus was borne from his horse, for the shield covered him not at
+all. Therewith the strange Knight alighted and took the white shield
+from him, and gave it to the squire, saying, 'Bear this shield to the
+good Knight Sir Galahad that thou hast left in the Abbey, and greet
+him well from me.'
+
+'Sir,' said the squire, 'what is your name?'
+
+'Take thou no heed of my name,' answered the Knight, 'for it is not
+for thee to know, nor for any earthly man.'
+
+'Now, fair Sir,' said the squire, 'tell me for what cause this shield
+may not be borne lest ill befalls him who bears it.'
+
+'Since you have asked me,' answered the Knight, 'know that no man
+shall bear this shield, save Sir Galahad only.'
+
+Then the squire turned to Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he were
+wounded or not. 'Yes, truly,' said he, 'and I shall hardly escape from
+death'; and scarcely could he climb on to his horse's back when the
+squire brought it near him. But the squire led him to a monastery that
+lay in the valley, and there he was treated of his wounds, and after
+long lying came back to life. After the squire had given the Knight
+into the care of the monks, he rode back to the Abbey, bearing with
+him the shield. 'Sir Galahad,' said he, alighting before him, 'the
+Knight that wounded Bagdemagus sends you greeting, and bids you bear
+this shield, which shall bring you many adventures.'
+
+'Now blessed be God and fortune,' answered Sir Galahad, and called for
+his arms, and mounted his horse, hanging the shield about his neck.
+Then, followed by the squire, he set out. They rode straight to the
+hermitage, where they saw the White Knight who had sent the shield to
+Sir Galahad. The two Knights saluted each other courteously, and
+then the White Knight told Sir Galahad the story of the shield, and
+how it had been given into his charge. Afterwards they parted, and Sir
+Galahad and his squire returned unto the Abbey whence they came.
+
+[Illustration: SIR GALAHAD OPENS THE TOMB]
+
+The monks made great joy at seeing Sir Galahad again, for they feared
+he was gone for ever; and as soon as he was alighted from his horse
+they brought him unto a tomb in the churchyard where there was night
+and day such a noise that any man who heard it should be driven nigh
+mad, or else lose his strength. 'Sir,' they said, 'we deem it a
+fiend.' Sir Galahad drew near, all armed save his helmet, and stood by
+the tomb. 'Lift up the stone,' said a monk, and Galahad lifted it, and
+a voice cried, 'Come thou not nigh me, Sir Galahad, for thou shalt
+make me go again where I have been so long.' But Galahad took no heed
+of him, and lifted the stone yet higher, and there rushed from the
+tomb a foul smoke, and in the midst of it leaped out the foulest
+figure that ever was seen in the likeness of a man. 'Galahad,' said
+the figure, 'I see about thee so many angels that my power dare not
+touch thee.' Then Galahad, stooping down, looked into the tomb, and he
+saw a body all armed lying there, with a sword by his side. 'Fair
+brother,' said Galahad, 'let us remove this body, for he is not worthy
+to be in this churchyard, being a false Christian man.'
+
+This being done they all departed and returned unto the monastery,
+where they lay that night, and the next morning Sir Galahad knighted
+Melias his squire, as he had promised him aforetime. So Sir Galahad
+and Sir Melias departed thence, in quest of the Holy Graal, but they
+soon went their different ways and fell upon different adventures. In
+his first encounter Sir Melias was sore wounded, and Sir Galahad came
+to his help, and left him to an old monk who said that he would heal
+him of his wounds in the space of seven weeks, and that he was thus
+wounded because he had not come clean to the quest of the Graal, as
+Sir Galahad had done. Sir Galahad left him there, and rode on till he
+came to the Castle of Maidens, which he alone might enter who was free
+from sin. There he chased away the Knights who had seized the castle
+seven years agone, and restored all to the Duke's daughter, who owned
+it of right. Besides this he set free the maidens who were kept in
+prison, and summoned all those Knights in the country round who had
+held their lands of the Duke, bidding them do homage to his daughter.
+And in the morning one came to him and told him that as the seven
+Knights fled from the Castle of Maidens they fell upon the path of Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gareth, and Sir Lewaine, who were seeking Sir Galahad,
+and they gave battle; and the seven Knights were slain by the three
+Knights. 'It is well,' said Galahad, and he took his armour and his
+horse and rode away.
+
+So when Sir Galahad left the Castle of Maidens he rode till he came to
+a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale;
+but they knew him not, for he was now disguised. And they fought
+together, and the two Knights were smitten down out of the saddle.
+'God be with thee, thou best Knight in the world,' cried a nun who
+dwelt in a hermitage close by; and she said it in a loud voice, so
+that Lancelot and Percivale might hear. But Sir Galahad feared that
+she would make known who he was, so he spurred his horse and struck
+deep into the forest before Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale could mount
+again. They knew not which path he had taken, so Sir Percivale turned
+back to ask advice of the nun, and Sir Lancelot pressed forward.
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT AT THE CHAPEL]
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW SIR LANCELOT SAW A VISION, AND REPENTED
+
+OF HIS SINS
+
+
+He halted when he came to a stone cross, which had by it a block of
+marble, while nigh at hand stood an old chapel. He tied his horse to a
+tree, and hung his shield on a branch, and looked into the chapel, for
+the door was waste and broken. And he saw there a fair altar covered
+with a silken cloth, and a candlestick which had six branches, all of
+shining silver. A great light streamed from it, and at this sight Sir
+Lancelot would fain have entered in, but he could not. So he turned
+back sorrowful and dismayed, and took the saddle and bridle off his
+horse, and let him pasture where he would, while he himself unlaced
+his helm, and ungirded his sword, and lay down to sleep upon his
+shield, at the foot of the cross.
+
+As he lay there, half waking and half sleeping, he saw two white
+palfreys come by, drawing a litter, wherein lay a sick Knight. When
+they reached the cross they paused, and Sir Lancelot heard the Knight
+say, 'O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and when shall
+the Holy Vessel come by me, through which I shall be blessed? For I
+have endured long, though my ill deeds were few.' Thus he spoke, and
+Sir Lancelot heard it, and of a sudden the great candlestick stood
+before the cross, though no man had brought it. And with it was a
+table of silver and the Holy Vessel of the Graal, which Lancelot had
+seen aforetime. Then the Knight rose up, and on his hands and knees
+he approached the Holy Vessel, and prayed, and was made whole of his
+sickness. After that the Graal went back into the chapel, and the
+light and the candlestick also, and Sir Lancelot would fain have
+followed, but could not, so heavy was the weight of his sins upon him.
+And the sick Knight arose and kissed the cross, and saw Sir Lancelot
+lying at the foot with his eyes shut. 'I marvel greatly at this
+sleeping Knight,' he said to his squire, 'that he had no power to wake
+when the Holy Vessel was brought hither.' 'I dare right well say,'
+answered the squire, 'that he dwelleth in some deadly sin, whereof he
+was never confessed.' 'By my faith,' said the Knight, 'he is unhappy,
+whoever he is, for he is of the fellowship of the Round Table, which
+have undertaken the quest of the Graal.' 'Sir,' replied the squire,
+'you have all your arms here, save only your sword and your helm. Take
+therefore those of this strange Knight, who has just put them off.'
+And the Knight did as his squire said, and took Sir Lancelot's horse
+also, for it was better than his own.
+
+After they had gone Sir Lancelot waked up wholly, and thought of what
+he had seen, wondering if he were in a dream or not. Suddenly a voice
+spoke to him, and it said, 'Sir Lancelot, more hard than is the stone,
+more bitter than is the wood, more naked and barren than is the leaf
+of the fig tree, art thou; therefore go from hence and withdraw thee
+from this holy place.' When Sir Lancelot heard this, his heart was
+passing heavy, and he wept, cursing the day when he had been born. But
+his helm and sword had gone from the spot where he had lain them at
+the foot of the cross, and his horse was gone also. And he smote
+himself and cried, 'My sin and my wickedness have done me this
+dishonour; for when I sought worldly adventures for 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. And now I take
+upon me the adventures of holy things, I see and understand that my
+old sin hinders me, so that I could not move nor speak when the Holy
+Graal passed by.' Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the
+birds sing, and at that he felt comforted. And as his horse was gone
+also, he departed on foot with a heavy heart.
+
+
+V
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR PERCIVALE
+
+
+All this while Sir Percivale had pursued adventures of his own, and
+came nigh unto losing his life, but he was saved from his enemies by
+the good Knight, Sir Galahad, whom he did not know, although he was
+seeking him, for Sir Galahad now bore a red shield, and not a white
+one. And at last the foes fled deep into the forest, and Sir Galahad
+followed; but Sir Percivale had no horse and was forced to stay
+behind. Then his eyes were opened, and he knew it was Sir Galahad who
+had come to his help, and he sat down under a tree and grieved sore.
+
+While he was sitting there a Knight passed by riding a black horse,
+and when he was out of sight a yeoman came pricking after as fast as
+he might, and, seeing Sir Percivale, asked if he had seen a Knight
+mounted on a black horse. 'Yes, Sir, forsooth,' answered Sir
+Percivale, 'why do you want to know?' 'Ah, Sir, that is my steed which
+he has taken from me, and wherever my lord shall find me, he is sure
+to slay me.' 'Well,' said Sir Percivale, 'thou seest that I am on
+foot, but had I a good horse I would soon come up with him.' 'Take my
+hackney,' said the yeoman, 'and do the best you can, and I shall
+follow you on foot to watch how you speed.' So Sir Percivale rode as
+fast as he might, and at last he saw that Knight, and he hailed him.
+The Knight turned and set his spear against Sir Percivale, and smote
+the hackney in the breast, so that he fell dead to the earth, and Sir
+Percivale fell with him; then the Knight rode away. But Sir Percivale
+was mad with wrath, and cried to the Knight to return and fight with
+him on foot, and the Knight answered not and went on his way. When
+Sir Percivale saw that he would not turn, he threw himself on the
+ground, and cast away his helm and sword, and bemoaned himself for the
+most unhappy of all Knights; and there he abode the whole day, and,
+being faint and weary, slept till it was midnight. And at midnight he
+waked and saw before him a woman, who said to him right fiercely, 'Sir
+Percivale, what doest thou here?' 'Neither good nor great ill,'
+answered he. 'If thou wilt promise to do my will when I call upon
+you,' said she, 'I will lend you my own horse, and he shall bear thee
+whither thou shalt choose.' This Sir Percivale promised gladly, and
+the woman went and returned with a black horse, so large and
+well-apparelled that Sir Percivale marvelled. But he mounted him
+gladly, and drove in his spurs, and within an hour and less the horse
+bare him four days' journey hence, and would have borne him into a
+rough water that roared, had not Sir Percivale pulled at his bridle.
+The Knight stood doubting, for the water made a great noise, and he
+feared lest his horse could not get through it. Still, wishing greatly
+to pass over, he made himself ready, and signed the sign of the cross
+upon his forehead.
+
+[Illustration: SIR PERCIVALE SLAYS THE SERPENT]
+
+At that the fiend which had taken the shape of a horse shook off Sir
+Percivale and dashed into the water, crying and making great sorrow;
+and it seemed to him that the water burned. Then Sir Percivale knew
+that it was not a horse but a fiend, which would have brought him to
+perdition, and he gave thanks and prayed all that night long. As soon
+as it was day he looked about him, and saw he was in a wild mountain,
+girt round with the sea and filled with wild beasts. Then he rose and
+went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young
+lion by the neck, and after that there passed a great lion, crying and
+roaring after the serpent, and a fierce battle began between them. Sir
+Percivale thought to help the lion, as he was the more natural beast
+of the twain, and he drew his sword and set his shield before him, and
+gave the serpent a deadly buffet. When the lion saw that, he made him
+all the cheer that a beast might make a man, and fawned about him like
+a spaniel, and stroked him with his paws. And about noon the lion took
+his little whelp, and placed him on his back, and bare him home again,
+and Sir Percivale, being left alone, prayed till he was comforted. But
+at eventide the lion returned, and couched down at his feet, and all
+night long he and the lion slept together.
+
+
+VI
+
+AN ADVENTURE OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+
+As Lancelot went his way through the forest he met with many hermits
+who dwelled therein, and had adventure with the Knight who stole his
+horse and his helm, and got them back again. And he learned from one
+of the hermits that Sir Galahad was his son, and that it was he who at
+the Feast of Pentecost had sat in the Siege Perilous, which it was
+ordained by Merlin that none should sit in save the best Knight in the
+world. All that night Sir Lancelot abode with the hermit and laid him
+to rest, a hair shirt always on his body, and it pricked him sorely,
+but he bore it meekly and suffered the pain. When the day dawned he
+bade the hermit farewell. As he rode he came to a fair plain, in which
+was a great castle set about with tents and pavilions of divers hues.
+Here were full five hundred Knights riding on horseback, and those
+near the castle were mounted on black horses with black trappings, and
+they that were without were on white horses and their trappings white.
+And the two sides fought together, and Sir Lancelot looked on.
+
+At last it seemed to him that the black Knights nearest the castle
+fared the worst, so, as he ever took the part of the weaker, he rode
+to their help and smote many of the white Knights to the earth and did
+marvellous deeds of arms. But always the white Knights held round Sir
+Lancelot to tire him out. And as no man may endure for ever, in the
+end Sir Lancelot waxed so faint of fighting that his arms would not
+lift themselves to deal a stroke; then they took him, and led him away
+into the forest and made him alight from his horse and rest, and when
+he was taken the fellowship of the castle were overcome for want of
+him. 'Never ere now was I at tournament or jousts but I had the best,'
+moaned Sir Lancelot to himself, as soon as the Knights had left him
+and he was alone. 'But now am I shamed, and I am persuaded that I am
+more sinful than ever I was.' Sorrowfully he rode on till he passed a
+chapel, where stood a nun, who called to him and asked him his name
+and what he was seeking.
+
+So he told her who he was, and what had befallen him at the
+tournament, and the vision that had come to him in his sleep. 'Ah,
+Lancelot,' said she, 'as long as you were a knight of earthly
+knighthood you were the most wonderful man in the world and the most
+adventurous. But now, since you are set among Knights of heavenly
+adventures, if you were worsted at that tournament it is no marvel.
+For the tournament was meant for a sign, and the earthly Knights were
+they who were clothed in black in token of the sins of which they were
+not yet purged. And the white Knights were they who had chosen the way
+of holiness, and in them the quest has already begun. Thus you beheld
+both the sinners and the good men, and when you saw the sinners
+overcome you went to their help, as they were your fellows in boasting
+and pride of the world, and all that must be left in that quest. And
+that caused your misadventure. Now that I have warned you of your
+vain-glory and your pride, beware of everlasting pain, for of all
+earthly Knights I have pity of you, for I know well that among earthly
+sinful Knights you are without peer.'
+
+
+VII
+
+AN ADVENTURE OF SIR GAWAINE
+
+
+Sir Gawaine rode long without meeting any adventure, and from
+Pentecost to Michaelmas found none that pleased him. But at Michaelmas
+he met Sir Ector de Maris and rejoiced greatly.
+
+As they sat talking there appeared before them a hand showing unto the
+elbow covered with red samite, and holding a great candle that burned
+right clear; and the hand passed into the chapel and vanished, they
+knew not where. Then they heard a voice which said, 'Knights full of
+evil faith and poor belief, these two things have failed you, and
+therefore you may not come to the adventure of the Holy Graal.' And
+this same told them a holy man to whom they confessed their sins,
+'for,' said he, 'you have failed in three things, charity, fasting,
+and truth, and have been great murderers. But sinful as Sir Lancelot
+was, since he went into the quest he never slew man, nor shall, till
+he come into Camelot again. For he has taken upon him to forsake sin.
+And were he not so unstable, he should be the next to achieve it,
+after Galahad his son. Yet shall he die an holy man, and in earthly
+sinful men he has no fellow.'
+
+'Sir,' said Gawaine, 'by your words it seems that our sins will not
+let us labour in that quest?' 'Truly,' answered the hermit, 'there be
+an hundred such as you to whom it will bring naught but shame.' So
+Gawaine departed and followed Sir Ector, who had ridden on before.
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF SIR BORS
+
+
+When Sir Bors left Camelot on his quest he met a holy man riding on an
+ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Then the good man knew him to be one of
+the Knights who were in quest of the Holy Graal. 'What are you?' said
+he, and Sir Bors answered, 'I am a Knight that fain would be
+counselled in the quest of the Graal, for he shall have much earthly
+worship that brings it to an end.' 'That is true,' said the good man,
+'for he will be the best Knight in the world, but know well that there
+shall none attain it but by holiness and by confession of sin.' So
+they rode together till they came to the hermitage, and the good man
+led Sir Bors into the chapel, where he made confession of his sins,
+and they ate bread and drank water together. 'Now,' said the hermit,
+'I pray you that you eat none other till you sit at the table where
+the Holy Graal shall be.' 'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'I agree thereto,
+but how know you that I shall sit there?' 'That know I,' said the holy
+man, 'but there will be but few of your fellows with you. Also instead
+of a shirt you shall wear this garment until you have achieved your
+quest,' and Sir Bors took off his clothes, and put on instead a
+scarlet coat. Then the good man questioned him, and marvelled to find
+him pure in life, and he armed him and bade him go. After this Sir
+Bors rode through many lands, and had many adventures, and was often
+sore tempted, but remembered the words of the holy man and kept his
+life clean of wrong. And once he had by mischance almost slain his own
+brother, but a voice cried, 'Flee, Bors, and touch him not,' and he
+hearkened and stayed his hand. And there fell between them a fiery
+cloud, which burned up both their shields, and they two fell to the
+earth in a great swoon; but when they awakened out of it Bors saw that
+his brother had no harm. With that the voice spoke to him saying,
+'Bors, go hence and bear your brother fellowship no longer; but take
+your way to the sea, where Sir Percivale abides till you come.' Then
+Sir Bors prayed his brother to forgive him all he had unknowingly
+done, and rode straight to the sea. On the shore he found a vessel
+covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel it
+set sail so fast it might have been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and
+slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the
+midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for
+Sir Percivale, and welcomed him with great joy; and they told each
+other of their adventures and of their temptations, and had great
+happiness in each other's company. 'We lack nothing but Galahad, the
+good Knight,' Sir Percivale said.
+
+[Illustration: HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER]
+
+
+IX
+
+ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD
+
+
+Sir Galahad rested one evening at a hermitage. And while he was
+resting, there came a gentlewoman and asked leave of the hermit to
+speak with Sir Galahad, and would not be denied, though she was told
+he was weary and asleep. Then the hermit waked Sir Galahad and bade
+him rise, as a gentlewoman had great need of him, so Sir Galahad rose
+and asked her what she wished. 'Galahad,' said she, 'I will that you
+arm yourself, and mount your horse and follow me, and I will show you
+the highest adventure that ever any Knight saw.' And Sir Galahad bade
+her go, and he would follow wherever she led. In three days they
+reached the sea, where they found the ship where Sir Bors and Sir
+Percivale were lying. And the lady bade him leave his horse behind and
+said she would leave hers also, but their saddles and bridles they
+would take on board the ship. This they did, and were received with
+great joy by the two Knights; then the sails were spread, and the ship
+was driven before the wind at a marvellous pace till they reached the
+land of Logris, the entrance to which lies between two great rocks
+with a whirlpool in the middle.
+
+Their own ship might not get safely through; but they left it and went
+into another ship that lay there, which had neither man nor woman in
+it. At the end of the ship was written these words: 'Thou man which
+shalt enter this ship beware thou be in steadfast belief; if thou
+fail, I shall not help thee.' Then the gentlewoman turned and said,
+'Percivale, do you know who I am?' 'No, truly,' answered he. 'I am
+your sister, and therefore you are the man in the world that I most
+love. If you are without faith, or have any hidden sin, beware how you
+enter, else you will perish.' 'Fair sister,' answered he, 'I shall
+enter therein, for if I am an untrue Knight then shall I perish.' So
+they entered the ship, and it was rich and well adorned, that they all
+marvelled.
+
+In the midst of it was a fair bed, and Sir Galahad went thereto and
+found on it a crown of silk, and a sword drawn out of its sheath half
+a foot and more. The sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel of
+stone, wrought about with colours, and every colour with its own
+virtue, and the handle was of the ribs of two beasts. The one was the
+bone of a serpent, and no hand that handles it shall ever become weary
+or hurt; and the other is a bone of a fish that swims in Euphrates,
+and whoso handles it shall not think on joy or sorrow that he has had,
+but only on that which he beholds before him. And no man shall grip
+this sword but one that is better than other men. So first Sir
+Percivale stepped forward and set his hand to the sword, but he might
+not grasp it. Next Sir Bors tried to seize it, but he also failed.
+When Sir Galahad beheld the sword, he saw that there was written on
+it, in letters of blood, that he who tried to draw it should never
+fail of shame in his body or be wounded to the death. 'By my faith,'
+said Galahad, 'I would draw this sword out of its sheath, but the
+offending is so great I shall not lay my hand thereto.' 'Sir,'
+answered the gentlewoman, 'know that no man can draw this sword save
+you alone'; and she told him many tales of the Knights who had set
+their hands to it, and of the evil things that had befallen them. And
+they all begged Sir Galahad to grip the sword, as it was ordained that
+he should. 'I will grip it,' said Galahad, 'to give you courage, but
+it belongs no more to me than it does to you.' Then he gripped it
+tight with his fingers, and the gentlewoman girt him about the middle
+with the sword, and after that they left that ship and went into
+another, which brought them to land, where they fell upon many
+strange adventures. And when they had wrought many great deeds, they
+departed from each other. But first Sir Percivale's sister died, being
+bled to death, so that another lady might live, and she prayed them to
+lay her body in a boat and leave the boat to go as the winds and waves
+carried it. And so it was done, and Sir Percivale wrote a letter
+telling how she had helped them in all their adventures; and he put it
+in her right hand, and laid her in a barge, and covered it with black
+silk. And the wind arose and drove it from their sight.
+
+
+X
+
+SIR LANCELOT MEETS SIR GALAHAD, AND THEY PART
+
+FOR EVER
+
+
+Now we must tell what happened to Sir Lancelot.
+
+When he was come to a water called Mortoise he fell asleep, awaiting
+for the adventure that should be sent to him, and in his sleep a voice
+spoke to him, and bade him rise and take his armour, and enter the
+first ship he should find. So he started up and took his arms and made
+him ready, and on the strand he found a ship that was without sail or
+oar. As soon as he was within the ship, he felt himself wrapped round
+with a sweetness such as he had never known before, as if all that he
+could desire was fulfilled. And with this joy and peace about him he
+fell asleep. When he woke he found near him a fair bed, with a dead
+lady lying on it, whom he knew to be Sir Percivale's sister, and in
+her hand was the tale of her adventures, which Sir Lancelot took and
+read. For a month or more they dwelt in that ship together, and one
+day, when it had drifted near the shore, he heard a sound as of a
+horse; and when the steps came nearer he saw that a Knight was riding
+him. At the sight of the ship the Knight alighted and took the saddle
+and bridle, and entered the ship. 'You are welcome,' said Lancelot,
+and the Knight saluted him and said, 'What is your name? for my heart
+goeth out to you.'
+
+'Truly,' answered he, 'my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.'
+
+'Sir,' said the new Knight, 'you are welcome, for you were the
+beginner of me in the world.'
+
+'Ah,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'is it you, then, Galahad?'
+
+'Yes, in sooth,' said he, and kneeled down and asked Lancelot's
+blessing, and then took off his helm and kissed him. And there was
+great joy between them, and they told each other all that had befallen
+them since they left King Arthur's Court. Then Galahad saw the
+gentlewoman dead on the bed, and he knew her, and said he held her in
+great worship, and that she was the best maid in the world, and how it
+was great pity that she had come to her death. But when Lancelot heard
+that Galahad had won the marvellous sword he prayed that he might see
+it, and kissed the pommel and the hilt, and the scabbard. 'In truth,'
+he said, 'never did I know of adventures so wonderful and strange.' So
+dwelled Lancelot and Galahad in that ship for half a year, and served
+God daily and nightly with all their power. And after six months had
+gone it befell that on a Monday they drifted to the edge of the
+forest, where they saw a Knight with white armour bestriding one horse
+and holding another all white, by the bridle. And he came to the ship,
+and saluted the two Knights and said, 'Galahad, you have been long
+enough with your father, therefore leave that ship and start upon this
+horse, and go on the quest of the Holy Graal.' So Galahad went to his
+father and kissed him, saying, 'Fair sweet father, I know not if I
+shall see you more till I have beheld the Holy Graal.' Then they heard
+a voice which said, 'The one shall never see the other till the day of
+doom.' 'Now, Galahad,' said Lancelot, 'since we are to bid farewell
+for ever now, I pray to the great Father to preserve me and you both.'
+'Sir,' answered Galahad, 'no prayer availeth so much as yours.'
+
+The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found
+King Arthur and Guenevere; but many of the Knights of the Round Table
+were slain and destroyed, more than the half. All the Court was
+passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of
+his son Sir Galahad.
+
+
+XI
+
+HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUND THE GRAAL AND DIED OF
+
+THAT FINDING
+
+
+Sir Galahad rode on till he met Sir Percivale and afterwards Sir Bors,
+whom they greeted most gladly, and they bare each other company. First
+they came to the Castle of Carbonek, where dwelled King Pelles, who
+welcomed them with joy, for he knew by their coming that they had
+fulfilled the quest of the Graal. They then departed on other
+adventures, and with the blood out of the Holy Lance Galahad anointed
+the maimed King and healed him. That same night at midnight a voice
+bade them arise and quit the castle, which they did, followed by three
+Knights of Gaul. Then Galahad prayed every one of them that if they
+reached King Arthur's Court they should salute Sir Lancelot his
+father, and those Knights of the Round Table that were present, and
+with that he left them, and Sir Bors and Sir Percivale with him. For
+three days they rode till they came to a shore, and found a ship
+awaiting them. And in the midst of it was the table of silver, and the
+Holy Graal which was covered with red samite. Then were their hearts
+right glad, and they made great reverence thereto, and Galahad prayed
+that at what time he asked, he might depart out of this world. So long
+he prayed that at length a voice said to him, 'Galahad, thou shalt
+have thy desire, and when thou askest the death of the body thou shalt
+have it, and shalt find the life of the soul.' Percivale likewise
+heard the voice, and besought Galahad to tell him why he asked such
+things. And Galahad answered, 'The other day when we saw a part of the
+adventures of the Holy Graal, I was in such a joy of heart that
+never did man feel before, and I knew well that when my body is dead
+my soul shall be in joy of which the other was but a shadow.'
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT & THE DWARF.]
+
+Some time were the three Knights in that ship, till at length they saw
+before them the city of Sarras. Then they took from the ship the table
+of silver, and Sir Percivale and Sir Bors went first, and Sir Galahad
+followed after to the gate of the city, where sat an old man that was
+crooked. At the sight of the old man Sir Galahad called to him to help
+them carry the table, for it was heavy. 'Truly,' answered the old man,
+'it is ten years since I have gone without crutches.' 'Care not for
+that,' said Galahad, 'but rise up and show your good will.' So he
+arose and found himself as whole as ever he was, and he ran to the
+table and held up the side next Galahad. And there was much noise in
+the city that a cripple was healed by three Knights newly entered in.
+This reached the ears of the King, who sent for the Knights and
+questioned them. And they told him the truth, and of the Holy Graal;
+but the King listened nothing to all they said, but put them into a
+deep hole in the prison. Even here they were not without comfort, for
+a vision of the Holy Graal sustained them. And at the end of a year
+the King lay sick and felt he should die, and he called the three
+Knights and asked forgiveness of the evil he had done to them, which
+they gave gladly. Then he died, and the whole city was afraid and knew
+not what to do, till while they were in counsel a voice came to them
+and bade them choose the youngest of the three strange Knights for
+their King. And they did so. After Galahad was proclaimed King, he
+ordered that a coffer of gold and precious stones should be made to
+encompass the table of silver, and every day he and the two Knights
+would kneel before it and make their prayers.
+
+Now at the year's end, and on the selfsame day that Galahad had been
+crowned King, he arose up early and came with the two Knights to the
+Palace; and he saw a man in the likeness of a Bishop, encircled by a
+great crowd of angels, kneeling before the Holy Vessel. And he called
+to Galahad and said to him, 'Come forth, thou servant of Christ, and
+thou shalt see what thou hast much desired to see.' Then Galahad began
+to tremble right hard, when the flesh first beheld the things of the
+spirit, and he held up his hands to heaven and said, 'Lord, I thank
+thee, for now I see that which hath been my desire for many a day.
+Now, blessed Lord, I would no longer live, if it might please Thee.'
+Then Galahad went to Percivale and kissed him, and commended him to
+God; and he went to Sir Bors and kissed him, and commended him to God,
+and said, 'Fair lord, salute me to my lord Sir Lancelot, my father,
+and bid him remember this unstable world.' Therewith he kneeled down
+before the table and made his prayers, and while he was praying his
+soul suddenly left the body and was carried by angels up into heaven,
+which the two Knights right well beheld. Also they saw come from
+heaven a hand, but no body behind it, and it came unto the Vessel, and
+took it and the spear, and bare them back to heaven. And since then no
+man has dared to say that he has seen the Holy Graal.
+
+When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad lying dead they made as much
+sorrow as ever two men did, and the people of the country and of the
+city were right heavy. And they buried him as befitted their King. As
+soon as Galahad was buried, Sir Percivale sought a hermitage outside
+the city, and put on the dress of a hermit, and Sir Bors was always
+with him, but kept the dress that he wore at Court. When a year and
+two months had passed Sir Percivale died also, and was buried by the
+side of Galahad; and Sir Bors left that land, and after long riding
+came to Camelot. Then was there great joy made of him in the Court,
+for they had held him as dead; and the King ordered great clerks to
+attend him, and to write down all his adventures and those of Sir
+Percivale and Sir Galahad. Next, Sir Lancelot told the adventures of
+the Graal which he had seen, and this likewise was written and placed
+with the other in almonries at Salisbury. And by and by Sir Bors said
+to Sir Lancelot, 'Galahad your son saluteth you by me, and after you
+King Arthur and all the Court, and so did Sir Percivale; for I buried
+them with mine own hands in the City of Sarras. Also, Sir Lancelot,
+Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain world, as you
+promised when you were together!' 'That is true,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'and I trust his prayer may avail me.' But the prayer but little
+availed Sir Lancelot, for he fell to his old sins again. And now the
+Knights were few that survived the search for the Graal, and the evil
+days of Arthur began.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN
+
+
+So the quest of the Holy Graal had been fulfilled, and the few Knights
+that had been left alive returned to the Round Table, and there was
+great joy in the Court. To do them honour the Queen made them a
+dinner; and there were four and twenty Knights present, and among them
+Sir Patrise of Ireland, and Sir Gawaine and his brethren, the King's
+nephews, which were Sir Agrawaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir
+Mordred. Now it was the custom of Sir Gawaine daily at dinner and
+supper to eat all manner of fruit, and especially pears and apples,
+and this the Queen knew, and set fruit of all sorts before him. And
+there was present at the dinner one Sir Pinel le Savage, who hated Sir
+Gawaine because he and his brethren had slain Sir Lamorak du Galis,
+cousin to Sir Pinel; so he put poison into some of the apples, hoping
+that Sir Gawaine would eat one and die. But by ill fortune it befell
+that the good Knight Sir Patrise took a poisoned apple, and in a few
+moments he lay dead and stark in his seat. At this sight all the
+Knights leapt to their feet, but said nothing, for they bethought them
+that Queen Guenevere had made them the dinner, and feared that she had
+poisoned the fruit.
+
+'My lady, the Queen,' said Sir Gawaine, who was the first to speak,
+'this fruit was brought for me, for all know how well I love it;
+therefore, Madam, the shame of this ill deed is yours.' The Queen
+stood still, pale and trembling, but kept silence, and next spoke Sir
+Mador de la Porte.
+
+'This shall not be ended so,' said he, 'for I have lost a noble Knight
+of my blood, and I will be avenged of the person who has wrought this
+evil.' And he turned to the Queen and said 'Madam, it is you who have
+brought about the death of my cousin Sir Patrise!' The Knights round
+listened in silence, for they too thought Sir Mador spake truth. And
+the Queen still said nothing, but fell to weeping bitterly, till King
+Arthur heard and came to look into the matter. And when they told him
+of their trouble his heart was heavy within him.
+
+'Fair lords,' said the King at last, 'I grieve for this ill deed; but
+I cannot meddle therein, or do battle for my wife, for I have to judge
+justly. Sure I am that this deed is none of hers, therefore many a
+good Knight will stand her champion that she be not burned to death in
+a wrong quarrel. And, Sir Mador, hold not your head so high, but fix
+the day of battle, when you shall find a Knight to answer you, or else
+it were great shame to all my Court.'
+
+'My gracious lord,' said Sir Mador, 'you must hold me excused. But
+though you are a King you are also a Knight, and must obey the laws of
+Knighthood. Therefore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that
+none of the four and twenty Knights here present will fight that
+battle. What say you, my lords?' Then the Knights answered that they
+could not hold the Queen guiltless, for as the dinner was made by her
+either she or her servants must have done this thing.
+
+'Alas!' said the Queen, 'no evil was in my heart when I prepared this
+feast, for never have I done such foul deeds.'
+
+'My lord the King,' cried Sir Mador, 'I require of you, as you are a
+just King, to fix a day that I may get ready for the fight!'
+
+'Well,' answered the King, 'on the fifteenth day from this come on
+horseback to the meadow that is by Westminster. And if it happens that
+there be a Knight to fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God
+will speed the right. But if no Knight is there, then must my Queen be
+burned, and a fire shall be made in the meadow.'
+
+[Illustration: SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE]
+
+'I am answered,' said Sir Mador, and he and the rest of the Knights
+departed.
+
+When the King and Queen were left alone he asked her what had brought
+all this about. 'God help me, that I know not,' said the Queen, 'nor
+how it was done.'
+
+'Where is Sir Lancelot?' said King Arthur, looking round. 'If he were
+here he would not grudge to do battle for you.'
+
+'Sir,' replied the Queen, 'I know not where he is, but his brother and
+his kinsmen think he is not in this realm.'
+
+'I grieve for that,' said the King, 'for he would soon stop this
+strife. But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and he will not refuse you.
+For well I see that none of the four and twenty Knights who were with
+you at dinner will be your champion, and none will say well of you,
+but men will speak evil of you at the Court.'
+
+'Alas!' sighed the Queen, 'I do indeed miss Sir Lancelot, for he would
+soon ease my heart.'
+
+'What ails you?' asked the King, 'that you cannot keep Sir Lancelot at
+your side, for well you know that he who Sir Lancelot fights for has
+the best Knight in the world for his champion. Now go your way, and
+command Sir Bors to do battle with you for Sir Lancelot's sake.' So
+the Queen departed from the King, and sent for Sir Bors into her
+chamber, and when he came she besought his help.
+
+'Madam,' said he, 'what can I do? for I may not meddle in this matter
+lest the Knights who were at the dinner have me in suspicion, for I
+was there also. It is now, Madam, that you miss Sir Lancelot, whom you
+have driven away, as he would have done battle for you were you right
+or wrong, and I wonder how for shame's sake you can ask me, knowing
+how I love and honour him.'
+
+'Alas,' said the Queen, 'I throw myself on your grace,' and she went
+down on her knees and besought Sir Bors to have mercy on her, 'else I
+shall have a shameful death, and one I have never deserved.' At that
+King Arthur came in, and found her kneeling before Sir Bors. 'Madam!
+you do me great dishonour,' said Sir Bors, raising her up.
+
+'Ah, gentle Knight,' cried the King, 'have mercy on my Queen, for I am
+sure that they speak falsely. And I require by the love of Sir
+Lancelot that you do battle for her instead of him.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Bors, 'you require of me the hardest thing
+that ever anyone asked of me, for well you know that if I fight for
+the Queen I shall anger all my companions of the Round Table; but I
+will not say nay, my lord, for Sir Lancelot's sake and for your sake!
+On that day I will be the Queen's champion, unless a better Knight is
+found to do battle for her.'
+
+'Will you promise me this?' asked the King.
+
+'Yes,' answered Sir Bors, 'I will not fail you nor her, unless there
+should come a better Knight than I, then he shall have the battle.'
+Then the King and Queen rejoiced greatly, and thanked Sir Bors with
+all their hearts.
+
+So Sir Bors departed and rode unto Sir Lancelot, who was with the
+hermit Sir Brasias, and told him of this adventure. 'Ah,' said Sir
+Lancelot, 'this has befallen as I would have it, and therefore I pray
+you make ready to do battle, but delay the fight as long as you can
+that I may appear. For I am sure that Sir Mador is a hot Knight, and
+the longer he waits the more impatient he will be for the combat.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'let me deal with him. Doubt not you shall
+have all your will.' And he rode away, and came again to the Court.
+
+It was soon noised about that Sir Bors would be the Queen's champion,
+and many Knights were displeased with him; but there were a few who
+held the Queen to be innocent. Sir Bors spoke unto them all and said,
+'It were shameful, my fair lords, if we suffered the most noble Queen
+in the world to be disgraced openly, not only for her sake, but for
+the King's.' But they answered him: 'As for our lord King Arthur, we
+love him and honour him as much as you; but as for Queen Guenevere,
+we love her not, for she is the destroyer of good Knights.'
+
+[Illustration: GUENEVERE & SIR BORS]
+
+'Fair lords,' said Sir Bors, 'you shall not speak such words, for
+never yet have I heard that she was the destroyer of good Knights. But
+at all times, as far as I ever knew, she maintained them and gave them
+many gifts. And therefore it were a shame to us all if we suffered our
+noble King's wife to be put to death, and I will not suffer it. So
+much I will say, that the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise's death;
+for she owed him no ill will, and bade him and us to the dinner for no
+evil purpose, which will be proved hereafter. And in any case there
+was foul dealing among us.'
+
+'We may believe your words,' said some of the Knights, but others held
+that he spoke falsely.
+
+The days passed quickly by until the evening before the battle, when
+the Queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him if he was ready to keep his
+promise.
+
+'Truly, Madam,' answered he, 'I shall not fail you, unless a better
+Knight than I am come to do battle for you. Then, Madam, I am
+discharged of my promise.'
+
+'Shall I tell this to my lord Arthur?' said the Queen.
+
+'If it pleases you, Madam,' answered Sir Bors. So the Queen went to
+the King, and told him what Sir Bors had said, and the King bade her
+to be comforted, as Sir Bors was one of the best Knights of the Round
+Table.
+
+The next morning the King and Queen, and all manner of Knights, rode
+into the meadow of Westminster, where the battle was to be; and the
+Queen was put into the Guard of the High Constable, and a stout iron
+stake was planted, and a great fire made about it, at which the Queen
+should be burned if Sir Mador de la Porte won the fight. For it was
+the custom in those days that neither fear nor favour, love nor
+kinship, should hinder right judgment. Then came Sir Mador de la
+Porte, and made oath before the King that the Queen had done to death
+his cousin Sir Patrise, and he would prove it on her Knight's body,
+let who would say the contrary. Sir Bors likewise made answer that
+Queen Guenevere had done no wrong, and that he would make good with
+his two hands. 'Then get you ready,' said Sir Mador. 'Sir Mador,'
+answered Sir Bors, 'I know you for a good Knight, but I trust to be
+able to withstand your malice; and I have promised King Arthur and my
+Lady the Queen that I will do battle for her to the uttermost, unless
+there come forth a better Knight than I am.'
+
+'Is that all?' asked Sir Mador; 'but you must either fight now or own
+that you are beaten.'
+
+'Take your horse,' said Sir Bors, 'for I shall not tarry long,' and
+Sir Mador forthwith rode into the field with his shield on his
+shoulder, and his spear in his hand, and he went up and down crying
+unto King Arthur, 'Bid your champion come forth if he dare.' At that
+Sir Bors was ashamed, and took his horse, and rode to the end of the
+lists. But from a wood hard by appeared a Knight riding fast on a
+white horse, bearing a shield full of strange devices. When he reached
+Sir Bors he drew rein and said, 'Fair Knight, be not displeased, but
+this battle must be to a better Knight than you. For I have come a
+great journey to fight this fight, as I promised when I spoke with you
+last, and I thank you heartily for your goodwill.' So Sir Bors went to
+King Arthur and told him that a Knight had come who wished to do
+battle for the Queen. 'What Knight is he?' asked the King.
+
+'That I know not,' said Sir Bors; 'but he made a covenant with me to
+be here this day, and now I am discharged,' said Sir Bors.
+
+Then the King called to that Knight and asked him if he would fight
+for the Queen. 'For that purpose I came hither,' replied he, 'and
+therefore, Sir King, delay me no longer, for as soon as I have ended
+this battle I must go hence, as I have many matters elsewhere. And
+I would have you know that it is a dishonour to all the Knights of the
+Round Table to let so noble a lady and so courteous a Queen as Queen
+Guenevere be shamed amongst you.'
+
+[Illustration: ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE]
+
+The Knights who were standing round looked at each other at these
+words, and wondered much what man this was who took the battle upon
+him, for none knew him save Sir Bors.
+
+'Sir,' said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the King, 'let me know the name
+of him with whom I have to do.' But the King answered nothing, and
+made a sign for the fight to begin. They rode to the end of the lists,
+and couched their spears and rushed together with all their force, and
+Sir Mador's spear broke in pieces. But the other Knight's spear held
+firm, and he pressed on Sir Mador's horse till it fell backward with a
+great fall. Sir Mador sprang from his horse, and, placing his shield
+before him, drew his sword, and bade his foe dismount from his horse
+also, and do battle with him on foot, which the unknown Knight did.
+For an hour they fought thus, as Sir Mador was a strong man, and had
+proved himself the victor in many combats. At last the Knight smote
+Sir Mador grovelling to his knees, and the Knight stepped forward to
+have struck him flat upon the ground. Therewith Sir Mador suddenly
+rose, and smote the Knight upon the thigh, so that the blood ran out
+fiercely. But when the Knight felt himself wounded, and saw his blood,
+he let Sir Mador rise to his feet, and then he gave him such a buffet
+on the helm that this time Sir Mador fell his length on the earth, and
+the Knight sprang to him, to unloose his helm. At this Sir Mador
+prayed for his life, acknowledging that he was overcome, and confessed
+that the Queen's innocence had been proved. 'I will only grant you
+your life,' said the Knight, 'if you will proclaim publicly that you
+have foully slandered the Queen, and that you make no mention, on the
+tomb of Sir Patrise, that ever Queen Guenevere consented to his
+murder.' 'All that will I do,' said Sir Mador, and some Knights took
+him up, and carried him away to heal his wounds. And the other Knight
+went straight to the foot of the steps where sat King Arthur, and
+there the Queen had just come, and the King and the Queen kissed each
+other before all the people. When King Arthur saw the Knight standing
+there he stooped down to him and thanked him, and so likewise did the
+Queen; and they prayed him to put off his helmet, and commanded wine
+to be brought, and when he unlaced his helmet to drink they knew him
+to be Sir Lancelot du Lake. Then Arthur took the Queen's hand and led
+her to Sir Lancelot and said, 'Sir, I give you the most heartfelt
+thanks of the great deed you have done this day for me and my Queen.'
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you know well that I ought of right
+ever to fight your battles, and those of my lady the Queen. For it was
+you who gave me the high honour of Knighthood, and that same day my
+lady the Queen did me a great service, else I should have been put to
+shame before all men. Because in my hastiness I lost my sword, and my
+lady the Queen found it and gave it to me when I had sore need of it.
+And therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her that day that I would be
+her Knight in right or in wrong.'
+
+'I owe you great thanks,' said the King, 'and some time I hope to
+repay you.' The Queen, beholding Sir Lancelot, wept tears of joy for
+her deliverance, and felt bowed to the ground with sorrow at the
+thought of what he had done for her, when she had sent him away with
+unkind words. Then all the Knights of the Round Table and his kinsmen
+drew near to him and welcomed him, and there was great mirth in the
+Court.
+
+
+
+
+_THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT_
+
+
+Soon after this it befell that the damsel of the lake, called by some
+Nimue and by others Vivien, wedded Sir Pelleas, and came to the Court
+of King Arthur. And when she heard the talk of the death of Sir
+Patrise and how the Queen had been accused of it, she found out by
+means of her magic that the tale was false, and told it openly that
+the Queen was innocent and that it was Sir Pinel who had poisoned the
+apple. Then he fled into his own country, where none might lay hands
+on him. So Sir Patrise was buried in the Church of Westminster, and on
+his tomb was written, 'Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir
+Pinel le Savage, that empoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and
+by misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples and then suddenly he
+burst.' Also there was put upon the tomb that Queen Guenevere was
+accused of the death of Sir Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and how
+Sir Lancelot fought with him and overcame him in battle. All this was
+written on the tomb.
+
+And daily Sir Mador prayed to have the Queen's grace once more, and by
+means of Sir Lancelot he was forgiven. It was now the middle of the
+summer, and King Arthur proclaimed that in fifteen days a great
+tourney should be held at Camelot, which is now called Winchester, and
+many Knights and Kings made ready to do themselves honour. But the
+Queen said she would stay behind, for she was sick, and did not care
+for the noise and bustle of a tourney. 'It grieves me you should say
+that,' said the King, for you will not have seen so noble a company
+gathered together this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when
+Galahad departed from the Court.'
+
+'Truly,' answered the Queen, 'the sight will be grand. Nevertheless
+you must hold me excused, for I cannot be there.'
+
+Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and
+that he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At
+this the King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or
+his best Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by
+the way lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And
+when the King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told
+him he was to blame for having excused himself from going with the
+King, who set such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he
+would be ruled by her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to
+Winchester; 'but I should have you know,' said he, 'that at the
+tourney I shall be against the King and his Knights.'
+
+'You must do as you please,' replied the Queen, 'but if you will be
+ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you not to be displeased with me.
+I will take the adventure as it comes,' and early next morning he rode
+away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town
+till he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of
+Astolat, and as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from
+the gardens of the castle. 'It is well,' he said smiling to the
+Knights that were beside him, 'I see one man who will play his part in
+the jousts, and I will undertake that he will do marvels.'
+
+'Who is that?' asked they all. 'You must wait to know that,' replied
+the King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered
+his lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not it
+was Sir Lancelot. 'Fair Sir,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you lend me,
+if you can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they
+know well.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bernard, 'you shall have your wish, for you seem
+one of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons,
+both but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his
+Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir
+Lavaine, shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the
+jousts. For my heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you,
+what name I shall call you by.'
+
+'You must hold me excused as to that, just now,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'but if I speedwell at the jousts, I will come again and tell you. But
+let me have Sir Lavaine with me, and lend me, as you have offered, his
+brother's shield.' 'This shall be done,' replied Sir Bernard.
+
+Besides these two sons, Sir Bernard had a daughter whom everyone
+called The Fair Maid of Astolat, though her real name was Elaine le
+Blanc. And when she looked on Sir Lancelot, her love went forth to him
+and she could never take it back, and in the end it killed her. As
+soon as her father told her that Sir Lancelot was going to the tourney
+she besought him to wear her token in the jousts, but he was not
+willing. 'Fair damsel,' he said, 'if I did that, I should have done
+more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel.' But then he
+remembered that he was to go disguised to the tourney, and because he
+had before never worn any manner of token of any damsel, he bethought
+him that, if he should take one of hers, none would know him. So he
+said to her, 'Fair damsel, I will wear your token on my helmet, if you
+will show me what it is.'
+
+'Sir,' she answered, 'it is a red sleeve, embroidered in great
+pearls,' and she brought it to him. 'Never have I done so much for any
+damsel,' said he, and gave his own shield into her keeping, till he
+came again. Sir Arthur had waited three days in Astolat for some
+Knights who were long on the road, and when they had arrived they all
+set forth, and were followed by Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine, both
+with white shields, and Sir Lancelot bore besides the red sleeve that
+was a token. Now Camelot was filled with a great number of Kings and
+Lords and Knights, but Sir Lavaine found means to lodge both himself
+and Sir Lancelot secretly with a rich burgess, and no man knew who
+they were or whence they came. And there they stayed till the day of
+the tourney. At earliest dawn the trumpets blew, and King Arthur took
+his seat upon a high scaffold, so that he might see who had done best;
+but he would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from his side, for Sir
+Gawaine never won the prize when Sir Lancelot was in the field, and as
+King Arthur knew, Sir Lancelot oftentimes disguised himself.
+
+Then the Knights formed into two parties and Sir Lancelot made him
+ready, and fastened the red sleeve upon his helmet, and he and Sir
+Lavaine rode into a little wood that lay behind the Knights who should
+fight against those of the Round Table. 'Sir,' said Sir Lancelot,
+'yonder is a company of good Knights and they hold together as boars
+that are vexed with dogs.'
+
+'That is truth,' said Sir Lavaine.
+
+'Now,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you will help me a little, you shall see
+King Arthur's side, which is winning, driven back as fast as they
+came.'
+
+'Spare not, Sir,' answered Sir Lavaine, 'for I shall do what I may.'
+So they rode into the thickest of the press, and smote so hard both
+with spear and sword that the Knights of the Round Table fell back. 'O
+mercy!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'what Knight is that yonder who does such
+marvellous deeds?'
+
+'I know well who it is,' said King Arthur, 'but I will not tell you
+yet.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'I should say it was Sir Lancelot by the
+blows he deals and the manner that he rides, but it cannot be he, for
+this man has a red sleeve upon his helmet, and Sir Lancelot has
+never borne the token of any lady.'
+
+[Illustration: ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROUND SIR LANCELOT'S HELMET]
+
+'Let him be,' said Sir Arthur, 'you will find out his name, and see
+him do greater deeds yet, before he departs.' And the Knights that
+were fighting against the King's party took heart again, for before
+they feared they would be beaten. But when Sir Bors saw this, he
+called unto him the Knights that were of kin to Sir Lancelot, and they
+banded together to make a great charge, and threw Sir Lancelot's horse
+to the ground, and by misfortune the spear of Sir Bors broke, and its
+head was left in Sir Lancelot's side. When Sir Lavaine saw that, he
+unhorsed the King of Scots, and brought his horse to Sir Lancelot, and
+helped him mount thereon and gave him a spear, with which Sir Lancelot
+smote Sir Bors to the earth and Sir Ector de Maris, the foster-father
+of King Arthur, and buffeted sorely the Knights that were with them.
+Afterward he hurled himself into the thick _melee_ of them all, and
+did the most wonderful deeds that ever were heard of. And Sir Lavaine
+likewise did well that day, for he smote down full two Knights of the
+Round Table. 'Mercy,' again cried Sir Gawaine to Arthur, 'I marvel
+what Knight that is with the red sleeve.'
+
+'That you shall know soon,' said King Arthur, and commanded that the
+trumpets should be blown, and declared that the prize belonged to the
+Knight with the white shield, who bare the red sleeve, for he had
+unhorsed more than thirty Knights. And the Kings and Lords who were of
+his party came round him and thanked him for the help he had given
+them, by which means the honours of the day had been theirs.
+
+'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if I have deserved thanks, I have
+paid for them sorely, for I shall hardly escape with my life,
+therefore I pray you let me depart, for my hurt is grievous.' Then he
+groaned piteously, and galloped from them to a wood's side, followed
+by Sir Lavaine. 'Oh help me, Sir Lavaine,' said he, 'to get this
+spear's head out of my side, for it is killing me.' But Sir Lavaine
+feared to touch it, lest Sir Lancelot should bleed to death. 'I charge
+you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'if you love me draw out the head,' so Sir
+Lavaine drew it out. And Sir Lancelot gave a great shriek, and a
+marvellous grisly groan, and his blood flowed out so fast, that he
+fell into a swoon. 'Oh what shall I do?' cried Sir Lavaine, and he
+loosed Sir Lancelot's helm and coat of mail, and turned him so that
+the wind might blow on him, but for full half an hour he lay as if he
+had been dead. And at last Sir Lancelot opened his eyes, and said, 'O
+Lavaine, help me on my horse, for two miles from this place there
+lives a hermit who once was a Knight of the Round Table, and he can
+heal my wounds.' Then Sir Lavaine, with much ado, helped him on his
+horse, and brought him bleeding to the hermit. The hermit looked at
+him as he rode up, leaning piteously on his saddle-bow, and he thought
+that he should know him, but could not tell who he was for the
+paleness of his face, till he saw by a wound on his cheek that it was
+Sir Lancelot.
+
+'You cannot hide your name from me,' said the hermit, 'for you are the
+noblest Knight in the world, and well I know you to be Sir Lancelot.'
+
+'Since you know me, Sir,' said he, 'help me for God's sake, and for
+death or life put me out of this pain.'
+
+'Fear nothing,' answered the hermit, 'your pain will soon be gone,'
+and he called his servants to take the armour off the Knight, and laid
+him in bed. After that he dressed the wound, and gave him good wine to
+drink, and Sir Lancelot slept and awoke free of his pain. So we will
+leave him to be healed of his wound, under the care of the hermit, and
+go back to King Arthur.
+
+Now it was the custom in those days that after a tourney was finished,
+a great feast should be held at which both parties were assembled, so
+King Arthur sent to ask the King of Northgalis, where was the Knight
+with the red sleeve, who had fought on his side. 'Bring him before
+me,' he said, 'that he may have the prize he has won, which is his
+right.' Then answered the King with the hundred Knights, 'we fear the
+Knight must have been sore hurt, and that neither you nor we are ever
+like to see him again, which is grievous to think of.'
+
+'Alas!' said King Arthur, 'is he then so badly wounded? What is his
+name?'
+
+'Truly,' said they all, 'we know not his name, nor whence he came, nor
+whither he went.'
+
+'As for me,' answered King Arthur, 'these tidings are the worst that I
+have heard these seven years, for I would give all the lands I hold
+that no harm had befallen this Knight.'
+
+'Do you know him?' asked they all.
+
+'Whether I know him or not,' said King Arthur, 'I shall not tell you,
+but may Heaven send me good news of him.' 'Amen,' answered they.
+
+'By my head,' said Sir Gawaine, 'if this good Knight is really wounded
+unto death, it is a great evil for all this land, for he is one of the
+noblest that ever I saw for handling a sword or spear. And if he may
+be found, I shall find him, for I am sure he is not far from this
+town,' so he took his Squire with him, and they rode all round
+Camelot, six or seven miles on every side, but nothing could they hear
+of him. And he returned heavily to the Court of King Arthur.
+
+Two days after the King and all his company set out for London, and by
+the way, it happened to Sir Gawaine to lodge with Sir Bernard at
+Astolat. And when he was in his chamber, Sir Bernard and his daughter
+Elaine came unto Sir Gawaine, to ask him tidings of the Court, and who
+did best in the tourney at Winchester.
+
+'Truly,' said Sir Gawaine, 'there were two Knights that bare white
+shields, but one of them had a red sleeve upon his helm, and he was
+one of the best Knights that ever I saw joust in the field, for I dare
+say he smote down forty Knights of the Table Round.'
+
+'Now blessed be God,' said the Maid of Astolat, 'that that Knight sped
+so well, for he is the man in the world that I loved first, and he
+will also be the last that ever I shall love.'
+
+'Fair Maid,' asked Sir Gawaine, 'is that Knight your love?'
+
+'Certainly he is my love,' said she.
+
+'Then you know his name?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'Nay, truly,' answered the damsel, 'I know neither his name, nor
+whence he cometh, but I love him for all that.'
+
+'How did you meet him first?' asked Sir Gawaine. At that she told him
+the whole story, and how her brother went with Sir Lancelot to do him
+service, and lent him the white shield of her brother Sir Tirre and
+left his own shield with her. 'Why did he do that?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'For this cause,' said the damsel, 'his shield was too well known
+among many noble Knights.'
+
+'Ah, fair damsel,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I beg of you to let me have a
+sight of that shield.'
+
+'Sir,' answered she, 'it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if
+you will come with me, you shall see it.'
+
+'Not so,' said Sir Bernard, and sent his Squire for it. And when Sir
+Gawaine took off the case and beheld the shield, and saw the arms, he
+knew it to be Sir Lancelot's. 'Ah mercy,' cried he, 'my heart is
+heavier than ever it was before!'
+
+'Why?' asked Elaine.
+
+'I have great cause,' answered Sir Gawaine. 'Is that Knight who owns
+this shield your love?'
+
+'Yes, truly,' said she; 'I would I were his love.'
+
+'You are right, fair damsel,' replied Gawaine, 'for if you love him,
+you love the most honourable Knight in the world. I have known him for
+four-and-twenty years, and never did I or any other Knight see him
+wear a token of either lady or damsel at a tournament. Therefore,
+damsel, he has paid you great honour. But I fear that I may never
+behold him again upon earth, and that is grievous to think of.'
+
+'Alas!' she said, 'how may this be? Is he slain?'
+
+'I did not say that,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'but he is sorely wounded,
+and is more likely to be dead than alive. And, maiden, by this shield
+I know that he is Sir Lancelot.'
+
+'How can this be?' said the Maid of Astolat, 'and what was his hurt?'
+
+'Truly,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'it was the man that loved him best who
+hurt him so, and I am sure that if that man knew that it was Sir
+Lancelot whom he had wounded, he would think it was the darkest deed
+that ever he did.'
+
+'Now, dear father,' said Elaine, 'give me leave to ride and to seek
+him, for I shall go out of my mind unless I find him and my brother.'
+
+'Do as you will,' answered her father, 'for I am grieved to hear of
+the hurt of that noble Knight.' So the damsel made ready.
+
+On the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur and told him how he had
+found the shield in the keeping of the Maid of Astolat. 'All that I
+knew beforehand,' said the King, 'and that was why I would not suffer
+you to fight at the tourney, for I had espied him when he entered his
+lodging the night before. But this is the first time that ever I heard
+of his bearing the token of some lady, and much I marvel at it.'
+
+'By my head,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'the Fair Maiden of Astolat loves
+him wondrous well. What it all means, or what will be the end, I
+cannot say, but she has ridden after him to seek him.' So the King and
+his company came to London, and everyone in the Court knew that it was
+Sir Lancelot who had jousted the best.
+
+And when the tidings came to Sir Bors, his heart grew heavy, and also
+the hearts of his kinsmen. But when the Queen heard that Sir Lancelot
+bore the red sleeve of the Fair Maid of Astolat, she was nearly mad
+with wrath and summoned Sir Bors before her in haste.
+
+'Ah, Sir Bors,' she cried when he was come, 'have the tidings reached
+you that Sir Lancelot has been a false Knight to me?'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I pray you say not so, for I cannot hear
+such language of him.'
+
+'Why, is he not false and a traitor when, after swearing that for
+right or wrong he would be my Knight and mine only, he bore the red
+sleeve upon his helm at the great jousts at Camelot?'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Bors, 'I grieve bitterly as to that sleeve-bearing,
+but I think he did it that none of his kin should know him. For no man
+before that had seen him bear the token of any lady, be she what she
+may.'
+
+'Fie on him!' said the Queen, 'I myself heard Sir Gawaine tell my lord
+Arthur of the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of Astolat
+and him.'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Bors, 'I cannot hinder Sir Gawaine from saying
+what he pleases, but as for Sir Lancelot, I am sure that he loves no
+one lady or maiden better than another. And therefore I will hasten to
+seek him wherever he be.'
+
+Meanwhile fair Elaine came to Winchester to find Sir Lancelot, who lay
+in peril of his life in the hermit's dwelling. And when she was riding
+hither and thither, not knowing where she should turn, she fell on her
+brother Sir Lavaine, who was exercising his horse. 'How doth my lord
+Sir Lancelot?' asked she.
+
+'Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Lancelot?' answered
+Sir Lavaine.
+
+'Sir Gawaine, who came to my father's house to rest after the tourney,
+knew him by his shield,' said she, and they rode on till they reached
+the hermitage, and Sir Lavaine brought her to Sir Lancelot. And when
+she saw him so pale, and in such a plight, she fell to the earth in a
+swoon, but by-and-bye she opened her eyes and said, 'My lord Sir
+Lancelot, what has brought you to this?' and swooned again. When she
+came to herself and stood up, Sir Lancelot prayed her to be of good
+cheer, for if she had come to comfort him she was right welcome, and
+that his wound would soon heal. 'But I marvel,' said he, 'how you know
+my name.' Then the maiden told him how Sir Gawaine had been at Astolat
+and had seen his shield.
+
+'Alas!' sighed Sir Lancelot, 'it grieves me that my name is known, for
+trouble will come of it.' For he knew full well that Sir Gawaine would
+tell Queen Guenevere, and that she would be wroth. And Elaine stayed
+and tended him, and Sir Lancelot begged Sir Lavaine to ride to
+Winchester and ask if Sir Bors was there, and said that he should know
+him by token of a wound which Sir Bors had on his forehead. 'For well
+I am sure,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that Sir Bors will seek me, as he is
+the same good Knight that hurt me.'
+
+Therefore as Sir Lancelot commanded, Sir Lavaine rode to Winchester
+and inquired if Sir Bors had been seen there, so that when he entered
+the town Sir Lavaine readily found him. Sir Bors was overjoyed to hear
+good tidings of Sir Lancelot, and they rode back together to the
+hermitage. At the sight of Sir Lancelot lying in his bed, pale and
+thin, Sir Bors' heart gave way, and he wept long without speaking.
+'Oh, my lord Sir Lancelot,' he said at last, 'God send you hasty
+recovery; great is my shame for having wounded you thus, you who are
+the noblest Knight in the world. I wonder that my arm would lift
+itself against you, and I ask your mercy.'
+
+'Fair cousin,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'such words please me not at
+all, for it is the fault of my pride which would overcome you all,
+that I lie here to-day. We will not speak of it any more, for what is
+done cannot be undone, but let us find a cure so that I may soon be
+whole.' Then Sir Bors leaned upon his bed, and told him how the Queen
+was filled with anger against him, because he wore the red sleeve at
+the jousts.
+
+'I am sorrowful at what you tell me,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'for all I
+did was to hinder my being known.'
+
+'That I said to excuse you,' answered Sir Bors, 'though it was all in
+vain. But is this damsel that is so busy about you the Fair Maid of
+Astolat?'
+
+'She it is, and she will not go from me!'
+
+'Why should she go from you?' asked Sir Bors. 'She is a passing fair
+damsel, and of gentle breeding, and I would that you could love her,
+for it is easy to see by her bearing that she loves you entirely.'
+
+'It grieves me to hear that,' said Sir Lancelot.
+
+After this they talked of other things, till in a few days Sir
+Lancelot's wounds were whole again. When Sir Lancelot felt his
+strength return, Sir Bors made him ready, and departed for the Court
+of King Arthur, and told them how he had left Sir Lancelot. And there
+was on All Hallows a great tournament, and Sir Bors won the prize for
+the unhorsing of twenty Knights, and Sir Gareth did great deeds also,
+but vanished suddenly from the field, and no man knew where he had
+gone. After the tourney was over, Sir Bors rode to the hermitage to
+see Sir Lancelot, whom he found walking on his feet, and on the next
+morning they bade farewell to the hermit, taking with them Elaine le
+Blanc. They went first to Astolat, where they were well lodged in the
+house of Sir Bernard, but when the morrow came, and Sir Lancelot would
+have departed from them, Elaine called to her father and to her
+brothers Sir Tirre and Sir Lavaine, and thus she said:
+
+'My lord Sir Lancelot, fair Knight, leave me not, I pray you, but have
+mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die of love of thee.'
+
+'What do you wish me to do?' asked Sir Lancelot.
+
+'I would have you for my husband,' answered she.
+
+'Fair damsel, I thank you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but truly I shall
+never have a wife. But in token and thanks of all your good will
+towards me, gladly will I give a thousand pounds yearly when you set
+your heart upon some other Knight.'
+
+'Of such gifts I will have none,' answered Elaine, 'and I would have
+you know, Sir Lancelot, that if you refuse to wed me, my good days are
+done.'
+
+'Fair damsel,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I cannot do the thing that you
+ask.'
+
+At these words she fell down in a swoon, and her maids bore her to her
+chamber, where she made bitter sorrow. Sir Lancelot thought it would
+be well for him to depart before she came to her senses again, and he
+asked Sir Lavaine what he would do.
+
+'What should I do?' asked Sir Lavaine, 'but follow you if you will
+have me.' Then Sir Bernard came and said to Sir Lancelot, 'I see well
+that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake.'
+
+'I cannot marry her,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'and it grieves me
+sorely, for she is a good maiden, fair and gentle.'
+
+'Father,' said Sir Lavaine, 'she is as pure and good as Sir Lancelot
+has said, and she is like me, for since first I saw him I can never
+leave him.' And after that they bade the old man farewell and came
+unto Winchester, where the King and all the Knights of the Round Table
+made great joy of him, save only Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred. But
+the Queen was angry and would not speak to him, though he tried by all
+means to make her. Now when the Fair Maid of Astolat knew he was gone,
+she would neither eat nor sleep, but cried after Sir Lancelot all the
+day long. And when she had spent ten days in this manner, she grew so
+weak that they thought her soul must quit this world, and the priest
+came to her, and bade her dwell no more on earthly things. She would
+not listen to him, but cried ever after Sir Lancelot, and how she had
+loved none other, no, nor ever would, and that her love would be her
+death. Then she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir
+Tirre, and begged her brother to write her a letter as she should tell
+him, and her father that he would have her watched till she was dead.
+'And while my body is warm,' said she, 'let this letter be put in my
+right hand, and my hand bound fast with the letter until I be cold,
+and let me be dressed in my richest clothes and be lain on a fair bed,
+and driven in a chariot to the Thames. There let me be put on a barge,
+and a dumb man with me, to steer the barge, which shall be covered
+over with black samite. Thus, father, I beseech you, let it be done.'
+And her father promised her faithfully that so it should be done to
+her when she was dead. Next day she died, and her body was lain on the
+bed, and placed in a chariot, and driven to the Thames, where the man
+awaited her with the barge. When she was put on board, he steered the
+barge to Westminster and rowed a great while to and fro, before any
+espied it. At last King Arthur and Queen Guenevere withdrew into a
+window to speak together, and espied the black barge and wondered
+greatly what it meant. The King summoned Sir Kay, and bade him take
+Sir Brandiles and Sir Agrawaine, and find out who was lying there, and
+they ran down to the river side, and came and told the King. 'That
+fair corpse will I see,' returned the King, and he took the Queen's
+hand and led her thither. Then he ordered the barge to be made fast,
+and he entered it, and the Queen likewise, and certain Knights with
+them. And there he saw a fair woman on a rich bed, and her clothing
+was of cloth of gold, and she lay smiling. While they looked, all
+being silent, the Queen spied a letter in her right hand, and pointed
+it out to the King, who took it saying, 'Now I am sure this letter
+will tell us what she was, and why she came hither.' So leaving the
+barge in charge of a trusty man, they went into the King's chamber,
+followed by many Knights, for the King would have the letter read
+openly. He then broke the seal himself, and bade a clerk read it, and
+this was what it said:
+
+'Most noble Knight Sir Lancelot, I was your lover, whom men called the
+Fair Maid of Astolat: therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet
+pray for my soul, and bury me. This is my last request. Pray for my
+soul, Sir Lancelot, as thou art peerless.'
+
+[Illustration: THE BLACK BARGET]
+
+This was all the letter, and the King and Queen and all the Knights
+wept when they heard it.
+
+'Let Sir Lancelot be sent for,' presently said the King, and when Sir
+Lancelot came the letter was read to him also.
+
+'My lord Arthur,' said he, after he had heard it all, 'I am right
+grieved at the death of this damsel. God knows I was not, of my own
+will, guilty of her death, and that I will call on her brother, Sir
+Lavaine, to witness. She was both fair and good, and much was I
+beholden to her, but she loved me out of measure.'
+
+'You might have been a little gentle with her,' answered the Queen,
+'and have found some way to save her life.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'she would have nothing but my love, and
+that I could not give her, though I offered her a thousand pounds
+yearly if she should set her heart on any other Knight. For, Madam, I
+love not to be forced to love; love must arise of itself, and not by
+command.'
+
+'That is truth,' replied the King, 'love is free in himself, and never
+will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth himself. But, Sir
+Lancelot, be it your care to see that the damsel is buried as is
+fitting.'
+
+
+
+
+_LANCELOT AND GUENEVERE_
+
+
+Now we come to the sorrowful tale of Lancelot and Guenevere, and of
+the death of King Arthur. Already it has been told that King Arthur
+had wedded Guenevere, the daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cornwall, a
+damsel who seemed made of all the flowers, so fair was she, and
+slender, and brilliant to look upon. And the Knights in her father's
+Court bowed down before her, and smote their hardest in the jousts
+where Guenevere was present, but none dared ask her in marriage till
+Arthur came. Like the rest he saw and loved her, but, unlike them, he
+was a King, and might lift his eyes even unto Guenevere. The maiden
+herself scarcely saw or spoke to him, but did her father's bidding in
+all things, and when he desired her to make everything ready to go
+clothed as beseemed a Princess to King Arthur's Court, her heart beat
+with joy at the sight of rich stuffs and shining jewels. Then one day
+there rode up to the Castle a band of horsemen sent by the King to
+bring her to his Court, and at the head of them Sir Lancelot du Lake,
+friend of King Arthur, and winner of all the jousts and tournaments
+where Knights meet to gain honour. Day by day they rode together apart
+and he told her tales of gallant deeds done for love of beautiful
+ladies, and they passed under trees gay with the first green of
+spring, and over hyacinths covering the earth with sheets of blue,
+till at sunset they drew rein before the silken pavilion, with the
+banner of Uther Pendragon floating on the top. And Guenevere's heart
+went out to Lancelot before she knew. One evening she noted, far
+across the plain, towers and buildings shining in the sun, and an
+array of horsemen ride forth to meet her. One stopped before her
+dazzled eyes, and leaping from his horse bowed low. Arthur had come to
+welcome her, and do her honour, and to lead her home. But looking up
+at him, she thought him cold, and, timid and alone, her thoughts
+turned again to Lancelot. After that the days and years slipped by,
+and these two were ever nearest the King, and in every time of danger
+the King cried for Lancelot, and trusted his honour and the Queen's to
+him. Sir Lancelot spoke truly when he told Elaine that he had never
+worn the badge of lady or maiden, but for all that every one looked on
+Sir Lancelot as the Queen's Knight, who could do no worship to any
+other woman. The King likewise held Sir Lancelot bound to fight the
+Queen's battles, and if he was absent on adventures of his own,
+messengers hastened to bring him back, as in the fight with Sir Mador.
+So things went on for many years, and the King never guessed that the
+Queen loved Lancelot best.
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT BRINGS GUENEVERE TO ARTHUR]
+
+It befell one spring, in the month of May, that Queen Guenevere
+bethought herself that she would like to go a-maying in the woods and
+fields that lay round the City of Westminster on both sides of the
+river. To this intent she called her own especial Knights, and bade
+them be ready the next morning clothed all in green, whether of silk
+or cloth, 'and,' said she, 'I shall bring with me ten ladies, and
+every Knight shall have a lady behind him, and be followed by a Squire
+and two yeomen, and I will that you shall all be well horsed.' Thus it
+was done, and the ten Knights, arrayed in fresh green, the emblem of
+the spring, rode with the Queen and her ladies in the early dawn, and
+smelt the sweet of the year, and gathered flowers which they stuck in
+their girdles and doublets. The Queen was as happy and light of heart
+as the youngest maiden, but she had promised to be with the King at
+the hour of ten, and gave the signal for departure unwillingly. The
+Knights were mounting their horses, when suddenly out of a wood on the
+other side rode Sir Meliagraunce, who for many years had loved the
+Queen, and had sought an occasion to carry her off, but found none so
+fair as this. Out of the forest he rode, with two score men in armour,
+and a hundred archers behind him, and bade the Queen and her followers
+stay where they were, or they would fare badly. 'Traitor,' cried the
+Queen, 'what evil deed would you do? You are a King's son and a Knight
+of the Round Table, yet you seek to shame the man who gave you
+knighthood. But I tell you that you may bring dishonour on yourself,
+but you will bring none on me, for rather would I cut my throat in
+twain.'
+
+'As for your threats, Madam, I pay them no heed,' returned Sir
+Meliagraunce; 'I have loved you many a year, and never could I get you
+at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I will take you as I
+find you.' Then all the Knights spoke together saying, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, bethink yourself that in attacking men who are unarmed
+you put not only our lives in peril but your own honour. Rather than
+allow the Queen to be shamed we will each one fight to the death, and
+if we did aught else we should dishonour our knighthood for ever.'
+
+'Fight as well as you can,' answered Sir Meliagraunce, 'and keep the
+Queen if you may.' So the Knights of the Round Table drew their
+swords, and the men of Sir Meliagraunce ran at them with spears; but
+the Knights stood fast, and clove the spears in two before they
+touched them. Then both sides fought with swords, and Sir Kay and five
+other Knights were felled to the ground with wounds all over their
+bodies. The other four fought long, and slew forty of the men and
+archers of Sir Meliagraunce; but in the end they too were overcome.
+When the Queen saw that she cried out for pity and sorrow, 'Sir
+Meliagraunce, spare my noble Knights and I will go with you quietly
+on this condition, that their lives be saved, and that wherever you
+may carry me they shall follow. For I give you warning that I would
+rather slay myself than go with you without my Knights, whose duty it
+is to guard me.'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Meliagraunce, 'for your sake they shall be led
+with you into my own castle, if you will consent to ride with me.' So
+the Queen prayed the four Knights to fight no more, and she and they
+would not part, and to this, though their hearts were heavy, they
+agreed.
+
+The fight being ended the wounded Knights were placed on horseback,
+some sitting, some lying across the saddle, according as they were
+hurt, and Sir Meliagraunce forbade anyone to leave the castle (which
+had been a gift to him from King Arthur), for sore he dreaded the
+vengeance of Sir Lancelot if this thing should reach his ears. But the
+Queen knew well what was passing in his mind, and she called a little
+page who served her in her chamber and desired him to take her ring
+and hasten with all speed to Sir Lancelot, 'and pray him, if he loves
+me, to rescue me. Spare not your horse, neither for water nor for
+land.' And the boy bided his time, then mounted his horse, and rode
+away as fast as he might. Sir Meliagraunce spied him as he flew, and
+knew whither he went, and who had sent him; and he commanded his best
+archers to ride after him and shoot him ere he reached Sir Lancelot.
+But the boy escaped their arrows, and vanished from their sight. Then
+Sir Meliagraunce said to the Queen, 'You seek to betray me, Madam; but
+Sir Lancelot shall not so lightly come at you.' And he bade his men
+follow him to the castle in haste, and left an ambush of thirty
+archers in the road, charging them that if a Knight mounted on a white
+horse came along that way they were to slay the horse but to leave the
+man alone, as he was hard to overcome. After Sir Meliagraunce had
+given these orders his company galloped fast to the castle; but the
+Queen would listen to nothing that he said, demanding always that her
+Knights and ladies should be lodged with her, and Sir Meliagraunce was
+forced to let her have her will.
+
+[Illustration: GUENEVERE SENDS HER PAGE TO LANCELOT FOR HELP]
+
+The castle of Sir Meliagraunce was distant seven miles from
+Westminster, so it did not take long for the boy to find Sir Lancelot,
+and to give him the Queen's ring and her message. 'I am shamed for
+ever,' said Sir Lancelot, 'unless I can rescue that noble lady,' and
+while he put on his armour, he called to the boy to tell him the whole
+adventure. When he was armed and mounted, he begged the page to warn
+Sir Lavaine where he had gone, and for what cause. 'And pray him, as
+he loves me, that he follow me to the castle of Sir Meliagraunce, for
+if I am a living man, he will find me there.'
+
+Sir Lancelot put his horse into the water at Westminster, and he swam
+straight over to Lambeth, and soon after he landed he found traces of
+the fight. He rode along the track till he came to the wood, where the
+archers were lying waiting for him, and when they saw him, they bade
+him on peril of his life to go no further along that path.
+
+'Why should I, who am a Knight of the Round Table, turn out of any
+path that pleases me?' asked Sir Lancelot.
+
+'Either you will leave this path or your horse will be slain,'
+answered the archers.
+
+'You may slay my horse if you will,' said Sir Lancelot, 'but when my
+horse is slain I shall fight you on foot, and so would I do, if there
+were five hundred more of you.' With that they smote the horse with
+their arrows, but Sir Lancelot jumped off, and ran into the wood, and
+they could not catch him. He went on some way, but the ground was
+rough, and his armour was heavy, and sore he dreaded the treason of
+Sir Meliagraunce. His heart was near to fail him, when there passed by
+a cart with two carters that came to fetch wood. 'Tell me, carter,'
+asked Sir Lancelot, 'what will you take to suffer me to go in your
+cart till we are within two miles of the castle of Sir Meliagraunce?'
+
+'I cannot take you at all,' answered the carter, 'for I am come to
+fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagraunce.'
+
+'It is with him that I would speak.'
+
+'You shall not go with me,' said the carter, but hardly had he uttered
+the words when Sir Lancelot leapt up into the cart, and gave him such
+a buffet that he fell dead on the ground. At this sight the other
+carter cried that he would take the Knight where he would if he would
+only spare his life. 'Then I charge you,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that you
+bring me to the castle gate.' So the carter drove at a great gallop,
+and Sir Lancelot's horse, who had espied his master, followed the
+cart, though more than fifty arrows were standing in his body. In an
+hour and a half they reached the castle gate, and were seen of
+Guenevere and her ladies, who were standing in a window. 'Look,
+Madam,' cried one of her ladies, 'in that cart yonder is a goodly
+armed Knight. I suppose he is going to his hanging.'
+
+'Where?' asked the Queen, and as she spoke she espied that it was Sir
+Lancelot, and that his horse was following riderless. 'Well is he that
+has a trusty friend,' said she, 'for a noble Knight is hard pressed
+when he rides in a cart,' and she rebuked the lady who had declared he
+was going to his hanging. 'It was foul talking, to liken the noblest
+Knight in the world to one going to a shameful death.' By this Sir
+Lancelot had come to the gate of the castle, and he got down and
+called till the castle rang with his voice. 'Where is that false
+traitor Sir Meliagraunce, Knight of the Round Table? Come forth, you
+and your company, for I, Sir Lancelot du Lake, am here to do battle
+with you.' Then he burst the gate open wide, and smote the porter who
+tried to hold it against him. When Sir Meliagraunce heard Sir
+Lancelot's voice, he ran into Queen Guenevere's chamber, and fell on
+his knees before her: 'Mercy, Madam, mercy! I throw myself upon your
+grace.'
+
+'What ails you now?' said she; 'of a truth I might well expect some
+good Knight to avenge me, though my lord Arthur knew not of your
+work.'
+
+[Illustration: THE ARCHERS THREATEN LANCELOT]
+
+'Madam, I will make such amends as you yourself may desire,' pleaded
+Sir Meliagraunce, 'and I trust wholly to your grace.'
+
+'What would you have me do?' asked the Queen.
+
+'Rule in this castle as if it were your own, and give Sir Lancelot
+cheer till to-morrow, and then you shall all return to Westminster.'
+
+'You say well,' answered the Queen. 'Peace is ever better than war,
+and I take no pleasure in fighting.' So she went down with her ladies
+to Sir Lancelot, who still stood full of rage in the inner court,
+calling as before, 'Traitor Knight, come forth!'
+
+'Sir Lancelot,' asked the Queen, 'what is the cause of all this
+wrath?'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'does such a question come from you?
+Methinks your wrath should be greater than mine, for all the hurt and
+the dishonour have fallen upon you. My own hurt is but little, but the
+shame is worse than any hurt.'
+
+'You say truly,' replied the Queen, 'but you must come in with me
+peaceably, as all is put into my hand, and the Knight repents bitterly
+of his adventure.'
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'since you have made agreement with him,
+it is not my part to say nay, although Sir Meliagraunce has borne
+himself both shamefully and cowardly towards me. But had I known you
+would have pardoned him so soon, I should not have made such haste to
+come to you.'
+
+'Why do you say that?' asked the Queen; 'do you repent yourself of
+your good deeds? I only made peace with him to have done with all this
+noise of slanderous talk, and for the sake of my Knights.'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'you understand full well that I was
+never glad of slander nor noise, but there is neither King, Queen nor
+Knight alive, save yourself, Madam, and my lord Arthur, that should
+hinder me from giving Sir Meliagraunce a cold heart before I departed
+hence.'
+
+'That I know well,' said the Queen, 'but what would you have more?
+Everything shall be ordered as you will.'
+
+'Madam,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'as long as you are pleased, that is
+all I care for,' so the Queen led Sir Lancelot into her chamber, and
+commanded him to take off his armour, and then took him to where her
+ten Knights were lying sore wounded. And their souls leapt with joy
+when they saw him, and he told them how falsely Sir Meliagraunce had
+dealt with him, and had set archers to slay his horse, so that he was
+fain to place himself in a cart. Thus they complained each to the
+other, and would have avenged themselves on Sir Meliagraunce but for
+the peace made by the Queen. And in the evening came Sir Lavaine,
+riding in great haste, and Sir Lancelot was glad that he was come.
+
+Now Sir Lancelot was right when he feared to trust Sir Meliagraunce,
+for that Knight only sought to work ill both to him and to the Queen,
+for all his fair words. And first he began to speak evil of the Queen
+to Sir Lancelot, who dared him to prove his foul words, and it was
+settled between them that a combat should take place in eight days in
+the field, near Westminster. 'And now,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'since
+it is decided that we must fight together, I beseech you, as you are a
+noble Knight, do me no treason nor villainy in the meantime.'
+
+'Any Knight will bear me witness,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that never
+have I broken faith with any man, nor borne fellowship with those that
+have done so.' 'Then let us go to dinner,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'and
+afterwards you may all ride to Westminster. Meanwhile would it please
+you to see the inside of this castle?' 'That I will gladly,' said Sir
+Lancelot, and they went from chamber to chamber, till they reached the
+floor of the castle, and as he went Sir Lancelot trod on a trap, and
+the board rolled, and he fell down in a cave which was filled with
+straw, and Sir Meliagraunce departed and no man knew where Sir
+Lancelot might be. The Queen bethought herself that he was wont to
+disappear suddenly, and as Sir Meliagraunce had first removed Sir
+Lavaine's horse from the place where it had been tethered, the Knights
+agreed with her. So time passed till dinner had been eaten, and then
+Sir Lavaine demanded litters for the wounded Knights, that they might
+be carried to Westminster with as little hurt as might be. And the
+Queen and her ladies followed. When they arrived, the Knights told of
+their adventure, and how Sir Meliagraunce had accused the Queen of
+treason, and how he and Sir Lancelot were to fight for her good name
+in eight days.
+
+'Sir Meliagraunce has taken a great deal upon him,' said the King,
+'but where is Sir Lancelot?'
+
+'Sir,' answered they all, 'we know not, but we think he has ridden to
+some adventure.' 'Well, leave him alone,' said the King. 'He will be
+here when the day comes, unless some treason has befallen him.'
+
+All this while Sir Lancelot was lying in great pain within the cave,
+and he would have died for lack of food had not one of the ladies in
+the castle found out the place where he was held captive, and brought
+him meat and drink, and hoped that he might be brought to love her.
+But he would not. 'Sir Lancelot,' said she, 'you are not wise, for
+without my help you will never get out of this prison, and if you do
+not appear on the day of battle, your lady, Queen Guenevere, will be
+burnt in default.' 'If I am not there,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'the
+King and the Queen and all men of worship will know that I am either
+dead or in prison. And sure I am that there is some good Knight who
+loves me or is of my kin, that will take my quarrel in hand, therefore
+you cannot frighten me by such words as these. If there was not
+another woman in the world, I could give you no different answer.'
+'Then you will be shamed openly,' replied the lady, and left the
+dungeon. But on the day that the battle was to be fought she came
+again, and said, 'Sir Lancelot, if you will only kiss me once, I will
+deliver you, and give you the best horse in Sir Meliagraunce's
+stable.' 'Yes, I will kiss you,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'since I may
+do that honourably; but if I thought it were any shame to kiss you, I
+would not do it, whatever the cost.' So he kissed her, and she brought
+him his armour, and led him to a stable where twelve noble horses
+stood, and bade him choose the best. He chose a white courser, and
+bade the keepers put on the best saddle they had, and with his spear
+in his hand and his sword by his side, he rode away, thanking the lady
+for all she had done for him, which some day he would try to repay.
+
+As the hours passed on and Sir Lancelot did not come, Sir Meliagraunce
+called ever on King Arthur to burn the Queen, or else bring forth Sir
+Lancelot, for he deemed full well that he had Sir Lancelot safe in his
+dungeon. The King and Queen were sore distressed that Sir Lancelot was
+missing, and knew not where to look for him, and what to do. Then
+stepped forth Sir Lavaine and said, 'My lord Arthur, you know well
+that some ill-fortune has happened to Sir Lancelot, and if he is not
+dead, he is either sick or in prison. Therefore I beseech you, let me
+do battle instead of my lord and master for my lady the Queen.'
+
+'I thank you heartily, gentle Knight,' answered Arthur, 'for I am sure
+that Sir Meliagraunce accuses the Queen falsely, and there is not one
+of the ten Knights who would not fight for her were it not for his
+wounds. So do your best, for it is plain that some evil has been
+wrought on Sir Lancelot.' Sir Lavaine was filled with joy when the
+King gave him leave to do battle with Sir Meliagraunce, and rode
+swiftly to his place at the end of the lists. And just as the heralds
+were about to cry 'Lesses les aler!' Sir Lancelot dashed into the
+middle on his white horse. 'Hold and abide!' commanded the King, and
+Sir Lancelot rode up before him, and told before them all how Sir
+Meliagraunce had treated him. When the King and Queen and all the
+Lords heard Sir Lancelot's tale, their hearts stirred within them with
+anger, and the Queen took her seat by the King, in great trust of her
+champion. Sir Lancelot and Sir Meliagraunce prepared themselves for
+battle, and took their spears, and came together as thunder, and Sir
+Lancelot bore Sir Meliagraunce right over his horse. Then Sir Lancelot
+jumped down, and they fought on foot, till in the end Sir Meliagraunce
+was smitten to the ground by a blow on his head from his enemy. 'Most
+noble Knight, save my life,' cried he, 'for I yield myself unto you,
+and put myself into the King's hands and yours.' Sir Lancelot did not
+know what to answer, for he longed above anything in the world to have
+revenge upon him; so he looked at the Queen to see whether she would
+give him any sign of what she would have done. The Queen wagged her
+head in answer, and Sir Lancelot knew by that token that she would
+have him dead, and he understood, and bade Sir Meliagraunce get up,
+and continue the fight. 'Nay,' said Sir Meliagraunce, 'I will never
+rise till you accept my surrender.' 'Listen,' answered Sir Lancelot.
+'I will leave my head and left side bare, and my left arm shall be
+bound behind me, and in this guise I will fight with you.' At this Sir
+Meliagraunce started to his feet, and cried, 'My lord Arthur, take
+heed to this offer, for I will take it, therefore let him be bound and
+unarmed as he has said.' So the Knights disarmed Sir Lancelot, first
+his head and then his side, and his left hand was bound behind his
+back, in such a manner that he could not use his shield, and full many
+a Knight and lady marvelled that Sir Lancelot would risk himself so.
+And Sir Meliagraunce lifted his sword on high and would have smitten
+Sir Lancelot on his bare head, had he not leapt lightly to one side,
+and, before Sir Meliagraunce could right himself, Sir Lancelot had
+struck him so hard upon his helmet that his skull split in two, and
+there was nothing left to do but to carry his dead body from the
+field. And because the Knights of the Round Table begged to have him
+honourably buried, the King agreed thereto, and on his tomb mention
+was made of how he came by his death, and who slew him. After this Sir
+Lancelot was more cherished by the King and Queen than ever he was
+before.
+
+Among the many Knights at Arthur's Court who owned kings for their
+fathers were Sir Mordred and Sir Agrawaine, who had for brothers, Sir
+Gawaine, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. And their mother was Queen of
+Orkney, sister to King Arthur. Now Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred had
+evil natures, and loved both to invent slanders and to repeat them.
+And at this time they were full of envy of the noble deeds Sir
+Lancelot had done, and how men called him the bravest Knight of the
+Table Round, and said that he was the friend of the King, and the
+sworn defender of the Queen. So they cast about how they might ruin
+him, and found the way by putting jealous thoughts into the mind of
+Arthur.
+
+As was told in the tale of the marriage of Arthur, Queen Guenevere's
+heart had gone out to Lancelot, on the journey to the Court, and ever
+she loved to have him with her. This was known well to Sir Mordred,
+who watched eagerly for a chance to work her ill.
+
+It came one day when Arthur proclaimed a hunt, and Sir Mordred guessed
+that Sir Lancelot, who did not love hunting, would stay behind, and
+would spend the time holding talk with the Queen. Therefore he went to
+the King and began to speak evil of the Queen and Sir Lancelot. At
+first King Arthur would listen to nothing, but slowly his jealousy
+burned within him, and he let the ill words that accused the Queen of
+loving Sir Lancelot the best, sink into his mind, and told Sir Mordred
+and Sir Agrawaine that they might do their worst, and he would not
+meddle with them. But they let so many of their fellowship into the
+secret of their foul plot, that at last it came to the ears of Sir
+Bors, who begged Sir Lancelot not to go near the Queen that day, or
+harm would come of it. But Sir Lancelot answered that the Queen had
+sent for him, and that she was his liege lady, and never would he hold
+back when she summoned him to her presence. Therefore Sir Bors went
+heavily away. By ill fortune, Sir Lancelot only wore his sword under
+his great mantle, and scarcely had he passed inside the door when Sir
+Agrawaine and Sir Mordred, and twelve other Knights of the Table
+Round, all armed and ready for battle, cried loudly upon Sir Lancelot,
+that all the Court might hear.
+
+'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'is there any armour within your chamber
+that I might cover my body withal, for if I was armed as they are I
+would soon crush them?'
+
+'Alas!' replied the Queen, 'I have neither sword nor spear nor armour,
+and how can you resist them? You will be slain and I shall be burnt.
+If you could only escape their hands, I know you would deliver me from
+danger.'
+
+'It is grievous,' said Sir Lancelot, 'that I who was never conquered
+in all my life should be slain for lack of armour.'
+
+'Traitor Knight,' cried Sir Mordred again, 'come out and fight us, for
+you are so sore beset that you cannot escape us.'
+
+'Oh, mercy,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'I may not suffer longer this shame
+and noise! For better were death at once than to endure this pain.'
+Then he took the Queen in his arms and kissed her, and said, 'Most
+noble Christian Queen, I beseech you, as you have ever been my special
+good lady, and I at all times your true poor Knight, and as I never
+failed you in right or in wrong, since the first day that King Arthur
+made me Knight, that you will pray for my soul, if I be here slain.
+For I am well assured that Sir Bors, my nephew, and Sir Lavaine and
+many more, will rescue you from the fire, and therefore, mine own
+lady, comfort yourself whatever happens to me, and go with Sir Bors,
+my nephew, and you shall live like a Queen on my lands.'
+
+[Illustration: LANCELOT COMES OUT OF GUENEVERE'S ROOM]
+
+'Nay, Lancelot,' said the Queen, 'I will never live after your days,
+but if you are slain I will take my death as meekly as ever did any
+Christian Queen.'
+
+'Well, Madam,' answered Lancelot, 'since it is so I shall sell my life
+as dear as I may, and a thousandfold I am more heavy for you than for
+myself.'
+
+Therewith Sir Lancelot wrapped his mantle thickly round his arm, and
+stood beside the door, which the Knights without were trying to break
+in by aid of a stout wooden form.
+
+'Fair Lords,' said Sir Lancelot, 'leave this noise, and I will open
+the door, and you may do with me what you will.'
+
+'Open it then,' answered they, 'for well you know you cannot escape
+us, and we will save your life and bring you before King Arthur.' So
+Sir Lancelot opened the door and held it with his left hand, so that
+but one man could come in at once. Then came forward a strong Knight,
+Sir Colgrevance of Gore, who struck fiercely at Lancelot with his
+sword. But Sir Lancelot stepped on one side, that the blow fell
+harmless, and with his arm he gave Sir Colgrevance a buffet on the
+head so that he fell dead. And Sir Lancelot drew him into the chamber,
+and barred the door.
+
+Hastily he unbuckled the dead Knight's armour, and the Queen and her
+ladies put it on him, Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred ever calling to
+him the while, 'Traitor Knight, come out of that chamber!' But Sir
+Lancelot cried to them all to go away and he would appear next morning
+before the King, and they should accuse him of what they would, and he
+would answer them, and prove his words in battle. 'Fie on you,
+traitor,' said Sir Agrawaine, 'we have you in our power, to save or to
+slay, for King Arthur will listen to our words, and will believe what
+we tell him.'
+
+'As you like,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'look to yourself,' and he flung
+open the chamber door, and strode in amongst them and killed Sir
+Agrawaine with his first blow, and in a few minutes the bodies of the
+other twelve Knights lay on the ground beside his, for no man ever
+withstood that buffet of Sir Lancelot's. He wounded Sir Mordred also,
+so that he fled away with all his might. When the clamour of the
+battle was still, Sir Lancelot turned back to the Queen and said,
+'Alas, Madam, they will make King Arthur my foe, and yours also, but
+if you will come with me to my castle, I will save you from all
+dangers.'
+
+'I will not go with you now,' answered the Queen, 'but if you see
+to-morrow that they will burn me to death, then you may deliver me as
+you shall think best.'
+
+'While I live I will deliver you,' said Sir Lancelot, and he left her
+and went back to his lodging. When Sir Bors, who was awaiting him, saw
+Sir Lancelot, he was gladder than he ever had been in his whole life
+before. 'Mercy!' cried Sir Lancelot, 'why you are all armed!'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'after you had left us I and your friends
+and your kinsmen were so troubled that we felt some great strife was
+at hand, and that perchance some trap had been laid for you. So we put
+on armour that we might help you whatever need you were in.' 'Fair
+nephew,' said Lancelot, 'but now I have been more hardly beset than
+ever I was in my life, and yet I escaped,' and he told them all that
+had happened. 'I pray you, my fellows, that you will be of good
+courage and stand by me in my need, for war is come to us all.'
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'all is welcome that God sends us, and we
+have had much good with you and much fame, so now we will take the bad
+as we have taken the good.' And so said they all.
+
+'I thank you for your comfort in my great distress,' replied Sir
+Lancelot, 'and you, fair nephew, haste to the Knights which be in this
+place, and find who is with me and who is against me, for I would know
+my friends from my foes.'
+
+'Sir,' said Sir Bors, 'before seven of the clock in the morning you
+shall know.'
+
+By seven o'clock, as Sir Bors had promised, many noble Knights stood
+before Sir Lancelot, and were sworn to his cause. 'My lords,' said he,
+'you know well that since I came into this country I have given
+faithful service unto my lord King Arthur and unto my lady Queen
+Guenevere. Last evening my lady, the Queen, sent for me to speak to
+her, and certain Knights that were lying in wait for me cried
+"Treason," and much ado I had to escape their blows. But I slew twelve
+of them, and Sir Agrawaine, who is Sir Gawaine's brother; and for this
+cause I am sure of mortal war, as these Knights were ordered by King
+Arthur to betray me, and therefore the Queen will be judged to the
+fire, and I may not suffer that she should be burnt for my sake.'
+
+And Sir Bors answered Sir Lancelot that it was truly his part to
+rescue the Queen, as he had done so often before, and that if she was
+burned the shame would be his. Then they all took counsel together how
+the thing might best be done, and Sir Bors deemed it wise to carry her
+off to the Castle of Joyous Gard, and counselled that she should be
+kept there, a prisoner, till the King's anger was past and he would be
+willing to welcome her back again. To this the other Knights agreed,
+and by the advice of Sir Lancelot they hid themselves in a wood close
+by the town till they saw what King Arthur would do. Meanwhile Sir
+Mordred, who had managed to escape the sword of Sir Lancelot, rode,
+wounded and bleeding, unto King Arthur, and told the King all that had
+passed, and how, of the fourteen Knights, he only was left alive. The
+King grieved sore at his tale, which Sir Mordred had made to sound as
+ill as was possible; for, in spite of all, Arthur loved Sir Lancelot.
+'It is a bitter blow,' he said, 'that Sir Lancelot must be against me,
+and the fellowship of the Table Round is broken for ever, as many a
+noble Knight will go with him. And as I am the judge, the Queen will
+have to die, as she is the cause of the death of these thirteen
+Knights.'
+
+'My lord Arthur,' said Sir Gawaine, 'be not over-hasty; listen not to
+the foul tongue of Sir Mordred, who laid this trap for Sir Lancelot,
+that we all know to be the Queen's own Knight, who has done battle for
+her when none else would. As for Sir Lancelot, he will prove the right
+on the body of any Knight living that shall accuse him of
+wrong--either him, or my lady Guenevere.'
+
+'That I believe well,' said King Arthur, 'for he trusts so much in his
+own might that he fears no man; and never more shall he fight for the
+Queen, for she must suffer death by the law. Put on, therefore, your
+best armour, and go with your brothers, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth,
+and bring the Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and suffer
+her death.'
+
+'Nay, my lord, that I will never do,' cried Sir Gawaine; 'my heart
+will never serve me to see her die, and I will never stand by and see
+so noble a lady brought to a shameful end.'
+
+'Then,' said the King, 'let your brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth
+be there.'
+
+'My lord,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'I know well how loth they will be,
+but they are young and unable to say you nay.'
+
+At this Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth spoke to King Arthur: 'Sir, if you
+command us we will obey, but it will be sore against our will. And if
+we go we shall be dressed as men of peace, and wear no armour.'
+
+'Make yourselves ready, then,' answered the King, 'for I would delay
+no longer in giving judgment.'
+
+'Alas!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'that I should have lived to see this day';
+and he turned and wept bitterly, and went into his chamber.
+
+So the Queen was led outside the gates, and her rich dress was taken
+off, while her lords and ladies wrung their hands in grief, and few
+men wore armour, for in that day it was held that the presence of
+mail-clad Knights made death more shameful. Now among those present
+was one sent by Sir Lancelot, and when he saw the Queen's dress
+unclasped, and the priest step forth to listen to her confession, he
+rode to warn Sir Lancelot that the hour had come. And suddenly there
+was heard a sound as of rushing horses, and Sir Lancelot dashed up to
+the fire, and all the Knights that stood around were slain, for few
+men wore armour. Sir Lancelot looked not where he struck, and Sir
+Gaheris and Sir Gareth were found in the thickest of the throng. At
+last he reached the Queen, and, throwing a mantle over her, he caught
+her on to his saddle and rode away with her. Right thankful was the
+Queen at being snatched from the fire, and her heart was grateful to
+Sir Lancelot, who took her to his Castle of Joyous Gard, and many
+noble Knights and Kings had fellowship with them.
+
+After King Arthur had given judgment for the Queen to die he went back
+into his Palace of Westminster, where men came and told him how Sir
+Lancelot had delivered her, and of the death of his Knights, and in
+especial of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, and he swooned away from
+sorrow. 'Alas!' he cried, when he recovered from his swoon, 'alas!
+that a crown was ever on my head, for in these two days I have lost
+forty Knights and the fellowship of Sir Lancelot and his kinsmen, and
+never more will they be of my company. But I charge you that none tell
+Sir Gawaine of the death of his brothers, for I am sure that when he
+hears of Sir Gareth he will go out of his mind. Oh, why did Sir
+Lancelot slay them? for Sir Gareth loved Sir Lancelot more than any
+other man.'
+
+'That is true,' answered some of the Knights, 'but Sir Lancelot saw
+not whom he smote, and therefore were they slain.'
+
+'The death of those two,' said Arthur, 'will cause the greatest mortal
+war that ever was. I am sure that when Sir Gawaine knows Sir Gareth is
+slain he will never suffer me to rest till I have destroyed Sir
+Lancelot and all his kin, or till they have destroyed me. My heart
+was never so heavy as it is now, and far more grievous to me is the
+loss of my good Knights than of my Queen; for Queens I might have in
+plenty, but no man had ever such a company of Knights, and it hurts me
+sore that Sir Lancelot and I should be at war. It is the ill will
+borne by Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred to Sir Lancelot that has caused
+all this sorrow.' Then one came to Sir Gawaine and told him that Sir
+Lancelot had borne off the Queen, and that twenty-four Knights had
+been slain in the combat. 'I knew well he would deliver her,' said Sir
+Gawaine, 'and in that, he has but acted as a Knight should and as I
+would have done myself. But where are my brethren? I marvel they have
+not been to seek me.'
+
+'Truly,' said the man, 'Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth are slain.'
+
+'Heaven forbid any such thing,' returned Sir Gawaine. 'I would not for
+all the world that that had happened, especially to my brother Sir
+Gareth.'
+
+'He is slain,' said the man, 'and it is grievous news.'
+
+'Who slew him?' asked Sir Gawaine.
+
+'Sir Lancelot slew them both,' answered the man.
+
+'He cannot have slain Sir Gareth,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'for my
+brother Gareth loved him better than me and all his brethren, and King
+Arthur too. And had Sir Lancelot desired my brother to go with him, he
+would have turned his back on us all. Therefore I can never believe
+that Sir Lancelot slew my brother.'
+
+'Sir, it is in everyone's mouth,' said the man. At this Sir Gawaine
+fell back in a swoon and lay long as if he were dead. Then he ran to
+the King, crying, 'O King Arthur, mine uncle, my good brother Sir
+Gareth is slain, and Sir Gaheris also,' and the King wept with him. At
+length Sir Gawaine said, 'Sir, I will go and see my brother Sir
+Gareth.'
+
+'You cannot do that,' returned the King, 'for I have caused him to be
+buried with Sir Gaheris, as I knew well that the sight would cause you
+overmuch sorrow.'
+
+'How came he, Sir Lancelot, to slay Sir Gareth?' asked Sir Gawaine;
+'mine own good lord, I pray you tell me, for neither Sir Gareth nor
+Sir Gaheris bore arms against him.'
+
+'It is said,' answered the King, 'that Sir Lancelot slew them in the
+thickest of the press and knew them not. Therefore let us think upon a
+plan to avenge their deaths.'
+
+'My King, my lord and mine uncle,' said Sir Gawaine, 'I swear to you
+by my knighthood that from this day I will never rest until Sir
+Lancelot or I be slain. And I will go to the world's end till I find
+him.'
+
+'You need not seek him so far,' answered the King, 'for I am told that
+Sir Lancelot will await me and you in the Castle of Joyous Gard, and
+many people are flocking to him. But call your friends together, and I
+will call mine,' and the King ordered letters to be sent throughout
+all England summoning his Knights and vassals to the siege of Joyous
+Gard. The Castle of Joyous Gard was strong, and after fifteen weeks
+had passed no breach had been made in its walls. And one day, at the
+time of harvest, Sir Lancelot came forth on a truce, and the King and
+Sir Gawaine challenged him to do battle.
+
+'Nay,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'with yourself I will never strive, and
+I grieve sorely that I have slain your Knights. But I was forced to
+it, for the saving of my life and that of my lady the Queen. And
+except yourself, my lord, and Sir Gawaine, there is no man that shall
+call me traitor but he shall pay for it with his body. As to Queen
+Guenevere, oft times, my lord, you have consented in the heat of your
+passion that she should be burnt and destroyed, and it fell to me to
+do battle for her, and her enemies confessed their untruth, and
+acknowledged her innocent. And at such times, my lord Arthur, you
+loved me and thanked me when I saved your Queen from the fire, and
+promised ever to be my good lord, for I have fought for her many times
+in other quarrels than my own. Therefore, my gracious lord, take your
+Queen back into your grace again.'
+
+To these words of Sir Lancelot's, King Arthur answered nothing, but in
+his heart he would fain have made peace with Sir Lancelot, but Sir
+Gawaine would not let him. He reproached Sir Lancelot bitterly for the
+deaths of his brothers and kinsmen, and called Sir Lancelot a craven
+and other ill names that he would not fight with King Arthur. So at
+the last Sir Lancelot's patience and courtesy failed him, and he told
+them that the next morning he would give them battle.
+
+The heart of Sir Gawaine leaped with joy when he heard these words of
+Sir Lancelot, and he summoned all his friends and his kinsfolk, and
+bade them watch well Sir Lancelot, and to slay him if a chance
+offered. But he knew not that Sir Lancelot had bidden the Knights of
+his following in no wise to touch King Arthur or Sir Gawaine. And when
+the dawn broke a great host marched out of the Castle of Joyous Gard,
+with Sir Lancelot at the head, and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel commanding
+on either side. All that day they fought, and sometimes one army
+seemed to be gaining, and sometimes the other. Many times King Arthur
+drew near Sir Lancelot, and would have slain him, and Sir Lancelot
+suffered him, and would not strike again. But the King was unhorsed by
+Sir Bors, and would have been slain but for Sir Lancelot, who stayed
+his hand. 'My lord Arthur,' he said, 'for God's love stop this strife.
+I cannot strike you, so you will gain no fame by it, though your
+friends never cease from trying to slay me. My lord, remember what I
+have done in many places and how evil is now my reward.' Then when
+King Arthur was on his horse again he looked on Sir Lancelot, and
+tears burst from his eyes, thinking of the great courtesy that was in
+Sir Lancelot more than in any other man. He sighed to himself, saying
+softly, 'Alas! that ever this war began,' and rode away, while the
+battle ended for that time and the dead were buried.
+
+But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to make peace, and they
+fought on, now in one place, and now in another, till the Pope heard
+of the strife and sent a noble clerk, the Bishop of Rochester, to
+charge the King to make peace with Sir Lancelot, and to take back unto
+him his Queen, the Lady Guenevere. Now the King, as has been said,
+would fain have followed the Pope's counsel and have accorded with Sir
+Lancelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him. However, as to the
+Queen Sir Gawaine said nothing; and King Arthur gave audience to the
+Bishop, and swore on his great seal that he would take back the Queen
+as the Pope desired, and that if Sir Lancelot brought her he should
+come safe and go safe. So the Bishop rode to Joyous Gard and showed
+Sir Lancelot what the Pope had written and King Arthur had answered,
+and told him of the perils which would befall him if he withheld the
+Queen. 'It was never in my thought,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'to
+withhold the Queen from King Arthur, but as she would have been dead
+for my sake it was my part to save her life, and to keep her from
+danger till better times came. And I thank God that the Pope has made
+peace, and I shall be a thousand times gladder to bring her back than
+I was to take her away. Therefore ride to the King, and say that in
+eight days I myself will bring the Lady Guenevere unto him.' So the
+Bishop departed, and came to the King at Carlisle, and told him what
+Sir Lancelot had answered, and tears burst from the King's eyes once
+more.
+
+A goodly host of a hundred Knights rode eight days later from the
+Castle of Joyous Gard; every Knight was clothed in green velvet, and
+held in his hand a branch of olive, and bestrode a horse with
+trappings down to his heels. And behind the Queen were four and twenty
+gentlewomen clad in green likewise, while twelve esquires attended on
+Sir Lancelot. He and the Queen wore dresses of white and gold tissue,
+and their horses were clothed in housings of the same, set with
+precious stones and pearls; and no man had ever gazed on such a noble
+pair, as they rode from Joyous Gard to Carlisle. When they reached the
+castle, Sir Lancelot sprang from his horse and helped the Queen from
+hers, and led her to where King Arthur sat, with Sir Gawaine and many
+lords around him. He kneeled down, and the Queen kneeled with him, and
+many Knights wept as though it had been their own kin. But Arthur sat
+still and said nothing. At that Sir Lancelot rose, and the Queen
+likewise, and, looking straight at the King, he spoke:
+
+'Most noble King, I have brought to you my lady the Queen, as right
+requires; and time hath been, my lord Arthur, that you have been
+greatly pleased with me when I did battle for my lady your Queen. And
+full well you know that she has been put to great wrong ere this, and
+it seems to me I had more cause to deliver her from this fire, seeing
+she would have been burnt for my sake.'
+
+'Well, well, Sir Lancelot,' said the King, 'I have given you no cause
+to do to me as you have done, for I have held you dearer than any of
+my Knights.' But Sir Gawaine would not suffer the King to listen to
+anything Sir Lancelot said, and told him roughly that while one of
+them lived peace could never be made, and desired on behalf of the
+King that in fifteen days he should be gone out of the country. And
+still King Arthur said nothing, but suffered Sir Gawaine to talk as he
+would; and Sir Lancelot took farewell of him and of the Queen, and
+rode, grieving sorely, out of the Court, and sailed to his lands
+beyond the sea.
+
+Though the Queen was returned again, and Sir Lancelot was beyond the
+sea, the hate of Sir Gawaine towards him was in no way set at rest,
+but he raised a great host and persuaded the King to follow him. And
+after many sieges and long fighting Sir Gawaine did battle with Sir
+Lancelot once more, and was worsted, and Sir Lancelot might have slain
+him, but would not. While he lay wounded tidings came to King Arthur
+from England that caused the King to give up his war with Sir Lancelot
+and return in all haste to his own country.
+
+
+
+
+_THE END OF IT ALL_
+
+
+Now when King Arthur left England to fight with Sir Lancelot he
+ordered his nephew Sir Mordred to govern the land, which that false
+Knight did gladly. And as soon as he thought he might safely do so he
+caused some letters to be written saying that King Arthur had been
+slain in battle, and he had himself crowned King at Canterbury, where
+he made a great feast which lasted fifteen days. After it was over, he
+went to Winchester and summoned Queen Guenevere, and told her that on
+a certain day he would wed her and that she should make herself ready.
+Queen Guenevere's soul grew cold and heavy as she heard these words of
+Sir Mordred's, for she hated him with all her might, as he hated her;
+but she dared show nothing, and answered softly that she would do his
+bidding, only she desired that first she might go to London to buy all
+manner of things for her wedding. Sir Mordred trusted her because of
+her fair speech, and let her go. Then the Queen rode to London with
+all speed, and went straight to the Tower, which she filled in haste
+with food, and called her men-at-arms round her. When Sir Mordred knew
+how she had beguiled him he was wroth out of measure, and besieged the
+Tower, and assaulted it many times with battering rams and great
+engines, but could prevail nothing, for the Queen would never, for
+fair speech nor for foul, give herself into his hands again.
+
+The Bishop of Canterbury hastened unto Sir Mordred, and rebuked him
+for wishing to marry his uncle's wife. 'Leave such desires,' said the
+Bishop, 'or else I shall curse you with bell, book, and candle. Also,
+you noise abroad that my lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and
+therefore you will make ill work in the land.' At this Sir Mordred
+waxed very wroth, and would have killed the Bishop had he not fled to
+Glastonbury, where he became a hermit, and lived in poverty and prayed
+all day long for the realm, for he knew that a fierce war was at hand.
+Soon word came to Sir Mordred that King Arthur was hurrying home
+across the seas, to be avenged on his nephew, who had proved traitor.
+Wherefore Sir Mordred sent letters to all the people throughout the
+kingdom, and many followed after him, for he had cunningly sown among
+them that with him was great joy and softness of life, while King
+Arthur would bring war and strife with him. So Sir Mordred drew with a
+great host to Dover, and waited for the King. Before King Arthur and
+his men could land from the boats and ships that had brought them over
+the sea Sir Mordred set upon them, and there was heavy slaughter. But
+in the end he and his men were driven back, and he fled, and his
+people with him. After the fight was over the King ordered the dead to
+be buried; and there came a man and told him that he had found Sir
+Gawaine lying in a boat, and that he was sore wounded. And the King
+went to him and made moan over him: 'You were ever the man in the
+world that I loved most,' said he, 'you and Sir Lancelot.' 'Mine uncle
+King Arthur,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'my death day has come, and all
+through my own fault. Had Sir Lancelot been with you as he used to be
+this unhappy war had never begun, and of that I am the cause, for I
+would not accord with him. And therefore, I pray you, give me paper,
+pen, and ink that I may write to him.' So paper and ink were brought,
+and Sir Gawaine was held up by King Arthur, and a letter was writ
+wherein Sir Gawaine confessed that he was dying of an old wound given
+him by Sir Lancelot in the siege of one of the cities across the sea,
+and thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Merlin. 'Of a more noble man
+might I not be slain,' said he. 'Also, Sir Lancelot, make no tarrying,
+but come in haste to King Arthur, for sore bested is he with my
+brother Sir Mordred, who has taken the crown, and would have wedded my
+lady Queen Guenevere had she not sought safety in the Tower of London.
+Pray for my soul, I beseech you, and visit my tomb.' And after writing
+this letter, at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine gave up his spirit, and
+was buried by the King in the chapel within Dover Castle. Then was it
+told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barham
+Down, and the next morning the King rode hither to him, and there was
+a fierce battle between them, and many on both sides were slain. But
+at the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his
+men fled to Canterbury.
+
+After the Knights which were dead had been buried, and those that were
+wounded tended with healing salves, King Arthur drew westwards towards
+Salisbury, and many of Sir Mordred's men followed after him, but they
+that loved Sir Lancelot went unto Sir Mordred. And a day was fixed
+between the King and Sir Mordred that they should meet upon a down
+near Salisbury, and give battle once more. But the night before the
+battle Sir Gawaine appeared unto the King in a vision, and warned him
+not to fight next day, which was Trinity Sunday, as he would be slain
+and many of his Knights also; but to make a truce for a month, and at
+the end of that time Sir Lancelot would arrive, and would slay Sir
+Mordred, and all his Knights with him. As soon as he awoke the King
+called the Bishops and the wisest men of his army, and told them of
+his vision, and took counsel what should be done. And it was agreed
+that the King should send an embassage of two Knights and two Bishops
+unto Sir Mordred, and offer him as much goods and lands as they
+thought best if he would engage to make a treaty for a month with King
+Arthur.
+
+So they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of
+an hundred thousand men. For a long time he would not suffer himself
+to be entreated, but at the last he agreed to have Cornwall and Kent
+in King Arthur's days, and after all England. Furthermore, it was
+decided that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet in the plain
+between their hosts, each with fourteen persons. 'I am glad of this,'
+said King Arthur, when he heard what had been done; but he warned his
+men that if they were to see a sword drawn they were to come-on
+swiftly and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, 'for I in no wise trust
+him.' And in like wise spake Sir Mordred unto his host. Then they two
+met, and agreed on the truce, and wine was fetched and they drank, and
+all was well. But while they were drinking an adder crept out of a
+bush, and stung one of the fourteen Knights on his foot, and he drew
+his sword to slay the adder, not thinking of anything but his pain.
+And when the men of both armies beheld that drawn sword, they blew
+trumpets and horns and shouted grimly, and made them ready for battle.
+So King Arthur leaped on his horse, and Sir Mordred on his, and they
+went back to their own armies, and thus began the fight, and never was
+there seen one more doleful in any Christian land. For all day long
+there was rushing and riding, spearing and striking, and many a grim
+word was there spoken, and many a deadly stroke given. And at the end
+full an hundred thousand dead men lay upon the down, and King Arthur
+had but two Knights left living, Sir Lucan and his brother Sir
+Bedivere. 'Alas! that I should have lived to see this day,' cried the
+King, 'for now I am come to mine end; but would to God that I knew
+where were that traitor Sir Mordred that hath caused all this
+mischief.' Then suddenly he saw Sir Mordred leaning on his sword among
+a great heap of dead men.
+
+'Give me my spear,' said King Arthur unto Sir Lucan.
+
+'Sir, let him be,' answered Sir Lucan. 'Remember your dream, and leave
+off by this. For, blessed be God, you have won the field, and we three
+be alive, and of the others none is alive save Sir Mordred himself. If
+you leave off now, the day of destiny is past.'
+
+'Tide me death, tide me life,' said the King, 'he shall not escape my
+hands, for a better chance I shall never have,' and he took his spear
+in both hands and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying 'Traitor! now is
+your death day come,' and smote him under the shield, so that the
+spear went through his body. And when Sir Mordred felt he had his
+death wound, he raised himself up and struck King Arthur such a blow
+that the sword clave his helmet, and then fell stark dead on the earth
+again. When Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere saw that sight they carried the
+King to a little chapel, but they hoped not to leave him there long,
+for Sir Lucan had noted that many people were stealing out to rob the
+slain of the ornaments on their armour. And those that were not dead
+already they slew.
+
+'Would that I could quit this place to go to some large town,' said
+the King, when he had heard this, 'but I cannot stand, my head works
+so. Ah, Lancelot, sorely have I missed thee.' At that Sir Lucan and
+Sir Bedivere tried to lift him, but Sir Lucan had been grievously
+wounded in the fight, and the blood burst forth again as he lifted
+Arthur, and he died and fell at the feet of the King.
+
+'Alas!' said the King, 'he has died for my sake, and he had more need
+of help than I. But he would not complain, his heart was so set to
+help me. And I should sorrow yet more if I were still to live long,
+but my time flieth fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, cease moaning and
+weeping, and take Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder
+water side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword
+in that water, and come again and tell me what thou hast seen.'
+
+[Illustration: THE LAST BATTLE
+
+Sir Mordred]
+
+'My lord,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'your commandment shall be done,'
+and he departed. But when he looked at that noble sword, and beheld
+the jewels and gold that covered the pommel and hilt, he said to
+himself, 'If I throw this rich sword into the water no good will come
+of it, but only harm and loss'; so he hid Excalibur under a tree, and
+returned unto the King and told him his bidding was done. 'What did
+you see there?' asked the King.
+
+'Sir,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'I saw nothing but the winds and the
+waves.'
+
+'You have not dealt truly with me,' said the King. 'Go back, and do my
+command; spare not, but throw it in.' But again Sir Bedivere's heart
+failed him, and he hid the sword, and returned to tell the King he had
+seen nothing but the wan water.
+
+'Ah, traitor!' cried King Arthur, 'this is twice you have betrayed me.
+If you do not now fulfil my bidding, with mine own hands will I slay
+you, for you would gladly see me dead for the sake of my sword.' Then
+Sir Bedivere was shamed at having disobeyed the King, and drew forth
+the sword from its hiding place, and carried it to the water side, and
+with a mighty swing threw it far into the water. And as it flew
+through the air, an arm and hand lifted itself out of the water, and
+caught the hilt, and brandished the sword thrice, and vanished with it
+beneath the water. So Sir Bedivere came again unto the King, and told
+him what he saw.
+
+'Alas!' said the King, 'help me hence, for I have tarried overlong,'
+and Sir Bedivere took him on his back, and bare him to the water side.
+And when they stood by the bank, a little barge containing many fair
+ladies and a Queen, all in black hoods, drew near, and they wept and
+shrieked when they beheld King Arthur.
+
+'Now put me into the barge,' said the King, and Sir Bedivere laid him
+softly down, and the ladies made great mourning and the barge rowed
+from the land.
+
+'Ah, my lord Arthur!' cried Sir Bedivere, 'what shall become of me now
+you go from me, and I am left here alone with my enemies?'
+
+'Comfort yourself,' replied the King, 'and do as well as you may, for
+I go unto the valley of Avilion, to be healed of my grievous wound.
+And if you never more hear of me, pray for my soul.' But Sir Bedivere
+watched the barge till it was beyond his sight, then he rode all night
+till he came to a hermitage. Now when Queen Guenevere heard of the
+battle, and how that King Arthur was slain and Sir Mordred and all
+their Knights, she stole away, and five ladies with her, and rode to
+Amesbury; and there she put on clothes of black and white, and became
+a nun, and did great penance, and many alms deeds, and people
+marvelled at her and at her godly life. And ever she wept and moaned
+over the years that were past, and for King Arthur.
+
+As soon as the messenger whom the King had sent with Sir Gawaine's
+letter reached Sir Lancelot, and he learned that Sir Mordred had taken
+for himself the crown of England, he rose up in wrath, and, calling
+Sir Bors, bid him collect their host, that they should pass at once
+over the sea to avenge themselves on that false Knight. A fair wind
+blew them to Dover, and there Sir Lancelot asked tidings of King
+Arthur. Then the people told him that the King was slain, and Sir
+Mordred, and an hundred thousand men besides, and that the King had
+buried Sir Gawaine in the chapel at Dover Castle. 'Fair Sirs,' said
+Sir Lancelot, 'show me that tomb'; and they showed it to him, and Sir
+Lancelot kneeled before it, and wept and prayed, and this he did for
+two days. And on the third morning he summoned before him all the
+great lords and leaders of his host, and said to them, 'Fair lords, I
+thank you all for coming here with me, but we come too late, and that
+will be bitter grief to me as long as I shall live. But since it is
+so, I will myself ride and seek my lady Guenevere in the west country,
+where they say she has gone, and tarry you here, I entreat you, for
+fifteen days, and if I should not return take your ships and depart
+into your own country.'
+
+[Illustration: EXCALIBUR RETURNS TO THE MERE]
+
+Sir Bors strove to reason with him that the quest was fruitless, and
+that in the west country he would find few friends; but his words
+availed nothing. For seven days Sir Lancelot rode, and at last he came
+to a nunnery, where Queen Guenevere was looking out from her lattice,
+and was ware of his presence as he walked in the cloister. And when
+she saw him she swooned, and her ladies and gentlewomen tended her.
+When she was recovered, she spoke to them and said, 'You will marvel,
+fair ladies, why I should swoon. It was caused by the sight of yonder
+Knight who stands there, and I pray you bring him to me.' As soon as
+Sir Lancelot was brought she said to her ladies, 'Through me and this
+man has this war been wrought, for which I repent me night and day.
+Therefore, Sir Lancelot, I require and pray you never to see my face
+again, but go back to your own land, and govern it and protect it; and
+take to yourself a wife, and pray that my soul may be made clean of
+its ill doing.'
+
+'Nay, Madam,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'that shall I never do; but the
+same life that you have taken upon you, will I take upon me likewise.'
+
+'If you will do so,' said the Queen, 'it is well; but I may never
+believe but that you will turn to the world again.'
+
+'Well, Madam,' answered he, 'you speak as it pleases you, but you
+never knew me false to my promise, and I will forsake the world as you
+have done. For if in the quest of the Sangreal I had forsaken its
+vanities with all my heart and will, I had passed all Knights in the
+quest, except Sir Galahad my son. And therefore, lady, since you have
+taken you to perfection, I must do so also, and if I may find a hermit
+that will receive me I will pray and do penance while my life lasts.
+Wherefore, Madam, I beseech you to kiss me once again.'
+
+'No,' said the Queen, 'that I may not do,' and Sir Lancelot took his
+horse and departed in great sorrow. All that day and the next night he
+rode through the forest till he beheld a hermitage and a chapel
+between two cliffs, and heard a little bell ring to Mass. And he that
+sang Mass was the Bishop of Canterbury, and Sir Bedivere was with him.
+After Mass Sir Bedivere told Sir Lancelot how King Arthur had thrown
+away his sword and had sailed to the valley of Avilion, and Sir
+Lancelot's heart almost burst for grief. Then he kneeled down and
+besought the Bishop that he might be his brother. 'That I will,
+gladly,' said the Bishop, and put a robe upon him.
+
+After the fifteen days were ended, and still Sir Lancelot did not
+return, Sir Bors made the great host go back across the sea, while he
+and some of Sir Lancelot's kin set forth to seek all over England till
+they found Sir Lancelot. They rode different ways, and by fortune Sir
+Bors came one day to the chapel where Sir Lancelot was. And he prayed
+that he might stay and be one of their fellowship, and in six months
+six other Knights were joined to them, and their horses went where
+they would, for the Knights spent their lives in fasting and prayer,
+and kept no riches for themselves.
+
+In this wise six years passed, and one night a vision came to Sir
+Lancelot in his sleep charging him to hasten unto Amesbury. 'By the
+time that thou come there,' said the vision, 'thou shalt find Queen
+Guenevere dead; therefore take thy fellows with thee and fetch her
+corpse, and bury it by the side of her husband, the noble King
+Arthur.'
+
+Then Sir Lancelot rose up and told the hermit, and the hermit ordered
+him to make ready and to do all as the vision had commanded. And Sir
+Lancelot and seven of the other Knights went on foot from Glastonbury
+to Amesbury, and it took them two days to compass the distance, for
+it was far and they were weak with fasting. When they reached the
+nunnery Queen Guenevere had been dead but half an hour, and she had
+first summoned her ladies to her, and told them that Sir Lancelot had
+been a priest for near a twelvemonth. 'And hither he cometh as fast as
+he may,' she said, 'to fetch my corpse, and beside my lord King Arthur
+he shall bury me. And I beseech Almighty God that I may never have
+power to see Sir Lancelot with my bodily eyes.' 'Thus,' said the
+ladies, 'she prayed for two days till she was dead.' Then Sir Lancelot
+looked upon her face and sighed, but wept little, and next day he sang
+Mass. After that the Queen was laid on a bier drawn by horses, and an
+hundred torches were carried round her, and Sir Lancelot and his
+fellows walked behind her singing holy chants, and at times one would
+come forward and throw incense on the dead. So they came to
+Glastonbury, and the Bishop of Canterbury sang a Requiem Mass over the
+Queen, and she was wrapped in cloth, and placed first in a web of
+lead, and then in a coffin of marble, and when she was put into the
+earth Sir Lancelot swooned away.
+
+'You are to blame,' said the hermit, when he awaked from his swoon,
+'you ought not make such manner of sorrow.'
+
+'Truly,' answered Sir Lancelot, 'I trust I do not displease God, but
+when I remember her beauty, and her nobleness, and that of the King,
+and when I saw his corpse and her corpse lie together, my heart would
+not bear up my body. And I remembered, too, that it was through me and
+my pride that they both came to their end.'
+
+From that day Sir Lancelot ate so little food that he dwined away, and
+for the most part was found kneeling by the tomb of King Arthur and
+Queen Guenevere. None could comfort him, and after six weeks he was
+too weak to rise from his bed. Then he sent for the hermit and to his
+fellows, and asked in a weary voice that they would give him the last
+rites of the Church; and begged that when he was dead his body might
+be taken to Joyous Gard, which some say is Alnwick and others
+Bamborough. That night the hermit had a vision that he saw Sir
+Lancelot being carried up to heaven by the angels, and he waked Sir
+Bors and bade him go and see if anything ailed Sir Lancelot. So Sir
+Bors went and Sir Lancelot lay on his bed, stark dead, and he smiled
+as he lay there. Then was there great weeping and wringing of hands,
+more than had been made for any man; but they placed him on the horse
+bier that had carried Queen Guenevere, and lit a hundred torches, and
+in fifteen days they reached Joyous Gard. There his body was laid in
+the choir, with his face uncovered, and many prayers were said over
+him. And there, in the midst of their praying, came Sir Ector de
+Maris, who for seven years had sought Sir Lancelot through all the
+land.
+
+'Ah, Lancelot,' he said, when he stood looking beside his dead body,
+'thou wert head of all Christian Knights. Thou wert the courtliest
+Knight that ever drew sword, and the faithfulest friend that ever
+bestrode a horse. Thou wert the goodliest Knight that ever man has
+seen, and the truest lover that ever loved a woman.'
+
+
+
+
+THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES
+
+_THE BATTLE OF RONCEVALLES_
+
+
+About twelve hundred years ago there lived an Emperor of the West
+whose name was Charles the Great, or, as some called him, Charlemagne,
+which means Carolus Magnus. When he was not making war he ruled well
+and wisely at Aix-la-Chapelle, but at the time that this story begins
+he had been for seven years in Spain, fighting against the Saracens.
+The whole country had fallen before him, except only Saragossa, a
+famous town on the river Ebro, not far from the outskirts of the
+Pyrenees, which was held by the Moorish King Marsile, with a great
+host.
+
+One hot day Marsile was lying on a cool slab of blue marble which was
+shaded by overhanging fruit trees, and his nobles were sitting all
+round him. Suddenly the King sat up, and, turning to his followers, he
+said:
+
+'Listen to me, my Lords, for I have something of note to say unto you.
+Evil days are upon us, for the Emperor of fair France will never rest
+until he has driven us out of our country, and I have no army
+wherewith to meet him. Then counsel me, my wise men, how to escape
+both death and shame.'
+
+At the King's speech there was silence, for none knew how to reply,
+till Blancandrin, Lord of Val-Fonde, stood up.
+
+'Fear nothing,' he said to the King, 'but send a messenger to this
+proud Charles, promising to do him faithful service and asking for his
+friendship. And let there go with the messenger presents to soften his
+heart, bears and lions, and dogs to hunt them; seven hundred camels
+and four hundred mules, loaded with gold and silver, so that he shall
+have money to pay his soldiers. The messenger shall tell him that on
+the Feast of St. Michael you yourself will appear before him, and
+suffer yourself to be converted to the faith of Christ, and that you
+will be his man and do homage to him. If he asks for hostages, well!
+send ten or twenty, so as to gain his confidence; the sons of our
+wives. I myself will offer up my own son, even if it leads to his
+death. Better they should all die, than that we should lose our
+country and our lands, and be forced to beg till the end of our
+lives.' And the nobles answered, 'He has spoken well.'
+
+King Marsile broke up his Council, and chose out those who were to go
+on the embassy. 'My lords,' he said, 'you will start at once on your
+mission to King Charles, and be sure you take olive branches in your
+hands, and beg him to have pity on me. Tell him that before a month
+has passed over his head I will follow you with a thousand of my
+servants, to receive baptism and do him homage. If, besides, he asks
+for hostages, they shall be sent.' 'It is well,' said Blancandrin,
+'the treaty is good.'
+
+The Emperor Charles was happier than he had ever been in his life. He
+had taken Cordova, and thrown down the walls; his war machines had
+laid low the towers, and the rich city had been plundered, while every
+Saracen who refused to be baptized had been slain. Now he felt he
+might rest, and sought the cool of an orchard, where were already
+gathered his nephew Roland, with Oliver his comrade, Geoffrey of Anjou
+his standard bearer, and many other famous Knights. They lay about on
+white carpets doing what they best liked--some played games, chess or
+draughts, but these were mostly the old men who were glad to be still:
+the young ones fenced and tilted. Under a pine tree, close to a
+sweet-briar, a seat of massive gold was placed, and on it sat the
+Emperor of the fair country of France, a strong man, with his beard
+white as snow. But his rest was short. Soon came the messengers of the
+Saracen King, and, descending from their mules, they bowed low before
+him.
+
+[Illustration: UNDER A PINE TREE CLOSE TO A SWEET-BRIAR ON A SEAT OF
+GOLD SAT--THE KING OF THE FAIR COUNTRY OF FRANCE
+
+Charlemagne]
+
+It was Blancandrin who first spoke, showing with his hands the
+presents he had brought with him, and offering that the King would
+receive baptism, and do homage for his lands, if only the Emperor
+Charles would return with his army into France, 'for,' said
+Blancandrin, 'you have been too long in this country.'
+
+When Blancandrin had spoken, the Emperor sat silent with his head
+bent, thinking of the words of the Saracen, for never was it his
+custom to be hasty in his speech. At length he looked up, and a proud
+look was on his face.
+
+'You have said well,' he answered, 'yet King Marsile is my deadly
+enemy, and how do I know that I can put my trust in your offers?'
+
+'You will have hostages,' replied the Saracen, 'sons of the highest
+nobles, and my own son will be among them. And when you have gone back
+to your own palace, my master will follow you on the Feast of St.
+Michael, and will be made a Christian in the waters of Aix.'
+
+'If he does this,' said Charles, 'his soul may still be saved,' and he
+bade hospitality to be shown to his guests.
+
+Before sunrise next morning the Emperor left his bed, and heard Mass
+said and Matins sung. Then he seated himself under a pine, and called
+his Barons to council. Many there were whose names men still remember:
+Ogier the Dane, and Archbishop Turpin of Rheims, and the brave Count
+of Gascony, Count Roland, nephew of Charles, and his friend the
+valiant Oliver. Ganelon was there too, by whom the wrong was to be
+wrought. As soon as they were all seated, the Emperor spoke and told
+them afresh what the messengers had said. 'But Marsile makes one
+condition,' continued Charles, 'which is that I must return to France,
+where he will come to me as my vassal. Now, does he swear falsely, or
+can I trust his oath?' 'Let us be very careful how we answer him,'
+cried the nobles with one voice.
+
+At that Roland sprang to his feet. 'It is madness to put faith in
+Marsile,' said he; 'seven years have we been in Spain, and many towns
+have I conquered for you, but Marsile we have always proved a traitor.
+Once before he sent us an embassy of Unbelievers each one bearing an
+olive branch, and they made you the same promises. Once before you
+called a meeting of your barons who counselled you to do the thing
+they knew you wished, and you sent to the Court of the Unbelievers the
+noble Counts Basil and Bazan. And how did Marsile treat them? He
+commanded that they should be led into the mountains and that their
+heads should be cut off, which was done. No! Go on with the war, as
+you have begun it; march on Saragossa and lay siege to the town,
+though it should last to the end of your life, and avenge those whom
+Marsile put to death.'
+
+With bent head the Emperor listened to Roland, twisting all the while
+his fingers in his moustache. He kept silent, turning over in his mind
+the things Roland had said, and the nobles kept silence, too, all
+except Ganelon. For Ganelon rose and stood before Charles and began to
+speak. 'Believe none of us,' he said; 'think of nothing but your own
+advantage when Marsile offers to become your vassal, and to do homage
+for the whole of Spain, and to receive baptism besides; he who wishes
+you to reject such offers cares nothing for the deaths the rest of us
+may die. Pay no attention to such madness, but listen to your wise
+men.'
+
+He sat down in his place, and then the Duke Naimes took up his words.
+'You have heard,' he said to Charles, 'the words of Ganelon. Wise
+counsel, if we only follow it! Marsile knows that he is conquered at
+last. You have won his towns, and vanquished him in battle, and he is
+reduced to beg for your pity. It would be shameful to ask for anything
+further, and the more so as you have hostages as pledges of his good
+faith. It is time that the war ended; therefore send him one of your
+barons to speak with him face to face.' And the nobles answered, 'The
+Duke has spoken well.'
+
+'Noble lords, what envoy shall we send to King Marsile at Saragossa?'
+'I will go, if it is your pleasure,' said Duke Naimes. 'Give me your
+glove and the wand of office.' 'No,' replied Charles, 'your wisdom is
+great, and I cannot spare you from my side. Remain where you are, I
+command you.'
+
+'Let me go,' cried Roland. 'No, no,' answered Count Oliver; 'you are
+too hasty and too imprudent. You would only fall into some trap. With
+the King's good leave I will go instead.'
+
+'Hold your peace,' said Charles, shaking his head; 'you will neither
+of you go. None of my twelve peers shall be chosen.'
+
+Then Turpin of Rheims left his seat and spoke to Charles with his loud
+and ringing voice. 'Fair King, give your Franks a little peace. For
+seven years you have been in Spain, and your barons have all that time
+been fighting and suffering. It is now, sire, that the glove and the
+wand of office should be given. I will go and visit this Unbeliever,
+and will tell him in what scorn I hold him.' But the Emperor, full of
+rage, cried out, 'By my beard, you will stop with me. Go to your place
+on the white carpet, and give me none of your advice unless I ask for
+it.'
+
+'Good Frankish Knights,' said Charles, 'choose me a baron from my own
+land, who shall be envoy to King Marsile, and who, at need, can fight
+well.'
+
+'Ah,' cried Roland, 'let it be Ganelon, my stepfather; you will not
+find a better man.' 'Yes,' said the Franks, 'he is the man; let him go
+if the King pleases.'
+
+'Ganelon,' commanded the King, 'come here and I will give you the
+glove and the wand of office. It is the voice of the barons that has
+chosen you.'
+
+'No,' replied Ganelon, 'it is Roland's doing, and to the end of my
+life I will bear him hatred for it. Oliver also will I hate, since
+Oliver is his friend. And never more will I love the twelve peers, for
+they love him. Under your own eyes, sire, I throw down my challenge.'
+
+'You are angry about nothing,' said the King, 'and as I have commanded
+you, you will go.'
+
+'I can go, but it will be my death, as it was the death of Basil and
+of his brother Bazan. Who goes there, returns not. But, sire, do not
+forget that your sister is my wife and that I have a son Baldwin, who,
+if he lives, will be the bravest of the brave. To him I leave all my
+lands. Guard him well, for I shall see him no more.'
+
+'Your heart is too tender,' said Charles, 'but there is no help for
+it, you must go.'
+
+At the words of the King, Ganelon flung his fur mantle to the ground
+in fury. 'It is to you,' he cried, turning to Roland, 'that I owe this
+peril. I am your stepfather, and that is reason enough that you send
+me to lose my head at the Court of King Marsile. Let it be so; but if
+ever I return I will bring on you such trouble that it will only end
+with your life.'
+
+'You talk like a madman,' said Roland. 'All men know that I care
+nothing for threats. But it needs a wise man to go on such a mission,
+and if the King pleases, I will go in your place.'
+
+'You will not go in my place,' answered Ganelon. 'I am not your
+vassal, to do as you bid me. Charles has commanded me to go to
+Saragossa, therefore to Saragossa I go. But beware of what I do when I
+get there.'
+
+At this Roland began to laugh, and when Ganelon saw him laughing, it
+seemed as if his heart would burst with anger. 'I hate you,' he
+muttered to Roland. 'I should never have been chosen but for you.
+Great Emperor,' he said aloud to Charles, 'behold me ready to obey
+your orders.'
+
+[Illustration: MARSILE THREATENS GANELON WITH A JAVELIN]
+
+'Listen, fair Count,' replied Charles, 'for this is the message I
+would have you bear to King Marsile. If he agrees to become my vassal,
+and to receive Holy Baptism, I will give him half of Spain as a fief.
+The other half will be held by Roland, my nephew. If these terms do
+not please King Marsile, I will myself besiege Saragossa, and will
+take him and bind him in chains. Then he shall be brought to Aix,
+where he shall be put to a shameful death. So take this letter which
+is sealed with my seal, and give it into the hand of the Infidel.'
+When Ganelon had put the letter in safety, the King held out to him
+his glove, but the Count was not quick to seize it, and it fell to the
+ground. 'Heavens,' cried the Franks who were standing round, 'how
+dreadful an omen! This message will be the cause of dire misfortunes.'
+'I will send you news of them,' Ganelon answered. And he said to
+Charles, 'Let me depart, sire, as I must go. I wish to lose no time.'
+
+'Go then,' replied the King, making over him the sign of the cross and
+giving him the wand of office. And Ganelon went.
+
+It was not long before he overtook the Saracens, who had lingered,
+hoping he might join them, and Blancandrin began to sing the praises
+of Charles and his conquests. 'He is a wonderful man,' answered
+Ganelon, 'and of such a strong will that no man may strive against
+it.'
+
+'How brave are these Franks,' went on Blancandrin; 'but your nobles
+were ill-advised in the counsel they gave the King upon this matter.
+It bodes evil to Charles and to many beside him.'
+
+'None of them merit this blame,' said Ganelon, 'save Roland only, and
+the shame will be on his head. His pride is so great that he thinks no
+sword can touch him, but until he is really dead peace we can never
+have.' Here the Saracen glanced at Ganelon beside him. 'He is a fine
+man,' thought he, 'but there is cunning in his eye,' and then
+Blancandrin spoke. 'Let us understand each other plainly,' he said;
+'is it your wish to be avenged of Roland? Then, by the beard of
+Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous
+master, and knows how to repay those who serve him.' Ganelon heard his
+words, and bent his head in silence.
+
+But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at
+Saragossa, Ganelon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they
+would find some means of causing Roland to perish. This decided, they
+rode through the gates of the town, and dismounted from their horses.
+In the shadow of a pine, a throne was placed covered with soft silk
+from Alexandria, and on it sat he who was once the master of the whole
+of Spain. Twenty thousand Saracens stood around him, but not a sound
+was made, so eager they were to hear Charles's answer. Blancandrin
+advanced to the King's throne, leading Ganelon by the wrist.
+'Greeting, great King,' said he; 'we delivered your message to
+Charles, and he raised his two hands to heaven, and answered nothing.
+But he has sent you one of his great lords, and he will tell you if it
+is peace or no peace.'
+
+'Let him speak,' replied Marsile, 'and we will listen.'
+
+Ganelon waited a little before he spoke, for he knew that one careless
+word might prove his own ruin. 'Greeting,' he said, when at last he
+had made ready his speech. 'This is the message sent you by
+Charlemagne. You must receive Holy Baptism, and Charles will allow you
+to do homage for half of Spain. The other half he gives to Roland, his
+nephew, and a proud neighbour you will find him. If these terms do not
+please you, he will lay siege to Saragossa, and will seize your
+person, and carry you to Aix, the capital of the Empire, where you
+will die a shameful death.' When he heard this, Marsile trembled with
+rage, and drawing a dart he would have thrown it at Ganelon had not
+someone held him from behind. Ganelon looked on, his hand on his
+sword, which he drew a little from its scabbard. 'Sword,' said he,
+'you are sharp and bright. While I wear you at the Court of this
+King, the Emperor can never say that I have died alone in a foreign
+land. But before I die you shall drink the blood of the best in his
+army.'
+
+The Infidels who were standing by prayed Marsile to go back to his
+seat in order that the matter might be decided, 'You put yourself in
+the wrong,' said the old Caliph, 'when you wish to strike this Frank.'
+
+'Sire,' answered Ganelon, 'I will suffer this insult patiently, but
+not all the treasure of your kingdom should hinder my delivering the
+message of my master.' With that he threw from his shoulders his
+mantle of zibeline, but kept light hold of his sword. 'See,' said the
+Saracens, 'did you ever behold a prouder warrior?' Ganelon drew near
+the King and repeated the message that Charles had given him. When he
+had finished he held out the letter, and Marsile, who had studied in
+the best schools of learning, broke the seal and read it to himself.
+'Listen to this, my lords,' he cried, 'and say if ever you heard such
+madness! Charles bids me think of Basil and Bazan, whose heads I cut
+off, up there in the mountains. And if I wish my own life to be
+spared, I am to send him my uncle, the Caliph, to deal with as he
+thinks fit.' The Saracens heard the message in grim silence, which was
+broken by the voice of the King's son. 'Ganelon must be mad indeed to
+give such a message as that,' said he, 'and he deserves death for his
+boldness. Deliver him to me, and I will do justice on him.' Ganelon
+understood his words but said nothing, only he quietly placed his back
+against a pine tree, and played with the hilt of his sword.
+
+King Marsile rose and went into his orchard, followed by his best
+councillors, Jorfalon his son, his uncle the Caliph, and others whom
+he most trusted. 'Summon the Frank also,' Blancandrin whispered in his
+ear, 'for he has promised to throw in his lot with us.' 'Bring him,'
+answered the King, and Blancandrin brought him into the orchard, where
+the web of treason was woven.
+
+'Noble Ganelon,' said Marsile, 'I acted foolishly towards you just
+now, when, in my anger, I sought to strike you. Let me offer you the
+mantle of marten fur in amends. It has just arrived from a far
+country, and is worth five hundred pounds in gold.' 'I accept it
+gladly,' replied Ganelon as the King hung the cloak round his neck,
+'and may you be rewarded in as splendid a gift!'
+
+'Ganelon,' continued the King, 'I wish you to be my friend, though it
+will not be wise to show you openly my goodwill. Tell me about
+Charlemagne, and whether what I have heard of him is really the truth.
+They say he is very old, nearly two hundred years, and that he has
+wandered from one country to another and been in the thick of every
+fight, and has made the most powerful Kings beggars. When will he grow
+tired of all these wars? It is time that he rested himself at Aix.'
+
+'No,' said Ganelon, 'those who told you that Charlemagne was like that
+did not speak truly. My tongue could never tell of his goodness and
+his honour towards all men. Who could ever paint what Charlemagne is?
+I would rather die than leave his service.'
+
+'What you say is wonderful,' replied Marsile, 'but after all he has
+done, will repose never seem sweet to him?'
+
+'Not while his nephew Roland lives,' said Ganelon. 'There is not such
+a fighter under heaven, and his comrade Oliver is famous also for his
+prowess. The twelve peers whom the Emperor so dearly loves, with
+twenty thousand picked men from the van of the army--truly Charlemagne
+may rest in peace, and fear no man.'
+
+'Fair lord,' answered Marsile, 'my subjects are the finest you can
+see, and at any moment I can summon four hundred thousand men to give
+battle to Charlemagne.'
+
+'You will not conquer him this time,' said Ganelon, 'and in a fight
+thousands of your soldiers would be killed. Hear my counsel. Send
+Charles yet more gold and silver, and offer twenty other hostages, on
+condition he returns himself to France, leaving his rear-guard behind
+him. This, being the post of danger, will be claimed by his nephew
+Roland, whose comrade Oliver is always by his side. It will be easy to
+manage that the two Counts shall meet their deaths, and Roland and
+Oliver once dead the King will have no more heart for war.'
+
+'Fair lord,' replied Marsile, 'what shall I have to do in order to
+kill Roland?'
+
+'That I can easily tell you,' answered Ganelon. 'When Charlemagne has
+passed safely through the mountains, with the most part of his
+soldiers, his baggage and his hostages, then have a hundred thousand
+of your Infidels ready to fall upon Roland and his rear-guard of
+twenty thousand men. The Franks will fight hard, but they cannot stand
+against such numbers, though of their foes many will be left upon the
+field. Then lose not a moment, but give them battle a second time.
+They will be too few and too weak to fight long, and for the rest of
+your life you will have peace. If you kill Roland, you will have cut
+off the Emperor's right arm. Farewell to the splendid armies of the
+Franks; never more will such forces be gathered together; never will
+Charles wear again his golden crown, but all Spain shall be in peace.'
+
+Marsile heard the words of Ganelon, and stooped and kissed his neck,
+and ordered his costliest treasures to be brought before him. Then he
+said: 'There is no further need of speech between us; swear that I
+shall find him in the rear-guard, and I shall swear that you shall
+have your revenge.' And Ganelon swore. But Marsile was not content
+with the oath that Ganelon made. He commanded that a copy of the Koran
+should be brought, the sacred book of Mahomet, and placed it on a
+chair of ivory, which stood under an olive tree. With his hand on the
+book Marsile also took his oath, that if among the rear-guard of
+Charlemagne's army he found Roland, he would fall upon him with all
+his host and compass his death, and that of the twelve peers of
+France. So the bond of treachery was sealed. Then the Infidels crowded
+round, and one offered Ganelon his sword, and another his helmet,
+while the Queen brought bracelets of precious stones as gifts for his
+wife. Marsile asked his treasurer if he had made ready the presents
+that were to be sent to Charles, and pressing Ganelon in his arms, he
+declared that not a day should pass without his friend likewise
+receiving presents, if only he would give his help in the slaying of
+Roland. 'You keep me too long,' was Ganelon's answer, and he mounted
+his horse and went.
+
+All this while the Emperor Charles was marching towards France, but he
+halted at a small town which long ago had been taken by Roland,
+waiting till he heard some tidings of Ganelon, and received the news
+that Marsile had agreed to do homage for Spain. At length, one morning
+at dawn, a messenger came to the King's tent telling him that Ganelon
+had arrived, and Charles hastened forth with Roland and Oliver, Duke
+Naimes and a thousand more, to meet Ganelon. 'Greeting,' said the
+traitor, bowing low; 'I bring you the keys of Saragossa, and twenty
+hostages, and great gifts. The noble King Marsile beseeches you not to
+blame him, because the Caliph, his uncle, has not come with me. I have
+seen--seen with my own eyes--three hundred thousand men all covered
+with armour sail away in ships with the Caliph for their leader,
+because they could neither defend their own faith nor forswear it. But
+hardly were they out of sight of land than a fierce tempest overtook
+them, and they were all lost. The Caliph must have died with the rest,
+or the King would have bade him come with me. As to the King himself,
+sire, before a month has passed he will be in France, ready to receive
+baptism in your presence. And he will become your vassal, and do
+homage for the kingdom of Spain.'
+
+'You have done wisely,' said Charles, 'and your reward shall be
+great.' So trumpets were sounded and tents were struck, and the host
+marched with gaiety in their hearts to France the Fair.
+
+[Illustration: The Dream of Charlemagne]
+
+'My war is finished,' said the King, as his army gladly turned their
+backs on Spain, and at nightfall spread their tents and slept till day
+began. But little he knew that four hundred thousand Unbelievers, with
+shields slung from their necks and swords in their hands, were riding
+silently through the mountain passes with the intent of hiding
+themselves in a wood till the moment came. There they were, and the
+Franks knew nothing of it, nor what would come.
+
+Charles slept, and in his sleep he dreamed that Ganelon took his stout
+lance of ash wood from his hands and brandished it in the air, then
+broke it with his fists. After this dream came another. He was no
+longer shut fast in by the mountains, but was at home in France,
+standing in his chapel at Aix. Here a bear appeared before him and bit
+so deep into his arm that it reached the bone. Then from the other
+side, from the Ardennes, there sprang a leopard and would have torn
+him in pieces, had not a greyhound come to his aid, and attacked first
+the bear and then the leopard. 'A fight! a fight!' cried the Franks,
+but they knew not which would be victorious. And all the while Charles
+slept soundly. With the dawn a thousand horns awoke the sleepers, and
+the clamour of a camp began. 'My lords,' said Charles, calling all his
+barons together, 'you see these narrow defiles through which we must
+pass? To whom shall I give the command of the rear-guard which must
+protect the rest of my army?'
+
+'To Roland, to Roland my stepson,' cried Ganelon. 'No Knight is so
+brave as he, and we may trust to him the safety of our host.' Charles
+listened and looked him in the face. 'You must be the devil himself,'
+he said, 'for you seem as if your body was shaken by some evil
+passion. If Roland goes to the rear, who then shall command the van?'
+
+'Ogier, the Dane,' answered Ganelon. 'There is no better man.'
+
+When Count Roland heard his name he pressed forward. 'Fair stepfather,
+I owe you much love for proposing me to lead the rear-guard of the
+army. Charles the King shall lose nothing through me; not a horse or a
+mule shall fall till his price is paid in blows received by the
+Infidels.' 'You speak well,' said Ganelon, 'and what you say is true.'
+
+Then Roland turned to Charlemagne: 'Give me, O King, the bow which you
+hold in your hand. I will promise not to let it fall, as Ganelon did
+your glove.'
+
+But the King sat silent, with his head bent, and tears ran down his
+cheeks. At last Naimes drew near and spoke to him, and among them all
+Charles had no more faithful friend. 'You have heard, sire, what Count
+Roland said. If he is to lead the rear-guard--and there is no man that
+can do it better--give him the bow that you have drawn, for which he
+asks.' So the King gave it to him, and Roland took it gladly. 'Fair
+nephew,' said the King, 'I wish to leave half of my army behind with
+you; keep it close to you, it will be your safeguard.'
+
+'No,' answered the Count; 'to accept the half of your army would be to
+shame my race. Leave me twenty thousand Franks, and you will pass the
+defiles in safety. While I live you need fear no man.' Quickly Count
+Roland girded on his armour, girded on his sword Durendal, the comrade
+of many fights, and mounted his horse Veillantif, whom all men knew.
+'We will follow you to death,' cried the Franks as they saw him. But
+Roland answered them nothing. The first to come to his side was
+Oliver, his old companion, then Turpin the Archbishop, the Count
+Gautier, and many more, and after that they chose twenty thousand men,
+the best that Charles had with him. Some of them he sent, under Count
+Gautier, to drive the Unbelievers from the hill-top, and that same day
+they fought a fierce battle. And while Charles and his army entered
+the pass of Roncevalles, Roland took up his ground and prepared for
+the fight, which he knew must come shortly. And Ganelon, the traitor,
+knew it too.
+
+High were the mountains, and dark the valleys; terrible were the
+defiles amidst the black rocks. The army marched slowly and with great
+difficulty; fifteen miles away you could hear the sound of their
+tramping. But when they caught sight of Gascony, of France, where they
+had left their homes and their wives, there was not a man among them
+who did not weep for happiness. Charles alone shed tears of sorrow,
+for he thought of his nephew in the passes of Spain. 'Ganelon has
+betrayed us,' said he to Duke Naimes, 'and he has betrayed Roland too.
+It was he who caused him to stay behind with the rear-guard, and if I
+lose him--O God! I shall never find such another.'
+
+The nephew of Marsile had craved a boon, that he and eleven of his
+comrades should measure themselves against the Twelve Peers of France,
+and that none but himself should strike the first blow at Roland. The
+noblest subjects of Marsile flocked at his call, and a gay show they
+made when ready for battle, and mounted on horses as eager for the
+fray as themselves. So great was the noise that the sound reached even
+to the French camp. 'I think, comrade, that it will not be long before
+we fight with the Saracens,' said Oliver.
+
+'May it be as you say,' answered Roland; 'it is our duty to make a
+stand here for the King, as one should be ready to suffer all pains
+for one's liege lord. For him one must endure heat and cold, hunger
+and thirst, and strike hard blows with all one's might, and take heed
+that no evil song can be made on us after we are dead. The right is on
+the side of the Christians. Look to yourselves, for you will never see
+a bad example from me.'
+
+
+THE BATTLE
+
+
+Oliver had climbed a hill, from which he could see into the plains of
+Spain. 'Roland,' cried he, 'do you see those shining helmets and
+glittering swords? It is Ganelon who has done this, and it was he who
+had you left here.'
+
+'Be silent, Oliver,' answered Roland. 'He is my stepfather. I will not
+hear him ill spoken of.' Then Oliver went down the hill and told his
+soldiers what he had seen. 'No battle will ever be like this one,' he
+said; 'you will need all your strength to keep your ground and not be
+driven back.' 'Cursed be he who runs away,' answered they. 'There is
+not one of us but knows how to die.'
+
+'The Infidels are many,' said Oliver again, 'and our Franks are but
+few. Roland, blow your horn; Charles will hear it and come to our
+help.'
+
+'You are mad to say that,' replied Roland, 'for in France I should
+lose all my glory. No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike, and
+our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It was an ill day for
+the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I tell you, none will
+escape.'
+
+'The Unbelievers are many,' said Oliver again, 'and we are very few.
+Roland, my friend, sound your horn; Charles will hear it, and come to
+our help.'
+
+'I should be mad if I did so,' answered Roland. 'In France, when they
+knew it, I should lose all my glory! No; but my sword Durendal knows
+how to strike, and our Franks will fight hard, and with what joy! It
+was an ill day for the Unbelievers when they came here, for none, I
+tell you, none will escape death.'
+
+'O Roland, I pray you sound your horn, and Charles will hear it as he
+passes the defiles, and the Franks, I will swear it, will come to our
+help.'
+
+'Now God forbid,' said Roland, 'that through me my parents should be
+shamed, or that I should bring dishonour on the fair land of France.
+No; but my sword Durendal knows how to strike. The Unbelievers have
+come to their death, and they will find it.'
+
+'I see no dishonour,' said Oliver. 'With my own eyes have I beheld the
+Saracens of Spain; the mountains and the valleys alike are full of
+them. And how few are we!'
+
+'Then we shall have the more fighting,' answered Roland. 'God forbid
+that I should turn my Franks into cowards! Rather death than
+dishonour. The more we kill, the better the Emperor will love us.'
+
+Roland was brave, but Oliver was wise also, and the souls of both were
+as high as their words. 'Look round you, and think for a moment,' said
+Oliver; 'they are close to us, and Charles is far. Ah! if you would
+only have sounded your horn, the King would have been here, and our
+troops would not have been in danger. The poor rear-guard will never
+more be again such as it is to-day.'
+
+'You speak foolishly,' answered Roland. 'Cursed be he whose heart is
+afraid. We will be strong to hold our ground. From us will come the
+blows, from us the battle.'
+
+When Roland saw that he must give battle to the Infidels, he called
+his Franks and bade Oliver stand beside him. 'Do not say these things,
+my friend and comrade,' said he. 'The Emperor has left us twenty
+thousand picked men, with not one craven heart amongst them. For our
+liege lord, one must be ready to suffer cold and heat, hunger and
+thirst, and cheerfully shed his blood and endure every ill. Strike
+with your lance, Oliver, as I shall strike with Durendal, the sword
+which was given me by the King himself. And if I am slain, the man who
+wins it may say, "it was the sword of a noble vassal."'
+
+Then from a little hill Turpin the Archbishop spoke to them. 'Charles
+has left us here; he is our King, and it is our duty to die for him.
+Christianity is in danger, and you must defend it. You cannot escape a
+battle; then fight, and ask God's pardon for your sins. In His Name, I
+will give you absolution, and already they wait for you in Paradise.'
+The Franks got off their horses and knelt on the ground, and the
+Archbishop blessed them. After this they mounted again, and placed
+themselves in order of battle.
+
+Like lightning Roland on his horse Veillantif swept along the defiles,
+his face bright and smiling, his lance in rest. Oliver his friend was
+close behind him, and the Franks said to each other, 'Look at our
+champion!' He glanced proudly at the Infidels, but when his eyes fell
+upon the Franks they were soft and gentle. 'Go slowly, noble barons,'
+said he; 'the Unbelievers to-day are seeking their martyrdom, and you
+will find richer booty than ever King of France did before.'
+
+'Words of mine are useless,' said Oliver; 'you would not let Charles
+know of our peril, so you cannot blame him for our danger. Ride as
+hard as you can, and think only of two things, how best to give and
+receive blows. And do not forget the battle cry of King Charles.'
+
+'Montjoie! Montjoie!' shouted the Franks, as the two armies came
+together with a crash.
+
+It were long to tell of that battle and of the brave deeds that were
+done both by Christians and Unbelievers. Roland was there where the
+strife was hardest, and struck with his lance till the wood snapped.
+Then he drew Durendal from the scabbard and drove a bloody path
+through the ranks of the Infidels. Oliver and the Twelve Peers were
+not far behind him, and the ground was red from the corpses of the
+pagans. 'Well fought, well fought!' cried the Archbishop, 'Montjoie,
+Montjoie!'
+
+Oliver seemed to be everywhere at once. His lance was broken in two,
+and there was only the head and a splinter remaining, but it dealt
+more death blows than the sword of many another man. 'What are you
+doing, comrade?' cried Roland, when for a moment their horses touched.
+'It is not wood that is needed in this battle, but well-tempered
+steel! Where is your sword Hauteclair, with its guard of gold and its
+handle of crystal?'
+
+'I have no time to draw it,' said Oliver. 'There are too many blows to
+strike.'
+
+Fiercer and fiercer grew the combat; thicker and thicker the corpses
+lay on the ground. Who could count the Franks who were stretched
+there, never more to see their wives or their mothers, or the comrades
+that awaited them in the defiles? But the number of the dead Saracens
+was greater even than theirs. And while they fought on Spanish soil, a
+strange tempest arose in France, thunder and wild winds, and a
+trembling of the earth; walls fell down, and at mid-day there was
+darkness. Men whispered to each other: 'It is the end of the world.'
+No, no; the end of all things was not yet, it was nature mourning for
+the death of Roland. At length the Saracens turned and fled, and the
+Franks pursued them, and Margaris the Valiant was left alone. His
+lance was broken, his shield pierced with holes, his sword-blade
+bloody, while he himself was sorely wounded. Heavens! what a warrior
+he would have made if he had only been a Christian. He rode fast to
+Marsile the King, and cried to him to mount his horse, and rally his
+men, and bring up fresh soldiers to deal the Franks a last blow, while
+they were exhausted from the long fight. 'It will be easy to revenge
+the thousands that they have slain,' said he; 'but if you let them
+slip now the tide of battle may turn against us.'
+
+The King Marsile sent for fresh forces, and at sight of them the
+Franks embraced each other for the last time, while the Archbishop
+promised them a speedy entrance into Paradise. 'The Emperor will
+avenge the treachery of Ganelon,' cried Roland, 'whether we live or
+die, but the worst part of the fight is before us, and we shall need
+all our strength to beat back the Unbelievers. They must not tell
+tales of cowardice in the fair land of France.' Then they spurred
+their horses and advanced in line, crying 'Montjoie! Montjoie!'
+
+'Count Roland is not as other men,' said King Marsile, 'and as he is
+not content with two battles, we will give him a third. To-day Charles
+will cease to have power over Spain, and France will bow her head with
+shame.' And he gave his orders to the vanguard to go forward, while he
+himself waited on a little hill till the moment came to charge. Fierce
+was the shock as the two armies met, and bravely did their leaders
+fight, hand to hand and sword to sword. None struck harder than Turpin
+the Archbishop, who cursed his foes as he bore them from their
+saddles. 'He fights well,' said the Franks who watched his blows. But
+the Franks had fought long, and were faint and weary. They had lost
+much blood, and their arms were weak to strike. 'See how our brothers
+fall,' they whispered one to another, and Roland heard their groans,
+and his heart was near breaking. Thousands lay dead, thousands more
+were wounded, but still the battle went on. Horses without riders
+wandered about the field neighing for their masters. Then Marsile bade
+the trumpets sound, and his army gathered round the great standard
+with the Dragon, borne by a Saracen named Abimus. When Turpin the
+Archbishop caught sight of him, he dashed straight towards the banner,
+and with one blow of his mighty sword stretched the Unbeliever dead on
+the ground before the Dragon. 'Montjoie! Montjoie!' he cried, and the
+Franks heard, and said one to the other, 'Heaven send that Charles has
+many like him!' The lances of the Franks were broken, and their
+shields were for the most part split in two, but three hundred naked
+swords still were left to deal blows at the shining helmets of the
+Infidels. 'Help! help! O King!' cried the Saracens, and Marsile heard,
+and answered, 'Better die than flee before these Franks. Let no one
+think of himself, but all press round Roland. If Roland dies, Charles
+is conquered. If Roland lives, all is over for us!' But Roland, with
+Oliver at his side, swept a clear space with Durendal, and none might
+come near him; the Archbishop kept his enemies at bay with his lance.
+Four times the Franks endured the shock of the onset, but at the fifth
+they were borne down by numbers, and now only sixty remained upon the
+ground.
+
+Then Roland turned to Oliver and said, 'Fair sir and dearest friend,
+well may we pity France who will henceforth be widowed of such brave
+warriors. O Charles, my King, why do you not come to us? Oliver, tell
+me, how can we let him know what straits we are in?' 'There is no
+way,' said Oliver, 'and death rather than dishonour.'
+
+'I will sound my horn,' said Roland, 'and Charles will hear, and come
+back through the defiles. I know that the Franks will retrace their
+steps and come to our aid.'
+
+'That would be a shameful thing for them,' replied Oliver; 'all our
+kinsfolk would blush for us for ever, and we should likewise blush for
+ourselves. When I begged you to do it you would not, and now the time
+is past.'
+
+'The battle is sore,' said Roland, 'I shall sound the horn, and
+Charles will hear it.'
+
+'You refused to do it while yet there was time,' answered Oliver. 'If
+the Emperor had come then, so many of our best warriors would not be
+lying dead before us. It is not his fault that he is not here. But if
+you sound the horn now, I will never give you my sister, the fair
+Aude, for your wife.'
+
+'Why do you bear such malice?' said Roland.
+
+[Illustration: ROLAND WINDS HIS HORN IN THE VALLEY OF RONCESVALLES]
+
+'It is your fault,' answered Oliver. 'Courage and madness are not
+the same thing, and prudence is always better than fury. If so many
+Franks lie dead, it is your folly which has killed them, and now we
+can no longer serve the Emperor. If you would have listened to me,
+Charles would have been here, and Marsile and his Saracens would have
+been slain. Your courage, Roland, has cost us dear! For yourself, you
+will be killed and France be covered with dishonour. And before night
+falls our friendship will be ended.' Then he wept, and Roland wept
+also.
+
+The Archbishop had been near, and heard their words. 'Do not quarrel
+at this hour,' he said. 'Your horn could not save them now. Charles is
+too far; it would take him too long to come. Yet sound it, for he will
+return and avenge himself on the Unbelievers. And they will take our
+bodies and put them on biers, and lay them on horses, and will bury us
+with tears of pity among the mountains, building up high walls round
+us, so that the dogs and the wild boar shall not devour us.' 'What you
+say is good,' answered Roland, and he lifted his horn, and its mighty
+voice rang through the mountains and Charles heard the echo thirty
+miles away. 'Our men are fighting,' he cried, but Ganelon answered,
+'If another man had said that, we should have called him a liar.'
+Count Roland was sorely wounded and the effort to sound the horn
+caused the blood to pour from his mouth. But he sounded it once more,
+and the echoes leaped far. Charles heard it in the defiles, and all
+his Franks heard it too. 'It is Roland's horn,' said the King, 'and he
+is fighting.'
+
+'He is not fighting,' answered Ganelon; 'you are old, and your words
+are those of a child. Beside, you know how great is the pride of
+Roland; it is a marvel that God has suffered him to live so long. For
+a hare, Roland would sound his horn all day, and at this moment he is
+most likely laughing with his Twelve Peers over the fright he has
+caused us. And again, who is there who would dare to attack Roland?
+No one. March on, sire; why make halt? France is still distant.'
+
+Count Roland suffered grievous pain and a great wound was across his
+forehead. He sounded his horn for the third time, and Charles and his
+Franks heard it. 'That horn carries far,' said he, and Naimes
+answered, 'It is Roland who is calling for help. A battle is going on;
+some one has betrayed him. Quick, sire, he has called often enough.
+Sound your war-cry and hasten to his help.' Then the Emperor ordered
+his trumpets to be sounded, and his army gathered itself together and
+girded on their armour with what speed they might, and each man said
+to the other, 'If only we are in time to save Roland from death, what
+blows we will strike for him.' Alas, they are too late, too late!
+
+But before the march back there was something for the Emperor to do.
+He sent for his head cook to appear in his presence, and he delivered
+the traitor Ganelon into his custody, and told him to treat his
+prisoner as he liked, for he had shown himself unworthy to mix with
+warriors. So the head cook did as he pleased with him, and beat him
+with sticks and put a heavy chain about his neck. And thus he guarded
+him till Charles came back.
+
+How tall the mountains seemed to the returning army! how deep the
+valleys, and how swift the streams! but all the while the trumpets
+were sounded, that Roland might hear them and take heart. And as he
+rode, Charles had only one thought, 'If Roland is slain, shall I find
+one man alive?'
+
+Roland stood looking at the mountains and at the plains, and wherever
+his eyes fell his dead comrades lay before him. Loudly he mourned
+their loss, and then he turned to Oliver, saying, 'Brother, we must
+die here with the rest of the Franks.' He spurred his horse and blew
+his horn, and dashed into the ranks of the foe, shouting 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' The remnant that was left closed eagerly round him, and the
+battle-cries were fierce and loud. If Marsile and his host fled
+before them, others not less valiant remained behind, and Roland knew
+that the hour of his doom was come. And in valour, Oliver was no whit
+behind him, but flung himself into the thickest of the battle. It was
+the Caliph who gave Oliver his death blow. 'Charles made a mistake
+when he left you to guard these defiles,' said he, 'but your life will
+pay for many that you have slain.' But Oliver was not dead yet, and
+the taunt of the Caliph stung his blood. With all the strength he had
+left, he swung his sword Hauteclair on high, and it came down upon the
+Caliph's helmet with a crash, cleaving it clean through. 'Ah, pagan,'
+said he, 'you will never boast now of the prizes you have taken in
+battle.' Then 'Roland! Roland!' he cried, and Roland came. When he saw
+Oliver before him, livid and bleeding, he swayed on his horse as if he
+should faint. Oliver's sight was weak and troubled from loss of blood,
+and not hearing Roland's voice he mistook him for an enemy, and struck
+him a hard blow on his helmet. This blow restored Roland to his
+senses, and he sat upright. 'My friend,' said he, 'why have you done
+this? I am Roland, who loves you well, and never did I think you could
+lift your hand against me.'
+
+'I hear you,' answered Oliver, 'I hear you speak, but I cannot see
+you. If I have struck you, forgive me, for I knew it not.'
+
+'I forgive you from my heart,' said Roland, and they embraced each
+other for the last time.
+
+The agony of death was falling upon Oliver; his sight had failed, his
+hearing was fast failing too. Slowly he dismounted from his horse and
+laid himself painfully on the ground, making, in a loud voice, the
+confession of his sins. Then he prayed God to bless Charlemagne, fair
+France, and Roland his friend, and after that his soul left him. And
+Roland returned and found him dead, and wept for him bitterly. At last
+he stood up and looked around. Of all the twenty thousand men, not
+one was left except himself, and Turpin and Gautier. And these three
+placed themselves shoulder to shoulder, and sent many an Infidel to
+join his dead brothers. But the wounds they received in their bodies
+were without number, and at length the Archbishop tottered and fell.
+But they had not slain him yet: with a mighty struggle he rose to his
+feet and looked round for Roland. 'I am not conquered yet,' he said;
+'a brave man dies but never surrenders.' Then with his good sword he
+rushed into the _melee_ dealing death around him. Roland fought as
+keenly as his friend, but the moments seemed long till Charles brought
+them help. Again he sounded his horn, though the wound in his head
+burst out afresh with his effort. And the Emperor heard it, and
+stopped for an instant on his march. 'My lords,' he said, 'things are
+going badly with us; we shall lose my nephew Roland to-day, for I know
+by the way he blows his horn that he has not long to live. Spur your
+horses, for I would fain see him before he dies. And let every trumpet
+in the army sound its loudest!' The Unbelievers heard the noise of the
+trumpets, which echoed through the mountains and valleys, and they
+whispered fearfully to each other, 'It is Charles who is coming, it is
+Charles!' It was their last chance, and a band of their best warriors
+rode straight at Roland. At that sight the strength rushed back into
+his veins, and he waited for them proudly. 'I will fight beside you,'
+he said to Turpin, 'and till I am dead I will never leave you. Let
+them strike as hard as they will; Durendal knows how to strike back.'
+
+'Shame be upon every man who does not fight his best,' answered the
+Archbishop, 'for this is our last battle. Charles draws near, and will
+avenge us.'
+
+The Infidels said afterwards that an army could not have wrought the
+ruin that was done that day by the Archbishop and Roland. Veillantif
+received thirty wounds in his body and then fell dead under his
+master. But Roland leaped off, and smote the Saracens, who turned and
+fled before him. He was too weak to follow after them, and turned to
+see if the Archbishop still breathed. Kneeling by his side he unlaced
+Turpin's golden helmet, and bound up his gaping wounds. Then he
+pressed him closely to his heart and laid him gently on the ground. 'O
+friend, we must take farewell of each other, now all our comrades have
+gone before us. But let us do all we can for their bodies, which
+cannot be left lying here. I will myself go and seek their corpses,
+and bring them here and place them in rows before you.'
+
+'Go,' answered the Archbishop, 'but do not stay long. Thanks be to
+God, the victory remains with you and me.'
+
+Alone Roland searched the battle-field; he went up the sides of the
+mountains, he descended into the plains, and everywhere he saw the
+dead faces of his friends. One after another he brought them, and laid
+them at the feet of Turpin, and at the sight of their faces the
+Archbishop wept sore. Then he held up his hand to bless them for the
+last time. 'Noble lords,' he said, 'you have fallen upon evil days.
+May God receive your souls into His Paradise. As for me, among all the
+pains I suffer, the worst is that never shall I see my Emperor again.'
+
+Under a pine, close to a sweet-briar, the corpse of Oliver was lying,
+and Roland raised him in his arms and bare him to the Archbishop,
+where he laid him on a shield, near to the other peers. Then his heart
+broke with a cry, and he fell fainting beside Oliver. At the sight of
+Roland's grief the Archbishop's own sorrow grew double, and he
+stretched out his hand for the horn which lay near him. A stream ran
+down the valley of Roncevalles, and he dragged himself towards it, to
+fetch water to revive Roland. But he was too weak from the blood he
+had lost to reach the river, and he fell where he stood. 'Pardon for
+my sins,' he said, and died, the servant of God and of Charles. The
+cry was heard by Roland, who was slowly coming back to life, and he
+rose to his feet and went to the dead Archbishop and crossed his hands
+upon his breast. 'Ah, noble Knight,' he said, 'in God's hands I leave
+you, for never since the Apostles has He had a more faithful servant.
+May your soul henceforth be free from sorrow, and may the Gates of
+Paradise stand wide for you to enter in!'
+
+As he spoke, Roland knew that his own death was not far off. He made
+his peace with God, and took his horn in one hand and Durendal in the
+other. Then he mounted a small hill where stood two pine trees, but
+fell almost unconscious as soon as he reached the top. But a Saracen
+who had watched him, and had feigned to be dead, sprang up and seeing
+him cried, 'Conquered! he is conquered, the nephew of Charles! and his
+famous sword will be carried into Arabia'; so he grasped Durendal
+tightly in his fist, and pulled Roland's beard in derision. If the
+Saracen had been wise he would have left Roland's beard alone, for at
+his touch the Count was brought back to consciousness. He felt his
+sword being taken from him, and with his horn, which was always beside
+him, he struck the Saracen such a blow on his helmet that he dropped
+Durendal, and sank dead to the earth. 'Coward,' said Roland, 'who has
+told you that you might dare to set hands on Roland, living or dead?
+You were not worthy a blow from my horn.' Still death was pressing
+closer and closer, and Roland knew it. He rose panting for breath, his
+face as white as if he was already in the grave, and took Durendal out
+of its scabbard. Ten times he struck it hard on a brown rock before
+him, but the steel never gave way. 'O my faithful Durendal, do you
+know that the hour of our parting has come?' he cried. 'You have
+gained many battles for me, and won Charles many kingdoms. You shall
+never serve another master after I am dead.' Again he smote the rock
+with all his force, but the steel of Durendal glanced aside. When
+Roland saw that he could not break it, he sat down and wept and
+lamented sore, calling back to him all the fights that they had fought
+together. Yet another time he struck, but the steel held good. Death
+was drawing nearer; what was he to do? Under a pine tree he laid
+himself down to die, his head resting on the green grass, his face
+turned towards the Infidels. Beneath him he placed Durendal and his
+horn. Alone on the mountain, looking towards Spain, he made the
+confession of his sins, and offered up his last prayer. Then he held
+up his right hand, and the Angels came and bore his soul to Paradise.
+
+
+
+
+THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID
+
+_THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID_
+
+
+Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, rose early from his bed and went and sat
+upon the clearing of grass that stretched at the foot of the hill of
+Allen, where was the favourite palace of the Irish Kings of Leinster.
+He had stolen out alone, while his attendants were sleeping, but soon
+he was missed and two of his men followed him to the green plain.
+
+'Why have you risen so early?' said Ossian as he came up.
+
+'Since my wife died,' answered Fionn, 'little sleep has come to me,
+and better I like to be sitting by the hill-side than to toss
+restlessly between walls.'
+
+'Why did you not tell us?' answered Ossian, 'for there is not a girl
+in the whole land of Erin whom we would not have brought you by fair
+means or foul.'
+
+Dearing, who had till now kept silence, then spoke. 'I myself know of
+a wife who would be a fitting mate even for Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill--Grania, the daughter of Cormac, who is fairer of speech and
+form than the daughters of other men.'
+
+Fionn looked up quickly at Dearing's words.
+
+'There has been strife for long between me and Cormac,' said he, 'and
+it is not seemly that I should ask anything of him which might be
+refused. Therefore go you and Ossian and, as from yourselves, see if
+this marriage pleases him. It were better that he should refuse you,
+rather than me.'
+
+'Farewell then,' said Ossian, 'but let no man know of our journey till
+we come back again.'
+
+So the two went their ways, and found Cormac, King of Erin, holding a
+great council on a wide plain, with the chiefs and the great nobles
+gathered before him. He welcomed Ossian and Dearing with courtesy, and
+as he felt sure they bore some message, he bade the council meet again
+on the morrow. When the nobles and chiefs had betaken themselves to
+their homes, Ossian told the King of Erin that they had come to know
+his thoughts as to a marriage between his daughter and Fionn, son of
+Cumhaill.
+
+'There is not the son of a king or of a great prince, a hero or a
+champion in the whole of Erin,' answered Cormac, 'whom my daughter has
+not refused to wed, and it is I whom all hold guilty for it, though it
+is none of my doing. Therefore betake yourselves to my daughter, and
+she will speak for herself. It is better that you be displeased with
+her than with me.'
+
+Thereupon Ossian and Dearing were led by the King to the dwelling of
+the women, and they found Grania lying on a high couch. 'Here, O
+Grania,' said the King, 'are two of the men of Fionn, the son of
+Cumhaill, and they have come to ask you as wife for him. What is your
+answer?'
+
+'If he be a fitting son-in-law for you, why should he not be a fitting
+husband for me?' said Grania. And at her words, her father ordered a
+banquet to be made in the palace for Ossian and Dearing, and sent them
+back to Fionn with a message summoning him to a tryst in a fortnight's
+time.
+
+When Ossian and Dearing were returned into Kildare, they found Fionn
+and his men, the Fenians, on the hill of Allen, and they told them
+their tale from the beginning to end. And the heart of Fionn grew
+light as he heard it, and the fortnight of waiting stretched long
+before him. But everything wears away at last, and so did those
+fifteen days; and on the last, Fionn assembled seven battalions of his
+Fenians from wherever they might be, and they set forth in troops
+for the great plain where Cormac, King of Erin, had given them tryst.
+
+[Illustration: GRANIA QUESTIONS THE DRUID]
+
+The King had made ready a splendid feast, and welcomed the new-comers
+gladly, and they ate and drank together. When the feast was over the
+Druid Derry sang songs before Grania, and she, knowing he was a man of
+wisdom, asked him why Fionn had come thither. 'If you know not that,'
+said the Druid, 'it is no wonder that I know it not.'
+
+'I wish to learn it from you,' answered Grania.
+
+'Well then,' replied the Druid, 'it is to ask you for wife that he is
+come.'
+
+'I marvel,' said Grania, 'that it is not for Ossian that he asks me.
+For my father himself is not as old as Fionn. But tell me, I pray you,
+who is that softly spoken man with the curling black hair and ruddy
+countenance, that sits on the left hand of Ossian, the son of Fionn?'
+
+'That is Diarmid, son of Dowd, the best lover in the whole world.'
+
+'It is a goodly company,' said Grania, and ordered her lady to bring
+her the golden goblet chased with jewels. When it was brought she
+filled it up with the drink of nine times nine men, then bade her
+handmaid carry it to Fionn and say that she had sent it to him, and
+that he was to drink from it. Fionn took the goblet with joy, but no
+sooner had he drunk than he fell down into a deep slumber; and the
+same thing befel also Cormac, and Cormac's wife, and as many as drank
+of the goblet sent by Grania.
+
+When all were sleeping soundly, she rose softly and said to Ossian, 'I
+marvel that Fionn should ask such a wife as I, for it were fitter that
+he should give me a husband of my own age than a man older than my
+father.'
+
+'Say not so, O Grania,' answered Ossian, 'for if Fionn were to hear
+you, he would not have you, neither should I dare to ask for you.'
+
+'Then you will not listen to word of marriage from me?' asked Grania.
+
+'I will not,' answered Ossian, 'for I must not lay my hand on what
+Fionn has looked on.'
+
+Then Grania turned her face to Diarmid Dowd and what she said was,
+'Will you receive courtship from me, O Son of Dowd, since Ossian will
+not receive it?'
+
+'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'for whatever woman is betrothed to
+Fionn, I may not take her.'
+
+'I will put you under bonds of destruction, O Diarmid,' said Grania,
+'if you take me not out of this house to-night.'
+
+'Those are indeed evil bonds,' answered Diarmid, 'and wherefore have
+you laid them on me, seeing there is no man less worthy to be loved by
+you than myself?'
+
+'Not so, O son of Dowd,' said Grania, 'and I will tell you wherefore.'
+
+'One day the King of Erin held a muster on the great plain of Tara,
+and Fionn and his seven battalions were there. And a goaling match was
+played, and all took part, save only the King, and Fionn, and myself
+and you, O Diarmid. We watched till the game was going against the men
+of the kingdom of Erin, then you rose, and, taking the pole of the man
+who was standing by, threw him to the ground, and, joining the others,
+did thrice win the goal from the warriors of Tara. And I turned the
+light of my eyes upon you that day, and I never gave that love to any
+other from that time to this, and will not for ever. So to-night we
+will pass through my wicket-gate, and take heed you follow me.'
+
+After she had spoken, Diarmid turned to Ossian and his companions.
+'What shall I do, O Ossian, with the bonds that have been laid on me?'
+
+'Follow Grania,' said Ossian, 'and keep away from the wiles of Fionn.'
+
+'Is that the counsel of you all to me?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'It is the counsel of us all,' said they.
+
+Then Diarmid bade them farewell, and went to the top of the Fort, and
+put the shafts of his two javelins under him, and rose like a bird
+into the air, and found himself on the plain where Grania met him. 'I
+trow, O Grania,' said he, 'this is an evil course upon which you are
+come, for I know not to which corner of Erin I can take you. Return to
+the town, and Fionn will never harm you.'
+
+'I will never go back,' answered Grania, 'and nothing save death shall
+part us.'
+
+'Then go forward,' said Diarmid.
+
+The town was a mile behind them when Grania stopped. 'I am weary, son
+of O'Dowd.'
+
+'It is a good time to weary, Grania, for your father's house is still
+nigh at hand, and I give you my word as a warrior that I will never
+carry you or any woman.'
+
+'You need not do that,' answered Grania, 'for my father's horses are
+in a fenced meadow by themselves, and have chariots behind them. Go
+and bring two horses and a chariot, and I will wait for you here.'
+
+And Diarmid did what Grania bade him, and he brought two of the
+horses, and they journeyed together as far as Athlone.
+
+'It is the easier for Fionn to follow our track,' said Diarmid at
+last, 'now we have the horses.'
+
+'Then leave them,' cried Grania, 'one on each side of the stream, and
+we will travel on foot.' So they went on till they reached Galway, and
+there Diarmid cut down a grove, and made a palisade with seven doors
+of wattles, and gathered together the tops of the birch trees and soft
+rushes for a bed for Grania.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Fionn and all that were in Tara awoke and found that Diarmid and
+Grania were not among them, a burning rage seized upon Fionn. At once
+he sent out trackers before him, and he followed them himself with
+his men, till they reached the land of Connaught. 'Ah, well I know
+where Grania and Diarmid shall be sought,' cried Fionn. And Ossian and
+Dearing heard him, and said to each other, 'We must send Diarmid a
+warning, lest he should be taken. Look where Bran is, the hound of
+Fionn, and he shall take it, for he does not love Fionn better than he
+loves Diarmid, so, Oscar, tell him to go to Diarmid who is in Derry.'
+And Oscar told that to Bran, and Bran understood, and stole round to
+the back part of the army where Fionn might not see him; then he
+bounded away to Derry and thrust his head into Diarmid's bosom as he
+lay asleep.
+
+At that Diarmid awoke and sprang up and woke Grania, and told her that
+Bran had come, which was a token that Fionn himself was coming. 'Fly
+then,' said Grania; but Diarmid would not fly. 'He may take me now,'
+said he, 'seeing he must take me some time.' At his words Grania shook
+with fear, and Bran departed.
+
+All this while the friends of Diarmid took counsel together, and they
+dreaded lest Bran had not found them, and they resolved to give them
+another warning. So they bade the henchman Feargus to give three
+shouts, for every shout could be heard over three counties. And
+Diarmid heard them, and awoke Grania, and told her that it was a
+warning they had sent him of Fionn. 'Then take that warning,' said
+she. 'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'but will stay in this wood till
+Fionn comes.' And Grania trembled when she heard him.
+
+By-and-by the trackers came back to Fionn with news that they had seen
+Diarmid and Grania, and though Ossian and Diarmid's friends tried to
+persuade Fionn that the men had been mistaken, Fionn was not to be
+deceived. 'Well did I know the meaning of the three shouts of Feargus,
+and why you sent Bran, my own hound, away. But it shall profit him
+nothing, for Diarmid shall not leave Derry till he has paid me for
+every slight he has put upon me.'
+
+'Great foolishness it is of you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'to think that
+Diarmid would stay in this plain waiting to have his head taken from
+him.'
+
+'Who else would have cut down the trees, and have made a palisade of
+them, and cut seven doors in it? Speak, O Diarmid, is the truth with
+me or with Oscar?'
+
+'With you, O Fionn,' said Diarmid, 'and truly I and Grania are here.'
+
+When he heard this, Fionn bade his men surround Diarmid and take him,
+and Diarmid rose up and kissed Grania three times in presence of Fionn
+and his men, and Fionn, seeing that, swore that Diarmid should pay for
+those kisses with his head.
+
+But Angus, the foster-father of Diarmid, knew in what straits his
+foster-son was, and he stole secretly to the place where Diarmid was
+hidden with Grania, and asked him what he had done to bring his head
+into such danger. 'This,' said Diarmid; 'Grania, the daughter of
+Cormac, King of Erin, has fled with me against my will to escape
+marriage with Fionn.'
+
+'Then let one of you come under my mantle,' answered Angus, 'and I
+will carry you out of your prison.'
+
+'Take Grania,' answered Diarmid. 'If I live, then will I follow you,
+but if not, carry her to her father, and let him deal with her as
+seems good.'
+
+After that Angus put Grania under his mantle and they went their ways,
+and neither Fionn nor his Fenians knew of it.
+
+When Angus and Grania had left him, Diarmid girded his arms upon him,
+and standing at one of the seven wattled doors, asked who stood
+behind. 'No foe to you,' answered a voice, 'but Ossian, the son of
+Fionn, and Oscar, the son of Ossian, and others who are your friends.
+Come out, and none will do you hurt.'
+
+'I will not open the door until I find out where Fionn himself is.'
+And so it befel at six of the doors, and Diarmid would not open them,
+lest his friends should come under the wrath of Fionn. But as he drew
+near the seventh, and put his question, the answer came loud: 'Here
+are Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, and four hundred of his servants, and
+we bear you no love, and if you come out we will tear your bones in
+sunder.'
+
+'I pledge my word,' said Diarmid, 'that yours is the first door by
+which I will pass,' and he rose into the air on the shafts of his
+javelins, with a bound as light as a bird's, and went far beyond Fionn
+and his people, and they knew nothing of it. Then he looked back and
+shouted that he had got the better of them, and followed after the
+track of Angus and Grania.
+
+He found them warm in a hut with a fire in it, watching a wild boar
+roasting on a spit, and Grania's soul almost left her body for joy at
+seeing Diarmid. They told their stories before the fire, and when
+morning broke Angus rose and said to Diarmid, 'I must now depart, O
+son of O'Dowd, and this counsel I leave you. Go not into a tree having
+but one trunk, when you fly before Fionn. And go not to a cave of the
+earth having only one door, or to an island which can only be reached
+by one channel. And in whatever place you cook your meal, there eat it
+not; and in whatever place you eat, there lie not; and in whatever
+place you lie down to sleep, there rise not on the morrow.' So saying,
+he bade them farewell, and went his way.
+
+The next day Diarmid and Grania journeyed up the Shannon, and they
+killed a salmon, and crossed the river to eat it, as Angus had told
+them. Soon they met a youth called Muadan, who wished to take service
+with them; and he was strong, and carried them over the rivers across
+their path. When evening came they found a cave, where Muadan spread
+out soft rushes and birch twigs for Diarmid and Grania to lie on, and
+as soon as they were asleep he stole into the next wood, and broke a
+long straight rod from a tree, and put a hair line and a hook upon
+it, and a holly berry on the rod, and fished in the stream. In three
+casts he had taken three fish. That night they ate a good supper, and
+while Diarmid and Grania slept, Muadan kept watch for them.
+
+At dawn Diarmid woke Grania and told her to watch while Muadan slept,
+as he was going to climb a hill near by, and see where they had best
+go.
+
+He soon stood on the top and looked round about him. In front of him
+was a great company of ships bearing towards him out of the west. They
+landed at the foot of the hill where Diarmid stood, and he swiftly ran
+down to meet them and to ask of what country they were.
+
+'We are three royal chiefs,' said they, 'and are sent by Fionn to take
+an enemy of his whom he has outlawed, called Diarmid O'Dowd. And with
+us are three fierce hounds whom we will loose upon his track. Fire
+burns them not, nor water drowns them, nor weapons wound them, and of
+us there are two thousand men. Moreover, tell us who you yourself are,
+and if you have any tidings of the son of O'Dowd.'
+
+'I am but a warrior walking the world with the strength of my arm and
+the blade of my sword. But I warn you, you will have no common man to
+deal with if you meet Diarmid, whom but yesterday I saw.'
+
+'Well, no one has been found yet,' said they.
+
+'Is there wine in your ships?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'There is,' answered they.
+
+'If you would bring a tun of it here, I would do a trick for you.' So
+the wine was sent for, and Diarmid raised the cask up and drank from
+it, and took it up to the top of the hill and stood on it, and it
+glided with him to the bottom. And that trick he did thrice, standing
+on the tun as it came and went. But the strangers only scoffed, and
+they told him they could do a much better trick than that, and one of
+them jumped on the tun. Then, before it could move, Diarmid gave the
+tun a kick, and the young man fell, and the tun rolled over and
+crushed him. And in like manner he did to many more, and the rest fled
+back to their ships.
+
+The next morning they came to Diarmid where he stood on the hill, and
+he asked if they would like him to show them any more tricks, but they
+said they would rather hear some news of Diarmid first. 'I have seen a
+man who met him to-day,' answered Diarmid, and thereupon he laid his
+weapons on the ground and bounded upwards upon his javelin, coming
+down lightly beyond the host.
+
+'If you call that a feat, then you have never seen a feat,' said a
+young warrior of the green Fenians--for so were they called from the
+colour of their armour. And he rose in like manner on his javelin and
+came down heavily on it, and it pierced his heart. Diarmid drew out
+the javelin, and another man took it and tried to do the same thing,
+and he also was slain, and so to the number of fifty. And they went to
+their ships while Diarmid returned to Muadan and Grania.
+
+As soon as Diarmid awoke he went to the forest and cut two forked
+poles, which he took to the hill and placed upright, and he balanced
+the sword of Angus across the top. Then he rose lightly over and came
+down safely over it. 'Is there any man among you who can do that?'
+asked he of the men who had come up from their ships.
+
+'That is a foolish question,' answered one, 'for no man ever did a
+feat in Erin which one of us could not do,' and he arose and leapt
+over the sword, but his foot caught in it, and he was cut in half.
+After that others tried, but none jumped that sword and lived. 'Have
+you any tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' asked the rest at last.
+
+'I have seen him that saw him to-day,' answered Diarmid. 'I will seek
+tidings of him to-night.' And he returned to Grania.
+
+When the sun rose Diarmid put on his coat of mail which no sword could
+pierce, and girded on the sword of Angus, and took his two javelins,
+whose stroke none could cure. Grania trembled at this brave sight, but
+Diarmid soothed her fears, and went off to meet the Fenians.
+
+'What tidings of the son of O'Dowd?' said they. 'Show us where he is,
+that we may take his head to Fionn.'
+
+'The body and life of Diarmid are under my protection, and I will not
+betray him.'
+
+'Then we will take your head, as Fionn is your enemy,' said they.
+
+'Take it if you can,' answered Diarmid, and he drew his sword and
+struck at the head of the man next him, and it rolled away from the
+body. Then he rushed on the host, and slew them right and left, and
+none lived to tell the tale but the three green chiefs and a few men
+who went back to their ships. And they returned the next morning and
+renewed the fight, but Diarmid vanquished them, and binding them fast,
+left them where they were. For he knew that there were only four men
+in the world that could loose them.
+
+After this Diarmid called to Grania and Muadan to come with him, and
+they travelled till Grania grew weary, and Muadan carried her on his
+back to the foot of a great mountain. And there they rested on the
+bank of the stream.
+
+Meanwhile the few men who had been left alive abandoned their ship,
+and sought the three chiefs who were lying bound on the hill. They
+tried to loosen the bands of the captives, but only drew them tighter.
+
+Soon they saw the witch-messenger of Fionn coming over the tops of the
+hills skimming from one to the other as lightly as a swallow.
+
+'Who has made this great slaughter?' said she.
+
+'Who are you that ask?' said they.
+
+'I am Deirdre, the witch-messenger of Fionn, and he has sent me to
+look for you.'
+
+'We know not who the man was,' answered they, 'but his hair was black
+and curly, and his countenance ruddy. And he has bound our three
+chiefs, so that we cannot loose them.'
+
+'It was Diarmid himself,' said she; 'so loosen your hounds on his
+track, and I will send Fionn and his Fenians to help you.'
+
+The men went down to their ships, and brought out their hounds, and
+loosened them on the track of Diarmid. The hounds made straight for
+the door of the cave, and the men followed them; and the hounds left
+the cave, and set forth westwards.
+
+But Diarmid knew not of their coming till he saw silken banners
+waving, and three mighty warriors marching at the head. And he was
+filled with hatred of them, and went his ways, and Muadan took Grania
+on his back and bore her a mile along the mountain.
+
+It was not long before they heard the hound coming, and Muadan bade
+Diarmid follow Grania, and he would keep the hound at bay. And when he
+had slain the hound, he departed after Diarmid and Grania.
+
+Then the second hound was loosened, and Diarmid waited till he came
+close, so that he could take sure aim; and he cast his javelin into
+the hound and it fell dead like its fellow, and having drawn his
+javelin, he followed after Grania.
+
+They had not gone much farther before the third hound was upon them.
+He bounded straight over the head of Diarmid, and would have seized
+Grania, but Diarmid took hold of his two hind legs, and swung him so
+fiercely against a rock that he was slain on the spot. And when that
+was done, Diarmid put on his arms, and slipped his little finger into
+the silken string of the javelin, and cast it straight at a youth in a
+green mantle that had outstripped his fellows, and slew him; and so to
+the rest, while Deirdre, the witch, wheeled and hovered about them
+all.
+
+Now when news of the green Fenians that were bound by Diarmid reached
+Fionn he summoned his men, and they took the shortest ways till they
+reached the hill of slaughter. Then Fionn spoke, and what he said was,
+'O Ossian, loose the three chiefs for me.'
+
+'I will not,' replied Ossian, 'for Diarmid bound me not to loose any
+warrior that he should bind.'
+
+'O Oscar, loose them,' said Fionn.
+
+'Nay,' answered Oscar, 'rather would I place more bands upon them.'
+And so said the other two, and, before their eyes, the chiefs died of
+their bondage. So Fionn ordered their graves to be dug, and their flag
+laid upon their stone, and the heart of Fionn was heavy.
+
+He raised his head and saw drawing near Deirdre, the witch, her legs
+trembling, her tongue raving, and her eyes dropping out of her head.
+'I have great and evil tidings for you,' said she, and she told him of
+all the slaughter Diarmid had made, and how she herself had hardly
+escaped.
+
+'Whither went the son of O'Dowd?' asked Fionn.
+
+'I know not,' said she. At that Fionn and his Fenians departed, and
+wandered far before they could hear news of Diarmid.
+
+On the road that led to the county of Galway, Fionn saw fifty stout
+warriors coming towards him. 'I know not who they are,' said Fionn,
+'yet I think they are enemies of mine'; and, indeed, this proved to be
+so, for the leaders of the company told Fionn that his father and
+their fathers had fought in battle. 'Then you must give me payment for
+the death of my father,' said Fionn, 'and in return you shall have
+power among the Fenians.'
+
+'But we have neither silver, nor gold, nor herds, O Fionn,' answered
+the two young men.
+
+'I want none of these,' replied Fionn; 'the payment I ask is but the
+head of a warrior, or a handful of berries from the magic tree of
+Dooros.'
+
+'Take counsel from me,' cried Ossian, 'for it is no light matter to
+bring to Fionn that which he asks of you. The head is the head of
+Diarmid, son of Dowd, and if there were two thousand of you instead of
+fifty, Diarmid would not let it go.'
+
+'And what are the berries that Fionn asks of us?' said they.
+
+'Those berries would never have been heard of but for the jealousy of
+two women of different tribes, each of whom swore that her husband
+could hurl a pole farther than the other. So all the rest of the
+tribes came out to take part in the goaling match, and the game lasted
+long, and neither won a goal. At last the tribe of the Tuatha De
+Denann saw that the Fenians were stronger than they, and they went
+away bearing their provisions with them--nuts, and apples, and
+fragrant berries. And as they passed near the river Moy one of the
+berries fell, and turned into a quicken tree. No disease or sickness
+can touch anyone who eats three of its berries, and were he a hundred
+years old, the eater of them shall become no more than thirty.
+
+'Since those days the tribe has set a guard over it. He is a crooked
+giant, with an eye in the midst of his forehead. No weapon can wound
+him, and he can only die of three strokes from his own iron club. At
+night he sleeps on the top of the tree, and by day watches at the
+foot. Around him is a wilderness, and the Fenians dare not hunt there,
+for fear of that terrible one. These are the berries which Fionn asks
+of you.'
+
+But Aod, the son of Andala, spoke and declared that he would rather
+die seeking those berries than return to his own land with his head
+bowed in shame. So he and Angus his cousin took farewell of Ossian and
+went their ways, and as they drew near the forest they came on the
+track of Diarmid; and they followed to the tent, where they found him
+with Grania. 'Who are you?' asked Diarmid.
+
+[Illustration: Diarmid Seizes The Giant's Club]
+
+'We are Aod and Angus of the Clan Moirna,' said Aod, 'and it is
+your head that we seek, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd. For Fionn will either
+have that, or a handful of berries from the quicken tree.'
+
+'Neither task is easy,' answered Diarmid, 'and woe to him that falls
+under the power of Fionn. He it was who slew your father, and surely
+that is payment enough. And whichever of those things you take him,
+you shall never have peace.'
+
+'What berries are those that Fionn wants?' asked Grania, 'and why
+cannot they be got for him?' Then Diarmid told her the story, and how
+the country round was laid waste. 'But when Fionn put me under his
+ban,' continued he, 'the giant gave me leave to hunt there if I would,
+but forbade me to touch the berries. And now, O children of Moirna,
+will you fight me or seek the berries?'
+
+'We will fight you first,' said they.
+
+They fought long and well, but Diarmid got the better of them both,
+and bound them on the spot where they fell. 'You struck valiantly,'
+said Grania to Diarmid, 'but I vow that even if the children of Moirna
+go not after those berries, I will never rest in my bed till I have
+eaten them.'
+
+'Force me not to break faith with the giant,' answered Diarmid, 'for
+he would not give them me more readily for that.'
+
+'Loose our bonds,' said the children of Moirna, 'and we will go with
+you, and give ourselves for your sake.'
+
+'Not so,' answered Diarmid, 'for the sight of him might kill you.'
+
+'Then let us go to watch you fight, before you cut off our heads.' And
+Diarmid did so.
+
+They found the giant asleep before the tree, and Diarmid pushed him
+with his foot.
+
+The giant raised his head and looked at him: 'Are you fain to break
+peace, O Diarmid?'
+
+'Not I,' answered he, 'but Grania my wife is ill, and she longs for
+the taste of your berries, and it is to get a handful of them that I
+am now come.'
+
+'If she should die,' said the giant, 'she should have none.'
+
+'I may not do you treachery,' replied Diarmid, 'therefore I tell you I
+will have them by fair means or foul.'
+
+The giant having heard that, stood up and dealt Diarmid three mighty
+strokes with his club, so that he staggered. Then, flinging down his
+weapons, he sprang upon the giant and grasped the club between his
+hands, hurling the giant to the ground by the weight of his body.
+Without giving him time to rise, Diarmid struck three blows with the
+club at the giant's head and he died without a word.
+
+Aod and Angus had watched the combat, and now came forth. 'Bury the
+giant under the brushwood of the forest,' said Diarmid, 'so that
+Grania may not see him, and then go and bring her to me, for I am very
+weary.'
+
+And the young men did so. 'There, Grania, are the berries you asked
+for,' said Diarmid when she came, but she swore that she would not
+taste a berry except he plucked it for her. So he plucked the berries
+for her and for the children of Moirna, and they ate their fill of
+them. 'Now go,' said he, 'take as many berries as you can to Fionn,
+and tell him that it was you who slew the giant.' And they gave thanks
+to Diarmid and left him, and he and Grania went to sleep on the top of
+the tree where the sweetest berries grew.
+
+The children of Moirna reached Fionn, and bowed before him. 'We have
+slain the giant,' said they, 'and have brought you the berries, and
+now we shall have peace for the death of our father.' Fionn took the
+berries into his hand, and stooped down and smelt them. 'I swear,' he
+cried, 'that it was Diarmid O'Dowd who gathered these berries, and
+full sure I am that it was he who slew the giant. I will follow him
+to the quicken tree, and it shall profit you nothing to have brought
+the berries to me.'
+
+With seven battalions of his Fenians, he marched along Diarmid's track
+till he reached the foot of the quicken tree, and finding the berries
+with no watch on them, they ate their fill. The sun was hot, and Fionn
+said he would stay at the foot of the tree till it grew cooler, as
+well he knew that Diarmid was at the top. 'You judge foolishly,'
+answered Ossian, 'to think that Diarmid would stay up there when he
+knows that you are bent on his death.'
+
+In spite of the heat and his long march, Fionn could not sleep, and
+called for a chess-board, and bade Ossian play with him. Fionn was the
+most skilled, and at length he said, 'There is but one move that can
+save you the game, O Ossian, and I dare all that are by to show you
+that move.' And in the top of the tree Diarmid heard him, and said, 'O
+Ossian, why am I not there to show you?'
+
+'It is worse for you to be here in the power of Fionn, than for Ossian
+to lack that move,' answered Grania.
+
+But Diarmid plucked one of the berries, and aimed it at the man which
+should be moved, and Ossian moved it, and turned the game against
+Fionn. And so he did a second time, and a third, when Ossian was in
+straits, and he won the game and the Fenians sent up a great shout.
+
+'I marvel not at your winning, O Ossian, seeing that Oscar is doing
+his best for you, and that the skilled knowledge of Dearing, and the
+prompting of Diarmid, are all with you.'
+
+'Now your eyes must be blinded, O Fionn, to think that Diarmid would
+stay in that tree when you are beneath him.'
+
+'Which of us has the truth on his side, O Diarmid?' said Fionn,
+looking up.
+
+'Never did you err in your wisdom, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid, 'and
+truly, I and Grania are here.' Then, in presence of them all, he
+kissed Grania three times. 'Thou shalt give thy head for those three
+kisses,' said Fionn.
+
+So Fionn and the four hundred that were with him surrounded the
+quicken tree, and he bade them on pain of death not to let Diarmid
+pass through them. Further, he promised to whichever man should go up
+the tree and fetch down Diarmid, he would give him arms and armour,
+and whatever place his father held among the Fenians. But Angus heard
+what Fionn said, and being somewhat of a wizard, came to Diarmid's
+help, without being seen of the Fenians. And one man after another
+rolled down the tree.
+
+Howbeit, both Diarmid and Angus felt that this was no place for
+Grania, and Angus said he would take her with him.
+
+'Take her,' answered Diarmid; 'if I be alive this evening I will
+follow you. If not, send Grania to her father at Tara.' And with that
+Angus bade farewell to Diarmid, and flung his magic mantle over
+himself and Grania, and they passed out and no man knew aught of them
+till they reached the river Boyne.
+
+When they were safely gone, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd, spoke from the top
+of the tree. 'I will go down to you, O Fionn, and to the Fenians, and
+will deal slaughter and discomfiture upon you and your people, seeing
+that I know your wish is to allow me no escape, but to work my death
+after some manner. Moreover, I have no friend who will help or protect
+me, since full often have I wrought havoc among the warriors of the
+world, for love of you. For there never came on you battle or strait,
+but I would plunge into it for your sake, and for that of the Fenians.
+Therefore I swear, O Fionn, that thou shalt not get me for nothing.'
+
+'Diarmid speaks truth,' said Oscar. 'Grant him, I pray you, mercy and
+forgiveness.'
+
+[Illustration: Diarmid & Grania in the Quicken Tree]
+
+'I will not,' answered Fionn, 'till he has paid for every slight put
+upon me.'
+
+'It is a foul shame in thee to say that,' said Oscar, 'and I pledge
+the word of a soldier that unless the heavens fall upon me or the
+earth opens under my feet, I will not suffer you nor your Fenians to
+strike him a single blow, and I will take him under my protection, and
+keep him safe in spite of you all. Therefore, O Diarmid, come down out
+of the tree, since Fionn will not grant you mercy. 'I will pledge that
+no evil will come to you to-day.'
+
+So Diarmid rose, and stood upon the topmost bough of the tree, and
+leapt light and birdlike, by the shafts of his spears, and passed out
+far beyond Fionn and the Fenians of Erin. And he and Oscar went their
+way, and no tidings were heard of them till they reached Grania and
+Angus on the banks of the Boyne.
+
+After Diarmid and Oscar had departed, Fionn ordered a ship to be made
+ready, and as soon as it was done he marched on board with a thousand
+of his warriors and set sail for the north of Scotland. When he
+arrived at the harbour nearest the King's palace, he moored his ship
+and took the path to the palace, where the King received him kindly,
+and gave him food and drink. Then Fionn told the King why he was come.
+'And truly you should give me a host,' said he, 'for Diarmid it was
+who slew your father and two brothers and many of your men besides.'
+
+'That is so,' answered the King, 'and I will give you my two sons,
+with a thousand men to each of them.' Joyful was Fionn to hear this,
+and he departed with his company, and nothing was known of them till
+they reached the Boyne, where Fionn challenged Diarmid and Angus to
+battle.
+
+'What shall I do touching this, O Oscar?' asked Diarmid.
+
+'We will give them battle and slay them all,' answered Oscar.
+
+On the morrow Diarmid and Oscar rose, and put on their armour and went
+their way to the place of combat, where they bound the rims of their
+shields together, so that they might not be parted in the fight. Next
+they proclaimed battle against Fionn, and the Scots said they would
+land and fight them first. They rushed together, and Diarmid passed
+under them and through them and over them, as a whale would go through
+small fish. And all of them fell by Diarmid and Oscar before night
+came, while they themselves had neither cut nor wound.
+
+When Fionn saw that great slaughter he and his men put out to sea, and
+sailed to the cave where dwelt an old woman, Fionn's nurse. And he
+told her his story from the beginning. 'I will go with you,' said she,
+'and will practise magic against him.'
+
+They came to the Boyne, and the witch threw magic over Fionn and his
+Fenians, so that the men of Erin knew not they were there; and that
+day Diarmid was hunting alone, for he had parted from Oscar the day
+before. Now the witch knew this, and she flew to where a water-lily
+leaf lay with a hole in the middle of it, and as the wind lifted the
+leaf from the surface of the water she cast deadly darts at Diarmid
+through the hole, and did him great hurt. And every evil that had come
+upon him was little compared with that evil. Then he felt that unless
+he could strike her through the hole in the leaf she would slay him on
+the spot; so he lay down on his back and took his javelin in his hand,
+and reached her through the hole, and she fell dead.
+
+After that he cut off her head and carried it with him to Angus.
+
+The next day Diarmid rose early and Angus with him, and they went to
+Fionn and asked if he would make peace with Diarmid, and also to
+Cormac, King of Erin, with a like question; and they agreed thereto,
+and asked Diarmid what terms he wanted. Diarmid demanded several of
+the best baronies in Ireland, and he got them, and they blotted out
+all Diarmid had done during the sixteen years of his outlawry, and
+Cormac gave his other daughter to Fionn that he might let Diarmid be,
+and there was peace for many years, and Diarmid prospered mightily,
+and had four sons and one daughter.
+
+
+THE GREEN BOAR
+
+
+But one day a restless spirit seized on Grania, and she told Diarmid
+that it was a shame to them that the two greatest men in Erin, Cormac
+and Fionn, had never visited their house, and she wished to give a
+splendid feast and to bid them to it. And this was done: for a year
+Grania and her daughter were preparing the feast, and when it was
+ready the guests came, and stayed feasting for a year.
+
+It was on the last day of the year that in his sleep Diarmid heard the
+voice of a dog that caused him to start and to wake Grania. 'What is
+the matter?' said she, and Diarmid told her. 'May you be kept safely,'
+answered Grania; 'lie down again.' So Diarmid lay down, but no sleep
+would come to him, and by-and-by he heard the hound's voice again, but
+again Grania kept him from seeking it. This time he fell into a deep
+slumber, and a third time the hound bayed, and he woke and said to
+Grania, 'Now it is day, and I will go.' 'Well, then,' said she, 'take
+your large sword and the red javelin.' But Diarmid answered, 'No, I
+will take the little sword that bites, and the small javelin, and my
+favourite hound on a chain.'
+
+So he went without stopping to the top of a mountain, where Fionn
+stood alone. Diarmid asked if he was hunting, and Fionn said no, but
+that after midnight a company of Fenians had come out, and one of the
+hounds had crossed the track of the wild boar of Ben Gulbain, which
+had slain thirty Fenians that morning.
+
+'He is even now coming up this mountain against us,' added he, 'so let
+us leave the place.'
+
+'I will never leave the place for him,' answered Diarmid.
+
+'Know you not that when you were a child a wizard prophesied that you
+should live as long as a green boar without ears or tail, and that it
+was by him that you should fall at last?'
+
+'No, I knew nothing of these things, but for all that I will not leave
+the mountain,' answered Diarmid. And Fionn went his way, and Diarmid
+stood alone on the top. 'It was to slay me that you made this hunt, O
+Fionn; and if it is fated that I die here, die I must.'
+
+The wild boar came tearing up the mountain, and behind him followed
+the Fenians. Diarmid slipped his hound, but it profited him nothing,
+for he did not await the boar, but fled before him. 'Woe unto him that
+doeth not the counsel of a good wife,' said Diarmid to himself, 'for
+Grania bade me take my best hound and my red javelin.' Then he aimed
+carefully at the boar's head, and smote him in the middle of his
+forehead; but he did not so much as cut one of his bristles, far less
+pierce his skin. At that Diarmid felt his heart quail like those of
+weaker men, and he drew his sword and dealt the boar a stout blow, but
+the sword broke in two; and the beast stood unharmed. With a spring he
+threw himself upon Diarmid, so that he tripped and fell, and somehow
+when he rose up he was sitting astride the back of the boar, with his
+face looking towards the tail. The boar tried to fling him off but
+could not, though he rushed down the hill and jumped three times
+backwards and forwards out of the river at the foot; but Diarmid never
+stirred, and at last the boar dashed up the hill again, and Diarmid
+fell from his back. Then the boar sprang upon Diarmid with a mighty
+spring, and wounded him mortally; but Diarmid swung his broken
+sword about his head as he lay, and hit the boar such a blow on his
+head that where he stood there he fell dead.
+
+[Illustration: The Death of Diarmid]
+
+Not long after that Fionn and his Fenians came up and watched Diarmid,
+who was dying fast. 'It pleases me well to see you in that plight, O
+Diarmid,' said Fionn, 'and I grieve that all the fair women of Erin
+cannot see you also.'
+
+'If you wished you could still heal me, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid.
+
+'How could I heal you, O Diarmid?'
+
+'Easily,' answered Diarmid. 'Was it not given to you that whoever
+should drink from the palms of your hands should become young and
+whole again?'
+
+'You have not deserved that I should give you that drink,' said Fionn.
+
+'That is not true, O Fionn, well have I deserved it of you. Was it not
+I who avenged you and slew fifty of your enemies who tried to set on
+fire the house wherein you were holding your great feast? Had I asked
+you for such a drink then, you would have given it to me, and now I
+deserve it no less.'
+
+'Not so,' answered Fionn; 'you have deserved ill at my hands since
+that time, and little reason have I to give you drinks or any good
+thing. For did you not bear away Grania from me before all the men of
+Erin the night you were set as guard over her in Tara?'
+
+'The guilt of that was not mine, O Fionn, but Grania besought me, else
+I would not have failed to keep my charge for all the bonds in the
+world. And well do I deserve you should give me a drink, for many is
+the day since I came among the Fenians in which I have perilled my
+life for your sake. Therefore you should not do me this foul
+treachery. And soon a dire defeat will come upon the Fenians, and few
+children will be left to them to carry on the race. It is not for you
+that I grieve, O Fionn, but for Ossian and for Oscar, and for the
+rest of my faithful comrades. And you shall lack me sorely yet, O
+Fionn.'
+
+'I am near of kin to you, O Fionn,' said Oscar, 'but you shall not do
+Diarmid this wrong. Further, I swear that were any other prince in the
+world to have done this to Diarmid, we would have seen whose hand was
+strongest and who should bring him a drink.'
+
+'I know no well upon this mountain,' answered Fionn.
+
+'That is not true,' replied Diarmid, 'for nine paces from this is the
+best well of pure water in the world.'
+
+So Fionn went to the well and filled his palms with water; but he had
+only come half way to where Diarmid lay when he let the water run down
+between his fingers. 'The water would not stay in my hands,' he said,
+as he reached the rest.
+
+'You spilt it of your will,' answered Diarmid.
+
+For the second time Fionn set out to fetch the water, but returning he
+thought of Grania, and let it run upon the ground. Diarmid saw and
+sighed piteously. 'I swear by my sword,' cried Oscar, 'that if this
+time you bring not that water either you or I, O Fionn, shall leave
+our body here.'
+
+And Fionn trembled when he heard those words, and brought back the
+water, but as he came to his side the life went out of Diarmid. And
+the company of the Fenians raised three exceeding great cries; while
+Oscar looked fiercely at Fionn, and told him it had been better for
+the Fenians had Fionn himself died, and not Diarmid. Then Fionn left
+the top of the mountain, leading Diarmid's hound, and his Fenians came
+after. But Ossian and Oscar and two others returned and laid their
+four mantles over Diarmid, and when they had done that they went their
+ways after Fionn.
+
+Now Grania was standing on the ramparts of her house when she saw
+Fionn and the Fenians approaching. She said to herself that if Diarmid
+were alive it was not Fionn who would lead his hound, and at this
+thought she swooned and fell heavily over the battlements. Ossian's
+heart was full of pity, and he bade Fionn and the Fenians to go, and
+ran himself to help her, but she lifted her head and begged that Fionn
+would leave her the hound of Diarmid. Fionn said No, he would not; but
+Ossian took the stag-hound from Fionn's hand and put it into Grania's,
+and then followed after the Fenians.
+
+When they had gone, Grania uttered a loud and grievous cry that was
+heard far round, so that the people came to her and asked her what was
+the matter, and when she told them that Diarmid was dead they sat down
+and wailed also. After that Grania sent five hundred men to bring her
+the body of Diarmid.
+
+That night it was shown to Angus in a dream that Diarmid was dead on
+Ben Gulbain; and he was carried by the wind, and reached the place at
+the same moment as Grania's men, who knew him, and held out the
+insides of their shields to him in token of peace. And they sent up
+three exceeding great cries, which were heard even at the gates of
+heaven.
+
+Then Angus spoke: 'There has not been one night since I took you, an
+infant of nine months old, to the Boyne that I have not watched over
+you, O Diarmid, until last night, when Fionn did you basely to death,
+for all you were at peace with him.' And he told Grania's men he
+himself would bear Diarmid's body to the Boyne. So the dead man was
+placed on a gilded bier with his javelins over him pointed upwards,
+and the men of Grania returned to their mistress, and said as Angus
+had bade them.
+
+The first thing she did was to send messengers to her sons, who lived
+each in his own house, and bade them come with their followings to the
+house of Grania, for that their father Diarmid had been foully slain
+by Fionn. They all came forthwith, and after they had eaten and drunk
+she pointed to the weapons and arms of Diarmid, and said they were
+theirs, and by them they should learn all arts of brave men, till they
+should reach their full strength, and after that they should avenge
+themselves on Fionn.
+
+The sayings of Grania were whispered in the ears of Fionn, and a great
+fear fell upon him. He called his Fenians together, and told them how
+the sons of Diarmid had gone to their mother, and returned to their
+own homes again. 'It is to rebel against me that they have done this,'
+and he asked counsel in the matter. 'The guilt is yours and no other
+man's,' spoke Ossian, 'and we will not stand by you, for you slew
+Diarmid in time of peace.'
+
+Without Ossian, Oscar, and their men Fionn knew that he could not
+conquer Grania, and resolved to try what cunning would do. So he
+slipped away secretly, and went to her house, and greeted her with
+soft words, in reply to her bitter ones. But so cunning was he that at
+last her wrath broke down, and she agreed to go with him back to his
+Fenians.
+
+It was a long while before the Fenians knew who that could be walking
+by the side of Fionn, but when they did they laughed and mocked till
+Grania bowed her head for shame. 'This time, O Fionn, you will guard
+her well,' said Ossian.
+
+For seven years the sons of Diarmid exercised themselves in all the
+skill of a warrior, and then they came back to Grania's house. There
+they learned how long ago Grania had fled with Fionn, and in wrath
+they set out to seek Fionn, and proclaimed battle against him. Fionn
+sent Dearing to ask how many men it would take to fight them, and they
+answered that each one of them would fight a hundred. So Fionn brought
+four hundred men, and the young men rushed under them and through them
+and over them, till there was not a man left. 'What shall we do
+concerning these youths, O Grania,' said Fionn, 'for I have not men
+enough to go through many such fights?'
+
+'I will visit them,' answered Grania, 'and will try to make peace
+between you.'
+
+And Fionn bade her offer them terms such as no man then living would
+refuse, yet for long the young men did refuse them. But at the last
+the prayers of Grania prevailed, and peace was made, and Fionn and
+Grania lived together till they died.[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: From the Transactions of the Ossianic Society.]
+
+
+
+
+SOME ADVENTURES
+
+OF
+
+WILLIAM SHORT NOSE
+
+
+
+
+_SOME_
+
+_ADVENTURES OF WILLIAM SHORT NOSE_
+
+
+William Short Nose was also styled William of Orange, quite a
+different man from the one who came to be King of England, although
+they both took their title from the same small town in the south of
+France. This William of Orange spent his life battling with the
+Saracens in the south of France, and a very hard task he had, for
+their numbers seemed endless, and as fast as one army was beaten
+another was gathered together.
+
+Now by a great effort the Infidels had been driven back south in the
+year 732, but before a hundred years had passed they had again crossed
+the Pyrenees and were streaming over France, south of the Loire, and,
+what was worse, the men of Gascony were rising too. Someone had to
+meet the enemy and to crush the rebels, and of all the subjects of
+King Louis, the son of the Emperor Charles, no one was so fit to lead
+the army of the Franks as William Short Nose, Count of Orange, husband
+of the Lady Gibourc.
+
+It was at the Aliscans that he met them, and a great host they were,
+spreading over the country till whichever way you looked you saw men
+flocking round the Golden Dragon, which was the banner of the
+Saracens. But it was not Count William's way to think about numbers,
+and he ordered his trumpeters to sound the charge. Spurring his horse,
+he dashed from one part of the fight to the other, striking and
+killing as he went, and heeding as little the wounds that he got as
+those that he gave, and _they_ were many. The Franks whom he led
+followed after him, and slew the Pagans as they came on; but the
+Christians were in comparison but a handful, and their enemies as the
+sands of the sea. The young warriors whom William had brought with him
+were prisoners or dying men, and from far he saw Vivian, whom he loved
+the best, charging a multitude with his naked sword. 'Montjoie!
+Montjoie!' cried he, 'O noble Count! O Bertrand my cousin, come to my
+aid! O my Lady Gibourc, never more shall my eyes look upon you!'
+
+Bertrand heard and pressed to his side. 'Ride to the river,' he said,
+'and I will protect you with my life'; but Vivian was too weak even to
+sit on his horse, and fell half fainting at the feet of Bertrand.
+
+At this moment there rode at them a large troop of Saracens, headed by
+their King Haucebier, and the Christian Knights knew that all was
+lost. 'It is too late now for me to think of life,' said Vivian, 'but
+I will die fighting,' and again they faced their enemies till
+Bertrand's horse was killed under him. Then Vivian seized the horse of
+a dead Infidel, and thrust the bridle into Bertrand's hand, 'Fly, for
+God's sake, it is your only chance. Where is my uncle? If he is dead
+we have lost the battle.'
+
+But Bertrand did not fly, though every instant made the danger more
+deadly. 'If I forsake you, if I take flight,' he said, 'I shall bring
+eternal shame upon myself.'
+
+'No, no,' cried Vivian, 'seek my uncle down there in the Aliscans, and
+bring him to my aid.'
+
+'Never till my sword breaks,' answered Bertrand, and laid about him
+harder than ever. And to their joy they heard a war cry sounding in
+their ears, and five Frankish Counts, cousins of Vivian and of
+Bertrand, galloped up. Fight they did with all their might, but none
+fought like Vivian. 'Heavens! what a warrior!' cried the Counts as
+they saw his blows, while the Saracens asked themselves if the man
+whom they had killed at mid-day had been brought back to life by the
+help of devils. 'If we let them escape now we shall be covered with
+shame before Mahomet,' said they, 'but ere night falls William shall
+acknowledge that he is conquered.'
+
+'Indeed!' said Bertrand, and with his cousins he fell upon them till
+they fled.
+
+The Counts were victors on this field, but, wounded and weary as they
+were, another combat lay before them, for a force of twenty thousand
+Saracens was advancing from the valley. Their hearts never failed
+them, but they had no strength left; the young Counts were all taken
+prisoners, except Vivian, who was left for dead by the side of a
+fountain where he had been struck down. 'O Father in Heaven,' he said,
+feeling his life going from him, 'forgive me my sins, and help my
+uncle, if it is Thy holy will.'
+
+William Short Nose was still fighting, though he knew that the victory
+lay with the Unbelievers and their hosts. 'We are beaten,' he said to
+the fourteen faithful comrades that stood by him. 'Listen as you will,
+no sound of our war cry can be heard. But by the Holy Rood, the
+Infidels will know no rest while I am alive. I will give my
+forefathers no cause for shame, and the minstrels shall not tell in
+their songs how I fell back before the enemy.'
+
+They then gave battle once more, and fought valiantly, till all lay
+dead upon the ground, save only William himself.
+
+Now the Count knew that if the Infidel was ever to be vanquished and
+beaten out of fair France he must take heed of his own life, for the
+task was his and no other man's; so he turned his horse's head towards
+Orange, and then stopped, for he saw a troop of freshly landed
+Saracens approaching him along the same road.
+
+'The whole world is full of these Infidels!' he cried in anger;
+'cursed be the day when they were born. Fair God, you alone can save
+me. My Lady Gibourc, shall I ever again behold you? My good horse,'
+added he, 'you are very tired. If you had had only five hours' rest, I
+would have led you to the charge; but I see plainly that I can get no
+help from you, and I cannot blame you for it, as you have served me
+well all day, and for this I thank you greatly. If ever we reach
+Orange you shall wear no saddle for twenty days, your food shall be
+the finest corn, and you shall drink out of a golden trough. But how
+should I bear it if the Pagans captured you and carried you to Spain?'
+
+And the horse understood as well as a man, and he threw up his head,
+and pawed the ground, and his strength came back to him as of old. At
+this sight William Short Nose felt more glad than if he had been given
+fourteen cities.
+
+But no sooner had he entered a valley that led along the road to
+Orange than he saw a fresh body of Pagans blocking one end. He turned
+to escape into another path, but in front of him rode a handful of his
+enemies. 'By the faith that I swore to my dear Lady Gibourc,' he said,
+'I had better die than never strike a blow,' and so went straight at
+Telamon, their leader, on his horse Marchepierre. 'William!' cried the
+Saracen, 'this time you will not escape me.' But the sun was in his
+eyes, and his sword missed his aim. Before he could strike another
+blow William had borne him from his horse and galloped away on
+Bausant.
+
+The mountain that he was climbing now was beset with Infidels, like
+all the rest, and William looked in vain for a way of escape. He
+jumped from his horse and rubbed his flanks, saying to him the while,
+'Bausant, what will you do? Your sides are all bloody, and you can
+scarcely stand; but remember, if once you fall it means my death.' At
+these words Bausant neighed, pricked up his ears and shook himself,
+and as he did so the blood seemed to flow strongly in his veins, as of
+old. Then the Count rode down into the field of the Aliscans, and
+found his nephew Vivian lying under a tree.
+
+[Illustration: VIVIAN'S LAST CONFESSION]
+
+'Ah! my God,' cried William, 'what sorrow for me! To the end of my
+life I shall mourn this day. Earth, do thou open and swallow me! Lady
+Gibourc, await me no longer, for never more shall I return to Orange!'
+
+So he lamented, grieving sore, till Vivian spoke to him. The Count was
+full of joy to hear his words, and, kneeling beside the youth, took
+him in his arms, and bade him, as no priest was there, confess his
+sins to him, as to his own father. One by one Vivian remembered them
+all, then a mist floated before his eyes, and, murmuring a farewell to
+the Lady Gibourc, his soul left the world.
+
+William laid him gently down on his shield, and took another shield
+for covering, and turned to mount his horse, but at this his heart
+failed him.
+
+'Is it you, William, that men look to as their leader, and whom they
+call Fierbras, who will do this cowardly deed?' he said to himself,
+and he went back to his nephew's side, and lifted the body on to his
+horse, to bury it in his city of Orange.
+
+He had done what he could to give honour to Vivian, but he might as
+well, after all, have left him where he fell, for in a fierce combat
+with some Pagans on the road the Count was forced to abandon his
+nephew's body and fight for his own life. He knew the two Saracens
+well as brave men, but he soon slew one, and the other he unhorsed
+after a struggle.
+
+'Come back, come back,' cried the Unbeliever; 'sell me your horse, for
+never did I behold his like! I will give you for him twice his weight
+in gold, and set free besides all your nephews that have been taken
+prisoners.' But William loved his horse, and would not have parted
+with him to Charles himself; so he cut off the Saracen's head with his
+sword, and mounted his horse Folatisse, taking the saddle and bridle
+off Bausant so that he might the more easily escape from the Pagans.
+
+At length, after fighting nearly every step of the way, he saw the
+towers of Orange before him, and his palace, Gloriette, where dwelt
+his wife, the Lady Gibourc. 'Ah, with what joy did I leave these
+walls,' he said to himself, 'and how many noble Knights have I lost
+since then! Oh! Gibourc, my wife, will you not go mad when you hear
+the tidings I have brought!' And, overcome with grief, the Count bowed
+his head on the neck of his horse.
+
+When he recovered himself he rode straight to the City Gate, and
+commanded the porter to let him in. 'Let down the drawbridge,' called
+he, 'and be quick, for time presses.' But he forgot that he had
+changed his own arms, and had taken instead those of Aerofle the
+Saracen; therefore the porter, seeing a man with a shield and pennon
+and helmet that were strange to him, thought he was an enemy, and
+stood still where he was. 'Begone!' he said to William; 'if you
+approach one step nearer I will deal you a blow that will unhorse you!
+Begone, I tell you, and as quick as you can, or when William Short
+Nose returns from the Aliscans it will be the worse for you.'
+
+'Fear nothing, friend,' replied the Count, 'for I am William himself.
+I went to the Aliscans to fight the Saracens, and to help Vivian; but
+all my men are dead, and I only am left to bring these evil tidings.
+So open the gates, for the Saracens are close behind.'
+
+'You must wait a moment,' answered the porter, and he quitted the
+turret where he had been standing and hastened to the chamber of the
+Lady Gibourc. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'there knocks at the
+drawbridge a Knight in pagan armour, who seems fresh from battle, for
+his arms are bloody. He is tall of stature and bears himself proudly,
+and he says he is William Short Nose. I pray you, my lady, come with
+me and see him for yourself.'
+
+The face of Gibourc grew red when she heard the porter's words, and
+she left the Palace and mounted the battlements, where she called
+across the fosse, 'Warrior, what is your will?'
+
+'Oh, lady!' answered he, 'open the gate, and that quickly. Twenty
+thousand Saracens are close upon my track; if they reach me, I am a
+dead man.'
+
+'You cannot enter,' replied Gibourc. 'I am alone here except for this
+porter, a priest, a few children, and some ladies whose husbands are
+all at the war. Neither gate nor wicket will be opened until the
+return of my beloved lord, William the Count.' Then William bowed his
+head for a moment, and two tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+'My lady, I am William himself,' said he. 'Do you not know me?'
+
+'Infidel, you lie,' replied Gibourc. 'Take off your helmet, and let me
+see who you are!'
+
+But the Count in his thought felt the earth trembling under his feet
+from the steps of the accursed ones. 'Noble Countess,' cried he, 'this
+is no time to parley. Look round you! Is not every hill covered with
+Pagans?'
+
+'Ah, now I know you are not William,' answered she, 'for all the
+Pagans in the world would never have stirred him with fear. By St.
+Peter! neither gate nor wicket shall be opened till I have seen your
+face. I am alone and must defend myself. The voices of many men are
+alike.'
+
+Then the Count lifted his helmet: 'Lady, look and be content. I am
+William himself. Now let me in.'
+
+Gibourc knew that it was indeed the Count who had returned, and was
+about to order the gates to be opened when there appeared in sight a
+troop of Saracens escorting two hundred prisoners, all of them young
+Knights, and thirty ladies with fair white faces. Each one was loaded
+with chains, and they cowered under the blows of their captors. Their
+cries and prayers for mercy reached the ears of Gibourc, and,
+changing her mind, she said quickly: 'There is the proof that you are
+not William my husband, the "Strong Arm," whose fame has spread far!
+For _he_ would never have suffered his brethren to be so shamefully
+entreated while he was by!'
+
+'Heavens!' cried the Count, 'to what hard tests does she put me! But
+if I lose my head I will do her bidding, for what is there that I
+would _not_ do for the love of God and of her!' Without a word more he
+turned, and, relacing his helmet, spurred his horse at the Saracens
+with his lance in rest. So sudden and fierce was his attack that the
+foremost riders fell back on those behind, who were thrown into
+confusion, while William's sword swept him a path to the centre, where
+the prisoners stood bound. The Pagans expected the city gates to open
+and a body of Franks to come forth to destroy them, and without
+waiting another moment they turned and fled. Though the prisoners were
+free, William pursued the enemy hotly.
+
+'Oh, fair lord!' called Gibourc, who from the battlements had watched
+the fight, 'come back, come back, for now indeed you may enter.' And
+William heard her voice, and left the Saracens to go where they would
+while he struck the chains off the prisoners, and led them to the
+gates of Orange, while he himself rode back to the Saracens.
+
+Not again would the Lady Gibourc have reason to call him coward.
+
+And Gibourc saw, and her heart swelled within her, and she repented
+her of her words. 'It is my fault if he is slain,' she wept. 'Oh, come
+back, come back!'
+
+And William came.
+
+Now the drawbridge was let down before him, and he entered the city
+followed by the Christians whom he had delivered, and the Countess
+unlaced his helmet, and bathed his wounds, and then stopped, doubting.
+
+'You cannot be William after all,' said she, 'for William would have
+brought back the young kinsmen who went with him; and Guy and Vivian,
+and all the young Barons of the country side. And William would have
+been encircled by minstrels singing the great deeds he had done.'
+
+[Illustration: THE CAPTIVES William Short-nose rides to the rescue]
+
+'Ah, noble Countess, you speak truth,' answered he. 'Henceforth my
+life will be spent in mourning, for my friends and comrades who went
+to war with me are lying dead at the Aliscans. Vivian is dead also,
+but Bertrand and Guy, Guichard the bold, and Gerard the brave, are
+captives in the Saracen camp.'
+
+Great was the sorrow in the city of Orange, great likewise was the
+sorrow in the palace of her lord, where the ladies of the Countess
+mourned for their husbands. But it was Gibourc herself who first dried
+her tears, and roused herself from her grief for Vivian and others
+whom she had loved well. 'Noble Count,' she said, 'do not lose your
+courage, and let the Infidels crush your spirit. Remember it is not
+near Orleans, in safety, that your lands lie, but in the very midst of
+the Saracens. Orange never will have peace till they are subdued. So
+send messengers to Paris, to your brother-in-law King Louis, and to
+your father Aimeri, asking for aid. Then march upon the Saracens, and
+rescue the captives that are in their hands before they are carried
+across the sea.'
+
+'Heavens!' cried William, 'has the world ever seen so wise a lady?'
+
+'Let no one turn you from your road,' she went on. 'At the news of
+your distress Ermengarde of Pavia, whom may God bless, and Aimeri with
+the white beard, and all the Barons that are your kin, will fly to
+your help. Their numbers are as the sands of the sea.'
+
+'But how shall I make them believe in what has befallen us?' answered
+William. 'Gibourc, sweetheart, in France they would hold any man mad
+who brought such a message. If I do not go myself I will send nobody,
+and go myself I will not, for I will not leave you alone again for all
+the gold in Pavia.'
+
+'Sir, you must go,' said Gibourc, weeping. 'I will stay here with my
+ladies, of whom there are plenty, and each will place a helmet on her
+head, and hang a shield round her neck, and buckle a sword to her
+side, and with the help of the Knights whom you have delivered we
+shall know how to defend ourselves if the Unbelievers should seek to
+take the city by assault.'
+
+William's heart bounded at her words; he took her in his arms, and
+promised that he himself would go, and more, that he would never lie
+soft nor eat delicately nor kiss the cheek of any lady, however fair,
+till he returned again to Orange.
+
+Thus William Short Nose set forth and the next day passed through
+Orleans. There he met with his brother Ernaut, who had ridden home
+from escorting King Louis back to Paris. Ernaut promised his help and
+that of his father and brothers, but counselled William to go to Laon,
+where a great feast would be held and many persons would be assembled.
+The Count followed Ernaut's counsel, but refused the troop of Knights
+and men-at-arms which Ernaut offered him, liking rather to ride alone.
+
+He made his entrance into Laon on Sunday, and the people laughed at
+him and made jests on his tall thin horse; but William let them laugh,
+and rode on until he reached the Palace. There he alighted under an
+olive tree, and, fastening his horse to one of the branches, took off
+his helmet and unbuckled his breastplate. The people stared as they
+passed by, but nobody spoke to him.
+
+Someone told the King that a strange man without a squire or even a
+man-at-arms was sitting before the Palace under an olive tree. The
+King's face grew dark as he heard their tale, for he loved to keep his
+gardens for his own pleasure. 'Sanson,' he called to one of his
+guards, 'go and find out who this stranger is and whence he comes, but
+beware of bringing him hither.'
+
+Sanson hastened to do his errand, and William answered, 'My name is
+one that is known to France. I am William Short Nose, and I come from
+Orange. My body is worn out with much riding; I pray you hold my horse
+until I have spoken to King Louis.'
+
+'Noble Count,' replied Sanson, 'let me first return to the King and
+tell him who you are. And be not angry, I beseech you, for such are my
+orders.'
+
+'Be quick, then, my friend,' said William, 'and do not neglect to tell
+the King that I am in great distress. This is the time to show his
+love for me; and if he truly does love me, let him come to meet me
+with the great lords of his Court. If he does not come, I have no
+other hope.'
+
+'I will tell him what you say,' said Sanson, 'and if it rests with me
+you shall be content.'
+
+Then Sanson went back to the King. 'It is William, the famous
+William!' he said, 'and he wishes you to go out to meet him.'
+
+'Never!' answered Louis. 'Will he always be a thorn in my side? Woe be
+to him who rejoices at his coming.'
+
+So the King sat still, and on the steps of the Palace there gathered
+Knights and Nobles in goodly numbers, and hardly one but wore a mantle
+of ermine or marten, a helmet set with precious stones, a sword or a
+shield which had been given him by William himself. But now they were
+rich and he was poor, so they mocked at him.
+
+'My lords,' said William, 'you do ill to treat me so. I have loved you
+all, and you bear the tokens of my love about you at this moment. If I
+can give you no more gifts, it is because I have lost all I have in
+the world at the Aliscans. My men are dead, and my nephews are
+prisoners in the hands of the Saracens. It is the Lady Gibourc who
+bade me come here, and it is she who asks for help through me. Have
+pity on us, and help us.' But without a word, they rose up and went
+into the Palace, and William knew what their love was worth.
+
+The young men told Louis of the words that the Count had spoken, and
+the King rose and leaned out of the window. 'Sir William,' said he,
+'go to the inn, and let them bathe your horse. You seem in a sorry
+plight, without a groom or esquire to help you.'
+
+William heard and vowed vengeance. But if the King and the courtiers
+had no hearts, in his need a friend came to him, Guimard, a citizen of
+Laon, who took the Count home and offered him rich food. But because
+of his vow to the Lady Gibourc, he would only eat coarse bread, and
+drink water from the spring; and as soon as it was light he rose up
+from his bed of fresh hay, and dressed himself. 'Where are you going?'
+asked his host.
+
+'To the Palace, to entreat the aid of the King, and woe be to him who
+tries to stop me.'
+
+'May God protect you, Sir,' answered Guimard. 'To-day the King crowns
+Blanchefleur, your sister, who no doubt loves you well. And he gives
+her the Vermandois for her dower, the richest land in all fair France,
+but a land that is never at peace.'
+
+'Well,' said William, 'I will be present at the ceremony. Indeed they
+cannot do without me, for all France is under my care, and it is my
+right to bear her standard in battle. And let them beware how they
+move me to wrath, lest I depose the King of France and tear the crown
+from his head.'
+
+The Count placed a breastplate under his jerkin and hid his sword
+under his cloak. The gates of the Palace opened before him and he
+entered the vaulted hall. It was filled with the greatest nobles in
+the land, and ladies with rich garments of silk and gold. Lords and
+ladies both knew him, but not one gave him welcome--not even his
+sister, the Queen. His fingers played with his sword, and he had much
+ado not to use it. But while his wrath was yet kindling the heralds
+announced that his father Aimeri had come.
+
+The Lord of Narbonne stepped on to the grass with Ermengarde, his
+noble Countess, his four sons, and many servants. King Louis and the
+Queen hastened to meet them, and amid cries of joy they mounted the
+steps into the hall. Aimeri sat beside the King of Saint-Denis, and
+the Countess was seated next the Queen, while the Knights placed
+themselves on the floor of the hall. And William sat also, but alone
+and apart, nursing his anger.
+
+At last he rose, and, advancing to the middle of the floor, he said
+with a loud voice: 'Heaven protect my mother, my father, my brothers
+and my friends; but may His curse alight on my sister and on the King,
+who have no hearts, and have left me to be the butt of all the mockers
+of the Court. By all the Saints! were not my father sitting next him,
+this sword should ere now have cloven his skull.' The King listened,
+pale with fright, and the Queen wished herself at Paris or at Senlis.
+The rest whispered to each other, 'William is angry, something will
+happen!'
+
+When Ermengarde and Aimeri saw their son standing before them great
+joy filled their souls. They left their seats and flung themselves on
+his neck, and William's brother also ran to greet him. The Count told
+them how he had been vanquished at the Aliscans, how Vivian had been
+killed, and he himself had fled to Orange, and of the distress in
+which he had left Gibourc. 'It was at her bidding I came here to ask
+aid from Louis, the base King, but from the way he has treated me I
+see plainly that he has no heart. By St. Peter! he shall repent before
+I go, and my sister also.'
+
+The King heard and again waxed cold with fear; the nobles heard and
+whispered low, 'Who is strong enough to compass this matter? No man,
+be he the bravest in France, ever went to his help and came back to
+tell the tale. Let him abandon Orange, and let the King give him
+instead the Vermandois.'
+
+It was the Lady Ermengarde who broke the silence. 'O God,' she cried,
+'to think that the Franks should be such cowards! And you, Sir Aimeri,
+has your courage failed you also? Have no fear, fair son William, I
+have still left gold that would fill thirty chariots, and I will give
+it to those who enrol themselves under your banner. I myself will don
+breastplate and shield, and will fight in the front rank of your
+army.'
+
+Aimeri smiled and sighed as he listened to her words, and his sons
+shed tears.
+
+William answered nothing, but remained standing in the middle of the
+hall, his eyes fixed on his sister sitting on her throne, with a small
+golden crown upon her head, and on her husband King Louis.
+
+'This, then, O King, is the reward of all I have done! When
+Charlemagne your father died, and all the Barons of the Empire met at
+Paris, you would have lost your crown if I had not forced them to
+place it upon your head.'
+
+'That is true,' answered the King, 'and in remembrance of your
+services I will to-day bestow on you a fief.'
+
+'Yes,' cried Blanchefleur, 'and no doubt will deprive me of one. A
+nice agreement, truly! Woe to him who dares carry it out.'
+
+'Be silent, woman without shame!' said William. 'Every word you speak
+proclaims the depth of your baseness! You pass your days wrapped in
+rich clothing, eating costly food, and drinking rare wines, and little
+you care that we endure heat and cold, hunger and thirst, and suffer
+wounds and death so that your life may be easy.' Then he bounded
+forwards and tore off the crown, and, drawing his sword, would have
+cut off her head had not Ermengarde wrenched the weapon from his
+hands. Before he could seize it again the Queen darted away and took
+refuge in her chamber, where she fell fainting on the floor.
+
+It was her daughter Alix, the fair and the wise, who raised her up and
+brought her back to consciousness; then heard with shame the tale she
+had to tell. 'How could you speak so to my uncle, the best man that
+ever wore a sword?' asked Alix. 'It was he who made you Queen of
+France, and the words that you uttered must have been taught you by
+devils.'
+
+'Yes, my daughter, you say truth,' answered the Queen, 'I have done
+ill, and if it rests with me I will make peace with my brother'; and
+she wept over her wicked speech, while Alix, red and white as the
+roses in May, went down into the hall, where the Franks were still
+whispering together, and calling curses on the head of William.
+
+They all rose as the maiden entered; Aimeri, her grandfather, took her
+in his arms, and her four uncles kissed her cheek. Her presence seemed
+to calm the anger and trouble which before had reigned throughout the
+hall, and Ermengarde flung herself at William's feet and besought his
+pardon for the Queen. William raised his mother from her knees, but
+his anger was not soothed. 'I have no love for the King,' he said,
+'and before night I will break his pride,' and he stood where he had
+been always standing, his face red with wrath, leaning on his naked
+sword. Not a sound was heard, and the eyes of all were fixed
+breathlessly upon William. Then in her turn Alix stepped forward and
+knelt at his feet. 'Punish me in my mother's place,' said she, 'and
+cut off my head if you will, or send me into exile, but let there be
+peace, I pray you, between you and my father and mother. Her ill words
+towards you did not come from her heart, but were put into her mouth
+by devils.'
+
+At the voice of Alix William's wrath melted, but at first he would
+promise nothing. 'Fair son William,' said Ermengarde again, 'be
+content. The King will do what you desire, and will aid you to the
+uttermost.'
+
+'Yes, I will aid you,' answered the King.
+
+So peace was made, the Queen was fetched, and they all sat down to a
+great feast.
+
+In this manner the pride of the King was broken.
+
+[Illustration: The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William-Shortnose]
+
+But when one man is shifty and another is hasty wrath is not apt to
+slumber long, and treaties of peace are easier made than kept. When
+the feast was over William pressed King Louis to prepare an army at
+once, so that no time might be lost in giving battle to the Infidels,
+but the King would bind himself to nothing. 'We will speak of it
+again,' said he; 'I will tell you to-morrow whether I will go or not.'
+
+At this answer William grew red with rage, and holding out a wand he
+said to the King, 'I give you back your fief. I will take nothing from
+you, and henceforth will neither be your friend nor your vassal.'
+
+'Keep your fief,' said Ernaut to his brother, 'and leave the King to
+do as he will. I will help you and my brothers also, and between us
+twenty thousand men shall march to the Aliscans, and deal death to any
+Infidels we shall find there.'
+
+'You speak weak words,' cried Aimeri; 'he is Seneschal of France, and
+also her Standard Bearer; he has a right to our help, and if that
+fails a right to vengeance.' And Alix approved of his saying, and the
+Queen likewise.
+
+The King saw that none was on his side and from fear of Aimeri and of
+his sons he dared refuse no longer. 'Count William, for love of you I
+will call together my army, and a hundred thousand men shall obey your
+commands. But I myself will not go with you, for my kingdom needs me
+badly.'
+
+'Remain, Sire,' answered William, 'I myself will lead the host.' And
+the King sent out his messengers, and soon a vast army was gathered
+under the walls of Laon.
+
+It was on one of these days when the Count stood in the great hall
+that there entered from the kitchen a young man whom he had never seen
+before. The youth, whose name was Rainouart, was tall; strong as a
+wild boar, and swift as a deer. The scullions and grooms had played
+off jests upon him during the night, but had since repented them
+sorely, for he had caught the leaders up in his arms and broken their
+heads against the walls. The rest, eager to avenge their comrades'
+death, prepared to overcome him with numbers, and in spite of his
+strength it might have gone ill with Rainouart had not Aimeri de
+Narbonne, hearing the noise, forbade more brawling.
+
+Count William was told of the unseemly scuffle, and asked the King who
+and what the young man was who could keep at bay so many of his
+fellows. 'I bought him once at sea,' said Louis, 'and paid a hundred
+marks for him. They pretend that he is the son of a Saracen, but he
+will never reveal the name of his father. Not knowing what to do with
+him, I sent him to the kitchen.'
+
+'Give him to me, King Louis,' said William, smiling, 'I promise you he
+shall have plenty to eat.'
+
+'Willingly,' answered the King.
+
+Far off in the kitchen Rainouart knew nothing of what was passing
+between the King and the Count, and his soul chafed at the sound of
+the horses' hoofs, and at the scraps of talk he heard let fall by the
+Knights, who were seeing to the burnishing of their armour before they
+started to fight the Unbelievers. 'To think,' he said to himself,
+'that I, who am of right King of Spain, should be loitering here,
+heaping logs on the fire and skimming the pot. But let King Louis look
+to himself! Before a year is past I will snatch the crown from his
+head.'
+
+When the army had finished its preparations and was ready to march he
+made up his mind what to do, and it was thus that he sought out
+William in the great hall. 'Noble Count, let me come with you, I
+implore you. I can help to look after the horses and cook the food,
+and if at any time blows are needed I can strike as well as any man.'
+
+'Good fellow,' answered William, who wished to try what stuff he was
+made of, 'you dream idle dreams! How could you, who have passed your
+days in the warmth of the kitchen, sleeping on the hearth when you
+were not busy turning the spit--how could you bear all the fatigue
+of war, the long fasts, and the longer watches? Before a month had
+passed you would be dead by the roadside!'
+
+[Illustration: ALIX KISSES RAINOUART]
+
+'Put me to the proof,' said he, 'and if you will not have me I will go
+alone to the Aliscans, and fight barefoot. My only weapon will be an
+iron-bound staff, and I promise you it shall kill as many Saracens as
+the best sword among you all.'
+
+'Come then,' answered the Count.
+
+The next morning the army set forth, and Alix and the Queen
+Blanchefleur watched them go from the steps of the Palace. When Alix
+saw Rainouart stepping proudly along with his heavy staff on his
+shoulder her heart stirred, and she said to her mother, 'See, what a
+goodly young man! In the whole army there is not one like him! Let me
+bid him farewell, for nevermore shall I see his match.'
+
+'Peace! my daughter,' answered the Queen, 'I hope indeed that he may
+never more return to Laon.' But Alix took no heed of her mother's
+words, but signed to Rainouart to draw near. Then Alix put her arms
+round his neck, and said, 'Brother, you have been a long time at
+Court, and now you are going to fight under my uncle's banner. If ever
+I have given you pain, I ask your pardon.' After that she kissed him,
+and bade him go.
+
+At Orleans William took leave of his father Count Aimeri and his
+mother Ermengarde, the noble Countess, who returned to their home at
+Narbonne, and also of his brothers, who promised to return to meet
+William under the walls of Orange, which they did faithfully. He
+himself led his army by a different road, and pressed on quickly till
+he came in sight of his native city. But little of it could he see,
+for a great smoke covered all the land, rising up from the burning
+towers which the Saracens had that morning set on fire. Enter the city
+they could not, for Gibourc and her ladies held it firm, and, armed
+with helmets and breastplates, flung stones upon the head of any
+Saracen who appeared on the walls. So the Unbelievers fell back and
+took the way to the Aliscans, there to build as quickly as they might
+an engine to bring up against the tower and overthrow it.
+
+When William beheld the smoke, and whence it came, he cried 'Orange is
+burning! Holy Saint Mary, Gibourc is carried captive! To arms! To
+arms!' And he spurred his horse to Orange, Rainouart running by his
+side. From her tower Gibourc saw through the smoke a thousand banners
+waving and the sparkle of armour, and heard the sound of the horses'
+hoofs, and it seemed to her that the Infidels were drawing near anew.
+'Oh, William!' cried she, 'have you really forgotten me? Noble Count,
+you linger overlong! Never more shall I look upon your face.' And so
+saying she fell fainting on the floor.
+
+But something stirred the pulses of Gibourc, and she soon sat up
+again, and there at the gate was William the Count, with Rainouart
+behind him. 'Fear nothing, noble lady,' said he, 'it is the army of
+France that I have brought with me. Open, and welcome to us!' The news
+seemed so good to Gibourc that she could not believe it, and she bade
+the Count unlace his helmet, so that she might indeed be sure that it
+was he. William did her bidding, then like an arrow she ran to the
+gate and let down the drawbridge, and William stepped across it and
+embraced her tenderly. Then he ordered his army to take up its
+quarters in the city.
+
+Gibourc's eyes had fallen upon Rainouart, who had passed her on his
+way to the kitchen, where he meant to leave his stout wooden staff.
+'Tell me,' said she to the Count, 'who is that young man who bears
+lightly on his shoulder that huge piece of wood which would weigh down
+a horse? He is handsome and well made. Where did you find him?'
+
+'Lady,' answered William, 'he was given me by the King.'
+
+'My Lord,' said Gibourc, 'be sure you see that he is honourably
+treated. He looks to me to be of high birth. Has he been baptized?'
+
+'No, Madam, he is not a Christian. He was brought from Spain as a
+child, and kept for seven years in the kitchen. But take him, I pray
+you, under your protection, and do with him as you will.'
+
+The Count was hungry, and while waiting for dinner to be served he
+stood with Gibourc at the windows which looked out beyond the city. An
+army was drawing near; thousands of men, well mounted and freshly
+equipped. 'Gibourc!' cried the Count joyfully, 'here is my brother
+Ernaut de Gironde, with his vassals. Now all the Saracens in the world
+shall not prevent Bertrand from being delivered to-morrow.'
+
+'No,' answered Gibourc, 'nor Vivian from being avenged.'
+
+On all sides warriors began to arrive, led by the fathers of those who
+had been taken prisoners with Bertrand, and with them came Aimeri de
+Narbonne and the brothers of William. Glad was the heart of the Count
+as he bade them welcome to his Palace of Gloriette, and ordered a
+feast to be made ready, and showed each Knight where he should sit.
+
+It was late before the supper was served, but when every man had his
+trencher filled Rainouart entered the hall, armed with his staff, and
+stood leaning against a pillar, watching the noble company. 'Sir,'
+said Aimeri, the man whom the Saracens most dreaded, 'who is it that I
+see standing there holding a piece of wood that five peasants could
+hardly lift? Does he mean to murder us?'
+
+'That youth,' replied William, 'is a gift to me from King Louis. None
+living is as strong as he.' Then Aimeri called Rainouart, and bade him
+sit at his side, and eat and drink as he would. 'Noble Count,' said
+Aimeri, 'such men grow not on every bush. Keep him and cherish him,
+and bring him with you to the Aliscans. For with his staff he will
+slay many Pagans.'
+
+'Yes,' answered Rainouart, 'wherever I appear the Pagans will fall
+dead at the sight of me.' Aimeri and William laughed to hear him, but
+ere four days were past they had learnt what he was worth.
+
+Rainouart went back to the kitchen and slept soundly, but as he had
+drunk much wine the cooks and scullions thought to play jokes upon
+him, and lighted some wooden shavings with which to burn his
+moustache. At the first touch of the flame Rainouart leapt to his
+feet, seized the head cook by his legs, flung him on to the blazing
+fire, and turned for another victim, but they had all fled.
+
+At daybreak they went to William to complain of the death of their
+chief, and to pray for vengeance on his murderer. If the Count would
+not forbid him the kitchen, not a morsel of food would they cook. But
+William only laughed at their threats, and said, 'Beware henceforth
+how you meddle with Rainouart, or it will cost you dear. Did I not
+forbid anyone to mock at him, and do you dare to disobey my orders?
+Lady Gibourc, take Rainouart to your chamber, and keep him beside
+you.'
+
+So the Countess went to the kitchen to look for Rainouart and found
+him sitting on a bench, his head leaning against his staff. She sat
+down by him and said graciously, 'Brother, come with me. I will give
+you my ermine pelisse and a mantle of marten, and we will have some
+talk together.'
+
+'Willingly,' answered Rainouart, 'the more as I can hardly keep my
+hands off these low-born scoundrels.'
+
+He followed Gibourc to her room, and then she questioned him about
+himself and the days of his childhood.
+
+'Have you brothers or sisters?' asked she.
+
+[Illustration: THE LADY GIBOURC WITH RAINOUART IN THE KITCHEN]
+
+'Yes,' he answered, 'beyond the sea I have a brother who is a King,
+and a sister who is more beautiful than a fairy,' and as he spoke
+he bent his head. Something in her heart told Gibourc that this might
+be her brother, but she only asked again, 'Where do you come from?'
+
+'Lady,' he replied, 'I will answer that question the day I come back
+from the battle which William shall have won, thanks to my aid.'
+
+Gibourc kept silence, but she opened a chest and drew from it a white
+breastplate that had belonged to the Emir Tournefer, her uncle, which
+was so finely wrought that no sword could pierce it. Likewise a helmet
+of steel and a sword that could cut through iron more easily than a
+scythe cuts grass. 'My friend,' she said, 'buckle this sword to your
+left side. It may be useful to you.' Rainouart took the sword and drew
+it from its scabbard, but it seemed so light that he threw it down
+again. 'Lady,' he cried, 'what good can such a plaything do me? But
+with my staff between my hands there is not a Pagan that can stand up
+against me, and if one escapes then let Count William drive me from
+his door.'
+
+At this Gibourc felt sure this was indeed her brother, but she did not
+yet like to ask him more questions, and in her joy and wonder she
+began to weep. 'Lady Countess,' said Rainouart, 'do not weep. As long
+as my staff is whole William shall be safe.'
+
+'My friend, may Heaven protect you,' she answered, 'but a man without
+armour is soon cut down; one blow will be his death. So take these
+things and wear them in battle,' and she laced on the helmet, and
+buckled the breastplate, and fastened the sword on his thigh. 'If your
+staff breaks, it may serve you,' said she.
+
+Rainouart's heart was proud indeed when the armour was girded on him,
+and he sat himself down well pleased at William's table. The Knights
+vied with each other in pouring him out bumpers of wine, and after
+dinner every man tried to lift his iron-bound staff, but none could
+raise it from the ground, except William himself, who by putting forth
+all his strength lifted it the height of a foot.
+
+'Let me aid you,' said Rainouart, and catching it up he whirled it
+round his head, throwing it lightly from hand to hand. 'We are wasting
+time,' he went on. 'I fear lest the Pagans should fly before we come
+up with them. If I only have the chance to make them feel the weight
+of my staff, I shall soon sweep the battle-field clean.' And William
+embraced him for these words, and ordered the trumpets to be sounded
+and the army to march.
+
+From her window Gibourc watched them go. She saw the Knights, each
+with his following, stream out into the plain, their banners floating
+on the wind, their helmets shining in the sun, their shields
+glittering with gold. She heard their horses neigh with delight, as
+they snuffed up the air, and she prayed God to bless all this noble
+host.
+
+After two days' march they came within sight of the Aliscans, but for
+five miles round the country was covered by the Pagan army. William
+perceived that some of his men quailed at the number of the foe, so he
+turned and spoke to his soldiers. 'My good lords,' he said, 'a fearful
+battle awaits us, and we must not give way an inch. If any man feels
+afraid let him go back to his own land. This is no place for cowards.'
+
+The cowards heard joyfully, and without shame took the road by which
+they had come. They spurred their horses and thought themselves safe,
+but they rejoiced too soon.
+
+At the mouth of a bridge Rainouart met them, and he took them for
+Pagans who were flying for their lives. But when he saw that they were
+part of the Christian host he raised his staff and barred their
+passage. 'Where are you going?' asked he. 'To France, for rest,'
+answered the cowards; 'the Count has dismissed us, and when we reach
+our homes we shall bathe ourselves and have good cheer, and see to the
+rebuilding of our castles, which have fallen into ill-repair during
+the wars. With William one has to bear pains without end, and at
+the last to die suffering. Come with us, if you are a wise man.'
+
+[Illustration: RAINOUART STOPS THE COWARDS]
+
+'Ask someone else,' said Rainouart; 'Count William has given me the
+command of the army, and it is to him that I have to render account.
+Do you think I shall let you run away like hares? By Saint Denis! not
+another step shall you stir!' And, swinging his staff round his head,
+he laid about him. Struck dumb with terror at the sight of their
+comrades falling rapidly round them they had no mind to go on, and
+cried with one voice, 'Sir Rainouart, we will return and fight with
+you in the Aliscans; you shall lead us whither you will.' So they
+turned their horses' heads and rode the way they had come, and
+Rainouart followed, keeping guard over them with his staff. When they
+reached the army he went straight to William, and begged that he might
+have the command of them. 'I will change them into a troop of lions,'
+said he.
+
+Harsh words and gibes greeted the cowards, but Rainouart soon forced
+the mockers to silence. 'Leave my men alone!' he cried, 'or by the
+faith I owe to Gibourc I will make you. I am a King's son, and the
+time has come to show you what manner of man I am. I have idled long,
+but I will idle no longer. I am of the blood royal, and the saying is
+true that good blood cannot lie.'
+
+'How well he speaks!' whispered the Franks to each other, for they
+dared not let their voices be heard.
+
+Now the battle was to begin, for the two armies were drawn up in
+fighting array, and Rainouart took his place at the head of his
+cowards opposite the Saracens, from which race he sprang.
+
+The charge was sounded, and the two armies met with a shock, and many
+a man fell from his horse and was trampled under foot. 'Narbonne!
+Narbonne!' shouted Aimeri, advancing within reach of a crossbow shot,
+and he would have been slain had not his sons dashed to his rescue.
+Count William did miracles, and the Saracens were driven so far back
+that Rainouart feared that the battle would be ended before he had
+struck a blow.
+
+Followed by his troop of cowards Rainouart made straight for the
+enemy, and before him they fell as corn before a sickle. 'Strike,
+soldiers,' shouted he; 'strike and avenge the noble Vivian; woe to the
+King Desrame if he crosses my path.' And a messenger came and said to
+Desrame, 'It is Rainouart with the iron staff, the strongest man in
+the world.'
+
+Rainouart and his cowards pressed on and on, and the Saracens fell
+back, step by step, till they reached the sea, where their ships were
+anchored.
+
+Then Rainouart drove his staff in the sand, and by its help swung
+himself on board a small vessel, which happened to be the very one in
+which the nephews of William were imprisoned. He laid about him right
+and left with his staff, till he had slain all the gaolers, and at
+last he came to a young man whose eyes were bandaged and his feet tied
+together. 'Who are you?' asked Rainouart.
+
+'I am Bertrand of France, nephew of William Short Nose. Four months
+ago I was taken captive by the Pagans, and if, as I think, they carry
+me into Arabia, then may God have pity on my soul, for it is all over
+with my body.'
+
+'Sir Count,' answered Rainouart, 'for love of William I will deliver
+you.'
+
+Bertrand was set free and his companions also. Seizing the weapons of
+the dead Saracens, they scrambled on shore, and, while fighting for
+their lives, looked about for their uncle, whom they knew at last by
+the sweep of his sword, which kept a clean space round him. More than
+once Rainouart swept back fresh foes that were pressing forwards till
+the tide of battle carried him away and brought him opposite Desrame
+the King. 'Who are you?' asked Desrame, struck by his face, for there
+was nothing royal in his dress or his arms.
+
+'I am Rainouart, vassal of William whom I love, and if you do hurt to
+him I will do hurt to you also.'
+
+'Rainouart, I am your father,' cried Desrame, and he besought him to
+forswear Christianity and to become a follower of Mahomet; but
+Rainouart turned a deaf ear, and challenged him to continue the
+combat. Desrame was no match for his son, and was soon struck from his
+horse. 'Oh, wretch that I am,' said Rainouart to himself, 'I have
+slain my brothers and wounded my father--it is my staff which has done
+all this evil,' and he flung it far from him.
+
+He would have been wiser to have kept it, for in a moment three giants
+surrounded him, and he had only his fists with which to beat them
+back. Suddenly his hand touched the sword buckled on him by Gibourc,
+which he had forgotten, and he drew it from its scabbard, and with
+three blows clove the heads of the giants in twain. Meanwhile King
+Desrame took refuge in the only ship that had not been sunk by the
+Christians, and spread its sails. 'Come back whenever you like, fair
+father,' called Rainouart after him.
+
+The fight was over; the Saracens acknowledged that they were beaten,
+and the booty they had left behind them was immense. The army, wearied
+with the day's toil, lay down to sleep, but before midnight Rainouart
+was awake and trumpets called to arms. 'Vivian must be buried,' said
+he, 'and then the march to Orange will begin.'
+
+Rainouart rode at the head, his sword drawn, prouder than a lion; and
+as he went along a poor peasant threw himself before him, asking for
+vengeance on some wretches who had torn up a field of beans which was
+all he had with which to feed his family. Rainouart ordered the
+robbers to be brought before him and had them executed. Then he gave
+to the peasant their horses and their armour in payment of the ruined
+beans. 'Ah, it has turned out a good bargain for me,' said the
+peasant. 'Blessed be the hour when I sowed such a crop.'
+
+William entered into his Palace, where a great feast was spread for
+the visitors, but one man only remained outside the walls, and that
+was Rainouart, of whom no one thought in the hour of triumph. His
+heart swelled with bitterness as he thought of the blows he had given,
+and the captives he had set free, and, weeping with anger, he turned
+his face towards the Aliscans. On the road some Knights met him, and
+asked him whither he was going and why he looked so sad. Then his
+wrath and grief burst out, and he told how he mourned that ever he had
+slain a man in William's cause, and that he was now hastening to serve
+under the banner of Mahomet, and would shortly return with a hundred
+thousand men behind him, and would avenge himself on France and her
+King. Only towards Alix would he show any pity!
+
+In vain the Knights tried to soften his heart, it was too sore to
+listen. So they rode fast to Orange and told the Count what Rainouart
+had said.
+
+'I have done him grievous wrong,' answered William, and ordered twenty
+Knights to ride after him. But the Knights were received with threats
+and curses, and came back to Orange faster than they had left it,
+thinking that Rainouart was at their heels.
+
+William smiled when he heard the tale of his messengers, and bade them
+bring his horse, and commanded that a hundred Knights should follow
+him, and prayed Gibourc to ride at his side. They found Rainouart
+entering a vessel whose sails were already spread, and all William's
+entreaties would have availed nothing had not Gibourc herself implored
+his forgiveness.
+
+'I am your brother,' cried Rainouart, throwing himself on her neck; 'I
+may confess it now, and for you I will pardon the Count's ingratitude
+and never more will I remind you of it.'
+
+There was great joy in Orange when William rode through the gates with
+Rainouart beside him, and the next day the Count made him his
+Seneschal, and he was baptized. Then William sent his brothers on an
+embassy to the King in Paris, to beg that he would bestow the hand of
+Princess Alix on Rainouart, son of King Desrame and brother of Lady
+Gibourc. And when the embassy returned Alix returned with it, and the
+marriage took place with great splendour; but to the end of his life,
+whenever Rainouart felt cold, he warmed himself in the kitchen.
+
+
+
+
+WAYLAND THE SMITH
+
+_WAYLAND THE SMITH_
+
+
+Far up to the north of Norway and Sweden, looking straight at the
+Pole, lies the country of Finmark. It is very cold and very bare, and
+for half the year very dark; but inside its stony mountains are rich
+stores of metals, and the strong, ugly men of the country spent their
+lives in digging out the ore and in working it. Like many people who
+dwell in mountains, they saw and heard strange things, which were
+unknown to the inhabitants of the lands to the south.
+
+Now in Finmark there were three brothers whose names were Slagfid,
+Eigil, and Wayland, all much handsomer and cleverer than their
+neighbours. They had some money of their own, but this did not prevent
+them working as hard as anyone else; and as they were either very
+clever or very lucky, they were soon in a fair way to grow rich.
+
+One day they went to a new part of the mountains which was yet
+untouched, and began to throw up the earth with their pick-axes; but
+instead of the iron they expected to see they found they had lighted
+upon a mine of gold. This discovery pleased them greatly and their
+blows became stronger and harder, for the gold was deep in the rock
+and it was not easy to get it out. At last a huge lump rolled out at
+their feet, and when they picked it up they saw three stones shining
+in it, one red and one blue and one green. They took it home to their
+mother, who began to weep bitterly at the sight of it. 'What is the
+matter?' asked her sons anxiously, for they knew things lay open to
+her which were hidden from others.
+
+'Ah, my sons,' she said as soon as she could speak, 'you will have
+much happiness, but I shall be forced to part with you. Therefore I
+shed tears, for I hoped that only death would divide us! Green is the
+grass, blue is the sky, red are the roses, golden is the maiden. The
+Norns' (for so in that country they called the Fates) 'beckon you to a
+land where green fields lie under a blue sky, fields where
+golden-haired maidens lie among the flowers.'
+
+Great was the joy of the three brothers when they heard the words of
+their mother; for they hated the looks of the women who dwelt about
+them, and longed for the tall stature and white skins of the maidens
+of the south.
+
+Next morning they rose early and buckled on their swords and coats of
+mail, and fastened on their heads helmets that they had made the day
+before from the lump of gold. In the centre of Slagfid's helmet was
+the green stone, and in the centre of Eigil's was the blue stone, and
+in the centre of Wayland's was the red stone; and when they were ready
+they put their reindeer into their sledges, and set out over the snow.
+
+When they reached the mountains where only yesterday they had been
+digging they saw by the light of the moon a host of little men running
+to meet them. They were dressed all in grey, except for their caps,
+which were red; they had red eyes, too, and black tongues, which never
+ceased chattering. These were the mountain elves, and when they came
+near they formed themselves into a fairy ring, and sang while they
+danced round it:
+
+    Will you leave us? Will you leave us?
+    Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland, sons of a King.
+    Is not the emerald better than grass?
+    Is not the ruby better than roses?
+    Is not the sapphire better than the sky?
+    Why do you leave the mountains of Finmark?
+
+[Illustration: The Three Women By The Stream]
+
+But Eigil was impatient and struck his reindeer, that willing beast
+which flies like the wind and needs not the touch of a whip. It
+bounded forward in surprise, and knocked down one of the elves that
+stood in its path. But the hands of his brothers laid hold of the
+reins, and stopped the reindeer, and sang again,
+
+    The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,
+        Lies under the earth;
+    Seek not without what we offer within,
+    Despise not the elves, small and dark though they be.
+        The best is within, do not seek it without:
+        The Finlander's world, the Finlander's joy,
+        Lies under the earth.
+
+Slagfid struck his reindeer. It bounded forward and struck down an elf
+who stood in its road. Then his brothers stood in its path, and
+stopped the reindeer, and sang:
+
+        Because Slagfid struck his reindeer,
+        Because Eigil struck his reindeer,
+          Our hatred shall follow you.
+    A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.
+        Because Wayland also forsook us,
+        Though he struck not the reindeer,
+    A time of weal, a time of woe, a time of grief, a time of joy.
+        Farewell, O Finlanders, sons of a King.
+
+Their voices died away as they crossed a bright strip of moonlight
+which lay between them and the mountains and were seen no more.
+
+The brothers thought no more about them or their words, but went
+swiftly on their way south, sleeping at night in their reindeer skins.
+
+After many days they came to a lake full of fish, in a place which was
+called the Valley of Wolves, because of the number of wolves which hid
+there. But the Finlanders did not mind the wolves, and built a house
+close to the lake, and hunted bears, and caught fish through holes in
+the ice, till winter had passed away and spring had come. Then one
+day they noticed that the sky was blue and the earth covered with
+flowers.
+
+By-and-by they noticed something more, and that was that three maidens
+were sitting on the grass, spinning flax on the bank of a stream.
+Their eyes were blue, and their skins were white as the snow on the
+mountains, while instead of the mantles of swansdown they generally
+wore, golden hair covered their shoulders.
+
+The hearts of the brothers beat as they looked on the maidens, who
+were such as they had often dreamed of, but had never seen; and as
+they drew near they found to their surprise that the maidens were
+dressed each in red, green, and blue garments, and the meadow was so
+thickly dotted with yellow flowers that it seemed as if it were a mass
+of solid gold.
+
+'Hail, noble princes! Hail, Slagfid, Eigil, and Wayland,' sang the
+maidens.
+
+    Swanvite, Alvilda, and Alruna are sent by the Norns,
+    To bring joy to the princes of Finland.
+
+Then the tongues of the young men were unloosed, and Slagfid married
+Swanvite, Eigil Alruna, and Wayland Alvilda.
+
+For nine years they all lived on the shores of the lake, and no people
+in the world were as happy as these six: till one morning the three
+wives stood before their husbands and said with weeping eyes:
+
+'Dear lords, the time has now come when we must bid you farewell, for
+we are not allowed to stay with you any longer. We are Norns--or, as
+some call us, Valkyrie. Nine years of joy are granted to us, but these
+are paid for by nine years during which we hover round the combatants
+on every field of battle. But bear your souls in patience, for on
+earth all things have an end, and in nine years we will return to be
+your wives as before.'
+
+'But we shall be getting old then,' answered the brothers, 'and you
+will have forgotten us. Stay now, we pray you, for we love you well.'
+
+'_We_ are not mortals to grow old,' said the Norns, 'and true love
+does not grow old either. Still, we do not wish you to fall sick with
+grieving, so we leave you these three keys, with which you may open
+the mountain, and busy yourselves by digging out the treasures it
+contains. By the time the nine years are over you will have become
+rich men, and men of renown.' So they laid down the keys and vanished.
+
+For a long while the young men only left their houses to seek for
+food, so dreary had the Valley of Wolves become. At last Slagfid and
+Eigil could bear it no longer, and declared they would travel through
+the whole world till they found their wives; but Wayland, the
+youngest, determined to stay at home.
+
+'You would do much better to remain where you are,' said he. 'You do
+not know in which direction to look for them, and it is useless to
+seek on earth for those who fly through the air. You will only lose
+yourselves, and starve, and when the nine years are ended who can tell
+where you may be?'
+
+But his words fell on deaf ears; for Slagfid and Eigil merely filled
+their wallets with food and their horns with drink, and prepared to
+take leave of their brother. Wayland embraced them weeping, for he
+feared that he would never more see them, and once again he implored
+them to give up their quest. Slagfid and Eigil only shook their heads.
+'We have no rest, night or day, without them,' they said, and they
+begged him to look after their property till they came back again.
+
+Wayland saw that more words would be wasted, so he walked with them to
+the edge of the forest, where their ways would part. Then Slagfid
+said, 'Our fathers, when they went a journey, left behind them a token
+by which it might be known whether they were dead or alive, and I will
+do so also.' So he stamped heavily on the soft ground, and added, 'As
+long as this footmark remains sharp and clear, I shall be safe. If it
+is filled with water I shall be drowned; if with blood, I shall have
+fallen in battle. But if it is filled with earth an illness will have
+killed me, and I shall lie under the ground.' Thus he did, and Eigil
+did likewise. Then they cut stout sticks to aid their journeys, and
+went their ways.
+
+Wayland stood gazing after them as long as they were in sight, then he
+went sadly home.
+
+Slagfid and Eigil walked steadily on through the day, and when evening
+came they reached a stream bordered with trees, where they took off
+their golden helmets and sat down to rest and eat. They had gone far
+that day and were tired, and drank somewhat heavily, so that they knew
+not what they did. 'If I lose my Swanvite,' said Slagfid, 'I am
+undone. She is the fairest woman that sun ever looked on, or that man
+ever loved.'
+
+'It is a lie,' answered Eigil. 'I know one lovelier still, and her
+name is Alruna. Odin does not love Freya so fondly as Eigil adores
+her.'
+
+'It is no lie,' cried Slagfid, 'and may shame fall on him who slanders
+me.'
+
+'And I,' answered Eigil, 'stand to what I have said, and declare that
+you are the liar.' At this they both drew their swords and fell
+fighting, till Slagfid struck Eigil's helmet so hard that the jewel
+flew into a thousand pieces, while Eigil himself fell backwards into
+the river.
+
+Slagfid stood still, leaning on his sword and looking at the river
+into which his brother had fallen. Suddenly the trees behind him
+rustled, and a voice came out of them, saying, 'A time of weal, a time
+of woe, a time of tears, a time of death'; and though he could see
+nothing he remembered the mountain elves, and thought how true their
+prophecy had been. 'I have slain my brother,' he said to himself, 'my
+wife has forsaken me; I am miserable and alone. What shall I do? Go
+back to Wayland, or follow Eigil into the river? No. After all I
+may find my wife. The Norns do not always bring misfortune.'
+
+[Illustration: Slagfid pursues the Wraith over the Mountains]
+
+As he spoke a light gleamed in the darkness of the night, and, looking
+up, Slagfid saw it was shed by a bright star which seemed to be
+drawing nearer to the earth, and the nearer it drew the more its shape
+seemed to change into a human figure. Then Slagfid knew that it was
+his wife Swanvite floating just over his head and encircled by a rim
+of clear green light. He could not speak for joy, but held out his
+arms to her. She beckoned to him to follow her, and, drawing out a
+lute, played on it, and Slagfid, flinging away his sword and coat of
+mail, began to climb the mountain. Half way up it seemed to him as if
+a hand from behind was pulling him back, and turning he fancied he
+beheld his mother and heard her say, 'My son, seek not after vain
+shadows, which yet may be your ruin. Strive not against the will of
+Odin, nor against the Norns.' The words caused Slagfid to pause for a
+moment, then the figure of Swanvite danced before him and beckoned to
+him again, and his mother was forgotten. There were rivers to swim,
+precipices to climb, chasms to leap, but he passed them all gladly
+till at last he noticed that the higher he got the less the figure
+seemed like Swanvite. He felt frightened and tried to turn back, but
+he could not. On he had to go, till just as he reached the top of the
+mountain the first rays of the sun appeared above the horizon, and he
+saw that, instead of Swanvite, he had followed a black elf.
+
+He paused and looked over the green plain that lay thousands of feet
+below him, cool and inviting after the stony mountain up which he had
+come. 'A time of death,' whispered the black elf in his ear, and
+Slagfid flung himself over the precipice.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After his brothers had forsaken him Wayland went to bed lonely and
+sad; but the next morning he got up and looked at the three keys that
+the Norns had left behind them. One was of copper, one was of iron,
+and one was of gold. Taking up the copper one, he walked to the
+mountain till he reached a flat wall of rock. He laid his key against
+it, and immediately the mountain flew open and showed a cave where
+everything was green. Green emeralds studded the rocks, green crystals
+hung from the ceiling or formed rows of pillars, even the copper which
+made the walls of the cave had a coating of green. Wayland broke off a
+huge projecting lump and left the cave, which instantly closed up so
+that not a crack remained to tell where the opening had been.
+
+He carried the lump home, and put it into the fire till all the earth
+and stones which clung to it were burned away; and then he fashioned
+the pure copper into a helmet, and in the front of the helmet he set
+three of his largest emeralds.
+
+This occupied some days, and when it was done he took the iron key,
+and went to another mountain, and laid the key against the rock, which
+flew open like the other one. But now the walls were of iron, which
+shone like blue steel, while sapphires glittered in the midst. From an
+opening above, the blue of the sky was reflected in the river beneath,
+and gentians and other blue flowers grew along the edge. Wayland gazed
+with wonder at all these things; then he broke off a piece of the
+iron, and carried it home with him. For many days after he busied
+himself in forging a sword that was so supple he could wind it round
+his body, and so sharp it could cut through a rock as if it had been a
+stick. In the handle and in the sheath he set some of the finest
+sapphires that he had brought away with him.
+
+When all was finished he laid the sword aside, and returned to the
+mountain, with the golden key. This time the mountain parted, and he
+saw before him an archway, with a glimpse of the sea in the distance.
+Before the entrance roses were lying, and inside the golden walls
+sparkled with rubies, while branches of red coral filled every
+crevice. Vines clambered about the pillars, and bore large bunches of
+red grapes.
+
+Wayland stood long, looking at these marvels; then he plucked some of
+the grapes, broke off a lump of gold, and set out home again.
+
+Next day he began to make himself a golden breastplate, and in it he
+placed the jewels, and it was so bright that you could have seen the
+glitter a mile off.
+
+After he had tried all the three keys, and found out the secrets of
+the mountain, Wayland felt dull, and as if he had nothing to do or to
+think about. So his mind went back to his brothers, and he wondered
+how they had fared all this time. The first thing he did was to go to
+the edge of the forest, and see if he could find the two footprints
+they had left. He soon arrived at the spot where they had taken
+farewell of each other, but a blue pool of water covered the trace of
+Eigil's foot. He turned to look at the impression made by Slagfid, but
+fresh green grass had sprung up over it, and on a birch-tree near it a
+bird had perched, which sang a mournful song.
+
+Then Wayland knew that his brothers were dead, and he returned to his
+hut, grieving sore.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a long time before Wayland could bring himself to go out, so
+great was his sorrow; but at last he roused himself from his misery,
+and went to the mountain for more gold, meaning to work hard till the
+nine years should be over and he should get his wife back again. All
+day long he stood in his forge, smelting and hammering, till he had
+made hundreds of suits of armour and thousands of swords, and his fame
+travelled far, so that all men spoke of his industry. At last he grew
+tired of making armour, and hammered a number of gold rings, which he
+strung on strips of bark, and as he hammered he thought of Alvilda
+his wife, and how the rings would gleam on her arms when once she came
+back again.
+
+Now at this time Nidud the Little reigned over Sweden, and was hated
+by his people, for he was vain and cowardly and had many other bad
+qualities. It came to his ears that away in the forests lived a man
+who was very rich, and worked all day long in pure gold. The King was
+one of those people who could not bear to see anyone with things which
+he did not himself possess, and he began to make plans how to get hold
+of Wayland's wealth. At length he called together his chief
+counsellors, and said to them: 'I hear a man has come to my kingdom
+who is called Wayland, famous in many lands for his skill in
+sword-making. I have set men to inquire after him, and I have found
+that when first he came here he was poor and of no account, so he must
+have grown rich either by magic or else by violence. I command,
+therefore, that my stoutest men-at-arms should buckle on their iron
+breastplates and ride in the dead of night to Wayland's house, and
+seize his goods and his person.'
+
+'King Nidud,' answered one of the courtiers, 'that you should take
+himself and his goods is well, but why send a troop of soldiers
+against one man? If he is no sorcerer, then a single one of your
+soldiers could take him captive; but if, on the other hand, he is a
+magician, then a whole army could do nothing with him against his
+will.' At this reply the King flew in a rage, and, snatching up a
+sword, ran it through his counsellor's body; then, turning to the
+rest, told them that they would suffer the same fate if they refused
+to submit to his will.
+
+So the men-at-arms put on all their armour, and, mounting their
+horses, set forth at sunset to Wayland's house, King Nidud riding at
+their head. The door stood wide open, and they entered quietly, in
+deadly fear lest Wayland should attack them. But no one was inside,
+and they looked about, their eyes dazzled by the gold on the walls.
+The King gazed with wonder and delight at the long string of golden
+rings, and, slipping the finest off a strip of bark, placed it on his
+finger. At that moment steps were heard in the outer court, and the
+King hastily desired his followers to hide themselves and not to stir
+till he signed to them to do so. In another moment Wayland stood in
+the doorway, carrying on his shoulders a bear which he had killed with
+his spear and was bringing home for supper. He was both tired and
+hungry, for he had been hunting all day; but he had first to skin the
+animal, and make a bright fire, before he could cut off some steaks
+and cook them at the end of the spear. Then he poured some mead into a
+cup and drank, as he always did, to the memory of his brothers. After
+that he spread out his bear's skin to dry in the wind, and this done
+he stretched himself out on his bed and went to sleep.
+
+King Nidud waited till he thought all was safe, then crept forth with
+his men, who held heavy chains in their hands wherewith to chain the
+sleeping Wayland. But the task was harder than they expected, and he
+started up in wrath, asking why he should be treated so. 'If you want
+my gold, take it and release me. It is useless fighting against such
+odds.'
+
+'I am no robber,' said the King, 'but Nidud your sovereign.'
+
+'You do me much honour,' replied Wayland, 'but what have I done to be
+loaded with chains like this?'
+
+'Wayland, I know you well,' said Nidud. 'Poor enough you were when you
+came from Finland, and now your jewels are finer and your drinking
+cups heavier than mine.'
+
+'If I am indeed a thief,' answered Wayland, 'then you do well to load
+me with chains and lead me bound into your dungeons; but if not, I ask
+again, Why do you misuse me?'
+
+'Riches do not come of themselves,' said Nidud, 'and if you are not a
+thief, then you must be a magician and must be watched.'
+
+'If I were a magician,' answered Wayland, 'it would be easy for me to
+burst these bonds. I know not that ever I have wronged any man, but if
+he can prove it I will restore it to him tenfold. As to the gifts that
+may come from the gods, no man should grudge them to his fellow.
+Therefore release me, O King, and I will pay whatever ransom you may
+fix.'
+
+But Nidud only bade his guards take him away, and Wayland, seeing that
+resistance availed nothing, went with them quietly. By the King's
+orders he was thrown into a dark hole fifteen fathoms under ground,
+and the soldiers then came and robbed the house of all its treasures,
+which they took to the Palace. The ring which Wayland had made for his
+wife, Nidud gave to his daughter Banvilda.
+
+One day the Queen was playing the harp in her own room when the King
+came in to ask her counsel how best to deal with Wayland, as he did
+not think it wise to put him to death, for he hoped to make some
+profit out of his skill. 'His heart will beat high,' said the Queen,
+'when he sees his good sword, and beholds his ring on Banvilda's
+finger. But cut asunder the sinews of his strength, so that he can
+never more escape from us, and keep him a prisoner on the island of
+Savarsted.'
+
+The King was pleased with the Queen's words, and sent soldiers to
+carry Wayland to the tower on the island. The sinews of his leg were
+cut so that he could not swim away; but they gave him his boots, and
+the chests of gold they had found in his house. Here he was left, with
+nothing to do from morning till night but to make helmets and drinking
+cups and splendid armour for the King.
+
+On this island Wayland remained for a whole year, chained to a stone
+and visited by no one but the King, who came from time to time to see
+how his prisoner was getting on with a suit of golden armour he had
+been ordered to make. The shield was also of gold, and on it Wayland
+had beaten out a history of the gods and their great deeds. He was
+very miserable, for the hope of revenge which had kept him alive
+seemed as far off as ever in its fulfilment, and finding a sword he
+had lately forged lying close to his hand, he seized it, with the
+intent of putting an end to his wretched life. He had hardly stretched
+out his hand when a bird began to sing at the iron bars of his window,
+while the evening sun shone into his prison. 'I should like to see the
+world once more,' thought he, and, raising himself on the stone to
+which his chain was fastened, he was able to look at what lay beneath
+him. The sea washed the base of the rock on which the tower was built,
+and on a neck of land a little way off some children were playing
+before the door of a hut. Everything was bathed in red light from the
+glow of the setting sun.
+
+Wayland stood quite still on the top of the stone, gazing at the scene
+with all his eyes, yet thinking of the land of his birth, which was so
+different. Then he looked again at the sea, which was already turning
+to steel, and in the distance he saw something moving on the waves. As
+it came nearer he discovered it was a young Nixie, or water sprite,
+and she held a lyre in her hand, and sang a song which blended with
+the murmur of the waves and the notes of the bird. And the song put
+new life and courage into his heart, for it told him that if he would
+endure and wait the pleasure of the gods, joy would be his one day.
+
+The Nixie finished her song, and smiled up at Wayland at the window
+before turning and swimming over the waves till she dived beneath
+them. That same instant the bird flew away, and the moon was covered
+by a cloud. But Wayland's heart was cheered, and when he lay down to
+rest he slept quietly.
+
+Some days later the King paid another visit, and suddenly espied the
+three keys which had been hidden in a corner with some of Wayland's
+tools. He at once asked Wayland what they were, and when he would not
+tell him the King grew so angry that, seizing an axe, he declared that
+he would put his prisoner to death unless he confessed all he knew.
+There was no help for it, and Wayland had to say how he came by them
+and what wonders they wrought. The King heard him with delight and
+went away, taking the keys with him.
+
+No time was lost in preparing for a journey to the mountains, and when
+he reached the spot described by Wayland he divided his followers into
+three parties, sending two to await him some distance off, and keeping
+the third to enter the mountain with himself, if the copper key did
+the wonders it had done before. So he gave it to one of the bravest of
+his men, and told him to lay it against the side of the mountain. The
+man obeyed, and instantly the mountain split from top to bottom. The
+King bade them enter, never doubting that rich spoils awaited him; but
+instead the men sank into a green marsh, which swallowed up many of
+them, while the rest were stung to death by the green serpents hanging
+from the roof. Those who, like the King, were near the entrance alone
+escaped.
+
+As soon as he had recovered from the terror into which this adventure
+had thrown him he commanded that it should be kept very secret from
+the other two parties, and desired Storbiorn, his Chamberlain, to take
+the key of iron and the key of gold and deliver them to the leaders of
+the divisions he had left behind, with orders to try their fortune in
+different parts of the mountain. 'Give the keys to me, my lord King,'
+answered Storbiorn, 'and I shall know what to do with them. These
+magicians may do their worst, my heart will not beat one whit the
+faster; and I will see all that happens.' So he went and gave his
+message to the two divisions, and one stayed behind while Storbiorn
+went to the mountain with the other.
+
+When they arrived the man who held the key laid it against the rock,
+which burst asunder, and half the men entered at Storbiorn's command.
+Suddenly an icy blue stream poured upon them from the depths of the
+cavern and drowned most of them before they had time to fly. Only
+those behind escaped, and Storbiorn bade them go instantly to the King
+and tell him what had befallen them. Then he went to the third troop
+and marched with them to the rock, where he gave the golden key to one
+of the men, and ordered him to try it. The rock flew open at once, and
+Storbiorn told the men to enter, taking care, however, to keep behind
+himself. They obeyed and found themselves in a lovely golden cave,
+whose walls were lit up by thousands of precious stones of every hue.
+There was neither sight nor sound to frighten them, and even
+Storbiorn, when he saw the gold, forgot his prudence and his fears,
+and followed them in. In a moment a red fire burst out with a terrific
+noise, and clouds of smoke poured over them, so that they fell down
+choked into the flames. Only one man escaped, and he ran back as fast
+as he could to the King to tell him of the fate of his army.
+
+All this time Wayland was working quietly in his island prison waiting
+for the day of his revenge. The suit of golden armour which the King
+had commanded kept him busy day and night, and, besides the wonderful
+shield with figures of the gods, he had wrought a coat of mail, a
+helmet, and armour for the thighs, such as never had been seen before.
+The King had invited all his great nobles to meet him at the Palace
+when he returned from the mountain, that they might both see his
+armour and behold all the precious things he should bring with him
+from the caverns.
+
+When Nidud reached his Palace the Queen and Banvilda, their daughter,
+came forth to meet him, and told him that the great hall was already
+full of guests, expecting the wonders he had brought. The King said
+little about his adventures, but went into the armoury to put on his
+armour in order to appear before his nobles. Piece by piece he
+fastened it, but he found the helmet so heavy that he could hardly
+bear it on his head. However, he did not look properly dressed without
+it, so he had to wear it, though it felt as if a whole mountain was
+pressing on his forehead. Then, buckling on the sword which Wayland
+had forged, he entered the hall, and seated himself on the throne. The
+Earls were struck dumb by his splendour, and thought at first that it
+was the god Thor himself, till they looked under the helmet and saw
+the ugly little man with the pale cowardly face. So they turned their
+eyes gladly on the Queen and Princess, both tall and beautiful and
+glittering with jewels, though inwardly they were not much better than
+the King.
+
+A magnificent dinner made the nobles feel more at ease, and they
+begged the King to tell them what man there was in Sweden so skilled
+in smith's work. Now Nidud had drunk deeply of mead, and longed to
+revenge himself on Wayland, whom he held to have caused the loss of
+his army; so he gave the key of the tower to one of his Earls, and
+bade him take two men and bring forth Wayland, adding that if the next
+time he visited the tower he should find a grain of gold missing, they
+should pay for it with their lives.
+
+The three men got a boat, and rowed towards the tower, but on the way
+one who, like the King, had drunk too much mead, fell into the sea and
+was drowned. The other two reached the tower in safety, and finding
+Wayland, blackened with dust, busy at his forge, bade him come just as
+he was to the boat. With his hands bound they led him before the King,
+and Eyvind the Earl bowed low and said, 'We have done your desire, Sir
+King, and must now hasten back to look for Gullorm, who fell into the
+sea.'
+
+'Leave him where he is,' replied Nidud; 'if he is not drowned by now
+he will never drown at all, but in token of your obedience to my
+orders I will give you each these golden chains.'
+
+[Illustration: Wayland mocked by the Queen and Banvilda]
+
+The guests had not thought to see the man who had made such wonderful
+armour helpless and a cripple, and said so to the King. 'He was once
+handsome and stately enough,' answered Nidud, 'but I have bowed his
+stubborn head.' And the Queen and her daughter joined in saying, 'The
+maidens of Finland will hardly fancy a lover who cannot stand
+upright.' But Wayland stood as if he heard nothing till the King's son
+snatched a bone from the table and threw it at his head. Then his
+patience gave way, and, seizing the bone, he beat Nidud about the head
+with it till the straps of the helmet gave way and the helmet itself
+fell off. The guests all took his side, and said that, though a
+cripple, he was braver than many men whose legs were straight, and
+begged the King to allow him to go back to his prison without being
+teased further. But the King cried that Wayland had done mischief
+enough, and must now be punished, and told them the story of his visit
+to the mountain and the loss of his followers. 'It would be a small
+punishment to put him to death,' he said, 'for to so wretched a
+cripple death would be welcome. He may use the gold that is left, but
+henceforth he shall only have one eye to work with,' and the Princess
+came forward and carried out the cruel sentence herself. And Wayland
+bore it all, saying nothing, but praying the gods to grant him
+vengeance.
+
+One night Wayland sat filled with grief and despair at his window,
+looking out over the sea, when he caught sight of two red lights,
+bobbing in his direction. He watched them curiously till they vanished
+beneath the tower; and soon the key of the outer door turned, and two
+men, whom he knew to be the King's sons, Gram and Skule, talked softly
+together. He kept very still, so that they might think he was asleep,
+and he heard Skule say: 'Let us first get the golden key from him, and
+when we have taken from the chest as much as we can carry we will put
+him to death, lest he should betray us to our father.' Then Wayland
+took a large sword which lay by his side and hid it behind his seat,
+and he had scarcely done so when the princes entered the prison. 'Good
+greeting to you,' said Gram. 'Nidud our father has gone a journey into
+the country, and as he is so greedy of wealth that he will give us
+none, we have come here to get it for ourselves. Hand us the key and
+swear not to tell our father, or you shall die.'
+
+'My good lords,' answered Wayland, 'your request is reasonable, and I
+am not so foolish as to refuse it. Here is the key, and in the name of
+the gods I will swear not to betray you.'
+
+The brothers took the key, and opened the chest that stood by Wayland,
+which was still half full of gold. It dazzled their eyes, and they
+both stooped down so as to see it better. This was what Wayland had
+waited for, and, seizing his sword, he cut off their heads, which fell
+into the chest. He then shut down the lid, and dug a grave for the
+bodies in the floor of his dungeon. Afterwards he dried the skulls in
+the sun, and made them into two drinking cups wrought with gold. The
+eyes he set with precious stones and fashioned into armlets, while the
+teeth he filed till they were shaped like pearls, and strung like a
+necklace.
+
+As soon as the King came back from his journey he paid a visit to
+Wayland, who produced the drinking cups, which he said were made of
+some curious shells washed up in a gale close to his window. The
+armlet he sent as a present to the Queen, and the bracelet to the
+Princess.
+
+[Illustration: The Merman warns Banvilda in vain.]
+
+After some days had passed, and Gram and Skule had not returned, the
+King ordered a search to be made for them, and that very evening some
+sailors brought back their boat, which had drifted into the open sea.
+Their bodies, of course, were not to be found, and the King ordered a
+splendid funeral feast to be prepared to do them honour. On this
+occasion the new drinking cups were filled with mead, and, besides her
+necklace, Banvilda wore the ring which her father had taken long
+ago from Wayland's house. As was the custom, the feast lasted long,
+and the dead Princes were forgotten by the guests, who drank deeply
+and grew merry. But at midnight their gaiety suddenly came to an end.
+The King was in the act of drinking from the cup of mead when he felt
+a violent pain in his head and let the vessel fall. The hues of the
+armlet became so strange and dreadful that the Queen's eyes suffered
+agony from looking at them, and she tore the armlets off her; while
+Banvilda was seized with such severe toothache that she could sit at
+table no longer. The guests at once took leave, but it was not till
+the sun rose that the pains of their hosts went away.
+
+In the torture of toothache which she had endured during the night
+Banvilda had dashed her arm against the wall, and had broken some of
+the ornaments off the ring. She feared to tell her father, who would
+be sure to punish her, and was in despair how to get the ring mended
+when she caught sight of the island on which Wayland's tower stood.
+'If I had not mocked at him he might have helped me now,' thought she.
+But no other way seemed to offer itself, and in the evening she
+loosened a boat and began to row to the tower. On the way she met an
+old merman with a long beard, floating on the waves, who warned her
+not to go on; but she paid no heed, and only rowed the faster.
+
+She entered the tower by a false key, and, holding the ring out to
+Wayland, begged him to mend it as fast as possible, so that she might
+return before she was missed. Wayland answered her with courtesy, and
+promised to do his best, but said that she would have to blow the
+bellows to keep the forge fire alight. 'How comes it that these
+bellows are sprinkled with blood?' asked Banvilda.
+
+'It is the blood of two young sea dogs,' answered Wayland; 'they
+troubled me for long, but I caught them when they least expected it.
+But blow, I pray you, the bellows harder, or I shall never be
+finished.'
+
+Banvilda did as she was told, but soon grew tired and thirsty, and
+begged Wayland to give her something to drink. He mixed something
+sweet in a cup, which she swallowed hastily, and soon fell fast asleep
+on a bench. Then Wayland bound her hands, and placed her in the boat,
+after which he cut the rope that held it and let it drift out to sea.
+This done, he shut the door of the tower, and, taking a piece of gold,
+he engraved on it the history of all that had happened and put it
+where it must meet the King's eye when next he came. 'Now is my hour
+come,' he cried with joy, snatching his spear from the wall, but
+before he could throw himself on it he heard a distant song and the
+notes of a lute.
+
+By this time the sun was high in the heavens, yet its brightness did
+not hinder Wayland from seeing a large star, which was floating
+towards him, and a brilliant rainbow spanned the sky. The flowers on
+the island unfolded themselves as the star drew near, and he could
+smell the smell of the roses on the shore. And now Wayland saw it was
+no star, but the golden chariot of Freya the goddess, whose blue
+mantle floated behind her till it was lost in the blue of the sky. On
+her left was a maiden dressed in garlands of fresh green leaves, and
+on her right was one clad in a garment of red. At the sight Wayland's
+heart beat high, for he thought of the lump of gold set with jewels
+which he and his brothers had found in the mountain so long ago.
+Fairies fluttered round them, mermaids rose from the depths of the sea
+to welcome them, and as Freya and her maidens entered the prison
+Wayland saw that she who wore the red garment was really Alvilda.
+'Wayland,' said the goddess, 'your time of woe is past. You have
+suffered much and have avenged your wrongs, and now Odin has granted
+my prayer that Alvilda shall stay by you for the rest of your life,
+and when you die she shall carry you in her arms to the country of
+Walhalla, where you shall forge golden armour and fashion drinking
+horns for the gods.'
+
+[Illustration: THE CHARIOT OF FREYA]
+
+When Freya had spoken, she beckoned to the green maiden, who held in
+her hand a root and a knife. She cut pieces off the root and laid them
+on Wayland's feet, and on his eye, then, placing some leaves from her
+garland over the whole, she breathed gently on it. 'Eyr the physician
+has healed me,' cried Wayland, and the fairies took him in their arms
+and bore him across the waves to a bower in the forest, where he
+dreamed that Alvilda and Slagfid and Eigil were all bending over him.
+
+When he woke Alvilda was indeed there, and he seemed to catch glimpses
+of his brothers amid the leaves of the trees. 'Arise, my husband,'
+said Alvilda, 'and go straight to the Court of Nidud. He still sleeps,
+and knows nothing. Throw this mantle on your shoulders, and they will
+take you for his servant.'
+
+So Wayland went, and reached the royal chamber, and in his sleep the
+King trembled, though he knew not that Wayland was near. 'Awake,'
+cried Wayland, and the King woke, and asked who had dared to disturb
+him thus.
+
+'Be not angry,' answered Wayland; 'had you slain Wayland long ago, the
+misfortune that I have to tell you of would never have happened.'
+
+'Do not name his name,' said the King, 'since he sent me those
+drinking cups a burning fever has laid hold upon me.'
+
+'They were not shells, as he told you,' answered Wayland, 'but the
+skulls of your two sons, Sir King. Their bodies you will find in
+Wayland's tower. As for your daughter she is tossing, bound, on the
+wild waves of the sea. But now I, Wayland, have come to give you your
+deathblow----' But before he could draw his sword fear had slain the
+King yet more quickly.
+
+So Wayland went back to Alvilda, and they went into another country,
+where he became a famous smith, and he lived to a good old age; and
+when he died he was carried in Alvilda's arms to Walhalla, as Freya
+had promised.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD
+
+_THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD_
+
+
+Many hundreds of years ago, when the Plantagenets were kings, England
+was so covered with woods that a squirrel was said to be able to hop
+from tree to tree from the Severn to the Humber. It must have been
+very different to look at from the country we travel through now; but
+still there were roads that ran from north to south and from east to
+west, for the use of those that wished to leave their homes, and at
+certain times of the year these roads were thronged with people.
+Pilgrims going to some holy shrine passed along, merchants taking
+their wares to Court, fat Abbots and Bishops ambling by on palfreys
+nearly as fat as themselves, to bear their part in the King's Council,
+and, more frequently still, a solitary Knight, seeking adventures.
+
+Besides the broad roads there were small tracks and little green
+paths, and these led to clumps of low huts, where dwelt the peasants,
+charcoal-burners, and plough-men, and here and there some larger
+clearing than usual told that the house of a yeoman was near. Now and
+then as you passed through the forest you might ride by a splendid
+abbey, and catch a glimpse of monks in long black or white gowns,
+fishing in the streams and rivers that abound in this part of England,
+or casting nets in the fish ponds which were in the midst of the abbey
+gardens. Or you might chance to see a castle with round turrets and
+high battlements, circled by strong walls, and protected by a moat
+full of water.
+
+This was the sort of England into which the famous Robin Hood was
+born. We do not know anything about him, who he was, or where he
+lived, or what evil deed he had done to put him beyond the King's
+grace. For he was an outlaw, and any man might kill him and never pay
+penalty for it. But, outlaw or not, the poor people loved him and
+looked on him as their friend, and many a stout fellow came to join
+him, and led a merry life in the greenwood, with moss and fern for
+bed, and for meat the King's deer, which it was death to slay.
+Peasants of all sorts, tillers of the land, yeomen, and as some say
+Knights, went on their ways freely, for of them Robin took no toll;
+but lordly churchmen with money-bags well filled, or proud Bishops
+with their richly dressed followers, trembled as they drew near to
+Sherwood Forest--who was to know whether behind every tree there did
+not lurk Robin Hood or one of his men?
+
+
+THE COMING OF LITTLE JOHN
+
+
+One day Robin was walking alone in the wood, and reached a river which
+was spanned by a very narrow bridge, over which one man only could
+pass. In the midst stood a stranger, and Robin bade him go back and
+let him go over. 'I am no man of yours,' was all the answer Robin got,
+and in anger he drew his bow and fitted an arrow to it. 'Would you
+shoot a man who has no arms but a staff?' asked the stranger in scorn;
+and with shame Robin laid down his bow, and unbuckled an oaken stick
+at his side. 'We will fight till one of us falls into the water,' he
+said; and fight they did, till the stranger planted a blow so well
+that Robin rolled over into the river. 'You are a brave soul,' said
+he, when he had waded to land, and he blew a blast with his horn which
+brought fifty good fellows, clad in green, to the little bridge. 'Have
+you fallen into the river that your clothes are wet?' asked one; and
+Robin made answer, 'No, but this stranger, fighting on the bridge, got
+the better of me, and tumbled me into the stream.'
+
+At this the foresters seized the stranger, and would have ducked him
+had not their leader bade them stop, and begged the stranger to stay
+with them and make one of themselves. 'Here is my hand,' replied the
+stranger, 'and my heart with it. My name, if you would know it, is
+John Little.'
+
+'That must be altered,' cried Will Scarlett; 'we will call a feast,
+and henceforth, because he is full seven feet tall and round the waist
+at least an ell, he shall be called Little John.'
+
+And thus it was done; but at the feast Little John, who always liked
+to know exactly what work he had to do, put some questions to Robin
+Hood. 'Before I join hands with you, tell me first what sort of life
+is this you lead? How am I to know whose goods I shall take, and whose
+I shall leave? Whom I shall beat, and whom I shall refrain from
+beating?'
+
+And Robin answered: 'Look that you harm not any tiller of the ground,
+nor any yeoman of the greenwood--no, nor no Knight nor Squire, unless
+you have heard him ill spoken of. But if Bishops or Archbishops come
+your way, see that you spoil _them_, and mark that you always hold in
+your mind the High Sheriff of Nottingham.'
+
+This being settled, Robin Hood declared Little John to be second in
+command to himself among the brotherhood of the forest, and the new
+outlaw never forgot to 'hold in his mind' the High Sheriff of
+Nottingham, who was the bitterest enemy the foresters had.
+
+
+LITTLE JOHN'S FIRST ADVENTURE
+
+
+Robin Hood, however, had no liking for a company of idle men about
+him, and he at once sent off Little John and Will Scarlett to the
+great road known as Watling Street, with orders to hide among the
+trees and wait till some adventure might come to them; and if they
+took captive Earl or Baron, Abbot or Knight, he was to be brought
+unharmed back to Robin Hood.
+
+But all along Watling Street the road was bare; white and hard it lay
+in the sun, without the tiniest cloud of dust to show that a rich
+company might be coming: east and west the land lay still.
+
+At length, just where a side path turned into the broad highway, there
+rode a Knight, and a sorrier man than he never sat a horse on summer
+day. One foot only was in the stirrup, the other hung carelessly by
+his side; his head was bowed, the reins dropped loose, and his horse
+went on as he would. At so sad a sight the hearts of the outlaws were
+filled with pity, and Little John fell on his knees and bade the
+Knight welcome in the name of his master.
+
+'Who is your master?' asked the Knight.
+
+'Robin Hood,' answered Little John.
+
+'I have heard much good of him,' replied the Knight, 'and will go with
+you gladly.'
+
+Then they all set off together, tears running down the Knight's cheeks
+as he rode, but he said nothing, neither was anything said to him. And
+in this wise they came to Robin Hood.
+
+'Welcome, Sir Knight,' cried he, 'and thrice welcome, for I waited to
+break my fast till you or some other had come to me.'
+
+'God save you, good Robin,' answered the Knight, and after they had
+washed themselves in the stream they sat down to dine off bread and
+wine, with flesh of the King's deer, and swans and pheasants. 'Such a
+dinner have I not had for three weeks and more,' said the Knight. 'And
+if I ever come again this way, good Robin, I will give you as fine a
+dinner as you have given me.'
+
+'I thank you,' replied Robin, 'my dinner is always welcome; still, I
+am none so greedy but I can wait for it. But before you go, pay me, I
+pray you, for the food which you have had. It was never the custom for
+a yeoman to pay for a Knight.'
+
+'My bag is empty,' said the Knight, 'save for ten shillings only.'
+
+'Go, Little John, and look in his wallet,' said Robin, 'and, Sir
+Knight, if in truth you have no more, not one penny will I take, nay,
+I will give you all that you shall need.'
+
+So Little John spread out the Knight's mantle, and opened the bag, and
+therein lay ten shillings and naught besides.
+
+'What tidings, Little John?' cried his master.
+
+'Sir, the Knight speaks truly,' said Little John.
+
+'Then fill a cup of the best wine and tell me, Sir Knight, whether it
+is your own ill doings which have brought you to this sorry pass.'
+
+'For an hundred years my fathers have dwelt in the forest,' answered
+the Knight, 'and four hundred pounds might they spend yearly. But
+within two years misfortune has befallen me, and my wife and children
+also.'
+
+'How did this evil come to pass?' asked Robin.
+
+'Through my own folly,' answered the Knight, 'and because of the great
+love I bore my son, who would never be guided of my counsel, and slew,
+ere he was twenty years old, a Knight of Lancaster and his Squire. For
+their deaths I had to pay a large sum, which I could not raise
+without giving my lands in pledge to the rich Abbot of St. Mary's. If
+I cannot bring him the money by a certain day they will be lost to me
+for ever.'
+
+'What is the sum?' asked Robin. 'Tell me truly.'
+
+'It is four hundred pounds,' said the Knight.
+
+'And what will you do if you lose your lands?' asked Robin again.
+
+'Hide myself over the sea,' said the Knight, 'and bid farewell to my
+friends and country. There is no better way open to me.'
+
+At this tears fell from his eyes, and he turned him to depart. 'Good
+day, my friend,' he said to Robin, 'I cannot pay you what I should--'
+But Robin held him fast. 'Where _are_ your friends?' asked he.
+
+'Sir, they have all forsaken me since I became poor, and they turn
+away their heads if we meet upon the road, though when I was rich they
+were ever in my castle.'
+
+When Little John and Will Scarlett and the rest heard this they wept
+for very shame and fury and Robin bade them fill a cup of the best
+wine, and give it to the Knight.
+
+'Have you no one who would stay surety for you?' said he.
+
+'None,' answered the Knight, 'but only Our Lady, who has never yet
+failed to help me.'
+
+'You speak well,' said Robin, 'and you, Little John, go to my treasure
+chest, and bring me thence four hundred pounds. And be sure you count
+it truly.'
+
+So Little John went, and Will Scarlett, and they brought back the
+money.
+
+'Sir,' said Little John, when Robin had counted it and found it no
+more nor no less, 'look at his clothes, how thin they are! You have
+stores of garments, green and scarlet, in your coffers--no merchant in
+England can boast the like. I will measure some out with my bow.' And
+thus he did.
+
+'Master,' spoke Little John again, 'there is still something else. You
+must give him a horse, that he may go as beseems his quality to the
+Abbey.'
+
+'Take the grey horse,' said Robin, 'and put a new saddle on it, and
+take likewise a good palfrey and a pair of boots, with gilt spurs on
+them. And as it were a shame for a Knight to ride by himself on this
+errand, I will lend you Little John as Squire--perchance he may stand
+you in yeoman's stead.'
+
+'When shall we meet again?' asked the Knight.
+
+'This day twelve months,' said Robin, 'under the greenwood tree.'
+
+Then the Knight rode on his way, with Little John behind him, and as
+he went he thought of Robin Hood and his men, and blessed them for the
+goodness they had shown towards him.
+
+'To-morrow,' he said to Little John, 'I must be at the Abbey of St.
+Mary, which is in the city of York, for if I am but so much as a day
+late my lands are lost for ever, and though I were to bring the money
+I should not be suffered to redeem them.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Now the Abbot had been counting the days as well as the Knight, and
+the next morning he said to his monks: 'This day year there came a
+Knight and borrowed of me four hundred pounds, giving his lands in
+surety. And if he come not to pay his debt ere midnight tolls they
+will be ours for ever.'
+
+'It is full early yet,' answered the Prior, 'he may still be coming.'
+
+'He is far beyond the sea,' said the Abbot, 'and suffers from hunger
+and cold. How is he to get here?'
+
+'It were a shame,' said the Prior, 'for you to take his lands. And you
+do him much wrong if you drive such a hard bargain.'
+
+'He is dead or hanged,' spake a fat-headed monk who was the cellarer,
+'and we shall have his four hundred pounds to spend on our gardens
+and our wines,' and he went with the Abbot to attend the court of
+justice wherein the Knight's lands would be declared forfeited by the
+High Justiciar.
+
+'If he come not this day,' cried the Abbot, rubbing his hands, 'if he
+come not this day, they will be ours.'
+
+'He will not come yet,' said the Justiciar, but he knew not that the
+Knight was already at the outer gate, and Little John with him.
+
+'Welcome, Sir Knight,' said the porter. 'The horse that you ride is
+the noblest that ever I saw. Let me lead them both to the stable, that
+they may have food and rest.'
+
+'They shall not pass these gates,' answered the Knight sternly, and he
+entered the hall alone, where the monks were sitting at meat, and
+knelt down and bowed to them.
+
+'I have come back, my lord,' he said to the Abbot, who had just
+returned from the court. 'I have come back this day as I promised.'
+
+'Have you brought my money?' was all the Abbot said.
+
+'Not a penny,' answered the Knight, who wished to see how the Abbot
+would treat him.
+
+'Then what do you here without it?' cried the Abbot in angry tones.
+
+'I have come to pray you for a longer day,' answered the Knight
+meekly.
+
+'The day was fixed and cannot be gainsaid,' replied the Justiciar, but
+the Knight only begged that he would stand his friend and help him in
+his strait. 'I am with the Abbot,' was all the Justiciar would answer.
+
+'Good Sir Abbot, be my friend,' prayed the Knight again, 'and give me
+one chance more to get the money and free my lands. I will serve you
+day and night till I have four hundred pounds to redeem them.'
+
+But the Abbot only swore a great oath, and vowed that the money must
+be paid that day or the lands be forfeited.
+
+The Knight stood up straight and tall: 'It is well,' said he, 'to
+prove one's friends against the hour of need,' and he looked the Abbot
+full in the face, and the Abbot felt uneasy, he did not know why, and
+hated the Knight more than ever. 'Out of my hall, false Knight!' cried
+he, pretending to a courage which he did not feel. But the Knight
+stayed where he was, and answered him, 'You lie, Abbot. Never was I
+false, and that I have shown in jousts and in tourneys.'
+
+'Give him two hundred pounds more,' said the Justiciar to the Abbot,
+'and keep the lands yourself.'
+
+'No, by Heaven!' answered the Knight, 'not if you offered me a
+thousand pounds would I do it! Neither Justiciar, Abbot, nor Monk
+shall be heir of mine.' Then he strode up to a table and emptied out
+four hundred pounds. 'Take your gold, Sir Abbot, which you lent to me
+a year agone. Had you but received me civilly, I would have paid you
+something more.
+
+    'Sir Abbot, and ye men of law,
+      Now have I kept my day!
+    Now shall I have my land again,
+      For aught that you may say.'
+
+So he passed out of the hall singing merrily, leaving the Abbot
+staring silently after him, and rode back to his house in Verisdale,
+where his wife met him at the gate.
+
+    'Welcome, my lord,' said his lady,
+      'Sir, lost is all your good.'
+    'Be merry, dame,' said the Knight,
+      'And pray for Robin Hood.'
+
+'But for his kindness, we had been beggars.'
+
+After this the Knight dwelt at home, looking after his lands, and
+saving his money carefully till the four hundred pounds lay ready for
+Robin Hood. Then he bought a hundred bows and a hundred arrows, and
+every arrow was an ell long, and had a head of silver and peacock's
+feathers. And clothing himself in white and red, and with a hundred
+men in his train, he set off to Sherwood Forest.
+
+On the way he passed an open space near a bridge where there was a
+wrestling, and the Knight stopped and looked, for he himself had taken
+many a prize in that sport. Here the prizes were such as to fill any
+man with envy; a fine horse, saddled and bridled, a great white bull,
+a pair of gloves, a ring of bright red gold, and a pipe of wine. There
+was not a yeoman present who did not hope to win one of them. But when
+the wrestling was over, the yeoman who had beaten them all was a man
+who kept apart from his fellows, and was said to think much of
+himself. Therefore the men grudged him his skill, and set upon him
+with blows, and would have killed him, had not the Knight, for love of
+Robin Hood, taken pity on him, while his followers fought with the
+crowd, and would not suffer them to touch the prizes a better man had
+won.
+
+When the wrestling was finished the Knight rode on, and there under
+the greenwood tree, in the place appointed, he found Robin Hood and
+his merry men waiting for him, according to the tryst that they had
+fixed last year:
+
+    'God save thee, Robin Hood,
+      And all this company.'
+    'Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
+      And right welcome to me.'
+
+    'Hast thou thy land again?' said Robin,
+      'Truth then tell thou me.'
+    'Yea, for God,' said the Knight,
+      'And that thank I God and thee.'
+
+    'Have here four hundred pounds,' said the Knight,
+      'The which you lent to me;
+    And here are also twenty marks
+      For your courtesie.'
+
+But Robin would not take the money. A miracle had happened, he said,
+and Our Lady had paid it to him, and shame would it be for him to take
+it twice over. Then he noticed for the first time the bows and arrows
+which the Knight had brought, and asked what they were. 'A poor
+present to you,' answered the Knight, and Robin, who would not be
+outdone, sent Little John once more to his treasury, and bade him
+bring forth four hundred pounds, which was given to the Knight. After
+that they parted, in much love, and Robin prayed the Knight if he were
+in any strait 'to let him know at the greenwood tree, and while there
+was any gold there he should have it.'
+
+
+HOW LITTLE JOHN BECAME THE
+
+SHERIFF'S SERVANT
+
+
+Meanwhile the High Sheriff of Nottingham proclaimed a great
+shooting-match in a broad open space, and Little John was minded to
+try his skill with the rest. He rode through the forest, whistling
+gaily to himself, for well he knew that not one of Robin Hood's men
+could send an arrow as straight as he, and he felt little fear of
+anyone else. When he reached the trysting place he found a large
+company assembled, the Sheriff with them, and the rules of the match
+were read out: where they were to stand, how far the mark was to be,
+and how that three tries should be given to every man.
+
+Some of the shooters shot near the mark, some of them even touched it,
+but none but Little John split the slender wand of willow with every
+arrow that flew from his bow. And at this sight the Sheriff of
+Nottingham swore a great oath that Little John was the best archer
+that ever he had seen, and asked him who he was and where he was born,
+and vowed that if he would enter his service he would give twenty
+marks a year to so good a bowman.
+
+Little John, who did not wish to confess that he was one of Robin
+Hood's men and an outlaw, said his name was Reynold Greenleaf, and
+that he was in the service of a Knight, whose leave he must get before
+he became the servant of any man. This was given heartily by the
+Knight, and Little John bound himself to the Sheriff for the space of
+twelve months, and was given a good white horse to ride on whenever he
+went abroad. But for all that he did not like his bargain, and made
+up his mind to do the Sheriff, who was hated of the outlaws, all the
+mischief he could.
+
+His chance came on a Wednesday when the Sheriff always went hunting
+and Little John lay in bed till noon, when he grew hungry. Then he got
+up, and told the steward that he wanted some dinner. The steward
+answered he should have nothing till the Sheriff came home, so Little
+John grumbled and left him, and sought out the butler. Here he was no
+more successful than before; the butler just went to the buttery door
+and locked it, and told Little John that he would have to make himself
+happy till his lord returned.
+
+Rude words mattered nothing to Little John, who was not accustomed to
+be baulked by trifles, so he gave a mighty kick which burst open the
+door, and then ate and drank as much as he would, and when he had
+finished all there was in the buttery, he went down into the kitchen.
+
+Now the Sheriff's cook was a strong man and a bold one, and had no
+mind to let another man play the king in his kitchen; so he gave
+Little John three smart blows, which were returned heartily. 'Thou art
+a brave man and hardy,' said Little John, 'and a good fighter withal.
+I have a sword, take you another, and let us see which is the better
+man of us twain.'
+
+The cook did as he was bid, and for two hours they fought, neither of
+them harming the other. 'Fellow,' said Little John at last, 'you are
+one of the best swordsmen that I ever saw--and if you could shoot as
+well with the bow I would take you back to the merry greenwood, and
+Robin Hood would give you twenty marks a year and two changes of
+clothing.'
+
+'Put up your sword,' said the cook, 'and I will go with you. But first
+we will have some food in my kitchen, and carry off a little of the
+gold that is in the Sheriff's treasure house.'
+
+They ate and drank till they wanted no more, then they broke the locks
+of the treasure house, and took of the silver as much as they could
+carry, three hundred pounds and more, and departed unseen by anyone to
+Robin in the forest.
+
+'Welcome! Welcome!' cried Robin when he saw them, 'welcome, too, to
+the fair yeoman you bring with you. What tidings from Nottingham,
+Little John?'
+
+'The proud Sheriff greets you, and sends you by my hand his cook and
+his silver vessels, and three hundred pounds and three also.'
+
+Robin shook his head, for he knew better than to believe Little John's
+tale. 'It was never by his good will that you brought such treasure to
+me,' he answered, and Little John, fearing that he might be ordered to
+take it back again, slipped away into the forest to carry out a plan
+that had just come into his head.
+
+He ran straight on for five miles, till he came up with the Sheriff,
+who was still hunting, and flung himself on his knees before him.
+
+'Reynold Greenleaf,' cried the Sheriff, 'what are you doing here, and
+where have you been?'
+
+'I have been in the forest, where I saw a fair hart of a green colour,
+and sevenscore deer feeding hard by.'
+
+'That sight would I see too,' said the Sheriff.
+
+'Then follow me,' answered Little John, and he ran back the way he
+came, the Sheriff following on horseback, till they turned a corner of
+the forest, and found themselves in Robin Hood's presence. 'Sir, here
+is the master-hart,' said Little John.
+
+    Still stood the proud Sheriff,
+      A sorry man was he,
+    'Woe be to you, Reynold Greenleaf,
+      Thou hast betrayed me!'
+
+'It was not my fault,' answered Little John, 'but the fault of your
+servants, master. For they would not give me my dinner,' and he went
+away to see to the supper.
+
+It was spread under the greenwood tree, and they sat down to it,
+hungry men all. But when the Sheriff saw himself served from his own
+vessels, his appetite went from him.
+
+'Take heart, man,' said Robin Hood, 'and think not we will poison you.
+For charity's sake, and for the love of Little John, your life shall
+be granted you. Only for twelve months you shall dwell with me, and
+learn what it is to be an outlaw.'
+
+To the Sheriff this punishment was worse to bear than the loss of gold
+or silver dishes, and earnestly he begged Robin Hood to set him free,
+vowing he would prove himself the best friend that ever the foresters
+had.
+
+Neither Robin nor any of his men believed him, but he took a great
+oath that he would never seek to do them harm, and that if he found
+any of them in evil plight he would deliver them out of it. With that
+Robin let him go.
+
+
+HOW ROBIN MET FRIAR TUCK
+
+
+In many ways life in the forest was dull in the winter, and often the
+days passed slowly; but in summer, when the leaves grew green, and
+flowers and ferns covered all the woodland, Robin Hood and his men
+would come out of their warm resting places, like the rabbits and the
+squirrels, and would play too. Races they ran, to stretch their legs,
+or leaping matches were arranged, or they would shoot at a mark.
+Anything was pleasant, when the grass was soft once more under their
+feet.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Who can kill a hart of grace five hundred paces off?'
+
+So said Robin to his men in the bright May time; and they went into
+the wood and tried their skill, and in the end it was Little John who
+brought down the 'hart of grace,' to the great joy of Robin Hood. 'I
+would ride my horse a hundred miles to find one who could match with
+thee,' he said to Little John, and Will Scarlett, who was perhaps
+rather jealous of this mighty deed, answered with a laugh, 'There
+lives a friar in Fountains Abbey who would beat both him and you.'
+
+Now Robin Hood did not like to be told that any man could shoot better
+than himself or his foresters, so he swore lustily that he would
+neither eat nor drink till he had seen that friar. Leaving his men
+where they were, he put on a coat of mail and a steel cap, took his
+shield and sword, slung his bow over his shoulder, and filled his
+quiver with arrows. Thus armed, he set forth to Fountains Dale.
+
+By the side of the river a friar was walking, armed like Robin, but
+without a bow. At this sight Robin jumped from his horse, which he
+tied to a thorn, and called to the friar to carry him over the water
+or it would cost him his life.
+
+The friar said nothing, but hoisted Robin on his broad back and
+marched into the river. Not a word was spoken till they reached the
+other side, when Robin leaped lightly down, and was going on his way
+when the friar stopped him. 'Not so fast, my fine fellow,' said he.
+'It is my turn now, and you shall take me across the river, or woe
+will betide you.' So Robin carried him, and when they had reached the
+side from which they had started he set down the friar and jumped for
+the second time on his back, and bade him take him whence he had come.
+The friar strode into the stream with his burden, but as soon as they
+got to the middle he bent his head and Robin fell into the water. 'Now
+you can sink or swim as you like,' said the friar, as he stood and
+laughed.
+
+Robin Hood swam to a bush of golden broom, and pulled himself out of
+the water, and while the friar was scrambling out Robin fitted an
+arrow to his bow and let fly at him. But the friar quickly held up his
+shield, and the arrow fell harmless.
+
+'Shoot on, my fine fellow, shoot on all day if you like,' shouted the
+friar, and Robin shot till his arrows were gone, but always missed his
+mark. Then they took their swords, and at four of the afternoon they
+were still fighting.
+
+By this time Robin's strength was wearing, and he felt he could not
+fight much more. 'A boon, a boon!' cried he. 'Let me but blow three
+blasts on my horn, and I will thank you on my bended knees for it.'
+
+The friar told him to blow as many blasts as he liked, and in an
+instant the forest echoed with his horn; it was but a few minutes
+before 'half a hundred yeomen were racing over the lea.' The friar
+stared when he saw them; then, turning to Robin, he begged of him a
+boon also, and leave being granted he gave three whistles, which were
+followed by the noise of a great crashing through the trees, as fifty
+great dogs bounded towards him.
+
+'Here's a dog for each of your men,' said the friar, 'and I myself for
+you'; but the dogs did not listen to his words, for two of them rushed
+at Robin, and tore his mantle of Lincoln green from off his back. His
+men were too busy defending themselves to take heed of their master's
+plight, for every arrow shot at a dog was caught and held in the
+creature's mouth.
+
+Robin's men were not used to fight with dogs, and felt they were
+getting beaten. At last Little John bade the friar call off his dogs,
+and as he did not do so at once he let fly some arrows, which this
+time left half a dozen dead on the ground.
+
+'Hold, hold, my good fellow,' said the friar, 'till your master and I
+can come to a bargain,' and when the bargain was made this was how it
+ran. That the friar was to forswear Fountains Abbey and join Robin
+Hood, and that he should be paid a golden noble every Sunday
+throughout the year, besides a change of clothes on each holy day.
+
+    This Friar had kept Fountains Dale
+      Seven long years or more,
+    There was neither Knight, nor Lord, nor Earl
+      Could make him yield before.
+
+But now he became one of the most famous members of Robin Hood's men
+under the name of Friar Tuck.
+
+
+HOW ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
+
+FELL OUT
+
+
+One Whitsunday morning, when the sun was shining and the birds
+singing, Robin Hood called to Little John to come with him into
+Nottingham to hear Mass. As was their custom, they took their bows,
+and on the way Little John proposed that they should shoot a match
+with a penny for a wager. Robin, who held that he himself shot better
+than any man living, laughed in scorn, and told Little John that he
+should have three tries to his master's one, which John without more
+ado accepted. But Robin soon repented both of his offer and his scorn,
+for Little John speedily won five shillings, whereat Robin became
+angry and smote Little John with his hand. Little John was not the man
+to bear being treated so, and he told Robin roundly that he would
+never more own him for master, and straightway turned back into the
+wood. At this Robin was ashamed of what he had done, but his pride
+would not suffer him to say so, and he continued his way to
+Nottingham, and entered the Church of St. Mary, not without secret
+fears, for the Sheriff of the town was ever his enemy. However, there
+he was, and there he meant to stay.
+
+He knelt down before the great cross in the sight of all the people,
+but none knew him save one monk only, and he stole out of church and
+ran to the Sheriff, and bade him come quickly and take his foe. The
+Sheriff was not slow to do the monk's bidding, and, calling his men
+to follow him, he marched to the church. The noise they made in
+entering caused Robin to look round. 'Alas, alas,' he said to himself,
+'now miss I Little John.'
+
+But he drew his two-handed sword and laid about him in such wise that
+twelve of the Sheriff's men lay dead before him. Then Robin found
+himself face to face with the Sheriff, and gave him a fierce blow; but
+his sword broke on the Sheriff's head, and he had shot away all his
+arrows. So the men closed round him, and bound his arms.
+
+Ill news travels fast, and not many hours had passed before the
+foresters heard that their master was in prison. They wept and moaned
+and wrung their hands, and seemed to have gone suddenly mad, till
+Little John bade them pluck up their hearts and help him to deal with
+the monk.
+
+The next morning he hid himself, and waited with a comrade, Much by
+name, till he saw the monk riding along the road, with a page behind
+him, carrying letters from the Sheriff to the King telling of Robin's
+capture.
+
+'Whence come you?' asked Little John, going up to the monk, 'and can
+you give us tidings of a false outlaw named Robin Hood, who was taken
+prisoner yesterday? He robbed both me and my fellow of twenty marks,
+and glad should we be to hear of his undoing.'
+
+'He robbed me, too,' said the monk, 'of a hundred pounds and more, but
+I have laid hands on him, and for that you may thank me.'
+
+'I thank you so much that, with your leave, I and my friend will bear
+you company,' answered Little John; 'for in this forest are many wild
+men who own Robin Hood for leader, and you ride along this road at the
+peril of your life.'
+
+They went on together, talking the while, when suddenly Little John
+seized the horse by the head and pulled down the monk by his hood.
+
+    'He was my master,' said Little John,
+      'That you have brought to bale,
+    'Never shall you come at the King
+      'For to tell him that tale.'
+
+At these words the monk uttered loud cries, but Little John took no
+heed of him, and smote off his head, as Much had already smitten off
+that of the page, lest he should carry the news of what had happened
+back to the Sheriff. After this they buried the bodies, and, taking
+the letters, carried them themselves to the King.
+
+When they arrived at the Palace, in the presence of the King, Little
+John fell on his knees and held the letter out. 'God save you, my
+liege lord,' he said; and the King unfolded the letters and read them.
+
+'There never was yeoman in Merry England I longed so sore to see,' he
+said. 'But where is the monk that should have brought these letters?'
+
+'He died by the way,' answered Little John; and the King asked no more
+questions.
+
+Twenty pounds each he ordered his treasurer to give to Much and to
+Little John, and made them yeomen of the crown. After which he handed
+his own seal to Little John and ordered him to bear it to the Sheriff,
+and bid him without delay bring Robin Hood unhurt into his presence.
+
+Little John did as the King bade him, and the Sheriff, at sight of the
+seal, gave him and Much welcome, and set a feast before them, at which
+John led him to drink heavily. Soon he fell asleep, and then the two
+outlaws stole softly to the prison. Here John ran the porter through
+the body for trying to stop his entrance, and, taking the keys, hunted
+through the cells until he had found Robin. Thrusting a sword into his
+hand Little John whispered to his master to follow him, and they crept
+along till they reached the lowest part of the city wall, from which
+they jumped and were safe and free.
+
+'Now, farewell,' said Little John, 'I have done you a good turn for
+an ill.' 'Not so,' answered Robin Hood, 'I make you master of my men
+and me,' but Little John would hear nothing of it. 'I only wish to be
+your comrade, and thus it shall be,' he replied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Little John has beguiled us both,' said the King, when he heard of
+the adventure.
+
+
+HOW THE KING VISITED ROBIN HOOD
+
+
+Now the King had no mind that Robin Hood should do as he willed, and
+called his Knights to follow him to Nottingham, where they would lay
+plans how best to take captive the felon. Here they heard sad tales of
+Robin's misdoings, and how of the many herds of wild deer that had
+been wont to roam the forest in some places scarce one remained. This
+was the work of Robin Hood and his merry men, on whom the King swore
+vengeance with a great oath.
+
+'I would I had this Robin Hood in my hands,' cried he, 'and an end
+should soon be put to his doings.' So spake the King; but an old
+Knight, full of days and wisdom, answered him and warned him that the
+task of taking Robin Hood would be a sore one, and best let alone. The
+King, who had seen the vanity of his hot words the moment that he had
+uttered them, listened to the old man, and resolved to bide his time,
+if perchance some day Robin should fall into his power.
+
+All this time and for six weeks later that he dwelt in Nottingham the
+King could hear nothing of Robin, who seemed to have vanished into the
+earth with his merry men, though one by one the deer were vanishing
+too!
+
+At last one day a forester came to the King, and told him that if he
+would see Robin he must come with him and take five of his best
+Knights. The King eagerly sprang up to do his bidding, and the six men
+clad in monks' clothes mounted their palfreys and rode down to the
+Abbey, the King wearing an Abbot's broad hat over his crown and
+singing as he passed through the greenwood.
+
+[Illustration: There is Pith in your arm said ROBIN HOOD]
+
+Suddenly at the turn of a path Robin and his archers appeared before
+them.
+
+'By your leave, Sir Abbot,' said Robin, seizing the King's bridle,
+'you will stay a while with us. Know that we are yeomen, who live upon
+the King's deer, and other food have we none. Now you have abbeys and
+churches, and gold in plenty; therefore give us some of it, in the
+name of holy charity.'
+
+'I have no more than forty pounds with me,' answered the King, 'but
+sorry I am it is not a hundred, for you should have had it all.'
+
+So Robin took the forty pounds, and gave half to his men, and then
+told the King he might go on his way. 'I thank you,' said the King,
+'but I would have you know that our liege lord has bid me bear you his
+seal, and pray you to come to Nottingham.'
+
+At this message Robin bent his knee.
+
+    'I love no man in all the world
+      So well as I do my King';
+
+he cried, 'and Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, which fill my heart with
+joy, to-day thou shalt dine with me, for love of my King.' Then he led
+the King into an open place, and Robin took a horn and blew it loud,
+and at its blast seven score of young men came speedily to do his
+will.
+
+'They are quicker to do his bidding than my men are to do mine,' said
+the King to himself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Speedily the foresters set out the dinner, venison, and white bread,
+and the good red wine, and Robin and Little John served the King.
+'Make good cheer,' said Robin, 'Abbot, for charity, and then you shall
+see what sort of life we lead, that so you may tell our King.'
+
+When he had finished eating the archers took their bows, and hung
+rose-garlands up with a string, and every man was to shoot through
+the garland. If he failed, he should have a buffet on the head from
+Robin.
+
+Good bowmen as they were, few managed to stand the test. Little John
+and Will Scarlett, and Much, all shot wide of the mark, and at length
+no one was left in but Robin himself and Gilbert of the White Hand.
+Then Robin fired his last bolt, and it fell three fingers from the
+garland. 'Master,' said Gilbert, 'you have lost, stand forth and take
+your punishment.'
+
+'I will take it,' answered Robin, 'but, Sir Abbot, I pray you that I
+may suffer it at your hands.'
+
+The King hesitated. 'It did not become him,' he said, 'to smite such a
+stout yeoman,' but Robin bade him smite on; so he turned up his
+sleeve, and gave Robin such a buffet on the head that he rolled upon
+the ground.
+
+'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin. 'Come, shoot a main with me.'
+And the King took up a bow, and in so doing his hat fell back and
+Robin saw his face.
+
+'My lord the King of England, now I know you well,' cried he, and he
+fell on his knees and all the outlaws with him. 'Mercy I ask, my lord
+the King, for my men and me.'
+
+'Mercy I grant,' then said the King, 'and therefore I came hither, to
+bid you and your men leave the greenwood and dwell in my Court with
+me.'
+
+'So shall it be,' answered Robin, 'I and my men will come to your
+Court, and see how your service liketh us.'
+
+
+ROBIN AT COURT
+
+
+'Have you any green cloth,' asked the King, 'that you could sell to
+me?' and Robin brought out thirty yards and more, and clad the King
+and his men in coats of Lincoln green. 'Now we will all ride to
+Nottingham,' said he, and they went merrily, shooting by the way.
+
+The people of Nottingham saw them coming, and trembled as they watched
+the dark mass of Lincoln green drawing near over the fields. 'I fear
+lest our King be slain,' whispered one to another, 'and if Robin Hood
+gets into the town there is not one of us whose life is safe'; and
+every man, woman, and child made ready to fly.
+
+The King laughed out when he saw their fright, and called them back.
+Right glad were they to hear his voice, and they feasted and made
+merry. A few days later the King returned to London, and Robin dwelt
+in his Court for twelve months. By that time he had spent a hundred
+pounds, for he gave largely to the Knights and Squires he met, and
+great renown he had for his open-handedness.
+
+But his men, who had been born under the shadow of the forest, could
+not live amid streets and houses. One by one they slipped away, till
+only Little John and Will Scarlett were left. Then Robin himself grew
+home-sick, and at the sight of some young men shooting thought upon
+the time when he was accounted the best archer in all England, and
+went straightway to the King and begged for leave to go on a
+pilgrimage to Bernisdale.
+
+'I may not say you nay,' answered the King, 'seven nights you may be
+gone and no more.' And Robin thanked him, and that evening set out for
+the greenwood.
+
+It was early morning when he reached it at last, and listened
+thirstily to the notes of singing birds, great and small.
+
+'It seems long since I was here,' he said to himself; 'it would give
+me great joy if I could bring down a deer once more'; and he shot a
+great hart, and blew his horn, and all the outlaws of the forest came
+flocking round him. 'Welcome,' they said, 'our dear master, back to
+the greenwood tree,' and they threw off their caps and fell on their
+knees before him in delight at his return.
+
+
+THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD
+
+
+For two and twenty years Robin Hood dwelt in Sherwood Forest after he
+had run away from Court, and naught that the King could say would
+tempt him back again. At the end of that time he fell ill; he neither
+ate nor drank, and had no care for the things he loved. 'I must go to
+merry Kirkley,' said he, 'and have my blood let.'
+
+But Will Scarlett, who heard his words, spoke roundly to him. 'Not by
+_my_ leave, nor without a hundred bowmen at your back. For there
+abides an evil man, who is sure to quarrel with you, and you will need
+us badly.'
+
+'If you are afraid, Will Scarlett, you may stay at home, for me,' said
+Robin, 'and in truth no man will I take with me, save Little John
+only, to carry my bow.'
+
+'Bear your bow yourself, master, and I will bear mine, and we will
+shoot for a penny as we ride.'
+
+'Very well, let it be so,' said Robin, and they went on merrily enough
+till they came to some women weeping sorely near a stream.
+
+'What is the matter, good wives?' said Robin Hood.
+
+'We weep for Robin Hood and his dear body, which to-day must let
+blood,' was their answer.
+
+'Pray why do you weep for me?' asked Robin; 'the Prioress is the
+daughter of my aunt, and my cousin, and well I know she would not do
+me harm for all the world.' And he passed on, with Little John at his
+side.
+
+Soon they reached the Priory, where they were let in by the Prioress
+herself, who bade them welcome heartily, and not the less because
+Robin handed her twenty pounds in gold as payment for his stay, and
+told her if he cost her more she was to let him know of it. Then she
+began to bleed him, and for long Robin said nothing, giving her credit
+for kindness and for knowing her art, but at length so much blood came
+from him that he suspected treason. He tried to open the door, for she
+had left him alone in the room, but it was locked fast, and while the
+blood was still flowing he could not escape from the casement. So he
+lay down for many hours, and none came near him, and at length the
+blood stopped. Slowly Robin uprose and staggered to the
+lattice-window, and blew thrice on his horn; but the blast was so low,
+and so little like what Robin was wont to give, that Little John, who
+was watching for some sound, felt that his master must be nigh to
+death.
+
+At this thought he started to his feet, and ran swiftly to the Priory.
+He broke the locks of all the doors that stood between him and Robin
+Hood, and soon entered the chamber where his master lay, white, with
+nigh all his blood gone from him.
+
+'I crave a boon of you, dear master,' cried Little John.
+
+'And what is that boon,' said Robin Hood, 'which Little John begs of
+me?' And Little John answered, 'It is to burn fair Kirkley Hall, and
+all the nunnery.'
+
+But Robin Hood, in spite of the wrong that had been done him, would
+not listen to Little John's cry for revenge. 'I never hurt a woman in
+all my life,' he said, 'nor a man that was in her company. But now my
+time is done, that know I well; so give me my bow and a broad arrow,
+and wheresoever it falls there shall my grave be digged. Lay a green
+sod under my head and another at my feet, and put beside me my bow,
+which ever made sweetest music to my ears, and see that green and
+gravel make my grave. And, Little John, take care that I have length
+enough and breadth enough to lie in.' So he loosened his last arrow
+from the string and then died, and where the arrow fell Robin was
+buried.
+
+[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD SHOOTS HIS LAST ARROW]
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+_THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG_
+
+
+About nine hundred years ago, more or less, there lived in Iceland, at
+a homestead called Biarg, two old folks named Asmund the Greyhaired
+and his wife Asdis. At the time our story begins they had two sons,
+Atli the eldest, and Grettir, besides daughters; sixteen years later
+another son was born to them, named Illugi. Atli was a general
+favourite, in disposition good-natured and yielding, in this the very
+opposite of Grettir, who held to his own way, and was, besides,
+silent, reserved, and rough in manner. But he is described as fair to
+look on, broad-faced, short-faced, red-haired and much freckled, not
+of quick growth in his childhood. There was little love lost between
+him and his father, but his mother loved the boy right well. So
+matters sped till Grettir was ten years old, when, one day, his father
+told him to go and watch the geese on the farm, fifty of them, besides
+many goslings. The boy went, but with an ill grace, and shortly
+afterwards the geese were found all dead or dying, with many of their
+necks wrung, at which Asmund was mightily vexed. Again, one evening,
+being cold, he asked the boy to warm him by rubbing his back, but
+Grettir, taking up a wool-carder's comb, dropped it down his father's
+back. The old man was furiously angry, and would have beaten Grettir,
+had he not run away, while Asdis, though vexed, tried her best to make
+peace between them.
+
+Next, Grettir was sent to tend the horses, amongst which was a
+favourite mare called Keingala, who always preferred the coldest and
+windiest spots to graze in; the boy was ill-clad and half-starved with
+cold, so, by way of paying Keingala out for her uncomfortable choice
+of pasture, he drew a sharp knife right across her shoulder and along
+both sides of her back. When Asmund next saw the mare and stroked her
+back, the hide came off beneath his hand. He taxed Grettir with the
+deed, but the boy sneered mockingly and said nothing. Keingala had to
+be killed. Such and many other scurvy tricks did Grettir play in his
+childhood, but meanwhile he grew in body and strength, though none as
+yet knew him to be strong beyond his years.
+
+This first came to be known shortly afterwards at Midfirth Water,
+where some ball games were being held on the ice. Grettir was now
+fourteen; and was matched to play with one Audun, several years older
+than himself. Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he
+could not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir
+brought it back, and in a rage threw it at Audun's forehead; Audun
+struck at him with his bat, but Grettir closed with him and wrestled,
+for a long time holding his own; but Audun was a man of full strength,
+and at last prevailed. Grettir's next performance brought him into
+more trouble. Asmund had a bosom friend named Thorkel Krafla, who paid
+him a visit at Biarg on his way to the Thing, or Icelandic parliament,
+with a retinue of sixty followers, for Thorkel was a great chief, and
+a man of substance. Each traveller had to carry his own provisions for
+the journey, including Grettir, who joined Thorkel's company.
+Grettir's saddle turned over, however, and his meal bag was lost, nor
+could he find it, notwithstanding a long search. Just then he saw a
+man who was in like plight with himself, having also lost his meal
+sack: his name was Skeggi, one of Thorkel's followers. All of a sudden
+Skeggi darted off, and Grettir saw him stoop and pick up a mealsack,
+which Skeggi claimed as his own. Grettir was not satisfied, and they
+fought for it; Skeggi cut at Grettir with his axe, but he wrenched it
+out of his hand, and clove his head in twain. Thorkel then allowed
+Grettir his choice: whether to go on to the Thing, or return home. He
+chose the first alternative; but a lawsuit was set on foot by the
+heirs of the dead man. Thorkel paid the necessary fines, but Grettir
+was outlawed, banished from the country, and had to stay abroad three
+years.
+
+Asmund entrusted his son to the keeping of a man called Haflidi, the
+captain of a ship that was sailing for Norway; father and son parted
+with but little sorrow between them, but Asdis accompanied the boy
+part of the way, and gave him a sword which had been owned by Jokul,
+her grandfather; for which Grettir thanked her well, saying he deemed
+it better than things of more worth, so he came to the ship. With the
+sailors he was no more popular than he had been elsewhere, for he
+would work only by fits and starts, as he pleased; besides, he had a
+gift of making very biting rhymes, which he indulged in at the expense
+of all on board. But when he did condescend to work he was a match for
+any four, or, as some say, for any eight men by reason of his
+strength. After they had sailed some way east over the sea, and had
+much thick weather, one night they ran aground on a rock near an
+island which turned out to be Haramsey, off Norway. The lord of that
+island was called Thorfinn, son of Karr the Old. When day dawned he
+sent down a boat to rescue the shipwrecked sailors, who were saved,
+with their merchandise, but their vessel broke up. Grettir remained
+with Thorfinn some time; and was fond of rambling about the island,
+going from house to house; and he made friends with one Audun, not, of
+course, the one who has already been mentioned.
+
+One night the two noticed a great blaze on a ness or headland, and
+Grettir asked the reason of it, adding, that in his country such a
+fire would only burn above hidden treasure. Audun told him he had
+better not inquire too closely into the matter, which, however, as one
+might expect, only whetted his curiosity the more. He was told
+accordingly that on that headland Karr the Old was buried; that at
+first father and son had but one farm on the island, but since Karr
+died he had so haunted the place that all the farmers who owned land
+were driven away. Thorfinn, therefore, now held the whole island, and
+to such good purpose, that whosoever enjoyed his protection was not
+worried by the ghost. Grettir determined to investigate, and providing
+himself with spades and tools, set off with Audun to dig into the
+'barrow,' as these mounds of earth are called, which northern races
+and others used to raise over their dead. Leaving Audun to guard the
+rope by which he descended, Grettir found the interior of the cavern
+very dark, and a smell therein none of the sweetest. First he saw
+horse-bones, then he stumbled against the arm of a high chair wherein
+was a man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver lay heaped
+together, and under the man's feet a small chest full of silver. All
+this Grettir carried towards the rope, but while doing so he was
+suddenly seized in a strong grip; whereupon he let go the treasure and
+rushed at the Thing which lived in the barrow; and now they set on one
+another unsparingly enough. There was a battle, first one, then the
+other gaining a slight advantage, but at last the barrow-wight fell
+over on his back with a huge din; whereupon Grettir drew his sword,
+'Jokul's gift,' and cut off Karr's head, laying it beside the thigh,
+for, in this way only, men said, could a ghost be laid. Grettir took
+the treasure and brought it to Thorfinn, who was not ill-pleased that
+his father's tomb had been rifled, for he held that wealth hidden in
+the ground was wealth wrongly placed, in which we shall probably agree
+with him.
+
+[Illustration: GRETTIR FEELS KARR'S GRIP.]
+
+After the events just described, Thorfinn went away with thirty of his
+men to one of his farms on the mainland, in order to keep the
+Yule-tide feast (Christmas). His wife and daughter, the latter of whom
+was ill in bed, remained at home. Now Thorfinn, some time previously,
+had taken a leading part in passing a law, the object of which was
+that all berserkers should be outlawed. These berserkers were roving
+bands of pirates, brave fighters, but respecting no man's property; on
+the contrary, their chief object was to lay violent hands on women and
+goods to which they had no title. It is easily to be understood that
+Thorfinn, in consequence of his action, had incurred their bitterest
+enmity. One day Grettir observed a ship approaching, rowed by twelve
+men; it landed near Thorfinn's boat-stand, wherein was his boat which
+was never launched by less than thirty men; nevertheless these twelve
+pushed it down to the water's edge, laid their own boat upon it, and
+bore it into the boat-stand.
+
+Grettir's suspicions being aroused, he went down, and after giving
+them a hearty welcome, asked who they were. The leader told him he was
+known as Thorir Paunch; that his brother was Ogmund, and the rest
+fellows of theirs. Grettir told them they could not have come at a
+better time, if, as he thought, they had some grudge against Thorfinn,
+for he was away from home, and would not be back till Yule was past,
+but his wife and daughter were in the house. 'Now am I well enough
+minded to take revenge on Thorfinn,' said Thorir, 'and this man is
+ready enough of tidings, and no need have we to drag the words out of
+him.' So they all went up to the farm, but the women were distracted
+with fear, thinking that Grettir had played false. He, however,
+induced the berserkers to lay aside their arms, and when evening was
+come, brought them beer in abundance, and entertained them with tales
+and merry jests. After a while he proposed to lead them to Thorfinn's
+treasure house: nothing loth they followed readily; when they were all
+inside he managed to slip out and lock them in. He then ran back for
+weapons: a broad-headed barbed spear, his sword and helmet. Now the
+berserkers knew they had been entrapped; breaking down the panelling
+of a wall they rushed out into the passage, where in the nick of time
+arrived Grettir, who thrust Thorir through with his spear; Ogmund the
+Evil was pressing close behind, so that the same thrust which pierced
+the one transfixed the other also. The remainder defended themselves
+with logs and whatever lay ready to hand, or tried to escape; but
+Grettir slew all of them save two, who for the moment escaped, but
+were found next day under a rock, dead from cold and wounds.
+
+Shortly afterwards Thorfinn returned, and when he was told of the
+wondrous deeds of Grettir, who had thus saved the honour of his house,
+he bade him come to him whenever he needed aid; and the two were now
+close friends; moreover, Grettir's fame began to spread abroad, and he
+became renowned all over Norway. Leaving his friend Thorfinn, he took
+passage in a ship belonging to one Thorkel, who lived in Heligoland.
+He welcomed Grettir heartily to his house, but with a man called
+Biorn, who lived there with him, the Icelander could by no means
+agree, nor indeed did others find it easy, for Biorn's temper was
+hasty and difficult.
+
+It happened that a savage bear wrought havoc at that time, being so
+grim that it spared neither man nor beast, so one night Biorn set out
+to slay it. The bear was in its cave, in the track leading to which
+Biorn lay down, with his shield over him, to wait for the beast to
+stir abroad as its manner was. But the beast suspected the presence of
+the man, and was slow to move; delayed so long indeed that Biorn fell
+asleep. Now the bear became brisk enough, sallied forth, hooked its
+claws in Biorn's shield, and threw it over the cliff. Biorn woke
+suddenly and ran, just escaping its clutch; but the whole proceedings
+had been watched, and he had to endure many taunts and jeers. Grettir
+went afterwards and killed the beast, though not without a terrible
+struggle, in which they both fell over the rocks, but the bear was
+underneath, and Grettir was able to stab it to the heart. More than
+ever then on account of this did ill-will against Grettir rankle in
+Biorn's breast. He sailed west to England, as master of Thorkel's
+ship; when he returned he met Grettir at a place called
+Drontheim-firth. The two took up their old quarrel again, fought on
+the strand, and Biorn was killed.
+
+At that time Earl Svein was ruling over Norway as regent, the rightful
+king being but a boy. At the court in the Earl's service was Biorn's
+brother, Hiarandi, who was exceedingly wroth when he heard of Biorn's
+death, and begged the Earl's assistance in the matter. Svein therefore
+sent for Thorfinn and Grettir, but Hiarandi would not agree to any
+terms proposed, and lay in wait to take Grettir's life. With five
+others he sprang out from a certain court gate, dealt a blow at him
+with an axe, and wounded him; but Grettir and a companion turned on
+them and slew them all save one, who escaped and told the Earl. There
+remained yet another brother of Biorn and Hiarandi to take up the
+feud, but he fared no better, and was also slain. Earl Svein was now
+'wondrous wroth' at this tale, for said he, 'Grettir has now slain
+three brothers, one at the heels of the other, and I will not thus
+bring wrongs into the land so as to take compensation for such
+unmeasured misdeeds'; so he would not listen to any proposals by
+Thorfinn to pay blood-money. However, many more added their words to
+Thorfinn's, and prayed the Earl to spare Grettir's life, for, after
+all, he had acted in self-defence, and if his life were to be forfeit,
+there would be slayings throughout the whole land. These arguments at
+length prevailed, Grettir was allowed to go in peace, and went back to
+Iceland, the term of his outlawry being expired.
+
+Being now grown to man's estate, and having waxed greatly in bodily
+strength, he roamed about the country to see if there were any with
+whom he might match himself, and took it very ill that he found none.
+About this time, strange rumours were flying about to the effect that
+a farm belonging to one Thorhall was haunted. Thorhall was an honest
+man and very rich in cattle and livestock, but could hardly get a
+shepherd to stay in his service; whereat, being sore perplexed, he
+went for advice to Skapti the Lawman. Skapti promised to get him a
+shepherd called Glam, a Swede, for which Thorhall thanked him. On his
+return he missed two dun cows, went to look for them, and on the way
+met a man carrying faggots, who said his name was Glam. He was great
+of stature, uncouth in appearance, his eyes grey and glaring, and his
+hair wolf-grey. Thorhall told him Skapti had recommended him, adding
+that the place was haunted, but Glam made light of this: 'Such bugs
+will not scare me,' quoth he. There was a church at Thorhall-stead,
+but Glam loathed church-song, being godless, foul-tempered and surly,
+and no man could abide him, Thorhall's wife least of all. So time wore
+on till Christmas-eve, when Glam called for his meat, but was told
+that no Christian man would eat meat on that day. He insisted; and the
+housewife gave it, though prophesying evil would come of it. Glam took
+the food and went out growling and grumbling.
+
+He was heard in the early morning on the hills, but not as the day
+wore on; then a snowstorm came, and Glam returned not that night nor
+yet the day following, so search parties were sent out, who found the
+sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten down by the storm, or
+strayed up into the mountains. Then they came to a great beaten place
+high up in a valley, where it seemed as though there had been
+wrestling, stones and earth torn up, and signs of a severe struggle;
+looking closer, they found Glam dead, his body blue and swollen to the
+size of an ox. They tried to bring the body down to the church, but
+could only move it a very little way; they returned, therefore, and
+told how they had tracked steps as great as if a cask bottom had been
+stamped down, leading from the beaten place up to beneath sheer rocks
+high up the valley, and along the track great stains of blood. From
+this men thought that the evil wight which had killed Glam had got
+such wounds as had sufficed for him, but none ever could say for
+certain.
+
+The second day after Christmas men were sent again to bring Glam's
+body to the church, but though horses were put to drag it, they could
+not move the corpse except down hill, so Glam was buried where he lay.
+Now within a little time men became aware that Glam lay not quiet; he
+walked well-nigh night and day, and took to riding the house roofs at
+night, so much so that he nearly broke them in. The folk were
+exceedingly afraid thereat; many fainted or went mad, while others
+incontinently fled there and then. Another shepherd, big and strong,
+came to take Glam's place; he was nowise dismayed by the hauntings,
+but deemed it good sport rather than not when Glam rode the
+house-roofs. But when another Christmas came the shepherd was missed;
+search was made, and he was found on the hill-side by Glam's cairn,
+his neck broken, and every bone in his body smashed. Then Glam waxed
+more mighty than ever; the cattle bellowed and roared, and gored each
+other; the byre cracked, and a cattle-man who had been long in
+Thorhall's service was found dead, his head in one stall and feet in
+another. None could go up the dale with horse or hound, because it was
+straightway slain, and it was no easy task to get servants to remain
+at the steading.
+
+Things had come to this pass when Grettir rode over to Thorhall-stead,
+where the owner gave him good welcome, though warning him that few
+cared to stay long under his roof. Grettir's horse was locked up in
+the stable, and the first night nothing happened; but on the second
+the stable was broken into, the horse dragged out to the door, and
+every bone of him broken. Next night Grettir sat up to watch; and when
+a third of the night was past, he heard a terrible din as of one
+riding the roof, and driving his heels against the thatch so that
+every rafter cracked again. He went to the door, and saw Glam, whose
+head, as it appeared to him, was monstrously big. Glam came slowly in
+and took hold of a bundle lying on the seat, but Grettir planted his
+foot against a beam, seized the bundle also, and pulled against Glam
+with such strength that the wrapper was rent between them. Glam
+wondered who might this be that pulled with such strength against him,
+when Grettir rushed in, seized him round the waist, and tried to force
+him down backwards; but he shrank all aback by reason of Glam's
+strength, which, indeed, seemed to be almost greater than his own. A
+wondrous hard wrestling bout was that; but at last Grettir, gathering
+up his strength for a sudden effort, drove against Glam's breast, at
+the same moment pushing with both feet against the half-sunken stone
+that stood in the threshold of the door. For this Glam was not ready,
+therefore he reeled backwards and spun against the door, so that his
+shoulders caught against the upper part of it; the roof burst--both
+rafters and frozen thatch--and he fell open-armed backwards out of the
+house with Grettir over him.
+
+It was bright moonlight without, with drift scudding over the moon; at
+that instant the moon's face cleared, and Glam glared up against her.
+By that sight only Grettir confessed himself dismayed beyond all that
+he had ever seen; nor, for weariness and fear together, could he draw
+his sword to strike off Glam's head withal. But Glam was crafty beyond
+other ghosts, so that now he spoke: 'Exceeding eager hast thou been to
+meet me, Grettir, but it will be deemed no wonder if this meeting work
+thee harm. This must I tell thee, that thou now hast but half the
+strength and manhood which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me; I may
+not take from thee the strength that was thine before, but this may I
+rule--that thou shalt never be mightier than thou now art. Hitherto
+thou hast earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will wrongs and
+manslayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings will turn to
+thy woe and ill-hap, an outlaw shalt thou be made, and ever shall it
+be thy lot to dwell abroad. Therefore this fate I lay upon thee, ever
+in those days to see these eyes of mine with thine eyes, and thou wilt
+find it hard to be alone, and that shall drag thee unto death.'
+Grettir's wits came back to him, and therewith he drew his short
+sword, cut off Glam's head, and laid it at his thigh. Glam's body was
+burnt, the ashes put into a beast's skin and buried. Thorhall,
+overjoyed at the deliverance, treated Grettir handsomely, giving him a
+good horse and decent clothes, for his own had been torn to pieces in
+the struggle. Grettir's fame spread far abroad for this deed, and none
+was deemed his equal for boldness and prowess. Yet Glam's curse began
+already to work, for Grettir dared not go out after nightfall, for
+then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors. It became a proverb in the
+land that Glam gives Glam-sight to those who see things otherwise than
+as they are, which we now express by the word 'glamour.'
+
+Now Grettir had a strong wish to go to Norway, for Earl Svein had fled
+the country after being beaten in a battle, and Olaf the Saint held
+sole rule as king. There was also a man named Thorir of Garth who had
+been in Norway, and was a friend of the king; this man was anxious to
+send out his sons to become the king's men. The sons accordingly
+sailed, and came to a haven at Stead, where they remained some days,
+during stormy weather. Grettir also had sailed after them, and the
+crew bore down on Stead, being hard put to it by reason of foul
+weather, snow and frost; and they were all worn, weary and wet. To
+save expense they did not put into the harbour, but lay to beside a
+dyke, where, though perished with cold, they could not light a fire.
+As the night wore on they saw that a great fire was burning on the
+opposite side of the sound up which they had sailed, and fell to
+talking and wondering whether by possibility any man might fetch that
+fire. Grettir said little, but made ready for swimming; he had on but
+a cape and sail-cloth breeches. He girt up the cape and tied a rope
+strongly round his middle, and had with him a cask; then he leaped
+overboard and swam across. There he saw a house, and heard much
+talking and noise, so he turned towards it, and found it to be a house
+of refuge for coasting sailors; twelve men were inside sitting round a
+great fire on the floor, drinking, and these were the sons of Thorir.
+When Grettir burst in he knew not who was there, he himself seemed
+huge of bulk, for his cape was frozen all over into ice; therefore the
+men took him to be some evil troll, and smote at him with anything
+that lay to hand; but Grettir put all blows aside, snatched up some
+firebrands, and swam therewith back to the ship. Grettir's comrades
+were mightily pleased, and bepraised him and his journey and his
+prowess.
+
+[Illustration: GRETTIR OVERTHROWS THORIR REDBEARD]
+
+Next morning they crossed the sound, but found no house, only a great
+heap of ashes, and therein many bones of men. They asked if Grettir
+had done this misdeed; but he said it had happened even as he had
+expected. The men said wherever they came that Grettir had burnt those
+people; and the news soon spread that the victims were the sons of
+Thorir of Garth. Grettir therefore now grew into such bad repute that
+he was driven from the ship, and scarcely anyone would say a good word
+for him. As matters were so hopeless he determined to explain all to
+the king, and offer to free himself from the slander by handling hot
+iron without being burned. His ill-luck still pursued him, for when
+all was ready in the church where the ceremony was about to take
+place, a wild-looking lad, or, as some said, an unclean spirit,
+started up from no one knew where, and spoke such impertinent words to
+Grettir that he felled him with a blow of his fist. After this the
+king would not allow the ceremony to go on: 'Thou art far too
+luckless a man to abide with us, and if ever man has been cursed, of
+all men must thou have been,' said he; and advised him to go back to
+Iceland in the summer. Meanwhile Asmund the Greyhaired died, and was
+buried at Biarg, and Atli succeeded to his goods, but was soon
+afterwards basely murdered by a neighbouring chief who bore him
+ill-will for his many friendships, and grudged him his possessions.
+Thorir of Garth brought a suit at the Thing to have Grettir outlawed
+for the burning of his sons; but Skapti the Lawman thought it scarcely
+fair to condemn a man unheard, and spoke these wise words: 'A tale is
+half told if one man tells it, for most folk are readiest to bring
+their stories to the worser side when there are two ways of telling
+them.' Thorir, however, was a man of might, and had powerful friends;
+these between them pushed on the suit, and with a high hand rather
+than according to law obtained their decree. Thus was Grettir outlawed
+for a deed of which he was innocent. These three pieces of bad news
+greeted him all at once on his return to Iceland: his father's death,
+his brother's murder, and his own outlawry.
+
+One of the first things he did was to avenge his brother's murder, but
+there was a price on his head, and he wandered about from place to
+place in the wilderness. On one occasion, as he lay asleep, some men
+of Icefirth came upon him, and though they were ten in number they had
+much ado to take him; but at last they bound him, and put up a
+gallows, for they intended to hang him. Fortunately for Grettir, at
+that moment there rode along the wife of the ruling chief of that
+district, who interposed and set him free, on his promise not to stir
+up strife in that neighbourhood. His next adventure was at a place
+called Ernewaterheath where he had built himself a hut, and lived by
+fishing in the river. There were other outlaws, who, on hearing that
+Grettir was in the neighbourhood, made a bargain with one Grim that he
+should slay him. Grim begged Grettir to take him into his hut, which
+he agreed to do, as he was so frightened when alone in the dark;
+nevertheless, having his suspicions of the man, he kept his short
+sword always within reach. One day Grim came back from fishing, and
+thought Grettir was asleep, for he made no movement when Grim suddenly
+stamped his foot; thinking he now had his chance, he stole on tip-toe
+to the bedside, took Grettir's short sword and unsheathed it. But at
+the very moment when Grim had it raised aloft to stab Grettir, the
+supposed sleeping man sprang up, knocked Grim down, wrenched the sword
+out of his hand and killed him. Next, Grettir's enemy Thorir of Garth
+heard of his whereabouts, and prevailed upon one Thorir Redbeard to
+attempt to slay him. So Redbeard laid his plans, with the object, as
+it is quaintly phrased, of 'winning' Grettir. He, however, declined to
+be 'won,' for Redbeard fared no better than Grim. He tried to slay the
+outlaw while he was swimming back from his nets, but Grettir sank like
+a stone and swam along the bottom till he reached a place where he
+could land unseen by Redbeard. He then came on him from behind, while
+Redbeard was still looking for his appearance out of the water; heaved
+him over his head, and caused him to fall so heavily that his weapon
+fell out of his hand. Grettir seized it and smote off his head.
+
+Thorir of Garth was anything but satisfied with the result of his
+endeavour to have Grettir killed, and gathered together a force of
+nearly eighty men to take him; but this time Grettir was forewarned by
+a friend, and took up a position in a very narrow pass. When Thorir's
+men came up and attacked him he slew them one by one till he had
+killed eighteen and wounded many more, so that Thorir said, 'Lo, now
+we have to do with trolls and not men,' and bade the rest retire.
+Shortly afterwards he collected some twenty men and rode off again to
+search for Grettir. This time he was within an ace of coming upon the
+outlaw unawares; but Grettir and a friend had just time to conceal
+themselves when Thorir rode by. After the party had passed, an idea
+occurred to Grettir. 'They will not deem their journey good if we be
+not found,' he said; so, though much against the advice of his friend,
+he disguised himself in a slouch hat and other clothes, took a staff
+and intercepted Thorir's band at a point where he knew they must pass.
+They asked him whether he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+'Yes,' he said, 'the men you seek I have seen, and you have missed
+them only by a very little; they are there on the south side of these
+bogs to the left.' On hearing this, off galloped Thorir and his men,
+but the bogs were a sort of quagmire, wherein the horses stuck fast;
+and remained wallowing and struggling for the greater part of the day,
+while the riders 'gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had
+so befooled them.'
+
+Grettir now deemed it advisable to go about the country in disguise,
+and, under the name of Guest, came to a place called Sandheaps, much
+haunted by trolls. Two winters before he arrived the husband of the
+good-wife had mysteriously disappeared during her absence, none knew
+whither; her name was Steinvor. A loud crashing had been heard in the
+night about the man's bed, but the folk were too frightened to rise
+and find out the cause; in the morning Steinvor came back, but her
+husband was gone. Again, the next year, while she was away at church,
+a house-servant remained behind; but he too vanished, and bloodstains
+were found about the outer door. Grettir was told of this when he came
+to Sandheaps on Christmas-eve, staying there under the name of Guest.
+Steinvor, as usual, went away to worship, and remained absent that
+night, leaving Grettir at home. He sat up to watch, and about midnight
+he heard a great noise outside, shortly after which there came into
+the hall a huge troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a monstrous
+chopper in the other. Seeing Grettir she rushed at him, but he closed
+with her, and there was a terrible wrestling match. She was the
+stronger, and dragged him from the house, breaking down all the
+fittings of the door; down she dragged him to the river which flowed
+through the farm, and Grettir, exhausted with the struggle, was
+well-nigh at the limit of his endurance. Making one last great effort,
+he managed to draw his short sword and strike off the hag's arm at the
+shoulder; then was he free, and she fell into the gulf and was carried
+down the rapids. This, at least, was Grettir's story; but the men of
+the neighbourhood say that day dawned on them while they were still
+wrestling, and that therefore the troll burst; for this trolls do,
+according to Norse tradition, if they happen to be caught above ground
+by the rising sun.
+
+Steinvor came back with the priest, who asked Grettir where he thought
+the two men were who had disappeared. He replied they were, he
+thought, in the gulf; but if the priest would help him he would find
+out. The priest agreed. Accordingly, taking a rope with them, they
+followed the stream down to a waterfall where they saw a cave up under
+the cliff--a sheer rock the cliff was, nearly fifty fathoms down to
+the water. The priest's heart misgave him, but Grettir determined to
+make the attempt; so, driving a peg into the ground, he made the rope
+fast to it and bade the priest watch it; then he tied a stone to the
+end and let it sink into the water. When all was ready, he took his
+short sword and leapt into the water. Disappearing from the priest's
+view, he dived under the waterfall--and hard work it was, for the
+whirlpool was strong; but he reached a projecting rock on which he
+rested awhile. A great cave was under the waterfall, and the river
+fell over it from the sheer rocks. Grettir climbed into the cave,
+where he found a great fire flaming, and a giant sitting beside it,
+huge and horrible to look upon. He smote at the new-comer with a
+broadsword, but Grettir avoided the blow, and returned such a mighty
+stroke with his own sword that the giant fell dead at once. The priest
+on the bank, seeing blood washed down by the swirling waters, and
+thinking Grettir was killed, fled in alarm and spread the report of
+his death. Grettir meanwhile stayed in the cave till far on into the
+night; he found there the bones of two men, which he put in a bag;
+swimming with them to the rope, he shook it, but as the priest had
+gone he had to draw himself up by strength of hands. He took the bones
+to the church, where he left them, returning himself to Sandheaps.
+When the priest saw Grettir, the latter taxed him with breach of faith
+in quitting the rope, which charge the priest must needs admit;
+however, no great harm had resulted, the bones were buried, and the
+district was freed from hauntings. Grettir received much credit, in so
+far as he had cleansed the land from these evil wights who had wrought
+the loss of the men there in the dale.
+
+Our hero remained in hiding at Sandheaps, but Thorir of Garth heard of
+him and sent men to take him. Grettir accordingly left the place and
+went to Maddervales, to Gudmund the Rich, of whom he begged shelter.
+Gudmund, however, dared not harbour him, but advised him to seek
+shelter in an isle called Drangey in Skagafirth. The place, he said,
+was excellent for defence, for without ladders no one could land.
+Grettir agreed to go, and went home to Biarg to bid his mother
+farewell. His brother, Illugi, was now fifteen years old, a handsome
+boy, and he overheard Grettir's conversation with his mother about his
+proposed departure to Drangey. 'I will go with thee, brother,' said
+he, 'though I know not that I shall be of any help to thee, unless
+that I shall be ever true to thee, nor run from thee whiles thou
+standest up.' Asdis bade them farewell, warning Grettir against
+sorcery; yet well she knew that she would never see either of her sons
+again. They left Biarg, going north towards Drangey; and on the way
+met with a big ill-clad loon called Thorbiorn Noise, a man too lazy to
+work, and a great swaggerer; but they allowed him to join them.
+
+Now Drangey was an island whose cliffs rose sheer up from the sea;
+there was good pasturage on it, and many sheep and cattle, owned by
+about twenty men, who amongst them held the island in shares. Two men
+called Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, being the richest men, had the
+largest shares. When the men got ready to fetch their beasts from the
+island for slaughter, they found it occupied, which they thought
+strange; but supposing the men in possession to be shipwrecked
+sailors, they rowed to the place where the ladders were, but found
+these drawn up. Persuasion was of no avail, so the baffled owners
+retired, and in one way or another made over their respective shares
+to Angle, on the understanding that he would free the island from
+these unwelcome intruders. The months wore on, and brought no change;
+but now Grettir said he would go to the mainland and get victuals.
+Disguising himself, he carried out his plan, leaving Illugi and Noise
+to guard the ladders. Sports were being held at a place called
+Heron-ness, and the stranger was asked if he would wrestle. 'Time
+was,' he said, 'when he had been fond of it, but he had now given it
+up; yet, upon condition of peace and safe conduct being assured to him
+until such time as he returned home, he was willing to try a bout.'
+This was agreed to, whereupon he cast aside his disguise, and stood
+revealed as Grettir the outlaw. All saw that they had been beguiled,
+yet, for their oath's sake, they could do nothing. First Hialti alone
+tried to throw Grettir, but met with nothing but a mighty fall; then
+he and his brother Angle tried together, but though each of them had
+the strength of two men they were no match for their antagonist, and
+had to retire discomfited.
+
+Then Grettir went back to Drangey. Two winters had now been spent on
+the island, but firewood was hard to come by; Noise was sent down to
+gather drifted logs from the sea, but he grew lazier and grumbled more
+and more every day, letting the fire out on one occasion, whereas his
+duty was to keep it burning. Grettir determined to swim to the
+mainland and bring back wood; in this he was successful, though the
+distance was a sea mile, whereat all said his prowess both on land and
+sea was marvellous. Meanwhile Angle, having been baffled in a second
+attempt to land and drive out Grettir, induced a young man called
+Hoering, an expert climber, to try to scale the cliffs, promising
+him if successful a very large reward. Angle rowed him over, and
+Hoering did, indeed, scale the precipice, but young Illugi was on
+the watch, chased him round the island, and Hoering, sore pressed,
+leapt over the cliff and was killed.
+
+[Illustration: The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log.]
+
+About this time, Grettir having been so many years in outlawry, many
+thought that the sentence should be annulled; and it was deemed
+certain that he would be pardoned in the next ensuing summer; but they
+who had owned the island were exceedingly discontented at the
+prospect of his acquittal, and urged Angle either to give back the
+island or slay Grettir. Now Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid; she was
+old and cunning in witchcraft, which she had learnt in her youth; for
+though Christianity had now been established in the island, yet there
+remained still many traces of heathendom. Angle and she put out in a
+ten-oared boat to pick a quarrel with Grettir, of which the upshot was
+that the outlaw threw a huge stone into the boat, where the witch lay
+covered up with wrappings, and broke her leg. Angle had to endure many
+taunts at the failure of all his attempts to outplay Grettir. One day,
+Thurid was limping along by the sea, when she found a large log, part
+of the trunk of a tree. She cut a flat space on it, carved magic
+characters, or runes, on the root, reddened them with her blood, and
+sang witch-words over them; then she walked backwards round it, and
+widdershins--which means in a direction against the sun--and thrust
+the log out to sea under many strong spells, in such wise that it
+should drive out to Drangey. In the teeth of the wind it went, till it
+came to the island, where Illugi and Grettir saw it, but knowing it
+boded them ill, they thrust it out from shore; yet next morning was it
+there again, nearer the ladders than before; but again they drove it
+out to sea. The days wore on to summer, and a gale sprang up with wet;
+the brothers being short of firewood, Noise was sent down to the shore
+to look for drift, grumbling at being ordered out in bad weather,
+when, lo! the log was there again, and he fetched it up.
+
+Grettir was angry with Noise, and not noticing what the log was, hewed
+at it with his axe, which glanced from the wood and cut into his leg,
+right down to the bone. Illugi bound it up, and at first it seemed as
+though the wound was healed. But after a time his leg took to paining
+Grettir, and became blue and swollen, so that he could not sleep, and
+Illugi watched by him night and day. At this time Thurid advised
+Angle to make another attempt on the island; he therefore gathered a
+force of a dozen men together, and set sail in very foul weather, but
+no sooner had they reached open sea than the wind lulled, so they came
+to Drangey at dusk. Noise had been told to guard the ladders, and had
+gone out as usual with very ill grace; he thought to himself he would
+not draw them up, so he lay down there and fell asleep, remaining all
+day long in slumber till Angle came to the island. Mounting the
+ladders, he and his men found Noise snoring at the top; arousing him
+roughly, they learned from him what had happened, and how Grettir lay
+sick in the hut with Illugi tending him. Angle thrashed Noise soundly
+for betraying his master, and the men made for the hut. Illugi guarded
+the door with the greatest valour, and when they thrust at him with
+spears he struck off all the spear heads from the shafts. But some of
+the men leapt up on to the roof, tore away the thatch, and broke one
+of the rafters. Grettir thrust up with a spear and killed one man, but
+he could not rise from his knee by reason of his wound; the others
+leapt down and attacked him; young Illugi threw his shield over him
+and made defence for both in most manly wise. Grettir killed another
+man, whose body fell upon him, so that he could not use his sword;
+wherefore Angle at that moment was able to stab him between the
+shoulders, and many another wound they gave him till they thought he
+was dead. Angle took Grettir's short sword and struck at the head of
+the body with such force that a piece of the sword-blade was nicked
+out. So died Grettir, the bravest man of all who ever dwelt in
+Iceland.
+
+The gallant young Illugi was offered his life by Angle if he would
+promise not to try to avenge Grettir; but he scorned the offer, and
+was slain next day; the brothers were buried in a cairn on the island.
+Noise was taken aboard the boat, but bore himself so ill that he too
+was killed. Now Angle thought to claim from Thorir of Garth the
+reward set upon Grettir's head; but the murderer was very ill spoken
+of in the land: first, because he had used sorcery, which was against
+the law; next, that he had acted a cowardly part in bearing arms
+against a half-dead man. A suit of outlawry was brought against him in
+the Thing; but seeing that it would go against him he escaped to
+Norway. In that country lived an elder half-brother of Grettir, who
+had heard of his fate and determined to avenge him; neither knew the
+other by sight. Angle, however, becoming uneasy, went to Micklegarth
+(Constantinople), whither he was followed by Thorstein Dromond. One
+day, at a weapon-showing, or exhibition of arms, Angle drew the short
+sword which had belonged to Grettir; it was praised by all as a good
+weapon, but the notch in the edge was a blemish. Angle related how he
+had slain Grettir, and how the notch came to be there. Thereupon
+Thorstein, who was present, knew his man, and asked to be allowed,
+like the rest, to see the short sword; Angle gave it to him, whereupon
+Thorstein clove his head in two with it, and Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.
+
+Thus Grettir was avenged.
+
+
+The End.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EDITED BY ANDREW LANG.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK. With 138 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED FAIRY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. With 99 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK. With 104 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE PINK FAIRY BOOK. With 67 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE GREY FAIRY BOOK. With 65 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK.  With 8 Coloured
+Plates and 54 other Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE BLUE POETRY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE BLUE POETRY BOOK.  School Edition,
+without Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo. 2s. 6d.
+
+THE TRUE STORY BOOK. With 66 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED TRUE STORY BOOK. With 100 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE ANIMAL STORY BOOK. With 67 Illustrations.
+Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE RED BOOK OF ANIMAL STORIES. With
+65 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS.
+With 66 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. gilt edges, 6s.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 39 Paternoster Row, London
+New York and Bombay.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Romance, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF ROMANCE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26646.txt or 26646.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/4/26646/
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/26646.zip b/26646.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d68a5dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26646.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df91ba2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #26646 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26646)