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+Project Gutenberg's Historic Tales, Vol 14  (of 15), by Charles Morris
+
+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: Historic Tales, Vol 14  (of 15)
+       The Romance of Reality
+
+Author: Charles Morris
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2010 [EBook #32292]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL 14  (OF 15) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Christine Aldridge and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+1. Passages in italics are surrounded by _underscores_.
+
+2. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected.
+
+3. A complete list of spelling corrections and notations is located at
+   the end of this text.
+
+
+
+
+                           _Edition d'Elite_
+
+
+                            Historical Tales
+
+                         The Romance of Reality
+
+                                   By
+
+                             CHARLES MORRIS
+
+
+      _Author of "Half-Hours with the Best American Authors," "Tales
+                       from the Dramatists," etc._
+
+
+                           IN FIFTEEN VOLUMES
+
+                               Volume XIV
+
+
+                               King Arthur
+
+                                    2
+
+
+                         J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
+
+                         PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
+
+
+               Copyright, 1891, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+               Copyright, 1904, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+               Copyright, 1908, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+
+[Illustration: CONWAY CASTLE.]
+
+
+
+
+                          CONTENTS TO VOLUME II.
+
+
+                                BOOK VIII.
+
+                    TRISTRAM AND ISOLDE AT JOYOUS GARD.
+
+      CHAPTER.                                             PAGE.
+
+         I.--THE TREACHERY OF KING MARK                       9
+
+        II.--HOW TRISTRAM BEFOOLED DINADAN                   23
+
+       III.--ON THE ROAD TO LONAZEP                          36
+
+        IV.--HOW PALAMIDES FARED AT THE RED CITY             46
+
+         V.--THE TOURNAMENT AT LONAZEP                       55
+
+        VI.--THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT                70
+
+       VII.--THE WOES OF TWO LOVERS                          83
+
+      VIII.--THE RIVALRY OF TRISTRAM AND PALAMIDES           92
+
+
+                                 BOOK IX.
+
+                       THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL.
+
+         I.--THE ENCHANTED CASTLE OF KING PELLAM            117
+
+        II.--THE MARVEL OF THE FLOATING SWORD               125
+
+       III.--HOW GALAHAD GOT HIS SHIELD                     141
+
+        IV.--THE TEMPTATION OF SIR PERCIVALE                155
+
+         V.--THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF SIR BORS             173
+
+        VI.--THE ADVENTURE OF THE MAGIC SHIP                195
+
+       VII.--HOW LANCELOT SAW THE SANGREAL                  207
+
+      VIII.--THE DEEDS OF THE THREE CHOSEN KNIGHTS          217
+
+
+                                 BOOK X.
+
+                    THE LOVE OF LANCELOT AND GUENEVER.
+
+         I.--THE POISONING OF SIR PATRISE                   226
+
+        II.--THE LILY MAID OF ASTOLAT                       239
+
+       III.--HOW ELAINE DIED FOR LOVE                       251
+
+        IV.--THE CHEVALIER OF THE CART                      260
+
+
+                                 BOOK XI.
+
+                           THE HAND OF DESTINY.
+
+         I.--THE TRAPPING OF THE LION                       280
+
+        II.--THE RESCUE OF THE QUEEN                        288
+
+       III.--THE RETURN OF GUENEVER                         297
+
+        IV.--THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT            314
+
+         V.--THE STING OF THE VIPER                         323
+
+        VI.--THE PASSING OF ARTHUR                          335
+
+       VII.--THE DEATH OF LANCELOT AND GUENEVER             339
+
+
+
+
+                          LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+                          KING ARTHUR. VOL. II.
+
+                                                           PAGE
+
+      CONWAY CASTLE                           _Frontispiece._
+
+      ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT, CORNWALL                          10
+
+      THE ROUND TABLE OF KING ARTHUR                         16
+
+      MARRIAGE OF SIR TRISTRAM                               24
+
+      THE ASSAULT OF SIR TRISTRAM                            42
+
+      SIR TRISTRAM AT JOYOUS GARD                            55
+
+      THE DEPARTURE                                          93
+
+      ON THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL                        118
+
+      JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA                                   134
+
+      OATH OF KNIGHTHOOD                                    144
+
+      SIR GALAHAD FIGHTING THE SEVEN SINS                   153
+
+      AN OLD AND HALF-RUINED CHAPEL                         183
+
+      THE MAGIC SHIP                                        198
+
+      SIR GALAHAD'S QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL                 217
+
+      SALISBURY CATHEDRAL                                   225
+
+      "YOU ARE WELCOME, BOTH," SAID SIR BERNARD             241
+
+      ELAINE                                                259
+
+      SIR LANCELOT IN THE QUEEN'S CHAMBER                   287
+
+      THE TOWER OF LONDON                                   324
+
+      THE OLD KITCHEN OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY                  345
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+                             KING ARTHUR
+
+                               AND THE
+
+                      KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.
+
+
+
+
+                              BOOK VIII.
+
+                  TRISTRAM AND ISOLDE AT JOYOUS GARD
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE TREACHERY OF KING MARK.
+
+
+The story of Tristram's valorous deeds, and of the high honor in which
+he was held at Camelot, in good time came to Cornwall, where it filled
+King Mark's soul with revengeful fury, and stirred the heart of La Belle
+Isolde to the warmest love. The coward king, indeed, in his jealous
+hatred of his nephew, set out in disguise for England, with murderous
+designs against Tristram should an opportunity occur.
+
+Many things happened to him there, and he was brought into deep
+disgrace, but the story of his adventures may be passed over in brief
+review, lest the reader should find it wearisome.
+
+Not far had he ridden on English soil before he met with Dinadan, who,
+in his jesting humor, soon played him a merry trick. For he arrayed
+Dagonet, the king's fool, in a suit of armor, which he made Mark believe
+was Lancelot's. Thus prepared, Dagonet rode to meet him and challenged
+him to a joust. But King Mark, on seeing what he fancied was Lancelot's
+shield, turned and fled at headlong speed, followed by the fool and his
+comrades with hunting cries and laughter till the forest rang with the
+noise.
+
+Escaping at length from this merry chase, the trembling dastard made his
+way to Camelot, where he hoped some chance would arise to aid him in his
+murderous designs on Tristram. But a knight of his own train, named Sir
+Amant, had arrived there before him, and accused him of treason to the
+king, without telling who he was.
+
+"This is a charge that must be settled by wager of battle," said King
+Arthur. "The quarrel is between you; you must decide it with sword and
+spear."
+
+In the battle that followed, Sir Amant, by unlucky fortune, was run
+through, and fell from his horse with a mortal wound.
+
+"Heaven has decided in my favor," cried King Mark. "But here I shall no
+longer stay, for it does not seem a safe harbor for honest knights."
+
+He thereupon rode away, fearing that Dinadan would reveal his name. Yet
+not far had he gone before Lancelot came in furious haste after him.
+
+[Illustration: ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT, CORNWALL.]
+
+"Turn again, thou recreant king and knight," he loudly called. "To
+Arthur's court you must return, whether it is your will or not. We know
+you, villain. Sir Amant has told your name and purpose; and, by my
+faith, I am strongly moved to kill you on the spot."
+
+"Fair sir," asked King Mark, "what is your name?"
+
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake. Defend yourself, dog and dastard."
+
+On hearing this dreaded name, and seeing Lancelot riding upon him with
+spear in rest, King Mark tumbled like a sack of grain from his saddle to
+the earth, crying in terror, "I yield me, Sir Lancelot! I yield me!" and
+begging piteously for mercy.
+
+"Thou villain!" thundered Lancelot, "I would give much to deal thee one
+buffet for the love of Tristram and Isolde. Mount, dog, and follow me."
+
+Mark hastened to obey, and was thus brought like a slave back to
+Arthur's court, where he made such prayers and promises that in the end
+the king forgave him, but only on condition that he would enter into
+accord with Tristram, and remove from him the sentence of banishment.
+All this King Mark volubly promised and swore to abide by, though a
+false heart underlay his fair words. But Tristram gladly accepted the
+proffered truce with his old enemy, for his heart burned with desire to
+see his lady love again.
+
+Soon afterwards Dinadan, with Dagonet and his companions, came to court,
+and great was the laughter and jesting at King Mark when they told the
+story of his flight from Arthur's fool.
+
+"This is all very well for you stay-at-homes," cried Mark; "but even a
+fool in Lancelot's armor is not to be played with. As it was, Dagonet
+paid for his masquerade, for he met a knight who brought him like a log
+to the ground, and all these laughing fellows with him."
+
+"Who was that?" asked King Arthur.
+
+"I can tell you," said Dinadan. "It was Sir Palamides. I followed him
+through the forest, and a lively time we had in company."
+
+"Aha! then you have had adventures."
+
+"Rare ones. We met a knight before Morgan le Fay's castle. You know the
+custom there, to let no knight pass without a hard fight for it. This
+stranger made havoc with the custom, for he overthrew ten of your
+sister's knights, and killed some of them. He afterwards tilted with
+Palamides for offering to help him, and gave that doughty fellow a sore
+wound."
+
+"Who was this mighty champion? Not Lancelot or Tristram?" asked the
+king, looking around.
+
+"On our faith we had no hand in it," they both answered.
+
+"It was the knight next to them in renown," answered Dinadan.
+
+"Lamorak of Wales?"
+
+"No less. And, my faith, a sturdy fellow he is. I left him and Palamides
+the best of friends."
+
+"I hope, then, to see the pair of them at next week's tournament," said
+the king.
+
+Alas for Lamorak! Better for him far had he kept away from that
+tournament. His gallant career was near its end, for treachery and
+hatred were soon to seal his fate. This sorrowful story it is now our
+sad duty to tell.
+
+Lamorak had long loved Margause, the queen of Orkney, Arthur's sister
+and the mother of Gawaine and his brethren. For this they hated him, and
+with treacherous intent invited their mother to a castle near Camelot,
+as a lure to her lover. Soon after the tournament, at which Lamorak won
+the prize of valor, and redoubled the hatred of Gawaine and his brothers
+by overcoming them in the fray, word was brought to the victorious
+knight that Margause was near at hand and wished to see him.
+
+With a lover's ardor, he hastened to the castle where she was, but, as
+they sat in the queen's apartment in conversation, the door was suddenly
+flung open, and Gaheris, one of the murderous brethren, burst in, full
+armed and with a naked sword in his hand. Rushing in fury on the
+unsuspecting lovers, with one dreadful blow he struck off his mother's
+head, crimsoning Lamorak with her blood. He next assailed Lamorak, who,
+being unarmed, was forced to fly for his life, and barely escaped.
+
+The tidings of this dread affair filled the land with dismay, and many
+of the good knights of Arthur's court threatened reprisal. Arthur
+himself was full of wrath at the death of his sister. Yet those were
+days when law ruled not, but force was master, and retribution only came
+from the strong hand and the ready sword. This was Lamorak's quarrel,
+and the king, though he vowed to protect him from his foes, declared
+that the good knight of Wales must seek retribution with his own hand.
+
+He gained death, alas! instead of revenge, for his foes proved too
+vigilant for him, and overcame him by vile treachery. Watching his
+movements, they lay in ambush for him at a difficult place, and as he
+was passing, unsuspicious of danger, they set suddenly upon him, slew
+his horse, and assailed him on foot.
+
+Gawaine, Mordred, and Gaheris formed this ambush, for the noble-minded
+Gareth had refused to take part in their murderous plot; and with
+desperate fury they assaulted the noble Welsh knight, who, for three
+hours, defended himself against their utmost strength. But at the last
+Mordred dealt him a death-blow from behind, and when he fell in death
+the three murders hewed him with their swords till scarce a trace of the
+human form was left.
+
+Thus perished one of the noblest of Arthur's knights, and thus was done
+one of the most villanous deeds of blood ever known in those days of
+chivalrous war.
+
+Before the death of Lamorak another event happened at Arthur's court
+which must here be told, for it was marvellous in itself, and had in it
+the promise of wondrous future deeds.
+
+One day there came to the court at Camelot a knight attended by a young
+squire. When he had disarmed he went to the king and asked him to give
+the honor of knighthood to his squire.
+
+"What claim has he to it?" asked the king. "Of what lineage is he?"
+
+"He is the youngest son of King Pellinore, and brother to Sir Lamorak.
+He is my brother also; for my name is Aglavale, and I am of the same
+descent."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+"Percivale."
+
+"Then for my love of Lamorak, and the love I bore your father, he shall
+be made a knight to-morrow."
+
+So when the morrow dawned, the king ordered that the youth should be
+brought into the great hall, and there he knighted him, dealing him the
+accolade with his good sword Excalibur.
+
+And so the day passed on till the dinner-hour, when the king seated
+himself at the head of the table, while down its sides were many knights
+of prowess and renown. Percivale, the new-made knight, was given a seat
+among the squires and the untried knights, who sat at the lower end of
+the great dining-table.
+
+But in the midst of their dinner an event of great strangeness occurred.
+For there came into the hall one of the queen's maidens, who was of high
+birth, but who had been born dumb, and in all her life had spoken no
+word. Straight across the hall she walked, while all gazed at her in
+mute surprise, till she came to where Percivale sat. Then she took him
+by the hand, and spoke in a voice that rang through the hall with the
+clearness of a trumpet,--
+
+"Arise, Sir Percivale, thou noble knight and warrior of God's own
+choosing. Arise and come with me."
+
+He rose in deep surprise, while all the others sat in dumb wonder at
+this miracle. To the Round Table she led him, and to the right side of
+the seat perilous, in which no knight had hitherto dared to sit.
+
+"Fair knight, take here your seat;" she said. "This seat belongs to you,
+and to none other, and shall be yours until a greater than you shall
+come."
+
+This said, she departed and asked for a priest. Then was she confessed
+and given the sacrament, and forthwith died. But the king and all his
+court gazed with wonder on Sir Percivale, and asked themselves what all
+this meant, and for what great career God had picked out this youthful
+knight, for such a miracle no man there had ever seen before.
+
+Meanwhile, King Mark had gone back to Cornwall, and with him went Sir
+Tristram, at King Arthur's request, though not till Arthur had made the
+Cornish king swear on Holy Scripture to do his guest no harm, but hold
+him in honor and esteem.
+
+Lancelot, however, was full of dread and anger when he heard what had
+occurred, and he told King Mark plainly that if he did mischief to Sir
+Tristram he would slay him with his own hands.
+
+"Bear this well in mind, sir king," he said, "for I have a way of
+keeping my word."
+
+"I have sworn before King Arthur to treat him honorably," answered Mark.
+"I, too, have a way of keeping my word."
+
+"A way, I doubt not," said Lancelot, scornfully; "but not my way. Your
+reputation for truth needs mending. And all men know for what you came
+into this country. Therefore, take heed what you do."
+
+[Illustration: Copyright 1895 by E. A. Abbey; from a Copely print
+copyright 1897 by Curtis and Cameron.
+
+THE ROUND TABLE OF KING ARTHUR.]
+
+Then Mark and Tristram departed, and soon after they reached Cornwall a
+damsel was sent to Camelot with news of their safe arrival, and bearing
+letters from Tristram to Arthur and Lancelot. These they answered and
+sent the damsel back, the burden of Lancelot's letter being, "Beware of
+King Fox, for his ways are ways of wiles."
+
+They also sent letters to King Mark, threatening him if he should do
+aught to Tristram's injury. These letters worked harm only, for they
+roused the evil spirit in the Cornish king's soul, stirring him up to
+anger and thirst for revenge. He thereupon wrote to Arthur, bidding him
+to meddle with his own concerns, and to take heed to his wife and his
+knights, which would give him work enough to do. As for Sir Tristram, he
+said that he held him to be his mortal enemy.
+
+He wrote also to Queen Guenever, his letter being full of shameful
+charges of illicit relations with Sir Lancelot, and dishonor to her
+lord, the king. Full of wrath at these vile charges, Guenever took the
+letter to Lancelot, who was half beside himself with anger on reading
+it.
+
+"You cannot get at him to make him eat his words," said Dinadan, whom
+Lancelot took into his confidence. "And if you seek to bring him to
+terms with pen and ink, you will find that his villany will get the
+better of your honesty. Yet there are other ways of dealing with
+cowardly curs. Leave him to me; I will make him wince. I will write a
+mocking lay of King Mark and his doings, and will send a harper to sing
+it before him at his court. When this noble king has heard my song I
+fancy he will admit that there are other ways of gaining revenge besides
+writing scurrilous letters."
+
+A stinging lay, indeed, was that which Dinadan composed. When done he
+taught it to a harper named Eliot, who in his turn taught it to other
+harpers, and these, by the orders of Arthur and Lancelot, went into
+Wales and Cornwall to sing it everywhere.
+
+Meanwhile King Mark's crown had been in great danger. For his country
+had been invaded by an army from Session, led by a noted warrior named
+Elias, who drove the forces of Cornwall from the field and besieged the
+king in his castle of Tintagil. And now Tristram came nobly to the
+rescue. At the head of the Cornish forces he drove back the besiegers
+with heavy loss, and challenged Elias to a single combat to end the war.
+The challenge was accepted, and a long and furious combat followed, but
+in the end Elias was slain, and the remnant of his army forced to
+surrender.
+
+This great service added to the seeming accord between Tristram and the
+king, but in his heart Mark nursed all his old bitterness, and hated him
+the more that he had helped him. His secret fury soon found occasion to
+flame to the surface. For at the feast which was given in honor of the
+victory, Eliot, the harper, appeared, and sang before the king and his
+lords the lay that Dinadan had made.
+
+This was so full of ridicule and scorn of King Mark that he leaped from
+his seat in a fury of wrath before the harper had half finished.
+
+"Thou villanous twanger of strings!" he cried. "What hound sent you into
+this land to insult me with your scurrilous songs?"
+
+"I am a minstrel," said Eliot, "and must obey the orders of my lord.
+Sir Dinadan made this song, if you would know, and bade me sing it
+here."
+
+"That jesting fool!" cried Mark, in wrath. "As for you, fellow, you
+shall go free through minstrels' license. But if you lose any time in
+getting out of this country you may find that Cornish air is not good
+for you."
+
+The harper took this advice and hastened away, bearing letters from
+Tristram to Lancelot and Dinadan. But King Mark turned the weight of his
+anger against Tristram, whom he believed had instigated this insult,
+with the design to set all the nobles of his own court laughing at him.
+And well he knew that the villanous lay would be sung throughout the
+land, and that he would be made the jest of all the kingdom.
+
+"They have their sport now," he said. "Mine will come. Tristram of
+Lyonesse shall pay dearly for this insult. And all that hold with him
+shall learn that King Mark of Cornwall is no child's bauble to be played
+with."
+
+The evil-minded king was not long in putting his project in execution.
+At a tournament which was held soon afterwards Tristram was badly
+wounded, and King Mark, with great show of sorrow, had him borne to a
+castle near by, where he took him under his own care as nurse and leech.
+
+Here he gave him a sleeping draught, and had him borne while slumbering
+to another castle, where he was placed in a strong prison cell, under
+the charge of stern keepers.
+
+The disappearance of Tristram made a great stir in the kingdom. La Belle
+Isolde, fearing treachery, went to a faithful knight named Sir Sadok,
+and begged him to try and discover what had become of the missing
+knight. Sadok set himself diligently to work; and soon learned that
+Tristram was held captive in the castle of Lyonesse. Then he went to
+Dinas, the seneschal, and others, and told them what had been done, at
+which they broke into open rebellion against King Mark, and took
+possession of all the towns and castles in the country of Lyonesse,
+filling them with their followers.
+
+But while the rebellious army was preparing to march on Tintagil, and
+force King Mark to set free his prisoner, Tristram was delivered by the
+young knight Sir Percivale, who had come thither in search of
+adventures, and had heard of King Mark's base deed. Great was the joy
+between these noble knights, and Tristram said,--
+
+"Will you abide in these marches, Sir Percivale? If so, I will keep you
+company."
+
+"Nay, dear friend, I cannot tarry here. Duty calls me into Wales."
+
+But before leaving Cornwall he went to King Mark, told him what he had
+done, and threatened him with the revenge of all honorable knights if he
+sought again to injure his noble nephew.
+
+"What would you have me do?" asked the king. "Shall I harbor a man who
+openly makes love to my wife and queen?"
+
+"Is there any shame in a nephew showing an open affection for his
+uncle's wife?" asked Percivale. "No man will dare say that so noble a
+warrior as Sir Tristram would go beyond the borders of sinless love, or
+will dare accuse the virtuous lady La Belle Isolde of lack of chastity.
+You have let jealousy run away with your wisdom, King Mark."
+
+So saying, he departed; but his words had little effect on King Mark's
+mind. No sooner had Percivale gone than he began new devices to gratify
+his hatred of his nephew. He sent word to Dinas, the seneschal, under
+oath, that he intended to go to the Pope and join the war against the
+infidel Saracens, which he looked upon as a nobler service than that of
+raising the people against their lawful king.
+
+So earnest were his professions that Dinas believed him and dismissed
+his forces, but no sooner was this done than King Mark set aside his
+oath and had Tristram again privately seized and imprisoned.
+
+This new outrage filled the whole realm with tumult and rebellious
+feeling. La Belle Isolde was at first thrown into the deepest grief, and
+then her heart swelled high with resolution to live no longer with the
+dastard who called her wife. Tristram at the same time privately sent
+her a letter, advising her to leave the court of her villanous lord, and
+offering to go with her to Arthur's realm, if she would have a vessel
+privately made ready.
+
+The queen thereupon had an interview with Dinas and Sadok, and begged
+them to seize and imprison the king, since she was resolved to escape
+from his power.
+
+Furious at the fox-like treachery of the king, these knights did as
+requested, for they formed a plot by which Mark was privately seized,
+and they imprisoned him secretly in a strong dungeon. At the same time
+Tristram was delivered, and soon sailed openly away from Cornwall with
+La Belle Isolde, gladly shaking the dust of that realm of treachery from
+his feet.
+
+In due time the vessel touched shore in King Arthur's dominions, and
+gladly throbbed the heart of the long-unhappy queen as her feet touched
+that free and friendly soil. As for Tristram, never was lover fuller of
+joy, and life seemed to him to have just begun.
+
+Not long had they landed when a knightly chance brought Lancelot into
+their company. Warm indeed was the greeting of those two noble
+companions, and glad the welcome which Lancelot gave Isolde to English
+soil.
+
+"You have done well," he said, "to fly from that wolf's den. There is no
+noble knight in the world but hates King Mark and will honor you for
+leaving his palace of vile devices. Come with me, you shall be housed at
+my expense."
+
+Then he rode with them to his own castle of Joyous Gard, a noble
+stronghold which he had won with his own hands. A royal castle it was,
+garnished and provided with a richness which no king or queen could
+surpass. Here Lancelot bade them use everything as their own, and
+charged all his people to love and honor them as they would himself.
+
+"Joyous Gard is yours as long as you will honor it by making it your
+home," he said. "As for me, I can have no greater joy than to know that
+my castle is so nobly tenanted, and that Tristram of Lyonesse and Queen
+Isolde are my honored guests."
+
+Leaving them, Lancelot rode to Camelot, where he told Arthur and
+Guenever of what had happened, much to their joy and delight.
+
+"By my crown," cried Arthur, joyfully, "the coming of Tristram and
+Isolde to my realm is no everyday event, and is worthy of the highest
+honor. We must signalize it with a noble tournament."
+
+Then he gave orders that a stately passage-at-arms should be held on
+May-day at the castle of Lonazep, which was near Joyous Gard. And word
+was sent far and near that the knights of his own realm of Logris, with
+those of Cornwall and North Wales, would be pitted against those of the
+rest of England, of Ireland and Scotland, and of lands beyond the seas.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+HOW TRISTRAM BEFOOLED DINADAN.
+
+
+Never were two happier lovers than Tristram and Isolde at Joyous Gard.
+Their days were spent in feasting and merriment, Isolde's heart
+overflowing with joy to be free from the jealousy of her ill-tempered
+spouse, and Tristram's to have his lady love to himself, far from
+treacherous plots and murderous devices.
+
+Every day Tristram went hunting, for at that time men say he was the
+best courser at the chase in the world, and the rarest blower of the
+horn among all lovers of sport. From him, it is said, came all the
+terms of hunting and hawking, the distinction between beasts of the
+chase and vermin, all methods of dealing with hounds and with game, and
+all the blasts of the chase and the recall, so that they who delight in
+huntsmen's sport will have cause to the world's end to love Sir Tristram
+and pray for his soul's repose.
+
+Yet Isolde at length grew anxious for his welfare, and said,--
+
+"I marvel that you ride so much to the chase unarmed. This is a country
+not well known to you, and one that contains many false knights, while
+King Mark may lay some plot for your destruction. I pray you, my dear
+love, to take more heed to your safety."
+
+This advice seemed timely, and thereafter Tristram rode in armor to the
+chase, and followed by men who bore his shield and spear. One day, a
+little before the month of May, he followed a hart eagerly, but as the
+animal led him by a cool woodland spring, he alighted to quench his
+thirst in the gurgling waters.
+
+Here, by chance, he met with Dinadan, who had come into that country in
+search of him. Some words of greeting passed between them, after which
+Dinadan asked him his name, telling his own. This confidence Tristram
+declined to return, whereupon Dinadan burst out in anger.
+
+[Illustration: MARRIAGE OF SIR TRISTRAM.]
+
+"You value your name highly, sir knight," he said. "Do you design to
+ride everywhere under a mask? Such a foolish knight as you I saw but
+lately lying by a well. He seemed like one asleep, and no word could be
+got from him, yet all the time he grinned like a fool. The fellow was
+either an idiot or a lover, I know not which."
+
+"And are not you a lover?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Marry, my wit has saved me from that craft."
+
+"That is not well said," answered Tristram. "A knight who disdains love
+is but half a man, and not half a warrior."
+
+"I am ready to stand by my creed," retorted Dinadan. "As for you,
+sirrah, you shall tell me your name, or do battle with me."
+
+"You will not get my name by a threat, I promise you that," said
+Tristram. "I shall not fight till I am in the mood; and when I do, you
+may get more than you bargain for."
+
+"I fear you not, coward," said Dinadan.
+
+"If you are so full of valor, here is your man," said Tristram, pointing
+to a knight who rode along the forest aisle towards them. "He looks
+ready for a joust."
+
+"On my life, it is the same dull-plate knave I saw lying by the well,
+neither sleeping nor waking," said Dinadan.
+
+"This is not the first time I have seen that covered shield of azure,"
+said Tristram. "This knight is Sir Epinegris, the son of the king of
+Northumberland, than whom the land holds no more ardent lover, for his
+heart is gone utterly out to the fair daughter of the king of Wales.
+Now, if you care to find whether a lover or a non-lover is the better
+knight, here is your opportunity."
+
+"I shall teach him to grin to more purpose," said Dinadan. "Stand by and
+you shall see."
+
+Then, as the lover approached, he cried,--
+
+"Halt, sir knight, and make ready to joust, as is the custom with errant
+knights."
+
+"Let it be so, if you will," answered Epinegris. "Since it is the custom
+of you knight-errant to make a man joust whether he will or no, I am
+your man."
+
+"Make ready, then, for here is for you."
+
+Then they spurred their horses and rode together at full speed, Dinadan
+breaking his spear, while Epinegris struck him so shrewd a blow that he
+rolled upon the earth.
+
+"How now?" cried Tristram. "It seems to me that the lover has best
+sped."
+
+"Will you play the coward?" queried Dinadan. "Or will you, like a good
+knight, revenge me?"
+
+"I am not in the mood," answered Tristram. "Take your horse, Sir
+Dinadan, and let us get away from here, where hard blows are more
+plentiful than soft beds."
+
+"Defend me from such fellowship as yours!" roared Dinadan. "Take your
+way and I will take mine. We fit not well together."
+
+"I might give you news of Sir Tristram."
+
+"Sir Tristram, if he be wise, will seek better company. I can do without
+your news, as I have had to do without your help," and he rode on in
+high dudgeon.
+
+"Farewell, then," cried Tristram, laughing. "It may happen we shall soon
+meet again."
+
+Tristram rode back in much amusement to Joyous Gard, but on coming near
+he heard in the neighboring town a great outcry.
+
+"What means this noise?" he asked.
+
+"Sir," he was told, "a knight of the castle has just been slain by two
+strangers, and for no other cause than saying that Sir Lancelot was a
+better knight than Sir Gawaine."
+
+"Who would dispute that?" said Tristram. "It is a small cause for the
+death of a good man, that he stands for his lord's fame."
+
+"But what remedy have we?" said the towns-men. "If Lancelot had been
+here, these fellows would soon have been called to a reckoning. But,
+alas, he is away."
+
+"I may do something in his service," answered Tristram. "If I take his
+place, I must defend his followers."
+
+Thereupon he sent for his shield and spear, and rode in pursuit of the
+two knights, whom he overtook before they had gone far.
+
+"Turn, sir dastards," he cried, "and amend your misdeeds."
+
+"What amends wish you?" asked one of the knights. "We are ready with
+spear and sword to make good whatever we have done."
+
+He rode against Tristram, but was met so sturdily in mid career that he
+was thrust over his horse's tail. Then the other rode against him, and
+was served in the same rough manner.
+
+They rose as quickly as they could, drew their swords, and challenged
+him to battle on foot.
+
+"You shall tell me your names," he said, sternly. "I warn you that if it
+comes to sword-play you will find more than your match. Yet you may have
+that in your lineage which will keep you from my hands, however much you
+deserve punishment for your evil deeds."
+
+"As for our names, we dread not to tell them. We are Agravaine and
+Gaheris, brothers to the good knight Gawaine, and nephews of King
+Arthur."
+
+"For Arthur's sake, then, I must let you pass unscathed. Yet it is a
+crying shame that men of such good blood as you should play the part of
+murderers. You slew among you a better knight than the best of your kin,
+Lamorak de Galis, and I would to God I had been by at that time."
+
+"You would have gone the same road," said Gaheris.
+
+"Not without more knights to do it than you had in your murderous crew."
+
+With these words he turned from them and rode back towards Joyous Gard.
+When he had gone they regained their horses, and feeling themselves safe
+in the saddle their courage returned.
+
+"Let us pursue this boaster," they said, "and see if he fares so much
+better than Lamorak."
+
+They did so, and when they came near Tristram, who was jogging slowly
+along, Agravaine cried,--
+
+"Turn, traitor knight!"
+
+"Traitor in your teeth!" cried Tristram, in a rage. "I let you off too
+cheaply, it seems." And drawing his sword, he turned upon Agravaine and
+smote him so fiercely on the helm that he fell swooning from his horse,
+with a dangerous wound.
+
+Then he turned to Gaheris and dealt him a blow that in like manner
+tumbled him from his saddle to the earth. This done, Tristram turned and
+rode into the castle, leaving them like dead men in the road.
+
+Here he told La Belle Isolde of his several adventures. When he spoke
+of Dinadan, she asked,--
+
+"Was it not he that made the song about King Mark?"
+
+"The same," answered Tristram. "He is the greatest jester at Arthur's
+court, but a good knight withal, and I know no man whom I like better as
+a comrade."
+
+"Why did you not bring him with you?"
+
+"No need of that. He is seeking me through this country, and there is no
+fear that he will give up the search lightly."
+
+As they spoke, a servant came and told Tristram that a knight-errant had
+entered the town, and described the device on his shield.
+
+"That is our man now," said Tristram. "That is Dinadan. Send for him,
+Isolde, and you shall hear the merriest knight and the maddest talker
+that you ever spoke with. I pray you to make him heartily welcome, for
+he is a cherished friend of mine."
+
+Then Isolde sent into the town with a message to Dinadan, begging that
+he would come to the castle and rest a while there, at a lady's wish.
+
+"That will I, with a good will," answered Dinadan. "I were but a churl
+else."
+
+He hastened to mount and ride to the castle, and here he was shown to a
+chamber where he laid aside his armor. Then he was brought into the
+presence of La Belle Isolde, who courteously bade him welcome.
+
+"Whence, come you, and what name do you bear?" she asked.
+
+"Madam," he answered, "I am from King Arthur's court, and am one of the
+small fry of Round Table Knights. My name is Dinadan."
+
+"And why came you hither?"
+
+"I am seeking my old friend and comrade, Sir Tristram, who I am told has
+made his way to this country."
+
+"That I cannot answer for," said Isolde. "He may and he may not be here.
+Sir Tristram will be found where love leads him."
+
+"I warrant me that. Your true lover has no will of his own, but is led
+like an ox, with a ring in his nose. I marvel what juice of folly gets
+into the pates of these lovers to make them so mad about the women."
+
+"Why, sir," said Isolde, "can it be that you are a knight and no lover?
+I fancy that there can be no true man-of-arms who seeks not by his deeds
+to win the smiles of the fair."
+
+"They who care to be fed on smiles are welcome to them, but I am not
+made of that fashion," answered Dinadan. "The joy of love is too short,
+and the sorrow thereof too long, to please my fancy."
+
+"Say you so? Yet near here but to-day was the good knight Sir Bleoberis,
+he who fought with three knights at once for a maiden's sake, and won
+her before the king of Northumberland."
+
+"I know him for a worthy fellow," said Dinadan, "as are all of
+Lancelot's kindred. Yet he has crotchets in his head, like all that
+crew."
+
+"Now, I pray you," said Isolde, "will you not do me the grace to fight
+for my love with three knights that have done me great wrong? As you
+are a knight of King Arthur's, you can never say me nay in such a duty."
+
+"Can I not?" cried Dinadan. "This much I will say, madam, that you are
+as fair a sample of womankind as ever I saw, and much more beautiful
+than is my lady Queen Guenever. And yet, heaven defend me, I will not
+fight for you against three knights; and would not, were you Helen of
+Troy herself."
+
+At these words, and the odd grimace which he made, La Belle Isolde burst
+into a merry peal of laughter, and broke out with,--
+
+"I know you better than you fancy, Sir Dinadan. And well you keep up
+your credit of being a merry fellow. You are very welcome to my castle,
+good sir."
+
+They had much more of gameful conversation together, and Dinadan was
+treated with all honor, and slept serenely at the castle that night. But
+Tristram took good care to keep out of his sight.
+
+Early the next day Tristram armed himself and prepared to ride away,
+saying to the Lady Isolde that he would contrive to meet with Dinadan,
+and would ride with him to Lonazep, where the tournament was to be held.
+He promised also to make arrangements to provide her with a good place
+from which to see the passage-at-arms. Then he departed, accompanied by
+two squires, who bore his shield and a brace of great and long spears.
+
+Shortly afterwards Dinadan left the castle, bidding a merry adieu to the
+lady, and rode so briskly forward that he soon overtook Tristram. He
+knew him at sight for his yesterday's comrade, and made a sour grimace
+at beholding him.
+
+"So," he said, "here again is my easy-going friend, who wears his armor
+for a holiday parade. You shall not get off so lightly to-day, fellow.
+You shall joust with me, despite your head."
+
+"Faith, I am not eager," said Tristram, "but a wilful man will have his
+way; so let us have it over, if fight we must."
+
+Then they rode at each other, and Dinadan broke a spear on Tristram's
+shield, but Tristram purposely missed him.
+
+Dinadan now bade him draw his sword.
+
+"Not I," he answered. "What makes you so warlike? I am not in the humor
+to fight."
+
+"You shame all knights by your cowardice."
+
+"So far as that goes, it troubles me little," said Tristram. "Suppose,
+my good sir, you take me under your protection. Though I bear arms I
+shall gladly accept the patronage of so worthy a knight as you."
+
+"The devil deliver me of you!" cried Dinadan. "You are a fellow of
+goodly build, and sit your horse like a warrior; but heaven knows if you
+have blood or water in your veins. What do you propose to do with those
+great spears that your squire carries?"
+
+"I shall give them to some good knight at the tournament. If you prove
+the best there, you are welcome to them."
+
+As they thus conversed they saw a knight-errant in the road before them,
+who sat with spear in rest as if eager to joust.
+
+"Come," said Tristram, "since you are so anxious for a fight, yonder is
+your man."
+
+"Shame betide you for a dastard," cried Dinadan. "Fight him yourself.
+You can't get more than a fall."
+
+"Not so. That knight seems a shrewish fellow. It will need a stronger
+hand than mine to manage him."
+
+"Good faith, then, here's to teach you a lesson," said Dinadan, and he
+rode fiercely against the other knight, with the unlucky result that he
+was thrust from his horse, and fell headlong to the earth.
+
+"What did I tell you?" said Tristram. "You had better have taken a
+lesson from my prudence, and let that good fellow alone."
+
+"The fiends take you, coward!" cried Dinadan, as he started to his feet
+and drew his sword. "Come, sir knight, you are my better on horseback,
+let us have it out on foot."
+
+"Shall it be in love or in anger?" said the other.
+
+"Let it be in love. I am saving all my anger for this do-nothing who
+came with me."
+
+"Then I pray you to tell me your name."
+
+"Folks call me Dinadan."
+
+"Ah, and I am your comrade Gareth. I will not fight with an old friend
+like Dinadan."
+
+"Nor I with you, by my faith!" cried Dinadan, seizing Gareth's hand and
+giving it a warm pressure. "Beaumains is safe from my spear. Here is a
+chap now, if you want to try your skill; but if you can get him to fight
+you must first learn the art of converting a coward into a man of
+valor."
+
+Tristram laughed quietly at this, and bided his time. Nor was there long
+to wait, for just then a well-armed knight rode up, on a sturdy horse,
+and put his spear in rest as he approached.
+
+"Now, my good sirs," said Tristram, "choose between yourselves which
+will joust with yonder knight; for I warn you that I will keep clear of
+him."
+
+"Faith, you had better," said Gareth. "Leave him to me."
+
+And he rode against the knight but with such ill-fortune that he was
+thrust over his horse's croup.
+
+"It is your turn now," said Tristram to Dinadan. "Honor requires that
+you should avenge your comrade Gareth."
+
+"Honor does, eh? Then reason does not, and I always weigh reason against
+honor. He has overturned a much bigger fellow than I, and with your kind
+permission I will not stir up that hornet."
+
+"Aha, friend Dinadan, your heart fails you after all your boasting. Very
+well, you shall see what the coward can do. Make ready, sir knight."
+
+Then Tristram rode against the victorious knight, and dealt him so
+shrewd a buffet that he was thrust from his horse.
+
+Dinadan looked at this in amazement. Was this the fellow that professed
+cowardice and begged protection? "The cunning rogue," he said to
+himself, "has been making game of me. The rascal! where has he learned
+the art of turning my weapons on myself?"
+
+The dismounted knight rose to his feet in anger, and drawing his sword,
+challenged Tristram to a fight on foot.
+
+"First, tell me your name?" asked Tristram.
+
+"My name is Palamides."
+
+"And what knight hate you most?"
+
+"I hate Sir Tristram to the death. If we meet, one of us must die."
+
+"You need not go far to seek him. I am Tristram de Lyonesse. Now do your
+worst."
+
+At this Dinadan started, and struck his hand sturdily on his knee, like
+one who has had a shock of surprise. Nor was Palamides less astonished,
+and he stood before Tristram like one in a sudden revulsion of feeling.
+
+"I pray you, Sir Tristram," he said, "to forgive my ill-will and my
+unkind words. You are a noble knight and worthy of the love of all
+honorable warriors. I repent my truculent temper towards you, and, if I
+live, will rather do you service than assail you."
+
+"I know your valor well," answered Tristram, "and that it is anything
+but fear makes you speak so. Therefore I thank you much for your kind
+words. But if you have any shreds of ill-will towards me I am ready to
+give you satisfaction."
+
+"My wits have been astray," answered Palamides. "There is no just reason
+why we should be at odds, and I am ready to do you knightly service in
+all things you may command."
+
+"I take you at your word," cried Tristram, as he grasped Palamides by
+the hand. "I have never been your enemy, and know none whom I would
+rather have as a friend."
+
+"Would you?" cried Dinadan. "And would have me as your fool, mayhap? By
+my knightly faith, you have made a sweet butt of me! I came into this
+country for your sake, and by the advice of Sir Lancelot, though he
+would not tell me where to find you. By Jove's ears, I never thought to
+find you masquerading as a milk-brained coward."
+
+"He could have told you," said Tristram, "for I abode within his own
+castle. As for my little sport, friend Dinadan, I cry you mercy."
+
+"Faith, it is but one of my own jests, turned against me," said Dinadan,
+with a merry laugh. "I am pinked with my own dart. I forgive you, old
+comrade; but I vow I did not know you had such a jolly humor."
+
+"It comes to one in your company," said Tristram, laughing. "The disease
+is catching."
+
+And so the four knights rode gayly onward, conversing much as they went,
+and laying their plans for the tournament.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ON THE ROAD TO LONAZEP.
+
+
+The four knights rode onward in company until they came in sight of the
+castle of Lonazep, where they saw striking preparations for the
+tournament. For not less than four hundred tents and pavilions covered
+the plain outside the great circle of the lists, and war-horses and
+knights in armor were there in hundreds.
+
+"Truly," said Tristram, "this is the royalest show that I ever saw."
+
+"You forget," answered Palamides. "It had its equal at the Castle of
+Maidens, where you won the prize."
+
+"And in that tournament which Galahalt of the Long Isles held in Surluse
+there was as great a gathering," said Dinadan.
+
+"I was not there; who won the prize?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Lancelot du Lake, and the next after him was the noble knight Lamorak
+de Galis."
+
+"A noble fellow, indeed, I never met his better, save Sir Lancelot. His
+murder was shameful, and were they not the nephews of my lord Arthur
+that slew him, by my faith they should die the death. And this without
+prejudice to you, Sir Gareth."
+
+"Say what you will on that point; I am with you," answered Gareth.
+"Though my own brothers did that bloody work, I hold not with them. None
+of them love me, as you well know, and I have left their company as
+murderers. Had I been by when Lamorak was killed there might have been
+another tale to tell."
+
+"Truly that is well said of you," rejoined Tristram. "I would rather
+have been there than to have all the gold between here and Rome."
+
+"And I also," said Palamides. "It is a burning disgrace to the Round
+Table fellowship that such a knight should have been ambushed and slain
+on his way from a passage-at-arms where he had won the prize of valor."
+
+"Out on such treason!" cried Tristram. "The tale of it makes my blood
+run cold."
+
+"And mine as well," said Gareth. "I can never love or respect my
+brothers again for that ruthless deed."
+
+"Yet to speak of it is useless," said Palamides. "His life is gone; we
+cannot bring it back again."
+
+"There lies the pity," said Dinadan. "No matter how good and noble a man
+may be, when he stops breathing all else stops with him. By good luck,
+though, the same rule holds with villains and cowards. As for Gawaine
+and his brothers, except you, Sir Gareth, they hate the best knights of
+the Round Table, and Lancelot and his kindred above all. Only that
+Lancelot is well aware of this, they might draw him into as deadly a
+trap as they drew poor Lamorak."
+
+"Come, come, remember that Gareth is their brother," said Palamides.
+"Let us change the subject. Here is this tournament,--what part shall we
+play here? My advice is that we four hold together against all that may
+assail us."
+
+"That is not my counsel," said Tristram. "By their pavilions we may
+count on some four hundred knights, and doubtless many of them worthy
+ones. If we play the game of four against all comers we are likely to
+find ourselves borne down by numbers. Many good knights have lost the
+game by taking too great odds. Manhood is of little avail if it be not
+tempered by wisdom. If you think it best we may try it, and see what we
+can do in company, but, as a rule, I prefer to fight for my own hand."
+
+As they thus talked they rode away from Lonazep, and in due time came to
+the banks of the Humber, where they were surprised by a loud and
+grievous cry that seemed full of doleful meaning. Looking over the
+waters they saw approaching before the wind a vessel richly draped with
+red silk. Not long had they waited when it came to the shore, at a point
+close by where they stood.
+
+Seeing this strange thing and hearing the doleful cries which came from
+the vessel, the knights gave their horses in care of their squires, and
+approached on foot, Tristram boarding the vessel. When he reached the
+deck he saw there a bed with rich silken coverings, on which lay a dead
+knight, armed save the head, which was crimsoned with blood. And through
+great gaps in his armor deadly wounds could be seen.
+
+"What means this?" said Tristram. "How came this knight by his death?"
+
+As he spoke he saw that a letter lay in the dead knight's hand.
+
+"Master mariners," he asked of those on board the vessel, "what does
+this strange thing signify?"
+
+"Sir knight," they answered, "by the letter which the dead knight bears
+you may learn how and for what cause he was slain, and what name he
+bore. Yet first heed well this warning: No man must take and read that
+letter unless he be a knight of proved valor, and faithfully promises to
+revenge the murder of this good warrior."
+
+"There be those among us able to revenge him," answered Tristram. "And
+if he shall prove to have been foully treated his death shall not go
+unredressed."
+
+Therewith he took the letter from the knight's hand and opened it. Thus
+it read,--
+
+"I, Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, request of all
+knights-errant and all noble knights of Arthur's court, that they find
+one knight who will fight for my sake with two false brethren, whom I
+brought up from nothingness and who have feloniously and treacherously
+slain me. And it is my will and desire that the valiant knight who
+avenges my death shall become lord of my Red City and all my castles."
+
+"Sir," said the mariners, "the king and knight that lies here dead was a
+man of great virtue and noble prowess, and one who loved all
+knights-errant, and, above all, those of King Arthur's court."
+
+"It is a piteous case, truly," said Tristram. "I would fain take the
+enterprise in hand myself, but that I have made a solemn promise to take
+part in this great tournament. It was for my sake in especial that my
+lord Arthur made it, and I cannot in honor and courtesy fail to attend
+it. Therefore I am not free to undertake any adventure which may keep me
+from the lists."
+
+"I pray you, dear sir," said Palamides, who had followed Tristram into
+the vessel, "to put this enterprise into my hands. I promise to achieve
+it worthily or to die in the effort."
+
+"Be it so," said Tristram. "You may go if you will. But first I wish
+your promise to return so as to be with me at the tournament this day
+week, if possible."
+
+"That promise I freely give. If I be alive and unhurt, and my task be
+not too arduous and long, I shall be with you by that day."
+
+This said, Tristram left the vessel, leaving Palamides in it, and he,
+with Gareth and Dinadan, stood watching it as the mariners hoisted its
+sails and it glided swiftly away over long Humber. Not till it was out
+of sight did they return to their horses, and look about them.
+
+As they did so they beheld near them a knight, who came up unarmed save
+a sword, and saluted them with all courtesy.
+
+"Fair sirs," he said, "I pray you, as knights-errant, to come and see my
+castle, and take such fare as you may find there. This I heartily
+request."
+
+"That shall we willingly do, and thank you for your courtesy," they
+answered, and rode with him to his castle, which was near by.
+
+Here they entered a richly-furnished hall, and, having laid off their
+armor, took their seats at a well-laden table. But when the host saw
+Tristram's face, he knew him, and first grew pale and then angry of
+countenance.
+
+"Sir, mine host," said Tristram, on seeing this threatening aspect,
+"what is wrong with you, I pray?"
+
+"I know you, Tristram de Lyonesse," answered the knight, hotly. "You
+slew my brother. Honor demands that I shall not seek revenge here, but I
+give you warning that I will kill you when I meet you outside my
+castle."
+
+"I have no knowledge of you or your brother," answered Tristram. "But no
+man can say that I ever killed any one except in fair and open fight. If
+I have done as you say I stand ready to make what amends are in my
+power."
+
+"I desire no amends," rejoined the knight. "But I warn you to keep from
+me."
+
+Tristram at this rose from the table and asked for his arms, his
+companions following him. Seeking their horses they rode away, but they
+had not gone far from the castle when Dinadan saw a knight following
+them, who was well armed, but bore no shield.
+
+"Take care of yourself, Sir Tristram," he said. "Yonder comes our host
+to call you to account."
+
+"Then I must abide him as I may," answered Tristram.
+
+Soon the knight came up, and, loudly bidding Tristram to be on his
+guard, he rode furiously upon him with couched spear. But his valor went
+beyond his strength, for he was hurled over his horse's croup.
+
+Not content with this, he rose, mounted again, and driving his horse at
+full speed upon Tristram, struck him two hard blows on the helm.
+
+"Sir knight," said Tristram, "I pray you leave off this sport. I do not
+care to harm you after having just eaten at your table, but beg you not
+to try my patience too far."
+
+The furious assailant would not cease, however, and continued his
+assaults until Tristram was provoked to anger. In the end he returned
+the knight a blow with the full strength of his mighty arm, so fierce a
+buffet, indeed, that the blood burst out from the breathing holes of his
+helm, and he fell to the earth and lay there like one dead.
+
+[Illustration: THE ASSAULT OF SIR TRISTRAM.]
+
+"I hope I have not killed him," said Tristram. "I did not think to
+strike the man so hard a blow, but I am not a log to stand at rest and
+let him whet his sword on."
+
+Leaving the fallen knight to the care of his squire, they rode on; but
+not far had they gone when they saw coming towards them two well-armed
+and well-horsed knights, each with a good following of servants. One of
+these was Berrant le Apres, he who was called the king with the hundred
+knights, and the other Sir Segwarides, both men of might and renown.
+
+When they came up the king looked at Dinadan, who, through sport, had
+put on Tristram's helmet. This he recognized as one he had seen before
+with the queen of Northgalis, whom he loved. She had given it to La
+Belle Isolde, and she to Tristram.
+
+"Sir knight," asked Berrant, "whence had you that helm?"
+
+"Not from you, I fancy. What have you to say to it?"
+
+"That I will have a tilt with you, for the love of her who once owned
+it. Therefore, defend yourself."
+
+So they drew asunder, and rode at each other with all the speed of their
+horses. But Dinadan, good knight as he was, was no match for the tough
+and hardy warrior before him, and was sent, horse and all, to the
+ground.
+
+"I fancy I have something to say about the helmet now," said Berrant,
+grimly. "Go take it off him, and keep it," he ordered his servant.
+
+"What will you do?" cried Tristram. "Hands off, fellow. Touch not that
+helm."
+
+"To what intent do you meddle, sir knight?" demanded Berrant.
+
+"To this intent, that the helm is mine. Nor will you get it from me till
+you buy it at a dearer price."
+
+"Do you mean that as a challenge?" asked Berrant. "Be it so, then; make
+ready."
+
+Together they rode with all speed, but with a change of fortune, for
+Berrant found himself thrust over the tail of his horse. In a moment he
+was on his feet, sprang briskly to his saddle, and, riding in anger upon
+Tristram, struck at him fiercely with his sword.
+
+Tristram was not taken unawares, but in an instant had his sword in
+hand. A fierce combat followed, for the king with the hundred knights
+was a warrior of tough sinews and tried valor, but at the last he
+received such a buffet on the helm that he fell forward on his horse's
+neck, stunned and helpless.
+
+"By my faith, that helmet has proved unlucky for two of us," said
+Dinadan. "It brought me a tumble, and now, sir king, you owe it a
+buzzing head-piece."
+
+"Who will joust with me?" asked Segwarides.
+
+"It is your right," said Gareth to Dinadan, "but I pray you let me have
+it."
+
+"You are heartily welcome to it. One tumble a day is enough for my weak
+appetite," answered Dinadan. "I make you a free present of the
+opportunity."
+
+"That is no fair exchange," said Tristram. "The joust is yours by
+right."
+
+"But not by choice," rejoined Dinadan. "Good faith, sir bruiser, I have
+lived long enough to know when I have had my share, and that is a
+lesson it would pay many of you battle-hungry knights to learn."
+
+Then Gareth and Segwarides rode together, the result being that Gareth
+and his horse went in a heap to the earth.
+
+"Now," said Tristram, "the joust is yours."
+
+"But the appetite is lacking," said Dinadan. "I have even less stomach
+for it than before."
+
+"Then will I try him."
+
+With these words Tristram challenged Segwarides, who received a sore
+fall in the joust that followed. Then the three knights rode on, leaving
+their late antagonists the worse in heart and limb for the encounter.
+
+They continued their ride till they reached Joyous Gard. Here Gareth
+courteously declined to enter the castle, but Tristram would not hear of
+his departure, and made him alight and enter as his guest. So they
+disarmed and had good cheer, with La Belle Isolde as their hostess.
+
+But Dinadan, when he came into the presence of Isolde, roundly cursed
+the hour that he had been persuaded to wear Tristram's helm, and told
+her of how he had been mocked by his comrade knight.
+
+Much laughing and jesting at Dinadan followed, but this was a game in
+which he was quite able to hold his own, however he might lack with
+sword and spear. For Arthur's court held no other so witty of tongue and
+merry of heart. And thus in jest and feast they passed the hours happily
+away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW PALAMIDES FARED AT THE RED CITY.
+
+
+Leaving Tristram and his companions to their merry talk in Joyous Gard,
+we must now return to Palamides. The ship into which he had entered
+sailed far along the Humber, until in time it reached the open sea. It
+continued its course through the sea-waves till it came to a part of the
+coast where stood a stately castle.
+
+All day and night they had sailed, and it was now early in the morning,
+before day-dawn. Palamides was sound asleep in the vessel's cabin when
+the mariners came to call him.
+
+"Sir knight," they said, "you must arise. We have reached a castle,
+which you must enter."
+
+"I am at your command," he replied.
+
+Rising, he armed himself quickly, and then blew a loud call upon a horn
+which the mariners gave him.
+
+At the ringing music of that bugle-blast the sleeping castle seemed to
+stir into life. Soon many eyes could be seen looking from the windows,
+and ere long the walls were crowded with knights, who called to
+Palamides as with one voice, "Welcome, fair sir, to this castle."
+
+The day had now fully dawned, and Palamides entered the castle, where a
+crowd of knights came to greet him, and led him to a stately
+dining-hall, where an abundant breakfast awaited him. But as he ate he
+heard much lamentation, and saw many whose eyes were wet with tears.
+
+"What means this?" he asked. "I love not such sorrow, and would fain
+know what gives rise to it."
+
+"We mourn here daily," answered a knight named Sir Ebel, "and for this
+cause. We had a king named Hermance, who was lord of the Red City, and
+in every way a noble and generous monarch. And he loved nothing in the
+world so much as the knights-errant of King Arthur's court, together
+with the sports of jousting, hunting, and all knightly diversions. A
+king so kind of heart as he was never before known in this country, and
+we shall ever be filled with sorrow for his loss. Yet he acted unwisely,
+and is himself at fault for his death."
+
+"Tell me how he was slain and by whom," asked Palamides.
+
+"In this wise it came to pass," answered Ebel. "He brought up, in pure
+charity, two children, who are now strong knights. And to them he gave
+all his trust and confidence, in default of those of his own blood.
+These two men governed him completely, and, through him, his lands and
+people, for they took the best of care that none of his kindred should
+come into power. He was so free and trustful, and they so politic and
+deceitful, that they ruled him as though they were the kings and he the
+subject. When the lords of our king's blood saw that he had fallen into
+this dotage they left the court in disgust, and sought their livelihood
+elsewhere. This it proved not wise to do, for when these villains found
+that all the king's kindred had left the realm they schemed to have more
+power still; for, as the old saw says, 'Give a churl rule in part, and
+he will not be content till he has it all.' It is the instinct of the
+base-born to destroy gentlemen-born, if the power be put in their hands,
+and all rulers should take warning by the fate of King Hermance. In the
+end our king, by the advice of these traitors, rode into the forest here
+by, to chase the red deer. When he had become warm from the hunt he
+alighted to drink at a woodland spring, and, while he was bent over the
+water, one of these villains thrust him through the body with a spear.
+They then fled from the spot, thinking he was dead. Shortly after they
+had gone, fortune brought me to the spot, where I found my lord still
+alive, but mortally hurt, and learned from him his story. Knowing that
+we had no knights able to revenge him on his murderers, I had him
+brought to the water, and put into the ship alive, and the letter which
+he bore in his hand I wrote from his own words. Then he died, and, as he
+had ordered, the ship set sail up the Humber, bound for the realm of
+Logris, where it was hoped that some valiant Knight of the Round Table
+would take this adventure on himself."
+
+"Truly your doleful tale grieves me sorely," said Palamides. "I saw the
+letter you speak of. It was read to me by one of the best knights upon
+the earth, and it is by his command I am here. I came to revenge your
+king, and I shall never be at ease till I meet with and punish his
+murderers."
+
+"You have my hearty thanks and best wishes," said Ebel. "Since you
+accept this adventure, you must enter the ship again, and sail forward
+till you reach the Delectable Isle, which is near by the Red City. We
+shall await here your return. If you speed well this castle is yours.
+King Hermance built it for the two traitors, but we hold it against
+them, and they threaten us sorely unless we yield it."
+
+"Look that you keep it, whatsoever may come to me," said Palamides. "For
+if fortune decides that I am to be slain in this quest, I trust that one
+of the best knights in the world will come to revenge me; either
+Tristram de Lyonesse or Lancelot du Lake."
+
+Then Palamides entered the ship and sailed away towards the Red City.
+But as he came near it, and landed on the coast, another ship touched
+shore near by, from which came a goodly knight, with his shield on his
+shoulder and his hand on his sword.
+
+"Sir knight, what seek you here?" he asked Palamides. "If you have come
+to revenge King Hermance you must yield this quest to me, for it was
+mine before it was yours, and I shall yield it to no man."
+
+"You speak like a true knight," said Palamides. "But when the letter was
+taken from the dead king's hand there was nothing known of any champion
+for him, and so I promised to revenge him. And this I must and shall do,
+lest I win shame instead of honor."
+
+"You have right on your side," said the knight. "What I propose is this.
+I will fight with you; and he who proves the better knight shall have
+the quest."
+
+"That fits with my fancy," said Palamides; "for from what I hear no
+second-rate champion can watch this pair of villains."
+
+With this they advanced their shields and drew their swords, and began a
+stern and well-contested combat. For more than an hour the fight between
+them continued, but at the end of this time Palamides seemed stronger
+and better-winded than at the beginning, and he finally dealt his
+opponent a blow that brought him to his knees. Then the discomfited
+combatant cried out,--
+
+"Knight, hold your hand."
+
+Palamides let fall his sword at this request.
+
+"You are the better of us two, and more worthy of this battle," said the
+knight. "But fain would I know your name."
+
+"My name is Palamides. I am a Knight of the Round Table, and one well
+known in Arthur's realm."
+
+"In good faith it is, and much beyond that realm," answered the knight.
+"I know only three living men besides yourself who are fitted for this
+task, and they are Lancelot, Tristram, and my cousin Lamorak. As for me,
+my name is Hermind, and I am brother to the murdered King Hermance."
+
+"I shall do my best to revenge your brother," said Palamides. "If I am
+slain, I commend you to Lancelot or Tristram. As for Lamorak, he will
+never strike blow again."
+
+"Alas, what mean you?"
+
+"That he has been murdered--waylaid and slain treacherously by Gawaine
+and his brothers, except Sir Gareth, the best of them all." And he told
+the story of the death of Lamorak, much to the grief and indignation of
+his hearer.
+
+Then Palamides took ship again, and sailed on till he came to the
+Delectable Isle. Meanwhile Hermind made all haste to the Red City, where
+he told of the arrival of the famous knight Palamides and of his combat
+with him. The people were filled with joy at these tidings, and quickly
+sent a messenger to the two brethren, bidding them to make ready, as a
+knight had come who would fight them both. The messenger found them at a
+castle near by, and delivered his message.
+
+"Who is this champion?" they asked. "Is it Lancelot or any of his
+blood?"
+
+"No."
+
+"If it were, we would not fight. But we care for no one else."
+
+"It is a good knight though, Sir Palamides, a Saracen by birth, and
+still unchristened."
+
+"He had best have been christened before he came here, for it will be
+too late when we have done with him. Let him know that we will be at the
+Red City in two days, and will give him all the fighting he is likely to
+want for the rest of his life."
+
+When Palamides came to the city he was received with the greatest joy,
+and the more so when the people saw what a handsome and well-built man
+he was, neither too young nor too old, with clean and powerful limbs,
+and no defect of body.
+
+At the time appointed there came to the city the two brethren, Helius
+and Helake by name, both of them strong and valiant men, of great
+prowess in war, false as they were at heart. And with them they brought
+forty knights, to guard them against any treachery from the Red City,
+for they knew well that it was filled with their enemies.
+
+The lists had already been prepared, and at the appointed hour Palamides
+entered full armed, and confronted his antagonists boldly.
+
+"Are you the two brethren Helius and Helake, who slew your king by
+treason?" he asked.
+
+"We are the men who slew King Hermance," they replied. "And bear in
+mind, Sir Saracen, we are able to stand by our deeds, and will handle
+you so before you depart that you will wish you had been christened
+before you came so far."
+
+"I trust to God I shall die a better Christian than either of you,"
+Palamides replied. "And you had best kill me if you get the chance, for
+I vow not to spare you."
+
+As he spoke the trumpet sounded, and, reining back their horses, they
+rode against each other with terrific speed. Palamides directed his
+spear against Helake, and struck him so mighty a blow that the spear
+pierced through his shield and hauberk, and for a fathom's length
+through his breast, hurling him dead to the earth. As for Helius, he
+held up his spear in pride and presumption, and rode by Palamides
+without touching him.
+
+But when he saw his brother stretched in death on the earth his
+assurance changed to doubt, and rage drove the pride from his heart.
+"Help thyself, villain!" he cried, and rushed upon Palamides before he
+could prepare to encounter him, striking him a blow with his spear that
+bore him from his saddle to the earth. Then he forced his horse over
+him backward and forward before the dismounted champion could regain his
+feet.
+
+As he came again, the fallen knight reached up and caught the horse by
+the bridle, dragging himself by its aid to his feet. Then, as the animal
+reared, he pressed so strongly upon it that it toppled backward to the
+ground, the rider barely saving himself from being crushed beneath his
+fallen horse. But he was on his feet in an instant, and, sword in hand,
+struck Palamides a blow on the helm that brought him down to one knee.
+
+Before he could repeat the blow the gallant Saracen was on his feet and
+had drawn his trenchant blade, with which he attacked his antagonist in
+turn. A fierce and deadly combat succeeded, the two knights hurtling
+together like two wild boars, now both hurled grovelling to the earth,
+now on foot again and hewing at each other with the strength of giants.
+
+Thus for two hours they fought, without time for rest or a moment's
+space to recover breath. At the end of that time Palamides grew faint
+and weary from the violence of his efforts, but Helius seemed as strong
+as ever, and redoubling his strokes he drove back the Saracen knight
+step by step, over all the field. At this the people of the city were
+filled with fear, while the party of Helius shouted with triumph.
+
+"Alas!" cried the citizens, "that this noble knight should be slain for
+our king's sake."
+
+While they thus bewailed his threatened fate and the seeming victory of
+their tyrant, Helius showered so many vigorous blows on his weakened
+foe that it was a wonder he kept his feet. But when he saw how the
+common people wept for him his heart was filled with a sense of shame,
+while a glow of fury burned like fire in his veins.
+
+"Fie on you for a dastard, Palamides!" he said to himself. "Why hang you
+your head so like a whipped hound?"
+
+Then, with a new spirit burning hotly within him, and fresh strength
+animating his limbs, he lifted his drooping shield and turned on Helius
+with lion-like fury, smiting him a vigorous blow on the helm, which he
+followed quickly by others. This violent onset was too much for the
+strained strength of the false knight, and he retreated in dismay, while
+the sword of Palamides fell with ever more and more might. At length
+came so mighty a blow that he was hurled like a log to the earth. The
+victorious Saracen gave him no time to recover, but sprang upon him like
+a fury, tore the helm from his head, and with a final stroke smote the
+head from his body.
+
+Then he rose and stood leaning upon his sword, hardly able to bear
+himself on his feet, while from all the people of the city went up loud
+shouts of joy and congratulation.
+
+"Palamides, the conqueror! Palamides, our deliverer! Palamides, our
+king!" they shouted, while one adorned his brows with a wreath of
+laurel, and others tore off his armor and applied ointments to his
+bleeding limbs.
+
+"Fair friends, your crown is not for me," he said. "I have delivered you
+from your tyrants, but you must choose some other king, as I am under
+promise to return with all speed to my lord King Arthur at the castle of
+Lonazep."
+
+This decision filled them with grief, but they brought him to the city
+and treated him with all the honor which they could bestow upon him. And
+as he persisted in his refusal of the crown, they proffered him a third
+part of their goods if he would remain with them. All this he declined,
+and in a short time departed, bearing with him a thousand good wishes
+and prayers for success and fortune.
+
+He was received with like joy and congratulation at the castle, Sir Ebel
+warmly pressing him to change his decision and remain as their king. To
+this Palamides would by no means consent, and after a day's stay he took
+ship again, and sailed up the Humber to the castle of Lonazep.
+
+[Illustration: SIR TRISTRAM AT JOYOUS GARD.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TOURNAMENT AT LONAZEP.
+
+
+When Palamides learned that Tristram was not at Lonazep, he tarried not
+there, but crossed the Humber, and sought him at Joyous Gard. Here he
+found lodgings in the town, and word was quickly brought to Tristram
+that a knight-errant had come.
+
+"What manner of man is he? and what sign does he bear?" he asked.
+
+The messenger described his armor and appearance.
+
+"That is Palamides," said Dinadan. "The brave fellow is already back,
+and victorious, I doubt not."
+
+"It looks that way, indeed. Go and bid him welcome to Joyous Gard," said
+Tristram.
+
+So Dinadan went to Palamides, and joyfully greeted him, listening
+eagerly to the story of his exploits, and congratulating him on his
+signal success. He remained with him that night, and in the morning they
+were visited by Tristram and Gareth before they had arisen.
+
+Many were the warm congratulations which Tristram gave Palamides on his
+noble achievement, and after they had breakfasted he invited him to ride
+into the fields and woods, that they might repose under the cool shelter
+of the forest. Here they alighted by a refreshing spring, and as they
+sat conversing an armed knight came riding towards them.
+
+"Who are those knights that are lodged in Joyous Gard?" he asked.
+
+"That I cannot say," answered Tristram.
+
+"At any rate you can tell me who you are. You are not knights-errant, I
+fancy, since you ride unarmed."
+
+"Whether we be or no, we prefer not to tell our names."
+
+"You are not courteous, sir knight, and this is the way I pay
+discourtesy," said the stranger. "Guard yourself, or you shall die by
+my hands."
+
+Then, spear in hand, he rode on Sir Tristram, with brutal intent to run
+him through. But Palamides sprang up hastily, and smote the knight's
+horse so fierce a blow with his clinched fist that horse and man fell
+together to the earth. He then drew his sword to slay him.
+
+"Let the dog go," said Tristram. "He is but a fool, and it were a shame
+to slay him for his folly. Take the fellow's spear from him, though. It
+is a weapon he has not learned the use of."
+
+The knight rose groaning, and when he had regained his saddle he again
+requested their names.
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse, and this knight's name is Palamides.
+Would you know more?"
+
+"No, by my faith!" cried the other, and, hastily putting spurs to his
+horse, he rode away as fast as the animal would carry him.
+
+Hardly had he gone when a knight, who bore a bended shield of azure,
+came riding up at a furious gallop.
+
+"My fair sirs," he asked, "has a knight passed here bearing a shield
+with a case of red over it?"
+
+"Yes. We but now had some trouble with such a fellow. Who is he?"
+
+"And you let him escape? That was ill-advised, fair sirs. He is the
+falsest rogue and the greatest foe to knights-errant living. His name is
+Breuse Sans Pite."
+
+"And I had him under my sword!" cried Palamides. "Fool I was to let him
+go."
+
+"If I overtake him there will be another story to tell," answered the
+knight, as he spurred onward on the track of the fugitive.
+
+Then the four friends mounted and rode leisurely back towards Joyous
+Gard, much conversing as they went. When they reached the castle
+Palamides wished not to enter, but Tristram insisted on it, and, taking
+him by the hand, led him in.
+
+When Palamides saw La Belle Isolde, whom he had not met for years, but
+for whom his love burned as warmly as ever, he was so ravished with joy
+that he could scarcely speak. And when they were at dinner he could not
+eat a morsel, but sat like a dumb man, scarcely venturing to raise his
+eyes to Isolde's lovely countenance.
+
+Poorly he slept that night, and with many dreams of her he loved. When
+morning broke they all prepared to ride to Lonazep. Tristram took with
+him three squires, and Queen Isolde had three gentlewomen, all attired
+with great richness. These, with the other knights and their squires,
+and valets to bear their shields and spears, formed their train.
+
+Not far had they gone before they saw on the road before them a group of
+knights. Chief of these was the knight Galihodin, who was attended by
+twenty companions.
+
+"Fair fellows," said Galihodin, "yonder come four knights escorting a
+richly-attired lady. What say you? shall we take her from them?"
+
+"That is not the best counsel," said one.
+
+"At any rate, it is my counsel," answered Galihodin. "We shall show them
+that we have the right of the road." And he sent a squire to them,
+asking them if they would joust, or else lose their lady.
+
+"We are but four," said Tristram. "Tell your lord to come with three of
+his comrades, and win her if he can."
+
+"Let me have this joust," said Palamides. "I will undertake them all
+four."
+
+"As you will," said Tristram. "Go tell your lord that this one knight
+will encounter him and any three of his fellows."
+
+The squire departed with his challenge, and in a trice Galihodin came
+riding forward spear in rest. Palamides encountered him in mid career,
+and smote him so hard a blow that he had a terrible fall to the earth,
+and his horse with him. His three comrades were served in the same
+summary manner, while Palamides still bore an unbroken spear. At this
+unlooked-for result six knights rode out from the opposite party with
+purpose of revenge on the victor.
+
+"Hold your hands," cried Galihodin. "Let not one of you touch this noble
+knight, who has proved himself a man of worth. And I doubt if the whole
+of you could handle him."
+
+When Palamides saw that the field was yielded to him he rode back to Sir
+Tristram.
+
+"Well and worshipfully have you done," said Tristram. "No man could have
+surpassed you."
+
+Onward they rode again, and in a little while after met four knights in
+the highway, with spears in rest. These were Gawaine and three
+companions. This joust also Tristram gave to Palamides, and he served
+these four as he had served the others, leaving them all unhorsed in
+the road. For the presence of La Belle Isolde gave the strength of ten
+men to the arm of her lover, the Saracen.
+
+They now continued their route without molestation, and in good time
+reached the spot where Tristram had ordered his pavilions to be set up.
+Here were now many more pavilions than they had seen on their previous
+visit, and a great array of knights, who had been gathering for many
+days, for far and wide had spread the news of the great tournament.
+
+Leaving Palamides and Gareth at the pavilions with Queen Isolde,
+Tristram and Dinadan rode to Lonazep to learn what was afoot, Tristram
+riding on the Saracen knight's white horse. As they came into the castle
+the sound of a great bugle-blast met their ears, and many knights
+crowded forward.
+
+"What means the blast?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Sir," answered a knight, "it comes from the party who hold against King
+Arthur at this tournament. These are the kings of Ireland, of Surluse,
+of Listinoise, of Northumberland, of North Wales, and of other
+countries. They are calling a council to decide how they shall be
+governed in the lists."
+
+Tristram thereupon followed them to their council, and listened to the
+debate. He then sought his horse again, and rode by where King Arthur
+stood surrounded by a press of knights. Among those were Galihodin and
+Gawaine, who said to the king: "That knight in the green harness, with
+the white horse, is a man of might, whoever he be. To-day he overthrew
+us both, with six of our fellows."
+
+"Who can he be?" said the king, and he called Tristram to him, and
+requested to know his name.
+
+"I beg pardon, my liege lord," answered Tristram, "and pray that you
+will hold me excused from revealing my name at this time," and he turned
+his horse and rode away.
+
+"Go after him, Sir Griflet," said the king. "Tell him that I wish to
+speak with him apart."
+
+Griflet rode to Tristram and told him the king's wish, and the two
+returned in company.
+
+"Fair sir," said the king, "what is the cause that you withhold your
+name?"
+
+"I have an excellent reason, but beg that you will not press me for it."
+
+"With which party do you hold?"
+
+"Truly, my lord, that I cannot say. Where my heart draws or my fancy
+bids I will go. To-morrow you shall see which side I take. To-day I know
+not myself."
+
+Leaving the king, he rode back to where his pavilions were set. When the
+morning dawned he and his three companions armed themselves all in green
+and rode to the lists. Here young knights had begun to joust, and,
+seeing this, Gareth asked leave of Tristram to break a spear.
+
+"Go in and do your best if you care to play with beginners," said
+Tristram, laughing.
+
+But Gareth found himself encountered by a nephew of the king with the
+hundred knights, who had some of his uncle's tough fibre, and both got
+ugly falls, and lay on the ground till they were helped up by their
+friends. Then Tristram and Palamides rode with Gareth back to the
+pavilions, where they removed their helmets. When Isolde saw Gareth all
+bruised in the face, she asked him what ailed him.
+
+"Madam, I had a hard buffet, and gave another, but none of my fellows
+would rescue me."
+
+"Only unproved knights are yet in the field," said Palamides. "The man
+that met you, though, was a strong and well-trained knight, Sir Selises
+by name, so you have no dishonor. Rest here and get yourself in
+condition for to-morrow's work."
+
+"I shall not fail you if I can bestride my horse," said Gareth.
+
+"What party is it best for us to join to-morrow?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Against King Arthur, is my advice," said Palamides. "Lancelot and many
+other good men will be on his side, and the more men of prowess we meet
+the more honor we will win."
+
+"Well and knightly spoken," said Tristram. "Hard blows is what we court.
+Your counsel is well given."
+
+"So think we all," said the others.
+
+On the morrow, when day had broken, they arrayed themselves in green
+trappings, with shields and spears of green, while Isolde and her three
+damsels wore dresses of the same color. For the ladies Tristram found
+seats in a bay window of a priory which overlooked the field, and from
+which they could see all that took place. This done, they rode straight
+to the party of the king of Scots.
+
+When Arthur saw this he asked Lancelot who were these knights and the
+queenly lady who came with them.
+
+"That I cannot say for certain. Yet if Tristram and Palamides be in this
+country then it is they and La Belle Isolde."
+
+Then Arthur turned to Kay and said,--
+
+"Go to the hall and see how many Knights of the Round Table are missing,
+and bring me word."
+
+Kay did so, and found by the roll of knights that ten were
+wanting,--Tristram, Dinadan, and eight others.
+
+"Then I dare say," remarked Arthur, "that some of these are here to-day
+against us."
+
+The tournament began with a combat in which two knights, cousins to
+Gawaine, named Sir Edward and Sir Sadok, rode against the king of Scots
+and the king of North Wales and overthrew them both. This Palamides saw,
+and in return he spurred upon these victorious knights and hurled both
+of them from their saddles.
+
+"What knight is that in green?" asked Arthur. "He is a mighty jouster."
+
+"You will see him do better yet," said Gawaine. "It was he that unhorsed
+me and seven others two days ago."
+
+As they stood talking Tristram rode into the lists on a black horse, and
+within a few minutes he smote down four knights of Orkney, while Gareth
+and Dinadan each unhorsed a good knight.
+
+"Yonder is another fellow of marvellous arm," said Arthur; "that green
+knight on the black horse."
+
+"He has not begun his work yet," said Gawaine. "It is plain that he is
+no common man."
+
+And so it proved, for Sir Tristram pushed fiercely into the press,
+rescued the two kings who had been unhorsed, and did such mighty work
+among the opposing party that all who saw him marvelled to behold one
+man do so many valiant deeds. Nor was the career of Palamides less
+marvellous to the spectators.
+
+King Arthur, who watched them both with admiring eyes, likened Tristram
+to a furious lion, and Palamides to a maddened leopard, and Gareth and
+Dinadan, who seconded them strongly, to eager wolves. So fiercely did
+Tristram rage, indeed, among the knights of Orkney that at length they
+withdrew from the field, as no longer able to face him.
+
+Then loud went up the cry of the heralds and the common people,--
+
+"The green knight has beaten all Orkney!" And the heralds took account
+that not less than fifty knights had been smitten down by the four
+champions in green.
+
+"This will not do," said Arthur. "Our party will be overmatched if these
+fellows rage on at such a rate. Come, Lancelot, you and Hector and
+Bleoberis must try your hands, and I will make a fourth."
+
+"Let it be so," answered Lancelot. "Let me take him on the black horse,
+and Bleoberis him on the white. Hector shall match him on the gray
+horse" (Sir Gareth).
+
+"And I," said Arthur, "will face the knight on the grizzled steed" (Sir
+Dinadan).
+
+With this conversation they armed and rode to the lists. Here Lancelot
+rode against Tristram and smote him so hard a blow that horse and man
+went to the earth, while his three companions met with the same ill
+fortune from their new antagonists.
+
+This disaster raised a cry throughout the lists: "The green knights are
+down! Rescue the green knights! Let them not be held prisoners!" For the
+understanding was that any unhorsed knight not rescued by his own
+strength or by his fellows should be held as prisoner.
+
+Then the king of North Wales rode straight to Tristram, and sprang from
+his horse, crying,--
+
+"Noble knight, I know not of what country you are, but beg you to take
+my horse, for you have proved yourself worthier to bestride it than I
+am."
+
+"Many thanks," said Tristram. "I shall try and do you as welcome a turn.
+Keep near us, and I may soon win you another horse."
+
+Then he sprang to the saddle, and meeting with King Arthur struck him so
+fierce a sword-blow on the helm that he had no power to keep his saddle.
+
+"Here is the horse promised you," cried Tristram to the king of North
+Wales, who was quickly remounted on King Arthur's horse.
+
+Then came a hot contest around the king, one party seeking to mount him
+again and the other to hold him prisoner. Palamides thrust himself, on
+foot, into the press, striking such mighty blows to the right and left
+that the whole throng were borne back before him. At the same time
+Tristram rode into the thickest of the throng of knights and cut a way
+through them, hurling many of them to the earth.
+
+This done, he left the lists and rode to his pavilion, where he changed
+his horse and armor; he who had gone forth as a green knight coming back
+to the fray as a red one.
+
+When Queen Isolde saw that Tristram was unhorsed, and lost sight of him
+in the press, she wept greatly, fearing that some harm had come to him.
+But when he rode back she knew him in an instant, despite his red
+disguise, and her heart swelled anew with joy as she saw him with one
+spear smite down five knights. Lancelot, too, now knew him, and withdrew
+from the lists lest he should encounter him again.
+
+All this time Tristram's three friends had not been able to regain their
+saddles, but now he drove back the press and helped them again to horse,
+and, though they knew him not in his new array, they aided him with all
+their knightly prowess.
+
+When Isolde, at her window, saw what havoc her chosen knight was making,
+she leaned eagerly forth and laughed and smiled in delight. This
+Palamides saw, and the vision of her lovely and smiling countenance
+filled his soul so deeply with love's rejoicing that there seemed to
+flow into him the strength and spirit of ten men, and, with a shout of
+knightly challenge, he pressed forward, smiting down with spear and
+sword every man he encountered. For his heart was so enamoured by the
+vision of that charming face that Tristram or Lancelot would then have
+had much ado to stand before him.
+
+"Truly Palamides is a noble warrior," said Tristram, when he beheld
+this. "I never saw him do such deeds as he has done this day, nor heard
+of his showing such prowess."
+
+"It is his day," said Dinadan, simply. But to himself he said, "If you
+knew for whose love he does these valorous deeds, you would soon be in
+the field against him."
+
+"It is a crying pity that so brave a knight should be a pagan," said
+Tristram.
+
+"It is my fancy," said Dinadan to himself, "that you may thank Queen
+Isolde for what you have seen; if she had not been here to-day that
+shouting throng would not be giving Palamides the palm of the tourney."
+
+At this juncture Lancelot came again into the field, and hearing the
+outcry in favor of Palamides he set his spear in rest and spurred upon
+him. Palamides, seeing this, and having no spear, coolly awaited
+Lancelot, and as he came up smote his spear in two with a sword-stroke.
+Then he rushed upon him and struck his horse so hard a blow in the neck
+that the animal fell, bearing his rider to the ground.
+
+Loud and fierce was the outcry then: "Palamides the Saracen has smitten
+Sir Lancelot's horse! It is an unknightly deed!"
+
+And Hector de Maris, seeing his brother Lancelot thus unfairly
+dismounted, rushed upon Palamides in a rage, and bore him from his horse
+with a mighty spear-thrust.
+
+"Take heed to yourself, sirrah," cried Lancelot, springing towards him
+sword in hand. "You have done me a sorry deed, and by my knightly honor
+I will repay you for it."
+
+"I humbly beg your pardon, noble sir," answered Palamides. "I have done
+so much this day that I have no power or strength left to withstand you.
+Forgive me my hasty and uncourteous deed, and I promise to be your
+knight while I live."
+
+"You have done marvellously well indeed," said Lancelot. "I understand
+well what power moves you. Love is a mighty mistress, and if she I love
+were here to-day you should not bear away the honor of the field, though
+you have nobly won it. Beware that Tristram discovers not your love, or
+you may repent it. But I have no quarrel with you, and will not seek to
+take from you the honor of the day."
+
+So Lancelot suffered Palamides to depart, and mounted his own horse
+again, despite twenty knights who sought to hinder him. Lancelot,
+Tristram, and Palamides did many more noble deeds before that day's end,
+and so great became the medley at length that the field seemed a dense
+mass of rearing and plunging horses and struggling knights.
+
+At length Arthur bade the heralds to blow to lodging and the fray ended.
+And since Palamides had been in the field from first to last, without
+once withdrawing, and had done so many, noble and valiant deeds, the
+honor and the prize for the day were unanimously voted him, a judgment
+which Arthur and the kings of his counsel unanimously confirmed.
+
+But when Palamides came to understand that the red knight who had
+rescued him was Sir Tristram his heart was glad, for all but Dinadan
+fancied he had been taken prisoner. Much was the talk upon the events of
+the day, and great the wonder of king and knights at the remarkable
+valor of the Saracen knight.
+
+"And yet I well know," said Lancelot, "that there was a better knight
+there than he. And take my word for it, this will be proved before the
+tournament ends."
+
+This also thought Dinadan, and he rallied his friend Tristram with
+satirical tongue.
+
+"What the fiend has ailed you to-day?" he asked. "Palamides grew in
+strength from first to last, but you have been like a man asleep, or a
+coward knight."
+
+"I was never called coward before," said Tristram, hotly. "The only fall
+I got was from Lancelot, and him I hold as my better, and for that
+matter the better of any man alive."
+
+But Dinadan kept up his railing accusations till the growing anger of
+Tristram warned him to desist. Yet this was all from friendship, not
+from spite, for he wished to stir up his friend to do his best in the
+lists the coming day, and not permit the Saracen again to carry off the
+prize.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT.
+
+
+When the next morning dawned, Tristram, Palamides, and Gareth, with La
+Belle Isolde and her ladies, all arrayed as before in green, took horse
+at an early hour, and rode into the fresh forest. But Dinadan was left
+still asleep in bed. As they passed the castle at a little distance, it
+chanced that King Arthur and Lancelot saw them from an upper window.
+
+"Yonder rideth the fairest lady of the world," said Lancelot, "always
+excepting your queen, Guenever."
+
+"Who is it?" asked Arthur.
+
+"It is La Belle Isolde, Cornwall's queen and Tristram's lady-love."
+
+"By my troth, I should like to see her closer," said the king. "Let us
+arm and mount, and ride after them."
+
+This they did, and in a short time were on the track of the gay
+cavalcade they had seen.
+
+"Let us not be too hasty," warned Lancelot. "There are some knights who
+resent being intruded on abruptly; particularly if in the company of
+ladies."
+
+"As for that, we must take our chances," said Arthur. "If they feel
+aggrieved I cannot help it, for I am bent on seeing Queen Isolde."
+
+Seeing Tristram and his companions just in advance, Arthur rode briskly
+up and saluted Isolde courteously, saying, "God save you, fair lady."
+
+"Thanks for your courtesy, sir knight," she replied.
+
+Then Arthur looked upon her charming countenance, freshened by the
+morning air, and thought in his mind that Lancelot had spoken but the
+truth, and that no more beautiful lady lived. But at this moment
+Palamides rode up.
+
+"Sir knight, what seek you here?" he asked. "It is uncourteous to come
+on a lady so suddenly. Your intrusion is not to our liking, and I bid
+you to withdraw."
+
+Arthur paid no heed to these words, but continued to gaze upon Isolde,
+as one stricken with admiration. Seeing this, Palamides flamed into
+anger, and spurred fiercely upon the king, with spear in rest, smiting
+him from his horse.
+
+"Here is an awkward business," said Lancelot to himself. "If I ride down
+Palamides I shall have Tristram on me; and the pair of them would be too
+much for me. This comes from too head-strong a will. But whether I live
+or die I must stand by my lord and king." Then riding forward, he called
+to Palamides, "Keep thee from me!"
+
+Fierce was the onset with which they met, but it ended in Lancelot's
+favor, for Palamides was flung from his saddle and had a hard fall.
+
+When Tristram saw this he called to Lancelot, "Be on your guard, sir
+knight. You have unhorsed my comrade, and must joust with me."
+
+"I have no dread of that," said Lancelot; "and yet I did but avenge my
+lord, who was unhorsed unwarily and unknightly. You have no cause for
+displeasure; for no honorable knight could stand by and see his friend
+ill-treated."
+
+Tristram now felt sure that it was Lancelot who spoke, and that it was
+King Arthur whom Palamides had unhorsed. He therefore laid aside his
+spear and helped Palamides again to his saddle, while Lancelot did the
+same for the king.
+
+"That deed of thine was not knightly nor courteous," said Tristram,
+sternly to Palamides, after the others had departed. "I cannot see any
+harm in a knight accosting a lady gently and courteously; nor am I
+pleased to have you play such masteries before my lady. If I deem her
+insulted, I am quite able myself to protect her. And if I am not
+mistaken, it was King Arthur you assailed so rudely, and the other was
+Lancelot du Lake. You may yet have to pay for your violence."
+
+"I cannot think," said Palamides, "that the great Arthur would ride thus
+secretly arrayed as a poor knight-errant."
+
+"Then you know him not," said Tristram. "No knight living is fonder of
+adventure. King Arthur is always ready to take his part as an errant
+knight, nor does he bear malice against those who may overthrow him when
+in disguise. I tell you, Palamides, that our king is the true model of
+knightly honor, and that the best of us might learn from him."
+
+"If it were he I am sorry," said Palamides. "I may have been over-hasty.
+But a thing that is done cannot be undone, and I must abide the
+consequences."
+
+Then Tristram sent Isolde to her lodging in the priory, from which she
+might behold the tournament, and made ready to enter the lists.
+
+Fierce was the shock of the first encounter of the knights, and the
+three champions in green began the day with many deeds of might.
+
+"How feel you?" asked Tristram of Palamides. "Are you able to repeat
+yesterday's work?"
+
+"Hardly," was the reply. "I am weary and sore yet from my hard labors."
+
+"I am sorry for that, as I shall miss your aid."
+
+"Trust not to me," answered Palamides. "I have not much work left in
+me."
+
+"Then I must depend on you," said Tristram to Gareth. "We two should be
+able to make our mark. Keep near me and rescue me if I get in trouble,
+and I will do the same for you."
+
+"I shall not fail you," was the reply.
+
+Leaving them, Palamides rode off by himself, and, pushing into the
+thickest press of the men of Orkney, did such deeds of arms that
+Tristram looked on in amazement.
+
+"Is that his soreness and weariness?" he asked. "I fancy he is weary of
+my company, and wishes to win all the honor to his own hand."
+
+"That is what Dinadan meant yesterday when he called you coward," said
+Gareth. "He but wished to stir you to anger so that Palamides should not
+rob you of credit."
+
+"By my faith, if Palamides bears me ill will and envy I shall show him
+what a knight of Cornwall can do. He has gained the acclamations of the
+crowd already. He has left our company and we owe him no courtesy. You
+shall see me rob him of his honors."
+
+Then Tristram rode into the thickest of the press, and laid about him
+with such might that all eyes were turned upon him, and men began to
+say, "There is a greater than Palamides come into the field."
+
+"Is it not as I told you?" said Lancelot to Arthur. "I said you would
+this day see the Saracen distanced."
+
+"It is true enough," answered Arthur. "Palamides has not such strength
+of arm."
+
+"It is Tristram himself you look upon."
+
+"That I can well believe," said Arthur. "Such knights as he do not grow
+like mushrooms in every field."
+
+The noise from the other part of the lists now drew the attention of
+Palamides, and when he saw what puissant deeds his late comrade was
+doing he wept for spite, for he saw that the honor of that day was not
+for him.
+
+Seeing to what straits their party was put, Arthur and Lancelot and many
+other knights now armed and rode into the field, and by their aid so
+changed the tide of victory that the other side was driven quite back,
+until Tristram and Gareth stood alone, bravely abiding all who came upon
+them. But Lancelot and his kinsmen kept purposely away from them.
+
+"See," said Lancelot to Arthur, "how Palamides hovers yonder like one in
+a dream, sick, I fancy, from envy of Tristram."
+
+"Then he is but a fool," said the king. "He is not and never was the
+match of Tristram. I am glad to see the fellow repaid for the way he
+served me this morning."
+
+As they stood thus conversing, Tristram withdrew quietly from the lists,
+his going noted only by Isolde and Palamides, who kept their eyes upon
+him. He rode back to his pavilions, where he found Dinadan still asleep,
+his slumbers not broken by all the uproar of the tournament.
+
+"As I am a living man, here is a lusty sleeper," cried Tristram. "Wake,
+Dinadan. The day is half spent and the field half won, and here you are
+still a-bed."
+
+At this Dinadan sprang hastily up and rubbed his eyes.
+
+"I dreamt of wars and jousts," he said. "And, i' faith, I like that way
+the best, for one gets all the good of the fight and is safe from sore
+limbs and aching bones. But what's to do?"
+
+"Get on your harness and ride with me to the field. You will find
+something there to waken you up."
+
+Dinadan, as he armed, noted Tristram's battered shield, and remarked,--
+
+"I slept both well and wisely, it seems. If I had been there I must have
+followed you, from shame if not from courage. And by the looks of your
+shield I would have been worse battered than I was yesterday. Why did
+you not let me sleep out the balance of it, friend Tristram?"
+
+"A truce with your jests. Come, we must to the field again."
+
+"How now, is there a new deal in the game? Yesterday you did but dream;
+to-day you seem awake."
+
+Meanwhile Tristram had changed his armor, and now was attired all in
+black.
+
+"You have more fight in you than you had yesterday, that is sure," said
+Dinadan. "Did I stir up your sleeping spirit?"
+
+"It may be so," said Tristram, smiling. "Keep well up to me, and I shall
+make you a highway through the press. If you see me overmatched, do what
+you can to aid me."
+
+When ready they took their horses and rode back to the lists, where
+Isolde and Palamides noted their entrance. When the Saracen saw that
+Tristram was disguised, a new fancy came into his scheming brain.
+Leaving the lists, he rode to where a knight sat sorely wounded under a
+tree outside. Him he prayed for an exchange of armor, saying that his
+own was too well known in the field, and that he wished for a disguise.
+
+"That is very true," said the knight, as he recognized the green armor.
+"You have made your array somewhat too well known. You are welcome to my
+arms, if they will be of use to you. They will gain more credit in your
+hands than they have won in mine."
+
+Palamides thereupon exchanged armor with him, and, taking his shield,
+which shone like silver, rode into the field. He now joined the party of
+King Arthur, and rode spitefully against Tristram, who had just struck
+down three knights. They met with such force that both spears splintered
+to their hands, though neither lost his seat. Then they dashed eagerly
+together with drawn swords and fought with the courage and fury of two
+lions. But Tristram wondered much what knight this was that faced him
+so valiantly, and grew angry as he felt that he was wasting in this
+single combat the strength he wished to treasure up for the day's work.
+
+La Belle Isolde, who had watched Palamides from her window, had seen him
+change his armor with the wounded knight. And when his treacherous
+purpose came to her mind she wept so heartily and was so deeply
+disturbed that she swooned away.
+
+At this juncture in the fray Lancelot rode again into the field, and
+when the knights of Arthur's party saw him the cry went up. "Return,
+return, here comes Sir Lancelot du Lake!"
+
+And some said to him, "Sir Lancelot, yonder knight in the black harness
+is your man. He is the best of our opponents, and has nearly overcome
+the good knight with the silver shield."
+
+At this Lancelot rode between the combatants, and cried to Palamides,--
+
+"Let me have this battle; you need repose."
+
+Palamides knew Lancelot, and readily gave way, hoping through his mighty
+aid to gain revenge upon his rival. Then Lancelot fell upon Tristram,
+and, unknowing who he was, dealt him blows that would have stunned a
+less hardy fighter. Tristram returned them but feebly, for he knew well
+with whom he fought. And Isolde, who saw it all, was half out of her
+mind with grief.
+
+Dinadan now told Gareth who the knight in black armor was, and said,
+"Lancelot will get the better of him, for one is weary and the other
+fresh, and Tristram is not fighting with his old vim. Let us to his
+aid."
+
+"I am with you," said Gareth. "Yonder fellow with the silver shield is
+waiting to fall on Tristram, if he can to advantage. It is our business
+to give our friend what help we can."
+
+Then they rode in, and Gareth struck Lancelot a sword-blow that made his
+head swim, while Dinadan followed with a spear-thrust that bore horse
+and man together to the earth.
+
+"Why do you this?" cried Tristram, angrily. "It is not a knightly act,
+and does not that good knight any dishonor. I was quite his match
+without you."
+
+Then Palamides came to Lancelot's aid, and a close medley of fighting
+began, in which Dinadan was unhorsed and Tristram pulled Palamides from
+his saddle, and fell with him. Dinadan now sprang up and caught
+Tristram's horse by the bridle, calling out, with purpose to end the
+fight,--
+
+"My lord Sir Tristram, take your horse."
+
+"What is this?" cried Lancelot. "What have I done? Sir Tristram, why
+came you here disguised? Surely I would not have drawn sword on you, had
+I known you."
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "this is not the first honor you have done me."
+
+Then they mounted their horses again, while the people on one side gave
+Lancelot the honor of the fray, and those on the other side gave it to
+Tristram.
+
+"The honor is not mine," said Lancelot. "He has been longer in the
+field, and has smitten down many more knights; so I give my voice for
+Sir Tristram, and pray to all my lords and fellows to do the same."
+
+This was the verdict of the judges, and the prize of that day's tourney
+was by all voted to the noble Sir Tristram.
+
+Then the trumpets blew to lodging, and the knights left the field, while
+Queen Isolde was conducted to her pavilion. But her heart burned hot
+with wrath against Palamides, all whose treachery she had seen. As
+Tristram rode forward with Gareth and Dinadan, Palamides joined them,
+still disguised.
+
+"Sir knight," said Tristram, "you are not of our party, and your company
+is not welcome. So begone."
+
+"Not I," he answered. "One of the best knights in the world bade me keep
+fellowship with you, and till he relieve me from that service I must
+obey him."
+
+"Ha, Palamides, I know you now!" said Tristram. "But, by my faith, I did
+not know you before, for I deemed you a worthy knight and not a traitor.
+I could have handled you well enough, but you brought Lancelot to your
+aid against me."
+
+"Are you my lord, Sir Tristram?" said Palamides, in a tone of surprise.
+
+"That you know, well enough."
+
+"How should I know it any more than you knew me? I deemed you the king
+of Ireland, for you bear his arms."
+
+"I won them in battle, from his champion Sir Marhaus," said Tristram.
+
+"Sir," answered Palamides, "I fancied you had joined Lancelot's party,
+and that caused me to turn to the same side."
+
+"If that be so, I forgive you," said Tristram.
+
+But when they reached the pavilion and had disarmed and washed, and were
+come to table, Isolde grew red with wrath on seeing Palamides.
+
+"You traitor and felon!" she cried, "how dare you thrust yourself into
+this goodly company? You know not how falsely he has treated you, my
+lord Tristram. I saw it all. He watched you when you rode to your tent
+and donned the black armor. Then he changed armor with a wounded knight
+and rode back and wilfully changed sides, and drew sword upon you. I saw
+it all, my lord, and I impeach him of treason."
+
+"Madam," said Palamides, calmly, "you may say what you will. I cannot in
+courtesy deny you. Yet by my knighthood I declare I knew not Sir
+Tristram."
+
+"I will take your excuse," said Tristram, "though it seems a lame one.
+You spared me little in the field, but all that I have pardoned."
+
+At this, Isolde held down her head in despite and said no more.
+
+While they were still at table two knights rode to the pavilions, and
+entered in full armor.
+
+"Fair sirs," said Tristram, "is this courtesy, to come upon us thus
+armed at our meal?"
+
+"We come with no ill intent," said one, "but as your friends, Sir
+Tristram."
+
+"I am come," said the other, "to greet you as a friend and comrade, and
+my companion is eager to see and welcome La Belle Isolde."
+
+"Then remove your helms, that I may see what guests I have."
+
+"That we do, willingly."
+
+No sooner were their helmets off than Tristram sprang hastily to his
+feet.
+
+"Madam, arise," he cried; "this is none less than my lord King Arthur;
+and this my very dear friend Sir Lancelot."
+
+Then the king and queen kissed, and Lancelot and Tristram warmly
+embraced, while deep joy filled all hearts there. At the request of
+Isolde the visitors removed their armor and joined them at their meal.
+
+"Many is the day that I have longed to see you," said Arthur to Isolde,
+"for much praise have I heard of you, and not without warrant. For a
+nobler match for beauty and valor than you and Sir Tristram the world
+does not hold."
+
+"We thank you heartily," replied Tristram and Isolde. "Such praise from
+King Arthur is the highest honor that men's lips could give."
+
+Then they talked of other things, but mainly of the tournament.
+
+"Why were you against us?" asked Arthur. "You are a Knight of the Round
+Table, and have fought to-day against your own."
+
+"Here is Dinadan, and your own nephew Gareth. You must blame them for
+that," said Tristram, smiling.
+
+"You may lay all the blame on my shoulders, if Tristram wishes it," said
+Gareth.
+
+"Not on mine, then," said Dinadan. "Mine are only broad enough to carry
+my own sins. It was this unhappy Tristram brought us to the tournament,
+and I owe to him a whole body full of aches and pains as it is, without
+taking any of his sins in my sack, to boot."
+
+At this the king and Lancelot laughed heartily, and the more so at the
+sour grimace with which Dinadan ended.
+
+"What knight was he with the shield of silver that held you so short?"
+asked Arthur.
+
+"Here he sits," said Tristram.
+
+"What! was it Palamides?"
+
+"None less than he," said Isolde.
+
+"That was not a courteous action."
+
+"Sir," said Palamides, "Tristram was so disguised that I knew him not."
+
+"That may well be," said Lancelot, "for I knew him no better."
+
+"However it be, we are friends again," said Tristram, "and I hope will
+continue so."
+
+And so the evening passed, till the time came for Arthur and Lancelot to
+take their leave.
+
+That night Palamides slept not for the pain and envy that burned in his
+heart. But when his friends entered his chamber in the morning they
+found him fast asleep, with his cheeks stained with tears.
+
+"Say nothing," said Tristram. "The poor fellow has been deeply wounded
+by the rebuke that I and Isolde gave him. Lay no heavier load upon his
+heart."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE WOES OF TWO LOVERS.
+
+
+Early on the third morning of the tournament the knights of Tristram's
+party were up and armed, they now being all arrayed in red, as was also
+Isolde and her maidens. And rare was the show they made as they rode
+gayly to the priory, where they left Isolde and her maidens to occupy
+their proper seats. As the knights turned thence towards the field they
+heard three loud bugle-blasts, and saw the throng of armed knights press
+eagerly forward, while already from the listed space came the thunder of
+hoofs and the cries of combatants.
+
+Into the field they rode, Palamides in advance, and such havoc did he
+make in the opposing ranks that shouts of approval went up from all the
+seats. But Tristram now rode forward at the full speed of his great
+war-horse, hurled Kay the seneschal from his saddle, smote down three
+other knights with the same spear, and then, drawing his sword, laid
+about him like a roused giant.
+
+Quickly changed the cry from Palamides. "O Tristram! O Tristram!"
+shouted the throng of spectators, and the deeds of this new champion
+threw those of the former victor into the shade.
+
+Gareth and Dinadan also nobly aided the two champions, rousing the
+admiration of Arthur and Lancelot by their gallantry, and the four
+knightly comrades soon cleared a wide space in the ranks before them.
+
+"Come," said Arthur, "we must to the rescue, or our side will be driven
+from the field before the day is an hour old. See how the others crowd
+in on Tristram's steps, like wolves to the prey."
+
+Then he and Lancelot hastily armed and sought the field, where they
+quickly fought their way into the thickest press of the tumult.
+Tristram, not knowing them, rode upon them and thrust King Arthur from
+his horse, and when Lancelot rushed to his rescue he was surrounded with
+such an eager host that he was pulled from his saddle to the ground.
+
+Seeing this, the kings of Ireland and Scotland, with their knights,
+rushed forward to take Lancelot and Arthur prisoners. But they counted
+without their host, for the dismounted knights laid about them like
+angry lions, driving back all who came near them. Of all that passed in
+that hot turmoil it were too much to say. Many a knight there did deeds
+of great prowess, and Arthur and Lancelot being mounted again, strewed
+the earth with fallen knights, Lancelot that day unhorsing thirty
+warriors. Yet the other side held so firmly together that, with all
+their ardent labor, Arthur and his party were overmatched.
+
+At this juncture, Tristram turned to his companions and said,--
+
+"My good comrades, I begin to fancy that we are to-day on the wrong
+side. King Arthur's party is overborne more by numbers than valor, for I
+must say I never saw so few men do so well. It would be a shame for us,
+who are Knights of the Round Table, to see our lord Arthur and our good
+comrade Lancelot dishonored. I am in the humor to change sides, and help
+our king and liege lord."
+
+"We are with you in that," cried Gareth and Dinadan. "We have been
+fighting against the grain these three days."
+
+"Do as you will," said Palamides. "I shall not change my hand in the
+midst of the fray."
+
+"As you will," said Tristram. "You are your own master. Speed well in
+your way, and we will do our best in ours."
+
+Then he, Gareth, and Dinadan drew out of the press and rode round to
+Arthur's side, where they lent such noble aid that the fortune of the
+field quickly changed, and the opposing party began to give ground. As
+for Palamides, King Arthur struck him so fierce a blow that he was
+hurled from his horse, while Tristram and Lancelot unhorsed all before
+them. Such havoc did they make, indeed, that the party of the opposing
+kings was soon in full flight from the field, bearing Palamides, who
+wept for rage and grief, with them.
+
+Then rarely sounded the trumpets, and loudly shouted the spectators,
+while the names of Tristram and Lancelot were in every mouth, some
+voting one the prize, some the other. But neither of these good comrades
+would have it alone, so that in the end it was divided between them.
+
+When evening drew near, and the knights had all withdrawn to their
+pavilions, Palamides rode up to that of Sir Tristram, in company with
+the kings of Wales and Scotland. Here he drew up his horse, praying his
+companions to wait a while while he spoke to the knight within. Then he
+cried loudly at the entrance,--
+
+"Where are you, Tristram of Lyonesse?"
+
+"Is that you, Palamides?" answered the knight. "Will you not dismount
+and join us?"
+
+"I seek better company, sir traitor," cried Palamides, in tones that
+trembled with fury. "I hate you now as much as I once esteemed you, and
+bear this in mind, if it were daylight as it is night, I would slay you
+with my own hands. You shall die yet for this day's deeds."
+
+"You blame me wrongly, Palamides," said Tristram, mildly. "If you had
+done as I advised you would have won honor instead of disgrace. Why come
+you here seeking to lay your own fault on me? Since you give me such
+broad warning, I shall be well on my guard against you."
+
+"Well you may, sir dastard, for I love you not," and, fiercely spurring
+his horse, the hot-blooded Saracen joined his kingly companions.
+
+When the next day dawned the festive array which had long spread bustle
+and splendor round Lonazep broke up, and knights and ladies rode off in
+all directions through the land, to carry far and wide the story of the
+wondrous deeds of valor that had been performed at the great tournament.
+Tristram and his two comrades, with Hector de Maris and Bleoberis,
+escorted La Belle Isolde to Joyous Gard, where for seven days the guests
+were nobly entertained, with all the sports and mirthfulness that could
+be devised. King Arthur and his knights drew back to Camelot, and
+Palamides rode onward with the two kings, his heart torn with mingled
+sorrow and despair. Not alone was he in grief for his disgrace in the
+field, under the eyes of her he loved, but was full as sorrowful for the
+hot words he had spoken in his wrath to Tristram, who had been so kind
+and gentle to him that his heart was torn to think how falsely and
+treacherously he had requited him.
+
+His kingly companions would have had him stay with them, but he could
+not be persuaded, so the king of Ireland presented him with a noble
+courser, and the king of Scotland with valuable gifts, and he rode his
+way, still plunged in a grief that was almost despair. Noon brought him
+to a forest fountain, beside which lay a wounded knight, who sighed so
+mournfully that the very leaves on the trees seemed to sigh in echo.
+
+"Why mourn you so, fair knight?" asked Palamides, mildly. "Or if you
+care not to tell, at least let me lie beside you and join my moans to
+yours, for I dare say I have a hundredfold deeper cause for grief, and
+we may ease our hearts by mutual complaints."
+
+"What is your name, gentle sir?"
+
+"Such as I am, for better or worse, men call me Palamides, son to King
+Astlabor."
+
+"Noble sir, it solaces me much to meet you. I am Epinegris, son to the
+king of Northumberland. Now repose you on this mossy bank and let us
+tell our woes, and so ease somewhat our sad hearts."
+
+Then Palamides dismounted and laid himself beside the wounded knight.
+
+"This is my source of woe," he said. "I love the fairest queen that ever
+drew breath, La Belle Isolde, Cornwall's queen."
+
+"That is sheer folly," said Epinegris, "for she loves none but Tristram
+de Lyonesse."
+
+"Know I it not? I have been in their company this month, daily reaping
+sorrow. And now I have lost the fellowship of Tristram and the love of
+Isolde forever, through my envy and jealousy, and never more shall a
+glad thought enter my sorrowful heart."
+
+"Did she ever show you signs of love?"
+
+"Never. She hated me, I fear. And the last day we met she gave me such a
+rebuke that I will never recover from it:--yet well I deserved it by my
+unknightly acts. Many great deeds have I done for her love, yet never
+shall I win a smile from her eyes."
+
+"Deep is your grief, indeed," said Epinegris, with a heart-breaking
+sigh, "yet it is but a jest to my sorrow. For my lady loved me, and I
+won her with my hands. But, alas! this day I have lost her and am left
+here to moan. I took her from an earl and two knights that were with
+her; but as we sat here this day, telling each other of our loves, there
+came an errant knight, named Helior de Preuse, and challenged me to
+fight for my lady. You see what followed. He wounded me so that he left
+me for dead and took my lady with him. So my sorrow is deepest, for I
+have rejoiced in my love, and you never have. To have and lose is far
+worse than never to own."
+
+"That is true," said Palamides. "But yet I have the deepest cause for
+grief, for your love is not hopeless, like mine. And I shall prove this,
+for if I can find this Helior he shall be made to yield you your lady,
+unless he prove able to deal with me as he has with you."
+
+Then he helped Epinegris on his horse and led him to a hermitage near
+by, where he left him under the care of the holy hermit. Here Palamides
+stayed not long, but walked out under the shadow of the green leaves, to
+be a while alone with his woes. But not far had he gone before he saw
+near him a knight, who bore a shield that he had seen Hector de Maris
+wear. With him were ten other knights, who sheltered themselves from the
+noontide heat under the green leaves.
+
+As they stood there another knight came by whose shield was green, with
+a white lion in its midst, and who led a lady on a palfrey. As he came
+up, the knight who bore Sir Hector's shield rode fiercely after him, and
+bade him turn and defend his lady.
+
+"That I must, in knightly duty," cried the other.
+
+Then the two knights rode together with such might that horses and men
+together were hurled to the earth. Drawing their swords, they now fought
+sturdily for the space of an hour. In the end the knight of the white
+lion was stricken to the earth and forced to beg for his life.
+
+Palamides stood under the leaves, watching this combat till it came to
+its end. Then he went to the lady, whom he believed to be her whom he
+had promised to rescue. Taking her gently by the hand, he asked her if
+she knew a knight named Epinegris.
+
+"Alas! that ever I did," she sadly replied. "For his sake I have lost my
+liberty, and for mine he has lost his life."
+
+"Not so badly as that," said Palamides. "He is at yonder hermitage. I
+will take you to him."
+
+"Then he lives!" she cried in joy. "You fill my heart with gladness."
+
+But not many steps had Palamides led her before the victorious knight
+cried out in tones of fierce anger,--
+
+"Loose the lady, sirrah! Whither take you her?"
+
+"Whither I will?" answered Palamides.
+
+"You speak largely, sir knave," cried the knight. "Do you fancy you can
+rob me of my prize so lightly? Think it not, sirrah; were you as good a
+knight as Lancelot or Tristram or Palamides, you should not have that
+lady without winning her at a dearer rate than I did."
+
+"If fight it is, I am ready for you," answered Palamides. "I promised to
+bring this lady to her lover from whom yonder knight stole her, and it
+will need more swords than one to make me break my word."
+
+"We shall see if that be so," said the other, attacking him so fiercely
+that Palamides had much ado to protect himself. They fought for so long
+a time that Palamides marvelled much who this knight could be that
+withstood him so sturdily after his late hard battle.
+
+"Knight," he said, at length, "you fight like a hero. I would know your
+name."
+
+"You shall have it for yours in return."
+
+"I agree to that."
+
+"Then, sir, my name is Safere. I am son of King Astlobar, and brother to
+Palamides and Segwarides."
+
+"Then heaven defend me for having fought you, for I am your brother
+Palamides."
+
+At these words Safere fell upon his knees and begged his brother's
+pardon; and then they unlaced their helms and kissed each other with
+tears of joy.
+
+As they stood thus, Epinegris advanced towards them, for he had heard
+the sounds of fighting, and, wounded as he was, he came to help
+Palamides if he should stand in need.
+
+Palamides, seeing him approach, took the lady by the hand and led her to
+him, and they embraced so tenderly that all hearts there were touched.
+
+"Fair knight and lady," said Safere, "it would be a cruel pity to part
+you, and I pray heaven to send you joy of each other."
+
+"You have my sincere thanks," said Epinegris. "And deeper thanks has Sir
+Palamides for what he has done for me this day. My castle is near by;
+will you not ride there with me as a safeguard?"
+
+"That we gladly will," they said, and when Epinegris had got his horse
+they rode with him and the lady to the castle, where they were nobly
+received and treated with the highest honor. They had such good cheer
+and such enjoyment as they had rarely before known. And never burned the
+flame of love more warmly than that between Epinegris and his rescued
+lady.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE RIVALRY OF TRISTRAM AND PALAMIDES.
+
+
+When morning again dawned over the forest and the smiling fields that
+surrounded the castle of Epinegris, the two brothers rode out, taking
+with them the blessings and prayers for good fortune of those they left
+behind. But had they known into what deadly peril they ventured they
+would not for days have left those hospitable gates.
+
+For they rode on hour by hour, until afternoon came, and then found
+themselves in front of a noble manor-house from which came to their ears
+doleful sounds of woe and lamentation.
+
+"What means this woful noise? Shall we enter and see?" said Safere.
+
+"Willingly," answered Palamides.
+
+Leaving their horses at the gates, they entered the court-yard, where
+they saw an old man tremblingly fumbling his beads. But when they came
+within the hall they beheld many men weeping and lamenting.
+
+"Fair sirs, why make you such a moaning?" asked Palamides.
+
+"We weep for our lord, who is slain," they dolefully replied.
+
+But one of the knights observed the new-comers closely, and said
+secretly to his fellows,--
+
+"Know you not this man? Fortune has thrown into our hands the knight who
+slew our lord at Lonazep. That tall fellow is Palamides. Let him not go
+as easily as he came."
+
+Hearing this, most of them quietly withdrew and armed themselves, and
+then came suddenly upon their visitors to the number of threescore,
+crying,--
+
+"Defend yourself, if you can, Sir Palamides. We know you for the
+murderer of our lord, and it is our duty to revenge him. Die you shall,
+though you had the might of a giant."
+
+Palamides and his brother, finding themselves in this desperate strait,
+set themselves back to back in the midst of their assailants, and fought
+like very giants, keeping their ground for two hours, though they were
+attacked by twenty knights and forty gentlemen and yeomen. But strength
+cannot hold out forever against odds, and at the end they were forced to
+yield, and were locked up in a strong prison.
+
+Within three days thereafter a court of twelve knights sat upon the
+charge against them, and found Sir Palamides guilty of their lord's
+death.
+
+Sir Safere, who was adjudged not guilty, was given his liberty, and
+bidden to depart from the castle. He parted with his brother in the
+deepest woe.
+
+"Dear brother, grieve not so greatly," said Palamides. "If die I must, I
+shall meet death bravely. But had I dreamed of such a doom as this, they
+should never have taken me alive."
+
+[Illustration: Copyright 1895 by E. A. Abbey; from a Copely print
+copyright 1896 by Curtis and Cameron.
+
+THE DEPARTURE.]
+
+Then Safere departed in untold sorrow, though not without hope of rescue
+if he could raise a force to storm the castle. This he had no chance to
+do, for on the next morning Palamides was sent under an escort of twelve
+knights to the father of the dead knight, who dwelt in a strong castle
+by the sea-side, named Pelownes, where it had been decided that the
+sentence should be put into execution.
+
+Palamides was placed on a sorry old steed with his feet bound beneath
+it, and, surrounded by the guard of twelve armed knights, was taken
+towards the place of death.
+
+But through the favor of fortune their route lay by the castle of Joyous
+Gard, and here they were seen by one who knew Palamides, and who asked
+him whither he was borne.
+
+"To my death," he answered, "for the slaying of a knight at the
+tournament. Had I not left Sir Tristram this would not have happened to
+me. I pray you, recommended me to your lord and to my lady Isolde, and
+beg them to forgive me my trespasses against them. And also to my lord
+King Arthur, and to all my fellows of the Round Table."
+
+When the yeoman heard this he rode in all haste to Joyous Gard, where he
+told Tristram of what he had seen and heard.
+
+"To his death, you say?" cried Tristram. "And for an accident of the
+tournament? Why, I and twenty others might be served in the same manner.
+I have reason to be angry with Palamides, but he shall not die the death
+of a dog if I can rescue him."
+
+This said, he armed in all haste, and taking two squires with him, he
+rode at a fast gallop towards the castle of Pelownes, hoping to overtake
+the party before they could pass its gates.
+
+But fortune had decreed that the prisoner should be otherwise rescued.
+For as the guard of knights rode on their way they passed by a well
+where Lancelot had alighted to drink of the refreshing waters.
+
+When he saw the cavalcade approach he put on his helmet and stood
+watching them as they passed. But his heart swelled with anger when he
+saw Palamides disarmed and bound in their midst, and seemingly led to
+his death.
+
+"What means this?" he cried. "What has this knight done that deserves a
+shameful death? Whatever it be, I cannot suffer him to be foully dealt
+with."
+
+Then he mounted and rode after the twelve knights, soon overtaking them.
+
+"Sir knights," he said, "whither take you that gentleman? To ride thus
+bound is not befitting for a man of his metal."
+
+At this the guard of knights turned their horses and faced Lancelot.
+
+"We counsel you not to meddle with us," they said, sternly. "This man
+has deserved death, and to death he is adjudged."
+
+"I tell you, sirs, it shall not be. He is too good a knight to die a
+shameful death. Defend yourselves, then, for I will try my one hand
+against your twelve, and rescue him or die in the effort."
+
+The knights of the guard now put their spears in rest, and Lancelot rode
+upon them with such fury that the foremost and three of those behind him
+were hurled to the ground before his spear broke. Then he drew his sword
+and laid about him so shrewdly that in a little time the whole twelve of
+them were stretched upon the earth, most of them being sorely wounded.
+Lancelot now cut the bonds of Palamides, mounted him upon the best of
+their horses, and rode back with him towards Joyous Gard.
+
+As they went forward they saw Sir Tristram approaching. Lancelot knew
+him at sight, but was himself unknown, because he bore a golden shield
+which neither Tristram nor Palamides recognized. He therefore mystified
+them for a time, and declined to enter Joyous Gard on the plea that he
+had other pressing business on hand. But when strongly entreated, he at
+length consented, and entered the castle with them.
+
+Great was their surprise and joy when he had unhelmed, to find that they
+had their host for guest. Tristram took him in his arms, and so did
+Isolde, while Palamides kneeled before him and thanked him for his life.
+When Lancelot saw this he took him by the hand and made him rise.
+
+"Good sirs," he said, "could I, or any knight of worship in this land,
+hesitate to rescue from an ignoble death such a knight as Palamides? Had
+there been fifty instead of twelve, I fear I should have braved them
+all."
+
+Much joy was there in Joyous Gard at the visit of the lord of the
+castle, but Lancelot stayed there but four days. Palamides, however,
+remained for two months and more, his love and grief growing deeper,
+till he faded away to a shadow of himself.
+
+One day, at the end of this time, he wandered far into the neighboring
+forest, and here by chance saw the reflection of his face in a clear
+pool. The wasted visage disturbed and affrighted him.
+
+"What does this mean?" he asked himself. "Am I, who was called one of
+the handsomest knights in the world, wasted to such a frightful figure?
+I must leave this life, for it is idle to grieve myself to death for
+that which I can never possess."
+
+Then he threw himself beside the well, and from the fulness of his heart
+began to make a song about La Belle Isolde and himself, a rhyme made up
+of music, love, and grief.
+
+As chance would have it, Tristram had ridden into the forest that day in
+chase of the hart. And as he rode up and down under the green leaves the
+summer air brought to his ears the sound of a voice singing loud and
+clear. He rode softly towards the sound, for he deemed that some
+knight-errant lay there solacing himself with song.
+
+When he came nigh he tied his horse to a tree and advanced on foot. Then
+he became aware that the singer was his guest Palamides, and that his
+song was about La Belle Isolde, a doleful and piteous, yet marvellously
+well-made song, which the singer sang loudly and in a clear voice.
+Tristram stood listening till he had heard it from beginning to end. But
+at the last his anger grew so high that he needed to restrain himself
+from slaying the singer where he lay.
+
+Remembering that Palamides was unarmed, he resisted this impulse, and
+advanced slowly towards him.
+
+"Sir Palamides," he said, in a gentle voice, "I have heard your song,
+and learned your treason to your host. If it were not for the shame of
+an unknightly act I would deal you here the meed you have earned. How
+will you acquit yourself of treachery?"
+
+"Thus will I," said Palamides, springing to his feet in his surprise.
+"As for Queen Isolde, you may know well that I love her above all other
+ladies in the world. I loved her before you ever saw her, as you know,
+and have never ceased nor shall ever cease to love her. What honor I
+have won is due for the most part to my love of her. Yet never for a
+moment has she returned my love, and I have been her knight without
+guerdon. Therefore I dread not death, for I had as lief die as live."
+
+"Well have you uttered your treason," said Tristram.
+
+"No treason is it," said Palamides. "Love is free to all men, and I have
+a right to love any lady I will. If she return it not, no man is harmed.
+Such wrong as is done I have suffered, not you, for your love is
+returned and mine has brought me but pain. Yet I shall continue to love
+La Belle Isolde to the end of my days as deeply as you can."
+
+That there was reason in these words Tristram could not but have seen,
+had not anger blinded his wisdom.
+
+"None shall love my lady but myself," he cried, in passion. "And for
+what you have said I challenge you to battle to the uttermost."
+
+"I can never fight in a better quarrel," said Palamides. "And if you
+slay me I can never die by a nobler hand. Since I cannot hope for favor
+from La Belle Isolde, I have as good will to die as to live."
+
+"Then set a day in which we shall do battle in this cause."
+
+"Let it be fifteen days hence. And let the place be in the meadow under
+Joyous Gard."
+
+"Why so long a time?" demanded Tristram. "To-morrow will suit me
+better."
+
+"It is because I am meagre and weak, and have fallen away to a shadow
+through hopeless love. I must rest until I get my strength again before
+I can face so doughty a knight."
+
+"So let it be, then," said Tristram. "Yet once before you broke a
+promise to meet me in battle at the grave near Camelot."
+
+"What could I do?" rejoined Palamides. "I was in prison, and could not
+keep my word."
+
+"If you had done so, there would have been no need of a fight now," said
+Tristram, as he strode haughtily away.
+
+Then Palamides took his horse and rode to Arthur's court, where he did
+his utmost to rest and regain strength. When the appointed time
+approached he returned, attended by four knights and four
+sergeant-at-arms.
+
+Meanwhile Tristram spent his time at the chase. And by evil fortune,
+about three days before the time of battle, a wild arrow shot by an
+archer at a hart struck him in the thigh and wounded him so deeply that
+he could scarcely return to Joyous Gard.
+
+Great was his heaviness of heart, and neither man nor woman could bring
+him cheer, for it was now impossible to keep his word with his rival;
+and his heart grew full of the fancy that Palamides himself had shot
+that arrow, so as to prevent him doing battle on the appointed day. But
+this no knight about Tristram would believe.
+
+When the fifteenth day came Palamides appeared at the place fixed, with
+the knights and sergeants whom he had brought with him to bear record of
+the battle. One sergeant bore his helm, a second his spear, and a third
+his shield. And for two hours he rested in the field, awaiting the
+approach of his antagonist.
+
+Then, seeing that Tristram failed to come, he sent a squire to Joyous
+Gard to remind him of his challenge. When Tristram heard of this message
+he had the squire brought to his chamber, and showed him his wound.
+
+"Tell Sir Palamides," he said, "that were I able to come he would not
+need to send for me, and that I had rather be whole to-day than have all
+King Arthur's gold. Tell him, moreover, that as soon as I am able I
+shall seek him throughout the land, as I am a true knight; and when I
+find him he shall have his fill of battle."
+
+This message the squire brought to his master, who heard it with much
+secret satisfaction.
+
+"I would have had hard handling of him, and very likely have been
+vanquished," he said, "for he has not his equal in battle, unless it be
+Sir Lancelot. So I am well content to give up the fight."
+
+A month passed before Tristram was well. Then he took his horse and rode
+from country to country in search of Palamides, having many strange
+adventures by the way, but nowhere could he meet or hear of his rival
+in love. But during his search Tristram did so many valiant deeds that
+his fame for the time quite overtopped that of Lancelot, so much so that
+Lancelot's kinsmen in their anger would have waylaid and slain the
+valiant warrior.
+
+For this jealousy Lancelot sternly rebuked them, saying,--
+
+"Bear it well in mind, that if any of you does any harm to Sir Tristram,
+that man shall I slay with my own hands. To murder a man like this for
+his noble deeds! Out upon such base designs! Far rather should you
+worship him for his valor and royal prowess."
+
+And so time went on for the space of two years, during which Tristram
+sought in vain for his rival.
+
+At the end of that time he came home to Joyous Gard from one of his
+journeys of adventure, and there was told by La Belle Isolde of a great
+feast to be held at the court on the coming day of Pentecost, which she
+counselled him strongly to attend.
+
+Much debate passed between him and his lady-love on this subject, for he
+was loth to go without her, and she cared not to go. In the end he
+declared that he would obey her wishes, but would ride thither unarmed,
+save for his sword and spear.
+
+This he did, and though she in her loving anxiety sent after him four
+knights, he sent them back within half a mile. Yet he soon had reason to
+repent his rashness. For hardly had he gone a mile farther when he came
+upon a wounded knight, who told him he owed his hurt to Sir Palamides.
+What to do now, Tristram knew not. Near by was the foe he had so long
+sought in vain, and he was unarmed. Should he ride back for his armor,
+or go on as he was?
+
+While he stood thinking, Palamides appeared, and knew him at sight.
+
+"Well met, Sir Tristram!" he cried. "I have heard much of your search
+for me. You have found me now, and we shall not part till we have
+settled our old scores."
+
+"As for that," answered Tristram, "no Christian can boast that I ever
+fled from him, nor shall a Saracen make this boast, even if I be
+unarmed."
+
+Then he put his horse to the gallop and rode on Palamides with such fury
+that his spear broke into a hundred pieces. Throwing it away, he drew
+his sword and struck Palamides six great strokes upon the helm, while
+the Saracen stood unresisting, and wondering at the folly and madness of
+his foe. Then Tristram cried out in fury,--
+
+"Coward knight, why stand you thus idly? You dare not do battle with me,
+for doubt not but I can endure all your strength and malice."
+
+"You know well, Sir Tristram," answered Palamides, "that I cannot in
+honor strike at your unarmed head. If I should slay you thus, shame
+would be my lot. As for your valor and hardiness, those I shall never
+question."
+
+"You speak well," answered Tristram.
+
+"Tell me this," continued Palamides. "Were I here naked of armor, and
+you full armed as I am, what would you do?"
+
+"I shall not answer from fear, but from truthfulness. I would bid you
+depart, as I could not have ado with you."
+
+"No more can I with you," said Palamides, "therefore ride on your way."
+
+"I shall ride or abide as I may choose," said Tristram. "But tell me
+this, Palamides: how is it that so good a knight as you refuses to be
+christened, as your brothers have long been?"
+
+"I cannot become a Christian till a vow I made years ago is fulfilled. I
+believe fully in Jesus Christ and His mild mother Mary; but there is one
+battle yet I must fight, and when that is done I will be baptized with a
+good will."
+
+"If that is the battle with me," said Tristram, "you shall not long wait
+for it. For God defend that through my fault you should continue a
+Saracen. Yonder is a knight whom you have hurt. Help me to put on his
+armor and I will aid you to fulfil your vow."
+
+So they rode together to the wounded knight, who was seated on a bank.
+Tristram saluted him, and he weakly returned the salute.
+
+"Will you tell me your name, sir knight?" asked Tristram.
+
+"I am Sir Galleron of Galway, and a Knight of the Round Table."
+
+"I am sorry for your hurts, and beg you to lend me your armor, for I am
+unarmed, and would do battle with this knight who wounded you."
+
+"You shall have it with a good will. But you must beware, for this is no
+common knight."
+
+"I know him well," answered Tristram, "and have an old quarrel with
+him."
+
+"Will you kindly tell me your name?"
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Then it was idle to warn you. Well I know your renown and worship; and
+Sir Palamides is likely to have no light task."
+
+Tristram now took off the armor of the wounded knight, who, as well as
+he could, helped him to put it on himself. This accomplished, Tristram
+mounted his horse and took in his hand Sir Galleron's spear.
+
+Riding to where Palamides stood waiting, he bade him make ready. In a
+minute more the two strong knights came hurtling together like two
+lions. Each smote the other in the centre of the shield, but Palamides's
+spear broke, while that of Tristram overturned the horse of Palamides.
+In a moment the unhorsed knight had sprung to his feet and drawn his
+sword, while Tristram alighted, tied his horse to a tree, and advanced
+to the fray.
+
+The combat that succeeded was a hard and well-fought one, as only it
+could be between two such knights. For more than two hours it continued,
+Tristram often bringing Palamides to his knees by his mighty strokes,
+while Palamides cut through Tristram's shield and wounded him. Then, in
+a fury of anger, Tristram rushed upon his rival and hurled him to the
+earth. But in an instant the agile Saracen was on his feet again,
+fighting with all his old strength and skill. And so the combat went on,
+hour by hour, and, hard as Tristram fought, Palamides stood as nobly to
+his work, and gave him stroke for stroke.
+
+But, as fortune willed, in the end a fierce blow struck the sword from
+Palamides's hand, nor dare he stoop for it, for fear of being slain. So
+he stood moveless, regarding it with a sorrowful heart.
+
+"Now," said Tristram, "I have you at advantage, as you had me this day.
+But it shall never be said that Tristram de Lyonesse killed a weaponless
+knight. Therefore take your sword, and let us make an end of this
+battle."
+
+"As for that, I am willing to end it now," said Palamides. "I have no
+wish to fight longer. Nor can I think that my offence is such that we
+may not be friends. All I have done is to love La Belle Isolde. You will
+not say that I have done her aught of dishonor by holding that she is
+peerless among ladies, or by the valor which love for her has given me.
+As for such offence as I have given you, I have atoned for it this day,
+and no one can say that I have not held my own like a man. But this I
+will affirm, that I never before fought with a man of your might.
+Therefore I beg you to forgive me for all wrongs which I have done you,
+and as my vow is now fulfilled, I stand ready to go with you to the
+nearest church, there to be confessed, and to receive baptism as a true
+and earnest Christian knight."
+
+"I gladly forgive you all you have done against me," said Tristram; "the
+more so that you have done it rather from love than from hatred. It
+fills my heart with joy to be the means of bringing the valiant
+Palamides into the Church of Christ, and hereafter I shall hold you
+among my best friends. Within a mile from here is the suffragan of
+Carlisle, who will gladly give you the sacrament of baptism; and all
+Christendom must rejoice to gain so noble a convert."
+
+Then they took their horses and helped Galleron to his, and rode to the
+church, where Tristram told the suffragan the purpose of their coming.
+Proud to bring into the fold of the church so notable a convert, the
+suffragan filled a great vessel with water, and hallowed it. This done,
+he confessed and baptized Sir Palamides, while Tristram and Galleron
+stood as his godfathers.
+
+Afterwards the three knights rode to Camelot, much to the joy of the
+king and queen, who gladly welcomed Tristram to their court, and were no
+less glad to learn that the valiant Palamides had become a Christian,
+and that the long rivalry between him and Tristram was at an end. The
+great feast of Pentecost that followed was the merriest that had ever
+been held at Arthur's court, and the merriest that ever would be, for
+the breath of coming woe and trouble was in the air, and the time was
+near at hand in which that worthy fellowship of noble knights was
+destined to break up in dire disaster.
+
+But first of all the tide of disaster came upon Tristram the brave and
+Isolde the fair, as we must now relate. The chronicles tell the story at
+length, but the record of treachery and crime had always best be short,
+and so we shall make that of King Mark, the murderer.
+
+Many years before the time to which we have now come, King Mark's
+treachery had filled Cornwall with mischief and all the land with
+horror, through a deed of frightful crime. And in thus wise it came
+about. Cornwall had been invaded by a host of Saracens, but before they
+could do any mischief, Prince Baldwin, King Mark's brother, attacked
+them, burned their ships, and utterly destroyed them. Furious at heart
+that his brother should win such honor, while he lay cowering with fear
+in his castle, Mark invited him to Tintagil, with his wife and child.
+There suddenly charging him with treason for attacking the Saracens
+without orders, he stabbed him to the heart, and would have slain his
+wife and child as well had not the lady Anglides fled for life with her
+child.
+
+Mark sent after them an old knight named Sir Sadok, with orders to bring
+them back to Tintagil. But he suffered them to escape, and brought back
+to the king a false tale that he had drowned the boy.
+
+Many years now passed by, during which Baldwin's son, Alexander the
+orphan, grew up to be a youth large of limb and strong of arm. In due
+time he was made a knight, whereupon Anglides produced the bloody
+doublet and shirt of her murdered husband, which she had carefully
+preserved, and laid upon the young knight the duty of revenging his
+father's death. The story of the crime had been diligently kept from
+him, but he now accepted this heavy charge with alacrity, and vowed
+solemnly to devote his life to the duty of revenging his murdered
+father.
+
+News of all this was quickly brought to King Mark, by a false knight who
+hoped to win favor by turning informer.
+
+"By my halidom," cried Mark, "whom can I trust? I fancied the young
+viper was dead years ago. That false hound, Sadok, let him escape. As I
+am a living man, he shall pay the penalty of his treason."
+
+Seizing a sword, he burst furiously from the chamber, and rushed madly
+through the castle in search of the knight who had deceived him. When
+Sadok saw him coming, with fury in his face, he guessed what had
+happened, and drew his own sword in haste.
+
+"King Mark," he cried, "beware how you come nigh me. I saved the life of
+Alexander, and glory in it, for you slew his father cowardly and
+treacherously. And it is my hope and prayer that the youth may have the
+strength and spirit to revenge the good Prince Baldwin on his murderer."
+
+"What, traitor! What, dog! Do you dare rail thus at me?" cried the king,
+and in a voice of fury he bade four knights of his following to slay the
+traitor.
+
+These knights drew their swords and advanced in a body on Sadok; but he
+got the wall of them, and fought so shrewdly that he killed the whole
+four in King Mark's presence.
+
+Then, shaking his clinched fist at the king, he said,--
+
+"I would add your false body to the heap, but that I leave you for
+Alexander's revenge."
+
+This said, he took horse and rode briskly away, and in all his court
+Mark could not find a knight willing to pursue him, for all that held
+with the king feared the old knight's sturdy arm.
+
+King Mark now finding his wrath of no avail, set himself to devising
+some scheme of treachery by which the danger that threatened him might
+be removed. In the end he made a compact with Morgan le Fay and the
+queen of Northgalis, both false sorceresses, in which they agreed to
+fill the land with ladies that were enchantresses, and with false
+knights like Malgrim and Breuse Sans Pite, so that the young knight
+Alexander le Orphelin should be surrounded with magic and treachery, and
+without doubt be taken prisoner or slain.
+
+Soon after his knighting, Alexander set out for King Arthur's court, and
+on the way there had many adventures, in which he proved himself a
+knight of great valor and skill. Among these was a mighty battle with
+the false knight Malgrim, whom in the end he killed.
+
+But now Morgan le Fay sought to entrap him by her false devices. She
+gave him a sleeping draught, and had him taken in a horse-litter to a
+castle of hers named La Belle Regard.
+
+Here she cured him of his wounds by healing salves, but not until he had
+promised that he would not set foot beyond the boundaries of that castle
+for a twelvemonth and a day. When he had recovered, Alexander chafed
+bitterly at his confinement, for he felt sure that the pledge had been
+exacted from him to save King Mark from his vow of revenge. Yet his word
+held him close prisoner.
+
+As one day he wandered through the halls of the castle, like a young
+lion in a cage,--now heavy and sad, now burning with desire for
+action,--there came to him a damsel who was cousin to Morgan le Fay, and
+to whom the castle of La Belle Regard by right belonged.
+
+"Sir knight," she said to him, "I find you doleful of aspect; yet I bear
+tidings that should make you merry!"
+
+"I pray you tell them to me," he answered. "I am here now a prisoner by
+promise, but must say that time hangs very heavy on my hands."
+
+"You are more of a prisoner than you deem," she replied. "My cousin,
+Morgan le Fay, keeps you here for purposes of her own which you will
+scarcely find to your liking."
+
+"I fancy she keeps me here through an understanding with King Mark," he
+rejoined. "I have no faith in her, but I cannot break my word of honor."
+
+"Truly, fair sir," she said, "I pity your unhappy lot, and have a plan
+in mind through which you may escape from this durance without loss of
+honor."
+
+"Do that and I shall owe you my life's service," he answered, warmly.
+"Tell me, dear lady, by what means I can be freed."
+
+"This I may justly say, that this castle of right belongs to me. I have
+been unjustly deprived of it, and in right and honor you are my
+prisoner, not Morgan's. I have an uncle who is a powerful nobleman, the
+Earl of Pase, and who hates Morgan le Fay above all persons. I shall
+send to him, and pray him for my sake to destroy this castle, which
+harbors only evil customs. He will come at my wish and set fire to the
+building throughout. As for you, I shall get you out at a private
+postern, and there have your horse and armor ready."
+
+"Truly, fair maiden, you are as wise as you are beautiful," he answered,
+in eager accents. "Release me from imprisonment to Morgan and I will
+hold myself your prisoner for life."
+
+Then she sent to her uncle the earl, and bade him come and burn that
+haunt of mischief,--a design which he already had in mind.
+
+When the appointed day came the Earl of Pase sought the castle with four
+hundred knights, and set fire to it in all parts, ceasing not his
+efforts till there was not a stone left standing of the once proud
+stronghold.
+
+But Alexander was not willing to take this as a release from his vow,
+but stationed himself within the limits of the space where had stood the
+castle of La Belle Regard, and made it known far and wide that he would
+hold that ground against all comers for a twelvemonth and a day.
+
+Word of this knightly challenge soon came to Arthur's court, where was
+then a lady of famous beauty and great estate, known as Alice la Belle
+Pilgrim, daughter of Duke Ansirus, called the pilgrim, since he went on
+a pilgrimage to Jerusalem every third year.
+
+When this fair maiden heard of Alexander's challenge, she went into the
+great hall of Camelot and proclaimed in the hearing of all the knights
+that whoever should overcome the champion of La Belle Regard should wed
+her and be lord of all her lands.
+
+This done, she went to La Belle Regard, where she set up her pavilion
+beside the piece of earth held by the young knight. And as the weeks
+passed by there came from all directions knights who had heard of
+Alexander's challenge and Alice's offer, and many a hard battle was
+fought. Yet from them all Alexander came as victor.
+
+But the more he triumphed over his knightly foes the deeper he fell
+captive to his fair neighbor, for whom he grew to feel so deep a love
+that it almost robbed him of his wits. Nor was his love unrequited, for
+his valor and youthful beauty had filled her heart with as ardent a
+passion for him in return, and she prayed as warmly for his victory in
+every combat as though he had been her chosen champion.
+
+And so time passed on, varied by fighting and love-making, till one day,
+after Alexander had unhorsed two knights, there came to him the lady to
+whom he owed the burning of the castle, who told Alice the whole story
+of what had then occurred.
+
+"You worked wisely and well," answered Alice. "Sir Alexander, indeed,
+has not gained much more freedom, except it be freedom to fight. But
+that is more his fault than yours."
+
+"Have I not?" exclaimed the young knight. "I have gained freedom to love
+also; for which I am ever beholden to this fair damsel."
+
+At this Alice turned away with a rosy blush, while the maiden stood
+regarding them with merry smiles.
+
+"I have, by right, the first claim on you, Sir Alexander," she said.
+"But if this fair lady wants you, I should be sorry to stand in love's
+light. I yield my claim in her favor."
+
+As they thus conversed in merry mood, three knights rode up, who
+challenged Alexander to joust for the proffered prize of the hand and
+estate of Alice la Belle Pilgrim. But the three of them got such falls
+that they lost all desire to wed the lady, and, like all knights whom
+Alexander overcame, they were made to swear to wear no arms for a
+twelvemonth and a day.
+
+Yet love may bring weakness as well as strength, as the young lover was
+to find to his cost. For there came a day in which, as he stood looking
+from his pavilion, he saw the lady Alice on horseback outside, and so
+charming did she appear in his eyes that his love for her became almost
+a frenzy. So enamoured was he that all thought of life and its doings
+fled from his brain, and he grew like one demented.
+
+While he was in this state of love-lorn blindness the false-hearted
+knight Sir Mordred rode up with purpose to joust. But when he saw that
+the youthful champion was besotted with admiration of his lady, and had
+no eyes or mind for aught beside, he thought to make a jest of him, and,
+taking his horse by the bridle, led him here and there, designing to
+bring the lover to shame by withdrawing him from the place he had sworn
+to defend.
+
+When the damsel of the castle saw this, and found that no words of hers
+would rouse Alexander from his blind folly, she burned with indignation,
+and bethought her of a sharper means of bringing him back to his lost
+senses.
+
+So she put on her armor and took a sword in her hand, and, mounting a
+horse, rode upon him with the fury of a knight, giving him such a buffet
+on the helm that he thought that fire flew from his eyes.
+
+When the besotted lover felt this stroke he came of a sudden to his
+wits, and felt for his sword. But the damsel fled to the pavilion and
+Mordred to the forest, so that Alexander was left raging there, with no
+foe to repay for that stinging blow.
+
+When he came to understand how the false knight would have shamed him,
+his heart burned with wrath that Sir Mordred had escaped his hands. But
+the two ladies had many a jest upon him for the knightly stroke which
+the damsel had given him on the helm.
+
+"Good faith," she said, "I knew not how else to bring back his strayed
+wits. I fancy I would have given him some shrewd work to do if I had
+chosen to stand against him. These men think that none but they can wear
+armor and wield swords. I took pity on your champion, Alice, or it might
+have gone hard with him," and she laughed so merrily that they could not
+but join her in her mirth.
+
+After that nearly every day Alexander jousted with knights of honor and
+renown, but of them all not one was able to put him to the worse, and he
+held his ground to the twelvemonth's end, proving himself a knight of
+the noblest prowess.
+
+When the year had reached its end and his pledge was fully kept, he
+departed from that place with Alice la Belle Pilgrim, who afterwards
+became his loving wife, and they lived together with great joy and
+happiness in her country of Benoye.
+
+But though he let love set aside for the time his vow of revenge on King
+Mark, he did not forget the duty that lay before him, nor did that
+evil-minded king rest at ease under the knowledge that an avenger was in
+the land. Many a false scheme he devised to keep Alexander from his
+court, and in the end his treacherous plots proved successful, for the
+young knight was murdered by some of King Mark's emissaries, with his
+father's death still unrevenged.
+
+But vengeance sleeps not, and destiny had decided that the false-hearted
+king should yet die in retribution for the murder of Prince Baldwin.
+Alexander left a son, who was named Bellengerus le Beuse, and who grew
+up to become a valiant and renowned knight. He it was who avenged the
+slaughter of Prince Baldwin, and also of Sir Tristram, for this noble
+knight was also slain by the felonious king, as we must now tell.
+
+Through the good services of King Arthur and Queen Guenever, after
+Tristram and Isolde had long dwelt at Joyous Gard, peace was made
+between them and King Mark, and they returned to Tintagil, where for a
+long time all went on in seeming friendship and harmony.
+
+But the false king nursed the demon of jealousy deep within his breast,
+and bided his time for revenge. At length, on a day when Tristram,
+dreaming not of danger, sat harping before La Belle Isolde, the
+treacherous king rushed suddenly upon him with a naked sword in his hand
+and struck him dead at her feet.
+
+Retribution for this vile deed came quickly, for Bellengerus was at
+Tintagil Castle at the time, brought there by thirst of vengeance, and
+with a heart filled with double fury by the news of this dastardly deed,
+he rushed upon King Mark as he stood in the midst of his knights and
+courtiers, and struck him to the heart with his father's avenging
+blade.
+
+Then, aided by Dinas, Fergus, and others of Tristram's friends, he
+turned upon Andred and the remainder of King Mark's satellites, and when
+the work of blood was done not one of these false-hearted knights
+remained alive, and the court of Cornwall was purged of the villany
+which had long reigned there supreme.
+
+But La Belle Isolde loved Tristram with too deep a love to survive his
+death, and she fell swooning upon the cross above his tomb and there
+sobbed out her life; and she was buried by his side, that those who had
+been so united in life should not be parted in death.
+
+Great was the grief and pity aroused throughout England, and through all
+lands where knighthood was held in honor, by this distressful event, for
+never before had two such faithful lovers breathed mortal air. And long
+thereafter lovers made pilgrimages to their tomb, where many prayed
+fervently for a draught from that magic goblet from which Tristram and
+Isolde drank, and whose wine of love forever after ran so warmly in
+their veins.
+
+
+
+
+                              BOOK IX.
+
+                    THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE ENCHANTED CASTLE OF KING PELLAM.
+
+
+After many years had come and gone, and all at the court of Arthur the
+king had grown older and wiser, there came to pass a series of
+adventures more marvellous than had ever been known upon the earth
+before, and of a nobler kind than mere tourneyings and joustings, being
+no less than the quest of the holy vessel named the Sangreal, in which
+was kept a portion of the blood of our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ.
+
+And through this quest much disaster came upon the land, and the noble
+fellowship of the Round Table was broken up and destroyed, for many went
+in search of the holy vessel who had lived evil lives, and of these few
+came back, but most of them died deaths of violence.
+
+This sacred talisman--the Sangreal--had been brought to England
+centuries before by Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of our Saviour, and
+had passed down from him to his descendant, King Pellam, of Listengeise,
+him whom Balin struck the dolorous stroke, and who was destined to lie
+in misery and pain until he should be healed of his wound by the winner
+of the holy vessel.
+
+But to tell how this perilous quest began we must go long years back and
+relate a story of strange adventures and marvellous deliverances.
+
+For it had happened that during a feast of Whitsuntide Lancelot du Lake
+left Arthur's court at Camelot and rode afar in search of adventures.
+And after a long journey, in which many strange things came to pass, he
+arrived at Listengeise, the land of King Pellam. Here he rescued the
+king's fair daughter, Elaine, from a dismal enchantment, under which she
+had long lain through the wiles of Morgan le Fay and the queen of
+Northgalis, who hated her bitterly from her renown for beauty.
+
+After the rescue of the lady, Lancelot fought with and killed a mighty
+serpent that haunted a tomb near by, and had done much harm in the land.
+Then there came to him a dignified and noble baron, who thanked him
+heartily in the name of the king, and invited him to a repast in the
+castle hall.
+
+But as they sat at table a wonderful thing took place. For in at the
+open window of the hall there flew a dove, which bore in its mouth what
+seemed a little censer of gold. And from this censer came such a rich
+and penetrating perfume as if all the spicery of the world had been
+there, while upon the table suddenly appeared the most delicious of
+meats and drinks. Then came in a damsel, young and beautiful, who bore
+in her hands a vessel of gold, before which all who were there kneeled
+and prayed devoutly.
+
+[Illustration: ON THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL.]
+
+"What may all this mean?" asked Lancelot in deep surprise.
+
+"It has been granted you to see the most precious and wonderful thing in
+the world," answered the noble baron. "For you have been permitted to
+gaze upon the holy Sangreal. In the time to come all Arthur's knights
+shall take part in a quest for this precious talisman, and great shall
+be the woe therefrom, for through that quest the Round Table fellowship
+shall be broken up and many of its noble knights destroyed."
+
+But all that passed in that land is too much for us to tell. We shall
+say only that the fair Elaine came to love Lancelot dearly, but he gave
+her no love in return, for all the affection of his heart was centred
+upon Queen Guenever. Yet King Pellam so desired that Lancelot should wed
+his fair daughter that in the end he used enchantment, and brought him
+to make her his wife when under a magic spell, the deluded knight
+fancying that it was Guenever whom he had wedded.
+
+This delusion last not long, and when the deceived spouse came to his
+senses and learned how he had been dealt with, he broke away like a
+madman, and, gaining his horse, rode wildly through the land. And every
+knight-errant who dared to joust with him was made to suffer from the
+fury that burned in his blood.
+
+Long afterwards, as chance and adventure brought about, there came to
+King Pellam's castle Sir Bors de Ganis, Lancelot's nephew. He was gladly
+received, and treated with all the good cheer and honor which the castle
+could afford. And as he sat at his repast with, the castle lords, there
+came in, as it had come to Lancelot, the dove with the censer, at which
+the air was filled with the richest perfume, and the table covered with
+the most delicious viands. Then entered the maiden with the holy grail,
+and all fell to their prayers.
+
+"Truly," said Bors, "this is a strange place, and a land full of
+marvels."
+
+"This I will say," answered the noble baron who sat in the king's chair,
+"that of the knights who come here few see the holy vessel, and fewer go
+away with any honor. Gawaine, the good knight, was here but lately; but
+he saw not what your eyes have beheld, and he left here in shame. None
+but those of a worshipful life and who love God devoutly can behold this
+marvel, or sleep in this castle without coming to harm."
+
+"I am in quest of adventures," said Bors, "and shall lie in your castle
+this night, come what will. Men call me honest and virtuous, and I stand
+ready to dare all perils the castle may hold."
+
+"I counsel you not," said the baron. "You will hardly escape without
+harm and shame."
+
+"Let come what will come, I am ready."
+
+"Then I advise you to confess, and go to your chamber with a clean soul,
+for you will be sorely tried."
+
+"Let it be so. Your counsel is wise."
+
+After Sir Bors had been confessed and received absolution, he was led
+into a fair large chamber, around which were many doors, while a bed of
+royal richness stood in the middle of the floor. Here he was left alone,
+and threw himself on the bed in his armor, deeming it wise to be
+prepared for all that might come.
+
+Not long had he lain there with open eyes and alert wits, when the room
+was all at once brilliantly lighted up, though whence the light came he
+could not tell. And suddenly a great and long spear, whose point burnt
+like a taper, shot across the chamber without hand to guide it, and
+struck him in the shoulder so fierce a blow that his armor was pierced,
+and he received a wound, a hand's-breadth in depth, which pained him
+bitterly.
+
+Quickly afterwards an armed knight strode in, with shield on shoulder
+and sword in hand, who cried in a harsh voice,--
+
+"Arise, sir knight, and fight with me."
+
+"I shall not fail you," said Bors, hot with the pain of his wound. "I am
+sorely hurt, but I have vowed boldly to dare aught that might come to
+me. If that burning spear came from your hand you shall pay dearly for
+it."
+
+With these words he sprang from the bed and attacked the intruder, and a
+hard and stern battle began, which lasted long. At the end the intruding
+knight was driven backward to a chamber door, through which he passed,
+leaving Bors master of the floor.
+
+But hardly had he rested a minute when the defeated knight returned, as
+fresh as at the start, and attacked Bors with renewed strength. Again
+the battle went on fiercely. But when Bors saw his antagonist once more
+retreating towards the chamber door, he cried out,--
+
+"Not so, my good fellow. You played that trick on me once; you shall
+not again. Back and defend yourself. If you defeat me it shall be by
+strength, not by magic." And he stationed himself before the door, and
+drove back his opponent with such fury, that in a moment more he hurled
+him to the floor.
+
+"Yield, or you die!" he cried, setting his foot on the fallen knight's
+head.
+
+"I yield," came the answer.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"I am Sir Pedivere of the Straight Marches."
+
+"Then, Sir Pedivere of the Straight Marches, take yourself away. And if
+you have any of your fellows behind yonder door, bid them to keep out of
+this room, for I came here to sleep, not to fight. At Whitsunday next,
+present yourself at King Arthur's court, and tell him that you have come
+thither as a prisoner of Sir Bors of the sharp sword."
+
+This, Sir Pedivere swore to do, and left his conqueror to what rest he
+could get. But this was little, for enchantment surrounded the daring
+knight. The room suddenly became full of frightful noises and alive with
+peril. Whence they came he knew not, whether through doors or windows,
+but a flight of arrows and of crossbow bolts filled the air, whistling
+shrewdly past his ears, while many of them fell upon him and pierced his
+flesh through the open places in his armor.
+
+"Who can sleep in such a den of witchcraft as this?" he cried, in a
+rage, springing from the bed. As he did so one of the doors opened, and
+a great lion leaped fiercely in, with a hideous roar.
+
+"It is better to fight a lion that one can see, than arrows which nobody
+shoots," cried Bors, and he rushed without hesitation on the dangerous
+animal.
+
+Sharp was the fight that followed, but of short duration. The lion
+sprang wildly upon him, and tore the shield from his arm, while the
+sharp claws rent his flesh. But the knight retorted with a sweeping
+stroke that cut off the frightful beast's head, and stretched its tawny
+body lifeless on the floor.
+
+Then Bors walked to the window to see whither the arrows had come, and
+as he looked into the castle court he beheld a wondrous sight. For
+before his eyes stood a dragon, huge and horrible of aspect, in whose
+forehead were letters of gold which seemed to him to form King Arthur's
+emblem. And as he gazed there leaped into the court an old and mighty
+leopard, which sprang upon the dragon and engaged in desperate battle
+with the huge monster.
+
+At last the dragon spit out of its mouth a hundred of what seemed small
+dragons, and these quickly leaped upon the frightful beast and rent it
+to fragments. Then all the animals disappeared, and an old man came into
+the court, around whose neck two adders wreathed their folds. In his
+hand was a harp, upon which he played, while he sang an old song telling
+how Joseph of Arimathea came to that land. When his song was ended he
+said to Sir Bors,--
+
+"Go from this land, sir knight, for you shall have no more adventures
+here. You have played your part well and nobly, and shall do still
+better hereafter, for wondrous things are reserved for you."
+
+Then Bors saw a dove of whitest plumage fly across the court with a
+golden censer in its mouth, from which seemed to stream the most
+delicious perfumes. And the tempest which had raged in the sky suddenly
+ceased, while from the rent clouds the full moon poured down its white
+light to the earth.
+
+Next there came into the court four children who bore four tapers, and
+an old man in their midst with a censer in one hand a spear in the
+other, and that spear was called the spear of vengeance.
+
+"Go to your cousin, Sir Lancelot," said the old man, "and tell him what
+you have seen, and that if he had been as clean of sin as he should be,
+the adventure which all this signifies would have been his. Tell him,
+moreover, that though in worldly adventures he passes all others in
+manhood and prowess, there are many his betters in spiritual worth, and
+that what you have seen and done this night he was not deemed worthy
+of."
+
+Then Bors saw four meanly-dressed gentlewomen pass through his chamber,
+and enter an apartment beyond which was lit up with a light like that of
+midsummer. Here they knelt before an altar of silver with four pillars,
+where also kneeled a man in the dress of a bishop. And as the knight
+looked upward he beheld a naked sword hovering over his head, whose
+blade shone like silver, yielding a flashing light that blinded him as
+he gazed. As he stood thus sightless, he heard a voice which said,--
+
+"Go hence, Sir Bors, for as yet thou art not worthy to be in this
+place."
+
+Then the door of that chamber closed, and he went backward to his bed,
+where he lay and slept undisturbed till morning dawned. But when the
+regent of King Pellam learned what had happened to his guest in the
+night, and how he had escaped the perils of the enchanted chamber, he
+greeted him joyfully, and said,--
+
+"You are the first that ever endured so well that chamber's mysteries.
+And more has been shown to your eyes than any others have seen. Go home,
+worthy knight. You are chosen for great deeds in the time to come."
+
+Sir Bors thereupon took his horse and rode away, thinking long and
+deeply on all that had happened to him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE MARVEL OF THE FLOATING SWORD.
+
+
+Many and strange were the events that followed those we have just
+related, and great trouble and woe came therefrom. For when Sir Bors
+returned to Camelot and told the story of the wedding of Lancelot and
+Elaine, much was the secret talk and great the scandal. And when the
+news came to Guenever's ears she flamed with wrath.
+
+Not long afterwards, Lancelot returned, still half frenzied with the
+deception that had been practised upon him. When Guenever saw him she
+accused him bitterly of being a traitor to love, and harshly bade him
+leave the court, and never come again within her sight.
+
+This bitter reviling turned Lancelot's frenzy to a sudden madness. With
+distracted brain he leaped from a window into a garden, and ran like a
+wild man through wood and brake, heedless that his clothes were torn and
+his flesh rent with thorns and briers. Thus hotly burns despised love in
+the human heart and brain, and thus it may turn the strongest senses
+away and bring madness to the clearest mind.
+
+On learning what had passed, Bors and Hector went to the queen, and
+accused her harshly of the great wrong she had done to the noble
+Lancelot. But she was already torn with remorse, and she knelt before
+these noble knights, begging their forgiveness, and praying them
+pitifully to seek Lancelot and bring him back to the court.
+
+Months passed and Lancelot returned not, nor could he be found, though
+he was sought through many lands. For he kept afar from cities and
+courts, and roamed through wilds and wastes, where he had many
+adventures in his madness, and did strange and wild things.
+
+For two years he wandered hither and thither in frenzy, until at length
+he came to King Pellam's city of Corbin, and to the castle where dwelt
+the fair Elaine. Here he was given shelter in a little outhouse, with
+straw to sleep on, while every day they threw him meat and set him
+drink, for none would venture near a madman of such savage aspect.
+
+But one day as he slept, Elaine chanced to behold him, and knew him at
+once for Lancelot. Telling a trusty baron of her discovery, she had the
+distracted knight borne still sleeping into a tower chamber in which was
+kept the holy vessel, the Sangreal, concealed from all eyes save those
+of persons of saintly life. Lancelot was laid near this, and when all
+had left the chamber a man of sanctity entered and uncovered the vessel.
+Such was its holy influence that it wrought marvellously upon the
+distracted knight as he lay there asleep and the madness passed away
+from his brain. When he woke he was himself again, as whole a man in
+mind and body as any that stood upon the earth. For so healing was the
+virtue of that precious vessel that it not only drove the cloud of
+madness from his mind, but gave him back all his old might and
+comeliness of body.
+
+Then, ashamed of his frenzy, and anxious not to be known, Lancelot
+assumed the name of the Chevalier Mal Fet, or the knight who has
+trespassed, and took up his abode with Elaine and many knights and
+ladies at a castle given him by King Pellam. This stood on an island in
+the midst of a deep and clear lake, which Lancelot named the Joyous
+Isle. And now, filled again with martial fervor, he made it known far
+and wide that he would joust with any knights that came that way, and
+that any one who should put him to the worst would receive as a prize a
+jewel of worth and a jerfalcon.
+
+But none won the prize, though very many noble knights jousted with the
+Chevalier Mal Fet.
+
+Last of all came Percivale and Hector, who had been long in search of
+Lancelot. Learning the challenge, Percivale jousted with Lancelot, and
+afterwards they fought with swords. So long and even was their combat,
+that a length both paused for breath. And now Percivale, wondering who
+this sturdy knight could be, told his name, and asked for his in return.
+At this, Lancelot threw away his weapon, and took his late opponent in
+his arms, crying out that he was Lancelot du Lake.
+
+Glad was the meeting between these old friends and comrades, and richly
+were the new-comers entertained in the castle. But in the end they
+persuaded Lancelot to go with them to Camelot, and the disconsolate
+Elaine was left to return, with her knights and ladies, to her father's
+castle.
+
+After these events years came and went, until many summers and winters
+had passed over England's fair isle, and age had begun to lay its hand
+on those who had been young, while those who had been children grew up
+and became knights and ladies. Then came at length the time fixed by
+destiny for the adventure of the Sangreal. And thus this adventure
+began.
+
+When again approached the vigil of Pentecost, and all the fellowship of
+the Round Table had come to Camelot, and the tables were set to dine,
+there rode into the great hall a gentlewoman of noble aspect, whose
+horse was white with sweat and foam.
+
+She saluted Lancelot and begged him to go with her, though whither and
+for what purpose she would not say. Stirred by his love of adventure, he
+armed and rode with her, and before the day's end reached an abbey of
+nuns in a secluded valley. Here, as he stood conversing with the abbess,
+there came in to him twelve nuns, bringing with them a youth who had not
+yet reached manhood, but was large and powerful of frame, and as
+handsome of face as any man he had ever seen.
+
+"Sir," said the ladies, with weeping eyes, "we bring you this child,
+whom we have long nourished, and pray you to make him a knight; for
+there is no worthier man from whom he can receive the order of
+knighthood, and we hold him worthy of your sword."
+
+Lancelot looked long at the young squire, and saw that he was seemly,
+and demure as a dove, and of wonderful beauty of form and features, and
+his heart went out with great love for the beautiful youth.
+
+"What is his name?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"We call him Galahad."
+
+"Comes this desire from himself?"
+
+"It does," said they all.
+
+"From whom has he sprung?"
+
+"His mother is dead. His father is a full noble knight, as you shall
+soon learn."
+
+"Then he shall be knighted by my hand to-morrow at the morning services,
+for truly he seems worthy of it."
+
+That night, Lancelot's cousins, Bors and Lionel, stopped at the abbey,
+and spent there a cheery evening with their noble kinsman. At early morn
+of the next day he gave the accolade to the youth, pronouncing him
+knight, and bidding Bors and Lionel to stand as his godfathers in the
+order of knighthood.
+
+"And may God make you a good man and a noble knight," he said. "Beauty
+you have now, equal to any I have ever seen, and strength and courage I
+doubt not; if you bear with these a noble heart and an earnest mind you
+have the best treasures that God can confer or man possess."
+
+Then, when they had broken their fast, Lancelot said to the demure and
+modest young knight,--
+
+"Fair sir, will you come with me to the court of King Arthur?"
+
+"I humbly beg your pardon," said Galahad, "but I cannot come at this
+time. Trust me to follow soon."
+
+Then Lancelot and his cousins left the abbey and rode to Camelot, where
+they arrived before the hour of the feast. In the great hall were many
+noble knights, some of them strangers, who walked about the Round Table,
+reading the names in letters of gold in the several seats, and saying,--
+
+"Here sits Gawaine, here Lancelot, here Percivale," and so with the
+others.
+
+At length they came to the seat perilous, in which no man but Percivale
+had hitherto dared to sit, and which he no longer occupied. To their
+deep surprise they found there newly written in letters of gold these
+words,--
+
+"Four hundred and fifty-four winters after the passion of our Lord Jesus
+Christ, the knight shall come for whom this seat is held by destiny."
+
+"What marvellous thing is this?" cried all who saw it. "Here is a
+miracle."
+
+"In the name of God, what means it?" cried Lancelot. "Percivale long
+since had warning to leave that seat. Who shall fill it to-day, for this
+is the feast of Pentecost of the four hundred and fifty-fourth year. The
+year and day have come, but where and who is the man? I advise that
+these letters be hidden, till he come for whom this seat is
+pre-ordained."
+
+Then it was ordered that the writing should be covered with a cloth of
+silk; and the king bade his guests to hasten to dinner, and forget for
+the time being what they had seen.
+
+"Sir," said Kay, the steward, "if you go to table now you will break
+your old custom, not to sit at dinner on this day till you have seen or
+heard of some adventure."
+
+"Very true," said the king. "I had forgotten my custom through this
+strange event."
+
+As they stood thus speaking, there came hastily into the court a squire,
+whose eyes were big with wonder.
+
+"Sire, I bring you marvellous tidings," he cried to the king.
+
+"What are they?" demanded Arthur.
+
+"As I stood but now by the river, I saw floating on its waters a great
+square stone, and above this stood the hilt of a sword, whose blade was
+thrust deeply into the stone."
+
+"A stone that floats!" said the king. "That is strange, indeed. I must
+see this marvel."
+
+Then he, followed by all the knights, went to the river, and saw there
+that the squire had spoken truly; for a great stone that seemed of red
+marble floated like wood on the water, and thrust deeply into it was a
+rich sword, in whose pommel were many jewels of price. As they looked in
+wonder the stone whirled inward on an eddy and came aground at their
+feet. And now they saw that the precious stones were set in letters of
+gold, which none there could read. But there was a man at the court
+learned in strange tongues, and he being sent for, read these with ease,
+and thus interpreted them,--
+
+"Never shall the hand of man draw me from this stone until he comes by
+whose side I am to hang; and he shall be the best knight in the world."
+
+"Lay your hand on this sword and draw it," said the king to Lancelot.
+"To you it surely belongs; for you are the best knight in the world."
+
+"Best of hand, mayhap, but not of heart and life," said Lancelot,
+soberly. "Certes, sir, that sword is not for me, nor have I the
+hardiness to set hand thereto. I had a vision in my last night's sleep,
+and this it told me: that he who seeks to draw that sword, and fails
+therein, shall in time receive from it a wound which shall be very long
+in healing. And this more I learned, that this same day, and with the
+drawing of that sword, shall begin the marvellous quest of the holy
+vessel, the Sangreal. For fate has destined that this precious amulet
+shall be sought throughout the world; and to him who finds it the
+greatest of earth's honors shall come."
+
+The king and all the knights heard these words with wonder, for Lancelot
+spoke like one inspired. Then Arthur turned to Gawaine.
+
+"Fair nephew," he said, "try you this task for my love."
+
+"Saving your good grace," said Gawaine, "that I shall not do."
+
+"Then, sir, seek to draw the sword at my command."
+
+"Your command I must obey," said Gawaine, "yet I dread to meddle with
+magic."
+
+Then he took the sword by the handle, and pulled with all his might, but
+he could not stir it.
+
+"I thank you," said the king, "for the trial, even if you have failed."
+
+"My lord Gawaine," said Lancelot, "bear well in mind, this sword shall
+touch you so sore that you would give the best castle in this kingdom
+not to have set your hand thereto."
+
+"It may be," answered Gawaine. "Yet I could not disobey the command of
+the king."
+
+Then the king turned to Percivale, and asked him for his love to try the
+task.
+
+"Gladly will I," he said, "if only to bear Gawaine fellowship."
+
+But pull as strongly as he would, the sword yielded not to his hand. And
+there were more there so hardy as to disregard Lancelot's warning and
+seek to draw the sword, but to no hand would it yield.
+
+"Try no more," said Kay to the king. "You have seen your marvel, and now
+may, with a good appetite, go to your dinner."
+
+This advice seemed timely to the king, and all went to the court, where
+the knights took their seats at the Round Table, and were served by
+young men lately made knights. When they had been fully served, every
+seat being filled save the seat perilous, another marvellous thing
+happened. For suddenly all the doors and windows of the hall shut of
+themselves. Yet the room was not greatly darkened, and men looked into
+one another's faces with abashed and frightened visages.
+
+"Fair fellows and lords," said the king, "this is a day of strange
+events. And I doubt if we shall not see greater before night comes, for
+it seems a day set aside by the fates."
+
+As he spoke, there came into the hall an ancient man, clothed all in
+white, but no knight knew through which door he had entered. By the hand
+he led a young knight, clad in red armor, but without sword or shield,
+an empty scabbard hanging by his side.
+
+"Peace be with you, fair lords," said the old man. Then he turned to
+King Arthur, and said,--
+
+"Sir, I bring with me a young knight who is of kingly lineage, and of
+the kindred of Joseph of Arimathea. By his hand many strange marvels are
+destined to be accomplished."
+
+The king heard these words with close attention, and answered
+graciously,--
+
+"Sir, you are right welcome here, and the young knight you bring."
+
+Then the old man removed the youth's armor, and put upon him a coat of
+red sendal and a mantle that was furred with ermine. And Lancelot saw
+that the young man was he whom he had knighted that morning at the
+abbey.
+
+[Illustration: JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA.]
+
+But the chief wonder of the day was now to appear. For the old man said
+to his young companion,--
+
+"Sir, follow me." He led him around the table till they came to the seat
+perilous, beside which sat Lancelot. Here the old man lifted up the
+silken cloth, and lo! the letters which had been covered were gone, and
+new letters of gold were visible, which read,--
+
+"This is the seat of Galahad, the high prince."
+
+"Sir," said the old man, "this seat is yours. Long has it waited your
+coming."
+
+And he seated him therein, while all the circle of knights looked on in
+wonder. Now for the first time the young knight spoke.
+
+"Dear sir," he said, "you may now depart, for you have done well what
+you were commanded to do. Recommend me to my grandsire, King Pellam, and
+say to him that I will come and see him as soon as I may."
+
+With this the old man departed. Outside there waited twenty noble
+squires, who mounted when he came, and rode away with him. The Knights
+of the Round Table marvelled greatly at all this, and the more so on
+seeing that he who occupied that chair of peril was one so tender of
+age, and a youth whom no one knew, nor whence he came; but to one
+another they privately said,--
+
+"This is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved; for none ever sat
+there before but Percivale, and he was not long deemed worthy to occupy
+that seat."
+
+The talk of this strange event quickly passed through the palace, and
+came to the queen, who heard it with wonder. Those who brought word
+said that the youth resembled Sir Lancelot.
+
+"I must see this strange thing," she said, and, followed by her ladies,
+she entered the hall.
+
+"It is Sir Lancelot in youth again," she cried, on looking the young
+knight in the face. "Fair sir, tell me truly, what father had you, and
+what mother."
+
+"King Pellam is my grandsire," answered Galahad, "and Elaine was my
+mother. As for my father, I know him not."
+
+"Then do I," cried the queen, "for he sits beside you. Sir Lancelot is
+your father. You are son unto the noblest knight that ever wore sword."
+
+At these words Lancelot rose up in haste, for he had not dreamed of what
+was to come; and he clasped the youth in his arms and kissed his fair
+young face with a love that overflowed his heart.
+
+"My son!" he said. "Can it be? Greatly, indeed, have I felt drawn unto
+you."
+
+"And my heart went out to you, dear father," said Galahad, "from the
+moment I looked upon your noble face."
+
+The sight of this affecting meeting filled all hearts there with joy,
+and the king warmly congratulated Lancelot on having found so worthy a
+son; "for to him, I dare avow," he said, "is destined that great
+achievement of the Sangreal of which you have this day told us."
+
+Then Arthur took Galahad by the hand, and said,--
+
+"Come with me, young sir," and led him from the palace to the river to
+show him the marvel of the stone. After them followed the knights, and
+the queen and ladies of the court, all full of hope of greater wonders
+yet to come.
+
+"Sir," said the king, "that sword floated hither this day. Many knights
+of great prowess have tried to draw it and failed."
+
+"That is no marvel," said Galahad. "The sword is not theirs, but mine.
+And since I knew it awaited me I have brought no sword; but its
+scabbard, as you may see, hangs by my side."
+
+Then he laid his hand upon the sword, and, while all eyes opened wide
+with wonder, drew it from the stone as easily as if it came from the
+water only, and thrust it into the scabbard, saying to the king,--
+
+"It fits there better than in a floating stone."
+
+"God has sent it you," said the king. "And I doubt not he will send you
+a shield in as marvellous a manner."
+
+"This is the sword that at one time belonged to Balin le Savage," said
+Galahad, "and with which he killed his brother Balan, in that terrible
+joust which happened many years ago. The scabbard I wear was Balin's
+scabbard, and it was Merlin who put the sword into that stone, saying
+that no hand should draw it but that of Lancelot, or his son Galahad.
+Nor can any man have forgotten the dolorous stroke which Balin dealt my
+grandfather King Pellam, of which he is not yet healed, nor shall be
+till I heal him. So has Merlin prophesied."
+
+As they talked thus a lady on a white palfrey was seen riding down the
+river side to where they stood. Reaching the group, she saluted the
+king and queen, and asked if Sir Lancelot were there.
+
+"I am here, fair lady," he answered.
+
+"Sad is it," she said, while tears flowed from her eyes, "that all your
+great renown is changed since this day's dawn."
+
+"Damsel, why say you this?"
+
+"Until to-day you were the best knight in the world," she answered. "But
+he who should say this now would speak falsely, for there has come a
+better than you. And this is proved by the adventure of the sword to
+which you dared not set your hand. Remember well what I have said."
+
+"As touches that," rejoined Lancelot, "I never had the pride of being
+the best knight in the world, nor do I envy my son if any worship has
+passed from me to him."
+
+"Yet you were the greatest; and still are among sinful men," she
+persisted. "And, sir king," she said to Arthur, "this more I am bid to
+say, from the holy lips of Nancien the hermit, that to you shall fall
+to-day the greatest of honors; for this day the Sangreal shall appear in
+your palace, and feed you and all your fellowship of the Round Table!"
+
+With these words she turned her palfrey and rode away as she had come,
+leaving all who had heard her lost in wonder and admiration.
+
+When they had a little got over their wonder at what they had seen, the
+king gave orders that the stone should be taken from the water, saying
+that he would have it set up as a monument of those strange events.
+
+"And as it may be long before you all come together here again, I should
+like to have you joust in the meadow of Camelot, by way of honor to this
+day."
+
+Thus he spoke; but his real purpose was to see Galahad proved, for he
+feared that if he once left the court it might be long before he should
+see him again. Then the knights put on their armor and rode to the
+meadow in a gallant cavalcade. Galahad also, at the earnest request of
+the king, put on armor, but he would take no shield, though the king and
+Lancelot prayed him to do so. The most he would consent to do was to
+take a spear.
+
+But noble work he did that day, meeting all men who cared to break
+spears with him, so that by the end of the joust he had thrown down many
+good Knights of the Round Table. Only two of them, Lancelot and
+Percivale, were able to keep their seats against the vigorous onset of
+the strong young knight.
+
+When the jousting was at an end, the king and knights went back to
+Camelot, where they attended even-song at the great minster. Thence they
+proceeded to the palace hall, where all took their seats at the table
+for supper.
+
+But as they sat eating, there came outside a terrible crash of thunder,
+and a wind arose that seemed as if it would rend the great hall from its
+foundations. In the midst of this blast the hall was lighted by a sudden
+gleam seven times brighter than the midday light, in whose glare the
+knights sat dumb, none daring to speak. But each looked at the others,
+and it seemed to each that his fellows were fairer of visage than he
+had ever seen them before.
+
+Then the storm and the glare passed away as suddenly as they had come,
+and there entered the hall the holy grail. None there saw it, for it was
+covered with white samite, but the hall was filled with the rarest
+odors, and each knight saw on the table before him the meats and drinks
+that he loved best in the world.
+
+When the holy vessel had passed through the hall, it suddenly vanished,
+none knew how. And not till then dared any man speak.
+
+"Certes," said the king, "we ought to thank God devoutly for what he has
+shown us this day."
+
+"We have enjoyed the richest of perfumes, and have before us the rarest
+of food," said Gawaine; "and we have but one thing to regret, that the
+sacred vessel was so preciously covered that no eye might behold it. But
+this miracle has filled my soul with the warmest desire to see this holy
+thing, and I therefore vow that to-morrow, without delay, I shall set
+out in quest of the Sangreal, and shall not return hither till I have
+seen it more openly, if it take me a twelvemonth or more. If I fail in
+the end, I shall return as one who is not worthy to behold the holy
+vessel."
+
+On hearing these words the other knights arose as one man, and repeated
+the vow which Gawaine had made.
+
+Upon this, King Arthur sprang to his feet in deep displeasure, for there
+came to his mind like a vision a host of evil consequences from this
+inconsiderate vow.
+
+"You are over-hasty, Gawaine," he said, sharply, "and have done me a
+lifelong evil with your vow. For you have bereft me of the fairest
+fellowship that ever came together in this world. When my knights depart
+hence on that difficult search, well I know that they will never all
+meet again in this world, for many shall die in the quest. Therefore it
+distresses me deeply, for I have loved them as I loved my life, and I
+would rather have my soul depart from my body than to lose their noble
+fellowship. Long have we dwelt together in sorrow and in joy, but I fear
+our happy days are at an end, and that trouble and suffering await us in
+the time to come. What God wills must be, but my heart is sore at the
+thought of it."
+
+And men who looked upon the king could see tears of distress and grief
+flowing from his eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW GALAHAD GOT HIS SHIELD.
+
+
+When morning came the knights made ready for their departure, amid the
+tears and lamentations of ladies, and with the deep sorrow of the king
+and queen. For there were a hundred and fifty of them in all, comprising
+the whole fellowship of the Table Round, and King Arthur had deep reason
+for his fear that he would never gather all these gallant knights round
+his festal board again. And so they mounted and rode through the streets
+of Camelot, where was weeping of rich and poor, and the king turned away
+and could not speak for grief, while Queen Guenever hid herself in her
+chamber, to be alone with her bitter sorrow at the going of Lancelot.
+
+Onward they rode in company until they came to a castle and town that
+were named Vagon. There they stopped and were well entertained by the
+lord of the castle, who was a man of great hospitality. But when morning
+came it was decided between them that they should separate, each taking
+his own course, so that the Sangreal might be sought in all quarters.
+This they did with much sorrow and many fervent farewells, each knight
+taking the way that he liked the best, and riding alone and afar on his
+perilous quest.
+
+First must we follow the young knight Galahad, who still rode without a
+shield, and who passed onward for four days without an adventure. Near
+eventide of the fourth day he came to a white abbey, where he was
+received with great respect, and led to a chamber that he might lay off
+his armor. And here, to his surprise, he met with two of the goodly
+company from which he had lately parted, Sir Uwaine and King Bagdemagus.
+
+"Sirs," said Galahad, "what adventure brought you hither?"
+
+"We are told," they replied, "that within this place is a shield of
+perilous significance. For he who bears it about his neck runs deep risk
+of being slain within three days, or maimed forever. Yet," said
+Bagdemagus, "I shall bear it to-morrow and try my fortune."
+
+"In the name of God, try it," said Galahad. "Yet truly you take a great
+risk."
+
+"If I fail therein, you shall take the adventure. I am sure you will not
+fail."
+
+"I agree to that," said Galahad. "I have ridden far enough without a
+shield."
+
+Then they went to supper, and afterwards to sleep. When morning came
+Bagdemagus asked of the abbot where the magic shield was, and a monk led
+him behind an altar where hung a shield as white as snow, but with a red
+cross in its centre.
+
+"I hope you are well advised of what you do," said the monk. "No knight,
+unless he be the worthiest in the world, can safely bear this shield."
+
+"I know well that I am not the best of knights," said Bagdemagus; "and
+yet I shall wear it and dare the danger."
+
+Then he took it out of the monastery, and said to Galahad,--
+
+"If it please you, await me here till you learn how I shall speed."
+
+"I shall await tidings," said Galahad.
+
+Bagdemagus now rode forward with a squire, that he might send back
+tidings of his good or ill fortune, and passed onward for two miles,
+when he found himself in a valley before a hermitage. Here he saw a
+stalwart knight in white armor, horse and all, who, in seeing the
+red-cross shield, rode upon him at the full speed of his charger.
+Bagdemagus put his spear in rest and rode to meet him, but his spear
+broke on the white knight, while he was wounded in the right shoulder
+and borne from his horse, the treacherous shield refusing to cover him.
+Then the victor knight alighted and took the white shield from him,
+saying,--
+
+"Sir knight, you have acted with more folly than wisdom, for you should
+have known that only he who has no peer living can safely bear this
+shield."
+
+Then he went to the squire who had come with King Bagdemagus, and
+said,--
+
+"Bear this shield to the good knight Sir Galahad, whom you left in the
+abbey, and greet him from me."
+
+"What shall I tell him is your name?"
+
+"Take no heed of my name. That is not for you to know, nor for any
+earthly man. Content yourself with telling Sir Galahad that this shield
+is for him, and for no other man to wear. And may God aid him to bear it
+worthily and worshipfully."
+
+But the squire went first to Bagdemagus and asked him if he were
+seriously wounded.
+
+"Forsooth, I am," he said. "I shall scarce escape from death."
+
+The squire then conveyed him in great pain to the hermitage, and left
+him in care of the hermit. And as the chronicle tells, he lay there
+long, and barely escaped with life.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright 1895 by E. A. Abbey; from a Copely print
+copyright 1896 by Curtis and Cameron.
+
+OATH OF KNIGHTHOOD.]
+
+"Sir Galahad," said the squire, when he had returned to the abbey, "King
+Bagdemagus has paid dearly for his venture. He lies at a hermitage
+sorely wounded. As for you, the knight that overthrew him sends you
+greeting, and bids you to bear this shield, through which marvellous
+adventures shall come to you."
+
+"Then blessed be God and fortune," said Galahad.
+
+He now resumed his arms and mounted his horse, hanging the white shield
+about his neck and commending himself to God. Uwaine offered to bear him
+company, but this was not to be.
+
+"Sir knight," said Galahad, "I thank you for your offer, but I must go
+alone, save that this squire shall bear me fellowship."
+
+With these words the youthful knight rode away, and soon came to where
+the white knight abode by the hermitage. They saluted each other
+courteously, and fell into a conversation in which the white knight told
+Galahad the story of the magical shield.
+
+"In the far past time," he said, "soon after Joseph of Arimathea took
+down the body of our Lord from the holy cross, and bore it from
+Jerusalem to a city named Sarras, there was a king of Sarras named
+Evelake, who was then at war with the Saracens. This king, through the
+teachings of Joseph, was converted from the old law to the new, and for
+him this shield was made, in the name of Him who died on the cross.
+Afterwards, when Evelake was in battle, the shield was covered with a
+cloth, which was only removed in times of deadly peril, and then his
+enemies saw the figure of a man on the cross, before which they fell
+back discomfited. At times the cross of the shield would vanish away,
+and at times stand out clear and bright; and such was its virtue that a
+soldier whose hand was stricken off was made whole again by touching
+the cross. The time came at length when Joseph left Palestine and
+journeyed westward, and King Evelake with him, till they came to Great
+Britain, where all the people had been pagans, but were then converted
+to the Christian faith. Soon afterwards Joseph sickened and came near to
+death, and while he lay in his bed he bade Evelake bring him the shield,
+and on it he traced a red cross with his own blood. Then he said to
+Evelake, 'No man hereafter shall bear this shield but he shall repent
+it, until Galahad, the last of my lineage, shall come to seek it, and
+with it he shall do marvellous deeds.' 'Where shall the shield await his
+coming?' asked Evelake. 'You shall leave it in the abbey where Nancien
+the hermit shall lie after his death, and thither the knight Galahad
+shall come for it soon after he receives the order of knighthood.' This
+is the story of the shield, and this day has the prediction been
+fulfilled. Wear the shield worthily and well, young knight, for much
+glory and renown shall come to you through it. You are in God's hands;
+to God commend yourself."
+
+With these words the white knight vanished away, and in the place where
+he had stood was seen but empty air.
+
+Then the squire, who had heard these words, alighted and kneeled at
+Galahad's feet, praying that he would make him a knight.
+
+"That I shall consider," said Galahad. "But now let us return to the
+abbey."
+
+Here Galahad drove away a fiend that had long dwelt in a tomb near by,
+where it made such noise that none could venture near it. But the
+virtue of the shield protected him from all harm from this evil shape,
+which was forced to depart.
+
+When morning came, he asked the young squire his name.
+
+"Sir," he answered, "men call me Melias de Lile, and I am the son of the
+king of Denmark."
+
+"Then, fair sir, since you come of kings and queens, I shall make you a
+knight; and look you that knighthood sit well on you, for you should be
+a mirror of chivalry."
+
+"That shall I seek to be," said Melias.
+
+Then Galahad gave him the accolade as he kneeled before him, and bade
+him rise a knight.
+
+"Now, dear sir," said Melias, "since you have done me this high honor,
+it is but right that you grant me my first request, so that it be in
+reason."
+
+"You speak justly," said Galahad.
+
+"I beg, then, that you let me ride with you in the quest of the Sangreal
+till some adventure shall part us."
+
+"That I grant willingly."
+
+Armor was now brought to Melias, and when it had been girded upon him he
+and Galahad rode away, and passed onward all that week without an
+adventure. But on the Monday next, as they set out from an abbey, they
+came to where a cross marked a parting of the road. On the cross was
+written,--
+
+"Ye knights-errant, that ride in quest of adventures, here lie two ways.
+He that takes the right-hand road shall not leave it again, if he be a
+good man and a worthy knight. He that takes the left-hand shall not
+lightly win fortune, for his strength and endurance will be soon tried."
+
+"If you will suffer me to take the left-hand road I should like it
+greatly," said Melias. "My strength and skill need trial."
+
+"It were better not. I fancy that I only should face the danger that
+there confronts us."
+
+"Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have this adventure."
+
+"Take it, then, in God's name," said Galahad; "and do your duty
+worthily."
+
+So Melias rode forward and soon found himself in a forest, through which
+he passed for two days, seeing there neither man, woman, nor child. Then
+he came from the forest into a broad meadow, where stood a lodge built
+of green boughs. And in that lodge was a chair, on which lay a crown of
+gold wrought with rich and subtle skill. Also there were cloths spread
+upon the earth, upon which delicious meats were laid.
+
+Melias beheld all this and thought it marvellous. He felt no hunger, but
+the crown of gold roused his covetousness, and he took it up and rode
+away with it. But not far had he ridden when a knight came after him,
+who said,--
+
+"Sir knight, why have you taken that crown? It is not yours; therefore
+defend yourself."
+
+Then Melias blessed himself, and said,--
+
+"Fair Lord of Heaven, help and save thy new made knight."
+
+Then they rode together at full speed, but Melias's prayer availed him
+naught, for the spear-head of the other went through his hauberk, and
+wounded him so deeply in the left side that he fell to the earth like a
+dead man. Then the victor knight took the crown and rode away.
+
+But with wise forethought Galahad had followed Melias, and now rode into
+the valley, where he found him in peril of death.
+
+"Ah, Melias!" he cried, "better for you had you taken the other way. Who
+has done you this harm?"
+
+"For God's love, let me not die in this place!" said Melias in reply.
+"Bear me to some abbey near by, where I may be confessed and have the
+rites of the church."
+
+"It shall be done," said Galahad. "But where is he who has wounded you?"
+
+The reply came from the edge of the forest, where Galahad heard a voice
+cry in stirring tones,--
+
+"Knight, defend yourself from me."
+
+"Beware, sir," warned Melias. "He it is that has left me thus."
+
+"Sir knight," said Galahad, "come on at your peril."
+
+Then they rode together as fast as their horses could run, and Galahad
+drove his spear through the shoulder of his opponent, hurling him from
+his horse. But in his fall the spear broke. Then, before the young
+knight could turn, another knight rode from under the leaves and broke
+his spear upon him.
+
+At this treacherous act Galahad drew his sword in wrath, and with a keen
+blow smote off the left arm of his antagonist, whom he pursued into the
+forest.
+
+He soon returned, however, and took up Melias gently, for the truncheon
+of the spear was in his body, and bore him on his horse in his arms to
+an abbey near at hand. Here the wounded knight was unarmed and laid upon
+a bed, where the rites of the church were administered to him.
+
+"Sir Galahad," he then said, "let death come when it will, I am at peace
+with God." And he drew the truncheon of the spear from his body, and
+swooned away.
+
+But an old monk who stood there, and who was a skilful leech, examined
+the wound, and said, "He need not die. By the grace of God I hope to
+heal him of this wound within seven weeks."
+
+This gladdened Galahad, and he remained at the abbey three days to see
+how Melias should fare. Then he asked him how it stood with him.
+
+"I feel now as if I may live," he answered.
+
+"God be thanked for that," said Galahad. "Now must I depart, for I have
+much to do, and the quest of the Sangreal will not permit long leisure
+and delay."
+
+"Sir," said the monk, "it is for his sin this knight is so bitterly
+wounded. He took on him the high order of knighthood without clean
+confession, which was a sinful thing to do. As for the two ways to which
+you came, the way on the right betokens the highway of righteousness,
+and the way on the left, which he chose, betokens that of sinners and
+infidels. And when the devil saw his presumption in taking the quest of
+the Sangreal without being worthy of it, he caused his overthrow. And
+when he took the crown of gold he sinned in covetousness and theft. As
+for you, Sir Galahad, the two knights with whom you fought signify the
+two deadly sins which abide in Sir Melias. But they could not withstand
+you, for you are without deadly sin."
+
+"God send I may keep so," said Galahad. "Now must I depart. I pray you
+do your utmost for this knight."
+
+"My Lord Galahad," said Melias, "I shall get well, and shall seek you as
+soon as I can ride."
+
+"God grant you speedy health," said Galahad, and he left the room and
+sought his horse, and rode away alone.
+
+After he had ridden for days in various directions, it chanced that he
+departed from a place called Abblasoure, where he had heard no mass, as
+was his daily custom. But ere the day was old, he came to a mountain, on
+which he found a ruined chapel, and here he kneeled before the altar,
+and besought God's counsel. And as he prayed he heard a voice that said,
+"Go now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and do away
+with the wicked customs which there are kept."
+
+When Galahad heard this he took his horse and rode away, full of
+gladness that he might thus serve God. And not long nor far had he
+ridden before he saw in a valley before him a strong castle, with high
+towers and battlements and deep ditches; and beside it ran a broad
+river, named the Severn.
+
+Here he met an aged man, whom he saluted, and asked the castle's name.
+
+"It is the Castle of Maidens," said the old man.
+
+"Then it is a cursed castle, and an abode of sin," said Galahad. "All
+pity is wanting within those walls, and evil and hardness of heart there
+have their abode."
+
+"Then, sir knight, you would do well to turn and leave it."
+
+"That shall I not," said Galahad. "I have come here to punish the
+evil-doers that there abide."
+
+Leaving the old man, he rode forward, and soon met with seven fair
+maidens, who said to him,--
+
+"Sir knight, you ride in folly, for you have the water to pass."
+
+"And why should I not pass the water?" asked Galahad.
+
+He continued his ride, and next met a squire, who said,--
+
+"Sir knight, I bring you defiance from the knights in the castle, who
+forbid you to go farther till they learn your purpose."
+
+"You may tell it to them, if you will. I come to destroy the wicked
+customs of this castle."
+
+"Sir, if you abide by that, you will have enough to do."
+
+"Go now and bear them my answer."
+
+Then the squire returned to the castle, from which there soon after rode
+seven knights, in full armor. When they saw Galahad they cried,--
+
+"Knight, be on your guard, for you have come to your death."
+
+"What!" asked Galahad, "will you all assail me at once?"
+
+"That shall we; so defend yourself."
+
+Then Galahad rode against them and smote the foremost such a blow that
+he nearly broke his neck. The others rode on him together, each
+striking his shield with might. But their spears broke and he still held
+his seat.
+
+He now drew his sword, and set upon them with such energy that, many as
+they were, he put them all to flight, chasing them until they entered
+the castle, and following them within its walls till they fled from the
+castle by another gate.
+
+Galahad was now met by an old man, clad in religious costume, who said
+to him,--
+
+"Sir, here are the keys of the castle."
+
+Then the victor ordered that all the gates should be thrown open, and in
+the streets of the neighboring town were crowds of people, crying
+gladly,--
+
+"Sir knight, you are heartily welcome. Long have we waited for the
+deliverance which you bring us."
+
+And a gentlewoman came, who said to him,--
+
+"These knights are fled, but they will come again. Therefore, sir, I
+counsel you to send for all the knights that hold their lands of this
+castle, and make them swear to restore the old customs, and do away with
+the evil practices which these villanous knights have fostered."
+
+"That is good counsel," said Galahad.
+
+Then she brought him a horn of ivory, richly adorned with gold, and
+said,--
+
+"Blow this horn loudly. It will be heard two miles and more from the
+castle, and all that hear it will come."
+
+[Illustration: Copyright 1901 by E. A. Abbey; from a Copely print
+copyright 1902 by Curtis and Cameron.
+
+SIR GALAHAD FIGHTING THE SEVEN SINS.]
+
+Galahad took the horn, and blew so loud a blast that the very trees
+shook therewith. Then he seated himself and waited to see what would
+come from the summons. As he sat there a priest came to him and said,--
+
+"Sir knight, for seven years these brethren have held the castle, whose
+lord, Duke Lianor, they killed, and held his daughter prisoner; and by
+force they have kept all the knights of the castle under their power,
+and have acted as tyrants, robbing the common people of all they had,
+and taking tribute and demanding service from all the country round.
+Seven years ago the duke's daughter said to them, 'You shall not hold
+this castle for many years, for by one knight you shall be overcome.'
+'Say you so,' they replied. 'Then shall never knight or lady pass this
+castle, but all that come shall stay or lose their heads, till comes
+that knight of whom you prophesy.' Therefore this is called the Maidens'
+Castle, since its tyrants have so long made war upon maidens."
+
+"Is the duke's daughter still here?"
+
+"No; she died three days after the castle was taken. But her younger
+sister and many other ladies are held prisoners."
+
+Soon afterwards the knights of the country began to flock in, in
+response to the bugle-call, and glad were they to find what had
+occurred. Galahad made them do homage and fealty to the duke's daughter,
+which they did with great willingness of heart.
+
+And when the next day dawned great news was brought in, for a messenger
+came to Galahad and told him that the seven felon brothers had been met
+by Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine, and all slain.
+
+"So ends their rule and power," said Galahad, fervently. "It is well
+done, and well are all here delivered."
+
+Then he commended them to God, and took his armor and horse, and rode
+away amid the prayers of those he had delivered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE TEMPTATION OF SIR PERCIVALE.
+
+
+Many adventures had the other knights that set out in search of the
+Sangreal, and much reproof did many of them receive for the evil lives
+they had led; but all this we cannot stop to tell, but must confine
+ourselves to the deeds of a few only. As for Sir Gawaine, he parted from
+Gareth and Uwaine after they had slain the seven wicked knights of the
+Castle of Maidens, and rode from Whitsuntide to Michaelmas without an
+adventure. Then came a day in which he met Sir Hector de Maris, and glad
+were both at the meeting.
+
+"Truly," said Gawaine, "I am growing weary of this quest."
+
+"And I as well," said Hector. "And of the twenty knights I have met from
+time to time, they all complain as we do."
+
+"Have you met with Lancelot?"
+
+"No, nor with Percivale, Bors, or Galahad. I can learn nothing of these
+four."
+
+"They are well able to take care of themselves," said Gawaine. "And if
+they fail to find the Sangreal, it is waste of time for the rest of us
+to seek it, for outside of them there is little virtue in the Round
+Table fellowship."
+
+Afterwards these two knights went far in company, and had strange dreams
+and visions, the meaning of which was expounded to them by the hermit
+Nancien. This holy man also reproved Gawaine severely for his evil life,
+and bade both him and his companion to give up the search for the
+Sangreal, as that high achievement was not for hands like theirs.
+
+Soon after they met an armed knight in the road, who proffered to joust
+with them. Gawaine accepted the challenge, and rode against this unknown
+opponent, dealing him so severe a blow that he was hurled from his horse
+with a mortal wound. But when they had removed his helmet, what was
+their horror to find that it was their friend and comrade, Uwaine.
+
+"Alas!" cried Gawaine, "that such a fatal misadventure should have
+befallen me! I would sooner have died myself."
+
+"Thus ends my quest of the Sangreal," said Uwaine. "And thus will end
+that of many a noble knight. Dear friends, commend me to King Arthur,
+and to my fellows of the Round Table, and sometimes think of me for old
+brotherhood's sake."
+
+And he died in their arms, leaving them plunged in the deepest grief,
+from which they were long in recovering.
+
+Meanwhile Lancelot and Percivale rode far in company, and many things
+happened to them. While journeying through a strange region they met an
+unknown knight, whom they challenged to joust. But the event turned out
+little to their satisfaction, for Lancelot was hurled to the ground,
+horse and man, and Percivale received so fierce a sword-blow that he
+would have been slain had not the sword swerved.
+
+Then the victor knight rode rapidly away, leaving them to recover as
+they best could. But a recluse near whose hut this encounter had taken
+place told them that the victor was Sir Galahad. On learning this they
+pursued him at all speed, but in vain.
+
+Percivale now turned back to question the recluse further, but Lancelot
+kept on, passing through waste and forest till he came to a stone cross
+at the parting of two ways.
+
+Near by was a ruined chapel, with broken door, and other signs of waste
+and decay, if it had been long deserted. But when he looked within he
+saw to his great surprise a high altar richly dressed with cloth of
+white silk, on which stood a lofty candelabra of silver which bore six
+great candles, all lighted.
+
+Lancelot sought to enter the chapel, but try as he would he could not
+pass the broken door, nor find entrance elsewhere. Some invisible power
+seemed to stand between him and admission to that sacred place.
+
+Then, out of heart at this ill success, he took off his helm and sword,
+relieved his horse of saddle and bridle, and lay down to sleep before
+the cross. Night came upon him as he lay there, and with the night came
+strange visions.
+
+For as he lay but half asleep he saw a sick knight brought thither in a
+litter. This knight prayed earnestly for aid in his affliction, and as
+he did so Lancelot saw the silver candlestick come from the chapel to
+the cross, and after it a table of silver on which was the holy grail.
+The sick knight crawled painfully to it on his hands and knees, and
+raised himself so as to touch and kiss the sacred vessel. No sooner had
+he done so than he grew whole and sound, with all his pain and sickness
+gone, and rose to his feet with his former strength and vigor.
+
+"Lord, I thank thee deeply," he said; "for through thy infinite grace I
+am healed of my affliction."
+
+Then the holy vessel returned to the chapel, and Lancelot strove hard to
+rise and follow it. But his limbs were powerless, and he lay like one
+chained to the ground.
+
+He now fell into deep slumber, and waked not till near morning. And as
+he raised himself and sat on the ground he heard a voice in the air,
+that seemed to come from no earthly lips.
+
+"Sir Lancelot," it said, "more hard than is the stone, more bitter than
+the wood, more bare than the barren fig-tree, arise and go from hence,
+and withdraw thyself from this holy place."
+
+Lancelot arose with a heavy heart, for the sense of these words sank
+deeply within him. But when he sought his horse and helm and sword he
+found they were gone, for they had been taken by the knight whose
+healing he had seen.
+
+Deeply depressed and unhappy at this misfortune, he left the cross on
+foot, and wandered onward till he came to a hermitage on a high hill.
+
+Here he told the hermit what had happened to him, and confessed all the
+evil deeds of his life, saying that he had resolved to be a different
+man from what he had been, and to live a higher life than that of doing
+deeds of arms that men might applaud.
+
+Then the holy man gave him absolution, with injunctions of penance, and
+prayed that he would abide with him all that day. This Lancelot did,
+talking much with him upon his sins, and repenting sincerely the worldly
+life he had led.
+
+Meanwhile Percivale had returned to the recluse, and questioned her as
+to how he should find Galahad.
+
+"That I cannot surely tell," she said. "Ride hence to a castle which is
+called Goothe, where he has a cousin-german. If he can give you no
+tidings, then ride straight to the castle Carbonek, where the maimed
+king lies, and there you shall hear sure tidings of him."
+
+Percivale, leaving her, rode onward till eventide, and as he looked
+around him for shelter he heard a clock strike loud and clear. He now
+perceived before him a mansion, with lofty walls and deep ditches. Here
+he knocked loudly, and was let in without delay.
+
+After laying off his armor, he was led to the supper hall, where he was
+well served, and afterwards spent the night in comfort. When morning
+dawned he entered the chapel for the mass, and found there a priest
+ready at the altar. On the right side was a pew closed with iron, and
+behind the altar a rich bed, covered with cloth of silk and gold. On
+this bed lay a person with covered visage, so that he could not tell if
+it were man or woman.
+
+After the service was over the occupant of the bed sat up and threw back
+the covering, and then Percivale saw that it was a man of very great
+age, on whose head was a crown of gold. But his shoulders and body to
+the middle were unclad, and were covered with wounds, as were also his
+arms and face.
+
+To all seeming he might have been three hundred years of age, for so
+venerable a face Percivale had never gazed upon, and as he sat up he
+prayed fervently, with joined hands. When the mass was over the priest
+bore the sacrament to the sick king. And when he had used it, he took
+off his crown and commanded it to be set on the altar. Then he lay down
+again.
+
+Percivale now asked one of the attendants who this venerable man was.
+
+"You have heard of Joseph of Arimathea," was the reply, "and how he came
+into this land to convert the heathen. With him came a king named
+Evelake, whom he had converted in the city of Sarras, in Palestine. This
+king afterwards had an earnest desire to be where the Sangreal was, and
+on one occasion he ventured so nigh it that God was displeased with him,
+and struck him almost blind. Then King Evelake prayed for mercy and
+pardon, and begged that he might not die until he who was to achieve the
+Sangreal should come, that he might see him and kiss him. There
+answered him a voice that said: 'Thy prayers are heard; thou shalt not
+die till he has kissed thee. And when he comes thy eyes shall be opened
+to see clearly, and thy wounds shall be healed; but not until then.' So
+King Evelake has lived in this mansion for three hundred winters,
+waiting for the coming of the knight who shall heal him. Now, sir, will
+you tell me what knight you are, and if you are of the Round Table
+fellowship?"
+
+"That am I, and my name is Percivale de Galis."
+
+On hearing this the good man welcomed Percivale warmly, and pressed him
+to remain. But the knight replied that he could not, for his duty led
+him onward.
+
+Percivale now left the chapel, and, arming himself, he took his horse
+and rode onward. And that day more strange things happened to him than
+we have space to tell. Not far had he ridden when he met twenty
+men-at-arms, who bore on a bier a dead knight. On learning that he was
+from King Arthur's court, they assailed him fiercely, killed his horse,
+and would have slain him; but when he was at the worst strait a knight
+in red armor came hastily to his rescue, and rode fiercely on the
+assailants.
+
+He attacked these, indeed, with such fury that many of them were soon
+stretched on the ground; while the others fled into a thick forest,
+whither they were hotly pursued by their assailant.
+
+On seeing him thus ride away, Percivale was deeply grieved, for he well
+knew his rescuer was Galahad, and he had no horse to follow him.
+
+He went forward as fast as he could on foot, and had not gone far when
+he met a yeoman riding on a hackney, and leading a great war-horse,
+blacker than any bear.
+
+Percivale begged that he would lend him this horse, that he might
+overtake a knight before him. But this the yeoman refused, saying that
+the owner of the horse would slay him if he should do so.
+
+Not long afterwards, as Percivale sat woebegone beneath a tree, an armed
+knight came riding past on the black horse, pursued by the yeoman, who
+called him robber, and moaned bitterly that his master would kill him
+for the loss of his charge.
+
+"Lend me your hackney," said Percivale; "I may get you your horse
+again."
+
+This the yeoman gladly did, and Percivale pursued the robber knight,
+loudly bidding him to stand and deliver.
+
+The knight at this turned and rode fiercely upon him, but directed his
+spear against the horse instead of the rider, striking it in the breast,
+so that it fell to the earth.
+
+He now rode away, without heeding Percivale's angry demand that he
+should stop and fight it out on foot. When the dismounted knight found
+that his antagonist would not turn, he was so filled with chagrin that
+he threw away his helm and sword, and raved like one out of his wits.
+Thus he continued till night came on, when he lay down exhausted and
+fell into a deep slumber.
+
+Near the midnight hour he suddenly awakened, and saw in the road before
+him a woman, who said,--
+
+"Sir Percivale, what do you here?"
+
+"I do neither good nor ill," he replied.
+
+"You need a horse," she said. "If you will promise to do my will when I
+shall summon you, I will lend you mine. You will find him no common
+one."
+
+"I promise that," cried Percivale. "I would do much for a horse just
+now."
+
+"Wait, then; I shall fetch you the noblest animal you ever bestrode."
+
+She departed, but quickly came again, leading a horse of midnight
+blackness, and richly apparelled for knightly service.
+
+Percivale looked at it with admiration. He had not hoped for so great
+and noble a steed as this. Thanking her warmly, he sprang to his feet,
+leaped to the saddle, and put spurs to the horse, from whose nostrils
+fire seemed to glare.
+
+Away went the black horse under the moonlight, making such marvellous
+strides that it seemed to leave the earth behind it in its magical
+progress. With such wondrous speed did it go that in an hour it had made
+a four days' journey. Then it came to the brink of a great body of
+water, whose waves foamed and leaped boisterously against the shore.
+
+When Percivale saw the heaving waves, which stretched far away under the
+moonlight, he drew with all his force upon the rein; but the fiendish
+brute which he rode heeded not his hand, but bore him madly to the
+brink. Fear and doubt now filled the knight's mind, and with a hasty
+impulse he made the sign of the cross. At this the beast roared loudly
+in rage, while flame a foot long poured from its nostrils, and with a
+wild rear it shook off its rider, and plunged madly into the wild
+billows. And the showering drops which fell upon Percivale from the
+plunge burnt like sparks of fire.
+
+"God be thanked that I am here alive," cried the knight, fervently. "I
+have ridden the foul fiend in the image of a horse, and barely have I
+escaped perdition."
+
+Then he commended himself to God, and prayed earnestly to the Lord to
+save him from all such perils and temptations. He continued in prayer
+all the remainder of that night until the next day dawned upon the
+earth.
+
+When sunrise came he looked needfully about him, anxious to learn
+whither he had been borne by the unholy brute. To his surprise and alarm
+he found himself in a wild waste, which was closed in on one side by the
+sea, and on the other by a range of rough and high mountains, impassable
+to human feet; a land that seemed without food or shelter, and the
+lurking-place of wild beasts.
+
+He trembled with fear on seeing this, and went forward with doubtful
+steps. Not far had he gone before he saw a strange thing, for a great
+serpent passed near him, bearing a young lion by the neck. Fiercely
+after it came a great lion, roaring with rage, and fell upon the
+serpent, which turned in defence, so that a mighty battle was waged
+before the knight.
+
+"By my faith," he cried, "the lion is the most natural beast of the two,
+and it fights for its young. The lion it is my duty to help."
+
+He drew his sword with these words and struck the serpent so fierce a
+stroke that it fell dead. Then he turned his shield against the lion,
+but as the latter made no show of fighting him, but fawned upon him with
+every mark of joy and gratitude, he cast down his shield and removed his
+helm, and sat there stroking the neck and shoulders of the beast.
+
+Until noon he comforted himself with the fellowship of the lion. Then it
+took up its whelp and bore it away, leaving Percivale alone. But he was
+not unhappy, for he believed fervently in God, and prayed with all
+earnestness that he might be saved from unholy things, and chosen as a
+champion of right and truth.
+
+When night came, Percivale, to his joy, saw the lion coming towards him.
+It crouched at his feet like a spaniel, and all that night the lion and
+the knight slept in company, his head being pillowed on the shoulder of
+the beast.
+
+But during the night a strange dream came to him. He seemed to see two
+women, one of whom was young, and rode upon a lion, and the other was
+old, and sat upon a gliding serpent. And the younger spoke to him as
+follows,--
+
+"Sir Percivale," she said, "my lord salutes you, and sends a warning to
+you to make ready, for to-morrow you will have to fight with the
+strongest champion in the world. And if overcome you will be shamed to
+the world's end."
+
+"Who is your lord?" he asked.
+
+"The greatest lord in all the world," she said; and then suddenly
+vanished.
+
+Then came the lady upon the serpent, and said,--
+
+"Sir Percivale, I have done you no harm, and yet you have worked me
+injury."
+
+"What have I done? I have been always heedful to offend no lady."
+
+"I have long nourished here a great serpent, and yesterday you killed it
+for seeking its prey. Why did you this? The lion was not in your care."
+
+"I aided the lion because it was a nobler beast than the serpent. In
+that I did nothing against you."
+
+"You did me a great wrong, and in return for this injury I demand that
+you become my man."
+
+"That shall I never be," he answered.
+
+"Beware, then, proud knight, who pride yourself on your piety. You have
+robbed me of that which I loved; take heed that I catch you not
+unawares, or mine you shall be, body and soul."
+
+With these words she departed, and Percivale finished his sleep without
+further vision. In the morning, when he awoke, he felt feeble. And as he
+rose and blessed himself he saw not far off in the sea a ship that
+sailed towards him. As it came near he perceived it to be covered within
+and without with white samite, while on the deck stood an old man
+dressed in a surplice like a priest.
+
+"Sir," said Percivale, "you are welcome."
+
+"God keep you," said the old man; "whence come you?"
+
+"I am of King Arthur's court, and a Knight of the Round Table, and am in
+quest of the Sangreal. But here I find myself in a wilderness, with no
+hope of escape."
+
+"Doubt not, if you be a true knight."
+
+"Who are you?" asked Percivale.
+
+"I have come hither from a strange country to comfort you," said the old
+man.
+
+"Then, sir, can you tell me what my dream signifies?" and Percivale
+related what had befallen him.
+
+"That can I," said the old man. "She that rode on the lion betokens the
+new law of holy church, and she came through love, to warn you of the
+great battle that is before you."
+
+"With whom shall I fight?" asked Percivale.
+
+"With the strongest champion of the world, and if you fail in the fight
+you shall not escape with the loss of a limb, but shall be shamed to the
+world's end. As for her that rode on the serpent, she betokens the old
+law. Heed her not. The serpent you slew betokens the devil that you rode
+hither, and whom you overcame by the sign of the cross. Yield not to her
+or any of her kindred, or worse will befall you."
+
+Then the ship turned and sailed away, leaving Percivale again alone. But
+when he went up the rocks he found there the lion, which he stroked and
+made joyful fellowship with.
+
+And thus time went on till midday. Then Percivale saw a ship approaching
+with such speed as if all the winds in the world had driven it. On it
+kept till it reached land at the beach below him. He hurried hopefully
+to meet it, and saw that it was covered with black silk, while on the
+deck stood a lady of great beauty, who was dressed in the richest
+apparel.
+
+"What brought you into this wilderness?" she cried to the knight. "Here
+you are likely to die of hunger, for no man may cross yonder rocks and
+escape."
+
+"I serve the best master in the world," said Percivale. "He will not
+suffer harm to come to me."
+
+"Sir Percivale," said she, "know you who I am?"
+
+"Who taught you my name?" he answered.
+
+"I know you better than you deem," she replied, laughing. "This much I
+may tell you, that not long since I was in the waste forest, where I saw
+the red knight with the white shield."
+
+"Ah! is that so? Fain would I meet with him."
+
+"I shall bring you to him; but only on covenant that you will come to my
+aid when I summon you."
+
+"If it be in reason and uprightness, you may trust me," he replied.
+
+"I saw him," she continued, "chase two knights into the stream that is
+called Mortaise, and follow them into the water. But they passed over,
+and his horse was drowned, and only by his great strength he got safe to
+land again."
+
+"That I am very glad to hear. It would have been a sad day had that good
+knight been drowned."
+
+"You look pale and thin," she remarked. "Have you eaten lately?"
+
+"Not these three days," he answered. "Yet I spoke of late with a good
+man, whose words refreshed me as if I had partaken of rich viands."
+
+"Ah, sir knight," she said, "beware of that old man. I know him better
+than you. He is a false enchanter, who seeks your harm. If you heed his
+words shame will be your lot, and you will die on this rock and be
+devoured by wild beasts. I am here to help you in your need, for I am
+not content to see so good a knight come to harm and disgrace."
+
+"Who are you," asked Percivale, "that proffer me so great a kindness?"
+
+"Once I was the richest woman in the world," she answered. "Now I am
+disinherited and in want."
+
+"Then I pity you greatly. Who is it that has disinherited you?"
+
+"I dwelt with the greatest man in the world," she answered, "and to him
+I owe my beauty,--a beauty of which I was, alas! too proud. Then I said
+that which offended him deeply, and he drove me away from him, and
+robbed me of my heritage, and has never since had pity for me nor for my
+friends. Since this has happened I have done my best to wean his men
+from him, and many of them now cling to me, and I and they war against
+him day and night. I know no good knight, nor good man, but that I
+strive to win him to my side, and all such I repay well for their
+services. For he against whom I wage war is strong, and I need all the
+aid to be had. Therefore, since I know you for a valiant knight, I
+beseech you to help me. A fellow of the Round Table cannot, under his
+vow, fail any woman that is disinherited, and that seeks his aid."
+
+"That is true, indeed," said Percivale, "and I shall do all I can for
+you."
+
+"You have my earnest thanks," she said.
+
+Then, as the weather was hot, she called some of her attendants, and
+bade them bring a pavilion and set it up on the gravel near the
+sea-line.
+
+"Sir knight," she said, "I pray you to rest here in the heat of the day,
+while my attendants prepare food for you."
+
+He thanked her and laid aside his helm and shield, and fell asleep
+within the pavilion, where he slumbered long. When he awoke he asked her
+if the food was ready.
+
+"Yes," she answered; "I have worked while you slumbered."
+
+Then a table was set within the pavilion, and covered with a rich array
+of meats and drinks, of which Percivale ate with great appetite, while
+the lady sat opposite him with a very gracious aspect. The wine he drank
+was the strongest that had ever passed his lips, and its strength soon
+got into his veins and heated his brain.
+
+The lady now smiled graciously upon him, and it seemed to him that he
+had never beheld so fair a creature. Her beauty so worked upon his
+heated blood, indeed, that he proffered her his love, and prayed
+earnestly for hers in return.
+
+When she saw his loving ardor, and that the wine worked like fire in his
+blood, she said, with a smile of witchery,--
+
+"Sir Percivale, if I become yours, you must become mine. I shall not
+grant you my love unless you swear that henceforth you will be my true
+servant, and do nothing but what I shall command. Will you thus bind
+yourself, as you are a true knight?"
+
+"That will I, fair lady, by the faith of my body."
+
+"Then this I will say, that of all the knights in the world you are he
+whom I most love. And you may seal upon my lips the compact we have
+made."
+
+But when Percivale came towards her, to claim the proffered kiss, which
+she offered with such bewitching grace, by chance or through God's aid
+he saw his sword, which lay on the ground at his feet, and in its pommel
+a red cross, with the sign of the crucifix therein. Then came to his
+mind the promise he had made to the old man, and his knightly vows, and
+with a pious impulse he raised his hand and made the sign of the cross
+on his forehead, the while his eyes were fixed on the lovely face of the
+tempter before him.
+
+As he did so her smile changed to a look of deadly hate, and the
+loveliness of her face to a hideous aspect, while in the same moment the
+pavilion fell as before a great wind, and then vanished in smoke and
+cloud.
+
+Over the sea the wind rose and roared, and as he looked he saw the ship
+battling with heaving waves, while the water seemed to burn behind it.
+On the deck stood the lady, who cried,--
+
+"Sir Percivale, you have betrayed me! Beware, proud knight, I shall have
+my revenge." Then the ship drove out to sea, and vanished from his
+sight.
+
+But in a passion of remorse Percivale snatched up the sword that lay
+before him, and crying, "Since my flesh has been my master I will punish
+it," he drove the naked blade through his thigh, till the blood spouted
+out like a fountain.
+
+"Wretch that I am, how nearly was I lost!" he cried, in a torment of
+conscience. "Fair sweet Father, Jesus Christ my Lord, let me not be
+shamed, as I would now have been but for thy good grace. Take this wound
+in recompense for what I have done against thee, and forgive me my deep
+transgression, I humbly pray thee."
+
+But as he lay moaning and bleeding the wild winds went down and the sea
+grew smooth, while he saw coming from the Orient the ship with the good
+man, on board, on beholding whom he fell into a swoon.
+
+When he awoke he found that his wound had been dressed and the bleeding
+stopped. Beside him sat the good man, who asked him,--
+
+"How hast thou done since I departed?"
+
+"Weakly and wickedly enough," he answered. "A witch beguiled me, and I
+nearly fell a victim to her wiles."
+
+"Knew you her not?"
+
+"Only that I deem the foul fiend sent her here to shame me."
+
+"Worse than that, good knight. Your victory is greater than you deem.
+That seeming woman who deceived you was no less an adversary than the
+master-fiend of hell, who has power over all the lesser devils, and, had
+you yielded you had been lost forever. For this is the mighty champion
+against whom you were forwarned; he who was once the brightest angel of
+heaven, and was driven out by our Lord Christ for his sins, and thus
+lost his heritage. But that the grace of God was on your side you would
+have fallen before this champion of evil. Take this, Sir Percivale, as a
+warning and an example."
+
+With these words the good man vanished away. Then the mariners carried
+the wounded knight on board their ship, and set sail, bearing him
+rapidly away from that scene of temptation and victory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF SIR BORS.
+
+
+When Sir Bors parted from his companions, on the quest of the Sangreal,
+not far had he gone when he met a religious man riding on an ass, whom
+he courteously saluted.
+
+"Who are you?" asked the good man.
+
+"I am one of those knights who have set out in quest of the Sangreal,"
+said Bors. "I would fain have your counsel in this high duty, for great
+honor shall come to him who succeeds therein."
+
+"That is true," said the good man. "He that wins the Sangreal will be
+counted the best knight and the purest soul among men. None can hope to
+attain it except through cleanness of spirit."
+
+Then they rode together till they came to a hermitage. Here Bors went
+into the chapel with his companion, and confessed to him, and ate bread
+and drank water with him.
+
+"Now," said the good man, "I charge you that you take no other food than
+bread and water till you sit at the table where the Sangreal shall be."
+
+"To that I agree. But how know you that I shall ever sit there?"
+
+"I know it, let that suffice; but few of your comrades shall have that
+honor."
+
+"All that God sends me will be welcome," said Bors.
+
+"Also, instead of a shirt, and in token of chastisement, you shall wear
+this garment," and the good man produced a scarlet coat, which Bors
+promised to wear next his skin till the Sangreal should be won.
+
+Then, after further wholesome advice, he resumed his armor and departed.
+He had gone but a little way from the hermitage when he passed a tree
+that was little more than an old and leafless trunk, and on one of its
+boughs he saw a great bird, surrounded by young that were nearly dead
+with hunger. As, he continued to look at this strange sight, the bird
+smote itself in the breast with its sharp beak, and bled till it died
+among its young. Then the young birds fed on their mother's blood, and
+were revived thereby.
+
+This to Bors seemed full of deep significance, and he pondered deeply
+upon it as he rode onward. By even-song he found himself near a strong
+and high tower, where he asked shelter for the night, and was hospitably
+welcomed.
+
+When he had disarmed he was led to a richly furnished apartment, where
+he found a young and fair lady, who welcomed him gladly to her tower,
+and invited him to take supper with her.
+
+The table was set with rich meats and many dainties, but Bors forgot not
+the hermit's charge, and bade an attendant to bring him water. In this
+he sopped bread and ate it.
+
+"How is this?" asked the lady in surprise. "Like you not my meat?"
+
+"Truly I do, madam; yet I may eat no other food this day."
+
+Then the lady was silent, for she feared to displease him by
+questioning. After supper, while they sat talking, a squire came, who
+said,--
+
+"Madam, you know well what is set for to-morrow. You must provide a
+champion to fight in your quarrel against Pridam le Noire, or your
+sister will have this castle and all your lands."
+
+"I know that," she said, with a deep sigh. "May God save me from being
+robbed, for I see no earthly aid."
+
+Her sorrow touched Bors, who asked,--
+
+"What means this, madam?"
+
+"Sir," she said, "I shall tell you. There was formerly a king named
+Aniause, who owned all these lands. By chance he loved my sister, who is
+much older than I,--and much wickeder also, I fear. He gave her this
+land to govern; but she brought into it many evil customs, and caused
+the death of many of his kinsmen. When the king saw how vilely she
+governed, he drove her away, and put me over this district. But he is
+now dead, and she is making war on me, and has destroyed many of my
+men, and turned others from me, so that I have little left but this
+tower, and the few men that guard it. Even this she now threatens to
+take from me, unless I can find a knight to fight her champion, who will
+appear before my gates to-morrow."
+
+"Is it so?" said Bors. "Who is this Pridam le Noire?"
+
+"He is the most stalwart knight in this country, and has no equal among
+us."
+
+"Madam," said Bors, "you have given me shelter; in return I shall aid
+you as far as I can in your trouble. You may send word that you have
+found a knight who will fight with this Pridam the Black, in God's
+quarrel and yours."
+
+"Then may God's blessing rest upon you," she cried, gladly. And word was
+sent out that she had found a champion who would take on himself her
+quarrel.
+
+That evening she did what lay in her power to make Bors welcome, and
+sent him at bedtime to a chamber whose bed was soft as down, and spread
+with silken coverings.
+
+But in no bed would he rest, but laid himself on the floor, as he had
+vowed to do till he found the Sangreal.
+
+As he lay there asleep there came to him a vision. He seemed to see two
+birds, one white as a swan, the other of smaller size, and shaped like a
+raven, with plumage of inky blackness. The white bird came to him and
+said, "If thou wilt give me meat and serve me, I shall give thee all the
+riches of the world, and make thee as fair and white as I am." Then the
+white bird departed, and the black bird came and said, "I beg that you
+will serve me to-morrow, and hold me in no despite; for this I tell you,
+that my blackness will avail you more than the other's whiteness." And
+this bird, too, departed.
+
+But his dream continued, and he seemed to come to a great place, that
+looked like a chapel. Here he saw on the left side a chair, which was
+worm-eaten and feeble. And on the right hand were two flowers of the
+shape of a lily, and one would have taken the whiteness from the other
+but that a good man separated them, and would not let them touch. And
+out of each came many flowers and plentiful fruit. Then the good man
+said, "Would not he act with great folly that should let these two
+flowers perish to succor the rotten tree, and keep it from falling?"
+"Sir," said the dreamer, "it seems to me that the flower is of more
+value than the wood." "Then take heed that you never choose the false
+for the true."
+
+With this Bors awoke, and made the sign of the cross on his forehead,
+and then rose and dressed. When he had come to the lady she saluted him,
+and led him to a chapel, where they heard the morning service. Quickly
+afterwards there came a company of knights that the lady had sent for,
+to lead her champion to battle. After he had armed, she begged him to
+take some strengthening food.
+
+"Nay, madam," he answered, "that I shall not do till I have fought this
+battle, in which I ask but God's grace to aid me."
+
+This said, he sprang upon his horse, and set out with the knights and
+men, closely followed by the lady and her train. They soon came to where
+the other party were encamped, and with them the lady of their choice.
+
+"Madam," said the lady of the tower, "you have done me great wrong to
+take from me the lands which King Aniause gave me. And I am sorry that
+there should be any battle."
+
+"You shall not choose," said the other, "unless you withdraw your knight
+and yield the tower."
+
+"That I shall not do. You have robbed me enough already."
+
+Then was the trumpet sounded, and proclamation was made that whichever
+champion won the battle, the lady for whom he fought should enjoy all
+the land. This done, the two champions drew aside, and faced each other
+grimly in their armor of proof.
+
+But when the sound for the onset was blown they put spurs to their
+steeds, which rushed together like two lions, and the knights struck
+each other with such force that their spears flew to pieces and both
+fell to the earth.
+
+They quickly rose and drew their swords, and hewed at each other like
+two woodmen, so that soon each was sorely wounded and bleeding
+profusely. Bors quickly found that he had a sturdier antagonist than he
+expected, for Pridam was a strong and hardy fighter, who stood up
+lustily to his work, and gave his opponent many a sturdy blow.
+
+Bors, perceiving this, took a new course, and played with his antagonist
+till he saw that he was growing weary with his hard work. Then he
+advanced upon him fiercely, and drove him step by step backward, till
+in the end Pridam fell. Bors now leaped upon him and pulled so strongly
+upon his helm as to rend it from his head. Then he struck him with the
+flat of his sword upon the cheek, and bade him yield, or he would kill
+him.
+
+"For God's love, slay me not!" cried the knight. "I yield me to thy
+mercy. I shall swear never to war against thy lady, but be henceforth
+her friend and protector."
+
+With this assurance, Bors let him live; while the covetous old lady fled
+in fear, followed by all her knights. The victorious champion now called
+to him all those who held lands in that estate, and threatened to
+destroy them unless they would do the lady such service as belonged to
+their holdings. This they swore to do, and there and then paid homage to
+the lady, who thus came to her own again through the mighty prowess of
+Sir Bors de Ganis.
+
+Not until the country was well in peace did he take his leave, refusing
+the offers of wealth which the grateful lady pressed upon him, and
+receiving her warm thanks with a humility that well became him.
+
+Hardly would she let him go; but at length he bade her farewell, and
+rode away from her tears and thanks. On he journeyed for all that day,
+and till midday of the next, when he found himself in a forest, where a
+strange adventure befell him.
+
+For at the parting of two ways he met two knights who had taken prisoner
+his brother Lionel, whom they had bound all naked upon a hackney, while
+they beat him with thorns till the blood flowed from every part of his
+body. Yet so great of heart was he that no word came from his lips, and
+he made no sign of pain.
+
+Bors, seeing this, was on the point of rushing to his rescue, when he
+beheld on the other side a knight who held as prisoner a fair lady, whom
+he was taking into the thickest part of the forest to hide her from
+those who sought her. And as they went she cried in a lamentable
+voice,--
+
+"Saint Mary, rescue me! Holy mother, succor your maid!"
+
+When she saw Bors she cried out to him grievously for aid and rescue.
+
+"By the faith you owe to the high order of knighthood, and for the noble
+King Arthur's sake, who I suppose made you knight, help me, gracious
+sir, and suffer me not to come to shame through this felon knight!"
+
+On hearing this appeal the distracted knight knew not what to do. On one
+side his brother in danger of his life; on the other a maiden in peril
+of her honor.
+
+"If I rescue not my brother he will be slain; and that I would not have
+for the earth. Yet if I help not the maiden, I am recreant to my vows of
+knighthood, and to my duty to the high order of chivalry."
+
+Tears ran from his eyes as he stood in cruel perplexity. Then, with a
+knightly resolution, he cried,--
+
+"Fair sweet Lord Jesus, whose liegeman I am, keep Lionel my brother
+that these knights slay him not; since for your service, and for Mary's
+sake, I must succor this maid."
+
+Then he turned to the knight who had the damsel, and loudly cried,--
+
+"Sir knight, take your hands from that maiden and set her free, or you
+are a dead man."
+
+On hearing this the knight released the maiden as bidden, but drew his
+sword, as he had no spear, and rode fiercely at the rescuer. Bors met
+him with couched spear, and struck him so hard a blow as to pierce his
+shield and his hauberk on the left shoulder, beating him down to the
+earth. On pulling out the spear the wounded knight swooned.
+
+"You are delivered from this felon. Can I help you further?" said Bors
+to the maiden.
+
+"I beg you to take me to the place whence he carried me away."
+
+"That shall I do as my duty."
+
+Then he seated her on the knight's horse, and conducted her back towards
+her home.
+
+"You have done nobly, sir knight," she said. "If you had not rescued me,
+five hundred men might have died for this. The knight you wounded is my
+cousin, who yesterday stole me away from my father's house, no one
+mistrusting him. But if you had not overcome him, there would soon have
+been others on his track."
+
+Even as she spoke there came a troop of twelve knights riding briskly
+forward in search of her. When they found her delivered their joy was
+great, and they thanked Bors profusely, begging him to accompany them
+to her father, who was a great lord, and would welcome him with
+gladness.
+
+"That I cannot do," said Bors, "much as I should like to; for I have
+another matter of high importance before me. I can but say, then,
+farewell, and God be with you and this fair maiden."
+
+So saying, he turned and rode briskly away, followed by their earnest
+thanks. Reaching the point where he had seen Lionel in custody, he took
+the trail of the horses, and followed them far by their hoof-marks in
+the road. Then he overtook a religious man, who was mounted on a strong
+horse, blacker than a berry.
+
+"Sir knight," he asked, "what seek you?"
+
+"I seek my brother," he replied, "who came this way beaten by two
+knights."
+
+"Then seek no further, but be strong of heart, for I have sad tidings
+for you. Your brother is dead."
+
+He then led Bors to a clump of bushes, in which lay a newly slain body,
+which seemed to be that of Lionel. Seeing this, Bors broke into such
+grief that he fell to the earth in a swoon, and long lay there. When he
+recovered he said, sadly,--
+
+"Dear brother, I would have rescued you had not a higher duty called me.
+But since we are thus parted, joy shall never again enter my desolate
+heart. I can now but say, be He whom I have taken for my master my help
+and comfort."
+
+Thus grieving, he took up the body in his arms, and put it upon his
+saddle-bow. Then he said to his companion,--
+
+"Can you tell me of some chapel, where I may bury this body?"
+
+"Come with me. There is one near by."
+
+[Illustration: AN OLD AND HALF-RUINED CHAPEL.]
+
+They rode forward till they came in sight of a tower, beside which was
+an old and half-ruined chapel. Here they alighted, and placed the corpse
+in a tomb of marble.
+
+"We will leave him here," said the good man, "and seek shelter for the
+night. To-morrow we will return and perform the services for the dead."
+
+"Are you a priest?" asked Bors.
+
+"Yes," he answered.
+
+"Then you may be able to interpret a dream that came to me last night."
+
+Thereupon he told his dream of the birds, and that of the flowers.
+
+"I can interpret the vision of the birds now," said the priest. "The
+rest must wait till later. The white bird is the emblem of a rich and
+fair lady, who loves you deeply, and will die for love if you pity her
+not. I counsel you, therefore, not to refuse her, for this I shall tell
+you, that if you return not her love, your cousin Lancelot, the best of
+knights, shall die. Men will call you a man-slayer, both of your brother
+Lionel and your cousin Lancelot, since you might have saved them both
+easily if you would. You rescued a maiden who was naught to you, and let
+your brother perish. Which, think you, was your greater duty?"
+
+"I did what I thought my duty," said Bors.
+
+"At any rate, bear this in mind, you will be in sad fault if you suffer
+your cousin Lancelot to die for an idle scruple."
+
+"I should be sad, indeed," said Bors. "Rather would I die ten times over
+than see my cousin Lancelot perish through fault of mine."
+
+"The choice lies in your hand," said the priest. "It is for you to
+decide."
+
+As he spoke they came in front of a fair-showing tower and manor-house,
+where were knights and ladies, who welcomed Bors warmly. When he was
+disarmed there was brought him a mantle furred with ermine. Then he was
+led to the company of knights and ladies, who received him so gladly,
+and did so much to make his stay pleasant, that all thoughts of his
+brother Lionel and of the danger of Lancelot were driven from his mind.
+
+As they stood in gay converse there came out of a chamber a lady whom
+Bors had not before seen, and whose beauty was such that he felt he had
+never beheld so lovely a face, while her dress was richer than Queen
+Guenever had ever worn.
+
+"Here, Sir Bors," said those present, "is the lady to whom we all owe
+service. Richer and fairer lady the world holds not, and she loves you
+above all other knights, and will have no knight but you."
+
+On hearing this, Bors stood abashed. This, then, he thought, was the
+white bird of his dream. Her love he must return or lose Lancelot,--so
+fate had spoken.
+
+As he stood deeply thinking, the lady came up and saluted him, taking
+his hand in hers, and bidding him sit beside her, while her deep eyes
+rested upon him with looks that made his soul tremble. Never had he
+gazed into such eyes before.
+
+Then she spoke of many things, luring him into pleasant conversation, in
+which he forgot his fears, and began to take delight in her presence. At
+the end she told him how deeply and how long she had loved him, and
+begged him to return her love, saying that she could make him richer
+than ever was man of his age.
+
+These words brought back all his trouble of soul. How to answer the lady
+he knew not, for his vow of chastity was too deep to be lightly broken.
+
+"Alas!" she said, "must I plead for your love in vain?"
+
+"Madam," said Bors, "I cannot think of earthly ties and delights while
+my brother lies dead, and awaits the rites of the Church."
+
+"I have loved you long," she repeated, "both for your beauty of body and
+soul, and the high renown you have achieved. Now that chance has brought
+you to my home, think not ill of me if I let you not go without telling
+my love, and beseeching you to return it."
+
+"That I cannot do," said Bors.
+
+At these words she fell into the deepest sorrow, while tears flowed from
+her beautiful eyes.
+
+"You will kill me by your coldness," she bewailed. Then she took him by
+the hand and bade him look upon her. "Am I not fair and lovely, and
+worthy the love of the best of knights? Alas! since you will not love
+me, you shall see me die of despair before your eyes."
+
+"That I do not fear to see," he replied.
+
+"You shall see it within this hour," she said, sadly.
+
+Then she left him, and, taking with her twelve of her ladies, mounted to
+the highest battlement of the tower, while Bors was led to the
+court-yard below.
+
+"Ah, Sir Bors, gentle knight, have pity on us!" cried one of the ladies.
+"We shall all die if you are cruel to our lady, for she vows that she
+and all of us shall fall from this tower if you disdain her proffered
+love."
+
+Bors looked up, and his heart melted with pity, to see so many fair
+faces looking beseechingly down upon him, while tears seemed to rain
+from their eyes. Yet he was steadfast of heart, for he felt that he
+could not lose his soul to save their lives, and his vow of chastity in
+the quest of the Sangreal was not to be broken for the delights of
+earthly love.
+
+As he stood, some of the maidens flung themselves from the tower, and
+lay dead and bleeding at his feet, while above he saw the fair face of
+the lady looking down, as she stood balanced on the battlement, like a
+fair leaf that the next wind would sweep to certain death.
+
+"God help me and guide me!" cried Bors in horror. "What shall I do? Here
+earthly endurance is too weak; I must put my trust in heaven." And he
+made the sign of the cross on his forehead and his breast.
+
+Then came a marvel indeed. A roar was heard as if thunder had rent the
+sky, and a cry as if all the fiends of hell were about him. For the
+moment he closed his eyes, stunned by the uproar. When he opened them
+again all had gone,--the tower, the lady, the knights, and the chapel
+where he had placed his brother's body,--and he stood in the road, armed
+and mounted, while only a broad, empty plain spread before him.
+
+Then he held up his hands to heaven and cried fervently: "Father and
+Creator, from what have I escaped! It is the foul fiend in the likeness
+of a beautiful woman who has tempted me. Only the sign of the holy cross
+has saved me from perdition."
+
+Putting spurs to his horse he rode furiously away, burning with anxiety
+to get from that accursed place, and deeply glad at his escape. As he
+proceeded a loud clock-bell sounded to the right, and turning thither he
+came to a high wall, over which he saw the pinnacles of an abbey.
+
+Here he asked shelter for the night, and was received with a warm
+welcome, for those within deemed he was one of the knights that sought
+the Sangreal. When morning came he heard mass, and then the abbot came
+and bade him good-morning. A conversation followed, in which he told the
+abbot all that had happened to him, and begged his interpretation
+thereof.
+
+"Truly you are strong in the service of the Lord," said the abbot, "and
+are held for great deeds. Thus I interpret your adventures and visions.
+The great fowl that fed its young with its own blood is an emblem of
+Christ, who shed his blood for the good of mankind. And the bare tree on
+which it sat signifies the world, which of itself is barren and without
+fruit. Also King Aniause betokens Jesus Christ, and the lady for whom
+you took the battle the new law of Holy Church; while the older lady is
+the emblem of the old law and the fiend, which forever war against the
+Church.
+
+"By the black bird also was emblemed the Holy Church, which saith, 'I
+am black but he is fair.' The white bird represented the fiend, which,
+like hypocrisy, is white without and foul within. As for the rotten
+chair and the white lilies, the first was thy brother Lionel, who is a
+murderer and an untrue knight; while the lilies were the knight and the
+lady. The one drew near to the other to dishonor her, but you forced
+them to part. And you would have been in great peril had you, for the
+rescue of a rotten tree, suffered those two flowers to perish; for if
+they had sinned together they had both been damned.
+
+"The seeming man of religion, who blamed you for leaving your brother to
+rescue a lady, was the foul fiend himself. Your brother was not slain,
+as he made it appear, but is still alive. For the corpse, and the
+chapel, and the tower were all devices of the evil one, and the lady who
+offered her love was the fiend himself in that showing. He knew you were
+tender-hearted, and he did all. Much you may thank God that you
+withstood his temptation, and that until now you have come through all
+your adventures pure and unblemished."
+
+This gladdened the heart of the virtuous knight, and a warm hope of
+winning the Sangreal arose in his soul. Much more passed between them,
+and when Bors rode forth it was with the fervent blessing of the holy
+abbot.
+
+On the morning of the second day Bors saw before him a castle that rose
+in a green valley, and met with a yeoman, whom he stopped and asked what
+was going on in that country.
+
+"Sir knight," he answered, "there is to be held a great tournament
+before that castle."
+
+"By what people?" asked Bors.
+
+"The Earl of Plains," was the answer, "leads one party, and the nephew
+of the Lady of Hervin the other."
+
+With this the yeoman rode on, and Bors kept on his course, thinking he
+might meet Lionel or some other of his old comrades at the tournament.
+At length he turned aside to a hermitage that stood at the entrance to
+the forest. And to his surprise and joy he saw his brother Lionel
+sitting armed at the chapel door, waiting there to take part in the
+tournament the next morning.
+
+Springing from his horse, Bors ran up gladly, crying, "Dear brother,
+happy is this meeting!"
+
+"Come not near me!" cried Lionel, leaping to his feet in a burst of
+fury. "False recreant, you left me in peril of death to help a yelping
+woman, and by my knightly vow you shall pay dearly for it. Keep from me,
+traitor, and defend yourself. You or I shall die for this."
+
+On seeing his brother in such wrath Bors kneeled beseechingly before
+him, holding up his hands, and praying for pardon and forgiveness.
+
+"Never!" said Lionel. "I vow to God to punish you for your treachery.
+You have lived long enough for a dog and traitor."
+
+Then he strode wrathfully away, and came back soon, mounted and with
+spear in hand.
+
+"Bors de Ganis," he cried, "defend yourself, for I hold you as a felon
+and traitor, and the untruest knight that ever came from so worthy a
+house as ours. Mount and fight. If you will not, I will run on you as
+you stand there on foot. The shame shall be mine and the harm yours; but
+of that shame I reck naught."
+
+When Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or die he knew not
+what to do. Again he kneeled and begged forgiveness, in view of the love
+that ought to be between brothers.
+
+But the fiend that sought his overthrow had put such fury into Lionel's
+heart that nothing could turn him from his wrathful purpose. And when he
+saw that Bors would not mount, he spurred his horse upon him and rode
+over him, hurting him so with his horse's hoofs that he swooned with the
+pain. Then Lionel sprang from his horse and rushed upon him sword in
+hand to strike off his head.
+
+At this critical moment the hermit, who was a man of great age, came
+running out, and threw himself protectingly on the fallen knight.
+
+"Gentle sir," he cried to Lionel, "have mercy on me and on thy brother,
+who is one of the worthiest knights in the world. If you slay him, you
+will lose your soul."
+
+"Sir priest," said Lionel, sternly, "if you leave not I shall slay you,
+and him after you."
+
+"Slay me if you will, but spare your brother, for my death would not do
+half so much harm as his."
+
+"Have it, then, meddler, if you will!" cried Lionel, and he struck the
+hermit a blow with his sword that stretched him dead on the ground.
+
+Then, with unquenched anger, he tore loose the lacings of his brother's
+helmet, and would have killed him on the spot but for a fortunate
+chance.
+
+As it happened, Colgrevance, a fellow of the Round Table, rode up at
+that moment, and wondered when he saw the hermit dead, and Lionel about
+to slay his brother, whom he greatly loved.
+
+Leaping hastily to the ground, he caught the furious knight by the
+shoulders and drew him strongly backward.
+
+"What would you do?" he cried. "Madman, would you kill your brother, the
+worthiest knight of our brotherhood? And are you so lost to honor as to
+slay any knight thus lying insensible?"
+
+"Will you hinder me?" asked Lionel, turning in rage. "Back, sirrah, or I
+shall slay you first and him afterwards."
+
+"Why seek you to slay him?"
+
+"He has richly deserved it, and die he shall, whoever says the
+contrary."
+
+Then he ran upon Bors and raised his sword to strike him on the head.
+But Colgrevance pushed between them and thrust him fiercely backward.
+
+"Off, you murderer!" he cried. "If you are so hot for blood you must
+have mine first."
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Lionel.
+
+"I am Colgrevance, one of your fellows. Round Table Knights should be
+brothers, not foes, but I would challenge King Arthur himself in this
+quarrel."
+
+"Defend yourself, meddler," cried Lionel, rushing upon him and striking
+him fiercely on the helm with his sword.
+
+"That shall I," rejoined Colgrevance, attacking him in turn.
+
+Then a hot battle began, for Colgrevance was a good knight, and defended
+himself manfully.
+
+While the fight went on Bors recovered his senses, and saw with a sad
+heart Colgrevance defending him against his brother. He strove to rise
+and part them, but his hurts were such that he could not stand on his
+feet. And thus he sat watching the combat till he saw that Colgrevance
+had the worst, for Lionel had wounded him sorely, and he had lost so
+much blood that he could barely stand.
+
+At this juncture he saw Bors, who sat watching them in deep anguish.
+
+"Bors," he cried, "I am fighting to succor you. Will you sit there and
+see me perish?"
+
+"You both shall die," cried Lionel, furiously. "You shall pay the
+penalty of your meddling, and he of his treason."
+
+Hearing this, Bors rose with aching limbs, and painfully put on his
+helm. Colgrevance again called to him in anguish,--
+
+"Help me, Bors! I can stand no longer. Will you let me die without
+lifting your hand?"
+
+At this moment Lionel smote the helm from his head, and then with
+another fierce blow stretched him dead and bleeding upon the earth.
+
+This murderous deed done, he ran on Bors with the passion of a fiend,
+and dealt him a blow that made him stoop.
+
+"For God's love leave me!" cried Bors. "If I slay you or you me, we will
+both be dead of that sin."
+
+"May God never help me if I take mercy on you, if I have the better
+hand," cried Lionel, in reply.
+
+Then Bors drew his sword, though his eyes were wet with tears.
+
+"Fair brother," he said, "God knows my heart. You have done evil enough
+this day, in slaying a holy priest and one of our own brotherhood of
+knights. I fear you not, but I dread the wrath of God, for this is an
+unnatural battle which you force upon me. May God have mercy upon me,
+since I must defend my life against my brother."
+
+Saying this, Bors raised his sword and advanced upon Lionel, who stood
+before him with the wrath of a fury.
+
+Then would have been a most unholy battle, had not God come to the
+rescue. For as they thus stood defiant a voice came to them from the
+air, which said,--
+
+"Flee, Bors, and touch him not, for if you do, you will surely slay
+him."
+
+And between them descended a cloud that gleamed like fire, and from
+which issued a marvellous flame that burned both their shields to a
+cinder. They were both so affrighted that they fell to the earth, and
+lay there long in a swoon.
+
+When they came to themselves Bors saw that his brother had received no
+harm. For this he thanked God, for he feared that heaven's vengeance had
+fallen upon him. Then came the voice again.
+
+"Bors," it said, "go hence, and bear thy brother company no longer. Take
+thy way to the sea where Percivale awaiteth thee."
+
+"Forgive me, brother," said Bors, "for what I have done against you."
+
+"God has forgiven you, and I must," said Lionel. "It was the foul fiend
+that filled my soul with fury, and much harm has come of it."
+
+Then Bors rode away, leaving Lionel in the company of those whom he had
+slain, and took the most direct road towards the sea.
+
+At length he came to an abbey that was near the water-side. And at
+midnight as he rested there he was roused from his sleep by a voice,
+that bade him leave his bed and ride onward.
+
+He started up at this, and made the sign of the cross on his forehead;
+then took his harness and horse, and rode out at a broken place in the
+abbey wall. An hour or so brought him to the water-side, and on the
+strand there lay awaiting him a ship all covered with white samite. Bors
+alighted, and leaving his horse on the stand entered the ship,
+commending himself to Christ's fostering care.
+
+Hardly had he done so before the sails spread, as of themselves, and the
+vessel set out to sea so fast that it seemed to fly. But it was still
+dark night, and he saw no one about him. So he lay down and slept till
+day.
+
+When he awaked he saw a knight lying in the middle of the deck, all
+armed but the helm. A glance told him that it was Percivale de Galis,
+and he sprang towards him with joy. But Percivale drew back, asking him
+who he was.
+
+"Know you me not?" asked Bors.
+
+"I do not. But I marvel how you came hither, unless brought by our Lord
+himself."
+
+Then Bors took off his helm and smiled. Great was Percivale's joy when
+he recognized him, and long did they converse in gladness, telling each
+other their adventures and temptations.
+
+And so they went far over the sea, the ship taking them they knew not
+whither, yet each comforted the other, and daily they prayed for God's
+grace.
+
+"Now, that we two are together," said Percivale, "we lack nothing but
+Galahad, the best of knights."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE MAGIC SHIP.
+
+
+After Galahad had rescued Percivale from the twenty knights, he rode
+into a vast forest, through which he journeyed for many days, meeting
+there many strange adventures. Then fortune took him past a castle where
+a tournament was in progress, and where the men of the castle had so
+much the worse of it that they were driven back to their gates, and some
+of them slain. Seeing this, Galahad rode to the aid of the weaker party,
+and did marvellous deeds of arms, soon aiding them to drive back their
+foes.
+
+As it happened, Gawaine and Hector de Maris were with the outer party,
+and when they beheld the white shield with the red cross, they said to
+one another,--
+
+"That hewer of helms and shields is Galahad, none less. We should be
+fools to meet him face to face."
+
+Yet Gawaine did not escape, for Galahad came at full career upon him,
+and gave him such a blow that his helm was cleft, and so would his head
+have been but that the sword slanted, and cut the shoulder of his horse
+deeply.
+
+Seeing Gawaine thus dealt with, Hector drew back, not deeming it wise to
+meet such a champion, nor the part of nature to fight with his nephew.
+Galahad continued his onset till he had beaten down all the knights
+opposed to him. Then, seeing that none would face him, he turned and
+rode away as he had come, none knowing whither he, who had come upon
+them with the suddenness of a thunder-clap, had gone.
+
+"Lancelot du Lake told no less than the truth," declared Gawaine,
+bitterly, "when he said that, for seeking to draw the sword from the
+stone, I would get a sore wound from that same blade. In faith, I would
+not for the best castle in the world have had such a buffet."
+
+"Your quest is done, it seems," said Hector.
+
+"As for that, it was done before. You can still seek the Sangreal if you
+will, but I shall seek my bed; and I fear I shall stay there much longer
+than I care to."
+
+Then he was borne into the castle, where a leech was found for him,
+while Hector remained with him, vowing he would not leave till his
+comrade was well.
+
+Meanwhile Galahad rode on, leaving many a groan and more than one sore
+head behind him, and at night reached a hermitage near the castle of
+Carbonek. Here he was welcomed by the hermit; but late at night, when
+they were asleep, a loud knock came on the door, which roused the host.
+Going to see who knocked at that untimely hour, he found a lady at the
+door, who said,--
+
+"Ulfin, rouse the knight who is with you. I must speak with him."
+
+This he did, and Galahad went to the door, and asked her what she
+wished.
+
+"Galahad," she replied, "I am sent here to seek you. You must arm and
+mount your horse at once, and follow me. Within three days I shall bring
+you to the greatest adventure that ever knight met."
+
+Without further question Galahad obeyed, and, having commended himself
+to God, he bade his fair guide to lead, and he would follow wherever she
+wished.
+
+Onward they rode during the remainder of the night and the next day,
+till they came to a castle not far from the sea, where Galahad was
+warmly welcomed, for the damsel who guided him had been sent by the lady
+of that castle.
+
+"Madam," said the damsel, "shall he stay here all night?"
+
+"No," she replied; "only until he has dined, and has slept a little. He
+must ride on until destiny is accomplished."
+
+So at early nightfall Galahad was called and helped to arm by
+torchlight. Then he and the damsel again took horse, and rode on at
+speed till they suddenly found themselves at the ocean's brink, with the
+waves breaking at their feet. And here lay a ship covered with white
+samite, from which manly voices cried,--
+
+"Welcome, Sir Galahad. We have long awaited you. Come on board."
+
+"What means this?" asked Galahad of the damsel. "Who are they that
+call?"
+
+"No others than your friends and comrades, Sir Bors and Sir Percivale.
+Here you must leave your horse, and I mine, and both of us enter the
+ship, for so God commands."
+
+This they did, taking their saddles and bridles with them, and making on
+them the sign of the cross. When they had entered the ship the two
+knights received them with great joy. And as they stood greeting each
+other the wind suddenly rose and drove the ship from the land, forcing
+it through the waves at a marvellous speed.
+
+"Whence comes this ship?" asked Galahad.
+
+Then Bors and Percivale told him of their adventures and temptations,
+and by what miracles they had been brought on board that vessel.
+
+"Truly," said Galahad, "God has aided you marvellously. As for me, had
+it not been for the lady who led me, I should never have found you."
+
+"If Lancelot, your father, were but here," said Bors, "then it would
+seem to me that we had all that heart could wish."
+
+"That may not be," answered Galahad, "unless by the pleasure of our
+Lord."
+
+As they conversed the ship suddenly ran between two rocks, where it held
+fast, but where they could not land for the raging of the sea. But just
+before them lay another ship, which they could reach without danger.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright 1901 by E. A. Abbey; from a Copely print
+copyright 1902 by Curtis and Cameron.
+
+THE MAGIC SHIP.]
+
+"Thither we must go," said the lady, "and there we shall find strange
+things, for such is the Lord's will."
+
+At this they approached the ship, and saw that it was richly provided,
+but without man or woman on board. And on its bow there was written in
+large letters,--
+
+"You who shall enter this ship, take heed of your belief: for I am
+Faith, and bid you beware. If you fail I shall not help you. He who
+enters here must be of pure heart and earnest trust."
+
+They stood looking earnestly at one another after having read these
+words.
+
+"Percivale," said the lady, "know you who I am?"
+
+"I do not," he replied. "Have I ever seen you before?"
+
+"Know, then, that I am your sister, the daughter of King Pellinore. I
+love no man on earth as I do you. I warn you, therefore, not to enter
+this ship unless you have perfect belief in our Lord Jesus Christ, for
+if your faith fails you aught here you shall perish."
+
+"Fair sister," he replied, "happy am I, indeed, to know you. As for the
+ship, I shall not fail to enter it. If I prove an untrue knight or a
+misbeliever, then let me perish."
+
+As they spoke, Galahad blessed himself and entered the ship, and after
+him came the lady, and then Bors and Percivale. On reaching the deck
+they found it so marvellously fair and rich that they stood in wonder.
+In the midst of the ship was a noble bed; and when Galahad went thither
+he found on it a crown of silk. Below this lay a sword, half drawn from
+its scabbard, the pommel being of stone of many colors. The scales of
+the haft were of the ribs of two beasts. One beast was a serpent, known
+in Calidone as the serpent of the fiend; and its bone had the magic
+virtue that the hand which touched it should never be weary or hurt. The
+other beast was a fish, that haunted the flood of Euphrates, its name
+Ertanax; its bone had the virtue that he who handled it should not think
+on the joys and sorrows of his past life, but only of that which he then
+beheld. And no man could grasp this sword but the one who passed all
+others in might and virtue.
+
+"In the name of God," said Percivale, "I shall seek to handle it."
+
+But in vain he tried, he could not grasp the magic hilt. No more could
+Bors, who attempted it in his turn. Then Galahad approached, and as he
+did so saw written on the sword in letters like blood, "He who draweth
+me has peril to endure. His body shall meet with shame, for he shall be
+wounded to the death."
+
+"By my faith, the risk is too great," said Galahad. "I shall not set my
+hand to so fatal a blade."
+
+"That you must," said the lady. "The drawing of this sword is forbidden
+to all men, save you. No one can draw back from that which destiny
+commands."
+
+Then she told a marvellous story of that strange blade.
+
+"When this ship arrived in the realm of England," she said, "there was
+deadly war between King Labor and King Hurlame, who was a christened
+Saracen. Here they fought one day by the sea-side, and Hurlame was
+defeated and his men slain. Then he fled into this ship, drew the sword
+which he saw here, and with one stroke smote King Labor and his horse in
+twain. But a fatal stroke it proved, for with it there came harm and
+pestilence to all this realm. Neither corn nor grass would grow, fruit
+failed to ripen, the waters held no fish, and men named this the waste
+land of the two marches. Nor did King Hurlame escape. When he saw the
+strange carving of the sword, a craving came into his mind to possess
+the scabbard. Entering the ship for that purpose, he thrust the sword
+into the sheath; but no sooner had he done so than he fell dead beside
+the bed. And there his body lay till a maiden entered the ship and cast
+it out, for no man could be found hardy enough to set foot on that fatal
+deck."
+
+The three knights on hearing this looked earnestly at the scabbard,
+which seemed to them made of serpent's skin, while on it was writing in
+letters of gold and silver. But the girdle was poor and mean, and ill
+suited to so rich a sword. The writing was to this effect: "He who shall
+wield me must be hardy of nature. Nor shall he ever be shamed while he
+is girt with this girdle; which must never be put away except by the
+hands of a maiden and a king's daughter. And she, if she shall ever
+cease to be a maid, shall die the most villanous death that woman ever
+endured."
+
+"Turn the sword," said Percivale, "that we may see what is on the other
+side."
+
+On doing so they found it red as blood, with coal-black letters, which
+said: "He that shall praise me most shall find me most to fail him in
+time of great need; and to whom I should be most fair shall I prove most
+foul. Thus is it ordained."
+
+Then Percivale's sister told them the history of the sword, which was a
+very strange and admirable thing to hear. More than once had it been
+drawn in modern times; once by Nancien, who afterwards became a hermit,
+and in whose hands the sword fell in half, and sorely wounded him in the
+foot. Afterwards it was drawn by King Pellam, and it was for this
+boldness that he was destined to be deeply wounded by the spear with
+which Balin afterwards struck him.
+
+The knights now observed the bed more closely, and saw that above its
+head there hung two swords. With them were three strange spindles, one
+of which was white as snow, one red as blood, and one as green as
+emerald. As they gazed at them with curious wonder, the damsel told a
+strange story of the surprising things they had gazed upon. And thus her
+story ran.
+
+When mother Eve gathered the fruit for which Adam and she were put out
+of Paradise, she took with her the bough on which the apple grew. As it
+kept fair and green, and she had no coffer in which to keep it, she
+thrust it in the earth, where, by God's will, it took root, and soon
+grew to a great tree, whose branches and leaves were as white as milk.
+But afterwards, at the time of Abel's birth, it became grass-green. It
+was under this tree that Cain slew Abel, and then it quickly lost its
+green color, and grew red as blood. So it lived and thrived, and was in
+full life when Solomon, the wise king, came to the throne.
+
+It came to pass that, as Solomon studied over many things, and, above
+all, despised women in his heart and in his writings, a voice came which
+told him that of his line would be born the Virgin Mary, the purest and
+noblest of human kind, and that afterwards would come a man, the last of
+his blood, as pure in mind as a young maiden, and as good a knight as
+Joshua of Israel. This revelation he told to his wife, who had
+questioned him as to the reason of his deep study.
+
+"Sir," she said, "since this knight is to come, it is our duty to
+prepare for him. Therefore, I shall first have made a ship of the best
+and most durable wood that man may find."
+
+This was done by Solomon's command. When the ship was built and ready to
+sail, she made a covering for it of cloth of silk, of such quality that
+no weather could rot it. And in the midst she placed a great bed, of
+marvellously rich workmanship, and covered with silk of the finest
+texture.
+
+"Now, my dear lord," she said to Solomon, "since this last knight of
+your lineage is to pass in valor and renown all other knights that have
+been before or shall come after him, therefore I counsel you to go into
+the Temple of the Lord, where is the sword of the great King David, your
+father, which is of magic temper and virtue. Take off the pommel of this
+sword and make one of precious stones, skilfully wrought. And make a
+hilt and sheath of great richness and beauty. As for the girdle, leave
+that to me to provide."
+
+Solomon did as she advised, and she took the sword and laid it in the
+bed; but when he looked at it he grew angry, for the girdle was meanly
+made of hemp.
+
+"I have nothing," she said, "fit to make a girdle worthy of such a
+sword. But when the time comes a maiden will change this for a girdle
+worthy of him that is to wear it."
+
+This done, she went with a carpenter to the tree under which Abel was
+slain.
+
+"Carve me from this tree as much wood as will make me a spindle," she
+said.
+
+"Ah, madam," said he, "I dare not cut the tree which our first mother
+planted."
+
+"Do as you are bidden," she ordered. "Dare not disobey me."
+
+But as he began to cut the tree drops of blood flowed out. Then he would
+have fled, but she made him cut sufficient to form a spindle. Next she
+went to the green and the white trees, which had grown from the roots of
+the other, and bade him cut as much from each of these. From this wood
+were three spindles wrought, which she hung up at the head of the bed.
+
+"You have done marvellously well," said Solomon, on seeing this.
+"Wonderful things, I deem, shall come of all this, more than you
+yourself dream of."
+
+"Some of these things you shall soon know," she answered.
+
+That night Solomon lay near the ship, and as he slept he dreamed. There
+came from heaven, as it seemed to him, a great company of angels, who
+alighted in the ship, and took water that was brought by an angel in a
+vessel of silver, and sprinkled it everywhere. Then the angel came to
+the sword and drew letters on the hilt, and on the ship's bow he wrote,
+"You who shall enter this ship take heed of your belief," and further as
+the knights had read. When Solomon had read these words he drew back,
+and dared not enter, and there soon arose a wind which drove the ship
+far to sea, so that it was quickly lost to sight. Then a low voice said,
+"Solomon, the last knight of thy lineage shall rest in this bed." With
+this Solomon waked, and lo! the ship was gone.
+
+This was the story that the fair damsel, Percivale's sister, told to the
+knights, as they stood curiously surveying the bed and the spindles.
+Then one of them lifted a cloth that lay on the deck, and under it found
+a purse, in which was a written paper, telling the same strange story
+they had just heard.
+
+"The sword is here," said Galahad; "but where shall be found the maiden
+who is to make the new girdle?"
+
+"You need not seek far," said Percivale's sister. "By God's leave, I
+have been chosen to make that girdle, and have it here."
+
+Then she opened a box which she had brought with her, and took from it a
+girdle that was richly wrought with golden threads and studded with
+precious stones, while its buckle was of polished gold.
+
+"Lo, lords and knights," she said, "here is the destined girdle. The
+greater part of it was made of my hair, which I loved dearly when I was
+a woman of the world. When I knew that I was set aside for this high
+purpose, I cut off my hair and wrought this girdle in God's name."
+
+"Well have you done!" cried Bors. "Without you we would have learned
+nothing of this high emprise."
+
+Then the noble maiden removed the mean girdle from the sword, and put
+upon it the rich one she had brought, which became it wonderfully.
+
+"By what name shall we call this sword?" they now asked her.
+
+"Its name is," she answered, "the sword with the strange girdle; and
+that of the sheath is, mover of blood. But no man with blood in him
+shall ever see the part of the sheath that was made of the tree of
+life."
+
+Then she took the sword and girded it about Galahad, fastening the
+golden buckle about his waist.
+
+"Now reck I not though I die," she said, "for I hold that I am one of
+the world's blessed maidens, since it has been given to me to arm the
+worthiest knight in the world."
+
+After this they left the magic ship at her bidding, and entered the one
+in which they had come. And immediately there rose a great wind which
+blew their vessel from between the rocks, and carried it afar over the
+sea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+HOW LANCELOT SAW THE SANGREAL.
+
+
+The ship that bore the three knights and the maiden came ashore at
+length near a castle in Scotland, where they landed. From here they
+journeyed far, while many were their adventures, all of which tried
+their virtue and belonged to the quest of the Sangreal. In them all the
+sword with the strange girdle proved of such marvellous worth that no
+men, were they a hundred in number, could stand before it.
+
+Finally they came to a castle which had the strange custom that every
+maiden who passed that way should yield a dish full of blood. When they
+asked the reason of this dreadful custom, they were told,--
+
+"There is in this castle a lady to whom the domain belongs, and who has
+lain for years sick of a malady which no leech can cure. And a wise man
+has said that she can only be cured if she have a dish full of blood
+from a pure virgin and a king's daughter, with which to anoint her."
+
+"Fair knights," said Percivale's sister, "I alone can aid the sick lady,
+who must die otherwise."
+
+"If you bleed as they demand, you may die," said Galahad. "Is not your
+life worth more than hers?"
+
+"This I answer," said she. "If I yield not my blood there will be mortal
+war between you and the knights of the castle to-morrow, and many men
+must die that one woman may not bleed. If I die to heal the sick lady I
+shall gain renown and do God's will, and surely one harm is better than
+many. That you will fight for me to the death, I know, but wherefore
+should you?"
+
+Say what they would, she held to her will, and the next morning bade the
+people of the castle bring forth the sick lady. She lay in great pain
+and suffering, and bent her eyes pleadingly on the devoted maiden.
+
+Then Percivale's sister bared her arm, and bade them bleed her. This
+they did till a silver dish was filled with her life blood. Then she
+blessed the lady, and said,--
+
+"Madam, I have given my life for yours; for God's love, pray for me!"
+and she fell in a swoon.
+
+Galahad and his fellows hastened to stanch the blood, but it was too
+late, her life was ebbing fast.
+
+"Fair brother Percivale," she said, "death is upon me. But before I die
+I have this to tell you. It is written that I shall not be buried in
+this country. When I am dead, seek you the sea-shore near by, and put my
+body in a boat, and let it go where fortune bears it. But when you three
+arrive at the city of Sarras, in Palestine, which you will in God's good
+time, you shall find me arrived there before you. There bury me in
+consecrated soil. This further I may say, that there the holy Grail
+shall be achieved, and there shall Galahad die and be buried in the same
+place."
+
+And as they stood there weeping beside her a voice came to them,
+saying,--
+
+"Lords and comrades, to-morrow at sunrise you three must depart, each
+taking his own way, and you shall not meet again till adventure bring
+you to the maimed king."
+
+After that all was done as had been foreseen and desired. The maiden
+died, and the same day the sick lady was healed, through the virtue of
+her blood. Then Percivale wrote a letter telling who she was and what
+things she had done. This he put in her right hand, and laid her body in
+a vessel that was covered with black silk. The wind now arose and drove
+it far from the land, while all stood watching it till it was out of
+sight.
+
+Then they returned towards the castle. But suddenly a tempest of wind,
+thunder, and rain broke from the sky, so furious that the very earth
+seemed to be torn up. And as they looked they saw the turrets of the
+castle and part of its walls totter and fall, and in a moment come
+crashing in ruin to the earth.
+
+That night they slept in a chapel, and in the morning rode to the
+castle, to see how it had fared in the storm. But when they reached it
+they found it in ruins, while of all that had dwelt there not one was
+left alive. All of them, man and woman alike, had fallen victims to the
+vengeance of God. And they heard a voice that said,--
+
+"This vengeance is for the shedding of maidens' blood."
+
+But at the end of the chapel was a church-yard in which were threescore
+tombs, over which it seemed no tempest had passed. And in these lay all
+the maidens who had shed their blood and died martyrs for the sick
+lady's sake. On these were their names and lineage, and all were of
+royal blood, and twelve of them kings' daughters.
+
+The knights turned away, marvelling much at what they had seen and
+heard.
+
+"Here we must part," said Galahad. "Let us pray that we may soon meet
+again."
+
+Then they kissed each other, and wept at the parting, and each rode his
+own way into the forest before them.
+
+But we must now leave them and return to Lancelot, whom we left sorely
+repentant of his sins. After he departed from the hermitage he rode
+through many lands and had divers adventures, and in the end came to the
+sea-shore, beside which he lay down and slept.
+
+In his slumber, words came to his ear, saying, "Lancelot, rise and take
+thine armor, and enter into the first ship that thou shalt find." On
+hearing these words he started up, and saw that all about him was
+strangely clear, the skies giving out a light like that of midday. Then
+he blessed himself, and took his arms, and advanced to the strand, where
+he saw a ship without sails or oars. This he entered, as he had been
+bidden, and when he was within it his heart was filled with such joy as
+he had never before known.
+
+Naught had he ever thought of or desired but what seemed come to him
+now, and in his gladness he returned thanks fervently to the Lord.
+
+"I know not what has happened to me," he said, "but such joy as I feel I
+never dreamed the human heart could hold."
+
+Then he lay down and slept on the ship's deck, and when he woke the
+night had passed and it was broad day.
+
+And in the ship he found a bed, whereon lay a dead lady, with a letter
+in her right hand which Lancelot read. From this he learned that the
+fair corpse was that of Percivale's sister, together with many of the
+strange things that had happened to her and the chosen knights.
+
+For a month or more Lancelot abode in this ship, driven about the seas,
+and sustained by no food, but by the grace of the Holy Ghost, for he
+prayed fervently for God's aid night and morning.
+
+At length came a night when the ship touched the shore. Here he landed,
+being somewhat weary of the deck. And as he stood on the strand he heard
+a horse approach, and soon one rode by that seemed a knight.
+
+When he came to the ship he checked his horse and alighted. Then, taking
+the saddle and bridle from the horse, he turned it free and entered the
+ship. Lancelot, in surprise, drew near.
+
+"Fair knight," he said, "I know not who you are or why you come. But
+since you seek passage on my ship you are welcome."
+
+The other saluted him in turn, and asked,--
+
+"What is your name? I pray you, tell me, for my heart warms strangely
+towards you."
+
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"Then are we well met indeed. You are my father."
+
+"Ah! then you are Galahad?"
+
+"Yes, truly," and as he spoke he took off his helm, and kneeled, and
+asked his blessing.
+
+Joyful indeed was that meeting, and gladly there father and son
+communed, telling each other all that had happened to them since they
+left the court. When Galahad saw the dead maiden he knew her well, and
+told his father the story of the sword, at which he marvelled greatly.
+
+"Truly, Galahad," he said, "I never heard of aught so strange, and can
+well believe you were born for wondrous deeds."
+
+Afterwards for nearly half a year the father and son dwelt together
+within that ship, serving God day and night with prayer and praise. Now
+they touched on peopled shores, and now on desert islands where only
+wild beasts abode, and perilous and strange adventures they met. But
+these we shall not tell, since they had naught to do with the Sangreal.
+
+But at length came a Monday morning when the ship touched shore at the
+edge of a forest, before a cross, where they saw a knight armed all in
+white, and leading a white horse. He saluted them courteously, and
+said,--
+
+"Galahad, you have been long enough with your father. You must now leave
+the ship, and take this horse, and ride whither destiny shall lead you
+in the quest of the Sangreal."
+
+Hearing this command, Galahad kissed his father, and bade him farewell,
+saying,--
+
+"Dear father, I know not if we shall ever meet again."
+
+"Then I bid you," said Lancelot, "to pray to the great Father that He
+hold me in His service."
+
+There came in answer a mysterious voice that spoke these words,--
+
+"Think each to do well; for you shall never see each other till the
+dreadful day of doom."
+
+This voice of destiny affected them greatly, and they bade each other a
+tearful farewell, Lancelot begging again the prayers of his son in his
+behalf. Then Galahad mounted the white horse and rode into the forest,
+while a wind arose which blew the ship from shore, and for a month drove
+it up and down the seas.
+
+But at length came a night when it touched shore on the rear side of a
+fair and stately castle. Brightly shone the moon, and Lancelot saw an
+open postern in which stood on guard two great lions. As he looked he
+heard a voice.
+
+"Lancelot," it said, "leave this ship and enter the castle. There shalt
+thou see a part of that which thou desirest."
+
+Lancelot at this armed himself and went to the gate, where the lions
+rose rampant against him. With an instinct of fear he drew his sword,
+but at that instant appeared a dwarf, who struck him on the arm so
+sharply that the sword fell from his hand.
+
+"Oh, man of evil hope and weak belief," came the mysterious voice,
+"trust you more in your armor than in your Maker? Does He who brought
+you here need a sword for your protection?"
+
+"Truly am I reproved," said Lancelot. "Happy am I to be held the Lord's
+ward and servant."
+
+He took up his sword and put it in the sheath, then made a cross on his
+forehead, and advanced to the lions, which raged and showed their teeth
+as if ready to rend him in pieces. Yet with a bold step and tranquil
+mien he passed between them unhurt, and entered the castle.
+
+Through it he went, room by room, passage by passage, for every door
+stood wide and no living being met him as he advanced. Finally he came
+to a chamber whose door was closed, and which yielded not to his hand
+when he sought to open it. He tried again with all his force, but the
+door resisted his strength.
+
+Then he listened, and heard a voice that sang more sweetly than he had
+ever heard. And the words seemed to him to be, "Joy and honor be to the
+Father of Heaven!"
+
+Lancelot no longer sought to open the door, but kneeled before it,
+feeling in his heart that the Sangreal was within that chamber.
+
+"Sweet Father Jesus," he prayed, "if ever I did aught in thy service, in
+pity forgive me my sins, and show me something of that which I seek."
+
+As he prayed the door opened without hands, and from the room came a
+light brighter than if all the torches of the world had been there. He
+rose in joy to enter, but the voice spoke sternly in his ear,--
+
+"Forbear, Lancelot, and seek not to enter here. If you enter, you shall
+repent it dearly."
+
+Then he drew back hastily, and looked into the chamber, where he saw a
+table of silver, on which was the holy vessel covered with red samite,
+with angels about it, one of which held a burning candle of wax, and one
+a cross. And before the holy vessel stood a priest, who seemed to be
+serving the mass. In front of the priest appeared to be three men, two
+of whom put the youngest between the priest's hands, who held him up
+high as if to show him. Yet so heavy seemed the figure that the priest
+appeared ready to fall with weakness, and with a sudden impulse Lancelot
+rushed into the room, crying, "Fair Lord Jesus, hold it no sin that I
+help the good man, who seems in utmost need."
+
+But as he rashly entered and came towards the table of silver, a breath
+that seemed half fire smote him so hotly in the face that he fell
+heavily to the earth, and lay like one bereft of all his senses. Then
+many hands seemed to take him up, and bear him without the door, where
+he lay to all seeming dead.
+
+When morning dawned he was found there by the people of the castle, who
+marvelled how he got there, and could not be sure if he were dead or
+alive. But they laid him in a bed, and watched him closely, for days
+passed without signs of life or death. At length, on the twenty-fifth
+day, he gave a deep sigh, and opened his eyes, and gazed in wonder on
+the people about him.
+
+"Why have you wakened me?" he cried. "Why left you me not to my blessed
+visions?"
+
+"What have you seen?" they asked, eagerly.
+
+"Such marvels as no tongue can tell nor ear understand," he said. "And
+more had I seen but that my son was here before me. For God's love,
+gentlemen, tell me where I am."
+
+"Sir, you are in the castle of Carbonek."
+
+"I thank God of His great mercy for what I have seen," he said. "Now
+may I leave the quest of the Sangreal, for more of it shall I never see,
+and few men living shall see so much."
+
+These words said, he arose and dressed in new clothing that they brought
+him, and stood in his old strength and beauty before the people.
+
+"Sir Lancelot!" they cried, "is it you?"
+
+"Truly so," he answered.
+
+Then word was brought to King Pellam, the maimed king, who now dwelt in
+that castle, that the knight who had lain so long between death and life
+was Lancelot. Glad was the king to hear this, and he bade them bring
+Lancelot to him.
+
+"Long has my daughter Elaine been dead," he said. "But happy she lived
+in having been loved by you, and in the grace of her noble son Galahad."
+
+"I was but cold to her," answered Lancelot, "for she was a lovable lady.
+But in truth I have been held from love and life's delights, for my fate
+has not been my own to control."
+
+For four days he abode at the castle, and then took his armor and horse,
+saying that now his quest of the Sangreal was done, and duty bade him
+return to Camelot.
+
+Back through many realms he rode, and in time came to the abbey where
+Galahad had won the white shield. Here he spent the night, and the next
+day rode into Camelot, where he was received with untold joy by Arthur
+and the queen.
+
+For of the Knights of the Round Table who had set out on that perilous
+quest more than half had perished, and small was the tale of that
+gallant fellowship that could now be mustered. So the coming of
+Lancelot filled all hearts with joy.
+
+Great was the marvel of the king when Lancelot told him of what he had
+seen and done, and of the adventures of Galahad, Percivale, and Bors.
+
+"God send that they were all here again," said the king.
+
+"That shall never be," said Lancelot. "One of them shall come again, but
+two you shall never see."
+
+[Illustration: From the painting by George Frederick Watts.
+
+SIR GALAHAD'S QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE DEEDS OF THE THREE CHOSEN KNIGHTS.
+
+
+After Galahad left the ship and his father Lancelot, he rode far and had
+many adventures, righting many wrongs and achieving many marvels. Among
+these he came to the abbey where was the ancient King Evelake, who had
+laid blind three hundred years, as we have elsewhere told.
+
+The old king knew well that his deliverance had come, and begged to be
+embraced by the pious youth. No sooner had he been clasped in his arms
+than his sight returned, and his flesh grew whole and young.
+
+"Now, sweet Saviour, my destiny is fulfilled; receive thou my soul," he
+prayed.
+
+As he said these words the soul left his body, and the miracle of his
+fate was achieved.
+
+Many days after this Galahad met Percivale, and soon the two came upon
+Bors, as he rode out of a great forest, that extended many days' journey
+through the land.
+
+And so they rode in glad companionship, with many a tale of marvel to
+tell, till in time they came to the castle of Carbonek, where they were
+gladly received, for those in the castle knew that the quest of the
+Sangreal was now wellnigh achieved.
+
+When evening approached, and the table for supper was set, the
+mysterious voice that so often had guided these knights spoke again.
+
+"They that are not worthy to sit at the table of Jesus Christ arise," it
+said; "for now shall the worthiest be fed."
+
+Then all arose save Eliazar, the son of King Pellam, and a maid who was
+his niece, and the three knights. But as they sat at supper nine other
+knights, in full armor, entered at the hall door, and took off their
+helmets and armor, and said to Galahad,--
+
+"Sir, we have come far and in haste to be with you at this table, where
+the holy meat shall be served."
+
+"If you are worthy, you are welcome," said Galahad. "Whence come you?"
+
+Three of them answered that they were from Gaul, three from Ireland, and
+three from Denmark, and that they had come thither at the bidding of the
+strange voice.
+
+So they all sat at table. But ere they began to eat, four gentlewomen
+bore into the hall a bed, whereon lay a man sick, with a crown of gold
+on his head. Setting him down, they went away.
+
+"Galahad, holy knight, you are welcome," said he who lay in the bed,
+raising his head feebly. "Long have I waited your coming, in pain and
+anguish, since Balin, the good knight, struck me the dolorous stroke. To
+you I look for aid and release from my long suffering."
+
+Then spoke the voice again: "There be those here who are not in the
+quest of the Sangreal; let them depart." And the son and niece of the
+king rose and left the room.
+
+Then there came suddenly four angels, and a man who bore a cross and
+wore the dress of a bishop, whom the angels placed in a chair before the
+silver table of the Sangreal. In his forehead were letters which said,
+"This is Joseph, the first bishop of Christendom."
+
+Next opened the chamber door, and angels entered, two bearing wax
+candles, the third a towel, and the fourth a spear that bled, the blood
+drops falling into a silver vessel which he held in his other hand. The
+candles were set on the table, the towel spread upon the vessel, and the
+spear set upright on this.
+
+The bishop then said mass, at which other strange signs were seen; for a
+figure like a child, with a face that shone like flame, entered into the
+bread of the sacrament. Then the bishop kissed Galahad, and bade him
+kiss his fellows. This done, he said,--
+
+"Servants of Jesus Christ, ye shall here be fed on such meats as never
+knights tasted;" and with these words he vanished.
+
+But as they knelt in prayer before the table, they saw come out of the
+holy vessel a man who bore all the signs of the passion of Jesus Christ.
+And he took up the vessel and bore it to Galahad and to the other
+knights, who kneeled to receive the sacrament; and so sweet was it that
+their hearts marvelled and were filled with joy.
+
+"Now have you tasted of Christ's own food," he said, "and seen what you
+highly and holily desired. But more openly shall you see it in the city
+of Sarras, in the spiritual place. Therefore you must go hence, for this
+night the holy vessel will leave this realm, and will never more be seen
+here. To-morrow you three shall go to the sea, where a ship awaits you;
+and you must take with you the sword with the strange girdle."
+
+"Shall not these good knights go also?" asked Galahad.
+
+"Not so. They have seen all that is fitting to them. As for you, two of
+you shall die in my service, and the third shall return and tell what he
+has seen."
+
+Then he gave them his blessing, and vanished from out their midst.
+
+When they had somewhat recovered from the weight of these marvels,
+Galahad went to the spear that lay on the table, and touched the blood
+with his fingers, and with it anointed the wounds of the maimed king.
+And at this touch he started up whole and strong, thanking God fervently
+for his healing.
+
+But he went not into the world again, but to a monastery of white monks,
+where he became a man of holy renown.
+
+At midnight came a voice to the nine knights, which said,--
+
+"My sons, and not my chieftains; my friends, and not my warriors; go ye
+hence, and do well what comes to you, in my service."
+
+"Lord," they replied, "wilt thou vouchsafe also to call us thy sinners?
+Thy servants we shall be henceforth."
+
+And they arose, armed, and departed, bidding a solemn adieu to the three
+knights. When morning dawned these three rose also, and rode till they
+came to the sea. Here awaited them the ship wherein they had found the
+sword and the three magic spindles, and to their wonder and delight they
+beheld in its midst the table of silver and the Sangreal, which was
+covered with red samite.
+
+It was a joyous company that sailed over the sea in that magical ship,
+and at the wish of his comrades Galahad slept in the bed where the sword
+had lain, and Bors and Percivale on the deck beside him.
+
+And so they went by day and by night, and at length came to the city of
+Sarras. Here, as they would have landed, they saw beside them, just come
+to shore, the ship that bore the corpse of Percivale's sister, and this
+as fair and as fresh as when first placed within it.
+
+Then they took up the silver table and bore it to the city, at whose
+gate sat an old and crooked cripple.
+
+"Come hither, and help us carry this heavy thing," said Galahad.
+
+"How shall I do that? I have not gone for ten years without crutches."
+
+"No matter for that. Show your good will by trying."
+
+Then the cripple rose and took hold, and in that instant he was whole
+and strong, and helped them bear the table to the palace. This done,
+they returned, and bore to the palace the corpse of Percivale's sister,
+which they placed in a rich tomb, suited to a king's daughter.
+
+Meanwhile the report had spread through the city that a cripple had been
+made whole by three strange knights, and people flocked to see them.
+
+When the king of the city saw and heard all this, he came to the knights
+and asked them who they were, and what it was they had brought into his
+realm.
+
+Galahad answered him, telling of the marvel of the Sangreal, and of
+God's power and grace therein.
+
+But the king, Estorause, a tyrant in will and a pagan in faith, heard
+this with wrath and unbelief, and ordered the knights to be put in
+prison as spies and felons.
+
+For a whole year they lay thus in prison, yet were always kept whole and
+in good spirits; for the holy Sangreal came to them in their dungeons,
+and filled their souls with joy. When the year ended, Estorause grew
+sick unto death, and in remorse sent for the imprisoned knights, whose
+pardon and forgiveness he fervently begged. This they gave him, and he
+straightway died.
+
+His death threw the city into dismay, for he had left no successor to
+the throne. But as the lords sat in council there came a voice that
+bade them choose the youngest of the three knights for their king. This
+mysterious behest was told to the citizens, and with one acclaim they
+hailed it as God's will, and demanded Galahad as their king.
+
+Thereupon he became king of Sarras, though it was not his wish; but he
+felt it to be God's command. And when he came to the throne he had
+constructed a chest of gold and precious stones, in which was placed the
+table of silver with the holy vessel, and before this the three knights
+kneeled and prayed daily with fervent zeal.
+
+And so time rolled on till came the day that was the anniversary of that
+in which Galahad had taken the crown. On this morning he rose betimes,
+and before the holy vessel he saw a man dressed like a bishop, while
+round about him was a great fellowship of angels.
+
+"Come forth, thou servant of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt see what thou
+hast so much desired," said the bishop.
+
+Then Galahad began to tremble, his flesh quaking in the presence of
+things spiritual. And he held his hands up towards heaven, saying,--
+
+"Lord, I thank thee, for now my desire is fulfilled. And if it be thy
+will that I should come to thee, I wish no longer to live."
+
+"I am Joseph of Arimathea," said the strange presence, "and am sent by
+the Lord to bear thee fellowship. Thou resemblest me in two things; for
+thou hast seen the highest marvel of the Sangreal, and are pure of heart
+and of body. Now say farewell to thy comrades, for thy time is come to
+depart."
+
+Galahad thereupon went to Percivale and Bors, and kissed them, and
+commended them to God, saying to Bors,--
+
+"Fair friend, who art destined to return to our native realm, salute for
+me my lord and father Lancelot, and bid him remember the evils of this
+unstable world, and bear in mind the duty he has been taught."
+
+Then he kneeled before the table and prayed fervently, and suddenly his
+soul departed from his body, a multitude of angels bearing it visibly
+upward toward heaven, in full view of his late comrades. Also they saw
+come from heaven a hand, with no body visible, and take up the holy
+vessel and the spear, and bear them to heaven. And from that moment no
+man ever saw on earth again the blessed Sangreal.
+
+Afterwards Galahad's body was buried with great honor, and with many
+tears from his two fellows and from the people whom he had governed.
+Then Percivale betook him to a hermitage, and entered upon a religious
+life; while Bors stayed with him, but in secular clothing, for it was
+his purpose to return to England.
+
+For a year and two months Percivale lived thus the holy life of a
+hermit, and then he passed out of this world, and was buried by
+Bors--who mourned him as deeply as ever man was mourned--beside his
+sister and Galahad. This pious office performed, Sir Bors, the last of
+the three chosen knights, felt that his duty in that land was at an end,
+and thereupon took ship at the city of Sarras and sailed for the realm
+of England, where he in good season arrived. Here he took horse and
+rode in all haste to Camelot, where King Arthur and the court then were,
+and where he was received with the greatest joy and wonder, for so long
+had it been since any man there had set eyes on him, that all believed
+him to be dead.
+
+But greater than their wonder was their admiration when the returned
+knight told the story of miracle and adventure which had befallen him
+and his two comrades, and the pious maid, Percivale's sister, and of the
+holy life and death of Galahad and Percivale. This marvellous narrative
+the king had told again to skilled clerks, that they might put upon
+record the wonderful deeds of these good knights. And it was all written
+down in great books, which were put in safe keeping at Salisbury.
+
+Bors then gave to Lancelot the message which his son had sent him, and
+Lancelot took him in his arms, saying, "Gentle cousin, gladly do I
+welcome you again. Never while we live shall we part, but shall ever be
+true friends and brothers while life may last to us."
+
+And thus came to an end the marvellous and unparalleled adventure of the
+Holy Grail.
+
+[Illustration: SALISBURY CATHEDRAL.]
+
+
+
+
+                                 BOOK X.
+
+                    THE LOVE OF LANCELOT AND GUENEVER.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE POISONING OF SIR PATRISE.
+
+
+After the quest of the Sangreal was ended, and all the knights who were
+left alive had come again to Camelot, there was great joy in the court,
+with feasts and merrymakings, that this fortunate remnant might find a
+glad welcome. Above all, King Arthur and Queen Guenever were full of joy
+in the return of Lancelot and Bors, both from the love they bore them
+and the special honor they had gained in the quest.
+
+But, as is man's way, holy thoughts vanished with the holy task that
+gave them rise, the knights went back to their old fashions and
+frailties, and in Lancelot's heart his earthly love for the queen soon
+rose again, and his love of heaven and holy thoughts grew dim as the
+days went by. Alas that it should have been so! for such an unholy
+passion could but lead to harm. To fatal ills, indeed, it led, and to
+the end of Arthur's reign and of the worshipful fellowship of the Table
+Round, as it is our sorrowful duty now to tell.
+
+All this began in the scandal that was raised in the court by the close
+companionship between Lancelot and the queen. Whisper of this secret
+talk at length came to that good knight's ears, and he withdrew from
+Queen Guenever as much as he could, giving himself to the society of
+other ladies of the court, with design to overcome the evil activity of
+slanderous tongues.
+
+This withdrawal filled the queen with jealous anger, and she accused him
+bitterly of coldness in his love.
+
+"Madam," said Lancelot, "only that love for you clung desperately to my
+heart, and drove out heavenly thoughts, I should have gained as great
+honor in the quest of the Sangreal as even my son Galahad. My love is
+still yours, but I fear to show it, for there are those of the court who
+love me not, such as Agravaine and Mordred, and these evil-thinking
+knights are spreading vile reports wherever they may. It is for this I
+make show of delight in other ladies' society, to cheat the bitter
+tongue of slander."
+
+To this the queen listened with heaving breast and burning cheek. But at
+the end she burst into bitter tears and sobs, and wept so long that
+Lancelot stood in dismay. When she could speak, she called him recreant
+and false, declared she should never love him more, and bade him leave
+the court, and on pain of his head never come near her again.
+
+This filled the faithful lover with the deepest grief and pain; yet
+there was anger, too, for he felt that the queen had shut her ears to
+reason, and had let causeless jealousy blind her. So, without further
+words, he turned and sought his room, prepared to leave the court. He
+sent for Hector, Bors, and Lionel, and told them what had happened, and
+that he intended to leave England and return to his native land.
+
+"If you take my advice you will do nothing so rash," said Bors. "Know
+you not that women are hasty to act, and quick to repent? This is not
+the first time the queen has been angry with you; nor will her
+repentance be a new experience."
+
+"You speak truly," said Lancelot. "I will ride, therefore, to the
+hermitage of Brasias, near Windsor, and wait there till I hear from you
+if my lady Guenever changes her mood. I pray you do your best to get me
+her love again."
+
+"That needs no prayer. Well you know I will do my utmost in your
+behalf."
+
+Then Lancelot departed in haste, none but Bors knowing whither he had
+gone. But the queen showed no sign of sorrow at his going, however
+deeply she may have felt it in her heart. In countenance she remained
+serene and proud, as though the world went well with her, and her heart
+was free from care.
+
+Her desire, indeed, to show that she took as much joy in the society of
+other knights as in that of Lancelot led to a woful and perilous event,
+which we have next to describe. For she gave a private dinner, to which
+she invited Gawaine and his brethren and other knights, to the number of
+twenty-four in all. A rich feast it was, with all manner of dainties and
+rare devices. Much was the joy and merriment of the feasting knights.
+
+As it happened, Gawaine had a great love for fruits, especially apples
+and pears, which he ate daily at dinner and supper; and all who invited
+him to dine took care to provide his favorite fruits. This the queen
+failed not to do. But there was at the feast an enemy of Gawaine's,
+named Pinel le Savage, who was a cousin of Lamorak de Galis, and had
+long hated Gawaine for the murder of that noble knight.
+
+To obtain revenge on him, Pinel poisoned some of the apples, feeling
+sure that only Gawaine would eat them. But by unlucky chance a knight
+named Patrise, cousin to Mador de la Porte, eat one of the poisoned
+apples. So deadly was the venom that in a moment he was in agony, and
+very soon it so filled his veins that he fell dead from his seat.
+
+Then was terror and wrath, as the knights sprang in haste and turmoil
+from their seats. For they saw that Patrise had been poisoned, and
+suspicion naturally fell upon the queen, the giver of the feast.
+
+"My lady, the queen," cried Gawaine in anger, "what thing is this we
+see? This fate, I deem, was meant for me, since the fruit was provided
+for my taste. Madam, what shall I think? Has this good knight taken on
+himself the death that was intended to be mine?"
+
+The queen made no answer, being so confused and terrified that she knew
+not what to say.
+
+"This affair shall not end here," cried Mador de la Porte in great
+wrath. "Here lies a noble knight of my near kindred, slain by poison and
+treason. For this I shall have revenge to the utterance. Queen Guenever,
+I hold you guilty of the murder of my cousin, Sir Patrise. I demand from
+the laws of the realm and the justice of our lord the king redress for
+this deed. A knight like this shall not fall unrevenged, while I can
+wield spear or hold sword."
+
+The queen, at this hot accusation, looked appealingly from face to face;
+but all stood grave and silent, for greatly they suspected her of the
+crime. Then, seeing that she had not a friend in the room, she burst
+into a passion of tears, and at length fell to the floor in a swoon.
+
+The story of this sad business soon spread through the court, and
+quickly came to the ears of the king, who hastened to the banqueting
+hall full of trouble at what he had heard. When Mador saw him, he again
+bitterly accused the queen of treason,--as murder of all kinds was then
+called.
+
+"This is a serious affair," said the king, gravely. "I, as a rightful
+judge, cannot take the matter into my own hands, or I would do battle in
+this cause myself, for I know well that my wife is wrongly accused. To
+burn a queen on a hasty accusation of crime is no light matter, though
+you may deem it so, Sir Mador; and if you demand the combat, fear not
+but a knight will be found to meet you in the lists."
+
+"My gracious lord," said Mador, "you must hold me excused, for though
+you are our king, you are a knight also, and held by knightly rules.
+Therefore, be not displeased with me, for all the knights here suspect
+the queen of this crime. What say you, my lords?"
+
+"The dinner was made by the queen," they answered. "She or her servants
+must be held guilty of the crime."
+
+"I gave this dinner with a good will, and with no thought of evil," said
+the queen, sadly. "May God help me as an innocent woman, and visit this
+murder on the base head of him who committed it. My king and husband, to
+God I appeal for right and justice."
+
+"And justice I demand," said Mador, "and require the king to name a day
+in which this wrong can be righted."
+
+"Be it so, then," said the king. "Fifteen days hence be thou ready armed
+on horseback in the meadow beside Winchester. If there be a knight there
+to meet you, then God speed the right. If none meet you, then my queen
+must suffer the penalty of the law."
+
+When Arthur and the queen had departed, he asked her how this case
+befell.
+
+"God help me if I know," she answered.
+
+"Where is Lancelot?" asked the king. "If he were here, he would do
+battle for you."
+
+"I know not," she replied. "His kinsmen say he has left the land."
+
+"How cometh it," said the king, "that you cannot keep Lancelot by your
+side? If he were here your case would be won. Sir Bors will do battle in
+his place, I am sure. Go seek him and demand his aid."
+
+This the queen did, begging Bors to act as her champion; but he, as one
+of the knights who had been at the dinner, demurred, and accused her of
+having driven Lancelot from the country by her scorn and jealousy.
+
+Then she knelt and begged his aid, and the king, coming in, also
+requested his assistance, for he was now sure the queen had been
+unjustly defamed.
+
+"My lord," answered Bors, "it is a great thing you require of me, for if
+I grant your request I will affront many of my Round Table comrades. Yet
+for your and Lancelot's sake I will be the queen's champion on the day
+appointed, unless it may happen that a better knight than I come to do
+battle for her."
+
+"Will you promise me this, on your faith?" asked the king.
+
+"I shall not fail you," said Bors. "If a better knight than I come, the
+battle shall be his. If not, I will do what I can."
+
+This promise gladdened the king and queen, who thanked Bors heartily,
+and were filled with hope, for they trusted greatly in this good
+knight's prowess and skill.
+
+Bors, however, had other thoughts than they dreamed of, and left the
+court secretly, riding to the hermitage of Brasias, where he found
+Lancelot and told him of what had occurred.
+
+"This happens well," said Lancelot. "The queen shall not suffer. Do you
+make ready for the battle, but tarry and delay, if I am not there, as
+much as you may, till I arrive. Mador is a hot knight, and will be hasty
+to battle. Bid him cool his haste."
+
+"Leave that to me," said Bors. "Doubt not that it will go as you wish."
+
+Meanwhile the news spread throughout the court that Bors had taken on
+himself the queen's championship. This displeased the most of the
+knights, for suspicion of the queen was general. On his return many of
+his fellows accused him hotly of taking on himself a wrongful quarrel.
+
+"Shall we see the queen of our great lord King Arthur brought to shame?"
+he demanded. "To whom in the world do we owe more?"
+
+"We love and honor our king as much as you do," they answered. "But we
+cannot love a destroyer of knights, as Queen Guenever has proved
+herself."
+
+"Fair sirs," said Bors, "you speak hastily, methinks. At all times, so
+far as I know, she has been a maintainer, not a destroyer, of knights,
+and has been free with gifts and open-handed in bounty to all of
+knightly fame. This you cannot gainsay, nor will I suffer the wife of
+our noble king to be shamefully slain. She is not guilty of Sir
+Patrise's death, for she never bore him ill will, nor any other at that
+dinner. It was for good will she invited us there, and I doubt not her
+innocence will be proved; for howsoever the game goeth, take my word for
+it, some other than she is guilty of that murder."
+
+This some began to believe, convinced by his words, but others still
+held their displeasure, believing the queen guilty.
+
+When at length the day that had been fixed for the battle came, there
+was a great gathering of knights and people in the meadow beside
+Winchester, where the combat was to take place. But many shuddered when
+they saw another thing, for an iron stake was erected, and fagots heaped
+round it, for the burning of the queen should Mador win the fight.
+
+Such, indeed, was the custom of those days. Neither for favor, for love,
+nor for kindred could any but righteous judgment be given, as well upon
+a king as upon a knight, upon a queen as upon a poor lady, and death at
+the stake was the penalty for those convicted of murder.
+
+Now there rode into the lists Sir Mador de la Porte, and took oath
+before the king that he held the queen to be guilty of the death of Sir
+Patrise, and would prove it with his body against any one who should say
+to the contrary.
+
+Sir Bors followed, and made oath as the queen's champion that he held
+her guiltless, and would prove it with his body, unless a better knight
+came to take the battle on him.
+
+"Make ready then," said Mador, "and we shall prove which is in the
+right, you or I."
+
+"You are a good knight, Sir Mador," said Bors, "but I trust that God
+will give this battle to justice, not to prowess."
+
+He continued to talk and to make delay till Mador called out
+impatiently,--
+
+"It seems to me that we waste time and weather. Either come and do
+battle at once, or else say nay."
+
+"I am not much given to say nay," answered Bors. "Take your horse and
+make ready. I shall not tarry long, I promise you."
+
+Then each departed to his tent, and in a little while Mador came into
+the field with his shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand. But
+he waited in vain for Bors.
+
+"Where is your champion?" cried Mador to the king. "Bid him come forth
+if he dare!"
+
+When this was told to Bors he was ashamed to delay longer, and mounted
+his horse and rode to his appointed place. But as he did so he saw a
+knight, mounted on a white horse, and bearing a shield of strange
+device, emerge from a neighboring wood, and come up at all speed. He
+continued his course till he came to Sir Bors.
+
+"Be not displeased, fair knight," he said, "if I claim this battle. I
+have ridden far this day to have it, as I promised you when we spoke
+last. And for what you have done I thank you."
+
+Then Bors rode to the king and told him that a knight had come who would
+do battle for the queen and relieve him from the championship.
+
+"What knight is this?" asked the king.
+
+"All I may say is that he covenanted to be here to-day. He has kept his
+word, and I am discharged."
+
+"How is this?" demanded Arthur. "Sir knight, do you truly desire to do
+battle for the queen?"
+
+"For that, and that alone, came I hither," answered the knight. "And I
+beg that there be no delay, for when this battle is ended I must depart
+in haste on other duties. I hold it a dishonor to all those knights of
+the Round Table that they can stand and see so noble a lady and
+courteous a queen as Queen Guenever rebuked and shamed among them all.
+Therefore I stand as her champion."
+
+Then all marvelled what knight this could be, for none suspected him.
+But Mador cried impatiently to the king,--
+
+"We lose time here. If this knight, whoever he be, will have ado with
+me, it is time to end words and begin deeds."
+
+"You are hot, Sir Mador. Take care that your valor be not cooled," said
+the other.
+
+They now moved to their appointed stations, and there couched their
+spears and rode together with all the speed of their chargers. Mador's
+spear broke, but the spear of his opponent held, and bore him and his
+horse backward to the earth.
+
+But he sprang lightly from the saddle, and drew his sword, challenging
+the victor to do battle with him on foot. This the other knight did,
+springing quickly to the ground, and drawing his sword. Then they came
+eagerly to the combat, and for the space of near an hour fought with the
+fury of wild beasts, for Mador was a strong knight, proved in many
+battles.
+
+But at last the strange champion struck his opponent a blow that brought
+him to the earth. He stepped near him to hurl him flat, but at that
+instant Mador suddenly rose. As he did so he struck upward with his
+sword, and ran the other through the thick of the thigh, so that the
+blood flowed freely.
+
+When he felt himself wounded he stepped back in a rage, and grasping his
+sword struck Mador a two-handed blow that hurled him flat to the earth.
+Then he sprang upon him to pull off his helm.
+
+"I yield me!" cried Mador. "Spare my life, and I release the queen."
+
+"I shall not grant your life," said the other, "only on condition that
+you freely withdraw this accusation from the queen, and that no charge
+against her be made on Sir Patrise's tomb."
+
+"All this shall be done. I have lost, and adjudge her innocent."
+
+The knights-parters of the lists now took up Sir Mador and bore him to
+his tent. The other knight went to the foot of King Arthur's seat. By
+that time the queen had come thither also, and was heartily kissed by
+her overjoyed lord. Then king and queen alike thanked the victor knight,
+and prayed him to take off his helmet, and drink some wine for
+refreshment. This he did, and on the instant a loud shout went up from
+all present, for they recognized the noble face of Lancelot du Lake.
+
+"Sir Lancelot!" cried the king. "Never were you more heartily welcome.
+Deep thanks I and Queen Guenever owe you for your noble labor this day
+in our behalf."
+
+"My lord Arthur," said Lancelot, "I would shame myself should I ever
+fail to do battle for you both. It was you who gave me the high honor of
+knighthood. And on the day you made me knight I lost my sword through
+haste, and the lady your queen found it and gave it me when I had need
+of it, and so saved me from disgrace among the knights. On that day I
+promised her to be ever her knight in right or wrong."
+
+"Your goodness merits reward," said the king, "and therein I shall not
+fail you."
+
+But as the queen gazed on Lancelot, tears came to her eyes, and she wept
+so tenderly that she almost sank to the ground from sorrow and remorse
+at her unkindness to him who had done her such noble service.
+
+Now the knights of his blood came around Lancelot in the greatest joy,
+and all the Knights of the Round Table after them, glad to welcome him.
+
+And in the days that followed Lancelot was cured of his wound, and Mador
+put under the care of skilful leeches, while great joy and gladness
+reigned in the court for the happy issue of that combat which had
+promised so fatal an ending.
+
+About this time it befell that Nimue, the damsel of the lake, came to
+the court, she who knew so many things by her power of enchantment, and
+had such great love for Arthur and his knights. When the story of the
+death of Sir Patrise and the peril of the queen was told her, she
+answered openly that the queen had been falsely accused, and that the
+real murderer was Sir Pinel, who had poisoned the apples to destroy
+Gawaine, in revenge for the murder of Lamorak. This story was confirmed
+when Pinel fled hastily from the court, for then all saw clearly that
+Guenever was innocent of the crime.
+
+The slain knight 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,
+through poisoned apples intended for Sir Gawaine." And to this was added
+the story of how Guenever the queen had been charged with that crime,
+and had been cleared in the combat by Sir Lancelot du Lake, her
+champion.
+
+All this was written on the tomb, to clear the queen's good fame. And
+daily and long Sir Mador sued the queen to have her good grace again.
+At length, by means of Lancelot, he was forgiven, and entered again into
+the grace of king and queen. Thus once more peace and good-will were
+restored to Camelot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE LILY MAID OF ASTOLAT.
+
+
+It came to pass that, within fifteen days of the Feast of the
+Assumption, King Arthur announced that a great tournament would be held
+on that day at Camelot, where he and the king of Scots would hold the
+lists against all who should come. This tidings went far, and there came
+to Camelot many noble knights, among them the king of North Wales, King
+Anguish of Ireland, the king with the hundred knights, Sir Galahalt the
+high prince, and other kings, dukes, and earls.
+
+But when Arthur was ready to ride from London, where he then was, to
+Camelot, the queen begged to be excused from going with him, saying that
+she was not well. Lancelot, too, would not go, on the plea that he was
+not well of the wound which Sir Mador had given him. So the king set out
+in grief and anger, for the absence of his wife and Lancelot tried him
+sorely. On his way to Camelot he lodged in a town named Astolat, which
+is now known as Gilford, and here he remained for several days.
+
+But hardly had he departed before the queen sought Lancelot, and blamed
+him severely for not going with the king, saying that he thus exposed
+her to slander.
+
+"Madam, your wisdom comes somewhat late. Why gave you not this advice
+sooner?" said Lancelot. "I will go, since you command it; but I warn you
+that at the jousts I will fight against the king and his party."
+
+"Fight as you will, but go," said Guenever. "If you take my counsel,
+however, you will keep with your king and your kindred."
+
+"Be not displeased with me, madam," said Lancelot. "I will do as God
+wills, and that, I fear, will be to fight against the king's party."
+
+So the knight took horse and rode to Astolat, and here in the evening he
+obtained quarters in the mansion of an old baron, named Sir Bernard of
+Astolat. It happened that this mansion was near the quarters of the
+king, who, as in the dusk he walked in the castle garden, saw Lancelot
+draw near to Sir Bernard's door, and recognized him.
+
+"Aha!" said the king, "is that the game? That gives me comfort. I shall
+have one knight in the lists who will do his duty nobly."
+
+"Who is that?" asked those with him.
+
+"Ask me not now," said the king, smiling. "You may learn later."
+
+Meanwhile Lancelot was hospitably received by the old baron, though the
+latter knew not his guest.
+
+"Dear sir," said Lancelot to his host, "I thank you for your kindness,
+and I shall owe you deeper thanks if you will lend me a shield. Mine is
+too well known, and I wish to fight in disguise."
+
+"That shall I willingly," answered his host. "I have two sons who were
+lately knighted, and the elder, Sir Tirre, has been hurt. His shield you
+shall have, for it is yet unknown in list or field. As for my younger
+son, Sir Lavaine, he is a strong and likely youth, whom I beg you will
+take with you. I feel that you must be a champion of renown, and hope
+you will tell me your name."
+
+"Not at present, if you will excuse me," said Lancelot. "If I speed well
+at the tournament I will return and tell you. But I shall be glad to
+have Sir Lavaine with me, and to use his brother's shield."
+
+"You are welcome to both," said Sir Bernard.
+
+This old baron had a daughter of great beauty, and in the freshness of
+youth, who was known in that region as the Fair Maid of Astolat, by name
+Elaine le Blank. And when she saw Lancelot her whole heart went out to
+him in love,--a love of that ardent nature that never dies while she who
+wears it lives.
+
+Lancelot, too, was strongly attracted by her fresh young face, of
+lily-like charm; but he had no love to give. Yet he spoke in tender
+kindness to the maiden, and so emboldened her that she begged him to
+wear her token at the tournament.
+
+"You ask more than I have ever yet granted to lady or damsel," said
+Lancelot. "If I yield to your wish I shall do more for your love than
+any woman born can claim."
+
+[Illustration: "YOU ARE WELCOME, BOTH!" SAID SIR BERNARD.]
+
+She besought him now with still more earnestness, and it came to his
+mind that if he wished to go to the lists disguised he could take no
+better method, for no one would recognise Lancelot under a damsel's
+token.
+
+"Show me what you would have me wear, fair maiden," he said.
+
+"It is a red sleeve of mine," she answered, "a sleeve of scarlet,
+embroidered with great pearls," and she brought it to him.
+
+"I have never done this for damsel before," said Lancelot. "In return I
+will leave my shield in your keeping. Pray keep it safe till we meet
+again."
+
+Then the evening was spent in merry cheer; but that night Elaine slept
+but lightly, for her slumber was full of dreams of Lancelot, and her
+heart burned with fears that he might come to harm in the lists.
+
+On the next day King Arthur and his knights set out for Camelot. Soon
+afterwards Lancelot and Lavaine took leave of Sir Bernard and his fair
+daughter, while the eyes of Elaine followed the noble form of Lancelot
+fondly and far, as he rode. Both the knights had white shields, and
+Lancelot bore with him Elaine's red embroidered sleeve. When they
+reached Camelot they took lodging privately with a rich burgess of the
+town, that none might know them.
+
+When came Assumption Day, the lists were set, the trumpets blew to the
+field, the two parties of knights gathered promptly to the fray, and
+fierce was the encounter between them. In the end, after hard fighting,
+the party of Arthur bore back their opponents, who were headed by the
+kings of Northumberland and North Wales.
+
+All this was seen by Lancelot and Lavaine, who sat their horses at a
+distance looking on.
+
+"Come," said Lancelot, "let us help these good fellows, who seem to be
+overpowered."
+
+"Lead on," said Lavaine. "I shall follow and do my best."
+
+Then Lancelot, with the red sleeve fastened upon his helmet, rode into
+the thickest of the press, and smote down such numbers of knights with
+spear and sword that the party of the Round Table were forced to give
+back, and their opponents came on with fresh heart. And close upon
+Lancelot's track Lavaine smote down several good knights.
+
+"Who can this wonderful fighter be?" asked Gawaine of the king.
+
+"I know him well," said Arthur, "but will not name him since he is in
+disguise."
+
+"I could believe it was Lancelot," said Gawaine, "but for that red
+sleeve. No man ever saw Lancelot wear a woman's token."
+
+"Let him be," said Arthur. "He will be better known before he is done."
+
+Then nine knights of Lancelot's kindred, angry at seeing this one
+champion beat down all before him, joined together and pressed hotly
+into the din, smiting down all that opposed them. Three of them--Bors,
+Hector, and Lionel--spurred together on Lancelot, all striking him at
+once with their spears. So great was their force that Lancelot's horse
+was hurled to the ground, and his shield pierced by Bors, whose spear
+wounded him in the side, breaking and leaving its head deep in the
+flesh.
+
+Seeing this misfortune, Lavaine spurred fiercely on the king of the
+Scots, thrust him from his horse, and, in despite of them all, brought
+that horse to Lancelot, and helped him to mount. Then, though so sorely
+hurt, Lancelot drew his sword, and, aided by Lavaine, did such deeds of
+arms as he had never surpassed in his hours of greatest strength. As the
+chronicles say, that day he unhorsed more than thirty knights; and
+Lavaine followed his example well, for he smote down ten Knights of the
+Round Table in this his first tournament. So does a noble example stir
+young hearts.
+
+"I would give much to know who this valiant knight can be," said
+Gawaine.
+
+"He will be known before he departs," answered Arthur. "Trust me for
+that."
+
+Then the king blew to lodging, and the prize was given by the heralds to
+the knight with the white shield who bore the red sleeve. Around
+Lancelot gathered the leaders on his side, and thanked him warmly for
+gaining them the victory.
+
+"If I have deserved thanks I have sorely paid for them," said Lancelot,
+"for I doubt if I escape with my life. Dear sirs, permit me to depart,
+for just now I would rather have repose than be lord of all the world."
+
+Then he broke from them and galloped away, though his wound forced
+piteous groans from his steadfast heart. When out of sight of them all
+he checked his horse, and begged Lavaine to help him dismount and to
+draw the spear-head from his side.
+
+"My lord," said Lavaine, "I would fain help you; yet I fear that to draw
+the spear will be your death."
+
+"It will be my death if it remains," said Lancelot. "I charge you to
+draw it."
+
+This Lavaine did, the pain being so deadly that Lancelot shrieked and
+fell into a death-like swoon, while a full pint of blood gushed from the
+wound. Lavaine stopped the bleeding as well as he could, and with great
+trouble got the wounded knight to a neighboring hermitage, that stood in
+front of a great cliff, with a clear stream running by its foot.
+
+Here Lavaine beat on the door with the butt of his spear, and cried
+loudly,--
+
+"Open, for Jesus' sake! Open, for a noble knight lies bleeding to death
+at your gate!"
+
+This loud appeal quickly brought out the hermit, who was named Baldwin
+of Brittany, and had once been a Round Table knight. He gazed with pity
+and alarm on the pale face and bleeding form before him.
+
+"I should know this knight," he said. "Who is he?"
+
+"Fair sir," said Lancelot, feebly, "I am a stranger and a knight-errant,
+who have sought renown through many realms, and have come here to my
+deadly peril."
+
+As he spoke the hermit recognized him, by a wound on his pallid cheek.
+
+"Ah, my lord Lancelot," he said, "you cannot deceive me thus."
+
+"Then, if you know me, help me for heaven's sake. Relieve me from this
+pain, whether it be by life or death."
+
+"I shall do my best," said the hermit. "Fear not that you will die."
+
+Then he had him borne into the hermitage, and laid in bed, his armor
+being removed. This done, the hermit stanched the bleeding, anointed the
+wound with healing ointments, and gave Lancelot a refreshing and healing
+draught.
+
+Meanwhile King Arthur invited the knights of both parties to a great
+evening feast, and there asked the king of North Wales to bring forward
+the knight of the red sleeve, that he might receive the prize he had
+won.
+
+"That I cannot do," was the answer. "He was badly, if not fatally,
+wounded, and left us so hastily that we know not whither he went."
+
+"That is the worst news I have heard these seven years," said Arthur. "I
+would rather lose my throne than have that noble knight slain."
+
+"Do you know him?" they all asked.
+
+"I have a shrewd suspicion who he is; and I pray God for good tidings of
+him."
+
+"By my head," said Gawaine, "I should be sorry enough to see harm come
+to one that can handle spear and sword like him. He cannot be far away,
+and if he is to be found I shall find him."
+
+"Fortune aid you in the quest," said the king.
+
+Then Gawaine took a squire, and they rode in all directions for six or
+seven miles around Camelot, but could learn nothing of the missing
+knight. Two days afterwards Arthur and his fellowship set out on their
+return to London. On their way they passed through Astolat, and here it
+happened that Gawaine lodged with Sir Bernard, Lancelot's former host.
+
+He was well received, and the old baron and his fair daughter begged him
+earnestly for tidings of the tournament, being specially eager to know
+who had done best there.
+
+"Two knights bore all before them," said Gawaine. "Both carried white
+shields, and one wore on his helmet a red sleeve, as some fair lady's
+token. Never saw I a man before do such mighty deeds, and his fellow
+seconded him nobly."
+
+"Blessed be God that that knight did so well," broke out Elaine, "for he
+is the first man I ever loved, and shall be the last."
+
+"You know him then?" said Gawaine. "Pray tell me his name."
+
+"That I know not, nor whence he came; but this I truly know, that I love
+him, and that the token he wore was mine. This, and this only, I can
+justly affirm."
+
+"This is a strange story," said Gawaine. "What knowledge have you of
+him? and how came you to know him?"
+
+In response, she told him how the knight had left his shield with her,
+and taken that of her brother, with what else she knew.
+
+"I would thank you much for a sight of that shield," said Gawaine.
+
+"I have it in my chamber, covered with a case, and will send for it,"
+said Elaine.
+
+When the shield was brought Gawaine removed the case, and at sight he
+knew it to be Lancelot's shield.
+
+"Ah, mercy!" said Gawaine, "the sight of this makes my heart heavy."
+
+"Why so?" she demanded.
+
+"For good cause," he answered. "Is the owner of this shield your love?"
+
+"Truly so," she replied. "I love him dearly; would to God he loved me as
+dearly."
+
+"Then must I say that you have given your love to the noblest and most
+renowned knight in the world."
+
+"So it seemed to me; for he carries a noble soul in his face."
+
+"This I may say," said Gawaine. "I have known this knight for more than
+twenty years, and never knew him before to wear a woman's token at joust
+or tournament. You owe him thanks, indeed, that he wore yours. Yet I
+dread greatly that you will never see him again, and it is for this that
+my heart is heavy."
+
+"Why say you so?" she cried, starting up with pallid face. "Is he hurt?
+Is he slain?"
+
+"Not slain; but sadly hurt. This more it is my duty to tell you: he is
+the noble knight, Sir Lancelot du Lake. I know him by his shield."
+
+"Lancelot! Can this be so? And his hurt--who gave it? Is it really
+perilous?"
+
+"Had the knight who wounded him known him, he would have been grieved
+almost to death. As for Sir Lancelot, I can tell you nothing more. On
+receiving his hurt he left the lists with his comrade, and cannot be
+found. He is somewhere concealed."
+
+"Then shall I go seek him!" cried Elaine. "Give me leave to do so, dear
+father, if you would not have me lose my mind. I shall never rest till
+I find him and my brother, and nurse him back to health."
+
+"Go, daughter, if you will," said her father, "for I am sick at heart to
+hear such tidings of that noble knight."
+
+In the morning Gawaine rejoined King Arthur, and told him of what he had
+learned.
+
+"I knew already it was Lancelot," said the king; "but never before knew
+I him to wear woman's token."
+
+"By my faith, this lily maiden of Astolat loves him deeply," said
+Gawaine. "What it means I cannot say, but she has set out to seek him,
+and will break her heart if she fail to find him."
+
+And so they rode on to London, where Gawaine made known to the court
+that it was Lancelot who wore the red sleeve and won the prize at the
+tournament.
+
+This tidings made no small trouble in the court. Bors and his kinsmen
+were heavy at heart when they learned that it was Lancelot whom they had
+so hotly assailed. And Queen Guenever was beside herself with anger on
+learning that it was Lancelot who had worn the red sleeve at the
+tournament.
+
+Meanwhile Elaine journeyed to Camelot in search of the wounded knight,
+and as she sought far and near about the town, sick at heart, it chanced
+that she espied her brother Lavaine, as he rode out to give his horse
+air. She called loudly to him, and when he came up asked him,--
+
+"How does my lord, Sir Lancelot?"
+
+"Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Lancelot?"
+
+She told him how she had learned this, and they rode together to the
+hermitage, where Lavaine brought her in to see the wounded knight.
+
+But when she saw him lying there so sick and pale, and with a death-like
+hue upon his face, she stood gazing upon him with dilated eyes and
+whitening face, and then suddenly fell to the floor in a deep swoon.
+
+"I pray you, Lavaine, take her up and bring her to me," said Lancelot.
+
+When she was brought near him he kissed her pale face, and at the touch
+of his lips her cheeks flamed out with red, and life came back to her.
+
+"Fair maiden," said Lancelot, "it pains me to see you so deeply
+afflicted. Comfort yourself, I pray you. If you come here to my aid you
+are truly welcome; but let not this little hurt trouble you; I shall
+soon be well of it."
+
+Then they fell into discourse, and Elaine told Lancelot how Gawaine had
+seen and known his shield. This gave him no small trouble, for he knew
+well that the story of the red scarf would get to Queen Guenever's ears,
+and he feared its effect on her hasty and jealous temper. But Elaine
+never left Lancelot, but watched him day and night, nursing him back to
+health.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW ELAINE DIED FOR LOVE.
+
+
+When Sir Bors learned that his unlucky blow had brought Lancelot nearly
+to death's door, he became sore indeed at heart, and hastened to Camelot
+in search of his noble kinsman. Here he met Lavaine, who knew him and
+conducted him to the bedside of the wounded knight.
+
+When he saw the pale and haggard countenance of Lancelot, he fell into a
+passion of tears, and accused himself bitterly. But Lancelot consoled
+him as well as he could, declaring that the fault was his own, and that
+he would bear the blame. Then Bors told him of the anger of the queen,
+and of his earnest but vain endeavor to overcome it.
+
+"I deserve it not," said Lancelot. "I wore the sleeve only by way of
+disguise. As for Gawaine, he would have shown more wisdom and friendship
+had he been less free of speech."
+
+"I told her all this," said Bors, "but she was past listening to reason.
+Is this maiden, who is so busy about you, she whom they call the lily of
+Astolat?"
+
+"She it is," said Lancelot. "I cannot by any means put her from me."
+
+"Why should you?" asked Bors. "She is a beautiful and tender-hearted
+damsel. Would to God, fair cousin, you could love her, for I see well,
+by her gentle and close care of you, that she loves you devoutedly."
+
+"That I am sorry for," said Lancelot.
+
+"She will not be the first that has loved you in vain," said Bors; "the
+more the pity."
+
+Many other things they talked of, and Lancelot found such comfort in the
+presence of Sir Bors that in a few days he showed great signs of
+improvement. Then Bors told him of another tournament that King Arthur
+had ordered, to be held at Camelot on All-hallowmas day, between his
+party and that of the king of North Wales.
+
+This filled Lancelot with an earnest desire to grow strong, and during
+the following month, under the kind care of his cousin, and the gentle
+ministrations of Elaine, he improved greatly in health. For Elaine
+waited upon him with loving diligence night and day, and never was child
+or wife more gentle and heedful to father or husband than this fair maid
+of Astolat to the wounded knight.
+
+At length came a day when Lancelot felt so much stronger, through the
+healing influence of a bath of herbs which the hermit had gathered in
+the woods, that he determined to try if he could wear his armor and sit
+in his saddle. He thereupon armed and had his horse brought out.
+Mounting the mettled charger, in the high spirit of new health he
+spurred it to full speed.
+
+But the courser's long rest in the stable had made it fresh and fierce,
+and on feeling the spurs it leaped forward so violently that Lancelot's
+wound burst open in the strain, and the blood gushed out again.
+
+"Bors! Lavaine! help!" he feebly cried. "I am come to my end."
+
+As he spoke he fell from his horse to the earth, and lay there like a
+corpse.
+
+The two knights hurried up, full of fearful concern, and when Elaine,
+who had heard the pitiful call, came flying to the spot, she threw
+herself on the prostrate form, weeping like one beside herself with
+grief, and kissing the insensible knight as if she hoped thus to recall
+him to life.
+
+"Traitors you are!" she cried wildly to her brother and Sir Bors. "Why
+did you let him leave his bed? I hold you guilty of his death."
+
+At this moment the hermit Baldwin appeared. When he saw Lancelot in that
+plight he grew angry at heart, though he checked the reproachful words
+that rose to his lips.
+
+"Let us have him in," he said, briefly.
+
+Lancelot was thereupon carried to the hermitage, his armor removed, and
+the bleeding stanched, but it was long before he could be brought out of
+his death-like swoon.
+
+"Why did you put your life thus in jeopardy?" asked the hermit,
+reproachfully, when the knight was again in his senses.
+
+"I was too eager to attend the tournament, now near at hand," he said.
+
+"Ah, Sir Lancelot, you have more courage than wisdom, I fear. As for the
+tournament, let Sir Bors attend it and do what he may. By the time it is
+over and he returned, I hope that you may be well once more, if you will
+but be governed by my advice."
+
+This advice was taken and Bors went to the tournament, where he bore
+himself so valorously that the prize was divided between him and
+Gawaine. Gareth and Palamides also did noble deeds, but they departed
+suddenly before the prize was declared, as if called away by some
+adventure.
+
+All this Lancelot heard with great pleasure from Bors on his return, his
+only regret being that he had not been able to take part in that
+knightly sport. But the remedies of the hermit and the care of Elaine
+had meanwhile done him wonderful service, and he was soon able again to
+mount his horse and wear his armor in safety.
+
+A day, therefore, quickly came when the knight felt himself in condition
+for a journey, and when he and his companions took the road to Astolat,
+escorting the fair Elaine back to her father's home. Here they were
+gladly received by the old baron Bernard, and his son Tirre, who had now
+recovered.
+
+But when the time approached which Lancelot had set for his departure,
+Elaine grew pale and drooping. At length, with the boldness of speech of
+that period, she came to him and said,--
+
+"My lord Sir Lancelot, clear and courteous sir, will you then depart,
+and leave me alone with my love and sorrow? Have mercy on me, I pray
+you, and suffer me not to die of grief."
+
+"What would you have me do?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"I brought you back to life; give me your love in return; make me your
+wedded wife, and I will love you as never woman loved."
+
+"That can I never do," said Lancelot, gravely. "I shall never wed."
+
+"Then shall I die for your love."
+
+"Think not of death, Elaine. If I could marry woman it would be you,
+for I could love you dearly were my heart free. For your gentleness and
+kindness thus only can I repay you. If you can set your heart upon some
+worthy knight who is free to wed you, I shall give to you and your heirs
+a thousand pounds yearly, as some small payment of the debt I owe you."
+
+"You speak idly and coldly, Sir Lancelot. Your money I will have none
+of; and as for wedding, I have but the choice to wed you or wed my
+death."
+
+"You rend my heart, fair Elaine. Would that it could be as you wish.
+Alas! that can never be."
+
+At this, with a cry of heart-pain, the distressed maiden fell swooning
+at his feet. Thence she was borne by women to her chamber, where she
+lay, lamenting like one whose heart is broken.
+
+Sir Bernard now came to Lancelot, who was preparing to depart, and
+said,--
+
+"Dear sir, it grieves me to find my daughter Elaine in such a
+distressful state. I fear she may die for your sake."
+
+"It grieves me as deeply," said Lancelot. "But what can I do? That she
+loves me so deeply I am sorry to learn, for I have done nothing to
+encourage it, as your son can testify. I know that she is a true and
+noble maiden, and will do all that I can for her as an honest knight;
+but love her as she loves me I cannot, and to wed I am forbidden. Yet
+her distress wounds me sorely."
+
+"Father," said Lavaine, "I dare avow that she is as pure and good as my
+lord Sir Lancelot has said. In loving him she does but what I do, for
+since I first saw him I could never depart from him; nor shall I leave
+him so long as he will bear my company."
+
+Then Lancelot took his leave, and he and Lavaine rode together to
+Camelot, where Arthur and the whole court received the errant knight
+with the utmost joy and warmest welcome. Queen Guenever alone failed to
+greet him kindly, her jealous anger continuing so bitter that she would
+not give him a word or a look, seek as he would.
+
+But the joy and brightness at Camelot were replaced by darkness at
+Astolat, for the fair Elaine was in such sorrow day and night that she
+neither ate, drank, nor slept; and ever she sadly moaned and bewailed
+the cruelty of Sir Lancelot.
+
+Ten days of this brought her so near her end, that her old father, with
+sad heart, sent for the priest to give her the last sacraments. But even
+then she made her plaints of Lancelot's coldness so mournfully, that the
+ghostly father bade her cease such thoughts.
+
+"Why should I?" she cried. "Am I not a woman, with a woman's heart and
+feelings? While the breath is in my body I must lament my fate; for I
+hold it no offence to love, and take God to witness that I never have
+and never can love other than Lancelot du Lake. Since it is God's will
+that I must die from unrequited love of so noble a knight, I pray for
+his mercy and forgiveness of all my sins. Never did I offend deeply
+against God's laws; but it was not in my nature to withstand the fervent
+love that is bringing me to my death."
+
+Then she sent for her father and brother, and prayed them to write a
+letter as she might dictate. This they did, writing down the mournful
+words which she spoke.
+
+"Now," she said, "this more I command you to do. When I am dead, put
+this letter in my right hand before my body grows cold. Then see that I
+be richly dressed and laid in a fair bed, and take me in a chariot to
+the river Thames. There lay my body in a barge, covered with black
+samite, and with but one man to steer the barge down the river to
+Camelot."
+
+All this they, weeping sadly, agreed to do, and soon afterwards the
+maiden died, slain by her love. Her sad old father then had all done as
+she had requested.
+
+Meanwhile, in Camelot the world moved merrily. But one morning, by
+fortune, as King Arthur and Queen Guenever stood talking at a window,
+they espied a black barge drifting slowly down the river. Wondering much
+what it meant, the king called Sir Kay and two other knights, and sent
+them to the river, bidding them to bring him speedy word of what the
+barge contained.
+
+This they did. On reaching the river-side they found that the barge had
+been turned inward, and lay beside the bank, and to their surprise they
+saw in it a rich bed, on which lay the corpse of as fair a woman as they
+had ever beheld. In the stern of the barge sat, with oar in hand, a poor
+man who seemed dumb, for no word would he speak.
+
+"That corpse must I see," said the king, when word of this event was
+brought him. "Surely this betokens something strange."
+
+He took the queen by the hand and went to the river-side with her. Here
+the barge had been made fast, and they stepped from the shore to its
+deck. There they saw the corpse of a beautiful maiden, dressed in costly
+attire, and lying in a bed which was richly covered with cloth of gold.
+And as she lay she seemed to smile.
+
+The queen now espied a letter clasped closely in her right hand, and
+showed it to the king.
+
+"That will surely tell us who she is, and why she has come hither," he
+said.
+
+He thereupon took the letter and returned with the queen to the palace.
+Here, surrounded by many knights, he broke the seal, and gave the
+epistle to a clerk to read. This was its purport,--
+
+"Most noble knight, Sir Lancelot, now hath death made us two at debate
+for your love. I was your lover, she whom men called the Fair Maid of
+Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I make my moan, and I beg you to pray
+for my soul, and at the least to bury me, and offer my mass-penny. This
+is my last request. God is my witness that I die a pure maiden. Pray for
+my soul, Sir Lancelot, as thou art peerless."
+
+When this pitiful letter had been read, all who heard it shed tears, for
+never had they heard aught so moving. Then Lancelot was sent for and the
+letter read to him.
+
+"A sorrowful thing is this," he said, in grievous tones. "Then she is
+dead, the fair Elaine, and thus, with silent lips, makes her last
+prayer. Truly it wounds me to the heart. Yet, my lord Arthur, God knows
+I had no just share in the death of this maiden, as her brother here,
+Sir Lavaine, can testify. She was fair and good, and I owed her much,
+but she loved me beyond measure, and her love I could not return."
+
+"You might have shown her," said the queen, reprovingly, "some bounty
+and gentleness, and thus have preserved her life."
+
+"Madam," said Lancelot, "naught would she have but my love, and my hand
+in marriage. I offered to endow her with a thousand pounds yearly, if
+she should love and wed any other, but to this she would not listen. As
+for me, I had no other comfort to give her, for love cannot be
+constrained, but must rise of itself from the heart."
+
+"Truly must it," said the king. "Love is free in itself, and will not be
+bound, for if bonds be placed upon it, it looseth itself perforce. As
+for this unhappy maiden, nothing is left for you but to obey her last
+pitiful request."
+
+"That shall I to the utmost of my power," said Lancelot.
+
+Then many knights and ladies went to behold the fair maiden, who had
+come thither in such moving wise. And in the morning she was richly
+interred, and with all due honor, at Lancelot's command; and he offered
+her mass-penny, as did all the knights who were there present.
+
+Then the poor dumb servitor returned again with the barge, rowing it
+slowly and sadly back to Astolat.
+
+Afterwards the queen sent for Lancelot, and begged his pardon humbly for
+her causeless anger.
+
+[Illustration: ELAINE.]
+
+"This is not the first time," said Lancelot, "that you have been
+displeased with me without cause. What you will, I must bear, and keep
+my sorrow within my heart; yet I would that your love were less tainted
+by hasty jealousy. As for forgiving you, what else can I do, my queen?
+Love cannot live without forgiveness."
+
+After these events the winter and spring passed on, with hunting and
+hawking, and jousts and tournaments, and the fate of the fair Elaine was
+wellnigh forgotten in the joy of the court. But her brother Lavaine
+gained great honor, and at a tournament that was given on Candlemas day
+did so nobly that the king promised he should be made a Knight of the
+Round Table at the next feast of Pentecost.
+
+And at this tournament Lancelot again fought in disguise, wearing a
+sleeve of gold of the queen's, and did such deeds that the prize was
+adjudged to him. Thus a second time did he wear a woman's token in the
+lists.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE CHEVALIER OF THE CART.
+
+
+The year passed on from Candlemas till after Easter, and then came the
+month of May, when every lusty heart begins to blossom and to bear
+fruit; for as herbs and trees flourish in May, so does the heart of a
+lover, since in this lusty month all lovers gain courage, calling to
+their minds old vows and deeds of gentleness, and much that was
+forgotten in the winter's chill.
+
+As winter always defaces and erases green summer, so fares it with
+unstable love in man and woman. But as May flowers and flourishes in
+many gardens, so flowers the lover's heart in the joy of her to whom he
+has promised his faith. Yet nowadays men cannot love seven days without
+their love cooling; for where love warms in haste it cools as hastily;
+thus fareth it in our days,--soon hot, soon cold. The old love was not
+so. Men and women could love together seven years in truth and
+faithfulness. Such was the way of love in King Arthur's days; but love
+nowadays I liken unto summer and winter; now hot, now cold, like the
+changing seasons. Therefore all ye who are lovers call to your
+remembrance the month of May, like as did Queen Guenever, who while she
+lived was a true lover, and therefore she had a good end.
+
+So it befell in the month of May that Queen Guenever called unto her
+certain knights of the Round Table, inviting them to ride with her in
+the early morn a-maying in the woods and fields beside Camelot.
+
+"And see that you all be well horsed," she said, "and clad in green,
+either in silk or cloth. I shall bring with me ten ladies, and every
+knight shall have a lady behind him, and bring with him a squire and two
+yeomen."
+
+And so, when morning came, the ten knights invited put on their gayest
+robes of green, and rode with the queen and her ladies, a-maying in the
+woods and fields, to their great joy and delight.
+
+Yet this pleasure party led to sad results, as we have now to tell. For
+there was a knight named Meliagrance, son of King Bagdemagus, who had a
+castle, the gift of King Arthur, within seven miles of Camelot. This
+knight loved the queen, and had done so for many years, and it had long
+been in his heart to steal her away; but he had never been able to find
+her without many knights about her, and, chief of all, Sir Lancelot.
+
+When he heard of this Maying party, and that the queen would be attended
+by only ten knights, and these in green robes, he resolved to carry out
+his base design, and therefore placed in ambush twenty men-at-arms and a
+hundred archers.
+
+So it happened that while the queen and her knights were merrily
+arraying one another in flowers and mosses, and with wreaths made of
+sprays of fresh green, this false knight rode suddenly from a wood near
+by, followed by a throng of armed men, and bade them stand, and yield up
+the queen on peril of their lives.
+
+"Traitor knight," cried Guenever, "what seek you to do? Wouldst thou, a
+king's son, and a knight of the Round Table, seek to dishonor the noble
+king who made you what you are? You shame yourself and all knighthood;
+but me you shall never shame, for I had rather cut my throat than be
+dishonored by you."
+
+"Madam, this language will avail you nothing," said Meliagrance. "I have
+loved you many a year, and now that I have you at advantage will take
+you as I find you."
+
+"You must kill us first, unarmed as we are," cried the queen's knights.
+"You have taken us at a foul disadvantage; but you shall not have the
+queen so lightly as you deem."
+
+"Fight, will you? Then fight it, if you will have it so," said
+Meliagrance.
+
+Then the ten knights drew their swords, and the others spurred upon them
+with couched spears. But so skilfully did the queen's defenders use
+their blades that the spears did them no harm.
+
+The battle then went on with swords, and the ten knights did noble
+deeds, slaying many of their assailants; yet they were so overmatched
+that they soon were all stretched upon the earth with bleeding wounds.
+
+"Sir Meliagrance," cried the queen, in deep distress, "kill not my noble
+knights, I pray you. If you do them no more harm I will go with you, if
+you will take them with me. Otherwise I will slay myself before you
+shall take me."
+
+"Madam, since you wish it, they shall be taken to my castle, whither you
+must come with me."
+
+Then at the queen's command the battle ceased, and the knights had their
+wounds dressed. But Meliagrance watched keenly that none of the company
+should escape, for greatly he feared that news of this outrage might be
+borne to Lancelot du Lake.
+
+But there was with the queen a little page who rode a swift horse, and
+to him she privily spoke.
+
+"Slip away, when you see the chance," she said, "and bear this ring to
+Lancelot du Lake. Tell him what has happened, and pray him as he loves
+me to come in haste to my rescue. Spare not your horse, and stay not for
+land or water."
+
+The page took the ring, and rode carelessly to the edge of the circle.
+Then, seeing his opportunity, he put spurs to his horse and rode away at
+full speed. When Meliagrance saw this he ordered instant pursuit, and
+the boy was hotly chased and fired at with arrows and javelins; yet the
+speed of his horse soon carried him beyond danger.
+
+"Madam," cried Meliagrance, fiercely, to the queen, "you are plotting to
+betray me. But if you have sent for Lancelot du Lake, he shall find the
+road to you a perilous one, I warrant him."
+
+And as they rode to the castle he placed an ambush of thirty archers by
+the road-side, charging them if they saw a knight come that way on a
+white horse to slay the horse. But he warned them not to assail him in
+person, as they would find him hard to overcome.
+
+This done, the party proceeded to the castle; but here the queen would
+not let her ladies and knights out of her presence, and Meliagrance
+stood in such dread of Lancelot that he dared not use force.
+
+In the mean time the page found Lancelot, and gave him the queen's ring
+and message, telling him the whole story of the treacherous assault.
+
+"I would give all France to have been there well armed," cried Lancelot.
+"The queen shall be saved, or I will die in the effort. Haste you to Sir
+Lavaine and tell him where I have gone, and bid him follow me to
+Meliagrance's castle. Tell him to come quickly, if he wishes to have a
+hand in the rescue of the queen and her knights."
+
+Lancelot was hastily arming as he spoke, and mounting, he rode with all
+speed, forcing his horse to swim the Thames in his haste. In no great
+time he reached the spot where the fight had taken place, and where he
+found the garlands the knights had worn, rent with sword-strokes and
+reddened with their blood. Then he followed the tracks of the party till
+he entered a narrow passage, bordered by a wood. Here were the archers
+stationed, and when Lancelot came by they bade him return, for that way
+was closed.
+
+"Why should I turn?" he demanded. "Whence get you the right to close the
+way?"
+
+"If you go forward it will be on foot, for we shall kill your horse."
+
+"Go forward I shall, if there were five hundred more of you," said
+Lancelot.
+
+Then a cloud of arrows whistled through the air, and the noble horse,
+struck by a dozen shafts, fell to the earth. Lancelot leaped lightly
+from the falling animal, and rushed in a rage into the wood; but there
+were so many hedges and ditches that he found it impossible to reach his
+light-armed assailants.
+
+"Shame on this Meliagrance for a dastard!" he cried in anger. "It is a
+true old saw that a good man is never in danger but from a coward."
+
+The angry knight, finding that his assailants were beyond his reach, set
+out on foot for Meliagrance's castle, but found himself so encumbered
+with his armor, shield, and spear, that his progress was but slow. Yet
+he dared not leave any of his arms, for fear of giving his foe an
+advantage.
+
+At length, by good fortune, there appeared on the road a cart, that was
+used for hauling wood.
+
+"Tell me, friend carter," said Lancelot, when the vehicle came near,
+"what shall I give you for a ride in your cart to a castle that lies a
+few miles away?"
+
+"You can give me nothing," said the carter. "I am sent to bring wood for
+my lord, Sir Meliagrance, and it is not my fashion to work for two at
+once."
+
+"It is Sir Meliagrance I seek."
+
+"Then go on foot," said the carter, surlily. "My cart is for other
+work."
+
+Incensed at this, Lancelot dealt the fellow a blow with his mailed fist
+that stretched him senseless on the ground. Then he turned to the
+carter's comrade.
+
+"Strike me not, fair sir," pleaded this fellow. "I will bring you where
+you wish."
+
+"Then drive me and this cart to the gate of Meliagrance's castle."
+
+"Leap into the cart, and you shall be there before the day grows old."
+
+This Lancelot did, and the carter lashed his horse forward with all
+speed, for he was in mortal fear of the knight's hard fist.
+
+An hour and a half afterwards, as Guenever and her ladies stood in a
+window of the castle, they saw a cart approaching, in which stood
+upright an armed knight, resting on his spear. Even at that distance
+they knew him by his shield to be Lancelot du Lake.
+
+"A noble and trusty friend he is, indeed, to come in such a fashion,"
+said the queen. "Hard bested he must have been, to be forced to ride
+hither in a woodman's cart."
+
+As they looked, the cart came to the castle gates, and Lancelot sprang
+from it to the ground, his heart full of rage and passion.
+
+"Where art thou, traitor?" he cried, in a voice that rang throughout the
+castle. "Come forth, thou disgrace to the Round Table fellowship! Come,
+with all your men; for here am I, Lancelot du Lake, who will fight you
+all single-handed on this question."
+
+As he spoke he thrust the gates open with such force that the porter,
+who sought to hold them shut, was hurled like a dead man to the earth.
+
+When Meliagrance in the castle heard this loud defiance his cowardly
+soul sank within him, for well he knew from whom it came, and he ran in
+haste to the queen and fell on his knees before her, begging her to
+forgive him and to cool the wrath of Lancelot. So pitifully did he
+implore, that in the end Guenever was moved to compassion, and went with
+her ladies to the castle court, where Lancelot stood furiously bidding
+the traitor knight to come down and do battle.
+
+"Why are you so moved, Lancelot?" asked the queen.
+
+"Why should I not be?" he cried, in a rage. "The hound has killed my
+horse and stolen my queen. Is this the thing to bear like a lamb?"
+
+"He sorely repents his fault, and has moved me to forgive him," said the
+queen. "Come in, then, peaceably, I beg you, for I have passed my word."
+
+"You accord easily with this dog of a kidnapper," said Lancelot,
+sourly. "Had I looked for this I might have spared my haste and saved my
+horse."
+
+"It is not through love or favor I have forgiven him," said the queen,
+"but to check the voice of scandal."
+
+"I am no fonder of scandal than yourself," said Lancelot. "Yet if I had
+my will I would make this fellow's heart full cold before I left this
+castle."
+
+"I know that well, but beg that you will be ruled by me in this affair."
+
+"Let it be so, if you have passed your word. But you are too soft of
+heart Queen Guenever."
+
+Then she took his hand, for he had taken off his gauntlet, and led him
+into the castle, and to the chamber in which lay the ten wounded
+knights, whose hearts warmed at his coming. From them he learned in full
+what had occurred, a story which stirred his blood again into such a
+flame, that only the soft hand of the queen hindered him from seeking
+Meliagrance through the castle to slay him.
+
+As they stood talking, Sir Lavaine rode furiously in at the gate,
+crying,--
+
+"Where is my lord, Sir Lancelot du Lake?"
+
+"Here I am," cried Lancelot from a window. "All is well, Lavaine."
+
+"I found your horse slain with arrows, and judged you were hard pushed."
+
+"As for that, Lavaine, soft words have turned hard blows. Come in. We
+shall right this matter at another time, when we best may."
+
+For many a day thereafter, as the French book says, Lancelot was called
+the Chevalier of the Cart, and many an adventure he had under that
+homely name.
+
+All went peacefully that night at the castle, but the next morning there
+was new trouble. For one of the castle maidens brought word to
+Meliagrance that she had found what seemed to be the print of a bloody
+hand on the coverings of the queen's bed. Thither he hurried, full of
+jealous anger, and found what appeared, indeed, to be the crimson print
+of a man's hand. On seeing this he made a loud outcry, declaring that it
+was the blood of one of the wounded knights, and fiercely accused
+Guenever of having been false to her lord King Arthur.
+
+When word of this accusation came to the wounded knights they were
+filled with indignation, and cried that they would meet Meliagrance or
+any man in the lists in defence of the queen's honor.
+
+"Ye speak proudly," said Meliagrance. "Yet look here, and see if I have
+not warrant for what I say."
+
+When he showed them the red witness of his words they were abashed, and
+knew not what to answer.
+
+All this was told to Lancelot, and he came in haste and anger to the
+queen's chamber.
+
+"What is this?" he demanded.
+
+"It is that the queen has proved false to her lord and husband, and this
+I stand ready to prove with my body," said Meliagrance.
+
+"Beware what you say, sir knight," cried Lancelot, "or you will find
+your challenge taken."
+
+"My lord Lancelot," answered Meliagrance, "good knight as you are, take
+heed how you do battle in a wrong quarrel, for God will have a hand in
+such a cause."
+
+"This I say," answered Lancelot, hotly, "that you accuse the queen
+wrongly, and these noble knights as falsely. This is the work of treason
+or magic."
+
+"Hold," said Meliagrance; "here is my glove, in proof that she is
+traitress to the king, and that one of these wounded knights is her
+leman."
+
+"I accept your challenge," said Lancelot, "and will fight you to the
+death in this cause. When shall we do battle?"
+
+"Let it be in eight days from this," said Meliagrance, "in the field
+beside Camelot."
+
+"I am agreed," said Lancelot.
+
+"Then let us go to dinner," said Meliagrance, "and afterwards you and
+the queen and her knights may ride to Camelot."
+
+Yet fairly as he spoke his heart was full of treachery, and before going
+to the table he asked Lancelot if he would care to see the rooms and
+passages of the castle.
+
+"If you wish to show them," said Lancelot.
+
+Then they went from chamber to chamber, Lancelot having no fear of peril
+or thought of treason. But as they traversed a long and dark passage the
+false-hearted host trod on a spring, and down fell a trap-door, giving
+Lancelot a fall of more than ten fathoms into a dark cell, whose floor
+was covered deeply with straw. This done, Meliagrance hastened away,
+after replacing the trap, and ordered one of his men to remove Lavaine's
+horse from the stable.
+
+When the knights came to dinner all were surprised that Lancelot was not
+present.
+
+"Is this one of his old tricks?" asked the queen. "He has a fashion of
+thus departing suddenly, without warning."
+
+"But not on foot," said Lavaine, and left the room.
+
+When he returned, it was to say that his horse had vanished from the
+stable, and that doubtless Lancelot had taken it and ridden off. So they
+sat quietly at dinner, and afterwards set out for the court, the wounded
+knights being carried under care of Lavaine, in easily litters.
+
+When the court was reached, and Arthur was told of what had occurred, he
+was full of wrath.
+
+"So this traitor Meliagrance chooses first to kidnap my queen, and then
+to accuse her of treason?" he cried. "By my crown, I would deal with him
+in another fashion only that Lancelot has taken the challenge. I fancy
+the fellow will have his hands full, without my care. But where is
+Lancelot?"
+
+"That we know not," said the knights. "It is like him to go off in this
+hasty way. He took Sir Lavaine's horse, and left us without a word of
+parting."
+
+"Let him he," said the king. "He will come in good time,--unless he be
+trapped by some treachery."
+
+Little dreamed they of Lancelot's true situation at that moment. He had
+been sorely bruised by his fall, and lay in great pain in the cave,
+visited only by a lady, who came to him daily with food. Yet it
+happened, as had occurred so often to Lancelot, that the lady fell in
+love with his handsome face. Meliagrance had made a foolish choice in
+sending a woman with a soft heart to his prisoner, and was likely to pay
+dearly for his folly. Yet days passed on, and Lancelot continued deaf to
+her sighs and blind to her languishing looks.
+
+"Sir Lancelot," she at length said, "do you not know that your lady,
+Queen Guenever, will be burnt at the stake unless you be there at the
+day of battle?"
+
+"God forbid that such a disaster should come to pass!" cried Lancelot.
+"Yet if I should not be there, all men of worship will know that I am
+dead, sick, or in prison, for men know me well enough to know that
+nothing less would keep me away. Therefore, some knight of my blood or
+of my fellowship will take up this battle, and fight bravely in the
+queen's cause."
+
+"I shall set you free, Sir Lancelot, to fight your own battle, if you
+will but give me your love; for truly I love you with my whole heart."
+
+"I am sorry that I cannot return it," said Lancelot. "But I cannot lie
+to you in such a cause, even for life or honor."
+
+"Take heed what you say, Sir Lancelot. Shame will be your lot if any but
+you fight this battle."
+
+"As for the world's shame, may Christ defend me. As for my distress of
+heart, it is welcome, if God sends it."
+
+The lady went away full of sorrowful thoughts. But on the morning of the
+day fixed for the battle she came to him again, and said, gently,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, I deem you hard-hearted and cruel; yet I love you too
+truly to see you disgraced. If you will solace my heart-pain with but
+one kiss, I will set you free, and deliver to you your armor, and the
+best horse in the castle stables."
+
+"Surely there is no dishonor in a kiss; and well will you earn it by
+such service," said Lancelot. "You offer me new life, fair lady."
+
+Then he kissed her; and with a face half glad, half gloomy, she led him
+from the prison by a secret passage to the chamber where his armor had
+been left. And when he was armed she conducted him privily to a stable
+where stood twelve good horses, and bade him make his choice.
+
+Lancelot chose a white courser, whose size and spirit pleased him most,
+and this he deftly saddled and bridled. Then, with spear in hand and
+sword by side, he commended the lady to God, saying,--
+
+"Lady, for this good deed I shall do you ample service if ever it be in
+my power. If not, may God reward you."
+
+This said, he rode with proud mien from the castle, and galloped at
+headlong speed away, while she, with sad eyes and sighing lips, stood
+looking with loving regard on his departing form.
+
+Sadly was his coming needed, for imminent was the peril of the queen. At
+the place fixed for the combat knights and lords had early gathered, and
+Meliagrance, feeling sure that Lancelot could not appear to do battle,
+put on a haughty mien, and loudly demanded justice, or the combat. Yet
+the hour appointed came and passed, and the queen's champion had not
+appeared; while the king and all the court grew full of pain and dread
+as the fatal moments went by. The laws were strict, and could not be set
+aside for queen or commoner. Guenever must perish at the stake, or be
+saved by a champion's sword and spear. Therefore, as the minutes slowly
+grew into hours, and nothing of Lancelot was seen, while Meliagrance
+more loudly demanded justice or a champion, all hearts sank deep in
+despair.
+
+"My lord the king," cried Lavaine, at length, "some sad misfortune has
+happened to Sir Lancelot. Never did he fail to appear to do battle
+unless he were sick or in prison. I beseech you, therefore, give me
+leave this day to do battle for him, and to strike a knightly blow for
+my lady the queen."
+
+"Thanks, gentle knight," said the king. "I dare avow that the charge
+which Meliagrance lays upon the queen is a false one, for of these ten
+wounded knights who were present, there is not one but would gladly do
+battle to prove its falsity were he able to wear armor."
+
+"That shall I do in the service of my lord Lancelot," said Lavaine, "if
+you will give me leave."
+
+"Full leave you have," answered the king. "I pray you do your best; for
+it seems sure that some treachery has been done to the noble Lancelot."
+
+Lavaine now armed in all haste, and, mounting his war-courser, rode into
+the lists, where he faced Meliagrance, challenging him to do battle to
+the death.
+
+"Lesses les aller!" cried the heralds.
+
+The two champions couched their spears, clutched their bridles, and were
+about to plunge the spurs into their horses' flanks, when the sound of
+hoofs was heard without, and an armed knight came galloping at furious
+speed into the lists.
+
+"Ho! and abide!" cried King Arthur.
+
+"Raise your spears, sir knights, this quarrel is mine," said the
+new-comer. "You have my thanks, Lavaine, but only I must fight in this
+cause."
+
+Then he rode to the king, lifted his visor, and showed the noble face of
+Lancelot, now hot with indignation.
+
+"I am here to fight this villain and traitor," he called, loudly. "My
+lord the king, I have lain these eight days in a prison cell, into which
+the base hound entrapped me. By fortune I escaped, and here I am, ready
+to pay him in fitting coin for his foul treachery."
+
+"The dog! has he done this thing?" cried the king, in anger. "Then, by
+my crown, whether he win or not Guenever shall not suffer from the
+charge which he has dared bring. But God's justice will not let him
+win."
+
+That Meliagrance quaked at heart on seeing this seeming apparition from
+the grave need not be said. But he had dared the hazard of the die, and
+sat his horse in grim silence while his foul treachery was thus made
+known to the court. Lancelot now rode to his place in the lists, and
+faced his adversary.
+
+"Lesses les aller!" cried the heralds again.
+
+Then, spear in rest, the warriors spurred their horses, and met with a
+shock like thunder in the centre of the field. Lancelot kept his saddle,
+but Meliagrance was hurled over his horse's croup. Seeing this, Lancelot
+lightly sprang from his saddle, drew his sword, and advanced upon his
+foe, who was on his feet ready to meet him.
+
+Hot and fierce was the combat that succeeded, many great strokes being
+given and returned; but at length Lancelot struck so fierce a blow that
+Meliagrance was felled to the ground. Then the dastard cried aloud in an
+agony of fear,--
+
+"Noble knight, noble Sir Lancelot, spare my life, I humbly pray you! I
+yield me as overcome and recreant and beseech you, as a Knight and
+Fellow of the Round Table, not to slay me helpless. Alive or dead, I put
+myself in your hands and the king's."
+
+Lancelot stood looking grimly down upon him, at a loss what to do. To
+slay him was the wish of his heart; yet it looked like murder to kill a
+praying wretch. In his doubt he turned towards the queen, and she nodded
+her head as if to bid him kill the villain.
+
+"Rise, sir hound," cried Lancelot. "You shall fight this battle to the
+utterance."
+
+"I will never rise," said Meliagrance, "till you grant me mercy as a
+yielding and recreant knight."
+
+"Coward!" cried Lancelot. "If you fear to fight me as I am, I will give
+you odds in the combat. I will take off my armor from my head and the
+left side of my body, and let them bind my left hand behind me, and
+fight you with my right hand alone."
+
+At this perilous offer Meliagrance started hastily to his feet, and
+loudly cried,--
+
+"My lord Arthur, you have heard this offer! I accept it. Let him be
+disarmed and bound as he says."
+
+"You do not mean to keep this foolish promise, Lancelot?" demanded the
+king.
+
+"That do I," said Lancelot. "I shall not go back on my word, be it wise
+or foolish."
+
+"Then so let it be; but you invite death by such a reckless compact."
+
+The attendant knights thereupon removed Lancelot's helmet, and took from
+him his shield and the armor from his left side. They then bound his
+left arm behind him, and thus arrayed he was placed before his
+antagonist, whose heart burned with hope and with murderous designs.
+
+All those who looked on were full of fear for Lancelot, deeming it the
+height of folly that he should take such a frightful risk, while many
+ladies closed their eyes, in dread to see him slain.
+
+With the inspiration of hope, Meliagrance came up, bearing his sword
+uplifted, while Lancelot stood with his head and side fully open to his
+stroke. Down came the blade with a deadly sweep that caused many men to
+close their eyes, sure that the knights head would be cleft in twain.
+
+But Lancelot had no such thought. With a light swing to the right he
+avoided the stroke, which cut idly through the air; then, stepping
+forward to give effect to the blow, he swung his own blade upward with
+giant strength, and brought it down on Meliagrance's helmet with such
+mighty force that the hard steel and the head it covered were shorn in
+twain, and the traitor knight fell dead upon the field.
+
+Wild were the shouts of joy and triumph at this unlooked-for end to the
+combat. The king sprang from his seat and rushed into the lists, where
+he warmly clasped Lancelot in his arms; while Guenever, in joy at her
+deliverance, kissed him on both cheeks; and all the knights crowded
+around them with glad cries and warm congratulations.
+
+As for Meliagrance, he was given the burial of a recreant and traitor,
+the cause of his death being inscribed on his tomb, that all might read
+his dishonor.
+
+But for Sir Lancelot, the king and queen made more of him, and felt more
+love for him in their hearts, than ever before.
+
+After this time many events of interest took place of which we have
+little space to speak. Among them, Lancelot healed the wounds of a
+knight of Hungary, named Sir Urre, who had been held in pain, through
+sorcery, for seven years, till his wounds should be touched by the best
+knight in the world. This knight had a lovely sister, named Felelolie,
+whom Lavaine married, whereupon King Arthur made him a Knight of the
+Round Table, and gave him a barony of land.
+
+As for Lancelot, he gained great fame as the Chevalier of the Cart. For
+as many lords and ladies made sport of him as the knight who had ridden
+in a cart, like one sentenced to the gallows, for a whole twelvemonth he
+never mounted horse, but rode only in a cart, during which time he had
+many adventures and fought forty battles, in all of which he came off
+victor.
+
+And so the days grew into years, and all went happily at Arthur's court,
+though each passing day brought the coming time of woe and disaster
+nearer to hand.
+
+
+
+
+                              BOOK XI.
+
+                        THE HAND OF DESTINY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE TRAPPING OF THE LION.
+
+
+In May, when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth,--for as
+winter, with its rough winds and blasts, causes man and woman to cover
+and sit fast by the fire, this fresh and joyous season brings them forth
+to gladden in the coming of the flowery summer,--in this rare month of
+May, when only merry thoughts and gentle deeds should be known, there
+began a great and unhappy season of wrath, which ended not till the
+flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed. And this all came
+about through the hate and jealousy of two unhappy knights, Sir
+Agravaine and Sir Mordred, brothers unto Sir Gawaine.
+
+For much in their secret souls they hated the queen and Lancelot, and
+they fell to watching this good knight daily and nightly, with the hope
+of bringing him in some way to shame.
+
+Failing in this base endeavor, they no longer concealed their enmity,
+but began to talk openly of the love of Lancelot for the queen, and to
+hint that shameful relations existed between them. The report of this
+slanderous talk coming to Gawaine's ears, he reproved them sharply for
+indulging in such base and unworthy scandal, in which he was joined by
+his brothers Gareth and Gaheris.
+
+"You forget what Lancelot has done for you," said Gawaine. "Who but he
+rescued you both when held in prison by Sir Turquine? And many other
+things he has done in your favor. Methinks such kind deeds merit better
+return than this."
+
+"Think as you will," said Agravaine, "I have my opinions and shall hide
+them no longer."
+
+As they thus debated King Arthur approached.
+
+"Now, brothers, stint your noise," said Gawaine.
+
+"That will we not," they replied.
+
+"Then the devil speed the pair of you, if you are bent on mischief! I
+will listen to no more of your slanderous talk."
+
+"Nor will we," said Gareth and Gaheris. "We owe too much to Lancelot to
+listen to the false tales of evil tongues."
+
+With this they turned and walked away in anger and grief, as Arthur came
+up.
+
+"What is this?" asked the king. "Is there bad blood between you
+brethren?"
+
+"They do not care to hear the truth," said Agravaine, "but to my fancy
+it has been kept too long from your knowledge. We are your sister's
+sons, King Arthur, and it is our duty to be honest and open with you."
+
+"What would you say?" asked the king.
+
+"Simply what we and all your court know well, that there are such doings
+between Lancelot and your queen as are a disgrace to this realm of
+England. He is a traitor to your person and your honor, and this we
+stand ready to prove."
+
+"This is a perilous charge you make," said Arthur, deeply moved. "Nor am
+I ready to believe such a tale on your mere word. You have gone far,
+gentlemen; too far, I deem, without abundant proof."
+
+"My lord," said Mordred, "we speak not without due warrant, and proof
+you shall have. What we advise is, that you ride out to the hunt
+to-morrow. Lancelot, you will find, will have some excuse to hold back.
+Then, when night draws near, send word to the queen that you will lie
+out all that night. Let this be done, and we promise you we shall take
+him with the queen. If we do it will go hard with Lancelot; for we shall
+not lightly see our king brought to shame."
+
+"Be it so," said the king, after deep thought, for he was little
+inclined to believe ill of Lancelot. "I will do as you say. Understand,
+sir knights, I have heard all this before; yet I believe it not, and I
+consent to your scheme only to put an end to the vile voice of scandal."
+
+On the next morning, as agreed upon, Arthur rode to the hunt; but
+Lancelot excused himself, as his enemies had predicted, on the plea that
+he was in no mood for the chase. When night came near a messenger from
+the king brought word to Guenever that the hunting party had been drawn
+far away, and would not return that night.
+
+Meanwhile Mordred and Agravaine selected twelve knights, all of them
+enemies of Lancelot, to whom they told their purpose, and set them on
+guard in the castle of Carlisle, where the court then was. Of Lancelot's
+friends few were in the court, for nearly all had gone with the king to
+the hunt.
+
+When night came, Lancelot told Bors, who dwelt with him, that he had a
+fancy to go and speak with the queen.
+
+"Do not go to-night, I pray you," said Bors.
+
+"Why not to-night?"
+
+"I fear some plot of that rogue, Agravaine, who has it in his heart to
+work you ill. I have heard a whisper, and fear that the king's absence
+to-night is part of a plot, and that an ambush is laid to do you harm."
+
+"Have no dread of that," said Lancelot. "I wish only some minutes'
+conversation with the queen, and will quickly return again."
+
+"I should rather you would not go. I am in doubt that some evil may come
+of it."
+
+"Why say you this nephew? Do you deem that I am a coward, or that the
+queen is my mistress, as the evil-tongued say? I go because she has sent
+for me, desiring to see me. Am I the man to deny her request because
+there are foul-mouthed slanderers abroad?"
+
+"Go, then, since I see you will. God speed you, and send you back safe
+and sound."
+
+Lancelot thereupon wrapped himself in his mantle, and taking his sword
+under his arm made his way to the castle, which was some distance from
+his residence. Here he sought and entered the queen's chamber, where she
+awaited him with her ladies.
+
+But no sooner had he done so, and scarcely had he spoken a word to his
+royal lady, than Mordred, Agravaine, and their followers burst in tumult
+from the chamber in which they had been concealed, and loudly
+exclaimed,--
+
+"Traitor knight! Lancelot du Lake, false and caitiff wretch, now art
+thou taken in thy treason!"
+
+So loud they cried that their voices rang throughout the court, and they
+crowded round the door of the queen's chamber, bent on taking Lancelot
+unarmed, and slaying him at the feet of Guenever. Fortunately the door
+was of solid oak, and a damsel of the queen had hastily shot the bolts.
+
+"Alas!" cried the queen, "what vile plot is this? Mischief is around us,
+Lancelot!"
+
+"Is there any armor in your chamber?" asked Lancelot. "If so, give it to
+me, and I will face this malicious crew."
+
+"There is none," said the queen. "I see no hope, and fear our love has
+come to a fatal end. There seems to be a host of armed knights without.
+They will kill you, Lancelot, and death will come to me through their
+vile charge of unchastity."
+
+"Why did I not even wear as much of my armor as I fought Meliagrance
+with!" cried Lancelot, in distress. "If I had but listened to Sir Bors!
+Never was I caught in such a trap before."
+
+As they spoke the tumult without increased, and Mordred and Agravaine
+cried together,--
+
+"Come out, thou traitor knight! Think not to escape, for we have you
+like a rat in a trap. Come out and meet your just deserts."
+
+"Shall I bear this?" cried Lancelot, flaming into anger. "The dogs! a
+dozen of them in armor against one man in his mantle! I would rather
+meet death at once than stand and hear their reviling tongues."
+
+Then he took the queen in his arms and kissed her, saying,--
+
+"Most noble Christian queen, I beseech you, as you have ever been my
+special good lady, and I your poor knight, and as I never failed you in
+right or wrong since the day that King Arthur made me knight, that you
+will pray for my soul if I be here slain. For you may be sure that Sir
+Bors and my other kindred, with Lavaine and others of my friends, will
+rescue you from harm, and I beg you to go with them and live like a
+queen on my lands."
+
+"That will I not, Lancelot," said the queen. "If you are slain for me,
+then death may come when it will, for I shall not live long to mourn
+you."
+
+"Then, since my last hour seems to have come, and our love and life must
+cease together, so let it be; but some of those barking curs shall go
+with me to the shades. I am heavier at heart for you than for myself.
+Ah, that I had but a knight's armor!"
+
+"I would that God would be content with my death, and suffer you to
+escape," said the queen.
+
+"That shall never be," said Lancelot. "God defend me from such a shame.
+And now may the Lord Jesus be my shield and my armor."
+
+This said, he wrapped his mantle around his arm, and approached the
+door. As he did so the strong oaken portal trembled under their blows,
+for they had got a great form out of the hall, and were using it as a
+battering-ram.
+
+"Save your trouble, you crew of mischief," said Lancelot. "Think you
+that Lancelot du Lake needs to be come at like a rabbit in its hutch? I
+fear you not, and dread not to face an army of such hounds."
+
+"Come out, then, or let us into that chamber. It avails you nothing to
+strive against us all; but we will promise to spare your life till we
+have brought you to King Arthur."
+
+"Will you?" said Lancelot, "or do you think to slay me where I stand? I
+trust you not, liars."
+
+Then he unbarred the door and with his left hand held it open a little,
+so that but one man could enter at a time. As he did so, Colgrevance of
+Gore, who stood nearest, pressed forcibly through the opening, and
+struck a spiteful blow at Lancelot with his sword. This Lancelot
+parried, and returned so fierce a stroke with his own good blade, that
+he cut through the helmet and skull of the knight, and stretched him
+dead upon the floor.
+
+Then, with all his great strength, he dragged the bleeding corpse within
+the chamber, closed the door against the pressure of all who bore upon
+it, and replaced the bars. "So much for this daring fool," he cried.
+"Thank heaven, I have an armor now! I shall not be quite a sheep at the
+shambles."
+
+As he spoke he was hastily stripping the armor from the body of the dead
+knight. This done, he quickly arrayed himself in it, with the aid of the
+queen and her ladies.
+
+Meanwhile the assault on the door continued, and Mordred and Agravaine
+kept up their cry,--
+
+"Traitor knight! come out of the queen's chamber!"
+
+"Hold your peace," cried Lancelot. "You shall not prison me here, I
+promise you that, and if you take my counsel, you will depart. I am
+ready to agree on my knighthood to appear to-morrow before the king, and
+answer there that I came not to the queen with any evil purpose; and
+this I stand ready to prove by word or deed."
+
+"Out on you, traitor!" cried Mordred. "Have you, we will, and slay you
+if we wish, for the king has given us the choice to save you or slay
+you."
+
+"Is that your last word, sirrahs? Then keep yourselves, for I am not of
+the breed that die easily."
+
+As he spoke, he flung down the bars and threw the door wide open. Then
+he strode proudly and mightily among them, sword in hand and clad in
+full armor, and at the first blow from his mighty hand stretched
+Agravaine dead upon the floor. Like a maddened lion that charges upon a
+herd of sheep, he now rushed upon them, striking fiercely to right and
+left, and felling men with every blow, till in a little while twelve
+more of his assailants lay cold in death, for there was not a man of
+them all could stand one blow from his powerful arm.
+
+Of the whole party only Mordred remained alive, and he fled wounded with
+craven haste. Then Lancelot, leaning on his blood-dripping sword, turned
+to the queen, who stood looking at his deeds of might, with white lips
+and starting eyes.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+SIR LANCELOT IN THE QUEEN'S CHAMBER.]
+
+"All is at an end now," he said. "Henceforth King Arthur is my foe, and
+I am like a wolf at bay. Yet I fear your enemies will work you fatal
+harm, and would have you go with me, and let me be your
+knight-protector."
+
+"That I dread to do," said the queen, "for vile slander would follow my
+footsteps. I had better face my foes. If they devise to put me to death,
+then you may come to my rescue, and no one then can blame me for going
+with you."
+
+"That shall I do," said Lancelot. "And I promise to make such havoc
+among all men who mean you harm as I have done among those who lie
+here."
+
+Then he kissed her, and each gave the other a ring; and so he left the
+queen and went to his lodgings.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE RESCUE OF THE QUEEN.
+
+
+Little sleep came that night to Lancelot and his friends. For when he
+came again to Bors, he had found him, with others of his kindred, armed
+and ready to come to his rescue. They listened with concern and
+indignation to Lancelot's story of how he had been entrapped, and heard
+with knightly joy the story of his bold discomfiture of his foes.
+
+But it was evident to them all that the event was one of the greatest
+moment; that enmity would exist between Lancelot and the king, and that
+Guenever might be adjudged to the stake on the charge of infidelity to
+her lord.
+
+Therefore Bors took it upon himself to gather in Lancelot's defence all
+his kindred and friends; and by seven o'clock of the next morning he had
+gained the word of twenty-two Knights of the Round Table. To these were
+added knights of North Wales and Cornwall, who joined Lancelot for
+Lamorak's and Tristram's sake, to the number of fourscore.
+
+To these Lancelot told all that had occurred, and expressed his fear of
+Arthur's hostility.
+
+"I am sure of mortal war," he said, "for these knights claimed to have
+been sent and ordained by King Arthur to betray me, and I fear the king
+may, in his heat and malice, condemn the queen to the fire. Trust me,
+that I will not suffer her to be burnt for my sake. She is and has been
+ever a true lady to her lord, and while I live she shall not become a
+victim to the malice of her enemies."
+
+The assembled knights agreed with him in this decision, and promised
+their utmost aid in his purpose of rescue.
+
+"Rescue her I shall, whoever may be hurt; and I trust to heaven that no
+friend of mine will aid the king to her injury. But if I rescue her,
+where shall I keep her?"
+
+"Did not the noble Sir Tristram, with your good will, keep La Belle
+Isolde three years in Joyous Gard, against the malice of King Mark?"
+said Bors. "That place is your own; and there, if the king adjudge the
+queen to the stake, you may keep her till his heat shall cool. Then you
+may bring her home with worship, and gain Arthur's thanks."
+
+"That may not work so well as you fancy," said Lancelot. "You remember
+what a return Tristram got from King Mark."
+
+"That is another story," replied Bors. "You know well that Arthur and
+Mark are men of different mould. Mark could smile and play the traitor;
+but no man living can say that King Arthur was ever untrue to his word."
+
+Their conference over, by the advice of Lancelot the knights put
+themselves in ambush in a wood as near Carlisle as they could secretly
+approach. And there they remained on guard, waiting to learn what the
+king might do.
+
+Meantime Mordred, though wounded by Lancelot's sword, had managed to
+mount his horse, and rode in all haste to tell the king of the bloody
+end of the ambush. On hearing the story, Arthur's mind was divided
+between anger and pain.
+
+"It grieves me sorely that Lancelot should be against me," he said; "and
+much I fear that the glorious fellowship of the Round Table is broken,
+for many of our noblest knights will hold with him. But dishonor must
+not rest upon England's crown. The queen has played me false, and shall
+suffer death for her treason to her wifely duty."
+
+For the law was such in those days, that all, of whatever estate or
+degree, found guilty of treason, should suffer death. And so it was
+ordained in Queen Guenever's case--since thirteen knights had been
+slain, and one escaped sore wounded, in defending the king's honor--that
+she should be taken to the stake, and there be burnt to death as a
+traitress.
+
+"My lord Arthur," said Gawaine, "let me counsel you not to be over
+hasty in this severe judgment, for as I take it the guilt of the queen
+is not proved. That Lancelot was found in the queen's chamber I admit;
+but he might have come there with no evil purpose. You know how he has
+been for years her chosen knight, and how much he has done for her. She
+may have sent for him privily, to avoid scandal, for conference on some
+innocent subject. What we do for the best often turns to the worst, and
+I dare affirm that my lady the queen is, and has always been, faithful
+and true to her lord. As for Lancelot, I doubt me not he will make good
+what I have said with word and body, against any and all that question
+or oppose."
+
+"That I believe," said the king. "I know Lancelot's way. But his
+boldness does not prove the queen's innocence. For her he shall never
+fight again, for she shall suffer the penalty of the law. And if I can
+lay my hands on him, he shall die the shameful death he richly merits."
+
+"Then may Christ save me from ever seeing it," said Gawaine.
+
+"Why say you this?" demanded the king, angrily. "You have no cause to
+love him. Last night he killed your brother Agravaine, and here is
+Mordred sorely wounded. He also slew two of your sons, Sir Florence and
+Sir Lovel."
+
+"I know all that. But I gave them warning beforehand of what would
+happen if they meddled in this affair. They brought this fate on
+themselves. As for Agravaine, he stirred up this scandalous business,
+and has got his deserts."
+
+"Say no more," cried the king, in hot indignation. "I am resolved. The
+honor of Arthur's wife must be above suspicion. She has fallen from
+chastity and shall die the death. As for you, Gawaine, I bid you arm in
+your best armor, with your brethren Gareth and Gaheris, and bring her to
+the fire, that she may there hear her judgment, and receive the death
+she merits."
+
+"No, my most noble lord, that shall I never do," said Gawaine. "No man
+shall say that I had aught to do with the death of this worthy lady, or
+gave my word in favor of her death."
+
+"Then bid your brothers, Gareth and Gaheris, attend."
+
+"They are young, and may not withstand your will; but they shall not be
+there by my counsel," said Gawaine, stoutly.
+
+"We must attend, if you command us," said Gareth and Gaheris to the
+king. "But it will be sorely against our wills. If come we must, it
+shall be in peaceful guise, and without warlike array."
+
+"Come as you will," said the king. "This I say, she shall have judgment
+this day."
+
+"Alas! that I have ever lived to see this woful day!" said Gawaine,
+sadly, and as he turned away the tears ran hotly from his eyes.
+
+But the king was bitterly set in his deadly purpose, and no sooner had
+he reached Carlisle than he gave command that the queen should at once
+be led to the place of execution, there to be burned as a traitress.
+
+When this fatal decision was known in the castle there was weeping and
+wailing and wringing of hands from many lords and ladies, while of the
+knights there present, few would consent to wear armor to compass the
+queen's death.
+
+But Arthur's commands none dared question, and the unhappy lady was
+shriven by her ghostly father, and bound to the fatal stake. In a circle
+around her stood a guard of armed knights, while others were present
+without armor. But the king was not there; nor would Gawaine show
+himself at that shameful scene.
+
+Then fire was set to the fagots that surrounded the stake. But as the
+flames began to curl upwards there came a shrill bugle-blast from a
+neighboring wood, and of a sudden Lancelot and his knights broke from
+their ambush, and rode upon those about the fire, striking right and
+left at all who bore arms and withstood them.
+
+Down went the guard of knights before this fierce onset, till full
+twenty of them lay dead on the field. But by sad fortune, as Lancelot,
+in his warlike fury pressed hither and thither, cutting and slashing
+with the hot rage of the berserker, he by mishap struck the two unarmed
+knights, Gareth and Gaheris, and stretched them dead upon the field.
+
+This was in the thick of the fray, and he knew not what he had done, for
+rather would he have slain himself than harmed these, his faithful
+friends. A few minutes sufficed to kill or disperse all the guard. Then
+Lancelot sprang from his horse, scattered the blazing fagots with his
+foot, and with a blow of his sword severed the bonds that fastened
+Guenever to the stake.
+
+The unhappy lady fell, weeping, into his arms, thanking him in broken
+accents. With all due haste he mounted her on a horse that had been
+provided, and rode off with her and his following of gallant knights to
+Joyous Gard, strong of heart and stout of frame, and resolved to fight
+for her to the death, for more than ever he felt himself her chosen
+knight.
+
+And when word went through the country round that Arthur and Lancelot
+were at odds, many a good knight rode in all haste to his castle, bent
+on taking his side in the coming war.
+
+But when the news was brought to Arthur of how Lancelot had rescued the
+queen, and slain many of his knights, and in particular Gareth and
+Gaheris, his anger turned to such bitter sorrow and regret that he
+swooned from pure grief. And when he came to his senses again he deeply
+moaned, and reproached himself for the evil that had befallen.
+
+"Alas! that I ever wore the crown!" he bewailed. "Within these two days
+I have lost forty knights, and, above all, the noble fellowship of
+Lancelot and his kindred, and all because I listened to the tongue of
+foul detraction. Alas! that ever this fatal thing began! Fair friends,
+see that none of you tell Gawaine of what has happened, for he loves
+Gareth so deeply that I fear, when he hears of his death, he will go out
+of his mind. How came Lancelot to slay these knights, who both loved him
+devotedly?"
+
+"He would never have harmed them had he known them," said a knight. "It
+was in the midst of the hurtling and fierce struggling, when swords
+strike they know not where. Sad he will be when he learns what he has
+done."
+
+"I am heavier for the loss of my knights than of my queen," said
+Arthur, sadly. "Other queens may be had, but such a fellowship of
+knights can never be brought together again. And this I know, that when
+Gawaine learns of Gareth's death, he will never rest, nor suffer me to
+rest, till I have destroyed Lancelot and his kindred, or they have
+destroyed me. Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine, Jesus forgive thy soul for thy
+evil will, for thou and thy brother Mordred have caused all this bitter
+sorrow."
+
+While the king thus complained, a tale-bearer, unheeding his
+injunctions, came to Gawaine big with his story, and told him of the
+rescue of the queen, and the death of a knightly host.
+
+"What else could Lancelot do?" said Gawaine. "I should have done as much
+myself had I stood in his place. But where are my brothers? Why hear I
+not of them?"
+
+"Truly," said the man; "they are both killed."
+
+"Now, Jesus forbid! What! both? Is Gareth slain? Dare you tell me so?"
+
+"Alas! the pity of it!"
+
+"Killed! Who killed him?"
+
+"Sir Lancelot slew them both."
+
+"That is false. Gareth loved him better than he did me or the king. He
+would have joined him against us all, had Lancelot desired. And he was
+unarmed. Dare you repeat this story?" and he caught the man fiercely by
+the shoulders and glared wildly in his face.
+
+"Sir, it is so noised abroad," said the man.
+
+"Then is all joy gone from my life," moaned Gawaine, and he fell to the
+floor in a deep swoon, in which he lay long like one dead.
+
+But when Gawaine recovered, and had sought the king, and learned that
+his two brothers had been killed, unarmed and defenceless, his sorrow
+changed to bitter and revengeful anger.
+
+"My king, my lord, and my uncle," he sternly said, "I vow by my
+knighthood that I shall never forgive Lancelot for this murderous deed,
+but from this day forth shall remain his deadly foe, till one of us has
+slain the other. War to the death it shall be, and if you aid me not I
+shall seek Sir Lancelot alone, if it be through seven kings' realms,
+till I hold him to answer for this deed of blood."
+
+"You shall not need to seek him so far," said the king. "They say that
+Lancelot awaits us in Joyous Gard, and that many knights have joined
+him."
+
+"Well is it so," said Gawaine fiercely. "Then my lord Arthur, gather
+your friends, and I will gather mine. Say not that deeds like this shall
+go unpunished in England's realm. Your justice defied! My unarmed
+brothers murdered! Shall this be done, and we basely submit?"
+
+"You speak to the point," said the king. "We must strike for honor and
+revenge. Strong as Lancelot's castle is, and bold as are his friends, I
+fancy I can gain strength enough to draw him out of the strongest tower
+in it."
+
+Then King Arthur sent orders far and wide through the land, and in brief
+time there came to Carlisle many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he
+had a great host. These the king informed of what had happened, and of
+his purpose to force Lancelot to yield up his queen, and to punish him
+for his trespass.
+
+Lancelot meanwhile, was not idle, but drew to himself, many more
+knights, and provisioned his castle fully, for he well knew that he must
+abide behind walls, as he was far too weak to meet the king's host in
+the field.
+
+Not many days had elapsed when King Arthur and Gawaine with a great host
+of men, laid siege about Joyous Gard, both the town and the castle, and
+war replaced the peace that had reigned so long in the land.
+
+But Lancelot lay secure in his castle, and for a long time would not go
+out himself, nor suffer any of his knights to pass the gates of town or
+castle. And so fifteen weeks of the siege passed away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE RETURN OF GUENEVER.
+
+
+It befell upon a day in harvest-time that Lancelot looked over the walls
+of Joyous Gard, and seeing below him the king and Gawaine, thus spoke to
+them,--
+
+"My lords both, you besiege this castle in vain. You will gain more
+dishonor than worship here. If I chose to come out, with my knights, I
+should soon bring this war to an end."
+
+"Come forth, if thou darest!" cried the king, in anger. "I promise to
+meet thee in the midst of the field."
+
+"God defend that I should face on the field of battle the noble king who
+made me knight."
+
+"A truce to your fair language," answered the king. "Trust me, that I am
+your mortal foe, and will be so till the day of my death. You have slain
+my knights and dishonored my queen, and hold her from me by force, like
+a traitor. Think you I shall lightly forgive this?"
+
+"You may say what you will, my lord and king," answered Lancelot. "With
+you I will not fight; but as for your lady Guenever, I am ready to stand
+for her innocence against any knight under heaven. Those who have
+slandered me and her lie in their teeth, and I hold myself ready to
+prove to the death that she is as true and chaste a lady as ever lived.
+More than once, my lord, you have consented that she should be burnt,
+from the voice of slander, and more than once have I rescued her, and
+forced the lie down the throats of her slanderers. Then you thanked me
+for saving her from the fire. Now, for doing you the same high service
+again, you bring war upon me. Your queen is honest and true, and if you
+will receive her to your good grace again I stand ready to deliver her."
+
+"Recreant knight!" cried Gawaine, in wrath, "I warrant you my lord the
+king shall have his queen and you too, despite your fair words and proud
+defiance, and shall slay you both if it please him."
+
+"That may be, Gawaine," said Lancelot. "Yet if I chose to come out of
+the castle you would not find it quite child's play to win me and the
+queen."
+
+"Save your boastful words," said Gawaine. "As for my lady, the queen, I
+shall say naught to her dishonor. But, recreant knight, what cause had
+you to slay my brother Gareth, who loved you with his whole soul?"
+
+"I shall not seek an excuse for that deed," said Lancelot. "I would with
+as good will have slain my nephew Sir Bors. All I may say is that it was
+done in the heat of battle, and I knew not they were slain till word was
+brought me here."
+
+"You lie in your teeth!" cried Gawaine. "You killed them in despite of
+me; and for this foul deed I shall make war on you while I live."
+
+"If you are so hotly set, there is no use for me to seek accord; yet I
+am truly sorry for their deaths and your enmity. Only for this I would
+soon have the good grace of my lord Arthur."
+
+"That may be, traitor, but you will wait long for peace. You have lorded
+it over me, and the whole of us, too long, and slain knights at your
+will. Now our turn has come."
+
+"No one dare say that I ever killed a knight through treachery, as you,
+Gawaine, have done."
+
+"You mean Sir Lamorak. Him I slew, man to man."
+
+"Who lies now? You know well that you and the crew that set upon him
+dared not meet him face to face. You struck him treacherously from
+behind."
+
+"A truce to Lamorak. This you may know, that I will never leave you till
+I deal with you as I did with him."
+
+"Murder me, you mean! I fancy you might if you caught me in such a
+strait, which you will not easily do."
+
+Then others took the cue from Gawaine, and the cry went up from many
+voices: "False and recreant knight! how long will you hide behind your
+castle walls, like a rat in his hole?"
+
+"How long is this to last?" said Bors and others to Lancelot. "We pray
+you to keep us no longer within these walls, but let us out to do battle
+with them. Men will say next that you are afraid. As for fair speech, it
+is thrown away. Gawaine will never forgive you, nor suffer you to make
+accord with the king. Therefore fight for your right, for to that it
+must come."
+
+"I am loath to do so," said Lancelot.
+
+Then he called from the wall to the king,--
+
+"My knights demand that I let them sally from the castle. I therefore
+pray that neither you nor Sir Gawaine come into the field, for to you
+two I wish no harm."
+
+"What then? Shall we cower in our tents while others fight our battles?"
+cried Gawaine. "This quarrel is mine and the king's. Shall we not fight
+in it?"
+
+"If you will, you will; but I seek not battle with either of you."
+
+Then they drew back, and both sides made ready for battle. And Gawaine,
+with deadly intent, set aside a strong body of knights, bidding them to
+attack Lancelot in force, and slay him if they could.
+
+When the next morning came, King Arthur drew up his host against the
+castle in three great bands. And Lancelot's fellowship issued from the
+castle at three gates, the three bands being led by Lancelot, Bors, and
+Lionel. But Lancelot had given strict charge to his knights to avoid
+harming King Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
+
+Fierce was the battle that followed, and many good knights were slain.
+It began with a challenge from Gawaine, who came out before the king's
+host and dared any knight of Lancelot's to joust with him. This
+challenge Lionel accepted, but Gawaine thrust him through the body, and
+dashed him to the earth like a dead man. Then his friends rushed to his
+rescue and drove back his foes, bearing him from the field into the
+castle. This affray brought on a hot and fiery battle, and soon the air
+was filled with shouts, and the earth strewn with dead and wounded men.
+
+In the midst of this fray the king hotly attacked Lancelot; but that
+faithful knight patiently endured his assault, and lifted not a hand in
+defence. But Bors, seeing his danger, rushed in, and, with a spear
+thrust, hurled King Arthur to the ground. Quickly leaping from his
+horse, he drew his sword, and said,--
+
+"Shall I make an end of this war?"
+
+"On pain of your head, no! Harm not the king! I shall not stand by and
+see him slain."
+
+Then Lancelot sprang to the ground and helped the king to his horse
+again, saying,--
+
+"My lord Arthur, for God's sake, end this strife! I will not fight you,
+though you kill me, nor have I the heart to fight your men. My lord,
+remember what I have done for you. Is not this an evil reward?"
+
+When Arthur heard these words tears flowed from his eyes, for Lancelot's
+courtesy had overcome his anger. He turned and rode away, saying
+sadly,--
+
+"Alas! that this war ever began."
+
+Then both sides drew off, and parties of each began the sad duty of
+burying the dead, while the wounded were borne away, and healing salves
+applied to their wounds.
+
+The next day the battle was renewed, and fought with the same deadly
+energy as before. On this day Bors led the foremost party, and met
+Gawaine as Lionel had done the day before. Fiercely together they rode,
+and both were hurled to the ground with deep and dangerous wounds.
+Around them the battle raged with double fierceness, but Lancelot broke
+in and rescued Bors, and had him borne to the castle, while the other
+party bore off Gawaine.
+
+Then, as the battle continued, Lavaine and others begged Lancelot to put
+forth his strength and fight with his full might, for he imperilled them
+all by his forbearance.
+
+"Why should you spare your foes?" they said. "You do but harm thereby.
+Your enemies spare not you."
+
+"I have no heart to fight against the king," said Lancelot.
+
+"If you spare them all this day they will never thank you," said
+Palamides. "And if they get the better of you they will slay you without
+mercy."
+
+Lancelot saw that this was but the truth, and stirred by this and the
+wound of Sir Bors, he rushed into the fray with his old might and fury,
+forcing back all before him. Glad to see the old Lancelot, his
+followers pressed forward, driving back the foe, so that by eventide
+they had the best of the fray, and their horses went fetlock deep in the
+blood of the slain.
+
+Then, in pity for Arthur, Lancelot blew the recall, and suffered the
+king's party to withdraw without further slaughter.
+
+After this there was peace between the parties for many days, for
+Gawaine had been so sorely hurt that he could not stir the king to
+active war, and Arthur after awhile returned to Carlisle, leaving the
+castle closely besieged.
+
+But the story of this war had now passed through Christendom, and had
+reached the pope, who, feeling that war between King Arthur and Lancelot
+was like battle between brothers, sent a letter to the king, commanding
+him, under pain of an interdict upon all England, to take his Queen
+Guenever into favor again, and to make peace and accord with Sir
+Lancelot.
+
+This Papal bull was brought to Arthur by the bishop of Rochester, who
+was then at Rome. When the king had heard it read he knew not what to
+do. He agreed to take back the queen, and in his heart desired to make
+friends with Lancelot; but to this Gawaine, who had then the greatest
+influence over him, would not consent.
+
+In the end it was agreed that if Lancelot would bring back the queen he
+should come and go in safety, and that no word should be spoken to
+Guenever, by the king or other person, of aught that had happened in the
+past.
+
+Then the bishop had from the king his assurance, under the great seal
+of the realm, as he was a true anointed knight, that Sir Lancelot should
+come and return in safety, and that the queen should not be spoken to by
+the king, or any other, concerning what had passed. With this
+safe-conduct, written at length and signed by King Arthur, the holy
+prelate rode in state to Joyous Gard, where he made Lancelot acquainted
+with all that had happened, telling him of the pope's action, and of the
+peril he would encounter if he withheld the queen from the king.
+
+"It was never in my thought," said Lancelot, "to withhold Queen Guenever
+from my lord Arthur. All men know why I have her in charge. She would
+have suffered a shameful death through the king's unjust anger had I not
+been on hand to save her life; and I hold her only from peril of that
+vile sentence, which has never until now been remitted. I thank the pope
+heartily that he has made peace between Guenever and the king, and God
+knows that I will be a thousand-fold gladder to take her back than I
+ever was to bring her away. All I demand is, that I shall come and go in
+safety, and that the queen shall have her liberty as before, and stand
+in no peril from this or any former charge against her. For else I dare
+venture to keep her from a harder shower than ever yet has fallen upon
+her or me."
+
+"You need dread nothing either for yourself or the queen," replied the
+bishop. "You know full well that the pope must be obeyed, by the king as
+well as by you. It were not to the pope's worship nor my poor honor that
+you should be distressed, or the queen put to shame or peril. And as
+for King Arthur, here is his promise, under his own writing and seal."
+
+Then he showed Lancelot all the written documents he had brought, both
+from the pope and the king.
+
+"That suffices," said Lancelot. "I would trust King Arthur's bare word
+as I would the oath of half Christendom. No man can say that he ever
+broke his plighted faith. Therefore, I beg you to ride before me to the
+king, and recommend me to his good grace, letting him know that in eight
+days from to-day, by the grace of God, I shall bring to him his lady
+Queen Guenever. And say this further to him, that I stand ready to meet
+any one in the lists for the queen's fair fame except himself and Sir
+Gawaine, and the latter more from the king's love for him than from
+aught of his own deserts."
+
+With this agreement the bishop departed to Carlisle, and when he had
+told the king how nobly Lancelot had spoken, the tears started from
+Arthur's eyes, and much he deplored in his heart the cruel chance that
+had aroused war between him and his dearest friend.
+
+Lancelot now made ready a hundred knights, who were all dressed in green
+velvet, with their horses trapped to their heels, while each knight held
+in his hand an olive branch, in token of peace. For the queen there were
+provided four and twenty gentlewomen, who followed her in the same
+guise; while Lancelot was followed by twelve coursers, on each of which
+sat a young gentleman, and these were arrayed in green velvet with
+golden girdles, and the horses trapped to the heels with rich cloths,
+set with pearls and stones in gold, to the number of a thousand. As for
+Lancelot and Guenever, they were clothed in white cloth-of-gold tissue.
+And in this array they rode from Joyous Gard to Carlisle, and through
+Carlisle to the castle, while many an eye shed tears on seeing them.
+
+Then Lancelot alighted and took the queen, and led her to where Arthur
+sat, with Gawaine and many great lords before him. Then he kneeled, and
+the queen with him.
+
+Many of the assembled knights wept bitterly on seeing this, but the king
+sat in haughty silence, looking steadily upon the pair who knelt before
+him. Seeing his countenance, Lancelot rose and forced the queen to rise
+also. Then thus he spoke in knightly pride,--
+
+"My lord the king, by the pope's command and yours I have brought you my
+lady, the queen, as right requireth. If there be any knight, whatever
+his degree, except your sacred self, who shall dare say she has been
+untrue to you, I, Lancelot du Lake, stand ready to make her honor good
+with my body. To liars you have listened, and that has caused all the
+trouble between you and me. Time has been, my lord Arthur, when you have
+been greatly pleased with me in that I did battle for my lady your
+queen. Full well you know, my most royal sir, that she has been put to
+great wrong before this time; and since it pleased you then that I
+should fight for her, it seems to me that I had still more cause this
+last time to rescue her from the fire, since she was to have been burnt
+for my sake. Had not the might of God been with me, think you that I
+could, unarmed, have prevailed over fourteen armed knights? I was sent
+for by the queen, who wished to confer with me, but had barely stepped
+within her chamber, when out burst Mordred and Agravaine, calling me
+traitor and recreant knight."
+
+"They called you truly," said Gawaine.
+
+"Did they so, Gawaine? By heaven, in their quarrel they failed to prove
+themselves in the right."
+
+"I have given you no cause to do evil to me, Lancelot," said the king.
+"For I have loved you and yours more than all my other knights."
+
+"My good lord and liege," answered Lancelot, "I beg it may not displease
+you if I answer that you have better cause to love me and mine than most
+knights, for none have done you such service as we have at many times
+and in many places. Often have I myself rescued you from deadly peril,
+when you were hard pressed by your foes; and it has ever been my joy to
+please you, and my lord Gawaine as well, in jousts and tournaments, and
+in set battles, both on horse and on foot. I wish not to boast of my
+deeds, yet you all know well that I never met a knight but that I was
+able to stand against him, and have always done my duty like a man. I
+have been matched with good knights, such as Sir Tristram and Sir
+Lamorak, whom I loved for their valor and honesty. And I take God to
+witness, that I was never angry with or jealous of any good knight whom
+I saw active to win honor, and was ever glad at heart when I found a
+knight who was able to endure me on horseback or on foot. Sir Carados of
+the dolorous tower was a noble knight and a man of mighty strength, and
+this you know full well, Sir Gawaine, since he pulled you from your
+horse, and bound you before him on his saddle. Yet I rescued you from
+him, and slew him before your eyes. In like manner I found his brother,
+Sir Turquine, leading your brother, Sir Gaheris, bound on his saddle,
+and slew him, and rescued your brother, as also three-score and four of
+King Arthur's knights whom he held in prison. Never met I with as strong
+and hard-fighting knights as Sir Carados and Sir Turquine, and I fought
+with them to the uttermost for the sake of you and your brother. It
+seems to me, Sir Gawaine, that you ought to bear in mind this good
+service I did for you in the past. If I might but have your good will in
+return, I would trust to God to have my lord Arthur's kindly grace."
+
+"The king may do as he will," said Gawaine; "but while I live I shall
+never be in accord with you. I cannot forget that you have killed three
+of my brothers, two of them treacherously and pitilessly, for they wore
+no armor against you, and refused to bear any."
+
+"Would to heaven they had been armed, for then they would now be alive,"
+said Lancelot. "I tell you this, Sir Gawaine, that I love none of my own
+kinsmen as I did your brother, Sir Gareth, and would far rather have
+slain myself than him. Never while I live shall I cease to mourn his
+death, not alone for your bitter sorrow and anger, but for other causes
+which concern myself. One is, that it was I who made him a knight;
+another is, that he loved me above all other knights; a third is, that
+he was ever noble, true, courteous, and gentle. I never would have
+slain, or even hurt, either Gareth or Gaheris by my will; and sad at
+heart am I that this fatal chance has robbed me of your love and made
+undying war between us, and has caused my noble lord and king to be my
+mortal foe. May Jesus forgive me for this cruel chance, which the fates
+have laid upon me. In reparation for this sad misfortune, I shall freely
+offer, if it will please the king's good grace, and yours, my lord
+Gawaine, to do penance in this wise. I shall start from Sandwich, and go
+in my shirt, barefoot, and at every ten miles' end I shall found a
+religious house, of what order you wish, where shall be sung and read
+day and night psalms and masses for the repose of Sir Gareth and Sir
+Gaheris. This I shall perform from Sandwich to Carlisle. This, Sir
+Gawaine, seems to me fairer, holier, and better for their souls than
+that you and the king should make war upon me; for little good to any is
+likely to come from it."
+
+Then the knights and ladies there wept as though they were distracted,
+and the tears fell hot on King Arthur's cheeks. But no shadow of
+softness came to Gawaine's stern face.
+
+"The king, as I have said, may do as it pleases him," he answered, "but
+I shall never forgive you for the murder of my brothers. If my uncle,
+King Arthur, accords with you, he shall lose my service, for I hold you
+false both to the king and me."
+
+"The man lives not that can make that good," cried Lancelot. "If you
+charge me thus, I am ready to answer you with spear and sword since
+words you disdain."
+
+"That cannot be at this time," said Gawaine. "You are here under the
+king's safe-conduct, and so must depart. If it were not for the pope's
+command and the king's given word, I should do battle with you, body to
+body, and prove upon you that you have been false both to the king and
+to me. In this land you shall not abide more than fifteen days, for I
+give you open warning that your safe-conduct lasts only for that time.
+In this the king and we all were agreed before you came hither. Only for
+this you would now find that my words are ready to be backed up with
+deeds. And this you shall find wheresoever I shall meet you hereafter."
+
+Then Lancelot sighed, and tears fell upon his cheeks.
+
+"Alas, most Christian realm," he said, "that I have loved above all
+other realms, and most Christian king, whom I have worshipped next to my
+God. From both I am banished, without cause or warrant. Truly I am sorry
+that I ever came into this land, to be thus causelessly and shamefully
+treated, after my long service here. So is it ever with fortune, whose
+wheel is so changeable that there is no constant abiding; and this may
+be proved by the old chronicles of noble Hector of Troy, and Troilus,
+and Alexander the mighty conqueror, and many more. When they were
+highest they quickly became lowest; and thus has it fared with me. No
+living men have brought more honor and glory to the Round Table than I
+and my kindred, and yet we stand banished from the land which owes us
+such worthy service. As for you, Gawaine, I can live upon my native
+lands as well as any knight here. And if you, redoubted king, shall seek
+me there in hostile array, I must endure you as well as I may. If you
+come thither, Gawaine, see that you charge me not with treason or
+felony, for if you do, it will scarcely end with words."
+
+"Do your worst," cried Gawaine, hotly. "And get you gone from here as
+fast as you can. We shall soon come after, and tumble your strongest
+castle upon your head."
+
+"That shall not need," said Lancelot. "You may find me ready to meet you
+in open field."
+
+"There have been words enough," said Gawaine. "Deliver the queen and
+take yourself away."
+
+"If I had looked for so short a reception I would have thought twice
+before coming," answered Lancelot, proudly. "If the queen had been as
+dear to me as you would make her, I durst have kept her from the best
+fellowship of knights under heaven."
+
+Then he turned to Guenever and said, in full hearing of the king and all
+there,--
+
+"Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship forever.
+Since it is so, I beseech you to pray for me. And if you be slandered by
+any false tongues, send me word, my lady, and if one knight's hands may
+deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you."
+
+Then Lancelot kissed the queen, and said openly to all present,--
+
+"Now let me see who there is in this place that dare say Queen Guenever
+is not true unto my lord King Arthur! Let him speak who dare speak."
+
+He looked proudly around the hall, from right to left, but no voice came
+in answer. Then he took the queen by the hand and led her to the king,
+and delivered her to his royal hand. This done, Lancelot turned and
+walked from the hall with haughty stride; and there was neither duke,
+earl, nor king, baron nor knight, lady or maiden, that wept not at the
+sorrowful parting, except Sir Gawaine. And when Lancelot took his horse
+to ride out of Carlisle there was sobbing and weeping from all the
+people who had gathered in the streets to see him depart. And so he took
+his way to Joyous Gard, which ever after he called Dolorous Gard. And
+thus departed Sir Lancelot du Lake from the court of King Arthur
+forever.
+
+He now called his fellowship about him, and asked them what they would
+do.
+
+"Whatever you will," they answered with one voice.
+
+"Then, my brave and faithful friends, we must leave this realm. It is
+sore to me to be banished, and had I not dreaded shame, the lady
+Guenever should never have left me."
+
+"If you stay in this land we shall not fail you," said his knights. "If
+you depart hence we shall go with you."
+
+"My fair lords, I thank you heartily," answered Lancelot, with much
+feeling. "If you come with me to my realm beyond the sea, I shall divide
+my lands among you, till I have as little as any of you. I care for
+only enough to live upon, and trust to maintain you in knightly honor."
+
+"So let it be," they rejoined. "Here, now that the fellowship of the
+Round Table is broken, there will be no more peace, but only strife and
+turmoil. You were the stay of Arthur's court, Sir Lancelot. With you
+gone, all quiet and harmony will depart."
+
+"You praise me too highly, gentlemen. I did my duty; but not I alone.
+Yet I fear, when we are gone, we will soon hear of wars and rebellions,
+from those who dared not raise their heads when we were all together.
+Mordred I fear above all. He is envious and ambitious, and if King
+Arthur shall trust him I dread me greatly he will find him a stinging
+serpent."
+
+Then, soon after, they left Joyous Gard, and shipped at Cardiff to pass
+beyond the seas to Lancelot's realm of Benwick. Some men, indeed, call
+it Bayonne, and some call it Beume, the land whence comes the wine of
+Beume. Yet to say sooth, Lancelot and his nephews were lords of all
+France, and had there a host of towns and castles, and many people at
+their command.
+
+There went with him a hundred proven knights, whom he rewarded as he had
+promised. For he shortly called a parliament, where he crowned Lionel
+king of France. Bors he made king of the realm of King Claudas; and
+Hector de Maris, King of Benwick and Guienne; while his other knights
+were made dukes and earls, till all were nobly provided for.
+
+Thus Lancelot rewarded his faithful friends. And he furnished and
+provisioned his towns and castles, and gathered the men of war of the
+realm, for he felt well assured that Gawaine would not rest till he had
+brought King Arthur against him in martial array.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT.
+
+
+What Lancelot had feared came quickly to pass. For so unrelenting was
+Gawaine's enmity, and so strong his influence over the king, that
+Arthur, at his persistent instigation, got together a great army, to the
+number of sixty thousand, and had shipping made ready to carry them over
+the sea.
+
+Then he made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all England during his absence,
+and put Queen Guenever under his care, little dreaming of what fatal
+results would follow this unwise choice.
+
+These preparations made, Arthur passed the sea with his host, and landed
+in Lancelot's realm, where, through the revengeful spirit of Gawaine,
+they burnt and wasted all that they overran.
+
+When word of this was brought to Lancelot and his knights, Sir Bors thus
+broke out in anger,--
+
+"My lord Sir Lancelot, it is a shame to let them thus destroy this fair
+realm of France. You may well be assured that, however long you forbear
+your foes, they will do you no favor if you fall into their hands."
+
+Then said Sir Lionel, who was wary and wise, "My lord Sir Lancelot, this
+is my counsel. Let us keep to our strong-walled towns till the invaders
+suffer from hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails for warmth. Then
+we may freshly set upon them, and shred them down like sheep in a
+field."
+
+"Such a course would disgrace us all," said King Bagdemagus to Lancelot.
+"Your over-courtesy has caused all the trouble we now have. If we let
+Gawaine work his will, he will bring our power to naught, while we hide
+like rabbits in our holes."
+
+"So say I," broke in Sir Galihud. "There are knights here who come of
+kings' blood, and that will not long be content to droop behind walls.
+Give us leave to meet them in the field, and we shall deal with them in
+such fashion that they will curse the time they came into this country."
+
+Then spoke seven brethren of North Wales, men of such prowess that one
+might seek through seven lands before he could find seven such
+knights,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot," they said together, "let us ride out with Sir Galihud,
+for it has never been our wont to cower in towns and castles."
+
+"My fair lords," replied Lancelot to them all, "I am loath to ride out
+with my knights and shed Christian blood. And my lands, after all the
+wars they have endured, are too bare long to sustain this invading host.
+It is the part of wisdom, therefore, for the time to keep to our walls,
+and meanwhile I will send a messenger to King Arthur and offer him a
+treaty of peace."
+
+Then he sent a damsel to the king, and a dwarf with her, with a message,
+bidding Arthur to quit making war upon his lands, and offering him fair
+terms of accommodation. The damsel rode to the hostile camp on a palfry,
+while the dwarf ran by her side. When she came near to King Arthur's
+pavilion she alighted, and there was met by a gentle knight, Sir Lucan
+the butler, who said,--
+
+"Fair damsel, come you from Sir Lancelot du Lake?"
+
+"Yes, sir," she replied, "I am come hither with a message from him to my
+lord the king."
+
+"Alas, that it should be needed!" said Sir Lucan. "My lord Arthur would
+soon be in accord with Lancelot but for Gawaine, who has more influence
+over him than all his knights besides, and will not suffer him to think
+of peace and friendship. I pray to God, damsel, that you speed well in
+your errand, for all that are about the king, except Sir Gawaine, wish
+well to Lancelot above all knights living."
+
+With these words he led the damsel to the king's pavilion. There Arthur,
+who had been advised of her coming, sat with Gawaine to hear her
+message. When she had told her errand the king was so moved that tears
+ran from his eyes, and all the lords were ready to advise him to make
+peace with Lancelot. But Gawaine, who sat with lowering brow, now broke
+out in hot speech,--
+
+"My lord, my uncle, what will you do? Will you turn again after having
+come so far? All the world will speak villany of you."
+
+"I do not deem it wise to refuse his fair proffers," said the king.
+"Yet since I am come so far on this journey, I leave it to you to give
+the damsel her answer."
+
+"Then tell Sir Lancelot," said Gawaine to the damsel, "that he wastes
+his labor now to sue to my uncle. If he wished peace he should have
+sought it sooner. Now it is too late. Tell him, also, that I, Sir
+Gawaine, promise him, by the faith I owe to God and to knighthood, never
+to leave him in peace till he have slain me or I him."
+
+This word the damsel brought back to Lancelot, where he stood among his
+knights, and sad of heart he was to hear it.
+
+"Why do you grieve?" said the knights. "If war they want, let them have
+it to their fill. Let us meet them in the field."
+
+"Never before was I so loath to do battle," said Lancelot. "I would
+rather flee from King Arthur than fight him. Be ruled by me, noble sirs.
+When I must defend myself, then I will; but haste will make fresh
+sorrow."
+
+Then the knights held their peace, and that night took their rest. But
+in the morning, when they looked abroad, they saw a hostile host around
+the city of Benwick, pressing it so closely that ladders were already
+set up against the walls. The defenders of the town flocked in haste to
+the walls and threw down the ladders, and hot strife began.
+
+Forth now rode Sir Gawaine on a strong steed, and with a great spear in
+his hand, and when he came before the chief gate he called out loudly,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, where art thou? Or what proud knight is here that dare
+break a spear with me?"
+
+Hearing this challenge, Sir Bors hastily made ready, and rode from the
+city to the encounter. But Gawaine smote him from his horse, and would
+have slain him had he not been rescued. Then Lionel, his brother, rode
+out to revenge him; but he, too, was sorely wounded, and so borne into
+the town.
+
+And thus, day after day, came Gawaine with his challenge, and not a day
+passed but some knight fell before his spear. And for half a year the
+siege continued, and there was much slaughter on both sides.
+
+At length came a day when Gawaine again appeared before the gates, armed
+at all points, and loudly cried,--
+
+"Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Sir Lancelot? Why hidest thou
+within walls and holes like a coward? Come forth, traitor, that I may
+revenge on thy body the death of my three brothers?"
+
+Then said Lancelot's knights to their leader,--
+
+"Now, Sir Lancelot, you must fight, or you are shamed forever. It is
+time for you to stir, for you have slept over long and we suffered over
+much."
+
+"Defend myself I must, since he charges me with treason," said Lancelot.
+"His words cut deeply, and I must fight or be held recreant," and with
+stern countenance he bade the attendants to saddle his strongest horse
+and bring his arms to the gate tower. Then from this tower he called to
+the king, who stood below,--
+
+"My lord Arthur," he said, "sad am I, for your sake, that thus you press
+upon me. Had I been revengeful I might have met you in open field, and
+there made your boldest knights full tame; but I have forborne you half
+a year, and given you and Gawaine free way. It is much against my will
+to fight with any of your blood, but since he accuses me of treason I am
+driven to it like a beast brought to bay."
+
+"If you dare do battle," cried Gawaine, "leave your babbling and come
+out. Nothing will give deeper joy to my heart, for I have waited long
+for this hour."
+
+At this Lancelot mounted and rode out, and a host of knights followed
+him from the city, while from the king's army a throng of knights
+pressed to the front. But covenant was made that none should come near
+the two warriors till one was dead or had yielded, and the knights drew
+back, leaving a broad open space for the combatants.
+
+Gawaine and Lancelot now rode far apart, and wheeled their horses till
+they faced each other. Thus they stood in grim silence and energy till
+the signal for the onset was given, when, like iron statues come to
+life, they plunged their spurs in the flanks of their chargers and
+dashed at furious speed across the plain. A minute passed, and they met
+in the middle with a shock like thunder, but the knights were so strong
+and their spears so great, that the horses could not endure the buffets,
+and fell to the earth.
+
+In a moment both knights had leaped clear of their saddles, drawn their
+swords, and brought their shields before them. And now began a fierce
+and terrible affray, for they stood and hewed at each other with might
+and main, till blood burst in many places through the joints of their
+armor.
+
+But Gawaine had a gift that a holy man had given him, that every day in
+the year, from nine o'clock till noon, his strength should increase till
+it became threefold. And he took good care to fight all his battles
+during these hours, whereby he gained great honor.
+
+None knew of this gift but King Arthur, and as Lancelot felt the
+strength of his antagonist constantly increasing, he wondered greatly,
+and began to fear that he would be overcome. It seemed to him that he
+had a fiend, and no earthly man, before him, and for three hours he
+traced and traversed, and covered himself with his shield, scarcely able
+to stand against the brunt of Gawaine's mighty blows. At this all men
+marvelled, for never before had they beheld Lancelot so sorely driven to
+defence.
+
+But when the hour of noon had passed, the magic might of Gawaine
+suddenly left him, and he had now only his own strength. This Lancelot
+felt, and he drew himself up and pressed on his foe, saying,--
+
+"You have had your day, Gawaine; now it is my turn. Defend yourself, for
+I have many a grievous buffet to repay."
+
+Then he redoubled his strokes, and at length gave Gawaine such a blow on
+the helmet that he fell to the earth. Lancelot now withdrew a step.
+
+"Why do you withdraw?" cried Gawaine, bitterly. "Turn, thou traitor, and
+slay me; for if I recover you shall fight with me again."
+
+"It is not my way, Sir Gawaine, to strike a fallen knight. When you
+want to fight again you shall not find me lacking."
+
+Then he turned and went with his knights into the city, while Gawaine
+was borne from the field to one of the king's pavilions, where leeches
+were brought to attend him.
+
+"Alas!" said the king, "that ever this unhappy war began, for Sir
+Lancelot ever forbeareth me, and my kin also, and that is well seen in
+his sparing my nephew Gawaine this day."
+
+Then Arthur fell sick from sorrow for the hurt of his nephew and regret
+for the war. The siege was kept up, but with little energy, and both
+sides rested from their toils.
+
+Three weeks passed before Gawaine regained his strength; but as soon as
+he was able to ride he armed again, mounted his horse, and rode to the
+gate of Benwick, where he loudly repeated his challenge to Lancelot as a
+traitor and recreant knight.
+
+"You got the best of me by mischance at our last battle," he said, "but
+if you dare come into the field this day I will make amends, and lay you
+as low as you laid me."
+
+"Defend me from such a fate," said Lancelot, "for if you should get me
+into such a strait my days were done. But since you in this unknightly
+fashion charge me with treason, I warrant you shall have both hands full
+before you gain your end."
+
+Then Lancelot armed and rode out, and the battle began as before, with a
+circle of armed knights surrounding. But in this onset Gawaine's spear
+broke into a hundred pieces in his hand, while Lancelot struck him with
+such might that his horse's feet were raised, and horse and rider
+toppled to the earth.
+
+"Alight, traitor knight!" cried Gawaine, drawing his sword. "If a horse
+has failed me, think not that a king and queen's son shall fail thee."
+
+Then Lancelot sprang to the ground and the battle went on as before,
+Gawaine's strength increasing hour by hour. But Lancelot, feeling this,
+warily kept his strength and his wind, keeping under cover of his
+shield, and tracing and traversing back and forth, to break the strength
+and courage of his foe.
+
+As for Gawaine, he put forth all his might and power to destroy
+Lancelot, and for three hours pressed him so fiercely that he could
+barely defend himself. But when noon passed, and Lancelot felt Gawaine's
+strength again decline, he said,--
+
+"I have proved you twice, Sir Gawaine. By this magic trick of your
+strength increasing you have deceived many a valiant knight. You have
+done your worst; now you shall see of what metal I am made."
+
+Then he attacked him fiercely, and Gawaine defended himself with all his
+power; but at length there fell such a heavy blow on his helmet and on
+the old wound, that he sank to the earth in a swoon. When he came to
+himself again, he struck feebly at Lancelot as he lay, and cried
+spitefully,--
+
+"Thou false traitor, I am not yet slain. Come near me, and do this
+battle to the uttermost."
+
+"I shall do no more than I have done," said Lancelot. "When I see you on
+your feet again I shall stand ready to fight you to the bitter end. But
+to smite a wounded and prostrate man!--God defend me from such a shame."
+
+And he turned and went towards the city, while Gawaine with spiteful
+malice called him traitor, and vowed he would never cease to fight with
+him till one of them was dead.
+
+A month now passed away, during which Gawaine lay sick of his wound. As
+he slowly recovered, the old battle-hunger for Lancelot's blood returned
+to his heart, and he impatiently awaited the day when he could again
+take the field. But before this day arrived, news came from England that
+put a sudden end to the war; tidings of such threatening aspect that
+King Arthur was forced to return in all haste to his own realm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE STING OF THE VIPER.
+
+
+Disastrous, indeed, were the news from England. King Arthur had made the
+fatal mistake of placing a villain and dastard in charge of his realm,
+for Mordred had taken advantage of his absence to turn traitor, and seek
+to seize the crown and sceptre of England as his own.
+
+News moved but slowly from over seas in those days, and Mordred, with
+treasonable craft, had letters written as though they came from abroad,
+which said that King Arthur had been slain in battle with Sir Lancelot.
+
+Having spread this lie far and wide, he called the lords together to
+London in parliament, and so managed that they voted him king. Then he
+was crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast for fifteen days, after
+which he went to Winchester, where Guenever was, and publicly declared
+that he would wed his uncle's widow.
+
+When word of this came to Guenever she grew heavy at heart, for she
+hated the traitor to her soul's depth. But she was in his power, and was
+forced to hide her secret hate. She therefore seemed to consent to his
+will, and desired permission to go to London, where she might buy all
+things that were necessary for the wedding. She spoke so fairly that he
+trusted her, and gave her leave to make the journey.
+
+But no sooner had she reached London than she took possession of the
+Tower, and with all haste supplied it with provisions and garrisoned it
+with men, and so held it as a fortress, many knights holding with her
+against the usurper.
+
+Mordred soon learned that he had been beguiled by the queen, and, moved
+to fury, he hastened to London, where he besieged the Tower, assailing
+it vigorously with great engines of war. But Guenever held out stoutly
+against him, and neither by fair speech nor foul could he induce her to
+trust herself into his hands again.
+
+[Illustration: THE TOWER OF LONDON.]
+
+There now came to Mordred the bishop of Canterbury, who said,--
+
+"Sir, what would you do? Would you displease God and shame knighthood
+by wedding the wife of your uncle, who has been to you as a father?
+Cease this vile purpose, I command you, or I shall curse you with book,
+and bell, and candle, and bring upon your head the vengeance of the
+church."
+
+"Do your worst, sir priest," said Mordred, angrily. "I defy you."
+
+"I shall do what I ought; be sure of that. You noise about that the lord
+Arthur is slain, no word of which I believe. You seek with a lie to make
+mischief in this land. Beware, lest your vile work recoil upon
+yourself."
+
+"Peace, thou false priest," cried Mordred. "Chafe me no more, or I shall
+order that thy head be stricken off."
+
+Finding that words were useless, the bishop departed, and, as he had
+threatened, laid the curse of the church on Mordred. Roused to rage by
+this, the usurper sought him to slay him, and he fled in all haste to
+Glastonbury, where he took refuge as a hermit in a chapel. But well he
+knew that war was at hand, and that the rightful king would soon strike
+for the throne.
+
+Despite the anathema of the church, Mordred continued his efforts to get
+Guenever into his power; but she held firmly to the Tower, repelling all
+his assaults, and declaring openly that she would rather kill herself
+than marry such a wretch. Soon afterwards he was forced to raise the
+siege, for word came to him by secret messengers that Arthur had heard
+of his treason, and was coming home with his whole host to revenge
+himself on the usurper of his crown.
+
+When Mordred heard this he made strenuous efforts to gather a large
+army, and many lords joined him with their people, saying that with
+Arthur there had been nothing but war and strife, but that with Mordred
+they hoped for peace and a quiet life. Thus was evil said of the good
+King Arthur when he was away from the land, and that by many who owed to
+him their honors and estates. Mordred was thus quickly able to draw with
+a great host to Dover, where he had heard that Arthur would land, for he
+hoped to defeat and slay him before he could get firm footing on
+England's soil.
+
+Not long had he been there when a great fleet of ships, galleys, and
+carracks appeared upon the sea, bearing the king's army back to their
+native realm. On the beach stood Mordred's host, drawn up to prevent the
+landing of the king's army. As the boats came to the shore, laden with
+noble men-of-arms, a fierce struggle ensued, in which many a knight was
+slain, while full many a bold baron was laid low on both sides. But so
+courageous was the king, and so fierce the onset of his knights, that
+the opposing host could not hinder the landing of his army. And when
+they had gained a footing on the land, they set on Mordred with such
+fury that he and all his host were driven back and forced to fly,
+leaving Arthur master of the field.
+
+After the battle, the king ordered that the dead should be buried and
+the wounded cared for. Among the latter Sir Gawaine was found lying in a
+great boat, where he had been felled with a deadly wound in the bitter
+strife. On hearing this direful news, Arthur hastened to him and took
+him in his arms, with great show of grief and pain.
+
+"In you and in Lancelot I had my highest joy," moaned the king. "Now I
+have lost you both, and all my earthly happiness is gone."
+
+"My death is at hand," said Gawaine, "and I owe it all to my own hate
+and bitterness for I am smitten on the old wound that Lancelot gave me,
+and feel that I must die. Had he but been with you this unhappy war
+would never have begun. Of all this I am the cause, and have but
+received my deserts. Therefore I pray you, dear uncle, let me have
+paper, pen, and ink, that I may write to Sir Lancelot with my own hand."
+
+These were brought him, and Gawaine wrote a moving and tender letter to
+Lancelot, blaming himself severely for his hardness of heart.
+
+In this wise it ran,--
+
+"Unto Sir Lancelot, flower of all noble knights, I, Sir Gawaine, son of
+King Lot of Orkney, and sister's son unto the noble King Arthur, send
+greeting; and also these sad tidings, that on the tenth day of May I was
+smitten on the old wound which you gave me at Benwick, and thus through
+this wound have I come to my death. And I would have all the world know
+that I, Sir Gawaine, Knight of the Round Table, have met with death not
+through your ill-will, but from my own seeking; therefore I beseech you
+to come in all haste to this realm, to which you have heretofore done
+such honor. I earnestly pray you, Sir Lancelot, for all the love that
+ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but come over the sea in all
+haste, that thou mayest with thy noble knights rescue that royal king
+who made thee knight, for he is hard bested with a false traitor, my own
+half-brother, Sir Mordred, who has had himself crowned king, and would
+have wedded Queen Guenever had she not taken refuge in the Tower of
+London. We put him to flight on our landing, on the tenth day of May,
+but he still holds against us with a great host. Therefore, I pray you
+to come, for I am within two hours of my death; and I beg that you will
+visit my tomb, and pray some prayer, more or less, for my soul."
+
+When Sir Gawaine had finished this letter he wept bitter tears of sorrow
+and remorse, and Arthur wept beside him till they both swooned, the one
+from grief, the other from pain. When they recovered, the king had the
+rites of the church administered to the dying knight, who then prayed
+him to send in haste for Lancelot, and to cherish him above all other
+knights, as his best friend and ally.
+
+Afterwards, at the hour of noon, Gawaine yielded up his spirit. And the
+king had him interred in Dover castle, where men to this day may see his
+skull, with the wound thereon that Lancelot gave him in battle.
+
+Word was now brought to King Arthur that Mordred had pitched a new camp
+on Barham Down. Thither in all haste he led his army, and there a second
+great battle was fought, with much loss on both sides. But at the end
+Arthur's party stood best, and Mordred fled, with all his host, to
+Canterbury.
+
+This second victory changed the feeling of the country, and many people
+who had held aloof joined the king's army, saying that Mordred was a
+traitor and usurper. When the dead had been buried and the wounded cared
+for, Arthur marched with his host to the sea-shore, westward towards
+Salisbury. Here a challenge passed between him and Mordred, in which
+they agreed to meet on a down beside Salisbury, on the day after Trinity
+Sunday, and there fight out their quarrel.
+
+Mordred now made haste to recruit his army, raising many men about
+London, for the people of that section of the country held largely with
+him, and particularly those who were friendly to Lancelot. When the time
+fixed came near, the two armies drew together and camped on Salisbury
+Down.
+
+And so the days passed till came the night of Trinity Sunday, when the
+king dreamed a strange dream, for it seemed to him that he sat in a
+chair that was fastened to a wheel, and was covered with the richest
+cloth of gold that could be made. But far beneath him he beheld a
+hideous black pool, in which were all manner of serpents, and vile
+worms, foul and horrible. Suddenly the wheel seemed to turn, and he fell
+among the serpents, which seized upon his limbs.
+
+Awakening in fright, he loudly cried, "Help!" and knights and squires
+came crowding in alarm into his chamber; but he was so amazed that he
+knew not where he was nor what he said.
+
+Then he fell again into a half slumber, in which Gawaine seemed to come
+to him attended by a number of fair ladies.
+
+"Fair nephew," asked the king, "who are these ladies?"
+
+"They are those for whom I did battle during my life," answered Gawaine.
+"God has sent them and me to warn you of your coming death, for if you
+fight with Mordred to-morrow as you have agreed, you will both be slain,
+and most of your people. Therefore I am here to warn you not to fight
+to-morrow, but to treat with the traitor, and make him large and fair
+promises, so as to gain a month's delay. Within that time Lancelot and
+his knights will come, and Mordred the usurper cannot hold against you
+both."
+
+This said, Gawaine and the ladies vanished. Then Arthur waked, and sent
+messengers in haste to bring his lords and bishops to council. When they
+had come he told them his dream, and they counselled him by all means to
+be guided by it. Lucan the butler, and his brother Sir Bevidere, with
+two bishops, were therefore sent to treat with Mordred, and make him
+large promises for a month's truce.
+
+The commissioners sought Mordred's camp and held a long conference with
+him. At the end he agreed to meet King Arthur on the plain between the
+hosts, each to bring but fourteen persons with him, and there consult on
+the treaty.
+
+"I am glad that this is accomplished," said the king, when word of the
+compact was brought him.
+
+But when he was ready to start for the place of conference, with the
+fourteen chosen men, he said to his knights,--
+
+"Be wary and watchful, for I trust not Mordred. If you see any sword
+drawn, come fiercely forward, and slay the villain and his guard."
+
+Mordred gave the same warning to his lords, for he had equal mistrust of
+Arthur, whom he feared and doubted.
+
+The two leaders, with their chosen followers, now advanced and met
+between the hosts. But by a fatal chance, as the king and his opponent
+were in consultation, an adder came from a heath bush and stung a knight
+on the foot. Feeling the wound he drew his sword in thoughtless haste to
+kill the venomous serpent. But the instant the hosts on both sides saw
+that sword flash in the air all was uproar and tumult. On both sides
+trumpets and horns were blown, harness rattled and clanked, and the
+flash of spear-heads and sword-blades gleamed in the sunlight, while
+like two mighty waves of war the great hosts broke from their stations
+and rushed together across the plain.
+
+Then Arthur sprang to his horse, exclaiming, "Alas! this unhappy day!"
+and rode to his party; and Mordred did likewise.
+
+No hand nor voice could stay the advancing hosts, and in a moment there
+began the most doleful battle ever seen in Christian land. For there was
+rushing and riding, foining and striking, and deadly clamor, and fearful
+strife. Many a grim word was there spoken, and many a deadly stroke
+dealt. Many times King Arthur rode through Mordred's host, and knightly
+were the deeds of his hands. And Mordred fought with knightly valor and
+zeal.
+
+Thus went on the deadly fray all day long, without pause or stint, till
+noble knights lay like fallen leaves upon the bloody ground. And when
+nightfall was at hand they still fought with desperate valor, though by
+that time full a hundred thousand men lay dead upon the down.
+
+Then the heart of Arthur grew full of warlike fury, to see so many of
+his people slain. And when the sun was near its setting, he leaned upon
+his crimson sword, and looked about him with eyes that seemed to weep
+blood. For of all his mighty host of knights but two remained alive, Sir
+Lucan the butler, and his brother Sir Bevidere; and both of these were
+sorely wounded.
+
+"God's mercy!" cried the king, "where are all my noble knights? Alas!
+that I have lived to see this doleful day! Now, indeed, am I come to my
+end. But would to God I knew where to find that traitor, Mordred, who
+has caused all this mischief."
+
+As he spoke, his eyes fell on Mordred, who stood leaning upon his sword
+amid a great heap of slain, for his host had been slaughtered to a man.
+
+"Give me my spear," cried Arthur, wrathfully, to Sir Lucan. "Yonder
+stands the traitor who has wrought this dire woe."
+
+"Let him be," said Lucan. "He is unhappy enough. Remember, my good lord,
+your last night's dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you.
+For God's sake make an end of this fray. Blessed be God, we have won the
+field; for here are three of us alive, while Mordred stands alone among
+his dead. If you leave off now, the wicked day of destiny will pass and
+life remain to you. Your time for revenge will come hereafter."
+
+"Betide me life, betide me death," cried the king, "this fray must end
+here. Now that I see him yonder alone, he shall never escape my hands.
+One or both of us shall die."
+
+"Then God speed the just cause," said Bevidere.
+
+With no word more Arthur took his spear in both hands, and ran furiously
+at Mordred, crying,--
+
+"Traitor, now has thy day of death come!"
+
+When Mordred heard him, he raised his dripping sword and ran to meet the
+king. Thus they met in mid-field, and King Arthur smote Mordred under
+the shield, the spear piercing his body more than a fathom.
+
+Mordred felt that he had his death-wound, but with a last impulse of
+fury in his felon soul he thrust himself, with all his strength, up to
+the bur of King Arthur's spear. Then wielding his sword with both hands,
+he struck the king so dread a blow on the side of the head that the
+trenchant blade cut through the helmet and deep into the skull.
+
+With this last and fatal stroke Mordred fell stark dead to the ground.
+And Arthur sank in a swoon to the earth, where he lay like one dead.
+
+Thus sadly and direfully ended that dreadful war, with which came to a
+close the flower of the days of chivalry, and the glorious and
+never-to-be equalled fellowship of the Round Table, with all the mighty
+deeds of prowess and marvels of adventure that to it belonged. For of
+those noble knights, except Sir Lancelot and his kindred, only two
+lived, Sir Lucan the butler, and Sir Bevidere his brother, and of these
+two Sir Lucan was wounded unto death; and with them the illustrious King
+Arthur, whose chivalrous soul had so long sustained this noble order of
+knighthood, lay bleeding piteously upon that direful field of blood.
+
+Sir Lucan and Bevidere, with bitter tears of sorrow, lifted their
+helpless king between them, and with great labor led him from that place
+of slaughter till they reached a small chapel near the sea-shore. Here,
+as the night drew on, the sound of many voices came to them, as if the
+dead had risen and were astir on the blood-stained field.
+
+"What noise is this, Sir Lucan?" said the king. "Go, gentle friend, and
+tell me what it means."
+
+Lucan went, and by the moonlight saw a throng of pillagers, who robbed
+the dead bodies of money and jewels, killing for their riches those
+knights who were not quite dead. When he brought this news back to
+Arthur, the king's sad heart came near to breaking.
+
+"Alas! Lancelot," he said, "how have I missed you this day. Alas! that I
+ever turned against you, for had you been here this fatal end could
+never have been, nor those noble warriors left to be the prey of the
+wolves and jackals of the battle-field. Sorely have I erred and sadly
+have I been repaid for my error. But now, alas, it is too late for
+regret or amendment, for the fellowship of the Round Table is at an end,
+and Arthur the king shall reign no more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR.
+
+
+When morning dawned, after that day of fate, Lucan and Bevidere took up
+the king between them, and sought to bear him to the sea-shore, as he
+bade them do. But in the lifting the king swooned, and Lucan fell
+prostrate, the blood gushing anew from his wound.
+
+Arthur lay long like one dead, and when he came to himself again he saw
+Lucan lifeless at his feet, with foam upon his lips, and the ground
+around him deeply stained with his blood.
+
+"Alas! this is a heavy sight to see," he said. "He sought to help me
+when he stood most in need of help. He would not complain though his
+heart broke, and has given his life for mine. May Jesus have mercy on
+his soul."
+
+Bevidere stood beside him, weeping bitterly for the death of his
+brother.
+
+"Weep and mourn no more," said the king. "It will not now avail. Could I
+live, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore. But my time goeth
+fast, and there is that to do for which but few moments remain."
+
+Then he closed his eyes for a time, like one who sees visions; and when
+he looked again there was that in his face which Bevidere could not
+fathom and his eyes were deep with meaning unrevealed.
+
+"Now, my lord Bevidere," said the king, "the end is at hand. Take thou
+my good sword Excalibur, and go with it to yonder water-side. When thou
+comest there, I charge thee throw it as far as thou canst into the
+water; then come again and tell me what thing thou seest."
+
+"Trust me, my lord and king, your command shall be obeyed," said
+Bevidere.
+
+So he took the sword and departed to the water-side. But as his eyes
+fell upon the noble weapon, whose pommel and haft were all of precious
+stones, a feeling of greed came upon him and he said to himself,--
+
+"If I throw this rich sword into the water, no good can come of it, but
+only harm and loss. Had I not better keep it for myself?"
+
+Moved by this thought, he hid Excalibur under a tree, and returned to
+the king, whom he told that he had thrown the sword into the water.
+
+"What saw you there?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir, I saw nothing but the rippling waves."
+
+"Then you speak untruly," said the king. "You have not thrown the sword
+as I bade you. Go again, and obey my command, as you are to me dear and
+true. Spare not, but throw it in afar."
+
+Bevidere thereupon went again, and took the sword in his hand. But the
+rich jewels so glittered in the sun that his greed came back more
+strongly than before, and he deemed it a sin to throw into the sea that
+noble blade. So he hid the sword again, and returned to the king with
+his former tale.
+
+"What sawest thou there?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir, I saw nothing but the waves that broke on the beach, and heard
+only the roar of the surf."
+
+"Ah, traitor! false and untrue art thou!" cried the king. "Thou hast
+betrayed me twice. Who would have thought that thou, whom I held dear,
+and who art named a noble knight, would betray his king for the jewels
+of a sword? Go again, for thy long delay puts me in a great jeopardy of
+my life. If now you do not as I have bidden, beware of me hereafter, for
+dead or alive I will have revenge upon you. Would you, Sir Bevidere, for
+a shining blade, bring death and ruin to your king?"
+
+Then Bevidere, heart-full of shame, hastened away, and took the sword,
+turning his eyes manfully away from its jewelled hilt. Binding the
+girdle around it, with all the might of his arm he hurled the blade far
+out over the waves.
+
+Then came a marvel. For as he followed the sword with his eyes, he saw a
+hand and arm rise above the waves to meet the blade. The hand caught it
+by the hilt, and brandished it thrice in the air, and then vanished with
+it into the water.
+
+Bevidere, much wondering, hurried back to the king, and told him what he
+had seen.
+
+"Now, Sir Bevidere, you have done as I bade you," said Arthur. "But much
+precious time have you lost. Help me hence, in God's name, for I fear
+that I have tarried over-long."
+
+Then Bevidere took the king on his back and bore him to the water-side,
+and lo! there he saw another strange thing.
+
+For close by the shore lay a little barge, which he had not seen before,
+and in it sat many fair ladies, among whom were three queens, who wore
+black hoods, and wept with bitter sorrow when they saw King Arthur.
+
+"Now help me into the barge," said the king.
+
+This Sir Bevidere did as gently as he could. And the three queens
+received the dying monarch with deep mourning, and had him laid between
+them, with his head on the lap of her who sat in the centre.
+
+"Alas! dear brother, why have you tarried so long from me?" said this
+queen. "Much harm I fear from this sad wound."
+
+And so they rowed from the land, while Bevidere stood on the shore sadly
+watching the barge go from him.
+
+"Ah, my lord Arthur," he cried, "what shall become of me, now that you
+go from me and leave me here alone among my enemies?"
+
+"Comfort thyself," said the king, "and do what thou mayest, for in me
+can no man henceforth put his trust. I go into the vale of Avilion, to a
+happy summer island far over the sea, where I shall be healed of my
+grievous wound. But when I shall come again no voice may tell. Mayhap I
+shall never come, but dwell forever in that sunny vale. If you never
+hear more of me, pray for my soul."
+
+Then again the queens and the ladies wept and moaned, and the barge
+moved swiftly over the long waves and afar to sea, while Bevidere stood
+and watched it till it became a black speck on the waters. Then it
+vanished and was seen no more, and the lonely watcher cast himself upon
+the beach, weeping like one who has lost all life's happiness.
+
+But when night came near he turned and went wearily away, heavy with the
+weight of death that lay upon his soul, for he alone remained of
+yesterday's mighty hosts. All that night he journeyed through a great
+forest, and in the morning he found himself between two hoary cliffs,
+with a chapel and a hermitage in the glen that lay between.
+
+In this hermitage he found the holy man who had been archbishop of
+Canterbury, and who had come hither to escape Mordred's rage. With him
+Bevidere stayed till he was cured of his wounds, and afterwards he put
+on poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and
+prayers.
+
+But as for the three queens who went with Arthur to the island of
+Avilion, the chronicles say that they were Morgan le Fay his sister, the
+queen of Northgalis, and the queen of the Waste Lands. And with them was
+Nimue, the lady of the lake. All were skilled in magic, but whither they
+bore King Arthur, or where lies the magical isle of Avilion, or if he
+shall come again, all this no man can say. These are of the secrets that
+time alone can tell, and we only know that his coming is not yet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE DEATH OF LANCELOT AND GUENEVER.
+
+
+When word was brought to Lancelot du Lake that Mordred had usurped the
+throne of England, had besieged Guenever in the Tower of London, and had
+sought to prevent Arthur from landing at Dover, his soul was moved to
+wrath and sorrow. And still more was he moved by the letter of Sir
+Gawaine, with its pitiful self-reproach and earnest wistfulness.
+
+"Is it a time for mourning?" said Sir Bors to Lancelot. "My counsel is
+that you cross at once to England, visit Gawaine's tomb, as he requests,
+and then revenge my lord Arthur and my lady Guenever on this base
+traitor, Mordred."
+
+"It is well advised," said Lancelot. "To England we must go in all
+haste."
+
+Then ships and galleys were made ready with the greatest despatch, for
+Lancelot and his host to pass over to England. And in good time he
+landed at Dover, having with him seven kings and a mighty host of men.
+
+But when he asked the people of Dover the news of the country, his heart
+was filled with dismay to hear of the great battle on Salisbury Downs,
+where a hundred thousand men had died in a day, and of the death of
+Arthur the king.
+
+"Alas!" said Lancelot, "this is the heaviest tidings that ever mortal
+ears heard. Would that I had been advised in good time. Nothing now
+remains to do. I have come too late. Fair sirs, I pray you to show me
+the tomb of Sir Gawaine."
+
+Then they brought him into the castle of Dover, and showed him the tomb.
+Lancelot fell on his knees before it, and wept, and prayed heartily for
+the soul of him that lay within. And that night he made a funeral feast,
+to which all who came had flesh, fish, wine, and ale, and every man and
+woman was given twelve pence. With his own hand he dealt them money in
+a mourning gown; and ever he wept, and prayed for the soul of Sir
+Gawaine.
+
+In the morning, all the priests and clerks of the country round
+gathered, at his request, and sang a requiem mass before the tomb. And
+Lancelot offered a hundred pounds, and each of the seven kings forty
+pounds, and a thousand knights offered one pound each, this going on
+from morning till night. And Lancelot lay two nights on the tomb in
+prayer and weeping.
+
+On the third day he called about him the kings, dukes, earls, barons,
+and knights of his train, and said to them,--
+
+"My fair lords, I thank you all for coming into this country with me;
+but we have come too late, and that I shall mourn while I live. But
+since it is so, I shall myself ride and seek my lady Queen Guenever, for
+men say that she has fled from London, and become a nun, and that she
+lives in deep penance, and in fasting, prayers, and almsgiving, and is
+sick almost unto death. Therefore, I pray you, await me here, and if I
+come not again within fifteen days, then take ship and return to your
+own country."
+
+"Is it wise for you to ride in this realm?" said Sir Bors. "Few friends
+will you find here now."
+
+"Be that as it may," said Lancelot, "I shall go on my journey. Keep you
+still here, for no man nor child shall go with me."
+
+No boot was it to strive with him, and he departed and rode westerly, on
+a seven or eight days' journey, asking of all people as he went. At last
+he came to the nunnery where was Queen Guenever, who saw him as she
+walked in the cloister, and swooned away, so that her ladies had work
+enough to keep her from falling. When she could speak, she said,--
+
+"Ye marvel why I am so held. Truly, it is for the sight of yonder
+knight. Bid him come hither, I pray you."
+
+And when Sir Lancelot had come, she said to him with sweet and sad
+visage,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, through our love has all this happened, and through it my
+noble lord has come to his death. As for me, I am in a way to get my
+soul's health. Therefore, I pray you heartily, for all the love that
+ever was between us, that you see me no more in the visage; but turn to
+thy kingdom again, and keep well thy realm from war and wrack. So well
+have I loved you that my heart will not serve me to see you, for through
+you and me is the flower of kings and knights destroyed. Therefore, Sir
+Lancelot, go to thy realm, and take there a wife, and live with her in
+joy and bliss; and I beseech you heartily to pray to God for me, that I
+may amend my mis-living."
+
+"Nay, madam, I shall never take a wife," said Lancelot. "Never shall I
+be false to you; but the same lot you have chosen that shall I choose."
+
+"If you will do so, I pray that you may," said the queen. "Yet I cannot
+believe but that you will turn to the world again."
+
+"Madam," he earnestly replied, "in the quest of the Sangreal I would
+have forsaken the world but for the service of your lord. If I had done
+so then with all my heart, I had passed all the knights on the quest
+except Galahad, my son. And had I now found you disposed to earthly
+joys, I would have begged you to come into my realm. But since I find
+you turned to heavenly hopes, I, too, shall take to penance, and pray
+while my life lasts, if I can find any hermit, either gray or white, who
+will receive me. Wherefore, madam, I pray you kiss me, and never more
+shall my lips touch woman's."
+
+"Nay," said the queen, "that shall I never do. But take you my blessing,
+and leave me."
+
+Then they parted. But hard of heart would he have been who had not wept
+to see their grief; for there was lamentation as deep as though they had
+been wounded with spears. The ladies bore the queen to her chamber, and
+Lancelot took his horse and rode all that day and all that night in a
+forest, weeping.
+
+At last he became aware of a hermitage and a chapel that stood between
+two cliffs, and then he heard a little bell ring to mass, so he rode
+thither and alighted, and heard mass.
+
+He that sang mass was the archbishop of Canterbury, and with him was Sir
+Bevidere. After the mass they conversed together, and when Bevidere had
+told all his lamentable tale, Lancelot's heart almost broke with sorrow.
+He flung his arms abroad, crying,--
+
+"Alas! who may trust this world?"
+
+Then he kneeled, and prayed the bishop to shrive and absolve him,
+beseeching that he might accept him as his brother in the faith. To this
+the bishop gladly consented, and he put a religious habit on Lancelot,
+who served God there night and day with prayers and fastings.
+
+Meanwhile the army remained at Dover. But Lionel with fifteen lords rode
+to London to seek Lancelot. There he was assailed by Mordred's friends,
+and slain with many of his lords. Then Sir Bors bade the kings, with
+their followers, to return to France. But he, with others of Lancelot's
+kindred, set out to ride over all England in search of their lost
+leader.
+
+At length Bors came by chance to the chapel where Lancelot was. As he
+rode by he heard the sound of a little bell that rang to mass, and
+thereupon alighted and entered the chapel. But when he saw Lancelot and
+Bevidere in hermits' clothing his surprise was great, and he prayed for
+the privilege to put on the same suit. Afterwards other knights joined
+them, so that there were seven in all.
+
+There they remained in penance for six years, and afterwards Sir
+Lancelot took the habit of a priest, and for a twelvemonth he sang mass.
+But at length came a night when he had a vision that bade him to seek
+Almesbury, where he would find Guenever dead. Thrice that night was the
+vision repeated, and Lancelot rose before day and told the hermit of
+what he had dreamed.
+
+"It is from God," said the hermit. "See that you make ready, and disobey
+not the warning."
+
+So, in the early morn, Lancelot and his fellows set out on foot from
+Glastonbury to Almesbury, which is little more than thirty miles. But
+they were two days on the road, for they were weak and feeble with long
+penance. And when they reached the nunnery they found that Guenever had
+died but half an hour before.
+
+The ladies told Lancelot that the queen had said,--
+
+"Hither cometh Lancelot as fast as he may to fetch my corpse. But I
+beseech Almighty God that I may never behold him again with my mortal
+eyes."
+
+This, said the ladies, was her prayer for two days, till she died. When
+Lancelot looked upon her dead face he wept not greatly, but sighed. And
+he said all the service for the dead himself, and in the morning he sang
+mass.
+
+Then was the corpse placed in a horse-bier, and so taken to Glastonbury
+with a hundred torches ever burning about it, and Lancelot and his
+fellows on foot beside it, singing and reading many a holy orison, and
+burning frankincense about the corpse.
+
+When the chapel had been reached, and services said by the hermit
+archbishop, the queen's corpse was wrapped in cered cloth of Raines,
+thirty-fold, and afterwards was put in a web of lead, and then in a
+coffin of marble.
+
+But when the corpse of her whom he had so long loved was put in the
+earth, Lancelot swooned with grief, and lay long like one dead, till the
+hermit came and aroused him, and said,--
+
+"You are to blame for such unmeasured grief. You displease God thereby."
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by F. Frith and Co. Ltd., London, England.
+
+THE OLD KITCHEN OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY.]
+
+"I trust not," Lancelot replied, "for my sorrow is too deep ever to
+cease. When I remember how greatly I am to blame for the death of this
+noble King Arthur and Queen Guenever, my heart sinks within me, and I
+feel that I shall never know a moment's joy again."
+
+Thereafter he sickened and pined away, for the bishop nor any of his
+fellows could make him eat nor drink but very little, but day and night
+he prayed, and wasted away, and ever lay grovelling on the tomb of the
+queen.
+
+So, within six weeks afterwards, Lancelot fell sick and lay in his bed.
+Then he sent for the bishop and all his fellows, and said with sad
+voice: "Sir Bishop, I pray you give me all the rites that belong to a
+Christian man, for my end is at hand."
+
+"This is but heaviness of your blood," replied the bishop. "You shall be
+well amended, I hope, through God's grace, by to-morrow morning."
+
+"In heaven, mayhap, but not on earth," said Lancelot. "So give me the
+rites of the church, and after my death, I beg you to take my body to
+Joyous Gard, for there I have vowed that I would be buried."
+
+When they had heard this, and saw that he was indeed near his end, there
+was such weeping and wringing of hands among his fellows that they could
+hardly help the bishop in the holy offices of the church. But that
+night, after the midnight hour, as the bishop lay asleep, he fell into
+such a hearty laugh of joy that they all came to him in haste, and asked
+him what ailed him.
+
+"Why did you wake me?" he cried. "I was never in my life so happy and
+merry."
+
+"Wherefore?" asked Sir Bors.
+
+"Truly, here was Sir Lancelot with me, with more angels than I ever saw
+men together; and I saw the angels bear him to heaven, and the gates of
+heaven opened to him."
+
+"This is but the vexation of a dream," said Sir Bors. "Lancelot may yet
+mend."
+
+"Go to his bed," said the hermit, "and you shall find if my dream has
+meaning."
+
+This they hastened to do, and there lay Lancelot dead, but with a smile
+on his lips, and the sweetest savor about him they ever had known.
+
+Great was the grief that followed, for never earthly man was mourned as
+was Lancelot. In the morning, after the bishop had made a requiem mass,
+he and his fellows put the corpse of the noble knight into the same
+horse-bier that had borne Guenever, and the queen's corpse with it, and
+they were taken together to Joyous Gard, with such state and ceremony as
+befitted those of royal blood.
+
+And there all the services of the church were sung and read, while the
+face of Lancelot lay open for people to see; for such was then the
+custom of the land. When the services were over they were buried in one
+tomb, for so great had been their love during life that all men said
+they should not be divided in death.
+
+During these events, Sir Constantine, the noble son of Sir Cador of
+Cornwall, had been chosen king of England in Arthur's place, and a
+worthy monarch he proved, ruling the realm worshipfully and long.
+
+After Lancelot's death the new king sent for the bishop of Canterbury,
+and restored him to his archbishopric; but Sir Bevidere remained a
+hermit at Glastonbury to his life's end.
+
+King Constantine also desired the kindred of Lancelot to remain in his
+realm; but this they would not do, but returned to their own country.
+Four of them, Sir Bors, Sir Hector, Sir Blamor, and Sir Bleoberis, went
+to the Holy Land, where they fought long and stoutly against the
+Saracens. And there they died upon a Good Friday, for God's sake.
+
+And so ends the book of the life and death of King Arthur and his noble
+Knights of the Round Table, who were an hundred and fifty when they were
+all together. Let us pray that God was merciful to them all.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+1. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected as follows;
+
+      Pg. 12 - Added missing punctuation "?" (might champion?)
+
+      Pg. 188 - Added missing punctuation "." (and he did all.)
+
+      Pg. 270 - Added missing endquote ("This I say,")
+
+      Pg. 316 - Removed extra enquote (what will you do?)
+
+
+2. Spelling corrections based upon correct spelling of the word
+   elsewhere in the text:
+
+      Pg. 39 - "grevious" to "grievous" (4) (grievous cry that)
+
+      Pg. 50 - "you" to "your" ("Knight, hold your hand.")
+
+      Pg. 83 - "Dinaden" to "Dinadan" (92) (Gareth and Dinadan also)
+
+      Pg. 94 - "seaside" to "sea-side" (8) (castle by the sea-side,)
+
+      Pg. 127 - "law" to "lay" (as he lay there asleep)
+
+      Pg. 143 - "Badgemagus" to "Bagdemagus" (11) (said Bagdemagus)
+
+      Pg. 159 - "Percival" to "Percivale" (94) (Percivale had returned)
+
+      Pg. 166 - "dressel" to "dressed" (old man dressed in a)
+
+      Pg. 189 - "this" to "his" (to his surprise and joy)
+
+      Pg. 202 - "Nacien" to "Nancien" (3) (once by Nancien)
+
+      Pg. 220 - "seem" to "seen" (and seen what you highly)
+
+      Pg. 238 - "befel" to "befell" (5) (it befell that Nimue)
+
+      Pg. 281 - "Turquin" to "Turquine" (2) (by Sir Turquine?)
+
+      Pg. 289 - "Tristam's" to "Tristram's" (313) (and Tristram's sake)
+
+      Pg. 298 - "wil" to "will" (361) (if you will receive)
+
+      Pg. 299 - "dishoner" to "dishonor" (12) (naught to her dishonor.)
+
+
+3. Words where both versions appear in this text and have been retained.
+
+      "threescore" (2) and "three-score"
+
+      "King Astlabor" (p. 87) and "King Astlobar" (p. 90)
+
+
+4. Known English Archaic words used in this text:
+
+      "emprise" (prowess/daring)
+
+      "guerdon" (reward)
+
+      "halidom" (a thing considered holy)
+
+      "leman" (sweetheart)
+
+      "lief" (dear)
+
+      "woful" (3) (now woeful)
+
+      "villanous" (6) and villany (3) (now var. of villian* (10))
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Historic Tales, Vol 14  (of 15), by Charles Morris
+
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