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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
+Table, by Unknown
+
+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: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: Rupert S. Holland
+
+Release Date: June 18, 2011 [EBook #36462]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING ARTHUR--KNIGHTS ROUND TABLE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Peter Vachuska, Dave Morgan, Mary Meehan and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 KING ARTHUR
+
+                     _and the Knights of the Round Table_
+
+                          EDITED BY RUPERT S. HOLLAND
+
+
+    GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+    _Publishers_      NEW YORK
+
+    _Copyright, 1919, by
+    George W. Jacobs & Company_
+
+    _Printed in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "This girdle, lords," said she, "is made for the most
+part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the world, I loved full
+well."]
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table! What magic is in the
+words! How they carry us straight to the days of chivalry, to the
+witchcraft of Merlin, to the wonderful deeds of Lancelot and Perceval
+and Galahad, to the Quest for the Holy Grail, to all that "glorious
+company, the flower of men," as Tennyson has called the king and his
+companions! Down through the ages the stories have come to us, one of
+the few great romances which, like the tales of Homer, are as fresh and
+vivid to-day as when men first recited them in court and camp and
+cottage. Other great kings and paladins are lost in the dim shadows of
+long-past centuries, but Arthur still reigns in Camelot and his knights
+still ride forth to seek the Grail.
+
+                        "No little thing shall be
+
+    The gentle music of the bygone years,
+    Long past to us with all their hopes and fears."
+
+So wrote the poet William Morris in _The Earthly Paradise_. And surely
+it is no small debt of gratitude we owe the troubadours and chroniclers
+and poets who through many centuries have sung of Arthur and his
+champions, each adding to the song the gifts of his own imagination, so
+building from simple folk-tales one of the most magnificent and moving
+stories in all literature.
+
+This debt perhaps we owe in greatest measure to three men; to Chrétien
+de Troies, a Frenchman, who in the twelfth century put many of the old
+Arthurian legends into verse; to Sir Thomas Malory, who first wrote out
+most of the stories in English prose, and whose book, the _Morte
+Darthur_, was printed by William Caxton, the first English printer, in
+1485; and to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who in his series of poems entitled
+the _Idylls of the King_ retold the legends in new and beautiful guise
+in the nineteenth century.
+
+The history of Arthur is so shrouded in the mists of early England that
+it is difficult to tell exactly who and what he was. There probably was
+an actual Arthur, who lived in the island of Britain in the sixth
+century, but probably he was not a king nor even a prince. It seems most
+likely that he was a chieftain who led his countrymen to victory against
+the invading English about the year 500. So proud were his countrymen of
+his victories that they began to invent imaginary stories of his prowess
+to add to the fame of their hero, just as among all peoples legends soon
+spring up about the name of a great leader. As each man told the feats
+of Arthur he contributed those details that appealed most to his own
+fancy and each was apt to think of the hero as a man of his own time,
+dressing and speaking and living as his own kings and princes did, with
+the result that when we come to the twelfth century we find Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, in his _History of the Kings of Britain_, describing Arthur
+no longer as a half-barbarous Briton, wearing rude armor, his arms and
+legs bare, but instead as a most Christian king, the flower of mediæval
+chivalry, decked out in all the gorgeous trappings of a knight of the
+Crusades.
+
+As the story of Arthur grew it attracted to itself popular legends of
+all kinds. Its roots were in Britain and the chief threads in its fabric
+remained British-Celtic. The next most important threads were those that
+were added by the Celtic chroniclers of Ireland. Then stories that were
+not Celtic at all were woven into the legend, some from Germanic
+sources, which the Saxons or the descendants of the Franks may have
+contributed, and others that came from the Orient, which may have been
+brought back from the East by men returning from the Crusades. And if it
+was the Celts who gave us the most of the material for the stories of
+Arthur it was the French poets who first wrote out the stories and gave
+them enduring form.
+
+It was the Frenchman, Chrétien de Troies, who lived at the courts of
+Champagne and of Flanders, who put the old legends into verse for the
+pleasure of the noble lords and ladies that were his patrons. He
+composed six Arthurian poems. The first, which was written about 1160 or
+earlier, related the story of Tristram. The next was called _Érec et
+Énide_, and told some of the adventures that were later used by Tennyson
+in his _Geraint and Enid_. The third was _Cligès_, a poem that has
+little to do with the stories of Arthur and his knights as we have
+them. Next came the _Conte de la Charrette_, or _Le Chevalier de la
+Charrette_, which set forth the love of Lancelot and Guinevere. Then
+followed _Yvain_, or _Le Chevalier au Lion_, and finally came
+_Perceval_, or _Le Conte du Graal_, which gives the first account of the
+Holy Grail.
+
+None of these stories are to be found in the work of Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, who had written earlier in Latin, nor in any of the so-called
+chronicles. It was Chrétien who took the old folk-tales that men had
+been telling each other for centuries and put them into sprightly verse
+for the entertainment of his lords and ladies. He fashioned the stories
+according to the taste of his own gay courts, and so Arthur and his
+Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, Perceval and the other knights became far
+more like French people of the twelfth century than like Britons of the
+sixth. And in introducing the Holy Grail, that sacred and mystic cup
+that was supposed to hold drops of the blood of Christ and to have been
+carried to England by Joseph of Arimathea, Chrétien added to the
+Arthurian legends an old religious story that had had nothing to do with
+Arthur originally.
+
+From this point in its history that sturdy ancient English oak, the
+original story of Arthur and his knights, an account mainly of warlike
+adventures, sent forth four new branches that have now become part and
+parcel of the parent legend. These four branches are the story of
+Merlin, the story of Lancelot, the story of the Holy Grail, and the
+story of Tristram and Iseult. Some of the writers who came after
+Chrétien took one of these stories, some another, each enlarging his
+theme according to his own taste, until each story was the center of a
+large number of new and romantic offshoots. Practically all of them,
+however, were bound together by the thread that led from the court of
+the great King Arthur at Camelot.
+
+The story of Merlin, that man of magic, is the least important of the
+four branches, though Merlin is still an intensely interesting figure in
+the story of Arthur that we read to-day. The story of Lancelot was to
+prove very important; starting as a romance that had very little
+connection with Arthur, it became with Malory and Tennyson the real
+center of interest of the plot. The story of the Holy Grail proved
+almost equally important. In the earliest accounts of this Perceval was
+the knight chosen above all others to reach the Grail Castle, but
+Perceval was too rough and worldly a knight to suit the taste of the
+monks who wrote out the legends and so they created Galahad to take his
+place as their own ideal of perfection. And into these adventures are
+woven some of the tales of Sir Gawain, among them the delightful story
+of Gawain and the Little Maid with the Narrow Sleeves. To the legend of
+Perceval, Wolfram von Eschenbach, a Bavarian, added the story of the son
+of Perceval, or Parzival, as he calls him, the story of Lohengrin, the
+famous Swan-knight. Tristram and Iseult, the fourth of the branches,
+though less connected with Arthur than either Lancelot or the Holy
+Grail, became immensely popular with poets and remancers because of its
+great love story, and is to be found told again and again in widely
+varying forms all through the Middle Ages.
+
+So we have seen that a British chieftain, winning a great battle in the
+year 500, became in time celebrated throughout Europe as the greatest
+king of romance. So far it was mainly the French who had made him
+famous. Layamon, an English priest, had written a poem in English
+concerning Arthur shortly after 1200, and told of the founding of the
+Round Table, but it was to be a considerable time yet before any English
+writer was to attempt what the French had already done. Chaucer told
+none of the Arthurian stories, though he placed the scene of his _Wife
+of Bath's Tale_ at King Arthur's court. An unknown English poet wrote
+_Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight_ somewhere between 1350 and 1375. It
+is not until we come to the _Morte Darthur_ of Sir Thomas Malory,
+finished in 1469 or 1470, that we reach the next great step in the
+history of the legends since the time of Chrétien de Troies. But in
+Malory's story Arthur steps forth resplendent, the kingly figure that we
+have to-day.
+
+Little is known concerning Sir Thomas Malory. He seems to have been a
+knight and country gentleman of Warwickshire, a member of Parliament in
+the reign of Henry VI, and later a soldier on the side of Lancaster in
+the Wars of the Roses. As a result of the victory of the party of York
+he had to retire from public life when Edward IV came to the throne, and
+lived quietly at his Warwickshire estate. He was familiar with life at
+court and with men-at-arms and he knew how popular the stories of King
+Arthur were becoming in England. So, being a man of education, he set to
+work to make a collection of the legends, using as his chief sources the
+French romances.
+
+Malory showed considerable originality in carrying out his plan. He made
+Arthur the central figure, taking the story of Merlin as an introduction
+to the birth of Arthur, instead of as a separate legend, and ending his
+account soon after the death of the king. He omitted a number of the
+older legends that had little to do with Arthur, many of them good
+stories, such as that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He made the
+England of his Arthur something like the England he knew, and his people
+became real and living instead of fanciful figures out of a far-distant
+past. His descriptions are vivid and lively and his style so engaging
+that his work of the fifteenth century is much read to-day. Three
+characters stand out from all the rest, Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere,
+and these three became in all stories and poems subsequent to Malory's
+time the main figures of the legends.
+
+Matthew Arnold attributed to Homer three great epic traits, swiftness,
+simplicity, and nobility. It is these three characteristics that have
+made the _Morte Darthur_ so deservedly famous.
+
+With the printing of Malory's book by the first English printer, William
+Caxton, in 1485, we come to the end of the Middle Ages in literature.
+Manuscripts written out laboriously by monks and clerks were now to
+give way to the printed page. The age of Elizabeth was less than a
+century away, one of the golden ages of the poets. Yet few of the
+Elizabethans touched on the story of Arthur. The main exception was
+Edmund Spenser, who made Prince Arthur the hero of his great poem _The
+Faerie Queene_, but Spenser's Arthur and his knights and ladies have
+little in common with the figures in the old romances.
+
+The succeeding centuries, great as they were in English writers of
+genius, paid little attention to Arthur. Milton and Dryden made little
+use of the legends. Stories of ancient chivalry lost their vogue, novels
+were becoming popular and the poets chose themes closer to their own
+times and point of view. Not until the nineteenth century did Arthur
+come into his own again. Then the Victorian poets turned to him for
+inspiration. William Morris wrote _The Defence of Guenevere_, and a host
+of lesser poets tried their hands on similar themes. Swinburne told the
+story of _Tristram of Lyonesse_ and the _Tale of Balen_, and James
+Russell Lowell composed his beautiful poem _The Vision of Sir Launfal_.
+Matthew Arnold wrote _Tristram and Iseult_. In 1850 Richard Wagner, the
+great German composer, produced his opera _Lohengrin_, and followed it
+with _Tristan und Isolde_ and _Parsifal_. These tell the old stories in
+somewhat new form, and follow the early French romances rather than
+Malory.
+
+But the true descendant of Chrétien de Troies and Malory was Alfred
+Tennyson. The great work of this poet's life was his _Idylls of the
+King_, one of the finest achievements of English literature. He owed his
+inspiration chiefly to Malory. "The vision of Arthur as I have drawn
+him," Tennyson said to his son, "had come upon me when, little more than
+a boy, I first lighted upon Malory." He covered almost the entire field
+of the legends. The _Idylls of the King_ are _The Coming of Arthur_,
+_Geraint and Enid_, _Merlin and Vivien_, _Lancelot and Elaine_, _The
+Holy Grail_, _Pelleas and Ettarre_, _Balin and Balan_, _The Last
+Tournament_, _Guinevere_, and _The Passing of Arthur_.
+
+Tennyson gives to the stories far more allegory, far more philosophy
+than the early poets gave them. His age was interested in philosophy and
+so, as was the case with each of the earlier poets, Tennyson handled the
+legends after the fashion of his own times. In his pages we see the
+characters as actual men and women, subtly drawn, concerned with right
+and wrong far more than with mere knightly adventures. Arthur and
+Lancelot and Guinevere hold the center of the stage, and it is the fate
+of these three that provides the great moving motive of the poems.
+
+To Tennyson we owe the most nearly perfect version of the story that
+dates back to a dim and legendary England. What verse more beautiful
+than his to tell of chivalry?
+
+    "Then, in the boyhood of the year,
+    Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere
+    Rode thro' the coverts of the deer,
+    With blissful treble ringing clear.
+      She seem'd a part of joyous Spring:
+    A gown of grass-green silk she wore,
+    Buckled with golden clasps before;
+    A light-green tuft of plumes she bore
+      Closed in a golden ring."
+
+In beauty and dignity and human interest Tennyson gives us the great
+world of Arthurian legend in its most perfect form.
+
+Malory's _Morte Darthur_ was not Tennyson's only source for the stories
+of his Idylls. The adventures of Geraint he took from the _Mabinogion_,
+a collection of mediæval Welsh tales translated with great charm and
+accuracy by Lady Charlotte Guest, and published in 1838. Also, though to
+a very limited extent, he drew some of his incidents from the history of
+Geoffrey of Monmouth and the other early writers of chronicles.
+
+The great panorama of stories that we group together under the title of
+_King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table_, when they are told in
+prose, are usually taken from Malory's book, the _Morte Darthur_,
+condensed in size, for Malory was frequently verbose, and related in
+more modern English. In this volume we have used as a basis the version
+prepared by Sir James Knowles, which is an abridgment of Malory's work
+as it was printed by Caxton, with a few additions from Geoffrey of
+Monmouth and other sources. To this we have added the story of Sir
+Gawain and the Maid with the Narrow Sleeves, which comes originally from
+the poem of _Perceval_ by Chrétien de Troies.
+
+The stories seem naturally to group themselves into four divisions, The
+Coming of Arthur and the Founding of the Round Table, The Adventures of
+the Champions of the Round Table, Sir Galahad and the Quest of the Holy
+Grail, and The Passing of Arthur. Into these come all the great
+characters of the legends and all the surpassing adventures of the king
+and his knights.
+
+The story of how a half-barbarous British Chieftain became the greatest
+king of mediæval chivalry is a romance in itself. To him poets and
+chroniclers of all lands added one valorous knight after another, one
+amazing adventure on top of another, until the result was the greatest
+collection of legends that have gathered about any king in history. The
+story of the origin and growth of these world-famous legends is told in
+a most delightful book, _The Arthur of the English Poets_, by Howard
+Maynadier, and those who wish to get the historical background of King
+Arthur should turn to its pages.
+
+Those who love brave and knightly deeds, those who love the gorgeous
+trappings of mediæval romance, come to the story of Arthur and his Round
+Table, of Lancelot and Perceval and Galahad and Gawain, of Guinevere and
+Elaine, and of the Quest for the Holy Grail, and there shall be found
+the glories that you seek. The king and his knights ride out from
+Camelot. Here shall you join them on their great adventures!
+
+RUPERT S. HOLLAND.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+I MERLIN FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR
+
+II THE CROWNING OF ARTHUR AND THE SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+III ARTHUR DRIVES THE SAXONS FROM HIS REALM
+
+IV THE KING'S MANY AND GREAT ADVENTURES
+
+V SIR BALIN FIGHTS WITH HIS BROTHER, SIR BALAN
+
+VI THE MARRIAGE OF ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND
+TABLE
+
+VII THE ADVENTURE OF ARTHUR AND SIR ACCOLON OF GAUL
+
+VIII ARTHUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR AT ROME
+
+IX SIR GAWAIN AND THE MAID WITH THE NARROW SLEEVES
+
+
+THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+X THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+XI THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BEAUMAINS OR SIR GARETH
+
+XII THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+XIII THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+XIV SIR LANCELOT AND THE FAIR ELAINE
+
+XV THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+
+
+KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+MERLIN FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR
+
+
+King Vortigern the usurper sat upon his throne in London, when,
+suddenly, upon a certain day, ran in a breathless messenger, and cried
+aloud--
+
+"Arise, Lord King, for the enemy is come; even Ambrosius and Uther, upon
+whose throne thou sittest--and full twenty thousand with them--and they
+have sworn by a great oath, Lord, to slay thee, ere this year be done;
+and even now they march towards thee as the north wind of winter for
+bitterness and haste."
+
+At those words Vortigern's face grew white as ashes, and, rising in
+confusion and disorder, he sent for all the best artificers and
+craftsmen and mechanics, and commanded them vehemently to go and build
+him straightway in the furthest west of his lands a great and strong
+castle, where he might fly for refuge and escape the vengeance of his
+master's sons--"and, moreover," cried he, "let the work be done within a
+hundred days from now, or I will surely spare no life amongst you all."
+
+Then all the host of craftsmen, fearing for their lives, found out a
+proper site whereon to build the tower, and eagerly began to lay in the
+foundations. But no sooner were the walls raised up above the ground
+than all their work was overwhelmed and broken down by night invisibly,
+no man perceiving how, or by whom, or what. And the same thing happening
+again, and yet again, all the workmen, full of terror, sought out the
+king, and threw themselves upon their faces before him, beseeching him
+to interfere and help them or to deliver them from their dreadful work.
+
+Filled with mixed rage and fear, the king called for the astrologers and
+wizards, and took counsel with them what these things might be, and how
+to overcome them. The wizards worked their spells and incantations, and
+in the end declared that nothing but the blood of a youth born without
+mortal father, smeared on the foundations of the castle, could avail to
+make it stand. Messengers were therefore sent forthwith through all the
+land to find, if it were possible, such a child. And, as some of them
+went down a certain village street, they saw a band of lads fighting and
+quarreling, and heard them shout at one--"Avaunt, thou imp!--avaunt! Son
+of no mortal man! go, find thy father, and leave us in peace."
+
+At that the messengers looked steadfastly on the lad, and asked who he
+was. One said his name was Merlin; another, that his birth and parentage
+were known by no man; a third, that the foul fiend alone was his father.
+Hearing the things, the officers seized Merlin, and carried him before
+the king by force.
+
+But no sooner was he brought to him than he asked in a loud voice, for
+what cause he was thus dragged there?
+
+"My magicians," answered Vortigern, "told me to seek out a man that had
+no human father, and to sprinkle my castle with his blood, that it may
+stand."
+
+"Order those magicians," said Merlin, "to come before me, and I will
+convict them of a lie."
+
+The king was astonished at his words, but commanded the magicians to
+come and sit down before Merlin, who cried to them--
+
+"Because ye know not what it is that hinders the foundation of the
+castle, ye have advised my blood for a cement to it, as if that would
+avail; but tell me now rather what there is below that ground, for
+something there is surely underneath that will not suffer the tower to
+stand?"
+
+The wizards at these words began to fear, and made no answer. Then said
+Merlin to the king--
+
+"I pray, Lord, that workmen may be ordered to dig deep down into the
+ground till they shall come to a great pool of water."
+
+This then was done, and the pool discovered far beneath the surface of
+the ground.
+
+Then, turning again to the magicians, Merlin said, "Tell me now, false
+sycophants, what there is underneath that pool?"--but they were silent.
+Then said he to the king, "Command this pool to be drained, and at the
+bottom shall be found two dragons, great and huge, which now are
+sleeping, but which at night awake and fight and tear each other. At
+their great struggle all the ground shakes and trembles, and so casts
+down thy towers, which, therefore, never yet could find secure
+foundations."
+
+The king was amazed at these words, but commanded the pool to be
+forthwith drained; and surely at the bottom of it did they presently
+discover the two dragons, fast asleep, as Merlin had declared.
+
+But Vortigern sat upon the brink of the pool till night to see what else
+would happen.
+
+Then those two dragons, one of which was white, the other red, rose up
+and came near one another, and began a sore fight, and cast forth fire
+with their breath. But the white dragon had the advantage, and chased
+the other to the end of the lake. And he, for grief at his flight,
+turned back upon his foe, and renewed the combat, and forced him to
+retire in turn. But in the end the red dragon was worsted, and the white
+dragon disappeared no man knew where.
+
+When their battle was done, the king desired Merlin to tell him what it
+meant. Whereat he, bursting into tears, cried out this prophecy, which
+first foretold the coming of King Arthur.
+
+"Woe to the red dragon, which figureth the British nation, for his
+banishment cometh quickly; his lurking-holes shall be seized by the
+white dragon--the Saxon whom thou, O king, hast called to the land. The
+mountains shall be leveled as the valleys, and the rivers of the valleys
+shall run blood; cities shall be burned, and churches laid in ruins;
+till at length the oppressed shall turn for a season and prevail against
+the strangers. For a Boar of Cornwall shall arise and rend them, and
+trample their necks beneath his feet. The island shall be subject to his
+power, and he shall take the forests of Gaul. The house of Romulus shall
+dread him--all the world shall fear him--and his end shall no man know;
+he shall be immortal in the mouths of the people, and his works shall be
+food to those that tell them.
+
+"But as for thee, O Vortigern, flee thou the sons of Constantine, for
+they shall burn thee in thy tower. For thine own ruin wast thou traitor
+to their father, and didst bring the Saxon heathens to the land.
+Aurelius and Uther are even now upon thee to revenge their father's
+murder; and the brood of the white dragon shall waste thy country, and
+shall lick thy blood. Find out some refuge, if thou wilt! but who may
+escape the doom of God?"
+
+The king heard all this, trembling greatly; and, convicted of his sins,
+said nothing in reply. Only he hasted the builders of his tower by day
+and night, and rested not till he had fled thereto.
+
+In the meantime, Aurelius, the rightful king, was hailed with joy by the
+Britons, who flocked to his standard, and prayed to be led against the
+Saxons. But he, till he had first killed Vortigern, would begin no other
+war. He marched therefore to Cambria, and came before the tower which
+the usurper had built. Then, crying out to all his knights, "Avenge ye
+on him who hath ruined Britain and slain my father and your king!" he
+rushed with many thousands at the castle walls. But, being driven back
+again and yet again, at length he thought of fire, and ordered blazing
+brands to be cast into the building from all sides. These, finding soon
+a proper fuel, ceased not to rage till, spreading to a mighty
+conflagration, they burned down the tower, and Vortigern within it.
+
+Then did Aurelius turn his strength against Hengist and the Saxons, and,
+defeating them in many places, weakened their power for a long season,
+so that the land had peace.
+
+Anon the king, making journeys to and fro, restoring ruined churches
+and, creating order, came to the monastery near Salisbury, where all
+those British knights lay buried who had been slain there by the
+treachery of Hengist. For when in former times Hengist had made a solemn
+truce with Vortigern, to meet in peace and settle terms, whereby himself
+and all his Saxons should depart from Britain, the Saxon soldiers
+carried every one of them beneath his garment a long dagger, and, at a
+given signal, fell upon the Britons, and slew them, to the number of
+nearly five hundred.
+
+The sight of the place where the dead lay moved Aurelius to great
+sorrow, and he cast about in his mind how to make a worthy tomb over so
+many noble martyrs, who had died there for their country.
+
+When he had in vain consulted many craftsmen and builders, he sent, by
+the advice of the archbishop, for Merlin, and asked him what to do. "If
+you would honor the burying-place of these men," said Merlin, "with an
+everlasting monument, send for the Giants' Dance which is in Killaraus,
+a mountain; in Ireland; for there is a structure of stone there which
+none of this age could raise without a perfect knowledge of the arts.
+They are stones of a vast size and wondrous nature, and if they can be
+placed here as they are there, round this spot of ground, they will
+stand for ever."
+
+At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter, and said, "How
+is it possible to remove such vast stones from so great a distance, as
+if Britain, also, had no stones fit for the work?"
+
+"I pray the king," said Merlin, "to forbear vain laughter; what I have
+said is true, for those stones are mystical and have healing virtues.
+The giants of old brought them from the furthest coast of Africa, and
+placed them in Ireland while they lived in that country: and their
+design was to make baths in them, for use in time of grievous illness.
+For if they washed the stones and put the sick into the water, it
+certainly healed them, as also it did them that were wounded in battle;
+and there is no stone among them but hath the same virtue still."
+
+When the Britons heard this, they resolved to send for the stones, and
+to make war upon the people of Ireland if they offered to withhold them.
+So, when they had chosen Uther the king's brother for their chief, they
+set sail, to the number of 15,000 men, and came to Ireland. There
+Gillomanius, the king, withstood them fiercely, and not till after a
+great battle could they approach the Giants' Dance, the sight of which
+filled them with joy and admiration. But when they sought to move the
+stones, the strength of all the army was in vain, until Merlin,
+laughing at their failures, contrived machines of wondrous cunning,
+which took them down with ease, and placed them in the ships.
+
+When they had brought the whole to Salisbury, Aurelius, with the crown
+upon his head, kept for four days the feast of Pentecost with royal
+pomp; and in the midst of all the clergy and the people, Merlin raised
+up the stones, and set them round the sepulcher of the knights and
+barons, as they stood in the mountains of Ireland.
+
+Then was the monument called "Stonehenge," and stands, as all men know,
+upon the plain of Salisbury to this very day.
+
+Soon thereafter it befell that Aurelius was slain by poison at
+Winchester, and was himself buried within the Giants' Dance.
+
+At the same time came forth a comet of amazing size and brightness,
+darting out a beam, at the end whereof was a cloud of fire shaped like a
+dragon, from whose mouth went out two rays, one stretching over Gaul,
+the other ending in seven lesser rays over the Irish sea.
+
+At the appearance of this star a great dread fell upon the people, and
+Uther, marching into Cambria against the son of Vortigern, himself was
+very troubled to learn what it might mean. Then Merlin, being called
+before him, cried with a loud voice: "O mighty loss! O stricken Britain!
+Alas! the great prince is gone from us. Aurelius Ambrosius is dead,
+whose death will be ours also, unless God help us. Haste, therefore,
+noble Uther, to destroy the enemy; the victory shall be thine, and thou
+shalt be king of all Britain. For the star with the fiery dragon
+signifies thyself; and the ray over Gaul portends that thou shalt have a
+son, most mighty, whom all those kingdoms shall obey which the ray
+covers."
+
+Thus, for the second time, did Merlin foretell the coming of King
+Arthur. And Uther, when he was made king, remembered Merlin's words, and
+caused two dragons to be made in gold, in likeness of the dragon he had
+seen in the star. One of these he gave to Winchester Cathedral, and had
+the other carried into all his wars before him, whence he was ever after
+called Uther Pendragon, or the dragon's head.
+
+Now, when Uther Pendragon had passed through all the land, and settled
+it--and even voyaged into all the countries of the Scots, and tamed the
+fierceness of that rebel people--he came to London, and ministered
+justice there. And it befell at a certain great banquet and high feast
+which the king made at Easter-tide, there came, with many other earls
+and barons, Gorloïs, Duke of Cornwall, and his wife Igerna, who was the
+most famous beauty in all Britain. And soon thereafter, Gorloïs being
+slain in battle, Uther determined to make Igerna his own wife. But in
+order to do this, and enable him to come to her--for she was shut up in
+the high castle of Tintagil, on the furthest coast of Cornwall--the king
+sent for Merlin, to take counsel with him and to pray his help. This,
+therefore, Merlin promised him on one condition--namely, that the king
+should give him up the first son born of the marriage. For Merlin by
+his art foreknew that this firstborn should be the long-wished prince,
+King Arthur.
+
+When Uther, therefore, was at length happily wedded, Merlin came to the
+castle on a certain day, and said, "Sir, thou must now provide thee for
+the nourishing of thy child."
+
+And the king, nothing doubting, said, "Be it as thou wilt."
+
+"I know a lord of thine in this land," said Merlin, "who is a man both
+true and faithful; let him have the nourishing of the child. His name is
+Sir Ector, and he hath fair possessions both in England and in Wales.
+When, therefore, the child is born, let him be delivered unto me,
+unchristened, at yonder postern-gate, and I will bestow him in the care
+of this good knight."
+
+So when the child was born, the king bid two knights and two ladies to
+take it, bound in rich cloth of gold, and deliver it to a poor man whom
+they should discover at the postern-gate. And the child being delivered
+thus to Merlin, who himself took the guise of a poor man, was carried by
+him to a holy priest and christened by the name of Arthur, and then was
+taken to Sir Ector's house, and nourished at Sir Ector's wife's own
+breasts. And in the same house he remained privily for many years, no
+man soever knowing where he was, save Merlin and the king.
+
+Anon it befell that the king was seized by a lingering distemper, and
+the Saxon heathens, taking their occasion, came back from over sea, and
+swarmed upon the land, wasting it with fire and sword. When Uther heard
+thereof, he fell into a greater rage than his weakness could bear, and
+commanded all his nobles to come before him, that he might upbraid them
+for their cowardice. And when he had sharply and hotly rebuked them, he
+swore that he himself, nigh unto death although he lay, would lead them
+forth against the enemy. Then causing a horse-litter to be made, in
+which he might be carried--for he was too faint and weak to ride--he
+went up with all his army swiftly against the Saxons.
+
+But they, when they heard that Uther was coming in a litter, disdained
+to fight him, saying it would be shame for brave men to fight with one
+half dead. So they retired into their city; and, as it were in scorn of
+danger, left the gates wide open. But Uther straightway commanding his
+men to assault the town, they did so without loss of time, and had
+already reached the gates, when the Saxons, repenting too late of their
+haughty pride, rushed forth to the defense. The battle raged till night,
+and was begun again next day; but at last, their leaders, Octa and Eosa,
+being slain, the Saxons turned their backs and fled, leaving the Britons
+a full triumph.
+
+The king at this felt so great joy, that, whereas before he could scarce
+raise himself without help, he now sat upright in his litter by himself,
+and said, with a laughing and merry face, "They called me the half-dead
+king, and so indeed I was; but victory to me half dead is better than
+defeat and the best health. For to die with honor is far better than to
+live disgraced."
+
+But the Saxons, although thus defeated, were ready still for war. Uther
+would have pursued them; but his illness had by now so grown, that his
+knights and barons kept him from the adventure. Whereat the enemy took
+courage, and left nothing undone to destroy the land; until, descending
+to the vilest treachery, they resolved to kill the king by poison.
+
+To this end, as he lay sick at Verulum, they sent and poisoned
+stealthily a spring of clear water, whence he was wont to drink daily;
+and so, on the very next day, he was taken with the pains of death, as
+were also a hundred others after him, before the villainy was
+discovered, and heaps of earth thrown over the well.
+
+The knights and barons, full of sorrow, now took counsel together, and
+came to Merlin for his help to learn the king's will before he died, for
+he was by this time speechless. "Sirs, there is no remedy," said Merlin,
+"and God's will must be done; but be ye all to-morrow before him, for
+God will make him speak before he die."
+
+So on the morrow all the barons, with Merlin, stood round the bedside of
+the king; and Merlin said aloud to Uther, "Lord, shall thy son Arthur be
+the king of all this realm after thy days?"
+
+Then Uther Pendragon turned him about, and said, in the hearing of them
+all, "God's blessing and mine be upon him. I bid him pray for my soul,
+and also that he claim my crown, or forfeit all my blessing;" and with
+those words he died.
+
+Then came together all the bishops and the clergy, and great multitudes
+of people, and bewailed the king; and carrying his body to the convent
+of Ambrius, they buried it close by his brother's grave, within the
+"Giants' Dance."
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE CROWNING OF ARTHUR AND THE SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+
+Now Arthur the prince had all this time been nourished in Sir Ector's
+house as his own son, and was fair and tall and comely, being of the age
+of fifteen years, great in strength, gentle in manner, and accomplished
+in all exercises proper for the training of a knight.
+
+But as yet he knew not of his father; for Merlin had so dealt, that none
+save Uther and himself knew aught about him. Wherefore it befell that
+many of the knights and barons who heard King Uther speak before his
+death, and call his son Arthur his successor, were in great amazement;
+and some doubted, and others were displeased.
+
+Anon the chief lords and princes set forth each to his own land, and,
+raising armed men and multitudes of followers, determined every one to
+gain the crown for himself; for they said in their hearts, "If there be
+any such a son at all as he of whom this wizard forced the king to
+speak, who are we that a beardless boy should have rule over us?"
+
+So the land stood long in great peril, for every lord and baron sought
+but his own advantage; and the Saxons, growing ever more adventurous,
+wasted and overran the towns and villages in every part.
+
+Then Merlin went to Brice, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and advised him
+to require all the earls and barons of the realm and all knights and
+gentlemen-at-arms to come to him at London, before Christmas, under pain
+of cursing, that they might learn the will of Heaven who should be king.
+This, therefore, the archbishop did, and upon Christmas Eve were met
+together in London all the greatest princes, lords, and barons; and long
+before day they prayed in St. Paul's Church, and the archbishop besought
+Heaven for a sign who should be lawful king of all the realm.
+
+And as they prayed, there was seen in the churchyard, set straight
+before the doorways of the church, a huge square stone having a naked
+sword stuck in the midst of it. And on the sword was written in letters
+of gold, "Whoso pulleth out the sword from this stone is born the
+rightful King of England."
+
+At this all the people wondered greatly; and, when Mass was over, the
+nobles, knights, and princes ran out eagerly from the church to see the
+stone and sword; and a law was forthwith made that whoso should pull out
+the sword should be acknowledged straightway King of Britain.
+
+Then many knights and barons pulled at the sword with all their might,
+and some of them tried many times, but none could stir or move it.
+
+When all had tried in vain, the archbishop declared the man whom Heaven
+had chosen was not yet there. "But God," said he, "will doubtless make
+him known ere many days."
+
+So ten knights were chosen, being men of high renown, to watch and keep
+the sword; and there was proclamation made through all the land that
+whosoever would, had leave and liberty to try and pull it from the
+stone. But though great multitudes of people came, both gentle and
+simple, for many days, no man could ever move the sword a hair's breadth
+from its place.
+
+Now, at the New Year's Eve a great tournament was to be held in London,
+which the archbishop had devised to keep together lords and commons,
+lest they should grow estranged in the troublous and unsettled times. To
+the which tournament there came, with many other knights, Sir Ector,
+Arthur's foster-father, who had great possessions near to London; and
+with him came his son, Sir Key, but recently made knight, to take his
+part in the jousting, and young Arthur also to witness all the sports
+and fighting.
+
+But as they rode towards the jousts, Sir Key found suddenly he had no
+sword, for he had left it at his father's house; and turning to young
+Arthur, he prayed him to ride back and fetch it for him. "I will with a
+good will," said Arthur; and rode fast back after the sword.
+
+But when he came to the house he found it locked and empty, for all were
+gone forth to see the tournament. Whereat, being angry and impatient, he
+said within himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take with me
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother shall not go
+without a sword this day."
+
+So he rode and came to the churchyard, and alighting from his horse he
+tied him to the gate, and went to the pavilion, which was pitched near
+the stone, wherein abode the ten knights who watched and kept it; but he
+found no knights there, for all were gone to see the jousting.
+
+Then he took the sword by its handle, and lightly and fiercely he pulled
+it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode until he came to Sir
+Key and delivered him the sword. But as soon as Sir Key saw it he knew
+well it was the sword of the stone, and, riding swiftly to his father,
+he cried out, "Lo! here, sir, is the sword of the stone, wherefore it is
+I who must be king of all this land."
+
+When Sir Ector saw the sword, he turned back straight with Arthur and
+Sir Key and came to the churchyard, and there alighting, they went all
+three into the church, and Sir Key was sworn to tell truly how he came
+by the sword. Then he confessed it was his brother Arthur who had
+brought it to him.
+
+Whereat Sir Ector, turning to young Arthur, asked him--"How gottest thou
+the sword?"
+
+"Sir," said he, "I will tell you. When I went home to fetch my brother's
+sword, I found nobody to deliver it to me, for all were abroad to the
+jousts. Yet was I loth to leave my brother swordless, and, bethinking me
+of this one, I came hither eagerly to fetch it for him, and pulled it
+out of the stone without any pain."
+
+Then said Sir Ector, much amazed and looking steadfastly on Arthur, "If
+this indeed be thus, 'tis thou who shalt be king of all this land--and
+God will have it so--for none but he who should be rightful Lord of
+Britain might ever draw this sword forth from that stone. But let me now
+with mine own eyes see thee put back the sword into its place and draw
+it forth again."
+
+"That is no mastery," said Arthur; and straightway set it in the stone.
+And then Sir Ector pulled at it himself, and after him Sir Key, with all
+his might, but both of them in vain: then Arthur, reaching forth his
+hand and grasping at the pommel, pulled it out easily, and at once.
+
+Then fell Sir Ector down upon his knees upon the ground before young
+Arthur, and Sir Key also with him, and straightway did him homage as
+their sovereign lord.
+
+But Arthur cried aloud, "Alas! mine own dear father and my brother, why
+kneel ye thus to me?"
+
+"Nay, my Lord Arthur," answered then Sir Ector, "we are of no
+blood-kinship with thee, and little though I thought how high thy kin
+might be, yet wast thou never more than foster-child of mine." And then
+he told him all he knew about his infancy, and how a stranger had
+delivered him, with a great sum of gold, into his hands to be brought up
+and nourished as his own born child, and then had disappeared.
+
+But when young Arthur heard of it, he fell upon Sir Ector's neck, and
+wept, and made great lamentation, "For now," said he, "I have in one
+day lost my father and my mother and my brother."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Ector presently, "when thou shalt be made king be good
+and gracious unto me and mine."
+
+"If not," said Arthur, "I were no true man's son at all, for thou art he
+in all the world to whom I owe the most; and my good lady and mother,
+thy wife, hath ever kept and fostered me as though I were her own; so if
+it be God's will that I be king hereafter as thou sayest, desire of me
+whatever thing thou wilt and I will do it; and God forbid that I should
+fail thee in it."
+
+"I will but pray," replied Sir Ector, "that thou wilt make my son Sir
+Key, thy foster-brother, seneschal of all the lands."
+
+"That shall he be," said Arthur; "and never shall another hold that
+office, save thy son, while he and I do live."
+
+Anon, they left the church and went to the archbishop to tell him that
+the sword had been achieved. And when he saw the sword in Arthur's hand
+he set a day and summoned all the princes, knights, and barons to meet
+again at St. Paul's Church and see the will of Heaven signified. So when
+they came together, the sword was put back in the stone, and all tried,
+from the greatest to the least, to move it; but there before them all
+not one could take it out save Arthur only.
+
+But then befell a great confusion and dispute, for some cried out it was
+the will of Heaven, and, "Long live King Arthur," but many more were
+full of wrath and said, "What! would ye give the ancient scepter of this
+land unto a boy born none know how?" And the contention growing greatly,
+till nothing could be done to pacify their rage, the meeting was at
+length broken up by the archbishop and adjourned till Candlemas, when
+all should meet again.
+
+But when Candlemas was come, Arthur alone again pulled forth the sword,
+though more than ever came to win it; and the barons, sorely vexed and
+angry, put it in delay till Easter. But as he had sped before so he did
+at Easter, and the barons yet once more contrived delays till Pentecost.
+
+But now the archbishop, fully seeing God's will, called together, by
+Merlin's counsel, a band of knights and gentlemen-at-arms, and set them
+about Arthur to keep him safely till the Feast of Pentecost. And when at
+the feast Arthur still again alone prevailed to move the sword, the
+people all with one accord cried out, "Long live King Arthur! we will
+have no more delay, nor any other king, for so it is God's will; and we
+will slay whoso resisteth Him and Arthur;" and wherewithal they kneeled
+down all at once, and cried for Arthur's grace and pardon that they had
+so long delayed him from his crown. Then he full sweetly and
+majestically pardoned them; and taking in his hand the sword, he offered
+it upon the high altar of the church.
+
+Anon was he solemnly knighted with great pomp by the most famous knight
+there present, and the crown was placed upon his head; and, having
+taken oath to all the people, lords and commons, to be true king and
+deal in justice only unto his life's end, he received homage and service
+from all the barons who held lands and castles from the crown. Then he
+made Sir Key, High Steward of England, and Sir Badewaine of Britain,
+Constable, and Sir Ulfius, Chamberlain: and after this, with all his
+court and a great retinue of knights and armed men, he journeyed into
+Wales, and was crowned again in the old city of Caerleon-upon-Usk.
+
+Meanwhile those knights and barons who had so long delayed him from the
+crown, met together and went up to the coronation feast at Caerleon, as
+if to do him homage; and there they ate and drank such things as were
+set before them at the royal banquet, sitting with the others in the
+great hall.
+
+But when after the banquet Arthur began, according to the ancient royal
+custom, to bestow great boons and fiefs on whom he would, they all with
+one accord rose up, and scornfully refused his gifts, crying that they
+would take nothing from a beardless boy come of low or unknown birth,
+but would instead give him good gifts of hard sword-strokes between neck
+and shoulders.
+
+Whereat arose a deadly tumult in the hall, and every man there made him
+ready to fight. But Arthur leaped up as a flame of fire against them,
+and all his knights and barons drawing their swords, rushed after him
+upon them and began a full sore battle; and presently the king's party
+prevailed, and drave the rebels from the hall and from the city, closing
+the gates behind them; and King Arthur brake his sword upon them in his
+eagerness and rage.
+
+But amongst them were six kings of great renown and might, who more than
+all raged against Arthur and determined to destroy him, namely, King
+Lot, King Nanters, King Urien, King Carados, King Yder, and King
+Anguisant. These six, therefore, joining their armies together, laid
+close siege to the city of Caerleon, wherefrom King Arthur had so
+shamefully driven them.
+
+And after fifteen days Merlin came suddenly into their camp and asked
+them what this treason meant. Then he declared to them that Arthur was
+no base adventurer, but King Uther's son, whom they were bound to serve
+and honor even though Heaven had not vouch-safed the wondrous miracle of
+the sword. Some of the kings, when they heard Merlin speak thus,
+marveled and believed him; but others, as King Lot, laughed him and his
+words to scorn, and mocked him for a conjurer and wizard. But it was
+agreed with Merlin that Arthur should come forth and speak with the
+kings.
+
+So he went forth to them to the city gate, and with him the archbishop
+and Merlin, and Sir Key, Sir Brastias, and a great company of others.
+And he spared them not in his speech, but spoke to them as king and
+chieftain, telling them plainly he would make them all bow to him if he
+lived, unless they choose to do him homage there and then; and so they
+parted in great wrath, and each side armed in haste.
+
+"What will ye do?" said Merlin to the kings; "ye had best hold your
+hands, for were ye ten times as many ye should not prevail."
+
+"Shall we be afraid of a dream-reader?" quoth King Lot in scorn.
+
+With that Merlin vanished away and came to King Arthur.
+
+Then Arthur said to Merlin, "I have need now of a sword that shall
+chastise these rebels terribly."
+
+"Come then with me," said Merlin, "for hard by there is a sword that I
+can gain for thee."
+
+So they rode out that night till they came to a fair and broad lake, and
+in the midst of it King Arthur saw an arm thrust up, clothed in white
+samite, and holding a great sword in the hand.
+
+"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said Merlin.
+
+Then saw they a damsel floating on the lake in the moonlight. "What
+damsel is that?" said the king.
+
+"The lady of the lake," said Merlin; "for upon this lake there is a
+rock, and on the rock a noble palace, where she abideth, and she will
+come towards thee presently, when thou shalt ask her courteously for the
+sword."
+
+Therewith the damsel came to King Arthur, and saluted him, and he
+saluted her, and said, "Lady, what sword is that the arm holdeth above
+the water? I would that it were mine, for I have no sword."
+
+"Sir King," said the lady of the lake, "that sword is mine, and if thou
+wilt give me in return a gift whenever I shall ask it of thee, thou
+shalt have it."
+
+"By my faith," said he, "I will give thee any gift that thou shalt ask."
+
+"Well," said the damsel, "go into yonder barge, and row thyself unto the
+sword, and take it and the scabbard with thee, and I will ask my gift of
+thee when I see my time."
+
+So King Arthur and Merlin alighted, and tied their horses to two trees,
+and went into the barge; and when they came to the sword that the hand
+held, King Arthur took it by the handle and bore it with him, and the
+arm and hand went down under the water; and so they came back to land,
+and rode again to Caerleon.
+
+On the morrow Merlin bade King Arthur to set fiercely on the enemy; and
+in the meanwhile three hundred good knights went over to King Arthur
+from the rebels' side. Then at the spring of day, when they had scarce
+left their tents, he fell on them with might and main, and Sir
+Badewaine, Sir Key, and Sir Brastias slew on the right and on the left
+marvelously; and ever in the thickest of the fight King Arthur raged
+like a young lion, and laid on with his sword, and did wondrous deeds of
+arms, to the joy and admiration of the knights and barons who beheld
+him.
+
+Then King Lot, King Carados, and the King of the Hundred Knights--who
+also was with them--going round to the rear, set on King Arthur fiercely
+from behind; but King Arthur, turning to his knights, fought ever in the
+foremost press until his horse was slain beneath him. At that, King Lot
+rode furiously at him, and smote him down; but rising straightway, and
+being set again on horseback, he drew his sword Excalibur that he had
+gained by Merlin from the lady of the lake, which, shining brightly as
+the light of thirty torches, dazzled the eyes of his enemies. And
+therewith falling on them afresh with all his knights, he drove them
+back and slew them in great numbers, and Merlin by his arts scattered
+among them fire and pitchy smoke, so that they broke and fled. Then all
+the common people of Caerleon, seeing them give way, rose up with one
+accord, and rushed at them with clubs and staves, and chased them far
+and wide, and slew many great knights and lords, and the remainder of
+them fled and were seen no more. Thus won King Arthur his first battle
+and put his enemies to shame.
+
+But the six kings, though sorely routed, prepared for a new war, and
+joining to themselves five others swore together that, whether for weal
+or woe, they would keep steadfast alliance till they had destroyed King
+Arthur. Then, with a host of 50,000 men-at-arms on horseback, and 10,000
+foot, they were soon ready, and sent forth their fore-riders, and drew
+from the northern country towards King Arthur, to the castle of
+Bedgraine.
+
+But he by Merlin's counsel had sent over sea to King Ban of Benwick and
+King Bors of Gaul, praying them to come and help him in his wars, and
+promising to help them in return against King Claudas, their foe. To
+which those kings made answer that they would joyfully fulfil his wish,
+and shortly after came to London with 300 knights, well arrayed for both
+peace and war, leaving behind them a great army on the other side of the
+sea till they had consulted with King Arthur and his ministers how they
+might best dispose of it.
+
+And Merlin being asked for his advice and help, agreed to go himself and
+fetch it over sea to England, which in one night he did; and brought
+with him 10,000 horsemen and led them northward privately to the forest
+of Bedgraine, and there lodged them in a valley secretly.
+
+Then, by the counsel of Merlin, when they knew which way the eleven
+kings would ride and sleep, King Arthur with Kings Ban and Bors made
+themselves ready with their army for the fight, having yet but 30,000
+men, counting the 10,000 who had come from Gaul.
+
+"Now shall ye do my advice," said Merlin; "I would that King Ban and
+King Bors, with all their fellowship of 10,000 men, were led to ambush
+in this wood ere daylight, and stir not therefrom until the battle hath
+been long waged. And thou, Lord Arthur, at the spring of day draw forth
+thine army before the enemy, and dress the battle so that they may at
+once see all thy host, for they will be the more rash and hardy when
+they see you have but 20,000 men."
+
+To this the three knights and the barons heartily consented, and it was
+done as Merlin had devised. So on the morrow when the hosts beheld each
+other, the host of the north was greatly cheered to find so few led out
+against them.
+
+Then gave King Arthur the command to Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias to take
+3000 men-at-arms, and to open battle. They therefore setting fiercely on
+the enemy slew them on the right hand and the left till it was wonderful
+to see their slaughter.
+
+When the eleven kings beheld so small a band doing such mighty deeds of
+arms they were ashamed, and charged them fiercely in return. Then was
+Sir Ulfius' horse slain under him; but he fought well and marvelously on
+foot against Duke Eustace and King Clarience, who set upon him
+grievously, till Sir Brastias, seeing his great peril, pricked towards
+them swiftly, and so smote the duke through with his spear that horse
+and man fell down and rolled over. Whereat King Clarience turned upon
+Sir Brastias, and rushing furiously together they each unhorsed the
+other and fell both to the ground, and there lay a long time stunned,
+their horses' knees being cut to the bone. Then came Sir Key the
+seneschal with six companions, and did wondrous well, till the eleven
+kings went out against them and overthrew Sir Griflet and Sir Lucas the
+butler. And when Sir Key saw Sir Griflet unhorsed and on foot, he rode
+against King Nanters hotly and smote him down, and led his horse to
+Griflet and horsed him again; with the same spear did Sir Key smite down
+King Lot and wounded him full sore.
+
+But seeing that, the King of the Hundred Knights rushed at Sir Key and
+overthrew him in return, and took his horse and gave it to King Lot.
+And when Sir Griflet saw Sir Key's mischance, he set his spear in rest,
+and riding at a mighty man-at-arms, he cast him down headlong and caught
+his horse and led it straightway to Sir Key.
+
+By now the battle was growing perilous and hard, and both sides fought
+with rage and fury. And Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias were both afoot and
+in great danger of their death, and foully stained and trampled under
+horses' feet. Then King Arthur, putting spurs to his horse, rushed
+forward like a lion into the midst of all the _mêlèe_, and singling out
+King Cradlemont of North Wales, smote him through the left side and
+overthrew him, and taking his horse by the rein he brought it to Sir
+Ulfius in haste and said, "Take this horse, mine old friend, for thou
+hast great need of one, and charge by side of me." And even as he spoke
+he saw Sir Ector, Sir Key's father, smitten to the earth by the King of
+the Hundred Knights, and his horse taken to King Cradlemont.
+
+But when King Arthur saw him ride upon Sir Ector's horse his wrath was
+very great, and with his sword he smote King Cradlemont upon the helm,
+and shore off the fourth part thereof and of the shield, and drave the
+sword onward to the horse's neck and slew the horse, and hurled the king
+upon the ground.
+
+And now the battle waxed so great and furious that all the noise and
+sound thereof rang out by water and by wood, so that Kings Ban and Bors,
+with all their knights and men-at-arms in ambush, hearing the tumult
+and the cries, trembled and shook for eagerness, and scarce could stay
+in secret, but made them ready for the fray and dressed their shields
+and harness.
+
+But when King Arthur saw the fury of the enemy, he raged like a mad
+lion, and stirred and drove his horse now here, now there, to the right
+hand and to the left and stayed not in his wrath till he had slain full
+twenty knights. He wounded also King Lot so sorely in the shoulder that
+he left the field, and in great pain and dolor cried out to the other
+kings, "Do ye as I devise, or we shall be destroyed. I, with the King of
+the Hundred Knights, King Anguisant, King Yder, and the Duke of
+Cambinet, will take fifteen thousand men and make a circuit, meanwhile
+that ye do hold the battle with twelve thousand. Then coming suddenly we
+will fall fiercely on them from behind and put them to the rout, but
+else shall we never stand against them."
+
+So Lot and four kings departed with their party to one side, and the six
+other kings dressed their ranks against King Arthur and fought long and
+stoutly.
+
+But now Kings Ban and Bors, with all their army fresh and eager, broke
+from their ambush and met face to face the five kings and their host as
+they came round behind, and then began a frantic struggle with breaking
+of spears and clashing of swords and slaying of men and horses. Anon
+King Lot, espying in the midst King Bors, cried out in great dismay,
+"Our Lady now defend us from our death and fearful wounds; our peril
+groweth great, for yonder cometh one of the worshipfullest kings and
+best knights in all the world."
+
+"Who is he?" said the King of the Hundred Knights.
+
+"It is King Bors of Gaul," replied King Lot, "and much I marvel how he
+may have come with all his host into this land without our knowledge."
+
+"Aha!" cried King Carados, "I will encounter with this king if ye will
+rescue me when there is need."
+
+"Ride on," said they.
+
+So King Carados and all his host rode softly till they came within a
+bow-shot of King Bors, and then both hosts, spurring their horses to
+their greatest swiftness, rushed at each other. And King Bors
+encountered in the onset with a knight, and struck him through with a
+spear, so that he fell dead upon the earth; then drawing his sword, he
+did such mighty feats of arms that all who saw him gazed with wonder.
+Anon King Ban came also forth upon the field with all his knights, and
+added yet more fury, sound, and slaughter, till at length both hosts of
+the eleven kings began to quake, and drawing all together into one body,
+they prepared to meet the worst, while a great multitude already fled.
+
+Then said King Lot, "Lords, we must take yet other means, or worse loss
+still awaits us. See ye not what people we have lost in waiting on the
+footmen, and that it costs ten horsemen to save one of them? Therefore
+it is my counsel to put away our footmen from us, for it is almost
+night, and King Arthur will not stay to slaughter them. So they can save
+their lives in this great wood hard by. Then let us gather into one
+band all the horsemen that remain, and whoso breaketh rank or leaveth
+us, let him be straightway slain by him that seeth him, for it is better
+that we slay a coward than through a coward be all slain. How say ye?"
+said King Lot; "answer me, all ye kings."
+
+"It is well said," replied they all.
+
+And swearing they would never fail each other, they mended and set right
+their armor and their shields, and took new spears and set them
+steadfastly against their thighs, waiting, and so stood still as a clump
+of trees stands on the plain; and no assaults could shake them, they
+held so hard together; which when King Arthur saw he marveled greatly,
+and was very wroth. "Yet," cried he, "I may not blame them, by my faith,
+for they do as brave men ought to do, and are the best fighting men and
+knights of most prowess that I ever saw or heard tell of." And so said
+also Kings Ban and Bors, and praised them greatly for their noble
+chivalry.
+
+But now came forty noble knights out of King Arthur's host, and prayed
+that he would suffer them to break the enemy. And when they were
+allowed, they rode forth with their spears upon their thighs, and
+spurred their horses to their hottest. Then the eleven kings, with a
+party of their knights, rushed with set spears as fast and mightily to
+meet them; and when they were encountered, all the crash and splinter of
+their spears and armor rang with a mighty din, and so fierce and bloody
+was their onset that in all that day there had been no such cruel press,
+and rage, and smiting. At that same moment rode fiercely into the
+thickest of the struggle King Arthur and Kings Ban and Bors, and slew
+downright on both hands right and left, until their horses went in blood
+up to the fetlocks.
+
+And while the slaughter and the noise and shouting were at their
+greatest, suddenly there came down through the battle Merlin the Wizard,
+upon a great black horse, and riding to King Arthur, he cried out,
+"Alas, my Lord! will ye have never done? Of sixty thousand have ye left
+but fifteen thousand men alive. Is it not time to stay this slaying? for
+God is ill pleased with ye that ye have never ended, and yonder kings
+shall not be altogether overthrown this time. But if ye fall upon them
+any more, the fortune of this day will turn, and go to them. Withdraw,
+Lord, therefore, to thy lodging, and there now take thy rest, for to-day
+thou hast won a great victory, and overcome the noblest chivalry of all
+the world. And now for many years those kings shall not disturb thee.
+Therefore, I tell thee, fear them no more, for now they are sore beaten,
+and have nothing left them but their honor; and why shouldest thou slay
+them to take that?"
+
+Then said King Arthur, "Thou sayest well, and I will take thy counsel."
+With that he cried out, "Ho!" for the battle to cease, and sent forth
+heralds through the field to stay more fighting. And gathering all the
+spoil, he gave it not amongst his own host, but to Kings Ban and Bors
+and all their knights and men-at-arms, that he might treat them with the
+greater courtesy as strangers.
+
+Then Merlin took his leave of Arthur and the two other kings, and went
+to see his master, Blaise, a holy hermit, dwelling in Northumberland,
+who had nourished him through all his youth. And Blaise was passing glad
+to see him, for there was a great love ever between them; and Merlin
+told him how King Arthur had sped in the battle, and how it had ended;
+and told him the names of every king and knight of worship who was
+there. So Blaise wrote down the battle, word for word, as Merlin told
+him; and in the same way ever after, all the battles of King Arthur's
+days Merlin caused Blaise, his master, to record.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ARTHUR DRIVES THE SAXONS FROM HIS REALM
+
+
+Anon, thereafter, came word to King Arthur that Ryence, King of North
+Wales, was making war upon King Leodegrance of Camelgard; whereat he was
+passing wroth, for he loved Leodegrance well, and hated Ryence. So he
+departed with Kings Ban and Bors and twenty thousand men, and came to
+Camelgard, and rescued Leodegrance, and slew ten thousand of Ryence's
+men and put him to flight. Then Leodegrance made a great festival to the
+three kings, and treated them with every manner of mirth and pleasure
+which could be devised. And there had King Arthur the first sight of
+Guinevere, daughter of Leodegrance, whom in the end he married, as shall
+be told hereafter.
+
+Then did Kings Ban and Bors take leave, and went to their own country,
+where King Claudas worked great mischief. And King Arthur would have
+gone with them, but they refused him, saying, "Nay, ye shall not at this
+time, for ye have yet much to do in these lands of your own; and we with
+the riches we have won here by your gifts shall hire many good knights,
+and, by the grace of God, withstand the malice of King Claudas; and if
+we have need we will send to ye for succor; and likewise ye, if ye have
+need, send for us, and we will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies."
+
+When the two kings had left, King Arthur rode to Caerleon, and thither
+came to him his half-sister Belisent, wife to King Lot, sent as a
+messenger, but in truth to espy his power; and with her came a noble
+retinue, and also her four sons--Gowain, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth.
+But when she saw King Arthur and his nobleness, and all the splendor of
+his knights and service, she forebore to spy upon him as a foe, and told
+him of her husband's plots against him and his throne. And the king, not
+knowing that she was his half-sister, made great court to her; and being
+full of admiration for her beauty, loved her out of measure, and kept
+her a long season at Caerleon. Wherefore her husband, King Lot, was more
+than ever King Arthur's enemy, and hated him till death with a passing
+great hatred.
+
+At that time King Arthur had a marvelous dream, which gave him great
+disquietness of heart. He dreamed that the whole land was full of many
+fiery griffins and serpents, which burnt and slew the people everywhere;
+and then that he himself fought with them, and that they did him mighty
+injuries, and wounded him nigh to death, but that at last he overcame
+and slew them all. When he woke, he sat in great heaviness of spirit and
+pensiveness, thinking what this dream might signify, but by-and-by, when
+he could by no means satisfy himself what it might mean, to rid himself
+of all his thoughts of it, he made ready with a great company to ride
+out hunting.
+
+As soon as he was in the forest, the king saw a great hart before him,
+and spurred his horse, and rode long eagerly after it, and chased until
+his horse lost breath and fell down dead from under him. Then, seeing
+the hart escaped and his horse dead, he sat down by a fountain, and fell
+into deep thought again. And as he sat there alone, he thought he heard
+the noise of hounds, as it were some thirty couple in number, and
+looking up he saw coming towards him the strangest beast that ever he
+had seen or heard tell of, which ran towards the fountain and drank of
+the water. Its head was like a serpent's, with a leopard's body and a
+lion's tail, and it was footed like a stag; and the noise was in its
+belly, as it were the baying or questing of thirty couple of hounds.
+While it drank there was no noise within it; but presently, having
+finished, it departed with a greater sound than ever.
+
+The king was amazed at all this; but being greatly wearied, he fell
+asleep, and was before long waked up by a knight on foot, who said,
+"Knight, full of thought and sleepy, tell me if thou sawest a strange
+beast pass this way?"
+
+"Such a one I saw," said King Arthur to the knight, "but that is now two
+miles distant at the least. What would you with that beast?"
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "I have followed it for a long time, and have
+killed my horse, and would to heaven I had another to pursue my quest
+withal."
+
+At that moment came a yeoman with another horse for the king, which,
+when the knight saw, he earnestly prayed to be given him. "For I have
+followed this quest," said he, "twelve months, and either I shall
+achieve him or bleed of the best blood of my body."
+
+It was King Pellinore who at that time followed the questing beast, but
+neither he nor King Arthur knew each other.
+
+"Sir Knight," said King Arthur, "leave that quest and suffer me to have
+it, and I will follow it other twelve months."
+
+"Ah, fool," said the knight, "thy desire is utterly in vain, for it
+shall never be achieved but by me, or by my next of kin."
+
+Therewith he started to the king's horse, and mounted to the saddle,
+crying out, "Gramercy, this horse is mine!"
+
+"Well," said the king, "thou mayest take my horse by force, and I will
+not say nay; but till we prove whether thou or I be best on horseback, I
+shall not rest content."
+
+"Seek me here," said the knight, "whenever thou wilt, and here by this
+fountain thou shalt find me;" and so he passed forth on his way.
+
+Then sat King Arthur in a deep fit of study, and bade his yeomen fetch
+him yet another horse as quickly as they could. And when they left him
+all alone came Merlin, disguised as a child of fourteen years of age,
+and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so pensive and heavy.
+
+"I may well be pensive and heavy," he replied, "for here even now I have
+seen the strangest sight I ever saw."
+
+"That know I well," said Merlin, "as well as thyself, and also all thy
+thoughts; but thou art foolish to take thought, for it will not amend
+thee. Also I know what thou art, and know thy father and thy mother."
+
+"That is false," said King Arthur; "how shouldst thou know? thy years
+are not enough."
+
+"Yea," said Merlin, "but I know better than thou how thou wast born, and
+better than any man living."
+
+"I will not believe thee," said King Arthur, and was wroth with the
+child.
+
+So Merlin departed, and came again in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore years of age; and the king was glad at his coming, for he
+seemed wise and venerable. Then said the old man, "Why art thou so sad?"
+
+"For divers reasons," said King Arthur; "for I have seen strange things
+to-day, and but this moment there was here a child who told me things
+beyond his years to know."
+
+"Yea," said the old man, "but he told thee truth, and more he would have
+told thee hadst thou suffered him. But I will tell thee wherefore thou
+art sad, for thou hast done a thing of late for which God is displeased
+with thee, and what it is thou knowest in thy heart, though no man else
+may know."
+
+"What are thou," said King Arthur, starting up all pale, "that tellest
+me these tidings?"
+
+"I am Merlin," said he, "and I was he in the child's likeness, also."
+
+"Ah," said King Arthur, "thou art a marvelous and right fearful man, and
+I would ask and tell thee many things this day."
+
+As they talked came one with the king's horses, and so, King Arthur
+mounting one, and Merlin another, they rode together to Caerleon; and
+Merlin prophesied to Arthur of his death, and also foretold his own end.
+
+And now King Arthur, having utterly dispersed and overwhelmed those
+kings who had so long delayed his coronation, turned all his mind to
+overthrow the Saxon heathens who yet in many places spoiled the land.
+Calling together, therefore, his knights and men-at-arms, he rode with
+all his hosts to York, where Colgrin, the Saxon, lay with a great army;
+and there he fought a mighty battle, long and bloody, and drove him into
+the city, and besieged him. Then Baldulph, Colgrin's brother, came
+secretly with six thousand men to assail King Arthur and to raise the
+siege. But King Arthur was aware of him, and sent six hundred horsemen
+and three thousand foot to meet and fall on him instead. This therefore
+they did, encountering them at midnight, and utterly defeated them, till
+they fled away for life. But Baldulph, full of grief, resolved to share
+his brother's peril; wherefore he shaved his head and beard, and
+disguised himself as a jester, and so passed through King Arthur's camp,
+singing and playing on a harp, till by degrees he drew near to the city
+walls, where presently he made himself known, and was drawn up by ropes
+into the town.
+
+Anon, while Arthur closely watched the city, came news that full six
+hundred ships had landed countless swarms of Saxons, under Cheldric, on
+the eastern coast. At that he raised the siege, and marched straight to
+London, and there increased his army, and took counsel with his barons
+how to drive the Saxons from the land for evermore.
+
+Then with his nephew, Hoel, King of the Armorican Britons, who came with
+a great force to help him, King Arthur, with a mighty multitude of
+barons, knights, and fighting men, went swiftly up to Lincoln, which the
+Saxons lay besieging. And there he fought a passing fierce battle, and
+made grievous slaughter, killing above six thousand men, till the main
+body of them turned and fled. But he pursued them hotly into the wood of
+Celidon, where, sheltering themselves among the trees from his arrows,
+they made a stand, and for a long season bravely defended themselves.
+Anon, he ordered all the trees in that part of the forest to be cut
+down, leaving no shelter or ambush; and with their trunks and branches
+made a mighty barricade, which shut them in and hindered their escape.
+After three days, brought nigh to death by famine, they offered to give
+up their wealth of gold and silver spoils, and to depart forthwith in
+their empty ships; moreover, to pay tribute to King Arthur when they
+reached their home, and to leave him hostages till all was paid.
+
+This offer, therefore, he accepted, and suffered them to depart. But
+when they had been a few hours at sea, they repented of their shameful
+flight, and turned their ships back again, and landing at Totnes,
+ravaged all the land as far as the Severn, and, burning and slaying on
+all sides, bent their steps towards Bath.
+
+When King Arthur heard of their treachery and their return, he burned
+with anger till his eyes shone like two torches, and then he swore a
+mighty oath to rest no more until he had utterly destroyed those enemies
+of God and man, and had rooted them forever out of the land of Britain.
+Then marching hotly with his armies on to Bath, he cried aloud to them,
+"Since these detestable and impious heathens disdain to keep their faith
+with me, I, to keep faith with God, to whom I swear to cherish and
+defend this realm, will now this day avenge on them the blood of all
+that they have slain in Britain!"
+
+In like manner after him spoke the archbishop, standing upon a hill, and
+crying that to-day they should fight both for their country and for
+Paradise, "For whoso," he said, "shall in this holy war be slain, the
+angels shall forthwith receive him; for death in this cause shall be
+penance and absolution for all sins."
+
+At these words every man in the whole army raged with hatred, and
+pressed eagerly to rush upon those savages.
+
+Anon King Arthur, dressed in armor shining with gold and jewels, and
+wearing on his head a helmet with a golden dragon, took a shield painted
+with the likeness of the blessed Mary. Then girding on Excalibur and
+taking in his right hand his great lance Ron, he placed his men in order
+and led them out against the enemy, who stood for battle on the slope of
+Badon Hill, ranged in the form of a wedge, as their custom was. And
+they, resisting all the onslaughts of King Arthur and his host, made
+that day a stout defense, and at night lay down upon the hill.
+
+But on the next day Arthur led his army once again to the attack, and
+with wounds and slaughter such as no man had ever seen before, he drove
+the heathen step by step before him, backwards and upwards, till he
+stood with all his noblest knights upon the summit of the hill.
+
+And then men saw him, "red as the rising sun from spur to plume," lift
+up his sword, and, kneeling, kiss the cross of it; and after, rising to
+his feet, set might and main with all his fellowship upon the foe, till,
+as a troop of lions roaring for their prey, they drove them like a
+scattered herd along the plains, and cut them down till they could cut
+no more for weariness.
+
+That day King Arthur by himself alone slew with his sword Excalibur four
+hundred and seventy heathens. Colgrin also, and his brother Baldulph,
+were slain.
+
+Then the king bade Cador, Duke of Cornwall, follow Cheldric, the chief
+leader, and the remnant of his hosts, unto the uttermost. He, therefore,
+when he had first seized their fleet, and filled it with chosen men, to
+beat them back when they should fly to it at last, chased them and slew
+them without mercy so long as he could overtake them. And though they
+crept with trembling hearts for shelter to the coverts of the woods and
+dens of mountains, yet even so they found no safety, for Cador slew
+them, even one by one. Last of all he caught and slew Cheldric himself,
+and slaughtering a great multitude took hostages for the surrender of
+the rest.
+
+Meanwhile, King Arthur turned from Badon Hill, and freed his nephew Hoel
+from the Scots and Picts, who besieged him in Alculd. And when he had
+defeated them in three sore battles, he drove them before him to a lake,
+which was one of the most wondrous lakes in all the world, for it was
+fed by sixty rivers, and had sixty islands, and sixty rocks, and on
+every island sixty eagles' nests. But King Arthur with a great fleet
+sailed round the rivers and besieged them in the lake for fifteen days,
+so that many thousands died of hunger.
+
+Anon the King of Ireland came with an army to relieve them; but Arthur,
+turning on him fiercely, routed him, and compelled him to retreat in
+terror to his land. Then he pursued his purpose, which was no less than
+to destroy the race of Picts and Scots, who, beyond memory, had been a
+ceaseless torment to the Britons by their barbarous malice.
+
+So bitterly, therefore, did he treat them, giving quarter to none, that
+at length the bishops of that miserable country with the clergy met
+together, and, bearing all the holy relics, came barefooted to the king
+to pray his mercy for their people. As soon as they were led before him
+they fell down upon their knees, and piteously besought him to spare the
+few survivors of their countrymen, and grant them any corner of the
+land where they might live in peace. When he thus heard them, and knew
+that he had now fully punished them, he consented to their prayer, and
+withdrew his hosts from any further slaughter.
+
+Then turned he back to his own realm, and came to York for Christmas,
+and there with high solemnity observed that holy tide; and being passing
+grieved to see the ruin of the churches and houses, which the rage of
+the pagans had destroyed, he rebuilt them, and restored the city to its
+ancient happy state.
+
+And on a certain day, as the king sat with his barons, there came into
+the court a squire on horseback, carrying a knight before him wounded to
+the death, and told the king that hard by in the forest was a knight who
+had reared up a pavilion by the fountain, "and hath slain my master, a
+valiant knight, whose name was Nirles; wherefore I beseech thee, Lord,
+my master may be buried, and that some good knight may avenge his
+death."
+
+At that stepped forth a squire named Griflet, who was very young, being
+of the same age with King Arthur, and besought the king, for all the
+service he had done, to give him knighthood.
+
+"Thou art full young and tender of age," said King Arthur, "to take so
+high an order upon thee."
+
+"Sir," said Griflet, "I beseech thee make me a knight;" and Merlin also
+advising the king to grant his request, "Well," said Arthur, "be it then
+so," and knighted him forthwith. Then said he to him, "Since I have
+granted thee this favor, thou must in turn grant me a gift."
+
+"Whatsoever thou wilt, my lord," replied Sir Griflet.
+
+"Promise me," said King Arthur, "by the faith of thy body, that when
+thou hast jousted with this knight at the fountain, thou wilt return to
+me straightway, unless he slay thee."
+
+"I promise," said Sir Griflet; and taking his horse in haste, he dressed
+his shield, and took a spear in his hand and rode full gallop till he
+came to the fountain, by the side of which he saw a rich pavilion, and a
+great horse standing well saddled and bridled, and on a tree close by
+there hung a shield of many colors and a long lance.
+
+Then Sir Griflet smote upon the shield with the butt of his spear until
+he cast it to the ground. At that a knight came out of the pavilion and
+said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my shield?"
+
+"Because," said Griflet, "I would joust with thee."
+
+"It were better not," replied the knight; "for thou art young and but
+lately made a knight, and thy strength is small compared to mine."
+
+"For all that," said Sir Griflet, "I will joust with ye."
+
+"I am full loth," replied the knight; "but if I must I must."
+
+Then did they wheel their horses far apart, and running them together,
+the strange knight shivered Sir Griflet's spear to fragments, and smote
+him through the shield and the left side, and broke his own spear into
+Sir Griflet's body, so that the truncheon stuck there, and Sir Griflet
+and his horse fell down. But when the strange knight saw him overthrown,
+he was sore grieved, and hastily alighted, for he thought that he had
+slain him. Then he unlaced his helm and gave him air, and tended him
+carefully till he come out of his swoon, and leaving the truncheon of
+his spear in his body, he set him upon horse, and commended him to God,
+and said he had a mighty heart, and if he lived would prove a passing
+good knight. And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where, by aid of good
+physicians, he was healed in time and his life saved.
+
+At that same time there came before the king twelve old men, ambassadors
+from Lucius Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, and demanded of Arthur tribute
+unto Cæsar for his realm, or else, said they, the emperor would destroy
+both him and his land. To whom King Arthur answered that he owed the
+emperor no tribute, nor would send him any; but said he, "On a fair
+field I will pay him his proper tribute--with a sharp spear and sword;
+and by my father's soul that tribute shall he take from me, whether he
+will or not." So the ambassadors departed passing wroth, and King Arthur
+was as wroth as they.
+
+But on the morrow of Sir Griflet's hurt, the king commanded to take his
+horse and armor secretly outside the city walls before sunrise of the
+next morning, and, rising a long while before dawn, he mounted up and
+took his shield and spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry till he came
+again; but he forbore to take Excalibur, for he had given it for safety
+into charge of his sister, Queen Morgan le Fay. And as the king rode at
+a soft pace he saw suddenly three villains chasing Merlin and making to
+attack and slay him. Clapping spurs to his horse, he rushed towards
+them, and cried out in a terrible voice, "Flee, churls, or take your
+deaths;" but they, as soon as they perceived a knight, fled away with
+the haste of hares.
+
+"O Merlin," said the king; "here hadst thou been killed, despite thy
+many crafts, had I not chanced to pass."
+
+"Not so," said Merlin, "for when I would, I could have saved myself; but
+thou art nearer to thy death than I, for without special help from
+heaven thou ridest now towards thy grave."
+
+And as they were thus talking, they came to the fountain and the rich
+pavilion pitched beside it, and saw a knight sitting all armed on a
+chair in the opening of the tent. "Sir knight," said King Arthur, "for
+what cause abidest thou here? to joust with any knight that passeth by?
+If so, I caution thee to quit that custom."
+
+"That custom," said the knight, "have I followed and will follow, let
+whosoever will say nay, and if any is aggrieved at it, let him who will
+amend it."
+
+"I will amend it," said King Arthur.
+
+"And I will defend it," answered the knight.
+
+Then the knight mounted his horse and made himself ready, and charging
+at each other they met so hard that both their lances splintered into
+pieces. Then King Arthur drew his sword, but the knight cried out, "Not
+so; but let us run another tilt together with sharp spears."
+
+"I would with a good will," said King Arthur; "but I have no more
+spears."
+
+"I have enough of spears," replied the knight, and called a squire, who
+brought two good new lances.
+
+Then spurring their horses, they rushed together with all their might,
+and broke each one his own spear short off in his hand. Then the king
+again put his hand to his sword, but the knight once more cried out,
+"Nay, yet abide awhile; ye are the best jouster that I ever met with;
+for the love of knighthood, let us joust yet once again."
+
+So once again they tilted with their fullest force, and this time King
+Arthur's spear was shivered, but the knight's held whole, and drove so
+furiously against the king that both his horse and he were hurled to the
+ground.
+
+At that, King Arthur was enraged and drew his sword and said, "I will
+attack thee now, Sir knight, on foot, for on horseback I have lost the
+honor."
+
+"I will be on horseback," said the knight. But when he saw him come on
+foot, he lighted from his horse, thinking it shame to have so great
+advantage.
+
+And then began they a strong battle, with many great strokes and
+grievous blows, and so hewed with their swords that the fragments of
+their armor flew about the fields, and both so bled that all the ground
+around was like a marsh of blood. Thus they fought long and mightily,
+and anon, after brief rest fell to again, and so hurtled together like
+two wild boars that they both rolled to the ground. At last their swords
+clashed furiously together, and the knight's sword shivered the king's
+in two.
+
+Then said the knight, "Now art thou in my power, to save thee or to
+slay. Yield therefore as defeated, and a recreant knight, or thou shalt
+surely die."
+
+"As for death," replied King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but
+as for yielding me to thee as a recreant because of this poor accident
+upon my sword, I had far liefer die than be so shamed."
+
+So saying, he sprang on the knight, and took him by the middle and threw
+him down, and tore off his helm. But the knight, being a huge man,
+wrestled and struggled in a frenzy with the king until he brought him
+under, and tore off his helm in turn, and would have smitten off his
+head.
+
+At that came Merlin and said, "Knight, hold thy hand, for if thou
+slayest yonder knight, thou puttest all this realm to greater loss and
+damage than ever realm was in; for he is a man of greater worship than
+thou dreamest of."
+
+"Who then is he?" cried the knight.
+
+Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, but Merlin cast a
+spell upon the knight, so that he fell suddenly to the earth in a deep
+sleep. Then raising up the king, he took the knight's horse for himself
+and rode away.
+
+"Alas," said King Arthur, "what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain
+this good knight by thy crafts? There never lived a better knight; I had
+rather lose my kingdom for a year than have him dead."
+
+"Be not afraid," said Merlin; "he is more whole and sound than thou art,
+and is but in a sleep, wherefrom in three hours' time he will awake. I
+told thee what a knight he was, and how near thou was to death. There
+liveth not a better knight than he in all the world, and hereafter he
+shall do thee good service. His name is King Pellinore, and he shall
+have two sons, who shall be passing valiant men, and, save one another,
+shall have no equal in prowess and in purity of life. The one shall be
+named Percival, and the other Lamoracke of Wales."
+
+So they rode on to Caerleon, and all the knights grieved greatly when
+they heard of this adventure, that the king would jeopardize his person
+thus alone. Yet could they not hide their joy at serving under such a
+noble chief, who adventured his own life as much as did the poorest
+knight among them all.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE KING'S MANY AND GREAT ADVENTURES
+
+
+The land of Britain being now in peace, and many great and valiant
+knights therein ready to take part in whatsoever battles or adventures
+might arise, King Arthur resolved to follow all his enemies to their own
+coasts. Anon he fitted out a great fleet, and sailing first to Ireland,
+in one battle he miserably routed the people of the country. The King of
+Ireland also he took prisoner, and forced all earls and barons to pay
+him homage.
+
+Having conquered Ireland, he went next to Iceland and subdued it also,
+and the winter being then arrived, returned to Britain.
+
+In the next year he set forth to Norway, whence many times the heathen
+had descended on the British coasts; for he was determined to give so
+terrible a lesson to those savages as should be told through all their
+tribes both far and near, and make his name fearful to them.
+
+As soon as he was come, Riculf, the king, with all the power of that
+country, met and gave him battle; but, after mighty slaughter, the
+Britons had at length the advantage, and slew Riculf and a countless
+multitude besides.
+
+Having thus defeated them, they set the cities on fire, dispersed the
+country people, and pursued the victory till they had reduced all
+Norway, as also Dacia, under the dominion of King Arthur.
+
+Now, therefore, having thus chastised those pagans who so long had
+harassed Britain, and put his yoke upon them, he voyaged on to Gaul,
+being steadfastly set upon defeating the Roman governor of that
+province, and so beginning to make good the threats which he had sent
+the emperor by his ambassadors.
+
+So soon as he was landed on the shores of Gaul, there came to him a
+countryman who told him of a fearful giant in the land of Brittany, who
+had slain, murdered, and devoured many people, and had lived for seven
+years upon young children only, "insomuch," said the man, "that all the
+children of the country are destroyed; and but the other day he seized
+upon our duchess, as she rode out with her men, and took her away to his
+lodging in a cave of a mountain, and though five hundred people followed
+her, yet could they give her no help or rescue, but left her shrieking
+and crying lamentably in the giant's hands; and, Lord, she is thy cousin
+Hoel's wife, who is of thy near kindred; wherefore, as thou art a
+rightful king, have pity on this lady; and as thou art a valiant
+conqueror, avenge us and deliver us."
+
+"Alas!" said King Arthur, "this is a great mischief that ye tell of. I
+had rather than the best realm I have, that I had rescued that lady ere
+the giant laid his hand on her; but tell me now, good fellow, canst thou
+bring me where this giant haunteth?"
+
+"Yea, Lord!" replied the man; "lo, yonder, where thou seest two great
+fires, there shalt thou find him, and more treasure also than is in all
+Gaul besides."
+
+Then the king returned to his tent, and, calling Sir Key and Sir Bedwin,
+desired them to get horses ready for himself and them, for that after
+evensong he would ride a pilgrimage with them alone to St. Michael's
+Mount. So in the evening they departed, and rode as fast as they could
+till they came near the mount, and there alighted; and the king
+commanded the two knights to await him at the hill foot, while he went
+up alone.
+
+Then he ascended the mountain till he came to a great fire. And there he
+found a sorrowful widow wringing her hands and weeping miserably,
+sitting by a new-made grave. And saluting her, King Arthur prayed her
+wherefore she made such heavy lamentations.
+
+"Sir knight," she said, "speak softly, for yonder is a devil, who, if he
+hear thy voice, will come and straightway slay thee. Alas! what dost
+thou here? Fifty such men as thou were powerless to resist him. Here
+lieth dead my lady, Duchess of Brittany, wife to Sir Hoel, who was the
+fairest lady in the world, foully and shamefully slaughtered by that
+fiend! Beware that thou go not too nigh, for he hath overcome and
+vanquished fifteen kings, and hath made himself a coat of precious
+stones, embroidered with their beards; but if thou art so hardy, and
+wilt speak with him, at yonder great fire he is at supper."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "I will accomplish mine errand, for all thy
+fearful words;" and so went forth to the crest of the hill, and saw
+where the giant sat at supper, gnawing on a limb of a man, and baking
+his huge frame by the fire, while three damsels turned three spits,
+whereon were spitted, like larks, twelve young children lately born.
+
+When King Arthur saw all that, his heart bled for sorrow, and he
+trembled for rage and indignation; then lifting up his voice he cried
+aloud--"God, that wieldeth all the world, give thee short life and
+shameful death, and may the devil have thy soul! Why hast thou slain
+those children and that fair lady! Wherefore arise, and prepare thee to
+perish, thou glutton and fiend, for this day thou shalt die by my
+hands."
+
+Then the giant, mad with fury at these words, started up, and seizing a
+great club, smote the king, and struck his crown from off his head. But
+King Arthur smote him with his sword so mightily in return, that all his
+blood gushed forth in streams.
+
+At that the giant, howling in great anguish, threw away his club of
+iron, and caught the king in both his arms and strove to crush his ribs
+together. But King Arthur struggled and writhed, and twisted him about
+so that the giant could not hold him tightly; and as they fiercely
+wrestled, they both fell, and rolling over one another,
+tumbled--wrestling, and struggling, and fighting frantically--from rock
+to rock, till they came to the sea.
+
+And as they tore and strove and tumbled, the king ever and anon smote at
+the giant with his dagger, till his arms stiffened in death around King
+Arthur's body, and groaning horribly, he died. So presently the two
+knights came and found the king locked fast in the giant's arms, and
+very faint and weary, and loosed him from their hold.
+
+Then the king bade Sir Key to "smite off the giant's head, and set it on
+the truncheon of a spear, and bear it to Sir Hoel, and tell him that his
+enemy is slain; and afterwards let it be fastened to the castle gate,
+that all the people may behold it. And go ye two up on the mountain and
+fetch me my shield and sword, and also the great club of iron ye will
+see there; and as for the treasure, ye shall find there wealth beyond
+counting, but take as much as ye will, for I have his kirtle and the
+club, I desire no more."
+
+Then the knights fetched the club and kirtle, as the king had ordered,
+and took the treasure to themselves, as much as they could carry, and
+returned to the army. But when this deed was noised abroad, all the
+people came in multitudes to thank the king, who told them "to give
+thanks to God, and to divide the giant's spoils amongst them equally."
+And King Arthur desired Sir Hoel to build a church upon the mount, and
+dedicate it to the Archangel Michael.
+
+On the morrow, all the host moved onwards into the country of Champagne,
+and Flollo, the Roman tribune, retired before them into Paris. But
+while he was preparing to collect more forces from the neighboring
+countries, King Arthur came upon him unawares; and besieged him in the
+town.
+
+And when a month had passed, Flollo--full of grief at the starvation of
+his people, who died in hundreds day by day--sent to King Arthur, and
+desired that they two might fight together; for he was a man of mighty
+stature and courage, and thought himself sure of the victory. This
+challenge, King Arthur, full weary of the siege, accepted with great
+joy, and sent back word to Flollo that he would meet him whensoever he
+appointed.
+
+And a truce being made on both sides, they met together the next day on
+the island without the city, where all the people also were gathered to
+see the issue. And as the king and Flollo rode up to the lists, each was
+so nobly armed and horsed, and sat so mightily upon his saddle, that no
+man could tell which way the battle would end.
+
+When they had saluted one another, and presented themselves against each
+other with their lances aloft, they put spurs to their horses and began
+a fierce encounter. But King Arthur, carrying his spear more warily,
+struck it on the upper part of Flollo's breast, and flung him from his
+saddle to the earth. Then drawing his sword, he cried to him to rise,
+and rushed upon him; but Flollo, starting up, met him with his spear
+couched, and pierced the breast of King Arthur's horse, and overthrew
+both horse and man.
+
+The Britons, when they saw their king upon the ground, could scarcely
+keep themselves from breaking up the truce and falling on the Gauls. But
+as they were about to burst the barriers, and rush upon the lists, King
+Arthur hastily arose, and, guarding himself with his shield, ran with
+speed on Flollo. And now they renewed the assault with great rage, being
+sorely bent upon each other's death.
+
+At length, Flollo, seizing his advantage, gave King Arthur a huge stroke
+upon the helm, which nigh overthrew him, and drew forth his blood in
+streams.
+
+But when King Arthur saw his armor and shield all red with blood, he was
+inflamed with fury, and lifting up Excalibur on high, with all his
+might, he struck straight through the helmet into Flollo's head, and
+smote it into halves; and Flollo falling backwards, and tearing up the
+ground with his spurs, expired.
+
+As soon as this news spread, the citizens all ran together, and, opening
+the gates, surrendered the city to the conqueror.
+
+And when he had overrun the whole province with his arms, and reduced it
+everywhere to subjection, he returned again to Britain, and held his
+court at Caerleon, with greater state than ever.
+
+Anon he invited thereto all the kings, dukes, earls, and barons, who
+owed him homage, that he might treat them royally, and reconcile them to
+each other, and to his rule.
+
+And never was there a city more fit and pleasant for such festivals. For
+on one side it was washed by a noble river, so that the kings and
+princes from the countries beyond sea might conveniently sail up to it;
+and on the other side, the beauty of the groves and meadows, and the
+stateliness and magnificence of the royal palaces, with lofty gilded
+roofs, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was famous also for
+two great and noble churches, whereof one was built in honor of the
+martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted
+themselves wholly to the service of God; and the other, founded in
+memory of St. Aaron, his companion, maintained a convent of canons, and
+was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a
+college of two hundred philosophers, learned in astronomy, and all the
+other sciences and arts.
+
+In this place, therefore, full of such delights, King Arthur held his
+court, with many jousts and tournaments, and royal huntings, and rested
+for a season after all his wars.
+
+And on a certain day there came into the court a messenger from Ryence,
+King of North Wales, bearing this message from his master: That King
+Ryence had discomfited eleven kings, and had compelled each one of them
+to cut off his beard; that he had trimmed a mantle with these beards,
+and lacked but one more beard to finish it; and that he therefore now
+sent for King Arthur's beard, which he required of him forthwith, or
+else he would enter his lands and burn and slay, and never leave them
+till he had taken by force not his beard only, but his head also.
+
+When King Arthur heard these words he flushed all scarlet, and rising in
+great anger said, "Well it is for thee that thou speakest another man's
+words with thy lips, and not thine own. Thou hast said thy message,
+which is the most insolent and villainous that ever man heard sent to
+any king: now hear my reply. My beard is yet too young to trim that
+mantle of thy master's with; yet, young although I be, I owe no homage
+either to him or any man--nor will ever owe. But, young although I be, I
+will have thy master's homage upon both his knees before this year be
+past, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this
+message is the shamefullest I ever heard speak of. I see well thy king
+hath never yet met with a worshipful man; but tell him that King Arthur
+will have his head or his worship right soon."
+
+Then the messenger departed, and Arthur, looking round upon his knights,
+demanded of them if any there knew this King Ryence. "Yea," answered Sir
+Noran, "I know him well, and there be few better or stronger knights
+upon a field than he; and he is passing proud and haughty in his heart;
+wherefore I doubt not, Lord, he will make war on thee with mighty
+power."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "I shall be ready for him, and that shall he
+find."
+
+While the king thus spoke, there came into the hall a damsel having on a
+mantle richly furred, which she let fall, and showed herself to be
+girded with a noble sword. The king being surprised at this, said,
+"Damsel, wherefore art thou girt with that sword, for it beseemeth thee
+not?" "Sir," said she, "I will tell thee. This sword wherewith I am thus
+girt gives me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered
+from it till I find a knight faithful and pure and true, strong of body
+and of valiant deeds, without guile or treachery, who shall be able to
+draw it from its scabbard, which no man else can do. And I have but just
+now come from the court of King Ryence, for there they told me many
+great and good knights were to be ever found; but he and all his knights
+have tried to draw it forth in vain--for none of them can move it."
+
+"This is a great marvel," said King Arthur; "I will myself try to draw
+forth this sword, not thinking in my heart that I am the best knight,
+but rather to begin and give example that all may try after me." Saying
+this, he took the sword and pulled at it with all his might, but could
+not shake or move it.
+
+"Thou needest not strive so hard, Lord," said the damsel, "for whoever
+may be able to pull it forth shall do so very easily."
+
+"Thou sayest well," replied the king, remembering how he had himself
+drawn forth the sword from the stone before St. Paul's. "Now try ye, all
+my barons; but beware ye be not stained with shame, or any treachery, or
+guile." And turning away his face from them, King Arthur mused full
+heavily on sins within his breast he knew of, and which his failure
+brought to mind right sadly.
+
+Then all the barons present tried each after other, but could none of
+them succeed; whereat the damsel greatly wept, and said, "Alas, alas! I
+thought in this court to have found the best knight, without shame or
+treachery or treason."
+
+Now by chance there was at that time a poor knight with King Arthur, who
+had been prisoner at his court for half a year or more, charged with
+slaying unawares a knight who was a cousin of the king's. He was named
+Balin le Savage, and had been by the good offices of the barons
+delivered from prison, for he was of good and valiant address and gentle
+blood. He being secretly present at the court saw this advantage, and
+felt his heart rise high within him, and longed to try the sword as did
+the others; but being poor and poorly clad, he was ashamed to come
+forward in the press of knights and nobles. But in his heart he felt
+assured that he could do better--if Heaven willed--than any knight among
+them all.
+
+So as the damsel left the king, he called to her and said, "Damsel, I
+pray thee of thy courtesy, suffer me to try the sword as well as all
+these lords; for though I be but poorly clad, I feel assurance in my
+heart."
+
+The damsel looked at him, saw in him a likely and an honest man, but
+because of his poor garments could not think him to be any knight of
+worship, and said, "Sir, there is no need to put me to any more pain or
+labor; why shouldst thou succeed where so many worthy ones have failed?"
+
+"Ah, fair lady," answered Balin, "worthiness and brave deeds are not
+shown by fair raiment but manhood and truth lie hid within the heart.
+There be many worshipful knights unknown to all the people."
+
+"By my faith, thou sayest truth," replied the damsel; "try therefore, if
+thou wilt, what thou canst do."
+
+So Balin took the sword by the girdle and hilt, and drew it lightly out,
+and looking on its workmanship and brightness, it pleased him greatly.
+
+But the king and all the barons marveled at Sir Balin's fortune, and
+many knights were envious of him, for, "Truly," said the damsel, "this
+is a passing good knight, and the best man I have ever found, and the
+most worshipfully free from treason, treachery, or villainy, and many
+wonders shall he achieve.
+
+"Now, gentle and courteous knight," continued she, turning to Balin,
+"give me the sword again."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Balin, "save it be taken from me by force, I shall
+preserve this sword for evermore."
+
+"Thou art not wise," replied the damsel, "to keep it from me; for if
+thou wilt do so, thou shall slay with it the best friend thou hast, and
+the sword shall be thine own destruction also."
+
+"I will take whatever adventure God may send," said Balin; "but the
+sword will I keep, by the faith of my body."
+
+"Thou will repent it shortly," said the damsel; "I would take the sword
+for thy sake rather than for mine, for I am passing grieved and heavy
+for thy sake, who wilt not believe the peril I foretell thee." With that
+she departed, making great lamentation.
+
+Then Balin sent for his horse and armor, and took his leave of King
+Arthur, who urged him to stay at his court. "For," said he, "I believe
+that thou art displeased that I showed thee unkindness; blame me not
+overmuch, for I was misinformed against thee, and knew not truly what a
+knight of worship thou art. Abide in this court with my good knights,
+and I will so advance thee that thou shalt be well pleased."
+
+"God thank thee, Lord," said Balin, "for no man can reward thy bounty
+and thy nobleness; but at this time I must needs depart, praying thee
+ever to hold me in thy favor."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I am grieved for thy departure; but tarry
+not long, and thou shalt be right welcome to me and all my knights when
+thou returnest, and I will repair my neglect and all that I have done
+amiss against thee."
+
+"God thank thee, Lord," again said Balin, and made ready to depart.
+
+But meanwhile came into the court a lady upon horseback, full richly
+dressed, and saluted King Arthur, and asked him for the gift that he had
+promised her when she gave him his sword Excalibur, "for," said she, "I
+am the lady of the lake."
+
+"Ask what thou wilt," said the king, "and thou shalt have it, if I have
+power to give."
+
+"I ask," said she, "the head of that knight who hath just achieved the
+sword, or else the damsel's head who brought it, or else both; for the
+knight slew my brother, and the lady caused my father's death."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I cannot grant thee this desire; it were
+against my nature and against my name; but ask whatever else thou wilt,
+and I will do it."
+
+"I will demand no other thing," said she.
+
+And as she spake came Balin, on his way to leave the court, and saw her
+where she stood, and knew her straightway for his mother's murderess,
+whom he had sought in vain three years. And when they told him that she
+had asked King Arthur for his head, he went up straight to her and said,
+"May evil have thee! Thou desirest my head, therefore shalt thou lose
+thine"; and with his sword he lightly smote her head off, in the
+presence of the king and all the court.
+
+"Alas, for shame!" cried out King Arthur, rising up in wrath; "why hast
+thou done this, shaming both me and my court? I am beholden greatly to
+this lady, and under my safe conduct came she here; thy deed is passing
+shameful; never shall I forgive thy villainy."
+
+"Lord," cried Sir Balin, "hear me; this lady was the falsest living, and
+by her witchcraft hath destroyed many, and caused my mother also to be
+burnt to death by her false arts and treachery."
+
+"What cause soever thou mightest have had," said the king, "thou
+shouldst have forborne her in my presence. Deceive not thyself, thou
+shalt repent this sin, for such a shame was never brought upon my court;
+depart now from my face with all the haste thou mayest."
+
+Then Balin took up the head of the lady and carried it to his lodgings,
+and rode forth with his squire from out the town. Then said he, "Now
+must we part; take ye this head and bear it to my friends in
+Northumberland, and tell them how I speed, and that our worst foe is
+dead; also tell them that I am free from prison, and of the adventure of
+my sword."
+
+"Alas!" said the squire, "ye are greatly to blame to have so displeased
+King Arthur."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Balin, "I go now to find King Ryence, and
+destroy him or lose my life; for should I take him prisoner, and lead
+him to the court, perchance King Arthur would forgive me, and become my
+good and gracious lord."
+
+"Where shall I meet thee again?" said the squire.
+
+"In King Arthur's court," said Balin.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+SIR BALIN FIGHTS WITH HIS BROTHER, SIR BALAN
+
+
+Now there was a knight at the court more envious than the others of Sir
+Balin, for he counted himself one of the best knights in Britain. His
+name was Lancear; and going to the king, he begged leave to follow after
+Sir Balin and avenge the insult he had put upon the court. "Do thy
+best," replied the king, "for I am passing wroth with Balin."
+
+In the meantime came Merlin, and was told of this adventure of the sword
+and lady of the lake.
+
+"Now hear me," said he, "when I tell ye that this lady who hath brought
+the sword is the falsest damsel living."
+
+"Say not so," they answered, "for she hath a brother a good knight, who
+slew another knight this damsel loved; so she, to be revenged upon her
+brother, went to the Lady Lile, of Avilion, and besought her help. Then
+Lady Lile gave her the sword, and told her that no man should draw it
+forth but one, a valiant knight and strong, who should avenge her on her
+brother. This, therefore, was the reason why the damsel came here."
+
+"I know it all as well as ye do," answered Merlin; "and would to God
+she had never come hither, for never came she into any company but to do
+harm; and that good knight who hath achieved the sword shall be himself
+slain by it, which shall be great harm and loss, for a better knight
+there liveth not; and he shall do unto my lord the king great honor and
+service."
+
+Then Sir Lancear, having armed himself at all points, mounted, and rode
+after Sir Balin, as fast as he could go, and overtaking him, he cried
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight! wait yet awhile, or I shall make thee do so."
+
+Hearing him cry, Sir Balin fiercely turned his horse, and said, "Fair
+knight, what wilt thou with me? wilt thou joust?"
+
+"Yea," said Sir Lancear, "it is for that I have pursued thee."
+
+"Peradventure," answered Balin, "thou hadst best have stayed at home,
+for many a man who thinketh himself already victor, endeth by his own
+downfall. Of what court art thou?"
+
+"Of King Arthur's court," cried Lancear, "and I am come to revenge the
+insult thou hast put on it this day."
+
+"Well," said Sir Balin, "I see that I must fight thee, and I repent to
+be obliged to grieve King Arthur or his knights; and thy quarrel seemeth
+full foolish to me, for the damsel that is dead worked endless evils
+through the land, or else I had been loth as any knight that liveth to
+have slain a lady."
+
+"Make thee ready," shouted Lancear, "for one of us shall rest forever in
+this field."
+
+But at their first encounter Sir Lancear's spear flew into splinters
+from Sir Balin's shield, and Sir Balin's lance pierced with such might
+through Sir Lancear's shield, that it rove the hauberk also, and passed
+through the knight's body and the horse's crupper. And Sir Balin turning
+fiercely round again, drew out his sword, and knew not that he had
+already slain him; and then he saw him lie a corpse upon the ground.
+
+At that same moment came a damsel riding towards him as fast as her
+horse could gallop, who, when she saw Sir Lancear dead, wept and
+sorrowed out of measure, crying, "O, Sir Balin, two bodies hast thou
+slain, and one heart; and two hearts in one body; and two souls also
+hast thou lost."
+
+Therewith she took the sword from her dead lover's side--for she was Sir
+Lancear's lady-love--and setting the pommel of it on the ground, ran
+herself through the body with the blade.
+
+When Sir Balin saw her dead he was sorely hurt and grieved in spirit,
+and repented the death of Lancear, which had also caused so fair a
+lady's death. And being unable to look on their bodies for sorrow, he
+turned aside into a forest, where presently as he rode, he saw the arms
+of his brother, Sir Balan. And when they were met they put off their
+helms, and embraced each other, kissing, and weeping for joy and pity.
+Then Sir Balin told Sir Balan all his late adventures, and that he was
+on his way to King Ryence, who at that time was besieging Castle
+Terrabil. "I will be with thee," answered Sir Balan, "and we will help
+each other, as brethren ought to do."
+
+Anon by chance, as they were talking, came King Mark, of Cornwall, by
+that way, and when he saw the two dead bodies of Sir Lancear and his
+lady lying there, and heard the story of their death, he vowed to build
+a tomb to them before he left that place. So pitching his pavilion
+there, he sought through all the country round to find a monument, and
+found at last a rich and fair one in a church, which he took and raised
+above the dead knight and his damsel, writing on it--"Here lieth
+Lancear, son of the King of Ireland, who, at his own request, was slain
+by Balin; and here beside him also lieth his lady Colombe, who slew
+herself with her lover's sword for grief and sorrow."
+
+Then as Sir Balin and Sir Balan rode away, Merlin met with them, and
+said to Balin, "Thou hast done thyself great harm not to have saved that
+lady's life who slew herself; and because of it, thou shalt strike the
+most Dolorous Stroke that ever man struck, save he that smote our Lord.
+For thou shalt smite the truest and most worshipful of living knights,
+who shall not be recovered from his wounds for many years, and through
+that stroke three kingdoms shall be overwhelmed in poverty and misery."
+
+"If I believed," said Balin, "what thou sayest, I would slay myself to
+make thee a liar."
+
+At that Merlin vanished suddenly away; but afterwards he met them in
+disguise towards night, and told them he could lead them to King
+Ryence, whom they sought. "For this night he is to ride with sixty
+lances only through a wood hard by."
+
+So Sir Balin and Sir Balan hid themselves within the wood, and at
+midnight came out from their ambush among the leaves by the highway, and
+waited for the king, whom presently they heard approaching with his
+company. Then did they suddenly leap forth and smote at him and
+overthrew him and laid him on the ground, and turning on his company
+wounded and slew forty of them, and put the rest to flight. And
+returning to King Ryence they would have slain him there, but he craved
+mercy, and yielded to their grace, crying, "Knights full of prowess,
+slay me not; for by my life ye may win something--but my death can avail
+ye nought."
+
+"Ye say truth," said the two knights, and put him in a horse-litter, and
+went swiftly through all the night, till at cock-crow they came to King
+Arthur's palace. There they delivered him to the warders and porters, to
+be brought before the king, with this message--"That he was sent to King
+Arthur by the knight of the two swords" (for so was Balin known by name,
+since his adventure with the damsel) "and by his brother." And so they
+rode away again ere sunrise.
+
+Within a month or two thereafter, King Arthur being somewhat sick, went
+forth outside the town, and had his pavilion pitched in a meadow, and
+there abode, and laid him down on a pallet to sleep, but could get no
+rest. And as he lay he heard the sound of a great horse, and looking
+out of the tent door, saw a knight ride by, making great lamentation.
+
+"Abide, fair sir," said King Arthur, "and tell me wherefore thou makest
+this sorrow."
+
+"Ye may little amend it," said the knight, and so passed on.
+
+Presently after Sir Balin, rode, by chance, past that meadow, and when
+he saw the king he alighted and came to him on foot, and kneeled and
+saluted him.
+
+"By my head," said King Arthur, "ye be welcome, Sir Balin;" and then he
+thanked him heartily for revenging him upon King Ryence, and for sending
+him so speedily a prisoner to his castle, and told him how King Nero,
+Ryence's brother, had attacked him afterwards to deliver Ryence from
+prison; and how he had defeated him and slain him, and also King Lot, of
+Orkney, who was joined with Nero, and whom King Pellinore had killed in
+the battle. Then when they had thus talked, King Arthur told Sir Balin
+of the sullen knight that had just passed his tent, and desired him to
+pursue him and to bring him back.
+
+So Sir Balin rode and overtook the knight in a forest with a damsel, and
+said, "Sir knight, thou must come back with me unto my lord, King
+Arthur, to tell him the cause of thy sorrow, which thou hast refused
+even now to do."
+
+"That will I not," replied the knight, "for it would harm me much, and
+do him no advantage."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Balin, "I pray thee make ready, for thou must needs go
+with me--or else I must fight with thee and take thee by force."
+
+"Wilt thou be warrant for safe conduct, if I go with thee?" inquired the
+knight.
+
+"Yea, surely," answered Balin, "I will die else."
+
+So the knight made ready to go with Sir Balin, and left the damsel in
+the wood.
+
+But as they went, there came one invisible, and smote the knight through
+the body with a spear. "Alas," cried Sir Herleus (for so was he named),
+"I am slain under thy guard and conduct, by that traitor knight called
+Garlon, who through magic and witchcraft rideth invisibly. Take,
+therefore, my horse, which is better than thine, and ride to the damsel
+whom we left, and follow the quest I had in hand, as she will lead
+thee--and revenge my death when thou best mayest."
+
+"That will I do," said Sir Balin, "by my knighthood, and so I swear to
+thee."
+
+Then went Sir Balin to the damsel, and rode forth with her; she carrying
+ever with her the truncheon of the spear wherewith Sir Herleus had been
+slain. And as they went, a good knight, Perin de Mountbelgard, joined
+their company, and vowed to take adventure with them wheresoever they
+might go. But presently as they passed a hermitage fast by a churchyard,
+came the knight Garlon, again invisible, and smote Sir Perin through the
+body with a spear, and slew him as he had slain Sir Herleus. Whereat,
+Sir Balin greatly raged, and swore to have Sir Garlon's life, whenever
+next he might encounter and behold him in his bodily shape. Anon, he
+and the hermit buried the good knight Sir Perin, and rode on with the
+damsel till they came to a great castle, whereinto they were about to
+enter. But when Sir Balin had passed through the gateway, the portcullis
+fell behind him suddenly, leaving the damsel on the outer side, with men
+around her, drawing their swords as if to slay her.
+
+When he saw that, Sir Balin climbed with eager haste by wall and tower,
+and leaped into the castle moat, and rushed towards the damsel and her
+enemies, with his sword drawn, to fight and slay them. But they cried
+out, "Put up thy sword, Sir knight, we will not fight thee in this
+quarrel, for we do nothing but an ancient custom of this castle."
+
+Then they told him that the lady of the castle was passing sick, and had
+lain ill for many years, and might never more be cured, unless she had a
+silver dish full of the blood of a pure maid and a king's daughter.
+Wherefore the custom of the castle was, that never should a damsel pass
+that way but she must give a dish full of her blood. Then Sir Balin
+suffered them to bleed the damsel with her own consent, but her blood
+helped not the lady of the castle. So on the morrow they departed, after
+right good cheer and rest.
+
+Then they rode three or four days without adventure, and came at last to
+the abode of a rich man, who sumptuously lodged and fed them. And while
+they sat at supper Sir Balin heard a voice of some one groaning
+grievously. "What noise is this?" said he.
+
+"Forsooth," said the host, "I will tell you. I was lately at a
+tournament, and there I fought a knight who is brother to King Pelles,
+and overthrew him twice, for which he swore to be revenged on me through
+my best friend, and so he wounded my son, who cannot be recovered till I
+have that knight's blood, but he rideth through witchcraft always
+invisibly, and I know not his name."
+
+"Ah," said Sir Balin, "but I know him; his name is Garlon, and he hath
+slain two knights, companions of mine own, in the same fashion, and I
+would rather than all the riches in this realm that I might meet him
+face to face."
+
+"Well," said his host, "let me now tell thee that King Pelles hath
+proclaimed in all the country a great festival, to be held at Listeniss,
+in twenty days from now, whereto no knight may come without a lady. At
+that great feast we might perchance find out this Garlon, for many will
+be there; and if it please thee we will set forth together."
+
+So on the morrow they rode all three towards Listeniss, and traveled
+fifteen days, and reached it on the day the feast began. Then they
+alighted and stabled their horses, and went up to the castle, and Sir
+Balin's host was denied entrance, having no lady with him. But Sir Balin
+was right heartily received, and taken to a chamber, where they unarmed
+him, and dressed him in rich robes, of any color that he chose, and told
+him he must lay aside his sword. This, however, he refused, and said,
+"It is the custom of my country for a knight to keep his sword ever with
+him; and if I may not keep it here, I will forthwith depart." Then they
+gave him leave to wear his sword. So he went to the great hall, and was
+set among knights of rank and worship, and his lady before him.
+
+Soon he found means to ask one who sat near him, "Is there not here a
+knight whose name is Garlon?"
+
+"Yonder he goeth," said his neighbor, "he with that black face; he is
+the most marvelous knight alive, for he rideth invisibly, and destroyeth
+whom he will."
+
+"Ah, well," said Balin, drawing a long breath, "is that indeed the man?
+I have aforetime heard of him."
+
+Then he mused long within himself, and thought, "If I shall slay him
+here and now, I shall not escape myself; but if I leave him,
+peradventure I shall never meet with him again at such advantage; and if
+he live, how much more harm and mischief will he do!"
+
+But while he deeply thought, and cast his eyes from time to time upon
+Sir Garlon, that false knight saw that he watched him, and thinking that
+he could at such a time escape revenge, he came and smote Sir Balin on
+the face with the back of his hand, and said, "Knight, why dost thou so
+watch me? be ashamed, and eat thy meat, and do that which thou camest
+for."
+
+"Thou sayest well," cried Sir Balin, rising fiercely; "now will I
+straightway do that which I came to do, as thou shalt find." With that
+he whirled his sword aloft and struck him downright on the head, and
+clove his skull asunder to the shoulder.
+
+"Give me the truncheon," cried out Sir Balin to his lady, "wherewith he
+slew thy knight." And when she gave it him--for she had always carried
+it about with her, wherever she had gone--he smote him through the body
+with it, and said, "With that truncheon didst thou treacherously murder
+a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy felon body."
+
+Then he called to the father of the wounded son, who had come with him
+to Listeniss, and said, "Now take as much blood as thou wilt, to heal
+thy son withal."
+
+But now arose a terrible confusion, and all the knights leaped from the
+table to slay Balin, King Pelles himself the foremost, who cried out,
+"Knight, thou hast slain my brother at my board; die, therefore, die,
+for thou shalt never leave this castle."
+
+"Slay me, thyself, then," shouted Balin.
+
+"Yea," said the king, "that will I! for no other man shall touch thee,
+for the love I bear my brother."
+
+Then King Pelles caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword between his head and the king's stroke,
+and saved himself but lost his sword, which fell down smashed and
+shivered into pieces by the blow. So being weaponless he ran to the next
+room to find a sword, and so from room to room, with King Pelles after
+him, he in vain ever eagerly casting his eyes round every place to find
+some weapon.
+
+At last he ran into a chamber wondrous richly decked, where was a bed
+all dressed with cloth of gold, the richest that could be thought of,
+and one who lay quite still within the bed; and by the bedside stood a
+table of pure gold, borne on four silver pillars, and on the table
+stood a marvelous spear, strangely wrought.
+
+When Sir Balin saw the spear he seized it in his hand, and turned upon
+King Pelles, and smote at him so fiercely and so sore that he dropped
+swooning to the ground.
+
+But at that Dolorous and awful Stroke the castle rocked and rove
+throughout, and all the walls fell crashed and breaking to the earth,
+and Balin himself fell also in their midst, struck as it were to stone,
+and powerless to move a hand or foot. And so three days he lay amidst
+the ruins, until Merlin came and raised him up and brought him a good
+horse, and bade him ride out of that land as swiftly as he could.
+
+"May I not take the damsel with me I brought hither?" said Sir Balin.
+
+"Lo! where she lieth dead," said Merlin. "Ah, little knowest thou, Sir
+Balin, what thou hast done; for in this castle and that chamber which
+thou didst defile, was the blood of our Lord Christ! and also that most
+holy cup--the Sangreal--wherefrom the wine was drunk at the last supper
+of our Lord. Joseph of Arimathea brought it to this land, when first he
+came here to convert and save it. And on that bed of gold it was himself
+who lay, and the strange spear beside him was the spear wherewith the
+soldier Longus smote our Lord, which evermore had dripped with blood.
+King Pelles is the nearest kin to Joseph in direct descent, wherefore he
+held these holy things in trust; but now have they all gone at thy
+dolorous stroke, no man knoweth whither; and great is the damage to
+this land, which until now hath been the happiest of all lands, for by
+that stroke thou hast slain thousands, and by the loss and parting of
+the Sangreal, the safety of this realm is put in peril, and its great
+happiness is gone for evermore."
+
+Then Balin departed from Merlin, struck to his soul with grief and
+sorrow, and said, "In this world shall we meet never more."
+
+So he rode forth through the fair cities and the country, and found the
+people lying dead on every side. And all the living cried out on him as
+he passed, "O Balin, all this misery hast thou done! For the dolorous
+stroke thou gavest King Pelles, three countries are destroyed, and doubt
+not but revenge will fall on thee at last!"
+
+When he had passed the boundary of those countries, he was somewhat
+comforted, and rode eight days without adventure. Anon he came to a
+cross, whereon was written in letters of gold, "It is not for a knight
+alone to ride towards this castle." Looking up, he saw a hoary ancient
+man come towards him, who said, "Sir Balin le Savage, thou passest thy
+bounds this way; therefore turn back again, it will be best for thee;"
+and with these words he vanished.
+
+Then did he hear a horn blow as it were the death-note of some hunted
+beast. "That blast," said Balin, "is blown for me, for I am the prey;
+though yet I be not dead." But as he spoke he saw a hundred ladies with
+a great troop of knights come forth to meet him with bright faces and
+great welcome, who led him to the castle and made a great feast, with
+dancing and minstrelsy and all manner of joy.
+
+Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight with the two swords,
+thou must encounter and fight with a knight hard by, who dwelleth on an
+island, for no man may pass this way without encountering him."
+
+"It is a grievous custom," answered Sir Balin.
+
+"There is but one knight to defeat," replied the lady.
+
+"Well," said Sir Balin, "be it as thou wilt. I am ready and quite
+willing, and though my horse and my body be full weary, yet is my heart
+not weary, save of life. And truly I were glad if I might meet my
+death."
+
+"Sir," said one standing by, "methinketh your shield is not good; I will
+lend you a bigger."
+
+"I thank thee, sir," said Balin, and took the unknown shield and left
+his own, and so rode forth, and put himself and horse into a boat and
+came to the island.
+
+As soon as he had landed, he saw come riding towards him, a knight
+dressed all in red, upon a horse trapped in the same color. When the red
+knight saw Sir Balin, and the two swords he wore, he thought it must
+have been his brother (for the red knight was Sir Balan), but when he
+saw the strange arms on his shield, he forgot the thought, and came
+against him fiercely. At the first course they overthrew each other, and
+both lay swooning on the ground; but Sir Balin was the most hurt and
+bruised, for he was weary and spent with traveling. So Sir Balan rose
+up first to his feet and drew his sword, and Sir Balin painfully rose
+against him and raised his shield. Then Sir Balan smote him through the
+shield and brake his helmet; and Sir Balin, in return, smote at him with
+his fated sword, and had wellnigh slain his brother. And so they fought
+till their breaths failed.
+
+Then Sir Balin, looking up, saw all the castle towers stand full of
+ladies. So they went again to battle, and wounded each other full sore,
+and paused, and breathed again, and then again began the fight; and this
+for many times they did, till all the ground was red with blood. And by
+now, each had full grievously wounded the other with seven great wounds,
+the least of which might have destroyed the mightiest giant in the
+world. But still they rose against each other, although their hauberks
+now were all unnailed, and they smiting at each other's naked bodies
+with their sharp swords. At the last, Sir Balan, the younger brother,
+withdrew a little space and laid him down.
+
+Then said Sir Balin le Savage, "What knight art thou? for never before
+have I found a knight to match me thus."
+
+"My name," said he, all faintly, "is Balan, brother to the good knight
+Sir Balin."
+
+"Ah, God!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and therewith
+fell down backwards in a swoon.
+
+Then Sir Balan crept with pain upon his feet and hands, and put his
+brother's helmet off his head, but could not know him by his face, it
+was so hewed and bloody. But presently, when Sir Balin came to, he
+said, "Oh! Balan, mine own brother, thou hast slain me, and I thee! All
+the wide world saw never greater grief!"
+
+"Alas!" said Sir Balan, "that I ever saw this day; and through mishap
+alone I knew thee not, for when I saw thy two swords, if it had not been
+for thy strange shield, I should have known thee for my brother."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "all this sorrow lieth at the door of one unhappy
+knight within the castle, who made me change my shield. If I might live,
+I would destroy that castle and its evil customs."
+
+"It were well done," said Balan, "for since I first came hither I have
+never been able to depart, for here they made me fight with one who kept
+this island, whom I slew, and by enchantment I might never quit it more;
+nor couldst thou, brother, hadst thou slain me, and escaped with thine
+own life."
+
+Anon came the lady of the castle, and when she heard their talk, and saw
+their evil case, she wrung her hands and wept bitterly. So Sir Balan
+prayed the lady of her gentleness that, for his true service, she would
+bury them both together in that place. This she granted, weeping full
+sore, and said it should be done right solemnly and richly, and in the
+noblest manner possible. Then did they send for a priest, and received
+the holy sacrament at his hands. And Balin said, "Write over us upon our
+tomb, that here two brethren slew each other; then shall never good
+knight or pilgrim pass this way but he will pray for both our souls."
+And anon Sir Balan died, but Sir Balin died not till the midnight after;
+and then they both were buried.
+
+On the morrow of their death came Merlin, and took Sir Balin's sword and
+fixed on it a new pommel, and set it in a mighty stone, which then, by
+magic, he made float upon the water. And so, for many years, it floated
+to and fro around the island, till it swam down the river to Camelot,
+where young Sir Galahad achieved it, as shall be told hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+THE MARRIAGE OF ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+It befell upon a certain day, that King Arthur said to Merlin, "My lords
+and knights do daily pray me now to take a wife; but I will have none
+without thy counsel, for thou hast ever helped me since I came first to
+this crown."
+
+"It is well," said Merlin, "that thou shouldst take a wife, for no man
+of bounteous and noble nature should live without one; but is there any
+lady whom thou lovest better than another?"
+
+"Yea," said King Arthur, "I love Guinevere, the daughter of King
+Leodegrance, of Camelgard, who also holdeth in his house the Round Table
+that he had from my father Uther; and as I think, that damsel is the
+gentlest and the fairest lady living."
+
+"Sir," answered Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+that do live; but if ye had not loved her as ye do, I would fain have
+had ye choose some other who was both fair and good. But where a man's
+heart is set, he will be loth to leave." This Merlin said, knowing the
+misery that should hereafter happen from this marriage.
+
+Then King Arthur sent word to King Leodegrance that he mightily desired
+to wed his daughter, and how that he had loved her since he saw her
+first, when with Kings Ban and Bors he rescued Leodegrance from King
+Ryence of North Wales.
+
+When King Leodegrance heard the message, he cried out, "These be the
+best tidings I have heard in all my life--so great and worshipful a
+prince to seek my daughter for his wife! I would fain give him half my
+lands with her straightway, but that he needeth none--and better will it
+please him that I send him the Round Table of King Uther, his father,
+with a hundred good knights towards the furnishing of it with guests,
+for he will soon find means to gather more, and make the table full."
+
+Then King Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guinevere to the messengers
+of King Arthur, and also the Round Table with the hundred knights.
+
+So they rode royally and freshly, sometimes by water and sometimes by
+land, towards Camelot. And as they rode along in the spring weather,
+they made full many sports and pastimes. And, in all those sports and
+games, a young knight lately come to Arthur's, court, Sir Lancelot by
+name, was passing strong, and won praise from all, being full of grace
+and hardihood; and Guinevere also ever looked on him with joy. And
+always in the eventide, when the tents were set beside some stream or
+forest, many minstrels came and sang before the knights and ladies as
+they sat in the tent-doors, and many knights would tell adventures; and
+still Sir Lancelot was foremost, and told the knightliest tales, and
+sang the goodliest songs, of all the company.
+
+And when they came to Camelot, King Arthur made great joy, and all the
+city with him; and riding forth with a great retinue he met Guinevere
+and her company, and led her through the streets all filled with people,
+and in the midst of all their shoutings and the ringing of church bells,
+to a palace hard by his own.
+
+Then, in all haste, the king commanded to prepare the marriage and the
+coronation with the stateliest and most honorable pomp that could be
+made. And when the day was come, the archbishops led the king to the
+cathedral, whereto he walked, clad in his royal robes, and having four
+kings, bearing four golden swords, before him; a choir of passing sweet
+music going also with him.
+
+In another part, was the queen dressed in her richest ornaments, and led
+by archbishops and bishops to the Chapel of the Virgins, the four queens
+also of the four kings last mentioned walked before her, bearing four
+white doves, according to ancient custom; and after her there followed
+many damsels, singing and making every sign of joy.
+
+And when the two processions were come to the churches, so wondrous was
+the music and the singing, that all the knights and barons who were
+there pressed on each other, as in the crowd of battle, to hear and see
+the most they might.
+
+When the king was crowned, he called together all the knights that came
+with the Round Table from Camelgard, and twenty-eight others, great and
+valiant men, chosen by Merlin out of all the realm, towards making up
+the full number of the table. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury blessed
+the seats of all the knights, and when they rose again therefrom to pay
+their homage to King Arthur, there was found upon the back of each
+knight's seat his name, written in letters of gold. But upon one seat
+was found written, "This is the Siege Perilous, wherein if any man shall
+sit save him whom Heaven hath chosen, he shall be devoured by fire."
+
+Anon came young Gawain, the king's nephew, praying to be made a knight,
+whom the king knighted then and there. Soon after came a poor man,
+leading with him a tall fair lad of eighteen years of age, riding on a
+lean mare. And falling at the king's feet, the poor man said, "Lord, it
+was told me, that at this time of thy marriage thou wouldst give to any
+man the gift he asked for, so it were not unreasonable."
+
+"That is the truth," replied King Arthur, "and I will make it good."
+
+"Thou sayest graciously and nobly," said the poor man. "Lord, I ask
+nothing else but that thou wilt make my son here a knight."
+
+"It is a great thing that thou askest," said the king. "What is thy
+name?"
+
+"Aries, the cowherd," answered he.
+
+"Cometh this prayer from thee or from thy son?" inquired King Arthur.
+
+"Nay, lord, not from myself," said he, "but from him only, for I have
+thirteen other sons, and all of them will fall to any labor that I put
+them to. But this one will do no such work for anything that I or my
+wife may do, but is for ever shooting or fighting, and running to see
+knights and joustings, and torments me both night and day that he be
+made a knight."
+
+"What is thy name?" said the king to the young man.
+
+"My name is Tor," said he.
+
+Then the king, looking at him steadfastly, was well pleased with his
+face and figure, and with his look of nobleness and strength.
+
+"Fetch all thy other sons before me," said the king to Aries. But when
+he brought them, none of them resembled Tor in size or shape or feature.
+
+Then the king knighted Tor, saying, "Be thou to thy life's end a good
+knight and a true, as I pray God thou mayest be; and if thou provest
+worthy, and of prowess, one day thou shalt be counted in the Round
+Table." Then turning to Merlin, Arthur said, "Prophesy now, O Merlin,
+shall Sir Tor become a worthy knight, or not?"
+
+"Yea, lord," said Merlin, "so he ought to be, for he is the son of that
+King Pellinore whom thou hast met, and proved to be one of the best
+knights living. He is no cowherd's son."
+
+Presently after came in King Pellinore, and when he saw Sir Tor he knew
+him for his son, and was more pleased than words can tell to find him
+knighted by the king. And Pellinore did homage to King Arthur, and was
+gladly and graciously accepted of the king; and then was led by Merlin
+to a high seat at the Table Round, near to the Perilous Seat.
+
+But Sir Gawain was full of anger at the honor done King Pellinore, and
+said to his brother Gaheris, "He slew our father, King Lot, therefore
+will I slay him."
+
+"Do it not yet," said he; "wait till I also be a knight, then will I
+help ye in it: it is best ye suffer him to go at this time, and not
+trouble this high feast with blood-shed."
+
+"As ye will, be it," said Sir Gawain.
+
+Then rose the king and spake to all the Table Round, and charged them to
+be ever true and noble knights, to do neither outrage nor murder, nor
+any unjust violence, and always to flee treason; also by no means ever
+to be cruel, but give mercy unto him that asked for mercy, upon pain of
+forfeiting the liberty of his court forevermore. Moreover, at all times,
+on pain of death, to give all succor unto ladies and young damsels; and
+lastly, never to take part in any wrongful quarrel, for reward or
+payment. And to all this he swore them knight by knight.
+
+Then he ordained that, every year at Pentecost, they should all come
+before him, wheresoever he might appoint a place, and give account of
+all their doings and adventures of the past twelve-month. And so, with
+prayer and blessing, and high words of cheer, he instituted the most
+noble order of the Round Table, whereto the best and bravest knights in
+all the world sought afterwards to find admission.
+
+Then was the high feast made ready, and the king and queen sat side by
+side, before the whole assembly; and great and royal was the banquet and
+the pomp.
+
+And as they sat, each man in his place, Merlin went round and said, "Sit
+still awhile, for ye shall see a strange and marvelous adventure."
+
+So as they sat, there suddenly came running through the hall, a white
+hart, with a white hound next after him, and thirty couple of black
+running hounds, making full cry; and the hart made circuit of the Table
+Round, and past the other tables; and suddenly the white hound flew upon
+him and bit him fiercely, and tore out a piece from his haunch. Whereat
+the hart sprang suddenly with a great leap, and overthrew a knight
+sitting at the table, who rose forthwith, and, taking up the hound,
+mounted, and rode fast away.
+
+But no sooner had he left, than there came in a lady, mounted on a white
+palfrey, who cried out to the king, "Lord, suffer me not to have this
+injury!--the hound is mine which that knight taketh." And as she spake,
+a knight rode in all armed, on a great horse, and suddenly took up the
+lady and rode away with her by force, although she greatly cried and
+moaned.
+
+Then the king desired Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and King Pellinore to mount
+and follow this adventure to the uttermost; and told Sir Gawain to bring
+back the hart, Sir Tor the hound and knight, and King Pellinore the
+knight and the lady.
+
+So Sir Gawain rode forth at a swift pace, and with him Gaheris, his
+brother, for a squire. And as they went, they saw two knights fighting
+on horseback, and when they reached them they divided them and asked the
+reason of their quarrel. "We fight for a foolish matter," one replied,
+"for we be brethren; but there came by a white hart this way, chased by
+many hounds, and thinking it was an adventure for the high feast of King
+Arthur, I would have followed it to have gained worship; whereat my
+younger brother here declared he was the better knight and would go
+after it instead, and so we fight to prove which of us be the better
+knight."
+
+"This is a foolish thing," said Sir Gawain. "Fight with all strangers,
+if ye will, but not brother with brother. Take my advice, set on against
+me, and if ye yield to me, as I shall do my best to make ye, ye shall go
+to King Arthur and yield ye to his grace."
+
+"Sir knight," replied the brothers, "we are weary, and will do thy wish
+without encountering thee; but by whom shall we tell the king that we
+were sent?"
+
+"By the knight that followeth the quest of the white hart," said Sir
+Gawain. "And now tell me your names, and let us part."
+
+"Sorlous and Brian of the Forest," they replied; and so they went their
+way to the king's court.
+
+Then Sir Gawain, still following his quest by the distant baying of the
+hounds, came to a great river, and saw the hart swimming over and near
+to the further bank. And as he was about to plunge in and swim after, he
+saw a knight upon the other side, who cried, "Come not over here, Sir
+knight, after that hart, save thou wilt joust with me."
+
+"I will not fail for that," said Sir Gawain; and swam his horse across
+the stream.
+
+Anon they got their spears, and ran against each other fiercely; and Sir
+Gawain smote the stranger off his horse, and turning, bade him yield.
+
+"Nay," replied he, "not so; for though ye have the better of me on
+horseback, I pray thee, valiant knight, alight, and let us match
+together with our swords on foot."
+
+"What is thy name?" quoth Gawain.
+
+"Allardin of the Isles," replied the stranger.
+
+Then they fell on each other; but soon Sir Gawain struck him through the
+helm, so deeply and so hard, that all his brains were scattered, and Sir
+Allardin fell dead. "Ah," said Gaheris, "that was a mighty stroke for a
+young knight!"
+
+Then did they turn again to follow the white hart, and let slip three
+couple of greyhounds after him; and at the last they chased him to a
+castle, and there they overtook and slew him, in the chief courtyard.
+
+At that there rushed a knight forth from a chamber, with a drawn sword
+in his hand, and slew two of the hounds before their eyes, and chased
+the others from the castle, crying, "Oh, my white hart! alas, that thou
+art dead! for thee my sovereign lady gave to me, and evil have I kept
+thee; but if I live, thy death shall be dear bought." Anon he went
+within and armed, and came out fiercely, and met Sir Gawain face to
+face.
+
+"Why have ye slain my hounds?" said Sir Gawain; "they did but after
+their nature: and ye had better have taken vengeance on me than on the
+poor dumb beasts."
+
+"I will avenge me on thee, also," said the other, "ere thou depart this
+place."
+
+Then did they fight with each other savagely and madly, till the blood
+ran down to their feet. But at last Sir Gawain had the better, and
+felled the knight of the castle to the ground. Then he cried out for
+mercy, and yielded to Sir Gawain, and besought him as he was a knight
+and gentleman to save his life. "Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawain, "for
+slaying my hounds."
+
+"I will make thee all amends within my power," replied the knight.
+
+But Sir Gawain would have no mercy, and unlaced his helm to strike his
+head off; and so blind was he with rage, that he saw not where a lady
+ran out from her chamber and fell down upon his enemy. And making a
+fierce blow at him, he smote off by mischance the lady's head.
+
+"Alas!" cried Gaheris, "foully and shamefully have ye done--the shame
+shall never leave ye! Why give ye not your mercy unto them that ask it?
+a knight without mercy is without worship also."
+
+Then Sir Gawain was sore amazed at that fair lady's death, and knew not
+what to do, and said to the fallen knight, "Arise, for I will give thee
+mercy."
+
+"Nay, nay," said he, "I care not for thy mercy now, for thou hast slain
+my lady and my love--that of all earthly things I loved the best."
+
+"I repent me sorely of it," said Sir Gawain, "for I meant to have struck
+thee: but now shalt thou go to King Arthur and tell him this adventure,
+and how thou hast been overcome by the knight that followeth the quest
+of the white hart."
+
+"I care not whether I live or die, or where I go," replied the knight.
+
+So Sir Gawain sent him to the court to Camelot, making him bear one dead
+greyhound before and one behind him on his horse. "Tell me thy name
+before we part," said he.
+
+"My name is Athmore of the Marsh," he answered.
+
+Then went Sir Gawain into the castle, and prepared to sleep there and
+began to unarm; but Gaheris upbraided him, saying, "Will ye disarm in
+this strange country? bethink ye, ye must needs have many enemies
+about."
+
+No sooner had he spoken than there came out suddenly four knights, well
+armed, and assailed them hard, saying to Sir Gawain, "Thou new-made
+knight, how hast thou shamed thy knighthood! a knight without mercy is
+dishonored! Slayer of fair ladies, shame to thee evermore! Doubt not
+thou shalt thyself have need of mercy ere we leave thee."
+
+Then were the brothers in great jeopardy, and feared for their lives,
+for they were but two to four, and weary with traveling; and one of the
+four knights shot Sir Gawain with a bolt, and hit him through the arm,
+so that he could fight no more. But when there was nothing left for them
+but death, there came four ladies forth and prayed the four knights'
+mercy for the strangers. So they gave Sir Gawain and Gaheris their
+lives, and made them yield themselves prisoners.
+
+On the morrow, came one of the ladies to Sir Gawain, and talked with
+him, saying, "Sir knight, what cheer?"
+
+"Not good," said he.
+
+"It is your own default, sir," said the lady, "for ye have done a
+passing foul deed in slaying that fair damsel yesterday--and ever shall
+it be great shame to you. But ye be not of King Arthur's kin."
+
+"Yea, truly am I," said he; "my name is Gawain, son of King Lot of
+Orkney, whom King Pellinore slew--and my mother, Belisent, is
+half-sister to the king."
+
+When the lady heard that, she went and presently got leave for him to
+quit the castle; and they gave him the head of the white hart to take
+with him, because it was in his quest; but made him also carry the dead
+lady with him--her head hung round his neck and her body lay before him
+on his horse's neck.
+
+So in that fashion he rode back to Camelot; and when the king and queen
+saw him, and heard tell of his adventures, they were heavily displeased,
+and, by order of the queen, he was put upon his trial before a court of
+ladies--who judged him to be evermore, for all his life, the knight of
+ladies' quarrels, and to fight always on their side, and never against
+any, except he fought for one lady and his adversary for another; also
+they charged him never to refuse mercy to him that asked it, and swore
+him to it on the Holy Gospels. Thus ended the adventure of the white
+hart.
+
+Meanwhile, Sir Tor had made him ready, and followed the knight who rode
+away with the hound. And as he went, there suddenly met him in the road
+a dwarf, who struck his horse so viciously upon the head with a great
+staff, that he leaped backwards a spear's length.
+
+"Wherefore so smitest thou my horse, foul dwarf?" shouted Sir Tor.
+
+"Because thou shalt not pass this way," replied the dwarf, "unless thou
+fight for it with yonder knights in those pavilions," pointing to two
+tents, where two great spears stood out, and two shields hung upon two
+trees hard by.
+
+"I may not tarry, for I am on a quest I needs must follow," said Sir
+Tor.
+
+"Thou shalt not pass," replied the dwarf, and therewith blew his horn.
+Then rode out quickly at Sir Tor one armed on horseback, but Sir Tor was
+quick as he, and riding at him bore him from his horse, and made him
+yield. Directly after came another still more fiercely, but with a few
+great strokes and buffets Sir Tor unhorsed him also, and sent them both
+to Camelot to King Arthur. Then came the dwarf and begged Sir Tor to
+take him in his service, "for," said he, "I will serve no more recreant
+knights."
+
+"Take then a horse, and come with me," said Tor.
+
+"Ride ye after the knight with the white hound?" said the dwarf; "I can
+soon bring ye where he is."
+
+So they rode through the forest till they came to two more tents. And
+Sir Tor alighting, went into the first, and saw three damsels lie there,
+sleeping. Then went he to the other, and found another lady also
+sleeping, and at her feet the white hound he sought for, which instantly
+began to bay and bark so loudly, that the lady woke. But Sir Tor had
+seized the hound and given it to the dwarf's charge.
+
+"What will ye do, Sir knight?" cried out the lady; "will ye take away my
+hound from me by force?"
+
+"Yea, lady," said Sir Tor; "for so I must, having the king's command;
+and I have followed it from King Arthur's court, at Camelot, to this
+place."
+
+"Well," said the lady, "ye will not go far before ye be ill handled, and
+will repent ye of the quest."
+
+"I shall cheerfully abide whatsoever adventure cometh, by the grace of
+God," said Sir Tor; and so mounted his horse and began to ride back on
+his way. But night coming on, he turned aside to a hermitage that was in
+the forest, and there abode till the next day, making but sorrowful
+cheer of such poor food as the hermit had to give him, and hearing a
+Mass devoutly before he left on the morrow.
+
+And in the early morning, as he rode forth with the dwarf towards
+Camelot, he heard a knight call loudly after him, "Turn, turn! Abide,
+Sir knight, and yield me up the hound thou tookest from my lady." At
+which he turned, and saw a great and strong knight, armed full
+splendidly, riding down upon him fiercely through a glade of the forest.
+
+Now Sir Tor was very ill provided, for he had but an old courser, which
+was as weak as himself, because of the hermit's scanty fare. He waited,
+nevertheless, for the strange knight to come, and at the first onset
+with their spears, each unhorsed the other, and then fell to with their
+swords like two mad lions. Then did they smite through one another's
+shields and helmets till the fragments flew on all sides, and their
+blood ran out in streams; but yet they carved and rove through the thick
+armor of the hauberks, and gave each other great and ghastly wounds. But
+in the end, Sir Tor, finding the strange knight faint, doubled his
+strokes until he beat him to the earth. Then did he bid him yield to his
+mercy.
+
+"That will I not," replied Abellius, "while my life lasteth and my soul
+is in my body, unless thou give me first the hound."
+
+"I cannot," said Sir Tor, "and will not, for it was my quest to bring
+again that hound and thee unto King Arthur, or otherwise to slay thee."
+
+With that there came a damsel riding on a palfrey, as fast as she could
+drive, and cried out to Sir Tor with a loud voice, "I pray thee, for
+King Arthur's love, give me a gift."
+
+"Ask," said Sir Tor, "and I will give thee."
+
+"Gramercy," said the lady, "I ask the head of this false knight
+Abellius, the most outrageous murderer that liveth."
+
+"I repent me of the gift I promised," said Sir Tor. "Let him make thee
+amends for all his trespasses against thee."
+
+"He cannot make amends," replied the damsel, "for he hath slain my
+brother, a far better knight than he, and scorned to give him mercy,
+though I kneeled for half an hour before him in the mire, to beg it, and
+though it was but by a chance they fought, and for no former injury or
+quarrel. I require my gift of thee as a true knight, or else will I
+shame thee in King Arthur's court; for this Abellius is the falsest
+knight alive, and a murderer of many."
+
+When Abellius heard this, he trembled greatly, and was sore afraid, and
+yielded to Sir Tor, and prayed his mercy.
+
+"I cannot now, Sir knight," said he, "lest I be false to my promise. Ye
+would not take my mercy when I offered it; and now it is too late."
+
+Therewith he unlaced his helmet, and took it off; but Abellius, in
+dismal fear, struggled to his feet, and fled, until Sir Tor overtook
+him, and smote off his head entirely with one blow.
+
+"Now, sir," said the damsel, "it is near night, I pray ye come and lodge
+at my castle hard by."
+
+"I will, with a good will," said he, for both his horse and he had fared
+but poorly since they left Camelot.
+
+So he went to the lady's castle and fared sumptuously, and saw her
+husband, an old knight, who greatly thanked him for his service, and
+urged him oftentimes to come again.
+
+On the morrow he departed, and reached Camelot by noon, where the king
+and queen rejoiced to see him, and the king made him Earl; and Merlin
+prophesied that these adventures were but little to the things he should
+achieve hereafter.
+
+Now while Sir Gawain and Sir Tor had fulfilled their quests, King
+Pellinore pursued the lady whom the knight had seized away from the
+wedding-feast. And as he rode through the woods, he saw in a valley a
+fair young damsel sitting by a well-side, and a wounded knight lying in
+her arms, and King Pellinore saluted her as he passed by.
+
+As soon as she perceived him she cried out, "Help, help me, knight, for
+our Lord's sake!" But Pellinore was far too eager in his quest to stay
+or turn, although she cried a hundred times to him for help; at which
+she prayed to heaven he might have such sore need before he died as she
+had now. And presently thereafter her knight died in her arms; and she,
+for grief and love, slew herself with his sword.
+
+But King Pellinore rode on till he met a poor man, and asked him had he
+seen a knight pass by that way, leading by force a lady with him.
+
+"Yea, surely," said the man, "and greatly did she moan and cry; but even
+now another knight is fighting with him to deliver the lady; ride on and
+thou shalt find them fighting still."
+
+At that King Pellinore rode swiftly on, and came to where he saw the two
+knights fighting, hard by where two pavilions stood. And when he looked
+in one of them, he saw the lady that was his quest, and with her the two
+squires of the two knights who fought.
+
+"Fair lady," said he, "ye must come with me unto King Arthur's court."
+
+"Sir knight," said the two squires, "yonder be two knights fighting for
+this lady; go part them, and get their consent to take her, ere thou
+touch her."
+
+"Ye say well," said King Pellinore, and rode between the combatants, and
+asked them why they fought.
+
+"Sir knight," said the one, "yon lady is my cousin, mine aunt's
+daughter, whom I met borne away against her will, by this knight here,
+with whom I therefore fight to free her."
+
+"Sir knight," replied the other, whose name was Hantzlake of Wentland,
+"this lady got I, by my arms and prowess, at King Arthur's court
+to-day."
+
+"That is false," said King Pellinore; "ye stole the lady suddenly, and
+fled away with her, before any knight could arm to stay thee. But it is
+my service to take her back again. Neither of ye shall therefore have
+her; but if ye will fight for her, fight with me now and here."
+
+"Well," said the knights, "make ready, and we will assail thee with all
+our might."
+
+Then Sir Hantzlake ran King Pellinore's horse through with his sword, so
+that they might be all alike on foot. But King Pellinore at that was
+passing wroth, and ran upon Sir Hantzlake, with a cry, "Keep well thy
+head!" and gave him such a stroke upon the helm as clove him to the
+chin, so that he fell dead to the ground. When he saw that, the other
+knight refused to fight, and kneeling down said, "Take my cousin the
+lady with thee, as thy quest is; but as thou art a true knight, suffer
+her to come to neither shame nor harm."
+
+So the next day King Pellinore departed for Camelot, and took the lady
+with him; and as they rode in a valley full of rough stones, the
+damsel's horse stumbled and threw her, so that her arms were sorely
+bruised and hurt. And as they rested in the forest for the pain to
+lessen, night came on, and there they were compelled to make their
+lodging. A little before midnight they heard the trotting of a horse.
+"Be ye still," said King Pellinore, "for now we may hear of some
+adventure," and therewith he armed her. Then he heard two knights meet
+and salute each other, in the dark; one riding from Camelot, the other
+from the north.
+
+"What tidings at Camelot?" said one.
+
+"By my head," said the other, "I have but just left there, and have
+espied King Arthur's court, and such a fellowship is there as never may
+be broke or overcome; for wellnigh all the chivalry of the world is
+there, and all full loyal to the king, and now I ride back homewards to
+the north to tell our chiefs, that they waste not their strength in wars
+against him."
+
+"As for all that," replied the other knight, "I am but now from the
+north, and bear with me a remedy, the deadliest poison that ever was
+heard tell of, and to Camelot will I with it; for there we have a friend
+close to the king, and greatly cherished of him, who hath received gifts
+from us to poison him, as he hath promised soon to do."
+
+"Beware," said the first knight, "of Merlin, for he knoweth all things,
+by the devil's craft."
+
+"I will not fear for that," replied the other, and so rode on his way.
+
+Anon King Pellinore and the lady passed on again; and when they came to
+the well at which the lady with the wounded knight had sat, they found
+both knight and damsel utterly devoured by lions and wild beasts, all
+save the lady's head.
+
+When King Pellinore saw that, he wept bitterly, saying, "Alas! I might
+have saved her life had I but tarried a few moments in my quest."
+
+"Wherefore make so much sorrow now?" said the lady.
+
+"I know not," answered he, "but my heart grieveth greatly for this poor
+lady's death, so fair she was and young."
+
+Then he required a hermit to bury the remains of the bodies, and bare
+the lady's head with him to Camelot, to the court.
+
+When he was arrived, he was sworn to tell the truth of his quest before
+the King and Queen, and when he had entered the Queen somewhat upbraided
+him, saying, "Ye were much to blame that ye saved not that lady's life."
+
+"Madam," said he, "I shall repent it all my life."
+
+"Ay, king," quoth Merlin, who suddenly came in, "and so ye ought to do,
+for that lady was your daughter, not seen since infancy by thee. And she
+was on her way to court, with a right good young knight, who would have
+been her husband, but was slain by treachery of a felon knight, Lorraine
+le Savage, as they came; and because thou wouldst not abide and help
+her, thy best friend shall fail thee in thine hour of greatest need, for
+such is the penance ordained thee for that deed."
+
+Then did King Pellinore tell Merlin secretly of the treason he had heard
+in the forest, and Merlin by his craft so ordered that the knight who
+bare the poison was himself soon after slain by it, and so King Arthur's
+life was saved.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF ARTHUR AND SIR ACCOLON OF GAUL
+
+
+Being now happily married, King Arthur for a season took his pleasure,
+with great tournaments, and jousts, and huntings. So once upon a time
+the king and many of his knights rode hunting in a forest, and Arthur,
+King Urience, and Sir Accolon of Gaul, followed after a great hart, and
+being all three well mounted, they chased so fast that they outsped
+their company, and left them many miles behind; but riding still as
+rapidly as they could go, at length their horses fell dead under them.
+Then being all three on foot, and seeing the stag not far before them,
+very weary and nigh spent--"What shall we do," said King Arthur, "for we
+are hard bested?" "Let us go on afoot," said King Urience, "till we can
+find some lodging." At that they saw the stag lying upon the bank of a
+great lake, with a hound springing at his throat, and many other hounds
+trooping towards him. So, running forward, Arthur blew the death-note on
+his horn, and slew the hart. Then lifting up his eyes he saw before him
+on the lake a barge, all draped down to the water's edge, with silken
+folds and curtains, which swiftly came towards him, and touched upon
+the sands; but when he went up close and looked in, he saw no earthly
+creature. Then he cried out to his companions, "Sirs, come ye hither,
+and let us see what there is in this ship." So they all three went in,
+and found it everywhere throughout furnished, and hung with rich
+draperies of silk and gold.
+
+By this time eventide had come, when suddenly a hundred torches were set
+up on all sides of the barge, and gave a dazzling light, and at the same
+time came forth twelve fair damsels, and saluted King Arthur by his
+name, kneeling on their knees, and telling him that he was welcome, and
+should have their noblest cheer, for which the king thanked them
+courteously. Then did they lead him and his fellows to a splendid
+chamber, where was a table spread with all the richest furniture, and
+costliest wines and viands; and there they served them with all kinds of
+wines and meats, till Arthur wondered at the splendor of the feast,
+declaring he had never in his life supped better, or more royally. After
+supper they led him to another chamber, than which he had never beheld a
+richer, where he was left to rest. King Urience, also, and Sir Accolon
+were each conducted into rooms of like magnificence. And so they all
+three fell asleep, and being very weary slept deeply all that night.
+
+But when the morning broke, King Urience found himself in his own house
+in Camelot, he knew not how; and Arthur awaking found himself in a dark
+dungeon, and heard around him nothing but the groans of woeful knights,
+prisoners like himself. Then said King Arthur, "Who are ye, thus
+groaning and complaining?" And some one answered him, "Alas, we be all
+prisoners, even twenty good knights, and some of us have lain here seven
+years--some more--nor seen the light of day for all that time." "For
+what cause?" said King Arthur. "Know ye not then yourself?" they
+answered--"we will soon tell you. The lord of this strong castle is Sir
+Damas, and is the falsest and most traitorous knight that liveth; and he
+hath a younger brother, a good and noble knight, whose name is Outzlake.
+This traitor Damas, although passing rich, will give his brother nothing
+of his wealth, and save what Outzlake keepeth to himself by force, he
+hath no share of the inheritance. He owneth, nevertheless, one fair rich
+manor, whereupon he liveth, loved of all men far and near. But Damas is
+as altogether hated as his brother is beloved, for he is merciless and
+cowardly: and now for many years there hath been war between these
+brothers, and Sir Outzlake evermore defieth Damas to come forth and
+fight with him, body to body, for the inheritance; and if he be too
+cowardly, to find some champion knight that will fight for him. And
+Damas hath agreed to find some champion, but never yet hath found a
+knight to take his evil cause in hand, or wager battle for him. So with
+a strong band of men-at-arms he lieth ever in ambush, and taketh captive
+every passing knight who may unwarily go near and bringeth him into this
+castle, and desireth him either to fight Sir Outzlake, or to lie for
+evermore indurance. And thus hath he dealt with all of us, for we all
+scorned to take up such a cause for such a false foul knight--but rather
+one by one came here, where many a good knight hath died of hunger and
+disease. But if one of us would fight, Sir Damas would deliver all the
+rest."
+
+"God of his mercy send you deliverance," said King Arthur, and sat
+turning in his mind how all these things should end, and how he might
+himself gain freedom for so many noble hearts.
+
+Anon there came a damsel to the king, saying, "Sir, if thou wilt fight
+for my lord thou shalt be delivered out of prison, but else nevermore
+shalt thou escape with thy life." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that is but
+a hard choice, yet had I rather fight than die in prison, and if I may
+deliver not myself alone, but all these others, I will do the battle."
+"Yea," said the damsel, "it shall be even so." "Then," said King Arthur,
+"I am ready now, if but I had a horse and armor." "Fear not," said she,
+"that shalt thou have presently, and shalt lack nothing proper for the
+fight." "Have I not seen thee," said the king, "at King Arthur's court?
+for it seemeth that thy face is known to me." "Nay," said the damsel, "I
+was never there; I am Sir Damas' daughter, and have never been but a
+day's journey from this castle." But she spoke falsely, for she was one
+of the damsels of Morgan le Fay, the great enchantress, who was King
+Arthur's half-sister.
+
+When Sir Damas knew that there had been at length a knight found who
+would fight for him, he sent for Arthur, and finding him a man so tall
+and strong, and straight of limb, he was passingly well pleased, and
+made a covenant with him, that he should fight unto the uttermost for
+his cause, and that all the other knights should be delivered. And when
+they were sworn to each other on the Holy Gospels, all those imprisoned
+knights were straightway led forth and delivered, but abode there one
+and all to see the battle.
+
+In the meanwhile there had happened to Sir Accolon of Gaul a strange
+adventure; for when he awoke from his deep sleep upon the silken barge,
+he found himself upon the edge of a deep well, and in instant peril of
+falling thereinto. Whereat, leaping up in great affright, he crossed
+himself and cried aloud, "May God preserve my lord King Arthur and King
+Urience, for those damsels in the ship have betrayed us, and were
+doubtless devils and no women; and if I may escape this misadventure, I
+will certainly destroy them wheresoever I may find them." With that
+there came to him a dwarf with a great mouth, and a flat nose, and
+saluted him, saying that he came from Queen Morgan le Fay. "And she
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be strong of heart, for
+to-morrow you shall do battle with a strange knight, and therefore she
+hath sent you here Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, and the scabbard
+likewise. And she desireth you as you do love her to fight this battle
+to the uttermost, and without any mercy, as you have promised her you
+would fight when she should require it of you; and she will make a rich
+queen forever of any damsel that shall bring her that knight's head
+with whom you are to fight."
+
+"Well," said Sir Accolon, "tell you my lady Queen Morgan, that I shall
+hold to that I promised her, now that I have this sword--and," said he,
+"I suppose it was to bring about this battle that she made all these
+enchantments by her craft." "You have guessed rightly," said the dwarf,
+and therewithal he left him.
+
+Then came a knight and lady, and six squires, to Sir Accolon, and took
+him to a manor house hard by, and gave him noble cheer; and the house
+belonged to Sir Outzlake, the brother of Sir Damas, for so had Morgan le
+Fay contrived with her enchantments. Now Sir Outzlake himself was at
+that time sorely wounded and disabled, having been pierced through both
+his thighs by a spear-thrust. When, therefore, Sir Damas sent down
+messengers to his brother, bidding him make ready by to-morrow morning,
+and be in the field to fight with a good knight, for that he had found a
+champion ready to do battle at all points, Sir Outzlake was sorely
+annoyed and distressed, for he knew he had small chance of victory,
+while yet he was disabled by his wounds; notwithstanding, he determined
+to take the battle in hand, although he was so weak that he must needs
+be lifted to his saddle. But when Sir Accolon of Gaul heard this, he
+sent a message to Sir Outzlake offering to take the battle in his stead,
+which cheered Sir Outzlake mightily, who thanked Sir Accolon with all
+his heart, and joyfully accepted him.
+
+So, on the morrow, King Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir
+Damas, "When shall we go to the field?" "Sir," said Sir Damas, "you
+shall first hear mass." And when mass was done, there came a squire on a
+great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready, "for our
+knight is already in the field." Then King Arthur mounted on horseback,
+and there around were all the knights, and barons, and people of the
+country; and twelve of them were chosen to wait upon the two knights who
+were about to fight. And as King Arthur sat on horseback, there came a
+damsel from Morgan le Fay, and brought to him a sword, made like
+Excalibur, and a scabbard also, and said to him, "Morgan le Fay sendeth
+you here your sword for her great love's sake." And the king thanked
+her, and believed it to be as she said; but she traitorously deceived
+him, for both sword and scabbard were counterfeit, brittle, and false,
+and the true sword Excalibur was in the hands of Sir Accolon. Then, at
+the sound of a trumpet, the champions set themselves on opposite side of
+the field, and giving rein and spur to their horses urged them to so
+great a speed that each smiting the other in the middle of the shield,
+rolled his opponent to the ground, both horse and man. Then starting up
+immediately, both drew their swords and rushed swiftly together. And so
+they fell to eagerly, and gave each other many great and mighty strokes.
+
+And as they were thus fighting, the damsel Vivien, lady of the lake, who
+loved King Arthur, came upon the ground, for she knew by her
+enchantments how Morgan le Fay had craftily devised to have King Arthur
+slain by his own sword that day, and therefore came to save his life.
+And Arthur and Sir Accolon were now grown hot against each other, and
+spared not strength nor fury in their fierce assaults; but the king's
+sword gave way continually before Sir Accolon's, so that at every stroke
+he was sore wounded, and his blood ran from him so fast that it was a
+marvel he could stand. When King Arthur saw the ground so sore
+be-blooded, he bethought him in dismay that there was magic treason
+worked upon him, and that his own true sword was changed, for it seemed
+to him that the sword in Sir Accolon's hand was Excalibur, for fearfully
+it drew his blood at every blow, while what he held himself kept no
+sharp edge, nor fell with any force upon his foe.
+
+"Now, knight, look to thyself, and keep thee well from me," cried out
+Sir Accolon. But King Arthur answered not, and gave him such a buffet on
+the helm as made him stagger and nigh fall upon the ground. Then Sir
+Accolon withdrew a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, and smote
+King Arthur in return with such a mighty stroke as almost felled him;
+and both being now in hottest wrath, they gave each other grievous and
+savage blows. But Arthur all the time was losing so much blood that
+scarcely could he keep upon his feet, yet so full was he of knighthood,
+that knightly he endured the pain, and still sustained himself, though
+now he was so feeble that he thought himself about to die. Sir Accolon,
+as yet, had lost no drop of blood, and being very bold and confident in
+Excalibur, even grew more vigorous and hasty in his assaults. But all
+men who beheld them said they never saw a knight fight half so well as
+did King Arthur, and all the people were so grieved for him that they
+besought Sir Damas and Sir Outzlake to make up their quarrel and so stay
+the fight; but they would not.
+
+So still the battle raged, till Arthur drew a little back for breath and
+a few moments' rest; but Accolon came on after him, following fiercely
+and crying loud, "It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest," and
+therewith set upon him. Then Arthur, full of scorn and rage, lifted up
+his sword and struck Sir Accolon upon the helm so mightily that he drove
+him to his knees; but with the force of that great stroke his brittle,
+treacherous sword broke short off at the hilt, and fell down in the
+grass among the blood, leaving the pommel only in his hand. At that,
+King Arthur thought within himself that all was over, and secretly
+prepared his mind for death, yet kept himself so knightly sheltered by
+his shield that he lost no ground, and made as though he yet had hope
+and cheer. Then said Sir Accolon, "Sir knight, thou now art overcome and
+canst endure no longer, seeing thou art weaponless, and hast lost
+already so much blood. Yet am I fully loth to slay thee; yield, then,
+therefore, to me as recreant." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that may I not,
+for I have promised to do battle to the uttermost by the faith of my
+body while my life lasteth; and I had rather die with honor than live
+with shame; and if it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I
+had rather die as often than yield me to thee, for though I lack
+weapons, I shall lack no worship, and it shall be to thy shame to slay
+me weaponless." "Aha," shouted then Sir Accolon, "as for the shame, I
+will not spare; look to thyself, sir knight, for thou art even now but a
+dead man." Therewith he drove at him with pitiless force, and struck him
+nearly down; but Arthur evermore waxing in valor as he waned in blood,
+pressed on Sir Accolon with his shield, and hit at him so fiercely with
+the pommel in his hand, as hurled him three strides backward.
+
+This, therefore, so confused Sir Accolon, that rushing up, all dizzy, to
+deliver once again a furious blow, even as he struck, Excalibur, by
+Vivien's magic, fell from out his hands upon the earth. Beholding which,
+King Arthur lightly sprang to it, and grasped it, and forthwith felt it
+was his own good sword, and said to it, "Thou hast been from me all too
+long, and done me too much damage." Then spying the scabbard hanging by
+Sir Accolon's side, he sprang and pulled it from him, and cast it away
+as far as he could throw it; for so long as he had worn it, Arthur knew
+his life would have been kept secure. "Oh, knight!" then said the king,
+"thou hast this day wrought me much damage by this sword, but now art
+thou come to thy death, for I shall not warrant thee but that thou shalt
+suffer, ere we part, somewhat of that thou hast made me suffer." And
+therewithal King Arthur flew at him with all his might, and pulled him
+to the earth, and then struck off his helm, and gave him on the head a
+fearful buffet, till the blood leaped forth. "Now will I slay thee!"
+cried King Arthur; for his heart was hardened, and his body all on fire
+with fever, till for a moment he forgot his knightly mercy. "Slay me
+thou mayest," said Sir Accolon, "for thou art the best knight I ever
+found, and I see well that God is with thee; and I, as thou hast, have
+promised to fight this battle to the uttermost, and never to be recreant
+while I live; therefore shall I never yield me with my mouth, and God
+must do with my body what he will." And as Sir Accolon spoke, King
+Arthur thought he knew his voice; and parting all his blood-stained hair
+from out his eyes, and leaning down towards him, saw, indeed, it was his
+friend and own true knight. Then said he--keeping his own visor down--"I
+pray thee tell me of what country art thou, and what court?" "Sir
+knight," he answered, "I am of King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir
+Accolon of Gaul." Then said the king, "Oh, sir knight! I pray thee tell
+me who gave thee this sword? and from whom thou hadst it?"
+
+Then said Sir Accolon, "Woe worth this sword, for by it I have gotten my
+death. This sword hath been in my keeping now for almost twelve months,
+and yesterday Queen Morgan le Fay, wife of King Urience, sent it to me
+by a dwarf, that therewith I might in some way slay her brother, King
+Arthur; for thou must understand that King Arthur is the man she hateth
+most in all the world, being full of envy and jealousy because he is of
+greater worship and renown than any other of her blood. She loveth me
+also as much as she doth hate him; and if she might contrive to slay
+King Arthur by her craft and magic, then would she straightway kill her
+husband also, and make me the king of all this land, and herself my
+queen, to reign with me; but now," said he, "all that is over, for this
+day I am come to my death."
+
+"It would have been sore treason of thee to destroy thy lord," said
+Arthur. "Thou sayest truly," answered he; "but now that I have told
+thee, and openly confessed to thee all that foul treason whereof I now
+do bitterly repent, tell me, I pray thee, whence art thou, and of what
+court?" "O, Sir Accolon!" said King Arthur, "learn that I am myself King
+Arthur." When Sir Accolon heard this he cried aloud, "Alas, my gracious
+lord! have mercy on me, for I knew thee not." "Thou shalt have mercy,"
+said he, "for thou knewest not my person at this time; and though by
+thine own confession thou art a traitor, yet do I blame thee less,
+because thou hast been blinded by the false crafts of my sister Morgan
+le Fay, whom I have trusted more than all others of my kin, and whom I
+now shall know well how to punish." Then did Sir Accolon cry loudly, "O,
+lords, and all good people! this noble knight that I have fought with is
+the noblest and most worshipful in all the world; for it is King Arthur,
+our liege lord and sovereign king; and full sorely I repent that I have
+ever lifted lance against him, though in ignorance I did it."
+
+Then all the people fell down on their knees and prayed the pardon of
+the king for suffering him to come to such a strait. But he replied,
+"Pardon ye cannot have, for, truly, ye have nothing sinned; but here ye
+see what ill adventure may ofttimes befall knights-errant, for to my own
+hurt, and his danger also, I have fought with one of my own knights."
+
+Then the king commanded Sir Damas to surrender to his brother the whole
+manor, Sir Outzlake only yielding him a palfrey every year; "for," said
+he scornfully, "it would become thee better to ride on than a courser;"
+and ordered Damas, upon pain of death, never again to touch or to
+distress knights-errant riding on their adventures; and also to make
+full compensation and satisfaction to the twenty knights whom he had
+held in prison. "And if any of them," said the king, "come to my court
+complaining that he hath not had full satisfaction of thee for his
+injuries, by my head, thou shalt die therefor."
+
+Afterwards, King Arthur asked Sir Outzlake to come with him to his
+court, where he should become a knight of his, and, if his deeds were
+noble, be advanced to all he might desire.
+
+So then he took his leave of all the people and mounted upon horseback,
+and Sir Accolon went with him to an abbey hard by, where both their
+wounds were dressed. But Sir Accolon died within four days after. And
+when he was dead, the king sent his body to Queen Morgan, to Camelot,
+saying that he sent her a present in return for the sword Excalibur
+which she had sent him by the damsel.
+
+So, on the morrow, there came a damsel from Queen Morgan to the king,
+and brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen, for it was
+set as full of precious stones as they could stand against each other,
+and they were the richest stones that ever the king saw. And the damsel
+said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and prayeth you to take her
+gift, and in whatsoever thing she hath offended you, she will amend it
+at your pleasure." To this the king replied not, although the mantle
+pleased him much. With that came in the lady of the lake, and said,
+"Sir, put not on this mantle till thou hast seen more; and in nowise let
+it be put upon thee, or any of thy knights, till ye have made the
+bringer of it first put it on her." "It shall be done as thou dost
+counsel," said the king. Then said he to the damsel that came from his
+sister, "Damsel, I would see this mantle ye have brought me upon
+yourself." "Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a knight's
+garment." "By my head," said King Arthur, "thou shalt wear it ere it go
+on any other person's back!" And so they put it on her by force, and
+forthwith the garment burst into a flame and burned the damsel into
+cinders. When the king saw that, he hated that false witch Morgan le Fay
+with all his heart, and evermore was deadly quarrel between her and
+Arthur to their lives' end.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+ARTHUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR AT ROME
+
+
+And now again the second time there came ambassadors from Lucius
+Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, demanding, under pain of war, tribute and
+homage from King Arthur, and the restoration of all Gaul, which he had
+conquered from the tribune Flollo.
+
+When they had delivered their message, the king bade them withdraw while
+he consulted with his knights and barons what reply to send. Then some
+of the younger knights would have slain the ambassadors, saying that
+their speech was a rebuke to all who heard the king insulted by it. But
+when King Arthur heard that, he ordered none to touch them upon pain of
+death; and sending officers, he had them taken to a noble lodging, and
+there entertained with the best cheer. "And," said he, "let no dainty be
+spared, for the Romans are great lords; and though their message please
+me not, yet must I remember mine honor."
+
+Then the lords and knights of the Round Table were called on to declare
+their counsel--what should be done upon this matter; and Sir Cador of
+Cornwall speaking first, said, "Sir, this message is the best news I
+have heard for a long time, for we have been now idle and at rest for
+many days, and I trust that thou wilt make sharp war upon the Romans,
+wherein, I doubt not, we shall all gain honor."
+
+"I believe well," said Arthur, "that thou art pleased, Sir Cador; but
+that is scarce an answer to the Emperor of Rome, and his demand doth
+grieve me sorely, for truly I will never pay him tribute; wherefore,
+lords, I pray ye counsel me. Now, I have understood that Belinus and
+Brennius, knights of Britain, held the Roman Empire in their hands for
+many days, and also Constantine, the son of Helen, which is open
+evidence, not only that we owe Rome no tribute, but that I, being
+descended from them, may, of right, myself claim the empire."
+
+Then said King Anguish of Scotland, "Sir, thou oughtest of right to be
+above all other kings, for in all Christendom is there not thine equal;
+and I counsel thee never to obey the Romans. For when they reigned here
+they grievously distressed us, and put the land to great and heavy
+burdens; and here, for my part, I swear to avenge me on them when I may,
+and will furnish thee with twenty thousand men-at-arms, whom I will pay
+and keep, and who shall wait on thee with me, when it shall please
+thee."
+
+Then the King of Little Britain rose and promised King Arthur thirty
+thousand men; and likewise many other kings, and dukes, and barons,
+promised aid--as the lord of West Wales thirty thousand men, Sir Ewaine
+and his cousin thirty thousand men, and so forth; Sir Lancelot also, and
+every other knight of the Round Table, promised each man a great host.
+
+So the king, passing joyful at their courage and good will, thanked them
+all heartily, and sent for the ambassadors again, to hear his answer. "I
+will," said he, "that ye now go back straightway unto the Emperor your
+master, and tell him that I give no heed to his words, for I have
+conquered all my kingdoms by the will of God and by my own right arm,
+and I am strong enough to keep them, without paying tribute to any
+earthly creature. But, on the other hand, I claim both tribute and
+submission from himself, and also claim the sovereignty of all his
+empire, whereto I am entitled by the right of my own ancestors--sometime
+kings of this land. And say to him that I will shortly come to Rome, and
+by God's grace will take possession of my empire and subdue all rebels.
+Wherefore, lastly, I command him and all the lords of Rome that they
+forthwith pay me their homage, under pain of my chastisement and wrath."
+
+Then he commanded his treasurers to give the ambassadors great gifts,
+and defray all their charges, and appointed Sir Cador to convey them
+worshipfully out of the land.
+
+So when they returned to Rome and came before Lucius, he was sore angry
+at their words, and said, "I thought this Arthur would have instantly
+obeyed my orders and have served me as humbly as any other king; but
+because of his fortune in Gaul, he hath grown insolent."
+
+"Ah, lord," said one of the ambassadors, "refrain from such vain words,
+for truly I and all with me were fearful at his royal majesty and angry
+countenance. I fear me thou hast made a rod for thee more sharp than
+thou hast counted on. He meaneth to be master of this empire; and is
+another kind of man than thou supposest, and holdeth the most noble
+court of all the world. We saw him on the new year's day, served at his
+table by nine kings, and the noblest company of other princes, lords,
+and knights that ever was in all the world; and in his person he is the
+most manly-seeming man that liveth, and looketh like to conquer all the
+earth."
+
+Then Lucius sent messengers to all the subject countries of Rome, and
+brought together a mighty army, and assembled sixteen kings, and many
+dukes, princes, lords, and admirals, and a wondrous great multitude of
+people. Fifty giants also, born of fiends, were set around him for a
+body-guard. With all that host he straightway went from Rome, and passed
+beyond the mountains into Gaul, and burned the towns and ravaged all the
+country of that province, in rage for its submission to King Arthur.
+Then he moved on towards Little Britain.
+
+Meanwhile, King Arthur having held a parliament at York, left the realm
+in charge of Sir Badewine and Sir Constantine, and crossed the sea from
+Sandwich to meet Lucius. And so soon as he was landed, he sent Sir
+Gawain, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Bedivere to the Emperor,
+commanding him "to move swiftly and in haste out of his land, and, if
+not, to make himself ready for battle, and not continue ravaging the
+country and slaying harmless people." Anon, those noble knights attired
+themselves and set forth on horseback to where they saw, in a meadow,
+many silken tents of divers colors, and the Emperor's pavilion in the
+midst, with a golden eagle set above it.
+
+Then Sir Gawain and Sir Bors rode forward, leaving the other two behind
+in ambush, and gave King Arthur's message. To which the Emperor replied,
+"Return, and tell your lord that I am come to conquer him and all his
+land."
+
+At this, Sir Gawain burned with anger, and cried out, "I had rather than
+all France that I might fight with thee alone!"
+
+"And I also," said Sir Bors.
+
+Then a knight named Ganius, a near cousin of the Emperor, laughed out
+aloud, and said, "Lo! how these Britons boast and are full of pride,
+bragging as though they bare up all the world!"
+
+At these words, Sir Gawain could refrain no longer, but drew forth his
+sword and with one blow shore off Ganius' head; then with Sir Bors, he
+turned his horse and rode over waters and through woods, back to the
+ambush, where Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere were waiting. The Romans
+followed fast behind them till the knights turned and stood, and then
+Sir Bors smote the foremost of them through the body with a spear, and
+slew him on the spot. Then came on Calibere, a huge Pavian, but Sir Bors
+overthrew him also. And then the company of Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere
+brake forth from their ambush and fell on the Romans, and slew and
+hewed them down, and forced them to return and flee, chasing them to
+their tents.
+
+But as they neared the camp, a great host more rushed forth, and turned
+the battle backwards, and in the turmoil, Sir Bors and Sir Berel fell
+into the Romans' hands. When Sir Gawain saw that, he drew his good sword
+Galotine, and swore to see King Arthur's face no more if those two
+knights were not delivered; and then, with good Sir Idrus, made so sore
+an onslaught that the Romans fled and left Sir Bors and Sir Berel to
+their friends. So the Britons returned in triumph to King Arthur, having
+slain more than ten thousand Romans, and lost no man of worship from
+amongst themselves.
+
+When the Emperor Lucius heard of that discomfiture he arose, with all
+his army, to crush King Arthur, and met him in the vale of Soissons.
+Then speaking to all his host, he said, "Sirs, I admonish you that this
+day ye fight and acquit yourselves as men; and remembering how Rome is
+chief of all the earth, and mistress of the universal world, suffer not
+these barbarous and savage Britons to abide our onset." At that, the
+trumpets blew so loud, that the ground trembled and shook.
+
+Then did the rival hosts draw near each other with great shoutings; and
+when they closed, no tongue can tell the fury of their smiting, and the
+sore struggling, wounds, and slaughter. Then King Arthur, with his
+mightiest knights, rode down into the thickest of the fight, and drew
+Excalibur, and slew as lightning slays for swiftness and for force. And
+in the midmost crowd he met a giant, Galapas by name, and struck off
+both his legs at the knee-joints; then saying, "Now art thou a better
+size to deal with!" smote his head off at a second blow: and the body
+killed six men in falling down.
+
+Anon, King Arthur spied where Lucius fought and worked great deeds of
+prowess with his own hands. Forthwith he rode at him, and each attacked
+the other passing fiercely; till at the last, Lucius struck King Arthur
+with a fearful wound across the face, and Arthur, in return, lifting up
+Excalibur on high, drove it with all his force upon the Emperor's head,
+shivering his helmet, crashing his head in halves, and splitting his
+body to the breast. And when the Romans saw their Emperor dead, they
+fled in hosts of thousands; and King Arthur and his knights, and all his
+army followed them, and slew one hundred thousand men.
+
+Then returning to the field, King Arthur rode to the place where Lucius
+lay dead, and round him the kings of Egypt and Ethiopia, and seventeen
+other kings, with sixty Roman senators, all noble men. All these he
+ordered to be carefully embalmed with aromatic gums, and laid in leaden
+coffins, covered with their shields and arms and banners. Then calling
+for three senators who were taken prisoners, he said to them, "As the
+ransom of your lives, I will that ye take these dead bodies and carry
+them to Rome, and there present them for me, with these letters saying I
+will myself be shortly there. And I suppose the Romans will beware how
+they again ask tribute of me; for tell them, these dead bodies that I
+send them are for the tribute they have dared to ask of me; and if they
+wish for more, when I come I will pay them the rest."
+
+So, with that charge, the three senators departed with the dead bodies,
+and went to Rome; the body of the Emperor being carried in a chariot
+blazoned with the arms of the empire, all alone, and the bodies of the
+kings two and two in chariots following.
+
+After the battle, King Arthur entered Lorraine, Brabant, and Flanders,
+and thence, subduing all the countries as he went, passed into Germany,
+and so beyond the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany. At length he came
+before a city which refused to obey him, wherefore he sat down before it
+to besiege it. And after a long time thus spent, King Arthur called Sir
+Florence, and told him they began to lack food for his hosts--"And not
+far from hence," said he, "are great forests full of cattle belonging to
+my enemies. Go then, and bring by force all that thou canst find; and
+take with thee Sir Gawain, my nephew, and Sir Clegis, Sir Claremond, the
+Captain of Cardiff, and a strong band."
+
+Anon, those knights made ready, and rode over holts and hills, and
+through forests and woods, till they came to a great meadow full of fair
+flowers and grass, and there they rested themselves and their horses
+that night. And at the dawn of the next day, Sir Gawain took his horse
+and rode away from his fellows to seek some adventure. Soon he saw an
+armed knight walking his horse by a wood's side, with his shield laced
+to his shoulder, and no attendant with him save a page, bearing a mighty
+spear; and on his shield were blazoned three gold griffins. When Sir
+Gawain spied him, he put his spear in rest, and riding straight to him,
+asked who he was. "A Tuscan," said he; "and thou mayest prove me when
+thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner ere we part."
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, "Thou vauntest thee greatly, and speakest proud
+words; yet I counsel thee, for all thy boastings, look to thyself the
+best thou canst."
+
+At that they took their spears and ran at each other with all the might
+they had, and smote each other through their shields into their
+shoulders; and then drawing swords smote with great strokes, till the
+fire sprang out of their helms. Then was Sir Gawain enraged, and with
+his good sword Galotine struck his enemy through shield and hauberk, and
+splintered into piece all the precious stones of it, and made so huge a
+wound that men might see both lungs and liver. At that the Tuscan,
+groaning loudly, rushed on to Sir Gawain, and gave him a deep slanting
+stroke, and made a mighty wound and cut a great vein asunder, so that he
+bled fast. Then he cried out, "Bind thy wound quickly up, Sir knight,
+for thou be-bloodest all thy horse and thy fair armor, and all the
+surgeons of the world shall never staunch thy blood; for so shall it be
+to whomsoever is hurt with this good sword."
+
+Then answered Sir Gawain, "It grieveth me but little, and thy boastful
+words give me no fear, for thou shalt suffer greater grief and sorrow
+ere we part; but tell me quickly who can staunch this blood."
+
+"That can I do," said the strange knight, "and will, if thou wilt aid
+and succor me to become christened, and to believe in God, which now I
+do require of thee upon thy manhood."
+
+"I am content," said Sir Gawain; "and may God help me to grant all thy
+wishes. But tell me first, what soughtest thou thus here alone, and of
+what land art thou?"
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "my name is Prianius, and my father is a great
+prince, who hath rebelled against Rome. He is descended from Alexander
+and Hector, and of our lineage also were Joshua and Maccabæus. I am of
+right the king of Alexandria, and Africa, and all the outer isles, yet I
+would believe in the Lord thou worshipest, and for thy labor I will give
+thee treasure enough. I was so proud in heart that I thought none my
+equal, but now have I encountered with thee, who hast given me my fill
+of fighting; wherefore, I pray thee, Sir knight, tell me of thyself."
+
+"I am no knight," said Sir Gawain; "I have been brought up many years in
+the wardrobe of the noble prince King Arthur, to mind his armor and
+array."
+
+"Ah," said Prianius, "if his varlets be so keen and fierce, his knights
+must be passing good! Now, for the love of heaven, whether thou be
+knight or knave, tell me thy name."
+
+"By heaven!" said Gawain, "now will I tell thee the truth. My name is
+Sir Gawain, and I am a knight of the Round Table."
+
+"Now am I better pleased," said Prianius, "than if thou hadst given me
+all the province of Paris the rich. I had rather have been torn by wild
+horses than that any varlet should have won such victory over me as thou
+hast done. But now, Sir knight, I warn thee that close by is the Duke of
+Lorraine, with sixty thousand good men of war; and we had both best flee
+at once, for he will find us else, and we be sorely wounded and never
+likely to recover. And let my page be careful that he blow no horn, for
+hard by are a hundred knights, my servants; and if they seize thee, no
+ransom of gold or silver would acquit thee."
+
+Then Sir Gawain rode over a river to save himself, and Sir Prianius
+after him, and so they both fled till they came to his companions who
+were in the meadow, where they spent the night. When Sir Whishard saw
+Sir Gawain so hurt, he ran to him weeping, and asked him who it was had
+wounded him; and Sir Gawain told him how he had fought with that
+man--pointing to Prianius--who had salves to heal them both. "But I can
+tell ye other tidings," said he--"that soon we must encounter many
+enemies, for a great army is close to us in our front."
+
+Then Prianius and Sir Gawain alighted and let their horses graze while
+they unarmed, and when they took this armor and their clothing off, the
+hot blood ran down freshly from their wounds till it was piteous to
+see. But Prianius took from his page a vial filled from the four rivers
+that flow out of Paradise, and anointed both their wounds with a certain
+balm, and washed them with that water, and within an hour afterwards
+they were both as sound and whole as ever they had been. Then, at the
+sound of a trumpet, all the knights were assembled to council; and after
+much talking, Prianius said, "Cease your words, for I warn you in yonder
+wood ye shall find knights out of number, who will put out cattle for a
+decoy to lead you on; and ye are not seven hundred!"
+
+"Nevertheless," said Sir Gawain, "let us at once encounter them, and see
+what they can do; and may the best have the victory."
+
+Then they saw suddenly an earl named Sir Ethelwold, and the Duke of
+Duchmen come leaping out of ambush of the woods in front, with many a
+thousand after them, and all rode straight down to the battle. And Sir
+Gawain, full of ardor and courage, comforted his knights, saying, "They
+all are ours." Then the seven hundred knights, in one close company, set
+spurs to their horses and began to gallop, and fiercely met their
+enemies. And then were men and horses slain and overthrown on every
+side, and in and out amidst them all, the knights of the Round Table
+pressed and thrust, and smote down to the earth all who withstood them,
+till at length the whole of them turned back and fled.
+
+"By heaven!" said Sir Gawain, "this gladdeneth well my heart, for now
+behold them as they flee! they are full seventy thousand less in number
+than they were an hour ago!"
+
+Thus was the battle quickly ended, and a great host of high lords and
+knights of Lombardy and Saracens left dead upon the field. Then Sir
+Gawain and his company collected a great plenty of cattle, and of gold
+and silver, and all kind of treasure, and returned to King Arthur, where
+he still kept the siege.
+
+"Now God be thanked," cried he; "but who is he that standeth yonder by
+himself, and seemeth not a prisoner?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "he is a good man with his weapons, and hath
+matched me; but cometh hither to be made a Christian. Had it not been
+for his warnings, we none of us should have been here this day. I pray
+thee, therefore, let him be baptized, for there can be few nobler men,
+or better knights."
+
+So Prianius was christened, and made a duke and knight of the Round
+Table.
+
+Presently afterwards, they made a last attack upon the city, and entered
+by the walls on every side; and as the men were rushing to the pillage,
+came the Duchess forth, with many ladies and damsels, and kneeled before
+King Arthur; and besought him to receive their submission. To whom the
+king made answer, with a noble countenance, "Madam, be well assured that
+none shall harm ye, or your ladies; neither shall any that belong to
+thee be hurt; but the Duke must abide my judgment." Then he commanded to
+stay the assault and took the keys from the Duke's eldest son, who
+brought them kneeling. Anon the Duke was sent a prisoner to Dover for
+his life, and rents and taxes were assigned for dowry of the Duchess and
+her children.
+
+Then went he on with all his hosts, winning all towns and castles, and
+wasting them that refused obedience, till he came to Viterbo. From
+thence he sent to Rome, to ask the senators whether they would receive
+him for their lord and governor. In answer, came out to him all the
+Senate who remained alive, and the Cardinals, with a majestic retinue
+and procession; and laying great treasures at his feet, they prayed him
+to come in at once to Rome, and there be peaceably crowned as Emperor.
+"At this next Christmas," said King Arthur, "will I be crowned, and hold
+my Round Table in your city."
+
+Anon he entered Rome, in mighty pomp and state; and after him came all
+his hosts, and his knights, and princes, and great lords, arrayed in
+gold and jewels, such as never were beheld before. And then was he
+crowned Emperor by the Pope's hands, with all the highest solemnity that
+could be made.
+
+Then after his coronation, he abode in Rome for a season, settling his
+lands and giving kingdoms to his knights and servants, to each one after
+his deserving, and in such wise fashion that no man among them all
+complained. Also he made many dukes and earls, and loaded all his
+men-at-arms with riches and great treasures.
+
+When all this was done, the lords and knights, and all the men of great
+estate, came together before him, and said, "Noble Emperor! by the
+blessing of Eternal God, thy mortal warfare is all finished, and thy
+conquests all achieved; for now in all the world is none so great and
+mighty as to dare make war with thee. Wherefore we beseech and heartily
+pray thee of thy noble grace, to turn thee homeward, and give us also
+leave to see our wives and homes again, for now we have been from them a
+long season, and all thy journey is completed with great honor and
+worship."
+
+"Ye say well," replied he, "and to tempt God is no wisdom; therefore
+make ready in all haste, and turn we home to England."
+
+So King Arthur returned with his knights and lords and armies, in great
+triumph and joy, through all the countries he had conquered, and
+commanded that no man, upon pain of death, should rob or do any violence
+by the way. And crossing the sea, he came at length to Sandwich, where
+Queen Guinevere received him, and made great joy at his arrival. And
+through all the realm of Britain was there such rejoicing as no tongue
+can tell.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+SIR GAWAIN AND THE MAID WITH THE NARROW SLEEVES
+
+
+Now it happened that as Sir Gawain was riding one day through the
+country he encountered a troop of knights, followed by a squire, who led
+a Spanish charger, and about whose neck was hung a shield. Gawain rode
+up to the squire and said, "Tell me, what is yonder troop that hath
+ridden by?"
+
+The squire answered, "Sir, Meliance of Lis, a brave and hardy knight."
+
+"Is it to him you belong?" Sir Gawain asked.
+
+"Nay, sir," said the squire, "my master is Teudaves, a knight as worthy
+as this one."
+
+"Teudaves I know," said Gawain. "Whither fareth he? Tell me the truth."
+
+"He proceedeth to a tourney, sir, which this Meliance of Lis hath
+undertaken against Thiébault of Tintagel. If you will take my advice you
+will throw yourself into the castle, and take part against the
+outsiders."
+
+"Was it not," cried Gawain, "in the house of this Thiébault that
+Meliance of Lis was nurtured?"
+
+"Aye, sir, so God save me!" said the squire. "His father loved Thiébault
+and trusted him so much that on his death-bed he committed to his care
+his little son, whom Thiébault cherished and protected, until the time
+came when the youth petitioned his daughter to give him her love; but
+she replied that she would never do that until he should be made a
+knight. The youth, being ardent, forthwith had himself knighted, and
+then returned to the maiden. 'Nay,' answered the girl to his renewed
+suit, 'it shall never be, until in my presence you shall have achieved
+such feats of arms that I will know my love hath cost you somewhat; for
+those things which come suddenly are not so sweet as those we earn. If
+you wish my love, take a tournament of my father. I desire to be certain
+that my love would be well placed in case I were to grant it.' What she
+suggested he performed, for love hath such lordship over lovers that
+those who are under his power would never dare refuse whatever it
+pleased him to enjoin. And you, sir, sluggish will you be if you do not
+enter the castle, for they will need you greatly, if you might help
+them."
+
+To which Sir Gawain answered, "Brother, go thy way, it would be wise of
+you, and let my affairs be." So the squire departed, and Gawain rode
+towards Tintagel, for there was no other way by which he could pass.
+
+Now Thiébault had summoned all his kith and kin, who had come, high and
+low, old and young; but he could not get the permission of his council
+to joust with his master, for the councillors feared lest he should
+utterly ruin their castle. Therefore the gates had been walled up with
+stones and mortar, leaving as the only approach one small postern,
+which had a gate made of copper, as much as a cart could haul. Sir
+Gawain rode to the gate, behind the troop that bore his harness, for
+there was no other road within seven leagues. He found the postern shut
+and so he turned into a close below the tower, that was fenced with a
+palisade. He dismounted under an oak and hung up his shields. Thither
+came the folk from the castle, most of them sorry that the tourney had
+been abandoned; in the fortress was an aged nobleman, great in land and
+lineage, whose word no one disputed. A long way off the troop had been
+pointed out to him, and before they rode into the close he went to
+Thiébault, and said, "Sir, so God save me, I have seen two companions of
+King Arthur, worthy men, who ride this way; I advise you to tourney with
+good hope, for we have brave knights, and servants, and archers, who
+will slay their horses, and I am certain they will joust before this
+gate; if their pride shall bring them the gain will be ours, and theirs
+will be the loss and the shame."
+
+As a result of this counsel Thiébault allowed those who wished to take
+their arms and sally forth. The knights were right glad, and their
+squires ran after their horses, while the dames and the damsels climbed
+high places to see the tourney. Below, in the meadow, they saw the arms
+of Sir Gawain, and at first thought that there were two knights, because
+two shields hung from the tree. They cried out that they were fortunate
+to see two such knights arm. So some thought; but others exclaimed,
+"Fair Lord God, this knight hath arms and steeds sufficient for two; if
+he hath no companion, what will he do with two shields? Never was seen a
+knight who carried two shields at one and the same time. It is very
+strange if one man means to bear two shields."
+
+While the ladies talked and the knights went forth from the castle the
+elder daughter of Thiébault mounted to the tower, she on account of whom
+the tournament had been undertaken, and with her her younger sister,
+whose sleeves were so quaint that she was called the Maid with the
+Narrow Sleeves, for she wore them tight. Dames and damsels climbed the
+tower with them, and the tourney was joined in front of the castle. None
+bore himself so well as Meliance of Lis, by the testimony of his fair
+friend, who said to those about her, "Ladies, never did I see a knight
+who delighted me as doth Meliance of Lis. Is it not a pleasure to see
+such a knight? That man must have a good seat and be skillful in the use
+of lance and shield who beareth himself so excellently."
+
+Thereupon her sister, who sat by her side, said that she saw a fairer
+knight. The elder maiden was angry and rose to strike her sister. But
+the ladies interfered, and held her back, so that she missed her blow,
+which greatly incensed her.
+
+In the tournament many lances were shivered, shields pierced, and
+knights unhorsed; and it went hard with the knight who met Meliance of
+Lis, for there was none he did not throw on the hard ground. If his
+lance broke, he dealt great blows with his sword; and he bore himself
+better than any other knight on either side, to the great joy of his
+fair friend, who could not resist exclaiming, "Ladies, it is wonderful!
+Behold the best bachelor knight of whom minstrel hath ever sung or whom
+eyes have ever seen, the fairest and bravest of all those in the
+tourney!"
+
+Then the little girl cried, "I see a handsomer one, and 'tis like, a
+better!"
+
+The elder sister grew hot. "Ha, girl, you were malapert when you were so
+unlucky as to blame one whom I praised! Take that, to teach you better
+another time!" So saying, she slapped her sister, so hard that she left
+on the little girl's cheek the print of her five fingers. But the ladies
+who sat near scolded her and took her away.
+
+After that they fell to talking of Sir Gawain. One of the damsels said,
+"The knight beneath yonder tree, why doth he delay to take arms?" A
+second damsel, who was ruder, exclaimed, "He hath sworn to keep the
+peace." And a third added, "He is a merchant. Don't tell me that he
+desireth to joust; he bringeth horses to market." "He is a
+money-changer," said a fourth. "The goods he hath he meaneth to sell to
+poor bachelors. Trust me, he hath money or raiment in those chests."
+
+"You have wicked tongues!" cried the little girl. "And you lie! Do you
+think a merchant would bear such huge lances? You tire me to death,
+talking such nonsense! By the faith that I owe the Holy Spirit, he
+seemeth to me a knight rather than a merchant or a money-changer. He is
+a knight, and he looketh like one!"
+
+The ladies all cried with one voice, "Fair sweet friend, if he looketh
+so, it doth not follow that he is so. He putteth it on because he
+wisheth to cheat the tariff. But in spite of all his cleverness he is a
+fool, for he will be taken up and hung for a cheat."
+
+Now Gawain heard all that the ladies said about him, and he was ashamed
+and annoyed. But he thought, and thought rightly, that he lay under an
+accusation of treason, and that it was his duty to keep his pledge or
+forever disgrace himself and his line. It was for this reason that he
+took no part in the tourney, lest, if he fought, he should be wounded or
+taken prisoner.
+
+Meliance of Lis called for great lances, to strike harder blows. Until
+night fell the tourney continued before the gate; the man who took any
+booty carried it to some place where he thought it would be safe. Then
+the ladies saw a squire, tall and strong, who held a piece of a lance
+and bore on his neck a steel cap. One of the ladies, who was foolish,
+called to him, saying, "Sir squire, so God help me, it is foolish of you
+to make prize of that tester, those arms and croup-piece. If you do a
+squire's duty you deserve a squire's wage. Below, in yonder meadow, is a
+man who hath riches he cannot defend. Unwise is he who misseth his gain
+while he hath the power to take it. He seemeth the most debonair of
+knights, and yet he would not stir if one plucked his beard. If you are
+wise, take the armor and the treasure, none will hinder you."
+
+The squire went into the meadow and struck one of Gawain's horses,
+crying, "Vassal, are you sick that all day long you gape here and have
+done nothing, neither pierced shield nor shivered lance?"
+
+Sir Gawain answered, "Pray, what is it to you why I tarry? You shall
+know, but not now. Get you gone about your business."
+
+The squire withdrew, for Gawain was not the type of man to whom he would
+dare say anything unpleasant.
+
+The tourney ended, after many knights had been killed and many horses
+captured. The outsiders had had the best, and the people of the castle
+gained by the intermission. At parting they all agreed that on the
+morrow with songs they would meet again and continue the encounter. So
+for that night they separated and those who had sallied forth returned
+to the castle, followed by Sir Gawain. At the gate he met the nobleman
+who had advised his lord to engage in the tourney. This man accosted him
+pleasantly, and said, "Fair sir, in this castle your hostel is ready. If
+it pleaseth you, remain here, for if you should go on it would be long
+before you arrived at a lodging; therefore I urge you to stay."
+
+"I will tarry, your mercy!" said Gawain. "I have heard worse words."
+
+The man led the guest to his house, talking of this and that, and asked
+him why on that day he had not borne arms. Sir Gawain explained how he
+had been accused of treason and was bound to be on his guard against
+prison and wounds until he could free himself from the reproach that was
+cast upon him, for it would be to the dishonor of himself and his
+friends if he should fail to appear at the time appointed.
+
+The nobleman praised him, and said that if this was the reason he had
+done right. With that he led Gawain to his house, where they dismounted.
+The people of the castle blamed him, wondering how his lord would take
+it; while the elder daughter of Thiébault did her best to make trouble
+for Gawain, on account of her sister, with whom she was angry. "Sir,"
+she said to her father, "on this day you have suffered no loss, but made
+a gain, greater than you think; you have only to go and take it. The man
+who hath brought it will not dare to defend it, for he is wily. Lances
+and shields he bringeth, with palfreys and chargers, and maketh himself
+resemble a knight to cheat the customs, so that he may pass free when he
+cometh to sell his wares. Render him his deserts. He is with Garin, the
+son of Bertan, who hath taken him to lodge at his house. I just saw him
+pass."
+
+Thiébault took his horse, for he himself wished to go there. The little
+girl, who saw him leave, went out secretly by a back gate and straight
+down the hill to the house of Garin, who had two fair daughters. When
+these saw their little lady they should have been glad, and glad they
+were, each took her by a hand and led her into the house, kissing her
+eyes and lips.
+
+In the meantime Garin and his son Herman had left the house and were
+going up to the castle to speak to their lord. Midway there they met
+Thiébault and saluted him. He asked whither Garin was going and said he
+had intended to pay him a visit. "By my faith," said the nobleman, "that
+will not displease me, and at my house you shall see the fairest of
+knights."
+
+"It is even he whom I seek," said Thiébault, "to arrest him. He is a
+merchant who selleth horses and pretendeth to be a knight."
+
+"Alas," said Garin, "'tis a churlish speech I hear you make! I am your
+man and you are my master, but on the spot I renounce your homage, and
+in the name of all my line now defy you, rather than suffer you to
+disgrace my house."
+
+"Indeed," answered Thiébault, "I have no wish to do any such thing.
+Neither you nor your house shall ever receive aught but honor from me;
+not but what I have been counseled so to proceed."
+
+"Your great mercy!" exclaimed the nobleman. "It will be my honor if you
+will visit my guest."
+
+So side by side they went on until they reached the house. When Sir
+Gawain saw them, he rose out of courtesy, and said, "Welcome!" The two
+saluted him and took their seats beside him. Then the nobleman, who was
+the lord of that country, asked why he had taken no part in the tourney,
+and Gawain narrated how a knight had accused him of treason and how he
+was on his way to defend himself in a royal court. "Doubtless,"
+answered the lord, "that is sufficient excuse. But where is the battle
+to be held?"
+
+"Sir, before the king of Cavalon, whither I am journeying."
+
+"And I," said the nobleman, "will guide you. Since you must needs pass
+through a poor country, I will provide you with food and packbeasts to
+carry it."
+
+Gawain answered that he had no need to accept anything, for if it could
+be bought he would have food and lodging wherever he went.
+
+With these words Thiébault took leave. As he departed, from the opposite
+direction he saw come his little daughter, who embraced Gawain's leg,
+and said, "Fair sir, listen! I have come to complain of my sister, who
+hath beaten me. So please you, do me justice!"
+
+Gawain made no answer, for he did not know what she meant. He put his
+hand on her head, while the girl pulled him, saying, "To you, fair sir,
+I complain of my sister. I do not love her, since to-day she hath done
+me great shame for your sake."
+
+"Fair one, what have I to do with that? How can I do you justice against
+your sister?"
+
+Thiébault, who had taken leave, heard his child's entreaty, and said,
+"Girl, who bade you come here and complain to this knight?"
+
+Gawain asked, "Fair sweet sir, is this maid your daughter?"
+
+"Aye; but never mind what she says. A girl is a silly creature."
+
+"Certes," said Gawain, "I should be churlish if I did not do what she
+desires. Tell me, my sweet child and fair, in what manner I can justify
+you against your sister."
+
+"If it pleaseth you, for love of me, bear arms in the tourney."
+
+"Tell me, dear friend," said Gawain, "have you ever before made petition
+to any knight?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Never mind her," exclaimed her father. "Pay no heed to her folly."
+
+Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, so aid me the Lord God, for so little a girl,
+she hath spoken very well, and I will not refuse her. To-morrow, if she
+wisheth, I will be her knight."
+
+"Your mercy, fair sweet sir!" cried the child, who was overjoyed, and
+bowed down to his feet.
+
+Without more words they parted. Thiébault carried his daughter back on
+the neck of his palfrey. As they rode up the hill be asked her what the
+quarrel had been about, and she told him the story from beginning to
+end, saying, "Sir, I was vexed with my sister, who declared that
+Meliance of Lis was the best of all the knights; and I, who had seen
+this knight in the meadow, could not help saying that I had seen a
+fairer, whereupon my sister called me a silly girl and beat me. Fie on
+me, if I take it from her! I would cut off both my braids close to my
+head, which would be a great loss, if to-morrow in the tourney this
+knight would conquer Meliance of Lis, and put an end to the fuss of
+madam, my sister! She talked so much that she tired all the ladies; but
+a little rain will hush a great wind."
+
+"Fair child," said her father, "I command and allow you, in courtesy, to
+send him some love-token, a sleeve or a wimple."
+
+The child, who was simple, answered, "With pleasure since you bid me.
+But my sleeves are so small, I should not like to send them. Most likely
+he would not care for them."
+
+"Daughter, say no more," said Thiébault. "I will think about it. I am
+very glad." So saying, he took her in his arms, and had great joy of
+embracing and kissing her, until he came in front of his palace. But
+when his elder daughter saw him approach, with the child before him, she
+was vexed, and exclaimed, "Sir, whence cometh my sister, the Maid with
+the Narrow Sleeves? She is full of her tricks; she hath been quick about
+it; where did you find her?"
+
+"And you," he answered, "what is it to you? Hush, for she is better than
+you are. You pulled her hair and beat her, which grieveth me. You acted
+rudely; you were discourteous."
+
+When she heard her father's rebuke, the maid was greatly abashed.
+
+Thiébault had brought from his chests a piece of red samite, and he bade
+his people cut out and make a sleeve, wide and long. Then he called his
+daughter and said, "Child, to-morrow rise betimes and visit the knight
+before he leaveth his hostel. For love's sake you will give him this
+new sleeve, which he will wear in the tourney when he goeth thither."
+
+The girl answered that so soon as ever she saw the clear dawn she would
+dress herself and go. With that her father went his way, while she, in
+great glee, charged her companions that they should not let her
+oversleep but should wake her when day broke, if they would have her
+love them. They did as she wished, and when it dawned caused her to wake
+and dress. All alone she went to the house where Sir Gawain lodged, but,
+early though it was, the knights had risen and gone to the monastery to
+hear mass sung. She waited until they had offered long orisons and
+listened to the service, as much as was right. When they returned the
+child rose to greet Sir Gawain, and cried, "Sir, on this day may God
+save and honor you! For love of me, wear the sleeve which I carry in my
+hand."
+
+"With pleasure," he answered; "friend, your mercy!"
+
+After that the knights were not slow to take arms, and came pouring out
+of the town, while the damsels again went up to the walls and the dames
+of the castle saw the troops of brave and hardy knights approach.
+
+They rode with loose rein, and in front was Meliance of Lis, who went so
+fast that he left the rest in the rear, two rods and more. When his
+maiden saw her friend she could not keep quiet, but cried, "Ladies,
+yonder comes the man who hath the lordship of chivalry!"
+
+As swiftly as his horse would carry him Sir Gawain charged Meliance of
+Lis, who did not evade the blow, but met it boldly, and shivered his
+lance. On his part Sir Gawain smote so hard that he grieved Meliance,
+whom he flung on the field; the steed he grasped by the rein and gave to
+a varlet, bidding him take it to the lady on whose account he had
+entered the tourney, and say that his master had sent her the first
+spoil he had made that day. The youth took the charger, saddled as it
+was, and led it towards the girl, who was sitting at the window of the
+tower, whence she had watched the joust, and when she saw the encounter
+she cried to her sister, "Sister, there lies Meliance of Lis, whom you
+praised so highly! A wise man ought to give praise where it is due. You
+see, I was right yesterday when I said I saw a better knight."
+
+Thus she teased her sister, who grew angry, and cried, "Child, hold your
+tongue! If you say another word, I will slap you so that you will not
+have a foot to stand on!" "Oh, sister," answered the little girl,
+"remember God! You ought not to beat me because I told you the truth. I
+saw him tumble as well as you; I think he will not be able to get up. Be
+as cross as you please, I must say that there is not a lady here who did
+not see him fall flat on the ground."
+
+Her sister would have struck her, had she been able, but the ladies
+around would not allow it.
+
+With that came the squire, who held the rein in his right hand. He saw
+the girl sitting at the window and presented the steed. She thanked him
+a hundred times, and bade the steed be taken in charge. The squire
+returned to tell his master, who seemed the lord of the tournament, for
+there was no knight so gallant that he did not cast from the saddle, if
+he reached him with the lance. On that day he captured four steeds. The
+first he sent to the little girl, the second to the wife of the nobleman
+who had been so kind, and the third and fourth to his own daughters.
+
+The tourney was over and the knights entered the city. On both sides the
+honor belonged to Sir Gawain. It was not yet noon when he returned from
+the encounter; the city was full of knights, who ran after him, asking
+who he was and of what land. At the gate of his hostel he was met by the
+damsel, who did naught but grasp his stirrup, salute him, and cry, "A
+thousand mercies, fair sweet sir!" He answered frankly, "Friend, before
+I am recreant to your service, may I be aged and bald! I shall never be
+so remote, but a message will bring me. If I know your need, I shall
+come at the first summons, whatever business be mine!"
+
+While they talked her father came and wished Sir Gawain to stay with him
+for that night; but first he begged, that if his guest pleased, he would
+tell his name. Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, I am called Gawain. My name
+was never concealed, nor have I ever told it before it hath been asked."
+
+When Thiébault knew that the knight was Sir Gawain his heart was full of
+joy, and he exclaimed, "Sir, be pleased to lodge with me, and accept my
+service. Hitherto I have done you little worship, and never did I set
+eyes on a knight whom so much I longed to honor."
+
+In spite of urging, Sir Gawain refused to stay. The little girl, who was
+good and clever, clasped his foot and kissed it, commending him to God.
+Sir Gawain asked why she had done that, and the girl replied that she
+had kissed his foot in order that he should remember her wherever he
+went. He answered, "Doubt it not, fair sweet friend! I shall never
+forget you, after I have parted hence."
+
+With that Sir Gawain took leave of his host and the others, who one and
+all commended him to God. That night he slept in an abbey, and had all
+that was necessary.
+
+
+
+
+THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+
+Then, at the following Pentecost, was held a feast of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, with high splendor; and all the knights thereof resorted to
+the court, and held many games and jousts. And therein Sir Lancelot
+increased in fame and worship above all men, for he overthrew all
+comers, and never was unhorsed or worsted, save by treason and
+enchantment.
+
+When Queen Guinevere had seen his wondrous feats, she held him in great
+favor, and smiled more on him than on any other knight. And ever since
+he first had gone to bring her to King Arthur, had Lancelot thought on
+her as fairest of all ladies, and done his best to win her grace. So the
+queen often sent for him, and bade him tell of his birth and strange
+adventures: how he was only son of great King Ban of Brittany, and how,
+one night, his father, with his mother Helen and himself, fled from his
+burning castle; how his father, groaning deeply, fell to the ground and
+died of grief and wounds, and how his mother, running to her husband,
+left himself alone; how, as he thus lay wailing, came the lady of the
+lake, and took him in her arms and went with him into the midst of the
+waters, where, with his cousins Lionel and Bors, he had been cherished
+all his childhood until he came to King Arthur's court; and how this
+was the reason why men called him Lancelot du Lake.
+
+Anon it was ordained by King Arthur, that in every year at Pentecost
+there should be held a festival of all the knights of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, or such other place as he should choose. And at those
+festivals should be told publicly the most famous adventures of any
+knight during the past year.
+
+So, when Sir Lancelot saw Queen Guinevere rejoiced to hear his
+wanderings and adventures, he resolved to set forth yet again, and win
+more worship still, that he might more increase her favor. Then he bade
+his cousin Sir Lionel make ready, "for," said he, "we two will seek
+adventure." So they mounted their horses--armed at all points--and rode
+into a vast forest; and when they had passed through it, they came to a
+great plain, and the weather being very hot about noontide, Sir Lancelot
+greatly longed to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree
+standing by a hedge, and said, "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow where
+we may rest ourselves and horses."
+
+"I am full glad of it," said Sir Lancelot, "for all these seven years I
+have not been so sleepy."
+
+So they alighted there, and tied their horses up to sundry trees; and
+Sir Lionel waked and watched while Sir Lancelot fell asleep, and slept
+passing fast.
+
+In the meanwhile came three knights, riding as fast flying as ever they
+could ride, and after them followed a single knight; but when Sir Lionel
+looked at him, he thought he had never seen so great and strong a man,
+or so well furnished and appareled. Anon he saw him overtake the last of
+those who fled, and smite him to the ground; then came he to the second,
+and smote him such a stroke that horse and man went to the earth; then
+rode he to the third, likewise, and struck him off his horse more than a
+spear's length. With that he lighted from his horse, and bound all three
+knights fast with the reins of their own bridles.
+
+When Sir Lionel saw this he thought the time was come to prove himself
+against him, so quietly and cautiously, lest he should wake Sir
+Lancelot, he took his horse and mounted and rode after him. Presently
+overtaking him, he cried aloud to him to turn, which instantly he did,
+and smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man went down forthwith.
+Then took he up Sir Lionel, and threw him bound over his own horse's
+back; and so he served the three other knights, and rode them away to
+his own castle. There they were disarmed, stripped naked, and beaten
+with thorns, and afterwards thrust into a deep prison, where many more
+knights, also, made great moans and lamentations, saying, "Alas, alas!
+there is no man can help us but Sir Lancelot, for no other knight can
+match this tyrant Turquine, our conqueror."
+
+But all this while, Sir Lancelot lay sleeping soundly under the
+apple-tree. And, as it chanced, there passed that way four queens, of
+high estate, riding upon four white mules, under four canopies of green
+silk borne on spears, to keep them from the sun. As they rode thus,
+they heard a great horse grimly neigh, and, turning them about, soon saw
+a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an apple-tree; and when they
+saw his face, they knew it was Sir Lancelot of the Lake.
+
+Then they began to strive which of them should have the care of him. But
+Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half sister, the great sorceress, was
+one of them, and said, "We need not strive for him, I have enchanted
+him, so that for six hours more he shall not wake. Let us take him to my
+castle, and, when he wakes, himself shall choose which one of us he
+would rather serve." So Sir Lancelot was laid upon his shield and borne
+on horseback between two knights, to the castle, and there laid in a
+cold chamber, till the spell should pass.
+
+Anon, they sent him a fair damsel, bearing his supper, who asked him,
+"What cheer?"
+
+"I cannot tell, fair damsel," said he, "for I know not how I came into
+this castle, if it were not by enchantment."
+
+"Sir," said she, "be of good heart, and to-morrow at dawn of day, ye
+shall know more."
+
+And so she left him alone, and there he lay all night. In the morning
+early came the four queens to him, passing richly dressed; and said,
+"Sir knight, thou must understand that thou art our prisoner, and that
+we know thee well for King Ban's son, Sir Lancelot du Lake. And though
+we know full well there is one lady only in this world may have thy
+love, and she Queen Guinevere--King Arthur's wife--yet now are we
+resolved to have thee to serve one of us; choose, therefore, of us four
+which thou wilt serve. I am Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the land of
+Gore, and here also is the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of
+Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles. Choose, then, at once, for
+else shalt thou abide here, in this prison, till thy death."
+
+"It is a hard case," said Sir Lancelot, "that either I must die, or
+choose one of you for my mistress! Yet had I rather die in this prison
+than serve any living creature against my will. So take this for my
+answer. I will serve none of ye, for ye be false enchantresses. And as
+for my lady, Queen Guinevere, whom lightly ye have spoken of, were I at
+liberty I would prove it upon you or upon yours she is the truest lady
+living to her lord the king."
+
+"Well," said the queen, "is this your answer, that ye refuse us all?"
+
+"Yea, on my life," said Lancelot, "refused ye be of me."
+
+So they departed from him in great wrath, and left him sorrowfully
+grieving in his dungeon.
+
+At noon the damsel came to him and brought his dinner, and asked him as
+before, "What cheer?"
+
+"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "in all my life never so ill."
+
+"Sir," replied she, "I grieve to see ye so, but if ye do as I advise, I
+can help ye out of this distress, and will do so if you promise me a
+boon."
+
+"Fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "right willingly will I grant it
+thee, for sorely do I dread these four witch-queens, who have destroyed
+and slain many a good knight with their enchantments."
+
+Then said the damsel, "Sir, wilt thou promise me to help my father on
+next Tuesday, for he hath a tournament with the King of Northgales, and
+last Tuesday lost the field through three knights of King Arthur's
+court, who came against him. And if next Tuesday thou wilt aid him,
+to-morrow, before daylight, by God's grace, I will deliver thee."
+
+"Fair maiden," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy father's name and I will
+answer thee."
+
+"My father is King Bagdemagus," said she.
+
+"I know him well," replied Sir Lancelot, "for a noble king and a good
+knight; and by the faith of my body I will do him all the service I am
+able on that day."
+
+"Gramercy to thee, Sir knight," said the damsel. "To-morrow, when thou
+art delivered from this place, ride ten miles hence unto an abbey of
+white monks, and there abide until I bring my father to thee."
+
+"So be it," said Sir Lancelot, "as I am a true knight."
+
+So she departed, and on the morrow, early, came again, and let him out
+of twelve gates, differently locked, and brought him to his armor; and
+when he was all armed, she brought him his horse also, and lightly he
+saddled him, and took a great spear in his hand, and mounted and rode
+forth, saying, as he went, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail thee, by the
+grace of God."
+
+And all that day he rode in a great forest, and could find no highway,
+and spent the night in the wood; but the next morning found his road,
+and came to the abbey of white monks. And there he saw King Bagdemagus
+and his daughter waiting for him. So when they were together in a
+chamber, Sir Lancelot told the king how he had been betrayed by an
+enchantment, and how his brother Lionel was gone he knew not where, and
+how the damsel had delivered him from the castle of Queen Morgan le Fay.
+"Wherefore while I live," said he, "I shall do service to herself and
+all her kindred."
+
+"Then am I sure of thy aid," said the king, "on Tuesday now next
+coming?"
+
+"Yea, sir, I shall not fail thee," said Sir Lancelot; "but what knights
+were they who last week defeated thee, and took part with the King of
+Northgales?"
+
+"Sir Mador de la Port, Sir Modred, and Sir Gahalatine," replied the
+king.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "as I understand, the tournament shall take
+place but three miles from this abbey; send then to me here, three
+knights of thine, the best thou hast, and let them all have plain white
+shields, such as I also will; then will we four come suddenly into the
+midst between both parties, and fall upon thy enemies, and grieve them
+all we can, and none will know us who we are."
+
+So, on the Tuesday, Sir Lancelot and the three knights lodged themselves
+in a small grove hard by the lists. Then came into the field the King of
+Northgales, with one hundred and sixty helms, and the three knights of
+King Arthur's court, who stood apart by themselves. And when King
+Bagdemagus had arrived, with eighty helms, both companies set all their
+spears in rest and came together with a mighty clash, wherein were slain
+twelve knights of King Bagdemagus, and six of the King of Northgales;
+and the party of King Bagdemagus was driven back.
+
+With that, came Sir Lancelot, and thrust into the thickest of the press,
+and smote down with one spear five knights, and brake the backs of four,
+and cast down the King of Northgales, and brake his thigh by the fall.
+When the three knights of Arthur's court saw this, they rode at Sir
+Lancelot, and each after other attacked him; but he overthrew them all,
+and smote them nigh to death. Then, taking a new spear, he bore down to
+the ground sixteen more knights, and hurt them all so sorely, that they
+could carry arms no more that day. And when his spear at length was
+broken, he took yet another, and smote down twelve knights more, the
+most of whom he wounded mortally, till in the end the party of the King
+of Northgales would joust no more, and the victory was cried to King
+Bagdemagus.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus to his castle, and
+there he feasted with great cheer and welcome, and received many royal
+gifts. And on the morrow he took leave and went to find his brother
+Lionel.
+
+Anon, by chance, he came to the same forest where the four queens had
+found him sleeping, and there he met a damsel riding on a white
+palfrey. When they had saluted each other, Sir Lancelot said, "Fair
+damsel, knowest thou where any adventures may be had in this country?"
+
+"Sir knight," said she, "there are adventures great enough close by if
+thou darest prove them."
+
+"Why should I not," said he, "since for that cause I came here?"
+
+"Sir," said the damsel, "hard by this place there dwelleth a knight that
+cannot be defeated by any man, so great and perilously strong he is. His
+name is Sir Turquine, and in the prisons of his castle lie three score
+knights and four, mostly from King Arthur's court, whom he hath taken
+with his own hands. But promise me, ere thou undertakest their
+deliverance, to go and help me afterwards, and free me and many other
+ladies that are distressed by a false knight."
+
+"Bring me but to this felon Turquine," quoth Sir Lancelot, "and I will
+afterwards fulfill all your wishes."
+
+So the damsel went before, and brought him to a ford, and a tree whereon
+a great brass basin hung; and Sir Lancelot beat with his spear-end upon
+the basin, long and hard, until he beat the bottom of it out, but he saw
+nothing. Then he rode to and fro before the castle gates for wellnigh
+half an hour, and anon saw a great knight riding from the distance,
+driving a horse before him, across which hung an armed man bound. And
+when they came near, Sir Lancelot knew the prisoner for a knight of the
+Round Table. By that time, the great knight who drove the prisoner saw
+Sir Lancelot, and each of them began to settle his spear, and to make
+ready.
+
+"Fair sir," then said Sir Lancelot, "put off that wounded knight, I pray
+thee, from his horse, and let him rest while thou and I shall prove our
+strength upon each other; for, as I am told, thou doest, and hast done,
+great shame and injury to knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, I warn
+thee now, defend thyself."
+
+"If thou mayest be of the Round Table," answered Turquine, "I defy thee,
+and all thy fellows."
+
+"That is saying overmuch," said Sir Lancelot.
+
+Then, setting their lances in rest, they spurred their horses towards
+each other, as fast as they could go, and smote so fearfully upon each
+other's shields, that both their horses' backs brake under them. As soon
+as they could clear their saddles, they took their shields before them,
+and drew their swords, and came together eagerly, and fought with great
+and grievous strokes; and soon they both had many grim and fearful
+wounds, and bled in streams. Thus they fought two hours and more,
+thrusting and smiting at each other, wherever they could hit.
+
+Anon, they both were breathless, and stood leaning on their swords.
+
+"Now, comrade," said Sir Turquine, "let us wait awhile, and answer me
+what I shall ask thee."
+
+"Say on," said Lancelot.
+
+"Thou art," said Turquine, "the best man I ever met, and seemest like
+one that I hate above all other knights that live; but if thou be not
+he, I will make peace with thee, and for sake of thy great valor, will
+deliver all the three score prisoners and four who lie within my
+dungeons, and thou and I will be companions evermore. Tell me, then, thy
+name."
+
+"Thou sayest well," replied Sir Lancelot; "but who is he thou hatest so
+above all others?"
+
+"His name," said Turquine, "is Sir Lancelot of the Lake; and he slew my
+brother Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower; wherefore, if ever I shall
+meet with him, one of us two shall slay the other; and thereto I have
+sworn by a great oath. And to discover and destroy him I have slain a
+hundred knights, and crippled utterly as many more, and many have died
+in my prisons; and now, as I have told thee, I have many more therein,
+who all shall be delivered, if thou tell me thy name, and it be not Sir
+Lancelot."
+
+"Well," said Lancelot, "I am that knight, son of King Ban of Benwick,
+and Knight of the Round Table; so now I defy thee to do thy best!"
+
+"Aha!" said Turquine, with a shout, "is it then so at last! Thou art
+more welcome to my sword than ever knight or lady was to feast, for
+never shall we part till one of us be dead."
+
+Then did they hurtle together like two wild bulls, slashing and lashing
+with their shields and swords, and sometimes falling both on to the
+ground. For two more hours they fought so, and at the last Sir Turquine
+grew very faint, and gave a little back, and bare his shield full low
+for weariness. When Sir Lancelot saw him thus, he leaped upon him
+fiercely as a lion, and took him by the crest of his helmet, and dragged
+him to his knees; and then he tore his helmet off and smote his neck
+asunder.
+
+Then he arose, and went to the damsel who had brought him to Sir
+Turquine, and said, "I am ready, fair lady, to go with thee upon thy
+service, but I have no horse."
+
+"Fair sir," said she, "take ye this horse of the wounded knight whom
+Turquine but just now was carrying to his prisons, and send that knight
+on to deliver all the prisoners."
+
+So Sir Lancelot went to the knight and prayed him for the loan of his
+horse.
+
+"Fair lord," said he, "ye are right welcome, for to-day ye have saved
+both me and my horse; and I see that ye are the best knight in all the
+world, for in my sight have ye slain the mightiest man and the best
+knight, except thyself, I ever saw."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "I thank thee well; and now go into yonder
+castle, where thou shalt find many noble knights of the Round Table, for
+I have seen their shields hung on the trees around. On yonder tree alone
+there are Sir Key's, Sir Brandel's, Sir Marhaus', Sir Galind's, and Sir
+Aliduke's, and many more; and also my two kinsmen's shields, Sir Ector
+de Maris' and Sir Lionel's. And I pray you greet them all from me, Sir
+Lancelot of the Lake, and tell them that I bid them help themselves to
+any treasures they can find within the castle; and that I pray my
+brethren, Lionel and Ector, to go to King Arthur's court and stay there
+till I come. And by the high feast at Pentecost I must be there; but now
+I must ride forth with this damsel to fulfill my promise."
+
+So, as they went, the damsel told him, "Sir, we are now near the place
+where the foul knight haunteth, who robbeth and distresseth all ladies
+and gentlewomen traveling past this way, against whom I have sought thy
+aid."
+
+Then they arranged that she should ride on foremost, and Sir Lancelot
+should follow under cover of the trees by the roadside, and if he saw
+her come to any mishap, he should ride forth and deal with him that
+troubled her. And as the damsel rode on at a soft ambling pace, a knight
+and page burst forth from the roadside and forced the damsel from her
+horse, till she cried out for help.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot rushing through the wood as fast as he might fly,
+and all the branches of the trees crackled and waved around him. "O thou
+false knight and traitor to all knighthood!" shouted he, "who taught
+thee to distress fair ladies thus?"
+
+The foul knight answered nothing, but drew out his sword and rode at Sir
+Lancelot, who threw his spear away and drew his own sword likewise, and
+struck him such a mighty blow as clave his head down to the throat. "Now
+hast thou the wages thou long hast earned!" said he; and so departed
+from the damsel.
+
+Then for two days he rode in a great forest, and had but scanty food and
+lodging, and on the third day he rode over a long bridge, when suddenly
+there started up a passing foul churl, and smote his horse across the
+nose, so that he started and turned back, rearing with pain. "Why ridest
+thou over here without my leave?" said he.
+
+"Why should I not?" said Sir Lancelot; "there is no other way to ride."
+
+"Thou shalt not pass by here," cried out the churl, and dashed at him
+with a great club full of iron spikes, till Sir Lancelot was fain to
+draw his sword and smite him dead upon the earth.
+
+At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all the people came and
+cried, "Ah, sir! a worse deed for thyself thou never didst, for thou
+hast slain the chief porter of the castle yonder!" But he let them talk
+as they pleased, and rode straight forward to the castle.
+
+There he alighted, and tied his horse to a ring in the wall; and going
+in, he saw a wide green court, and thought it seemed a noble place to
+fight in. And as he looked about, he saw many people watching him from
+doors and windows, making signs of warning, and saying, "Fair knight,
+thou art unhappy." In the next moment came upon him two great giants,
+well armed save their heads, and with two horrible clubs in their hands.
+Then he put his shield before him, and with it warded off one giant's
+stroke, and clove the other with his sword from the head downward to the
+chest. When the first giant saw that, he ran away mad with fear; but Sir
+Lancelot ran after him, and smote him through the shoulder, and shore
+him down his back, so that he fell dead.
+
+Then he walked onward to the castle hall, and saw a band of sixty ladies
+and young damsels coming forth, who knelt to him, and thanked him for
+their freedom. "For, sir," said they, "the most of us have been
+prisoners here these seven years; and have been kept at all manner of
+work to earn our meat, though we be all great gentlewomen born. Blessed
+be the time that thou wast born, for never did a knight a deed of
+greater worship than thou hast this day, and thereto will we all bear
+witness in all times and places! Tell us, therefore, noble knight, thy
+name and court, that we may tell them to our friends!" And when they
+heard it, they all cried aloud, "Well may it be so, for we knew that no
+knight save thou shouldst ever overcome those giants; and many a long
+day have we sighed for thee; for the giants feared no other name among
+all knights but thine."
+
+Then he told them to take the treasures of the castle as a reward for
+their grievances; and to return to their homes, and so rode away into
+many strange and wild countries. And at last, after many days, by chance
+he came, near the night time, to a fair mansion, wherein he found an old
+gentlewoman, who gave him and his horse good cheer. And when bed time
+was come, his host brought him to a chamber over a gate, and there he
+unarmed, and went to bed and fell asleep.
+
+But soon thereafter came one riding in great haste, and knocking
+vehemently at the gate below, which when Sir Lancelot heard, he rose
+and looked out of the window, and, by the moonlight, saw three knights
+come riding fiercely after one man, and lashing on him all at once with
+their swords, while the one knight nobly fought them all.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot quickly armed himself, and getting through the window,
+let himself down by a sheet into the midst of them, crying out, "Turn ye
+on me, ye cowards, and leave fighting with that knight!" Then they all
+left Sir Key, for the first knight was he, and began to fall upon Sir
+Lancelot furiously. And when Sir Key would have come forward to assist
+him, Sir Lancelot refused, and cried, "Leave me alone to deal with
+them." And presently, with six great strokes, he felled them all.
+
+Then they cried out, "Sir knight, we yield us unto thee, as to a man of
+might!"
+
+"I will not take your yielding!" said he; "yield ye to Sir Key, the
+seneschal, or I will have your lives."
+
+"Fair knight," said they, "excuse us in that thing, for we have chased
+Sir Key thus far, and should have overcome him but for thee."
+
+"Well," said Sir Lancelot, "do as ye will, for ye may live or die; but,
+if ye live, ye shall be holden to Sir Key."
+
+Then they yielded to him; and Sir Lancelot commanded them to go unto
+King Arthur's court at the next Pentecost, and say, Sir Key had sent
+them prisoners to Queen Guinevere. And this they sware to do upon their
+swords.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot knocked at the gate with his sword-hilt till his
+hostess came and let him in again, and Sir Key also. And when the light
+came, Sir Key knew Sir Lancelot, and knelt and thanked him for his
+courtesy, and gentleness, and kindness. "Sir," said he, "I have done no
+more than what I ought to do, and ye are welcome; therefore let us now
+take rest."
+
+So when Sir Key had supped, they went to sleep, and Sir Lancelot and he
+slept in the same bed. On the morrow, Sir Lancelot rose early, and took
+Sir Key's shield and armor and set forth. When Sir Key arose, he found
+Sir Lancelot's armor by his bedside, and his own arms gone. "Now, by my
+faith," thought he, "I know that he will grieve some knights of our
+king's court; for those who meet him will be bold to joust with him,
+mistaking him for me, while I, dressed in his shield and armor, shall
+surely ride in peace."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot, dressed in Sir Key's apparel, rode long in a great
+forest, and came at last to a low country, full of rivers and fair
+meadows, and saw a bridge before him, whereon were three silk tents of
+divers colors, and to each tent was hung a white shield, and by each
+shield stood a knight. So Sir Lancelot went by without speaking a word.
+And when he had passed, the three knights said it was the proud Sir Key,
+"who thinketh no knight equal to himself, although the contrary is full
+often proved upon him."
+
+"By my faith!" said one of them, named Gaunter, "I will ride after and
+attack him for all his pride, and ye shall watch my speed."
+
+Then, taking shield and spear, he mounted and rode after Sir Lancelot,
+and cried, "Abide, proud knight, and turn, for thou shalt not pass
+free!"
+
+So Sir Lancelot turned, and each one put his spear in rest and came with
+all his might against the other. And Sir Gaunter's spear brake short,
+but Sir Lancelot smote him down, both horse and man.
+
+When the other knights saw this, they said, "Yonder is not Sir Key, but
+a bigger man."
+
+"I dare wager my head," said Sir Gilmere, "yonder knight hath slain Sir
+Key, and taken his horse and harness."
+
+"Be it so, or not," said Sir Reynold, the third brother; "let us now go
+to our brother Gaunter's rescue; we shall have enough to do to match
+that knight, for, by his stature, I believe it is Sir Lancelot or Sir
+Tristram."
+
+Anon, they took their horses and galloped after Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Gilmere first assailed him, but was smitten down forthwith, and lay
+stunned on the earth. Then said Sir Reynold, "Sir knight, thou art a
+strong man, and, I believe, hast slain my two brothers, wherefore my
+heart is sore against thee; yet, if I might with honor, I would avoid
+thee. Nevertheless, that cannot be, so keep thyself." And so they
+hurtled together with all their might, and each man shivered his spear
+to pieces; and then they drew their swords and lashed out eagerly.
+
+And as they fought, Sir Gaunter and Sir Gilmere presently arose and
+mounted once again, and came down at full tilt upon Sir Lancelot. But,
+when he saw them coming, he put forth all his strength, and struck Sir
+Reynold off his horse. Then, with two other strokes, he served the
+others likewise.
+
+Anon, Sir Reynold crept along the ground, with his head all bloody, and
+came towards Sir Lancelot. "It is enough," said Lancelot, "I was not far
+from thee when thou wast made a knight, Sir Reynold, and know thee for a
+good and valiant man, and was full loth to slay thee."
+
+"Gramercy for thy gentleness!" said Sir Reynold. "I and my brethren will
+straightway yield to thee when we know thy name, for well we know that
+thou art not Sir Key."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Lancelot, "be it as it may, but ye shall yield
+to Queen Guinevere at the next Feast of Pentecost as prisoners, and say
+that Sir Key sent ye."
+
+Then they swore to him it should be done as he commanded. And so Sir
+Lancelot passed on, and the three brethren helped each other's wounds as
+best they might.
+
+Then rode Sir Lancelot forward into a deep forest, and came upon four
+knights of King Arthur's court, under an oak tree--Sir Sagramour, Sir
+Ector, Sir Gawain, and Sir Ewaine. And when they spied him, they thought
+he was Sir Key. "Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, "I will prove Sir
+Key's might!" and taking his spear he rode towards Sir Lancelot.
+
+But Sir Lancelot was aware of him, and, setting his spear in rest,
+smote him so sorely, that horse and man fell to the earth.
+
+"Lo!" cried Sir Ector, "I see by the buffet that knight hath given our
+fellow he is stronger than Sir Key. Now will I try what I can do against
+him!" So Sir Ector took his spear, and galloped at Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Lancelot met him as he came, and smote him through shield and shoulder,
+so that he fell, but his own spear was not broken.
+
+"By my faith," cried Sir Ewaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and must
+have slain Sir Key, and taken his armor! By his strength, I see it will
+be hard to match him." So saying he rode towards Sir Lancelot, who met
+him halfway and struck him so fiercely, that at one blow he overthrew
+him also.
+
+"Now," said Sir Gawain, "will I encounter him." So he took a good spear
+in his hand, and guarded himself with his shield. And he and Sir
+Lancelot rode against each other, with their horses at full speed, and
+furiously smote each other on the middle of their shields; but Sir
+Gawain's spear broke short asunder, and Sir Lancelot charged so mightily
+upon him, that his horse and he both fell, and rolled upon the ground.
+
+"Ah," said Sir Lancelot, smiling, as he rode away from the four knights,
+"heaven give joy to him who made this spear, for never held I better in
+my hand."
+
+But the four knights said to each other, "Truly one spear hath felled us
+all."
+
+"I dare lay my life," said Sir Gawain, "it is Sir Lancelot. I know him
+by his riding."
+
+So they all departed for the court.
+
+And as Sir Lancelot rode still in the forest, he saw a black bloodhound,
+running with its head towards the ground, as if it tracked a deer. And
+following after it, he came to a great pool of blood. But the hound,
+ever and anon looking behind, ran through a great marsh, and over a
+bridge, towards an old manor house. So Sir Lancelot followed, and went
+into the hall, and saw a dead knight lying there, whose wounds the hound
+licked. And a lady stood behind him, weeping and wringing her hands, who
+cried, "O knight! too great is the sorrow which thou hast brought me!"
+
+"Why say ye so?" replied Sir Lancelot; "for I never harmed this knight,
+and am full sorely grieved to see thy sorrow."
+
+"Nay, sir," said the lady, "I see it is not thou hast slain my husband,
+for he that truly did that deed is deeply wounded, and shall never more
+recover."
+
+"What is thy husband's name?" said Sir Lancelot.
+
+"His name," she answered, "was Sir Gilbert--one of the best knights in
+all the world; but I know not his name who hath slain him."
+
+"God send thee comfort," said Sir Lancelot, and departed again into the
+forest.
+
+And as he rode, he met with a damsel who knew him, who cried out, "Well
+found, my lord! I pray ye of your knighthood help my brother, who is
+sore wounded and ceases not to bleed, for he fought this day with Sir
+Gilbert, and slew him, but was himself well nigh slain. And there is a
+sorceress, who dwelleth in a castle hard by, and she this day hath told
+me that my brother's wound shall never be made whole until I find a
+knight to go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring from thence a sword and
+the bloody cloth in which the wounded knight was wrapped."
+
+"This is a marvelous thing!" said Sir Lancelot; "but what is your
+brother's name?"
+
+"His name, sir," she replied, "is Sir Meliot de Logres."
+
+"He is a Fellow of the Round Table," said Sir Lancelot, "and truly will
+I do my best to help him."
+
+"Then, sir," said she, "follow this way, and it will bring ye to the
+Chapel Perilous. I will abide here till God send ye hither again; for if
+ye speed not, there is no living knight who may achieve that adventure."
+
+So Sir Lancelot departed, and when he came to the Chapel Perilous he
+alighted, and tied his horse to the gate. And as soon as he was within
+the churchyard, he saw on the front of the chapel many shields of
+knights whom he had known, turned upside down. Then saw he in the
+pathway thirty mighty knights, taller than any men whom he had ever
+seen, all armed in black armor, with their swords drawn; and they
+gnashed their teeth upon him as he came. But he put his shield before
+him, and took his sword in hand, ready to do battle with them. And when
+he would have cut his way through them, they scattered on every side and
+let him pass. Then he went into the chapel, and saw therein no light but
+of a dim lamp burning. Then he was aware of a corpse in the midst of the
+chapel, covered with a silken cloth, and so stooped down and cut off a
+piece of the cloth, whereat the earth beneath him trembled. Then saw he
+a sword lying by the dead knight, and taking it in his hand, he hied him
+from the chapel. As soon as he was in the churchyard again, all the
+thirty knights cried out to him with fierce voices, "Sir Lancelot! lay
+that sword from thee, or thou diest!"
+
+"Whether I live or die," said he, "ye shall fight for it ere ye take it
+from me."
+
+With that they let him pass.
+
+And further on, beyond the chapel, he met a fair damsel, who said, "Sir
+Lancelot, leave that sword behind thee, or thou diest."
+
+"I will not leave it," said Sir Lancelot, "for any asking."
+
+"Then, gentle knight," said the damsel, "I pray thee kiss me once."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Lancelot, "that God forbid!"
+
+"Alas!" cried she, "I have lost all my labor! but hadst thou kissed me,
+thy life's days had been all done!"
+
+"Heaven save me from thy subtle crafts!" said Sir Lancelot; and
+therewith took his horse and galloped forth.
+
+And when he was departed, the damsel sorrowed greatly, and died in
+fifteen days. Her name was Ellawes, the sorceress.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot to Sir Meliot's sister, who, when she saw him,
+clapped her hands and wept for joy, and took him to the castle hard by,
+where Sir Meliot was. And when Sir Lancelot saw Sir Meliot, he knew him,
+though he was pale as ashes for loss of blood. And Sir Meliot, when he
+saw Sir Lancelot, kneeled to him and cried aloud, "O lord, Sir Lancelot!
+help me!"
+
+And thereupon, Sir Lancelot went to him and touched his wounds with the
+sword, and wiped them with the piece of bloody cloth. And immediately he
+was as whole as though he had been never wounded. Then was there great
+joy between him and Sir Meliot; and his sister made Sir Lancelot good
+cheer. So on the morrow, he took his leave, that he might go to King
+Arthur's court, "for," said he, "it draweth nigh the Feast of Pentecost,
+and there, by God's grace, shall ye then find me."
+
+And riding through many strange countries, over marshes and valleys, he
+came at length before a castle. As he passed by he heard two little
+bells ringing, and looking up, he saw a falcon flying overhead, with
+bells tied to her feet, and long strings dangling from them. And as the
+falcon flew past an elm-tree, the strings caught in the boughs, so that
+she could fly no further.
+
+In the meanwhile, came a lady from the castle, and cried, "Oh, Sir
+Lancelot! as thou art the flower of all knights in the world, help me to
+get my hawk, for she hath slipped away from me, and if she be lost, my
+lord my husband is so hasty, he will surely slay me!"
+
+"What is thy lord's name?" said Sir Lancelot.
+
+"His name," said she, "is Sir Phelot, a knight of the King of
+Northgales."
+
+"Fair lady," said Sir Lancelot, "since you know my name, and require me,
+on my knighthood, to help you, I will do what I can to get your hawk."
+
+And thereupon alighting, he tied his horse to the same tree, and prayed
+the lady to unarm him. So when he was unarmed, he climbed up and reached
+the falcon, and threw it to the lady.
+
+Then suddenly came down, out of the wood, her husband, Sir Phelot, all
+armed, with a drawn sword in his hand, and said, "Oh, Sir Lancelot! now
+have I found thee as I would have thee!" and stood at the trunk of the
+tree to slay him.
+
+"Ah, lady!" cried Sir Lancelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+
+"She hath done as I commanded her," said Sir Phelot, "and thine hour is
+come that thou must die."
+
+"It were shame," said Lancelot, "for an armed to slay an unarmed man."
+
+"Thou hast no other favor from me," said Sir Phelot.
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that ever any knight should die
+weaponless!" And looking overhead, he saw a great bough without leaves,
+and wrenched it off the tree, and suddenly leaped down. Then Sir Phelot
+struck at him eagerly, thinking to have slain him, but Sir Lancelot put
+aside the stroke with the bough, and therewith smote him on the side of
+the head, till he fell swooning to the ground. And tearing his sword
+from out his hands, he shore his neck through from the body. Then did
+the lady shriek dismally, and swooned as though she would die. But Sir
+Lancelot put on his armor, and with haste took his horse and departed
+thence, thanking God he had escaped that peril.
+
+And as he rode through a valley, among many wild ways, he saw a knight,
+with a drawn sword, chasing a lady to slay her. And seeing Sir Lancelot,
+she cried and prayed to him to come and rescue her.
+
+At that he went up, saying, "Fie on thee, knight! why wilt thou slay
+this lady? Thou doest shame to thyself and all knights."
+
+"What hast thou to do between me and my wife?" replied the knight. "I
+will slay her in spite of thee."
+
+"Thou shalt not harm her," said Lancelot, "till we have first fought
+together."
+
+"Sir," answered the knight, "thou doest ill, for this lady hath betrayed
+me."
+
+"He speaketh falsely," said the lady, "for he is jealous of me without
+cause, as I shall answer before Heaven; but as thou art named the most
+worshipful knight in the world, I pray thee of thy true knighthood to
+save me, for he is without mercy."
+
+"Be of good cheer," said Sir Lancelot; "it shall not lie within his
+power to harm thee."
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "I will be ruled as ye will have me."
+
+So Sir Lancelot rode between the knight and the lady. And when they had
+ridden awhile, the knight cried out suddenly to Sir Lancelot to turn and
+see what men they were who came riding after them; and while Sir
+Lancelot, thinking not of treason, turned to look, the knight, with one
+great stroke, smote off the lady's head.
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot passing wroth, and cried, "Thou traitor! Thou hast
+shamed me forever!" and, alighting from his horse, he drew his sword to
+have slain him instantly; but the knight fell on the ground and clasped
+Sir Lancelot's knees, and cried out for mercy. "Thou shameful knight,"
+answered Lancelot, "thou mayest have no mercy, for thou showedst none,
+therefore arise and fight with me."
+
+"Nay," said the knight, "I will not rise till thou dost grant me mercy."
+
+"Now will I deal fairly by thee," said Sir Lancelot; "I will unarm me to
+my shirt, and have my sword only in my hand, and if thou canst slay me
+thou shalt be quit forever."
+
+"That will I never do," said the knight.
+
+"Then," answered Sir Lancelot, "take this lady and the head, and bear it
+with thee, and swear to me upon thy sword never to rest until thou
+comest to Queen Guinevere."
+
+"That will I do," said he.
+
+"Now," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy name."
+
+"It is Pedivere," answered the knight.
+
+"In a shameful hour wert thou born," said Sir Lancelot.
+
+So Sir Pedivere departed, bearing with him the dead lady and her head.
+And when he came to Winchester, where the Queen was with King Arthur, he
+told them all the truth; and afterwards did great and heavy penance
+many years, and became an holy hermit.
+
+So, two days before the Feast of Pentecost, Sir Lancelot returned to the
+court, and King Arthur was full glad of his coming. And when Sir Gawain,
+Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramour, and Sir Ector, saw him in Sir Key's armor,
+they knew well it was he who had smitten them all down with one spear.
+Anon, came all the knights Sir Turquine had taken prisoners, and gave
+worship and honor to Sir Lancelot. Then Sir Key told the King how Sir
+Lancelot had rescued him when he was in near danger of his death; "and,"
+said Sir Key, "he made the knights yield, not to himself, but me. And by
+Heaven! because Sir Lancelot took my armor and left me his, I rode in
+peace, and no man would have aught to do with me." Then came the knights
+who fought with Sir Lancelot at the long bridge and yielded themselves
+also to Sir Key, but he said nay, he had not fought with them. "It is
+Sir Lancelot," said he, "that overcame ye." Next came Sir Meliot de
+Logres, and told King Arthur how Sir Lancelot had saved him from death.
+
+And so all Sir Lancelot's deeds and great adventures were made known;
+how the four sorceress-queens had him in prison; how he was delivered by
+the daughter of King Bagdemagus, and what deeds of arms he did at the
+tournament between the King of North Wales and King Bagdemagus. And so,
+at that festival, Sir Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in
+all the world, and by high and low was he the most honored of all men.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BEAUMAINS OR SIR GARETH
+
+
+Again King Arthur held the Feast of Pentecost, with all the Table Round,
+and after his custom sat in the banquet hall, before beginning meat,
+waiting for some adventure. Then came there to the king a squire and
+said, "Lord, now may ye go to meat, for here a damsel cometh with some
+strange adventure." So the king was glad, and sat down to meat.
+
+Anon the damsel came in and saluted him, praying him for succor. "What
+wilt thou?" said the king. "Lord," answered she, "my mistress is a lady
+of great renown, but is at this time besieged by a tyrant, who will not
+suffer her to go out of her castle; and because here in thy court the
+knights are called the noblest in the world, I come to pray thee for thy
+succor." "Where dwelleth your lady?" answered the king. "What is her
+name, and who is he that hath besieged her?" "For her name," replied the
+damsel, "as yet I may not tell it; but she is a lady of worship and
+great lands. The tyrant that besiegeth her and wasteth her lands is
+called the Red Knight of the Redlands." "I know him not," said Arthur.
+"But I know him, lord," said Sir Gawain, "and he is one of the most
+perilous knights in all the world. Men say he hath the strength of
+seven; and from him I myself once hardly escaped with life." "Fair
+damsel," said the king, "there be here many knights that would gladly do
+their uttermost to rescue your lady, but unless ye tell me her name, and
+where she dwelleth, none of my knights shall go with you by my leave."
+
+Now, there was a stripling at the court called Beaumains, who served in
+the king's kitchen, a fair youth and of great stature. Twelve months
+before this time he had come to the king as he sat at meat, at
+Whitsuntide, and prayed three gifts of him. And being asked what gifts,
+he answered, "As for the first gift I will ask it now, but the other two
+gifts I will ask on this day twelve months, wheresoever ye hold your
+high feast." Then said King Arthur, "What is thy first request?" "This,
+lord," said he, "that thou wilt give me meat and drink enough for twelve
+months from this time, and then will I ask my other two gifts." And the
+king seeing that he was a goodly youth, and deeming that he was come of
+honorable blood, had granted his desire, and given him into the charge
+of Sir Key, the steward. But Sir Key scorned and mocked the youth,
+calling Beaumains, because his hands were large and fair, and putting
+him into the kitchen, where he had served for twelve months as a
+scullion, and, in spite of all his churlish treatment, had faithfully
+obeyed Sir Key. But Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were angered when they
+saw Sir Key so churlish to a youth that had so worshipful a bearing,
+and ofttimes had they given him gold and clothing.
+
+And now at this time came young Beaumains to the king, while the damsel
+was there, and said, "Lord, now I thank thee well and heartily that I
+have been twelve months kept in thy kitchen, and have had full
+sustenance. Now will I ask my two remaining gifts." "Ask," said King
+Arthur, "on my good faith." "These, lord," said he, "shall be my two
+gifts--the one, that thou wilt grant me this adventure of the damsel,
+for to me of right it belongeth; and the other, that thou wilt bid Sir
+Lancelot make me a knight, for of him only will I have that honor; and I
+pray that he may ride after me and make me a knight when I require him."
+"Be it as thou wilt," replied the king. But thereupon the damsel was
+full wroth, and said, "Shall I have a kitchen page for this adventure?"
+and so she took horse and departed.
+
+Then came one to Beaumains, and told him that a dwarf with a horse and
+armor were waiting for him. And all men marveled whence these things
+came. But when he was on horseback and armed, scarce any one at the
+court was a goodlier man than he. And coming into the hall, he took his
+leave of the king and Sir Gawain, and prayed Sir Lancelot to follow him.
+So he rode after the damsel, and many of the court went out to see him,
+so richly arrayed and horsed; yet he had neither shield nor spear. Then
+Sir Key cried, "I also will ride after the kitchen boy, and see whether
+he will obey me now." And taking his horse, he rode after him, and
+said, "Know ye not me, Beaumains?" "Yea," said he, "I know thee for an
+ungentle knight, therefore beware of me." Then Sir Key put his spear in
+rest and ran at him, but Beaumains rushed upon him with his sword in his
+hand, and therewith, putting aside the spear, struck Sir Key so sorely
+in the side, that he fell down, as if dead. Then he alighted, and took
+his shield and spear, and bade his dwarf ride upon Sir Key's horse.
+
+By this time, Sir Lancelot had come up, and Beaumains offering to tilt
+with him, they both made ready. And their horses came together so
+fiercely that both fell to the earth, full sorely bruised. Then they
+arose, and Beaumains, putting up his shield before him, offered to fight
+Sir Lancelot, on foot. So they rushed upon each other, striking, and
+thrusting, and parrying, for the space of an hour. And Lancelot marveled
+at the strength of Beaumains, for he fought more like a giant than a
+man, and his fighting was passing fierce and terrible. So, at the last,
+he said, "Fight not so sorely, Beaumains; our quarrel is not such that
+we may not now cease." "True," answered Beaumains; "yet it doth me good
+to feel thy might, though I have not yet proved my uttermost." "By my
+faith," said Lancelot, "I had as much as I could do to save myself from
+you unshamed, therefore be in no doubt of any earthly knight." "May I,
+then, stand as a proved knight?" said Beaumains. "For that will I be thy
+warrant," answered Lancelot. "Then, I pray thee," said he, "give me the
+order of knighthood." "First, then, must thou tell me of thy name and
+kindred," said Sir Lancelot. "If thou wilt tell them to no other, I will
+tell thee," answered he. "My name is Gareth of Orkney, and I am own
+brother to Sir Gawain." "Ah!" said Sir Lancelot, "at that am I full
+glad; for, truly, I deemed thee to be of gentle blood." So then he
+knighted Beaumains, and, after that, they parted company, and Sir
+Lancelot, returning to the court, took up Sir Key on his shield. And
+hardly did Sir Key escape with his life, from the wound Beaumains had
+given him; but all men blamed him for his ungentle treatment of so brave
+a knight.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains rode forward, and soon overtook the damsel; but she
+said to him, in scorn, "Return again, base kitchen page! What art thou,
+but a washer-up of dishes!" "Damsel," said he, "say to me what thou
+wilt, I will not leave thee; for I have undertaken to King Arthur to
+relieve thy adventure, and I will finish it to the end, or die." "Thou
+finish my adventure!" said she--"anon, thou shalt meet one, whose face
+thou wilt not even dare to look at." "I shall attempt it," answered he.
+So, as they rode thus, into a wood, there met them a man, fleeing, as
+for his life. "Whither fleest thou?" said Sir Beaumains. "O lord!" he
+answered, "help me; for, in a valley hard by, there are six thieves, who
+have taken my lord, and bound him, and I fear will slay him." "Bring me
+thither," said Sir Beaumains. So they rode to the place, and Sir
+Beaumains rushed after the thieves, and smote one, at the first stroke,
+so that he died; and then, with two other blows, slew a second and
+third. Then fled the other three, and Sir Beaumains rode after them, and
+overtook and slew them all. Then he returned and unbound the knight. And
+the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride to his castle, where he
+would reward him. "Sir," answered Sir Beaumains, "I will have no reward
+of thee, for but this day was I made knight by the most noble Sir
+Lancelot; and besides, I must go with this damsel." Then the knight
+begged the damsel to rest that night at his castle. So they all rode
+thither, and ever the damsel scoffed at Sir Beaumains as a kitchen boy,
+and laughed at him before the knight their host, so that he set his meat
+before him at a lower table, as though he were not of their company.
+
+And on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains took their leave of the
+knight, and thanking him departed. Then they rode on their way till they
+came to a great forest, through which flowed a river, and there was but
+one passage over it, whereat stood two knights armed to hinder the way.
+"Wilt thou match those two knights," said the damsel to Sir Beaumains,
+"or return again?" "I would not return," said he, "though they were
+six." Therewith he galloped into the water, and swam his horse into the
+middle of the stream. And there, in the river, one of the knights met
+him, and they brake their spears together, and then drew their swords,
+and smote fiercely at each other. And at the last, Sir Beaumains struck
+the other mightily upon the helm, so that he fell down stunned into the
+water, and was drowned. Then Sir Beaumains spurred his horse on to the
+land, where instantly the other knight fell on him. And they also brake
+their spears upon each other, and then drew their swords, and fought
+savagely and long together. And after many blows, Sir Beaumains clove
+through the knight's skull down to the shoulders. Then rode Sir
+Beaumains to the damsel, but ever she still scoffed at him, and said,
+"Alas! that a kitchen page should chance to slay two such brave knights!
+Thou deemest now that thou hast done a mighty deed, but it is not so;
+for the first knight's horse stumbled, and thus was he drowned--not by
+thy strength; and as for the second knight, thou wentest by chance
+behind him, and didst kill him shamefully." "Damsel," said Sir
+Beaumains, "say what ye list, I care not so I may win your lady; and
+wouldst thou give me but fair language, all my care were past; for
+whatsoever knights I meet, I fear them not." "Thou shalt see knights
+that shall abate thy boast, base kitchen knave," replied she; "yet say I
+this for thine advantage, for if thou followest me thou wilt be surely
+slain, since I see all thou doest is but by chance, and not by thy own
+prowess." "Well, damsel," said he, "say what ye will, wherever ye go I
+will follow."
+
+So they rode on until the eventide, and still the damsel evermore kept
+chiding Sir Beaumains. Then came they to a black space of land, whereon
+was a black hawthorn tree, and on the tree there hung a black banner,
+and on the other side was a black shield and spear, and by them a great
+black horse, covered with silk; and hard by sat a knight armed in black
+armor, whose name was the Knight of the Blacklands. When the damsel saw
+him, she cried out to Beaumains, "Flee down the valley, for thy horse is
+not saddled!" "Wilt thou forever deem me coward?" answered he. With that
+came the Black Knight to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, hast thou
+brought this knight from Arthur's court to be thy champion?" "Not so,
+fair knight," said she; "he is but a kitchen knave." "Then wherefore
+cometh he in such array?" said he; "it is a shame that he should bear
+thee company." "I cannot be delivered from him," answered she: "for in
+spite of me he rideth with me; and would to Heaven you would put him
+from me, or now slay him, for he hath slain two knights at the river
+passage yonder, and done many marvelous deeds through pure mischance."
+"I marvel," said the Black Knight, "that any man of worship will fight
+with him." "They know him not," said the damsel, "and think, because he
+rideth with me, that he is well born." "Truly, he hath a goodly person,
+and is likely to be a strong man," replied the knight; "but since he is
+no man of worship, he shall leave his horse and armor with me, for it
+were a shame for me to do him more harm."
+
+When Sir Beaumains heard him speak thus, he said, "Horse or armor
+gettest thou none of me, Sir knight, save thou winnest them with thy
+hands; therefore defend thyself, and let me see what thou canst do."
+"How sayest thou?" answered the Black Knight. "Now quit this lady also,
+for it beseemeth not a kitchen knave like thee to ride with such a
+lady." "I am of higher lineage than thou," said Sir Beaumains, "and will
+straightway prove it on thy body." Then furiously they drove their
+horses at each other, and came together as it had been thunder. But the
+Black Knight's spear brake short, and Sir Beaumains thrust him through
+the side, and his spear breaking at the head, left its point sticking
+fast in the Black Knight's body. Yet did the Black Knight draw his
+sword, and smite at Sir Beaumains with many fierce and bitter blows; but
+after they had fought an hour and more, he fell down from his horse in a
+swoon, and forthwith died. Then Sir Beaumains lighted down and armed
+himself in the Black Knight's armor, and rode on after the damsel. But
+notwithstanding all his valor, still she scoffed at him, and said,
+"Away! for thou savorest ever of the kitchen. Alas! that such a knave
+should by mishap destroy so good a knight; yet once again I counsel thee
+to flee, for hard by is a knight who shall repay thee!" "It may chance
+that I am beaten or slain," answered Sir Beaumains, "but I warn thee,
+fair damsel, that I will not flee away, nor leave thy company, or my
+quest, for all that ye can say."
+
+Anon, as they rode, they saw a knight come swiftly towards them, dressed
+all in green, who, calling to the damsel said, "Is that my brother, the
+Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?" "Nay, and alas!" said she,
+"this kitchen knave hath slain thy brother through mischance." "Alas!"
+said the Green Knight, "that such a noble knight as he was should be
+slain by a knave's hand. Traitor!" cried he to Sir Beaumains, "thou
+shalt die for this! Sir Pereard was my brother, and a full noble
+knight." "I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I slew him knightly and
+not shamefully." Then the Green Knight rode to a thorn whereon hung a
+green horn, and, when he blew three notes, there came three damsels
+forth, who quickly armed him, and brought him a great horse and a green
+shield and spear. Then did they run at one another with their fullest
+might, and break their spears asunder; and, drawing their swords, they
+closed in fight, and sorely smote and wounded each other with many
+grievous blows.
+
+At last, Sir Beaumains' horse jostled against the Green Knight's horse,
+and overthrew him. Then both alighted, and, hurtling together like mad
+lions, fought a great while on foot. But the damsel cheered the Green
+Knight, and said, "My lord, why wilt thou let a kitchen knave so long
+stand up against thee?" Hearing these words, he was ashamed, and gave
+Sir Beaumains such a mighty stroke as clave his shield asunder. When Sir
+Beaumains heard the damsel's words, and felt that blow, he waxed passing
+wroth, and gave the Green Knight such a buffet on the helm that he fell
+on his knees, and with another blow Sir Beaumains threw him on the
+ground. Then the Green Knight yielded, and prayed him to spare his life.
+"All thy prayers are vain," said he, "unless this damsel who came with
+me pray for thee." "That will I never do, base kitchen knave," said she.
+"Then shall he die," said Beaumains. "Alas! fair lady," said the Green
+Knight, "suffer me not to die for a word! O, Sir knight," cried he to
+Beaumains, "give me my life, and I will ever do thee homage; and thirty
+knights, who owe me service, shall give allegiance to thee." "All
+availeth not," answered Sir Beaumains, "unless the damsel ask me for thy
+life"; and thereupon he made as though he would have slain him. Then
+cried the damsel, "Slay him not; for if thou do thou shalt repent it."
+"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "at thy command, he shall obtain his life.
+Arise, Sir knight of the green armor, I release thee!" Then the Green
+Knight knelt at his feet, and did him homage with his words. "Lodge with
+me this night," said he, "and to-morrow will I guide ye through the
+forest." So, taking their horses, they rode to his castle, which was
+hard by.
+
+Yet still did the damsel rebuke and scoff at Sir Beaumains, and would
+not suffer him to sit at her table. "I marvel," said the Green Knight to
+her, "that ye thus chide so noble a knight, for truly I know none to
+match him; and be sure, that whatsoever he appeareth now, he will prove,
+at the end, of noble blood and royal lineage." But of all this would the
+damsel take no heed, and ceased not to mock at Sir Beaumains. On the
+morrow, they arose and heard mass; and when they had broken their fast,
+took their horses and rode on their way, the Green Knight conveying them
+through the forest. Then, when he had led them for a while, he said to
+Sir Beaumains, "My lord, my thirty knights and I shall always be at thy
+command whensoever thou shalt send for us." "It is well said," replied
+he; "and when I call upon you, you shall yield yourself and all your
+knights unto King Arthur." "That will we gladly do," said the Green
+Knight, and so departed.
+
+And the damsel rode on before Sir Beaumains, and said to him, "Why dost
+thou follow me, thou kitchen boy? I counsel thee to throw aside thy
+spear and shield, and flee betimes, for wert thou as mighty as Sir
+Lancelot or Sir Tristram, thou shouldest not pass a valley near this
+place, called the Pass Perilous." "Damsel," answered he, "let him that
+feareth flee; as for me, it were indeed a shameful thing to turn after
+so long a journey." As he spake, they came upon a tower as white as
+snow, with mighty battlements, and double moats round it, and over the
+tower-gate hung fifty shields of divers colors. Before the tower walls,
+they saw a fair meadow, wherein were many knights and squires in
+pavilions, for on the morrow there was a tournament at that castle.
+
+Then the lord of the castle, seeing a knight armed at all points, with a
+damsel and a page, riding towards the tower, came forth to meet them;
+and his horse and harness, with his shield and spear, were all of a red
+color. When he came near Sir Beaumains, and saw his armor all of black,
+he thought him his own brother, the Black Knight, and so cried aloud,
+"Brother! what do ye here, within these borders?" "Nay!" said the
+damsel, "it is not thy brother, but a kitchen knave of Arthur's court,
+who hath slain thy brother, and overcome thy other brother also, the
+Green Knight." "Now do I defy thee!" cried the Red Knight to Sir
+Beaumains, and put his spear in rest and spurred his horse. Then both
+knights turned back a little space, and ran together with all their
+might, till their horses fell to the earth. Then, with their swords,
+they fought fiercely for the space of three hours. And at last, Sir
+Beaumains overcame his foe, and smote him to the ground. Then the Red
+Knight prayed his mercy, and said, "Slay me not, noble knight, and I
+will yield to thee with sixty knights that do my bidding." "All avails
+not," answered Sir Beaumains, "save this damsel pray me to release
+thee." Then did he lift his sword to slay him; but the damsel cried
+aloud, "Slay him not, Beaumains, for he is a noble knight." Then Sir
+Beaumains bade him rise up and thank the damsel, which straightway he
+did, and afterwards invited them to his castle, and made them goodly
+cheer.
+
+But notwithstanding all Sir Beaumains' mighty deeds, the damsel ceased
+not to revile and chide him, at which the Red Knight marveled much; and
+caused his sixty knights to watch Sir Beaumains, that no villainy might
+happen to him. And on the morrow, they heard mass and broke their fast,
+and the Red Knight came before Sir Beaumains, with his sixty knights,
+and proffered him homage and fealty. "I thank thee," answered he; "and
+when I call upon thee thou shalt come before my lord King Arthur at his
+court, and yield yourselves to him." "That will we surely do," said the
+Red Knight. So Sir Beaumains and the damsel departed.
+
+And as she constantly reviled him and tormented him, he said to her,
+"Damsel, ye are discourteous thus always to rebuke me, for I have done
+you service; and for all your threats of knights that shall destroy me,
+all they who come lie in the dust before me. Now, therefore, I pray you
+rebuke me no more till you see me beaten or a recreant, and then bid me
+go from you." "There shall soon meet thee a knight who shall repay thee
+all thy deeds, thou boaster," answered she, "for, save King Arthur, he
+is the man of most worship in the world." "It will be the greater honor
+to encounter him," said Sir Beaumains.
+
+Soon after, they saw before them a city passing fair, and between them
+and the city was a meadow newly mown, wherein were many goodly tents.
+"Seest thou yonder blue pavilion?" said the damsel to Sir Beaumains; "it
+is Sir Perseant's, the lord of that great city, whose custom is, in all
+fair weather, to lie in this meadow, and joust with his knights."
+
+And as she spake, Sir Perseant, who had espied them coming, sent a
+messenger to meet Sir Beaumains, and to ask him if he came in war or
+peace. "Say to thy lord," he answered, "that I care not whether of the
+twain it be." So when the messenger gave this reply, Sir Perseant came
+out to fight with Sir Beaumains. And making ready, they rode their
+steeds against each other; and when their spears were shivered asunder,
+they fought with their swords. And for more than two hours did they
+hack and hew at each other, till their shields and hauberks were all
+dented with many blows, and they themselves were sorely wounded. And at
+the last, Sir Beaumains smote Sir Perseant on the helm, so that he fell
+groveling on the earth. And when he unlaced his helm to slay him, the
+damsel prayed for his life. "That will I grant gladly," answered Sir
+Beaumains, "for it were pity such a noble knight should die."
+"Gramercy!" said Sir Perseant, "for now I certainly know that it was
+thou who slewest my brother, the Black Knight, Sir Pereard; and overcame
+my brothers, the Green Knight, Sir Pertolope, and the Red Knight, Sir
+Perimones; and since thou hast overcome me also, I will do thee homage
+and fealty, and place at thy command one hundred knights to do thy
+bidding."
+
+But when the damsel saw Sir Perseant overthrown, she marveled greatly at
+the might of Sir Beaumains, and said, "What manner of man may ye be, for
+now am I sure that ye be come of noble blood? And truly, never did woman
+revile knight as I have done thee, and yet ye have ever courteously
+borne with me, which surely never had been were ye not of gentle blood
+and lineage."
+
+"Lady," replied Sir Beaumains, "a knight is little worth who may not
+bear with a damsel; and so whatsoever ye said to me I took no heed, save
+only that at times when your scorn angered me, it made me all the
+stronger against those with whom I fought, and thus have ye furthered me
+in my battles. But whether I be born of gentle blood or no, I have done
+you gentle service, and peradventure will do better still, ere I depart
+from you."
+
+"Alas!" said she, weeping at his courtesy, "forgive me, fair Sir
+Beaumains, all that I have missaid and misdone against you." "With all
+my heart," said he; "and since you now speak fairly to me, I am passing
+glad of heart, and methinks I have the strength to overcome whatever
+knights I shall henceforth encounter."
+
+Then Sir Perseant prayed them to come to his pavilion, and set before
+them wines and spices, and made them great cheer. So they rested that
+night; and on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains rose, and heard
+mass. And when they had broken their fast, they took their leave of Sir
+Perseant. "Fair damsel," said he, "whither lead ye this knight?" "Sir,"
+answered she, "to the Castle Dangerous, where my sister is besieged by
+the Knight of the Redlands." "I know him well," said Sir Perseant, "for
+the most perilous knight alive--a man without mercy, and with the
+strength of seven men. God save thee, Sir Beaumains, from him! and
+enable thee to overcome him, for the Lady Lyones, whom he besiegeth, is
+as fair a lady as there liveth in this world." "Thou sayest truth, sir,"
+said the damsel; "for I am her sister; and men call me Linet, or the
+Wild Maiden." "Now, I would have thee know," said Sir Perseant to Sir
+Beaumains, "that the Knight of the Redlands hath kept that siege more
+than two years, and prolongeth the time hoping that Sir Lancelot, or Sir
+Tristram, or Sir Lamoracke, may come and battle with him; for these
+three knights divide between them all knighthood; and thou if thou
+mayest match the Knight of the Redlands, shalt well be called the fourth
+knight of the world." "Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I would fain have that
+good fame; and truly, I am come of great and honorable lineage. And so
+that you and this fair damsel will conceal it, I will tell ye my
+descent." And when they swore to keep it secret, he told them, "My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney, my father was King Lot, and my mother the Lady
+Belisent, King Arthur's sister. Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris, are my brethren, and I am the youngest of them all. But, as yet
+King Arthur and the court know me not, who I am." When he had thus told
+them, they both wondered greatly.
+
+And the damsel Linet sent the dwarf forward to her sister, to tell her
+of their coming. Then did Dame Lyones inquire what manner of man the
+knight was who was coming to her rescue. And the dwarf told her of all
+Sir Beaumains' deeds by the way: how he had overthrown Sir Key, and left
+him for dead; how he had battled with Sir Lancelot, and was knighted of
+him; how he had fought with, and slain, the thieves; how he had overcome
+the two knights who kept the river passage; how he had fought with, and
+slain, the Black Knight; and how he had overcome the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and last of all, the Blue Knight, Sir Perseant. Then was
+Dame Lyones passing glad, and sent the dwarf back to Sir Beaumains with
+great gifts, thanking him for his courtesy, in taking such a labor on
+him for her sake, and praying him to be of good heart and courage. And
+as the dwarf returned, he met the Knight of the Redlands, who asked him
+whence he came. "I came here with the sister of my lady of the castle,"
+said the dwarf, "who hath been now to King Arthur's court and brought a
+knight with her to take her battle on him." "Then is her travail lost,"
+replied the knight; "for, though she had brought Sir Lancelot, Sir
+Tristram, Sir Lamoracke, or Sir Gawain, I count myself their equal, and
+who besides shall be so called?" Then the dwarf told the knight what
+deeds Sir Beaumains had done; but he answered, "I care not for him,
+whosoever he be, for I shall shortly overcome him, and give him shameful
+death, as to so many others I have done."
+
+Then the damsel Linet and Sir Beaumains left Sir Perseant, and rode on
+through a forest to a large plain, where they saw many pavilions, and
+hard by, a castle passing fair.
+
+But as they came near Sir Beaumains saw upon the branches of some trees
+which grew there, the dead bodies of forty knights hanging, with rich
+armor on them, their shields and swords about their necks, and golden
+spurs upon their heels. "What meaneth this?" said he, amazed. "Lose not
+thy courage, fair sir," replied the damsel, "at this shameful sight, for
+all these knights came hither to rescue my sister; and when the Knight
+of the Redlands had overcome them, he put them to this piteous death,
+without mercy; and in such wise will he treat thee also unless thou
+bearest thee more valiantly than they." "Truly he useth shameful
+customs," said Sir Beaumains; "and it is a marvel that he hath endured
+so long."
+
+So they rode onward to the castle walls, and found them double-moated,
+and heard the sea waves dashing on one side the walls. Then said the
+damsel, "See you that ivory horn hanging upon the sycamore-tree? The
+Knight of the Redlands hath hung it there, that any knight may blow
+thereon, and then will he himself come out and fight with him. But I
+pray thee sound it not till high noontide, for now it is but daybreak,
+and till noon his strength increases to the might of seven men." "Let
+that be as it may, fair damsel," answered he, "for were he stronger
+knight than ever lived, I would not fail him. Either will I defeat him
+at his mightiest, or die knightly in the field." With that he spurred
+his horse unto the sycamore, and blew the ivory horn so eagerly, that
+all the castle rang its echoes. Instantly, all the knights who were in
+the pavilions ran forth, and those within the castle looked out from the
+windows, or above the walls. And the Knight of the Redlands, arming
+himself quickly in blood-red armor, with spear, and shield, and horse's
+trappings of like color, rode forth into a little valley by the castle
+walls, so that all in the castle, and at the siege, might see the
+battle.
+
+"Be of good cheer," said the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains, "for thy
+deadly enemy now cometh; and at yonder window is my lady and sister,
+Dame Lyones." "In good sooth," said Sir Beaumains, "she is the fairest
+lady I have ever seen, and I would wish no better quarrel than to fight
+for her." With that, he looked up to the window, and saw the Lady
+Lyones, who waved her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer
+them. Then called the Knight of the Redlands to Sir Beaumains, "Leave
+now thy gazing, Sir knight, and turn to me, for I warn thee that lady is
+mine." "She loveth none of thy fellowship," he answered; "but know this,
+that I love her, and will rescue her from thee, or die." "Say ye so!"
+said the Red Knight. "Take ye no warning from those knights that hang on
+yonder trees?" "For shame that thou so boastest!" said Sir Beaumains.
+"Be sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that will not lightly
+be put out, and given me not fear, but rage." "Sir knight, defend
+thyself," said the Knight of the Redlands, "for we will talk no longer."
+
+Then did they put their spears in rest, and came together at the fullest
+speed of their horses, and smote each other in the midst of their
+shields, so that their horses' harness sundered by the shock, and they
+fell to the ground. And both lay there so long time, stunned, that many
+deemed their necks were broken. And all men said the strange knight was
+a strong man, and a noble jouster, for none had ever yet so matched the
+Knight of the Redlands. Then, in a while, they rose, and putting up
+their shields before them, drew their swords, and fought with fury,
+running at each other like wild beasts--now striking such buffets that
+both reeled backwards, now hewing at each other till they shore the
+harness off in pieces, and left their bodies naked and unarmed. And thus
+they fought till noon was past, when, for a time, they rested to get
+breath, so sorely staggering and bleeding, that many who beheld them
+wept for pity. Then they renewed the battle--sometimes rushing so
+furiously together, that both fell to the ground, and anon changing
+swords in their confusion. Thus they endured, and lashed, and struggled,
+until eventide, and none who saw knew which was the likeliest to win;
+for though the Knight of the Redlands was a wily and subtle warrior, his
+subtlety made Sir Beaumains wilier and wiser too. So once again they
+rested for a little space, and took their helms off to find breath.
+
+But when Sir Beaumains' helm was off, he looked up to Dame Lyones, where
+she leaned, gazing and weeping, from her window. And when he saw the
+sweetness of her smiling, all his heart was light and joyful, and
+starting up, he bade the Knight of the Redlands make ready. Then did
+they lace their helms and fight together yet afresh, as though they had
+never fought before. And at the last, the Knight of the Redlands with a
+sudden stroke smote Sir Beaumains on the hand, so that his sword fell
+from it, and with a second stroke upon the helm he drove him to the
+earth. Then cried aloud the damsel Linet, "Alas! Sir Beaumains, see how
+my sister weepeth to behold thee fallen!" And when Sir Beaumains heard
+her words, he sprang upon his feet with strength, and leaping to his
+sword, he caught it; and with many heavy blows pressed so sorely on the
+Knight of the Redlands, that in the end he smote his sword from out his
+hand, and, with a mighty blow upon the head, hurled him upon the ground.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains unlaced his helm, and would have straightway slain
+him, but the Knight of the Redlands yielded, and prayed for mercy. "I
+may not spare thee," answered he, "because of the shameful death which
+thou hast given to so many noble knights." "Yet hold thy hand, Sir
+knight," said he, "and hear the cause. I loved once a fair damsel, whose
+brother was slain, as she told me, by a knight of Arthur's court, either
+Sir Lancelot, or Sir Gawain; and she prayed me, as I truly loved her,
+and by the faith of my knighthood, to labor daily in deeds of arms, till
+I should meet with him; and to put all knights of the Round Table whom I
+should overcome to a villainous death. And this I swore to her." Then
+prayed the earls, and knights, and barons, who stood round Sir
+Beaumains, to spare the Red Knight's life. "Truly," replied he, "I am
+loth to slay him, notwithstanding he hath done such shameful deeds. And
+inasmuch as what he did was done to please his lady and to gain her
+love, I blame him less, and for your sakes I will release him. But on
+this agreement only shall he hold his life--that straightway he depart
+into the castle, and yield him to the lady there, and make her such
+amends as she shall ask, for all the trespass he hath done upon her
+lands; and afterwards, that he shall go unto King Arthur's court, and
+ask the pardon of Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain for all the evil he hath
+done against them." "All this, Sir knight, I swear to do," said the
+Knight of the Redlands; and therewith he did him homage and fealty.
+
+Then came the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains and the Knight of the
+Redlands, and disarmed them, and staunched their wounds. And when the
+Knight of the Redlands had made amends for all his trespasses, he
+departed for the court.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains, being healed of his wounds, armed himself, and took
+his horse and spear and rode straight to the castle of Dame Lyones, for
+greatly he desired to see her. But when he came to the gate they closed
+it fast, and pulled the drawbridge up. And as he marveled thereat, he
+saw the Lady Lyones standing at a window, who said, "Go thy way as yet,
+Sir Beaumains, for thou shalt not wholly have my love until thou be
+among the worthiest knights of all the world. Go, therefore, and labor
+yet in arms for twelve months more, and then return to me." "Alas! fair
+lady," said Sir Beaumains, "I have scarce deserved this of thee, for
+sure I am that I have bought thy love with all the best blood in my
+body." "Be not aggrieved, fair knight," said she, "for none of thy
+service is forgot or lost. Twelve months will soon be passed in noble
+deeds; and trust that to my death I shall love thee and not another."
+With that she turned and left the window.
+
+So Sir Beaumains rode away from the castle very sorrowful at heart, and
+rode he knew not whither, and lay that night in a poor man's cottage.
+On the morrow he went forward, and came at noon to a broad lake, and
+thereby he alighted, being very sad and weary, and rested his head upon
+his shield, and told his dwarf to keep watch while he slept.
+
+Now, as soon as he had departed, the Lady Lyones repented, and greatly
+longed to see him back, and asked her sister many times of what lineage
+he was; but the damsel would not tell her, being bound by her oath to
+Sir Beaumains, and said his dwarf best knew. So she called Sir
+Gringamors, her brother, who dwelt with her, and prayed him to ride
+after Sir Beaumains till he found him sleeping, and then to take his
+dwarf away and bring him back to her. Anon Sir Gringamors departed, and
+rode till he came to Sir Beaumains, and found him as he lay sleeping by
+the water-side. Then stepping stealthily behind the dwarf he caught him
+in his arms and rode off in haste. And though the dwarf cried loudly to
+his lord for help, and woke Sir Beaumains, yet, though he rode full
+quickly after him, he could not overtake Sir Gringamors.
+
+When Dame Lyones saw her brother come back, she was passing glad of
+heart, and forthwith asked the dwarf his master's lineage. "He is a
+king's son," said the dwarf, "and his mother is King Arthur's sister.
+His name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, and he is brother to the good knight,
+Sir Gawain. But I pray you suffer me to go back to my lord, for truly he
+will never leave this country till he have me again." But when the Lady
+Lyones knew her deliverer was come of such a kingly stock, she longed
+more than ever to see him again.
+
+Now as Sir Beaumains rode in vain to rescue his dwarf, he came to a fair
+green road and met a poor man of the country, and asked him had he seen
+a knight on a black horse, riding with a dwarf of a sad countenance
+behind him. "Yea," said the man, "I met with such a knight an hour
+agone, and his name is Sir Gringamors. He liveth at a castle two miles
+from hence; but he is a perilous knight, and I counsel ye not to follow
+him save ye bear him goodwill." Then Sir Beaumains followed the path
+which the poor man showed him, and came to the castle. And riding to the
+gate in great anger, he drew his sword, and cried aloud, "Sir
+Gringamors, thou traitor! deliver me my dwarf again, or by my knighthood
+it shall be ill for thee!" Then Sir Gringamors looked out of a window
+and said, "Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou wilt
+not get thy dwarf again." But the Lady Lyones said to her brother, "Nay,
+brother, but I will that he have his dwarf, for he hath done much for
+me, and delivered me from the Knight of the Redlands, and well do I love
+him above all other knights." So Sir Gringamors went down to Sir Gareth
+and cried him mercy, and prayed him to alight and take good cheer.
+
+Then he alighted, and his dwarf ran to him. And when he was in the hall
+came the Lady Lyones dressed royally like a princess. And Sir Gareth was
+right glad of heart when he saw her. Then she told him how she had made
+her brother take away his dwarf and bring him back to her. And then she
+promised him her love, and faithfully to cleave to him and none other
+all the days of her life. And so they plighted their troth to each
+other. Then Sir Gringamors prayed him to sojourn at the castle, which
+willing he did. "For," said he, "I have promised to quit the court for
+twelve months, though sure I am that in the meanwhile I shall be sought
+and found by my lord King Arthur and many others." So he sojourned long
+at the castle.
+
+Anon the knights, Sir Perseant, Sir Perimones, and Sir Pertolope, whom
+Sir Gareth had overthrown, went to King Arthur's court with all the
+knights who did them service, and told the king they had been conquered
+by a knight of his named Beaumains. And as they yet were talking, it was
+told the king there came another great lord with five hundred knights,
+who, entering in, did homage, and declared himself to be the Knight of
+the Redlands. "But my true name," said he, "is Ironside, and I am hither
+sent by one Sir Beaumains, who conquered me, and charged me to yield
+unto your grace." "Thou art welcome," said King Arthur, "for thou hast
+been long a foe to me and mine, and truly I am much beholden to the
+knight who sent thee. And now, Sir Ironside, if thou wilt amend thy life
+and hold of me, I will entreat thee as a friend, and make thee Knight of
+the Round Table; but thou mayst no more be a murderer of noble knights."
+Then the Knight of the Redlands knelt to the king, and told him of his
+promise to Sir Beaumains to use never more such shameful customs; and
+how he had so done but at the prayer of a lady whom he loved. Then knelt
+he to Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, and prayed their pardon for the
+hatred he had borne them.
+
+But the king and all the court marveled greatly who Sir Beaumains was.
+"For," said the king, "he is a full noble knight." Then said Sir
+Lancelot, "Truly he is come of honorable blood, else had I not given him
+the order of knighthood; but he charged me that I should conceal his
+secret."
+
+Now as they talked thus it was told King Arthur that his sister, the
+Queen of Orkney, was come to the court with a great retinue of knights
+and ladies. Then was there great rejoicing, and the king rose and
+saluted his sister. And her sons, Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris knelt before her and asked her blessing, for during fifteen
+years last past they had not seen her. Anon she said, "Where is my
+youngest son, Sir Gareth? for I know that he was here a twelve-month
+with you, and that ye made a kitchen knave of him." Then the king and
+all the knights knew that Sir Beaumains and Sir Gareth were the same.
+"Truly," said the king, "I knew him not." "Nor I," said Sir Gawain and
+both his brothers. Then said the king, "God be thanked, fair sister,
+that he is proved as worshipful a knight as any now alive, and by the
+grace of Heaven he shall be found forthwith if he be anywhere within
+these seven realms." Then said Sir Gawain and his brethren, "Lord, if ye
+will give us leave we will go seek him." But Sir Lancelot said, "It
+were better that the king should send a messenger to Dame Lyones and
+pray her to come hither with all speed, and she will counsel where ye
+shall find him." "It is well said," replied the king; and sent a
+messenger quickly unto Dame Lyones.
+
+When she heard the message she promised she would come forthwith, and
+told Sir Gareth what the messenger had said, and asked him what to do.
+"I pray you," said he, "tell them not where I am, but when my lord King
+Arthur asketh for me, advise him thus--that he proclaim a tournament
+before this castle on Assumption Day, and that the knight who proveth
+best shall win yourself and all your lands." So the Lady Lyones departed
+and came to King Arthur's court, and there was right nobly welcomed. And
+when they asked her where Sir Gareth was, she said she could not tell.
+"But, lord," said she, "with thy goodwill I will proclaim a tournament
+before my castle on the Feast of the Assumption, whereof the prize shall
+be myself and all my lands. Then if it be proclaimed that you, lord, and
+your knights will be there, I will find knights on my side to fight you
+and yours, and thus am I sure ye will hear tidings of Sir Gareth." "Be
+it so done," replied the king.
+
+So Sir Gareth sent messengers privily to Sir Perseant and Sir Ironside,
+and charged them to be ready on the day appointed, with their companies
+of knights to aid him and his party against the king. And when they were
+arrived he said, "Now be ye well assured that we shall be matched with
+the best knights of the world, and therefore must we gather all the
+good knights we can find."
+
+So proclamation was made throughout all England, Wales, Scotland,
+Ireland, and Cornwall, and in the out isles and other countries, that at
+the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, next coming, all knights who
+came to joust at Castle Perilous should make choice whether they would
+side with the king or with the castle. Then came many good knights on
+the side of the castle. Sir Epinogris, the son of the King of
+Northumberland, and Sir Palomedes the Saracen, and Sir Grummore
+Grummorsum, a good knight of Scotland, and Sir Brian des Iles, a noble
+knight, and Sir Carados of the Tower Dolorous, and Sir Tristram, who as
+yet was not a knight of the Round Table, and many others. But none among
+them knew Sir Gareth, for he took no more upon him than any mean person.
+
+And on King Arthur's side there came the King of Ireland and the King of
+Scotland, the noble prince Sir Galahaut, Sir Gawain and his brothers Sir
+Agravain and Sir Gaheris, Sir Ewaine, Sir Tor, Sir Perceval, and Sir
+Lamoracke, Sir Lancelot also and his kindred, Sir Lionel, Sir Ector, Sir
+Bors and Sir Bedivere, likewise Sir Key and the most part of the Table
+Round. The two queens also, Queen Guinevere and the Queen of Orkney, Sir
+Gareth's mother, came with the king. So there was a great array both
+within and without the castle, with all manner of feasting and
+minstrelsy.
+
+Now before the tournament began, Sir Gareth privily prayed Dame Lyones,
+Sir Gringamors, Sir Ironside, and Sir Perseant, that they would in
+nowise disclose his name, nor make more of him than of any common
+knight. Then said Dame Lyones, "Dear lord, I pray thee take this ring,
+which hath the power to change the wearer's clothing into any color he
+may will, and guardeth him from any loss of blood. But give it me again,
+I pray thee, when the tournament is done, for it greatly increaseth my
+beauty whensoever I wear it." "Gramercy, mine own lady," said Sir
+Gareth, "I wished for nothing better, for now I may be certainly
+disguised as long as I will." Then Sir Gringamors gave Sir Gareth a bay
+courser that was a passing good horse, with sure armor, and a noble
+sword, won by his father from a heathen tyrant. And then every knight
+made him ready for the tournament.
+
+So on the day of the Assumption, when mass and matins were said, the
+heralds blew their trumpets and sounded for the tourney. Anon came out
+the knights of the castle and the knights of King Arthur, and matched
+themselves together.
+
+Then Sir Epinogris, son of the King of Northumberland, a knight of the
+castle, encountered Sir Ewaine, and both broke off their spears short to
+their hands. Then came Sir Palomedes from the castle, and met Sir
+Gawain, and they so hardly smote each other, that both knights and
+horses fell to the earth. Then Sir Tristram, from the castle,
+encountered with Sir Bedivere, and smote him to the earth, horse and
+man. Then the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Gareth met with Sir Bors
+and Sir Bleoberis; and the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Bors smote
+together so hard that their spears burst, and their horses fell
+groveling to the ground. And Sir Bleoberis brake his spear upon Sir
+Gareth, but himself was hurled upon the ground. When Sir Galihodin saw
+that, he bade Sir Gareth keep him, but Sir Gareth lightly smote him to
+the earth. Then Sir Galihud got a spear to avenge his brother, but was
+served in like manner. And Sir Dinadam, and his brother
+La-cote-male-taile, and Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Dodinas le
+Savage, he bore down all with one spear.
+
+When King Anguish of Ireland saw this, he marveled what that knight
+could be who seemed at one time green and at another blue; for so at
+every course he changed his color that none might know him. Then he ran
+towards him and encountered him, and Sir Gareth smote the king from his
+horse, saddle and all. And in like manner he served the King of
+Scotland, and King Urience of Gore, and King Bagdemagus.
+
+Then Sir Galahaut, the noble prince, cried out, "Knight of the many
+colors! thou hast jousted well; now make thee ready to joust with me."
+When Sir Gareth heard him, he took a great spear and met him swiftly.
+And the prince's spear broke off, but Sir Gareth smote him on the left
+side of the helm, so that he reeled here and there, and had fallen down
+had not his men recovered him. "By my faith," said King Arthur, "that
+knight of the many colors is a good knight. I pray thee, Sir Lancelot
+du Lake, encounter with him." "Lord," said Sir Lancelot, "by thy leave I
+will forbear. I find it in my heart to spare him at this time, for he
+hath done enough work for one day; and when a good knight doth so well
+it is no knightly part to hinder him from this honor. And peradventure
+his quarrel is here to-day, and he may be the best beloved of the Lady
+Lyones of all that be here; for I see well he paineth and forceth
+himself to do great deeds. Therefore, as for me, this day he shall have
+the honor; for though I were able to put him from it, I would not." "You
+speak well and truly," said the king.
+
+Then after the tilting, they drew swords, and there began a great
+tournament, and there Sir Lancelot did marvelous deeds of arms, for
+first he fought with both Sir Tristram and Sir Carados, albeit they were
+the most perilous in all the world. Then came Sir Gareth and put them
+asunder, but would not smite a stroke against Sir Lancelot, for by him
+he had been knighted. Anon Sir Gareth's helm had need of mending, and he
+rode aside to see to it and to drink water, for he was sore athirst with
+all his mighty feats of strength. And while he drank, his dwarf said to
+him, "Give me your ring, lest ye lose it while ye drink." So Sir Gareth
+took it off. And when he had finished drinking, he rode back eagerly to
+the field, and in his haste forgot to take the ring again. Then all the
+people saw that he wore yellow armor. And King Arthur told a herald,
+"Ride and espy the cognizance of that brave knight, for I have asked
+many who he is, and none can tell me."
+
+Then the herald rode near, and saw written round about his helmet in
+letters of gold, "Sir Gareth of Orkney." And instantly the herald cried
+his name aloud, and all men pressed to see him.
+
+But when he saw he was discovered, he pushed with haste through all the
+crowd, and cried to his dwarf, "Boy, thou hast beguiled me foully in
+keeping my ring; give it me again, that I may be hidden." And as soon as
+he had put it on, his armor changed again, and no man knew where he had
+gone. Then he passed forth from the field; but Sir Gawain, his brother,
+rode after him.
+
+And when Sir Gareth had ridden far into the forest, he took off his
+ring, and sent it back by the dwarf to the Lady Lyones, praying her to
+be true and faithful to him while he was away.
+
+Then rode Sir Gareth long through the forest, till night fell, and
+coming to a castle he went up to the gate, and prayed the porter to let
+him in. But churlishly he answered "that he should not lodge there."
+Then said Sir Gareth, "Tell thy lord and lady that I am a knight of King
+Arthur's court, and for his sake I pray their shelter." With that the
+porter went to the duchess who owned the castle. "Let him in
+straightway," cried she; "for the king's sake he shall not be
+harborless!" and went down to receive him. When Sir Gareth saw her
+coming, he saluted her, and said, "Fair lady, I pray you give me shelter
+for this night, and if there be here any champion or giant with whom I
+must needs fight, spare me till to-morrow, when I and my horse shall
+have rested, for we are full weary." "Sir knight," she said, "thou
+speakest boldly; for the lord of this castle is a foe to King Arthur and
+his court, and if thou wilt rest here to-night thou must agree, that
+wheresoever thou mayest meet my lord, thou must yield to him as a
+prisoner." "What is thy lord's name, lady?" said Sir Gareth. "The Duke
+de la Rowse," said she. "I will promise thee," said he, "to yield to
+him, if he promise to do me no harm; but if he refuse, I will release
+myself with my sword and spear."
+
+"It is well," said the duchess; and commanded the drawbridge to be let
+down. So he rode into the hall and alighted. And when he had taken off
+his armor, the duchess and her ladies made him passing good cheer. And
+after supper his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested that
+night. On the morrow he rose and heard mass, and having broken his fast,
+took his leave and departed.
+
+And as he rode past a certain mountain there met him a knight named Sir
+Bendelaine, and cried unto him, "Thou shalt not pass unless thou joust
+with me or be my prisoner!" "Then will we joust," replied Sir Gareth. So
+they let their horses run at full speed, and Sir Gareth smote Sir
+Bendelaine through his body so sorely that he scarcely reached his
+castle ere he fell dead. And as Sir Gareth presently came by the castle,
+Sir Bendelaine's knights and servants rode out to revenge their lord.
+And twenty of them fell on him at once, although his spear was broken.
+But drawing his sword he put his shield before him. And though they
+brake their spears upon him, one and all, and sorely pressed on him, yet
+ever he defended himself like a noble knight. Anon, finding they could
+not overcome him, they agreed to slay his horse; and having killed it
+with their spears, they set upon Sir Gareth as he fought on foot. But
+every one he struck he slew, and drave at them with fearful blows, till
+he had slain them all but four, who fled. Then taking the horse of one
+of those that lay there dead, he rode upon his way.
+
+Anon he came to another castle and heard from within a sound as of many
+women moaning and weeping. Then said he to a page who stood without,
+"What noise is this I hear?" "Sir knight," said he, "there be within
+thirty ladies, the widows of thirty knights who have been slain by the
+lord of this castle. He is called the Brown Knight without pity, and is
+the most perilous knight living, wherefore I warn thee to flee." "That
+will I never do," said Sir Gareth, "for I fear him not." Then the page
+saw the Brown Knight coming and said to Gareth, "Lo! my lord is near."
+
+So both knights made them ready and galloped their horses towards each
+other, and the Brown Knight brake his spear upon Sir Gareth's shield;
+but Sir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fell dead. At that
+he rode into the castle and told the ladies he had slain their foe. Then
+were they right glad of heart and made him all the cheer they could,
+and thanked him out of measure. But on the morrow as he went to mass he
+found the ladies weeping in the chapel upon divers tombs that were
+there. And he knew that in those tombs their husbands lay. Then he bade
+them be comforted, and with noble and high words he desired and prayed
+them all to be at Arthur's court on the next Feast of Pentecost.
+
+So he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight
+waiting, who said to him, "Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!" "How
+are ye named?" said Sir Gareth. "I am the Duke de la Rowse," answered
+he. "In good sooth," then said Sir Gareth, "not long ago I lodged within
+your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might
+meet." "Art thou that proud knight," said the duke, "who was ready to
+fight with me? Guard thyself therefore and make ready." So they ran
+together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke from his horse. Then they
+alighted and drew their swords, and fought full sorely for the space of
+an hour; and at the last Sir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and
+would have slain him, but he yielded. "Then must ye go," said Sir
+Gareth, "to my lord King Arthur at the next Feast of Pentecost and say
+that I, Sir Gareth, sent ye." "As ye will be it," said the duke; and
+gave him up his shield for pledge.
+
+And as Sir Gareth rode alone he saw an armed knight coming towards him.
+And putting the duke's shield before him he rode fast to tilt with him;
+and so they ran together as it had been thunder, and brake their spears
+upon each other. Then fought they fiercely with their swords, and lashed
+together with such mighty strokes that blood ran to the ground on every
+side. And after they had fought together for two hours and more, it
+chanced the damsel Linet passed that way; and when she saw them, she
+cried out, "Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, leave your fighting, for ye are
+brethren!" At that they threw away their shields and swords, and took
+each other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they could speak.
+And each gave to the other the honor of the battle, and there was many a
+kind word between them. Then said Sir Gawain, "O my brother, for your
+sake have I had great sorrow and labor! But truly I would honor you
+though ye were not my brother, for ye have done great worship to King
+Arthur and his court, and sent more knights to him than any of the Table
+Round, except Sir Lancelot."
+
+Then the damsel Linet staunched their wounds, and their horses being
+weary she rode her palfrey to King Arthur and told him of this strange
+adventure. When she had told her tidings, the king himself mounted his
+horse and bade all come with him to meet them. So a great company of
+lords and ladies went forth to meet the brothers. And when King Arthur
+saw them he would have spoken hearty words, but for gladness he could
+not. And both Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth fell down at their uncle's knees
+and did him homage, and there was passing great joy and gladness among
+them all.
+
+Then said the king to the damsel Linet, "Why cometh not the Lady Lyones
+to visit her knight, Sir Gareth, who hath had such travail for her
+love?" "She knoweth not, my lord, that he is here," replied the damsel,
+"for truly she desireth greatly to see him." "Go ye and bring her
+hither," said the king. So the damsel rode to tell her sister where Sir
+Gareth was, and when she heard it she rejoiced full heartily and came
+with all the speed she could. And when Sir Gareth saw her, there was
+great joy and comfort between them.
+
+Then the king asked Sir Gareth whether he would have that lady for his
+wife? "My lord," replied Sir Gareth, "know well that I love her above
+all ladies living." "Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+"Most noble king," she answered, "my lord, Sir Gareth, is my first love
+and shall be my last, and if I may not have him for my husband I will
+have none." Then said the king to them, "Be well assured that for my
+crown I would not be the cause of parting your two hearts."
+
+Then was high preparation made for the marriage, for the king desired it
+should be at the Michaelmas next following, at Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea.
+
+So Sir Gareth sent out messages to all the knights whom he had overcome
+in battle that they should be there upon his marriage-day.
+
+Therefore, at the next Michaelmas, came a goodly company to
+Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea. And there did the Archbishop of Canterbury marry
+Sir Gareth and the Lady Lyones with all solemnity. And all the knights
+whom Sir Gareth had overcome were at the feast; and every manner of
+revels and games was held with music and minstrelsy. And there was a
+great jousting for three days. But because of his bride the king would
+not suffer Sir Gareth to joust. Then did King Arthur give great lands
+and fair, with store of gold, to Sir Gareth and his wife, that so they
+might live royally together to their lives' end.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+
+Again King Arthur held high festival at Caerleon, at Pentecost, and
+gathered round him all the fellowship of the Round Table, and so,
+according to his custom, sat and waited till some adventure should
+arise, or some knight return to court whose deeds and perils might be
+told.
+
+Anon he saw Sir Lancelot and a crowd of knights coming through the doors
+and leading in their midst the mighty knight, Sir Tristram. As soon as
+King Arthur saw him, he rose up and went through half the hall, and held
+out both his hands and cried, "Right welcome to thee, good Sir Tristram,
+as welcome art thou as any knight that ever came before into this court.
+A long time have I wished for thee amongst my fellowship." Then all the
+knights and barons rose up with one accord and came around, and cried
+out, "Welcome." Queen Guinevere came also, and many ladies with her, and
+all with one voice said the same.
+
+Then the king took Sir Tristram by the hand and led him to the Round
+Table and said, "Welcome again for one of the best and gentlest knights
+in all the world; a chief in war, a chief in peace, a chief in field and
+forest, a chief in the ladies' chamber--right heartily welcome to this
+court, and mayest thou long abide in it."
+
+When he had so said he looked at every empty seat until he came to what
+had been Sir Marhaus', and there he found written in gold letters, "This
+is the seat of the noble knight, Sir Tristram." Whereat they made him,
+with great cheer and gladness, a Fellow of the Round Table.
+
+Now the story of Sir Tristram was as follows:--
+
+There was a king of Lyonesse, named Meliodas, married to the sister of
+King Mark of Cornwall, a right fair lady and a good. And so it happened
+that King Meliodas hunting in the woods was taken by enchantment and
+made prisoner in a castle. When his wife Elizabeth heard it she was nigh
+mad with grief, and ran into the forest to seek out her lord. But after
+many days of wandering and sorrow she found no trace of him, and laid
+her down in a deep valley and prayed to meet her death. And so indeed
+she did, but ere she died she gave birth in the midst of all her sorrow
+to child, a boy, and called him with her latest breath Tristram; for she
+said, "His name shall show how sadly he hath come into this world."
+
+Therewith she gave up her ghost, and the gentlewoman who was with her
+took the child and wrapped it from the cold as well as she was able, and
+lay down with it in her arms beneath the shadow of a tree hard by,
+expecting death to come to her in turn.
+
+But shortly after came a company of lords and barons seeking for the
+queen, and found the lady and the child and took them home. And on the
+next day came King Meliodas, whom Merlin had delivered, and when he
+heard of the queen's death his sorrow was greater than tongue can tell.
+And anon he buried her solemnly and nobly, and called the child Tristram
+as she had desired.
+
+Then for seven years King Meliodas mourned and took no comfort, and all
+that time young Tristram was well nourished; but in a while he wedded
+with the daughter of Howell, King of Brittany, who, that her own
+children might enjoy the kingdom, cast about in her mind how she might
+destroy Tristram. So on a certain day she put poison in a silver cup,
+where Tristram and her children were together playing, that when he was
+athirst he might drink of it and die. But so it happened that her own
+son saw the cup, and, thinking it must hold good drink, he climbed and
+took it, and drank deeply of it, and suddenly thereafter burst and fell
+down dead.
+
+When the queen heard that, her grief was very great, but her anger and
+envy were fiercer than before, and soon again she put more poison in the
+cup. And by chance one day her husband finding it when thirsty, took it
+up and was about to drink therefrom, when, seeing him, she sprang up
+with a mighty cry and dashed it from his hands.
+
+At that King Meliodas, wondering greatly, called to mind the sudden
+death of his young child, and taking her fiercely by the hand he cried:
+
+"Traitress, tell me what drink is in this cup or I will slay thee in a
+moment;" and therewith pulling out his sword he swore by a great oath
+to slay her if she straightway told him not the truth.
+
+"Ah, mercy, lord," said she, and fell down at his feet; "mercy, and I
+will tell thee all."
+
+And then she told him of her plot to murder Tristram, so that her own
+sons might enjoy the kingdom.
+
+"The law shall judge thee," said the king.
+
+And so anon she was tried before the barons, and condemned to be burnt
+to death.
+
+But when the fire was made, and she brought out, came Tristram kneeling
+at his father's feet and besought of him a favor.
+
+"Whatsoever thou desirest I will give thee," said the king.
+
+"Give me the life, then, of the queen, my step-mother," said he.
+
+"Thou doest wrong to ask it," said Meliodas; "for she would have slain
+thee with her poisons if she could, and chiefly for thy sake she ought
+to die."
+
+"Sir," said he, "as for that, I beseech thee of thy mercy to forgive it
+her, and for my part may God pardon her as I do; and so I pray thee
+grant me my boon, and for God's sake hold thee to thy promise."
+
+"If it must be so," said the king, "take thou her life, for to thee I
+give it, and go and do with her as thou wilt."
+
+Then went young Tristram to the fire and loosed the queen from all her
+bonds and delivered her from death.
+
+And after a great while by his good means the king again forgave and
+lived in peace with her, though never more in the same lodgings.
+
+Anon was Tristram sent abroad to France in care of one named Governale.
+And there for seven years he learned the language of the land, and all
+knightly exercises and gentle crafts, and especially was he foremost in
+music and in hunting, and was a harper beyond all others. And when at
+nineteen years of age he came back to his father, he was as lusty and
+strong of body and as noble of heart as ever man was seen.
+
+Now shortly after his return it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent
+to King Mark of Cornwall for the tribute due to Ireland, but which was
+now seven years behindhand. To whom King Mark sent answer, if he would
+have it he must send and fight for it, and they would find a champion to
+fight against it.
+
+So King Anguish called for Sir Marhaus, his wife's brother, a good
+knight of the Round Table, who lived then at his court, and sent him
+with a knightly retinue in six great ships to Cornwall. And, casting
+anchor by the castle of Tintagil, he sent up daily to King Mark for the
+tribute or the champion. But no knight there would venture to assail
+him, for his fame was very high in all the realm for strength and
+hardihood.
+
+Then made King Mark a proclamation throughout Cornwall, that if any
+knight would fight Sir Marhaus he should stand at the king's right hand
+forevermore, and have great honor and riches all the rest of his days.
+Anon this news came to the land of Lyonesse, and when young Tristram
+heard it he was angry and ashamed to think no knight of Cornwall durst
+assail the Irish champion. "Alas," said he, "that I am not a knight,
+that I might match this Marhaus! I pray you give me leave, sir, to
+depart to King Mark's court and beg him of his grace to make me knight."
+
+"Be ruled by thy own courage," said his father.
+
+So Tristram rode away forthwith to Tintagil to King Mark, and went up
+boldly to him and said, "Sir, give me the order of knighthood and I will
+fight to the uttermost with Sir Marhaus of Ireland."
+
+"What are ye, and whence come ye?" said the king, seeing he was but a
+young man, though strong and well made both in body and limb.
+
+"My name is Tristram," said he, "and I was born in the country of
+Lyonesse."
+
+"But know ye," said the king, "this Irish knight will fight with none
+who be not come of royal blood and near of kin to kings or queens, as he
+himself is, for his sister is the Queen of Ireland."
+
+Then said Tristram, "Let him know that I am come both on my father's and
+my mother's side of blood as good as his, for my father is King Meliodas
+and my mother was that Queen Elizabeth, thy sister, who died in the
+forest at my birth."
+
+When King Mark heard that he welcomed him with all his heart, and
+knighted him forthwith, and made him ready to go forth as soon as he
+would choose, and armed him royally in armor covered with gold and
+silver.
+
+Then he sent Sir Marhaus word, "That a better man than he should fight
+with him, Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, son of King Meliodas and of King
+Mark's own sister." So the battle was ordained to be fought in an island
+near Sir Marhaus' ships, and there Sir Tristram landed on the morrow,
+with Governale alone attending him for squire, and him he sent back to
+the land when he had made himself ready.
+
+When Sir Marhaus and Sir Tristram were thus left alone, Sir Marhaus
+said, "Young knight Sir Tristram, what doest thou here? I am full sorry
+for thy rashness, for ofttimes have I been assailed in vain, and by the
+best knights of the world. Be warned in time, return to them that sent
+thee."
+
+"Fair knight, and well-proved knight," replied Sir Tristram, "be sure
+that I shall never quit this quarrel till one of us be overcome. For
+this cause have I been made knight, and thou shalt know before we part
+that though as yet unproved, I am a king's son and firstborn of a queen.
+Moreover I have promised to deliver Cornwall from this ancient burden,
+or to die. Also, thou shouldst have known, Sir Marhaus, that thy valor
+and thy might are but the better reasons why I should assail thee; for
+whether I win or lose I shall gain honor to have met so great a knight
+as thou art."
+
+Then they began the battle, and tilted at their hardest against each
+other, so that both knights and horses fell to the earth. But Sir
+Marhaus' spear smote Sir Tristram a great wound in the side. Then,
+springing up from their horses, they lashed together with their swords
+like two wild boars. And when they had stricken together a great while
+they left off strokes and lunged at one another's breasts and visors;
+but seeing this availed not they hurtled together again to bear each
+other down.
+
+Thus fought they more than half the day, till both were sorely spent and
+blood ran from them to the ground on every side. But by this time Sir
+Tristram remained fresher than Sir Marhaus and better winded, and with a
+mighty stroke he smote him such a buffet as cut through his helm into
+his brain-pan, and there his sword stuck in so fast that thrice Sir
+Tristram pulled ere he could get it from his head. Then fell Sir Marhaus
+down upon his knees, and the edge of Sir Tristram's sword broke off into
+his brain-pan. And suddenly when he seemed dead, Sir Marhaus rose and
+threw his sword and shield away from him and ran and fled into his ship.
+And Tristram cried out after him, "Aha! Sir knight of the Round Table,
+dost thou withdraw thee from so young a knight? it is a shame to thee
+and all thy kin; I would rather have been hewn into a hundred pieces
+than have fled from thee."
+
+But Sir Marhaus answered nothing, and sorely groaning fled away.
+
+"Farewell, Sir knight, farewell," laughed Tristram, whose own voice now
+was hoarse and faint with loss of blood; "I have thy sword and shield in
+my safe keeping, and will wear them in all places where I ride on my
+adventures, and before King Arthur and the Table Round."
+
+Then was Sir Marhaus taken back to Ireland by his company; and as soon
+as he arrived his wounds were searched, and when they searched his head
+they found therein a piece of Tristram's sword; but all the skill of
+surgeons was in vain to move it out. So anon Sir Marhaus died.
+
+But the queen, his sister, took the piece of sword-blade and put it
+safely by, for she thought that some day it might help her to revenge
+her brother's death.
+
+Meanwhile, Sir Tristram, being sorely wounded, sat down softly on a
+little mound and bled passing fast; and in that evil case was found anon
+by Governale and King Mark's knights. Then they gently took him up and
+brought him in a barge back to the land, and lifted him into a bed
+within the castle, and had his wounds dressed carefully.
+
+But for a great while he lay sick, and was likely to have died of the
+first stroke Sir Marhaus had given him with the spear, for the point of
+it was poisoned. And, though the wisest surgeons and leeches--both men
+and women--came from every part, yet could he be by no means cured. At
+last came a wise lady, and said plainly that Sir Tristram never should
+be healed, until he went and stayed in that same country when the poison
+came. When this was understood, the king sent Sir Tristram in a fair and
+goodly ship to Ireland, and by fortune he arrived fast by a castle where
+the king and queen were. And as the ship was being anchored, he sat upon
+his bed and harped a merry lay, and made so sweet a music as was never
+equaled.
+
+When the king heard that the sweet harper was a wounded knight, he sent
+for him, and asked his name. "I am of the country of Lyonesse," he
+answered, "and my name is Tramtrist;" for he dared not tell his true
+name lest the vengeance of the queen should fall upon him for her
+brother's death.
+
+"Well," said King Anguish, "thou art right welcome here, and shalt have
+all the help this land can give thee; but be not anxious if I am at
+times cast down and sad, for but lately in Cornwall the best knight in
+the world, fighting for my cause, was slain; his name was Sir Marhaus, a
+knight of King Arthur's Round Table." And then he told Sir Tristram all
+the story of Sir Marhaus' battle, and Sir Tristram made pretense of
+great surprise and sorrow, though he knew all far better than the king
+himself.
+
+Then was he put in charge of the king's daughter, La Belle Isault, to be
+healed of his wound, and she was as fair and noble a lady as men's eyes
+might see. And so marvelously was she skilled in medicine, that in a few
+days she fully cured him; and in return Sir Tramtrist taught her the
+harp; so, before long, they two began to love each other greatly.
+
+But at that time a heathen knight, Sir Palomedes, was in Ireland, and
+much cherished by the king and queen. He also loved mightily La Belle
+Isault, and never wearied of making her great gifts, and seeking for her
+favor, and was ready even to be christened for her sake. Sir Tramtrist
+therefore hated him out of measure, and Sir Palomedes was full of rage
+and envy against Tramtrist.
+
+And so it befell that King Anguish proclaimed a great tournament to be
+held, the prize whereof should be a lady called the Lady of the Launds,
+of near kindred to the king: and her the winner of the tournament should
+wed in three days afterwards, and possess all her lands. When La Belle
+Isault told Sir Tramtrist of this tournament, he said, "Fair lady! I am
+yet a feeble knight, and but for thee had been a dead man now: what
+wouldest thou I should do? Thou knowest well I may not joust."
+
+"Ah, Tramtrist," said she, "why wilt thou not fight in this tournament?
+Sir Palomedes will be there, and will do his mightiest; and therefore be
+thou there, I pray thee, or else he will be winner of the prize."
+
+"Madam," said Tramtrist, "I will go, and for thy sake will do my best;
+but let me go unknown to all men; and do thou, I pray thee, keep my
+counsel, and help me to a disguise."
+
+So on the day of jousting came Sir Palomedes, with a black shield, and
+overthrew many knights. And all the people wondered at his prowess; for
+on the first day he put to the worse Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, Sir
+Agravaine, Sir Key, and many more from far and near. And on the morrow
+he was conqueror again, and overthrew the king with a hundred knights
+and the King of Scotland. But presently Sir Tramtrist rode up to the
+lists, having been let out at a privy postern of the castle, where none
+could see. La Belle Isault had dressed him in white armor and given him
+a white horse and shield, and so he came suddenly into the field as it
+had been a bright angel.
+
+As soon as Sir Palomedes saw him he ran at him with a great spear in
+rest, but Sir Tramtrist was ready, and at the first encounter hurled him
+to the ground. Then there arose a great cry that the knight with the
+black shield was overthrown. And Palomedes, sorely hurt and shamed,
+sought out a secret way and would have left the field; but Tramtrist
+watched him, and rode after him, and bade him stay, for he had not yet
+done with him. Then did Sir Palomedes turn with fury, and lash at Sir
+Tramtrist with his sword; but at the first stroke Sir Tramtrist smote
+him to the earth, and cried, "Do now all my commands, or take thy
+death." Then he yielded to Sir Tristram's mercy, and promised to forsake
+La Belle Isault, and for twelve months to wear no arms or armor. And
+rising up, he cut his armor off him into shreds with rage and madness,
+and turned and left the field: and Sir Tramtrist also left the lists,
+and rode back to the castle through the postern gate.
+
+Then was Sir Tramtrist long cherished by the King and Queen of Ireland,
+and ever with La Belle Isault. But on a certain day, while he was
+bathing, came the queen with La Belle Isault by chance into his chamber,
+and saw his sword lie naked on the bed: anon she drew it from the
+scabbard and looked at it a long while, and both thought it a passing
+fair sword; but within a foot and a half of the end there was a great
+piece broken out, and while the queen was looking at the gap, she
+suddenly remembered the piece of sword-blade that was found in the
+brain-pan of her brother Sir Marhaus.
+
+Therewith she turned and cried, "By my faith, this is the felon knight
+who slew thy uncle!" And running to her chamber she sought in her casket
+for the piece of iron from Sir Marhaus' head and brought it back, and
+fitted it in Tristram's sword; and surely did it fit therein as closely
+as it had been but yesterday broke out.
+
+Then the queen caught the sword up fiercely in her hand, and ran into
+the room where Sir Tristram was yet in his bath, and making straight for
+him, had run him through the body, had not his squire, Sir Hebes, got
+her in his arms, and pulled the sword away from her.
+
+Then ran she to the king, and fell upon her knees before him, saying,
+"Lord and husband, thou hast here in thy house that felon knight who
+slew my brother Marhaus!"
+
+"Who is it?" said the king.
+
+"It is Sir Tramtrist!" said she, "whom Isault hath healed."
+
+"Alas!" replied the king, "I am full grieved thereat, for he is a good
+knight as ever I have seen in any field; but I charge thee leave thou
+him, and let me deal with him."
+
+Then the king went to Sir Tramtrist's chamber and found him all armed
+and ready to mount his horse, and said to him, "Sir Tramtrist, it is not
+to prove me against thee I come, for it were shameful of thy host to
+seek thy life. Depart in peace, but tell me first thy name, and whether
+thou slewest my brother, Sir Marhaus."
+
+Then Sir Tristram told him all the truth, and how he had hid his name,
+to be unknown in Ireland; and when he had ended, the king declared he
+held him in no blame. "Howbeit, I cannot for mine honor's sake retain
+thee at this court, for so I should displease my barons, and my wife,
+and all her kin."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I thank thee for the goodness thou hast shown
+me here, and for the great goodness my lady, thy daughter, hath shown
+me; and it may chance to be more for thy advantage if I live than if I
+die; for wheresoever I may be, I shall ever seek thy service, and shall
+be my lady thy daughter's servant in all places, and her knight in right
+and wrong, and shall never fail to do for her as much as knight can do."
+
+Then Sir Tristram went to La Belle Isault, and took his leave of her. "O
+gentle knight," said she, "full of grief am I at your departing, for
+never yet I saw a man to love so well."
+
+"Madam," said he, "I promise faithfully that all my life I shall be your
+knight."
+
+Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and after
+that he left her, weeping and lamenting, and went among the barons, and
+openly took his leave of them all, saying, "Fair lords, it so befalleth
+that I now must depart hence; therefore, if there be any here whom I
+have offended or who is grieved with me, let him now say it, and before
+I go I will amend it to the utmost of my power. And if there be but one
+who would speak shame of me behind my back, let him say it now or never,
+and here is my body to prove it on--body against body."
+
+And all stood still and said no word, though some there were of the
+queen's kindred who would have assailed him had they dared.
+
+So Sir Tristram departed from Ireland and took the sea and came with a
+fair wind to Tintagil. And when the news came to King Mark that Sir
+Tristram was returned, healed of his wound, he was passing glad, and so
+were all his barons. And when he had visited the king his uncle, he rode
+to his father, King Meliodas, and there had all the heartiest welcome
+that could be made him. And both the king and queen gave largely to him
+of their lands and goods.
+
+Anon he came again to King Mark's court, and there lived in great joy
+and pleasure, till within a while the king grew jealous of his fame, and
+of the love and favor shown him by all damsels. And as long as King Mark
+lived, he never after loved Sir Tristram, though there was much fair
+speech between them.
+
+Then it befell upon a certain day that the good knight Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, brother to Sir Blamor de Ganis, and nigh cousin to Sir Lancelot
+of the Lake, came to King Mark's court and asked of him a favor. And
+though the king marveled, seeing he was a man of great renown, and a
+knight of the Round Table, he granted him all his asking. Then said Sir
+Bleoberis, "I will have the fairest lady in your court, at my own
+choosing."
+
+"I may not say thee nay," replied the king; "choose therefore, but take
+all the issues of thy choice."
+
+So when he had looked around, he chose the wife of Earl Segwarides, and
+took her by the hand, and set her upon horseback behind his squire, and
+rode forth on his way.
+
+Presently thereafter came in the earl, and rode out straightway after
+him in rage. But all the ladies cried out shame upon Sir Tristram that
+he had not gone, and one rebuked him foully and called him coward
+knight, that he would stand and see a lady forced away from his uncle's
+court. But Sir Tristram answered her, "Fair lady, it is not my place to
+take part in this quarrel while her lord and husband is here to do it.
+Had he not been at this court, peradventure I had been her champion. And
+if it so befall that he speed ill, then may it happen that I speak with
+that foul knight before he pass out of this realm."
+
+Anon ran in one of Sir Segwarides' squires, and told that his master was
+sore wounded, and at the point of death. When Sir Tristram heard that,
+he was soon armed and on his horse, and Governale, his servant, followed
+him with shield and spear.
+
+And as he rode, he met his cousin Sir Andret, who had been commanded by
+King Mark to bring home to him two knights of King Arthur's court who
+roamed the country thereabouts seeking adventures.
+
+"What tidings?" said Sir Tristram.
+
+"God help me, never worse," replied his cousin; "for those I went to
+bring have beaten and defeated me, and set my message at naught."
+
+"Fair cousin," said Sir Tristram, "ride ye on your way, perchance if I
+should meet them ye may be revenged."
+
+So Sir Andret rode into Cornwall, but Sir Tristram rode after the two
+knights who had misused him, namely, Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Sir
+Dodinas le Savage. And before long he saw them but a little way before
+him.
+
+"Sir," said Governale, "by my advice thou wilt leave them alone, for
+they be two well-proved knights of Arthur's court."
+
+"Shall I not therefore rather meet them!" said Sir Tristram, and, riding
+swiftly after them, he called to them to stop, and asked them whence
+they came, and whither they were going, and what they were doing in
+those marches.
+
+Sir Sagramour looked haughtily at Sir Tristram, and made mocking of his
+words, and said, "Fair knight, be ye a knight of Cornwall?"
+
+"Wherefore askest thou that?" said Tristram.
+
+"Truly, because it is full seldom seen," replied Sir Sagramour, "that
+Cornish knights are valiant with their arms as with their tongues. It is
+but two hours since there met us such a Cornish knight, who spoke great
+words with might and prowess, but anon, with little mastery, he was laid
+on earth, as I trow wilt thou be also."
+
+"Fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it may chance I be a better man than
+he; but, be that as it may, he was my cousin, and for his sake I will
+assail ye both; one Cornish knight against ye two."
+
+When Sir Dodinas le Savage heard this speech, he caught at his spear and
+said, "Sir knight, keep well thyself;" and then they parted and came
+together as it had been thunder, and Sir Dodinas' spear split asunder;
+but Sir Tristram smote him with so full a stroke as hurled him over his
+horse's crupper, and nearly brake his neck. Sir Sagramour, seeing his
+fellow's fall, marveled who this new knight be, and dressed his spear,
+and came against Sir Tristram as a whirlwind; but Sir Tristram smote him
+a mighty buffet, and rolled him with his horse down on the ground; and
+in the falling he brake his thigh.
+
+Then, looking at them both as they lay groveling on the grass, Sir
+Tristram said, "Fair knights, will ye joust any more? Are there no
+bigger knights in King Arthur's court? Will ye soon again speak shame of
+Cornish knights?"
+
+"Thou hast defeated us, in truth," replied Sir Sagramour, "and on the
+faith of knighthood I require thee tell us thy right name?"
+
+"Ye charge me by a great thing," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer
+ye."
+
+And when they heard his name the two knights were right glad that they
+had met Sir Tristram, for his deeds were known through all the land, and
+they prayed him to abide in their company.
+
+"Nay," said he, "I must find a fellow-knight of yours, Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, whom I seek."
+
+"God speed you well," said the two knights; and Sir Tristram rode away.
+
+Soon he saw before him in a valley Sir Bleoberis with Sir Segwarides'
+wife riding behind his squire upon a palfrey. At that he cried out
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight of King Arthur's court, bring back again that
+lady or deliver her to me."
+
+"I will not," said Bleoberis, "for I dread no Cornish knight."
+
+"Why," said Sir Tristram, "may not a Cornish knight do well as any
+other? This day, but three miles back, two knights of thy own court met
+me, and found one Cornish knight enough for both before we parted."
+
+"What were their names?" said Sir Bleoberis.
+
+"Sir Sagramour le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage," said Sir
+Tristram.
+
+"Ah," said Sir Bleoberis, amazed; "hast thou then met with them? By my
+faith, they were two good knights and men of worship, and if thou hast
+beat both thou must needs be a good knight; but for all that, thou shalt
+beat me also ere thou hast this lady."
+
+"Defend thee, then," cried out Sir Tristram, and came upon him swiftly
+with his spear in rest. But Sir Bleoberis was as swift as he, and each
+bore down the other, horse and all, on to the earth.
+
+Then they sprang clear of their horses, and lashed together full eagerly
+and mightily with their swords, tracing and traversing on the right hand
+and on the left more than two hours, and sometimes rushing together with
+such fury that they both lay groveling on the ground. At last Sir
+Bleoberis started back and said, "Now, gentle knight, hold hard awhile,
+and let us speak together."
+
+"Say on," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer thee."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I would know thy name, and court, and
+country."
+
+"I have no shame to tell them," said Sir Tristram. "I am King Meliodas'
+son, and my mother was sister to King Mark, from whose court I now come.
+My name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am right glad to hear it, for thou art
+he that slew Sir Marhaus hand-to-hand, fighting for the Cornish tribute;
+and overcame Sir Palomedes at the great Irish tournament, where also
+thou didst overthrow Sir Gawain and his nine companions."
+
+"I am that knight," said Sir Tristram, "and now I pray thee tell me thy
+name."
+
+"I am Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, cousin of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, one of
+the best knights in all the world," he answered.
+
+"Thou sayest truth," said Sir Tristram; "for Sir Lancelot, as all men
+know, is peerless in courtesy and knighthood, and for the great love I
+bear to his name I will not willingly fight more with thee his
+kinsman."
+
+"In good faith, sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am as loth to fight thee
+more; but since thou hast followed me to win this lady, I proffer thee
+kindness, courtesy, and gentleness; this lady shall be free to go with
+which of us she pleaseth best."
+
+"I am content," said Sir Tristram, "for I doubt not she will come to
+me."
+
+"That shalt thou shortly prove," said he, and called his squire, and set
+the lady in the midst between them, who forthwith walked to Sir
+Bleoberis and elected to abide with him. Which, when Sir Tristram saw,
+he was in wondrous anger with her, and felt that he could scarce for
+shame return to King Mark's court. But Sir Bleoberis said, "Hearken to
+me, good knight, Sir Tristram, because King Mark gave me free choice of
+any gift, and because this lady chose to go with me, I took her; but now
+I have fulfilled my quest and my adventure, and for thy sake she shall
+be sent back to her husband at the abbey where he lieth."
+
+So Sir Tristram rode back to Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis to the abbey
+where Sir Segwarides lay wounded, and there delivered up his lady, and
+departed as a noble knight.
+
+After this adventure Sir Tristram abode still at his uncle's court, till
+in the envy of his heart King Mark devised a plan to be rid of him. So
+on a certain day he desired him to depart again for Ireland, and there
+demand La Belle Isault on his behalf, to be his queen--forever had Sir
+Tristram praised her beauty and her goodness, till King Mark desired to
+wed her for himself. Moreover, he believed his nephew surely would be
+slain by the queen's kindred if he once were found again in Ireland.
+
+But Sir Tristram, scorning fear, made ready to depart, and took with him
+the noblest knights that could be found, arrayed in the richest fashion.
+
+And when they were come to Ireland, upon a certain day Sir Tristram gave
+his uncle's message, and King Anguish consented thereto.
+
+But when La Belle Isault was told the tidings she was very sorrowful and
+loth--yet made she ready to set forth with Sir Tristram, and took with
+her Dame Bragwaine, her chief gentlewoman. Then the queen gave Dame
+Bragwaine, and Governale, Sir Tristram's servant, a little flask, and
+charged them that La Belle Isault and King Mark should both drink of it
+on their marriage day, and then should they surely love each other all
+their lives.
+
+Anon, Sir Tristram and Isault, with a great company, took the sea and
+departed. And so it chanced that one day sitting in their cabin they
+were athirst, and saw a little flask of gold which seemed to hold good
+wine. So Sir Tristram took it up, and said, "Fair lady, this looketh to
+be the best of wines, and your maid, Dame Bragwaine, and my servant,
+Governale, have kept it for themselves." Thereat they both laughed
+merrily, and drank each after other from the flask, and never before had
+they tasted any wine which seemed so good and sweet. But by the time
+they had finished drinking they loved each other so well that their
+love nevermore might leave them for weal or woe. And thus it came to
+pass that though Sir Tristram might never wed La Belle Isault, he did
+the mightiest deeds of arms for her sake only all his life.
+
+Then they sailed onwards till they came to a castle called Pluere, where
+they would have rested. But anon there ran forth a great company and
+took them prisoners. And when they were in prison, Sir Tristram asked a
+knight and lady whom they found therein wherefore they were so
+shamefully dealt with; "for," said he, "it was never the custom of any
+place of honor that I ever came unto to seize a knight and lady asking
+shelter and thrust them into prison, and a full evil and discourteous
+custom is it."
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "know ye not that this is called the Castle
+Pluere, or the weeping castle, and that it is an ancient custom here
+that whatsoever knight abideth in it must needs fight the lord of it,
+Sir Brewnor, and he that is the weakest shall lose his head. And if the
+lady he hath with him be less fair than the lord's wife, she shall lose
+her head; but if she be fairer, then must the lady of the castle lose
+her head."
+
+"Now Heaven help me," said Sir Tristram, "but this is a foul and
+shameful custom. Yet have I one advantage, for my lady is the fairest
+that doth live in all the world, so that I nothing fear for her; and as
+for me, I will full gladly fight for my own head in a fair field."
+
+Then said the knight, "Look ye be up betimes to-morrow, and make you
+ready and your lady."
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Brewnor to Sir Tristram, and put him and
+Isault forth out of prison, and brought him a horse and armor, and bade
+him make ready, for all the commons and estates of that lordship waited
+in the field to see and judge the battle.
+
+Then Sir Brewnor, holding his lady by the hand, all muffled, came forth,
+and Sir Tristram went to meet him with La Belle Isault beside him,
+muffled also. Then said Sir Brewnor, "Sir knight, if thy lady be fairer
+than mine, with thy sword smite off my lady's head; but if my lady be
+fairer than thine, with my sword I will smite off thy lady's head. And
+if I overcome thee thy lady shall be mine, and thou shalt lose thy
+head."
+
+"Sir knight," replied Sir Tristram, "this is a right foul and felon
+custom, and rather than my lady shall lose her head will I lose my own."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Brewnor, "but the ladies shall be now compared together
+and judgment shall be had."
+
+"I consent not," cried Sir Tristram, "for who is here that will give
+rightful judgment? Yet doubt not that my lady is far fairer than thine
+own, and that will I prove and make good." Therewith Sir Tristram lifted
+up the veil from off La Belle Isault, and stood beside her with his
+naked sword drawn in his hand.
+
+Then Sir Brewnor unmuffled his lady and did in like manner. But when he
+saw La Belle Isault he knew that none could be so fair, and all there
+present gave their judgment so. Then said Sir Tristram, "Because thou
+and thy lady have long used this evil custom, and have slain many good
+knights and ladies, it were a just thing to destroy thee both."
+
+"In good sooth," said Sir Brewnor, "thy lady is fairer than mine, and of
+all women I never saw any so fair. Therefore, slay my lady if thou wilt,
+and I doubt not but I shall slay thee and have thine."
+
+"Thou shalt win her," said Sir Tristram, "as dearly as ever knight won
+lady; and because of thy own judgment and of the evil custom that thy
+lady hath consented to, I will slay her as thou sayest."
+
+And therewithal Sir Tristram went to him and took his lady from him, and
+smote off her head at a stroke.
+
+"Now take thy horse," cried out Sir Brewnor, "for since I have lost my
+lady I will win thine and have thy life."
+
+So they took their horses and came together as fast as they could fly,
+and Sir Tristram lightly smote Sir Brewnor from his horse. But he rose
+right quickly, and when Sir Tristram came again he thrust his horse
+through both the shoulders, so that it reeled and fell. But Sir Tristram
+was light and nimble, and voided his horse, and rose up and dressed his
+shield before him, though meanwhile, ere he could draw out his sword,
+Sir Brewnor gave him three or four grievous strokes. Then they rushed
+furiously together like two wild boars, and fought hurtling and hewing
+here and there for nigh two hours, and wounded each other full sorely.
+Then at the last Sir Brewnor rushed upon Sir Tristram and took him in
+his arms to throw him, for he trusted greatly in his strength. But Sir
+Tristram was at that time called the strongest and biggest knight of the
+world; for he was bigger than Sir Lancelot, though Sir Lancelot was
+better breathed. So anon he thrust Sir Brewnor groveling to the earth,
+and then unlaced his helm and struck off his head. Then all they that
+belonged to the castle came and did him homage and fealty, and prayed
+him to abide there for a season and put an end to that foul custom.
+
+But within a while he departed and came to Cornwall, and there King Mark
+was forthwith wedded to La Belle Isault with great joy and splendor.
+
+And Sir Tristram had high honor, and ever lodged at the king's court.
+But for all he had done him such services King Mark hated him, and on a
+certain day he set two knights to fall upon him as he rode in the
+forest. But Sir Tristram lightly smote one's head off, and sorely
+wounded the other, and made him bear his fellow's body to the king. At
+that the king dissembled and hid from Sir Tristram that the knights were
+sent by him; yet more than ever he hated him in secret, and sought to
+slay him.
+
+So on a certain day, by the assent of Sir Andret, a false knight, and
+forty other knights, Sir Tristram was taken prisoner in his sleep and
+carried to a chapel on the rocks above the sea to be cast down. But as
+they were about to cast him in, suddenly he brake his bonds asunder, and
+rushing at Sir Andret, took his sword and smote him down therewith.
+Then, leaping down the rocks where none could follow, he escaped them.
+But one shot after him and wounded him full sorely with a poisoned arrow
+in the arm.
+
+Anon, his servant Governale, with Sir Lambegus, sought him and found him
+safe among the rocks, and told him that King Mark had banished him and
+all his followers to avenge Sir Andret's death. So they took ship and
+came to Brittany.
+
+Now Sir Tristram, suffering great anguish from his wound, was told to
+seek Isoude, the daughter of the King of Brittany, for she alone could
+cure such wounds. Wherefore he went to King Howell's court, and said,
+"Lord, I am come into this country to have help from thy daughter, for
+men tell me none but she may help me." And Isoude gladly offering to do
+her best, within a month he was made whole.
+
+While he abode still at that court, an earl named Grip made war upon
+King Howell, and besieged him; and Sir Kay Hedius, the king's son, went
+forth against him, but was beaten in battle and sore wounded. Then the
+king praying Sir Tristram for his help, he took with him such knights as
+he could find, and on the morrow, in another battle, did such deeds of
+arms that all the land spake of him. For there he slew the earl with his
+own hands, and more than a hundred knights besides.
+
+When he came back King Howell met him, and saluted him with every honor
+and rejoicing that could be thought of, and took him in his arms, and
+said, "Sir Tristram, all my kingdom will I resign to thee."
+
+"Nay," answered he, "God forbid, for truly am I beholden to you forever
+for your daughter's sake."
+
+Then the king prayed him to take Isoude in marriage, with a great dower
+of lands and castles. To this Sir Tristram presently consenting anon
+they were wedded at the court.
+
+But within a while Sir Tristram greatly longed to see Cornwall, and Sir
+Kay Hedius desired to go with him. So they took ship; but as soon as
+they were at sea the wind blew them upon the coast of North Wales, nigh
+to Castle Perilous, hard by a forest wherein were many strange
+adventures ofttimes to be met. Then said Sir Tristram to Sir Kay Hedius,
+"Let us prove some of them ere we depart." So they took their horses and
+rode forth.
+
+When they had ridden a mile or more, Sir Tristram spied a goodly knight
+before him well armed, who sat by a clear fountain with a strong horse
+near him, tied to an oak-tree. "Fair sir," said he, when they came near,
+"ye seem to be a knight errant by your arms and harness, therefore make
+ready now to joust with one of us, or both."
+
+Thereat the knight spake not, but took his shield and buckled it round
+his neck, and leaping on his horse caught a spear from his squire's
+hand.
+
+Then said Sir Kay Hedius to Sir Tristram, "Let me assay him."
+
+"Do thy best," said he.
+
+So the two knights met, and Sir Kay Hedius fell sorely wounded in the
+breast.
+
+"Thou hast well jousted," cried Sir Tristram to the knight; "now make
+ready for me!"
+
+"I am ready," answered he, and encountered him, and smote him so heavily
+that he fell down from his horse. Whereat, being ashamed, he put his
+shield before him, and drew his sword, crying to the strange knight to
+do likewise. Then they fought on foot for well nigh two hours, till they
+were both weary.
+
+At last Sir Tristram said, "In all my life I never met a knight so
+strong and well-breathed as ye be. It were a pity we should further hurt
+each other. Hold thy hand, fair knight, and tell me thy name."
+
+"That will I," answered he, "if thou wilt tell me thine."
+
+"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"And mine, Sir Lamoracke of Gaul."
+
+Then both cried out together, "Well met;" and Sir Lamoracke said, "Sir
+for your great renown, I will that ye have all the worship of this
+battle, and therefore will I yield me unto you." And therewith he took
+his sword by the point to yield him.
+
+"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall not do so, for well I know ye do it
+of courtesy, and not of dread." And therewith he offered his sword to
+Sir Lamoracke, saying, "Sir, as an overcome knight, I yield me unto you
+as unto the man of noblest powers I have ever met with."
+
+"Hold," said Sir Lamoracke, "let us now swear together nevermore to
+fight against each other."
+
+Then did they swear as he said.
+
+Then Sir Tristram returned to Sir Kay Hedius, and when he was whole of
+his wounds, they departed together in a ship, and landed on the coast of
+Cornwall. And when they came ashore, Sir Tristram eagerly sought news of
+La Belle Isault. And one told him in mistake that she was dead. Whereat,
+for sore and grievous sorrow, he fell down in a swoon, and so lay for
+three days and nights.
+
+When he awoke therefrom he was crazed, and ran into the forest and abode
+there like a wild man many days; whereby he waxed lean and weak of body,
+and would have died, but that a hermit laid some meat beside him as he
+slept. Now in that forest was a giant named Tauleas, who, for fear of
+Tristram, had hid himself within a castle, but when they told him he was
+mad, came forth and went at large again. And on a certain day he saw a
+knight of Cornwall, named Sir Dinaunt, pass by with a lady, and when he
+had alighted by a well to rest, the giant leaped out from his ambush,
+and took him by the throat to slay him. But Sir Tristram, as he wandered
+through the forest, came upon them as they struggled; and when the
+knight cried out for help, he rushed upon the giant, and taking up Sir
+Dinaunt's sword, struck off therewith the giant's head, and straightway
+disappeared among the trees.
+
+Anon, Sir Dinaunt took the head of Tauleas, and bare it with him to the
+court of King Mark, whither he was bound, and told of his adventures.
+"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark.
+
+"At a fair fountain in thy forest," answered he.
+
+"I would fain see that wild man," said the king.
+
+So within a day or two he commanded his knights to a great hunting in
+the forest. And when the king came to the well, he saw a wild man lying
+there asleep, having a sword beside him; but he knew not that it was Sir
+Tristram. Then he blew his horn, and summoned all his knights to take
+him gently up and bear him to the court.
+
+And when they came thereto they bathed and washed him, and brought him
+somewhat to his right mind. Now La Belle Isault knew not that Sir
+Tristram was in Cornwall; but when she heard that a wild man had been
+found in the forest, she came to see him. And so sorely was he changed,
+she knew him not. "Yet," said she to Dame Bragwaine, "in good faith I
+seem to have beheld him ofttimes before."
+
+As she thus spoke a little hound, which Sir Tristram had given her when
+she first came to Cornwall, and which was ever with her, saw Sir
+Tristram lying there, and leapt upon him, licking his hands and face,
+and whined and barked for joy.
+
+"Alas," cried out La Belle Isault, "it is my own true knight, Sir
+Tristram."
+
+And at her voice Sir Tristram's senses wholly came again, and wellnigh
+he wept for joy to see his lady living.
+
+But never would the hound depart from Tristram; and when King Mark and
+other knights came up to see him, it sat upon his body and bayed at all
+who came too near. Then one of the knights said, "Surely this is Sir
+Tristram; I see it by the hound."
+
+"Nay," said the king, "it cannot be," and asked Sir Tristram on his
+faith who he was.
+
+"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, and now ye may do what
+ye list with me."
+
+Then the king said, "It repents me that ye are recovered," and sought to
+make his barons slay him. But most of them would not assent thereto, and
+counseled him instead to banish Tristram for ten years again from
+Cornwall, for returning without orders from the king. So he was sworn to
+depart forthwith.
+
+And as he went towards the ship a knight of King Arthur, named Sir
+Dinadan, who sought him, came and said, "Fair knight, ere that you pass
+out of this country, I pray you joust with me!"
+
+"With a good will," said he.
+
+Then they ran together, and Sir Tristram lightly smote him from his
+horse. Anon he prayed Sir Tristram's leave to bear him company, and when
+he had consented they rode together to the ship.
+
+Then was Sir Tristram full of bitterness of heart, and said to all the
+knights who took him to the shore, "Greet well King Mark and all mine
+enemies from me, and tell them I will come again when I may. Well am I
+now rewarded for slaying Sir Marhaus, and delivering this kingdom from
+its bondage, and for the perils wherewithal I brought La Belle Isault
+from Ireland to the king, and rescued her at the Castle Pluere, and for
+the slaying of the giant Tauleas, and all the other deeds that I have
+done for Cornwall and King Mark." Thus angrily and passing bitterly he
+spake, and went his way.
+
+And after sailing awhile the ship stayed at a landing-place upon the
+coast of Wales; and there Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan alighted, and on
+the shore they met two knights, Sir Ector and Sir Bors. And Sir Ector
+encountered with Sir Dinadan and smote him to the ground; but Sir Bors
+would not encounter with Sir Tristram, "For," said he, "no Cornish
+knights are men of worship." Thereat Sir Tristram was full wroth, but
+presently there met them two more knights, Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant;
+and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, who shortly
+smote him down.
+
+"I had not thought," cried out Sir Bors, "that any Cornish knight could
+do so valiantly."
+
+Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed, and rode into a forest, and
+as they rode a damsel met them, who for Sir Lancelot's sake was seeking
+any noble knights to rescue him. For Queen Morgan le Fay, who hated him,
+had ordered thirty men-at-arms to lie in ambush for him as he passed,
+with the intent to kill him. So the damsel prayed them to rescue him.
+
+Then said Sir Tristram, "Bring me to that place, fair damsel."
+
+But Sir Dinadan cried out, "It is not possible for us to meet with
+thirty knights! I will take no part in such a hardihood, for to match
+one or two or three knights is enough; but to match fifteen I will
+never assay."
+
+"For shame," replied Sir Tristram, "do but your part."
+
+"That will I not," said he; "wherefore, I pray ye, lend me your shield,
+for it is of Cornwall, and because men of that country are deemed
+cowards, ye are but little troubled as ye ride with knights to joust
+with."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "I will never give my shield up for her sake
+who gave it me; but if thou wilt not stand by me to-day I will surely
+slay thee; for I ask no more of thee than to fight one knight, and if
+thy heart will not serve thee that much, thou shalt stand by and look on
+me and them."
+
+"Would God that I had never met with ye!" cried Sir Dinadan; "but I
+promise to look on and do all that I may to save myself."
+
+Anon they came to where the thirty knights lay waiting, and Sir Tristram
+rushed upon them, saying, "Here is one who fights for love of Lancelot!"
+Then slew he two of them at the first onset with his spear, and ten more
+swiftly after with his sword. At that Sir Dinadan took courage, and
+assailed the others with him, till they turned and fled.
+
+But Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode on till nightfall, and meeting
+with a shepherd, asked him if he knew of any lodging thereabouts.
+
+"Truly, fair lords," said he, "there is good lodging in a castle hard
+by, but it is a custom there that none shall lodge therein save ye first
+joust with two knights, and as soon as ye be within, ye shall find your
+match."
+
+"That is an evil lodging," said Sir Dinadan; "lodge where ye will, I
+will not lodge there."
+
+"Shame on thee!" said Sir Tristram; "art thou a knight at all?"
+
+Then he required him on his knighthood to go with him, and they rode
+together to the castle. As soon as they were near, two knights came out
+and ran full speed against them; but both of them they overthrew, and
+went within the castle, and had noble cheer. Now, when they were unarmed
+and ready to take rest, there came to the castle-gate two knights, Sir
+Palomedes and Sir Gaheris, and desired the custom of the castle.
+
+"I would far rather rest than fight," said Sir Dinadan.
+
+"That may not be," replied Sir Tristram, "for we must needs defend the
+custom of the castle, seeing we have overcome its lords; therefore, make
+ready."
+
+"Alas that I ever came into your company," said Sir Dinadan.
+
+So they made ready, and Sir Gaheris encountered Sir Tristram and fell
+before him; but Sir Palomedes overthrew Sir Dinadan. Then would all
+fight on foot save Sir Dinadan, for he was sorely bruised and frighted
+by his fall. And when Sir Tristram prayed him to fight, "I will not,"
+answered he, "for I was wounded by those thirty knights with whom we
+fought this morning; and as to you, ye are in truth like one gone mad,
+and who would cast himself away! There be but two knights in the world
+so mad, and the other is Sir Lancelot, with whom I once rode forth, who
+kept me evermore at battling so that for a quarter of a year thereafter
+I lay in my bed. Heaven defend me again from either of your
+fellowships!"
+
+"Well," said Sir Tristram, "if it must be, I will fight them both."
+
+Therewith he drew his sword and assailed Sir Palomedes and Sir Gaheris
+together; but Sir Palomedes said, "Nay, but it is a shame for two to
+fight with one." So he bade Sir Gaheris stand by, and he and Sir
+Tristram fought long together; but in the end Sir Tristram drave him
+backward, whereat Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan with one accord sundered
+them. Then Sir Tristram prayed the two knights to lodge there; but
+Dinadan departed and rode away into a priory hard by, and there he
+lodged that night.
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Tristram to the priory to find him, and
+seeing him so weary that he could not ride, he left him, and departed.
+At that same priory was lodged Sir Pellinore, who asked Sir Dinadan Sir
+Tristram's name, but could not learn it, for Sir Tristram had charged
+that he should remain unknown. Then said Sir Pellinore, "Since ye will
+not tell it me, I will ride after him and find it myself."
+
+"Beware, Sir knight," said Sir Dinadan, "ye will repent it if ye follow
+him."
+
+But Sir Pellinore straightway mounted and overtook him, and cried to him
+to joust; whereat Sir Tristram forthwith turned and smote him down; and
+wounded him full sorely in the shoulder.
+
+On the day after, Sir Tristram met a herald, who told him of a
+tournament proclaimed between King Carados of Scotland, and the King of
+North Wales, to be held at the Maiden's Castle. Now King Carados sought
+Sir Lancelot to fight there on his side, and the King of North Wales
+sought Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram purposed to be there. So as he
+rode, he met Sir Key, the seneschal, and Sir Sagramour, and Sir Key
+proffered to joust with him. But he refused, desiring to keep himself
+unwearied for the tourney. Then Sir Key cried, "Sir knight of Cornwall,
+joust with me, or yield as recreant." When Sir Tristram heard that, he
+fiercely turned and set his spear in rest, and spurred his horse towards
+him. But when Sir Key saw him so madly coming on, he in his turn
+refused, whereat Sir Tristram called him coward, till for shame he was
+compelled to meet him. Then Sir Tristram lightly smote him down, and
+rode away. But Sir Sagramour pursued him, crying loudly to joust with
+him also. So Sir Tristram turned and quickly overthrew him likewise, and
+departed.
+
+Anon a damsel met him as he rode, and told him of a knight adventurous
+who did great harm thereby, and prayed him for his help. But as he went
+with her he met Sir Gawain, who knew the damsel for a maiden of Queen
+Morgan le Fay. Knowing, therefore, that she needs must have evil plots
+against Sir Tristram, Sir Gawain demanded of him courteously whither he
+went.
+
+"I know not whither," said he, "save as this damsel leadeth me."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "ye shall not ride with her, for she and her
+lady never yet did good to any;" and, drawing his sword, he said to the
+damsel, "Tell me now straightway for what cause thou leadest this
+knight, or else shalt thou die; for I know of old thy lady's treason."
+
+"Mercy, Sir Gawain," cried the damsel, "and I will tell thee all." Then
+she told him that Queen Morgan had ordained thirty fair damsels to seek
+out Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram, and by their wiles persuade them to
+her castle, where she had thirty knights in wait to slay them.
+
+"Oh shame!" cried Sir Gawain, "that ever such foul treason should be
+wrought by a queen, and a king's sister." Then said he to Sir Tristram,
+"Sir knight, if ye will stand with me, we will together prove the malice
+of these thirty knights."
+
+"I will not fail you," answered he, "for but few days since I had to do
+with thirty knights of that same queen, and trust we may win honor as
+lightly now as then."
+
+So they rode together, and when they came to the castle, Sir Gawain
+cried aloud, "Queen Morgan le Fay, send out thy knights that we may
+fight with them."
+
+Then the queen urged her knights to issue forth, but they durst not, for
+they well knew Sir Tristram, and feared him greatly.
+
+So Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain went on their way, and as they rode they
+saw a knight, named Sir Brewse-without-pity, chasing a lady, with intent
+to slay her. Then Sir Gawain prayed Sir Tristram to hold still and let
+him assail that knight. So he rode up between Sir Brewse and the lady,
+and cried, "False knight, turn thee to me and leave that lady." Then Sir
+Brewse turned and set his spear in rest, and rushed against Sir Gawain
+and overthrew him, and rode his horse upon him as he lay, which when Sir
+Tristram saw, he cried, "Forbear that villainy," and galloped at him.
+But when Sir Brewse saw by the shield it was Sir Tristram, he turned and
+fled. And though Sir Tristram followed swiftly after him, yet he was so
+well horsed that he escaped.
+
+Anon Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain came nigh the Maiden's Castle, and
+there an old knight named Sir Pellonnes gave them lodging. And Sir
+Persides, the son of Sir Pellonnes, a good knight, came out to welcome
+them. And, as they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw
+a goodly knight ride by on a black horse, and carrying a black shield.
+"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
+
+"One of the best knights in all the world," said Sir Persides.
+
+"Is he Sir Lancelot?" said Sir Tristram.
+
+"Nay," answered Sir Persides, "it is Sir Palomedes, who is yet
+unchristened."
+
+Within a while one came and told them that a knight with a black shield
+had smitten down thirteen knights. "Let us go and see this jousting,"
+said Sir Tristram. So they armed themselves and went down. And when Sir
+Palomedes saw Sir Persides, he sent a squire to him and proffered him to
+joust. So they jousted, and Sir Persides was overthrown. Then Sir
+Tristram made ready to joust, but ere he had his spear in rest, Sir
+Palomedes took him at advantage, and struck him on the shield so that he
+fell. At that Sir Tristram was wroth out of measure and sore ashamed,
+wherefore he sent a squire and prayed Sir Palomedes to joust once again.
+But he would not, saying, "Tell thy master to revenge himself to-morrow
+at the Maiden's Castle, where he shall see me again."
+
+So on the morrow Sir Tristram commanded his servant to give him a black
+shield with no cognizance thereon, and he and Sir Persides rode into the
+tournament and joined King Carados' side.
+
+Then the knights of the King of North Wales came forth, and there was a
+great fighting and breaking of spears, and overthrow of men and horses.
+
+Now King Arthur sat above in a high gallery to see the tourney and give
+the judgment, and Sir Lancelot sat beside him. Then came against Sir
+Tristram and Sir Persides, two knights with them of North Wales, Sir
+Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris; and Sir Persides was smitten down and nigh
+slain, for four horsemen rode over him. But Sir Tristram rode against
+Sir Gaheris and smote him from his horse, and when Sir Bleoberis next
+encountered him, he overthrew him also. Anon they horsed themselves
+again, and with them came Sir Dinadan, whom Sir Tristram forthwith smote
+so sorely, that he reeled off his saddle. Then cried he, "Ah! Sir
+knight, I know ye better than ye deem, and promise nevermore to come
+against ye." Then rode Sir Bleoberis at him the second time, and had a
+buffet that felled him to the earth. And soon thereafter the king
+commanded to cease for that day, and all men marveled who Sir Tristram
+was, for the prize of the first day was given him in the name of the
+Knight of the Black Shield.
+
+Now Sir Palomedes was on the side of the King of North Wales, but knew
+not Sir Tristram again. And, when he saw his marvelous deeds, he sent to
+ask his name. "As to that," said Sir Tristram, "he shall not know at
+this time, but tell him he shall know when I have broken two spears upon
+him, for I am the knight he smote down yesterday, and whatever side he
+taketh, I will take the other."
+
+So when they told him that Sir Palomedes would be on King Carados'
+side--for he was kindred to King Arthur--"Then will I be on the King of
+North Wales' side," said he, "but else would I be on my lord King
+Arthur's."
+
+Then on the morrow, when King Arthur was come, the heralds blew unto the
+tourney. And King Carados jousted with the King of a Hundred Knights and
+fell before him, and then came in King Arthur's knights and bare back
+those of North Wales. But anon Sir Tristram came to aid them and bare
+back the battle, and fought so mightily that none could stand against
+him, for he smote down on the right and on the left, so that all the
+knights and common people shouted his praise.
+
+"Since I bare arms," said King Arthur, "never saw I a knight do more
+marvelous deeds."
+
+Then the King of the Hundred Knights and those of North Wales set upon
+twenty knights who were of Sir Lancelot's kin, who fought all together,
+none failing the others. When Sir Tristram beheld their nobleness and
+valor, he marveled much. "Well may he be valiant and full of prowess,"
+said he, "who hath such noble knights for kindred." So, when he had
+looked on them awhile, he thought it shame to see two hundred men
+assailing twenty, and riding to the King of a Hundred Knights, he said,
+"I pray thee, Sir king, leave your fighting with those twenty knights,
+for ye be too many and they be too few. For ye shall gain no honor if ye
+win, and that I see verily ye will not do unless ye slay them; but if ye
+will not stay, I will ride with them and help them."
+
+"Nay," said the king, "ye shall not do so; for full gladly I will do
+your courtesy," and with that he withdrew his knights.
+
+Then Sir Tristram rode his way into the forest, that no man might know
+him. And King Arthur caused the heralds to blow that the tourney should
+end that day, and he gave the King of North Wales the prize, because Sir
+Tristram was on his side. And in all the field there was such a cry that
+the sound thereof was heard two miles away--"The knight with the black
+shield hath won the field."
+
+"Alas!" said King Arthur, "where is that knight? it is shame to let him
+thus escape us." Then he comforted his knights, and said, "Be not
+dismayed, my friends, howbeit ye have lost the day; be of good cheer;
+to-morrow I myself will be in the field, and fare with you." So they all
+rested that night.
+
+And on the morrow the heralds blew unto the field. So the King of North
+Wales and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered with King Carados
+and the King of Ireland, and overthrew them. With that came King Arthur,
+and did mighty deeds of arms, and overthrew the King of North Wales and
+his fellows, and put twenty valiant knights to the worse. Anon came in
+Sir Palomedes, and made great fight upon King Arthur's side. But Sir
+Tristram rode furiously against him, and Sir Palomedes was thrown from
+his horse. Then cried King Arthur, "Knight of the Black Shield, keep
+thyself." And as he spake he came upon him, and smote him from his
+saddle to the ground, and so passed on to other knights. Then Sir
+Palomedes having now another horse rushed at Sir Tristram, as he was on
+foot, thinking to run over him. But he was aware of him, and stepped
+aside, and grasped Sir Palomedes by the arms, and pulled him off his
+horse. Then they rushed together with their swords, and many stood still
+to gaze on them. And Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomedes with three mighty
+strokes upon the helm, crying at each stroke, "Take this for Sir
+Tristram's sake," and with that Sir Palomedes fell to the earth.
+
+Anon the King of North Wales brought Sir Tristram another horse, and Sir
+Palomedes found one also. Then did they joust again with passing rage,
+for both by now were like mad lions. But Sir Tristram avoided his spear,
+and seized Sir Palomedes by the neck, and pulled him from his saddle,
+and bore him onward ten spears' length, and so let him fall. Then King
+Arthur drew forth his sword and smote the spear asunder, and gave Sir
+Tristram two or three sore strokes ere he could get at his own sword.
+But when he had it in his hand he mightily assailed the king. With that
+eleven knights of Lancelot's kin went forth against him, but he smote
+them all down to the earth, so that men marveled at his deeds.
+
+And the cry was now so great that Sir Lancelot got a spear in his hand,
+and came down to assay Sir Tristram, saying, "Knight with the black
+shield, make ready." When Sir Tristram heard him he leveled his spear,
+and both stooping their heads, they ran together mightily, as it had
+been thunder. And Sir Tristram's spear brake short, but Sir Lancelot
+struck him with a deep wound in the side and broke his spear, yet
+overthrew him not. Therewith Sir Tristram, smarting at his wound, drew
+forth his sword, and rushing at Sir Lancelot, gave him mighty strokes
+upon the helm, so that the sparks flew from it, and Sir Lancelot stooped
+his head down to the saddle-bow. But then Sir Tristram turned and left
+the field, for he felt his wound so grievous that he deemed he should
+soon die. Then did Sir Lancelot hold the field against all comers, and
+put the King of North Wales and his party to the worse. And because he
+was the last knight in the field the prize was given him.
+
+But he refused to take it, and when the cry was raised, "Sir Lancelot
+hath won the day," he cried out, "Nay, but Sir Tristram is the victor,
+for he first began and last endured, and so hath he done each day." And
+all men honored Lancelot more for his knightly words than if he had
+taken the prize.
+
+This was the tournament ended, and King Arthur departed to Caerleon, for
+the Whitsun feast was now nigh come, and all the knights adventurous
+went their ways. And many sought Sir Tristram in the forest whither he
+had gone, and at last Sir Lancelot found him, and brought him to King
+Arthur's court, as hath been told already.
+
+
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL
+
+
+After these things Merlin fell into a dotage of love for a damsel of the
+lady of the lake, and would let her have no rest, but followed her in
+every place. And ever she encouraged him, and made him welcome till she
+had learned all his crafts that she desired to know.
+
+Then upon a time she went with him beyond the sea to the land of
+Benwicke, and as they went he showed her many wonders, till at length
+she was afraid, and would fain have been delivered from him.
+
+And as they were in the forest of Broceliande, they sat together under
+an oak-tree, and the damsel prayed to see all that charm whereby men
+might be shut up yet alive in rocks or trees. But he refused her a long
+time, fearing to let her know, yet in the end, her prayers and kisses
+overcame him, and he told her all. Then did she make him great cheer,
+but anon, as he lay down to sleep, she softly rose, and walked about him
+waving her hands and muttering the charm, and presently enclosed him
+fast within the tree whereby he slept. And therefrom nevermore he could
+by any means come out for all the crafts that he could do. And so she
+departed and left Merlin.
+
+At the vigil of the next Feast of Pentecost, when all the Knights of the
+Round Table were met together at Camelot, and had heard mass, and were
+about to sit down to meat, there rode into the hall a fair lady on
+horseback, who went straight up to King Arthur where he sat upon his
+throne, and reverently saluted him.
+
+"God be with thee, fair damsel," quoth the king; "what desirest thou of
+me?"
+
+"I pray thee tell me, lord," she answered, "where Sir Lancelot is."
+
+"Yonder may ye see him," said King Arthur.
+
+Then went she to Sir Lancelot and said, "Sir, I salute thee in King
+Pelles' name, and require thee to come with me into the forest hereby."
+
+Then asked he her with whom she dwelt, and what she wished of him.
+
+"I dwell with King Pelles," said she, "whom Balin erst so sorely wounded
+when he smote the dolorous stroke. It is he who hath sent me to call
+thee."
+
+"I will go with thee gladly," said Sir Lancelot, and bade his squire
+straightway saddle his horse and bring his armor.
+
+Then came the queen to him and said, "Sir Lancelot, will ye leave me
+thus at this high feast?"
+
+"Madam," replied the damsel, "by dinner-time to-morrow he shall be with
+you."
+
+"If I thought not," said the queen, "he should not go with thee by my
+goodwill."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot and the lady rode forth till they came to the forest,
+and in a valley thereof found an abbey of nuns, whereby a squire stood
+ready to open the gates. When they had entered, and descended from their
+horses, a joyful crowd pressed round Sir Lancelot and heartily saluted
+him, and led him to the abbess's chamber, and unarmed him. Anon he saw
+his cousins likewise there, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who also made great
+joy at seeing him, and said, "By what adventure art thou here, for we
+thought to have seen thee at Camelot to-morrow?"
+
+"A damsel brought me here," said he, "but as yet I know not for what
+service."
+
+As they thus talked twelve nuns came in, who brought with them a youth
+so passing fair and well made, that in all the world his match could not
+be found. His name was Galahad, and though he knew him not, nor Lancelot
+him, Sir Lancelot was his father.
+
+"Sir," said the nuns, "we bring thee here this child whom we have
+nourished from his youth, and pray thee to make him a knight, for from
+no worthier hand can he receive that order."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot, looking on the youth, saw that he was seemly and
+demure as a dove, with every feature good and noble, and thought he
+never had beheld a better fashioned man of his years. "Cometh this
+desire from himself?" said he.
+
+"Yea," answered Galahad and all the nuns.
+
+"To-morrow, then, in reverence for the feast, he shall have his wish,"
+said Sir Lancelot.
+
+And the next day at the hour of prime, he knighted him, and said, "God
+make of thee as good a man as He hath made thee beautiful."
+
+Then with Sir Lionel and Sir Bors he returned to the court, and found
+all gone to the minster to hear service. When they came into the
+banquet-hall each knight and baron found his name written in some seat
+in letters of gold, as "here ought to sit Sir Lionel," "here ought to
+sit Sir Gawain,"--and so forth. And in the Perilous Seat, at the high
+center of the table, a name was also written, whereat they marveled
+greatly, for no living man had ever yet dared sit upon that seat, save
+one, and him a flame leaped forth and drew down under earth, so that he
+was no more seen.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot and read the letters in that seat, and said, "My
+counsel is that this inscription be now covered up until the knight be
+come who shall achieve this great adventure." So they made a veil of
+silk and put it over the letters.
+
+In the meanwhile came Sir Gawain to the court and told the king he had a
+message to him from beyond the sea, from Merlin.
+
+"For," said he, "as I rode through the forest of Broceliande but five
+days since, I heard the voice of Merlin speaking to me from the midst of
+an oak-tree, whereat, in great amazement, I besought him to come forth.
+But he, with many groans, replied he never more might do so, for that
+none could free him, save the damsel of the Lake, who had enclosed him
+there by his own spells which he had taught her. 'But go,' said he, 'to
+King Arthur, and tell him, that he now prepare his knights and all his
+Table Round to seek the Sangreal, for the time is come when it shall be
+achieved.'"
+
+When Sir Gawain had spoken thus, King Arthur sat pensive in spirit, and
+mused deeply of the Holy Grail and what saintly knight should come who
+might achieve it.
+
+Anon he bade them hasten to set on the banquet. "Sir," said Sir Key, the
+seneschal, "if we go now to meat ye will break the ancient custom of
+your court, for never have ye dined at this high feast till ye have seen
+some strange adventure."
+
+"Thou sayest truly," said the king, "but my mind was full of wonders and
+musings, till I bethought me not of mine old custom."
+
+As they stood speaking thus, a squire ran in and cried, "Lord, I bring
+thee marvelous tidings."
+
+"What be they?" said King Arthur.
+
+"Lord," said he, "hereby at the river is a marvelous great stone, which
+I myself saw swim down hither-wards upon the water, and in it there is
+set a sword, and ever the stone heaveth and swayeth on the water, but
+floateth down no further with the stream."
+
+"I will go and see it," said the king. So all the knights went with him,
+and when they came to the river, there surely found they a mighty stone
+of red marble floating on the water, as the squire had said, and
+therein stuck a fair and rich sword, on the pommel whereof were precious
+stones wrought skillfully with gold into these words: "No man shall take
+me hence but he by whose side I should hang, and he shall be the best
+knight in the world."
+
+When the king read this, he turned round to Sir Lancelot, and said,
+"Fair sir, this sword ought surely to be thine, for thou art the best
+knight in all the world."
+
+But Lancelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not for me; nor
+will I have the hardihood to set my hand upon it. For he that toucheth
+it and faileth to achieve it shall one day be wounded by it mortally.
+But I doubt not, lord, this day will show the greatest marvels that we
+yet have seen, for now the time is fully come, as Merlin hath forewarned
+us, when all the prophecies about the Sangreal shall be fulfilled."
+
+Then stepped Sir Gawain forward and pulled at the sword, but could not
+move it, and after him Sir Percival, to keep him fellowship in any peril
+he might suffer. But no other knight durst be so hardy as to try.
+
+"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Key, "for a marvelous adventure
+ye have had."
+
+So all returned from the river, and every knight sat down in his own
+place, and the high feast and banquet then was sumptuously begun, and
+all the hall was full of laughter and loud talk and jests, and running
+to and fro of squires who served their knights, and noise of jollity and
+mirth.
+
+Then suddenly befell a wondrous thing, for all the doors and windows of
+the hall shut violently of themselves, and made thick darkness; and
+presently there came a fair and gentle light from out the Perilous Seat,
+and filled the palace with its beams. Then a dead silence fell on all
+the knights, and each man anxiously beheld his neighbor.
+
+But King Arthur rose and said, "Lords and fair knights, have ye no fear,
+but rejoice; we have seen strange things to-day, but stranger yet
+remain. For now I know we shall to-day see him who may sit in the Siege
+Perilous, and shall achieve the Sangreal. For as ye all well know, that
+holy vessel, wherefrom at the Supper of our Lord before His death He
+drank the wine with His disciples, hath been held ever since the holiest
+treasure of the world, and wheresoever it hath rested peace and
+prosperity have rested with it on the land. But since the dolorous
+stroke which Balin gave King Pelles none have seen it, for Heaven, wroth
+with that presumptuous blow, hath hid it none know where. Yet somewhere
+in the world it still may be, and may be it is left to us, and to this
+noble order of the Table Round, to find and bring it home, and make of
+this our realm the happiest in the earth. Many great quests and perilous
+adventures have ye all taken and achieved, but this high quest he only
+shall attain who hath clean hands and a pure heart, and valor and
+hardihood beyond all other men."
+
+While the king spoke there came in softly an old man robed all in white,
+leading with him a young knight clad in red from top to toe, but without
+armor or shield, and having by his side an empty scabbard.
+
+The old man went up to the king, and said, "Lord, here I bring thee this
+young knight of royal lineage, and of the blood of Joseph of Arimathea,
+by whom the marvels of thy court shall fully be accomplished."
+
+The king was right glad at his words, and said, "Sir, ye be right
+heartily welcome, and the young knight also."
+
+Then the old man put on Sir Galahad (for it was he) a crimson robe
+trimmed with fine ermine, and took him by the hand and led him to the
+Perilous Seat, and lifting up the silken cloth which hung upon it, read
+these words written in gold letters, "This is the seat of Sir Galahad,
+the good knight."
+
+"Sir," said the old man, "this place is thine."
+
+Then sat Sir Galahad down firmly and surely, and said to the old man,
+"Sir, ye may now go your way, for ye have done well and truly all ye
+were commanded, and commend me to my grandsire, King Pelles, and say
+that I shall see him soon." So the old man departed with a retinue of
+twenty noble squires.
+
+But all the knights of the Round Table marveled at Sir Galahad, and at
+his tender age, and at his sitting there so surely in the Perilous Seat.
+
+Then the king led Sir Galahad forth from the palace, to show him the
+adventure of the floating stone. "Here," said he, "is as great a marvel
+as I ever saw, and right good knights have tried and failed to gain that
+sword."
+
+"I marvel not thereat," said Galahad, "for this adventure is not theirs,
+but mine; and for the certainty I had thereof, I brought no sword with
+me, as thou mayst see here by this empty scabbard."
+
+Anon he laid his hand upon the sword, and lightly drew it from the
+stone, and put it in his sheath, and said, "This sword was that
+enchanted one which erst belonged to the good knight, Sir Balin,
+wherewith he slew through piteous mistake his brother Balan; who also
+slew him at the same time: all which great woe befell him through the
+dolorous stroke he gave my grandsire, King Pelles, the wound whereof is
+not yet whole, nor shall be till I heal him."
+
+As he stood speaking thus, they saw a lady riding swiftly down the
+river's bank towards them, on a white palfrey, who, saluting the king
+and queen, said, "Lord king, Nacien the hermit sendeth thee word that to
+thee shall come to-day the greatest honor and worship that hath yet ever
+befallen a king of Britain; for this day shall the Sangreal appear in
+thy house."
+
+With that the damsel took her leave, and departed the same way she came.
+
+"Now," said the king, "I know that from to-day the quest of the Sangreal
+shall begin, and all ye of the Round Table will be scattered so that
+nevermore shall I see ye again together as ye are now; let me then see a
+joust and tournament amongst ye for the last time before ye go."
+
+So they all took their harness and met together in the meadows by
+Camelot, and the queen and all her ladies sat in a tower to see.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, at the prayer of the king and queen, put on a coat of
+light armor, and a helmet, but shield he would take none, and grasping a
+lance, he drove into the middle of the press of knights, and began to
+break spears marvelously, so that all men were full of wonder. And in so
+short a time he had surmounted and exceeded the rest, save Sir Lancelot
+and Sir Percival, that he took the chief worship of the field.
+
+Then the king and all the court and fellowship of knights went back to
+the palace, and so to evensong in the great minster, a royal and goodly
+company, and after that sat down to supper in the hall, every knight in
+his own seat, as they had been before.
+
+Anon suddenly burst overhead the cracking and crying of great peals of
+thunder, till the palace walls were shaken sorely, and they thought to
+see them riven all to pieces.
+
+And in the midst of the blast there entered in a sunbeam, clearer by
+seven times than ever they saw day, and a marvelous great glory fell
+upon them all. Then each knight, looking on his neighbor, found his face
+fairer than he had ever seen, and so--all standing on their feet--they
+gazed as dumb men on each other, not knowing what to say.
+
+Then entered into the hall the Sangreal, borne aloft without hands
+through the midst of the sunbeam, and covered with white samite, so that
+none might see it. And all the hall was filled with perfume and incense,
+and every knight was fed with the food he best loved. And when the holy
+vessel had been thus borne through the hall, it suddenly departed, no
+man saw whither.
+
+When they recovered breath to speak, King Arthur first rose up, and
+yielded thanks to God and to our Lord.
+
+Then Sir Gawain sprang up and said, "Now have we all been fed by miracle
+with whatsoever food we thought of or desired; but with our eyes we have
+not seen the blessed vessel whence it came, so carefully and preciously
+it was concealed. Therefore, I make a vow, that from to-morrow I shall
+labor twelve months and a day in quest of the Sangreal, and longer if
+need be; nor will I come again into this court until mine eyes have seen
+it evidently."
+
+When he had spoken thus, knight after knight rose up and vowed himself
+to the same quest, till the most part of the Round Table had thus sworn.
+
+But when King Arthur heard them all, he could not refrain his eyes from
+tears, and said, "Sir Gawain, Sir Gawain, thou hast set me in great
+sorrow, for I fear me my true fellowship shall never meet together here
+again; and surely never Christian king had such a company of worthy
+knights around his table at one time."
+
+And when the queen and her ladies and gentlewomen heard the vows, they
+had such grief and sorrow as no tongue could tell; and Queen Guinevere
+cried out, "I marvel that my lord will suffer them to depart from him."
+And many of the ladies who loved knights would have gone with them, but
+were forbidden by the hermit Nacien, who sent this message to all who
+had sworn themselves to the quest: "Take with ye no lady nor
+gentlewoman, for into so high a service as ye go in, no thought but of
+our Lord and heaven may enter."
+
+On the morrow morning all the knights rose early, and when they were
+fully armed, save shields and helms, they went in with the king and
+queen to service in the minster. Then the king counted all who had taken
+the adventure on themselves, and found them a hundred and fifty knights
+of the Round Table; and so they all put on their helms, and rode away
+together in the midst of cries and lamentations from the court, and from
+the ladies, and from all the town.
+
+But the queen went alone to her chamber, that no man might see her
+sorrow; and Sir Lancelot followed her to say farewell.
+
+When she saw him she cried out, "Oh, Sir Lancelot, thou hast betrayed
+me; thou hast put me to death thus to depart and leave my lord the
+king."
+
+"Ah, madam," said he, "be not displeased or angry, for I shall come
+again as soon as I can with honor."
+
+"Alas!" said she, "that ever I saw thee; but He that suffered death upon
+the cross for all mankind be to thee safety and good conduct, and to all
+thy company."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot saluted her and the king, and went forth with the
+rest, and came with them that night to Castle Vagon, where they abode,
+and on the morrow they departed from each other on their separate ways,
+every knight taking the way that pleased him best.
+
+Now Sir Galahad went forth without a shield, and rode so four days
+without adventure; and on the fourth day, after evensong, he came to an
+abbey of white monks, where he was received in the house, and led into a
+chamber. And there he was unarmed, and met two knights of the Round
+Table, King Bagdemagus, and Sir Uwaine.
+
+"Sirs," said Sir Galahad, "what adventure hath brought ye here?"
+
+"Within this place, as we are told," they answered, "there is a shield
+no man may bear around his neck without receiving sore mischance, or
+death within three days."
+
+"To-morrow," said King Bagdemagus, "I shall attempt the adventure; and
+if I fail, do thou, Sir Galahad, take it up after me."
+
+"I will willingly," said he; "for as ye see I have no shield as yet."
+
+So on the morrow they arose and heard mass, and afterwards King
+Bagdemagus asked where the shield was kept. Then a monk led him behind
+the altar, where the shield hung, as white as any snow, and with a
+blood-red cross in the midst of it.
+
+"Sir," said the monk, "this shield should hang from no knight's neck
+unless he be the worthiest in the world. I warn ye, therefore, knights;
+consider well before ye dare to touch it."
+
+"Well," said King Bagdemagus, "I know well that I am far from the best
+knight in all the world, yet shall I make the trial"; and so he took the
+shield, and bore it from the monastery.
+
+"If it please thee," said he to Sir Galahad, "abide here till thou
+hearest how I speed."
+
+"I will abide thee," said he.
+
+Then taking with him a squire who might return with any tidings to Sir
+Galahad, the king rode forth; and before he had gone two miles, he saw
+in a fair valley a hermitage, and a knight who came forth dressed in
+white armor, horse and all, who rode fast against him. When they
+encountered, Bagdemagus brake his spear upon the White Knight's shield,
+but was himself struck through the shoulder with a sore wound, and
+hurled down from his horse. Then the White Knight alighting, came and
+took the white shield from the king, and said, "Thou hast done great
+folly, for this shield ought never to be borne but by one who hath no
+living peer." And turning to the squire, he said, "Bear thou this shield
+to the good knight, Sir Galahad, and greet him well from me."
+
+"In whose name shall I greet him?" said the squire.
+
+"Take thou no heed of that," he answered; "it is not for thee or any
+earthly man to know."
+
+"Now tell me, fair sir, at the least," said the squire, "why may this
+shield be never borne except its wearer come to injury or death?"
+
+"Because it shall belong to no man save its rightful owner, Galahad,"
+replied the knight.
+
+Then the squire went to his master, and found him wounded nigh to
+death, wherefore he fetched his horse, and bore him back with him to the
+abbey. And there they laid him in a bed, and looked to his wounds; and
+when he had lain many days grievously sick, he at the last barely
+escaped with his life.
+
+"Sir Galahad," said the squire, "the knight who overthrew King
+Bagdemagus sent you greeting, and bade you bear this shield."
+
+"Now blessed be God and fortune," said Sir Galahad, and hung the shield
+about his neck, and armed him, and rode forth.
+
+Anon he met the White Knight by the hermitage, and each saluted
+courteously the other.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "this shield I bear hath surely a full
+marvelous history."
+
+"Thou sayest rightly," answered he. "That shield was made in the days of
+Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight who took our Lord down from the
+cross. He, when he left Jerusalem with his kindred, came to the country
+of King Evelake, who warred continually with one Tollome; and when, by
+the teaching of Joseph, King Evelake became a Christian, this shield was
+made for him in our Lord's name; and through its aid King Tollome was
+defeated. For when King Evelake met him next in battle, he hid it in a
+veil, and suddenly uncovering it, he showed his enemies the figure of a
+bleeding man nailed to a cross, at sight of which they were discomfited
+and fled. Presently after that, a man whose hand was smitten off touched
+the cross upon the shield, and had his hand restored to him; and many
+other miracles it worked. But suddenly the cross that was upon it
+vanished away. Anon both Joseph and King Evelake came to Britain, and by
+the preaching of Joseph the people were made Christians. And when at
+length he lay upon his death-bed, King Evelake begged of him some token
+ere he died. Then, calling for his shield, he dipped his finger in his
+own blood, for he was bleeding fast, and none could staunch the wound,
+and marked that cross upon it, saying, 'This cross shall ever show as
+bright as now, and the last of my lineage shall wear this shield about
+his neck, and go forth to all the marvelous deeds he will achieve.'"
+
+When the White Knight had thus spoken he vanished suddenly away, and Sir
+Galahad returned to the abbey.
+
+As he alighted, came a monk, and prayed him to go see a tomb in the
+churchyard, wherefrom came such a great and hideous noise, that none
+could hear it but they went nigh mad, or lost all strength. "And, sir,"
+said he, "I deem it is a fiend."
+
+"Lead me thither," said Sir Galahad.
+
+When they were come near the place, "Now," said the monk, "go thou to
+the tomb, and lift it up."
+
+And Galahad, nothing afraid, quickly lifted up the stone, and forthwith
+came out a foul smoke, and from the midst thereof leaped up the
+loathliest figure that ever he had seen in the likeness of man; and
+Galahad blessed himself, for he knew it was a fiend of hell. Then he
+heard a voice crying out, "Oh, Galahad, I cannot tear thee as I would; I
+see so many angels round thee, that I may not come at thee."
+
+Then the fiend suddenly disappeared with a marvelous great cry; and Sir
+Galahad, looking in the tomb, saw there a body all armed, with a sword
+beside it. "Now, fair brother," said he to the monk, "let us remove this
+cursed body, which is not fit to lie in a churchyard, for when it lived,
+a false and perjured Christian man dwelt in it. Cast it away, and there
+shall come no more hideous noises from the tomb."
+
+"And now must I depart," he added, "for I have much in hand, and am upon
+the holy quest of the Sangreal, with many more good knights."
+
+So he took his leave, and rode many journeys backwards and forwards as
+adventure would lead him; and at last one day he departed from a castle
+without first hearing mass, which was it ever his custom to hear before
+he left his lodging. Anon he found a ruined chapel on a mountain, and
+went in and kneeled before the altar, and prayed for wholesome counsel
+what to do; and as he prayed he heard a voice, which said, "Depart,
+adventurous knight, unto the Maiden's Castle, and redress the violence
+and wrongs there done!"
+
+Hearing these words he cheerfully arose, and mounted his horse, and rode
+but half a mile, when he saw before him a strong castle, with deep
+ditches round it, and a fair river running past. And seeing an old churl
+hard by, he asked him what men called that castle.
+
+"Fair sir," said he, "it is the Maiden's Castle."
+
+"It is a cursed place," said Galahad, "and all its masters are but
+felons, full of mischief and hardness and shame."
+
+"For that good reason," said the old man, "thou wert well-advised to
+turn thee back."
+
+"For that same reason," quoth Sir Galahad, "will I the more certainly
+ride on."
+
+Then, looking at his armor carefully, to see that nothing failed him, he
+went forward, and presently there met him seven damsels, who cried out,
+"Sir knight, thou ridest in great peril, for thou hast two waters to
+pass over."
+
+"Why should I not pass over them?" said he, and rode straight on.
+
+Anon he met a squire, who said, "Sir knight, the masters of this castle
+defy thee, and bid thee go no further, till thou showest them thy
+business here."
+
+"Fair fellow," said Sir Galahad, "I am come here to destroy their wicked
+customs."
+
+"If that be thy purpose," answered he, "thou wilt have much to do."
+
+"Go thou," said Galahad, "and hasten with my message."
+
+In a few minutes after rode forth furiously from the gateways of the
+castle seven knights, all brothers, and crying out, "Knight, keep thee,"
+bore down all at once upon Sir Galahad. But thrusting forth his spear,
+he smote the foremost to the earth, so that his neck was almost broken,
+and warded with his shield the spears of all the others, which every one
+brake off from it, and shivered into pieces. Then he drew out his sword,
+and set upon them hard and fiercely, and by his wondrous force drave
+them before him, and chased them to the castle gate, and there he slew
+them.
+
+At that came out to him an ancient man, in priest's vestments, saying,
+"Behold, sir, here, the keys of this castle."
+
+Then he unlocked the gates, and found within a multitude of people, who
+cried out, "Sir knight, ye be welcome, for long have we waited thy
+deliverance," and told him that the seven felons he had slain had long
+enslaved the people round about, and killed all knights who passed that
+way, because the maiden whom they had robbed of the castle had foretold
+that by one knight they should themselves be overthrown.
+
+"Where is the maiden?" asked Sir Galahad.
+
+"She lingereth below in a dungeon," said they.
+
+So Sir Galahad went down and released her, and restored her her
+inheritance; and when he had summoned the barons of the country to do
+her homage, he took his leave, and departed.
+
+Presently thereafter, as he rode, he entered a great forest, and in a
+glade thereof met two knights, disguised, who proffered him to joust.
+These were Sir Lancelot, his father, and Sir Percival, but neither knew
+the other. So he and Sir Lancelot encountered first, and Sir Galahad
+smote down his father. Then drawing his sword, for his spear was broken,
+he fought with Sir Percival, and struck so mightily that he clave Sir
+Percival's helm, and smote him from his horse.
+
+Now hard by where they fought there was a hermitage, where dwelt a pious
+woman, a recluse, who, when she heard the sound, came forth, and seeing
+Sir Galahad ride, she cried, "God be with thee, the best knight in the
+world; had yonder knights known thee as well as I do, they would not
+have encountered with thee."
+
+When Sir Galahad heard that, fearing to be made known, he forthwith
+smote his horse with his spurs, and departed at a great pace.
+
+Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival heard her words also, and rode fast after
+him, but within a while he was out of their sight. Then Sir Percival
+rode back to ask his name of the recluse; but Sir Lancelot went forward
+on his quest, and following any path his horse would take, he came
+by-and-by after nightfall to a stone cross hard by an ancient chapel.
+When he had alighted and tied his horse up to a tree, he went and looked
+in through the chapel door, which was all ruinous and wasted, and there
+within he saw an altar, richly decked with silk, whereon there stood a
+fair candlestick of silver, bearing six great lights. And when Sir
+Lancelot saw the light, he tried to get within the chapel, but could
+find no place. So, being passing weary and heavy, he came again to his
+horse, and when he had unsaddled him, and set him free to pasture, he
+unlaced his helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid him down to sleep
+upon his shield before the cross.
+
+And while he lay between waking and sleeping, he saw come by him two
+white palfreys bearing a litter, wherein a sick knight lay, and the
+palfreys stood still by the cross. Then Sir Lancelot heard the sick man
+say, "O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and the holy
+vessel pass by me, wherethrough I shall be blessed? for I have long
+endured."
+
+With that Sir Lancelot saw the chapel open, and the candlestick with the
+six tapers come before the cross, but he could see none who bare it.
+Then came there also a table of silver, and thereon the holy vessel of
+the Sangreal. And when the sick knight saw that, he sat up, and lifting
+both his hands, said, "Fair Lord, sweet Lord, who art here within this
+holy vessel, have mercy on me, that I may be whole"; and therewith he
+crept upon his hands and knees so nigh, that he might touch the vessel;
+and when he had kissed it, he leaped up, and stood and cried aloud,
+"Lord God, I thank Thee, for I am made whole." Then the Holy Grail
+departed with the table and the silver candlestick into the chapel, so
+that Sir Lancelot saw it no more, nor for his sins' sake could he follow
+it. And the knight who was healed went on his way.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot awake, and marveled whether he had seen aught but a
+dream. And as he marveled, he heard a voice saying, "Sir Lancelot, thou
+art unworthy, go thou hence, and withdraw thee from this holy place."
+And when he heard that, he was passing heavy, for he bethought him of
+his sins.
+
+So he departed weeping, and cursed the day of his birth, for the words
+went into his heart, and he knew wherefore he was thus driven forth.
+Then he went to seek his arms and horse, but could not find them; and
+then he called himself the wretchedest and most unhappy of all knights,
+and said, "My sin hath brought me unto great dishonor: for when I
+sought earthly honors, I achieved them ever; but now I take upon me holy
+things, my guilt doth hinder me, and shameth me; therefore had I no
+power to stir or speak when the holy blood appeared before me."
+
+So thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing; then
+was he somewhat comforted, and departing from the cross on foot, he came
+into a wild forest, and to a high mountain, and there he found a
+hermitage; and, kneeling before the hermit down upon both his knees, he
+cried for mercy for his wicked works, and prayed him to hear his
+confession. But when he told his name, the hermit marveled to see him in
+so sore a case, and said, "Sir, ye ought to thank God more than any
+knight living, for He hath given thee more honor than any; yet for thy
+presumption, while in deadly sin to come into the presence of His flesh
+and blood, He suffered thee neither to see nor follow it. Wherefore,
+believe that all thy strength and manhood will avail thee little, when
+God is against thee."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot wept and said, "Now know I well ye tell me truth."
+
+Then he confessed to him, and told him all his sins, and how he had for
+fourteen years served but Queen Guinevere only, and forgotten God, and
+done great deeds of arms for her, and not for Heaven, and had little or
+nothing thanked God for the honor that he won. And then Sir Lancelot
+said, "I pray you counsel me."
+
+"I will counsel thee," said he: "never more enter into that queen's
+company when ye can avoid it."
+
+So Sir Lancelot promised him.
+
+"Look that your heart and your mouth accord," said the good man, "and ye
+shall have more honor and more nobleness than ever ye have had."
+
+Then were his arms and horse restored to him, and so he took his leave,
+and rode forth, repenting greatly.
+
+Now Sir Percival had ridden back to the recluse, to learn who that
+knight was whom she had called the best in the world. And when he had
+told her that he was Sir Percival, she made passing great joy of him,
+for she was his mother's sister, wherefore she opened her door to him,
+and made him good cheer. And on the morrow she told him of her kindred
+to him, and they both made great rejoicing. Then he asked her who that
+knight was, and she told him, "He it is who on Whit Sunday last was clad
+in the red robe, and bare the red arms; and he hath no peer, for he
+worketh all by miracle, and shall be never overcome by any earthly
+hands."
+
+"By my goodwill," said Sir Percival, "I will never after these tidings
+have to do with Sir Galahad but in the way of kindness; and I would fain
+learn where I may find him."
+
+"Fair nephew," said she, "ye must ride to the Castle of Goth, where he
+hath a cousin; by him ye may be lodged, and he will teach you the way to
+go; but if he can tell you no tidings, ride straight to the Castle of
+Carbonek, where the wounded king is lying, for there shall ye surely
+hear true tidings of him."
+
+So Sir Percival departed from his aunt, and rode till evensong time,
+when he was ware of a monastery closed round with walls and deep
+ditches, where he knocked at the gate, and anon was let in. And there he
+had good cheer that night, and on the morrow heard mass. And beside the
+altar where the priest stood, was a rich bed of silk and cloth of gold;
+and on the bed there lay a man passing old, having a crown of gold upon
+his head, and all his body was full of great wounds, and his eyes almost
+wholly blind; and ever he held up his hands and said, "Sweet Lord,
+forget not me!"
+
+Then Sir Percival asked one of the brethren who he was.
+
+"Sir," said the good man, "ye have heard of Joseph of Arimathea, how he
+was sent of Jesus Christ into this land to preach and teach the
+Christian faith. Now, in the city of Sarras he converted a king named
+Evelake, and this is he. He came with Joseph to this land, and ever
+desired greatly to see the Sangreal; so on a time he came nigh thereto,
+and was struck almost blind. Then he cried out for mercy, and said,
+'Fair Lord, I pray thee let me never die until a good knight of my blood
+achieve the Sangreal, and I may see and kiss him.' When he had thus
+prayed, he heard a voice that said, 'Thy prayers be heard and answered,
+for thou shalt not die till that knight kiss thee; and when he cometh
+shall thine eyes be opened and thy wounds be healed.' And now hath he
+lived here for three hundred winters in a holy life, and men say a
+certain knight of King Arthur's court shall shortly heal him."
+
+Thereat Sir Percival marveled greatly, for he well knew who that knight
+should be; and so, taking his leave of the monk, departed.
+
+Then he rode on till noon, and came into a valley where he met twenty
+men-at-arms bearing a dead knight on a bier. And they cried to him,
+"Whence comest thou?"
+
+"From King Arthur's court," he answered.
+
+Then they all cried together, "Slay him," and set upon him.
+
+But he smote down the first man to the ground, and his horse upon him;
+whereat seven of them all at once assailed him, and others slew his
+horse. Thus he had been either taken or slain, but by good chance Sir
+Galahad was passing by that way, who, seeing twenty men attacking one,
+cried, "Slay him not," and rushed upon them; and, as fast as his horse
+could drive, he encountered with the foremost man, and smote him down.
+Then, his spear being broken, he drew forth his sword and struck out on
+the right hand and on the left, at each blow smiting down a man, till
+the remainder fled, and he pursued them.
+
+Then Sir Percival, knowing that it was Sir Galahad, would fain have
+overtaken him, but could not, for his horse was slain. Yet followed he
+on foot as fast as he could go; and as he went there met him a yeoman
+riding on a palfrey, and leading in his hand a great black steed. So Sir
+Percival prayed him to lend him the steed, that he might overtake Sir
+Galahad. But he replied, "That can I not do, fair sir, for the horse is
+my master's, and should I lend it he would slay me." So he departed, and
+Sir Percival sat down beneath a tree in heaviness of heart. And as he
+sat, anon a knight went riding past on the black steed which the yeoman
+had led. And presently after came the yeoman back in haste, and asked
+Sir Percival if he had seen a knight riding his horse.
+
+"Yea," said Sir Percival.
+
+"Alas," said the yeoman, "he hath reft him from me by strength, and my
+master will slay me."
+
+Then he besought Sir Percival to take his hackney and follow, and get
+back his steed. So he rode quickly, and overtook the knight, and cried,
+"Knight, turn again." Whereat he turned and set his spear, and smote Sir
+Percival's hackney in the breast, so that it fell dead, and then went on
+his way. Then cried Sir Percival after him, "Turn now, false knight, and
+fight with me on foot"; but he would not, and rode out of sight.
+
+Then was Sir Percival passing wroth and heavy of heart, and lay down to
+rest beneath a tree, and slept till midnight. When he awoke he saw a
+woman standing by him, who said to him right fiercely, "Sir Percival,
+what doest thou here?"
+
+"I do neither good nor evil," said he.
+
+"If thou wilt promise me," said she, "to do my will whenever I shall ask
+thee, I will bring thee here a horse that will bear thee wheresoever
+thou desirest."
+
+At that he was full glad, and promised as she asked. Then anon she came
+again, with a great black steed, strong and well appareled. So Sir
+Percival mounted, and rode through the clear moonlight, and within less
+than an hour had gone a four days' journey, till he came to a rough
+water that roared; and his horse would have borne him into it, but Sir
+Percival would not suffer him, yet could he scarce restrain him. And
+seeing the water so furious, he made the sign of the cross upon his
+forehead, whereat the horse suddenly shook him off, and with a terrible
+sound leaped into the water and disappeared, the waves all burning up in
+flames around him. Then Sir Percival knew it was a fiend which had
+brought him the horse; so he commended himself to God, and prayed that
+he might escape temptations, and continued in prayer till it was day.
+
+Then he saw that he was on a wild mountain, nigh surrounded on all sides
+by the sea, and filled with wild beasts; and going on into a valley, he
+saw a serpent carrying a young lion by the neck. With that came another
+lion, crying and roaring after the serpent, and anon overtook him, and
+began to battle with him. And Sir Percival helped the lion, and drew his
+sword, and gave the serpent such a stroke that it fell dead. Thereat the
+lion fawned upon him like a dog, licking his hands, and crouching at his
+feet, and at night lay down by him and slept at his side.
+
+And at noon the next day Sir Percival saw a ship come sailing before a
+strong wind upon the sea towards him, and he rose and went towards it.
+And when it came to shore, he found it covered with white samite, and on
+the deck there stood an old man dressed in priest's robes, who said,
+"God be with you, fair sir; whence come ye?"
+
+"I am a knight of King Arthur's court," said he, "and follow the quest
+of the Sangreal; but here have I lost myself in this wilderness."
+
+"Fear nothing," said the old man, "for I have come from a strange
+country to comfort thee."
+
+Then he told Sir Percival it was a fiend of hell upon which he had
+ridden to the sea, and that the lion, whom he had delivered from the
+serpent, meant the Church. And Sir Percival rejoiced at these tidings,
+and entered into the ship, which presently sailed from the shore into
+the sea.
+
+Now when Sir Bors rode forth from Camelot to seek the Sangreal, anon he
+met a holy man riding on an ass, and courteously saluted him.
+
+"Who are ye, son?" said the good man.
+
+"I am a knight," said he, "in quest of the Sangreal, and would fain have
+thy counsel, for he shall have much earthly honor who may bring it to a
+favorable end."
+
+"That is truth," said the good man, "for he shall be the best knight of
+the world; yet know that none shall gain it save by sinless living."
+
+So they rode to his hermitage together, and there he prayed Sir Bors to
+abide that night, and anon they went into the chapel, and Sir Bors was
+confessed. And they eat bread and drank water together.
+
+"Now," said the hermit, "I pray thee eat no other food till thou sit at
+the table where the Sangreal shall be." Thereto Sir Bors agreed.
+
+"Also," said the hermit, "it were wise that ye should wear a sackcloth
+garment next your skin, for penance"; and in this also did Sir Bors as
+he was counseled. And afterwards he armed himself and took his leave.
+
+Then rode he onwards all that day, and as he rode he saw a passing great
+bird sit in an old dry tree, whereon no leaves were left; and many
+little birds lay round the great one, nigh dead with hunger. Then did
+the big bird smite himself with his own bill, and bled till he died
+amongst his little ones, and they recovered life in drinking up his
+blood. When Sir Bors saw this he knew it was a token, and rode on full
+of thought. And about eventide he came to a tower, whereto he prayed
+admission, and he was received gladly by the lady of the castle. But
+when a supper of many meats and dainties was set before him, he
+remembered his vow, and bade a squire to bring him water, and therein he
+dipped his bread, and ate.
+
+Then said the lady, "Sir Bors, I fear ye like not my meat."
+
+"Yea, truly," said he; "God thank thee, madam; but I may eat no other
+meat this day."
+
+After supper came a squire, and said, "Madam, bethink thee to provide a
+champion for thee to-morrow for the tourney, or else shall thy sister
+have thy castle."
+
+At that the lady wept, and made great sorrow. But Sir Bors prayed her to
+be comforted, and asked her why the tournament was held. Then she told
+him how she and her sister were the daughters of King Anianse, who left
+them all his lands between them; and how her sister was the wife of a
+strong knight, named Sir Pridan le Noir, who had taken from herself all
+her lands, save the one tower wherein she dwelt. "And now," said she,
+"this also will they take, unless I find a champion by to-morrow."
+
+Then said Sir Bors, "Be comforted; to-morrow I will fight for thee";
+whereat she rejoiced not a little, and sent word to Sir Pridan that she
+was provided and ready. And Sir Bors lay on the floor, and in no bed,
+nor ever would do otherwise till he had achieved his quest.
+
+On the morrow he arose and clothed himself, and went into the chapel,
+where the lady met him, and they heard mass together. Anon he called for
+his armor, and went with a goodly company of knights to the battle. And
+the lady prayed him to refresh himself ere he should fight, but he
+refused to break his fast until the tournament were done. So they all
+rode together to the lists, and there they saw the lady's eldest sister,
+and her husband, Sir Pridan le Noir. And a cry was made by the heralds
+that, whichever should win, his lady should have all the other's lands.
+
+Then the two knights departed asunder a little space, and came together
+with such force, that both their spears were shivered, and their shields
+and hauberks pierced through; and both fell to the ground sorely
+wounded, with their horses under them. But swiftly they arose, and drew
+their swords, and smote each other on the head with many great and
+heavy blows, till the blood ran down their bodies; and Sir Pridan was a
+full good knight, so that Sir Bors had more ado than he had thought for
+to overcome him.
+
+But at last Sir Pridan grew a little faint; that instantly perceived Sir
+Bors, and rushed upon him the more vehemently, and smote him fiercely,
+till he rent off his helm, and then gave him great strokes upon his
+visage with the flat of his sword, and bade him yield or be slain.
+
+And then Sir Pridan cried him mercy, and said, "For God's sake slay me
+not, and I will never war against thy lady more." So Sir Bors let him
+go, and his wife fled away with all her knights.
+
+Then all those who had held lands of the lady of the tower came and did
+homage to her again, and swore fealty. And when the country was at peace
+Sir Bors departed, and rode forth into a forest until it was midday, and
+there befell him a marvelous adventure.
+
+For at a place where two ways parted, there met him two knights, bearing
+Sir Lionel, his brother, all naked, bound on a horse, and as they rode,
+they beat him sorely with thorns, so that the blood trailed down in more
+than a hundred places from his body; but for all this he uttered no word
+or groan, so great he was of heart. As soon as Sir Bors knew his
+brother, he put his spear in rest to run and rescue him; but in the same
+moment heard a woman's voice cry close beside him in the wood, "St.
+Mary, succor thy maid"; and, looking round, he saw a damsel whom a felon
+knight dragged after him into the thickets; and she, perceiving him,
+cried piteously for help, and adjured him to deliver her as he was a
+sworn knight. Then was Sir Bors sore troubled, and knew not what to do,
+for he thought within himself, "If I let my brother be, he will be
+murdered; but if I help not the maid, she is shamed forever, and my vow
+compelleth me to set her free; wherefore must I first help her, and
+trust my brother unto God."
+
+So, riding to the knight who held the damsel, he cried out, "Sir knight,
+lay your hand off that maid, or else ye be but dead."
+
+At that the knight set down the maid, and dropped his shield, and drew
+forth his sword against Sir Bors, who ran at him, and smote him through
+both shield and shoulder, and threw him to the earth; and when he pulled
+his spear forth, the knight swooned. Then the maid thanked Sir Bors
+heartily, and he set her on the knight's horse, and brought her to her
+men-at-arms, who presently came riding after her. And they made much
+joy, and besought him to come to her father, a great lord, and he should
+be right welcome. But "truly," said he, "I may not at this time, for I
+have a great adventure yet to do"; and commending them to God, he
+departed in great haste to find his brother.
+
+So he rode, seeking him by the track of the horses a great while. Anon
+he met a seeming holy man riding upon a strong black horse, and asked
+him, had he seen pass by that way a knight led bound and beaten with
+thorns by two others.
+
+"Yea, truly, such an one I saw," said the man; "but he is dead, and lo!
+his body is hard by in a bush."
+
+Then he showed him a newly slain body lying in a thick bush, which
+seemed indeed to be Sir Lionel. Then made Sir Bors such mourning and
+sorrow that by-and-by he fell into a swoon upon the ground. And when he
+came to himself again, he took the body in his arms and put it on his
+horse's saddle, and bore it to a chapel hard by, and would have buried
+it. But when he made the sign of the cross, he heard a full great noise
+and cry as though all the fiends of hell had been about him, and
+suddenly the body and the chapel and the old man vanished all away. Then
+he knew that it was the devil who had thus beguiled him, and that his
+brother yet lived.
+
+Then held he up his hands to heaven, and thanked God for his own escape
+from hurt, and rode onwards; and anon, as he passed by an hermitage in a
+forest, he saw his brother sitting armed by the door. And when he saw
+him he was filled with joy, and lighted from his horse, and ran to him
+and said, "Fair brother, when came ye hither?"
+
+But Sir Lionel answered, with an angry face, "What vain words be these,
+when for you I might have been slain? Did ye not see me bound and led
+away to death, and left me in that peril to go succoring a gentlewoman,
+the like whereof no brother ever yet hath done? Now, for thy false
+misdeed, I do defy thee, and ensure thee speedy death."
+
+Then Sir Bors prayed his brother to abate his anger, and said, "Fair
+brother, remember the love that should be between us twain."
+
+But Sir Lionel would not hear, and prepared to fight, and mounted his
+horse and came before him, crying, "Sir Bors, keep thee from me, for I
+shall do to thee as a felon and a traitor; therefore, start upon thy
+horse, for if thou wilt not, I will run upon thee as thou standest."
+
+But for all his words Sir Bors would not defend himself against his
+brother. And anon the fiend stirred up Sir Lionel to such rage, that he
+rushed over him and overthrew him with his horse's hoofs, so that he lay
+swooning on the ground. Then would he have rent off his helm and slain
+him, but the hermit of that place ran out, and prayed him to forbear,
+and shielded Sir Bors with his body.
+
+Then Sir Lionel cried out, "Now, God so help me, sir priest, but I shall
+slay thee else thou depart, and him too after thee."
+
+And when the good man utterly refused to leave Sir Bors, he smote him on
+the head until he died, and then he took his brother by the helm and
+unlaced it, to have stricken off his head, and so he would have done,
+but suddenly was pulled off backwards by a knight of the Round Table,
+who, by the will of Heaven, was passing by that place--Sir Colgrevance
+by name.
+
+"Sir Lionel," he cried, "will ye slay your brother, one of the best
+knights of all the world? That ought no man to suffer."
+
+"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me and meddle in this strife?
+beware, lest I shall slay both thee and him."
+
+And when Sir Colgrevance refused to let them be, Sir Lionel defied him,
+and gave him a great stroke through the helmet, whereat Sir Colgrevance
+drew his sword, and smote again right manfully. And so long they fought
+together that Sir Bors awoke from his swoon, and tried to rise and part
+them, but had no strength to stand upon his feet.
+
+Anon Sir Colgrevance saw him, and cried out to him for help, for now Sir
+Lionel had nigh defeated him. When Sir Bors heard that, he struggled to
+his feet, and put his helmet on, and took his sword. But before he could
+come to him, Sir Lionel had smitten off Sir Colgrevance's helm, and
+thrown him to the earth and slain him. Then turned he to his brother as
+a man possessed by fiends, and gave him such a stroke as bent him nearly
+double.
+
+But Sir Bors prayed him for God's sake to quit that battle, "For if it
+befell us that we either slew the other we should die for care of that
+sin."
+
+"Never will I spare thee if I master thee," cried out Sir Lionel.
+
+Then Sir Bors drew his sword all weeping, and said, "Now, God have mercy
+on me, though I defend my life against my brother"; with that he lifted
+up his sword to strike, but suddenly he heard a mighty voice, "Put up
+thy sword, Sir Bors, and flee, or thou shalt surely slay him." And then
+there fell upon them both a fiery cloud, which flamed and burned their
+shields, and they fell to the earth in sore dread.
+
+Anon Sir Bors rose to his feet, and saw that Sir Lionel had taken no
+harm. Then came the voice again, and said, "Sir Bors, go hence and leave
+thy brother, and ride thou forward to the sea, for there Sir Percival
+abideth thee."
+
+Then he said to his brother, "Brother, forgive me all my trespass
+against thee."
+
+And Sir Lionel answered, "God forgive it thee, as I do."
+
+Then he departed and rode to the sea, and on the strand he found a ship
+all covered with white samite, and as soon as he had entered thereinto,
+it put forth from the shore. And in the midst of the ship there stood an
+armed knight, whom he knew to be Sir Percival. Then they rejoiced
+greatly over each other, and said, "We lack nothing now but the good
+knight Sir Galahad."
+
+Now when Sir Galahad had rescued Sir Percival from the twenty knights he
+rode into a vast forest. And after many days it befell that he came to a
+castle whereat was a tournament. And the knights of the castle were put
+to the worse; which when he saw, he set his spear in rest and ran to
+help them, and smote down many of their adversaries. And as it chanced,
+Sir Gawain was amongst the stranger knights, and when he saw the white
+shield with the red cross, he knew it was Sir Galahad, and proffered to
+joust with him. So they encountered, and having broken their spears,
+they drew their swords, and Sir Galahad smote Sir Gawain so sorely on
+the helm that he clove it through, and struck on slanting to the earth,
+carving the horse's shoulder in twain, and Sir Gawain fell to the earth.
+Then Sir Galahad beat back all who warred against the castle, yet would
+he not wait for thanks, but rode away that no man might know him.
+
+And he rested that night at a hermitage, and when he was asleep, he
+heard a knocking at the door. So he rose, and found a damsel there, who
+said, "Sir Galahad, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse
+and follow me, for I will show you within these three days the highest
+adventure that ever any knight saw."
+
+Anon Sir Galahad armed him, and took his horse, and commended himself to
+God, and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow where she liked.
+
+So they rode onwards to the sea as fast as their horses might gallop,
+and at night they came to a castle in a valley, inclosed by running
+water, and by strong and high walls, whereinto they entered and had
+great cheer, for the lady of the castle was the damsel's mistress.
+
+And when he was unarmed, the damsel said to her lady, "Madam, shall we
+abide here this night?"
+
+"Nay," said she, "but only till he hath dined and slept a little."
+
+So he ate and slept a while, till the maid called him, and armed him by
+torchlight; and when he had saluted the lady of the castle, the damsel
+and Sir Galahad rode on.
+
+Anon they came to the seaside, and lo! the ship, wherein were Sir
+Percival and Sir Bors, abode by the shore. Then they cried, "Welcome,
+Sir Galahad, for we have awaited thee long."
+
+Then they rejoiced to see each other, and told of all their adventures
+and temptations. And the damsel went into the ship with them, and spake
+to Sir Percival: "Sir Percival, know ye not who I am?"
+
+And he replied, "Nay, certainly, I know thee not."
+
+Then said she, "I am thy sister, the daughter of King Pellinore, and am
+sent to help thee and these knights, thy fellows, to achieve the quest
+which ye all follow."
+
+So Sir Percival rejoiced to see his sister, and they departed from the
+shore. And after a while they came upon a whirlpool, where their ship
+could not live. Then saw they another greater ship hard by and went
+towards it, but saw neither man nor woman therein. And on the end of it
+these words were written, "Thou who shalt enter me, beware that thou be
+in steadfast belief, for I am Faith; and if thou doubtest, I cannot help
+thee." Then were they all adread, but, commending themselves to God,
+they entered in.
+
+As soon as they were on board they saw a fair bed, whereon lay a crown
+of silk, and at the foot was a fair and rich sword drawn from its
+scabbard half a foot and more. The pommel was of precious stones of many
+colors, every color having a different virtue, and the scales of the
+haft were of two ribs of different beasts. The one was bone of a serpent
+from Calidone forest, named the serpent of the fiend; and its virtue
+saveth all men who hold it from weariness. The other was of a fish that
+haunteth the floods of Euphrates, named Ertanax; and its virtue causeth
+whoever holdeth it to forget all other things, whether of joy or pain,
+save the thing he seeth before him.
+
+"In the name of God," said Sir Percival, "I shall assay to handle this
+sword"; and set his hand to it, but could not grasp it. "By my faith,"
+said he, "now have I failed."
+
+Sir Bors set his hand to it, and failed also.
+
+Then came Sir Galahad, and saw these letters written red as blood, "None
+shall draw me forth save the hardiest of all men; but he that draweth me
+shall never be shamed or wounded to death." "By my faith," said Sir
+Galahad, "I would draw it forth, but dare not try."
+
+"Ye may try safely," said the gentlewoman, Sir Percival's sister, "for
+be ye well assured the drawing of this sword is forbid to all but you.
+For this was the sword of David, King of Israel, and Solomon his son
+made for it this marvelous pommel and this wondrous sheath, and laid it
+on this bed till thou shouldest come and take it up; and though before
+thee some have dared to raise it, yet have they all been maimed or
+wounded for their daring."
+
+"Where," said Sir Galahad, "shall we find a girdle for it?"
+
+"Fair sir," said she, "dismay you not"; and therewith took from out a
+box a girdle, nobly wrought with golden thread, set full of precious
+stones and with a rich gold buckle. "This girdle, lords," said she, "is
+made for the most part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the
+world, I loved full well; but when I knew that this adventure was
+ordained me, I cut off and wove as ye now see."
+
+Then they all prayed Sir Galahad to take the sword, and so anon he
+gripped it in his fingers; and the maiden girt it round his waist,
+saying, "Now reck I not though I die, for I have made thee the worthiest
+knight of all the world."
+
+"Fair damsel," said Sir Galahad, "ye have done so much that I shall be
+your knight all the days of my life."
+
+Then the ship sailed a great way on the sea, and brought them to land
+near the Castle of Carteloise. When they were landed came a squire and
+asked them, "Be ye of King Arthur's court?"
+
+"We are," said they.
+
+"In an evil hour are ye come," said he, and went back swiftly to the
+castle.
+
+Within a while they heard a great horn blow, and saw a multitude of
+well-armed knights come forth, who bade them yield or die. At that they
+ran together, and Sir Percival smote one to the earth and mounted his
+horse, and so likewise did Sir Bors and Sir Galahad, and soon had they
+routed all their enemies and alighted on foot, and with their swords
+slew them downright, and entered into the castle.
+
+Then came there forth a priest, to whom Sir Galahad kneeled and said,
+"In sooth, good father, I repent me of this slaughter; but we were first
+assailed, or else it had not been."
+
+"Repent ye not," said the good man, "for if ye lived as long as the
+world lasted ye could do no better deed, for these were all the felon
+sons of a good knight, Earl Hernox, whom they have thrown into a
+dungeon, and in his name have slain priests and clerks, and beat down
+chapels far and near."
+
+Then Sir Galahad prayed the priest to bring him to the earl; who, when
+he saw Sir Galahad, cried out, "Long have I waited for thy coming, and
+now I pray thee hold me in thine arms that I may die in peace."
+
+And therewith, when Sir Galahad had taken him in his arms, his soul
+departed from his body.
+
+Then came a voice in the hearing of them all, "Depart now, Sir Galahad,
+and go quickly to the maimed king, for he hath long abided to receive
+health from thy hand."
+
+So the three knights departed, and Sir Percival's sister with them, and
+came to a vast forest, and saw before them a white hart, exceeding fair,
+led by four lions; and marveling greatly at that sight, they followed.
+
+Anon they came to a hermitage and a chapel, whereunto the hart entered,
+and the lions with it. Then a priest offered mass, and presently they
+saw the hart change into the figure of a man, most sweet and comely to
+behold; and the four lions also changed and became a man, an eagle, a
+lion, and an ox. And suddenly all those five figures vanished without
+sound. Then the knights marveled greatly, and fell upon their knees, and
+when they rose they prayed the priest to tell them what that sight might
+mean.
+
+"What saw ye, sirs?" said he, "for I saw nothing." Then they told him.
+
+"Ah, lords!" said he, "ye are full welcome; now know I well ye be the
+knights who shall achieve the Sangreal, for unto them alone such
+mysteries are revealed. The hart ye saw is One above all men, white and
+without blemish, and the four lions with Him are the four evangelists."
+
+When they heard that they heartily rejoiced, and thanking the priest,
+departed.
+
+Anon, as they passed by a certain castle, an armed knight suddenly came
+after them, and cried out to the damsel, "By the holy cross, ye shall
+not go till ye have yielded to the custom of the castle."
+
+"Let her go," said Sir Percival, "for a maiden, wheresoever she cometh,
+is free."
+
+"Whatever maiden passeth here," replied the knight, "must give a dishful
+of her blood from her right arm."
+
+"It is a foul and shameful custom," cried Sir Galahad and both his
+fellows, "and sooner will we die than let this maiden yield thereto."
+
+"Then shall ye die," replied the knight, and as he spake there came out
+from a gate hard by, ten or twelve more, and encountered with them,
+running upon them vehemently with a great cry. But the three knights
+withstood them, and set their hands to their swords, and beat them down
+and slew them.
+
+At that came forth a company of threescore knights, all armed. "Fair
+lords," said Sir Galahad, "have mercy on yourselves and keep from us."
+
+"Nay, fair lords," they answered, "rather be advised by us, and yield ye
+to our custom."
+
+"It is an idle word," said Galahad, "in vain ye speak it."
+
+"Well," said they, "will ye die?"
+
+"We be not come thereto as yet," replied Sir Galahad.
+
+Then did they fall upon each other, and Sir Galahad drew forth his
+sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left, and slew so mightily
+that all who saw him thought he was a monster and no earthly man. And
+both his comrades helped him well, and so they held the field against
+that multitude till it was night. Then came a good knight forward from
+the enemy and said, "Fair knights, abide with us to-night and be right
+welcome; by the faith of our bodies as we are true knights, to-morrow ye
+shall rise unharmed, and meanwhile maybe ye will, of your own accord,
+accept the custom of the castle when ye know it better."
+
+So they entered and alighted and made great cheer. Anon, they asked them
+whence that custom came. "The lady of this castle is a leper," said
+they, "and can be no way cured save by the blood of a pure virgin and a
+king's daughter; therefore to save her life are we her servants bound to
+stay every maid that passeth by, and try if her blood may not cure our
+mistress."
+
+Then said the damsel, "Take ye of my blood as much as ye will, if it may
+avail your lady."
+
+And though the three knights urged her not to put her life in that great
+peril, she replied, "If I die to heal another's body, I shall get health
+to my soul," and would not be persuaded to refuse.
+
+So on the morrow she was brought to the sick lady, and her arm was
+bared, and a vein thereof was opened, and the dish filled with her
+blood. Then the sick lady was anointed therewith, and anon she was whole
+of her malady. With that Sir Percival's sister lifted up her hand and
+blessed her, saying, "Madam, I am come to my death to make you whole;
+for God's love pray for me"; and thus saying she fell down in a swoon.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Bors started to lift her up and
+staunch her blood, but she had lost too much to live. So when she came
+to herself she said to Sir Percival, "Fair brother, I must die for the
+healing of this lady, and now, I pray thee, bury me not here, but when I
+am dead put me in a boat at the next haven and let me float at venture
+on the sea. And when ye come to the city of Sarras, to achieve the
+Sangreal, shall ye find me waiting by a tower, and there I pray thee
+bury me, for there shall Sir Galahad and ye also be laid." Thus having
+said, she died.
+
+Then Sir Percival wrote all the story of her life and put it in her
+right hand, and so laid her in a barge and covered it with silk. And
+the wind arising drove the barge from land, and all the knights stood
+watching it till it was out of sight.
+
+Anon they returned to the castle, and forthwith fell a sudden tempest of
+thunder and lightning and rain, as if the earth were broken up: and half
+the castle was thrown down. Then came a voice to the three knights which
+said, "Depart ye now asunder till ye meet again where the maimed king is
+lying." So they parted and rode divers ways.
+
+Now after Sir Lancelot had left the hermit, he rode a long while till he
+knew not whither to turn, and so he lay down to sleep, if haply he might
+dream whither to go.
+
+And in his sleep a vision came to him saying, "Lancelot, rise up and
+take thine armor, and enter the first ship that thou shalt find."
+
+When he awoke he obeyed the vision, and rode till he came to the
+sea-shore, and found there a ship without sails or oars, and as soon as
+he was in it he smelt the sweetest savor he had ever known, and seemed
+filled with all things he could think of or desire. And looking round he
+saw a fair bed, and thereon a gentlewoman lying dead, who was Sir
+Percival's sister. And as Sir Lancelot looked on her he spied the
+writing in her right hand, and, taking it, he read therein her story.
+And more than a month thereafter he abode in that ship and was nourished
+by the grace of Heaven, as Israel was fed with manna in the desert.
+
+And on a certain night he went ashore to pass the time, for he was
+somewhat weary, and, listening, he heard a horse come towards him, from
+which a knight alighted and went up into the ship; who, when he saw Sir
+Lancelot, said, "Fair sir, ye be right welcome to mine eyes, for I am
+thy son Galahad, and long time I have sought for thee." With that he
+kneeled and asked his blessing, and took off his helm and kissed him,
+and the great joy there was between them no tongue can tell.
+
+Then for half a year they dwelt together in the ship, and served God
+night and day with all their powers, and went to many unknown islands,
+where none but wild beasts haunted, and there found many strange and
+perilous adventures.
+
+And upon a time they came to the edge of a forest, before a cross of
+stone, and saw a knight armed all in white, leading a white horse. Then
+the knight saluted them, and said to Galahad, "Ye have been long time
+enough with your father; now, therefore, leave him and ride this horse
+till ye achieve the Holy Quest."
+
+Then went Sir Galahad to his father and kissed him full courteously, and
+said, "Fair father, I know not when I shall see thee again."
+
+And as he took his horse a voice spake in their hearing, "Ye shall meet
+no more in this life."
+
+"Now, my son, Sir Galahad," said Sir Lancelot, "since we must so part
+and see each other never more, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+preserve both you and me."
+
+Then they bade farewell, and Sir Galahad entered the forest, and Sir
+Lancelot returned to the ship, and the wind rose and drove him more than
+a month through the sea, whereby he slept but little, yet ever prayed
+that he might see the Sangreal.
+
+So it befell upon a certain midnight, the moon shining clear, he came
+before a fair and rich castle, whereof the postern gate was open towards
+the sea, having no keeper save two lions in the entry.
+
+Anon Sir Lancelot heard a voice: "Leave now thy ship and go within the
+castle, and thou shalt see a part of thy desire."
+
+Then he armed and went towards the gate, and coming to the lions he drew
+out his sword, but suddenly a dwarf rushed out and smote him on the arm,
+so that he dropt his sword, and heard again the voice, "Oh, man of evil
+faith, and poor belief, wherefore trustest thou thine arms above thy
+Maker?" Then he put up his sword and signed the cross upon his forehead,
+and so passed by the lions without hurt.
+
+And going in, he found a chamber with the door shut, which in vain he
+tried to open. And listening thereat he heard a voice within, which sang
+so sweetly that it seemed no earthly thing, "Joy and honor be to the
+Father of Heaven!" Then he kneeled down at the door, for he knew well
+the Sangreal was there within.
+
+Anon the door was opened without hands, and forthwith came thereout so
+great a splendor as if all the torches of the world had been alight
+together. But when he would have entered in, a voice forbade him;
+wherefore he drew back, and looked, standing upon the threshold of the
+door. And there he saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered
+with red samite, and many angels round it holding burning candles and a
+cross and all the ornaments of the altar.
+
+Then a priest stood up and offered mass, and when he took the vessel up,
+he seemed to sink beneath that burden. At that Sir Lancelot cried, "O
+Father, take it not for sin that I go in to help the priest, who hath
+much need thereof." So saying, he went in, but when he came towards the
+table he felt a breath of fire which issued out therefrom and smote him
+to the ground, so that he had no power to rise.
+
+Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and laid him down
+outside the chapel door. There lay he in a swoon all through that night,
+and on the morrow certain people found him senseless, and bore him to an
+inner chamber and laid him on a bed. And there he rested, living, but
+moving no limbs, twenty-four days and nights.
+
+On the twenty-fifth day he opened his eyes and saw those standing round,
+and said, "Why have ye waked me? for I have seen marvels that no tongue
+can tell, and more than any heart can think."
+
+Then he asked where he was, and they told him, "In the Castle of
+Carbonek."
+
+"Tell your lord, King Pelles," said he, "that I am Sir Lancelot."
+
+At that they marveled greatly, and told their lord it was Sir Lancelot
+who had lain there so long.
+
+Then was King Pelles wondrous glad and went to see him, and prayed him
+to abide there for a season. But Sir Lancelot said, "I know well that I
+have now seen as much as mine eyes may behold of the Sangreal; wherefore
+I will return to my own country." So he took leave of King Pelles, and
+departed towards Logris.
+
+Now after Sir Galahad had parted from Sir Lancelot, he rode many days,
+till he came to the monastery where the blind King Evelake lay, whom Sir
+Percival had seen. And on the morrow, when he had heard mass, Sir
+Galahad desired to see the king, who cried out, "Welcome, Sir Galahad,
+servant of the Lord! long have I abided thy coming. Take me now in thine
+arms, that I may die in peace."
+
+At that Sir Galahad embraced him; and when he had so done the king's
+eyes were opened, and he said, "Fair Lord Jesus, suffer me now to come
+to Thee"; and anon his soul departed.
+
+Then they buried him royally, as a king should be; and Sir Galahad went
+on his way.
+
+Within a while he came to a chapel in a forest, in the crypt whereof he
+saw a tomb which always blazed and burnt. And asking the brethren what
+that might mean, they told him, "Joseph of Arimathea's son did found
+this monastery, and one who wronged him hath lain here these three
+hundred and fifty years and burneth evermore, until that perfect knight
+who shall achieve the Sangreal doth quench the fire."
+
+Then said he, "I pray ye bring me to the tomb."
+
+And when he touched the place immediately the fire was quenched, and a
+voice came from the grave and cried, "Thanks be to God, who now hath
+purged me of my sin, and draweth me from earthly pains into the joys of
+paradise."
+
+Then Sir Galahad took the body in his arms and bore it to the abbey, and
+on the morrow put it in the earth before the high altar.
+
+Anon he departed from thence and rode five days in a great forest; and
+after that he met Sir Percival, and a little further on Sir Bors. When
+they had told each other their adventures, they rode together to the
+Castle of Carbonek: and there King Pelles gave them hearty welcome, for
+he knew they should achieve the Holy Quest.
+
+As soon as they were come into the castle, a voice cried in the midst of
+the chamber, "Let them who ought not now to sit at the table of the Lord
+rise and depart hence!" Then all, save those three knights, departed.
+
+Anon they saw other knights come in with haste at the hall doors and
+take their harness off, who said to Sir Galahad, "Sir, we have tried
+sore to be with you at this table."
+
+"Ye be welcome," said he, "but whence are ye?"
+
+So three of them said they were from Gaul; and three from Ireland; and
+three from Denmark.
+
+Then came forth the likeness of a bishop, with a cross in his hand, and
+four angels stood by him, and a table of silver was before them, whereon
+was set the vessel of the Sangreal. Then came forth other angels
+also--two bearing burning candles, and the third a towel, and the
+fourth a spear which bled marvelously, the drops wherefrom fell into a
+box he held in his left hand. Anon the bishop took the wafer up to
+consecrate it, and at the lifting up, they saw the figure of a Child,
+whose visage was as bright as any fire, which smote itself into the
+midst of the wafer and vanished, so that all saw the flesh made bread.
+
+Thereat the bishop went to Galahad and kissed him, and bade him go and
+kiss his fellows; and said, "Now, servants of the Lord, prepare for food
+such as none ever yet were fed with since the world began."
+
+With that he vanished, and the knights were filled with a great dread
+and prayed devoutly.
+
+Then saw they come forth from the holy vessel the vision of a man
+bleeding all openly, whom they knew well by the tokens of His passion
+for the Lord Himself. At that they fell upon their faces and were dumb.
+Anon he brought the Holy Grail to them and spake high words of comfort,
+and, when they drank therefrom, the taste thereof was sweeter than any
+tongue could tell or heart desire. Then a voice said to Galahad, "Son,
+with this blood which drippeth from the spear anoint thou the maimed
+king and heal him. And when thou hast this done, depart hence with thy
+brethren in a ship that ye shall find, and go to the city of Sarras. And
+bear with thee the holy vessel, for it shall no more be seen in the
+realm of Logris."
+
+At that Sir Galahad walked to the bleeding spear, and therefrom
+anointing his fingers went out straightway to the maimed King Pelles,
+and touched his wound. Then suddenly he uprose from his bed as whole a
+man as ever he was, and praised God passing thankfully with all his
+heart.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival departed as they had been
+told; and when they had ridden three days they came to the sea-shore,
+and found the ship awaiting them. Therein they entered, and saw in the
+midst the silver table and the vessel of the Sangreal, covered with red
+samite. Then were they passing glad, and made great reverence thereto.
+And Sir Galahad prayed that now he might leave the world and pass to
+God. And presently, the while he prayed, a voice said to him, "Galahad,
+thy prayer is heard, and when thou asketh the death of the body thou
+shalt have it, and find the life of thy soul."
+
+But while they prayed and slept the ship sailed on, and when they woke
+they saw the city of Sarras before them, and the other ship wherein was
+Sir Percival's sister. Then the three knights took up the holy table and
+the Sangreal and went into the city; and there, in a chapel, they buried
+Sir Percival's sister right solemnly.
+
+Now at the gate of the town they saw an old cripple sitting, whom Sir
+Galahad called to help them bear their weight.
+
+"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I have gone a step
+without these crutches."
+
+"Care ye not," said Sir Galahad, "rise now and show goodwill."
+
+So he assayed to move, and found his limbs as strong as any man's might
+be, and running to the table helped to carry it.
+
+Anon there rose a rumor in the city that a cripple had been healed by
+certain marvelous strange knights.
+
+But the king, named Estouranse, who was a heathen tyrant, when he heard
+thereof took Sir Galahad and his fellows, and put them in prison in a
+deep hole. Therein they abode a great while, but ever the Sangreal was
+with them and fed them with marvelous sweet food, so that they fainted
+not, but had all joy and comfort they could wish.
+
+At the year's end the king fell sick and felt that he should die. Then
+sent he for the three knights, and when they came before him prayed
+their mercy for his trespasses against them. So they forgave him gladly,
+and anon he died.
+
+Then the chief men of the city took counsel together who should be king
+in his stead, and as they talked, a voice cried in their midst, "Choose
+ye the youngest of the three knights King Estouranse cast into prison
+for your king." At that they sought Sir Galahad and made him king with
+the assent of all the city, and else they would have slain him.
+
+But within a twelve-month came to him, upon a certain day, as he prayed
+before the Sangreal, a man in likeness of a bishop, with a great company
+of angels round about him, who offered mass, and afterwards called to
+Sir Galahad, "Come forth, thou servant of the Lord, for the time hath
+come thou hast desired so long."
+
+Then Sir Galahad lifted up his hands and prayed, "Now, blessed Lord!
+would I no longer live if it might please Thee."
+
+Anon the bishop gave him the sacrament, and when he had received it with
+unspeakable gladness, he said, "Who art thou, father?"
+
+"I am Joseph of Arimathea," answered he, "whom our Lord hath sent to
+bear thee fellowship."
+
+When he heard that, Sir Galahad went to Sir Percival and Sir Bors and
+kissed them and commended them to God, saying, "Salute for me Sir
+Lancelot, my father, and bid them remember this unstable world."
+
+Therewith he kneeled down and prayed, and suddenly his soul departed,
+and a multitude of angels bare it up to heaven. Then came a hand from
+heaven and took the vessel and the spear and bare them out of sight.
+
+Since then was never man so hardy as to say that he had seen the
+Sangreal.
+
+And after all these things, Sir Percival put off his armor and betook
+him to an hermitage, and within a little while passed out of this world.
+And Sir Bors, when he had buried him beside his sister, returned,
+weeping sore for the loss of his two brethren, to King Arthur, at
+Camelot.
+
+
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+SIR LANCELOT AND THE FAIR ELAINE
+
+
+Now after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled and all the knights
+who were left alive were come again to the Round Table, there was great
+joy in the court. And passing glad were King Arthur and Queen Guinevere
+to see Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, for they had been long absent in that
+quest.
+
+And so greatly was Sir Lancelot's fame now spread abroad that many
+ladies and damsels daily resorted to him and besought him for their
+champion; and all right quarrels did he gladly undertake for the
+pleasure of our Lord Christ. And always as much as he might he withdrew
+him from the queen.
+
+Wherefore Queen Guinevere, who counted him for her own knight, grew
+wroth with him, and on a certain day she called him to her chamber, and
+said thus: "Sir Lancelot, I daily see thy loyalty to me doth slack, for
+ever thou art absent from this court, and takest other ladies' quarrels
+on thee more than ever thou wert wont. Now do I understand thee, false
+knight, and therefore shall I never trust thee more. Depart now from my
+sight, and come no more within this court upon pain of thy head." With
+that she turned from him and would hear no excuses.
+
+So Sir Lancelot departed in heaviness of heart, and calling Sir Bors,
+Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, he told them how the queen had dealt with
+him.
+
+"Fair sir," replied Sir Bors, "remember what honor ye have in this
+country, and how ye are called the noblest knight in the world;
+wherefore go not, for women are hasty, and do often what they sore
+repent of afterwards. Be ruled by my advice. Take horse and ride to the
+hermitage beside Windsor, and there abide till I send ye better
+tidings."
+
+To that Sir Lancelot consented, and departed with a sorrowful
+countenance.
+
+Now when the queen heard of his leaving she was inwardly sorry, but made
+no show of grief, bearing a proud visage outwardly. And on a certain day
+she made a costly banquet to all the knights of the Round Table, to show
+she had as great joy in all others as in Sir Lancelot. And at the
+banquet were Sir Gawain, and his brothers Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris,
+and Sir Gareth; also Sir Modred, Sir Bors, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis,
+Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, Sir Palomedes, Sir Mador de la Port, and his
+cousin Sir Patrice--a knight of Ireland, Sir Pinell le Savage, and many
+more.
+
+Now Sir Pinell hated Sir Gawain because he had slain one of his kinsmen
+by treason; and Sir Gawain had a great love for all kinds of fruit,
+which, when Sir Pinell knew, he poisoned certain apples that were set
+upon the table, with intent to slay him. And so it chanced as they ate
+and made merry, Sir Patrice, who sat next to Sir Gawain, took one of the
+poisoned apples and eat it, and when he had eaten he suddenly swelled up
+and fell down dead.
+
+At that every knight leapt from the board ashamed and enraged nigh out
+of their wits, for they knew not what to say, yet seeing that the queen
+had made the banquet they all had suspicion of her.
+
+"My lady the queen," said Sir Gawain, "I wit well this fruit was meant
+for me, for all men know my love for it, and now had I been nearly
+slain; wherefore, I fear me, ye will be ashamed."
+
+"This shall not end so," cried Sir Mador de la Port; "now have I lost a
+noble knight of my own blood, and for this despite and shame I will be
+revenged to the uttermost."
+
+Then he challenged Queen Guinevere concerning the death of his cousin,
+but she stood still, sore abashed, and anon with her sorrow and dread,
+she swooned.
+
+At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur, and to him appealed Sir
+Mador, and impeached the queen.
+
+"Fair lords," said he, "full sorely am I troubled at this matter, for I
+must be rightful judge, and therein it repenteth me I may not do battle
+for my wife, for, as I deem, this deed was none of hers. But I suppose
+she will not lack a champion, and some good knight surely will put his
+body in jeopardy to save her."
+
+But all who had been bidden to the banquet said they could not hold the
+queen excused, or be her champions, for she had made the feast, and
+either by herself or servants must it have come.
+
+"Alas!" said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and no
+evil, so God help me in my need."
+
+"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you heartily as you be a
+righteous king give me a day when I may have justice."
+
+"Well," said the king, "I give ye this day fifteen days, when ye shall
+be ready and armed in the meadow beside Westminster, and if there be a
+knight to fight with you, God speed the right, and if not, then must my
+queen be burnt."
+
+When the king and queen were alone together he asked her how this case
+befell.
+
+"I wot not how or in what manner," answered she.
+
+"Where is Sir Lancelot?" said King Arthur, "for he would not grudge to
+do battle for thee."
+
+"Sir," said she, "I cannot tell you, but all his kinsmen deem he is not
+in this realm."
+
+"These be sad tidings," said the king; "I counsel ye to find Sir Bors,
+and pray him for Sir Lancelot's sake to do this battle for you."
+
+So the queen departed and sent for Sir Bors to her chamber, and besought
+his succor.
+
+"Madam," said he, "what would you have me do? for I may not with my
+honor take this matter on me, for I was at that same dinner, and all the
+other knights would have me ever in suspicion. Now do ye miss Sir
+Lancelot, for he would not have failed you in right nor yet in wrong,
+as ye have often proved, but now ye have driven him from the country."
+
+"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly at your mercy, and
+all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me."
+
+And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees before Sir Bors, and
+besought him to have mercy on her.
+
+Anon came in King Arthur also, and prayed him of his courtesy to help
+her, saying, "I require you for the love of Lancelot."
+
+"My lord," said he, "ye require the greatest thing of me that any man
+can ask, for if I do this battle for the queen I shall anger all my
+fellows of the Table Round; nevertheless, for my lord Sir Lancelot's
+sake, and for yours, I will that day be the queen's champion, unless
+there chance to come a better knight than I am to do battle for her."
+And this he promised on his faith.
+
+Then were the king and queen passing glad, and thanked him heartily, and
+so departed.
+
+But Sir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage where Sir Lancelot was, and
+told him all these tidings.
+
+"It has chanced as I would have it," said Sir Lancelot; "yet make ye
+ready for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Bors, "doubt not but ye shall have your will."
+
+But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he
+was to be the queen's champion, for there were few in the court but
+deemed her guilty.
+
+Then said Sir Bors, "Wit ye will, fair lords, it were a shame to us all
+to suffer so fair and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion,
+for ever hath she proved herself a lover of good knights; wherefore I
+doubt not she is guiltless of this treason."
+
+At that were some well pleased, but others rested passing wroth.
+
+And when the day was come, the king and queen and all the knights went
+to the meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be fought.
+Then the queen was put in ward, and a great fire was made round the iron
+stake, where she must be burnt if Sir Mador won the day.
+
+So when the heralds blew, Sir Mador rode forth, and took oath that Queen
+Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and his oath he would prove
+with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth
+Sir Bors, and said, "Queen Guinevere is in the right, and that will I
+prove with my hands."
+
+With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the
+battle. But Sir Bors tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come, till
+Sir Mador cried out to King Arthur, "Bid thy champion come forth, unless
+he dare not." Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and rode to
+the end of the lists.
+
+But ere he could meet Sir Mador he was aware of a knight upon a white
+horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield, who rode to him
+and said, "I pray you withdraw from this quarrel, for it is mine, and I
+have ridden far to fight in it."
+
+Thereat Sir Bors rode to King Arthur, and told him that another knight
+was come who would do battle for the queen.
+
+"Who is he?" said King Arthur.
+
+"I may not tell you," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to
+be here to-day, wherefore I am discharged."
+
+Then the king called that knight, and asked him if he would fight for
+the queen.
+
+"Therefore came I hither, Sir king," answered he; "but let us tarry no
+longer, for anon I have other matters to do. But wit ye well," said he
+to the Knights of the Round Table, "it is shame to ye for such a
+courteous queen to suffer this dishonor."
+
+And all men marveled who this knight might be, for none knew him save
+Sir Bors.
+
+Then Sir Mador and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and
+couching their spears, ran one against the other with all their might;
+and Sir Mador's spear broke short, but the strange knight bore both him
+and his horse down to the ground. Then lightly they leaped from their
+saddles and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and
+either gave the other many sad strokes and sore and deep wounds.
+
+Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Mador was a full strong and
+valiant knight. But at last the strange knight smote him to the earth,
+and gave him such a buffet on the helm as wellnigh killed him. Then did
+Sir Mador yield, and prayed his life.
+
+"I will but grant it thee," said the strange knight, "if thou wilt
+release the queen from this quarrel forever, and promise that no mention
+shall be made upon Sir Patrice's tomb that ever she consented to that
+treason."
+
+"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador.
+
+Then the knights parters took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and
+the other knight went straight to the stair foot of King Arthur's
+throne; and by that time was the queen come to the king again, and
+kissed him lovingly.
+
+Then both the king and she stooped down, and thanked the knight, and
+prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine.
+And when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir
+Lancelot. But when the queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground
+weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness
+when she had showed him such unkindness.
+
+Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great
+joy and mirth in the court. And Sir Mador and Sir Lancelot were soon
+healed of their wounds; and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to
+the court, and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinell, and
+not the queen, was guilty of Sir Patrice's death. Whereat the queen was
+held excused of all men, and Sir Pinell fled the country.
+
+So Sir Patrice was buried in the church of Winchester, and it was
+written on his tomb that Sir Pinell slew him with a poisoned apple, in
+error for Sir Gawain. Then, through Sir Lancelot's favor, the queen was
+reconciled to Sir Mador, and all was forgiven.
+
+Now fifteen days before the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the
+king proclaimed a tourney to be held that feast-day at Camelot, whereat
+himself and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come
+against them. So thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish
+of Ireland, and Sir Galahaut the noble prince, and many other nobles of
+divers countries.
+
+And King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the queen go with
+him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot, also, made excuses,
+saying he was not yet whole of his wounds.
+
+At that the king was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone
+towards Camelot. And by the way he lodged in a town called Astolat, and
+lay that night in the castle.
+
+As soon as he had gone, Sir Lancelot said to the queen, "This night I
+will rest, and to-morrow betimes will I take my way to Camelot; for at
+these jousts I will be against the king and his fellowship."
+
+"Ye may do as ye list," said Queen Guinevere; "but by my counsel ye will
+not be against the king, for in his company are many hardy knights, as
+ye well know."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray ye be not displeased with me, for I
+will take the adventure that God may send me."
+
+And on the morrow he went to the church and heard mass, and took his
+leave of the queen, and so departed.
+
+Then he rode long till he came to Astolat, and there lodged at the
+castle of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astolat, which was near the
+castle where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the king
+espied him, and knew him. Then said he to the knights, "I have just seen
+a knight who will fight full well at the joust toward which we go."
+
+"Who is it?" asked they.
+
+"As yet ye shall not know," he answered smiling.
+
+When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming the old baron came to him,
+saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was.
+
+Now Sir Bernard had a daughter passing beautiful, called the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that
+instant with her whole heart, and could not stay from gazing on him.
+
+On the morrow, Sir Lancelot asked the old baron to lend him a strange
+shield. "For," said he, "I would be unknown."
+
+"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for here is the shield
+of my eldest son, Sir Torre, who was hurt the day he was made knight, so
+that he cannot ride; and his shield, therefore, is not known. And, if it
+please you, my youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you to the
+jousts, for he is of his age full strong and mighty; and I deem ye be a
+noble knight, wherefore I pray ye tell me your name."
+
+"As to that," said Sir Lancelot, "ye must hold me excused at this time,
+but if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you; but
+in anywise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and lend me his
+brother's shield."
+
+Then, ere they departed, came Elaine, the baron's daughter, and said to
+Sir Lancelot, "I pray thee, gentle knight, to wear my token at
+to-morrow's tourney."
+
+"If I should grant you that, fair damsel," said he, "ye might say that I
+did more for you than ever I have done for lady or damsel."
+
+Then he bethought him that if he granted her request he would be the
+more disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon
+he said, "Fair damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet if thou wilt
+show it me."
+
+Thereat was she passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve broidered
+with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took, and put upon his helm. Then he
+prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking
+Sir Torre's shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavaine towards Camelot.
+
+On the morrow the trumpets blew for the tourney, and there was a great
+press of dukes and earls and barons and many noble knights; and King
+Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of
+Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland rode forth on King
+Arthur's side; and against them came the King of North Wales, the King
+of a Hundred Knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince
+Sir Galahaut.
+
+But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood behind the
+party which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove
+the weakest.
+
+Then was there a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a
+Hundred Knights smote down the King of Scotland; and Sir Palomedes, who
+was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galahaut. Then came fifteen
+Knights of the Round Table and beat back the Kings of Northumberland and
+North Wales with their knights.
+
+"Now," said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "if ye will help me, ye shall
+see yonder fellowship go back as fast as they came."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "I will do what I can."
+
+Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there, with
+one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five Knights of the Round Table, one
+after other, and Sir Lavaine overthrew two. And taking another spear,
+for his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and
+Sir Lavaine a fifth. Then, drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought
+fiercely on the right hand and the left, and unhorsed Sir Safire, Sir
+Epinogris, and Sir Galleron. At that the Knights of the Round Table
+withdrew themselves as well as they were able.
+
+"Now, mercy," said Sir Gawain, who sat by King Arthur; "what knight is
+that who doth such marvelous deeds of arms? I should deem him by his
+force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's token on his helm
+as never Lancelot doth."
+
+"Let him be," said King Arthur; "he will be better known, and do more
+ere he depart."
+
+Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his
+knights were sore ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel
+called together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed
+to join together in one band against the two strange knights. So they
+encountered Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse
+to the ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through
+the shield into the side, and the spear broke off and left the head in
+the wound.
+
+When Sir Lavaine saw that, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck
+him off his horse, and brought it to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to
+mount. Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bors and his horse to the ground, and
+in like manner served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and turning upon three
+other knights he smote them down also; while Sir Lavaine did many
+gallant deeds.
+
+But feeling himself now sorely wounded Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and
+proffered to fight with Sir Bors, who, by this time, was mounted anew.
+And as they met, Sir Ector and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of
+all three drave fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets, and
+his wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while
+he could yet endure, and smote Sir Bors a blow that bent his head down
+nearly to the ground and razed his helmet off and pulled him from his
+horse.
+
+Then rushing at Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, he smote them down, and might
+have slain all three, but when he saw their faces his heart forbade him.
+Leaving them, therefore, on the field, he hurled into the thickest of
+the press, and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before.
+
+And Sir Lavaine was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights;
+but Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them Knights
+of the Round Table.
+
+Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney,
+and the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight with the white
+shield who bore the red sleeve.
+
+But ere Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the King of the
+Hundred Knights, the King of North Wales, the King of Northumberland,
+and Sir Galahaut, and said to him, "Fair knight, God bless thee, for
+much have ye done this day for us; wherefore we pray ye come with us and
+receive the honor and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it."
+
+"My fair lords," said Sir Lancelot, "wit ye well if I have deserved
+thanks, I have sore bought them, for I am like never to escape with my
+life; therefore pray ye let me depart, for I am sore hurt. I take no
+thought of honor, for I had rather rest me than be lord of all the
+world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away
+from them.
+
+And Sir Lavaine rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still
+stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from
+the wound. Anon they came near a wood more than a mile from the lists,
+where he knew he could be hidden.
+
+Then said he to Sir Lavaine, "O gentle knight, help me to pull out this
+spear-head from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me."
+
+"Dear lord," said he, "I fain would help ye; but I dread to draw it
+forth, lest ye should die for loss of blood."
+
+"I charge you as you love me," said Sir Lancelot, "draw it out."
+
+So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavaine drew the spear
+forth from Sir Lancelot's side; whereat he gave a marvelous great shriek
+and ghastly groan, and all his blood leaped forth in a full stream. Then
+he sank swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death.
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do now?"
+
+And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him
+nigh half an hour while he lay quiet as one dead. But at the last he
+lifted up his eyes, and said, "I pray ye bear me on my horse again, and
+lead me to a hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence, for he was
+formerly a knight of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in
+medicine and herbs."
+
+So with great pain Sir Lavaine got him to his horse, and led him to the
+hermitage within the wood, beside a stream. Then knocked he with his
+spear upon the door, and prayed to enter. At that a child came out, to
+whom he said, "Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither
+and let in a knight who is sore wounded."
+
+Anon came out the knight-hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked,
+"Who is this wounded knight?"
+
+"I know not," said Sir Lavaine, "save that he is the noblest knight I
+ever met with, and hath done this day such marvelous deeds of arms
+against King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the tourney."
+
+Then the hermit gazed long on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him, so pale
+he was with bleeding, yet said he at the last, "Who art thou, lord?"
+
+Sir Lancelot answered feebly, "I am a stranger knight adventurous, who
+laboreth through many realms to win worship."
+
+"Why hidest thou thy name, dear lord, from me?" cried Sir Baldwin; "for
+in sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world--my
+lord Sir Lancelot du Lake, with whom I long had fellowship at the Round
+Table."
+
+"Since ye know me, fair sir," said he, "I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to
+help me if ye may."
+
+"Doubt not," replied he, "that ye shall live and fare right well."
+
+Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials
+till he was refreshed from his faintness and came to himself again.
+
+Now after the jousting was done King Arthur held a feast, and asked to
+see the knight with the red sleeve that he might take the prize. So they
+told him how that knight had ridden from the field wounded nigh to
+death. "These be the worst tidings I have heard for many years," cried
+out the king; "I would not for my kingdom he were slain."
+
+Then all men asked, "Know ye him, lord?"
+
+"I may not tell ye at this time," said he; "but would to God we had good
+tidings of him."
+
+Then Sir Gawain prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the king
+gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted and rode many leagues round
+Camelot, but could hear no tidings.
+
+Within two days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from
+Camelot, and Sir Gawain chanced to lodge at Astolat, in the house of Sir
+Bernard. And there came in the fair Elaine to him, and prayed him news
+of the tournament, and who won the prize. "A knight with a white
+shield," said he, "who bare a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all
+comers and won the day."
+
+At that the visage of Elaine changed suddenly from white to red, and
+heartily she thanked our Lady.
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, "Know ye that knight?" and urged her till she told
+him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sir Gawain knew it was for love
+that she had given it; and when he heard she kept his proper shield he
+prayed to see it.
+
+As soon as it was brought he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon, and cried,
+"Alas! now am I heavier of heart than ever yet."
+
+"Wherefore?" said fair Elaine.
+
+"Fair damsel," answered he, "know ye not that the knight ye love is of
+all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot du Lake? With all my
+heart I pray ye may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think that
+ye shall see him in this world again, for he is so sore wounded he may
+scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him."
+
+Then was Elaine nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words
+she prayed her father that she might go seek Sir Lancelot and her
+brother. So in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed.
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Gawain to the court, and told how he had
+found Sir Lancelot's shield in Elaine's keeping, and how it was her
+sleeve which he had worn; whereat all marveled, for Sir Lancelot had
+done for her more than he had ever done for any woman.
+
+But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and
+sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir
+Lancelot had been hurt--"Have ye now heard," said she, "how falsely Sir
+Lancelot hath betrayed me?"
+
+"I beseech thee, madam," said he, "speak not so, for else I may not hear
+thee."
+
+"Shall I not call him traitor," cried she, "who hath worn another lady's
+token at the jousting?"
+
+"Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent," replied Sir Bors, "but
+that he might be better hidden, for never did he in that wise before."
+
+"Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him," cried the queen.
+
+"Madam, say what ye will," said he; "but I must haste to seek him, and
+God send me soon good tidings of him."
+
+So with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot.
+
+Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astolat, and come to Camelot,
+and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot.
+And so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the hermitage to
+exercise his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud,
+"How doth my lord Sir Lancelot fare?"
+
+Then said Sir Lavaine, marveling greatly, "How know ye my lord's name,
+fair sister?"
+
+So she told him how Sir Gawain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir
+Lancelot's shield.
+
+Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came to the
+hermitage and found him lying there sore sick and bleeding, she swooned
+for sorrow. Anon, as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her, and said,
+"Fair maid, I pray ye take comfort, for, by God's grace, I shall be
+shortly whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me, I am heartily
+bounden to your great kindness." Yet was he sore vexed to hear Sir
+Gawain had discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full
+wroth because of the red sleeve.
+
+So Elaine rested in the hermitage, and ever night and day she watched
+and waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as
+she saw him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no
+means withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "I pray thee
+set some to watch for the good knight Sir Bors, for as he hurt me, so
+will he surely seek for me."
+
+Now Sir Bors by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir
+Lancelot everywhere, so Sir Lavaine soon found him, and brought him to
+the hermitage.
+
+And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pity and
+sorrow that he had given him that grievous wound. "God send thee a right
+speedy cure, dear lord," said he; "for I am of all men most unhappy to
+have wounded thee, who art our leader, and the noblest knight in all the
+world."
+
+"Fair cousin," said Sir Lancelot, "be comforted, for I have but gained
+what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, for had I
+warned ye of my coming it had not been; wherefore let us speak of other
+things."
+
+So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the queen's
+anger. Then he asked Sir Lancelot, "Was it from this maid who tendeth
+you so lovingly ye had the token?"
+
+"Yea," said Sir Lancelot; "and would I could persuade her to withdraw
+her love from me."
+
+"Why should ye do so?" said Sir Bors; "for she is passing fair and
+loving. I would to heaven ye could love her."
+
+"That may not be," replied he; "but it repenteth me in sooth to grieve
+her."
+
+Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at
+Allhallowtide next coming, between King Arthur and the King of North
+Wales.
+
+"Abide with me till then," said Sir Lancelot, "for by that time I trust
+to be all whole again, and we will go together."
+
+So Elaine daily and nightly tending him, within a month he felt so
+strong he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day, when Sir Bors and
+Sir Lavaine were from the hermitage, and the knight-hermit also was gone
+forth, Sir Lancelot prayed Elaine to bring him some herbs from the
+forest.
+
+When she was gone he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he
+were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh
+with lack of labor for so long a time. But when he set his spear in the
+rest and tried his armor, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so
+that Sir Lancelot strained to keep him back. And therewith his wound,
+which was not wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan
+he sank down swooning on the ground.
+
+At that came fair Elaine and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying
+so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them
+traitors to let him rise, or to know any rumor of the tournament. Anon
+the hermit returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen, but within
+a while he recovered him from his swoon and staunched the wound. Then
+Sir Lancelot told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his
+strength for the tournament. But the hermit bade him rest and let Sir
+Bors go alone, for else would he sorely peril his life. And Elaine,
+with tears, prayed him in the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end
+consented.
+
+So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of
+arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Gawain, who did like
+valiantly.
+
+And when all was over he came back and told Sir Lancelot, and found him
+so nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter
+he departed from the hermitage and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavaine, and
+fair Elaine to Astolat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them.
+
+But after they had lodged there a few days Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors
+must needs depart and return to King Arthur's court.
+
+So when Elaine knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said,
+"Have mercy on me, fair knight, and let me not die for your love."
+
+Then said Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, "Fair maid, what would ye
+that I should do for you?"
+
+"If I may not be your wife, dear lord," she answered, "I must die."
+
+"Alas!" said he, "I pray heaven that may not be; for in sooth I may not
+be your husband. But fain would I show ye what thankfulness I can for
+all your love and kindness to me. And ever will I be your knight, fair
+maiden; and if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right
+heartily will I give ye such a dower as half my lands will bring."
+
+"Alas! what shall that aid me?" answered she; "for I must die," and
+therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon.
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard
+and Sir Lavaine, "What shall I do for her?"
+
+"Alas!" said Sir Bernard, "I know well that she will die for your sake."
+
+And Sir Lavaine said, "I marvel not that she so sorely mourneth your
+departure, for truly I do as she doth, and since I once have seen you,
+lord, I cannot leave you."
+
+So anon, with a full sorrowful heart, Sir Lancelot took his leave, and
+Sir Lavaine rode with him to the court. And King Arthur and the Knights
+of the Round Table joyed greatly to see him whole of his wound, but
+Queen Guinevere was sorely wroth, and neither spake with him nor greeted
+him.
+
+Now when Sir Lancelot had departed, the Maid of Astolat could neither
+eat, nor drink, nor sleep for sorrow; and having thus endured ten days,
+she felt within herself that she must die.
+
+Then sent she for a holy man, and was shriven and received the
+sacrament. But when he told her she must leave her earthly thoughts, she
+answered, "Am I not an earthly woman? What sin is it to love the noblest
+knight of all the world? And, by my truth, I am not able to withstand
+the love whereof I die; wherefore, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+have mercy on my soul."
+
+Then she besought Sir Bernard to indite a letter as she should devise,
+and said, "When I am dead put this within my hand, and dress me in my
+fairest clothes, and lay me in a barge all covered with black samite,
+and steer it down the river till it reach the court. Thus, father, I
+beseech thee let it be."
+
+Then, full of grief, he promised her it should be so. And anon she died,
+and all the household made a bitter lamentation over her.
+
+Then did they as she had desired, and laid her body, richly dressed,
+upon a bed within the barge, and a trusty servant steered it down the
+river towards the court.
+
+Now King Arthur and Queen Guinevere sat at a window of the palace, and
+saw the barge come floating with the tide, and marveled what was laid
+therein, and sent a messenger to see, who, soon returning, prayed them
+to come forth.
+
+When they came to the shore they marveled greatly, and the king asked of
+the serving-man who steered the barge what this might mean. But he made
+signs that he was dumb, and pointed to the letter in the damsel's hands.
+So King Arthur took the letter from the hand of the corpse, and found
+thereon written, "To the noble knight, Sir Lancelot du Lake."
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot sent for, and the letter read aloud by a clerk,
+and thus it was written:--
+
+"Most noble knight, my lord Sir Lancelot, now hath death forever parted
+us. I, whom men call the Maid of Astolat, set my love upon you, and have
+died for your sake. This is my last request, that ye pray for my soul
+and give me burial. Grant me this, Sir Lancelot, as thou art a peerless
+knight."
+
+At these words the queen and all the knights wept sore for pity.
+
+Then said Sir Lancelot, "My lord, I am right heavy for the death of this
+fair damsel; and God knoweth that right unwillingly I caused it, for she
+was good as she was fair, and much was I beholden to her; but she loved
+me beyond measure, and asked me that I could not give her."
+
+"Ye might have shown her gentleness enough to save her life," answered
+the queen.
+
+"Madam," said he, "she would but be repaid by my taking her to wife, and
+that I could not grant her, for love cometh of the heart and not by
+constraint."
+
+"That is true," said the king; "for love is free."
+
+"I pray you," said Sir Lancelot, "let me now grant her last asking, to
+be buried by me."
+
+So on the morrow, he caused her body to be buried richly and solemnly,
+and ordained masses for her soul, and made great sorrow over her.
+
+Then the queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and prayed his pardon for her
+wrath against him without cause. "This is not the first time it hath
+been so," answered he; "yet must I ever bear with ye, and so do I now
+forgive you."
+
+So Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot were made friends again; but anon
+such favor did she show him, as in the end brought many evils on them
+both and all the realm.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+Within a while thereafter was a jousting at the court, wherein Sir
+Lancelot won the prize. And two of those he smote down were Sir
+Agravaine, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modred, his false
+brother--King Arthur's son by Belisent. And because of his victory they
+hated Sir Lancelot, and sought how they might injure him.
+
+So on a night, when King Arthur was hunting in the forest, and the queen
+sent for Sir Lancelot to her chamber, they two espied him; and thinking
+now to make a scandal and a quarrel between Lancelot and the king, they
+found twelve others, and said Sir Lancelot was ever now in the queen's
+chamber, and King Arthur was dishonored.
+
+Then, all armed, they came suddenly round the queen's door, and cried,
+"Traitor! now art thou taken."
+
+"Madam, we be betrayed," said Sir Lancelot; "yet shall my life cost
+these men dear."
+
+Then did the queen weep sore, and dismally she cried, "Alas! there is
+no armor here whereby ye might withstand so many; wherefore ye will be
+slain, and I be burnt for the dread crime they will charge on me."
+
+But while she spake the shouting of the knights was heard without,
+"Traitor, come forth, for now thou art snared!"
+
+"Better were twenty deaths at once than this vile outcry," said Sir
+Lancelot.
+
+Then he kissed her and said, "Most noble lady, I beseech ye, as I have
+ever been your own true knight, take courage; pray for my soul if I be
+now slain, and trust my faithful friends, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, to
+save you from the fire."
+
+But ever bitterly she wept and moaned, and cried, "Would God that they
+would take and slay me, and that thou couldest escape."
+
+"That shall never be," said he. And wrapping his mantle round his arm he
+unbarred the door a little space, so that but one could enter.
+
+Then first rushed in Sir Chalaunce, a full strong knight, and lifted up
+his sword to smite Sir Lancelot; but lightly he avoided him, and struck
+Sir Chalaunce, with his hand, such a sore buffet on the head as felled
+him dead upon the floor.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot pulled in his body and barred the door again, and
+dressed himself in his armor, and took his drawn sword in his hand.
+
+But still the knights cried mightily without the door, "Traitor, come
+forth!"
+
+"Be silent and depart," replied Sir Lancelot; "for be ye sure ye will
+not take me, and to-morrow will I meet ye face to face before the king."
+
+"Ye shall have no such grace," they cried; "but we will slay thee, or
+take thee as we list."
+
+"Then save yourselves who may," he thundered, and therewith suddenly
+unbarred the door and rushed forth at them. And at the first blow he
+slew Sir Agravaine, and after him twelve other knights, with twelve more
+mighty buffets. And none of all escaped him save Sir Modred, who, sorely
+wounded, flew away for life.
+
+Then returned he to the queen, and said, "Now, madam, will I depart, and
+if ye be in any danger I pray ye come to me."
+
+"Surely will I stay here, for I am queen," she answered; "yet if
+to-morrow any harm come to me I trust to thee for rescue."
+
+"Have ye no doubt of me," said he, "for ever while I live am I your own
+true knight."
+
+Therewith he took his leave, and went and told Sir Bors and all his
+kindred of this adventure. "We will be with thee in this quarrel," said
+they all; "and if the queen be sentenced to the fire, we certainly will
+save her."
+
+Meanwhile Sir Modred, in great fear and pain, fled from the court, and
+rode until he found King Arthur, and told him all that had befallen. But
+the king would scarce believe him till he came and saw the bodies of Sir
+Agravaine and all the other knights.
+
+Then felt he in himself that all was true, and with his passing grief
+his heart nigh broke. "Alas!" cried he, "now is the fellowship of the
+Round Table forever broken: yea, woe is me! I may not with my honor
+spare my queen."
+
+Anon it was ordained that Queen Guinevere should be burned to death,
+because she had dishonored King Arthur.
+
+But when Sir Gawain heard thereof, he came before the king, and said,
+"My lord, I counsel thee be not too hasty in this matter, but stay the
+judgment of the queen a season, for it may well be that Sir Lancelot was
+in her chamber for no evil, seeing she is greatly beholden to him for so
+many deeds done for her sake, and peradventure she had sent to him to
+thank him, and did it secretly that she might avoid slander."
+
+But King Arthur answered, full of grief, "Alas! I may not help her; she
+is judged as any other woman."
+
+Then he required Sir Gawain and his brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir
+Gareth, to be ready to bear the queen to-morrow to the place of
+execution.
+
+"Nay, noble lord," replied Sir Gawain, "that can I never do; for neither
+will my heart suffer me to see the queen die, nor shall men ever say I
+was of your counsel in this matter."
+
+Then said his brother, "Ye may command us to be there, but since it is
+against our will, we will be without arms, that we may do no battle
+against her."
+
+So on the morrow was Queen Guinevere led forth to die by fire, and a
+mighty crowd was there, of knights and nobles, armed and unarmed. And
+all the lords and ladies wept sore at that piteous sight. Then was she
+shriven by a priest, and the men came nigh to bind her to the stake and
+light the fire.
+
+At that Sir Lancelot's spies rode hastily and told him and his kindred,
+who lay hidden in a wood hard by; and suddenly, with twenty knights, he
+rushed into the midst of all the throng to rescue her.
+
+But certain of King Arthur's knights rose up and fought with them, and
+there was a full great battle and confusion. And Sir Lancelot drave
+fiercely here and there among the press, and smote on every side, and at
+every blow struck down a knight, so that many were slain by him and his
+fellows.
+
+Then was the queen set free, and caught up on Sir Lancelot's saddle and
+fled away with him and all his company to the Castle of La Joyous Garde.
+
+Now so it chanced that, in the turmoil of the fighting, Sir Lancelot had
+unawares struck down and slain the two good knights Sir Gareth and Sir
+Gaheris, knowing it not, for he fought wildly, and saw not that they
+were unarmed.
+
+When King Arthur heard thereof, and of all that battle, and the rescue
+of the queen, he sorrowed heavily for those good knights, and was
+passing wroth with Lancelot and the queen.
+
+But when Sir Gawain heard of his brethren's death he swooned for sorrow
+and wrath, for he wist that Sir Lancelot had killed them in malice. And
+as soon as he recovered he ran in to the king, and said, "Lord king and
+uncle, hear this oath which now I swear, that from this day I will not
+fail Sir Lancelot till one of us hath slain the other. And now, unless
+ye haste to war with him, that we may be avenged, will I myself alone go
+after him."
+
+Then the king, full of wrath and grief, agreed thereto, and sent letters
+throughout the realm to summon all his knights, and went with a vast
+army to besiege the Castle of La Joyous Garde. And Sir Lancelot, with
+his knights, mightily defended it; but never would he suffer any to go
+forth and attack one of the king's army, for he was right loth to fight
+against him.
+
+So when fifteen weeks were passed, and King Arthur's army wasted itself
+in vain against the castle, for it was passing strong, it chanced upon a
+day Sir Lancelot was looking from the walls and espied King Arthur and
+Sir Gawain close beside.
+
+"Come forth, Sir Lancelot," said King Arthur right fiercely, "and let us
+two meet in the midst of the field."
+
+"God forbid that I should encounter with thee, lord, for thou didst make
+me a knight," replied Sir Lancelot.
+
+Then cried Sir Gawain, "Shame on thee, traitor and false knight, yet be
+ye well assured we will regain the queen and slay thee and thy company;
+yea, double shame on ye to slay my brother Gaheris unarmed, Sir Gareth
+also, who loved ye so well. For that treachery, be sure I am thine enemy
+till death."
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that I hear such tidings, for I knew not I
+had slain those noble knights, and right sorely now do I repent it with
+a heavy heart. Yet abate thy wrath, Sir Gawain, for ye know full well I
+did it by mischance, for I loved them ever as my own brothers."
+
+"Thou liest, false recreant," cried Sir Gawain, fiercely.
+
+At that Sir Lancelot was wroth, and said, "I well see thou art now mine
+enemy, and that there can be no more peace with thee, or with my lord
+the king, else would I gladly give back the queen."
+
+Then the king would fain have listened to Sir Lancelot, for more than
+all his own wrong did he grieve at the sore waste and damage of the
+realm, but Sir Gawain persuaded him against it, and ever cried out
+foully on Sir Lancelot.
+
+When Sir Bors and the other knights of Lancelot's party heard the fierce
+words of Sir Gawain, they were passing wroth, and prayed to ride forth
+and be avenged on him, for they were weary of so long waiting to no
+good. And in the end Sir Lancelot, with a heavy heart, consented.
+
+So on the morrow the hosts on either side met in the field, and there
+was a great battle. And Sir Gawain prayed his knights chiefly to set
+upon Sir Lancelot; but Sir Lancelot commanded his company to forbear
+King Arthur and Sir Gawain.
+
+So the two armies jousted together right fiercely, and Sir Gawain
+proffered to encounter with Sir Lionel, and overthrew him. But Sir Bors
+and Sir Blamor, and Sir Palomedes, who were on Sir Lancelot's side, did
+great feats of arms, and overthrew many of King Arthur's knights.
+
+Then the king came forth against Sir Lancelot, but Sir Lancelot forbore
+him and would not strike again.
+
+At that Sir Bors rode up against the king and smote him down. But Sir
+Lancelot cried, "Touch him not on pain of thy head," and going to King
+Arthur he alighted and gave him his own horse, saying, "My lord, I pray
+thee forbear this strife, for it can bring to neither of us any honor."
+
+And when King Arthur looked on him the tears came to his eyes as he
+thought of his noble courtesy, and he said within himself, "Alas! that
+ever this war began."
+
+But on the morrow Sir Gawain led forth the army again, and Sir Bors
+commanded on Sir Lancelot's side. And they two struck together so
+fiercely that both fell to the ground sorely wounded; and all the day
+they fought till night fell, and many were slain on both sides, yet in
+the end neither gained the victory.
+
+But by now the fame of this fierce war spread through all Christendom,
+and when the Pope heard thereof he sent a Bull, and charged King Arthur
+to make peace with Lancelot, and receive back Queen Guinevere; and for
+the offense imputed to her absolution should be given by the Pope.
+
+Thereto would King Arthur straightway have obeyed, but Sir Gawain ever
+urged him to refuse.
+
+When Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he wrote thus to the king: "It was
+never in my thought, lord, to withhold thy queen from thee; but since
+she was condemned for my sake to death, I deemed it but a just and
+knightly part to rescue her therefrom; wherefore I recommend me to your
+grace, and within eight days will I come to thee and bring the queen in
+safety."
+
+Then, within eight days, as he had said, Sir Lancelot rode from out the
+castle with Queen Guinevere, and a hundred knights for company, each
+carrying an olive branch, in sign of peace. And so they came to the
+court, and found King Arthur sitting on his throne, with Sir Gawain and
+many other knights around him. And when Sir Lancelot entered with the
+queen, they both kneeled down before the king.
+
+Anon Sir Lancelot rose and said, "My lord, I have brought hither my lady
+the queen again, as right requireth, and by commandment of the Pope and
+you. I pray ye take her to your heart again and forget the past. For
+myself I may ask nothing, and for my sin I shall have sorrow and sore
+punishment; yet I would to heaven I might have your grace."
+
+But ere the king could answer, for he was moved with pity at his words,
+Sir Gawain cried aloud, "Let the king do as he will, but be sure, Sir
+Lancelot, thou and I shall never be accorded while we live, for thou has
+slain my brethren traitorously and unarmed."
+
+"As heaven is my help," replied Sir Lancelot, "I did it ignorantly, for
+I loved them well, and while I live I shall bewail their death; but to
+make war with me were no avail, for I must needs fight with thee if thou
+assailest, and peradventure I might kill thee also, which I were right
+loth to do."
+
+"I will forgive thee never," cried Sir Gawain, "and if the king
+accordeth with thee he shall lose my service."
+
+Then the knights who stood near tried to reconcile Sir Gawain to Sir
+Lancelot, but he would not hear them. So, at the last, Sir Lancelot
+said, "Since peace is vain, I will depart, lest I bring more evil on my
+fellowship."
+
+And as he turned to go, the tears fell from him, and he said, "Alas,
+most noble Christian realm, which I have loved above all others, now
+shall I see thee never more!" Then said he to the queen, "Madam, now
+must I leave ye and this noble fellowship forever. And, I beseech ye,
+pray for me, and if ye ever be defamed of any, let me hear thereof, and
+as I have been ever thy true knight in right and wrong, so will I be
+again."
+
+With that he kneeled and kissed King Arthur's hands, and departed on his
+way. And there was none in all that court, save Sir Gawain alone, but
+wept to see him go.
+
+So he returned with all his knights to the Castle of La Joyous Garde,
+and, for his sorrow's sake, he named it Dolorous Garde thenceforth.
+
+Anon he left the realm, and went with many of his fellowship beyond the
+sea to France, and there divided all his lands among them equally, he
+sharing but as the rest.
+
+And from that time forward peace had been between him and King Arthur,
+but for Sir Gawain, who left the king no rest, but constantly persuaded
+him that Lancelot was raising mighty hosts against him.
+
+So in the end his malice overcame the king, who left the government in
+charge of Modred, and made him guardian of the queen, and went with a
+great army to invade Sir Lancelot's lands.
+
+Yet Sir Lancelot would make no war upon the king, and sent a message to
+gain peace on any terms King Arthur chose. But Sir Gawain met the herald
+ere he reached the king, and sent him back with taunting and bitter
+words. Whereat Sir Lancelot sorrowfully called his knights together and
+fortified the Castle of Benwicke, and there was shortly besieged by the
+army of King Arthur.
+
+And every day Sir Gawain rode up to the walls, and cried out foully on
+Sir Lancelot, till, upon a time, Sir Lancelot answered him that he would
+meet him in the field and put his boasting to the proof. So it was
+agreed on both sides that there should none come nigh them or separate
+them till one had fallen or yielded; and they two rode forth.
+
+Then did they wheel their horses apart, and turning, came together as it
+had been thunder, so that both horses fell, and both their lances broke.
+At that they drew their swords and set upon each other fiercely, with
+passing grievous strokes.
+
+Now Sir Gawain had through magic a marvelous great gift. For every day,
+from morning till noon, his strength waxed to the might of seven men,
+but after that waned to his natural force. Therefore till noon he gave
+Sir Lancelot many mighty buffets, which scarcely he endured. Yet greatly
+he forbore Sir Gawain, for he was aware of his enchantment, and smote
+him slightly till his own knights marveled. But after noon Sir Gawain's
+strength sank fast, and then, with one full blow, Sir Lancelot laid him
+on the earth. Then Sir Gawain cried out, "Turn not away, thou traitor
+knight, but slay me if thou wilt, or else I will arise and fight with
+thee again some other time."
+
+"Sir knight," replied Sir Lancelot, "I never yet smote a fallen man."
+
+At that they bore Sir Gawain sorely wounded to his tent, and King Arthur
+withdrew his men, for he was loth to shed the blood of so many knights
+of his own fellowship.
+
+But now came tidings to King Arthur from across the sea, which caused
+him to return in haste. For thus the news ran, that no sooner was Sir
+Modred set up in his regency, than he had forged false tidings from
+abroad that the king had fallen in a battle with Sir Lancelot. Whereat
+he had proclaimed himself the king, and had been crowned at Canterbury,
+where he had held a coronation feast for fifteen days. Then he had gone
+to Winchester, where Queen Guinevere abode, and had commanded her to be
+his wife; whereto, for fear and sore perplexity, she had feigned
+consent, but, under pretext of preparing for the marriage, had fled in
+haste to London and taken shelter in the Tower, fortifying it and
+providing it with all manner of victuals, and defending it against Sir
+Modred, and answering to all his threats that she would rather slay
+herself than be his queen.
+
+Thus was it written to King Arthur. Then, in passing great wrath and
+haste, he came with all his army swiftly back from France and sailed to
+England. But when Sir Modred heard thereof, he left the Tower and
+marched with all his host to meet the king at Dover.
+
+Then fled Queen Guinevere to Amesbury to a nunnery, and there she
+clothed herself in sackcloth, and spent her time in praying for the king
+and in good deeds and fasting. And in that nunnery evermore she lived,
+sorely repenting and mourning for her sin, and for the ruin she had
+brought on all the realm. And there anon she died.
+
+And when Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he put his knightly armor off, and
+bade farewell to all his kin, and went a mighty pilgrimage for many
+years, and after lived a hermit till his death.
+
+When Sir Modred came to Dover, he found King Arthur and his army but
+just landed; and there they fought a fierce and bloody battle, and many
+great and noble knights fell on both sides.
+
+But the king's side had the victory, for he was beyond himself with
+might and passion, and all his knights so fiercely followed him, that,
+in spite of all their multitude, they drove Sir Modred's army back with
+fearful wounds and slaughter, and slept that night upon the
+battle-field.
+
+But Sir Gawain was smitten by an arrow in the wound Sir Lancelot gave
+him, and wounded to the death. Then was he borne to the king's tent,
+and King Arthur sorrowed over him as it had been his own son. "Alas!"
+said he; "in Sir Lancelot and in you I had my greatest earthly joy, and
+now is all gone from me."
+
+And Sir Gawain answered, with a feeble voice, "My lord and king, I know
+well my death is come, and through my own wilfulness, for I am smitten
+in the wound Sir Lancelot gave me. Alas! that I have been the cause of
+all this war, for but for me thou hadst been now at peace with Lancelot,
+and then had Modred never done this treason. I pray ye, therefore, my
+dear lord, be now agreed with Lancelot, and tell him, that although he
+gave me my death-wound, it was through my own seeking; wherefore I
+beseech him to come back to England, and here to visit my tomb, and pray
+for my soul."
+
+When he had thus spoken, Sir Gawain gave up his ghost, and the king
+grievously mourned for him.
+
+Then they told him that the enemy had camped on Barham Downs, whereat,
+with all his hosts, he straightway marched there, and fought again a
+bloody battle, and overthrew Sir Modred utterly. Howbeit, he raised yet
+another army, and retreating ever from before the king, increased his
+numbers as he went, till at the farthest west in Lyonesse, he once more
+made a stand.
+
+Now, on the night of Trinity Sunday, being the eve of the battle, King
+Arthur had a vision, and saw Sir Gawain in a dream, who warned him not
+to fight with Modred on the morrow, else he would be surely slain; and
+prayed him to delay till Lancelot and his knights should come to aid
+him.
+
+So when King Arthur woke he told his lords and knights that vision, and
+all agreed to wait the coming of Sir Lancelot. Then a herald was sent
+with a message of truce to Sir Modred, and a treaty was made that
+neither army should assail the other.
+
+But when the treaty was agreed upon, and the heralds returned, King
+Arthur said to his knights, "Beware, lest Sir Modred deceive us, for I
+in no wise trust him, and if swords be drawn be ready to encounter!" And
+Sir Modred likewise gave an order, that if any man of the king's army
+drew his sword, they should begin to fight.
+
+And as it chanced, a knight of the king's side was bitten by an adder in
+the foot, and hastily drew forth his sword to slay it. That saw Sir
+Modred, and forthwith commanded all his army to assail the king's.
+
+So both sides rushed to battle, and fought passing fiercely. And when
+the king saw there was no hope to stay them, he did right mightily and
+nobly as a king should do, and ever, like a lion, raged in the thickest
+of the press, and slew on the right hand and on the left, till his horse
+went fetlock deep in blood. So all day long they fought, and stinted not
+till many a noble knight was slain.
+
+But the king was passing sorrowful to see his trusty knights lie dead on
+every side. And at the last but two remained beside him, Sir Lucan, and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, and both were sorely wounded.
+
+"Now am I come to mine end," said King Arthur; "but, lo! that traitor
+Modred liveth yet, and I may not die till I have slain him. Now, give me
+my spear, Sir Lucan."
+
+"Lord, let him be," replied Sir Lucan; "for if ye pass through this
+unhappy day, ye shall be right well revenged upon him. My good lord,
+remember well your dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawain did
+fore-warn ye."
+
+"Betide me life, betide me death," said the king; "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I
+never have him."
+
+"God speed you well," said Sir Bedivere.
+
+Then King Arthur got his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir
+Modred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death-day come!" And when Sir
+Modred heard his words, and saw him come, he drew his sword and stood to
+meet him. Then King Arthur smote Sir Modred through the body more than a
+fathom. And when Sir Modred felt he had his death wound, he thrust
+himself with all his might up to the end of King Arthur's spear, and
+smote his father, Arthur, with his sword upon the head, so that it
+pierced both helm and brain-pan.
+
+And therewith Sir Modred fell down stark dead to the earth, and King
+Arthur fell down also in a swoon, and swooned many times.
+
+Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere came and bare him away to a little
+chapel by the sea-shore. And there Sir Lucan sank down with the
+bleeding of his own wounds, and fell dead.
+
+And King Arthur lay long in a swoon, and when he came to himself, he
+found Sir Lucan lying dead beside him, and Sir Bedivere weeping over the
+body of his brother.
+
+Then said the king to Sir Bedivere, "Weeping will avail no longer, else
+would I grieve forevermore. Alas! now is the fellowship of the Round
+Table dissolved forever, and all my realm I have so loved is wasted with
+war. But my time hieth fast, wherefore take thou Excalibur, my good
+sword, and go therewith to yonder water-side and throw it in, and bring
+me word what thing thou seest."
+
+So Sir Bedivere departed; but as he went he looked upon the sword, the
+hilt whereof was all inlaid with precious stones exceeding rich. And
+presently he said within himself, "If I now throw this sword into the
+water, what good should come of it?" So he hid the sword among the
+reeds, and came again to the king.
+
+"What sawest thou?" said he to Sir Bedivere.
+
+"Lord," said he, "I saw nothing else but wind and waves."
+
+"Thou hast untruly spoken," said the king; "wherefore go lightly back
+and throw it in, and spare not."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword up in his hand; but
+when he looked on it, he thought it sin and shame to throw away a thing
+so noble. Wherefore he hid it yet again, and went back to the king.
+
+"What saw ye?" said King Arthur.
+
+"Lord," answered he, "I saw nothing but the water ebbing and flowing."
+
+"Oh, traitor and untrue!" cried out the king; "twice hast thou now
+betrayed me. Art thou called of men a noble knight, and wouldest betray
+me for a jewelled sword? Now, therefore, go again for the last time, for
+thy tarrying hath put me in sore peril of my life, and I fear my wound
+hath taken cold; and if thou do it not this time, by my faith I will
+arise and slay thee with my hands."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere ran quickly and took up the sword, and went down to
+the water's edge, and bound the girdle round the hilt and threw it far
+into the water. And lo! an arm and hand came forth above the water, and
+caught the sword, and brandished it three times, and vanished.
+
+So Sir Bedivere came again to the king and told him what he had seen.
+
+"Help me from hence," said King Arthur; "for I dread me I have tarried
+over long."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere took the king up in his arms, and bore him to the
+water's edge. And by the shore they saw a barge with three fair queens
+therein, all dressed in black, and when they saw King Arthur they wept
+and wailed.
+
+"Now put me in the barge," said he to Sir Bedivere, and tenderly he did
+so.
+
+Then the three queens received him, and he laid his head upon the lap of
+one of them, who cried, "Alas! dear brother, why have ye tarried so
+long, for your wound hath taken cold?"
+
+With that the barge put from the land, and when Sir Bedivere saw it
+departing, he cried with a bitter cry, "Alas! my lord King Arthur, what
+shall become of me now ye have gone from me?"
+
+"Comfort ye," said King Arthur, "and be strong, for I may no more help
+ye. I go to the Vale of Avilion to heal me of my grievous wound, and if
+ye see me no more, pray for my soul."
+
+Then the three queens kneeled down around the king and sorely wept and
+wailed, and the barge went forth to sea, and departed slowly out of Sir
+Bedivere's sight.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the
+Round Table, by Unknown
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
+Table, by Unknown
+
+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: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: Rupert S. Holland
+
+Release Date: June 18, 2011 [EBook #36462]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING ARTHUR--KNIGHTS ROUND TABLE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Peter Vachuska, Dave Morgan, Mary Meehan and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
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+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h1>KING ARTHUR</h1>
+
+<h2><i>and the Knights of the Round Table</i></h2>
+
+<h2>EDITED BY RUPERT S. HOLLAND</h2>
+
+<h3>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</h3>
+
+<h3><i>Publishers</i>      NEW YORK</h3>
+
+<h3><i>Copyright, 1919, by<br />
+George W. Jacobs &amp; Company</i></h3>
+
+<h3><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></h3>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/front.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>"This girdle, lords," said she, "is made for the most
+part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the world, I loved full
+well."</h3>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a><br /><br />
+<a href="#THE_COMING_OF_ARTHUR_AND_THE_FOUNDING_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE">THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE</a><br />
+<a href="#I">I. <span class="smcap">Merlin Foretells the Birth of Arthur</span></a><br />
+<a href="#II">II. <span class="smcap">The Crowning of Arthur and the Sword Excalibur</span></a><br />
+<a href="#III">III. <span class="smcap">Arthur Drives the Saxons from His Realm</span></a><br />
+<a href="#IV">IV. <span class="smcap">The King's Many and Great Adventures</span></a><br />
+<a href="#V">V. <span class="smcap">Sir Balin Fights with His Brother, Sir Balan</span></a><br />
+<a href="#VI">VI. <span class="smcap">The Marriage of Arthur and Guinevere and the Founding of the Round
+Table</span></a><br />
+<a href="#VII">VII. <span class="smcap">The Adventure of Arthur and Sir Accolon of Gaul</span></a><br />
+<a href="#VIII">VIII. <span class="smcap">Arthur is Crowned Emperor at Rome</span></a><br />
+<a href="#IX">IX. <span class="smcap">Sir Gawain and the Maid with the Narrow Sleeves</span></a><br /><br />
+<a href="#THE_CHAMPIONS_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE">THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE</a><br />
+<a href="#X">X. <span class="smcap">The Adventures of Sir Lancelot</span></a><br />
+<a href="#XI">XI. <span class="smcap">The Adventures of Sir Beaumains or Sir Gareth</span></a><br />
+<a href="#XII">XII. <span class="smcap">The Adventures of Sir Tristram</span></a><br /><br />
+<a href="#SIR_GALAHAD_AND_THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAIL">SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL</a><br />
+<a href="#XIII">XIII. <span class="smcap">The Knights Go to Seek the Grail</span></a><br /><br />
+<a href="#THE_PASSING_OF_ARTHUR">THE PASSING OF ARTHUR</a><br />
+<a href="#XIV">XIV. <span class="smcap">Sir Lancelot and the Fair Elaine</span></a><br />
+<a href="#XV">XV. <span class="smcap">The War Between Arthur and Lancelot and the Passing of Arthur</span></a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+
+<p>King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table! What magic is in the
+words! How they carry us straight to the days of chivalry, to the
+witchcraft of Merlin, to the wonderful deeds of Lancelot and Perceval
+and Galahad, to the Quest for the Holy Grail, to all that "glorious
+company, the flower of men," as Tennyson has called the king and his
+companions! Down through the ages the stories have come to us, one of
+the few great romances which, like the tales of Homer, are as fresh and
+vivid to-day as when men first recited them in court and camp and
+cottage. Other great kings and paladins are lost in the dim shadows of
+long-past centuries, but Arthur still reigns in Camelot and his knights
+still ride forth to seek the Grail.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">"No little thing shall be<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The gentle music of the bygone years,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Long past to us with all their hopes and fears."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>So wrote the poet William Morris in <i>The Earthly Paradise</i>. And surely
+it is no small debt of gratitude we owe the troubadours and chroniclers
+and poets who through many centuries have sung of Arthur and his
+champions, each adding to the song the gifts of his own imagination, so
+building from simple folk-tales one of the most magnificent and moving
+stories in all literature.</p>
+
+<p>This debt perhaps we owe in greatest measure to three men; to Chrétien
+de Troies, a Frenchman, who in the twelfth century put many of the old
+Arthurian legends into verse; to Sir Thomas Malory, who first wrote out
+most of the stories in English prose, and whose book, the <i>Morte
+Darthur</i>, was printed by William Caxton, the first English printer, in
+1485; and to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who in his series of poems entitled
+the <i>Idylls of the King</i> retold the legends in new and beautiful guise
+in the nineteenth century.</p>
+
+<p>The history of Arthur is so shrouded in the mists of early England that
+it is difficult to tell exactly who and what he was. There probably was
+an actual Arthur, who lived in the island of Britain in the sixth
+century, but probably he was not a king nor even a prince. It seems most
+likely that he was a chieftain who led his countrymen to victory against
+the invading English about the year 500. So proud were his countrymen of
+his victories that they began to invent imaginary stories of his prowess
+to add to the fame of their hero, just as among all peoples legends soon
+spring up about the name of a great leader. As each man told the feats
+of Arthur he contributed those details that appealed most to his own
+fancy and each was apt to think of the hero as a man of his own time,
+dressing and speaking and living as his own kings and princes did, with
+the result that when we come to the twelfth century we find Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, in his <i>History of the Kings of Britain</i>, describing Arthur
+no longer as a half-barbarous Briton, wearing rude armor, his arms and
+legs bare, but instead as a most Christian king, the flower of mediæval
+chivalry, decked out in all the gorgeous trappings of a knight of the
+Crusades.</p>
+
+<p>As the story of Arthur grew it attracted to itself popular legends of
+all kinds. Its roots were in Britain and the chief threads in its fabric
+remained British-Celtic. The next most important threads were those that
+were added by the Celtic chroniclers of Ireland. Then stories that were
+not Celtic at all were woven into the legend, some from Germanic
+sources, which the Saxons or the descendants of the Franks may have
+contributed, and others that came from the Orient, which may have been
+brought back from the East by men returning from the Crusades. And if it
+was the Celts who gave us the most of the material for the stories of
+Arthur it was the French poets who first wrote out the stories and gave
+them enduring form.</p>
+
+<p>It was the Frenchman, Chrétien de Troies, who lived at the courts of
+Champagne and of Flanders, who put the old legends into verse for the
+pleasure of the noble lords and ladies that were his patrons. He
+composed six Arthurian poems. The first, which was written about 1160 or
+earlier, related the story of Tristram. The next was called <i>Érec et
+Énide</i>, and told some of the adventures that were later used by Tennyson
+in his <i>Geraint and Enid</i>. The third was <i>Cligès</i>, a poem that has
+little to do with the stories of Arthur and his knights as we have
+them. Next came the <i>Conte de la Charrette</i>, or <i>Le Chevalier de la
+Charrette</i>, which set forth the love of Lancelot and Guinevere. Then
+followed <i>Yvain</i>, or <i>Le Chevalier au Lion</i>, and finally came
+<i>Perceval</i>, or <i>Le Conte du Graal</i>, which gives the first account of the
+Holy Grail.</p>
+
+<p>None of these stories are to be found in the work of Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, who had written earlier in Latin, nor in any of the so-called
+chronicles. It was Chrétien who took the old folk-tales that men had
+been telling each other for centuries and put them into sprightly verse
+for the entertainment of his lords and ladies. He fashioned the stories
+according to the taste of his own gay courts, and so Arthur and his
+Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, Perceval and the other knights became far
+more like French people of the twelfth century than like Britons of the
+sixth. And in introducing the Holy Grail, that sacred and mystic cup
+that was supposed to hold drops of the blood of Christ and to have been
+carried to England by Joseph of Arimathea, Chrétien added to the
+Arthurian legends an old religious story that had had nothing to do with
+Arthur originally.</p>
+
+<p>From this point in its history that sturdy ancient English oak, the
+original story of Arthur and his knights, an account mainly of warlike
+adventures, sent forth four new branches that have now become part and
+parcel of the parent legend. These four branches are the story of
+Merlin, the story of Lancelot, the story of the Holy Grail, and the
+story of Tristram and Iseult. Some of the writers who came after
+Chrétien took one of these stories, some another, each enlarging his
+theme according to his own taste, until each story was the center of a
+large number of new and romantic offshoots. Practically all of them,
+however, were bound together by the thread that led from the court of
+the great King Arthur at Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Merlin, that man of magic, is the least important of the
+four branches, though Merlin is still an intensely interesting figure in
+the story of Arthur that we read to-day. The story of Lancelot was to
+prove very important; starting as a romance that had very little
+connection with Arthur, it became with Malory and Tennyson the real
+center of interest of the plot. The story of the Holy Grail proved
+almost equally important. In the earliest accounts of this Perceval was
+the knight chosen above all others to reach the Grail Castle, but
+Perceval was too rough and worldly a knight to suit the taste of the
+monks who wrote out the legends and so they created Galahad to take his
+place as their own ideal of perfection. And into these adventures are
+woven some of the tales of Sir Gawain, among them the delightful story
+of Gawain and the Little Maid with the Narrow Sleeves. To the legend of
+Perceval, Wolfram von Eschenbach, a Bavarian, added the story of the son
+of Perceval, or Parzival, as he calls him, the story of Lohengrin, the
+famous Swan-knight. Tristram and Iseult, the fourth of the branches,
+though less connected with Arthur than either Lancelot or the Holy
+Grail, became immensely popular with poets and remancers because of its
+great love story, and is to be found told again and again in widely
+varying forms all through the Middle Ages.</p>
+
+<p>So we have seen that a British chieftain, winning a great battle in the
+year 500, became in time celebrated throughout Europe as the greatest
+king of romance. So far it was mainly the French who had made him
+famous. Layamon, an English priest, had written a poem in English
+concerning Arthur shortly after 1200, and told of the founding of the
+Round Table, but it was to be a considerable time yet before any English
+writer was to attempt what the French had already done. Chaucer told
+none of the Arthurian stories, though he placed the scene of his <i>Wife
+of Bath's Tale</i> at King Arthur's court. An unknown English poet wrote
+<i>Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight</i> somewhere between 1350 and 1375. It
+is not until we come to the <i>Morte Darthur</i> of Sir Thomas Malory,
+finished in 1469 or 1470, that we reach the next great step in the
+history of the legends since the time of Chrétien de Troies. But in
+Malory's story Arthur steps forth resplendent, the kingly figure that we
+have to-day.</p>
+
+<p>Little is known concerning Sir Thomas Malory. He seems to have been a
+knight and country gentleman of Warwickshire, a member of Parliament in
+the reign of Henry VI, and later a soldier on the side of Lancaster in
+the Wars of the Roses. As a result of the victory of the party of York
+he had to retire from public life when Edward IV came to the throne, and
+lived quietly at his Warwickshire estate. He was familiar with life at
+court and with men-at-arms and he knew how popular the stories of King
+Arthur were becoming in England. So, being a man of education, he set to
+work to make a collection of the legends, using as his chief sources the
+French romances.</p>
+
+<p>Malory showed considerable originality in carrying out his plan. He made
+Arthur the central figure, taking the story of Merlin as an introduction
+to the birth of Arthur, instead of as a separate legend, and ending his
+account soon after the death of the king. He omitted a number of the
+older legends that had little to do with Arthur, many of them good
+stories, such as that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He made the
+England of his Arthur something like the England he knew, and his people
+became real and living instead of fanciful figures out of a far-distant
+past. His descriptions are vivid and lively and his style so engaging
+that his work of the fifteenth century is much read to-day. Three
+characters stand out from all the rest, Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere,
+and these three became in all stories and poems subsequent to Malory's
+time the main figures of the legends.</p>
+
+<p>Matthew Arnold attributed to Homer three great epic traits, swiftness,
+simplicity, and nobility. It is these three characteristics that have
+made the <i>Morte Darthur</i> so deservedly famous.</p>
+
+<p>With the printing of Malory's book by the first English printer, William
+Caxton, in 1485, we come to the end of the Middle Ages in literature.
+Manuscripts written out laboriously by monks and clerks were now to
+give way to the printed page. The age of Elizabeth was less than a
+century away, one of the golden ages of the poets. Yet few of the
+Elizabethans touched on the story of Arthur. The main exception was
+Edmund Spenser, who made Prince Arthur the hero of his great poem <i>The
+Faerie Queene</i>, but Spenser's Arthur and his knights and ladies have
+little in common with the figures in the old romances.</p>
+
+<p>The succeeding centuries, great as they were in English writers of
+genius, paid little attention to Arthur. Milton and Dryden made little
+use of the legends. Stories of ancient chivalry lost their vogue, novels
+were becoming popular and the poets chose themes closer to their own
+times and point of view. Not until the nineteenth century did Arthur
+come into his own again. Then the Victorian poets turned to him for
+inspiration. William Morris wrote <i>The Defence of Guenevere</i>, and a host
+of lesser poets tried their hands on similar themes. Swinburne told the
+story of <i>Tristram of Lyonesse</i> and the <i>Tale of Balen</i>, and James
+Russell Lowell composed his beautiful poem <i>The Vision of Sir Launfal</i>.
+Matthew Arnold wrote <i>Tristram and Iseult</i>. In 1850 Richard Wagner, the
+great German composer, produced his opera <i>Lohengrin</i>, and followed it
+with <i>Tristan und Isolde</i> and <i>Parsifal</i>. These tell the old stories in
+somewhat new form, and follow the early French romances rather than
+Malory.</p>
+
+<p>But the true descendant of Chrétien de Troies and Malory was Alfred
+Tennyson. The great work of this poet's life was his <i>Idylls of the
+King</i>, one of the finest achievements of English literature. He owed his
+inspiration chiefly to Malory. "The vision of Arthur as I have drawn
+him," Tennyson said to his son, "had come upon me when, little more than
+a boy, I first lighted upon Malory." He covered almost the entire field
+of the legends. The <i>Idylls of the King</i> are <i>The Coming of Arthur</i>,
+<i>Geraint and Enid</i>, <i>Merlin and Vivien</i>, <i>Lancelot and Elaine</i>, <i>The
+Holy Grail</i>, <i>Pelleas and Ettarre</i>, <i>Balin and Balan</i>, <i>The Last
+Tournament</i>, <i>Guinevere</i>, and <i>The Passing of Arthur</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Tennyson gives to the stories far more allegory, far more philosophy
+than the early poets gave them. His age was interested in philosophy and
+so, as was the case with each of the earlier poets, Tennyson handled the
+legends after the fashion of his own times. In his pages we see the
+characters as actual men and women, subtly drawn, concerned with right
+and wrong far more than with mere knightly adventures. Arthur and
+Lancelot and Guinevere hold the center of the stage, and it is the fate
+of these three that provides the great moving motive of the poems.</p>
+
+<p>To Tennyson we owe the most nearly perfect version of the story that
+dates back to a dim and legendary England. What verse more beautiful
+than his to tell of chivalry?</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Then, in the boyhood of the year,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Rode thro' the coverts of the deer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With blissful treble ringing clear.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">She seem'd a part of joyous Spring:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A gown of grass-green silk she wore,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Buckled with golden clasps before;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A light-green tuft of plumes she bore<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Closed in a golden ring."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>In beauty and dignity and human interest Tennyson gives us the great
+world of Arthurian legend in its most perfect form.</p>
+
+<p>Malory's <i>Morte Darthur</i> was not Tennyson's only source for the stories
+of his Idylls. The adventures of Geraint he took from the <i>Mabinogion</i>,
+a collection of mediæval Welsh tales translated with great charm and
+accuracy by Lady Charlotte Guest, and published in 1838. Also, though to
+a very limited extent, he drew some of his incidents from the history of
+Geoffrey of Monmouth and the other early writers of chronicles.</p>
+
+<p>The great panorama of stories that we group together under the title of
+<i>King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table</i>, when they are told in
+prose, are usually taken from Malory's book, the <i>Morte Darthur</i>,
+condensed in size, for Malory was frequently verbose, and related in
+more modern English. In this volume we have used as a basis the version
+prepared by Sir James Knowles, which is an abridgment of Malory's work
+as it was printed by Caxton, with a few additions from Geoffrey of
+Monmouth and other sources. To this we have added the story of Sir
+Gawain and the Maid with the Narrow Sleeves, which comes originally from
+the poem of <i>Perceval</i> by Chrétien de Troies.</p>
+
+<p>The stories seem naturally to group themselves into four divisions, The
+Coming of Arthur and the Founding of the Round Table, The Adventures of
+the Champions of the Round Table, Sir Galahad and the Quest of the Holy
+Grail, and The Passing of Arthur. Into these come all the great
+characters of the legends and all the surpassing adventures of the king
+and his knights.</p>
+
+<p>The story of how a half-barbarous British Chieftain became the greatest
+king of mediæval chivalry is a romance in itself. To him poets and
+chroniclers of all lands added one valorous knight after another, one
+amazing adventure on top of another, until the result was the greatest
+collection of legends that have gathered about any king in history. The
+story of the origin and growth of these world-famous legends is told in
+a most delightful book, <i>The Arthur of the English Poets</i>, by Howard
+Maynadier, and those who wish to get the historical background of King
+Arthur should turn to its pages.</p>
+
+<p>Those who love brave and knightly deeds, those who love the gorgeous
+trappings of mediæval romance, come to the story of Arthur and his Round
+Table, of Lancelot and Perceval and Galahad and Gawain, of Guinevere and
+Elaine, and of the Quest for the Holy Grail, and there shall be found
+the glories that you seek. The king and his knights ride out from
+Camelot. Here shall you join them on their great adventures!</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Rupert S. Holland.</span></p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="THE_COMING_OF_ARTHUR_AND_THE_FOUNDING_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE" id="THE_COMING_OF_ARTHUR_AND_THE_FOUNDING_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE"></a>THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I</h2>
+
+<h3>MERLIN FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR</h3>
+
+
+<p>King Vortigern the usurper sat upon his throne in London, when,
+suddenly, upon a certain day, ran in a breathless messenger, and cried
+aloud&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Arise, Lord King, for the enemy is come; even Ambrosius and Uther, upon
+whose throne thou sittest&mdash;and full twenty thousand with them&mdash;and they
+have sworn by a great oath, Lord, to slay thee, ere this year be done;
+and even now they march towards thee as the north wind of winter for
+bitterness and haste."</p>
+
+<p>At those words Vortigern's face grew white as ashes, and, rising in
+confusion and disorder, he sent for all the best artificers and
+craftsmen and mechanics, and commanded them vehemently to go and build
+him straightway in the furthest west of his lands a great and strong
+castle, where he might fly for refuge and escape the vengeance of his
+master's sons&mdash;"and, moreover," cried he, "let the work be done within a
+hundred days from now, or I will surely spare no life amongst you all."</p>
+
+<p>Then all the host of craftsmen, fearing for their lives, found out a
+proper site whereon to build the tower, and eagerly began to lay in the
+foundations. But no sooner were the walls raised up above the ground
+than all their work was overwhelmed and broken down by night invisibly,
+no man perceiving how, or by whom, or what. And the same thing happening
+again, and yet again, all the workmen, full of terror, sought out the
+king, and threw themselves upon their faces before him, beseeching him
+to interfere and help them or to deliver them from their dreadful work.</p>
+
+<p>Filled with mixed rage and fear, the king called for the astrologers and
+wizards, and took counsel with them what these things might be, and how
+to overcome them. The wizards worked their spells and incantations, and
+in the end declared that nothing but the blood of a youth born without
+mortal father, smeared on the foundations of the castle, could avail to
+make it stand. Messengers were therefore sent forthwith through all the
+land to find, if it were possible, such a child. And, as some of them
+went down a certain village street, they saw a band of lads fighting and
+quarreling, and heard them shout at one&mdash;"Avaunt, thou imp!&mdash;avaunt! Son
+of no mortal man! go, find thy father, and leave us in peace."</p>
+
+<p>At that the messengers looked steadfastly on the lad, and asked who he
+was. One said his name was Merlin; another, that his birth and parentage
+were known by no man; a third, that the foul fiend alone was his father.
+Hearing the things, the officers seized Merlin, and carried him before
+the king by force.</p>
+
+<p>But no sooner was he brought to him than he asked in a loud voice, for
+what cause he was thus dragged there?</p>
+
+<p>"My magicians," answered Vortigern, "told me to seek out a man that had
+no human father, and to sprinkle my castle with his blood, that it may
+stand."</p>
+
+<p>"Order those magicians," said Merlin, "to come before me, and I will
+convict them of a lie."</p>
+
+<p>The king was astonished at his words, but commanded the magicians to
+come and sit down before Merlin, who cried to them&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Because ye know not what it is that hinders the foundation of the
+castle, ye have advised my blood for a cement to it, as if that would
+avail; but tell me now rather what there is below that ground, for
+something there is surely underneath that will not suffer the tower to
+stand?"</p>
+
+<p>The wizards at these words began to fear, and made no answer. Then said
+Merlin to the king&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I pray, Lord, that workmen may be ordered to dig deep down into the
+ground till they shall come to a great pool of water."</p>
+
+<p>This then was done, and the pool discovered far beneath the surface of
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Then, turning again to the magicians, Merlin said, "Tell me now, false
+sycophants, what there is underneath that pool?"&mdash;but they were silent.
+Then said he to the king, "Command this pool to be drained, and at the
+bottom shall be found two dragons, great and huge, which now are
+sleeping, but which at night awake and fight and tear each other. At
+their great struggle all the ground shakes and trembles, and so casts
+down thy towers, which, therefore, never yet could find secure
+foundations."</p>
+
+<p>The king was amazed at these words, but commanded the pool to be
+forthwith drained; and surely at the bottom of it did they presently
+discover the two dragons, fast asleep, as Merlin had declared.</p>
+
+<p>But Vortigern sat upon the brink of the pool till night to see what else
+would happen.</p>
+
+<p>Then those two dragons, one of which was white, the other red, rose up
+and came near one another, and began a sore fight, and cast forth fire
+with their breath. But the white dragon had the advantage, and chased
+the other to the end of the lake. And he, for grief at his flight,
+turned back upon his foe, and renewed the combat, and forced him to
+retire in turn. But in the end the red dragon was worsted, and the white
+dragon disappeared no man knew where.</p>
+
+<p>When their battle was done, the king desired Merlin to tell him what it
+meant. Whereat he, bursting into tears, cried out this prophecy, which
+first foretold the coming of King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Woe to the red dragon, which figureth the British nation, for his
+banishment cometh quickly; his lurking-holes shall be seized by the
+white dragon&mdash;the Saxon whom thou, O king, hast called to the land. The
+mountains shall be leveled as the valleys, and the rivers of the valleys
+shall run blood; cities shall be burned, and churches laid in ruins;
+till at length the oppressed shall turn for a season and prevail against
+the strangers. For a Boar of Cornwall shall arise and rend them, and
+trample their necks beneath his feet. The island shall be subject to his
+power, and he shall take the forests of Gaul. The house of Romulus shall
+dread him&mdash;all the world shall fear him&mdash;and his end shall no man know;
+he shall be immortal in the mouths of the people, and his works shall be
+food to those that tell them.</p>
+
+<p>"But as for thee, O Vortigern, flee thou the sons of Constantine, for
+they shall burn thee in thy tower. For thine own ruin wast thou traitor
+to their father, and didst bring the Saxon heathens to the land.
+Aurelius and Uther are even now upon thee to revenge their father's
+murder; and the brood of the white dragon shall waste thy country, and
+shall lick thy blood. Find out some refuge, if thou wilt! but who may
+escape the doom of God?"</p>
+
+<p>The king heard all this, trembling greatly; and, convicted of his sins,
+said nothing in reply. Only he hasted the builders of his tower by day
+and night, and rested not till he had fled thereto.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Aurelius, the rightful king, was hailed with joy by the
+Britons, who flocked to his standard, and prayed to be led against the
+Saxons. But he, till he had first killed Vortigern, would begin no other
+war. He marched therefore to Cambria, and came before the tower which
+the usurper had built. Then, crying out to all his knights, "Avenge ye
+on him who hath ruined Britain and slain my father and your king!" he
+rushed with many thousands at the castle walls. But, being driven back
+again and yet again, at length he thought of fire, and ordered blazing
+brands to be cast into the building from all sides. These, finding soon
+a proper fuel, ceased not to rage till, spreading to a mighty
+conflagration, they burned down the tower, and Vortigern within it.</p>
+
+<p>Then did Aurelius turn his strength against Hengist and the Saxons, and,
+defeating them in many places, weakened their power for a long season,
+so that the land had peace.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the king, making journeys to and fro, restoring ruined churches
+and, creating order, came to the monastery near Salisbury, where all
+those British knights lay buried who had been slain there by the
+treachery of Hengist. For when in former times Hengist had made a solemn
+truce with Vortigern, to meet in peace and settle terms, whereby himself
+and all his Saxons should depart from Britain, the Saxon soldiers
+carried every one of them beneath his garment a long dagger, and, at a
+given signal, fell upon the Britons, and slew them, to the number of
+nearly five hundred.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the place where the dead lay moved Aurelius to great
+sorrow, and he cast about in his mind how to make a worthy tomb over so
+many noble martyrs, who had died there for their country.</p>
+
+<p>When he had in vain consulted many craftsmen and builders, he sent, by
+the advice of the archbishop, for Merlin, and asked him what to do. "If
+you would honor the burying-place of these men," said Merlin, "with an
+everlasting monument, send for the Giants' Dance which is in Killaraus,
+a mountain; in Ireland; for there is a structure of stone there which
+none of this age could raise without a perfect knowledge of the arts.
+They are stones of a vast size and wondrous nature, and if they can be
+placed here as they are there, round this spot of ground, they will
+stand for ever."</p>
+
+<p>At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter, and said, "How
+is it possible to remove such vast stones from so great a distance, as
+if Britain, also, had no stones fit for the work?"</p>
+
+<p>"I pray the king," said Merlin, "to forbear vain laughter; what I have
+said is true, for those stones are mystical and have healing virtues.
+The giants of old brought them from the furthest coast of Africa, and
+placed them in Ireland while they lived in that country: and their
+design was to make baths in them, for use in time of grievous illness.
+For if they washed the stones and put the sick into the water, it
+certainly healed them, as also it did them that were wounded in battle;
+and there is no stone among them but hath the same virtue still."</p>
+
+<p>When the Britons heard this, they resolved to send for the stones, and
+to make war upon the people of Ireland if they offered to withhold them.
+So, when they had chosen Uther the king's brother for their chief, they
+set sail, to the number of 15,000 men, and came to Ireland. There
+Gillomanius, the king, withstood them fiercely, and not till after a
+great battle could they approach the Giants' Dance, the sight of which
+filled them with joy and admiration. But when they sought to move the
+stones, the strength of all the army was in vain, until Merlin,
+laughing at their failures, contrived machines of wondrous cunning,
+which took them down with ease, and placed them in the ships.</p>
+
+<p>When they had brought the whole to Salisbury, Aurelius, with the crown
+upon his head, kept for four days the feast of Pentecost with royal
+pomp; and in the midst of all the clergy and the people, Merlin raised
+up the stones, and set them round the sepulcher of the knights and
+barons, as they stood in the mountains of Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>Then was the monument called "Stonehenge," and stands, as all men know,
+upon the plain of Salisbury to this very day.</p>
+
+<p>Soon thereafter it befell that Aurelius was slain by poison at
+Winchester, and was himself buried within the Giants' Dance.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time came forth a comet of amazing size and brightness,
+darting out a beam, at the end whereof was a cloud of fire shaped like a
+dragon, from whose mouth went out two rays, one stretching over Gaul,
+the other ending in seven lesser rays over the Irish sea.</p>
+
+<p>At the appearance of this star a great dread fell upon the people, and
+Uther, marching into Cambria against the son of Vortigern, himself was
+very troubled to learn what it might mean. Then Merlin, being called
+before him, cried with a loud voice: "O mighty loss! O stricken Britain!
+Alas! the great prince is gone from us. Aurelius Ambrosius is dead,
+whose death will be ours also, unless God help us. Haste, therefore,
+noble Uther, to destroy the enemy; the victory shall be thine, and thou
+shalt be king of all Britain. For the star with the fiery dragon
+signifies thyself; and the ray over Gaul portends that thou shalt have a
+son, most mighty, whom all those kingdoms shall obey which the ray
+covers."</p>
+
+<p>Thus, for the second time, did Merlin foretell the coming of King
+Arthur. And Uther, when he was made king, remembered Merlin's words, and
+caused two dragons to be made in gold, in likeness of the dragon he had
+seen in the star. One of these he gave to Winchester Cathedral, and had
+the other carried into all his wars before him, whence he was ever after
+called Uther Pendragon, or the dragon's head.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when Uther Pendragon had passed through all the land, and settled
+it&mdash;and even voyaged into all the countries of the Scots, and tamed the
+fierceness of that rebel people&mdash;he came to London, and ministered
+justice there. And it befell at a certain great banquet and high feast
+which the king made at Easter-tide, there came, with many other earls
+and barons, Gorloïs, Duke of Cornwall, and his wife Igerna, who was the
+most famous beauty in all Britain. And soon thereafter, Gorloïs being
+slain in battle, Uther determined to make Igerna his own wife. But in
+order to do this, and enable him to come to her&mdash;for she was shut up in
+the high castle of Tintagil, on the furthest coast of Cornwall&mdash;the king
+sent for Merlin, to take counsel with him and to pray his help. This,
+therefore, Merlin promised him on one condition&mdash;namely, that the king
+should give him up the first son born of the marriage. For Merlin by
+his art foreknew that this firstborn should be the long-wished prince,
+King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>When Uther, therefore, was at length happily wedded, Merlin came to the
+castle on a certain day, and said, "Sir, thou must now provide thee for
+the nourishing of thy child."</p>
+
+<p>And the king, nothing doubting, said, "Be it as thou wilt."</p>
+
+<p>"I know a lord of thine in this land," said Merlin, "who is a man both
+true and faithful; let him have the nourishing of the child. His name is
+Sir Ector, and he hath fair possessions both in England and in Wales.
+When, therefore, the child is born, let him be delivered unto me,
+unchristened, at yonder postern-gate, and I will bestow him in the care
+of this good knight."</p>
+
+<p>So when the child was born, the king bid two knights and two ladies to
+take it, bound in rich cloth of gold, and deliver it to a poor man whom
+they should discover at the postern-gate. And the child being delivered
+thus to Merlin, who himself took the guise of a poor man, was carried by
+him to a holy priest and christened by the name of Arthur, and then was
+taken to Sir Ector's house, and nourished at Sir Ector's wife's own
+breasts. And in the same house he remained privily for many years, no
+man soever knowing where he was, save Merlin and the king.</p>
+
+<p>Anon it befell that the king was seized by a lingering distemper, and
+the Saxon heathens, taking their occasion, came back from over sea, and
+swarmed upon the land, wasting it with fire and sword. When Uther heard
+thereof, he fell into a greater rage than his weakness could bear, and
+commanded all his nobles to come before him, that he might upbraid them
+for their cowardice. And when he had sharply and hotly rebuked them, he
+swore that he himself, nigh unto death although he lay, would lead them
+forth against the enemy. Then causing a horse-litter to be made, in
+which he might be carried&mdash;for he was too faint and weak to ride&mdash;he
+went up with all his army swiftly against the Saxons.</p>
+
+<p>But they, when they heard that Uther was coming in a litter, disdained
+to fight him, saying it would be shame for brave men to fight with one
+half dead. So they retired into their city; and, as it were in scorn of
+danger, left the gates wide open. But Uther straightway commanding his
+men to assault the town, they did so without loss of time, and had
+already reached the gates, when the Saxons, repenting too late of their
+haughty pride, rushed forth to the defense. The battle raged till night,
+and was begun again next day; but at last, their leaders, Octa and Eosa,
+being slain, the Saxons turned their backs and fled, leaving the Britons
+a full triumph.</p>
+
+<p>The king at this felt so great joy, that, whereas before he could scarce
+raise himself without help, he now sat upright in his litter by himself,
+and said, with a laughing and merry face, "They called me the half-dead
+king, and so indeed I was; but victory to me half dead is better than
+defeat and the best health. For to die with honor is far better than to
+live disgraced."</p>
+
+<p>But the Saxons, although thus defeated, were ready still for war. Uther
+would have pursued them; but his illness had by now so grown, that his
+knights and barons kept him from the adventure. Whereat the enemy took
+courage, and left nothing undone to destroy the land; until, descending
+to the vilest treachery, they resolved to kill the king by poison.</p>
+
+<p>To this end, as he lay sick at Verulum, they sent and poisoned
+stealthily a spring of clear water, whence he was wont to drink daily;
+and so, on the very next day, he was taken with the pains of death, as
+were also a hundred others after him, before the villainy was
+discovered, and heaps of earth thrown over the well.</p>
+
+<p>The knights and barons, full of sorrow, now took counsel together, and
+came to Merlin for his help to learn the king's will before he died, for
+he was by this time speechless. "Sirs, there is no remedy," said Merlin,
+"and God's will must be done; but be ye all to-morrow before him, for
+God will make him speak before he die."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow all the barons, with Merlin, stood round the bedside of
+the king; and Merlin said aloud to Uther, "Lord, shall thy son Arthur be
+the king of all this realm after thy days?"</p>
+
+<p>Then Uther Pendragon turned him about, and said, in the hearing of them
+all, "God's blessing and mine be upon him. I bid him pray for my soul,
+and also that he claim my crown, or forfeit all my blessing;" and with
+those words he died.</p>
+
+<p>Then came together all the bishops and the clergy, and great multitudes
+of people, and bewailed the king; and carrying his body to the convent
+of Ambrius, they buried it close by his brother's grave, within the
+"Giants' Dance."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CROWNING OF ARTHUR AND THE SWORD EXCALIBUR</h3>
+
+
+<p>Now Arthur the prince had all this time been nourished in Sir Ector's
+house as his own son, and was fair and tall and comely, being of the age
+of fifteen years, great in strength, gentle in manner, and accomplished
+in all exercises proper for the training of a knight.</p>
+
+<p>But as yet he knew not of his father; for Merlin had so dealt, that none
+save Uther and himself knew aught about him. Wherefore it befell that
+many of the knights and barons who heard King Uther speak before his
+death, and call his son Arthur his successor, were in great amazement;
+and some doubted, and others were displeased.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the chief lords and princes set forth each to his own land, and,
+raising armed men and multitudes of followers, determined every one to
+gain the crown for himself; for they said in their hearts, "If there be
+any such a son at all as he of whom this wizard forced the king to
+speak, who are we that a beardless boy should have rule over us?"</p>
+
+<p>So the land stood long in great peril, for every lord and baron sought
+but his own advantage; and the Saxons, growing ever more adventurous,
+wasted and overran the towns and villages in every part.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin went to Brice, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and advised him
+to require all the earls and barons of the realm and all knights and
+gentlemen-at-arms to come to him at London, before Christmas, under pain
+of cursing, that they might learn the will of Heaven who should be king.
+This, therefore, the archbishop did, and upon Christmas Eve were met
+together in London all the greatest princes, lords, and barons; and long
+before day they prayed in St. Paul's Church, and the archbishop besought
+Heaven for a sign who should be lawful king of all the realm.</p>
+
+<p>And as they prayed, there was seen in the churchyard, set straight
+before the doorways of the church, a huge square stone having a naked
+sword stuck in the midst of it. And on the sword was written in letters
+of gold, "Whoso pulleth out the sword from this stone is born the
+rightful King of England."</p>
+
+<p>At this all the people wondered greatly; and, when Mass was over, the
+nobles, knights, and princes ran out eagerly from the church to see the
+stone and sword; and a law was forthwith made that whoso should pull out
+the sword should be acknowledged straightway King of Britain.</p>
+
+<p>Then many knights and barons pulled at the sword with all their might,
+and some of them tried many times, but none could stir or move it.</p>
+
+<p>When all had tried in vain, the archbishop declared the man whom Heaven
+had chosen was not yet there. "But God," said he, "will doubtless make
+him known ere many days."</p>
+
+<p>So ten knights were chosen, being men of high renown, to watch and keep
+the sword; and there was proclamation made through all the land that
+whosoever would, had leave and liberty to try and pull it from the
+stone. But though great multitudes of people came, both gentle and
+simple, for many days, no man could ever move the sword a hair's breadth
+from its place.</p>
+
+<p>Now, at the New Year's Eve a great tournament was to be held in London,
+which the archbishop had devised to keep together lords and commons,
+lest they should grow estranged in the troublous and unsettled times. To
+the which tournament there came, with many other knights, Sir Ector,
+Arthur's foster-father, who had great possessions near to London; and
+with him came his son, Sir Key, but recently made knight, to take his
+part in the jousting, and young Arthur also to witness all the sports
+and fighting.</p>
+
+<p>But as they rode towards the jousts, Sir Key found suddenly he had no
+sword, for he had left it at his father's house; and turning to young
+Arthur, he prayed him to ride back and fetch it for him. "I will with a
+good will," said Arthur; and rode fast back after the sword.</p>
+
+<p>But when he came to the house he found it locked and empty, for all were
+gone forth to see the tournament. Whereat, being angry and impatient, he
+said within himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take with me
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother shall not go
+without a sword this day."</p>
+
+<p>So he rode and came to the churchyard, and alighting from his horse he
+tied him to the gate, and went to the pavilion, which was pitched near
+the stone, wherein abode the ten knights who watched and kept it; but he
+found no knights there, for all were gone to see the jousting.</p>
+
+<p>Then he took the sword by its handle, and lightly and fiercely he pulled
+it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode until he came to Sir
+Key and delivered him the sword. But as soon as Sir Key saw it he knew
+well it was the sword of the stone, and, riding swiftly to his father,
+he cried out, "Lo! here, sir, is the sword of the stone, wherefore it is
+I who must be king of all this land."</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Ector saw the sword, he turned back straight with Arthur and
+Sir Key and came to the churchyard, and there alighting, they went all
+three into the church, and Sir Key was sworn to tell truly how he came
+by the sword. Then he confessed it was his brother Arthur who had
+brought it to him.</p>
+
+<p>Whereat Sir Ector, turning to young Arthur, asked him&mdash;"How gottest thou
+the sword?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said he, "I will tell you. When I went home to fetch my brother's
+sword, I found nobody to deliver it to me, for all were abroad to the
+jousts. Yet was I loth to leave my brother swordless, and, bethinking me
+of this one, I came hither eagerly to fetch it for him, and pulled it
+out of the stone without any pain."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Ector, much amazed and looking steadfastly on Arthur, "If
+this indeed be thus, 'tis thou who shalt be king of all this land&mdash;and
+God will have it so&mdash;for none but he who should be rightful Lord of
+Britain might ever draw this sword forth from that stone. But let me now
+with mine own eyes see thee put back the sword into its place and draw
+it forth again."</p>
+
+<p>"That is no mastery," said Arthur; and straightway set it in the stone.
+And then Sir Ector pulled at it himself, and after him Sir Key, with all
+his might, but both of them in vain: then Arthur, reaching forth his
+hand and grasping at the pommel, pulled it out easily, and at once.</p>
+
+<p>Then fell Sir Ector down upon his knees upon the ground before young
+Arthur, and Sir Key also with him, and straightway did him homage as
+their sovereign lord.</p>
+
+<p>But Arthur cried aloud, "Alas! mine own dear father and my brother, why
+kneel ye thus to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, my Lord Arthur," answered then Sir Ector, "we are of no
+blood-kinship with thee, and little though I thought how high thy kin
+might be, yet wast thou never more than foster-child of mine." And then
+he told him all he knew about his infancy, and how a stranger had
+delivered him, with a great sum of gold, into his hands to be brought up
+and nourished as his own born child, and then had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>But when young Arthur heard of it, he fell upon Sir Ector's neck, and
+wept, and made great lamentation, "For now," said he, "I have in one
+day lost my father and my mother and my brother."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Ector presently, "when thou shalt be made king be good
+and gracious unto me and mine."</p>
+
+<p>"If not," said Arthur, "I were no true man's son at all, for thou art he
+in all the world to whom I owe the most; and my good lady and mother,
+thy wife, hath ever kept and fostered me as though I were her own; so if
+it be God's will that I be king hereafter as thou sayest, desire of me
+whatever thing thou wilt and I will do it; and God forbid that I should
+fail thee in it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will but pray," replied Sir Ector, "that thou wilt make my son Sir
+Key, thy foster-brother, seneschal of all the lands."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall he be," said Arthur; "and never shall another hold that
+office, save thy son, while he and I do live."</p>
+
+<p>Anon, they left the church and went to the archbishop to tell him that
+the sword had been achieved. And when he saw the sword in Arthur's hand
+he set a day and summoned all the princes, knights, and barons to meet
+again at St. Paul's Church and see the will of Heaven signified. So when
+they came together, the sword was put back in the stone, and all tried,
+from the greatest to the least, to move it; but there before them all
+not one could take it out save Arthur only.</p>
+
+<p>But then befell a great confusion and dispute, for some cried out it was
+the will of Heaven, and, "Long live King Arthur," but many more were
+full of wrath and said, "What! would ye give the ancient scepter of this
+land unto a boy born none know how?" And the contention growing greatly,
+till nothing could be done to pacify their rage, the meeting was at
+length broken up by the archbishop and adjourned till Candlemas, when
+all should meet again.</p>
+
+<p>But when Candlemas was come, Arthur alone again pulled forth the sword,
+though more than ever came to win it; and the barons, sorely vexed and
+angry, put it in delay till Easter. But as he had sped before so he did
+at Easter, and the barons yet once more contrived delays till Pentecost.</p>
+
+<p>But now the archbishop, fully seeing God's will, called together, by
+Merlin's counsel, a band of knights and gentlemen-at-arms, and set them
+about Arthur to keep him safely till the Feast of Pentecost. And when at
+the feast Arthur still again alone prevailed to move the sword, the
+people all with one accord cried out, "Long live King Arthur! we will
+have no more delay, nor any other king, for so it is God's will; and we
+will slay whoso resisteth Him and Arthur;" and wherewithal they kneeled
+down all at once, and cried for Arthur's grace and pardon that they had
+so long delayed him from his crown. Then he full sweetly and
+majestically pardoned them; and taking in his hand the sword, he offered
+it upon the high altar of the church.</p>
+
+<p>Anon was he solemnly knighted with great pomp by the most famous knight
+there present, and the crown was placed upon his head; and, having
+taken oath to all the people, lords and commons, to be true king and
+deal in justice only unto his life's end, he received homage and service
+from all the barons who held lands and castles from the crown. Then he
+made Sir Key, High Steward of England, and Sir Badewaine of Britain,
+Constable, and Sir Ulfius, Chamberlain: and after this, with all his
+court and a great retinue of knights and armed men, he journeyed into
+Wales, and was crowned again in the old city of Caerleon-upon-Usk.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile those knights and barons who had so long delayed him from the
+crown, met together and went up to the coronation feast at Caerleon, as
+if to do him homage; and there they ate and drank such things as were
+set before them at the royal banquet, sitting with the others in the
+great hall.</p>
+
+<p>But when after the banquet Arthur began, according to the ancient royal
+custom, to bestow great boons and fiefs on whom he would, they all with
+one accord rose up, and scornfully refused his gifts, crying that they
+would take nothing from a beardless boy come of low or unknown birth,
+but would instead give him good gifts of hard sword-strokes between neck
+and shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>Whereat arose a deadly tumult in the hall, and every man there made him
+ready to fight. But Arthur leaped up as a flame of fire against them,
+and all his knights and barons drawing their swords, rushed after him
+upon them and began a full sore battle; and presently the king's party
+prevailed, and drave the rebels from the hall and from the city, closing
+the gates behind them; and King Arthur brake his sword upon them in his
+eagerness and rage.</p>
+
+<p>But amongst them were six kings of great renown and might, who more than
+all raged against Arthur and determined to destroy him, namely, King
+Lot, King Nanters, King Urien, King Carados, King Yder, and King
+Anguisant. These six, therefore, joining their armies together, laid
+close siege to the city of Caerleon, wherefrom King Arthur had so
+shamefully driven them.</p>
+
+<p>And after fifteen days Merlin came suddenly into their camp and asked
+them what this treason meant. Then he declared to them that Arthur was
+no base adventurer, but King Uther's son, whom they were bound to serve
+and honor even though Heaven had not vouch-safed the wondrous miracle of
+the sword. Some of the kings, when they heard Merlin speak thus,
+marveled and believed him; but others, as King Lot, laughed him and his
+words to scorn, and mocked him for a conjurer and wizard. But it was
+agreed with Merlin that Arthur should come forth and speak with the
+kings.</p>
+
+<p>So he went forth to them to the city gate, and with him the archbishop
+and Merlin, and Sir Key, Sir Brastias, and a great company of others.
+And he spared them not in his speech, but spoke to them as king and
+chieftain, telling them plainly he would make them all bow to him if he
+lived, unless they choose to do him homage there and then; and so they
+parted in great wrath, and each side armed in haste.</p>
+
+<p>"What will ye do?" said Merlin to the kings; "ye had best hold your
+hands, for were ye ten times as many ye should not prevail."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we be afraid of a dream-reader?" quoth King Lot in scorn.</p>
+
+<p>With that Merlin vanished away and came to King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur said to Merlin, "I have need now of a sword that shall
+chastise these rebels terribly."</p>
+
+<p>"Come then with me," said Merlin, "for hard by there is a sword that I
+can gain for thee."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode out that night till they came to a fair and broad lake, and
+in the midst of it King Arthur saw an arm thrust up, clothed in white
+samite, and holding a great sword in the hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>Then saw they a damsel floating on the lake in the moonlight. "What
+damsel is that?" said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"The lady of the lake," said Merlin; "for upon this lake there is a
+rock, and on the rock a noble palace, where she abideth, and she will
+come towards thee presently, when thou shalt ask her courteously for the
+sword."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith the damsel came to King Arthur, and saluted him, and he
+saluted her, and said, "Lady, what sword is that the arm holdeth above
+the water? I would that it were mine, for I have no sword."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir King," said the lady of the lake, "that sword is mine, and if thou
+wilt give me in return a gift whenever I shall ask it of thee, thou
+shalt have it."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," said he, "I will give thee any gift that thou shalt ask."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the damsel, "go into yonder barge, and row thyself unto the
+sword, and take it and the scabbard with thee, and I will ask my gift of
+thee when I see my time."</p>
+
+<p>So King Arthur and Merlin alighted, and tied their horses to two trees,
+and went into the barge; and when they came to the sword that the hand
+held, King Arthur took it by the handle and bore it with him, and the
+arm and hand went down under the water; and so they came back to land,
+and rode again to Caerleon.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow Merlin bade King Arthur to set fiercely on the enemy; and
+in the meanwhile three hundred good knights went over to King Arthur
+from the rebels' side. Then at the spring of day, when they had scarce
+left their tents, he fell on them with might and main, and Sir
+Badewaine, Sir Key, and Sir Brastias slew on the right and on the left
+marvelously; and ever in the thickest of the fight King Arthur raged
+like a young lion, and laid on with his sword, and did wondrous deeds of
+arms, to the joy and admiration of the knights and barons who beheld
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Then King Lot, King Carados, and the King of the Hundred Knights&mdash;who
+also was with them&mdash;going round to the rear, set on King Arthur fiercely
+from behind; but King Arthur, turning to his knights, fought ever in the
+foremost press until his horse was slain beneath him. At that, King Lot
+rode furiously at him, and smote him down; but rising straightway, and
+being set again on horseback, he drew his sword Excalibur that he had
+gained by Merlin from the lady of the lake, which, shining brightly as
+the light of thirty torches, dazzled the eyes of his enemies. And
+therewith falling on them afresh with all his knights, he drove them
+back and slew them in great numbers, and Merlin by his arts scattered
+among them fire and pitchy smoke, so that they broke and fled. Then all
+the common people of Caerleon, seeing them give way, rose up with one
+accord, and rushed at them with clubs and staves, and chased them far
+and wide, and slew many great knights and lords, and the remainder of
+them fled and were seen no more. Thus won King Arthur his first battle
+and put his enemies to shame.</p>
+
+<p>But the six kings, though sorely routed, prepared for a new war, and
+joining to themselves five others swore together that, whether for weal
+or woe, they would keep steadfast alliance till they had destroyed King
+Arthur. Then, with a host of 50,000 men-at-arms on horseback, and 10,000
+foot, they were soon ready, and sent forth their fore-riders, and drew
+from the northern country towards King Arthur, to the castle of
+Bedgraine.</p>
+
+<p>But he by Merlin's counsel had sent over sea to King Ban of Benwick and
+King Bors of Gaul, praying them to come and help him in his wars, and
+promising to help them in return against King Claudas, their foe. To
+which those kings made answer that they would joyfully fulfil his wish,
+and shortly after came to London with 300 knights, well arrayed for both
+peace and war, leaving behind them a great army on the other side of the
+sea till they had consulted with King Arthur and his ministers how they
+might best dispose of it.</p>
+
+<p>And Merlin being asked for his advice and help, agreed to go himself and
+fetch it over sea to England, which in one night he did; and brought
+with him 10,000 horsemen and led them northward privately to the forest
+of Bedgraine, and there lodged them in a valley secretly.</p>
+
+<p>Then, by the counsel of Merlin, when they knew which way the eleven
+kings would ride and sleep, King Arthur with Kings Ban and Bors made
+themselves ready with their army for the fight, having yet but 30,000
+men, counting the 10,000 who had come from Gaul.</p>
+
+<p>"Now shall ye do my advice," said Merlin; "I would that King Ban and
+King Bors, with all their fellowship of 10,000 men, were led to ambush
+in this wood ere daylight, and stir not therefrom until the battle hath
+been long waged. And thou, Lord Arthur, at the spring of day draw forth
+thine army before the enemy, and dress the battle so that they may at
+once see all thy host, for they will be the more rash and hardy when
+they see you have but 20,000 men."</p>
+
+<p>To this the three knights and the barons heartily consented, and it was
+done as Merlin had devised. So on the morrow when the hosts beheld each
+other, the host of the north was greatly cheered to find so few led out
+against them.</p>
+
+<p>Then gave King Arthur the command to Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias to take
+3000 men-at-arms, and to open battle. They therefore setting fiercely on
+the enemy slew them on the right hand and the left till it was wonderful
+to see their slaughter.</p>
+
+<p>When the eleven kings beheld so small a band doing such mighty deeds of
+arms they were ashamed, and charged them fiercely in return. Then was
+Sir Ulfius' horse slain under him; but he fought well and marvelously on
+foot against Duke Eustace and King Clarience, who set upon him
+grievously, till Sir Brastias, seeing his great peril, pricked towards
+them swiftly, and so smote the duke through with his spear that horse
+and man fell down and rolled over. Whereat King Clarience turned upon
+Sir Brastias, and rushing furiously together they each unhorsed the
+other and fell both to the ground, and there lay a long time stunned,
+their horses' knees being cut to the bone. Then came Sir Key the
+seneschal with six companions, and did wondrous well, till the eleven
+kings went out against them and overthrew Sir Griflet and Sir Lucas the
+butler. And when Sir Key saw Sir Griflet unhorsed and on foot, he rode
+against King Nanters hotly and smote him down, and led his horse to
+Griflet and horsed him again; with the same spear did Sir Key smite down
+King Lot and wounded him full sore.</p>
+
+<p>But seeing that, the King of the Hundred Knights rushed at Sir Key and
+overthrew him in return, and took his horse and gave it to King Lot.
+And when Sir Griflet saw Sir Key's mischance, he set his spear in rest,
+and riding at a mighty man-at-arms, he cast him down headlong and caught
+his horse and led it straightway to Sir Key.</p>
+
+<p>By now the battle was growing perilous and hard, and both sides fought
+with rage and fury. And Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias were both afoot and
+in great danger of their death, and foully stained and trampled under
+horses' feet. Then King Arthur, putting spurs to his horse, rushed
+forward like a lion into the midst of all the <i>mêlèe</i>, and singling out
+King Cradlemont of North Wales, smote him through the left side and
+overthrew him, and taking his horse by the rein he brought it to Sir
+Ulfius in haste and said, "Take this horse, mine old friend, for thou
+hast great need of one, and charge by side of me." And even as he spoke
+he saw Sir Ector, Sir Key's father, smitten to the earth by the King of
+the Hundred Knights, and his horse taken to King Cradlemont.</p>
+
+<p>But when King Arthur saw him ride upon Sir Ector's horse his wrath was
+very great, and with his sword he smote King Cradlemont upon the helm,
+and shore off the fourth part thereof and of the shield, and drave the
+sword onward to the horse's neck and slew the horse, and hurled the king
+upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>And now the battle waxed so great and furious that all the noise and
+sound thereof rang out by water and by wood, so that Kings Ban and Bors,
+with all their knights and men-at-arms in ambush, hearing the tumult
+and the cries, trembled and shook for eagerness, and scarce could stay
+in secret, but made them ready for the fray and dressed their shields
+and harness.</p>
+
+<p>But when King Arthur saw the fury of the enemy, he raged like a mad
+lion, and stirred and drove his horse now here, now there, to the right
+hand and to the left and stayed not in his wrath till he had slain full
+twenty knights. He wounded also King Lot so sorely in the shoulder that
+he left the field, and in great pain and dolor cried out to the other
+kings, "Do ye as I devise, or we shall be destroyed. I, with the King of
+the Hundred Knights, King Anguisant, King Yder, and the Duke of
+Cambinet, will take fifteen thousand men and make a circuit, meanwhile
+that ye do hold the battle with twelve thousand. Then coming suddenly we
+will fall fiercely on them from behind and put them to the rout, but
+else shall we never stand against them."</p>
+
+<p>So Lot and four kings departed with their party to one side, and the six
+other kings dressed their ranks against King Arthur and fought long and
+stoutly.</p>
+
+<p>But now Kings Ban and Bors, with all their army fresh and eager, broke
+from their ambush and met face to face the five kings and their host as
+they came round behind, and then began a frantic struggle with breaking
+of spears and clashing of swords and slaying of men and horses. Anon
+King Lot, espying in the midst King Bors, cried out in great dismay,
+"Our Lady now defend us from our death and fearful wounds; our peril
+groweth great, for yonder cometh one of the worshipfullest kings and
+best knights in all the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?" said the King of the Hundred Knights.</p>
+
+<p>"It is King Bors of Gaul," replied King Lot, "and much I marvel how he
+may have come with all his host into this land without our knowledge."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" cried King Carados, "I will encounter with this king if ye will
+rescue me when there is need."</p>
+
+<p>"Ride on," said they.</p>
+
+<p>So King Carados and all his host rode softly till they came within a
+bow-shot of King Bors, and then both hosts, spurring their horses to
+their greatest swiftness, rushed at each other. And King Bors
+encountered in the onset with a knight, and struck him through with a
+spear, so that he fell dead upon the earth; then drawing his sword, he
+did such mighty feats of arms that all who saw him gazed with wonder.
+Anon King Ban came also forth upon the field with all his knights, and
+added yet more fury, sound, and slaughter, till at length both hosts of
+the eleven kings began to quake, and drawing all together into one body,
+they prepared to meet the worst, while a great multitude already fled.</p>
+
+<p>Then said King Lot, "Lords, we must take yet other means, or worse loss
+still awaits us. See ye not what people we have lost in waiting on the
+footmen, and that it costs ten horsemen to save one of them? Therefore
+it is my counsel to put away our footmen from us, for it is almost
+night, and King Arthur will not stay to slaughter them. So they can save
+their lives in this great wood hard by. Then let us gather into one
+band all the horsemen that remain, and whoso breaketh rank or leaveth
+us, let him be straightway slain by him that seeth him, for it is better
+that we slay a coward than through a coward be all slain. How say ye?"
+said King Lot; "answer me, all ye kings."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well said," replied they all.</p>
+
+<p>And swearing they would never fail each other, they mended and set right
+their armor and their shields, and took new spears and set them
+steadfastly against their thighs, waiting, and so stood still as a clump
+of trees stands on the plain; and no assaults could shake them, they
+held so hard together; which when King Arthur saw he marveled greatly,
+and was very wroth. "Yet," cried he, "I may not blame them, by my faith,
+for they do as brave men ought to do, and are the best fighting men and
+knights of most prowess that I ever saw or heard tell of." And so said
+also Kings Ban and Bors, and praised them greatly for their noble
+chivalry.</p>
+
+<p>But now came forty noble knights out of King Arthur's host, and prayed
+that he would suffer them to break the enemy. And when they were
+allowed, they rode forth with their spears upon their thighs, and
+spurred their horses to their hottest. Then the eleven kings, with a
+party of their knights, rushed with set spears as fast and mightily to
+meet them; and when they were encountered, all the crash and splinter of
+their spears and armor rang with a mighty din, and so fierce and bloody
+was their onset that in all that day there had been no such cruel press,
+and rage, and smiting. At that same moment rode fiercely into the
+thickest of the struggle King Arthur and Kings Ban and Bors, and slew
+downright on both hands right and left, until their horses went in blood
+up to the fetlocks.</p>
+
+<p>And while the slaughter and the noise and shouting were at their
+greatest, suddenly there came down through the battle Merlin the Wizard,
+upon a great black horse, and riding to King Arthur, he cried out,
+"Alas, my Lord! will ye have never done? Of sixty thousand have ye left
+but fifteen thousand men alive. Is it not time to stay this slaying? for
+God is ill pleased with ye that ye have never ended, and yonder kings
+shall not be altogether overthrown this time. But if ye fall upon them
+any more, the fortune of this day will turn, and go to them. Withdraw,
+Lord, therefore, to thy lodging, and there now take thy rest, for to-day
+thou hast won a great victory, and overcome the noblest chivalry of all
+the world. And now for many years those kings shall not disturb thee.
+Therefore, I tell thee, fear them no more, for now they are sore beaten,
+and have nothing left them but their honor; and why shouldest thou slay
+them to take that?"</p>
+
+<p>Then said King Arthur, "Thou sayest well, and I will take thy counsel."
+With that he cried out, "Ho!" for the battle to cease, and sent forth
+heralds through the field to stay more fighting. And gathering all the
+spoil, he gave it not amongst his own host, but to Kings Ban and Bors
+and all their knights and men-at-arms, that he might treat them with the
+greater courtesy as strangers.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin took his leave of Arthur and the two other kings, and went
+to see his master, Blaise, a holy hermit, dwelling in Northumberland,
+who had nourished him through all his youth. And Blaise was passing glad
+to see him, for there was a great love ever between them; and Merlin
+told him how King Arthur had sped in the battle, and how it had ended;
+and told him the names of every king and knight of worship who was
+there. So Blaise wrote down the battle, word for word, as Merlin told
+him; and in the same way ever after, all the battles of King Arthur's
+days Merlin caused Blaise, his master, to record.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III</h2>
+
+<h3>ARTHUR DRIVES THE SAXONS FROM HIS REALM</h3>
+
+
+<p>Anon, thereafter, came word to King Arthur that Ryence, King of North
+Wales, was making war upon King Leodegrance of Camelgard; whereat he was
+passing wroth, for he loved Leodegrance well, and hated Ryence. So he
+departed with Kings Ban and Bors and twenty thousand men, and came to
+Camelgard, and rescued Leodegrance, and slew ten thousand of Ryence's
+men and put him to flight. Then Leodegrance made a great festival to the
+three kings, and treated them with every manner of mirth and pleasure
+which could be devised. And there had King Arthur the first sight of
+Guinevere, daughter of Leodegrance, whom in the end he married, as shall
+be told hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>Then did Kings Ban and Bors take leave, and went to their own country,
+where King Claudas worked great mischief. And King Arthur would have
+gone with them, but they refused him, saying, "Nay, ye shall not at this
+time, for ye have yet much to do in these lands of your own; and we with
+the riches we have won here by your gifts shall hire many good knights,
+and, by the grace of God, withstand the malice of King Claudas; and if
+we have need we will send to ye for succor; and likewise ye, if ye have
+need, send for us, and we will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies."</p>
+
+<p>When the two kings had left, King Arthur rode to Caerleon, and thither
+came to him his half-sister Belisent, wife to King Lot, sent as a
+messenger, but in truth to espy his power; and with her came a noble
+retinue, and also her four sons&mdash;Gowain, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth.
+But when she saw King Arthur and his nobleness, and all the splendor of
+his knights and service, she forebore to spy upon him as a foe, and told
+him of her husband's plots against him and his throne. And the king, not
+knowing that she was his half-sister, made great court to her; and being
+full of admiration for her beauty, loved her out of measure, and kept
+her a long season at Caerleon. Wherefore her husband, King Lot, was more
+than ever King Arthur's enemy, and hated him till death with a passing
+great hatred.</p>
+
+<p>At that time King Arthur had a marvelous dream, which gave him great
+disquietness of heart. He dreamed that the whole land was full of many
+fiery griffins and serpents, which burnt and slew the people everywhere;
+and then that he himself fought with them, and that they did him mighty
+injuries, and wounded him nigh to death, but that at last he overcame
+and slew them all. When he woke, he sat in great heaviness of spirit and
+pensiveness, thinking what this dream might signify, but by-and-by, when
+he could by no means satisfy himself what it might mean, to rid himself
+of all his thoughts of it, he made ready with a great company to ride
+out hunting.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he was in the forest, the king saw a great hart before him,
+and spurred his horse, and rode long eagerly after it, and chased until
+his horse lost breath and fell down dead from under him. Then, seeing
+the hart escaped and his horse dead, he sat down by a fountain, and fell
+into deep thought again. And as he sat there alone, he thought he heard
+the noise of hounds, as it were some thirty couple in number, and
+looking up he saw coming towards him the strangest beast that ever he
+had seen or heard tell of, which ran towards the fountain and drank of
+the water. Its head was like a serpent's, with a leopard's body and a
+lion's tail, and it was footed like a stag; and the noise was in its
+belly, as it were the baying or questing of thirty couple of hounds.
+While it drank there was no noise within it; but presently, having
+finished, it departed with a greater sound than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The king was amazed at all this; but being greatly wearied, he fell
+asleep, and was before long waked up by a knight on foot, who said,
+"Knight, full of thought and sleepy, tell me if thou sawest a strange
+beast pass this way?"</p>
+
+<p>"Such a one I saw," said King Arthur to the knight, "but that is now two
+miles distant at the least. What would you with that beast?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the knight, "I have followed it for a long time, and have
+killed my horse, and would to heaven I had another to pursue my quest
+withal."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment came a yeoman with another horse for the king, which,
+when the knight saw, he earnestly prayed to be given him. "For I have
+followed this quest," said he, "twelve months, and either I shall
+achieve him or bleed of the best blood of my body."</p>
+
+<p>It was King Pellinore who at that time followed the questing beast, but
+neither he nor King Arthur knew each other.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Knight," said King Arthur, "leave that quest and suffer me to have
+it, and I will follow it other twelve months."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, fool," said the knight, "thy desire is utterly in vain, for it
+shall never be achieved but by me, or by my next of kin."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he started to the king's horse, and mounted to the saddle,
+crying out, "Gramercy, this horse is mine!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the king, "thou mayest take my horse by force, and I will
+not say nay; but till we prove whether thou or I be best on horseback, I
+shall not rest content."</p>
+
+<p>"Seek me here," said the knight, "whenever thou wilt, and here by this
+fountain thou shalt find me;" and so he passed forth on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Then sat King Arthur in a deep fit of study, and bade his yeomen fetch
+him yet another horse as quickly as they could. And when they left him
+all alone came Merlin, disguised as a child of fourteen years of age,
+and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so pensive and heavy.</p>
+
+<p>"I may well be pensive and heavy," he replied, "for here even now I have
+seen the strangest sight I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"That know I well," said Merlin, "as well as thyself, and also all thy
+thoughts; but thou art foolish to take thought, for it will not amend
+thee. Also I know what thou art, and know thy father and thy mother."</p>
+
+<p>"That is false," said King Arthur; "how shouldst thou know? thy years
+are not enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said Merlin, "but I know better than thou how thou wast born, and
+better than any man living."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not believe thee," said King Arthur, and was wroth with the
+child.</p>
+
+<p>So Merlin departed, and came again in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore years of age; and the king was glad at his coming, for he
+seemed wise and venerable. Then said the old man, "Why art thou so sad?"</p>
+
+<p>"For divers reasons," said King Arthur; "for I have seen strange things
+to-day, and but this moment there was here a child who told me things
+beyond his years to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said the old man, "but he told thee truth, and more he would have
+told thee hadst thou suffered him. But I will tell thee wherefore thou
+art sad, for thou hast done a thing of late for which God is displeased
+with thee, and what it is thou knowest in thy heart, though no man else
+may know."</p>
+
+<p>"What are thou," said King Arthur, starting up all pale, "that tellest
+me these tidings?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am Merlin," said he, "and I was he in the child's likeness, also."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said King Arthur, "thou art a marvelous and right fearful man, and
+I would ask and tell thee many things this day."</p>
+
+<p>As they talked came one with the king's horses, and so, King Arthur
+mounting one, and Merlin another, they rode together to Caerleon; and
+Merlin prophesied to Arthur of his death, and also foretold his own end.</p>
+
+<p>And now King Arthur, having utterly dispersed and overwhelmed those
+kings who had so long delayed his coronation, turned all his mind to
+overthrow the Saxon heathens who yet in many places spoiled the land.
+Calling together, therefore, his knights and men-at-arms, he rode with
+all his hosts to York, where Colgrin, the Saxon, lay with a great army;
+and there he fought a mighty battle, long and bloody, and drove him into
+the city, and besieged him. Then Baldulph, Colgrin's brother, came
+secretly with six thousand men to assail King Arthur and to raise the
+siege. But King Arthur was aware of him, and sent six hundred horsemen
+and three thousand foot to meet and fall on him instead. This therefore
+they did, encountering them at midnight, and utterly defeated them, till
+they fled away for life. But Baldulph, full of grief, resolved to share
+his brother's peril; wherefore he shaved his head and beard, and
+disguised himself as a jester, and so passed through King Arthur's camp,
+singing and playing on a harp, till by degrees he drew near to the city
+walls, where presently he made himself known, and was drawn up by ropes
+into the town.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, while Arthur closely watched the city, came news that full six
+hundred ships had landed countless swarms of Saxons, under Cheldric, on
+the eastern coast. At that he raised the siege, and marched straight to
+London, and there increased his army, and took counsel with his barons
+how to drive the Saxons from the land for evermore.</p>
+
+<p>Then with his nephew, Hoel, King of the Armorican Britons, who came with
+a great force to help him, King Arthur, with a mighty multitude of
+barons, knights, and fighting men, went swiftly up to Lincoln, which the
+Saxons lay besieging. And there he fought a passing fierce battle, and
+made grievous slaughter, killing above six thousand men, till the main
+body of them turned and fled. But he pursued them hotly into the wood of
+Celidon, where, sheltering themselves among the trees from his arrows,
+they made a stand, and for a long season bravely defended themselves.
+Anon, he ordered all the trees in that part of the forest to be cut
+down, leaving no shelter or ambush; and with their trunks and branches
+made a mighty barricade, which shut them in and hindered their escape.
+After three days, brought nigh to death by famine, they offered to give
+up their wealth of gold and silver spoils, and to depart forthwith in
+their empty ships; moreover, to pay tribute to King Arthur when they
+reached their home, and to leave him hostages till all was paid.</p>
+
+<p>This offer, therefore, he accepted, and suffered them to depart. But
+when they had been a few hours at sea, they repented of their shameful
+flight, and turned their ships back again, and landing at Totnes,
+ravaged all the land as far as the Severn, and, burning and slaying on
+all sides, bent their steps towards Bath.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur heard of their treachery and their return, he burned
+with anger till his eyes shone like two torches, and then he swore a
+mighty oath to rest no more until he had utterly destroyed those enemies
+of God and man, and had rooted them forever out of the land of Britain.
+Then marching hotly with his armies on to Bath, he cried aloud to them,
+"Since these detestable and impious heathens disdain to keep their faith
+with me, I, to keep faith with God, to whom I swear to cherish and
+defend this realm, will now this day avenge on them the blood of all
+that they have slain in Britain!"</p>
+
+<p>In like manner after him spoke the archbishop, standing upon a hill, and
+crying that to-day they should fight both for their country and for
+Paradise, "For whoso," he said, "shall in this holy war be slain, the
+angels shall forthwith receive him; for death in this cause shall be
+penance and absolution for all sins."</p>
+
+<p>At these words every man in the whole army raged with hatred, and
+pressed eagerly to rush upon those savages.</p>
+
+<p>Anon King Arthur, dressed in armor shining with gold and jewels, and
+wearing on his head a helmet with a golden dragon, took a shield painted
+with the likeness of the blessed Mary. Then girding on Excalibur and
+taking in his right hand his great lance Ron, he placed his men in order
+and led them out against the enemy, who stood for battle on the slope of
+Badon Hill, ranged in the form of a wedge, as their custom was. And
+they, resisting all the onslaughts of King Arthur and his host, made
+that day a stout defense, and at night lay down upon the hill.</p>
+
+<p>But on the next day Arthur led his army once again to the attack, and
+with wounds and slaughter such as no man had ever seen before, he drove
+the heathen step by step before him, backwards and upwards, till he
+stood with all his noblest knights upon the summit of the hill.</p>
+
+<p>And then men saw him, "red as the rising sun from spur to plume," lift
+up his sword, and, kneeling, kiss the cross of it; and after, rising to
+his feet, set might and main with all his fellowship upon the foe, till,
+as a troop of lions roaring for their prey, they drove them like a
+scattered herd along the plains, and cut them down till they could cut
+no more for weariness.</p>
+
+<p>That day King Arthur by himself alone slew with his sword Excalibur four
+hundred and seventy heathens. Colgrin also, and his brother Baldulph,
+were slain.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king bade Cador, Duke of Cornwall, follow Cheldric, the chief
+leader, and the remnant of his hosts, unto the uttermost. He, therefore,
+when he had first seized their fleet, and filled it with chosen men, to
+beat them back when they should fly to it at last, chased them and slew
+them without mercy so long as he could overtake them. And though they
+crept with trembling hearts for shelter to the coverts of the woods and
+dens of mountains, yet even so they found no safety, for Cador slew
+them, even one by one. Last of all he caught and slew Cheldric himself,
+and slaughtering a great multitude took hostages for the surrender of
+the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, King Arthur turned from Badon Hill, and freed his nephew Hoel
+from the Scots and Picts, who besieged him in Alculd. And when he had
+defeated them in three sore battles, he drove them before him to a lake,
+which was one of the most wondrous lakes in all the world, for it was
+fed by sixty rivers, and had sixty islands, and sixty rocks, and on
+every island sixty eagles' nests. But King Arthur with a great fleet
+sailed round the rivers and besieged them in the lake for fifteen days,
+so that many thousands died of hunger.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the King of Ireland came with an army to relieve them; but Arthur,
+turning on him fiercely, routed him, and compelled him to retreat in
+terror to his land. Then he pursued his purpose, which was no less than
+to destroy the race of Picts and Scots, who, beyond memory, had been a
+ceaseless torment to the Britons by their barbarous malice.</p>
+
+<p>So bitterly, therefore, did he treat them, giving quarter to none, that
+at length the bishops of that miserable country with the clergy met
+together, and, bearing all the holy relics, came barefooted to the king
+to pray his mercy for their people. As soon as they were led before him
+they fell down upon their knees, and piteously besought him to spare the
+few survivors of their countrymen, and grant them any corner of the
+land where they might live in peace. When he thus heard them, and knew
+that he had now fully punished them, he consented to their prayer, and
+withdrew his hosts from any further slaughter.</p>
+
+<p>Then turned he back to his own realm, and came to York for Christmas,
+and there with high solemnity observed that holy tide; and being passing
+grieved to see the ruin of the churches and houses, which the rage of
+the pagans had destroyed, he rebuilt them, and restored the city to its
+ancient happy state.</p>
+
+<p>And on a certain day, as the king sat with his barons, there came into
+the court a squire on horseback, carrying a knight before him wounded to
+the death, and told the king that hard by in the forest was a knight who
+had reared up a pavilion by the fountain, "and hath slain my master, a
+valiant knight, whose name was Nirles; wherefore I beseech thee, Lord,
+my master may be buried, and that some good knight may avenge his
+death."</p>
+
+<p>At that stepped forth a squire named Griflet, who was very young, being
+of the same age with King Arthur, and besought the king, for all the
+service he had done, to give him knighthood.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art full young and tender of age," said King Arthur, "to take so
+high an order upon thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Griflet, "I beseech thee make me a knight;" and Merlin also
+advising the king to grant his request, "Well," said Arthur, "be it then
+so," and knighted him forthwith. Then said he to him, "Since I have
+granted thee this favor, thou must in turn grant me a gift."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatsoever thou wilt, my lord," replied Sir Griflet.</p>
+
+<p>"Promise me," said King Arthur, "by the faith of thy body, that when
+thou hast jousted with this knight at the fountain, thou wilt return to
+me straightway, unless he slay thee."</p>
+
+<p>"I promise," said Sir Griflet; and taking his horse in haste, he dressed
+his shield, and took a spear in his hand and rode full gallop till he
+came to the fountain, by the side of which he saw a rich pavilion, and a
+great horse standing well saddled and bridled, and on a tree close by
+there hung a shield of many colors and a long lance.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Griflet smote upon the shield with the butt of his spear until
+he cast it to the ground. At that a knight came out of the pavilion and
+said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my shield?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because," said Griflet, "I would joust with thee."</p>
+
+<p>"It were better not," replied the knight; "for thou art young and but
+lately made a knight, and thy strength is small compared to mine."</p>
+
+<p>"For all that," said Sir Griflet, "I will joust with ye."</p>
+
+<p>"I am full loth," replied the knight; "but if I must I must."</p>
+
+<p>Then did they wheel their horses far apart, and running them together,
+the strange knight shivered Sir Griflet's spear to fragments, and smote
+him through the shield and the left side, and broke his own spear into
+Sir Griflet's body, so that the truncheon stuck there, and Sir Griflet
+and his horse fell down. But when the strange knight saw him overthrown,
+he was sore grieved, and hastily alighted, for he thought that he had
+slain him. Then he unlaced his helm and gave him air, and tended him
+carefully till he come out of his swoon, and leaving the truncheon of
+his spear in his body, he set him upon horse, and commended him to God,
+and said he had a mighty heart, and if he lived would prove a passing
+good knight. And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where, by aid of good
+physicians, he was healed in time and his life saved.</p>
+
+<p>At that same time there came before the king twelve old men, ambassadors
+from Lucius Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, and demanded of Arthur tribute
+unto Cæsar for his realm, or else, said they, the emperor would destroy
+both him and his land. To whom King Arthur answered that he owed the
+emperor no tribute, nor would send him any; but said he, "On a fair
+field I will pay him his proper tribute&mdash;with a sharp spear and sword;
+and by my father's soul that tribute shall he take from me, whether he
+will or not." So the ambassadors departed passing wroth, and King Arthur
+was as wroth as they.</p>
+
+<p>But on the morrow of Sir Griflet's hurt, the king commanded to take his
+horse and armor secretly outside the city walls before sunrise of the
+next morning, and, rising a long while before dawn, he mounted up and
+took his shield and spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry till he came
+again; but he forbore to take Excalibur, for he had given it for safety
+into charge of his sister, Queen Morgan le Fay. And as the king rode at
+a soft pace he saw suddenly three villains chasing Merlin and making to
+attack and slay him. Clapping spurs to his horse, he rushed towards
+them, and cried out in a terrible voice, "Flee, churls, or take your
+deaths;" but they, as soon as they perceived a knight, fled away with
+the haste of hares.</p>
+
+<p>"O Merlin," said the king; "here hadst thou been killed, despite thy
+many crafts, had I not chanced to pass."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so," said Merlin, "for when I would, I could have saved myself; but
+thou art nearer to thy death than I, for without special help from
+heaven thou ridest now towards thy grave."</p>
+
+<p>And as they were thus talking, they came to the fountain and the rich
+pavilion pitched beside it, and saw a knight sitting all armed on a
+chair in the opening of the tent. "Sir knight," said King Arthur, "for
+what cause abidest thou here? to joust with any knight that passeth by?
+If so, I caution thee to quit that custom."</p>
+
+<p>"That custom," said the knight, "have I followed and will follow, let
+whosoever will say nay, and if any is aggrieved at it, let him who will
+amend it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will amend it," said King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"And I will defend it," answered the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knight mounted his horse and made himself ready, and charging
+at each other they met so hard that both their lances splintered into
+pieces. Then King Arthur drew his sword, but the knight cried out, "Not
+so; but let us run another tilt together with sharp spears."</p>
+
+<p>"I would with a good will," said King Arthur; "but I have no more
+spears."</p>
+
+<p>"I have enough of spears," replied the knight, and called a squire, who
+brought two good new lances.</p>
+
+<p>Then spurring their horses, they rushed together with all their might,
+and broke each one his own spear short off in his hand. Then the king
+again put his hand to his sword, but the knight once more cried out,
+"Nay, yet abide awhile; ye are the best jouster that I ever met with;
+for the love of knighthood, let us joust yet once again."</p>
+
+<p>So once again they tilted with their fullest force, and this time King
+Arthur's spear was shivered, but the knight's held whole, and drove so
+furiously against the king that both his horse and he were hurled to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>At that, King Arthur was enraged and drew his sword and said, "I will
+attack thee now, Sir knight, on foot, for on horseback I have lost the
+honor."</p>
+
+<p>"I will be on horseback," said the knight. But when he saw him come on
+foot, he lighted from his horse, thinking it shame to have so great
+advantage.</p>
+
+<p>And then began they a strong battle, with many great strokes and
+grievous blows, and so hewed with their swords that the fragments of
+their armor flew about the fields, and both so bled that all the ground
+around was like a marsh of blood. Thus they fought long and mightily,
+and anon, after brief rest fell to again, and so hurtled together like
+two wild boars that they both rolled to the ground. At last their swords
+clashed furiously together, and the knight's sword shivered the king's
+in two.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the knight, "Now art thou in my power, to save thee or to
+slay. Yield therefore as defeated, and a recreant knight, or thou shalt
+surely die."</p>
+
+<p>"As for death," replied King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but
+as for yielding me to thee as a recreant because of this poor accident
+upon my sword, I had far liefer die than be so shamed."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he sprang on the knight, and took him by the middle and threw
+him down, and tore off his helm. But the knight, being a huge man,
+wrestled and struggled in a frenzy with the king until he brought him
+under, and tore off his helm in turn, and would have smitten off his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>At that came Merlin and said, "Knight, hold thy hand, for if thou
+slayest yonder knight, thou puttest all this realm to greater loss and
+damage than ever realm was in; for he is a man of greater worship than
+thou dreamest of."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then is he?" cried the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, but Merlin cast a
+spell upon the knight, so that he fell suddenly to the earth in a deep
+sleep. Then raising up the king, he took the knight's horse for himself
+and rode away.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," said King Arthur, "what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain
+this good knight by thy crafts? There never lived a better knight; I had
+rather lose my kingdom for a year than have him dead."</p>
+
+<p>"Be not afraid," said Merlin; "he is more whole and sound than thou art,
+and is but in a sleep, wherefrom in three hours' time he will awake. I
+told thee what a knight he was, and how near thou was to death. There
+liveth not a better knight than he in all the world, and hereafter he
+shall do thee good service. His name is King Pellinore, and he shall
+have two sons, who shall be passing valiant men, and, save one another,
+shall have no equal in prowess and in purity of life. The one shall be
+named Percival, and the other Lamoracke of Wales."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode on to Caerleon, and all the knights grieved greatly when
+they heard of this adventure, that the king would jeopardize his person
+thus alone. Yet could they not hide their joy at serving under such a
+noble chief, who adventured his own life as much as did the poorest
+knight among them all.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE KING'S MANY AND GREAT ADVENTURES</h3>
+
+
+<p>The land of Britain being now in peace, and many great and valiant
+knights therein ready to take part in whatsoever battles or adventures
+might arise, King Arthur resolved to follow all his enemies to their own
+coasts. Anon he fitted out a great fleet, and sailing first to Ireland,
+in one battle he miserably routed the people of the country. The King of
+Ireland also he took prisoner, and forced all earls and barons to pay
+him homage.</p>
+
+<p>Having conquered Ireland, he went next to Iceland and subdued it also,
+and the winter being then arrived, returned to Britain.</p>
+
+<p>In the next year he set forth to Norway, whence many times the heathen
+had descended on the British coasts; for he was determined to give so
+terrible a lesson to those savages as should be told through all their
+tribes both far and near, and make his name fearful to them.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he was come, Riculf, the king, with all the power of that
+country, met and gave him battle; but, after mighty slaughter, the
+Britons had at length the advantage, and slew Riculf and a countless
+multitude besides.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus defeated them, they set the cities on fire, dispersed the
+country people, and pursued the victory till they had reduced all
+Norway, as also Dacia, under the dominion of King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Now, therefore, having thus chastised those pagans who so long had
+harassed Britain, and put his yoke upon them, he voyaged on to Gaul,
+being steadfastly set upon defeating the Roman governor of that
+province, and so beginning to make good the threats which he had sent
+the emperor by his ambassadors.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as he was landed on the shores of Gaul, there came to him a
+countryman who told him of a fearful giant in the land of Brittany, who
+had slain, murdered, and devoured many people, and had lived for seven
+years upon young children only, "insomuch," said the man, "that all the
+children of the country are destroyed; and but the other day he seized
+upon our duchess, as she rode out with her men, and took her away to his
+lodging in a cave of a mountain, and though five hundred people followed
+her, yet could they give her no help or rescue, but left her shrieking
+and crying lamentably in the giant's hands; and, Lord, she is thy cousin
+Hoel's wife, who is of thy near kindred; wherefore, as thou art a
+rightful king, have pity on this lady; and as thou art a valiant
+conqueror, avenge us and deliver us."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said King Arthur, "this is a great mischief that ye tell of. I
+had rather than the best realm I have, that I had rescued that lady ere
+the giant laid his hand on her; but tell me now, good fellow, canst thou
+bring me where this giant haunteth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, Lord!" replied the man; "lo, yonder, where thou seest two great
+fires, there shalt thou find him, and more treasure also than is in all
+Gaul besides."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king returned to his tent, and, calling Sir Key and Sir Bedwin,
+desired them to get horses ready for himself and them, for that after
+evensong he would ride a pilgrimage with them alone to St. Michael's
+Mount. So in the evening they departed, and rode as fast as they could
+till they came near the mount, and there alighted; and the king
+commanded the two knights to await him at the hill foot, while he went
+up alone.</p>
+
+<p>Then he ascended the mountain till he came to a great fire. And there he
+found a sorrowful widow wringing her hands and weeping miserably,
+sitting by a new-made grave. And saluting her, King Arthur prayed her
+wherefore she made such heavy lamentations.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," she said, "speak softly, for yonder is a devil, who, if he
+hear thy voice, will come and straightway slay thee. Alas! what dost
+thou here? Fifty such men as thou were powerless to resist him. Here
+lieth dead my lady, Duchess of Brittany, wife to Sir Hoel, who was the
+fairest lady in the world, foully and shamefully slaughtered by that
+fiend! Beware that thou go not too nigh, for he hath overcome and
+vanquished fifteen kings, and hath made himself a coat of precious
+stones, embroidered with their beards; but if thou art so hardy, and
+wilt speak with him, at yonder great fire he is at supper."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said King Arthur, "I will accomplish mine errand, for all thy
+fearful words;" and so went forth to the crest of the hill, and saw
+where the giant sat at supper, gnawing on a limb of a man, and baking
+his huge frame by the fire, while three damsels turned three spits,
+whereon were spitted, like larks, twelve young children lately born.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur saw all that, his heart bled for sorrow, and he
+trembled for rage and indignation; then lifting up his voice he cried
+aloud&mdash;"God, that wieldeth all the world, give thee short life and
+shameful death, and may the devil have thy soul! Why hast thou slain
+those children and that fair lady! Wherefore arise, and prepare thee to
+perish, thou glutton and fiend, for this day thou shalt die by my
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>Then the giant, mad with fury at these words, started up, and seizing a
+great club, smote the king, and struck his crown from off his head. But
+King Arthur smote him with his sword so mightily in return, that all his
+blood gushed forth in streams.</p>
+
+<p>At that the giant, howling in great anguish, threw away his club of
+iron, and caught the king in both his arms and strove to crush his ribs
+together. But King Arthur struggled and writhed, and twisted him about
+so that the giant could not hold him tightly; and as they fiercely
+wrestled, they both fell, and rolling over one another,
+tumbled&mdash;wrestling, and struggling, and fighting frantically&mdash;from rock
+to rock, till they came to the sea.</p>
+
+<p>And as they tore and strove and tumbled, the king ever and anon smote at
+the giant with his dagger, till his arms stiffened in death around King
+Arthur's body, and groaning horribly, he died. So presently the two
+knights came and found the king locked fast in the giant's arms, and
+very faint and weary, and loosed him from their hold.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king bade Sir Key to "smite off the giant's head, and set it on
+the truncheon of a spear, and bear it to Sir Hoel, and tell him that his
+enemy is slain; and afterwards let it be fastened to the castle gate,
+that all the people may behold it. And go ye two up on the mountain and
+fetch me my shield and sword, and also the great club of iron ye will
+see there; and as for the treasure, ye shall find there wealth beyond
+counting, but take as much as ye will, for I have his kirtle and the
+club, I desire no more."</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights fetched the club and kirtle, as the king had ordered,
+and took the treasure to themselves, as much as they could carry, and
+returned to the army. But when this deed was noised abroad, all the
+people came in multitudes to thank the king, who told them "to give
+thanks to God, and to divide the giant's spoils amongst them equally."
+And King Arthur desired Sir Hoel to build a church upon the mount, and
+dedicate it to the Archangel Michael.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow, all the host moved onwards into the country of Champagne,
+and Flollo, the Roman tribune, retired before them into Paris. But
+while he was preparing to collect more forces from the neighboring
+countries, King Arthur came upon him unawares; and besieged him in the
+town.</p>
+
+<p>And when a month had passed, Flollo&mdash;full of grief at the starvation of
+his people, who died in hundreds day by day&mdash;sent to King Arthur, and
+desired that they two might fight together; for he was a man of mighty
+stature and courage, and thought himself sure of the victory. This
+challenge, King Arthur, full weary of the siege, accepted with great
+joy, and sent back word to Flollo that he would meet him whensoever he
+appointed.</p>
+
+<p>And a truce being made on both sides, they met together the next day on
+the island without the city, where all the people also were gathered to
+see the issue. And as the king and Flollo rode up to the lists, each was
+so nobly armed and horsed, and sat so mightily upon his saddle, that no
+man could tell which way the battle would end.</p>
+
+<p>When they had saluted one another, and presented themselves against each
+other with their lances aloft, they put spurs to their horses and began
+a fierce encounter. But King Arthur, carrying his spear more warily,
+struck it on the upper part of Flollo's breast, and flung him from his
+saddle to the earth. Then drawing his sword, he cried to him to rise,
+and rushed upon him; but Flollo, starting up, met him with his spear
+couched, and pierced the breast of King Arthur's horse, and overthrew
+both horse and man.</p>
+
+<p>The Britons, when they saw their king upon the ground, could scarcely
+keep themselves from breaking up the truce and falling on the Gauls. But
+as they were about to burst the barriers, and rush upon the lists, King
+Arthur hastily arose, and, guarding himself with his shield, ran with
+speed on Flollo. And now they renewed the assault with great rage, being
+sorely bent upon each other's death.</p>
+
+<p>At length, Flollo, seizing his advantage, gave King Arthur a huge stroke
+upon the helm, which nigh overthrew him, and drew forth his blood in
+streams.</p>
+
+<p>But when King Arthur saw his armor and shield all red with blood, he was
+inflamed with fury, and lifting up Excalibur on high, with all his
+might, he struck straight through the helmet into Flollo's head, and
+smote it into halves; and Flollo falling backwards, and tearing up the
+ground with his spurs, expired.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as this news spread, the citizens all ran together, and, opening
+the gates, surrendered the city to the conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>And when he had overrun the whole province with his arms, and reduced it
+everywhere to subjection, he returned again to Britain, and held his
+court at Caerleon, with greater state than ever.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he invited thereto all the kings, dukes, earls, and barons, who
+owed him homage, that he might treat them royally, and reconcile them to
+each other, and to his rule.</p>
+
+<p>And never was there a city more fit and pleasant for such festivals. For
+on one side it was washed by a noble river, so that the kings and
+princes from the countries beyond sea might conveniently sail up to it;
+and on the other side, the beauty of the groves and meadows, and the
+stateliness and magnificence of the royal palaces, with lofty gilded
+roofs, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was famous also for
+two great and noble churches, whereof one was built in honor of the
+martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted
+themselves wholly to the service of God; and the other, founded in
+memory of St. Aaron, his companion, maintained a convent of canons, and
+was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a
+college of two hundred philosophers, learned in astronomy, and all the
+other sciences and arts.</p>
+
+<p>In this place, therefore, full of such delights, King Arthur held his
+court, with many jousts and tournaments, and royal huntings, and rested
+for a season after all his wars.</p>
+
+<p>And on a certain day there came into the court a messenger from Ryence,
+King of North Wales, bearing this message from his master: That King
+Ryence had discomfited eleven kings, and had compelled each one of them
+to cut off his beard; that he had trimmed a mantle with these beards,
+and lacked but one more beard to finish it; and that he therefore now
+sent for King Arthur's beard, which he required of him forthwith, or
+else he would enter his lands and burn and slay, and never leave them
+till he had taken by force not his beard only, but his head also.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur heard these words he flushed all scarlet, and rising in
+great anger said, "Well it is for thee that thou speakest another man's
+words with thy lips, and not thine own. Thou hast said thy message,
+which is the most insolent and villainous that ever man heard sent to
+any king: now hear my reply. My beard is yet too young to trim that
+mantle of thy master's with; yet, young although I be, I owe no homage
+either to him or any man&mdash;nor will ever owe. But, young although I be, I
+will have thy master's homage upon both his knees before this year be
+past, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this
+message is the shamefullest I ever heard speak of. I see well thy king
+hath never yet met with a worshipful man; but tell him that King Arthur
+will have his head or his worship right soon."</p>
+
+<p>Then the messenger departed, and Arthur, looking round upon his knights,
+demanded of them if any there knew this King Ryence. "Yea," answered Sir
+Noran, "I know him well, and there be few better or stronger knights
+upon a field than he; and he is passing proud and haughty in his heart;
+wherefore I doubt not, Lord, he will make war on thee with mighty
+power."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said King Arthur, "I shall be ready for him, and that shall he
+find."</p>
+
+<p>While the king thus spoke, there came into the hall a damsel having on a
+mantle richly furred, which she let fall, and showed herself to be
+girded with a noble sword. The king being surprised at this, said,
+"Damsel, wherefore art thou girt with that sword, for it beseemeth thee
+not?" "Sir," said she, "I will tell thee. This sword wherewith I am thus
+girt gives me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered
+from it till I find a knight faithful and pure and true, strong of body
+and of valiant deeds, without guile or treachery, who shall be able to
+draw it from its scabbard, which no man else can do. And I have but just
+now come from the court of King Ryence, for there they told me many
+great and good knights were to be ever found; but he and all his knights
+have tried to draw it forth in vain&mdash;for none of them can move it."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a great marvel," said King Arthur; "I will myself try to draw
+forth this sword, not thinking in my heart that I am the best knight,
+but rather to begin and give example that all may try after me." Saying
+this, he took the sword and pulled at it with all his might, but could
+not shake or move it.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou needest not strive so hard, Lord," said the damsel, "for whoever
+may be able to pull it forth shall do so very easily."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest well," replied the king, remembering how he had himself
+drawn forth the sword from the stone before St. Paul's. "Now try ye, all
+my barons; but beware ye be not stained with shame, or any treachery, or
+guile." And turning away his face from them, King Arthur mused full
+heavily on sins within his breast he knew of, and which his failure
+brought to mind right sadly.</p>
+
+<p>Then all the barons present tried each after other, but could none of
+them succeed; whereat the damsel greatly wept, and said, "Alas, alas! I
+thought in this court to have found the best knight, without shame or
+treachery or treason."</p>
+
+<p>Now by chance there was at that time a poor knight with King Arthur, who
+had been prisoner at his court for half a year or more, charged with
+slaying unawares a knight who was a cousin of the king's. He was named
+Balin le Savage, and had been by the good offices of the barons
+delivered from prison, for he was of good and valiant address and gentle
+blood. He being secretly present at the court saw this advantage, and
+felt his heart rise high within him, and longed to try the sword as did
+the others; but being poor and poorly clad, he was ashamed to come
+forward in the press of knights and nobles. But in his heart he felt
+assured that he could do better&mdash;if Heaven willed&mdash;than any knight among
+them all.</p>
+
+<p>So as the damsel left the king, he called to her and said, "Damsel, I
+pray thee of thy courtesy, suffer me to try the sword as well as all
+these lords; for though I be but poorly clad, I feel assurance in my
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel looked at him, saw in him a likely and an honest man, but
+because of his poor garments could not think him to be any knight of
+worship, and said, "Sir, there is no need to put me to any more pain or
+labor; why shouldst thou succeed where so many worthy ones have failed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, fair lady," answered Balin, "worthiness and brave deeds are not
+shown by fair raiment but manhood and truth lie hid within the heart.
+There be many worshipful knights unknown to all the people."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith, thou sayest truth," replied the damsel; "try therefore, if
+thou wilt, what thou canst do."</p>
+
+<p>So Balin took the sword by the girdle and hilt, and drew it lightly out,
+and looking on its workmanship and brightness, it pleased him greatly.</p>
+
+<p>But the king and all the barons marveled at Sir Balin's fortune, and
+many knights were envious of him, for, "Truly," said the damsel, "this
+is a passing good knight, and the best man I have ever found, and the
+most worshipfully free from treason, treachery, or villainy, and many
+wonders shall he achieve.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, gentle and courteous knight," continued she, turning to Balin,
+"give me the sword again."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Sir Balin, "save it be taken from me by force, I shall
+preserve this sword for evermore."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art not wise," replied the damsel, "to keep it from me; for if
+thou wilt do so, thou shall slay with it the best friend thou hast, and
+the sword shall be thine own destruction also."</p>
+
+<p>"I will take whatever adventure God may send," said Balin; "but the
+sword will I keep, by the faith of my body."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou will repent it shortly," said the damsel; "I would take the sword
+for thy sake rather than for mine, for I am passing grieved and heavy
+for thy sake, who wilt not believe the peril I foretell thee." With that
+she departed, making great lamentation.</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin sent for his horse and armor, and took his leave of King
+Arthur, who urged him to stay at his court. "For," said he, "I believe
+that thou art displeased that I showed thee unkindness; blame me not
+overmuch, for I was misinformed against thee, and knew not truly what a
+knight of worship thou art. Abide in this court with my good knights,
+and I will so advance thee that thou shalt be well pleased."</p>
+
+<p>"God thank thee, Lord," said Balin, "for no man can reward thy bounty
+and thy nobleness; but at this time I must needs depart, praying thee
+ever to hold me in thy favor."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said King Arthur, "I am grieved for thy departure; but tarry
+not long, and thou shalt be right welcome to me and all my knights when
+thou returnest, and I will repair my neglect and all that I have done
+amiss against thee."</p>
+
+<p>"God thank thee, Lord," again said Balin, and made ready to depart.</p>
+
+<p>But meanwhile came into the court a lady upon horseback, full richly
+dressed, and saluted King Arthur, and asked him for the gift that he had
+promised her when she gave him his sword Excalibur, "for," said she, "I
+am the lady of the lake."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask what thou wilt," said the king, "and thou shalt have it, if I have
+power to give."</p>
+
+<p>"I ask," said she, "the head of that knight who hath just achieved the
+sword, or else the damsel's head who brought it, or else both; for the
+knight slew my brother, and the lady caused my father's death."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said King Arthur, "I cannot grant thee this desire; it were
+against my nature and against my name; but ask whatever else thou wilt,
+and I will do it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will demand no other thing," said she.</p>
+
+<p>And as she spake came Balin, on his way to leave the court, and saw her
+where she stood, and knew her straightway for his mother's murderess,
+whom he had sought in vain three years. And when they told him that she
+had asked King Arthur for his head, he went up straight to her and said,
+"May evil have thee! Thou desirest my head, therefore shalt thou lose
+thine"; and with his sword he lightly smote her head off, in the
+presence of the king and all the court.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, for shame!" cried out King Arthur, rising up in wrath; "why hast
+thou done this, shaming both me and my court? I am beholden greatly to
+this lady, and under my safe conduct came she here; thy deed is passing
+shameful; never shall I forgive thy villainy."</p>
+
+<p>"Lord," cried Sir Balin, "hear me; this lady was the falsest living, and
+by her witchcraft hath destroyed many, and caused my mother also to be
+burnt to death by her false arts and treachery."</p>
+
+<p>"What cause soever thou mightest have had," said the king, "thou
+shouldst have forborne her in my presence. Deceive not thyself, thou
+shalt repent this sin, for such a shame was never brought upon my court;
+depart now from my face with all the haste thou mayest."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin took up the head of the lady and carried it to his lodgings,
+and rode forth with his squire from out the town. Then said he, "Now
+must we part; take ye this head and bear it to my friends in
+Northumberland, and tell them how I speed, and that our worst foe is
+dead; also tell them that I am free from prison, and of the adventure of
+my sword."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the squire, "ye are greatly to blame to have so displeased
+King Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Sir Balin, "I go now to find King Ryence, and
+destroy him or lose my life; for should I take him prisoner, and lead
+him to the court, perchance King Arthur would forgive me, and become my
+good and gracious lord."</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall I meet thee again?" said the squire.</p>
+
+<p>"In King Arthur's court," said Balin.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V</h2>
+
+<h3>SIR BALIN FIGHTS WITH HIS BROTHER, SIR BALAN</h3>
+
+
+<p>Now there was a knight at the court more envious than the others of Sir
+Balin, for he counted himself one of the best knights in Britain. His
+name was Lancear; and going to the king, he begged leave to follow after
+Sir Balin and avenge the insult he had put upon the court. "Do thy
+best," replied the king, "for I am passing wroth with Balin."</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime came Merlin, and was told of this adventure of the sword
+and lady of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"Now hear me," said he, "when I tell ye that this lady who hath brought
+the sword is the falsest damsel living."</p>
+
+<p>"Say not so," they answered, "for she hath a brother a good knight, who
+slew another knight this damsel loved; so she, to be revenged upon her
+brother, went to the Lady Lile, of Avilion, and besought her help. Then
+Lady Lile gave her the sword, and told her that no man should draw it
+forth but one, a valiant knight and strong, who should avenge her on her
+brother. This, therefore, was the reason why the damsel came here."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it all as well as ye do," answered Merlin; "and would to God
+she had never come hither, for never came she into any company but to do
+harm; and that good knight who hath achieved the sword shall be himself
+slain by it, which shall be great harm and loss, for a better knight
+there liveth not; and he shall do unto my lord the king great honor and
+service."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancear, having armed himself at all points, mounted, and rode
+after Sir Balin, as fast as he could go, and overtaking him, he cried
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight! wait yet awhile, or I shall make thee do so."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing him cry, Sir Balin fiercely turned his horse, and said, "Fair
+knight, what wilt thou with me? wilt thou joust?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said Sir Lancear, "it is for that I have pursued thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Peradventure," answered Balin, "thou hadst best have stayed at home,
+for many a man who thinketh himself already victor, endeth by his own
+downfall. Of what court art thou?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of King Arthur's court," cried Lancear, "and I am come to revenge the
+insult thou hast put on it this day."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Sir Balin, "I see that I must fight thee, and I repent to
+be obliged to grieve King Arthur or his knights; and thy quarrel seemeth
+full foolish to me, for the damsel that is dead worked endless evils
+through the land, or else I had been loth as any knight that liveth to
+have slain a lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Make thee ready," shouted Lancear, "for one of us shall rest forever in
+this field."</p>
+
+<p>But at their first encounter Sir Lancear's spear flew into splinters
+from Sir Balin's shield, and Sir Balin's lance pierced with such might
+through Sir Lancear's shield, that it rove the hauberk also, and passed
+through the knight's body and the horse's crupper. And Sir Balin turning
+fiercely round again, drew out his sword, and knew not that he had
+already slain him; and then he saw him lie a corpse upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>At that same moment came a damsel riding towards him as fast as her
+horse could gallop, who, when she saw Sir Lancear dead, wept and
+sorrowed out of measure, crying, "O, Sir Balin, two bodies hast thou
+slain, and one heart; and two hearts in one body; and two souls also
+hast thou lost."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith she took the sword from her dead lover's side&mdash;for she was Sir
+Lancear's lady-love&mdash;and setting the pommel of it on the ground, ran
+herself through the body with the blade.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Balin saw her dead he was sorely hurt and grieved in spirit,
+and repented the death of Lancear, which had also caused so fair a
+lady's death. And being unable to look on their bodies for sorrow, he
+turned aside into a forest, where presently as he rode, he saw the arms
+of his brother, Sir Balan. And when they were met they put off their
+helms, and embraced each other, kissing, and weeping for joy and pity.
+Then Sir Balin told Sir Balan all his late adventures, and that he was
+on his way to King Ryence, who at that time was besieging Castle
+Terrabil. "I will be with thee," answered Sir Balan, "and we will help
+each other, as brethren ought to do."</p>
+
+<p>Anon by chance, as they were talking, came King Mark, of Cornwall, by
+that way, and when he saw the two dead bodies of Sir Lancear and his
+lady lying there, and heard the story of their death, he vowed to build
+a tomb to them before he left that place. So pitching his pavilion
+there, he sought through all the country round to find a monument, and
+found at last a rich and fair one in a church, which he took and raised
+above the dead knight and his damsel, writing on it&mdash;"Here lieth
+Lancear, son of the King of Ireland, who, at his own request, was slain
+by Balin; and here beside him also lieth his lady Colombe, who slew
+herself with her lover's sword for grief and sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>Then as Sir Balin and Sir Balan rode away, Merlin met with them, and
+said to Balin, "Thou hast done thyself great harm not to have saved that
+lady's life who slew herself; and because of it, thou shalt strike the
+most Dolorous Stroke that ever man struck, save he that smote our Lord.
+For thou shalt smite the truest and most worshipful of living knights,
+who shall not be recovered from his wounds for many years, and through
+that stroke three kingdoms shall be overwhelmed in poverty and misery."</p>
+
+<p>"If I believed," said Balin, "what thou sayest, I would slay myself to
+make thee a liar."</p>
+
+<p>At that Merlin vanished suddenly away; but afterwards he met them in
+disguise towards night, and told them he could lead them to King
+Ryence, whom they sought. "For this night he is to ride with sixty
+lances only through a wood hard by."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Balin and Sir Balan hid themselves within the wood, and at
+midnight came out from their ambush among the leaves by the highway, and
+waited for the king, whom presently they heard approaching with his
+company. Then did they suddenly leap forth and smote at him and
+overthrew him and laid him on the ground, and turning on his company
+wounded and slew forty of them, and put the rest to flight. And
+returning to King Ryence they would have slain him there, but he craved
+mercy, and yielded to their grace, crying, "Knights full of prowess,
+slay me not; for by my life ye may win something&mdash;but my death can avail
+ye nought."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye say truth," said the two knights, and put him in a horse-litter, and
+went swiftly through all the night, till at cock-crow they came to King
+Arthur's palace. There they delivered him to the warders and porters, to
+be brought before the king, with this message&mdash;"That he was sent to King
+Arthur by the knight of the two swords" (for so was Balin known by name,
+since his adventure with the damsel) "and by his brother." And so they
+rode away again ere sunrise.</p>
+
+<p>Within a month or two thereafter, King Arthur being somewhat sick, went
+forth outside the town, and had his pavilion pitched in a meadow, and
+there abode, and laid him down on a pallet to sleep, but could get no
+rest. And as he lay he heard the sound of a great horse, and looking
+out of the tent door, saw a knight ride by, making great lamentation.</p>
+
+<p>"Abide, fair sir," said King Arthur, "and tell me wherefore thou makest
+this sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye may little amend it," said the knight, and so passed on.</p>
+
+<p>Presently after Sir Balin, rode, by chance, past that meadow, and when
+he saw the king he alighted and came to him on foot, and kneeled and
+saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"By my head," said King Arthur, "ye be welcome, Sir Balin;" and then he
+thanked him heartily for revenging him upon King Ryence, and for sending
+him so speedily a prisoner to his castle, and told him how King Nero,
+Ryence's brother, had attacked him afterwards to deliver Ryence from
+prison; and how he had defeated him and slain him, and also King Lot, of
+Orkney, who was joined with Nero, and whom King Pellinore had killed in
+the battle. Then when they had thus talked, King Arthur told Sir Balin
+of the sullen knight that had just passed his tent, and desired him to
+pursue him and to bring him back.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Balin rode and overtook the knight in a forest with a damsel, and
+said, "Sir knight, thou must come back with me unto my lord, King
+Arthur, to tell him the cause of thy sorrow, which thou hast refused
+even now to do."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I not," replied the knight, "for it would harm me much, and
+do him no advantage."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Balin, "I pray thee make ready, for thou must needs go
+with me&mdash;or else I must fight with thee and take thee by force."</p>
+
+<p>"Wilt thou be warrant for safe conduct, if I go with thee?" inquired the
+knight.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, surely," answered Balin, "I will die else."</p>
+
+<p>So the knight made ready to go with Sir Balin, and left the damsel in
+the wood.</p>
+
+<p>But as they went, there came one invisible, and smote the knight through
+the body with a spear. "Alas," cried Sir Herleus (for so was he named),
+"I am slain under thy guard and conduct, by that traitor knight called
+Garlon, who through magic and witchcraft rideth invisibly. Take,
+therefore, my horse, which is better than thine, and ride to the damsel
+whom we left, and follow the quest I had in hand, as she will lead
+thee&mdash;and revenge my death when thou best mayest."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I do," said Sir Balin, "by my knighthood, and so I swear to
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then went Sir Balin to the damsel, and rode forth with her; she carrying
+ever with her the truncheon of the spear wherewith Sir Herleus had been
+slain. And as they went, a good knight, Perin de Mountbelgard, joined
+their company, and vowed to take adventure with them wheresoever they
+might go. But presently as they passed a hermitage fast by a churchyard,
+came the knight Garlon, again invisible, and smote Sir Perin through the
+body with a spear, and slew him as he had slain Sir Herleus. Whereat,
+Sir Balin greatly raged, and swore to have Sir Garlon's life, whenever
+next he might encounter and behold him in his bodily shape. Anon, he
+and the hermit buried the good knight Sir Perin, and rode on with the
+damsel till they came to a great castle, whereinto they were about to
+enter. But when Sir Balin had passed through the gateway, the portcullis
+fell behind him suddenly, leaving the damsel on the outer side, with men
+around her, drawing their swords as if to slay her.</p>
+
+<p>When he saw that, Sir Balin climbed with eager haste by wall and tower,
+and leaped into the castle moat, and rushed towards the damsel and her
+enemies, with his sword drawn, to fight and slay them. But they cried
+out, "Put up thy sword, Sir knight, we will not fight thee in this
+quarrel, for we do nothing but an ancient custom of this castle."</p>
+
+<p>Then they told him that the lady of the castle was passing sick, and had
+lain ill for many years, and might never more be cured, unless she had a
+silver dish full of the blood of a pure maid and a king's daughter.
+Wherefore the custom of the castle was, that never should a damsel pass
+that way but she must give a dish full of her blood. Then Sir Balin
+suffered them to bleed the damsel with her own consent, but her blood
+helped not the lady of the castle. So on the morrow they departed, after
+right good cheer and rest.</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode three or four days without adventure, and came at last to
+the abode of a rich man, who sumptuously lodged and fed them. And while
+they sat at supper Sir Balin heard a voice of some one groaning
+grievously. "What noise is this?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Forsooth," said the host, "I will tell you. I was lately at a
+tournament, and there I fought a knight who is brother to King Pelles,
+and overthrew him twice, for which he swore to be revenged on me through
+my best friend, and so he wounded my son, who cannot be recovered till I
+have that knight's blood, but he rideth through witchcraft always
+invisibly, and I know not his name."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Sir Balin, "but I know him; his name is Garlon, and he hath
+slain two knights, companions of mine own, in the same fashion, and I
+would rather than all the riches in this realm that I might meet him
+face to face."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said his host, "let me now tell thee that King Pelles hath
+proclaimed in all the country a great festival, to be held at Listeniss,
+in twenty days from now, whereto no knight may come without a lady. At
+that great feast we might perchance find out this Garlon, for many will
+be there; and if it please thee we will set forth together."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow they rode all three towards Listeniss, and traveled
+fifteen days, and reached it on the day the feast began. Then they
+alighted and stabled their horses, and went up to the castle, and Sir
+Balin's host was denied entrance, having no lady with him. But Sir Balin
+was right heartily received, and taken to a chamber, where they unarmed
+him, and dressed him in rich robes, of any color that he chose, and told
+him he must lay aside his sword. This, however, he refused, and said,
+"It is the custom of my country for a knight to keep his sword ever with
+him; and if I may not keep it here, I will forthwith depart." Then they
+gave him leave to wear his sword. So he went to the great hall, and was
+set among knights of rank and worship, and his lady before him.</p>
+
+<p>Soon he found means to ask one who sat near him, "Is there not here a
+knight whose name is Garlon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder he goeth," said his neighbor, "he with that black face; he is
+the most marvelous knight alive, for he rideth invisibly, and destroyeth
+whom he will."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, well," said Balin, drawing a long breath, "is that indeed the man?
+I have aforetime heard of him."</p>
+
+<p>Then he mused long within himself, and thought, "If I shall slay him
+here and now, I shall not escape myself; but if I leave him,
+peradventure I shall never meet with him again at such advantage; and if
+he live, how much more harm and mischief will he do!"</p>
+
+<p>But while he deeply thought, and cast his eyes from time to time upon
+Sir Garlon, that false knight saw that he watched him, and thinking that
+he could at such a time escape revenge, he came and smote Sir Balin on
+the face with the back of his hand, and said, "Knight, why dost thou so
+watch me? be ashamed, and eat thy meat, and do that which thou camest
+for."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest well," cried Sir Balin, rising fiercely; "now will I
+straightway do that which I came to do, as thou shalt find." With that
+he whirled his sword aloft and struck him downright on the head, and
+clove his skull asunder to the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me the truncheon," cried out Sir Balin to his lady, "wherewith he
+slew thy knight." And when she gave it him&mdash;for she had always carried
+it about with her, wherever she had gone&mdash;he smote him through the body
+with it, and said, "With that truncheon didst thou treacherously murder
+a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy felon body."</p>
+
+<p>Then he called to the father of the wounded son, who had come with him
+to Listeniss, and said, "Now take as much blood as thou wilt, to heal
+thy son withal."</p>
+
+<p>But now arose a terrible confusion, and all the knights leaped from the
+table to slay Balin, King Pelles himself the foremost, who cried out,
+"Knight, thou hast slain my brother at my board; die, therefore, die,
+for thou shalt never leave this castle."</p>
+
+<p>"Slay me, thyself, then," shouted Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said the king, "that will I! for no other man shall touch thee,
+for the love I bear my brother."</p>
+
+<p>Then King Pelles caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword between his head and the king's stroke,
+and saved himself but lost his sword, which fell down smashed and
+shivered into pieces by the blow. So being weaponless he ran to the next
+room to find a sword, and so from room to room, with King Pelles after
+him, he in vain ever eagerly casting his eyes round every place to find
+some weapon.</p>
+
+<p>At last he ran into a chamber wondrous richly decked, where was a bed
+all dressed with cloth of gold, the richest that could be thought of,
+and one who lay quite still within the bed; and by the bedside stood a
+table of pure gold, borne on four silver pillars, and on the table
+stood a marvelous spear, strangely wrought.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Balin saw the spear he seized it in his hand, and turned upon
+King Pelles, and smote at him so fiercely and so sore that he dropped
+swooning to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>But at that Dolorous and awful Stroke the castle rocked and rove
+throughout, and all the walls fell crashed and breaking to the earth,
+and Balin himself fell also in their midst, struck as it were to stone,
+and powerless to move a hand or foot. And so three days he lay amidst
+the ruins, until Merlin came and raised him up and brought him a good
+horse, and bade him ride out of that land as swiftly as he could.</p>
+
+<p>"May I not take the damsel with me I brought hither?" said Sir Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"Lo! where she lieth dead," said Merlin. "Ah, little knowest thou, Sir
+Balin, what thou hast done; for in this castle and that chamber which
+thou didst defile, was the blood of our Lord Christ! and also that most
+holy cup&mdash;the Sangreal&mdash;wherefrom the wine was drunk at the last supper
+of our Lord. Joseph of Arimathea brought it to this land, when first he
+came here to convert and save it. And on that bed of gold it was himself
+who lay, and the strange spear beside him was the spear wherewith the
+soldier Longus smote our Lord, which evermore had dripped with blood.
+King Pelles is the nearest kin to Joseph in direct descent, wherefore he
+held these holy things in trust; but now have they all gone at thy
+dolorous stroke, no man knoweth whither; and great is the damage to
+this land, which until now hath been the happiest of all lands, for by
+that stroke thou hast slain thousands, and by the loss and parting of
+the Sangreal, the safety of this realm is put in peril, and its great
+happiness is gone for evermore."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin departed from Merlin, struck to his soul with grief and
+sorrow, and said, "In this world shall we meet never more."</p>
+
+<p>So he rode forth through the fair cities and the country, and found the
+people lying dead on every side. And all the living cried out on him as
+he passed, "O Balin, all this misery hast thou done! For the dolorous
+stroke thou gavest King Pelles, three countries are destroyed, and doubt
+not but revenge will fall on thee at last!"</p>
+
+<p>When he had passed the boundary of those countries, he was somewhat
+comforted, and rode eight days without adventure. Anon he came to a
+cross, whereon was written in letters of gold, "It is not for a knight
+alone to ride towards this castle." Looking up, he saw a hoary ancient
+man come towards him, who said, "Sir Balin le Savage, thou passest thy
+bounds this way; therefore turn back again, it will be best for thee;"
+and with these words he vanished.</p>
+
+<p>Then did he hear a horn blow as it were the death-note of some hunted
+beast. "That blast," said Balin, "is blown for me, for I am the prey;
+though yet I be not dead." But as he spoke he saw a hundred ladies with
+a great troop of knights come forth to meet him with bright faces and
+great welcome, who led him to the castle and made a great feast, with
+dancing and minstrelsy and all manner of joy.</p>
+
+<p>Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight with the two swords,
+thou must encounter and fight with a knight hard by, who dwelleth on an
+island, for no man may pass this way without encountering him."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a grievous custom," answered Sir Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"There is but one knight to defeat," replied the lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Sir Balin, "be it as thou wilt. I am ready and quite
+willing, and though my horse and my body be full weary, yet is my heart
+not weary, save of life. And truly I were glad if I might meet my
+death."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said one standing by, "methinketh your shield is not good; I will
+lend you a bigger."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank thee, sir," said Balin, and took the unknown shield and left
+his own, and so rode forth, and put himself and horse into a boat and
+came to the island.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had landed, he saw come riding towards him, a knight
+dressed all in red, upon a horse trapped in the same color. When the red
+knight saw Sir Balin, and the two swords he wore, he thought it must
+have been his brother (for the red knight was Sir Balan), but when he
+saw the strange arms on his shield, he forgot the thought, and came
+against him fiercely. At the first course they overthrew each other, and
+both lay swooning on the ground; but Sir Balin was the most hurt and
+bruised, for he was weary and spent with traveling. So Sir Balan rose
+up first to his feet and drew his sword, and Sir Balin painfully rose
+against him and raised his shield. Then Sir Balan smote him through the
+shield and brake his helmet; and Sir Balin, in return, smote at him with
+his fated sword, and had wellnigh slain his brother. And so they fought
+till their breaths failed.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Balin, looking up, saw all the castle towers stand full of
+ladies. So they went again to battle, and wounded each other full sore,
+and paused, and breathed again, and then again began the fight; and this
+for many times they did, till all the ground was red with blood. And by
+now, each had full grievously wounded the other with seven great wounds,
+the least of which might have destroyed the mightiest giant in the
+world. But still they rose against each other, although their hauberks
+now were all unnailed, and they smiting at each other's naked bodies
+with their sharp swords. At the last, Sir Balan, the younger brother,
+withdrew a little space and laid him down.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Balin le Savage, "What knight art thou? for never before
+have I found a knight to match me thus."</p>
+
+<p>"My name," said he, all faintly, "is Balan, brother to the good knight
+Sir Balin."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, God!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and therewith
+fell down backwards in a swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Balan crept with pain upon his feet and hands, and put his
+brother's helmet off his head, but could not know him by his face, it
+was so hewed and bloody. But presently, when Sir Balin came to, he
+said, "Oh! Balan, mine own brother, thou hast slain me, and I thee! All
+the wide world saw never greater grief!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said Sir Balan, "that I ever saw this day; and through mishap
+alone I knew thee not, for when I saw thy two swords, if it had not been
+for thy strange shield, I should have known thee for my brother."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said Balin, "all this sorrow lieth at the door of one unhappy
+knight within the castle, who made me change my shield. If I might live,
+I would destroy that castle and its evil customs."</p>
+
+<p>"It were well done," said Balan, "for since I first came hither I have
+never been able to depart, for here they made me fight with one who kept
+this island, whom I slew, and by enchantment I might never quit it more;
+nor couldst thou, brother, hadst thou slain me, and escaped with thine
+own life."</p>
+
+<p>Anon came the lady of the castle, and when she heard their talk, and saw
+their evil case, she wrung her hands and wept bitterly. So Sir Balan
+prayed the lady of her gentleness that, for his true service, she would
+bury them both together in that place. This she granted, weeping full
+sore, and said it should be done right solemnly and richly, and in the
+noblest manner possible. Then did they send for a priest, and received
+the holy sacrament at his hands. And Balin said, "Write over us upon our
+tomb, that here two brethren slew each other; then shall never good
+knight or pilgrim pass this way but he will pray for both our souls."
+And anon Sir Balan died, but Sir Balin died not till the midnight after;
+and then they both were buried.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow of their death came Merlin, and took Sir Balin's sword and
+fixed on it a new pommel, and set it in a mighty stone, which then, by
+magic, he made float upon the water. And so, for many years, it floated
+to and fro around the island, till it swam down the river to Camelot,
+where young Sir Galahad achieved it, as shall be told hereafter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE MARRIAGE OF ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE</h3>
+
+
+<p>It befell upon a certain day, that King Arthur said to Merlin, "My lords
+and knights do daily pray me now to take a wife; but I will have none
+without thy counsel, for thou hast ever helped me since I came first to
+this crown."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said Merlin, "that thou shouldst take a wife, for no man
+of bounteous and noble nature should live without one; but is there any
+lady whom thou lovest better than another?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said King Arthur, "I love Guinevere, the daughter of King
+Leodegrance, of Camelgard, who also holdeth in his house the Round Table
+that he had from my father Uther; and as I think, that damsel is the
+gentlest and the fairest lady living."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," answered Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+that do live; but if ye had not loved her as ye do, I would fain have
+had ye choose some other who was both fair and good. But where a man's
+heart is set, he will be loth to leave." This Merlin said, knowing the
+misery that should hereafter happen from this marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Then King Arthur sent word to King Leodegrance that he mightily desired
+to wed his daughter, and how that he had loved her since he saw her
+first, when with Kings Ban and Bors he rescued Leodegrance from King
+Ryence of North Wales.</p>
+
+<p>When King Leodegrance heard the message, he cried out, "These be the
+best tidings I have heard in all my life&mdash;so great and worshipful a
+prince to seek my daughter for his wife! I would fain give him half my
+lands with her straightway, but that he needeth none&mdash;and better will it
+please him that I send him the Round Table of King Uther, his father,
+with a hundred good knights towards the furnishing of it with guests,
+for he will soon find means to gather more, and make the table full."</p>
+
+<p>Then King Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guinevere to the messengers
+of King Arthur, and also the Round Table with the hundred knights.</p>
+
+<p>So they rode royally and freshly, sometimes by water and sometimes by
+land, towards Camelot. And as they rode along in the spring weather,
+they made full many sports and pastimes. And, in all those sports and
+games, a young knight lately come to Arthur's, court, Sir Lancelot by
+name, was passing strong, and won praise from all, being full of grace
+and hardihood; and Guinevere also ever looked on him with joy. And
+always in the eventide, when the tents were set beside some stream or
+forest, many minstrels came and sang before the knights and ladies as
+they sat in the tent-doors, and many knights would tell adventures; and
+still Sir Lancelot was foremost, and told the knightliest tales, and
+sang the goodliest songs, of all the company.</p>
+
+<p>And when they came to Camelot, King Arthur made great joy, and all the
+city with him; and riding forth with a great retinue he met Guinevere
+and her company, and led her through the streets all filled with people,
+and in the midst of all their shoutings and the ringing of church bells,
+to a palace hard by his own.</p>
+
+<p>Then, in all haste, the king commanded to prepare the marriage and the
+coronation with the stateliest and most honorable pomp that could be
+made. And when the day was come, the archbishops led the king to the
+cathedral, whereto he walked, clad in his royal robes, and having four
+kings, bearing four golden swords, before him; a choir of passing sweet
+music going also with him.</p>
+
+<p>In another part, was the queen dressed in her richest ornaments, and led
+by archbishops and bishops to the Chapel of the Virgins, the four queens
+also of the four kings last mentioned walked before her, bearing four
+white doves, according to ancient custom; and after her there followed
+many damsels, singing and making every sign of joy.</p>
+
+<p>And when the two processions were come to the churches, so wondrous was
+the music and the singing, that all the knights and barons who were
+there pressed on each other, as in the crowd of battle, to hear and see
+the most they might.</p>
+
+<p>When the king was crowned, he called together all the knights that came
+with the Round Table from Camelgard, and twenty-eight others, great and
+valiant men, chosen by Merlin out of all the realm, towards making up
+the full number of the table. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury blessed
+the seats of all the knights, and when they rose again therefrom to pay
+their homage to King Arthur, there was found upon the back of each
+knight's seat his name, written in letters of gold. But upon one seat
+was found written, "This is the Siege Perilous, wherein if any man shall
+sit save him whom Heaven hath chosen, he shall be devoured by fire."</p>
+
+<p>Anon came young Gawain, the king's nephew, praying to be made a knight,
+whom the king knighted then and there. Soon after came a poor man,
+leading with him a tall fair lad of eighteen years of age, riding on a
+lean mare. And falling at the king's feet, the poor man said, "Lord, it
+was told me, that at this time of thy marriage thou wouldst give to any
+man the gift he asked for, so it were not unreasonable."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the truth," replied King Arthur, "and I will make it good."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest graciously and nobly," said the poor man. "Lord, I ask
+nothing else but that thou wilt make my son here a knight."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great thing that thou askest," said the king. "What is thy
+name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aries, the cowherd," answered he.</p>
+
+<p>"Cometh this prayer from thee or from thy son?" inquired King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, lord, not from myself," said he, "but from him only, for I have
+thirteen other sons, and all of them will fall to any labor that I put
+them to. But this one will do no such work for anything that I or my
+wife may do, but is for ever shooting or fighting, and running to see
+knights and joustings, and torments me both night and day that he be
+made a knight."</p>
+
+<p>"What is thy name?" said the king to the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tor," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king, looking at him steadfastly, was well pleased with his
+face and figure, and with his look of nobleness and strength.</p>
+
+<p>"Fetch all thy other sons before me," said the king to Aries. But when
+he brought them, none of them resembled Tor in size or shape or feature.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king knighted Tor, saying, "Be thou to thy life's end a good
+knight and a true, as I pray God thou mayest be; and if thou provest
+worthy, and of prowess, one day thou shalt be counted in the Round
+Table." Then turning to Merlin, Arthur said, "Prophesy now, O Merlin,
+shall Sir Tor become a worthy knight, or not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, lord," said Merlin, "so he ought to be, for he is the son of that
+King Pellinore whom thou hast met, and proved to be one of the best
+knights living. He is no cowherd's son."</p>
+
+<p>Presently after came in King Pellinore, and when he saw Sir Tor he knew
+him for his son, and was more pleased than words can tell to find him
+knighted by the king. And Pellinore did homage to King Arthur, and was
+gladly and graciously accepted of the king; and then was led by Merlin
+to a high seat at the Table Round, near to the Perilous Seat.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Gawain was full of anger at the honor done King Pellinore, and
+said to his brother Gaheris, "He slew our father, King Lot, therefore
+will I slay him."</p>
+
+<p>"Do it not yet," said he; "wait till I also be a knight, then will I
+help ye in it: it is best ye suffer him to go at this time, and not
+trouble this high feast with blood-shed."</p>
+
+<p>"As ye will, be it," said Sir Gawain.</p>
+
+<p>Then rose the king and spake to all the Table Round, and charged them to
+be ever true and noble knights, to do neither outrage nor murder, nor
+any unjust violence, and always to flee treason; also by no means ever
+to be cruel, but give mercy unto him that asked for mercy, upon pain of
+forfeiting the liberty of his court forevermore. Moreover, at all times,
+on pain of death, to give all succor unto ladies and young damsels; and
+lastly, never to take part in any wrongful quarrel, for reward or
+payment. And to all this he swore them knight by knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then he ordained that, every year at Pentecost, they should all come
+before him, wheresoever he might appoint a place, and give account of
+all their doings and adventures of the past twelve-month. And so, with
+prayer and blessing, and high words of cheer, he instituted the most
+noble order of the Round Table, whereto the best and bravest knights in
+all the world sought afterwards to find admission.</p>
+
+<p>Then was the high feast made ready, and the king and queen sat side by
+side, before the whole assembly; and great and royal was the banquet and
+the pomp.</p>
+
+<p>And as they sat, each man in his place, Merlin went round and said, "Sit
+still awhile, for ye shall see a strange and marvelous adventure."</p>
+
+<p>So as they sat, there suddenly came running through the hall, a white
+hart, with a white hound next after him, and thirty couple of black
+running hounds, making full cry; and the hart made circuit of the Table
+Round, and past the other tables; and suddenly the white hound flew upon
+him and bit him fiercely, and tore out a piece from his haunch. Whereat
+the hart sprang suddenly with a great leap, and overthrew a knight
+sitting at the table, who rose forthwith, and, taking up the hound,
+mounted, and rode fast away.</p>
+
+<p>But no sooner had he left, than there came in a lady, mounted on a white
+palfrey, who cried out to the king, "Lord, suffer me not to have this
+injury!&mdash;the hound is mine which that knight taketh." And as she spake,
+a knight rode in all armed, on a great horse, and suddenly took up the
+lady and rode away with her by force, although she greatly cried and
+moaned.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king desired Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and King Pellinore to mount
+and follow this adventure to the uttermost; and told Sir Gawain to bring
+back the hart, Sir Tor the hound and knight, and King Pellinore the
+knight and the lady.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Gawain rode forth at a swift pace, and with him Gaheris, his
+brother, for a squire. And as they went, they saw two knights fighting
+on horseback, and when they reached them they divided them and asked the
+reason of their quarrel. "We fight for a foolish matter," one replied,
+"for we be brethren; but there came by a white hart this way, chased by
+many hounds, and thinking it was an adventure for the high feast of King
+Arthur, I would have followed it to have gained worship; whereat my
+younger brother here declared he was the better knight and would go
+after it instead, and so we fight to prove which of us be the better
+knight."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a foolish thing," said Sir Gawain. "Fight with all strangers,
+if ye will, but not brother with brother. Take my advice, set on against
+me, and if ye yield to me, as I shall do my best to make ye, ye shall go
+to King Arthur and yield ye to his grace."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," replied the brothers, "we are weary, and will do thy wish
+without encountering thee; but by whom shall we tell the king that we
+were sent?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the knight that followeth the quest of the white hart," said Sir
+Gawain. "And now tell me your names, and let us part."</p>
+
+<p>"Sorlous and Brian of the Forest," they replied; and so they went their
+way to the king's court.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain, still following his quest by the distant baying of the
+hounds, came to a great river, and saw the hart swimming over and near
+to the further bank. And as he was about to plunge in and swim after, he
+saw a knight upon the other side, who cried, "Come not over here, Sir
+knight, after that hart, save thou wilt joust with me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not fail for that," said Sir Gawain; and swam his horse across
+the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Anon they got their spears, and ran against each other fiercely; and Sir
+Gawain smote the stranger off his horse, and turning, bade him yield.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," replied he, "not so; for though ye have the better of me on
+horseback, I pray thee, valiant knight, alight, and let us match
+together with our swords on foot."</p>
+
+<p>"What is thy name?" quoth Gawain.</p>
+
+<p>"Allardin of the Isles," replied the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>Then they fell on each other; but soon Sir Gawain struck him through the
+helm, so deeply and so hard, that all his brains were scattered, and Sir
+Allardin fell dead. "Ah," said Gaheris, "that was a mighty stroke for a
+young knight!"</p>
+
+<p>Then did they turn again to follow the white hart, and let slip three
+couple of greyhounds after him; and at the last they chased him to a
+castle, and there they overtook and slew him, in the chief courtyard.</p>
+
+<p>At that there rushed a knight forth from a chamber, with a drawn sword
+in his hand, and slew two of the hounds before their eyes, and chased
+the others from the castle, crying, "Oh, my white hart! alas, that thou
+art dead! for thee my sovereign lady gave to me, and evil have I kept
+thee; but if I live, thy death shall be dear bought." Anon he went
+within and armed, and came out fiercely, and met Sir Gawain face to
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have ye slain my hounds?" said Sir Gawain; "they did but after
+their nature: and ye had better have taken vengeance on me than on the
+poor dumb beasts."</p>
+
+<p>"I will avenge me on thee, also," said the other, "ere thou depart this
+place."</p>
+
+<p>Then did they fight with each other savagely and madly, till the blood
+ran down to their feet. But at last Sir Gawain had the better, and
+felled the knight of the castle to the ground. Then he cried out for
+mercy, and yielded to Sir Gawain, and besought him as he was a knight
+and gentleman to save his life. "Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawain, "for
+slaying my hounds."</p>
+
+<p>"I will make thee all amends within my power," replied the knight.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Gawain would have no mercy, and unlaced his helm to strike his
+head off; and so blind was he with rage, that he saw not where a lady
+ran out from her chamber and fell down upon his enemy. And making a
+fierce blow at him, he smote off by mischance the lady's head.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Gaheris, "foully and shamefully have ye done&mdash;the shame
+shall never leave ye! Why give ye not your mercy unto them that ask it?
+a knight without mercy is without worship also."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain was sore amazed at that fair lady's death, and knew not
+what to do, and said to the fallen knight, "Arise, for I will give thee
+mercy."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, nay," said he, "I care not for thy mercy now, for thou hast slain
+my lady and my love&mdash;that of all earthly things I loved the best."</p>
+
+<p>"I repent me sorely of it," said Sir Gawain, "for I meant to have struck
+thee: but now shalt thou go to King Arthur and tell him this adventure,
+and how thou hast been overcome by the knight that followeth the quest
+of the white hart."</p>
+
+<p>"I care not whether I live or die, or where I go," replied the knight.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Gawain sent him to the court to Camelot, making him bear one dead
+greyhound before and one behind him on his horse. "Tell me thy name
+before we part," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Athmore of the Marsh," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>Then went Sir Gawain into the castle, and prepared to sleep there and
+began to unarm; but Gaheris upbraided him, saying, "Will ye disarm in
+this strange country? bethink ye, ye must needs have many enemies
+about."</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had he spoken than there came out suddenly four knights, well
+armed, and assailed them hard, saying to Sir Gawain, "Thou new-made
+knight, how hast thou shamed thy knighthood! a knight without mercy is
+dishonored! Slayer of fair ladies, shame to thee evermore! Doubt not
+thou shalt thyself have need of mercy ere we leave thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then were the brothers in great jeopardy, and feared for their lives,
+for they were but two to four, and weary with traveling; and one of the
+four knights shot Sir Gawain with a bolt, and hit him through the arm,
+so that he could fight no more. But when there was nothing left for them
+but death, there came four ladies forth and prayed the four knights'
+mercy for the strangers. So they gave Sir Gawain and Gaheris their
+lives, and made them yield themselves prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow, came one of the ladies to Sir Gawain, and talked with
+him, saying, "Sir knight, what cheer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not good," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"It is your own default, sir," said the lady, "for ye have done a
+passing foul deed in slaying that fair damsel yesterday&mdash;and ever shall
+it be great shame to you. But ye be not of King Arthur's kin."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, truly am I," said he; "my name is Gawain, son of King Lot of
+Orkney, whom King Pellinore slew&mdash;and my mother, Belisent, is
+half-sister to the king."</p>
+
+<p>When the lady heard that, she went and presently got leave for him to
+quit the castle; and they gave him the head of the white hart to take
+with him, because it was in his quest; but made him also carry the dead
+lady with him&mdash;her head hung round his neck and her body lay before him
+on his horse's neck.</p>
+
+<p>So in that fashion he rode back to Camelot; and when the king and queen
+saw him, and heard tell of his adventures, they were heavily displeased,
+and, by order of the queen, he was put upon his trial before a court of
+ladies&mdash;who judged him to be evermore, for all his life, the knight of
+ladies' quarrels, and to fight always on their side, and never against
+any, except he fought for one lady and his adversary for another; also
+they charged him never to refuse mercy to him that asked it, and swore
+him to it on the Holy Gospels. Thus ended the adventure of the white
+hart.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Sir Tor had made him ready, and followed the knight who rode
+away with the hound. And as he went, there suddenly met him in the road
+a dwarf, who struck his horse so viciously upon the head with a great
+staff, that he leaped backwards a spear's length.</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore so smitest thou my horse, foul dwarf?" shouted Sir Tor.</p>
+
+<p>"Because thou shalt not pass this way," replied the dwarf, "unless thou
+fight for it with yonder knights in those pavilions," pointing to two
+tents, where two great spears stood out, and two shields hung upon two
+trees hard by.</p>
+
+<p>"I may not tarry, for I am on a quest I needs must follow," said Sir
+Tor.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou shalt not pass," replied the dwarf, and therewith blew his horn.
+Then rode out quickly at Sir Tor one armed on horseback, but Sir Tor was
+quick as he, and riding at him bore him from his horse, and made him
+yield. Directly after came another still more fiercely, but with a few
+great strokes and buffets Sir Tor unhorsed him also, and sent them both
+to Camelot to King Arthur. Then came the dwarf and begged Sir Tor to
+take him in his service, "for," said he, "I will serve no more recreant
+knights."</p>
+
+<p>"Take then a horse, and come with me," said Tor.</p>
+
+<p>"Ride ye after the knight with the white hound?" said the dwarf; "I can
+soon bring ye where he is."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode through the forest till they came to two more tents. And
+Sir Tor alighting, went into the first, and saw three damsels lie there,
+sleeping. Then went he to the other, and found another lady also
+sleeping, and at her feet the white hound he sought for, which instantly
+began to bay and bark so loudly, that the lady woke. But Sir Tor had
+seized the hound and given it to the dwarf's charge.</p>
+
+<p>"What will ye do, Sir knight?" cried out the lady; "will ye take away my
+hound from me by force?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, lady," said Sir Tor; "for so I must, having the king's command;
+and I have followed it from King Arthur's court, at Camelot, to this
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the lady, "ye will not go far before ye be ill handled, and
+will repent ye of the quest."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall cheerfully abide whatsoever adventure cometh, by the grace of
+God," said Sir Tor; and so mounted his horse and began to ride back on
+his way. But night coming on, he turned aside to a hermitage that was in
+the forest, and there abode till the next day, making but sorrowful
+cheer of such poor food as the hermit had to give him, and hearing a
+Mass devoutly before he left on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>And in the early morning, as he rode forth with the dwarf towards
+Camelot, he heard a knight call loudly after him, "Turn, turn! Abide,
+Sir knight, and yield me up the hound thou tookest from my lady." At
+which he turned, and saw a great and strong knight, armed full
+splendidly, riding down upon him fiercely through a glade of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Tor was very ill provided, for he had but an old courser, which
+was as weak as himself, because of the hermit's scanty fare. He waited,
+nevertheless, for the strange knight to come, and at the first onset
+with their spears, each unhorsed the other, and then fell to with their
+swords like two mad lions. Then did they smite through one another's
+shields and helmets till the fragments flew on all sides, and their
+blood ran out in streams; but yet they carved and rove through the thick
+armor of the hauberks, and gave each other great and ghastly wounds. But
+in the end, Sir Tor, finding the strange knight faint, doubled his
+strokes until he beat him to the earth. Then did he bid him yield to his
+mercy.</p>
+
+<p>"That will I not," replied Abellius, "while my life lasteth and my soul
+is in my body, unless thou give me first the hound."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot," said Sir Tor, "and will not, for it was my quest to bring
+again that hound and thee unto King Arthur, or otherwise to slay thee."</p>
+
+<p>With that there came a damsel riding on a palfrey, as fast as she could
+drive, and cried out to Sir Tor with a loud voice, "I pray thee, for
+King Arthur's love, give me a gift."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask," said Sir Tor, "and I will give thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy," said the lady, "I ask the head of this false knight
+Abellius, the most outrageous murderer that liveth."</p>
+
+<p>"I repent me of the gift I promised," said Sir Tor. "Let him make thee
+amends for all his trespasses against thee."</p>
+
+<p>"He cannot make amends," replied the damsel, "for he hath slain my
+brother, a far better knight than he, and scorned to give him mercy,
+though I kneeled for half an hour before him in the mire, to beg it, and
+though it was but by a chance they fought, and for no former injury or
+quarrel. I require my gift of thee as a true knight, or else will I
+shame thee in King Arthur's court; for this Abellius is the falsest
+knight alive, and a murderer of many."</p>
+
+<p>When Abellius heard this, he trembled greatly, and was sore afraid, and
+yielded to Sir Tor, and prayed his mercy.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot now, Sir knight," said he, "lest I be false to my promise. Ye
+would not take my mercy when I offered it; and now it is too late."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he unlaced his helmet, and took it off; but Abellius, in
+dismal fear, struggled to his feet, and fled, until Sir Tor overtook
+him, and smote off his head entirely with one blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, sir," said the damsel, "it is near night, I pray ye come and lodge
+at my castle hard by."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, with a good will," said he, for both his horse and he had fared
+but poorly since they left Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>So he went to the lady's castle and fared sumptuously, and saw her
+husband, an old knight, who greatly thanked him for his service, and
+urged him oftentimes to come again.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow he departed, and reached Camelot by noon, where the king
+and queen rejoiced to see him, and the king made him Earl; and Merlin
+prophesied that these adventures were but little to the things he should
+achieve hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>Now while Sir Gawain and Sir Tor had fulfilled their quests, King
+Pellinore pursued the lady whom the knight had seized away from the
+wedding-feast. And as he rode through the woods, he saw in a valley a
+fair young damsel sitting by a well-side, and a wounded knight lying in
+her arms, and King Pellinore saluted her as he passed by.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she perceived him she cried out, "Help, help me, knight, for
+our Lord's sake!" But Pellinore was far too eager in his quest to stay
+or turn, although she cried a hundred times to him for help; at which
+she prayed to heaven he might have such sore need before he died as she
+had now. And presently thereafter her knight died in her arms; and she,
+for grief and love, slew herself with his sword.</p>
+
+<p>But King Pellinore rode on till he met a poor man, and asked him had he
+seen a knight pass by that way, leading by force a lady with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, surely," said the man, "and greatly did she moan and cry; but even
+now another knight is fighting with him to deliver the lady; ride on and
+thou shalt find them fighting still."</p>
+
+<p>At that King Pellinore rode swiftly on, and came to where he saw the two
+knights fighting, hard by where two pavilions stood. And when he looked
+in one of them, he saw the lady that was his quest, and with her the two
+squires of the two knights who fought.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lady," said he, "ye must come with me unto King Arthur's court."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said the two squires, "yonder be two knights fighting for
+this lady; go part them, and get their consent to take her, ere thou
+touch her."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye say well," said King Pellinore, and rode between the combatants, and
+asked them why they fought.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said the one, "yon lady is my cousin, mine aunt's
+daughter, whom I met borne away against her will, by this knight here,
+with whom I therefore fight to free her."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," replied the other, whose name was Hantzlake of Wentland,
+"this lady got I, by my arms and prowess, at King Arthur's court
+to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"That is false," said King Pellinore; "ye stole the lady suddenly, and
+fled away with her, before any knight could arm to stay thee. But it is
+my service to take her back again. Neither of ye shall therefore have
+her; but if ye will fight for her, fight with me now and here."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the knights, "make ready, and we will assail thee with all
+our might."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Hantzlake ran King Pellinore's horse through with his sword, so
+that they might be all alike on foot. But King Pellinore at that was
+passing wroth, and ran upon Sir Hantzlake, with a cry, "Keep well thy
+head!" and gave him such a stroke upon the helm as clove him to the
+chin, so that he fell dead to the ground. When he saw that, the other
+knight refused to fight, and kneeling down said, "Take my cousin the
+lady with thee, as thy quest is; but as thou art a true knight, suffer
+her to come to neither shame nor harm."</p>
+
+<p>So the next day King Pellinore departed for Camelot, and took the lady
+with him; and as they rode in a valley full of rough stones, the
+damsel's horse stumbled and threw her, so that her arms were sorely
+bruised and hurt. And as they rested in the forest for the pain to
+lessen, night came on, and there they were compelled to make their
+lodging. A little before midnight they heard the trotting of a horse.
+"Be ye still," said King Pellinore, "for now we may hear of some
+adventure," and therewith he armed her. Then he heard two knights meet
+and salute each other, in the dark; one riding from Camelot, the other
+from the north.</p>
+
+<p>"What tidings at Camelot?" said one.</p>
+
+<p>"By my head," said the other, "I have but just left there, and have
+espied King Arthur's court, and such a fellowship is there as never may
+be broke or overcome; for wellnigh all the chivalry of the world is
+there, and all full loyal to the king, and now I ride back homewards to
+the north to tell our chiefs, that they waste not their strength in wars
+against him."</p>
+
+<p>"As for all that," replied the other knight, "I am but now from the
+north, and bear with me a remedy, the deadliest poison that ever was
+heard tell of, and to Camelot will I with it; for there we have a friend
+close to the king, and greatly cherished of him, who hath received gifts
+from us to poison him, as he hath promised soon to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Beware," said the first knight, "of Merlin, for he knoweth all things,
+by the devil's craft."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not fear for that," replied the other, and so rode on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Anon King Pellinore and the lady passed on again; and when they came to
+the well at which the lady with the wounded knight had sat, they found
+both knight and damsel utterly devoured by lions and wild beasts, all
+save the lady's head.</p>
+
+<p>When King Pellinore saw that, he wept bitterly, saying, "Alas! I might
+have saved her life had I but tarried a few moments in my quest."</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore make so much sorrow now?" said the lady.</p>
+
+<p>"I know not," answered he, "but my heart grieveth greatly for this poor
+lady's death, so fair she was and young."</p>
+
+<p>Then he required a hermit to bury the remains of the bodies, and bare
+the lady's head with him to Camelot, to the court.</p>
+
+<p>When he was arrived, he was sworn to tell the truth of his quest before
+the King and Queen, and when he had entered the Queen somewhat upbraided
+him, saying, "Ye were much to blame that ye saved not that lady's life."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said he, "I shall repent it all my life."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, king," quoth Merlin, who suddenly came in, "and so ye ought to do,
+for that lady was your daughter, not seen since infancy by thee. And she
+was on her way to court, with a right good young knight, who would have
+been her husband, but was slain by treachery of a felon knight, Lorraine
+le Savage, as they came; and because thou wouldst not abide and help
+her, thy best friend shall fail thee in thine hour of greatest need, for
+such is the penance ordained thee for that deed."</p>
+
+<p>Then did King Pellinore tell Merlin secretly of the treason he had heard
+in the forest, and Merlin by his craft so ordered that the knight who
+bare the poison was himself soon after slain by it, and so King Arthur's
+life was saved.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURE OF ARTHUR AND SIR ACCOLON OF GAUL</h3>
+
+
+<p>Being now happily married, King Arthur for a season took his pleasure,
+with great tournaments, and jousts, and huntings. So once upon a time
+the king and many of his knights rode hunting in a forest, and Arthur,
+King Urience, and Sir Accolon of Gaul, followed after a great hart, and
+being all three well mounted, they chased so fast that they outsped
+their company, and left them many miles behind; but riding still as
+rapidly as they could go, at length their horses fell dead under them.
+Then being all three on foot, and seeing the stag not far before them,
+very weary and nigh spent&mdash;"What shall we do," said King Arthur, "for we
+are hard bested?" "Let us go on afoot," said King Urience, "till we can
+find some lodging." At that they saw the stag lying upon the bank of a
+great lake, with a hound springing at his throat, and many other hounds
+trooping towards him. So, running forward, Arthur blew the death-note on
+his horn, and slew the hart. Then lifting up his eyes he saw before him
+on the lake a barge, all draped down to the water's edge, with silken
+folds and curtains, which swiftly came towards him, and touched upon
+the sands; but when he went up close and looked in, he saw no earthly
+creature. Then he cried out to his companions, "Sirs, come ye hither,
+and let us see what there is in this ship." So they all three went in,
+and found it everywhere throughout furnished, and hung with rich
+draperies of silk and gold.</p>
+
+<p>By this time eventide had come, when suddenly a hundred torches were set
+up on all sides of the barge, and gave a dazzling light, and at the same
+time came forth twelve fair damsels, and saluted King Arthur by his
+name, kneeling on their knees, and telling him that he was welcome, and
+should have their noblest cheer, for which the king thanked them
+courteously. Then did they lead him and his fellows to a splendid
+chamber, where was a table spread with all the richest furniture, and
+costliest wines and viands; and there they served them with all kinds of
+wines and meats, till Arthur wondered at the splendor of the feast,
+declaring he had never in his life supped better, or more royally. After
+supper they led him to another chamber, than which he had never beheld a
+richer, where he was left to rest. King Urience, also, and Sir Accolon
+were each conducted into rooms of like magnificence. And so they all
+three fell asleep, and being very weary slept deeply all that night.</p>
+
+<p>But when the morning broke, King Urience found himself in his own house
+in Camelot, he knew not how; and Arthur awaking found himself in a dark
+dungeon, and heard around him nothing but the groans of woeful knights,
+prisoners like himself. Then said King Arthur, "Who are ye, thus
+groaning and complaining?" And some one answered him, "Alas, we be all
+prisoners, even twenty good knights, and some of us have lain here seven
+years&mdash;some more&mdash;nor seen the light of day for all that time." "For
+what cause?" said King Arthur. "Know ye not then yourself?" they
+answered&mdash;"we will soon tell you. The lord of this strong castle is Sir
+Damas, and is the falsest and most traitorous knight that liveth; and he
+hath a younger brother, a good and noble knight, whose name is Outzlake.
+This traitor Damas, although passing rich, will give his brother nothing
+of his wealth, and save what Outzlake keepeth to himself by force, he
+hath no share of the inheritance. He owneth, nevertheless, one fair rich
+manor, whereupon he liveth, loved of all men far and near. But Damas is
+as altogether hated as his brother is beloved, for he is merciless and
+cowardly: and now for many years there hath been war between these
+brothers, and Sir Outzlake evermore defieth Damas to come forth and
+fight with him, body to body, for the inheritance; and if he be too
+cowardly, to find some champion knight that will fight for him. And
+Damas hath agreed to find some champion, but never yet hath found a
+knight to take his evil cause in hand, or wager battle for him. So with
+a strong band of men-at-arms he lieth ever in ambush, and taketh captive
+every passing knight who may unwarily go near and bringeth him into this
+castle, and desireth him either to fight Sir Outzlake, or to lie for
+evermore indurance. And thus hath he dealt with all of us, for we all
+scorned to take up such a cause for such a false foul knight&mdash;but rather
+one by one came here, where many a good knight hath died of hunger and
+disease. But if one of us would fight, Sir Damas would deliver all the
+rest."</p>
+
+<p>"God of his mercy send you deliverance," said King Arthur, and sat
+turning in his mind how all these things should end, and how he might
+himself gain freedom for so many noble hearts.</p>
+
+<p>Anon there came a damsel to the king, saying, "Sir, if thou wilt fight
+for my lord thou shalt be delivered out of prison, but else nevermore
+shalt thou escape with thy life." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that is but
+a hard choice, yet had I rather fight than die in prison, and if I may
+deliver not myself alone, but all these others, I will do the battle."
+"Yea," said the damsel, "it shall be even so." "Then," said King Arthur,
+"I am ready now, if but I had a horse and armor." "Fear not," said she,
+"that shalt thou have presently, and shalt lack nothing proper for the
+fight." "Have I not seen thee," said the king, "at King Arthur's court?
+for it seemeth that thy face is known to me." "Nay," said the damsel, "I
+was never there; I am Sir Damas' daughter, and have never been but a
+day's journey from this castle." But she spoke falsely, for she was one
+of the damsels of Morgan le Fay, the great enchantress, who was King
+Arthur's half-sister.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Damas knew that there had been at length a knight found who
+would fight for him, he sent for Arthur, and finding him a man so tall
+and strong, and straight of limb, he was passingly well pleased, and
+made a covenant with him, that he should fight unto the uttermost for
+his cause, and that all the other knights should be delivered. And when
+they were sworn to each other on the Holy Gospels, all those imprisoned
+knights were straightway led forth and delivered, but abode there one
+and all to see the battle.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile there had happened to Sir Accolon of Gaul a strange
+adventure; for when he awoke from his deep sleep upon the silken barge,
+he found himself upon the edge of a deep well, and in instant peril of
+falling thereinto. Whereat, leaping up in great affright, he crossed
+himself and cried aloud, "May God preserve my lord King Arthur and King
+Urience, for those damsels in the ship have betrayed us, and were
+doubtless devils and no women; and if I may escape this misadventure, I
+will certainly destroy them wheresoever I may find them." With that
+there came to him a dwarf with a great mouth, and a flat nose, and
+saluted him, saying that he came from Queen Morgan le Fay. "And she
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be strong of heart, for
+to-morrow you shall do battle with a strange knight, and therefore she
+hath sent you here Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, and the scabbard
+likewise. And she desireth you as you do love her to fight this battle
+to the uttermost, and without any mercy, as you have promised her you
+would fight when she should require it of you; and she will make a rich
+queen forever of any damsel that shall bring her that knight's head
+with whom you are to fight."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Sir Accolon, "tell you my lady Queen Morgan, that I shall
+hold to that I promised her, now that I have this sword&mdash;and," said he,
+"I suppose it was to bring about this battle that she made all these
+enchantments by her craft." "You have guessed rightly," said the dwarf,
+and therewithal he left him.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a knight and lady, and six squires, to Sir Accolon, and took
+him to a manor house hard by, and gave him noble cheer; and the house
+belonged to Sir Outzlake, the brother of Sir Damas, for so had Morgan le
+Fay contrived with her enchantments. Now Sir Outzlake himself was at
+that time sorely wounded and disabled, having been pierced through both
+his thighs by a spear-thrust. When, therefore, Sir Damas sent down
+messengers to his brother, bidding him make ready by to-morrow morning,
+and be in the field to fight with a good knight, for that he had found a
+champion ready to do battle at all points, Sir Outzlake was sorely
+annoyed and distressed, for he knew he had small chance of victory,
+while yet he was disabled by his wounds; notwithstanding, he determined
+to take the battle in hand, although he was so weak that he must needs
+be lifted to his saddle. But when Sir Accolon of Gaul heard this, he
+sent a message to Sir Outzlake offering to take the battle in his stead,
+which cheered Sir Outzlake mightily, who thanked Sir Accolon with all
+his heart, and joyfully accepted him.</p>
+
+<p>So, on the morrow, King Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir
+Damas, "When shall we go to the field?" "Sir," said Sir Damas, "you
+shall first hear mass." And when mass was done, there came a squire on a
+great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready, "for our
+knight is already in the field." Then King Arthur mounted on horseback,
+and there around were all the knights, and barons, and people of the
+country; and twelve of them were chosen to wait upon the two knights who
+were about to fight. And as King Arthur sat on horseback, there came a
+damsel from Morgan le Fay, and brought to him a sword, made like
+Excalibur, and a scabbard also, and said to him, "Morgan le Fay sendeth
+you here your sword for her great love's sake." And the king thanked
+her, and believed it to be as she said; but she traitorously deceived
+him, for both sword and scabbard were counterfeit, brittle, and false,
+and the true sword Excalibur was in the hands of Sir Accolon. Then, at
+the sound of a trumpet, the champions set themselves on opposite side of
+the field, and giving rein and spur to their horses urged them to so
+great a speed that each smiting the other in the middle of the shield,
+rolled his opponent to the ground, both horse and man. Then starting up
+immediately, both drew their swords and rushed swiftly together. And so
+they fell to eagerly, and gave each other many great and mighty strokes.</p>
+
+<p>And as they were thus fighting, the damsel Vivien, lady of the lake, who
+loved King Arthur, came upon the ground, for she knew by her
+enchantments how Morgan le Fay had craftily devised to have King Arthur
+slain by his own sword that day, and therefore came to save his life.
+And Arthur and Sir Accolon were now grown hot against each other, and
+spared not strength nor fury in their fierce assaults; but the king's
+sword gave way continually before Sir Accolon's, so that at every stroke
+he was sore wounded, and his blood ran from him so fast that it was a
+marvel he could stand. When King Arthur saw the ground so sore
+be-blooded, he bethought him in dismay that there was magic treason
+worked upon him, and that his own true sword was changed, for it seemed
+to him that the sword in Sir Accolon's hand was Excalibur, for fearfully
+it drew his blood at every blow, while what he held himself kept no
+sharp edge, nor fell with any force upon his foe.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, knight, look to thyself, and keep thee well from me," cried out
+Sir Accolon. But King Arthur answered not, and gave him such a buffet on
+the helm as made him stagger and nigh fall upon the ground. Then Sir
+Accolon withdrew a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, and smote
+King Arthur in return with such a mighty stroke as almost felled him;
+and both being now in hottest wrath, they gave each other grievous and
+savage blows. But Arthur all the time was losing so much blood that
+scarcely could he keep upon his feet, yet so full was he of knighthood,
+that knightly he endured the pain, and still sustained himself, though
+now he was so feeble that he thought himself about to die. Sir Accolon,
+as yet, had lost no drop of blood, and being very bold and confident in
+Excalibur, even grew more vigorous and hasty in his assaults. But all
+men who beheld them said they never saw a knight fight half so well as
+did King Arthur, and all the people were so grieved for him that they
+besought Sir Damas and Sir Outzlake to make up their quarrel and so stay
+the fight; but they would not.</p>
+
+<p>So still the battle raged, till Arthur drew a little back for breath and
+a few moments' rest; but Accolon came on after him, following fiercely
+and crying loud, "It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest," and
+therewith set upon him. Then Arthur, full of scorn and rage, lifted up
+his sword and struck Sir Accolon upon the helm so mightily that he drove
+him to his knees; but with the force of that great stroke his brittle,
+treacherous sword broke short off at the hilt, and fell down in the
+grass among the blood, leaving the pommel only in his hand. At that,
+King Arthur thought within himself that all was over, and secretly
+prepared his mind for death, yet kept himself so knightly sheltered by
+his shield that he lost no ground, and made as though he yet had hope
+and cheer. Then said Sir Accolon, "Sir knight, thou now art overcome and
+canst endure no longer, seeing thou art weaponless, and hast lost
+already so much blood. Yet am I fully loth to slay thee; yield, then,
+therefore, to me as recreant." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that may I not,
+for I have promised to do battle to the uttermost by the faith of my
+body while my life lasteth; and I had rather die with honor than live
+with shame; and if it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I
+had rather die as often than yield me to thee, for though I lack
+weapons, I shall lack no worship, and it shall be to thy shame to slay
+me weaponless." "Aha," shouted then Sir Accolon, "as for the shame, I
+will not spare; look to thyself, sir knight, for thou art even now but a
+dead man." Therewith he drove at him with pitiless force, and struck him
+nearly down; but Arthur evermore waxing in valor as he waned in blood,
+pressed on Sir Accolon with his shield, and hit at him so fiercely with
+the pommel in his hand, as hurled him three strides backward.</p>
+
+<p>This, therefore, so confused Sir Accolon, that rushing up, all dizzy, to
+deliver once again a furious blow, even as he struck, Excalibur, by
+Vivien's magic, fell from out his hands upon the earth. Beholding which,
+King Arthur lightly sprang to it, and grasped it, and forthwith felt it
+was his own good sword, and said to it, "Thou hast been from me all too
+long, and done me too much damage." Then spying the scabbard hanging by
+Sir Accolon's side, he sprang and pulled it from him, and cast it away
+as far as he could throw it; for so long as he had worn it, Arthur knew
+his life would have been kept secure. "Oh, knight!" then said the king,
+"thou hast this day wrought me much damage by this sword, but now art
+thou come to thy death, for I shall not warrant thee but that thou shalt
+suffer, ere we part, somewhat of that thou hast made me suffer." And
+therewithal King Arthur flew at him with all his might, and pulled him
+to the earth, and then struck off his helm, and gave him on the head a
+fearful buffet, till the blood leaped forth. "Now will I slay thee!"
+cried King Arthur; for his heart was hardened, and his body all on fire
+with fever, till for a moment he forgot his knightly mercy. "Slay me
+thou mayest," said Sir Accolon, "for thou art the best knight I ever
+found, and I see well that God is with thee; and I, as thou hast, have
+promised to fight this battle to the uttermost, and never to be recreant
+while I live; therefore shall I never yield me with my mouth, and God
+must do with my body what he will." And as Sir Accolon spoke, King
+Arthur thought he knew his voice; and parting all his blood-stained hair
+from out his eyes, and leaning down towards him, saw, indeed, it was his
+friend and own true knight. Then said he&mdash;keeping his own visor down&mdash;"I
+pray thee tell me of what country art thou, and what court?" "Sir
+knight," he answered, "I am of King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir
+Accolon of Gaul." Then said the king, "Oh, sir knight! I pray thee tell
+me who gave thee this sword? and from whom thou hadst it?"</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Accolon, "Woe worth this sword, for by it I have gotten my
+death. This sword hath been in my keeping now for almost twelve months,
+and yesterday Queen Morgan le Fay, wife of King Urience, sent it to me
+by a dwarf, that therewith I might in some way slay her brother, King
+Arthur; for thou must understand that King Arthur is the man she hateth
+most in all the world, being full of envy and jealousy because he is of
+greater worship and renown than any other of her blood. She loveth me
+also as much as she doth hate him; and if she might contrive to slay
+King Arthur by her craft and magic, then would she straightway kill her
+husband also, and make me the king of all this land, and herself my
+queen, to reign with me; but now," said he, "all that is over, for this
+day I am come to my death."</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been sore treason of thee to destroy thy lord," said
+Arthur. "Thou sayest truly," answered he; "but now that I have told
+thee, and openly confessed to thee all that foul treason whereof I now
+do bitterly repent, tell me, I pray thee, whence art thou, and of what
+court?" "O, Sir Accolon!" said King Arthur, "learn that I am myself King
+Arthur." When Sir Accolon heard this he cried aloud, "Alas, my gracious
+lord! have mercy on me, for I knew thee not." "Thou shalt have mercy,"
+said he, "for thou knewest not my person at this time; and though by
+thine own confession thou art a traitor, yet do I blame thee less,
+because thou hast been blinded by the false crafts of my sister Morgan
+le Fay, whom I have trusted more than all others of my kin, and whom I
+now shall know well how to punish." Then did Sir Accolon cry loudly, "O,
+lords, and all good people! this noble knight that I have fought with is
+the noblest and most worshipful in all the world; for it is King Arthur,
+our liege lord and sovereign king; and full sorely I repent that I have
+ever lifted lance against him, though in ignorance I did it."</p>
+
+<p>Then all the people fell down on their knees and prayed the pardon of
+the king for suffering him to come to such a strait. But he replied,
+"Pardon ye cannot have, for, truly, ye have nothing sinned; but here ye
+see what ill adventure may ofttimes befall knights-errant, for to my own
+hurt, and his danger also, I have fought with one of my own knights."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king commanded Sir Damas to surrender to his brother the whole
+manor, Sir Outzlake only yielding him a palfrey every year; "for," said
+he scornfully, "it would become thee better to ride on than a courser;"
+and ordered Damas, upon pain of death, never again to touch or to
+distress knights-errant riding on their adventures; and also to make
+full compensation and satisfaction to the twenty knights whom he had
+held in prison. "And if any of them," said the king, "come to my court
+complaining that he hath not had full satisfaction of thee for his
+injuries, by my head, thou shalt die therefor."</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards, King Arthur asked Sir Outzlake to come with him to his
+court, where he should become a knight of his, and, if his deeds were
+noble, be advanced to all he might desire.</p>
+
+<p>So then he took his leave of all the people and mounted upon horseback,
+and Sir Accolon went with him to an abbey hard by, where both their
+wounds were dressed. But Sir Accolon died within four days after. And
+when he was dead, the king sent his body to Queen Morgan, to Camelot,
+saying that he sent her a present in return for the sword Excalibur
+which she had sent him by the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>So, on the morrow, there came a damsel from Queen Morgan to the king,
+and brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen, for it was
+set as full of precious stones as they could stand against each other,
+and they were the richest stones that ever the king saw. And the damsel
+said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and prayeth you to take her
+gift, and in whatsoever thing she hath offended you, she will amend it
+at your pleasure." To this the king replied not, although the mantle
+pleased him much. With that came in the lady of the lake, and said,
+"Sir, put not on this mantle till thou hast seen more; and in nowise let
+it be put upon thee, or any of thy knights, till ye have made the
+bringer of it first put it on her." "It shall be done as thou dost
+counsel," said the king. Then said he to the damsel that came from his
+sister, "Damsel, I would see this mantle ye have brought me upon
+yourself." "Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a knight's
+garment." "By my head," said King Arthur, "thou shalt wear it ere it go
+on any other person's back!" And so they put it on her by force, and
+forthwith the garment burst into a flame and burned the damsel into
+cinders. When the king saw that, he hated that false witch Morgan le Fay
+with all his heart, and evermore was deadly quarrel between her and
+Arthur to their lives' end.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>ARTHUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR AT ROME</h3>
+
+
+<p>And now again the second time there came ambassadors from Lucius
+Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, demanding, under pain of war, tribute and
+homage from King Arthur, and the restoration of all Gaul, which he had
+conquered from the tribune Flollo.</p>
+
+<p>When they had delivered their message, the king bade them withdraw while
+he consulted with his knights and barons what reply to send. Then some
+of the younger knights would have slain the ambassadors, saying that
+their speech was a rebuke to all who heard the king insulted by it. But
+when King Arthur heard that, he ordered none to touch them upon pain of
+death; and sending officers, he had them taken to a noble lodging, and
+there entertained with the best cheer. "And," said he, "let no dainty be
+spared, for the Romans are great lords; and though their message please
+me not, yet must I remember mine honor."</p>
+
+<p>Then the lords and knights of the Round Table were called on to declare
+their counsel&mdash;what should be done upon this matter; and Sir Cador of
+Cornwall speaking first, said, "Sir, this message is the best news I
+have heard for a long time, for we have been now idle and at rest for
+many days, and I trust that thou wilt make sharp war upon the Romans,
+wherein, I doubt not, we shall all gain honor."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe well," said Arthur, "that thou art pleased, Sir Cador; but
+that is scarce an answer to the Emperor of Rome, and his demand doth
+grieve me sorely, for truly I will never pay him tribute; wherefore,
+lords, I pray ye counsel me. Now, I have understood that Belinus and
+Brennius, knights of Britain, held the Roman Empire in their hands for
+many days, and also Constantine, the son of Helen, which is open
+evidence, not only that we owe Rome no tribute, but that I, being
+descended from them, may, of right, myself claim the empire."</p>
+
+<p>Then said King Anguish of Scotland, "Sir, thou oughtest of right to be
+above all other kings, for in all Christendom is there not thine equal;
+and I counsel thee never to obey the Romans. For when they reigned here
+they grievously distressed us, and put the land to great and heavy
+burdens; and here, for my part, I swear to avenge me on them when I may,
+and will furnish thee with twenty thousand men-at-arms, whom I will pay
+and keep, and who shall wait on thee with me, when it shall please
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then the King of Little Britain rose and promised King Arthur thirty
+thousand men; and likewise many other kings, and dukes, and barons,
+promised aid&mdash;as the lord of West Wales thirty thousand men, Sir Ewaine
+and his cousin thirty thousand men, and so forth; Sir Lancelot also, and
+every other knight of the Round Table, promised each man a great host.</p>
+
+<p>So the king, passing joyful at their courage and good will, thanked them
+all heartily, and sent for the ambassadors again, to hear his answer. "I
+will," said he, "that ye now go back straightway unto the Emperor your
+master, and tell him that I give no heed to his words, for I have
+conquered all my kingdoms by the will of God and by my own right arm,
+and I am strong enough to keep them, without paying tribute to any
+earthly creature. But, on the other hand, I claim both tribute and
+submission from himself, and also claim the sovereignty of all his
+empire, whereto I am entitled by the right of my own ancestors&mdash;sometime
+kings of this land. And say to him that I will shortly come to Rome, and
+by God's grace will take possession of my empire and subdue all rebels.
+Wherefore, lastly, I command him and all the lords of Rome that they
+forthwith pay me their homage, under pain of my chastisement and wrath."</p>
+
+<p>Then he commanded his treasurers to give the ambassadors great gifts,
+and defray all their charges, and appointed Sir Cador to convey them
+worshipfully out of the land.</p>
+
+<p>So when they returned to Rome and came before Lucius, he was sore angry
+at their words, and said, "I thought this Arthur would have instantly
+obeyed my orders and have served me as humbly as any other king; but
+because of his fortune in Gaul, he hath grown insolent."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, lord," said one of the ambassadors, "refrain from such vain words,
+for truly I and all with me were fearful at his royal majesty and angry
+countenance. I fear me thou hast made a rod for thee more sharp than
+thou hast counted on. He meaneth to be master of this empire; and is
+another kind of man than thou supposest, and holdeth the most noble
+court of all the world. We saw him on the new year's day, served at his
+table by nine kings, and the noblest company of other princes, lords,
+and knights that ever was in all the world; and in his person he is the
+most manly-seeming man that liveth, and looketh like to conquer all the
+earth."</p>
+
+<p>Then Lucius sent messengers to all the subject countries of Rome, and
+brought together a mighty army, and assembled sixteen kings, and many
+dukes, princes, lords, and admirals, and a wondrous great multitude of
+people. Fifty giants also, born of fiends, were set around him for a
+body-guard. With all that host he straightway went from Rome, and passed
+beyond the mountains into Gaul, and burned the towns and ravaged all the
+country of that province, in rage for its submission to King Arthur.
+Then he moved on towards Little Britain.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, King Arthur having held a parliament at York, left the realm
+in charge of Sir Badewine and Sir Constantine, and crossed the sea from
+Sandwich to meet Lucius. And so soon as he was landed, he sent Sir
+Gawain, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Bedivere to the Emperor,
+commanding him "to move swiftly and in haste out of his land, and, if
+not, to make himself ready for battle, and not continue ravaging the
+country and slaying harmless people." Anon, those noble knights attired
+themselves and set forth on horseback to where they saw, in a meadow,
+many silken tents of divers colors, and the Emperor's pavilion in the
+midst, with a golden eagle set above it.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain and Sir Bors rode forward, leaving the other two behind
+in ambush, and gave King Arthur's message. To which the Emperor replied,
+"Return, and tell your lord that I am come to conquer him and all his
+land."</p>
+
+<p>At this, Sir Gawain burned with anger, and cried out, "I had rather than
+all France that I might fight with thee alone!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I also," said Sir Bors.</p>
+
+<p>Then a knight named Ganius, a near cousin of the Emperor, laughed out
+aloud, and said, "Lo! how these Britons boast and are full of pride,
+bragging as though they bare up all the world!"</p>
+
+<p>At these words, Sir Gawain could refrain no longer, but drew forth his
+sword and with one blow shore off Ganius' head; then with Sir Bors, he
+turned his horse and rode over waters and through woods, back to the
+ambush, where Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere were waiting. The Romans
+followed fast behind them till the knights turned and stood, and then
+Sir Bors smote the foremost of them through the body with a spear, and
+slew him on the spot. Then came on Calibere, a huge Pavian, but Sir Bors
+overthrew him also. And then the company of Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere
+brake forth from their ambush and fell on the Romans, and slew and
+hewed them down, and forced them to return and flee, chasing them to
+their tents.</p>
+
+<p>But as they neared the camp, a great host more rushed forth, and turned
+the battle backwards, and in the turmoil, Sir Bors and Sir Berel fell
+into the Romans' hands. When Sir Gawain saw that, he drew his good sword
+Galotine, and swore to see King Arthur's face no more if those two
+knights were not delivered; and then, with good Sir Idrus, made so sore
+an onslaught that the Romans fled and left Sir Bors and Sir Berel to
+their friends. So the Britons returned in triumph to King Arthur, having
+slain more than ten thousand Romans, and lost no man of worship from
+amongst themselves.</p>
+
+<p>When the Emperor Lucius heard of that discomfiture he arose, with all
+his army, to crush King Arthur, and met him in the vale of Soissons.
+Then speaking to all his host, he said, "Sirs, I admonish you that this
+day ye fight and acquit yourselves as men; and remembering how Rome is
+chief of all the earth, and mistress of the universal world, suffer not
+these barbarous and savage Britons to abide our onset." At that, the
+trumpets blew so loud, that the ground trembled and shook.</p>
+
+<p>Then did the rival hosts draw near each other with great shoutings; and
+when they closed, no tongue can tell the fury of their smiting, and the
+sore struggling, wounds, and slaughter. Then King Arthur, with his
+mightiest knights, rode down into the thickest of the fight, and drew
+Excalibur, and slew as lightning slays for swiftness and for force. And
+in the midmost crowd he met a giant, Galapas by name, and struck off
+both his legs at the knee-joints; then saying, "Now art thou a better
+size to deal with!" smote his head off at a second blow: and the body
+killed six men in falling down.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, King Arthur spied where Lucius fought and worked great deeds of
+prowess with his own hands. Forthwith he rode at him, and each attacked
+the other passing fiercely; till at the last, Lucius struck King Arthur
+with a fearful wound across the face, and Arthur, in return, lifting up
+Excalibur on high, drove it with all his force upon the Emperor's head,
+shivering his helmet, crashing his head in halves, and splitting his
+body to the breast. And when the Romans saw their Emperor dead, they
+fled in hosts of thousands; and King Arthur and his knights, and all his
+army followed them, and slew one hundred thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>Then returning to the field, King Arthur rode to the place where Lucius
+lay dead, and round him the kings of Egypt and Ethiopia, and seventeen
+other kings, with sixty Roman senators, all noble men. All these he
+ordered to be carefully embalmed with aromatic gums, and laid in leaden
+coffins, covered with their shields and arms and banners. Then calling
+for three senators who were taken prisoners, he said to them, "As the
+ransom of your lives, I will that ye take these dead bodies and carry
+them to Rome, and there present them for me, with these letters saying I
+will myself be shortly there. And I suppose the Romans will beware how
+they again ask tribute of me; for tell them, these dead bodies that I
+send them are for the tribute they have dared to ask of me; and if they
+wish for more, when I come I will pay them the rest."</p>
+
+<p>So, with that charge, the three senators departed with the dead bodies,
+and went to Rome; the body of the Emperor being carried in a chariot
+blazoned with the arms of the empire, all alone, and the bodies of the
+kings two and two in chariots following.</p>
+
+<p>After the battle, King Arthur entered Lorraine, Brabant, and Flanders,
+and thence, subduing all the countries as he went, passed into Germany,
+and so beyond the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany. At length he came
+before a city which refused to obey him, wherefore he sat down before it
+to besiege it. And after a long time thus spent, King Arthur called Sir
+Florence, and told him they began to lack food for his hosts&mdash;"And not
+far from hence," said he, "are great forests full of cattle belonging to
+my enemies. Go then, and bring by force all that thou canst find; and
+take with thee Sir Gawain, my nephew, and Sir Clegis, Sir Claremond, the
+Captain of Cardiff, and a strong band."</p>
+
+<p>Anon, those knights made ready, and rode over holts and hills, and
+through forests and woods, till they came to a great meadow full of fair
+flowers and grass, and there they rested themselves and their horses
+that night. And at the dawn of the next day, Sir Gawain took his horse
+and rode away from his fellows to seek some adventure. Soon he saw an
+armed knight walking his horse by a wood's side, with his shield laced
+to his shoulder, and no attendant with him save a page, bearing a mighty
+spear; and on his shield were blazoned three gold griffins. When Sir
+Gawain spied him, he put his spear in rest, and riding straight to him,
+asked who he was. "A Tuscan," said he; "and thou mayest prove me when
+thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner ere we part."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Gawain, "Thou vauntest thee greatly, and speakest proud
+words; yet I counsel thee, for all thy boastings, look to thyself the
+best thou canst."</p>
+
+<p>At that they took their spears and ran at each other with all the might
+they had, and smote each other through their shields into their
+shoulders; and then drawing swords smote with great strokes, till the
+fire sprang out of their helms. Then was Sir Gawain enraged, and with
+his good sword Galotine struck his enemy through shield and hauberk, and
+splintered into piece all the precious stones of it, and made so huge a
+wound that men might see both lungs and liver. At that the Tuscan,
+groaning loudly, rushed on to Sir Gawain, and gave him a deep slanting
+stroke, and made a mighty wound and cut a great vein asunder, so that he
+bled fast. Then he cried out, "Bind thy wound quickly up, Sir knight,
+for thou be-bloodest all thy horse and thy fair armor, and all the
+surgeons of the world shall never staunch thy blood; for so shall it be
+to whomsoever is hurt with this good sword."</p>
+
+<p>Then answered Sir Gawain, "It grieveth me but little, and thy boastful
+words give me no fear, for thou shalt suffer greater grief and sorrow
+ere we part; but tell me quickly who can staunch this blood."</p>
+
+<p>"That can I do," said the strange knight, "and will, if thou wilt aid
+and succor me to become christened, and to believe in God, which now I
+do require of thee upon thy manhood."</p>
+
+<p>"I am content," said Sir Gawain; "and may God help me to grant all thy
+wishes. But tell me first, what soughtest thou thus here alone, and of
+what land art thou?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the knight, "my name is Prianius, and my father is a great
+prince, who hath rebelled against Rome. He is descended from Alexander
+and Hector, and of our lineage also were Joshua and Maccabæus. I am of
+right the king of Alexandria, and Africa, and all the outer isles, yet I
+would believe in the Lord thou worshipest, and for thy labor I will give
+thee treasure enough. I was so proud in heart that I thought none my
+equal, but now have I encountered with thee, who hast given me my fill
+of fighting; wherefore, I pray thee, Sir knight, tell me of thyself."</p>
+
+<p>"I am no knight," said Sir Gawain; "I have been brought up many years in
+the wardrobe of the noble prince King Arthur, to mind his armor and
+array."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Prianius, "if his varlets be so keen and fierce, his knights
+must be passing good! Now, for the love of heaven, whether thou be
+knight or knave, tell me thy name."</p>
+
+<p>"By heaven!" said Gawain, "now will I tell thee the truth. My name is
+Sir Gawain, and I am a knight of the Round Table."</p>
+
+<p>"Now am I better pleased," said Prianius, "than if thou hadst given me
+all the province of Paris the rich. I had rather have been torn by wild
+horses than that any varlet should have won such victory over me as thou
+hast done. But now, Sir knight, I warn thee that close by is the Duke of
+Lorraine, with sixty thousand good men of war; and we had both best flee
+at once, for he will find us else, and we be sorely wounded and never
+likely to recover. And let my page be careful that he blow no horn, for
+hard by are a hundred knights, my servants; and if they seize thee, no
+ransom of gold or silver would acquit thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain rode over a river to save himself, and Sir Prianius
+after him, and so they both fled till they came to his companions who
+were in the meadow, where they spent the night. When Sir Whishard saw
+Sir Gawain so hurt, he ran to him weeping, and asked him who it was had
+wounded him; and Sir Gawain told him how he had fought with that
+man&mdash;pointing to Prianius&mdash;who had salves to heal them both. "But I can
+tell ye other tidings," said he&mdash;"that soon we must encounter many
+enemies, for a great army is close to us in our front."</p>
+
+<p>Then Prianius and Sir Gawain alighted and let their horses graze while
+they unarmed, and when they took this armor and their clothing off, the
+hot blood ran down freshly from their wounds till it was piteous to
+see. But Prianius took from his page a vial filled from the four rivers
+that flow out of Paradise, and anointed both their wounds with a certain
+balm, and washed them with that water, and within an hour afterwards
+they were both as sound and whole as ever they had been. Then, at the
+sound of a trumpet, all the knights were assembled to council; and after
+much talking, Prianius said, "Cease your words, for I warn you in yonder
+wood ye shall find knights out of number, who will put out cattle for a
+decoy to lead you on; and ye are not seven hundred!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless," said Sir Gawain, "let us at once encounter them, and see
+what they can do; and may the best have the victory."</p>
+
+<p>Then they saw suddenly an earl named Sir Ethelwold, and the Duke of
+Duchmen come leaping out of ambush of the woods in front, with many a
+thousand after them, and all rode straight down to the battle. And Sir
+Gawain, full of ardor and courage, comforted his knights, saying, "They
+all are ours." Then the seven hundred knights, in one close company, set
+spurs to their horses and began to gallop, and fiercely met their
+enemies. And then were men and horses slain and overthrown on every
+side, and in and out amidst them all, the knights of the Round Table
+pressed and thrust, and smote down to the earth all who withstood them,
+till at length the whole of them turned back and fled.</p>
+
+<p>"By heaven!" said Sir Gawain, "this gladdeneth well my heart, for now
+behold them as they flee! they are full seventy thousand less in number
+than they were an hour ago!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus was the battle quickly ended, and a great host of high lords and
+knights of Lombardy and Saracens left dead upon the field. Then Sir
+Gawain and his company collected a great plenty of cattle, and of gold
+and silver, and all kind of treasure, and returned to King Arthur, where
+he still kept the siege.</p>
+
+<p>"Now God be thanked," cried he; "but who is he that standeth yonder by
+himself, and seemeth not a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "he is a good man with his weapons, and hath
+matched me; but cometh hither to be made a Christian. Had it not been
+for his warnings, we none of us should have been here this day. I pray
+thee, therefore, let him be baptized, for there can be few nobler men,
+or better knights."</p>
+
+<p>So Prianius was christened, and made a duke and knight of the Round
+Table.</p>
+
+<p>Presently afterwards, they made a last attack upon the city, and entered
+by the walls on every side; and as the men were rushing to the pillage,
+came the Duchess forth, with many ladies and damsels, and kneeled before
+King Arthur; and besought him to receive their submission. To whom the
+king made answer, with a noble countenance, "Madam, be well assured that
+none shall harm ye, or your ladies; neither shall any that belong to
+thee be hurt; but the Duke must abide my judgment." Then he commanded to
+stay the assault and took the keys from the Duke's eldest son, who
+brought them kneeling. Anon the Duke was sent a prisoner to Dover for
+his life, and rents and taxes were assigned for dowry of the Duchess and
+her children.</p>
+
+<p>Then went he on with all his hosts, winning all towns and castles, and
+wasting them that refused obedience, till he came to Viterbo. From
+thence he sent to Rome, to ask the senators whether they would receive
+him for their lord and governor. In answer, came out to him all the
+Senate who remained alive, and the Cardinals, with a majestic retinue
+and procession; and laying great treasures at his feet, they prayed him
+to come in at once to Rome, and there be peaceably crowned as Emperor.
+"At this next Christmas," said King Arthur, "will I be crowned, and hold
+my Round Table in your city."</p>
+
+<p>Anon he entered Rome, in mighty pomp and state; and after him came all
+his hosts, and his knights, and princes, and great lords, arrayed in
+gold and jewels, such as never were beheld before. And then was he
+crowned Emperor by the Pope's hands, with all the highest solemnity that
+could be made.</p>
+
+<p>Then after his coronation, he abode in Rome for a season, settling his
+lands and giving kingdoms to his knights and servants, to each one after
+his deserving, and in such wise fashion that no man among them all
+complained. Also he made many dukes and earls, and loaded all his
+men-at-arms with riches and great treasures.</p>
+
+<p>When all this was done, the lords and knights, and all the men of great
+estate, came together before him, and said, "Noble Emperor! by the
+blessing of Eternal God, thy mortal warfare is all finished, and thy
+conquests all achieved; for now in all the world is none so great and
+mighty as to dare make war with thee. Wherefore we beseech and heartily
+pray thee of thy noble grace, to turn thee homeward, and give us also
+leave to see our wives and homes again, for now we have been from them a
+long season, and all thy journey is completed with great honor and
+worship."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye say well," replied he, "and to tempt God is no wisdom; therefore
+make ready in all haste, and turn we home to England."</p>
+
+<p>So King Arthur returned with his knights and lords and armies, in great
+triumph and joy, through all the countries he had conquered, and
+commanded that no man, upon pain of death, should rob or do any violence
+by the way. And crossing the sea, he came at length to Sandwich, where
+Queen Guinevere received him, and made great joy at his arrival. And
+through all the realm of Britain was there such rejoicing as no tongue
+can tell.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX</h2>
+
+<h3>SIR GAWAIN AND THE MAID WITH THE NARROW SLEEVES</h3>
+
+
+<p>Now it happened that as Sir Gawain was riding one day through the
+country he encountered a troop of knights, followed by a squire, who led
+a Spanish charger, and about whose neck was hung a shield. Gawain rode
+up to the squire and said, "Tell me, what is yonder troop that hath
+ridden by?"</p>
+
+<p>The squire answered, "Sir, Meliance of Lis, a brave and hardy knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it to him you belong?" Sir Gawain asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, sir," said the squire, "my master is Teudaves, a knight as worthy
+as this one."</p>
+
+<p>"Teudaves I know," said Gawain. "Whither fareth he? Tell me the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"He proceedeth to a tourney, sir, which this Meliance of Lis hath
+undertaken against Thiébault of Tintagel. If you will take my advice you
+will throw yourself into the castle, and take part against the
+outsiders."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it not," cried Gawain, "in the house of this Thiébault that
+Meliance of Lis was nurtured?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, sir, so God save me!" said the squire. "His father loved Thiébault
+and trusted him so much that on his death-bed he committed to his care
+his little son, whom Thiébault cherished and protected, until the time
+came when the youth petitioned his daughter to give him her love; but
+she replied that she would never do that until he should be made a
+knight. The youth, being ardent, forthwith had himself knighted, and
+then returned to the maiden. 'Nay,' answered the girl to his renewed
+suit, 'it shall never be, until in my presence you shall have achieved
+such feats of arms that I will know my love hath cost you somewhat; for
+those things which come suddenly are not so sweet as those we earn. If
+you wish my love, take a tournament of my father. I desire to be certain
+that my love would be well placed in case I were to grant it.' What she
+suggested he performed, for love hath such lordship over lovers that
+those who are under his power would never dare refuse whatever it
+pleased him to enjoin. And you, sir, sluggish will you be if you do not
+enter the castle, for they will need you greatly, if you might help
+them."</p>
+
+<p>To which Sir Gawain answered, "Brother, go thy way, it would be wise of
+you, and let my affairs be." So the squire departed, and Gawain rode
+towards Tintagel, for there was no other way by which he could pass.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thiébault had summoned all his kith and kin, who had come, high and
+low, old and young; but he could not get the permission of his council
+to joust with his master, for the councillors feared lest he should
+utterly ruin their castle. Therefore the gates had been walled up with
+stones and mortar, leaving as the only approach one small postern,
+which had a gate made of copper, as much as a cart could haul. Sir
+Gawain rode to the gate, behind the troop that bore his harness, for
+there was no other road within seven leagues. He found the postern shut
+and so he turned into a close below the tower, that was fenced with a
+palisade. He dismounted under an oak and hung up his shields. Thither
+came the folk from the castle, most of them sorry that the tourney had
+been abandoned; in the fortress was an aged nobleman, great in land and
+lineage, whose word no one disputed. A long way off the troop had been
+pointed out to him, and before they rode into the close he went to
+Thiébault, and said, "Sir, so God save me, I have seen two companions of
+King Arthur, worthy men, who ride this way; I advise you to tourney with
+good hope, for we have brave knights, and servants, and archers, who
+will slay their horses, and I am certain they will joust before this
+gate; if their pride shall bring them the gain will be ours, and theirs
+will be the loss and the shame."</p>
+
+<p>As a result of this counsel Thiébault allowed those who wished to take
+their arms and sally forth. The knights were right glad, and their
+squires ran after their horses, while the dames and the damsels climbed
+high places to see the tourney. Below, in the meadow, they saw the arms
+of Sir Gawain, and at first thought that there were two knights, because
+two shields hung from the tree. They cried out that they were fortunate
+to see two such knights arm. So some thought; but others exclaimed,
+"Fair Lord God, this knight hath arms and steeds sufficient for two; if
+he hath no companion, what will he do with two shields? Never was seen a
+knight who carried two shields at one and the same time. It is very
+strange if one man means to bear two shields."</p>
+
+<p>While the ladies talked and the knights went forth from the castle the
+elder daughter of Thiébault mounted to the tower, she on account of whom
+the tournament had been undertaken, and with her her younger sister,
+whose sleeves were so quaint that she was called the Maid with the
+Narrow Sleeves, for she wore them tight. Dames and damsels climbed the
+tower with them, and the tourney was joined in front of the castle. None
+bore himself so well as Meliance of Lis, by the testimony of his fair
+friend, who said to those about her, "Ladies, never did I see a knight
+who delighted me as doth Meliance of Lis. Is it not a pleasure to see
+such a knight? That man must have a good seat and be skillful in the use
+of lance and shield who beareth himself so excellently."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon her sister, who sat by her side, said that she saw a fairer
+knight. The elder maiden was angry and rose to strike her sister. But
+the ladies interfered, and held her back, so that she missed her blow,
+which greatly incensed her.</p>
+
+<p>In the tournament many lances were shivered, shields pierced, and
+knights unhorsed; and it went hard with the knight who met Meliance of
+Lis, for there was none he did not throw on the hard ground. If his
+lance broke, he dealt great blows with his sword; and he bore himself
+better than any other knight on either side, to the great joy of his
+fair friend, who could not resist exclaiming, "Ladies, it is wonderful!
+Behold the best bachelor knight of whom minstrel hath ever sung or whom
+eyes have ever seen, the fairest and bravest of all those in the
+tourney!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the little girl cried, "I see a handsomer one, and 'tis like, a
+better!"</p>
+
+<p>The elder sister grew hot. "Ha, girl, you were malapert when you were so
+unlucky as to blame one whom I praised! Take that, to teach you better
+another time!" So saying, she slapped her sister, so hard that she left
+on the little girl's cheek the print of her five fingers. But the ladies
+who sat near scolded her and took her away.</p>
+
+<p>After that they fell to talking of Sir Gawain. One of the damsels said,
+"The knight beneath yonder tree, why doth he delay to take arms?" A
+second damsel, who was ruder, exclaimed, "He hath sworn to keep the
+peace." And a third added, "He is a merchant. Don't tell me that he
+desireth to joust; he bringeth horses to market." "He is a
+money-changer," said a fourth. "The goods he hath he meaneth to sell to
+poor bachelors. Trust me, he hath money or raiment in those chests."</p>
+
+<p>"You have wicked tongues!" cried the little girl. "And you lie! Do you
+think a merchant would bear such huge lances? You tire me to death,
+talking such nonsense! By the faith that I owe the Holy Spirit, he
+seemeth to me a knight rather than a merchant or a money-changer. He is
+a knight, and he looketh like one!"</p>
+
+<p>The ladies all cried with one voice, "Fair sweet friend, if he looketh
+so, it doth not follow that he is so. He putteth it on because he
+wisheth to cheat the tariff. But in spite of all his cleverness he is a
+fool, for he will be taken up and hung for a cheat."</p>
+
+<p>Now Gawain heard all that the ladies said about him, and he was ashamed
+and annoyed. But he thought, and thought rightly, that he lay under an
+accusation of treason, and that it was his duty to keep his pledge or
+forever disgrace himself and his line. It was for this reason that he
+took no part in the tourney, lest, if he fought, he should be wounded or
+taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Meliance of Lis called for great lances, to strike harder blows. Until
+night fell the tourney continued before the gate; the man who took any
+booty carried it to some place where he thought it would be safe. Then
+the ladies saw a squire, tall and strong, who held a piece of a lance
+and bore on his neck a steel cap. One of the ladies, who was foolish,
+called to him, saying, "Sir squire, so God help me, it is foolish of you
+to make prize of that tester, those arms and croup-piece. If you do a
+squire's duty you deserve a squire's wage. Below, in yonder meadow, is a
+man who hath riches he cannot defend. Unwise is he who misseth his gain
+while he hath the power to take it. He seemeth the most debonair of
+knights, and yet he would not stir if one plucked his beard. If you are
+wise, take the armor and the treasure, none will hinder you."</p>
+
+<p>The squire went into the meadow and struck one of Gawain's horses,
+crying, "Vassal, are you sick that all day long you gape here and have
+done nothing, neither pierced shield nor shivered lance?"</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gawain answered, "Pray, what is it to you why I tarry? You shall
+know, but not now. Get you gone about your business."</p>
+
+<p>The squire withdrew, for Gawain was not the type of man to whom he would
+dare say anything unpleasant.</p>
+
+<p>The tourney ended, after many knights had been killed and many horses
+captured. The outsiders had had the best, and the people of the castle
+gained by the intermission. At parting they all agreed that on the
+morrow with songs they would meet again and continue the encounter. So
+for that night they separated and those who had sallied forth returned
+to the castle, followed by Sir Gawain. At the gate he met the nobleman
+who had advised his lord to engage in the tourney. This man accosted him
+pleasantly, and said, "Fair sir, in this castle your hostel is ready. If
+it pleaseth you, remain here, for if you should go on it would be long
+before you arrived at a lodging; therefore I urge you to stay."</p>
+
+<p>"I will tarry, your mercy!" said Gawain. "I have heard worse words."</p>
+
+<p>The man led the guest to his house, talking of this and that, and asked
+him why on that day he had not borne arms. Sir Gawain explained how he
+had been accused of treason and was bound to be on his guard against
+prison and wounds until he could free himself from the reproach that was
+cast upon him, for it would be to the dishonor of himself and his
+friends if he should fail to appear at the time appointed.</p>
+
+<p>The nobleman praised him, and said that if this was the reason he had
+done right. With that he led Gawain to his house, where they dismounted.
+The people of the castle blamed him, wondering how his lord would take
+it; while the elder daughter of Thiébault did her best to make trouble
+for Gawain, on account of her sister, with whom she was angry. "Sir,"
+she said to her father, "on this day you have suffered no loss, but made
+a gain, greater than you think; you have only to go and take it. The man
+who hath brought it will not dare to defend it, for he is wily. Lances
+and shields he bringeth, with palfreys and chargers, and maketh himself
+resemble a knight to cheat the customs, so that he may pass free when he
+cometh to sell his wares. Render him his deserts. He is with Garin, the
+son of Bertan, who hath taken him to lodge at his house. I just saw him
+pass."</p>
+
+<p>Thiébault took his horse, for he himself wished to go there. The little
+girl, who saw him leave, went out secretly by a back gate and straight
+down the hill to the house of Garin, who had two fair daughters. When
+these saw their little lady they should have been glad, and glad they
+were, each took her by a hand and led her into the house, kissing her
+eyes and lips.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime Garin and his son Herman had left the house and were
+going up to the castle to speak to their lord. Midway there they met
+Thiébault and saluted him. He asked whither Garin was going and said he
+had intended to pay him a visit. "By my faith," said the nobleman, "that
+will not displease me, and at my house you shall see the fairest of
+knights."</p>
+
+<p>"It is even he whom I seek," said Thiébault, "to arrest him. He is a
+merchant who selleth horses and pretendeth to be a knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," said Garin, "'tis a churlish speech I hear you make! I am your
+man and you are my master, but on the spot I renounce your homage, and
+in the name of all my line now defy you, rather than suffer you to
+disgrace my house."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed," answered Thiébault, "I have no wish to do any such thing.
+Neither you nor your house shall ever receive aught but honor from me;
+not but what I have been counseled so to proceed."</p>
+
+<p>"Your great mercy!" exclaimed the nobleman. "It will be my honor if you
+will visit my guest."</p>
+
+<p>So side by side they went on until they reached the house. When Sir
+Gawain saw them, he rose out of courtesy, and said, "Welcome!" The two
+saluted him and took their seats beside him. Then the nobleman, who was
+the lord of that country, asked why he had taken no part in the tourney,
+and Gawain narrated how a knight had accused him of treason and how he
+was on his way to defend himself in a royal court. "Doubtless,"
+answered the lord, "that is sufficient excuse. But where is the battle
+to be held?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, before the king of Cavalon, whither I am journeying."</p>
+
+<p>"And I," said the nobleman, "will guide you. Since you must needs pass
+through a poor country, I will provide you with food and packbeasts to
+carry it."</p>
+
+<p>Gawain answered that he had no need to accept anything, for if it could
+be bought he would have food and lodging wherever he went.</p>
+
+<p>With these words Thiébault took leave. As he departed, from the opposite
+direction he saw come his little daughter, who embraced Gawain's leg,
+and said, "Fair sir, listen! I have come to complain of my sister, who
+hath beaten me. So please you, do me justice!"</p>
+
+<p>Gawain made no answer, for he did not know what she meant. He put his
+hand on her head, while the girl pulled him, saying, "To you, fair sir,
+I complain of my sister. I do not love her, since to-day she hath done
+me great shame for your sake."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair one, what have I to do with that? How can I do you justice against
+your sister?"</p>
+
+<p>Thiébault, who had taken leave, heard his child's entreaty, and said,
+"Girl, who bade you come here and complain to this knight?"</p>
+
+<p>Gawain asked, "Fair sweet sir, is this maid your daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aye; but never mind what she says. A girl is a silly creature."</p>
+
+<p>"Certes," said Gawain, "I should be churlish if I did not do what she
+desires. Tell me, my sweet child and fair, in what manner I can justify
+you against your sister."</p>
+
+<p>"If it pleaseth you, for love of me, bear arms in the tourney."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, dear friend," said Gawain, "have you ever before made petition
+to any knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind her," exclaimed her father. "Pay no heed to her folly."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, so aid me the Lord God, for so little a girl,
+she hath spoken very well, and I will not refuse her. To-morrow, if she
+wisheth, I will be her knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mercy, fair sweet sir!" cried the child, who was overjoyed, and
+bowed down to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Without more words they parted. Thiébault carried his daughter back on
+the neck of his palfrey. As they rode up the hill be asked her what the
+quarrel had been about, and she told him the story from beginning to
+end, saying, "Sir, I was vexed with my sister, who declared that
+Meliance of Lis was the best of all the knights; and I, who had seen
+this knight in the meadow, could not help saying that I had seen a
+fairer, whereupon my sister called me a silly girl and beat me. Fie on
+me, if I take it from her! I would cut off both my braids close to my
+head, which would be a great loss, if to-morrow in the tourney this
+knight would conquer Meliance of Lis, and put an end to the fuss of
+madam, my sister! She talked so much that she tired all the ladies; but
+a little rain will hush a great wind."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair child," said her father, "I command and allow you, in courtesy, to
+send him some love-token, a sleeve or a wimple."</p>
+
+<p>The child, who was simple, answered, "With pleasure since you bid me.
+But my sleeves are so small, I should not like to send them. Most likely
+he would not care for them."</p>
+
+<p>"Daughter, say no more," said Thiébault. "I will think about it. I am
+very glad." So saying, he took her in his arms, and had great joy of
+embracing and kissing her, until he came in front of his palace. But
+when his elder daughter saw him approach, with the child before him, she
+was vexed, and exclaimed, "Sir, whence cometh my sister, the Maid with
+the Narrow Sleeves? She is full of her tricks; she hath been quick about
+it; where did you find her?"</p>
+
+<p>"And you," he answered, "what is it to you? Hush, for she is better than
+you are. You pulled her hair and beat her, which grieveth me. You acted
+rudely; you were discourteous."</p>
+
+<p>When she heard her father's rebuke, the maid was greatly abashed.</p>
+
+<p>Thiébault had brought from his chests a piece of red samite, and he bade
+his people cut out and make a sleeve, wide and long. Then he called his
+daughter and said, "Child, to-morrow rise betimes and visit the knight
+before he leaveth his hostel. For love's sake you will give him this
+new sleeve, which he will wear in the tourney when he goeth thither."</p>
+
+<p>The girl answered that so soon as ever she saw the clear dawn she would
+dress herself and go. With that her father went his way, while she, in
+great glee, charged her companions that they should not let her
+oversleep but should wake her when day broke, if they would have her
+love them. They did as she wished, and when it dawned caused her to wake
+and dress. All alone she went to the house where Sir Gawain lodged, but,
+early though it was, the knights had risen and gone to the monastery to
+hear mass sung. She waited until they had offered long orisons and
+listened to the service, as much as was right. When they returned the
+child rose to greet Sir Gawain, and cried, "Sir, on this day may God
+save and honor you! For love of me, wear the sleeve which I carry in my
+hand."</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure," he answered; "friend, your mercy!"</p>
+
+<p>After that the knights were not slow to take arms, and came pouring out
+of the town, while the damsels again went up to the walls and the dames
+of the castle saw the troops of brave and hardy knights approach.</p>
+
+<p>They rode with loose rein, and in front was Meliance of Lis, who went so
+fast that he left the rest in the rear, two rods and more. When his
+maiden saw her friend she could not keep quiet, but cried, "Ladies,
+yonder comes the man who hath the lordship of chivalry!"</p>
+
+<p>As swiftly as his horse would carry him Sir Gawain charged Meliance of
+Lis, who did not evade the blow, but met it boldly, and shivered his
+lance. On his part Sir Gawain smote so hard that he grieved Meliance,
+whom he flung on the field; the steed he grasped by the rein and gave to
+a varlet, bidding him take it to the lady on whose account he had
+entered the tourney, and say that his master had sent her the first
+spoil he had made that day. The youth took the charger, saddled as it
+was, and led it towards the girl, who was sitting at the window of the
+tower, whence she had watched the joust, and when she saw the encounter
+she cried to her sister, "Sister, there lies Meliance of Lis, whom you
+praised so highly! A wise man ought to give praise where it is due. You
+see, I was right yesterday when I said I saw a better knight."</p>
+
+<p>Thus she teased her sister, who grew angry, and cried, "Child, hold your
+tongue! If you say another word, I will slap you so that you will not
+have a foot to stand on!" "Oh, sister," answered the little girl,
+"remember God! You ought not to beat me because I told you the truth. I
+saw him tumble as well as you; I think he will not be able to get up. Be
+as cross as you please, I must say that there is not a lady here who did
+not see him fall flat on the ground."</p>
+
+<p>Her sister would have struck her, had she been able, but the ladies
+around would not allow it.</p>
+
+<p>With that came the squire, who held the rein in his right hand. He saw
+the girl sitting at the window and presented the steed. She thanked him
+a hundred times, and bade the steed be taken in charge. The squire
+returned to tell his master, who seemed the lord of the tournament, for
+there was no knight so gallant that he did not cast from the saddle, if
+he reached him with the lance. On that day he captured four steeds. The
+first he sent to the little girl, the second to the wife of the nobleman
+who had been so kind, and the third and fourth to his own daughters.</p>
+
+<p>The tourney was over and the knights entered the city. On both sides the
+honor belonged to Sir Gawain. It was not yet noon when he returned from
+the encounter; the city was full of knights, who ran after him, asking
+who he was and of what land. At the gate of his hostel he was met by the
+damsel, who did naught but grasp his stirrup, salute him, and cry, "A
+thousand mercies, fair sweet sir!" He answered frankly, "Friend, before
+I am recreant to your service, may I be aged and bald! I shall never be
+so remote, but a message will bring me. If I know your need, I shall
+come at the first summons, whatever business be mine!"</p>
+
+<p>While they talked her father came and wished Sir Gawain to stay with him
+for that night; but first he begged, that if his guest pleased, he would
+tell his name. Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, I am called Gawain. My name
+was never concealed, nor have I ever told it before it hath been asked."</p>
+
+<p>When Thiébault knew that the knight was Sir Gawain his heart was full of
+joy, and he exclaimed, "Sir, be pleased to lodge with me, and accept my
+service. Hitherto I have done you little worship, and never did I set
+eyes on a knight whom so much I longed to honor."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of urging, Sir Gawain refused to stay. The little girl, who was
+good and clever, clasped his foot and kissed it, commending him to God.
+Sir Gawain asked why she had done that, and the girl replied that she
+had kissed his foot in order that he should remember her wherever he
+went. He answered, "Doubt it not, fair sweet friend! I shall never
+forget you, after I have parted hence."</p>
+
+<p>With that Sir Gawain took leave of his host and the others, who one and
+all commended him to God. That night he slept in an abbey, and had all
+that was necessary.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="THE_CHAMPIONS_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE" id="THE_CHAMPIONS_OF_THE_ROUND_TABLE"></a>THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT</h3>
+
+
+<p>Then, at the following Pentecost, was held a feast of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, with high splendor; and all the knights thereof resorted to
+the court, and held many games and jousts. And therein Sir Lancelot
+increased in fame and worship above all men, for he overthrew all
+comers, and never was unhorsed or worsted, save by treason and
+enchantment.</p>
+
+<p>When Queen Guinevere had seen his wondrous feats, she held him in great
+favor, and smiled more on him than on any other knight. And ever since
+he first had gone to bring her to King Arthur, had Lancelot thought on
+her as fairest of all ladies, and done his best to win her grace. So the
+queen often sent for him, and bade him tell of his birth and strange
+adventures: how he was only son of great King Ban of Brittany, and how,
+one night, his father, with his mother Helen and himself, fled from his
+burning castle; how his father, groaning deeply, fell to the ground and
+died of grief and wounds, and how his mother, running to her husband,
+left himself alone; how, as he thus lay wailing, came the lady of the
+lake, and took him in her arms and went with him into the midst of the
+waters, where, with his cousins Lionel and Bors, he had been cherished
+all his childhood until he came to King Arthur's court; and how this
+was the reason why men called him Lancelot du Lake.</p>
+
+<p>Anon it was ordained by King Arthur, that in every year at Pentecost
+there should be held a festival of all the knights of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, or such other place as he should choose. And at those
+festivals should be told publicly the most famous adventures of any
+knight during the past year.</p>
+
+<p>So, when Sir Lancelot saw Queen Guinevere rejoiced to hear his
+wanderings and adventures, he resolved to set forth yet again, and win
+more worship still, that he might more increase her favor. Then he bade
+his cousin Sir Lionel make ready, "for," said he, "we two will seek
+adventure." So they mounted their horses&mdash;armed at all points&mdash;and rode
+into a vast forest; and when they had passed through it, they came to a
+great plain, and the weather being very hot about noontide, Sir Lancelot
+greatly longed to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree
+standing by a hedge, and said, "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow where
+we may rest ourselves and horses."</p>
+
+<p>"I am full glad of it," said Sir Lancelot, "for all these seven years I
+have not been so sleepy."</p>
+
+<p>So they alighted there, and tied their horses up to sundry trees; and
+Sir Lionel waked and watched while Sir Lancelot fell asleep, and slept
+passing fast.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile came three knights, riding as fast flying as ever they
+could ride, and after them followed a single knight; but when Sir Lionel
+looked at him, he thought he had never seen so great and strong a man,
+or so well furnished and appareled. Anon he saw him overtake the last of
+those who fled, and smite him to the ground; then came he to the second,
+and smote him such a stroke that horse and man went to the earth; then
+rode he to the third, likewise, and struck him off his horse more than a
+spear's length. With that he lighted from his horse, and bound all three
+knights fast with the reins of their own bridles.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Lionel saw this he thought the time was come to prove himself
+against him, so quietly and cautiously, lest he should wake Sir
+Lancelot, he took his horse and mounted and rode after him. Presently
+overtaking him, he cried aloud to him to turn, which instantly he did,
+and smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man went down forthwith.
+Then took he up Sir Lionel, and threw him bound over his own horse's
+back; and so he served the three other knights, and rode them away to
+his own castle. There they were disarmed, stripped naked, and beaten
+with thorns, and afterwards thrust into a deep prison, where many more
+knights, also, made great moans and lamentations, saying, "Alas, alas!
+there is no man can help us but Sir Lancelot, for no other knight can
+match this tyrant Turquine, our conqueror."</p>
+
+<p>But all this while, Sir Lancelot lay sleeping soundly under the
+apple-tree. And, as it chanced, there passed that way four queens, of
+high estate, riding upon four white mules, under four canopies of green
+silk borne on spears, to keep them from the sun. As they rode thus,
+they heard a great horse grimly neigh, and, turning them about, soon saw
+a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an apple-tree; and when they
+saw his face, they knew it was Sir Lancelot of the Lake.</p>
+
+<p>Then they began to strive which of them should have the care of him. But
+Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half sister, the great sorceress, was
+one of them, and said, "We need not strive for him, I have enchanted
+him, so that for six hours more he shall not wake. Let us take him to my
+castle, and, when he wakes, himself shall choose which one of us he
+would rather serve." So Sir Lancelot was laid upon his shield and borne
+on horseback between two knights, to the castle, and there laid in a
+cold chamber, till the spell should pass.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, they sent him a fair damsel, bearing his supper, who asked him,
+"What cheer?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell, fair damsel," said he, "for I know not how I came into
+this castle, if it were not by enchantment."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said she, "be of good heart, and to-morrow at dawn of day, ye
+shall know more."</p>
+
+<p>And so she left him alone, and there he lay all night. In the morning
+early came the four queens to him, passing richly dressed; and said,
+"Sir knight, thou must understand that thou art our prisoner, and that
+we know thee well for King Ban's son, Sir Lancelot du Lake. And though
+we know full well there is one lady only in this world may have thy
+love, and she Queen Guinevere&mdash;King Arthur's wife&mdash;yet now are we
+resolved to have thee to serve one of us; choose, therefore, of us four
+which thou wilt serve. I am Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the land of
+Gore, and here also is the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of
+Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles. Choose, then, at once, for
+else shalt thou abide here, in this prison, till thy death."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a hard case," said Sir Lancelot, "that either I must die, or
+choose one of you for my mistress! Yet had I rather die in this prison
+than serve any living creature against my will. So take this for my
+answer. I will serve none of ye, for ye be false enchantresses. And as
+for my lady, Queen Guinevere, whom lightly ye have spoken of, were I at
+liberty I would prove it upon you or upon yours she is the truest lady
+living to her lord the king."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the queen, "is this your answer, that ye refuse us all?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, on my life," said Lancelot, "refused ye be of me."</p>
+
+<p>So they departed from him in great wrath, and left him sorrowfully
+grieving in his dungeon.</p>
+
+<p>At noon the damsel came to him and brought his dinner, and asked him as
+before, "What cheer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "in all my life never so ill."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," replied she, "I grieve to see ye so, but if ye do as I advise, I
+can help ye out of this distress, and will do so if you promise me a
+boon."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "right willingly will I grant it
+thee, for sorely do I dread these four witch-queens, who have destroyed
+and slain many a good knight with their enchantments."</p>
+
+<p>Then said the damsel, "Sir, wilt thou promise me to help my father on
+next Tuesday, for he hath a tournament with the King of Northgales, and
+last Tuesday lost the field through three knights of King Arthur's
+court, who came against him. And if next Tuesday thou wilt aid him,
+to-morrow, before daylight, by God's grace, I will deliver thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair maiden," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy father's name and I will
+answer thee."</p>
+
+<p>"My father is King Bagdemagus," said she.</p>
+
+<p>"I know him well," replied Sir Lancelot, "for a noble king and a good
+knight; and by the faith of my body I will do him all the service I am
+able on that day."</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy to thee, Sir knight," said the damsel. "To-morrow, when thou
+art delivered from this place, ride ten miles hence unto an abbey of
+white monks, and there abide until I bring my father to thee."</p>
+
+<p>"So be it," said Sir Lancelot, "as I am a true knight."</p>
+
+<p>So she departed, and on the morrow, early, came again, and let him out
+of twelve gates, differently locked, and brought him to his armor; and
+when he was all armed, she brought him his horse also, and lightly he
+saddled him, and took a great spear in his hand, and mounted and rode
+forth, saying, as he went, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail thee, by the
+grace of God."</p>
+
+<p>And all that day he rode in a great forest, and could find no highway,
+and spent the night in the wood; but the next morning found his road,
+and came to the abbey of white monks. And there he saw King Bagdemagus
+and his daughter waiting for him. So when they were together in a
+chamber, Sir Lancelot told the king how he had been betrayed by an
+enchantment, and how his brother Lionel was gone he knew not where, and
+how the damsel had delivered him from the castle of Queen Morgan le Fay.
+"Wherefore while I live," said he, "I shall do service to herself and
+all her kindred."</p>
+
+<p>"Then am I sure of thy aid," said the king, "on Tuesday now next
+coming?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, sir, I shall not fail thee," said Sir Lancelot; "but what knights
+were they who last week defeated thee, and took part with the King of
+Northgales?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Mador de la Port, Sir Modred, and Sir Gahalatine," replied the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "as I understand, the tournament shall take
+place but three miles from this abbey; send then to me here, three
+knights of thine, the best thou hast, and let them all have plain white
+shields, such as I also will; then will we four come suddenly into the
+midst between both parties, and fall upon thy enemies, and grieve them
+all we can, and none will know us who we are."</p>
+
+<p>So, on the Tuesday, Sir Lancelot and the three knights lodged themselves
+in a small grove hard by the lists. Then came into the field the King of
+Northgales, with one hundred and sixty helms, and the three knights of
+King Arthur's court, who stood apart by themselves. And when King
+Bagdemagus had arrived, with eighty helms, both companies set all their
+spears in rest and came together with a mighty clash, wherein were slain
+twelve knights of King Bagdemagus, and six of the King of Northgales;
+and the party of King Bagdemagus was driven back.</p>
+
+<p>With that, came Sir Lancelot, and thrust into the thickest of the press,
+and smote down with one spear five knights, and brake the backs of four,
+and cast down the King of Northgales, and brake his thigh by the fall.
+When the three knights of Arthur's court saw this, they rode at Sir
+Lancelot, and each after other attacked him; but he overthrew them all,
+and smote them nigh to death. Then, taking a new spear, he bore down to
+the ground sixteen more knights, and hurt them all so sorely, that they
+could carry arms no more that day. And when his spear at length was
+broken, he took yet another, and smote down twelve knights more, the
+most of whom he wounded mortally, till in the end the party of the King
+of Northgales would joust no more, and the victory was cried to King
+Bagdemagus.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus to his castle, and
+there he feasted with great cheer and welcome, and received many royal
+gifts. And on the morrow he took leave and went to find his brother
+Lionel.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, by chance, he came to the same forest where the four queens had
+found him sleeping, and there he met a damsel riding on a white
+palfrey. When they had saluted each other, Sir Lancelot said, "Fair
+damsel, knowest thou where any adventures may be had in this country?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said she, "there are adventures great enough close by if
+thou darest prove them."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not," said he, "since for that cause I came here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the damsel, "hard by this place there dwelleth a knight that
+cannot be defeated by any man, so great and perilously strong he is. His
+name is Sir Turquine, and in the prisons of his castle lie three score
+knights and four, mostly from King Arthur's court, whom he hath taken
+with his own hands. But promise me, ere thou undertakest their
+deliverance, to go and help me afterwards, and free me and many other
+ladies that are distressed by a false knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Bring me but to this felon Turquine," quoth Sir Lancelot, "and I will
+afterwards fulfill all your wishes."</p>
+
+<p>So the damsel went before, and brought him to a ford, and a tree whereon
+a great brass basin hung; and Sir Lancelot beat with his spear-end upon
+the basin, long and hard, until he beat the bottom of it out, but he saw
+nothing. Then he rode to and fro before the castle gates for wellnigh
+half an hour, and anon saw a great knight riding from the distance,
+driving a horse before him, across which hung an armed man bound. And
+when they came near, Sir Lancelot knew the prisoner for a knight of the
+Round Table. By that time, the great knight who drove the prisoner saw
+Sir Lancelot, and each of them began to settle his spear, and to make
+ready.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," then said Sir Lancelot, "put off that wounded knight, I pray
+thee, from his horse, and let him rest while thou and I shall prove our
+strength upon each other; for, as I am told, thou doest, and hast done,
+great shame and injury to knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, I warn
+thee now, defend thyself."</p>
+
+<p>"If thou mayest be of the Round Table," answered Turquine, "I defy thee,
+and all thy fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"That is saying overmuch," said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>Then, setting their lances in rest, they spurred their horses towards
+each other, as fast as they could go, and smote so fearfully upon each
+other's shields, that both their horses' backs brake under them. As soon
+as they could clear their saddles, they took their shields before them,
+and drew their swords, and came together eagerly, and fought with great
+and grievous strokes; and soon they both had many grim and fearful
+wounds, and bled in streams. Thus they fought two hours and more,
+thrusting and smiting at each other, wherever they could hit.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, they both were breathless, and stood leaning on their swords.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, comrade," said Sir Turquine, "let us wait awhile, and answer me
+what I shall ask thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on," said Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art," said Turquine, "the best man I ever met, and seemest like
+one that I hate above all other knights that live; but if thou be not
+he, I will make peace with thee, and for sake of thy great valor, will
+deliver all the three score prisoners and four who lie within my
+dungeons, and thou and I will be companions evermore. Tell me, then, thy
+name."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest well," replied Sir Lancelot; "but who is he thou hatest so
+above all others?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name," said Turquine, "is Sir Lancelot of the Lake; and he slew my
+brother Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower; wherefore, if ever I shall
+meet with him, one of us two shall slay the other; and thereto I have
+sworn by a great oath. And to discover and destroy him I have slain a
+hundred knights, and crippled utterly as many more, and many have died
+in my prisons; and now, as I have told thee, I have many more therein,
+who all shall be delivered, if thou tell me thy name, and it be not Sir
+Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Lancelot, "I am that knight, son of King Ban of Benwick,
+and Knight of the Round Table; so now I defy thee to do thy best!"</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" said Turquine, with a shout, "is it then so at last! Thou art
+more welcome to my sword than ever knight or lady was to feast, for
+never shall we part till one of us be dead."</p>
+
+<p>Then did they hurtle together like two wild bulls, slashing and lashing
+with their shields and swords, and sometimes falling both on to the
+ground. For two more hours they fought so, and at the last Sir Turquine
+grew very faint, and gave a little back, and bare his shield full low
+for weariness. When Sir Lancelot saw him thus, he leaped upon him
+fiercely as a lion, and took him by the crest of his helmet, and dragged
+him to his knees; and then he tore his helmet off and smote his neck
+asunder.</p>
+
+<p>Then he arose, and went to the damsel who had brought him to Sir
+Turquine, and said, "I am ready, fair lady, to go with thee upon thy
+service, but I have no horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," said she, "take ye this horse of the wounded knight whom
+Turquine but just now was carrying to his prisons, and send that knight
+on to deliver all the prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot went to the knight and prayed him for the loan of his
+horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lord," said he, "ye are right welcome, for to-day ye have saved
+both me and my horse; and I see that ye are the best knight in all the
+world, for in my sight have ye slain the mightiest man and the best
+knight, except thyself, I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "I thank thee well; and now go into yonder
+castle, where thou shalt find many noble knights of the Round Table, for
+I have seen their shields hung on the trees around. On yonder tree alone
+there are Sir Key's, Sir Brandel's, Sir Marhaus', Sir Galind's, and Sir
+Aliduke's, and many more; and also my two kinsmen's shields, Sir Ector
+de Maris' and Sir Lionel's. And I pray you greet them all from me, Sir
+Lancelot of the Lake, and tell them that I bid them help themselves to
+any treasures they can find within the castle; and that I pray my
+brethren, Lionel and Ector, to go to King Arthur's court and stay there
+till I come. And by the high feast at Pentecost I must be there; but now
+I must ride forth with this damsel to fulfill my promise."</p>
+
+<p>So, as they went, the damsel told him, "Sir, we are now near the place
+where the foul knight haunteth, who robbeth and distresseth all ladies
+and gentlewomen traveling past this way, against whom I have sought thy
+aid."</p>
+
+<p>Then they arranged that she should ride on foremost, and Sir Lancelot
+should follow under cover of the trees by the roadside, and if he saw
+her come to any mishap, he should ride forth and deal with him that
+troubled her. And as the damsel rode on at a soft ambling pace, a knight
+and page burst forth from the roadside and forced the damsel from her
+horse, till she cried out for help.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Sir Lancelot rushing through the wood as fast as he might fly,
+and all the branches of the trees crackled and waved around him. "O thou
+false knight and traitor to all knighthood!" shouted he, "who taught
+thee to distress fair ladies thus?"</p>
+
+<p>The foul knight answered nothing, but drew out his sword and rode at Sir
+Lancelot, who threw his spear away and drew his own sword likewise, and
+struck him such a mighty blow as clave his head down to the throat. "Now
+hast thou the wages thou long hast earned!" said he; and so departed
+from the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>Then for two days he rode in a great forest, and had but scanty food and
+lodging, and on the third day he rode over a long bridge, when suddenly
+there started up a passing foul churl, and smote his horse across the
+nose, so that he started and turned back, rearing with pain. "Why ridest
+thou over here without my leave?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not?" said Sir Lancelot; "there is no other way to ride."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou shalt not pass by here," cried out the churl, and dashed at him
+with a great club full of iron spikes, till Sir Lancelot was fain to
+draw his sword and smite him dead upon the earth.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all the people came and
+cried, "Ah, sir! a worse deed for thyself thou never didst, for thou
+hast slain the chief porter of the castle yonder!" But he let them talk
+as they pleased, and rode straight forward to the castle.</p>
+
+<p>There he alighted, and tied his horse to a ring in the wall; and going
+in, he saw a wide green court, and thought it seemed a noble place to
+fight in. And as he looked about, he saw many people watching him from
+doors and windows, making signs of warning, and saying, "Fair knight,
+thou art unhappy." In the next moment came upon him two great giants,
+well armed save their heads, and with two horrible clubs in their hands.
+Then he put his shield before him, and with it warded off one giant's
+stroke, and clove the other with his sword from the head downward to the
+chest. When the first giant saw that, he ran away mad with fear; but Sir
+Lancelot ran after him, and smote him through the shoulder, and shore
+him down his back, so that he fell dead.</p>
+
+<p>Then he walked onward to the castle hall, and saw a band of sixty ladies
+and young damsels coming forth, who knelt to him, and thanked him for
+their freedom. "For, sir," said they, "the most of us have been
+prisoners here these seven years; and have been kept at all manner of
+work to earn our meat, though we be all great gentlewomen born. Blessed
+be the time that thou wast born, for never did a knight a deed of
+greater worship than thou hast this day, and thereto will we all bear
+witness in all times and places! Tell us, therefore, noble knight, thy
+name and court, that we may tell them to our friends!" And when they
+heard it, they all cried aloud, "Well may it be so, for we knew that no
+knight save thou shouldst ever overcome those giants; and many a long
+day have we sighed for thee; for the giants feared no other name among
+all knights but thine."</p>
+
+<p>Then he told them to take the treasures of the castle as a reward for
+their grievances; and to return to their homes, and so rode away into
+many strange and wild countries. And at last, after many days, by chance
+he came, near the night time, to a fair mansion, wherein he found an old
+gentlewoman, who gave him and his horse good cheer. And when bed time
+was come, his host brought him to a chamber over a gate, and there he
+unarmed, and went to bed and fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>But soon thereafter came one riding in great haste, and knocking
+vehemently at the gate below, which when Sir Lancelot heard, he rose
+and looked out of the window, and, by the moonlight, saw three knights
+come riding fiercely after one man, and lashing on him all at once with
+their swords, while the one knight nobly fought them all.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot quickly armed himself, and getting through the window,
+let himself down by a sheet into the midst of them, crying out, "Turn ye
+on me, ye cowards, and leave fighting with that knight!" Then they all
+left Sir Key, for the first knight was he, and began to fall upon Sir
+Lancelot furiously. And when Sir Key would have come forward to assist
+him, Sir Lancelot refused, and cried, "Leave me alone to deal with
+them." And presently, with six great strokes, he felled them all.</p>
+
+<p>Then they cried out, "Sir knight, we yield us unto thee, as to a man of
+might!"</p>
+
+<p>"I will not take your yielding!" said he; "yield ye to Sir Key, the
+seneschal, or I will have your lives."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair knight," said they, "excuse us in that thing, for we have chased
+Sir Key thus far, and should have overcome him but for thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Sir Lancelot, "do as ye will, for ye may live or die; but,
+if ye live, ye shall be holden to Sir Key."</p>
+
+<p>Then they yielded to him; and Sir Lancelot commanded them to go unto
+King Arthur's court at the next Pentecost, and say, Sir Key had sent
+them prisoners to Queen Guinevere. And this they sware to do upon their
+swords.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot knocked at the gate with his sword-hilt till his
+hostess came and let him in again, and Sir Key also. And when the light
+came, Sir Key knew Sir Lancelot, and knelt and thanked him for his
+courtesy, and gentleness, and kindness. "Sir," said he, "I have done no
+more than what I ought to do, and ye are welcome; therefore let us now
+take rest."</p>
+
+<p>So when Sir Key had supped, they went to sleep, and Sir Lancelot and he
+slept in the same bed. On the morrow, Sir Lancelot rose early, and took
+Sir Key's shield and armor and set forth. When Sir Key arose, he found
+Sir Lancelot's armor by his bedside, and his own arms gone. "Now, by my
+faith," thought he, "I know that he will grieve some knights of our
+king's court; for those who meet him will be bold to joust with him,
+mistaking him for me, while I, dressed in his shield and armor, shall
+surely ride in peace."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot, dressed in Sir Key's apparel, rode long in a great
+forest, and came at last to a low country, full of rivers and fair
+meadows, and saw a bridge before him, whereon were three silk tents of
+divers colors, and to each tent was hung a white shield, and by each
+shield stood a knight. So Sir Lancelot went by without speaking a word.
+And when he had passed, the three knights said it was the proud Sir Key,
+"who thinketh no knight equal to himself, although the contrary is full
+often proved upon him."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith!" said one of them, named Gaunter, "I will ride after and
+attack him for all his pride, and ye shall watch my speed."</p>
+
+<p>Then, taking shield and spear, he mounted and rode after Sir Lancelot,
+and cried, "Abide, proud knight, and turn, for thou shalt not pass
+free!"</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot turned, and each one put his spear in rest and came with
+all his might against the other. And Sir Gaunter's spear brake short,
+but Sir Lancelot smote him down, both horse and man.</p>
+
+<p>When the other knights saw this, they said, "Yonder is not Sir Key, but
+a bigger man."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare wager my head," said Sir Gilmere, "yonder knight hath slain Sir
+Key, and taken his horse and harness."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so, or not," said Sir Reynold, the third brother; "let us now go
+to our brother Gaunter's rescue; we shall have enough to do to match
+that knight, for, by his stature, I believe it is Sir Lancelot or Sir
+Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>Anon, they took their horses and galloped after Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Gilmere first assailed him, but was smitten down forthwith, and lay
+stunned on the earth. Then said Sir Reynold, "Sir knight, thou art a
+strong man, and, I believe, hast slain my two brothers, wherefore my
+heart is sore against thee; yet, if I might with honor, I would avoid
+thee. Nevertheless, that cannot be, so keep thyself." And so they
+hurtled together with all their might, and each man shivered his spear
+to pieces; and then they drew their swords and lashed out eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>And as they fought, Sir Gaunter and Sir Gilmere presently arose and
+mounted once again, and came down at full tilt upon Sir Lancelot. But,
+when he saw them coming, he put forth all his strength, and struck Sir
+Reynold off his horse. Then, with two other strokes, he served the
+others likewise.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, Sir Reynold crept along the ground, with his head all bloody, and
+came towards Sir Lancelot. "It is enough," said Lancelot, "I was not far
+from thee when thou wast made a knight, Sir Reynold, and know thee for a
+good and valiant man, and was full loth to slay thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy for thy gentleness!" said Sir Reynold. "I and my brethren will
+straightway yield to thee when we know thy name, for well we know that
+thou art not Sir Key."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Sir Lancelot, "be it as it may, but ye shall yield
+to Queen Guinevere at the next Feast of Pentecost as prisoners, and say
+that Sir Key sent ye."</p>
+
+<p>Then they swore to him it should be done as he commanded. And so Sir
+Lancelot passed on, and the three brethren helped each other's wounds as
+best they might.</p>
+
+<p>Then rode Sir Lancelot forward into a deep forest, and came upon four
+knights of King Arthur's court, under an oak tree&mdash;Sir Sagramour, Sir
+Ector, Sir Gawain, and Sir Ewaine. And when they spied him, they thought
+he was Sir Key. "Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, "I will prove Sir
+Key's might!" and taking his spear he rode towards Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Lancelot was aware of him, and, setting his spear in rest,
+smote him so sorely, that horse and man fell to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>"Lo!" cried Sir Ector, "I see by the buffet that knight hath given our
+fellow he is stronger than Sir Key. Now will I try what I can do against
+him!" So Sir Ector took his spear, and galloped at Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Lancelot met him as he came, and smote him through shield and shoulder,
+so that he fell, but his own spear was not broken.</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," cried Sir Ewaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and must
+have slain Sir Key, and taken his armor! By his strength, I see it will
+be hard to match him." So saying he rode towards Sir Lancelot, who met
+him halfway and struck him so fiercely, that at one blow he overthrew
+him also.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Sir Gawain, "will I encounter him." So he took a good spear
+in his hand, and guarded himself with his shield. And he and Sir
+Lancelot rode against each other, with their horses at full speed, and
+furiously smote each other on the middle of their shields; but Sir
+Gawain's spear broke short asunder, and Sir Lancelot charged so mightily
+upon him, that his horse and he both fell, and rolled upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Sir Lancelot, smiling, as he rode away from the four knights,
+"heaven give joy to him who made this spear, for never held I better in
+my hand."</p>
+
+<p>But the four knights said to each other, "Truly one spear hath felled us
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare lay my life," said Sir Gawain, "it is Sir Lancelot. I know him
+by his riding."</p>
+
+<p>So they all departed for the court.</p>
+
+<p>And as Sir Lancelot rode still in the forest, he saw a black bloodhound,
+running with its head towards the ground, as if it tracked a deer. And
+following after it, he came to a great pool of blood. But the hound,
+ever and anon looking behind, ran through a great marsh, and over a
+bridge, towards an old manor house. So Sir Lancelot followed, and went
+into the hall, and saw a dead knight lying there, whose wounds the hound
+licked. And a lady stood behind him, weeping and wringing her hands, who
+cried, "O knight! too great is the sorrow which thou hast brought me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why say ye so?" replied Sir Lancelot; "for I never harmed this knight,
+and am full sorely grieved to see thy sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, sir," said the lady, "I see it is not thou hast slain my husband,
+for he that truly did that deed is deeply wounded, and shall never more
+recover."</p>
+
+<p>"What is thy husband's name?" said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"His name," she answered, "was Sir Gilbert&mdash;one of the best knights in
+all the world; but I know not his name who hath slain him."</p>
+
+<p>"God send thee comfort," said Sir Lancelot, and departed again into the
+forest.</p>
+
+<p>And as he rode, he met with a damsel who knew him, who cried out, "Well
+found, my lord! I pray ye of your knighthood help my brother, who is
+sore wounded and ceases not to bleed, for he fought this day with Sir
+Gilbert, and slew him, but was himself well nigh slain. And there is a
+sorceress, who dwelleth in a castle hard by, and she this day hath told
+me that my brother's wound shall never be made whole until I find a
+knight to go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring from thence a sword and
+the bloody cloth in which the wounded knight was wrapped."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a marvelous thing!" said Sir Lancelot; "but what is your
+brother's name?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name, sir," she replied, "is Sir Meliot de Logres."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a Fellow of the Round Table," said Sir Lancelot, "and truly will
+I do my best to help him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, sir," said she, "follow this way, and it will bring ye to the
+Chapel Perilous. I will abide here till God send ye hither again; for if
+ye speed not, there is no living knight who may achieve that adventure."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot departed, and when he came to the Chapel Perilous he
+alighted, and tied his horse to the gate. And as soon as he was within
+the churchyard, he saw on the front of the chapel many shields of
+knights whom he had known, turned upside down. Then saw he in the
+pathway thirty mighty knights, taller than any men whom he had ever
+seen, all armed in black armor, with their swords drawn; and they
+gnashed their teeth upon him as he came. But he put his shield before
+him, and took his sword in hand, ready to do battle with them. And when
+he would have cut his way through them, they scattered on every side and
+let him pass. Then he went into the chapel, and saw therein no light but
+of a dim lamp burning. Then he was aware of a corpse in the midst of the
+chapel, covered with a silken cloth, and so stooped down and cut off a
+piece of the cloth, whereat the earth beneath him trembled. Then saw he
+a sword lying by the dead knight, and taking it in his hand, he hied him
+from the chapel. As soon as he was in the churchyard again, all the
+thirty knights cried out to him with fierce voices, "Sir Lancelot! lay
+that sword from thee, or thou diest!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whether I live or die," said he, "ye shall fight for it ere ye take it
+from me."</p>
+
+<p>With that they let him pass.</p>
+
+<p>And further on, beyond the chapel, he met a fair damsel, who said, "Sir
+Lancelot, leave that sword behind thee, or thou diest."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not leave it," said Sir Lancelot, "for any asking."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, gentle knight," said the damsel, "I pray thee kiss me once."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Sir Lancelot, "that God forbid!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried she, "I have lost all my labor! but hadst thou kissed me,
+thy life's days had been all done!"</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven save me from thy subtle crafts!" said Sir Lancelot; and
+therewith took his horse and galloped forth.</p>
+
+<p>And when he was departed, the damsel sorrowed greatly, and died in
+fifteen days. Her name was Ellawes, the sorceress.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Sir Lancelot to Sir Meliot's sister, who, when she saw him,
+clapped her hands and wept for joy, and took him to the castle hard by,
+where Sir Meliot was. And when Sir Lancelot saw Sir Meliot, he knew him,
+though he was pale as ashes for loss of blood. And Sir Meliot, when he
+saw Sir Lancelot, kneeled to him and cried aloud, "O lord, Sir Lancelot!
+help me!"</p>
+
+<p>And thereupon, Sir Lancelot went to him and touched his wounds with the
+sword, and wiped them with the piece of bloody cloth. And immediately he
+was as whole as though he had been never wounded. Then was there great
+joy between him and Sir Meliot; and his sister made Sir Lancelot good
+cheer. So on the morrow, he took his leave, that he might go to King
+Arthur's court, "for," said he, "it draweth nigh the Feast of Pentecost,
+and there, by God's grace, shall ye then find me."</p>
+
+<p>And riding through many strange countries, over marshes and valleys, he
+came at length before a castle. As he passed by he heard two little
+bells ringing, and looking up, he saw a falcon flying overhead, with
+bells tied to her feet, and long strings dangling from them. And as the
+falcon flew past an elm-tree, the strings caught in the boughs, so that
+she could fly no further.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, came a lady from the castle, and cried, "Oh, Sir
+Lancelot! as thou art the flower of all knights in the world, help me to
+get my hawk, for she hath slipped away from me, and if she be lost, my
+lord my husband is so hasty, he will surely slay me!"</p>
+
+<p>"What is thy lord's name?" said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"His name," said she, "is Sir Phelot, a knight of the King of
+Northgales."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lady," said Sir Lancelot, "since you know my name, and require me,
+on my knighthood, to help you, I will do what I can to get your hawk."</p>
+
+<p>And thereupon alighting, he tied his horse to the same tree, and prayed
+the lady to unarm him. So when he was unarmed, he climbed up and reached
+the falcon, and threw it to the lady.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly came down, out of the wood, her husband, Sir Phelot, all
+armed, with a drawn sword in his hand, and said, "Oh, Sir Lancelot! now
+have I found thee as I would have thee!" and stood at the trunk of the
+tree to slay him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, lady!" cried Sir Lancelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"</p>
+
+<p>"She hath done as I commanded her," said Sir Phelot, "and thine hour is
+come that thou must die."</p>
+
+<p>"It were shame," said Lancelot, "for an armed to slay an unarmed man."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast no other favor from me," said Sir Phelot.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that ever any knight should die
+weaponless!" And looking overhead, he saw a great bough without leaves,
+and wrenched it off the tree, and suddenly leaped down. Then Sir Phelot
+struck at him eagerly, thinking to have slain him, but Sir Lancelot put
+aside the stroke with the bough, and therewith smote him on the side of
+the head, till he fell swooning to the ground. And tearing his sword
+from out his hands, he shore his neck through from the body. Then did
+the lady shriek dismally, and swooned as though she would die. But Sir
+Lancelot put on his armor, and with haste took his horse and departed
+thence, thanking God he had escaped that peril.</p>
+
+<p>And as he rode through a valley, among many wild ways, he saw a knight,
+with a drawn sword, chasing a lady to slay her. And seeing Sir Lancelot,
+she cried and prayed to him to come and rescue her.</p>
+
+<p>At that he went up, saying, "Fie on thee, knight! why wilt thou slay
+this lady? Thou doest shame to thyself and all knights."</p>
+
+<p>"What hast thou to do between me and my wife?" replied the knight. "I
+will slay her in spite of thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou shalt not harm her," said Lancelot, "till we have first fought
+together."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," answered the knight, "thou doest ill, for this lady hath betrayed
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"He speaketh falsely," said the lady, "for he is jealous of me without
+cause, as I shall answer before Heaven; but as thou art named the most
+worshipful knight in the world, I pray thee of thy true knighthood to
+save me, for he is without mercy."</p>
+
+<p>"Be of good cheer," said Sir Lancelot; "it shall not lie within his
+power to harm thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the knight, "I will be ruled as ye will have me."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot rode between the knight and the lady. And when they had
+ridden awhile, the knight cried out suddenly to Sir Lancelot to turn and
+see what men they were who came riding after them; and while Sir
+Lancelot, thinking not of treason, turned to look, the knight, with one
+great stroke, smote off the lady's head.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Lancelot passing wroth, and cried, "Thou traitor! Thou hast
+shamed me forever!" and, alighting from his horse, he drew his sword to
+have slain him instantly; but the knight fell on the ground and clasped
+Sir Lancelot's knees, and cried out for mercy. "Thou shameful knight,"
+answered Lancelot, "thou mayest have no mercy, for thou showedst none,
+therefore arise and fight with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the knight, "I will not rise till thou dost grant me mercy."</p>
+
+<p>"Now will I deal fairly by thee," said Sir Lancelot; "I will unarm me to
+my shirt, and have my sword only in my hand, and if thou canst slay me
+thou shalt be quit forever."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I never do," said the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," answered Sir Lancelot, "take this lady and the head, and bear it
+with thee, and swear to me upon thy sword never to rest until thou
+comest to Queen Guinevere."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I do," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy name."</p>
+
+<p>"It is Pedivere," answered the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"In a shameful hour wert thou born," said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Pedivere departed, bearing with him the dead lady and her head.
+And when he came to Winchester, where the Queen was with King Arthur, he
+told them all the truth; and afterwards did great and heavy penance
+many years, and became an holy hermit.</p>
+
+<p>So, two days before the Feast of Pentecost, Sir Lancelot returned to the
+court, and King Arthur was full glad of his coming. And when Sir Gawain,
+Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramour, and Sir Ector, saw him in Sir Key's armor,
+they knew well it was he who had smitten them all down with one spear.
+Anon, came all the knights Sir Turquine had taken prisoners, and gave
+worship and honor to Sir Lancelot. Then Sir Key told the King how Sir
+Lancelot had rescued him when he was in near danger of his death; "and,"
+said Sir Key, "he made the knights yield, not to himself, but me. And by
+Heaven! because Sir Lancelot took my armor and left me his, I rode in
+peace, and no man would have aught to do with me." Then came the knights
+who fought with Sir Lancelot at the long bridge and yielded themselves
+also to Sir Key, but he said nay, he had not fought with them. "It is
+Sir Lancelot," said he, "that overcame ye." Next came Sir Meliot de
+Logres, and told King Arthur how Sir Lancelot had saved him from death.</p>
+
+<p>And so all Sir Lancelot's deeds and great adventures were made known;
+how the four sorceress-queens had him in prison; how he was delivered by
+the daughter of King Bagdemagus, and what deeds of arms he did at the
+tournament between the King of North Wales and King Bagdemagus. And so,
+at that festival, Sir Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in
+all the world, and by high and low was he the most honored of all men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BEAUMAINS OR SIR GARETH</h3>
+
+
+<p>Again King Arthur held the Feast of Pentecost, with all the Table Round,
+and after his custom sat in the banquet hall, before beginning meat,
+waiting for some adventure. Then came there to the king a squire and
+said, "Lord, now may ye go to meat, for here a damsel cometh with some
+strange adventure." So the king was glad, and sat down to meat.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the damsel came in and saluted him, praying him for succor. "What
+wilt thou?" said the king. "Lord," answered she, "my mistress is a lady
+of great renown, but is at this time besieged by a tyrant, who will not
+suffer her to go out of her castle; and because here in thy court the
+knights are called the noblest in the world, I come to pray thee for thy
+succor." "Where dwelleth your lady?" answered the king. "What is her
+name, and who is he that hath besieged her?" "For her name," replied the
+damsel, "as yet I may not tell it; but she is a lady of worship and
+great lands. The tyrant that besiegeth her and wasteth her lands is
+called the Red Knight of the Redlands." "I know him not," said Arthur.
+"But I know him, lord," said Sir Gawain, "and he is one of the most
+perilous knights in all the world. Men say he hath the strength of
+seven; and from him I myself once hardly escaped with life." "Fair
+damsel," said the king, "there be here many knights that would gladly do
+their uttermost to rescue your lady, but unless ye tell me her name, and
+where she dwelleth, none of my knights shall go with you by my leave."</p>
+
+<p>Now, there was a stripling at the court called Beaumains, who served in
+the king's kitchen, a fair youth and of great stature. Twelve months
+before this time he had come to the king as he sat at meat, at
+Whitsuntide, and prayed three gifts of him. And being asked what gifts,
+he answered, "As for the first gift I will ask it now, but the other two
+gifts I will ask on this day twelve months, wheresoever ye hold your
+high feast." Then said King Arthur, "What is thy first request?" "This,
+lord," said he, "that thou wilt give me meat and drink enough for twelve
+months from this time, and then will I ask my other two gifts." And the
+king seeing that he was a goodly youth, and deeming that he was come of
+honorable blood, had granted his desire, and given him into the charge
+of Sir Key, the steward. But Sir Key scorned and mocked the youth,
+calling Beaumains, because his hands were large and fair, and putting
+him into the kitchen, where he had served for twelve months as a
+scullion, and, in spite of all his churlish treatment, had faithfully
+obeyed Sir Key. But Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were angered when they
+saw Sir Key so churlish to a youth that had so worshipful a bearing,
+and ofttimes had they given him gold and clothing.</p>
+
+<p>And now at this time came young Beaumains to the king, while the damsel
+was there, and said, "Lord, now I thank thee well and heartily that I
+have been twelve months kept in thy kitchen, and have had full
+sustenance. Now will I ask my two remaining gifts." "Ask," said King
+Arthur, "on my good faith." "These, lord," said he, "shall be my two
+gifts&mdash;the one, that thou wilt grant me this adventure of the damsel,
+for to me of right it belongeth; and the other, that thou wilt bid Sir
+Lancelot make me a knight, for of him only will I have that honor; and I
+pray that he may ride after me and make me a knight when I require him."
+"Be it as thou wilt," replied the king. But thereupon the damsel was
+full wroth, and said, "Shall I have a kitchen page for this adventure?"
+and so she took horse and departed.</p>
+
+<p>Then came one to Beaumains, and told him that a dwarf with a horse and
+armor were waiting for him. And all men marveled whence these things
+came. But when he was on horseback and armed, scarce any one at the
+court was a goodlier man than he. And coming into the hall, he took his
+leave of the king and Sir Gawain, and prayed Sir Lancelot to follow him.
+So he rode after the damsel, and many of the court went out to see him,
+so richly arrayed and horsed; yet he had neither shield nor spear. Then
+Sir Key cried, "I also will ride after the kitchen boy, and see whether
+he will obey me now." And taking his horse, he rode after him, and
+said, "Know ye not me, Beaumains?" "Yea," said he, "I know thee for an
+ungentle knight, therefore beware of me." Then Sir Key put his spear in
+rest and ran at him, but Beaumains rushed upon him with his sword in his
+hand, and therewith, putting aside the spear, struck Sir Key so sorely
+in the side, that he fell down, as if dead. Then he alighted, and took
+his shield and spear, and bade his dwarf ride upon Sir Key's horse.</p>
+
+<p>By this time, Sir Lancelot had come up, and Beaumains offering to tilt
+with him, they both made ready. And their horses came together so
+fiercely that both fell to the earth, full sorely bruised. Then they
+arose, and Beaumains, putting up his shield before him, offered to fight
+Sir Lancelot, on foot. So they rushed upon each other, striking, and
+thrusting, and parrying, for the space of an hour. And Lancelot marveled
+at the strength of Beaumains, for he fought more like a giant than a
+man, and his fighting was passing fierce and terrible. So, at the last,
+he said, "Fight not so sorely, Beaumains; our quarrel is not such that
+we may not now cease." "True," answered Beaumains; "yet it doth me good
+to feel thy might, though I have not yet proved my uttermost." "By my
+faith," said Lancelot, "I had as much as I could do to save myself from
+you unshamed, therefore be in no doubt of any earthly knight." "May I,
+then, stand as a proved knight?" said Beaumains. "For that will I be thy
+warrant," answered Lancelot. "Then, I pray thee," said he, "give me the
+order of knighthood." "First, then, must thou tell me of thy name and
+kindred," said Sir Lancelot. "If thou wilt tell them to no other, I will
+tell thee," answered he. "My name is Gareth of Orkney, and I am own
+brother to Sir Gawain." "Ah!" said Sir Lancelot, "at that am I full
+glad; for, truly, I deemed thee to be of gentle blood." So then he
+knighted Beaumains, and, after that, they parted company, and Sir
+Lancelot, returning to the court, took up Sir Key on his shield. And
+hardly did Sir Key escape with his life, from the wound Beaumains had
+given him; but all men blamed him for his ungentle treatment of so brave
+a knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Beaumains rode forward, and soon overtook the damsel; but she
+said to him, in scorn, "Return again, base kitchen page! What art thou,
+but a washer-up of dishes!" "Damsel," said he, "say to me what thou
+wilt, I will not leave thee; for I have undertaken to King Arthur to
+relieve thy adventure, and I will finish it to the end, or die." "Thou
+finish my adventure!" said she&mdash;"anon, thou shalt meet one, whose face
+thou wilt not even dare to look at." "I shall attempt it," answered he.
+So, as they rode thus, into a wood, there met them a man, fleeing, as
+for his life. "Whither fleest thou?" said Sir Beaumains. "O lord!" he
+answered, "help me; for, in a valley hard by, there are six thieves, who
+have taken my lord, and bound him, and I fear will slay him." "Bring me
+thither," said Sir Beaumains. So they rode to the place, and Sir
+Beaumains rushed after the thieves, and smote one, at the first stroke,
+so that he died; and then, with two other blows, slew a second and
+third. Then fled the other three, and Sir Beaumains rode after them, and
+overtook and slew them all. Then he returned and unbound the knight. And
+the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride to his castle, where he
+would reward him. "Sir," answered Sir Beaumains, "I will have no reward
+of thee, for but this day was I made knight by the most noble Sir
+Lancelot; and besides, I must go with this damsel." Then the knight
+begged the damsel to rest that night at his castle. So they all rode
+thither, and ever the damsel scoffed at Sir Beaumains as a kitchen boy,
+and laughed at him before the knight their host, so that he set his meat
+before him at a lower table, as though he were not of their company.</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains took their leave of the
+knight, and thanking him departed. Then they rode on their way till they
+came to a great forest, through which flowed a river, and there was but
+one passage over it, whereat stood two knights armed to hinder the way.
+"Wilt thou match those two knights," said the damsel to Sir Beaumains,
+"or return again?" "I would not return," said he, "though they were
+six." Therewith he galloped into the water, and swam his horse into the
+middle of the stream. And there, in the river, one of the knights met
+him, and they brake their spears together, and then drew their swords,
+and smote fiercely at each other. And at the last, Sir Beaumains struck
+the other mightily upon the helm, so that he fell down stunned into the
+water, and was drowned. Then Sir Beaumains spurred his horse on to the
+land, where instantly the other knight fell on him. And they also brake
+their spears upon each other, and then drew their swords, and fought
+savagely and long together. And after many blows, Sir Beaumains clove
+through the knight's skull down to the shoulders. Then rode Sir
+Beaumains to the damsel, but ever she still scoffed at him, and said,
+"Alas! that a kitchen page should chance to slay two such brave knights!
+Thou deemest now that thou hast done a mighty deed, but it is not so;
+for the first knight's horse stumbled, and thus was he drowned&mdash;not by
+thy strength; and as for the second knight, thou wentest by chance
+behind him, and didst kill him shamefully." "Damsel," said Sir
+Beaumains, "say what ye list, I care not so I may win your lady; and
+wouldst thou give me but fair language, all my care were past; for
+whatsoever knights I meet, I fear them not." "Thou shalt see knights
+that shall abate thy boast, base kitchen knave," replied she; "yet say I
+this for thine advantage, for if thou followest me thou wilt be surely
+slain, since I see all thou doest is but by chance, and not by thy own
+prowess." "Well, damsel," said he, "say what ye will, wherever ye go I
+will follow."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode on until the eventide, and still the damsel evermore kept
+chiding Sir Beaumains. Then came they to a black space of land, whereon
+was a black hawthorn tree, and on the tree there hung a black banner,
+and on the other side was a black shield and spear, and by them a great
+black horse, covered with silk; and hard by sat a knight armed in black
+armor, whose name was the Knight of the Blacklands. When the damsel saw
+him, she cried out to Beaumains, "Flee down the valley, for thy horse is
+not saddled!" "Wilt thou forever deem me coward?" answered he. With that
+came the Black Knight to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, hast thou
+brought this knight from Arthur's court to be thy champion?" "Not so,
+fair knight," said she; "he is but a kitchen knave." "Then wherefore
+cometh he in such array?" said he; "it is a shame that he should bear
+thee company." "I cannot be delivered from him," answered she: "for in
+spite of me he rideth with me; and would to Heaven you would put him
+from me, or now slay him, for he hath slain two knights at the river
+passage yonder, and done many marvelous deeds through pure mischance."
+"I marvel," said the Black Knight, "that any man of worship will fight
+with him." "They know him not," said the damsel, "and think, because he
+rideth with me, that he is well born." "Truly, he hath a goodly person,
+and is likely to be a strong man," replied the knight; "but since he is
+no man of worship, he shall leave his horse and armor with me, for it
+were a shame for me to do him more harm."</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Beaumains heard him speak thus, he said, "Horse or armor
+gettest thou none of me, Sir knight, save thou winnest them with thy
+hands; therefore defend thyself, and let me see what thou canst do."
+"How sayest thou?" answered the Black Knight. "Now quit this lady also,
+for it beseemeth not a kitchen knave like thee to ride with such a
+lady." "I am of higher lineage than thou," said Sir Beaumains, "and will
+straightway prove it on thy body." Then furiously they drove their
+horses at each other, and came together as it had been thunder. But the
+Black Knight's spear brake short, and Sir Beaumains thrust him through
+the side, and his spear breaking at the head, left its point sticking
+fast in the Black Knight's body. Yet did the Black Knight draw his
+sword, and smite at Sir Beaumains with many fierce and bitter blows; but
+after they had fought an hour and more, he fell down from his horse in a
+swoon, and forthwith died. Then Sir Beaumains lighted down and armed
+himself in the Black Knight's armor, and rode on after the damsel. But
+notwithstanding all his valor, still she scoffed at him, and said,
+"Away! for thou savorest ever of the kitchen. Alas! that such a knave
+should by mishap destroy so good a knight; yet once again I counsel thee
+to flee, for hard by is a knight who shall repay thee!" "It may chance
+that I am beaten or slain," answered Sir Beaumains, "but I warn thee,
+fair damsel, that I will not flee away, nor leave thy company, or my
+quest, for all that ye can say."</p>
+
+<p>Anon, as they rode, they saw a knight come swiftly towards them, dressed
+all in green, who, calling to the damsel said, "Is that my brother, the
+Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?" "Nay, and alas!" said she,
+"this kitchen knave hath slain thy brother through mischance." "Alas!"
+said the Green Knight, "that such a noble knight as he was should be
+slain by a knave's hand. Traitor!" cried he to Sir Beaumains, "thou
+shalt die for this! Sir Pereard was my brother, and a full noble
+knight." "I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I slew him knightly and
+not shamefully." Then the Green Knight rode to a thorn whereon hung a
+green horn, and, when he blew three notes, there came three damsels
+forth, who quickly armed him, and brought him a great horse and a green
+shield and spear. Then did they run at one another with their fullest
+might, and break their spears asunder; and, drawing their swords, they
+closed in fight, and sorely smote and wounded each other with many
+grievous blows.</p>
+
+<p>At last, Sir Beaumains' horse jostled against the Green Knight's horse,
+and overthrew him. Then both alighted, and, hurtling together like mad
+lions, fought a great while on foot. But the damsel cheered the Green
+Knight, and said, "My lord, why wilt thou let a kitchen knave so long
+stand up against thee?" Hearing these words, he was ashamed, and gave
+Sir Beaumains such a mighty stroke as clave his shield asunder. When Sir
+Beaumains heard the damsel's words, and felt that blow, he waxed passing
+wroth, and gave the Green Knight such a buffet on the helm that he fell
+on his knees, and with another blow Sir Beaumains threw him on the
+ground. Then the Green Knight yielded, and prayed him to spare his life.
+"All thy prayers are vain," said he, "unless this damsel who came with
+me pray for thee." "That will I never do, base kitchen knave," said she.
+"Then shall he die," said Beaumains. "Alas! fair lady," said the Green
+Knight, "suffer me not to die for a word! O, Sir knight," cried he to
+Beaumains, "give me my life, and I will ever do thee homage; and thirty
+knights, who owe me service, shall give allegiance to thee." "All
+availeth not," answered Sir Beaumains, "unless the damsel ask me for thy
+life"; and thereupon he made as though he would have slain him. Then
+cried the damsel, "Slay him not; for if thou do thou shalt repent it."
+"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "at thy command, he shall obtain his life.
+Arise, Sir knight of the green armor, I release thee!" Then the Green
+Knight knelt at his feet, and did him homage with his words. "Lodge with
+me this night," said he, "and to-morrow will I guide ye through the
+forest." So, taking their horses, they rode to his castle, which was
+hard by.</p>
+
+<p>Yet still did the damsel rebuke and scoff at Sir Beaumains, and would
+not suffer him to sit at her table. "I marvel," said the Green Knight to
+her, "that ye thus chide so noble a knight, for truly I know none to
+match him; and be sure, that whatsoever he appeareth now, he will prove,
+at the end, of noble blood and royal lineage." But of all this would the
+damsel take no heed, and ceased not to mock at Sir Beaumains. On the
+morrow, they arose and heard mass; and when they had broken their fast,
+took their horses and rode on their way, the Green Knight conveying them
+through the forest. Then, when he had led them for a while, he said to
+Sir Beaumains, "My lord, my thirty knights and I shall always be at thy
+command whensoever thou shalt send for us." "It is well said," replied
+he; "and when I call upon you, you shall yield yourself and all your
+knights unto King Arthur." "That will we gladly do," said the Green
+Knight, and so departed.</p>
+
+<p>And the damsel rode on before Sir Beaumains, and said to him, "Why dost
+thou follow me, thou kitchen boy? I counsel thee to throw aside thy
+spear and shield, and flee betimes, for wert thou as mighty as Sir
+Lancelot or Sir Tristram, thou shouldest not pass a valley near this
+place, called the Pass Perilous." "Damsel," answered he, "let him that
+feareth flee; as for me, it were indeed a shameful thing to turn after
+so long a journey." As he spake, they came upon a tower as white as
+snow, with mighty battlements, and double moats round it, and over the
+tower-gate hung fifty shields of divers colors. Before the tower walls,
+they saw a fair meadow, wherein were many knights and squires in
+pavilions, for on the morrow there was a tournament at that castle.</p>
+
+<p>Then the lord of the castle, seeing a knight armed at all points, with a
+damsel and a page, riding towards the tower, came forth to meet them;
+and his horse and harness, with his shield and spear, were all of a red
+color. When he came near Sir Beaumains, and saw his armor all of black,
+he thought him his own brother, the Black Knight, and so cried aloud,
+"Brother! what do ye here, within these borders?" "Nay!" said the
+damsel, "it is not thy brother, but a kitchen knave of Arthur's court,
+who hath slain thy brother, and overcome thy other brother also, the
+Green Knight." "Now do I defy thee!" cried the Red Knight to Sir
+Beaumains, and put his spear in rest and spurred his horse. Then both
+knights turned back a little space, and ran together with all their
+might, till their horses fell to the earth. Then, with their swords,
+they fought fiercely for the space of three hours. And at last, Sir
+Beaumains overcame his foe, and smote him to the ground. Then the Red
+Knight prayed his mercy, and said, "Slay me not, noble knight, and I
+will yield to thee with sixty knights that do my bidding." "All avails
+not," answered Sir Beaumains, "save this damsel pray me to release
+thee." Then did he lift his sword to slay him; but the damsel cried
+aloud, "Slay him not, Beaumains, for he is a noble knight." Then Sir
+Beaumains bade him rise up and thank the damsel, which straightway he
+did, and afterwards invited them to his castle, and made them goodly
+cheer.</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding all Sir Beaumains' mighty deeds, the damsel ceased
+not to revile and chide him, at which the Red Knight marveled much; and
+caused his sixty knights to watch Sir Beaumains, that no villainy might
+happen to him. And on the morrow, they heard mass and broke their fast,
+and the Red Knight came before Sir Beaumains, with his sixty knights,
+and proffered him homage and fealty. "I thank thee," answered he; "and
+when I call upon thee thou shalt come before my lord King Arthur at his
+court, and yield yourselves to him." "That will we surely do," said the
+Red Knight. So Sir Beaumains and the damsel departed.</p>
+
+<p>And as she constantly reviled him and tormented him, he said to her,
+"Damsel, ye are discourteous thus always to rebuke me, for I have done
+you service; and for all your threats of knights that shall destroy me,
+all they who come lie in the dust before me. Now, therefore, I pray you
+rebuke me no more till you see me beaten or a recreant, and then bid me
+go from you." "There shall soon meet thee a knight who shall repay thee
+all thy deeds, thou boaster," answered she, "for, save King Arthur, he
+is the man of most worship in the world." "It will be the greater honor
+to encounter him," said Sir Beaumains.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after, they saw before them a city passing fair, and between them
+and the city was a meadow newly mown, wherein were many goodly tents.
+"Seest thou yonder blue pavilion?" said the damsel to Sir Beaumains; "it
+is Sir Perseant's, the lord of that great city, whose custom is, in all
+fair weather, to lie in this meadow, and joust with his knights."</p>
+
+<p>And as she spake, Sir Perseant, who had espied them coming, sent a
+messenger to meet Sir Beaumains, and to ask him if he came in war or
+peace. "Say to thy lord," he answered, "that I care not whether of the
+twain it be." So when the messenger gave this reply, Sir Perseant came
+out to fight with Sir Beaumains. And making ready, they rode their
+steeds against each other; and when their spears were shivered asunder,
+they fought with their swords. And for more than two hours did they
+hack and hew at each other, till their shields and hauberks were all
+dented with many blows, and they themselves were sorely wounded. And at
+the last, Sir Beaumains smote Sir Perseant on the helm, so that he fell
+groveling on the earth. And when he unlaced his helm to slay him, the
+damsel prayed for his life. "That will I grant gladly," answered Sir
+Beaumains, "for it were pity such a noble knight should die."
+"Gramercy!" said Sir Perseant, "for now I certainly know that it was
+thou who slewest my brother, the Black Knight, Sir Pereard; and overcame
+my brothers, the Green Knight, Sir Pertolope, and the Red Knight, Sir
+Perimones; and since thou hast overcome me also, I will do thee homage
+and fealty, and place at thy command one hundred knights to do thy
+bidding."</p>
+
+<p>But when the damsel saw Sir Perseant overthrown, she marveled greatly at
+the might of Sir Beaumains, and said, "What manner of man may ye be, for
+now am I sure that ye be come of noble blood? And truly, never did woman
+revile knight as I have done thee, and yet ye have ever courteously
+borne with me, which surely never had been were ye not of gentle blood
+and lineage."</p>
+
+<p>"Lady," replied Sir Beaumains, "a knight is little worth who may not
+bear with a damsel; and so whatsoever ye said to me I took no heed, save
+only that at times when your scorn angered me, it made me all the
+stronger against those with whom I fought, and thus have ye furthered me
+in my battles. But whether I be born of gentle blood or no, I have done
+you gentle service, and peradventure will do better still, ere I depart
+from you."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said she, weeping at his courtesy, "forgive me, fair Sir
+Beaumains, all that I have missaid and misdone against you." "With all
+my heart," said he; "and since you now speak fairly to me, I am passing
+glad of heart, and methinks I have the strength to overcome whatever
+knights I shall henceforth encounter."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Perseant prayed them to come to his pavilion, and set before
+them wines and spices, and made them great cheer. So they rested that
+night; and on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains rose, and heard
+mass. And when they had broken their fast, they took their leave of Sir
+Perseant. "Fair damsel," said he, "whither lead ye this knight?" "Sir,"
+answered she, "to the Castle Dangerous, where my sister is besieged by
+the Knight of the Redlands." "I know him well," said Sir Perseant, "for
+the most perilous knight alive&mdash;a man without mercy, and with the
+strength of seven men. God save thee, Sir Beaumains, from him! and
+enable thee to overcome him, for the Lady Lyones, whom he besiegeth, is
+as fair a lady as there liveth in this world." "Thou sayest truth, sir,"
+said the damsel; "for I am her sister; and men call me Linet, or the
+Wild Maiden." "Now, I would have thee know," said Sir Perseant to Sir
+Beaumains, "that the Knight of the Redlands hath kept that siege more
+than two years, and prolongeth the time hoping that Sir Lancelot, or Sir
+Tristram, or Sir Lamoracke, may come and battle with him; for these
+three knights divide between them all knighthood; and thou if thou
+mayest match the Knight of the Redlands, shalt well be called the fourth
+knight of the world." "Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I would fain have that
+good fame; and truly, I am come of great and honorable lineage. And so
+that you and this fair damsel will conceal it, I will tell ye my
+descent." And when they swore to keep it secret, he told them, "My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney, my father was King Lot, and my mother the Lady
+Belisent, King Arthur's sister. Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris, are my brethren, and I am the youngest of them all. But, as yet
+King Arthur and the court know me not, who I am." When he had thus told
+them, they both wondered greatly.</p>
+
+<p>And the damsel Linet sent the dwarf forward to her sister, to tell her
+of their coming. Then did Dame Lyones inquire what manner of man the
+knight was who was coming to her rescue. And the dwarf told her of all
+Sir Beaumains' deeds by the way: how he had overthrown Sir Key, and left
+him for dead; how he had battled with Sir Lancelot, and was knighted of
+him; how he had fought with, and slain, the thieves; how he had overcome
+the two knights who kept the river passage; how he had fought with, and
+slain, the Black Knight; and how he had overcome the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and last of all, the Blue Knight, Sir Perseant. Then was
+Dame Lyones passing glad, and sent the dwarf back to Sir Beaumains with
+great gifts, thanking him for his courtesy, in taking such a labor on
+him for her sake, and praying him to be of good heart and courage. And
+as the dwarf returned, he met the Knight of the Redlands, who asked him
+whence he came. "I came here with the sister of my lady of the castle,"
+said the dwarf, "who hath been now to King Arthur's court and brought a
+knight with her to take her battle on him." "Then is her travail lost,"
+replied the knight; "for, though she had brought Sir Lancelot, Sir
+Tristram, Sir Lamoracke, or Sir Gawain, I count myself their equal, and
+who besides shall be so called?" Then the dwarf told the knight what
+deeds Sir Beaumains had done; but he answered, "I care not for him,
+whosoever he be, for I shall shortly overcome him, and give him shameful
+death, as to so many others I have done."</p>
+
+<p>Then the damsel Linet and Sir Beaumains left Sir Perseant, and rode on
+through a forest to a large plain, where they saw many pavilions, and
+hard by, a castle passing fair.</p>
+
+<p>But as they came near Sir Beaumains saw upon the branches of some trees
+which grew there, the dead bodies of forty knights hanging, with rich
+armor on them, their shields and swords about their necks, and golden
+spurs upon their heels. "What meaneth this?" said he, amazed. "Lose not
+thy courage, fair sir," replied the damsel, "at this shameful sight, for
+all these knights came hither to rescue my sister; and when the Knight
+of the Redlands had overcome them, he put them to this piteous death,
+without mercy; and in such wise will he treat thee also unless thou
+bearest thee more valiantly than they." "Truly he useth shameful
+customs," said Sir Beaumains; "and it is a marvel that he hath endured
+so long."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode onward to the castle walls, and found them double-moated,
+and heard the sea waves dashing on one side the walls. Then said the
+damsel, "See you that ivory horn hanging upon the sycamore-tree? The
+Knight of the Redlands hath hung it there, that any knight may blow
+thereon, and then will he himself come out and fight with him. But I
+pray thee sound it not till high noontide, for now it is but daybreak,
+and till noon his strength increases to the might of seven men." "Let
+that be as it may, fair damsel," answered he, "for were he stronger
+knight than ever lived, I would not fail him. Either will I defeat him
+at his mightiest, or die knightly in the field." With that he spurred
+his horse unto the sycamore, and blew the ivory horn so eagerly, that
+all the castle rang its echoes. Instantly, all the knights who were in
+the pavilions ran forth, and those within the castle looked out from the
+windows, or above the walls. And the Knight of the Redlands, arming
+himself quickly in blood-red armor, with spear, and shield, and horse's
+trappings of like color, rode forth into a little valley by the castle
+walls, so that all in the castle, and at the siege, might see the
+battle.</p>
+
+<p>"Be of good cheer," said the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains, "for thy
+deadly enemy now cometh; and at yonder window is my lady and sister,
+Dame Lyones." "In good sooth," said Sir Beaumains, "she is the fairest
+lady I have ever seen, and I would wish no better quarrel than to fight
+for her." With that, he looked up to the window, and saw the Lady
+Lyones, who waved her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer
+them. Then called the Knight of the Redlands to Sir Beaumains, "Leave
+now thy gazing, Sir knight, and turn to me, for I warn thee that lady is
+mine." "She loveth none of thy fellowship," he answered; "but know this,
+that I love her, and will rescue her from thee, or die." "Say ye so!"
+said the Red Knight. "Take ye no warning from those knights that hang on
+yonder trees?" "For shame that thou so boastest!" said Sir Beaumains.
+"Be sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that will not lightly
+be put out, and given me not fear, but rage." "Sir knight, defend
+thyself," said the Knight of the Redlands, "for we will talk no longer."</p>
+
+<p>Then did they put their spears in rest, and came together at the fullest
+speed of their horses, and smote each other in the midst of their
+shields, so that their horses' harness sundered by the shock, and they
+fell to the ground. And both lay there so long time, stunned, that many
+deemed their necks were broken. And all men said the strange knight was
+a strong man, and a noble jouster, for none had ever yet so matched the
+Knight of the Redlands. Then, in a while, they rose, and putting up
+their shields before them, drew their swords, and fought with fury,
+running at each other like wild beasts&mdash;now striking such buffets that
+both reeled backwards, now hewing at each other till they shore the
+harness off in pieces, and left their bodies naked and unarmed. And thus
+they fought till noon was past, when, for a time, they rested to get
+breath, so sorely staggering and bleeding, that many who beheld them
+wept for pity. Then they renewed the battle&mdash;sometimes rushing so
+furiously together, that both fell to the ground, and anon changing
+swords in their confusion. Thus they endured, and lashed, and struggled,
+until eventide, and none who saw knew which was the likeliest to win;
+for though the Knight of the Redlands was a wily and subtle warrior, his
+subtlety made Sir Beaumains wilier and wiser too. So once again they
+rested for a little space, and took their helms off to find breath.</p>
+
+<p>But when Sir Beaumains' helm was off, he looked up to Dame Lyones, where
+she leaned, gazing and weeping, from her window. And when he saw the
+sweetness of her smiling, all his heart was light and joyful, and
+starting up, he bade the Knight of the Redlands make ready. Then did
+they lace their helms and fight together yet afresh, as though they had
+never fought before. And at the last, the Knight of the Redlands with a
+sudden stroke smote Sir Beaumains on the hand, so that his sword fell
+from it, and with a second stroke upon the helm he drove him to the
+earth. Then cried aloud the damsel Linet, "Alas! Sir Beaumains, see how
+my sister weepeth to behold thee fallen!" And when Sir Beaumains heard
+her words, he sprang upon his feet with strength, and leaping to his
+sword, he caught it; and with many heavy blows pressed so sorely on the
+Knight of the Redlands, that in the end he smote his sword from out his
+hand, and, with a mighty blow upon the head, hurled him upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Beaumains unlaced his helm, and would have straightway slain
+him, but the Knight of the Redlands yielded, and prayed for mercy. "I
+may not spare thee," answered he, "because of the shameful death which
+thou hast given to so many noble knights." "Yet hold thy hand, Sir
+knight," said he, "and hear the cause. I loved once a fair damsel, whose
+brother was slain, as she told me, by a knight of Arthur's court, either
+Sir Lancelot, or Sir Gawain; and she prayed me, as I truly loved her,
+and by the faith of my knighthood, to labor daily in deeds of arms, till
+I should meet with him; and to put all knights of the Round Table whom I
+should overcome to a villainous death. And this I swore to her." Then
+prayed the earls, and knights, and barons, who stood round Sir
+Beaumains, to spare the Red Knight's life. "Truly," replied he, "I am
+loth to slay him, notwithstanding he hath done such shameful deeds. And
+inasmuch as what he did was done to please his lady and to gain her
+love, I blame him less, and for your sakes I will release him. But on
+this agreement only shall he hold his life&mdash;that straightway he depart
+into the castle, and yield him to the lady there, and make her such
+amends as she shall ask, for all the trespass he hath done upon her
+lands; and afterwards, that he shall go unto King Arthur's court, and
+ask the pardon of Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain for all the evil he hath
+done against them." "All this, Sir knight, I swear to do," said the
+Knight of the Redlands; and therewith he did him homage and fealty.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains and the Knight of the
+Redlands, and disarmed them, and staunched their wounds. And when the
+Knight of the Redlands had made amends for all his trespasses, he
+departed for the court.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Beaumains, being healed of his wounds, armed himself, and took
+his horse and spear and rode straight to the castle of Dame Lyones, for
+greatly he desired to see her. But when he came to the gate they closed
+it fast, and pulled the drawbridge up. And as he marveled thereat, he
+saw the Lady Lyones standing at a window, who said, "Go thy way as yet,
+Sir Beaumains, for thou shalt not wholly have my love until thou be
+among the worthiest knights of all the world. Go, therefore, and labor
+yet in arms for twelve months more, and then return to me." "Alas! fair
+lady," said Sir Beaumains, "I have scarce deserved this of thee, for
+sure I am that I have bought thy love with all the best blood in my
+body." "Be not aggrieved, fair knight," said she, "for none of thy
+service is forgot or lost. Twelve months will soon be passed in noble
+deeds; and trust that to my death I shall love thee and not another."
+With that she turned and left the window.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Beaumains rode away from the castle very sorrowful at heart, and
+rode he knew not whither, and lay that night in a poor man's cottage.
+On the morrow he went forward, and came at noon to a broad lake, and
+thereby he alighted, being very sad and weary, and rested his head upon
+his shield, and told his dwarf to keep watch while he slept.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as soon as he had departed, the Lady Lyones repented, and greatly
+longed to see him back, and asked her sister many times of what lineage
+he was; but the damsel would not tell her, being bound by her oath to
+Sir Beaumains, and said his dwarf best knew. So she called Sir
+Gringamors, her brother, who dwelt with her, and prayed him to ride
+after Sir Beaumains till he found him sleeping, and then to take his
+dwarf away and bring him back to her. Anon Sir Gringamors departed, and
+rode till he came to Sir Beaumains, and found him as he lay sleeping by
+the water-side. Then stepping stealthily behind the dwarf he caught him
+in his arms and rode off in haste. And though the dwarf cried loudly to
+his lord for help, and woke Sir Beaumains, yet, though he rode full
+quickly after him, he could not overtake Sir Gringamors.</p>
+
+<p>When Dame Lyones saw her brother come back, she was passing glad of
+heart, and forthwith asked the dwarf his master's lineage. "He is a
+king's son," said the dwarf, "and his mother is King Arthur's sister.
+His name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, and he is brother to the good knight,
+Sir Gawain. But I pray you suffer me to go back to my lord, for truly he
+will never leave this country till he have me again." But when the Lady
+Lyones knew her deliverer was come of such a kingly stock, she longed
+more than ever to see him again.</p>
+
+<p>Now as Sir Beaumains rode in vain to rescue his dwarf, he came to a fair
+green road and met a poor man of the country, and asked him had he seen
+a knight on a black horse, riding with a dwarf of a sad countenance
+behind him. "Yea," said the man, "I met with such a knight an hour
+agone, and his name is Sir Gringamors. He liveth at a castle two miles
+from hence; but he is a perilous knight, and I counsel ye not to follow
+him save ye bear him goodwill." Then Sir Beaumains followed the path
+which the poor man showed him, and came to the castle. And riding to the
+gate in great anger, he drew his sword, and cried aloud, "Sir
+Gringamors, thou traitor! deliver me my dwarf again, or by my knighthood
+it shall be ill for thee!" Then Sir Gringamors looked out of a window
+and said, "Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou wilt
+not get thy dwarf again." But the Lady Lyones said to her brother, "Nay,
+brother, but I will that he have his dwarf, for he hath done much for
+me, and delivered me from the Knight of the Redlands, and well do I love
+him above all other knights." So Sir Gringamors went down to Sir Gareth
+and cried him mercy, and prayed him to alight and take good cheer.</p>
+
+<p>Then he alighted, and his dwarf ran to him. And when he was in the hall
+came the Lady Lyones dressed royally like a princess. And Sir Gareth was
+right glad of heart when he saw her. Then she told him how she had made
+her brother take away his dwarf and bring him back to her. And then she
+promised him her love, and faithfully to cleave to him and none other
+all the days of her life. And so they plighted their troth to each
+other. Then Sir Gringamors prayed him to sojourn at the castle, which
+willing he did. "For," said he, "I have promised to quit the court for
+twelve months, though sure I am that in the meanwhile I shall be sought
+and found by my lord King Arthur and many others." So he sojourned long
+at the castle.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the knights, Sir Perseant, Sir Perimones, and Sir Pertolope, whom
+Sir Gareth had overthrown, went to King Arthur's court with all the
+knights who did them service, and told the king they had been conquered
+by a knight of his named Beaumains. And as they yet were talking, it was
+told the king there came another great lord with five hundred knights,
+who, entering in, did homage, and declared himself to be the Knight of
+the Redlands. "But my true name," said he, "is Ironside, and I am hither
+sent by one Sir Beaumains, who conquered me, and charged me to yield
+unto your grace." "Thou art welcome," said King Arthur, "for thou hast
+been long a foe to me and mine, and truly I am much beholden to the
+knight who sent thee. And now, Sir Ironside, if thou wilt amend thy life
+and hold of me, I will entreat thee as a friend, and make thee Knight of
+the Round Table; but thou mayst no more be a murderer of noble knights."
+Then the Knight of the Redlands knelt to the king, and told him of his
+promise to Sir Beaumains to use never more such shameful customs; and
+how he had so done but at the prayer of a lady whom he loved. Then knelt
+he to Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, and prayed their pardon for the
+hatred he had borne them.</p>
+
+<p>But the king and all the court marveled greatly who Sir Beaumains was.
+"For," said the king, "he is a full noble knight." Then said Sir
+Lancelot, "Truly he is come of honorable blood, else had I not given him
+the order of knighthood; but he charged me that I should conceal his
+secret."</p>
+
+<p>Now as they talked thus it was told King Arthur that his sister, the
+Queen of Orkney, was come to the court with a great retinue of knights
+and ladies. Then was there great rejoicing, and the king rose and
+saluted his sister. And her sons, Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris knelt before her and asked her blessing, for during fifteen
+years last past they had not seen her. Anon she said, "Where is my
+youngest son, Sir Gareth? for I know that he was here a twelve-month
+with you, and that ye made a kitchen knave of him." Then the king and
+all the knights knew that Sir Beaumains and Sir Gareth were the same.
+"Truly," said the king, "I knew him not." "Nor I," said Sir Gawain and
+both his brothers. Then said the king, "God be thanked, fair sister,
+that he is proved as worshipful a knight as any now alive, and by the
+grace of Heaven he shall be found forthwith if he be anywhere within
+these seven realms." Then said Sir Gawain and his brethren, "Lord, if ye
+will give us leave we will go seek him." But Sir Lancelot said, "It
+were better that the king should send a messenger to Dame Lyones and
+pray her to come hither with all speed, and she will counsel where ye
+shall find him." "It is well said," replied the king; and sent a
+messenger quickly unto Dame Lyones.</p>
+
+<p>When she heard the message she promised she would come forthwith, and
+told Sir Gareth what the messenger had said, and asked him what to do.
+"I pray you," said he, "tell them not where I am, but when my lord King
+Arthur asketh for me, advise him thus&mdash;that he proclaim a tournament
+before this castle on Assumption Day, and that the knight who proveth
+best shall win yourself and all your lands." So the Lady Lyones departed
+and came to King Arthur's court, and there was right nobly welcomed. And
+when they asked her where Sir Gareth was, she said she could not tell.
+"But, lord," said she, "with thy goodwill I will proclaim a tournament
+before my castle on the Feast of the Assumption, whereof the prize shall
+be myself and all my lands. Then if it be proclaimed that you, lord, and
+your knights will be there, I will find knights on my side to fight you
+and yours, and thus am I sure ye will hear tidings of Sir Gareth." "Be
+it so done," replied the king.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Gareth sent messengers privily to Sir Perseant and Sir Ironside,
+and charged them to be ready on the day appointed, with their companies
+of knights to aid him and his party against the king. And when they were
+arrived he said, "Now be ye well assured that we shall be matched with
+the best knights of the world, and therefore must we gather all the
+good knights we can find."</p>
+
+<p>So proclamation was made throughout all England, Wales, Scotland,
+Ireland, and Cornwall, and in the out isles and other countries, that at
+the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, next coming, all knights who
+came to joust at Castle Perilous should make choice whether they would
+side with the king or with the castle. Then came many good knights on
+the side of the castle. Sir Epinogris, the son of the King of
+Northumberland, and Sir Palomedes the Saracen, and Sir Grummore
+Grummorsum, a good knight of Scotland, and Sir Brian des Iles, a noble
+knight, and Sir Carados of the Tower Dolorous, and Sir Tristram, who as
+yet was not a knight of the Round Table, and many others. But none among
+them knew Sir Gareth, for he took no more upon him than any mean person.</p>
+
+<p>And on King Arthur's side there came the King of Ireland and the King of
+Scotland, the noble prince Sir Galahaut, Sir Gawain and his brothers Sir
+Agravain and Sir Gaheris, Sir Ewaine, Sir Tor, Sir Perceval, and Sir
+Lamoracke, Sir Lancelot also and his kindred, Sir Lionel, Sir Ector, Sir
+Bors and Sir Bedivere, likewise Sir Key and the most part of the Table
+Round. The two queens also, Queen Guinevere and the Queen of Orkney, Sir
+Gareth's mother, came with the king. So there was a great array both
+within and without the castle, with all manner of feasting and
+minstrelsy.</p>
+
+<p>Now before the tournament began, Sir Gareth privily prayed Dame Lyones,
+Sir Gringamors, Sir Ironside, and Sir Perseant, that they would in
+nowise disclose his name, nor make more of him than of any common
+knight. Then said Dame Lyones, "Dear lord, I pray thee take this ring,
+which hath the power to change the wearer's clothing into any color he
+may will, and guardeth him from any loss of blood. But give it me again,
+I pray thee, when the tournament is done, for it greatly increaseth my
+beauty whensoever I wear it." "Gramercy, mine own lady," said Sir
+Gareth, "I wished for nothing better, for now I may be certainly
+disguised as long as I will." Then Sir Gringamors gave Sir Gareth a bay
+courser that was a passing good horse, with sure armor, and a noble
+sword, won by his father from a heathen tyrant. And then every knight
+made him ready for the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>So on the day of the Assumption, when mass and matins were said, the
+heralds blew their trumpets and sounded for the tourney. Anon came out
+the knights of the castle and the knights of King Arthur, and matched
+themselves together.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Epinogris, son of the King of Northumberland, a knight of the
+castle, encountered Sir Ewaine, and both broke off their spears short to
+their hands. Then came Sir Palomedes from the castle, and met Sir
+Gawain, and they so hardly smote each other, that both knights and
+horses fell to the earth. Then Sir Tristram, from the castle,
+encountered with Sir Bedivere, and smote him to the earth, horse and
+man. Then the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Gareth met with Sir Bors
+and Sir Bleoberis; and the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Bors smote
+together so hard that their spears burst, and their horses fell
+groveling to the ground. And Sir Bleoberis brake his spear upon Sir
+Gareth, but himself was hurled upon the ground. When Sir Galihodin saw
+that, he bade Sir Gareth keep him, but Sir Gareth lightly smote him to
+the earth. Then Sir Galihud got a spear to avenge his brother, but was
+served in like manner. And Sir Dinadam, and his brother
+La-cote-male-taile, and Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Dodinas le
+Savage, he bore down all with one spear.</p>
+
+<p>When King Anguish of Ireland saw this, he marveled what that knight
+could be who seemed at one time green and at another blue; for so at
+every course he changed his color that none might know him. Then he ran
+towards him and encountered him, and Sir Gareth smote the king from his
+horse, saddle and all. And in like manner he served the King of
+Scotland, and King Urience of Gore, and King Bagdemagus.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahaut, the noble prince, cried out, "Knight of the many
+colors! thou hast jousted well; now make thee ready to joust with me."
+When Sir Gareth heard him, he took a great spear and met him swiftly.
+And the prince's spear broke off, but Sir Gareth smote him on the left
+side of the helm, so that he reeled here and there, and had fallen down
+had not his men recovered him. "By my faith," said King Arthur, "that
+knight of the many colors is a good knight. I pray thee, Sir Lancelot
+du Lake, encounter with him." "Lord," said Sir Lancelot, "by thy leave I
+will forbear. I find it in my heart to spare him at this time, for he
+hath done enough work for one day; and when a good knight doth so well
+it is no knightly part to hinder him from this honor. And peradventure
+his quarrel is here to-day, and he may be the best beloved of the Lady
+Lyones of all that be here; for I see well he paineth and forceth
+himself to do great deeds. Therefore, as for me, this day he shall have
+the honor; for though I were able to put him from it, I would not." "You
+speak well and truly," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>Then after the tilting, they drew swords, and there began a great
+tournament, and there Sir Lancelot did marvelous deeds of arms, for
+first he fought with both Sir Tristram and Sir Carados, albeit they were
+the most perilous in all the world. Then came Sir Gareth and put them
+asunder, but would not smite a stroke against Sir Lancelot, for by him
+he had been knighted. Anon Sir Gareth's helm had need of mending, and he
+rode aside to see to it and to drink water, for he was sore athirst with
+all his mighty feats of strength. And while he drank, his dwarf said to
+him, "Give me your ring, lest ye lose it while ye drink." So Sir Gareth
+took it off. And when he had finished drinking, he rode back eagerly to
+the field, and in his haste forgot to take the ring again. Then all the
+people saw that he wore yellow armor. And King Arthur told a herald,
+"Ride and espy the cognizance of that brave knight, for I have asked
+many who he is, and none can tell me."</p>
+
+<p>Then the herald rode near, and saw written round about his helmet in
+letters of gold, "Sir Gareth of Orkney." And instantly the herald cried
+his name aloud, and all men pressed to see him.</p>
+
+<p>But when he saw he was discovered, he pushed with haste through all the
+crowd, and cried to his dwarf, "Boy, thou hast beguiled me foully in
+keeping my ring; give it me again, that I may be hidden." And as soon as
+he had put it on, his armor changed again, and no man knew where he had
+gone. Then he passed forth from the field; but Sir Gawain, his brother,
+rode after him.</p>
+
+<p>And when Sir Gareth had ridden far into the forest, he took off his
+ring, and sent it back by the dwarf to the Lady Lyones, praying her to
+be true and faithful to him while he was away.</p>
+
+<p>Then rode Sir Gareth long through the forest, till night fell, and
+coming to a castle he went up to the gate, and prayed the porter to let
+him in. But churlishly he answered "that he should not lodge there."
+Then said Sir Gareth, "Tell thy lord and lady that I am a knight of King
+Arthur's court, and for his sake I pray their shelter." With that the
+porter went to the duchess who owned the castle. "Let him in
+straightway," cried she; "for the king's sake he shall not be
+harborless!" and went down to receive him. When Sir Gareth saw her
+coming, he saluted her, and said, "Fair lady, I pray you give me shelter
+for this night, and if there be here any champion or giant with whom I
+must needs fight, spare me till to-morrow, when I and my horse shall
+have rested, for we are full weary." "Sir knight," she said, "thou
+speakest boldly; for the lord of this castle is a foe to King Arthur and
+his court, and if thou wilt rest here to-night thou must agree, that
+wheresoever thou mayest meet my lord, thou must yield to him as a
+prisoner." "What is thy lord's name, lady?" said Sir Gareth. "The Duke
+de la Rowse," said she. "I will promise thee," said he, "to yield to
+him, if he promise to do me no harm; but if he refuse, I will release
+myself with my sword and spear."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the duchess; and commanded the drawbridge to be let
+down. So he rode into the hall and alighted. And when he had taken off
+his armor, the duchess and her ladies made him passing good cheer. And
+after supper his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested that
+night. On the morrow he rose and heard mass, and having broken his fast,
+took his leave and departed.</p>
+
+<p>And as he rode past a certain mountain there met him a knight named Sir
+Bendelaine, and cried unto him, "Thou shalt not pass unless thou joust
+with me or be my prisoner!" "Then will we joust," replied Sir Gareth. So
+they let their horses run at full speed, and Sir Gareth smote Sir
+Bendelaine through his body so sorely that he scarcely reached his
+castle ere he fell dead. And as Sir Gareth presently came by the castle,
+Sir Bendelaine's knights and servants rode out to revenge their lord.
+And twenty of them fell on him at once, although his spear was broken.
+But drawing his sword he put his shield before him. And though they
+brake their spears upon him, one and all, and sorely pressed on him, yet
+ever he defended himself like a noble knight. Anon, finding they could
+not overcome him, they agreed to slay his horse; and having killed it
+with their spears, they set upon Sir Gareth as he fought on foot. But
+every one he struck he slew, and drave at them with fearful blows, till
+he had slain them all but four, who fled. Then taking the horse of one
+of those that lay there dead, he rode upon his way.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he came to another castle and heard from within a sound as of many
+women moaning and weeping. Then said he to a page who stood without,
+"What noise is this I hear?" "Sir knight," said he, "there be within
+thirty ladies, the widows of thirty knights who have been slain by the
+lord of this castle. He is called the Brown Knight without pity, and is
+the most perilous knight living, wherefore I warn thee to flee." "That
+will I never do," said Sir Gareth, "for I fear him not." Then the page
+saw the Brown Knight coming and said to Gareth, "Lo! my lord is near."</p>
+
+<p>So both knights made them ready and galloped their horses towards each
+other, and the Brown Knight brake his spear upon Sir Gareth's shield;
+but Sir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fell dead. At that
+he rode into the castle and told the ladies he had slain their foe. Then
+were they right glad of heart and made him all the cheer they could,
+and thanked him out of measure. But on the morrow as he went to mass he
+found the ladies weeping in the chapel upon divers tombs that were
+there. And he knew that in those tombs their husbands lay. Then he bade
+them be comforted, and with noble and high words he desired and prayed
+them all to be at Arthur's court on the next Feast of Pentecost.</p>
+
+<p>So he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight
+waiting, who said to him, "Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!" "How
+are ye named?" said Sir Gareth. "I am the Duke de la Rowse," answered
+he. "In good sooth," then said Sir Gareth, "not long ago I lodged within
+your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might
+meet." "Art thou that proud knight," said the duke, "who was ready to
+fight with me? Guard thyself therefore and make ready." So they ran
+together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke from his horse. Then they
+alighted and drew their swords, and fought full sorely for the space of
+an hour; and at the last Sir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and
+would have slain him, but he yielded. "Then must ye go," said Sir
+Gareth, "to my lord King Arthur at the next Feast of Pentecost and say
+that I, Sir Gareth, sent ye." "As ye will be it," said the duke; and
+gave him up his shield for pledge.</p>
+
+<p>And as Sir Gareth rode alone he saw an armed knight coming towards him.
+And putting the duke's shield before him he rode fast to tilt with him;
+and so they ran together as it had been thunder, and brake their spears
+upon each other. Then fought they fiercely with their swords, and lashed
+together with such mighty strokes that blood ran to the ground on every
+side. And after they had fought together for two hours and more, it
+chanced the damsel Linet passed that way; and when she saw them, she
+cried out, "Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, leave your fighting, for ye are
+brethren!" At that they threw away their shields and swords, and took
+each other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they could speak.
+And each gave to the other the honor of the battle, and there was many a
+kind word between them. Then said Sir Gawain, "O my brother, for your
+sake have I had great sorrow and labor! But truly I would honor you
+though ye were not my brother, for ye have done great worship to King
+Arthur and his court, and sent more knights to him than any of the Table
+Round, except Sir Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>Then the damsel Linet staunched their wounds, and their horses being
+weary she rode her palfrey to King Arthur and told him of this strange
+adventure. When she had told her tidings, the king himself mounted his
+horse and bade all come with him to meet them. So a great company of
+lords and ladies went forth to meet the brothers. And when King Arthur
+saw them he would have spoken hearty words, but for gladness he could
+not. And both Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth fell down at their uncle's knees
+and did him homage, and there was passing great joy and gladness among
+them all.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the king to the damsel Linet, "Why cometh not the Lady Lyones
+to visit her knight, Sir Gareth, who hath had such travail for her
+love?" "She knoweth not, my lord, that he is here," replied the damsel,
+"for truly she desireth greatly to see him." "Go ye and bring her
+hither," said the king. So the damsel rode to tell her sister where Sir
+Gareth was, and when she heard it she rejoiced full heartily and came
+with all the speed she could. And when Sir Gareth saw her, there was
+great joy and comfort between them.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king asked Sir Gareth whether he would have that lady for his
+wife? "My lord," replied Sir Gareth, "know well that I love her above
+all ladies living." "Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+"Most noble king," she answered, "my lord, Sir Gareth, is my first love
+and shall be my last, and if I may not have him for my husband I will
+have none." Then said the king to them, "Be well assured that for my
+crown I would not be the cause of parting your two hearts."</p>
+
+<p>Then was high preparation made for the marriage, for the king desired it
+should be at the Michaelmas next following, at Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Gareth sent out messages to all the knights whom he had overcome
+in battle that they should be there upon his marriage-day.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, at the next Michaelmas, came a goodly company to
+Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea. And there did the Archbishop of Canterbury marry
+Sir Gareth and the Lady Lyones with all solemnity. And all the knights
+whom Sir Gareth had overcome were at the feast; and every manner of
+revels and games was held with music and minstrelsy. And there was a
+great jousting for three days. But because of his bride the king would
+not suffer Sir Gareth to joust. Then did King Arthur give great lands
+and fair, with store of gold, to Sir Gareth and his wife, that so they
+might live royally together to their lives' end.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM</h3>
+
+
+<p>Again King Arthur held high festival at Caerleon, at Pentecost, and
+gathered round him all the fellowship of the Round Table, and so,
+according to his custom, sat and waited till some adventure should
+arise, or some knight return to court whose deeds and perils might be
+told.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he saw Sir Lancelot and a crowd of knights coming through the doors
+and leading in their midst the mighty knight, Sir Tristram. As soon as
+King Arthur saw him, he rose up and went through half the hall, and held
+out both his hands and cried, "Right welcome to thee, good Sir Tristram,
+as welcome art thou as any knight that ever came before into this court.
+A long time have I wished for thee amongst my fellowship." Then all the
+knights and barons rose up with one accord and came around, and cried
+out, "Welcome." Queen Guinevere came also, and many ladies with her, and
+all with one voice said the same.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king took Sir Tristram by the hand and led him to the Round
+Table and said, "Welcome again for one of the best and gentlest knights
+in all the world; a chief in war, a chief in peace, a chief in field and
+forest, a chief in the ladies' chamber&mdash;right heartily welcome to this
+court, and mayest thou long abide in it."</p>
+
+<p>When he had so said he looked at every empty seat until he came to what
+had been Sir Marhaus', and there he found written in gold letters, "This
+is the seat of the noble knight, Sir Tristram." Whereat they made him,
+with great cheer and gladness, a Fellow of the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>Now the story of Sir Tristram was as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>There was a king of Lyonesse, named Meliodas, married to the sister of
+King Mark of Cornwall, a right fair lady and a good. And so it happened
+that King Meliodas hunting in the woods was taken by enchantment and
+made prisoner in a castle. When his wife Elizabeth heard it she was nigh
+mad with grief, and ran into the forest to seek out her lord. But after
+many days of wandering and sorrow she found no trace of him, and laid
+her down in a deep valley and prayed to meet her death. And so indeed
+she did, but ere she died she gave birth in the midst of all her sorrow
+to child, a boy, and called him with her latest breath Tristram; for she
+said, "His name shall show how sadly he hath come into this world."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith she gave up her ghost, and the gentlewoman who was with her
+took the child and wrapped it from the cold as well as she was able, and
+lay down with it in her arms beneath the shadow of a tree hard by,
+expecting death to come to her in turn.</p>
+
+<p>But shortly after came a company of lords and barons seeking for the
+queen, and found the lady and the child and took them home. And on the
+next day came King Meliodas, whom Merlin had delivered, and when he
+heard of the queen's death his sorrow was greater than tongue can tell.
+And anon he buried her solemnly and nobly, and called the child Tristram
+as she had desired.</p>
+
+<p>Then for seven years King Meliodas mourned and took no comfort, and all
+that time young Tristram was well nourished; but in a while he wedded
+with the daughter of Howell, King of Brittany, who, that her own
+children might enjoy the kingdom, cast about in her mind how she might
+destroy Tristram. So on a certain day she put poison in a silver cup,
+where Tristram and her children were together playing, that when he was
+athirst he might drink of it and die. But so it happened that her own
+son saw the cup, and, thinking it must hold good drink, he climbed and
+took it, and drank deeply of it, and suddenly thereafter burst and fell
+down dead.</p>
+
+<p>When the queen heard that, her grief was very great, but her anger and
+envy were fiercer than before, and soon again she put more poison in the
+cup. And by chance one day her husband finding it when thirsty, took it
+up and was about to drink therefrom, when, seeing him, she sprang up
+with a mighty cry and dashed it from his hands.</p>
+
+<p>At that King Meliodas, wondering greatly, called to mind the sudden
+death of his young child, and taking her fiercely by the hand he cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Traitress, tell me what drink is in this cup or I will slay thee in a
+moment;" and therewith pulling out his sword he swore by a great oath
+to slay her if she straightway told him not the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mercy, lord," said she, and fell down at his feet; "mercy, and I
+will tell thee all."</p>
+
+<p>And then she told him of her plot to murder Tristram, so that her own
+sons might enjoy the kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>"The law shall judge thee," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>And so anon she was tried before the barons, and condemned to be burnt
+to death.</p>
+
+<p>But when the fire was made, and she brought out, came Tristram kneeling
+at his father's feet and besought of him a favor.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatsoever thou desirest I will give thee," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me the life, then, of the queen, my step-mother," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou doest wrong to ask it," said Meliodas; "for she would have slain
+thee with her poisons if she could, and chiefly for thy sake she ought
+to die."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said he, "as for that, I beseech thee of thy mercy to forgive it
+her, and for my part may God pardon her as I do; and so I pray thee
+grant me my boon, and for God's sake hold thee to thy promise."</p>
+
+<p>"If it must be so," said the king, "take thou her life, for to thee I
+give it, and go and do with her as thou wilt."</p>
+
+<p>Then went young Tristram to the fire and loosed the queen from all her
+bonds and delivered her from death.</p>
+
+<p>And after a great while by his good means the king again forgave and
+lived in peace with her, though never more in the same lodgings.</p>
+
+<p>Anon was Tristram sent abroad to France in care of one named Governale.
+And there for seven years he learned the language of the land, and all
+knightly exercises and gentle crafts, and especially was he foremost in
+music and in hunting, and was a harper beyond all others. And when at
+nineteen years of age he came back to his father, he was as lusty and
+strong of body and as noble of heart as ever man was seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now shortly after his return it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent
+to King Mark of Cornwall for the tribute due to Ireland, but which was
+now seven years behindhand. To whom King Mark sent answer, if he would
+have it he must send and fight for it, and they would find a champion to
+fight against it.</p>
+
+<p>So King Anguish called for Sir Marhaus, his wife's brother, a good
+knight of the Round Table, who lived then at his court, and sent him
+with a knightly retinue in six great ships to Cornwall. And, casting
+anchor by the castle of Tintagil, he sent up daily to King Mark for the
+tribute or the champion. But no knight there would venture to assail
+him, for his fame was very high in all the realm for strength and
+hardihood.</p>
+
+<p>Then made King Mark a proclamation throughout Cornwall, that if any
+knight would fight Sir Marhaus he should stand at the king's right hand
+forevermore, and have great honor and riches all the rest of his days.
+Anon this news came to the land of Lyonesse, and when young Tristram
+heard it he was angry and ashamed to think no knight of Cornwall durst
+assail the Irish champion. "Alas," said he, "that I am not a knight,
+that I might match this Marhaus! I pray you give me leave, sir, to
+depart to King Mark's court and beg him of his grace to make me knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Be ruled by thy own courage," said his father.</p>
+
+<p>So Tristram rode away forthwith to Tintagil to King Mark, and went up
+boldly to him and said, "Sir, give me the order of knighthood and I will
+fight to the uttermost with Sir Marhaus of Ireland."</p>
+
+<p>"What are ye, and whence come ye?" said the king, seeing he was but a
+young man, though strong and well made both in body and limb.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram," said he, "and I was born in the country of
+Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"But know ye," said the king, "this Irish knight will fight with none
+who be not come of royal blood and near of kin to kings or queens, as he
+himself is, for his sister is the Queen of Ireland."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Tristram, "Let him know that I am come both on my father's and
+my mother's side of blood as good as his, for my father is King Meliodas
+and my mother was that Queen Elizabeth, thy sister, who died in the
+forest at my birth."</p>
+
+<p>When King Mark heard that he welcomed him with all his heart, and
+knighted him forthwith, and made him ready to go forth as soon as he
+would choose, and armed him royally in armor covered with gold and
+silver.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sent Sir Marhaus word, "That a better man than he should fight
+with him, Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, son of King Meliodas and of King
+Mark's own sister." So the battle was ordained to be fought in an island
+near Sir Marhaus' ships, and there Sir Tristram landed on the morrow,
+with Governale alone attending him for squire, and him he sent back to
+the land when he had made himself ready.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Marhaus and Sir Tristram were thus left alone, Sir Marhaus
+said, "Young knight Sir Tristram, what doest thou here? I am full sorry
+for thy rashness, for ofttimes have I been assailed in vain, and by the
+best knights of the world. Be warned in time, return to them that sent
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair knight, and well-proved knight," replied Sir Tristram, "be sure
+that I shall never quit this quarrel till one of us be overcome. For
+this cause have I been made knight, and thou shalt know before we part
+that though as yet unproved, I am a king's son and firstborn of a queen.
+Moreover I have promised to deliver Cornwall from this ancient burden,
+or to die. Also, thou shouldst have known, Sir Marhaus, that thy valor
+and thy might are but the better reasons why I should assail thee; for
+whether I win or lose I shall gain honor to have met so great a knight
+as thou art."</p>
+
+<p>Then they began the battle, and tilted at their hardest against each
+other, so that both knights and horses fell to the earth. But Sir
+Marhaus' spear smote Sir Tristram a great wound in the side. Then,
+springing up from their horses, they lashed together with their swords
+like two wild boars. And when they had stricken together a great while
+they left off strokes and lunged at one another's breasts and visors;
+but seeing this availed not they hurtled together again to bear each
+other down.</p>
+
+<p>Thus fought they more than half the day, till both were sorely spent and
+blood ran from them to the ground on every side. But by this time Sir
+Tristram remained fresher than Sir Marhaus and better winded, and with a
+mighty stroke he smote him such a buffet as cut through his helm into
+his brain-pan, and there his sword stuck in so fast that thrice Sir
+Tristram pulled ere he could get it from his head. Then fell Sir Marhaus
+down upon his knees, and the edge of Sir Tristram's sword broke off into
+his brain-pan. And suddenly when he seemed dead, Sir Marhaus rose and
+threw his sword and shield away from him and ran and fled into his ship.
+And Tristram cried out after him, "Aha! Sir knight of the Round Table,
+dost thou withdraw thee from so young a knight? it is a shame to thee
+and all thy kin; I would rather have been hewn into a hundred pieces
+than have fled from thee."</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Marhaus answered nothing, and sorely groaning fled away.</p>
+
+<p>"Farewell, Sir knight, farewell," laughed Tristram, whose own voice now
+was hoarse and faint with loss of blood; "I have thy sword and shield in
+my safe keeping, and will wear them in all places where I ride on my
+adventures, and before King Arthur and the Table Round."</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Marhaus taken back to Ireland by his company; and as soon
+as he arrived his wounds were searched, and when they searched his head
+they found therein a piece of Tristram's sword; but all the skill of
+surgeons was in vain to move it out. So anon Sir Marhaus died.</p>
+
+<p>But the queen, his sister, took the piece of sword-blade and put it
+safely by, for she thought that some day it might help her to revenge
+her brother's death.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Sir Tristram, being sorely wounded, sat down softly on a
+little mound and bled passing fast; and in that evil case was found anon
+by Governale and King Mark's knights. Then they gently took him up and
+brought him in a barge back to the land, and lifted him into a bed
+within the castle, and had his wounds dressed carefully.</p>
+
+<p>But for a great while he lay sick, and was likely to have died of the
+first stroke Sir Marhaus had given him with the spear, for the point of
+it was poisoned. And, though the wisest surgeons and leeches&mdash;both men
+and women&mdash;came from every part, yet could he be by no means cured. At
+last came a wise lady, and said plainly that Sir Tristram never should
+be healed, until he went and stayed in that same country when the poison
+came. When this was understood, the king sent Sir Tristram in a fair and
+goodly ship to Ireland, and by fortune he arrived fast by a castle where
+the king and queen were. And as the ship was being anchored, he sat upon
+his bed and harped a merry lay, and made so sweet a music as was never
+equaled.</p>
+
+<p>When the king heard that the sweet harper was a wounded knight, he sent
+for him, and asked his name. "I am of the country of Lyonesse," he
+answered, "and my name is Tramtrist;" for he dared not tell his true
+name lest the vengeance of the queen should fall upon him for her
+brother's death.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said King Anguish, "thou art right welcome here, and shalt have
+all the help this land can give thee; but be not anxious if I am at
+times cast down and sad, for but lately in Cornwall the best knight in
+the world, fighting for my cause, was slain; his name was Sir Marhaus, a
+knight of King Arthur's Round Table." And then he told Sir Tristram all
+the story of Sir Marhaus' battle, and Sir Tristram made pretense of
+great surprise and sorrow, though he knew all far better than the king
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then was he put in charge of the king's daughter, La Belle Isault, to be
+healed of his wound, and she was as fair and noble a lady as men's eyes
+might see. And so marvelously was she skilled in medicine, that in a few
+days she fully cured him; and in return Sir Tramtrist taught her the
+harp; so, before long, they two began to love each other greatly.</p>
+
+<p>But at that time a heathen knight, Sir Palomedes, was in Ireland, and
+much cherished by the king and queen. He also loved mightily La Belle
+Isault, and never wearied of making her great gifts, and seeking for her
+favor, and was ready even to be christened for her sake. Sir Tramtrist
+therefore hated him out of measure, and Sir Palomedes was full of rage
+and envy against Tramtrist.</p>
+
+<p>And so it befell that King Anguish proclaimed a great tournament to be
+held, the prize whereof should be a lady called the Lady of the Launds,
+of near kindred to the king: and her the winner of the tournament should
+wed in three days afterwards, and possess all her lands. When La Belle
+Isault told Sir Tramtrist of this tournament, he said, "Fair lady! I am
+yet a feeble knight, and but for thee had been a dead man now: what
+wouldest thou I should do? Thou knowest well I may not joust."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Tramtrist," said she, "why wilt thou not fight in this tournament?
+Sir Palomedes will be there, and will do his mightiest; and therefore be
+thou there, I pray thee, or else he will be winner of the prize."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said Tramtrist, "I will go, and for thy sake will do my best;
+but let me go unknown to all men; and do thou, I pray thee, keep my
+counsel, and help me to a disguise."</p>
+
+<p>So on the day of jousting came Sir Palomedes, with a black shield, and
+overthrew many knights. And all the people wondered at his prowess; for
+on the first day he put to the worse Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, Sir
+Agravaine, Sir Key, and many more from far and near. And on the morrow
+he was conqueror again, and overthrew the king with a hundred knights
+and the King of Scotland. But presently Sir Tramtrist rode up to the
+lists, having been let out at a privy postern of the castle, where none
+could see. La Belle Isault had dressed him in white armor and given him
+a white horse and shield, and so he came suddenly into the field as it
+had been a bright angel.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Sir Palomedes saw him he ran at him with a great spear in
+rest, but Sir Tramtrist was ready, and at the first encounter hurled him
+to the ground. Then there arose a great cry that the knight with the
+black shield was overthrown. And Palomedes, sorely hurt and shamed,
+sought out a secret way and would have left the field; but Tramtrist
+watched him, and rode after him, and bade him stay, for he had not yet
+done with him. Then did Sir Palomedes turn with fury, and lash at Sir
+Tramtrist with his sword; but at the first stroke Sir Tramtrist smote
+him to the earth, and cried, "Do now all my commands, or take thy
+death." Then he yielded to Sir Tristram's mercy, and promised to forsake
+La Belle Isault, and for twelve months to wear no arms or armor. And
+rising up, he cut his armor off him into shreds with rage and madness,
+and turned and left the field: and Sir Tramtrist also left the lists,
+and rode back to the castle through the postern gate.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Tramtrist long cherished by the King and Queen of Ireland,
+and ever with La Belle Isault. But on a certain day, while he was
+bathing, came the queen with La Belle Isault by chance into his chamber,
+and saw his sword lie naked on the bed: anon she drew it from the
+scabbard and looked at it a long while, and both thought it a passing
+fair sword; but within a foot and a half of the end there was a great
+piece broken out, and while the queen was looking at the gap, she
+suddenly remembered the piece of sword-blade that was found in the
+brain-pan of her brother Sir Marhaus.</p>
+
+<p>Therewith she turned and cried, "By my faith, this is the felon knight
+who slew thy uncle!" And running to her chamber she sought in her casket
+for the piece of iron from Sir Marhaus' head and brought it back, and
+fitted it in Tristram's sword; and surely did it fit therein as closely
+as it had been but yesterday broke out.</p>
+
+<p>Then the queen caught the sword up fiercely in her hand, and ran into
+the room where Sir Tristram was yet in his bath, and making straight for
+him, had run him through the body, had not his squire, Sir Hebes, got
+her in his arms, and pulled the sword away from her.</p>
+
+<p>Then ran she to the king, and fell upon her knees before him, saying,
+"Lord and husband, thou hast here in thy house that felon knight who
+slew my brother Marhaus!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?" said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Sir Tramtrist!" said she, "whom Isault hath healed."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" replied the king, "I am full grieved thereat, for he is a good
+knight as ever I have seen in any field; but I charge thee leave thou
+him, and let me deal with him."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king went to Sir Tramtrist's chamber and found him all armed
+and ready to mount his horse, and said to him, "Sir Tramtrist, it is not
+to prove me against thee I come, for it were shameful of thy host to
+seek thy life. Depart in peace, but tell me first thy name, and whether
+thou slewest my brother, Sir Marhaus."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram told him all the truth, and how he had hid his name,
+to be unknown in Ireland; and when he had ended, the king declared he
+held him in no blame. "Howbeit, I cannot for mine honor's sake retain
+thee at this court, for so I should displease my barons, and my wife,
+and all her kin."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I thank thee for the goodness thou hast shown
+me here, and for the great goodness my lady, thy daughter, hath shown
+me; and it may chance to be more for thy advantage if I live than if I
+die; for wheresoever I may be, I shall ever seek thy service, and shall
+be my lady thy daughter's servant in all places, and her knight in right
+and wrong, and shall never fail to do for her as much as knight can do."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram went to La Belle Isault, and took his leave of her. "O
+gentle knight," said she, "full of grief am I at your departing, for
+never yet I saw a man to love so well."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said he, "I promise faithfully that all my life I shall be your
+knight."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and after
+that he left her, weeping and lamenting, and went among the barons, and
+openly took his leave of them all, saying, "Fair lords, it so befalleth
+that I now must depart hence; therefore, if there be any here whom I
+have offended or who is grieved with me, let him now say it, and before
+I go I will amend it to the utmost of my power. And if there be but one
+who would speak shame of me behind my back, let him say it now or never,
+and here is my body to prove it on&mdash;body against body."</p>
+
+<p>And all stood still and said no word, though some there were of the
+queen's kindred who would have assailed him had they dared.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Tristram departed from Ireland and took the sea and came with a
+fair wind to Tintagil. And when the news came to King Mark that Sir
+Tristram was returned, healed of his wound, he was passing glad, and so
+were all his barons. And when he had visited the king his uncle, he rode
+to his father, King Meliodas, and there had all the heartiest welcome
+that could be made him. And both the king and queen gave largely to him
+of their lands and goods.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he came again to King Mark's court, and there lived in great joy
+and pleasure, till within a while the king grew jealous of his fame, and
+of the love and favor shown him by all damsels. And as long as King Mark
+lived, he never after loved Sir Tristram, though there was much fair
+speech between them.</p>
+
+<p>Then it befell upon a certain day that the good knight Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, brother to Sir Blamor de Ganis, and nigh cousin to Sir Lancelot
+of the Lake, came to King Mark's court and asked of him a favor. And
+though the king marveled, seeing he was a man of great renown, and a
+knight of the Round Table, he granted him all his asking. Then said Sir
+Bleoberis, "I will have the fairest lady in your court, at my own
+choosing."</p>
+
+<p>"I may not say thee nay," replied the king; "choose therefore, but take
+all the issues of thy choice."</p>
+
+<p>So when he had looked around, he chose the wife of Earl Segwarides, and
+took her by the hand, and set her upon horseback behind his squire, and
+rode forth on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Presently thereafter came in the earl, and rode out straightway after
+him in rage. But all the ladies cried out shame upon Sir Tristram that
+he had not gone, and one rebuked him foully and called him coward
+knight, that he would stand and see a lady forced away from his uncle's
+court. But Sir Tristram answered her, "Fair lady, it is not my place to
+take part in this quarrel while her lord and husband is here to do it.
+Had he not been at this court, peradventure I had been her champion. And
+if it so befall that he speed ill, then may it happen that I speak with
+that foul knight before he pass out of this realm."</p>
+
+<p>Anon ran in one of Sir Segwarides' squires, and told that his master was
+sore wounded, and at the point of death. When Sir Tristram heard that,
+he was soon armed and on his horse, and Governale, his servant, followed
+him with shield and spear.</p>
+
+<p>And as he rode, he met his cousin Sir Andret, who had been commanded by
+King Mark to bring home to him two knights of King Arthur's court who
+roamed the country thereabouts seeking adventures.</p>
+
+<p>"What tidings?" said Sir Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"God help me, never worse," replied his cousin; "for those I went to
+bring have beaten and defeated me, and set my message at naught."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair cousin," said Sir Tristram, "ride ye on your way, perchance if I
+should meet them ye may be revenged."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Andret rode into Cornwall, but Sir Tristram rode after the two
+knights who had misused him, namely, Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Sir
+Dodinas le Savage. And before long he saw them but a little way before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Governale, "by my advice thou wilt leave them alone, for
+they be two well-proved knights of Arthur's court."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I not therefore rather meet them!" said Sir Tristram, and, riding
+swiftly after them, he called to them to stop, and asked them whence
+they came, and whither they were going, and what they were doing in
+those marches.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Sagramour looked haughtily at Sir Tristram, and made mocking of his
+words, and said, "Fair knight, be ye a knight of Cornwall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore askest thou that?" said Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, because it is full seldom seen," replied Sir Sagramour, "that
+Cornish knights are valiant with their arms as with their tongues. It is
+but two hours since there met us such a Cornish knight, who spoke great
+words with might and prowess, but anon, with little mastery, he was laid
+on earth, as I trow wilt thou be also."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it may chance I be a better man than
+he; but, be that as it may, he was my cousin, and for his sake I will
+assail ye both; one Cornish knight against ye two."</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Dodinas le Savage heard this speech, he caught at his spear and
+said, "Sir knight, keep well thyself;" and then they parted and came
+together as it had been thunder, and Sir Dodinas' spear split asunder;
+but Sir Tristram smote him with so full a stroke as hurled him over his
+horse's crupper, and nearly brake his neck. Sir Sagramour, seeing his
+fellow's fall, marveled who this new knight be, and dressed his spear,
+and came against Sir Tristram as a whirlwind; but Sir Tristram smote him
+a mighty buffet, and rolled him with his horse down on the ground; and
+in the falling he brake his thigh.</p>
+
+<p>Then, looking at them both as they lay groveling on the grass, Sir
+Tristram said, "Fair knights, will ye joust any more? Are there no
+bigger knights in King Arthur's court? Will ye soon again speak shame of
+Cornish knights?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast defeated us, in truth," replied Sir Sagramour, "and on the
+faith of knighthood I require thee tell us thy right name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ye charge me by a great thing," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer
+ye."</p>
+
+<p>And when they heard his name the two knights were right glad that they
+had met Sir Tristram, for his deeds were known through all the land, and
+they prayed him to abide in their company.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said he, "I must find a fellow-knight of yours, Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, whom I seek."</p>
+
+<p>"God speed you well," said the two knights; and Sir Tristram rode away.</p>
+
+<p>Soon he saw before him in a valley Sir Bleoberis with Sir Segwarides'
+wife riding behind his squire upon a palfrey. At that he cried out
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight of King Arthur's court, bring back again that
+lady or deliver her to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not," said Bleoberis, "for I dread no Cornish knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Sir Tristram, "may not a Cornish knight do well as any
+other? This day, but three miles back, two knights of thy own court met
+me, and found one Cornish knight enough for both before we parted."</p>
+
+<p>"What were their names?" said Sir Bleoberis.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Sagramour le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage," said Sir
+Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Sir Bleoberis, amazed; "hast thou then met with them? By my
+faith, they were two good knights and men of worship, and if thou hast
+beat both thou must needs be a good knight; but for all that, thou shalt
+beat me also ere thou hast this lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Defend thee, then," cried out Sir Tristram, and came upon him swiftly
+with his spear in rest. But Sir Bleoberis was as swift as he, and each
+bore down the other, horse and all, on to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Then they sprang clear of their horses, and lashed together full eagerly
+and mightily with their swords, tracing and traversing on the right hand
+and on the left more than two hours, and sometimes rushing together with
+such fury that they both lay groveling on the ground. At last Sir
+Bleoberis started back and said, "Now, gentle knight, hold hard awhile,
+and let us speak together."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I would know thy name, and court, and
+country."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no shame to tell them," said Sir Tristram. "I am King Meliodas'
+son, and my mother was sister to King Mark, from whose court I now come.
+My name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am right glad to hear it, for thou art
+he that slew Sir Marhaus hand-to-hand, fighting for the Cornish tribute;
+and overcame Sir Palomedes at the great Irish tournament, where also
+thou didst overthrow Sir Gawain and his nine companions."</p>
+
+<p>"I am that knight," said Sir Tristram, "and now I pray thee tell me thy
+name."</p>
+
+<p>"I am Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, cousin of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, one of
+the best knights in all the world," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest truth," said Sir Tristram; "for Sir Lancelot, as all men
+know, is peerless in courtesy and knighthood, and for the great love I
+bear to his name I will not willingly fight more with thee his
+kinsman."</p>
+
+<p>"In good faith, sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am as loth to fight thee
+more; but since thou hast followed me to win this lady, I proffer thee
+kindness, courtesy, and gentleness; this lady shall be free to go with
+which of us she pleaseth best."</p>
+
+<p>"I am content," said Sir Tristram, "for I doubt not she will come to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"That shalt thou shortly prove," said he, and called his squire, and set
+the lady in the midst between them, who forthwith walked to Sir
+Bleoberis and elected to abide with him. Which, when Sir Tristram saw,
+he was in wondrous anger with her, and felt that he could scarce for
+shame return to King Mark's court. But Sir Bleoberis said, "Hearken to
+me, good knight, Sir Tristram, because King Mark gave me free choice of
+any gift, and because this lady chose to go with me, I took her; but now
+I have fulfilled my quest and my adventure, and for thy sake she shall
+be sent back to her husband at the abbey where he lieth."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Tristram rode back to Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis to the abbey
+where Sir Segwarides lay wounded, and there delivered up his lady, and
+departed as a noble knight.</p>
+
+<p>After this adventure Sir Tristram abode still at his uncle's court, till
+in the envy of his heart King Mark devised a plan to be rid of him. So
+on a certain day he desired him to depart again for Ireland, and there
+demand La Belle Isault on his behalf, to be his queen&mdash;forever had Sir
+Tristram praised her beauty and her goodness, till King Mark desired to
+wed her for himself. Moreover, he believed his nephew surely would be
+slain by the queen's kindred if he once were found again in Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Tristram, scorning fear, made ready to depart, and took with him
+the noblest knights that could be found, arrayed in the richest fashion.</p>
+
+<p>And when they were come to Ireland, upon a certain day Sir Tristram gave
+his uncle's message, and King Anguish consented thereto.</p>
+
+<p>But when La Belle Isault was told the tidings she was very sorrowful and
+loth&mdash;yet made she ready to set forth with Sir Tristram, and took with
+her Dame Bragwaine, her chief gentlewoman. Then the queen gave Dame
+Bragwaine, and Governale, Sir Tristram's servant, a little flask, and
+charged them that La Belle Isault and King Mark should both drink of it
+on their marriage day, and then should they surely love each other all
+their lives.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, Sir Tristram and Isault, with a great company, took the sea and
+departed. And so it chanced that one day sitting in their cabin they
+were athirst, and saw a little flask of gold which seemed to hold good
+wine. So Sir Tristram took it up, and said, "Fair lady, this looketh to
+be the best of wines, and your maid, Dame Bragwaine, and my servant,
+Governale, have kept it for themselves." Thereat they both laughed
+merrily, and drank each after other from the flask, and never before had
+they tasted any wine which seemed so good and sweet. But by the time
+they had finished drinking they loved each other so well that their
+love nevermore might leave them for weal or woe. And thus it came to
+pass that though Sir Tristram might never wed La Belle Isault, he did
+the mightiest deeds of arms for her sake only all his life.</p>
+
+<p>Then they sailed onwards till they came to a castle called Pluere, where
+they would have rested. But anon there ran forth a great company and
+took them prisoners. And when they were in prison, Sir Tristram asked a
+knight and lady whom they found therein wherefore they were so
+shamefully dealt with; "for," said he, "it was never the custom of any
+place of honor that I ever came unto to seize a knight and lady asking
+shelter and thrust them into prison, and a full evil and discourteous
+custom is it."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the knight, "know ye not that this is called the Castle
+Pluere, or the weeping castle, and that it is an ancient custom here
+that whatsoever knight abideth in it must needs fight the lord of it,
+Sir Brewnor, and he that is the weakest shall lose his head. And if the
+lady he hath with him be less fair than the lord's wife, she shall lose
+her head; but if she be fairer, then must the lady of the castle lose
+her head."</p>
+
+<p>"Now Heaven help me," said Sir Tristram, "but this is a foul and
+shameful custom. Yet have I one advantage, for my lady is the fairest
+that doth live in all the world, so that I nothing fear for her; and as
+for me, I will full gladly fight for my own head in a fair field."</p>
+
+<p>Then said the knight, "Look ye be up betimes to-morrow, and make you
+ready and your lady."</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow came Sir Brewnor to Sir Tristram, and put him and
+Isault forth out of prison, and brought him a horse and armor, and bade
+him make ready, for all the commons and estates of that lordship waited
+in the field to see and judge the battle.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Brewnor, holding his lady by the hand, all muffled, came forth,
+and Sir Tristram went to meet him with La Belle Isault beside him,
+muffled also. Then said Sir Brewnor, "Sir knight, if thy lady be fairer
+than mine, with thy sword smite off my lady's head; but if my lady be
+fairer than thine, with my sword I will smite off thy lady's head. And
+if I overcome thee thy lady shall be mine, and thou shalt lose thy
+head."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," replied Sir Tristram, "this is a right foul and felon
+custom, and rather than my lady shall lose her head will I lose my own."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Sir Brewnor, "but the ladies shall be now compared together
+and judgment shall be had."</p>
+
+<p>"I consent not," cried Sir Tristram, "for who is here that will give
+rightful judgment? Yet doubt not that my lady is far fairer than thine
+own, and that will I prove and make good." Therewith Sir Tristram lifted
+up the veil from off La Belle Isault, and stood beside her with his
+naked sword drawn in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Brewnor unmuffled his lady and did in like manner. But when he
+saw La Belle Isault he knew that none could be so fair, and all there
+present gave their judgment so. Then said Sir Tristram, "Because thou
+and thy lady have long used this evil custom, and have slain many good
+knights and ladies, it were a just thing to destroy thee both."</p>
+
+<p>"In good sooth," said Sir Brewnor, "thy lady is fairer than mine, and of
+all women I never saw any so fair. Therefore, slay my lady if thou wilt,
+and I doubt not but I shall slay thee and have thine."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou shalt win her," said Sir Tristram, "as dearly as ever knight won
+lady; and because of thy own judgment and of the evil custom that thy
+lady hath consented to, I will slay her as thou sayest."</p>
+
+<p>And therewithal Sir Tristram went to him and took his lady from him, and
+smote off her head at a stroke.</p>
+
+<p>"Now take thy horse," cried out Sir Brewnor, "for since I have lost my
+lady I will win thine and have thy life."</p>
+
+<p>So they took their horses and came together as fast as they could fly,
+and Sir Tristram lightly smote Sir Brewnor from his horse. But he rose
+right quickly, and when Sir Tristram came again he thrust his horse
+through both the shoulders, so that it reeled and fell. But Sir Tristram
+was light and nimble, and voided his horse, and rose up and dressed his
+shield before him, though meanwhile, ere he could draw out his sword,
+Sir Brewnor gave him three or four grievous strokes. Then they rushed
+furiously together like two wild boars, and fought hurtling and hewing
+here and there for nigh two hours, and wounded each other full sorely.
+Then at the last Sir Brewnor rushed upon Sir Tristram and took him in
+his arms to throw him, for he trusted greatly in his strength. But Sir
+Tristram was at that time called the strongest and biggest knight of the
+world; for he was bigger than Sir Lancelot, though Sir Lancelot was
+better breathed. So anon he thrust Sir Brewnor groveling to the earth,
+and then unlaced his helm and struck off his head. Then all they that
+belonged to the castle came and did him homage and fealty, and prayed
+him to abide there for a season and put an end to that foul custom.</p>
+
+<p>But within a while he departed and came to Cornwall, and there King Mark
+was forthwith wedded to La Belle Isault with great joy and splendor.</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Tristram had high honor, and ever lodged at the king's court.
+But for all he had done him such services King Mark hated him, and on a
+certain day he set two knights to fall upon him as he rode in the
+forest. But Sir Tristram lightly smote one's head off, and sorely
+wounded the other, and made him bear his fellow's body to the king. At
+that the king dissembled and hid from Sir Tristram that the knights were
+sent by him; yet more than ever he hated him in secret, and sought to
+slay him.</p>
+
+<p>So on a certain day, by the assent of Sir Andret, a false knight, and
+forty other knights, Sir Tristram was taken prisoner in his sleep and
+carried to a chapel on the rocks above the sea to be cast down. But as
+they were about to cast him in, suddenly he brake his bonds asunder, and
+rushing at Sir Andret, took his sword and smote him down therewith.
+Then, leaping down the rocks where none could follow, he escaped them.
+But one shot after him and wounded him full sorely with a poisoned arrow
+in the arm.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, his servant Governale, with Sir Lambegus, sought him and found him
+safe among the rocks, and told him that King Mark had banished him and
+all his followers to avenge Sir Andret's death. So they took ship and
+came to Brittany.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Tristram, suffering great anguish from his wound, was told to
+seek Isoude, the daughter of the King of Brittany, for she alone could
+cure such wounds. Wherefore he went to King Howell's court, and said,
+"Lord, I am come into this country to have help from thy daughter, for
+men tell me none but she may help me." And Isoude gladly offering to do
+her best, within a month he was made whole.</p>
+
+<p>While he abode still at that court, an earl named Grip made war upon
+King Howell, and besieged him; and Sir Kay Hedius, the king's son, went
+forth against him, but was beaten in battle and sore wounded. Then the
+king praying Sir Tristram for his help, he took with him such knights as
+he could find, and on the morrow, in another battle, did such deeds of
+arms that all the land spake of him. For there he slew the earl with his
+own hands, and more than a hundred knights besides.</p>
+
+<p>When he came back King Howell met him, and saluted him with every honor
+and rejoicing that could be thought of, and took him in his arms, and
+said, "Sir Tristram, all my kingdom will I resign to thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," answered he, "God forbid, for truly am I beholden to you forever
+for your daughter's sake."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king prayed him to take Isoude in marriage, with a great dower
+of lands and castles. To this Sir Tristram presently consenting anon
+they were wedded at the court.</p>
+
+<p>But within a while Sir Tristram greatly longed to see Cornwall, and Sir
+Kay Hedius desired to go with him. So they took ship; but as soon as
+they were at sea the wind blew them upon the coast of North Wales, nigh
+to Castle Perilous, hard by a forest wherein were many strange
+adventures ofttimes to be met. Then said Sir Tristram to Sir Kay Hedius,
+"Let us prove some of them ere we depart." So they took their horses and
+rode forth.</p>
+
+<p>When they had ridden a mile or more, Sir Tristram spied a goodly knight
+before him well armed, who sat by a clear fountain with a strong horse
+near him, tied to an oak-tree. "Fair sir," said he, when they came near,
+"ye seem to be a knight errant by your arms and harness, therefore make
+ready now to joust with one of us, or both."</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the knight spake not, but took his shield and buckled it round
+his neck, and leaping on his horse caught a spear from his squire's
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Kay Hedius to Sir Tristram, "Let me assay him."</p>
+
+<p>"Do thy best," said he.</p>
+
+<p>So the two knights met, and Sir Kay Hedius fell sorely wounded in the
+breast.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast well jousted," cried Sir Tristram to the knight; "now make
+ready for me!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready," answered he, and encountered him, and smote him so heavily
+that he fell down from his horse. Whereat, being ashamed, he put his
+shield before him, and drew his sword, crying to the strange knight to
+do likewise. Then they fought on foot for well nigh two hours, till they
+were both weary.</p>
+
+<p>At last Sir Tristram said, "In all my life I never met a knight so
+strong and well-breathed as ye be. It were a pity we should further hurt
+each other. Hold thy hand, fair knight, and tell me thy name."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I," answered he, "if thou wilt tell me thine."</p>
+
+<p>"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"And mine, Sir Lamoracke of Gaul."</p>
+
+<p>Then both cried out together, "Well met;" and Sir Lamoracke said, "Sir
+for your great renown, I will that ye have all the worship of this
+battle, and therefore will I yield me unto you." And therewith he took
+his sword by the point to yield him.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall not do so, for well I know ye do it
+of courtesy, and not of dread." And therewith he offered his sword to
+Sir Lamoracke, saying, "Sir, as an overcome knight, I yield me unto you
+as unto the man of noblest powers I have ever met with."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold," said Sir Lamoracke, "let us now swear together nevermore to
+fight against each other."</p>
+
+<p>Then did they swear as he said.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram returned to Sir Kay Hedius, and when he was whole of
+his wounds, they departed together in a ship, and landed on the coast of
+Cornwall. And when they came ashore, Sir Tristram eagerly sought news of
+La Belle Isault. And one told him in mistake that she was dead. Whereat,
+for sore and grievous sorrow, he fell down in a swoon, and so lay for
+three days and nights.</p>
+
+<p>When he awoke therefrom he was crazed, and ran into the forest and abode
+there like a wild man many days; whereby he waxed lean and weak of body,
+and would have died, but that a hermit laid some meat beside him as he
+slept. Now in that forest was a giant named Tauleas, who, for fear of
+Tristram, had hid himself within a castle, but when they told him he was
+mad, came forth and went at large again. And on a certain day he saw a
+knight of Cornwall, named Sir Dinaunt, pass by with a lady, and when he
+had alighted by a well to rest, the giant leaped out from his ambush,
+and took him by the throat to slay him. But Sir Tristram, as he wandered
+through the forest, came upon them as they struggled; and when the
+knight cried out for help, he rushed upon the giant, and taking up Sir
+Dinaunt's sword, struck off therewith the giant's head, and straightway
+disappeared among the trees.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, Sir Dinaunt took the head of Tauleas, and bare it with him to the
+court of King Mark, whither he was bound, and told of his adventures.
+"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"At a fair fountain in thy forest," answered he.</p>
+
+<p>"I would fain see that wild man," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>So within a day or two he commanded his knights to a great hunting in
+the forest. And when the king came to the well, he saw a wild man lying
+there asleep, having a sword beside him; but he knew not that it was Sir
+Tristram. Then he blew his horn, and summoned all his knights to take
+him gently up and bear him to the court.</p>
+
+<p>And when they came thereto they bathed and washed him, and brought him
+somewhat to his right mind. Now La Belle Isault knew not that Sir
+Tristram was in Cornwall; but when she heard that a wild man had been
+found in the forest, she came to see him. And so sorely was he changed,
+she knew him not. "Yet," said she to Dame Bragwaine, "in good faith I
+seem to have beheld him ofttimes before."</p>
+
+<p>As she thus spoke a little hound, which Sir Tristram had given her when
+she first came to Cornwall, and which was ever with her, saw Sir
+Tristram lying there, and leapt upon him, licking his hands and face,
+and whined and barked for joy.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," cried out La Belle Isault, "it is my own true knight, Sir
+Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>And at her voice Sir Tristram's senses wholly came again, and wellnigh
+he wept for joy to see his lady living.</p>
+
+<p>But never would the hound depart from Tristram; and when King Mark and
+other knights came up to see him, it sat upon his body and bayed at all
+who came too near. Then one of the knights said, "Surely this is Sir
+Tristram; I see it by the hound."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the king, "it cannot be," and asked Sir Tristram on his
+faith who he was.</p>
+
+<p>"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, and now ye may do what
+ye list with me."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king said, "It repents me that ye are recovered," and sought to
+make his barons slay him. But most of them would not assent thereto, and
+counseled him instead to banish Tristram for ten years again from
+Cornwall, for returning without orders from the king. So he was sworn to
+depart forthwith.</p>
+
+<p>And as he went towards the ship a knight of King Arthur, named Sir
+Dinadan, who sought him, came and said, "Fair knight, ere that you pass
+out of this country, I pray you joust with me!"</p>
+
+<p>"With a good will," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran together, and Sir Tristram lightly smote him from his
+horse. Anon he prayed Sir Tristram's leave to bear him company, and when
+he had consented they rode together to the ship.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Tristram full of bitterness of heart, and said to all the
+knights who took him to the shore, "Greet well King Mark and all mine
+enemies from me, and tell them I will come again when I may. Well am I
+now rewarded for slaying Sir Marhaus, and delivering this kingdom from
+its bondage, and for the perils wherewithal I brought La Belle Isault
+from Ireland to the king, and rescued her at the Castle Pluere, and for
+the slaying of the giant Tauleas, and all the other deeds that I have
+done for Cornwall and King Mark." Thus angrily and passing bitterly he
+spake, and went his way.</p>
+
+<p>And after sailing awhile the ship stayed at a landing-place upon the
+coast of Wales; and there Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan alighted, and on
+the shore they met two knights, Sir Ector and Sir Bors. And Sir Ector
+encountered with Sir Dinadan and smote him to the ground; but Sir Bors
+would not encounter with Sir Tristram, "For," said he, "no Cornish
+knights are men of worship." Thereat Sir Tristram was full wroth, but
+presently there met them two more knights, Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant;
+and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, who shortly
+smote him down.</p>
+
+<p>"I had not thought," cried out Sir Bors, "that any Cornish knight could
+do so valiantly."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed, and rode into a forest, and
+as they rode a damsel met them, who for Sir Lancelot's sake was seeking
+any noble knights to rescue him. For Queen Morgan le Fay, who hated him,
+had ordered thirty men-at-arms to lie in ambush for him as he passed,
+with the intent to kill him. So the damsel prayed them to rescue him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Tristram, "Bring me to that place, fair damsel."</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Dinadan cried out, "It is not possible for us to meet with
+thirty knights! I will take no part in such a hardihood, for to match
+one or two or three knights is enough; but to match fifteen I will
+never assay."</p>
+
+<p>"For shame," replied Sir Tristram, "do but your part."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I not," said he; "wherefore, I pray ye, lend me your shield,
+for it is of Cornwall, and because men of that country are deemed
+cowards, ye are but little troubled as ye ride with knights to joust
+with."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "I will never give my shield up for her sake
+who gave it me; but if thou wilt not stand by me to-day I will surely
+slay thee; for I ask no more of thee than to fight one knight, and if
+thy heart will not serve thee that much, thou shalt stand by and look on
+me and them."</p>
+
+<p>"Would God that I had never met with ye!" cried Sir Dinadan; "but I
+promise to look on and do all that I may to save myself."</p>
+
+<p>Anon they came to where the thirty knights lay waiting, and Sir Tristram
+rushed upon them, saying, "Here is one who fights for love of Lancelot!"
+Then slew he two of them at the first onset with his spear, and ten more
+swiftly after with his sword. At that Sir Dinadan took courage, and
+assailed the others with him, till they turned and fled.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode on till nightfall, and meeting
+with a shepherd, asked him if he knew of any lodging thereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, fair lords," said he, "there is good lodging in a castle hard
+by, but it is a custom there that none shall lodge therein save ye first
+joust with two knights, and as soon as ye be within, ye shall find your
+match."</p>
+
+<p>"That is an evil lodging," said Sir Dinadan; "lodge where ye will, I
+will not lodge there."</p>
+
+<p>"Shame on thee!" said Sir Tristram; "art thou a knight at all?"</p>
+
+<p>Then he required him on his knighthood to go with him, and they rode
+together to the castle. As soon as they were near, two knights came out
+and ran full speed against them; but both of them they overthrew, and
+went within the castle, and had noble cheer. Now, when they were unarmed
+and ready to take rest, there came to the castle-gate two knights, Sir
+Palomedes and Sir Gaheris, and desired the custom of the castle.</p>
+
+<p>"I would far rather rest than fight," said Sir Dinadan.</p>
+
+<p>"That may not be," replied Sir Tristram, "for we must needs defend the
+custom of the castle, seeing we have overcome its lords; therefore, make
+ready."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas that I ever came into your company," said Sir Dinadan.</p>
+
+<p>So they made ready, and Sir Gaheris encountered Sir Tristram and fell
+before him; but Sir Palomedes overthrew Sir Dinadan. Then would all
+fight on foot save Sir Dinadan, for he was sorely bruised and frighted
+by his fall. And when Sir Tristram prayed him to fight, "I will not,"
+answered he, "for I was wounded by those thirty knights with whom we
+fought this morning; and as to you, ye are in truth like one gone mad,
+and who would cast himself away! There be but two knights in the world
+so mad, and the other is Sir Lancelot, with whom I once rode forth, who
+kept me evermore at battling so that for a quarter of a year thereafter
+I lay in my bed. Heaven defend me again from either of your
+fellowships!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "if it must be, I will fight them both."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he drew his sword and assailed Sir Palomedes and Sir Gaheris
+together; but Sir Palomedes said, "Nay, but it is a shame for two to
+fight with one." So he bade Sir Gaheris stand by, and he and Sir
+Tristram fought long together; but in the end Sir Tristram drave him
+backward, whereat Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan with one accord sundered
+them. Then Sir Tristram prayed the two knights to lodge there; but
+Dinadan departed and rode away into a priory hard by, and there he
+lodged that night.</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow came Sir Tristram to the priory to find him, and
+seeing him so weary that he could not ride, he left him, and departed.
+At that same priory was lodged Sir Pellinore, who asked Sir Dinadan Sir
+Tristram's name, but could not learn it, for Sir Tristram had charged
+that he should remain unknown. Then said Sir Pellinore, "Since ye will
+not tell it me, I will ride after him and find it myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Beware, Sir knight," said Sir Dinadan, "ye will repent it if ye follow
+him."</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Pellinore straightway mounted and overtook him, and cried to him
+to joust; whereat Sir Tristram forthwith turned and smote him down; and
+wounded him full sorely in the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>On the day after, Sir Tristram met a herald, who told him of a
+tournament proclaimed between King Carados of Scotland, and the King of
+North Wales, to be held at the Maiden's Castle. Now King Carados sought
+Sir Lancelot to fight there on his side, and the King of North Wales
+sought Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram purposed to be there. So as he
+rode, he met Sir Key, the seneschal, and Sir Sagramour, and Sir Key
+proffered to joust with him. But he refused, desiring to keep himself
+unwearied for the tourney. Then Sir Key cried, "Sir knight of Cornwall,
+joust with me, or yield as recreant." When Sir Tristram heard that, he
+fiercely turned and set his spear in rest, and spurred his horse towards
+him. But when Sir Key saw him so madly coming on, he in his turn
+refused, whereat Sir Tristram called him coward, till for shame he was
+compelled to meet him. Then Sir Tristram lightly smote him down, and
+rode away. But Sir Sagramour pursued him, crying loudly to joust with
+him also. So Sir Tristram turned and quickly overthrew him likewise, and
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>Anon a damsel met him as he rode, and told him of a knight adventurous
+who did great harm thereby, and prayed him for his help. But as he went
+with her he met Sir Gawain, who knew the damsel for a maiden of Queen
+Morgan le Fay. Knowing, therefore, that she needs must have evil plots
+against Sir Tristram, Sir Gawain demanded of him courteously whither he
+went.</p>
+
+<p>"I know not whither," said he, "save as this damsel leadeth me."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "ye shall not ride with her, for she and her
+lady never yet did good to any;" and, drawing his sword, he said to the
+damsel, "Tell me now straightway for what cause thou leadest this
+knight, or else shalt thou die; for I know of old thy lady's treason."</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy, Sir Gawain," cried the damsel, "and I will tell thee all." Then
+she told him that Queen Morgan had ordained thirty fair damsels to seek
+out Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram, and by their wiles persuade them to
+her castle, where she had thirty knights in wait to slay them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh shame!" cried Sir Gawain, "that ever such foul treason should be
+wrought by a queen, and a king's sister." Then said he to Sir Tristram,
+"Sir knight, if ye will stand with me, we will together prove the malice
+of these thirty knights."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not fail you," answered he, "for but few days since I had to do
+with thirty knights of that same queen, and trust we may win honor as
+lightly now as then."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode together, and when they came to the castle, Sir Gawain
+cried aloud, "Queen Morgan le Fay, send out thy knights that we may
+fight with them."</p>
+
+<p>Then the queen urged her knights to issue forth, but they durst not, for
+they well knew Sir Tristram, and feared him greatly.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain went on their way, and as they rode they
+saw a knight, named Sir Brewse-without-pity, chasing a lady, with intent
+to slay her. Then Sir Gawain prayed Sir Tristram to hold still and let
+him assail that knight. So he rode up between Sir Brewse and the lady,
+and cried, "False knight, turn thee to me and leave that lady." Then Sir
+Brewse turned and set his spear in rest, and rushed against Sir Gawain
+and overthrew him, and rode his horse upon him as he lay, which when Sir
+Tristram saw, he cried, "Forbear that villainy," and galloped at him.
+But when Sir Brewse saw by the shield it was Sir Tristram, he turned and
+fled. And though Sir Tristram followed swiftly after him, yet he was so
+well horsed that he escaped.</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain came nigh the Maiden's Castle, and
+there an old knight named Sir Pellonnes gave them lodging. And Sir
+Persides, the son of Sir Pellonnes, a good knight, came out to welcome
+them. And, as they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw
+a goodly knight ride by on a black horse, and carrying a black shield.
+"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the best knights in all the world," said Sir Persides.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he Sir Lancelot?" said Sir Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," answered Sir Persides, "it is Sir Palomedes, who is yet
+unchristened."</p>
+
+<p>Within a while one came and told them that a knight with a black shield
+had smitten down thirteen knights. "Let us go and see this jousting,"
+said Sir Tristram. So they armed themselves and went down. And when Sir
+Palomedes saw Sir Persides, he sent a squire to him and proffered him to
+joust. So they jousted, and Sir Persides was overthrown. Then Sir
+Tristram made ready to joust, but ere he had his spear in rest, Sir
+Palomedes took him at advantage, and struck him on the shield so that he
+fell. At that Sir Tristram was wroth out of measure and sore ashamed,
+wherefore he sent a squire and prayed Sir Palomedes to joust once again.
+But he would not, saying, "Tell thy master to revenge himself to-morrow
+at the Maiden's Castle, where he shall see me again."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow Sir Tristram commanded his servant to give him a black
+shield with no cognizance thereon, and he and Sir Persides rode into the
+tournament and joined King Carados' side.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights of the King of North Wales came forth, and there was a
+great fighting and breaking of spears, and overthrow of men and horses.</p>
+
+<p>Now King Arthur sat above in a high gallery to see the tourney and give
+the judgment, and Sir Lancelot sat beside him. Then came against Sir
+Tristram and Sir Persides, two knights with them of North Wales, Sir
+Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris; and Sir Persides was smitten down and nigh
+slain, for four horsemen rode over him. But Sir Tristram rode against
+Sir Gaheris and smote him from his horse, and when Sir Bleoberis next
+encountered him, he overthrew him also. Anon they horsed themselves
+again, and with them came Sir Dinadan, whom Sir Tristram forthwith smote
+so sorely, that he reeled off his saddle. Then cried he, "Ah! Sir
+knight, I know ye better than ye deem, and promise nevermore to come
+against ye." Then rode Sir Bleoberis at him the second time, and had a
+buffet that felled him to the earth. And soon thereafter the king
+commanded to cease for that day, and all men marveled who Sir Tristram
+was, for the prize of the first day was given him in the name of the
+Knight of the Black Shield.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Palomedes was on the side of the King of North Wales, but knew
+not Sir Tristram again. And, when he saw his marvelous deeds, he sent to
+ask his name. "As to that," said Sir Tristram, "he shall not know at
+this time, but tell him he shall know when I have broken two spears upon
+him, for I am the knight he smote down yesterday, and whatever side he
+taketh, I will take the other."</p>
+
+<p>So when they told him that Sir Palomedes would be on King Carados'
+side&mdash;for he was kindred to King Arthur&mdash;"Then will I be on the King of
+North Wales' side," said he, "but else would I be on my lord King
+Arthur's."</p>
+
+<p>Then on the morrow, when King Arthur was come, the heralds blew unto the
+tourney. And King Carados jousted with the King of a Hundred Knights and
+fell before him, and then came in King Arthur's knights and bare back
+those of North Wales. But anon Sir Tristram came to aid them and bare
+back the battle, and fought so mightily that none could stand against
+him, for he smote down on the right and on the left, so that all the
+knights and common people shouted his praise.</p>
+
+<p>"Since I bare arms," said King Arthur, "never saw I a knight do more
+marvelous deeds."</p>
+
+<p>Then the King of the Hundred Knights and those of North Wales set upon
+twenty knights who were of Sir Lancelot's kin, who fought all together,
+none failing the others. When Sir Tristram beheld their nobleness and
+valor, he marveled much. "Well may he be valiant and full of prowess,"
+said he, "who hath such noble knights for kindred." So, when he had
+looked on them awhile, he thought it shame to see two hundred men
+assailing twenty, and riding to the King of a Hundred Knights, he said,
+"I pray thee, Sir king, leave your fighting with those twenty knights,
+for ye be too many and they be too few. For ye shall gain no honor if ye
+win, and that I see verily ye will not do unless ye slay them; but if ye
+will not stay, I will ride with them and help them."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the king, "ye shall not do so; for full gladly I will do
+your courtesy," and with that he withdrew his knights.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Tristram rode his way into the forest, that no man might know
+him. And King Arthur caused the heralds to blow that the tourney should
+end that day, and he gave the King of North Wales the prize, because Sir
+Tristram was on his side. And in all the field there was such a cry that
+the sound thereof was heard two miles away&mdash;"The knight with the black
+shield hath won the field."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said King Arthur, "where is that knight? it is shame to let him
+thus escape us." Then he comforted his knights, and said, "Be not
+dismayed, my friends, howbeit ye have lost the day; be of good cheer;
+to-morrow I myself will be in the field, and fare with you." So they all
+rested that night.</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow the heralds blew unto the field. So the King of North
+Wales and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered with King Carados
+and the King of Ireland, and overthrew them. With that came King Arthur,
+and did mighty deeds of arms, and overthrew the King of North Wales and
+his fellows, and put twenty valiant knights to the worse. Anon came in
+Sir Palomedes, and made great fight upon King Arthur's side. But Sir
+Tristram rode furiously against him, and Sir Palomedes was thrown from
+his horse. Then cried King Arthur, "Knight of the Black Shield, keep
+thyself." And as he spake he came upon him, and smote him from his
+saddle to the ground, and so passed on to other knights. Then Sir
+Palomedes having now another horse rushed at Sir Tristram, as he was on
+foot, thinking to run over him. But he was aware of him, and stepped
+aside, and grasped Sir Palomedes by the arms, and pulled him off his
+horse. Then they rushed together with their swords, and many stood still
+to gaze on them. And Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomedes with three mighty
+strokes upon the helm, crying at each stroke, "Take this for Sir
+Tristram's sake," and with that Sir Palomedes fell to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the King of North Wales brought Sir Tristram another horse, and Sir
+Palomedes found one also. Then did they joust again with passing rage,
+for both by now were like mad lions. But Sir Tristram avoided his spear,
+and seized Sir Palomedes by the neck, and pulled him from his saddle,
+and bore him onward ten spears' length, and so let him fall. Then King
+Arthur drew forth his sword and smote the spear asunder, and gave Sir
+Tristram two or three sore strokes ere he could get at his own sword.
+But when he had it in his hand he mightily assailed the king. With that
+eleven knights of Lancelot's kin went forth against him, but he smote
+them all down to the earth, so that men marveled at his deeds.</p>
+
+<p>And the cry was now so great that Sir Lancelot got a spear in his hand,
+and came down to assay Sir Tristram, saying, "Knight with the black
+shield, make ready." When Sir Tristram heard him he leveled his spear,
+and both stooping their heads, they ran together mightily, as it had
+been thunder. And Sir Tristram's spear brake short, but Sir Lancelot
+struck him with a deep wound in the side and broke his spear, yet
+overthrew him not. Therewith Sir Tristram, smarting at his wound, drew
+forth his sword, and rushing at Sir Lancelot, gave him mighty strokes
+upon the helm, so that the sparks flew from it, and Sir Lancelot stooped
+his head down to the saddle-bow. But then Sir Tristram turned and left
+the field, for he felt his wound so grievous that he deemed he should
+soon die. Then did Sir Lancelot hold the field against all comers, and
+put the King of North Wales and his party to the worse. And because he
+was the last knight in the field the prize was given him.</p>
+
+<p>But he refused to take it, and when the cry was raised, "Sir Lancelot
+hath won the day," he cried out, "Nay, but Sir Tristram is the victor,
+for he first began and last endured, and so hath he done each day." And
+all men honored Lancelot more for his knightly words than if he had
+taken the prize.</p>
+
+<p>This was the tournament ended, and King Arthur departed to Caerleon, for
+the Whitsun feast was now nigh come, and all the knights adventurous
+went their ways. And many sought Sir Tristram in the forest whither he
+had gone, and at last Sir Lancelot found him, and brought him to King
+Arthur's court, as hath been told already.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="SIR_GALAHAD_AND_THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAIL" id="SIR_GALAHAD_AND_THE_QUEST_OF_THE_HOLY_GRAIL"></a>SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL</h3>
+
+
+<p>After these things Merlin fell into a dotage of love for a damsel of the
+lady of the lake, and would let her have no rest, but followed her in
+every place. And ever she encouraged him, and made him welcome till she
+had learned all his crafts that she desired to know.</p>
+
+<p>Then upon a time she went with him beyond the sea to the land of
+Benwicke, and as they went he showed her many wonders, till at length
+she was afraid, and would fain have been delivered from him.</p>
+
+<p>And as they were in the forest of Broceliande, they sat together under
+an oak-tree, and the damsel prayed to see all that charm whereby men
+might be shut up yet alive in rocks or trees. But he refused her a long
+time, fearing to let her know, yet in the end, her prayers and kisses
+overcame him, and he told her all. Then did she make him great cheer,
+but anon, as he lay down to sleep, she softly rose, and walked about him
+waving her hands and muttering the charm, and presently enclosed him
+fast within the tree whereby he slept. And therefrom nevermore he could
+by any means come out for all the crafts that he could do. And so she
+departed and left Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>At the vigil of the next Feast of Pentecost, when all the Knights of the
+Round Table were met together at Camelot, and had heard mass, and were
+about to sit down to meat, there rode into the hall a fair lady on
+horseback, who went straight up to King Arthur where he sat upon his
+throne, and reverently saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"God be with thee, fair damsel," quoth the king; "what desirest thou of
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I pray thee tell me, lord," she answered, "where Sir Lancelot is."</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder may ye see him," said King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Then went she to Sir Lancelot and said, "Sir, I salute thee in King
+Pelles' name, and require thee to come with me into the forest hereby."</p>
+
+<p>Then asked he her with whom she dwelt, and what she wished of him.</p>
+
+<p>"I dwell with King Pelles," said she, "whom Balin erst so sorely wounded
+when he smote the dolorous stroke. It is he who hath sent me to call
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go with thee gladly," said Sir Lancelot, and bade his squire
+straightway saddle his horse and bring his armor.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the queen to him and said, "Sir Lancelot, will ye leave me
+thus at this high feast?"</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," replied the damsel, "by dinner-time to-morrow he shall be with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"If I thought not," said the queen, "he should not go with thee by my
+goodwill."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot and the lady rode forth till they came to the forest,
+and in a valley thereof found an abbey of nuns, whereby a squire stood
+ready to open the gates. When they had entered, and descended from their
+horses, a joyful crowd pressed round Sir Lancelot and heartily saluted
+him, and led him to the abbess's chamber, and unarmed him. Anon he saw
+his cousins likewise there, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who also made great
+joy at seeing him, and said, "By what adventure art thou here, for we
+thought to have seen thee at Camelot to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"A damsel brought me here," said he, "but as yet I know not for what
+service."</p>
+
+<p>As they thus talked twelve nuns came in, who brought with them a youth
+so passing fair and well made, that in all the world his match could not
+be found. His name was Galahad, and though he knew him not, nor Lancelot
+him, Sir Lancelot was his father.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the nuns, "we bring thee here this child whom we have
+nourished from his youth, and pray thee to make him a knight, for from
+no worthier hand can he receive that order."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot, looking on the youth, saw that he was seemly and
+demure as a dove, with every feature good and noble, and thought he
+never had beheld a better fashioned man of his years. "Cometh this
+desire from himself?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," answered Galahad and all the nuns.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow, then, in reverence for the feast, he shall have his wish,"
+said Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>And the next day at the hour of prime, he knighted him, and said, "God
+make of thee as good a man as He hath made thee beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>Then with Sir Lionel and Sir Bors he returned to the court, and found
+all gone to the minster to hear service. When they came into the
+banquet-hall each knight and baron found his name written in some seat
+in letters of gold, as "here ought to sit Sir Lionel," "here ought to
+sit Sir Gawain,"&mdash;and so forth. And in the Perilous Seat, at the high
+center of the table, a name was also written, whereat they marveled
+greatly, for no living man had ever yet dared sit upon that seat, save
+one, and him a flame leaped forth and drew down under earth, so that he
+was no more seen.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Sir Lancelot and read the letters in that seat, and said, "My
+counsel is that this inscription be now covered up until the knight be
+come who shall achieve this great adventure." So they made a veil of
+silk and put it over the letters.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile came Sir Gawain to the court and told the king he had a
+message to him from beyond the sea, from Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>"For," said he, "as I rode through the forest of Broceliande but five
+days since, I heard the voice of Merlin speaking to me from the midst of
+an oak-tree, whereat, in great amazement, I besought him to come forth.
+But he, with many groans, replied he never more might do so, for that
+none could free him, save the damsel of the Lake, who had enclosed him
+there by his own spells which he had taught her. 'But go,' said he, 'to
+King Arthur, and tell him, that he now prepare his knights and all his
+Table Round to seek the Sangreal, for the time is come when it shall be
+achieved.'"</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Gawain had spoken thus, King Arthur sat pensive in spirit, and
+mused deeply of the Holy Grail and what saintly knight should come who
+might achieve it.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he bade them hasten to set on the banquet. "Sir," said Sir Key, the
+seneschal, "if we go now to meat ye will break the ancient custom of
+your court, for never have ye dined at this high feast till ye have seen
+some strange adventure."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest truly," said the king, "but my mind was full of wonders and
+musings, till I bethought me not of mine old custom."</p>
+
+<p>As they stood speaking thus, a squire ran in and cried, "Lord, I bring
+thee marvelous tidings."</p>
+
+<p>"What be they?" said King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord," said he, "hereby at the river is a marvelous great stone, which
+I myself saw swim down hither-wards upon the water, and in it there is
+set a sword, and ever the stone heaveth and swayeth on the water, but
+floateth down no further with the stream."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go and see it," said the king. So all the knights went with him,
+and when they came to the river, there surely found they a mighty stone
+of red marble floating on the water, as the squire had said, and
+therein stuck a fair and rich sword, on the pommel whereof were precious
+stones wrought skillfully with gold into these words: "No man shall take
+me hence but he by whose side I should hang, and he shall be the best
+knight in the world."</p>
+
+<p>When the king read this, he turned round to Sir Lancelot, and said,
+"Fair sir, this sword ought surely to be thine, for thou art the best
+knight in all the world."</p>
+
+<p>But Lancelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not for me; nor
+will I have the hardihood to set my hand upon it. For he that toucheth
+it and faileth to achieve it shall one day be wounded by it mortally.
+But I doubt not, lord, this day will show the greatest marvels that we
+yet have seen, for now the time is fully come, as Merlin hath forewarned
+us, when all the prophecies about the Sangreal shall be fulfilled."</p>
+
+<p>Then stepped Sir Gawain forward and pulled at the sword, but could not
+move it, and after him Sir Percival, to keep him fellowship in any peril
+he might suffer. But no other knight durst be so hardy as to try.</p>
+
+<p>"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Key, "for a marvelous adventure
+ye have had."</p>
+
+<p>So all returned from the river, and every knight sat down in his own
+place, and the high feast and banquet then was sumptuously begun, and
+all the hall was full of laughter and loud talk and jests, and running
+to and fro of squires who served their knights, and noise of jollity and
+mirth.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly befell a wondrous thing, for all the doors and windows of
+the hall shut violently of themselves, and made thick darkness; and
+presently there came a fair and gentle light from out the Perilous Seat,
+and filled the palace with its beams. Then a dead silence fell on all
+the knights, and each man anxiously beheld his neighbor.</p>
+
+<p>But King Arthur rose and said, "Lords and fair knights, have ye no fear,
+but rejoice; we have seen strange things to-day, but stranger yet
+remain. For now I know we shall to-day see him who may sit in the Siege
+Perilous, and shall achieve the Sangreal. For as ye all well know, that
+holy vessel, wherefrom at the Supper of our Lord before His death He
+drank the wine with His disciples, hath been held ever since the holiest
+treasure of the world, and wheresoever it hath rested peace and
+prosperity have rested with it on the land. But since the dolorous
+stroke which Balin gave King Pelles none have seen it, for Heaven, wroth
+with that presumptuous blow, hath hid it none know where. Yet somewhere
+in the world it still may be, and may be it is left to us, and to this
+noble order of the Table Round, to find and bring it home, and make of
+this our realm the happiest in the earth. Many great quests and perilous
+adventures have ye all taken and achieved, but this high quest he only
+shall attain who hath clean hands and a pure heart, and valor and
+hardihood beyond all other men."</p>
+
+<p>While the king spoke there came in softly an old man robed all in white,
+leading with him a young knight clad in red from top to toe, but without
+armor or shield, and having by his side an empty scabbard.</p>
+
+<p>The old man went up to the king, and said, "Lord, here I bring thee this
+young knight of royal lineage, and of the blood of Joseph of Arimathea,
+by whom the marvels of thy court shall fully be accomplished."</p>
+
+<p>The king was right glad at his words, and said, "Sir, ye be right
+heartily welcome, and the young knight also."</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man put on Sir Galahad (for it was he) a crimson robe
+trimmed with fine ermine, and took him by the hand and led him to the
+Perilous Seat, and lifting up the silken cloth which hung upon it, read
+these words written in gold letters, "This is the seat of Sir Galahad,
+the good knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the old man, "this place is thine."</p>
+
+<p>Then sat Sir Galahad down firmly and surely, and said to the old man,
+"Sir, ye may now go your way, for ye have done well and truly all ye
+were commanded, and commend me to my grandsire, King Pelles, and say
+that I shall see him soon." So the old man departed with a retinue of
+twenty noble squires.</p>
+
+<p>But all the knights of the Round Table marveled at Sir Galahad, and at
+his tender age, and at his sitting there so surely in the Perilous Seat.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king led Sir Galahad forth from the palace, to show him the
+adventure of the floating stone. "Here," said he, "is as great a marvel
+as I ever saw, and right good knights have tried and failed to gain that
+sword."</p>
+
+<p>"I marvel not thereat," said Galahad, "for this adventure is not theirs,
+but mine; and for the certainty I had thereof, I brought no sword with
+me, as thou mayst see here by this empty scabbard."</p>
+
+<p>Anon he laid his hand upon the sword, and lightly drew it from the
+stone, and put it in his sheath, and said, "This sword was that
+enchanted one which erst belonged to the good knight, Sir Balin,
+wherewith he slew through piteous mistake his brother Balan; who also
+slew him at the same time: all which great woe befell him through the
+dolorous stroke he gave my grandsire, King Pelles, the wound whereof is
+not yet whole, nor shall be till I heal him."</p>
+
+<p>As he stood speaking thus, they saw a lady riding swiftly down the
+river's bank towards them, on a white palfrey, who, saluting the king
+and queen, said, "Lord king, Nacien the hermit sendeth thee word that to
+thee shall come to-day the greatest honor and worship that hath yet ever
+befallen a king of Britain; for this day shall the Sangreal appear in
+thy house."</p>
+
+<p>With that the damsel took her leave, and departed the same way she came.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said the king, "I know that from to-day the quest of the Sangreal
+shall begin, and all ye of the Round Table will be scattered so that
+nevermore shall I see ye again together as ye are now; let me then see a
+joust and tournament amongst ye for the last time before ye go."</p>
+
+<p>So they all took their harness and met together in the meadows by
+Camelot, and the queen and all her ladies sat in a tower to see.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad, at the prayer of the king and queen, put on a coat of
+light armor, and a helmet, but shield he would take none, and grasping a
+lance, he drove into the middle of the press of knights, and began to
+break spears marvelously, so that all men were full of wonder. And in so
+short a time he had surmounted and exceeded the rest, save Sir Lancelot
+and Sir Percival, that he took the chief worship of the field.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king and all the court and fellowship of knights went back to
+the palace, and so to evensong in the great minster, a royal and goodly
+company, and after that sat down to supper in the hall, every knight in
+his own seat, as they had been before.</p>
+
+<p>Anon suddenly burst overhead the cracking and crying of great peals of
+thunder, till the palace walls were shaken sorely, and they thought to
+see them riven all to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>And in the midst of the blast there entered in a sunbeam, clearer by
+seven times than ever they saw day, and a marvelous great glory fell
+upon them all. Then each knight, looking on his neighbor, found his face
+fairer than he had ever seen, and so&mdash;all standing on their feet&mdash;they
+gazed as dumb men on each other, not knowing what to say.</p>
+
+<p>Then entered into the hall the Sangreal, borne aloft without hands
+through the midst of the sunbeam, and covered with white samite, so that
+none might see it. And all the hall was filled with perfume and incense,
+and every knight was fed with the food he best loved. And when the holy
+vessel had been thus borne through the hall, it suddenly departed, no
+man saw whither.</p>
+
+<p>When they recovered breath to speak, King Arthur first rose up, and
+yielded thanks to God and to our Lord.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain sprang up and said, "Now have we all been fed by miracle
+with whatsoever food we thought of or desired; but with our eyes we have
+not seen the blessed vessel whence it came, so carefully and preciously
+it was concealed. Therefore, I make a vow, that from to-morrow I shall
+labor twelve months and a day in quest of the Sangreal, and longer if
+need be; nor will I come again into this court until mine eyes have seen
+it evidently."</p>
+
+<p>When he had spoken thus, knight after knight rose up and vowed himself
+to the same quest, till the most part of the Round Table had thus sworn.</p>
+
+<p>But when King Arthur heard them all, he could not refrain his eyes from
+tears, and said, "Sir Gawain, Sir Gawain, thou hast set me in great
+sorrow, for I fear me my true fellowship shall never meet together here
+again; and surely never Christian king had such a company of worthy
+knights around his table at one time."</p>
+
+<p>And when the queen and her ladies and gentlewomen heard the vows, they
+had such grief and sorrow as no tongue could tell; and Queen Guinevere
+cried out, "I marvel that my lord will suffer them to depart from him."
+And many of the ladies who loved knights would have gone with them, but
+were forbidden by the hermit Nacien, who sent this message to all who
+had sworn themselves to the quest: "Take with ye no lady nor
+gentlewoman, for into so high a service as ye go in, no thought but of
+our Lord and heaven may enter."</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow morning all the knights rose early, and when they were
+fully armed, save shields and helms, they went in with the king and
+queen to service in the minster. Then the king counted all who had taken
+the adventure on themselves, and found them a hundred and fifty knights
+of the Round Table; and so they all put on their helms, and rode away
+together in the midst of cries and lamentations from the court, and from
+the ladies, and from all the town.</p>
+
+<p>But the queen went alone to her chamber, that no man might see her
+sorrow; and Sir Lancelot followed her to say farewell.</p>
+
+<p>When she saw him she cried out, "Oh, Sir Lancelot, thou hast betrayed
+me; thou hast put me to death thus to depart and leave my lord the
+king."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, madam," said he, "be not displeased or angry, for I shall come
+again as soon as I can with honor."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said she, "that ever I saw thee; but He that suffered death upon
+the cross for all mankind be to thee safety and good conduct, and to all
+thy company."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot saluted her and the king, and went forth with the
+rest, and came with them that night to Castle Vagon, where they abode,
+and on the morrow they departed from each other on their separate ways,
+every knight taking the way that pleased him best.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Galahad went forth without a shield, and rode so four days
+without adventure; and on the fourth day, after evensong, he came to an
+abbey of white monks, where he was received in the house, and led into a
+chamber. And there he was unarmed, and met two knights of the Round
+Table, King Bagdemagus, and Sir Uwaine.</p>
+
+<p>"Sirs," said Sir Galahad, "what adventure hath brought ye here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Within this place, as we are told," they answered, "there is a shield
+no man may bear around his neck without receiving sore mischance, or
+death within three days."</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow," said King Bagdemagus, "I shall attempt the adventure; and
+if I fail, do thou, Sir Galahad, take it up after me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will willingly," said he; "for as ye see I have no shield as yet."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow they arose and heard mass, and afterwards King
+Bagdemagus asked where the shield was kept. Then a monk led him behind
+the altar, where the shield hung, as white as any snow, and with a
+blood-red cross in the midst of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the monk, "this shield should hang from no knight's neck
+unless he be the worthiest in the world. I warn ye, therefore, knights;
+consider well before ye dare to touch it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said King Bagdemagus, "I know well that I am far from the best
+knight in all the world, yet shall I make the trial"; and so he took the
+shield, and bore it from the monastery.</p>
+
+<p>"If it please thee," said he to Sir Galahad, "abide here till thou
+hearest how I speed."</p>
+
+<p>"I will abide thee," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Then taking with him a squire who might return with any tidings to Sir
+Galahad, the king rode forth; and before he had gone two miles, he saw
+in a fair valley a hermitage, and a knight who came forth dressed in
+white armor, horse and all, who rode fast against him. When they
+encountered, Bagdemagus brake his spear upon the White Knight's shield,
+but was himself struck through the shoulder with a sore wound, and
+hurled down from his horse. Then the White Knight alighting, came and
+took the white shield from the king, and said, "Thou hast done great
+folly, for this shield ought never to be borne but by one who hath no
+living peer." And turning to the squire, he said, "Bear thou this shield
+to the good knight, Sir Galahad, and greet him well from me."</p>
+
+<p>"In whose name shall I greet him?" said the squire.</p>
+
+<p>"Take thou no heed of that," he answered; "it is not for thee or any
+earthly man to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Now tell me, fair sir, at the least," said the squire, "why may this
+shield be never borne except its wearer come to injury or death?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it shall belong to no man save its rightful owner, Galahad,"
+replied the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then the squire went to his master, and found him wounded nigh to
+death, wherefore he fetched his horse, and bore him back with him to the
+abbey. And there they laid him in a bed, and looked to his wounds; and
+when he had lain many days grievously sick, he at the last barely
+escaped with his life.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Galahad," said the squire, "the knight who overthrew King
+Bagdemagus sent you greeting, and bade you bear this shield."</p>
+
+<p>"Now blessed be God and fortune," said Sir Galahad, and hung the shield
+about his neck, and armed him, and rode forth.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he met the White Knight by the hermitage, and each saluted
+courteously the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "this shield I bear hath surely a full
+marvelous history."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou sayest rightly," answered he. "That shield was made in the days of
+Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight who took our Lord down from the
+cross. He, when he left Jerusalem with his kindred, came to the country
+of King Evelake, who warred continually with one Tollome; and when, by
+the teaching of Joseph, King Evelake became a Christian, this shield was
+made for him in our Lord's name; and through its aid King Tollome was
+defeated. For when King Evelake met him next in battle, he hid it in a
+veil, and suddenly uncovering it, he showed his enemies the figure of a
+bleeding man nailed to a cross, at sight of which they were discomfited
+and fled. Presently after that, a man whose hand was smitten off touched
+the cross upon the shield, and had his hand restored to him; and many
+other miracles it worked. But suddenly the cross that was upon it
+vanished away. Anon both Joseph and King Evelake came to Britain, and by
+the preaching of Joseph the people were made Christians. And when at
+length he lay upon his death-bed, King Evelake begged of him some token
+ere he died. Then, calling for his shield, he dipped his finger in his
+own blood, for he was bleeding fast, and none could staunch the wound,
+and marked that cross upon it, saying, 'This cross shall ever show as
+bright as now, and the last of my lineage shall wear this shield about
+his neck, and go forth to all the marvelous deeds he will achieve.'"</p>
+
+<p>When the White Knight had thus spoken he vanished suddenly away, and Sir
+Galahad returned to the abbey.</p>
+
+<p>As he alighted, came a monk, and prayed him to go see a tomb in the
+churchyard, wherefrom came such a great and hideous noise, that none
+could hear it but they went nigh mad, or lost all strength. "And, sir,"
+said he, "I deem it is a fiend."</p>
+
+<p>"Lead me thither," said Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+<p>When they were come near the place, "Now," said the monk, "go thou to
+the tomb, and lift it up."</p>
+
+<p>And Galahad, nothing afraid, quickly lifted up the stone, and forthwith
+came out a foul smoke, and from the midst thereof leaped up the
+loathliest figure that ever he had seen in the likeness of man; and
+Galahad blessed himself, for he knew it was a fiend of hell. Then he
+heard a voice crying out, "Oh, Galahad, I cannot tear thee as I would; I
+see so many angels round thee, that I may not come at thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then the fiend suddenly disappeared with a marvelous great cry; and Sir
+Galahad, looking in the tomb, saw there a body all armed, with a sword
+beside it. "Now, fair brother," said he to the monk, "let us remove this
+cursed body, which is not fit to lie in a churchyard, for when it lived,
+a false and perjured Christian man dwelt in it. Cast it away, and there
+shall come no more hideous noises from the tomb."</p>
+
+<p>"And now must I depart," he added, "for I have much in hand, and am upon
+the holy quest of the Sangreal, with many more good knights."</p>
+
+<p>So he took his leave, and rode many journeys backwards and forwards as
+adventure would lead him; and at last one day he departed from a castle
+without first hearing mass, which was it ever his custom to hear before
+he left his lodging. Anon he found a ruined chapel on a mountain, and
+went in and kneeled before the altar, and prayed for wholesome counsel
+what to do; and as he prayed he heard a voice, which said, "Depart,
+adventurous knight, unto the Maiden's Castle, and redress the violence
+and wrongs there done!"</p>
+
+<p>Hearing these words he cheerfully arose, and mounted his horse, and rode
+but half a mile, when he saw before him a strong castle, with deep
+ditches round it, and a fair river running past. And seeing an old churl
+hard by, he asked him what men called that castle.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," said he, "it is the Maiden's Castle."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a cursed place," said Galahad, "and all its masters are but
+felons, full of mischief and hardness and shame."</p>
+
+<p>"For that good reason," said the old man, "thou wert well-advised to
+turn thee back."</p>
+
+<p>"For that same reason," quoth Sir Galahad, "will I the more certainly
+ride on."</p>
+
+<p>Then, looking at his armor carefully, to see that nothing failed him, he
+went forward, and presently there met him seven damsels, who cried out,
+"Sir knight, thou ridest in great peril, for thou hast two waters to
+pass over."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not pass over them?" said he, and rode straight on.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he met a squire, who said, "Sir knight, the masters of this castle
+defy thee, and bid thee go no further, till thou showest them thy
+business here."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair fellow," said Sir Galahad, "I am come here to destroy their wicked
+customs."</p>
+
+<p>"If that be thy purpose," answered he, "thou wilt have much to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Go thou," said Galahad, "and hasten with my message."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes after rode forth furiously from the gateways of the
+castle seven knights, all brothers, and crying out, "Knight, keep thee,"
+bore down all at once upon Sir Galahad. But thrusting forth his spear,
+he smote the foremost to the earth, so that his neck was almost broken,
+and warded with his shield the spears of all the others, which every one
+brake off from it, and shivered into pieces. Then he drew out his sword,
+and set upon them hard and fiercely, and by his wondrous force drave
+them before him, and chased them to the castle gate, and there he slew
+them.</p>
+
+<p>At that came out to him an ancient man, in priest's vestments, saying,
+"Behold, sir, here, the keys of this castle."</p>
+
+<p>Then he unlocked the gates, and found within a multitude of people, who
+cried out, "Sir knight, ye be welcome, for long have we waited thy
+deliverance," and told him that the seven felons he had slain had long
+enslaved the people round about, and killed all knights who passed that
+way, because the maiden whom they had robbed of the castle had foretold
+that by one knight they should themselves be overthrown.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the maiden?" asked Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+<p>"She lingereth below in a dungeon," said they.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Galahad went down and released her, and restored her her
+inheritance; and when he had summoned the barons of the country to do
+her homage, he took his leave, and departed.</p>
+
+<p>Presently thereafter, as he rode, he entered a great forest, and in a
+glade thereof met two knights, disguised, who proffered him to joust.
+These were Sir Lancelot, his father, and Sir Percival, but neither knew
+the other. So he and Sir Lancelot encountered first, and Sir Galahad
+smote down his father. Then drawing his sword, for his spear was broken,
+he fought with Sir Percival, and struck so mightily that he clave Sir
+Percival's helm, and smote him from his horse.</p>
+
+<p>Now hard by where they fought there was a hermitage, where dwelt a pious
+woman, a recluse, who, when she heard the sound, came forth, and seeing
+Sir Galahad ride, she cried, "God be with thee, the best knight in the
+world; had yonder knights known thee as well as I do, they would not
+have encountered with thee."</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Galahad heard that, fearing to be made known, he forthwith
+smote his horse with his spurs, and departed at a great pace.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival heard her words also, and rode fast after
+him, but within a while he was out of their sight. Then Sir Percival
+rode back to ask his name of the recluse; but Sir Lancelot went forward
+on his quest, and following any path his horse would take, he came
+by-and-by after nightfall to a stone cross hard by an ancient chapel.
+When he had alighted and tied his horse up to a tree, he went and looked
+in through the chapel door, which was all ruinous and wasted, and there
+within he saw an altar, richly decked with silk, whereon there stood a
+fair candlestick of silver, bearing six great lights. And when Sir
+Lancelot saw the light, he tried to get within the chapel, but could
+find no place. So, being passing weary and heavy, he came again to his
+horse, and when he had unsaddled him, and set him free to pasture, he
+unlaced his helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid him down to sleep
+upon his shield before the cross.</p>
+
+<p>And while he lay between waking and sleeping, he saw come by him two
+white palfreys bearing a litter, wherein a sick knight lay, and the
+palfreys stood still by the cross. Then Sir Lancelot heard the sick man
+say, "O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and the holy
+vessel pass by me, wherethrough I shall be blessed? for I have long
+endured."</p>
+
+<p>With that Sir Lancelot saw the chapel open, and the candlestick with the
+six tapers come before the cross, but he could see none who bare it.
+Then came there also a table of silver, and thereon the holy vessel of
+the Sangreal. And when the sick knight saw that, he sat up, and lifting
+both his hands, said, "Fair Lord, sweet Lord, who art here within this
+holy vessel, have mercy on me, that I may be whole"; and therewith he
+crept upon his hands and knees so nigh, that he might touch the vessel;
+and when he had kissed it, he leaped up, and stood and cried aloud,
+"Lord God, I thank Thee, for I am made whole." Then the Holy Grail
+departed with the table and the silver candlestick into the chapel, so
+that Sir Lancelot saw it no more, nor for his sins' sake could he follow
+it. And the knight who was healed went on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot awake, and marveled whether he had seen aught but a
+dream. And as he marveled, he heard a voice saying, "Sir Lancelot, thou
+art unworthy, go thou hence, and withdraw thee from this holy place."
+And when he heard that, he was passing heavy, for he bethought him of
+his sins.</p>
+
+<p>So he departed weeping, and cursed the day of his birth, for the words
+went into his heart, and he knew wherefore he was thus driven forth.
+Then he went to seek his arms and horse, but could not find them; and
+then he called himself the wretchedest and most unhappy of all knights,
+and said, "My sin hath brought me unto great dishonor: for when I
+sought earthly honors, I achieved them ever; but now I take upon me holy
+things, my guilt doth hinder me, and shameth me; therefore had I no
+power to stir or speak when the holy blood appeared before me."</p>
+
+<p>So thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing; then
+was he somewhat comforted, and departing from the cross on foot, he came
+into a wild forest, and to a high mountain, and there he found a
+hermitage; and, kneeling before the hermit down upon both his knees, he
+cried for mercy for his wicked works, and prayed him to hear his
+confession. But when he told his name, the hermit marveled to see him in
+so sore a case, and said, "Sir, ye ought to thank God more than any
+knight living, for He hath given thee more honor than any; yet for thy
+presumption, while in deadly sin to come into the presence of His flesh
+and blood, He suffered thee neither to see nor follow it. Wherefore,
+believe that all thy strength and manhood will avail thee little, when
+God is against thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot wept and said, "Now know I well ye tell me truth."</p>
+
+<p>Then he confessed to him, and told him all his sins, and how he had for
+fourteen years served but Queen Guinevere only, and forgotten God, and
+done great deeds of arms for her, and not for Heaven, and had little or
+nothing thanked God for the honor that he won. And then Sir Lancelot
+said, "I pray you counsel me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will counsel thee," said he: "never more enter into that queen's
+company when ye can avoid it."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot promised him.</p>
+
+<p>"Look that your heart and your mouth accord," said the good man, "and ye
+shall have more honor and more nobleness than ever ye have had."</p>
+
+<p>Then were his arms and horse restored to him, and so he took his leave,
+and rode forth, repenting greatly.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Percival had ridden back to the recluse, to learn who that
+knight was whom she had called the best in the world. And when he had
+told her that he was Sir Percival, she made passing great joy of him,
+for she was his mother's sister, wherefore she opened her door to him,
+and made him good cheer. And on the morrow she told him of her kindred
+to him, and they both made great rejoicing. Then he asked her who that
+knight was, and she told him, "He it is who on Whit Sunday last was clad
+in the red robe, and bare the red arms; and he hath no peer, for he
+worketh all by miracle, and shall be never overcome by any earthly
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>"By my goodwill," said Sir Percival, "I will never after these tidings
+have to do with Sir Galahad but in the way of kindness; and I would fain
+learn where I may find him."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair nephew," said she, "ye must ride to the Castle of Goth, where he
+hath a cousin; by him ye may be lodged, and he will teach you the way to
+go; but if he can tell you no tidings, ride straight to the Castle of
+Carbonek, where the wounded king is lying, for there shall ye surely
+hear true tidings of him."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Percival departed from his aunt, and rode till evensong time,
+when he was ware of a monastery closed round with walls and deep
+ditches, where he knocked at the gate, and anon was let in. And there he
+had good cheer that night, and on the morrow heard mass. And beside the
+altar where the priest stood, was a rich bed of silk and cloth of gold;
+and on the bed there lay a man passing old, having a crown of gold upon
+his head, and all his body was full of great wounds, and his eyes almost
+wholly blind; and ever he held up his hands and said, "Sweet Lord,
+forget not me!"</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Percival asked one of the brethren who he was.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the good man, "ye have heard of Joseph of Arimathea, how he
+was sent of Jesus Christ into this land to preach and teach the
+Christian faith. Now, in the city of Sarras he converted a king named
+Evelake, and this is he. He came with Joseph to this land, and ever
+desired greatly to see the Sangreal; so on a time he came nigh thereto,
+and was struck almost blind. Then he cried out for mercy, and said,
+'Fair Lord, I pray thee let me never die until a good knight of my blood
+achieve the Sangreal, and I may see and kiss him.' When he had thus
+prayed, he heard a voice that said, 'Thy prayers be heard and answered,
+for thou shalt not die till that knight kiss thee; and when he cometh
+shall thine eyes be opened and thy wounds be healed.' And now hath he
+lived here for three hundred winters in a holy life, and men say a
+certain knight of King Arthur's court shall shortly heal him."</p>
+
+<p>Thereat Sir Percival marveled greatly, for he well knew who that knight
+should be; and so, taking his leave of the monk, departed.</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode on till noon, and came into a valley where he met twenty
+men-at-arms bearing a dead knight on a bier. And they cried to him,
+"Whence comest thou?"</p>
+
+<p>"From King Arthur's court," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>Then they all cried together, "Slay him," and set upon him.</p>
+
+<p>But he smote down the first man to the ground, and his horse upon him;
+whereat seven of them all at once assailed him, and others slew his
+horse. Thus he had been either taken or slain, but by good chance Sir
+Galahad was passing by that way, who, seeing twenty men attacking one,
+cried, "Slay him not," and rushed upon them; and, as fast as his horse
+could drive, he encountered with the foremost man, and smote him down.
+Then, his spear being broken, he drew forth his sword and struck out on
+the right hand and on the left, at each blow smiting down a man, till
+the remainder fled, and he pursued them.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Percival, knowing that it was Sir Galahad, would fain have
+overtaken him, but could not, for his horse was slain. Yet followed he
+on foot as fast as he could go; and as he went there met him a yeoman
+riding on a palfrey, and leading in his hand a great black steed. So Sir
+Percival prayed him to lend him the steed, that he might overtake Sir
+Galahad. But he replied, "That can I not do, fair sir, for the horse is
+my master's, and should I lend it he would slay me." So he departed, and
+Sir Percival sat down beneath a tree in heaviness of heart. And as he
+sat, anon a knight went riding past on the black steed which the yeoman
+had led. And presently after came the yeoman back in haste, and asked
+Sir Percival if he had seen a knight riding his horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said Sir Percival.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," said the yeoman, "he hath reft him from me by strength, and my
+master will slay me."</p>
+
+<p>Then he besought Sir Percival to take his hackney and follow, and get
+back his steed. So he rode quickly, and overtook the knight, and cried,
+"Knight, turn again." Whereat he turned and set his spear, and smote Sir
+Percival's hackney in the breast, so that it fell dead, and then went on
+his way. Then cried Sir Percival after him, "Turn now, false knight, and
+fight with me on foot"; but he would not, and rode out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Percival passing wroth and heavy of heart, and lay down to
+rest beneath a tree, and slept till midnight. When he awoke he saw a
+woman standing by him, who said to him right fiercely, "Sir Percival,
+what doest thou here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do neither good nor evil," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"If thou wilt promise me," said she, "to do my will whenever I shall ask
+thee, I will bring thee here a horse that will bear thee wheresoever
+thou desirest."</p>
+
+<p>At that he was full glad, and promised as she asked. Then anon she came
+again, with a great black steed, strong and well appareled. So Sir
+Percival mounted, and rode through the clear moonlight, and within less
+than an hour had gone a four days' journey, till he came to a rough
+water that roared; and his horse would have borne him into it, but Sir
+Percival would not suffer him, yet could he scarce restrain him. And
+seeing the water so furious, he made the sign of the cross upon his
+forehead, whereat the horse suddenly shook him off, and with a terrible
+sound leaped into the water and disappeared, the waves all burning up in
+flames around him. Then Sir Percival knew it was a fiend which had
+brought him the horse; so he commended himself to God, and prayed that
+he might escape temptations, and continued in prayer till it was day.</p>
+
+<p>Then he saw that he was on a wild mountain, nigh surrounded on all sides
+by the sea, and filled with wild beasts; and going on into a valley, he
+saw a serpent carrying a young lion by the neck. With that came another
+lion, crying and roaring after the serpent, and anon overtook him, and
+began to battle with him. And Sir Percival helped the lion, and drew his
+sword, and gave the serpent such a stroke that it fell dead. Thereat the
+lion fawned upon him like a dog, licking his hands, and crouching at his
+feet, and at night lay down by him and slept at his side.</p>
+
+<p>And at noon the next day Sir Percival saw a ship come sailing before a
+strong wind upon the sea towards him, and he rose and went towards it.
+And when it came to shore, he found it covered with white samite, and on
+the deck there stood an old man dressed in priest's robes, who said,
+"God be with you, fair sir; whence come ye?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am a knight of King Arthur's court," said he, "and follow the quest
+of the Sangreal; but here have I lost myself in this wilderness."</p>
+
+<p>"Fear nothing," said the old man, "for I have come from a strange
+country to comfort thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then he told Sir Percival it was a fiend of hell upon which he had
+ridden to the sea, and that the lion, whom he had delivered from the
+serpent, meant the Church. And Sir Percival rejoiced at these tidings,
+and entered into the ship, which presently sailed from the shore into
+the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Now when Sir Bors rode forth from Camelot to seek the Sangreal, anon he
+met a holy man riding on an ass, and courteously saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are ye, son?" said the good man.</p>
+
+<p>"I am a knight," said he, "in quest of the Sangreal, and would fain have
+thy counsel, for he shall have much earthly honor who may bring it to a
+favorable end."</p>
+
+<p>"That is truth," said the good man, "for he shall be the best knight of
+the world; yet know that none shall gain it save by sinless living."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode to his hermitage together, and there he prayed Sir Bors to
+abide that night, and anon they went into the chapel, and Sir Bors was
+confessed. And they eat bread and drank water together.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said the hermit, "I pray thee eat no other food till thou sit at
+the table where the Sangreal shall be." Thereto Sir Bors agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"Also," said the hermit, "it were wise that ye should wear a sackcloth
+garment next your skin, for penance"; and in this also did Sir Bors as
+he was counseled. And afterwards he armed himself and took his leave.</p>
+
+<p>Then rode he onwards all that day, and as he rode he saw a passing great
+bird sit in an old dry tree, whereon no leaves were left; and many
+little birds lay round the great one, nigh dead with hunger. Then did
+the big bird smite himself with his own bill, and bled till he died
+amongst his little ones, and they recovered life in drinking up his
+blood. When Sir Bors saw this he knew it was a token, and rode on full
+of thought. And about eventide he came to a tower, whereto he prayed
+admission, and he was received gladly by the lady of the castle. But
+when a supper of many meats and dainties was set before him, he
+remembered his vow, and bade a squire to bring him water, and therein he
+dipped his bread, and ate.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the lady, "Sir Bors, I fear ye like not my meat."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, truly," said he; "God thank thee, madam; but I may eat no other
+meat this day."</p>
+
+<p>After supper came a squire, and said, "Madam, bethink thee to provide a
+champion for thee to-morrow for the tourney, or else shall thy sister
+have thy castle."</p>
+
+<p>At that the lady wept, and made great sorrow. But Sir Bors prayed her to
+be comforted, and asked her why the tournament was held. Then she told
+him how she and her sister were the daughters of King Anianse, who left
+them all his lands between them; and how her sister was the wife of a
+strong knight, named Sir Pridan le Noir, who had taken from herself all
+her lands, save the one tower wherein she dwelt. "And now," said she,
+"this also will they take, unless I find a champion by to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Bors, "Be comforted; to-morrow I will fight for thee";
+whereat she rejoiced not a little, and sent word to Sir Pridan that she
+was provided and ready. And Sir Bors lay on the floor, and in no bed,
+nor ever would do otherwise till he had achieved his quest.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow he arose and clothed himself, and went into the chapel,
+where the lady met him, and they heard mass together. Anon he called for
+his armor, and went with a goodly company of knights to the battle. And
+the lady prayed him to refresh himself ere he should fight, but he
+refused to break his fast until the tournament were done. So they all
+rode together to the lists, and there they saw the lady's eldest sister,
+and her husband, Sir Pridan le Noir. And a cry was made by the heralds
+that, whichever should win, his lady should have all the other's lands.</p>
+
+<p>Then the two knights departed asunder a little space, and came together
+with such force, that both their spears were shivered, and their shields
+and hauberks pierced through; and both fell to the ground sorely
+wounded, with their horses under them. But swiftly they arose, and drew
+their swords, and smote each other on the head with many great and
+heavy blows, till the blood ran down their bodies; and Sir Pridan was a
+full good knight, so that Sir Bors had more ado than he had thought for
+to overcome him.</p>
+
+<p>But at last Sir Pridan grew a little faint; that instantly perceived Sir
+Bors, and rushed upon him the more vehemently, and smote him fiercely,
+till he rent off his helm, and then gave him great strokes upon his
+visage with the flat of his sword, and bade him yield or be slain.</p>
+
+<p>And then Sir Pridan cried him mercy, and said, "For God's sake slay me
+not, and I will never war against thy lady more." So Sir Bors let him
+go, and his wife fled away with all her knights.</p>
+
+<p>Then all those who had held lands of the lady of the tower came and did
+homage to her again, and swore fealty. And when the country was at peace
+Sir Bors departed, and rode forth into a forest until it was midday, and
+there befell him a marvelous adventure.</p>
+
+<p>For at a place where two ways parted, there met him two knights, bearing
+Sir Lionel, his brother, all naked, bound on a horse, and as they rode,
+they beat him sorely with thorns, so that the blood trailed down in more
+than a hundred places from his body; but for all this he uttered no word
+or groan, so great he was of heart. As soon as Sir Bors knew his
+brother, he put his spear in rest to run and rescue him; but in the same
+moment heard a woman's voice cry close beside him in the wood, "St.
+Mary, succor thy maid"; and, looking round, he saw a damsel whom a felon
+knight dragged after him into the thickets; and she, perceiving him,
+cried piteously for help, and adjured him to deliver her as he was a
+sworn knight. Then was Sir Bors sore troubled, and knew not what to do,
+for he thought within himself, "If I let my brother be, he will be
+murdered; but if I help not the maid, she is shamed forever, and my vow
+compelleth me to set her free; wherefore must I first help her, and
+trust my brother unto God."</p>
+
+<p>So, riding to the knight who held the damsel, he cried out, "Sir knight,
+lay your hand off that maid, or else ye be but dead."</p>
+
+<p>At that the knight set down the maid, and dropped his shield, and drew
+forth his sword against Sir Bors, who ran at him, and smote him through
+both shield and shoulder, and threw him to the earth; and when he pulled
+his spear forth, the knight swooned. Then the maid thanked Sir Bors
+heartily, and he set her on the knight's horse, and brought her to her
+men-at-arms, who presently came riding after her. And they made much
+joy, and besought him to come to her father, a great lord, and he should
+be right welcome. But "truly," said he, "I may not at this time, for I
+have a great adventure yet to do"; and commending them to God, he
+departed in great haste to find his brother.</p>
+
+<p>So he rode, seeking him by the track of the horses a great while. Anon
+he met a seeming holy man riding upon a strong black horse, and asked
+him, had he seen pass by that way a knight led bound and beaten with
+thorns by two others.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, truly, such an one I saw," said the man; "but he is dead, and lo!
+his body is hard by in a bush."</p>
+
+<p>Then he showed him a newly slain body lying in a thick bush, which
+seemed indeed to be Sir Lionel. Then made Sir Bors such mourning and
+sorrow that by-and-by he fell into a swoon upon the ground. And when he
+came to himself again, he took the body in his arms and put it on his
+horse's saddle, and bore it to a chapel hard by, and would have buried
+it. But when he made the sign of the cross, he heard a full great noise
+and cry as though all the fiends of hell had been about him, and
+suddenly the body and the chapel and the old man vanished all away. Then
+he knew that it was the devil who had thus beguiled him, and that his
+brother yet lived.</p>
+
+<p>Then held he up his hands to heaven, and thanked God for his own escape
+from hurt, and rode onwards; and anon, as he passed by an hermitage in a
+forest, he saw his brother sitting armed by the door. And when he saw
+him he was filled with joy, and lighted from his horse, and ran to him
+and said, "Fair brother, when came ye hither?"</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Lionel answered, with an angry face, "What vain words be these,
+when for you I might have been slain? Did ye not see me bound and led
+away to death, and left me in that peril to go succoring a gentlewoman,
+the like whereof no brother ever yet hath done? Now, for thy false
+misdeed, I do defy thee, and ensure thee speedy death."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Bors prayed his brother to abate his anger, and said, "Fair
+brother, remember the love that should be between us twain."</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Lionel would not hear, and prepared to fight, and mounted his
+horse and came before him, crying, "Sir Bors, keep thee from me, for I
+shall do to thee as a felon and a traitor; therefore, start upon thy
+horse, for if thou wilt not, I will run upon thee as thou standest."</p>
+
+<p>But for all his words Sir Bors would not defend himself against his
+brother. And anon the fiend stirred up Sir Lionel to such rage, that he
+rushed over him and overthrew him with his horse's hoofs, so that he lay
+swooning on the ground. Then would he have rent off his helm and slain
+him, but the hermit of that place ran out, and prayed him to forbear,
+and shielded Sir Bors with his body.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lionel cried out, "Now, God so help me, sir priest, but I shall
+slay thee else thou depart, and him too after thee."</p>
+
+<p>And when the good man utterly refused to leave Sir Bors, he smote him on
+the head until he died, and then he took his brother by the helm and
+unlaced it, to have stricken off his head, and so he would have done,
+but suddenly was pulled off backwards by a knight of the Round Table,
+who, by the will of Heaven, was passing by that place&mdash;Sir Colgrevance
+by name.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Lionel," he cried, "will ye slay your brother, one of the best
+knights of all the world? That ought no man to suffer."</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me and meddle in this strife?
+beware, lest I shall slay both thee and him."</p>
+
+<p>And when Sir Colgrevance refused to let them be, Sir Lionel defied him,
+and gave him a great stroke through the helmet, whereat Sir Colgrevance
+drew his sword, and smote again right manfully. And so long they fought
+together that Sir Bors awoke from his swoon, and tried to rise and part
+them, but had no strength to stand upon his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Colgrevance saw him, and cried out to him for help, for now Sir
+Lionel had nigh defeated him. When Sir Bors heard that, he struggled to
+his feet, and put his helmet on, and took his sword. But before he could
+come to him, Sir Lionel had smitten off Sir Colgrevance's helm, and
+thrown him to the earth and slain him. Then turned he to his brother as
+a man possessed by fiends, and gave him such a stroke as bent him nearly
+double.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Bors prayed him for God's sake to quit that battle, "For if it
+befell us that we either slew the other we should die for care of that
+sin."</p>
+
+<p>"Never will I spare thee if I master thee," cried out Sir Lionel.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Bors drew his sword all weeping, and said, "Now, God have mercy
+on me, though I defend my life against my brother"; with that he lifted
+up his sword to strike, but suddenly he heard a mighty voice, "Put up
+thy sword, Sir Bors, and flee, or thou shalt surely slay him." And then
+there fell upon them both a fiery cloud, which flamed and burned their
+shields, and they fell to the earth in sore dread.</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Bors rose to his feet, and saw that Sir Lionel had taken no
+harm. Then came the voice again, and said, "Sir Bors, go hence and leave
+thy brother, and ride thou forward to the sea, for there Sir Percival
+abideth thee."</p>
+
+<p>Then he said to his brother, "Brother, forgive me all my trespass
+against thee."</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Lionel answered, "God forgive it thee, as I do."</p>
+
+<p>Then he departed and rode to the sea, and on the strand he found a ship
+all covered with white samite, and as soon as he had entered thereinto,
+it put forth from the shore. And in the midst of the ship there stood an
+armed knight, whom he knew to be Sir Percival. Then they rejoiced
+greatly over each other, and said, "We lack nothing now but the good
+knight Sir Galahad."</p>
+
+<p>Now when Sir Galahad had rescued Sir Percival from the twenty knights he
+rode into a vast forest. And after many days it befell that he came to a
+castle whereat was a tournament. And the knights of the castle were put
+to the worse; which when he saw, he set his spear in rest and ran to
+help them, and smote down many of their adversaries. And as it chanced,
+Sir Gawain was amongst the stranger knights, and when he saw the white
+shield with the red cross, he knew it was Sir Galahad, and proffered to
+joust with him. So they encountered, and having broken their spears,
+they drew their swords, and Sir Galahad smote Sir Gawain so sorely on
+the helm that he clove it through, and struck on slanting to the earth,
+carving the horse's shoulder in twain, and Sir Gawain fell to the earth.
+Then Sir Galahad beat back all who warred against the castle, yet would
+he not wait for thanks, but rode away that no man might know him.</p>
+
+<p>And he rested that night at a hermitage, and when he was asleep, he
+heard a knocking at the door. So he rose, and found a damsel there, who
+said, "Sir Galahad, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse
+and follow me, for I will show you within these three days the highest
+adventure that ever any knight saw."</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Galahad armed him, and took his horse, and commended himself to
+God, and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow where she liked.</p>
+
+<p>So they rode onwards to the sea as fast as their horses might gallop,
+and at night they came to a castle in a valley, inclosed by running
+water, and by strong and high walls, whereinto they entered and had
+great cheer, for the lady of the castle was the damsel's mistress.</p>
+
+<p>And when he was unarmed, the damsel said to her lady, "Madam, shall we
+abide here this night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said she, "but only till he hath dined and slept a little."</p>
+
+<p>So he ate and slept a while, till the maid called him, and armed him by
+torchlight; and when he had saluted the lady of the castle, the damsel
+and Sir Galahad rode on.</p>
+
+<p>Anon they came to the seaside, and lo! the ship, wherein were Sir
+Percival and Sir Bors, abode by the shore. Then they cried, "Welcome,
+Sir Galahad, for we have awaited thee long."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rejoiced to see each other, and told of all their adventures
+and temptations. And the damsel went into the ship with them, and spake
+to Sir Percival: "Sir Percival, know ye not who I am?"</p>
+
+<p>And he replied, "Nay, certainly, I know thee not."</p>
+
+<p>Then said she, "I am thy sister, the daughter of King Pellinore, and am
+sent to help thee and these knights, thy fellows, to achieve the quest
+which ye all follow."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Percival rejoiced to see his sister, and they departed from the
+shore. And after a while they came upon a whirlpool, where their ship
+could not live. Then saw they another greater ship hard by and went
+towards it, but saw neither man nor woman therein. And on the end of it
+these words were written, "Thou who shalt enter me, beware that thou be
+in steadfast belief, for I am Faith; and if thou doubtest, I cannot help
+thee." Then were they all adread, but, commending themselves to God,
+they entered in.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they were on board they saw a fair bed, whereon lay a crown
+of silk, and at the foot was a fair and rich sword drawn from its
+scabbard half a foot and more. The pommel was of precious stones of many
+colors, every color having a different virtue, and the scales of the
+haft were of two ribs of different beasts. The one was bone of a serpent
+from Calidone forest, named the serpent of the fiend; and its virtue
+saveth all men who hold it from weariness. The other was of a fish that
+haunteth the floods of Euphrates, named Ertanax; and its virtue causeth
+whoever holdeth it to forget all other things, whether of joy or pain,
+save the thing he seeth before him.</p>
+
+<p>"In the name of God," said Sir Percival, "I shall assay to handle this
+sword"; and set his hand to it, but could not grasp it. "By my faith,"
+said he, "now have I failed."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Bors set his hand to it, and failed also.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Sir Galahad, and saw these letters written red as blood, "None
+shall draw me forth save the hardiest of all men; but he that draweth me
+shall never be shamed or wounded to death." "By my faith," said Sir
+Galahad, "I would draw it forth, but dare not try."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye may try safely," said the gentlewoman, Sir Percival's sister, "for
+be ye well assured the drawing of this sword is forbid to all but you.
+For this was the sword of David, King of Israel, and Solomon his son
+made for it this marvelous pommel and this wondrous sheath, and laid it
+on this bed till thou shouldest come and take it up; and though before
+thee some have dared to raise it, yet have they all been maimed or
+wounded for their daring."</p>
+
+<p>"Where," said Sir Galahad, "shall we find a girdle for it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," said she, "dismay you not"; and therewith took from out a
+box a girdle, nobly wrought with golden thread, set full of precious
+stones and with a rich gold buckle. "This girdle, lords," said she, "is
+made for the most part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the
+world, I loved full well; but when I knew that this adventure was
+ordained me, I cut off and wove as ye now see."</p>
+
+<p>Then they all prayed Sir Galahad to take the sword, and so anon he
+gripped it in his fingers; and the maiden girt it round his waist,
+saying, "Now reck I not though I die, for I have made thee the worthiest
+knight of all the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Galahad, "ye have done so much that I shall be
+your knight all the days of my life."</p>
+
+<p>Then the ship sailed a great way on the sea, and brought them to land
+near the Castle of Carteloise. When they were landed came a squire and
+asked them, "Be ye of King Arthur's court?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are," said they.</p>
+
+<p>"In an evil hour are ye come," said he, and went back swiftly to the
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>Within a while they heard a great horn blow, and saw a multitude of
+well-armed knights come forth, who bade them yield or die. At that they
+ran together, and Sir Percival smote one to the earth and mounted his
+horse, and so likewise did Sir Bors and Sir Galahad, and soon had they
+routed all their enemies and alighted on foot, and with their swords
+slew them downright, and entered into the castle.</p>
+
+<p>Then came there forth a priest, to whom Sir Galahad kneeled and said,
+"In sooth, good father, I repent me of this slaughter; but we were first
+assailed, or else it had not been."</p>
+
+<p>"Repent ye not," said the good man, "for if ye lived as long as the
+world lasted ye could do no better deed, for these were all the felon
+sons of a good knight, Earl Hernox, whom they have thrown into a
+dungeon, and in his name have slain priests and clerks, and beat down
+chapels far and near."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad prayed the priest to bring him to the earl; who, when
+he saw Sir Galahad, cried out, "Long have I waited for thy coming, and
+now I pray thee hold me in thine arms that I may die in peace."</p>
+
+<p>And therewith, when Sir Galahad had taken him in his arms, his soul
+departed from his body.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a voice in the hearing of them all, "Depart now, Sir Galahad,
+and go quickly to the maimed king, for he hath long abided to receive
+health from thy hand."</p>
+
+<p>So the three knights departed, and Sir Percival's sister with them, and
+came to a vast forest, and saw before them a white hart, exceeding fair,
+led by four lions; and marveling greatly at that sight, they followed.</p>
+
+<p>Anon they came to a hermitage and a chapel, whereunto the hart entered,
+and the lions with it. Then a priest offered mass, and presently they
+saw the hart change into the figure of a man, most sweet and comely to
+behold; and the four lions also changed and became a man, an eagle, a
+lion, and an ox. And suddenly all those five figures vanished without
+sound. Then the knights marveled greatly, and fell upon their knees, and
+when they rose they prayed the priest to tell them what that sight might
+mean.</p>
+
+<p>"What saw ye, sirs?" said he, "for I saw nothing." Then they told him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, lords!" said he, "ye are full welcome; now know I well ye be the
+knights who shall achieve the Sangreal, for unto them alone such
+mysteries are revealed. The hart ye saw is One above all men, white and
+without blemish, and the four lions with Him are the four evangelists."</p>
+
+<p>When they heard that they heartily rejoiced, and thanking the priest,
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>Anon, as they passed by a certain castle, an armed knight suddenly came
+after them, and cried out to the damsel, "By the holy cross, ye shall
+not go till ye have yielded to the custom of the castle."</p>
+
+<p>"Let her go," said Sir Percival, "for a maiden, wheresoever she cometh,
+is free."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever maiden passeth here," replied the knight, "must give a dishful
+of her blood from her right arm."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a foul and shameful custom," cried Sir Galahad and both his
+fellows, "and sooner will we die than let this maiden yield thereto."</p>
+
+<p>"Then shall ye die," replied the knight, and as he spake there came out
+from a gate hard by, ten or twelve more, and encountered with them,
+running upon them vehemently with a great cry. But the three knights
+withstood them, and set their hands to their swords, and beat them down
+and slew them.</p>
+
+<p>At that came forth a company of threescore knights, all armed. "Fair
+lords," said Sir Galahad, "have mercy on yourselves and keep from us."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, fair lords," they answered, "rather be advised by us, and yield ye
+to our custom."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an idle word," said Galahad, "in vain ye speak it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said they, "will ye die?"</p>
+
+<p>"We be not come thereto as yet," replied Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+<p>Then did they fall upon each other, and Sir Galahad drew forth his
+sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left, and slew so mightily
+that all who saw him thought he was a monster and no earthly man. And
+both his comrades helped him well, and so they held the field against
+that multitude till it was night. Then came a good knight forward from
+the enemy and said, "Fair knights, abide with us to-night and be right
+welcome; by the faith of our bodies as we are true knights, to-morrow ye
+shall rise unharmed, and meanwhile maybe ye will, of your own accord,
+accept the custom of the castle when ye know it better."</p>
+
+<p>So they entered and alighted and made great cheer. Anon, they asked them
+whence that custom came. "The lady of this castle is a leper," said
+they, "and can be no way cured save by the blood of a pure virgin and a
+king's daughter; therefore to save her life are we her servants bound to
+stay every maid that passeth by, and try if her blood may not cure our
+mistress."</p>
+
+<p>Then said the damsel, "Take ye of my blood as much as ye will, if it may
+avail your lady."</p>
+
+<p>And though the three knights urged her not to put her life in that great
+peril, she replied, "If I die to heal another's body, I shall get health
+to my soul," and would not be persuaded to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow she was brought to the sick lady, and her arm was
+bared, and a vein thereof was opened, and the dish filled with her
+blood. Then the sick lady was anointed therewith, and anon she was whole
+of her malady. With that Sir Percival's sister lifted up her hand and
+blessed her, saying, "Madam, I am come to my death to make you whole;
+for God's love pray for me"; and thus saying she fell down in a swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Bors started to lift her up and
+staunch her blood, but she had lost too much to live. So when she came
+to herself she said to Sir Percival, "Fair brother, I must die for the
+healing of this lady, and now, I pray thee, bury me not here, but when I
+am dead put me in a boat at the next haven and let me float at venture
+on the sea. And when ye come to the city of Sarras, to achieve the
+Sangreal, shall ye find me waiting by a tower, and there I pray thee
+bury me, for there shall Sir Galahad and ye also be laid." Thus having
+said, she died.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Percival wrote all the story of her life and put it in her
+right hand, and so laid her in a barge and covered it with silk. And
+the wind arising drove the barge from land, and all the knights stood
+watching it till it was out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Anon they returned to the castle, and forthwith fell a sudden tempest of
+thunder and lightning and rain, as if the earth were broken up: and half
+the castle was thrown down. Then came a voice to the three knights which
+said, "Depart ye now asunder till ye meet again where the maimed king is
+lying." So they parted and rode divers ways.</p>
+
+<p>Now after Sir Lancelot had left the hermit, he rode a long while till he
+knew not whither to turn, and so he lay down to sleep, if haply he might
+dream whither to go.</p>
+
+<p>And in his sleep a vision came to him saying, "Lancelot, rise up and
+take thine armor, and enter the first ship that thou shalt find."</p>
+
+<p>When he awoke he obeyed the vision, and rode till he came to the
+sea-shore, and found there a ship without sails or oars, and as soon as
+he was in it he smelt the sweetest savor he had ever known, and seemed
+filled with all things he could think of or desire. And looking round he
+saw a fair bed, and thereon a gentlewoman lying dead, who was Sir
+Percival's sister. And as Sir Lancelot looked on her he spied the
+writing in her right hand, and, taking it, he read therein her story.
+And more than a month thereafter he abode in that ship and was nourished
+by the grace of Heaven, as Israel was fed with manna in the desert.</p>
+
+<p>And on a certain night he went ashore to pass the time, for he was
+somewhat weary, and, listening, he heard a horse come towards him, from
+which a knight alighted and went up into the ship; who, when he saw Sir
+Lancelot, said, "Fair sir, ye be right welcome to mine eyes, for I am
+thy son Galahad, and long time I have sought for thee." With that he
+kneeled and asked his blessing, and took off his helm and kissed him,
+and the great joy there was between them no tongue can tell.</p>
+
+<p>Then for half a year they dwelt together in the ship, and served God
+night and day with all their powers, and went to many unknown islands,
+where none but wild beasts haunted, and there found many strange and
+perilous adventures.</p>
+
+<p>And upon a time they came to the edge of a forest, before a cross of
+stone, and saw a knight armed all in white, leading a white horse. Then
+the knight saluted them, and said to Galahad, "Ye have been long time
+enough with your father; now, therefore, leave him and ride this horse
+till ye achieve the Holy Quest."</p>
+
+<p>Then went Sir Galahad to his father and kissed him full courteously, and
+said, "Fair father, I know not when I shall see thee again."</p>
+
+<p>And as he took his horse a voice spake in their hearing, "Ye shall meet
+no more in this life."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my son, Sir Galahad," said Sir Lancelot, "since we must so part
+and see each other never more, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+preserve both you and me."</p>
+
+<p>Then they bade farewell, and Sir Galahad entered the forest, and Sir
+Lancelot returned to the ship, and the wind rose and drove him more than
+a month through the sea, whereby he slept but little, yet ever prayed
+that he might see the Sangreal.</p>
+
+<p>So it befell upon a certain midnight, the moon shining clear, he came
+before a fair and rich castle, whereof the postern gate was open towards
+the sea, having no keeper save two lions in the entry.</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Lancelot heard a voice: "Leave now thy ship and go within the
+castle, and thou shalt see a part of thy desire."</p>
+
+<p>Then he armed and went towards the gate, and coming to the lions he drew
+out his sword, but suddenly a dwarf rushed out and smote him on the arm,
+so that he dropt his sword, and heard again the voice, "Oh, man of evil
+faith, and poor belief, wherefore trustest thou thine arms above thy
+Maker?" Then he put up his sword and signed the cross upon his forehead,
+and so passed by the lions without hurt.</p>
+
+<p>And going in, he found a chamber with the door shut, which in vain he
+tried to open. And listening thereat he heard a voice within, which sang
+so sweetly that it seemed no earthly thing, "Joy and honor be to the
+Father of Heaven!" Then he kneeled down at the door, for he knew well
+the Sangreal was there within.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the door was opened without hands, and forthwith came thereout so
+great a splendor as if all the torches of the world had been alight
+together. But when he would have entered in, a voice forbade him;
+wherefore he drew back, and looked, standing upon the threshold of the
+door. And there he saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered
+with red samite, and many angels round it holding burning candles and a
+cross and all the ornaments of the altar.</p>
+
+<p>Then a priest stood up and offered mass, and when he took the vessel up,
+he seemed to sink beneath that burden. At that Sir Lancelot cried, "O
+Father, take it not for sin that I go in to help the priest, who hath
+much need thereof." So saying, he went in, but when he came towards the
+table he felt a breath of fire which issued out therefrom and smote him
+to the ground, so that he had no power to rise.</p>
+
+<p>Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and laid him down
+outside the chapel door. There lay he in a swoon all through that night,
+and on the morrow certain people found him senseless, and bore him to an
+inner chamber and laid him on a bed. And there he rested, living, but
+moving no limbs, twenty-four days and nights.</p>
+
+<p>On the twenty-fifth day he opened his eyes and saw those standing round,
+and said, "Why have ye waked me? for I have seen marvels that no tongue
+can tell, and more than any heart can think."</p>
+
+<p>Then he asked where he was, and they told him, "In the Castle of
+Carbonek."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell your lord, King Pelles," said he, "that I am Sir Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>At that they marveled greatly, and told their lord it was Sir Lancelot
+who had lain there so long.</p>
+
+<p>Then was King Pelles wondrous glad and went to see him, and prayed him
+to abide there for a season. But Sir Lancelot said, "I know well that I
+have now seen as much as mine eyes may behold of the Sangreal; wherefore
+I will return to my own country." So he took leave of King Pelles, and
+departed towards Logris.</p>
+
+<p>Now after Sir Galahad had parted from Sir Lancelot, he rode many days,
+till he came to the monastery where the blind King Evelake lay, whom Sir
+Percival had seen. And on the morrow, when he had heard mass, Sir
+Galahad desired to see the king, who cried out, "Welcome, Sir Galahad,
+servant of the Lord! long have I abided thy coming. Take me now in thine
+arms, that I may die in peace."</p>
+
+<p>At that Sir Galahad embraced him; and when he had so done the king's
+eyes were opened, and he said, "Fair Lord Jesus, suffer me now to come
+to Thee"; and anon his soul departed.</p>
+
+<p>Then they buried him royally, as a king should be; and Sir Galahad went
+on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Within a while he came to a chapel in a forest, in the crypt whereof he
+saw a tomb which always blazed and burnt. And asking the brethren what
+that might mean, they told him, "Joseph of Arimathea's son did found
+this monastery, and one who wronged him hath lain here these three
+hundred and fifty years and burneth evermore, until that perfect knight
+who shall achieve the Sangreal doth quench the fire."</p>
+
+<p>Then said he, "I pray ye bring me to the tomb."</p>
+
+<p>And when he touched the place immediately the fire was quenched, and a
+voice came from the grave and cried, "Thanks be to God, who now hath
+purged me of my sin, and draweth me from earthly pains into the joys of
+paradise."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad took the body in his arms and bore it to the abbey, and
+on the morrow put it in the earth before the high altar.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he departed from thence and rode five days in a great forest; and
+after that he met Sir Percival, and a little further on Sir Bors. When
+they had told each other their adventures, they rode together to the
+Castle of Carbonek: and there King Pelles gave them hearty welcome, for
+he knew they should achieve the Holy Quest.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they were come into the castle, a voice cried in the midst of
+the chamber, "Let them who ought not now to sit at the table of the Lord
+rise and depart hence!" Then all, save those three knights, departed.</p>
+
+<p>Anon they saw other knights come in with haste at the hall doors and
+take their harness off, who said to Sir Galahad, "Sir, we have tried
+sore to be with you at this table."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye be welcome," said he, "but whence are ye?"</p>
+
+<p>So three of them said they were from Gaul; and three from Ireland; and
+three from Denmark.</p>
+
+<p>Then came forth the likeness of a bishop, with a cross in his hand, and
+four angels stood by him, and a table of silver was before them, whereon
+was set the vessel of the Sangreal. Then came forth other angels
+also&mdash;two bearing burning candles, and the third a towel, and the
+fourth a spear which bled marvelously, the drops wherefrom fell into a
+box he held in his left hand. Anon the bishop took the wafer up to
+consecrate it, and at the lifting up, they saw the figure of a Child,
+whose visage was as bright as any fire, which smote itself into the
+midst of the wafer and vanished, so that all saw the flesh made bread.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the bishop went to Galahad and kissed him, and bade him go and
+kiss his fellows; and said, "Now, servants of the Lord, prepare for food
+such as none ever yet were fed with since the world began."</p>
+
+<p>With that he vanished, and the knights were filled with a great dread
+and prayed devoutly.</p>
+
+<p>Then saw they come forth from the holy vessel the vision of a man
+bleeding all openly, whom they knew well by the tokens of His passion
+for the Lord Himself. At that they fell upon their faces and were dumb.
+Anon he brought the Holy Grail to them and spake high words of comfort,
+and, when they drank therefrom, the taste thereof was sweeter than any
+tongue could tell or heart desire. Then a voice said to Galahad, "Son,
+with this blood which drippeth from the spear anoint thou the maimed
+king and heal him. And when thou hast this done, depart hence with thy
+brethren in a ship that ye shall find, and go to the city of Sarras. And
+bear with thee the holy vessel, for it shall no more be seen in the
+realm of Logris."</p>
+
+<p>At that Sir Galahad walked to the bleeding spear, and therefrom
+anointing his fingers went out straightway to the maimed King Pelles,
+and touched his wound. Then suddenly he uprose from his bed as whole a
+man as ever he was, and praised God passing thankfully with all his
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival departed as they had been
+told; and when they had ridden three days they came to the sea-shore,
+and found the ship awaiting them. Therein they entered, and saw in the
+midst the silver table and the vessel of the Sangreal, covered with red
+samite. Then were they passing glad, and made great reverence thereto.
+And Sir Galahad prayed that now he might leave the world and pass to
+God. And presently, the while he prayed, a voice said to him, "Galahad,
+thy prayer is heard, and when thou asketh the death of the body thou
+shalt have it, and find the life of thy soul."</p>
+
+<p>But while they prayed and slept the ship sailed on, and when they woke
+they saw the city of Sarras before them, and the other ship wherein was
+Sir Percival's sister. Then the three knights took up the holy table and
+the Sangreal and went into the city; and there, in a chapel, they buried
+Sir Percival's sister right solemnly.</p>
+
+<p>Now at the gate of the town they saw an old cripple sitting, whom Sir
+Galahad called to help them bear their weight.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I have gone a step
+without these crutches."</p>
+
+<p>"Care ye not," said Sir Galahad, "rise now and show goodwill."</p>
+
+<p>So he assayed to move, and found his limbs as strong as any man's might
+be, and running to the table helped to carry it.</p>
+
+<p>Anon there rose a rumor in the city that a cripple had been healed by
+certain marvelous strange knights.</p>
+
+<p>But the king, named Estouranse, who was a heathen tyrant, when he heard
+thereof took Sir Galahad and his fellows, and put them in prison in a
+deep hole. Therein they abode a great while, but ever the Sangreal was
+with them and fed them with marvelous sweet food, so that they fainted
+not, but had all joy and comfort they could wish.</p>
+
+<p>At the year's end the king fell sick and felt that he should die. Then
+sent he for the three knights, and when they came before him prayed
+their mercy for his trespasses against them. So they forgave him gladly,
+and anon he died.</p>
+
+<p>Then the chief men of the city took counsel together who should be king
+in his stead, and as they talked, a voice cried in their midst, "Choose
+ye the youngest of the three knights King Estouranse cast into prison
+for your king." At that they sought Sir Galahad and made him king with
+the assent of all the city, and else they would have slain him.</p>
+
+<p>But within a twelve-month came to him, upon a certain day, as he prayed
+before the Sangreal, a man in likeness of a bishop, with a great company
+of angels round about him, who offered mass, and afterwards called to
+Sir Galahad, "Come forth, thou servant of the Lord, for the time hath
+come thou hast desired so long."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Galahad lifted up his hands and prayed, "Now, blessed Lord!
+would I no longer live if it might please Thee."</p>
+
+<p>Anon the bishop gave him the sacrament, and when he had received it with
+unspeakable gladness, he said, "Who art thou, father?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am Joseph of Arimathea," answered he, "whom our Lord hath sent to
+bear thee fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>When he heard that, Sir Galahad went to Sir Percival and Sir Bors and
+kissed them and commended them to God, saying, "Salute for me Sir
+Lancelot, my father, and bid them remember this unstable world."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he kneeled down and prayed, and suddenly his soul departed,
+and a multitude of angels bare it up to heaven. Then came a hand from
+heaven and took the vessel and the spear and bare them out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Since then was never man so hardy as to say that he had seen the
+Sangreal.</p>
+
+<p>And after all these things, Sir Percival put off his armor and betook
+him to an hermitage, and within a little while passed out of this world.
+And Sir Bors, when he had buried him beside his sister, returned,
+weeping sore for the loss of his two brethren, to King Arthur, at
+Camelot.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="THE_PASSING_OF_ARTHUR" id="THE_PASSING_OF_ARTHUR"></a>THE PASSING OF ARTHUR</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>SIR LANCELOT AND THE FAIR ELAINE</h3>
+
+
+<p>Now after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled and all the knights
+who were left alive were come again to the Round Table, there was great
+joy in the court. And passing glad were King Arthur and Queen Guinevere
+to see Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, for they had been long absent in that
+quest.</p>
+
+<p>And so greatly was Sir Lancelot's fame now spread abroad that many
+ladies and damsels daily resorted to him and besought him for their
+champion; and all right quarrels did he gladly undertake for the
+pleasure of our Lord Christ. And always as much as he might he withdrew
+him from the queen.</p>
+
+<p>Wherefore Queen Guinevere, who counted him for her own knight, grew
+wroth with him, and on a certain day she called him to her chamber, and
+said thus: "Sir Lancelot, I daily see thy loyalty to me doth slack, for
+ever thou art absent from this court, and takest other ladies' quarrels
+on thee more than ever thou wert wont. Now do I understand thee, false
+knight, and therefore shall I never trust thee more. Depart now from my
+sight, and come no more within this court upon pain of thy head." With
+that she turned from him and would hear no excuses.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Lancelot departed in heaviness of heart, and calling Sir Bors,
+Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, he told them how the queen had dealt with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," replied Sir Bors, "remember what honor ye have in this
+country, and how ye are called the noblest knight in the world;
+wherefore go not, for women are hasty, and do often what they sore
+repent of afterwards. Be ruled by my advice. Take horse and ride to the
+hermitage beside Windsor, and there abide till I send ye better
+tidings."</p>
+
+<p>To that Sir Lancelot consented, and departed with a sorrowful
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the queen heard of his leaving she was inwardly sorry, but made
+no show of grief, bearing a proud visage outwardly. And on a certain day
+she made a costly banquet to all the knights of the Round Table, to show
+she had as great joy in all others as in Sir Lancelot. And at the
+banquet were Sir Gawain, and his brothers Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris,
+and Sir Gareth; also Sir Modred, Sir Bors, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis,
+Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, Sir Palomedes, Sir Mador de la Port, and his
+cousin Sir Patrice&mdash;a knight of Ireland, Sir Pinell le Savage, and many
+more.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Pinell hated Sir Gawain because he had slain one of his kinsmen
+by treason; and Sir Gawain had a great love for all kinds of fruit,
+which, when Sir Pinell knew, he poisoned certain apples that were set
+upon the table, with intent to slay him. And so it chanced as they ate
+and made merry, Sir Patrice, who sat next to Sir Gawain, took one of the
+poisoned apples and eat it, and when he had eaten he suddenly swelled up
+and fell down dead.</p>
+
+<p>At that every knight leapt from the board ashamed and enraged nigh out
+of their wits, for they knew not what to say, yet seeing that the queen
+had made the banquet they all had suspicion of her.</p>
+
+<p>"My lady the queen," said Sir Gawain, "I wit well this fruit was meant
+for me, for all men know my love for it, and now had I been nearly
+slain; wherefore, I fear me, ye will be ashamed."</p>
+
+<p>"This shall not end so," cried Sir Mador de la Port; "now have I lost a
+noble knight of my own blood, and for this despite and shame I will be
+revenged to the uttermost."</p>
+
+<p>Then he challenged Queen Guinevere concerning the death of his cousin,
+but she stood still, sore abashed, and anon with her sorrow and dread,
+she swooned.</p>
+
+<p>At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur, and to him appealed Sir
+Mador, and impeached the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lords," said he, "full sorely am I troubled at this matter, for I
+must be rightful judge, and therein it repenteth me I may not do battle
+for my wife, for, as I deem, this deed was none of hers. But I suppose
+she will not lack a champion, and some good knight surely will put his
+body in jeopardy to save her."</p>
+
+<p>But all who had been bidden to the banquet said they could not hold the
+queen excused, or be her champions, for she had made the feast, and
+either by herself or servants must it have come.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and no
+evil, so God help me in my need."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you heartily as you be a
+righteous king give me a day when I may have justice."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the king, "I give ye this day fifteen days, when ye shall
+be ready and armed in the meadow beside Westminster, and if there be a
+knight to fight with you, God speed the right, and if not, then must my
+queen be burnt."</p>
+
+<p>When the king and queen were alone together he asked her how this case
+befell.</p>
+
+<p>"I wot not how or in what manner," answered she.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Sir Lancelot?" said King Arthur, "for he would not grudge to
+do battle for thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said she, "I cannot tell you, but all his kinsmen deem he is not
+in this realm."</p>
+
+<p>"These be sad tidings," said the king; "I counsel ye to find Sir Bors,
+and pray him for Sir Lancelot's sake to do this battle for you."</p>
+
+<p>So the queen departed and sent for Sir Bors to her chamber, and besought
+his succor.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said he, "what would you have me do? for I may not with my
+honor take this matter on me, for I was at that same dinner, and all the
+other knights would have me ever in suspicion. Now do ye miss Sir
+Lancelot, for he would not have failed you in right nor yet in wrong,
+as ye have often proved, but now ye have driven him from the country."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly at your mercy, and
+all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me."</p>
+
+<p>And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees before Sir Bors, and
+besought him to have mercy on her.</p>
+
+<p>Anon came in King Arthur also, and prayed him of his courtesy to help
+her, saying, "I require you for the love of Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said he, "ye require the greatest thing of me that any man
+can ask, for if I do this battle for the queen I shall anger all my
+fellows of the Table Round; nevertheless, for my lord Sir Lancelot's
+sake, and for yours, I will that day be the queen's champion, unless
+there chance to come a better knight than I am to do battle for her."
+And this he promised on his faith.</p>
+
+<p>Then were the king and queen passing glad, and thanked him heartily, and
+so departed.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage where Sir Lancelot was, and
+told him all these tidings.</p>
+
+<p>"It has chanced as I would have it," said Sir Lancelot; "yet make ye
+ready for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Bors, "doubt not but ye shall have your will."</p>
+
+<p>But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he
+was to be the queen's champion, for there were few in the court but
+deemed her guilty.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Bors, "Wit ye will, fair lords, it were a shame to us all
+to suffer so fair and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion,
+for ever hath she proved herself a lover of good knights; wherefore I
+doubt not she is guiltless of this treason."</p>
+
+<p>At that were some well pleased, but others rested passing wroth.</p>
+
+<p>And when the day was come, the king and queen and all the knights went
+to the meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be fought.
+Then the queen was put in ward, and a great fire was made round the iron
+stake, where she must be burnt if Sir Mador won the day.</p>
+
+<p>So when the heralds blew, Sir Mador rode forth, and took oath that Queen
+Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and his oath he would prove
+with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth
+Sir Bors, and said, "Queen Guinevere is in the right, and that will I
+prove with my hands."</p>
+
+<p>With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the
+battle. But Sir Bors tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come, till
+Sir Mador cried out to King Arthur, "Bid thy champion come forth, unless
+he dare not." Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and rode to
+the end of the lists.</p>
+
+<p>But ere he could meet Sir Mador he was aware of a knight upon a white
+horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield, who rode to him
+and said, "I pray you withdraw from this quarrel, for it is mine, and I
+have ridden far to fight in it."</p>
+
+<p>Thereat Sir Bors rode to King Arthur, and told him that another knight
+was come who would do battle for the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?" said King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I may not tell you," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to
+be here to-day, wherefore I am discharged."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king called that knight, and asked him if he would fight for
+the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Therefore came I hither, Sir king," answered he; "but let us tarry no
+longer, for anon I have other matters to do. But wit ye well," said he
+to the Knights of the Round Table, "it is shame to ye for such a
+courteous queen to suffer this dishonor."</p>
+
+<p>And all men marveled who this knight might be, for none knew him save
+Sir Bors.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Mador and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and
+couching their spears, ran one against the other with all their might;
+and Sir Mador's spear broke short, but the strange knight bore both him
+and his horse down to the ground. Then lightly they leaped from their
+saddles and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and
+either gave the other many sad strokes and sore and deep wounds.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Mador was a full strong and
+valiant knight. But at last the strange knight smote him to the earth,
+and gave him such a buffet on the helm as wellnigh killed him. Then did
+Sir Mador yield, and prayed his life.</p>
+
+<p>"I will but grant it thee," said the strange knight, "if thou wilt
+release the queen from this quarrel forever, and promise that no mention
+shall be made upon Sir Patrice's tomb that ever she consented to that
+treason."</p>
+
+<p>"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights parters took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and
+the other knight went straight to the stair foot of King Arthur's
+throne; and by that time was the queen come to the king again, and
+kissed him lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>Then both the king and she stooped down, and thanked the knight, and
+prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine.
+And when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir
+Lancelot. But when the queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground
+weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness
+when she had showed him such unkindness.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great
+joy and mirth in the court. And Sir Mador and Sir Lancelot were soon
+healed of their wounds; and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to
+the court, and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinell, and
+not the queen, was guilty of Sir Patrice's death. Whereat the queen was
+held excused of all men, and Sir Pinell fled the country.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Patrice was buried in the church of Winchester, and it was
+written on his tomb that Sir Pinell slew him with a poisoned apple, in
+error for Sir Gawain. Then, through Sir Lancelot's favor, the queen was
+reconciled to Sir Mador, and all was forgiven.</p>
+
+<p>Now fifteen days before the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the
+king proclaimed a tourney to be held that feast-day at Camelot, whereat
+himself and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come
+against them. So thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish
+of Ireland, and Sir Galahaut the noble prince, and many other nobles of
+divers countries.</p>
+
+<p>And King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the queen go with
+him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot, also, made excuses,
+saying he was not yet whole of his wounds.</p>
+
+<p>At that the king was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone
+towards Camelot. And by the way he lodged in a town called Astolat, and
+lay that night in the castle.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had gone, Sir Lancelot said to the queen, "This night I
+will rest, and to-morrow betimes will I take my way to Camelot; for at
+these jousts I will be against the king and his fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye may do as ye list," said Queen Guinevere; "but by my counsel ye will
+not be against the king, for in his company are many hardy knights, as
+ye well know."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray ye be not displeased with me, for I
+will take the adventure that God may send me."</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow he went to the church and heard mass, and took his
+leave of the queen, and so departed.</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode long till he came to Astolat, and there lodged at the
+castle of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astolat, which was near the
+castle where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the king
+espied him, and knew him. Then said he to the knights, "I have just seen
+a knight who will fight full well at the joust toward which we go."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?" asked they.</p>
+
+<p>"As yet ye shall not know," he answered smiling.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming the old baron came to him,
+saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Bernard had a daughter passing beautiful, called the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that
+instant with her whole heart, and could not stay from gazing on him.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow, Sir Lancelot asked the old baron to lend him a strange
+shield. "For," said he, "I would be unknown."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for here is the shield
+of my eldest son, Sir Torre, who was hurt the day he was made knight, so
+that he cannot ride; and his shield, therefore, is not known. And, if it
+please you, my youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you to the
+jousts, for he is of his age full strong and mighty; and I deem ye be a
+noble knight, wherefore I pray ye tell me your name."</p>
+
+<p>"As to that," said Sir Lancelot, "ye must hold me excused at this time,
+but if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you; but
+in anywise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and lend me his
+brother's shield."</p>
+
+<p>Then, ere they departed, came Elaine, the baron's daughter, and said to
+Sir Lancelot, "I pray thee, gentle knight, to wear my token at
+to-morrow's tourney."</p>
+
+<p>"If I should grant you that, fair damsel," said he, "ye might say that I
+did more for you than ever I have done for lady or damsel."</p>
+
+<p>Then he bethought him that if he granted her request he would be the
+more disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon
+he said, "Fair damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet if thou wilt
+show it me."</p>
+
+<p>Thereat was she passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve broidered
+with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took, and put upon his helm. Then he
+prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking
+Sir Torre's shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavaine towards Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow the trumpets blew for the tourney, and there was a great
+press of dukes and earls and barons and many noble knights; and King
+Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of
+Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland rode forth on King
+Arthur's side; and against them came the King of North Wales, the King
+of a Hundred Knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince
+Sir Galahaut.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood behind the
+party which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove
+the weakest.</p>
+
+<p>Then was there a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a
+Hundred Knights smote down the King of Scotland; and Sir Palomedes, who
+was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galahaut. Then came fifteen
+Knights of the Round Table and beat back the Kings of Northumberland and
+North Wales with their knights.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "if ye will help me, ye shall
+see yonder fellowship go back as fast as they came."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "I will do what I can."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there, with
+one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five Knights of the Round Table, one
+after other, and Sir Lavaine overthrew two. And taking another spear,
+for his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and
+Sir Lavaine a fifth. Then, drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought
+fiercely on the right hand and the left, and unhorsed Sir Safire, Sir
+Epinogris, and Sir Galleron. At that the Knights of the Round Table
+withdrew themselves as well as they were able.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, mercy," said Sir Gawain, who sat by King Arthur; "what knight is
+that who doth such marvelous deeds of arms? I should deem him by his
+force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's token on his helm
+as never Lancelot doth."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him be," said King Arthur; "he will be better known, and do more
+ere he depart."</p>
+
+<p>Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his
+knights were sore ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel
+called together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed
+to join together in one band against the two strange knights. So they
+encountered Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse
+to the ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through
+the shield into the side, and the spear broke off and left the head in
+the wound.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Lavaine saw that, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck
+him off his horse, and brought it to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to
+mount. Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bors and his horse to the ground, and
+in like manner served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and turning upon three
+other knights he smote them down also; while Sir Lavaine did many
+gallant deeds.</p>
+
+<p>But feeling himself now sorely wounded Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and
+proffered to fight with Sir Bors, who, by this time, was mounted anew.
+And as they met, Sir Ector and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of
+all three drave fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets, and
+his wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while
+he could yet endure, and smote Sir Bors a blow that bent his head down
+nearly to the ground and razed his helmet off and pulled him from his
+horse.</p>
+
+<p>Then rushing at Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, he smote them down, and might
+have slain all three, but when he saw their faces his heart forbade him.
+Leaving them, therefore, on the field, he hurled into the thickest of
+the press, and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before.</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Lavaine was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights;
+but Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them Knights
+of the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney,
+and the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight with the white
+shield who bore the red sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>But ere Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the King of the
+Hundred Knights, the King of North Wales, the King of Northumberland,
+and Sir Galahaut, and said to him, "Fair knight, God bless thee, for
+much have ye done this day for us; wherefore we pray ye come with us and
+receive the honor and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it."</p>
+
+<p>"My fair lords," said Sir Lancelot, "wit ye well if I have deserved
+thanks, I have sore bought them, for I am like never to escape with my
+life; therefore pray ye let me depart, for I am sore hurt. I take no
+thought of honor, for I had rather rest me than be lord of all the
+world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away
+from them.</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Lavaine rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still
+stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from
+the wound. Anon they came near a wood more than a mile from the lists,
+where he knew he could be hidden.</p>
+
+<p>Then said he to Sir Lavaine, "O gentle knight, help me to pull out this
+spear-head from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear lord," said he, "I fain would help ye; but I dread to draw it
+forth, lest ye should die for loss of blood."</p>
+
+<p>"I charge you as you love me," said Sir Lancelot, "draw it out."</p>
+
+<p>So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavaine drew the spear
+forth from Sir Lancelot's side; whereat he gave a marvelous great shriek
+and ghastly groan, and all his blood leaped forth in a full stream. Then
+he sank swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do now?"</p>
+
+<p>And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him
+nigh half an hour while he lay quiet as one dead. But at the last he
+lifted up his eyes, and said, "I pray ye bear me on my horse again, and
+lead me to a hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence, for he was
+formerly a knight of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in
+medicine and herbs."</p>
+
+<p>So with great pain Sir Lavaine got him to his horse, and led him to the
+hermitage within the wood, beside a stream. Then knocked he with his
+spear upon the door, and prayed to enter. At that a child came out, to
+whom he said, "Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither
+and let in a knight who is sore wounded."</p>
+
+<p>Anon came out the knight-hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked,
+"Who is this wounded knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know not," said Sir Lavaine, "save that he is the noblest knight I
+ever met with, and hath done this day such marvelous deeds of arms
+against King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the tourney."</p>
+
+<p>Then the hermit gazed long on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him, so pale
+he was with bleeding, yet said he at the last, "Who art thou, lord?"</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lancelot answered feebly, "I am a stranger knight adventurous, who
+laboreth through many realms to win worship."</p>
+
+<p>"Why hidest thou thy name, dear lord, from me?" cried Sir Baldwin; "for
+in sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world&mdash;my
+lord Sir Lancelot du Lake, with whom I long had fellowship at the Round
+Table."</p>
+
+<p>"Since ye know me, fair sir," said he, "I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to
+help me if ye may."</p>
+
+<p>"Doubt not," replied he, "that ye shall live and fare right well."</p>
+
+<p>Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials
+till he was refreshed from his faintness and came to himself again.</p>
+
+<p>Now after the jousting was done King Arthur held a feast, and asked to
+see the knight with the red sleeve that he might take the prize. So they
+told him how that knight had ridden from the field wounded nigh to
+death. "These be the worst tidings I have heard for many years," cried
+out the king; "I would not for my kingdom he were slain."</p>
+
+<p>Then all men asked, "Know ye him, lord?"</p>
+
+<p>"I may not tell ye at this time," said he; "but would to God we had good
+tidings of him."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gawain prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the king
+gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted and rode many leagues round
+Camelot, but could hear no tidings.</p>
+
+<p>Within two days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from
+Camelot, and Sir Gawain chanced to lodge at Astolat, in the house of Sir
+Bernard. And there came in the fair Elaine to him, and prayed him news
+of the tournament, and who won the prize. "A knight with a white
+shield," said he, "who bare a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all
+comers and won the day."</p>
+
+<p>At that the visage of Elaine changed suddenly from white to red, and
+heartily she thanked our Lady.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Gawain, "Know ye that knight?" and urged her till she told
+him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sir Gawain knew it was for love
+that she had given it; and when he heard she kept his proper shield he
+prayed to see it.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as it was brought he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon, and cried,
+"Alas! now am I heavier of heart than ever yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore?" said fair Elaine.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," answered he, "know ye not that the knight ye love is of
+all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot du Lake? With all my
+heart I pray ye may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think that
+ye shall see him in this world again, for he is so sore wounded he may
+scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him."</p>
+
+<p>Then was Elaine nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words
+she prayed her father that she might go seek Sir Lancelot and her
+brother. So in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed.</p>
+
+<p>And on the morrow came Sir Gawain to the court, and told how he had
+found Sir Lancelot's shield in Elaine's keeping, and how it was her
+sleeve which he had worn; whereat all marveled, for Sir Lancelot had
+done for her more than he had ever done for any woman.</p>
+
+<p>But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and
+sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir
+Lancelot had been hurt&mdash;"Have ye now heard," said she, "how falsely Sir
+Lancelot hath betrayed me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I beseech thee, madam," said he, "speak not so, for else I may not hear
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I not call him traitor," cried she, "who hath worn another lady's
+token at the jousting?"</p>
+
+<p>"Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent," replied Sir Bors, "but
+that he might be better hidden, for never did he in that wise before."</p>
+
+<p>"Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him," cried the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam, say what ye will," said he; "but I must haste to seek him, and
+God send me soon good tidings of him."</p>
+
+<p>So with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astolat, and come to Camelot,
+and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot.
+And so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the hermitage to
+exercise his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud,
+"How doth my lord Sir Lancelot fare?"</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Lavaine, marveling greatly, "How know ye my lord's name,
+fair sister?"</p>
+
+<p>So she told him how Sir Gawain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir
+Lancelot's shield.</p>
+
+<p>Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came to the
+hermitage and found him lying there sore sick and bleeding, she swooned
+for sorrow. Anon, as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her, and said,
+"Fair maid, I pray ye take comfort, for, by God's grace, I shall be
+shortly whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me, I am heartily
+bounden to your great kindness." Yet was he sore vexed to hear Sir
+Gawain had discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full
+wroth because of the red sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>So Elaine rested in the hermitage, and ever night and day she watched
+and waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as
+she saw him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no
+means withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "I pray thee
+set some to watch for the good knight Sir Bors, for as he hurt me, so
+will he surely seek for me."</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Bors by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir
+Lancelot everywhere, so Sir Lavaine soon found him, and brought him to
+the hermitage.</p>
+
+<p>And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pity and
+sorrow that he had given him that grievous wound. "God send thee a right
+speedy cure, dear lord," said he; "for I am of all men most unhappy to
+have wounded thee, who art our leader, and the noblest knight in all the
+world."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair cousin," said Sir Lancelot, "be comforted, for I have but gained
+what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, for had I
+warned ye of my coming it had not been; wherefore let us speak of other
+things."</p>
+
+<p>So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the queen's
+anger. Then he asked Sir Lancelot, "Was it from this maid who tendeth
+you so lovingly ye had the token?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," said Sir Lancelot; "and would I could persuade her to withdraw
+her love from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should ye do so?" said Sir Bors; "for she is passing fair and
+loving. I would to heaven ye could love her."</p>
+
+<p>"That may not be," replied he; "but it repenteth me in sooth to grieve
+her."</p>
+
+<p>Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at
+Allhallowtide next coming, between King Arthur and the King of North
+Wales.</p>
+
+<p>"Abide with me till then," said Sir Lancelot, "for by that time I trust
+to be all whole again, and we will go together."</p>
+
+<p>So Elaine daily and nightly tending him, within a month he felt so
+strong he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day, when Sir Bors and
+Sir Lavaine were from the hermitage, and the knight-hermit also was gone
+forth, Sir Lancelot prayed Elaine to bring him some herbs from the
+forest.</p>
+
+<p>When she was gone he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he
+were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh
+with lack of labor for so long a time. But when he set his spear in the
+rest and tried his armor, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so
+that Sir Lancelot strained to keep him back. And therewith his wound,
+which was not wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan
+he sank down swooning on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>At that came fair Elaine and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying
+so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them
+traitors to let him rise, or to know any rumor of the tournament. Anon
+the hermit returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen, but within
+a while he recovered him from his swoon and staunched the wound. Then
+Sir Lancelot told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his
+strength for the tournament. But the hermit bade him rest and let Sir
+Bors go alone, for else would he sorely peril his life. And Elaine,
+with tears, prayed him in the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end
+consented.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of
+arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Gawain, who did like
+valiantly.</p>
+
+<p>And when all was over he came back and told Sir Lancelot, and found him
+so nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter
+he departed from the hermitage and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavaine, and
+fair Elaine to Astolat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them.</p>
+
+<p>But after they had lodged there a few days Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors
+must needs depart and return to King Arthur's court.</p>
+
+<p>So when Elaine knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said,
+"Have mercy on me, fair knight, and let me not die for your love."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, "Fair maid, what would ye
+that I should do for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I may not be your wife, dear lord," she answered, "I must die."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said he, "I pray heaven that may not be; for in sooth I may not
+be your husband. But fain would I show ye what thankfulness I can for
+all your love and kindness to me. And ever will I be your knight, fair
+maiden; and if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right
+heartily will I give ye such a dower as half my lands will bring."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! what shall that aid me?" answered she; "for I must die," and
+therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard
+and Sir Lavaine, "What shall I do for her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said Sir Bernard, "I know well that she will die for your sake."</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Lavaine said, "I marvel not that she so sorely mourneth your
+departure, for truly I do as she doth, and since I once have seen you,
+lord, I cannot leave you."</p>
+
+<p>So anon, with a full sorrowful heart, Sir Lancelot took his leave, and
+Sir Lavaine rode with him to the court. And King Arthur and the Knights
+of the Round Table joyed greatly to see him whole of his wound, but
+Queen Guinevere was sorely wroth, and neither spake with him nor greeted
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now when Sir Lancelot had departed, the Maid of Astolat could neither
+eat, nor drink, nor sleep for sorrow; and having thus endured ten days,
+she felt within herself that she must die.</p>
+
+<p>Then sent she for a holy man, and was shriven and received the
+sacrament. But when he told her she must leave her earthly thoughts, she
+answered, "Am I not an earthly woman? What sin is it to love the noblest
+knight of all the world? And, by my truth, I am not able to withstand
+the love whereof I die; wherefore, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+have mercy on my soul."</p>
+
+<p>Then she besought Sir Bernard to indite a letter as she should devise,
+and said, "When I am dead put this within my hand, and dress me in my
+fairest clothes, and lay me in a barge all covered with black samite,
+and steer it down the river till it reach the court. Thus, father, I
+beseech thee let it be."</p>
+
+<p>Then, full of grief, he promised her it should be so. And anon she died,
+and all the household made a bitter lamentation over her.</p>
+
+<p>Then did they as she had desired, and laid her body, richly dressed,
+upon a bed within the barge, and a trusty servant steered it down the
+river towards the court.</p>
+
+<p>Now King Arthur and Queen Guinevere sat at a window of the palace, and
+saw the barge come floating with the tide, and marveled what was laid
+therein, and sent a messenger to see, who, soon returning, prayed them
+to come forth.</p>
+
+<p>When they came to the shore they marveled greatly, and the king asked of
+the serving-man who steered the barge what this might mean. But he made
+signs that he was dumb, and pointed to the letter in the damsel's hands.
+So King Arthur took the letter from the hand of the corpse, and found
+thereon written, "To the noble knight, Sir Lancelot du Lake."</p>
+
+<p>Then was Sir Lancelot sent for, and the letter read aloud by a clerk,
+and thus it was written:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Most noble knight, my lord Sir Lancelot, now hath death forever parted
+us. I, whom men call the Maid of Astolat, set my love upon you, and have
+died for your sake. This is my last request, that ye pray for my soul
+and give me burial. Grant me this, Sir Lancelot, as thou art a peerless
+knight."</p>
+
+<p>At these words the queen and all the knights wept sore for pity.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Sir Lancelot, "My lord, I am right heavy for the death of this
+fair damsel; and God knoweth that right unwillingly I caused it, for she
+was good as she was fair, and much was I beholden to her; but she loved
+me beyond measure, and asked me that I could not give her."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye might have shown her gentleness enough to save her life," answered
+the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," said he, "she would but be repaid by my taking her to wife, and
+that I could not grant her, for love cometh of the heart and not by
+constraint."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said the king; "for love is free."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you," said Sir Lancelot, "let me now grant her last asking, to
+be buried by me."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow, he caused her body to be buried richly and solemnly,
+and ordained masses for her soul, and made great sorrow over her.</p>
+
+<p>Then the queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and prayed his pardon for her
+wrath against him without cause. "This is not the first time it hath
+been so," answered he; "yet must I ever bear with ye, and so do I now
+forgive you."</p>
+
+<p>So Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot were made friends again; but anon
+such favor did she show him, as in the end brought many evils on them
+both and all the realm.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>XV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR</h3>
+
+
+<p>Within a while thereafter was a jousting at the court, wherein Sir
+Lancelot won the prize. And two of those he smote down were Sir
+Agravaine, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modred, his false
+brother&mdash;King Arthur's son by Belisent. And because of his victory they
+hated Sir Lancelot, and sought how they might injure him.</p>
+
+<p>So on a night, when King Arthur was hunting in the forest, and the queen
+sent for Sir Lancelot to her chamber, they two espied him; and thinking
+now to make a scandal and a quarrel between Lancelot and the king, they
+found twelve others, and said Sir Lancelot was ever now in the queen's
+chamber, and King Arthur was dishonored.</p>
+
+<p>Then, all armed, they came suddenly round the queen's door, and cried,
+"Traitor! now art thou taken."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam, we be betrayed," said Sir Lancelot; "yet shall my life cost
+these men dear."</p>
+
+<p>Then did the queen weep sore, and dismally she cried, "Alas! there is
+no armor here whereby ye might withstand so many; wherefore ye will be
+slain, and I be burnt for the dread crime they will charge on me."</p>
+
+<p>But while she spake the shouting of the knights was heard without,
+"Traitor, come forth, for now thou art snared!"</p>
+
+<p>"Better were twenty deaths at once than this vile outcry," said Sir
+Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>Then he kissed her and said, "Most noble lady, I beseech ye, as I have
+ever been your own true knight, take courage; pray for my soul if I be
+now slain, and trust my faithful friends, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, to
+save you from the fire."</p>
+
+<p>But ever bitterly she wept and moaned, and cried, "Would God that they
+would take and slay me, and that thou couldest escape."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall never be," said he. And wrapping his mantle round his arm he
+unbarred the door a little space, so that but one could enter.</p>
+
+<p>Then first rushed in Sir Chalaunce, a full strong knight, and lifted up
+his sword to smite Sir Lancelot; but lightly he avoided him, and struck
+Sir Chalaunce, with his hand, such a sore buffet on the head as felled
+him dead upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lancelot pulled in his body and barred the door again, and
+dressed himself in his armor, and took his drawn sword in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>But still the knights cried mightily without the door, "Traitor, come
+forth!"</p>
+
+<p>"Be silent and depart," replied Sir Lancelot; "for be ye sure ye will
+not take me, and to-morrow will I meet ye face to face before the king."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye shall have no such grace," they cried; "but we will slay thee, or
+take thee as we list."</p>
+
+<p>"Then save yourselves who may," he thundered, and therewith suddenly
+unbarred the door and rushed forth at them. And at the first blow he
+slew Sir Agravaine, and after him twelve other knights, with twelve more
+mighty buffets. And none of all escaped him save Sir Modred, who, sorely
+wounded, flew away for life.</p>
+
+<p>Then returned he to the queen, and said, "Now, madam, will I depart, and
+if ye be in any danger I pray ye come to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely will I stay here, for I am queen," she answered; "yet if
+to-morrow any harm come to me I trust to thee for rescue."</p>
+
+<p>"Have ye no doubt of me," said he, "for ever while I live am I your own
+true knight."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he took his leave, and went and told Sir Bors and all his
+kindred of this adventure. "We will be with thee in this quarrel," said
+they all; "and if the queen be sentenced to the fire, we certainly will
+save her."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Sir Modred, in great fear and pain, fled from the court, and
+rode until he found King Arthur, and told him all that had befallen. But
+the king would scarce believe him till he came and saw the bodies of Sir
+Agravaine and all the other knights.</p>
+
+<p>Then felt he in himself that all was true, and with his passing grief
+his heart nigh broke. "Alas!" cried he, "now is the fellowship of the
+Round Table forever broken: yea, woe is me! I may not with my honor
+spare my queen."</p>
+
+<p>Anon it was ordained that Queen Guinevere should be burned to death,
+because she had dishonored King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>But when Sir Gawain heard thereof, he came before the king, and said,
+"My lord, I counsel thee be not too hasty in this matter, but stay the
+judgment of the queen a season, for it may well be that Sir Lancelot was
+in her chamber for no evil, seeing she is greatly beholden to him for so
+many deeds done for her sake, and peradventure she had sent to him to
+thank him, and did it secretly that she might avoid slander."</p>
+
+<p>But King Arthur answered, full of grief, "Alas! I may not help her; she
+is judged as any other woman."</p>
+
+<p>Then he required Sir Gawain and his brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir
+Gareth, to be ready to bear the queen to-morrow to the place of
+execution.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, noble lord," replied Sir Gawain, "that can I never do; for neither
+will my heart suffer me to see the queen die, nor shall men ever say I
+was of your counsel in this matter."</p>
+
+<p>Then said his brother, "Ye may command us to be there, but since it is
+against our will, we will be without arms, that we may do no battle
+against her."</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow was Queen Guinevere led forth to die by fire, and a
+mighty crowd was there, of knights and nobles, armed and unarmed. And
+all the lords and ladies wept sore at that piteous sight. Then was she
+shriven by a priest, and the men came nigh to bind her to the stake and
+light the fire.</p>
+
+<p>At that Sir Lancelot's spies rode hastily and told him and his kindred,
+who lay hidden in a wood hard by; and suddenly, with twenty knights, he
+rushed into the midst of all the throng to rescue her.</p>
+
+<p>But certain of King Arthur's knights rose up and fought with them, and
+there was a full great battle and confusion. And Sir Lancelot drave
+fiercely here and there among the press, and smote on every side, and at
+every blow struck down a knight, so that many were slain by him and his
+fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Then was the queen set free, and caught up on Sir Lancelot's saddle and
+fled away with him and all his company to the Castle of La Joyous Garde.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it chanced that, in the turmoil of the fighting, Sir Lancelot had
+unawares struck down and slain the two good knights Sir Gareth and Sir
+Gaheris, knowing it not, for he fought wildly, and saw not that they
+were unarmed.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur heard thereof, and of all that battle, and the rescue
+of the queen, he sorrowed heavily for those good knights, and was
+passing wroth with Lancelot and the queen.</p>
+
+<p>But when Sir Gawain heard of his brethren's death he swooned for sorrow
+and wrath, for he wist that Sir Lancelot had killed them in malice. And
+as soon as he recovered he ran in to the king, and said, "Lord king and
+uncle, hear this oath which now I swear, that from this day I will not
+fail Sir Lancelot till one of us hath slain the other. And now, unless
+ye haste to war with him, that we may be avenged, will I myself alone go
+after him."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king, full of wrath and grief, agreed thereto, and sent letters
+throughout the realm to summon all his knights, and went with a vast
+army to besiege the Castle of La Joyous Garde. And Sir Lancelot, with
+his knights, mightily defended it; but never would he suffer any to go
+forth and attack one of the king's army, for he was right loth to fight
+against him.</p>
+
+<p>So when fifteen weeks were passed, and King Arthur's army wasted itself
+in vain against the castle, for it was passing strong, it chanced upon a
+day Sir Lancelot was looking from the walls and espied King Arthur and
+Sir Gawain close beside.</p>
+
+<p>"Come forth, Sir Lancelot," said King Arthur right fiercely, "and let us
+two meet in the midst of the field."</p>
+
+<p>"God forbid that I should encounter with thee, lord, for thou didst make
+me a knight," replied Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>Then cried Sir Gawain, "Shame on thee, traitor and false knight, yet be
+ye well assured we will regain the queen and slay thee and thy company;
+yea, double shame on ye to slay my brother Gaheris unarmed, Sir Gareth
+also, who loved ye so well. For that treachery, be sure I am thine enemy
+till death."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that I hear such tidings, for I knew not I
+had slain those noble knights, and right sorely now do I repent it with
+a heavy heart. Yet abate thy wrath, Sir Gawain, for ye know full well I
+did it by mischance, for I loved them ever as my own brothers."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou liest, false recreant," cried Sir Gawain, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>At that Sir Lancelot was wroth, and said, "I well see thou art now mine
+enemy, and that there can be no more peace with thee, or with my lord
+the king, else would I gladly give back the queen."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king would fain have listened to Sir Lancelot, for more than
+all his own wrong did he grieve at the sore waste and damage of the
+realm, but Sir Gawain persuaded him against it, and ever cried out
+foully on Sir Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Bors and the other knights of Lancelot's party heard the fierce
+words of Sir Gawain, they were passing wroth, and prayed to ride forth
+and be avenged on him, for they were weary of so long waiting to no
+good. And in the end Sir Lancelot, with a heavy heart, consented.</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow the hosts on either side met in the field, and there
+was a great battle. And Sir Gawain prayed his knights chiefly to set
+upon Sir Lancelot; but Sir Lancelot commanded his company to forbear
+King Arthur and Sir Gawain.</p>
+
+<p>So the two armies jousted together right fiercely, and Sir Gawain
+proffered to encounter with Sir Lionel, and overthrew him. But Sir Bors
+and Sir Blamor, and Sir Palomedes, who were on Sir Lancelot's side, did
+great feats of arms, and overthrew many of King Arthur's knights.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king came forth against Sir Lancelot, but Sir Lancelot forbore
+him and would not strike again.</p>
+
+<p>At that Sir Bors rode up against the king and smote him down. But Sir
+Lancelot cried, "Touch him not on pain of thy head," and going to King
+Arthur he alighted and gave him his own horse, saying, "My lord, I pray
+thee forbear this strife, for it can bring to neither of us any honor."</p>
+
+<p>And when King Arthur looked on him the tears came to his eyes as he
+thought of his noble courtesy, and he said within himself, "Alas! that
+ever this war began."</p>
+
+<p>But on the morrow Sir Gawain led forth the army again, and Sir Bors
+commanded on Sir Lancelot's side. And they two struck together so
+fiercely that both fell to the ground sorely wounded; and all the day
+they fought till night fell, and many were slain on both sides, yet in
+the end neither gained the victory.</p>
+
+<p>But by now the fame of this fierce war spread through all Christendom,
+and when the Pope heard thereof he sent a Bull, and charged King Arthur
+to make peace with Lancelot, and receive back Queen Guinevere; and for
+the offense imputed to her absolution should be given by the Pope.</p>
+
+<p>Thereto would King Arthur straightway have obeyed, but Sir Gawain ever
+urged him to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he wrote thus to the king: "It was
+never in my thought, lord, to withhold thy queen from thee; but since
+she was condemned for my sake to death, I deemed it but a just and
+knightly part to rescue her therefrom; wherefore I recommend me to your
+grace, and within eight days will I come to thee and bring the queen in
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>Then, within eight days, as he had said, Sir Lancelot rode from out the
+castle with Queen Guinevere, and a hundred knights for company, each
+carrying an olive branch, in sign of peace. And so they came to the
+court, and found King Arthur sitting on his throne, with Sir Gawain and
+many other knights around him. And when Sir Lancelot entered with the
+queen, they both kneeled down before the king.</p>
+
+<p>Anon Sir Lancelot rose and said, "My lord, I have brought hither my lady
+the queen again, as right requireth, and by commandment of the Pope and
+you. I pray ye take her to your heart again and forget the past. For
+myself I may ask nothing, and for my sin I shall have sorrow and sore
+punishment; yet I would to heaven I might have your grace."</p>
+
+<p>But ere the king could answer, for he was moved with pity at his words,
+Sir Gawain cried aloud, "Let the king do as he will, but be sure, Sir
+Lancelot, thou and I shall never be accorded while we live, for thou has
+slain my brethren traitorously and unarmed."</p>
+
+<p>"As heaven is my help," replied Sir Lancelot, "I did it ignorantly, for
+I loved them well, and while I live I shall bewail their death; but to
+make war with me were no avail, for I must needs fight with thee if thou
+assailest, and peradventure I might kill thee also, which I were right
+loth to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I will forgive thee never," cried Sir Gawain, "and if the king
+accordeth with thee he shall lose my service."</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights who stood near tried to reconcile Sir Gawain to Sir
+Lancelot, but he would not hear them. So, at the last, Sir Lancelot
+said, "Since peace is vain, I will depart, lest I bring more evil on my
+fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>And as he turned to go, the tears fell from him, and he said, "Alas,
+most noble Christian realm, which I have loved above all others, now
+shall I see thee never more!" Then said he to the queen, "Madam, now
+must I leave ye and this noble fellowship forever. And, I beseech ye,
+pray for me, and if ye ever be defamed of any, let me hear thereof, and
+as I have been ever thy true knight in right and wrong, so will I be
+again."</p>
+
+<p>With that he kneeled and kissed King Arthur's hands, and departed on his
+way. And there was none in all that court, save Sir Gawain alone, but
+wept to see him go.</p>
+
+<p>So he returned with all his knights to the Castle of La Joyous Garde,
+and, for his sorrow's sake, he named it Dolorous Garde thenceforth.</p>
+
+<p>Anon he left the realm, and went with many of his fellowship beyond the
+sea to France, and there divided all his lands among them equally, he
+sharing but as the rest.</p>
+
+<p>And from that time forward peace had been between him and King Arthur,
+but for Sir Gawain, who left the king no rest, but constantly persuaded
+him that Lancelot was raising mighty hosts against him.</p>
+
+<p>So in the end his malice overcame the king, who left the government in
+charge of Modred, and made him guardian of the queen, and went with a
+great army to invade Sir Lancelot's lands.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Sir Lancelot would make no war upon the king, and sent a message to
+gain peace on any terms King Arthur chose. But Sir Gawain met the herald
+ere he reached the king, and sent him back with taunting and bitter
+words. Whereat Sir Lancelot sorrowfully called his knights together and
+fortified the Castle of Benwicke, and there was shortly besieged by the
+army of King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>And every day Sir Gawain rode up to the walls, and cried out foully on
+Sir Lancelot, till, upon a time, Sir Lancelot answered him that he would
+meet him in the field and put his boasting to the proof. So it was
+agreed on both sides that there should none come nigh them or separate
+them till one had fallen or yielded; and they two rode forth.</p>
+
+<p>Then did they wheel their horses apart, and turning, came together as it
+had been thunder, so that both horses fell, and both their lances broke.
+At that they drew their swords and set upon each other fiercely, with
+passing grievous strokes.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sir Gawain had through magic a marvelous great gift. For every day,
+from morning till noon, his strength waxed to the might of seven men,
+but after that waned to his natural force. Therefore till noon he gave
+Sir Lancelot many mighty buffets, which scarcely he endured. Yet greatly
+he forbore Sir Gawain, for he was aware of his enchantment, and smote
+him slightly till his own knights marveled. But after noon Sir Gawain's
+strength sank fast, and then, with one full blow, Sir Lancelot laid him
+on the earth. Then Sir Gawain cried out, "Turn not away, thou traitor
+knight, but slay me if thou wilt, or else I will arise and fight with
+thee again some other time."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," replied Sir Lancelot, "I never yet smote a fallen man."</p>
+
+<p>At that they bore Sir Gawain sorely wounded to his tent, and King Arthur
+withdrew his men, for he was loth to shed the blood of so many knights
+of his own fellowship.</p>
+
+<p>But now came tidings to King Arthur from across the sea, which caused
+him to return in haste. For thus the news ran, that no sooner was Sir
+Modred set up in his regency, than he had forged false tidings from
+abroad that the king had fallen in a battle with Sir Lancelot. Whereat
+he had proclaimed himself the king, and had been crowned at Canterbury,
+where he had held a coronation feast for fifteen days. Then he had gone
+to Winchester, where Queen Guinevere abode, and had commanded her to be
+his wife; whereto, for fear and sore perplexity, she had feigned
+consent, but, under pretext of preparing for the marriage, had fled in
+haste to London and taken shelter in the Tower, fortifying it and
+providing it with all manner of victuals, and defending it against Sir
+Modred, and answering to all his threats that she would rather slay
+herself than be his queen.</p>
+
+<p>Thus was it written to King Arthur. Then, in passing great wrath and
+haste, he came with all his army swiftly back from France and sailed to
+England. But when Sir Modred heard thereof, he left the Tower and
+marched with all his host to meet the king at Dover.</p>
+
+<p>Then fled Queen Guinevere to Amesbury to a nunnery, and there she
+clothed herself in sackcloth, and spent her time in praying for the king
+and in good deeds and fasting. And in that nunnery evermore she lived,
+sorely repenting and mourning for her sin, and for the ruin she had
+brought on all the realm. And there anon she died.</p>
+
+<p>And when Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he put his knightly armor off, and
+bade farewell to all his kin, and went a mighty pilgrimage for many
+years, and after lived a hermit till his death.</p>
+
+<p>When Sir Modred came to Dover, he found King Arthur and his army but
+just landed; and there they fought a fierce and bloody battle, and many
+great and noble knights fell on both sides.</p>
+
+<p>But the king's side had the victory, for he was beyond himself with
+might and passion, and all his knights so fiercely followed him, that,
+in spite of all their multitude, they drove Sir Modred's army back with
+fearful wounds and slaughter, and slept that night upon the
+battle-field.</p>
+
+<p>But Sir Gawain was smitten by an arrow in the wound Sir Lancelot gave
+him, and wounded to the death. Then was he borne to the king's tent,
+and King Arthur sorrowed over him as it had been his own son. "Alas!"
+said he; "in Sir Lancelot and in you I had my greatest earthly joy, and
+now is all gone from me."</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Gawain answered, with a feeble voice, "My lord and king, I know
+well my death is come, and through my own wilfulness, for I am smitten
+in the wound Sir Lancelot gave me. Alas! that I have been the cause of
+all this war, for but for me thou hadst been now at peace with Lancelot,
+and then had Modred never done this treason. I pray ye, therefore, my
+dear lord, be now agreed with Lancelot, and tell him, that although he
+gave me my death-wound, it was through my own seeking; wherefore I
+beseech him to come back to England, and here to visit my tomb, and pray
+for my soul."</p>
+
+<p>When he had thus spoken, Sir Gawain gave up his ghost, and the king
+grievously mourned for him.</p>
+
+<p>Then they told him that the enemy had camped on Barham Downs, whereat,
+with all his hosts, he straightway marched there, and fought again a
+bloody battle, and overthrew Sir Modred utterly. Howbeit, he raised yet
+another army, and retreating ever from before the king, increased his
+numbers as he went, till at the farthest west in Lyonesse, he once more
+made a stand.</p>
+
+<p>Now, on the night of Trinity Sunday, being the eve of the battle, King
+Arthur had a vision, and saw Sir Gawain in a dream, who warned him not
+to fight with Modred on the morrow, else he would be surely slain; and
+prayed him to delay till Lancelot and his knights should come to aid
+him.</p>
+
+<p>So when King Arthur woke he told his lords and knights that vision, and
+all agreed to wait the coming of Sir Lancelot. Then a herald was sent
+with a message of truce to Sir Modred, and a treaty was made that
+neither army should assail the other.</p>
+
+<p>But when the treaty was agreed upon, and the heralds returned, King
+Arthur said to his knights, "Beware, lest Sir Modred deceive us, for I
+in no wise trust him, and if swords be drawn be ready to encounter!" And
+Sir Modred likewise gave an order, that if any man of the king's army
+drew his sword, they should begin to fight.</p>
+
+<p>And as it chanced, a knight of the king's side was bitten by an adder in
+the foot, and hastily drew forth his sword to slay it. That saw Sir
+Modred, and forthwith commanded all his army to assail the king's.</p>
+
+<p>So both sides rushed to battle, and fought passing fiercely. And when
+the king saw there was no hope to stay them, he did right mightily and
+nobly as a king should do, and ever, like a lion, raged in the thickest
+of the press, and slew on the right hand and on the left, till his horse
+went fetlock deep in blood. So all day long they fought, and stinted not
+till many a noble knight was slain.</p>
+
+<p>But the king was passing sorrowful to see his trusty knights lie dead on
+every side. And at the last but two remained beside him, Sir Lucan, and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, and both were sorely wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Now am I come to mine end," said King Arthur; "but, lo! that traitor
+Modred liveth yet, and I may not die till I have slain him. Now, give me
+my spear, Sir Lucan."</p>
+
+<p>"Lord, let him be," replied Sir Lucan; "for if ye pass through this
+unhappy day, ye shall be right well revenged upon him. My good lord,
+remember well your dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawain did
+fore-warn ye."</p>
+
+<p>"Betide me life, betide me death," said the king; "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I
+never have him."</p>
+
+<p>"God speed you well," said Sir Bedivere.</p>
+
+<p>Then King Arthur got his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir
+Modred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death-day come!" And when Sir
+Modred heard his words, and saw him come, he drew his sword and stood to
+meet him. Then King Arthur smote Sir Modred through the body more than a
+fathom. And when Sir Modred felt he had his death wound, he thrust
+himself with all his might up to the end of King Arthur's spear, and
+smote his father, Arthur, with his sword upon the head, so that it
+pierced both helm and brain-pan.</p>
+
+<p>And therewith Sir Modred fell down stark dead to the earth, and King
+Arthur fell down also in a swoon, and swooned many times.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere came and bare him away to a little
+chapel by the sea-shore. And there Sir Lucan sank down with the
+bleeding of his own wounds, and fell dead.</p>
+
+<p>And King Arthur lay long in a swoon, and when he came to himself, he
+found Sir Lucan lying dead beside him, and Sir Bedivere weeping over the
+body of his brother.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the king to Sir Bedivere, "Weeping will avail no longer, else
+would I grieve forevermore. Alas! now is the fellowship of the Round
+Table dissolved forever, and all my realm I have so loved is wasted with
+war. But my time hieth fast, wherefore take thou Excalibur, my good
+sword, and go therewith to yonder water-side and throw it in, and bring
+me word what thing thou seest."</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Bedivere departed; but as he went he looked upon the sword, the
+hilt whereof was all inlaid with precious stones exceeding rich. And
+presently he said within himself, "If I now throw this sword into the
+water, what good should come of it?" So he hid the sword among the
+reeds, and came again to the king.</p>
+
+<p>"What sawest thou?" said he to Sir Bedivere.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord," said he, "I saw nothing else but wind and waves."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast untruly spoken," said the king; "wherefore go lightly back
+and throw it in, and spare not."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword up in his hand; but
+when he looked on it, he thought it sin and shame to throw away a thing
+so noble. Wherefore he hid it yet again, and went back to the king.</p>
+
+<p>"What saw ye?" said King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord," answered he, "I saw nothing but the water ebbing and flowing."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, traitor and untrue!" cried out the king; "twice hast thou now
+betrayed me. Art thou called of men a noble knight, and wouldest betray
+me for a jewelled sword? Now, therefore, go again for the last time, for
+thy tarrying hath put me in sore peril of my life, and I fear my wound
+hath taken cold; and if thou do it not this time, by my faith I will
+arise and slay thee with my hands."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Bedivere ran quickly and took up the sword, and went down to
+the water's edge, and bound the girdle round the hilt and threw it far
+into the water. And lo! an arm and hand came forth above the water, and
+caught the sword, and brandished it three times, and vanished.</p>
+
+<p>So Sir Bedivere came again to the king and told him what he had seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Help me from hence," said King Arthur; "for I dread me I have tarried
+over long."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Bedivere took the king up in his arms, and bore him to the
+water's edge. And by the shore they saw a barge with three fair queens
+therein, all dressed in black, and when they saw King Arthur they wept
+and wailed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now put me in the barge," said he to Sir Bedivere, and tenderly he did
+so.</p>
+
+<p>Then the three queens received him, and he laid his head upon the lap of
+one of them, who cried, "Alas! dear brother, why have ye tarried so
+long, for your wound hath taken cold?"</p>
+
+<p>With that the barge put from the land, and when Sir Bedivere saw it
+departing, he cried with a bitter cry, "Alas! my lord King Arthur, what
+shall become of me now ye have gone from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Comfort ye," said King Arthur, "and be strong, for I may no more help
+ye. I go to the Vale of Avilion to heal me of my grievous wound, and if
+ye see me no more, pray for my soul."</p>
+
+<p>Then the three queens kneeled down around the king and sorely wept and
+wailed, and the barge went forth to sea, and departed slowly out of Sir
+Bedivere's sight.</p>
+
+
+<h3>THE END</h3>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the
+Round Table, by Unknown
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
+Table, by Unknown
+
+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: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: Rupert S. Holland
+
+Release Date: June 18, 2011 [EBook #36462]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING ARTHUR--KNIGHTS ROUND TABLE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Peter Vachuska, Dave Morgan, Mary Meehan and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
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+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 KING ARTHUR
+
+                     _and the Knights of the Round Table_
+
+                          EDITED BY RUPERT S. HOLLAND
+
+
+    GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+    _Publishers_      NEW YORK
+
+    _Copyright, 1919, by
+    George W. Jacobs & Company_
+
+    _Printed in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "This girdle, lords," said she, "is made for the most
+part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the world, I loved full
+well."]
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table! What magic is in the
+words! How they carry us straight to the days of chivalry, to the
+witchcraft of Merlin, to the wonderful deeds of Lancelot and Perceval
+and Galahad, to the Quest for the Holy Grail, to all that "glorious
+company, the flower of men," as Tennyson has called the king and his
+companions! Down through the ages the stories have come to us, one of
+the few great romances which, like the tales of Homer, are as fresh and
+vivid to-day as when men first recited them in court and camp and
+cottage. Other great kings and paladins are lost in the dim shadows of
+long-past centuries, but Arthur still reigns in Camelot and his knights
+still ride forth to seek the Grail.
+
+                        "No little thing shall be
+
+    The gentle music of the bygone years,
+    Long past to us with all their hopes and fears."
+
+So wrote the poet William Morris in _The Earthly Paradise_. And surely
+it is no small debt of gratitude we owe the troubadours and chroniclers
+and poets who through many centuries have sung of Arthur and his
+champions, each adding to the song the gifts of his own imagination, so
+building from simple folk-tales one of the most magnificent and moving
+stories in all literature.
+
+This debt perhaps we owe in greatest measure to three men; to Chretien
+de Troies, a Frenchman, who in the twelfth century put many of the old
+Arthurian legends into verse; to Sir Thomas Malory, who first wrote out
+most of the stories in English prose, and whose book, the _Morte
+Darthur_, was printed by William Caxton, the first English printer, in
+1485; and to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who in his series of poems entitled
+the _Idylls of the King_ retold the legends in new and beautiful guise
+in the nineteenth century.
+
+The history of Arthur is so shrouded in the mists of early England that
+it is difficult to tell exactly who and what he was. There probably was
+an actual Arthur, who lived in the island of Britain in the sixth
+century, but probably he was not a king nor even a prince. It seems most
+likely that he was a chieftain who led his countrymen to victory against
+the invading English about the year 500. So proud were his countrymen of
+his victories that they began to invent imaginary stories of his prowess
+to add to the fame of their hero, just as among all peoples legends soon
+spring up about the name of a great leader. As each man told the feats
+of Arthur he contributed those details that appealed most to his own
+fancy and each was apt to think of the hero as a man of his own time,
+dressing and speaking and living as his own kings and princes did, with
+the result that when we come to the twelfth century we find Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, in his _History of the Kings of Britain_, describing Arthur
+no longer as a half-barbarous Briton, wearing rude armor, his arms and
+legs bare, but instead as a most Christian king, the flower of mediaeval
+chivalry, decked out in all the gorgeous trappings of a knight of the
+Crusades.
+
+As the story of Arthur grew it attracted to itself popular legends of
+all kinds. Its roots were in Britain and the chief threads in its fabric
+remained British-Celtic. The next most important threads were those that
+were added by the Celtic chroniclers of Ireland. Then stories that were
+not Celtic at all were woven into the legend, some from Germanic
+sources, which the Saxons or the descendants of the Franks may have
+contributed, and others that came from the Orient, which may have been
+brought back from the East by men returning from the Crusades. And if it
+was the Celts who gave us the most of the material for the stories of
+Arthur it was the French poets who first wrote out the stories and gave
+them enduring form.
+
+It was the Frenchman, Chretien de Troies, who lived at the courts of
+Champagne and of Flanders, who put the old legends into verse for the
+pleasure of the noble lords and ladies that were his patrons. He
+composed six Arthurian poems. The first, which was written about 1160 or
+earlier, related the story of Tristram. The next was called _Erec et
+Enide_, and told some of the adventures that were later used by Tennyson
+in his _Geraint and Enid_. The third was _Cliges_, a poem that has
+little to do with the stories of Arthur and his knights as we have
+them. Next came the _Conte de la Charrette_, or _Le Chevalier de la
+Charrette_, which set forth the love of Lancelot and Guinevere. Then
+followed _Yvain_, or _Le Chevalier au Lion_, and finally came
+_Perceval_, or _Le Conte du Graal_, which gives the first account of the
+Holy Grail.
+
+None of these stories are to be found in the work of Geoffrey of
+Monmouth, who had written earlier in Latin, nor in any of the so-called
+chronicles. It was Chretien who took the old folk-tales that men had
+been telling each other for centuries and put them into sprightly verse
+for the entertainment of his lords and ladies. He fashioned the stories
+according to the taste of his own gay courts, and so Arthur and his
+Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, Perceval and the other knights became far
+more like French people of the twelfth century than like Britons of the
+sixth. And in introducing the Holy Grail, that sacred and mystic cup
+that was supposed to hold drops of the blood of Christ and to have been
+carried to England by Joseph of Arimathea, Chretien added to the
+Arthurian legends an old religious story that had had nothing to do with
+Arthur originally.
+
+From this point in its history that sturdy ancient English oak, the
+original story of Arthur and his knights, an account mainly of warlike
+adventures, sent forth four new branches that have now become part and
+parcel of the parent legend. These four branches are the story of
+Merlin, the story of Lancelot, the story of the Holy Grail, and the
+story of Tristram and Iseult. Some of the writers who came after
+Chretien took one of these stories, some another, each enlarging his
+theme according to his own taste, until each story was the center of a
+large number of new and romantic offshoots. Practically all of them,
+however, were bound together by the thread that led from the court of
+the great King Arthur at Camelot.
+
+The story of Merlin, that man of magic, is the least important of the
+four branches, though Merlin is still an intensely interesting figure in
+the story of Arthur that we read to-day. The story of Lancelot was to
+prove very important; starting as a romance that had very little
+connection with Arthur, it became with Malory and Tennyson the real
+center of interest of the plot. The story of the Holy Grail proved
+almost equally important. In the earliest accounts of this Perceval was
+the knight chosen above all others to reach the Grail Castle, but
+Perceval was too rough and worldly a knight to suit the taste of the
+monks who wrote out the legends and so they created Galahad to take his
+place as their own ideal of perfection. And into these adventures are
+woven some of the tales of Sir Gawain, among them the delightful story
+of Gawain and the Little Maid with the Narrow Sleeves. To the legend of
+Perceval, Wolfram von Eschenbach, a Bavarian, added the story of the son
+of Perceval, or Parzival, as he calls him, the story of Lohengrin, the
+famous Swan-knight. Tristram and Iseult, the fourth of the branches,
+though less connected with Arthur than either Lancelot or the Holy
+Grail, became immensely popular with poets and remancers because of its
+great love story, and is to be found told again and again in widely
+varying forms all through the Middle Ages.
+
+So we have seen that a British chieftain, winning a great battle in the
+year 500, became in time celebrated throughout Europe as the greatest
+king of romance. So far it was mainly the French who had made him
+famous. Layamon, an English priest, had written a poem in English
+concerning Arthur shortly after 1200, and told of the founding of the
+Round Table, but it was to be a considerable time yet before any English
+writer was to attempt what the French had already done. Chaucer told
+none of the Arthurian stories, though he placed the scene of his _Wife
+of Bath's Tale_ at King Arthur's court. An unknown English poet wrote
+_Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight_ somewhere between 1350 and 1375. It
+is not until we come to the _Morte Darthur_ of Sir Thomas Malory,
+finished in 1469 or 1470, that we reach the next great step in the
+history of the legends since the time of Chretien de Troies. But in
+Malory's story Arthur steps forth resplendent, the kingly figure that we
+have to-day.
+
+Little is known concerning Sir Thomas Malory. He seems to have been a
+knight and country gentleman of Warwickshire, a member of Parliament in
+the reign of Henry VI, and later a soldier on the side of Lancaster in
+the Wars of the Roses. As a result of the victory of the party of York
+he had to retire from public life when Edward IV came to the throne, and
+lived quietly at his Warwickshire estate. He was familiar with life at
+court and with men-at-arms and he knew how popular the stories of King
+Arthur were becoming in England. So, being a man of education, he set to
+work to make a collection of the legends, using as his chief sources the
+French romances.
+
+Malory showed considerable originality in carrying out his plan. He made
+Arthur the central figure, taking the story of Merlin as an introduction
+to the birth of Arthur, instead of as a separate legend, and ending his
+account soon after the death of the king. He omitted a number of the
+older legends that had little to do with Arthur, many of them good
+stories, such as that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He made the
+England of his Arthur something like the England he knew, and his people
+became real and living instead of fanciful figures out of a far-distant
+past. His descriptions are vivid and lively and his style so engaging
+that his work of the fifteenth century is much read to-day. Three
+characters stand out from all the rest, Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere,
+and these three became in all stories and poems subsequent to Malory's
+time the main figures of the legends.
+
+Matthew Arnold attributed to Homer three great epic traits, swiftness,
+simplicity, and nobility. It is these three characteristics that have
+made the _Morte Darthur_ so deservedly famous.
+
+With the printing of Malory's book by the first English printer, William
+Caxton, in 1485, we come to the end of the Middle Ages in literature.
+Manuscripts written out laboriously by monks and clerks were now to
+give way to the printed page. The age of Elizabeth was less than a
+century away, one of the golden ages of the poets. Yet few of the
+Elizabethans touched on the story of Arthur. The main exception was
+Edmund Spenser, who made Prince Arthur the hero of his great poem _The
+Faerie Queene_, but Spenser's Arthur and his knights and ladies have
+little in common with the figures in the old romances.
+
+The succeeding centuries, great as they were in English writers of
+genius, paid little attention to Arthur. Milton and Dryden made little
+use of the legends. Stories of ancient chivalry lost their vogue, novels
+were becoming popular and the poets chose themes closer to their own
+times and point of view. Not until the nineteenth century did Arthur
+come into his own again. Then the Victorian poets turned to him for
+inspiration. William Morris wrote _The Defence of Guenevere_, and a host
+of lesser poets tried their hands on similar themes. Swinburne told the
+story of _Tristram of Lyonesse_ and the _Tale of Balen_, and James
+Russell Lowell composed his beautiful poem _The Vision of Sir Launfal_.
+Matthew Arnold wrote _Tristram and Iseult_. In 1850 Richard Wagner, the
+great German composer, produced his opera _Lohengrin_, and followed it
+with _Tristan und Isolde_ and _Parsifal_. These tell the old stories in
+somewhat new form, and follow the early French romances rather than
+Malory.
+
+But the true descendant of Chretien de Troies and Malory was Alfred
+Tennyson. The great work of this poet's life was his _Idylls of the
+King_, one of the finest achievements of English literature. He owed his
+inspiration chiefly to Malory. "The vision of Arthur as I have drawn
+him," Tennyson said to his son, "had come upon me when, little more than
+a boy, I first lighted upon Malory." He covered almost the entire field
+of the legends. The _Idylls of the King_ are _The Coming of Arthur_,
+_Geraint and Enid_, _Merlin and Vivien_, _Lancelot and Elaine_, _The
+Holy Grail_, _Pelleas and Ettarre_, _Balin and Balan_, _The Last
+Tournament_, _Guinevere_, and _The Passing of Arthur_.
+
+Tennyson gives to the stories far more allegory, far more philosophy
+than the early poets gave them. His age was interested in philosophy and
+so, as was the case with each of the earlier poets, Tennyson handled the
+legends after the fashion of his own times. In his pages we see the
+characters as actual men and women, subtly drawn, concerned with right
+and wrong far more than with mere knightly adventures. Arthur and
+Lancelot and Guinevere hold the center of the stage, and it is the fate
+of these three that provides the great moving motive of the poems.
+
+To Tennyson we owe the most nearly perfect version of the story that
+dates back to a dim and legendary England. What verse more beautiful
+than his to tell of chivalry?
+
+    "Then, in the boyhood of the year,
+    Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere
+    Rode thro' the coverts of the deer,
+    With blissful treble ringing clear.
+      She seem'd a part of joyous Spring:
+    A gown of grass-green silk she wore,
+    Buckled with golden clasps before;
+    A light-green tuft of plumes she bore
+      Closed in a golden ring."
+
+In beauty and dignity and human interest Tennyson gives us the great
+world of Arthurian legend in its most perfect form.
+
+Malory's _Morte Darthur_ was not Tennyson's only source for the stories
+of his Idylls. The adventures of Geraint he took from the _Mabinogion_,
+a collection of mediaeval Welsh tales translated with great charm and
+accuracy by Lady Charlotte Guest, and published in 1838. Also, though to
+a very limited extent, he drew some of his incidents from the history of
+Geoffrey of Monmouth and the other early writers of chronicles.
+
+The great panorama of stories that we group together under the title of
+_King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table_, when they are told in
+prose, are usually taken from Malory's book, the _Morte Darthur_,
+condensed in size, for Malory was frequently verbose, and related in
+more modern English. In this volume we have used as a basis the version
+prepared by Sir James Knowles, which is an abridgment of Malory's work
+as it was printed by Caxton, with a few additions from Geoffrey of
+Monmouth and other sources. To this we have added the story of Sir
+Gawain and the Maid with the Narrow Sleeves, which comes originally from
+the poem of _Perceval_ by Chretien de Troies.
+
+The stories seem naturally to group themselves into four divisions, The
+Coming of Arthur and the Founding of the Round Table, The Adventures of
+the Champions of the Round Table, Sir Galahad and the Quest of the Holy
+Grail, and The Passing of Arthur. Into these come all the great
+characters of the legends and all the surpassing adventures of the king
+and his knights.
+
+The story of how a half-barbarous British Chieftain became the greatest
+king of mediaeval chivalry is a romance in itself. To him poets and
+chroniclers of all lands added one valorous knight after another, one
+amazing adventure on top of another, until the result was the greatest
+collection of legends that have gathered about any king in history. The
+story of the origin and growth of these world-famous legends is told in
+a most delightful book, _The Arthur of the English Poets_, by Howard
+Maynadier, and those who wish to get the historical background of King
+Arthur should turn to its pages.
+
+Those who love brave and knightly deeds, those who love the gorgeous
+trappings of mediaeval romance, come to the story of Arthur and his Round
+Table, of Lancelot and Perceval and Galahad and Gawain, of Guinevere and
+Elaine, and of the Quest for the Holy Grail, and there shall be found
+the glories that you seek. The king and his knights ride out from
+Camelot. Here shall you join them on their great adventures!
+
+RUPERT S. HOLLAND.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+I MERLIN FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR
+
+II THE CROWNING OF ARTHUR AND THE SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+III ARTHUR DRIVES THE SAXONS FROM HIS REALM
+
+IV THE KING'S MANY AND GREAT ADVENTURES
+
+V SIR BALIN FIGHTS WITH HIS BROTHER, SIR BALAN
+
+VI THE MARRIAGE OF ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND
+TABLE
+
+VII THE ADVENTURE OF ARTHUR AND SIR ACCOLON OF GAUL
+
+VIII ARTHUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR AT ROME
+
+IX SIR GAWAIN AND THE MAID WITH THE NARROW SLEEVES
+
+
+THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+X THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+XI THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BEAUMAINS OR SIR GARETH
+
+XII THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+XIII THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+XIV SIR LANCELOT AND THE FAIR ELAINE
+
+XV THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+
+
+KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+THE COMING OF ARTHUR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+MERLIN FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR
+
+
+King Vortigern the usurper sat upon his throne in London, when,
+suddenly, upon a certain day, ran in a breathless messenger, and cried
+aloud--
+
+"Arise, Lord King, for the enemy is come; even Ambrosius and Uther, upon
+whose throne thou sittest--and full twenty thousand with them--and they
+have sworn by a great oath, Lord, to slay thee, ere this year be done;
+and even now they march towards thee as the north wind of winter for
+bitterness and haste."
+
+At those words Vortigern's face grew white as ashes, and, rising in
+confusion and disorder, he sent for all the best artificers and
+craftsmen and mechanics, and commanded them vehemently to go and build
+him straightway in the furthest west of his lands a great and strong
+castle, where he might fly for refuge and escape the vengeance of his
+master's sons--"and, moreover," cried he, "let the work be done within a
+hundred days from now, or I will surely spare no life amongst you all."
+
+Then all the host of craftsmen, fearing for their lives, found out a
+proper site whereon to build the tower, and eagerly began to lay in the
+foundations. But no sooner were the walls raised up above the ground
+than all their work was overwhelmed and broken down by night invisibly,
+no man perceiving how, or by whom, or what. And the same thing happening
+again, and yet again, all the workmen, full of terror, sought out the
+king, and threw themselves upon their faces before him, beseeching him
+to interfere and help them or to deliver them from their dreadful work.
+
+Filled with mixed rage and fear, the king called for the astrologers and
+wizards, and took counsel with them what these things might be, and how
+to overcome them. The wizards worked their spells and incantations, and
+in the end declared that nothing but the blood of a youth born without
+mortal father, smeared on the foundations of the castle, could avail to
+make it stand. Messengers were therefore sent forthwith through all the
+land to find, if it were possible, such a child. And, as some of them
+went down a certain village street, they saw a band of lads fighting and
+quarreling, and heard them shout at one--"Avaunt, thou imp!--avaunt! Son
+of no mortal man! go, find thy father, and leave us in peace."
+
+At that the messengers looked steadfastly on the lad, and asked who he
+was. One said his name was Merlin; another, that his birth and parentage
+were known by no man; a third, that the foul fiend alone was his father.
+Hearing the things, the officers seized Merlin, and carried him before
+the king by force.
+
+But no sooner was he brought to him than he asked in a loud voice, for
+what cause he was thus dragged there?
+
+"My magicians," answered Vortigern, "told me to seek out a man that had
+no human father, and to sprinkle my castle with his blood, that it may
+stand."
+
+"Order those magicians," said Merlin, "to come before me, and I will
+convict them of a lie."
+
+The king was astonished at his words, but commanded the magicians to
+come and sit down before Merlin, who cried to them--
+
+"Because ye know not what it is that hinders the foundation of the
+castle, ye have advised my blood for a cement to it, as if that would
+avail; but tell me now rather what there is below that ground, for
+something there is surely underneath that will not suffer the tower to
+stand?"
+
+The wizards at these words began to fear, and made no answer. Then said
+Merlin to the king--
+
+"I pray, Lord, that workmen may be ordered to dig deep down into the
+ground till they shall come to a great pool of water."
+
+This then was done, and the pool discovered far beneath the surface of
+the ground.
+
+Then, turning again to the magicians, Merlin said, "Tell me now, false
+sycophants, what there is underneath that pool?"--but they were silent.
+Then said he to the king, "Command this pool to be drained, and at the
+bottom shall be found two dragons, great and huge, which now are
+sleeping, but which at night awake and fight and tear each other. At
+their great struggle all the ground shakes and trembles, and so casts
+down thy towers, which, therefore, never yet could find secure
+foundations."
+
+The king was amazed at these words, but commanded the pool to be
+forthwith drained; and surely at the bottom of it did they presently
+discover the two dragons, fast asleep, as Merlin had declared.
+
+But Vortigern sat upon the brink of the pool till night to see what else
+would happen.
+
+Then those two dragons, one of which was white, the other red, rose up
+and came near one another, and began a sore fight, and cast forth fire
+with their breath. But the white dragon had the advantage, and chased
+the other to the end of the lake. And he, for grief at his flight,
+turned back upon his foe, and renewed the combat, and forced him to
+retire in turn. But in the end the red dragon was worsted, and the white
+dragon disappeared no man knew where.
+
+When their battle was done, the king desired Merlin to tell him what it
+meant. Whereat he, bursting into tears, cried out this prophecy, which
+first foretold the coming of King Arthur.
+
+"Woe to the red dragon, which figureth the British nation, for his
+banishment cometh quickly; his lurking-holes shall be seized by the
+white dragon--the Saxon whom thou, O king, hast called to the land. The
+mountains shall be leveled as the valleys, and the rivers of the valleys
+shall run blood; cities shall be burned, and churches laid in ruins;
+till at length the oppressed shall turn for a season and prevail against
+the strangers. For a Boar of Cornwall shall arise and rend them, and
+trample their necks beneath his feet. The island shall be subject to his
+power, and he shall take the forests of Gaul. The house of Romulus shall
+dread him--all the world shall fear him--and his end shall no man know;
+he shall be immortal in the mouths of the people, and his works shall be
+food to those that tell them.
+
+"But as for thee, O Vortigern, flee thou the sons of Constantine, for
+they shall burn thee in thy tower. For thine own ruin wast thou traitor
+to their father, and didst bring the Saxon heathens to the land.
+Aurelius and Uther are even now upon thee to revenge their father's
+murder; and the brood of the white dragon shall waste thy country, and
+shall lick thy blood. Find out some refuge, if thou wilt! but who may
+escape the doom of God?"
+
+The king heard all this, trembling greatly; and, convicted of his sins,
+said nothing in reply. Only he hasted the builders of his tower by day
+and night, and rested not till he had fled thereto.
+
+In the meantime, Aurelius, the rightful king, was hailed with joy by the
+Britons, who flocked to his standard, and prayed to be led against the
+Saxons. But he, till he had first killed Vortigern, would begin no other
+war. He marched therefore to Cambria, and came before the tower which
+the usurper had built. Then, crying out to all his knights, "Avenge ye
+on him who hath ruined Britain and slain my father and your king!" he
+rushed with many thousands at the castle walls. But, being driven back
+again and yet again, at length he thought of fire, and ordered blazing
+brands to be cast into the building from all sides. These, finding soon
+a proper fuel, ceased not to rage till, spreading to a mighty
+conflagration, they burned down the tower, and Vortigern within it.
+
+Then did Aurelius turn his strength against Hengist and the Saxons, and,
+defeating them in many places, weakened their power for a long season,
+so that the land had peace.
+
+Anon the king, making journeys to and fro, restoring ruined churches
+and, creating order, came to the monastery near Salisbury, where all
+those British knights lay buried who had been slain there by the
+treachery of Hengist. For when in former times Hengist had made a solemn
+truce with Vortigern, to meet in peace and settle terms, whereby himself
+and all his Saxons should depart from Britain, the Saxon soldiers
+carried every one of them beneath his garment a long dagger, and, at a
+given signal, fell upon the Britons, and slew them, to the number of
+nearly five hundred.
+
+The sight of the place where the dead lay moved Aurelius to great
+sorrow, and he cast about in his mind how to make a worthy tomb over so
+many noble martyrs, who had died there for their country.
+
+When he had in vain consulted many craftsmen and builders, he sent, by
+the advice of the archbishop, for Merlin, and asked him what to do. "If
+you would honor the burying-place of these men," said Merlin, "with an
+everlasting monument, send for the Giants' Dance which is in Killaraus,
+a mountain; in Ireland; for there is a structure of stone there which
+none of this age could raise without a perfect knowledge of the arts.
+They are stones of a vast size and wondrous nature, and if they can be
+placed here as they are there, round this spot of ground, they will
+stand for ever."
+
+At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter, and said, "How
+is it possible to remove such vast stones from so great a distance, as
+if Britain, also, had no stones fit for the work?"
+
+"I pray the king," said Merlin, "to forbear vain laughter; what I have
+said is true, for those stones are mystical and have healing virtues.
+The giants of old brought them from the furthest coast of Africa, and
+placed them in Ireland while they lived in that country: and their
+design was to make baths in them, for use in time of grievous illness.
+For if they washed the stones and put the sick into the water, it
+certainly healed them, as also it did them that were wounded in battle;
+and there is no stone among them but hath the same virtue still."
+
+When the Britons heard this, they resolved to send for the stones, and
+to make war upon the people of Ireland if they offered to withhold them.
+So, when they had chosen Uther the king's brother for their chief, they
+set sail, to the number of 15,000 men, and came to Ireland. There
+Gillomanius, the king, withstood them fiercely, and not till after a
+great battle could they approach the Giants' Dance, the sight of which
+filled them with joy and admiration. But when they sought to move the
+stones, the strength of all the army was in vain, until Merlin,
+laughing at their failures, contrived machines of wondrous cunning,
+which took them down with ease, and placed them in the ships.
+
+When they had brought the whole to Salisbury, Aurelius, with the crown
+upon his head, kept for four days the feast of Pentecost with royal
+pomp; and in the midst of all the clergy and the people, Merlin raised
+up the stones, and set them round the sepulcher of the knights and
+barons, as they stood in the mountains of Ireland.
+
+Then was the monument called "Stonehenge," and stands, as all men know,
+upon the plain of Salisbury to this very day.
+
+Soon thereafter it befell that Aurelius was slain by poison at
+Winchester, and was himself buried within the Giants' Dance.
+
+At the same time came forth a comet of amazing size and brightness,
+darting out a beam, at the end whereof was a cloud of fire shaped like a
+dragon, from whose mouth went out two rays, one stretching over Gaul,
+the other ending in seven lesser rays over the Irish sea.
+
+At the appearance of this star a great dread fell upon the people, and
+Uther, marching into Cambria against the son of Vortigern, himself was
+very troubled to learn what it might mean. Then Merlin, being called
+before him, cried with a loud voice: "O mighty loss! O stricken Britain!
+Alas! the great prince is gone from us. Aurelius Ambrosius is dead,
+whose death will be ours also, unless God help us. Haste, therefore,
+noble Uther, to destroy the enemy; the victory shall be thine, and thou
+shalt be king of all Britain. For the star with the fiery dragon
+signifies thyself; and the ray over Gaul portends that thou shalt have a
+son, most mighty, whom all those kingdoms shall obey which the ray
+covers."
+
+Thus, for the second time, did Merlin foretell the coming of King
+Arthur. And Uther, when he was made king, remembered Merlin's words, and
+caused two dragons to be made in gold, in likeness of the dragon he had
+seen in the star. One of these he gave to Winchester Cathedral, and had
+the other carried into all his wars before him, whence he was ever after
+called Uther Pendragon, or the dragon's head.
+
+Now, when Uther Pendragon had passed through all the land, and settled
+it--and even voyaged into all the countries of the Scots, and tamed the
+fierceness of that rebel people--he came to London, and ministered
+justice there. And it befell at a certain great banquet and high feast
+which the king made at Easter-tide, there came, with many other earls
+and barons, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, and his wife Igerna, who was the
+most famous beauty in all Britain. And soon thereafter, Gorlois being
+slain in battle, Uther determined to make Igerna his own wife. But in
+order to do this, and enable him to come to her--for she was shut up in
+the high castle of Tintagil, on the furthest coast of Cornwall--the king
+sent for Merlin, to take counsel with him and to pray his help. This,
+therefore, Merlin promised him on one condition--namely, that the king
+should give him up the first son born of the marriage. For Merlin by
+his art foreknew that this firstborn should be the long-wished prince,
+King Arthur.
+
+When Uther, therefore, was at length happily wedded, Merlin came to the
+castle on a certain day, and said, "Sir, thou must now provide thee for
+the nourishing of thy child."
+
+And the king, nothing doubting, said, "Be it as thou wilt."
+
+"I know a lord of thine in this land," said Merlin, "who is a man both
+true and faithful; let him have the nourishing of the child. His name is
+Sir Ector, and he hath fair possessions both in England and in Wales.
+When, therefore, the child is born, let him be delivered unto me,
+unchristened, at yonder postern-gate, and I will bestow him in the care
+of this good knight."
+
+So when the child was born, the king bid two knights and two ladies to
+take it, bound in rich cloth of gold, and deliver it to a poor man whom
+they should discover at the postern-gate. And the child being delivered
+thus to Merlin, who himself took the guise of a poor man, was carried by
+him to a holy priest and christened by the name of Arthur, and then was
+taken to Sir Ector's house, and nourished at Sir Ector's wife's own
+breasts. And in the same house he remained privily for many years, no
+man soever knowing where he was, save Merlin and the king.
+
+Anon it befell that the king was seized by a lingering distemper, and
+the Saxon heathens, taking their occasion, came back from over sea, and
+swarmed upon the land, wasting it with fire and sword. When Uther heard
+thereof, he fell into a greater rage than his weakness could bear, and
+commanded all his nobles to come before him, that he might upbraid them
+for their cowardice. And when he had sharply and hotly rebuked them, he
+swore that he himself, nigh unto death although he lay, would lead them
+forth against the enemy. Then causing a horse-litter to be made, in
+which he might be carried--for he was too faint and weak to ride--he
+went up with all his army swiftly against the Saxons.
+
+But they, when they heard that Uther was coming in a litter, disdained
+to fight him, saying it would be shame for brave men to fight with one
+half dead. So they retired into their city; and, as it were in scorn of
+danger, left the gates wide open. But Uther straightway commanding his
+men to assault the town, they did so without loss of time, and had
+already reached the gates, when the Saxons, repenting too late of their
+haughty pride, rushed forth to the defense. The battle raged till night,
+and was begun again next day; but at last, their leaders, Octa and Eosa,
+being slain, the Saxons turned their backs and fled, leaving the Britons
+a full triumph.
+
+The king at this felt so great joy, that, whereas before he could scarce
+raise himself without help, he now sat upright in his litter by himself,
+and said, with a laughing and merry face, "They called me the half-dead
+king, and so indeed I was; but victory to me half dead is better than
+defeat and the best health. For to die with honor is far better than to
+live disgraced."
+
+But the Saxons, although thus defeated, were ready still for war. Uther
+would have pursued them; but his illness had by now so grown, that his
+knights and barons kept him from the adventure. Whereat the enemy took
+courage, and left nothing undone to destroy the land; until, descending
+to the vilest treachery, they resolved to kill the king by poison.
+
+To this end, as he lay sick at Verulum, they sent and poisoned
+stealthily a spring of clear water, whence he was wont to drink daily;
+and so, on the very next day, he was taken with the pains of death, as
+were also a hundred others after him, before the villainy was
+discovered, and heaps of earth thrown over the well.
+
+The knights and barons, full of sorrow, now took counsel together, and
+came to Merlin for his help to learn the king's will before he died, for
+he was by this time speechless. "Sirs, there is no remedy," said Merlin,
+"and God's will must be done; but be ye all to-morrow before him, for
+God will make him speak before he die."
+
+So on the morrow all the barons, with Merlin, stood round the bedside of
+the king; and Merlin said aloud to Uther, "Lord, shall thy son Arthur be
+the king of all this realm after thy days?"
+
+Then Uther Pendragon turned him about, and said, in the hearing of them
+all, "God's blessing and mine be upon him. I bid him pray for my soul,
+and also that he claim my crown, or forfeit all my blessing;" and with
+those words he died.
+
+Then came together all the bishops and the clergy, and great multitudes
+of people, and bewailed the king; and carrying his body to the convent
+of Ambrius, they buried it close by his brother's grave, within the
+"Giants' Dance."
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE CROWNING OF ARTHUR AND THE SWORD EXCALIBUR
+
+
+Now Arthur the prince had all this time been nourished in Sir Ector's
+house as his own son, and was fair and tall and comely, being of the age
+of fifteen years, great in strength, gentle in manner, and accomplished
+in all exercises proper for the training of a knight.
+
+But as yet he knew not of his father; for Merlin had so dealt, that none
+save Uther and himself knew aught about him. Wherefore it befell that
+many of the knights and barons who heard King Uther speak before his
+death, and call his son Arthur his successor, were in great amazement;
+and some doubted, and others were displeased.
+
+Anon the chief lords and princes set forth each to his own land, and,
+raising armed men and multitudes of followers, determined every one to
+gain the crown for himself; for they said in their hearts, "If there be
+any such a son at all as he of whom this wizard forced the king to
+speak, who are we that a beardless boy should have rule over us?"
+
+So the land stood long in great peril, for every lord and baron sought
+but his own advantage; and the Saxons, growing ever more adventurous,
+wasted and overran the towns and villages in every part.
+
+Then Merlin went to Brice, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and advised him
+to require all the earls and barons of the realm and all knights and
+gentlemen-at-arms to come to him at London, before Christmas, under pain
+of cursing, that they might learn the will of Heaven who should be king.
+This, therefore, the archbishop did, and upon Christmas Eve were met
+together in London all the greatest princes, lords, and barons; and long
+before day they prayed in St. Paul's Church, and the archbishop besought
+Heaven for a sign who should be lawful king of all the realm.
+
+And as they prayed, there was seen in the churchyard, set straight
+before the doorways of the church, a huge square stone having a naked
+sword stuck in the midst of it. And on the sword was written in letters
+of gold, "Whoso pulleth out the sword from this stone is born the
+rightful King of England."
+
+At this all the people wondered greatly; and, when Mass was over, the
+nobles, knights, and princes ran out eagerly from the church to see the
+stone and sword; and a law was forthwith made that whoso should pull out
+the sword should be acknowledged straightway King of Britain.
+
+Then many knights and barons pulled at the sword with all their might,
+and some of them tried many times, but none could stir or move it.
+
+When all had tried in vain, the archbishop declared the man whom Heaven
+had chosen was not yet there. "But God," said he, "will doubtless make
+him known ere many days."
+
+So ten knights were chosen, being men of high renown, to watch and keep
+the sword; and there was proclamation made through all the land that
+whosoever would, had leave and liberty to try and pull it from the
+stone. But though great multitudes of people came, both gentle and
+simple, for many days, no man could ever move the sword a hair's breadth
+from its place.
+
+Now, at the New Year's Eve a great tournament was to be held in London,
+which the archbishop had devised to keep together lords and commons,
+lest they should grow estranged in the troublous and unsettled times. To
+the which tournament there came, with many other knights, Sir Ector,
+Arthur's foster-father, who had great possessions near to London; and
+with him came his son, Sir Key, but recently made knight, to take his
+part in the jousting, and young Arthur also to witness all the sports
+and fighting.
+
+But as they rode towards the jousts, Sir Key found suddenly he had no
+sword, for he had left it at his father's house; and turning to young
+Arthur, he prayed him to ride back and fetch it for him. "I will with a
+good will," said Arthur; and rode fast back after the sword.
+
+But when he came to the house he found it locked and empty, for all were
+gone forth to see the tournament. Whereat, being angry and impatient, he
+said within himself, "I will ride to the churchyard and take with me
+the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my brother shall not go
+without a sword this day."
+
+So he rode and came to the churchyard, and alighting from his horse he
+tied him to the gate, and went to the pavilion, which was pitched near
+the stone, wherein abode the ten knights who watched and kept it; but he
+found no knights there, for all were gone to see the jousting.
+
+Then he took the sword by its handle, and lightly and fiercely he pulled
+it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode until he came to Sir
+Key and delivered him the sword. But as soon as Sir Key saw it he knew
+well it was the sword of the stone, and, riding swiftly to his father,
+he cried out, "Lo! here, sir, is the sword of the stone, wherefore it is
+I who must be king of all this land."
+
+When Sir Ector saw the sword, he turned back straight with Arthur and
+Sir Key and came to the churchyard, and there alighting, they went all
+three into the church, and Sir Key was sworn to tell truly how he came
+by the sword. Then he confessed it was his brother Arthur who had
+brought it to him.
+
+Whereat Sir Ector, turning to young Arthur, asked him--"How gottest thou
+the sword?"
+
+"Sir," said he, "I will tell you. When I went home to fetch my brother's
+sword, I found nobody to deliver it to me, for all were abroad to the
+jousts. Yet was I loth to leave my brother swordless, and, bethinking me
+of this one, I came hither eagerly to fetch it for him, and pulled it
+out of the stone without any pain."
+
+Then said Sir Ector, much amazed and looking steadfastly on Arthur, "If
+this indeed be thus, 'tis thou who shalt be king of all this land--and
+God will have it so--for none but he who should be rightful Lord of
+Britain might ever draw this sword forth from that stone. But let me now
+with mine own eyes see thee put back the sword into its place and draw
+it forth again."
+
+"That is no mastery," said Arthur; and straightway set it in the stone.
+And then Sir Ector pulled at it himself, and after him Sir Key, with all
+his might, but both of them in vain: then Arthur, reaching forth his
+hand and grasping at the pommel, pulled it out easily, and at once.
+
+Then fell Sir Ector down upon his knees upon the ground before young
+Arthur, and Sir Key also with him, and straightway did him homage as
+their sovereign lord.
+
+But Arthur cried aloud, "Alas! mine own dear father and my brother, why
+kneel ye thus to me?"
+
+"Nay, my Lord Arthur," answered then Sir Ector, "we are of no
+blood-kinship with thee, and little though I thought how high thy kin
+might be, yet wast thou never more than foster-child of mine." And then
+he told him all he knew about his infancy, and how a stranger had
+delivered him, with a great sum of gold, into his hands to be brought up
+and nourished as his own born child, and then had disappeared.
+
+But when young Arthur heard of it, he fell upon Sir Ector's neck, and
+wept, and made great lamentation, "For now," said he, "I have in one
+day lost my father and my mother and my brother."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Ector presently, "when thou shalt be made king be good
+and gracious unto me and mine."
+
+"If not," said Arthur, "I were no true man's son at all, for thou art he
+in all the world to whom I owe the most; and my good lady and mother,
+thy wife, hath ever kept and fostered me as though I were her own; so if
+it be God's will that I be king hereafter as thou sayest, desire of me
+whatever thing thou wilt and I will do it; and God forbid that I should
+fail thee in it."
+
+"I will but pray," replied Sir Ector, "that thou wilt make my son Sir
+Key, thy foster-brother, seneschal of all the lands."
+
+"That shall he be," said Arthur; "and never shall another hold that
+office, save thy son, while he and I do live."
+
+Anon, they left the church and went to the archbishop to tell him that
+the sword had been achieved. And when he saw the sword in Arthur's hand
+he set a day and summoned all the princes, knights, and barons to meet
+again at St. Paul's Church and see the will of Heaven signified. So when
+they came together, the sword was put back in the stone, and all tried,
+from the greatest to the least, to move it; but there before them all
+not one could take it out save Arthur only.
+
+But then befell a great confusion and dispute, for some cried out it was
+the will of Heaven, and, "Long live King Arthur," but many more were
+full of wrath and said, "What! would ye give the ancient scepter of this
+land unto a boy born none know how?" And the contention growing greatly,
+till nothing could be done to pacify their rage, the meeting was at
+length broken up by the archbishop and adjourned till Candlemas, when
+all should meet again.
+
+But when Candlemas was come, Arthur alone again pulled forth the sword,
+though more than ever came to win it; and the barons, sorely vexed and
+angry, put it in delay till Easter. But as he had sped before so he did
+at Easter, and the barons yet once more contrived delays till Pentecost.
+
+But now the archbishop, fully seeing God's will, called together, by
+Merlin's counsel, a band of knights and gentlemen-at-arms, and set them
+about Arthur to keep him safely till the Feast of Pentecost. And when at
+the feast Arthur still again alone prevailed to move the sword, the
+people all with one accord cried out, "Long live King Arthur! we will
+have no more delay, nor any other king, for so it is God's will; and we
+will slay whoso resisteth Him and Arthur;" and wherewithal they kneeled
+down all at once, and cried for Arthur's grace and pardon that they had
+so long delayed him from his crown. Then he full sweetly and
+majestically pardoned them; and taking in his hand the sword, he offered
+it upon the high altar of the church.
+
+Anon was he solemnly knighted with great pomp by the most famous knight
+there present, and the crown was placed upon his head; and, having
+taken oath to all the people, lords and commons, to be true king and
+deal in justice only unto his life's end, he received homage and service
+from all the barons who held lands and castles from the crown. Then he
+made Sir Key, High Steward of England, and Sir Badewaine of Britain,
+Constable, and Sir Ulfius, Chamberlain: and after this, with all his
+court and a great retinue of knights and armed men, he journeyed into
+Wales, and was crowned again in the old city of Caerleon-upon-Usk.
+
+Meanwhile those knights and barons who had so long delayed him from the
+crown, met together and went up to the coronation feast at Caerleon, as
+if to do him homage; and there they ate and drank such things as were
+set before them at the royal banquet, sitting with the others in the
+great hall.
+
+But when after the banquet Arthur began, according to the ancient royal
+custom, to bestow great boons and fiefs on whom he would, they all with
+one accord rose up, and scornfully refused his gifts, crying that they
+would take nothing from a beardless boy come of low or unknown birth,
+but would instead give him good gifts of hard sword-strokes between neck
+and shoulders.
+
+Whereat arose a deadly tumult in the hall, and every man there made him
+ready to fight. But Arthur leaped up as a flame of fire against them,
+and all his knights and barons drawing their swords, rushed after him
+upon them and began a full sore battle; and presently the king's party
+prevailed, and drave the rebels from the hall and from the city, closing
+the gates behind them; and King Arthur brake his sword upon them in his
+eagerness and rage.
+
+But amongst them were six kings of great renown and might, who more than
+all raged against Arthur and determined to destroy him, namely, King
+Lot, King Nanters, King Urien, King Carados, King Yder, and King
+Anguisant. These six, therefore, joining their armies together, laid
+close siege to the city of Caerleon, wherefrom King Arthur had so
+shamefully driven them.
+
+And after fifteen days Merlin came suddenly into their camp and asked
+them what this treason meant. Then he declared to them that Arthur was
+no base adventurer, but King Uther's son, whom they were bound to serve
+and honor even though Heaven had not vouch-safed the wondrous miracle of
+the sword. Some of the kings, when they heard Merlin speak thus,
+marveled and believed him; but others, as King Lot, laughed him and his
+words to scorn, and mocked him for a conjurer and wizard. But it was
+agreed with Merlin that Arthur should come forth and speak with the
+kings.
+
+So he went forth to them to the city gate, and with him the archbishop
+and Merlin, and Sir Key, Sir Brastias, and a great company of others.
+And he spared them not in his speech, but spoke to them as king and
+chieftain, telling them plainly he would make them all bow to him if he
+lived, unless they choose to do him homage there and then; and so they
+parted in great wrath, and each side armed in haste.
+
+"What will ye do?" said Merlin to the kings; "ye had best hold your
+hands, for were ye ten times as many ye should not prevail."
+
+"Shall we be afraid of a dream-reader?" quoth King Lot in scorn.
+
+With that Merlin vanished away and came to King Arthur.
+
+Then Arthur said to Merlin, "I have need now of a sword that shall
+chastise these rebels terribly."
+
+"Come then with me," said Merlin, "for hard by there is a sword that I
+can gain for thee."
+
+So they rode out that night till they came to a fair and broad lake, and
+in the midst of it King Arthur saw an arm thrust up, clothed in white
+samite, and holding a great sword in the hand.
+
+"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said Merlin.
+
+Then saw they a damsel floating on the lake in the moonlight. "What
+damsel is that?" said the king.
+
+"The lady of the lake," said Merlin; "for upon this lake there is a
+rock, and on the rock a noble palace, where she abideth, and she will
+come towards thee presently, when thou shalt ask her courteously for the
+sword."
+
+Therewith the damsel came to King Arthur, and saluted him, and he
+saluted her, and said, "Lady, what sword is that the arm holdeth above
+the water? I would that it were mine, for I have no sword."
+
+"Sir King," said the lady of the lake, "that sword is mine, and if thou
+wilt give me in return a gift whenever I shall ask it of thee, thou
+shalt have it."
+
+"By my faith," said he, "I will give thee any gift that thou shalt ask."
+
+"Well," said the damsel, "go into yonder barge, and row thyself unto the
+sword, and take it and the scabbard with thee, and I will ask my gift of
+thee when I see my time."
+
+So King Arthur and Merlin alighted, and tied their horses to two trees,
+and went into the barge; and when they came to the sword that the hand
+held, King Arthur took it by the handle and bore it with him, and the
+arm and hand went down under the water; and so they came back to land,
+and rode again to Caerleon.
+
+On the morrow Merlin bade King Arthur to set fiercely on the enemy; and
+in the meanwhile three hundred good knights went over to King Arthur
+from the rebels' side. Then at the spring of day, when they had scarce
+left their tents, he fell on them with might and main, and Sir
+Badewaine, Sir Key, and Sir Brastias slew on the right and on the left
+marvelously; and ever in the thickest of the fight King Arthur raged
+like a young lion, and laid on with his sword, and did wondrous deeds of
+arms, to the joy and admiration of the knights and barons who beheld
+him.
+
+Then King Lot, King Carados, and the King of the Hundred Knights--who
+also was with them--going round to the rear, set on King Arthur fiercely
+from behind; but King Arthur, turning to his knights, fought ever in the
+foremost press until his horse was slain beneath him. At that, King Lot
+rode furiously at him, and smote him down; but rising straightway, and
+being set again on horseback, he drew his sword Excalibur that he had
+gained by Merlin from the lady of the lake, which, shining brightly as
+the light of thirty torches, dazzled the eyes of his enemies. And
+therewith falling on them afresh with all his knights, he drove them
+back and slew them in great numbers, and Merlin by his arts scattered
+among them fire and pitchy smoke, so that they broke and fled. Then all
+the common people of Caerleon, seeing them give way, rose up with one
+accord, and rushed at them with clubs and staves, and chased them far
+and wide, and slew many great knights and lords, and the remainder of
+them fled and were seen no more. Thus won King Arthur his first battle
+and put his enemies to shame.
+
+But the six kings, though sorely routed, prepared for a new war, and
+joining to themselves five others swore together that, whether for weal
+or woe, they would keep steadfast alliance till they had destroyed King
+Arthur. Then, with a host of 50,000 men-at-arms on horseback, and 10,000
+foot, they were soon ready, and sent forth their fore-riders, and drew
+from the northern country towards King Arthur, to the castle of
+Bedgraine.
+
+But he by Merlin's counsel had sent over sea to King Ban of Benwick and
+King Bors of Gaul, praying them to come and help him in his wars, and
+promising to help them in return against King Claudas, their foe. To
+which those kings made answer that they would joyfully fulfil his wish,
+and shortly after came to London with 300 knights, well arrayed for both
+peace and war, leaving behind them a great army on the other side of the
+sea till they had consulted with King Arthur and his ministers how they
+might best dispose of it.
+
+And Merlin being asked for his advice and help, agreed to go himself and
+fetch it over sea to England, which in one night he did; and brought
+with him 10,000 horsemen and led them northward privately to the forest
+of Bedgraine, and there lodged them in a valley secretly.
+
+Then, by the counsel of Merlin, when they knew which way the eleven
+kings would ride and sleep, King Arthur with Kings Ban and Bors made
+themselves ready with their army for the fight, having yet but 30,000
+men, counting the 10,000 who had come from Gaul.
+
+"Now shall ye do my advice," said Merlin; "I would that King Ban and
+King Bors, with all their fellowship of 10,000 men, were led to ambush
+in this wood ere daylight, and stir not therefrom until the battle hath
+been long waged. And thou, Lord Arthur, at the spring of day draw forth
+thine army before the enemy, and dress the battle so that they may at
+once see all thy host, for they will be the more rash and hardy when
+they see you have but 20,000 men."
+
+To this the three knights and the barons heartily consented, and it was
+done as Merlin had devised. So on the morrow when the hosts beheld each
+other, the host of the north was greatly cheered to find so few led out
+against them.
+
+Then gave King Arthur the command to Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias to take
+3000 men-at-arms, and to open battle. They therefore setting fiercely on
+the enemy slew them on the right hand and the left till it was wonderful
+to see their slaughter.
+
+When the eleven kings beheld so small a band doing such mighty deeds of
+arms they were ashamed, and charged them fiercely in return. Then was
+Sir Ulfius' horse slain under him; but he fought well and marvelously on
+foot against Duke Eustace and King Clarience, who set upon him
+grievously, till Sir Brastias, seeing his great peril, pricked towards
+them swiftly, and so smote the duke through with his spear that horse
+and man fell down and rolled over. Whereat King Clarience turned upon
+Sir Brastias, and rushing furiously together they each unhorsed the
+other and fell both to the ground, and there lay a long time stunned,
+their horses' knees being cut to the bone. Then came Sir Key the
+seneschal with six companions, and did wondrous well, till the eleven
+kings went out against them and overthrew Sir Griflet and Sir Lucas the
+butler. And when Sir Key saw Sir Griflet unhorsed and on foot, he rode
+against King Nanters hotly and smote him down, and led his horse to
+Griflet and horsed him again; with the same spear did Sir Key smite down
+King Lot and wounded him full sore.
+
+But seeing that, the King of the Hundred Knights rushed at Sir Key and
+overthrew him in return, and took his horse and gave it to King Lot.
+And when Sir Griflet saw Sir Key's mischance, he set his spear in rest,
+and riding at a mighty man-at-arms, he cast him down headlong and caught
+his horse and led it straightway to Sir Key.
+
+By now the battle was growing perilous and hard, and both sides fought
+with rage and fury. And Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias were both afoot and
+in great danger of their death, and foully stained and trampled under
+horses' feet. Then King Arthur, putting spurs to his horse, rushed
+forward like a lion into the midst of all the _melee_, and singling out
+King Cradlemont of North Wales, smote him through the left side and
+overthrew him, and taking his horse by the rein he brought it to Sir
+Ulfius in haste and said, "Take this horse, mine old friend, for thou
+hast great need of one, and charge by side of me." And even as he spoke
+he saw Sir Ector, Sir Key's father, smitten to the earth by the King of
+the Hundred Knights, and his horse taken to King Cradlemont.
+
+But when King Arthur saw him ride upon Sir Ector's horse his wrath was
+very great, and with his sword he smote King Cradlemont upon the helm,
+and shore off the fourth part thereof and of the shield, and drave the
+sword onward to the horse's neck and slew the horse, and hurled the king
+upon the ground.
+
+And now the battle waxed so great and furious that all the noise and
+sound thereof rang out by water and by wood, so that Kings Ban and Bors,
+with all their knights and men-at-arms in ambush, hearing the tumult
+and the cries, trembled and shook for eagerness, and scarce could stay
+in secret, but made them ready for the fray and dressed their shields
+and harness.
+
+But when King Arthur saw the fury of the enemy, he raged like a mad
+lion, and stirred and drove his horse now here, now there, to the right
+hand and to the left and stayed not in his wrath till he had slain full
+twenty knights. He wounded also King Lot so sorely in the shoulder that
+he left the field, and in great pain and dolor cried out to the other
+kings, "Do ye as I devise, or we shall be destroyed. I, with the King of
+the Hundred Knights, King Anguisant, King Yder, and the Duke of
+Cambinet, will take fifteen thousand men and make a circuit, meanwhile
+that ye do hold the battle with twelve thousand. Then coming suddenly we
+will fall fiercely on them from behind and put them to the rout, but
+else shall we never stand against them."
+
+So Lot and four kings departed with their party to one side, and the six
+other kings dressed their ranks against King Arthur and fought long and
+stoutly.
+
+But now Kings Ban and Bors, with all their army fresh and eager, broke
+from their ambush and met face to face the five kings and their host as
+they came round behind, and then began a frantic struggle with breaking
+of spears and clashing of swords and slaying of men and horses. Anon
+King Lot, espying in the midst King Bors, cried out in great dismay,
+"Our Lady now defend us from our death and fearful wounds; our peril
+groweth great, for yonder cometh one of the worshipfullest kings and
+best knights in all the world."
+
+"Who is he?" said the King of the Hundred Knights.
+
+"It is King Bors of Gaul," replied King Lot, "and much I marvel how he
+may have come with all his host into this land without our knowledge."
+
+"Aha!" cried King Carados, "I will encounter with this king if ye will
+rescue me when there is need."
+
+"Ride on," said they.
+
+So King Carados and all his host rode softly till they came within a
+bow-shot of King Bors, and then both hosts, spurring their horses to
+their greatest swiftness, rushed at each other. And King Bors
+encountered in the onset with a knight, and struck him through with a
+spear, so that he fell dead upon the earth; then drawing his sword, he
+did such mighty feats of arms that all who saw him gazed with wonder.
+Anon King Ban came also forth upon the field with all his knights, and
+added yet more fury, sound, and slaughter, till at length both hosts of
+the eleven kings began to quake, and drawing all together into one body,
+they prepared to meet the worst, while a great multitude already fled.
+
+Then said King Lot, "Lords, we must take yet other means, or worse loss
+still awaits us. See ye not what people we have lost in waiting on the
+footmen, and that it costs ten horsemen to save one of them? Therefore
+it is my counsel to put away our footmen from us, for it is almost
+night, and King Arthur will not stay to slaughter them. So they can save
+their lives in this great wood hard by. Then let us gather into one
+band all the horsemen that remain, and whoso breaketh rank or leaveth
+us, let him be straightway slain by him that seeth him, for it is better
+that we slay a coward than through a coward be all slain. How say ye?"
+said King Lot; "answer me, all ye kings."
+
+"It is well said," replied they all.
+
+And swearing they would never fail each other, they mended and set right
+their armor and their shields, and took new spears and set them
+steadfastly against their thighs, waiting, and so stood still as a clump
+of trees stands on the plain; and no assaults could shake them, they
+held so hard together; which when King Arthur saw he marveled greatly,
+and was very wroth. "Yet," cried he, "I may not blame them, by my faith,
+for they do as brave men ought to do, and are the best fighting men and
+knights of most prowess that I ever saw or heard tell of." And so said
+also Kings Ban and Bors, and praised them greatly for their noble
+chivalry.
+
+But now came forty noble knights out of King Arthur's host, and prayed
+that he would suffer them to break the enemy. And when they were
+allowed, they rode forth with their spears upon their thighs, and
+spurred their horses to their hottest. Then the eleven kings, with a
+party of their knights, rushed with set spears as fast and mightily to
+meet them; and when they were encountered, all the crash and splinter of
+their spears and armor rang with a mighty din, and so fierce and bloody
+was their onset that in all that day there had been no such cruel press,
+and rage, and smiting. At that same moment rode fiercely into the
+thickest of the struggle King Arthur and Kings Ban and Bors, and slew
+downright on both hands right and left, until their horses went in blood
+up to the fetlocks.
+
+And while the slaughter and the noise and shouting were at their
+greatest, suddenly there came down through the battle Merlin the Wizard,
+upon a great black horse, and riding to King Arthur, he cried out,
+"Alas, my Lord! will ye have never done? Of sixty thousand have ye left
+but fifteen thousand men alive. Is it not time to stay this slaying? for
+God is ill pleased with ye that ye have never ended, and yonder kings
+shall not be altogether overthrown this time. But if ye fall upon them
+any more, the fortune of this day will turn, and go to them. Withdraw,
+Lord, therefore, to thy lodging, and there now take thy rest, for to-day
+thou hast won a great victory, and overcome the noblest chivalry of all
+the world. And now for many years those kings shall not disturb thee.
+Therefore, I tell thee, fear them no more, for now they are sore beaten,
+and have nothing left them but their honor; and why shouldest thou slay
+them to take that?"
+
+Then said King Arthur, "Thou sayest well, and I will take thy counsel."
+With that he cried out, "Ho!" for the battle to cease, and sent forth
+heralds through the field to stay more fighting. And gathering all the
+spoil, he gave it not amongst his own host, but to Kings Ban and Bors
+and all their knights and men-at-arms, that he might treat them with the
+greater courtesy as strangers.
+
+Then Merlin took his leave of Arthur and the two other kings, and went
+to see his master, Blaise, a holy hermit, dwelling in Northumberland,
+who had nourished him through all his youth. And Blaise was passing glad
+to see him, for there was a great love ever between them; and Merlin
+told him how King Arthur had sped in the battle, and how it had ended;
+and told him the names of every king and knight of worship who was
+there. So Blaise wrote down the battle, word for word, as Merlin told
+him; and in the same way ever after, all the battles of King Arthur's
+days Merlin caused Blaise, his master, to record.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ARTHUR DRIVES THE SAXONS FROM HIS REALM
+
+
+Anon, thereafter, came word to King Arthur that Ryence, King of North
+Wales, was making war upon King Leodegrance of Camelgard; whereat he was
+passing wroth, for he loved Leodegrance well, and hated Ryence. So he
+departed with Kings Ban and Bors and twenty thousand men, and came to
+Camelgard, and rescued Leodegrance, and slew ten thousand of Ryence's
+men and put him to flight. Then Leodegrance made a great festival to the
+three kings, and treated them with every manner of mirth and pleasure
+which could be devised. And there had King Arthur the first sight of
+Guinevere, daughter of Leodegrance, whom in the end he married, as shall
+be told hereafter.
+
+Then did Kings Ban and Bors take leave, and went to their own country,
+where King Claudas worked great mischief. And King Arthur would have
+gone with them, but they refused him, saying, "Nay, ye shall not at this
+time, for ye have yet much to do in these lands of your own; and we with
+the riches we have won here by your gifts shall hire many good knights,
+and, by the grace of God, withstand the malice of King Claudas; and if
+we have need we will send to ye for succor; and likewise ye, if ye have
+need, send for us, and we will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies."
+
+When the two kings had left, King Arthur rode to Caerleon, and thither
+came to him his half-sister Belisent, wife to King Lot, sent as a
+messenger, but in truth to espy his power; and with her came a noble
+retinue, and also her four sons--Gowain, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth.
+But when she saw King Arthur and his nobleness, and all the splendor of
+his knights and service, she forebore to spy upon him as a foe, and told
+him of her husband's plots against him and his throne. And the king, not
+knowing that she was his half-sister, made great court to her; and being
+full of admiration for her beauty, loved her out of measure, and kept
+her a long season at Caerleon. Wherefore her husband, King Lot, was more
+than ever King Arthur's enemy, and hated him till death with a passing
+great hatred.
+
+At that time King Arthur had a marvelous dream, which gave him great
+disquietness of heart. He dreamed that the whole land was full of many
+fiery griffins and serpents, which burnt and slew the people everywhere;
+and then that he himself fought with them, and that they did him mighty
+injuries, and wounded him nigh to death, but that at last he overcame
+and slew them all. When he woke, he sat in great heaviness of spirit and
+pensiveness, thinking what this dream might signify, but by-and-by, when
+he could by no means satisfy himself what it might mean, to rid himself
+of all his thoughts of it, he made ready with a great company to ride
+out hunting.
+
+As soon as he was in the forest, the king saw a great hart before him,
+and spurred his horse, and rode long eagerly after it, and chased until
+his horse lost breath and fell down dead from under him. Then, seeing
+the hart escaped and his horse dead, he sat down by a fountain, and fell
+into deep thought again. And as he sat there alone, he thought he heard
+the noise of hounds, as it were some thirty couple in number, and
+looking up he saw coming towards him the strangest beast that ever he
+had seen or heard tell of, which ran towards the fountain and drank of
+the water. Its head was like a serpent's, with a leopard's body and a
+lion's tail, and it was footed like a stag; and the noise was in its
+belly, as it were the baying or questing of thirty couple of hounds.
+While it drank there was no noise within it; but presently, having
+finished, it departed with a greater sound than ever.
+
+The king was amazed at all this; but being greatly wearied, he fell
+asleep, and was before long waked up by a knight on foot, who said,
+"Knight, full of thought and sleepy, tell me if thou sawest a strange
+beast pass this way?"
+
+"Such a one I saw," said King Arthur to the knight, "but that is now two
+miles distant at the least. What would you with that beast?"
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "I have followed it for a long time, and have
+killed my horse, and would to heaven I had another to pursue my quest
+withal."
+
+At that moment came a yeoman with another horse for the king, which,
+when the knight saw, he earnestly prayed to be given him. "For I have
+followed this quest," said he, "twelve months, and either I shall
+achieve him or bleed of the best blood of my body."
+
+It was King Pellinore who at that time followed the questing beast, but
+neither he nor King Arthur knew each other.
+
+"Sir Knight," said King Arthur, "leave that quest and suffer me to have
+it, and I will follow it other twelve months."
+
+"Ah, fool," said the knight, "thy desire is utterly in vain, for it
+shall never be achieved but by me, or by my next of kin."
+
+Therewith he started to the king's horse, and mounted to the saddle,
+crying out, "Gramercy, this horse is mine!"
+
+"Well," said the king, "thou mayest take my horse by force, and I will
+not say nay; but till we prove whether thou or I be best on horseback, I
+shall not rest content."
+
+"Seek me here," said the knight, "whenever thou wilt, and here by this
+fountain thou shalt find me;" and so he passed forth on his way.
+
+Then sat King Arthur in a deep fit of study, and bade his yeomen fetch
+him yet another horse as quickly as they could. And when they left him
+all alone came Merlin, disguised as a child of fourteen years of age,
+and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so pensive and heavy.
+
+"I may well be pensive and heavy," he replied, "for here even now I have
+seen the strangest sight I ever saw."
+
+"That know I well," said Merlin, "as well as thyself, and also all thy
+thoughts; but thou art foolish to take thought, for it will not amend
+thee. Also I know what thou art, and know thy father and thy mother."
+
+"That is false," said King Arthur; "how shouldst thou know? thy years
+are not enough."
+
+"Yea," said Merlin, "but I know better than thou how thou wast born, and
+better than any man living."
+
+"I will not believe thee," said King Arthur, and was wroth with the
+child.
+
+So Merlin departed, and came again in the likeness of an old man of
+fourscore years of age; and the king was glad at his coming, for he
+seemed wise and venerable. Then said the old man, "Why art thou so sad?"
+
+"For divers reasons," said King Arthur; "for I have seen strange things
+to-day, and but this moment there was here a child who told me things
+beyond his years to know."
+
+"Yea," said the old man, "but he told thee truth, and more he would have
+told thee hadst thou suffered him. But I will tell thee wherefore thou
+art sad, for thou hast done a thing of late for which God is displeased
+with thee, and what it is thou knowest in thy heart, though no man else
+may know."
+
+"What are thou," said King Arthur, starting up all pale, "that tellest
+me these tidings?"
+
+"I am Merlin," said he, "and I was he in the child's likeness, also."
+
+"Ah," said King Arthur, "thou art a marvelous and right fearful man, and
+I would ask and tell thee many things this day."
+
+As they talked came one with the king's horses, and so, King Arthur
+mounting one, and Merlin another, they rode together to Caerleon; and
+Merlin prophesied to Arthur of his death, and also foretold his own end.
+
+And now King Arthur, having utterly dispersed and overwhelmed those
+kings who had so long delayed his coronation, turned all his mind to
+overthrow the Saxon heathens who yet in many places spoiled the land.
+Calling together, therefore, his knights and men-at-arms, he rode with
+all his hosts to York, where Colgrin, the Saxon, lay with a great army;
+and there he fought a mighty battle, long and bloody, and drove him into
+the city, and besieged him. Then Baldulph, Colgrin's brother, came
+secretly with six thousand men to assail King Arthur and to raise the
+siege. But King Arthur was aware of him, and sent six hundred horsemen
+and three thousand foot to meet and fall on him instead. This therefore
+they did, encountering them at midnight, and utterly defeated them, till
+they fled away for life. But Baldulph, full of grief, resolved to share
+his brother's peril; wherefore he shaved his head and beard, and
+disguised himself as a jester, and so passed through King Arthur's camp,
+singing and playing on a harp, till by degrees he drew near to the city
+walls, where presently he made himself known, and was drawn up by ropes
+into the town.
+
+Anon, while Arthur closely watched the city, came news that full six
+hundred ships had landed countless swarms of Saxons, under Cheldric, on
+the eastern coast. At that he raised the siege, and marched straight to
+London, and there increased his army, and took counsel with his barons
+how to drive the Saxons from the land for evermore.
+
+Then with his nephew, Hoel, King of the Armorican Britons, who came with
+a great force to help him, King Arthur, with a mighty multitude of
+barons, knights, and fighting men, went swiftly up to Lincoln, which the
+Saxons lay besieging. And there he fought a passing fierce battle, and
+made grievous slaughter, killing above six thousand men, till the main
+body of them turned and fled. But he pursued them hotly into the wood of
+Celidon, where, sheltering themselves among the trees from his arrows,
+they made a stand, and for a long season bravely defended themselves.
+Anon, he ordered all the trees in that part of the forest to be cut
+down, leaving no shelter or ambush; and with their trunks and branches
+made a mighty barricade, which shut them in and hindered their escape.
+After three days, brought nigh to death by famine, they offered to give
+up their wealth of gold and silver spoils, and to depart forthwith in
+their empty ships; moreover, to pay tribute to King Arthur when they
+reached their home, and to leave him hostages till all was paid.
+
+This offer, therefore, he accepted, and suffered them to depart. But
+when they had been a few hours at sea, they repented of their shameful
+flight, and turned their ships back again, and landing at Totnes,
+ravaged all the land as far as the Severn, and, burning and slaying on
+all sides, bent their steps towards Bath.
+
+When King Arthur heard of their treachery and their return, he burned
+with anger till his eyes shone like two torches, and then he swore a
+mighty oath to rest no more until he had utterly destroyed those enemies
+of God and man, and had rooted them forever out of the land of Britain.
+Then marching hotly with his armies on to Bath, he cried aloud to them,
+"Since these detestable and impious heathens disdain to keep their faith
+with me, I, to keep faith with God, to whom I swear to cherish and
+defend this realm, will now this day avenge on them the blood of all
+that they have slain in Britain!"
+
+In like manner after him spoke the archbishop, standing upon a hill, and
+crying that to-day they should fight both for their country and for
+Paradise, "For whoso," he said, "shall in this holy war be slain, the
+angels shall forthwith receive him; for death in this cause shall be
+penance and absolution for all sins."
+
+At these words every man in the whole army raged with hatred, and
+pressed eagerly to rush upon those savages.
+
+Anon King Arthur, dressed in armor shining with gold and jewels, and
+wearing on his head a helmet with a golden dragon, took a shield painted
+with the likeness of the blessed Mary. Then girding on Excalibur and
+taking in his right hand his great lance Ron, he placed his men in order
+and led them out against the enemy, who stood for battle on the slope of
+Badon Hill, ranged in the form of a wedge, as their custom was. And
+they, resisting all the onslaughts of King Arthur and his host, made
+that day a stout defense, and at night lay down upon the hill.
+
+But on the next day Arthur led his army once again to the attack, and
+with wounds and slaughter such as no man had ever seen before, he drove
+the heathen step by step before him, backwards and upwards, till he
+stood with all his noblest knights upon the summit of the hill.
+
+And then men saw him, "red as the rising sun from spur to plume," lift
+up his sword, and, kneeling, kiss the cross of it; and after, rising to
+his feet, set might and main with all his fellowship upon the foe, till,
+as a troop of lions roaring for their prey, they drove them like a
+scattered herd along the plains, and cut them down till they could cut
+no more for weariness.
+
+That day King Arthur by himself alone slew with his sword Excalibur four
+hundred and seventy heathens. Colgrin also, and his brother Baldulph,
+were slain.
+
+Then the king bade Cador, Duke of Cornwall, follow Cheldric, the chief
+leader, and the remnant of his hosts, unto the uttermost. He, therefore,
+when he had first seized their fleet, and filled it with chosen men, to
+beat them back when they should fly to it at last, chased them and slew
+them without mercy so long as he could overtake them. And though they
+crept with trembling hearts for shelter to the coverts of the woods and
+dens of mountains, yet even so they found no safety, for Cador slew
+them, even one by one. Last of all he caught and slew Cheldric himself,
+and slaughtering a great multitude took hostages for the surrender of
+the rest.
+
+Meanwhile, King Arthur turned from Badon Hill, and freed his nephew Hoel
+from the Scots and Picts, who besieged him in Alculd. And when he had
+defeated them in three sore battles, he drove them before him to a lake,
+which was one of the most wondrous lakes in all the world, for it was
+fed by sixty rivers, and had sixty islands, and sixty rocks, and on
+every island sixty eagles' nests. But King Arthur with a great fleet
+sailed round the rivers and besieged them in the lake for fifteen days,
+so that many thousands died of hunger.
+
+Anon the King of Ireland came with an army to relieve them; but Arthur,
+turning on him fiercely, routed him, and compelled him to retreat in
+terror to his land. Then he pursued his purpose, which was no less than
+to destroy the race of Picts and Scots, who, beyond memory, had been a
+ceaseless torment to the Britons by their barbarous malice.
+
+So bitterly, therefore, did he treat them, giving quarter to none, that
+at length the bishops of that miserable country with the clergy met
+together, and, bearing all the holy relics, came barefooted to the king
+to pray his mercy for their people. As soon as they were led before him
+they fell down upon their knees, and piteously besought him to spare the
+few survivors of their countrymen, and grant them any corner of the
+land where they might live in peace. When he thus heard them, and knew
+that he had now fully punished them, he consented to their prayer, and
+withdrew his hosts from any further slaughter.
+
+Then turned he back to his own realm, and came to York for Christmas,
+and there with high solemnity observed that holy tide; and being passing
+grieved to see the ruin of the churches and houses, which the rage of
+the pagans had destroyed, he rebuilt them, and restored the city to its
+ancient happy state.
+
+And on a certain day, as the king sat with his barons, there came into
+the court a squire on horseback, carrying a knight before him wounded to
+the death, and told the king that hard by in the forest was a knight who
+had reared up a pavilion by the fountain, "and hath slain my master, a
+valiant knight, whose name was Nirles; wherefore I beseech thee, Lord,
+my master may be buried, and that some good knight may avenge his
+death."
+
+At that stepped forth a squire named Griflet, who was very young, being
+of the same age with King Arthur, and besought the king, for all the
+service he had done, to give him knighthood.
+
+"Thou art full young and tender of age," said King Arthur, "to take so
+high an order upon thee."
+
+"Sir," said Griflet, "I beseech thee make me a knight;" and Merlin also
+advising the king to grant his request, "Well," said Arthur, "be it then
+so," and knighted him forthwith. Then said he to him, "Since I have
+granted thee this favor, thou must in turn grant me a gift."
+
+"Whatsoever thou wilt, my lord," replied Sir Griflet.
+
+"Promise me," said King Arthur, "by the faith of thy body, that when
+thou hast jousted with this knight at the fountain, thou wilt return to
+me straightway, unless he slay thee."
+
+"I promise," said Sir Griflet; and taking his horse in haste, he dressed
+his shield, and took a spear in his hand and rode full gallop till he
+came to the fountain, by the side of which he saw a rich pavilion, and a
+great horse standing well saddled and bridled, and on a tree close by
+there hung a shield of many colors and a long lance.
+
+Then Sir Griflet smote upon the shield with the butt of his spear until
+he cast it to the ground. At that a knight came out of the pavilion and
+said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my shield?"
+
+"Because," said Griflet, "I would joust with thee."
+
+"It were better not," replied the knight; "for thou art young and but
+lately made a knight, and thy strength is small compared to mine."
+
+"For all that," said Sir Griflet, "I will joust with ye."
+
+"I am full loth," replied the knight; "but if I must I must."
+
+Then did they wheel their horses far apart, and running them together,
+the strange knight shivered Sir Griflet's spear to fragments, and smote
+him through the shield and the left side, and broke his own spear into
+Sir Griflet's body, so that the truncheon stuck there, and Sir Griflet
+and his horse fell down. But when the strange knight saw him overthrown,
+he was sore grieved, and hastily alighted, for he thought that he had
+slain him. Then he unlaced his helm and gave him air, and tended him
+carefully till he come out of his swoon, and leaving the truncheon of
+his spear in his body, he set him upon horse, and commended him to God,
+and said he had a mighty heart, and if he lived would prove a passing
+good knight. And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where, by aid of good
+physicians, he was healed in time and his life saved.
+
+At that same time there came before the king twelve old men, ambassadors
+from Lucius Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, and demanded of Arthur tribute
+unto Caesar for his realm, or else, said they, the emperor would destroy
+both him and his land. To whom King Arthur answered that he owed the
+emperor no tribute, nor would send him any; but said he, "On a fair
+field I will pay him his proper tribute--with a sharp spear and sword;
+and by my father's soul that tribute shall he take from me, whether he
+will or not." So the ambassadors departed passing wroth, and King Arthur
+was as wroth as they.
+
+But on the morrow of Sir Griflet's hurt, the king commanded to take his
+horse and armor secretly outside the city walls before sunrise of the
+next morning, and, rising a long while before dawn, he mounted up and
+took his shield and spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry till he came
+again; but he forbore to take Excalibur, for he had given it for safety
+into charge of his sister, Queen Morgan le Fay. And as the king rode at
+a soft pace he saw suddenly three villains chasing Merlin and making to
+attack and slay him. Clapping spurs to his horse, he rushed towards
+them, and cried out in a terrible voice, "Flee, churls, or take your
+deaths;" but they, as soon as they perceived a knight, fled away with
+the haste of hares.
+
+"O Merlin," said the king; "here hadst thou been killed, despite thy
+many crafts, had I not chanced to pass."
+
+"Not so," said Merlin, "for when I would, I could have saved myself; but
+thou art nearer to thy death than I, for without special help from
+heaven thou ridest now towards thy grave."
+
+And as they were thus talking, they came to the fountain and the rich
+pavilion pitched beside it, and saw a knight sitting all armed on a
+chair in the opening of the tent. "Sir knight," said King Arthur, "for
+what cause abidest thou here? to joust with any knight that passeth by?
+If so, I caution thee to quit that custom."
+
+"That custom," said the knight, "have I followed and will follow, let
+whosoever will say nay, and if any is aggrieved at it, let him who will
+amend it."
+
+"I will amend it," said King Arthur.
+
+"And I will defend it," answered the knight.
+
+Then the knight mounted his horse and made himself ready, and charging
+at each other they met so hard that both their lances splintered into
+pieces. Then King Arthur drew his sword, but the knight cried out, "Not
+so; but let us run another tilt together with sharp spears."
+
+"I would with a good will," said King Arthur; "but I have no more
+spears."
+
+"I have enough of spears," replied the knight, and called a squire, who
+brought two good new lances.
+
+Then spurring their horses, they rushed together with all their might,
+and broke each one his own spear short off in his hand. Then the king
+again put his hand to his sword, but the knight once more cried out,
+"Nay, yet abide awhile; ye are the best jouster that I ever met with;
+for the love of knighthood, let us joust yet once again."
+
+So once again they tilted with their fullest force, and this time King
+Arthur's spear was shivered, but the knight's held whole, and drove so
+furiously against the king that both his horse and he were hurled to the
+ground.
+
+At that, King Arthur was enraged and drew his sword and said, "I will
+attack thee now, Sir knight, on foot, for on horseback I have lost the
+honor."
+
+"I will be on horseback," said the knight. But when he saw him come on
+foot, he lighted from his horse, thinking it shame to have so great
+advantage.
+
+And then began they a strong battle, with many great strokes and
+grievous blows, and so hewed with their swords that the fragments of
+their armor flew about the fields, and both so bled that all the ground
+around was like a marsh of blood. Thus they fought long and mightily,
+and anon, after brief rest fell to again, and so hurtled together like
+two wild boars that they both rolled to the ground. At last their swords
+clashed furiously together, and the knight's sword shivered the king's
+in two.
+
+Then said the knight, "Now art thou in my power, to save thee or to
+slay. Yield therefore as defeated, and a recreant knight, or thou shalt
+surely die."
+
+"As for death," replied King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh; but
+as for yielding me to thee as a recreant because of this poor accident
+upon my sword, I had far liefer die than be so shamed."
+
+So saying, he sprang on the knight, and took him by the middle and threw
+him down, and tore off his helm. But the knight, being a huge man,
+wrestled and struggled in a frenzy with the king until he brought him
+under, and tore off his helm in turn, and would have smitten off his
+head.
+
+At that came Merlin and said, "Knight, hold thy hand, for if thou
+slayest yonder knight, thou puttest all this realm to greater loss and
+damage than ever realm was in; for he is a man of greater worship than
+thou dreamest of."
+
+"Who then is he?" cried the knight.
+
+Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, but Merlin cast a
+spell upon the knight, so that he fell suddenly to the earth in a deep
+sleep. Then raising up the king, he took the knight's horse for himself
+and rode away.
+
+"Alas," said King Arthur, "what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain
+this good knight by thy crafts? There never lived a better knight; I had
+rather lose my kingdom for a year than have him dead."
+
+"Be not afraid," said Merlin; "he is more whole and sound than thou art,
+and is but in a sleep, wherefrom in three hours' time he will awake. I
+told thee what a knight he was, and how near thou was to death. There
+liveth not a better knight than he in all the world, and hereafter he
+shall do thee good service. His name is King Pellinore, and he shall
+have two sons, who shall be passing valiant men, and, save one another,
+shall have no equal in prowess and in purity of life. The one shall be
+named Percival, and the other Lamoracke of Wales."
+
+So they rode on to Caerleon, and all the knights grieved greatly when
+they heard of this adventure, that the king would jeopardize his person
+thus alone. Yet could they not hide their joy at serving under such a
+noble chief, who adventured his own life as much as did the poorest
+knight among them all.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE KING'S MANY AND GREAT ADVENTURES
+
+
+The land of Britain being now in peace, and many great and valiant
+knights therein ready to take part in whatsoever battles or adventures
+might arise, King Arthur resolved to follow all his enemies to their own
+coasts. Anon he fitted out a great fleet, and sailing first to Ireland,
+in one battle he miserably routed the people of the country. The King of
+Ireland also he took prisoner, and forced all earls and barons to pay
+him homage.
+
+Having conquered Ireland, he went next to Iceland and subdued it also,
+and the winter being then arrived, returned to Britain.
+
+In the next year he set forth to Norway, whence many times the heathen
+had descended on the British coasts; for he was determined to give so
+terrible a lesson to those savages as should be told through all their
+tribes both far and near, and make his name fearful to them.
+
+As soon as he was come, Riculf, the king, with all the power of that
+country, met and gave him battle; but, after mighty slaughter, the
+Britons had at length the advantage, and slew Riculf and a countless
+multitude besides.
+
+Having thus defeated them, they set the cities on fire, dispersed the
+country people, and pursued the victory till they had reduced all
+Norway, as also Dacia, under the dominion of King Arthur.
+
+Now, therefore, having thus chastised those pagans who so long had
+harassed Britain, and put his yoke upon them, he voyaged on to Gaul,
+being steadfastly set upon defeating the Roman governor of that
+province, and so beginning to make good the threats which he had sent
+the emperor by his ambassadors.
+
+So soon as he was landed on the shores of Gaul, there came to him a
+countryman who told him of a fearful giant in the land of Brittany, who
+had slain, murdered, and devoured many people, and had lived for seven
+years upon young children only, "insomuch," said the man, "that all the
+children of the country are destroyed; and but the other day he seized
+upon our duchess, as she rode out with her men, and took her away to his
+lodging in a cave of a mountain, and though five hundred people followed
+her, yet could they give her no help or rescue, but left her shrieking
+and crying lamentably in the giant's hands; and, Lord, she is thy cousin
+Hoel's wife, who is of thy near kindred; wherefore, as thou art a
+rightful king, have pity on this lady; and as thou art a valiant
+conqueror, avenge us and deliver us."
+
+"Alas!" said King Arthur, "this is a great mischief that ye tell of. I
+had rather than the best realm I have, that I had rescued that lady ere
+the giant laid his hand on her; but tell me now, good fellow, canst thou
+bring me where this giant haunteth?"
+
+"Yea, Lord!" replied the man; "lo, yonder, where thou seest two great
+fires, there shalt thou find him, and more treasure also than is in all
+Gaul besides."
+
+Then the king returned to his tent, and, calling Sir Key and Sir Bedwin,
+desired them to get horses ready for himself and them, for that after
+evensong he would ride a pilgrimage with them alone to St. Michael's
+Mount. So in the evening they departed, and rode as fast as they could
+till they came near the mount, and there alighted; and the king
+commanded the two knights to await him at the hill foot, while he went
+up alone.
+
+Then he ascended the mountain till he came to a great fire. And there he
+found a sorrowful widow wringing her hands and weeping miserably,
+sitting by a new-made grave. And saluting her, King Arthur prayed her
+wherefore she made such heavy lamentations.
+
+"Sir knight," she said, "speak softly, for yonder is a devil, who, if he
+hear thy voice, will come and straightway slay thee. Alas! what dost
+thou here? Fifty such men as thou were powerless to resist him. Here
+lieth dead my lady, Duchess of Brittany, wife to Sir Hoel, who was the
+fairest lady in the world, foully and shamefully slaughtered by that
+fiend! Beware that thou go not too nigh, for he hath overcome and
+vanquished fifteen kings, and hath made himself a coat of precious
+stones, embroidered with their beards; but if thou art so hardy, and
+wilt speak with him, at yonder great fire he is at supper."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "I will accomplish mine errand, for all thy
+fearful words;" and so went forth to the crest of the hill, and saw
+where the giant sat at supper, gnawing on a limb of a man, and baking
+his huge frame by the fire, while three damsels turned three spits,
+whereon were spitted, like larks, twelve young children lately born.
+
+When King Arthur saw all that, his heart bled for sorrow, and he
+trembled for rage and indignation; then lifting up his voice he cried
+aloud--"God, that wieldeth all the world, give thee short life and
+shameful death, and may the devil have thy soul! Why hast thou slain
+those children and that fair lady! Wherefore arise, and prepare thee to
+perish, thou glutton and fiend, for this day thou shalt die by my
+hands."
+
+Then the giant, mad with fury at these words, started up, and seizing a
+great club, smote the king, and struck his crown from off his head. But
+King Arthur smote him with his sword so mightily in return, that all his
+blood gushed forth in streams.
+
+At that the giant, howling in great anguish, threw away his club of
+iron, and caught the king in both his arms and strove to crush his ribs
+together. But King Arthur struggled and writhed, and twisted him about
+so that the giant could not hold him tightly; and as they fiercely
+wrestled, they both fell, and rolling over one another,
+tumbled--wrestling, and struggling, and fighting frantically--from rock
+to rock, till they came to the sea.
+
+And as they tore and strove and tumbled, the king ever and anon smote at
+the giant with his dagger, till his arms stiffened in death around King
+Arthur's body, and groaning horribly, he died. So presently the two
+knights came and found the king locked fast in the giant's arms, and
+very faint and weary, and loosed him from their hold.
+
+Then the king bade Sir Key to "smite off the giant's head, and set it on
+the truncheon of a spear, and bear it to Sir Hoel, and tell him that his
+enemy is slain; and afterwards let it be fastened to the castle gate,
+that all the people may behold it. And go ye two up on the mountain and
+fetch me my shield and sword, and also the great club of iron ye will
+see there; and as for the treasure, ye shall find there wealth beyond
+counting, but take as much as ye will, for I have his kirtle and the
+club, I desire no more."
+
+Then the knights fetched the club and kirtle, as the king had ordered,
+and took the treasure to themselves, as much as they could carry, and
+returned to the army. But when this deed was noised abroad, all the
+people came in multitudes to thank the king, who told them "to give
+thanks to God, and to divide the giant's spoils amongst them equally."
+And King Arthur desired Sir Hoel to build a church upon the mount, and
+dedicate it to the Archangel Michael.
+
+On the morrow, all the host moved onwards into the country of Champagne,
+and Flollo, the Roman tribune, retired before them into Paris. But
+while he was preparing to collect more forces from the neighboring
+countries, King Arthur came upon him unawares; and besieged him in the
+town.
+
+And when a month had passed, Flollo--full of grief at the starvation of
+his people, who died in hundreds day by day--sent to King Arthur, and
+desired that they two might fight together; for he was a man of mighty
+stature and courage, and thought himself sure of the victory. This
+challenge, King Arthur, full weary of the siege, accepted with great
+joy, and sent back word to Flollo that he would meet him whensoever he
+appointed.
+
+And a truce being made on both sides, they met together the next day on
+the island without the city, where all the people also were gathered to
+see the issue. And as the king and Flollo rode up to the lists, each was
+so nobly armed and horsed, and sat so mightily upon his saddle, that no
+man could tell which way the battle would end.
+
+When they had saluted one another, and presented themselves against each
+other with their lances aloft, they put spurs to their horses and began
+a fierce encounter. But King Arthur, carrying his spear more warily,
+struck it on the upper part of Flollo's breast, and flung him from his
+saddle to the earth. Then drawing his sword, he cried to him to rise,
+and rushed upon him; but Flollo, starting up, met him with his spear
+couched, and pierced the breast of King Arthur's horse, and overthrew
+both horse and man.
+
+The Britons, when they saw their king upon the ground, could scarcely
+keep themselves from breaking up the truce and falling on the Gauls. But
+as they were about to burst the barriers, and rush upon the lists, King
+Arthur hastily arose, and, guarding himself with his shield, ran with
+speed on Flollo. And now they renewed the assault with great rage, being
+sorely bent upon each other's death.
+
+At length, Flollo, seizing his advantage, gave King Arthur a huge stroke
+upon the helm, which nigh overthrew him, and drew forth his blood in
+streams.
+
+But when King Arthur saw his armor and shield all red with blood, he was
+inflamed with fury, and lifting up Excalibur on high, with all his
+might, he struck straight through the helmet into Flollo's head, and
+smote it into halves; and Flollo falling backwards, and tearing up the
+ground with his spurs, expired.
+
+As soon as this news spread, the citizens all ran together, and, opening
+the gates, surrendered the city to the conqueror.
+
+And when he had overrun the whole province with his arms, and reduced it
+everywhere to subjection, he returned again to Britain, and held his
+court at Caerleon, with greater state than ever.
+
+Anon he invited thereto all the kings, dukes, earls, and barons, who
+owed him homage, that he might treat them royally, and reconcile them to
+each other, and to his rule.
+
+And never was there a city more fit and pleasant for such festivals. For
+on one side it was washed by a noble river, so that the kings and
+princes from the countries beyond sea might conveniently sail up to it;
+and on the other side, the beauty of the groves and meadows, and the
+stateliness and magnificence of the royal palaces, with lofty gilded
+roofs, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was famous also for
+two great and noble churches, whereof one was built in honor of the
+martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted
+themselves wholly to the service of God; and the other, founded in
+memory of St. Aaron, his companion, maintained a convent of canons, and
+was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a
+college of two hundred philosophers, learned in astronomy, and all the
+other sciences and arts.
+
+In this place, therefore, full of such delights, King Arthur held his
+court, with many jousts and tournaments, and royal huntings, and rested
+for a season after all his wars.
+
+And on a certain day there came into the court a messenger from Ryence,
+King of North Wales, bearing this message from his master: That King
+Ryence had discomfited eleven kings, and had compelled each one of them
+to cut off his beard; that he had trimmed a mantle with these beards,
+and lacked but one more beard to finish it; and that he therefore now
+sent for King Arthur's beard, which he required of him forthwith, or
+else he would enter his lands and burn and slay, and never leave them
+till he had taken by force not his beard only, but his head also.
+
+When King Arthur heard these words he flushed all scarlet, and rising in
+great anger said, "Well it is for thee that thou speakest another man's
+words with thy lips, and not thine own. Thou hast said thy message,
+which is the most insolent and villainous that ever man heard sent to
+any king: now hear my reply. My beard is yet too young to trim that
+mantle of thy master's with; yet, young although I be, I owe no homage
+either to him or any man--nor will ever owe. But, young although I be, I
+will have thy master's homage upon both his knees before this year be
+past, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this
+message is the shamefullest I ever heard speak of. I see well thy king
+hath never yet met with a worshipful man; but tell him that King Arthur
+will have his head or his worship right soon."
+
+Then the messenger departed, and Arthur, looking round upon his knights,
+demanded of them if any there knew this King Ryence. "Yea," answered Sir
+Noran, "I know him well, and there be few better or stronger knights
+upon a field than he; and he is passing proud and haughty in his heart;
+wherefore I doubt not, Lord, he will make war on thee with mighty
+power."
+
+"Well," said King Arthur, "I shall be ready for him, and that shall he
+find."
+
+While the king thus spoke, there came into the hall a damsel having on a
+mantle richly furred, which she let fall, and showed herself to be
+girded with a noble sword. The king being surprised at this, said,
+"Damsel, wherefore art thou girt with that sword, for it beseemeth thee
+not?" "Sir," said she, "I will tell thee. This sword wherewith I am thus
+girt gives me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered
+from it till I find a knight faithful and pure and true, strong of body
+and of valiant deeds, without guile or treachery, who shall be able to
+draw it from its scabbard, which no man else can do. And I have but just
+now come from the court of King Ryence, for there they told me many
+great and good knights were to be ever found; but he and all his knights
+have tried to draw it forth in vain--for none of them can move it."
+
+"This is a great marvel," said King Arthur; "I will myself try to draw
+forth this sword, not thinking in my heart that I am the best knight,
+but rather to begin and give example that all may try after me." Saying
+this, he took the sword and pulled at it with all his might, but could
+not shake or move it.
+
+"Thou needest not strive so hard, Lord," said the damsel, "for whoever
+may be able to pull it forth shall do so very easily."
+
+"Thou sayest well," replied the king, remembering how he had himself
+drawn forth the sword from the stone before St. Paul's. "Now try ye, all
+my barons; but beware ye be not stained with shame, or any treachery, or
+guile." And turning away his face from them, King Arthur mused full
+heavily on sins within his breast he knew of, and which his failure
+brought to mind right sadly.
+
+Then all the barons present tried each after other, but could none of
+them succeed; whereat the damsel greatly wept, and said, "Alas, alas! I
+thought in this court to have found the best knight, without shame or
+treachery or treason."
+
+Now by chance there was at that time a poor knight with King Arthur, who
+had been prisoner at his court for half a year or more, charged with
+slaying unawares a knight who was a cousin of the king's. He was named
+Balin le Savage, and had been by the good offices of the barons
+delivered from prison, for he was of good and valiant address and gentle
+blood. He being secretly present at the court saw this advantage, and
+felt his heart rise high within him, and longed to try the sword as did
+the others; but being poor and poorly clad, he was ashamed to come
+forward in the press of knights and nobles. But in his heart he felt
+assured that he could do better--if Heaven willed--than any knight among
+them all.
+
+So as the damsel left the king, he called to her and said, "Damsel, I
+pray thee of thy courtesy, suffer me to try the sword as well as all
+these lords; for though I be but poorly clad, I feel assurance in my
+heart."
+
+The damsel looked at him, saw in him a likely and an honest man, but
+because of his poor garments could not think him to be any knight of
+worship, and said, "Sir, there is no need to put me to any more pain or
+labor; why shouldst thou succeed where so many worthy ones have failed?"
+
+"Ah, fair lady," answered Balin, "worthiness and brave deeds are not
+shown by fair raiment but manhood and truth lie hid within the heart.
+There be many worshipful knights unknown to all the people."
+
+"By my faith, thou sayest truth," replied the damsel; "try therefore, if
+thou wilt, what thou canst do."
+
+So Balin took the sword by the girdle and hilt, and drew it lightly out,
+and looking on its workmanship and brightness, it pleased him greatly.
+
+But the king and all the barons marveled at Sir Balin's fortune, and
+many knights were envious of him, for, "Truly," said the damsel, "this
+is a passing good knight, and the best man I have ever found, and the
+most worshipfully free from treason, treachery, or villainy, and many
+wonders shall he achieve.
+
+"Now, gentle and courteous knight," continued she, turning to Balin,
+"give me the sword again."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Balin, "save it be taken from me by force, I shall
+preserve this sword for evermore."
+
+"Thou art not wise," replied the damsel, "to keep it from me; for if
+thou wilt do so, thou shall slay with it the best friend thou hast, and
+the sword shall be thine own destruction also."
+
+"I will take whatever adventure God may send," said Balin; "but the
+sword will I keep, by the faith of my body."
+
+"Thou will repent it shortly," said the damsel; "I would take the sword
+for thy sake rather than for mine, for I am passing grieved and heavy
+for thy sake, who wilt not believe the peril I foretell thee." With that
+she departed, making great lamentation.
+
+Then Balin sent for his horse and armor, and took his leave of King
+Arthur, who urged him to stay at his court. "For," said he, "I believe
+that thou art displeased that I showed thee unkindness; blame me not
+overmuch, for I was misinformed against thee, and knew not truly what a
+knight of worship thou art. Abide in this court with my good knights,
+and I will so advance thee that thou shalt be well pleased."
+
+"God thank thee, Lord," said Balin, "for no man can reward thy bounty
+and thy nobleness; but at this time I must needs depart, praying thee
+ever to hold me in thy favor."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I am grieved for thy departure; but tarry
+not long, and thou shalt be right welcome to me and all my knights when
+thou returnest, and I will repair my neglect and all that I have done
+amiss against thee."
+
+"God thank thee, Lord," again said Balin, and made ready to depart.
+
+But meanwhile came into the court a lady upon horseback, full richly
+dressed, and saluted King Arthur, and asked him for the gift that he had
+promised her when she gave him his sword Excalibur, "for," said she, "I
+am the lady of the lake."
+
+"Ask what thou wilt," said the king, "and thou shalt have it, if I have
+power to give."
+
+"I ask," said she, "the head of that knight who hath just achieved the
+sword, or else the damsel's head who brought it, or else both; for the
+knight slew my brother, and the lady caused my father's death."
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "I cannot grant thee this desire; it were
+against my nature and against my name; but ask whatever else thou wilt,
+and I will do it."
+
+"I will demand no other thing," said she.
+
+And as she spake came Balin, on his way to leave the court, and saw her
+where she stood, and knew her straightway for his mother's murderess,
+whom he had sought in vain three years. And when they told him that she
+had asked King Arthur for his head, he went up straight to her and said,
+"May evil have thee! Thou desirest my head, therefore shalt thou lose
+thine"; and with his sword he lightly smote her head off, in the
+presence of the king and all the court.
+
+"Alas, for shame!" cried out King Arthur, rising up in wrath; "why hast
+thou done this, shaming both me and my court? I am beholden greatly to
+this lady, and under my safe conduct came she here; thy deed is passing
+shameful; never shall I forgive thy villainy."
+
+"Lord," cried Sir Balin, "hear me; this lady was the falsest living, and
+by her witchcraft hath destroyed many, and caused my mother also to be
+burnt to death by her false arts and treachery."
+
+"What cause soever thou mightest have had," said the king, "thou
+shouldst have forborne her in my presence. Deceive not thyself, thou
+shalt repent this sin, for such a shame was never brought upon my court;
+depart now from my face with all the haste thou mayest."
+
+Then Balin took up the head of the lady and carried it to his lodgings,
+and rode forth with his squire from out the town. Then said he, "Now
+must we part; take ye this head and bear it to my friends in
+Northumberland, and tell them how I speed, and that our worst foe is
+dead; also tell them that I am free from prison, and of the adventure of
+my sword."
+
+"Alas!" said the squire, "ye are greatly to blame to have so displeased
+King Arthur."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Balin, "I go now to find King Ryence, and
+destroy him or lose my life; for should I take him prisoner, and lead
+him to the court, perchance King Arthur would forgive me, and become my
+good and gracious lord."
+
+"Where shall I meet thee again?" said the squire.
+
+"In King Arthur's court," said Balin.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+SIR BALIN FIGHTS WITH HIS BROTHER, SIR BALAN
+
+
+Now there was a knight at the court more envious than the others of Sir
+Balin, for he counted himself one of the best knights in Britain. His
+name was Lancear; and going to the king, he begged leave to follow after
+Sir Balin and avenge the insult he had put upon the court. "Do thy
+best," replied the king, "for I am passing wroth with Balin."
+
+In the meantime came Merlin, and was told of this adventure of the sword
+and lady of the lake.
+
+"Now hear me," said he, "when I tell ye that this lady who hath brought
+the sword is the falsest damsel living."
+
+"Say not so," they answered, "for she hath a brother a good knight, who
+slew another knight this damsel loved; so she, to be revenged upon her
+brother, went to the Lady Lile, of Avilion, and besought her help. Then
+Lady Lile gave her the sword, and told her that no man should draw it
+forth but one, a valiant knight and strong, who should avenge her on her
+brother. This, therefore, was the reason why the damsel came here."
+
+"I know it all as well as ye do," answered Merlin; "and would to God
+she had never come hither, for never came she into any company but to do
+harm; and that good knight who hath achieved the sword shall be himself
+slain by it, which shall be great harm and loss, for a better knight
+there liveth not; and he shall do unto my lord the king great honor and
+service."
+
+Then Sir Lancear, having armed himself at all points, mounted, and rode
+after Sir Balin, as fast as he could go, and overtaking him, he cried
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight! wait yet awhile, or I shall make thee do so."
+
+Hearing him cry, Sir Balin fiercely turned his horse, and said, "Fair
+knight, what wilt thou with me? wilt thou joust?"
+
+"Yea," said Sir Lancear, "it is for that I have pursued thee."
+
+"Peradventure," answered Balin, "thou hadst best have stayed at home,
+for many a man who thinketh himself already victor, endeth by his own
+downfall. Of what court art thou?"
+
+"Of King Arthur's court," cried Lancear, "and I am come to revenge the
+insult thou hast put on it this day."
+
+"Well," said Sir Balin, "I see that I must fight thee, and I repent to
+be obliged to grieve King Arthur or his knights; and thy quarrel seemeth
+full foolish to me, for the damsel that is dead worked endless evils
+through the land, or else I had been loth as any knight that liveth to
+have slain a lady."
+
+"Make thee ready," shouted Lancear, "for one of us shall rest forever in
+this field."
+
+But at their first encounter Sir Lancear's spear flew into splinters
+from Sir Balin's shield, and Sir Balin's lance pierced with such might
+through Sir Lancear's shield, that it rove the hauberk also, and passed
+through the knight's body and the horse's crupper. And Sir Balin turning
+fiercely round again, drew out his sword, and knew not that he had
+already slain him; and then he saw him lie a corpse upon the ground.
+
+At that same moment came a damsel riding towards him as fast as her
+horse could gallop, who, when she saw Sir Lancear dead, wept and
+sorrowed out of measure, crying, "O, Sir Balin, two bodies hast thou
+slain, and one heart; and two hearts in one body; and two souls also
+hast thou lost."
+
+Therewith she took the sword from her dead lover's side--for she was Sir
+Lancear's lady-love--and setting the pommel of it on the ground, ran
+herself through the body with the blade.
+
+When Sir Balin saw her dead he was sorely hurt and grieved in spirit,
+and repented the death of Lancear, which had also caused so fair a
+lady's death. And being unable to look on their bodies for sorrow, he
+turned aside into a forest, where presently as he rode, he saw the arms
+of his brother, Sir Balan. And when they were met they put off their
+helms, and embraced each other, kissing, and weeping for joy and pity.
+Then Sir Balin told Sir Balan all his late adventures, and that he was
+on his way to King Ryence, who at that time was besieging Castle
+Terrabil. "I will be with thee," answered Sir Balan, "and we will help
+each other, as brethren ought to do."
+
+Anon by chance, as they were talking, came King Mark, of Cornwall, by
+that way, and when he saw the two dead bodies of Sir Lancear and his
+lady lying there, and heard the story of their death, he vowed to build
+a tomb to them before he left that place. So pitching his pavilion
+there, he sought through all the country round to find a monument, and
+found at last a rich and fair one in a church, which he took and raised
+above the dead knight and his damsel, writing on it--"Here lieth
+Lancear, son of the King of Ireland, who, at his own request, was slain
+by Balin; and here beside him also lieth his lady Colombe, who slew
+herself with her lover's sword for grief and sorrow."
+
+Then as Sir Balin and Sir Balan rode away, Merlin met with them, and
+said to Balin, "Thou hast done thyself great harm not to have saved that
+lady's life who slew herself; and because of it, thou shalt strike the
+most Dolorous Stroke that ever man struck, save he that smote our Lord.
+For thou shalt smite the truest and most worshipful of living knights,
+who shall not be recovered from his wounds for many years, and through
+that stroke three kingdoms shall be overwhelmed in poverty and misery."
+
+"If I believed," said Balin, "what thou sayest, I would slay myself to
+make thee a liar."
+
+At that Merlin vanished suddenly away; but afterwards he met them in
+disguise towards night, and told them he could lead them to King
+Ryence, whom they sought. "For this night he is to ride with sixty
+lances only through a wood hard by."
+
+So Sir Balin and Sir Balan hid themselves within the wood, and at
+midnight came out from their ambush among the leaves by the highway, and
+waited for the king, whom presently they heard approaching with his
+company. Then did they suddenly leap forth and smote at him and
+overthrew him and laid him on the ground, and turning on his company
+wounded and slew forty of them, and put the rest to flight. And
+returning to King Ryence they would have slain him there, but he craved
+mercy, and yielded to their grace, crying, "Knights full of prowess,
+slay me not; for by my life ye may win something--but my death can avail
+ye nought."
+
+"Ye say truth," said the two knights, and put him in a horse-litter, and
+went swiftly through all the night, till at cock-crow they came to King
+Arthur's palace. There they delivered him to the warders and porters, to
+be brought before the king, with this message--"That he was sent to King
+Arthur by the knight of the two swords" (for so was Balin known by name,
+since his adventure with the damsel) "and by his brother." And so they
+rode away again ere sunrise.
+
+Within a month or two thereafter, King Arthur being somewhat sick, went
+forth outside the town, and had his pavilion pitched in a meadow, and
+there abode, and laid him down on a pallet to sleep, but could get no
+rest. And as he lay he heard the sound of a great horse, and looking
+out of the tent door, saw a knight ride by, making great lamentation.
+
+"Abide, fair sir," said King Arthur, "and tell me wherefore thou makest
+this sorrow."
+
+"Ye may little amend it," said the knight, and so passed on.
+
+Presently after Sir Balin, rode, by chance, past that meadow, and when
+he saw the king he alighted and came to him on foot, and kneeled and
+saluted him.
+
+"By my head," said King Arthur, "ye be welcome, Sir Balin;" and then he
+thanked him heartily for revenging him upon King Ryence, and for sending
+him so speedily a prisoner to his castle, and told him how King Nero,
+Ryence's brother, had attacked him afterwards to deliver Ryence from
+prison; and how he had defeated him and slain him, and also King Lot, of
+Orkney, who was joined with Nero, and whom King Pellinore had killed in
+the battle. Then when they had thus talked, King Arthur told Sir Balin
+of the sullen knight that had just passed his tent, and desired him to
+pursue him and to bring him back.
+
+So Sir Balin rode and overtook the knight in a forest with a damsel, and
+said, "Sir knight, thou must come back with me unto my lord, King
+Arthur, to tell him the cause of thy sorrow, which thou hast refused
+even now to do."
+
+"That will I not," replied the knight, "for it would harm me much, and
+do him no advantage."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Balin, "I pray thee make ready, for thou must needs go
+with me--or else I must fight with thee and take thee by force."
+
+"Wilt thou be warrant for safe conduct, if I go with thee?" inquired the
+knight.
+
+"Yea, surely," answered Balin, "I will die else."
+
+So the knight made ready to go with Sir Balin, and left the damsel in
+the wood.
+
+But as they went, there came one invisible, and smote the knight through
+the body with a spear. "Alas," cried Sir Herleus (for so was he named),
+"I am slain under thy guard and conduct, by that traitor knight called
+Garlon, who through magic and witchcraft rideth invisibly. Take,
+therefore, my horse, which is better than thine, and ride to the damsel
+whom we left, and follow the quest I had in hand, as she will lead
+thee--and revenge my death when thou best mayest."
+
+"That will I do," said Sir Balin, "by my knighthood, and so I swear to
+thee."
+
+Then went Sir Balin to the damsel, and rode forth with her; she carrying
+ever with her the truncheon of the spear wherewith Sir Herleus had been
+slain. And as they went, a good knight, Perin de Mountbelgard, joined
+their company, and vowed to take adventure with them wheresoever they
+might go. But presently as they passed a hermitage fast by a churchyard,
+came the knight Garlon, again invisible, and smote Sir Perin through the
+body with a spear, and slew him as he had slain Sir Herleus. Whereat,
+Sir Balin greatly raged, and swore to have Sir Garlon's life, whenever
+next he might encounter and behold him in his bodily shape. Anon, he
+and the hermit buried the good knight Sir Perin, and rode on with the
+damsel till they came to a great castle, whereinto they were about to
+enter. But when Sir Balin had passed through the gateway, the portcullis
+fell behind him suddenly, leaving the damsel on the outer side, with men
+around her, drawing their swords as if to slay her.
+
+When he saw that, Sir Balin climbed with eager haste by wall and tower,
+and leaped into the castle moat, and rushed towards the damsel and her
+enemies, with his sword drawn, to fight and slay them. But they cried
+out, "Put up thy sword, Sir knight, we will not fight thee in this
+quarrel, for we do nothing but an ancient custom of this castle."
+
+Then they told him that the lady of the castle was passing sick, and had
+lain ill for many years, and might never more be cured, unless she had a
+silver dish full of the blood of a pure maid and a king's daughter.
+Wherefore the custom of the castle was, that never should a damsel pass
+that way but she must give a dish full of her blood. Then Sir Balin
+suffered them to bleed the damsel with her own consent, but her blood
+helped not the lady of the castle. So on the morrow they departed, after
+right good cheer and rest.
+
+Then they rode three or four days without adventure, and came at last to
+the abode of a rich man, who sumptuously lodged and fed them. And while
+they sat at supper Sir Balin heard a voice of some one groaning
+grievously. "What noise is this?" said he.
+
+"Forsooth," said the host, "I will tell you. I was lately at a
+tournament, and there I fought a knight who is brother to King Pelles,
+and overthrew him twice, for which he swore to be revenged on me through
+my best friend, and so he wounded my son, who cannot be recovered till I
+have that knight's blood, but he rideth through witchcraft always
+invisibly, and I know not his name."
+
+"Ah," said Sir Balin, "but I know him; his name is Garlon, and he hath
+slain two knights, companions of mine own, in the same fashion, and I
+would rather than all the riches in this realm that I might meet him
+face to face."
+
+"Well," said his host, "let me now tell thee that King Pelles hath
+proclaimed in all the country a great festival, to be held at Listeniss,
+in twenty days from now, whereto no knight may come without a lady. At
+that great feast we might perchance find out this Garlon, for many will
+be there; and if it please thee we will set forth together."
+
+So on the morrow they rode all three towards Listeniss, and traveled
+fifteen days, and reached it on the day the feast began. Then they
+alighted and stabled their horses, and went up to the castle, and Sir
+Balin's host was denied entrance, having no lady with him. But Sir Balin
+was right heartily received, and taken to a chamber, where they unarmed
+him, and dressed him in rich robes, of any color that he chose, and told
+him he must lay aside his sword. This, however, he refused, and said,
+"It is the custom of my country for a knight to keep his sword ever with
+him; and if I may not keep it here, I will forthwith depart." Then they
+gave him leave to wear his sword. So he went to the great hall, and was
+set among knights of rank and worship, and his lady before him.
+
+Soon he found means to ask one who sat near him, "Is there not here a
+knight whose name is Garlon?"
+
+"Yonder he goeth," said his neighbor, "he with that black face; he is
+the most marvelous knight alive, for he rideth invisibly, and destroyeth
+whom he will."
+
+"Ah, well," said Balin, drawing a long breath, "is that indeed the man?
+I have aforetime heard of him."
+
+Then he mused long within himself, and thought, "If I shall slay him
+here and now, I shall not escape myself; but if I leave him,
+peradventure I shall never meet with him again at such advantage; and if
+he live, how much more harm and mischief will he do!"
+
+But while he deeply thought, and cast his eyes from time to time upon
+Sir Garlon, that false knight saw that he watched him, and thinking that
+he could at such a time escape revenge, he came and smote Sir Balin on
+the face with the back of his hand, and said, "Knight, why dost thou so
+watch me? be ashamed, and eat thy meat, and do that which thou camest
+for."
+
+"Thou sayest well," cried Sir Balin, rising fiercely; "now will I
+straightway do that which I came to do, as thou shalt find." With that
+he whirled his sword aloft and struck him downright on the head, and
+clove his skull asunder to the shoulder.
+
+"Give me the truncheon," cried out Sir Balin to his lady, "wherewith he
+slew thy knight." And when she gave it him--for she had always carried
+it about with her, wherever she had gone--he smote him through the body
+with it, and said, "With that truncheon didst thou treacherously murder
+a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy felon body."
+
+Then he called to the father of the wounded son, who had come with him
+to Listeniss, and said, "Now take as much blood as thou wilt, to heal
+thy son withal."
+
+But now arose a terrible confusion, and all the knights leaped from the
+table to slay Balin, King Pelles himself the foremost, who cried out,
+"Knight, thou hast slain my brother at my board; die, therefore, die,
+for thou shalt never leave this castle."
+
+"Slay me, thyself, then," shouted Balin.
+
+"Yea," said the king, "that will I! for no other man shall touch thee,
+for the love I bear my brother."
+
+Then King Pelles caught in his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at
+Balin, but Balin put his sword between his head and the king's stroke,
+and saved himself but lost his sword, which fell down smashed and
+shivered into pieces by the blow. So being weaponless he ran to the next
+room to find a sword, and so from room to room, with King Pelles after
+him, he in vain ever eagerly casting his eyes round every place to find
+some weapon.
+
+At last he ran into a chamber wondrous richly decked, where was a bed
+all dressed with cloth of gold, the richest that could be thought of,
+and one who lay quite still within the bed; and by the bedside stood a
+table of pure gold, borne on four silver pillars, and on the table
+stood a marvelous spear, strangely wrought.
+
+When Sir Balin saw the spear he seized it in his hand, and turned upon
+King Pelles, and smote at him so fiercely and so sore that he dropped
+swooning to the ground.
+
+But at that Dolorous and awful Stroke the castle rocked and rove
+throughout, and all the walls fell crashed and breaking to the earth,
+and Balin himself fell also in their midst, struck as it were to stone,
+and powerless to move a hand or foot. And so three days he lay amidst
+the ruins, until Merlin came and raised him up and brought him a good
+horse, and bade him ride out of that land as swiftly as he could.
+
+"May I not take the damsel with me I brought hither?" said Sir Balin.
+
+"Lo! where she lieth dead," said Merlin. "Ah, little knowest thou, Sir
+Balin, what thou hast done; for in this castle and that chamber which
+thou didst defile, was the blood of our Lord Christ! and also that most
+holy cup--the Sangreal--wherefrom the wine was drunk at the last supper
+of our Lord. Joseph of Arimathea brought it to this land, when first he
+came here to convert and save it. And on that bed of gold it was himself
+who lay, and the strange spear beside him was the spear wherewith the
+soldier Longus smote our Lord, which evermore had dripped with blood.
+King Pelles is the nearest kin to Joseph in direct descent, wherefore he
+held these holy things in trust; but now have they all gone at thy
+dolorous stroke, no man knoweth whither; and great is the damage to
+this land, which until now hath been the happiest of all lands, for by
+that stroke thou hast slain thousands, and by the loss and parting of
+the Sangreal, the safety of this realm is put in peril, and its great
+happiness is gone for evermore."
+
+Then Balin departed from Merlin, struck to his soul with grief and
+sorrow, and said, "In this world shall we meet never more."
+
+So he rode forth through the fair cities and the country, and found the
+people lying dead on every side. And all the living cried out on him as
+he passed, "O Balin, all this misery hast thou done! For the dolorous
+stroke thou gavest King Pelles, three countries are destroyed, and doubt
+not but revenge will fall on thee at last!"
+
+When he had passed the boundary of those countries, he was somewhat
+comforted, and rode eight days without adventure. Anon he came to a
+cross, whereon was written in letters of gold, "It is not for a knight
+alone to ride towards this castle." Looking up, he saw a hoary ancient
+man come towards him, who said, "Sir Balin le Savage, thou passest thy
+bounds this way; therefore turn back again, it will be best for thee;"
+and with these words he vanished.
+
+Then did he hear a horn blow as it were the death-note of some hunted
+beast. "That blast," said Balin, "is blown for me, for I am the prey;
+though yet I be not dead." But as he spoke he saw a hundred ladies with
+a great troop of knights come forth to meet him with bright faces and
+great welcome, who led him to the castle and made a great feast, with
+dancing and minstrelsy and all manner of joy.
+
+Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight with the two swords,
+thou must encounter and fight with a knight hard by, who dwelleth on an
+island, for no man may pass this way without encountering him."
+
+"It is a grievous custom," answered Sir Balin.
+
+"There is but one knight to defeat," replied the lady.
+
+"Well," said Sir Balin, "be it as thou wilt. I am ready and quite
+willing, and though my horse and my body be full weary, yet is my heart
+not weary, save of life. And truly I were glad if I might meet my
+death."
+
+"Sir," said one standing by, "methinketh your shield is not good; I will
+lend you a bigger."
+
+"I thank thee, sir," said Balin, and took the unknown shield and left
+his own, and so rode forth, and put himself and horse into a boat and
+came to the island.
+
+As soon as he had landed, he saw come riding towards him, a knight
+dressed all in red, upon a horse trapped in the same color. When the red
+knight saw Sir Balin, and the two swords he wore, he thought it must
+have been his brother (for the red knight was Sir Balan), but when he
+saw the strange arms on his shield, he forgot the thought, and came
+against him fiercely. At the first course they overthrew each other, and
+both lay swooning on the ground; but Sir Balin was the most hurt and
+bruised, for he was weary and spent with traveling. So Sir Balan rose
+up first to his feet and drew his sword, and Sir Balin painfully rose
+against him and raised his shield. Then Sir Balan smote him through the
+shield and brake his helmet; and Sir Balin, in return, smote at him with
+his fated sword, and had wellnigh slain his brother. And so they fought
+till their breaths failed.
+
+Then Sir Balin, looking up, saw all the castle towers stand full of
+ladies. So they went again to battle, and wounded each other full sore,
+and paused, and breathed again, and then again began the fight; and this
+for many times they did, till all the ground was red with blood. And by
+now, each had full grievously wounded the other with seven great wounds,
+the least of which might have destroyed the mightiest giant in the
+world. But still they rose against each other, although their hauberks
+now were all unnailed, and they smiting at each other's naked bodies
+with their sharp swords. At the last, Sir Balan, the younger brother,
+withdrew a little space and laid him down.
+
+Then said Sir Balin le Savage, "What knight art thou? for never before
+have I found a knight to match me thus."
+
+"My name," said he, all faintly, "is Balan, brother to the good knight
+Sir Balin."
+
+"Ah, God!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and therewith
+fell down backwards in a swoon.
+
+Then Sir Balan crept with pain upon his feet and hands, and put his
+brother's helmet off his head, but could not know him by his face, it
+was so hewed and bloody. But presently, when Sir Balin came to, he
+said, "Oh! Balan, mine own brother, thou hast slain me, and I thee! All
+the wide world saw never greater grief!"
+
+"Alas!" said Sir Balan, "that I ever saw this day; and through mishap
+alone I knew thee not, for when I saw thy two swords, if it had not been
+for thy strange shield, I should have known thee for my brother."
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "all this sorrow lieth at the door of one unhappy
+knight within the castle, who made me change my shield. If I might live,
+I would destroy that castle and its evil customs."
+
+"It were well done," said Balan, "for since I first came hither I have
+never been able to depart, for here they made me fight with one who kept
+this island, whom I slew, and by enchantment I might never quit it more;
+nor couldst thou, brother, hadst thou slain me, and escaped with thine
+own life."
+
+Anon came the lady of the castle, and when she heard their talk, and saw
+their evil case, she wrung her hands and wept bitterly. So Sir Balan
+prayed the lady of her gentleness that, for his true service, she would
+bury them both together in that place. This she granted, weeping full
+sore, and said it should be done right solemnly and richly, and in the
+noblest manner possible. Then did they send for a priest, and received
+the holy sacrament at his hands. And Balin said, "Write over us upon our
+tomb, that here two brethren slew each other; then shall never good
+knight or pilgrim pass this way but he will pray for both our souls."
+And anon Sir Balan died, but Sir Balin died not till the midnight after;
+and then they both were buried.
+
+On the morrow of their death came Merlin, and took Sir Balin's sword and
+fixed on it a new pommel, and set it in a mighty stone, which then, by
+magic, he made float upon the water. And so, for many years, it floated
+to and fro around the island, till it swam down the river to Camelot,
+where young Sir Galahad achieved it, as shall be told hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+THE MARRIAGE OF ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+It befell upon a certain day, that King Arthur said to Merlin, "My lords
+and knights do daily pray me now to take a wife; but I will have none
+without thy counsel, for thou hast ever helped me since I came first to
+this crown."
+
+"It is well," said Merlin, "that thou shouldst take a wife, for no man
+of bounteous and noble nature should live without one; but is there any
+lady whom thou lovest better than another?"
+
+"Yea," said King Arthur, "I love Guinevere, the daughter of King
+Leodegrance, of Camelgard, who also holdeth in his house the Round Table
+that he had from my father Uther; and as I think, that damsel is the
+gentlest and the fairest lady living."
+
+"Sir," answered Merlin, "as for her beauty, she is one of the fairest
+that do live; but if ye had not loved her as ye do, I would fain have
+had ye choose some other who was both fair and good. But where a man's
+heart is set, he will be loth to leave." This Merlin said, knowing the
+misery that should hereafter happen from this marriage.
+
+Then King Arthur sent word to King Leodegrance that he mightily desired
+to wed his daughter, and how that he had loved her since he saw her
+first, when with Kings Ban and Bors he rescued Leodegrance from King
+Ryence of North Wales.
+
+When King Leodegrance heard the message, he cried out, "These be the
+best tidings I have heard in all my life--so great and worshipful a
+prince to seek my daughter for his wife! I would fain give him half my
+lands with her straightway, but that he needeth none--and better will it
+please him that I send him the Round Table of King Uther, his father,
+with a hundred good knights towards the furnishing of it with guests,
+for he will soon find means to gather more, and make the table full."
+
+Then King Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guinevere to the messengers
+of King Arthur, and also the Round Table with the hundred knights.
+
+So they rode royally and freshly, sometimes by water and sometimes by
+land, towards Camelot. And as they rode along in the spring weather,
+they made full many sports and pastimes. And, in all those sports and
+games, a young knight lately come to Arthur's, court, Sir Lancelot by
+name, was passing strong, and won praise from all, being full of grace
+and hardihood; and Guinevere also ever looked on him with joy. And
+always in the eventide, when the tents were set beside some stream or
+forest, many minstrels came and sang before the knights and ladies as
+they sat in the tent-doors, and many knights would tell adventures; and
+still Sir Lancelot was foremost, and told the knightliest tales, and
+sang the goodliest songs, of all the company.
+
+And when they came to Camelot, King Arthur made great joy, and all the
+city with him; and riding forth with a great retinue he met Guinevere
+and her company, and led her through the streets all filled with people,
+and in the midst of all their shoutings and the ringing of church bells,
+to a palace hard by his own.
+
+Then, in all haste, the king commanded to prepare the marriage and the
+coronation with the stateliest and most honorable pomp that could be
+made. And when the day was come, the archbishops led the king to the
+cathedral, whereto he walked, clad in his royal robes, and having four
+kings, bearing four golden swords, before him; a choir of passing sweet
+music going also with him.
+
+In another part, was the queen dressed in her richest ornaments, and led
+by archbishops and bishops to the Chapel of the Virgins, the four queens
+also of the four kings last mentioned walked before her, bearing four
+white doves, according to ancient custom; and after her there followed
+many damsels, singing and making every sign of joy.
+
+And when the two processions were come to the churches, so wondrous was
+the music and the singing, that all the knights and barons who were
+there pressed on each other, as in the crowd of battle, to hear and see
+the most they might.
+
+When the king was crowned, he called together all the knights that came
+with the Round Table from Camelgard, and twenty-eight others, great and
+valiant men, chosen by Merlin out of all the realm, towards making up
+the full number of the table. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury blessed
+the seats of all the knights, and when they rose again therefrom to pay
+their homage to King Arthur, there was found upon the back of each
+knight's seat his name, written in letters of gold. But upon one seat
+was found written, "This is the Siege Perilous, wherein if any man shall
+sit save him whom Heaven hath chosen, he shall be devoured by fire."
+
+Anon came young Gawain, the king's nephew, praying to be made a knight,
+whom the king knighted then and there. Soon after came a poor man,
+leading with him a tall fair lad of eighteen years of age, riding on a
+lean mare. And falling at the king's feet, the poor man said, "Lord, it
+was told me, that at this time of thy marriage thou wouldst give to any
+man the gift he asked for, so it were not unreasonable."
+
+"That is the truth," replied King Arthur, "and I will make it good."
+
+"Thou sayest graciously and nobly," said the poor man. "Lord, I ask
+nothing else but that thou wilt make my son here a knight."
+
+"It is a great thing that thou askest," said the king. "What is thy
+name?"
+
+"Aries, the cowherd," answered he.
+
+"Cometh this prayer from thee or from thy son?" inquired King Arthur.
+
+"Nay, lord, not from myself," said he, "but from him only, for I have
+thirteen other sons, and all of them will fall to any labor that I put
+them to. But this one will do no such work for anything that I or my
+wife may do, but is for ever shooting or fighting, and running to see
+knights and joustings, and torments me both night and day that he be
+made a knight."
+
+"What is thy name?" said the king to the young man.
+
+"My name is Tor," said he.
+
+Then the king, looking at him steadfastly, was well pleased with his
+face and figure, and with his look of nobleness and strength.
+
+"Fetch all thy other sons before me," said the king to Aries. But when
+he brought them, none of them resembled Tor in size or shape or feature.
+
+Then the king knighted Tor, saying, "Be thou to thy life's end a good
+knight and a true, as I pray God thou mayest be; and if thou provest
+worthy, and of prowess, one day thou shalt be counted in the Round
+Table." Then turning to Merlin, Arthur said, "Prophesy now, O Merlin,
+shall Sir Tor become a worthy knight, or not?"
+
+"Yea, lord," said Merlin, "so he ought to be, for he is the son of that
+King Pellinore whom thou hast met, and proved to be one of the best
+knights living. He is no cowherd's son."
+
+Presently after came in King Pellinore, and when he saw Sir Tor he knew
+him for his son, and was more pleased than words can tell to find him
+knighted by the king. And Pellinore did homage to King Arthur, and was
+gladly and graciously accepted of the king; and then was led by Merlin
+to a high seat at the Table Round, near to the Perilous Seat.
+
+But Sir Gawain was full of anger at the honor done King Pellinore, and
+said to his brother Gaheris, "He slew our father, King Lot, therefore
+will I slay him."
+
+"Do it not yet," said he; "wait till I also be a knight, then will I
+help ye in it: it is best ye suffer him to go at this time, and not
+trouble this high feast with blood-shed."
+
+"As ye will, be it," said Sir Gawain.
+
+Then rose the king and spake to all the Table Round, and charged them to
+be ever true and noble knights, to do neither outrage nor murder, nor
+any unjust violence, and always to flee treason; also by no means ever
+to be cruel, but give mercy unto him that asked for mercy, upon pain of
+forfeiting the liberty of his court forevermore. Moreover, at all times,
+on pain of death, to give all succor unto ladies and young damsels; and
+lastly, never to take part in any wrongful quarrel, for reward or
+payment. And to all this he swore them knight by knight.
+
+Then he ordained that, every year at Pentecost, they should all come
+before him, wheresoever he might appoint a place, and give account of
+all their doings and adventures of the past twelve-month. And so, with
+prayer and blessing, and high words of cheer, he instituted the most
+noble order of the Round Table, whereto the best and bravest knights in
+all the world sought afterwards to find admission.
+
+Then was the high feast made ready, and the king and queen sat side by
+side, before the whole assembly; and great and royal was the banquet and
+the pomp.
+
+And as they sat, each man in his place, Merlin went round and said, "Sit
+still awhile, for ye shall see a strange and marvelous adventure."
+
+So as they sat, there suddenly came running through the hall, a white
+hart, with a white hound next after him, and thirty couple of black
+running hounds, making full cry; and the hart made circuit of the Table
+Round, and past the other tables; and suddenly the white hound flew upon
+him and bit him fiercely, and tore out a piece from his haunch. Whereat
+the hart sprang suddenly with a great leap, and overthrew a knight
+sitting at the table, who rose forthwith, and, taking up the hound,
+mounted, and rode fast away.
+
+But no sooner had he left, than there came in a lady, mounted on a white
+palfrey, who cried out to the king, "Lord, suffer me not to have this
+injury!--the hound is mine which that knight taketh." And as she spake,
+a knight rode in all armed, on a great horse, and suddenly took up the
+lady and rode away with her by force, although she greatly cried and
+moaned.
+
+Then the king desired Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and King Pellinore to mount
+and follow this adventure to the uttermost; and told Sir Gawain to bring
+back the hart, Sir Tor the hound and knight, and King Pellinore the
+knight and the lady.
+
+So Sir Gawain rode forth at a swift pace, and with him Gaheris, his
+brother, for a squire. And as they went, they saw two knights fighting
+on horseback, and when they reached them they divided them and asked the
+reason of their quarrel. "We fight for a foolish matter," one replied,
+"for we be brethren; but there came by a white hart this way, chased by
+many hounds, and thinking it was an adventure for the high feast of King
+Arthur, I would have followed it to have gained worship; whereat my
+younger brother here declared he was the better knight and would go
+after it instead, and so we fight to prove which of us be the better
+knight."
+
+"This is a foolish thing," said Sir Gawain. "Fight with all strangers,
+if ye will, but not brother with brother. Take my advice, set on against
+me, and if ye yield to me, as I shall do my best to make ye, ye shall go
+to King Arthur and yield ye to his grace."
+
+"Sir knight," replied the brothers, "we are weary, and will do thy wish
+without encountering thee; but by whom shall we tell the king that we
+were sent?"
+
+"By the knight that followeth the quest of the white hart," said Sir
+Gawain. "And now tell me your names, and let us part."
+
+"Sorlous and Brian of the Forest," they replied; and so they went their
+way to the king's court.
+
+Then Sir Gawain, still following his quest by the distant baying of the
+hounds, came to a great river, and saw the hart swimming over and near
+to the further bank. And as he was about to plunge in and swim after, he
+saw a knight upon the other side, who cried, "Come not over here, Sir
+knight, after that hart, save thou wilt joust with me."
+
+"I will not fail for that," said Sir Gawain; and swam his horse across
+the stream.
+
+Anon they got their spears, and ran against each other fiercely; and Sir
+Gawain smote the stranger off his horse, and turning, bade him yield.
+
+"Nay," replied he, "not so; for though ye have the better of me on
+horseback, I pray thee, valiant knight, alight, and let us match
+together with our swords on foot."
+
+"What is thy name?" quoth Gawain.
+
+"Allardin of the Isles," replied the stranger.
+
+Then they fell on each other; but soon Sir Gawain struck him through the
+helm, so deeply and so hard, that all his brains were scattered, and Sir
+Allardin fell dead. "Ah," said Gaheris, "that was a mighty stroke for a
+young knight!"
+
+Then did they turn again to follow the white hart, and let slip three
+couple of greyhounds after him; and at the last they chased him to a
+castle, and there they overtook and slew him, in the chief courtyard.
+
+At that there rushed a knight forth from a chamber, with a drawn sword
+in his hand, and slew two of the hounds before their eyes, and chased
+the others from the castle, crying, "Oh, my white hart! alas, that thou
+art dead! for thee my sovereign lady gave to me, and evil have I kept
+thee; but if I live, thy death shall be dear bought." Anon he went
+within and armed, and came out fiercely, and met Sir Gawain face to
+face.
+
+"Why have ye slain my hounds?" said Sir Gawain; "they did but after
+their nature: and ye had better have taken vengeance on me than on the
+poor dumb beasts."
+
+"I will avenge me on thee, also," said the other, "ere thou depart this
+place."
+
+Then did they fight with each other savagely and madly, till the blood
+ran down to their feet. But at last Sir Gawain had the better, and
+felled the knight of the castle to the ground. Then he cried out for
+mercy, and yielded to Sir Gawain, and besought him as he was a knight
+and gentleman to save his life. "Thou shalt die," said Sir Gawain, "for
+slaying my hounds."
+
+"I will make thee all amends within my power," replied the knight.
+
+But Sir Gawain would have no mercy, and unlaced his helm to strike his
+head off; and so blind was he with rage, that he saw not where a lady
+ran out from her chamber and fell down upon his enemy. And making a
+fierce blow at him, he smote off by mischance the lady's head.
+
+"Alas!" cried Gaheris, "foully and shamefully have ye done--the shame
+shall never leave ye! Why give ye not your mercy unto them that ask it?
+a knight without mercy is without worship also."
+
+Then Sir Gawain was sore amazed at that fair lady's death, and knew not
+what to do, and said to the fallen knight, "Arise, for I will give thee
+mercy."
+
+"Nay, nay," said he, "I care not for thy mercy now, for thou hast slain
+my lady and my love--that of all earthly things I loved the best."
+
+"I repent me sorely of it," said Sir Gawain, "for I meant to have struck
+thee: but now shalt thou go to King Arthur and tell him this adventure,
+and how thou hast been overcome by the knight that followeth the quest
+of the white hart."
+
+"I care not whether I live or die, or where I go," replied the knight.
+
+So Sir Gawain sent him to the court to Camelot, making him bear one dead
+greyhound before and one behind him on his horse. "Tell me thy name
+before we part," said he.
+
+"My name is Athmore of the Marsh," he answered.
+
+Then went Sir Gawain into the castle, and prepared to sleep there and
+began to unarm; but Gaheris upbraided him, saying, "Will ye disarm in
+this strange country? bethink ye, ye must needs have many enemies
+about."
+
+No sooner had he spoken than there came out suddenly four knights, well
+armed, and assailed them hard, saying to Sir Gawain, "Thou new-made
+knight, how hast thou shamed thy knighthood! a knight without mercy is
+dishonored! Slayer of fair ladies, shame to thee evermore! Doubt not
+thou shalt thyself have need of mercy ere we leave thee."
+
+Then were the brothers in great jeopardy, and feared for their lives,
+for they were but two to four, and weary with traveling; and one of the
+four knights shot Sir Gawain with a bolt, and hit him through the arm,
+so that he could fight no more. But when there was nothing left for them
+but death, there came four ladies forth and prayed the four knights'
+mercy for the strangers. So they gave Sir Gawain and Gaheris their
+lives, and made them yield themselves prisoners.
+
+On the morrow, came one of the ladies to Sir Gawain, and talked with
+him, saying, "Sir knight, what cheer?"
+
+"Not good," said he.
+
+"It is your own default, sir," said the lady, "for ye have done a
+passing foul deed in slaying that fair damsel yesterday--and ever shall
+it be great shame to you. But ye be not of King Arthur's kin."
+
+"Yea, truly am I," said he; "my name is Gawain, son of King Lot of
+Orkney, whom King Pellinore slew--and my mother, Belisent, is
+half-sister to the king."
+
+When the lady heard that, she went and presently got leave for him to
+quit the castle; and they gave him the head of the white hart to take
+with him, because it was in his quest; but made him also carry the dead
+lady with him--her head hung round his neck and her body lay before him
+on his horse's neck.
+
+So in that fashion he rode back to Camelot; and when the king and queen
+saw him, and heard tell of his adventures, they were heavily displeased,
+and, by order of the queen, he was put upon his trial before a court of
+ladies--who judged him to be evermore, for all his life, the knight of
+ladies' quarrels, and to fight always on their side, and never against
+any, except he fought for one lady and his adversary for another; also
+they charged him never to refuse mercy to him that asked it, and swore
+him to it on the Holy Gospels. Thus ended the adventure of the white
+hart.
+
+Meanwhile, Sir Tor had made him ready, and followed the knight who rode
+away with the hound. And as he went, there suddenly met him in the road
+a dwarf, who struck his horse so viciously upon the head with a great
+staff, that he leaped backwards a spear's length.
+
+"Wherefore so smitest thou my horse, foul dwarf?" shouted Sir Tor.
+
+"Because thou shalt not pass this way," replied the dwarf, "unless thou
+fight for it with yonder knights in those pavilions," pointing to two
+tents, where two great spears stood out, and two shields hung upon two
+trees hard by.
+
+"I may not tarry, for I am on a quest I needs must follow," said Sir
+Tor.
+
+"Thou shalt not pass," replied the dwarf, and therewith blew his horn.
+Then rode out quickly at Sir Tor one armed on horseback, but Sir Tor was
+quick as he, and riding at him bore him from his horse, and made him
+yield. Directly after came another still more fiercely, but with a few
+great strokes and buffets Sir Tor unhorsed him also, and sent them both
+to Camelot to King Arthur. Then came the dwarf and begged Sir Tor to
+take him in his service, "for," said he, "I will serve no more recreant
+knights."
+
+"Take then a horse, and come with me," said Tor.
+
+"Ride ye after the knight with the white hound?" said the dwarf; "I can
+soon bring ye where he is."
+
+So they rode through the forest till they came to two more tents. And
+Sir Tor alighting, went into the first, and saw three damsels lie there,
+sleeping. Then went he to the other, and found another lady also
+sleeping, and at her feet the white hound he sought for, which instantly
+began to bay and bark so loudly, that the lady woke. But Sir Tor had
+seized the hound and given it to the dwarf's charge.
+
+"What will ye do, Sir knight?" cried out the lady; "will ye take away my
+hound from me by force?"
+
+"Yea, lady," said Sir Tor; "for so I must, having the king's command;
+and I have followed it from King Arthur's court, at Camelot, to this
+place."
+
+"Well," said the lady, "ye will not go far before ye be ill handled, and
+will repent ye of the quest."
+
+"I shall cheerfully abide whatsoever adventure cometh, by the grace of
+God," said Sir Tor; and so mounted his horse and began to ride back on
+his way. But night coming on, he turned aside to a hermitage that was in
+the forest, and there abode till the next day, making but sorrowful
+cheer of such poor food as the hermit had to give him, and hearing a
+Mass devoutly before he left on the morrow.
+
+And in the early morning, as he rode forth with the dwarf towards
+Camelot, he heard a knight call loudly after him, "Turn, turn! Abide,
+Sir knight, and yield me up the hound thou tookest from my lady." At
+which he turned, and saw a great and strong knight, armed full
+splendidly, riding down upon him fiercely through a glade of the forest.
+
+Now Sir Tor was very ill provided, for he had but an old courser, which
+was as weak as himself, because of the hermit's scanty fare. He waited,
+nevertheless, for the strange knight to come, and at the first onset
+with their spears, each unhorsed the other, and then fell to with their
+swords like two mad lions. Then did they smite through one another's
+shields and helmets till the fragments flew on all sides, and their
+blood ran out in streams; but yet they carved and rove through the thick
+armor of the hauberks, and gave each other great and ghastly wounds. But
+in the end, Sir Tor, finding the strange knight faint, doubled his
+strokes until he beat him to the earth. Then did he bid him yield to his
+mercy.
+
+"That will I not," replied Abellius, "while my life lasteth and my soul
+is in my body, unless thou give me first the hound."
+
+"I cannot," said Sir Tor, "and will not, for it was my quest to bring
+again that hound and thee unto King Arthur, or otherwise to slay thee."
+
+With that there came a damsel riding on a palfrey, as fast as she could
+drive, and cried out to Sir Tor with a loud voice, "I pray thee, for
+King Arthur's love, give me a gift."
+
+"Ask," said Sir Tor, "and I will give thee."
+
+"Gramercy," said the lady, "I ask the head of this false knight
+Abellius, the most outrageous murderer that liveth."
+
+"I repent me of the gift I promised," said Sir Tor. "Let him make thee
+amends for all his trespasses against thee."
+
+"He cannot make amends," replied the damsel, "for he hath slain my
+brother, a far better knight than he, and scorned to give him mercy,
+though I kneeled for half an hour before him in the mire, to beg it, and
+though it was but by a chance they fought, and for no former injury or
+quarrel. I require my gift of thee as a true knight, or else will I
+shame thee in King Arthur's court; for this Abellius is the falsest
+knight alive, and a murderer of many."
+
+When Abellius heard this, he trembled greatly, and was sore afraid, and
+yielded to Sir Tor, and prayed his mercy.
+
+"I cannot now, Sir knight," said he, "lest I be false to my promise. Ye
+would not take my mercy when I offered it; and now it is too late."
+
+Therewith he unlaced his helmet, and took it off; but Abellius, in
+dismal fear, struggled to his feet, and fled, until Sir Tor overtook
+him, and smote off his head entirely with one blow.
+
+"Now, sir," said the damsel, "it is near night, I pray ye come and lodge
+at my castle hard by."
+
+"I will, with a good will," said he, for both his horse and he had fared
+but poorly since they left Camelot.
+
+So he went to the lady's castle and fared sumptuously, and saw her
+husband, an old knight, who greatly thanked him for his service, and
+urged him oftentimes to come again.
+
+On the morrow he departed, and reached Camelot by noon, where the king
+and queen rejoiced to see him, and the king made him Earl; and Merlin
+prophesied that these adventures were but little to the things he should
+achieve hereafter.
+
+Now while Sir Gawain and Sir Tor had fulfilled their quests, King
+Pellinore pursued the lady whom the knight had seized away from the
+wedding-feast. And as he rode through the woods, he saw in a valley a
+fair young damsel sitting by a well-side, and a wounded knight lying in
+her arms, and King Pellinore saluted her as he passed by.
+
+As soon as she perceived him she cried out, "Help, help me, knight, for
+our Lord's sake!" But Pellinore was far too eager in his quest to stay
+or turn, although she cried a hundred times to him for help; at which
+she prayed to heaven he might have such sore need before he died as she
+had now. And presently thereafter her knight died in her arms; and she,
+for grief and love, slew herself with his sword.
+
+But King Pellinore rode on till he met a poor man, and asked him had he
+seen a knight pass by that way, leading by force a lady with him.
+
+"Yea, surely," said the man, "and greatly did she moan and cry; but even
+now another knight is fighting with him to deliver the lady; ride on and
+thou shalt find them fighting still."
+
+At that King Pellinore rode swiftly on, and came to where he saw the two
+knights fighting, hard by where two pavilions stood. And when he looked
+in one of them, he saw the lady that was his quest, and with her the two
+squires of the two knights who fought.
+
+"Fair lady," said he, "ye must come with me unto King Arthur's court."
+
+"Sir knight," said the two squires, "yonder be two knights fighting for
+this lady; go part them, and get their consent to take her, ere thou
+touch her."
+
+"Ye say well," said King Pellinore, and rode between the combatants, and
+asked them why they fought.
+
+"Sir knight," said the one, "yon lady is my cousin, mine aunt's
+daughter, whom I met borne away against her will, by this knight here,
+with whom I therefore fight to free her."
+
+"Sir knight," replied the other, whose name was Hantzlake of Wentland,
+"this lady got I, by my arms and prowess, at King Arthur's court
+to-day."
+
+"That is false," said King Pellinore; "ye stole the lady suddenly, and
+fled away with her, before any knight could arm to stay thee. But it is
+my service to take her back again. Neither of ye shall therefore have
+her; but if ye will fight for her, fight with me now and here."
+
+"Well," said the knights, "make ready, and we will assail thee with all
+our might."
+
+Then Sir Hantzlake ran King Pellinore's horse through with his sword, so
+that they might be all alike on foot. But King Pellinore at that was
+passing wroth, and ran upon Sir Hantzlake, with a cry, "Keep well thy
+head!" and gave him such a stroke upon the helm as clove him to the
+chin, so that he fell dead to the ground. When he saw that, the other
+knight refused to fight, and kneeling down said, "Take my cousin the
+lady with thee, as thy quest is; but as thou art a true knight, suffer
+her to come to neither shame nor harm."
+
+So the next day King Pellinore departed for Camelot, and took the lady
+with him; and as they rode in a valley full of rough stones, the
+damsel's horse stumbled and threw her, so that her arms were sorely
+bruised and hurt. And as they rested in the forest for the pain to
+lessen, night came on, and there they were compelled to make their
+lodging. A little before midnight they heard the trotting of a horse.
+"Be ye still," said King Pellinore, "for now we may hear of some
+adventure," and therewith he armed her. Then he heard two knights meet
+and salute each other, in the dark; one riding from Camelot, the other
+from the north.
+
+"What tidings at Camelot?" said one.
+
+"By my head," said the other, "I have but just left there, and have
+espied King Arthur's court, and such a fellowship is there as never may
+be broke or overcome; for wellnigh all the chivalry of the world is
+there, and all full loyal to the king, and now I ride back homewards to
+the north to tell our chiefs, that they waste not their strength in wars
+against him."
+
+"As for all that," replied the other knight, "I am but now from the
+north, and bear with me a remedy, the deadliest poison that ever was
+heard tell of, and to Camelot will I with it; for there we have a friend
+close to the king, and greatly cherished of him, who hath received gifts
+from us to poison him, as he hath promised soon to do."
+
+"Beware," said the first knight, "of Merlin, for he knoweth all things,
+by the devil's craft."
+
+"I will not fear for that," replied the other, and so rode on his way.
+
+Anon King Pellinore and the lady passed on again; and when they came to
+the well at which the lady with the wounded knight had sat, they found
+both knight and damsel utterly devoured by lions and wild beasts, all
+save the lady's head.
+
+When King Pellinore saw that, he wept bitterly, saying, "Alas! I might
+have saved her life had I but tarried a few moments in my quest."
+
+"Wherefore make so much sorrow now?" said the lady.
+
+"I know not," answered he, "but my heart grieveth greatly for this poor
+lady's death, so fair she was and young."
+
+Then he required a hermit to bury the remains of the bodies, and bare
+the lady's head with him to Camelot, to the court.
+
+When he was arrived, he was sworn to tell the truth of his quest before
+the King and Queen, and when he had entered the Queen somewhat upbraided
+him, saying, "Ye were much to blame that ye saved not that lady's life."
+
+"Madam," said he, "I shall repent it all my life."
+
+"Ay, king," quoth Merlin, who suddenly came in, "and so ye ought to do,
+for that lady was your daughter, not seen since infancy by thee. And she
+was on her way to court, with a right good young knight, who would have
+been her husband, but was slain by treachery of a felon knight, Lorraine
+le Savage, as they came; and because thou wouldst not abide and help
+her, thy best friend shall fail thee in thine hour of greatest need, for
+such is the penance ordained thee for that deed."
+
+Then did King Pellinore tell Merlin secretly of the treason he had heard
+in the forest, and Merlin by his craft so ordered that the knight who
+bare the poison was himself soon after slain by it, and so King Arthur's
+life was saved.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF ARTHUR AND SIR ACCOLON OF GAUL
+
+
+Being now happily married, King Arthur for a season took his pleasure,
+with great tournaments, and jousts, and huntings. So once upon a time
+the king and many of his knights rode hunting in a forest, and Arthur,
+King Urience, and Sir Accolon of Gaul, followed after a great hart, and
+being all three well mounted, they chased so fast that they outsped
+their company, and left them many miles behind; but riding still as
+rapidly as they could go, at length their horses fell dead under them.
+Then being all three on foot, and seeing the stag not far before them,
+very weary and nigh spent--"What shall we do," said King Arthur, "for we
+are hard bested?" "Let us go on afoot," said King Urience, "till we can
+find some lodging." At that they saw the stag lying upon the bank of a
+great lake, with a hound springing at his throat, and many other hounds
+trooping towards him. So, running forward, Arthur blew the death-note on
+his horn, and slew the hart. Then lifting up his eyes he saw before him
+on the lake a barge, all draped down to the water's edge, with silken
+folds and curtains, which swiftly came towards him, and touched upon
+the sands; but when he went up close and looked in, he saw no earthly
+creature. Then he cried out to his companions, "Sirs, come ye hither,
+and let us see what there is in this ship." So they all three went in,
+and found it everywhere throughout furnished, and hung with rich
+draperies of silk and gold.
+
+By this time eventide had come, when suddenly a hundred torches were set
+up on all sides of the barge, and gave a dazzling light, and at the same
+time came forth twelve fair damsels, and saluted King Arthur by his
+name, kneeling on their knees, and telling him that he was welcome, and
+should have their noblest cheer, for which the king thanked them
+courteously. Then did they lead him and his fellows to a splendid
+chamber, where was a table spread with all the richest furniture, and
+costliest wines and viands; and there they served them with all kinds of
+wines and meats, till Arthur wondered at the splendor of the feast,
+declaring he had never in his life supped better, or more royally. After
+supper they led him to another chamber, than which he had never beheld a
+richer, where he was left to rest. King Urience, also, and Sir Accolon
+were each conducted into rooms of like magnificence. And so they all
+three fell asleep, and being very weary slept deeply all that night.
+
+But when the morning broke, King Urience found himself in his own house
+in Camelot, he knew not how; and Arthur awaking found himself in a dark
+dungeon, and heard around him nothing but the groans of woeful knights,
+prisoners like himself. Then said King Arthur, "Who are ye, thus
+groaning and complaining?" And some one answered him, "Alas, we be all
+prisoners, even twenty good knights, and some of us have lain here seven
+years--some more--nor seen the light of day for all that time." "For
+what cause?" said King Arthur. "Know ye not then yourself?" they
+answered--"we will soon tell you. The lord of this strong castle is Sir
+Damas, and is the falsest and most traitorous knight that liveth; and he
+hath a younger brother, a good and noble knight, whose name is Outzlake.
+This traitor Damas, although passing rich, will give his brother nothing
+of his wealth, and save what Outzlake keepeth to himself by force, he
+hath no share of the inheritance. He owneth, nevertheless, one fair rich
+manor, whereupon he liveth, loved of all men far and near. But Damas is
+as altogether hated as his brother is beloved, for he is merciless and
+cowardly: and now for many years there hath been war between these
+brothers, and Sir Outzlake evermore defieth Damas to come forth and
+fight with him, body to body, for the inheritance; and if he be too
+cowardly, to find some champion knight that will fight for him. And
+Damas hath agreed to find some champion, but never yet hath found a
+knight to take his evil cause in hand, or wager battle for him. So with
+a strong band of men-at-arms he lieth ever in ambush, and taketh captive
+every passing knight who may unwarily go near and bringeth him into this
+castle, and desireth him either to fight Sir Outzlake, or to lie for
+evermore indurance. And thus hath he dealt with all of us, for we all
+scorned to take up such a cause for such a false foul knight--but rather
+one by one came here, where many a good knight hath died of hunger and
+disease. But if one of us would fight, Sir Damas would deliver all the
+rest."
+
+"God of his mercy send you deliverance," said King Arthur, and sat
+turning in his mind how all these things should end, and how he might
+himself gain freedom for so many noble hearts.
+
+Anon there came a damsel to the king, saying, "Sir, if thou wilt fight
+for my lord thou shalt be delivered out of prison, but else nevermore
+shalt thou escape with thy life." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that is but
+a hard choice, yet had I rather fight than die in prison, and if I may
+deliver not myself alone, but all these others, I will do the battle."
+"Yea," said the damsel, "it shall be even so." "Then," said King Arthur,
+"I am ready now, if but I had a horse and armor." "Fear not," said she,
+"that shalt thou have presently, and shalt lack nothing proper for the
+fight." "Have I not seen thee," said the king, "at King Arthur's court?
+for it seemeth that thy face is known to me." "Nay," said the damsel, "I
+was never there; I am Sir Damas' daughter, and have never been but a
+day's journey from this castle." But she spoke falsely, for she was one
+of the damsels of Morgan le Fay, the great enchantress, who was King
+Arthur's half-sister.
+
+When Sir Damas knew that there had been at length a knight found who
+would fight for him, he sent for Arthur, and finding him a man so tall
+and strong, and straight of limb, he was passingly well pleased, and
+made a covenant with him, that he should fight unto the uttermost for
+his cause, and that all the other knights should be delivered. And when
+they were sworn to each other on the Holy Gospels, all those imprisoned
+knights were straightway led forth and delivered, but abode there one
+and all to see the battle.
+
+In the meanwhile there had happened to Sir Accolon of Gaul a strange
+adventure; for when he awoke from his deep sleep upon the silken barge,
+he found himself upon the edge of a deep well, and in instant peril of
+falling thereinto. Whereat, leaping up in great affright, he crossed
+himself and cried aloud, "May God preserve my lord King Arthur and King
+Urience, for those damsels in the ship have betrayed us, and were
+doubtless devils and no women; and if I may escape this misadventure, I
+will certainly destroy them wheresoever I may find them." With that
+there came to him a dwarf with a great mouth, and a flat nose, and
+saluted him, saying that he came from Queen Morgan le Fay. "And she
+greeteth you well," said he, "and biddeth you be strong of heart, for
+to-morrow you shall do battle with a strange knight, and therefore she
+hath sent you here Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, and the scabbard
+likewise. And she desireth you as you do love her to fight this battle
+to the uttermost, and without any mercy, as you have promised her you
+would fight when she should require it of you; and she will make a rich
+queen forever of any damsel that shall bring her that knight's head
+with whom you are to fight."
+
+"Well," said Sir Accolon, "tell you my lady Queen Morgan, that I shall
+hold to that I promised her, now that I have this sword--and," said he,
+"I suppose it was to bring about this battle that she made all these
+enchantments by her craft." "You have guessed rightly," said the dwarf,
+and therewithal he left him.
+
+Then came a knight and lady, and six squires, to Sir Accolon, and took
+him to a manor house hard by, and gave him noble cheer; and the house
+belonged to Sir Outzlake, the brother of Sir Damas, for so had Morgan le
+Fay contrived with her enchantments. Now Sir Outzlake himself was at
+that time sorely wounded and disabled, having been pierced through both
+his thighs by a spear-thrust. When, therefore, Sir Damas sent down
+messengers to his brother, bidding him make ready by to-morrow morning,
+and be in the field to fight with a good knight, for that he had found a
+champion ready to do battle at all points, Sir Outzlake was sorely
+annoyed and distressed, for he knew he had small chance of victory,
+while yet he was disabled by his wounds; notwithstanding, he determined
+to take the battle in hand, although he was so weak that he must needs
+be lifted to his saddle. But when Sir Accolon of Gaul heard this, he
+sent a message to Sir Outzlake offering to take the battle in his stead,
+which cheered Sir Outzlake mightily, who thanked Sir Accolon with all
+his heart, and joyfully accepted him.
+
+So, on the morrow, King Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir
+Damas, "When shall we go to the field?" "Sir," said Sir Damas, "you
+shall first hear mass." And when mass was done, there came a squire on a
+great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready, "for our
+knight is already in the field." Then King Arthur mounted on horseback,
+and there around were all the knights, and barons, and people of the
+country; and twelve of them were chosen to wait upon the two knights who
+were about to fight. And as King Arthur sat on horseback, there came a
+damsel from Morgan le Fay, and brought to him a sword, made like
+Excalibur, and a scabbard also, and said to him, "Morgan le Fay sendeth
+you here your sword for her great love's sake." And the king thanked
+her, and believed it to be as she said; but she traitorously deceived
+him, for both sword and scabbard were counterfeit, brittle, and false,
+and the true sword Excalibur was in the hands of Sir Accolon. Then, at
+the sound of a trumpet, the champions set themselves on opposite side of
+the field, and giving rein and spur to their horses urged them to so
+great a speed that each smiting the other in the middle of the shield,
+rolled his opponent to the ground, both horse and man. Then starting up
+immediately, both drew their swords and rushed swiftly together. And so
+they fell to eagerly, and gave each other many great and mighty strokes.
+
+And as they were thus fighting, the damsel Vivien, lady of the lake, who
+loved King Arthur, came upon the ground, for she knew by her
+enchantments how Morgan le Fay had craftily devised to have King Arthur
+slain by his own sword that day, and therefore came to save his life.
+And Arthur and Sir Accolon were now grown hot against each other, and
+spared not strength nor fury in their fierce assaults; but the king's
+sword gave way continually before Sir Accolon's, so that at every stroke
+he was sore wounded, and his blood ran from him so fast that it was a
+marvel he could stand. When King Arthur saw the ground so sore
+be-blooded, he bethought him in dismay that there was magic treason
+worked upon him, and that his own true sword was changed, for it seemed
+to him that the sword in Sir Accolon's hand was Excalibur, for fearfully
+it drew his blood at every blow, while what he held himself kept no
+sharp edge, nor fell with any force upon his foe.
+
+"Now, knight, look to thyself, and keep thee well from me," cried out
+Sir Accolon. But King Arthur answered not, and gave him such a buffet on
+the helm as made him stagger and nigh fall upon the ground. Then Sir
+Accolon withdrew a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, and smote
+King Arthur in return with such a mighty stroke as almost felled him;
+and both being now in hottest wrath, they gave each other grievous and
+savage blows. But Arthur all the time was losing so much blood that
+scarcely could he keep upon his feet, yet so full was he of knighthood,
+that knightly he endured the pain, and still sustained himself, though
+now he was so feeble that he thought himself about to die. Sir Accolon,
+as yet, had lost no drop of blood, and being very bold and confident in
+Excalibur, even grew more vigorous and hasty in his assaults. But all
+men who beheld them said they never saw a knight fight half so well as
+did King Arthur, and all the people were so grieved for him that they
+besought Sir Damas and Sir Outzlake to make up their quarrel and so stay
+the fight; but they would not.
+
+So still the battle raged, till Arthur drew a little back for breath and
+a few moments' rest; but Accolon came on after him, following fiercely
+and crying loud, "It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest," and
+therewith set upon him. Then Arthur, full of scorn and rage, lifted up
+his sword and struck Sir Accolon upon the helm so mightily that he drove
+him to his knees; but with the force of that great stroke his brittle,
+treacherous sword broke short off at the hilt, and fell down in the
+grass among the blood, leaving the pommel only in his hand. At that,
+King Arthur thought within himself that all was over, and secretly
+prepared his mind for death, yet kept himself so knightly sheltered by
+his shield that he lost no ground, and made as though he yet had hope
+and cheer. Then said Sir Accolon, "Sir knight, thou now art overcome and
+canst endure no longer, seeing thou art weaponless, and hast lost
+already so much blood. Yet am I fully loth to slay thee; yield, then,
+therefore, to me as recreant." "Nay," said King Arthur, "that may I not,
+for I have promised to do battle to the uttermost by the faith of my
+body while my life lasteth; and I had rather die with honor than live
+with shame; and if it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I
+had rather die as often than yield me to thee, for though I lack
+weapons, I shall lack no worship, and it shall be to thy shame to slay
+me weaponless." "Aha," shouted then Sir Accolon, "as for the shame, I
+will not spare; look to thyself, sir knight, for thou art even now but a
+dead man." Therewith he drove at him with pitiless force, and struck him
+nearly down; but Arthur evermore waxing in valor as he waned in blood,
+pressed on Sir Accolon with his shield, and hit at him so fiercely with
+the pommel in his hand, as hurled him three strides backward.
+
+This, therefore, so confused Sir Accolon, that rushing up, all dizzy, to
+deliver once again a furious blow, even as he struck, Excalibur, by
+Vivien's magic, fell from out his hands upon the earth. Beholding which,
+King Arthur lightly sprang to it, and grasped it, and forthwith felt it
+was his own good sword, and said to it, "Thou hast been from me all too
+long, and done me too much damage." Then spying the scabbard hanging by
+Sir Accolon's side, he sprang and pulled it from him, and cast it away
+as far as he could throw it; for so long as he had worn it, Arthur knew
+his life would have been kept secure. "Oh, knight!" then said the king,
+"thou hast this day wrought me much damage by this sword, but now art
+thou come to thy death, for I shall not warrant thee but that thou shalt
+suffer, ere we part, somewhat of that thou hast made me suffer." And
+therewithal King Arthur flew at him with all his might, and pulled him
+to the earth, and then struck off his helm, and gave him on the head a
+fearful buffet, till the blood leaped forth. "Now will I slay thee!"
+cried King Arthur; for his heart was hardened, and his body all on fire
+with fever, till for a moment he forgot his knightly mercy. "Slay me
+thou mayest," said Sir Accolon, "for thou art the best knight I ever
+found, and I see well that God is with thee; and I, as thou hast, have
+promised to fight this battle to the uttermost, and never to be recreant
+while I live; therefore shall I never yield me with my mouth, and God
+must do with my body what he will." And as Sir Accolon spoke, King
+Arthur thought he knew his voice; and parting all his blood-stained hair
+from out his eyes, and leaning down towards him, saw, indeed, it was his
+friend and own true knight. Then said he--keeping his own visor down--"I
+pray thee tell me of what country art thou, and what court?" "Sir
+knight," he answered, "I am of King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir
+Accolon of Gaul." Then said the king, "Oh, sir knight! I pray thee tell
+me who gave thee this sword? and from whom thou hadst it?"
+
+Then said Sir Accolon, "Woe worth this sword, for by it I have gotten my
+death. This sword hath been in my keeping now for almost twelve months,
+and yesterday Queen Morgan le Fay, wife of King Urience, sent it to me
+by a dwarf, that therewith I might in some way slay her brother, King
+Arthur; for thou must understand that King Arthur is the man she hateth
+most in all the world, being full of envy and jealousy because he is of
+greater worship and renown than any other of her blood. She loveth me
+also as much as she doth hate him; and if she might contrive to slay
+King Arthur by her craft and magic, then would she straightway kill her
+husband also, and make me the king of all this land, and herself my
+queen, to reign with me; but now," said he, "all that is over, for this
+day I am come to my death."
+
+"It would have been sore treason of thee to destroy thy lord," said
+Arthur. "Thou sayest truly," answered he; "but now that I have told
+thee, and openly confessed to thee all that foul treason whereof I now
+do bitterly repent, tell me, I pray thee, whence art thou, and of what
+court?" "O, Sir Accolon!" said King Arthur, "learn that I am myself King
+Arthur." When Sir Accolon heard this he cried aloud, "Alas, my gracious
+lord! have mercy on me, for I knew thee not." "Thou shalt have mercy,"
+said he, "for thou knewest not my person at this time; and though by
+thine own confession thou art a traitor, yet do I blame thee less,
+because thou hast been blinded by the false crafts of my sister Morgan
+le Fay, whom I have trusted more than all others of my kin, and whom I
+now shall know well how to punish." Then did Sir Accolon cry loudly, "O,
+lords, and all good people! this noble knight that I have fought with is
+the noblest and most worshipful in all the world; for it is King Arthur,
+our liege lord and sovereign king; and full sorely I repent that I have
+ever lifted lance against him, though in ignorance I did it."
+
+Then all the people fell down on their knees and prayed the pardon of
+the king for suffering him to come to such a strait. But he replied,
+"Pardon ye cannot have, for, truly, ye have nothing sinned; but here ye
+see what ill adventure may ofttimes befall knights-errant, for to my own
+hurt, and his danger also, I have fought with one of my own knights."
+
+Then the king commanded Sir Damas to surrender to his brother the whole
+manor, Sir Outzlake only yielding him a palfrey every year; "for," said
+he scornfully, "it would become thee better to ride on than a courser;"
+and ordered Damas, upon pain of death, never again to touch or to
+distress knights-errant riding on their adventures; and also to make
+full compensation and satisfaction to the twenty knights whom he had
+held in prison. "And if any of them," said the king, "come to my court
+complaining that he hath not had full satisfaction of thee for his
+injuries, by my head, thou shalt die therefor."
+
+Afterwards, King Arthur asked Sir Outzlake to come with him to his
+court, where he should become a knight of his, and, if his deeds were
+noble, be advanced to all he might desire.
+
+So then he took his leave of all the people and mounted upon horseback,
+and Sir Accolon went with him to an abbey hard by, where both their
+wounds were dressed. But Sir Accolon died within four days after. And
+when he was dead, the king sent his body to Queen Morgan, to Camelot,
+saying that he sent her a present in return for the sword Excalibur
+which she had sent him by the damsel.
+
+So, on the morrow, there came a damsel from Queen Morgan to the king,
+and brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen, for it was
+set as full of precious stones as they could stand against each other,
+and they were the richest stones that ever the king saw. And the damsel
+said, "Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and prayeth you to take her
+gift, and in whatsoever thing she hath offended you, she will amend it
+at your pleasure." To this the king replied not, although the mantle
+pleased him much. With that came in the lady of the lake, and said,
+"Sir, put not on this mantle till thou hast seen more; and in nowise let
+it be put upon thee, or any of thy knights, till ye have made the
+bringer of it first put it on her." "It shall be done as thou dost
+counsel," said the king. Then said he to the damsel that came from his
+sister, "Damsel, I would see this mantle ye have brought me upon
+yourself." "Sir," said she, "it will not beseem me to wear a knight's
+garment." "By my head," said King Arthur, "thou shalt wear it ere it go
+on any other person's back!" And so they put it on her by force, and
+forthwith the garment burst into a flame and burned the damsel into
+cinders. When the king saw that, he hated that false witch Morgan le Fay
+with all his heart, and evermore was deadly quarrel between her and
+Arthur to their lives' end.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+ARTHUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR AT ROME
+
+
+And now again the second time there came ambassadors from Lucius
+Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, demanding, under pain of war, tribute and
+homage from King Arthur, and the restoration of all Gaul, which he had
+conquered from the tribune Flollo.
+
+When they had delivered their message, the king bade them withdraw while
+he consulted with his knights and barons what reply to send. Then some
+of the younger knights would have slain the ambassadors, saying that
+their speech was a rebuke to all who heard the king insulted by it. But
+when King Arthur heard that, he ordered none to touch them upon pain of
+death; and sending officers, he had them taken to a noble lodging, and
+there entertained with the best cheer. "And," said he, "let no dainty be
+spared, for the Romans are great lords; and though their message please
+me not, yet must I remember mine honor."
+
+Then the lords and knights of the Round Table were called on to declare
+their counsel--what should be done upon this matter; and Sir Cador of
+Cornwall speaking first, said, "Sir, this message is the best news I
+have heard for a long time, for we have been now idle and at rest for
+many days, and I trust that thou wilt make sharp war upon the Romans,
+wherein, I doubt not, we shall all gain honor."
+
+"I believe well," said Arthur, "that thou art pleased, Sir Cador; but
+that is scarce an answer to the Emperor of Rome, and his demand doth
+grieve me sorely, for truly I will never pay him tribute; wherefore,
+lords, I pray ye counsel me. Now, I have understood that Belinus and
+Brennius, knights of Britain, held the Roman Empire in their hands for
+many days, and also Constantine, the son of Helen, which is open
+evidence, not only that we owe Rome no tribute, but that I, being
+descended from them, may, of right, myself claim the empire."
+
+Then said King Anguish of Scotland, "Sir, thou oughtest of right to be
+above all other kings, for in all Christendom is there not thine equal;
+and I counsel thee never to obey the Romans. For when they reigned here
+they grievously distressed us, and put the land to great and heavy
+burdens; and here, for my part, I swear to avenge me on them when I may,
+and will furnish thee with twenty thousand men-at-arms, whom I will pay
+and keep, and who shall wait on thee with me, when it shall please
+thee."
+
+Then the King of Little Britain rose and promised King Arthur thirty
+thousand men; and likewise many other kings, and dukes, and barons,
+promised aid--as the lord of West Wales thirty thousand men, Sir Ewaine
+and his cousin thirty thousand men, and so forth; Sir Lancelot also, and
+every other knight of the Round Table, promised each man a great host.
+
+So the king, passing joyful at their courage and good will, thanked them
+all heartily, and sent for the ambassadors again, to hear his answer. "I
+will," said he, "that ye now go back straightway unto the Emperor your
+master, and tell him that I give no heed to his words, for I have
+conquered all my kingdoms by the will of God and by my own right arm,
+and I am strong enough to keep them, without paying tribute to any
+earthly creature. But, on the other hand, I claim both tribute and
+submission from himself, and also claim the sovereignty of all his
+empire, whereto I am entitled by the right of my own ancestors--sometime
+kings of this land. And say to him that I will shortly come to Rome, and
+by God's grace will take possession of my empire and subdue all rebels.
+Wherefore, lastly, I command him and all the lords of Rome that they
+forthwith pay me their homage, under pain of my chastisement and wrath."
+
+Then he commanded his treasurers to give the ambassadors great gifts,
+and defray all their charges, and appointed Sir Cador to convey them
+worshipfully out of the land.
+
+So when they returned to Rome and came before Lucius, he was sore angry
+at their words, and said, "I thought this Arthur would have instantly
+obeyed my orders and have served me as humbly as any other king; but
+because of his fortune in Gaul, he hath grown insolent."
+
+"Ah, lord," said one of the ambassadors, "refrain from such vain words,
+for truly I and all with me were fearful at his royal majesty and angry
+countenance. I fear me thou hast made a rod for thee more sharp than
+thou hast counted on. He meaneth to be master of this empire; and is
+another kind of man than thou supposest, and holdeth the most noble
+court of all the world. We saw him on the new year's day, served at his
+table by nine kings, and the noblest company of other princes, lords,
+and knights that ever was in all the world; and in his person he is the
+most manly-seeming man that liveth, and looketh like to conquer all the
+earth."
+
+Then Lucius sent messengers to all the subject countries of Rome, and
+brought together a mighty army, and assembled sixteen kings, and many
+dukes, princes, lords, and admirals, and a wondrous great multitude of
+people. Fifty giants also, born of fiends, were set around him for a
+body-guard. With all that host he straightway went from Rome, and passed
+beyond the mountains into Gaul, and burned the towns and ravaged all the
+country of that province, in rage for its submission to King Arthur.
+Then he moved on towards Little Britain.
+
+Meanwhile, King Arthur having held a parliament at York, left the realm
+in charge of Sir Badewine and Sir Constantine, and crossed the sea from
+Sandwich to meet Lucius. And so soon as he was landed, he sent Sir
+Gawain, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Bedivere to the Emperor,
+commanding him "to move swiftly and in haste out of his land, and, if
+not, to make himself ready for battle, and not continue ravaging the
+country and slaying harmless people." Anon, those noble knights attired
+themselves and set forth on horseback to where they saw, in a meadow,
+many silken tents of divers colors, and the Emperor's pavilion in the
+midst, with a golden eagle set above it.
+
+Then Sir Gawain and Sir Bors rode forward, leaving the other two behind
+in ambush, and gave King Arthur's message. To which the Emperor replied,
+"Return, and tell your lord that I am come to conquer him and all his
+land."
+
+At this, Sir Gawain burned with anger, and cried out, "I had rather than
+all France that I might fight with thee alone!"
+
+"And I also," said Sir Bors.
+
+Then a knight named Ganius, a near cousin of the Emperor, laughed out
+aloud, and said, "Lo! how these Britons boast and are full of pride,
+bragging as though they bare up all the world!"
+
+At these words, Sir Gawain could refrain no longer, but drew forth his
+sword and with one blow shore off Ganius' head; then with Sir Bors, he
+turned his horse and rode over waters and through woods, back to the
+ambush, where Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere were waiting. The Romans
+followed fast behind them till the knights turned and stood, and then
+Sir Bors smote the foremost of them through the body with a spear, and
+slew him on the spot. Then came on Calibere, a huge Pavian, but Sir Bors
+overthrew him also. And then the company of Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere
+brake forth from their ambush and fell on the Romans, and slew and
+hewed them down, and forced them to return and flee, chasing them to
+their tents.
+
+But as they neared the camp, a great host more rushed forth, and turned
+the battle backwards, and in the turmoil, Sir Bors and Sir Berel fell
+into the Romans' hands. When Sir Gawain saw that, he drew his good sword
+Galotine, and swore to see King Arthur's face no more if those two
+knights were not delivered; and then, with good Sir Idrus, made so sore
+an onslaught that the Romans fled and left Sir Bors and Sir Berel to
+their friends. So the Britons returned in triumph to King Arthur, having
+slain more than ten thousand Romans, and lost no man of worship from
+amongst themselves.
+
+When the Emperor Lucius heard of that discomfiture he arose, with all
+his army, to crush King Arthur, and met him in the vale of Soissons.
+Then speaking to all his host, he said, "Sirs, I admonish you that this
+day ye fight and acquit yourselves as men; and remembering how Rome is
+chief of all the earth, and mistress of the universal world, suffer not
+these barbarous and savage Britons to abide our onset." At that, the
+trumpets blew so loud, that the ground trembled and shook.
+
+Then did the rival hosts draw near each other with great shoutings; and
+when they closed, no tongue can tell the fury of their smiting, and the
+sore struggling, wounds, and slaughter. Then King Arthur, with his
+mightiest knights, rode down into the thickest of the fight, and drew
+Excalibur, and slew as lightning slays for swiftness and for force. And
+in the midmost crowd he met a giant, Galapas by name, and struck off
+both his legs at the knee-joints; then saying, "Now art thou a better
+size to deal with!" smote his head off at a second blow: and the body
+killed six men in falling down.
+
+Anon, King Arthur spied where Lucius fought and worked great deeds of
+prowess with his own hands. Forthwith he rode at him, and each attacked
+the other passing fiercely; till at the last, Lucius struck King Arthur
+with a fearful wound across the face, and Arthur, in return, lifting up
+Excalibur on high, drove it with all his force upon the Emperor's head,
+shivering his helmet, crashing his head in halves, and splitting his
+body to the breast. And when the Romans saw their Emperor dead, they
+fled in hosts of thousands; and King Arthur and his knights, and all his
+army followed them, and slew one hundred thousand men.
+
+Then returning to the field, King Arthur rode to the place where Lucius
+lay dead, and round him the kings of Egypt and Ethiopia, and seventeen
+other kings, with sixty Roman senators, all noble men. All these he
+ordered to be carefully embalmed with aromatic gums, and laid in leaden
+coffins, covered with their shields and arms and banners. Then calling
+for three senators who were taken prisoners, he said to them, "As the
+ransom of your lives, I will that ye take these dead bodies and carry
+them to Rome, and there present them for me, with these letters saying I
+will myself be shortly there. And I suppose the Romans will beware how
+they again ask tribute of me; for tell them, these dead bodies that I
+send them are for the tribute they have dared to ask of me; and if they
+wish for more, when I come I will pay them the rest."
+
+So, with that charge, the three senators departed with the dead bodies,
+and went to Rome; the body of the Emperor being carried in a chariot
+blazoned with the arms of the empire, all alone, and the bodies of the
+kings two and two in chariots following.
+
+After the battle, King Arthur entered Lorraine, Brabant, and Flanders,
+and thence, subduing all the countries as he went, passed into Germany,
+and so beyond the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany. At length he came
+before a city which refused to obey him, wherefore he sat down before it
+to besiege it. And after a long time thus spent, King Arthur called Sir
+Florence, and told him they began to lack food for his hosts--"And not
+far from hence," said he, "are great forests full of cattle belonging to
+my enemies. Go then, and bring by force all that thou canst find; and
+take with thee Sir Gawain, my nephew, and Sir Clegis, Sir Claremond, the
+Captain of Cardiff, and a strong band."
+
+Anon, those knights made ready, and rode over holts and hills, and
+through forests and woods, till they came to a great meadow full of fair
+flowers and grass, and there they rested themselves and their horses
+that night. And at the dawn of the next day, Sir Gawain took his horse
+and rode away from his fellows to seek some adventure. Soon he saw an
+armed knight walking his horse by a wood's side, with his shield laced
+to his shoulder, and no attendant with him save a page, bearing a mighty
+spear; and on his shield were blazoned three gold griffins. When Sir
+Gawain spied him, he put his spear in rest, and riding straight to him,
+asked who he was. "A Tuscan," said he; "and thou mayest prove me when
+thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner ere we part."
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, "Thou vauntest thee greatly, and speakest proud
+words; yet I counsel thee, for all thy boastings, look to thyself the
+best thou canst."
+
+At that they took their spears and ran at each other with all the might
+they had, and smote each other through their shields into their
+shoulders; and then drawing swords smote with great strokes, till the
+fire sprang out of their helms. Then was Sir Gawain enraged, and with
+his good sword Galotine struck his enemy through shield and hauberk, and
+splintered into piece all the precious stones of it, and made so huge a
+wound that men might see both lungs and liver. At that the Tuscan,
+groaning loudly, rushed on to Sir Gawain, and gave him a deep slanting
+stroke, and made a mighty wound and cut a great vein asunder, so that he
+bled fast. Then he cried out, "Bind thy wound quickly up, Sir knight,
+for thou be-bloodest all thy horse and thy fair armor, and all the
+surgeons of the world shall never staunch thy blood; for so shall it be
+to whomsoever is hurt with this good sword."
+
+Then answered Sir Gawain, "It grieveth me but little, and thy boastful
+words give me no fear, for thou shalt suffer greater grief and sorrow
+ere we part; but tell me quickly who can staunch this blood."
+
+"That can I do," said the strange knight, "and will, if thou wilt aid
+and succor me to become christened, and to believe in God, which now I
+do require of thee upon thy manhood."
+
+"I am content," said Sir Gawain; "and may God help me to grant all thy
+wishes. But tell me first, what soughtest thou thus here alone, and of
+what land art thou?"
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "my name is Prianius, and my father is a great
+prince, who hath rebelled against Rome. He is descended from Alexander
+and Hector, and of our lineage also were Joshua and Maccabaeus. I am of
+right the king of Alexandria, and Africa, and all the outer isles, yet I
+would believe in the Lord thou worshipest, and for thy labor I will give
+thee treasure enough. I was so proud in heart that I thought none my
+equal, but now have I encountered with thee, who hast given me my fill
+of fighting; wherefore, I pray thee, Sir knight, tell me of thyself."
+
+"I am no knight," said Sir Gawain; "I have been brought up many years in
+the wardrobe of the noble prince King Arthur, to mind his armor and
+array."
+
+"Ah," said Prianius, "if his varlets be so keen and fierce, his knights
+must be passing good! Now, for the love of heaven, whether thou be
+knight or knave, tell me thy name."
+
+"By heaven!" said Gawain, "now will I tell thee the truth. My name is
+Sir Gawain, and I am a knight of the Round Table."
+
+"Now am I better pleased," said Prianius, "than if thou hadst given me
+all the province of Paris the rich. I had rather have been torn by wild
+horses than that any varlet should have won such victory over me as thou
+hast done. But now, Sir knight, I warn thee that close by is the Duke of
+Lorraine, with sixty thousand good men of war; and we had both best flee
+at once, for he will find us else, and we be sorely wounded and never
+likely to recover. And let my page be careful that he blow no horn, for
+hard by are a hundred knights, my servants; and if they seize thee, no
+ransom of gold or silver would acquit thee."
+
+Then Sir Gawain rode over a river to save himself, and Sir Prianius
+after him, and so they both fled till they came to his companions who
+were in the meadow, where they spent the night. When Sir Whishard saw
+Sir Gawain so hurt, he ran to him weeping, and asked him who it was had
+wounded him; and Sir Gawain told him how he had fought with that
+man--pointing to Prianius--who had salves to heal them both. "But I can
+tell ye other tidings," said he--"that soon we must encounter many
+enemies, for a great army is close to us in our front."
+
+Then Prianius and Sir Gawain alighted and let their horses graze while
+they unarmed, and when they took this armor and their clothing off, the
+hot blood ran down freshly from their wounds till it was piteous to
+see. But Prianius took from his page a vial filled from the four rivers
+that flow out of Paradise, and anointed both their wounds with a certain
+balm, and washed them with that water, and within an hour afterwards
+they were both as sound and whole as ever they had been. Then, at the
+sound of a trumpet, all the knights were assembled to council; and after
+much talking, Prianius said, "Cease your words, for I warn you in yonder
+wood ye shall find knights out of number, who will put out cattle for a
+decoy to lead you on; and ye are not seven hundred!"
+
+"Nevertheless," said Sir Gawain, "let us at once encounter them, and see
+what they can do; and may the best have the victory."
+
+Then they saw suddenly an earl named Sir Ethelwold, and the Duke of
+Duchmen come leaping out of ambush of the woods in front, with many a
+thousand after them, and all rode straight down to the battle. And Sir
+Gawain, full of ardor and courage, comforted his knights, saying, "They
+all are ours." Then the seven hundred knights, in one close company, set
+spurs to their horses and began to gallop, and fiercely met their
+enemies. And then were men and horses slain and overthrown on every
+side, and in and out amidst them all, the knights of the Round Table
+pressed and thrust, and smote down to the earth all who withstood them,
+till at length the whole of them turned back and fled.
+
+"By heaven!" said Sir Gawain, "this gladdeneth well my heart, for now
+behold them as they flee! they are full seventy thousand less in number
+than they were an hour ago!"
+
+Thus was the battle quickly ended, and a great host of high lords and
+knights of Lombardy and Saracens left dead upon the field. Then Sir
+Gawain and his company collected a great plenty of cattle, and of gold
+and silver, and all kind of treasure, and returned to King Arthur, where
+he still kept the siege.
+
+"Now God be thanked," cried he; "but who is he that standeth yonder by
+himself, and seemeth not a prisoner?"
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "he is a good man with his weapons, and hath
+matched me; but cometh hither to be made a Christian. Had it not been
+for his warnings, we none of us should have been here this day. I pray
+thee, therefore, let him be baptized, for there can be few nobler men,
+or better knights."
+
+So Prianius was christened, and made a duke and knight of the Round
+Table.
+
+Presently afterwards, they made a last attack upon the city, and entered
+by the walls on every side; and as the men were rushing to the pillage,
+came the Duchess forth, with many ladies and damsels, and kneeled before
+King Arthur; and besought him to receive their submission. To whom the
+king made answer, with a noble countenance, "Madam, be well assured that
+none shall harm ye, or your ladies; neither shall any that belong to
+thee be hurt; but the Duke must abide my judgment." Then he commanded to
+stay the assault and took the keys from the Duke's eldest son, who
+brought them kneeling. Anon the Duke was sent a prisoner to Dover for
+his life, and rents and taxes were assigned for dowry of the Duchess and
+her children.
+
+Then went he on with all his hosts, winning all towns and castles, and
+wasting them that refused obedience, till he came to Viterbo. From
+thence he sent to Rome, to ask the senators whether they would receive
+him for their lord and governor. In answer, came out to him all the
+Senate who remained alive, and the Cardinals, with a majestic retinue
+and procession; and laying great treasures at his feet, they prayed him
+to come in at once to Rome, and there be peaceably crowned as Emperor.
+"At this next Christmas," said King Arthur, "will I be crowned, and hold
+my Round Table in your city."
+
+Anon he entered Rome, in mighty pomp and state; and after him came all
+his hosts, and his knights, and princes, and great lords, arrayed in
+gold and jewels, such as never were beheld before. And then was he
+crowned Emperor by the Pope's hands, with all the highest solemnity that
+could be made.
+
+Then after his coronation, he abode in Rome for a season, settling his
+lands and giving kingdoms to his knights and servants, to each one after
+his deserving, and in such wise fashion that no man among them all
+complained. Also he made many dukes and earls, and loaded all his
+men-at-arms with riches and great treasures.
+
+When all this was done, the lords and knights, and all the men of great
+estate, came together before him, and said, "Noble Emperor! by the
+blessing of Eternal God, thy mortal warfare is all finished, and thy
+conquests all achieved; for now in all the world is none so great and
+mighty as to dare make war with thee. Wherefore we beseech and heartily
+pray thee of thy noble grace, to turn thee homeward, and give us also
+leave to see our wives and homes again, for now we have been from them a
+long season, and all thy journey is completed with great honor and
+worship."
+
+"Ye say well," replied he, "and to tempt God is no wisdom; therefore
+make ready in all haste, and turn we home to England."
+
+So King Arthur returned with his knights and lords and armies, in great
+triumph and joy, through all the countries he had conquered, and
+commanded that no man, upon pain of death, should rob or do any violence
+by the way. And crossing the sea, he came at length to Sandwich, where
+Queen Guinevere received him, and made great joy at his arrival. And
+through all the realm of Britain was there such rejoicing as no tongue
+can tell.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+SIR GAWAIN AND THE MAID WITH THE NARROW SLEEVES
+
+
+Now it happened that as Sir Gawain was riding one day through the
+country he encountered a troop of knights, followed by a squire, who led
+a Spanish charger, and about whose neck was hung a shield. Gawain rode
+up to the squire and said, "Tell me, what is yonder troop that hath
+ridden by?"
+
+The squire answered, "Sir, Meliance of Lis, a brave and hardy knight."
+
+"Is it to him you belong?" Sir Gawain asked.
+
+"Nay, sir," said the squire, "my master is Teudaves, a knight as worthy
+as this one."
+
+"Teudaves I know," said Gawain. "Whither fareth he? Tell me the truth."
+
+"He proceedeth to a tourney, sir, which this Meliance of Lis hath
+undertaken against Thiebault of Tintagel. If you will take my advice you
+will throw yourself into the castle, and take part against the
+outsiders."
+
+"Was it not," cried Gawain, "in the house of this Thiebault that
+Meliance of Lis was nurtured?"
+
+"Aye, sir, so God save me!" said the squire. "His father loved Thiebault
+and trusted him so much that on his death-bed he committed to his care
+his little son, whom Thiebault cherished and protected, until the time
+came when the youth petitioned his daughter to give him her love; but
+she replied that she would never do that until he should be made a
+knight. The youth, being ardent, forthwith had himself knighted, and
+then returned to the maiden. 'Nay,' answered the girl to his renewed
+suit, 'it shall never be, until in my presence you shall have achieved
+such feats of arms that I will know my love hath cost you somewhat; for
+those things which come suddenly are not so sweet as those we earn. If
+you wish my love, take a tournament of my father. I desire to be certain
+that my love would be well placed in case I were to grant it.' What she
+suggested he performed, for love hath such lordship over lovers that
+those who are under his power would never dare refuse whatever it
+pleased him to enjoin. And you, sir, sluggish will you be if you do not
+enter the castle, for they will need you greatly, if you might help
+them."
+
+To which Sir Gawain answered, "Brother, go thy way, it would be wise of
+you, and let my affairs be." So the squire departed, and Gawain rode
+towards Tintagel, for there was no other way by which he could pass.
+
+Now Thiebault had summoned all his kith and kin, who had come, high and
+low, old and young; but he could not get the permission of his council
+to joust with his master, for the councillors feared lest he should
+utterly ruin their castle. Therefore the gates had been walled up with
+stones and mortar, leaving as the only approach one small postern,
+which had a gate made of copper, as much as a cart could haul. Sir
+Gawain rode to the gate, behind the troop that bore his harness, for
+there was no other road within seven leagues. He found the postern shut
+and so he turned into a close below the tower, that was fenced with a
+palisade. He dismounted under an oak and hung up his shields. Thither
+came the folk from the castle, most of them sorry that the tourney had
+been abandoned; in the fortress was an aged nobleman, great in land and
+lineage, whose word no one disputed. A long way off the troop had been
+pointed out to him, and before they rode into the close he went to
+Thiebault, and said, "Sir, so God save me, I have seen two companions of
+King Arthur, worthy men, who ride this way; I advise you to tourney with
+good hope, for we have brave knights, and servants, and archers, who
+will slay their horses, and I am certain they will joust before this
+gate; if their pride shall bring them the gain will be ours, and theirs
+will be the loss and the shame."
+
+As a result of this counsel Thiebault allowed those who wished to take
+their arms and sally forth. The knights were right glad, and their
+squires ran after their horses, while the dames and the damsels climbed
+high places to see the tourney. Below, in the meadow, they saw the arms
+of Sir Gawain, and at first thought that there were two knights, because
+two shields hung from the tree. They cried out that they were fortunate
+to see two such knights arm. So some thought; but others exclaimed,
+"Fair Lord God, this knight hath arms and steeds sufficient for two; if
+he hath no companion, what will he do with two shields? Never was seen a
+knight who carried two shields at one and the same time. It is very
+strange if one man means to bear two shields."
+
+While the ladies talked and the knights went forth from the castle the
+elder daughter of Thiebault mounted to the tower, she on account of whom
+the tournament had been undertaken, and with her her younger sister,
+whose sleeves were so quaint that she was called the Maid with the
+Narrow Sleeves, for she wore them tight. Dames and damsels climbed the
+tower with them, and the tourney was joined in front of the castle. None
+bore himself so well as Meliance of Lis, by the testimony of his fair
+friend, who said to those about her, "Ladies, never did I see a knight
+who delighted me as doth Meliance of Lis. Is it not a pleasure to see
+such a knight? That man must have a good seat and be skillful in the use
+of lance and shield who beareth himself so excellently."
+
+Thereupon her sister, who sat by her side, said that she saw a fairer
+knight. The elder maiden was angry and rose to strike her sister. But
+the ladies interfered, and held her back, so that she missed her blow,
+which greatly incensed her.
+
+In the tournament many lances were shivered, shields pierced, and
+knights unhorsed; and it went hard with the knight who met Meliance of
+Lis, for there was none he did not throw on the hard ground. If his
+lance broke, he dealt great blows with his sword; and he bore himself
+better than any other knight on either side, to the great joy of his
+fair friend, who could not resist exclaiming, "Ladies, it is wonderful!
+Behold the best bachelor knight of whom minstrel hath ever sung or whom
+eyes have ever seen, the fairest and bravest of all those in the
+tourney!"
+
+Then the little girl cried, "I see a handsomer one, and 'tis like, a
+better!"
+
+The elder sister grew hot. "Ha, girl, you were malapert when you were so
+unlucky as to blame one whom I praised! Take that, to teach you better
+another time!" So saying, she slapped her sister, so hard that she left
+on the little girl's cheek the print of her five fingers. But the ladies
+who sat near scolded her and took her away.
+
+After that they fell to talking of Sir Gawain. One of the damsels said,
+"The knight beneath yonder tree, why doth he delay to take arms?" A
+second damsel, who was ruder, exclaimed, "He hath sworn to keep the
+peace." And a third added, "He is a merchant. Don't tell me that he
+desireth to joust; he bringeth horses to market." "He is a
+money-changer," said a fourth. "The goods he hath he meaneth to sell to
+poor bachelors. Trust me, he hath money or raiment in those chests."
+
+"You have wicked tongues!" cried the little girl. "And you lie! Do you
+think a merchant would bear such huge lances? You tire me to death,
+talking such nonsense! By the faith that I owe the Holy Spirit, he
+seemeth to me a knight rather than a merchant or a money-changer. He is
+a knight, and he looketh like one!"
+
+The ladies all cried with one voice, "Fair sweet friend, if he looketh
+so, it doth not follow that he is so. He putteth it on because he
+wisheth to cheat the tariff. But in spite of all his cleverness he is a
+fool, for he will be taken up and hung for a cheat."
+
+Now Gawain heard all that the ladies said about him, and he was ashamed
+and annoyed. But he thought, and thought rightly, that he lay under an
+accusation of treason, and that it was his duty to keep his pledge or
+forever disgrace himself and his line. It was for this reason that he
+took no part in the tourney, lest, if he fought, he should be wounded or
+taken prisoner.
+
+Meliance of Lis called for great lances, to strike harder blows. Until
+night fell the tourney continued before the gate; the man who took any
+booty carried it to some place where he thought it would be safe. Then
+the ladies saw a squire, tall and strong, who held a piece of a lance
+and bore on his neck a steel cap. One of the ladies, who was foolish,
+called to him, saying, "Sir squire, so God help me, it is foolish of you
+to make prize of that tester, those arms and croup-piece. If you do a
+squire's duty you deserve a squire's wage. Below, in yonder meadow, is a
+man who hath riches he cannot defend. Unwise is he who misseth his gain
+while he hath the power to take it. He seemeth the most debonair of
+knights, and yet he would not stir if one plucked his beard. If you are
+wise, take the armor and the treasure, none will hinder you."
+
+The squire went into the meadow and struck one of Gawain's horses,
+crying, "Vassal, are you sick that all day long you gape here and have
+done nothing, neither pierced shield nor shivered lance?"
+
+Sir Gawain answered, "Pray, what is it to you why I tarry? You shall
+know, but not now. Get you gone about your business."
+
+The squire withdrew, for Gawain was not the type of man to whom he would
+dare say anything unpleasant.
+
+The tourney ended, after many knights had been killed and many horses
+captured. The outsiders had had the best, and the people of the castle
+gained by the intermission. At parting they all agreed that on the
+morrow with songs they would meet again and continue the encounter. So
+for that night they separated and those who had sallied forth returned
+to the castle, followed by Sir Gawain. At the gate he met the nobleman
+who had advised his lord to engage in the tourney. This man accosted him
+pleasantly, and said, "Fair sir, in this castle your hostel is ready. If
+it pleaseth you, remain here, for if you should go on it would be long
+before you arrived at a lodging; therefore I urge you to stay."
+
+"I will tarry, your mercy!" said Gawain. "I have heard worse words."
+
+The man led the guest to his house, talking of this and that, and asked
+him why on that day he had not borne arms. Sir Gawain explained how he
+had been accused of treason and was bound to be on his guard against
+prison and wounds until he could free himself from the reproach that was
+cast upon him, for it would be to the dishonor of himself and his
+friends if he should fail to appear at the time appointed.
+
+The nobleman praised him, and said that if this was the reason he had
+done right. With that he led Gawain to his house, where they dismounted.
+The people of the castle blamed him, wondering how his lord would take
+it; while the elder daughter of Thiebault did her best to make trouble
+for Gawain, on account of her sister, with whom she was angry. "Sir,"
+she said to her father, "on this day you have suffered no loss, but made
+a gain, greater than you think; you have only to go and take it. The man
+who hath brought it will not dare to defend it, for he is wily. Lances
+and shields he bringeth, with palfreys and chargers, and maketh himself
+resemble a knight to cheat the customs, so that he may pass free when he
+cometh to sell his wares. Render him his deserts. He is with Garin, the
+son of Bertan, who hath taken him to lodge at his house. I just saw him
+pass."
+
+Thiebault took his horse, for he himself wished to go there. The little
+girl, who saw him leave, went out secretly by a back gate and straight
+down the hill to the house of Garin, who had two fair daughters. When
+these saw their little lady they should have been glad, and glad they
+were, each took her by a hand and led her into the house, kissing her
+eyes and lips.
+
+In the meantime Garin and his son Herman had left the house and were
+going up to the castle to speak to their lord. Midway there they met
+Thiebault and saluted him. He asked whither Garin was going and said he
+had intended to pay him a visit. "By my faith," said the nobleman, "that
+will not displease me, and at my house you shall see the fairest of
+knights."
+
+"It is even he whom I seek," said Thiebault, "to arrest him. He is a
+merchant who selleth horses and pretendeth to be a knight."
+
+"Alas," said Garin, "'tis a churlish speech I hear you make! I am your
+man and you are my master, but on the spot I renounce your homage, and
+in the name of all my line now defy you, rather than suffer you to
+disgrace my house."
+
+"Indeed," answered Thiebault, "I have no wish to do any such thing.
+Neither you nor your house shall ever receive aught but honor from me;
+not but what I have been counseled so to proceed."
+
+"Your great mercy!" exclaimed the nobleman. "It will be my honor if you
+will visit my guest."
+
+So side by side they went on until they reached the house. When Sir
+Gawain saw them, he rose out of courtesy, and said, "Welcome!" The two
+saluted him and took their seats beside him. Then the nobleman, who was
+the lord of that country, asked why he had taken no part in the tourney,
+and Gawain narrated how a knight had accused him of treason and how he
+was on his way to defend himself in a royal court. "Doubtless,"
+answered the lord, "that is sufficient excuse. But where is the battle
+to be held?"
+
+"Sir, before the king of Cavalon, whither I am journeying."
+
+"And I," said the nobleman, "will guide you. Since you must needs pass
+through a poor country, I will provide you with food and packbeasts to
+carry it."
+
+Gawain answered that he had no need to accept anything, for if it could
+be bought he would have food and lodging wherever he went.
+
+With these words Thiebault took leave. As he departed, from the opposite
+direction he saw come his little daughter, who embraced Gawain's leg,
+and said, "Fair sir, listen! I have come to complain of my sister, who
+hath beaten me. So please you, do me justice!"
+
+Gawain made no answer, for he did not know what she meant. He put his
+hand on her head, while the girl pulled him, saying, "To you, fair sir,
+I complain of my sister. I do not love her, since to-day she hath done
+me great shame for your sake."
+
+"Fair one, what have I to do with that? How can I do you justice against
+your sister?"
+
+Thiebault, who had taken leave, heard his child's entreaty, and said,
+"Girl, who bade you come here and complain to this knight?"
+
+Gawain asked, "Fair sweet sir, is this maid your daughter?"
+
+"Aye; but never mind what she says. A girl is a silly creature."
+
+"Certes," said Gawain, "I should be churlish if I did not do what she
+desires. Tell me, my sweet child and fair, in what manner I can justify
+you against your sister."
+
+"If it pleaseth you, for love of me, bear arms in the tourney."
+
+"Tell me, dear friend," said Gawain, "have you ever before made petition
+to any knight?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Never mind her," exclaimed her father. "Pay no heed to her folly."
+
+Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, so aid me the Lord God, for so little a girl,
+she hath spoken very well, and I will not refuse her. To-morrow, if she
+wisheth, I will be her knight."
+
+"Your mercy, fair sweet sir!" cried the child, who was overjoyed, and
+bowed down to his feet.
+
+Without more words they parted. Thiebault carried his daughter back on
+the neck of his palfrey. As they rode up the hill be asked her what the
+quarrel had been about, and she told him the story from beginning to
+end, saying, "Sir, I was vexed with my sister, who declared that
+Meliance of Lis was the best of all the knights; and I, who had seen
+this knight in the meadow, could not help saying that I had seen a
+fairer, whereupon my sister called me a silly girl and beat me. Fie on
+me, if I take it from her! I would cut off both my braids close to my
+head, which would be a great loss, if to-morrow in the tourney this
+knight would conquer Meliance of Lis, and put an end to the fuss of
+madam, my sister! She talked so much that she tired all the ladies; but
+a little rain will hush a great wind."
+
+"Fair child," said her father, "I command and allow you, in courtesy, to
+send him some love-token, a sleeve or a wimple."
+
+The child, who was simple, answered, "With pleasure since you bid me.
+But my sleeves are so small, I should not like to send them. Most likely
+he would not care for them."
+
+"Daughter, say no more," said Thiebault. "I will think about it. I am
+very glad." So saying, he took her in his arms, and had great joy of
+embracing and kissing her, until he came in front of his palace. But
+when his elder daughter saw him approach, with the child before him, she
+was vexed, and exclaimed, "Sir, whence cometh my sister, the Maid with
+the Narrow Sleeves? She is full of her tricks; she hath been quick about
+it; where did you find her?"
+
+"And you," he answered, "what is it to you? Hush, for she is better than
+you are. You pulled her hair and beat her, which grieveth me. You acted
+rudely; you were discourteous."
+
+When she heard her father's rebuke, the maid was greatly abashed.
+
+Thiebault had brought from his chests a piece of red samite, and he bade
+his people cut out and make a sleeve, wide and long. Then he called his
+daughter and said, "Child, to-morrow rise betimes and visit the knight
+before he leaveth his hostel. For love's sake you will give him this
+new sleeve, which he will wear in the tourney when he goeth thither."
+
+The girl answered that so soon as ever she saw the clear dawn she would
+dress herself and go. With that her father went his way, while she, in
+great glee, charged her companions that they should not let her
+oversleep but should wake her when day broke, if they would have her
+love them. They did as she wished, and when it dawned caused her to wake
+and dress. All alone she went to the house where Sir Gawain lodged, but,
+early though it was, the knights had risen and gone to the monastery to
+hear mass sung. She waited until they had offered long orisons and
+listened to the service, as much as was right. When they returned the
+child rose to greet Sir Gawain, and cried, "Sir, on this day may God
+save and honor you! For love of me, wear the sleeve which I carry in my
+hand."
+
+"With pleasure," he answered; "friend, your mercy!"
+
+After that the knights were not slow to take arms, and came pouring out
+of the town, while the damsels again went up to the walls and the dames
+of the castle saw the troops of brave and hardy knights approach.
+
+They rode with loose rein, and in front was Meliance of Lis, who went so
+fast that he left the rest in the rear, two rods and more. When his
+maiden saw her friend she could not keep quiet, but cried, "Ladies,
+yonder comes the man who hath the lordship of chivalry!"
+
+As swiftly as his horse would carry him Sir Gawain charged Meliance of
+Lis, who did not evade the blow, but met it boldly, and shivered his
+lance. On his part Sir Gawain smote so hard that he grieved Meliance,
+whom he flung on the field; the steed he grasped by the rein and gave to
+a varlet, bidding him take it to the lady on whose account he had
+entered the tourney, and say that his master had sent her the first
+spoil he had made that day. The youth took the charger, saddled as it
+was, and led it towards the girl, who was sitting at the window of the
+tower, whence she had watched the joust, and when she saw the encounter
+she cried to her sister, "Sister, there lies Meliance of Lis, whom you
+praised so highly! A wise man ought to give praise where it is due. You
+see, I was right yesterday when I said I saw a better knight."
+
+Thus she teased her sister, who grew angry, and cried, "Child, hold your
+tongue! If you say another word, I will slap you so that you will not
+have a foot to stand on!" "Oh, sister," answered the little girl,
+"remember God! You ought not to beat me because I told you the truth. I
+saw him tumble as well as you; I think he will not be able to get up. Be
+as cross as you please, I must say that there is not a lady here who did
+not see him fall flat on the ground."
+
+Her sister would have struck her, had she been able, but the ladies
+around would not allow it.
+
+With that came the squire, who held the rein in his right hand. He saw
+the girl sitting at the window and presented the steed. She thanked him
+a hundred times, and bade the steed be taken in charge. The squire
+returned to tell his master, who seemed the lord of the tournament, for
+there was no knight so gallant that he did not cast from the saddle, if
+he reached him with the lance. On that day he captured four steeds. The
+first he sent to the little girl, the second to the wife of the nobleman
+who had been so kind, and the third and fourth to his own daughters.
+
+The tourney was over and the knights entered the city. On both sides the
+honor belonged to Sir Gawain. It was not yet noon when he returned from
+the encounter; the city was full of knights, who ran after him, asking
+who he was and of what land. At the gate of his hostel he was met by the
+damsel, who did naught but grasp his stirrup, salute him, and cry, "A
+thousand mercies, fair sweet sir!" He answered frankly, "Friend, before
+I am recreant to your service, may I be aged and bald! I shall never be
+so remote, but a message will bring me. If I know your need, I shall
+come at the first summons, whatever business be mine!"
+
+While they talked her father came and wished Sir Gawain to stay with him
+for that night; but first he begged, that if his guest pleased, he would
+tell his name. Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, I am called Gawain. My name
+was never concealed, nor have I ever told it before it hath been asked."
+
+When Thiebault knew that the knight was Sir Gawain his heart was full of
+joy, and he exclaimed, "Sir, be pleased to lodge with me, and accept my
+service. Hitherto I have done you little worship, and never did I set
+eyes on a knight whom so much I longed to honor."
+
+In spite of urging, Sir Gawain refused to stay. The little girl, who was
+good and clever, clasped his foot and kissed it, commending him to God.
+Sir Gawain asked why she had done that, and the girl replied that she
+had kissed his foot in order that he should remember her wherever he
+went. He answered, "Doubt it not, fair sweet friend! I shall never
+forget you, after I have parted hence."
+
+With that Sir Gawain took leave of his host and the others, who one and
+all commended him to God. That night he slept in an abbey, and had all
+that was necessary.
+
+
+
+
+THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT
+
+
+Then, at the following Pentecost, was held a feast of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, with high splendor; and all the knights thereof resorted to
+the court, and held many games and jousts. And therein Sir Lancelot
+increased in fame and worship above all men, for he overthrew all
+comers, and never was unhorsed or worsted, save by treason and
+enchantment.
+
+When Queen Guinevere had seen his wondrous feats, she held him in great
+favor, and smiled more on him than on any other knight. And ever since
+he first had gone to bring her to King Arthur, had Lancelot thought on
+her as fairest of all ladies, and done his best to win her grace. So the
+queen often sent for him, and bade him tell of his birth and strange
+adventures: how he was only son of great King Ban of Brittany, and how,
+one night, his father, with his mother Helen and himself, fled from his
+burning castle; how his father, groaning deeply, fell to the ground and
+died of grief and wounds, and how his mother, running to her husband,
+left himself alone; how, as he thus lay wailing, came the lady of the
+lake, and took him in her arms and went with him into the midst of the
+waters, where, with his cousins Lionel and Bors, he had been cherished
+all his childhood until he came to King Arthur's court; and how this
+was the reason why men called him Lancelot du Lake.
+
+Anon it was ordained by King Arthur, that in every year at Pentecost
+there should be held a festival of all the knights of the Round Table at
+Caerleon, or such other place as he should choose. And at those
+festivals should be told publicly the most famous adventures of any
+knight during the past year.
+
+So, when Sir Lancelot saw Queen Guinevere rejoiced to hear his
+wanderings and adventures, he resolved to set forth yet again, and win
+more worship still, that he might more increase her favor. Then he bade
+his cousin Sir Lionel make ready, "for," said he, "we two will seek
+adventure." So they mounted their horses--armed at all points--and rode
+into a vast forest; and when they had passed through it, they came to a
+great plain, and the weather being very hot about noontide, Sir Lancelot
+greatly longed to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree
+standing by a hedge, and said, "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow where
+we may rest ourselves and horses."
+
+"I am full glad of it," said Sir Lancelot, "for all these seven years I
+have not been so sleepy."
+
+So they alighted there, and tied their horses up to sundry trees; and
+Sir Lionel waked and watched while Sir Lancelot fell asleep, and slept
+passing fast.
+
+In the meanwhile came three knights, riding as fast flying as ever they
+could ride, and after them followed a single knight; but when Sir Lionel
+looked at him, he thought he had never seen so great and strong a man,
+or so well furnished and appareled. Anon he saw him overtake the last of
+those who fled, and smite him to the ground; then came he to the second,
+and smote him such a stroke that horse and man went to the earth; then
+rode he to the third, likewise, and struck him off his horse more than a
+spear's length. With that he lighted from his horse, and bound all three
+knights fast with the reins of their own bridles.
+
+When Sir Lionel saw this he thought the time was come to prove himself
+against him, so quietly and cautiously, lest he should wake Sir
+Lancelot, he took his horse and mounted and rode after him. Presently
+overtaking him, he cried aloud to him to turn, which instantly he did,
+and smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man went down forthwith.
+Then took he up Sir Lionel, and threw him bound over his own horse's
+back; and so he served the three other knights, and rode them away to
+his own castle. There they were disarmed, stripped naked, and beaten
+with thorns, and afterwards thrust into a deep prison, where many more
+knights, also, made great moans and lamentations, saying, "Alas, alas!
+there is no man can help us but Sir Lancelot, for no other knight can
+match this tyrant Turquine, our conqueror."
+
+But all this while, Sir Lancelot lay sleeping soundly under the
+apple-tree. And, as it chanced, there passed that way four queens, of
+high estate, riding upon four white mules, under four canopies of green
+silk borne on spears, to keep them from the sun. As they rode thus,
+they heard a great horse grimly neigh, and, turning them about, soon saw
+a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an apple-tree; and when they
+saw his face, they knew it was Sir Lancelot of the Lake.
+
+Then they began to strive which of them should have the care of him. But
+Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half sister, the great sorceress, was
+one of them, and said, "We need not strive for him, I have enchanted
+him, so that for six hours more he shall not wake. Let us take him to my
+castle, and, when he wakes, himself shall choose which one of us he
+would rather serve." So Sir Lancelot was laid upon his shield and borne
+on horseback between two knights, to the castle, and there laid in a
+cold chamber, till the spell should pass.
+
+Anon, they sent him a fair damsel, bearing his supper, who asked him,
+"What cheer?"
+
+"I cannot tell, fair damsel," said he, "for I know not how I came into
+this castle, if it were not by enchantment."
+
+"Sir," said she, "be of good heart, and to-morrow at dawn of day, ye
+shall know more."
+
+And so she left him alone, and there he lay all night. In the morning
+early came the four queens to him, passing richly dressed; and said,
+"Sir knight, thou must understand that thou art our prisoner, and that
+we know thee well for King Ban's son, Sir Lancelot du Lake. And though
+we know full well there is one lady only in this world may have thy
+love, and she Queen Guinevere--King Arthur's wife--yet now are we
+resolved to have thee to serve one of us; choose, therefore, of us four
+which thou wilt serve. I am Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the land of
+Gore, and here also is the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of
+Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles. Choose, then, at once, for
+else shalt thou abide here, in this prison, till thy death."
+
+"It is a hard case," said Sir Lancelot, "that either I must die, or
+choose one of you for my mistress! Yet had I rather die in this prison
+than serve any living creature against my will. So take this for my
+answer. I will serve none of ye, for ye be false enchantresses. And as
+for my lady, Queen Guinevere, whom lightly ye have spoken of, were I at
+liberty I would prove it upon you or upon yours she is the truest lady
+living to her lord the king."
+
+"Well," said the queen, "is this your answer, that ye refuse us all?"
+
+"Yea, on my life," said Lancelot, "refused ye be of me."
+
+So they departed from him in great wrath, and left him sorrowfully
+grieving in his dungeon.
+
+At noon the damsel came to him and brought his dinner, and asked him as
+before, "What cheer?"
+
+"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "in all my life never so ill."
+
+"Sir," replied she, "I grieve to see ye so, but if ye do as I advise, I
+can help ye out of this distress, and will do so if you promise me a
+boon."
+
+"Fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "right willingly will I grant it
+thee, for sorely do I dread these four witch-queens, who have destroyed
+and slain many a good knight with their enchantments."
+
+Then said the damsel, "Sir, wilt thou promise me to help my father on
+next Tuesday, for he hath a tournament with the King of Northgales, and
+last Tuesday lost the field through three knights of King Arthur's
+court, who came against him. And if next Tuesday thou wilt aid him,
+to-morrow, before daylight, by God's grace, I will deliver thee."
+
+"Fair maiden," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy father's name and I will
+answer thee."
+
+"My father is King Bagdemagus," said she.
+
+"I know him well," replied Sir Lancelot, "for a noble king and a good
+knight; and by the faith of my body I will do him all the service I am
+able on that day."
+
+"Gramercy to thee, Sir knight," said the damsel. "To-morrow, when thou
+art delivered from this place, ride ten miles hence unto an abbey of
+white monks, and there abide until I bring my father to thee."
+
+"So be it," said Sir Lancelot, "as I am a true knight."
+
+So she departed, and on the morrow, early, came again, and let him out
+of twelve gates, differently locked, and brought him to his armor; and
+when he was all armed, she brought him his horse also, and lightly he
+saddled him, and took a great spear in his hand, and mounted and rode
+forth, saying, as he went, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail thee, by the
+grace of God."
+
+And all that day he rode in a great forest, and could find no highway,
+and spent the night in the wood; but the next morning found his road,
+and came to the abbey of white monks. And there he saw King Bagdemagus
+and his daughter waiting for him. So when they were together in a
+chamber, Sir Lancelot told the king how he had been betrayed by an
+enchantment, and how his brother Lionel was gone he knew not where, and
+how the damsel had delivered him from the castle of Queen Morgan le Fay.
+"Wherefore while I live," said he, "I shall do service to herself and
+all her kindred."
+
+"Then am I sure of thy aid," said the king, "on Tuesday now next
+coming?"
+
+"Yea, sir, I shall not fail thee," said Sir Lancelot; "but what knights
+were they who last week defeated thee, and took part with the King of
+Northgales?"
+
+"Sir Mador de la Port, Sir Modred, and Sir Gahalatine," replied the
+king.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "as I understand, the tournament shall take
+place but three miles from this abbey; send then to me here, three
+knights of thine, the best thou hast, and let them all have plain white
+shields, such as I also will; then will we four come suddenly into the
+midst between both parties, and fall upon thy enemies, and grieve them
+all we can, and none will know us who we are."
+
+So, on the Tuesday, Sir Lancelot and the three knights lodged themselves
+in a small grove hard by the lists. Then came into the field the King of
+Northgales, with one hundred and sixty helms, and the three knights of
+King Arthur's court, who stood apart by themselves. And when King
+Bagdemagus had arrived, with eighty helms, both companies set all their
+spears in rest and came together with a mighty clash, wherein were slain
+twelve knights of King Bagdemagus, and six of the King of Northgales;
+and the party of King Bagdemagus was driven back.
+
+With that, came Sir Lancelot, and thrust into the thickest of the press,
+and smote down with one spear five knights, and brake the backs of four,
+and cast down the King of Northgales, and brake his thigh by the fall.
+When the three knights of Arthur's court saw this, they rode at Sir
+Lancelot, and each after other attacked him; but he overthrew them all,
+and smote them nigh to death. Then, taking a new spear, he bore down to
+the ground sixteen more knights, and hurt them all so sorely, that they
+could carry arms no more that day. And when his spear at length was
+broken, he took yet another, and smote down twelve knights more, the
+most of whom he wounded mortally, till in the end the party of the King
+of Northgales would joust no more, and the victory was cried to King
+Bagdemagus.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus to his castle, and
+there he feasted with great cheer and welcome, and received many royal
+gifts. And on the morrow he took leave and went to find his brother
+Lionel.
+
+Anon, by chance, he came to the same forest where the four queens had
+found him sleeping, and there he met a damsel riding on a white
+palfrey. When they had saluted each other, Sir Lancelot said, "Fair
+damsel, knowest thou where any adventures may be had in this country?"
+
+"Sir knight," said she, "there are adventures great enough close by if
+thou darest prove them."
+
+"Why should I not," said he, "since for that cause I came here?"
+
+"Sir," said the damsel, "hard by this place there dwelleth a knight that
+cannot be defeated by any man, so great and perilously strong he is. His
+name is Sir Turquine, and in the prisons of his castle lie three score
+knights and four, mostly from King Arthur's court, whom he hath taken
+with his own hands. But promise me, ere thou undertakest their
+deliverance, to go and help me afterwards, and free me and many other
+ladies that are distressed by a false knight."
+
+"Bring me but to this felon Turquine," quoth Sir Lancelot, "and I will
+afterwards fulfill all your wishes."
+
+So the damsel went before, and brought him to a ford, and a tree whereon
+a great brass basin hung; and Sir Lancelot beat with his spear-end upon
+the basin, long and hard, until he beat the bottom of it out, but he saw
+nothing. Then he rode to and fro before the castle gates for wellnigh
+half an hour, and anon saw a great knight riding from the distance,
+driving a horse before him, across which hung an armed man bound. And
+when they came near, Sir Lancelot knew the prisoner for a knight of the
+Round Table. By that time, the great knight who drove the prisoner saw
+Sir Lancelot, and each of them began to settle his spear, and to make
+ready.
+
+"Fair sir," then said Sir Lancelot, "put off that wounded knight, I pray
+thee, from his horse, and let him rest while thou and I shall prove our
+strength upon each other; for, as I am told, thou doest, and hast done,
+great shame and injury to knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, I warn
+thee now, defend thyself."
+
+"If thou mayest be of the Round Table," answered Turquine, "I defy thee,
+and all thy fellows."
+
+"That is saying overmuch," said Sir Lancelot.
+
+Then, setting their lances in rest, they spurred their horses towards
+each other, as fast as they could go, and smote so fearfully upon each
+other's shields, that both their horses' backs brake under them. As soon
+as they could clear their saddles, they took their shields before them,
+and drew their swords, and came together eagerly, and fought with great
+and grievous strokes; and soon they both had many grim and fearful
+wounds, and bled in streams. Thus they fought two hours and more,
+thrusting and smiting at each other, wherever they could hit.
+
+Anon, they both were breathless, and stood leaning on their swords.
+
+"Now, comrade," said Sir Turquine, "let us wait awhile, and answer me
+what I shall ask thee."
+
+"Say on," said Lancelot.
+
+"Thou art," said Turquine, "the best man I ever met, and seemest like
+one that I hate above all other knights that live; but if thou be not
+he, I will make peace with thee, and for sake of thy great valor, will
+deliver all the three score prisoners and four who lie within my
+dungeons, and thou and I will be companions evermore. Tell me, then, thy
+name."
+
+"Thou sayest well," replied Sir Lancelot; "but who is he thou hatest so
+above all others?"
+
+"His name," said Turquine, "is Sir Lancelot of the Lake; and he slew my
+brother Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower; wherefore, if ever I shall
+meet with him, one of us two shall slay the other; and thereto I have
+sworn by a great oath. And to discover and destroy him I have slain a
+hundred knights, and crippled utterly as many more, and many have died
+in my prisons; and now, as I have told thee, I have many more therein,
+who all shall be delivered, if thou tell me thy name, and it be not Sir
+Lancelot."
+
+"Well," said Lancelot, "I am that knight, son of King Ban of Benwick,
+and Knight of the Round Table; so now I defy thee to do thy best!"
+
+"Aha!" said Turquine, with a shout, "is it then so at last! Thou art
+more welcome to my sword than ever knight or lady was to feast, for
+never shall we part till one of us be dead."
+
+Then did they hurtle together like two wild bulls, slashing and lashing
+with their shields and swords, and sometimes falling both on to the
+ground. For two more hours they fought so, and at the last Sir Turquine
+grew very faint, and gave a little back, and bare his shield full low
+for weariness. When Sir Lancelot saw him thus, he leaped upon him
+fiercely as a lion, and took him by the crest of his helmet, and dragged
+him to his knees; and then he tore his helmet off and smote his neck
+asunder.
+
+Then he arose, and went to the damsel who had brought him to Sir
+Turquine, and said, "I am ready, fair lady, to go with thee upon thy
+service, but I have no horse."
+
+"Fair sir," said she, "take ye this horse of the wounded knight whom
+Turquine but just now was carrying to his prisons, and send that knight
+on to deliver all the prisoners."
+
+So Sir Lancelot went to the knight and prayed him for the loan of his
+horse.
+
+"Fair lord," said he, "ye are right welcome, for to-day ye have saved
+both me and my horse; and I see that ye are the best knight in all the
+world, for in my sight have ye slain the mightiest man and the best
+knight, except thyself, I ever saw."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "I thank thee well; and now go into yonder
+castle, where thou shalt find many noble knights of the Round Table, for
+I have seen their shields hung on the trees around. On yonder tree alone
+there are Sir Key's, Sir Brandel's, Sir Marhaus', Sir Galind's, and Sir
+Aliduke's, and many more; and also my two kinsmen's shields, Sir Ector
+de Maris' and Sir Lionel's. And I pray you greet them all from me, Sir
+Lancelot of the Lake, and tell them that I bid them help themselves to
+any treasures they can find within the castle; and that I pray my
+brethren, Lionel and Ector, to go to King Arthur's court and stay there
+till I come. And by the high feast at Pentecost I must be there; but now
+I must ride forth with this damsel to fulfill my promise."
+
+So, as they went, the damsel told him, "Sir, we are now near the place
+where the foul knight haunteth, who robbeth and distresseth all ladies
+and gentlewomen traveling past this way, against whom I have sought thy
+aid."
+
+Then they arranged that she should ride on foremost, and Sir Lancelot
+should follow under cover of the trees by the roadside, and if he saw
+her come to any mishap, he should ride forth and deal with him that
+troubled her. And as the damsel rode on at a soft ambling pace, a knight
+and page burst forth from the roadside and forced the damsel from her
+horse, till she cried out for help.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot rushing through the wood as fast as he might fly,
+and all the branches of the trees crackled and waved around him. "O thou
+false knight and traitor to all knighthood!" shouted he, "who taught
+thee to distress fair ladies thus?"
+
+The foul knight answered nothing, but drew out his sword and rode at Sir
+Lancelot, who threw his spear away and drew his own sword likewise, and
+struck him such a mighty blow as clave his head down to the throat. "Now
+hast thou the wages thou long hast earned!" said he; and so departed
+from the damsel.
+
+Then for two days he rode in a great forest, and had but scanty food and
+lodging, and on the third day he rode over a long bridge, when suddenly
+there started up a passing foul churl, and smote his horse across the
+nose, so that he started and turned back, rearing with pain. "Why ridest
+thou over here without my leave?" said he.
+
+"Why should I not?" said Sir Lancelot; "there is no other way to ride."
+
+"Thou shalt not pass by here," cried out the churl, and dashed at him
+with a great club full of iron spikes, till Sir Lancelot was fain to
+draw his sword and smite him dead upon the earth.
+
+At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all the people came and
+cried, "Ah, sir! a worse deed for thyself thou never didst, for thou
+hast slain the chief porter of the castle yonder!" But he let them talk
+as they pleased, and rode straight forward to the castle.
+
+There he alighted, and tied his horse to a ring in the wall; and going
+in, he saw a wide green court, and thought it seemed a noble place to
+fight in. And as he looked about, he saw many people watching him from
+doors and windows, making signs of warning, and saying, "Fair knight,
+thou art unhappy." In the next moment came upon him two great giants,
+well armed save their heads, and with two horrible clubs in their hands.
+Then he put his shield before him, and with it warded off one giant's
+stroke, and clove the other with his sword from the head downward to the
+chest. When the first giant saw that, he ran away mad with fear; but Sir
+Lancelot ran after him, and smote him through the shoulder, and shore
+him down his back, so that he fell dead.
+
+Then he walked onward to the castle hall, and saw a band of sixty ladies
+and young damsels coming forth, who knelt to him, and thanked him for
+their freedom. "For, sir," said they, "the most of us have been
+prisoners here these seven years; and have been kept at all manner of
+work to earn our meat, though we be all great gentlewomen born. Blessed
+be the time that thou wast born, for never did a knight a deed of
+greater worship than thou hast this day, and thereto will we all bear
+witness in all times and places! Tell us, therefore, noble knight, thy
+name and court, that we may tell them to our friends!" And when they
+heard it, they all cried aloud, "Well may it be so, for we knew that no
+knight save thou shouldst ever overcome those giants; and many a long
+day have we sighed for thee; for the giants feared no other name among
+all knights but thine."
+
+Then he told them to take the treasures of the castle as a reward for
+their grievances; and to return to their homes, and so rode away into
+many strange and wild countries. And at last, after many days, by chance
+he came, near the night time, to a fair mansion, wherein he found an old
+gentlewoman, who gave him and his horse good cheer. And when bed time
+was come, his host brought him to a chamber over a gate, and there he
+unarmed, and went to bed and fell asleep.
+
+But soon thereafter came one riding in great haste, and knocking
+vehemently at the gate below, which when Sir Lancelot heard, he rose
+and looked out of the window, and, by the moonlight, saw three knights
+come riding fiercely after one man, and lashing on him all at once with
+their swords, while the one knight nobly fought them all.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot quickly armed himself, and getting through the window,
+let himself down by a sheet into the midst of them, crying out, "Turn ye
+on me, ye cowards, and leave fighting with that knight!" Then they all
+left Sir Key, for the first knight was he, and began to fall upon Sir
+Lancelot furiously. And when Sir Key would have come forward to assist
+him, Sir Lancelot refused, and cried, "Leave me alone to deal with
+them." And presently, with six great strokes, he felled them all.
+
+Then they cried out, "Sir knight, we yield us unto thee, as to a man of
+might!"
+
+"I will not take your yielding!" said he; "yield ye to Sir Key, the
+seneschal, or I will have your lives."
+
+"Fair knight," said they, "excuse us in that thing, for we have chased
+Sir Key thus far, and should have overcome him but for thee."
+
+"Well," said Sir Lancelot, "do as ye will, for ye may live or die; but,
+if ye live, ye shall be holden to Sir Key."
+
+Then they yielded to him; and Sir Lancelot commanded them to go unto
+King Arthur's court at the next Pentecost, and say, Sir Key had sent
+them prisoners to Queen Guinevere. And this they sware to do upon their
+swords.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot knocked at the gate with his sword-hilt till his
+hostess came and let him in again, and Sir Key also. And when the light
+came, Sir Key knew Sir Lancelot, and knelt and thanked him for his
+courtesy, and gentleness, and kindness. "Sir," said he, "I have done no
+more than what I ought to do, and ye are welcome; therefore let us now
+take rest."
+
+So when Sir Key had supped, they went to sleep, and Sir Lancelot and he
+slept in the same bed. On the morrow, Sir Lancelot rose early, and took
+Sir Key's shield and armor and set forth. When Sir Key arose, he found
+Sir Lancelot's armor by his bedside, and his own arms gone. "Now, by my
+faith," thought he, "I know that he will grieve some knights of our
+king's court; for those who meet him will be bold to joust with him,
+mistaking him for me, while I, dressed in his shield and armor, shall
+surely ride in peace."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot, dressed in Sir Key's apparel, rode long in a great
+forest, and came at last to a low country, full of rivers and fair
+meadows, and saw a bridge before him, whereon were three silk tents of
+divers colors, and to each tent was hung a white shield, and by each
+shield stood a knight. So Sir Lancelot went by without speaking a word.
+And when he had passed, the three knights said it was the proud Sir Key,
+"who thinketh no knight equal to himself, although the contrary is full
+often proved upon him."
+
+"By my faith!" said one of them, named Gaunter, "I will ride after and
+attack him for all his pride, and ye shall watch my speed."
+
+Then, taking shield and spear, he mounted and rode after Sir Lancelot,
+and cried, "Abide, proud knight, and turn, for thou shalt not pass
+free!"
+
+So Sir Lancelot turned, and each one put his spear in rest and came with
+all his might against the other. And Sir Gaunter's spear brake short,
+but Sir Lancelot smote him down, both horse and man.
+
+When the other knights saw this, they said, "Yonder is not Sir Key, but
+a bigger man."
+
+"I dare wager my head," said Sir Gilmere, "yonder knight hath slain Sir
+Key, and taken his horse and harness."
+
+"Be it so, or not," said Sir Reynold, the third brother; "let us now go
+to our brother Gaunter's rescue; we shall have enough to do to match
+that knight, for, by his stature, I believe it is Sir Lancelot or Sir
+Tristram."
+
+Anon, they took their horses and galloped after Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Gilmere first assailed him, but was smitten down forthwith, and lay
+stunned on the earth. Then said Sir Reynold, "Sir knight, thou art a
+strong man, and, I believe, hast slain my two brothers, wherefore my
+heart is sore against thee; yet, if I might with honor, I would avoid
+thee. Nevertheless, that cannot be, so keep thyself." And so they
+hurtled together with all their might, and each man shivered his spear
+to pieces; and then they drew their swords and lashed out eagerly.
+
+And as they fought, Sir Gaunter and Sir Gilmere presently arose and
+mounted once again, and came down at full tilt upon Sir Lancelot. But,
+when he saw them coming, he put forth all his strength, and struck Sir
+Reynold off his horse. Then, with two other strokes, he served the
+others likewise.
+
+Anon, Sir Reynold crept along the ground, with his head all bloody, and
+came towards Sir Lancelot. "It is enough," said Lancelot, "I was not far
+from thee when thou wast made a knight, Sir Reynold, and know thee for a
+good and valiant man, and was full loth to slay thee."
+
+"Gramercy for thy gentleness!" said Sir Reynold. "I and my brethren will
+straightway yield to thee when we know thy name, for well we know that
+thou art not Sir Key."
+
+"As for that," said Sir Lancelot, "be it as it may, but ye shall yield
+to Queen Guinevere at the next Feast of Pentecost as prisoners, and say
+that Sir Key sent ye."
+
+Then they swore to him it should be done as he commanded. And so Sir
+Lancelot passed on, and the three brethren helped each other's wounds as
+best they might.
+
+Then rode Sir Lancelot forward into a deep forest, and came upon four
+knights of King Arthur's court, under an oak tree--Sir Sagramour, Sir
+Ector, Sir Gawain, and Sir Ewaine. And when they spied him, they thought
+he was Sir Key. "Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, "I will prove Sir
+Key's might!" and taking his spear he rode towards Sir Lancelot.
+
+But Sir Lancelot was aware of him, and, setting his spear in rest,
+smote him so sorely, that horse and man fell to the earth.
+
+"Lo!" cried Sir Ector, "I see by the buffet that knight hath given our
+fellow he is stronger than Sir Key. Now will I try what I can do against
+him!" So Sir Ector took his spear, and galloped at Sir Lancelot; and Sir
+Lancelot met him as he came, and smote him through shield and shoulder,
+so that he fell, but his own spear was not broken.
+
+"By my faith," cried Sir Ewaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and must
+have slain Sir Key, and taken his armor! By his strength, I see it will
+be hard to match him." So saying he rode towards Sir Lancelot, who met
+him halfway and struck him so fiercely, that at one blow he overthrew
+him also.
+
+"Now," said Sir Gawain, "will I encounter him." So he took a good spear
+in his hand, and guarded himself with his shield. And he and Sir
+Lancelot rode against each other, with their horses at full speed, and
+furiously smote each other on the middle of their shields; but Sir
+Gawain's spear broke short asunder, and Sir Lancelot charged so mightily
+upon him, that his horse and he both fell, and rolled upon the ground.
+
+"Ah," said Sir Lancelot, smiling, as he rode away from the four knights,
+"heaven give joy to him who made this spear, for never held I better in
+my hand."
+
+But the four knights said to each other, "Truly one spear hath felled us
+all."
+
+"I dare lay my life," said Sir Gawain, "it is Sir Lancelot. I know him
+by his riding."
+
+So they all departed for the court.
+
+And as Sir Lancelot rode still in the forest, he saw a black bloodhound,
+running with its head towards the ground, as if it tracked a deer. And
+following after it, he came to a great pool of blood. But the hound,
+ever and anon looking behind, ran through a great marsh, and over a
+bridge, towards an old manor house. So Sir Lancelot followed, and went
+into the hall, and saw a dead knight lying there, whose wounds the hound
+licked. And a lady stood behind him, weeping and wringing her hands, who
+cried, "O knight! too great is the sorrow which thou hast brought me!"
+
+"Why say ye so?" replied Sir Lancelot; "for I never harmed this knight,
+and am full sorely grieved to see thy sorrow."
+
+"Nay, sir," said the lady, "I see it is not thou hast slain my husband,
+for he that truly did that deed is deeply wounded, and shall never more
+recover."
+
+"What is thy husband's name?" said Sir Lancelot.
+
+"His name," she answered, "was Sir Gilbert--one of the best knights in
+all the world; but I know not his name who hath slain him."
+
+"God send thee comfort," said Sir Lancelot, and departed again into the
+forest.
+
+And as he rode, he met with a damsel who knew him, who cried out, "Well
+found, my lord! I pray ye of your knighthood help my brother, who is
+sore wounded and ceases not to bleed, for he fought this day with Sir
+Gilbert, and slew him, but was himself well nigh slain. And there is a
+sorceress, who dwelleth in a castle hard by, and she this day hath told
+me that my brother's wound shall never be made whole until I find a
+knight to go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring from thence a sword and
+the bloody cloth in which the wounded knight was wrapped."
+
+"This is a marvelous thing!" said Sir Lancelot; "but what is your
+brother's name?"
+
+"His name, sir," she replied, "is Sir Meliot de Logres."
+
+"He is a Fellow of the Round Table," said Sir Lancelot, "and truly will
+I do my best to help him."
+
+"Then, sir," said she, "follow this way, and it will bring ye to the
+Chapel Perilous. I will abide here till God send ye hither again; for if
+ye speed not, there is no living knight who may achieve that adventure."
+
+So Sir Lancelot departed, and when he came to the Chapel Perilous he
+alighted, and tied his horse to the gate. And as soon as he was within
+the churchyard, he saw on the front of the chapel many shields of
+knights whom he had known, turned upside down. Then saw he in the
+pathway thirty mighty knights, taller than any men whom he had ever
+seen, all armed in black armor, with their swords drawn; and they
+gnashed their teeth upon him as he came. But he put his shield before
+him, and took his sword in hand, ready to do battle with them. And when
+he would have cut his way through them, they scattered on every side and
+let him pass. Then he went into the chapel, and saw therein no light but
+of a dim lamp burning. Then he was aware of a corpse in the midst of the
+chapel, covered with a silken cloth, and so stooped down and cut off a
+piece of the cloth, whereat the earth beneath him trembled. Then saw he
+a sword lying by the dead knight, and taking it in his hand, he hied him
+from the chapel. As soon as he was in the churchyard again, all the
+thirty knights cried out to him with fierce voices, "Sir Lancelot! lay
+that sword from thee, or thou diest!"
+
+"Whether I live or die," said he, "ye shall fight for it ere ye take it
+from me."
+
+With that they let him pass.
+
+And further on, beyond the chapel, he met a fair damsel, who said, "Sir
+Lancelot, leave that sword behind thee, or thou diest."
+
+"I will not leave it," said Sir Lancelot, "for any asking."
+
+"Then, gentle knight," said the damsel, "I pray thee kiss me once."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Lancelot, "that God forbid!"
+
+"Alas!" cried she, "I have lost all my labor! but hadst thou kissed me,
+thy life's days had been all done!"
+
+"Heaven save me from thy subtle crafts!" said Sir Lancelot; and
+therewith took his horse and galloped forth.
+
+And when he was departed, the damsel sorrowed greatly, and died in
+fifteen days. Her name was Ellawes, the sorceress.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot to Sir Meliot's sister, who, when she saw him,
+clapped her hands and wept for joy, and took him to the castle hard by,
+where Sir Meliot was. And when Sir Lancelot saw Sir Meliot, he knew him,
+though he was pale as ashes for loss of blood. And Sir Meliot, when he
+saw Sir Lancelot, kneeled to him and cried aloud, "O lord, Sir Lancelot!
+help me!"
+
+And thereupon, Sir Lancelot went to him and touched his wounds with the
+sword, and wiped them with the piece of bloody cloth. And immediately he
+was as whole as though he had been never wounded. Then was there great
+joy between him and Sir Meliot; and his sister made Sir Lancelot good
+cheer. So on the morrow, he took his leave, that he might go to King
+Arthur's court, "for," said he, "it draweth nigh the Feast of Pentecost,
+and there, by God's grace, shall ye then find me."
+
+And riding through many strange countries, over marshes and valleys, he
+came at length before a castle. As he passed by he heard two little
+bells ringing, and looking up, he saw a falcon flying overhead, with
+bells tied to her feet, and long strings dangling from them. And as the
+falcon flew past an elm-tree, the strings caught in the boughs, so that
+she could fly no further.
+
+In the meanwhile, came a lady from the castle, and cried, "Oh, Sir
+Lancelot! as thou art the flower of all knights in the world, help me to
+get my hawk, for she hath slipped away from me, and if she be lost, my
+lord my husband is so hasty, he will surely slay me!"
+
+"What is thy lord's name?" said Sir Lancelot.
+
+"His name," said she, "is Sir Phelot, a knight of the King of
+Northgales."
+
+"Fair lady," said Sir Lancelot, "since you know my name, and require me,
+on my knighthood, to help you, I will do what I can to get your hawk."
+
+And thereupon alighting, he tied his horse to the same tree, and prayed
+the lady to unarm him. So when he was unarmed, he climbed up and reached
+the falcon, and threw it to the lady.
+
+Then suddenly came down, out of the wood, her husband, Sir Phelot, all
+armed, with a drawn sword in his hand, and said, "Oh, Sir Lancelot! now
+have I found thee as I would have thee!" and stood at the trunk of the
+tree to slay him.
+
+"Ah, lady!" cried Sir Lancelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+
+"She hath done as I commanded her," said Sir Phelot, "and thine hour is
+come that thou must die."
+
+"It were shame," said Lancelot, "for an armed to slay an unarmed man."
+
+"Thou hast no other favor from me," said Sir Phelot.
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that ever any knight should die
+weaponless!" And looking overhead, he saw a great bough without leaves,
+and wrenched it off the tree, and suddenly leaped down. Then Sir Phelot
+struck at him eagerly, thinking to have slain him, but Sir Lancelot put
+aside the stroke with the bough, and therewith smote him on the side of
+the head, till he fell swooning to the ground. And tearing his sword
+from out his hands, he shore his neck through from the body. Then did
+the lady shriek dismally, and swooned as though she would die. But Sir
+Lancelot put on his armor, and with haste took his horse and departed
+thence, thanking God he had escaped that peril.
+
+And as he rode through a valley, among many wild ways, he saw a knight,
+with a drawn sword, chasing a lady to slay her. And seeing Sir Lancelot,
+she cried and prayed to him to come and rescue her.
+
+At that he went up, saying, "Fie on thee, knight! why wilt thou slay
+this lady? Thou doest shame to thyself and all knights."
+
+"What hast thou to do between me and my wife?" replied the knight. "I
+will slay her in spite of thee."
+
+"Thou shalt not harm her," said Lancelot, "till we have first fought
+together."
+
+"Sir," answered the knight, "thou doest ill, for this lady hath betrayed
+me."
+
+"He speaketh falsely," said the lady, "for he is jealous of me without
+cause, as I shall answer before Heaven; but as thou art named the most
+worshipful knight in the world, I pray thee of thy true knighthood to
+save me, for he is without mercy."
+
+"Be of good cheer," said Sir Lancelot; "it shall not lie within his
+power to harm thee."
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "I will be ruled as ye will have me."
+
+So Sir Lancelot rode between the knight and the lady. And when they had
+ridden awhile, the knight cried out suddenly to Sir Lancelot to turn and
+see what men they were who came riding after them; and while Sir
+Lancelot, thinking not of treason, turned to look, the knight, with one
+great stroke, smote off the lady's head.
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot passing wroth, and cried, "Thou traitor! Thou hast
+shamed me forever!" and, alighting from his horse, he drew his sword to
+have slain him instantly; but the knight fell on the ground and clasped
+Sir Lancelot's knees, and cried out for mercy. "Thou shameful knight,"
+answered Lancelot, "thou mayest have no mercy, for thou showedst none,
+therefore arise and fight with me."
+
+"Nay," said the knight, "I will not rise till thou dost grant me mercy."
+
+"Now will I deal fairly by thee," said Sir Lancelot; "I will unarm me to
+my shirt, and have my sword only in my hand, and if thou canst slay me
+thou shalt be quit forever."
+
+"That will I never do," said the knight.
+
+"Then," answered Sir Lancelot, "take this lady and the head, and bear it
+with thee, and swear to me upon thy sword never to rest until thou
+comest to Queen Guinevere."
+
+"That will I do," said he.
+
+"Now," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy name."
+
+"It is Pedivere," answered the knight.
+
+"In a shameful hour wert thou born," said Sir Lancelot.
+
+So Sir Pedivere departed, bearing with him the dead lady and her head.
+And when he came to Winchester, where the Queen was with King Arthur, he
+told them all the truth; and afterwards did great and heavy penance
+many years, and became an holy hermit.
+
+So, two days before the Feast of Pentecost, Sir Lancelot returned to the
+court, and King Arthur was full glad of his coming. And when Sir Gawain,
+Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramour, and Sir Ector, saw him in Sir Key's armor,
+they knew well it was he who had smitten them all down with one spear.
+Anon, came all the knights Sir Turquine had taken prisoners, and gave
+worship and honor to Sir Lancelot. Then Sir Key told the King how Sir
+Lancelot had rescued him when he was in near danger of his death; "and,"
+said Sir Key, "he made the knights yield, not to himself, but me. And by
+Heaven! because Sir Lancelot took my armor and left me his, I rode in
+peace, and no man would have aught to do with me." Then came the knights
+who fought with Sir Lancelot at the long bridge and yielded themselves
+also to Sir Key, but he said nay, he had not fought with them. "It is
+Sir Lancelot," said he, "that overcame ye." Next came Sir Meliot de
+Logres, and told King Arthur how Sir Lancelot had saved him from death.
+
+And so all Sir Lancelot's deeds and great adventures were made known;
+how the four sorceress-queens had him in prison; how he was delivered by
+the daughter of King Bagdemagus, and what deeds of arms he did at the
+tournament between the King of North Wales and King Bagdemagus. And so,
+at that festival, Sir Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in
+all the world, and by high and low was he the most honored of all men.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BEAUMAINS OR SIR GARETH
+
+
+Again King Arthur held the Feast of Pentecost, with all the Table Round,
+and after his custom sat in the banquet hall, before beginning meat,
+waiting for some adventure. Then came there to the king a squire and
+said, "Lord, now may ye go to meat, for here a damsel cometh with some
+strange adventure." So the king was glad, and sat down to meat.
+
+Anon the damsel came in and saluted him, praying him for succor. "What
+wilt thou?" said the king. "Lord," answered she, "my mistress is a lady
+of great renown, but is at this time besieged by a tyrant, who will not
+suffer her to go out of her castle; and because here in thy court the
+knights are called the noblest in the world, I come to pray thee for thy
+succor." "Where dwelleth your lady?" answered the king. "What is her
+name, and who is he that hath besieged her?" "For her name," replied the
+damsel, "as yet I may not tell it; but she is a lady of worship and
+great lands. The tyrant that besiegeth her and wasteth her lands is
+called the Red Knight of the Redlands." "I know him not," said Arthur.
+"But I know him, lord," said Sir Gawain, "and he is one of the most
+perilous knights in all the world. Men say he hath the strength of
+seven; and from him I myself once hardly escaped with life." "Fair
+damsel," said the king, "there be here many knights that would gladly do
+their uttermost to rescue your lady, but unless ye tell me her name, and
+where she dwelleth, none of my knights shall go with you by my leave."
+
+Now, there was a stripling at the court called Beaumains, who served in
+the king's kitchen, a fair youth and of great stature. Twelve months
+before this time he had come to the king as he sat at meat, at
+Whitsuntide, and prayed three gifts of him. And being asked what gifts,
+he answered, "As for the first gift I will ask it now, but the other two
+gifts I will ask on this day twelve months, wheresoever ye hold your
+high feast." Then said King Arthur, "What is thy first request?" "This,
+lord," said he, "that thou wilt give me meat and drink enough for twelve
+months from this time, and then will I ask my other two gifts." And the
+king seeing that he was a goodly youth, and deeming that he was come of
+honorable blood, had granted his desire, and given him into the charge
+of Sir Key, the steward. But Sir Key scorned and mocked the youth,
+calling Beaumains, because his hands were large and fair, and putting
+him into the kitchen, where he had served for twelve months as a
+scullion, and, in spite of all his churlish treatment, had faithfully
+obeyed Sir Key. But Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were angered when they
+saw Sir Key so churlish to a youth that had so worshipful a bearing,
+and ofttimes had they given him gold and clothing.
+
+And now at this time came young Beaumains to the king, while the damsel
+was there, and said, "Lord, now I thank thee well and heartily that I
+have been twelve months kept in thy kitchen, and have had full
+sustenance. Now will I ask my two remaining gifts." "Ask," said King
+Arthur, "on my good faith." "These, lord," said he, "shall be my two
+gifts--the one, that thou wilt grant me this adventure of the damsel,
+for to me of right it belongeth; and the other, that thou wilt bid Sir
+Lancelot make me a knight, for of him only will I have that honor; and I
+pray that he may ride after me and make me a knight when I require him."
+"Be it as thou wilt," replied the king. But thereupon the damsel was
+full wroth, and said, "Shall I have a kitchen page for this adventure?"
+and so she took horse and departed.
+
+Then came one to Beaumains, and told him that a dwarf with a horse and
+armor were waiting for him. And all men marveled whence these things
+came. But when he was on horseback and armed, scarce any one at the
+court was a goodlier man than he. And coming into the hall, he took his
+leave of the king and Sir Gawain, and prayed Sir Lancelot to follow him.
+So he rode after the damsel, and many of the court went out to see him,
+so richly arrayed and horsed; yet he had neither shield nor spear. Then
+Sir Key cried, "I also will ride after the kitchen boy, and see whether
+he will obey me now." And taking his horse, he rode after him, and
+said, "Know ye not me, Beaumains?" "Yea," said he, "I know thee for an
+ungentle knight, therefore beware of me." Then Sir Key put his spear in
+rest and ran at him, but Beaumains rushed upon him with his sword in his
+hand, and therewith, putting aside the spear, struck Sir Key so sorely
+in the side, that he fell down, as if dead. Then he alighted, and took
+his shield and spear, and bade his dwarf ride upon Sir Key's horse.
+
+By this time, Sir Lancelot had come up, and Beaumains offering to tilt
+with him, they both made ready. And their horses came together so
+fiercely that both fell to the earth, full sorely bruised. Then they
+arose, and Beaumains, putting up his shield before him, offered to fight
+Sir Lancelot, on foot. So they rushed upon each other, striking, and
+thrusting, and parrying, for the space of an hour. And Lancelot marveled
+at the strength of Beaumains, for he fought more like a giant than a
+man, and his fighting was passing fierce and terrible. So, at the last,
+he said, "Fight not so sorely, Beaumains; our quarrel is not such that
+we may not now cease." "True," answered Beaumains; "yet it doth me good
+to feel thy might, though I have not yet proved my uttermost." "By my
+faith," said Lancelot, "I had as much as I could do to save myself from
+you unshamed, therefore be in no doubt of any earthly knight." "May I,
+then, stand as a proved knight?" said Beaumains. "For that will I be thy
+warrant," answered Lancelot. "Then, I pray thee," said he, "give me the
+order of knighthood." "First, then, must thou tell me of thy name and
+kindred," said Sir Lancelot. "If thou wilt tell them to no other, I will
+tell thee," answered he. "My name is Gareth of Orkney, and I am own
+brother to Sir Gawain." "Ah!" said Sir Lancelot, "at that am I full
+glad; for, truly, I deemed thee to be of gentle blood." So then he
+knighted Beaumains, and, after that, they parted company, and Sir
+Lancelot, returning to the court, took up Sir Key on his shield. And
+hardly did Sir Key escape with his life, from the wound Beaumains had
+given him; but all men blamed him for his ungentle treatment of so brave
+a knight.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains rode forward, and soon overtook the damsel; but she
+said to him, in scorn, "Return again, base kitchen page! What art thou,
+but a washer-up of dishes!" "Damsel," said he, "say to me what thou
+wilt, I will not leave thee; for I have undertaken to King Arthur to
+relieve thy adventure, and I will finish it to the end, or die." "Thou
+finish my adventure!" said she--"anon, thou shalt meet one, whose face
+thou wilt not even dare to look at." "I shall attempt it," answered he.
+So, as they rode thus, into a wood, there met them a man, fleeing, as
+for his life. "Whither fleest thou?" said Sir Beaumains. "O lord!" he
+answered, "help me; for, in a valley hard by, there are six thieves, who
+have taken my lord, and bound him, and I fear will slay him." "Bring me
+thither," said Sir Beaumains. So they rode to the place, and Sir
+Beaumains rushed after the thieves, and smote one, at the first stroke,
+so that he died; and then, with two other blows, slew a second and
+third. Then fled the other three, and Sir Beaumains rode after them, and
+overtook and slew them all. Then he returned and unbound the knight. And
+the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride to his castle, where he
+would reward him. "Sir," answered Sir Beaumains, "I will have no reward
+of thee, for but this day was I made knight by the most noble Sir
+Lancelot; and besides, I must go with this damsel." Then the knight
+begged the damsel to rest that night at his castle. So they all rode
+thither, and ever the damsel scoffed at Sir Beaumains as a kitchen boy,
+and laughed at him before the knight their host, so that he set his meat
+before him at a lower table, as though he were not of their company.
+
+And on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains took their leave of the
+knight, and thanking him departed. Then they rode on their way till they
+came to a great forest, through which flowed a river, and there was but
+one passage over it, whereat stood two knights armed to hinder the way.
+"Wilt thou match those two knights," said the damsel to Sir Beaumains,
+"or return again?" "I would not return," said he, "though they were
+six." Therewith he galloped into the water, and swam his horse into the
+middle of the stream. And there, in the river, one of the knights met
+him, and they brake their spears together, and then drew their swords,
+and smote fiercely at each other. And at the last, Sir Beaumains struck
+the other mightily upon the helm, so that he fell down stunned into the
+water, and was drowned. Then Sir Beaumains spurred his horse on to the
+land, where instantly the other knight fell on him. And they also brake
+their spears upon each other, and then drew their swords, and fought
+savagely and long together. And after many blows, Sir Beaumains clove
+through the knight's skull down to the shoulders. Then rode Sir
+Beaumains to the damsel, but ever she still scoffed at him, and said,
+"Alas! that a kitchen page should chance to slay two such brave knights!
+Thou deemest now that thou hast done a mighty deed, but it is not so;
+for the first knight's horse stumbled, and thus was he drowned--not by
+thy strength; and as for the second knight, thou wentest by chance
+behind him, and didst kill him shamefully." "Damsel," said Sir
+Beaumains, "say what ye list, I care not so I may win your lady; and
+wouldst thou give me but fair language, all my care were past; for
+whatsoever knights I meet, I fear them not." "Thou shalt see knights
+that shall abate thy boast, base kitchen knave," replied she; "yet say I
+this for thine advantage, for if thou followest me thou wilt be surely
+slain, since I see all thou doest is but by chance, and not by thy own
+prowess." "Well, damsel," said he, "say what ye will, wherever ye go I
+will follow."
+
+So they rode on until the eventide, and still the damsel evermore kept
+chiding Sir Beaumains. Then came they to a black space of land, whereon
+was a black hawthorn tree, and on the tree there hung a black banner,
+and on the other side was a black shield and spear, and by them a great
+black horse, covered with silk; and hard by sat a knight armed in black
+armor, whose name was the Knight of the Blacklands. When the damsel saw
+him, she cried out to Beaumains, "Flee down the valley, for thy horse is
+not saddled!" "Wilt thou forever deem me coward?" answered he. With that
+came the Black Knight to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, hast thou
+brought this knight from Arthur's court to be thy champion?" "Not so,
+fair knight," said she; "he is but a kitchen knave." "Then wherefore
+cometh he in such array?" said he; "it is a shame that he should bear
+thee company." "I cannot be delivered from him," answered she: "for in
+spite of me he rideth with me; and would to Heaven you would put him
+from me, or now slay him, for he hath slain two knights at the river
+passage yonder, and done many marvelous deeds through pure mischance."
+"I marvel," said the Black Knight, "that any man of worship will fight
+with him." "They know him not," said the damsel, "and think, because he
+rideth with me, that he is well born." "Truly, he hath a goodly person,
+and is likely to be a strong man," replied the knight; "but since he is
+no man of worship, he shall leave his horse and armor with me, for it
+were a shame for me to do him more harm."
+
+When Sir Beaumains heard him speak thus, he said, "Horse or armor
+gettest thou none of me, Sir knight, save thou winnest them with thy
+hands; therefore defend thyself, and let me see what thou canst do."
+"How sayest thou?" answered the Black Knight. "Now quit this lady also,
+for it beseemeth not a kitchen knave like thee to ride with such a
+lady." "I am of higher lineage than thou," said Sir Beaumains, "and will
+straightway prove it on thy body." Then furiously they drove their
+horses at each other, and came together as it had been thunder. But the
+Black Knight's spear brake short, and Sir Beaumains thrust him through
+the side, and his spear breaking at the head, left its point sticking
+fast in the Black Knight's body. Yet did the Black Knight draw his
+sword, and smite at Sir Beaumains with many fierce and bitter blows; but
+after they had fought an hour and more, he fell down from his horse in a
+swoon, and forthwith died. Then Sir Beaumains lighted down and armed
+himself in the Black Knight's armor, and rode on after the damsel. But
+notwithstanding all his valor, still she scoffed at him, and said,
+"Away! for thou savorest ever of the kitchen. Alas! that such a knave
+should by mishap destroy so good a knight; yet once again I counsel thee
+to flee, for hard by is a knight who shall repay thee!" "It may chance
+that I am beaten or slain," answered Sir Beaumains, "but I warn thee,
+fair damsel, that I will not flee away, nor leave thy company, or my
+quest, for all that ye can say."
+
+Anon, as they rode, they saw a knight come swiftly towards them, dressed
+all in green, who, calling to the damsel said, "Is that my brother, the
+Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?" "Nay, and alas!" said she,
+"this kitchen knave hath slain thy brother through mischance." "Alas!"
+said the Green Knight, "that such a noble knight as he was should be
+slain by a knave's hand. Traitor!" cried he to Sir Beaumains, "thou
+shalt die for this! Sir Pereard was my brother, and a full noble
+knight." "I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I slew him knightly and
+not shamefully." Then the Green Knight rode to a thorn whereon hung a
+green horn, and, when he blew three notes, there came three damsels
+forth, who quickly armed him, and brought him a great horse and a green
+shield and spear. Then did they run at one another with their fullest
+might, and break their spears asunder; and, drawing their swords, they
+closed in fight, and sorely smote and wounded each other with many
+grievous blows.
+
+At last, Sir Beaumains' horse jostled against the Green Knight's horse,
+and overthrew him. Then both alighted, and, hurtling together like mad
+lions, fought a great while on foot. But the damsel cheered the Green
+Knight, and said, "My lord, why wilt thou let a kitchen knave so long
+stand up against thee?" Hearing these words, he was ashamed, and gave
+Sir Beaumains such a mighty stroke as clave his shield asunder. When Sir
+Beaumains heard the damsel's words, and felt that blow, he waxed passing
+wroth, and gave the Green Knight such a buffet on the helm that he fell
+on his knees, and with another blow Sir Beaumains threw him on the
+ground. Then the Green Knight yielded, and prayed him to spare his life.
+"All thy prayers are vain," said he, "unless this damsel who came with
+me pray for thee." "That will I never do, base kitchen knave," said she.
+"Then shall he die," said Beaumains. "Alas! fair lady," said the Green
+Knight, "suffer me not to die for a word! O, Sir knight," cried he to
+Beaumains, "give me my life, and I will ever do thee homage; and thirty
+knights, who owe me service, shall give allegiance to thee." "All
+availeth not," answered Sir Beaumains, "unless the damsel ask me for thy
+life"; and thereupon he made as though he would have slain him. Then
+cried the damsel, "Slay him not; for if thou do thou shalt repent it."
+"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "at thy command, he shall obtain his life.
+Arise, Sir knight of the green armor, I release thee!" Then the Green
+Knight knelt at his feet, and did him homage with his words. "Lodge with
+me this night," said he, "and to-morrow will I guide ye through the
+forest." So, taking their horses, they rode to his castle, which was
+hard by.
+
+Yet still did the damsel rebuke and scoff at Sir Beaumains, and would
+not suffer him to sit at her table. "I marvel," said the Green Knight to
+her, "that ye thus chide so noble a knight, for truly I know none to
+match him; and be sure, that whatsoever he appeareth now, he will prove,
+at the end, of noble blood and royal lineage." But of all this would the
+damsel take no heed, and ceased not to mock at Sir Beaumains. On the
+morrow, they arose and heard mass; and when they had broken their fast,
+took their horses and rode on their way, the Green Knight conveying them
+through the forest. Then, when he had led them for a while, he said to
+Sir Beaumains, "My lord, my thirty knights and I shall always be at thy
+command whensoever thou shalt send for us." "It is well said," replied
+he; "and when I call upon you, you shall yield yourself and all your
+knights unto King Arthur." "That will we gladly do," said the Green
+Knight, and so departed.
+
+And the damsel rode on before Sir Beaumains, and said to him, "Why dost
+thou follow me, thou kitchen boy? I counsel thee to throw aside thy
+spear and shield, and flee betimes, for wert thou as mighty as Sir
+Lancelot or Sir Tristram, thou shouldest not pass a valley near this
+place, called the Pass Perilous." "Damsel," answered he, "let him that
+feareth flee; as for me, it were indeed a shameful thing to turn after
+so long a journey." As he spake, they came upon a tower as white as
+snow, with mighty battlements, and double moats round it, and over the
+tower-gate hung fifty shields of divers colors. Before the tower walls,
+they saw a fair meadow, wherein were many knights and squires in
+pavilions, for on the morrow there was a tournament at that castle.
+
+Then the lord of the castle, seeing a knight armed at all points, with a
+damsel and a page, riding towards the tower, came forth to meet them;
+and his horse and harness, with his shield and spear, were all of a red
+color. When he came near Sir Beaumains, and saw his armor all of black,
+he thought him his own brother, the Black Knight, and so cried aloud,
+"Brother! what do ye here, within these borders?" "Nay!" said the
+damsel, "it is not thy brother, but a kitchen knave of Arthur's court,
+who hath slain thy brother, and overcome thy other brother also, the
+Green Knight." "Now do I defy thee!" cried the Red Knight to Sir
+Beaumains, and put his spear in rest and spurred his horse. Then both
+knights turned back a little space, and ran together with all their
+might, till their horses fell to the earth. Then, with their swords,
+they fought fiercely for the space of three hours. And at last, Sir
+Beaumains overcame his foe, and smote him to the ground. Then the Red
+Knight prayed his mercy, and said, "Slay me not, noble knight, and I
+will yield to thee with sixty knights that do my bidding." "All avails
+not," answered Sir Beaumains, "save this damsel pray me to release
+thee." Then did he lift his sword to slay him; but the damsel cried
+aloud, "Slay him not, Beaumains, for he is a noble knight." Then Sir
+Beaumains bade him rise up and thank the damsel, which straightway he
+did, and afterwards invited them to his castle, and made them goodly
+cheer.
+
+But notwithstanding all Sir Beaumains' mighty deeds, the damsel ceased
+not to revile and chide him, at which the Red Knight marveled much; and
+caused his sixty knights to watch Sir Beaumains, that no villainy might
+happen to him. And on the morrow, they heard mass and broke their fast,
+and the Red Knight came before Sir Beaumains, with his sixty knights,
+and proffered him homage and fealty. "I thank thee," answered he; "and
+when I call upon thee thou shalt come before my lord King Arthur at his
+court, and yield yourselves to him." "That will we surely do," said the
+Red Knight. So Sir Beaumains and the damsel departed.
+
+And as she constantly reviled him and tormented him, he said to her,
+"Damsel, ye are discourteous thus always to rebuke me, for I have done
+you service; and for all your threats of knights that shall destroy me,
+all they who come lie in the dust before me. Now, therefore, I pray you
+rebuke me no more till you see me beaten or a recreant, and then bid me
+go from you." "There shall soon meet thee a knight who shall repay thee
+all thy deeds, thou boaster," answered she, "for, save King Arthur, he
+is the man of most worship in the world." "It will be the greater honor
+to encounter him," said Sir Beaumains.
+
+Soon after, they saw before them a city passing fair, and between them
+and the city was a meadow newly mown, wherein were many goodly tents.
+"Seest thou yonder blue pavilion?" said the damsel to Sir Beaumains; "it
+is Sir Perseant's, the lord of that great city, whose custom is, in all
+fair weather, to lie in this meadow, and joust with his knights."
+
+And as she spake, Sir Perseant, who had espied them coming, sent a
+messenger to meet Sir Beaumains, and to ask him if he came in war or
+peace. "Say to thy lord," he answered, "that I care not whether of the
+twain it be." So when the messenger gave this reply, Sir Perseant came
+out to fight with Sir Beaumains. And making ready, they rode their
+steeds against each other; and when their spears were shivered asunder,
+they fought with their swords. And for more than two hours did they
+hack and hew at each other, till their shields and hauberks were all
+dented with many blows, and they themselves were sorely wounded. And at
+the last, Sir Beaumains smote Sir Perseant on the helm, so that he fell
+groveling on the earth. And when he unlaced his helm to slay him, the
+damsel prayed for his life. "That will I grant gladly," answered Sir
+Beaumains, "for it were pity such a noble knight should die."
+"Gramercy!" said Sir Perseant, "for now I certainly know that it was
+thou who slewest my brother, the Black Knight, Sir Pereard; and overcame
+my brothers, the Green Knight, Sir Pertolope, and the Red Knight, Sir
+Perimones; and since thou hast overcome me also, I will do thee homage
+and fealty, and place at thy command one hundred knights to do thy
+bidding."
+
+But when the damsel saw Sir Perseant overthrown, she marveled greatly at
+the might of Sir Beaumains, and said, "What manner of man may ye be, for
+now am I sure that ye be come of noble blood? And truly, never did woman
+revile knight as I have done thee, and yet ye have ever courteously
+borne with me, which surely never had been were ye not of gentle blood
+and lineage."
+
+"Lady," replied Sir Beaumains, "a knight is little worth who may not
+bear with a damsel; and so whatsoever ye said to me I took no heed, save
+only that at times when your scorn angered me, it made me all the
+stronger against those with whom I fought, and thus have ye furthered me
+in my battles. But whether I be born of gentle blood or no, I have done
+you gentle service, and peradventure will do better still, ere I depart
+from you."
+
+"Alas!" said she, weeping at his courtesy, "forgive me, fair Sir
+Beaumains, all that I have missaid and misdone against you." "With all
+my heart," said he; "and since you now speak fairly to me, I am passing
+glad of heart, and methinks I have the strength to overcome whatever
+knights I shall henceforth encounter."
+
+Then Sir Perseant prayed them to come to his pavilion, and set before
+them wines and spices, and made them great cheer. So they rested that
+night; and on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains rose, and heard
+mass. And when they had broken their fast, they took their leave of Sir
+Perseant. "Fair damsel," said he, "whither lead ye this knight?" "Sir,"
+answered she, "to the Castle Dangerous, where my sister is besieged by
+the Knight of the Redlands." "I know him well," said Sir Perseant, "for
+the most perilous knight alive--a man without mercy, and with the
+strength of seven men. God save thee, Sir Beaumains, from him! and
+enable thee to overcome him, for the Lady Lyones, whom he besiegeth, is
+as fair a lady as there liveth in this world." "Thou sayest truth, sir,"
+said the damsel; "for I am her sister; and men call me Linet, or the
+Wild Maiden." "Now, I would have thee know," said Sir Perseant to Sir
+Beaumains, "that the Knight of the Redlands hath kept that siege more
+than two years, and prolongeth the time hoping that Sir Lancelot, or Sir
+Tristram, or Sir Lamoracke, may come and battle with him; for these
+three knights divide between them all knighthood; and thou if thou
+mayest match the Knight of the Redlands, shalt well be called the fourth
+knight of the world." "Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I would fain have that
+good fame; and truly, I am come of great and honorable lineage. And so
+that you and this fair damsel will conceal it, I will tell ye my
+descent." And when they swore to keep it secret, he told them, "My name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney, my father was King Lot, and my mother the Lady
+Belisent, King Arthur's sister. Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris, are my brethren, and I am the youngest of them all. But, as yet
+King Arthur and the court know me not, who I am." When he had thus told
+them, they both wondered greatly.
+
+And the damsel Linet sent the dwarf forward to her sister, to tell her
+of their coming. Then did Dame Lyones inquire what manner of man the
+knight was who was coming to her rescue. And the dwarf told her of all
+Sir Beaumains' deeds by the way: how he had overthrown Sir Key, and left
+him for dead; how he had battled with Sir Lancelot, and was knighted of
+him; how he had fought with, and slain, the thieves; how he had overcome
+the two knights who kept the river passage; how he had fought with, and
+slain, the Black Knight; and how he had overcome the Green Knight, the
+Red Knight, and last of all, the Blue Knight, Sir Perseant. Then was
+Dame Lyones passing glad, and sent the dwarf back to Sir Beaumains with
+great gifts, thanking him for his courtesy, in taking such a labor on
+him for her sake, and praying him to be of good heart and courage. And
+as the dwarf returned, he met the Knight of the Redlands, who asked him
+whence he came. "I came here with the sister of my lady of the castle,"
+said the dwarf, "who hath been now to King Arthur's court and brought a
+knight with her to take her battle on him." "Then is her travail lost,"
+replied the knight; "for, though she had brought Sir Lancelot, Sir
+Tristram, Sir Lamoracke, or Sir Gawain, I count myself their equal, and
+who besides shall be so called?" Then the dwarf told the knight what
+deeds Sir Beaumains had done; but he answered, "I care not for him,
+whosoever he be, for I shall shortly overcome him, and give him shameful
+death, as to so many others I have done."
+
+Then the damsel Linet and Sir Beaumains left Sir Perseant, and rode on
+through a forest to a large plain, where they saw many pavilions, and
+hard by, a castle passing fair.
+
+But as they came near Sir Beaumains saw upon the branches of some trees
+which grew there, the dead bodies of forty knights hanging, with rich
+armor on them, their shields and swords about their necks, and golden
+spurs upon their heels. "What meaneth this?" said he, amazed. "Lose not
+thy courage, fair sir," replied the damsel, "at this shameful sight, for
+all these knights came hither to rescue my sister; and when the Knight
+of the Redlands had overcome them, he put them to this piteous death,
+without mercy; and in such wise will he treat thee also unless thou
+bearest thee more valiantly than they." "Truly he useth shameful
+customs," said Sir Beaumains; "and it is a marvel that he hath endured
+so long."
+
+So they rode onward to the castle walls, and found them double-moated,
+and heard the sea waves dashing on one side the walls. Then said the
+damsel, "See you that ivory horn hanging upon the sycamore-tree? The
+Knight of the Redlands hath hung it there, that any knight may blow
+thereon, and then will he himself come out and fight with him. But I
+pray thee sound it not till high noontide, for now it is but daybreak,
+and till noon his strength increases to the might of seven men." "Let
+that be as it may, fair damsel," answered he, "for were he stronger
+knight than ever lived, I would not fail him. Either will I defeat him
+at his mightiest, or die knightly in the field." With that he spurred
+his horse unto the sycamore, and blew the ivory horn so eagerly, that
+all the castle rang its echoes. Instantly, all the knights who were in
+the pavilions ran forth, and those within the castle looked out from the
+windows, or above the walls. And the Knight of the Redlands, arming
+himself quickly in blood-red armor, with spear, and shield, and horse's
+trappings of like color, rode forth into a little valley by the castle
+walls, so that all in the castle, and at the siege, might see the
+battle.
+
+"Be of good cheer," said the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains, "for thy
+deadly enemy now cometh; and at yonder window is my lady and sister,
+Dame Lyones." "In good sooth," said Sir Beaumains, "she is the fairest
+lady I have ever seen, and I would wish no better quarrel than to fight
+for her." With that, he looked up to the window, and saw the Lady
+Lyones, who waved her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer
+them. Then called the Knight of the Redlands to Sir Beaumains, "Leave
+now thy gazing, Sir knight, and turn to me, for I warn thee that lady is
+mine." "She loveth none of thy fellowship," he answered; "but know this,
+that I love her, and will rescue her from thee, or die." "Say ye so!"
+said the Red Knight. "Take ye no warning from those knights that hang on
+yonder trees?" "For shame that thou so boastest!" said Sir Beaumains.
+"Be sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that will not lightly
+be put out, and given me not fear, but rage." "Sir knight, defend
+thyself," said the Knight of the Redlands, "for we will talk no longer."
+
+Then did they put their spears in rest, and came together at the fullest
+speed of their horses, and smote each other in the midst of their
+shields, so that their horses' harness sundered by the shock, and they
+fell to the ground. And both lay there so long time, stunned, that many
+deemed their necks were broken. And all men said the strange knight was
+a strong man, and a noble jouster, for none had ever yet so matched the
+Knight of the Redlands. Then, in a while, they rose, and putting up
+their shields before them, drew their swords, and fought with fury,
+running at each other like wild beasts--now striking such buffets that
+both reeled backwards, now hewing at each other till they shore the
+harness off in pieces, and left their bodies naked and unarmed. And thus
+they fought till noon was past, when, for a time, they rested to get
+breath, so sorely staggering and bleeding, that many who beheld them
+wept for pity. Then they renewed the battle--sometimes rushing so
+furiously together, that both fell to the ground, and anon changing
+swords in their confusion. Thus they endured, and lashed, and struggled,
+until eventide, and none who saw knew which was the likeliest to win;
+for though the Knight of the Redlands was a wily and subtle warrior, his
+subtlety made Sir Beaumains wilier and wiser too. So once again they
+rested for a little space, and took their helms off to find breath.
+
+But when Sir Beaumains' helm was off, he looked up to Dame Lyones, where
+she leaned, gazing and weeping, from her window. And when he saw the
+sweetness of her smiling, all his heart was light and joyful, and
+starting up, he bade the Knight of the Redlands make ready. Then did
+they lace their helms and fight together yet afresh, as though they had
+never fought before. And at the last, the Knight of the Redlands with a
+sudden stroke smote Sir Beaumains on the hand, so that his sword fell
+from it, and with a second stroke upon the helm he drove him to the
+earth. Then cried aloud the damsel Linet, "Alas! Sir Beaumains, see how
+my sister weepeth to behold thee fallen!" And when Sir Beaumains heard
+her words, he sprang upon his feet with strength, and leaping to his
+sword, he caught it; and with many heavy blows pressed so sorely on the
+Knight of the Redlands, that in the end he smote his sword from out his
+hand, and, with a mighty blow upon the head, hurled him upon the ground.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains unlaced his helm, and would have straightway slain
+him, but the Knight of the Redlands yielded, and prayed for mercy. "I
+may not spare thee," answered he, "because of the shameful death which
+thou hast given to so many noble knights." "Yet hold thy hand, Sir
+knight," said he, "and hear the cause. I loved once a fair damsel, whose
+brother was slain, as she told me, by a knight of Arthur's court, either
+Sir Lancelot, or Sir Gawain; and she prayed me, as I truly loved her,
+and by the faith of my knighthood, to labor daily in deeds of arms, till
+I should meet with him; and to put all knights of the Round Table whom I
+should overcome to a villainous death. And this I swore to her." Then
+prayed the earls, and knights, and barons, who stood round Sir
+Beaumains, to spare the Red Knight's life. "Truly," replied he, "I am
+loth to slay him, notwithstanding he hath done such shameful deeds. And
+inasmuch as what he did was done to please his lady and to gain her
+love, I blame him less, and for your sakes I will release him. But on
+this agreement only shall he hold his life--that straightway he depart
+into the castle, and yield him to the lady there, and make her such
+amends as she shall ask, for all the trespass he hath done upon her
+lands; and afterwards, that he shall go unto King Arthur's court, and
+ask the pardon of Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain for all the evil he hath
+done against them." "All this, Sir knight, I swear to do," said the
+Knight of the Redlands; and therewith he did him homage and fealty.
+
+Then came the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains and the Knight of the
+Redlands, and disarmed them, and staunched their wounds. And when the
+Knight of the Redlands had made amends for all his trespasses, he
+departed for the court.
+
+Then Sir Beaumains, being healed of his wounds, armed himself, and took
+his horse and spear and rode straight to the castle of Dame Lyones, for
+greatly he desired to see her. But when he came to the gate they closed
+it fast, and pulled the drawbridge up. And as he marveled thereat, he
+saw the Lady Lyones standing at a window, who said, "Go thy way as yet,
+Sir Beaumains, for thou shalt not wholly have my love until thou be
+among the worthiest knights of all the world. Go, therefore, and labor
+yet in arms for twelve months more, and then return to me." "Alas! fair
+lady," said Sir Beaumains, "I have scarce deserved this of thee, for
+sure I am that I have bought thy love with all the best blood in my
+body." "Be not aggrieved, fair knight," said she, "for none of thy
+service is forgot or lost. Twelve months will soon be passed in noble
+deeds; and trust that to my death I shall love thee and not another."
+With that she turned and left the window.
+
+So Sir Beaumains rode away from the castle very sorrowful at heart, and
+rode he knew not whither, and lay that night in a poor man's cottage.
+On the morrow he went forward, and came at noon to a broad lake, and
+thereby he alighted, being very sad and weary, and rested his head upon
+his shield, and told his dwarf to keep watch while he slept.
+
+Now, as soon as he had departed, the Lady Lyones repented, and greatly
+longed to see him back, and asked her sister many times of what lineage
+he was; but the damsel would not tell her, being bound by her oath to
+Sir Beaumains, and said his dwarf best knew. So she called Sir
+Gringamors, her brother, who dwelt with her, and prayed him to ride
+after Sir Beaumains till he found him sleeping, and then to take his
+dwarf away and bring him back to her. Anon Sir Gringamors departed, and
+rode till he came to Sir Beaumains, and found him as he lay sleeping by
+the water-side. Then stepping stealthily behind the dwarf he caught him
+in his arms and rode off in haste. And though the dwarf cried loudly to
+his lord for help, and woke Sir Beaumains, yet, though he rode full
+quickly after him, he could not overtake Sir Gringamors.
+
+When Dame Lyones saw her brother come back, she was passing glad of
+heart, and forthwith asked the dwarf his master's lineage. "He is a
+king's son," said the dwarf, "and his mother is King Arthur's sister.
+His name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, and he is brother to the good knight,
+Sir Gawain. But I pray you suffer me to go back to my lord, for truly he
+will never leave this country till he have me again." But when the Lady
+Lyones knew her deliverer was come of such a kingly stock, she longed
+more than ever to see him again.
+
+Now as Sir Beaumains rode in vain to rescue his dwarf, he came to a fair
+green road and met a poor man of the country, and asked him had he seen
+a knight on a black horse, riding with a dwarf of a sad countenance
+behind him. "Yea," said the man, "I met with such a knight an hour
+agone, and his name is Sir Gringamors. He liveth at a castle two miles
+from hence; but he is a perilous knight, and I counsel ye not to follow
+him save ye bear him goodwill." Then Sir Beaumains followed the path
+which the poor man showed him, and came to the castle. And riding to the
+gate in great anger, he drew his sword, and cried aloud, "Sir
+Gringamors, thou traitor! deliver me my dwarf again, or by my knighthood
+it shall be ill for thee!" Then Sir Gringamors looked out of a window
+and said, "Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou wilt
+not get thy dwarf again." But the Lady Lyones said to her brother, "Nay,
+brother, but I will that he have his dwarf, for he hath done much for
+me, and delivered me from the Knight of the Redlands, and well do I love
+him above all other knights." So Sir Gringamors went down to Sir Gareth
+and cried him mercy, and prayed him to alight and take good cheer.
+
+Then he alighted, and his dwarf ran to him. And when he was in the hall
+came the Lady Lyones dressed royally like a princess. And Sir Gareth was
+right glad of heart when he saw her. Then she told him how she had made
+her brother take away his dwarf and bring him back to her. And then she
+promised him her love, and faithfully to cleave to him and none other
+all the days of her life. And so they plighted their troth to each
+other. Then Sir Gringamors prayed him to sojourn at the castle, which
+willing he did. "For," said he, "I have promised to quit the court for
+twelve months, though sure I am that in the meanwhile I shall be sought
+and found by my lord King Arthur and many others." So he sojourned long
+at the castle.
+
+Anon the knights, Sir Perseant, Sir Perimones, and Sir Pertolope, whom
+Sir Gareth had overthrown, went to King Arthur's court with all the
+knights who did them service, and told the king they had been conquered
+by a knight of his named Beaumains. And as they yet were talking, it was
+told the king there came another great lord with five hundred knights,
+who, entering in, did homage, and declared himself to be the Knight of
+the Redlands. "But my true name," said he, "is Ironside, and I am hither
+sent by one Sir Beaumains, who conquered me, and charged me to yield
+unto your grace." "Thou art welcome," said King Arthur, "for thou hast
+been long a foe to me and mine, and truly I am much beholden to the
+knight who sent thee. And now, Sir Ironside, if thou wilt amend thy life
+and hold of me, I will entreat thee as a friend, and make thee Knight of
+the Round Table; but thou mayst no more be a murderer of noble knights."
+Then the Knight of the Redlands knelt to the king, and told him of his
+promise to Sir Beaumains to use never more such shameful customs; and
+how he had so done but at the prayer of a lady whom he loved. Then knelt
+he to Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, and prayed their pardon for the
+hatred he had borne them.
+
+But the king and all the court marveled greatly who Sir Beaumains was.
+"For," said the king, "he is a full noble knight." Then said Sir
+Lancelot, "Truly he is come of honorable blood, else had I not given him
+the order of knighthood; but he charged me that I should conceal his
+secret."
+
+Now as they talked thus it was told King Arthur that his sister, the
+Queen of Orkney, was come to the court with a great retinue of knights
+and ladies. Then was there great rejoicing, and the king rose and
+saluted his sister. And her sons, Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
+Gaheris knelt before her and asked her blessing, for during fifteen
+years last past they had not seen her. Anon she said, "Where is my
+youngest son, Sir Gareth? for I know that he was here a twelve-month
+with you, and that ye made a kitchen knave of him." Then the king and
+all the knights knew that Sir Beaumains and Sir Gareth were the same.
+"Truly," said the king, "I knew him not." "Nor I," said Sir Gawain and
+both his brothers. Then said the king, "God be thanked, fair sister,
+that he is proved as worshipful a knight as any now alive, and by the
+grace of Heaven he shall be found forthwith if he be anywhere within
+these seven realms." Then said Sir Gawain and his brethren, "Lord, if ye
+will give us leave we will go seek him." But Sir Lancelot said, "It
+were better that the king should send a messenger to Dame Lyones and
+pray her to come hither with all speed, and she will counsel where ye
+shall find him." "It is well said," replied the king; and sent a
+messenger quickly unto Dame Lyones.
+
+When she heard the message she promised she would come forthwith, and
+told Sir Gareth what the messenger had said, and asked him what to do.
+"I pray you," said he, "tell them not where I am, but when my lord King
+Arthur asketh for me, advise him thus--that he proclaim a tournament
+before this castle on Assumption Day, and that the knight who proveth
+best shall win yourself and all your lands." So the Lady Lyones departed
+and came to King Arthur's court, and there was right nobly welcomed. And
+when they asked her where Sir Gareth was, she said she could not tell.
+"But, lord," said she, "with thy goodwill I will proclaim a tournament
+before my castle on the Feast of the Assumption, whereof the prize shall
+be myself and all my lands. Then if it be proclaimed that you, lord, and
+your knights will be there, I will find knights on my side to fight you
+and yours, and thus am I sure ye will hear tidings of Sir Gareth." "Be
+it so done," replied the king.
+
+So Sir Gareth sent messengers privily to Sir Perseant and Sir Ironside,
+and charged them to be ready on the day appointed, with their companies
+of knights to aid him and his party against the king. And when they were
+arrived he said, "Now be ye well assured that we shall be matched with
+the best knights of the world, and therefore must we gather all the
+good knights we can find."
+
+So proclamation was made throughout all England, Wales, Scotland,
+Ireland, and Cornwall, and in the out isles and other countries, that at
+the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, next coming, all knights who
+came to joust at Castle Perilous should make choice whether they would
+side with the king or with the castle. Then came many good knights on
+the side of the castle. Sir Epinogris, the son of the King of
+Northumberland, and Sir Palomedes the Saracen, and Sir Grummore
+Grummorsum, a good knight of Scotland, and Sir Brian des Iles, a noble
+knight, and Sir Carados of the Tower Dolorous, and Sir Tristram, who as
+yet was not a knight of the Round Table, and many others. But none among
+them knew Sir Gareth, for he took no more upon him than any mean person.
+
+And on King Arthur's side there came the King of Ireland and the King of
+Scotland, the noble prince Sir Galahaut, Sir Gawain and his brothers Sir
+Agravain and Sir Gaheris, Sir Ewaine, Sir Tor, Sir Perceval, and Sir
+Lamoracke, Sir Lancelot also and his kindred, Sir Lionel, Sir Ector, Sir
+Bors and Sir Bedivere, likewise Sir Key and the most part of the Table
+Round. The two queens also, Queen Guinevere and the Queen of Orkney, Sir
+Gareth's mother, came with the king. So there was a great array both
+within and without the castle, with all manner of feasting and
+minstrelsy.
+
+Now before the tournament began, Sir Gareth privily prayed Dame Lyones,
+Sir Gringamors, Sir Ironside, and Sir Perseant, that they would in
+nowise disclose his name, nor make more of him than of any common
+knight. Then said Dame Lyones, "Dear lord, I pray thee take this ring,
+which hath the power to change the wearer's clothing into any color he
+may will, and guardeth him from any loss of blood. But give it me again,
+I pray thee, when the tournament is done, for it greatly increaseth my
+beauty whensoever I wear it." "Gramercy, mine own lady," said Sir
+Gareth, "I wished for nothing better, for now I may be certainly
+disguised as long as I will." Then Sir Gringamors gave Sir Gareth a bay
+courser that was a passing good horse, with sure armor, and a noble
+sword, won by his father from a heathen tyrant. And then every knight
+made him ready for the tournament.
+
+So on the day of the Assumption, when mass and matins were said, the
+heralds blew their trumpets and sounded for the tourney. Anon came out
+the knights of the castle and the knights of King Arthur, and matched
+themselves together.
+
+Then Sir Epinogris, son of the King of Northumberland, a knight of the
+castle, encountered Sir Ewaine, and both broke off their spears short to
+their hands. Then came Sir Palomedes from the castle, and met Sir
+Gawain, and they so hardly smote each other, that both knights and
+horses fell to the earth. Then Sir Tristram, from the castle,
+encountered with Sir Bedivere, and smote him to the earth, horse and
+man. Then the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Gareth met with Sir Bors
+and Sir Bleoberis; and the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Bors smote
+together so hard that their spears burst, and their horses fell
+groveling to the ground. And Sir Bleoberis brake his spear upon Sir
+Gareth, but himself was hurled upon the ground. When Sir Galihodin saw
+that, he bade Sir Gareth keep him, but Sir Gareth lightly smote him to
+the earth. Then Sir Galihud got a spear to avenge his brother, but was
+served in like manner. And Sir Dinadam, and his brother
+La-cote-male-taile, and Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Dodinas le
+Savage, he bore down all with one spear.
+
+When King Anguish of Ireland saw this, he marveled what that knight
+could be who seemed at one time green and at another blue; for so at
+every course he changed his color that none might know him. Then he ran
+towards him and encountered him, and Sir Gareth smote the king from his
+horse, saddle and all. And in like manner he served the King of
+Scotland, and King Urience of Gore, and King Bagdemagus.
+
+Then Sir Galahaut, the noble prince, cried out, "Knight of the many
+colors! thou hast jousted well; now make thee ready to joust with me."
+When Sir Gareth heard him, he took a great spear and met him swiftly.
+And the prince's spear broke off, but Sir Gareth smote him on the left
+side of the helm, so that he reeled here and there, and had fallen down
+had not his men recovered him. "By my faith," said King Arthur, "that
+knight of the many colors is a good knight. I pray thee, Sir Lancelot
+du Lake, encounter with him." "Lord," said Sir Lancelot, "by thy leave I
+will forbear. I find it in my heart to spare him at this time, for he
+hath done enough work for one day; and when a good knight doth so well
+it is no knightly part to hinder him from this honor. And peradventure
+his quarrel is here to-day, and he may be the best beloved of the Lady
+Lyones of all that be here; for I see well he paineth and forceth
+himself to do great deeds. Therefore, as for me, this day he shall have
+the honor; for though I were able to put him from it, I would not." "You
+speak well and truly," said the king.
+
+Then after the tilting, they drew swords, and there began a great
+tournament, and there Sir Lancelot did marvelous deeds of arms, for
+first he fought with both Sir Tristram and Sir Carados, albeit they were
+the most perilous in all the world. Then came Sir Gareth and put them
+asunder, but would not smite a stroke against Sir Lancelot, for by him
+he had been knighted. Anon Sir Gareth's helm had need of mending, and he
+rode aside to see to it and to drink water, for he was sore athirst with
+all his mighty feats of strength. And while he drank, his dwarf said to
+him, "Give me your ring, lest ye lose it while ye drink." So Sir Gareth
+took it off. And when he had finished drinking, he rode back eagerly to
+the field, and in his haste forgot to take the ring again. Then all the
+people saw that he wore yellow armor. And King Arthur told a herald,
+"Ride and espy the cognizance of that brave knight, for I have asked
+many who he is, and none can tell me."
+
+Then the herald rode near, and saw written round about his helmet in
+letters of gold, "Sir Gareth of Orkney." And instantly the herald cried
+his name aloud, and all men pressed to see him.
+
+But when he saw he was discovered, he pushed with haste through all the
+crowd, and cried to his dwarf, "Boy, thou hast beguiled me foully in
+keeping my ring; give it me again, that I may be hidden." And as soon as
+he had put it on, his armor changed again, and no man knew where he had
+gone. Then he passed forth from the field; but Sir Gawain, his brother,
+rode after him.
+
+And when Sir Gareth had ridden far into the forest, he took off his
+ring, and sent it back by the dwarf to the Lady Lyones, praying her to
+be true and faithful to him while he was away.
+
+Then rode Sir Gareth long through the forest, till night fell, and
+coming to a castle he went up to the gate, and prayed the porter to let
+him in. But churlishly he answered "that he should not lodge there."
+Then said Sir Gareth, "Tell thy lord and lady that I am a knight of King
+Arthur's court, and for his sake I pray their shelter." With that the
+porter went to the duchess who owned the castle. "Let him in
+straightway," cried she; "for the king's sake he shall not be
+harborless!" and went down to receive him. When Sir Gareth saw her
+coming, he saluted her, and said, "Fair lady, I pray you give me shelter
+for this night, and if there be here any champion or giant with whom I
+must needs fight, spare me till to-morrow, when I and my horse shall
+have rested, for we are full weary." "Sir knight," she said, "thou
+speakest boldly; for the lord of this castle is a foe to King Arthur and
+his court, and if thou wilt rest here to-night thou must agree, that
+wheresoever thou mayest meet my lord, thou must yield to him as a
+prisoner." "What is thy lord's name, lady?" said Sir Gareth. "The Duke
+de la Rowse," said she. "I will promise thee," said he, "to yield to
+him, if he promise to do me no harm; but if he refuse, I will release
+myself with my sword and spear."
+
+"It is well," said the duchess; and commanded the drawbridge to be let
+down. So he rode into the hall and alighted. And when he had taken off
+his armor, the duchess and her ladies made him passing good cheer. And
+after supper his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested that
+night. On the morrow he rose and heard mass, and having broken his fast,
+took his leave and departed.
+
+And as he rode past a certain mountain there met him a knight named Sir
+Bendelaine, and cried unto him, "Thou shalt not pass unless thou joust
+with me or be my prisoner!" "Then will we joust," replied Sir Gareth. So
+they let their horses run at full speed, and Sir Gareth smote Sir
+Bendelaine through his body so sorely that he scarcely reached his
+castle ere he fell dead. And as Sir Gareth presently came by the castle,
+Sir Bendelaine's knights and servants rode out to revenge their lord.
+And twenty of them fell on him at once, although his spear was broken.
+But drawing his sword he put his shield before him. And though they
+brake their spears upon him, one and all, and sorely pressed on him, yet
+ever he defended himself like a noble knight. Anon, finding they could
+not overcome him, they agreed to slay his horse; and having killed it
+with their spears, they set upon Sir Gareth as he fought on foot. But
+every one he struck he slew, and drave at them with fearful blows, till
+he had slain them all but four, who fled. Then taking the horse of one
+of those that lay there dead, he rode upon his way.
+
+Anon he came to another castle and heard from within a sound as of many
+women moaning and weeping. Then said he to a page who stood without,
+"What noise is this I hear?" "Sir knight," said he, "there be within
+thirty ladies, the widows of thirty knights who have been slain by the
+lord of this castle. He is called the Brown Knight without pity, and is
+the most perilous knight living, wherefore I warn thee to flee." "That
+will I never do," said Sir Gareth, "for I fear him not." Then the page
+saw the Brown Knight coming and said to Gareth, "Lo! my lord is near."
+
+So both knights made them ready and galloped their horses towards each
+other, and the Brown Knight brake his spear upon Sir Gareth's shield;
+but Sir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fell dead. At that
+he rode into the castle and told the ladies he had slain their foe. Then
+were they right glad of heart and made him all the cheer they could,
+and thanked him out of measure. But on the morrow as he went to mass he
+found the ladies weeping in the chapel upon divers tombs that were
+there. And he knew that in those tombs their husbands lay. Then he bade
+them be comforted, and with noble and high words he desired and prayed
+them all to be at Arthur's court on the next Feast of Pentecost.
+
+So he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight
+waiting, who said to him, "Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!" "How
+are ye named?" said Sir Gareth. "I am the Duke de la Rowse," answered
+he. "In good sooth," then said Sir Gareth, "not long ago I lodged within
+your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might
+meet." "Art thou that proud knight," said the duke, "who was ready to
+fight with me? Guard thyself therefore and make ready." So they ran
+together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke from his horse. Then they
+alighted and drew their swords, and fought full sorely for the space of
+an hour; and at the last Sir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and
+would have slain him, but he yielded. "Then must ye go," said Sir
+Gareth, "to my lord King Arthur at the next Feast of Pentecost and say
+that I, Sir Gareth, sent ye." "As ye will be it," said the duke; and
+gave him up his shield for pledge.
+
+And as Sir Gareth rode alone he saw an armed knight coming towards him.
+And putting the duke's shield before him he rode fast to tilt with him;
+and so they ran together as it had been thunder, and brake their spears
+upon each other. Then fought they fiercely with their swords, and lashed
+together with such mighty strokes that blood ran to the ground on every
+side. And after they had fought together for two hours and more, it
+chanced the damsel Linet passed that way; and when she saw them, she
+cried out, "Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, leave your fighting, for ye are
+brethren!" At that they threw away their shields and swords, and took
+each other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they could speak.
+And each gave to the other the honor of the battle, and there was many a
+kind word between them. Then said Sir Gawain, "O my brother, for your
+sake have I had great sorrow and labor! But truly I would honor you
+though ye were not my brother, for ye have done great worship to King
+Arthur and his court, and sent more knights to him than any of the Table
+Round, except Sir Lancelot."
+
+Then the damsel Linet staunched their wounds, and their horses being
+weary she rode her palfrey to King Arthur and told him of this strange
+adventure. When she had told her tidings, the king himself mounted his
+horse and bade all come with him to meet them. So a great company of
+lords and ladies went forth to meet the brothers. And when King Arthur
+saw them he would have spoken hearty words, but for gladness he could
+not. And both Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth fell down at their uncle's knees
+and did him homage, and there was passing great joy and gladness among
+them all.
+
+Then said the king to the damsel Linet, "Why cometh not the Lady Lyones
+to visit her knight, Sir Gareth, who hath had such travail for her
+love?" "She knoweth not, my lord, that he is here," replied the damsel,
+"for truly she desireth greatly to see him." "Go ye and bring her
+hither," said the king. So the damsel rode to tell her sister where Sir
+Gareth was, and when she heard it she rejoiced full heartily and came
+with all the speed she could. And when Sir Gareth saw her, there was
+great joy and comfort between them.
+
+Then the king asked Sir Gareth whether he would have that lady for his
+wife? "My lord," replied Sir Gareth, "know well that I love her above
+all ladies living." "Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
+"Most noble king," she answered, "my lord, Sir Gareth, is my first love
+and shall be my last, and if I may not have him for my husband I will
+have none." Then said the king to them, "Be well assured that for my
+crown I would not be the cause of parting your two hearts."
+
+Then was high preparation made for the marriage, for the king desired it
+should be at the Michaelmas next following, at Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea.
+
+So Sir Gareth sent out messages to all the knights whom he had overcome
+in battle that they should be there upon his marriage-day.
+
+Therefore, at the next Michaelmas, came a goodly company to
+Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea. And there did the Archbishop of Canterbury marry
+Sir Gareth and the Lady Lyones with all solemnity. And all the knights
+whom Sir Gareth had overcome were at the feast; and every manner of
+revels and games was held with music and minstrelsy. And there was a
+great jousting for three days. But because of his bride the king would
+not suffer Sir Gareth to joust. Then did King Arthur give great lands
+and fair, with store of gold, to Sir Gareth and his wife, that so they
+might live royally together to their lives' end.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM
+
+
+Again King Arthur held high festival at Caerleon, at Pentecost, and
+gathered round him all the fellowship of the Round Table, and so,
+according to his custom, sat and waited till some adventure should
+arise, or some knight return to court whose deeds and perils might be
+told.
+
+Anon he saw Sir Lancelot and a crowd of knights coming through the doors
+and leading in their midst the mighty knight, Sir Tristram. As soon as
+King Arthur saw him, he rose up and went through half the hall, and held
+out both his hands and cried, "Right welcome to thee, good Sir Tristram,
+as welcome art thou as any knight that ever came before into this court.
+A long time have I wished for thee amongst my fellowship." Then all the
+knights and barons rose up with one accord and came around, and cried
+out, "Welcome." Queen Guinevere came also, and many ladies with her, and
+all with one voice said the same.
+
+Then the king took Sir Tristram by the hand and led him to the Round
+Table and said, "Welcome again for one of the best and gentlest knights
+in all the world; a chief in war, a chief in peace, a chief in field and
+forest, a chief in the ladies' chamber--right heartily welcome to this
+court, and mayest thou long abide in it."
+
+When he had so said he looked at every empty seat until he came to what
+had been Sir Marhaus', and there he found written in gold letters, "This
+is the seat of the noble knight, Sir Tristram." Whereat they made him,
+with great cheer and gladness, a Fellow of the Round Table.
+
+Now the story of Sir Tristram was as follows:--
+
+There was a king of Lyonesse, named Meliodas, married to the sister of
+King Mark of Cornwall, a right fair lady and a good. And so it happened
+that King Meliodas hunting in the woods was taken by enchantment and
+made prisoner in a castle. When his wife Elizabeth heard it she was nigh
+mad with grief, and ran into the forest to seek out her lord. But after
+many days of wandering and sorrow she found no trace of him, and laid
+her down in a deep valley and prayed to meet her death. And so indeed
+she did, but ere she died she gave birth in the midst of all her sorrow
+to child, a boy, and called him with her latest breath Tristram; for she
+said, "His name shall show how sadly he hath come into this world."
+
+Therewith she gave up her ghost, and the gentlewoman who was with her
+took the child and wrapped it from the cold as well as she was able, and
+lay down with it in her arms beneath the shadow of a tree hard by,
+expecting death to come to her in turn.
+
+But shortly after came a company of lords and barons seeking for the
+queen, and found the lady and the child and took them home. And on the
+next day came King Meliodas, whom Merlin had delivered, and when he
+heard of the queen's death his sorrow was greater than tongue can tell.
+And anon he buried her solemnly and nobly, and called the child Tristram
+as she had desired.
+
+Then for seven years King Meliodas mourned and took no comfort, and all
+that time young Tristram was well nourished; but in a while he wedded
+with the daughter of Howell, King of Brittany, who, that her own
+children might enjoy the kingdom, cast about in her mind how she might
+destroy Tristram. So on a certain day she put poison in a silver cup,
+where Tristram and her children were together playing, that when he was
+athirst he might drink of it and die. But so it happened that her own
+son saw the cup, and, thinking it must hold good drink, he climbed and
+took it, and drank deeply of it, and suddenly thereafter burst and fell
+down dead.
+
+When the queen heard that, her grief was very great, but her anger and
+envy were fiercer than before, and soon again she put more poison in the
+cup. And by chance one day her husband finding it when thirsty, took it
+up and was about to drink therefrom, when, seeing him, she sprang up
+with a mighty cry and dashed it from his hands.
+
+At that King Meliodas, wondering greatly, called to mind the sudden
+death of his young child, and taking her fiercely by the hand he cried:
+
+"Traitress, tell me what drink is in this cup or I will slay thee in a
+moment;" and therewith pulling out his sword he swore by a great oath
+to slay her if she straightway told him not the truth.
+
+"Ah, mercy, lord," said she, and fell down at his feet; "mercy, and I
+will tell thee all."
+
+And then she told him of her plot to murder Tristram, so that her own
+sons might enjoy the kingdom.
+
+"The law shall judge thee," said the king.
+
+And so anon she was tried before the barons, and condemned to be burnt
+to death.
+
+But when the fire was made, and she brought out, came Tristram kneeling
+at his father's feet and besought of him a favor.
+
+"Whatsoever thou desirest I will give thee," said the king.
+
+"Give me the life, then, of the queen, my step-mother," said he.
+
+"Thou doest wrong to ask it," said Meliodas; "for she would have slain
+thee with her poisons if she could, and chiefly for thy sake she ought
+to die."
+
+"Sir," said he, "as for that, I beseech thee of thy mercy to forgive it
+her, and for my part may God pardon her as I do; and so I pray thee
+grant me my boon, and for God's sake hold thee to thy promise."
+
+"If it must be so," said the king, "take thou her life, for to thee I
+give it, and go and do with her as thou wilt."
+
+Then went young Tristram to the fire and loosed the queen from all her
+bonds and delivered her from death.
+
+And after a great while by his good means the king again forgave and
+lived in peace with her, though never more in the same lodgings.
+
+Anon was Tristram sent abroad to France in care of one named Governale.
+And there for seven years he learned the language of the land, and all
+knightly exercises and gentle crafts, and especially was he foremost in
+music and in hunting, and was a harper beyond all others. And when at
+nineteen years of age he came back to his father, he was as lusty and
+strong of body and as noble of heart as ever man was seen.
+
+Now shortly after his return it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent
+to King Mark of Cornwall for the tribute due to Ireland, but which was
+now seven years behindhand. To whom King Mark sent answer, if he would
+have it he must send and fight for it, and they would find a champion to
+fight against it.
+
+So King Anguish called for Sir Marhaus, his wife's brother, a good
+knight of the Round Table, who lived then at his court, and sent him
+with a knightly retinue in six great ships to Cornwall. And, casting
+anchor by the castle of Tintagil, he sent up daily to King Mark for the
+tribute or the champion. But no knight there would venture to assail
+him, for his fame was very high in all the realm for strength and
+hardihood.
+
+Then made King Mark a proclamation throughout Cornwall, that if any
+knight would fight Sir Marhaus he should stand at the king's right hand
+forevermore, and have great honor and riches all the rest of his days.
+Anon this news came to the land of Lyonesse, and when young Tristram
+heard it he was angry and ashamed to think no knight of Cornwall durst
+assail the Irish champion. "Alas," said he, "that I am not a knight,
+that I might match this Marhaus! I pray you give me leave, sir, to
+depart to King Mark's court and beg him of his grace to make me knight."
+
+"Be ruled by thy own courage," said his father.
+
+So Tristram rode away forthwith to Tintagil to King Mark, and went up
+boldly to him and said, "Sir, give me the order of knighthood and I will
+fight to the uttermost with Sir Marhaus of Ireland."
+
+"What are ye, and whence come ye?" said the king, seeing he was but a
+young man, though strong and well made both in body and limb.
+
+"My name is Tristram," said he, "and I was born in the country of
+Lyonesse."
+
+"But know ye," said the king, "this Irish knight will fight with none
+who be not come of royal blood and near of kin to kings or queens, as he
+himself is, for his sister is the Queen of Ireland."
+
+Then said Tristram, "Let him know that I am come both on my father's and
+my mother's side of blood as good as his, for my father is King Meliodas
+and my mother was that Queen Elizabeth, thy sister, who died in the
+forest at my birth."
+
+When King Mark heard that he welcomed him with all his heart, and
+knighted him forthwith, and made him ready to go forth as soon as he
+would choose, and armed him royally in armor covered with gold and
+silver.
+
+Then he sent Sir Marhaus word, "That a better man than he should fight
+with him, Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, son of King Meliodas and of King
+Mark's own sister." So the battle was ordained to be fought in an island
+near Sir Marhaus' ships, and there Sir Tristram landed on the morrow,
+with Governale alone attending him for squire, and him he sent back to
+the land when he had made himself ready.
+
+When Sir Marhaus and Sir Tristram were thus left alone, Sir Marhaus
+said, "Young knight Sir Tristram, what doest thou here? I am full sorry
+for thy rashness, for ofttimes have I been assailed in vain, and by the
+best knights of the world. Be warned in time, return to them that sent
+thee."
+
+"Fair knight, and well-proved knight," replied Sir Tristram, "be sure
+that I shall never quit this quarrel till one of us be overcome. For
+this cause have I been made knight, and thou shalt know before we part
+that though as yet unproved, I am a king's son and firstborn of a queen.
+Moreover I have promised to deliver Cornwall from this ancient burden,
+or to die. Also, thou shouldst have known, Sir Marhaus, that thy valor
+and thy might are but the better reasons why I should assail thee; for
+whether I win or lose I shall gain honor to have met so great a knight
+as thou art."
+
+Then they began the battle, and tilted at their hardest against each
+other, so that both knights and horses fell to the earth. But Sir
+Marhaus' spear smote Sir Tristram a great wound in the side. Then,
+springing up from their horses, they lashed together with their swords
+like two wild boars. And when they had stricken together a great while
+they left off strokes and lunged at one another's breasts and visors;
+but seeing this availed not they hurtled together again to bear each
+other down.
+
+Thus fought they more than half the day, till both were sorely spent and
+blood ran from them to the ground on every side. But by this time Sir
+Tristram remained fresher than Sir Marhaus and better winded, and with a
+mighty stroke he smote him such a buffet as cut through his helm into
+his brain-pan, and there his sword stuck in so fast that thrice Sir
+Tristram pulled ere he could get it from his head. Then fell Sir Marhaus
+down upon his knees, and the edge of Sir Tristram's sword broke off into
+his brain-pan. And suddenly when he seemed dead, Sir Marhaus rose and
+threw his sword and shield away from him and ran and fled into his ship.
+And Tristram cried out after him, "Aha! Sir knight of the Round Table,
+dost thou withdraw thee from so young a knight? it is a shame to thee
+and all thy kin; I would rather have been hewn into a hundred pieces
+than have fled from thee."
+
+But Sir Marhaus answered nothing, and sorely groaning fled away.
+
+"Farewell, Sir knight, farewell," laughed Tristram, whose own voice now
+was hoarse and faint with loss of blood; "I have thy sword and shield in
+my safe keeping, and will wear them in all places where I ride on my
+adventures, and before King Arthur and the Table Round."
+
+Then was Sir Marhaus taken back to Ireland by his company; and as soon
+as he arrived his wounds were searched, and when they searched his head
+they found therein a piece of Tristram's sword; but all the skill of
+surgeons was in vain to move it out. So anon Sir Marhaus died.
+
+But the queen, his sister, took the piece of sword-blade and put it
+safely by, for she thought that some day it might help her to revenge
+her brother's death.
+
+Meanwhile, Sir Tristram, being sorely wounded, sat down softly on a
+little mound and bled passing fast; and in that evil case was found anon
+by Governale and King Mark's knights. Then they gently took him up and
+brought him in a barge back to the land, and lifted him into a bed
+within the castle, and had his wounds dressed carefully.
+
+But for a great while he lay sick, and was likely to have died of the
+first stroke Sir Marhaus had given him with the spear, for the point of
+it was poisoned. And, though the wisest surgeons and leeches--both men
+and women--came from every part, yet could he be by no means cured. At
+last came a wise lady, and said plainly that Sir Tristram never should
+be healed, until he went and stayed in that same country when the poison
+came. When this was understood, the king sent Sir Tristram in a fair and
+goodly ship to Ireland, and by fortune he arrived fast by a castle where
+the king and queen were. And as the ship was being anchored, he sat upon
+his bed and harped a merry lay, and made so sweet a music as was never
+equaled.
+
+When the king heard that the sweet harper was a wounded knight, he sent
+for him, and asked his name. "I am of the country of Lyonesse," he
+answered, "and my name is Tramtrist;" for he dared not tell his true
+name lest the vengeance of the queen should fall upon him for her
+brother's death.
+
+"Well," said King Anguish, "thou art right welcome here, and shalt have
+all the help this land can give thee; but be not anxious if I am at
+times cast down and sad, for but lately in Cornwall the best knight in
+the world, fighting for my cause, was slain; his name was Sir Marhaus, a
+knight of King Arthur's Round Table." And then he told Sir Tristram all
+the story of Sir Marhaus' battle, and Sir Tristram made pretense of
+great surprise and sorrow, though he knew all far better than the king
+himself.
+
+Then was he put in charge of the king's daughter, La Belle Isault, to be
+healed of his wound, and she was as fair and noble a lady as men's eyes
+might see. And so marvelously was she skilled in medicine, that in a few
+days she fully cured him; and in return Sir Tramtrist taught her the
+harp; so, before long, they two began to love each other greatly.
+
+But at that time a heathen knight, Sir Palomedes, was in Ireland, and
+much cherished by the king and queen. He also loved mightily La Belle
+Isault, and never wearied of making her great gifts, and seeking for her
+favor, and was ready even to be christened for her sake. Sir Tramtrist
+therefore hated him out of measure, and Sir Palomedes was full of rage
+and envy against Tramtrist.
+
+And so it befell that King Anguish proclaimed a great tournament to be
+held, the prize whereof should be a lady called the Lady of the Launds,
+of near kindred to the king: and her the winner of the tournament should
+wed in three days afterwards, and possess all her lands. When La Belle
+Isault told Sir Tramtrist of this tournament, he said, "Fair lady! I am
+yet a feeble knight, and but for thee had been a dead man now: what
+wouldest thou I should do? Thou knowest well I may not joust."
+
+"Ah, Tramtrist," said she, "why wilt thou not fight in this tournament?
+Sir Palomedes will be there, and will do his mightiest; and therefore be
+thou there, I pray thee, or else he will be winner of the prize."
+
+"Madam," said Tramtrist, "I will go, and for thy sake will do my best;
+but let me go unknown to all men; and do thou, I pray thee, keep my
+counsel, and help me to a disguise."
+
+So on the day of jousting came Sir Palomedes, with a black shield, and
+overthrew many knights. And all the people wondered at his prowess; for
+on the first day he put to the worse Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, Sir
+Agravaine, Sir Key, and many more from far and near. And on the morrow
+he was conqueror again, and overthrew the king with a hundred knights
+and the King of Scotland. But presently Sir Tramtrist rode up to the
+lists, having been let out at a privy postern of the castle, where none
+could see. La Belle Isault had dressed him in white armor and given him
+a white horse and shield, and so he came suddenly into the field as it
+had been a bright angel.
+
+As soon as Sir Palomedes saw him he ran at him with a great spear in
+rest, but Sir Tramtrist was ready, and at the first encounter hurled him
+to the ground. Then there arose a great cry that the knight with the
+black shield was overthrown. And Palomedes, sorely hurt and shamed,
+sought out a secret way and would have left the field; but Tramtrist
+watched him, and rode after him, and bade him stay, for he had not yet
+done with him. Then did Sir Palomedes turn with fury, and lash at Sir
+Tramtrist with his sword; but at the first stroke Sir Tramtrist smote
+him to the earth, and cried, "Do now all my commands, or take thy
+death." Then he yielded to Sir Tristram's mercy, and promised to forsake
+La Belle Isault, and for twelve months to wear no arms or armor. And
+rising up, he cut his armor off him into shreds with rage and madness,
+and turned and left the field: and Sir Tramtrist also left the lists,
+and rode back to the castle through the postern gate.
+
+Then was Sir Tramtrist long cherished by the King and Queen of Ireland,
+and ever with La Belle Isault. But on a certain day, while he was
+bathing, came the queen with La Belle Isault by chance into his chamber,
+and saw his sword lie naked on the bed: anon she drew it from the
+scabbard and looked at it a long while, and both thought it a passing
+fair sword; but within a foot and a half of the end there was a great
+piece broken out, and while the queen was looking at the gap, she
+suddenly remembered the piece of sword-blade that was found in the
+brain-pan of her brother Sir Marhaus.
+
+Therewith she turned and cried, "By my faith, this is the felon knight
+who slew thy uncle!" And running to her chamber she sought in her casket
+for the piece of iron from Sir Marhaus' head and brought it back, and
+fitted it in Tristram's sword; and surely did it fit therein as closely
+as it had been but yesterday broke out.
+
+Then the queen caught the sword up fiercely in her hand, and ran into
+the room where Sir Tristram was yet in his bath, and making straight for
+him, had run him through the body, had not his squire, Sir Hebes, got
+her in his arms, and pulled the sword away from her.
+
+Then ran she to the king, and fell upon her knees before him, saying,
+"Lord and husband, thou hast here in thy house that felon knight who
+slew my brother Marhaus!"
+
+"Who is it?" said the king.
+
+"It is Sir Tramtrist!" said she, "whom Isault hath healed."
+
+"Alas!" replied the king, "I am full grieved thereat, for he is a good
+knight as ever I have seen in any field; but I charge thee leave thou
+him, and let me deal with him."
+
+Then the king went to Sir Tramtrist's chamber and found him all armed
+and ready to mount his horse, and said to him, "Sir Tramtrist, it is not
+to prove me against thee I come, for it were shameful of thy host to
+seek thy life. Depart in peace, but tell me first thy name, and whether
+thou slewest my brother, Sir Marhaus."
+
+Then Sir Tristram told him all the truth, and how he had hid his name,
+to be unknown in Ireland; and when he had ended, the king declared he
+held him in no blame. "Howbeit, I cannot for mine honor's sake retain
+thee at this court, for so I should displease my barons, and my wife,
+and all her kin."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I thank thee for the goodness thou hast shown
+me here, and for the great goodness my lady, thy daughter, hath shown
+me; and it may chance to be more for thy advantage if I live than if I
+die; for wheresoever I may be, I shall ever seek thy service, and shall
+be my lady thy daughter's servant in all places, and her knight in right
+and wrong, and shall never fail to do for her as much as knight can do."
+
+Then Sir Tristram went to La Belle Isault, and took his leave of her. "O
+gentle knight," said she, "full of grief am I at your departing, for
+never yet I saw a man to love so well."
+
+"Madam," said he, "I promise faithfully that all my life I shall be your
+knight."
+
+Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and after
+that he left her, weeping and lamenting, and went among the barons, and
+openly took his leave of them all, saying, "Fair lords, it so befalleth
+that I now must depart hence; therefore, if there be any here whom I
+have offended or who is grieved with me, let him now say it, and before
+I go I will amend it to the utmost of my power. And if there be but one
+who would speak shame of me behind my back, let him say it now or never,
+and here is my body to prove it on--body against body."
+
+And all stood still and said no word, though some there were of the
+queen's kindred who would have assailed him had they dared.
+
+So Sir Tristram departed from Ireland and took the sea and came with a
+fair wind to Tintagil. And when the news came to King Mark that Sir
+Tristram was returned, healed of his wound, he was passing glad, and so
+were all his barons. And when he had visited the king his uncle, he rode
+to his father, King Meliodas, and there had all the heartiest welcome
+that could be made him. And both the king and queen gave largely to him
+of their lands and goods.
+
+Anon he came again to King Mark's court, and there lived in great joy
+and pleasure, till within a while the king grew jealous of his fame, and
+of the love and favor shown him by all damsels. And as long as King Mark
+lived, he never after loved Sir Tristram, though there was much fair
+speech between them.
+
+Then it befell upon a certain day that the good knight Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, brother to Sir Blamor de Ganis, and nigh cousin to Sir Lancelot
+of the Lake, came to King Mark's court and asked of him a favor. And
+though the king marveled, seeing he was a man of great renown, and a
+knight of the Round Table, he granted him all his asking. Then said Sir
+Bleoberis, "I will have the fairest lady in your court, at my own
+choosing."
+
+"I may not say thee nay," replied the king; "choose therefore, but take
+all the issues of thy choice."
+
+So when he had looked around, he chose the wife of Earl Segwarides, and
+took her by the hand, and set her upon horseback behind his squire, and
+rode forth on his way.
+
+Presently thereafter came in the earl, and rode out straightway after
+him in rage. But all the ladies cried out shame upon Sir Tristram that
+he had not gone, and one rebuked him foully and called him coward
+knight, that he would stand and see a lady forced away from his uncle's
+court. But Sir Tristram answered her, "Fair lady, it is not my place to
+take part in this quarrel while her lord and husband is here to do it.
+Had he not been at this court, peradventure I had been her champion. And
+if it so befall that he speed ill, then may it happen that I speak with
+that foul knight before he pass out of this realm."
+
+Anon ran in one of Sir Segwarides' squires, and told that his master was
+sore wounded, and at the point of death. When Sir Tristram heard that,
+he was soon armed and on his horse, and Governale, his servant, followed
+him with shield and spear.
+
+And as he rode, he met his cousin Sir Andret, who had been commanded by
+King Mark to bring home to him two knights of King Arthur's court who
+roamed the country thereabouts seeking adventures.
+
+"What tidings?" said Sir Tristram.
+
+"God help me, never worse," replied his cousin; "for those I went to
+bring have beaten and defeated me, and set my message at naught."
+
+"Fair cousin," said Sir Tristram, "ride ye on your way, perchance if I
+should meet them ye may be revenged."
+
+So Sir Andret rode into Cornwall, but Sir Tristram rode after the two
+knights who had misused him, namely, Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Sir
+Dodinas le Savage. And before long he saw them but a little way before
+him.
+
+"Sir," said Governale, "by my advice thou wilt leave them alone, for
+they be two well-proved knights of Arthur's court."
+
+"Shall I not therefore rather meet them!" said Sir Tristram, and, riding
+swiftly after them, he called to them to stop, and asked them whence
+they came, and whither they were going, and what they were doing in
+those marches.
+
+Sir Sagramour looked haughtily at Sir Tristram, and made mocking of his
+words, and said, "Fair knight, be ye a knight of Cornwall?"
+
+"Wherefore askest thou that?" said Tristram.
+
+"Truly, because it is full seldom seen," replied Sir Sagramour, "that
+Cornish knights are valiant with their arms as with their tongues. It is
+but two hours since there met us such a Cornish knight, who spoke great
+words with might and prowess, but anon, with little mastery, he was laid
+on earth, as I trow wilt thou be also."
+
+"Fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it may chance I be a better man than
+he; but, be that as it may, he was my cousin, and for his sake I will
+assail ye both; one Cornish knight against ye two."
+
+When Sir Dodinas le Savage heard this speech, he caught at his spear and
+said, "Sir knight, keep well thyself;" and then they parted and came
+together as it had been thunder, and Sir Dodinas' spear split asunder;
+but Sir Tristram smote him with so full a stroke as hurled him over his
+horse's crupper, and nearly brake his neck. Sir Sagramour, seeing his
+fellow's fall, marveled who this new knight be, and dressed his spear,
+and came against Sir Tristram as a whirlwind; but Sir Tristram smote him
+a mighty buffet, and rolled him with his horse down on the ground; and
+in the falling he brake his thigh.
+
+Then, looking at them both as they lay groveling on the grass, Sir
+Tristram said, "Fair knights, will ye joust any more? Are there no
+bigger knights in King Arthur's court? Will ye soon again speak shame of
+Cornish knights?"
+
+"Thou hast defeated us, in truth," replied Sir Sagramour, "and on the
+faith of knighthood I require thee tell us thy right name?"
+
+"Ye charge me by a great thing," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer
+ye."
+
+And when they heard his name the two knights were right glad that they
+had met Sir Tristram, for his deeds were known through all the land, and
+they prayed him to abide in their company.
+
+"Nay," said he, "I must find a fellow-knight of yours, Sir Bleoberis de
+Ganis, whom I seek."
+
+"God speed you well," said the two knights; and Sir Tristram rode away.
+
+Soon he saw before him in a valley Sir Bleoberis with Sir Segwarides'
+wife riding behind his squire upon a palfrey. At that he cried out
+aloud, "Abide, Sir knight of King Arthur's court, bring back again that
+lady or deliver her to me."
+
+"I will not," said Bleoberis, "for I dread no Cornish knight."
+
+"Why," said Sir Tristram, "may not a Cornish knight do well as any
+other? This day, but three miles back, two knights of thy own court met
+me, and found one Cornish knight enough for both before we parted."
+
+"What were their names?" said Sir Bleoberis.
+
+"Sir Sagramour le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage," said Sir
+Tristram.
+
+"Ah," said Sir Bleoberis, amazed; "hast thou then met with them? By my
+faith, they were two good knights and men of worship, and if thou hast
+beat both thou must needs be a good knight; but for all that, thou shalt
+beat me also ere thou hast this lady."
+
+"Defend thee, then," cried out Sir Tristram, and came upon him swiftly
+with his spear in rest. But Sir Bleoberis was as swift as he, and each
+bore down the other, horse and all, on to the earth.
+
+Then they sprang clear of their horses, and lashed together full eagerly
+and mightily with their swords, tracing and traversing on the right hand
+and on the left more than two hours, and sometimes rushing together with
+such fury that they both lay groveling on the ground. At last Sir
+Bleoberis started back and said, "Now, gentle knight, hold hard awhile,
+and let us speak together."
+
+"Say on," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer thee."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I would know thy name, and court, and
+country."
+
+"I have no shame to tell them," said Sir Tristram. "I am King Meliodas'
+son, and my mother was sister to King Mark, from whose court I now come.
+My name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Truly," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am right glad to hear it, for thou art
+he that slew Sir Marhaus hand-to-hand, fighting for the Cornish tribute;
+and overcame Sir Palomedes at the great Irish tournament, where also
+thou didst overthrow Sir Gawain and his nine companions."
+
+"I am that knight," said Sir Tristram, "and now I pray thee tell me thy
+name."
+
+"I am Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, cousin of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, one of
+the best knights in all the world," he answered.
+
+"Thou sayest truth," said Sir Tristram; "for Sir Lancelot, as all men
+know, is peerless in courtesy and knighthood, and for the great love I
+bear to his name I will not willingly fight more with thee his
+kinsman."
+
+"In good faith, sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am as loth to fight thee
+more; but since thou hast followed me to win this lady, I proffer thee
+kindness, courtesy, and gentleness; this lady shall be free to go with
+which of us she pleaseth best."
+
+"I am content," said Sir Tristram, "for I doubt not she will come to
+me."
+
+"That shalt thou shortly prove," said he, and called his squire, and set
+the lady in the midst between them, who forthwith walked to Sir
+Bleoberis and elected to abide with him. Which, when Sir Tristram saw,
+he was in wondrous anger with her, and felt that he could scarce for
+shame return to King Mark's court. But Sir Bleoberis said, "Hearken to
+me, good knight, Sir Tristram, because King Mark gave me free choice of
+any gift, and because this lady chose to go with me, I took her; but now
+I have fulfilled my quest and my adventure, and for thy sake she shall
+be sent back to her husband at the abbey where he lieth."
+
+So Sir Tristram rode back to Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis to the abbey
+where Sir Segwarides lay wounded, and there delivered up his lady, and
+departed as a noble knight.
+
+After this adventure Sir Tristram abode still at his uncle's court, till
+in the envy of his heart King Mark devised a plan to be rid of him. So
+on a certain day he desired him to depart again for Ireland, and there
+demand La Belle Isault on his behalf, to be his queen--forever had Sir
+Tristram praised her beauty and her goodness, till King Mark desired to
+wed her for himself. Moreover, he believed his nephew surely would be
+slain by the queen's kindred if he once were found again in Ireland.
+
+But Sir Tristram, scorning fear, made ready to depart, and took with him
+the noblest knights that could be found, arrayed in the richest fashion.
+
+And when they were come to Ireland, upon a certain day Sir Tristram gave
+his uncle's message, and King Anguish consented thereto.
+
+But when La Belle Isault was told the tidings she was very sorrowful and
+loth--yet made she ready to set forth with Sir Tristram, and took with
+her Dame Bragwaine, her chief gentlewoman. Then the queen gave Dame
+Bragwaine, and Governale, Sir Tristram's servant, a little flask, and
+charged them that La Belle Isault and King Mark should both drink of it
+on their marriage day, and then should they surely love each other all
+their lives.
+
+Anon, Sir Tristram and Isault, with a great company, took the sea and
+departed. And so it chanced that one day sitting in their cabin they
+were athirst, and saw a little flask of gold which seemed to hold good
+wine. So Sir Tristram took it up, and said, "Fair lady, this looketh to
+be the best of wines, and your maid, Dame Bragwaine, and my servant,
+Governale, have kept it for themselves." Thereat they both laughed
+merrily, and drank each after other from the flask, and never before had
+they tasted any wine which seemed so good and sweet. But by the time
+they had finished drinking they loved each other so well that their
+love nevermore might leave them for weal or woe. And thus it came to
+pass that though Sir Tristram might never wed La Belle Isault, he did
+the mightiest deeds of arms for her sake only all his life.
+
+Then they sailed onwards till they came to a castle called Pluere, where
+they would have rested. But anon there ran forth a great company and
+took them prisoners. And when they were in prison, Sir Tristram asked a
+knight and lady whom they found therein wherefore they were so
+shamefully dealt with; "for," said he, "it was never the custom of any
+place of honor that I ever came unto to seize a knight and lady asking
+shelter and thrust them into prison, and a full evil and discourteous
+custom is it."
+
+"Sir," said the knight, "know ye not that this is called the Castle
+Pluere, or the weeping castle, and that it is an ancient custom here
+that whatsoever knight abideth in it must needs fight the lord of it,
+Sir Brewnor, and he that is the weakest shall lose his head. And if the
+lady he hath with him be less fair than the lord's wife, she shall lose
+her head; but if she be fairer, then must the lady of the castle lose
+her head."
+
+"Now Heaven help me," said Sir Tristram, "but this is a foul and
+shameful custom. Yet have I one advantage, for my lady is the fairest
+that doth live in all the world, so that I nothing fear for her; and as
+for me, I will full gladly fight for my own head in a fair field."
+
+Then said the knight, "Look ye be up betimes to-morrow, and make you
+ready and your lady."
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Brewnor to Sir Tristram, and put him and
+Isault forth out of prison, and brought him a horse and armor, and bade
+him make ready, for all the commons and estates of that lordship waited
+in the field to see and judge the battle.
+
+Then Sir Brewnor, holding his lady by the hand, all muffled, came forth,
+and Sir Tristram went to meet him with La Belle Isault beside him,
+muffled also. Then said Sir Brewnor, "Sir knight, if thy lady be fairer
+than mine, with thy sword smite off my lady's head; but if my lady be
+fairer than thine, with my sword I will smite off thy lady's head. And
+if I overcome thee thy lady shall be mine, and thou shalt lose thy
+head."
+
+"Sir knight," replied Sir Tristram, "this is a right foul and felon
+custom, and rather than my lady shall lose her head will I lose my own."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Brewnor, "but the ladies shall be now compared together
+and judgment shall be had."
+
+"I consent not," cried Sir Tristram, "for who is here that will give
+rightful judgment? Yet doubt not that my lady is far fairer than thine
+own, and that will I prove and make good." Therewith Sir Tristram lifted
+up the veil from off La Belle Isault, and stood beside her with his
+naked sword drawn in his hand.
+
+Then Sir Brewnor unmuffled his lady and did in like manner. But when he
+saw La Belle Isault he knew that none could be so fair, and all there
+present gave their judgment so. Then said Sir Tristram, "Because thou
+and thy lady have long used this evil custom, and have slain many good
+knights and ladies, it were a just thing to destroy thee both."
+
+"In good sooth," said Sir Brewnor, "thy lady is fairer than mine, and of
+all women I never saw any so fair. Therefore, slay my lady if thou wilt,
+and I doubt not but I shall slay thee and have thine."
+
+"Thou shalt win her," said Sir Tristram, "as dearly as ever knight won
+lady; and because of thy own judgment and of the evil custom that thy
+lady hath consented to, I will slay her as thou sayest."
+
+And therewithal Sir Tristram went to him and took his lady from him, and
+smote off her head at a stroke.
+
+"Now take thy horse," cried out Sir Brewnor, "for since I have lost my
+lady I will win thine and have thy life."
+
+So they took their horses and came together as fast as they could fly,
+and Sir Tristram lightly smote Sir Brewnor from his horse. But he rose
+right quickly, and when Sir Tristram came again he thrust his horse
+through both the shoulders, so that it reeled and fell. But Sir Tristram
+was light and nimble, and voided his horse, and rose up and dressed his
+shield before him, though meanwhile, ere he could draw out his sword,
+Sir Brewnor gave him three or four grievous strokes. Then they rushed
+furiously together like two wild boars, and fought hurtling and hewing
+here and there for nigh two hours, and wounded each other full sorely.
+Then at the last Sir Brewnor rushed upon Sir Tristram and took him in
+his arms to throw him, for he trusted greatly in his strength. But Sir
+Tristram was at that time called the strongest and biggest knight of the
+world; for he was bigger than Sir Lancelot, though Sir Lancelot was
+better breathed. So anon he thrust Sir Brewnor groveling to the earth,
+and then unlaced his helm and struck off his head. Then all they that
+belonged to the castle came and did him homage and fealty, and prayed
+him to abide there for a season and put an end to that foul custom.
+
+But within a while he departed and came to Cornwall, and there King Mark
+was forthwith wedded to La Belle Isault with great joy and splendor.
+
+And Sir Tristram had high honor, and ever lodged at the king's court.
+But for all he had done him such services King Mark hated him, and on a
+certain day he set two knights to fall upon him as he rode in the
+forest. But Sir Tristram lightly smote one's head off, and sorely
+wounded the other, and made him bear his fellow's body to the king. At
+that the king dissembled and hid from Sir Tristram that the knights were
+sent by him; yet more than ever he hated him in secret, and sought to
+slay him.
+
+So on a certain day, by the assent of Sir Andret, a false knight, and
+forty other knights, Sir Tristram was taken prisoner in his sleep and
+carried to a chapel on the rocks above the sea to be cast down. But as
+they were about to cast him in, suddenly he brake his bonds asunder, and
+rushing at Sir Andret, took his sword and smote him down therewith.
+Then, leaping down the rocks where none could follow, he escaped them.
+But one shot after him and wounded him full sorely with a poisoned arrow
+in the arm.
+
+Anon, his servant Governale, with Sir Lambegus, sought him and found him
+safe among the rocks, and told him that King Mark had banished him and
+all his followers to avenge Sir Andret's death. So they took ship and
+came to Brittany.
+
+Now Sir Tristram, suffering great anguish from his wound, was told to
+seek Isoude, the daughter of the King of Brittany, for she alone could
+cure such wounds. Wherefore he went to King Howell's court, and said,
+"Lord, I am come into this country to have help from thy daughter, for
+men tell me none but she may help me." And Isoude gladly offering to do
+her best, within a month he was made whole.
+
+While he abode still at that court, an earl named Grip made war upon
+King Howell, and besieged him; and Sir Kay Hedius, the king's son, went
+forth against him, but was beaten in battle and sore wounded. Then the
+king praying Sir Tristram for his help, he took with him such knights as
+he could find, and on the morrow, in another battle, did such deeds of
+arms that all the land spake of him. For there he slew the earl with his
+own hands, and more than a hundred knights besides.
+
+When he came back King Howell met him, and saluted him with every honor
+and rejoicing that could be thought of, and took him in his arms, and
+said, "Sir Tristram, all my kingdom will I resign to thee."
+
+"Nay," answered he, "God forbid, for truly am I beholden to you forever
+for your daughter's sake."
+
+Then the king prayed him to take Isoude in marriage, with a great dower
+of lands and castles. To this Sir Tristram presently consenting anon
+they were wedded at the court.
+
+But within a while Sir Tristram greatly longed to see Cornwall, and Sir
+Kay Hedius desired to go with him. So they took ship; but as soon as
+they were at sea the wind blew them upon the coast of North Wales, nigh
+to Castle Perilous, hard by a forest wherein were many strange
+adventures ofttimes to be met. Then said Sir Tristram to Sir Kay Hedius,
+"Let us prove some of them ere we depart." So they took their horses and
+rode forth.
+
+When they had ridden a mile or more, Sir Tristram spied a goodly knight
+before him well armed, who sat by a clear fountain with a strong horse
+near him, tied to an oak-tree. "Fair sir," said he, when they came near,
+"ye seem to be a knight errant by your arms and harness, therefore make
+ready now to joust with one of us, or both."
+
+Thereat the knight spake not, but took his shield and buckled it round
+his neck, and leaping on his horse caught a spear from his squire's
+hand.
+
+Then said Sir Kay Hedius to Sir Tristram, "Let me assay him."
+
+"Do thy best," said he.
+
+So the two knights met, and Sir Kay Hedius fell sorely wounded in the
+breast.
+
+"Thou hast well jousted," cried Sir Tristram to the knight; "now make
+ready for me!"
+
+"I am ready," answered he, and encountered him, and smote him so heavily
+that he fell down from his horse. Whereat, being ashamed, he put his
+shield before him, and drew his sword, crying to the strange knight to
+do likewise. Then they fought on foot for well nigh two hours, till they
+were both weary.
+
+At last Sir Tristram said, "In all my life I never met a knight so
+strong and well-breathed as ye be. It were a pity we should further hurt
+each other. Hold thy hand, fair knight, and tell me thy name."
+
+"That will I," answered he, "if thou wilt tell me thine."
+
+"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"And mine, Sir Lamoracke of Gaul."
+
+Then both cried out together, "Well met;" and Sir Lamoracke said, "Sir
+for your great renown, I will that ye have all the worship of this
+battle, and therefore will I yield me unto you." And therewith he took
+his sword by the point to yield him.
+
+"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall not do so, for well I know ye do it
+of courtesy, and not of dread." And therewith he offered his sword to
+Sir Lamoracke, saying, "Sir, as an overcome knight, I yield me unto you
+as unto the man of noblest powers I have ever met with."
+
+"Hold," said Sir Lamoracke, "let us now swear together nevermore to
+fight against each other."
+
+Then did they swear as he said.
+
+Then Sir Tristram returned to Sir Kay Hedius, and when he was whole of
+his wounds, they departed together in a ship, and landed on the coast of
+Cornwall. And when they came ashore, Sir Tristram eagerly sought news of
+La Belle Isault. And one told him in mistake that she was dead. Whereat,
+for sore and grievous sorrow, he fell down in a swoon, and so lay for
+three days and nights.
+
+When he awoke therefrom he was crazed, and ran into the forest and abode
+there like a wild man many days; whereby he waxed lean and weak of body,
+and would have died, but that a hermit laid some meat beside him as he
+slept. Now in that forest was a giant named Tauleas, who, for fear of
+Tristram, had hid himself within a castle, but when they told him he was
+mad, came forth and went at large again. And on a certain day he saw a
+knight of Cornwall, named Sir Dinaunt, pass by with a lady, and when he
+had alighted by a well to rest, the giant leaped out from his ambush,
+and took him by the throat to slay him. But Sir Tristram, as he wandered
+through the forest, came upon them as they struggled; and when the
+knight cried out for help, he rushed upon the giant, and taking up Sir
+Dinaunt's sword, struck off therewith the giant's head, and straightway
+disappeared among the trees.
+
+Anon, Sir Dinaunt took the head of Tauleas, and bare it with him to the
+court of King Mark, whither he was bound, and told of his adventures.
+"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark.
+
+"At a fair fountain in thy forest," answered he.
+
+"I would fain see that wild man," said the king.
+
+So within a day or two he commanded his knights to a great hunting in
+the forest. And when the king came to the well, he saw a wild man lying
+there asleep, having a sword beside him; but he knew not that it was Sir
+Tristram. Then he blew his horn, and summoned all his knights to take
+him gently up and bear him to the court.
+
+And when they came thereto they bathed and washed him, and brought him
+somewhat to his right mind. Now La Belle Isault knew not that Sir
+Tristram was in Cornwall; but when she heard that a wild man had been
+found in the forest, she came to see him. And so sorely was he changed,
+she knew him not. "Yet," said she to Dame Bragwaine, "in good faith I
+seem to have beheld him ofttimes before."
+
+As she thus spoke a little hound, which Sir Tristram had given her when
+she first came to Cornwall, and which was ever with her, saw Sir
+Tristram lying there, and leapt upon him, licking his hands and face,
+and whined and barked for joy.
+
+"Alas," cried out La Belle Isault, "it is my own true knight, Sir
+Tristram."
+
+And at her voice Sir Tristram's senses wholly came again, and wellnigh
+he wept for joy to see his lady living.
+
+But never would the hound depart from Tristram; and when King Mark and
+other knights came up to see him, it sat upon his body and bayed at all
+who came too near. Then one of the knights said, "Surely this is Sir
+Tristram; I see it by the hound."
+
+"Nay," said the king, "it cannot be," and asked Sir Tristram on his
+faith who he was.
+
+"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, and now ye may do what
+ye list with me."
+
+Then the king said, "It repents me that ye are recovered," and sought to
+make his barons slay him. But most of them would not assent thereto, and
+counseled him instead to banish Tristram for ten years again from
+Cornwall, for returning without orders from the king. So he was sworn to
+depart forthwith.
+
+And as he went towards the ship a knight of King Arthur, named Sir
+Dinadan, who sought him, came and said, "Fair knight, ere that you pass
+out of this country, I pray you joust with me!"
+
+"With a good will," said he.
+
+Then they ran together, and Sir Tristram lightly smote him from his
+horse. Anon he prayed Sir Tristram's leave to bear him company, and when
+he had consented they rode together to the ship.
+
+Then was Sir Tristram full of bitterness of heart, and said to all the
+knights who took him to the shore, "Greet well King Mark and all mine
+enemies from me, and tell them I will come again when I may. Well am I
+now rewarded for slaying Sir Marhaus, and delivering this kingdom from
+its bondage, and for the perils wherewithal I brought La Belle Isault
+from Ireland to the king, and rescued her at the Castle Pluere, and for
+the slaying of the giant Tauleas, and all the other deeds that I have
+done for Cornwall and King Mark." Thus angrily and passing bitterly he
+spake, and went his way.
+
+And after sailing awhile the ship stayed at a landing-place upon the
+coast of Wales; and there Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan alighted, and on
+the shore they met two knights, Sir Ector and Sir Bors. And Sir Ector
+encountered with Sir Dinadan and smote him to the ground; but Sir Bors
+would not encounter with Sir Tristram, "For," said he, "no Cornish
+knights are men of worship." Thereat Sir Tristram was full wroth, but
+presently there met them two more knights, Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant;
+and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, who shortly
+smote him down.
+
+"I had not thought," cried out Sir Bors, "that any Cornish knight could
+do so valiantly."
+
+Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed, and rode into a forest, and
+as they rode a damsel met them, who for Sir Lancelot's sake was seeking
+any noble knights to rescue him. For Queen Morgan le Fay, who hated him,
+had ordered thirty men-at-arms to lie in ambush for him as he passed,
+with the intent to kill him. So the damsel prayed them to rescue him.
+
+Then said Sir Tristram, "Bring me to that place, fair damsel."
+
+But Sir Dinadan cried out, "It is not possible for us to meet with
+thirty knights! I will take no part in such a hardihood, for to match
+one or two or three knights is enough; but to match fifteen I will
+never assay."
+
+"For shame," replied Sir Tristram, "do but your part."
+
+"That will I not," said he; "wherefore, I pray ye, lend me your shield,
+for it is of Cornwall, and because men of that country are deemed
+cowards, ye are but little troubled as ye ride with knights to joust
+with."
+
+"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "I will never give my shield up for her sake
+who gave it me; but if thou wilt not stand by me to-day I will surely
+slay thee; for I ask no more of thee than to fight one knight, and if
+thy heart will not serve thee that much, thou shalt stand by and look on
+me and them."
+
+"Would God that I had never met with ye!" cried Sir Dinadan; "but I
+promise to look on and do all that I may to save myself."
+
+Anon they came to where the thirty knights lay waiting, and Sir Tristram
+rushed upon them, saying, "Here is one who fights for love of Lancelot!"
+Then slew he two of them at the first onset with his spear, and ten more
+swiftly after with his sword. At that Sir Dinadan took courage, and
+assailed the others with him, till they turned and fled.
+
+But Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode on till nightfall, and meeting
+with a shepherd, asked him if he knew of any lodging thereabouts.
+
+"Truly, fair lords," said he, "there is good lodging in a castle hard
+by, but it is a custom there that none shall lodge therein save ye first
+joust with two knights, and as soon as ye be within, ye shall find your
+match."
+
+"That is an evil lodging," said Sir Dinadan; "lodge where ye will, I
+will not lodge there."
+
+"Shame on thee!" said Sir Tristram; "art thou a knight at all?"
+
+Then he required him on his knighthood to go with him, and they rode
+together to the castle. As soon as they were near, two knights came out
+and ran full speed against them; but both of them they overthrew, and
+went within the castle, and had noble cheer. Now, when they were unarmed
+and ready to take rest, there came to the castle-gate two knights, Sir
+Palomedes and Sir Gaheris, and desired the custom of the castle.
+
+"I would far rather rest than fight," said Sir Dinadan.
+
+"That may not be," replied Sir Tristram, "for we must needs defend the
+custom of the castle, seeing we have overcome its lords; therefore, make
+ready."
+
+"Alas that I ever came into your company," said Sir Dinadan.
+
+So they made ready, and Sir Gaheris encountered Sir Tristram and fell
+before him; but Sir Palomedes overthrew Sir Dinadan. Then would all
+fight on foot save Sir Dinadan, for he was sorely bruised and frighted
+by his fall. And when Sir Tristram prayed him to fight, "I will not,"
+answered he, "for I was wounded by those thirty knights with whom we
+fought this morning; and as to you, ye are in truth like one gone mad,
+and who would cast himself away! There be but two knights in the world
+so mad, and the other is Sir Lancelot, with whom I once rode forth, who
+kept me evermore at battling so that for a quarter of a year thereafter
+I lay in my bed. Heaven defend me again from either of your
+fellowships!"
+
+"Well," said Sir Tristram, "if it must be, I will fight them both."
+
+Therewith he drew his sword and assailed Sir Palomedes and Sir Gaheris
+together; but Sir Palomedes said, "Nay, but it is a shame for two to
+fight with one." So he bade Sir Gaheris stand by, and he and Sir
+Tristram fought long together; but in the end Sir Tristram drave him
+backward, whereat Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan with one accord sundered
+them. Then Sir Tristram prayed the two knights to lodge there; but
+Dinadan departed and rode away into a priory hard by, and there he
+lodged that night.
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Tristram to the priory to find him, and
+seeing him so weary that he could not ride, he left him, and departed.
+At that same priory was lodged Sir Pellinore, who asked Sir Dinadan Sir
+Tristram's name, but could not learn it, for Sir Tristram had charged
+that he should remain unknown. Then said Sir Pellinore, "Since ye will
+not tell it me, I will ride after him and find it myself."
+
+"Beware, Sir knight," said Sir Dinadan, "ye will repent it if ye follow
+him."
+
+But Sir Pellinore straightway mounted and overtook him, and cried to him
+to joust; whereat Sir Tristram forthwith turned and smote him down; and
+wounded him full sorely in the shoulder.
+
+On the day after, Sir Tristram met a herald, who told him of a
+tournament proclaimed between King Carados of Scotland, and the King of
+North Wales, to be held at the Maiden's Castle. Now King Carados sought
+Sir Lancelot to fight there on his side, and the King of North Wales
+sought Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram purposed to be there. So as he
+rode, he met Sir Key, the seneschal, and Sir Sagramour, and Sir Key
+proffered to joust with him. But he refused, desiring to keep himself
+unwearied for the tourney. Then Sir Key cried, "Sir knight of Cornwall,
+joust with me, or yield as recreant." When Sir Tristram heard that, he
+fiercely turned and set his spear in rest, and spurred his horse towards
+him. But when Sir Key saw him so madly coming on, he in his turn
+refused, whereat Sir Tristram called him coward, till for shame he was
+compelled to meet him. Then Sir Tristram lightly smote him down, and
+rode away. But Sir Sagramour pursued him, crying loudly to joust with
+him also. So Sir Tristram turned and quickly overthrew him likewise, and
+departed.
+
+Anon a damsel met him as he rode, and told him of a knight adventurous
+who did great harm thereby, and prayed him for his help. But as he went
+with her he met Sir Gawain, who knew the damsel for a maiden of Queen
+Morgan le Fay. Knowing, therefore, that she needs must have evil plots
+against Sir Tristram, Sir Gawain demanded of him courteously whither he
+went.
+
+"I know not whither," said he, "save as this damsel leadeth me."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "ye shall not ride with her, for she and her
+lady never yet did good to any;" and, drawing his sword, he said to the
+damsel, "Tell me now straightway for what cause thou leadest this
+knight, or else shalt thou die; for I know of old thy lady's treason."
+
+"Mercy, Sir Gawain," cried the damsel, "and I will tell thee all." Then
+she told him that Queen Morgan had ordained thirty fair damsels to seek
+out Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram, and by their wiles persuade them to
+her castle, where she had thirty knights in wait to slay them.
+
+"Oh shame!" cried Sir Gawain, "that ever such foul treason should be
+wrought by a queen, and a king's sister." Then said he to Sir Tristram,
+"Sir knight, if ye will stand with me, we will together prove the malice
+of these thirty knights."
+
+"I will not fail you," answered he, "for but few days since I had to do
+with thirty knights of that same queen, and trust we may win honor as
+lightly now as then."
+
+So they rode together, and when they came to the castle, Sir Gawain
+cried aloud, "Queen Morgan le Fay, send out thy knights that we may
+fight with them."
+
+Then the queen urged her knights to issue forth, but they durst not, for
+they well knew Sir Tristram, and feared him greatly.
+
+So Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain went on their way, and as they rode they
+saw a knight, named Sir Brewse-without-pity, chasing a lady, with intent
+to slay her. Then Sir Gawain prayed Sir Tristram to hold still and let
+him assail that knight. So he rode up between Sir Brewse and the lady,
+and cried, "False knight, turn thee to me and leave that lady." Then Sir
+Brewse turned and set his spear in rest, and rushed against Sir Gawain
+and overthrew him, and rode his horse upon him as he lay, which when Sir
+Tristram saw, he cried, "Forbear that villainy," and galloped at him.
+But when Sir Brewse saw by the shield it was Sir Tristram, he turned and
+fled. And though Sir Tristram followed swiftly after him, yet he was so
+well horsed that he escaped.
+
+Anon Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain came nigh the Maiden's Castle, and
+there an old knight named Sir Pellonnes gave them lodging. And Sir
+Persides, the son of Sir Pellonnes, a good knight, came out to welcome
+them. And, as they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw
+a goodly knight ride by on a black horse, and carrying a black shield.
+"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
+
+"One of the best knights in all the world," said Sir Persides.
+
+"Is he Sir Lancelot?" said Sir Tristram.
+
+"Nay," answered Sir Persides, "it is Sir Palomedes, who is yet
+unchristened."
+
+Within a while one came and told them that a knight with a black shield
+had smitten down thirteen knights. "Let us go and see this jousting,"
+said Sir Tristram. So they armed themselves and went down. And when Sir
+Palomedes saw Sir Persides, he sent a squire to him and proffered him to
+joust. So they jousted, and Sir Persides was overthrown. Then Sir
+Tristram made ready to joust, but ere he had his spear in rest, Sir
+Palomedes took him at advantage, and struck him on the shield so that he
+fell. At that Sir Tristram was wroth out of measure and sore ashamed,
+wherefore he sent a squire and prayed Sir Palomedes to joust once again.
+But he would not, saying, "Tell thy master to revenge himself to-morrow
+at the Maiden's Castle, where he shall see me again."
+
+So on the morrow Sir Tristram commanded his servant to give him a black
+shield with no cognizance thereon, and he and Sir Persides rode into the
+tournament and joined King Carados' side.
+
+Then the knights of the King of North Wales came forth, and there was a
+great fighting and breaking of spears, and overthrow of men and horses.
+
+Now King Arthur sat above in a high gallery to see the tourney and give
+the judgment, and Sir Lancelot sat beside him. Then came against Sir
+Tristram and Sir Persides, two knights with them of North Wales, Sir
+Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris; and Sir Persides was smitten down and nigh
+slain, for four horsemen rode over him. But Sir Tristram rode against
+Sir Gaheris and smote him from his horse, and when Sir Bleoberis next
+encountered him, he overthrew him also. Anon they horsed themselves
+again, and with them came Sir Dinadan, whom Sir Tristram forthwith smote
+so sorely, that he reeled off his saddle. Then cried he, "Ah! Sir
+knight, I know ye better than ye deem, and promise nevermore to come
+against ye." Then rode Sir Bleoberis at him the second time, and had a
+buffet that felled him to the earth. And soon thereafter the king
+commanded to cease for that day, and all men marveled who Sir Tristram
+was, for the prize of the first day was given him in the name of the
+Knight of the Black Shield.
+
+Now Sir Palomedes was on the side of the King of North Wales, but knew
+not Sir Tristram again. And, when he saw his marvelous deeds, he sent to
+ask his name. "As to that," said Sir Tristram, "he shall not know at
+this time, but tell him he shall know when I have broken two spears upon
+him, for I am the knight he smote down yesterday, and whatever side he
+taketh, I will take the other."
+
+So when they told him that Sir Palomedes would be on King Carados'
+side--for he was kindred to King Arthur--"Then will I be on the King of
+North Wales' side," said he, "but else would I be on my lord King
+Arthur's."
+
+Then on the morrow, when King Arthur was come, the heralds blew unto the
+tourney. And King Carados jousted with the King of a Hundred Knights and
+fell before him, and then came in King Arthur's knights and bare back
+those of North Wales. But anon Sir Tristram came to aid them and bare
+back the battle, and fought so mightily that none could stand against
+him, for he smote down on the right and on the left, so that all the
+knights and common people shouted his praise.
+
+"Since I bare arms," said King Arthur, "never saw I a knight do more
+marvelous deeds."
+
+Then the King of the Hundred Knights and those of North Wales set upon
+twenty knights who were of Sir Lancelot's kin, who fought all together,
+none failing the others. When Sir Tristram beheld their nobleness and
+valor, he marveled much. "Well may he be valiant and full of prowess,"
+said he, "who hath such noble knights for kindred." So, when he had
+looked on them awhile, he thought it shame to see two hundred men
+assailing twenty, and riding to the King of a Hundred Knights, he said,
+"I pray thee, Sir king, leave your fighting with those twenty knights,
+for ye be too many and they be too few. For ye shall gain no honor if ye
+win, and that I see verily ye will not do unless ye slay them; but if ye
+will not stay, I will ride with them and help them."
+
+"Nay," said the king, "ye shall not do so; for full gladly I will do
+your courtesy," and with that he withdrew his knights.
+
+Then Sir Tristram rode his way into the forest, that no man might know
+him. And King Arthur caused the heralds to blow that the tourney should
+end that day, and he gave the King of North Wales the prize, because Sir
+Tristram was on his side. And in all the field there was such a cry that
+the sound thereof was heard two miles away--"The knight with the black
+shield hath won the field."
+
+"Alas!" said King Arthur, "where is that knight? it is shame to let him
+thus escape us." Then he comforted his knights, and said, "Be not
+dismayed, my friends, howbeit ye have lost the day; be of good cheer;
+to-morrow I myself will be in the field, and fare with you." So they all
+rested that night.
+
+And on the morrow the heralds blew unto the field. So the King of North
+Wales and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered with King Carados
+and the King of Ireland, and overthrew them. With that came King Arthur,
+and did mighty deeds of arms, and overthrew the King of North Wales and
+his fellows, and put twenty valiant knights to the worse. Anon came in
+Sir Palomedes, and made great fight upon King Arthur's side. But Sir
+Tristram rode furiously against him, and Sir Palomedes was thrown from
+his horse. Then cried King Arthur, "Knight of the Black Shield, keep
+thyself." And as he spake he came upon him, and smote him from his
+saddle to the ground, and so passed on to other knights. Then Sir
+Palomedes having now another horse rushed at Sir Tristram, as he was on
+foot, thinking to run over him. But he was aware of him, and stepped
+aside, and grasped Sir Palomedes by the arms, and pulled him off his
+horse. Then they rushed together with their swords, and many stood still
+to gaze on them. And Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomedes with three mighty
+strokes upon the helm, crying at each stroke, "Take this for Sir
+Tristram's sake," and with that Sir Palomedes fell to the earth.
+
+Anon the King of North Wales brought Sir Tristram another horse, and Sir
+Palomedes found one also. Then did they joust again with passing rage,
+for both by now were like mad lions. But Sir Tristram avoided his spear,
+and seized Sir Palomedes by the neck, and pulled him from his saddle,
+and bore him onward ten spears' length, and so let him fall. Then King
+Arthur drew forth his sword and smote the spear asunder, and gave Sir
+Tristram two or three sore strokes ere he could get at his own sword.
+But when he had it in his hand he mightily assailed the king. With that
+eleven knights of Lancelot's kin went forth against him, but he smote
+them all down to the earth, so that men marveled at his deeds.
+
+And the cry was now so great that Sir Lancelot got a spear in his hand,
+and came down to assay Sir Tristram, saying, "Knight with the black
+shield, make ready." When Sir Tristram heard him he leveled his spear,
+and both stooping their heads, they ran together mightily, as it had
+been thunder. And Sir Tristram's spear brake short, but Sir Lancelot
+struck him with a deep wound in the side and broke his spear, yet
+overthrew him not. Therewith Sir Tristram, smarting at his wound, drew
+forth his sword, and rushing at Sir Lancelot, gave him mighty strokes
+upon the helm, so that the sparks flew from it, and Sir Lancelot stooped
+his head down to the saddle-bow. But then Sir Tristram turned and left
+the field, for he felt his wound so grievous that he deemed he should
+soon die. Then did Sir Lancelot hold the field against all comers, and
+put the King of North Wales and his party to the worse. And because he
+was the last knight in the field the prize was given him.
+
+But he refused to take it, and when the cry was raised, "Sir Lancelot
+hath won the day," he cried out, "Nay, but Sir Tristram is the victor,
+for he first began and last endured, and so hath he done each day." And
+all men honored Lancelot more for his knightly words than if he had
+taken the prize.
+
+This was the tournament ended, and King Arthur departed to Caerleon, for
+the Whitsun feast was now nigh come, and all the knights adventurous
+went their ways. And many sought Sir Tristram in the forest whither he
+had gone, and at last Sir Lancelot found him, and brought him to King
+Arthur's court, as hath been told already.
+
+
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL
+
+
+After these things Merlin fell into a dotage of love for a damsel of the
+lady of the lake, and would let her have no rest, but followed her in
+every place. And ever she encouraged him, and made him welcome till she
+had learned all his crafts that she desired to know.
+
+Then upon a time she went with him beyond the sea to the land of
+Benwicke, and as they went he showed her many wonders, till at length
+she was afraid, and would fain have been delivered from him.
+
+And as they were in the forest of Broceliande, they sat together under
+an oak-tree, and the damsel prayed to see all that charm whereby men
+might be shut up yet alive in rocks or trees. But he refused her a long
+time, fearing to let her know, yet in the end, her prayers and kisses
+overcame him, and he told her all. Then did she make him great cheer,
+but anon, as he lay down to sleep, she softly rose, and walked about him
+waving her hands and muttering the charm, and presently enclosed him
+fast within the tree whereby he slept. And therefrom nevermore he could
+by any means come out for all the crafts that he could do. And so she
+departed and left Merlin.
+
+At the vigil of the next Feast of Pentecost, when all the Knights of the
+Round Table were met together at Camelot, and had heard mass, and were
+about to sit down to meat, there rode into the hall a fair lady on
+horseback, who went straight up to King Arthur where he sat upon his
+throne, and reverently saluted him.
+
+"God be with thee, fair damsel," quoth the king; "what desirest thou of
+me?"
+
+"I pray thee tell me, lord," she answered, "where Sir Lancelot is."
+
+"Yonder may ye see him," said King Arthur.
+
+Then went she to Sir Lancelot and said, "Sir, I salute thee in King
+Pelles' name, and require thee to come with me into the forest hereby."
+
+Then asked he her with whom she dwelt, and what she wished of him.
+
+"I dwell with King Pelles," said she, "whom Balin erst so sorely wounded
+when he smote the dolorous stroke. It is he who hath sent me to call
+thee."
+
+"I will go with thee gladly," said Sir Lancelot, and bade his squire
+straightway saddle his horse and bring his armor.
+
+Then came the queen to him and said, "Sir Lancelot, will ye leave me
+thus at this high feast?"
+
+"Madam," replied the damsel, "by dinner-time to-morrow he shall be with
+you."
+
+"If I thought not," said the queen, "he should not go with thee by my
+goodwill."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot and the lady rode forth till they came to the forest,
+and in a valley thereof found an abbey of nuns, whereby a squire stood
+ready to open the gates. When they had entered, and descended from their
+horses, a joyful crowd pressed round Sir Lancelot and heartily saluted
+him, and led him to the abbess's chamber, and unarmed him. Anon he saw
+his cousins likewise there, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who also made great
+joy at seeing him, and said, "By what adventure art thou here, for we
+thought to have seen thee at Camelot to-morrow?"
+
+"A damsel brought me here," said he, "but as yet I know not for what
+service."
+
+As they thus talked twelve nuns came in, who brought with them a youth
+so passing fair and well made, that in all the world his match could not
+be found. His name was Galahad, and though he knew him not, nor Lancelot
+him, Sir Lancelot was his father.
+
+"Sir," said the nuns, "we bring thee here this child whom we have
+nourished from his youth, and pray thee to make him a knight, for from
+no worthier hand can he receive that order."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot, looking on the youth, saw that he was seemly and
+demure as a dove, with every feature good and noble, and thought he
+never had beheld a better fashioned man of his years. "Cometh this
+desire from himself?" said he.
+
+"Yea," answered Galahad and all the nuns.
+
+"To-morrow, then, in reverence for the feast, he shall have his wish,"
+said Sir Lancelot.
+
+And the next day at the hour of prime, he knighted him, and said, "God
+make of thee as good a man as He hath made thee beautiful."
+
+Then with Sir Lionel and Sir Bors he returned to the court, and found
+all gone to the minster to hear service. When they came into the
+banquet-hall each knight and baron found his name written in some seat
+in letters of gold, as "here ought to sit Sir Lionel," "here ought to
+sit Sir Gawain,"--and so forth. And in the Perilous Seat, at the high
+center of the table, a name was also written, whereat they marveled
+greatly, for no living man had ever yet dared sit upon that seat, save
+one, and him a flame leaped forth and drew down under earth, so that he
+was no more seen.
+
+Then came Sir Lancelot and read the letters in that seat, and said, "My
+counsel is that this inscription be now covered up until the knight be
+come who shall achieve this great adventure." So they made a veil of
+silk and put it over the letters.
+
+In the meanwhile came Sir Gawain to the court and told the king he had a
+message to him from beyond the sea, from Merlin.
+
+"For," said he, "as I rode through the forest of Broceliande but five
+days since, I heard the voice of Merlin speaking to me from the midst of
+an oak-tree, whereat, in great amazement, I besought him to come forth.
+But he, with many groans, replied he never more might do so, for that
+none could free him, save the damsel of the Lake, who had enclosed him
+there by his own spells which he had taught her. 'But go,' said he, 'to
+King Arthur, and tell him, that he now prepare his knights and all his
+Table Round to seek the Sangreal, for the time is come when it shall be
+achieved.'"
+
+When Sir Gawain had spoken thus, King Arthur sat pensive in spirit, and
+mused deeply of the Holy Grail and what saintly knight should come who
+might achieve it.
+
+Anon he bade them hasten to set on the banquet. "Sir," said Sir Key, the
+seneschal, "if we go now to meat ye will break the ancient custom of
+your court, for never have ye dined at this high feast till ye have seen
+some strange adventure."
+
+"Thou sayest truly," said the king, "but my mind was full of wonders and
+musings, till I bethought me not of mine old custom."
+
+As they stood speaking thus, a squire ran in and cried, "Lord, I bring
+thee marvelous tidings."
+
+"What be they?" said King Arthur.
+
+"Lord," said he, "hereby at the river is a marvelous great stone, which
+I myself saw swim down hither-wards upon the water, and in it there is
+set a sword, and ever the stone heaveth and swayeth on the water, but
+floateth down no further with the stream."
+
+"I will go and see it," said the king. So all the knights went with him,
+and when they came to the river, there surely found they a mighty stone
+of red marble floating on the water, as the squire had said, and
+therein stuck a fair and rich sword, on the pommel whereof were precious
+stones wrought skillfully with gold into these words: "No man shall take
+me hence but he by whose side I should hang, and he shall be the best
+knight in the world."
+
+When the king read this, he turned round to Sir Lancelot, and said,
+"Fair sir, this sword ought surely to be thine, for thou art the best
+knight in all the world."
+
+But Lancelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not for me; nor
+will I have the hardihood to set my hand upon it. For he that toucheth
+it and faileth to achieve it shall one day be wounded by it mortally.
+But I doubt not, lord, this day will show the greatest marvels that we
+yet have seen, for now the time is fully come, as Merlin hath forewarned
+us, when all the prophecies about the Sangreal shall be fulfilled."
+
+Then stepped Sir Gawain forward and pulled at the sword, but could not
+move it, and after him Sir Percival, to keep him fellowship in any peril
+he might suffer. But no other knight durst be so hardy as to try.
+
+"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Key, "for a marvelous adventure
+ye have had."
+
+So all returned from the river, and every knight sat down in his own
+place, and the high feast and banquet then was sumptuously begun, and
+all the hall was full of laughter and loud talk and jests, and running
+to and fro of squires who served their knights, and noise of jollity and
+mirth.
+
+Then suddenly befell a wondrous thing, for all the doors and windows of
+the hall shut violently of themselves, and made thick darkness; and
+presently there came a fair and gentle light from out the Perilous Seat,
+and filled the palace with its beams. Then a dead silence fell on all
+the knights, and each man anxiously beheld his neighbor.
+
+But King Arthur rose and said, "Lords and fair knights, have ye no fear,
+but rejoice; we have seen strange things to-day, but stranger yet
+remain. For now I know we shall to-day see him who may sit in the Siege
+Perilous, and shall achieve the Sangreal. For as ye all well know, that
+holy vessel, wherefrom at the Supper of our Lord before His death He
+drank the wine with His disciples, hath been held ever since the holiest
+treasure of the world, and wheresoever it hath rested peace and
+prosperity have rested with it on the land. But since the dolorous
+stroke which Balin gave King Pelles none have seen it, for Heaven, wroth
+with that presumptuous blow, hath hid it none know where. Yet somewhere
+in the world it still may be, and may be it is left to us, and to this
+noble order of the Table Round, to find and bring it home, and make of
+this our realm the happiest in the earth. Many great quests and perilous
+adventures have ye all taken and achieved, but this high quest he only
+shall attain who hath clean hands and a pure heart, and valor and
+hardihood beyond all other men."
+
+While the king spoke there came in softly an old man robed all in white,
+leading with him a young knight clad in red from top to toe, but without
+armor or shield, and having by his side an empty scabbard.
+
+The old man went up to the king, and said, "Lord, here I bring thee this
+young knight of royal lineage, and of the blood of Joseph of Arimathea,
+by whom the marvels of thy court shall fully be accomplished."
+
+The king was right glad at his words, and said, "Sir, ye be right
+heartily welcome, and the young knight also."
+
+Then the old man put on Sir Galahad (for it was he) a crimson robe
+trimmed with fine ermine, and took him by the hand and led him to the
+Perilous Seat, and lifting up the silken cloth which hung upon it, read
+these words written in gold letters, "This is the seat of Sir Galahad,
+the good knight."
+
+"Sir," said the old man, "this place is thine."
+
+Then sat Sir Galahad down firmly and surely, and said to the old man,
+"Sir, ye may now go your way, for ye have done well and truly all ye
+were commanded, and commend me to my grandsire, King Pelles, and say
+that I shall see him soon." So the old man departed with a retinue of
+twenty noble squires.
+
+But all the knights of the Round Table marveled at Sir Galahad, and at
+his tender age, and at his sitting there so surely in the Perilous Seat.
+
+Then the king led Sir Galahad forth from the palace, to show him the
+adventure of the floating stone. "Here," said he, "is as great a marvel
+as I ever saw, and right good knights have tried and failed to gain that
+sword."
+
+"I marvel not thereat," said Galahad, "for this adventure is not theirs,
+but mine; and for the certainty I had thereof, I brought no sword with
+me, as thou mayst see here by this empty scabbard."
+
+Anon he laid his hand upon the sword, and lightly drew it from the
+stone, and put it in his sheath, and said, "This sword was that
+enchanted one which erst belonged to the good knight, Sir Balin,
+wherewith he slew through piteous mistake his brother Balan; who also
+slew him at the same time: all which great woe befell him through the
+dolorous stroke he gave my grandsire, King Pelles, the wound whereof is
+not yet whole, nor shall be till I heal him."
+
+As he stood speaking thus, they saw a lady riding swiftly down the
+river's bank towards them, on a white palfrey, who, saluting the king
+and queen, said, "Lord king, Nacien the hermit sendeth thee word that to
+thee shall come to-day the greatest honor and worship that hath yet ever
+befallen a king of Britain; for this day shall the Sangreal appear in
+thy house."
+
+With that the damsel took her leave, and departed the same way she came.
+
+"Now," said the king, "I know that from to-day the quest of the Sangreal
+shall begin, and all ye of the Round Table will be scattered so that
+nevermore shall I see ye again together as ye are now; let me then see a
+joust and tournament amongst ye for the last time before ye go."
+
+So they all took their harness and met together in the meadows by
+Camelot, and the queen and all her ladies sat in a tower to see.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, at the prayer of the king and queen, put on a coat of
+light armor, and a helmet, but shield he would take none, and grasping a
+lance, he drove into the middle of the press of knights, and began to
+break spears marvelously, so that all men were full of wonder. And in so
+short a time he had surmounted and exceeded the rest, save Sir Lancelot
+and Sir Percival, that he took the chief worship of the field.
+
+Then the king and all the court and fellowship of knights went back to
+the palace, and so to evensong in the great minster, a royal and goodly
+company, and after that sat down to supper in the hall, every knight in
+his own seat, as they had been before.
+
+Anon suddenly burst overhead the cracking and crying of great peals of
+thunder, till the palace walls were shaken sorely, and they thought to
+see them riven all to pieces.
+
+And in the midst of the blast there entered in a sunbeam, clearer by
+seven times than ever they saw day, and a marvelous great glory fell
+upon them all. Then each knight, looking on his neighbor, found his face
+fairer than he had ever seen, and so--all standing on their feet--they
+gazed as dumb men on each other, not knowing what to say.
+
+Then entered into the hall the Sangreal, borne aloft without hands
+through the midst of the sunbeam, and covered with white samite, so that
+none might see it. And all the hall was filled with perfume and incense,
+and every knight was fed with the food he best loved. And when the holy
+vessel had been thus borne through the hall, it suddenly departed, no
+man saw whither.
+
+When they recovered breath to speak, King Arthur first rose up, and
+yielded thanks to God and to our Lord.
+
+Then Sir Gawain sprang up and said, "Now have we all been fed by miracle
+with whatsoever food we thought of or desired; but with our eyes we have
+not seen the blessed vessel whence it came, so carefully and preciously
+it was concealed. Therefore, I make a vow, that from to-morrow I shall
+labor twelve months and a day in quest of the Sangreal, and longer if
+need be; nor will I come again into this court until mine eyes have seen
+it evidently."
+
+When he had spoken thus, knight after knight rose up and vowed himself
+to the same quest, till the most part of the Round Table had thus sworn.
+
+But when King Arthur heard them all, he could not refrain his eyes from
+tears, and said, "Sir Gawain, Sir Gawain, thou hast set me in great
+sorrow, for I fear me my true fellowship shall never meet together here
+again; and surely never Christian king had such a company of worthy
+knights around his table at one time."
+
+And when the queen and her ladies and gentlewomen heard the vows, they
+had such grief and sorrow as no tongue could tell; and Queen Guinevere
+cried out, "I marvel that my lord will suffer them to depart from him."
+And many of the ladies who loved knights would have gone with them, but
+were forbidden by the hermit Nacien, who sent this message to all who
+had sworn themselves to the quest: "Take with ye no lady nor
+gentlewoman, for into so high a service as ye go in, no thought but of
+our Lord and heaven may enter."
+
+On the morrow morning all the knights rose early, and when they were
+fully armed, save shields and helms, they went in with the king and
+queen to service in the minster. Then the king counted all who had taken
+the adventure on themselves, and found them a hundred and fifty knights
+of the Round Table; and so they all put on their helms, and rode away
+together in the midst of cries and lamentations from the court, and from
+the ladies, and from all the town.
+
+But the queen went alone to her chamber, that no man might see her
+sorrow; and Sir Lancelot followed her to say farewell.
+
+When she saw him she cried out, "Oh, Sir Lancelot, thou hast betrayed
+me; thou hast put me to death thus to depart and leave my lord the
+king."
+
+"Ah, madam," said he, "be not displeased or angry, for I shall come
+again as soon as I can with honor."
+
+"Alas!" said she, "that ever I saw thee; but He that suffered death upon
+the cross for all mankind be to thee safety and good conduct, and to all
+thy company."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot saluted her and the king, and went forth with the
+rest, and came with them that night to Castle Vagon, where they abode,
+and on the morrow they departed from each other on their separate ways,
+every knight taking the way that pleased him best.
+
+Now Sir Galahad went forth without a shield, and rode so four days
+without adventure; and on the fourth day, after evensong, he came to an
+abbey of white monks, where he was received in the house, and led into a
+chamber. And there he was unarmed, and met two knights of the Round
+Table, King Bagdemagus, and Sir Uwaine.
+
+"Sirs," said Sir Galahad, "what adventure hath brought ye here?"
+
+"Within this place, as we are told," they answered, "there is a shield
+no man may bear around his neck without receiving sore mischance, or
+death within three days."
+
+"To-morrow," said King Bagdemagus, "I shall attempt the adventure; and
+if I fail, do thou, Sir Galahad, take it up after me."
+
+"I will willingly," said he; "for as ye see I have no shield as yet."
+
+So on the morrow they arose and heard mass, and afterwards King
+Bagdemagus asked where the shield was kept. Then a monk led him behind
+the altar, where the shield hung, as white as any snow, and with a
+blood-red cross in the midst of it.
+
+"Sir," said the monk, "this shield should hang from no knight's neck
+unless he be the worthiest in the world. I warn ye, therefore, knights;
+consider well before ye dare to touch it."
+
+"Well," said King Bagdemagus, "I know well that I am far from the best
+knight in all the world, yet shall I make the trial"; and so he took the
+shield, and bore it from the monastery.
+
+"If it please thee," said he to Sir Galahad, "abide here till thou
+hearest how I speed."
+
+"I will abide thee," said he.
+
+Then taking with him a squire who might return with any tidings to Sir
+Galahad, the king rode forth; and before he had gone two miles, he saw
+in a fair valley a hermitage, and a knight who came forth dressed in
+white armor, horse and all, who rode fast against him. When they
+encountered, Bagdemagus brake his spear upon the White Knight's shield,
+but was himself struck through the shoulder with a sore wound, and
+hurled down from his horse. Then the White Knight alighting, came and
+took the white shield from the king, and said, "Thou hast done great
+folly, for this shield ought never to be borne but by one who hath no
+living peer." And turning to the squire, he said, "Bear thou this shield
+to the good knight, Sir Galahad, and greet him well from me."
+
+"In whose name shall I greet him?" said the squire.
+
+"Take thou no heed of that," he answered; "it is not for thee or any
+earthly man to know."
+
+"Now tell me, fair sir, at the least," said the squire, "why may this
+shield be never borne except its wearer come to injury or death?"
+
+"Because it shall belong to no man save its rightful owner, Galahad,"
+replied the knight.
+
+Then the squire went to his master, and found him wounded nigh to
+death, wherefore he fetched his horse, and bore him back with him to the
+abbey. And there they laid him in a bed, and looked to his wounds; and
+when he had lain many days grievously sick, he at the last barely
+escaped with his life.
+
+"Sir Galahad," said the squire, "the knight who overthrew King
+Bagdemagus sent you greeting, and bade you bear this shield."
+
+"Now blessed be God and fortune," said Sir Galahad, and hung the shield
+about his neck, and armed him, and rode forth.
+
+Anon he met the White Knight by the hermitage, and each saluted
+courteously the other.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "this shield I bear hath surely a full
+marvelous history."
+
+"Thou sayest rightly," answered he. "That shield was made in the days of
+Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight who took our Lord down from the
+cross. He, when he left Jerusalem with his kindred, came to the country
+of King Evelake, who warred continually with one Tollome; and when, by
+the teaching of Joseph, King Evelake became a Christian, this shield was
+made for him in our Lord's name; and through its aid King Tollome was
+defeated. For when King Evelake met him next in battle, he hid it in a
+veil, and suddenly uncovering it, he showed his enemies the figure of a
+bleeding man nailed to a cross, at sight of which they were discomfited
+and fled. Presently after that, a man whose hand was smitten off touched
+the cross upon the shield, and had his hand restored to him; and many
+other miracles it worked. But suddenly the cross that was upon it
+vanished away. Anon both Joseph and King Evelake came to Britain, and by
+the preaching of Joseph the people were made Christians. And when at
+length he lay upon his death-bed, King Evelake begged of him some token
+ere he died. Then, calling for his shield, he dipped his finger in his
+own blood, for he was bleeding fast, and none could staunch the wound,
+and marked that cross upon it, saying, 'This cross shall ever show as
+bright as now, and the last of my lineage shall wear this shield about
+his neck, and go forth to all the marvelous deeds he will achieve.'"
+
+When the White Knight had thus spoken he vanished suddenly away, and Sir
+Galahad returned to the abbey.
+
+As he alighted, came a monk, and prayed him to go see a tomb in the
+churchyard, wherefrom came such a great and hideous noise, that none
+could hear it but they went nigh mad, or lost all strength. "And, sir,"
+said he, "I deem it is a fiend."
+
+"Lead me thither," said Sir Galahad.
+
+When they were come near the place, "Now," said the monk, "go thou to
+the tomb, and lift it up."
+
+And Galahad, nothing afraid, quickly lifted up the stone, and forthwith
+came out a foul smoke, and from the midst thereof leaped up the
+loathliest figure that ever he had seen in the likeness of man; and
+Galahad blessed himself, for he knew it was a fiend of hell. Then he
+heard a voice crying out, "Oh, Galahad, I cannot tear thee as I would; I
+see so many angels round thee, that I may not come at thee."
+
+Then the fiend suddenly disappeared with a marvelous great cry; and Sir
+Galahad, looking in the tomb, saw there a body all armed, with a sword
+beside it. "Now, fair brother," said he to the monk, "let us remove this
+cursed body, which is not fit to lie in a churchyard, for when it lived,
+a false and perjured Christian man dwelt in it. Cast it away, and there
+shall come no more hideous noises from the tomb."
+
+"And now must I depart," he added, "for I have much in hand, and am upon
+the holy quest of the Sangreal, with many more good knights."
+
+So he took his leave, and rode many journeys backwards and forwards as
+adventure would lead him; and at last one day he departed from a castle
+without first hearing mass, which was it ever his custom to hear before
+he left his lodging. Anon he found a ruined chapel on a mountain, and
+went in and kneeled before the altar, and prayed for wholesome counsel
+what to do; and as he prayed he heard a voice, which said, "Depart,
+adventurous knight, unto the Maiden's Castle, and redress the violence
+and wrongs there done!"
+
+Hearing these words he cheerfully arose, and mounted his horse, and rode
+but half a mile, when he saw before him a strong castle, with deep
+ditches round it, and a fair river running past. And seeing an old churl
+hard by, he asked him what men called that castle.
+
+"Fair sir," said he, "it is the Maiden's Castle."
+
+"It is a cursed place," said Galahad, "and all its masters are but
+felons, full of mischief and hardness and shame."
+
+"For that good reason," said the old man, "thou wert well-advised to
+turn thee back."
+
+"For that same reason," quoth Sir Galahad, "will I the more certainly
+ride on."
+
+Then, looking at his armor carefully, to see that nothing failed him, he
+went forward, and presently there met him seven damsels, who cried out,
+"Sir knight, thou ridest in great peril, for thou hast two waters to
+pass over."
+
+"Why should I not pass over them?" said he, and rode straight on.
+
+Anon he met a squire, who said, "Sir knight, the masters of this castle
+defy thee, and bid thee go no further, till thou showest them thy
+business here."
+
+"Fair fellow," said Sir Galahad, "I am come here to destroy their wicked
+customs."
+
+"If that be thy purpose," answered he, "thou wilt have much to do."
+
+"Go thou," said Galahad, "and hasten with my message."
+
+In a few minutes after rode forth furiously from the gateways of the
+castle seven knights, all brothers, and crying out, "Knight, keep thee,"
+bore down all at once upon Sir Galahad. But thrusting forth his spear,
+he smote the foremost to the earth, so that his neck was almost broken,
+and warded with his shield the spears of all the others, which every one
+brake off from it, and shivered into pieces. Then he drew out his sword,
+and set upon them hard and fiercely, and by his wondrous force drave
+them before him, and chased them to the castle gate, and there he slew
+them.
+
+At that came out to him an ancient man, in priest's vestments, saying,
+"Behold, sir, here, the keys of this castle."
+
+Then he unlocked the gates, and found within a multitude of people, who
+cried out, "Sir knight, ye be welcome, for long have we waited thy
+deliverance," and told him that the seven felons he had slain had long
+enslaved the people round about, and killed all knights who passed that
+way, because the maiden whom they had robbed of the castle had foretold
+that by one knight they should themselves be overthrown.
+
+"Where is the maiden?" asked Sir Galahad.
+
+"She lingereth below in a dungeon," said they.
+
+So Sir Galahad went down and released her, and restored her her
+inheritance; and when he had summoned the barons of the country to do
+her homage, he took his leave, and departed.
+
+Presently thereafter, as he rode, he entered a great forest, and in a
+glade thereof met two knights, disguised, who proffered him to joust.
+These were Sir Lancelot, his father, and Sir Percival, but neither knew
+the other. So he and Sir Lancelot encountered first, and Sir Galahad
+smote down his father. Then drawing his sword, for his spear was broken,
+he fought with Sir Percival, and struck so mightily that he clave Sir
+Percival's helm, and smote him from his horse.
+
+Now hard by where they fought there was a hermitage, where dwelt a pious
+woman, a recluse, who, when she heard the sound, came forth, and seeing
+Sir Galahad ride, she cried, "God be with thee, the best knight in the
+world; had yonder knights known thee as well as I do, they would not
+have encountered with thee."
+
+When Sir Galahad heard that, fearing to be made known, he forthwith
+smote his horse with his spurs, and departed at a great pace.
+
+Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival heard her words also, and rode fast after
+him, but within a while he was out of their sight. Then Sir Percival
+rode back to ask his name of the recluse; but Sir Lancelot went forward
+on his quest, and following any path his horse would take, he came
+by-and-by after nightfall to a stone cross hard by an ancient chapel.
+When he had alighted and tied his horse up to a tree, he went and looked
+in through the chapel door, which was all ruinous and wasted, and there
+within he saw an altar, richly decked with silk, whereon there stood a
+fair candlestick of silver, bearing six great lights. And when Sir
+Lancelot saw the light, he tried to get within the chapel, but could
+find no place. So, being passing weary and heavy, he came again to his
+horse, and when he had unsaddled him, and set him free to pasture, he
+unlaced his helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid him down to sleep
+upon his shield before the cross.
+
+And while he lay between waking and sleeping, he saw come by him two
+white palfreys bearing a litter, wherein a sick knight lay, and the
+palfreys stood still by the cross. Then Sir Lancelot heard the sick man
+say, "O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me, and the holy
+vessel pass by me, wherethrough I shall be blessed? for I have long
+endured."
+
+With that Sir Lancelot saw the chapel open, and the candlestick with the
+six tapers come before the cross, but he could see none who bare it.
+Then came there also a table of silver, and thereon the holy vessel of
+the Sangreal. And when the sick knight saw that, he sat up, and lifting
+both his hands, said, "Fair Lord, sweet Lord, who art here within this
+holy vessel, have mercy on me, that I may be whole"; and therewith he
+crept upon his hands and knees so nigh, that he might touch the vessel;
+and when he had kissed it, he leaped up, and stood and cried aloud,
+"Lord God, I thank Thee, for I am made whole." Then the Holy Grail
+departed with the table and the silver candlestick into the chapel, so
+that Sir Lancelot saw it no more, nor for his sins' sake could he follow
+it. And the knight who was healed went on his way.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot awake, and marveled whether he had seen aught but a
+dream. And as he marveled, he heard a voice saying, "Sir Lancelot, thou
+art unworthy, go thou hence, and withdraw thee from this holy place."
+And when he heard that, he was passing heavy, for he bethought him of
+his sins.
+
+So he departed weeping, and cursed the day of his birth, for the words
+went into his heart, and he knew wherefore he was thus driven forth.
+Then he went to seek his arms and horse, but could not find them; and
+then he called himself the wretchedest and most unhappy of all knights,
+and said, "My sin hath brought me unto great dishonor: for when I
+sought earthly honors, I achieved them ever; but now I take upon me holy
+things, my guilt doth hinder me, and shameth me; therefore had I no
+power to stir or speak when the holy blood appeared before me."
+
+So thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds sing; then
+was he somewhat comforted, and departing from the cross on foot, he came
+into a wild forest, and to a high mountain, and there he found a
+hermitage; and, kneeling before the hermit down upon both his knees, he
+cried for mercy for his wicked works, and prayed him to hear his
+confession. But when he told his name, the hermit marveled to see him in
+so sore a case, and said, "Sir, ye ought to thank God more than any
+knight living, for He hath given thee more honor than any; yet for thy
+presumption, while in deadly sin to come into the presence of His flesh
+and blood, He suffered thee neither to see nor follow it. Wherefore,
+believe that all thy strength and manhood will avail thee little, when
+God is against thee."
+
+Then Sir Lancelot wept and said, "Now know I well ye tell me truth."
+
+Then he confessed to him, and told him all his sins, and how he had for
+fourteen years served but Queen Guinevere only, and forgotten God, and
+done great deeds of arms for her, and not for Heaven, and had little or
+nothing thanked God for the honor that he won. And then Sir Lancelot
+said, "I pray you counsel me."
+
+"I will counsel thee," said he: "never more enter into that queen's
+company when ye can avoid it."
+
+So Sir Lancelot promised him.
+
+"Look that your heart and your mouth accord," said the good man, "and ye
+shall have more honor and more nobleness than ever ye have had."
+
+Then were his arms and horse restored to him, and so he took his leave,
+and rode forth, repenting greatly.
+
+Now Sir Percival had ridden back to the recluse, to learn who that
+knight was whom she had called the best in the world. And when he had
+told her that he was Sir Percival, she made passing great joy of him,
+for she was his mother's sister, wherefore she opened her door to him,
+and made him good cheer. And on the morrow she told him of her kindred
+to him, and they both made great rejoicing. Then he asked her who that
+knight was, and she told him, "He it is who on Whit Sunday last was clad
+in the red robe, and bare the red arms; and he hath no peer, for he
+worketh all by miracle, and shall be never overcome by any earthly
+hands."
+
+"By my goodwill," said Sir Percival, "I will never after these tidings
+have to do with Sir Galahad but in the way of kindness; and I would fain
+learn where I may find him."
+
+"Fair nephew," said she, "ye must ride to the Castle of Goth, where he
+hath a cousin; by him ye may be lodged, and he will teach you the way to
+go; but if he can tell you no tidings, ride straight to the Castle of
+Carbonek, where the wounded king is lying, for there shall ye surely
+hear true tidings of him."
+
+So Sir Percival departed from his aunt, and rode till evensong time,
+when he was ware of a monastery closed round with walls and deep
+ditches, where he knocked at the gate, and anon was let in. And there he
+had good cheer that night, and on the morrow heard mass. And beside the
+altar where the priest stood, was a rich bed of silk and cloth of gold;
+and on the bed there lay a man passing old, having a crown of gold upon
+his head, and all his body was full of great wounds, and his eyes almost
+wholly blind; and ever he held up his hands and said, "Sweet Lord,
+forget not me!"
+
+Then Sir Percival asked one of the brethren who he was.
+
+"Sir," said the good man, "ye have heard of Joseph of Arimathea, how he
+was sent of Jesus Christ into this land to preach and teach the
+Christian faith. Now, in the city of Sarras he converted a king named
+Evelake, and this is he. He came with Joseph to this land, and ever
+desired greatly to see the Sangreal; so on a time he came nigh thereto,
+and was struck almost blind. Then he cried out for mercy, and said,
+'Fair Lord, I pray thee let me never die until a good knight of my blood
+achieve the Sangreal, and I may see and kiss him.' When he had thus
+prayed, he heard a voice that said, 'Thy prayers be heard and answered,
+for thou shalt not die till that knight kiss thee; and when he cometh
+shall thine eyes be opened and thy wounds be healed.' And now hath he
+lived here for three hundred winters in a holy life, and men say a
+certain knight of King Arthur's court shall shortly heal him."
+
+Thereat Sir Percival marveled greatly, for he well knew who that knight
+should be; and so, taking his leave of the monk, departed.
+
+Then he rode on till noon, and came into a valley where he met twenty
+men-at-arms bearing a dead knight on a bier. And they cried to him,
+"Whence comest thou?"
+
+"From King Arthur's court," he answered.
+
+Then they all cried together, "Slay him," and set upon him.
+
+But he smote down the first man to the ground, and his horse upon him;
+whereat seven of them all at once assailed him, and others slew his
+horse. Thus he had been either taken or slain, but by good chance Sir
+Galahad was passing by that way, who, seeing twenty men attacking one,
+cried, "Slay him not," and rushed upon them; and, as fast as his horse
+could drive, he encountered with the foremost man, and smote him down.
+Then, his spear being broken, he drew forth his sword and struck out on
+the right hand and on the left, at each blow smiting down a man, till
+the remainder fled, and he pursued them.
+
+Then Sir Percival, knowing that it was Sir Galahad, would fain have
+overtaken him, but could not, for his horse was slain. Yet followed he
+on foot as fast as he could go; and as he went there met him a yeoman
+riding on a palfrey, and leading in his hand a great black steed. So Sir
+Percival prayed him to lend him the steed, that he might overtake Sir
+Galahad. But he replied, "That can I not do, fair sir, for the horse is
+my master's, and should I lend it he would slay me." So he departed, and
+Sir Percival sat down beneath a tree in heaviness of heart. And as he
+sat, anon a knight went riding past on the black steed which the yeoman
+had led. And presently after came the yeoman back in haste, and asked
+Sir Percival if he had seen a knight riding his horse.
+
+"Yea," said Sir Percival.
+
+"Alas," said the yeoman, "he hath reft him from me by strength, and my
+master will slay me."
+
+Then he besought Sir Percival to take his hackney and follow, and get
+back his steed. So he rode quickly, and overtook the knight, and cried,
+"Knight, turn again." Whereat he turned and set his spear, and smote Sir
+Percival's hackney in the breast, so that it fell dead, and then went on
+his way. Then cried Sir Percival after him, "Turn now, false knight, and
+fight with me on foot"; but he would not, and rode out of sight.
+
+Then was Sir Percival passing wroth and heavy of heart, and lay down to
+rest beneath a tree, and slept till midnight. When he awoke he saw a
+woman standing by him, who said to him right fiercely, "Sir Percival,
+what doest thou here?"
+
+"I do neither good nor evil," said he.
+
+"If thou wilt promise me," said she, "to do my will whenever I shall ask
+thee, I will bring thee here a horse that will bear thee wheresoever
+thou desirest."
+
+At that he was full glad, and promised as she asked. Then anon she came
+again, with a great black steed, strong and well appareled. So Sir
+Percival mounted, and rode through the clear moonlight, and within less
+than an hour had gone a four days' journey, till he came to a rough
+water that roared; and his horse would have borne him into it, but Sir
+Percival would not suffer him, yet could he scarce restrain him. And
+seeing the water so furious, he made the sign of the cross upon his
+forehead, whereat the horse suddenly shook him off, and with a terrible
+sound leaped into the water and disappeared, the waves all burning up in
+flames around him. Then Sir Percival knew it was a fiend which had
+brought him the horse; so he commended himself to God, and prayed that
+he might escape temptations, and continued in prayer till it was day.
+
+Then he saw that he was on a wild mountain, nigh surrounded on all sides
+by the sea, and filled with wild beasts; and going on into a valley, he
+saw a serpent carrying a young lion by the neck. With that came another
+lion, crying and roaring after the serpent, and anon overtook him, and
+began to battle with him. And Sir Percival helped the lion, and drew his
+sword, and gave the serpent such a stroke that it fell dead. Thereat the
+lion fawned upon him like a dog, licking his hands, and crouching at his
+feet, and at night lay down by him and slept at his side.
+
+And at noon the next day Sir Percival saw a ship come sailing before a
+strong wind upon the sea towards him, and he rose and went towards it.
+And when it came to shore, he found it covered with white samite, and on
+the deck there stood an old man dressed in priest's robes, who said,
+"God be with you, fair sir; whence come ye?"
+
+"I am a knight of King Arthur's court," said he, "and follow the quest
+of the Sangreal; but here have I lost myself in this wilderness."
+
+"Fear nothing," said the old man, "for I have come from a strange
+country to comfort thee."
+
+Then he told Sir Percival it was a fiend of hell upon which he had
+ridden to the sea, and that the lion, whom he had delivered from the
+serpent, meant the Church. And Sir Percival rejoiced at these tidings,
+and entered into the ship, which presently sailed from the shore into
+the sea.
+
+Now when Sir Bors rode forth from Camelot to seek the Sangreal, anon he
+met a holy man riding on an ass, and courteously saluted him.
+
+"Who are ye, son?" said the good man.
+
+"I am a knight," said he, "in quest of the Sangreal, and would fain have
+thy counsel, for he shall have much earthly honor who may bring it to a
+favorable end."
+
+"That is truth," said the good man, "for he shall be the best knight of
+the world; yet know that none shall gain it save by sinless living."
+
+So they rode to his hermitage together, and there he prayed Sir Bors to
+abide that night, and anon they went into the chapel, and Sir Bors was
+confessed. And they eat bread and drank water together.
+
+"Now," said the hermit, "I pray thee eat no other food till thou sit at
+the table where the Sangreal shall be." Thereto Sir Bors agreed.
+
+"Also," said the hermit, "it were wise that ye should wear a sackcloth
+garment next your skin, for penance"; and in this also did Sir Bors as
+he was counseled. And afterwards he armed himself and took his leave.
+
+Then rode he onwards all that day, and as he rode he saw a passing great
+bird sit in an old dry tree, whereon no leaves were left; and many
+little birds lay round the great one, nigh dead with hunger. Then did
+the big bird smite himself with his own bill, and bled till he died
+amongst his little ones, and they recovered life in drinking up his
+blood. When Sir Bors saw this he knew it was a token, and rode on full
+of thought. And about eventide he came to a tower, whereto he prayed
+admission, and he was received gladly by the lady of the castle. But
+when a supper of many meats and dainties was set before him, he
+remembered his vow, and bade a squire to bring him water, and therein he
+dipped his bread, and ate.
+
+Then said the lady, "Sir Bors, I fear ye like not my meat."
+
+"Yea, truly," said he; "God thank thee, madam; but I may eat no other
+meat this day."
+
+After supper came a squire, and said, "Madam, bethink thee to provide a
+champion for thee to-morrow for the tourney, or else shall thy sister
+have thy castle."
+
+At that the lady wept, and made great sorrow. But Sir Bors prayed her to
+be comforted, and asked her why the tournament was held. Then she told
+him how she and her sister were the daughters of King Anianse, who left
+them all his lands between them; and how her sister was the wife of a
+strong knight, named Sir Pridan le Noir, who had taken from herself all
+her lands, save the one tower wherein she dwelt. "And now," said she,
+"this also will they take, unless I find a champion by to-morrow."
+
+Then said Sir Bors, "Be comforted; to-morrow I will fight for thee";
+whereat she rejoiced not a little, and sent word to Sir Pridan that she
+was provided and ready. And Sir Bors lay on the floor, and in no bed,
+nor ever would do otherwise till he had achieved his quest.
+
+On the morrow he arose and clothed himself, and went into the chapel,
+where the lady met him, and they heard mass together. Anon he called for
+his armor, and went with a goodly company of knights to the battle. And
+the lady prayed him to refresh himself ere he should fight, but he
+refused to break his fast until the tournament were done. So they all
+rode together to the lists, and there they saw the lady's eldest sister,
+and her husband, Sir Pridan le Noir. And a cry was made by the heralds
+that, whichever should win, his lady should have all the other's lands.
+
+Then the two knights departed asunder a little space, and came together
+with such force, that both their spears were shivered, and their shields
+and hauberks pierced through; and both fell to the ground sorely
+wounded, with their horses under them. But swiftly they arose, and drew
+their swords, and smote each other on the head with many great and
+heavy blows, till the blood ran down their bodies; and Sir Pridan was a
+full good knight, so that Sir Bors had more ado than he had thought for
+to overcome him.
+
+But at last Sir Pridan grew a little faint; that instantly perceived Sir
+Bors, and rushed upon him the more vehemently, and smote him fiercely,
+till he rent off his helm, and then gave him great strokes upon his
+visage with the flat of his sword, and bade him yield or be slain.
+
+And then Sir Pridan cried him mercy, and said, "For God's sake slay me
+not, and I will never war against thy lady more." So Sir Bors let him
+go, and his wife fled away with all her knights.
+
+Then all those who had held lands of the lady of the tower came and did
+homage to her again, and swore fealty. And when the country was at peace
+Sir Bors departed, and rode forth into a forest until it was midday, and
+there befell him a marvelous adventure.
+
+For at a place where two ways parted, there met him two knights, bearing
+Sir Lionel, his brother, all naked, bound on a horse, and as they rode,
+they beat him sorely with thorns, so that the blood trailed down in more
+than a hundred places from his body; but for all this he uttered no word
+or groan, so great he was of heart. As soon as Sir Bors knew his
+brother, he put his spear in rest to run and rescue him; but in the same
+moment heard a woman's voice cry close beside him in the wood, "St.
+Mary, succor thy maid"; and, looking round, he saw a damsel whom a felon
+knight dragged after him into the thickets; and she, perceiving him,
+cried piteously for help, and adjured him to deliver her as he was a
+sworn knight. Then was Sir Bors sore troubled, and knew not what to do,
+for he thought within himself, "If I let my brother be, he will be
+murdered; but if I help not the maid, she is shamed forever, and my vow
+compelleth me to set her free; wherefore must I first help her, and
+trust my brother unto God."
+
+So, riding to the knight who held the damsel, he cried out, "Sir knight,
+lay your hand off that maid, or else ye be but dead."
+
+At that the knight set down the maid, and dropped his shield, and drew
+forth his sword against Sir Bors, who ran at him, and smote him through
+both shield and shoulder, and threw him to the earth; and when he pulled
+his spear forth, the knight swooned. Then the maid thanked Sir Bors
+heartily, and he set her on the knight's horse, and brought her to her
+men-at-arms, who presently came riding after her. And they made much
+joy, and besought him to come to her father, a great lord, and he should
+be right welcome. But "truly," said he, "I may not at this time, for I
+have a great adventure yet to do"; and commending them to God, he
+departed in great haste to find his brother.
+
+So he rode, seeking him by the track of the horses a great while. Anon
+he met a seeming holy man riding upon a strong black horse, and asked
+him, had he seen pass by that way a knight led bound and beaten with
+thorns by two others.
+
+"Yea, truly, such an one I saw," said the man; "but he is dead, and lo!
+his body is hard by in a bush."
+
+Then he showed him a newly slain body lying in a thick bush, which
+seemed indeed to be Sir Lionel. Then made Sir Bors such mourning and
+sorrow that by-and-by he fell into a swoon upon the ground. And when he
+came to himself again, he took the body in his arms and put it on his
+horse's saddle, and bore it to a chapel hard by, and would have buried
+it. But when he made the sign of the cross, he heard a full great noise
+and cry as though all the fiends of hell had been about him, and
+suddenly the body and the chapel and the old man vanished all away. Then
+he knew that it was the devil who had thus beguiled him, and that his
+brother yet lived.
+
+Then held he up his hands to heaven, and thanked God for his own escape
+from hurt, and rode onwards; and anon, as he passed by an hermitage in a
+forest, he saw his brother sitting armed by the door. And when he saw
+him he was filled with joy, and lighted from his horse, and ran to him
+and said, "Fair brother, when came ye hither?"
+
+But Sir Lionel answered, with an angry face, "What vain words be these,
+when for you I might have been slain? Did ye not see me bound and led
+away to death, and left me in that peril to go succoring a gentlewoman,
+the like whereof no brother ever yet hath done? Now, for thy false
+misdeed, I do defy thee, and ensure thee speedy death."
+
+Then Sir Bors prayed his brother to abate his anger, and said, "Fair
+brother, remember the love that should be between us twain."
+
+But Sir Lionel would not hear, and prepared to fight, and mounted his
+horse and came before him, crying, "Sir Bors, keep thee from me, for I
+shall do to thee as a felon and a traitor; therefore, start upon thy
+horse, for if thou wilt not, I will run upon thee as thou standest."
+
+But for all his words Sir Bors would not defend himself against his
+brother. And anon the fiend stirred up Sir Lionel to such rage, that he
+rushed over him and overthrew him with his horse's hoofs, so that he lay
+swooning on the ground. Then would he have rent off his helm and slain
+him, but the hermit of that place ran out, and prayed him to forbear,
+and shielded Sir Bors with his body.
+
+Then Sir Lionel cried out, "Now, God so help me, sir priest, but I shall
+slay thee else thou depart, and him too after thee."
+
+And when the good man utterly refused to leave Sir Bors, he smote him on
+the head until he died, and then he took his brother by the helm and
+unlaced it, to have stricken off his head, and so he would have done,
+but suddenly was pulled off backwards by a knight of the Round Table,
+who, by the will of Heaven, was passing by that place--Sir Colgrevance
+by name.
+
+"Sir Lionel," he cried, "will ye slay your brother, one of the best
+knights of all the world? That ought no man to suffer."
+
+"Why," said Sir Lionel, "will ye hinder me and meddle in this strife?
+beware, lest I shall slay both thee and him."
+
+And when Sir Colgrevance refused to let them be, Sir Lionel defied him,
+and gave him a great stroke through the helmet, whereat Sir Colgrevance
+drew his sword, and smote again right manfully. And so long they fought
+together that Sir Bors awoke from his swoon, and tried to rise and part
+them, but had no strength to stand upon his feet.
+
+Anon Sir Colgrevance saw him, and cried out to him for help, for now Sir
+Lionel had nigh defeated him. When Sir Bors heard that, he struggled to
+his feet, and put his helmet on, and took his sword. But before he could
+come to him, Sir Lionel had smitten off Sir Colgrevance's helm, and
+thrown him to the earth and slain him. Then turned he to his brother as
+a man possessed by fiends, and gave him such a stroke as bent him nearly
+double.
+
+But Sir Bors prayed him for God's sake to quit that battle, "For if it
+befell us that we either slew the other we should die for care of that
+sin."
+
+"Never will I spare thee if I master thee," cried out Sir Lionel.
+
+Then Sir Bors drew his sword all weeping, and said, "Now, God have mercy
+on me, though I defend my life against my brother"; with that he lifted
+up his sword to strike, but suddenly he heard a mighty voice, "Put up
+thy sword, Sir Bors, and flee, or thou shalt surely slay him." And then
+there fell upon them both a fiery cloud, which flamed and burned their
+shields, and they fell to the earth in sore dread.
+
+Anon Sir Bors rose to his feet, and saw that Sir Lionel had taken no
+harm. Then came the voice again, and said, "Sir Bors, go hence and leave
+thy brother, and ride thou forward to the sea, for there Sir Percival
+abideth thee."
+
+Then he said to his brother, "Brother, forgive me all my trespass
+against thee."
+
+And Sir Lionel answered, "God forgive it thee, as I do."
+
+Then he departed and rode to the sea, and on the strand he found a ship
+all covered with white samite, and as soon as he had entered thereinto,
+it put forth from the shore. And in the midst of the ship there stood an
+armed knight, whom he knew to be Sir Percival. Then they rejoiced
+greatly over each other, and said, "We lack nothing now but the good
+knight Sir Galahad."
+
+Now when Sir Galahad had rescued Sir Percival from the twenty knights he
+rode into a vast forest. And after many days it befell that he came to a
+castle whereat was a tournament. And the knights of the castle were put
+to the worse; which when he saw, he set his spear in rest and ran to
+help them, and smote down many of their adversaries. And as it chanced,
+Sir Gawain was amongst the stranger knights, and when he saw the white
+shield with the red cross, he knew it was Sir Galahad, and proffered to
+joust with him. So they encountered, and having broken their spears,
+they drew their swords, and Sir Galahad smote Sir Gawain so sorely on
+the helm that he clove it through, and struck on slanting to the earth,
+carving the horse's shoulder in twain, and Sir Gawain fell to the earth.
+Then Sir Galahad beat back all who warred against the castle, yet would
+he not wait for thanks, but rode away that no man might know him.
+
+And he rested that night at a hermitage, and when he was asleep, he
+heard a knocking at the door. So he rose, and found a damsel there, who
+said, "Sir Galahad, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse
+and follow me, for I will show you within these three days the highest
+adventure that ever any knight saw."
+
+Anon Sir Galahad armed him, and took his horse, and commended himself to
+God, and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow where she liked.
+
+So they rode onwards to the sea as fast as their horses might gallop,
+and at night they came to a castle in a valley, inclosed by running
+water, and by strong and high walls, whereinto they entered and had
+great cheer, for the lady of the castle was the damsel's mistress.
+
+And when he was unarmed, the damsel said to her lady, "Madam, shall we
+abide here this night?"
+
+"Nay," said she, "but only till he hath dined and slept a little."
+
+So he ate and slept a while, till the maid called him, and armed him by
+torchlight; and when he had saluted the lady of the castle, the damsel
+and Sir Galahad rode on.
+
+Anon they came to the seaside, and lo! the ship, wherein were Sir
+Percival and Sir Bors, abode by the shore. Then they cried, "Welcome,
+Sir Galahad, for we have awaited thee long."
+
+Then they rejoiced to see each other, and told of all their adventures
+and temptations. And the damsel went into the ship with them, and spake
+to Sir Percival: "Sir Percival, know ye not who I am?"
+
+And he replied, "Nay, certainly, I know thee not."
+
+Then said she, "I am thy sister, the daughter of King Pellinore, and am
+sent to help thee and these knights, thy fellows, to achieve the quest
+which ye all follow."
+
+So Sir Percival rejoiced to see his sister, and they departed from the
+shore. And after a while they came upon a whirlpool, where their ship
+could not live. Then saw they another greater ship hard by and went
+towards it, but saw neither man nor woman therein. And on the end of it
+these words were written, "Thou who shalt enter me, beware that thou be
+in steadfast belief, for I am Faith; and if thou doubtest, I cannot help
+thee." Then were they all adread, but, commending themselves to God,
+they entered in.
+
+As soon as they were on board they saw a fair bed, whereon lay a crown
+of silk, and at the foot was a fair and rich sword drawn from its
+scabbard half a foot and more. The pommel was of precious stones of many
+colors, every color having a different virtue, and the scales of the
+haft were of two ribs of different beasts. The one was bone of a serpent
+from Calidone forest, named the serpent of the fiend; and its virtue
+saveth all men who hold it from weariness. The other was of a fish that
+haunteth the floods of Euphrates, named Ertanax; and its virtue causeth
+whoever holdeth it to forget all other things, whether of joy or pain,
+save the thing he seeth before him.
+
+"In the name of God," said Sir Percival, "I shall assay to handle this
+sword"; and set his hand to it, but could not grasp it. "By my faith,"
+said he, "now have I failed."
+
+Sir Bors set his hand to it, and failed also.
+
+Then came Sir Galahad, and saw these letters written red as blood, "None
+shall draw me forth save the hardiest of all men; but he that draweth me
+shall never be shamed or wounded to death." "By my faith," said Sir
+Galahad, "I would draw it forth, but dare not try."
+
+"Ye may try safely," said the gentlewoman, Sir Percival's sister, "for
+be ye well assured the drawing of this sword is forbid to all but you.
+For this was the sword of David, King of Israel, and Solomon his son
+made for it this marvelous pommel and this wondrous sheath, and laid it
+on this bed till thou shouldest come and take it up; and though before
+thee some have dared to raise it, yet have they all been maimed or
+wounded for their daring."
+
+"Where," said Sir Galahad, "shall we find a girdle for it?"
+
+"Fair sir," said she, "dismay you not"; and therewith took from out a
+box a girdle, nobly wrought with golden thread, set full of precious
+stones and with a rich gold buckle. "This girdle, lords," said she, "is
+made for the most part of mine own hair, which, while I was yet in the
+world, I loved full well; but when I knew that this adventure was
+ordained me, I cut off and wove as ye now see."
+
+Then they all prayed Sir Galahad to take the sword, and so anon he
+gripped it in his fingers; and the maiden girt it round his waist,
+saying, "Now reck I not though I die, for I have made thee the worthiest
+knight of all the world."
+
+"Fair damsel," said Sir Galahad, "ye have done so much that I shall be
+your knight all the days of my life."
+
+Then the ship sailed a great way on the sea, and brought them to land
+near the Castle of Carteloise. When they were landed came a squire and
+asked them, "Be ye of King Arthur's court?"
+
+"We are," said they.
+
+"In an evil hour are ye come," said he, and went back swiftly to the
+castle.
+
+Within a while they heard a great horn blow, and saw a multitude of
+well-armed knights come forth, who bade them yield or die. At that they
+ran together, and Sir Percival smote one to the earth and mounted his
+horse, and so likewise did Sir Bors and Sir Galahad, and soon had they
+routed all their enemies and alighted on foot, and with their swords
+slew them downright, and entered into the castle.
+
+Then came there forth a priest, to whom Sir Galahad kneeled and said,
+"In sooth, good father, I repent me of this slaughter; but we were first
+assailed, or else it had not been."
+
+"Repent ye not," said the good man, "for if ye lived as long as the
+world lasted ye could do no better deed, for these were all the felon
+sons of a good knight, Earl Hernox, whom they have thrown into a
+dungeon, and in his name have slain priests and clerks, and beat down
+chapels far and near."
+
+Then Sir Galahad prayed the priest to bring him to the earl; who, when
+he saw Sir Galahad, cried out, "Long have I waited for thy coming, and
+now I pray thee hold me in thine arms that I may die in peace."
+
+And therewith, when Sir Galahad had taken him in his arms, his soul
+departed from his body.
+
+Then came a voice in the hearing of them all, "Depart now, Sir Galahad,
+and go quickly to the maimed king, for he hath long abided to receive
+health from thy hand."
+
+So the three knights departed, and Sir Percival's sister with them, and
+came to a vast forest, and saw before them a white hart, exceeding fair,
+led by four lions; and marveling greatly at that sight, they followed.
+
+Anon they came to a hermitage and a chapel, whereunto the hart entered,
+and the lions with it. Then a priest offered mass, and presently they
+saw the hart change into the figure of a man, most sweet and comely to
+behold; and the four lions also changed and became a man, an eagle, a
+lion, and an ox. And suddenly all those five figures vanished without
+sound. Then the knights marveled greatly, and fell upon their knees, and
+when they rose they prayed the priest to tell them what that sight might
+mean.
+
+"What saw ye, sirs?" said he, "for I saw nothing." Then they told him.
+
+"Ah, lords!" said he, "ye are full welcome; now know I well ye be the
+knights who shall achieve the Sangreal, for unto them alone such
+mysteries are revealed. The hart ye saw is One above all men, white and
+without blemish, and the four lions with Him are the four evangelists."
+
+When they heard that they heartily rejoiced, and thanking the priest,
+departed.
+
+Anon, as they passed by a certain castle, an armed knight suddenly came
+after them, and cried out to the damsel, "By the holy cross, ye shall
+not go till ye have yielded to the custom of the castle."
+
+"Let her go," said Sir Percival, "for a maiden, wheresoever she cometh,
+is free."
+
+"Whatever maiden passeth here," replied the knight, "must give a dishful
+of her blood from her right arm."
+
+"It is a foul and shameful custom," cried Sir Galahad and both his
+fellows, "and sooner will we die than let this maiden yield thereto."
+
+"Then shall ye die," replied the knight, and as he spake there came out
+from a gate hard by, ten or twelve more, and encountered with them,
+running upon them vehemently with a great cry. But the three knights
+withstood them, and set their hands to their swords, and beat them down
+and slew them.
+
+At that came forth a company of threescore knights, all armed. "Fair
+lords," said Sir Galahad, "have mercy on yourselves and keep from us."
+
+"Nay, fair lords," they answered, "rather be advised by us, and yield ye
+to our custom."
+
+"It is an idle word," said Galahad, "in vain ye speak it."
+
+"Well," said they, "will ye die?"
+
+"We be not come thereto as yet," replied Sir Galahad.
+
+Then did they fall upon each other, and Sir Galahad drew forth his
+sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left, and slew so mightily
+that all who saw him thought he was a monster and no earthly man. And
+both his comrades helped him well, and so they held the field against
+that multitude till it was night. Then came a good knight forward from
+the enemy and said, "Fair knights, abide with us to-night and be right
+welcome; by the faith of our bodies as we are true knights, to-morrow ye
+shall rise unharmed, and meanwhile maybe ye will, of your own accord,
+accept the custom of the castle when ye know it better."
+
+So they entered and alighted and made great cheer. Anon, they asked them
+whence that custom came. "The lady of this castle is a leper," said
+they, "and can be no way cured save by the blood of a pure virgin and a
+king's daughter; therefore to save her life are we her servants bound to
+stay every maid that passeth by, and try if her blood may not cure our
+mistress."
+
+Then said the damsel, "Take ye of my blood as much as ye will, if it may
+avail your lady."
+
+And though the three knights urged her not to put her life in that great
+peril, she replied, "If I die to heal another's body, I shall get health
+to my soul," and would not be persuaded to refuse.
+
+So on the morrow she was brought to the sick lady, and her arm was
+bared, and a vein thereof was opened, and the dish filled with her
+blood. Then the sick lady was anointed therewith, and anon she was whole
+of her malady. With that Sir Percival's sister lifted up her hand and
+blessed her, saying, "Madam, I am come to my death to make you whole;
+for God's love pray for me"; and thus saying she fell down in a swoon.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Bors started to lift her up and
+staunch her blood, but she had lost too much to live. So when she came
+to herself she said to Sir Percival, "Fair brother, I must die for the
+healing of this lady, and now, I pray thee, bury me not here, but when I
+am dead put me in a boat at the next haven and let me float at venture
+on the sea. And when ye come to the city of Sarras, to achieve the
+Sangreal, shall ye find me waiting by a tower, and there I pray thee
+bury me, for there shall Sir Galahad and ye also be laid." Thus having
+said, she died.
+
+Then Sir Percival wrote all the story of her life and put it in her
+right hand, and so laid her in a barge and covered it with silk. And
+the wind arising drove the barge from land, and all the knights stood
+watching it till it was out of sight.
+
+Anon they returned to the castle, and forthwith fell a sudden tempest of
+thunder and lightning and rain, as if the earth were broken up: and half
+the castle was thrown down. Then came a voice to the three knights which
+said, "Depart ye now asunder till ye meet again where the maimed king is
+lying." So they parted and rode divers ways.
+
+Now after Sir Lancelot had left the hermit, he rode a long while till he
+knew not whither to turn, and so he lay down to sleep, if haply he might
+dream whither to go.
+
+And in his sleep a vision came to him saying, "Lancelot, rise up and
+take thine armor, and enter the first ship that thou shalt find."
+
+When he awoke he obeyed the vision, and rode till he came to the
+sea-shore, and found there a ship without sails or oars, and as soon as
+he was in it he smelt the sweetest savor he had ever known, and seemed
+filled with all things he could think of or desire. And looking round he
+saw a fair bed, and thereon a gentlewoman lying dead, who was Sir
+Percival's sister. And as Sir Lancelot looked on her he spied the
+writing in her right hand, and, taking it, he read therein her story.
+And more than a month thereafter he abode in that ship and was nourished
+by the grace of Heaven, as Israel was fed with manna in the desert.
+
+And on a certain night he went ashore to pass the time, for he was
+somewhat weary, and, listening, he heard a horse come towards him, from
+which a knight alighted and went up into the ship; who, when he saw Sir
+Lancelot, said, "Fair sir, ye be right welcome to mine eyes, for I am
+thy son Galahad, and long time I have sought for thee." With that he
+kneeled and asked his blessing, and took off his helm and kissed him,
+and the great joy there was between them no tongue can tell.
+
+Then for half a year they dwelt together in the ship, and served God
+night and day with all their powers, and went to many unknown islands,
+where none but wild beasts haunted, and there found many strange and
+perilous adventures.
+
+And upon a time they came to the edge of a forest, before a cross of
+stone, and saw a knight armed all in white, leading a white horse. Then
+the knight saluted them, and said to Galahad, "Ye have been long time
+enough with your father; now, therefore, leave him and ride this horse
+till ye achieve the Holy Quest."
+
+Then went Sir Galahad to his father and kissed him full courteously, and
+said, "Fair father, I know not when I shall see thee again."
+
+And as he took his horse a voice spake in their hearing, "Ye shall meet
+no more in this life."
+
+"Now, my son, Sir Galahad," said Sir Lancelot, "since we must so part
+and see each other never more, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+preserve both you and me."
+
+Then they bade farewell, and Sir Galahad entered the forest, and Sir
+Lancelot returned to the ship, and the wind rose and drove him more than
+a month through the sea, whereby he slept but little, yet ever prayed
+that he might see the Sangreal.
+
+So it befell upon a certain midnight, the moon shining clear, he came
+before a fair and rich castle, whereof the postern gate was open towards
+the sea, having no keeper save two lions in the entry.
+
+Anon Sir Lancelot heard a voice: "Leave now thy ship and go within the
+castle, and thou shalt see a part of thy desire."
+
+Then he armed and went towards the gate, and coming to the lions he drew
+out his sword, but suddenly a dwarf rushed out and smote him on the arm,
+so that he dropt his sword, and heard again the voice, "Oh, man of evil
+faith, and poor belief, wherefore trustest thou thine arms above thy
+Maker?" Then he put up his sword and signed the cross upon his forehead,
+and so passed by the lions without hurt.
+
+And going in, he found a chamber with the door shut, which in vain he
+tried to open. And listening thereat he heard a voice within, which sang
+so sweetly that it seemed no earthly thing, "Joy and honor be to the
+Father of Heaven!" Then he kneeled down at the door, for he knew well
+the Sangreal was there within.
+
+Anon the door was opened without hands, and forthwith came thereout so
+great a splendor as if all the torches of the world had been alight
+together. But when he would have entered in, a voice forbade him;
+wherefore he drew back, and looked, standing upon the threshold of the
+door. And there he saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered
+with red samite, and many angels round it holding burning candles and a
+cross and all the ornaments of the altar.
+
+Then a priest stood up and offered mass, and when he took the vessel up,
+he seemed to sink beneath that burden. At that Sir Lancelot cried, "O
+Father, take it not for sin that I go in to help the priest, who hath
+much need thereof." So saying, he went in, but when he came towards the
+table he felt a breath of fire which issued out therefrom and smote him
+to the ground, so that he had no power to rise.
+
+Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and laid him down
+outside the chapel door. There lay he in a swoon all through that night,
+and on the morrow certain people found him senseless, and bore him to an
+inner chamber and laid him on a bed. And there he rested, living, but
+moving no limbs, twenty-four days and nights.
+
+On the twenty-fifth day he opened his eyes and saw those standing round,
+and said, "Why have ye waked me? for I have seen marvels that no tongue
+can tell, and more than any heart can think."
+
+Then he asked where he was, and they told him, "In the Castle of
+Carbonek."
+
+"Tell your lord, King Pelles," said he, "that I am Sir Lancelot."
+
+At that they marveled greatly, and told their lord it was Sir Lancelot
+who had lain there so long.
+
+Then was King Pelles wondrous glad and went to see him, and prayed him
+to abide there for a season. But Sir Lancelot said, "I know well that I
+have now seen as much as mine eyes may behold of the Sangreal; wherefore
+I will return to my own country." So he took leave of King Pelles, and
+departed towards Logris.
+
+Now after Sir Galahad had parted from Sir Lancelot, he rode many days,
+till he came to the monastery where the blind King Evelake lay, whom Sir
+Percival had seen. And on the morrow, when he had heard mass, Sir
+Galahad desired to see the king, who cried out, "Welcome, Sir Galahad,
+servant of the Lord! long have I abided thy coming. Take me now in thine
+arms, that I may die in peace."
+
+At that Sir Galahad embraced him; and when he had so done the king's
+eyes were opened, and he said, "Fair Lord Jesus, suffer me now to come
+to Thee"; and anon his soul departed.
+
+Then they buried him royally, as a king should be; and Sir Galahad went
+on his way.
+
+Within a while he came to a chapel in a forest, in the crypt whereof he
+saw a tomb which always blazed and burnt. And asking the brethren what
+that might mean, they told him, "Joseph of Arimathea's son did found
+this monastery, and one who wronged him hath lain here these three
+hundred and fifty years and burneth evermore, until that perfect knight
+who shall achieve the Sangreal doth quench the fire."
+
+Then said he, "I pray ye bring me to the tomb."
+
+And when he touched the place immediately the fire was quenched, and a
+voice came from the grave and cried, "Thanks be to God, who now hath
+purged me of my sin, and draweth me from earthly pains into the joys of
+paradise."
+
+Then Sir Galahad took the body in his arms and bore it to the abbey, and
+on the morrow put it in the earth before the high altar.
+
+Anon he departed from thence and rode five days in a great forest; and
+after that he met Sir Percival, and a little further on Sir Bors. When
+they had told each other their adventures, they rode together to the
+Castle of Carbonek: and there King Pelles gave them hearty welcome, for
+he knew they should achieve the Holy Quest.
+
+As soon as they were come into the castle, a voice cried in the midst of
+the chamber, "Let them who ought not now to sit at the table of the Lord
+rise and depart hence!" Then all, save those three knights, departed.
+
+Anon they saw other knights come in with haste at the hall doors and
+take their harness off, who said to Sir Galahad, "Sir, we have tried
+sore to be with you at this table."
+
+"Ye be welcome," said he, "but whence are ye?"
+
+So three of them said they were from Gaul; and three from Ireland; and
+three from Denmark.
+
+Then came forth the likeness of a bishop, with a cross in his hand, and
+four angels stood by him, and a table of silver was before them, whereon
+was set the vessel of the Sangreal. Then came forth other angels
+also--two bearing burning candles, and the third a towel, and the
+fourth a spear which bled marvelously, the drops wherefrom fell into a
+box he held in his left hand. Anon the bishop took the wafer up to
+consecrate it, and at the lifting up, they saw the figure of a Child,
+whose visage was as bright as any fire, which smote itself into the
+midst of the wafer and vanished, so that all saw the flesh made bread.
+
+Thereat the bishop went to Galahad and kissed him, and bade him go and
+kiss his fellows; and said, "Now, servants of the Lord, prepare for food
+such as none ever yet were fed with since the world began."
+
+With that he vanished, and the knights were filled with a great dread
+and prayed devoutly.
+
+Then saw they come forth from the holy vessel the vision of a man
+bleeding all openly, whom they knew well by the tokens of His passion
+for the Lord Himself. At that they fell upon their faces and were dumb.
+Anon he brought the Holy Grail to them and spake high words of comfort,
+and, when they drank therefrom, the taste thereof was sweeter than any
+tongue could tell or heart desire. Then a voice said to Galahad, "Son,
+with this blood which drippeth from the spear anoint thou the maimed
+king and heal him. And when thou hast this done, depart hence with thy
+brethren in a ship that ye shall find, and go to the city of Sarras. And
+bear with thee the holy vessel, for it shall no more be seen in the
+realm of Logris."
+
+At that Sir Galahad walked to the bleeding spear, and therefrom
+anointing his fingers went out straightway to the maimed King Pelles,
+and touched his wound. Then suddenly he uprose from his bed as whole a
+man as ever he was, and praised God passing thankfully with all his
+heart.
+
+Then Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival departed as they had been
+told; and when they had ridden three days they came to the sea-shore,
+and found the ship awaiting them. Therein they entered, and saw in the
+midst the silver table and the vessel of the Sangreal, covered with red
+samite. Then were they passing glad, and made great reverence thereto.
+And Sir Galahad prayed that now he might leave the world and pass to
+God. And presently, the while he prayed, a voice said to him, "Galahad,
+thy prayer is heard, and when thou asketh the death of the body thou
+shalt have it, and find the life of thy soul."
+
+But while they prayed and slept the ship sailed on, and when they woke
+they saw the city of Sarras before them, and the other ship wherein was
+Sir Percival's sister. Then the three knights took up the holy table and
+the Sangreal and went into the city; and there, in a chapel, they buried
+Sir Percival's sister right solemnly.
+
+Now at the gate of the town they saw an old cripple sitting, whom Sir
+Galahad called to help them bear their weight.
+
+"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I have gone a step
+without these crutches."
+
+"Care ye not," said Sir Galahad, "rise now and show goodwill."
+
+So he assayed to move, and found his limbs as strong as any man's might
+be, and running to the table helped to carry it.
+
+Anon there rose a rumor in the city that a cripple had been healed by
+certain marvelous strange knights.
+
+But the king, named Estouranse, who was a heathen tyrant, when he heard
+thereof took Sir Galahad and his fellows, and put them in prison in a
+deep hole. Therein they abode a great while, but ever the Sangreal was
+with them and fed them with marvelous sweet food, so that they fainted
+not, but had all joy and comfort they could wish.
+
+At the year's end the king fell sick and felt that he should die. Then
+sent he for the three knights, and when they came before him prayed
+their mercy for his trespasses against them. So they forgave him gladly,
+and anon he died.
+
+Then the chief men of the city took counsel together who should be king
+in his stead, and as they talked, a voice cried in their midst, "Choose
+ye the youngest of the three knights King Estouranse cast into prison
+for your king." At that they sought Sir Galahad and made him king with
+the assent of all the city, and else they would have slain him.
+
+But within a twelve-month came to him, upon a certain day, as he prayed
+before the Sangreal, a man in likeness of a bishop, with a great company
+of angels round about him, who offered mass, and afterwards called to
+Sir Galahad, "Come forth, thou servant of the Lord, for the time hath
+come thou hast desired so long."
+
+Then Sir Galahad lifted up his hands and prayed, "Now, blessed Lord!
+would I no longer live if it might please Thee."
+
+Anon the bishop gave him the sacrament, and when he had received it with
+unspeakable gladness, he said, "Who art thou, father?"
+
+"I am Joseph of Arimathea," answered he, "whom our Lord hath sent to
+bear thee fellowship."
+
+When he heard that, Sir Galahad went to Sir Percival and Sir Bors and
+kissed them and commended them to God, saying, "Salute for me Sir
+Lancelot, my father, and bid them remember this unstable world."
+
+Therewith he kneeled down and prayed, and suddenly his soul departed,
+and a multitude of angels bare it up to heaven. Then came a hand from
+heaven and took the vessel and the spear and bare them out of sight.
+
+Since then was never man so hardy as to say that he had seen the
+Sangreal.
+
+And after all these things, Sir Percival put off his armor and betook
+him to an hermitage, and within a little while passed out of this world.
+And Sir Bors, when he had buried him beside his sister, returned,
+weeping sore for the loss of his two brethren, to King Arthur, at
+Camelot.
+
+
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+SIR LANCELOT AND THE FAIR ELAINE
+
+
+Now after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled and all the knights
+who were left alive were come again to the Round Table, there was great
+joy in the court. And passing glad were King Arthur and Queen Guinevere
+to see Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, for they had been long absent in that
+quest.
+
+And so greatly was Sir Lancelot's fame now spread abroad that many
+ladies and damsels daily resorted to him and besought him for their
+champion; and all right quarrels did he gladly undertake for the
+pleasure of our Lord Christ. And always as much as he might he withdrew
+him from the queen.
+
+Wherefore Queen Guinevere, who counted him for her own knight, grew
+wroth with him, and on a certain day she called him to her chamber, and
+said thus: "Sir Lancelot, I daily see thy loyalty to me doth slack, for
+ever thou art absent from this court, and takest other ladies' quarrels
+on thee more than ever thou wert wont. Now do I understand thee, false
+knight, and therefore shall I never trust thee more. Depart now from my
+sight, and come no more within this court upon pain of thy head." With
+that she turned from him and would hear no excuses.
+
+So Sir Lancelot departed in heaviness of heart, and calling Sir Bors,
+Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, he told them how the queen had dealt with
+him.
+
+"Fair sir," replied Sir Bors, "remember what honor ye have in this
+country, and how ye are called the noblest knight in the world;
+wherefore go not, for women are hasty, and do often what they sore
+repent of afterwards. Be ruled by my advice. Take horse and ride to the
+hermitage beside Windsor, and there abide till I send ye better
+tidings."
+
+To that Sir Lancelot consented, and departed with a sorrowful
+countenance.
+
+Now when the queen heard of his leaving she was inwardly sorry, but made
+no show of grief, bearing a proud visage outwardly. And on a certain day
+she made a costly banquet to all the knights of the Round Table, to show
+she had as great joy in all others as in Sir Lancelot. And at the
+banquet were Sir Gawain, and his brothers Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris,
+and Sir Gareth; also Sir Modred, Sir Bors, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis,
+Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, Sir Palomedes, Sir Mador de la Port, and his
+cousin Sir Patrice--a knight of Ireland, Sir Pinell le Savage, and many
+more.
+
+Now Sir Pinell hated Sir Gawain because he had slain one of his kinsmen
+by treason; and Sir Gawain had a great love for all kinds of fruit,
+which, when Sir Pinell knew, he poisoned certain apples that were set
+upon the table, with intent to slay him. And so it chanced as they ate
+and made merry, Sir Patrice, who sat next to Sir Gawain, took one of the
+poisoned apples and eat it, and when he had eaten he suddenly swelled up
+and fell down dead.
+
+At that every knight leapt from the board ashamed and enraged nigh out
+of their wits, for they knew not what to say, yet seeing that the queen
+had made the banquet they all had suspicion of her.
+
+"My lady the queen," said Sir Gawain, "I wit well this fruit was meant
+for me, for all men know my love for it, and now had I been nearly
+slain; wherefore, I fear me, ye will be ashamed."
+
+"This shall not end so," cried Sir Mador de la Port; "now have I lost a
+noble knight of my own blood, and for this despite and shame I will be
+revenged to the uttermost."
+
+Then he challenged Queen Guinevere concerning the death of his cousin,
+but she stood still, sore abashed, and anon with her sorrow and dread,
+she swooned.
+
+At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur, and to him appealed Sir
+Mador, and impeached the queen.
+
+"Fair lords," said he, "full sorely am I troubled at this matter, for I
+must be rightful judge, and therein it repenteth me I may not do battle
+for my wife, for, as I deem, this deed was none of hers. But I suppose
+she will not lack a champion, and some good knight surely will put his
+body in jeopardy to save her."
+
+But all who had been bidden to the banquet said they could not hold the
+queen excused, or be her champions, for she had made the feast, and
+either by herself or servants must it have come.
+
+"Alas!" said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and no
+evil, so God help me in my need."
+
+"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you heartily as you be a
+righteous king give me a day when I may have justice."
+
+"Well," said the king, "I give ye this day fifteen days, when ye shall
+be ready and armed in the meadow beside Westminster, and if there be a
+knight to fight with you, God speed the right, and if not, then must my
+queen be burnt."
+
+When the king and queen were alone together he asked her how this case
+befell.
+
+"I wot not how or in what manner," answered she.
+
+"Where is Sir Lancelot?" said King Arthur, "for he would not grudge to
+do battle for thee."
+
+"Sir," said she, "I cannot tell you, but all his kinsmen deem he is not
+in this realm."
+
+"These be sad tidings," said the king; "I counsel ye to find Sir Bors,
+and pray him for Sir Lancelot's sake to do this battle for you."
+
+So the queen departed and sent for Sir Bors to her chamber, and besought
+his succor.
+
+"Madam," said he, "what would you have me do? for I may not with my
+honor take this matter on me, for I was at that same dinner, and all the
+other knights would have me ever in suspicion. Now do ye miss Sir
+Lancelot, for he would not have failed you in right nor yet in wrong,
+as ye have often proved, but now ye have driven him from the country."
+
+"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly at your mercy, and
+all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me."
+
+And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees before Sir Bors, and
+besought him to have mercy on her.
+
+Anon came in King Arthur also, and prayed him of his courtesy to help
+her, saying, "I require you for the love of Lancelot."
+
+"My lord," said he, "ye require the greatest thing of me that any man
+can ask, for if I do this battle for the queen I shall anger all my
+fellows of the Table Round; nevertheless, for my lord Sir Lancelot's
+sake, and for yours, I will that day be the queen's champion, unless
+there chance to come a better knight than I am to do battle for her."
+And this he promised on his faith.
+
+Then were the king and queen passing glad, and thanked him heartily, and
+so departed.
+
+But Sir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage where Sir Lancelot was, and
+told him all these tidings.
+
+"It has chanced as I would have it," said Sir Lancelot; "yet make ye
+ready for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Bors, "doubt not but ye shall have your will."
+
+But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he
+was to be the queen's champion, for there were few in the court but
+deemed her guilty.
+
+Then said Sir Bors, "Wit ye will, fair lords, it were a shame to us all
+to suffer so fair and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion,
+for ever hath she proved herself a lover of good knights; wherefore I
+doubt not she is guiltless of this treason."
+
+At that were some well pleased, but others rested passing wroth.
+
+And when the day was come, the king and queen and all the knights went
+to the meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be fought.
+Then the queen was put in ward, and a great fire was made round the iron
+stake, where she must be burnt if Sir Mador won the day.
+
+So when the heralds blew, Sir Mador rode forth, and took oath that Queen
+Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and his oath he would prove
+with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth
+Sir Bors, and said, "Queen Guinevere is in the right, and that will I
+prove with my hands."
+
+With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the
+battle. But Sir Bors tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come, till
+Sir Mador cried out to King Arthur, "Bid thy champion come forth, unless
+he dare not." Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and rode to
+the end of the lists.
+
+But ere he could meet Sir Mador he was aware of a knight upon a white
+horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield, who rode to him
+and said, "I pray you withdraw from this quarrel, for it is mine, and I
+have ridden far to fight in it."
+
+Thereat Sir Bors rode to King Arthur, and told him that another knight
+was come who would do battle for the queen.
+
+"Who is he?" said King Arthur.
+
+"I may not tell you," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to
+be here to-day, wherefore I am discharged."
+
+Then the king called that knight, and asked him if he would fight for
+the queen.
+
+"Therefore came I hither, Sir king," answered he; "but let us tarry no
+longer, for anon I have other matters to do. But wit ye well," said he
+to the Knights of the Round Table, "it is shame to ye for such a
+courteous queen to suffer this dishonor."
+
+And all men marveled who this knight might be, for none knew him save
+Sir Bors.
+
+Then Sir Mador and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and
+couching their spears, ran one against the other with all their might;
+and Sir Mador's spear broke short, but the strange knight bore both him
+and his horse down to the ground. Then lightly they leaped from their
+saddles and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and
+either gave the other many sad strokes and sore and deep wounds.
+
+Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Mador was a full strong and
+valiant knight. But at last the strange knight smote him to the earth,
+and gave him such a buffet on the helm as wellnigh killed him. Then did
+Sir Mador yield, and prayed his life.
+
+"I will but grant it thee," said the strange knight, "if thou wilt
+release the queen from this quarrel forever, and promise that no mention
+shall be made upon Sir Patrice's tomb that ever she consented to that
+treason."
+
+"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador.
+
+Then the knights parters took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and
+the other knight went straight to the stair foot of King Arthur's
+throne; and by that time was the queen come to the king again, and
+kissed him lovingly.
+
+Then both the king and she stooped down, and thanked the knight, and
+prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine.
+And when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir
+Lancelot. But when the queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground
+weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness
+when she had showed him such unkindness.
+
+Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great
+joy and mirth in the court. And Sir Mador and Sir Lancelot were soon
+healed of their wounds; and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to
+the court, and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinell, and
+not the queen, was guilty of Sir Patrice's death. Whereat the queen was
+held excused of all men, and Sir Pinell fled the country.
+
+So Sir Patrice was buried in the church of Winchester, and it was
+written on his tomb that Sir Pinell slew him with a poisoned apple, in
+error for Sir Gawain. Then, through Sir Lancelot's favor, the queen was
+reconciled to Sir Mador, and all was forgiven.
+
+Now fifteen days before the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the
+king proclaimed a tourney to be held that feast-day at Camelot, whereat
+himself and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come
+against them. So thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish
+of Ireland, and Sir Galahaut the noble prince, and many other nobles of
+divers countries.
+
+And King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the queen go with
+him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot, also, made excuses,
+saying he was not yet whole of his wounds.
+
+At that the king was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone
+towards Camelot. And by the way he lodged in a town called Astolat, and
+lay that night in the castle.
+
+As soon as he had gone, Sir Lancelot said to the queen, "This night I
+will rest, and to-morrow betimes will I take my way to Camelot; for at
+these jousts I will be against the king and his fellowship."
+
+"Ye may do as ye list," said Queen Guinevere; "but by my counsel ye will
+not be against the king, for in his company are many hardy knights, as
+ye well know."
+
+"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray ye be not displeased with me, for I
+will take the adventure that God may send me."
+
+And on the morrow he went to the church and heard mass, and took his
+leave of the queen, and so departed.
+
+Then he rode long till he came to Astolat, and there lodged at the
+castle of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astolat, which was near the
+castle where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the king
+espied him, and knew him. Then said he to the knights, "I have just seen
+a knight who will fight full well at the joust toward which we go."
+
+"Who is it?" asked they.
+
+"As yet ye shall not know," he answered smiling.
+
+When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming the old baron came to him,
+saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was.
+
+Now Sir Bernard had a daughter passing beautiful, called the Fair Maid
+of Astolat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that
+instant with her whole heart, and could not stay from gazing on him.
+
+On the morrow, Sir Lancelot asked the old baron to lend him a strange
+shield. "For," said he, "I would be unknown."
+
+"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for here is the shield
+of my eldest son, Sir Torre, who was hurt the day he was made knight, so
+that he cannot ride; and his shield, therefore, is not known. And, if it
+please you, my youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you to the
+jousts, for he is of his age full strong and mighty; and I deem ye be a
+noble knight, wherefore I pray ye tell me your name."
+
+"As to that," said Sir Lancelot, "ye must hold me excused at this time,
+but if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you; but
+in anywise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and lend me his
+brother's shield."
+
+Then, ere they departed, came Elaine, the baron's daughter, and said to
+Sir Lancelot, "I pray thee, gentle knight, to wear my token at
+to-morrow's tourney."
+
+"If I should grant you that, fair damsel," said he, "ye might say that I
+did more for you than ever I have done for lady or damsel."
+
+Then he bethought him that if he granted her request he would be the
+more disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon
+he said, "Fair damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet if thou wilt
+show it me."
+
+Thereat was she passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve broidered
+with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took, and put upon his helm. Then he
+prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking
+Sir Torre's shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavaine towards Camelot.
+
+On the morrow the trumpets blew for the tourney, and there was a great
+press of dukes and earls and barons and many noble knights; and King
+Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of
+Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland rode forth on King
+Arthur's side; and against them came the King of North Wales, the King
+of a Hundred Knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince
+Sir Galahaut.
+
+But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood behind the
+party which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove
+the weakest.
+
+Then was there a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a
+Hundred Knights smote down the King of Scotland; and Sir Palomedes, who
+was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galahaut. Then came fifteen
+Knights of the Round Table and beat back the Kings of Northumberland and
+North Wales with their knights.
+
+"Now," said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "if ye will help me, ye shall
+see yonder fellowship go back as fast as they came."
+
+"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "I will do what I can."
+
+Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there, with
+one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five Knights of the Round Table, one
+after other, and Sir Lavaine overthrew two. And taking another spear,
+for his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and
+Sir Lavaine a fifth. Then, drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought
+fiercely on the right hand and the left, and unhorsed Sir Safire, Sir
+Epinogris, and Sir Galleron. At that the Knights of the Round Table
+withdrew themselves as well as they were able.
+
+"Now, mercy," said Sir Gawain, who sat by King Arthur; "what knight is
+that who doth such marvelous deeds of arms? I should deem him by his
+force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's token on his helm
+as never Lancelot doth."
+
+"Let him be," said King Arthur; "he will be better known, and do more
+ere he depart."
+
+Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his
+knights were sore ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel
+called together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed
+to join together in one band against the two strange knights. So they
+encountered Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse
+to the ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through
+the shield into the side, and the spear broke off and left the head in
+the wound.
+
+When Sir Lavaine saw that, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck
+him off his horse, and brought it to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to
+mount. Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bors and his horse to the ground, and
+in like manner served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and turning upon three
+other knights he smote them down also; while Sir Lavaine did many
+gallant deeds.
+
+But feeling himself now sorely wounded Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and
+proffered to fight with Sir Bors, who, by this time, was mounted anew.
+And as they met, Sir Ector and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of
+all three drave fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets, and
+his wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while
+he could yet endure, and smote Sir Bors a blow that bent his head down
+nearly to the ground and razed his helmet off and pulled him from his
+horse.
+
+Then rushing at Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, he smote them down, and might
+have slain all three, but when he saw their faces his heart forbade him.
+Leaving them, therefore, on the field, he hurled into the thickest of
+the press, and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before.
+
+And Sir Lavaine was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights;
+but Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them Knights
+of the Round Table.
+
+Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney,
+and the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight with the white
+shield who bore the red sleeve.
+
+But ere Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the King of the
+Hundred Knights, the King of North Wales, the King of Northumberland,
+and Sir Galahaut, and said to him, "Fair knight, God bless thee, for
+much have ye done this day for us; wherefore we pray ye come with us and
+receive the honor and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it."
+
+"My fair lords," said Sir Lancelot, "wit ye well if I have deserved
+thanks, I have sore bought them, for I am like never to escape with my
+life; therefore pray ye let me depart, for I am sore hurt. I take no
+thought of honor, for I had rather rest me than be lord of all the
+world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away
+from them.
+
+And Sir Lavaine rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still
+stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from
+the wound. Anon they came near a wood more than a mile from the lists,
+where he knew he could be hidden.
+
+Then said he to Sir Lavaine, "O gentle knight, help me to pull out this
+spear-head from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me."
+
+"Dear lord," said he, "I fain would help ye; but I dread to draw it
+forth, lest ye should die for loss of blood."
+
+"I charge you as you love me," said Sir Lancelot, "draw it out."
+
+So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavaine drew the spear
+forth from Sir Lancelot's side; whereat he gave a marvelous great shriek
+and ghastly groan, and all his blood leaped forth in a full stream. Then
+he sank swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death.
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do now?"
+
+And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him
+nigh half an hour while he lay quiet as one dead. But at the last he
+lifted up his eyes, and said, "I pray ye bear me on my horse again, and
+lead me to a hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence, for he was
+formerly a knight of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in
+medicine and herbs."
+
+So with great pain Sir Lavaine got him to his horse, and led him to the
+hermitage within the wood, beside a stream. Then knocked he with his
+spear upon the door, and prayed to enter. At that a child came out, to
+whom he said, "Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither
+and let in a knight who is sore wounded."
+
+Anon came out the knight-hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked,
+"Who is this wounded knight?"
+
+"I know not," said Sir Lavaine, "save that he is the noblest knight I
+ever met with, and hath done this day such marvelous deeds of arms
+against King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the tourney."
+
+Then the hermit gazed long on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him, so pale
+he was with bleeding, yet said he at the last, "Who art thou, lord?"
+
+Sir Lancelot answered feebly, "I am a stranger knight adventurous, who
+laboreth through many realms to win worship."
+
+"Why hidest thou thy name, dear lord, from me?" cried Sir Baldwin; "for
+in sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world--my
+lord Sir Lancelot du Lake, with whom I long had fellowship at the Round
+Table."
+
+"Since ye know me, fair sir," said he, "I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to
+help me if ye may."
+
+"Doubt not," replied he, "that ye shall live and fare right well."
+
+Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials
+till he was refreshed from his faintness and came to himself again.
+
+Now after the jousting was done King Arthur held a feast, and asked to
+see the knight with the red sleeve that he might take the prize. So they
+told him how that knight had ridden from the field wounded nigh to
+death. "These be the worst tidings I have heard for many years," cried
+out the king; "I would not for my kingdom he were slain."
+
+Then all men asked, "Know ye him, lord?"
+
+"I may not tell ye at this time," said he; "but would to God we had good
+tidings of him."
+
+Then Sir Gawain prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the king
+gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted and rode many leagues round
+Camelot, but could hear no tidings.
+
+Within two days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from
+Camelot, and Sir Gawain chanced to lodge at Astolat, in the house of Sir
+Bernard. And there came in the fair Elaine to him, and prayed him news
+of the tournament, and who won the prize. "A knight with a white
+shield," said he, "who bare a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all
+comers and won the day."
+
+At that the visage of Elaine changed suddenly from white to red, and
+heartily she thanked our Lady.
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, "Know ye that knight?" and urged her till she told
+him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sir Gawain knew it was for love
+that she had given it; and when he heard she kept his proper shield he
+prayed to see it.
+
+As soon as it was brought he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon, and cried,
+"Alas! now am I heavier of heart than ever yet."
+
+"Wherefore?" said fair Elaine.
+
+"Fair damsel," answered he, "know ye not that the knight ye love is of
+all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot du Lake? With all my
+heart I pray ye may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think that
+ye shall see him in this world again, for he is so sore wounded he may
+scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him."
+
+Then was Elaine nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words
+she prayed her father that she might go seek Sir Lancelot and her
+brother. So in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed.
+
+And on the morrow came Sir Gawain to the court, and told how he had
+found Sir Lancelot's shield in Elaine's keeping, and how it was her
+sleeve which he had worn; whereat all marveled, for Sir Lancelot had
+done for her more than he had ever done for any woman.
+
+But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and
+sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir
+Lancelot had been hurt--"Have ye now heard," said she, "how falsely Sir
+Lancelot hath betrayed me?"
+
+"I beseech thee, madam," said he, "speak not so, for else I may not hear
+thee."
+
+"Shall I not call him traitor," cried she, "who hath worn another lady's
+token at the jousting?"
+
+"Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent," replied Sir Bors, "but
+that he might be better hidden, for never did he in that wise before."
+
+"Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him," cried the queen.
+
+"Madam, say what ye will," said he; "but I must haste to seek him, and
+God send me soon good tidings of him."
+
+So with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot.
+
+Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astolat, and come to Camelot,
+and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot.
+And so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the hermitage to
+exercise his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud,
+"How doth my lord Sir Lancelot fare?"
+
+Then said Sir Lavaine, marveling greatly, "How know ye my lord's name,
+fair sister?"
+
+So she told him how Sir Gawain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir
+Lancelot's shield.
+
+Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came to the
+hermitage and found him lying there sore sick and bleeding, she swooned
+for sorrow. Anon, as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her, and said,
+"Fair maid, I pray ye take comfort, for, by God's grace, I shall be
+shortly whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me, I am heartily
+bounden to your great kindness." Yet was he sore vexed to hear Sir
+Gawain had discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full
+wroth because of the red sleeve.
+
+So Elaine rested in the hermitage, and ever night and day she watched
+and waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as
+she saw him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no
+means withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "I pray thee
+set some to watch for the good knight Sir Bors, for as he hurt me, so
+will he surely seek for me."
+
+Now Sir Bors by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir
+Lancelot everywhere, so Sir Lavaine soon found him, and brought him to
+the hermitage.
+
+And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pity and
+sorrow that he had given him that grievous wound. "God send thee a right
+speedy cure, dear lord," said he; "for I am of all men most unhappy to
+have wounded thee, who art our leader, and the noblest knight in all the
+world."
+
+"Fair cousin," said Sir Lancelot, "be comforted, for I have but gained
+what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, for had I
+warned ye of my coming it had not been; wherefore let us speak of other
+things."
+
+So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the queen's
+anger. Then he asked Sir Lancelot, "Was it from this maid who tendeth
+you so lovingly ye had the token?"
+
+"Yea," said Sir Lancelot; "and would I could persuade her to withdraw
+her love from me."
+
+"Why should ye do so?" said Sir Bors; "for she is passing fair and
+loving. I would to heaven ye could love her."
+
+"That may not be," replied he; "but it repenteth me in sooth to grieve
+her."
+
+Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at
+Allhallowtide next coming, between King Arthur and the King of North
+Wales.
+
+"Abide with me till then," said Sir Lancelot, "for by that time I trust
+to be all whole again, and we will go together."
+
+So Elaine daily and nightly tending him, within a month he felt so
+strong he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day, when Sir Bors and
+Sir Lavaine were from the hermitage, and the knight-hermit also was gone
+forth, Sir Lancelot prayed Elaine to bring him some herbs from the
+forest.
+
+When she was gone he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he
+were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh
+with lack of labor for so long a time. But when he set his spear in the
+rest and tried his armor, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so
+that Sir Lancelot strained to keep him back. And therewith his wound,
+which was not wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan
+he sank down swooning on the ground.
+
+At that came fair Elaine and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying
+so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them
+traitors to let him rise, or to know any rumor of the tournament. Anon
+the hermit returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen, but within
+a while he recovered him from his swoon and staunched the wound. Then
+Sir Lancelot told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his
+strength for the tournament. But the hermit bade him rest and let Sir
+Bors go alone, for else would he sorely peril his life. And Elaine,
+with tears, prayed him in the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end
+consented.
+
+So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of
+arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Gawain, who did like
+valiantly.
+
+And when all was over he came back and told Sir Lancelot, and found him
+so nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter
+he departed from the hermitage and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavaine, and
+fair Elaine to Astolat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them.
+
+But after they had lodged there a few days Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors
+must needs depart and return to King Arthur's court.
+
+So when Elaine knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said,
+"Have mercy on me, fair knight, and let me not die for your love."
+
+Then said Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, "Fair maid, what would ye
+that I should do for you?"
+
+"If I may not be your wife, dear lord," she answered, "I must die."
+
+"Alas!" said he, "I pray heaven that may not be; for in sooth I may not
+be your husband. But fain would I show ye what thankfulness I can for
+all your love and kindness to me. And ever will I be your knight, fair
+maiden; and if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right
+heartily will I give ye such a dower as half my lands will bring."
+
+"Alas! what shall that aid me?" answered she; "for I must die," and
+therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon.
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard
+and Sir Lavaine, "What shall I do for her?"
+
+"Alas!" said Sir Bernard, "I know well that she will die for your sake."
+
+And Sir Lavaine said, "I marvel not that she so sorely mourneth your
+departure, for truly I do as she doth, and since I once have seen you,
+lord, I cannot leave you."
+
+So anon, with a full sorrowful heart, Sir Lancelot took his leave, and
+Sir Lavaine rode with him to the court. And King Arthur and the Knights
+of the Round Table joyed greatly to see him whole of his wound, but
+Queen Guinevere was sorely wroth, and neither spake with him nor greeted
+him.
+
+Now when Sir Lancelot had departed, the Maid of Astolat could neither
+eat, nor drink, nor sleep for sorrow; and having thus endured ten days,
+she felt within herself that she must die.
+
+Then sent she for a holy man, and was shriven and received the
+sacrament. But when he told her she must leave her earthly thoughts, she
+answered, "Am I not an earthly woman? What sin is it to love the noblest
+knight of all the world? And, by my truth, I am not able to withstand
+the love whereof I die; wherefore, I pray the High Father of Heaven to
+have mercy on my soul."
+
+Then she besought Sir Bernard to indite a letter as she should devise,
+and said, "When I am dead put this within my hand, and dress me in my
+fairest clothes, and lay me in a barge all covered with black samite,
+and steer it down the river till it reach the court. Thus, father, I
+beseech thee let it be."
+
+Then, full of grief, he promised her it should be so. And anon she died,
+and all the household made a bitter lamentation over her.
+
+Then did they as she had desired, and laid her body, richly dressed,
+upon a bed within the barge, and a trusty servant steered it down the
+river towards the court.
+
+Now King Arthur and Queen Guinevere sat at a window of the palace, and
+saw the barge come floating with the tide, and marveled what was laid
+therein, and sent a messenger to see, who, soon returning, prayed them
+to come forth.
+
+When they came to the shore they marveled greatly, and the king asked of
+the serving-man who steered the barge what this might mean. But he made
+signs that he was dumb, and pointed to the letter in the damsel's hands.
+So King Arthur took the letter from the hand of the corpse, and found
+thereon written, "To the noble knight, Sir Lancelot du Lake."
+
+Then was Sir Lancelot sent for, and the letter read aloud by a clerk,
+and thus it was written:--
+
+"Most noble knight, my lord Sir Lancelot, now hath death forever parted
+us. I, whom men call the Maid of Astolat, set my love upon you, and have
+died for your sake. This is my last request, that ye pray for my soul
+and give me burial. Grant me this, Sir Lancelot, as thou art a peerless
+knight."
+
+At these words the queen and all the knights wept sore for pity.
+
+Then said Sir Lancelot, "My lord, I am right heavy for the death of this
+fair damsel; and God knoweth that right unwillingly I caused it, for she
+was good as she was fair, and much was I beholden to her; but she loved
+me beyond measure, and asked me that I could not give her."
+
+"Ye might have shown her gentleness enough to save her life," answered
+the queen.
+
+"Madam," said he, "she would but be repaid by my taking her to wife, and
+that I could not grant her, for love cometh of the heart and not by
+constraint."
+
+"That is true," said the king; "for love is free."
+
+"I pray you," said Sir Lancelot, "let me now grant her last asking, to
+be buried by me."
+
+So on the morrow, he caused her body to be buried richly and solemnly,
+and ordained masses for her soul, and made great sorrow over her.
+
+Then the queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and prayed his pardon for her
+wrath against him without cause. "This is not the first time it hath
+been so," answered he; "yet must I ever bear with ye, and so do I now
+forgive you."
+
+So Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot were made friends again; but anon
+such favor did she show him, as in the end brought many evils on them
+both and all the realm.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LANCELOT AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+
+Within a while thereafter was a jousting at the court, wherein Sir
+Lancelot won the prize. And two of those he smote down were Sir
+Agravaine, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modred, his false
+brother--King Arthur's son by Belisent. And because of his victory they
+hated Sir Lancelot, and sought how they might injure him.
+
+So on a night, when King Arthur was hunting in the forest, and the queen
+sent for Sir Lancelot to her chamber, they two espied him; and thinking
+now to make a scandal and a quarrel between Lancelot and the king, they
+found twelve others, and said Sir Lancelot was ever now in the queen's
+chamber, and King Arthur was dishonored.
+
+Then, all armed, they came suddenly round the queen's door, and cried,
+"Traitor! now art thou taken."
+
+"Madam, we be betrayed," said Sir Lancelot; "yet shall my life cost
+these men dear."
+
+Then did the queen weep sore, and dismally she cried, "Alas! there is
+no armor here whereby ye might withstand so many; wherefore ye will be
+slain, and I be burnt for the dread crime they will charge on me."
+
+But while she spake the shouting of the knights was heard without,
+"Traitor, come forth, for now thou art snared!"
+
+"Better were twenty deaths at once than this vile outcry," said Sir
+Lancelot.
+
+Then he kissed her and said, "Most noble lady, I beseech ye, as I have
+ever been your own true knight, take courage; pray for my soul if I be
+now slain, and trust my faithful friends, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, to
+save you from the fire."
+
+But ever bitterly she wept and moaned, and cried, "Would God that they
+would take and slay me, and that thou couldest escape."
+
+"That shall never be," said he. And wrapping his mantle round his arm he
+unbarred the door a little space, so that but one could enter.
+
+Then first rushed in Sir Chalaunce, a full strong knight, and lifted up
+his sword to smite Sir Lancelot; but lightly he avoided him, and struck
+Sir Chalaunce, with his hand, such a sore buffet on the head as felled
+him dead upon the floor.
+
+Then Sir Lancelot pulled in his body and barred the door again, and
+dressed himself in his armor, and took his drawn sword in his hand.
+
+But still the knights cried mightily without the door, "Traitor, come
+forth!"
+
+"Be silent and depart," replied Sir Lancelot; "for be ye sure ye will
+not take me, and to-morrow will I meet ye face to face before the king."
+
+"Ye shall have no such grace," they cried; "but we will slay thee, or
+take thee as we list."
+
+"Then save yourselves who may," he thundered, and therewith suddenly
+unbarred the door and rushed forth at them. And at the first blow he
+slew Sir Agravaine, and after him twelve other knights, with twelve more
+mighty buffets. And none of all escaped him save Sir Modred, who, sorely
+wounded, flew away for life.
+
+Then returned he to the queen, and said, "Now, madam, will I depart, and
+if ye be in any danger I pray ye come to me."
+
+"Surely will I stay here, for I am queen," she answered; "yet if
+to-morrow any harm come to me I trust to thee for rescue."
+
+"Have ye no doubt of me," said he, "for ever while I live am I your own
+true knight."
+
+Therewith he took his leave, and went and told Sir Bors and all his
+kindred of this adventure. "We will be with thee in this quarrel," said
+they all; "and if the queen be sentenced to the fire, we certainly will
+save her."
+
+Meanwhile Sir Modred, in great fear and pain, fled from the court, and
+rode until he found King Arthur, and told him all that had befallen. But
+the king would scarce believe him till he came and saw the bodies of Sir
+Agravaine and all the other knights.
+
+Then felt he in himself that all was true, and with his passing grief
+his heart nigh broke. "Alas!" cried he, "now is the fellowship of the
+Round Table forever broken: yea, woe is me! I may not with my honor
+spare my queen."
+
+Anon it was ordained that Queen Guinevere should be burned to death,
+because she had dishonored King Arthur.
+
+But when Sir Gawain heard thereof, he came before the king, and said,
+"My lord, I counsel thee be not too hasty in this matter, but stay the
+judgment of the queen a season, for it may well be that Sir Lancelot was
+in her chamber for no evil, seeing she is greatly beholden to him for so
+many deeds done for her sake, and peradventure she had sent to him to
+thank him, and did it secretly that she might avoid slander."
+
+But King Arthur answered, full of grief, "Alas! I may not help her; she
+is judged as any other woman."
+
+Then he required Sir Gawain and his brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir
+Gareth, to be ready to bear the queen to-morrow to the place of
+execution.
+
+"Nay, noble lord," replied Sir Gawain, "that can I never do; for neither
+will my heart suffer me to see the queen die, nor shall men ever say I
+was of your counsel in this matter."
+
+Then said his brother, "Ye may command us to be there, but since it is
+against our will, we will be without arms, that we may do no battle
+against her."
+
+So on the morrow was Queen Guinevere led forth to die by fire, and a
+mighty crowd was there, of knights and nobles, armed and unarmed. And
+all the lords and ladies wept sore at that piteous sight. Then was she
+shriven by a priest, and the men came nigh to bind her to the stake and
+light the fire.
+
+At that Sir Lancelot's spies rode hastily and told him and his kindred,
+who lay hidden in a wood hard by; and suddenly, with twenty knights, he
+rushed into the midst of all the throng to rescue her.
+
+But certain of King Arthur's knights rose up and fought with them, and
+there was a full great battle and confusion. And Sir Lancelot drave
+fiercely here and there among the press, and smote on every side, and at
+every blow struck down a knight, so that many were slain by him and his
+fellows.
+
+Then was the queen set free, and caught up on Sir Lancelot's saddle and
+fled away with him and all his company to the Castle of La Joyous Garde.
+
+Now so it chanced that, in the turmoil of the fighting, Sir Lancelot had
+unawares struck down and slain the two good knights Sir Gareth and Sir
+Gaheris, knowing it not, for he fought wildly, and saw not that they
+were unarmed.
+
+When King Arthur heard thereof, and of all that battle, and the rescue
+of the queen, he sorrowed heavily for those good knights, and was
+passing wroth with Lancelot and the queen.
+
+But when Sir Gawain heard of his brethren's death he swooned for sorrow
+and wrath, for he wist that Sir Lancelot had killed them in malice. And
+as soon as he recovered he ran in to the king, and said, "Lord king and
+uncle, hear this oath which now I swear, that from this day I will not
+fail Sir Lancelot till one of us hath slain the other. And now, unless
+ye haste to war with him, that we may be avenged, will I myself alone go
+after him."
+
+Then the king, full of wrath and grief, agreed thereto, and sent letters
+throughout the realm to summon all his knights, and went with a vast
+army to besiege the Castle of La Joyous Garde. And Sir Lancelot, with
+his knights, mightily defended it; but never would he suffer any to go
+forth and attack one of the king's army, for he was right loth to fight
+against him.
+
+So when fifteen weeks were passed, and King Arthur's army wasted itself
+in vain against the castle, for it was passing strong, it chanced upon a
+day Sir Lancelot was looking from the walls and espied King Arthur and
+Sir Gawain close beside.
+
+"Come forth, Sir Lancelot," said King Arthur right fiercely, "and let us
+two meet in the midst of the field."
+
+"God forbid that I should encounter with thee, lord, for thou didst make
+me a knight," replied Sir Lancelot.
+
+Then cried Sir Gawain, "Shame on thee, traitor and false knight, yet be
+ye well assured we will regain the queen and slay thee and thy company;
+yea, double shame on ye to slay my brother Gaheris unarmed, Sir Gareth
+also, who loved ye so well. For that treachery, be sure I am thine enemy
+till death."
+
+"Alas!" cried Sir Lancelot, "that I hear such tidings, for I knew not I
+had slain those noble knights, and right sorely now do I repent it with
+a heavy heart. Yet abate thy wrath, Sir Gawain, for ye know full well I
+did it by mischance, for I loved them ever as my own brothers."
+
+"Thou liest, false recreant," cried Sir Gawain, fiercely.
+
+At that Sir Lancelot was wroth, and said, "I well see thou art now mine
+enemy, and that there can be no more peace with thee, or with my lord
+the king, else would I gladly give back the queen."
+
+Then the king would fain have listened to Sir Lancelot, for more than
+all his own wrong did he grieve at the sore waste and damage of the
+realm, but Sir Gawain persuaded him against it, and ever cried out
+foully on Sir Lancelot.
+
+When Sir Bors and the other knights of Lancelot's party heard the fierce
+words of Sir Gawain, they were passing wroth, and prayed to ride forth
+and be avenged on him, for they were weary of so long waiting to no
+good. And in the end Sir Lancelot, with a heavy heart, consented.
+
+So on the morrow the hosts on either side met in the field, and there
+was a great battle. And Sir Gawain prayed his knights chiefly to set
+upon Sir Lancelot; but Sir Lancelot commanded his company to forbear
+King Arthur and Sir Gawain.
+
+So the two armies jousted together right fiercely, and Sir Gawain
+proffered to encounter with Sir Lionel, and overthrew him. But Sir Bors
+and Sir Blamor, and Sir Palomedes, who were on Sir Lancelot's side, did
+great feats of arms, and overthrew many of King Arthur's knights.
+
+Then the king came forth against Sir Lancelot, but Sir Lancelot forbore
+him and would not strike again.
+
+At that Sir Bors rode up against the king and smote him down. But Sir
+Lancelot cried, "Touch him not on pain of thy head," and going to King
+Arthur he alighted and gave him his own horse, saying, "My lord, I pray
+thee forbear this strife, for it can bring to neither of us any honor."
+
+And when King Arthur looked on him the tears came to his eyes as he
+thought of his noble courtesy, and he said within himself, "Alas! that
+ever this war began."
+
+But on the morrow Sir Gawain led forth the army again, and Sir Bors
+commanded on Sir Lancelot's side. And they two struck together so
+fiercely that both fell to the ground sorely wounded; and all the day
+they fought till night fell, and many were slain on both sides, yet in
+the end neither gained the victory.
+
+But by now the fame of this fierce war spread through all Christendom,
+and when the Pope heard thereof he sent a Bull, and charged King Arthur
+to make peace with Lancelot, and receive back Queen Guinevere; and for
+the offense imputed to her absolution should be given by the Pope.
+
+Thereto would King Arthur straightway have obeyed, but Sir Gawain ever
+urged him to refuse.
+
+When Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he wrote thus to the king: "It was
+never in my thought, lord, to withhold thy queen from thee; but since
+she was condemned for my sake to death, I deemed it but a just and
+knightly part to rescue her therefrom; wherefore I recommend me to your
+grace, and within eight days will I come to thee and bring the queen in
+safety."
+
+Then, within eight days, as he had said, Sir Lancelot rode from out the
+castle with Queen Guinevere, and a hundred knights for company, each
+carrying an olive branch, in sign of peace. And so they came to the
+court, and found King Arthur sitting on his throne, with Sir Gawain and
+many other knights around him. And when Sir Lancelot entered with the
+queen, they both kneeled down before the king.
+
+Anon Sir Lancelot rose and said, "My lord, I have brought hither my lady
+the queen again, as right requireth, and by commandment of the Pope and
+you. I pray ye take her to your heart again and forget the past. For
+myself I may ask nothing, and for my sin I shall have sorrow and sore
+punishment; yet I would to heaven I might have your grace."
+
+But ere the king could answer, for he was moved with pity at his words,
+Sir Gawain cried aloud, "Let the king do as he will, but be sure, Sir
+Lancelot, thou and I shall never be accorded while we live, for thou has
+slain my brethren traitorously and unarmed."
+
+"As heaven is my help," replied Sir Lancelot, "I did it ignorantly, for
+I loved them well, and while I live I shall bewail their death; but to
+make war with me were no avail, for I must needs fight with thee if thou
+assailest, and peradventure I might kill thee also, which I were right
+loth to do."
+
+"I will forgive thee never," cried Sir Gawain, "and if the king
+accordeth with thee he shall lose my service."
+
+Then the knights who stood near tried to reconcile Sir Gawain to Sir
+Lancelot, but he would not hear them. So, at the last, Sir Lancelot
+said, "Since peace is vain, I will depart, lest I bring more evil on my
+fellowship."
+
+And as he turned to go, the tears fell from him, and he said, "Alas,
+most noble Christian realm, which I have loved above all others, now
+shall I see thee never more!" Then said he to the queen, "Madam, now
+must I leave ye and this noble fellowship forever. And, I beseech ye,
+pray for me, and if ye ever be defamed of any, let me hear thereof, and
+as I have been ever thy true knight in right and wrong, so will I be
+again."
+
+With that he kneeled and kissed King Arthur's hands, and departed on his
+way. And there was none in all that court, save Sir Gawain alone, but
+wept to see him go.
+
+So he returned with all his knights to the Castle of La Joyous Garde,
+and, for his sorrow's sake, he named it Dolorous Garde thenceforth.
+
+Anon he left the realm, and went with many of his fellowship beyond the
+sea to France, and there divided all his lands among them equally, he
+sharing but as the rest.
+
+And from that time forward peace had been between him and King Arthur,
+but for Sir Gawain, who left the king no rest, but constantly persuaded
+him that Lancelot was raising mighty hosts against him.
+
+So in the end his malice overcame the king, who left the government in
+charge of Modred, and made him guardian of the queen, and went with a
+great army to invade Sir Lancelot's lands.
+
+Yet Sir Lancelot would make no war upon the king, and sent a message to
+gain peace on any terms King Arthur chose. But Sir Gawain met the herald
+ere he reached the king, and sent him back with taunting and bitter
+words. Whereat Sir Lancelot sorrowfully called his knights together and
+fortified the Castle of Benwicke, and there was shortly besieged by the
+army of King Arthur.
+
+And every day Sir Gawain rode up to the walls, and cried out foully on
+Sir Lancelot, till, upon a time, Sir Lancelot answered him that he would
+meet him in the field and put his boasting to the proof. So it was
+agreed on both sides that there should none come nigh them or separate
+them till one had fallen or yielded; and they two rode forth.
+
+Then did they wheel their horses apart, and turning, came together as it
+had been thunder, so that both horses fell, and both their lances broke.
+At that they drew their swords and set upon each other fiercely, with
+passing grievous strokes.
+
+Now Sir Gawain had through magic a marvelous great gift. For every day,
+from morning till noon, his strength waxed to the might of seven men,
+but after that waned to his natural force. Therefore till noon he gave
+Sir Lancelot many mighty buffets, which scarcely he endured. Yet greatly
+he forbore Sir Gawain, for he was aware of his enchantment, and smote
+him slightly till his own knights marveled. But after noon Sir Gawain's
+strength sank fast, and then, with one full blow, Sir Lancelot laid him
+on the earth. Then Sir Gawain cried out, "Turn not away, thou traitor
+knight, but slay me if thou wilt, or else I will arise and fight with
+thee again some other time."
+
+"Sir knight," replied Sir Lancelot, "I never yet smote a fallen man."
+
+At that they bore Sir Gawain sorely wounded to his tent, and King Arthur
+withdrew his men, for he was loth to shed the blood of so many knights
+of his own fellowship.
+
+But now came tidings to King Arthur from across the sea, which caused
+him to return in haste. For thus the news ran, that no sooner was Sir
+Modred set up in his regency, than he had forged false tidings from
+abroad that the king had fallen in a battle with Sir Lancelot. Whereat
+he had proclaimed himself the king, and had been crowned at Canterbury,
+where he had held a coronation feast for fifteen days. Then he had gone
+to Winchester, where Queen Guinevere abode, and had commanded her to be
+his wife; whereto, for fear and sore perplexity, she had feigned
+consent, but, under pretext of preparing for the marriage, had fled in
+haste to London and taken shelter in the Tower, fortifying it and
+providing it with all manner of victuals, and defending it against Sir
+Modred, and answering to all his threats that she would rather slay
+herself than be his queen.
+
+Thus was it written to King Arthur. Then, in passing great wrath and
+haste, he came with all his army swiftly back from France and sailed to
+England. But when Sir Modred heard thereof, he left the Tower and
+marched with all his host to meet the king at Dover.
+
+Then fled Queen Guinevere to Amesbury to a nunnery, and there she
+clothed herself in sackcloth, and spent her time in praying for the king
+and in good deeds and fasting. And in that nunnery evermore she lived,
+sorely repenting and mourning for her sin, and for the ruin she had
+brought on all the realm. And there anon she died.
+
+And when Sir Lancelot heard thereof, he put his knightly armor off, and
+bade farewell to all his kin, and went a mighty pilgrimage for many
+years, and after lived a hermit till his death.
+
+When Sir Modred came to Dover, he found King Arthur and his army but
+just landed; and there they fought a fierce and bloody battle, and many
+great and noble knights fell on both sides.
+
+But the king's side had the victory, for he was beyond himself with
+might and passion, and all his knights so fiercely followed him, that,
+in spite of all their multitude, they drove Sir Modred's army back with
+fearful wounds and slaughter, and slept that night upon the
+battle-field.
+
+But Sir Gawain was smitten by an arrow in the wound Sir Lancelot gave
+him, and wounded to the death. Then was he borne to the king's tent,
+and King Arthur sorrowed over him as it had been his own son. "Alas!"
+said he; "in Sir Lancelot and in you I had my greatest earthly joy, and
+now is all gone from me."
+
+And Sir Gawain answered, with a feeble voice, "My lord and king, I know
+well my death is come, and through my own wilfulness, for I am smitten
+in the wound Sir Lancelot gave me. Alas! that I have been the cause of
+all this war, for but for me thou hadst been now at peace with Lancelot,
+and then had Modred never done this treason. I pray ye, therefore, my
+dear lord, be now agreed with Lancelot, and tell him, that although he
+gave me my death-wound, it was through my own seeking; wherefore I
+beseech him to come back to England, and here to visit my tomb, and pray
+for my soul."
+
+When he had thus spoken, Sir Gawain gave up his ghost, and the king
+grievously mourned for him.
+
+Then they told him that the enemy had camped on Barham Downs, whereat,
+with all his hosts, he straightway marched there, and fought again a
+bloody battle, and overthrew Sir Modred utterly. Howbeit, he raised yet
+another army, and retreating ever from before the king, increased his
+numbers as he went, till at the farthest west in Lyonesse, he once more
+made a stand.
+
+Now, on the night of Trinity Sunday, being the eve of the battle, King
+Arthur had a vision, and saw Sir Gawain in a dream, who warned him not
+to fight with Modred on the morrow, else he would be surely slain; and
+prayed him to delay till Lancelot and his knights should come to aid
+him.
+
+So when King Arthur woke he told his lords and knights that vision, and
+all agreed to wait the coming of Sir Lancelot. Then a herald was sent
+with a message of truce to Sir Modred, and a treaty was made that
+neither army should assail the other.
+
+But when the treaty was agreed upon, and the heralds returned, King
+Arthur said to his knights, "Beware, lest Sir Modred deceive us, for I
+in no wise trust him, and if swords be drawn be ready to encounter!" And
+Sir Modred likewise gave an order, that if any man of the king's army
+drew his sword, they should begin to fight.
+
+And as it chanced, a knight of the king's side was bitten by an adder in
+the foot, and hastily drew forth his sword to slay it. That saw Sir
+Modred, and forthwith commanded all his army to assail the king's.
+
+So both sides rushed to battle, and fought passing fiercely. And when
+the king saw there was no hope to stay them, he did right mightily and
+nobly as a king should do, and ever, like a lion, raged in the thickest
+of the press, and slew on the right hand and on the left, till his horse
+went fetlock deep in blood. So all day long they fought, and stinted not
+till many a noble knight was slain.
+
+But the king was passing sorrowful to see his trusty knights lie dead on
+every side. And at the last but two remained beside him, Sir Lucan, and
+his brother, Sir Bedivere, and both were sorely wounded.
+
+"Now am I come to mine end," said King Arthur; "but, lo! that traitor
+Modred liveth yet, and I may not die till I have slain him. Now, give me
+my spear, Sir Lucan."
+
+"Lord, let him be," replied Sir Lucan; "for if ye pass through this
+unhappy day, ye shall be right well revenged upon him. My good lord,
+remember well your dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawain did
+fore-warn ye."
+
+"Betide me life, betide me death," said the king; "now I see him yonder
+alone, he shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I
+never have him."
+
+"God speed you well," said Sir Bedivere.
+
+Then King Arthur got his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir
+Modred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death-day come!" And when Sir
+Modred heard his words, and saw him come, he drew his sword and stood to
+meet him. Then King Arthur smote Sir Modred through the body more than a
+fathom. And when Sir Modred felt he had his death wound, he thrust
+himself with all his might up to the end of King Arthur's spear, and
+smote his father, Arthur, with his sword upon the head, so that it
+pierced both helm and brain-pan.
+
+And therewith Sir Modred fell down stark dead to the earth, and King
+Arthur fell down also in a swoon, and swooned many times.
+
+Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere came and bare him away to a little
+chapel by the sea-shore. And there Sir Lucan sank down with the
+bleeding of his own wounds, and fell dead.
+
+And King Arthur lay long in a swoon, and when he came to himself, he
+found Sir Lucan lying dead beside him, and Sir Bedivere weeping over the
+body of his brother.
+
+Then said the king to Sir Bedivere, "Weeping will avail no longer, else
+would I grieve forevermore. Alas! now is the fellowship of the Round
+Table dissolved forever, and all my realm I have so loved is wasted with
+war. But my time hieth fast, wherefore take thou Excalibur, my good
+sword, and go therewith to yonder water-side and throw it in, and bring
+me word what thing thou seest."
+
+So Sir Bedivere departed; but as he went he looked upon the sword, the
+hilt whereof was all inlaid with precious stones exceeding rich. And
+presently he said within himself, "If I now throw this sword into the
+water, what good should come of it?" So he hid the sword among the
+reeds, and came again to the king.
+
+"What sawest thou?" said he to Sir Bedivere.
+
+"Lord," said he, "I saw nothing else but wind and waves."
+
+"Thou hast untruly spoken," said the king; "wherefore go lightly back
+and throw it in, and spare not."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword up in his hand; but
+when he looked on it, he thought it sin and shame to throw away a thing
+so noble. Wherefore he hid it yet again, and went back to the king.
+
+"What saw ye?" said King Arthur.
+
+"Lord," answered he, "I saw nothing but the water ebbing and flowing."
+
+"Oh, traitor and untrue!" cried out the king; "twice hast thou now
+betrayed me. Art thou called of men a noble knight, and wouldest betray
+me for a jewelled sword? Now, therefore, go again for the last time, for
+thy tarrying hath put me in sore peril of my life, and I fear my wound
+hath taken cold; and if thou do it not this time, by my faith I will
+arise and slay thee with my hands."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere ran quickly and took up the sword, and went down to
+the water's edge, and bound the girdle round the hilt and threw it far
+into the water. And lo! an arm and hand came forth above the water, and
+caught the sword, and brandished it three times, and vanished.
+
+So Sir Bedivere came again to the king and told him what he had seen.
+
+"Help me from hence," said King Arthur; "for I dread me I have tarried
+over long."
+
+Then Sir Bedivere took the king up in his arms, and bore him to the
+water's edge. And by the shore they saw a barge with three fair queens
+therein, all dressed in black, and when they saw King Arthur they wept
+and wailed.
+
+"Now put me in the barge," said he to Sir Bedivere, and tenderly he did
+so.
+
+Then the three queens received him, and he laid his head upon the lap of
+one of them, who cried, "Alas! dear brother, why have ye tarried so
+long, for your wound hath taken cold?"
+
+With that the barge put from the land, and when Sir Bedivere saw it
+departing, he cried with a bitter cry, "Alas! my lord King Arthur, what
+shall become of me now ye have gone from me?"
+
+"Comfort ye," said King Arthur, "and be strong, for I may no more help
+ye. I go to the Vale of Avilion to heal me of my grievous wound, and if
+ye see me no more, pray for my soul."
+
+Then the three queens kneeled down around the king and sorely wept and
+wailed, and the barge went forth to sea, and departed slowly out of Sir
+Bedivere's sight.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of King Arthur and the Knights of the
+Round Table, by Unknown
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING ARTHUR--KNIGHTS ROUND TABLE ***
+
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