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Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide,
In thy most need to go by thy side.
This is No. 46 of Everyman's Library. A
list of authors and their works in this series
will be found at the end of this volume. The
publishers will be pleased to send freely to all
applicants a separate, annotated list of the
Library.
J. M. DENT & SONS LIMITED
10-13 BEDFORD STREET LONDON W.C.2
E. P. DUTTON & CO. INC.
286-302 FOURTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY
EDITED BY ERNEST REIYS
ROMANCE
. LE MORTE D'ARTHUR
BY SIR THOMAS MALORY • INTRO-
DUCTION BY PROFESSOR RHYS
IN 2 VOLS. VOL 2
SIR THOMAS MALORY, f. 1470. Very
little is known of him. Some identify him
with a Sir Thomas Malory of Warwickshire
who fought successively on both sides in the
Wars of the Roses, sat in Parliament, 1444-5-,
and died in 1471.
LE MORTE D' ARTHUR
VOLUME TWO
SIR THOMAS MALORY
LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS LTD.
NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. INC.
All rights reserved
Made in Great Britain
at The Temple Tress Letchworth
and decorated by Eric Ravilious
for
J. M. 'Dent &L Sons Ltd.
Aldine House Bedford St. London
First Published in this Edition 1906
Reprinted 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 19
1917, 1923, 1926
1928, 1930, 1934
KING ARTHUR
BOOK X
CHAPTER XX
HOW IT WAS TOLD SIR LAUNCBLOT THAT DAGONET CHASED KING
MARK, AND HOW A KNIGHT OVERTHREW HIM AND SIX
KNIGHTS
Now turn we again. When Sir Ganis and Sir Brandiles
with his fellows came to the court of King Arthur they told
the King, Sir Launceiot, and Sir Tristram, how Sir Dagonet,
the fool, chased King Mark through the forest, and how the
strong knight smote them down all seven with one spear.
There was great laughing and japing at King Mark and at
Sir Dagonet. But all these knights could not tell what
knight it was that rescued King Mark. Then they asked
King Mark if that he knew him, and he answered and said :
He named himself the knight that followed the questing
beast, and on that name he sent one of my varlets to a place
where was his mother ; and when she heard from whence he
came she made passing great dole, and discovered to my
varlet his name, and said : Oh, my dear son, Sir Palomides,
why wilt thou not see me ? And therefore, sir, said King
Mark, it is to understand his name is Sir Palomides, a noble
knight. Then were all these seven knights glad that they
knew his name. Now turn we again, for on the morn they
took their horses, both Sir Lamorak, Palomides, and Dinadan,
with their squires and varlets, till they saw a fair castle that
stood on a mountain well closed, and thither they rode ; and
there they found a knight that hight Galahalt, that was lord
of that castle, and there they had great cheer and were well
eased. Sir Dinadan, said Sir Lamorak, what will ye do?
Oh sir, said Dinadan, I will to-morrow to the court of King
Arthur. By my head, said Sir Palomides, I will not ride
these three days, for I am sore hurt, and much have I bled,
and therefore I will repose me here. Truly, said Sir Lamorak,
and I will abide here with you ; and when ye ride, then will
7
b:
sj
8 King Arthur
I ride, unless that ye tarry over long, then will I take my
horse. Therefore I pray you, Sir Dinadan, abide and ride
with us. Faithfully, said Dinadan, I will not abide, for I
have such a talent to see Sir Tristram that I may not abide
long from him. Ah, Dinadan, said Sir Palomides, now do
I understand that ye love my mortal enemy, and therefore
how should I trust you. Well, said Dinadan, I love my lord
Sir Tristram, above all other, and him will I serve and do
honour. So shall I, said Sir Lamorak, in all that may lie in
my power. So on the morn Sir Dinadan rode unto the
court of King Arthur ; and by the way as he rode he saw
where stood an errant knight, and made him ready for to
joust. Not so, said Dinadan, for I have no will to joust.
With me shall ye joust, said the knight, or that ye pass this
way. Whether ask ye jousts, by love or by hate? The
knight answered : Wit ye well I ask it for love, and not for
hate. It may well be so, said Sir Dinadan, but ye proffer
me hard love when ye will joust with me with a sharp spear.
But, fair knight, said Sir Dinadan, sith ye will joust with me,
meet with me in the court of King Arthur, and there shall I
joust with you. Well, said the knight, sith ye will not joust
with me, I pray you tell me your name. Sir knight, said he,
my name is Sir Dinadan. Ah, said the knight, full well
know I you for a good knight and a gentle, and wit you well
I love you heartily. Then shall there be no jousts, said
Dinadan, betwixt us. So they departed. And the same day
he came to Camelot, where lay King Arthur. And there he
saluted the king and the queen, Sir Launcelot, and Sir
Tristram ; and all the Court was glad of Sir Dinadan, for he
was gentle, wise, and courteous, and a good knight. And
in especial, the valiant knight Sir Tristram loved Sir Dinadan
passing well above all other knights save Sir Launcelot.
Then the king asked Sir Dinadan what adventures he had
seen. Sir, said Dinadan, I have seen many adventures, and
of some King Mark knoweth, but not all. Then the king
hearkened Sir Dinadan, how he told that Sir Palomides and
he were afore the castle of Morgan le Fay, and how Sir
Lamorak took the jousts afore them, and how he forjousted
twelve knights, and of them four he slew, and how after he
smote down Sir Palomides and me both. I may not believe
that, said the king, for Sir Palomides is a passing good
knight. That is very truth, said Sir Dinadan, but yet I saw
him better proved, hand for hand. And then he told the
King Arthur 9
king all that battle, and how Sir Palomides was more weaker,
and more hurt, and more lost of his blood. And without
doubt, said Sir Dinadan, had the battle longer lasted,
Palomides had been slain. O Jesu, said King Arthur, this
is to me a great marvel. Sir, said Tristram, marvel ye
nothing thereof, for at mine advice there is not a valianter
knight in the world living, for I know his might. And now
I will say you, I was never so weary of knight but if it were
Sir Launcelot. And there is no knight in the world except
Sir Launcelot I would did so well as Sir Lamorak. So God
me help, said the king, I would that knight, Sir Lamorak,
came to this Court. Sir, said Dinadan, he will be here in
short space, and Sir Palomides both, but I fear that
Palomides may not yet travel.
CHAPTER XXI
HOW KING ARTHUR LET DO CRY A JOUSTS, AND HOW SIR LAMORAK
CAME IN, AND OVERTHREW SIR GAWAINE AND MANY OTHER
THEN within three days after the king let make a jousting
at a priory. And there made them ready many knights of
the Round Table, for Sir Gawaine and his brethren made
them ready to joust ; but Tristram, Launcelot, nor Dinadan,
would not joust, but suffered Sir Gawaine, for the love of
King Arthur, with his brethren, to win the gree if they might.
Then on the morn they apparelled them to joust, Sir
Gawaine and his four brethren, and did there great deeds of
arms. And Sir Ector de Maris did marvellously well, but
Sir Gawaine passed all that fellowship; wherefore King
Arthur and all the knights gave Sir Gawaine the honour at
the beginning. Right so King Arthur was ware of a knight
and two squires, the which came out of a forest side, with a
shield covered with leather, and then he came slyly and
hurtled here and there, and anon with one spear he had
smitten down two knights of the Round Table. Then with
his hurtling he lost the covering of his shield, then was the
king and all other ware that he bare a red shield. O Jesu,
said King Arthur, see where rideth a stout knight, he with
the red shield. And there was noise and crying : Beware
the knight with the red shield. So within a little while he
had overthrown three brethren of Sir Gawaine's. So God
io King Arthur
tne help, said King Arthur, meseemeth yonder is the best
j ouster that ever I saw. With that he saw him encounter
with Sir Gawaine, and he smote him down with so great force
that he made his horse to avoid his saddle. How now, said
the king, Sir Gawaine hath a fall ; well were me an I knew
what knight he were with the red shield. I know him well,
said Dinadan, but as at this time ye shall not know his name.
By my head, said Sir Tristram, he jousted better than Sir
Palomides, and if ye list to know his name, wit ye well his
name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. As they stood thus talking,
Sir Gawaine and he encountered together again, and there
he smote Sir Gawaine from his horse, and bruised him sore.
And in the sight of King Arthur he smote down twenty
knights, beside Sir Gawaine and his brethren. And so
clearly was the prize given him as a knight peerless. Then
slyly and marvellously Sir Lamorak withdrew him from all
the fellowship into the forest side. All this espied King
Arthur, for his eye went never from him. Then the king,
Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, and Sir Dinadan, took their
hackneys, and rode straight after the good knight, Sir
Lamorak de Galis, and there found him. And thus said the
king : Ah, fair knight, well ye be found. When he saw the
king he put off his helm and saluted him, and when he saw
Sir Tristram he alit down off his horse and ran to him to
take him by the thighs, but Sir Tristram would not suffer
him, but he alit or that he came, and either took other in
arms, and made great joy of other. The king was glad, and
also was all the fellowship of the Round Table, except Sir
Gawaine and his brethren. And when they wist that he was
Sir Lamorak, they had great despite at him, and were
wonderly wrath with him that he had put them to dishonour
that day. Then Gawaine called privily in council all his
brethren, and to them said thus : Fair brethren, here may ye
see, whom that we hate King Arthur loveth, and whom that
we love he hateth. And wit ye well, my fair brethren, that
this Sir Lamorak will never love us, because we slew his
father, King Pellinore, for we deemed that he slew our father,
king of Orkney. And for the despite of Pellinore, Sir
Lamorak did us a shame to our mother, therefore I will be
revenged. Sir, said Sir Gawaine's brethren, let see how ye
will or may be revenged, and ye shall find us ready. Well,
said Gawaine, hold you still and we shall espy our time.
King Arthur 11
CHAPTER XXII
HOW KING ARTHUR MADE KING MARK TO BE ACCORDED WITH
SIK TRISTRAM, AND HOW THEY DEPARTED TOWARD CORNWALL
Now pass we our matter, and leave we Sir Gawaine, and
speak of King Arthur, that on a day said unto King Mark :
Sir, I pray you give me a gift that I shall ask you. Sir, said
King Mark, I will give you whatsomever ye desire an it be
in my power. Sir, gramercy, said Arthur. This I will ask
you, that ye will be good lord unto Sir Tristram, for he is a
man of great honour ; and that ye will take him with you
into Cornwall, and let him see his friends, and there cherish
him for my sake. Sir, said King Mark, I promise you by
the faith of my body, and by the faith that I owe to God and
to you, I shall worship him for your sake in all that I can or
may. Sir, said Arthur, and I will forgive you all the evil
will that ever I ought you, an so be that you swear that upon
a book before me. With a good will, said King Mark ; and
so he there sware upon a book afore him and all his knights,
and therewith King Mark and Sir Tristram took either
other by the hands hard knit together. But for all this
King Mark thought falsely, as it proved after, for he put Sir
Tristram in prison, and cowardly would have slain him.
Then soon after King Mark took his leave to ride into
Cornwall, and Sir Tristram made him ready to ride with
him, whereof the most part of the Round Table were wroth
and heavy, and in especial Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak,
and Sir Dinadan, were wroth out of measure. For well
they wist King Mark would slay or destroy Sir Tristram.
Alas, said Dinadan, that my lord, Sir Tristram, shall depart.
And Sir Tristram took such sorrow that he was amazed like
a fool. Alas, said Sir Launcelot unto King Arthur, what
have ye done, for ye shall lose the most man of worship
that ever came into your court. It was his own desire, said
Arthur, and therefore I might not do withal, for I have done
all that I can and made them at accord. Accord, said Sir
Launcelot, fie upon that accord, for ye shall hear that he
shall slay Sir Tristram, or put him in a prison, for he is the
most coward and the villainest king and knight that is now
living. And therewith Sir Launcelot departed, and came to
King Mark, and said to him thus : Sir king, wit thou well
the good knight Sir Tristram shall go with thee. Beware, I
12 King Arthur
rede thee, of treason, for an thou mischief that knight by
any manner of falsehood or treason, by the faith I owe to
God and to the order of knighthood, I shall slay thee with
mine own hands. Sir Launcelot, said the king, overmuch
have ye said to me, and I have sworn and said over largely
afore King Arthur in hearing of all his knights, that I shall
not slay nor betray him. It were to me overmuch shame to
break my promise. Ye say well, said Sir Launcelot, but ye
are called so false and full of treason that no man may
believe you. Forsooth it is known well wherefore ye came
into this country, and for none other cause but for to slay
Sir Tristram. So with great dole King Mark and Sir Tristram
rode together, for it was by Sir Tristram's will and his means
to go with King Mark, and all was for the intent to see La
Beale Isoud, for without the sight of her Sir Tristram might
not endure.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOW SIR PERC1VALE WAS MADE KNIGHT OF KING ARTHUR, AND
HOW A DUMB MAID SPAKE, AND BROUGHT HIM TO THE ROUND
TABLE
Now turn we again unto Sir Lamorak, and speak we of
his brethren, Sir Tor, which was King Pellinore's first son
and begotten of Aryes, wife of the cowherd, for he was a
bastard ; and Sir Aglavale was his first son begotten in
wedlock ; Sir Lamorak, Dornar, Percivale, these were his
sons too in wedlock. So when King Mark and Sir Tristram
were departed from the court there was made great dole and
sorrow for the departing of Sir Tristram. Then the king and
his knights made no manner of joys eight days after. And
at the eight days' end there came to the court a knight
with a young squire with him. And when this knight was
unarmed, he went to the king and required him to make the
young squire a knight. Of what lineage is he come ? said
King Arthur. Sir, said the knight, he is the son of King
Pellinore, that did you some time good service, and he is a
brother unto Sir Lamorak de Galis, the good knight. Well,
said the king, for what cause desire ye that of me that I
should make him knight ? Wit you well, my lord the king,
that this young squire is brother to me as well as to Sir
Lamorak, and my name is Aglavale. Sir Aglavale, said
King Arthur 13
Arthur, for the love of Sir Lamorak, and for bis father's
love, he shall be made knight to-morrow. Now tell me, said
Arthur, what is his name? Sir, said the knight, his name is
Percivale de Galis. So on the morn the king made him
knight in Camelot. But the king and all the knights thought
it would be long or that he proved a good knight. Then at the
dinner, when the king was set at the table, and every knight
after he was of prowess, the king commanded him to be set
among mean knights ; and so was Sir Percivale set as the
king commanded. There was there a maiden in the Queen's
court that was come of high blood, and she was dumb and
never spake word. Right so she came straight into the hall,
and went unto Sir Percivale, and took him by the hand and
said aloud, that the king and all the knights might hear it :
Arise, Sir Percivale, the noble knight and God's knight, and
go with me ; and so he did. And there she brought him
to the right side of the Siege Perilous, and said, Fair knight,
take here thy siege, for that siege appertaineth to thee and to
none other. Right so she departed and asked a priest.
And as she was confessed and houselled then she died.
Then the king and all the court made great joy of Sir
Percivale,
CHAPTER XXIV
HOW SIR LAMORAK VISITED KING LOT'S WIFE, AND HOW SIR GAHERIS
fcLEW HER WHICH WAS HIS OWN MOTHER
Now turn we unto Sir Lamorak, that much was there
praised. Then, by the mean of Sir Gawaine and his brethren,
they sent for their mother there besides, fast by a castle
beside Camelot ; and all was to that intent to slay Sir
Lamorak. The Queen of Orkney was there but a while,
but Sir Lamorak wist of their being, and was full fain ; and
for to make an end of this matter, he sent unto her, and
there betwixt them was a knight assigned that Sir Lamorak
should come to her. Thereof was ware Sir Gaheris, and
there he rode afore the same night, and waited upon Sir
Lamorak, and then he saw where he came all armed. And
where Sir Lamorak alit he tied his horse to a privy postern,
and so he vrent into a parlour and unarmed him ; and then
he went unto the queen's bed, and she made of him passing
great joy, and he of her again, for either loved other passing
F4 King Arthur
sore. So when the knight, Sir Gaheris, saw his time, he
came to their bedside all armed, with his sword naked, and
suddenly gat his mother by the hair and struck off her head.
When Sir Lamorak saw the blood dash upon him all hot,
the which he loved passing well, wit you well he was sore
abashed and dismayed of that dolorous knight. And there-
withal, Sir Lamorak leapt out of the bed in his shirt as a
knight dismayed, saying thus : Ah, Sir Gaheris, knight of
the Table Round, foul and evil have ye done, and to you
great shame. Alas, why have ye slain your mother that
bare you ? with more right ye should have slain me. The
offence hast thou done, said Gaheris, notwithstanding a man
is born to offer his service ; but yet shouldst thou beware
with whom thou meddlest, for thou hast put me and my
brethren to a shame, and thy father slew our father ; and
thou to lie by our mother is too much shame for us to
suffer. And as for thy father, King Pellinore, my brother
Sir Gawaine and I slew him. Ye did him the more wrong,
said Sir Lamorak, for my father slew not your father, it was
Balin le Savage : and as yet my father's death is not revenged.
Leave those words, said Sir Gaheris, for an thou speak-
feloniously I will slay thee. But by cause thou art naked I
am ashamed to slay thee. But wit thou well, in what place
I may get thee I shall slay thee ; and now my mother is
quit of thee ; and withdraw thee and take thine armour, that
thou were gone. Sir Lamorak saw there was none other
boot, but fast armed him, and took his horse and rode his
way making great sorrow. But for the shame and dolour
he would not ride to King Arthur's court, but rode another
way. But when it was known that Gaheris had slain his
mother the king was passing wroth, and commanded him to
go out of his court. Wit ye well Sir Gawaine was wroth
that Gaheris had slain his mother and let Sir Lamorak escape.
And for this matter was the king passing wroth, and so
was Sir Lamorak, and many other knights. Sir, said Sir
Launcelot, here is a great mischief befallen by felony, and
by forecast treason, that your sister is thus shamefully slain.
And I dare say that it was wrought by treason ; and I dare
say ye shall lose that good knight, Sir Lamorak, the which
is great pity. I wot well and am sure, an Sir Tristram wist
it, he would never more come within your court, the which
should grieve you much more and all your knights. God
defend, said the noble King Arthur, that I should lose Sir
King Arthur 15
Lamorak or Sir Tristram, for then twain of my chief knights
of the Table Round were gone. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, I
am sure ye shall lose Sir Lamorak, for Sir Gawaine and his
brethren will slay him by one mean or other ; for they among
them have concluded and sworn to slay him an ever they
may see their time. That shall I let, said Arthur.
CHAPTER XXV
HOW SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MORDRED MET WITH A KNIGHT
FLEEING, AND HOW THEY BOTH WERE OVERTHROWN, AND OF
SIR DINADAN
Now leave we of Sir Lamorak, and speak of Sir Gawaine's
brethren, and specially of Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred.
As they rode on their adventures they met with a knight
fleeing, sore wounded ; and they asked him what tidings.
Fair knights, said he, here cometh a knight after me that
will slay me. With that came Sir Dinadan riding to them
by adventure, but he would promise them no help. But
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred promised him to rescue
him. Therewithal came that knight straight unto them,
and anon he proffered to joust. That saw Sir Mordred and
rode to him, but he struck Mordred over his horse's tail.
That saw Sir Agravaine, and straight he rode toward that
knight, and right so as he served Mordred so he served
Agravaine, and said to them : Sirs, wit ye well both that I
am Breuse Saunce Pite*, that hath done this to you. And
yet he rode over Agravaine five or six times. When Dinadan
saw this, he must needs joust with him for shame. And
so Dinadan and he encountered together, that with pure
strength Sir Dinadan smote him over his horse's tail. Then
he took his horse and fled, for he was on foot one of the
valiantest knights in Arthur's days, and a great destroyer of
all good knights. Then rode Sir Dinadan unto Sir Mordred
and unto Sir Agravaine. Sir knight, said they all, well have
ye done, and well have ye revenged us, wherefore we pray
you tell us your name. Fair sirs, ye ought to know my
name, the which is called Sir Dinadan. When they under-
stood that it was Dinadan they were more wroth than they
were before, for they hated him out of measure by cause of
Sir Lamorak. For Dinadan had such a custom that he
1 6 King Arthur
loved all good knights that were valiant, and he hated all
those that were destroyers of good knights. And there were
none that hated Dinadan but those that ever were called
murderers. Then spake the hurt knight that Breuse Saunce
Pitd had chased, his name was Dalan, and said : If thou be
Dinadan thou slewest my father. It may well be so, said
Dinadan, but then it was in my defence and at his request.
By my head, said Dalan, thou shalt die therefor, and there-
with he dressed his spear and his shield. And to make the
shorter tale, Sir Dinadan smote him down off his horse, that
his neck was nigh broken. And in the same wise he smote
Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine. And after, in the quest
of the Sangreal, cowardly and feloniously they slew Dinadan,
the which was great damage, for he was a great bourder
and a passing good knight. And so Sir Dinadan rode to
a castle that hight Beale- Valet. And there he found Sir
Palomides that was not yet whole of the wound that Sir
Lamorak gave him. And there Dinadan told Palomides
all the tidings that he heard and saw of Sir Tristram, and
how he was gone with King Mark, and with him he hath
all his will and desire. Therewith Sir Palomides waxed
wroth, for he loved La Beale Isoud. And then he wist well
that Sir Tristram enjoyed her.
CHAPTER XXVI
HOW KING ARTHUR, THE QUEEN, AND LAUNCELOT RECEIVED
LETTERS OUT OF CORNWALL, AND OF THE ANSWER AGAIN
Now leave we Sir Palomides and Sir Dinadan in the
Castle of Beale- Valet, and turn we again unto King Arthur.
There came a knight out of Cornwall, his name was Fergus,
a fellow of the Round Table. And there he told the king
and Sir Launcelot good tidings of Sir Tristram, and there
were brought goodly letters, and how he left him in the
castle of Tintagil. Then came the damosel that brought
goodly letters unto King Arthur and unto Sir Launcelot,
and there she had passing good cheer of the King, and of
the Queen Guenever, and of Sir Launcelot. Then they
wrote goodly letters again. But Sir Launcelot bad ever Sir
Tristram beware of King Mark, for ever he called him in
his letters King Fox, as who saith, he fareth all with wiles
King Arthur 17
and treason. Whereof Sir Tristram in his heart thanked
Sir Launcelot. Then the damosel went unto La Beale
Isoud, and bare her letters from the King and from Sir
Launcelot, whereof she was in passing great joy. Fair
damosel, said La Beale Isoud, how fareth my Lord Arthur,
and the Queen Guenever, and the noble knight, Sir
Launcelot ? She answered, and to make short tale : Much
the better that ye and Sir Tristram be in joy. God reward
them, said La Beale Isoud, for Sir Tristram suffereth great
pain for me, and I for him. So the damosel departed, and
brought letters to King Mark. And when he had read
them, and understood them, he was wroth with Sir Tristram,
for he deemed that he had sent the damosel unto King
Arthur. For Arthur and Launcelot in a manner threated
King Mark. And as King Mark read these letters he
deemed treason by Sir Tristram. Damosel, said King
Mark, will ye ride again and bear letters from me unto
King Arthur? Sir, she said, I will be at your command-
ment to ride when ye will. Ye say well, said the king ;
come again, said the king, tomorn, and fetch your letters.
Then she departed and told them how she should ride
again with letters unto Arthur. Then we pray you, said
La Beale Isoud and Sir Tristram, that when ye have received
your letters, that ye would come by us that we may see the
privity of your letters. All that I may do, madam, ye wot
well I must do for Sir Tristram, for I have been long his
own maiden. So on the morn the damosel went to King
Mark to have had his letters and to depart. I am not
avised, said King Mark, as at this time to send my letters.
Then privily and secretly he sent letters unto King Arthur,
and unto Queen Guenever, and unto Sir Launcelot. So
the varlet departed, and found the king and the queen in
Wales, at Carlion. And as the king and the queen were
at mass the varlet came with the letters. And when mass
was done the king and the queen opened the letters privily
by themself. And the beginning of the king's letters spake
wonderly short unto King Arthur, and bade him intermeddle
with himself and with his wife, and of his knights ; for he
was able enough to rule and keep his wife.
II 46
1 8 King Arthur
CHAPTER XXVII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS WROTH WITH THE LETTER THAT HE
RECEIVED FROM KING MARK, AND OF DINADAN WHICH MADE
A LAY OF KING MARK
WHEN King Arthur understood the letter, he mused of
many things, and thought on his sister's words, Queen
Morgan le Fay, that she had said betwixt Queen Guenever
and Sir Launcelot. And in this thought he studied a great
while. Then he bethought him again how his sister was
his own enemy, and that she hated the queen and Sir
Launcelot, and so he put all that out of his thought. Then
King Arthur read the letter again, and the latter clause said
that King Mark took Sir Tristram for his mortal enemy ;
wherefore he put Arthur out of doubt he would be revenged
of Sir Tristram. Then was King Arthur wroth with King
Mark. And when Queen Guenever read her letter and
understood it, she was wroth out of measure, for the letter
spake shame by her and by Sir Launcelot. And so privily
she sent the letter unto Sir Launcelot. And when he wist
the intent of the letter he was so wroth that he laid him
down on his bed to sleep, whereof Sir Dinadan was ware,
for it was his manner to be privy with all good knights.
And as Sir Launcelot slept he stole the letter out of his
hand, and read it word by word. And then he made great
sorrow for anger. And so Sir Launcelot awaked, and went
to a window, and read the letter again, the which made him
angry. Sir, said Dinadan, wherefore be ye angry ? discover
your heart to me : for sooth ye wot well I owe you good
will, howbeit I am a poor knight and a servitor unto you
and to all good knights. For though I be not of worship
myself I love all those that be of worship. It is truth, said
Sir Launcelot, ye are a trusty knight, and for great trust I
will shew you my counsel. And when Dinadan understood
all, he said : This is my counsel : set you right nought by
these threats, for King Mark is so villainous, that by fair
speech shall never man get of him. But ye shall see what
I shall do ; I will make a lay for him, and when it is made
I shall make an harper to sing it afore him. So anon he
went and made it, and taught it an harper that hight Eliot.
And when he could it he taught it to many harpers. And
so by the will of Sir Launcelot, and of Arthur, the harpers
King Arthur 19
went straight into Wales, and into Cornwall, to sing the lay
that Sir Dinadan made by King Mark, the which was the
worst lay that ever harper sang with harp or with any other
instruments.
CHAPTER XXVIII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS HURT, AND OF A WAR MADE TO KING
MARK ; AND OF SIR TRISTRAM HOW HE PROMISED TO RESCUE
HIM
Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram and to King Mark.
As Sir Tristram was at jousts and at tournament it fortuned
he was sore hurt both with a spear and with a sword, but yet
he won always the degree. And for to repose him he went
to a good knight that dwelled in Cornwall, in a castle,
whose name was Sir Dinas le Seneschal. Then by misfortune
there came out of Sessoin a great number of men of arms,
and an hideous host, and they entered nigh the Castle of
Tintagil ; and their captain's name was Elias, a good man
of arms. When King Mark understood his enemies were
entered into his land he made great dole and sorrow, for in
no wise by his will King Mark would not send for Sir Tris-
tram, for he hated him deadly. So when his council was
come they devised and cast many perils of the strength of
their enemies. And then they concluded all at once, and
said thus unto King Mark : Sir, wit ye well ye must send for
Sir Tristram, the good knight, or else they will never be over-
come. For by Sir Tristram they must be foughten withal, or
else we row against the stream. Well, said King Mark, I
will do by your counsel ; but yet he was full loth thereto,
but need constrained him to send for him. Then was he
sent for in all haste that might be, that he should come to
King Mark. And when he understood that King Mark had
sent for him, he mounted upon a soft ambler and rode to
King Mark. And when he was come the king said thus :
Fair nephew, Sir Tristram, this is all. Here be come our
enemies of Sessoin, that are here nigh hand, and without
tarrying they must be met with shortly, or else they will destroy
this country. Sir, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well all my power
is at your commandment. And wit ye well, sir, these eight
days I may bear none arms, for my wounds be not yet whole.
And by that day I shall do what I may. Ye say well, said
2O King Arthur
King Mark ; then go ye again and repose you and make
you fresh, and I shall go and meet the Sessoins with all my
power. So the king departed unto Tintagil, and Sir Tristram
went to repose him. And the king made a great host,
and departed them in three ; the first part led Sir Dinas the
Seneschal, and Sir Andred led the second part, and Sir
Argius led the third part ; and he was of the blood of King
Mark. And the Sessoins had three great battles, and many
good men of arms. And so King Mark by the advice of
his knights issued out of the Castle of Tintagil upon his
enemies. And Dinas, the good knight, rode out afore, and
slew two knights with his own hands, and then began the
battles. And there was marvellous breaking of spears arid
smiting of swords, and slew down many good knights.
And ever was Sir Dinas the Seneschal the best of King
Mark's party. And thus the battle endured long with great
mortality. But at the last King Mark and Sir Dinas,
were they never so loth, they withdrew them to the castle
of Tintagil with great slaughter of people ; and the Sessoins
followed on fast, that ten of them were put within the gates
and four slain with the portcullis. Then King Mark sent
for Sir Tristram by a varlet, that told him all the mortality.
Then he sent the varlet again, and bad him : Tell King Mark
that I will come as soon as I am whole, for erst I may do
him no good. Then King Mark had his answer. There-
with came Elias and bad the king yield up the castle : For
ye may not hold it no while. Sir Elias, said the king, so
will I yield up the castle if I be not soon rescued. Anon
King Mark sent again for rescue to Sir Tristram. By then
Sir Tristram was whole, and he had gotten him ten good
knights of Arthur's ; and with them he rode unto Tintagil.
And when he saw the great host of Sessoins he marvelled
wonder greatly. And then Sir Tristram rode by the woods
and by the ditches as secretly as he might, till he came nigh
the gates. And there dressed a knight to him when he saw
that Sir Tristram would enter ; and Sir Tristram smote him
down dead, and so he served three more. And every each
of these ten knights slew a man of arms. So Sir Tristram
entered into the Castle of Tintagil. And when King Mark
wist that Sir Tristram was come he was glad of his coming,
and so was all the fellowship, and of him they made great
joy.
King Arthur 21
CHAPTER XXIX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM OVERCAME THE BATTLE, AND HOW ELIAS
DESIRED A MAN TO FIGHT BODY FOR BODY
So on the morn Elias the captain came, and bad King
Mark : Come out and do battle ; for now the good knight
Sir Tristram is entered it will be shame to thee; said Elias,
for to keep thy walls. When King Mark understood this he
was wroth and said no word, but went unto Sir Tristram
and asked him his counsel. Sir, said Sir Tristram, will ye
that I give him his answer? I will well, said King Mark.
Then Sir Tristram said thus to the messenger : Bear thy lord
word from the king and me, that we will do battle with him
tomorn in the plain field. What is your name? said the
messenger. Wit thou well my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones. Therewithal the messenger departed and told his
lord Elias all that he had heard. Sir, said Sir Tristram unto
King Mark, I pray you give me leave to have the rule of the
battle. I pray you take the rule, said King Mark. Then
Sir Tristram let devise the battle in what manner that it
should be. He let depart his host in six parties, and
ordained Sir Dinas the Seneschal to have the foreward, and
other knights to rule the remnant. And the same night Sii
Tristram burnt all the Sessoins' ships unto the cold water.
Anon, as Elias wist that, he said it was of Sir Tristram's
doing : For he casteth that we shall never escape, mother
son of us. Therefore, fair fellows, fight freely to-morrow,
and miscomfort you nought ; for any knight, though he be
the best knight in the world, he may not have ado with
us all. Then they ordained their battle in four parties,
wonderly well apparelled and garnished with men of arms.
Thus they within issued, and they without set freely upon
them ; and there Sir Dinas did great deeds of arms. Not
for then Sir Dinas and his fellowship were put to the worse.
With that came Sir Tristram and slew two knights with one
spear ; then he slew on the right hand and on the left hand,
that men marvelled that ever he might do such deeds of
arms. And then he might see sometime the battle was
driven a bow draught from the castle, and sometime it was
at the gates of the castle. Then came Elias the captain
rushing here and there, and hit King Mark so sore upon the
helm that he made him to avoid the saddle. And then Sir
22 King Arthur
Dinas gat King Mark again to horseback. Therewithal
came in Sir Tristram like a lion, and there he met with
Elias, and he smote him so sore upon the helm that he
avoided his saddle. And thus they fought till it was night,
and for great slaughter and for wounded people every each
party drew to their rest. And when King Mark was come
within the Castle of Tintagil he lacked of his knights an
hundred, and they without lacked two hundred ; and they
searched the wounded men on both parties. And then
they went to council; and wit you well either party were
loth to fight more, so that either might escape with their
worship. When Elias the captain understood the death of
his men he made great dole ; and when he wist that they
were loth to go to battle again he was wroth out of measure.
Then Elias sent word unto King Mark, in great despite,
whether he would find a knight that would fight for him
body for body. And if that he might slay King Mark's
knight, he to have the truage of Cornwall yearly. And if
that his knight slay mine, I fully release my claim forever.
Then the messenger departed unto King Mark, and told
him how that his lord Elias had sent him word to find a
knight to do battle with him body for body. When King
Mark understood the messenger, he bad him abide and he
should have his answer. Then called he all the baronage
together to wit what was the best counsel. They said all at
once : To fight in a field we have no lust, for had not been
Sir Tristram's prowess it had been likely that we never
should have escaped ; and therefore, sir, as we deem, it were
well done to find a knight that would do battle with him,
for he knightly profTereth.
CHAPTER XXX
HOW SIR KLIAS AND SIR TRISTRAM FOUGHT TOGETHER FOR THE
TRUAGE, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM SLEW ELIAS IN THE FIELD
NOT for then when all this was said, they could find no
knight that would do battle with him. Sir king, said they
all, here is no knight that dare fight with Elias. Alas, said
King Mark, then am I utterly ashamed and utterly destroyed,
unless that my nephew Sir Tristram will take the battle upon
him. Wit you well, they said all, he had yesterday over-
much on hand, and he is weary for travail, and sore wounded.
King Arthur 23
Where is he ? said King Mark. Sir, said they, he is in his
bed to repose him. Alas, said King Mark, but I have the
succour of my nephew Sir Tristram, I am utterly destroyed
for ever. Therewith One went to Sir Tristram where he lay,
and told him what King Mark had said. And therewith Sir
Tristram arose lightly, and put on him a long gown, and
came afore the King and all the lords. And when he saw
them all so dismayed he asked the King and the lords what
tidings were with them. Never worse, said the King. And
therewith he told him all, how he had word of Elias to find
a knight to fight for the truage of Cornwall, and none can I
find. And as for you, said the king and all the lords, we
may ask no more of you for shame ; for through your hardi-
ness yesterday ye saved all our lives. Sir, said Sir Tristram,
now I understand ye would have my succour, reason would
that I should do all that lieth in my power to do, saving my
worship and my life, howbeit I am sore bruised and hurt.
And sithen Sir Elias proffereth so largely, I shall fight with
him, or else I will be slain in the field, or else I will deliver
Cornwall from the old truage. And therefore lightly call his
messenger and he shall be answered, for as yet my wounds
be green, and they will be sorer a seven night after than they
be now ; and therefore he shall have his answer that I will
do battle tomorn with him. Then was the messenger
departed brought before King Mark. Hark, my fellow,
said Sir Tristram, go fast unto thy lord, and bid him make
true assurance on his part for the truage, as the king here
shall make on his part ; and then tell thy lord, Sir Elias, that
I, Sir Tristram, King Arthur's knight, and knight of the
Table Round, will as tomorn meet with thy lord on horse-
back, to do battle as long as my horse may endure, and
after that to do battle with him on foot to the utterance.
The messenger beheld Sir Tristram from the top to the toe ;
and therewithal he departed and came to his lord, and told
him how he was answered of Sir Tristram. And therewithal
was made hostage on both parties, and made it as sure as it
might be, that whether party had the victory, so to end.
And then were both hosts assembled on both parts of
the field, without the Castle of Tintagil, and there was none
but Sir Tristram and Sir Elias armed. So when the appoint-
ment was made, they departed in sunder, and they came
together with all the might that their horses might run.
And either knight smote other so hard that both horses and
24 King Arthur
knights went to the earth. Not for then they both lightly
arose and dressed their shields on their shoulders, with
naked swords in their hands, and they dashed together thai
it seemed a flaming fire about them. Thus they traced, and
traversed, and hewed on helms and hauberks, and cut away
many cantels of their shields, and either wounded other
passing sore, so that the hot blood fell freshly upon the
earth. And by when they had foughten the mountenance
of an hour Sir Tristram waxed faint and forbled, and gave
sore aback. That saw Sir Elias, and followed fiercely upon
him, and wounded him in many places. And ever Sir Tris-
tram traced and traversed, and went froward him here and
there, and covered him with his shield as he might all
weakly, that all men said he was overcome ; for Sir Elias had
given him twenty strokes against one. Then was there
laughing of the Sessoins' party, and great dole on King
Mark's party. Alas, said the king, we are ashamed and
destroyed all for ever : for as the book saith, Sir Tristram
was never so matched, but if it were Sir Launcelot. Thus
as they stood and beheld both parties, that one party laugh-
ing and the other party weeping, Sir Tristram remembered
him of his lady, La Beale Isoud, that looked upon him, and
how he was likely never to come in her presence. Then he
pulled up his shield that erst hung full low. And then he
dressed up his shield unto Elias, and gave him many sad
strokes, twenty against one, and all to brake his shield
and his hauberk, that the hot blood ran down to the earth.
Then began King Mark to laugh, and all Cornish men, and
that other party to weep. And ever Sir Tristram said
to Sir Elias : Yield thee. Then when Sir Tristram saw him
so staggering on the ground, he said : Sir Elias, I am right
sorry for thee, for thou art a passing good knight as ever I
met withal, except Sir Launcelot. Therewithal Sir Elias fell
to the earth, and there died. What shall I do, said Sir
Tristram unto King Mark, for this battle is at an end?
Then they of Elias' party departed, and King Mark took of
them many prisoners, to redress the harms and the scathes
that he had of them ; and the remnant he sent into their
country to borrowe out their fellows. Then was Sir Tristram
searched and well healed. Yet for all this King Mark would
fain have slain Sir Tristram. But for all tnat ever Sir Tris-
tram saw or heard by King Mark, yet would he never beware of
his treason, but ever he would be there as La Beale Isoud was.
King Arthur 25
CHAPTER XXXI
HOW AT A GREAT FEAST THAT KING MARK MADE AN HARPER
CAME AND SANG THE LAY THAT DINADAN HAD MADE
Now will we pass of this matter, and speak we of the
harpers that Sir Launcelot and Sir Dinadan had sent into
Cornwall. And at the great feast that King Mark made for
joy that the Sessoins were put out of his country, then came
Eliot the harper with the lay that Dinadan had made, and
secretly brought it unto Sir Tristram, and told him the lay
that Dinadan had made by King Mark. And when Sir
Tristram heard it, he said : O Lord Jesu, that Dinadan can
make wonderly well and ill, there as it shall be. Sir, said
Eliot, dare I sing this song afore King Mark ? Yea, on my
peril, said Sir Tristram, for I shall be thy warrant. Then at
the meat came in Eliot the harper, and by cause he was
a curious harper men heard him sing the same lay that
Dinadan had made, the which spake the most villainy by
King Mark of his treason that ever man heard. When the
harper had sung his song to the end King Mark was
wonderly wroth, and said : Thou harper, how durst thou be
so bold on thy head to sing this song afore me. Sir, said
Eliot, wit you well I am a minstrel, and I must do as I am
commanded of these lords that I bear the arms of. And
sir, wit ye well that Sir Dinadan, a knight of the Table
Round, made this song, and made me to sing it afore you.
Thou sayest well, said King Mark, and by cause thou art a
minstrel thou shalt go quit, but I charge thee hie thee fast
out of my sight. So the harper departed and went to Sir
Tristram, and told him how he had sped. Then Sir Tris-
tram let make letters as goodly as he could to Launcelot and
to Sir Dinadan. And so he let conduct the harper out of
the country. But to say that King Mark was wonderly
wroth, he was, for he deemed that the lay that was sung
afore him was made by Sir Tristram's counsel, wherefore he
thought to slay him and all his well-willers in that country.
26 King Arthur
CHAPTER XXXII
HOW KING MARK SLEW BY TREASON HIS BROTHER BOUDWIN, FOR
GOOD SERVICE THAT HE HAD DONE TO HIM
Now turn we to another matter that fell between King
Mark and his brother, that was called the good Prince
Boudwin, that all the people of the country loved passing
well. So it befell on a time that the miscreant Saracens
landed in the country of Cornwall soon after these Sessoins
were gone. And then the good Prince Boudwin, at the
landing, he raised the country privily and hastily. And or it
were day he let put wild fire in three of his own ships, and
suddenly he pulled up the sail, and with the wind he made
those ships to be driven among the navy of the Saracens.
And to make short tale, those three ships set on fire all the
ships, that none were saved. And at point of the day
the good Prince Boudwin with all his fellowship set on the
miscreants with shouts and cries, and slew to the number of
forty thousand, and left none on live. When King Mark
wist this he was wonderly wroth that his brother should win
such worship. And by cause this prince was better beloved
than he in all that country, and that also Boudwin loved
well Sir Tristram, therefore he thought to slay him. And
thus, hastily, as a man out of his wit, he sent for Prince
Boudwin and Anglides his wife, and bad them bring their
young son with them, that he might see him. All this he
did to the intent to slay the child as well as his father, for
he was the falsest traitor that ever was born. Alas, for his
goodness and for his good deeds this gentle Prince Boudwin
was slain. So when he came with his wife Anglides, the
king made them fair semblant till they had dined. And
when they had dined King Mark sent for his brother and
said thus : Brother, how sped you when the miscreants
arrived by you ? meseemeth it had been your part to have
sent me word, that I might have been at that journey, for it
had been reason that I had had the honour and not you.
Sir, said the Prince Boudwin, it was so that an I tarried till
that I had sent for you those miscreants had destroyed my
country. Thou liest, false traitor, said King Mark, for thou
art ever about for to win worship from me, and put me
to dishonour, and thou cherishest that I hate. And there-
with he struck him to the heart with a dagger, that he never
King Arthur 27
after spake word. Then the lady Anglides made great dole,
and swooned, for she saw her lord slain afore her face.
Then was there no more to do but Prince Boudwin was
despoiled and brought to burial. But Anglides privily gat
her husband's doublet and his shirt, and that she kept
secretly. Then was there much sorrow and crying, and
great dole made Sir Tristram, Sir Dinas, Sir Fergus, and so
did all knights that were there ; for that prince was passingly
well beloved. So La Beale Isoud sent unto Anglides, the
Prince Boudwin's wife, and bad her avoid lightly or else her
young son, Alisander le Orphelin, should be slain. When
she heard this, she took her horse and her child, and rode
with such poor men as durst ride with her.
CHAPTER XXXIII
HOW ANGLIDES, BOUDWIN'S WIFE, ESCAPED WITH HER YOUNG SON,
ALISANDER LE ORPHELIN, AND CAME TO THE CASTLE OF
ARUNDEL
NOTWITHSTANDING, when King Mark had done this deed,
yet he thought to do more vengeance ; and with his sword
in his hand, he sought from chamber to chamber, to seek
Anglides and her young son. And when she was missed he
called a good knight that hight Sadok, and charged him by
pain of death to fetch Anglides again and her young son.
So Sir Sadok departed and rode after Anglides. And
within ten mile he overtook her, and bad her turn again and
ride with him to King Mark. Alas, fair knight, she said,
what shall ye win by my son's death or by mine ? I have had
overmuch harm and too great a loss. Madam, said Sadok,
of your loss is dole and pity ; but madam, said Sadok,
would ye depart out of this country with your son, and keep
him till he be of age, that he may revenge his father's death,
then would I suffer you to depart from me, so you promise
me to revenge the death of Prince Boudwin. Ah, gentle
knight, Jesu thank thee, and if ever my son, Alisander le
Orphelin, live to be a knight, he shall have his father's
doublet and his shirt with the bloody marks, and I shall give
him such a charge that he shall remember it while he liveth.
And therewithal Sadok departed from her, and either betook
other to God, And when Sadok came to King Mark he
28 King Arthur
told him faithfully that he had drowned young Alisander her
son ; and thereof King Mark was full glad. Now turn we
unto Anglides, that rode both night and day by adventure
out of Cornwall, and little and in few places she rested ; but
ever she drew southward to the seaside, till by fortune she
came to a castle that is called Magouns, and now it is called
Arundel, in Sussex. And the constable of the castle
welcomed her, and said she was welcome to her own castle j
and there was Anglides worshipfully received, for the con-
stable's wife was nigh her cousin, and the constable's name
was Bellangere ; and that same constable told Anglides that
the same castle was hers by right inheritance. Thus
Anglides endured years and winters, till Alisander was big
and strong ; there was none so wight in all that country,
neither there was none that might do no manner of mastery
afore him.
CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW ANGLIDES GAVE THE BLOODY DOUBLET TO ALISANDER, HER
SON, THE SAME DAY THAT HE WAS MADE KNIGHT, AND THE
CHARGE WITHAL
THEN upon a day Bellangere the constable came to
Anglides and said : Madam, it were time my lord Alisander
were made knight, for he is a passing strong young man.
Sir, said she, I would he were made knight ; but then must
I give him the most charge that ever sinful mother gave to
her child. Do as ye list, said Bellangere, and I shall give
him warning that he shall be made knight. Now it will be
well done that he may be made knight at our Lady Day in
Lent. Be it so, said Anglides, and I pray you make ready
therefor. So came the constable to Alisander, and told him
that he should at our Lady Day in Lent be made knight. I
thank God, said Alisander ; these are the best tidings that
ever came to me. Then the constable ordained twenty of
the greatest gentlemen's sons, and the best born men of the
country, that should be made knights that same day that
Alisander was made knight. So on the same day that
Alisander and his twenty fellows were made knights, at the
offering of the mass there came Anglides unto her son and
said thus : O fair sweet son, I charge thee upon my blessing,
and of the high order of chivalry that thou takest here this
King Arthur 29
day, that thou understand what I shall say and charge thee
withal. Therewithal she pulled out a bloody doublet and
a bloody shirt, that were bebled with old blood. When
Alisander saw this he started aback and waxed pale, and
said : Fair mother, what may this mean ? I shall tell thee,
fair son : this was thine own father's doublet and shirt, that
he wore upon him that same day that he was slain. And
there she told him why and wherefore, and how for his good-
ness King Mark slew him with his dagger afore mine own
eyen. And therefore this shall be your charge that I shall
give thee.
CHAPTER XXXV
HOW IT WAS TOLD TO KING MARK OF SIR ALISANDER, AND HOW
HE WOULD HAVE SLAIN SIR SADOK FOR SAVING HIS LIFE
Now I require thee, and charge thee upon my blessing,
and upon the high order of knighthood, that thou be
revenged upon King Mark for the death of thy father. And
therewithal she swooned. Then Alisander leapt to his
mother, and took her up in his arms, and said : Fair mother,
ye have given me a great charge, and here I promise you I
shall be avenged upon King Mark when that I may ; and
that I promise to God and to you. So this feast was ended,
and the constable, by the advice of Anglides, let purvey that
Alisander was well horsed and harnessed. Then he jousted
with his twenty fellows that were made knights with him, but
for to make a short tale, he overthrew all those twenty, that
none might withstand him a buffet. Then one of those
knights departed unto King Mark, and told him all, how
Alisander was made knight, and all the charge that his
mother gave him, as ye have heard afore time. Alas, false
treason, said King Mark, I weened that young traitor had
been dead. Alas, whom may I trust ? And therewithal
King Mark took a sword in his hand, and sought Sir Sadok
from chamber to chamber to slay him. When Sir Sadok saw
King Mark come with his sword in his hand he said thus :
Beware, King Mark, and come not nigh me ; for wit thou
well that I saved Alisander his life, of which 1 never repent
me, for thou falsely and cowardly slew his father Boudwin,
traitorly for his good deeds ; wherefore I pray Almighty Jesu
send Alisander might and strength to be revenged upon thee.
30 King Arthur
And now beware King Mark of young Alisander, for he is
made a knight. Alas, said King Mark, that ever I should
hear a traitor say so afore me. And therewith four knights
of King Mark's drew their swords to slay Sir Sadok, but anon
Sir Sadok slew them all in King Mark's presence. And then
Sir Sadok passed forth into his chamber, and took his horse
and his harness, and rode on his way a good pace. For
there was neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Dinas, nor Sir
Fergus, that would Sir Sadok any evil will. Then was King
Mark wroth, and thought to destroy Sir Alisander and Sir
Sadok that had saved him ; for King Mark dreaded and
hated AKsander most of any man living. When Sir
Tristram understood that Alisander was made knight, anon
forthwithal he sent him a letter, praying him and charging
him that he would draw him to the court of King Arthur,
and that he put him in the rule and in the hands of Sii
Launcelot. So this letter was sent to Alisander from his
cousin, Sir Tristram. And at that time he thought to do
after his commandment. Then King Mark called a knight
that brought him the tidings from Alisander, and bad him
abide still in that country. Sir, said that knight, so must I
do, for in my own country I dare not come. No force, said
King Mark, I shall give thee here double as much lands as
ever thou hadst of thine own. But within short space Sir
Sadok met with that false knight, and slew him. Then was
King Mark wood wroth out of measure. Then he sent unto
Queen Morgan le Fay, and to the queen of Northgalis, pray-
ing them in his letters that they two sorceresses would set all
the country in fire with ladies that were enchantresses, and
by such that were dangerous knights, as Malgrin, B reuse
Saunce Pite', that by no mean Alisander le Orphelin should
escape, but either he should be taken or slain. This
ordinance made King Mark for to destroy Alisander.
CHAPTER XXXVI
HOW SIR ALISANDER WON THE PRIZE AT A TOURNAMENT, AND OF
MORGAN LE FAY : AND HOW HE FOUGHT WITH SIR MALGRIN,
AND SLEW HIM
Now turn we again unto Sir Alisander, that at his depart-
ing his mother, took with him his father's bloody shirt.
So that he bare with him always till his death day, in
King Arthur 31
tokening to think on his father's death. So was Alisander
purposed to ride to London, by the counsel of Sir Tristram,
to Sir Launcelot. And by fortune he went by the seaside,
and rode wrong. And there he won at a tournament the
gree that King Carados made. And there he smote down
King Carados and twenty of his knights, and also Sir
Safere, a good knight that was Sir Palomides' brother, the
good knight. All this saw a damosel, and saw the best
knight joust that ever she saw. And ever as he smote down
knights he made them to swear to wear none harness in
a twelvemonth and a day. This is well said, said Morgan
le Fay, this is the knight that I would fain see. And so
she took her palfrey, and rode a great while, and then she
rested her in her pavilion. So there came four knights,
two were armed, and two were unarmed, and they told
Morgan le Fay their names : the first was Elias de Gom-
eret, the second was Cari de Gomeret, those were armed ;
that other twain were of Camiliard, cousins unto Queen
Guenever, and that one hight Guy, and that other hight
Garaunt, those were unarmed. There these four knights
told Morgan le Fay how a young knight had smitten them
down before a castle. For the maiden of that castle said
that he was but late made knight, and young. But as we
suppose, but if it were Sir Tristram, or Sir Launcelot, or
Sir Lamorak, the good knight, there is none that might sit
him a buffet with a spear. Well, said Morgan le Fay, I
shall meet that knight or it be long time, an he dwell in
that country. So turn we to the damosel of the castle, that
when Alisander le Orphelin had forjousted the four knights,
she called him to her, and said thus : Sir knight, wilt thou
for my sake joust and fight with a knight, for my sake, of
this country, that is and hath been long time an evil neigh-
bour to me? His name is Malgrin, and he will not suffer
me to be married in no manner wise for all that I can do,
or any knight for my sake. Damosel, said Alisander, an
he come whiles I am here I will fight with him, and my
poor body for your sake I will jeopard. And therewithal
she sent for him, for he was at her commandment. And
when either had a sight of other, they made them ready for
to joust, and they came together eagerly, and Malgrin brised
his spear upon Alisander, and Alisander smote him again
so hard that he bare him quite from his saddle to the earth.
But this Malgrin arose lightly, and dressed his shield and
32 King Arthur
drew his sword, and bad him alight, saying: Though thou
have the better of me on horseback, thou shalt find that I
shall endure like a knight on foot. It is well said, said
Alisander ; and so lightly he avoided his horse and betook
him to his varlet. And then they rushed together like two
boars, and laid on their helms and shields long time, by
the space of three hours, that never man could say which
was the better knight. And in the meanwhile came Morgan
le Fay to the damosel of the castle, and they beheld the
battle. But this Malgrin was an old roted knight, and
he was called one of the dangerous knights of the world
to do battle on foot, but on horseback there were many
better. And ever this Malgrin awaited to slay Alisander,
and so wounded him wonderly sore, that it was marvel
that ever he might stand, for he had bled so much blood ;
for Alisander fought wildly, and not wittily. And that
other was a felonious knight, and awaited him, and smote
him sore. And sometime they rushed together with their
shields, like two boars or rams, and fell grovelling both to
the earth. Now knight, said Malgrin, hold thy hand a
while, and tell me what thou art. I will not, said
Alisander, but if me list : but tell me thy name, and why
thou keepest this country, or else thou shalt die of my
hands. Wit thou well, said Malgrin, that for this maiden's
love, of this castle, I have slain ten good knights by mishap ;
and by outrage and orgulite of myself I have slain ten other
knights. So God me help, said Alisander, this is the foulest
confession that ever I heard knight make, nor never heard
I speak of other men of such a shameful confession;
wherefore it were great pity and great shame unto me that
I should let thee live any longer; therefore keep thee as
well as ever thou mayest, for as I am true knight, either
thou shalt slay me or else I shall slay thee, I promise thee
faithfully. Then they lashed together fiercely, and at the
last Alisander smote Malgrin to the earth. And then he
raced off his helm, and smote off his head lightly. And
when he had done and ended this battle, anon he called
to him his varlet, the which brought him his horse. And
then he, weening to be strong enough, would have
mounted. And so she laid Sir Alisander in an horse
litter, and led him into the castle, for he had no foot nor
might to stand upon the earth ; for he had sixteen great
wounds, and in especial one of them was like to be his death
King Arthur 33
CHAPTER XXXVII
HOW QUEEN MORGAN LE FAY HAD ALISANDER IN HER CASTLE, AND
HOW SHE HEALED HIS WOUNDS
THEN Queen Morgan le Fay searched his wounds, and
gave such an ointment unto him that he should have
died. And on the morn when she came to him he
complained him sore ; and then she put other ointments
upon him, and then he was out of his pain. Then came
the damosel of the castle, and said unto Morgan le Fay :
I pray you help me that this knight might wed rne. for
he hath won me with his hands. Ye shall see, said
Morgan le Fay, what I shall say. Then Morgan le Fay
went unto Alisander, and bad in anywise that he should
refuse this lady, an she desire to wed you, for she is not
for you. So the damosel came and desired of him
marriage. Damosel, said Orphelin, I thank you, but as
yet I cast me not to marry in this country. Sir, she said,
sithen ye will not marry me, I pray you insomuch as ye
have won me, that ye will give me to a knight of this
country that hath been my friend, and loved me many
years. With all my heart, said Alisander, I will assent
thereto. Then was the knight sent for, his name was
Gerine le Grose. And anon he made them handfast, and
wedded them. Then came Queen Morgan le Fay to
Alisander, and bad him arise, and put him in an horse
litter, and gave him such a drink that in three days and
three nights he waked never, but slept; and so she brought
him to her own castle that at that time was called La BeaLe
P^egard. Then Morgan le Fay came to Alisander, and
asked him if he would fain be whole. Who would be
sick, said Alisander, an he might be whole? Well, said
Morgan le Fay, then shall ye promise me by your knight-
hood that this day twelvemonth and a day ye shall not
pass the compass of this castle, and without doubt ye
shall lightly be whole. I assent, said Sir Alisander. And
there he made her a promise : then was he soon whole.
And when Alisander was whole, then he repented him
of his oath, for he might not be revenged upon King
Mark. Right so there came a damosel that was cousin
to the Earl of Pase, and she was cousin to Morgan le
1146 B
34 King Arthur
Fay. And by right that castle of La Beale Regard should
have been hers by true inheritance. So this damosel entered
into this castle where lay Alisander, and there she found
him upon his bed, passing heavy and all sad.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
HOW ALISANDER WAS DELIVERED FROM QUEEN MORGAN LE FAY BY
THE MEANS OF A DAMOSEL
SIR knight, said the damosel, an ye would be merry I
could tell you good tidings. Well were me, said Alisander,
an I might hear of good ; tidings, for now I stand as a
prisoner by my promise. Sir, she said, wit you well that
ye be a prisoner, and worse than ye ween ; for my lady,
my cousin Queen Morgan le Fay, keepeth you here foi
none other intent but for to do her pleasure with you
when it liketh her. O Jesu defend me, said Alisander,
from such pleasure ; for I had lever cut away my hangers
than I would do her such pleasure. As Jesu help me,
said the damosel, an ye would love me and be ruled by
me, I shall make your deliverance with your worship. Tell
me, said Alisander, by what means, and ye shall have my
love. Fair knight, said she, this castle of right ought to
be mine, and I have an uncle the which is a mighty earl,
he is Earl of Pase, and of all folks he hateth most Morgan
le Fay ; and I shall send unto him and pray him for my
sake to destroy this castle for the evil customs that be used
therein ; and then will he come and set wild-fire on every
part of the castle, and I shall get you out at a privy postern,
and there shall ye have your horse and your harness. Ye
say well, damosel, said Alisander. And then she said : Ye
may keep the room of this castle this twelvemonth and a
day, then break ye not your oath. Truly, fair damosel, said
Alisander, ye say sooth. And then he kissed her, and did
to her pleasance as it pleased them both at times and
leisures. So anon she sent unto her uncle and bad him
come and destroy that castle, for as the book saith, he
would have destroyed that castle afore time had not that
damosel been. When the earl understood her letters
he sent her word again that on such a day he would
King Arthur 35
come and destroy that castle. So when that day came
she showed Alisander a postern wherethrough he should
flee into a garden, and there he should find his armour
and his horse. When the day came that was set, thither
came the Earl of Pase with four hundred knights, and
set on fire all the parts of the castle, that or they ceased
they left not a stone standing. And all this while that
the fire was in the castle he abode in the garden. And
when the fire was done he let make a cry that he would
keep that piece of earth there as the castle of La Beale
Regard was a twelvemonth and a day, from all manner
knights that would come. So it happed there was a duke
that night Ansirus, and he was of the kin of Sir Launcelot.
And this knight was a great pilgrim, for every third year
he would be at Jerusalem. And by cause he used all
his life to go in pilgrimage men called him Duke
Ansirus the Pilgrim. And this duke had a daughter that
night Alice, that was a passing fair woman, and by cause
of her father she was called Alice la Beale Pilgrim. And
anon as she heard of this cry she went unto Arthur's court,
and said openly in hearing of many knights, that what
knight may overcome that knight that keepeth that piece
of earth shall have me and all my lands. When the
knights of the Round Table heard her say thus many
were glad, for she was passing fair and of great rents.
Right so she let cry in castles and towns as fast on her
side as Alisander did on his side. Then she dressed her
pavilion straight by the piece of the earth that Alisander
kept. So she was not so soon there but there came a
knight of Arthur's court that hight Sagramore le Desirous,
and he proffered to joust with Alisander ; and they
encountered, and Sagramore le Desirous brised his spear
upon Sir Alisander, but Sir Alisander smote him so hard that
he avoided his saddle. And when La Beale Alice saw
him joust so well, she thought him a passing goodly knight
on horseback. And then she leapt out of her pavilion,
and took Sir Alisander by the bridle, and thus she said:
Fair knight, I require thee of thy knighthood show me
thy visage. I dare well, said Alisander, show my visage.
And then he put off his helm ; and she saw his visage,
she said : O sweet Jesu, thee I must love, and never other.
Then show me your visage, said he.
36 King Arthur
CHAPTER XXXIX
HOW ALISANDER MET WITH ALICE LA BEALE PILGRIM, AND HOW
HE JOUSTED WITH TWO KNIGHTS ; AND AFTER OF HIM AND
OF SIR MORDRED
THEN she unwimpled her visage. And when he saw her
he said : Here have I found my love and my lady. Truly,
fair lady, said he, I promise you to be your knight, and none
other that beareth the life. Now, gentle knight, said she,
tell me your name. My name is, said he, Alisander le
Orphelin. Now, damosel, tell me your name, said he. My
name is, said she, Alice la Beale Pilgrim. And when we be
more at our heart's ease, both ye and I shall tell other of
what blood we be come. So there was great love betwixt
them. And as they thus talked there came a knight that
hight Harsouse le Berbuse, and asked part of Sir Alisander's
spears. Then Sir Alisander encountered with him, and at
the first Sir Alisander smote him over his horse's croup.
And then there came another knight that hight Sir Hewgon,
and Sir Alisander smote him down as he did that other.
Then Sir Hewgon proffered to do battle on foot. Sir
Alisander overcame him with three strokes, and there would
have slain him had he not yielded him. So then Alisander
made both those knights to swear to wear none armour in a
twelvemonth and a day. Then Sir Alisander alit down, and
went to rest him and repose him. Then the damosel that
helped Sir Alisander out of the castle, in her play told Alice
all together how he was prisoner in the castle of La Beale
Regard, and there she told her how she got him out of
prison. Sir, said Alice la Beale Pilgrim, meseemeth ye are
much beholding to this maiden. That is truth, said Sir
Alisander. And there Alice told him of what blood she was
come. Sir, wit ye well, she said, that I am of the blood of
King Ban, that was father unto Sir Launcelot. Ye wis, fair
lady, said Alisander, my mother told me that my father was
brother unto a king, and I nigh cousin unto Sir Tristram.
Then this while came there three knights, that one hight
Vains, and the other hight Harvis de les Marches, and the
third hight Perin de la Montaine. And with one spear Sir
Alisander smote them down all three, and gave them such
falls that they had no list to fight upon foot. So he made
them to swear to wear none arms in a twelvemonth. So when
King Arthur 37
they were departed Sir Alisander beheld his lady Alice on
horseback as he stood in her pavilion. And then was he so
enamoured upon her that he wist not whether he were on
horseback or on foot. Right so came the false knight Sir
Mordred, and saw Sir Alisander was assotted upon his lady ;
and therewithal he took his horse by the bridle, and led him
here and there, and had cast to have led him out of that
place to have shamed him. When the damosel that helped
him out of that castle saw how shamefully he was led, anon
she let arm her, and set a shield upon her shoulder ; and
therewith she mounted upon his horse, and gat a naked
sword in her hand, and she thrust unto Alisander with all her
might, and she gave him such a buffet that he thought the
fire fiew out of his eyen. And when Alisander felt that
stroke he looked about him, and drew his sword. And when
she saw that, she fled, and so did Mordred into the forest,
and the damosel fled into the pavilion. So when Alisander
understood himself how the false knight would have shamed
him had not the damosel been, then was he wroth with him-
self that Sir Mordred was so escaped his hands. But then
Sir Alisander and Alice had good game at the damosel, how
sadly she hit him upon the helm. Then Sir Alisander
jousted thus day by day, and on foot he did many battles
with many knights of King Arthur's court, and with many
knights strangers. Therefore to tell all the battles that he
did it were overmuch to rehearse, for every day within that
twelvemonth he had ado with one knight or with other, and
some day he had ado with three or with four ; and there was
never knight that put him to the worse. And at the twelve-
month's end he departed with his lady, Alice la Beale
Pilgrim. And the damosel would never go from him, and
so they went into their country of Benoye, and lived there
in great joy.
CHAPTER XL
HOW SIR GALAHALT DID DO CRY A JOUSTS IN SURLUSE, AND QUEEN
GUENEVER'S KNIGHTS SHOULD JOUST AGAINST ALL THAT
WOULD COME
BUT as the book saith, King Mark would never stint till he
had slain him by treason. And by Alice he gat a child that
night Bellengerus le Beuse. And by good fortune he came
38 King Arthur
to the court of King Arthur, and proved a passing good
knight ; and he revenged his father's death, for the false King
Mark slew both Sir Tristram and Alisander falsely and
feloniously. And it happed so that Alisander had never
grace nor fortune to come to King Arthur's court. For an
he had come to Sir Launcelot, all knights said that knew
him, he was one of the strongest knights that was in Arthur's
days, and great dole was made for him. So let we of him
pass, and turn we to another tale. So it befell that Sir Galahalt,
the haut prince, was lord of the country of Surluse, whereof
came many good knights. And this noble prince was a
passing good man of arms, and ever he held a noble fellow-
ship together. And then he came to Arthur's court and told
him his intent, how this was his will, how he would let cry
a jousts in the country of Surluse, the which country was
within the lands of King Arthur, and there he asked leave to
let cry a jousts. I will give you leave, said King Arthur ;
but wit thou well, said King Arthur, I may not be there.
Sir, said Queen Guenever, please it you to give me leave to
be at that jousts. With right good will, said Arthur ; for
Sir Galahalt, the haut prince, shall have you in governance.
Sir, said Galahalt, I will as ye will. Sir, then the queen I
will take with me, and such knights as please me best. Do
as ye list, said King Arthur. So anon she commanded Sir
Launcelot to make him ready with such knights as he
thought best. So in every good town and castle of this land
was made a cry, that in the country of Surluse Sir Galahalt
should make a joust that should last eight days, and how the
haut prince, with the help of Queen Guenever's knights,
should joust against all manner of men that would
come. When this cry was known, kings and princes, dukes
and earls, barons and noble knights, made them ready to be
at that jousts. And at the day of jousting there came in Sir
Dinadan disguised, and did many great deeds of arms.
CHAPTER XLI
HOW SIR LAUNCKLOT FOUGHT IN THB TOURNAMENT, AND HOW SIR
PALOMIDES DID ARMS THERE FOR A DAMOSEL
THEN at the request of Queen Guenever and of King
Bagdemagus Sir Launcelot came into the range, but he
was disguised, and that was the cause that few folk
King Arthur 39
knew him ; and there met with him Sir Ector de Maris,
his own brother, and either brake their spears upon other to
their hands. And then either gat another spear. And then
Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Ector de Maris, his own
brother. That saw Sir Bleoberis, and he smote Sir Launcelot
such a buffet upon the helm that he wist not well where he
was. Then Sir Launcelot was wroth, and smote Sir Bleoberis
so sore upon the helm that his head bowed down backward.
And he smote efte another buffet, that he avoided his saddle ;
and so he rode by, and thrust forth to the thickest. When
the king of Northgalis saw Sir Ector and Bleoberis lie on the
ground then was he wroth, for they came on his party against
them of Surluse. So the king of Northgalis ran to Sir
Launcelot, and brake a spear upon him all to pieces.
Therewith Sir Launcelot overtook the king of Northgalis,
and smote him such a buffet on the helm with his sword
that he made him to avoid his horse ; and anon the king was
horsed again. So both the King Bagdemagus' and the king
of Northgalis party hurled to other ; and then began a strong
medley, but they of Northgalis were far bigger. When Sir
Launcelot saw his party go to the worst he thrange into the
thickest press with a sword in his hand ; and there he smote
down on the right hand and on the left hand, and pulled
down knights and raced off their helms, and that all men
had wonder that ever one knight might do such deeds of
arms. When Sir Meliagaunce, that was son unto King
Bagdemagus, saw how Sir Launcelot fared he marvelled
greatly. And when he understood that it was he, he wist
well that he was disguised for his sake. Then Sir Melia-
gaunce prayed a knight to slay Sir Launcelot's horse, either
with sword or with spear. At that time King Bagdemagus
met with a knight that hight Sauseise, a good knight, to whom
he said : Now fair Sauseise, encounter with my son Melia-
gaunce and give him large payment, for I would he were
well beaten of thy hands, that he might depart out of this
field. And then Sir Sauseise encountered with Sir Melia-
gaunce, and either smote other down. And then they fought
on foot, and there Sauseise had won Sir Meliagaunce, had
there not come rescues. So then the haut prince blew
to lodging, and every knight unarmed him and went to the
great feast. Then in the meanwhile there came a damosel
to the haut prince, and complained that there was a knight
that hight Goneries that withheld her all her lands. Then
40 King Arthur
the knight was there present, and cast his glove to him or to
any that would fight in her name. So the damosel took up
the glove all heavily for default of a champion. Then there
came a varlet to her and said : Damosel, will ye do after me ?
Full fain, said the damosel. Then go you unto such a
knight that lieth here beside in an hermitage, and that
followeth the questing beast, and pray him to take the battle
upon him, and anon I wot well he will grant you. So anon
she took her palfrey, and within a while she found that
knight, that was Sir Palomides. And when she required
him he armed him and rode with her, and made her to go
to the haut prince, and to ask leave for her knight to do
battle. I will well, said the haut prince. Then the knights
were ready in the field to joust on horseback ; and either
gat a spear in their hands, and met so fiercely together that
their spears all to shivered. Then they flang out swords,
and Sir Palomides smote Sir Goneries down to the earth.
And then he raced off his helm and smote off his head.
Then they went to supper, and the damosel loved Palomides
as paramour, but the book saith she was of his kin. So then
Palomides disguised himself in this manner, in his shield he
bare the questing beast, and in all his trappings. And
when he was thus ready, he sent to the haut prince to give
him leave to joust with other knights, but he was adoubted
of Sir Launcelot. The haut prince sent him word again
that he should be welcome, and that Sir Launcelot should
not joust with him. Then Sir Galahalt, the haut prince, let
cry what knight somever he were that smote down Sir
Palomides should have his damosel to himself.
CHAPTER XLII
HOW SIR GALAHALT AND PALOMIDES FOUGHT TOGETHER, AND OF
SIR DINADAN AND SIR GALAHALT
HERE beginneth the second day. Anon as Sir Palom-
ides came into the field, Sir Galahalt, the haut prince, was
at the range end, and met with Sir Palomides, and he with
him, with great spears. And then they came so hard
together that their spears all to shivered, but Sir Galahalt
smote him so hard that he bare him backward over his
horse, but yet he lost not his stirrups. Then they drew
King Arthur 41
their swords and lashed together many sad strokes, that
many worshipful knights left their business to behold them.
But at the last Sir Galahalt, the haut prince, smote a stroke
of might unto Palomides, sore upon the helm; but the
helm was so hard that the sword might not bite, but slipped
and smote off the head of the horse of Sir Palomides.
When the haut prince wist and saw the good knight fall
unto the earth he was ashamed of that stroke. And there-
with he alit down off his own horse, and prayed the good
knight, Palomides, to take that horse of his gift, and to for-
give him that deed. Sir, said Palomides, I thank you of
your great goodness, for ever of a man of worship a knight
shall never have disworship ; and so he mounted upon that
horse, and the haut prince had another anon. Now, said
the haut prince, I release to you that maiden, for ye have
won her. Ah, said Palomides, the damosel and I be at your
commandment. So they departed, and Sir Galahalt did
great deeds of arms. And right so came Dinadan and
encountered with Sir Galahalt, and either came to other so
fast with their spears that their spears brake to their hands.
But Dinadan had weened the haut prince had been more
weary than he was. And then he smote many sad strokes
at the haut prince ; but when Dinadan saw he might not get
him to the earth he said : My lord, I pray you leave me, and
take another. The haut prince knew not Dinadan, and left
goodly for his fair words. And so they departed ; but soon
there came another and told the haut prince that it was
Dinadan. Forsooth, said the prince, therefore am I heavy
that he is so escaped from me, for with his mocks and japes
now shall I never have done with him. And then Galahalt
rode fast after him, and bad him : Abide, Dinadan, for
King Arthur's sake. Nay, said Dinadan, so God me help,
we meet no more together this day. Then in that wrath the
haut prince met with Meliagaunce, and he smote him in the
throat that an he had fallen his neck had broken ; and with
the same spear he smote down another knight. Then came
in they of Northgalis and many strangers, and were like to
have put them of Surluse to the worse, for Sir Galahalt, the
haut prince, had ever much in hand. So there came the
good knight, Semound the Valiant, with forty knights, and
he beat them all aback. Then the Queen Guenever and Sir
Launcelot let blow to lodging, and every knight unarmed
him, and dressed him to the feast
II 46 *B
42 King Arthur
CHAPTER XLIII
HOW SIR ARCHADK APPELLED SIR PALOMIDES OF TREASON, AND
HOW SIR PALOMIDES SLEW HIM
WHEN Palomides was unarmed he asked lodging for him-
self and the damosel. Anon the haut prince commanded
them to lodging. And he was not so soon in his lodging
but there came a knight that hight Archade, he was brother
unto Goneries that Palomides slew afore in the damosel's
quarrel. And this knight, Archade, called Sir Palomides
traitor, and appelled him for the death of his brother. By
the leave of the haut prince, said Palomides, I shall answer
thee. When Sir Galahalt understood their quarrel he bad
them go to dinner : And as soon as ye have dined look that
either knight be ready in the field. So when they had dined
they were armed both, and took their horses, and the queen,
and the prince, and Sir Launcelot, were set to behold them ;
and so they let run their horses, and there Sir Palomides
bare Archade on his spear over his horse's tail. And then
Palomides alit and drew his sword, but Sir Archade might
not arise ; and there Sir Palomides raced off his helm, and
smote off his head. Then the haut prince and Queen
Guenever went unto supper. Then King Bagdemagus sent
away his son Meliagaunce by cause Sir Launcelot should not
meet with him, for he hated Sir Launcelot, and that knew
he not.
CHAPTER XLIV
OF THE THIRD DAY, AND HOW SIR PALOMIDES JOUSTED WITH SIR
LAMORAK, AND OTHER THINGS
Now beginneth the third day of jousting ; and at that
day King Bagdemagus made him ready ; and there came
against him King Marsil, that had in gift an island of Sir
Galahalt the haut prince ; and this island had the name
Pomitain. Then it befell that King Bagdemagus and King
Marsil of Pomitain met together with spears, and King
Marsil had such a buffet that he fell over his horse's croup.
Then came there in a knight of King Marsil to revenge
his lord, and King Bagdemagus smote him down, horse
and man, to the earth. So there came an earl that hight
King- Arthur 43
Arrouse, and Sir Breuse, and an hundred knights with them
of Pomitain, and the king of Northgalis was with them ; and
all these were against them of Surluse. And then there
began great battle, and many knights were cast under horses'
feet. And ever King Bagdemagus did best, for he first
began, and ever he held on. Gaheris, Gawaine's brother,
smote ever at the face of King Bagdemagus ; and at the last
King Bagdemagus hurtled down Gaheris, horse and man.
Then by adventure Sir Palomides, the good knight, met with
Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis' brother. And either
smote other with great spears, that both their horses and
knights fell to the earth. But Sir Blamore had such a
fall that he had almost broken his neck, for the blood brast
out at nose, mouth, and his ears, but at the last he recovered
well by good surgeons. Then there came in the Duke
Chaleins of Clarance ; and in his governance there came a
knight that hight Elis la Noire ; and there encountered with
him King Bagdemagus, and he smote Elis that he made him
to avoid his saddle. So the Duke Chaleins of Clarance did
there great deeds of arms, and of so late as he came in the
third day there was no man did so well except King
Bagdemagus and Sir Palomides, that the prize was given
that day to King Bagdemagus. And then they blew unto
lodging, and unarmed them, and went to the feast. Right
so came Dinadan, and mocked and japed with King Bagde-
magus that all knights laughed at him, for he was a fine
japer, and well loving all good knights. So anon as they
had dined there came a varlet bearing four spears on his
back ; and he came to Palomides, and said thus : Here
is a knight by hath sent you the choice of four spears, and
requireth you for your lady's sake to take that one half of
these spears, and joust with him in the field. Tell him, said
Palomides, I will not fail him. When Sir Galahalt wist of
this, he bad Palomides make him ready. So the Queen
Guenever, the haut prince, and Sir Launcelot, they were set
upon scaffolds to give the judgment of these two knights.
Then Sir Palomides and the strange knight ran so eagerly
together that their spears brake to their hands. Anon
withal either of them took a great spear in his hand and all
to shivered them in pieces. And then either took a greater
spear, and then the knight smote down Sir Palomides, horse
and man, to the earth. And as he would have passed over
him the strange knight's horse stumbled and fell down upon
44 King Arthur
Palomides. Then they drew their swords and lashed
together wonderly sore a great while. Then the haut prince
and Sir Launcelot said they saw never two knights fight
better than they did ; but ever the strange knight doubled
his strokes, and put Palomides aback ; therewithal the haut
prince cried : Ho : and then they went to lodging. And
when they were unarmed they knew it was the noble knight
Sir Lamorak. When Sir Launcelot knew that it was Sir
Lamorak he made much of him, for above all earthly men
he loved him best except Sir Tristram. Then Queen
Guenever commended him, and so did all other good
knights made much of him, except Sir Gawaine's brethren.
Then Queen Guenever said unto Sir Launcelot : Sir, I
require you that an ye joust any more, that ye joust with
none of the blood of my lord Arthur. So he promised he
would not as at that time.
CHAPTER XLV
OF THE FOURTH DAY, AND OF MANY GREAT FEATS OF ARMS
HERE beginneth the fourth day. Then came into the
field the king with the hundred knights, and all they of
Northgalis, and the Duke Chaleins of Claraiice, and King
Marsil of Pomitain, and there came Safere, Palomides'
brother, and there he told him tidings of his mother. And
his name was called the Earl, and so he appelled him afore
King Arthur : For he made war upon our father and
mother, and there I slew him in plain battle. So they went
into the field, and the damosel with them ; and there came
to encounter again them Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and Sir
Ector de Maris. Sir Palomides encountered with Sir
Bleoberis, and either smote other down. And in the same
wise did Sir Safere and Sir Ector, and the two couples
did battle on foot. Then came in Sir Lamorak, and he
encountered with the king with the hundred knights, and
smote him quite over his horse's tail. And in the same
wise he served the king of Northgalis, and also he smote
down King Marsil. And so or ever he stint he smote
down with his spear and with his sword thirty knights.
When Duke Chaleins saw Lamorak do so great prowess he
would not meddle with him for shame ; and then he charged
King Arthur 45
all his knights in pain of death that none of you touch him ;
for it were shame to all good knights an that knight were
shamed. Then the two kings gathered them together, and
all they set upon Sir Lamorak ; and he failed them not, but
rushed here and there, smiting on the right hand and on the
left, and raced off many helms, so that the haut prince and
Queen Guenever said they saw never knight do such deeds
of arms on horseback. Alas, said Launcelot to King
Bagdemagus, I will arm me and help Sir Lamorak. And I
will ride with you, said King Bagdemagus. And when
they two were horsed they came to Sir Lamorak that stood
among thirty knights ; and well was him that might reach
him a buffet, and ever he smote again mightily. Then
came there into the press Sir Launcelot, and he threw down
Sir Mador de la Porte. And with the truncheon of that
spear he threw down many knights. And King Bagdemagus
smote on the left hand and on the right hand marvellously
well. And then the three kings fled aback. Therewithal
then Sir Galahalt let blow to lodging, and all the heralds
gave Sir Lamorak the prize. And all this while fought
Palomides, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Safere, Sir Ector on foot, never
were there four knights evener matched. And then they
were departed, and had unto their lodging, and unarmed
them, and so they went to the great feast. But when Sir
Lamorak was come into the court Queen Guenever took
him in her arms and said : Sir, well have ye done this day.
Then came the haut prince, and he made of him great joy,
and so did Dinadan, for he wept for joy ; but the joy that
Sir Launcelot made of Sir Lamorak there might no man
tell. Then they went unto rest, and on the morn the haut
prince let blow unto the field.
CHAPTER XLVI
OF THE FIFTH DAY, AND HOW SIR LAMORAK BEHAVED HIM
HERE beginneth the fifth day. So it befell that Sir
Palomides came in the morntide, and proffered to joust
there as King Arthur was in a castle there besides Surluse ;
and there encountered with him a worshipful duke, and
there Sir Palomides smote him over his horse's croup.
And this duke was uncle unto King Arthur. Then Sir
Eiise's son rode auto Palomides, and Palomides served
46 King Arthur
Elise in the same wise. When Sir Uwaine saw this he was
wroth ; then he took his horse and encountered with Sir
Palomides, and Palomides smote him so hard that he went
to the earth, horse and man. And for to make a short tale,
he smote down three brethren of Sir Gawaine, that is for to
say Mordred, Gaheris, and Agravaine. O Jesu, said Arthur,
this is a great despite of a Saracen that he shall smite down
my blood. And therewithal King Arthur was wood wroth,
and thought to have made him ready to joust. That espied
Sir Lamorak, that Arthur and his blood were discomfit ;
and anon he was ready, and asked Palomides if he would
any more joust. Why should I not? said Palomides.
Then they hurtled together, and brake their spears, and all
to shivered them, that all the castle rang of their dints.
Then either gat a greater spear in his hand, and they carne
so fiercely together ; but Sir Palomides' spear all to brast
and Sir Lamorak did hold. Therewithal Sir Palomides lost
his stirrups and lay up right on his horse back. And then
Sir Palomides returned again and took his damosel, and Sir
Safere returned his way. So when he was departed King
Arthur came to Sir Lamorak and thanked him of his good-
ness, and prayed him to tell him his name. Sir, said
Lamorak, wit thou well, I owe you my service, but as at
this time I will not abide here, for I see of mine enemies
many about me. Alas, said Arthur, now wot I well it is Sir
Lamorak de Galis. O Lamorak, abide with me, and by my
crown I shall never fail thee : and not so hardy in Gawaine's
head, nor none of his brethren, to do thee any wrong. Sir,
said Sir Lamorak, wrong have they done me, and to you
both. That is truth, said the king, for they slew their own
mother and my sister, the which me sorely grieveth : it had
been much fairer and better that ye had wedded her, for ye
are a king's son as well as they. O Jesu, said the noble
knight Sir Lamorak unto Arthur, her death shall I never
forget. I promise you, and make my vow unto God, I shall
revenge her death as soon as I see time convenable. And
if it were not at the reverence of your highness I should
now have been revenged upon Sir Gawaine and his brethren.
Truly, said Arthur, I will make you at accord. Sir, said
Lamorak, as at this time I may not abide with you, for I
must to the jousts where is Sir Launcelot, and the haut
prince Sir Galahalt. Then there was a damosel that was
daughter to King Bandes. And there was a Saracen knight
King Arthur 47
that hight Corsabrin, and he loved the damosel, and in no
wise he would suffer her to be married ; for ever this
Corsabrin noised her, and named her that she was out of
her mind; and thus he let her that she might not be
married.
CHAPTER XLVII
HOW SIR PALOMIDES FOUGHT WITH CORSABRIN FOR A LADY, AND
HOW PALOMIDES SLEW CORSABRIN
So by fortune this damosel heard tell that Palomides did
much for damosels' sake ; so she sent to him a pensel, and
prayed him to fight with Sir Corsabrin for her love, and he
should have her, and her lands of her father's that should
fall to her. Then the damosel sent unto Corsabrin, and
bad him go unto Sir Palomides that was a paynim as well as
he, and she gave him warning that she had sent him her
pensel, and if he might overcome Palomides she would wed
him. When Corsabrin wist of her deeds then was he wood
wroth and angry, and rode unto Surluse where the haut
prince was, and there he found Sir Palomides ready, the
which had the pensel. So there they waged battle either
with other afore Galahalt. Well, said the haut prince, this
day must noble knights joust, and at after dinner we shall
see how ye can speed. Then they blew to jousts ; and in
came Dinadan, and met with Sir Gerin, a good knight, and
he threw him down over his horse's croup ; and Sir Dinadan
overthrew four knights more ; and there he did great deeds
of arms, for he was a good knight, but he was a scoffer and
a japer, and the merriest knight among fellowship that was
that time living. And he had such a custom that he loved
every good knight, and every good knight loved him again.
So then when the haut prince saw Dinadan do so well he
sent unto Sir Launcelot and bad him strike down Sir
Dinadan : And when that ye have done so bring him afore
me and the noble Queen Guenever. Then Sir Launcelot
did as he was required. Then Sir Lamorak and he smote
down many knights, and raced off helms, and drove all the
knights afore them. And so Sir Launcelot smote down Sir
Dinadan, and made his men to unarm him, and so brought
him to the queen and the haut prince, and they laughed at
Dinadan so sore that they might not stand. Well, said Sir
48 King Arthur
Dinadan, yet have I no shame, for the old shrew, Sir
Launcelot, smote me down. So they went to dinner, and
all the court had good sport at Dinadan. Then when the
dinner was done they blew to the field to behold Sir
Palomides and Corsabrin. Sir Palomides pyght his pensel
in midst of the field ; and then they hurtled together with
their spears as it were thunder, and either smote other to
the earth. And then they pulled out their swords, and
dressed their shields, and lashed together mightily as mighty
knights, that wellnigh there was no piece of harness would
hold them, for this Corsabrin was a passing felonious knight.
Corsabrin, said Palomides, wilt thou release me yonder
damosel and the pensel ? Then was Corsabrin wroth out of
measure, and gave Palomides such a buffet that he kneeled
on his knee. Then Palomides arose lightly, and smote him
upon the helm that he fell down right to the earth. And
therewith he raced off his helm and said : Corsabrin, yield
thee or else thou shalt die of my hands. Fie on thee, said
Corsabrin, do thy worst. Then he smote off his head. And
therewithal came a stink of his body when the soul departed,
that there might nobody abide the savour. So was the
corpse had away and buried in a wood, by cause he was a
paynim. Then they blew unto lodging, and Palomides was
unarmed. Then he went unto Queen Guenever, to the
haut prince, and to Sir Launcelot. Sir, said the haut prince,
here have ye seen this day a great miracle by Corsabrin,
what savour there was when the soul departed from the
body. Therefore, sir, we will require you to take the
baptism upon you, and I promise you all knights will set
the more by you, and say more worship by you. Sir,
said Palomides, .1 will that ye all know that into this
land I came to be christened, and in my heart I am
christened, and christened will I be. But I have made
such an avow that I may not be christened till I have done
seven true battles for Jesu's sake, and then will I be
christened; and I trust God will take mine intent, for I
mean truly. Then Sir Palomides prayed Queen Guenever
and the haut prince to sup with him. And so they did,
both Sir Launcelot and Sir Lamorak, and many other good
knights. So on the morn they heard their mass, and blew
the field, and then knights made them ready.
King Arthur 49
CHAPTER XLVIII
OF THE SIXTH DAY, AND WHAT THEN WAS DONE
HERE beginneth the sixth day. Then came therein Sir
Gaheris, and there encountered with him Sir Ossaise of
Surluse, and Sir Gaheris smote him over his horse's croup.
And then either party encountered with other, and there
were many spears broken, and many knights cast under
feet. So there came in Sir Dornard and Sir Aglovale, that
were brethren unto Sir Lamorak, and they met with other
two knights, and either smote other so hard that all four
knights and horses fell to the earth. When Sir Lamorak
saw his two brethren down he was wroth out of measure,
and then he gat a great spear in his hand, and therewithal
he smote down four good knights, and then his spear brake.
Then he pulled out his sword, and smote about him on the
right hand and on the left hand, and raced off helms and
pulled down knights, that all men marvelled of such deeds
of arms as he did, for he fared so that many knights fled.
Then he horsed his brethren again, and said : Brethren, ye
ought to be ashamed to fall so off your horses ! what is a
knight but when he is on horseback ? I set not by a knight
when he is on foot, for all battles on foot are but pelowres
battles. For there should no knight fight on foot but if it
were for treason, or else he were driven thereto by force ;
therefore, brethren, sit fast on your horses, or else fight
never more afore me. With that came in the Duke
Chaleins of Clarance, and there encountered with him the
Earl Ulbawes of Surluse, and either of them smote other
down. Then the knights of both parties horsed their lords
again, for Sir Ector and Bleoberis were on foot waiting
on the Duke Chaleins. And the King with the hundred
knights was with the Earl of Ulbawes. With that came
Gaheris and lashed to the King with the hundred knights,
and he to him again. Then came the Duke Chaleins and
departed them. Then they blew to lodging, and the knights
unarmed them and drew them to their dinner ; and at the
midst of their dinner in came Dinadan and began to rail.
Then he beheld the haut prince, that seemed wroth with
some fault that he saw ; for he had a custom he loved no
fish, and by cause he was served with fish, the which he
50 King Arthur
hated, therefore he was not merry. When Sir Dinadan had
espied the haut prince, he espied where was a fish with a
great head, and that he gat betwixt two dishes, and served
the haut prince with that fish. And then he said thus : Sir
Galahalt, well may I liken you to a wolf, for he will never eat
fish, but flesh ; then the haut prince laughed at his words.
Well, well, said Dinadan to Launcelot, what devil do ye in
this country, for here may no mean knights win no worship
for thee. Sir Dinadan, said Launcelot, I ensure thee I
shall no more meet with thee nor with thy great spear, for I
may not sit in my saddle when that spear hitteth me. And
if I be happy I shall beware of that boistous body that thou
bearest. Well, said Launcelot, make good watch ever :
God forbid that ever we meet but if it be at a dish of meat.
Then laughed the queen and the haut prince, that they
might net sit at their table ; thus they made great joy till on
the morn, and then they heard mass, and blew to field. And
Queen Guenever and all the estates were set, and judges
armed clene with their shields to keep the right.
CHAPTER XLIX
OF THE SEVENTH BATTLE, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, BEINC*
DISGUISED LIKE A MAID, SMOTE DOWN SIR DINADAN
Now beginneth the seventh battle. There came in the
Duke Cambines, and there encountered with him Sir Arist-
ance, that was counted a good knight, and they met so hard
that either bare other down, horse and man. Then came
there the Earl of Lambaile and helped the duke again to
horse. Then came there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he
smote the Earl Lambaile down from his horse. Then began
they to do great deeds of arms, and many spears were
broken, and many knights were cast to the earth. Then
the king of Northgalis and the Earl Ulbawes smote together
that all the judges thought it was like mortal death. This
meanwhile Queen Guenever, and the haut prince, and Sir
Launcelot, made there Sir Dinadan make him ready to
joust. I would, said Dinadan, ride into the field, but then
one of you twain will meet with me. Per dieu, said the
haut prince, ye may see how we sit here as judges with our
shields, and always mayest thou behold whether we sit here
or not. So Sir Dinadan departed and took his horse, and
King Arthur 51
met with many knights, and did passing well. And as he
was departed, Sir Launcelot disguised himself, and put upon
his armour a maiden's garment freshly attired. Then Sir
Launcelot made Sir Galihodin to lead him through the
range, and all men had wonder what damosel it was. And
so as Sir Dinadan came into the range, Sir Launcelot, that
was in the damosel's array, gat Galihodin's spear, and ran
unto Sir Dinadan. And always Sir Dinadan looked up
there as Sir Launcelot was, and then he saw one sit in the
stead of Sir Launcelot, armed. But when Dinadan saw a
manner of a damosel he dread perils that it was Sir Launce-
lot disguised, but Sir Launcelot came on him so fast that
he smote him over his horse's croup ; and then with great
scorns they gat Sir Dinadan into the forest there beside,
and there they despoiled him unto his shirt, and put upon
him a woman's garment, and so brought him into the field :
and so they blew unto lodging. And every knight went
and unarmed them. Then was Sir Dinadan brought in
among them all. And when Queen Guenever saw Sir
Dinadan brought so among them all, then she laughed that
she fell down, and so did all that there were. Well, said
Dinadan to Launcelot, thou art so false that I can never
beware of thee. Then by all the assent they gave Sir
Launcelot the prize, the next was Sir Lamorak de Galis, the
third was Sir Palomides, the fourth was King Bagdemagus ;
so these four knights had the prize, and there was great joy,
and great nobley in all the court. And on the mom Queen
Guenever and Sir Launcelot departed unto King Arthur,
but in no wise Sir Lamorak would not go with them. I
shall undertake, said Sir Launcelot, that an ye will go with
us King Arthur shall charge Sir Gawaine and his brethren
never to do you hurt. As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I will
not trust Sir Gawaine nor none of his brethren ; and wit ye
well, Sir Launcelot, an it were not for my lord King Arthur's
sake, I should match Sir Gawaine and his brethren well
enough. But to say that I should trust them, that shall I
never, and therefore I pray you recommend me unto my
lord Arthur, and unto all my lords of the Round Table.
And in what place that ever I come I shall do you service
to my power : and sir, it is but late that I revenged that,
when my lord Arthur's kin were put to the worse by Sir
Palomides. Then Sir Lamorak departed from Sir Launce
lot, and either wept at their departing.
52 King Arthur
CHAPTER L
HOW BY TREASON SIR TRISTRAM WAS BROUGHT TO A TOURNA-
MENT FOR TO HAVE BEEN SLAIN, AND HOW HE WAS PUT IN
PRISON
Now turn we from this matter, and speak we of Sir
Tristram, of whom this book is principally of, and leave we
the king and the queen, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak,
and here beginneth the treason of King Mark, that he
ordained against Sir Tristram. There was cried by the
coasts of Cornwall a great tournament and jousts, and all
was done by Sir Galahalt the haut prince and King Bagde-
magus, to the intent to slay Launcelot, or else utterly
destroy him and shame him, by cause Sir Launcelot had
always the higher degree ; therefore this prince and this
king made this jousts against Sir Launcelot. And thus
their counsel was discovered unto King Mark, whereof he
was full glad. Then King Mark bethought him that he
would have Sir Tristram unto that tournament disguised
that no man should know him, to that intent that the haut
prince should ween that Sir Tristram were Sir Launcelot.
So at these jousts came in Sir Tristram. And at that time
Sir Launcelot was not there, but when they saw a knight
disguised do such deeds of arms, they weened it had been
Sir Launcelot. And in especial King Mark said it was Sir
Launcelot plainly. Then they set upon him, both King
Bagdemagus, and the haut prince, and their knights, that it
was wonder that ever Sir Tristram might endure that pain.
Notwithstanding for all the pain that he had, Sir Tristram
won the degree at that tournament, and there he hurt many
knights and bruised them, and they hurt him and bruised
him wonderly sore. So when the jousts were all done they
knew well that it was Sir Tristram de Liones ; and all that
were on King Mark's party were glad that Sir Tristram was
hurt, and the remnant were sorry of his hurt ; for Sir
Tristram was not so behated as was Sir Launcelot within
the realm of England. Then came King Mark unto Sir
Tristram and said : Fair nephew, I am sorry of your hurts.
Gramercy my lord, said Sir Tristram. Then King Mark
made Sir Tristram to be put in an horse bier in great sign
of love, and said : Fair cousin, I shall be your leech myself.
And so he rode forth with Sir Tristram, and brought him
to a castle by daylight. And then King Mark made Sir
King Arthur 53
Tristram to eat. And then after he gave him a drink, the
which as soon as he had drunk he fell on sleep. And when
it was night he made him to be carried to another castle,
and there he put him in a strong prison, and there he
ordained a man and a woman to give him his meat and
drink. So there he was a great while. Then was Sir
Tristram missed, and no creature wist where he was become.
When La Beale Isoud heard how he was missed, privily
she went unto Sir Sadok, and prayed him to espy where
was Sir Tristram. Then when Sadok wist how Sir Tristram
was missed, and anon espied that he was put in prison by
King Mark and the traitors of Magouns, then Sadok and
two of his cousins laid them in an embushment, fast by the
Castle of Tintagil, in arms. And as by fortune, there came
riding King Mark and four of his nephews, and a certain of
the traitors of Magouns. When Sir Sadok espied them he
brake out of the bushment, and set there upon them. And
when King Mark espied Sir Sadok he fled as fast as he
might, and there Sir Sadok slew all the four nephews unto
King Mark. But these traitors of Magouns slew one of
Sadok's cousins with a great wound in the neck, but Sadok
smote the other to the death. Then Sir Sadok rode upon
his way unto a castle that was called Liones, and there he
espied of the treason and felony of King Mark. So they
of that castle rode with Sir Sadok till that they came to a
castle that hight Arbray, and there in the town they found
Sir Dinas the Seneschal, that was a good knight. But when
Sir Sadok had told Sir Dinas of all the treason of King
Mark he defied such a king, and said he would give up his
lands that he held of him. And when he said these words
all manner knights said as Sir Dinas said. Then by his
advice, and of Sir Sadok's, he let stuff all the towns and
castles within the country of Liones, and assembled all the
people that they might make.
CHAPTER LI
HOW KING MARK LET DO COUNTERFEIT LETTERS FROM THE POPE,
AND HOW SIR PERCIVALE DELIVERED SIR TRISTRAM OUT OF
PRISON
Now turn we unto King Mark, that when he was escaped
from Sir Sadok he rode unto the Castle of Tintagil, and
there he made great cry and noise, and cried unto harness
54 King Arthur
all that might bear arms. Then they sought and found
where were dead four cousins of King Mark's, and the
traitors of Magouns. Then the king let inter them in a
chapel. Then the king let cry in all the country that held
of him, to go unto arms, for he understood to the war he
must needs. When King Mark heard and understood how
Sir Sadok and Sir Dinas were arisen in the country of
Liones he remembered of wiles and treason. Lo thus he
did : he let make and counterfeit letters from the Pope,
and did make a strange clerk to bear them unto King
Mark ; the which letters specified that King Mark should
make him ready, upon pain of cursing, with his host to
come to the Pope, to help to go to Jerusalem, for to make
war upon the Saracens. When this clerk was come by the
mean of the king, anon withal King Mark sent these letters
unto Sir Tristram and bad him say thus : that an he would
go war upon tne miscreants, he should be had out of prison,
and to have all his power. When Sir Tristram understood
this letter, then he said thus to the clerk : Ah, King Mark,
ever hast thou been a traitor, and ever will be ; but, clerk,
said Sir Tristram, say thou thus unto King Mark : Syn the
Apostle Pope hath sent for him, bid him go thither himself;
for tell him, traitor king as he is, I will not go at his com-
mandment, get I out of prison as I may, for I see I am well
rewarded for my true service. Then the clerk returned
unto King Mark, and told him of the answer of Sir Tris-
tram. Well, said King Mark, yet shall he be beguiled. So
he went into his chamber, and counterfeit letters ; and the
letters specified that the Pope desired Sir Tristram to come
himself, to make war upon the miscreants. When the clerk
was come again to Sir Tristram and took him these letters,
then Sir Tristram beheld these letters, and anon espied they
were of King Mark's counterfeiting. Ah, said Sir Tristram,
false hast thou been ever, King Mark, and so wilt thou end.
Then the clerk departed from Sir Tristram and came to
King Mark again. By then there were come four wounded
knights within the Castle of Tintagil, and one of them his
neck was nigh broken in twain. Another had his arm
stricken away, the third was borne through with a spear,
the fourth had his teeth stricken in twain. And when they
came afore King Mark.they cried and said : King, why fleest
thou not, for all this country is arisen clearly against thee ?
Then was King Mark wroth out of measure. And in the
King Arthur 55
meanwhile there came into the country Sir Percivale de
Galis to seek Sir Tristram. And when he heard that Sir
Tristram was in prison, Sir Percivale made clearly the
deliverance of Sir Tristram by his knightly means. And
when he was so delivered he made great joy of Sir Percivale,
and so each one of other. Sir Tristram said unto Sir Perci-
vale : An ye will abide in these marches I will ride with
you. Nay, said Percivale, in this country I may not tarry,
for I must needs into Wales. So Sir Percivale departed
from Sir Tristram, and rode straight unto King Mark, and
told him how he had delivered Sir Tristram ; and also he
told the king that he had done himself great shame for to
put Sir Tristram in prison, for he is now the knight of most
renown in this world living. And wit thou well the noblest
knights of the world love Sir Tristram, and if he will make
war upon you ye may not abide it. That is truth, said
King Mark, but I may not love Sir Tristram by cause he
loveth my queen and my wife, La Beale Isoud. Ah, fie for
shame, said Sir Percivale, say ye never so more. Are ye
not uncle unto Sir Tristram, and he your nephew? Ye
should never think that so noble a knight as Sir Tristram
is, that he would do himself so great a villainy to hold his
uncle's wife ; howbeit, said Sir Percivale, he may love your
queen sinless, because she is called one of the fairest ladies
of the world. Then Sir Percivale departed from King
Mark. So when he was departed King Mark beuiought
him of more treason : notwithstanding King Mark granted
Sir Percivale never by no manner of means to hurt Sir
Tristram. So anon King Mark sent unto Sir Dinas the
Seneschal that he should put down all the people that he
had raised, for he sent him an oath that he would go himself
unto the Pope of Rome to war upon the miscreants ; and
this is a fairer war than thus to arise the people against your
king. When Sir Dinas understood that King Mark would
go upon the miscreants, then Sir Dinas in all the haste put
down all the people ; and when the people were departed
every man to his home, then King Mark espied where was
Sir Tristram with La Beale Isoud ; and there by treason
King Mark let take him and put him in prison, contrary to
his promise that he made unto Sir Percivale. When Queen
Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in prison she made
as great sorrow as ever made lady or gentlewoman. Then
Sir Tristram sent a letter unto La Beale Isoud, and prayed
56 King Arthur
her to be his goodlady ; and if it pleased her to make a
vessel ready for her and him, he would go with her unto the
realm of Logris, that is this land. When La Beale Isoud
understood Sir Tristram's letters and his intent she sent
him another, and bad him be of good comfort, for she would
do make the vessel ready, and all thing to purpose. Then
La Beale Isoud sent unto Sir Dinas, and to Sadok, and
prayed them in anywise to take King Mark, and put him
in prison, unto the time that she and Sir Tristram were
departed unto the realm of Logris. When Sir Dinas the
Seneschal understood the treason of King Mark he promised
her again, and sent her word that King Mark should be put
in prison. And as they devised it so it was done. And
then Sir Tristram was delivered out of prison ; and anon in
all the haste Queen Isoud and Sir Tristram went and took
their counsel with that they would have with them when
they departed.
CHAPTER LII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND LA BEALE ISOUD CAMB UNTO ENGLAND,
AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BROUGHT THEM TO JOYOUS GARD
THEN La Beale Isoud and Sir Tristram took their vessel,
and came by water into this land. And so they were not in
this land four days but there came a cry of a jousts and tourna-
ment that King Arthur let make. When Sir Tristram heard
tell of that tournament he disguised himself, and La Beale
Isoud, and rode unto that tournament. And when he came
there he saw many knights joust and tourney ; and so Sir
Tristram dressed him to the range, and to make short con-
clusion, he overthrew fourteen knights of the Round Table.
When Sir Launcelot saw these knights thus overthrown, Sir
Launcelot dressed him to Sir Tristram. That saw La Beale
Isoud how Sir Launcelot was come into the field. Then
La Beale Isoud sent unto Sir Launcelot a ring, and bad him
wit that it was Sir Tristram de Liones. When Sir Launcelot
understood that there was Sir Tristram he was full glad, and
would not joust. Then Sir Launcelot espied whither Sir
Tristram yede, and after him he rode ; and then either
made of other great joy. And so Sir Launcelot brought Sir
Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that was
his own castle, that he had won with his own hands. And
King Arthur 57
there Sir Launcelot put them in to welde for their own.
And wit ye well that castle was garnished and furnished for
a king and a queen royal there to have sojourned. And Sir
Launcelot charged all his people to honour them and love
them as they would do himself. So Sir Launcelot departed
unto King Arthur ; and then he told Queen Guenever how
he that jousted so well at the last tournament was Sir
Tristram. And there he told her how he had with him La
Beale Isoud maugre King Mark, and so Queen Guenever
told all this unto King Arthur. When King Arthur wist
that Sir Tristram was escaped and come from King Mark,
and had brought La Beale Isoud with him, then was he
passing glad. So by cause of Sir Tristram King Arthur let
make a cry, that on May Day should be a jousts before the
castle of Lonazep ; and that castle was fast by Joyous Gard.
And thus Arthur devised, that all the knights of this land,
and of Cornwall, and of North Wales, should joust against
all these countries, Ireland, Scotland, and the remnant of
Wales, and the country of Gore, and Surluse, and of Listi-
noise, and they of Northumberland, and all they that held
lands of Arthur on this half the sea. When this cry was
made many knights were glad and many were unglad. Sir,
said Launcelot unto Arthur, by this cry that ye have made
ye will put us that be about you in great jeopardy, for there
be many knights that have great envy to us ; therefore when
we shall meet at the day of jousts there will be hard shift
among us. As for that, said Arthur, I care not ; there shall
we prove who shall be best of his hands. So when Sir
Launcelot understood wherefore King Arthur made this
jousting, then he made such purveyance that La Beale
Isoud should behold the jousts in a secret place that was
honest for her estate. Now turn we unto Sir Tristram and
to La Beale Isoud, how they made great joy daily together
with all manner of mirths that they could devise ; and every
day Sir Tristram would go ride on hunting, for Sir Tristram
was that time called the best chaser of the world, and the
noblest blower of an horn of all manner of measures ; for as
books report, of Sir Tristram came all the good terms of
venery and hunting, and all the sizes and measures of
blowing of an horn ; and of him we had first all the terms
of hawking, and which were beasts of chase and beasts of
venery, and which were vermins, and all the blasts that
longed to all manner of games. First to the uncoupling,
58 King Arthur
to the seeking, to the rechate, to the flight, to the death,
and to strake, and many other blasts and terms, that all
manner of gentlemen have cause to the world's end to
praise Sir Tristram, and to pray for his soul.
CHAPTER LIII
HOW BY THE COUNSEL OF LA BEALE ISOUD SIR TRISTRAM RODE
ARMED, AND HOW HE MET WITH SIR PALOMIDES
So on a day La Beale Isoud said unto Sir Tristram : I
marvel me much, said she, that ye remember not yourself,
how ye be here in a strange country, and here be many
perilous knights ; and well ye wot that King Mark is full
of treason ; and that ye will ride thus to chase and to hunt
unarmed ye might be destroyed. My fair lady and my
love, I cry you mercy, I will no more do so. So then Sir
Tristram rode daily on hunting armed, and his men bearing
his shield and his spear. So on a day a little afore the
month of May, Sir Tristram chased an hart passing eagerly,
and so the hart passed by a fair well. And then Sir Tris-
tram alit and put off his helm to drink of that bubbly water.
Right so he heard and saw the questing beast come to the
well. When Sir Tristram saw that beast he put on his helm,
for he deemed he should hear of Sir Palomides, for that
beast was his quest. Right so Sir Tristram saw where came
a knight armed, upon a noble courser, and he saluted him,
and they spake of many things ; and this knight's name was
Breuse Saunce Pitd. And right so withal there came unto
them the noble knight Sir Palomides, and either saluted
other, and spake fair to other. Fair knights, said Sir Palo-
mides, I can tell you tidings. What is that ? said those
knights. Sirs, wit ye well that King Mark is put in prison
by his own knights, and all was for love of Sir Tristram ;
for King Mark had put Sir Tristram twice in prison, and
once Sir Percivale delivered the noble knight Sir Tristram
out of prison. And at the last time Queen La Beale
Isoud delivered him, and went clearly away with him into
this realm ; and all this while King Mark, the false traitor,
is in prison. Is this truth ? said Palomides ; then shall we
hastily hear of Sir Tristram. And as for to say that I
love La Beale Isoud paramours, I dare make good that
King Arthur 59
I do, and that she hath my service above all other ladies,
and shall have the term of my life. And right so as they
stood talking they saw afore them where came a knight
all armed, on a great horse, and one of his men bare
his shield, and the other his spear. And anon as that
knight espied them he gat his shield and his spear and
dressed him to joust. Fair fellows, said Sir Tristram, yonder
is a knight will joust with us, let see which of us shall
encounter with him, for I see well he is of the court of King
Arthur. It shall not be long or he be met withal, said Sir
Palomides, for I found never no knight in my quest of this
glasting beast, but an he would joust I never refused him.
As well may I, said Breuse Saunce Pite, follow that beast
as ye. Then shall ye do battle with me, said Palomides.
So Sir Palomides dressed him unto that other knight, Sir
Bleoberis, that was a full noble knight, nigh kin unto Sir
Launcelet. And so they met so hard that Sir Palomides
fell to the earth, horse and all. Then Sir Bleoberis cried
aloud and said thus : Make thee ready thou false traitor
knight, Breuse Saunce Pite, for wit thou certainly I will
have ado with thee to the utterance for the noble knights
and ladies that thou hast falsely betrayed. When this false
knight and traitor, Breuse Saunce Pite', heard him say so,
he took his horse by the bridle and fled his way as fast as
ever his horse might run, for sore he was of him afeard.
When Sir Bleoberis saw him flee he followed fast after,
through thick and through thin. And by fortune as Sir
Breuse fled, he saw even afore him three knights of the
Table Round, of the which the one hight Sir Ector de
Maris, the other hight Sir Percivale de Galis, the third hight
Sir Harry le Fise Lake, a good knight and an hardy. And
as for Sir Percivale, he was called that time of his time one
of the best knights of the world, and the best assured.
When Breuse saw these knights he rode straight unto them,
and cried unto them and prayed them of rescues. What
need have ye? said Sir Ector. Ah, fair knights, said Sir
Breuse, here followeth me the most traitor knight, and most
coward, and most of villainy ; his name is Breuse Saunce
Pite', and if he may get me he will slay me without mercy
and pity. Abide with us, said Sir Percivale, and we shall
warrant you. Then were they ware of Sir Bleoberis that came
riding all that he might. Then Sir Ector put himself forth
to joust afore them all. When Sir Bleoberis saw that they
6o King Arthur
were four knights and he but himself, he stood in a doubt
whether he would turn or hold his way. Then he said to
himself: I am a knight of the Table Round, and rather
than I should shame mine oath and my blood I will hold
my way whatsoever fall thereof. And then Sir Ector dressed
his spear, and smote either other passing sore, but Sir Ector
fell to the earth. That saw Sir Percivale, and he dressed
his horse toward him all that he might drive, but Sir Per-
civale had such a stroke that horse and man fell to the
earth. When Sir Harry saw that they were both to the
earth then he said to himself: Never was Breuse of such
prowess. So Sir Harry dressed his horse, and they met
together so strongly that both the horses and knights fell to
the earth, but Sir Bleoberis' horse began to recover again.
That saw Breuse and he came hurtling, and smote him over
and over, and would have slain him as he lay on the ground.
Then Sir Harry le Fise Lake arose lightly, and took the
bridle of Sir Breuse's horse, and said : Fie for shame ! strike
never a knight when he is at the earth, for this knight may
be called no shameful knight of his deeds, for yet as men
may see there as he lieth on the ground he hath done
worshipfully, and put to the worse passing good knights.
Therefore will I not let, said Sir Breuse. Thou shalt not
choose, said Sir Harry, as at this time. Then when Sir
Breuse saw that he might not choose nor have his will he
spake fair. Then Sir Harry let him go. And then anon
he made his horse to run over Sir Bleoberis, and rashed
him to the earth like if he would have slain him. When
Sir Harry saw him do so villainously he cried : Traitor
knight, leave off for shame. And as Sir Harry would have
taken his horse to fight with Sir Breuse, then Sir Breuse ran
upon him as he was half upon his horse, and smote him
down, horse and man, to the earth, and had near slain Sir
Harry, the good knight. That saw Sir Percivale, and then
he cried : Traitor knight, what dost thou ? And when Sir
Percivale was upon his horse Sir Breuse took his horse and
fled all that ever he might, and Sir Percivale and Sir Harry
followed after him fast, but ever the longer they chased the
farther were they behind. Then they turned again and
came to Sir Ector de Man's and to Sir Bleoberis. Ah, fair
knights, said Bleoberis, why have ye succoured that false
knight and traitor? Why, said Sir Harry, what knight is
he ? for well I wot it is a false knight, said Sir Harry, and a
King Arthur 61
coward and a felonious knight. Sir, said Bleoberis, he is
the most coward knight, and a devourer of ladies and a
destroyer of good knights, and specially of Arthur's. What
is your name? said Sir Ector. My name is Sir Bleoberis
de Ganis. Alas, fair cousin, said Ector, forgive it rue, for I
am Sir Ector de Maris. Then Sir Percivale and Sir Harry
made great joy that they met with Bleoberis, but all they
were heavy that Sir Breuse was escaped them, whereof they
made great dole.
CHAPTER LIV
OF SIR PALOMIDES, AND HOW HE MET WITH SIR BLEOBERIS AND
WITH SIR ECTOR, AND OF SIR PERCIVALE
RIGHT so as they stood thus there came Sir Palomides,
and when he saw the shield of Bleoberis lie on the earth,
then said Palomides : He that oweth that shield let him
dress him to me, for he smote me down here fast by at
a fountain, and therefore I will fight for him on foot. I am
ready, said Bleoberis, here to answer thee, for wit thou well,
sir knight, it was I, and my name is Bleoberis de Ganis.
Well art thou met, said Palomides, and wit thou well my
name is Palomides the Saracen ; and either of them hated
other to the death. Sir Palomides, said Ector, wit thou
well there is neither thou nor none knight that beareth the
life that slayeth any of our blood but he shall die for it ;
therefore an thou list to fight go seek Sir Launcelot or Sir
Tristram, and there shall ye find your match. With them
have I met, said Palomides, but I had never no worship
of them. Was there never no manner of knight, said Sir
Ector, but they that ever matched with you ? Yes, said
Palomides, there was the third, a good knight as any of
them, and of his age he was the best that ever I found ; for
an he might have lived till he had been an harder man there
liveth no knight now such, and his name was Sir Lamorak
de Galis. And as he had jousted at a tournament there he
overthrew me and thirty knights more, and there he won
the degree. And at his departing there met him Sir Gawaine
and his brethren, and with great pain they slew him feloni-
ously, unto all good knights' great damage. Anon as Sir
Percivale heard that his brother was dead, Sir Lamorak, he
fell over his horse's mane swooning, and there he made the
62 King Arthur
greatest dole that ever made knight. And when Sir Perci-
vale arose he said : Alas, my good and noble brother Sir
Lamorak, now shall we never meet, and I trow in all the
wide world a man may not find such a knight as he was of
his age ; and it is too much to suffer the death of our father
King Pellinore, and now the death of our good brother Sir
Lamorak. Then in the meanwhile there came a varlet from
the court of King Arthur, and told them of the great tourna-
ment that should be at Lonazep, and how these lands,
Cornwall and Northgalis, should be against all them that
would come.
CHAPTER LV
HOW SIR TRISTRAM MET WITH SIR DINADAN, AND OF THEIR DEVICES,
AND WHAT HE SAID TO SIR GAWAINE's BRETHREN
Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that as he rode on
hunting he met with Sir Dinadan, that was coming into that
country to seek Sir Tristram. Then Sir Dinadan told Sir
Tristram his name, but Sir Tristram would not tell him his
name, wherefore Sir Dinadan was wroth. For such a foolish
knight as ye are, said Sir Dinadan, I saw but late this day
lying by a well, and he fared as he slept ; and there he lay
like a fool grinning, and would not speak, and his shield lay
by him, and his horse stood by him ; and well I wot he was
a lover. Ah, fair sir, said Sir Tristram, are ye not a lover ?
Marry, fie on that craft ! said Sir Dinadan. That is evil
said, said Sir Tristram, for a knight may never be of prowess
but if he be a lover. It is well said, said Sir Dinadan ; now
tell me your name, sith ye be a lover, or else I shall do
battle with you. As for that, said Sir Tristram, it is no
reason to fight with me but I tell you my name ; and as foi
that my name shall ye not wit as at this time. Fie foi
shame, said Dinadan, art thou a knight and durst not tell
thy name to me ? therefore I will fight with thee. As for
that, said Sir Tristram, I will be advised, for I will not do
battle but if me list. And if I do battle, said Sir Tris-
tram, ye are not able to withstand me. Fie on thee,
coward, said Sir Dinadan. And thus as they hoved still,
they saw a knight come riding against them. Lo, said Sir
Tristram, see where cometh a knight riding, will joust with
you. Anon, as Sir Dinadan beheld him he said : That is
King Arthur 63
the same doted knight that I saw lie by the well, neither
sleeping nor waking. Well, said Sir Tristram, I know that
knight well with the covered shield of azure, he is the king's
son of Northumberland, his name is Epinegris ; and he is as
great a lover as I know, and he loveth the king's daughter of
Wales, a full fair lady. And now I suppose, said Sir Tris-
tram, an ye require him he will joust with you, and then
shall ye prove whether a lover be a better knight, or ye
that will not love no lady. Well, said Dinadan, now shalt
thou see what I shall do. Therewithal Sir Dinadan spake
on high and said : Sir knight, make thee ready to joust with
me, for it is the custom of errant knights one to joust with
other. Sir, said Epinegris, is that the rule of you errant
knights for to make a knight to joust will he or nill ? As for
that, said Dinadan, make thee ready, for here is for me.
And therewithal they spurred their horses and met together
so hard that Epinegris smote down Sir Dinadan. Then Sir
Tristram rode to Sir Dinadan and said : How now, me-
seemeth the lover hath well sped. Fie on thee, coward,
said Sir Dinadan, and if thou be a good knight revenge me.
Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will not joust as at this time, but
take your horse and let us go hence. God defend me, said
Sir Dinadan, from thy fellowship, for I never sped well syn I
met with thee : and so they departed. Well, said Sir Tris-
tram, peradventure I could tell you tidings of Sir Tristram.
God defend me, said Dinadan, from thy fellowship, for Sir
Tristram were mickle the worse an he were in thy company :
and then they departed. Sir, said Sir Tristram, yet it may
happen I shall meet with you in other places. So rode Sir
Tristram unto Joyous Gard, and there he heard in that town
great noise and cry. What is this noise ? said Sir Tristram.
Sir, said they, here is a knight of this castle that hath been
long among us, and right now he is slain with two knights,
and for none other cause but that our knight said that Sir
Launcelot were a better knight than Sir Gawaine. That
was a simple cause, said Sir Tristram, for to slay a good
knight for to say well by his master. That is little remedy
to us, said the men of the town. For an Sir Lancelot had
been here soon we should have been revenged upon the
false knights. When Sir Tristram heard them say so he
sent for his shield and for his spear, and lightly within a
while he had overtaken them, and bad them turn and amend
that they had misdone. What amends wouldst thou have ?
64 King Arthur
said the one knight. And therewith they took their course,
and either met other so hard that Sir Tristram smote down
that knight over his horse's tail. Then the other knight
dressed him to Sir Tristram, and in the same wise he served
the other knight. And then they gat off their horses as well
as they might, and dressed their shields and swords to do their
battle to the utterance. Knights, said Sir Tristram, ye shall
tell me of whence ye are, and what be your names, for such
men ye might be ye should hard escape my hands ; and ye
might be such men of such a country that for all your evil
deeds ye should pass quit. Wit thou well, sir knight, said
they, we fear not to tell thee our names, for my name is Sir
Agravaine, and my name is Gaheris, brethren unto the good
knight Sir Gawaine, and we be nephews unto King Arthur.
Well, said Sir Tristram, for King Arthur's sake I shall let
you pass as at this time. But it is shame, said Sir Tristram,
that Sir Gawaine and ye be come of so great a blood that ye
four brethren are so named as ye be, for ye be called the
greatest destroyers and murderers of good knights that be now
in this realm ; for it is but as I heard say that Sir Gawaine
and ye slew among you a better knight than ever ye were,
that was the noble knight Sir Lamorak de Galis. An it had
pleased God, said Sir Tristram, I would I had been by Sir
Lamorak at his death. Then shouldst thou have gone the
same way, said Sir Gaheris. Fair knight, said Sir Tristram,
there must have been many more knights than ye are. And
therewithal Sir Tristram departed from them toward Joyous
Gard. And when he was departed they took their horses,
and the one said to the other : We will overtake him and
be revenged upon him in the despite of Sir Lamorak.
CHAPTER LVI
HOW SIR TRISTRAM SMOTE DOWN SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR GAHERIS,
AND HOW SIR DINADAN WAS SENT FOR BY LA BEALE ISOUD
So when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravaine
bad him : Turn, traitor knight. That is evil said, said Sir
Tristram ; and therewith he pulled out his sword, and smote
Sir Agravaine such a buffet upon the helm that he tumbled
down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a grievous wound.
And then he turned to Gaheris, and Sir Tristram smote his
King Arthur 65
sword and his helm together with such a might that Gaheris
fell out of his saddle : and so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous
Gard, and there he alit and unarmed him. So Sir Tristram
told La Beale Isoud of all his adventure, as ye have heard
tofore. And when she heard him tell of Sir Dinadan : Sir,
said she, is not that he that made the song by King Mark ?
That same is he, said Sir Tristram, for he is the best bourder
and japer, and a noble knight of his hands, and the best
fellow that I know, and all good knights love his fellowship.
Alas, sir, said she, why brought ye not him with you ? Have
ye no care, said Sir Tristram, for he rideth to seek me in
this country ; and therefore he will not away till he have
met with me. And there Sir Tristram told La Beale Isoud
how Sir Dinadan held against all lovers. Right so there
came in a varlet and told Sir Tristram how there was come
an errant knight into the town, with such colours upon his
shield. That is Sir Dinadan, said Sir Tristram ; wit ye what
ye shall do, said Sir Tristram : send ye for him, my lady
Isoud, and I will not be seen, and ye shall hear the merriest
knight that ever ye spake withal, and the maddest talker ;
and I pray you heartily that ye make him good cheer. Then
anon La Beale Isoud sent into the town, and prayed Sir
Dinadan that he would come into the castle and repose him
there with a lady. With a good will, said Sir Dinadan ; and
so he mounted upon his horse and rode into the castle ; and
there he alit, and was unarmed, and brought into the castle.
Anon La Beale Isoud came unto him, and either saluted
other ; then she asked him of whence that he was. Madam,
said Dinadan, I am of the court of King Arthur, and knight
of the Table Round, and my name is Sir Dinadan. What
do ye in this country ? said La Beale Isoud. Madam,
said he, I seek Sir Tristram the good knight, for it was
told me that he was in this country. It may well be, said
La Beale Isoud, but I am not ware of him. Madam, said
Dinadan, I marvel of Sir Tristram and more other lovers,
what aileth them to be so mad and so sotted upon women.
Why, said La Beale Isoud, are ye a knight and be no lover ?
it is shame to you : wherefore ye may not be called a good
knight but if ye make a quarrel for a lady. God defend me,
said Dinadan, for the joy of love is too short, and the sorrow
thereof, and what cometh thereof, dureth over long. Ah,
said La Beale Isoud, say ye not so, for here fast by was the
good knight Sir Bleoberis, that fought with three knights at
1146 c
66 King Arthur
once for a damosel's sake, and he won her afore the king of
Northumberland. It was so, said Sir Dinadan, for I know
him well for a good knight and a noble, and come of noble
blood ; for all be noble knights of whom he is come of, that
is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Now I pray you, said La Beale
Isoud, tell me will ye fight for my love with three knights
that done me great wrong ? and insomuch as ye be a knight
of King Arthur's I require you to do battle for me. Then
Sir Dinadan said : I shall say you ye be as fair a lady as
ever I saw any, and much fairer than is my lady Queen
Guenever, but wit ye well at one word, I will not fight for
you with three knights, Jesu defend me. Then Isoud
laughed, and had good game at him. So he had all the
cheer that she might make him, and there he lay all that
night. And on the morn early Sir Tristram armed him, and
La Beale Isoud gave him a good helm ; and then he
promised her that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and
they two would ride together unto Lonazep, where the
tournament should be : And there shall I make ready for
you where ye shall see the tournament. Then departed Sir
Tristram with two squires that bare his shield and his spears
that were great and long.
CHAPTER LVII
HOW SIR DINADAN MET WITH SIR TRISTRAM, AND WITH JOUSTING
WITH SIR PALOMIDES, SIR DINADAN KNEW HIM
THEN after that Sir Dinadan departed, and rode his way
a great pace until he had overtaken Sir Tristram. And when
Sir Dinadan had overtaken him he knew him anon, and he
hated the fellowship of him above all other knights. Ah,
said Sir Dinadan, art thou that coward knight that I met
yesterday ? keep thee, for thou shalt joust with me maugre
thy head. Well, said Sir Tristram, and I am loath to joust.
And so they let their horses run, and Sir Tristram missed of
him apurpose, and Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon Sir Tris-
tram, and therewith Sir Dinadan dressed him to draw out
his sword. Not so, said Sir Tristram, why are ye so wroth ?
I will not fight. Fie on thee, coward, said Dinadan, thou
shamest all knights. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I care
not, for I will wait upon you and be under your protection ;
King Arthur 67
for by cause ye are so good a knight ye may save me. The
devil deliver me of thee, said Sir Dinadan, for thou art as
goodly a man of arms and of thy person as ever I saw, and
the most coward that ever I saw. What wilt thou do with
those great spears that thou earnest with thee ? I shall give
them, said Sir Tristram, to some good knight when I come
to the tournament ; and if I see you do best, I shall give
them to you. So thus as they rode talking they saw where
came an errant knight afore them, that dressed him to joust.
Lo, said Sir Tristram, yonder is one will joust ; now dress
thee to him. Ah, shame betide thee, said Sir Dinadan.
Nay, not so, said Tristram, for that knight beseemeth a
shrew. Then shall I, said Sir Dinadan. And so they
dressed their shields and their spears, and they met together
so hard that the other knight smote down Sir Dinadan from
his horse. Lo, said Sir Tristram, it had been better ye had
left. Fie on thee, coward, said Sir Dinadan. Then Sir
Dinadan started up and gat his sword in his hand, ami prof-
fered to do battle on foot. Whether in love or in wrath?
said the other knight. Let us do battle in love, said Sir
Dinadan. What is your name, said that knight, I pray you
tell me. Wit ye well my name is Sir Dinadan. Ah, Dina-
dan, said that knight, and my name is Gareth, the youngest
brother unto Sir Gawaine. Then either made of other great
cheer, for this Gareth was the best knight of all the brethren,
and he proved a good knight. Then they took their horses,
and there they spake of Sir Tristram, how such a coward he
was ; and every word Sir Tristram heard and laughed them
to scorn. Then were they ware where came a knight afore
them well horsed and well armed, and he made him ready
to joust. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, look betwixt you
who shall joust with yonder knight, for I warn you I will not
have ado with him. Then shall I, said Sir Gareth. And
so they encountered together, and there that knight smote
down Sir Gareth over his horse's croup. How now, said
Sir Tristram unto Sir Dinadan, dress thee now and revenge
the good knight Gareth. That shall I not, said Sir Dinadan,
for he hath stricken down a much bigger knight than I am.
Ah, said Sir Tristram, now Sir Dinadan, I see and feel well
your heart faileth you, therefore now shall ye see what I shall
do. And then Sir Tristram hurtled unto that knight, and
smote him quite from his horse. And when Sir Dinadan
saw that, he marvelled greatly ; and then he deemed that it
68 King Arthur
was Sir Tristram. Then this knight that was on foot pulled
out his sword to do battle. What is your name ? said Sir
Tristram. Wit ye well, said that knight, my name is Sir
Palomides. What knight hate ye most? said Sir Tristram.
Sir knight, said he, I hate Sir Tristram to the death, for an I
may meet with him the one of us shall die. Ye say well,
said Sir Tristram, and wit ye well that I am Sir Tristram de
Liones, and now do your worst. When Sir Palomides heard
him say so he was astonied. And then he said thus : I pray
you, Sir Tristram, forgive me all mine evil will, and if I live
I shall do you service above all other knights that be living ;
and whereas I have owed you evil will me sore repenteth.
I wot not what aileth me, for meseemeth that ye are a good
knight, and none other knight that named himself a good
knight should not hate you ; therefore I require you, Sir
Tristram, take no displeasure at mine unkind words. Sir
Palomides, said Sir Tristram, ye say well, and well I wot ye
are a good knight, for I have seen ye proved ; and many
great enterprises have ye taken upon you, and well achieved
them ; therefore, said Sir Tristram, an ye have any evil will
to me, now may ye right it, for I am ready at your hand.
Not so, my lord Sir Tristram, I will do you knightly service
in all thing as ye will command. And right so I will take
you, said Sir Tristram. And so they rode forth on their
ways talking of many things. O my lord Sir Tristram, said
Dinadan, foul have ye mocked me, for God knoweth I came
into this country for your sake, and by the advice of my lord
Sir Launcelot ; and yet would not Sir Launcelot tell me the
certainty of you, where I should find you. Truly, said Sir
Tristram, Sir Launcelot wist well where I was, for I abode
within his own castle.
CHAPTER LVIII
HOW THEY APPROACHED THE CASTLE LONAZEP, AND OF OTHER
DEVICES OF THE DEATH OF SIR LAMORAK
THUS they rode until they were ware of the Castle
Lonazep. And then were they ware of four hundred tents
and pavilions, and marvellous great ordinance. So God me
help, said Sir Tristram, yonder I see the greatest ordinance
that ever I saw. Sir, said Palomides, meseemeth that there
King Arthur 69
was as great an ordinance at the Castle of Maidens upon the
rock, where ye won the prize, for I saw myself where ye for-
jousted thirty knights. Sir, said Dinadan, and in Surluse, at
that tournament that Galahalt of the Long Isles made, the
which there dured seven days, was as great a gathering as is
here, for there were many nations. Who was the best ? said
Sir Tristram. Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake and the
noble knight, Sir Lamorak de Galis, and Sir Launcelot won
the degree. I doubt not, said Sir Tristram, but he won the
degree, so he had not been overmatched with many knights .
and of the death of Sir Lamorak, said Sir Tristram, it was
over great pity, for I dare say he was the clenest mighted
man and the best winded of his age that was on live ; for
I knew him that he was the biggest knight that ever I met
withal, but if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram,
full woe is me for his death. And if they were not the
cousins of my lord Arthur that slew him, they should die
for it, and all those that were consenting to his death. And
for such things, said Sir Tristram, I fear to draw unto the
court of my lord Arthur ; I will that ye wit it, said Sir Tris-
tram unto Gareth. Sir, I blame you not, said Gareth, for
well I understand the vengeance of my brethren Sir Gawaine,
Agravaine, Gaheris, and Mordred. But as for me, said Sir
Gareth, I meddle not of their matters, therefore there is
none of them that loveth me. And for I understand they
be murderers of good knights I left their company ; and
God would I had been by, said Gareth, when the noble
knight, Sir Lamorak, was slain. Now as Jesu be my help,
said Sir Tristram, it is well said of you, for I had lever than
all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there. Ye
wis, said Palomides, and so would I had been there, and yet
had I never the degree at no jousts nor tournament there as
he was, but he put me to the worse, or on foot or on horse-
back ; and that day that he was slain he did the most deeds
of arms that ever I saw knight do in all my life days. And
when him was given the degree by my lord Arthur, Sir
Gawaine and his three brethren, Agravaine, Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred, set upon Sir Lamorak in a privy place, and
there they slew his horse. And so they fought with him on
foot more than three hours, both before him and behind
him ; and Sir Mordred gave him his death wound behind
him at his back, and all to hew him : fqr one of his squires
told me that saw it. Fie upon treason, said Sir Tristram,
yo King Arthur
for it killeth my heart to hear this tale. So it doth mine,
said Gareth ; brethren as they be mine I shall never love
them, nor draw in their fellowship for that deed. Now
speak we of other deeds, said Palomides, and let him be,
for his life ye may not get again. That is the more pity,
said Dinadan, for Sir Gawaine and his brethren, except you
Sir Gareth, hate all the good knights of the Round Table
for the most part ; for well I wot an they might privily, they
hate my lord Sir Launcelot and all his kin, and great privy
despite they have at him ; and that is my lord Sir Launcelot
well ware of, and that causeth him to have the good knights
of his kin about him.
CHAPTER LIX
HOW THEY CAME TO HUMBER BANK, AND HOW THEY FOUND A
SHIP THERE, WHEREIN LAY THE BODY OF KING HERMANCK
SIR, said Palomides, let us leave of this matter, and let
us see how we shall do at this tournament. By mine
advice, said Palomides, let us four hold together against all
that will come. Not by my counsel, said Sir Tristram, for
I see by their pavilions there will be four hundred knights,
and doubt ye not, said Sir Tristram, but there will be many
good knights ; and be a man never so valiant nor so big,
yet he may be overmatched. And so have I seen knights
done many times ; and when they weened best to have won
worship they lost it, for manhood is not worth but if it be
medled with wisdom. And as for me, said Sir Tristram, it
may happen I shall keep mine own head as well as another.
So thus they rode until that they came to Humber bank,
where they heard a cry and a doleful noise. Then were
they ware in the wind where came a rich vessel hilled over
with red silk, and the vessel landed fast by them. There-
with Sir Tristram alit and his knights. And so Sir Tristram
went afore and entered into that vessel. And when he
came within he saw a fair bed richly covered, and thereupon
lay a dead seemly knight, all armed, save the head was all
be bled, with deadly wounds upon him, the which seemed to
be a passing good knight. How may this be, said Sir
Tristram, that this knight is thus slain ? Then Sir Tristram
was ware of a letter in the dead knight's hand. Master
King Arthur 71
mariners, said Sir Tristram, what meaneth that letter ? Sir,
said they, in that letter ye shall hear and know how he was
slain, and for what cause, and what was his name. But sir,
said the mariners, wit ye well that no man shall take that
letter and read it but if he be a good knight, and that he
will faithfully promise to revenge his death, else shall there
be no knight see that letter open. Wit ye well, said Sir
Tristram, that some of us may revenge his death as well as
other, and if it be so as ye mariners say his death shall be
revenged. And therewith Sir Tristram took the letter out
of the knight's hand, and it said thus : Hermance, king and
lord of the Red City, I send unto all knights errant, recom-
mending unto you noble knights of Arthur's court. I
beseech them all among them to find one knight that will
fight for my sake with two brethren that I brought up of
nought, arid feloniously and traitorly they have slain me ;
wherefore I beseech one good knight to revenge my death.
And he that revenged my death I will that he have my Red
City and all my castles. Sir, said the mariners, wit ye well
this king and knight that here lieth was a full worshipful
man and of full great prowess, and full well he loved all
manner knights errants. So God me help, said Sir Tristram,
here is a piteous case, and full fain would I take this
enterprise upon me ; but I have made such a promise that
needs I must be at this great tournament, or else I am
shamed. For well I wot for my sake in especial my lord
Arthur let make this jousts and tournament in this country ;
and well I wot that many worshipful people will be there at
that tournament for to see me ; therefore I fear me to take
this enterprise upon me that I shall not come again by
time to this jousts. Sir, said Palomides, I pray you give
me this enterprise, and ye shall see me achieve it worship-
fully, other else I shall die in this quarrel. Well, said Sir
Tristram, and this enterprise I give you, with this, that ye
be with me at this tournament that shall be as this day
seven night. Sir, said Palomides, I promise you that I
shall be with you by that day if 1 be unslain or unmaimed.
72 King Arthur
CHAPTER LX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM WITH HIS FELLOWSHIP CAME AND WERE WITH
AN HOST WHICH AFTER FOUGHT WITH SIR TRISTRAM ; AND
OTHER MATTERS
THEN departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan,
and left Sir Palomides in the vessel ; and so Sir Tristram
beheld the mariners how they sailed overlong Humber.
And when Sir Palomides was out of their sight they took
their horses and beheld about them. And then were they
ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed,
and nothing about him but a sword. And when this knight
came nigh them he saluted them, and they him again.
Fair knights, said that knight, I pray you insomuch as ye
be knights errant, that ye will come and see my castle, and
take such as ye find there ; I pray you heartily. And so
they rode with him until his castle, and there they were
brought into the hall, that was well apparelled; and so
they were there unarmed, and set at a board; and when
this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he knew him. And
then this knight waxed pale and wroth at Sir Tristram.
When Sir Tristram saw his host make such cheer he
marvelled and said : Sir, mine host, what cheer make you ?
Wit thou well, said he, I fare the worse for thee, for I
know thee Sir Tristram de Liones, thou slewest my brother ;
and therefore I give thee summons I will slay thee an ever
I might get thee at large. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I
am never advised that ever I slew any brother of yours;
and if ye say that I did I will make amends unto my
power. I will none amends, said the knight, but keep thee
from me. So when he had dined Sir Tristram asked his
arms, and departed. And so they rode on their ways, and
within a while Sir Dinadan saw where came a knight well
armed and well horsed, without shield. Sir Tristram, said
Sir Dinadan, take keep to yourself, for I dare undertake
yonder cometh your host that will have ado with you. Let
him come, said Sir Tristram, I shall abide him as well as I
may. Anon the knight when he came nigh Sir Tristram
he cried and bad him abide and keep him. So they hurtled
together, but Sir Tristram smote the other knight so sore
that he bare him over his horse's croup. That knight arose
lightly and took his horse again, and so rode fiercely to Sir
King Arthur 73
Tristram, and smote him twice hard upon the helm. Sir
knight, said Sir Tristram, I pray you leave off and smite me
no more, for I would be loath to deal with you an I might
choose, for I have your meat and your drink within my
body. For all that he would not leave ; and then Sir
Tristram gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell
up so down from his horse, that the blood brast out at the
ventails of his helm, and so he lay still likely to be dead.
Then Sir Tristram said : Me repenteth of this buffet that I
smote so sore, for as I suppose he is dead. And so they
left him and rode on their ways. So they had not ridden
but a while, but they saw riding against them two full likely
knights, well armed and well horsed, and goodly servants
about them. The one was Berrant le Apres, and he was
called the King with the Hundred Knights ; and the other
was Sir Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights.
So as they came either by other the king looked upon Sir
Dinadan that at that time he had Sir Tristram's helm upon
his shoulder, the which helm the king had seen to fore with
the queen of Northgalis, and that queen the king loved as
paramour ; and that helm the queen of Northgalis had
given to La Beale Isoud, and the Queen La Beale Isoud
gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir knight, said Berrant, where had
ye that helm ? What would ye ? said Sir Dinadan. For I
will have ado with thee, said the king, for the love of her
that owed that helm, and therefore keep you. So they
departed and came together with all their mights of their
horses, and there the King with the hundred knights smote
Sir Dinadan, horse and all, to the earth; and then he
commanded his servant : Go and take thou his helm off,
and keep it. So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm.
What helm, what wilt thou do? said Sir Tristram, leave
that helm. To what intent, said the king, will ye, sir
knight, meddle with that helm ? Wit you well, said Sir
Tristram, that helm shall not depart from me or it be
dearer bought. Then make you ready, said Sir Berrant
unto Sir Tristram. So they hurtled together, and there Sir
Tristram smote him down over his horse's tail ; and then
the king arose lightly, and gat his horse lightly again. And
then he struck fiercely at Sir Tristram many great strokes.
And then Sir Tristram gave Sir Berrant such a buffet upon
the helm that he fell down over his horse sore stonied.
Lo, said Dinadan, that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I
*c
74 King Arthur
had a fall for it, and now, sir king, have ye another fall.
Then Segwarides asked : Who shall joust with me ? I pray
thee, said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, let me have this jousts.
Sir, said Dinadan, I pray you take it as for me. That is no
reason, said Tristram, for this jousts should be yours. At
a word, said Dinadan, I will not thereof. Then Gareth
dressed him to Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides smote
Gareth and his horse to the earth. Now, said Sir Tristram
to Dinadan, joust with yonder knight. I will not thereof,
said Dinadan. Then will I, said Sir Tristram. And then
Sir Tristram ran to him, and gave him a fall ; and so they
left them on foot, and Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard,
and there Sir Gareth would not of his courtesy have gone
into this castle, but Sir Tristram would not suffer him to
depart. And so they alit and unarmed them, and had great
cheer. But when Dinadan came afore La Beale Isoud he
cursed the time that ever he bare Sir Tristram's helm, and
there he told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. Then
was there laughing and japing at Sir Dinadan, that they wist
not what to do with him.
CHAPTER LXI
HOW PALOMIDES WENT FOR TO FIGHT WITH TWO BRETHREN FOR
THE DEATH OF KING HERMANCE
Now will we leave them merry within Joyous Gard, and
speak we of Sir Palomides. Then Sir Palomides sailed
evenlong Humber to the coasts of the sea, where was a fair
castle. And at that time it was early in the morning, afore
day. Then the mariners went unto Sir Palomides that slept
fast. Sir knight, said the mariners, ye must arise, for here is
a castle there ye must go into. I assent me, said Sir Palo-
mides ; and therewithal he arrived. And then he blew his
horn that the mariners had given him. And when they
within the castle heard that horn they put forth many
knights ; and there they stood upon the walls, and said with
one voice : Welcome be ye to this castle. And then it
waxed clear day, and Sir Palomides entered into the castle.
And within a while he was served with many divers meats.
Then Sir Palomides heard about him much weeping and
great dole. What may this mean ? said Sir Palomides ; I
King Arthur 75
love not to hear such a sorrow, and fain I would know what
it meaneth. Then there came afore him one whose name
was Sir Ebel, that said thus : Wit ye well, sir knight, this
dole and sorrow is here made every day, and for this cause :
we had a king that hight Hermance, and he was king of the
Red City, and this king that was lord was a noble knight,
large and liberal of his expense ; and in the world he loved
nothing so much as he did errant knights of King Arthur's
court, and all jousting, hunting, and all manner of knightly
games ; for so kind a king and knight had never the rule of
poor people as he was ; and by cause of his goodness and
gentleness we bemoan him, and ever shall. And all kings
and estates may beware by our lord, for he was destroyed in
his own default ; for had he cherished them of his blood he
had yet lived with great riches and rest : but all estates may
beware by our king. But alas, said Ebel, that we shall give
all other warning by his death. Tell me, said Palomides,
and in what manner was your lord slain, and by whom.
Sir, said Sir Ebel, our king brought up of children two men
that now are perilous knights ; and these two knights our
king had so in charity, that he loved no man nor trusted no
man of his blood, nor none other that was about him. And
by these two knights our king was governed, and so they
ruled him peaceably and his lands, and never would they
suffer none of his blood to have no rule with our king. And
also he was so free and so gentle, and they so false and de-
ceivable, that they ruled him peaceably ; and that espied the
lords of our king's blood, and departed from him unto their
own livelihood. Then when these two traitors understood
that they had driven all the lords of his blood from him,
they were not pleased with that rule, but when they thought
to have more, as ever it is an old saw : Give a churl rule and
thereby he will not be sufficed ; for whatsomever he be that is
ruled by a villain born, and the lord of the soil to be a gentle-
man born, the same villain shall destroy all the gentlemen
about him : therefore all estates and lords, beware whom ye
take about you. And if ye be a knight of King Arthur's
court remember this tale, for this is the end and conclusion.
My lord and king rode unto the forest hereby by the advice of
these traitors, and there he chased at the red deer, armed at
all pieces full like a good knight ; and so for labour he
waxed dry, and then he alit, and drank at a well ; and when
he was alit, by the assent of these two traitors, that one that
76 King Arthur
hight Helius he suddenly smote our king through the body
with a spear, and so they left him there. And when they
were departed, then by fortune I came to the well, and
found my lord and king wounded to the death. And when
I heard his complaint, I let bring him to the water side, and
in that same ship I put him alive ; and when my lord King
Hermance was in that vessel, he required me for the true
faith I owed unto him for to write a letter in this manner.
CHAPTER LXII
THE COPY OF THE LETTER WRITTEN FOR TO REVENGE THE KING'S
DEATH, AND HOW SIR PALOMIDES FOUGHT FOR TO HAVE THE
BATTLE
RECOMMENDING unto King Arthur and to all his knights
errant, beseeching them all that insomuch as I, King Her-
mance, king of the Red City, thus am slain by felony and
treason, through two knights of mine own, and of mine own
bringing up and of mine own making, that some worshipful
knight will revenge my death, insomuch I have been ever to
my power well willing unto Arthur's court. And who that
will adventure his life with these two traitors for my sake in
one battle, I, King Hermance, king of the Red City, freely
give him all my lands and rents that ever I welded in my
life. This letter, said Ebel, I wrote by my lord's command-
ment, and then he received his Creator ; and when he was
dead, he commanded me or ever he were cold to put that
letter fast in his hand. And then he commanded me to put
forth that same vessel down Humber, and I should give these
mariners in commandment never to stint until that they
came unto Logris, where all the noble knights shall assemble
at this time. And there shall some good knight have pity
on me to revenge my death, for there was never king nor
lord falslier nor traitorlier slain than I am here to my death.
Thus was the complaint of our King Hermance. Now, said
Sir Ebel, ye know all how our lord was betrayed, we require
you for God's sake have pity upon his death, and worship-
fully revenge his death, and then may ye weld all these
lands. For we all wit well that an ye may slay these two
traitors, the Red City and all those that be therein will take
King Arthur 77
you for their lord. Truly, said Sir Palomides, it grieveth
my heart for to hear you tell this doleful tale ; and to say the
truth I saw the same letter that ye speak of, and one of the
best knights on the earth read that letter to me, and by his
commandment I came hither to revenge your king's death ;
and therefore have done, and let me wit where I shall find
those traitors, for I shall never be at ease in my heart till I be
in hands with them. Sir, said Sir Ebel, then take your ship
again, and that ship must bring you unto the Delectable Isle,
fast by the Red City, and we in this castle shall pray for you,
and abide your again-coming. For this same castle, an ye
speed well, must needs be yours ; for our King Hermance
let make this castle for the love of the two traitors, and so
we kept it with strong hand, and therefore full sore are we
threated. Wot ye what ye shall do, said Sir Palomides ;
whatsomever come of me, look ye keep well this castle. For
an it misfortune me so to be slain in this quest I am sure
there will come one of the best knights of the world for to
revenge my death, and that is Sir Tristram de Liones, or else
Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then Sir Palomides departed from
that castle. And as he came nigh the city, there came out
of a ship a goodly knight armed against him, with his shield
on his shoulder, and his hand upon his sword. And anon
as he came nigh Sir Palomides he said : Sir knight, what
seek ye here ? leave this quest for it is mine, and mine it was
or ever it was yours, and therefore I will have it. Sir knight,
said Palomides, it may well be that this quest was yours or
it was mine, but when the letter was taken out of the dead
king's hand, at that time by likelihood there was no knight had
undertaken to revenge the death of the king. And so at that
time I promised to revenge his death, and so I shall or else I
am ashamed. Ye say well, said the knight, but wit ye well
then will I fight with you, and who be the better knight of
us both, let him take the battle upon hand. I assent me,
said Sir Palomides. And then they dressed their shields,
and pulled out their swords, and lashed together many sad
strokes as men of might ; and this fighting was more than an
hour, but at the last Sir Palomides waxed big and better
winded, so that then he smote that knight such a stroke that
he made him to kneel upon his knees. Then that knight
spake on high and said : Gentle knight, hold thy hand. Sir
Palomides was goodly and withdrew his hand. Then this
knight said : Wit ye well, knight, that thou art better worthy
78 King Arthur
to have this battle than I, and require thee of knighthood tell
me thy name. Sir, my name is Palomides, a knight of King
Arthur's, and of the Table Round, that hither I came to
revenge the death of this dead king.
CHAPTER LXIII
OF THE PREPARATION OF SIR PALOMIDES AND THE TWO BRETHREN
THAT SHOULD FIGHT WITH HIM
WELL be ye found, said the knight to Palomides, for of
all knights that be on live, except three, I had levest have
you. The first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, and Sir Tristram
de Liones, the third is my nigh cousin, Sir Lamorak de
Galis. And I am brother unto King Hermance that is dead,
and my name is Sir Hermind. Ye say well, said Sir
Palomides, and ye shall see how I shall speed ; and if I be
there slain go ye to my lord Sir Launcelot, or else to my
lord Sir Tristram, and pray them to revenge my death, for as
for Sir Lamorak him shall ye never see in this world. Alas,
said Sir Hermind, how may that be ? He is slain, said Sir
Palomides, by Sir Gawaine and his brethren. So God me
help, said Hermind, there was not one for one that slew him.
That is truth, said Sir Palomides, for they were four danger-
ous knights that slew him, as Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir
Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, but Sir Gareth, the fifth brother
was away, the best knight of them all. And so Sir Palomides
told Hermind all the manner, and how they slew Sir Lamorak
all only by treason. So Sir Palomides took his ship, and
arrived up at the Delectable Isle. And in the meanwhile
Sir Hermind that was the king's brother, he arrived up at
the Red City, and there he told them how there was come
a knight of King Arthur's to avenge King Hermance's
death : And his name is Sir Palomides, the good knight,
that for the most part he followeth the beast Glatisant. Then
all the city made great joy, for mickle had they heard of Sir
Palomides, and of his noble prowess. So they let ordain a
messenger, and sent unto the two brethren, and bad them
to make them ready, for there was a knight come that would
fight with them both. So the messenger went unto them
where they were at a castle there beside ; and there he told
them how there was a knight come of King Arthur's court
to fight with them both at once. He is welcome, said they ;
King Arthur 79
but tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir Launcelot or any of his
blood ? He is none of that blood, said the messenger.
Then we care the less, said the two brethren, for with none
of the blood of Sir Launcelot we keep not to have ado
withal. Wit ye well, said the messenger, that his name is
Sir Palomides, that yet is unchristened, a noble knight.
Well, said they, an he be now unchristened he shall never
be christened. So they appointed to be at the city within
two days. And when Sir Palomides was come to the city
they made passing great joy of him, and then they beheld
him, and saw that he was well made, cleanly and bigly, and
unmaimed of his limbs, and neither too young nor too old.
And so all the people praised him ; and though he was not
christened yet he believed in the best manner, and was full
faithful and true of his promise, and well conditioned ; and
by cause he made his avow that he would never be christened
unto the time that he had achieved the beast Glatisant, the
which was a full wonderful beast, and a great signification ;
for Merlin prophesied much of that beast. And also Sir
Palomides avowed never to take full Christendom unto the
time that he had done seven battles within the lists. So
within the third day there came to the city these two
brethren, the one hight Helius, the other hight Helake, the
which were men of great prowess ; howbeit that they were
false and full of treason, and but poor men born, yet were
they noble knights of their hands. And with them they
brought forty knights, to that intent that they should be big
enough for the Red City. Thus came the two brethren
with great bobaunce and pride, for they had put the Red City
in fear and damage. Then they were brought to the lists,
and Sir Palomides came into the place and said thus : Be
ye the two brethren, Helius and Helake, that slew your king
and lord, Sir Hermance, by felony and treason, for whom
that I am come hither to revenge his death ? Wit thou
well, said Sir Helius and Sir Helake, that we are the same
knights that slew King Hermance ; and wit thou well, Sir
Palomides Saracen, that we shall handle thee so or thou
depart that thou shalt wish that thou wert christened. It
may well be, said Sir Palomides, for yet I would not die or
I were christened ; and yet so am I not afeard of you both,
but I trust to God that I shall die a better Christian man
than any of you both ; and doubt ye not, said Sir Palomides,
either ye or I shall be left dead in this place. '
8o King Arthur
CHAPTER LXIV
OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN SIR PALOMIDES AND THE TWO BRETHREN,
AND HOW THE TWO BRETHREN WERE SLAIN
THEN they departed, and the two brethren came against
Sir Palomides, and he against them, as fast as their horses
might run. And by fortune Sir Palomides smote Helake
through his shield and through the breast more than a fathom.
All this while Sir Helius held up his spear, and for pride and
orgulite he would not smite Sir Palomides with his spear ;
but when he saw his brother lie on the earth, and saw he
might not help himself, then he said unto Sir Palomides :
Help thyself. And therewith he came hurtling unto Sir
Palomides with his spear, and smote him quite from his
saddle. Then Sir Helius rode over Sir Palomides twice or
thrice. And therewith Sir Palomides was ashamed, and gat
the horse of Sir Helius by the bridle, and therewithal the
horse reared, and Sir Palomides halp after, and so they fell
both to the earth ; but anon Sir Helius started up lightly,
and there he smote Sir Palomides a great stroke upon the
helm, that he kneeled upon his own knee. Then they
lashed together many sad strokes, and traced and traversed
now backward, now sideling, hurtling together like two
boars, and that same time they fell both grovelling to the
earth. Thus they fought still without any reposing two
hours, and never breathed ; and then Sir Palomides waxed
faint and weary, and Sir Helius waxed passing strong, and
doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Palomides overthwart
and endlong all the field, that they of the city when they saw
Sir Palomides in this case they wept and cried, and made
great dole, and the other party made as great joy. Alas,
said the men of the city, that this noble knight should thus
be slain for our king's sake. And as they were thus weeping
and crying, Sir Palomides that had suffered an hundred
strokes, that it was wonder that he stood on his feet, at the
last Sir Palomides beheld as he might the common people,
how they wept for him ; and then he said to himself : Ah,
fie for shame, Sir Palomides, why hangest thou thy head so
low ; and therewith he bare up his shield, and looked Sir
Helius in the visage, and he smote him a great stroke upon
the helm, and after that another and another. And then he
smote Sir Helius with such a might that he fell to the earth
King Arthur 81
grovelling ; and then he raced off his helm from his head,
and there he smote him such a buffet that he departed his
head from the body. And then were the people of the city
the joyfullest people that might be. So they brought him
to his lodging with great solemnity, and there all the people
became his men. And then Sir Palomides prayed them all
to take keep unto all the lordship of King Hermance : For,
fair sirs, wit ye well I may not as at this time abide with
you, for I must in all haste be with my lord King Arthur at
the castle of Lonazep, the which I have promised. Then
was the people full heavy at his departing, for all that city
proffered Sir Palomides the third part of their goods so
that he would abide with them ; but in no wise as at that
time he would not abide. And so Sir Palomides departed,
and so he came unto the castle there as Sir Ebel was
lieutenant. And when they in the castle wist how Sir
Palomides had sped, there was a joyful meinie ; and so Sir
Palomides departed, and came to the castle of Lonazep.
And when he wist that Sir Tristram was not there he took
his way over Humber, and came unto Joyous Gard, whereas
Sir Tristram was and La Beale Isoud. Sir Tristram had
commanded that what knight errant came within the Joyous
Gard, as in the town, that they should warn Sir Tristram.
So there came a man of the town, and told Sir Tristram
how there was a knight in the town, a passing goodly man.
What manner of man is he, said Sir Tristram, and what sign
beareth he ? So the man told Sir Tristram all the tokens
of him. That is Palomides, said Dinadan. It may well be,
said Sir Tristram. Go ye to him, said Sir Tristram unto
Dinadan. So Dinadan went unto Sir Palomides, and there
either made of other great joy, and so they lay together that
night. And on the morn early came Sir Tristram and Sir
Gareth, and took them in their beds, and so they arose and
brake their fast.
CHAPTER LXV
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES MET BREUSE SAUNCR
PITE, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND LA BEALE ISOUD WENT
UNTO LONAZEP
AND then Sir Tristram desired Sir Palomides to ride into
the fields and woods. So they were accorded to repose
them in the forest. And when they had played them a
82 King Arthur
great while they rode unto a fair well ; and anon they were
ware of an armed knight that came riding against them, and
there either saluted other. Then this armed knight spake
to Sir Tristram, and asked what were these knights that
were lodged in Joyous Gard. I wot not what they are, said
Sir Tristram. What knights be ye? said that knight, foi
meseemeth ye be no knights errant, by cause ye ride un-
armed. Whether we be knights or not we list not to tell
thee our name. Wilt thou not tell me thy name ? said that
knight ; then keep thee, for thou shalt die of my hands.
And therewith he got his spear in his hands, and would
have run Sir Tristram through. That saw Sir Palomides,
and smote his horse traverse in middes of the side, that man
and horse fell to the earth. And therewith Sir Palomides
alit and pulled out his sword to have slain him. Let
be, said Sir Tristram, slay him not, the knight is but a
fool, it were shame to slay him. But take away his spear,
said Sir Tristram, and let him take his horse and go where
that he will. So when this knight arose he groaned sore of
the fall, and so he took his horse, and when he was up he
turned then his horse, and required Sir Tristram and Sir
Palomides to tell him what knights they were. Now wit ye
well, said Sir Tristram, that my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones, and this knight's name is Sir Palomides. When he
wist what they were he took his horse with the spurs, by cause
they should not ask him his name, and so rode fast away
through thick and thin. Then came there by them a knight
with a bended shield of azure, whose name was Epinogris,
and he came toward them a great wallop. Whither are ye
riding ? said Sir Tristram. My fair lords, said Epinogris, I
follow the falsest knight that beareth the life ; wherefore I
require you tell me whether ye saw him, for he beareth a
shield with a case of red over it. So God me help, said
Tristram, such a knight departed from us not a quarter of
an hour agone ; we pray you tell us his name. Alas, said
Epinogris, why let ye him escape from you ? and he is so
great a foe unto all errant knights ; his name is Breuse
Saunce Pite. Ah, fie for shame, said Sir Palomides, alas that
ever he escaped mine hands, for he is the man in the world
that I hate most. Then every knight made great sorrow to
other ; and so Epinogris departed and followed the chase
after him. Then Sir Tristram and his three fellows rode
unto Joyous Gard ; and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir
King Arthur 83
Palomides of his battle, how he sped at the Red City, and
as ye have heard afore so was it ended. Truly, said Sir
Tristram, I am glad ye have well sped, for ye have done
worshipfully. Well, said Sir Tristram, we must forward
to-morn. And then he devised how it should be ; and Sir
Tristram devised to send his two pavilions to set them fast
by the well of Lonazep, and therein shall be the Queen La
Beale Isoud. It is well said, said Sir Dinadan, but when
Sir Palomides heard of that his heart was ravished out of
measure : notwithstanding he said but little. So when they
came to Joyous Gard Sir Palomides would not have gone
into the castle, but as Sir Tristram took him by the finger,
and led him into the castle. And when Sir Palomides saw
La Beale Isoud he was ravished so that he might unethe
speak. So they went unto meat, but Palomides might not
eat, and there was all the cheer that might be had. And
on the morn they were apparelled to ride toward Lonazep.
So Sir Tristram had three squires, and La Beale Isoud had
three gentlewomen, and both the queen and they were
richly apparelled ; and other people had they none with
them, but varlets to bear their shields and their spears.
And thus they rode forth. So as they rode they saw afore
them a rout of knights ; it was the knight Galihodin with
twenty knights with him. Fair fellows, said Galihodin,
yonder come four knights, and a rich and a well fair lady : I
am in will to take that lady from them. That is not of the
best counsel, said one of Galihodin's men, but send ye to
them and wit what they will say ; and so it was done.
There came a squire unto Sir Tristram, and asked them
whether they would joust or else to lose their lady. Not
so, said Sir Tristram, tell your lord I bid him come as many
as we be, and win her and take her. Sir, said Palomides,
an it please you let me have this deed, and I shall under-
take them all four. I will that ye have it, said Sir Tristram,
at your pleasure. Now go and tell your lord Galihodin,
that this same knight will encounter with him and his
fellows.
84 King Arthur
CHAPTER LXVI
HOW SIR PALOMIDES JOUSTED WITH SIR GALIHODIN, AND AFTER
WITH SIR GAWAINE, AND SMOTE THEM DOWN
THEN this squire departed and told Galihodin ; and then
he dressed his shield, and put forth a spear, and Sir Palo-
mides another ; and there Sir Palomides smote Galihodin so
hard that he smote both horse and man to the earth. And
there he had an horrible fall. And then came there another
knight, and in the same wise he served him ; and so he
served the third and the fourth, that he smote them over
their horses' croups, and always Sir Palomides' spear was
whole. Then came six knights more of Galihodin's men,
and would have been avenged upon Sir Palomides. Let
be, said Sir Galihodin, not so hardy, none of you all meddle
with this knight, for he is a man of great bounte and honour,
and if he would ye were not able to meddle with him.
And right so they held them still. And ever Sir Palomides
was ready to joust ; and when he saw they would no more
he rode unto Sir Tristram. Right well have ye done, said
Sir Tristram, and worshipfully have ye done as a good
knight should. This Galihodin was nigh cousin unto Gala-
halt, the haut prince ; and this Galihodin was a king within
the country of Surluse. So as Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides,
and La Beale Isoud rode together they saw afore them four
knights, and every man had his spear in his hand : the first
was Sir Gawaine, the second Sir Uwaine, the third Sir Sagra-
more le Desirous, and the fourth was Dodinas le Savage.
When Sir Palomides beheld them, that the four knights
were ready to joust, he prayed Sir Tristram to give him leave
to have ado with them all so long as he might hold him on
horseback. And if that I be smitten down I pray you
revenge me. Well, said Sir Tristram, I will as ye will, and
ye are not so fain to have worship but I would as fain
increase your worship. And therewithal Sir Gawaine put
forth his spear, and Sir Palomides another; and so they
came so eagerly together that Sir Palomides smote Sir
Gawaine to the earth, horse and all ; and in the same wise
he served Uwaine, Sir Dodinas, and Sagramore. All these
four knights Sir Palomides smote down with divers spears.
And then Sir Tristram departed toward Lonazep. And
when they were departed then came thither Galihodin with
King Arthur 85
his ten knights unto Sir Gawaine, and there he told him all
how he had sped. I marvel, said Sir Gawaine, what knights
they be, that are so arrayed in green. And that knight upon
the white horse smote me down, said Galihodin, and my
three fellows. And so he did to me, said Gawaine ; and
well I wot, said Sir Gawaine, that either he upon the white
horse is Sir Tristram or else Sir Paiomides, and that gay
bysene lady is Queen Isoud. Thus they talked of one
thing and of other. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram
passed on till that he came to the well where his two pavilions
were set ; and there they alighted, and there they saw many
pavilions and great array. Then Sir Tristram left there Sir
Paiomides and Sir Gareth with La Beale Isoud, and Sir
Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to Lonazep to hearken
tidings ; and Sir Tristram rode upon Sir Paiomides' white
horse. And when he came into the castle Sir Dinadan
heard a great horn blow, and to the horn drew many knights.
Then Sir Tristram asked a knight : What meaneth the blast
of that horn ? Sir, said that knight, it is all those that shall
hold against King Arthur at this tournament. The first is
the king of Ireland, and the king of Surluse, the king of
Listinoise, the king of Northumberland, and the king of the
best part of Wales, with many other countries. And these
draw them to a council, to understand what governance they
shall be of; but the king of Ireland, whose name was
Marhalt, and father to the good knight Sir Marhaus that Sir
Tristram slew, had all the speech that Sir Tristram might
hear it. He said : Lords and fellows, let us look to ourself,
for wit ye well King Arthur is sure of many good knights,
or else he would not with so few knights have ado with us ;
therefore by my counsel let every king have a standard and
a cognisance by himself, that every knight draw to their
natural lord, and then may every king and captain help his
knights if they have need. When Sir Tristram had heard
all their counsel he rode unto King Arthur for to hear of his
counsel.
86 King Arthur
CHAPTER LXVII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND HIS FELLOWSHIP CAME INTO THE TOURNA-
MENT OF LONAZEP ; AND OF DIVERS JOUSTS AND MATTERS
Bur Sir Tristram was not so soon come into the place,
but Sir Gawaine and Sir Galihodin went to King Arthur,
and told him : That same green knight in the green har-
ness with the white horse smote us two down, and six of our
fellows this same day. Well, said Arthur. And then he
called Sir Tristram and asked him what was his name. Sir,
said Sir Tristram, ye shall hold me excused as at this time,
for ye shall not wit my name. And there Sir Tristram
returned and rode his way. I have marvel, said Arthur, that
yonder knight will not tell me his name, but go thou, Griflet
le Fise de Dieu, and pray him to speak with me betwixt us.
Then Sir Griflet rode after him and overtook him, and said
him that King Arthur prayed him for to speak with him
secretly apart. Upon this covenant, said Sir Tristram, I
will speak with him ; that I will turn again so that ye will
ensure me not to desire to hear my name. I shall under-
take, said Sir Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it of
you. So they rode together until they came to King Arthur.
Fair sir, said King Arthur, what is the cause ye will not tell
me your name ? Sir, said Sir Tristram, without a cause I
will not hide my name. Upon what party will ye hold ?
said King Arthur. Truly, my lord, said Sir Tristram, I wot
not yet on what party I will be on, until I come to the field,
and thereas my heart giveth me, there will I hold ; but to-
morrow ye shall see and prove on what party I shall come.
And therewithal he returned and went to his pavilions.
And upon the morn they armed them all in green, and
came into the field ; and there young knights began to joust,
and did many worshipful deeds. Then spake Gareth unto
Sir Tristram, and prayed him to give him leave to break his
spear, for him thought shame to bear his spear whole
again. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he laughed,
and said : I pray you do your best. Then Sir Gareth gat a
spear and proffered to joust. That saw a knight that was
nephew unto the king of the hundred knights ; his name
was Selises, and a good man of arms. So this knight
Selises then dressed him unto Sir Gareth, and they two
met together so hard that either smote other down, horse
King Arthur 87
and all, to the earth, so they were both bruised and hurt ; and
there they lay till the king with the hundred knights halp
Selises up, and Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides halp up
Gareth again. And so they rode with Sir Gareth unto
their pavilions, and then they pulled off his helm. And
when La Beale Isoud saw Sir Gareth bruised in the face she
asked him what ailed him. Madam, said Sir Gareth, I had a
great buffet, and as I suppose I gave another, but none of my
fellows, God thank them, would not rescue me. Forsooth, said
Palomides, it longed not to none of us as this day to joust, for
there have not this day jousted no proved knights, and needly
ye would joust. And when the other party saw ye proffered
yourself to joust they sent one to you, a passing good knight of
his age, for I know him well, his name is Selises ; and worship-
fully ye met with him, and neither of you are dishonoured,
and therefore refresh yourself that ye may be ready and
whole to joust to-morrow. As for that, said Gareth, I shall
not fail you an I may bestride mine horse.
CHAPTER LXVIII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND HIS FELLOWSHIP JOUSTED, AND OF THR
NOBLE FEATS THAT THEY DID IN THAT TOURNEYING
Now upon what party, said Tristram, is it best we be
withal as to-morn ? Sir, said Palomides, ye shall have mine
advice to be against King Arthur as to-morn, for on his
party will be Sir Launcelot and many good knights of his
blood with him. And the more men of worship that they
be, the more worship we shall win. That is full knightly
spoken, said Sir Tristram ; and right so as ye counsel me,
so will we do. In the name of God, said they all. So that
night they were lodged with the best. And on the morn
when it was day they were arrayed all in green trappours,
shields and spears, and La Beale Isoud in the same colour,
and her three damosels. And right so these four knights
came into the field endlong and through. And so they led
La Beale Isoud thither as she should stand and behold all
the jousts in a bay window ; but always she was wimpled
that no man must see her visage. And then these three
knights rode straight unto the party of the king of Scots.
When King Arthur had seen them do all this he asked Sir
Launcelot what were these knights and that queen. Sir,.
88 King Arthur
said Launcelot, I cannot say you in certain, but if Sir
Tristram be in this country, or Sir Palomides, wit ye well it
be they in certain, and La Beale Isoud. Then Arthur
called to him Sir Kay and said : Go lightly and wit how
many knights there be here lacking of the Table Round, for
by the sieges thou mayest know. So went Sir Kay and saw
by the writings in the sieges that there lacked ten knights,
and these be their names that be not here. Sir Tristram,
Sir Palomides, Sir Percivale, Sir Gaheris, Sir Epinogris,
Sir Mordred, Sir Dinadan, Sir La Cote Male Taile, and
Sir Pelleas the noble knight. Well, said Arthur, some of
these I dare undertake are here this day against us.
Then came therein two brethren, cousins unto Sir Gawaine,
the one hight Sir Edward, that other hight Sir Sadok, the
which were two good knights ; and they asked of King
Arthur that they might have the first jousts, for they were
of Orkney. I am pleased, said King Arthur. Then Sir
Edward encountered with the king of Scots, in whose party
was Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides ; and Sir Edward smote
the king of Scots quite from his horse, and Sir Sadok smote
down the king of North Wales, and gave him a wonder
great fall, that there was a great cry on King Arthur's party,
and that made Sir Palomides passing wroth. And so
Sir Palomides dressed his shield and his spear, and
with all his might he met with Sir Edward of Orkney,
that he smote him so hard that his horse might not
stand on his feet, and so they hurtled to the earth ; and
then with the same spear Sir Palomides smote down
Sir Sadok over his horse's croup. O Jesu, said Arthur,
what knight is that arrayed all in green ? he jousteth
mightily. Wit you well, said Sir Gawaine, he is a good
knight, and yet shall ye see him joust better or he depart.
And yet shall ye see, said Sir Gawaine, another bigger
knight, in the same colour, than he is ; for that same knight,
said Sir Gawaine, that smote down right now my four cousins,
he smote me down within these two days, and seven fellows
more. This meanwhile as they stood thus talking there
came into the place Sir Tristram upon a black horse, and
or ever he stint he smote down with one spear four good
knights of Orkney that were of the kin of Sir Gawaine ;
and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan every each of them smote
down a good knight. Jesu, said Arthur, yonder knight
upon the black horse doth mightily and marvellously well.
King Arthur 89
Abide you, said Sir Gawaine ; that knight with the black
horse began not yet. Then Sir Tristram made to horse
again the two kings that Edward and Sadok had unhorsed
at the beginning. And then Sir Tristram drew his sword and
rode into the thickest of the press against them of Orkney ;
and there he smote down knights, and rashed off helms, and
pulled away their shields, and hurtled down many knights :
he fared so that Sir Arthur and all knights had great marvel
when they saw one knight do so great deeds of arms. And
Sir Palomides failed not upon the other side, but did so
marvellously well that all men had wonder. For there King
Arthur likened Sir Tristram that was on the black horse like
to a wood lion, and likened Sir Palomides upon the white
horse unto a wood leopard, and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan
unto eager wolves. But the custom was such among them
that none of the kings would help other, but all the fellow-
ship of every standard to help other as they might ; but ever
Sir Tristram did so much deeds of arms that they of Orkney
waxed weary of him, and so withdrew them unto Lonazep.
CHAPTER LXIX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS UNHORSED AND SMITTEN DOWN BY SIR
LAUNCELOT, AND AFTER THAT SIR TRISTRAM SMOTE DOWN
KING ARTHUR
THEN was the cry of heralds and all manner of common
people : The green knight hath done marvellously, and
beaten all them of Orkney. And there the heralds numbered
that Sir Tristram that sat upon the black horse had smitten
down with spears and swords thirty knights ; and Sir
Palomides had smitten down twenty knights, and the most
part of these fifty knights were of the house of King Arthur,
and proved knights. So God me help, said Arthur unto Sir
Launcelot, this is a great shame to us to see four knights
beat so many knights of mine ; and therefore make you
ready, for we will have ado with them. Sir, said Launcelot,
wit ye well that there are two passing good knights, and
great worship were it not to us now to have ado with them,
for they have this day sore travailed. As for that, said
Arthur, I will be avenged ; and therefore take with you Sir
Bleoberis and Sir Ector, and I will be the fourth, said Arthur.
Sir, said Launcelot, ye shall find me ready, and my brother
Sir Ector, and my cousin Sir Bleoberis. And so when they
90 King Arthur
were ready and on horseback : Now choose, said Sir Arthur
unto Sir Launcelot, with whom that ye will encounter withal.
Sir, said Launcelot, I will meet with the green knight upon
the black horse, that was Sir Tristram ; and my cousin Sir
Bleoberis shall match the green knight upon the white horse,
that was Sir Palomides ; and my brother Sir Ector shall
match with the green knight upon the white horse, that was
Sir Gareth. Then must I, said Sir Arthur, have ado with
the green knight upon the grisled horse, and that was Sir
Dinadan. Now every man take heed to his fellow, said Sir
Launcelot. And so they trotted on together, and there
encountered Sir Launcelot against Sir Tristram. So Sir
Launcelot smote Sir Tristram so sore upon the shield that
he bare horse and man to the earth ; but Sir Launcelot
weened that it had been Sir Palomides, and so he passed
forth. And then Sir Bleoberis encountered with Sir
Palomides, and he smote him so hard upon the shield that
Sir Palomides and his white horse rustled to the earth.
Then Sir Ector de Maris smote Sir Gareth so hard that
down he fell off his horse. And the noble King Arthur
encountered with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him quite from
his saddle. And then the noise turned awhile how the
green knights were slain down. When the king of North-
galis saw that Sir Tristram had a fall, then he remembered
him how great deeds of arms Sir Tristram had done. Then
he made ready many knights, for the custom and cry was
such, that what knight were smitten down, and might not be
horsed again by his fellows outher by his own strength, that
as that day he should be prisoner unto the party that had
smitten him down. So came in the king of Northgalis, and
he rode straight unto Sir Tristram ; and when he came nigh
him he alit down suddenly and betook Sir Tristram his
horse, and said thus : Noble knight, I know thee not of
what country that thou art, but for the noble deeds that
thou hast done this day take there my horse, and let me do
as well as I may ; for as Jesu me help thou art better worthy
to have mine horse than I myself. Gramercy, said Sir
Tristram, and if I may I shall quite you : look that ye go
not far from us, and as I suppose, I shall win you another
horse. And therewith Sir Tristram mounted upon his horse,
and there he met with King Arthur, and he gave him such
a buffet upon the helm with his sword that King Arthur had
no power to keep his saddle. And then Sir Tristram gave
King Arthur 91
the king of Northgalis King Arthur's horse : then was there
great press about King Arthur for to horse him again ; but
Sir Palomides would not suffer King Arthur to be horsed
again, but ever Sir Palomides smote on the right hand and
on the left hand mightily as a noble knight. And this
meanwhile Sir Tristram rode through the thickest of the
press, and smote down knights on the right hand and on
the left hand, and raced off helms, and so passed forth unto
his pavilions, and left Sir Palomides on foot ; and Sir
Tristram changed his horse and disguised himself all in red,
horse and harness.
CHAPTER LXX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM CHANGED HIS HARNESS AND IT WAS ALL RED,
AND HOW HE DEMEANED HIM, AND HOW SIR PALOMIDES SLEW
LAUNCELOT'S HORSE
AND when the Queen La Beale Isoud saw that Sir
Tristram was unhorsed, and she wist not where he was, then
she wept greatly. But Sir Tristram when he was ready came
dashing lightly into the field, and then La Beale Isoud
espied him. And so he did great deeds of arms ; with one
spear that was great Sir Tristram smote down five knights or
ever he stint. Then Sir Launcelot espied him readily, that
it was Sir Tristram, and then he repented him that he had
smitten him down ; and so Sir Launcelot went out of
the press to repose him and lightly he came again. And
now when Sir Tristram came into the press, through his
great force he put Sir Palomides upon his horse, and Sir
Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and then they began to do
marvellously ; but Sir Palomides nor none of his two fellows
knew not who had holpen them on horseback again. But
ever Sir Tristram was nigh them and succoured them, and
they not him, by cause he was changed into red armour :
and all this while Sir Launcelot was away. So when La
Beale Isoud knew Sir Tristram again upon his horseback
she was passing glad, and then she laughed and made good
cheer. And as it happened, Sir Palomides looked up
toward her where she lay in the window, and he espied how
she laughed ; and therewith he took such a rejoicing that
he smote down, what with his spear and with his sword, all
that ever he met ; for through the sight of her he was so
enamoured in her love that he seemed at that time, that an
92 King Arthur
both Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot had been both against
him they should have won no worship of him ; and in his
heart, as the book saith, Sir Palomides wished that with his
worship he might have ado with Sir Tristram before all men,
by cause of La Beale Isoud. Then Sir Palomides began to
double his strength, and he did so marvellously that all men
had wonder of him, and ever he cast up his eye unto La
Beale Isoud. And when he saw her make such cheer he
fared like a lion, that there might no man withstand him ;
and then Sir Tristram beheld him, how that Sir Palomides
bestirred him ; and then he said unto Sir Dinadan : So God
me help, Sir Palomides is a passing good knight and a well
enduring, but such deeds saw I him never do, nor never
heard I tell that ever he did so much in one day. It is his
day, said Dinadan ; and he would say no more unto Sir
Tristram ; but to himself he said : an if ye knew for whose
love he doth all those deeds of arms, soon would Sir Tristram
abate his courage. Alas, said Sir Tristram, that Sir Palomides
is not christened. So said King Arthur, and so said all
those that beheld him. Then all people gave him the prize,
as for the best knight that day, that he passed Sir Launcelot
outher Sir Tristram. Well, said Dinadan to himself, all this
worship that Sir Palomides hath here this day he may thank
the Queen Isoud, for had she been away this day Sir
Palomides had not gotten the prize this day. Right so came
into the field Sir Launcelot du Lake, and saw and heard the
noise and cry and the great worship that Sir Palomides had.
He dressed him against Sir Palomides, with a great mighty
spear and a long, and thought to smite him down. And
when Sir Palomides saw Sir Launcelot come upon him so
fast, he ran upon Sir Launcelot as fast with his sword as he
might ; and as Sir Launcelot should have stricken him he
smote his spear a-side, and smote it atwo with his sword. And
Sir Palomides rushed unto Sir Launcelot, and thought to have
put him to a shame ; and with his sword he smote his horse's
neck that Sir Launcelot rode upon, and then Sir Launcelot
fell to the earth. Then was the cry huge and great : See how
Sir Palomides the Saracen hath smitten down Sir Launcelot's
horse. Right then were there many knights wroth with Sir
Palomides by cause he had done that deed ; therefore many
knights held there against that it was unknightly done in a
tournament to kill an horse wilfully, but that it had been done
in plain battle, life for life.
King Arthur 93
CHAPTER LXXI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT SAID TO SIR PALOMIDES, AND HOW THE PRIZE
OF THAT DAY WAS GIVEN UNTO SIR PALOMIDES
WHEN Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir Launcelot his brother
have such a despite, and so set on foot, then he gat a spear
eagerly, and ran against Sir Palomides, and he smote him
so hard that he bare him quite from his horse. That saw
Sir Tristram, that was in red harness, and he smote down
Sir Ector de Maris quite from his horse. Then Sir Launce-
lot dressed his shield upon his shoulder, and with his sword
naked in his hand, and so came straight upon Sir Palomides
fiercely and said : Wit thou well thou hast done me this
day the greatest despite that ever any worshipful knight did
to me in tournament or in jousts, and therefore I will be
avenged upon thee, therefore take keep to yourself. Have
mercy, noble knight, said Palomides, and forgive me mine
unkindly deeds, for I have no power nor might to withstand
you, and I have done so much this day that well I wot I
did never so much, nor never shall in my life days ; and
therefore, most noble knight, I require thee spare me as at
this day, and I promise you I shall ever be your knight
while I live : an ye put me from my worship now, ye put
me from the greatest worship that ever I had or ever shall
have in my life days. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I see, for
to say thee sooth, ye have done marvellously well this day ;
and I understand a part for whose love ye do it, and well I
wot that love is a great mistress. An if my lady were here
as she nis not, wit you well, said Sir Launcelot, ye should
not bear away the worship. But beware your love be not
discovered, for an Sir Tristram may know it ye will repent
it ; and sithen my quarrel is not here, ye shall have this day
the worship as for me ; considering the great travail and pain
that ye have had this day, it were no worship for me to put
you from it. And therewithal Sir Launcelot suffered Sir
Palomides to depart. Then Sir Launcelot by great force
and might gat his own horse maugre twenty knights. So
when Sir Launcelot was horsed he did many marvels, and
so did Sir Tristram, and Sir Palomides in like wise. Then
Sir Launcelot smote down with a spear Sir Dinadan, and
the king of Scotland, and the king of Wales, and the king
of Northumberland, and the king of Listinoise. So then
Sir Launcelot and his fellows smote down well a forty
94 King Arthur
knights. Then came the king of Ireland and the king of
the Straight Marches to rescue Sir Tristram and Sir Palom-
ides. There began a great medley, and many knights
were smitten down on both parties ; and always Sir Launce-
lot spared Sir Tristram, and he spared him. And Sir Palom-
ides would not meddle with Sir Launcelot, and so there
was hurtling here and there. And then King Arthur sent
out many knights of the Table Round ; and Sir Palomides
was ever in the foremost front, and Sir Tristram did so
strongly well that the king and all other had marvel. And
then the King let blow to lodging ; and by cause Sir Palom-
ides began first, and never he went nor rode out of the
field to repose, but ever he was doing marvellously well
either on foot or on horseback, and longest during, King
Arthur and all the kings gave Sir Palomides the honour and
the gree as for that day. Then Sir Tristram commanded
Sir Dinadan to fetch the Queen La Beale Isoud, and bring
her to his two pavilions that stood by the well. And so
Dinadan did as he was commanded. But when Sir Palom-
ides understood and wist that Sir Tristram was in the red
armour, and on a red horse, wit ye well that he was glad,
and so was Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, for they all weened
that Sir Tristram had been taken prisoner. And then every
knight drew to his inn. And then King Arthur and every
knight spake of those knights ; but above all men they gave
Sir Palomides the prize, and all knights that knew Sir
Palomides had wonder of his deeds. Sir, said Sir Launce-
lot unto Arthur, as for Sir Palomides an he be the green
knight I dare say as for this day he is best worthy to have
the degree, for he reposed him never, nor never changed
his weeds, and he began first and longest held on. And
yet well I wot, said Sir Launcelot, that there was a better
knight than he, and that shall be proved or we depart, upon
pain of my life. Thus they talked on either party ; and so
Sir Dinadan railed with Sir Tristram and said : What the
devil is upon thee this day ? for Sir Palomides' strength
feebled never this day, but ever he doubled his strength.
CHAPTER LXXII
HOW SIR DINADAN PROVOKED SIR TRISTRAM TO DO WELL
AND thou, Sir Tristram, farest all this day as though thou
hadst been asleep, and therefore I call thee coward. Well,
Dinadan, said Sir Tristram, I was never called coward or
King Arthur 95
now of no earthly knight in my life ; and wit thou well, sir,
1 call myself never the more coward though Sir Launcelot
gave me a fall, for I outcept him of all knights. And
doubt ye not Sir Dinadan, an Sir Launcelot have a quarrel
good, he is too over good for any knight that now is living ;
and yet of his sufferance, largess, bounty, and courtesy, I
call him knight peerless : and so Sir Tristram was in manner
wroth with Sir Dinadan. But all this language Sir Dinadan
said by cause he would anger Sir Tristram, for to cause him to
awake his spirits and to be wroth ; for well knew Sir Dinadan
that an Sir Tristram were thoroughly wroth Sir Palomides
should not get the prize upon the morn. And for this
intent Sir Dinadan said all this railing and language against
Sir Tristram. Truly, said Sir Palomides, as for Sir Launce-
lot, of his noble knighthood, courtesy, and prowess, and
gentleness, I know not his peer ; for this day, said Sir
Palomides, I did full uncourteously unto Sir Launcelot, and
full unknightly, and full knightly and courteously he did to
me again ; for an he had been as ungentle to me as I was
to him, this day I had won no worship. And therefore,
said Palomides, I shall be Sir Launcelot's knight while my
life lasteth. This talking was in the houses of kings. But
all kings, lords, and knights, said, of clear knighthood, and
of pure strength, of bounty, of courtesy, Sir Launcelot and
Sir Tristram bare the prize above all knights that ever were
in Arthur's days. And there were never knights in Arthur's
days did half so many deeds as they did ; as the book saith,
no ten knights did not half the deeds that they did, and
there was never knight in their days that required Sir
Launcelot or Sir Tristram of any quest, so it were not to
their shame, but they performed their desire.
CHAPTER LXXIII
HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO SEE LA BEALR
ISOUD, AND HOW PALOMIDES SMOTE DOWN KING ARTHUR
So on the morn Sir Launcelot departed, and Sir Tristram
was ready, and La Beale Isoud with Sir Palomides and Sir
Gareth. And so they rode all in green full freshly bysene
unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir Dinadan sleep-
ing in his bed. And so as they rode it happed the king
and Launcelot stood in a window, and saw Sir Tristram ride
and Isoud. Sir, said Launcelot, yonder rideth the fairest
g6 King Arthur
lady of the world except your Queen, Dame Guenever.
Who is that? said Sir Arthur. Sir, said he, it is Queen
Isoud that, out taken my lady your Queen, she is makeless.
Take your horse, said Arthur, and array you at all rights as
I will do, and I promise you, said the king, I will see her.
Then anon they were armed and horsed, and either took a
spear and rode unto the forest. Sir, said Launcelot, it is
not good that ye go too nigh them, for wit ye well there are
two as good knights as now are living, and therefore,
sir, I pray you be not too hasty. For perad venture there
will be some knights be displeased an we come suddenly
upon them. As for that, said Arthur, I will see her, for I
take no force whom I grieve. Sir, said Launcelot, ye put
yourself in great jeopardy. As for that, said the king, we
will take the adventure. Right so anon the king rode even
to her, and saluted her, and said : God yod save. Sir, said
she, ye are welcome. Then the king beheld her, and liked
her wonderly well. With that came Sir Palomides unto
Arthur, and said : Uncourteous knight, what seekest thou
here? thou art uncourteous to come upon a lady thus
suddenly, therefore withdraw thee. Sir Arthur took none
heed of Sir Palomides' words, but ever he looked still upon
Queen Isoud. Then was Sir Palomides wroth, and there-
with he took a spear, and came hurtling upon King Arthur,
and smote him down with a spear. When Sir Launcelot
saw that despite of Sir Palomides, he said to himself : I am
loth to have ado with yonder knight, and not for his own
sake but for Sir Tristram. And one thing I am sure of, if
I smite down Sir Palomides I must have ado with Sir
Tristram, and that were overmuch for me to match them
both, for they are two noble knights ; notwithstanding
whether I live or I die needs must I revenge my lord,
and so will I whatsomever befall of me. And therewith
Sir Launcelot cried to Sir Palomides : Keep thee from
me. And then Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides rushed
together with two spears strongly, but Sir Launcelot smote
Sir Palomides so hard that he went quite out of his saddle,
and had a great fall. When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides
have that fall, he said to Sir Launcelot : Sir knight, keep
thee, for I must joust with thee. As for to joust with me,
said Sir Launcelot, I will not fail you, for no dread I have
of you ; but I am loth to have ado with you an I might
choose, for I will that ye wit that I must revenge my
King Arthur 97
special lord that was unhorsed unwarly and unknightly.
And therefore, though I revenged that fall, take ye no
displeasure therein, for he is to me such a friend that I
may not see him shamed. Anon Sir Tristram understood
by his person and by his knightly words that it was Sir
Launcelot du Lake, and verily Sir Tristram deemed that
it was King Arthur, he that Sir Palomides had smitten
down. And then Sir Tristram put his spear from him,
and put Sir Palomides again on horseback, and Sir Launce-
lot put King Arthur on horseback and so departed. So
God me help, said Sir Tristram unto Palomides, ye did
not worshipfully when ye smote down that knight so
suddenly as ye did. And wit ye well ye did yourself great
shame, for the knights came hither of their gentleness to
see a fair lady ; and that is every good knight's part, to
behold a fair lady ; and ye had not ado to play such
masteries afore my lady. Wit thou well it will turn to
anger, for he that ye smote down was King Arthur, and
that other was the good knight Sir Launcelot. But I shall
not forget the words of Sir Launcelot when that he called
him a man of great worship, thereby I wist that it was
King Arthur. And as for Sir Launcelot, an there had
been five hundred knights in the meadow, he would not
have refused them, and yet he said he would refuse me.
By that again I wist that it was Sir Launcelot, for ever he
forbeareth me in every place, and showeth me great kind-
ness ; and of all knights, I out take none, say what men
will say, he beareth the flower of all chivalry, say it him who-
somever will. An he be well angered, and that him list to do
his utterance without any favour, I know him not on live but
Sir Launcelot is over hard for him, be it on horseback or
on foot. I may never believe, said Palomides, that King
Arthur will ride so privily as a poor errant knight. Ah,
said Sir Tristram, ye know not my lord Arthur, for all
knights may learn to be a knight of him. And therefore ye
may be sorry, said Sir Tristram, of your unkindly deeds to
so noble a king. And a thing that is done may not be
undone, said Palomides. Then Sir Tristram sent Queen
Isoud unto her lodging in the priory, there to behold all the
tournament.
1146
98 King Arthur
CHAPTER LXXFV
HOW THE SECOND DAY PALOMIDES FORSOOK SIR TRISTRAM AND
WENT TO THE CONTRARY PARTY AGAINST HIM
THEN there was a cry unto all knights, that when they
heard an horn blow they should make jousts as they did the
first day. And like as the brethren Sir Edward and Sir
Sadok began the jousts the first day, Sir Uwaine the king's
son Urien and Sir Lucanere de Buttelere began the jousts
the second day. And at the first encounter Sir Uwaine
smote down the king's son of Scots ; and Sir Lucanere ran
against the king of Wales, and they brake their spears all to
pieces ; and they were so fierce both, that they hurtled
together that both fell to the earth. Then they of Orkney
horsed again Sir Lucanere. And then came in Sir Tristram
de Liones ; and then Sir Tristram smote down Sir Uwaine
and Sir Lucanere ; and Sir Palomides smote down other
two knights ; and Sir Gareth smote down other two knights.
Then said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot : See yonder three
knights do passingly well, and namely the first that jousted.
Sir, said Launcelot, that knight began not yet, but ye shall
see him this day do marvellously. And then came into the
place the duke's son of Orkney, and then they began to do
many deeds of arms. When Sir Tristram saw them so
begin, he said to Palomides : How feel ye yourself? may
ye do this day as ye did yesterday ? Nay, said Palomides, I
feel myself so weary, and so sore bruised of the deeds of
yesterday, that I may not endure as I did yesterday. That
me repenteth, said Sir Tristram, for I shall lack you this
day. Sir Palomides said : Trust not to me, for I may not
do as I did. All these words said Palomides for to beguile
Sir Tristram. Sir, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Gareth, then
must I trust upon you ; wherefore I pray you be not far
from me to rescue me. An need be, said Sir Gareth, I
shall not fail you in all that I may do. Then Sir Palomides
rode by himself ; and then in despite of Sir Tristram he put
himself in the thickest press among them of Orkney, and
there he did so marvellously deeds of arms that all men had
wonder of him, for there might none stand him a stroke.
When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides do such deeds, he
marvelled and said to himself : He is weary of my company.
So Sir Tristram beheld him a great while and did but
King Arthur 99
else, for the noise and cry was so huge and great that Sir
Tristram marvelled from whence came the strength that Sir
Palomides had there in the field. Sir, said Sir Gareth unto
Sir Tristram, remember ye not of the words that Sir Dinadan
said to you yesterday, when he called you a coward ; for-
sooth, sir, he said it for none ill, for ye are the man in the
world that he most loveth, and all that he said was for your
worship. And therefore, said Sir Gareth to Sir Tristram,
let me know this day what ye be ; and wonder ye not so
upon Sir Palomides, for he enforceth himself to win all the
worship and honour from you. I may well believe it, said
Sir Tristram. And sythen I understand his evil will and
his envy, ye shall see, if that I enforce myself, that the
noise shall be left that now is upon him. Then Sir
Tristram rode into the thickest of the press, and then he did
so marvellously well, and did so great deeds of arms, that
all men said that Sir Tristram did double so much deeds of
arms as Sir Palomides had done aforehand. And then the
noise went plain from Sir Palomides, and all the people
cried upon Sir Tristram. O Jesu, said the people, see how
Sir Tristram smiteth down with his spear so many knights.
And see, said they all, how many knights he smiteth down
with his sword, and of how many knights he rashed off their
helms and their shields ; and so he beat them all of Orkney
afore him. How now, said Sir Launcelot unto King
Arthur, I told you that this day there would a knight play
his pageant. Yonder rideth a knight ye may see he doth
knightly, for he hath strength and wind. So God me help,
said Arthur to Launcelot, ye say sooth, for I saw never a
better knight, for he passeth far Sir Palomides. Sir, wit ye
well, said Launcelot, it must be so of right, for it is himself,
that noble knight Sir Tristram. I may right well believe it,
said Arthur. But when Sir Palomides heard the noise and
the cry was turned from him, he rode out on a part and
beheld Sir Tristram. And when Sir Palomides saw Sir
Tristram do so marvellously well he wept passingly sore for
despite, for he wist well he should no worship win that day ;
for well knew Sir Palomides when Sir Tristram would put
forth his strength and his manhood he should get but little
worship that day.
ioo King Arthur
CHAPTER LXXV
HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED OFF THE FIELD, AND AWAKED SIR
DINADAN, AND CHANGED HIS ARRAY INTO BLACK
THEN came King Arthur, and the king of Northgalis, and
Sir Launcelot du Lake; and Sir Bleoberis, Sir Bors de
Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, these three knights came into the
field with Sir Launcelot. And then Sir Launcelot with the
three knights of his kin did so great deeds of arms that all
the noise began upon Sir Launcelot. And so they beat the
king of Wales and the king of Scots far aback, and made
them to avoid the field ; but Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth
abode still in the field and endured all that ever there came,
that all men had wonder that any knight might endure so
many strokes. But ever Sir Launcelot, and his three kins-
men by the commandment of Sir Launcelot, forbare Sir
Tristram. Then said Sir Arthur : Is that Sir Palomides
that endureth so well ? Nay, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well
it is the good knight Sir Tristram, for yonder ye may see
Sir Palomides beholdeth and hoveth, and doth little or
nought. And sir, ye shall understand that Sir Tristram
weeneth this day to beat us all out of the field. And as for
me, said Sir Launcelot, I shall not beat him, beat him
whoso will. Sir, said Launcelot unto Arthur, ye may see
how Sir Palomides hoveth yonder, as though he were in a
dream ; wit ye well he is full heavy that Tristram doth such
deeds of arms. Then is he but a fool, said Arthur, for
never was Sir Palomides, nor never shall be, of such prowess
as Sir Tristram. And if he have any envy at Sir Tristram,
and cometh in with him upon his side he is a false knight.
As the King and Sir Launcelot thus spake, Sir Tristram
rode privily out of the press, that none espied him but La
Beale Isoud and Sir Palomides, for they two would not let
off their eyes upon Sir Tristram. And when Sir Tristram
came to his pavilions he found Sir Dinadan in his bed
asleep. Awake, said Tristram, ye ought to be ashamed so
to sleep when knights have ado in the field. Then Sir
Dinadan arose lightly and said : What will ye that I shall
do ? Make you ready, said Sir Tristram, to ride with me
into the field. So when Sir Dinadan was armed he looked
upon Sir Tristram's helm and on his shield, and when he
saw so many strokes upon his helm and upon his shield he
King Arthur 101
said : In good time was I thus asleep, for had I been
with you I must needs for shame there have followed you ;
more for shame than any prowess that is in me ; that I see
well now by those strokes that I should have been truly
beaten as I was yesterday. Leave your japes, said Sir
Tristram, and come off, that we 're in the field again. What,
said Sir Dinadan, is your heart up ? yesterday ye fared as
though ye had dreamed. So then Sir Tristram was arrayed
in black harness. O Jesu, said Dinadan, what aileth you
this day ? meseemeth ye be wilder than ye were yesterday.
Then smiled Sir Tristram and said to Dinadan : Await well
upon me ; if ye see me overmatched look that ye be ever
behind me, and I shall make you ready way by God's grace.
So Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan took their horses. All
this espied Sir Palomides, both their going and their coming,
and so did La Beale Isoud, for she knew Sir Tristram above
all other.
CHAPTER LXXVI
HOW SIR PALOMIDES CHANGED HIS SHIELD AND HIS ARMOUR
FOR TO HURT SIR TRISTRAM, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DID
TO SIR TRISTRAM
THEN when Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was
disguised, then he thought to do him a shame. So Sir
Palomides rode to a knight that was sore wounded, that sat
under a fair well from the field. Sir knight, said Sir Palom-
ides, I pray you to lend me your armour and your shield,
for mine is over well known in this field, and that hath
done me great damage ; and ye shall have mine armour and
my shield that is as sure as yours. I will well, said the
knight, that ye have mine armour and my shield, if they
may do you any avail. So Sir Palomides armed him hastily
in that knight's armour and his shield that shone as any
crystal or silver, and so he came riding into the field. And
then there was neither Sir Tristram nor none of King
Arthur's party that knew Sir Palomides. And right so as
Sir Palomides was come into the field Sir Tristram smote
down three knights, even in the sight of Sir Palomides.
And then Sir Palomides rode against Sir Tristram, and
either met other with great spears, that they brast to their
hands. And then they dashed together with swords
IO2 King Arthur
eagerly. Then Sir Tristram had marvel what knight he was
that did battle so knightly with him. Then was Sir Tris-
tram wroth, for he felt him passing strong, so that he deemed
he might not have ado with the remnant of the knights, by
cause of the strength of Sir Palomides. So they lashed
together and gave many sad strokes together, and many
knights marvelled what knight he might be that so encoun-
tered with the black knight, Sir Tristram. Full well knew
La Beale Isoud that there was Sir Palomides that fought
with Sir Tristram, for she espied all in her window where
that she stood, as Sir Palomides changed his harness with
the wounded knight. And then she began to weep so
heartily for the despite of Sir Palomides that there she
swooned. Then came in Sir Launcelot with the knights of
Orkney. And when the other party had espied Sir Launce-
lot, they cried : Return, return, here cometh Sir Launcelot
du Lake. So there came knights and said : Sir Launcelot,
ye must needs fight with yonder knight in the black harness,
that was Sir Tristram, for he hath almost overcome that
good knight that fighteth with him with the silver shield,
that was Sir Palomides. Then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides, and Sir Launcelot said to
Palomides : Sir knight, let me have the battle, lor ye have
need to be reposed. Sir Palomides knew Sir Launcelot
well, and so did Sir Tristram, but by cause Sir Launcelot
was far hardier knight than himself therefore he was glad,
and suffered Sir Launcelot to fight with Sir Tristram. For
well wist he that Sir Launcelot knew not Sir Tristram, and
there he hoped that Sir Launcelot should beat or shame
Sir Tristram, whereof Sir Palomides was full fain. And so
Sir Launcelot gave Sir Tristram many sad strokes, but Sir
Launcelot knew not Sir Tristram, but Sir Tristram knew
well Sir Launcelot. And thus they fought long together,
that La Beale Isoud was well nigh out of her mind for
sorrow. Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that
knight in the black harness was Sir Tristram ; and this is
Launcelot that figbteth with him, that must needs have the
better of him, for Sir Tristram hath had too much travail
this day. Then let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth.
So it is better that we do, said Sir Dinadan, than Sir Tris-
tram be shamed, for yonder hoveth the strong knight with
the silver shield to fall upon Sir Tristram if need be. Then
forth withal Gareth rushed upon Sir Launcelot, and gave
King Arthur 103
him a great stroke upon his helm so hard that he was
astonied. And then came Sir Dinadan with a spear, and he
smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet that horse and all fell to
the earth. O Jesu, said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth and Sir
Dinadan, fie for shame, why did ye smite down so good a
knight as he is, and namely when I had ado with him ?
now ye do yourself great shame, and him no dis worship,
for I held him reasonable hot though ye had not holpen me.
Then came Sir Palomides that was disguised, and smote
down Sir Dinadan from his horse. Then Sir Launcelot,
because Sir Dinadan had smitten him aforehand, then Sir
Launcelot assailed Sir Dinadan passing sore, and Sir
Dinadan defended him mightily. But well understood Sir
Tristram that Sir Dinadan might not endure Sir Launcelot,
wherefore Sir Tristram was sorry. Then came Sir Palomides
fresh upon Sir Tristram. And when Sir Tristram saw him
come, he thought to deliver him at once, by cause that he
would help Sir Dinadan, by cause he stood in great peril
with Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Tristram hurtled unto Sir
Palomides and gave him a great buffet, and then Sir
Tristram gat Sir Palomides and pulled him down under-
neath him. And so fell Sir Tristram with him ; and Sir
Tristram leapt up lightly and left Sir Palomides, and went
betwixt Sir Launcelot and Dinadan, and then they began
to do battle together. Right so Sir Dinadan gat Sir
Tristram's horse, and said on high that Sir Launcelot
might hear it : My lord Sir Tristram, take your horse.
And when Sir Launcelot heard him name Sir Tristram : O
Jesu, said Launcelot, what have I done ? I am dishonoured.
Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, said Launcelot, why were ye
disguised? ye have put yourself in great peril this day;
but I pray you noble knight to pardon me, for an I had
known you we had not done this battle. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, this is not the first kindness ye showed me. So
they were both horsed again. Then all the people on the
one side gave Sir Launcelot the honour and the degree, and
on the other side all the people gave to the noble knight Sir
Tristram the honour and the degree ; but Launcelot said
nay thereto : For I am not worthy to have this honour,
for I will report me unto all knights that Sir Tristram hath
been longer in the field than I, and he hath smitten down
many more knights this day than I have done. And
therefore I will give Sir Tristram my voice and my name,
104 King Arthur
and so I pray all my lords and fellows so to do. Then
there was the whole voice of dukes and earls, barons and
knights, that Sir Tristram this day is proved the best
knight.
CHAPTER LXXVII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED WITH LA BEALE ISOUD, AND HOW
PALOMIDES FOLLOWED AND EXCUSED HIM
THEN they blew unto lodging, and Queen Isoud was led
unto her pavilions. But wit you well she was wroth out
of measure with Sir Palomides, for she saw all his treason
from the beginning to the ending. And all this while
neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Gareth nor Dinadan, knew
not of the treason of Sir Palomides ; but afterward ye
shall hear that there befell the greatest debate betwixt
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides that might be. So when
the tournament was done, Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan,
rode with La Beale Isoud to these pavilions. And ever
Sir Palomides rode with them in their company disguised
as he was. But when Sir Tristram had espied him that he
was the same knight with the shield of silver that held
him so hot that day : Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, wit ye
well here is none that hath need of your fellowship, and
therefore I pray you depart from us. Sir Palomides
answered again as though he had not known Sir Tristram :
Wit you well, sir knight, from this fellowship will I never
depart, for one of the best knights of the world commanded
me to be in this company, and till he discharge me of my
service I will not be discharged. By that Sir Tristram
knew that it was Sir Palomides. Ah, Sir Palomides, said
the noble knight Sir Tristram, are ye such a knight ? Ye
have been named wrong, for ye have long been called a
gentle knight, and as this day ye have showed me great
ungentleness, for ye had almost brought me unto my
death. But, as for you, I suppose I should have done
well enough, but Sir Launcelot with you was overmuch ;
for I know no knight living but Sir Launcelot is over good
for him, an he will do his uttermost. Alas, said Sir
Palomides, are ye my lord Sir Tristram ? Yea, sir, and
that ye know well enough. By my knighthood, said
Palomides, until now I knew you not ; I weened that ye
King Arthur 105
had been the king of Ireland, for well I wot ye bare his
arms. His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, and that will I
stand by, for I won them once in a field of a full noble
knight, his name was Sir Marhaus ; and with great pain I
won that knight, for there was none other recover, but Sir
Marhaus died through false leeches ; and yet was he never
yielden to me. Sir, said Palomides, I weened ye had been
turned upon Sir Launcelot's party, and that caused me to
turn. Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and so I take you,
and I forgive you. So then they rode into their pavilions ;
and when they were alit they unarmed them and washed
their faces and hands, and so yode unto meat, and were
set at their table. But when Isoud saw Sir Palomides
she changed then her colours, and for wrath she might
not speak. Anon Sir Tristram espied her countenance and
said : Madam, for what cause make ye us such cheer ? we
have been sore travailed this day. Mine own lord, said
La Beale Isoud, for God's sake be ye not displeased with
me, for I may none otherwise do ; for I saw this day how
ye were betrayed and nigh brought to your death. Truly,
sir, I saw every dele, how and in what wise, and therefore,
sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a felon and
traitor as Sir Palomides ; for I saw him with mine eyes,
how he beheld you when ye went out of the field. For
ever he hoved still upon his horse till he saw you come in
againward. And then forthwithal I saw him ride to the
hurt knight, and changed harness with him, and then
straight I saw him how he rode into the field. And anon
as he had found you he encountered with you, and thus
wilfully Sir Palomides did battle with you ; and as for him,
sir, I was not greatly afraid, but I dread sore Launcelot,
that knew you not. Madam, said Palomides, ye may say
whatso ye will, I may not contrary you, but by my knight-
hood I knew not Sir Tristram. Sir Palomides, said Sir
Tristram, I will take your excuse, but well I wot ye spared
me but little, but all is pardoned on my part. Then La
Beale Isoud held down her head and said no more at that
time.
II 46 *D
io6 King Arthur
CHAPTER LXXVIII
HO"W KING ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCELOT CAME UNTO THEIR
PAVILIONS AS THEY SAT AT SUPPER, AND OF SIR PALOMIDES
AND therewithal two knights armed came unto the
pavilions, and there they alit both, and came in armed at all
pieces. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, ye are to blame to
come thus armed at all pieces upon me while we are at our
meat ; if ye would anything when we were in the field there
might ye have eased your hearts. Not so, said the one of
those knights, we come not for that intent, but wit ye well
Sir Tristram, we be come hither as your friends. And I am
come here, said the one, for to see you, and this knight
is come for to see La Beale Isoud. Then said Sir Tristram :
I require you do off your helms that I may see you. That
will we do at your desire, said the knights. And when their
helms were off, Sir Tristram thought that he should know
them. Then said Sir Dinadan privily unto Sir Tristram :
Sir, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake that spake unto you first,
and the other is my lord King Arthur. Then, said Sir
Tristram unto La Beale Isoud, Madam arise, for here is my
lord, King Arthur. Then the king and the queen kissed, and
Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram braced either other in arms,
and then there was joy without measure ; and at the request
of La Beale Isoud, King Arthur and Launcelot were
unarmed, and then there was merry talking. Madam, said
Sir Arthur, it is many a day sithen that I have desired to
see you, for ye have been praised so far ; and now I dare
say ye are the fairest that ever I saw, and Sir Tristram is as
fair and as good a knight as any that I know ; therefore me
beseemeth ye are well beset together. Sir, God thank you,
said the noble knight, Sir Tristram, and Isoud ; of your
great goodness and largess ye are peerless. Thus they talked
of many things and of all the whole jousts. But for what
cause, said King Arthur, were ye, Sir Tristram, against us ?
Ye are a knight of the Table Round ; of right ye should
have been with us. Sir, said Sir Tristram, here is Dinadan,
and Sir Gareth your own nephew, caused me to be against
you. My lord Arthur, said Gareth, I may well bear the
blame, but it were Sir Tristram's own deeds. That may
I repent, said Dinadan, for this unhappy Sir Tristram
brought us to this tournament, and many great buffets he
King Arthur 107
caused us to have. Then the king and Launcelot laughed
that they might not sit. What knight was that, said Arthur,
that held you so short, this with the shield of silver ? Sir,
said Sir Tristram, here he sitteth at this board. What, said
Arthur, was it Sir Palomides ? Wit ye well it was he, said
La Beale Isoud. So God me help, said Arthur, that was
unknightly done of you of so good a knight, for I have
heard many people call you a courteous knight. Sir, said
Palomides, I knew not Sir Tristram, for he was so disguised.
So God me help, said Launcelot, it may well be, for I knew
not Sir Tristram ; but I marvel why ye turned on our party.
That was done for the same cause, said Launcelot. As
for that, said Sir Tristram, I have pardoned him, and I
would be right loth to leave his fellowship, for I love right
well his company : so they left off and talked of other
things. And in the evening King Arthur and Sir Launcelot
departed unto their lodging ; but wit ye well Sir Palomides
had envy heartily, for all that night he had never rest in his
bed, but wailed and wept out of measure. So on the morn
Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan arose early, and then
they went unto Sir Palomides' chamber, and there they
found him fast on sleep, for he had all night watched, and it
was seen upon his cheeks that he had wept full sore. Say
nothing, said Sir Tristram, for I am sure he hath taken
anger and sorrow for the rebuke that I gave to him, and La
Beale Isoud.
CHAPTER LXXIX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES DID THE NEXT DAY, AND
HOW KING ARTHUR WAS UNHORSED
THEN Sir Tristram let call Sir Palomides, and bad him
make him ready, for it was time to go to the field. When
they were ready they were armed, and clothed all in red,
both Isoud and all they ; and so they led her passing freshly
through the field, into the priory where was her lodging.
And then they heard three blasts blow, and every king and
knight dressed him unto the field. And the first that was
ready to joust was Sir Palomides and Sir Kainus le Strange,
a knight of the Table Round. And so they two encountered
together, but Sir Palomides smote Sir Kainus so hard that
he smote him quite over his horse's croup. And forth withal
io8 King Arthur
Sir Palomides smote down another knight, and brake then
his spear, and pulled out his sword and did wonderly well.
And then the noise began greatly upon Sir Palomides. Lo,
said King Arthur, yonder Palomides beginneth to play his
pageant. So God me help, said Arthur, he is a passing
good knight. And right as they stood talking thus, in came
Sir Tristram as thunder, and he encountered with Sir Kay
the Seneschal, and there he smote him down quite from his
horse ; and with that same spear Sir Tristram smote down
three knights more, and then he pulled out his sword and
did marvellously. Then the noise and cry changed from
Sir Palomides and turned to Sir Tristram, and all the people
cried : O Tristram, O Tristram. And then was Sir Palomides
clean forgotten. How now, said Launcelot unto Arthur,
yonder rideth a knight that playeth his pageants. So God
me help, said Arthur to Launcelot, ye shall see this day that
yonder two knights shall here do this day wonders. Sir,
said Launcelot, the one knight waiteth upon the other, and
enforceth himself through envy to pass the noble knight Sir
Tristram, and he knoweth not of the privy envy the which
Sir Palomides hath to him ; for all that the noble Sir
Tristram doth is through clene knighthood. And then Sir
Gareth and Dinadan did wonderly great deeds of arms, as
two noble knights, so that King Arthur spake of them great
honour and worship; and the kings and knights of Sir
Tristram's side did passingly well, and held them truly
together. Then Sir Arthur and Sir Launcelot took their
horses and dressed them, and gat into the thickest of the
press. And there Sir Tristram unknowing smote down
King Arthur, and then Sir Launcelot would have rescued
him, but there were so many upon Sir Launcelot that they
pulled him down from his horse. And then the king of
Ireland and the king of Scots with their knights did their
pain to take King Arthur and Sir Launcelot prisoner. When
Sir Launcelot heard them say so, he fared as it had been an
hungry lion, for he fared so that no knight durst nigh him.
Then came Sir Ector de Maris, and he bare a spear against
Sir Palomides, and brast it upon him all to shivers. And
then Sir Ector came again and gave Sir Palomides such a
dash with a sword that he stooped down upon his saddle
bow. And forthwithal Sir Ector pulled down Sir Palomides
under his feet ; and then Sir Ector de Maris gat Sir Launcelot
du Lake an horse, and brought it to him, and bad him
King Arthur 109
mount upon him ; but Sir Palomides leapt afore and gat the
horse by the bridle, and leapt into the saddle. So God me
help, said Launcelot, ye are better worthy to have that horse
than I. Then Sir Ector brought Sir Launcelot another
horse. Gramercy, said Launcelot unto his brother. And
so when he was horsed again, with one spear he smote down
four knights. And then Sir Launcelot brought to King
Arthur one of the best of the four horses. Then Sir Launcelot
with King Arthur and a few of his knights of Sir Launcelot's
kin did marvellous deeds ; for that time, as the book
recordeth, Sir Launcelot smote down and pulled down thirty
knights. Notwithstanding the other party held them so
fast together that King Arthur and his knights were over-
matched. And when Sir Tristram saw that, what labour
King Arthur and his knights, and in especial the noble
deeds that Sir Launcelot did wifti his own hands, he
marvelled greatly.
CHAPTER LXXX
HOW SIR TRISTRAM TURNED TO KING ARTHUR'S SIDE, AND HOW
PALOMIDES WOULD NOT
THEN Sir Tristram called unto him Sir Palomides, Sir
Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and said thus to them : My fair
fellows, wit ye well that I will turn unto King Arthur's party,
for I saw never so few men do so well, and it will be shame
unto us knights that be of the Round Table to see our lord
King Arthur, and that noble knight Sir Launcelot, to be
dishonoured. It will be well done, said Sir Gareth and Sir
Dinadan. Do your best, said Palomides, for I will not
change my party that I came in withal. That is for my
sake, said Sir Tristram ; God speed you in your journey.
And so departed Sir Palomides from them. Then Sir
Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan, turned with Sir Launcelot.
And then Sir Launcelot smote down the king of Ireland
quite from his horse ; and so Sir Launcelot smote down the
king of Scots, and the king of Wales ; and then Sir Arthur
ran unto Sir Palomides and smote him quite from his horse ;
and then Sir Tristram bare down all that he met. Sir
Gareth and Sir Dinadan did there as noble knights; then
all the parties began to flee. Alas, said Palomides, that
ever I should see this day, for now have I lost all the
no King Arthur
worship that I won ; and then Sir Palomides went his way
wailing, and so withdrew him till he came to a well, and
there he put his horse from him, and did off his armour,
and wailed and wept like as he had been a wood man.
Then many knights gave the prize to Sir Tristram, and there
were many that gave the prize unto Sir Launcelot. Fair
lords, said Sir Tristram, I thank you of the honour ye would
give me, but I pray you heartily that ye would give your
voice to Sir Launcelot, for by my faith, said Sir Tristram, I
will give Sir Launcelot my voice. But Sir Launcelot would
not have it, and so the prize was given betwixt them both.
Then every man rode to his lodging, and Sir Bleoberis and
Sir Ector rode with Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto
their pavilions. Then as Sir Palomides was at the well
wailing and weeping, there came by him flying the kings of
Wales and of Scotland, and they saw Sir Palomides in that
rage. Alas, said they, that so noble a man as ye be should
be in this array. And then those kings gat Sir Palomides'
horse again, and made him to arm him and mount upon his
horse, and so he rode with them, making great dole. So
when Sir Palomides came nigh the pavilions there as Sir
Tristram and La Beale Isoud was in, then Sir Palomides
prayed the two kings to abide him there the while that he
spake with Sir Tristram. And when he came to the port of
the pavilions, Sir Palomides said on high : Where art thou,
Sir Tristram de Liones ? Sir, said Dinadan, that is Palomides.
What, Sir Palomides, will ye not come in here among us ?
Fie on thee, traitor, said Palomides, for wit you well an it
were daylight as it is night I should slay thee mine own
hands. And if ever I may get thee, said Palomides, thou
shalt die for this day's deed. Sir Palomides, said Sir
Tristram, ye wyte me with wrong, for had ye done as I did
ye had won worship. But sithen ye give me so large warn-
ing I shall be well ware of you. Fie on thee, traitor, said
Palomides, and therewith departed. Then on the morn Sir
Tristram, Bleoberis, and Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Gareth, Sir
Dinadan, what by water and what by land, they brought La
Beale Isoud unto Joyous Card, and there reposed them a
seven night, and made all the mirths and disports that they
could devise. And King Arthur and his knights drew unto
Camelot, and Sir Palomides rode with the two kings ; and
ever he made the greatest dole that any man could think,
for he was not all only so dolorous for the departing from
King Arthur in
La Beale Isoud, but he was a part as sorrowful to depart
from the fellowship of Sir Tristram ; for Sir Tristram was so
kind and so gentle that when Sir Palomides remembered
him thereof he might never be merry.
CHAPTER LXXXI
HOW SIR BLEOBERIS AND SIR ECTOR REPORTED TO QUEEN
GUENEVER OF THE BEAUTY OF LA BEALE ISOUD
So at the seven nights' end Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector
departed from Sir Tristram and from the queen ; and these
two good knights had great gifts ; and Sir Gareth and Sir
Dinadan abode with Sir Tristram. And when Sir Bleoberis
and Sir Ector were come there as the Queen Guenever was
lodged, in a castle by the seaside, and through the grace of
God the queen was recovered of her malady, then she asked
the two knights from whence they came. They said that
they came from Sir Tristram and from La Beale Isoud.
How doth Sir Tristram, said the queen, and La Beale
Isoud ? Truly, said those two knights, he doth as a noble
knight should do ; and as for the Queen Isoud, she is peer-
less of all ladies ; for to speak of her beauty, bounte, and
mirth, and of her goodness, we saw never her match as far
as we have ridden and gone. O mercy Jesu, said Queen
Guenever, so saith all the people that have seen her and
spoken with her. God would that I had part of her con-
ditions ; and it is misfortuned me of my sickness while that
tournament endured. And as I suppose I shall never see
in all my life such an assembly of knights and ladies as ye
have done. Then the knights told her how Palomides won
the degree at the first day with great noblesse ; and the
second day Sir Tristram won the degree ; and the third day
Sir Launcelot won the degree. Well said Queen Guenever,
who did best all these three days ? So God me help, said
these knights, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram had least dis-
honour. And wit ye well Sir Palomides did passing well
and mightily ; but he turned against the party that he came
in withal, and that caused him to lose a great part of his
worship, for it seemed that Sir Palomides is passing envious.
Then shall he never win worship, said Queen Guenever, for
an it happeth an envious man once to win worship he shall
be dishonoured twice therefor ; and for this cause all men of
ii2 King Arthur
worship hate an envious man, and will shew him no favour,
and he that is courteous, and kind, and gentle, hath favour
in every place.
CHAPTER LXXXII
HOW EPINOGRIS COMPLAINED BY A WELL, AND HOW SIR PALOMIDES
CAME AND FOUND HIM, AND OF THEIR BOTH SORROWING
Now leave we off this matter and speak we of Sir Palo-
mides, that rode and lodged him with the two kings, whereof
the kings were heavy. Then the king of Ireland sent a man
of his to Sir Palomides, and gave him a great courser, and
the king of Scotland gave him great gifts; and fain they
would have had Sir Palomides to have abiden with them,
but in no wise he would abide ; and so he departed, and
rode as adventures would guide him, till it was nigh noon.
And then in a forest by a well Sir Palomides saw where lay
a fair wounded knight and his horse bounden by him ; and
that knight made the greatest dole that ever he heard man
make, for ever he wept, and therewith he sighed as though
he would die. Then Sir Palomides rode near him and saluted
him mildly and said : Fair knight, why wail ye so ? let me lie
down and wail with you, for doubt not I am much more
heavier than ye are ; for I dare say, said Palomides, that my
sorrow is an hundred fold more than yours is, and therefore
let us complain either to other. First, said the wounded
knight, I require you tell me your name, for an thou be
none of the noble knights of the Round Table thou shalt
never know my name, whatsomever come of me. Fair
knight, said Palomides, such as I am, be it better or be it
worse, wit thou well that my name is Sir Palomides, son and
heir unto King Astlabor, and Sir Safere and Sir Segwarides
are my two brethren ; and wit thou well as for myself I was
never christened, but my two brethren are truly christened.
O noble knight, said that knight, well is me that I have met
with you ; and wit ye well my name is Epinogris, the King's
son of Northumberland. Now sit down, said Epinogris,
and let us either complain to other. Then Sir Palomides
began his complaint. Now shall I tell you, said Palomides,
what woe I endure. I love the fairest queen and lady that
ever bare life, and wit ye well her name is La Beale Isoud,
King Mark's wife of Cornwall. That is great folly, said
King Arthur 1 13
Epinogris, for to love Queen Isoud, for one of the best
knights of the world loveth her, that is Sir Tristram de
Liones. That is truth, said Palomides, for no man knoweth
that matter better than I do, for I have been in Sir
Tristram's fellowship this month, and with La Beale Isoud
together ; and alas, said Palomides, unhappy man that I ana,
now have I lost the fellowship of Sir Tristram for ever, and
the love of La Beale Isoud for ever, and I am never like to
see her more, and Sir Tristram and I be either to other
mortal enemies. Well, said Epinogris, sith that ye loved La
Beale Isoud, loved she you ever again by anything that ye
could think or wit, or else did ye rejoice her ever in
any pleasure ? Nay, by my knighthood, said Palomides, I
never espied that ever she loved me more than all the world,
nor never had I pleasure with her, but the last day she gave
me the greatest rebuke that ever I had, the which shall
never go from my heart. And yet I well deserved that
rebuke, for I did not knightly, and therefore I have lost the
love of her and of Sir Tristram for ever ; and I have many
times inforced myself to do many deeds for La Beale
Isoud's sake, and she was the causer of my worship-winning.
Alas, said Sir Palomides, now have I lost all the worship
that ever I won, for never shall me befall such prowess as I
had in the fellowship of Sir Tristram.
CHAPTER LXXXIII
HOW SIR PALOMIDES BROUGHT SIR EPINOGRIS HIS LADY ; AND
HOW SIR PALOMIDES AND SIR SAFERE WERE ASSAILED
NAY, nay, said Epinogris, your sorrow is but japes to my
sorrow ; for I rejoiced my lady and won her with my hands,
and lost her again : alas that day ! Thus first I won her,
said Epinogris ; my lady was an earl's daughter, and as the
earl and two knights came from the tournament of Lonazep,
for her sake I set upon this earl and on his two knights, my
lady there being present ; and so by fortune there I slew the
earl and one of the knights, and the other knight fled, and
so that night I had my lady. And on the morn as she and
I reposed us at this well side there came there to me an
errant knight, his name was Sir Helior le Preuse, an hardy
knight, and this Sir Helior challenged me to fight for my
lady. And then we went to battle first upon horse and
H4 King Arthur
after on foot, but at the last Sir Helior wounded me so that
he left me for dead, and so he took my lady with him ; and
thus my sorrow is more than yours, for I have rejoiced and ye
rejoiced never. That is truth, said Palomides, but sith I can
never recover myself I shall promise you if I can meet with Sir
Helior I shall get you your lady again, or else he shall beat
me. Then Sir Palomides made Sir Epinogris to take his
horse, and so they rode to an hermitage, and there Sir
Epinogris rested him. And in the meanwhile Sir Palomides
walked privily out to rest him under the leaves, and there
beside he saw a knight come riding with a shield that he
had seen Sir Ector de Maris bear beforehand ; and there
came after him a ten knights, and so these ten knights hoved
under the leaves for heat. And anon after there came a
knight with a green shield and therein a white lion, leading
a lady upon a palfrey. Then this knight with the green
shield that seemed to be master of the ten knights, he rode
fiercely after Sir Helior, for it was he that hurt Sir Epinogris.
And when he came nigh Sir Helior he bad him defend his
lady. I will defend her, said Helior, unto my power. And
so they ran together so mightily that either of these knights
smote other down, horse and all, to the earth; and then
they won up lightly and drew their swords and their shields,
and lashed together mightily more than an hour. All this
Sir Palomides saw and beheld, but ever at the last the
knight with Sir Ector's shield was bigger, and at the last
this knight smote Sir Helior down, and then that knight
unlaced his helm to have stricken off his head. And then
he cried mercy, and prayed him to save his life, and bad
him take his lady. Then Sir Palomides dressed him up,
by cause he wist well that that same lady was Epinogris'
lady, and he promised him to help him. Then Sir
Palomides went straight to that lady, and took her by
the hand, and asked her whether she knew a knight that
night Epinogris. Alas, she said, that ever he knew me or I
him, for I have for his sake lost my worship, and also his
life grieveth me most of all. Not so, lady, said Palomides,
come on with me, for here is Epinogris in this hermitage.
Ah ! well is me, said the lady, and he be on live. Whither
wilt thou with that lady? said the knight with Sir Ector's
shield. I will do with her what me list, said Palomides,
Wit you well, said that knight, thou speakest over large,
though thou seemest me to have at advantage, by cause
King Arthur 115
thou sawest me do battle but late. Thou weenest, sir
knight, to have that lady away from me so lightly ? nay,
think it never not ; an thou were as good a knight as is Sir
Launcelot, or as is Sir Tristram, or Sir Palomides, but thou
shalt win her dearer than ever did I. And so they went
unto battle upon foot, and there they gave many sad strokes,
and either wounded other passing sore, and thus they fought
still more than an hour. Then Sir Palomides had marvel
what knight he might be that was so strong and so well
breathed during, and thus said Palomides : Knight, I
require thee tell me thy name. Wit thou well, said that
knight, I dare tell thee my name, so that thou wilt tell me
thy name. I will, said Palomides. Truly, said that knight,
my name is Safere, son of King Astlabor, and Sir Palomides
and Sir Segwarides are my brethren. Now, and wit thou
well, my name is Sir Palomides. Then Sir Safere kneeled
down upon his knees, and prayed him of mercy ; and then
they unlaced their helms and either kissed other weeping.
And in the meanwhile Sir Epinogris arose out of his bed,
and heard them by the strokes, and so he armed him to help
Sir Palomides if need were.
CHAPTER LXXXIV
HOW SIR PALOMIDES AND SIR SAFERE CONDUCTED SIR EPINOGRIS
TO HIS CASTLE, AND OF OTHER ADVENTURES
THEN Sir Palomides took the lady by the hand and
brought her to Sir Epinogris, and there was great joy betwixt
them, for either swooned for joy. When they were met :
Fair knight and lady, said Sir Safere, it were pity to depart
you ; Jesu send you joy either of other. Gramercy, gentle
knight, said Epinogris ; and much more thanks be to my
lord, Sir Palomides, that thus hath through his prowess made
me to get my lady. Then Sir Epinogris required Sir
Palomides and Sir Safere, his brother, to ride with them
unto his castle, for the safeguard of his person. Sir, said
Palomides, we will be ready to conduct you by cause that ye
are sore wounded ; and so was Epinogris and his lady horsed,
and his lady behind him upon a soft ambler. And then
they rode unto his castle, where they had great cheer and
joy, as great as ever Sir Palomides and Sir Safere had in
their life days. So on the morn Sir Safere and Sir Palomides
n6 King Arthur
departed, and rode as fortune led them, and so they rode all
that day until afternoon. And at the last they heard a great
weeping and a great noise down in a manor. Sir, said then
Sir Safere, let us wit what noise this is. I will well, said
Sir Palomides. And so they rode forth till that they came to
a fair gate of a manor, and there sat an old man saying his
prayers and beads. Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safere alit
and left their horses, and went within the gates, and there
they saw full many goodly men weeping. Fair sirs, said
Palomides, wherefore weep ye and make this sorrow ? Anon
one of the knights of the castle beheld Sir Palomides and
knew him, and then went to his fellows and said : Fair
fellows, wit ye well all, we have in this castle the same
knight that slew our lord at Lonazep, for I know him well ;
it is Sir Palomides. Then they went unto harness, all that
might bear harness, some on horseback and some on foot, to
the number of three score. And when they were ready
they came freshly upon Sir Palomides and upon Sir Safere
with a great noise, and said thus : Keep thee, Sir Palomides,
for thou art known, and by right thou must be dead, for thou
hast slain our lord ; and therefore wit ye well we will slay
thee, therefore defend thee. Then Sir Palomides and Sir
Safere, the one set his back to the other, and gave many
great strokes, and took many great strokes ; and thus they
fought with a twenty knights and forty gentlemen and yeomen
nigh two hours. But at the last though they were loth, Sir
Palomides and Sir Safere were taken and yolden, and put in
a strong prison ; and within three days twelve knights passed
upon them, and they found Sir Palcmides guilty, and Sir
Safere not guilty, of their lord's death. And when Sir Safere
should be delivered there was great dole betwixt Sir
Palomides and him, and many piteous complaints that Sir
Safere made at his departing, there is no maker can rehearse
the tenth part. Fair brother, said Palomides, let be thy
dolour and thy sorrow. An if I be ordained to die a shame-
ful death, welcome be it ; but an I had wist of this death
that I am deemed unto, I should never have been yolden.
So Sir Safere departed from his brother with the greatest
dolour and sorrow that ever made knight. And on the morn
they of the castle ordained twelve knights to ride with Sir
Palomides unto the father of the same knight that Sir
Palomides slew ; and so they bound his legs under an old
steed's belly. And then they rode with Sir Palomides unto
King Arthur 117
a castle by the seaside, that hight Pelownes, and there Sir
Palomides should have justice. Thus was their ordinance ;
and so they rode with Sir Palomides fast by the castle of
Joyous Card. And as they passed by that castle there
came riding out of that castle by them one that knew Sir
Palomides. And when that knight saw Sir Palomides
bounden upon a crooked courser, the knight asked Sir
Palomides for what cause he was led so. Ah, my fair fellow
and knight, said Palomides, I ride toward my death for the
slaying of a knight at a tournament of Lonazep ; and if I
had not departed from my lord Sir Tristram, as I ought not
to have done, now might I have been sure to have had my
life saved ; but I pray you, sir knight, recommend me unto
my lord, Sir Tristram, and unto my lady, Queen Isoud, and
say to them if ever I trespassed to them I ask them forgive-
ness. And also I beseech you recommend me unto my
lord, King Arthur, and to all the fellowship of the Round
Table, unto my power. Then that knight wept for pity of
Sir Palomides ; and therewithal he rode unto Joyous Gard
as fast as his horse might run, and lightly that knight
descended down off his horse and went unto Sir Tristram,
and there he told him all as ye have heard, and ever the
knight wept as he had been mad.
CHAPTER LXXXV
HOW SIR TRISTRAM MADE HIM READY TO RESCUE SIR PALOMIDES,
BUT SIR LAUNCELOT RESCUED HIM OR HE CAME
WHEN Sir Tristram heard how Sir Palomides went to his
death, he was heavy to hear that, and said : Howbeit that I
am wroth with Sir Palomides, yet will not I suffer him to die
so shameful a death, for he is a full noble knight. And then
anon Sir Tristram was armed and took his horse and two
squires with him, and rode a great pace toward the castle of
Pelownes where Sir Palomides was judged to death. And
these twelve knights that led Sir Palomides passed by a well
whereas Sir Launcelot was, which was alit there, and had
tied his horse to a tree, and taken off his helm to drink of
that well ; and when he saw these knights, Sir Launcelot put
on his helm and suffered them to pass by him. And then
was he ware of Sir Palomides bounden, and led shamefully
to his death. O Jesu, said Launcelot, 'what misadventure is
u8 King Arthur
befallen him that he is thus led toward his death ? Forsooth,
said Launcelot, it were shame to me to suffer this noble
knight so to die an I might help him, therefore I will help
him whatsomever come of it, or else I shall die for Sir
Palomides' sake. And then Sir Launcelot mounted upon
his horse, and gat his spear in his hand, and rode after the
twelve knights that led Sir Palomides. Fair knights, said
Sir Launcelot, whither lead ye that knight ? it beseemeth him
full ill to ride bounden. Then these twelve knights suddenly
turned their horses and said to Sir Launcelot : Sir knight,
we counsel thee not to meddle with this knight, for he hath
deserved death, and unto death he is judged. That me
repenteth, said Launcelot, that I may not borrow him with
fairness, for he is over good a knight to die such a shameful
death. And therefore, fair knights, said Sir Launcelot, keep
you as well as ye can, for I will rescue that knight or die
for it. Then they began to dress their spears, and Sir
Launcelot smote the foremost down, horse and man, and so
he served three more with one spear ; and then that spear
brast, and therewithal Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and
then he smote on the right hand and on the left hand. Then
within a while he left none of those twelve knights, but he had
laid them to the earth, and the most part of them were sore
wounded. And then Sir Launcelot took the best horse that
he found, and loosed Sir Palomides and set him upon that
horse ; and so they returned again unto Joyous Gard, and
then was Sir Palomides ware of Sir Tristram how he came
riding. And when Sir Launcelot saw him he knew him
well, but Sir Tristram knew him not by cause Sir Launcelot
had on his shoulder a golden shield. So Sir Launcelot
made him ready to joust with Sir Tristram, that Sir Tristram
should not ween that he were Sir Launcelot. Then Sir
Palomides cried aloud to Sir Tristram : O my lord, I require
you joust not with this knight, for this good knight hath
saved me from my death. When Sir Tristram heard him
say so he came a soft trotting pace toward them. And then
Sir Palomides said : My lord, Sir Tristram, much am I
beholding unto you of your great goodness, that would
proffer your noble body to rescue me undeserved, for I have
greatly offended you. Notwithstanding, said Sir Palomides,
here met we with this noble knight that worshipfully and
manly rescued me from twelve knights, and smote them
down all and wounded them sore.
King Arthur 119
CHAPTER LXXXVI
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND LAUNCELOT, WITH PALOMIDES, CAMB VO
JOYOUS CARD ; AND OF PALOMIDES AND SIR TRISTRAM
FAIR knight, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Launcelot, of
whence be ye ? I am a knight errant, said Sir Launcelot,
that rideth to seek many adventures. What is your name ?
said Sir Tristram. Sir, at this time I will not tell you. Then
/ j
Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Tristram and to Palomides :
Now either of you are met together I will depart from you.
Not so, said Sir Tristram ; I pray you of knighthood to ride
with me unto my castle. Wit you well, said Sir Launcelot,
I may not ride with you, for I have many deeds to do in
other places, that at this time I may not abide with you. Ah,
mercy Jesu, said Sir Tristram, I require you as ye be a true
knight to the order of knighthood, play you with me this
night. Then Sir Tristram had a grant of Sir Launcelot :
howbeit though he had not desired him he would have
ridden with them, outher soon have come after them ; for
Sir Launcelot came for none other cause into that country
but for to see Sir Tristram. And when they were come
within Joyous Gard they alit, and their horses were led into
a stable ; and then they unarmed them. And when Sir
Launcelot was unhelmed, Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides
knew him. Then Sir Tristram took Sir Launcelot in arms,
and so did La Beale Isoud ; and Palomides kneeled down
upon his knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. When Sir
Launcelot saw Sir Palomides kneel he lightly took him up
and said thus : Wit thou well Sir Palomides, I and any knight
in this land, of worship ought of very right succour and
rescue so noble a knight as ye are proved and renowned,
throughout all this realm endlong and overthwart. And
then was there joy among them, and the oftener that Sir
Palomides saw La Beale Isoud the heavier he waxed day by
day. Then Sir Launcelot within three or four days departed,
and with him rode Sir Ector de Maris ; and Dinadan and
Sir Palomides were there left with Sir Tristram a two months
and more. But ever Sir Palomides faded and mourned,
that all men had marvel wherefore he faded so away. So
upon a day, in the dawning Sir Palomides went into the
forest by himself alone ; and there he found a well, and then
he looked into the well, and in the water he saw his own
I2O King Arthur
visage, how he was disturbed and defaded, nothing like that
he was. What may this mean ? said Sir Palomides, and
thus he said to himself : Ah, Palomides, Palomides, why art
thou defaded, thou that was wont to be called one of the
fairest knights of the world ? I will no more lead this life,
for I love that I may never get nor recover. And there-
withal he laid him down by the well. And then he began
to make a rhyme of La Beale Isoud and him. And in the
meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same day ridden into the
forest to chase the hart of greese ; but Sir Tristram would
not ride on hunting never more unarmed, by cause of Sir
Breuse Saunce Pit?. And so as Sir Tristram rode into that
forest up and down, he heard one sing marvellously loud,
and that was Sir Palomides that lay by the well. And then
Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for he deemed there was
some knight errant that was at the well. And when Sir
Tristram came nigh him he descended down from his horse
and tied his horse fast till a tree, and then he came near him
on foot ; and anon he was ware where lay Sir Palomides by
the well and sang loud and merrily ; and ever the complaints
were of that noble Queen, La Beale Isoud, the which was
marvellously and wonderfully well said, and full dolefully
and piteously made. And all the whole song the noble
knight, Sir Tristram, heard from the beginning to the
ending, the which grieved and troubled him sore. But then
at the last, when Sir Tristram had heard all Sir Palomides'
complaints, he was wroth out of measure, and thought for to
slay him there as he lay. Then Sir Tristram remembered
himself that Sir Palomides was unarmed, and of the noble
name that Sir Palomides had, and the noble name that
himself had, and then he made a restraint of his anger ; and
so he went unto Sir Palomides a soft pace and said : Sir
Palomides, I have heard your complaint, and of thy treason
that thou hast owed me so long, and wit thou well therefore
thou shalt die ; and if it were not for shame of knighthood
thou shouldest not escape my hands, for now I know well
thou hast awaited me with treason. Tell me, said Sir
Tristram, how thou wilt acquit thee ? Sir, said Palomides,
thus I will acquit me : as for Queen La Beale Isoud, ye
shall wit well that I love her above all other ladies in this
world ; and well I wot it shall befall me as for her love as
befell to the noble knight Sir Kehidius, that died for the love
of La Beale Isoud. And now, Sir Tristram, I will that ye
King Arthur 121
wit that 1 have loved La Beale Isoud many a day, and she
hath been the causer of my worship, and else I had been the
most simplest knight in the world. For by her, and by cause
of her, I have won the worship that I have ; for when I re-
membered me of La Beale Isoud I won the worship where-
somever I came for the most part ; and yet had I never
reward nor bounte of her the days of my life, and yet have I
been her knight guerdonless. And therefore, Sir Tristram,
as for any death I dread not, for 1 had as lief die as to live.
And if I were armed as thou art, I should lightly do battle
with thee. Well have ye uttered your treason, said Tristram.
I have done to you no treason, said Palomides, for love is
free for all men, and though I have loved your lady, she is
my lady as well as yours ; howbeit I have wrong if any
wrong be, for ye rejoice her, and have your desire of her,
and so had I never nor never am like to have, and yet shall
I love her to the uttermost days of my life as well as ye.
CHAPTER LXXXVII
HOW THERE WAS A DAY SET BETWEEN SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR
PALOMIDES FOR TO FIGHT, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS HURT
THEN said Sir Tristram : I will fight with you to the
uttermost. I grant, said Palomides, for in a better quarrel
keep I never to fight, for an I die of your hands, of a better
knight's hands may I not be slain. And sithen I understand
that I shall never rejoice La Beale Isoud, I have as good will
to die as to live. Then set ye a day, said Sir Tristram, that
we shall do battle. This day fifteen days, said Palomides,
will I meet with you hereby, in the meadow under Joyous
Card. Fie for shame, said Sir Tristram, will ye set so long
day ? let us fight to-morn. Not so, said Palomides, for I am
meagre, and have been long sick for the love of La Beale
Isoud, and therefore I will repose me till I have my strength
again. So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides promised
faithfully to meet at the well that day fifteen days. I am
remembered, said Sir Tristram to Palomides, that ye brake
me once a promise when that I rescued you from Breuse
Saunce Pite' and nine knights ; and then ye promised me
to meet me at the peron and the grave beside Cameiot,
whereas at that time ye failed of your promise. Wit you
well, said Palomides unto Sir Tristram, I was at that day in
122 King Arthur
prison, so that I might not hold my promise. So God me
help, said Sir Tristram, an ye had holden your promise this
work had not been here now at this time. Right so departed
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides. And so Sir Palomides took
his horse and his harness, and he rode unto King Arthur's
court ; and there Sir Palomides gat him four knights and
four sergeants-of-arms, and so he returned againward unto
Joyous Card. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram chased
and hunted at all manner of venery ; and about three days
afore the battle should be, as Sir Tristram chased an hart,
there was an archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he
smote Sir Tristram in the thick of the thigh, and the arrow
slew Sir Tristram's horse and hurt him. When Sir Tristram
was so hurt he was passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled
sore ; and then he took another horse, and rode unto
Joyous Gard with great heaviness, more for the promise that
he had made with Sir Palomides, as to do battle with him
within three days after, than for any hurt of his thigh.
Wherefore there was neither man nor woman that could
cheer him with anything that they could make to him,
neither Queen La Beale Isoud ; for ever he deemed that Sir
Palomides had smitten him so that he should not be able to
do battle with him at the day set.
CHAPTER LXXXVIII
HOW SIR PALOMIDES KEPT HIS DAY TO HAVE FOUGHTEN, BUT SIR
TRISTRAM MIGHT NOT COME ; AND OTHER THINGS
BUT in no wise there was no knight about Sir Tristram
that would believe that ever Sir Palomides would hurt Sir
Tristram, neither by his own hands nor by none other con-
senting. Then when the fifteenth day was come, Sir Palo-
mides came to the well with four knights with him of
Arthurs court, and three sergeants-of-arms. And for this
intent Sir Palomides brought the knights with him and the
sergeants-of-arms, for they should bear record of the battle
betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides. And the one
sergeant brought in his helm, the other his spear, the third
his sword. So thus Palomides came into the field, and there
he abode nigh two hours ; and then he sent a squire unto
Sir Tristram, and desired him to come into the field to hold
his promise. When the squire was come to Joyous Gard,
King Arthur 123
anon as Sir Tristram heard of his coming he let command
that the squire should come to his presence there as he lay
in his bed. My lord Sir Tristram, said Palomides' squire,
wit you well my lord, Palomides, abideth you in the field,
and he would wit whether ye would do battle or not. Ah,
my fair brother, said Sir Tristram, wit thou well that I am
right heavy for these tidings ; therefore tell Sir Palomides an
I were well at ease I would not lie here, nor he should have
no need to send for me an I might either ride or go ; and
for thou shalt say that I am no liar — Sir Tristram showed
him his thigh that the wound was six inches deep. And
now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this is no
feigned matter, and tell him that I had lever than all the
gold of King Arthur that I were whole ; and tell Palomides
as soon as I am whole I shall seek him endlong and over-
thwart, and that I promise you as I am true knight ; and if
ever I may meet with him, he shall have battle of me his fill.
And with this the squire departed; and when Palomides
wist that Tristram was hurt he was glad and said : Now I
am sure I shall have no shame, for I wot well I should have
had hard handling of him, and by likely I must needs have
had the worse, for he is the hardest knight in battle that now
is living except Sir Launcelot. And then departed Sir
Palomides whereas fortune led him, and within a month Sir
Tristram was whole of his hurt. And then he took his
horse, and rode from country to country, and all strange ad-
ventures he achieved wheresomever he rode ; and always he
enquired for Sir Palomides, but of all that quarter of summer
Sir Tristram could never meet with Sir Palomides. But
thus as Sir Tristram sought and enquired after Sir Palomides
Sir Tristram achieved many great battles, wherethrough all
the noise fell to Sir Tristram, and it ceased of Sir Launcelot ;
and therefore Sir Launcelot's brethren and his kinsmen
would have slain Sir Tristram by cause of his fame. But
when Sir Launcelot wist how his kinsmen were set, he said
to them openly : Wit you well, that an the envy of you all
be so hardy to wait upon my lord, Sir Tristram, with any
hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true knight I shall slay the
best of you with mine own hands. Alas, fie for shame,
ye for his noble deeds await upon him to slay him. Jesu
defend, said Launcelot, that ever any noble knight as Sir
Tristram is should be destroyed with treason. Of this, noise
and fame sprang into Cornwall, and among them of Liones,
124 King Arthur
whereof they were passing glad, and made great joy. And
then they of Liones sent letters unto Sir Tristram of recom-
mendation, and many great gifts to maintain Sir Tristram's
estate ; and ever between, Sir Tristram resorted unto Joyous
Card whereas La Beale Isoud was that loved him as her life.
Here endeth the tenth book which is of Sir Tristram.
And here foltoweth the eleventh book
which & of Sir L&itncelot.
BOOK XI
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE ON HIS ADVENTURE, AND HOW HE HOLPE
A DOLOROUS LADY FROM HER PAIN, AND HOW THAT HE FOUGHT
WITH A DRAGON
Now leave we Sir Tristram de Liones, and speak we of
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and of Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot's
son, how he was gotten, and in what manner, as the book of
French rehearseth. Afore the time that Sir Galahad was
gotten or born, there came in an hermit unto King Arthur
upon Whitsunday, as the knights sat at the Table Round.
And when the hermit saw the siege perilous, he asked the
king and all the knights why that siege was void. Sir Arthur
and all the knights answered : There shall never none sit in
that siege but one, but if he be destroyed. Then said the
hermit : Wot ye what is he ? Nay, said Arthur and all the
knights, we wot not who is he that shall sit therein. Then
wot I, said the hermit, for he that shall sit there is unborn
and ungotten, and this same year he shall be gotten that
shall sit there in that siege perilous, and he shall win the
Sangreal. When this hermit had made this mention he
departed from the court of King Arthur. And then after
this feast Sir Launcelot rode on his adventure, till on a
time by adventure he passed over the pounte of Corbin ; and
there he saw the fairest tower that ever he saw, and there
under was a fair town full of people ; and all the people,
men and women, cried at once : Welcome, Sir Launcelot du
Lake, the flower of all knighthood, for by thee all we shall be
holpen out of danger. What mean ye, said Sir Launcelot,
King Arthur 125
that ye cry so upon me ? Ah, fair knight, said they all,
here is within this tower a dolorous lady that hath been
there in pains many winters and days, for ever she boileth
in scalding water ; and but late, said all the people, Sir
Gawaine was here and he might not help her, and so he left
her in pain. So may I, said Sir Launcelot, leave her in pain
as well as Sir Gawaine did. Nay, said the people, we know
well that it is Sir Launcelot that shall deliver her. Well,
said Launcelot, then shew me what I shall do. Then they
brought Sir Launcelot into the tower ; and when he came to
the chamber thereas this lady was, the doors of iron un-
locked and unbolted. And so Sir Launcelot went into the
chamber that was as hot as any stew. And there Sir
Launcelot took the fairest lady by the hand that ever he
saw, and she was naked as a needle ; and by enchantment
Queen Morgan le Fay and the Queen of Northgalis had put
her there in that pains, by cause she was called the fairest
lady of that country ; and there she had been five years, and
never might she be delivered out of her great pains unto the
time the best knight of the world had taken her by the hand.
Then the people brought her clothes. And when she was
arrayed, Sir Launcelot thought she was the fairest lady of the
world, but if it were Queen Guenever. Then this lady said
to Sir Launcelot : Sir, if it please you will ye go with me
hereby into a chapel that we may give loving and thanking
unto God ? Madam, said Sir Launcelot, come on with me,
I will go with you. So when they came there and gave
thankings to God all the people, both learned and lewde,
gave thankings unto God and him, and said : Sir knight,
syn ye have delivered this lady, ye shall deliver us from a
serpent there is here in a tomb. Then Sir Launcelot took
his shield and said : Bring me thither, and what I may do
unto the pleasure of God and you I will do. So when Sir
Launcelot came thither he saw written upon the tomb letters
of gold that said thus : Here shall come a leopard of king's
blood, and he shall slay this serpent, and this leopard shall
engender a lion in this foreign country, the which lion shall
pass all other knights. So then Sir Launcelot lift up the
tomb, and there came out an horrible and a fiendly dragon,
spitting fire out of his mouth. Then Sir Launcelot drew his
sword and fought with the dragon long, and at the last with
great pain Sir Launcelot slew that dragon. Therewithal
came King Pelles, the good and noble knight, and saluted
126 King Arthur
Sir Launcelot, and he him again. Fair knight, said the
king, what is your name ? I require you of your knighthood
tell me !
CHAPTER II
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO PELLES, AND OF THE SANGREAL,
AND OF ELAINE, KING PELLES' DAUGHTER
SIR, said Launcelot, wit you well my name is Sir Launce-
lot du Lake. And my name is, said the king, Pelles, king
of the foreign country, and cousin nigh unto Joseph of
Armathie. And then either of them made much of other,
and so they went into the castle to take their repast. And
anon there came in a dove at a window, and in her mouth
there seemed a little censer of gold. And therewithal there
was such a savour as all the spicery of the world had been
there. And forthwithal there was upon the table all manner
of meats and drinks that they could think upon. So came
in a damosel passing fair and young, and she bare a vessel
of gold betwixt her hands; and thereto the king kneeled
devoutly, and said his prayers, and so did all that were
there. O Jesu, said Sir Launcelot, what may this mean?
This is, said the king, the richest thing that any man hath
living. And when this thing goeth about, the Round Table
shall be broken ; and wit thou well, said the king, this is
the holy Sangreal that ye have here seen. So the king and
Sir Launcelot led their life the most part of that day. And
fain would King Pelles have found the mean to have had
Sir Launcelot to have lain by his daughter, fair Elaine.
And for this intent : the king knew well that Sir Launcelot
should get a child upon his daughter, the which should be
named Sir Galahad the good knight, by whom all the
foreign country should be brought out of danger, and by
him the Holy Greal should be achieved. Then came forth
a lady that hight Dame Brisen, and she said unto the king :
Sir, wit ye well Sir Launcelot loveth no lady in the world
but all only Queen Guenever ; and therefore work ye by
counsel, and I shall make him to lie with your daughter,
and he shall not wit but that he lieth with Queen Guenever.
O fair lady, Dame Brisen, said the king, hope ye to bring
this about ? Sir, said she, upon pain of my life let me deal ;
for this Brisen was one of the greatest enchantresses that
King Arthur 127
was at that time in the world living. Then anon by Dame
Brisen's wit she made one to come to Sir Launcelot that
he knew well. And this man brought him a ring from
Queen Guenever like as it had come from her, and such
one as she was wont for the most part to wear ; and when
Sir Launcelot saw that token wit ye well he was never so
fain. Where is my lady ? said Sir Launcelot. In the castle
of Case, said the messenger, but five mile hence. Then Sir
Launcelot thought to be there the same night. And then
this Brisen by the commandment of King Pelles let send
Elaine to this castle with twenty-five knights unto the castle
of Case. Then Sir Launcelot against night rode unto that
castle, and there anon he was received worshipfully with
such people to his seeming as were about Queen Guenever
secret. So when Sir Launcelot was alit, he asked where the
queen was. So Dame Brisen said she was in her bed ; and
then the people were avoided, and Sir Launcelot was led
unto his chamber. And then Dame Brisen brought Sir
Launcelot a cupful of wine ; and anon as he had drunken
that wine he was so assotted and mad that he might make
no delay, but withouten any let he went to bed ; and he
weened that maiden Elaine had been Queen Guenever.
Wit you well that Sir Launcelot was glad, and so was that
lady Elaine that she had gotten Sir Launcelot in her arms.
For well she knew that same night should be gotten upon
her Galahad that should prove the best knight of the world ;
and so they lay together until underne of the morn ; and
all the windows and holes of that chamber were stopped
that no manner of day might be seen. And then Sir
Launcelot remembered him, and he arose up and went to
the window.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS DISPLEASED WHEN HE KNEW THAT HE
HAD LAIN BY DAME ELAINE, AND HOW SHE WAS DELIVERED
OF GALAHAD
AND anon as he had unshut the window the enchantment
was gone ; then he knew himself that he had done amiss.
Alas, he said, that I have lived so long ; now I am shamed.
So then he gat his sword in his hand and said : Thou
traitoress, what art thou that I have lain by all this night ?
128 King Arthur
thou shalt die right here of my hands. Then this fair lady
Elaine skipped out of her bed all naked, and kneeled down
afore Sir Launcelot, and said : Fair courteous knight, come
of king's blood, I require you have mercy upon me, and as
thou art renowned the most noble knight of the world, slay
me not, for I have in my womb him by thee that shall be
the most noblest knight of the world. Ah, false traitoress,
said Sir Launcelot, why hast thou betrayed me ? anon tell
me what thou art. Sir, she said, I am Elaine, the daughter
of King Pelles. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I will forgive you
this deed ; and therewith he took her up in his arms, and
kissed her, for she was as fair a lady, and thereto lusty and
young, and as wise, as any was that time living. So God
me help, said Sir Launcelot, I may not wyte this to you ;
but her that made this enchantment upon me as between
you and me, an I may find her, that same Lady Brisen, she
shall lose her head for witchcrafts, for there was never
knight deceived so as I am this night. And so Sir Launcelot
arrayed him, and armed him, and took his leave mildly at
that lady young Elaine, and so he departed. Then she said :
My lord Sir Launcelot, I beseech you see me as soon as ye
may, for I have obeyed me unto the prophecy that my
father told me. And by his commandment to fulfil this
prophecy I have given the greatest riches and the fairest
flower that ever I had, and that is my maidenhood that I
shall never have again ; and therefore, gentle knight, owe
me your goodwill. And so Sir Launcelot arrayed him and
was armed, and took his leave mildly at that young lady
Elaine ; and so he departed, and rode till he came to the
castle of Corbin, where her father was. And as fast as her
time came she was delivered of a fair child, and they
christened him Galahad ; and wit ye well that child was well
kept and well nourished, and he was named Galahad by cause
Sir Launcelot was so named at the fountain stone ; and
after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot
du Lake. Then after this lady was delivered and churched
there came a knight unto her, his name was Sir Bromel la
Pleche, the which was a great lord ; and he had loved that
lady long, and he evermore desired her to wed her; and so
by no mean she could put him off, till on a day she said to
Sir Bromel : Wit thou well, sir knight, I will not love you,
for my love is set upon the best knight of the world. Who
is he ? said Sir Bromel. Sir, she said, it is Sir Launcelot
King Arthur 129
du Lake that I love and none other, and therefore woo me
no longer. Ye say well, said Sir Brorael, and sythen ye
have told me so much, ye shall have but little joy of Sir
Launcelot, for I shall slay him wheresomever I meet
him. Sir, said the Lady Elaine, do to him no treason.
Wit ye well, my lady, said Bromel, and I promise you this
twelvemonth I shall keep the pounte of Corbin for Sir
Launcelot's sake, that he shall neither come nor go unto
you, but I shall meet with him.
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR BORS CAME TO DAME ELAINE AND SAW GALAHAD, AND
HOW HE WAS FED WITH THE SANGREAL
THEN as it fell by fortune and adventure, Sir Bors de
Ganis, that was nephew unto Sir Launcelot, came over that
bridge ; and there Sir Bromel and Sir Bors jousted, and Sir
Bors smote Sir Bromel such a buffet that he bare him over
his horse's croup. And then Sir Bromel as an hardy knight
pulled out his sword, and dressed his shield to do battle
with Sir Bors. And then Sir Bors alit and avoided his
horse, and there they dashed together many sad strokes;
and long thus they fought, till at the last Sir Bromel was
laid to the earth, and there Sir Bors began to unlace his
helm to slay him. Then Sir Bromel cried Sir Bors mercy,
and yielded him. Upon this covenant thou shalt have thy
life, said Sir Bors, so thou go unto Sir Launcelot upon
Whitsunday that next cometh, and yield thee unto him as
knight recreant. I will do it, said Sir Bromel, and that he
sware upon the cross of the sword. And so he let him
depart, and Sir Bors rode unto King Pelles, that was within
Corbin. And when the king and Elaine his daughter wist
that Sir Bors was nephew unto Sir Launcelot, they made
him great cheer. Then said Dame Elaine : We marvel
where Sir Launcelot is, for he came never here but once.
Marvel not, said Sir Bors, for this half year he hath been in
prison with Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister.
Alas, said Dame Elaine, that me repenteth. And ever Sii
Bors beheld that child in her arms, and ever him seemed it
was passing like Sir Launcelot. Truly, said Elaine, wit ye
well this child he gat upon me. Then Sir Bors wept for
joy, and he prayed to God it might prove as good a knight
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130 King Arthur
as his father was. And so came in a white dove, and she
bare a little censer of gold in her mouth, and there was all
manner of meats and drinks ; and a maiden bare that
Sangreal, and she said openly : Wit you well, Sir Bors, that
this child is Galahad, that shall sit in the siege perilous,
and achieve the Sangreal, and he shall be much better than
ever was Sir Launcelot du Lake, this is his own father.
And then they kneeled down and made their devotions,
and there was such a savour as all the spicery in the world
had been there. And when the dove took her flight, the
maiden vanished with the Sangreal as she. came. Sir, said
Sir Bors unto King Pelles, this castle may be named the
Castle Adventurous, for here be many strange adventures.
That is sooth, said the king, for well may this place be
called the adventures place, for there come but few knights
here that go away with any worship ; be he never so strong,
here he may be proved ; and but late Sir Gawaine, the
good knight, gat but little worship here. For I let you wit,
said King Pelles, here shall no knight win no worship but
if he be of worship himself and of good living, and that
loveth God and dreadeth God, and else he getteth no
worship here, be he never so hardy. That is wonderful
thing, said Sir Bors. What ye mean in this country I wot
not, for ye have many strange adventures, and therefore I
will lie in this castle this night. Ye shall not do so, said
King Pelles, by my counsel, for it is hard an ye escape
without a shame. I shall take the adventure that will befall
me, said Sir Bors. Then I counsel you, said the king, to
be confessed clene. As for that, said Sir Bors, 1 will be
shriven with a good will. So Sir Bors was confessed, and
for all women Sir Bors was a virgin, save for one, that was
the daughter of King Brangoris, and on her he gat a child
that hight Elaine, and save for her Sir Bors was a clene
maiden. And so Sir Bors was led unto bed in a fair large
chamber, and many doors were shut about the chamber.
When Sir Bors espied all those doors, he avoided all the
people, for he might have nobody with him ; but in no wise
Sir Bors would unarm him, but so he laid him down upon
the bed. And right so he saw come in a light, that he
might well see a spear great and long that came straight
upon him pointling, and to Sir Bors seemed that the head
of the spear brent like a taper. And anon or Sir Bors wist,
the spear head smote him into the shoulder an handbreadth
King Arthur 131
in deepness, and that wound grieved Sir Bors passing sore.
And then he laid him down again for pain ; and anon
therewithal there came a knight armed with his shield on
his shoulder and his sword in his hand, and he bad Sir
Bors : Arise, sir knight, and fight with me. I am sore hurt,
he said, but yet I shall not fail thee. And then Sir Bors
started up and dressed his shield; and then they lashed
together mightily a great while ; and at the last Sir Bors
bare him backward until that he came unto a chamber
door, and there that knight yede into that chamber and
rested him a great while. And when he had reposed him
he came out freshly again, and began new battle with Sir
Bors mightily and strongly.
CHAPTER V
HOW SIR BORS MADE SIR PEDIVERE TO YIELD HIM, AND OF MAR
VELLOUS ADVENTURES THAT HE HAD, AND HOW HE ACHIEVED
THEM
THEN Sir Bors thought he should no more go into that
chamber to rest him, and so Sir Bors dressed him betwixt
the knight and that chamber door, and there Sir Bors smote
him down, and then that knight yielded him. What is your
name ? said Sir Bors. Sir, said he, my name is Pedivere of
the Straight Marches. So Sir Bors made him to swear at
Whitsunday next coming to be at the court of King Arthur,
and yield him there as a prisoner as an overcome knight by
the hands of Sir Bors. So thus departed Sir Pedivere of the
Straight Marches. And then Sir Bors laid him down to rest,
and then he heard and felt much noise in that chamber ; and
then Sir Bors espied that there came in, he wist not whether
at the doors nor windows, shot of arrows and of quarrels so
thick that he marvelled, and many fell upon him and hurt
him in the bare places. And then Sir Bors was ware where
came in an hideous lion ; so Sir Bors dressed him unto the
lion, and anon the lion bereft him his shield, and with his
sword Sir Bors smote off the lion's head. Right so Sir Bors
forthwithal saw a dragon in the court passing horrible, and
there seemed letters of gold written in his forehead ; and Sir
Bors thought that the letters made a signification of King
Arthur. Right so there came an horrible leopard and an old,
and there they fought long, and did great battle together
132 King Arthur
And at the last the dragon spit out of his mouth as it had
been an hundred dragons ; and lightly all the small dragons
slew the old dragon and tare him all to pieces. Anon withal
there came an old man into the hall, and he sat him down
in a fair chair, and there seemed to be two adders about his
neck ; and then the old man had an harp, and there he sang
an old song how Joseph of Aramathie came into this land,
Then when he had sung, the old man bad Sir Bors go from
thence. For here shall ye have no more adventures ; and
full worshipfully have ye done, and better shall ye do here-
after. And then Sir Bors seemed that there came the whitest
dove with a little golden censer in her mouth. And anon
therewithal the tempest ceased and passed, that afore was
marvellous to hear. So was all that court full of good savours.
Then Sir Bors saw four children bearing four fair tapers, and
an old man in the middes of the children with a censer in his
own hand, and a spear in his other hand, and that spear was
called the spear of vengeance.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR BORS DEPARTED ; AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS REBUKED
OF QUEEN GUENEVER, AND OF HIS EXCUSE
Now, said that old man to Sir Bors, go ye to your cousin,
Sir Launcelot, and tell him of this adventure the which had
been most convenient for him of all earthly knights ; but sin
is so foul in him he may not achieve such holy deeds, for had
not been his sin he had passed all the knights that ever were
in his days ; and tell thou Sir Launcelot, of all worldly adven-
tures he passeth in manhood and prowess all other, but in
this spiritual matters he shall have many his better. And then
Sir Bors saw four gentlewomen come by him, purely bisene :
and he saw where that they entered into a chamber where
was great light as it were a summer light ; and the women
kneeled down afore an altar of silver with four pillars, and
as it had been a bishop kneeled down afore that table of
silver. And as Sir Bors looked over his head he saw a sword
like silver naked hoving over his head, and the clerenes
thereof smote so in his eyes that : .s at that time Sir Bors was
blind ; and there he heard a voice that said : Go hence,
thou Sir Bors, for as yet thou art not worthy for to be in this
place. And then he yede backward to his bed till OD the
King Arthur 133
mom. And on the morn King Pelles made great joy of Sir
Bors ; and then he departed and rode to Camelot, and there
he found Sir Launcelot du Lake, and told him of the adven-
tures that he had seen with King Pelles at Corbin. So the
noise sprang in Arthur's court that Launcelot had gotten a
child upon Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles, wherefore
Queen Guenever was wroth, and gave many rebukes to Sir
Launcelot, and called him false knight. And then Sir
Launcelot told the queen all, and how he was made to lie by
her by enchantment in likeness of the queen. So the queen
held Sir Launcelot excused. And as the book saith, King
Arthur had been in France, and had made war upon the
mighty King Claudas, and had won much of his lands. And
when the king was come again he let cry a great feast, that
all lords and ladies of all England should be there, but if it
were such as were rebellious against him.
CHAPTER VII
HOW DAME ELAINE, GALAHAD'S MOTHER, CAME IN GREAT ESTATE
UNTO CAMELOT, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BEHAVED HIM
THERE
AND when Dame Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles,
heard of this feast she went to her father and required him
that he would give her leave to ride to that feast. The king
answered : I will well ye go thither, but in any wise as ye
love me and will have my blessing, that ye be well bisene in
the richest wise ; and look that ye spare not for no cost ; ask
and ye shall have all that you needeth. Then by the advice
of Dame Brisen, her maiden, all thing was apparelled unto
the purpose, that there was never no lady more richlier
bisene. So she rode with twenty knights, and ten ladies,
and gentlewomen, to the number of an hundred horses. And
when she came to Camelot, King Arthur and Queen
Guenever said, and all the knights, that Dame Elaine was
the fairest and the best bisene lady that ever was seen in that
court. And anon as King Arthur wist that she was come he
met her and saluted her, and so did the most part of all the
knights of the Round Table, both Sir Tristram, Sir Bleoberis,
and Sir Gawaine, and many more that I will not rehearse.
But when Sir Launcelot saw her he was so ashamed, and
that by cause he drew his sword on the morn when he had
134 King Arthur
lain by her, that he would not salute her nor speak to her ;
and yet Sir Launcelot thought she was the fairest woman
that ever he saw in his life-days. But when Dame Elaine
saw Sir Launcelot that would not speak unto her she was so
heavy that she weened her heart would have to brast, for
wit you well, out of measure she loved him. And then
Elaine said unto her woman, Dame Brisen : The unkindness
of Sir Launcelot slayeth me near. Ah, peace, madam, said
Dame Brisen, I will undertake that this night shall he lie with
you, an ye would hold you still. That were me lever, said
Dame Elaine, than all the gold that is above the earth. Let
me deal, said Dame Brisen. So when Elaine was brought
unto Queen Guenever either made other good cheer by
countenance, but nothing with hearts. But all men and
women spake of the beauty of Dame Elaine, and of her great
riches. Then at night the queen commanded that Dame
Elaine should sleep in a chamber nigh her chamber, and all
under one roof ; and so it was done as the queen commanded.
Then the queen sent for Sir Launcelot and bad him come to
her chamber that night : Or else I am sure, said the queen,
that ye will go to your lady's bed, Dame Elaine, by whom ye
gat Galahad. Ah, madam, said Sir Launcelot, never say ye
so, for that I did was against my will. Then, said the queen,
look that ye come to me when I send for you. Madam, said
Launcelot, I shall not fail you, but I shall be ready at your
commandment. This bargain was soon done and made
between them, but Dame Brisen knew it by her crafts, and
told it to her lady, Dame Elaine. Alas, said she, how shall
I do ? Let me deal, said Dame Brisen, for I shall bring him
by the hand even to your bed, and he shall ween that I am
Queen Guenever's messenger. Now well is me, said Dame
Elaine, for all the world I love not so much as I do Sir
Launcelot.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW DAME BRISEN BY ENCHANTMENT BROUGHT SIR LADNCELOT
TO DAME ELAINE'S BED, AND HOW QUEEN GUENEVER REBUKED
HIM
So when time came that all folks were abed, Dame Brisen
came to Sir Launcelot's bed's side and said : Sir Launcelot
du Lake, sleep you ? My lady, Queen Guenever, lieth and
King Arthur 135
awaiteth upon you. O my fair lady, said Sir Launcelot, I
am ready to go with you where ye will have me. So Sk
Launcelot threw upon him a long gown, and his sword in
his hand ; and then Dame Brisen took him by the finger
and led him to her lady's bed, Dame Elaine ; and then she
departed and left them in bed together. Wit you well the
lady was glad, and so was Sir Launcelot, for he weened that
he had had another in his arms. Now leave we them
kissing and clipping, as was kindly thing ; and now speak we
of Queen Guenever that sent one of her women unto Sir
Launcelot's bed ; and when she came there she found the
bed cold, and he was away ; so she came to the queen and
told her all. Alas, said the queen, where is that false knight
become? Then the queen was nigh out of her wit, and
then she writhed and weltered as a mad woman, and might
not sleep a four or five hours. Then Sir Launcelot had a
condition that he used of custom, he would clatter in his
sleep, and speak oft of his lady, Queen Guenever. So as Sir
Launcelot had waked as long as it had pleased him, then by
course of kind he slept, and Dame Elaine both. And in his
sleep he talked and clattered as a jay, of the love that had
been betwixt Queen Guenever and him. And so as he
talked so loud the queen heard him there as she lay in her
chamber ; and when she heard him so clatter she was nigh
wood and out of her mind, and for anger and pain wist not
what to do. And then she coughed so loud that Sir
Launcelot awaked, and he knew her heming. And then he
knew well that he lay not by the queen ; and therewith he
leapt out of his bed as he had been a wood man, in his shirt,
and the queen met him in the floor ; and thus she said :
False traitor knight that thou art, look thou never abide in
my court, and avoid my chamber, and not so hardy, thou
false traitor knight that thou art, that ever thou come in my
sight. Alas, said Sir Launcelot ; and therewith he took such
an heartly sorrow at her words that he fell down to the floor
in a swoon. And therewithal Queen Guenever departed.
And when Sir Launcelot awoke of his swoon, he leapt out at
a bay window into a garden, and there with thorns he was
all to scratched in his visage and his body ; and so he ran
forth he wist not whither, and was wild wood as ever was
man ; and so he ran two year, and never man might have
grace to know him.
136 King Arthur
CHAPTER IX
HOW DAME ELAINE WAS COMMANDED BY QUEEN GUENEVER TO
AVOID THE COURT, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BECAME MAD
Now turn we unto Queen Guenever and to the fair Lady
Elaine, that when Dame Elaine heard the queen so to
rebuke Sir Launcelot, and also she saw how he swooned,
and how he leaped out at a bay window, then she said unto
Queen Guenever : Madam, ye are greatly to blame for Sir
Launcelot, for now have ye lost him, for I saw and heard by
his countenance that he is mad for ever. Alas, madam, ye
do great sin, and to yourself great dishonour, for ye have a
lord of your own, and therefore it is your part to love him :
for there is no queen in this world hath such another king
as ye have. And if ye were not I might have the love of
my lord Sir Launcelot ; and cause I have to love him for he
had my maidenhood, and by him I have borne a fair son,
and his name is Galahad, and he shall be in his time the
best knight of the world. Dame Elaine, said the queen,
when it is daylight I charge you and command you to avoid
my court ; and for the love ye owe unto Sir Launcelot
discover not his counsel, for an ye do, it will be his death.
As for that, said Dame Elaine, I dare undertake he is
marred for ever, and that have ye made ; for ye nor I are
like to rejoice him, for he made the most piteous groans
when he leapt out at yonder bay window that ever I heard
man make. Alas, said fair Elaine, and alas, said the Queen
Guenever, for now I wot well we have lost him for ever.
So on the morn Dame Elaine took her leave to depart, and
she would no longer abide. Then King Arthur brought her
on her way with more than an hundred knights through a
forest. And by the way she told Sir Bors de Ganis all how
it betid that same night, and how Sir Launcelot leapt out at
a window araged out of his wit. Alas, said Sir Bors, where
is my lord, Sir Launcelot, become ? Sir, said Elaine, I wot
near. Alas, said Sir Bors, betwixt you both ye have destroyed
that good knight. As for me, said Dame Elaine, I said
never nor did never thing that should in any wise displease
him, but with the rebuke that Queen Guenever gave him I
saw him swoon to the earth ; and when he awoke he took
his sword in his hand, naked save his shirt, and leapt out at
a window with the grisliest groan that ever I heard man
King Arthur 137
make. Now farewell, Dame Elaine, said Sir Bors, and hold
my lord Arthur with a tale as long as ye can, for I will turn
again to Queen Guenever and give her a hete ; and I require
you, as ever ye will have my service, make good watch and
espy if ever ye may see my lord Sir Launcelot. Truly, said
fair Elaine, I shall do all that I may do, for as fain would I
know and wit where he is become, as you, or any of his kin,
or Queen Guenever ; and cause great enough have I thereto
as well as any other. And wit ye well, said fair Elaine to
Sir Bors, I would lose my life for him rather than he should
be hurt ; but alas, I cast me never for to see him, and the
chief causer of this is Dame Guenever. Madam, said Dame
Brisen, the which had made the enchantment before betwixt
Sir Launcelot and her, I pray you heartily, let Sir Bors
depart, and hie him with all his might as fast as he may to
seek Sir Launcelot, for I warn you he is clean out of his
mind ; and yet he shall be well holpen an but by miracle.
Then wept Dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis ; and
so they departed, and Sir Bors rode straight unto Queen
Guenever. And when she saw Sir Bors she wept as she
were wood. Fie on your weeping, said Sir Bors de Ganis,
for ye weep never but when there is no boot. Alas, said
Sir Bors, that ever Sir Launcelot's kin saw you, for now have
ye lost the best knight of our blood, and he that was all our
leader and our succour ; and I dare say and make it good
that all kings, Christian nor heathen, may not find such a
knight, for to speak of his nobleness and courtesy, with his
beauty and his gentleness. Alas, said Sir Bors, what shall
we do that be of his blood ? Alas, said Sir Ector de Maris.
Alas, said Lionel.
CHAPTER X
WHAT SORROW QUEEN GUENEVER MADE FOR SIR LAUNCELOT,
AND HOW HE WAS SOUGHT BY KNIGHTS OF HIS KIN
AND when the queen heard them say so she fell to the
earth in a dead swoon. And then Sir Bors took her up, and
dawed her ; and when she was awaked she kneeled afore the
three knights, and held up both her hands, and besought
them to seek him. And spare not for no goods but that he
be found, for I wot he is out of his mind. And Sir Bors,
Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel departed from the queen, for they
ii 46 *E
138 King Arthur
might not abide no longer for sorrow. And then the queen
sent them treasure enough for their expenses, and so they
took their horses and their armour, and departed. And then
they rode from country to country, in forests, and in wilder-
ness, and in wastes ; and ever they laid watch both at forests
and at all manner of men as they rode, to hearken and spere
after him, as he that was a naked man, in his shirt, with a
sword in his hand. And thus they rode nigh a quarter of a
year, endlong and overthwart, in many places, forests and
wilderness, and ofttimes were evil lodged for his sake ; and
yet for all their labour and seeking could they never hear
word of him. And wit you well these three knights were
passing sorry. Then at the last Sir Bors and his fellows met
with a knight that hight Sir Melion de Tartare. Now fair
knight, said Sir Bors, whither be ye away ? for they knew
either other afore time. Sir, said Melion, I am in the way
toward the court of King Arthur. Then we pray you, said
Sir Bors, that ye will tell my lord Arthur, and my lady,
Queen Guenever, and all the fellowship of the Round Table,
that we cannot in no wise hear tell where Sir Launcelot is
become. Then Sir Melion departed from them, and said
that he would tell the king, and the queen, and all the
fellowship of the Round Table, as they had desired him.
So when Sir Melion came to the court of King Arthur he
told the king, and the queen, and all the fellowship of the
Round Table, what Sir Bors had said of Sir Launcelot.
Then Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramore le Desirous,
Sir Aglovale, and Sir Percivale de Galis took upon them by
the great desire of King Arthur, and in especial by the
queen, to seek throughout all England, Wales, and Scotland,
to find Sir Launcelot, and with them rode eighteen knights
more to beat them fellowship ; and wit ye well, they lacked
no manner of spending ; and so were they three and twenty
knights. Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of
his care and woe, and what pain he there endured ; for cold,
hunger, and thirst, he had plenty. And thus as these noble
knights rode together, they by one assent departed, and then
they rode by two, by three, and by four, and by five, and
ever they assigned where they should meet. And so Sir
Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together unto their mother
that was a queen in those days. And when she saw her two
sons, for joy she wept tenderly. And then she said : Ah,
my dear sons, when your father was slain he left me four
King Arthur 139
sons, of the which now be twain slain. And for the death
of my noble son, Sir Lamorak, shall my heart never be glad.
And then she kneeled down upon her knees tofore Aglovale
and Sir Percivale, and besought them to abide at home with
her. Ah, sweet mother, said Sir Percivale, we may not, for
we be come of king's blood of both parties, and therefore,
mother, it is our kind to haunt arms and noble deeds. Alas,
my sweet sons, then she said, for your sakes I shall lose my
liking and lust, and then wind and weather I may not endure,
what for the death of your father, King Pellinore, that was
shamefully slain by the hands of Sir Gawaine, and his
brother, Sir Gaheris : and they slew him not manly but by
treason. Ah, my dear sons, this is a piteous complaint for
me of your father's death, considering also the death of Sir
Lamorak, that of knighthood had but few fellows. Now,
my dear sons, have this in your mind. Then there was but
weeping and sobbing in the court when they should depart,
and she fell in swooning in middes of the court.
CHAPTER XI
HOW A SERVANT OF SIR AGLOVALE'S WAS SLAIN, AND WHAT
VENGEANCE SIR AGLOVALE AND SIR PERCIVALE DID THEREFOR
AND when she was awaked she sent a squire after them
with spending enough. And so when the squire had over-
taken them, they would not suffer him to ride with them,
but sent him home again to comfort their mother, praying
her meekly of her blessing. And so this squire was be-
nighted, and by misfortune he happened to come to a castle
where dwelled a baron. And so when the squire was come
into the castle, the lord asked him from whence he came,
and whom he served. My lord, said the squire, I serve a
good knight that is called Sir Aglovale : the squire said it
to good intent, weening unto him to have been more forborne
for Sir Aglovale's sake, than he had said he had served the
queen, Aglovale's mother. Well, my fellow, said the lord
of that castle, for Sir Aglovale's sake thou shalt have evil
lodging, for Sir Aglovale slew my brother, and therefore
thou shalt die on part of payment. And then that lord
commanded his men to have him away and slay him ;
and so they did, and so pulled him out of the castle,
and there they slew him without mercy. Right so on
140 King Arthur
the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale riding by
a churchyard, where men and women were busy, and
beheld the dead squire, and they thought to bury him.
What is there, said Sir Aglovale, that ye behold so fast?
A good man start forth and said : Fair knight, here lieth a
squire slain shamefully this night. How was he slain, fair
fellow ? said Sir Aglovale. My fair sir, said the man,
the lord of this castle lodged this squire this night ; and
by cause he said he was servant unto a good knight that
is with King Arthur, his name is Sir Aglovale, therefore
the lord commanded to slay him, and for this cause is he
slain. Gramercy, said Sir Aglovale, and ye shall see his
death revenged lightly ; for I am that same knight for whom
this squire was slain. Then Sir Aglovale called unto him
Sir Percivale, and bad him alight lightly ; and so they alit
both, and betook their horses to their men, and so they
yede on foot into the castle. And all so soon as they were
within the castle gate Sir Aglovale bad the porter : Go
thou unto thy lord and tell him that I am Sir Aglovale for
whom this squire was slain this night. Anon the porter
told this to his lord, whose name was Goodewin. Anon
he armed him, and then he came into the court and said :
Which of you is Sir Aglovale ? Here I am, said Aglovale :
for what cause slewest thou this night my mother's squire ?
I slew him, said Sir Goodewin, by cause of thee, for thou
slewest my brother, Sir Gawdelin. As for thy brother, said
Sir Aglovale, I avow it I slew him, for he was a false knight
and a betrayer of ladies and of good knights ; and for the
death of my squire thou shalt die. I defy thee, said Sir
Goodewin. Then they lashed together as eagerly as it had
been two lions, and Sir Percivale he fought with all the
remnant that would fight. And within a while Sir Percivale
had slain all that would withstand him ; for Sir Percivale
dealt so his strokes that were so rude that there durst no
man abide him. And within a while Sir Aglovale had Sir
Goodewin at the earth, and there he unlaced his helm, and
struck off his head. And then they departed and took their
horses; and then they let carry the dead squire unto a
priory, and there they interred him.
King Arthur 141
CHAPTER XII
HOW SIR PERCIVALE DEPARTED SECRETLY FROM HIS BROTHER,
AND HOW HE LOOSED A KNIGHT BOUND WITH A CHAIN, AND
OF OTHER DOINGS
AND when this was done they rode into many countries,
ever inquiring after Sir Launcelot, but never they could
hear of him ; and at the last they came to a castle that
hight Cardican, and there Sir Percivale and Sir Aglovale
were lodged together. And privily about midnight Sir
Percivale came to Aglovale's squire and said : Arise and
make thee ready, for ye and I will ride away secretly. Sir,
said the squire, I would full fain ride with you where ye
would have me, but an my lord, your brother, take me he
will slay me. As for that care thou not, for I shall be thy
warrant. And so Sir Percivale rode till it was after noon,
and then he came upon a bridge of stone, and there he
found a knight that was bound with a chain fast about the
waist unto a pillar of stone. O fair knight, said that bound
knight, I require thee loose me of my bonds. What knight
are ye, said Sir Percivale, and for what cause are ye so
bound ? Sir, I shall tell you, said that knight : I am a
knight of the Table Round, and my name is Sir Persides ;
and thus by adventure I came this way, and here I lodged
in this castle at the bridge foot, and therein dwelleth an
uncourteous lady ; and by cause she proffered me to be
her paramour, and I refused her, she set her men upon
me suddenly or ever I might come to my weapon ; and
thus they bound me, and here I wot well I shall die but
if some man of worship break my bands. Be ye of good
cheer, said Sir Percivale, and by cause ye are a knight of
the Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to break your
bonds. And therewith Sir Percivale pulled out his sword
and struck at the chain with such a might that he cut atwo
the chain, and through Sir Persides' hauberk and hurt him
a little. O Jesu, said Sir Persides, that was a mighty stroke
as ever I felt one, for had not the chain been ye had slain
me. And therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming
out of a castle all that ever he might fling. Beware, sir,
said Sir Persides, yonder cometh a man that will have ado
with you. Let him come, said Sir Percivale. And so he
met with that knight in middes of the bridge; and Sir
142 King Arthur
Percivale gave him such a buffet that he smote him quite
from his horse and over a part of the bridge, that had not
been a little vessel under the bridge, that knight had been
drowned. And then Sir Percivale took the knight's horse
and made Sir Persides to mount up him ; and so they rode
unto the castle, and bad the lady deliver Sir Persides'
servants, or else he would slay all that ever he found ; and
so for fear she delivered them all. Then was Sir Percivale
ware of a lady that stood in that tower. Ah, madam, said
Sir Percivale, what use and custom is that in a lady to
destroy good knights but if they will be your paramour?
Forsooth this is a shameful custom of a lady, and if I had
not a great matter in my hand I should fordo your evil
customs. And so Sir Persides brought Sir Percivale unto
his own castle, and there he made him great cheer all that
night. And on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard
mass and broken his fast, he bad Sir Persides ride unto
King Arthur : And tell the king how that ye met with me ;
and tell my brother, Sir Aglovale, how I rescued you ; and
bid him seek not after me, for I am in the quest to seek
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and though he seek me he shall
not find me ; and tell him I will never see him nor the
court till I have found Sir Launcelot. Also tell Sir Kay
the Seneschal, and to Sir Mordred, that I trust to Jesu to
be of as great worthiness as either of them, for tell them I
shall never forget their mocks and scorns that they did to
me that day that I was made knight ; and tell them I will
never see that court till men speak more worship of me
than ever men did of any of them both. And so Sir
Persides departed from Sir Percivale, and then he rode
unto King Arthur, and told there of Sir Percivale. And
when Sir Aglovale heard him speak of his brother Sir
Percivale, he said : He departed from me unkindly.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW SIR PERCIVALE MET WITH SIR ECTOR, AND HOW THEY FOUGHT
LONG, AND EACH HAD ALMOST SLAIN OTHER
SIR, said Sir Persides, on my life he shall prove a noble
knight as any now is living. And when he saw Sir Kay and
King Arthur 143
Sir Mordred, Sir Persides said thus : My fair lords both,
Sir Percivale greeteth you well both, and he sent you word
by me that he trusteth to God or ever he come to the court
again to be of as great noblesse as ever were ye both, and
more men to speak of his noblesse than ever they did of
you. It may well be, said Sir Kay and Sir Mordred, but
at that time when he was made knight he was full unlike
to prove a good knight. As for that, said King Arthur, he
must needs prove a good knight, for his father and his
brethren were noble knights. And now will we turn unto
Sir Percivale that rode long; and in a forest he met a
knight with a broken shield and a broken helm ; and as
soon as either saw other readily they made them ready to
joust, and so hurtled together with all the might of their
horses, and met together so hard, that Sir Percivale was
smitten to the earth. And then Sir Percivale arose lightly,
and cast his shield on his shoulder and drew his sword,
and bad the other knight : Alight, and do we battle unto
the uttermost. Will ye more ? said that knight. And there-
with he alit, and put his horse from him; and then they
came together an easy pace, and there they lashed together
with noble swords, and sometime they struck and sometime
they foined, and either gave other many great wounds. Thus
they fought near half a day, and never rested but right
little, and there was none of them both that had less wounds
than fifteen, and they bled so much that it was marvel they
stood on their feet. But this knight that fought with Sir
Percivale was a proved knight and a wise fighting knight,
and Sir Percivale was young and strong, not knowing in
fighting as the other was. Then Sir Percivale spoke first,
and said : Sir knight, hold thy hand a while still, for we
have fought for a simple matter and quarrel overlong, and
therefore I require thee tell me thy name, for I was never
or this time matched. So God me help, said that knight,
and never or this time was there never knight that wounded
me so sore as thou hast done, and yet have I fought in
many battles ; and now shalt thou wit that I am a knight
of the Table Round, and my name is Sir Ector de Maris,
brother unto the good knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake.
Alas, said Sir Percivale, and my name is Sir Percivale de
Galis that hath made my quest to seek Sir Launcelot, and
now I am seker that I shall never finish my quest, for ye
have slain me with your hands. It is not so, said Sir Ector,
144 King Arthur
for I am slain by your hands, and may not live. Therefore
I require you, said Sir Ector unto Sir Percivale, ride ye
hereby to a priory, and bring me a priest that I may receive
my Saviour, for I may not live. And when ye come to
the court of King Arthur tell not my brother, Sir Launcelot,
how that ye slew me, for then he would be your mortal
enemy, but ye may say that I was slain in my quest as I
sought him. Alas, said Sir Percivale, ye say that nevei
will be, for I am so faint for bleeding that I may unnethe
stand, how should I then take my horse ?
CHAPTER XIV
HOW BY MIRACLE THEY WERE BOTH MADE WHOLE BY THE COMING
OF THE HOLY VESSEL OF SANGREAL
THEN they made both great dole out of measure. This
will not avail, said Sir Percivale. And then he kneeled
down and made his prayer devoutly unto Almighty Jesu,
for he was one of the best knights of the world that at that
time was, in whom the very faith stood most in. Right so
there came by the holy vessel of the Sangreal with all
manner of sweetness and savour ; but they could not readily
see who that bare that vessel, but Sir Percivale had a glim-
mering of the vessel and of the maiden that bare it, for she
was a perfect clene maiden ; and forthwithal they both were
as whole of hide and limb as ever they were in their life
days : then they gave thankings to God with great mildness.
0 Jesu, said Sir Percivale, what may this mean, that we be
thus healed, and right now we were at the point of dying ?
1 wot full well, said Sir Ector, what it is ; it is an holy vessel
that is borne by a maiden, and therein is part of the holy
blood of our Lord Jesu Christ, blessed mote he be. But
it may not be seen, said Sir Ector, but if it be by a perfect
man. So God me help, said Sir Percivale, I saw a damosel,
as me thought, all in white, with a vessel in both her hands,
and forthwithal I was whole. So then they took their horses
and their harness, and amended their harness as well as they
might that was broken ; and so they mounted upon their
horses, and rode talking together. And there Sir Ector de
Maris told Sir Percivale how he had sought his brother, Sii
King Arthur 145
Launcelot, long, and never could hear witting of him : In
many strange adventures have I been in this quest. And so
either told other of their adventures.
Here endeth the eleventh book.
And here folloeweth the
twelfth book.
BOOK XII
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT IN HIS MADNESS TOOK A SWORD AND FOUGHT
WITH A KNIGHT, AND LEAPT IN A BED
AND now leave we of a while of Sir Ector and of Sir
Percivale, and speak we of Sir Launcelot that suffered and
endured many sharp showers, that ever ran wild wood from
place to place, and lived by fruit and such as he might get,
and drank water two year ; and other clothing had he but
little but his shirt and his breeches. Thus as Sir Launcelot
wandered here and there he came in a fair meadow where
he found a pavilion ; and there by, upon a tree, there hung
a white shield, and two swords hung thereby, and two spears
leaned there by a tree. And when Sir Launcelot saw the
swords, anon he leapt to the one sword, and took it in his
hand, and drew it out. And then he lashed at the shield,
that all the meadow rang of the dints, that he gave such a
noise as ten knights had foughten together. Then came
forth a dwarf, and leapt unto Sir Launcelot, and would have
had the sword out of his hand. And then Sir Launcelot
took him by the both shoulders and threw him to the ground
upon his neck, that he had almost broken his neck ; and
therewithal the dwarf cried help. Then came forth a likely
knight, and well apparelled in scarlet furred with minever.
And anon as he saw Sir Launcelot he deemed that he should
be out of his wit. And then he said with fair speech : Good
man, lay down that sword, for as meseemeth thou hadst more
need of sleep and of warm clothes than to wield that sword.
As for that, said Sir Launcelot, come not too nigh, for an
thou do, wit thou well I will slay thee. And when the
146 King Arthur
knight of the pavilion saw that, he started backward within
the pavilion. And then the dwarf armed him lightly ; and
so the knight thought by force and might to take the sword
from Sir Launcelot, and so he came stepping out ; and when
Sir Launcelot saw him come so all armed with his sword in
his hand, then Sir Launcelot flew to him with such a might,
and hit him upon the helm such a buffet, that the stroke
troubled his brains, and therewith the sword brake in three.
And the knight fell to the earth as he had been dead, the
blood brasting out of his mouth, the nose, and the ears.
And then Sir Launcelot ran into the pavilion, and rushed
even into the warm bed ; and there was a lady in that bed,
and she gat her smock, and ran out of the pavilion. And
when she saw her lord lie at the ground like to be dead,
then she cried and wept as she had been mad. Then with
her noise the knight awaked out of his swoon, and looked
up weakly with his eyes ; and then he asked her, where was
that mad man that had given him such a buffet : For such
a buffet had I never of man's hand. Sir, said the dwarf, it
is not worship to hurt him, for he is a man out of his wit ;
and doubt ye not he hath been a man of great worship, and
for some heartly sorrow that he hath taken, he is fallen mad;
and me beseemeth, said the dwarf, he resembleth much
unto Sir Launcelot, for him I saw at the great tournament
beside Lonazep. jesu defend, said that knight, that ever
that noble knight, Sir Launcelot, should be in such a plight ;
but whatsomever he be, said that knight, harm will I none
do him : and this knight's name was Bliant. Then he said
unto the dwarf : Go thou fast on horseback, unto my brother
Sir Selivant, that is at the Castle Blank, and tell him of mine
adventure, and bid him bring with him an horse litter, and
then will we bear this knight unto my castle.
CHAPTER II
KOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS CARRIED IN AN HORSE LITTER, AND
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RESCUED SIR BLIANT, HIS HOST
So the dwarf rode fast, and he came again and brought
Sir Selivant with him, and six men with an horse litter ; and
so they took up the feather bed with Sir Launcelot, and so
carried all away with them unto the Castle Blank, and he
never awaked till he was within the castle. And then they
King Arthur 147
bound his hands and his feet, and gave him good meats
and good drinks, and brought him again to his strength and
his fairness ; but in his wit they could not bring him again,
nor to know himself. Thus was Sir Launcelot there more
than a year and a half, honestly arrayed and fair fame withal.
Then upon a day this lord of that castle, Sir Bliant, took
his arms, on horseback, with a spear, to seek adventures.
And as he rode in a forest there met with him two knights
adventurous, the one was Breuse Saunce Pite', and his
brother, Sir Bertelot ; and these two ran both at once upon
Sir Bliant, and brake their spears upon his body. And then
they drew out swords and made great battle, and fought
long together. But at the last Sir Bliant was sore wounded,
and felt himself faint ; and then he fled on horseback toward
his castle. And they came hurling under the castle whereas
Sir Launcelot lay in a window, and saw how two knights
laid upon Sir Bliant with their swords. And when Sir
Launcelot saw that, yet as wood as he was he was sorry for
his lord, Sir Bliant. And then Sir Launcelot brake the
chains from his legs and off his arms, and in the breaking
he hurt his hands sore ; and so Sir Launcelot ran out at a
postern, and there he met with the two knights that chased
Sir Bliant ; and there he pulled down Sir Bertelot with his
bare hands from his horse, and therewithal he wrothe his
sword out of his hand; and so he leapt unto Sir Breuse,
and gave him such a buffet upon the head that he tumbled
backward over his horse's croup. And when Sir Bertelot
saw there his brother have such a fall, he gat a spear in his
hand, and would have run Sir Launcelot through : that saw
Sir Bliant, and struck off the hand of Sir Bertelot. And
then Sir Breuse and Sir Bertelot gat their horses and fled
away. When Sir Selivant came and saw what Sir Launcelot
had done for his brother, then he thanked God, and so did
his brother, that ever they did him any good. But when
Sir Bliant saw that Sir Launcelot was hurt with the breaking.
of his irons, then was he heavy that ever he bound him.
Bind him no more, said Sir Selivant, for he is happy and
gracious. Then they made great joy of Sir Launcelot, and
they bound him no more ; and so he abode there an half
year and more. And on the morn early Sir Launcelot was
ware where came a great boar with many hounds nigh him.
But the boar was so big there might no hounds tear him ;
and the hunters came after, blowing their horns, both upon
148 King Arthur
horseback and some upon foot ; and then Sir Launcelot was
ware where one alit and tied his horse to a tree, and leaned
his spear against the tree.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUGHT AGAINST A BOAR AND SLEW HIM,
AND HOW HE WAS HURT, AND BROUGHT UNTO AN HERMITAGE
So came Sir Launcelot and found the horse bounden till
a tree, and a spear leaning against a tree, and a sword tied
to the saddle bow; and then Sir Launcelot leapt into the
saddle and gat that spear in his hand, and then he rode
after the boar ; and then Sir Launcelot was ware where the
boar set his arse to a tree fast by an hermitage. Then Sir
Launcelot ran at the boar with his spear, and therewith the
boar turned him nimbly, and rove out the lungs and the
heart of the horse, so that Launcelot fell to the earth ; and,
or ever Sir Launcelot might get from the horse, the boar
rove him on the brawn of the thigh up to the hough bone.
And then Sir Launcelot was wroth, and up he gat upon his
feet, and drew his sword, and he smote off the boar's head
at one stroke. And therewithal came out the hermit, and
saw him have such a wound. Then the hermit came to Sir
Launcelot and bemoaned him, and would have had him
home unto his hermitage ; but when Sir Launcelot heard
him speak, he was so wroth with his wound that he ran
upon the hermit to have slain him, and the hermit ran
away. And when Sir Launcelot might not overget him, he
threw his sword after him, for Sir Launcelot might go no
further for bleeding; then the hermit turned again, and
asked Sir Launcelot how he was hurt. Fellow, said Sir
Launcelot, this boar hath bitten me sore. Then come with
me, said the hermit, and I shall heal you. Go thy way,
said Sir Launcelot, and deal not with me. Then the hermit
ran his way, and there he met with a good knight with
many men. Sir, said the hermit, here is fast by my place
the goodliest man that ever I saw, and he is sore wounded
with a boar, and yet he hath slain the boar. But well I
wot, said the hermit, and he be not holpen, that goodly
man shall die of that wound, and that were great pity.
Then that knight at the desire of the hermit gat a cart,
and in that cart that knight put the boar and Sir Launcelot,
King Arthur 149
for Sir Launcelot was so feeble that they might right easily
deal with him ; and so Sir Launcelot was brought unto the
hermitage, and there the hermit healed him of his wound.
But the hermit might not find Sir Launcelot's sustenance,
and so he impaired and waxed feeble, both of his body and
of his wit : for the default of his sustenance he waxed more
wooder than he was aforehand. And then upon a day Sir
Launcelot ran his way into the forest ; and by adventure he
came to the city of Corbin, where Dame Elaine was, that
bare Galahad, Sir Launcelot's son. And so when he was
entered into the town he ran through the town to the castle ;
and then all the young men of that city ran after Sir
Launcelot, and there they threw turves at him, and gave
him many sad strokes. And ever as Sir Launcelot might
overreach any of them, he thsew them so that they would
never come in his hands no more ; for of some he brake
the legs and the arms, and so fled into the castle : and then
came out knights and squires and rescued Sir Launcelot.
And when they beheld him and looked upon his person,
they thought they saw never so goodly a man. And when
they saw so many wounds upon him, all they deemed that
he had been a man of worship. And then they ordained
him clothes to his body, and straw underneath him, and a
little house. And then every day they would throw him
meat, and set him drink, but there was but few would bring
him meat to his hands.
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS KNOWN BY DAME ELAINE, AND WAS
BORNE INTO A CHAMBER AND AFTER HEALED BY THE SANGREAL
So it befell that King Pelles had a nephew, his name was
Castor ; and so he desired of the king to be made knight,
and so at the request of this Castor the king made him
knight at the feast of Candlemas. And when Sir Castor
was made knight, that same day he gave many gowns. And
then Sir Castor sent for the fool — that was Sir Launcelot.
And when he was come afore Sir Castor, he gave Sir
Launcelot a robe of scarlet and all that longed unto him.
And when Sir Launcelot was so arrayed like a knight, he
was the seemliest man in all the court, and none so well
made. So when he saw his time he went into the garden,
15° King Arthur
and there Sir Launcelot laid him down by a well and slept.
And so at after noon Dame Elaine and her maidens came
into the garden to play them ; and as they roamed up and
down one of Dame Elaine's maidens espied where lay a
goodly man by the well sleeping, and anon showed him to
Dame Elaine. Peace, said Dame Elaine, and say no word :
and then she brought Dame Elaine where he lay. And
when that she beheld him, anon she fell in remembrance
of him, and knew him verily for Sir Launcelot ; and there-
withal she fell on weeping so heartily that she sank even to
the earth ; and when she had thus wept a great while, then
she arose and called her maidens and said she was sick.
And so she yede out of the garden, and she went straight
to her father, and there she took him apart by herself; and
then she said : O father, now have I need of your help, and
but if that ye help me farewell my good days for ever.
What is that, daughter? said King Pelles. Sir, she said,
thus is it : in your garden I went for to sport, and there by
the well I found Sir Launcelot du Lake sleeping. I may
not believe that, said King Pelles. Sir, she said, truly he
is there, and meseemeth he should be distract out of his
wit. Then hold you still, said the king, and let me deal.
Then the king called to him such as he most trusted, a
four persons, and Dame Elaine, his daughter. And when
they came to the well and beheld Sir Launcelot, anon Dame
Brisen knew him. Sir, said Dame Brisen, we must be wise
how we deal with him, for this knight is out of his mind,
and if we awake him rudely what he will do we all know
not ; but ye shall abide, and I shall throw such an enchant-
ment upon him that he shall not awake within the space of
an hour ; and so she did. Then within a little while after,
the king commanded that all people should avoid that none
should be in that way there as the king would come. And
so when this was done, these four men and these ladies laid
hand on Sir Launcelot, and so they bare him into a tower,
and so into a chamber where was the holy vessel of the
Sangreal, and by force Sir Launcelot was laid by that holy
vessel ; and there came an holy man and unhylled that
vessel, and so by miracle and by virtue of that holy vessel
Sir Launcelot was healed and recovered. And when that
he was awaked he groaned and sighed, and complained
greatly that he was passing sore.
King Arthur 151
CHAPTER V
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, AFTER THAT HE WAS WHOLE AND HAD HIS
MIND, HE WAS ASHAMED, AND HOW THAT ELAINE DESIRED A
CASTLE FOR HIM
AND when Sir Launcelot saw King Pelles and Elaine, he
waxed ashamed and said thus : O Lord Jesu, how I came
here ? for God's sake, my lord, let me wit how I came here.
Sir, said Dame Elaine, into this country ye came like a
madman, clean out of your wit, and here have ye been kept
as a fool ; and no creature here knew what ye were, until
by fortune a maiden of mine brought me unto you whereas
ye lay sleeping by a well, and anon as I verily beheld you I
knew you. And then I told my father, and so were ye
brought afore this holy vessel, and by the virtue of it thus
were ye healed. O Jesu, mercy, said Sir Launcelot ; if this
be sooth, how many there be that know of my woodness ?
So God me help, said Elaine, no more but my father, and
I, and Dame Brisen. Now for Christ's love, said Sir
Launcelot, keep it in counsel, and let no man know it in
the world, for I am sore ashamed that I have been thus
miscarried ; for I am banished out of the country of Logris
forever, that is for to say the country of England. And so
Sir Launcelot lay more than a fortnight or ever that he
might stir for soreness. And then upon a day he said unto
Dame Elaine these words : Lady Elaine, for your sake I
have had much travail, care, and anguish, it needeth not to
rehearse it, ye know how. Notwithstanding I know well I have
done foul to you when that 1 drew my sword to you, to have
slain you, upon the morn when I had lain with you. And
all was the cause, that ye and Dame Brisen made me for to
lie by you maugre mine head ; and as ye say, that night
Galahad your son was begotten. That is truth, said Dame
Elaine. Now will ye for my love, said Sir Launcelot, go
unto your father and get me a place of him wherein I may
dwell ? for in the court of King Arthur may I never come.
Sir, said Dame Elaine, I will live and die with you, and
only for your sake ; and if my life might not avail you and
my death might avail you, wit you well I would die for your
sake. And I will go to my father, and I am sure there is
nothing that I can desire of him but I shall have it. And
where ye be, my lord Sir Launcelot, doubt ye not but I will
152 King Arthur
be with you with all the service that I may do. So forth-
withal she went to her father and said, Sir, my lord, Sir
Laimcelot, desireth to be here by you in some castle of
yours. Well daughter, said the king, sith it is his desire to
abide in these marches he shall be in the Castle of Bliant,
and there shall ye be with him, and twenty of the fairest
ladies that be in the country, and they shall all be of the
great blood, and ye shall have ten knights with you ; for,
daughter, I will that ye wit we all be honoured by the blood
of Sir Launcelot.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR LAT7NCELOT CAME INTO THE JOYOUS ISLE, AND THERE
HE NAMED HIMSELF LE CHEVALER MAL FET
THEN went Dame Elaine unto Sir Launcelot, and told
him all how her father had devised for him and her. Then
came the knight Sir Castor, that was nephew unto King
Pelles, unto Sir Launcelot, and asked him what was his
name. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, my name is Le Chevaler
Mai Fet, that is to say the knight that hath trespassed.
Sir, said Sir Castor, it may well be so, but ever meseemeth
your name should be Sir Launcelot du Lake, for or now
I have seen you. Sir, said Launcelot, ye are not as a gentle
knight : I put cause my name were Sir Launcelot, and that
it list me not to discover my name, what should it grieve
you here to keep my counsel, and ye be not hurt thereby?
but wit thou well an ever it lay in my power I shall grieve
you, and that I promise you truly. Then Sir Castor kneeled
down and besought Sir Launcelot of mercy : For I shall
never utter what ye be while that ye be in these parts.
Then Sir Launcelot pardoned him. And then after this
King Pelles with ten knights, and Dame Elaine, and twenty
ladies, rode unto the Castle of Bliant that stood in an island
beclosed in iron, with a fair water deep and large. And
when they were there Sir Launcelot let call it the Joyous
Isle ; and there was he called none otherwise but Le
Chevaler Mai Fet, the knight that hath trespassed. Then
Sir Launcelot let make him a shield all of sable, and a
queen crowned in the midst, all of silver, and a knight clene
armed kneeling afore her. And every day once, for any
mirths that all the ladies might make him, he would once
King Arthur 153
every day look toward the realm of Logris, where King
Arthur and Queen Guenever was. And then would he fall
upon a weeping as his heart should to brast. So it fell that
time Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting fast by his castle,
within three leagues. Then he called unto him a dwarf, and
he bad him go unto that jousting : And or ever the knights
depart, look thou make there a cry, in hearing of all the
knights, that there is one knight in the Joyous Isle, that is
the Castle of Bliant, and say his name is Le Chevaler Mai
Fet, that will joust against knights that will come. And
who that putteth that knight to the worse shall have a fair
maid and a gerfalcon.
CHAPTER VII
OF A GREAT TOURNEYING IN THE JOYOUS ISLE, AND HOW SIR
PERCIVALE AND SIR ECTOR CAME THITHER, AND SIR PERCIVALE
FOUGHT WITH HIM
So when this cry was made, unto Joyous Isle drew
knights to the number of five hundred ; and wit ye well
there was never seen in Arthur's days one knight that did
so much deeds of arms as Sir Launcelot did three days
together ; for as the book maketh truly mention, he had the
better of all the five hundred knights, and there was not
one slain of them. And after that Sir Launcelot made
them all a great feast. And in the meanwhile came Sir
Percivale de Galis and Sir Ector de Maris under that castle
that was called the Joyous Isle. And as they beheld that
gay castle they would have gone to that castle, but they
might not for the broad water, and bridge could they find
none. Then they saw on the other side a lady with a
sperhawk in her hand, and Sir Percivale called unto her,
and asked that lady who was in that castle. Fair knights,
she said, here within this castle is the fairest lady in this
land, and her name is Elaine. Also we have in this castle
the fairest knight and the mightiest man that is I dare say
living, and he called himself Le Chevaler Mai Fet. How came
he into these marches ? said Sir Percivale. Truly, said the
damosel, he came into this country like a mad man, with
dogs and boys chasing him through the city of Corbin, and
by the holy vessel of the Sangreal he was brought into his
wit a^ain ; but he will not do battle with no knight, but by
154 King Arthur
undorne or by noon. And if ye list to come into the castle,
said the lady, ye must ride unto the further side of the
castle and there shall ye find a vessel that will bear you and
your horse. Then they departed, and came unto the
vessel. And then Sir Percivale alit, and said to Sir Ector
de Maris : Ye shall abide me here until that I wit what
manner a knight he is ; for it were shame unto us, inasmuch
as he is but one knight, an we should both do battle with
him. Do ye as ye list, said Sir Ector, and here I shall abide
you until that I hear of you. Then passed Sir Percivale the
water, and when he came to the castle gate he bad the
porter : Go thou to the good knight within the castle, and
tell him here is come an errant knight to joust with him.
Sir, said the porter, ride ye within the castle, and there is a
common place for jousting, that lords and ladies may behold
you. So anon as Sir Launcelot had warning he was soon
ready ; and there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot encountered
with such a might, and their spears were so rude, that both
the horses and the knights fell to the earth. Then they
avoided their horses, and flang out noble swords, and hewed
away cantels of their shields, and hurtled together with their
shields like two boars, and either wounded other passing
sore. At the last Sir Percivale spake first when they
had foughten there more than two hours. Fair knight, said
Sir Percivale, I require thee tell me thy name, for I met never
with such a knight. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, my name
is Le Chevaler Mai Fet. Now tell me your name, said Sir
Launcelot, I require you, gentle knight. Truly, said Sir
Percivale, my name is Sir Percivale de Galis, that was
brother unto the good knight, Sir Lamorak de Galis, and
King Pellinore was our father, and Sir Aglovale is my
brother. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, what have I done to
fight with you that art a knight of the Round Table, that
sometime was your fellow ?
King Arthur 155
CHAPTER VIII
HOW EACH QF THEM KNEW OTHER, AND OF THEIR GREAT COURTESY,
AND HOW HIS BROTHER SIR ECTOR CAME UNTO HIM, AND OF
THEIR JOY
AND therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his
knees, and threw away his shield and his sword from him.
When Sir Percivale saw him do so he marvelled what he
meaned. And then thus he said : Sir knight, whatsomever
thou be, I require thee upon the high order of knighthood,
tell me thy true name. Then he said : So God me help,
my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of
Benoy. Alas, said Sir Percivale, what have I done ? I was
sent by the queen for to seek you, and so I have sought
you nigh this two year, and yonder is Sir Ector de Maris,
your brother, abideth me on the other side of the yonder
water. Now, for God's sake, said Sir Percivale, forgive me
mine offences that I have here done. It is soon forgiven,
said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Percivale sent for Sir Ector
de Maris ; and when Sir Launcelot had a sight of him, he
ran unto him and took him in his arms ; and then Sir Ector
kneeled down, and either wept upon other, that all had
pity to behold them. Then came Dame Elaine, and she
there made them great cheer as might lie in her power ;
and there she told Sir Ector and Sir Percivale how and in
what manner Sir Launcelot came into that country, and
how he was healed ; and there it was known how long Sir
Launcelot was with Sir Bliant and with Sir Selivant, and
how he first met with them, and how he departed from
them by cause of a boar ; and how the hermit healed Sir
Launcelot of his great wound, and how that he came to
Corbin.
CHAPTER IX
HOW SIR BORS AND SIR LIONEL CAME TO KING BRANDEGORE, AND
HOW SIR BORS TOOK HIS SON HELIN LE BLANK, AND OF SIR
LAUNCELOT
Now leave we Sir Launcelot in the Joyous Isle with
the lady Dame Elaine, and Sir Percivale and Sir Ector
playing with them, and turn we to Sir Bors de Ganis and
156 King Arthur
Sir Lionel, that had sought Sir Launcelot nigh by the space
of two year, and never could they hear of him. And as
they thus rode, by adventure they came to the house of
Brandegore, and there Sir Bors was well known, for he had
gotten a child upon the king's daughter fifteen year tofore,
and his name was Helin le Blank. And when Sir Bors saw
that child it liked him passing well. And so those knights
had good cheer of the King Brandegore. And on the
morn Sir Bors came afore King Brandegore and said : Here
is my son Helin le Blank, that as it is said he is my son ; and
sith it is so, I will that ye wit that I will have him with me
unto the court of King Arthur. Sir, said the king, ye may
well take him with you, but he is over tender of age. As
lor that, said Sir Bors, I will have him with me, and bring
him to the house of most worship of the world. So when
Sir Bors should depart there was made great sorrow for the
departing of Helin le Blank, and great weeping was there
made. But Sir Bors and Sir Lionel departed, and within
a while they came to Camelot, where was King Arthur.
And when King Arthur understood that Helin le Blank was
Sir Bors' son, and nephew unto King Brandegore, then
King Arthur let him make knight of the Round Table ; and
so he proved a good knight and an adventurous. Now will
we turn to our matter of Sir Launcelot. It befell upon a
day Sir Ector and Sir Percivale came to Sir Launcelot and
asked him what he would do, and whether he would go
with them unto King Arthur or not. Nay, said Sir Launce-
lot, that may not be by no mean, for I was so entreated at
the court that I cast me never to come there more. Sir,
said Sir Ector, I am your brother, and ye are the man in
the world that I love most ; and if I understood that it were
your disworship, ye may understand I would never counsel
you thereto ; but King Arthur and all his knights, and in
especial Queen Guenever, made such dole and sorrow that
it was marvel to hear and see. And ye must remember the
great worship and renown that ye be of, how that ye have
been more spoken of than any other knight that is now
living ; for there is none that beareth the name now but ye
and Sir Tristram* Therefore brother, said Sir Ector, make
you ready to ride to the court with us, and I daresay there
was never knight better welcome to the court than ye ; and
I wot well and can make it good, said Sir Ector, it hath cost
my lady, the queen, twenty thousand pound the seeking of
King Arthur 157
you. Well brother, said Sir Launcelot, I will do after youi
counsel, and ride with you. So then they took their horses
and made them ready, and took their leave at King Pelles
and at Dame Elaine. And when Sir Launcelot should
depart Dame Elaine made great sorrow. My lord, Sir
Launcelot, said Dame Elaine, at this same feast of Pente-
cost shall your son and mine, Galahad, be made knight, for
he is fully now fifteen winter old. Do as ye list, said Sir
Launcelot ; God give him grace to prove a good knight.
As for that, said Dame Elaine, I doubt not he shall prove
the best man of his kin except one. Then shall he be a
man good enough, said Sir Launcelot.
CHAPTER X
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WITH SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR ECTOR CAMR
TO THE COURT, AND OF THE GREAT JOY OF HIM
THEN they departed, and within five days' journey they
came to Camelot, that is called in English, Winchester.
And when Sir Launcelot was come among them, the king
and all the knights made great joy of him. And there Sir
Percivale de Galis and Sir Ector de Maris began and told
the whole adventures : that Sir Launcelot had been out of
his mind the time of his absence, and how he called himself
Le Chevaler Mai Fet, the knight that had trespassed ; and
in three days Sir Launcelot smote down five hundred knights.
And ever as Sir Ector and Sir Percivale told these tales of
Sir Launcelot, Queen Guenever wept as she should have
died. Then the queen made great cheer. O Jesu, said
King Arthur, I marvel for what cause ye, Sir Launcelot,
went out of your mind. I and many others deem it was for
the love of fair Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles, by
whom ye are noised that ye have gotten a child, and his
name is Galahad, and men say he shall do marvels. My
lord, said Sir Launcelot, if I did any folly I have that I
sought. And therewithal the king spake no more. But all
Sir Launcelot's kin knew for whom he went out of his
mind. And then there were great feasts made and great
joy ; and many great lords and ladies, when they heard that
Sir Launcelot was come to the court again, they made
great joy.
158 King Arthur
CHAPTER XI
HOW LA BEALE ISOUD COUNSELLED SIR TRISTRAM TO GO UNTO
THE COURT, TO THE GREAT FEAST OF PENTECOST
Now will we leave of this matter, and speak we of Sir
Tristram, and of Sir Palomides that was the Saracen
unchristened. When Sir Tristram was come home unto
Joyous Gard from his adventures, all this while that Sir
Launcelot was thus missed, two year and more, Sir Tristram
bare the renown through all the realm of Logris, and many
strange adventures befell him, and full well and manly and
worshipfully he brought them to an end. So when he was
come home La Beale Isoud told him of the great feast that
should be at Pentecost next following, and there she told
him how Sir Launcelot had been missed two year, and all
that while he had been out of his mind, and how he was
holpen by the holy vessel, the Sangreal. Alas, said Sir
Tristram, that caused some debate betwixt him and Queen
Guenever. Sir, said Dame Isoud, I know it all, for Queen
Guenever sent me a letter in the which she wrote me all
how it was, for to require you to seek him. And now,
blessed be God, said La Beale Isoud, he is whole and
sound and come again to the court. Thereof am I glad,
said Sir Tristram, and now shall ye and I make us ready,
for both ye and I will be at the feast. Sir, said Isoud, an it
please you I will not be there, for through me ye be marked
of many good knights, and that caused you to have much
more labour for my sake than needeth you. Then will I
not be there, said Sir Tristram, but if ye be there. God
defend, said La Beale Isoud, for then shall I be spoken of
shame among all queens and ladies of estate ; for ye that
are called one of the noblest knights of the world, and ye a
knight of the Round Table, how may ye be missed at that
feast ? What shall be said among all knights ? See how
Sir Tristram hunteth, and hawketh, and cowereth within a
castle with his lady, and forsaketh your worship. Alas,
shall some say, it is pity that ever he was made knight, or
that ever he should have the love of a lady. Also what
shall queens and ladies say of me? It is pity that I have
my life, that I will hold so noble a knight as ye are from
his worship. So God me help, said Sir Tristram unto La
Beale Isoud, it is passing well said of you and nobly
King Arthur 159
counselled ; and now I well understand that ye love me ;
and like as ye have counselled me I will do a part thereafter.
But there shall no man nor child ride with me, but myself.
And so will I ride on Tuesday next coming, and no more
harness of war but my spear and my sword.
CHAPTER XII
HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED UNARMED AND MET WITH SIR
PALOMIDES, AND HOW THEY SMOTE EACH OTHER, AND HOW
SIR PALOMIDES FORBARE HIM
AND so when the day came Sir Tristram took his leave at
La Beale Isoud, and she sent with him four knights, and
within half a mile he sent them again : and within a mile
after Sir Tristram saw afore him where Sir Palomides had
stricken down a knight, and almost wounded him to the
death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not
armed, and then he hoved still. With that Sir Palomides
knew Sir Tristram, and cried on high : Sir Tristram, now
be we met, for or we depart we will redress our old sores.
As for that, said Sir Tristram, there was yet never Christian
man might make his boast that ever I fled from him ; and
wit ye well, Sir Palomides, thou that art a Saracen shall
never make thy boast that Sir Tristram de Liones shall flee
from thee. And therewith Sir Tristram made his horse to
run, and with all his might he came straight upon Sir Palom-
ides, and brast his spear upon him an hundred pieces. And
forthwithal Sir Tristram drew his sword. And then he
turned his horse and struck at Palomides six great strokes
upon his helm ; and then Sir Palomides stood still, and
beheld Sir Tristram, and marvelled of his woodness, and of
his folly. And then Sir Palomides said to himself : An Sir
Tristram were armed, it were hard to seace him of this
battle, and if I turn again and slay him I am ashamed
wheresomever that I go. Then Sir Tristram spake and
said : Thou coward knight, what castest thou to do ; why
wilt thou not do battle with me ? for have thou no doubt I
shall endure all thy malice. Ah, Sir Tristram, said Palom-
ides, full well thou wotest I may not fight with thee for
shame, for thou art here naked and I am armed, and if I
slay thee, dishonour shall be mine. And well thou wotest,
said Sir Palomides to Sir Tristram, I know thy strength and
160 King Arthur
thy hardiness to endure against a good knight. That is
truth, said Sir Tristram, I understand thy valiantness well.
Ye say well, said Sir Palomides ; now, I require you, tell me
a question that I shall say to you. Tell me what it is, said
Sir Tristram, and I shall answer you the truth, as God me
help. I put case, said Sir Palomides, that ye were armed
at all rights as well as I am, and I naked as ye be, what
would you do to me now, by your true knighthood ? Ah,
said Sir Tristram, now I understand thee well, Sir Palomides,
for now must I say mine own judgment, and as God me
bless, that I shall say shall not be said for no fear that I
have of thee. But this is all : wit Sir Palomides, as at this
time thou shouldest depart from me, for I would not have ado
with thee. No more will I, said Palomides, and therefore
ride forth on thy way. As for that I may choose, said Sir
Tristram, either to ride or to abide. But Sir Palomides,
said Sir Tristram, I marvel of one thing, that thou that art
so good a knight, that thou wilt not be christened, and thy
brother, Sir Safere, hath been christened many a day.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW THAT SIR TRISTRAM GAT HIM HARNESS OF A KNIGHT WHICH
WAS HURT, AND HOW HE OVERTHREW SIR PALOMIDES
As for that, said Sir Palomides, I may not yet be
christened, for one avow that I have made many years
agone ; howbeit in my heart I believe in Jesu Christ and
his mild mother Mary ; but I have but one battle to do, and
when that is done I will be baptised with a good will. By
my head, said Tristram, as for one battle thou shalt not
seek it no longer. For God defend, said Sir Tristram, that
through my default thou shouldst longer live thus a Saracen,
for yonder is a knight that ye, Sir Palomides, have hurt and
smitten down. Now help me that I were armed in his
armour, and I shall soon fulfil thine avows. As ye will,
said Palomides, so it shall be. So they rode both unto that
knight that sat upon a bank, and then Sir Tristram saluted
him, and he weakly saluted him again. Sir knight, said Sir
Tristram, I require you tell me your right name. Sir, he
said, may name is Sir Galleron of Gal way, and knight of the
Table Round. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, I am
right heavy of your hurts ; but this is all, I must pray you
King Arthur 161
to lend me all your whole armour, for ye see I am unarmed,
and I must do battle with this knight. Sir, said the hurt
knight, ye shall have it with a good will ; but ye must
beware, for I warn you that knight is wight. Sir, said
Galleron, 1 pray you tell me your name, and what is that
knight's name that hath beaten me. Sir, as for my name it
is Sir Tristram de Liones, and as for the knight's name that
hath hurt you is Sir Palomides, brother to the good knight
Sir Safere, and yet is Sir Palomides unchristened. Alas,
said Sir Galleron, that is pity that so good a knight and so
noble a man of arms should be unchristened. So God
me help, said Sir Tristram, either he shall slay me or I him
but that he shall be christened or ever we depart in sunder.
My lord Sir Tristram, said Sir Galleron, your renown and
worship is well known through many realms, and God save
you this day from senship and shame. Then Sir Tristram
unarmed Galleron, the which was a noble knight, and had
done many deeds of arms, and he was a large knight of
flesh and bone. And when he was unarmed he stood upon
his feet, for he was bruised in the back with a spear ; yet so as
Sir Galleron might, he armed Sir Tristram. And then Sir
Tristram mounted upon his own horse, and in his hand he
gat Sir Galleron's spear ; and therewithal Sir Palomides was
ready. And so they came hurtling together, and either
smote other in middes of their shields ; and therewithal Sir
Palomides' spear brake, and Sir Tristram smote down the
horse ; and Sir Palomides as soon as he might avoided his
horse, and dressed his shield, and pulled out his sword.
That saw Sir Tristram, and therewithal he alit and tied his
horse till a tree.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES FOUGHT LONG TOGETHER,
AND AFTER ACCORDED, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM MADE HIM TO
BE CHRISTENED.
AND then they came together as two wild boars, lashing
together, tracing and traversing as noble men that oft had
been well proved in battle ; but ever Sir Palomides dread
the might of Sir Tristram, and therefore he suffered him to
breathe him. Thus they fought more than two hours, but
often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palomides that
II 46 f
1 62 King Arthur
he made him to kneel ; and Sir Palomides brake and cut
away many pieces of Sir Tristram's shield ; and then Sir
Palomides wounded Sir Tristram, for he was a well fighting
man. Then Sir Tristram was wood wroth out of measure,
and rushed upon Sir Palomides with such a might that Sir
Palomides fell grovelling to the earth ; and therewithal he
leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tristram
wounded Palomides sore through the shoulder. And ever
Sir Tristram fought still in like hard, and Sir Palomides
failed not, but gave him many sad strokes. And at the last
Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and by fortune Sir Tristram
smote Sir Palomides' sword out of his hand, and if Sir
Palomides had stooped for his sword he had been slain.
Then Palomides stood still and beheld his sword with a
sorrowful heart. How now, said Sir Tristram unto Palom-
ides, now have I thee at advantage as thou haddest me this
day ; but it shall never be said in no court, nor among good
knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any knight that is
weaponless ; and therefore take thou thy sword, and let us
make an end of this battle. As for to do this battle, said
Palomides, I dare right well end it, but I have no great lust
to fight no more. And for this cause, said Palomides :
mine offence to you is not so great but that we may be
friends. All that I have offended is and was for the love of
La Beale Isoud. And as for her, I dare say she is peerless
above all other ladies, and also I proffered her never no
dishonour ; and by her I have gotten the most part of my
worship, and sithen I offended never as to her own person.
And as for the offence that I have done, it was against your
own person, and for that offence ye have given me this day
many sad strokes, and some I have given you again ; and
now I dare say I felt never man of your might, nor so well
breathed, but if it were Sir Launcelot du Lake. Wherefore
I require you, my lord, forgive me all that I have offended
unto you ; and this same day have me to the next church,
and first let me be clene confessed, and after see you now
that I be truly baptised. And then will we all ride together
unto the court of Arthur, that we be there at the high feast.
Now take your horse, said Sir Tristram, and as ye say so it
shall be, and all thine evil will God forgive it you, and I do.
And here within this mile is the suffragan of Carlisle that
shall give you the sacrament of baptism. Then they took
their horses and Sir Galleron rode with them. And when
King Arthur 163
they came to the suffragan Sir Tristram told him their
desire. Then the suffragan let fill a great vessel with water,
and when he had hallowed it he then confessed clene
Sir Palomides, and Sir Tristram and Sir Galleron were his
godfathers. And then soon after they departed, riding
toward Camelot, where King Arthur and Queen Guenever
was, and for the most part all the knights of the Round
Table. And so the king and all the court were glad that
Sir Palomides was christened. And at the same feast in
came Galahad and sat in the siege perilous. And so there-
withal departed and dissevered all the knights of the Round
Table. And Sir Tristram returned again unto Joyous Gard,
and Sir Palomides followed the questing beast.
Here endeth the second book of Sir Tristram that <voas dra<wn out
of French into English. Bat here is no rehearsal of the third book.
And here follo<weth the noble tale of the Sangreal, that catted is the
holy vessel ; and the signification of the blessed blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ, blessed mote it be, the which <was brought into this
land by Joseph of Aramathie. Therefore on all sinful souls blessed
Lord have thou mercy.
Explicit liber xii. Et incipit
Decimustercius.
BOOK XIII
CHAPTER I
HOW AT THE VIGIL OF THE FEAST OF PENTECOST ENTERED INTO
THE HALL BEFORE KING ARTHUR A DAMOSEL, AND DESIRED
SIR LAUNCELOT FOR TO COME AND DUB A KNIGHT, AND HOW
HE WENT WITH HER
AT the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the
Round Table were come unto Camelot and there heard
their service, and the tables were set ready to the meat, right
so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman on horseback,
that had ridden full fast, for her horse was all besweated.
Then she there alit, and came before the king and saluted
him ; and he said : Damosel, God thee bless. Sir, said she,
164 King Arthur
for God's sake say me where Sir Launcelot is. Yonder ye
may see him, said the king. Then she went unto Launcelot
and said : Sir Launcelot, I salute you on King Pelles' behalf,
and I require you come on with me hereby into a forest.
Then Sir Launcelot asked her with whom she dwelled. I
dwell, said she, with King Pelles. What will ye with me ?
said Launcelot. Ye shall know, said she, when ye come
thither. Well, said he, I will gladly go with you. So Sir
Launcelot bad his squire saddle his horse and bring his
arms ; and in all haste he did his commandment. Then
came the queen unto Launcelot, and said : Will ye leave us
at this high feast ? Madam, said the gentlewoman, wit ye
well he shall be with you tomorn by dinner time. If I wist,
said the queen, that he should not be with us here tomorn
he should not go with you by my good will. Right so
departed Sir Launcelot with the gentlewoman, and rode until
that he came into a forest and into a great valley, where they
saw an abbey of nuns ; and there was a squire ready and
opened the gates, and so they entered and descended off
their horses ; and there came a fair fellowship about Sir
Launcelot, and welcomed him, and were passing glad of his
coming. And then they led him unto the Abbess's chamber
and unarmed him ; and right so he was ware upon a bed
lying two of his cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and then
he waked them ; and when they saw him they made great
joy. Sir, said Sir Bors unto Sir Launcelot, what adventure
hath brought you hither, for we weened tomorn to have found
you at Camelot ? As God me help, said Sir Launcelot, a
gentlewoman brought me hither, but I know not the cause.
In the meanwhile that they thus stood talking together,
therein came twelve nuns that brought with them Galahad,
the which was passing fair and well made, that unnethe in
the world men might not find his match : and all those
ladies wept. Sir, said they all, we bring you here this child
the which we have nourished, and we pray you to make him
a knight, for of a more worthier man's hand may he not
receive the order of knighthood. Sir Launcelot beheld the
young squire and saw him seemly and demure as a dove,
with all manner of good features, that he weened of his age
never to have seen so fair a man of form. Then said Sir
Launcelot : Cometh this desire of himself? He and all they
said yea. Then shall he, said Sir Launcelot, receive the high
order of knighthood as tomorn at the reverence of the high
King Arthur 165
feast. That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer ;
and on the morn at the hour of prime, at Galahad's desire,
he made him knight and said : God make him a good man,
for of beauty faileth you not as any that liveth.
CHAPTER II
HOW THE LETTERS WERE FOUND WRITTEN IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS,
AND OF THE MARVELLOUS ADVENTURE OF THE SWORD IN A
STONE
Now fair sir, said Sir Launcelot, will ye come with me
unto the court of King Arthur ? Nay, said he, I will not go
with you as at this time. Then he departed from them and
took his two cousins with him, and so they came unto Game-
lot by the hour of underne on Whitsunday. By that time the
king and the queen were gone to the minster to hear their
service. Then the king and the queen were passing glad of
Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and so was all the fellowship. So
when the king and all the knights were come from service, the
barons espied in the sieges of the Round Table all about,
written with golden letters : Here ought to sit he, and he
ought to sit here. And thus they went so long till that they
came to the Siege Perilous, where they found letters newly
written of gold which said : Four hundred winters and four
and fifty accomplished after the passion of our Lord Jesu
Christ ought this siege to be fulfilled. Then all they said :
This is a marvellous thing and an adventurous. In the name
of God, said Sir Launcelot ; and then accounted the term of
the writing from the birth of our Lord unto that day. It
seemeth me, said Sir Launcelot, this siege ought to be fulfilled
this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four
hundred and four and fifty year ; and if it would please all
parties, I would none of these letters were seen this day, till
he be come that ought to achieve this adventure. Then made
they to ordain a cloth of silk, for to cover these letters in the
Siege Perilous. Then the king bad haste unto dinner. Sir,
said Sir Kay the Steward, if ye go now to your meat ye shall
break your old custom of your court, for ye have not used
on this day to sit at your meat or that ye have seen some
adventure. Ye say sooth, said the king, but I had so great
joy of Sir Launcelot and of his cousins, which be come to the
court whole and sound, so that I bethought me not of mine
1 66 King Arthur
old custom. So, as they stood speaking, in came a squire
and said unto the king : Sir, I bring unto you marvellous
tidings. What be they ? said the king. Sir, there is here
beneath at the river a great stone which I saw fleet above
the water, and therein I saw sticking a sword. The king
said : I will see that marvel. So all the knights went with
him, and when they came to the river they found there a
stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and therein stuck
a fair rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious
stones wrought with subtil letters of gold. Then the barons
read the letters which said in this wise : Never shall man
take me hence, but only he by whose side I ought to hang,
and he shall be the best knight of the world. When the
king had seen the letters, he said unto Sir Launcelot : Fair
sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the
best knight of the world. Then Sir Launcelot answered
full soberly : Certes, sir, it is not my sword ; also, Sir, wit ye
well I have no hardiness to set my hand to it, for it longed
not to hang by my side. Also, who that assayeth to take
the sword and faileth of it, he shall receive a wound by that
sword that he shall not be whole long after. And I will that
ye wit that this same day shall the adventures oi the San-
greal, that is called the Holy Vessel, begin.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR GAWAINE ESSAYED TO DRAW OUT THE SWORD, AND HOW
AN OLD MAN BROUGHT IN GALAHAD
Now, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, essay
ye, for my love. Sir, he said, save your good grace I shall
not do that. Sir, said the king, essay to take the sword and
at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine, your command-
ment I will obey. And therewith he took up the sword by
the handles, but he might not stir it. I thank you, said the
king to Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launce-
lot, now wit ye well this sword shall touch you so sore that ye
shall will ye had never set your hand thereto for the best
castle of this realm. Sir, he said, I might not withsay mine
uncle's will and commandment. But when the king heard
this he repented it much, and said unto Sir Percivale that he
should essay, for his love. And he said : Gladly, for to bear
Sir Gawaine fellowship. And therewith he set his hand on
King Arthur 167
the sword and drew it strongly, but he might not move it.
Then were there more that durst be so hardy to set their
hands thereto. Now may ye go to your dinner, said Sir Kay
unto the king, for a marvellous adventure have ye seen. So
the king and all went unto the court, and every knight knew
his own place, and set him therein, and young men that were
knights served them. So when they were served, and all
sieges fulfilled save only the Siege Perilous, anon there befell
a marvellous adventure, that all the doors and windows of
the palace shut by themself. Not for then the hall was not
greatly darked ; and therewith they abashed both one and
other. Then King Arthur spake first and said : By God,
fair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or
night I suppose we shall see greater marvels. In the mean-
while came in a good old man, and an ancient, clothed all
in white, and there was no knight knew from whence he
came. And with him he brought a young knight, both on
foot, in red arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard
hanging by his side. And these words he said : Peace be
with you, fair lords. Then the old man said unto Arthur :
Sir, I bring here a young knight, the which is of king's
lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of Aramathie, whereby
the marvels of this court, and of strange realms, shall be
fully accomplished.
CHAPTER IV
HOW THE OLD MAN BROUGHT GALAHAD TO THE SIEGE PERILOUS AND
SET HIM THEREIN, AND HOW ALL THE KNIGHTS MARVELLED
THE king was right glad of his words, and said unto the
good man : Sir, ye be right welcome, and the young knight
with you. Then the old man made the young man to unarm
him, and he was in a coat of red sendel, and bare a mantle
upon his shoulder that was furred with ermine, and put that
upon him. And the old knight said unto the young knight:
Sir, follow me. And anon he led him unto the Siege Peril-
ous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot; and the good man lift
up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus : This is
the siege of Galahad, the haut prince. Sir, said the old
knight, wit ye well that place is yours. And then he set him
down surely in that siege. And then he said to the old
man : Sir, ye may now go your way, for well have ye done
1 68 King Arthur
that ye were commanded to do ; and recommend me unto
my grandsire, King Pelles, and unto my lord Petchere, and
say them on my behalf, I shall come and see them as soon
as ever I may. So the good man departed ; and there met
him twenty noble squires, and so took their horses and went
their way. Then all the knights of the Table Round
marvelled greatly of Sir Galahad, that he durst sit there in
that Siege Perilous, and was so tender of age ; and wist not
from whence he came but all only by God ; and said : This
is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved, for there sat
never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir
Launcelot beheld his son and had great joy of him. Then
Bors told his fellows : Upon pain of my life this young
knight shall come unto great worship. This noise was great
in all the court, so that it came to the queen. Then she had
marvel what knight it might be that durst adventure him to
sit in the Siege Perilous. Many said unto the queen he
resembled much unto Sir Launcelot. I may well suppose,
said the queen, that Sir Launcelot begat him on King Pelles'
daughter, by the which he was made to lie by, by enchant-
ment, and his name is Galahad. I would fain see him, said
the queen, for he must needs be a noble man, for so is his
father that him begat, I report me unto all the Table Round.
So when the meat was done that the king and all were risen,
the king yede unto the Siege Perilous and lift up the cloth,
and found there the name of Galahad ; and then he shewed
it unto Sir Gawaine, and said : Fair nephew, now have we
among us Sir Galahad, the good knight that shall worship us
all ; and upon pain of my life he shall achieve the Sangreal,
right as Sir Launcelot had done us to understand. Then
came King Arthur unto Galahad and said : Sir, ye be wel-
come, for ye shall move many good knights to the quest of
the Sangreal, and ye shall achieve that never knights might
bring to an end. Then the king took him by the hand, and
went down from the palace to shew Galahad the adventures
of the stone.
King Arthur 169
CHAPTER V
HOW KING ARTHUR SHEWED THE STONE HOVING ON THE WATER
TO GALAHAD, AND HOW HE DREW OUT THE SWORD
THE queen heard thereof, and came after with many
ladies, and shewed them the stone where it hoved on the
water. Sir, said the king unto Sir Galahad, here is a great
marvel as ever I saw, and right good knights have essayed
and failed. Sir, said Galahad, that is no marvel, for this
adventure is not theirs but mine ; and for the surety of this
sword I brought none with me, for here by my side hangeth
the scabbard. And anon he laid his hand on the sword, and
lightly drew it out of the stone, and put it in the sheath, and
said unto the king : Now it goeth better than it did afore-
hand. Sir, said the king, a shield God shall send you.
Now have I that sword that sometime was the good knight's,
Balin le Savage, and he was a passing good man of his
hands ; and with this sword he slew his brother Balan, and
that was great pity, for he was a good knight, and either slew
other through a dolorous stroke that Balin gave unto my
grandfather King Pelles, the which is not yet whole, nor not
shall be till I heal him. Therewith the king and all espied
where came riding down the river a lady on a white palfrey
toward them. Then she saluted the king and the queen,
and asked if that Sir Launcelot was there. And then he
answered himself : I am here, fair lady. Then she said all
with weeping : How your great doing is changed sith this
day in the mom. Damosel, why say you so ? said Launce-
lot. I say you sooth, said the damosel, for ye were this day
the best knight of the world, but who should say so now, he
should be a liar, for there is now one better than ye, and
well it is proved by the adventures of the sword whereto ye
durst not set to your hand ; and that is the change and
leaving of your name. Wherefore I make unto you a
remembrance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth tha'.
ye be the best knight of the world. As touching unto that,
said Launcelot, I know well I was never the best. Yes,
said the damosel, that were ye, and are yet, of any sinful
man of the world. And, Sir king, Nacien, the hermit,
sendeth thee word, that thee shall befall the greatest worship
that ever befell king in Britain ; and I say you wherefore,
II 46 *F
170 King Arthur
for this day the Sangreal appeared in thy house and fed thee
and all thy fellowship of the Round Table. So she departed
and went that same way that she came.
CHAPTER VI
HOW KING ARTHUR HAD ALL THE KNIGHTS TOGETHER FOR TO
JOUST IN THE MEADOW BESIDE CAMELOT OR THEY DEPARTED
Now, said the king, I am sure at this quest of the Sangreal
shall all ye of the Table Round depart, and never shall I see
you again whole together ; therefore I will see you all whole
together in the meadow of Camelot to joust and to tourney,
that after your death men may speak of it that such good
knights were wholly together such a day. As unto that
counsel and at the king's request they accorded all, and took
on their harness that longed unto jousting. But all this
moving of the king was for this intent, for to see Galahad
proved ; for the king deemed he should not lightly come
again unto the court after his departing. So were they
assembled in the meadow both more and less. Then Sir
Galahad, by the prayer of the king and the queen, did upon
him a noble jesseraunce, and also he did on his helm, but
shield would he take none for no prayer of the king. And
then Sir Gawaine and other knights prayed him to take a
spear. Right so he did ; and the queen was in a tower with
all her ladies, for to behold that tournament. Then Sir
Galahad dressed him in middes of the meadow, and began
to break spears marvellously, that all men had wonder of
him ; for he there surmounted all other knights, for within a
while he had defouled many good knights of the Table Round
save twain, that was Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale.
CHAPTER VII
HOW THE QUEEN DESIRED TO SEE GALAHAD ; AND HOW AFTER,
ALL THE KNIGHTS WERE REPLENISHED WITH THE HOLY
SANGREAL, AND HOW THEY AVOWED THE ENQUEST OF THE
SAME
THEN the king, at the queen's request, made him to
alight and to unlace his helm, that the queen might see him
in the visage. When she beheld him she said : Soothly I
King Arthur . 171
dare well say that Sir Launcelot begat him, for never two
men resembled more in likeness, therefore it nis no marvel
though he be of great prowess. So a lady that stood by the
queen said : Madam, for God's sake ought he of right to be
so good a knight ? Yea, forsooth, said the queen, for he is
of all parties come of the best knights of the world and of
the highest lineage ; for Sir Launcelot is come but of the
eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, and Sir Galahad is
of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, therefore I
dare say they be the greatest gentlemen of the world. And
then the king and all estates went home unto Camelot, and
so went to evensong to the great minster, and so after
upon that to supper, and every knight sat in his own place
as they were toforehand. Then anon they heard cracking
and crying of thunder, that them thought the place should
all to drive. In the midst of this blast entered a sunbeam
more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day, and all
they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then
began every knight to behold other, and either saw other, by
their seeming, fairer than ever they saw afore. Not for then
there was no knight might speak one word a great while, and
so they looked every man on other as they had been dumb.
Then there entered into the hall the Holy Greal covered
with white samite, but there was none might see it, nor who
bare it. And there was all the hall fulfilled with good
odours, and every knight had such meats and drinks as he
best loved in this world. And when the Holy Greal had
been borne through the hall, then the Holy Vessel departed
suddenly, that they wist not where it became : then had
they all breath to speak. And then the king yielded
thankings to God, of His good grace that he had sent them.
Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu
greatly for that he hath shewed us this day, at the reverence
of this high feast of Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we
have been served this day of what meats and drinks we
thought on ; but one thing beguiled us, we might not see
the holy Grail, it was so preciously covered. Wherefore I
will make here avow, that tomorn, without longer abiding, I
shall labour in the quest of the Sangreal, that I shall hold
me out a twelvemonth and a day, or more if need be, and
never shall I return again unto the court till I have seen it
more openly than it hath been seen here ; and if I may not
speed I shall return again as he that may not be against the
172 . King Arthur
will of our Lord Jesu Christ. When they of the Table
Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up the most
part and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made. Anon
as King Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he
wist well they might not again say their avows. Alas, said
King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with
the avow and promise that ye have made ; for through you
ye have bereft me the fairest fellowship and the truest of
knighthood that ever were seen together in any realm of the
world ; for when they depart from hence I am sure they all
shall never meet more in this world, for they shall die many
in the quest. And so it forthinketh me a little, for I have
loved them as well as my life, wherefore it shall grieve
me right sore, the departition of this fellowship : for I have
had an old custom to have them in my fellowship.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW GREAT SORROW WAS MADE OF THE KING AND THE QUEEN AND
LADIES FOR THE DEPARTING OF THE KNIGHTS, AND HOW THEY
DEPARTED
AND therewith the tears filled in his eyes. And then he
said : Gawaine, Gawaine, ye have set me in great sorrow,
for I have great doubt that my true fellowship shall never
meet here more again. Ah, said Sir Launcelot, comfort
yourself ; for it shall be unto us a great honour and much
more than if we died in any other places, for of death we be
siccar. Ah, Launcelot, said the king, the great love that I
have had unto you all the days of my life maketh me to say
such doleful words ; for never Christian king had never so
many worthy men at his table as I have had this day at the
Round Table, and that is my great sorrow. When the
queen, ladies, and gentlewomen, wist these tidings, they had
such sorrow and heaviness that there might no tongue tell
it, for those knights had held them in honour and charity.
But among all other Queen Guenever made great sorrow.
I marvel, said she, my lord would suffer them to depart
from him. Thus was all the court troubled for the love of
the departition of those knights. And many of those ladies
that loved knights would have gone with their lovers ; and
so had they done, had not an old knight come among them
in religious clothing ; and then he spake all on high and
King Arthur 173
said : Fair lords, which have sworn in the quest of the
Sangreal, thus sendeth you Nacien, the hermit, word, that
none in this quest lead lady nor gentlewoman with him, for
it is not to do in so high a service as they labour in ; for I
warn you plain, he that is not clean of his sins he shall not
see the mysteries of our Lord Jesu Christ. And for this
cause they left these ladies and gentlewomen. After this
the queen came unto Galahad and asked him of whence he
was, and of what country. He told her of whence he was.
And son unto Launcelot, she said he was. As to that, he
said neither yea or nay. So God me help, said the queen,
of your father ye need not to shame you, for he is the
goodliest knight, and of the best men of the world come,
and of the strain, of all parties, of kings. Wherefore ye
ought of right to be, of your deeds, a passing good man ;
and certainly, she said, ye resemble him much. Then Sir
Galahad was a little ashamed and said : Madam, sith ye
know in certain, wherefore do ye ask it me ? for he that
is my father shall be known openly and all betimes. And
then they went to rest them. And in the honour of the
highness of Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber,
and there rested in his own bed. And as soon as it was
day the king arose, for he had no rest of all that night for
sorrow. Then he went unto Gawaine and to Sir Launcelot
that were arisen for to hear mass. And then the king again
said : Ah Gawaine, Gawaine, ye have betrayed me ; foi
never shall my court be amended by you, but ye will never
be sorry for me as I am for you. And therewith the tears
began to run down by his visage. And therewith the king
said : Ah, knight Sir Launcelot, I require thee thou counsel
me, for I would that this quest were undone an it might be.
Sir, said Sir Launcelot, ye saw yesterday so many worthy
knights that then were sworn that they may not leave it in
no manner of wise. That wot I well, said the king, but it
shall so heavy me at their departing that I wot well there
shall no manner of joy remedy me. And then the king and
the queen went unto the minster. So anon Launcelot and
Gawaine commanded their men to bring their arms. And
when they all were armed save their shields and their helms,
then they came to their fellowship, which were all ready in
the same wise, for to go to the minster to hear their service.
Then after the service was done the king would wit how
many had undertaken the quest of the Holy Grail ; and to
174 King Arthur
account them he prayed them all. Then found they by tale
an hundred and fifty, and all were knights of the Round
Table. And then they put on their helms and departed,
and recommended them all wholly unto the queen ; and
there was weeping and great sorrow. Then the queen
departed into her chamber so that no man should apperceive
her great sorrows. When Sir Launcelot missed the queen
he went into her chamber, and when she saw him she cried
aloud : O Sir Launcelot, ye have betrayed me and put me
to death, for to leave thus my lord. Ah, madam, said Sir
Launcelot, I pray you be not displeased, for I shall come as
soon as I may with my worship. Alas, said she, that ever I
saw you ; but he that suffered death upon the cross for all
mankind be to you good conduct and safety, and all the
whole fellowship. Right so departed Sir Launcelot, and
found his fellowship that abode his coming. And so they
mounted upon their horses and rode through the streets of
Camelot ; and there was weeping of the rich and poor, and
the king turned away and might not speak for weeping. So
within a while they came to a city, and a castle that hight
Vagon. There they entered into the castle, and the lord of
that castle was an old man that hight Vagon, and he was a
good man of his living, and set open the gates, and made
them all the good cheer that he might. And so on the
morrow they were all accorded that they should depart
every each from other; and then they departed on the
morrow with weeping and mourning cheer, and every knight
took the way that him best liked.
CHAPTER IX
HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD, AND HOW THEY SPED THAT
PRESUMED TO TAKE DOWN THE SAID SHIELD
Now rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield, and so he
rode four days without any adventure. And at the fourth
day after evensong he came to a White Abbey, and there he
was received with great reverence, and led to a chamber,
and there he was unarmed ; and then was he ware of two
knights of the Round Table, one was King Bagdemagus,
and that other was Sir Uwaine. And when they saw him
they went unto him and made of him great solace, and so
King Arthur 175
they went to supper. Sirs, said Sir Galahad, what adventure
brought you hither ? Sir, said they, it is told us that within
this place is a shield that no man may bear about his neck
but if that he be mischieved or dead within three days, or
else maimed for ever. Ah sir, said King Bagdemagus, I
shall it bear to-morrow for to essay this strange adventure.
In the name of God, said Sir Galahad. Sir, said Bagdemagus,
an I may not achieve the adventure of this shield ye shall
take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail. Sir, said
Galahad, I agree right well thereto, for I have no shield.
So on the morn they arose and heard mass. Then King
Bagdemagus asked where the adventurous shield was.
Anon a monk led him behind an altar where the shield
hung as white as any snow, but in the middes was a red
cross. Sir, said the monk, this shield ought not to be
hanged about no knight's neck but he be the worthiest
knight of the world, and therefore I counsel you knights to
be well advised. Well, said King Bagdemagus, I wot well
that I am not the best knight of the world, but yet shall I
essay to bear it. And so he bare it out of the monastery ;
and then he said unto Sir Galahad : If it will please you I
pray you abide here still, till ye know how I shall speed. I
shall abide you here, said Galahad. Then King Bagdemagus
took with him a squire, the which should bring tidings unto
Sir Galahad how he sped. Then when they had ridden a two
mile and came in a fair valley afore an hermitage, then they
saw a goodly knight come from that part in white armour,
horse and all ; and he came as fast as his horse might run,
with his spear in the rest, and King Bagdemagus dressed his
spear against him and brake it upon the white knight. But
the other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, and
thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered
him not as at that time ; and so he bare him from his horse.
And therewith he alighted and took the white shield from
him, saying : Knight, thou hast done thyself great folly, for
this shield ought not to be borne but by him that shall have
no peer that liveth. And then he came to King Bagdemagus'
squire and said : Bear this shield unto the good knight Sir
Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and greet him well
from me. Sir, said the squire, what is your name ? Take
thou no heed of my name, said the knight, for it is not for
thee to know nor for none earthly man. Now, fair sir, said
the squire, at the reverence of Jesu Christ, tell me for what
176 King Arthur
cause this shield may not be borne but if the bearer thereof
be mischieved. Now sith thou hast conjured me so, said
the knight, this shield behoveth unto no man but unto
Galahad. And the squire went unto Bagdemagus and asked
whether he were sore wounded or not. Yea forsooth, said
he, I shall escape hard from the death. Then he fetched
his horse, and brought him with great pain unto an abbey.
Then was he taken down softly and unarmed, and laid in a
bed, and there was looked to his wounds. And as the book
telleth, he lay there long, and escaped hard with the life.
CHAPTER X
HOW GALAHAD DEPARTED WITH THE SHIELD, AND HOW KING
EVELAKE HAD RECEIVED THE SHIELD OF JOSEPH OF
ARAMATHIE
SIR GALAHAD, said the squire, that knight that wounded
Bagdemagus sendeth you greeting, and bad that ye should
bear this shield, wherethrough great adventures should befall.
Now blessed be God and fortune, said Galahad. And
then he asked his arms, and mounted upon his horse, and
hung the white shield about his neck, and commended them
unto God. And Sir Uwaine said he would bear him fellow-
ship if it pleased him. Sir, said Galahad, that may ye not,
for I must go alone, save this squire shall bear me fellow-
ship : and so departed Uwaine. Then within a while came
Galahad there as the white knight abode him by the hermit-
age, and every each saluted other courteously. Sir, said
Galahad, by this shield be many marvels fallen ? Sir, said
the knight, it befell after the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ
thirty-two year, that Joseph of Aramathie, the gentle knight,
the which took down our Lord off the holy Cross, at that
time he departed from Jerusalem with a great party of his
kindred with him. And so he laboured till that they came
to a city that hight Sarras. And at that same hour that
Joseph came to Sarras there was a king that hight Evelake,
that had great war against the Saracens, and in especial
against one Saracen, the which was King Evelake's cousin, a
rich king and a mighty, which marched nigh this land, and
his name was called Tolleme la Feintes. So on a day these
two met to do battle. Then Joseph, the son of Joseph of
Aramathie, went to King Evelake and told him he should
King Arthur 177
be discomfit and slain, but if he left his belief of the old law
and believed upon the new law. And then there he shewed
him the right belief of the Holy Trinity, to the which he
agreed unto with all his heart ; and there this shield was
made for King Evelake, in the name of Him that died upon
the Cross. And then through his good belief he had the
better of King Tolleme. For when Evelake was in the
battle there was a cloth set afore the shield, and when he
was in the greatest peril he let put away the cloth, and then
his enemies saw a figure of a man on the Cross, where-
through they all were discomfit. And so it befell that a man
of King Evelake's was smitten his hand off, and bare that
hand in his other hand ; and Joseph called that man unto
him and bade him go with good devotion touch the Cross.
And as soon as that man had touched the Cross with his
hand it was as whole as ever it was tofore. Then soon
after there fell a great marvel, that the cross of the shield at
one time vanished away that no man wist where it became.
And then King Evelake was baptised, and for the most part
all the people of that city. So, soon after Joseph would
depart, and King Evelake would go with him whether he
would or nold. And so by fortune they came into this
land, that at that time was called Great Britain ; and there
they found a great felon paynim, that put Joseph into prison.
And so by fortune tidings came unto a worthy man that
hight Mondrames, and he assembled all his people for the
great renown he had heard of Joseph ; and so he came into
the land of Great Britain and disinherited this felon paynim
and consumed him, and therewith delivered Joseph out of
prison. And after that all the people were turned to the
Christian faith.
CHAPTER XI
HOW JOSEPH MADE A CROSS ON THE WHITE SHIELD WITH HIS
BLOOD, AND HOW GALAHAD WAS BY A MONK BROUGHT TO A
TOMB
NOT long after that Joseph was laid in his deadly bed.
And when King Eveleke saw that he made much sorrow,
and said : For thy love I have left my country, and sith ye
shall depart out of this world, leave me some token of yours
that I may think on you. Joseph said : That will I do full
gladly ; now bring me your shield that I took you when ye
178 King Arthur
went into battle against King Tolleme. Then ) :«seph bl«d
sore at the nose, so that he might not by no mean be
staunched. And there upon that shield he made a cross of
his own blood. Now may ye see a remembrance that I love
you, for ye shall never see this shield but ye shall think on
me, and it shall be always as fresh as it is now. And never
shall man bear this shield about his neck but he shall repent
it, unto the time that Galahad, the good knight, bare it ; and
the last of my lineage shall have it about his neck, that shall
do many marvellous deeds. Now, said King Evelake, where
shall I put this shield, that this worthy knight may have it ?
Ye shall leave it there as Nacien, the hermit, shall be put
after his death ; for thither shall that good knight come the
fifteenth day after that he shall receive the order of knight-
hood : and so that day that they set is this time that he
have his shield, and in the same abbey lieth Nacien, the
hermit. And then the white knight vanished away. Anon
as the squire had heard these words, he alit off his hackney
and kneeled down at Galahad's feet, and prayed him that
he might go with him till he had made him knight. If I
would not refuse you? Then will ye make me a knight?
said the squire, and that order, by the grace of God, shall
be well set in me. So Sir Galahad granted him, and turned
again unto the abbey where they came from ; and there men
made great joy of Sir Galahad. And anon as he was alit
there was a monk brought him unto a tomb in a churchyard,
where there was such a noise that who that heard it should
verily nigh be mad or lose his strength : and Sir, they said,
we deem it is a fiend.
CHAPTER XII
OF THE MARVEL THAT SIR GALAHAD SAW AND HEARD IN THE
TOMB, AND HOW HE MADE MELIAS KNIGHT
Now lead me thither, said Galahad. And so they did,
all armed save his helm. Now, said the good man, go to
the tomb and lift it up. So he did, and heard a great noise ;
and piteously it said, that all men might hear it : Sir Galahad,
the servant of Jesu Christ, come thou not nigh me, for thou
shalt make me go again there where I have been so long.
But Galahad was nothing afraid, but lifted up the stone;
and there came out so foul a smoke, and after he saw the
King Arthur 179
foulest figure leap thereout that ever he saw in the likeness
of a man ; and then he blessed him and wist well it was a
fiend. Then heard he a voice say : Galahad, I see there
environ about thee so many angels that my power may not
dare thee. Right so Sir Galahad saw a body all armed lie
in that tomb, and beside him a sword. Now, fair brother,
said Galahad, let us remove this body, for it is not worthy
to lie in this churchyard, for he was a false Christian man.
And therewith they all departed and went to the abbey.
And anon as he was unarmed a good man came and set
him down by him and said : Sir, I shall tell you what
betokeneth all that ye saw in the tomb ; for that covered
body betokeneth the duresse of the world, and the great sin
that our Lord found in the world. For there was such
wretchedness that the father loved not the son, nor the son
loved not the father ; and that was one of the causes that
our Lord took flesh and blood of a clene maiden, for our
sins were so great at that time that wellnigh all was wicked-
ness. Truly, said Galahad, I believe you right well. So
Sir Galahad rested him there that night ; and upon the
morn he made the squire knight, and asked him his name,
and of what kindred he was come. Sir, said he, men
calleth me Melias de Lile, and I am the son of the king of
Denmark. Now, fair sir, said Galahad, sith that ye be
come of kings and queens, now look that knighthood be
well set in you, for ye ought to be a mirror unto all chivalry.
Sir, said Sir Melias, ye say sooth. But, sir, sithen ye have
made me a knight ye must of right grant me my first desire
that is reasonable. Ye say sooth, said Galahad. Melias
said : Then that ye will suffer me to ride with you in this
quest of the Sangreal, till that some adventure depart us. I
grant you, sir. Then men brought Sir Melias his armour
and his spear and his horse, and so Sir Galahad and he
rode forth all that week or they found any adventure. And
then upon a Monday in the morning, as they were departed
from an abbey, they came to a cross which departed two
ways, and in that cross were letters written that said thus :
Now, ye knights errant, the which goeth to seek knights
adventurous, see here two ways ; that one way defendeth thee
that thou ne go that way, for he shall not go out of the way
again but if he be a good man and a worthy knight ; and if
thou go en the left hand, thou shalt not lightly there win
prowess, for thou shalt in this way be soon essayed. Sir,
180 King Arthur
said Melias to Galahad, if it like you to suffer me to take
the way on the left hand, tell me, for there I shall well prove
my strength. It were better, said Galahad, ye rode not that
way, for I deem I should better escape in that way than ye.
Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have that adventure. Take
it in God's name, said Galahad.
CHAPTER XIII
OF THE ADVENTURE THAT MELIAS HAD, AND HOW GALAHAD RE-
VENGED HIM, AND HOW MELIAS WAS CARRIED INTO AN ABBEY
AND then rode Melias into an old forest, and therein he
rode two days and more. And then he came into a fair
meadow, and there was a fair lodge of boughs. And then
he espied in that lodge a chair, wherein was a crown of gold,
subtily wrought. Also there were cloths covered upon the
earth, and many delicious meats set thereon. Sir Melias
beheld this adventure, and thought it marvellous, but he had
no hunger, but of the crown of gold he took much keep ;
and therewith he stooped down and took it up, and rode his
way with it. And anon he saw a knight came riding after
him that said : Knight, set down that crown which is not
yours, and therefore defend you. Then Sir Melias blessed
him and said : Fair lord of heaven, help and save thy new-
made knight. And then they let their horses run as fast as
they might, so that the other knight smote Sir Melias through
hauberk and through the left side, that he fell to the earth
nigh dead. And then he took the crown and went his way ;
and Sir Melias lay still and had no power to stir. In the
meanwhile by fortune there came Sir Galahad and found
him there in peril of death. And then he said : Ah, Melias,
who hath wounded you ? therefore it had been better to have
ridden the other way. And when Sir Melias heard him
speak : Sir, he said, for God's love let me not die in this
forest, but bear me unto the abbey here beside, that I may
be confessed and have my rights. It shall be done, said
Galahad, but where is he that hath wounded you ? With
that Sir Galahad heard in the leaves cry on high : Knight,
keep thee from me. Ah sir, said Melias, beware, for that is
he that hath slain me. Sir Galahad answered : Sir knight,
come on your peril. Then either dressed to other, and came
together as fast as their horses might run. and Galahad
King Arthur 181
smote him so that his spear went through his shoulder, and
smote him down off his horse, and in the falling Galahad's
spear brake. With that came out another knight out of the
leaves, and brake a spear upon Galahad or ever he might
turn him. Then Galahad drew out his sword and smote off
the left arm of him, so that it fell to the earth. And then he
fled, and Sir Galahad pursued fast after him. And then he
turned again unto Sir Melias, and there he alit and dressed
him softly on his horse tofore him, for the truncheon of his
spear was in his body ; and Sir Galahad start up behind
him, and held him in his arms, and so brought him to the
abbey, and there unarmed him and brought him to his
chamber. And then he asked his Saviour. And when he
had received Him he said unto Sir Galahad : Sir, let death
come when it pleaseth him. And therewith he drew out
the truncheon of the spear out of his body : and then he
swooned. Then came there an old monk which sometime
had been a knight, and beheld Sir Melias. And anon he
ransacked him ; and then he said unto Sir Galahad : I shall
heal him of his wound, by the grace of God, within the term
of seven weeks. Then was Sir Galahad glad, and unarmed
him, and said he would abide there three days. And then
he asked Sir Melias how it stood with him. Then he said
he was turned unto helping, God be thanked.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW SIR GALAHAD DEPARTED, AND HOW HE WAS COMMANDED
TO GO TO THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS TO DESTROY THE WICKED
CUSTOM
Now will I depart, said Galahad, for I have much on
hand, for many good knights be full busy about it, and this
knight and I were in the same quest of the SangreaL Sir,
said the good man, for his sin he was thus wounded ; and I
marvel, said the good man, how ye durst take upon you so
rich a thing as the high order of knighthood without clene
confession, and that was the cause ye were bitterly wounded.
For the way on the right hand betokeneth the highway of
our Lord Jesu Christ, and the way of a good true good
liver. And the other way betokeneth the way of sinners
and of misbelievers. And when the devil saw your pride
and presumption, for to take you in the quest of the San-
1 82 King Arthur
greal, that made you to be overthrown, for it may not be
achieved but by virtuous living. Also, the writing on the
cross was a signification of heavenly deeds, and of knightly
deeds in God's works, and no knightly deeds in worldly
works. And pride is head of all deadly sins, that caused
this knight to depart from Galahad. And where thou tookest
the crown of gold thou sinnest in covetise and in theft : all
this were no knightly deeds. And this Galahad, the holy
knight, the which fought with the two knights, the two
knights signify the two deadly sins which were wholly in this
knight Melias ; and they might not withstand you, for ye are
without deadly sin. Now departed Galahad from thence,
and betaught them all unto God. Sir Melias said : My lord
Galahad, as soon as I may ride I shall seek you. God send
you health, said Galahad, and so took his horse and de-
parted, and rode many journeys forward and backward, as
adventure would lead him. And at the last it happened him
to depart from a place or a castle the which was named
Abblasoure ; and he had heard no mass, the which he was
wont ever to hear or ever he departed out of any castle or
place, and kept that for a custom. Then Sir Galahad came
unto a mountain where he found an old chapel, and found
there nobody, for all, all was desolate ; and there he kneeled
tofore the altar, and besought God of wholesome counsel.
So as he prayed he heard a voice that said : Go thou now,
thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there
do thou away the wicked customs.
CHAPTER XV
HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS OF THE CASTLE,
AND DESTROYED THE WICKED CUSTOM
WHEN Sir Galahad heard this he thanked God, and took
his horse ; and he had not ridden but half a mile, he saw in
a valley afore him a strong castle with deep ditches, and
there ran beside it a fair river that hight Severn ; and there
he met with a man of great age, and either saluted other,
and Galahad asked him the castle's name. Fair sir, said he,
it is the Castle of Maidens. That is a cursed castle, said
Galahad, and all they that be conversant therein, for all
pity is out thereof, and all hardiness and mischief is therein.
Therefore, I counsel you, sir knight, to turn again. Sir, said
King Arthur 183
Galahad, wit you well I shall not turn again. Then looked
Sir Galahad on his arms that nothing failed him, and then
he put his shield afore him ; and anon there met him seven
fair maidens, the which said unto him : Sir knight, ye ride
here in a great folly, for ye have the water to pass over.
Why should I not pass the water ? said Galahad. So rode
he away from them and met with a squire that said : Knight,
those knights in the castle defy you, and defenden you ye go
no further till that they wit what ye would. Fair sir, said
Galahad, I come for to destroy the wicked custom of this
castle. Sir, an ye will abide by that ye shall have enough
to do. Go you now, said Galahad, and haste my needs.
Then the squire entered into the castle. And anon after
there came out of the castle seven knights, and all were
brethren. And when they saw Galahad they cried : Knight,
keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but death. Why, said
Galahad, will ye all have ado with me at once ? Yea, said
they, thereto mayest thou trust. Then Galahad put forth
his spear and smote the foremost to the earth, that near he
brake his neck. And therewithal the other smote him on
his shield great strokes, so that their spears brake. Then
Sir Galahad drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard
that it was marvel to see it, and so through great force he
made them to forsake the field ; and Galahad chased them
till they entered into the castle, and so passed through the
castle at another gate. And there met Sir Galahad an old
man clothed in religious clothing, and said : Sir, have here
the keys of this castle. Then Sir Galahad opened the gates,
and saw so much people in the streets that he might not
number them, and all said : Sir, ye be welcome, for long have
we abiden here our deliverance. Then came to him a gentle-
woman and said : These knights be fled, but they will come
again this night, and here to begin again their evil custom.
What will ye that I shall do ? said Galahad. Sir, said the
gentlewoman, that ye send after all the knights hither that
hold their lands of this castle, and make them to swear for
to use the customs that were used heretofore of old time. I
will well, said Galahad. And there she brought him an horn
of ivory, bounden with gold richly, and said : Sir, blow this
horn which will be heard two mile about this castle. When
Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set him down upon a
bed. Then came a priest to Galahad, and said : Sir, it is
past a seven year agone that these seven brethren came into
184 King Arthur
this castle, and harboured with the lord of this castle,
that hight the Duke Lianour, and he was lord of all this
country. And when they espied the duke's daughter, that
was a full fair woman, then by their false covin they made
debate betwixt themself, and the duke of his goodness would
have departed them, and there they slew him and his eldest
son. And then they took the maiden and the treasure of
the castle. And then by great force they held all the knights
of this castle against their will under their obeisance, and
in great service and truage, robbing and pillaging the poor
common people of all that they had. So it happened on a
day the duke's daughter said : Ye have done unto me great
wrong to slay mine own father, and my brother, and thus to
hold our lands : not for then, she said, ye shall not hold
this castle for many years, for by one knight ye shall be
overcome. Thus she prophesied seven years agone. Well,
said the seven knights, sithen ye say so, there shall never
lady nor knight pass this castle but they shall abide maugre
their heads, or die therefor, till that knight be come by whom
we shall lose this castle. And therefore 15 it called the
Maidens' Castle, for they have devoured many maidens.
Now, said Galahad, is she here for whom this castle was
lost ? Nay sir, said the priest, she was dead within these
three nights after that she was thus enforced ; and sithen
have they kept her younger sister, which endureth great
pains with more other ladies. By this were the knights of
the country come, and then he made them do homage and
fealty to the king's daughter, and set them in great ease of
heart. And in the morn there came one to Galahad and
told him how that Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine, had slain
the seven brethren. I suppose well, said Sir Galahad, and
took his armour and his horse, and commended them unto
God.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW SIR GAWAINE CAME TO THE ABBEY FOR TO FOLLOW GALAHAD,
AND HOW HE WAS SHRIVEN TO A HERMIT
Now, saith the tale, after Sir Gawaine departed, he rode
many journeys, both toward and froward. And at the last
he came to the abbey where Sir Galahad had the white
shield, and there Sir Gawaine learned the way to sewe after
King Arthur 185
Sir Galahad ; and so he rode to the abbey where Melias lay
sick, and there Sir Melias told Sir Gawaine of the marvellous
adventures that Sir Galahad did. Certes, said Sir Gawaine,
I am not happy that I took not the way that he went,
for an I may meet with him I will not depart from him
lightly, for all marvellous adventures that Sir Galahad
achieveth. Sir, said one of the monks, he will not of
your fellowship. Why? said Sir Gawaine. Sir, said he,
for ye be wicked and sinful, and he is full blessed. Right
as they thus stood talking there came in riding Sir Gareth.
And then they made joy either of other. And on the
morn they heard mass, and so departed. And by the way
they met with Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, and there Sir
Uwaine told Sir Gawaine how he had met with none
adventure sith he departed from the court. Nor we, said
Sir Gawaine. And either promised other of the three
knights not to depart while they were in that quest, but
if fortune caused it. So they departed and rode by
fortune till that they came by the Castle of Maidens ; and
there the seven brethren espied the three knights, and said :
Sithen, we be flemyd by one knight from this castle, we
shall destroy all the knights of King Arthur's that we may
overcome, for the love of Sir Galahad. And therewith the
seven knights set upon the three knights, and by fortune Sir
Gawaine slew one of the brethren, and each one of his
fellows slew another, and so slew the remnant. And then
they took the way under the castle, and there they lost
the way that Sir Galahad rode, and there every each of
them departed from other ; and Sir Gawaine rode till he
came to an hermitage, and there he found the good man
saying his evensong of Our Lady ; and there Sir Gawaine
asked harbour for charity, and the good man granted it
him gladly. Then the good man asked him what he was.
Sir, he said, I am a knight of King Arthur's that am in the
quest of the Sangreal, and my name is Sir Gawaine. Sir, said
the good man, I would wit how it standeth betwixt God
and you. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I will with a good will
shew you my life if it please you ; and there he told the
hermit How a monk of an abbey called me wicked knight.
He might well say it, said the hermit, for when ye were first
made knight you should have taken you to knightly deeds
and virtuous living, and ye have done the contrary, for ye
have lived mischievously many winters ; and Sir Galahad
1 86 King Arthur
is a maid and sinner never, and that is the cause he shall
achieve where he goeth that ye nor none such shall not
attain, nor none in your fellowship, for ye have used the
most untruest li/e that ever I heard knight live. For certes
had ye not been so wicked as ye are, never had the seven
brethren been slain by you and your two fellows. For Sir
Galahad himself alone beat them all seven the day tofore,
but his living is such he shall slay no man lightly. Also
I may say you the Castle of Maidens betokeneth the good
souls that were in prison afore the Incarnation of Jesu
Christ. And the seven knights betoken the seven deadly
sins that reigned that time in the world ; and I may liken
the good Galahad unto the son of the High Father, that
light within a maid, and bought all the souls out of thrall :
so did Sir Galahad deliver all the maidens out of the woful
castle. Now, Sir Gawaine, said the good man, thou must do
penance for thy sin. Sir, what penance shall I do ? Such as
I will give, said the good man. Nay, said Sir Gawaine, I may
do no penance; for we knights adventurous oft suffer great
woe and pain. Well, said the good man, and then he held
his peace. And on the morn Sir Gawaine departed from
the hermit, and betaught him unto God. And by adventure
he met with Sir Aglovale and Sir Griflet, two knights of the
Table Round. Arid they two rode four days without rinding
of any adventure, and at the fifth day they departed. And
every each held as befel them by adventure. Here leaveth
the tale of Sir Gawaine and his fellows, and speak we of
Sir Galahad.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW SIR GALAHAD MET WITH SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR PERCIVALE,
AND SMOTE THEM DOWN, AND DEPARTED FROM THEM
So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of
Maidens he rode till he came to a waste forest, and there
he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale, but they knew
him not, for he was new disguised. Right so Sir Launcelot,
his father, dressed his spear and brake it upon Sir Galahad,
and Galahad smote him so again that he smote down horse
and man. And then he drew his sword, and dressed him
unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on the helm, that it
rove to the coif of steel ; and had not the sword swerved
King Arthur 187
Sir Percivale had been slain, and with the stroke he fell out
of his saddle. This jousts was done tofore the hermitage
where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir Galahad
ride, she said : God be with thee, best knight of the world.
Ah certes, said she, all aloud that Launcelot and Percivale
might hear it : An yonder two knights had known thee as well
as I do they would not have encountered with thee. When
Sir Galahad heard her say so he was adread to be known :
therewith he smote his horse with his spurs and rode a great
pace froward them. Then perceived they both that he was
Galahad ; and up they gat on their horses, and rode fast
after him, but in a while he was out of their sight. And
then they turned again with heavy cheer. Let us spere
some tidings, said Percivale, at yonder recluse. Do as ye
list, said Sir Launcelot. When Sir Percivale came to the
recluse she knew him well enough, and Sir Launcelot both.
But Sir Launcelot rode overthwart and endlong in a wild
forest, and held no path but as wild adventure led him. And
at the last he came to a stony cross which departed two
ways in waste land ; and by the cross was a stone that was
of marble, but it was so dark that Sir Launcelot might not
wit what it was. Then Sir Launcelot looked by him, and
saw an old chapel, and there he weened to have found
people; and Sir Launcelot tied his horse till a tree, and
there he did off his shield and hung it upon a tree. And
then he went to the chapel door, and found it waste and
broken. And within he found a fair altar, full richly arrayed
with cloth of clene silk, and there stood a fair clean candle-
stick, which bare six great candles, and the candlestick was
of silver. And when Sir Launcelot saw this light he had
great will for to enter into the chapel, but he could find no
place where he might enter ; then was he passing heavy and
dismayed. Then he returned and came to his horse and
did off his saddle and bridle, and let him pasture, and
unlaced his helm, and ungirt his sword, and laid him down
to sleep upon his shield tofore the cross.
1 88 King Arthur
CHAPTER XVIII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, HALF SLEEPING AND HALF WAKING, SAW A
SICK MAN BORNE IN A LITTER, AND HOW HE WAS HEALED
WITH THE SANGREAL
AND so he fell on sleep ; and half waking and sleeping
he saw come by him two palfreys all fair and white, the
which bare a litter, therein lying a sick knight. And when
he was nigh the cross he there abode still. All this Sir
Launcelot saw and beheld, for he slept not verily ; and he
heard him say : O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave
me? and when shall the holy vessel come by me, where-
through I shall be blessed ? For I have endured thus long,
for little trespass. A full great while complained the knight
thus, and always Sir Launcelot heard it. With that Sir
Launcelot saw the candlestick with the six tapers come
before the cross, and he saw nobody that brought it. Also
there came a table of silver, and the holy vessel of the
Sangreal, which Launcelot had seen aforetime in King
Pescheour's house. And therewith the sick knight set him
up, and held up both his hands, and said : Fair sweet Lord,
which is here within this holy vessel; take heed unto me
that I may be whole of this malady. And therewith on his
hands and on his knees he went so nigh that he touched
the holy vessel and kissed it, and anon he was whole ; and
then he said : Lord God, I thank thee, for I am healed of
this sickness. So when the holy vessel had been there
a great while it went unto the chapel with the chandelier
and the light, so that Launcelot wist not where it was
become ; for he was overtaken with sin that he had no power
to rise ageyne the holy vessel ; wherefore after that many
men said of him shame, but he took repentance after that.
Then the sick knight dressed him up and kissed the cross ;
anon his squire brought him his arms, and asked his lord
how he did. Certes, said he, I thank God right well, through
the holy vessel I am healed. But I have marvel of this
sleeping knight that had no power to awake when this holy
vessel was brought hither. I dare right well say, said the
squire, that he dwelleth in some deadly sin whereof he was
never confessed. By my faith, said the knight, whatsomever
he be he is unhappy, for as I deem he is of the fellowship
of the Round Table, the which is entered into the quest of
King Arthur 189
the Sangreal. Sir, said the squire, here I have brought you
all your arms save your helm and your sword, and therefore
by mine assent now may ye take this knight's helm and
his sword : and so he did. And when he was clene armed
he took Sir Launcelot's horse, for he was better than his ;
and so departed they from the Cross.
CHAPTER XIX
HOW A VOICE SPAKE TO SIR LAUNCELOT, AND HOW HE FOUND
HIS HORSE AND HIS HELM BORNE AWAY, AND AFTER WENT
AFOOT
THEN anon Sir Launcelot waked, and set him up, and
bethought him what he had seen there, and whether it were
dreams or not. Right so heard he a voice that said : Sir
Launcelot, more harder than is the stone, and more bitter
than is the wood, and more naked and barer than is the leaf
of the fig tree ; therefore go thou from hence, and withdraw
thee from this holy place. And when Sir Launcelot heard
this he was passing heavy and wist not what to do, and so
departed sore weeping, and cursed the time that he was
born. For then he deemed never to have had worship
more. For those words went to his heart, till that he knew
wherefore he was called so. Then Sir Launcelot went to
the cross and found his helm, his sword, and his horse taken
away. And then he called himself a very wretch, and most
unhappy of all knights ; and there he said : My sin and my
wickedness have brought me unto great dishonour. For
when I sought worldly adventures for worldly desires, I ever
achieved them and had the better in every place, and never
was I discomfit in no quarrel, were it right or wrong. And
now I take upon me the adventures of holy things, and now
i see and understand that mine old sin hindereth me and
shameth me, so that I had no power to stir nor speak when
the holy blood appeared afore me. So thus he sorrowed
till it was day, and heard the fowls sing : then somewhat he
was comforted. But when Sir Launcelot missed his horse
and his harness then he wist well God was displeased with
him. Then he departed from the cross on foot into a
forest ; and so by prime he came to an high hill, and found
an hermitage and a hermit therein which was going unto
mass. And then Launcelot kneeled down and cried on Our
Lord mercy for his wicked works. So when mass was done
i go King Arthur
Launcelot called him, and prayed him for charity for to hear
his life. With a good will, said the good man. Sir, said
he, be ye of King Arthur's court and of the fellowship of
the Round Table? Yea forsooth, and my name is Sir
Launcelot du Lake that hath been right well said of, and
now my good fortune is changed, for I am the most wretch
of the world. The hermit beheld him and had marvel how
he was so abashed. Sir, said the hermit, ye ought to thank
God more than any knight living, for He hath caused you to
have more worldly worship than any knight that now liveth.
And for your presumption to take upon you in deadly sin
for to be in His presence, where His flesh and His blood
was, that caused you ye might not see it with worldly eyes ;
for He will not appear where such sinners be, but if it be
unto their great hurt and unto their great shame ; and there
is no knight living now that ought to give God so great
thank as ye, for He hath given you beauty, seemliness, and
great strength above all other knights ; and therefore ye are
the more beholding unto God than any other man, to love
Him and dread Him, for your strength and manhood will
little avail you an God be against you.
CHAPTER XX
.HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS SHRIVEN, AND WHAT SORROW HE
MADE, AND OF THE GOOD ENSAMPLES WHICH WERE SHEWED
HIM
THEN Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, and said :
Now I know well ye say me sooth. Sir, said the good man,
hide none old sin from me. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, that
were me full loth to discover. For this fourteen year I
never discovered one thing that I have used, and that may I
now wyte my shame and my misadventure. And then he
told there that good man all his life. And how he had
loved a queen unmeasurably and out of measure long. And
all my great deeds of arms that I have done, I did for the
most part for the queen's sake, and for her sake would I do
battle were it right or wrong ; and never did I battle all only
for God's sake, but for to win worship and to cause me to
be the better beloved, and little or nought I thanked God
of it. Then Sir Launcelot said : I pray you counsel me. I
will counsel you, said the hermit, if ye will ensure me that
ye will never come in that queen's fellowship as much as ye
King Arthur 191
may forbear. And then Sir Launcelot promised him he
nold, by the faith of his body. Look that your heart and
your mouth accord, said the good man, and I shall ensure
you ye shall have more worship than ever ye had. Holy
father, said Sir Launcelot, I marvel of the voice that said
to me marvellous words, as ye have heard toforehand.
Have ye no marvel, said the good man, thereof, for it
seemeth well God loveth you ; for men may understand a
stone is hard of kind, and namely one more than another ;
and that is to understand by thee, Sir Launcelot, for thou
wilt not leave thy sin for no goodness that God hath sent
thee ; therefore thou art more than any stone, and never
wouldst thou be made neysshe nor by water nor by fire, and
that is the hete of the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee.
Now take heed, in all the world men shall not find one
knight to whom Our Lord hath given so much of grace as
He hath given you, for He hath given you fairness with
seemliness, He hath given thee wit, discretion to know good
from evil, He hath given thee prowess and hardiness, and
given thee to work so largely that thou hast had at all days
the better wheresomever thou came ; and now Our Lord
will suffer thee no longer, but that thou shalt know Him
whether thou wilt or nylt. And why the voice called thee
bitterer than wood, for where overmuch sin dwelleth, there
may be but little sweetness, wherefore thou art likened to
an old rotten tree. Now have I shewed thee why thou art
harder than the stone and bitterer than the tree. Now shall
I shew thee why thou art more naked and barer than the fig
tree. It befel that Our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in
Jerusalem, and there He found in the people that all hardness
was harboured in them, and there He found in all the town
not one that would harbour him. And then He went without
the town, and found in the middes of the way a fig tree, the
which was right fair and well garnished of leaves, but fruit
had it none. Then Our Lord cursed the tree that bare no
fruit ; that betokeneth the fig tree unto Jerusalem, that had
leaves and no fruit. So thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy
Grail was brought afore thee, He found in thee no fruit, noi
good thought nor good will, and defouled with lechery.
Certes, said Sir Launcelot, all that you have said is true, and
from henceforward I cast me, by the grace of God, never to
be so wicked as I have been, but as to follow knighthood
and to do feats of arms. Then the good man enjoined Sir
192 King Arthur
Launcelot such penance as he might do and to pursue
knighthood, and so assoiled him, and prayed Sir Launcelot
to abide with him all that day. I will well, said Sir
Launcelot, for I have neither helm, nor horse, nor sword.
As for that, said the good man, I shall help you or tomorn
at even of an horse, and all that longed unto you. And
then Sir Launcelot repented him greatly.
Here leaveth off the history of Sir Launcelot.
And here follo<weth of Sir Percvvale
dt Galis which is the fourteenth
book.
BOOK XIV
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR PERCIVALE CAME TO A RECLUSE AND ASKED COUNSEL,
AND HOW SHE TOLD HIM THAT SHE WAS HIS AUNT
Now saith the tale, that when Sir Launcelot was ridden
after Sir Galahad, the which had all these adventures above
said, Sir Percivale turned again unto the recluse, where he
deemed to have tidings of that knight that Launcelot
followed. And so he kneeled at her window, and the
recluse opened it and asked Sir Percivale what he would.
Madam, he said, I am a knight of King Arthur's court, and
my name is Sir Percivale de Galis. When the recluse
heard his name she had great joy of him, for mickle she had
loved him tofore any other knight, for she ought to do so,
for she was his aunt. And then she commanded the gates
to be opened, and there he had all the cheer that she
might make him, and all that was in her power was at his
commandment. So on the morn Sir Percivale went to the
recluse and asked her if she knew that knight with the
white shield. Sir, said she, why would ye wit? Truly,
madam, said Sir Percivale, I shall never be well at ease till
that I know of that knight's fellowship, and that I may fight
with him, for I may not leave him so lightly, for I have the
shame yet. Ah, Percivale, said she, would ye fight with
him? I see well ye have great will to be slain as your
King Arthur 193
father was, through outrageousness. Madam, said Sir
Percivale, it seemeth by your words that ye know me.
Yea, said she, I well ought to know you, for I am your
aunt, although I be in a priory place. For some called me
sometime the queen of the Waste Lands, and I was called
the queen of most riches in the world ; and it pleased me
never my riches so much as doth my poverty. Then Sir
Percivale wept for very pity when that he knew it was his
aunt. Ah, fair nephew, said she, when heard ye tidings of
your mother ? Truly, said he, I heard none of her, but I
dream of her much in my sleep ; and therefore I wot not
whether she be dead or on live. Certes, fair nephew, said
she, your mother is dead, for after your departing from her
she took such a sorrow that anon, after she was confessed,
she died. Now, God have mercy on her soul, said Sir
Percivale, it sore forthinketh me ; but all we must change
the life. Now, fair aunt, tell me what is the knight ? I
deem it be he that bare the red arms on Whitsunday. Wit
you well, said she, that this is he, for otherwise ought he
not to do, but to go in red arms ; and that same knight hath
no peer, for he worketh all by miracle, and he shall never be
overcome of none earthly man's hand.
CHAPTER II
HOW MERLIN LIKENED THE ROUND TABLE TO THE WORLD, AND
HOW THE KNIGHTS THAT SHOULD ACHIEVE THE SANGREAL
SHOULD BE KNOWN
ALSO Merlin made the Round Table in tokening of
roundness of the world, for by the Round Table is the
world signified by right, for all the world, Christian and
heathen, repair unto the Round Table ; and when they are
chosen to be of the fellowship of the Round Table they
think them more blessed and more in worship than if they
had gotten half the world ; and ye have seen that they have
lost their fathers and their mothers, and all their kin, and
their wives and their children, for to be of your fellowship.
It is well seen by you ; for since ye have departed from
your mother ye would never see her, ye found such fellow-
ship at the Round Table. When Merlin had ordained the
Round Table he said, by them which should be fellows of
the Round Table the truth of the Sangreal should be well
ii 46 G
194 King Arthur
known. And men asked him how men might know them
that should best do and to achieve the Sangreal ? Then he
said there should be three white bulls that should achieve
it, and the two should be maidens, and the third should be
chaste. And that one of the three should pass his father
as much as the lion passeth the leopard, both of strength
and hardiness. They that heard Merlin say so said thus
unto Merlin : Sithen there shall be such a knight, thou
shouldest ordain by thy crafts a siege, that no man should
sit in it but he all only that shall pass all other knights.
Then Merlin answered that he would do so. And then he
made the Siege Perilous, in the which Galahad sat in at his
meat on Whitsunday last past. Now, madam, said Sir
Percivale, so much have I heard of you that by my good
will I will never have ado with Sir Galahad but by way of
kindness ; and for God's love, fair aunt, can ye teach me
some way where I may find him ? for much would I love
the fellowship of him. Fair nephew, said she, ye must ride
unto a castle the which is called Goothe, where he hath a
cousin-germain, and there may ye be lodged this night.
And as he teacheth you, pursue after as fast as ye can ; and
if he can tell you no tidings of him, ride straight unto the
Castle of Carbonek, where the maimed king is there lying,
for there shall ye hear true tidings of him.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR PERCIVALK CAME INTO A MONASTERY, WHERE HE FOUND
KING EVELAKE, WHICH WAS AN OLD MAN
THEN departed Sir Percivale from his aunt, either making
great sorrow. And so he rode till evensong time. And
then he heard a clock smite ; and then he was ware of an
house closed well with walls and deep ditches, and there he
knocked at the gate and was let in, and he alit and was led
unto a chamber, and soon he was unarmed. And there he
had right good cheer all that night ; and on the morn he
heard his mass, and in the monastery he found a priest
ready at the altar. And on the right side he saw a pew
closed with iron, and behind the altar he saw a rich bed
and a fair, as of cloth of silk and gold. Then Sir Percivale
espied that therein was a man or a woman, for the visage
was covered ; then he left off his looking and heard his
King Arthur 195
service. And when it came to the sacring, he that lay
within that percloos dressed him up, and uncovered his
head ; and then him beseemed a passing old man, and he
had a crown of gold upon his head, and his shoulders were
naked and unhilled unto his navel. And then Sir Percivaie
espied his body was full of great wounds, both on the
shoulders, arms, and visage. And ever he held up his
hands against our Lord's body, and cried : Fair, sweet
Father, Jesu Christ, forget not me. And so he lay down,
but always he was in his prayers and orisons ; and him
seemed to be of the age of three hundred winter. And
when the mass was done the priest took Our Lord's body
and bare it to the sick king. And when he had used it he
did off his crown, and commanded the crown to be set on
the altar. Then Sir Percivale asked one of the brethren
what he was. Sir, said the good man, ye have heard much
of Joseph of Aramathie, how he was sent by Jesu Christ
into this land for to teach and preach the holy Christian
faith ; and therefore he suffered many persecutions the
which the enemies of Christ did unto him, and in the city
of Sarras he converted a king whose name was Evelake.
And so this king came with Joseph into this land, and ever
he was busy to be thereas the Sangreal was ; and on a time
he nighed it so nigh that Our Lord was displeased with
him, but ever he followed it more and more, till God struck
him almost blind. Then this king cried mercy, and said :
Fair Lord, let me never die till the good knight of my
blood of the ninth degree be come, that I may see him
openly that he shall achieve the Sangreal, that I may kiss
him.
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR PERCIVALE SAW MANY MEN OF ARMS BEARING A DEAD
KNIGHT, AND HOW HE FOUGHT AGAINST THEM
WHEN the king thus had made his prayers he heard a
voice that said : Heard be thy prayers, for thou shalt not
die till he have kissed thee. And when that knight shall
come the clearness of your eyes shall come again, and thou
shalt see openly, and thy wounds shall be healed, and erst
shall they never close. And this befel of King Evelake,
and this same king hath lived this three hundred winters
196
Arthur
this holy hie, and men say the knight is in the court that
shall heal him. Sir, said the good man, I pray you tell me
what knight that ye be, and if ye be of King Arthur's court
and of the Table Round. Yea, forsooth, said he, and my
name is Sir Percivale de Galis. And when the good man
understood his name he made great joy of him. And then Sir
Percivale departed and rode till the hour of noon. And he met
in a valley about a twenty men of arms, which bare in a bier
a knight deadly slairu And when they saw Sir Percivale they
asked him of whence he was. And he answered : Of the
court of King Arthur. Then they cried all at once : Slay him.
Then Sir Percivale smote the first to the earth and his horse
upon him. And then seven of the knights smote upon his
shield all at once, and the remnant slew his horse so that he
fell to the earth. So had they slain him or taken him had
not the good knight, Sir Galahad, with the red arms come
there by adventure into those parts. And when he saw all
those knights upon one knight he cried : Save me that
knight's life. And then he dressed him toward the twenty
men of arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in
the rest, and smote the foremost horse and man to the earth.
And when his spear was broken he set his hand to his
sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left hand
that it was marvel to see, and at every stroke he smote one
down or put him to a rebuke, so that they would fight no
more but fled to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad followed them.
And when Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made
great sorrow that his horse was away. And then he wist
well it was Sir Galahad. And then he cried aloud : Ah fair
knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee, for
much have ye done for me. But ever Sir Galahad rode so
fast that at the last he passed out of his sight. And as fast as
Sir Percivale might he went after him on foot, crying. And
then he met with a yeoman riding upon an hackney,
the which led in his hand a great steed blacker than any
bear. Ah, fair friend, said Sir Percivale, as ever I may do
for you, and to be your true knight in the first place ye will
require me, that ye will lend me that black steed, that I
might overtake a knight the which rideth afore me. Sir
knight, said the yeoman, I pray you hold me excused of
that, for that I may not do. For wit ye well, the horse is
such a man's horse, that an I lent it you or any man, that
he would slay me. Alas, said Sir Percivale, I had never so
King Arthur 197
great sorrow as I have had for losing of yonder knight. Sir,
said the yeoman, I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
would beseem you well ; but I dare not deliver you this
horse but if ye would take him from me. That will I not do,
said Sir Percivale. And so they departed ; and Sir Percivale
set him down under a tree, and made sorrow out of measure.
And as he was there, there came a knight riding on the
horse that the yeoman led, and he was clene armed.
CHAPTER V
HOW A YKOMAN DESIRED HIM TO GET AGAIN AN HORSE, AND HOW
SIR PERCIVALE'S HACKNEY WAS SLAIN, AND HOW HE GAT AN
HORSE
AND anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as ever
he might, and asked Sir Percivale if he saw any knight
riding on his black steed. Yea, sir, forsooth, said he ; why,
sir, ask ye me that? Ah, sir, that steed he hath benome
me with strength ; wherefor my lord will slay me in what
place he findeth me. Well, said Sir Percivale, what wouldst
thou that I did? Thou seest well that I am on foot,
but an I had a good horse I should bring him soon again.
Sir, said the yeoman, take mine hackney and do the best
ye can, and I shall serve you on foot to wit how that ye
shall speed. Then Sir Percivale alit upon that hackney,
and rode as fast as he might, and at the last he saw that
knight. And then he cried : Knight, turn again ; and he
turned and set his spear against Sir Percivale, and he smote
the hackney in the middes of the breast that he fell
down dead to the earth, and there he had a great fall, and
the other rode his way. And then Sir Percivale was wood
wroth, and cried : Abide, wicked knight ; coward and false-
hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot. But
he answered not, but passed on his way. When Sir Perci-
vale saw he would not turn he cast away his helm and sword,
and said : Now am I a very wretch, cursed and most
unhappy above all other knights. So in this sorrow he
abode all that day till it was night ; and then he was faint,
and laid him down and slept till it was midnight ; and then
he awaked and saw afore him a woman which said unto him
right fiercely: Sir Percivale, what dostthouhere? Heanswered.
I do neither good nor great ill. If thou wilt ensure me, said
198 King Arthur
she, that thou wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, I shall
lend thee mine own horse which shall bear thee whither thou
wilt. Sir Percivale was glad of her proffer, and ensured her
to fulfil all her desire. Then abide me here, and I shall go
and fetch you an horse. And so she came soon again and
brought an horse with her that was inly black. When Perci-
vale beheld that horse he marvelled that it was so great and
so well apparelled ; and not for then he was so hardy, and
he leapt upon him, and took none heed of himself. And so
anon as he was upon him he thrust to him with his spurs,
and so he rode by a forest, and the moon shone clear.
And within an hour and less he bare him four days' journey
thence, until he came to a rough water the which roared, and
his horse would have borne him into it.
CHAPTER VI
OF THE GREAT DANGER THAT SIR PERCIVALE WAS IN BY HIS HORSE,
AND HOW HE SAW A SERPENT AND A LION FIGHT
AND when Sir Percivale came nigh the brim, and saw the
water so boistous, he doubted to overpass it. And then he
made a sign of the cross on his forehead. When the fiend
felt him so charged he shook off Sir Percivale, and he went
into the water crying and roaring, making great sorrow, and
it seemed unto him that the water brent. Then Sir Percivale
perceived it was a fiend, the which would have brought him
unto his perdition. Then he commended himself unto God,
and prayed Our Lord to keep him from all such temptations ;
and so he prayed all that night till on the morn that it was
day ; then he saw that he was in a wild mountain the which
was closed with the sea nigh all about, that he might see no
land about him which might relieve him, but wild beasts.
And then he went into a valley, and there he saw a young
serpent bring a young lion by the neck, and so he came
by Sir Percivale. With that came a great lion crying and
roaring after the serpent. And as fast as Sir Percivale saw
this he marvelled, and hied him thither, but anon the lion
had overtaken the serpent and began battle with him. And
then Sir Percivale thought to help the lion for he was the
more natural beast of the two ; and therewith he drew his
sword, and set his shield afore him, and there he gave the
serpent such a buffet that he had a deadly wound. When
King Arthur 199
the lion saw that, he made no resemblant to fight with him,
but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a man.
Then Percivale perceived that, and cast down his shield
which was broken ; and then he did off his helm for to
gather wind, for he was greatly enchafed with the serpent :
and the lion went alway about him fawning as a spaniel.
And then he stroked him on the neck and on the shoulders.
And then he thanked God of the fellowship of that beast.
And about noon the lion took his little whelp and trussed
him and bare him there he came from. Then was Sir
Percivale alone. And as the tale telleth, he was one of
the men of the world at that time which most believed
in our Lord Jesu Christ, for in those days there were but
few folks that believed in God perfectly. For in those
days the son spared not the father no more than a stranger.
And so Sir Percivale comforted himself in our Lord Jesu,
and besought God no temptation should bring him out of
God's service, but to endure as his true champion. Thus
when Sir Percivale had prayed he saw the lion come toward
him, and then he couched down at his feet. And so all
that night the lion and he slept together; and when Sir
Percivale slept he dreamed a marvellous dream, that there
two ladies met with him, and that one sat upon a lion,
and that other sat upon a serpent, and that one of them
was young, and the other was old ; and the youngest him
thought said : Sir Percivale, my lord saluteth thee, and
sendeth thee word that thou array thee and make thee ready,
for tomorn thou must fight with the strongest champion of
the world. And if thou be overcome thou shalt not be
quit for losing of any of thy members, but thou shalt be
shamed for ever to the world's end. And then he asked
her what was her lord. And she said the greatest lord of
all the world : and so she departed suddenly that he wist
not where.
CHAPTER VII
OF THE VISION THAT SIR PERCIVALE SAW, AND HOW HIS VISION
WAS EXPOUNDED, AND OF HIS LION
THEN came forth the other lady that rode upon the
serpent, and she said : Sir Percivale, I complain me of you
that ye have done unto me, and have not offended unto
2OO King Arthur
you. Certes, madam, he said, unto you nor no lady I never
offended. Yes, said she, I shall tell you why. I have
nourished in this place a great while a serpent, which
served me a great while, and yesterday ye slew him as he
gat his prey. Say me for what cause ye slew him, for the
lion was not yours. Madam, said Sir Percivale, I know
well the lion was not mine, but I did it for the lion is of
more gentler nature than the serpent, and therefore I slew
him; meseemeth I did not amiss against you. Madam, said
he, what would ye that I did ? 1 would, said she, for the
amends of my beast that ye become my man. And then
he answered : That will I not grant you. No, said she,
truly ye were never but my servant syn ye received the
homage of Our Lord Jesu Christ. Therefore, I ensure you
in what place I may find you without keeping I shall take
you as he that sometime was my man. And so she departed
from Sir Percivale and left him sleeping, the which was sore
travailed of his advision. And on the morn he arose and
blessed him, and he was passing feeble. Then was Sir
Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship come sailing
toward him ; and Sir Percivale went unto the ship and
found it covered within and without with white samite.
And at the board stood an old man clothed in a surplice,
in likeness of a priest. Sir, said Sir Percivale, ye be
welcome. God keep you, said the good man. Sir, said
the old man, of whence be ye ? Sir, said Sir Percivale, 1
am of King Arthur's court, and a knight of the Table
Round, the which am in the quest of the Sangreal ; and
here am I in great duresse, and never like to escape out
of this wilderness. Doubt not, said the good man, an ye
be so true a knight as the order of chivalry requireth, and
of heart as ye ought to be, ye should not doubt that none
enemy should slay you. What are ye? said Sir Percivale.
Sir, said the old man, I am of a strange country, and
hither 1 come to comfort you. Sir, said Sir Percivale, what
signifieth my dream that I dreamed this night ? And
there he told him altogether : She which rode upon the
lion betokeneth the new law of ho'iy church, that is to
understand, faith, good hope, belief, and baptism. For
she seemed younger than the other it is great reason, for
she was born in the resurrection and the passion of our
Lord Jesu Christ. And for great love she came to thee
to warn thee of thy great battle that shall befall thee.
King Arthur 201
With whom, said Sir Percivale, shall I fight ? With the
most champion of the world, said the old man ; for as
the lady said, but if thou quit thee well thou shalt
not be quit by losing of one member, but thou shalt be
shamed to the world's end. And she that rode on the
serpent signifieth the old law, and that serpent betokeneth
a fiend. And why she blamed thee that thou slewest her
servant, it betokeneth nothing • the serpent that thou
slewest betokeneth the devil that thou rodest upon to the
rock. And when thou madest a sign of the cross, there
thou slewest him, and put away his power. And when
she asked thee amends and to become her man, and thou
saidst thou wouldst not, that was to make thee to believe
on her and leave thy baptism. So he commanded Sir
Percivale to depart, and so he leapt over the board and
the ship, and all went away he wist not whither. Then
he went up unto the rock and found the lion which always
kept him fellowship, and he stroked him upon the back and
had great joy of him.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW SIR PERCIVALE SAW A SHIP COMING TO HIM-WARD, AND
HOW THE LADY OF THE SHIP TOLD HIM OF HER DISHERIT-
ANCE
BY that Sir Percivale had abiden there till mid-day he
saw a ship came rowing in the sea as all the wind of the
world had driven it. And so it drove under that rock. And
when Sir Percivale saw this he hied him thither, and found
the ship covered with silk more blacker than any bear, and
therein was a gentlewoman of great beauty, and she was
clothed richly that none might be better. And when she
saw Sir Percivale she said : Who brought you in this
wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence, for ye shall
die here for hunger and mischief? Damosel, said Sir
Percivale, 1 serve the best man of the world, and in his
service he will not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh
shall enter, and who that asketh shall have, and who that
seeketh him he hideth him not. But then she said : Sir
Percivale, wot ye what I am ? Yea, said he. Now who
taught you my name ? said she. Now, said Sir Percivale,
ii 46 *G
2O2 King Arthur
I know you better than ye ween. And I came out of the
waste forest where I found the red knight with the white
shield, said the damosel. Ah, damosel, said he, with that
knight would I meet passing fain. Sir knight, said she, an
ye will ensure me by the faith that ye owe unto knighthood
that ye shall do my will what time I summon you, and I
shall bring you unto that knight. Yea, said he, I shall
promise you to fulfil your desire. Well, said she, now shall
I tell you. I saw him in the forest chasing two knights
unto a water, the which is called Mortaise ; and they drove
him into that water for dread of death, and the two knights
passed over, and the red knight passed after, and there his
horse was drenched, and he, through great strength, escaped
unto the land : thus she told him, and Sir Percivale was
passing glad thereof. Then she asked him if he had ate
any meat late. Nay, madam, truly I ate no meat nigh this
three days, but late here I spake with a good man that fed
me with his good words and holy, and refreshed me greatly.
Ah, sir knight, said she, that same man is an enchanter and
a multiplier of words. For an ye believe him ye shall
plainly be shamed, and die in this rock for pure hunger, and
be eaten with wild beasts ; and ye be a young man and a
goodly knight, and I shall help you an ye will. What are
ye, said Sir Percivale, that proffered me thus great kindness ?
I am, said she, a gentlewoman that am disherited, which
was sometime the richest woman of the world. Damosel,
said Sir Percivale, who hath disherited you ? for I have great
pity of you. Sir, said she, I dwelled with the greatest man
of the world, and he made me so fair and clear that there
was none like me ; and of that great beauty I had a little
pride more than I ought to have had. Also I said a word
that pleased him not. And then he would not suffer me to
be any longer in his company, and so drove me from mine
heritage, and so disherited me, and he had never pity of me
nor of none of my council, nor of my court. And sithen, sir
knight, it hath befallen me so, and through me and mine I
have benome him many of his men, and made them
to become my men. For they ask never nothing of
me but I give it them, that and much more. Thus I
and all my servants were against him night and day.
Therefore I know now no good knight, nor no good man,
but I get them on my side an I may. And for that I know
that thou art a good knight, I beseech you to help me ; and
King Arthur 203
for ye be a fellow of the Round Table, wherefore ye ought
'not to fail no gentlewoman which is disherited, an she
besought you of help.
CHAPTER IX
HOW SIR PERCIVALE PROMISED HER HELP, AND HOW HE REQUIRED
HER OF LOVE, AND HOW HE WAS SAVED FROM THE FIEND
THEN Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he
might; and then she thanked him. And at that time the
weather was hot. Then she called unto her a gentlewoman
and bad her bring forth a pavilion; and so she did, and
pyght it upon the gravel. Sir, said she, now may ye rest
you in this heat of the day. Then he thanked her, and she
put off his helm and his shield, and there he slept a great
while. And then he awoke and asked her if she had any
meat, and she said : Yea, also ye shall have enough. And
so there was set enough upon the table, and thereon so
much that he had marvel, for there was all manner of meats
that he could think on. Also he drank there the strongest
wine that ever he drank, him thought, and therewith he was
a little chafed more than he ought to be ; with that he
beheld the gentlewoman, and him thought she was the
fairest creature that ever he saw. And then Sir Percivale
proffered her love, and prayed her that she would be his.
Then she refused him, in a manner, when he required her,
for the cause he should be the more ardent on her, and
ever he ceased not to pray her of love. And when she saw
him well enchafed, then she said : Sir Percivale, wit you
well I shall not fulfil your will but if ye swear from hence-
forth ye shall be my true servant, and to do nothing but
that I shall command you. Will ye ensure me this as ye
be a true knight? Yea, said he, fair lady, by the faith of
my body. Well, said she, now shall ye do with me what so
it please you ; and now wit ye well ye are the knight in the
world that I have most desire to. And then two squires
were commanded to make a bed in middes of the pavilion.
And anon she was unclothed and laid therein. And then
Sir Percivale laid him down by her naked ; and by adventure
and grace he saw his sword lie on the ground naked, in
whose pommel was a red cross and the sign of the crucifix
therein, and bethought him on his knighthood and his
204 King Arthur
promise made toforehand unto the good man ; then he
made a sign of the cross in his forehead, and therewith the
pavilion turned up so down, and then it changed unto a
smoke, and a black cloud, and then he was adread and
cried aloud :
CHAPTER X
HOW SIR PERCIVALE FOR PENANCE ROVE HIMSELF THROUGH THE
THIGH ; AND HOW SHE WAS KNOWN FOR THE DEVIL
FAIR sweet father, Jesu Christ, ne let me not be shamed,
the which was nigh lost had not thy good grace been. And
then he looked into a ship, and saw her enter therein, which
said : Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me. And so she went
with the wind roaring and yelling, that it seemed all the
water brent after her. Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow,
and drew his sword unto him, saying : Sithen my flesh will
be my master I shall punish it ; and therewith he rove him-
self through the thigh that the blood start about him, and
said : O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that I
have done against thee, my Lord. So then he clothed him
and armed him, and called himself a wretch, saying : How
nigh was I lost, and to have lost that I should never have
gotten again, that was my virginity, for that may never be
recovered after it is once lost. And then he stopped his
bleeding wound with a piece of his shirt. Thus as he made
his moan he saw the same ship come from Orient that the
good man was in the day afore, and the noble knight was
ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon.
And when he awoke he went unto him weakly, and there
he saluted this good man. And then he asked Sir Percivale :
How hast thou done sith I departed ? Sir, said he, here
was a gentlewoman and led me into deadly sin. And there
he told him altogether. Knew ye not the maid ? said the
good man. Sir, said he, nay, but well I wot the fiend sent
her hither to shame me. O good knight, said he, thou art
a fool, for that gentlewoman was the master fiend of hell,
the which hath power above all devils, and that was the old
lady that thou sawest in thine advision riding on the serpent.
Then he told Sir Percivale how our Lord Jesu Christ beat
him out of heaven for his sin, the which was the most
brightest angel of heaven, and therefore he lost his heritage :
King Arthur 205
And that was the champion that thou foughtest withal, the
which had overcome thee had not the grace of God been.
Now beware Sir Percivale, and take this for an ensample.
And then the good man vanished away. Then Sir Percivale
took his arms, and entered into the ship, and so departed
from thence.
Here endeih the fourteenth book, 'which is of Sir Perci<vale.
And here followeth of Sir Launcelot, <which is the
fifteenth book.
BOOK XV
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO A CHAPEL, WHERE HE FOUND
DEAD, IN A WHITE SHIRT, A MAN OF RELIGION, OF AN
HUNDRED WINTER OLD
WHEN the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days, the
hermit gat him an horse, an helm, and a sword. And then
he departed about the hour of noon. And then he saw a
little house. And when he came near he saw a chapel, and
there beside he saw an old man that was clothed all in white
full richly ; and then Sir Launcelot said : God save you.
God keep you, said the good man, and make you a good
knight. Then Sir Launcelot alit and entered into the chapel,
and there he saw an old man dead, in a white shirt of
passing fine cloth. Sir, said the good man, this man that is
dead ought not to be in such clothing as ye see him in, for
in that he brake the oath of his order, for he hath been
more than an hundred winter a man of a religion. And
then the good man and Sir Launcelot went into the chapel ;
and the good man took a stole about his neck, and a book,
and then he conjured on that book ; and with that they saw
in an hideous figure and horrible, that there was no man so
hard-hearted nor so hard but he should have been afeard.
Then said the fiend : Thou hast travailed me greatly ; now
tell me what thou wilt with me. I will, said the good man,
that thou tell me how my fellow became dead, and whether
he be saved or damned. Then he said with an horrible
voice : He is not lost but saved. How may that be ? said
206 King Arthur
the good man ; it seemed to me that he lived not well, for
he brake his order for to wear a shirt where he ought to
wear none, and who that trespasseth against our order doth
not well. Not so, said the fiend, this man that lieth here
dead was come of a great lineage. And there was a lord
that hight the Earl de Vale, that held great war against this
man's nephew, the which hight Aguarus. And so this
Aguarus saw the earl was bigger than he. Then he went
for to take counsel of his uncle, the which lieth here dead
as ye may see. And then he asked leave, and went out of
his hermitage for to maintain his nephew against the mighty
earl ; and so it happed that this man that lieth here dead
did so much by his wisdom and hardiness that the earl was
taken, and three of his lords, by force of this dead man.
CHAPTER II
OF A DEAD MAN, HOW MEN WOULD HAVE HEWN HIM, AND IT
WOULD NOT BE, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT TOOK THE HAIR
OF THE DEAD MAN
THEN was there peace betwixt the earl and this Aguarus,
and great surety that the earl should never war against him.
Then this dead man that here lieth came to this hermitage
again ; and then the earl made two of his nephews for to
be avenged upon this man. So they came on a day, and
found this dead man at the sacring of his mass, and they
abode him till he had said mass. And then they set upon
him and drew out swords to have slain him ; but there
would no sword bite on him more than upon a gad of steel,
for the high Lord which he served he him preserved. Then
made they a great fire, and did off all his clothes, and the
hair off his back. And then this dead man hermit said
unto them : Ween you to burn me ? It shall not lie in your
power nor to perish me as much as a thread an there were
any on my body. No, said one of them, it shall be essayed.
And then they despoiled him, and put upon him this shirt,
and cast him in a fire, and there he lay all that night till it
was day in that fire, and was not dead, and so in the morn
I came and found him dead ; but I found neither thread
nor skin tamyd, and so took him out of the fire with great
fear, and led him here as ye may see. And now may ye
suffer me to go my way, for I have said you the sooth.
King Arthur 207
And then he departed with a great tempest. Then was the
good man and Sir Launcelot more gladder than they were
tofore. And then Sir Launcelot dwelled with that good
man that night. Sir, said the good man, be ye not Sir
Launcelot du Lake ? Yea, sir, said he. What seek ye in
this country ? Sir, said Sir Launcelot, I go to seek the
adventures of the Sangreal. Well, said he, seek it ye may
well, but though it were here ye shall have no power to see
it no more than a blind man should see a bright sword, and
that is long on your sin, and else ye were more abler than
any man living. And then Sir Launcelot began to weep.
Then said the good man : Were ye confessed sith ye entered
into the quest of the Sangreal ? Yea, sir, said Sir Launcelot.
Then upon the morn when the good man had sung his
mass, then they buried the dead man. Then Sir Launcelot
said : Father, what shall I do ? Now, said the good man, I
require you take this hair that was this holy man's and put
it next thy skin, and it shall prevail thee greatly. Sir, and I
will do it, said Sir Launcelot. Also I charge you that ye
eat no flesh as long as ye be in the quest of the Sangreal,
nor ye shall drink no wine, and that ye hear mass daily an
ye may do it. So he took the hair and put it upon him,
and so departed at evensong-time. And so rode he into a
forest, and there he met with a gentlewoman riding upon a
white palfrey, and then she asked him : Sir knight, whither
ride ye? Certes, damosel, said Launcelot, I wot not whither
I ride but as fortune leadeth me, Ah, Sir Launcelot, said
she, I wot what adventure ye seek, for ye were afore time
nearer than ye be now, and yet shall ye see it more openly
than ever ye did, and that shall ye understand in short time.
Then Sir Launcelot asked her where he might be harboured
that night. Ye shall not find this day nor night, but tomorn
ye shall find harbour good, and ease of that ye be in doubt
of. And then he commended her unto God. Then he
rode till that he came to a Cross, and took that for his host
as for that night.
208 King Arthur
CHAPTER III
OF A VISION THAT SIR LAUNCELOT HAD, AND HOW HE TOLD IT
TO AN HERMIT, AND DESIRED COUNSEL OF HIM
AND so he put his horse to pasture, and did off his helm
and his shield, and made his prayers unto the Cross that he
never fall in deadly sin again. And so he laid him down to
sleep. And anon as he was on sleep it befell him there an
advision, that there came a man afore him all by compass of
stars, and that man had a crown of gold on his head, and
that man led in his fellowship seven kings and two knights.
And all these worshipped the Cross, kneeling upon their
knees, holding up their hands toward the heaven. And all
they said : Fair sweet Father of heaven, come and visit us,
and yield unto us every each as we have deserved. Then
looked Launcelot up to the heaven, and him seemed the
clouds did open, and an old man came down, with a
company of angels, and alit among them, and gave unto
every each his blessing, and called them his servants, and
good and true knights. And when this old man had said
thus he came to one of those knights, and said : I have lost
all that I have set in thee, for thou hast ruled thee against
me as a warrior, and used wrong wars with vain glory, more
for the pleasure of the world than to please me, therefore
thou shalt be confounded without thou yield me my treasure.
All this advision saw Sir Launcelot at the Cross. And on
the morn he took his horse and rode till midday ; and there
by adventure he met with the same knight that took his
horse, helm, and his sword, when he slept when the Sangreal
appeared afore the Cross. When Sir Launcelot saw him he
saluted him not fair, but cried on high : Knight, keep thee,
for thou hast done to me great unkindness. And then they
put afore them their spears, and Sir Launcelot came so
fiercely upon him that he smote him and his horse down to
the earth, that he had nigh broken his neck. Then Sir
Launcelot took the knight's horse that was his own afore-
hand, and descended from the horse he sat upon, and
mounted upon his own horse, and tied the knight's own
horse to a tree, that he might find that horse when that he
was arisen. Then Sir Launcelot rode till night, and by
adventure he met an hermit, and each of them saluted
other ; and there he rested with that good man all night,
King Arthur 209
and gave his horse such as he might get. Then said the
good man unto Launcelot : Of whence be ye ? Sir, said
he, I am of Arthur's court, and my name is Sir Launcelot
du Lake that am in the quest of the Sangreal, and therefore
I pray you to counsel me of a vision the which I had at the
Cross. And so he told him all.
CHAPTER IV
HOW THE HERMIT EXPOUNDED TO SIR LAUNCELOT HIS VISION,
AND TOLD HIM THAT SIR GALAHAD WAS HIS SON
Lo, Sir Launcelot, said the good man, there thou mightesi
understand the high lineage that thou art come of, and
thine advision betokeneth. After the passion of Jesu Christ
forty year, Joseph of Aramathie preached the victory oi
King Evelake, that he had in the battles the better of his
enemies. And of the seven kings and the two knights :
the first of them is called Nappus, an holy man ; and the
second hight Nacien, in remembrance of his grandsire, and
in him dwelled our lord Jesu Christ ; and the third was
called Helias le Grose ; and the fourth hight Lisais ; and
the fifth hight Jonas, he departed out of his country and
went into Wales, and took there the daughter of Manuel,
whereby he had the land of Gaul, and he came to dwell
in this country. And of him came King Launcelot thy
grandsire, the which there wedded the king's daughter of
Ireland, and he was as worthy a man as thou art, and of
him came King Ban, thy father, the which was the last
of the seven kings. And by thee, Sir Launcelot, it signifieth
that the angels said thou were none of the seven fellowships.
Arid the last was the ninth knight, he was signified to a
lion, for he should pass all manner of earthly knights, that
is Sir Galahad, the which thou gat on King Pelles' daughter ;
and thou ought to thank God more than any other man
living, for of a sinner earthly thou hast no peer as in
knighthood, nor never shall be. But little thank hast thou
given to God for all the great virtues that God hath lent
thee. Sir, said Launcelot, ye say that that good knight is
my son. That oughtest thou to know and no man better,
said the good man, for thou knewest the daughter of
King Pelles fleshly, and on her thou begattest Galahad,
2io King Arthur
and that was he that at the feast of Pentecost sat in the
Siege Perilous ; and therefore make thou it known openly
that he is one of thy begetting on King Pelles' daughter,
for that will be your worship and honour, and to all thy
kindred. And I counsel you in no place press not upon him
to have ado with him. Well, said Launcelot, meseemeth
that good knight should pray for me unto the High Father,
that I fall not to sin again. Trust thou well, said the good
man, thou farest mickle the better for his prayer ; but the
son shall not bear the wickedness of the father, nor the
father shall not bear the wickedness of the son, but every
•each shall bear his own burden. And therefore beseek thou
only God, and he will help thee in all thy needs. And then
Sir Launcelot and he went to supper, and so laid him to
rest, and the hair pricked so Sir Launcelot's skin which
grieved him full sore, but he took it meekly, and suffered
the pain. And so on the morn he heard his mass and took
his arms, and so took his leave.
CHAPTER V
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT JOUSTED WITH MANY KNIGHTS, AMD HOW
HE WAS TAKEN
AND then mounted upon his horse, and rode into a
forest, and held no highway. And as he looked afore
him he saw a fair plain, and beside that a fair castle, and
afore the castle were many pavilions of silk and of diverse
hue. And him seemed that he saw there five hundred
knights riding on horseback ; and there were two parties :
they that were of the castle were all on black horses and
their trappours black, and they that were without were all
on white horses and trappours, and every each hurtled to
other that it marvelled Sir Launcelot. And at the last him
thought they of the castle were put to the worse. Then
thought Sir Launcelot for to help there the weaker party
in increasing of his chivalry. And so Sir Launcelot thrust
in among the party of the castle, and smote down a knight,
horse and man, to the earth. And then he rushed here
and there, and did marvellous deeds of arms. And then
he drew out his sword, and struck many knights to the
earth, so that all those that saw him marvelled that ever
one knight might do so great deeds of arms. But always
King Arthur 21 1
the white knights held them nigh about Sir Launcelot, for
to tire him and wind him. But at the last, as a man may
not ever endure, Sir Launcelot waxed so faint of fighting
and travailing, and was so weary of his great deeds, but
he might not lift up his arms for to give one stroke, so
that he weened never to have borne arms ; and then they
all took and led him away into a forest, and there made
him to alight and to rest him. And then all the fellowship
of the castle were overcome for the default of him. Then
they said all unto Sir Launcelot : Blessed be God that ye
be now of our fellowship, for we shall hold you in our
prison ; and so they left him with few words. And then
Sir Launcelot made great sorrow, For never or now was
I never at tournament nor jousts but I had the best, and
now I am shamed ; and then he said : Now I am sure
that I am more sinfuller than ever I was. Thus he rode
sorrowing, and half a day he was out of despair, till that
he came into a deep valley. And when Sir Launcelot
saw he might not ride up into the mountain, he there alit
under an apple tree, and there he left his helm and his
shield, and put his horse unto pasture. And then he laid
him down to sleep. And then him thought there came
an old man afore him, the which said : Ah, Launcelot of
evil faith and poor belief, wherefore is thy will turned so
lightly toward thy deadly sin ? And when he had said
thus he vanished away, and Launcelot wist not where he
was become. Then he took his horse, and armed him ;
and as he rode by the way he saw a chapel where was a
recluse, which had a window that she might see up to the
altar. And all aloud she called Launcelot, for that he
seemed a knight errant. And then he came, and she asked
him what he was, and of what place, and where about he.,
went to seek.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT TOLD HIS VISION UNTO A WOMAN, AND HOW
SHE EXPOUNDED IT UNTO HIM
AND then he told her all together word by word, and
the truth how it befell him at the tournament. And after
told her his advision that he had had that night in his sleep,
and prayed her to tell him what it might mean, for he was
.2
12 Kin" Arthur
Tiot well content with it. Ah, Launcelot, said she, as long
•as ye were knight of earthly knighthood ye were the most
-marvellous man of the world, and most adventurous. Now,
said the lady, sithen ye be set among the knights of heavenly
adventures, if adventure fell thee contrary at that tournament
have thou no marvel, for that tournament yesterday was but
a tokening of Our Lord. And not for then there was none
enchantment, for they at the tournament were earthly knights.
The tournament was a token to see who should have most
knights, either Eliazar, the son of King Pelles, or Argustus,
the son of King Harlon. But Eliazar was all clothed in
white, and Argustus was covered in black, the which were
come. All what this betokeneth I shall tell you. The day
of Pentecost, when King Arthur held his court, it befell
that earthly kings and knights took a tournament together,
that is to say the quest of the Sangreal. The earthly knights
were they the which were clothed all in black, and the
covering betokeneth the sins whereof they be not confessed.
And they with the covering of white betokeneth virginity,
and they that chose chastity. And thus was the quest begun
in them. Then thou beheld the sinners and the good men,
and when thou sawest the sinners overcome, thou inclinest
to that party for bobaunce and pride of the world, and all
that must be left in that quest, for in this quest thou shalt
have many fellows and thy betters. For thou art so feeble
of evil trust and good belief, this made it when thou were
there where they took thee and led thee into the forest.
And anon there appeared the Sangreal unto the white
knights, but thou was so feeble of good belief and faith
that thou mightest not abide it for all the teaching of the
good man, but anon thou turnest to the sinners, and that
caused thy misadventure that thou should'st know good
from evil and vain glory of the world, the which is not worth
a pear. And for great pride thou madest great sorrow that
thou haddest not overcome all the white knights with the
covering of white by whom was betokened virginity and
chastity; and therefore God was wroth with you, for God
loveth no such deeds in this quest. And this advision
signineth that thou were of evil faith and of poor belief,
the which will make thee to fall into the deep pit of hell
if thou keep thee not. Now have I warned thee of thy vain
glory and of thy pride, that thou hast many times erred
against thy Maker. Beware of everlasting pain, for of all
King Arthur 213
earthly knights I have most pity of thee, for I know well
thou hast not thy peer of any earthly sinful man. And so
she commended Sir Launcelot to dinner. And after dinner
he took his horse and commended her to God, and so rode
into a deep valley, and there he saw a river and an high
mountain. And through the water he must needs pass, the
which was hideous ; and then in the name of God he took
it with good heart. And when he came over he saw an
armed knight, horse and man black as any bear; without
any word he smote Sir Launcelot's horse to the earth ; and
so he passed on, he wist not where he was become. And
then he took his helm and his shield, and thanked God of
his adventure.
Here lea<veth off the story of Sir L&uncelot,
and speak <=we of Sir Ga^aine, the
which is the sixteenth book,
BOOK XVI
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR GAWAINK WAS NIGH WEARY OF THE QUEST OF THE
SANGREAL, AND OF HIS MARVELLOUS DREAM
WHEN Sir Gawaine was departed from his fellowship he
rode long without any adventure. For he found not the
tenth part of adventure as he was wont to do. For Sir
Gawaine rode from Whitsuntide until Michaelmas and
found none adventure that pleased him. So on a day it
befell Gawaine met with Sir Ector de Maris, and either
made great joy of other that it were marvel to tell. And so
they told every each other, and complained them greatly
that they could find none adventure. Truly, said Sir
Gawaine unto Sir Ector, I am nigh weary of this quest, and
loth I am to follow further in strange countries. One thing
marvelled me, said Sir Ector, I have met with twenty
knights, fellows of mine, and all they complain as I do. I
have marvel, said Sir Gawaine, where that Sir Launcelot,
your brother, is. Truly, said Sir Ector, I cannot hear of
him, nor of Sir Galahad, Percivale, nor Sir Bors. Let them
be, said Sir Gawaine, for they four have no peers. And il
214 King Arthur
one thins; were not in Sir Launcelot he had no fellow of
o
none earthly man ; but he is as we be, but if he took more
pain upon him. But an these four be met together they
will be loth that any man meet with them • for an they fail
of the Sangreal it is in waste of all the remnant to recover
it. Thus as Ector and Gawaine rode more than eight days.
And on a Saturday they found an old chapel, the which was
wasted that there seemed no man thither repaired ; and
there they alit, and set their spears at the door, and in they
entered into the chapel, and there made their orisons a great
while, and set them down in the sieges of the chapel. And
as they spake of one thing and other, for heaviness they fell
on sleep, and there befel them both marvellous adventures.
Sir Gawaine him seemed he came into a meadow full of
herbs and flowers, and there he saw a rack of bulls, an
hundred and fifty, that were proud and black, save three or
them were all white, and one had a black spot, and the other
two were so fair and so white that they might be no whiter.
And these three bulls which were so fair were tied with two
strong cords. And the remnant of the bulls said among
them : Go we hence to seek better pasture. And so some
went, and some came again, but they were so lean that they
might not stand upright ; and of the bulls that were so
white, that one came again and no more. But when this
white bull was come again among these other there rose up
a great cry for lack of wind that failed them ; and so they
departed one here and another there : this advision befell
Gawaine that night.
CHAPTER II
OP THE VISION OF SIR ECTOR, AND HOW HE JOUSTED WITH
SIR UWAINE LES AVOUTRES, HIS SWORN BROTHER
BUT to Ector de Maris befell another vision the contrary.
For it seemed him that his brother, Sir Launcelot, and he
alit out of a chair and leapt upon two horses, and the one
said to the other : Go we seek that we shall not find. And
him thought that a man beat Sir Launcelot, and despoiled
him, and clothed him in another array, the which was all
full of knots, and set him upon an ass, and so he rode till
he came to the fairest well that ever he saw ; and Sir
Launcelot alit and would have drunk of that well. And
King Arthur 215,
when he stooped to drink of the water the water sank from
him. And when Sir Launcelot saw that, he turned and:
went thither as the head came from. And in the mean-
while he trowed that himself and Sir Ector rode till that
they came to a rich man's house where there was a wedding.
And there he saw a king the which said : Sir knight, here is
no place for you. And then he turned again unto the chair
that he came from. Thus within a while both Gawaine and
Ector awaked, and either told other of their advision, the
which marvelled them greatly. Truly, said Ector, I shall
never be merry till I hear tidings of my brother Launcelot.
Now as they sat thus talking they saw an hand showing unto
the elbow, and was covered with red samite, and upon that
hung a bridle not right rich, and held within the fist a great
candle which burned right clear, and so passed afore them,
and entered into the chapel, and then vanished away and
they wist not where. And anon came down a voice which
said : Knights of full evil faith and of poor belief, these two
things have failed you, and therefore ye may not come to-
the adventures of the Sangreal. Then first spake Gawaine
and said : Ector, have ye heard these words ? Yea truly,
said Sir Ector, I heard all. Now go we, said Sir Ector,
unto some hermit that will tell us of our advision, for it
seemeth me we labour all in vain. And so they departed
and rode into a valley, and there met with a squire which
rode on an hackney, and they saluted him fair. Sir, said
Gawaine, can thou teach us to any hermit ? Here is one
in a little mountain, but it is so rough there may no horse
go thither, and therefore ye must go upon foot ; there shall
ye find a poor house, and there is Nacien the hermit, which
is the holiest man in this country. And so they departed
either from other. And then in a valley they met with
a knight all armed, which proffered them to joust as far
as he saw them. In the name of God, said Sir Gawaine3.
sith I departed from Camelot there was none proffered me
to joust but once. And now, sir, said Ector, let me joust
with him. Nay, said Gawaine, ye shall not but if I be beat ;
it shall not forethink me then if ye go after me. And then,
either embraced other to joust and came together as fast as
their horses might run, and brast their shields and the
mails, and the one more than the other ; and Gawaine was
wounded in the left side, but the other knight was smitten
through the breast, and the spear came out on the
216 King Arthur
side, and so they fell both out of their saddles, and in
the falling they brake both their spears. Anon Gavvaine
arose and set his hand to his sword, and cast his shield
afore him. But all for naught was it, for the knight had no
power to rise against him. Then said Gawaine : Ye must
yield you as an overcome man, or else I may slay you. Ah,
sir knight, said he, I am but dead, for God's sake and of your
gentleness lead me here unto an abbey that I may receive
my Creator. Sir, said Gawaine, I know no house of religion
hereby. Sir, said the knight, set me on an horse tofore you,
and I shall teach you. Gawaine set him up in the saddle,
and he leapt up behind him for to sustain him, and so came
to an abbey where they were well received ; and anon he
was unarmed, and received his Creator. Then he prayed
Gawaine to draw out the truncheon of the spear out of his
body. Then Gawaine asked him what he was that knew
him not. I am, said he, of King Arthur's court, and was a
fellow of the Round Table, and we were brethren sworn
together ; and now Sir Gawaine, thou hast slain me, and
my name is Uwaine les Avoutres, that sometime was son
unto King Uriens, and was in the quest of the Sangreal ;
and now forgive it thee God, for it shall ever be said
that the one sworn brother hath slain the other.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR GAWAINE AND SIR ECTOR CAME TO AN HERMITAGE TO
BE CONFESSED, AND HOW THEY TOLD TO THE HERMIT THEIR
VISIONS
ALAS, said Gawaine, that ever this misadventure is be-
fallen me. No force, said Uwaine, sith I shall die this
death, of a much more worshipfuller man's hand might I
not die ; but when ye come to the court recommend me
unto my lord, King Arthur, and all those that be left on
live, and for old brotherhood think on me. Then began
Gawaine to weep, and Ector also. And then Uwaine him-
self and Sir Gawaine drew out the truncheon of the spear,
and anon departed the soul from the body. Then Sir
Gawaine and Sir Ector buried him as men ought to bury a
king's son, and made write upon his name, and by whom he
was slain. Then departed Gawaine and Ector as heavy as
they might for their misadventure, and so rode till that they
King Arthur 217
came to the rough mountain, and there they tied their
horses and went on foot to the hermitage. And when they
were come up they saw a poor house, and beside the chapel
a little courtelage, where Nacien the hermit gathered worts,
as he which had tasted none other meat of a great while.
And when he saw the errant knights he came toward them
and saluted them, and they him again. Fair lords, said he,
\vhat adventure brought you hither ? Sir, said Gawaine, to
speak with you for to be confessed. Sir, said the hermit, I
am ready. Then they told him so much that he wist well
what they were. And then he thought to counsel them if
he might. Then began Gawaine first and told him of his
advision that he had had in the chapel, and Ector told him
all as it is afore rehearsed. Sir, said the hermit unto Sir
Gawaine, the fair meadow and the rack therein ought to be
understood the Round Table, and by the meadow ought to
be understood humility and patience, those be the things
which be always green and quick ; for men may no time
overcome humility and patience, therefore was the Round
Table founded ; and the chivalry hath been at all times
so by the fraternity which was there that she might not be
overcome ; for men said she was founded in patience and in
humility. At the rack ate an hundred and fifty bulls ; but
they ate not in the meadow, for their hearts should he set in
humility and patience, and the bulls were proud and black
save only three. By the bulls is to understand the fellowship
of the Round Table, which for their sin and their wicked-
ness be black. Blackness is to say without good or virtuous
works. And the three bulls which were white save only one
that was spotted : the two white betoken Sir Galahad and
Sir Percivale, for they be maidens clene and without spot ;
and the third that had a spot signifieth Sir Bors de Ganis,
which trespassed but once in his virginity, but sithen he
kept himself so well in chastity that all is forgiven him and
his misdeeds. And why those three were tied by the necks,
they be three knights in virginity and chastity, and there is
no pride smitten in them. And the black bulls which said:
Go we hence, they were those which at Pentecost at the
high feast took upon them to go in the quest of the Sangreal
without confession : they might not enter in the meadow of
humility and patience. And therefore they returned into
waste countries, that signifieth death, for there shall die
many of them : every each of them shall slay other for sin,
218 King Arthur
and they that shall escape shall be so lean that it shall
be marvel to see them. And of the three bulls without
spot, the one shall come again, and the other two never.
CHAPTER IV
HOW THE HERMIT EXPOUNDED THEIR VISION
THEN spake Nacien unto Ector : Sooth it is that Launce-
lot and ye came down off one chair : the chair betokeneth
mastership and lordship which ye came down from. But
ye two knights, said the hermit, ye go to seek that ye shall
never find, that is the Sangreal ; for it is the secret thing of
our Lord Jesu Christ. What is to mean that Sir Launcelot
fell down off his horse : he hath left pride and taken him to
humility, for he had cried mercy loud for his sin, and sore
repented him, and our Lord hath clothed him in his cloth-
ing which is full of knots, that is the hair that he weareth
daily. And the ass that he rode upon is a beast of humility,
for God would not ride upon no steed, nor upon no palfrey ;
so in ensample that an ass betokeneth meekness, that thou
sawest Sir Launcelot ride on in thy sleep. And the well
whereas the water sank from him when he should have taken
thereof, and when he saw he might not have it, he returned
thither from whence he came, for the well betokeneth the
high grace of God, the more men desire it to take it. the
more shall be their desire. So when he came nigh the San-
greal, he meeked him that he held him not a man worthy to
be so nigh the holy vessel, for he had been so defouled in
deadly sin by the space of many years ; yet when he kneeled
to drink of the well, there he saw great providence of the
Sangreal. And for he had served so long the devil, he shall
have vengeance four and twenty days long, for that he hath
been the devil's servant four and twenty years. And then
soon after he shall return unto Camelot out of this country,
and he shall say a part of such things as he hath found.
Now will I tell you what betokeneth the hand with the
candle and the bridle : that is to understand the holy ghost
where charity is ever, and the bridle signifieth abstinence.
For when she is bridled in Christian man's heart she holdeth
him so short that he falleth not in deadly sin. And the
candle which sheweth clearness and sight signifieth the right
King Arthur 219
way of Jesu Christ. And when he went and said : Knights
of poor faith and of wicked belief, these three things failed,
charity, abstinence, and truth ; therefore ye may not attain
that high adventure of the Sangreal.
CHAPTER V
OF THE GOOD COUNSEL THAT THE HERMIT GAVE TO HIM
CERTES, said Gawaine, soothly have ye said, that I see it
openly. Now, I pray you, good man and holy father, tell
me why we met not with so many adventures as we were
wont to do, and commonly have the better. I shall tell you
gladly, said the good man ; the adventure of the Sangreal
which ye and many other have undertaken the quest of it
and find it not, the cause is for it appeareth not to sinners.
Wherefore marvel not though ye fail thereof, and many
other. For ye be an untrue knight, and a great murderer,
and to good men signifieth other things than murder. For
I dare say as sinful as Sir Launcelot hath been, sith that he
went into the quest of the Sangreal he slew never man, nor
nought shall, till that he come unto Camelot again, for he
hath taken upon him for to forsake sin. And nere that he
nys not stable, but by his thought he is likely to turn again,
he should be next to achieve it save Galahad, his son. But
God knoweth his thought and his unstableness, and yet shall
he die right an holy man, and no doubt he hath no fellow of
no earthly sinful man. Sir, said Gawaine, it seemeth me by
your words that for our sins it will not avail us to travel in
this quest. Truly, said the good man, there be an hundred
such as ye be that never shall prevail, but to have shame.
And when they had heard these voices they commended
him unto God. Then the good man called Gawaine, and
said : It is long time passed sith that ye were made knight,
and never sithen thou servedst thy Maker, and now thou art
so old a tree that in thee is neither life nor fruit ; wherefore
bethink thee that thou yield to Our Lord the bare rind, sith
the fiend hath the leaves and the fruit. Sir, said Gawaine,
an I had leisure I would speak with you, but my fellow here,
Sir Ector, is gone, and abideth me yonder beneath the hill.
Well, said the good man, thou were better to be counselled.
Then departed Gawaine and came to Ector, and so took
22O King Arthur
their horses and rode till they came to a forester's house,
which harboured them right well. And on the morn they
departed from their host, and rode long or they could find
any adventure.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR BORS MET WITH AN HERMIT, AND HOW HE WAS CON-
FESSED TO HIM, AND OF HIS PENANCE ENJOINED TO HIM
WHEN Bors was departed from Camelot he met with a
religious man riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him.
Anon the good man knew him that he was one of the knights
errant that was in the quest of the Sangreal. What are ye ?
said the good man. Sir, said he, I am a knight that fain
would be counselled in the quest of the Sangreal, for he shall
have much earthly worship that may bring it to an end.
Certes, said the good man, that is sooth, for he shall be the
best knight of the world, and the fairest of all the fellowship.
But wit you well there shall none attain it but by cleanness,
that is pure confession. So rode they together till that they
came to an hermitage. And there he prayed Bors to dwell
all that night with him. And so he alit and put away his
armour, and prayed him that he might be confessed ; and so
they went into the chapel, and there he was clean confessed,
and they ate bread and drank water together. Now, said
the good man, I pray thee that thou eat none other till that
thou sit at the table where the Sangreal shall be. Sir, said
he, I agree me thereto, but how wit ye that I shall sit there.
Yes, said the good man, that know I, but there shall be but
few of your fellows with you. All is welcome, said Sir Bors,
that God sendeth me. Also, said the good man, instead of
a shirt, and in sign of chastisement, ye shall wear a garment ;
therefore I pray you do off all your clothes and your shirt :
and so he did. And then he took him a scarlet coat, so
that should be instead of his shirt till he had fulfilled the
quest of the Sangreal ; and the good man found in him so
marvellous a life and so stable, that he marvelled and felt
that he was never corrupt in fleshly lusts, but in one time
that he begat Elian le Blank. Then he armed him, and
took his leave, and so departed. And so a little from thence
he looked up into a tree, and there he saw a passing great
bird upon an old tree, and it was passing dry, without
King Arthur 221
leaves ; and the bird sat above, and had birds, the which
were dead for hunger. So smote he himself with his beak,
the which was great and sharp. And so the great bird bled
till that he died among his birds. And the young birds took
the life by the blood of the great bird. When Bors saw this
he wist well it was a great tokening ; for when he saw the
great bird arose not, then he took his horse and yede his
way. So by evensong, by adventure he came to a strong
tower and an high, and there was he lodged gladly.
CHAPTER VII
HOW SIR BORS WAS LODGED WITH A LADY, AND HOW HE TOOK
UPON HIM FOR TO FIGHT AGAINST A CHAMPION FOR HER
LAND
AND when he was unarmed they led him into an high
tower where was a lady, young, lusty, and fair. And she
received him with great joy, and made him to sit down by
her, and so was he set to sup with flesh and many dainties.
And when Sir Bors saw that, he bethought him on his pen-
ance, and bad a squire to bring him water. And so he
brought him, and he made sops therein and ate them. Ah,
said the lady, I trow ye like not my meat. Yes, truly, said
Sir Bors, God thank you, madam, but I may eat none other
meat this day. Then she spake no more as at that time, for
she was loth to displease him. Then after supper they
spake of one thing and other. With that came a squire and
said : Madam, ye must purvey you tomorn for a champion,
for else your sister will have this castle and also your lands,
except ye can find a knight that will fight tomorn in your
quarrel against Pridam le Noire. Then she made sorrow
and said : Ah, Lord God, wherefore granted ye to hold my
land, whereof I should now be disherited without reason
and right ? And when Sir Bors had heard her say thus, he
said : I shall comfort you. Sir, said she, I shall tell you
there was here a king that hight Aniause, which held all this
land in his keeping. So it mishapped he loved a gentle-
woman a great deal elder than I. So took he her all this
land to her keeping, and all his men to govern ; and she
brought up many evil customs whereby she put to death
a great part of his kinsmen. And when he saw that, he
let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all this
222 King Arthur
land in my demesnes. But anon as that worthy king was
dead, this other lady began to war upon me, and hath
destroyed many of my men, and turned them against me,
that I have wellnigh no man left me ; and I have nought
else but this high tower that she left me. And yet she hath
promised me to have this tower, without I can find a knight
to fight with her champion. Now tell me, said Sir Bors,
what is that Pridam le Noire ? Sir, said she, he is the most
doubted man of this land. Now may ye send her word that
ye have found a knight that shall fight with that Pridam le
Noire in God's quarrel and yours. Then that lady was not
a little glad, and sent word that she was purveyed, and that
night Bors had good cheer ; but in no bed he would come,
but laid him on the floor, nor never would do otherwise till
that he had met with the quest of the Sangreal.
CHAPTER VIII
OF A VISION WHICH SIR BORS HAD THAT NIGHT, AND HOW HE
FOUGHT AND OVERCAME HIS ADVERSARY
AND anon as he was asleep him befel a vision, that there
came to him two birds, the one as white as a swan, and the
other was marvellous black ; but it was not so great as the
other, but in the likeness of a Raven. Then the white bird
came to him, and said : An thou wouldst give me meat and
serve me I should give thee all the riches of the world, and
I shall make thee as fair and as white as I am. So the
white bird departed, and there came the black bird to him,
and said : An thou wolt, serve me to-morrow and have me
in no despite though I be black, for wit thou well that more
availeth my blackness than the other's whiteness. And
then he departed. And he had another vision: him
thought that he came to a great place which seemed a
chapel, and there he found a chair set on the left side,
which was wormeaten and feeble. And on the right hand
were two flowers like a lily, and the one would have benome
the others whiteness, but a good man departed them that
the one touched not the other; and then out of every
flower came out many flowers, and fruit great plenty. Then
him thought the good man said : Should not he do great
folly that would let these two flowers perish for to succour
the rotten tree, that it fell not to the earth ? Sir, said he,
King Arthur 223
it seemeth me that this wood might not avail Now keep
thee, said the good man, that thou never see such adventure
befall thee. Then he awaked and made a sign of the
cross in middes of the forehead, and so rose and clothed
him. And there came the lady of the place, and she saluted
him, and he her again, and so went to a chapel and heard
their service. And there came a company of knights, that
the lady had sent for, to lead Sir Bors unto battle. Then
asked he his arms. And when he was armed she prayed
him to take a little morsel to dine. Nay, madam, said he,
that shall I not do till I have done my battle, by the grace
of God. And so he lept upon his horse, and departed all
the knights and men with him. And as soon as these two
ladies met together, she which Bors should fight for com-
plained her, and said : Madam, ye have done me wrong to
bereave me of my lands that King Aniause gave me, and
full loth I am there should be any battle. Ye shall not
choose, said the other lady, or else your knight withdraw
him. Then there was the cry made, which party had the
better of the two knights, that his lady should rejoice all
the land. Now departed the one knight here, and the other
there. Then they came together with such a rauiidon that
they pierced their shields and their hauberks, and the spears
flew in pieces, and they wounded either other sore. Then
hurtled they together, so that they fell both to the earth,
and their horses betwixt their legs ; and anon they arose,
and set hands to their swords, and smote each one other
upon the heads, that they made great wounds and deep,
that the blood went out of their bodies. For there found
Sir Bors greater defence in that knight more than he weened.
For that Pridam was a passing good knight, and he wounded
Sir Bors full evil, and he him again ; but ever this Pridam
held the stour in like hard. That perceived Sir Bors, and
suffered him till he was nigh attaint. And then he ran
upon him more and more, and the other went back for
dread of death. So in his withdrawing he fell upright, and
Sir Bors drew his helm so strongly that he rent it from his
head, and gave him great strokes with the flat of his sword
upon the visage, and bad him yield him or he should slay
him. Then he cried him mercy and said : Fair knight, for
God's love slay me not, and I shall ensure thee never to war
against thy lady, but be alway toward her. Then Bors let
him be ; then the old lady fled with all her knights.
224 King Arthur
CHAPTER IX
HOW THE LADY WAS RETURNED TO HER LANDS BY THE BATTLE
OF SIR BORS, AND OF HIS DEPARTING, AND HOW HE MET SIR
LIONEL TAKEN AND BEATEN WITH THORNS, AND ALSO OF A
MAID WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISHONOURED
So then came Bors to all those that held lands of his lady,
and said he should destroy them but if they did such service
unto her as longed to their lands. So they did their homage,
and they that would not were chased out of their lands.
Then befel that young lady to come to her estate again, by
the mighty prowess of Sir Bors de Ganis. So when all the
country was well set in peace, then Sir Bors took his leave
and departed ; and she thanked him greatly, and would
have given him great riches, but he refused it. Then he
rode all that day till night, and came to an harbour to a
lady which knew him well enough, and made of him great
joy. Upon the morn, as soon as the day appeared, Bors
departed from thence, and so rode into a forest unto the
hour of midday, and there befel him a marvellous adventure.
So he met at the departing of the two ways two knights that
led Lionel, his brother, all naked, bounden upon a strong
hackney, and his hands bounden tofore his breast. And
every each of them held in his hands thorns wherewith they
went beating him so sore that the blood trailed down more
than in an hundred places of his body, so that he was all
blood tofore and behind, but he said never a word ; as he
which was great of heart he suffered all that ever they did to
him as though he had felt none anguish. Anon Sir Bors
dressed him to rescue him that was his brother ; and so he
looked upon the other side of him, and saw a knight which
brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have set her in the
thickest place of the forest for to have been the more surer
out of the way from them that sought him. And she which
was nothing assured cried with an high voice : Saint Mary
succour your maid. And anon she espied where Sir Bors
came riding. And when she came nigh him she deemed
him a knight of the Round Table, whereof she hoped to
have some comfort ; and then she conjured him : By the
faith that he ought unto him in whose service thou art
entered in, and for the faith ye owe unto the high order of
knighthood, and for the noble King Arthur's sake, that I
King Arthur 225
suppose that made thee knight, that thou help me, and
suffer me not to be shamed of this knight. When Bors
heard her say thus he had so much sorrow there he nyst not
what to do. For if I let my brother be in adventure he
must be slain, and that would I not for all the earth. And
if I help not the maid she is shamed for ever, and also she
shall lose her virginity the which she shall never get again.
Then lift he up his eyes and said weeping : Fair sweet Lord
Jesu Christ, whose liege man I am, keep Lionel, my brother,
that these knights slay him not, and for pity of you. and for
Mary's sake, I shall succour this maid.
CHAPTER X
HOW SIR BORS LEFT TO RESCUE HIS BROTHER, AND RESCUED THE
DAMOSEL ; AND HOW IT WAS TOLD HIM THAT LIONEL WAS
DEAD
THEN dressed he him unto the knight the which had the
gentlewoman, and then he cried : Sir knight, let your hand
off that maiden, or ye be but dead. And then he set down
the maiden, and was armed at all pieces save he lacked his
spear. Then he dressed his shield, and drew out his sword,
and Bors smote him so hard that it went through his shield
and habergeon on the left shoulder. And through great
strength he beat him down to the earth, and at the pulling
out of Bors' spear there he swooned. Then came Bors to
the maid and said : How seemeth it you ? of this knight ye
be delivered at this time. Now sir, said she, I pray you
lead me there as this knight had me. So shall I do gladly :
and took the horse of the wounded knight, and set the
gentlewoman upon him, and so brought her as she desired.
Sir knight, said she, ye have better sped than ye weened,
for an I had lost my maidenhead, five hundred men should
have died for it. What knight was he that had you in the
forest ? By my faith, said she, he is my cousin. So wot I
never with what engyn the fiend en chafed him, for yesterday
he took me from my father privily ; for I nor none of my
father's men mistrusted him not, and if he had had my
maidenhead he should have died for the sin, and his body
shamed and dishonoured for ever. Thus as she stood
talking with him there came twelve knights seeking after
her, and anon she told them all how Bors had delivered
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226 King Arthur
her ; then they made great joy, and besought him to come
to her father, a great lord, and he should be right welcome.
Truly, said Bors, that may not be at this time, for I have a
great adventure to do in this country. So he commended
them unto God and departed. Then Sir Bors rode after
Lionel, his brother, by the trace of their horses, thus he rode
seeking a great while. Then he overtook a man clothed in
a religious clothing, and rode on a strong black horse blacker
than a bear, and said : Sir knight, what seek you ? Sir,
said he, I seek my brother that I saw within a while beaten
with two knights. Ah, Bors, discomfort you not, nor fall
into no wanhope, for I shall tell you tidings such as they be,
for truly he is dead. Then showed he him a new slain
body lying in a bush, and it seemed him well that it was
the body of Lionel ; and then he made such a sorrow that
he fell to the earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while
there. And when he came to himself he said : Fair brother,
sith the company of you and me is departed shall I never
have joy in my heart, and now He which I have taken unto
my master, He be my help. And when he had said thus
he took his body lightly in his arms, and put it upon the
arson of his saddle. And then he said to the man : Canst
thou tell me unto some chapel where that I may bury this
body ? Come on, said he, here is one fast by ; and so long
they rode till they saw a fair tower, and afore it there seemed
an old feeble chapel. And then they alit both, and put him
into a tomb of marble.
CHAPTER XI
HOW SIR BORS TOLD HIS DREAM TO A PRIEST, WHICH HE HAD
DREAMED, AND OF THK COUNSEL THAT THE PRIEST GAVE TO
HIM
Now leave we him here, said the good man, and go we
to our harbour till to-morrow ; we will come here again to do
him service. Sir, said Bors, be ye a priest ? Yea forsooth,
said he. Then I pray you tell me a dream that befell to me
the last night. Say on, said he. Then he began so much
to tell him of the great bird in the forest, and after told him
of his birds, one white, another black, and of the rotten
tree, and of the white flowers. Sir, I shall tell you a part
now, and the other dele to-morrow. The white fowl be-
King Arthur 227
tokeneth a gentlewoman, fair and rich, which loved thee
paramours, and hath loved thee long ; and if thou warne
her love she shall go die anon, if thou have no pity on her.
That signifieth the great bird, the which shall make thee to
warne her. Now for no fear that thou hast, nor for no
dread that thou hast of God, thou shalt not warne her, but
thou wouldst not do it for to be holden chaste, for to con-
quer the loos of the vain glory of the world ; for that shall
befall thee now an thou warne her, that Launcelot, the good
knight, thy cousin, shall die. And therefore men shall now
say that thou art a manslayer, both of thy brother, Sir
Lionel, and of thy cousin, Sir Launcelot du Lake, the which
thou mightest have saved and rescued easily, but thou
weenedst to rescue a maid which pertaineth nothing to thee.
Now look thou whether it had been greater harm of thy
brother's death, or else to have suffered her to have lost her
maidenhood. Then asked he him : Hast thou heard the
tokens of thy dream the which I have told to you ? Yea
forsooth, said Sir Bors, all your exposition and declaring of
my dream I have well understood and heard. Then said
the man in this black clothing : Then is it in thy default if
Sir Launcelot, thy cousin, die. Sir, said Bors, that were
me loth, for wit ye well there is nothing in the world but I
had lever do it than to see my lord, Sir Launcelot du Lake,
to die in my default. Choose ye now the one or the other,
said the good man. And then he led Sir Bors into an
high tower, and there he found knights and ladies : those
ladies said he was welcome, and so they unarmed him.
And when he was in his doublet men brought him a mantle
furred with ermine, and put it about him ; and then they
made him such cheer that he had forgotten all his sorrow
and anguish, and only set his heart in these delights and
dainties, and took no thought more for his brother, Sir
Lionel, neither of Sir Launcelot du Lake, his cousin. And
anon came out of a chamber to him the fairest lady that
ever he saw, and more richer bysene than ever he saw
Queen Guenever or any other estate. Lo, said they, Sir
Bors, here is the lady unto whom we owe all our service,
and I trow she be the richest lady and the fairest of all the
world, and the which loveth you best above all other knights,
for she will have no knight but you. And when he under-
stood that language he was abashed. Not for then she
saluted him, and he her ; and then they sat down together
228 King Arthur
and spake of many things, in so much that she besought
him to be her love, for she had loved him above all earthly
men, and she should make him richer than ever was man of
his age. When Bcrs understood her words he was right
evil at ease, which in no manner would not break chastity,
so wist not he how to answer her.
CHAPTER XII
HOW A DEVIL IN WOMAN'S LIKENESS WOULD HAVE TEMPTED SIR
BORS, AND HOW BY GODJS GRACE HE ESCAPED
ALAS, said she, Bors, shall ye not do my will ? Madam,
said Bors, there is no lady in the world whose will I will
fulfill as of this thing, for my brother lieth dead which was
slain right late. Ah Bors, said she, I have loved you long
for the great beauty I have seen in you, and the great
hardiness that I have heard of you, that needs ye must lie
by me this night, and therefore I pray you grant it me.
Truly, said he, I shall not do it in no manner wise. Then
she made him such sorrow as though she would have died.
Well Bors, said she, unto this have ye brought me, nigh to
mine end. And therewith she took him by the hand, and
bad him behold her. And ye shall see how I shall die for
your love. Ah, said then he, that shall I never see. Then
she departed and went up into an high battlement, and led
with her twelve gentlewomen ; and when they were above,
one of the gentlewomen cried, and said : Ah, Sir Bors,
gentle knight have mercy on us all, and suffer my lady to
have her will, and if ye do not we must suffer death with our
lady, for to fall down off this high tower, and if ye suffer us
thus to die for so little a thing all ladies and gentle-
women will say of you dishonour. Then looked he
upward, they seemed all ladies of great estate, and richly
and well bisene. Then had he of them great pity ; not for
that he was uncounselled in himself that lever he had they
all had lost their souls than he his, and with that they fell
adown all at once unto the earth. And when he saw that,
he was all abashed, and had thereof great marvel. With
that he blessed his body and his visage. And anon he
heard a great noise and a great cry, as though all the fiends
of hell had been about him ; and therewith he saw neither
tower nor lady, nor gentlewoman, nor no chapel where he
King Arthur 229
brought his brother to. Then held he up both his hands to
the heaven, and said : Fair Father God, I am grievously
escaped ; and then he took his arms and his horse and rode
on his way. Then he heard a clock smite on his right
hand ; and thither he came to an Abbey on his right hand,
closed with high walls, and there was let in. Then they
supposed that he was one of the quest of the Sangreal, so
they led him into a chamber and unarmed him. Sirs, said
Sir Bors, if there be any holy man in this house I pray you
let me speak with him. Then one of them led him unto
the Abbot, which was in a Chapel. And then Sir Bors
saluted him, and he him again. Sir, said Bors, I am a
knight errant ; and told him all the adventure which he had
seen. Sir Knight, said the Abbot, I wot not what ye be, for
I weened never that a knight of your age might have been
so strong in the grace of our Lord Jesu Christ. Not for
then ye shall go unto your rest, for I will not counsel you
this day, it is too late, and to-morrow I shall counsel you as
I can.
CHAPTER XIII
OF THE HOLY COMMUNICATION OF AN ABBOT TO SIR BORS, AND
HOW THE ABBOT COUNSELLED HIM
AND that night was Sir Bors served richly ; and on the
morn early he heard mass, and the Abbot came to him, and
bad him good morrow, and Bors to him again. And then
he told him he was a fellow of the quest of the Sangreal,
and how he had charge of the holy man to eat bread and
water. Then said the Abbot : Our Lord Jesu Christ showed
him unto you in the likeness of a soul that suffered great
anguish for us, syne He was put upon the cross, and bled
His heart blood for mankind : there was the token and the
likeness of the Sangreal that appeared afore you, for the
blood that the great fowl bled revived the chickens from
death to life. And by the bare tree is betokened the world
which is naked and without fruit but if it come of Our Lord.
Also the lady for whom ye fought for, and King Aniause
which was lord there tofore, betokeneth Jesu Christ which
is the King of the world. And that ye fought with the
champion for the lady, this it betokeneth : for when ye took
the battle for the lady, by her shall ye understand the new
230 King Arthur
law of Jesu Christ and Holy Church ; and by the other lady
ye shall understand the old law and the fiend, which all day
warreth against Holy Church, therefore ye did your battle
with right. For ye be Jesu Christ's knights, therefore ye
ought to be defenders of Holy Church. And by the black
bird might ye understand Holy Church, which sayeth I am
black, but he is fair. And by the white bird might men
understand the fiend, and I shall tell you how the swan is
white without forth, and black within : it is hypocrisy which
is without yellow or pale, and seemeth without forth the
servants of Jesu Christ, but they be within so horrible of
filth and sin, and beguile the world evil. Also when the
fiend appeared to thee in likeness of a man of religion, and
blamed thee that thou left thy brother for a lady, so led thee
where thou seemed thy brother was slain, but he is yet
on live ; and all was for to put thee in error, and bring thee
unto wanhope and lechery, for he knew thou were tender
hearted, and all was for thou shouldst not find the blessed
adventure of the Sangreal. And the third fowl betokeneth
the strong battle against the fair ladies which were all devils.
Also the dry tree and the white lily : the dry tree betokeneth
thy brother Lionel, which is dry without virtue, and there-
fore many men ought to call him the rotten tree, and the
wormeaten tree, for he is a murderer and doth contrary
to the order of knighthood. And the two white flowers
signify two maidens, the one is a knight which was
wounded the other day, and the other is the gentlewoman
which ye rescued ; and why the other flower drew nigh the
other, that was the knight which would have defouled her
and himself both. And Sir Bors, ye had been a great fool
and in great peril for to have seen those two flowers perish
for to succour the rotten tree, for and they had sinned
together they had been damned ; and for that ye rescued
them both, men might call you a very knight and servant
of Jesu Christ.
King Arthur 231
CHAPTER XIV
HOW SIR BORS MET WITH HIS BROTHER SIR LIONEL, AND HOW
SIR LIONEL WOULD HAVE SLAIN SIR BORS
THEN went Sir Bors from thence and commended the abbot
unto God. And then he rode all that day, and harboured
with an old lady. And on the morn he rode to a castle in a
valley, and there he met with a yeoman going a great pace
toward a forest. Say me, said Sir Bors, canst thou tell me
of any adventure? Sir, said he, here shall be under this
castle a great and a marvellous tournament. Of what folks
shall it be ? said Sir Bors. The Earl of Plains shall be in
the one party, and the lady's nephew of Hervin on the other
party. Then Bors thought to be there if he might meet
with his brother Sir Lionel, or any other of his fellowship,
which were in the quest of the Sangreal. And then he
turned to an hermitage that was in the entry of the forest.
And when he was come thither he found there Sir Lionel,
his brother, which sat all armed at the entry of the chapel
door for to abide there harbour till on the morn that the
tournament shall be. And when Sir Bors saw him he had
great joy of him, that it were marvel to tell of his joy. And
then he alit off his horse, and said : Fair sweet brother,
when came ye hither ? Anon as Lionel saw him he said :
Ah Bors, ye may not make none avaunt, but as for you I
might have been slain ; when ye saw two knights leading me
away beating me, ye left me for to succour a gentlewoman,
and suffered me in peril of death ; for never erst ne did no
brother to another so great an untruth. And for that mis-
deed now I ensure you but death, for well have ye deserved
it ; therefore keep thee from henceforward, and that shall ye
find as soon as I am armed. When Sir Bors understood his
brother's wrath he kneeled down to the earth and cried him
mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed him to for-
give him his evil will. Nay, said Lionel, that shall never be
an I may have the higher hand, that I make mine avow to
God, thou shalt have death for it, for it were pity ye lived
any longer. Right so he went in and took his harness, and
mounted upon his horse, and came tofore him and said :
Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do to thee as I would
to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight thai
ever came out of so worthy an house as was King Bors' de
232 King Arthur
Ganis which was our father, therefore start upon thy horse,
and so shall ye be most at your advantage. And but if
ye will I will run upon you there as ye stand upon
foot, and so the shame shall be mine and the harm yours,
but of that shame ne reck I nought. When Sir Bors saw
that he must fight with his brother or else to die, he nist
what to do ; then his heart counselled him not thereto,
inasmuch as Lionel was born or he, wherefore he ought to
bear him reverence; yet kneeled he down afore Lionel's
horse's feet, and said : Fair sweet brother, have mercy upon
me and slay me not, and have in remembrance the great
love which ought to be between us twain. What Sir Bors
said to Lionel he recked not, for the fiend had brought him
in such a will that he should slay him. Then when Lionel
saw he would none other, and that he would not have risen
to give him battle, he rushed over him so that he smote
Bors with his horse, feet upward to the earth, and hurt him
so sore that he swooned of distress, the which he felt in him-
self to have died without confession. So when Lionel saw
this, he alit off his horse to have smitten off his head.
And so he took him by the helm, and would have rent it
from his head. Then came the hermit running unto him,
which was a good man and of great age, and well had
heard all the words that were between them, and so fell
down upon Sir Bors.
CHAPTER XV
HOW SIR COLGREVANCE FOUGHT AGAINST SIR LIONEL FOR TO SAVE
SIR BORS, AND HOW THE HERMIT WAS SLAIN
THEN he said to Lionel : Ah gentle knight, have mercy
upon me and on thy brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt
be dead of sin, and that were sorrowful, for he is one of the
worthiest knights of the world, and of the best conditions.
So God help me, said Lionel, sir priest, but if ye flee from
him I shall slay you, and he shall never the sooner be quit.
Certes, said the good man, I have lever ye slay me than him,
for my death shall not be great harm, not half so much
as of his. Well, said Lionel, I am agreed ; and set his
hand to his sword and smote him so hard that his head yede
backward. Not for that he restrained him of his evil will,
but took his brother by the helm, and unlaced it to have
siricken off his head, and had slain him without fail. But
King Arthur 233
so it happed, Colgrevance, a fellow of the Round Table,
came at that time thither as Our Lord's will was. And
when he saw the good man slain he marvelled much what
it might be. And then he beheld Lionel would have slain his
brother, and knew Sir Bors which he loved right well. Then
start he down and took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew
him strongly aback from Bors, and said : Lionel, will ye slay
your brother, the worthiest knight of the world one ? and
that should no good man suffer. Why, said Lionel, will
ye let me? therefore if ye intermit you in this I shall slay
you, and him after. Why, said Colgrevance, is this sooth
that ye will slay him ? Slay him will I, said he, whoso say
the contrary, for he hath done so much against me that he
hath well deserved it. And so ran upon him, and would
have smitten him through the head, and Sir Colgrevance ran
betwixt them, and said : An ye be so hardy to do so more,
we two shall meddle together. When Lionel understood his
words he took his shield afore him, and asked him what that
he was. And he told him, Colgrevance, one of his fellows.
Then Lionel defied him, and gave him a great stroke
through the helm. Then he drew his sword, for he was a
passing good knight, and defended him right manfully.
So long dured the battle that Bors rose up all anguishly,
and beheld Colgrevance, the good knight, fought with his
brother for his quarrel ; then was he full sorry and heavy,
and thought if Colgrevance slay him that was his brother he
should never have joy ; and if his brother slew Colgrevance
the shame should ever be mine. Then would he have risen
to have departed them, but he had not so much might to
stand on foot ; so he abode him so long till Colgrevance had
the worse, for Lionel was of great chivalry and right hardy,
for he had pierced the hauberk and the helm, that he abode
but death, for he had lost much of his blood that it was
marvel that he might stand upright. Then beheld he Sir
Bors which sat dressing him upward and said : Ah, Bors,
why come ye not to cast me out of peril of death, wherein I
have put me to succour you which were right now nigh the
death? Certes, said Lionel, that shall not avail you, for
none of you shall bear others warrant, but that ye shall die
both of my hand. When Bors heard that, he did so much,
he rose and put on his helm. Then perceived he first the
hermit priest which was slain, then made he a marvellous
sorrow upon him.
II 46 *H
234 King Arthur
CHAPTER XVI
HOW SIR LIONEL SLEW SIR COLGREVANCE, AND HOW AFTER HE
WOULD HAVE SLAIN SIR BORS
THEN often Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors : Why will
ye let me die here for your sake ? if it please you that I die
for you the death, it will please me the better for to save a
worthy man. With that word Sir Lionel smote off the
helm from his head. Then Colgrevance saw that he might
not escape ; then he said : Fair sweet J esu, that I have
misdone have mercy upon my soul, for such sorrow that
my heart suffereth for goodness, and for al-ms deed that I
would have done here, be to me alygement of penance
unto my soul's health. At these words Lionel smote him
so sore that he bare him to the earth. So he had slain
Colgrevance he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and
gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop. And he
that was full of humility prayed him for God's love to leave
this battle : For an it befel, fair brother, that I slew you or
ye me, we should be dead of that sin. Never God me
help but if I have on you mercy, an I may have the better
hand. Then drew Bors his sword, all weeping, and said :
Fair brother, God knoweth mine intent. Ah, fair brother,
ye have done full evil this day to slay such an holy priest
the which never trespassed. Also ye have slain a gentle
knight, and one of our fellows. And well wot ye that I
am not afeared of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of
God, and this is an unkindly war, therefore God show
miracle upon us both. Now God have mercy upon me
though I defend my life against my brother; with that
Bors lift up his hand and would have smitten his brother.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW THERE CAME A VOICE WHICH CHARGED SIR BORS TO TOUCH
HIM NOT, AND OF A CLOUD THAT CAME BETWEEN THEM
AND then he heard a voice that said : Flee Bors, and
touch him not, or else thou shall slay him. Right so alit a
cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire and a marvellous
flame, that both their two shields burnt. Then were they
sore afraid, that they fell both to the earth, and lay there a
King Arthur 235
great while in a swoon. And when they came to themself,
Bors saw that his brother had no harm ; then he held up
both his hands, for he dread God had taken vengeance upon
him. With that he heard a voice say : Bors, go hence, and
bear thy brother no longer fellowship, but take thy way
anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale abideth thee there.
Then he said to his brother : Fair sweet brother, forgive
me for God's love all that I have trespassed unto you.
Then he answered : God forgive it thee and I do gladly.
So Sir Bors departed from him and rode the next way to
the sea. And at the last by fortune he came to an Abbey
which was nigh the sea. That night Bors rested him there ;
and in his sleep there came a voice to him and bad him go
to the sea. Then he start up and made a sign of the Cross
in the middes of his forehead, and took his harness, and
made ready his horse, and mounted upon him ; and at a
broken wail he rode out, and rode so long till that he came
to the sea. And on the strand he found a ship covered all
with white samite, and he alit, and betook him to Jesu
Christ. And as soon as he entered into the ship, the ship
departed into the sea, and went so fast that him seemed
the ship went flying, but it was soon dark so that he might
know no man, and so he slept till it was day. Then he
awaked, and saw in middes of the ship a knight lie all armed
save his helm. Then knew he that it was Sir Percivale of
Wales, and then he made of him right great joy ; but Sir
Percivale was abashed of him, and he asked him what he
was. Ah, fair sir, said Bors, know ye me not? Certes,
said he, I marvel how ye came hither, but if Our Lord
brought ye hither Himself. Then Sir Bors smiled and
did off his helm. Then Percivale knew him, and either
made great joy of other, that it was marvel to hear. Then
Bors told him how he came into the ship, and by whose
admonishment ; and either told other of their temptations,
as ye have heard toforehand. So went they downward in
the sea, one while backward, another while forward, and
every each comforted other, and oft were in their prayers.
Then said Sir Percivale : We lack nothing but Galahad, the
good knight.
And thus endeth the sixteenth book, which is of Sir Gafwame, Ector
de Marts, and Sir Bors de Cards, and Sir Pcrcvvale. And
here foUo^weth the seventeenth book, to^hich is of
the noble knight Sir Galahad.
236
Arthur
BOOK XVII
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUGHT AT A TOURNAMENT, AND HOW HE
WAS KNOWN OF SIR GAWAINE AND SIR ECTOR DE MARIS
Now saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale
from the twenty knights, he yede then into a waste forest
wherein he rode many journeys ; and he found many
adventures the which he brought to an end, whereof the
story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way to
the sea on a day, and it befel as he passed by a castle
where was a wonder tournament, but they without had
done so much that they within were put to the worse, yet
were they within good knights enough. When Galahad
saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men
slew them at the entry of the castle, then he thought to
help them, and put a spear forth and smote the first that
he fell to the earth, and the spear brake to pieces. Then
he drew his sword and smote there as they were thickest,
and so he did wonderful deeds of arms that all they marvelled.
Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris were
with the knights without. But when they espied the white
shield with the red cross the one said to the other : Yonder
is the good knight, Sir Galahad, the haut prince : now he
should be a great fool which should meet with him to fight.
So by adventure he came by Sir Gawaine, and he smote
him so hard that he clave his helm and the coiffe of iron
unto his head, so that Gawaine fell to the earth ; but the
stroke was so great that it slanted down to the earth and
carved the horse's shoulder in two. When Ector saw
Gawaine down he drew him aside, and thought it no
wisdom for to abide him, and also for natural love, that he
was his uncle. Thus through his great hardiness he beat
aback all the knights without. And then they within came
out and chased them all about. But when Galahad saw
there would none turn again he stole away privily so that
none wist where he was become. Now by my head, said
Gawaine to Ector, now are the wonders true that were said
King Arthur 237
of Launcelot du Lake, that the sword which stuck in the
stone should give me such a buffet that I would not have
it for the best castle in this world ; and soothly now it is
proved true, for never ere had I such a stroke of man's
hand. Sir, said Ector, meseemeth your quest is done.
And yours is not done, said Gawaine, but mine is done, I
shall seek no further. Then Gawaine was borne into a castle
and unarmed him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech
found that he might live, and to be whole within a month.
Thus Gawaine and Ector abode together, for Sir Ector
would not away till Gawaine were whole. And the good
knight, Galahad, rode so long till he came that night to
the Castle of Carboneck ; and it befel him thus that he
was benighted in an hermitage. So the good man was
fain when he saw he was a knight errant. Then when they
were at rest there came a gentlewoman knocking at the
door, and called Galahad, and so the good man came to
the door to wit what she would. Then she called the
hermit : Sir Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that would speak
with the knight which is with you. Then the good man
awaked Galahad, and bad him : Arise, and speak with a
gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need of you. Then
Galahad went to her and asked her what she would.
Galahad, said she, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon
your horse and follow me, for I shall show you within these
three days the highest adventure that ever any knight saw.
Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse, and com-
mended him to God, and bad the gentlewoman go, and
he would follow there as she liked.
CHAPTER II
HOW SIR GALAHAD RODE WITH A DAMOSEI^ AND CAME TO THE
SHIP WHEREAS SIR BORS AND SIR PERCIVALE WERE IN
So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till that
she came to the sea, the which was called Collibe. And at
the night they came unto a castle in a valley, closed with a
running water, and with strong walls and high ; and so she
entered into the castle with Galahad, and there had he
great cheer, for the lady of that castle was the damosel's
lady. So when he was unarmed, then said the damosel :
Madam, shall we abide here all this day? Nay, said she,
238 King Arthur
but till he hath dined and till he hath slept a little. So he
ate and slept a while till that the maid called him, and
armed him by torchlight. And when the maid was horsed
and he both, the lady took Galahad a fair child and rich ;
and so they departed from the castle till they came to the
seaside ; and there they found the ship where Bors and
Percivale were in, the which cried on the ship's board : Sir
Galahad, ye be welcome, we have abiden you long. And
when he heard them he asked them what they were. Sir,
said she, leave your horse here, and I shall leave mine ;
and took their saddles and their bridles with them, and
made a cross on them, and so entered into the ship. And
the two knights received them both with great joy, and
every each knew other ; and so the wind arose, and drove
them through the sea in a marvellous place. And within a
while it dawned. Then did Galahad off his helm and his
sword, and asked of his fellows from whence came that fair
ship. Truly, said they, ye wot as well as we but of God's
grace ; and then they told every each to other of all their
hard adventures, and of their great temptations. Truly,
said Galahad, ye are much bounden to God, for ye have
escaped great adventures ; and had not the gentlewoman
been I had not come here, for as for you I weened never
to have found you in these strange countries. Ah Galahad,
said Bors, if Launcelot, your father, were here then were we
well at ease, for then meseemed we failed nothing. That
may not be, said Galahad, but if it pleased Our Lord By
then the ship went from the land of Logris, and by
adventure it arrived up betwixt two rocks passing great and
marvellous ; but there they might not land, for there was a
swallow of the sea, save there was another ship, and upon
it they might go without danger. Go we thither, said the
gentlewoman, and there shall we see adventures, for so is
Our Lord's will. And when they came thither they found
the ship rich enough, but they found neither man nor
woman therein. But they found in the end of the ship
two fair letters written, which said a dreadful word and a
marvellous : Thou man, which shall enter into this ship,
beware thou be in steadfast belief, for I am Faith, and
therefore beware how thou enterest, for an thou fail I shall
not help thee. Then said the gentlewoman : Percivale, wot
ye what I am? Certes, said he, nay, to my witing. Wit
ye well, said she, that I am thy sister, which am daughter
King Arthur 239
of King Pellinore, and therefore wit ye well ye are the man
in the world that I most love ; and if ye be not in perfect
belief of Jesu Christ enter not in no manner of wise, for
then should ye perish the ship, for he is so perfect he will
suffer no sinner in him. When Percivale understood that
she was his very sister he was inwardly glad, and said :
Fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be a miscreature or
an untrue knight there shall I perish.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR GALAHAD ENTERED INTO THE SHIP, AND OF A FAIR
BED THEREIN, WITH OTHER MARVELLOUS THINGS, AND OF A
SWORD
IN the meanwhile Galahad blessed him, and entered
therein ; and then next the gentlewoman, and then Sir
Bors and Sir Percivale. And when they were in, it was so
marvellous fair and rich that they marvelled ; and in middes
of the ship was a fair bed, and Galahad went thereto, and
found there a crown of silk. And at the feet was a sword,
rich and fair, and it was drawn out of the sheath half a foot
and more ; and the sword was of divers fashions, and the
pommel was of stone, and there was in him all manner of
colours that any man might find, and every each of the
colours had divers virtues ; and the scales of the haft were
of two ribs of divers beasts, the one beast was a serpent
which was conversant in Calidone, and is called the serpent
of the fiend ; and the bone of him is of such a virtue that
there is no hand that handleth him shall never be weary
nor hurt. And the other beast is a fish which is not right
great, and haunteth the rlood of Euphrates ; and that fish is
called Ertanax, and his bones be of such a manner of kind
that who that handleth them shall have so much will that
he shall never be weary, and he shall not think on joy nor
sorrow that he hath had, but only that thing that he be-
holdeth before him. And as for this sword there shall
never man begrip him at the handles but one, but he shall
pass all other. In the name of God, said Percivale, I shall
essay to handle it. So he set his hand to the sword, but
he might not begrip it. By my faith, said he, now have
I failed. Bors set his hand thereto and failed. Then
Galahad beheld the sword and saw letters like blood that
240 King Arthur
said : Let see who shall essay to draw me out of my sheath,
but if he be more hardier than any other ; and who that
draweth me, wit ye well that he shall never fail of shame
of his body, or to be wounded to the death. By my faith,
said Galahad, I would draw this sword out of the sheath,
but the offending is so great that I shall not set my hand
thereto. Now sirs, said the gentlewoman, wit ye well that
the drawing of this sword is warned to all men save all only
to you. Also this ship arrived in the realm of Logris ; and
that time was deadly war between King Labor, which was
father unto the maimed king, and King Hurlame, which
was a Saracen. But then was he newly christened, so that
men held him afterward one of the wyttyest men of the
world. And so upon a day it befel that King Labor and
King Hurlame had assembled their folk upon the sea
where this ship was arrived ; and there King Hurlame
was discomfit, and his men slain ; and he was afeard to
be dead, and fled to his ship, and there found this
sword and drew it, and came out and found King Labor,
the man in the world of all Christendom in whom was
then the greatest faith. And when King Hurlame saw
King Labor he dressed this sword, and smote him upon the
helm so hard that he clave him and his horse to the earth
with the first stroke of his sword. And it was in the realm
of Logris ; and so befel great pestilence and great harm to
both realms. For sithen increased neither corn, nor grass,
nor well-nigh no fruit, nor in the water was no fish ; where-
fore men call it the lands of the two marches, the waste
land, for that dolorous stroke. And when King Hurlame
saw this sword so carving, he turned again to fetch the
scabbard, and so came into this ship and entered, and put
up the sword in the sheath. And as soon as he had done
it he fell down dead afore the bed. Thus was the sword
proved, that none ne drew it but he were dead or maimed.
So lay he there till a maiden came into the ship and cast
him out, for there was no man so hardy of the world to
enter into that ship for the defence.
King Arthur 241
CHAPTER IV
OF THE MARVELS OF THE SWORD AND OF THE SCABBARD
AND then beheld they the scabbard, it seemed to be of
a serpent's skin, and thereon were letters of gold and silver.
And the girdle was but poorly to come to, and not able
to sustain such a rich sword. And the letters said : He
which shall wield me ought to be more harder than any
other, if he bear me as truly as me ought to be borne. For
the body of him which I ought to hang by, he shall not be
shamed in no place while he is girt with this girdle, nor
never none be so hardy to do away this girdle ; for it
ought not to be done away but by the hands of a maid, and
that she be a king's daughter and queen's, and she must be
a maid all the days of her life, both in will and in deed.
And if she break her virginity she shall die the most
villainous death that ever died any woman. Sir, said
Percivale, turn this sword that we may see what is on the
other side. And it was red as blood, with black letters as
any coal, which said : He that shall praise me most, most
shall he find me to blame at a great need ; and to whom I
should be most debonair shall I be most felon, and that
shall be at one time. Fair brother, said she to Percivale,
it befell after a forty year after the passion of Jesu Christ that
Nacien, the brother-in-law of King Mordrains, was borne
into a town more than fourteen days' journey from his
country, by the commandment of Our Lord, into an isle,
into the parts of the West, that men clepyd the isle of
Turnance. So befell it that he found this ship at the entry
of a rock, and he found the bed and this sword as we have
heard now. Not for then he had not so much hardiness
to draw it ; and there he dwelled an eight days, and at the
ninth day there fell a great wind which departed him out
of the isle, and brought him to another isle by a rock, and
there he found the greatest giant that ever man might see.
Therewith came that horrible giant to slay him ; and then
he looked about him and might not flee, and he had nothing
to defend him with. So he ran to his sword, and when he
saw it naked he praised it much, and then he shook it, and
therewith he brake it in the middes. Ah, said Nacien, the
thing that I most praised ought I now most to blame, and
242 King Arthur
therewith he threw the pieces of his sword over his bed.
And after he leapt over the board to fight with the giant,
and slew him. And anon he entered into the ship again,
and the wind arose, and drove him through the sea, that
by adventure he came to another ship where King Mordrains
was, which had been tempted full evil with a fiend in the
port of perilous rock. And when that one saw the other
they made great joy of other, and either told other of their
adventure, and how the sword failed him at his most need.
When Mordrains saw the sword he praised it much : But
the breaking was not to do but by wickedness of thy self
ward, for thou art in some sin. And there he took the
sword, and set the pieces together, and they soldered as
fair as ever they were tofore ; and there put he the sword
in the sheath, and laid it down on the bed. Then heard
they a voice that said : Go out of this ship a little while,
and enter into the other, for dread ye fall in deadly sin, for
and ye be found in deadly sin ye may not escape but
perish : and so they went into the other ship. And as
Nacien went over the board he was smitten with a sword
on the right foot, that he fell down noseling to the ship's
board ; and therewith he said : O God, how am I hurt.
And then there came a voice and said : Take thou that for
thy forfeit that thou didst in drawing of this sword, therefore
thou receivest a wound, for thou were never worthy to
handle it, as the writing maketh mention. In the name of
God, said Galahad, ye are right wise of these works.
CHAPTER V
HOW KING PELLES WAS SMITTEN THROUGH BOTH THIGHS BECAUSE
HE DREW THE SWORD, AND OTHER MARVELLOUS HISTORIES
SIR, said she, there was a king that hight Pelles, the
maimed king. And while he might ride he supported much
Christendom and Holy Church. So upon a day he hunted
in a wood of his which lasted unto the sea ; and at the last
he lost his hounds and his knights save only one : and there
he and his knight went till that they came toward Ireland,
and there he found the ship. And when he saw the letters
and understood them, yet he entered, for he was right
perfect of his life, but his knight had none hardiness to
enter ; and there found he this sword, and he drew it out as
King Arthur 243
much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear where-
with he was smitten him through both the thighs, and never
sith might he be healed, nor nought shall tofore we come to
him. Thus, said she, was not King Pelles, your grandsire,
maimed for his hardiness ? In the name of God, damosel,
said Galahad. So they went toward the bed to behold all
about it, and above the head there hung two swords. Also
there were two spindles which were as white as any snow,
and other that were as red as blood, and other above green
as any emerald : of these three colours were the spindles,
and of natural colour within, and without any painting.
These spindles, said the damosel, were when sinful Eve
came to gather fruit, for which Adam and she were put out
of paradise, she took with her the bough on which the
apple hung OIL Then perceived she that the branch was
fair and green, and she remembered her the loss which
came from the tree. Then she thought to keep the branch
as long as she might. And for she had nc coffer to keep it
in, she put it in the earth. So by the will of Our Lord the
branch grew to a great tree within a little while, and was as
white as any snow, branches, boughs, and leaves : that was
a token a maiden planted it. But after God came to Adam,
and bad him know his wife fleshly as nature required. So
lay Adam with his wife under the same tree ; and anon the
tree which was white was full green as any grass, and all
that came out of it ; and in the same time that they medled
together there was Abel begotten : thus was the tree long
of green colour. And so it befell many days after, under
the same tree Cain slew Abel, whereof befel great marvel.
For anon as Abel had received the death under the green
tree, it lost the green colour and became red ; and that was
in tokening of the blood. And anon all the plants died
thereof, but the tree grew and waxed marvellously fair, and
it was the fairest tree and the most delectable that any man
might behold and see; and so died the plants that grew out
of it tofore that Abel was slain under it. So long dured the
tree till that Solomon, King David's son, reigned, and held
the land after his father. This Solomon was wise, and knew
all the virtues of stones and trees, and so he knew the course
of the stars, and many other divers things. This Solomon
had an evil wife, wherethrough he weened that there had
been no good women, and so he despised them in his books.
So answered a voice him once : Solomon, if heaviness come
244 King Arthur
to a man by a woman, ne reck thou never ; for yet shall
there come a woman whereof there shall come greater joy to
man an hundred times more than this heaviness giveth
sorrow ; and that woman shall be born of thy lineage.
Then when Solomon heard these words he held himself but
a fool, and the truth he perceived by old books. Also the
Holy Ghost showed him the coming of the glorious Virgin
Mary. Then asked he of the voice, if it should be in the
yerde of his lineage. Nay, said the voice, but there shall
come a man which shall be a maid, and the last of your
blood, and he shall be as good a knight as Duke Josua, thy
brother-in-law.
CHAPTER VI
HOW gOLOMON TOOK DAVID'S SWORD BY THE COUNSEL OF HIS
WIFE, AND OF OTHER MATTERS MARVELLOUS
Now have I certified thee of that thou stoodest in doubt.
Then was Solomon glad that there should come any such of
his lineage ; but ever he marvelled and studied who that
should be, and what his name might be. His wife perceived
that he studied, and thought she would know it at some
season ; and so she waited her time, and asked of him the
cause of his studying, and there he told her all together how
the voice told him. Well, said she, I shall let make a ship
of the best wood and most durable that men may find. So
Solomon sent for all the carpenters of the land, and the best.
And when they had made the ship the lady said to Solomon :
Sir, said she, syne it is so that this knight ought to pass all
knights of chivalry which have been tofore him and shall
come after him, moreover I shall tell you, said she, ye shall
go into Our Lord's temple, where is King David's sword,
your father, the which is the marvelloust and the sharpest
that ever was taken in any knight's hand. Therefore take
that, and take off the pommel, and thereto make ye a
pommel of precious stones, that it be so subtilely made that
no man perceive it but that they be all one ; and after make
there an hilt so marvellously and wonderly that no man may
know it ; and after make a marvellous sheath. And when
ye have made all this I shall let make a girdle thereto such
as shall please me. All this King Solomon did let make as
she devised, both the ship and all the remnant. And when
King Arthur 245
the ship was ready in the sea to sail, the lady let make a
great bed and marvellous rich, and set her upon the bed's
head, covered with silk, and laid the sword at the feet, and
the girdles were of hemp, and therewith the king was angry.
Sir, wit ye well, said she, that I have none so high a thing
which were worthy to sustain so high a sword, and a maid
shaL bring other knights thereto, but I wot not when it
shall be, nor what time. And there she let make a covering
to the ship, of cloth of silk that should never rot for no
manner of weather. Yet went that lady and made a car-
penter to come to the tree which Abel was slain under.
Now, said she, carve me out of this tree as much wood as
will make me a spindle. Ah madam, said he, this is the
tree the which our first mother planted. Do it, said she, or
else I shall destroy thee. Anon as he began to work there
came out drops of blood ; and then would he have left, but
she would not suffer him, and so he took away as much
wood as might make a spindle : and so she made him to
take as much of the green tree and of the white tree. And
when these three spindles were shapen she made them to be
fastened upon the selar of the bed. When Solomon saw
this, he said to his wife : Ye have done marvellously, for
though all the world were here right now, he could not
devise wherefore all this was made, but Our Lord Himself ;
and thou that hast done it wotest not what it shall betoken.
Now let it be, said she, for ye shall hear tidings sooner than
ye ween. Now shall ye heax a wonderful tale of King
Solomon and his wife.
CHAPTER VII
A WONDERFUL TALE OF KING SOLOMON AND HIS WIFE
THAT night lay Solomon before the ship with little fellow-
ship. And when he was on sleep him thought there come
from heaven a great company of angels, and alit into the
ship, and took water which was brought by an angel, in a
vessel of silver, and sprente all the ship. And after he came
to the sword, and drew letters on the hilt. And after went
to the ship's board, and wrote there other letters which
said: Thou man that wilt enter within me, beware that thou
be full within the faith, for I ne am but Faith and Belief.
When Solomon espied these letters he was abashed, so that
246 King Arthur
he durst not enter, and so drew him aback ; and the ship
was anon shoven in the sea, and he went so fast that he
lost sight of him within a little while. And then a little
voice said : Solomon, the last knight of thy lineage shall
rest in this bed. Then went Solomon and awaked his wife,
and told her of the adventures of the ship. Now saith the
history that a great while the three fellows beheld the bed
and the three spindles. Then they were at certain that
they were of natural colours without painting. Then they
lift up a cloth which was above the ground, and there found
a rich purse by seeming. And Percivale took it, and found
therein a writ and so he read it, and devised the manner of
the spindles and of the ship, whence it came, and by whom
it was made. Now, said Galahad, where shall we find the
gentlewoman that shall make new girdles to the sword ?
Fair sir, said Percivale's sister, dismay you not, for by the
leave of God I shall let make a girdle to the sword, such
one as shall long thereto. And then she opened a box, and
took out girdles which were seemly wrought with golden
threads, and upon that were set full precious stones, and a
rich buckle of gold. Lo, lords, said she, here is a girdle
that ought to be set about the sword. And wit ye well the
greatest part of this girdle was made of my hair, which I
loved well while that I was a woman of the world. But as
soon as I wist that this adventure was ordained me I clipped
off my hair, and made this girdle in the name of God. Ye
be well found, said Sir Bors, for certes ye have put us out
of great pain, wherein we should have entered ne had your
tidings been. Then went the gentlewoman and set it on
the girdle of the sword. Now, said the fellowship, what is
the name of the sword, and what shall we call it ? Truly,
said she, the name of the sword is the Sword with the strange
girdles ; and the sheath, mover of blood ; for no man that
hath blood in him ne shall never see the one part of the
sheath which was made of the tree of life. Then they said
to Galahad : In the name of Jesu Christ, and pray you that
ye gird you with this sword which hath been desired so
much in the realm of Logris. Now let me begin, said
Galahad, to grip this sword for to give you courage ; but
wit ye well it longeth no more to me than it doth to you.
And then he gripped about it with his fingers a great deal ;
and then she girt him about the middle with the sword.
Now reck I not though I die, for now I hold me one of the
King Arthur 247
blessed maidens of the world, which hath made the worthiest
knight of the world. Damosel, said Galahad, ye have done
so much that I shall be your knight all the days of my life.
Then they went from that ship, and went to the other.
And anon the wind drove them into the sea a great pace,
but they had no victuals : but it befell that they came on
the morn to a castle that men call Carteloise, that was in
the marches of Scotland. And when they had passed the
port, the gentlewoman said : Lords, here be men arriven
that, an they wist that ye were of King Arthur's court, ye
should be assailed anon. Damosel, said Galahad, He that
cast us out of the rock shall deliver us from them.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS CAME TO A CASTLE, AND HOW
THEY WERE FOUGHT WITHAL, AND HOW THEY SLEW THEIR
ADVERSARIES, AND OTHER MATTERS
So it befell as they spoke thus there came a squire by them,
and asked what they were ; and they said they were of King
Arthur's house. Is that sooth ? said he. Now by my head,
said he, ye be ill arrayed ; and then turned he again unto the
cliff fortress. And within a while they heard an horn blow.
Then a gentlewoman came to them, and asked them of
whence they were ; and they told her. Fair lords, said she,
for God's love turn again if ye may, for ye be come unto your
death. Nay, they said, we will not turn again, for He shall
help us in whose service we be entered in. Then as they
stood talking there came knights well armed, and bad them
yield them or else die. That yielding, said they, shall be
noyous to you. And therewith they let their horses run, and
Sir Percivale smote the foremost to the earth, and took his
horse, and mounted thereupon, and the same did Galahad.
Also Bors served another so, for they had no horses in that
country, for they left their horses when they took their ship
in other countries. And so when they were horsed then
began they to set upon them ; and they of the castle fled
into the strong fortress, and the three knights after them into
the castle, and so alit on foot, and with their swords slew
them down, and gat into the hall. Then when they beheld
the great multitude of people that they had slain, they held
themself great sinners. Certes, said Bors, I ween an God had
248 King Arthur
loved them that we should not have had power to have slain
them thus. But they have done so much against Our Lord
that He would not suffer them to reign no longer. Say ye
not so, said Galahad, for if they misdid against God, the
vengeance is not ours, but to Him which hath power thereof.
So came there out of a chamber a good man which was a
priest, and bare God's body in a cup. And when he saw
them which lay dead in the hall he was all abashed ; and
Galahad did off his helm and kneeled down, and so did his
two fellows. Sir, said they, have ye no dread of us, for we
be of King Arthur's court. Then asked the good man how
they were slain so suddenly, and they told it him. Truly,
said the good man, an ye might live as long as the world
might endure, ne might ye have done so great an alms deed
as this. Sir, said Galahad, I repent me much, inasmuch as
they were christened. Nay, repent you not, said he, for they
were not christened, and I shall tell you how that I wot of this
castle. Here was Lord Earl Hernox not but one year, and
he had three sons, good knights of arms, and a daughter, the
fairest gentlewoman that men knew. So those three knights
loved their sister so sore that they brent in love, and so they
lay by her, maugre her head. And for she cried to her
father they slew her, and took their father and put him in
prison, and wounded him nigh to death, but a cousin of
hers rescued him. And then did they great untruth : they
slew clerks and priests, and made beat down chapels, that
Our Lord's service might not be served nor said. And this
same day her father sent to me for to be confessed and
houseld ; but such shame had never man as I had this day
with the three brethren, but the earl bad me suffer, for he
said they should not long endure, for three servants of Oui
Lord should destroy them, and now it is brought to an end.
And by this may ye wit that Our Lord is not displeased with
your deeds. Certes, said Galahad, an it had not pleased
Our Lord, never should we have slain so many men in sc
little a while. And then they brought the Earl Hernox out
of prison into the middes of the hall, that knew Galahad
anon, and yet he saw him never afore but by revelation of
Our Lord
King Arthur 249
CHAPTER IX
HOW THE THREE KNIGHTS, WITH PERCIVALE's SISTER, CAME UNTO
THE SAME FOREST, AND OF AN HART AND FOUR LIONS, AND
OTHER THINGS
THEN began he to weep right tenderly, and said: Long
have I abiden your coming, but for God's love hold me in
your arms, that my soul may depart out of my body in so
good a man's arms as ye be. Gladly, said Galahad. And
then one said on high, that all heard : Galahad, well hast
thou avenged me on God's enemies. Now behoveth thee
to go to the maimed king as soon as thou mayest, for he
shall receive by thee health which he hath abiden so long.
And therewith the soul departed from the body, and Galahad
made him to be buried as him ought to be. Right so
departed the three knights, and Percivale's sister with them.
And so they came into a waste forest, and there they saw
afore them a white hart which four lions led. Then they
took them to assent for to follow after for to know whither they
repaired ; and so they rode after a great pace till that they
came to a valley, and thereby was an hermitage where a good
man dwelled, and the hart and the lions entered also. So
when they saw all this they turned to the chapel, and saw
the good man in a religious weed and in the armour of Our
Lord, for he would sing mass of the Holy Ghost ; and so
they entered in and heard mass. And at the secrets of the
mass they three saw the hart become a man, the which
marvelled them, and set him upon the altar in a rich siege ;
and saw the four lions were changed, the one to the form of
a man, the other to the form of a lion, and the third to an
eagle, and the fourth was changed unto an ox. Then took
they their siege where the hart sat, and went out through a
glass window, and there was nothing perished nor broken ;
and they heard a voice say : in such a manner entered the
Son of God in the womb of a maid Mary, whose virginity ne
was perished ne hurt. And when they heard these words they
fell down to the earth and were astonied ; and therewith was
a great clereness. And when they were come to theirself
again they went to the good man and prayed him that he
would say them truth. What thing have ye seen ? said he.
And they told him all that they had seen. Ah lords, said he,
ye be welcome ; now wot I well ye be the good knights the
250 King Arthur
which shall bring the Sangreal to an end ; for ye be they
unto whom Our Lord shall shew great secrets. And well
ought Our Lord be signified to an hart, for the hart when
he is old he waxeth young again in his white skin. Right
so cometh again Our Lord from death to life, for He lost
earthly flesh that was the deadly flesh, which He had taken
in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary ; and for that cause
appeared Our Lord as a white hart without spot And the
four that were with Him is to understand the four evangelists
which set in writing a part of Jesu Christ's deeds that He
did sometime when He was among you an earthly man ;
for wit ye well never erst ne might no knight know the
truth, for ofttimes or this Our Lord showed Him unto good
men and unto good knights, in likeness of an hart, but I
suppose from henceforth ye shall see no more. And then
they joyed much, and dwelled there all that day. And upon
the morrow when they had heard mass they departed and com-
mended the good man to God : and so they came to a castle
and passed by. So there came a knight armed after them
and said : Lords, hark what I shall say to you.
CHAPTER X
HOW THEY WERE DESIRED OF A STRANGE CUSTOM, THE WHICH
THEY WOULD NOT OBEY J AND HOW THEY FOUGHT AND SLEW
MANY KNIGHTS
THIS gentlewoman that ye lead with you is a maid? Sir,
said she, a maid I am. Then he took her by the bridle and
said : By the Holy Cross, ye shall not escape me tofore ye
have yolden the custom of this castle. Let her go, said
Percivale, ye be not wise, for a maid in what place she
cometh is free. So in the meanwhile there came out a ten
or twelve knights armed, out of the castle, and with them
came gentlewomen which held a dish of silver. And then
they said : This gentlewoman must yield us the custom of
this castle. Sir, said a knight, what maid passeth hereby
shall give this dish full of blood of her right arm. Blame
have ye, said Galahad, that brought up such customs, and
so God me save, I ensure you of this gentlewoman ye shal
fail while that I live. So God me help, said Percivale, I had
lever be slain. And I also, said Sir Bors. By my troth,
said the knight, then shall ye die, for ye may not endure
King Arthur 251
against us though ye were the best knights of the world.
Then let them run each to other, and the three fellows beat
the ten knights, and then set their hands to their swords and
beat them down and slew them. Then there came out of
the castle a three score knights armed. Fair lords, said the
three fellows, have mercy on yourself and have not ado with
us. Nay, fair lords, said the knights of the castle, we counsel
you to withdraw you, for ye be the best knights of the world,
and therefore do no more, for ye have done enough. We
will let you go with this harm, but we must needs have the
custom. Certes, said Galahad, for nought speak ye. Well,
said they, will ye die? We be not yet come thereto, said
Galahad. Then began they to meddle together, and Galahad,
with the strange girdles, drew his sword, and smote on the
right hand and on the left hand, and slew what that ever
abode him, and did such marvels that there was none that
saw him but weened he had been none earthly man, but a
monster. And his two fellows halp him passing well, and so
they held the journey every each in like hard till it was
night : then must they needs depart. So came in a good
knight, and said to the three fellows : If ye will come in to-
night and take such harbour as here is ye shall be right
welcome, and we shall ensure you by the faith of our bodies,
and as we be true knights, to leave you in such estate to-
morrow as we find you, without any falsehood. And as
soon as ye know of the custom we dare say ye will accord.
Therefore for God's love, said the gentlewoman, go thither
and spare not for me. Go we, said Galahad ; and so they
entered into the chapel And when they were alit they
made great joy of them. So within a while the three knights
asked the custom of the castle and wherefore it was. What
it is, said they, we will say you sooth.
CHAPTER XI
HOW SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER BLED A DISH FULL OF BLOOD FOR
TO HEAL A LADY, WHEREFORE SHE DIED ; AND HOW THAT
THE BODY WAS PUT IN A SHIP
THERE is in this castle a gentlewoman which we and this
castle is hers, and many other. So it befell many years
agone there fell upon her a malady ; and when she had lain
a great while she fell unto a measle, and of no leech she
could have no remedy. But at the last an old man said an
252 King Arthur
she might have a dish full of blood of a maid and a clene
virgin in will and in work, and a king's daughter, that blood
should be her health, and for to anoint her withal ; and for
this thing was this custom made. Now, said Percivale's
sister, fair knights, I see well that this gentlewoman is but
dead. Certes, said Galahad, an ye bleed so much ye may
die. Truly, said she, an I die for to heal her I shall get me
great worship and soul's health, and worship to my lineage,
and better is one harm than twain. And therefore there
shall be no more battle, but tomorn I shall yield you your
custom of this castle. And then there was great joy more
than there was tofore, for else had there been mortal war
upon the morn ; notwithstanding she would none other,
whether they would or nold. That night were the three
fellows eased with the best; and on the morn they heard
mass, and Sir Percivale's sister bad bring forth the sick lady.
So she was, the which was evil at ease. Then said she :
Who shall let me blood? So one came forth and let her
blood, and she bled so much that the dish was full. Then
she lift up her hand and blessed her ; and then she said to
the lady : Madam, I am come to the death for to make you
whole, for God's love pray for me. With that she fell in a
swoon. Then Galahad and his two fellows start up to her,
and lift her up and staunched her, but she had bled so much
that she might not live. Then she said when she was
awaked : Fair brother Percivale, I die for the healing of
this lady, so I require you that ye bury me not in this
country, but as soon as T am dead put me in a boat at the
next haven, and let me go as adventure will lead me ; and
as soon as ye three come to the City of Sarras, there to
achieve the Holy Grail, ye shall find me under a tower
arrived, and there bury me in the spiritual place ; for I say
you so much, there Galahad shall be buried, and ye also,
in the same place. Then Percivale understood these words,
and granted it her, weeping. And then said a voice : Lords
and fellows, to-morrow at the hour of prime ye three shall
depart every each from other, till the adventure bring you
to the maimed king. Then asked she her Saviour ; and as
soon as she had received it the soul departed from the body.
So the same day was the lady healed, when she was anointed
withal. Then Sir Percivale made a letter of all that she had
holpen them as in strange adventures, and put it in her
right hand, and so laid her in a barge, and covered it with
King Arthur 253
black silk ; and so the wind arose, and drove the barge from
the land, and all knights beheld it till it was out of their
sight. Then they drew all to the castle, and so forthwith
there fell a sudden tempest and a thunder, lightning, and
rain, as all the earth would have broken. So half the castle
turned up so down. So it passed evensong or the tempest
was ceased. Then they saw afore them a knight armed and
wounded hard in the body and in the head, that said : O
God, succour me for now it is need. After this knight came
another knight and a dwarf, which cried to them afar : Stand,
ye may not escape. Then the wounded knight held up his
hands to God that he should not die in such tribulation.
Truly, said Galahad, I shall succour him for His sake that
he calleth upon. Sir, said Bors, I shall do it, for it is not
for you, for he is but one knight. Sir, said he, I grant. So
Sir Bors took his horse, and commended him to God, and
rode after, to rescue the wounded knight. Now turn we to
the two fellows.
CHAPTER XII
HOW GALAHAD AND PERCIVALK FOUND IN A CASTLE MANY TOMBS
OF MAIDENS THAT HAD BLED TO DEATH
Now saith the story that all night Galahad and Percivale
were in a chapel in their prayers, for to save Sir Bors. So
on the morrow they dressed them in their harness toward
the castle, to wit what was fallen of them therein. And
when they came there they found neither man nor woman
that he ne was dead by the vengeance of Our Lord. With
that they heard a voice that said : This vengeance is for
blood shedding of maidens. Also they found at the end of
the chapel a churchyard, and therein might they see a three
score fair tombs, and that place was so fair and so delectable
that it seemed them there had been none tempest, for there
lay the bodies of all the good maidens which were martyred
for the sick lady's sake. Also they found the names of every
each, and of what blood they were come, and all were of
kings' blood, and twelve of them were kings' daughters.
Then they departed and went into a forest. Now, said
Percivale unto Galahad, we must depart, so pray we Our
Lord that we may meet together in short time : then they
did off their helms and kissed together, and wept at their
departing.
254 King Arthur
CHAPTER XIII
HOW SIK T.AUNCELOT ENTERED INTO THE SHIP WHERE SIB
PERCIVALE'S SISTER LAY DEAD, AND HOW HE MET WITH SIK
GALAHAD, HIS SON
Now saith the history, that when Launcelot was come to
the water of Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he was in
great peril, and so he laid him down and slept, and took the
adventure that God would send him. So when he was
asleep there came a vision unto him and said : Launcelot,
arise up and take thine armour, and enter into the first ship
that thou shalt find. And when he heard these words he
start up and saw great clereness about him. And then he
lift up his hand and blessed him, and so took his arms and
made him ready ; and so by adventure he came by a strand,
and found a ship the which was without sail or oar. And as
soon as he was within the ship there he felt the most sweet-
ness that ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all thing
that he thought on or desired. Then he said : Fair sweet
Father, Jesu Christ, I wot not in what joy I am, for this joy
passeth all earthly joys that ever I was in. And so in this
joy he laid him down to the ship's board, and slept till day.
And when he awoke he found there a fair bed, and therein
lying a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir Percivale's
sister. And as Launcelot devised her, he espied in her right
hand a writ, the which he read, the which told him all the
adventures that ye have heard tofore, and of what lineage
she was come. So with this gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was
a month and more. If ye would ask how he lived, He that
fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert, so was he
fed ; for every day when he had said his prayers he was sus-
tained with the grace of the Holy Ghost. So on a night he
went to play him by the water side, for he was somewhat
weary of the ship. And then he listened and heard an
horse come, and one riding upon him. And when he came
nigh he seemed a knight. And so he let him pass, and
went thereas the ship was ; and there he alit, and took the
saddle and the bridle and put the horse from him, and went
into the ship. And then Launcelot dressed unto him, and
said : Ye be welcome. And he answered and saluted him
again, and asked him : What is your name ? for much my
heart giveth unto you. Truly, said he, my name is Launcelot
King Arthur 255
du Lake. Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the
beginning of me in this world. Ah, said he, are ye Galahad ?
Yea, forsooth, said he ; and so he kneeled down and asked
him his blessing, and after took off his helm and kissed him.
And there was great joy between them, for there is no tongue
can tell the joy that they made either of other, and many
a friendly word spoken between, as kin would, the which is
no need here to be rehearsed. And there every each told
other of their adventures and marvels that were befallen to
them in many journeys sith that they departed from the
court. Anon, as Galahad saw the gentlewoman dead in the
bed, he knew her well enough, and told great worship of her,
that she was the best maid living, and it was great pity of
her death. But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous
sword was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels
rehearsed afore, then he prayed Galahad, his son, that he
would show him the sword, and so he did ; and anon be
kissed the pommel, and the hilt, and the scabbard. Truly,
said Launcelot, never erst knew I of so high adventures
done, and so marvellous and strange. So dwelt Launcelot
and Galahad within that ship half a year, and served God
daily and nightly with all their power ; and often they
arrived in isles far from folk, where there repaired none but
wild beasts, and there they found many strange adventures
and perillous, which they brought to an end ; but for those
adventures were with wild beasts, and not in the quest of the
Sangreal, therefore the tale maketh here no mention thereof,
for it would be too long to tell of all those adventures that
befell them.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW A KNIGHT BROUGHT UNTO SIR GALAHAD A HORSE, AND BAD
HIM COME FROM HIS FATHER, SIR LAUNCELOT
So after, on a Monday, it befell that they arrived in
the edge of a forest tofore a cross ; and then saw they
a knight armed all in white, and was richly horsed, and
led in his right hand a white horse : and so he came to
the ship, and saluted the two knights on the High Lord's
behalf, and said : Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough
with your father, come out of the ship, and start upon
this horse, and go where the adventures shall lead thee
256 King Arthur
in the quest of the Sangreal. Then he went to his father
and kissed him sweetly, and said : Fair sweet father, I wot
not when I shall see you more till I see the body of
Jesu Christ. I pray you, said Launcelot, pray ye to the
High Father that He hold me in His service. And so
he took his horse, and there they heard a voice that
said : Think for to do well, for the one shall never see
the other before the dreadful day of doom. Now, son
Galahad, said Launcelot, syne we shall depart, and never
see other, I pray to the High Father to conserve me
and you both. Sir, said Galahad, no prayer availeth so
much as yours. And therewith Galahad entered into the
forest. And the wind arose, and drove Launcelot more
than a month throughout the sea, where he slept but
little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings
of the Sangreal. So it befell on a night, at midnight,
he arrived afore a castle, on the back side, which was
rich and fair, and there was a postern opened toward the
sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions
kept the entry ; and the moon shone clear. Anon Sir
Launcelot heard a voice that said : Launcelot, go out
of this ship and enter into the castle, where thou shalt see
a great part of thy desire. Then he ran to his arms,
and so armed him, and so went to the gate and saw the
lions. Then set he hand to his sword and drew it. Then
there came a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so
sore that the sword fell out of his hand. Then heard he a
voice say : O man of evil faith and poor belief, wherefore
trowest thou more on thy harness than in thy Maker, for
He might more avail thee than thine armour, in whose
service that thou art set. Then said Launcelot : Fair
Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy great mercy that
Thou reprovest me of my misdeed ; now see I well that
ye hold me for your servant. Then took he again his
sword and put it up in his sheath, and made a cross
in his forehead, and came to the lions, and they made
semblant to do him harm. Notwithstanding he passed
by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the
chief fortress, and there were they all at rest. Then
Launcelot entered in so armed, for he found no gate nor
door but it was open. And at the last he found a chamber
whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto
to have opened it, but he might not.
King Arthur 257
CHAPTER XV
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS AFORE THE DOOR OF THE CHAMBER
WHEREIN THE HOLY SANGREAL WAS
THEN he enforced him mickle to undo the door. Then
he listened and heard a voice which sang so sweetly
that it seemed none earthly thing; and him thought the
voice said: Joy and honour be to the Father of Heaven.
Then Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber, for
well wist he that there was the Sangreal within that
chamber. Then said he : Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ,
if ever 1 did thing that pleased Thee, Lord for Thy pity
never have me not in despite for my sins done afore-
time, and that Thou show me something of that I seek.
And with that he saw the chamber door open, and there
came out a great clereness, that the house was as bright
as all the torches of the world had been there. So came
he to the chamber door, and would have entered. And
anon a voice said to him, Flee, Launcelot, and enter not,
for thou oughtest not to do it ; and if thou enter thou shalt
forethink it. Then he withdrew him aback right heavy.
Then looked he up in the middes of the chamber, and saw
a table of silver, and the holy vessel, covered with red
samite, and many angels about it, whereof one held a
candle of wax burning, and the other held a cross, and
the ornaments of an altar. And before the holy vessel
he saw a good man clothed as a priest. And it seemed
that he was at the sacring of the mass. And it seemed to
Launcelot that above the priest's hands were three men,
whereof the two put the youngest by likeness between the
priest's hands ; and so he lift it up right high, and it
seemed to show so to the people. And then Launcelot
marvelled not a little, for him thought the priest was so
greatly charged of the figure that him seemed that he
should fall to the earth. And when he saw none about
him that would help him, then came he to the door a
great pace, and said: Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne take
it for no sin though I help the good man which hath great
need of help. Right so entered he into the chamber, and
came toward the table of silver; and when he came nigh
he felt a breath, that him thought it was intermeddled with
fire, which smote him so sore in the visage that him thought
ii 46 I
258 King Arthur
it brent his visage ; and therewith he fell to the earth, and
had no power to arise, as he that was so araged, that had
lost the power of his body, and his hearing, and his seeing.
Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up
and bare him out of the chamber door, without any
amending of his swoon, and left him there, seeming dead
to all people. So upon the morrow when it was fair day
they within were arisen, and found Launcelot lying afore
the chamber door. All they marvelled how that he came
in, and so they looked upon him, and felt his pulse to wit
whether there were any life in him ; and so they found life
in him, but he might not stand nor stir no member that he
had. And so they took him by every part of the body,
and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed,
far from all folk ; and so he lay four days. Then the
one said he was on live, and the other said, Nay. In
the name of God, said an old man, for I do you verily to
wit he is not dead, but he is so full of life as the mightiest
of you all ; and therefore I counsel you that he be well
kept till God send him life again.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HAD LAIN FOUR AND TWENTY DAYS AND AS
MANY NIGHTS AS A DEAD MAN, AND OTHER DIVERS MATTERS
IN such manner they kept Launcelot four and twenty
days and all so many nights, that ever he lay still as a dead
man; and at the twenty-fifth day befell him after midday
that he opened his eyes. And when he saw folk he made
great sorrow, and said : Why have ye awaked me, for I
was more at ease than I am now. O Jesu Christ, who
might be so blessed that might see openly thy great marvels
of secretness there where no sinner may be ! What have
ye seen ? said they about him. I have seen, said he, so
great marvels that no tongue may tell, and more than any
heart can think, and had not my son been here afor*. me
I had seen much more. Then they told him how he
had lain there four and twenty days and nights. Then
him thought it was punishment for the four and twenty
years that he had been a sinner, wherefore Our Lord put
him in penance four and twenty days and nights. Then
looked Sir Launcelot afore him, and saw the hair which
King Arthur 259
he had borne nigh a year, for that he forethought him
right much that he had broken his promise unto the
hermit, which he had avowed to do. Then they asked
how it stood with him. Forsooth, said he, I am whole
of body, thanked be Our Lord ; therefore, sirs, for God's
love tell me where I am. Then said they all that he
was in the castle of Carbonek. Therewith came a gentle-
woman and brought him a shirt of small linen cloth, but
he changed not there, but took the hair to him again.
Sir, said they, the quest of the Sangreal is achieved now
right in you, that never shall ye see of the Sangreal no
more than ye have seen. Now I thank God, said Launcelot,
of His great mercy of that I have seen, for it sufficeth me :
for as I suppose no man in this world hath lived better
than I have done to achieve that I have done. And
therewith he took the hair and clothed him in it, and above
that he put a linen shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh
and new. And when he was so arrayed they marvelled
all, for they knew him that he was Launcelot, the good
knight. And then they said all : O my lord Sir Launcelot,
be that ye ? And he said : Truly I am he. Then came
word to King Pelles that the knight that had lain so long
dead was Sir Launcelot. Then was the king right glad,
and went to see him. And when Launcelot saw him
come he dressed him against him, and there made the
king great joy of him. And there the king told him tidings
that his fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was right
heavy of it, and said : Sir, me forthinketh the death of
your daughter, for she was a full fair lady, fresh and young.
And well I wot she bare the best knight that is now on
the earth, or that ever was sith God was born. So the
king held him there four days, and on the morrow he took
his leave at King Pelles and at all the fellowship, and
thanked them of their great labour. Right so as they sat
at their dinner in the chief hall, then was it so that the
Sangreal had fulfilled the table with all manner of meats
that any heart might think. So as they sat they saw all the
doors and the windows of the place were shut without
man's hand, whereof they were all abashed, and none wist
what to do. And then it happened suddenly that a knight
came to the chief door and knocked, and cried : Undo the
door. But they would not. And ever he cried : Undo ;
but they would not. And at last it annoyed him so much
260 King Arthur
that the king himself arose and came to a window where
the knight called. Then he said: Sir knight, ye shall not
enter at this time while the Sangreal is here, and therefore
go into another; for certes ye be none of the knights of the
quest, but one of them which hath served the fiend, and
hast left the service of Our Lord : and he was passing
wroth at the king's words. Sir knight, said the king, sith
ye would so fain enter, say me of what country ye be.
Sir, said he, I am of the realm of Logris, and my name is
Ector de Maris, and brother unto my lord, Sir Launcelot.
In the name of God, said the king, me forthinketh of what
I have said, for your brother is here within. And when
Ector de Maris understood that his brother was there, for he
was the man in the world that he most dread and loved, and
then he said : Ah God, now doubleth my sorrow and shame.
Full truly said the good man of the hill unto Gawaine and
to me of our dreams. Then went he out of the court as
fast as his horse might, and so throughout the castle.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RETURNED TOWARDS LOGRIS, AND OF OTHER
ADVENTURES WHICH HE SAW IN THE WAY
THEN King Pelles came to Sir Launcelot and told him
tidings of his brother, whereof he was sorry, that he wist
not what to do. So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his
arms, and said he would go see the realm of Logris, which
I have not seen these twelve months. And therewith he
commended the king to God, and so rode through many
realms. And at the last he came to a white abbey, and
there they made him that night great cheer ; and on the
morn he rose and heard mass. And afore an altar he found
a rich tomb, the which was newly made ; and then he took
heed, and saw the sides written with gold which said : Here
lieth King Bagdemagus of Gore, which King Arthur's
nephew slew ; and named him, Sir Gawaine. Then was he
not a little sorry, for Launcelot loved him much more than
any other, and had it been any other than Gawaine he
should not have escaped from death to life ; and said to
himself: Ah Lord God, this is a great hurt unto King
Arthur's court, the loss of such a man. And then he
departed and came to the abbey where Galahad did the
King Arthur 261
adventure of the tombs, and won the white shield with the
red cross ; and there had he great cheer all that night.
And on the morn he turned unto Camelot, where he found
King Arthur and the queen. But many of the knights of
the Round Table were slain and destroyed, more than half.
And so three were come home again, that were Sir Gawaine,
Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, and many other that need not
to be rehearsed. Then all the court was passing glad of
Sir Launcelot, and the king asked him many tidings of his
son Galahad. And there Launcelot told the king of his
ad ventures that had befallen him syne he departed. And
also he told him of the adventures of Galahad, Percivale,
and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of the dead
damosel, and as Galahad had told him. Now God would,
said the king, that they were all three here. That shall
never be, said Launcelot, for two of them shall ye never
see, but one of them shall come again
CHAPTER XVIII
HOW GALAHAD CAME TO KING MOR DRAINS, AND OF OTHER
MATTERS AND ADVENTURES
Now saith the story that Galahad rode many journeys in
vain. And at the last he came to the Abbey where King
Mordrains was, and when he heard that, he thought he
would abide to see him. And upon the morn, when he
had heard mass, Galahad came unto King Mordrains, and
anon the king saw him, which had lain blind a long time.
And then he dressed him against him, and said : Galahad,
the servant of Jesu Christ, whose coming I have abiden so
long, now embrace me and let me rest on thy breast, so
that I may rest between thine arms, for thou art a clene
virgin above all knights, as the flower of the lily in whom
virginity is signified, and thou art the rose the which is the
flower of all good virtues, and in colour of fire. For the
fire of the Holy Ghost is taken so in thee that my flesh
which was of dead oldness is become young again. When
Galahad heard his words, then he embraced him and all his
body. Then said he : Fair Lord Jesu Christ, now I have
my will. Now I require thee, in this point that I am in,
thou come and visit me. And anon Our Lord heard his
prayer : therewith the soul departed from the body. And
262 King Arthur
then Galahad put him in the earth as a king ought to be,
and so departed and came into a perilous forest where he
found the well the which boileth with great waves, as the
tale telleth tofore. And as soon as Galahad set his hand
thereto it ceased, so that it burnt no more, and the heat
departed. For that it brent it was a sign of lechery, the
which was that time much used. But that heat might not
abide his pure virginity. And this was taken in the country
for a miracle. And so ever after was it called Galahad's
well. Then by adventure he came into the country of
Gore, and into the Abbey where Launcelot had been
toforehand, and found the tomb of King Bagdemagus, but
Joseph of Aramathie's son was founder thereof; and the
tomb of Simeon where Launcelot had failed. Then he
looked into a croft under the minster, and there he saw a
tomb which burnt full marvellously. Then asked he the
brethren what it was. Sir, said they, a marvellous adventure
that may not be brought unto none end but by him that
passeth of bounty and of knighthood all the knights of the
Round Table. I would, said Galahad, that ye would lead
me thereto. Gladly, said they. And so they led him unto a
cave. And he went down upon gretys, and came nigh the
tomb. And then the flaming failed, and the fire stanched,
the which many a day had been great. Then came there
a voice that said : Much are ye beholden to thank Our
Lord, the which hath given you a good hour, that ye may
draw out the souls of earthly pain, and to put them into
the joys of paradise. I am of your kindred, the which
hath dwelled in this heat this three hundred four and fifty
winter to be purged of the sin that I did against Joseph of
Aramathie. Then Galahad took the body in his arms and
bare it into the minster. And that night lay Galahad in
the abbey ; and on the morn he gave him service, and put
him in the earth afore the high altar.
King Arthur 263
CHAPTER XIX
HOW SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR BORS MET WITH SIR GALAHAD, AND
HOW THEY CAME TO THE CASTLE OF CARBONEK, AND OTHER
MATTERS
So departed he from thence, and commended the brethren
to God ; and so he rode five days till that he came to the
maimed king. And ever followed Percivale the five days,
asking where he had been ; and so one told him how the
adventures of Logris were achieved. So on a day it befell
that they came out of a great forest, and there they met at
traverse with Sir Bors, the which rode alone. It is none
need to tell if they were glad ; and them he saluted, and
they yielded him honour and good adventure, and every
each told other. Then said Bors : It is more than a year
and an half that I ne lay ten times where men dwelled, but
in wild forests and in mountains, but God was ever my
comfort. Then rode they a great while till that they came
to the castle of Carbonek. And when they were entered
within the castle King Pelles knew them ; then there was
great joy, for they wist well by their coming that they had
fulfilled the quest of the Sangreal. Then Eliazar, King
Pelles' son, brought tofore them the broken sword wherewith
Joseph was stricken through the thigh. Then Bors set his
hand thereto, if that he might have soldered it again ; but
it would not be. Then he took it to Percivale, but he had
no more power thereto than he. Now have ye it again, said
Percivale to Galahad, for an it be ever achieved by any bodily
man ye must do it. And then he took the pieces and set
them together, and they seemed that they had never been
broken, and as well as it had been first forged. And when
they within espied that the adventure of the sword was
achieved, then they gave the sword to Bors, for it might not
be better set ; for he was a good knight and a worthy man.
And a little afore even the sword arose great and marvellous,
and was full of great heat that many men fell for dread.
And anon alit a voice among them, and said : They that
ought not to sit at the table of Jesu Christ arise, for now
shall very knights be fed. So they went thence, all save
King Pelles and Eliazar, his son, the which were holy men,
and a maid which was his niece ; and so these three fellows
and they three were there, no more. Anon they saw knights
264 King Arthur
all armed come in at the hall door, and did off their helms
and their arms, and said unto Galahad : Sir, we have hied
right much for to be with you at this table where the holy
meat shall be departed. Then said he : Ye be welcome,
but of whence be ye ? So three of them said they were of
Gaul, and other three said they were of Ireland, and the
other three said they were of Denmark. So as they sat
thus there came out a bed of tree, of a chamber, the which
four gentlewomen brought ; and in the bed lay a good man
sick, and a crown of gold upon his head ; and there in the
middes of the place they set him down, and went again their
way. Then he lift up his head, and said : Galahad, Knight,
ye be welcome, for much have I desired your coming, for in
such anguish I have been long. But now I trust to God the
term is come that my pain shall be allayed, that I shall pass
out of this world so as it was promised me long ago. There-
with a voice said : There be two among you that be not in
the quest of the Sangreal, and therefore depart ye.
CHAPTER XX
HOW GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS WERE FED OF THE HOLY SAN-
GREAL, AND HOW OUR LORD APPEARED TO THEM, AND OTHER
THINGS
THEN King Pelles and his son departed. And therewithal
beseemed them that there came a man, and four angels from
heaven, clothed in likeness of a bishop, and had a cross in
his hand ; and these four angels bare him in a chair, and set
him down before the table of silver whereupon the Sangreal
was ; and it seemed that he had in middes of his forehead
letters the which said : See ye here Joseph, the first bishop
of Christendom, the same which Our Lord succoured in the
city of Sarras in the spiritual place. Then the knights
marvelled, for that bishop was dead more than three hun-
dred year tofore. O knights, said he, marvel not, for I was
sometime an earthly man. With that they heard the chamber
door open, and there they saw angels ; and two bare candles
of wax, and the third a towel, and the fourth a spear which
bled marvellously, that three drops fell within a box which
he held with his other hand. And they set the candles
upon the table, and the third the towel upon the vessel, and
the fourth the holy spear even upright upon the vessel. And
King Arthur 265
then the bishop made semblant as though he would have
gone to the sacring of the mass. And then he took an
ubblye which was made in likeness of bread. And at the
lifting up there came a figure in likeness of a child, and the
visage was as red and as bright as any fire, and smote himself
into the bread, so that they all saw it that the bread was
formed of a fleshly man ; and then he put it into the holy
vessel again, and then he did that longed to a priest to do
to a mass. And then he went to Galahad and kissed him,
and bad him go and kiss his fellows : and so he did anon.
Now, said he, servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be fed afore
this table with sweetmeats that never knights tasted. And
when he had said, he vanished away. And they set them
at the table in great dread, and made their prayers. Then
looked they and saw a man come out of the holy vessel,
that had all the si'jns of the passion of Jesu Christ, bleeding
all openly, and said : My knights, and my servants, and my
true children, which be come out of deadly life into spiritual
life, I will now no longer hide me from you, but ye shall see
now a part of my secrets and of my hidden things : now
hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much
desired. Then took he himself the holy vessel and came to
Galahad ; and he kneeled down, and there he received his
Saviour, and after him so received all his fellows ; and they
thought it so sweet that it was marvellous to tell. Then said
he to Galahad : Son, wotest thou what I hold betwixt my
hands? Nay, said he, but if ye will tell me. This is, said
he, the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb on Sher-Thursday .
And now hast thou seen that thou most desired to see, but
yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see it in the
city of Sarras in the spiritual place. Therefore thou must
go hence and bear with thee this holy vessel ; for this night
it shall depart from the realm of Logris, that it shall never
be seen more here. And wotest thou wherefore ? For he
is not served nor worshipped to his right by them of this
land, for they be turned to evil living ; therefore I shall dis-
herit them of the honour which I have done them. And
therefore go ye three to-morrow unto the sea, where ye shall
find your ship ready, and with you take the sword with the
strange girdles, and no more with you but Sir Percivale and
Sir Bors. Also I will that ye take with you of the blood of
this spear for to anoint the maimed king, both his legs and
all his body, and he shall have his health. Sir, said Gala-
ii 46 *i
266 King Arthur
had, why shall not these other fellows go with us ? For this
cause : for right as I departed my apostles one here and
another there, so I will that ye depart ; and two of you shall
die in my service, but one of you shall come again and tell
tidings. Then gave he them his blessing and vanished
away.
CHAPTER XXI
HOW GALAHAD ANOINTED WITH THE BLOOD OF THE SPEAR THE
MAIMED KING, AND OTHER ADVENTURES
AND Galahad went anon to the spear which lay upon the
table, and touched the blood with his fingers, and came after
to the maimed king and anointed his legs. And therewith
he clothed him anon, and start upon his feet out of his bed
as an whole man, and thanked Our Lord that He had healed
him. And that was not to the world ward, for anon he
yielded him to a place of religion of white monks, and was
a full holy man. That same night about midnight came a
voice among them which said : My sons and not my chief
sons, my friends and not my warriors, go ye hence where ye
hope best to do and as I bad you. Ah, thanked be Thou.
Lord, that Thou wilt vouchsafe to call us, Thy sinners. Now
may we well prove that we have not lost our pains. And
anon in all haste they took their harness and departed. But
the three knights of Gaul, one of them hight Claudine, King
Claudas' son, and the other two were great gentlemen. Then
prayed Galahad to every each of them, that if they come to
King Arthur's court that they should salute my lord, Sir
Launcelot, my father, and of them of the Round Table ;
and prayed them if that they came on that part that they
should not forget it. Right so departed Galahad, Percivale
and Bors with him ; and so they rode three days, and then
they came to a rivage, and found the ship whereof the tale
speaketh of tofore. And when they came to the board they
found in the middes the table ot silver which they had
left with the maimed king, and the Sangreal which was
covered with red samite Then were they glad to have
such things in their fellowship ; and so they entered and
made great reverence thereto ; and Galahad fell in his
prayer long time to Our Lord, that at what time he asked,
that he should pass out of this world. So much he prayed
King Arthur 267
till a voice said to him : Galahad, thou shalt have thy
request ; and when thou askest the death of thy body thou
shalt have it, and then shalt thou find the life of the soul.
Percivale heard this, and prayed him, of fellowship that was
between them, to tell him wherefore he asked such things.
That shall I tell you, said Galahad ; the other day when we
saw a part of the adventures of the Sangreal I was in such
a joy of heart, that I trow never man was that was earthly.
And therefore I wot well, when my body is dead my soul
shall be in great joy to see the blessed Trinity every day,
and the Majesty of Our Lord, Jesu Christ. So long were
they in the ship that they said to Galahad : Sir, in this bed
ought ye to lie, for so saith the scripture. And so he laid
him down and slept a great while ; and when he awaked he
looked afore him and saw the city of Sarras. And as they
would have landed they saw the ship wherein Percivale had
put his sister in. Truly, said Percivale, in the name of" God,
well hath my sister holden us covenant. Then took they
out of the ship the table of silver, and he took it to Perci-
vale and to Bors, to go tofore, and Galahad came behind.
And right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the
city they saw an old man crooked. Then Galahad called
him and bad him help to bear this heavy thing. Truly, said
the old man, it is ten year ago that I might not go but with
crutches. Care thou not, said Galahad, and arise up and
shew thy good will. And so he essayed, and found himself
as whole as ever he was. Then ran he to the table, and
took one part against Galahad. And anon arose there great
noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole by knights
marvellous that entered into the city. Then anon after, the
three knights went to the water, and brought up into the
palace Percivale's sister, and buried her as richly as a king's
daughter ought to be. And when the king of the city,
which was cleped Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked
them of whence they were, and what thing it was that they
had brought upon the table of silver. And they told him
the truth of the Sangreal, and the power which that God
had set there. Then the king was a tyrant, and was come
of the line of paynims, and took them and put them in
prison in a deep hole.
268 King Arthur
CHAPTER XXII
HOW THEY WERE FED WITH THE SANGREAL WHILE THEY WERE
IN PRISON, AND HOW GALAHAD WAS MADE KING
BUT as soon as they were there Our Lord sent them the
Sangreal, through whose grace they were alway fulfilled while
that they were in prison. So at the year's end it befel that
this King Estorause lay sick, and felt that he should die.
Then he sent for the three knights, and they came afore
him ; and he cried them mercy of that he had done to them,
and they forgave it him goodly ; and he died anon. When
the king was dead all the city was dismayed, and wist not
who might be their king. Right so as they were in counsel
there came a voice among them, and bad them choose the
youngest knight of them three to be their king : For he
shall well maintain you and all yours. So they made
Galahad king by all the assent of the holy city, and else
they would have slain him. And when he was come to
behold the land, he let make above the table of silver a
chest of gold and of precious stones, that hylled the holy
vessel. And every day early the three fellows would come
afore it, and make their prayers. Now at the year's end,
and the self day after Galahad had borne the crown of gold,
he arose up early and his fellows, and came to the palace,
and saw tofore them the holy vessel, and a man kneeling on
his knees in likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great
fellowship of angels as it had been Jesu Christ himself;
and then he arose and began a mass of Our Lady. And
when he came to the sacrament of the mass, and had done,
anon he called Galahad, and said to him : Come forth the
servant of Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much
desired to see. And then he began to tremble right hard
when the deadly flesh began to behold the spiritual things.
Then he held up his hands toward heaven and said : Lord,
I thank thee, for now I see that that hath been my desire
many a day. Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live,
if it might please thee, Lord. And therewith the good man
took Our Lord's body betwixt his hands, and proffered it to
Galahad, and he received it right gladly and meekly. Now
wotest thou what I am? said the good man. Nay, said
Galahad. I am Joseph of Aramathie, the which Our Lord
hath sent here to thee to bear thee fellowship ; and wotest
King Arthur 269
them wherefore that he hath sent me more than any other?
For thou hast resembled me in two things ; in that thou
hast seen the marvels of the Sangreal, in that thou hast been
a clene maiden, as I have been and am. And when he had
said these words Galahad went to Percivale and kissed him,
and commended him to God ; and so he went to Sir Bors
and kissed him, and commended him to God, and said :
Fair lord, salute me to my lord, Sir Launcelot, my father,
and as soon as ye see him, bid him remember of this
unstable world. And therewith he kneeled down tofore
the table and made his prayers, and then suddenly his soul
departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude of angels
bare his soul up to heaven, that the two fellows might well
behold it. Also the two fellows saw come from heaven an
hand, but they saw not the body. And then it came right
to the Vessel, and took it and the spear, and so bare it up
to heaven. Sithen was there never man so hardy to say
that he had seen the Sangreal.
CHAPTER XXIII
OF THE SORROW THAT PERCIVALE AND BORS MADE WHEN GALAHAD
WAS DEAD : AND OF PERCIVALE HOW HE DIED, AND OTHER
MATTERS
WHEN Percivale and Bors saw Galahad dead they made
as much sorrow as ever did two men. And if they had not
been good men they might lightly have fallen in despair. And
the people of the country and of the city were right heavy.
And then he was buried ; and as soon as he was buried Sir
Percivale yielded him to an hermitage out of the city, and
took a religious clothing. And Bors was alway with him,
but never changed he his secular clothing, for that he
purposed him to go again into the realm of Logris. Thus
a year and two months lived Sir Percivale in the hermitage
a full holy life, and then passed out of this world ; and
Bors let bury him by his sister and by Galahad in the
spiritualities. When Bors saw that he was in so far coun-
tries as in the parts of Babylon he departed from Sarras,
and armed him and came to the sea, and entered into a
ship ; and so it befell him in good adventure he came into
the realm of Logris ; and he rode so fast till he came to
Camelot where the king was. And then was there great
270 King Arthur
joy made of him in the court, for they weened all he had
been dead, forasmuch as he had been so long out of the
country. And when they had eaten, the king made great
clerks to come afore him, that they should chronicle of the
high adventures of the good knights. When Bors had told
him of the adventures of the Sangreal, such as had befallen
him and his three fellows, that was Launcelot, Percivale,
Galahad, and himself, there Launcelot told the adventures
of the Sangreal that he had seen. All this was made in
great books, and put up in almeryes at Salisbury. And
anon Sir Bors said to Sir Launcelot : Galahad, your own
son, saluted you by me, and after you King Arthur and all
the Court, and so did Sir Percivale, for I buried them with
mine own hands in the city of Sarras. Also, Sir Launcelot,
Galahad prayed you to remember of this unsyker world as
ye benight him when ye were together more than half a
year. This is true, said Launcelot ; now I trust to God his
prayer shall avail me. Then Launcelot took Sir Bors in
his arms, and said : Gentle cousin, ye are right welcome to
me, and all that ever I may do for you and for yours ye shall
find my poor body ready at all times, while the spirit is in
it, and that I promise you faithfully, and never to fail. And
wit ye well, gentle cousin, Sir Bors, that ye and I will never
depart in sunder whilst our lives may last. Sir, said he, I
will as ye will.
Thus endeth the story of the Sangreal, that <voas briefly drafwn
out of French into English, the <which is a story chronicled for one
of the truest and the holiest that is in this <world, the which is the
book.
And here folhfveth the eighteenth
book.
King Arthur 271
BOOK XVIII
CHAPTER I
OF THE JOY KING ARTHUR AND THE QUEEN HAD OF THE ACHIEVE-
MENT OF THE SANGREAL ; AND HOW LAUNCELOT FELL TO HIS
OLD LOVE AGAIN
So after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all
knights that were left on live were come again unto the Table
Round, as the book of the Sangreal maketh mention, then
was there great joy in the court ; and in especial King Arthur
and Queen Guenever made great joy of the remnant that
were come home, and passing glad was the king and the
queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had been
passing long away in the quest of the Sangreal. Then, as
the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
Guenever again, and forgat the promise and the perfection
that he made in the quest. For, as the book saith, had not
Sir Launcelot been in his privy thoughts and in his mind so
set inwardly to the queen as he was in seeming outward to
God, there had no knight passed him in the quest of the
Sangreal ; but ever his thoughts were privily on the queen,
and so they loved together more hotter than they did tofore-
hand, and had such privy draughts together, that many in
the court spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir
Gawaine's brother, for he was ever open-mouthed. So befel
that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of ladies and damosels
that daily resorted unto him, that besought him to be their
champion, and in all such matters of right Sir Launcelot
applied him daily to do for the pleasure of Our Lord, Jesu
Christ. And ever as much as he might he withdrew him
from the company and fellowship of Queen Guenever, for to
eschew the slander and noise ; wherefore the queen waxed
wroth with Sir Launcelot. And upon a day she called Sir
Launcelot unto her chamber, and said thus : Sir Launcelot,
I see and feel daily that thy love beginneth to slake, for thou
hast no joy to be in my presence, but ever thou art out of
this court, and quarrels and matters thou hast nowadays for
ladies and gentlewomen more than ever thou were wont to
have aforehand. Ah madam, said Launcelot, in this ye
272 King Arthur
must hold me excused for divers causes ; one is, I was but
late in the quest of the Sangreal ; and I thank God of His
great mercy, and never of my desert, that I saw in that my
quest as much as ever saw any sinful man, and so was it told
me. And if I had not had my privy thoughts to return to
your love again as I do, I had seen as great mysteries as
ever saw my son Galahad, outher Percivale, or Sir Bors ;
and therefore, madam, I was but late in that quest. Wit ye
well, madam, it may not be yet lightly forgotten the high
service in whom I did my diligent labour. Also, madam,
wit ye well that there be many men speak of our love in this
court, and have you and me greatly in a wait, as Sir
Agravaine and Sir Mordred ; and madam, wit ye well I
dread them more for your sake than for any fear I have of
them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in
a great need, where ye must abide all that will be said unto
you. And then if that ye fall in any distress through wilful
folly, then is there none other remedy or help but by me and
my blood. And wit ye well, madam, the boldness of you
and me will bring us to great shame and slander ; and that
were me loth to see you dishonoured. And that is the cause
I take upon me more for to do for damosels and maidens
than ever I did tofore, that men should understand my joy
and my delight is my pleasure to have ado for damosels and
maidens.
CHAPTER II
HOW THE QUEEN COMMANDED SIR LAUNCELOT TO AVOID THE
COURT, AND OF THE SORROW THAT LAUNCELOT MADE
ALL this while the queen stood still and let Sir Launcelot
say what he would. And when he had all said she brast out
on weeping, and so she sobbed and wept a great while. And
when she might speak she said : Launcelot, now I well
understand that thou art a false recreant knight and a
common lecher, and lovest and holdest other ladies, and by
me thou hast disdain and scorn. For wit thou well, she
said, now I understand thy falsehood, and therefore shall i
never love thee no more. And never be thou so hardy to
come in my sight ; and right here I discharge thee this court,
that thou never come within it ; and I forfend thee my
fellowship, and upon pain of thy head that thou see me no
King Arthur 273
more. Right so Sir Launcelot departed with great heaviness,
that unnethe he might sustain himself for great dole-making.
Then he called Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel,
and told them how the queen had forfended him the court,
and so he was in will to depart into his own country. Fair
sir, said Sir Bors de Ganis, ye shall not depart out of this
land by mine advice. Ye must remember in what honour
ye are renowned, and called the noblest knight of the world;
and many great matters ye have in hand. And women in
their hastiness will do ofttimes that sore repenteth them ;
and therefore by mine advice ye shall take your horse, and
ride to the good hermitage here beside Windsor, that some-
time was a good knight, his name is Sir Brasias, and there
shall ye abide till I send you word of better tidings.
Brother, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well I am full loth to
depart out of this realm, but the queen hath defended me so
highly, that meseemeth she will never be my good lady as
she hath been. Say ye never so, said Sir Bors, for many
times or this time she hath been wroth with you, and after
it she was the first that repented it. Ye say well, said
Launcelot, for now will I do by your counsel, and take mine
horse and my harness, and ride to the hermit Sir Brasias,
and there will I repose me until I hear some manner of
tidings from you ; but, fair brother, I pray you get me the
love of my lady, Queen Guenever, an ye may. Sir, said Sir
Bors, ye need not to move me of such matters, for well ye wot
I will do what I may to please you. And then the noble
knight, Sir Launcelot, departed with right heavy cheer
suddenly, that none earthly creature wist of him, nor where
he was become, but Sir Bors. So when Sir Launcelot was
departed, the queen outward made no manner of sorrow in
showing to none of his blood nor to none other. But wit
ye well, inwardly, as the book saith, she took great thought,
but she bare it out with a proud countenance as though
she felt nothing nor danger.
274 King Arthur
CHAPTER III
HOW AT A DINNER THAT THE QUEEN MADE THERE WAS A KNIGHT
POISONED, WHICH SIR MADOR LAID ON THE QUEEN
AND then the queen let make a privy dinner in London
unto the knights of the Round Table. And all was for
to show outward that she had as great joy in all other
knights of the Table Round as she had in Sir Launcelot.
All only at that dinner she had Sir Gawaine and his
brethren, that is for to say Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir
Gareth, and Sir Mordred. Also there was Sir Bors de
Ganis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir
Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir
Palomides, Safere his brother, Sir La Cote Male Taile, Sir
Persant, Sir Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kay le Seneschal,
Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Patrise, a knight of Ireland,
Aliduk, Sir Astamore, and Sir Pinel le Savage, the which
was cousin to Sir Lamorak de Galis, the good knight that
Sir Gawaine and his brethren slew by treason. And so
these four and twenty knights should dine with the queen
in a privy place by themself, and there was made a great
feast of all manner of dainties. But Sir Gawaine had a
custom that he used daily at dinner and at supper, that he
loved well all manner of fruit, and in especial apples and
pears. And therefore whosomever dined or feasted Sir
Gawaine would commonly purvey for good fruit for him,
and so did the queen for to please Sir Gawaine; she let
purvey for him all manner of fruit, for Sir Gawaine was a
passing hot knight of nature. And this Pinel hated Sir
Gawaine by cause of his kinsman Sir Lamorak de Galis ;
and therefore for pure envy and hate Sir Pinel enpoisoned
certain apples for to enpoison Sir Gawaine. And so this
was well unto the end of the meat ; and so it befell by
misfortune a good knight named Patrise, cousin unto Sir
Mador de la Porte, to take a poisoned apple. And when
he had eaten it he swelled so till he brast, and there Sir
Patrise fell down suddenly dead among them. Then every
knight leapt from the board ashamed, and araged for wrath,
nigh out of their wits. For they wist not what to say ;
considering Queen Guenever made the feast and dinner,
they all had suspicion unto her. My lady, the queen, said
Gawaine, wit ye well, madam, that this dinner was made
King Arthur 275
for me, for all folks that know my condition understand
that I love well fruit, and now I see well I had near been
slain; therefore, madam, I dread lest ye will be shamed.
Then the queen stood still and was sore abashed, that he
nist not what to say. This shall not so be ended, said
Sir Mador de la Porte, for here have I lost a full noble
knight of my blood; and therefore upon this shame and
despite I will be revenged to the utterance. And there
openly Sir Mador appelled the queen of the death of his
cousin, Sir Patrise. Then stood they all still, that none
would speak a word against him, for they all had great
suspicion unto the queen by cause she let make that dinner.
And the queen was so abashed that she could none other
ways do, but wept so heartily that she fell in a swoon.
With this noise and cry came to them King Arthur, and
when he wist of that trouble he was a passing heavy,
man.
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR MADOR APPEACHED THE QUEEN OF TREASON, AND THERE
WAS NO KNIGHT WOULD FIGHT FOR HER AT THE FIRST TIME
AND ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever
he appeled the queen of treason ; for the custom was such
that time that all manner of shameful death was called
treason. Fair lords, said King Arthur, me repenteth of this
trouble, but the case is so I may not have ado in this
matter, for I must be a rightful judge ; and that repenteth
me that I may not do battle for my wife, for as I deem this
deed came never by her. And therefore I suppose she
shall not be all distained, but that some good knight shall
put his body in jeopardy for my queen rather than she shall
be burnt in a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Mador, be
not so hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friend-
less ; and therefore desire thou thy day of battle, and she
shall purvey her of some good knight that shall answer you,
or else it were to me great shame, and to all my court. My
gracious lord, said Sir Mador, ye must hold me excused,
for though ye be our king in that degree, ye are but a
knight as we are, and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well
as we ; and therefore I beseech you that ye be not dis-
pleased, for there is none of the four and twenty knights
276 King Arthur
that were bidden to this dinner but all they have great
suspicion unto the queen. What say ye all, my lords ? said
Sir Mador. Then they answered by and by that they could
not excuse the queen ; for why she made the dinner, and
either it must come by her or by her servants. Alas, said
the queen, I made this dinner for a good intent, and never
for none evil, so Almighty God me help in my right, as I
was never purposed to do such evil deeds, and that I report
me unto God. My lord, the king, said Sir Mador, I require
you as ye be a righteous king give me a day that I may have
justice. Well, said the king, I give the day this day fifteen
days that thou be ready armed on horseback in the meadow
beside Westminster. And if it so fall that there be any
knight to encounter with you, there mayest thou do the
best, and God speed the right. And if it so fall that there
be no knight at that day, then must my queen be burnt,
and there she shall be ready to have her judgment. I am
answered, said Sir Mador. And every knight went where
it liked them. So when the king and the queen were
together the king asked the queen how this case befell.
The queen answered : So God me help, 1 wot not how nor
in what manner. Where is Sir Launcelot? said King
Arthur ; an he were here he would not grudge to do battle
for you. Sir, said the queen, I wot not where he is, but
his brother and his kinsmen deem that he be not within
this realm. That me repenteth, said King Arthur, for an
he were here he would soon stint this strife. Then I will
counsel you, said the king, and unto Sir Bors : That ye will
do battle for her for Sir Launcelot's sake, and upon my life
he will not refuse you. For well I see, said the king, that
none of these four and twenty knights that \vere with you at
your dinner where Sir Patrise was slain, that will do battle
for you, nor none of them will say well of you, and that
shall be a great slander for you in this court. Alas, said the
queen, and I may not do withal, but now I miss Sir Launce-
lot, for an he were here he would put me soon to my heart's
ease. What aileth you, said the king, ye cannot keep Sir
Launcelot upon your side ? For wit ye well, said the king,
who that hath Sir Launcelot upon his part hath the most
man of worship in the world upon his side. Now go your
way, said the king unto the queen, and require Sir Bors to
do battle for you for Sir Launcelot's sake.
King Arthur 277
CHAPTER V
HOW THE QUEEN REQUIRED SIR BORS TO FIGHT FOR HER, AND HOW
HE GRANTED UPON CONDITION ; AND HOW HE WARNED SIR
LAUNCELOT THEREOF
So the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir
Bors into her chamber. And when he was come she
besought him of succour. Madam, said he, what would ye
that I did ? for I may not with my worship have ado in this
matter, by cause I was at the same dinner, for dread that
any of those knights would have me in suspicion. Also,
Madam, said Sir Bors, now miss ye Sir Launcelot, for he
would not have failed you neither in right nor in wrong, as
ye have well proved when ye have been in danger ; and
now ye have driven him out of this country, by whom ye
and all we were daily worshipped by ; therefore, madam, I
marvel how ye dare for shame require me to do any thing
for you, in so much ye have chased him out of your country
by whom we were borne up and honoured. Alas, fair
knight, said the queen, I put me wholly in your grace, and
all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me.
And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees, and
besought Sir Bors to have mercy upon her : Outher I shall
have a shameful death, and thereto I never offended.
Right so came King Arthur, and found the queen kneeling
afore Sir Bors ; then Sir Bors pulled her up, and said :
Madam, ye do me great dishonour. Ah, gentle knight, said
the king, have mercy upon my queen, courteous knight, for
I am now in certain she is untruly defamed. And there-
fore, courteous knight, said the king, promise her to do
battle for her, I require you for the love of Sir Launcelot
My lord, said Sir Bors, ye require me the greatest thing
that any man may require me ; and wit ye well if I grant to
do battle for the queen I shall wrath many of my fellowship of
the Table Round. But as for that, said Bors, I will grant
my lord that for my lord Sir Launcelot's sake, and for your
sake I will at that day be the queen's champion unless that
there come by adventure a better knight than I am to do
battle for her. Will ye promise me this, said the king, by
your faith ? Yea sir, said Sir Bors, of that I will not fail
you, nor her both, but if there come a better knight than I
278 King Arthur
am, and then shall he have the battle. Then was the king
and the queen passing glad, and so departed, and thanked
him heartily. So then Sir Bors departed secretly upon a
day, and rode unto Sir Launcelot there as he was with the
hermit, Sir Brasias, and told him of all their adventure.
Ah Jesu, said Sir Launcelot, this is come happily as 1 would
have it, and therefore I pray you make you ready to do
battle, but look that ye tarry till ye see me come, as long as
ye may. For I am sure Mador is an hot knight when he is
enchafed, for the more ye suffer him the hastier will he be
to battle. Sir, said Bors, let me deal with him, doubt ye
not ye shall have all your will. Then departed Sir Bors
from him and came to the court again. Then was it noised
in all the court that Sir Bors should do battle for the queen ;
wherefore many knights were displeased with him, that he
would take upon him to do battle in the queen's quarrel ;
for there were but few knights in all the court but they
deemed the queen was in the wrong, and that she had done
that treason. So Sir Bors answered thus to his fellows of
the Table Round : Wit ye well, my fair lords, it were shame
to us all an we suffered to see the most noble queen of the
world to be shamed openly, considering her lord and our
lord is the man of most worship in the world, and most
christened, and he hath ever worshipped us all in all places.
Many answered him again : As for our most noble King
Arthur, we love him and honour him as well as ye do, but
as for Queen Guenever we love her not, by cause she is a
destroyer of good knights. Fair lords, said Sir Bors, me-
seemeth ye say not as ye should say, for never yet in my
days knew I never nor heard say that ever she was a
destroyer of any good knight. But at all times as far as
ever I could know she was a maintainer of good knights ;
and ever she hath been large and free of her goods to all
good knights, and the most bounteous lady of her gifts and
her good grace, that ever I saw or heard speak of. And
therefore it were shame, said Sir Bors, to us all to our most
noble king's wife, an we suffered her to be shamefully slain.
And wit ye well, said Sir Bors, I will not suffer it, for I dare
say so much, the queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise's death,
for she owed him never none ill will, nor none of the four
and twenty knights that were at that dinner ; for I dare say
for good love she bad us to dinner, and not for no mal
engine, and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for
King Arthur 279
howsomever the game goeth, there was treason among us.
Then some said to Sir Bors : We may well believe your
words. And so some of them were well pleased, and some-
were not so.
CHAPTER VI
HOW AT THE DAY SIR BORS MADE HIM READY FOR TO FIGHT FOR
THE QUEEN ; AND WHEN HE WOULD FIGHT HOW ANOTHER
DISCHARGED HIM
THE day came on fast until the even that the battle should
be. Then the queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him how
he was disposed. Truly madam, said he, I am disposed in
likewise as I promised you, that is for to say I shall not fail
you, unless by adventure there come a better knight than i
am to do battle for you, then, madam, am I discharged of
my promise. Will ye, said the queen, that I tell my lord
Arthur thus ? Do as it shall please you, madam. Then the
queen went unto the king and told him the answer of Sir
Bors. Have ye no doubt, said the king, of Sir Bors, tor I
call him now one of the best knights of the world, and the
most profitablest man. And thus it passed on until the
morn, and the king and the queen and all manner of
knights that were there at that time drew them unto the
meadow beside Westminster where the battle should be.
And so when the king was come with the queen and many
knights of the Round Table, then the queen was put there
in the constable's ward, and a great fire made about an iron
stake, that an Sir Mador de la Porte had the better, she
should be burnt : such custom was used in those days, that
neither for favour, neither for love nor affinity, there should
be none other but righteous judgment, as well upon a king
as upon a knight, and as well upon a queen as upon another
poor lady. So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la
Porte, and took his oath afore the king, that the queen did
this treason until his cousin Sir Patrise, and unto his oath he
would prove it with his body, hand for hand, who that would
say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors de Ganis, and
said : That as for Queen Guenever she is in the right, and
that will I make good with my hands that she is not culpable
of this treason that is put upon her. Then make thee ready,
said Sir Mador, and we shall prove whether thou be in
280 King Arthur
right or I. Sir Mador, said Sir Bors, wit thou well I know
you for a good knight. Not for then I shall not fear you so
greatly, but I trust to God I shall be able to withstand your
malice. But thus much have I promised my lord Arthur
and my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this
case to the uttermost, unless that there come a better knight
than I am and discharge me. Is that all ? said Sir Mador,
either come thou off and do battle with me, or else say nay.
Take your horse, said Sir Bors, and as I suppose, ye shall
not tarry long but ye shall be answered. Then either departed
to their tents and made them ready to horseback as they
thought best. And anon Sir Mador came into the field with
his shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand ; and so
rode about the place crying unto Arthur : Bid your champion
come forth an he dare. Then was Sir Bors ashamed and
took his horse and came to the lists' end. And then was he
ware where came from a wood there fast by a knight all armed,
upon a white horse, with a strange shield of strange arms ;
and he came riding all that he might run, and so he came to
Sir Bors, and said thus : Fair knight, I pray you be not dis-
pleased, for here must a better knight than ye are have this
battle, therefore I pray you withdraw you. For wit ye well
I have had this day a right great journey, and this battle
ought to be mine, and so I promised you when I spake with
you last, and with all my heart I thank you of your good
will. Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur and told him
how there was a knight come that would have the battle for
to fight for the queen. What knight is he ? said the king.
I wot not, said Sir Bors, but such covenant he made with
me to be here this day. Now my lord, said Sir Bors, here
am I discharged.
CHAPTER VII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUGHT AGAINST SIR MADOR FOR THE
QUEEN, AND HOW HE OVERCAME SIR MADOR, AND DISCHARGED
THE QUEEN
THEN the king called to that knight, and asked him if he
would fight for the queen. Then he answered to the king :
Therefore came I hither, and therefore, sir king, he said,
tarry me no longer, for I may not tarry. For anon as I have
finished this battle I must depart hence, for I have ado
King Arthur 281
many matters elsewhere. For wit you well, said that knight,
this is dishonour to you all knights of the Round Table, to
see and know so noble a lady and so courteous a queen
as Queen Guenever is, thus to be rebuked and shamed
amongst you. Then they all marvelled what knight that
might be that so took the battle upon him. For there was
not one that knew him, but if it were Sir Bors. Then said
Sir Mador de la Porte unto the king : Now let me wit with
whom I shall have ado withal. And then they rode to the lists'
end, and there they couched their spears, and ran together with
all their might, and Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but
the other's spear held, and bare Sir Mador's horse and all back-
ward to the earth a great fall. But mightily and suddenly
he avoided his horse and put his shield afore him, and then
drew his sword, and bad the other knight alight and do
battle with him on foot. Then that knight descended from
his horse lightly like a valiant man, and put his shield afore
him and drew his sword ; and so they came eagerly unto
battle, and either gave other many great strokes, tracing and
traversing, racing and foining, and hurtling together with
their swords as it were wild boars. Thus were they fighting
nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and
mightily proved in many strong battles. But at the last this
knight smote Sir Mador grovelling upon the earth, and the
knight stepped near him to have pulled Sir Mador flatling
upon the ground ; and therewith suddenly Sir Mador arose,
and in his rising he smote that knight through the thick of
the thighs that the blood ran out fiercely. And when he
felt himself so wounded, and saw his blood, he let him arise
upon his feet. And then he gave him such a buffet upon the
helm that he fell to the earth flatling, and therewith he strode
to him to have pulled off his helm off his head. And then
Sir Mador prayed that knight to save his life, and so he
yielded him as overcome, and released the queen of his
quarrel. I will not grant thee thy life, said that knight,
only that thou freely release the queen for ever, and that no
mention be made upon Sir Patrise's tomb that ever Queen
Guenever consented to that treason. All this shall be done,
said Sir Mador, I clearly discharge my quarrel for ever.
Then the knight's parters of the lists took up Sir Mador,
and led him to his tent, and the other knight went straight
to the stairfoot where sat King Arthur ; and by that time was
the queen come to the king, and either kissed other heartily.
282 King Arthur
And when the king saw that knight, he stooped down to him,
and thanked him, and in likewise did the queen ; and the
king prayed him to put off his helmet, and to repose him,
and to take a sop of wine. And then he put off his helm
to drink, and then every knight knew him that it was Sir
Launcelot du Lake. Anon as the king wist that, he took
the queen in his hand, and yode unto Sir Launcelot, and
said : Sir, grant mercy of your great travail that ye have had
this day for me and for my queen. My lord, said Sir Launce-
lot, wit ye well I ought of right ever to be in your quarrel,
and in my lady the queen's quarrel, to do battle ; for ye are
the man that gave me the high order of knighthood, and
that day my lady, your queen, did me great worship, and
else I had been shamed ; for that same day ye made me
knight, through my hastiness I lost my sword, and my lady,
your queen, found it, and lapped it in her train, and gave me
my sword when I had need thereto, and else had I been
shamed among all knights ; and therefore, my lord Arthur,
I promised her at that day ever to be her knight in right
outher in wrong. Grant mercy, said the king, for this
journey ; and wit ye well, said the king, I shall acquit
your goodness. And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot,
and wept so tenderly that she sank almost to the ground for
sorrow that he had done to her so great goodness where she
shewed him great unkindness. Then the knights of his
blood drew unto him, and there either of them made great
joy of other. And so came all the knights of the Table
Round that were there at that time, and welcomed him.
And then Sir Mador was had to leech craft, and Sir Launce-
lot was healed of his wound. And then there was made
great joy and mirths in that court.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW THE TRUTH WAS KNOWN BY THE MAIDEN OF THE LAKE,
AND OF DIVERS OTHER MATTERS
AND so it befell that the damosel of the lake, her
name was Nimue, the which wedded the good knight Sir
Pelleas, and so she came to the court ; for ever she did great
goodness unto King Arthur and to all his knights through
her sorcery and enchantments. And so when she heard
how the queen was an angered for the death of Sir Patrise,
King Arthur 283
then she told it openly that she was never guilty ; and there
she disclosed by whom it was done, and named him, Sir
Pinel ; and for what cause he did it, there it was openly
disclosed ; and so the queen was excused, and the knight
Pinel fled into his country. Then was it openly known that
Sir Pinel enpoisoned the apples at the feast to that intent to
have destroyed Sir Gawaine, by cause Sir Gawaine and his
brethren destroyed Sir Lamorak de Galis, to the which Sir
Pinel was cousin unto. Then was Sir Patrise buried in the
church of Westminster in a tomb, and thereupon was
written : Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir Pinel
le Savage, that enpoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine,
and by misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples, and
then suddenly he brast. Also there was written upon the
tomb that Queen Guenever was appeled of treason of the
death of Sir Patrise, by Sir Mador de la Porte ; and there
was made mention how Sir Launcelot fought with him
for Queen Guenever, and overcame him in plain battle. All
this was written upon the tomb of Sir Patrise in excusing of
the queen. And then Sir Mador sued daily and long, to
have the queen's good grace ; and so by the means of
Sir Launcelot he caused him to stand in the queen;s
good grace, and all was forgiven. Thus it passed on till
Our Lady Day, Assumption. Within a fifteen days of
that feast the king let cry a great jousts and a tournament
that should be at that day at Camelot, that is Winchester ;
and the king let cry that he and the king of Scots would
joust against all that would come against them. And
when this cry was made, thither came many knights.
So there came thither the king of Northgalis, and King
Anguish of Ireland, and the king with the hundred knights,
and Galahad, the haut prince, and the king of Northum-
berland, and many other noble dukes and earls of divers
countries. So King Arthur made him ready to depart to
these jousts, and would have had the queen with him, but
at that time she would not, she said, for she was sick and
might not ride at that time. That me repenteth, said the
king, for this seven year ye saw not such a noble fellowship
together except at Whitsuntide when Galahad departed from
the court. Truly, said the queen to the king, ye must
hold me excused, I may not be there, and that me repent-
eth. And many deemed the queen would not be there by
cause of Sir Launcelot du Lake, for Sir Launcelot would
284 King Arthur
not ride with the king, for he said that he was not whole
of the wound the which Sir Mador had given him ; where-
fore the king was heavy and passing wroth. And so he
departed toward Winchester with his fellowship ; and so by
the way the king lodged in a town called Astolat, that is now
in English called Gilford, and there the king lay in the
castle. So when the king was departed the queen called
Sir Launcelot to her, and said thus : Sir Launcelot, ye are
greatly to blame thus to hold you behind my lord ; what
trow ye what will your enemies and mine say and deem ?
nought else but, See how Sir Launcelot holdeth him
ever behind the king, and so doth the queen, for that
they would have their pleasure together. And thus will
they say, said the queen to Sir Launcelot, have ye no
doubt thereof.
CHAPTER IX
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE TO ASTOLAT, AND RECEIVED A SLEEVE
TO WEAR UPON HIS HELM AT THE REQUEST OF A MAID
MADAM, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit, it is of
late come syne ye were wise. And therefore, madam, at
this time I will be ruled by your counsel, and this night
I will take my rest, and to-morrow by time I will take
my way toward Winchester. But wit you well, said Sir
Launcelot to the queen, that at that jousts I will be
against the king, and against all his fellowship. Ye may
there do as ye list, said the queen, but by my counsel
ye shall not be against your king and your fellowship.
For therein be full many hard knights of your blood, as
ye wot well enough, it needeth not to rehearse them.
Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I pray you that ye be not dis-
pleased with me, for I will take the adventure that God will
send me. And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard
mass and brake his fast, and so took his leave of the queen
and departed. And then he rode so much until he came to
Astolat, that is Gilford ; and there it happed him in the
eventide he came to an old baron's place that hight Sir
Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into his
lodging, King Arthur espied him as he did walk in a garden
beside the castle, how he took his lodging, and knew him
full well. It is well, said King Arthur unto the knights that
King Arthur 285
were with him in that garden beside the castle, I have now
espied one knight that will play his play at the jousts to
the which we be gone toward ; I undertake he will do
marvels. Who is that, we pray you tell us ? said many
knights that were there at that time. Ye shall not wit
for me, said the king, as at this time. And so the king
smiled, and went to his lodging. So when Sir Launcelot
was in his lodging, and unarmed him in his chamber, the
old baron and hermit came to him making his rever-
ence, and welcomed him in the best manner; but the
old knight knew not Sir Launcelot. Fair sir, said Sir
Launcelot to his host, I would pray you to lend me a
shield that were not openly known, for mine is well known.
Sir, said his host, ye shall have your desire, for meseemeth
ye be one of the likeliest knights of the world, and there-
fore I shall shew you friendship. Sir, wit you well I
have two sons that were but late made knights, and the
eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that same day he
was made knight, that he may not ride, and his shield ye
shall have ; for that is not known I dare say but here, and
in no place else. And my youngest son hight Lavaine, and
if it please you, he shall ride with you unto that jousts ;
and he is of his age strong and wight, for much my heart
giveth unto you that ye should be a noble knight, therefore
I pray you, tell me your name, said Sir Bernard. As for
that, said Sir Launcelot, ye must hold me excused as at this
time, and if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts I
shall come again and tell you. But I pray you, said Sir
Launcelot, in any wise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine,
with me, and that I may have his brother's shield. All this
shall be done, said Sir Bernard. This old baron had a
daughter that was called that time the fair maiden of Astolat.
And ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully ; and as the
book saith, she cast such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she
could never withdraw her love, wherefore she died, and her
name was Elaine le Blank. So thus as she came to and fro
she was so hot in her love that she besought Sir Launcelot
to wear upon him at the jousts a token of hers. Fair
damosel, said Sir Launcelot, an if I grant you that, ye may
say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or
damosel. Then he remembered him he would go to the
jousts disguised. And by cause he had never fore that time
borne no manner of token of no damosel, then he bethought
286 King Arthur
him that he would bear one of her, that none of his blood
thereby might know him, and then he said : Fair maiden, I
will grant you to wear a token of yours upon mine helmet,
and therefore what it is, shew it me. Sir, she said, it is a
red sleeve of mine of scarlet, well embroidered with great
pearls : and so she brought it him. So Sir Launcelot
received it, and said : Never did I erst so much for no
damosel. And then Sir Launcelot betook the fair maiden
his shield in keeping, and prayed her to keep that until that
he came again ; and so that night he had merry rest and
great cheer, for ever the damosel Elaine was about Sir
Launcelot all the while she might be suffered.
CHAPTER X
HOW THE TOURNEY BEGAN AT WINCHESTER, AND WHAT KNIGHTS
WERE AT THE JOUSTS ; AND OTHER THINGS
So upon a day, on the morn, King Arthur and all his
knights departed, for their king had tarried three days to
abide his noble knights. And so when the king was ridden,
Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them ready to ride,
and either of them had white shields, and the red sleeve Sir
Launcelot let carry with him. And so they took their leave
at Sir Bernard, the old baron, and at his daughter, the fair
maiden of Astolat. And then they rode so long till that
they came to Camelot, that time called Winchester ; and
there was great press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and
many noble knights. But there Sir Launcelot was lodged
privily by the means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess,
that no man in that town was ware what they were. And
so they reposed them there till our Lady Day, Assumption,
as the great feast should be. So then trumpets blew unto
the field, and King Arthur was set on high upon a scaffold
to behold who did best. But as the French book saith, the
king would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never
had Sir Gawaine the better an Sir Launcelot were in the
field ; and many times was Sir Gawaine rebuked when
Launcelot came into any jousts disguised. Then some of
the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of
Scots, were that time turned upon the side of King Arthur.
And then on the other party was the King of Northgalis,
and the King with the Hundred Knights, and the King of
King Arthur 287
Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince. But
these three kings and this duke were passing weak to hold
against King Arthur's party, for with him were the noblest
knights of the world. So then they withdrew them either
party from other, and every man made him ready in his
best manner to do what he might. Then Sir Launcelot
made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and
fastened it fast ; and so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine
departed out of Winchester privily, and rode until a little
leaved wood behind the party that held against King
Arthur's party, and there they held them still till the parties
smote together. And then came in the King of Scots and
the King of Ireland on Arthur's party, and against them
came the King of Northumberland, and the King with the
Hundred Knights smote down the King of Northumberland,
and the King with the Hundred Knights smote down King
Anguish of Ireland. Then Sir Palomides that was on
Arthur's party encountered with Sir Galahad, and either of
them smote down other, and either party halp their lords on
horseback again. So there began a strong assail upon both
parties. And then came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore le
Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir
Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris,
Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, Sir
Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen knights were knights
of the Table Round. So these with more other came in
together, and beat on back the King of Northumberland
and the King of Northgalis. When Sir Launcelot saw this,
as he hoved in a little leaved wood, then he said unto Sir
Lavaine : See yonder is a company of good knights, and
they hold them together as boars that were chased with dogs.
That is truth, said Sir Lavaine.
CHAPTER XI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LAVAINE ENTERED IN THE FIELD
AGAINST THEM OF KING ARTHUR'S COURT, AND HOW LAUNCE-
LOT WAS HURT
Now, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye
shall see yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in
our side, that they shall go as fast backward as they went
forward. Sir, spare not, said Sir Lavaine, for I shall do
288 King Arthur
what I may. Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came in
at the thickest of the press, and there Sir Launcelot smote
down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay,
Sir Griflet, and all this he did with one spear; and Sir
Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir Bedevere.
And then Sir Launcelot gat another spear, and there he
smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred,
and Sir Meliot de Logris ; and Sir Lavaine smote Ozanna
le Cure Hardy. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword,
and there he smote on the right hand and on the left hand,
and by great force he unhorsed Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris,
and Sir Galleron ; and then the knights of the Table Round
withdrew them aback, after they had gotten their horses as
well as they might. O mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what
knight is yonder that doth so marvellous deeds of arms in
that field ? I wot well what he is, said King Arthur, but as
at this time I will not name him. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I
would say it were Sir Launcelot by his riding and his
buffets that I see him deal, but ever meseemeth it should
not be he for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head,
for I wist him never bear token at no jousts of lady nor
gentlewoman. Let him be, said King Arthur, he will be
better known and do more or ever he depart. Then the
party that was against King Arthur were well comforted,
and then they held them together that beforehand were
sore rebuked. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir
Lionel called unto them the knights of their blood, as Sir
Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir
Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse. So these nine knights of
Sir Launcelot's kin thrust in mightily, for they were all noble
knights ; and they, of great hate and despite that they had
unto him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launce-
lot, and Sir Lavaine, for they knew them not; and so they
came hurling together, and smote down many knights of
Northgalis and of Northumberland. And when Sir Launce-
lot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand ; and there
encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and
Sir Lionel, and all they three smote him at once with their
spears. And with force of themself they smote Sir Launce-
lot's horse to the earth ; and by misfortune Sir Bors smote
Sir Launcelot through the shield into the side, and the
spear brake, and the head left still in his side. When Sir
Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground, he ran to the
King Arthur 289
King of Scots and smote him to the earth ; and by great
force he took his horse, and brought him to Sir Launcelot,
and maugre of them all he made him to mount upon that
horse. And then Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and
there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man, to the earth. In
:he same wise he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel ; and Sir
Lavaine smote down Sir Blamore de Ganis. And then Sir
Launcelot drew his sword, for he felt himself so sore and
hurt that he weened there to have had his death. And
then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet on the helm that
he fell down to the earth in a swoon. And in the same
wise he served Sir Aliduke and Sir Galihud. And Sir
Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere, that was the son of
Alisander le Orphelin. And by this was Sir Bors horsed,
and then he came with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and all
they three smote with swords upon Sir Launcelot's helmet.
And when he felt their buffets and his wound, the which
was so grievous, then he thought to do what he might while
he might endure. And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet
that he made him bow his head passing low ; and there-
withal he raced off his helm, and might have slain him ;
and so pulled him down, and in the same wise he served
Sir Ector and Sir Lionel. For as the book saith he might
have slain them, but when he saw their visages his heart
might not serve him thereto, but left them there. And
then afterward he hurled into the thickest press of them all,
and did there the marvelloust deeds of arms that ever man saw
or heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight,
with him. And there Sir Launcelot with his sword smote
down and pulled down, as the French book maketh
mention, more than thirty knights, and the most part were
of the Table Round; and Sir Lavaine did full well that
day, for he smote down ten knights of the Table Round.
CHAPTER XII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LAVAINE DEPARTED OUT OF THE
FIELD, AND IN WHAT JEOPARDY LAUNCELOT WAS
MERCY Jesu, said Sir Gawaine to Arthur, I marvel what
knight that he is with the red sleeve. Sir, said King
Arthur, he will be known or he depart. And then the king
blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by heralds unto
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290 King Arthur
the knight with the white shield that bare the red sleeve.
Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, the King
of Northgalis, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir
Galahad, the haut prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot :
Fair knight, God thee bless, for much have ye done this
day for us, therefore we pray you that ye will come with us
that ye may receive the honour and the prize as ye have
worshipfully deserved it. My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot,
wit you well if I have deserved thanks I have sore bought
it, and that me repenteth, for I am like never to escape
with my life ; therefore, fair lords, I pray you that ye will
suffer me to depart where me liketh, for I am sore hurt. I
take none force of none honour, for I had lever to repose
me than to be lord of all the world. And therewithal he
groaned piteously, and rode a great wallop away ward from
them until he came under a wood's side. And when he
saw that he was from the field nigh a mile, that he was sure
he might not be seen, then he said with an high voice : O
gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, help me that this truncheon
were out of my side, for it sticketh so sore that it nigh
slayeth me. O mine own lord, said Sir Lavaine, I would
fain do that might please you, but I dread me sore an I
pull out the truncheon that ye shall be in peril of death. I
charge you, said Sir Launcelot, as ye love me, draw it out.
And therewithal he descended from his horse, and right so
did Sir Lavaine ; and forthwithal Sir Lavaine drew the
truncheon out of his side, and he gave a great shriek and a
marvellous grisely groan, and the blood brast out nigh a
pint at once, that at the last he sank down upon his
buttocks, and so swooned pale and deadly. Alas, said Sir
Lavaine, what shall I do ? And then he turned Sir Launce-
lot into the wind, but so he lay there nigh half an hour as
he had been dead. And so at the last Sir Launcelot cast up
his eyes, and said : O Lavaine, help me that I were on my
horse, for here is fast by within this two mile a gentle
hermit that sometime was a full noble knight and a great
lord of possessions. And for great goodness he hath taken
him to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands, and his
name is Sir Baudwin of Brittany, and he is a full noble
surgeon and a good leech. Now let see, help me up that I
were there, for ever my heart giveth me that I shall never
die of my cousin-germain's hands. And then with great
pain Sir Lavaine halp him upon his horse. And then they
King Arthur 291
rode a great wallop together, and ever Sir Launcelot bled
that it ran down to the earth ; and so by fortune they came
to that hermitage the which was under a wood, and a great
cliff on the other side, and a fair water running under it.
And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate with the butt of his
spear, and cried fast : Let in for Jesu's sake. And there
came a fair child to them, and asked them what they would.
Fair son, said Sir Lavaine, go and pray thy lord, the hermit,
for God's sake to let in here a knight that is full sore
wounded ; and this day tell thy lord I saw him do more
deeds of arms than ever I heard say that any man did. So
the child went in lightly, and then he brought the hermit,
the which was a passing good man. When Sir Lavaine
saw him he prayed him for God's sake of succour. What
knight is he ? said the hermit. Is he of the house of King
Arthur, or not ? I wot not, said Sir Lavaine, what is he,
nor what is his name, but well I wot I saw him do
marvellously this day as of deeds of arms. On whose party
was he ? said the hermit. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, he was
this day against King Arthur, and there he won the prize of
all the knights of the Round Table. I have seen the day,
said the hermit, I would have loved him the worse by cause
he was against my lord, King Arthur, for sometime I was
one of the fellowship of the Round Table, but I thank God
now I am otherwise disposed. But where is he? let me
see him. Then Sir Lavaine brought the hermit to him.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW LAUNCELOT WAS BROUGHT TO AN HERMIT TO BE HEALED OF
HIS WOUND, AND OF OTHER MATTERS
AND when the hermit beheld him, as he sat leaning upon
his saddle bow ever bleeding piteously, and ever the knight
hermit thought that he should know him, but he could not
bring him to knowledge by cause he was so pale for bleed-
ing. What knight are ye, said the hermit, and where were
ye born ? My fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, I am a stranger
and a knight adventurous, that laboureth throughout many
realms for to win worship. Then the hermit advised
him better, and saw by a wound on his cheek that he was
Sir Launcelot. Alas, said the hermit, mine own lord why
layne you your name from me ? Forsooth I ought to know
292 King Arthur
you of right, for ye are the most noblest knight of the world,
for well I know you for Sir Launcelot. Sir, said he, sith ye
know me help me an ye may, for God's sake, for I would be
out of this pain at once, either to death or to life. Have ye
no doubt, said the hermit, ye shall live and fare right well.
And so the hermit called to him two of his servants, and so
he and his servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly
unarmed him, and laid him in his bed. And then anon the
hermit staunched his blood, and made him to drink good
wine, so that Sir Launcelot was well refreshed and knew
himself; for in these days it was not the guise of hermits as
is nowadays, for there were none hermits in those days but
that they had been men of worship and of prowess ; and those
hermits held great household, and refreshed people that
were in distress. Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave
we Sir Launcelot in the hermitage. So when the kings were
come together on both parties, and the great feast should be
holden, King Arthur asked the King of Northgalis and their
fellowship, where was that knight that bare the red sleeve :
Bring him afore me that he may have his laud, and honour,
and the prize, as it is right. Then spake Sir Galahad, the
haut prince, and the King with the Hundred Knights : We
suppose that knight is mischieved, and that he is never like
to see you nor none of us all, and that is the greatest pity
that ever we wist of any knight. Alas, said Arthur, how
may this be, is he so hurt ? What is his name ? said King
Arthur. Truly, said they all, we know not his name, nor
from whence he came, nor whither he would. Alas, said
the king, this be to me the worst tidings that came to me
this seven year, for I would not for all the lands I welde to
know and wit it were so that that noble knight were slain.
Know ye him ? said they all. As for that, said Arthur,
whether I know him or know him not, ye shall not know for
me what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good tidings
of him. And so said they all. By my head, said Sir
Gawaine, if it so be that the good knight be so sore hurt,
it is great damage and pity to all this land, for he is one of
the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle a spear
or a sword ; and if he may be found I shall find him, for I
am sure he nys not far from this town. Bear you well, said
King Arthur, an ye may find him, unless that he be in such
a plight that he may not welde himself. Jesu defend, said
Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he is, an I may find him.
King Arthur 293
Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon hackneys,
and rode all about Camelot within six or seven mile, but so
he came again and could hear no word of him. Then within
two days King Arthur and all the fellowship returned unto
London again. And so as they rode by the way it happed
Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard tbereas
was Sir Launcelot lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine was in
his chamber to repose him Sir Bernard, the old baron, came
unto him, and his daughter Elaine, to cheer him and to ask
him what tidings, and who did best at that tournament of
Winchester. So God me help, said Sir Gawaine, there were
two knights that bare two white shields, but the one of them
bare a red sleeve upon his head, and certainly he was one of
the best knights that ever I saw joust in field. For I dare
say, said Sir Gawaine, that one knight with the red sleeve
smote down forty knights of the Table Round, and his
fellow did right well and worshipfully. Now blessed be
God, said the fair maiden of Astolat, that that knight sped
so well, for he is the man in the world that I first loved, and
truly he shall be last that ever I shall love. Now, fair maid,
said Sir Gawaine, is that good knight your love ? Certainly
sir, said she, wit ye well he is my love. Then know ye his
name ? said Sir Gawaine. Nay truly, said the damosel, I
know not his name nor from whence he cometh, but to sai
j
that I love him, I promise you and God that I love him
How had ye knowledge of him first ? said Sir Gawaine.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW SIR GAWAINE WAS LODGED WITH THE LORD OF ASTOLAT,
AND THERE HAD KNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS SIR LAUNCELOT
THAT BARE THE RED SLEEVE
THEN she told him as ye have heard tofore, and how her
father betook him her brother to do him service, and how
her father lent him her brother's, Sir Tirre's, shield : And
here with me he left his own shield. For what cause did he
so ? said Sir Gawaine. For this cause, said the damosel, for his
shield was too well known among many noble knights. Ah
fair damosel, said Sir Gawaine, please it you let me have a
sight of that shield. Sir, said she, it is in my chamber,
covered with a case, and if ye will come with me ye shall
see it. Not so, said Sir Bernard till his daughter, let send
294 King Arthur
for it. So when the shield was come, Sir Gawaine took off
the case, and when he beheld that shield he knew anon that
it was Sir Launcelot's shield, and his own arms. Ah Jesu
mercy, said Sir Gawaine, now is my heart more heavier than
ever it was tofore. Why? said Elaine. For I have great
cause, said Sir Gawaine. Is that knight that oweth this
shield your love? Yea truly, said she, my love he is, God
would I were his love. So God me speed, said Sir Gawaine,
fair damosel ye have ri^ht, for an he be your love ye love
the most honourable knight of the world, and the man of
most worship. So me thought ever, said the damosel, for
never or that time, for no knight that ever I saw, loved I
never none erst. God grant, said Sir Gawaine, that either
of you may rejoice other, but that is in a great adventure.
But truly, said Sir Gawaine unto the damosel, ye may say ye
have a fair grace, for why I have known that noble knight
this four and twenty year, and never or that day, I nor none
other knight, I dare make good, saw nor heard say that ever
he bare token or sign of no lady, gentlewoman, ne maiden,
at no jousts nor tournament. And therefore, fair maiden,
said Sir Gawaine, ye are much beholden to him to give him
thanks. But I dread me, said Sir Gawaine, that ye shall
never see him in this world, and that is great pity that ever
was of earthly knight. Alas, said she, how may this be, is
he slain ? I say not so, said Sir Gawaine, but wit ye well
he is grievously wounded, by all manner of signs, and by
men's sight more likelier to be dead than to be on live ; and
wit ye well he is the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, for by this
shield I know him. Alas, said the fair maiden of Astolat,
how may this be, and what was his hurt ? Truly, said Sir
Gawaine, the man in the world that loved him best hurt him
so ; and I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, an that knight that
hurt him knew the very certainty that he had hurt Sir
Launcelot, it would be the most sorrow that ever came to his
heart. Now fair father, said then Elaine, I require you give
me leave to ride and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall
go out of my mind, for I shall never stint till that I find him
and my brother, Sir Lavaine. Do as it liketh you, said her
father, for me sore repenteth of the hurt of that noble
knight. Right so they made her ready, and before Sir
Gawaine, making great dole. Then on the morn Sir
Gawaine came to King Arthur, and told him how he had
found Sir Launcelot's shield in the keeping of the fair
King Arthur 295
maiden of Astolat. All that knew I aforehand, said King
Arthur, and that caused me I would not suffer you to have
ado at the great jousts, for I espied, said King Arthur, when
he came in till his lodging full late in the evening in Astolat.
But marvel have I, said Arthur, that ever he would bear any
sign of any damosel, for or now I never heard say nor knew
that ever he bare any token of none earthly woman. By my
head, said Sir Gawaine, the fair maiden of Astolat loveth
him marvellously well ; what it meaneth I cannot say, and
she is ridden after to seek him. So the king and all came to
London, and there Sir Gawaine openly disclosed to all the
Court that it was Sir Launcelot that jousted best.
CHAPTER XV
OF THE SORROW THAT SIR BORS HAD FOR THE HURT OF
LAUNCELOT ; AND OF THE ANGER THAT THE QUEEN HAD
BECAUSE LAUNCELOT BARE THE SLEEVE
AND when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was an
heavy man, and so were all his kinsmen. But when Queen
Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the
fair maiden of Astolat she was nigh out of her mind for
wrath. And then she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis in all the
haste that might be. So when Sir Bors was come tofore
the queen, then she said : Ah Sir Bors, have ye heard say
how falsely Sir Launcelot hath betrayed me? Alas madam,
said Sir Bors, I am afeared he hath betrayed himself and us
all. No force, said the queen, though he be destroyed, for
he is a false traitor knight. Madam, said Sir Bors, I pray
you say ye not so, for wit you well I may not hear such
language of him. Why Sir Bors, said she, should I not call
him traitor when he bare the red sleeve upon his head at
Winchester, at the great jousts ? Madam, said Sir Bors,
that sleeve bearing repenteth me sore, but I dare say he did
it to none evil intent, but for this cause he bare the red
sleeve that none of his blood should know him. For or
then we nor none of us all never knew that ever he bare
token or sign of maid, lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on him,
said the queen, yet for all his pride and bobaunce there ye
proved yourself his better. Nay madam, say ye never more
so, for he beat me and my fellows, and might have slain us
an he had would. Fie on him, said the queen, for I heard
296 King Arthur
Sir Gawaine say before my lord Arthur that it were marvel
to tell the great love that is between the fair maiden of
Astolat and him. Madam, said Sir Bors, I may not warn
Sir Gawaine to say what it pleased him ; but I dare say,
as for my lord, Sir Launcelot, that he loveth no lady,
gentlewoman, nor maid, but all he loveth in like much.
And therefore madam, said Sir Bors, ye may say what ye
will, but wit ye well I will haste me to seek him, and find him
wheresomever he be, and God send me good tidings of him.
And so leave we them there, and speak we of Sir Launcelot
that lay in great peril. So as fair Elaine came to Winchester
she sought there all about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine was
ridden to play him, to enchafe his horse. And anon as
Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried on loud
until him. And when he heard her anon he came to her,
and then she asked her brother how did my lord, Sir
Launcelot. Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was
Sir Launcelot ? Then she told him how Sir Gawaine by
his shield knew him. So they rode together till that they
came to the hermitage, and anon she alit. So Sir Lavaine
brought her in to Sir Launcelot ; and when she saw him lie
so sick and pale in his bed she might not speak, but suddenly
she fell to the earth down suddenly in a swoon, and there
she lay a great while. And when she was relieved, she
shrieked and said : My lord, Sir Launcelot, alas why be ye
in this plight? and then she swooned again. And then Sir
Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up : And bring
her to me. And when she came to herself Sir Launcelot
kissed her, and said : Fair maiden, why fare ye thus ? ye
put me to pain ; wherefore make ye no more such cheer, for
an ye be come to comfort me ye be right welcome ; and of
this little hurt that I have I shall be right hastily whole by
the grace of God. But I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, who
told you my name? Then the fair maiden told him all
how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her father : And there
by your shield he discovered your name. Alas, said Sir
Launcelot, that me repenteth that my name is known, for
I am sure it will turn unto anger. And then Sir Launcelot
compassed in his mind that Sir Gawaine would tell Queen
Guenever how he bare the red sleeve, and for whom ; that
he wist well would turn into great anger. So this maiden
Elaine never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day
and night, and did such attendance to him, that the French
King Arthur 297
book saith there was never woman did more kindlier for
man than she. Then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to
make aspics in Winchester for Sir Bors if he came there,
and told him by what tokens he should know him, by a
wound in his forehead. For well I am sure, said Sir
Launcelot, that Sir Bors will seek me, for he is the same
good knight that hurt me.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW SIR BORS SOUGHT LAUNCELOT AND FOUND HIM IN THE
HERMITAGE, AND OF THE LAMENTATIONS BETWEEN THEM
Now turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis that came unto
Winchester to seek after his cousin Sir Launcelot. And
so when he came to Winchester, anon there were men that
Sir Lavaine had made to lie in a watch for such a man, and
anon Sir Lavaine had warning ; and then Sir Lavaine came
to Winchester and found Sir Bors, and there he told him
what he was, and with whom he was, and what was his
name. Now fair knight, said Sir Bors, I require you that
ye will bring me to my lord, Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir
Lavaine, take your horse, and within this hour ye shall see
him. And so they departed, and came to the hermitage.
And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot lie in his bed pale
and discoloured, anon Sir Bors lost his countenance, and
for kindness and pity he might not speak, but wept tenderly
a great while. And then when he might speak he said thus :
0 my lord, Sir Launcelot, God you bless, and send you
hasty recover ; and full heavy am I of my misfortune and
of mine unhappiness, for now I may call myself unhappy.
And I dread me that God is greatly displeased with me,
that he would suffer me to have such a shame for to hurt
you that are all our leader, and all our worship ; and
therefore I call myself unhappy. Alas that ever such a
caitiff knight as I am should have power by unhappiness
to hurt the most noblest knight of the world. Where I so
shamefully set upon you and overcharged you, and where ye
might have slain me, ye saved me ; and so did not I, for
1 and your blood did to you our utterance. I marvel, said
Sir Bors, that my heart or my blood would serve me,
wherefore my lord, Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy. Fair
cousin, said Sir Launcelot, ye be right welcome ; and wit ye
II 46 *K
298 King Arthur
well, overmuch ye say for to please me the which pleaseth
me not, for why I have the same I sought ; for I would with
pride have overcome you all, and there in my pride I was
near slain, and that was in mine own default, for I might
have given you warning of my being there. And then had
I had no hurt, for it is an old said saw, there is hard battle
there as kin and friends do battle either against other, there
may be no mercy but mortal war. Therefore, fair cousin,
said Sir Launcelot, let this speech overpass, and all shall
be welcome that God sendeth ; and let us leave off this
matter and let us speak of some rejoicing, for this that is
done may not be undone ; and let us find a remedy how
soon that I may be whole. Then Sir Bors leaned upon his
bedside, and told Sir Launcelot how the queen was passing
wroth with him, by cause he wore the red sleeve at the great
jousts ; and there Sir Bors told him all how Sir Gawaine
discovered it : By your shield that ye left with the fair
maiden of Astolat. Then is the queen wroth, said Sir
Launcelot, and therefore am I right heavy, for I deserved
no wrath, for all that I did was by cause I would not be
known. Right so excused I you, said Sir Bors, but all was
in vain, for she said more largelier to me than I to you now.
But is this she, said Sir Bors, that is so busy about you, that
men call the fair maiden of Astolat ? She it is, said Sir
Launcelot, that by no means I cannot put her from me.
Why should ye put her from you? said Sir Bors, she is a
passing fair damosel, and a well bisene, and well taught ;
and God would, fair cousin, said Sir Bors, that ye could
love her, but as to that I may not, nor I dare not, counsel
you. But I see well, said Sir Bors, by her diligence about
you that she loveth you entirely. That me repenteth, said
Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Bors, she is not the first that
hath lost her pain upon you, and that is the more pity : and
so they talked of many more things. And so within three
days or four Sir Launcelot was big and strong again.
King Arthur 299
CHAPTER XVII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ARMED HIM TO ASSAY IF HE MIGHT BEAR
ARMS, AND HOW HIS WOUND BURST OUT AGAIN
THEN Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot how there was sworn
a great tournament and jousts betwixt King Arthur and the
King of Northgalis, that should be upon All Hallowmass
Day, beside Winchester. Is that truth ? said Sir Launcelot ;
then shall ye abide with me still a little while until that
I be whole, for I feel myself right big and strong. Blessed
be God, said Sir Bors. Then were they there nigh a month
together, and ever this maiden Elaine did ever her diligent
labour night and day unto Sir Launcelot, that there was
never child nor wife more meeker to her father and husband
than was that fair maiden of Astolat; wherefore Sir Bors
was greatly pleased with her. So upon a day, by the assent
of Sir Launcelot, Sir Bors, and Sir Lavaine, they made the
hermit to seek in woods for divers herbs, and so Sir Launcelot
made fair Elaine to gather herbs for him to make him a bain.
In the meanwhile Sir Launcelot made him to arm him at all
pieces ; and there he thought to essay his armour and his
spear, for his hurt or not. And so when he was upon his
horse he stirred him fiercely, and the horse was passing lusty
and fresh by cause he was not laboured a month afore.
And then Sir Launcelot couched that spear in the rest.
That courser leapt mightily when he felt the spurs ; and
he that was upon him the which was the noblest horse
of the world, strained him mightily and stably, and kept still
the spear in the rest ; and therewith Sir Launcelot strained
himself so straightly, with so great force, to get the horse
forward, that the bottom of his wound brast both within and
without ; and therewithal the blood came out so fiercely that
he felt himself so feeble that he might not sit upon his
horse. And then Sir Launcelot cried unto Sir Bors : Ah,
Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, help, for I am come to mine end.
And therewith he fell down on the one side to the earth like
a dead corpse. And then Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came to
him with sorrow making out of measure. And so by fortune
the maiden Elaine heard their mourning, and then she came
thither; and when she found Sir Launcelot there armed in
that place she cried and wept as she had been wood ; and
then she kissed him, and did what she might to awake him.
3OO King Arthur
And then she rebuked her brother and Sir Bors, and called
them false traitors, why they would take him out of his bed ;
there she cried, and said she would appel them of his death.
With this came the holy hermit, Sir Baudwin of Brittany,
and when he found Sir Launcelot in that plight he said but
little, but wit ye well he was wroth ; and then he bad them :
Let us have him in. And so they all bare him unto the
hermitage, and unarmed him, and laid him in his bed; and
evermore his wound bled piteously, but he stirred no limb
of him. Then the knight hermit put a thing in his nose and
a little dele of water in his mouth. And then Sir Launcelot
waked of his swoon, and then the hermit staunched his
bleeding. And when he might speak he asked Sir Launcelot
why he put his life in jeopardy. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, by
cause I weened I had been strong, and also Sir Bors told
me that there should be at All Hallowmass a great jousts
betwixt King Arthur and the King of Northgalis, and
therefore I thought to essay it myself, whether I might
be there or not. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said the hermit, your
heart and your courage will never be done until your last
day, but ye shall do now by my counsel. Let Sir Bors
depart from you, and let him do at that tournament what he
may : And by the grace of God, said the knight hermit, by
that the tournament be done and ye come hither again, Sir
Launcelot shall be as whole as ye, so that he will be governed
by me.
CHAPTER XVIII
HOW SIR BORS RETURNED AND TOLD TIDINGS OF SIR LAUNCELOT;
AND OF THE TOURNEY, AND TO WHOM THE PRIZE WAS GIVEN
THEN Sir Bors made him ready to depart from Sir
Launcelot ; and then Sir Launcelot said : Fair cousin, Sir
Bors, recommend me unto all them unto whom me ought
to recommend me unto. And I pray you, enforce yourself
at that jousts that ye may be best, for my love ; and here
shall I abide you at the mercy of God till ye come again.
And so Sir Bors departed and came to the court of King
Arthur, and told them in what place he had left Sir
Launcelot. That me repenteth, said the king, but syne
he shall have his life we all may thank God. And there
Sir Bors told the queen in what jeopardy Sir Launcelot
King Arthur 301
was when he would essay his horse. And all that he did,
madam, was for the love of you, by cause he would have
been at this tournament. Fie on him, recreant knight, said
the queen, for wit ye well I am right sorry an he shall have
his life. His life shall he have, said Sir Bors, and who that
would otherwise except you, madam, we that be of his blood
should help to short their lives. But madam, said Sir Bors,
ye have been ofttimes displeased with my lord, Sir Launcelot,
but at all times at the end ye find him a true knight : and
so he departed. And then every knight of the Round Table
that were there at that time present made them ready to be
at that jousts at All Hallowmass, and thither drew many
knights of divers countries. And as All Hallowmass drew
near, thither came the King of Northgalis, and the King
with the Hundred Knights, and Sir Galahad, the haut
prince, of Surluse, and thither came King Anguish of Ire-
land, and the King of Scots. So these three kings came
on King Arthur's party. And so that day Sir Gawaine did
great deeds of arms, and began first. And the heralds
numbered that Sir Gawaine smote down twenty knights.
Then Sir Bors de Ganis came in the same time, and he
was numbered that he smote down twenty knights ; and
therefore the prize was given betwixt them both, for they
began first and longest endured. Also Sir Gareth, as the
book saith, did that day great deeds of arms, for he smote
down and pulled down thirty knights. But when he had
done these deeds he tarried not but so departed, and there-
fore he lost his prize. And Sir Palomides did great deeds
of arms that day, for he smote down twenty knights, but he
departed suddenly, and men deemed Sir Gareth and he rode
together to some manner adventures. So when this tourna-
ment was done Sir Bors departed, and rode till he came to
Sir Launcelot, his cousin ; and then he found him walking
on his feet, and there either made great joy of other ; and so
Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot of all the jousts like as ye have
heard. I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Gareth, when
he had done such deeds of arms, that he would not tarry.
Thereof we marvelled all, said Sir Bors, for but if it were
you, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Lamorak de Galis, I saw never
knight bear down so many in so little a while as did Sir
Gareth : and anon as he was gone we wist not where. By
my head, said Sir Launcelot, he is a noble knight, and a
mighty man and well breathed; and if he were well essayed,
302 King Arthur
said Sir Launcelot, I would deem he were good enough for
any knight that beareth the life ; and he is a gentle knight,
courteous, true, and bounteous, meek, and mild, and in him
is no manner of mal engyn, but plain, faithful, and true.
So then they made them ready to depart from the hermit.
And so upon a morn they took their horses and Elaine le
Blank with them ; and when they came to Astolat there
were they well lodged, and had great cheer of Sir Bernard,
the old baron, and of Sir Tirre, his son. And so upon the
morn when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair Elaine brought
her father with her, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Tirre, and thus
she said :
CHAPTER XIX
OF THE GREAT LAMENTATION OF THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT WHEN
LAUNCELOT SHOULD DEPART, AND HOW SHE DIED FOR HIS LOVE
MY lord, Sir Launcelot, now I see ye will depart ; now
fair knight and courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and
suffer me not to die for thy love. What would ye that I
did ? said Sir Launcelot. I would have you to my husband,
said Elaine. Fair damosel, I thank you, said Sir Launcelot,
but truly, said he, I cast me never to be wedded man. Then,
fair knight, said she, will ye be my paramour ? Jesu defend
me, said Sir Launcelot, for then I rewarded your father and
your brother full evil for their great goodness. Alas, said
she, then must I die for your love. Ye shall not so, said
Sir Launcelot, for wit ye well, fair maiden, I might have
been married an I had would, but I never applied me to be
married yet ; but by cause, fair damosel, that ye love me as
ye say ye do, I will for your good will and kindness show
you some goodness, and that is this, that wheresomever ye
will beset your heart upon some good knight that will wed
you, I shall give you together a thousand pound yearly to
you and to your heirs ; thus much will I give you, fair madam,
for your kindness, and always while I live to be your own
knight. Of all this, said the maiden, I will none, for but if
ye will wed me, or else be my paramour at the least, wit
you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days are done. Fair
damosel, said Sir Launcelot, of these two things ye must
pardon me. Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a
swoon ; and then women bare her into her chamber, and
King Arthur 303
there she made over much sorrow ; and then Sir Launcelot
would depart, and there he asked Sir Lavame what he
would do. What should I do, said Sir Lavaine, but follow
you, but if ye drive me from you, or command me to go
from you. Then came Sir Bernard to Sir Launcelot and
said to him : 1 cannot see but that my daughter Elaine will
die for your sake I may not do withal, said Sir Launcelot, for
that me sore repenteth, for 1 report me to yourself, that my
proffer is fair ; and me repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, that
she loveth me as she doth ; I was never the causer of it, for
I report me to your son 1 early ne late proffered her bounte
nor fair behests ; and as for me, said Sir Launcelot, I dare
do all that a knight should do that she is a clene maiden for
me, both foi deed and for will. And I am right heavy of
her distress, for she is a full fair maiden, good and gentle,
and well taught. Father, said Sir Lavaine, 1 dare make
good she is a dent maiden as for my lord Sir Launcelot ;
but she doth as 1 do, for sithen 1 first saw my lord Sir
Launcelot, I could never depart from him, nor nought I will
an I may follow him. Then Sir Launcelot took his leave,
and so they departed, and came unto Winchester. And
when Arthur wist that Sii Launcelot was come whole and
sound the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir
Gawaine and all the knights of the Round Table except Sir
Agravaine and Sir Mordred. Also Queen Guenever was
wood wroth with Sir Launcelot, and would by no means
speak with him, but estranged herself from him ; and Sir
Launcelot made all the means that he might for to speak
with the queen, but it would not be. Now speak we of
the fair maiden of Astolat that made such sorrow day and
night that she never slept, ate, nor drank, and ever she
made her complaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when she had
thus endured a ten days, that she feebled so that she must
needs pass out of this world, then she shrived her clene,
and received her Creator. And ever she complained still
upon Sir Launcelot. Then her ghostly father bad her leave
such thoughts. Then she said, why should I leave such
thoughts ? Am I not an earthly woman ? And all the
while the breath is in my body I may complain me, for my
belief is I do none offence though I love an earthly man ;
and I take God to my record I loved never none but Sir
Launcelot du Lake, nor never shall, and a clene maiden I
am for him and for all other ; and sithen it is the sufferance
304 King Arthur
of God that I shall die for the love of so noble a knight, I
beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy upon
my soul, and upon mine innumerable pains that I suffered
may be allegiance of part of my sins. For sweet Lord
Jesu, said the fair maiden, I take Thee to record, on Thee
I was never great offencer against thy laws ; but that I loved
this noble knight, Sir Launcelot, out of measure, and of
myself, good Lord, I might not withstand the fervent love
wherefore I have my death. And then she called her father,
Sir Bernard, and her brother, Sir Tirre, and heartily she
prayed her father that her brother might write a letter like as
she did indite it : and so her father granted her. And when
the letter was written word by word like as she devised
then she prayed her father that she might be watched until
she were dead. And while my body is hot let this letter be
put in my right hand, and my hand bound fast with the
letter until that I be cold ; and let me be put in a fair bed
with all the richest clothes that I have about me, and so
let my bed and all my richest clothes be laid with me in a
chariot unto the next place where Thames is ; and there let
me be put within a barget, and but one man with me, such
as ye trust to steer me thither, and that my barget be covered
with black samite over and over : thus father I beseech you
let it be done. So her father granted it her faithfully, all
things should be done like as she had devised. Then her
father and her brother made great dole, for when this was
done anon she died. And so when she was dead the corpse
and the bed all was led the next way unto Thames, and
there a man, and the corpse, and all, were put into Thames ;
and so the man steered the barget unto Westminster, and
there he rowed a great while to and fro or any espied it
CHAPTER XX
HOW THE CORPSE OF THE MAID OF ASTOLAT ARRIVED TOFORE
KING ARTHUR, AND OF THE BURYING, AND HOW SIR LAUNCE-
LOT OFFERED THE MASS-PENNY
So by fortune King Arthur and the Queen Guenever were
speaking together at a window, and so as they looked into
Thames they espied this black barget, and had marvel what
it meant. Then the king called Sir Kay, and showed it
him. Sir, said Sir Kay, wit you well there is some new
King Arthur 305
tidings. Go thither, said the king to Sir Kay, and take
with you Sir Brandiles and Agravaine, and bring me ready
word what is there. Then these four knights departed and
came to the barget and went in ; and there they found the
fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor man sitting in
the barget's end, and no word would he speak. So these
four knights returned unto the king again, and told him
what they found. That fair corpse will I see, said the king.
And so then the king took the queen by the hand, and went
thither. Then the king made the barget to be holden fast,
and then the king and the queen entered with certain
knights with them ; and there he saw the fairest woman lie
in a rich bed, covered unto her middle with many rich
clothes, and all was of cloth of gold, and she lay as though
she had smiled. Then the queen espied a letter in her right
hand, and told it to the king. Then the king took it and
said : Now am I sure this letter will tell what she was, and
why she is come hither. So then the king and the queen
went out of the barget, and so commanded a certain man to
wait upon the barget. And so when the king was come
within his chamber, he called many knights about him, and
said that he would wit openly what was written within that
letter. Then the king brake it, and made a clerk to read it,
and this was the intent of the letter. Most noble knight,
Sir Launcelot, now hath death made us two at debate for
your love. I was your lover, that men called the fair
maiden of Astolat ; therefore unto all ladies I make my
moan, yet pray for my soul and bury me at least, and offer
ye my mass-penny : this is my last request. And a clene
maiden I died, I take God to witness : pray for my soul, Sir
Launcelot, as thou art peerless. This was all the substance
in the letter. And when it was read, the king, the queen,
and all the knights wept for pity of the doleful complaints.
Then was Sir Launcelot sent for ; and when he was come
King Arthur made the letter to be read to him. And when
Sir Launcelot heard it word by word, he said : My lord
Arthur, wit ye well I am right heavy of the death of this fair
damosel : God knoweth I was never causer of her death by
my willing, and that will I report me to her own brother :
here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not say nay, said Sir
Launcelot, but that she was both fair and good, and much I
was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of measure.
Ye might have shewed her, said the queen, some bounty and
306 King Arthur
gentleness that might have preserved her life. Madam, said
Sir Launcelot, she would none other ways be answered but
that she would be my wife, outher else my paramour ; and
of these two I would not grant her, but I proffered her, for
her good love that she showed me, a thousand pound yearly
to her, and to her heirs, and to wed any manner knight that
she could find best to love in her heart. For madam, said
Sir Launcelot, I love not to be constrained to love ; for love
must arise of the heart, and not by no constraint. That is
truth, said the king, and many knight's love is free in him-
self, and never will be bounden, for where he is bounden he
looseth himself. Then said the king unto Sir Launcelot : It
will be your worship that ye oversee that she be interred
worshipfully. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, that shall be done as
I can best devise. And so many knights yede thither to
behold that fair maiden. And so upon the morn she was
interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her mass-penny ;
and all the knights of the Table Round that were there at
that time offered with Sir Launcelot. And then the poor
man went again with the barget. Then the queen sent for
Sir Launcelot. and prayed him of mercy, for why that she
had been wroth with him causeless. This is not the first
time, said Sir Launcelot, that ye had been displeased with
me causeless, but, madam, ever I must suffer you, but what
sorrow I endure I take no force. So this passed on all that
winter, with all manner of hunting and hawking, and jousts
and tourneys were many betwixt many great lords, and ever
in all places Sir Lavaine gat great worship, so that he was
nobly renowned among many knights of the Table Round.
CHAPTER XXI
OF GREAT JOUSTS DONE ALL CHRISTMAS, AND OF A GREAT JOUSTS
AND TOURNEY ORDAINED BY KING ARTHUR, AND OF SIR
LAUNCELOT
THUS it passed on till Christmas, and then every day
there was jousts made for a diamond, who that jousted best
should have a diamond. But Sir Launcelot would not joust
but if it were at a great jousts cried But Sir Lavaine jousted
there all that Christmas passingly well, and best was praised,
for there were but few that did so well. Wherefore all
manner of knights deemed that Sir Lavaine should be made
King Arthur 307
knight of the Table Round at the next feast of Pentecost.
So at after Christmas King Arthur let call unto him many
knights, and there they advised together to make a party and
a great tournament and jousts. And the King of Northgalis
said to Arthur, he would have on his party King Anguish of
Ireland, and the King with the Hundred Knights, and the
King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince.
And so these four kings and this mighty duke took part
against King Arthur and the knights of the Table Round.
And the cry was made that the day of the jousts should be
beside Westminster upon Candlemas Day, whereof many
knights were glad, and made them ready to be at that jousts
in the freshest manner. Then Queen Guenever sent for Sir
Launcelot, and said thus : I warn you that ye ride no more
in no jousts nor tournaments but that your kinsmen may
know you. And at these jousts that shall be ye shall have
of me a sleeve of gold ; and I pray you for my sake enforce
yourself there, that men may speak of you worship ; but I
charge you as ye will have my love, that ye warn your kins-
men that ye will bear that day the sleeve of gold upon your
helmet. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, it shall be done. And
so either made great joy of other. And when Sir Launcelot
saw his time he told Sir Bors that he would depart, and
have no more with him but Sir Lavaine, unto the good
hermit that dwelt in that forest of Windsor ; his name was
Sir Brasias ; and there he thought to repose him, and take
all the rest that he might, by cause he would be fresh at that
day of jousts. So Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed,
that no creature wist where he was become, but the noble
men of his blood. And when he was come to the hermit-
age, wit ye well he had good cheer. And so daily Sir
Launcelot would go to a well fast by the hermitage, and
there he would lie down, and see the well spring and bubble,
and sometime he slept there. So at that time there was a
lady dwelt in that forest, and she was a great huntress, and
daily she used to hunt, and ever she bare her bow with her ;
and no men went never with her, but always women, and
they were shooters, and could well kill a deer, both at the
stalk and at the trest ; and they daily bare bows and arrows,
horns and wood knives, and many good dogs they had, both
for the string and for a bait. So it happed this lady the
huntress had baited her dog for the bow at a barren hind,
and so this barren hind took the flight over hedges and
308 King Arthur
woods. And ever this lady and part of her women costed
the hind, and checked it by the noise of the hounds, to have
met with the hind at some water ; and so it happed, the
hind came to the well whereas Sir Launcelot was sleeping
and slumbering. And so when the hind came to the well,
for heat she went to soil, and there she lay a great while ;
and the dogs came after, and umbecast about, for she had
lost the very perfect feute of the hind. Right so came that
lady the huntress, that knew by the dog that she had, that
the hind was at the soil in that well ; and there she came
stiffly and found the hind, and she put a broad arrow in her
bow, and shot at the hind, and over shot the hind ; and so
by misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot in the thick of
the buttock, over the barbs. When Sir Launcelot felt him-
self so hurt, he hurled up woodly, and saw the lady that had
smitten him. And when he saw she was a woman, he said
thus : Lady or damosel, what that thou be, in an evil time
bear ye a bow ; the devil made you a shooter.
CHAPTER XXII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AFTER THAT HE WAS HURT CAME TO AN
HERMIT, AND OF OTHER MATTERS
Now mercy, fair sir, said the lady, I am a gentlewoman
that useth here in this forest hunting, and God knoweth I
saw ye not ; but as here was a barren hind at the soil in this
well, and I weened to have done well, but my hand swerved.
Alas* said Sir Launcelot, ye have mischieved me. And so
the lady departed, and Sir Launcelot as he might pulled out
the arrow, and left that head still in his buttock, and so he
went weakly to the hermitage ever more bleeding as he went.
And when Sir Lavaine and the hermit espied that Sir
Launcelot was hurt, wit you well they were passing heavy,
but Sir Lavaine wist not how that he was hurt nor by whom.
And then were they wroth out of measure. Then with great
pain the hermit gat out the arrow's head out of Sir Launce-
lot's buttock, and much of his blood he shed, and the wound
was passing sore, and unhappily smitten, for it was in such a
place that he might not sit in no saddle. Have mercy, Jesu,
said Sir Launcelot, I may call myself the most unhappiest
man that liveth, for ever when I would fainest have worship
there befaileth me ever some unhappy thing. Now so Jesu
King Arthur 309
me help, said Sir Launcelot, and if no man would but God,
I shall be in the field upon Candlemass Day at the jousts,
whatsomever fall of it : so all that might be gotten to heal
Sir Launcelot was had. So when the day was come Sir
Launcelot let devise that he was arrayed, and Sir Lavaine,
and their horses, as though they had been Saracens ; and so
they departed and came nigh to the field. The King of
Northgalis with an hundred knights with him, and the King
of Northumberland brought with him an hundred good
knights, and King Anguish of Ireland brought with him an
hundred good knights ready to joust, and Sir Galahad, the
haut prince, brought with him an hundred good knights,
and the King with the Hundred Knights brought with him
as many, and all these were proved good knights. Then
came in King Arthur's party ; and there came in the King
of Scots with an hundred knights, and King Uriens of Gore
brought with him an hundred knights, and King Howel of
Brittany brought with him an hundred knights, and Chaleins
of Clarance brought with him an hundred knights, and King
Arthur himself came into the field with two hundred knights,
and the most part were knights of the Table Round, that
were proved noble knights ; and there were old knights set
in scaffolds for to judge, with the queen, who did best.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BEHAVED HIM AT THE JOUSTS, AND OTHER
MEN ALSO
THEN they blew to the field ; and there the King of
Northgalis encountered with the King of Scots, and there
the King of Scots had a fall ; and the King of Ireland
smote down King Uriens ; and the King of Northumber-
land smote down King Howel of Brittany ; and Sir Gala-
had, the haut prince, smote down Chaleins of Clarance.
And then King Arthur was wood wroth, and ran to the
King with the Hundred Knights, and there King Arthur
smote him down ; and after with that same spear King
Arthur smote down three other knights. And then when
his spear was broken King Arthur did passingly well ; and
so therewithal came in Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris, Sir
3io King Arthur
Agravaine and Sir Mordred, and there every each of them
smote down a knight, and Sir Gawaine smote down four
knights ; and then there began a strong medley, for then
there came in the knights of Launcelot's blood, and Sir
Gareth and Sir Palomides with them, and many knights of
the Table Round, and they began to hold the four kings
and the mighty duke so hard that they were discomfit ; but
this Duke Galahad, the haut prince, was a noble knight,
and by his mighty prowess of arms he held the knights of
the Table Round strait enough. All this doing saw Sir
Launcelot, and then he came into the field with Sir Lavaine
as it had been thunder. And then anon Sir Bors and the
knights of his blood espied Sir Launcelot, and said to them
all : I warn you beware of him with the sleeve of gold upon
his head, for he is himself Sir Launcelot du Lake ; and for
great goodness Sir Bors warned Sir Gareth. I am well
apayed, said Sir Gareth, that I may know him. But who
is he, said they all, that rideth with him in the same array?
That is the good and gentle knight Sir Lavaine, said Sir
Bors. So Sir Launcelot encountered with Sir Gawaine,
and there by force Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Gawaine
and his horse to the earth, and so he smote down Sir
Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and also he smote down Sir
Mordred, and all this was with one spear. Then Sir
Lavaine met with Sir Palomides, and either met other so
hard and so fiercely that both their horses fell to the earth.
And then were they horsed again, and then met Sir
Launcelot with Sir Palomides, and there Sir Palomides had
a fall ; and so Sir Launcelot or ever he stint, as fast as he
might get spears, he smote down thirty knights, and the
most part of them were knights of the Table Round ; and
ever the knights of his blood withdrew them, and made
them ado in other places where Sir Launcelot came not.
And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw Sir Launce-
lot do such deeds ; and then the king called unto him Sir
Gawaine, Sir Mordred, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, Sir Lucan the
Butler, Sir Bedivere, Sir Palomides, Sir Safere, his brother;
and so the king with these nine knights made them ready
to set upon Sir Launcelot, and upon Sir Lavaine. All
this espied Sir Bors and Sir Gareth. Now I dread me
sore, said Sir Bors, that my lord, Sir Launcelot, will be
hard matched. By my head, said Sir Gareth, I will ride
unto my lord Sir Launcelot, for to help him, fall of him
King Arthur 311
what fall may, for he is the same man that made me
knight. Ye shall not so, said Sir Bors, by my counsel,
unless that ye were disguised. Ye shall see me disguised,
said Sir Gareth ; and therewithal he espied a Welsh
knight where he was to repose him, and he was sore
hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and to him Sir Gareth rode,
and prayed him of his knighthood to lend him his shield
for his. I will well, said the Welsh knight. And when
Sir Gareth had his shield, the book saith it was green,
with a maiden that seemed in it. Then Sir Gareth came
driving to Sir Launcelot all that he might and said : Knight,
keep thyself, for yonder cometh King Arthur with nine
noble knights with him to put you to a rebuke, and so I
am come to bear you fellowship for old love ye have showed
me. Gramercy, said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Gareth,
encounter ye with Sir Gawaine, and I shall encounter with
Sir Palomides ; and let Sir Lavaine match with the noble
King Arthur. And when we have delivered them, let us
three hold us sadly together. Then came King Arthur
with his nine knights with him, and Sir Launcelot en-
countered with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such a buffet
that the arson of his saddle brast, and Sir Gawaine fell to
the earth. Then Sir Gareth encountered with the good
knight Sir Palomides, and he gave him such a buffet that
both his horse and he dashed to the earth. Then en-
countered King Arthur with Sir Lavaine, and there either
of them smote other to the earth, horse and all, that they
lay a great while. Then Sir Launcelot smote down Sir
Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred ; and Sir
Gareth smote down Sir Kay, and Sir Safere, and Sir Griflet.
And then Sir Lavaine was horsed again, and he smote down
Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedevere ; and then there
began great throng of good knights. Then Sir Launcelot
hurtled here and there, and raced and pulled off helms, so
that at that time there might none sit him a buffet with
spear nor with sword ; and Sir Gareth did such deeds of
arms that all men marvelled what knight he was with the
green shield, for he smote down that day and pulled down
more than thirty knights. And, as the French book saith,
Sir Launcelot marvelled, when he beheld Sir Gareth do
such deeds, what knight he might be ; and Sir Lavaine
pulled down and smo e down twenty knights. Also Sir
Launcelot knew not Sir Gareth, for an Sir Tristram de
312 King Arthur
Liones, outher Sir Lamorak de Galis had been alive, Sir
Launcelot would have deemed he had been one of them
twain. So ever as Sir Launcelot, Sir Gareth, Sir Lavaine
fought, and on the one side Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris,
Sir Lionel, Sir Lamorak de Galis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Galihud,
Sir Galihodin, Sir Pelleas, and with more other of King
Ban's blood fought upon another party, and held the King
with the Hundred Knights and the King of Northumberland
right strait.
CHAPTER XXIV
HOW KING ARTHUR MARVELLED MUCH OF THE JOUSTING IN THE
FIELD, AND HOW HE RODE AND FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
So this tournament and this jousts dured long, till it was
near night, for the knights of the Round Table relieved
ever unto King Arthur ; for the king was wroth out of
measure that he and his knights might not prevail that day.
Then Sir Gawaine said to the king : I marvel where all this
day Sir Bors de Ganis and his fellowship of Sir Launcelot's
blood, I marvel all this day they be not about you : it is for
some cause said Sir Gawaine. By my head, said Sir Kay,
Sir Bors is yonder all this day upon the right hand of this
field, and there he and his blood done more worshipfully
than we do. It may well be, said Sir Gawaine, but I dread
me ever of guile ; for on pain of my life, said Sir Gawaine,
this knight with the red sleeve of gold is himself Sir Launce-
lot, I see well by his riding and by his great strokes ; and
the other knight in the same colours is the good young
knight, Sir Lavaine. Also that knight with the green shield
is my brother, Sir Gareth, and yet he hath disguised himself,
for no man shall never make him be against Sir Launcelot,
by cause he made him knight. By my head, said Arthur,
nephew, I believe you ; therefore tell me now what is your
best counsel. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall have my
counsel : let blow unto lodging, for an he be Sir Launcelot
du Lake, and my brother, Sir Gareth, with him, with the
help of that good young knight, Sir Lavaine, trust me truly
it will be no boot to strive with them but if we should fall
ten or twelve upon one knight, and that were no worship,
but shame. Ye say truth, said the king ; and for to say
King Arthur 313
sooth, said the king, it were shame to us so many as we be
to set upon them any more; for wit ye well, said King
Arthur, they be three good knights, and namely that knight
with the sleeve of gold. So then they blew unto lodging ;
but forthwithal King Arthur let send unto the four kings,
and to the mighty duke, and prayed them that the knight
with the sleeve of gold depart not from them, but that the
king may speak with him. Then forthwithal King Arthur
alit and unarmed him, and took a little hackney and rode
after Sir Launcelot, for ever he had a spy upon him. And
so he found him among the four kings and the duke ; and
there the king prayed them all unto supper, and they said
they would with good will. And when they were unarmed
then King Arthur knew Sir Launcelot, Sir Lavaine, and Sir
Gareth. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day ye
have heated me and my knights. So they yede unto
Arthur's lodging all together, and there was a great feast
and great revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launcelot ;
and by heralds they named him that he had smitten down
fifty knights, and Sir Gareth five-and-thirty, and Sir Lavaine
four-and-twenty knights. Then Sir Launcelot told the king
and the queen how the lady huntress shot him in the forest
of Windsor, in the buttock, with an broad arrow, and how
the wound thereof was that time six inches deep, and in
like long. Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth because he left
his fellowship and held with Sir Launcelot. My lord, said
Sir Gareth, he made me a knight, and when I saw him so
hard bestad, methought it was my worship to help him, for
I saw him do so much, and so many noble knights against
him ; and when I understood that he was Sir Launcelot du
Lake, I shamed to see so many knights against him alone.
Truly, said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, ye say well, and
worshipfully have ye done and to yourself great worship ;
and all the days of my life, said King Arthur unto Sir
Gareth, wit you well I shall love you, and trust you the
more better. For ever, said Arthur, it is a worshipful
knight's deed to help another worshipful knight when he
seeth him in a great danger ; for ever a worshipful man will
be loath to see a worshipful man shamed ; and he that is of
no worship, and fareth with cowardice, never shall he show
gentleness, nor no manner of goodness where he seeth a
man in any danger, for then ever will a coward show no
mercy ; and always a good man will do ever to another
3H King Arthur
man as he would be done to himself. So then there were
great feasts unto kings and dukes, and revel, game, and
play, and all manner of noblesse was used ; and he that
was courteous, true, and faithful, to his friend was that time
cherished.
CHAPTER XXV
HOW TRUE LOVE IS LIKENED TO SUMMER
AND thus it passed on from Candlemass until after
Easter, that the month of May was come, when every
lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit ;
for like as herbs and trees bring forth fruit and flourish
in May, in likewise every lusty heart that is in any manner
a lover, springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds. For it
giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May,
in something to constrain him to some manner of thing
more in that month than in any other month, for diverse
causes. For then all herbs and trees renew a man and
woman, and in likewise lovers call again to their mind old
gentleness and old service, and many kind deeds that were
forgotten by negligence. For like as winter rasure doth
alway arase and deface green summer, so fareth it by
unstable love in man and woman. For in many persons
there is no stability ; for we may see all day, for a little
blast of winter's rasure, anon we shall deface and lay apart
true love for little or nought, that cost much thing; this
is no wisdom nor stability, but it is feebleness of nature
and great disworship, whomsoever useth this. Therefore,
like as May month flowereth and flourisheth in many
gardens, so in likewise let every man of worship flourish
his heart in this world, first unto God, and next unto the
joy of them that he promised his faith unto; for there was
never worshipful man nor worshipful woman, but they
loved one better than another; and worship in arms may
never be foiled, but first reserve the honour to God, and
secondly the quarrel must come of thy lady : and such love
I call virtuous love. But nowadays men can not love seven
night but they must have all their desires : that love may
not endure by reason ; for where they be soon accorded,
and hasty heat, soon it cooleth. Right so fareth love
nowadays, soon hot soon cold : this is no stability. But the
King Arthur 315
old love was not so ; men and women could love together
seven years, and no lycours lusts were between them, and
then was love, truth, and faithfulness : and lo, in likewise
was used love in King Arthur's days. Wherefore I liken
love nowadays unto summer and winter ; for like as the
one is hot and the other cold, so fareth love nowadays ;
therefore all ye that be lovers call unto your remembrance
the month of May, like as did Queen Guenever, for whom
I make here a little mention, that while she lived she was
a true lover, and therefore she had a good end.
Explicit liber Octodecirnus.
And here follo<weth
liber xix.
BOOK XIX
CHAPTER I
HOW QUEEN GUENEVER RODE ON MAYING WITH CERTAIN KNIGHTS
OF THE ROUND TABLE AND CLAD ALL IN GREEN
So it befell in the month of May, Queen Guenever called
unto her knights of the Table Round ; and she gave them
warning that early upon the morrow she would ride on
Maying into woods and fields beside Westminster. And
I warn you that there be none of you but that he be
well horsed, and that ye all be clothed in green, either in
silk outher in cloth; and I shall bring with me ten ladies,
and every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every
knight shall have a squire and two yeomen; and I will
that ye all be well horsed. So they made them ready in
the freshest manner. And these were the names of the
knights : Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Agravaine, Sir Brandiles,
Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir
Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Ladinas of the Forest Savage,
Sir Persant of Inde, Sir Ironside, that was called the Knight
of the Red Launds, and Sir Pelleas, the lover ; and these
ten knights made them ready in the freshest manner to
ride with the queen. And so upon the morn they took
their horses with the queen, and rode on Maying in
woods and meadows as it pleased them, in great joy and
316 King Arthur
delights; for the queen had cast to have been again with
King Arthur at the furthest by ten of the clock, and so
was that time her purpose. Then there was a knight
that hight Meliagrance, and he was son unto King
Bagdemagus, and this knight had at that time a castle
of the gift of King Arthur within seven mile of West-
minster. And this knight, Sir Meliagrance, loved passing
well Queen Guenever, and so had he done long and many
years. And the book saith he had lain in a wait for to
steal away the queen, but evermore he forbare for by
cause of Sir Launcelot ; for in no wise he would meddle
with the queen an Sir Launcelot were in her company,
outher else an he were near hand her. And that time
was such a custom, the queen rode never without a
great fellowship of men of arms about her, and they
were many good knights, and the most part were young
men that would have worship ; and they were called the
Queen's Knights, and never in no battle, tournament, nor
jousts, they bare none of them no manner of knowledging
of their own arms, but plain white shields, and thereby
they were called the Queen's Knights. And then when
it happed any of them to be of great worship by his noble
deeds, then at the next Feast of Pentecost, if there were any
slain or dead, as there was none year that there failed but
some were dead, then was there chosen in his stead that
was dead, the most men of worship that were called the
Queen's Knights. And thus they came up all first, or they
were renowned men of worship, both Sir Launcelot and
all the remnant of them. But this knight, Sir Meliagrance,
had espied the queen well and her purpose, and how Sii
Launcelot was not with her, and how she had no men of
arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in
green for Maying. Then he purveyed him a twenty men
of arms and an hundred archers for to destroy the queen
and her knights, for he thought that time was best season
to take the queen.
King Arthur 317
CHAPTER II
HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE TOOK THE QUEEN AND HER KNIGHTS,
WHICH WERE SORE HURT IN FIGHTING
So as the queen had Mayed and all her knights, all were
bedashed with herbs, mosses and flowers, in the best
manner and freshest. Right so came out of a wood Sir
Meliagrance with an eight score men well harnessed, as
they should fight in a battle of arrest, and bad the queen
and her knights abide, for maugre their heads they should
abide. Traitor knight, said Queen Guenever, what cast
thou for to do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink thee
how thou art a king's son, and knight of the Table Round,
and thou to be about to dishonour the noble king that
made thee knight ; thou shamest all knighthood and
thyself, and me I let thee wit shalt thou never shame, for
I had lever cut mine own throat in twain rather than
thou shouldest dishonour me. As for all this language,
said Sir Meliagrance, be it as it be may, for wit you well,
madam, I have loved you many a year, and never or now
could I get you at such an advantage as I do now, and
therefore I will take you as I find you. Then spake all
the ten noble knights at once and said : Sir Meliagrance,
wit thou well ye are about to jeopard your worship to
dishonour, and also ye cast to jeopard our persons howbeit
we be unarmed. Ye have us at a great avail, for it seemeth
by you that ye have laid watch upon us ; but rather
than ye should put the queen to a shame and us all, we
had as lief to depart from our lives, for an if we other ways
did, we were shamed for ever. Then said Sir Meliagrance :
Dress you as well ye can, and keep the queen. Then the
ten knights of the Table Round drew their swords, and the
other let run at them with their spears, and the ten knights
manly abode them, and smote away their spears that no
spear did them none harm. Then they lashed together
with swords, and anon Sir Kay, Sir Sagramore, Sir
Agravaine, Sir Dodinas, Sir Ladinas, and Sir Ozanna were
smitten to the earth with grimly wounds. Then Sir
Brandiles, and Sir Persant, Sir Ironside, Sir Pelleas, fought
long, and they were sore wounded, for these ten knights,
or ever they were laid to the ground, slew forty men of the
boldest and the best of them. So when the queen saw her
318 King Arthur
knights thus dolefully wounded, and needs must be slain
at the last, then for pity and sorrow she cried Sir Melia-
grance : Slay not my noble knights, and I will go with thee
upon this covenant, that thou save them, and suffer them
not to be no more hurt, with this, that they be led with me
wheresomever thou leadest me, for I will rather slay myself
than I will go with thee, unless that these my noble knights
may be in my presence. Madam, said Meliagrance, for
your sake they shall be led with you into mine own castle,
with that ye will be ruled, and ride with me. Then the
queen prayed the four knights to leave their fighting, and
she and they would not depart. Madam, said Sir Pelleas, we
will do as ye do, for as for me I take no force of my life nor
death. For as the French book saith, Sir Pelleas gave such
buffets there that none armour might hold him.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR LADNCELOT HAD WORD HOW THE QUEEN WAS TAKEN,
AND HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE LAID A BUSHMENT FOR LAUNCE-
LOT
THEN by the queen's commandment they left battle, and
dressed the wounded knights on horseback, some sitting,
some overthwart their horses, that it was pity to behold
them. And then Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and
all her knights that none of all her fellowship should depart
from her; for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du Lake,
lest he should have any knowledging. All this espied the
queen, and privily she called unto her a child of her
chamber that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said : Go
thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto Sir
Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that he
will see me and rescue me, if ever he will have joy of me ;
and spare not thy horse, said the queen, neither for water,
neither for land. So the child espied his time, and lightly
he took his horse with the spurs, and departed as fast as he
might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so flee, he
understood that it was by the queen's commandment for to
warn Sir Launcelot Then they that were best horsed
chased him and shot at him, but from them all the child
went suddenly. And then Sir Meliagrance said to the
queen : Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall
King Arthur 319
ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at
you. And then he rode with her, and they all, to his
castle, in all the haste that they might And by the way Sir
Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best archers that he
might get in his country, to the number of thirty, to await
upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they saw such a
manner of knight come by the way upon a white horse, that
in any wise they slay his horse, but in no manner of wise
have not ado with him bodily, for he is over-hard to be
overcome. So this was done, and they were come to his
castle, but in no wise the queen would never let none of the
ten knights and her ladies out of her sight, but always they
were in her presence ; for the book saith, Sir Meliagrance
durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot, inso-
much he deemed that he had warning. So when the child
was departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within
a while he came to Westminster, and anon he found Sir
Launcelot. And when he had told his message, and
delivered him the queen's ring : Alas, said Sir Launcelot,
now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that
noble lady from dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his
armour ; and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the ten
knights fought marvellously, and how Sir Pel leas, and Sir
Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde, fought
strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none withstand
him ; and how they all fought till at the last they were laid
to the earth ; and then the queen made appointment for to
save their lives, and go with Sir Meliagrance. Alas, said
Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she should be so
destroyed ; I had lever, said Sir Launcelot, than all France,
that I had been there well armed. So when Sir Launcelot
was armed and upon his horse, he prayed the child of the
queen's chamber to warn Sir Lavaine how suddenly he was
departed, and for what cause. And pray him as he loveth
me, that he will hie him after me, and that he stint not
until he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth,
or dwelleth ; for there, said Sir Launcelot, he shall hear of
me an I am a man living, and rescue the queen and the ten
knights the which he traitorously hath taken, and that shall
I prove upon his head, and all them that hold with him.
320 King Arthur
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT'S HORSE WAS SLAIX, AND HOW SIR LAUNCH-
LOT RODE IN A CART FOR TO RESCUE THE QUEEN
THEN Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and the book
saith he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and made his
horse to swim over Thames unto Lambeth. And then
within a while he came to the same place thereas the ten
noble knights fought with Sir Meliagrance. And then Sir
Launcelot followed the track until that he came to a wood,
and there was a straight way, and there the thirty archers
bad Sir Launcelot turn again, and follow no longer that
track. What commandment have ye thereto, said Sir
Launcelot, to cause me that am a knight of the Round
Table to leave my right way ? This way shalt thou leave,
otherelse thou shalt go it on thy foot, for wit thou well thy
horse shall be slain. That is little mastery, said Sir Launce-
lot, to slay mine horse ; but as for myself, when my horse
is slain, I give right nought for you, not an ye were five
hundred more. So then they shot Sir Launcelot's horse,
and smote him with many arrows ; and then Sir Launcelot
avoided his horse, and went on foot ; but there were so many
ditches and hedges betwixt them and him that he might not
meddle with none of them. Alas for shame, said Launcelot,
that ever one knight should betray another knight ; but
it is an old saw, A good man is never in danger but
when he is in the danger of a coward. Then Sir Launcelot
went a while, and then he was foul cumbered of his armour,
his shield, and his spear, and all that longed unto him. Wit
ye well he was full sore annoyed, and full loath he was for to
leave anything that longed unto him, for he dread sore the
treason of Sir Meliagrance. Then by fortune there came by
him a chariot that came thither for to fetch wood. Say me,
carter, said Sir Launcelot, what shall I give thee to suffer me
to leap into thy chariot, and that thou bring me unto a
castle within this two mile ? Thou shalt not come within
my chariot, said the carter, for I am sent for to fetch wood
for my lord, Sir Meliagrance. With him would I speak.
Thou shalt not go with me, said the carter. Then Sir
Launcelot leapt to him, and gave him such a buffet that
he fell to the earth stark dead. Then the other carter, his
fellow, was afeared, and weened to have gone the same way ;
King Arthur 321
and then he cried : Fair lord, save my life, and I shall bring
you where ye will. Then I charge thee, said Sir Launcelot,
that thou drive me and this chariot even unto Sir
Meliagrance's gate. Leap up into the chariot, said the
carter, and ye shall be there anon. So the carter drove on
a great wallop, and Sir Launcelot's horse followed the
chariot, with more than a forty arrows broad and rough in
him. And more than an hour and an half Dame Guenevei
was awaiting in a bay window with her ladies, and espied an
armed knight standing in a chariot. See, madam, said a
lady, where rideth in a chariot a goodly armed knight ; I
suppose he rideth unto hanging. Where ? said the queen.
Then she espied by his shield that he was there himself, Sir
Launcelot du Lake. And then she was ware where cama
his horse ever after that chariot, and ever he trod his guts
and his paunch under his feet. Alas, said the queen, now
I see well and prove, that well is him that hath a trusty
friend. Ha, ha, most noble knight, said Queen Guenever,
I see well thou art hard bestad when thou ridest in a chariot.
Then she rebuked that lady that likened Sir Launcelot to
ride in a chariot to hanging. It was foul mouthed, said the
queen, and evil likened, so for to liken the most noble
knight of the world unto such a shameful death. O Jesu
defend him and keep him, said the queen, from all
mischievous end. By this was Sir Launcelot come to the
gates of that castle, and there he descended down, and
cried, that all the castle rang of it : Where art thou, false
traitor, Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the Table Round?
now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy
fellowship with thee ; for here I am, Sir Launcelot du Lake,
that shall fight with you. And therewithal he bare the gate
wide open upon the porter, and smote him under his ear
with his gauntlet, that his neck brast in sunder.
CHAPTER V
HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE REQUIRED FORGIVENESS OF THE QUEEN,
AND HOW SHE APPEASED SIR LAUNCELOT ; AND OTHER
MATTERS
WHEN Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was there
he ran unto Queen Guenever, and fell upon his knee, and
said : Mercy, madam, now I put me wholly into your grace.
II 46 r
322 King Arthur
What aileth you now ? said Queen Guenever ; forsooth I
might well wit some good knight would revenge me though
my lord Arthur wist not of this your work. Madam, said
Sir Meliagrance, all this that is amiss on my part shall be
amended right as yourself will devise, and wholly I put me
in your grace. What would ye that I did ? said the queen.
I would no more, said Meliagrance, but that ye would take
all in your own hands, and that ye will rule my lord Sir
Launcelot ; and such cheer as may be made him in this poor
castle ye and he shall have until to-morn, and then may ye
and all they return unto Westminster ; and my body and all
that I have I shall put in your rule. Ye say well, said the
queen, and better is peace than ever war, and the less noise
the more is my worship. Then the queen and her ladies
went down unto the knight, Sir Launcelot, that stood wroth
out of measure in the inner court, to abide battle ; and
ever he bad : Thou traitor knight come forth. Then the
queen came to him and said : Sir Launcelot, why be ye so
moved? Ha, madam, said Sir Launcelot, why ask ye me
that question ? Meseemeth, said Sir Launcelot, ye ought to
be more wroth than I am, for ye have the hurt and the dis-
honour, for wit ye well, madam, my hurt is but little for the
killing of a mare's son, but the despite grieveth me much
more than all my hurt. Truly, said the queen, ye say truth ;
but heartily I thank you, said the queen, but ye must come
in with me peaceably, for all thing is put in my hand, and
all that is evil shall be for the best, for the knight full sore
repenteth him of the misadventure that is befallen him.
Madam, said Sir Launcelot, sith it is so that ye been
accorded with him, as for me I may not be again it,
howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full shamefully to me,
and cowardly. Ah madam, said Sir Launcelot, an I had
wist ye would have been so soon accorded with him I would
not have made such haste unto you. Why say ye so, said
the queen, do ye forthink yourself of your good deeds? Wit
you well, said the queen, I accorded never unto him for
favour nor love that I had unto him, but for to lay down
every shameful noise. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, ye
understand full well I was never willing nor glad of shameful
slander nor noise ; and there is neither king, queen, nor
knight, that beareth the life, except my lord King Arthur,
and you, madam, should let me, but I should make Sir
Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I departed from hence.
King Arthur 323
That wot I well, said the queen, but what will ye more?
Ye shall have all thing ruled as ye list to have it. Madam,
said Sir Launcelot, so ye be pleased I care not, as for my
part ye shall soon please. Right so the queen took Sir
Launcelot by the bare hand, for he had put off his gauntlet,
and so she went with him till her chamber ; and then she
commanded him to be unarmed. And then Sir Launcelot
asked where were the ten knights that were wounded sore ;
so she showed them unto Sir Launcelot, and there they
made great joy of the coming of him, and Sir Launcelot
made great dole of their hurts, and bewailed them greatly.
And there Sir Launcelot told them how cowardly and
traitorly Meliagrance set archers to slay his horse, and how
he was fain to put himself in a chariot. Thus they
complained every each to other; and full fain they would
have been revenged, but they peaced themselves by cause of
the queen. Then, as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot
was called many a day after le Chevaler du Chariot, and did
many deeds, and great adventures he had. And so leave
we of this tale le Chevaler du Chariot, and turn we to this
tale. So Sir Launcelot had great cheer with the queen, and
then Sir Launcelot made a promise with the queen that the
same night Sir Launcelot should come to a window outward
toward a garden ; and that window was barred with iron, and
there Sir Launcelot promised to meet her when all folks
were on sleep. So then came Sir Lavaine driving to the
gates, crying : Where is my lord, Sir Launcelot du Lake ?
Then was he sent for, and when Sir Lavaine saw Sir
Launcelot, he said : My lord, I found well how ye were
hard bestad, for I have found your horse that was slain with
arrows. As for that .said Sir Launcelot, I pray you, Sir
Lavaine, speak ye of other matters, and let ye this pass, and
we shall right it another time when we best may.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME IN THE NIGHT TO THE QUEEN, AND
HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE APPEACHED THE QUEEN OF TREASON
THEN the knights that were hurt were searched, and soft
salves were laid to their wounds ; and so it passed on till
supper time, and all the cheer that might be made them
there was done unto the queen and all her knights. Then
324 King Arthur
when season was, they went unto their chambers, but in no
wise the queen would not suffer the wounded knights to be
from her, but that they were laid within draughts by her
chamber, upon beds and pillows, that she herself might see
to them, that they wanted nothing. So when Sir Launcelot
was in his chamber that was assigned unto him, he called
unto him Sir Lavaine, and told him that night he must go
speak with his lady, Dame Guenever. Sir, said Sir Lavaine,
let me go with you an it please you, for I dread me sore of
the treason of Sir Meliagrance. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, I
thank you, but I will have nobody with me. Then Sir
Launcelot took his sword in his hand, and privily went to
a place where he had espied a ladder toforehand, and that
he took under his arm, and bare it through the garden, and
set it up to the window, and there anon the queen was
ready to meet him. And then they made either to other
their complaints of many diverse things, and then Sir
Launcelot wished that he might have come in to her. Wit
ye well, said the queen, I would as fain as ye, that ye
might come in to me. Would ye, madam, said Sir Launcelot,
with your heart that I were with you ? Yea, truly, said the
queen. Now shall I prove my might, said Sir Launcelot,
for your love ; and then he set his hands upon the bars of
iron, and he pulled at them with such a might that he brast
them clene out of the stone walls, and therewithal one of
the bars of iron cut the brawn of his hands throughout to
the bone ; and then he leapt into the chamber to the queen.
Make ye no noise, said the queen, for my wounded knights
lie here fast by me. So, to pass upon this tale, Sir Launcelot
went unto bed with the queen, and he took no force of his
hurt hand, but took his pleasance and his liking until it was
in the dawning of the day ; and wit ye well he slept not but
watched, and when he saw his time that he might tarry no
longer he took his leave and departed at the window, and
put it together as well as he might again, and so departed
unto his own chamber ; and there he told Sir Lavaine how
he was hurt. Then Sir Lavaine dressed his hand and
staunched it, and put upon it a glove, that it should not
be espied ; and so the queen lay long in her bed until it
was nine of the clock. Then Sir Meliagrance went to the
queen's chamber, and found her ladies there ready clothed.
Jesu mercy, said Sir Meliagrance, what aileth you, madam,
that ye sleep thus long ? And right therewithal he opened
King Arthur 325
the curtain for to behold her ; and then was he ware where
she lay, and all the sheet and pillow was bebled with the
blood of Sir Launcelot and of his hurt hand. When Sir
Meliagrance espied that blood, then he deemed in her that
she was false to the king, and that some of the wounded
knights had lain by her all that night. Ah, madam, said
Sir Meliagrance, now I have found you a false traitress unto
my lord Arthur ; for now I prove well it was not for nought
that ye laid these wounded knights within the bounds of
your chamber ; therefore I will call you of treason before
my lord, King Arthur. And now I have proved you, madam,
with a shameful deed ; and that they be all false, or some
of them, I will make good, for a wounded knight this night
hath lain by you. That is false, said the queen, and that
I will report me unto them all. Then when the ten knights
heard Sir Meliagrance's words, they spake all in one voice
and said to Sir Meliagrance : Thou sayest falsely, and wrong-
fully puttest upon us such a deed, and that we will make
good any of us ; choose which thou list of us when we are
whole of our wounds. Ye shall not, said Sir Meliagrance ;
away with your proud language, for here ye may all see,
said Sir Meliagrance, that by the queen this night a wounded
knight hath lain. Then were they all ashamed when they
saw that blood ; and wit you well Sir Meliagrance was pass-
ing glad that he had the queen at such an advantage, for
he deemed by that to hide his treason. So with this
rumour came in Sir Launcelot, and found them all at a
great array.
CHAPTER VII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ANSWERED FOR THE QUEEN, AND WAGED
BATTLE AGAINST SIR MELIAGRANCE ; AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT
WAS TAKEN IN A TRAP
WHAT array is this ? said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Melia-
grance told them what he had found, and showed them the
queen's bed. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, ye did not your
part nor knightly, to touch a queen's bed while it was drawn,
and she was lying therein ; for I dare say my lord Arthur
himself would not have displayed her curtains, she being
within her bed, unless that it had pleased him to have lain
down by her; and therefore ye have done unworshipfully
326 King Arthur
and shamefully to yourself. I wot not what ye mean, said
Sir Meliagrance, but well I am sure there hath one of her
wounded knights lain by her this night, and therefore I will
prove with my hands that she is a traitress unto my lord
Arthur. Beware what ye do, said Launcelot, for an ye say
so, an ye will prove it, it will be taken at your hands. My
lord, Sir Launcelot, said Sir Meliagrance, I rede you beware
what ye do ; for though ye are never so good a knight, as
ye wot well ye are renowned the best knight of the world,
yet should ye be advised to do battle in a wrong quarrel,
for God will have a stroke in every battle. As for that, said
Sir Launcelot, God is to be dread ; but as to that I say nay
plainly, that this night there lay none of these ten wounded
knights with my lady Queen Guenever, and that will 1 prove
with my hands, that ye say untruly in that now. Hold,
said Sir Meliagrance, here is my glove that she is traitress
unto my lord, King Arthur, and that this night one of the
wounded knights lay with her. And I receive your glove,
said Sir Launcelot. And so they were sealed with their
signets, and delivered unto the ten knights. At what day shall
we do battle together? said Sir Launcelot. This day eight
days, said Sir Meliagrance, in the field beside Westminster.
I am agreed, said Sir Launcelot. But now, said Sir Melia-
grance, sithen it is so that we must fight together, I pray
you, as ye be a noble knight, await me with no treason, nor
none villainy the meanwhile, nor none for you. So God
me help, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall right well wit I was
never of no such conditions, for I report me to all knights
that ever have known me, I fared never with no treason,
nor I loved never the fellowship of no man that fared with
treason. Then let us go to dinner, said Meliagrance, and
after dinner ye and the queen and ye may ride all to West-
minster. I will well, said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Melia-
grance said to Sir Launcelot : Pleaseth it you to see the
eftures of this castle ? With a good will, said Sir Launcelot.
And then they went together from chamber to chamber, for
Sir Launcelot dread no perils ; for ever a man of worship
and of prowess dreadeth least always perils, for they ween
every man be as they be ; but ever he that fareth with
treason putteth oft a man in great danger. So it befell upon
Sir Launcelot that no peril dread, as he went with Sir Melia-
grance he trod on a trap and the board rolled, and there
Sir Launcelot fell down more than ten fathom into a cave
King Arthur 327
full of straw ; and then Sir Meliagrance departed and made
no fare as that he nist where he was. And when Sir
Launcelot was thus missed they marvelled where he was
become ; and then the queen and many of them deemed
that he was departed as he was wont to do, suddenly. For
Sir Meliagrance made suddenly to put away a-side Sir
Lavaine's horse, that they might all understand that Sir
Launcelot was departed suddenly. So it passed on till
after dinner ; and then Sir Lavaine would not stint until
that he ordained litters for the wounded knights, that they
might be laid in them ; and so with the queen and them all,
both ladies and gentlewomen and other, went unto West-
minster ; and there the knights told King Arthur how
Meliagrance had appelled the queen of high treason, and
how Sir Launcelot had received the glove of him : And this
day eight days they shall do battle afore you. By my head,
said King Arthur, I am afeard Sir Meliagrance hath taken
upon him a great charge ; but where is Sir Launcelot ? said
the king. Sir, said they all, we wot not where he is, but we
deem he is ridden to some adventures, as he is ofttimes
wont to do, for he hath Sir Lavaine's horse. Let him be,
said the king, he will be founden, but if he be trapped with
some treason.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS DELIVERED OUT OF PRISON BY A LADY,
AND TOOK A WHITE COURSER AND CAME FOR TO KEEP HIS
DAY
So leave we Sir Launcelot lying within that cave in
great pain ; and every day there came a lady and brought
him his meat and his drink, and wooed him, to have lain
by him; and ever the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, said
her nay. Sir Launcelot, said she, ye are not wise, for ye
may never out of this prison, but if ye have my help ;
and also your lady, Queen Guenever, shall be brent in
your default, unless that ye be there at the day of battle.
God defend, said Sir Launcelot, that she should be brent
in my default ; and if it be so, said Sir Launcelot, that
I may not be there, it shall be well understand, both at
the king and at the queen, and with all men of worship,
328 King Arthur
that I am dead, sick, outher in prison. For all men that
know me will say for me that I am in some evil case an
I be not there that day ; and well I wot there is some
good knight either of my blood, or some other that loveth
me, that will take my quarrel in hand ; and therefore, said
Sir Launcelot, wit ye well ye shall not fear me ; and if
there were no more women in all this land but ye, I will
not have ado with you. Then art thou shamed, said the
lady, and destroyed for ever. As for world's shame, Jesu
defend me, and as for my distress, it is welcome whatsoever
it be that God sendeth me. So she came to him the same
day that the battle should be, and said : Sir Launcelot,
methinketh ye are too hard-hearted, but wouldest thou but
kiss me once I should deliver thee, and thine armour, and
the best horse that is within Sir Meliagrance's stable.
As for to kiss you, said Sir Launcelot, I may do that and
lose no worship ; and wit ye well an I understood there
were any disworship for to kiss you I would not do it.
Then he kissed her, and then she gat him, and brought
him to his armour. And when he was armed, she brought
him to a stable, where stood twelve good coursers, and
bad him choose the best. Then Sir Launcelot looked
upon a white courser the which liked him best; and
anon he commanded the keepers fast to saddle him with
the best saddle of war that there was ; and so it was
done as he bad. Then gat he his spear in his hand,
and his sword by his side, and commended the lady unto
God, and said : Lady, for this good deed I shall do you
service if ever it be in my power.
CHAPTER IX
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME THE SAME TIME THAT SIR MELIAGRANCE
ABODE HIM IN THE FIELD AND DRESSED HIM TO BATTLE
Now leave we Sir Launcelot wallop all that he might,
and speak we of Queen Guenever that was brought to a
fire to be brent ; for Sir Meliagrance was sure, him thought,
that Sir Launcelot should not be at that battle ; there-
fore he ever cried upon King Arthur to do him justice,
otherelse bring forth Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then was
King Arthur 329
the king and all the court full sore abashed and shamed
that the queen should be brent in the default of Sir
Launcelot. My lord Arthur, said Sir Lavaine, ye may
understand that it is not well with my lord Sir Launcelot,
for an he were on live, so he be not sick outher in prison,
wit ye well he would be here ; for never heard ye that
ever he failed his part for whom he should do battle for.
And therefore, said Sir Lavaine, my lord, King Arthur, I
beseech you give me license to do battle here this day
for my lord and master, and for to save my lady, the
queen. Gramercy gentle Sir Lavaine, said King Arthur,
for I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance putteth upon my
lady the queen is wrong, for I have spoken with all the
ten wounded knights, and there is not one of them, an
he were whole and able to do battle, but he would prove
upon Sir Meliagrance' s body that it is false that he
putteth upon my queen. So shall I, said Sir Lavaine, in
the defence of my lord, Sir Launcelot, an ye will give
me leave. Now I give you leave, said King Arthur, and
do your best, for I dare well say there is some treason done
to Sir Launcelot. Then was Sir Lavaine armed and
horsed, and suddenly at the lists' end he rode to perform
this battle ; and right as the heralds should cry : Lesses les
aler, right so came in Sir Launcelot driving with all the
force of his horse. And then Arthur cried: Ho! and
Abide ! Then was Sir Launcelot called on horseback
tofore King Arthur, and there he told openly before the
king and all, how Sir Meliagrance had served him first to
last. And when the king, and the queen, and all the
lords, knew of the treason of Sir Meliagrance they were all
ashamed on his behalf. Then was Queen Guenever sent
for, and set by the king in great trust of her champion.
And then there was no more else to say, but Sir
Launcelot and Sir Meliagrance dressed them unto battle,
and took their spears ; and so they came together as
thunder, and there Sir Launcelot bare him down quite
over his horse's croup. And then Sir Launcelot alit and
dressed his shield on his shoulder, with his sword in his
hand, and Sir Meliagrance in the same wise dressed him
unto him, and there they smote many great strokes
together ; and at the last Sir Launcelot smote him such
a buffet upon the helmet that he fell on the one side to
the earth. And then he cried upon him aloud : Most
33° King Arthur
noble knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake, save my life, for I
yield me unto you, and I require you, as ye be a knight
and fellow of the Table Round, slay me not, for I yield
me as overcome ; and whether I shall live or die I put
me in the king's hands and yours. Then Sir Launcelot
wist not what to do, for he had had lever than all the
good of the world he might have been revenged upon Sir
Meliagrance ; and Sir Launcelot looked up to the Queen
Guenever, if he might espy by any sign or countenance
what she would have done. And then the queen wagged
her head upon Sir Launcelot, as though she would say :
Slay him. Full well knew Sir Launcelot by the wagging of
her head that she would have him dead ; then Sir Launcelot
bad him rise for shame and perform that battle to the
utterance. Nay, said Sir Meliagrance, I will never arise
until ye take me as yolden and recreant. I shall proffer
you large proffers, said Sir Launcelot, that is for to say,
I shall unarm my head and my left quarter of my body,
all that may be unarmed, and let bind my left hand behind
me, so that it shall not help me, and right so I shall do
battle with you. Then Sir Meliagrance started up upon
his legs, and said on high : My lord Arthur, take heed to
this proffer, for I will take it, and let him be disarmed and
bounden according to his proffer. What say ye, said King
Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, will ye abide by your proffer ?
Yea, my lord, said Sir Launcelot, I will never go from that
I have once said. Then the knights' parters of the field
disarmed Sir Launcelot, first his head, and sithen his left
arm, and his left side, and they bound his left arm behind
his back, without shield or anything, and then they were
put together. Wit you well there was many a lady and
knight marvelled that Sir Launcelot would jeopardy himself
in such wise. Then Sir Meliagrance came with his sword
all on high, and Sir Launcelot showed him openly his bare
head and the bare left side ; and when he weened to have
smitten him upon the bare head, then lightly he avoided
the left leg and the left side, and put his right hand and
his sword to that stroke, and so put it on side with great
sleight ; and then with great force Sir Launcelot smote him
on the helmet such a buffet that the stroke carved the head
in two parts. Then there was no more to do, but he was
drawn out of the field. And at the great instance of the
knights of the Table Round, the king suffered him to
King Arthur 331
be interred, and the mention made upon him, who slew
him, and for what cause he was slain ; and then the king
and the queen made more of Sir Launcelot du Lake, and
more he was cherished, than ever he was aforehand.
CHAPTER X
HOW SIR URRE CAME INTO ARTHUR'S COURT FOR TO BE HEALED
OF HIS WOUNDS, AND HOW KING ARTHUR WOULD BEGIN TO
HANDLE HIM
THEN as the French book maketh mention, there was a
good knight in the land of Hungary, his name was Sir Urre,
and he was an adventurous knight, and in all places where
he might hear of any deeds of worship there would he be.
So it happened in Spain there was an earl's son, his name
was Alphegus, and at a great tournament in Spain this Sir
Urre, knight of Hungary, and Sir Alphegus of Spain en-
countered together for very envy ; and so either undertook
other to the utterance. And by fortune Sir Urre slew Sir
Alphegus, the earl's son of Spain, but this knight that was
slain had given Sir Urre, or ever he was slain, seven great
wounds, three on the head, and four on his body and upon
his left hand. And this Sir Alphegus had a mother, the
which was a great sorceress ; and she, for the despite of her
son's death, wrought by her subtle crafts that Sir Urre
should never be whole, but ever his wounds should one
time fester and another time bleed, so that he should never
be whole until the best knight of the world had searched his
wounds ; and thus she made her avaunt, wherethrough it
was known that Sir Urre should never be whole. Then his
mother let make an horse litter, and put him therein under
two palfreys ; and then she took Sir Urre's sister with him,
a full fair damosel, whose name was Felelolie ; and then she
took a page with him to keep their horses, and so they led
Sir Urre through many countries. For as the French book
saith, she led him so seven year through all lands christened,
and never she could find no knight that might ease her son.
So she came into Scotland and into the lands of England,
and by fortune she came nigh the feast of Pentecost until
King Arthur's court, that at that time was holden at Carlisle.
And wh-jn she came there, then she made it openly to be
332 King Arthur
known how that she was come into that land for to heal her
son. Then King Arthur let call that lady, and asked her
the cause why she brought that hurt knight into that land.
My most noble king, said that lady, wit you well I brought
him hither for to be healed of his wounds, that of all this
seven year he might not be whole. And then she told the
king where he was wounded, and of whom ; and how his
mother had discovered in her pride how she had wrought
that by enchantment so that he should never be whole until
the best knight of the world had searched his wounds. And
so I have passed through all the lands christened to have
him healed, except this land. And if I fail to heal him here
in this land, I will never take more pain upon me, and that
is pity, for he was a good knight, and of great nobleness.
What is his name? said Arthur. My good and gracious
lord, she said, his name is Sir Urre of the Mount. In good
time, said the king, and sith ye are come into this land, ye
are right welcome ; and wit you well here shall your son be
healed, an ever any Christian man may heal him. And for
to give all other men of worship courage, I myself will essay
to handle your son, and so shall all the kings, dukes, and
earls that be here present with me at this time ; thereto will
I command them, and well I wot they shall obey and do
after my commandment. And wit you well, said King
Arthur unto Urre's sister, I shall begin to handle him, and
search unto my power, not presuming upon me that I am so
worthy to heal your son by my deeds, but I will courage
other men of worship to do as I will do. And then the king
commanded all the kings, dukes, and earls, and all noble
knights of the Round Table that were there that time
present, to come into the meadow of Carlisle. And so at
that time there were but an hundred and ten of the Round
Table, for forty knights were that time away ; and so here
we must begin at King Arthur, as is kindly to begin at him
that was the most man of worship that was christened at
that time.
King Arthur 333
CHAPTER XI
BOW KING ARTHUR HANDLED SIR URRE, AND AFTER HIM MANY
OTHER KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
THEN King Arthur looked upon Sir Urre, and the king
thought he was a full likely man when he was whole ; and
then King Arthur made him to be taken down off the litter
and laid him upon the earth, and there was laid a cushion of
gold that he should kneel upon. And then noble Arthur
said : Fair knight, me repenteth of thy hurt, and for to
courage all other noble knights I will pray thee softly to
suffer me to handle your wounds. Most noble christened
king, said Urre, do as ye list, for I am at the mercy of God,
and at your commandment. So then Arthur softly handled
him, and then some of his wounds renewed upon bleeding.
Then the King Clarance of Northumberland searched, and
it would not be. And then Sir Barant le Apres that was
called the King with the Hundred Knights, he essayed and
failed ; and so did King Uriens of the land of Gore ; so did
King Anguish of Ireland ; so did King Nentres of Garloth ;
so did King Carados of Scotland ; so did the Duke Galahad,
the haut prince ; so did Constantine, that was Sir Carados'
son of Cornwall ; so did Duke Chaleins of Clarance ; so did
the Earl Ulbause; so did the Earl Lambaile; so did the
Earl Aristause. Then came in Sir Gawaine with his three
sons, Sir Gingalin, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovel, these two
were begotten upon Sir Brandiles' sister ; and all they failed.
Then came in Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Mordred, and
the good knight, Sir Gareth, that was of very knighthood
worth all the brethren. So came knights of Launcelot's kin,
but Sir Launcelot was not that time in the court, for he was
that time upon his adventures. Then Sir Lionel, Sir Ector
de Maris, Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir
Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalantine, Sir Galihodin, Sir
Menaduke, Sir Villiars the Valiant, Sir Hebes le Renoumes.
All these were of Sir Launcelot's kin, and all they failed.
Then came in Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le
Savage, Sir Dinadan, Sir Bruin le Noire, that Sir Kay named
La Cote Male Taile, and Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Kay de
Stranges, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Petipase of Winchelsea,
Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of the Mountain, Sir
334 King Arthur
Cardok, Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, and Sir Ozanna le Cure
Hardy. Then came in Sir Astamor, and Sir Groin ere,
Grummor's son, Sir Crosselm, Sir Servause le Breuse, that
was called a passing strong knight, for as the book saith, the
chief lady of the lake feasted Sir Launcelot and Servause le
Breuse, and when she had feasted them both at sundry times
she prayed them to give her a boon. And they granted it
her. And then she prayed Sir Servause that he would
promise her never to do battle against Sir Launcelot du Lake,
and in the same wise she prayed Sir Launcelot never to do
battle against Sir Servause, and so either promised her. For
the French book saith, that Sir Servause had never courage
nor lust to do battle against no man, but if it were against
giants, and against dragons, and wild beasts. So we pass
unto them that at the king's request made them all that were
there at that high feast, as of the knights of the Table Round,
for to search Sir Urre : to that intent the king did it, to wit
which was the noblest knight among them. Then came Sii
Aglovale, Sir Durnore, Sir Tor, that was begotten upon
Aries, the cowherd's wife, but he was begotten afore Aries
wedded her, and King Pellinore begat them all, first Sir Tor,
Sir Aglovale, Sir Durnore, Sir Lamorak, the most noblest
knight one that ever was in Arthur's days as for a worldly
knight, and Sir Percivale that was peerless except Sir Galahad
in holy deeds, but they died in the quest of the Sangreal.
Then came Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Sir Lucan the Butler,
Sir Bedevere his brother, Sir Brandiles, Sir Constantine, Sir
Cador's son of Cornwall, that was king after Arthur's days,
and Sir Clegis, Sir Sadok, Sir Dinas le Seneschal of Cornwall,
Sir Fergus, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir Clarrus of Clere-
mont, Sir Cloddrus, Sir Hectimere, Sir Edward of Carnarvon,
Sir Dinas, Sir Priamus, that was christened by Sir Tristram
the noble knight, and these three were brethren ; Sir Hel-
laine le Blank that was son to Sir Bors, he begat him upon
King Brandegoris' daughter, and Sir Brian de Listinoise ; Sir
Gautere, Sir Reynold, Sir Gillemere, were three brethren
that Sir Launcelot won upon a bridge in Sir Kay's arms.
Sir Guyart le Petite, Sir Bellangere le Beuse, that was son to
the good knight, Sir Alisander le Orphelin, that was slain by
the treason of King Mark. Also that traitor king slew the
noble knight Sir Tristram, as he sat harping afore his lady
La Beale Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, for whose death was
much bewailing of every knight that ever were in Arthur's
King Arthur 335
days ; there was never none so bewailed as was Sir Tristram
and Sir Lamorak, for they were traitorously slain, Sir Tristram
by King Mark, and Sir Lamorak by Sir Gawaine and his
brethren. And this Sir Bellangere revenged the death of his
father Alisander, and Sir Tristram slew King Mark, and La
Beale Isoud died swooning upon the corse of Sir Tristram,
whereof was great pity. And all that were with King Mark
that were consenting to the death of Sir Tristram were slain,
as Sir Andred and many other. Then came Sir Hebes, Sir
Morganore, Sir Sentraile, Sir Suppinabilis, Sir Bellangere le
Orgulous, that the good knight Sir Lamorak won in plain
battle ; Sir Nerovens and Sir Plenorius, two good knights
that Sir Launcelot won ; Sir Darras, Sir Harry le Fise Lake,
Sir Erminide, brother to King Hermaunce, for whom Sir
Palomides fought at the Red City with two brethren ; and
Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower, Sir Edward of Orkney, Sir
Ironside, that was called the noble Knight of the Red Launds
that Sir Gareth won for the love of Dame Liones, Sir Arrok
de Grevaunt, Sir Degrane Saunce Velany that fought with
the giant of the black lowe, Sir Epinogris, that was the king's
son of Northumberland. Sir Pelleas that loved the lady
Ettard, and he had died for her love had not been one of the
ladies of the lake, her name was Dame Nimue, and she
wedded Sir Pelleas, and she saved him that he was never
slain, and he was a full noble knight ; and Sir Lamiel of
Cardiff that was a great lover. Sir Plaine de Fors, Sir
Melleaus de Lile, Sir Bohart le Cure Hardy that was King
Arthur's son, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Colgrevance, Sir
Hervise de la Forest Savage, Sir Marrok, the good knight
that was betrayed with his wife, for she made him seven year
a were wolf, Sir Persaunt, Sir Pertilope, his brother, that was
called the Green Knight, and Sir Perimones, brother to them
both, that was called the red knight, that Sir Gareth won
when he was called Beaumains. All these hundred knights
and ten searched Sir Urre's wounds by the commandment of
King Arthur.
336 King Arthur
CHAPTER XII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS COMMANDED BY ARTHUR TO HANDLE
HIS WOUNDS, AND ANON HE WAS ALL WHOLE, AND HOW
THEY THANKED GOD
MERCY Jesu, said King Arthur, where is Sir Launcelot du
Lake that he is not here at this time ? Thus, as they stood
and spake of many things, there was espied Sir Launcelot
that came riding toward them, and told the king. Peace,
said the king, let no manner thing be said until he be come
to us. So when Sir Launcelot espied King Arthur, he
descended from his horse and came to the king, and saluted
him and them all. Anon as the maid, Sir Urre's sister, saw
Sir Launcelot, she ran to her brother there as he lay in his
litter, and said : Brother, here is come a knight that my
heart giveth greatly unto. Fair sister, said Sir Urre, so doth
my heart light against him, and certainly I hope now to be
healed, for my heart giveth unto him more than to all
these that have searched me. Then said Arthur unto Sir
Launcelot : Ye must do as we have done ; and told Sir
Launcelot what they had done, and showed him them all,
that had searched him. Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot,
when so many kings and knights have essayed and failed,
that I should presume upon me to achieve that all ye, my
lords, might not achieve. Ye shall not choose, said King
Arthur, for I will command you for to do as we all have
done. My most renowned lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye know
well I dare not nor may not disobey your commandment,
but an I might or durst, wit you well I would not take upon
me to touch that wounded knight in that intent that I should
pass all other knights ; Jesu defend me from that shame.
Ye take it wrong, said King Arthur, ye shall not do it for no
presumption, but for to bear us fellowship, insomuch ye be
a fellow of the Table Round ; and wit you well, said King
Arthur, an ye prevail not and heal him, I dare say there is
no knight in this land may heal him, and therefore I pray
you, do as we have done. And then all the kings and
knights for the most part prayed Sir Launcelot to search
him ; and then the wounded knight, Sir Urre, set him up
weakly, and prayed Sir Launcelot heartily, saying : Courteous
knight, I require thee for God's sake heal my wounds, for
methinketh ever si then ye came here my wounds grieve me
King Arthur 337
not. Ah, my fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, Jesu would that
I might help you ; I shame me sore that 1 should be thus
rebuked, for never was I able in worthiness to do so high a
thing. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down by the wounded
knight saying : My lord Arthur, I must do your command-
ments, the which is sore against my heart. And then he
held up his hands, and looked into the east, saying secretly
unto himself: Thou blessed Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I beseech thee of thy mercy, that my simple worship and
honesty be saved, and thou blessed Trinity, thou mayst give
power to heal this sick knight by thy great virtue and grace
of thee, but, good lord, never of myself. And then Sir
Launcelot prayed Sir Urre to let him see his head ; and then
devoutly kneeling he ransacked the three wounds, that they
bled a little, and forthwithal the wounds fair healed, and
seemed as they had been whole a seven year. And in like-
wise he searched his body of other three wounds, and they
healed in likewise ; and then the last of all he searched the
which was in his hand, and anon it healed fair. Then King
Arthur and all the kings and knights kneeled down and gave
thankings and lovings unto God and to his blessed mother.
And ever Sir Launcelot wept as he had been a child that had
been beaten. Then King Arthur let array priests and clerks
in the most devoutest manner, to bring in Sir Urre within
Carlisle, with singing and loving to God. And when this
was done, the king let clothe him in the richest manner that
could be thought ; and then were there but few better made
knights in all the court, for he was passingly well made and
bigly ; and Arthur asked Sir Urre how he felt himself. My
good lord, he said, I felt myself never so lusty. Will ye
joust and do deeds of arms? said King Arthur. Sir, said
Urre, an I had all that longed unto jousts I would be soon
ready.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW THERE WAS A PARTY MADE OF AN HUNDRED KNIGHTS
AGAINST AN HUNDRED KNIGHTS ; AND OF OTHER MATTERS
THEN Arthur made a party of hundred knights to be
against an hundred knights. And so upon the morn they
jousted for a diamond, but there jousted none of the
dangerous knights ; and so for to shorten this tale, Sir Urre
33s King Arthur
and Sir Lavaine jousted best that day, for there was none of
them but he overthrew and pulled down thirty knights ; and
then by the assent of all the kings and lords, Sii Urre and
Sir Lavaine were made knights of the Table Round. And
Sir Lavaine cast his love unto Dame Felelolie, Sir Urre's
sister, and then they were wedded together with great joy,
and King Arthur gave to every each of them a barony of
lands. And this Sir Urre would never go from Sir Launcelot,
but he and Sir Lavaine awaited evermore upon him ; and
they were in all the court accounted for good knights, and
full desirous in arms ; and many noble deeds they did, for
they would have no rest, but ever sought adventures. Thus
they lived in al] that court with great noblesse and joy long
time. But every night and day Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's
brother, awaited Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot du Lake
to put them to a rebuke and shame. And so I leave here
of this tale, and overskip great books of Sir Launcelot du
Lake, what great adventures he did when he was called Le
Chevaler du Chariot. For as the French book saith, by
cause of despite that knights and ladies called him the knight
that rode in the chariot like as he were judged to the gallows,
therefore in despite of all them that named him so, he was
carried in a chariot a twelvemonth, for, but little after that
he had slain Sir Meliagrance in the queen's quarrel, he
never in a twelvemonth came on horseback. And as the
French book saith, he did that twelvemonth more than forty
battles. And by cause I have lost the very matter of Le
Chevaler du Chariot, I depart from the tale of Sir Launcelot,
and here I go unto the morte of King Arthur ; and that
caused Sir Agravaine.
Explicit liber xix.
And hereafter follo'weth the most
piteous history of the morte of
King Arthur, the 'which is
the twentieth book.
King Arthur 339
BOOK XX
CHAPTER I
HOW SuR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MORDRED WERE BUSY UPON SIR
GAWAINE FOR TO DISCLOSE THE LOVE BETWEEN SIR LAUNCELOT
AND QUEEN GUENEVER
IN May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bour-
geoneth, for as the season is lusty to behold and comfort-
able, so man and woman rejoice and gladden of summer
coming with his fresh flowers : for winter with his rough
winds and blasts causeth a lusty man and woman to cower,
and sit fast by the fire. So in this season, as in the month
of May, it befell a great anger and unhap that stinted not
till the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed and
slam ; and all was long upon two unhappy knights, the
which were named Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were
brethren unto Sir Gawaine. For this Sir Agravaine and Sir
Mordred had ever a privy hate unto the queen Dame
Guenever and to Sir Launcelot, and daily and nightly they
ever watched upon Sir Launcelot. So it mishapped, Sir
Gawaine and all his brethren were in King Arthur's cham-
ber ; and then Sir Agravaine said thus openly, and not in
no counsel, that many knights might hear it : I marvel that
we all be not ashamed both to see and to know how Sir
Launcelot lieth daily and nightly by the queen, and all we
know it so ; and it is shamefully suffered of us all, that we
all should suffer so noble a king as King Arthur is so to be
shamed. Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said : Brother Sir
Agravaine, I pray you and charge you move no such matters
no more afore me, for wit you well, said Sir Gawaine, I will
not be of your counsel. So God me help, said Sir Gaheris
and Sir Gareth, we will not be knowing, brother Agravaine,
of your deeds. Then will I, said Sir Mordred. I leave
well that, said Sir Gawaine, for ever unto all unhappiness,
brother Sir Mordred, thereto will ye grant • and I would
that ye left all this, and made you not so busy, for I know,
said Sir Gawaine, what will fall of it. Fall of it what fall
may, said Sir Agravaine. I will disclose it to the king. Not
34° King Arthur
by my counsel, said Sir Gawaine, for an there rise war and
wrake betwixt Sir Launcelot and us, wit you well brother,
there will many kings and great lords hold with Sir Launcelot.
Also, brother Sir Agravaine, said Sir Gawaine, ye must re-
member how ofttimes Sir Launcelot hath rescued the king
and the queen ; and the best of us all had been full cold at
the heart root had not Sir Launcelot been better than we,
and that hath he proved himself full oft. And as for my
part, said Sir Gawaine, I will never be against Sir Launcelot
for one day's deed, when he rescued me from King Carados
of the Dolorous Tower, and slew him, and saved my life.
Also, brother Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, in like wise
Sir Launcelot rescued you both, and threescore and two,
from Sir Turquin. Methinketh brother, such kind deeds
and kindness should be remembered. Do as ye list, said
Sir Agravaine, for I will layne it no longer. With these
words came to them King Arthur. Now brother, stint your
noise, said Sir Gawaine. We will not, said Sir Agravaine
and Sir Mordred. Will ye so ? said Sir Gawaine ; then
God speed you, for I will not hear your tales ne be of your
counsel. No more will I, said Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris,
for we will never say evil by that man ; for by cause, said
Sir Gareth, Sir Launcelot made me knight, by no manner
owe I to say ill of him : and therewithal they three de-
parted, making great dole. Alas, said Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gareth, now is this realm wholly mischieved, and the noble
fellowship of the Round Table shall be disparply : so they
departed.
CHAPTER II
HOW SIR AGRAVAINE DISCLOSED THEIR LOVE TO KING ARTHUR,
AND HOW KING ARTHUR GAVE THEM LICENCE TO TAKE HIM
AND then Sir Arthur asked them what noise they made.
My lord, said Agravaine, I shall tell you that I may keep
no longer. Here is I, and my brother Sir Mordred, brake
unto my brothers Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and to Sir
Gareth, how this we know all, that Sir Launcelot holdeth
your queen, and hath done long ; and we be your sister's
sons, and we may suffer it no longer, and all we wot that
ye should be above Sir Launcelot ; and ye are the king that
made him knight, and therefore we will prove it, that he is
King Arthur 341
a traitor to your person. If it be so, said Sir Arthur, wit
you well he is none other, but I would be loath to begin
such a thing but I might have proofs upon it ; for Sir
Launcelot is an hardy knight, and all ye know he is the
best knight among us all ; and but if he be taken with the
deed, he will fight with him that bringeth up the noise, and
I know no knight that is able to match him. Therefore an
it be sooth as ye say, I would he were taken with the deed.
For as the French book saith, the king was full loath there-
to, that any noise should be upon Sir Launcelot and his
queen ; for the king had a deeming, but he would not hear
of it, for Sir Launcelot had done so much for him and the
queen so many times, that wit ye well the king loved him
passingly well. My lord, said Sir Agravaine, ye shall ride
to-morn on hunting, and doubt ye not Sir Launcelot will
not go with you. Then when it draweth toward night, ye
may send the queen word that ye will lie out all that night,
and so may ye send for your cooks, and then upon pain of
death we shall take him that night with the queen, and outher
we shall bring him to you dead or quick. I will well, said
the king ; then I counsel you, said the king, take with you
sure fellowship. Sir, said Agravaine, my brother, Sir Mordred,
and I, will take with us twelve knights of the Round Table.
Beware, said King Arthur, for I warn you ye shall find him
wight. Let us deal, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred.
So on the morn King Arthur rode on hunting, and sent
word to the queen that he would be out all that night. Then
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights,
and hid themself in a chamber in the Castle of Carlisle, and
these were their names : Sir Colgrevance, Sir Mador de la
Porte, Sir Gingaline, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Petipase of
Winchelsea, Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of the
mountain, Sir Astamore, Sir Gromore Somir Joure, Sir Curse-
laine, Sir Florence, Sir Lovel. So these twelve knights were
with Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine, and all they were of
Scotland, outher of Sir Gawaine's kin, either well-willers to
his brethren. So when the night came, Sir Launcelot told
Sir Bors how he would go that night and speak with the
queen. Sir, said Sir Bors, ye shall not go this night by my
counsel. Why? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Bors, I
dread me ever of Sir Agravaine, that waiteth you daily to do
you shame and us all ; and never gave my heart against no
going, that ever ye went to the queen, so much as now ; for
342 King Arthur
I mistrust that the king is out this night from the queen by
cause peradventure he hath lain some watch for you and the
queen, and therefore I dread me sore of treason. Have ye
no dread, said Sir Launcelot, for I shall go and come again,
and make no tarrying. Sir, said Sir Bors, that me repenteth,
for I dread me sore that your going out this night shall wrath
us all. Fair nephew, said Sir Launcelot, I marvel much
why ye say thus, sithen the queen hath sent for me ; and wit
ye well I will not be so much a coward, but she shall under-
stand I will see her good grace. God speed you well, said
Sir Bors, and send you sound and safe again.
CHAPTER III
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS ESPIED IN THE QUEEN'S CHAMBER, AND
HOW SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MORDRED CAME WITH TWELVE
KNIGHTS TO SLAY HIM
So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his sword under his
arm, and so in his mantle that noble knight put himself in
great jeopardy ; and so he passed till he came to the queen's
chamber, and then Sir Launcelot was lightly put into the
chamber. And then, as the French book saith, the queen
and Launcelot were together. And whether they were abed
or at other manner of disports, me list not hereof make no
mention, for love that time was not as is nowadays. But
thus as they were together, there came Sir Agravaine and
Sir Mordred, with twelve knights with them of the Round
Table, and they said with crying voice : Traitor knight, Sir
Launcelot du Lake, now art thou taken. And thus they
cried with a loud voice, that all the court might hear it ; and
they all fourteen were armed at all points as they should
fight in a battle. Alas, said Queen Guenever, now are we
mischieved both. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, is there here
any armour within your chamber, that I might cover my
poor body withal ? An if there be any give it me, and I
shall soon stint their malice, by the grace of God. Truly,
said the queen, I have none armour, shield, sword, nor spear ;
wherefore 1 dread me sore our long love is come to a mis-
chievous end, for I hear by their noise there be many noble
knights, and well I wot they be surely armed ; against them
ye may make no resistance. Wherefore ye are likely to be
slain, and then shall I be brent. For an ye might escape
King Arthur 343
them, said the queen, I would not doubt but that ye would
rescue me in what danger that ever I stood in. Alas, said
Sir Launcelot, in all my life thus was [ never bestad, that I
should be thus shamefully slain for lack of mine armour.
But ever in one Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred cried :
Traitor knight, come out of the queen's chamber, for wit
thou well thou art so beset that thou shalt not escape. O
Jesu mercy, said Sir Launcelot, this shameful cry and noise
I may not suffer, for better were death at once than thus to
endure this pain. Then he took the queen in his arms, and
kissed her, and said : Most noble Christian queen, I beseech
you as ye have been ever my special good lady, and I at all
times your true poor knight unto my power, and as I never
failed you in right nor in wrong sithen the first day King
Arthur made me knight, that ye will pray for my soul if that
I here be slain ; for well I am assured that Sir Bors, my
nephew, and all the remnant of my kin, with Sir Lavaine
and Sir Urre, that they will not fail you to rescue you from
the fire ; and therefore, mine own lady, recomfort yourself,
whatsomever come of me, that ye go with Sir Bors, my
nephew, and Sir Urre, and they all will do you all the plea-
sure that they can or may, that ye shall live like a queen
upon my lands. Nay, Launcelot, said the queen, wit thou
well I will never live after thy days, but an thou be slain I
will take my death as meekly for Jesu Christ's sake as ever
did any Christian queen. Well, madam, said Launcelot,
sith it is so that the day is come that our love must depart,
wit you well I shall sell my life as dear as I may ; and a
thousandfold, said Sir Launcelot, I am more heavier for you
than for myself. And now I had lever than to be lord of
all Christendom, that I had sure armour upon me, that men
might speak of my deeds or ever I were slain. Truly, said
the queen, I would an it might please God that they would
take me and slay me, and suffer you to escape. That shall
never be, said Sir Launcelot, God defend me from such a
shame, but Jesu be thou my shield and mine armour !
344 King Arthur
CHAPTER IV
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT SLEW SIR COLGREVANCE, AND ARMED HIM IN
HIS HARNESS, AND AFTER SLEW SIR AGRAVAINE, AND TWELVE
OF HIS FELLOWS
AND therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped his mantle about
his arm well and surely ; and by then they had gotten a
great form out of the hall, and therewithal they rashed at
the door. Fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, leave your noise
and your rashing, and I shall set open this door, and then
may ye do with me what it liketh you. Come off then, said
they all, and do it, for it availeth thee not to strive against
us all ; and therefore let us into this chamber, and we shall
save thy life until thou come to King Arthur. Then
Launcelot unbarred the door, and with his left hand he
held it open a little, so that but one man might come in at
once ; and so there came striding a good knight, a much
man and large, and his name was Colgrevance of Gore, and
he with a sword struck at Sir Launcelot mightily ; and he
put aside the stroke and gave him such a buffet upon the
helmet, that he fell grovelling dead within the chamber
door. And then Sir Launcelot with great might drew that
dead knight within the chamber door ; and Sir Launcelot
with help of the queen and her ladies was lightly armed in
Sir Colgrevance's armour. And ever stood Sir Agravaine
and Sir Mordred crying : Traitor knight, come out of the
queen's chamber. Leave your noise, said Sir Launcelot
unto Sir Agravaine, for wit you well, Sir Agravaine, ye shall
not prison me this night ; and therefore an ye do by my
counsel, go ye all from this chamber door, and make not
such crying and such manner of slander as ye do ; for I
promise you by my knighthood, an ye will depart and make
no more noise, I shall as to-morn appear afore you all
before the king, and then let it be seen which of you all,
outher else ye all, that will accuse me of treason ; and there
I shall answer you as a knight should, that hither I came to
the queen for no manner of mal engine, and that will I
prove and make it good upon you with my hands. Fie on
thee, traitor, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, we will
have thee maugre thy head, and slay thee if we list; for
we let thee wit we have the choice of King Arthur to save
King Arthur 345
thee or to slay thee. Ah sirs, said Sir Launcelot, is there
none other grace with you ? then keep yourself. So then
Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber door, and mightily
and knightly he strode in amongst them ; and anon at the
first buffet he slew Sir Agravaine. And twelve of his
fellows after, within a little while after, he laid them cold to
the earth, for there was none of the twelve that might stand
Sir Launcelot one buffet. Also Sir Launcelot wounded Sir
Mordred, and he fled with all his might. And then Sir
Launcelot returned again unto the queen, and said : Madam,
now wit you well all our true love is brought to an end, for
now will King Arthur ever be my foe ; and therefore,
madam, an it like you that I may have you with me, I shall
save you from all manner adventures dangerous. That is
not best, said the queen ; meseemeth now ye have done
so much harm, it will be best ye hold you still with this.
And if ye see that as tomorn they will put me unto the death,
then may ye rescue me as ye think best. I will well, said
Sir Launcelot, for have ye no doubt, while I am living I
shall rescue you. And then he kissed her, and either gave
other a ring ; and so there he left the queen, and went until
his lodging.
CHAPTER V
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO SIR BORS, AND TOLD HIM HOW
HE HAD SPED, AND IN WHAT ADVENTURE HE HAD BEEN, AND
HOW HE HAD ESCAPED
WHEN Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot he was never so glad
of his home coming as he was then. Jesu mercy, said Sir
Launcelot, why be ye all armed : what meaneth this ? Sir,
said Sir Bors, after ye were departed from us, we all that be
of your blood and your well-willers were so dretched that
some of us leapt out of our beds naked, and some in their
dreams caught naked swords in their hands ; therefore, said
Sir Bors, we deem there is some great strife at hand ; and
then we all deemed that ye were betrapped with some
treason, and therefore we made us thus ready, what need
that ever ye were in. My fair nephew, said Sir Launcelot
unto Sir Bors, now shall ye wit all, that this night I was
more harder bestad than ever I was in my life, and yet I
escaped. And so he told them all how and in what
346 King Arthur
manner, as ye have heard tofore. And therefore, my
fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I pray you all that ye will be of
good heart in what need somever I stand, for now is war
come to us all. Sir, said Bors, all is welcome that God
sendeth us, and we have had much weal with you and
much worship, and therefore we will take the woe with you
as we have taken the weal. And therefore, they said all,
there were many good knights, look ye take no discomfort,
for there nys no bands of knights under heaven but we
shall be able to grieve them as much as they may us. And
therefore discomfort not yourself by no manner, and we
shall gather together that we love, and that loveth us, and
what that ye will have done shall be done. And therefore,
Sir Launcelot, said they, we will take the woe with the weal.
Grant mercy, said Sir Launcelot, of your good comfort, foi
in my great distress, my fair nephew, ye comfort me greatly,
and much I am beholding unto you. But this, my fair
nephew, I would that ye did in all haste that ye may, or it
be forth days, that ye will look in their lodging that be
lodged here nigh about the king, which will hold with me,
and which will not, for now I would know which were my
friends from my foes. Sir, said Sir Bors, I shall do my
pain, and or it be seven of the clock I shall wit of such as
ye have said before, who will hold with you. Then Sir
Bors called unto him Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir
Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalantine,
Sir Galihodin, Sir Galihud, Sir Menadeuke, Sir Villiers the
valiant, Sir Hebes le Renoumes, Sir Lavaine, Sir Urre ot
Hungary, Sir Nerounes, Sir Plenorius. These two knights
Sir Launcelot made, and the one he won upon a bridge, and
therefore they would never be against him. And Harry le
Fise du Lake, and Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower, and
Sir Melias de Lile, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse, that was
Sir Alisander's son Le Orphelin, because his mother Alice
le Beale Pellerin and she was kin unto Sir Launcelot, and
he held with him. So there came Sir Palomides and Sir
Safere, his brother, to hold with Sir Launcelot, and Sir
Clegis of Sadok, and Sir Dinas, Sir Clarius of Cleremont.
So these two-and-twenty knights drew them together, and
by then they were armed on horseback, and promised Sir
Launcelot to do what he would. Then there fell to them,
what of North Wales and of Cornwall, for Sir Lamorak's
sake and for Sir Tristram's sake, to the number of a four-
King Arthur 347
score knights. My lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well,
I have been ever since I came into this country well willed
unto my lord, King Arthur, and unto my lady, Queen
Guenever, unto my power ; and this night by cause my lady
the queen sent for me to speak with her, I suppose it was
made by treason, howbeit I dare largely excuse her person,
notwithstanding I was there by a forecast near slain, but as
Jesu provided me I escaped all their malice and treason.
And then that noble knight Sir Launcelot told them all how
he was hard bestad in the queen's chamber, and how and
in what manner he escaped from them. And therefore,
said Sir Launcelot, wit you well, my fair lords, I am sure
there nys but war unto me and mine. And for by cause I
have slain this night these knights, I wot well as is Sir
Agravaine .Sir Gawaine's brother, and at the least twelve of
his fellows, for this cause now 1 am sure of mortal war, for
these knights were sent and ordained by King Arthur to
betray me. And therefore the king will in this heat and
malice judge the queen to the fire, and that may I not
suffer, that she should be brent for my sake ; for an I may
be heard and suffered and so taken, I will fight for the
queen, that she is a true lady unto her lord ; but the king
in his heat I dread me will not take me as I ought to be
taken.
CHAPTER VI
OF THE COUNSEL AND ADVICE THAT WAS TAKEN BY SIR LAUNCELOT
AND HIS FRIENDS FOR TO SAVE THE QUEEN
MY lord, Sir Launcelot, said Sir Bors, by mine advice
ye shall take the woe with the weal, and take it in patience,
and thank God of it. And sithen it is fallen as it is, I
counsel you keep yourself, for an ye will yourself, there is
no fellowship of knights christened that shall do you wrong.
Also I will counsel you my lord, Sir Launcelot, that an my
lady, Queen Guenever, be in distress, insomuch as she is in
pain for your sake, that ye knightly rescue her ; an ye did
otherwise, all the world will speak of you shame to the
world's end. Insomuch as ye were taken with her, whether
ye did right or wrong, it is now your part to hold with the
queen, that she be not slain and put to a mischievous death,
for an she so die the shame shall be yours. Jesu defend
348 King Arthur
me from shame, said Sir Launcelot, and keep and save my
lady the queen from villainy and shameful death, and that
she never be destroyed in my default ; wherefore my fair
lords, my kin, and my friends, said Sir Launcelot, what
will ye do ? Then they said all : We will do as ye will do.
I put this to you, said Sir Launcelot, that if my lord Arthur
by evil counsel will to-mom in his heat put my lady the
queen to the fire there to be brent, now I pray you counsel
me what is best to do. Then they said all at once with one
voice : Sir, us thinketh best that ye knightly rescue the
queen, insomuch as she shall be brent it is for your sake ;
and it is to suppose, an ye might be handled, ye should
have the same death, or a more shamefuler death. And sir,
we say all, that ye have many times rescued her from death
for other men's quarrels, us seemeth it is more your worship
that ye rescue the queen from this peril, insomuch she hath
it for your sake. Then Sir Launcelot stood still, and said :
My fair lords, wit you well I would be loath to do that
thing that should dishonour you or my blood, and wit you
well I would be loath that my lady, the queen, should die a
shameful death ; but an it be so that ye will counsel me to
rescue her, I must do much harm or I rescue her ; and per-
adventure I shall there destroy some of my best friends, that
should much repent me ; and peradventure there be some,
an they could well bring it about, or disobey my lord King
Arthur, they would soon come to me, the which I were loath
to hurt. And if so be that I rescue her, where shall I keep
her ? That shall be the least care of us all, said Sir Bors.
How did the noble knight Sir Tristram, by your good will ?
kept not he with him La Beale Isoud near three year in
Joyous Gard ? the which was done by your althers device,
and that same place is your own ; and in likewise may ye do
an ye list, and take the queen lightly away, if it so be the
king will judge her to be brent ; and in Joyous Gard ye may
keep her long enough until the heat of the king be past.
And then shall ye bring again the queen to the king with
great worship ; and then peradventure ye shall have thanks
for her bringing home, and love and thank where others
shall have maugre. That is too hard to do, said Sir
Launcelot, for by Sir Tristram I may have a warning, for
when by means of treaties, Sir Tristram brought again La
Beale Isoud unto King Mark from Joyous Gard, look what
befall on the end, how shamefully that false traitor King
King Arthur 349
Mark slew him as he sat harping afore his lady La Beale
Isoud, with a grounden glaive he thrust him in behind to
the heart. It gneveth me, said Sir Launcelot, to speak of
his death, for all the world may not find such a knight.
All this is truth, said Sir Bors, but there is one thing shall
courage you and us all, ye know well King Arthur and King
Mark were never like of conditions, for there was never yet
man could prove King Arthur untrue to his promise. So to
make short tale, they were all consented that for better
outher for worse, if so were that the queen were on that
morn brought to the fire, shortly they all would rescue her.
And so by the advice of Sir Launcelot, they put them all in
an embushment in a wood, as nigh Carlisle as they might,
and there they abode still, to wit what the king would do.
CHAPTER VII
HOW SIR MORDRED RODE HASTILY TO THE KING, TO TELL HIM
OF THE AFFRAY AND DEATH OF SIR AGRAVAINE AND THE
OTHER KNIGHTS
Now turn we again unto Sir Mordred, that when he was
escaped from the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, he anon gat
his horse and mounted upon him, and rode unto King
Arthur, sore wounded and smitten, and all forbled ; and
there he told the king all how it was, and how they were all
slain save himself all only. Jesu mercy, how may this be ?
said the king ; took ye him in the queen's chamber ? Yea,
so God me help, said Sir Mordred, there we found him
unarmed, and there he slew Colgrevance, and armed him in
his armour ; and all this he told the king from the beginning
to the ending. Jesu mercy, said the king, he is a marvellous
knight of prowess. Alas, me sore repenteth, said the king,
that ever Sir Launcelot should be against me. Now I am
sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is broken for
ever, for with him will many a noble knight hold ; and now
it is fallen so, said the king, that I may not with my worship,
but the queen must suffer the death. So then there was made
great ordinance in this heat, that the queen must be judged
to the death. And the law was such in those days that
whatsomever they were, of what estate or degree, if they were
found guilty of treason, there should be none other remedy
but death ; and eifJaer the men or the taking with the deed
35° King Arthur
should be causer of their hasty judgment. And right so
was it ordained for Queen Guenever, by cause Sir Mordred
was escaped sore wounded, and the death of thirteen knights
of the Round Table. These proofs and experiences caused
King Arthur to command the queen to the fire there to be
brent. Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said : My lord Arthur,
I would counsel you not to be over-hasty, but that ye would
put it in respite, this judgment of my lady the queen, for
many causes. One it is, though it were so that Sir Launce-
lot were found in the queen's chamber, yet it might be so that
he came thither for none evil ; for ye know my lord, said
Sir Gawaine, that the queen is much beholden unto Sir
Launcelot, more than unto any other knight, for ofttimes he
hath saved her life, and done battle for her when all the
court refused the queen ; and peradventure she sent for him
for goodness and for none evil, to reward him for his good
deeds that he had done to her in times past. And per-
adventure my lady, the queen, sent for him to that intent
that Sir Launcelot should come to her good grace privily
and secretly, weening to her that it was best so to do, in
eschewing and dreading of slander ; for ofttimes we do many
things that we ween it be for the best, and yet peradventure
it turneth to the worst. For I dare say, said Sir Gawaine,
my lady, your queen, is to you both good and true ; and as
for Sir Launcelot, said Sir Gawaine, I dare say he will make
it good upon any knight living that will put upon himself
villainy or shame, and in like wise he will make good for
my lady, Dame Guenever. That I believe well, said King
Arthur, but I will not that way with Sir Launcelot, for he
trusteth so much upon his hands and his might that he
doubteth no man; and therefore for my queen he shall
never fight more, for she shall have the law. And if I may
get Sir Launcelot, wit you well he shall have a shameful
death. Jesu defend, said Sir Gawaine, that I may never see
it. Why say ye so ? said King Arthur ; forsooth ye have no
cause to love Sir Launcelot, for this night last past he slew
your brother, Sir Agravaine, a full good knight, and almost
he had slain your other brother, Sir Mordred, and also there
he slew thirteen noble knights ; and also, Sir Gawaine,
remember ye he slew two sons of yours, Sir Florence and
Sir Lovel. My lord, said Sir Gawaine, of all this I have
knowledge, of whose deaths I repent me sore ; but insomuch
I gave them warning, and told my brethren and my sons
King Arthur 351
aforehand what would fall in the end, insomuch they would
not do by my counsel, I will not meddle me thereof, nor
revenge me nothing of their deaths ; for I told them it was
no boot to strive with Sir Launcelot. Howbeit I am sorry
of the death of my brethren and of my sons, for they are
the causers of their own death ; for ofttimes I warned my
brother Sir Agravaine, and I told him the perils the which
be now fallen.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS KINSMEN RESCUED THE QUEEN
FROM THE FIRE, AND HOW HE SLEW MANY KNIGHTS
THEN said the noble King Arthur to Sir Gawaine : Dear
nephew, I pray you make you ready in your best armour,
with your brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring my
queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and receive
the death. Nay, my most noble lord, said Sir Gawaine,
that will I never do ; for wit you well I will never be in that
place where so noble a queen as is my lady, Dame Guenever,
shall take a shameful end. For wit you well, said Sir
Gawaine, my heart will never serve me to see her die ; and
it shall never be said that ever I was of your counsel of her
death. Then said the king to Sir Gawaine : Suffer your
brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth to be there. My lord,
said Sir Gawaine, wit you well they will be loath to be there
present, by cause of many adventures the which be like
there to fall, but they are young and full unable to say you
nay. Then spake Sir Gaheris, and the good knight Sir
Gareth, unto Sir Arthur : Sir, ye may well command us to
be there, but wit you well it shall be sore against our will ;
but an we be there by your straight commandment ye shall
plainly hold us there excused : we will be there in peaceable
wise, and bear none harness of war upon us. In the name
of God, said the king, then make you ready, for she shall
soon have her judgment anon. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, that
ever I should endure to see this woful day. So Sir Gawaine
turned him and wept heartily, and so he went into his
chamber ; and then the queen was led forth without Carlisle,
and there she was despoiled into her smock. And so then
her ghostly father was brought to her, to be shriven of
her misdeeds. Then was there weeping, and wailing, and
352 King Arthur
wringing of hands, of many lords and ladies, but there were
but few in comparison that would bear any armour for to
strength the death of the queen. Then was there one that
Sir Launcelot had sent unto that place for to espy what time
the queen should go unto her death ; and anon as he saw
the queen despoiled into her smock, and so shriven, then
he gave Sir Launcelot warning. Then was there but spur-
ring and plucking up of horses, and right so they came to
the fire. And who that stood against them, there were they
slain ; there might none withstand Sir Launcelot, so all that
bare arms and withstood them, there were they slain, full
many a noble knight. For there was slain Sir Belliance le
Orgulous, Sir Segwarides, Sir Griflet, Sir Brandiles, Sir
Aglovale, Sir Tor ; Sir Gauter, Sir Gillimer, Sir Reynolds'
three brethren ; Sir Damas, Sir Priamus, Sir Kay the
Stranger, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir Herminde ; Sir
Pertilope, Sir Perimones, two brethren that were called the
Green Knight and the Red Knight. And so in this rushing
and hurling, as Sir Launcelot thrang here and there, it mis-
happed him to slay Gaheris and Sir Gareth, the noble knight,
for they were unarmed and unware. For as the French book
saith, Sir Launcelot smote Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris upon
the brainpans, wherethrough they were slain in the field ;
howbeit in very truth Sir Launcelot saw them not, and so
were they found dead among the thickest of the press.
Then when Sir Launcelot had thus done, and slain and
put to flight all that would withstand him, then he rode
straight unto Dame Guenever, and made a kirtle and a
gown to be cast upon her ; and then he made her to be set
behind him, and prayed her to be of good cheer. Wit you
well the queen was glad that she was escaped from the
death. And then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot ; and
so he rode his way with the queen, as the French book
saith, unto Joyous Gard, and there he kept her as a noble
knight should do ; and many great lords and some kings
sent Sir Launcelot many good knights, and many noble
knights drew unto Sir Launcelot. When this was known
openly, that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at debate,
many knights were glad of their debate, and many were full
heavy of their debate.
King Arthur 353
CHAPTER IX
OF THE SORROW AND LAMENTATION OF KING ARTHUR FOR THE
DEATH OF HIS NEPHEWS AND OTHER GOOD KNIGHTS, AND ALSO
FOR THE QUEEN, HIS WIFE
So turn we again unto King Arthur, that when it was
told him how and in what manner of wise the queen was
taken away from the fire, and when he heard of the death
of his noble knights, and in especial of Sir Gaheris and Sir
Gareth's death, then the king swooned for pure sorrow.
And when he awoke of his swoon, then he said : Alas, that
ever I bare crown upon my head ! for now have I lost the
fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever held Christian
king together. Alas, my good knights be slain away from
me : now within these two days I have lost forty knights,
and also the noble fellowship of Sir Launcelot and his
blood, for now I may never hold them together no more
with my worship. Alas that ever this war began. Now fair
fellows, said the king, I charge you that no man tell Sir
Gawaine of the death of his two brethren , for I am sure,
said the king, when Sir Gawaine heareth tell that Sir Gareth
is dead he will go nigh out of his mind. Mercy Jesu, said
the king, why slew he Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, for I dare
say as for Sir Gareth he loved Sir Launcelot above all men
earthly. That is truth, said some knights, but they were
slain in the hurtling as Sir Launcelot thrang in the thick of
the press ; and as they were unarmed he smote them and
wist not whom that he smote, and so unhappily they were
slain. The death of them, said Arthur, will cause the
greatest mortal war that ever was ; I am sure, wist Sir
Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I should never have
rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin and
himself both, outher else he to destroy me. And therefore,
said the king, wit you well my heart was never so heavy as
it is now, and much more I am sorrier for my good knights'
loss than for the loss of my fair queen ; for queens I might
have enow, but such a fellowship of good knights shall
never be together in no company. And now I dare say,
said King Arthur, there was never Christian king held such
a fellowship together ; and alas that ever Sir Launcelot and
II 46 M
354 King Arthur
I should be at debate. Ah Agravaine, Agraviane, said the
king, Jesu forgive it thy soul, for thine evil will that thou
and thy brother Sir Mordred hadst unto Sir Launcelot hath
caused all this sorrow : and ever among these complaints
the king wept and swooned. Then there came one unto
Sir Gawaine, and told him how the queen was led away
with Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty-four knights slain.
O Jesu defend my brethren, said Sir Gawaine, for full well
wist I that Sir Launcelot would rescue her, outher else he
would die in that field ; and to say the truth he had not
been a man of worship had he not rescued the queen that
day, insomuch she should have been brent for his sake.
And as in that, said Sir Gawaine, he hath done but knightly,
and as I would have done myself an I had stood in like
case. But where are my brethren ? said Sir Gawaine, I
marvel I hear not of them. Truly, said that man, Sir
Gareth and Sir Gaheris be slain. Jesu defend, said Sir
Gawaine, for all the world I would not that they were slain,
and in especial my good brother, Sir Gareth. Sir, said the
man, he is slain, and that is great pity. Who slew him ?
said Sir Gawaine. Sir, said the man, Launcelot slew them
both. That may I not believe, said Sir Gawaine, that ever
he slew my brother, Sir Gareth ; for I dare say my brother
Gareth loved him better than me, and all his brethren, and
the king both. Also I dare say, an Sir Launcelot had
desired my brother, Sir Gareth, with him he would have
been with him against the king and us all, and therefore I
may never believe that Sir Launcelot slew my brother. Sir,
said this man, it is noised that he slew him.
CHAPTER X
HOW KING ARTHUR AT THE REQUEST OF SIR GAWAINE CONCLUDED
TO MAKE WAR AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT, AND LAID SIEGE TO HIS
CASTLE CALLED JOYOUS CARD
ALAS, said Sir Gawaine, now is my joy gone. And then
he fell down and swooned, and long he lay there as he had
been dead. And then, when he arose of his swoon, he
cried out sorrowfully, and said : Alas ! And right so Sir
Gawaine ran to the king, crying and weeping : O King
Arthur, mine uncle, my good brother Sir Gareth is slain,
King Arthur 355
and so is my brother Sir Gaheris, the which were two noble
knights. Then the king wept, and he both; and so they
fell on swooning. And when they were revived then spake
Sir Gawaine : Sir, I will go see my brother, Sir Gareth. Ye
may not see him, said the king, for I caused him to be
interred, and Sir Gaheris both ; for I well understood that
ye would make over-much sorrow, and the sight of Sir
Gareth should have caused your double sorrow. Alas, my
lord, said Sir Gawaine, how slew he my brother, Sir Gareth ?
Mine own good lord I pray you tell me. Truly, said the
king, I shall tell you how it is told me, Sir Launcelot slew
him and Sir Gaheris both. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, they
bare none arms against him, neither of them both. I wot
not how it was, said the king, but as it is said, Sir Launce-
lot slew them both in the thickest of the press and knew
them not; and therefore let us shape a remedy for to
revenge their deaths. My king, my lord, and mine uncle,
said Sir Gawaine, wit you well now I shall make you a
promise that I shall hold by my knighthood, that from this
day I shall never fail Sir Launcelot until the one of us have
slain the other. And therefore I require you, my lord and
king, dress you to the war, for wit you well I will be
revenged upon Sir Launcelot; and therefore, as ye will
have my service and my love, now haste you thereto, and
essay your friends. For I promise unto God, said Sir
Gawaine, for the death of my brother, Sir Gareth, I shall
seek Sir Launcelot throughout seven kings' realms, but I
shall slay him or else he shall slay me. Ye shall not need
to seek him so far, said the king, for as I hearsay, Sir
Launcelot will abide me and you in the Joyous Card ; and
much people draweth unto him, as I hearsay. That may I
believe, said Sir Gawaine ; but my lord, he said, essay your
friends, and I will essay mine. It shall be done, said the
king, and as I suppose I shall be big enough to draw him
out of the biggest tower of his castle. So then the king
sent letters and writs throughout all England, both in the
length and the breadth, for to summon all his knights.
And so unto Arthur drew many knights, dukes, and earls,
so that he had a great host. And when they were assembled,
the king informed them how Sir Launcelot had bereft him
his queen. Then the king and all his host made them
ready to lay siege about Sir Launcelot, where he lay within
Joyous Gard- Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and purveyed
356 King Arthur
him of many good knights, for with him held many knights ;
and some for his own sake, and some for the queen's sake.
Thus they were on both parties well furnished and garnished
of all manner of thing that longed to the war. But King
Arthur's host was so big that Sir Launcelot would not abide
him in the field, for he was full loth to do battle against the
king ; but Sir Launcelot drew him to his strong castle with
all manner of victual, and as many noble men as he might
suffice within the town and the castle. Then came King
Arthur with Sir Gawaine with an huge host, and laid a
siege all about Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the
castle, and there chey made strong war on both parties.
But in no wise Sir Launcelot would ride out, nor go out of
his castle, of long time ; neither he would none of his good
knights to issue out, neither none of the town nor of the
castle, until fifteen weeks were past.
CHAPTER XI
OF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN KING ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCH-
LOT, AND HOW KING ARTHUR REPROVED HIM
THEN it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Launcelot
looked over the walls, and spake on high unto King Arthur
and Sir Gawaine : My lords both, wit ye well all is in vain
that ye make at this siege, for here win ye no worship but
maugre and dishonour ; for an it list me to come myself out
and my good knights, I should full soon make an end of
this war. Come forth, said Arthur unto Launcelot, an thou
durst, and I promise thee I shall meet thee in middes of
the field. God defend me, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I
should encounter with the most noble king that made me
knight Fie upon thy fair language, said the king, for wit
you well and trust it, I am thy mortal foe, and ever will to
my death day; for thou hast slain my good knights, and
full noble men of my blood, that I shall never recover again.
Also thou hast lain by my queen, and holden her many
winters, and sithen like a traitor taken her from me by force.
My most noble lord and king, said Sir Launcelot, ye may
say what ye will, for ye wot well with yourself will I not
strive ; but thereas ye say I have slain your good knights,
I wot well that I have done so, and that me sore repenteth ;
King Arthur 357
but I was enforced to do battle with them in saving of my
life, or else 1 must have suffered them to have slain me.
And as for my lady, Queen Guenever, except your person
of your highness, and my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no
knight under heaven that dare make it good upon me, that
ever I was traitor unto your person. And where it please
you to say that I have holden my lady your queen years
and winters, unto that I shall ever make a large answer, and
prove it upon any knight that beareth the life, except your
person and Sir Gawaine, that my lady, Queen Guenever, is
a true lady unto your person as any is living unto her lord,
and that will I make good with my hands. Howbeit it hath
liked her good grace to have me in charity, and to cherish
me more than any other knight; and unto my power I
again have deserved her love, for ofttimes, my lord, ye have
consented that she should be brent and destroyed, in your
heat, and then it fortuned me to do battle for her, and or
I departed from her adversary they confessed their untruth,
and she full worshipfully excused. And at such times, my
lord Arthur, said Sir Launcelot, ye loved me, and thanked
me when I saved your queen from the fire ; and then ye
promised me for ever to be my good lord ; and now me-
thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good service. And
my good lord, meseemeth I had lost a great part of my
worship in my knighthood an I had suffered my lady, your
queen, to have been brent, and insomuch she should have
been brent for my sake. For sithen I have done battles
for your queen in other quarrels than in mine own, me-
seemeth now I had more right to do battle for her in right
quarrel. And therefore my good and gracious lord, said
Sir Launcelot, take your queen unto your good grace, for
she is both fair, true, and good. Fie on thee, false recreant
knight, said Sir Gawaine ; I let thee wit my lord, mine
uncle, King Arthur, shall have his queen and thee, maugre
thy visage, and slay you both whether it please him. It
may well be, said Sir Launcelot, but wit you well, my lord
Sir Gawaine, an me list to come out of this castle ye should
win me and the queen more harder than ever ye won a
strong battle. Fie on thy proud words, said Sir Gawaine ;
as for my lady, the queen, I will never say of her shame.
But thou, false and recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, what
cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that
loved thee more than all my kin ? Alas thou madest him
358 King Arthur
knight with thine own hands ; why slew thou him that
loved thee so well ? For to excuse me, said Sir Launcelot,
it helpeth me not, but by Jesu, and by the faith that I owe
to the high order of knighthood, I should with as good will
have slain my nephew, Sir Bors de Ganis, at that time.
But alas that ever I was so unhappy, said Launcelot, that I
had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris. Thou liest,
recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, thou slewest him in
despite of me; and therefore, wit thou well I shall make
war to thee, and all the while that I may live. That me
repenteth, said Sir Launcelot; for well I understand it
helpeth not to seek none accordment while ye, Sir Gawaine,
are so mischievously set. And if ye were not, I would not
doubt to have the good grace of my lord Arthur. I believe
it well, false recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine ; for thou
hast many long days overlaid me and us all, and destroyed
many of our good knights. Ye say as it pleaseth you, said
Sir Launcelot ; and yet may it never be said on me, and
openly proved, that ever I by forecast of treason slew no
good knight, as my lord, Sir Gawaine, ye have done ; and
so did I never, but in my defence that I was driven thereto,
in saving of my life. Ah, false knight, said Sir Gawaine, that
thou meanest by Sir Lamorak : wit thou well I slew him.
Ye slew him not yourself, said Sir Launcelot ; it had been
overmuch on hand for you to have slain him, for he was
one of the best knights christened of his age, and it was
great pity of his death.
CHAPTER XII
HOW THE COUSINS AND KINSMEN OF SIR LAUNCELOT EXCITED HIM
TO GO OUT TO BATTLE, AND HOW THEY MADE THEM READY
WELL, well, said Sir Gawaine to Launcelot, sithen thou
upbraidest me of Sir Lamorak, wit thou well I shall never
leave thee till I have thee at such avail that thou shalt not
escape my hands. I trust you well enough, said Sir Launce-
lot, an ye may get me I get but little mercy. But as the
French book saith, the noble King Arthur would have taken
his queen again, and have been accorded with Sir Launcelot,
but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him by no manner of
mean. And then Sir Gawaine made many men to blow
King Arthur 359
upon Sir Launcelot ; and all at once they called him false
recreant knight. Then when Sir Bors cie Ganis, Sir Ector
de Maris, and Sir Lionel, heard this outcry, they called to
them Sir Palomides, Sir Safere's brother, and Sir Lavaine,
with many more of their blood, and all they went unto Sir
Launcelot, and said thus : My lord Sir Launcelot, wit ye
well we have great scorn of the great rebukes that we heard
Gawaine say to you ; wherefore we pray you, and charge
you as ye will have our service, keep us no longer within
these walls ; for wit you well plainly, we will ride into the
field and do battle with them ; for ye fare as a man that
were afeared, and for all your fair speech it will not avail
you. For wit you well Sir Gawaine will not suffer you to
be accorded with King Arthur, and therefore fight for your
life and your right, an ye dare. Alas, said Sir Launcelot,
for to ride out of this castle, and to do battle, I am full
loath. Then Sir Launcelot spake on high unto Sir Arthur
and Sir Gawaine : My lords, I require you and beseech you,
sithen that I am thus required and conjured to ride into the
field, that neither you, my lord King Arthur, nor you Sir
Gawaine, come not into the field. What shall we do then ?
said Sir Gawaine, is this the king's quarrel with thee to
fight ? and it is my quarrel to fight with thee, Sir Launcelot,
by cause of the death of my brother Sir Gareth. Then
must I needs unto battle, said Sir Launcelot. Now wit vou
* j
well, my lord Arthur and Sir Gawaine, ye will repent it
whensomever I do battle with you. And so then they
departed either from other ; and then either party made
them ready on the morn for to do battle, and great purvey-
ance was made on both sides ; and Sir Gawaine let purvey
many knights for to wait upon Sir Launcelot, for to overset
him and to slay him. And on the morn at undorne Sir
Arthur was ready in the field with three great hosts. And
then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three gates, in a
full good array ; and Sir Lionel came in the foremost battle,
and Sir Launcelot came in the middle, and Sir Bors came out
at the third gate. Thus they came in order and rule, as full
noble knights ; and always Sir Launcelot charged all his
knights in any wise to save King Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
360 King Arthur
CHAPTER XIII
HOW SIR GAWAINE JOUSTED AND SMOTE DOWN SIR LIONEL, AND
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HORSED KING ARTHUR
THEN came forth Sir Gawaine from the king's host, and
he came before and proffered to joust. And Sir Lionel
was a fierce knight, and lightly he encountered with Sir
Gawaine ; and there Sir Gawaine smote Sir Lionel through-
out the body, that he dashed to the earth like as he had
been dead ; and then Sir Ector de Maris and other more
bare him into the castle. Then there began a great stour,
and much people was slain ; and ever Sir Launcelot did
what he might to save the people on King Arthur's party,
for Sir Palomides, and Sir Bors, and Sir Safere, overthrew
many knights, for they were deadly knights. And Sir
Blamore de Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, with Sir
Bellangere le Beuse, these six knights did much harm ; and
ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to have
slain him, and Sir Launcelot suffered him, and would not
strike again. So Sir Bors encountered with King Arthur,
and there with a spear Sir Bors smote him down ; and so
he alit and drew his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot :
Shall I make an end of this war ? and that he meant to
have slain King Arthur. Not so hardy, said Sir Launcelot,
upon pain of thy head, that thou touch him no more, for
I will never see that most noble king that made me knight
neither slain ne shamed. And therewithal Sir Launcelot
alit off his horse and took up the king and horsed him
again, and said thus : My lord Arthur, for God's love stint
this strife, for ye get here no worship, and I would do mine
utterance, but always I forbear you, and ye nor none of
yours forbeareth me ; my lord, remember what I have
done in many places, and now I am evil rewarded. Then
when King Arthur was on horseback, he looked upon Sir
Launcelot, and then the tears brast out of his eyen, thinking
on the great courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than
in any other man ; and therewith the king rode his way, and
might no longer behold him, and said : Alas, that ever this
war began. And then eicher parties of the battles withdrew
King Arthur 361
them to repose them, and buried the dead, and to the
wounded men they laid soft salves ; and thus they endured
that night till on the morn. And on the morn by undorne
they made them ready to do battle. And then Sir Bors led
the forward. So upon the morn there came Sir Gawaine as
brym as any boar, with a great spear in his hand. And
when Sir Bors saw him he thought to revenge his brother
Sir Lionel of the despite that Sir Gawaine did him the other
day. And so they that knew either other feutred their
spears, and with all their mights of their horses and them-
selves, they met together so feloniously that either bare other
through, and so they fell both to the earth ; and then the
battles joined, and there was much slaughter on both parties.
Then Sir Launcelot rescued Sir Bors, and sent him into the
castle ; but neither Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors died not of
their wounds, for they were all holpen. Then Sir Lavaine
and Sir Urre prayed Sir Launcelot to do his pain, and fight
as they had done ; For we see ye forbear and spare, and
that doth much harm ; therefore we pray you spare not your
enemies no more than they do you. Alas, said Sir Launce-
lot, I have no heart to fight against my lord Arthur, for ever
meseemeth I do not as I ought to do. My lord, said Sir
Palomides, though ye spare them all this day they will never
conne you thank ; and if they may get you at avail ye are
but dead. So then Sir Launcelot understood that they said
him truth ; and then he strained himself more than he did
aforehand, and by cause his nephew Sir Bors was sore
wounded. And then within a little while, by evensong
time, Sir Launcelot and his party better stood, for their
horses went in blood past the fetlocks, there was so much
people slain. And then for pity Sir Launcelot withheld his
knights, and suffered King Arthur's party for to withdraw
them on side. And then Sir Launcelot's party withdrew
them into his castle, and either parties buried the dead, and
put salve unto the wounded men. So when Sir Gawaine
was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so orgulous
as they were toforehand to do battle. Of this war was
noised through all Christendom, and at the last it was noised
afroe the Pope ; and he considering the great goodness of
King Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot, that was called the most
noblest knights of the world, wherefore the Pope called
unto him a noble clerk that at that time was there present ;
the French book saith, it was the Bishop of Rochester ; and
II 46 *M
362 King Arthur
the Pope gave him bulls under lead unto King Arthur of
England, charging him upon pain of interdicting of all Eng-
land, that he take his queen Dame Guenever unto him again,
and accord with Sir Launcelot.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW THE POPE SENT DOWN HIS BULLS TO MAKE PEACE, AND
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BROUGHT THE QUEEN TO KING ARTHUR
So when this Bishop was come to Carlisle he shewed the
king these bulls. And when the king understood these
bulls he nyst what to do : full fain he would have been
accorded with Sir Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would not
suffer him ; but as for to have the queen, thereto he agreed.
But in nowise Sir Gawaine would not suffer the king to
accord with Sir Launcelot ; but as for the queen he con-
sented. And then the Bishop had of the king his great
seal, and his assurance as he was a true anointed king that
Sir Launcelot should come safe, and go safe, and that the
queen should not be spoken unto of the king, nor of none
other, for no thing done afore time past ; and of all these
appointments the Bishop brought with him sure assurance
and writing, to shew Sir Launcelot. So when the Bishop
was come to Joyous Gard, there he shewed Sir Launcelot
how the Pope had written to Arthur and unto him, and
there he told him the perils if he withheld the queen from
the king. It was never in my thought, said Launcelot, to
withhold the queen from my lord Arthur ; but, insomuch
she should have been dead for my sake, meseemeth it was
my part to save her life, and put her from that danger, till
better recover might come. And now I thank God, said
Sir Launcelot, that the Pope hath made her peace ; for God
knoweth, said Sir Launcelot, I will be a thousandfold more
gladder to bring her again, than ever I was of her taking
away ; with this, I may be sure to come safe and go safe,
and that the queen shall have her liberty as she had before ;
and never for no thing that hath been surmised afore this
time, she never from this day stand in no peril. For else,
said Sir Launcelot, I dare adventure me to keep her from
King Arthur 363
an harder shoure than ever I kept her. It shall not need
you, said the Bishop, to dread so much ; for wit you well,
the Pope must be obeyed, and it were not the Pope's wor-
ship nor my poor honesty to wit you distressed, neither the
queen, neither in peril, nor shamed. And then he shewed
Sir Launcelot all his writing, both from the Pope and from
King Arthur. This is sure enough, said Sir Launcelot, for
full well I dare trust my lord's own writing and his seal, for
he was never shamed of his promise. Therefore, said Sir
Launcelot unto the Bishop, ye shall ride unto the king afore,
and recommend me unto his good grace, and let him have
knowledging that this same day eight days, by the grace of
God, I myself shall bring my lady, Queen Guenever, unto
him. And then say ye unto my most redoubted king, that
I will say largely for the queen, that I shall none except for
dread nor fear, but the king himself, and my lord Sir Gawaine;
and that is more for the king's love than for himself. So
the Bishop departed and came to the king at Carlisle, and
told him all how Sir Launcelot answered him ; and then the
tears brast out of the king's eyen. Then Sir Launcelot
purveyed him an hundred knights, and all were clothed in
green velvet, and their horses trapped to their heels ; and
every knight held a branch of olive in his hand, in tokening
of peace. And the queen had four and twenty gentlewomen
following her in the same wise ; and Sir Launcelot had
twelve coursers following him, and on every courser sat a
young gentleman, and all they were arrayed in green velvet,
with sarpys of gold about their quarters, and the horse
trapped in the same wise down to the heels, with many
ouches, set with stones and pearls in gold, to the number of
a thousand. And she and Sir Launcelot were clothed in
white cloth of gold tissue ; and right so as ye have heard, as
the French book maketh mention, he rode with the queen from
Joyous Gard to Carlisle. And so Sir Launcelot rode through-
out Carlisle, and so in the castle, that all men might behold ;
and wit you well there was many a weeping eye. And then
Sir Launcelot himself alit and avoided his horse, and took
the Queen, and so led her where King Arthur was in his
seat : and Sir Gawaine sat afore him, and many other great
lords. So when Sir Launcelot saw the king and Sir Gawaine,
then he led the queen by the arm, and then he kneeled
down, and the queen both. Wit you well then was there
many bold knight there with King Arthur that wept as tea-
364 King Arthur
derly as though they had seen all their kin afore them. So
the king sat still, and said no word. And when Sir Launce-
lot saw his countenance, he arose and pulled up the queen
with him, and thus he spake full knightly.
CHAPTER XV
OF THE DELIVERANCE OF THE QUEEN TO THE KING BY SIR
LAUNCELOT, AND WHAT LANGUAGE SIR GAWAINE HAD TO SIR
LAUNCELOT
MY most redoubted king, ye shall understand, by the
Pope's commandment and yours, I have brought to you my
lady the queen, as right requireth ; and if there be any
knight, of whatsomever degree that he be, except your
person, that will say or dare say but that she is true and
clene to you, I here myself, Sir Launcelot du Lake, will
make it good upon his body, that she is a true lady unto
you ; but liars ye have listened, and that hath caused debate
betwixt you and me. For time hath been, my lord Arthur,
that ye have been greatly pleased with me when I did battle
for my lady, your queen ; and full well ye know, my most
noble king, that she hath been put to great wrong or this
time ; and sithen it pleased you at many times that I should
fight for her, meseemeth, my good lord, I had more cause
to rescue her from the fire, insomuch she should have been
brent for my sake. For they that told you those tales were
liars, and so it fell upon them ; for by likelihood had not
the might of God been with me, I might never have endured
fourteen knights, and they armed and afore purposed, and I
unarmed and not purposed. For I was sent for unto my
lady your queen, I wot not for what cause ; but I was not
so soon within the chamber door, but anon Sir Agravaine
and Sir Mordred called me traitor and recreant knight.
They called t-hee right, said Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir
Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, in their quarrel they proved
themselves not in the right. Well well, Sir Launcelot,
said the king, I have given thee no cause to do to me as
thou hast done, for I have worshipped thee and thine more
than any of all my knights. My good lord, said Sir Launce-
lot, so ye be not displeased, ye shall understand I and mine
have done you oft better service than any other knights
King Arthur 365
have done, in many diverse places ; and where ye have been
full hard bestad divers times, I have myself rescued you
from many dangers ; and ever unto my power I was glad to
please you, and my lord Sir Gawaine ; both in jousts, and
tournaments, and in battles set, both on horseback and on
foot, I have often rescued you, and my lord Sir Gawaine,
and many more of your knights in many diverse places.
For now I will make avaunt, said Sir Launcelot, I will that
ye all wit that yet I found never no manner of knight but
that I was overhard for him, an I had done my utterance,
thanked be God ; howbeit I have been matched with good
knights, as Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak, but ever I had a
favour unto them and a deeming what they were. And I
take God to record, said Sir Launcelot, I never was wroth
nor greatly heavy with no good knight an I saw him busy
about to win worship ; and glad I was ever when I found
any knight that might endure me on horseback and on foot :
howbeit Sir Carados of the Dolorous Tower was a full
noble knight and a passing strong man, and that wot ye, my
lord Sir Gawaine ; for he might well be called a noble
knight when he by fine force pulled you out of your saddle,
and bound you overthwart afore him to his saddle bow;
and there, my lord Sir Gawaine, I rescued you, and slew
him afore your sight. Also I found his brother, Sir
Turquin, in likewise leading Sir Gaheris, your brother,
bounden afore him ; and there I rescued your brother and
slew that Turquin, and delivered three score and four of my
lord Arthur's knights out of his prison. And now I dare
say, said Sir Launcelot, I met never with so strong knights,
nor so well fighting, as was Sir Carados and Sir Turquin, for
I fought with them to the uttermost. And therefore, said
Sir Launcelot unto Sir Gawaine, meseemeth ye ought of
right to remember this; for, an I might have your good
will, I would trust to God to have my lord Arthur's good
grace.
366 King Arthur
CHAPTER XVI
OF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SIR GAWAINE AND SIR
LAUNCELOT, WITH MUCH OTHER LANGUAGE
THE king may do as he will, said Sir Gawaine, but wit
thou well, Sir Launcelot, thou and I shall never be accorded
while we live, for thou hast slain three of my brethren ; and
two of them ye slew traitorly and piteously, for they bare
none harness against thee, nor none would bear. God
would they had been armed, said Sir Launcelot, for then
had they been on live. And wit ye well Sir Gawaine, as
for Sir Gareth, I love none of my kinsmen so much as I
did him ; and ever while I live, said Sir Launcelot, I will
bewail Sir Gareth's death, not all only for the great fear I
have of you, but many causes cause me to be sorrowful.
One is, for I made him knight ; another is, I wot well he
loved me above all other knights ; and the third is, he was
passing noble, true, courteous, and gentle, and well con-
ditioned ; the fourth is, I wist well, anon as I heard that
Sir Gareth was dead, I should never after have your love,
but everlasting war betwixt us ; and also I wist well that ye
would cause my noble lord Arthur for ever to be my mortal
foe. And as Jesu be my help, said Sir Launcelot, I slew
never Sir Gareth nor Sir Gaheris by my will ; but alas that
ever they were unarmed that unhappy day. But thus much
I shall offer me, said Sir Launcelot, if it may please the
king's good grace, and you, my lord Sir Gawaine, I shall
first begin at Sandwich, and there I shall go in my shirt,
bare foot ; and at every ten miles' end I will found and
garmake an house of religion, of what order that ye will
assign me, with an whole convent, to sing and read,
day and night, in especial for Sir Gareth's sake and Sir
Gaheris. And this shall I perform from Sandwich unto
Carlisle ; and every house shall have sufficient livelihood.
And this shall I perform while I have any livelihood in
Christendom ; and there nys none of all these religious
places, but they shall be performed, furnished and
garnished in all things as an holy place ought to be, I
promise you faithfully. And this, Sir Gawaine, methinketh
were more fairer, holier, and more better to their souls, than
King Arthur 367
ye, my most noble king, and you, Sir Gawaine, to war upon
me, for thereby shall ye get none avail. Then all knights
and ladies that were there wept as they were mad, and the
tears fell on King Arthur's cheeks. Sir Launcelot, said Sir
Gawaine, I have right well heard thy speech, and thy great
proffers, but wit thou well, let the king do as it pleased him,
I will never forgive my brother's death, and in especial the
death of my brother, Sir Gareth. And if mine uncle, King
Arthur, will accord with thee, he shall lose my service, for
wit thou well thou art both false to the king and to me.
Sir, said Launcelot, he beareth not the life that may make
that good ; and if ye, Sir Gawaine, will charge me with so high
a thing, ye must pardon me, for then needs must I answer
you. Nay, said Sir Gawaine, we are past that at this time,
and that caused the Pope, for he hath charged mine uncle,
the king, that he shall take his queen again, and to accord
with thee, Sir Launcelot, as for this season, and therefore
thou shalt go safe as thou earnest. But in this land thou
shalt not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give thee :
so the king and we were consented and accorded or thou
earnest. And else, said Sir Gawaine, wit thou well thou
shouldst not have come here, but if it were maugre thy
head. And if it were not for the Pope's commandment,
said Sir Gawaine, I should do battle with mine own body
against thy body, and prove it upon thee, that thou hast
been both false unto mine uncle King Arthur, and to me
both ; and that shall I prove upon thy body, when thou art
departed from hence, wheresomever I find thee.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM THE KING AND FROM
JOYOUS CARD OVER SEAWARD, AND WHAT KNIGHTS WENT
WITH HIM
THEN Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell
on his cheeks, and then he said thus : Alas, most noble
Christian realm, whom I have loved above all other realms,
and in thee I have gotten a great part of my worship, and
now I shall depart in this wise. Truly me repenteth that
ever I came in this realm, that should be thus shame-
fully banished undeserved and causeless ; but fortune is so
368 King Arthur
variant, and the wheel so moveable, there nys none constant
abiding, and that may be proved by many old chronicles, of
noble Ector, and Troilus, and Alisander, the mighty Con-
queror, and many more others ; when they were most in
their royalty, they alit lowest. And so fareth it by me, said
Sir Launcelot, for in this realm I had worship, and by me
and mine all the whole Round Table hath been increased
more in worship by me and mine blood than by any other.
And therefore wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I may live upon
my lands as well as any knight that here is. And if ye,
most redoubted king, will come upon my lands with Sir
Gawaine to war upon me, I must endure you as well as I
may. But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye come there, I
pray you charge me not with treason nor felony, for an ye
do, I must answer you. Do thou thy best, said Sir
Gawaine ; therefore hie thee fast that thou were gone, and
wit thou well we shall soon come after, and break the
strongest castle that thou hast, upon thy head. That shall
not need, said Sir Launcelot, for an I were as orgulous set
as ye are, wit you well I should meet you in the middes of
the field. Make thou no more language, said Sir Gawaine,
but deliver the queen from thee, and pyke thee lightly out
of this court. Well, said Sir Launcelot, an I had wist of
this shortcoming, I would have advised me twice or that I
had come hither ; for an the queen had been so dear to me
as ye noise her, I durst have kept her from the fellowship of
the best knights under heaven. And then Sir Launcelot
said unto Guenever, in hearing of the king and them all :
Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellow-
ship for ever ; and sithen it is so, I beseech you to pray for
me, and say me well ; and if ye be hard bestad by any false
tongues, lightly my lady send me word, and if any knight's
hands may deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you. And
therewithal Sir Launcelot kissed the queen ; and then he
said all openly : Now let see what he be in this place
that dare say the queen is not true unto my lord Arthur, let
see who will speak an he dare speak. And therewith he
brought the queen to the king, and then Sir Launcelot took
his leave and departed ; and there was neither king, duke,
nor earl, baron nor knight, lady nor gentlewoman, but all
they wept as people out of their mind, except Sir Gawaine.
And when the noble Sir Launcelot took his horse to ride
out of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping for pure
King Arthur 369
dole of his departing ; and so he took his way unto Joyous.
Card. And then ever after he called it the Dolorous GarcL
And thus departed Sir Launcelot from the court for ever.
And so when he came to Joyous Gard he called his fellow-
ship unto him, and asked them what they would do. Then
they answered all wholly together with one voice, they would
as he would do. My fair fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I
must depart out of this most noble realm, and now I shall
depart it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no
worship, for a flemyd man departed never out of a realm
with no worship ; and that is my heaviness, for ever I
fear after my days that men shall chronicle upon me
that I was flemyd out of this land ; and else, my fair
lords, be ye sure, an I had not dread shame, my lady,
Queen Guenever, and I should never have departed.
Then spake many noble knights, as Sir Palomides, Sir
Safere his brother, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse, and Sir
Urre, with Sir Lavaine, with many others : Sir, an ye be so
disposed to abide in this land we will never fail you ; and if
ye list not to abide in this land there nys none of the good
knights that here be will fail you, for many causes. One is,
All we that be not of your blood shall never be welcome to
the court. And sithen it liked us to take a part with you
in your distress and heaviness in this realm, wit you well it
shall like us as well to go in other countries with you, and
there to take such part as ye do. My fair lords, said Sir
Launcelot, I well understand you, and as I can, thank you :
and ye shall understand, such livelihood as I am born unto
I shall depart with you in this manner of wise ; that is for
to say, I shall depart all my livelihood and all my lands
freely among you, and I myself will have as little as any of
you, for have I sufficient that may long to my person, I
will ask none other rich array ; and I trust to God to main-
tain you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any
knights. Then spake all the knights at once : He have
shame that will leave you ; for we all understand in this
realm will be now no quiet, but ever strife and debate, now
the fellowship of the Round Table is broken ; for by
the noble fellowship of the Round Table was King
Arthur upborne, and by their noblesse the king and all
his realm was in quiet and rest, and a great part they
said all was because of your noblesse.
370 King Arthur
CHAPTER XVIII
KOW SIR LAUNCELOT PASSED OVER THE SEA, AND HOW HE MADE
GREAT LORDS OF THE KNIGHTS THAT WENT WITH HIM
TRULY, said Sir Launcelot, I thank you all of your good
saying ; howbeit, I wot well, in me was not all the stability
of this realm, but in that I might I did my devoir; and
well I am sure I knew many rebellions in my days that by
me were peaced, and I trow we all shall hear of them in
short space, and that me sore repenteth. For ever I dread
me, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Mordred will make trouble,
for he is passing envious and applieth him to trouble. So
they were accorded to go with Sir Launcelot to his lands ;
and to make short tale, they trussed, and paid all that would
ask them ; and wholly an hundred knights departed with
Sir Launcelot at once, and made their avows they would
never leave him for weal nor for woe. And so they shipped
at Cardiff, and sailed unto Ben wick : some men call it
Bayonne, and some men call it Beaune, where the wine of
Beaune is. But to say the sooth, Sir Launcelot and his
nephews were lords of all France, and of all the lands that
longed unto France ; he and his kindred rejoiced it all
through Sir Launcelot's noble prowess. And then Sir
Launcelot stuffed and furnished and garnished all his noble
towns and castles. Then all the people of those lands came
to Sir Launcelot on foot and hands. And so when he had
stablished all these countries, he shortly called a parliament ;
and there he crowned Sir Lionel, King of France ; and Sir
Bors crowned him king of all King Claudas' lands ; and
Sir Ector de Maris, that was Sir Launcelot's youngest
brother, he crowned him King of Benwick, and king of all
Guienne, that was Sir Launcelot's own land. And he made
Sir Ector prince of them all, and thus he departed. Then Sir
Launcelot advanced all his noble knights, and first he
advanced them of his blood ; that was Sir Blamore, he
made him Duke of Limosin in Guienne, and Sir Bleoberis
he made him Duke of Poictiers, and Sir Gahalantine he
made him Duke of Querne, and Sir Galihodin he made
him Duke of Sentonge, and Sir Galihud he made him Earl
of Perigot, and Sir Menadeuke he made him Earl of
Roerge, and Sir Villiars the Valiant he made him Earl of
King Arthur 371
Beam, and Sir Hebes le Renoumes he made him Earl of
Comange, and Sir Lavaine he made him Earl of Arminak,
and Sir Urre he made him Earl of Estrake, and Sir Neroneus
he made him Earl of Pardiak, and Sir Plenorius he made
Earl of Foise, and Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower he
made him Earl of Masauke, and Sir Melias de Lile he
made him Earl of Tursauk, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse
he made Earl of the Laundes, and Sir Palomides he made
him Duke of the Provence, and Sir Safere he made him
Duke of Landok, and Sir Clegis he gave him the Earldom
of Agente, and Sir Sadok he gave the Earldom of Surlat,
and Sir Dinas le Seneschal he made him Duke of Anjou,
and Sir Clarrus he made him Duke of Normandy. Thus
Sir Launcelot rewarded his noble knights and many more,
that meseemeth it were too long to rehearse.
CHAPTER XIX
HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE MADE A GREAT HOST
READY TO GO OVER SEA TO MAKE WAR ON SIR LAUNCELOT
So leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble
knights with him, and return we again unto King Arthur
and to Sir Gawaine, that made a great host ready, to th«
number of threescore thousand ; and all thing was made
ready for their shipping to pass over the sea, and so they
shipped at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir
Mordred chief ruler of all England, and also he put Queen
Guenever under his governance ; by cause Sir Mordred was
King Arthur's son, he gave him the rule of his land and of
his wife ; and so the king passed the sea and landed upon
Sir Launcelot's lands, and there he brent and wasted,
through the vengeance of Sir Gawaine, all that they might
overrun. When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that King
Arthur and Sir Gawaine were landed upon his lands, and
made a full great destruction and waste, then spake Sir
Bors, and said : My lord Sir Launcelot, it is shame that we
suffer them thus to ride over our lands, for wit you well,
surfer ye them as long as ye will, they will do you no favour
an they may handle you. Then said Sir Lionel that was
wary and wise : My lord Sir Launcelot, I will give this
counsel, let us keep our strong walled towns until they have
372 King Arthur
hunger and cold, and blow on their nails ; and then let us
freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep in a
field, that aliens may take example for ever how they land
upon our lands. Then spake King Bagdemagus to Sir
Launcelot : Sir, your courtesy will shende us all, and thy
courtesy hath waked all this sorrow ; for an they thus over
our lands ride, they shall by process bring us all to nought
whilst we thus in holes us hide. Then said Sir Galihud
unto Sir Launcelot : Sir, here be knights come of kings'
blood, that will not long droop, and they are within these
walls ; therefore give us leave, like as we be knights, to
meet them in the field, and we shall slay them, that they
shall curse the time that ever they came into this country.
Then spake seven brethren of North Wales, and they were
seven noble knights ; a man might seek in seven kings'
lands or he might find such seven knights. Then they all
said at once : Sir Launcelot, for Christ's sake let us out ride
with Sir Galihud, for we be never wont to cower in castles
nor in noble towns. Then spake Sir Launcelot, that was
master and governor of them all : My fair lords, wit you
well I am full loath to ride out with my knights for shedding
of Christian blood ; and yet my lands I understand be full
bare for to sustain any host awhile, for the mighty wars that
whilom made King Claudas upon this country, upon my
father King Ban, and on mine uncle King Bors ; howbeit
we will as at this time keep our strong walls, and I shall
send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, a treaty for to take ;
for better is peace than always war. So Sir Launcelot sent
forth a damosel and a dwarf with her, requiring King
Arthur to leave his warring upon his lands; and so she start
upon a palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side. And when
she came to the pavilion of King Arthur, there she alit ;
and there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the Butler,
and said : Fair damosel, come ye from Sir Launcelot du
Lake ? Yea sir, she said, therefore I come hither to speak
with my lord the king. Alas, said Sir Lucan, my lord
Arthur would love Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not
suffer him. And then he said : I pray to God, damosel, ye
may speed well, for all we that be about the king would Sir
Launcelot did best of any knight living. And so with this
Lucan led the damosel unto the king where he sat with Sir
Gawaine, for to hear what she would say. So when she had
told her tale, the water ran out of the king's eyen, and all
King Arthur 373
the lords were full glad for to advise the king as to be
accorded with Sir Launcelot, save all only Sir Gawaine, and
he said : My lord mine uncle, what will ye do ? Will ye
now turn again now ye are passed thus far upon this journey ?
all the world will speak of your villainy. Nay, said Arthur,
wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I will do as ye will advise me ;
and yet meseemeth, said Arthur, his fair proffers were not
good to be refused ; but sithen I am come so far upon this
journey, I will that ye give the damosel her answer, for I
may not speak to her for pity, for her proffers be so large.
CHAPTER XX
WHAT MESSAGE SIR GAWAINE SENT TO SIR LAUNCELOT J AND KING
ARTHUR LAID SIEGE TO BENWICK, AND OTHER MATTERS
THEN Sir Gawaine said to the damosel thus : Damosel,
say ye to Sir Launcelot that it is waste labour now to sue to
mine uncle ; for tell him, an he would have m&de any labour
for peace, he should have made it or this time, for tell him
now it is too late ; and say that I, Sir Gawaine, so send him
word, that I promise him by the faith I owe unto God and
to knighthood, I shall never leave him till he hath slain me
or I him. So the damosel wept and departed, and there
were many weeping eyen ; and so Sir Lucan brought the
damosel to her palfrey, and so she came to Sir Launcelot
where he was among all his knights. And when Sir
Launcelot had heard this answer, then the tears ran down
by his cheeks. And then his noble knights strode about him,
and said : Sir Launcelot, wherefore make ye such cheer,
think what ye are, and what men we are, and let us noble
knights match them in middes of the field. That may
be lightly done, said Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loath
to do battle, and therefore I pray you, fair sirs, as ye love
me, be ruled as I will have you, for I will always flee that
noble king that made me knight And when I may no
further, I must needs defend me, and that will be more
worship for me and us all than to compare with that noble
king whom we have all served. Then they held their
language, and as that night they took their rest. And upon
the morn early, in the dawning of the day, as knights looked
out, they saw the city of Benwick besieged round about ;
374 King Arthur
and fast they began to set up ladders, and then they defied
them out of the town, and beat them from the walls mightily.
Then came forth Sir Gawaine well armed upon a stiff steed,
and he came before the chief gate, with his spear in his hand,
crying : Sir Launcelot, where art thou ? is there none of you
proud knights dare break a spear with me ? Then Sir Bors
made him ready, and came forth out of the town, and there
Sir Gawaine encountered with Sir Bors. And at that time
he smote Sir Bors down from his horse, and almost he had
slain him ; and so Sir Bors was rescued and borne into the
town. Then came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Bors, and
thought to revenge him ; and either feutred their spears, and
ran together ; and there they met spitefully, but Sir Gawaine
had such grace that he smote Sir Lionel down, and wounded
him there passing sore ; and then Sir Lionel was rescued
and borne into the town. And this Sir Gawaine came every
day, and he failed not but that he smote down one knight
or other. So thus they endured half a year, and much
slaughter was of people on both parties. Then it befell
upon a day, Sir Gawaine came afore the gates armed at all
pieces on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand ; and
then he cried with a loud voice : Where art thou now, thou
false traitor, Sir Launcelot ? Why hidest thou thyself within
holes and walls like a coward ? Look out now, thou false
traitor knight, and here I shall revenge upon thy body the
death of my three brethren. All this language heard Sir
Launcelot every dele ; and his kin and his knights drew
about him, and all they said at once to Sir Launcelot : Sir
Launcelot, now must ye defend you like a knight, or else ye
be shamed for ever ; for, now ye be called upon treason, it is
time for you to stir, for ye have slept over-long and suffered
over-much. So God me help, said Sir Launcelot, I am
right heavy of Sir Gawaine's words, for now he charged me
with a great charge ; and therefore I wot it as well as ye,
that I must defend me, or else to be recreant. Then Sir
Launcelot bad saddle his strongest horse, and bad let fetch
his arms, and bring all unto the gate of the tower ; and then
Sir Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said :
My lord Arthur, and noble king that made me knight, wit
you well I am right heavy for your sake, that ye thus sue
upon me ; and always I forbare you, for an would I have
been vengeable, I might have met you in middes of the field,
and there to have made your boldest knights full tame. And
King Arthur 375
now I have forborne half a year, and suffered you and Sir
Gawaine to do what ye would do ; and now may I endure it
no longer, for now must 1 needs defend myself, insomuch
Sir Gawaine hath appelled me of treason ; the which is
greatly against my will that ever I should fight against any
of your blood, but now I may not forsake it, I am driven
thereto as a beast till a bay. Then Sir Gawaine said : Sir
Launcelot, an thou durst do battle, leave thy babbling and
come off, and let us ease our hearts. Then Sir Launcelot
armed him lightly, and mounted upon his horse, and either
of the knights gat great spears in their hands, and the host
without stood still all apart, and the noble knights came out
of the city by a great number, insomuch that when Arthur
saw the number of men and knights, he marvelled, and said
to himself : Alas, that ever Sir Launcelot was against me, for
now I see he hath forborne me. And so the covenant was
made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal with them,
till the one were dead or yelden.
CHAPTER XXI
HOW SIR GAWAINE AND SIR LAUNCELOT DID BATTLE TOGETHER, AND
HOW SIR GAWAINE WAS OVERTHROWN AND HURT
THEN Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great
way in sunder, and then they came together with all their
horses' might as they might run, and either smote other in
middes of their shields ; but the knights were so strong,
and their spears so big, that their horses might not endure
their buffets, and so their horses fell to the earth ; and then
they avoided their horses, and dressed their shields before
them. Then they stood together and gave many sad strokes
on divers places of their bodies, that the blood brast out on
many sides and places. Then had Sir Gawaine such a grace
and gift that an holy man had given to him, that every day
in the year, from underne till high noon, his might increased
those three hours as much as thrice his strength, and that
caused Sir Gawaine to win great honour. And for his sake
King Arthur made an ordinance, that all manner of battles
for any quarrels that should be done afore King Arthur
should begin at underne ; and all was done for Sir Gawaine's
love, that by likelihood, if Sir Gawaine were on the one part,,
376 King Arthur
he should have the better in battle while his strength endureth
three hours ; but there were but few knights that time living
that knew this advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but King
Arthur all only. Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine,
and when Sir Launcelot felt his might evermore increase,
Sir Launcelot wondered and dread him sore to be shamed.
For as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot weened, when
he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he had been a
fiend and none earthly man ; wherefore Sir Launcelot traced
and traversed, and covered himself with his shield, and kept
his might and his braide during three hours ; and that while
Sir Gawaine gave him many sad brunts, and many sad
strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir Launcelot
marvelled how that he might endure him ; but full little
understood they that travail that Sir Launcelot had for to
endure him. And then when it was past noon Sir Gawaine
had no more but his own might. When Sir Launcelot felt
him so come down, then he stretched him up and stood near
Sir Gawaine, and said thus : My lord Sir Gawaine, now I
feel ye have done ; now my lord Sir Gawaine, I must do my
part, for many great and grievous strokes I have endured
you this day with great pain. Then Sir Launcelot doubled his
strokes and gave Sir Gawaine such a buffet on the helmet that
he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot withdrew him
from him. Why withdrawest thou thee ? said Sir Gawaine ;
now turn again, false traitor knight, and slay me, for an thou
leave me thus, when I am whole I shall do battle with thee
again. I shall endure you, Sir, by God's grace, but wit thou
well, Sir Gawaine, I will never smite a felled knight. And
so Sir Launcelot went into the city ; and Sir Gawaine was
borne into King Arthur's pavilion, and leeches were brought
to him, and searched and salved with soft ointments. And
then Sir Launcelot said : Now have good day, my lord the
king, for wit you well ye win no worship at these walls ; and
if I would my knights outbring, there should many a man
die. Therefore, my lord Arthur, remember you of old
kindness ; and however I fare, Jesu be your guide in all
piaces.
King Arthur 377
CHAPTER XXII
OF THE SORROW THAT KING ARTHUR MADE FOR THE WAR, AND
OF ANOTHER BATTLE WHERE ALSO SIR GAWAINE HAD THE
WORSE
ALAS, said the king, that ever this unhappy war was
begun ; for ever Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places,
and in likewise my kin, and that is seen well this day by
my nephew Sir Gawaine. Then King Arthur fell sick for
sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was so sore hurt, and by cause
of the war betwixt him and Sir Launcelot. So then they
on King Arthur's part kept the siege with little war without-
forth ; and they withinforth kept their walls, and defended
them when need was. Thus Sir Gawaine lay sick three
weeks in his tents, with all manner of leechcraft that might
be had. And as soon as Sir Gawaine might go and ride,
he armed him at all points, and start upon a courser, and
gat a spear in his hand, and so he came riding afore the
chief gate of Benwick ; and there he cried on height : Where
art thou, Sir Launcelot ? Come forth, thou false traitor knight
and recreant, for I am here, Sir Gawaine, will prove this that
I say on thee. All this language Sir Launcelot heard, and
then he said thus : Sir Gawaine, me repents of your foul
saying, that ye will not cease of your language ; for you wot
well, Sir Gawaine, I know your might and all that ye may
do ; and well ye wot, Sir Gawaine, ye may not greatly hurt me.
Come down, traitor knight, said he, and make it good the
contrary with thy hands, for it mishapped me the last battle
to be hurt of thy hands ; therefore wit thou well I am come
this day to make amends, for I ween this day to lay thee as
low as thou laidest me. Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot,
that ever I be so far in your danger as ye have been in
mine, for then my days were done. But Sir Gawaine, said
Sir Launcelot, ye shall not think that I tarry long, but sithen
that ye so unknightly call me of treason, ye shall have both
your hands full of me. And then Sir Launcelot armed him
at all points, and mounted upon his horse, and gat a great
spear in his hand, and rode out at the gate. And both the
hosts were assembled, of them without and of them within,
and stood in array full manly. And both parties were
charged to hold them still, to see and behold the battle of
378 King Arthur
these two noble knights. And then they laiu their spears
in their rests, and they came together as thunder, and Sir
Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot in a hundred
pieces unto his hand ; and Sir Launcelot smote him with a
greater might, that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and so
the horse and he fell to the earth. Then Sir Gawaine
deliverly avoided his horse, and put his shield afore him,
and eagerly drew his sword, and bad Sir Launcelot : Alight,
traitor knight, for if this mare's son hath failed me, wit thou
well a king's son and a queen's son shall not fail thee.
Then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and dressed his
shield afore him, and drew his sword ; and so stood they
together and gave many sad strokes, that all men on both
parties had thereof passing great wonder. But when Sir
Launcelot felt Sir Gawaine's might so marvellously increase,
he then withheld his courage and his wind, and kept himself
wonder covert of his might ; and under his shield he traced
and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine's strokes
and his courage ; and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with all
his might and power to destroy Sir Launcelot ; for as the
French book saith, ever as Sir Gawaine's might increased,
right so increased his wind and his evil will. Thus Sir
Gawaine did great pain unto Sir Launcelot three hours, that
he had right great pain for to defend him. And when the
three hours were passed, that Sir Launcelot felt that Sir
Gawaine was come to his own proper strength, then Sir
Launcelot said unto Sir Gawaine : Now have I proved you
twice, that ye are a full dangerous knight, and a wonderful
man of your might ; and many wonderful deeds have you
done in your days, for by your might increasing you have
deceived many a full noble and valiant knight ; and, now
I feel that ye have done your mighty deeds, now wit
you well I must do my deeds. And then Sir Launcelot
stood near Sir Gawaine, and then Sir Launcelot doubled his
strokes ; and Sir Gawaine defended him mightily, but
nevertheless Sir Launcelot smote such a stroke upon Sir
Gawaine's helm, and upon the old wound, that Sir Gawaine
sinked down upon his one side in a swoon. And anon as
he did awake he waved and foined at Sir Launcelot as he
lay, and said : Traitor knight, wit thou well I am not yet
slain, come thou near me and perform this battle unto the
uttermost. I will no more do than I have done, said Sir
Launcelot, for when I see you on foot I will do battle upon
King Arthur 379
you all the while I see you stand on your feet ; but for to
smite a wounded man that may not stand, God defend me
from such a shame. And then he turned him and went his
way toward the city. And Sir Gawaine evermore calling
him traitor knight, and said : Wit thou well Sir Launcelot,
when I am whole I shall do battle with thee again, for I shall
never leave thee till that one of us be slain. Thus as this
siege endured, and as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month ;
and when he was well recovered and ready within three
days to do battle again with Sir Launcelot, right so came
tidings unto Arthur from England that made King Arthur
and all his host to remove.
Here fotlc^weth the xxi book.
BOOK XXI
CHAPTER I
HOW SIR MORDRED PRESUMED AND TOOK ON HIM TO BE KING OF
ENGLAND, AND WOULD HAVE MARRIED THE QUEEN, HIS
UNCLE'S WIFE
As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did do
make letters as though that they came from beyond the sea,
and the letters specified that King Arthur was slain in
battle with Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a
parliament, and called the lords together, and there he
made them to choose him king ; and so was he crowned at
Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteen days ; and after-
ward he drew him unto Winchester, and there he took the
Queen Guenever, and said plainly that he would wed her
which was his uncle's wife and his father's wife. And so
he made ready for the feast, and a day prefixed that they
should be wedded ; wherefore Queen Guenever was passing
heavy. But she durst not discover her heart, but spake
fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's will. Then she desired of
Sir Mordred for to go to London, to buy all manner of
things that longed unto the wedding. And by cause of her
fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave
her leave to go. And so when she came to London she
380 King Arthur
took the Tower of London, and suddenly in all haste possible
she stuffed it with all manner of victual, and well garnished
it with men, and so kept it. Then when Sir Mordred wist
and understood how he was beguiled, he was passing wroth
out of measure. And a short tale for to make, he went
and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and
made many great assaults thereat, and threw many great
engines unto them, and shot great guns. But all might not
prevail Sir Mordred, for Queen Guenever would never for
fair speech nor for foul, would never trust to come in his
hands again. Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the
which was a noble clerk and an holy man, and thus he said
to Sir Mordred : Sir, what will ye do ? will ye first displease
God and sithen shame yourself, and all knighthood ? Is
not King Arthur your uncle, no farther but your mother's
brother, and on her himself King Arthur begat you upon
his own sister, therefore how may you wed your father's
wife ? Sir, said the noble clerk, leave this opinion or I shall
curse you with book and bell and candle. Do thou thy
worst, said Sir Mordred, wit thou well I shall defy thee.
Sir, said the Bishop, and wit you well I shall not fear me to
do that me ought to do. Also where ye noise where my
lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and therefore ye
will make a foul work in this land. Peace, thou false priest,
said Sir Mordred, for an thou chafe me any more I shall
make strike off thy head. So the Bishop departed and
did the cursing in the most orgulist wise that might be done.
And then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury,
for to have slain him. Then the Bishop fled, and took part
of his goods with him, and went nigh unto Glastonbury ;
and there he was as priest hermit in a chapel, and lived in
poverty and in holy prayers, for well he understood that mis-
chievous war was at hand. Then Sir Mordred sought on
Queen Guenever by letters and sondes, and by fair means
and foul means, for to have her to come out of the Tower
of London ; but all this availed not, for she answered him
shortly, openly and privily, that she had lever slay herself
than to be married with him. Then came word to Sir Mordred
that King Arthur had araised the siege for Sir Launcelot,
and he was coming homeward with a great host, to be
avenged upon Sir Mordred ; wherefore Sir Mordred made
write writs to all the barony of this land, and much people
drew to him. For then was the common voice among them
King Arthur 381
that with Arthur was none other life but war and strife, and
with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus was Sir
Arthur depraved, and evil said of. And many there were
that King Arthur had made up of nought, and given them
lands, might not then say him a good word. Lo ye all
Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was ! for he that
was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved
the fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all
upholden, now might not these Englishmen hold them con-
tent with him. Lo thus was the old custom and usage of
this land ; and also men say that we of this land have not
yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this is
a great default of us Englishmen, for there may no thing
please us no term. And so fared the people at that time,
they were better pleased with Sir Mordred than they were
with King Arthur ; and much people drew unto Sir Mor-
dred, and said they would abide with him for better and for
worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host to
Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would arrive,
and so he thought to beat his own father from his lands ;
and the most part of all England held with Sir Mordred,
the people were so new fangle.
CHAPTER II
HOW AFTER THAT KING ARTHUR HAD TIDINGS, HE RETURNED
AND CAME TO DOVER, WHERE SIR MORDRED MET HIM TO LET
HIS LANDING ; AND OF THE DEATH OF SIR GAWAINE
AND so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there
came King Arthur with a great navy of ships, and galleys,
and carracks. And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting
upon his landing, to let his own father to land upon the
land that he was king over. Then there was launching 01
great boats and small, and full of noble men of arms ; and
there was much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a full
bold baron was laid full low, on both parties. But King
Arthur was so courageous that there might no manner of
knights let him to land, and his knights fiercely followed
him ; and so they landed maugre Sir Mordred and all his
power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled and all his
people. So when this battle was done, King Arthur let
382 King Arthur
bury his people that were dead. And then was noble Sir
Gawaine found in a great boat, lying more than half dead.
When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine was laid so low, he
went unto him ; and there the king made sorrow out of
measure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, and thrice he
there swooned. And then when he awaked, he said : Alas,
Sir Gawaine, my sister's son, here now thou liest, the man
in the world that I loved most ; and now is my joy gone,
for now, my nephew Sir Gawaine, I will discover me unto
your person : in Sir Launcelot and you I most had my joy,
and mine affiance, and now have I lost my joy of you both ;
wherefore all mine earthly joy is gone from me. Mine uncle
King Arthur, said Sir Gawaine, wit you well my death day is
come, and all is through mine own hastiness and wilfulness ;
for I am smitten upon the old wound the which Sir Launce-
lot gave me, on the which I feel well I must die ; and had
Sir Launcelot been with you as he was, this unhappy war
had never begun ; and of all this am I causer, for Sir
Launcelot and his blood, through their prowess, held all
your cankered enemies in subjection and daunger. And
now, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall miss Sir Launcelot. But
alas, I would not accord with him, and therefore, said Sir
Gawaine, I pray you, fair uncle, that I may have paper, pen,
and ink, that I may write to Sir Launcelot a cedle with
mine own hands. And then when paper and ink was
brought, then Gawaine was set up weakly by King Arthur,
for he was shriven a little tofore ; and then he wrote thus,
as the French book maketh mention : Unto Sir Launcelot,
flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of or saw by my
days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's son
unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting, and let
thee have knowledge that the tenth day of May I was
smitten upon the old wound that thou gavest me afore the
city of Ben wick, and through the same wound that thou
gavest me I am come to my death day. And I will that all
the world wit, that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table
Round, sought my death, and not through thy deserving,
but it was mine own seeking ; wherefore I beseech thee, Sir
Launcelot, to return again unto this realm, and see my tomb,
and pray some prayer more or less for my soul. And this
same day that I wrote this cedle, I was hurt to the death in
the same wound, the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launce-
lot ; for of a more nobler man might I not be slain. Also
King Arthur 383
Sir Launcelot, for all the love that ever was betwixt us,
make no tarrying, but come over the sea in all haste, that
thou mayst with thy noble knights rescue that noble king
that made thee knight, that is my lord Arthur , for he is full
straitly bestad with a false traitor, that is my half-brother,
Sir Mordred ; and he hath let crown him king, and would
have wedded my lady Queen Guenever, and so had he done
had she not put herself in the Tower of London. And so
the tenth day of May last past, my lord Arthur and we all
landed upon them at Dover ; and there we put that false
traitor, Sir Mordred, to flight, and there it misfortuned me
to be stricken upon thy stroke. And at the date of this
letter was written, but two hours and a half afore my death,
written with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of
my heart's blood. And I require thee, most famous knight
of the world, that thou wilt see my tomb. And then Sir
Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept ; and then they
swooned both. And when they awaked both, the king
made Sir Gawaine to receive his Saviour. And then Sir
Gawaine prayed the king for to send for Sir Launcelot, and
to cherish him above all other knights. And so at the hour
of noon Sir Gawaine yielded up the spirit ; and then the
king let inter him in a chapel within Dover Castle ; and
there yet all men may see the skull of him, and the same
wound is seen that Sir Launcelot gave him in battle. Then
was it told the king that Sir Mordred had pyghte a new field
upon Barham Down. And upon the morn the king rode
thither to him, and there was a great battle betwixt them,
and much people was slain on both parties ; but at the last
Sir Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his
party fled unto Canterbury.
CHAPTER III
HOW AFTER, SIR GAWAINE'S GHOST APPEARED TO KING ARTHUR,
AND WARNED HIM THAT HE SHOULD NOT FIGHT THAT DAY
AND then the king let search all the towns for his knights
that were slain, and interred them ; and salved them with
soft salves that so sore were wounded. Then much people
drew unto King Arthur. And then they said that Sir
Mordred warred upon King Arthur with wrong. And then
384 King Arthur
King Arthur drew him with his host down by the seaside
westward toward Salisbury ; and there was a day assigned
betwixt King Arthur and Sir Mordred, that they should
meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and not far from the
seaside ; and this day was assigned on a Monday after
Trinity Sunday, whereof King Arthur was passing glad, that
he might be avenged upon Sir Mordred. Then Sir Mordred
araised much people about London, for they of Kent,
Southsex, and Surrey, Estsex, and of Southfolk, and of
Northfolk, held the most part with Sir Mordred ; and many
a full noble knight drew unto Sir Mordred and to the king :
but they loved Sir Launcelot drew unto Sir Mordred. So
upon Trinity Sunday at night, King Arthur dreamed a
wonderful dream, and that was this : that him seemed he
sat upon a chaflet in a chair, and the chair was fast to a
wheel, and thereupon sat King Arthur in the richest cloth
of gold that might be made ; and the king thought there was
under him, far from him, an hideous deep black water, and
therein were all manner of serpents, and worms, and wild
beasts, foul and horrible ; and suddenly the king thought
the wheel turned up so down, and he fell among the
serpents, and every beast took him by a limb ; and then the
king cried as he lay in his bed and slept : Help. And then
knights, squires, and yeomen, awaked the king ; and then he
was so amazed that he wist not where he was ; and then
he fell on slumbering again, not sleeping nor thoroughly
waking. So the king seemed verily that there came Sir
Gawaine unto him with a number of fair ladies with him.
And when King Arthur saw him, then he said : Welcome,
my sister's son ; I weened thou hadst been dead, and now I
see thee on live, much am I beholding unto almighty Jesu.
O fair nephew and my sister's son, what be these ladies that
hither be come with you ? Sir, said Sir Gawaine, all these
be ladies for whom I have foughten when I was man living,
and all these are those that I did battle for in righteous
quarrel ; and God hath given them that grace at their great
prayer, by cause I did battle for them, that they should
bring me hither unto you : thus much hath God given me
leave, for to warn you of your death ; for an ye fight as
tomorn with Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, doubt
ye not ye must be slain, and the most part of your people
on both parties. And for the great grace and goodness
that almighty Jesu hath unto you, and for pity of you, and
King Arthur 385
many more other good men there shall be slain. God hath
sent me to you of his special grace, to give you warning that
in no wise ye do battle as tomorn, but that ye take a treaty
for a month day ; and proffer you largely, so as tomorn to
be put in a delay. For within a month shall come Sir
Launcelot with all his noble knights, and rescue you
worshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred, and all that ever will
hold with him. Then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies
vanished. And anon the king called upon his knights,
squires, and yeomen, and charged them wightly to fetch his
noble lords and wise bishops unto him. And when they
were come, the king told them his avision, what Sir Gawaine
had told him, and warned him that if he fought on the morn
he should be slain. Then the king commanded Sir Lucan
the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, with two bishops
with them, and charged them in any wise, an they might,
Take a treaty for a month day with Sir Mordred, and spare
not, proffer him lands and goods as much as ye think best
So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he
had a grim host of an hundred thousand men. And there
they entreated Sir Mordred long time ; and at the last Sir
Mordred was agreed for to have Cornwall and Kent, by
Arthur's days : after, all England, after the days of King
Arthur.
CHAPTER IV
HOW BY MISADVENTURE OF AN ADDER THE BATTLE BEGAN, WHERE
MORDRED WAS SLAIN, AND ARTHUR HURT TO THE DEATH
THEN were they condescended that King Arthur and Sii
Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and every
each of them should bring fourteen persons ; and they came
with this word unto Arthur. Then said he : I am glad that
this is done : and so he went into the field. And when
Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that an they
see any sword drawn : Look ye come on fiercely, and slay
that traitor, Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him. In
likewise Sir Mordred warned his host that : An ye see any
sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all
that ever before you standeth ; for in no wise I will not trust
for this treaty, for I know well my father will be avenged on
me. And so they met as their appointment was, and so they
II 4& N
386 King Arthur
were agreed and accorded thoroughly ; and wine was fetched,
and they drank. Right soon came an adder out of a little
heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot. And when
the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the
adder, and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and
thought of none other harm. And when the host on both
parties saw that sword drawn, then they blew beamous,
trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly. And so both
hosts dressed them together. And King Arthur took his
horse, and said : Alas this unhappy day ! and so rode to his
party. And Sir Mordred in likewise. And never was there
seen a more dolefuller battle in no Christian land ; for there
was but rushing and riding, foining and striking, and many
a grim word was there spoken either to other, and many a
deadly stroke. But ever King Arthur rode throughout the
battle of Sir Mordred many times, and did full nobly as a
noble king should, and at all times he fainted never ; and
Sir Mordred that day put him in devoir, and in great peril.
And thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted till
the noble knights were laid to the cold earth ; and ever they
fought still till it was near night, and by that time was there
an hundred thousand laid dead upon the down. Then was
Arthur wood wroth out of measure, when he saw his people
so slain from him. Then the king looked about him, and
then was he ware, of all his host and of all his good knights,
were left no more on live but two knights ; that one was Sir
Lucan the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, and they
were full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where
are all my noble knights become ? Alas that ever I should
see this doleful day, for now, said Arthur, I am come to
mine end. But would to God that I wist where were that
traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this mischief.
Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon
his sword among a great heap of dead men. Now give me
my spear, said Arthur unto Sir Lucan, for yonder I have
espied the traitor that all this woe hath wrought. Sir, let
him be, said Sir Lucan, for he is unhappy; and if ye pass
this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged upon him.
Good lord, remember ye of your night's dream, and what
the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this night, yet God of his
great goodness hath preserved you hitherto. Therefore, for
God's sake, my lord, leave off by this, for blessed be God ye
have won the field, for here we be three on live, and with
King Arthur 387
Sir Mordred is none on live ; and if ye leave off now this
wicked day of destiny is past. Tide me death, betide me
life, saith the king, now I see him yonder alone he shall
never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I never
have him. God speed you well, said Sir Bedivere. Then
the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran toward
Sir Mordred, crying : Traitor, now is thy death day come.
And when Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran until him
with his sword drawn in his hand. And there King Arthur
smote Sir Mordred under the shield, with a foin of his spear,
throughout the body, more than a fathom. And when Sir
Mordred felt that he had his death wound he thrust himself
with the might that he had up to the bur of King Arthur's
spear. And right so he smote his father Arthur, with his
sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head,
that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain pan, and
therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the earth ; and
the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there
he swooned ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir
Bedivere ofttimes heave him up. And so weakly they led
him betwixt them both, to a little chapel not far from the
seaside. And when the king was there he thought him well
eased. Then heard they people cry in the field. Now go
thou, Sir Lucan, said the king, and do me to wit what
betokens that noise in the field. So Sir Lucan departed,
for he was grievously wounded in many places. And so as
he yede, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how that
pillers and robbers were come into the field, to pill and to
rob many a full noble knight of brooches, and beads, of
many a good ring, and of many a rich jewel ; and who that
were not dead all out, there they slew them for their harness
and their riches. When Sir Lucan understood this work, he
came to the king as soon as he might, and told him all what
he had heard and seen. Therefore by my rede, said Sir
Lucan, it is best that we bring you to some town. 1 would
it were so, said the king.
388 King Arthur
CHAPTER V
HOW KING ARTHUR COMMANDED TO CAST HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR
INTO THE WATER, AND HOW HE WAS DELIVERED TO LADIES
IN A BARGE
BUT I may not stand, mine head works so. Ah Sir
Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day have I sore missed
thee : alas, that ever I was against thee, for now have I my
death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream. Then
Sir Lucan took up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere
the other part, and in the lifting the king swooned ; and Sir
Lucan fell in a swoon with the lift, that the part of his guts
fell out of his body, and therewith the noble knight's heart
brast. And when the king awoke, he beheld Sir Lucan,
how he lay foaming at the mouth, and part of his guts lay at
his feet. Alas, said the king, this is to me a full heavy sight,
to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have
holpen me, that had more need of help than I. Alas, he
would not complain him, his heart was so set to help me :
now Jesu have mercy upon his soul ! Then Sir Bedivere
wept for the death of his brother. Leave this mourning and
weeping, said the king, for all this will not avail me, for wit
thou well an I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan
would grieve me evermore ; but my time hieth fast, said the
king. Therefore, said Arthur unto Sir Bedivere, take thou
Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder water
side, and when thou comest there I charge thee throw my
sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou
there seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your commandment
shall be done, and lightly bring you word again. So Sir
Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble
sword, that the pommel and the haft was all of precious
stones ; and then he said to himself : If I throw this rich
sword in the water, thereof shall never come good, but
harm and loss. And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur
under a tree. And so, as soon as he might, he came
again unto the king, and said he had been at the water,
and had thrown the sword in the water. What saw thou
there ? said the king. Sir, he said, I saw nothing but waves
and winds. That is untruly said of thee, said the king,
therefore go thou lightly again, and do my commandment ;
King Arthur 389
as thou art to me lief and dear, spare not, but throw it in.
Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his
hand ; and then him thought sin and shame to throw away
that noble sword, and so efte he hid the sword, and returned
again, and told to the king that he had been at the water,
and done his commandment. What saw thou there? said
the king. Sir, he said, I saw nothing but the waters wappe
and waves wanne. Ah, traitor untrue, said King Arthur,
now hast thou betrayed me twice. Who would have weened
that, thou that hast been to me so lief and dear ? and thou
art named a noble knight, and would betray me for the rich-
ness of the sword. But now go again lightly, for thy long
tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have
taken cold. And but if thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I
may see thee, I shall slay thee with mine own hands ; for
thou wouldst for my rich sword see me dead. Then Sir
Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took
it up, and went to the water side ; and there he bound the
girdle about the hilts, and then he threw the sword as far
into the water, as he might ; and there came an arm and an
hand above the water and met it, and caught it, and so shook
it thrice and brandished, and then vanished away the hand
with the sword in the water. So Sir Bedivere came again to
the king, and told him what he saw. Alas, said the king,
help me hence, for I dread me I have tarried over long.
Then Sir Bedivere took the king upon his back, arid so went
with him to that water side. And when they were at the
water side, even fast by the bank hoved a little barge with
many fair ladies in it, and among them all was a queen, and
all they had black hoods, and all they wept and shrieked
when they saw King Arthur. Now put me into the barge,
said the king. And so he did softly ; and there received
him three queens with great mourning ; and so they set them
down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his head.
And then that queen said : Ah, dear brother, why have ye
tarried so long from me ? alas, this wound on your head hath
caught over-much cold. And so then they rowed from the
land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all those ladies go from him.
Then Sir Bedivere cried : Ah my lord Arthur, what shall
become of me, now ye go from me and leave me here alone
among mine enemies ? Comfort thyself, said the king, and
do as well as thou mayest, for in me is no trust for to trust
in; for I will into the vale of Avilion to heal me of my
39° King Arthur
grievous wound : and if thou hear never more of me, pray
for my soul. But ever the queens and ladies wept and
shrieked, that it was pity to hear. And as soon as Sii
Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge, he wept and wailed,
and so took the forest ; and so he went all that night, and in
the morning he was ware betwixt two holts hoar, of a chapel
and an hermitage.
CHAPTER VI
HOW SIR BEDIVERE FOUND HIM ON THE MORROW DEAD IN AN
HERMITAGE, AND HOW HE ABODE THERE WITH THE HERMIT
THEN was Sir Bedivere glad, and thither he went; and
when he came into the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit
grovelling on all four, there fast by a tomb was new graven.
When the hermit saw Sir Bedivere he knew him well, for he
was but little tofore Bishop of Canterbury, that Sir Mordred
flemed. Sir, said Bedivere, what man is there interred that
ye pray so fast for ? Fair son, said the hermit, I wot not
verily, but by deeming. But this night, at midnight, here
came a number of ladies, and brought hither a dead corpse,
and prayed me to bury him ; and here they offered an
hundred tapers, and they gave me an hundred besants.
Alas, said Sir Bedivere, that was my lord King Arthur, that
here lieth buried in this chapel. Then Sir Bedivere
swooned ; and when he awoke he prayed the hermit he
might abide with him still there, to live with fasting and
prayers. For from hence will I never go, said Sir Bedivere,
by my will, but all the days of my life here to pray for my
lord Arthur. Ye are welcome to me, said the hermit, for I
know ye better than ye ween that I do. Ye are the bold
Bedivere, and the full noble duke, Sir Lucan the Butler, was
your brother. Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as ye
have heard tofore. So there bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit
that was tofore Bishop of Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere
put upon him poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly
in fasting and in prayers. Thus of Arthur I find never more
written in books that be authorised, nor more of the very
certainty of his death heard I never read, but thus was he
led away in a ship wherein were three queens ; that one was
King Arthur's sister, Queen Morgan le Fay ; the other was
the Queen of Northgalis ; the third was the Queen of the
King Arthur 391
Waste Lands. Also there was Nimue, the chief lady of
the lake, that had wedded Pelleas the good knight ; and
this lady had done much for King Arthur, for she would
never suffer Sir Pelleas to be in no place where he should be
in danger of his life ; and so he lived to the uttermost of his
days with her in great rest. More of the death of King
Arthur could I never find, but that ladies brought him to his
burials ; and such one was buried there, that the hermit bare
witness that sometime was Bishop of Canterbury, but yet
the hermit knew not in certain that he was verily the body
of King Arthur : for this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of the
Table Round, made it to be written.
CHAPTER VII
OF THE OPINION OF SOME MEN OF THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR ;
AND HOW QUEEN GUENEVER MADE HER A NUN IN ALMESBURY
YET some men say in many parts of England that King
Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesu
into another place ; and men say that he shall come again,
and he shall win the holy cross. I will not say it shall be
so, but rather I will say, here in this world he changed his
life. But many men say that there is written upon his
tomb this verse : tofc jacet Sirtbutua 1Re£, quonDam IRej
due fututus. Thus leave I here Sir Bedivere with the
hermit, that dwelled that time in a chapel beside Glaston-
bury, and there was his hermitage. And so they lived in
their prayers, and fastings, and great abstinence. And when
Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain,
and all the noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the rem-
nant, then the queen stole away, and five ladies with her,
and so she went to Almesbury ; and there she let make
herself a nun, and ware white clothes and black, and great
penance she took, as ever did sinful lady in this land, and
never creature could make her merry ; but lived in fasting,
prayers, and alms-deeds, that all manner of people marvelled
how virtuously she was changed. Now leave we Queen
Guenever in Almesbury, a nun in white clothes and black,
and there she was abbess and ruler as reason would ; and
turn we from her, and speak we of Sir Launcelot du Lake.
392 King Arthur
CHAPTER VIII
i
HOW WHEN SIR LAUNCELOT HEARD OF THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR,
AND OF SIR GAWAINE, AND OTHER MATTERS, HE CAME INTO
ENGLAND
AND when he heard in his country that Sir Mordred was
crowned king in England, and made war against King
Arthur, his own father, and would let him to land in his own
land ; also it was told Sir Launcelot how that Sir Mordred
had laid siege about the Tower of London, by cause the
queen would not wed him ; then was Sir Launcelot wroth
out of measure, and said to his kinsmen : Alas, that double
traitor Sir Mordred, now me repenteth that ever he escaped
my hands, for much shame hath he done unto my lord Arthur ;
for all I feel by the doleful letter that my lord Sir Gawaine
sent me, on whose soul Jesu have mercy, that my lord Arthur
is full hard bestad. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I
should live to hear that most noble king that made me
knight thus to be overset with his subject in his own
realm. And this doleful letter that my lord, Sir Gawaine,
hath sent me afore his death, praying me to see his tomb,
wit you well his doleful words shall never go from mine
heart, for he was a full noble knight as ever was born ; and
in an unhappy hour was I born that ever I should have
that unhap to slay first Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris the
good knight, and mine own friend Sir Gareth, that
full noble knight. Alas, I may say I am unhappy,
said Sir Launcelot, that ever I should do thus unhappily,
and, alas, yet might I never have hap to slay that traitor,
Sir Mordred. Leave your complaints, said Sir Bors, and
first revenge you of the death of Sir Gawaine; and it
will be well done that ye see Sir Gawaine's tomb, and
secondly that ye revenge my lord Arthur, and my lady,
Queen Guenever. I thank you, said Sir Launcelot, for ever
ye will my worship. Then they made them ready in all
the haste that might be, with ships and galleys, with Sir
Launcelot and his host to pass into England. And so he
passed over the sea till he came to Dover, and there he
landed with seven kings, and the number was hideous to
behold. Then Sir Launcelot spered of men of Dover where
was King Arthur become. Then the people told him how
King Arthur 393
that he was slain, and Sir Mordred and an hundred thousand
died on a day ; and how Sir Mordred gave King Arthur
there the first battle at his landing, and there was good Sir
Gawaine slain ; and on the morn Sir Mordred fought with
the king upon Barham Down, and there the king put Sir
Mordred to the worse. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, this is the
heaviest tidings that ever came to me. Now, fair sirs, said
Sir Launcelot, shew me the tomb of Sir Gawaine. And
then certain people of the town brought him into the Castle
of Dover, and shewed him the tomb. Then Sir Launcelot
kneeled down and wept, and prayed heartily for his soul.
And that night he made a dole, and all they that would
come had as much flesh, fish, wine and ale, and every man
and woman had twelve pence, come who would. Thus with
his own hand dealt he this money, in a mourning gown ; and
ever he wept, and prayed them to pray for the soul of Sir
Gawaine. And on the morn all the priests and clerks that
might be gotten in the country were there, and sang mass
of requiem ; and there offered first Sir Launcelot, and he
offered an hundred pound ; and then the seven kings
offered forty pound apiece ; and also there was a thousand
knights, and each of them offered a pound ; and the offering
dured from morn till night, and Sir Launcelot lay two nights
on his tomb in prayers and weeping. Then on the third
day Sir Launcelot called the kings, dukes, earls, barons, and
knights, and said thus : My fair lords, I thank you all of
your coming into this country with me, but we came too late,
and that shall repent me while I live, but against death
may no man rebel. But sithen it is so, said Sir Launcelot,
I will myself ride and seek my lady, Queen Guenever, for as
I hear say she hath had great pain and much disease ; and
I heard say that she is fled into the west. Therefore ye
all shall abide me here, and but if I come again within
fifteen days, then take your ships and your fellowship, and
depart into your country, for I will do as I say to you.
394 King Arthur
CHAPTER IX
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED TO SEEK THE QUERN GUENEVSR,
AND HOW HE FOUND HER AT ALMESBURY
THEN came Sir Bors de Ganis, and said : My lord Sir
Launcelot, what think ye for to do, now to ride in this
realm ? wit ye well ye shall find few friends. Be as be may,
said Sir Launcelot, keep you still here, for I will forth on my
journey, and no man nor child shall go with me. So it was
no boot to strive, but he departed and rode westerly, and
there he sought a seven or eight days ; and at the last he
came to a nunnery, and then was Queen Guenever ware of
Sir Launcelot as he walked in the cloister. And when she
saw him there she swooned thrice, that all the ladies and
gentlewomen had work enough to hold the queen up.
So when she might speak, she called ladies and gentle-
women to her, and said : Ye marvel, fair ladies, why I
make this fare. Truly, she said, it is for the sight of yonder
knight that yonder standeth ; wherefore I pray you all call
him to me. When Sir Launcelot was brought to her, then
she said to all the ladies : Through this man and me hath
all this war been wrought, and the death of the most noblest
knights of the world ; for through our love that we have
loved together is my most noble lord slain. Therefore, Sir
Launcelot, wit thou well I am set in such a plight to get my
soul heal ; and yet I trust through God's grace that after my
death to have a sight of the blessed face of Christ, and at
domesday to sit on his right side, for as sinful as ever I was
are saints in heaven. Therefore, Sir Launcelot, I require
thee and beseech thee heartily, for all the love that ever was
betwixt us, that thou never see me more in the visage ; and
1 command thee, on God's behalf, that thou forsake my
company, and to thy kingdom thou turn again, and keep
well thy realm from war and wrake ; for as well as I have
loved thee, mine heart will not serve me to see thee, for
through thee and me is the flower of kings and knights
destroyed ; therefore, Sir Launcelot, go to thy realm, and
there take thee a wife, and live with her with joy and bliss ;
and I pray thee heartily, pray for me to our Lord that I may
amend my misliving. Now, sweet madam, said Sir Launce-
lot, would ye that I should now return again unto my
King Arthur 395
country, and there to wed a lady? Nay, madam, wit you
well that shall I never do, for I shall never be so false to
you of that I have promised ; but the same destiny that ye
have taken you to, I will take me unto, for to please Jesu,
and ever for you I cast me specially to pray. If thou wilt
do so, said the queen, hold thy promise, but I may never
believe but that thou wilt turn to the world again. Well,
madam, said he, ye say as pleaseth you, yet wist you me
never false of my promise, and God defend but I should
forsake the world as ye have done. For in the quest of the
Sangreal I had forsaken the vanities of the world had not
your lord been. And if I had done so at that time, with my
heart, will, and thought, I had passed all the knights that
were in the Sangreal except Sir Galahad, my son. And
therefore, lady, sithen ye have taken you to perfection, I
must needs take me to perfection, of right. For I take
record of God, in you I have had mine earthly joy ; and if I
had found you now so disposed, I had cast to have had you
into mine own realm.
CHAPTER X
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO THE HERMITAGE WHERE THE
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY WAS, AND HOW HE TOOK THE
HABIT ON HIM
BUT sithen I find you thus disposed, I ensure you
faithfully, I will ever take me to penance, and pray while
my life lasteth, if I may find any hermit, either gray or
white, that will receive me. Wherefore, madam, I pray you
kiss me and never no more. Nay, said the queen, that shall
I never do, but abstain you from such works : and they
departed. But there was never so hard an hearted man but
he would have wept to see the dolour that they made ; for
there was lamentation as they had been stung with spears ;
and many times they swooned, and the ladies bare the
queen to her chamber. And Sir Launcelot awoke, and went
and took his horse, and rode all that day and all night in a
forest, weeping. And at the last he was ware of an her-
mitage and a chapel stood betwixt two cliffs ; and then he
heard a little bell ring to mass, and thither he rode and alit,
and tied his horse to the gate, and heard mass. And he
that sang mass was the Bishop of Canterbury. Both the
396 King Arthur
Bishop and Sir Bedivere knew Sir Launcelot, and they spake
together after mass. But when Sir Bedivere had told his
tale all whole, Sir Launcelot's heart almost brast for sorrow,
and Sir Launcelot threw his arms abroad, and said : Alas,
who may trust this world. And when he kneeled down on
his knee, and prayed the Bishop to shrive him and assoil
him. And then he besought the Bishop that he might be
his brother. Then the Bishop said : I will gladly ; and
there he put an habit upon Sir Launcelot, and there he
served God day and night with prayers and fastings.
Thus the great host abode at Dover. And then Sir Lionel
took fifteen lords with him, and rode to London to seek Sir
Launcelot ; and there Sir Lionel was slain and many of his
lords. Then Sir Bors de Ganis made the great host for to
go home again; and Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir
Blamore, Sir Bleoberis, with more other of Sir Launcelot's
kin, took on them to ride all England overthwart and end-
long, to seek Sir Launcelot. So Sir Bors by fortune rode so
long till he came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot was ;
and so Sir Bors heard a little bell knell, that rang to mass ;
and there he alit and heard mass. And when mass was
done, the Bishop, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Bedivere, came to
Sir Bors. And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot in that
manner clothing, then he prayed the Bishop that he might
be in the same suit. And so there was an habit put upon
him, and there he lived in prayers and fasting. And within
half a year, there was come Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir
Blamore, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiars, Sir Clarras, and Sir
Gahalantine. So all these seven noble knights there abode
still. And when they saw Sir Launcelot had taken him to
such perfection, they had no list to depart, but took such an
habit as he had. Thus they endured in great penance six
year ; and then Sir Launcelot took the habit of priesthood
of the Bishop, and a twelvemonth he sang mass. And there
was none of these other knights but they read in books, and
holp for to sing mass, and rang bells, and did bodily all
manner of service. And so their horses went where they
would, for they took no regard of no worldly riches.
For when they saw Sir Launcelot endure such penance, in
prayers, and fastings, they took no force what pain they
endured, for to see the noblest knight of the world take
such abstinence that he waxed full lean. And thus upon a
night, there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged
King Arthur 397
him, in remission of his sins, to haste him unto Almesbury :
And by then thou come there, thou shalt find Queen
Guenever dead. And therefore take thy fellows with thee,
and purvey them of an horse bier, and fetch thou the corpse
of her, and bury her by her husband, the noble King
Arthur. So this advision came to Sir Launcelot thrice in
one night.
CHAPTER XI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WENT WITH HIS SEVEN FELLOWS TO ALMES-
BURY, AND FOUND THERE QUEEN GUENEVER DEAD, WHOM
THEY BROUGHT TO GLASTONBURY
THEN Sir Launcelot rose up or day, and told the hermit.
It were well done, said the hermit, that ye made you ready,
and that you disobey not the advision. Then Sir Launce-
lot took his seven fellows with him, and on foot they yede
from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more
than thirty mile. And thither they came within two days,
for they were weak and feeble to go. And when Sir
Launcelot was come to Almesbury within the nunnery,
Queen Guenever died but half an hour afore. And the
ladies told Sir Launcelot that Queen Guenever told them
all or she passed, that Sir Launcelot had been priest near a
twelvemonth, And hither he cometh as fast as he may to
fetch my corpse ; and beside my lord, King Arthur, he shall
bury me. Wherefore the queen said in hearing of them all :
I beseech Almighty God that I may never have power
to see Sir Launcelot with my worldly eyen ; and thus, said
all the ladies, was ever her prayer these two days, till she was
dead. Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not
greatly, but sighed. And so he did all the observance of
the service himself, both the dirge at night, and on the
morn he sang mass. And there was ordained an horse bier ;
and so with an hundred torches ever burning about the
corpse of the queen, and ever Sir Launcelot with his seven
fellows went about the horse bier, singing and reading many
an holy orison, and frankincense upon the corpse incensed.
Thus Sir Launcelot and his seven fellows went on foot from
Almesbury unto Glastonbury. And when they were come to
the chapel and the hermitage, there she had a dirge, with
great devotion. And on the morn the hermit that some-
398 King Arthur
time was Bishop of Canterbury sang the mass of requiem
with great devotion. And Sir Launcelot was the first that
offered, and then also his seven fellows. And then she was
wrapped in cered cloth of Raines, from the top to the toe,
in thirtyfold ; and after she was put in a web of lead,
and then in a coffin of marble. And when she was put in
the earth Sir Launcelot swooned, and lay long still, while
the hermit came and awaked him, and said : Ye be to
blame, for ye displease God with such manner of sorrow
making. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I trust I do not dis-
please God, for He knoweth mine intent. For my sorrow
was not, nor is not, for any rejoicing of sin, but my sorrow
may never have end. For when I remember of her beauty,
and of her noblesse, that was both with her king and with
her, so when I saw his corpse and her corpse so lie together,
truly mine heart would not serve to sustain my careful body.
Also when I remember me how by my default, mine orgulity
and my pride, that they were both laid full low, that were
peerless that ever was living of Christian people, wit you
well, said Sir Launcelot, this remembered, of their kindness
and mine unkindness, sank so to mine heart, that I might
not sustain myself. So the French book maketh mention.
CHAPTER XII
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BEGAN TO SICKEN, AND AFTER DIED, WHOSE
BODY WAS BORNE TO JOYOUS CARD FOR TO BE BURIED
THEN Sir Launcelot never after ate but little meat,
ne drank, till he was dead. For then he sickened more
and more, and dried, and dwined away. For the Bishop
nor none of his fellows might not make him to eat,
and little he drank, that he was waxen by a cubit shorter
than he was, that the people could not know him. For
evermore, day and night, he prayed, but sometime he
slumbered a broken sleep ; ever he was lying grovelling
on the tomb of King Arthur and Queen Guenever.
And there was no comfort that the Bishop, nor Sir Bors,
nor none of his fellows, could make him, it availed not.
So within six weeks after, Sir Launcelot fell sick, and
lay in his bed ; and then he sent for the Bishop that
there was hermit, and all his true fellows. Then Sir
King Arthur 399
Launcelot said with dreary Steven: Sir Bishop, I pray
you give to me all my rites that longeth to a Christian
man. It shall not need you, said the hermit and all his
fellows, it is but heaviness of your blood, ye shall be
well mended by the grace of God tomorn. My fair
lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well my careful body
will into the earth, I have warning more than now I
will say ; therefore give me my rites. So when he was
houseled and enelid, and had all that a Christian man
ought to have, he prayed the Bishop that his fellows
might bear his body to Joyous Gard. Some men
say it was Alnwick, and some men say it was Bam-
borough. Howbeit, said Sir Launcelot, me repenteth
sore, but I made mine avow sometime, that in Joyous
Gard I would be buried. And by cause of breaking of
mine avow, I pray you all, lead me thither. Then there
was weeping and wringing of hands among his fellows.
So at a season of the night they all went to their beds,
for they all lay in one chamber. And so after midnight,
against day, the Bishop that was hermit, as he lay in his
bed asleep, he fell upon a great laughter. And there-
withal the fellowship awoke, and came to the Bishop, and
asked him what he ailed. Ah Jesu mercy, said the
Bishop, why did ye awake me? I was never in all my
life so merry and so well at ease. Wherefore? said Sir
Bors. Truly, said the Bishop, here was Sir Launcelot
with me with more angels than ever I saw men in one
day. And I saw the angels heave up Sir Launcelot unto
heaven, and the gates of heaven opened against him.
It is but dretching of swevens, said Sir Bors, for I doubt
not Sir Launcelot aileth nothing but good. It may well
be, said the Bishop; go ye to his bed, and then shall
ye prove the sooth. So when Sir Bors and his fellows
came to his bed they found him stark dead, and he lay
as he had smiled, and the sweetest savour about him that
ever they felt. Then was there weeping and wringing of
hands, and the greatest dole they made that ever made
men. And on the morn the Bishop did his mass of
requiem ; and after, the Bishop and all the nine knights
put Sir Launcelot in the same horse bier that Queen
Guenever was laid in tofore that she was buried. And
so the Bishop and they all together went with the body
of Sir Launcelot daily, till they came to Joyous Gard;
400 King Arthur
and ever they had an hundred torches burning about
him. And so within fifteen days they came to Joyous
Gard. And there they laid his corpse in the body of the
quire, and sang and read many psalters and prayers over
him and about him. And ever his visage was laid open
and naked, that all folks might behold him. For such
was the custom in those days, that all men of worship
should so lie with open visage till that they were buried.
And right thus as they were at their service, there came
Sir Ector de Maris, that had seven years sought all
England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother, Sir
Launcelot
CHAPTER XIII
HOW SIR ECTOR FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT HIS BROTHER DEAD, AND
HOW CONSTANTINE REIGNED NEXT AFTER ARTHUR ; AND OF
THE END OF THIS BOOK
AND when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the
quire of Joyous Gard, he alit and put his horse from
him, and came into the quire, and there he saw men
sing and weep. And all they knew Sir Ector, but he
knew not them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector,
and told him how there lay his brother, Sir Launcelot,
dead ; and then Sir Ector threw his shield, sword, and
helm from him. And when he beheld Sir Launcelot's
visage, he fell down in a swoon. And when he waked
it were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that
he made for his brother. Ah Launcelot, he said, thou
were head of all Christian knights, and now I dare say,
said Sir Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest, that
thou were never matched of earthly knight's hand. And
thou were the courteoust knight that ever bare shield.
And thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever
bestrad horse. And thou were the truest lover of a sinful
man that ever loved woman. And thou were the kindest
man that ever struck with sword. And thou were the
goodliest person that ever came among press of knights.
And thou was the meekest man and the gentlest that evei
ate in hall among ladies. And thou were the sternest
knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest
Then there was weeping and dolour out of measure.
King Arthur 401
Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse on loft fifteen days,
and then they buried it with great devotion. And then
at leisure they went all with the Bishop of Canterbury to
his hermitage, and there they were together more than a
month. Then Sir Constantine, that was Sir Cador's son
of Cornwall, was chosen king of England. And he was
a full noble knight, and worshipfully he ruled this realm.
And then this King Constantine sent for the Bishop of
Canterbury, for he heard say where he was. And so he
was restored unto his Bishopric, and left that hermitage.
And Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's
end. Then Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Mans, Sir
Gahalantine, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamore, Sir
Bleoberis, Sir Villiars le Valiant, Sir Clarrus of Clermont,
all these knights drew them to their countries. Howbeit
King Constantine would have had them with him, but they
would not abide in this realm. And there they all lived
in their countries as holy men. And some English books
make mention that they went never out of England after
the death of Sir Launcelot, but that was but favour of
makers. For the French book maketh mention, and is
authorised, that Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Blamore, and Sir
Bleoberis, went into the Holy Land thereas Jesu Christ was
quick and dead, and anon as they had stablished their lands.
For the book saith, so Sir Launcelot commanded them
for to do, or ever he passed out of this world. And these
four knights did many battles upon the miscreants or Turks,
And there they died upon a Good Friday for God's sake.
Here is the end of the book of King Arthur, and of his noble
knights of the Round Table , that when they were whole together
there was ever an hundred and forty. And here is the end of
the death of Arthur. I pray you all, gentlemen and gentlewomen
that readeth this book of Arthur and his knights, from the beginning
to the ending, pray for me while I am on live, that God send me
good deliverance, and when I am dead, I pray you all pray for
my soul. For this book was ended the ninth year of the reign of
King Edward the Fourth, by Sir Thomas Maleore, knight, as Jesu
help him for his great might, as he is the servant of Jesu both
day and night.
Thus endeth this noble and joyous book entitled Le Morte
Darthur. Notwithstanding it treateth of the birth, life, and acts of
II 46 O
402 King Arthur
the said King Arthur, of his noble knights of the Round Table,
their marvellous enquests and adventures, the achieving of the
Sangreal, and in the end the dolorous death and departing out of
this vjorld of them att. Which book <was reduced into English
hy Sir Thomas Malory, knight, as afore is said, and by me divided
into Seventy-one books, chaptered and imprinted, and finished in the
abbey Westminster the last day of July the year of our Lord
MCCCCLXXXV.
Caxton me fieri fecit.
GLOSSARY
hashed, bent, 1o'*ered ; cast down.
abate, cast down.
tibidtn, waited for.
abought, bought.
abrayea, started up.
accord, ' make at a.,' reconcile.
accorded, agreed, reconciled.
accordment, reconciliation.
account, count.
accounted, counted.
acquit, requite.
otioubtcd, afeared.
adread, afraid.
ativenture, peril, venture.
advice ', ' at mine a. , ' in mjr opinion.
advised him, deliberated with himself.
advisement, advice.
advision, avision, vision.
a/eared, afraid.
after, according to, afterwards.
afterdelc, disadvantage.
after-supper, dessert.
affiance, trust.
apa.m, against, towards.
a.gaiwjL<ard, against, towards.
a^ne, ago.
ak'.fwe, acknowledge, knov/.
alighted, illumined.
alii, alighted.
all day, always.
all met, altogether, quite.
allegiance, alleviation.
allowed, praised.
almeryes, cupboards, cheats.
aliJifr, altkers, of all ; ' our a.,' of US all.
alygetnent, alleviation.
amazed, dozed.
amounted, mounted.
««, if.
ancient men, old, aged men-
angvishly, full of anguish.
anon, immediately.
apayed, satisfied.
apparelled, furnished, appointed.
a; peach, impeach.
appcached, impeached.
appel, accuse, bring to trial.
appelled, impeached, accused.
apperccive, perceive.
appsrtices, feats, dexterities.
approved, tried.
A 'purpose, on purpose,
araged, enraged.
araised, raised.
arose, efface.
annyvestal, (?) martial, fierce ; or perhaps,
solemn, grave (? earnestful, ' amystal ").
arraymt-iit, garments.
arson, saddle-bow.
as, lika, as iC.
askance, sideways, indirectly, casually.
aspies, spies.
assay, try, essay, test.
assoil, absolve.
assoiled, absolved.
assott^d, besotted, doted on, infatuated:
astonied, stunned.
at arms I to arms !
at taint } reached, come to.
a-two, in two, asunder.
avail, advantage.
azialfd, lowered.
avaunt, vaunt, boast.
avaunting, boasting.
! aventred, couched (spoken of a sp<^ir).
j avised, advised, prepared.
avoid, quit, leave.
avoided, left, sprang from.
ccvmu, vow, acknowledge.
avows, vows.
aivayivard, away.
aivke, backward, back-handed.
auiroke, avenged.
bain, bayne, bath.
bands, bonds.
barbican, an outwork of a fort.
barb*, (?) fences.
barget, small barge.
battle, battalion.
b,-iwdyt dirty.
bttimous = beautnes, trumpets.
be-bLsd, covered with blood.
kudosed, enclosed.
IccoinSy gone, got to ; ' is b.,' has got to.
bf.dashed, bedecked.
begrip, grasp firmly.
behighi, commanded, promised, threat-
ened.
bf.holding, beholden.
bcliote, promise.
btleft, left.
benomit, taken from, robbed.
bereave, deprive.
bereaved, taken from.
besaunte, a golden coin, so called because
first coined at Byzantium or Constan-
tinople.
besfek, seek earnestly.
beseemeth ; ' me b.' it seems to rne.
bessen, provided, appointed.
beset, set earnestly.
Icski/te, thrust off, get rid of.
bestad, bestead, placed, situated ; ' hard
b.,' badly circumstanced, in hard plight.
bestial, cattle.
bestrad, bestrode.
betaken, handed over, intrusted*
bt'iaught, commendtto.
bttid, happened.
403
404
Glossary
betook, intrusted, commended, gave.
bevered, trembled.
bisene, bysene, provided, appointed,
apparelled.
bledde, covered with blood.
bobaunce, pride, pomp, bombast.
boistous, boisterous, cross-grained, rougb.
bole, tree-trunk.
boot, bate, remedy, avail.
boroives, pledges.
borroine, pledge, security.
bountf, bounty.
bourded, jested.
bourder, jester.
bourgeoneth, blossoms, buds.
bow-draught, the distance a bow will
carry.
boyshe, bush, bough.
boystous, boisterous, cross-grained, rough.
braced, embraced.
bracket, hound.
braid, movement.
brast, burst, broke.
brasiing, bursting.
^raw«,the thick muscular part of the flesh.
breathed, took breath, rested for breath.
breathed during, able to sustain breath.
brent, burnt.
brised, crushed, broke.
broached, thrust
broacJtes, spits.
brose, a kind of broth or pottage.
brunts, blows.
brym, angry.
bubbly, bubbling.
bur, a broad ring just below the grip of a
spear.
bushincnt, ambush.
but, except
but as, but.
but if, except
by, near.
by that, by the time
bywaryd, bestowed.
call, ' let me c.,' caused me to be called.
canel bone, collar-bone.
cantel, a small piece or portion of any-
thing.
careful, full of care.
carracks, small ships.
carved, cut
cast, a set of loaves baked together.
cast ; ' I c. me,' I resolve, I am deter-
mined.
casteth, is determined.
causeless, causelessly, without cause.
cease, cause to cease.
cedle, schedule, writing.
cere, to wrap in cere-clothes, waxed
shrouds.
cered ; ' c. doth of Raines" (' a town in
Britayne '), waxed cloth, shroud.
certes, certainly.
chafiet, small platform.
charge, command, sentence.
charged, burdened.
cheer, entertainment, bearing, demeanour.
chrism, holy oil.
churl, fellow.
clave, did cleave,
clean, noble.
clean, dene, quite, entirely, completely.
clearness, brightness.
cleight, clutched, seized.
cleped, clyped, called.
clerk, scholar, cleric.
closed, enclosed.
coffer, chest.
cogge, cock-boat.
cognisance, badge.
coif, head-covering, helmet, cap.
come, become.
commonalty, commons.
complished, complete.
comynal, common.
con, know, be able.
conceit, thought, knowledge.
concluded, determined.
condition, habit.
confessed, shrived.
conies, rabbits.
conservant, wont to haunt.
conserve, preserve.
contrarious, contrary
contrary, contradict.
convenable, convenient
cording, accord, agreement.
coronal, spear -head, circlet
cost, rib.
costed, kept in course (hunting-term).
couched, lay.
could, knew.
courage, encourage.
couragest, dost encourage.
courtelage, garden or court-yard.
courteoust, most courteous.
cousin, consanguineous.
cousin-germain, first cousin.
covenant, condition.
covert, reserved, in reserve.
covetise, covetousness.
covit!., deceit, trickery.
credence, statement, report.
croft, grot, crypt.
croup, crupper.
cry ; ' let do c.,' caused to be proclaimed.
cumbered, encumbered, hampered.
curteist, most courteous.
daffish, silly.
damage, loss, pity.
damosel, damsel.
danger, daunger, dominion, power, dom-
ination.
dare, frighten.
dawed, sprinkled with water.
deal, act, part, settle.
debonair, gentle.
deceit/able, deceitful.
defaded, faded away.
default, fault, want, need.
defend, prevent, forbid, refuse.
defended, forbidden.
defendeth, forbids.
de foiled, overcome, shattered ; slandered.
defouled, defiled, shattered.
dele, part, poition.
Glossary
405
delivered, resolved, determined, deliber
a ted.
deliverly, nimbly, quickly.
depart, divide, part.
departed, parted, divided.
departition, departure.
depraved^ disparaged.
descrive, describe.
despite, spite.
devices, badges.
devised, recognised.
devoided, left, quitted.
devoir, duty.
did do (write, etc.), caused to be (written,
etc.).
dight, decked.
dindled, shook.
dints, blows.
discomfit, discomfited.
discover, betray, disclose.
disherit, disinherit.
disheritance, disinheritance,
disherited, disinherited.
disparply, dispersed.
dispenses, expenses.
disperpled, scattered.
disport, sport.
dissever, distinguish.
dissevered, severed.
distained, sullied, disgraced.
disTJuorship, dishonour.
do ', ' did d. make,1 caused to be made.
do off, doff, take off.
dole, sorrow, grief.
dole-making, giving vent to expressions
of grief.
damage, damage, harm, injury.
domineth, dominates.
done, gift.
done, put, caused; ' d. to wit,' caused
to know.
doted, doting.
doublet, close-fitting inner garment, upper
garment of a man.
doubt, fear.
doubted, feared.
draughts, retiring-rooms, adjoining the
main apartment
dread, dreaded, feared.
drenched, drowned.
dress, defend.
dressed, got ready, directed, poised ;
pitched.
dretched, harassed, oppressed.
dretching, harassing, confusion.
dromoundes, vessels of war
dure, last, live.
dured, lasted.
duresse, hardship, durance.
dvrelh, lasts, remains.
during, enduring
dwell, tarry.
divined, dwindled.
efte, afterwards.
eftures, inner part, chambers.
embattled, drawn up in battle array,
embushment, ambush, ambuscade.
tme, uncle.
emprised, undertook.
enchafe, warm (by exercise).
enchafed, incited, heated.
endlong, the whole length of, along.
ensure, last, hold out.
endured, lasted, remained.
eneled, anealed, received extreme unction.
enewed, tinted, shaded.
enforce, exert.
engine, engyn, ' device,1 craft ; ' mal e.,'
evil craft.
enow, enough.
enpoisoned, poisoned.
enqnest, quest.
ensample, example.
ensure, assure.
ensured, promised.
entreat, treat.
tntreated, treated.
environ, surround.
errant knights, wandering knights.
erst, before, formerly.
eschew, avoid.
espy, spy.
estate, state, pomp, rank, condition.
estates, ranks.
eure, fortune.
evenlong, straight along.
every each, every one, each one.
expense, disbursement expenditure.
eyen, eyes.
/ailed, wanted.
fain, glad, gladly, willingly.
Jaiter, deceiver, rogue.
fall, befall, chance, happen.
fallen, befallen, happened.
falslier, more falsely
fantasy, fancy.
fare \ ' made f.,' behaved.
fare, condition, manner ; act.
fared, acted.
faren, conditioned.
fareth, acts.
faring, acting.
fame, fared, treated, conditioned.
fast, quickly ; close, near.
fauted, wanted.
fawte, fail, want.
fear, frighten.
fell, befell.
fellow, companion.
fellows, equals.
fellowship, company.
feloniously, cruelly.
ferd, became, behaved.
feute, track, scent.
feuter, a rest for the spear ; fix the speai
in rest.
feutred, fixed in rest, put in rest.
fiance, faith, assurance.
fiendly, fiendish.
fiacket, flask.
flang out, drew out quickly.
flatting, flat.
flayed off, stripped off.
fleet, float.
fleeting, floating.
flitnyd, put to flight.
406
Glossary
feined, thrust
/or, on account of, for fear of ; because.
for that, because.
for -why, because.
forbled, bled freely, lost a great deal of
blood ; exhausted.
forborne, spared.
force ; ' take no f. , ' make no account, care
not ; 'BO f.,' no matter ; ' I take no f.,'
I take no heed, I care not.
fordcle, advantage.
fordo, destroy.
fore-cast, pre-arranged, deliberate, pre-
meditation.
forfared, ruined, perished utterly (for,
intensive prefix).
forfend, forbid.
forfoughten, worn out with fighting.
forkmm, hewn all to pieces.
forjousted, worn out in jousting.
forth days, far advanced in the day.
forthink, repent.
ferthinketh; 'me f.,' it repenteth me I
regret ; I am sorry.
forthou*ht, repented, was sorry.
forthiuithal, forthwith.
fortune, chance.
fortvounded, desperately wounded.
foyne, thrust.
foyning, thrusting.
freshed, refreshed, laved
froiuard, from.
fulfilled, filled full.
gad, wedge-shaped instrument, graver.
gainest, most convenient, nearest.
gar, cause.
garnished, provided, equipped, furnished.
garte, caused.
gerfalcon, a kind of large hawk.
germain, akin.
ghostly, spiritual.
give ; ' give you that,' adjudge.
glaive, sword.
Blasting, barking.
glatisant, barking.
gobbets, morsels, pieces.
God -would, would to God.
governance, charge, care.
graithed, prepared.
grame, sorrow.
gram trey, great thanks.
grant mercy = grand merci, many thanks.
graven, dug.
gree, prize, victory.
greese, grease.
gretys, steps.
grimly, grim.
grisliest, most terrible,
grounden, sharpened.
guerdenlesS; without reward.
gysarme, bill, battle-axe.
kakergeon, armour to defend the neck and
breast.
haft, handle.
kalp, did help, helped.
kalsed, embraced.
halsing, embracing.
handfast, betrothed.
handsel, earnest-money.
happed, chanced.
harbingers, preparers of the lord's lodg-
ings.
harbour, harbourage, shelter.
harbour, seek shelter.
harboured, sheltered, lodged.
hard, strong.
hard ; ' in like h.,1 with equal hardihood ;
in the same hard way.
harder, stronger, more mature.
hardiest, bravest.
hardiness, hardihood, bravery, valour.
hardy, bold.
harness, armour.
harnessed, adorned, armoured.
hasty, urgent.
hauberk, coat of mail.
/taunt, practise.
htiunteth, inhabits.
haut, high, noble.
heartly, heartfelt.
heave, raised.
heavier, sadder.
heaviness sorrow, sadness.
heavy, sad, sorrowful ; sadden.
hett, command, promise, word.
hew, hewed.
highest, tallest.
hight, was called.
hilled, wrapped, enveloped, covered.
hoar, hoary.
hold, endure, resist.
holden, beholden ; held, made.
holpen, helped.
holts, woods.
hough bone, the back part of the knee-
joint.
houseled, having received the eucharist,
shrived.
hanselled, shrived, given absolution.
hove, hover, tarry.
hoved, tarried.
hoveth, tarries.
having, moving, hovering.
hurtle, clash.
hurtled, clashed, dashed against.
hurtling, clashing.
ho^vbeit, although.
in, on.
incensed, sprinkled as incer.se.
incontinent, immediately.
incoronation, coronation.
Inde, dark -blue.
infellcnushipi go into the company,
inlv, intensely, deeply-dyed.
intent, purpose, intention.
intermeddled, mingled.
intermit, meddle.
jape, jest, jeer.
japed, jeste.!.
japer, jester
japes, jests, jeers.
japing, jesting.
Glossary
407
ie.tlousntss, jealousy.
jeopard, jeopardise, put in jeopardy.
jeopardy \ jeopardise.
jessera-unce, cuirass of mail.
jesseraunte, cuirass.
jousts (commonly for ' joust '), encounter
on horseback.
joyed, rejoiced.
keep ; ' took no k.,' took no heed.
kempes, warriors.
kind, nature.
kindly, natural.
kirtle, upper garment, tunic.
knoTitledging, knowledge, cognisance.
laboured, exercised.
lapped, wrapped, folded.
largeness, liberality.
largess, bounty.
lasted, extended.
late, lately.
laton, a mixed metal, a kind of brass or
bronze.
tuunde, plain.
lay, song ; lodged.
layne, conceal.
lazar-cote, leper's hut.
learn, teach.
learys, leres, cheeks, faces.
least, lowest.
led, was led by.
leech, physician.
leman, lover, mistress.
let, hinder, prevent ; hindered, prevented.
letted, hindered.
iewd, unlearned, ignorant.
If-wdest, foulest.
lie, lodge, dwell.
lief, dear, welcome ; gladly, willingly.
iiejer, lever, more dear.
liefer, more gladly ; rather.
liefest, most gladly, rather.
liegiance, allegiance.
lieve, believe.
life ; ' led their 1.,' spent their time.
lift, lifted.
light, alight ; lighten.
lightly, quickly.
list, desire, inclination.
lithe, joint.
long ; ' or it be 1. to,' ere long.
Ion;;, belong.
long on, along of, because of.
long uf>on, on account of, along of.
longea, belonged.
longeth, belongeth.
longing, belonging.
look, give heed, take care.
loos, renown, praise.
lot less, uninjured.
lowe (?), hill.
lusk idle lout.
lust, desire, inclination.
lusty, strong.
iycours, lecherous.
lymmt-mcaltl limb by limb.
mails, coats of mail.
makeles, without a match, peerless.
maker, author, writer.
mal-fortune, ill-luck.
march, to border on.
marches, borders, frontiers.
marvelloust, most marvellous
maichecold, furnished with projecting
galleries.
maugre, spite, ill-will ; in spite of.
maugre mine head, despite my wishes.
me list, it pleases me ; I please.
meagre, thin.
mean, means.
measle, feverous disease.
meddle, fight, do battle.
medled, mingled, mixed.
meieemeth, it seems to me.
meyne, retinue.
mickle, much.
middes, midst,
minever, a kind of greyish far.
misadvised, unadvised.
mischief, harm, injure.
mischieved, harmed, injured.
miscomfort, discomfort, dismay.
miscreature, monster.
misdid, acted wrongly.
misdone, done amiss.
mishapped, chanced by mishap.
mishappily, unhappily.
missaid, abused.
missay, abuse, revile.
missaying, abuse.
mister, need.
mockage, mockery.
mocks, mockings.
more, greater, moreover.
more liker, more like,
mortality, slaughter.
most, greatest.
mote, may.
motes, notes on a horn or trumpet
mountenance, amount, space, duration.
much, big, great.
naked, unarmed.
named, attributed.
namely, especially.
ne, not.
near, nearly, almost.
nere, were it not.
neiv-f angle, fond of taking up nevr
things.
next, nearest.
neysshe, soft, tender.
nigh ted, benighted.
nill, will not.
nili, wilt not.
noblesse, nobility, nobleness.
nobley, splendour.
noise, rumour, fame, report.
noised, rumoured.
«<?Af=ne wold, would not.
noseling, on his nose, head-long.
noyous, hurtful, noxious.
nys, is not.
ne wist, knew not
408
Glossary
cbeissance, sway, dominion.
of, for, by, on, at, from.
offencer, offender.
oftsidet, ofttimes.
one, alone, singly.
only, 'all o.,1 alone.
or, ere, before.
or ever, before.
ordain, order, arraign, appoint.
ordained, arranged, ordered, appointed,
prepared.
ordina.nct, order, array.
argute, pride.
orgulist, proudest.
orgulous, proud.
orgulytt, pride.
orison, prayer.
other-elset otherwise.
other else, or else.
ought, owned, possessed, belonged.
ouicept, except.
Out her, or.
outrag,. oufity, outrage.
outrageousness, excessive violence.
out-take, except.
out-taken, excepting.
outward, outwardly.
overget, overtake.
overhylled, covered.
overlong, the length of.
overthwart, across ; adverse circum-
stance.
ovcr-thweirtly , cross-wise.
owe, possess, am obliged to.
owe. ought.
owed, owned.
oweth, owns, possesses.
own, one.
painture, device.
paltockes, doublets.
parage, lineage; rank.
paramours, lovingly, par amour.
pardie, par Dieti.
pareil, equal, like.
part, duty.
parters, those who parted the knights.
parties, sides.
party, fart, side,
pass, surpass.
passed, passed judgment ; surpassed.
passing, surpassing, exceedingly.
paynim, heathen.
paytrellys, breastplates.
pilowres, robbers.
pcnsel, penon.
peradventnre, perhaps.
perched, pierced.
percloos, partition. ^
pcriloust, most perilous.
perish, destroy.
peron, tombstone, monument
piece, vessel of silver.
pieces, points.
pill, plunder.
pillers, robbers, plunderers,
//ay i recreate, pass the time, disport.
plecuaunce, pleasure.
jienour, fullv.
flomb, plumb, block.
point, tag, lace.
pointltng. aiming at.
pommel, boss.
port, door.
posseded, possessed.
potestate, chief magistrate.
pounte, pont, bridge.
precessors, predecessors.
press, throng.
pretendeth, pertaineth.
pricking, spurring.
priker, squire.
prise, a note on the horn in banting.
prison, imprison.
promise; 'my p.,' i.e. the promise made
to me.
puissance, power, might.
purfle, trimming.
purfled, trimmed.
pursuivants, heralds.
purvey, provide.
purveyance, provisions.
pyghte, pitched.
pyke, steal.
pyked, stole, went off secretly.
quarrels, darts.
quest, search, inquiry, inquest.
questing, chasing, barking.
quick, alive, living.
quire, choir.
quit, requite, acquit ; requited.
quite, requite.
raced, rased, cut.
raced off, smote off.
rack, herd.
raged, enraged.
ramping, raging.
range ; fetch his r.,' take up his position.
\ ransack, search thoroughly.
rased off. cut off.
raseth, chafes.
rash, raff, slash, cut (particularly applied
to the stroke g_iven by a boar).
rasure, destruction.
raundon, onrush, force, violence.
readily, easily.
reared, raised.
rechate, the calling back of the hounds.
reck, care.
recommend, commend.
recommendation, commendation.
recommended, commended.
recommending, commending.
recompensation, compensation.
recounter, encounter.
recover, recovery.
rede, counsel.
rehearse, relate, enumerate.
rehearsed, enumerated, related.
reigned on, reigned over.
rejoice, enjoy.
rejoiced, enjoyed.
relieved, rallied.
remembered himself, reminded himself,
remembered.
remembrance, device.
Glossary
409
reptnteth \ ' me r,' I am sorry, 1
regret.
require, entreat, demand.
required, entreated.
resemblaunt, semblance, appearance.
retrayed, drew bade.
returned, turned.
re-warded, awarded.
right, just.
rights, necessities ; points.
nghtvrise, rightly.
rivage, side of a stream.
rived, tore asunder.
romed, bellowed.
rated, practised, skilled.
rout, company.
rente, split, tore.
rcnvnsepykj a tree beginning to decay at
the top from age.
royalty, splendour.
sacring, taking of the sacrament.
sadly, heavily.
samite, a rich silk stuff, often interwoven
with gold or silver threads.
Sangrealj Holy Grail.
sarpyst girdles.
saunce, sans, without.
scathe, injure, harm.
scathes, injuries.
scattering, dispersal.
scripture, writing.
seemly, noble.
selar, canopy.
self-ward, self.
semblable, comparable, equal.
semblant, semblance.
sendal, sendel, a kind of rich, thin silken
stuff.
sennight, seven nights, a week.
srrvage, bondage.
set, beset ; appoint.
seued, followed.
seive, follow.
server-chief, chief of the serving-men.
shaftmon, ' a measure from the top of the
extended thumb to the other end of the
extended palm,' about six inches.
shaiu, thicket.
shende, put to shame.
shenship, disgrace, ruin, shame.
shent, discomfited, destroyed, hurt.
She r- Thursday, Thursday before Easter.
short, shorten. .
shorted, shortened,
shoure, attack.
shove, pushed, thrust, drove along.
shrew, wicked person.
shrewd, wicked, malicious.
shriven, confessed ; do penance.
sib, akin.
sidelong, sideways.
siege, seat, place.
sikcmess, security.
skift, chance.
slade, valley.
slake, ravine.
slake, slaken, diminish.
smitt, strike.
so, if.
solemnity, festivity.
sometime, once.
sondes, messages.
sooth, truth.
sort, company.
spere, inquire, find out.
spered, inquired.
sperhaivk, sparrowhawk.
speryd, sperd, fastened.
spicery, spices.
sprang, spread.
sprent, sprinkled.
springing, dawn.
spronge, communicated.
stablished, established, fixed.
stale, state, station, position.
stalk, stalking-horse.
stark, gross, absolute ; severe, thoroughly.
start, sterte, started, sprang.
stede, place.
stered, moved, stirred.
steven, appointed meeting ; opportunity.
steven, voice, sound.
stiffly, boldly.
stigh, path.
stilly, quietly.
stint, cease ; ceasing ; make to cease.
stinted, caused to cease.
stoned, battered, crushed.
stonied, became stunned.
stour, battle.
stout, strong.
straight, close, strict, closely confined.
strake, to give a quick blow.
strain, race.
strait, strict, straightened, at close
quarters.
straitiy, strictly, strongly.
strength, strengthen.
string; bow-string.
stuff, to store with all necessaries.
stuff, victual, garrison.
stuffed, victualled.
subtil, clever, deft.
sufferance, will, allowance.
sum, number.
suppose, propose.
surcingles, saddle-girths.
sure, secure.
swallow, whirlpool.
swang out, drew out sharply.
sweven, dream.
sworn brother, close companion.
swough, sough, sound, noise.
syker, secure, sure.
syne, since.
syth, since.
sythen, since.
take, betake, go, give.
tale, reckoning.
talent, desire.
tallies, taxes.
tamed, battered, crushed.
tare, tore.
latches, defects, qualities, dispositions,
taught, directed.
teach, direct.
410
Glossary
tell, interpret.
tent, grief.
term, time.
that, that which.
thtrc, where.
thereafter, accordingly.
thereas, where
therewithal, therewith.
thilk, that same.
thrall, thraldom.
fhrang, pressed forward.
threated, menaced.
threst, did thrust.
thrict, triple.
throughout, through, thoroughly.
ihrutled, thrilled, pierced.
thwart, athwart, across.
tide, betide.
till, to.
time ; ' by t.,' betimes.
to-beat, beat all to pieces {to intensive
prefix).
to-brast, burst, broke to pieces.
to-drive, urged along, hastened to ruin.
tofore, before.
to-held, held.
to-hewed, hewed all to pieces.
tokening, token; betokening.
tontorn, to-morrow morning.
took, gave.
took keep, took note.
to-riven, torn to pieces.
to-ro7<e, broke to pieces.
to-rushed, shattered.
to-shivered, shivered to pieces,
toiuard, ready to help.
traiforlier, more treacherously.
traitorly, treacherously.
trapped, adorned with trappings.
trap pours, trappings, ornaments
trase trace, check, harass (a hunting
term for checking the dogs when too
forward).
traverse', 'at t,' across.
traversed, ran across.
tray, sorrow.
treastise, treaty.
trenchant, cutting, sharp.
trest, trysting-place, hunting-station.
troth-plight, plighted troth.
truage, homage, tribute.
trumpets, trumpeters.
trussed, packed, bundled.
ubblye, wafer.
umbecast, cast about.
umberere, that part of the helmet which
shades the eyes.
umbre, shadow.
uncouth, strange, not akin.
understand, understood.
undertaken, overtaken.
undertook, tried, ventured, attacked.
undorne, the time from nine to twelve
o'clock in the morning ; meal-time.
unhap, misfortune.
wf-hilled, uncovered.
unttindly, unnatural.
vnmeasurably, immeasurably,
unnailed, unfastened.
•unnethe, unnethes, scarcely.
unsiker, unstable.
until, unto, to.
unto, until.
univare, unwary, unprepared.
unwarly, unwarily.
unwimpled, unveiled, uncovered.
univrast, wrested free.
upon, of.
up-so-down, up-side-down.
usance^ use, custom.
useth, is accustomed.
utas, the eighth day, or the space of eight
days, after any festival.
utterance, utmost ; ' to the u.,1 at fou-
trance, to the utmost, to the last.
valiances, valours.
variant, variable.
varlet, servant.
venery, hunting.
vengcable. revengeful.
•ventails, holes for letting in air.
very, true.
villain, serf, churl, peasant.
voice, vote.
void, empty, spare.
voided, caused to fall off ; empty, free-
•wage, pay.
•wagged, nodded.
•wagging, shaking.
waited, watched, observed, looked.
•waits, guards.
wallop, gallop.
wanhope, despair.
wanne, ebb.
wappe, lap.
wure, aware.
wart; wore.
warison, reward.
warn, prevent, forbid.
warned, forbidden.
•matched, kept awake.
-way-leading (?), leading away,
wayte, take care, watch, observe.
weed, garment, attire.
•ween, think.
weened, thought.
weenedst, didst think.
weenest, dost think.
welde, possess, hold.
welded, possessed.
! weltered, rolled about, grovelled.
j werewolf, man-wolf.
what, whatever,
what so, whatsoever.
whereas, where.
whereby, why, wherefore.
whether, which of the two, either.
whilom, formerly.
wholesome, good.
wide-where, far and wide.
wight, brave, valiant.
viightly, courageously.
wildsome, savage, wild.
Glossary
411
vr'll, wish.
•wimpled, veiled.
wind, to render scant of wind.
•wise, manner.
wist, knew.
wit, know.
witf, blame.
ivith, by.
•witk-hold, hold against, be hostile ;
retain.
•uiithliolden, retained, held.
witkinforth, within.
ivitJwutforth, outside.
witksay, gainsay.
wittily, cleverly.
witting, knowledge.
•woe -worth, evil befall, evil be to.
wait, wilt.
won. up, struggled up.
wonderly, exceedingly, wonderfully.
wonC, accustomed, used.
•wood, mad.
woodly, madly, wildly.
woodness, madness.
wood-shaw, wood, thicket.
worship, honour.
worshipfully and manly, in an honours 1 ;i*
and manly way.
worth, worthy.
worts, roots, herbs.
wot, I know.
wrake, ruin, destruction ; injury.
itirast, wrested.
wroken, wreaked.
wrothe, wrenched.
wrung, twisted about.
yede, yo ie, went.
yield, yielded.
yielden, yielded,
yolden, yielded, surrendered
y-wis, certainly.
THE BND
AT Tua
CR6AT BRITAIN
EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY
By ERNEST RHYS
"A good book is the precious life-blood of a master-spirit."
MILTON
VICTOR HUGO said a Library was "an act of faith/'
and another writer spoke of one so beautiful, so perfect,
so harmonious in all its parts, that he who made it was
smitten with a passion. In that faith Everyman's Library was
planned out originally on a large scale ; and the idea was to make
it conform as far as possible to a perfect scheme. However,
perfection is a thing to be aimed at and not to be achieved in
this difficult world ; and since the first volumes appeared some
years ago, there have been many interruptions, chief among
them the Great War of 1914-18, during which even the City
of Books felt a world commotion. But the series is now getting
back into its old stride and looking forward to complete its
scheme of a Thousand Volumes.
One of the practical expedients in the original plan was
to divide the volumes into separate sections, as Biography,
Fiction, History, Belles-lettres, Poetry, Philosophy, Romance,
and so forth; with a shelf for Young People. Last, and
not least, there was one of Reference Books, in which, beside
the dictionaries and encyclopaedias to be expected, there
was a special set of literary and historical atlases, which have
been revised from time to time, so as to chart the New Europe
and the New World at large, which we hope V,L& preserve Kant's
" Perpetual Peace " under the auspices of the League of Nations
at Geneva,
That is only one small item,, however, in a library list which
is running on to the final centuries of its Thousand. The largest
slice of this huge provision is, as a matter of course, given to the
tyrannous demands of fiction. But in carrying out the scheme,
publishers and editors contrived to keep in mind that books,
like men and women, have their elective affinities. The present
volume, for instance, will be found to have its companion books,
both in the same section and just as significantly in other
sections. With that idea too, novels like Walter Scott's Irankoe
and Fortunes of Nigel, Lytton's Harold, and Dickens's Tale oj
Two Cities, have been used as pioneers of history and treated as
& sort of holiday history books. For in our day history is tending
to grow more documentary and less literary; and "the historian
who is a stylist," as one of our contributors, the late Thomas
Seccombe, said, "will soon be regarded as a kind of Phcenix."
As for history, Everyman's Library has been eclectic enough
to choose its historians from every school in turn, including
Gibbon, Grote, Finlay, Macaulay, Motley, and Prescott, while
among earlier books may be noted the Venerable Bede and the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. On the classic shelf too, there is a
Livy in an admirable new translation by Canon Roberts, and
Caesar, Tacitus, Thucydides, and Herodotus are not forgotten.
" You only, 0 Books/' said Richard de Bury, " are liberal and
independent; you give to all who ask." The variety of authors
old and new, the wisdom and the wit at the disposal of Everyman
in his own Library may well, at times, seem to him a little
embarrassing. In the Essays, for instance, he may turn to
Dick Steele in the The Spectator and learn how Cleomira dances,
when the elegance of her motion is unimaginable and "her eyes
3
are chastized with the simplicity and innocence of her thoughts."
Or he may take A Century of Essays, as a key to the whole
roomful of the English Essayists, from Bacon to Addison,
Elia to Augustine Birrell. These are the golden gossips of
literature, the writers who have learnt the delightful art of
talking on paper. Or again, the reader who has the right
spirit and looks on all literature as a great adventure may
dive back into the classics, and in Plato's Ph&drus read how
every soul is divided into three parts (like Caesar's Gaul). The
poets next, and we may turn to the finest critic of Victorian
times, Matthew Arnold, as their showman, and find in his
essay on Maurice de Guerin a clue to the "magical power of
poetry/' as in Shakespeare, with his
daffodils
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty.
William Hazlitt's "Table Talk" may help again to
show the relationship of one author to another, which is
another form of the Friendship of Books. His incomparable
essay, "On Going a Journey/' forms a capital prelude to
Coleridge's "BiographiaLiteraria;" and so throughout the long
labyrinth of the Library shelves, one can follow the magic clue
in prose or verse that leads to the hidden treasury. In that
way every reader becomes his own critic and Doctor of Letters.
In the same way one may turn to the Byron review in Macaulay's
Essays as a prelude to the three volumes of Byron's own poems,
remembering that the poet whom Europe loved more than Eng-
land did was as Macaulay said : "the beginning, the middle and
the end of all his own poetry." This brings us to the provoking
reflection that it is the obvious authors and the books most easy
to reprint which have been the signal successes out of the many
hundreds in the series, for Everyman is distinctly proverbial in
— 4 —
his tastes. He likes best of all an old author who has worn well
or a comparatively new author who has gained something tike
newspaper notoriety. In attempting to lead him on from the
good books that are known to those that are less known, the
publishers may have at times been even too adventurous. But
the elect reader is or ought to be a party to this conspiracy of
books and bookmen. He can make it possible, by his help and
his co-operative zest, to add still some famous old authors like
Burton of the Anatomy of Melancholy, or longer novels like
Richardson's Clarissa Harlowe, a cut-and-come-again book for
a winter fireside, or more modern foreign writers like Heine
whom Havelock Ellis has promised to sponsor. "Infinite
riches in a little room," as the saying is, will be the reward of
every citizen who helps year by year to build the City of Books.
It was with that belief in its possibilities that the old Chief
(J. M. Dent) threw himself into the enterprise. With the zeal of
a true book-lover, he thought that books might be alive and
productive as dragons' teeth, which, being "sown up and down
the land, might chance to spring up armed men." That is a great
idea, and it means a fighting campaign in which every recruit,
every new reader who buys a volume, counts.
EVERYMAN'S
LIBRARY
EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS
A CLASSIFIED LIST
OF THE FIRST 930 VOLUMES
In Cloth Binding
In Special Library Binding
Also Selected Volumes in Leather
EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY
CLASSIFIED LIST of 930 VOLS. in 13 SECTIONS
In each section of this list the volumes are arranged, as
a general rule, alphabetically under the authors' names.
Where authors appear in more than one section, a reference
is given, viz. : (See also FICTION). The number at the end
of each item is the number of the volume in the series.
Volumes temporarily out of print are marked J
Volumes obtainable in Leather are marked L
BIOGRAPHY
Audubon the Naturalist, Life and Adventures of. By R. Buchanan. 601
Baxter (Richard), Autobiography of. Edited by Rev. J. M. Lloyd
Thomas, 868
Beaconsfield (Lord), Life of. By J. A. Froude. 666
Berlioz (Hector), Life of. Translated by Katherine F. Boult. 602
Blackwell (Dr. Elizabeth) : Pioneer Work for Women. With an Introduc-
tion by Mrs. Fawcett. 667
L BoswelTs Life of Johnson. 2 vols. 1-2
(See also TRAVEL)
Browning (Robert), Life of. By E. Dowden. 701
Burton (Sir Thomas Fowell), Memoirs of. Edited by Charles Buxton.
Introduction by Lord Buxton. 773
Carey (William), Life of: Shoemaker and Missionary. 395
Carlyle's Letters and Speeches of Cromwell. 3 vols. 266-8
„ Reminiscences. 875
(See also ESSAYS and HISTORY)
L Cellini's (Benvenuto) Autobiography. 51
Gibber's (Colley) An Apology for his Life. 668
Constable (John), Memoirs of. By C. R. Leslie, R.A. 563
Cowper (William), Selected Letters of. Intro, by W. Hadley, M.A. 774
(See also POETRY AND DRAMA)
De Quincey's Reminiscences of the Lake Poets. Intro, by E. Rhys. 163
(See also ESSAYS)
De Retz (Cardinal): Memoirs. By Himself. 2 vols. 735-6
Evelyn's Diary. 2 vols. Introduction by G. W. E. Russell. 220-1
Forster's Life of Dickens. Intro, by G. K. Chesterton. 2 vols. 781-2
(See also FICTION)
Fox (George), Journal of. Text revised by Norman Penney, F.S.A.
Introduction by Rufus M. Jones, LL.D. 754
Franklin's (Benjamin) Autobiography. 316
Froude's Life of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfleld. 666
I/ GaskelTs (Mrs.) Life of Charlotte Bronte. Intro, by May Sinclair. 318
Gibbon (Edward), Autobiography of. Intro, by Oliphant iSmeaton. 51 1
(See also HISTORY)
Gladstone, Life of. By G. W. E. Russell ('Onlooker'). 661
Hastings (Warren), Life of. By Capt. L. J. Trotter. 452
Helps' (Sir Arthur) Life of Columbus. 332
Hodson, of Hodson's Horse. By Capt. L. J. Trotter. 401
Holmes' Life of Mozart. Introduction by Ernest Newman. 564
Houghton's Life and Letters of Keats. Introduction by Robert Lynd. 801
Hutchinson (Col.), Memoirs of. Intro. Monograph by F. P. G. Guizot. 317
Irving's Life of Mahomet. Introduction by Professor E. V. Arnold. 513
Johnson's Lives of the Poets. Intro, by Mrs. Archer-Hind, M.A. 770-1
Lamb (Charles), Letters of. 2 vols. 342-3
(See also ESSAYS and FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Lewes' Life of Goethe. Introduction by Havelock Ellis. 269
Lincoln (Abraham), Life of. By Henry Bryan Binns. 783
(See also ORATORY)
Lockhart's Life of Robert Burns. Introduction by E. Rhys. 156
L „ Life of Napoleon. 3
Life of Sir Walter Scott (abridged). 55
Mazzini, Life of. By Bolton King, M.A. 562
Newcastle (First Duke of), Lii'a of, and other writings by the Duchess of
Newcastle. 722
BIOGRAPHY— continued
Outram (Sir J.), The Bayard of India. By Capt. L. J. Trotter. 393
Pepys' Diary. Lord Braybrooke's 1854 ed. 2 vols. 53-4
Plutarch's Lives of Noble Greeks and Romans. Dryden's Translation.
Revised, with Introduction, by Arthur Hugh Clough. 3 vols. 407-9
Rousseau, Confessions of. 2 vols. 859-60
Scott's Lives of the Novelists. Introduction by George Saintsbury. 331
(See also FICTION and POETRY)
Seebohm (Frederic): The Oxford Reformers. With a Preface by Hugh
E. Seebohm. 665
Smeaton's A Life of Shakespeare, with Criticisms of the Plays. 514
Southey's Life of Nelson. 52
Strickland's Life of Queen Elizabeth. 100
Swift's Journal to Stella. Newly deciphered and edited by J. K. Moor-
head. Introduction by Sir Walter Scott. 757
(See also ESSAYS and FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Vasari's Lives of the Painters. Trans, by A. B. Hinds. 4 vols. 784-7
Voltaire's Life of Charles XII. Introduction by Rt. Hon. J. Burns. 270
Walpole (Horace), Selected Letters of. Intro, by W. Hadley, M.A. 775
Wellington, Life of. By G. R. Gleig. 341
Wesley's Journal. 4 vols. Intro, by Rev. F. W. Macdonald. 105-8
Woolnian's (John) Journal and Other Papers. Introduction by Vida D.
Scudder. 402
CLASSICAL
jEschylus' Lyrical Dramas. Translated by Professor J. S. Blackie. 62
Aristophanes' The Frogs, The Clouds, The Thesmophorians. 518
„ The Acharnians, The Knights, and The Birds. Frere's
Translation. Introduction by John P. Maine. 344
Aristotle's Politics. Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 605
,, Poetics, etc., and Demetrius on Style, etc. Edited by
(See also PHILOSOPHY) [Rev. T. A. Moxon. 901
Ceesar's The Gallic War and Other Commentaries. Translated by W. A.
McDevitte. 702
Cicero's Essays and Select Letters. Intro. Note by de Quincy. 345
L Epictetus, Moral Discourses, etc. Elizabeth Carter's Translation. Edited
by W. H. D. Rouse, M.A. 404
Euripides' Plays in 2 vols. Introduction by V. R. Reynolds. Translated
by M. Wodhull and R. Potter, with Shelley's 'Cyclops' and Dean
Miiman's 'Bacchanals'. 63,271
Herodotus. Rawlinson's Translation. Edited, with Introduction, by
E. H. Blakeney, M.A., omitting Translator's Original Essays, and
Appendices. 2 vols. 405-6
L Homer's Iliad. Lord Derby's Translation. 453
L Odyssey. William Cowper's Translation. Introduction by Miss
F. M. Stawell. 454
Horace. Complete Poetical Works. 515
Hutchinson's (W. M. L.) The Muses' Pageant. Vols. I, II, and III. 581,
606 and 671
Livy's History of Rome. Vols. I- VI. Translated by Rev. Canon Roberts.
603, GG9, f>70, 749, 755, and 756
Lucretius: On the Nature of Things. Translated by W. E. Leonard. 750
L Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Introduction by W. H. D. Rouse. 9
L Plato's Dialogues. 2 vols. Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 456-7
L „ Republic. Translated, with an Introduction, by A. D. Lindsay. 64
Plutarch's Moralia. 20 Essays translated by Philemon Holland. 565
Sophocles' Dramas. Translated by Sir G. 'Young, Bart. 114
Thueydides' Peloponnesian War. Crawley's Translation. 455
L Virgil's ^Eneid. Translated by E. Fairfax-Taylor. 161
„ Eclogues and Georgics. Translated by T. F. Royds, M.A. 222
Xenophon's Cyropsedia. Translation revised by Miss F. M. Stawell. 672
ESSAYS AND BELLES-LETTRES
L Anthology of Prose. Compiled and Edited by Miss S. L. Edwards 675
Arnold's (Matthew) Essays. Introduction by G. K. Chesterton. 115
„ » Study of Celtic Literature, and other CriticalEssays,
with Supplement by Lord Strangford, etc. 458
(See also POETRY)
L Bacon's Essays. Introduction by Oliphant Smeaton. 10
(See also PHILOSOPHY)
Bagehot's Literary Studies. 2 vols. Intro, by George Sampson. 520-1
t Brooke's (Stopford, M.A.) Theology in the English Poets. 493
L Brown's Rab and his Friends, etc. 116
FSSAYS AND RFT T Fq-LETTRES— continued
coorvio rvixi^ r»n,i-fj_1EO-<rencn Revolution and contingent Essays.
Burke's Reflections on the Jieve, M.A. 460 (See also ORATORY)
Introduction by A. J. Gr^ible Playmate, W. V., Her Book, and In
Canton's (William) The InviP PEOPLE) [Memory of W. V. 506
(See also FOR YouN^h Notes by J. Russell Lowell. 703-4
Carlyle's Essays. 2 vols. Witntroduction by R. W. Emerson. 608
„ Past and Present. I Heroes and Hero Worship. 278
L Sartor Resartus and and HISTORY)
(See also BiOGRAPHYTranslated by :>ir Thomas Hoby. Intro-
Castiglione's The Courtier, ise. 807
duction by W. H. D. Rotthology of English Essayists. 653
L Century of Essays. A. An An° his Son. 823
Chesterfield's (Lord) Letters {Essays, and Poems. 913
L Chesterton's (G. K.) Stories, <ria. Introduction by Arthur Symons. 11
Coleridge's Biographia Literals on Shakespeare, etc. 162
„ Essays and Lectui
(See also PoETRY)terature. 346
t Craik's Manual of English Li* Eating. Introduction by H. W. Mable. 418
Curtis's Prue and I, and Lotus'^ Eater Intro, by Sir G. Douglas. 223
De Quincey's (Thomas) OpiujEnglish Mail Coach and Other Writings.
The production by S. Hill Burton. 609
InVlsn BIOGRAPHY)
(See /ith an Introduction by W. H. Hudson. 568
Dryden's Dramatic Essays. \fcd Glossary by Prof. Foster Watson. 227
Elyot's Gouernour. Intro, ai Second Series. 12
L Emerson's Essays. First and'f Life, Essays from the 'Dial'. 322
L Nature, Conduct tfn. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 279
„ Representative M<de and Other Essays. 567
Society and Solitu
(See also POETRY) stion by A. R. Waller, M.A. 3 vols. 440-2
Florio's Montaigne. Introduo I and II. 13, 705
Froude's Short Studies. Vols/™* BIOGRAPHY)
(See also HISTORY c Intro, by Sir W. Robertson Niooll. 348
Gilfillan's Literary Portraits. Eckermann. Intro, by Havelock Ellia
Goethe's Conversations wittt^ POETRY)
851. (See also FICTION a;rld and The Bee. Intro, by R. Church. 902
Goldsmith's Citizen of the Wo"d POETRY)
(See also FICTION a 19
Hamilton's The Federalist. ffUsh Comic Writers. 411
Hazlitt's Lectures on the En&cters. 65
„ Shakespeare's Chartd Lectures on English Poeta. 459
Spirit of the Age am
Table Talk, 321 eduction by P. P. Howe. 814
Plain Speaker. Intr^kfast Table. 66
L Holmes' Autocrat of the Brett Table. 68
Poet at the Breakfasakfast Table. 67
Professor at the Bre s Life. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 926
L Hudson's (W. H.) A Shepherd^. Introduction by J. B. Priestly. 829
Hunt's (Leigh) Selected Essa^ey Crayon. 117
L Irving's Sketch Book of Geof and HISTORY)
(See also BIOGRAPHY Cations and 1'oeins: A selection. Edited
Lander's Imaginary Convert velock Ellis. 8'JO
with Introduction by Ha>duction by Augustine BirreU. 14
L Lamb's Essays of Elia. Intr&nd FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
(See also BIOGRAPHY png My Books. 607
Lowell's (James Russell) AmJntroduction by A. J. Grieve, M.A. 225-6
Macaulay's Essays. 2 vols. )ays and The Lays of Ancient Rome. 439
L Miscellaneous Ess? and ORATORY)
(See also HISTORY Trans, and Intro, by W. K. Marriott. 280
Machiavelli's Prince. Special^)
(See also HISTOPSS): Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs 673
Martinengo-Cesaresco (Count* Introduction by Thomas Jones, M.A. 224
Mazzini's Duties of Man, etc. troduction by Professor C. E. Vaughan. 795
Milton's Areopagitica, etc. In
(See also POETRY) • with Introduction, by bir John Squire. 927
L Mitford's Our Village. EditedAtroduction by R. Brimley Johnson. 69
Montagu's (Lady) Letters. I*1 Nature of University Education, and a
Newman's On the Scope and Scientific Investigation. Introduction by
paper on Christianity an'PHY) [ Wilfred Ward. 7 23
(See also PmLOSoto Sir William Temple. Edited and con-
Osborne's (Dorothy) Letters 674
notated by Judge Parry. Some Fruits of Solitude, eto. 724
Perm's The Peace of Europe. ~d by Erneet Rhys. 789
Prelude to Poetry, The. Edit 4
ESSAYS AND BELLES-LETTRES— continued
Reynold's Discourses. Introduction by L. March Phillipps. lid
L Rhys' New Book of Sense and Nonsense. 813
Rousseau's Emile. Translated by Barbara Foxley. 513
(See also PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY)
L Ruekin's Crown of Wild Olive and Cestus of Aglaia. 323
„ Elements of Drawing and Perspective. 217
„ Ethics of the Dust. Introduction by Grace Rhys. 282
„ Modern Painters. 5 vols. Introduction by Lionel Gust. 208-12
„ Pre-Raphaelitism. Lectures on Architecture and Painting,
Academy Notes, 1855-9, and Notes on the Turner Gallery.
Introduction by Laurence Binyon. 218
L „ Sesame and Lilies, The Two Paths, and The King of the Golden
River. Introduction by Sir Oliver Lodge. 219
„ Seven Lamps of Architecture. Intro, by Selwyn Image. 207
,, Stones of Venice. 3 vols. Intro, by L. March Phillipps. 213-15
„ Time and Tide with other Essays. 450
„ Unto This Last, The Political Economy of Art. 216
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Spectator. The. 4 vols. Introduction by G. Gregory Smith. 164-7
Spencer's (Herbert) Essays on Education. Intro, by G. W. Eliot. 504
Sterne's Sentimental Journey and Journal and Letters to Eliza. Intro.
(See also FICTION) [by George Saintsbury. 796
L Stevenson's In the South Seas and Island Nights' Entertainments. 769
L „ Virginibus Puerisque and Familiar Studies of Men and
(See also FICTION, POETRY and TRAVEL) [Books. 765
Swift's Tale of a Tub, The Battle of the Books, etc. 347
(See also BIOGRAPHY and FOR. YOUNG PEOPLE)
Table Talk. Edited by J. C. Thornton. 906
Taylor's (Isaac) Words and Places, or Etymological Illustrations of
History, Ethnology, and Geography. Intro, by Kdward Thomas. 517
Thackeray's (W. M.) The English Humourists and The Four Georges.
Introduction by Walter Jerrold. 610
(See also FICTION)
T. Thoreau's Walden. Introduction by Walter Raymond. 281
Trench's On the Study of Words and English Past and Present. Intro-
duction by George Sampson. 788
Tytler's Essay on the Principles of Translation. 168
Walton's Compleat Angler. Introduction by Andrew Lang. 70
FICTION
Aimard's The Indian Scout. 428
L Ainsworth's (Harrison) Old St. Paul's. Intro, by W. E. A. Axon. 522
„ „ The Admirable Crichton. Intro, by E. Rhys. 804
L „ „ The Tower of London. 400
L „ „ Windsor Castle. 709
„ „ Rookwood. Intro, by Frank Swinnerton. 870
American Short Stories of the Nineteenth Century. Edited by John
Cournos. 840
L Austen's (Jane) Emma. Introduction by R. B. Johnson. 24
„ „ Mansfield Park. Introduction by R. B. Johnson. 23
L „ Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Introduction by
R. B. Johnson. 25
L „ „ Pride and Prejiidice. Introduction by R. B. Johnson. 22
L „ ., Sense and Sensibility. Intro, by R. B. Johnson. 21
Balzac's (Honor6 de) Atheist's Mass. Preface by George Saintsbury. 229
„ „ Catherine de Medici. Introduction by George
Saintsbury. 419
„ „ Christ in Flanders. Introduction by George
Saintsbury. 284
„ ,, Cousin Pons. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 463
„ „ Eugenie Grandet. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 169
„ „ Lost Illusions. Intro, by George Saintsbury. G56
L „ »» Old Goriot. Introduction by George Saintsbury. 170
„ „ The Cat and Racket, and Other Stories. 349
„ „ The Chouans. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 285
„ „ The Country Doctor. Intro. George Saintsbury. 530
The Country Parson. 686
„ The Quest of the Absolute. Introduction by George
Saintsbury. 286
,. ,; The Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau. 596
„ » The Wild Ass's Skin. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 26
„ » , Ursule Mirouet. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 733
BarbUBse'e Under Fire. Translated by Fitzwater vvray. 798
FICTION— continued
J Beaumont's (Mary) Joan Seaton. Intro, by R. F. Horton, D.D. 597
L Bennett's (Arnold) The Old Wives' Tale. 919
L Blackmore's (R. D.) Lorna Doone. 304
t „ „ Springhaven. 350
L Borrow's Lavengro. Introduction by Thomas Seccombe. 119
L „ Romany Rye. 120 (See also TRAVEL)
L Bronte's (Anne) The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey. 685
L (Charlotte) Jane Eyre. Introduction by May Sinclair. 287
L „ Shirley. Introduction by May Sinclair. 288
„ The Professor. Introduction by May Sinclair. 417
L „ Villette. Introduction by May Sinclair. 351
L (Emily) Wuthering Heights. 243
L Burney's (Fanny) Evelina. Introduction by R. B. Johnson. 352
Butler's (Samuel) Erewhon and Erewhon Revisited. Introduction by
Desmond MacCarthy. 881
„ „ The Way of All Flesh. Introduction by A. J. Hoppe. 895
Collins' (Wilkie) The Woman in White. 464
L Conrad's Lord Jim. Introduction by R. B. Cunninghame Graham. 925
L Converse's (Florence) Long Will. 328
Dana's (Richard H.) Two Years before the Mast. 588
Daudet's Tartarin of Tarascon and Tartarin on the Alps. 423
Defoe's Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders. Introduction by
G. A. Aitken. 837
„ Captain Singleton. Introduction by Edward Garnett. 74
Journal of the Plague Year. Introduction by G. A. Aitken. 289
Memoirs of a Cavalier. Introduction by G. A. Aitken. 283
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE) [Chesterton.
CHABLES DICKENS' WORKS. Each volume with an Introduction by G. K.
L American Notes. 290 L Little Dorrit. 293
L Barnaby Rudge. 76 L Martin Chuzzlcwit. 211
L Bleak House. 236 L Nicholas Nickleby. 238
L Child's History of England. 291 L Old Curiosity Shop. 173
L Christmas Books. 239 L Oliver Twist. 233
L Christmas Stories. 414 L Our Mutual Friend. 294
L David Copper-field. 242 L Pickwick Papers. 235
L Dombey and Son. 240 L Reprinted Pieces. 744
Edwin Drood. 725 Sketches by Boz. 237
L Great Expectations. 234 L Tale of Two Cities. 102
Hard Times. 292 L Uncommercial Traveller. 536
Disraeli's Coningsby. Introduction by Langdon Davies. 535
Dostoevekj'a (Fyodor) Crime and Punishment. Introduction by
Laurence Irving. 501
„ Letters from the Underworld and Other Tales.
Translated by C. J. Hogarth. 654
Poor Folk and The Gambler. Translated by C. J.
Hogarth. 711
The Possessed. Introduction by J. Middleton
Murry. 2 vols. 861-2 [533
„ „ Prison Life in Siberia. Intro, by Madame Stepniali.
„ The Brothers Karamazov. Translated by Con-
stance Garnett. 2 vols. 802-3
The Idiot. 682
Du Manner's (George) Trilby. Introduction by Sir Gerald du Maurier
With the original Illustrations. 863
Dumas' Black Tulip. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 174
Chicot the Jester. 421
Le Chevalier de Maison Rouge. Intro, by Julius Bramont. G14
Marguerite de Valois ('La Reine Margot"). 320
L The Count of Monte Cristo. 2 vols. 393-4
The Forty -Five. 420
L The Three Musketeers. 81
The Vicomte de Bragelonne. 3 vols. 593-5
L Twenty Years After. Introduction by Ernest Rhya. 175
Edgar's Cressy and Poictiers. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 17
Runnymede and Lincoln Fair. Intro, by L. K. Hughes. 320
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Edgeworth's Castle Rackrent and The Absentee. 410
L Eliot's (George) Adam Bede. 27
Felix Holt. 353
Middle-march. 2 vols. 854-5
L „ „ Mill on the Floss. Intro. Sir W. Robertson Nicoll. 325
L „ „ Romola. Introduction by Rudolf Dircks. 231
L „ Scenes of Clerical Life. 468
6
FICTION— continued
Eliot's (George) Silas Marner. Introduction by Annie Matheson. 121
L English Short Stories. An Anthology. 743
Erckmann-Chatrian's The Conscript and Waterloo. 354
„ „ The Story of a Peasant. Translated by C. J.
Hogarth. 2 vols. 706-7
Fenimore Cooper's The Deerslayer. 77
„ „ The Last of the Mohicans. 79
The Pathfinder. 78
,, The Pioneers. 171
The Prairie. 172
Ferrier's (Susan) Marriage. Introduction by H. L. Morrow. 816
Fielding's Amelia. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 2 vols. 852-3
,, Jonathan Wild, and The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon.
Introduction by George Saintsbury. 877
„ Joseph Andrews. Introduction by George Saintsbury. 467
L ,, Tom Jones. Intro, by George Saintsbury. 2 vols. 355-6
Flaubert's Madame Bovary. Translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling.
Introduction by George Saintsbury. 808
SalammbS. Translated by J. S. Chartres. Introduction by
Professor F. C. Green. 869
French Short Stories of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Selected, with
an Introduction by Professor F. C. Green. 896
L Galsworthy's (John) The Country House. 917
Gait's Annals of a Parish. Introduction by Baillie Macdonald. 427
Gaskell's (Mrs.) Cousin Phillis, etc. Intro, by Thos. Seccombe. 615
L „ Cranford. 83
„ Mary Barton. Introduction by Thomas Seccombe. 598
North and South. 680
,, Sylvia's Lovers. Intro, by Mra. Ellis Chadwick. 524
Gleig's (G. R.) The Subaltern. 708
Goethe's Wilhelm Meister. Carlyle's Translation. 2 vols. 599-600
(See also ESSAYS and POETRY)
Gogol's (Nicol) Dead Souls. Translated by C. J. Hogarth. 726
„ „ Taras Bulba and Other Tales. 740
L Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefleld. Introduction by J. M. D. 295
(See also ESSAYS and POETRY)
Goncharov's Oblomov. Translated by Natalie Duddington. 878
Gorki's Through Russia. Translated by C. J. Hogarth. 741
J Gotthelf's Ulric the Farm Servant. Ed. with Notes by John Ruskin. 228
Harte's (Bret) Luck of Roaring Camp and other Tales. 681
Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 176
L „ The Scarlet Letter. 122
„ The Blithedale Romance. 592
„ The Marble Faun. Intro, by Sir Leslie Stephen. 424
Twice Told Tales. 531
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
L Hugo's (Victor) Les Miserables. Intro, by S. R. John. 2 vols. 363-4
L „ „ Notre Dame. Introduction by A. C. Swinburne. 422
L „ „ Toilers of the Sea. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 509
Italian Short Stories. Edited by D. Pettoello. 876
James's (G. P. R.) Richelieu. Introduction by Rudolf Dircks. 357
L James's (Henry) The Turn of the Screw and The Aspern Papers. 912
Kingsley's (Charles) Alton Locke. 462
L „ „ Here ward the Wake. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 296
L „ „ Hypatia. 230
L „ Westward Ho; Introduction by A. G. Grieve. 20
Yeast, 611
(See also POETRY and FOR YOUNQ PEOPLE)
„ (Henry) Geoffrey Hainlyn. 416
„ „ Ravenshoe. 28
L Lawrence's (D. H.) The White Peacock. 914
Lever's Harry Lorrequer. Introduction by Lewis Melville. 177
L Loti's (Pierre) Iceland Fisherman. Translated by W. P. Baines. 920
L Lover's Handy Andy. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 178
L Lytton's Harold. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 15
L „ Last Days of Pompeii. 80
„ Last of the Barons. Introduction by R. G. Watkin. 18
Rienzi. Introduction by E. H. Blakeney, M.A. 532
(See also TRAVEL)
MacDonald's (George) Sir Gibbie. 673
(See also ROMANCE)
Manning's Mary Powell and Deborah's Diary. Intro, by Katherine Tynan
(Mrs. Hinkson). 324
FICTION— continued
Manning's Sir Thomas More. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 19
Marry at's Jacob Faithful. 618
L „ Mr. Midshipman Easy. Introduction by R. B. Johnson. 82
„ Percival Keene. Introduction by R. Brimley Johnson, 358
„ Peter Simple. Introduction by R. Brimley Johnson. 232
„ The King's Own. 580
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Maupassant's Short Stories. Translated by Marjorie Laurie. Intro-
duction by Gerald Gould. 907
Melville's (Herman) Moby Dick. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 179
„ „ Omoo. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 297
,, ,, Typee. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 180
r Meredith's (George) The Ordeal of Richard Feverel. 916
Merimee's Carmen, with Prevost's Manon Lescaut. Introduction by
Philip Henderson. 834
Mickiewicz's (Adam; Pan Tadeusz. 842
t Morier's Hajji Baba. 679
Mulock's John Halifax, Gentleman. Introduction by J. Shaylor. 123
Neale's (J.M.) The Fall of Constantinople. 655
J Oliphant's (Mrs.) Salem Chapel. Intro, by Sir W Robertson Nicoll. 244
Paltock's (Robert) Peter Wilkins; or, The Flying Indians. Introduction
by A. H. Bullen. 676
Pater's Marius the Epicurean. Introduction by Osbert Burdett. 903
Peacock's Headlong Hall and Nightmare Abbey. 327
L Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Intro, by Padraic Colum. 336
(See also POETRY)
Prevost's Manon Lescaut, with Merimee's Carmen. Introduction by
Philip Henderson. 834
Pushkin's (Alexander) The Captain's Daughter and Other Tales. Trans.
by Natalie Duddington. 898
Quiller-Couch's (Sir Arthur) Hetty Wesley. 864
Radcliffe's (Ann) Mysteries of Udolpho. Introduction by R. Austin
Freeman. 2 vols. 865-6
L Reade's (C.) The Cloister and the Hearth. Intro, by A. C. Swinburne. 29
Reade's (C.) Peg Woifington and Christie Johnstone. 299
Richardson's (Samuel) Pamela. Intro, by G. Saintsbury. 2 vols. 683-4
Clarissa. Intro, by Prof. W. L. Phelps. 4 vols.
882-5
Russian Authors, Short Stories from. Trans, by R. S. Townsend. 758
Sand's (George) The Devil's Pool and Francois the Waif. 534
Scheffel's Ekkehard: a Tale of the Tenth Century. 529
Scott's (Michael) Tom Cringle's Log. 710
SIR WALTER SCOTT'S WORKS:
L Abbot, The. 124 L Ivanhoe. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 16
Anne of Geierstein. 125 I, Kenilworth. 135
L Antiquary, The. 126 L Monastery, The. 136
Black Dwarf and Legend of L Old Mortality. 137
Montrose. 128 Peveril of the Peak. 138
Bride of Lammermoor. 129 Pirate, The. 139
Castle Dangerous and The Sur- L Queutin Durward. 140
geon's Daughter. 130 L Redgauntlet. 141
Count Robert of Paris. 131 L Rob Roy. 142
L Fair Maid of Perth. 132 St. Ronan's Well. 143
Fortunes of Nigel. 71 L Talisman, The. 144
L Guy Mannering. 133 L Waverley. 75
L Heart of Midlothian, The. 134 L Woodstock. Intro, by Edward
Highland Widow and Betrothed. 127 Garnett. 72
(See also BIOGRAPHY and POETRY)
Shcbedrin's The Golovlyov Family. Translated by Natalie Duddington.
Introduction by Edward Garnett. 908
Shelley's (Mary Wollstonecraft) Frankenstein. 616
Sheppard's Charles Auchester. Intro, by Jessie M. Middleton. 505
Sienkiewicz (Henryk). Tales from. Edited by Monica M. Gardner. 871
Shorter Novels, Vol. I. Elizabethan and Jacobean. Edited by Philip
Henderson. 824
„ Vol. II. Jacobean and Restoration. Edited by Philip
Henderson. 841
„ „ Vol. Ill Eighteenth Century (Beckford's Vathek,
Walpole's Castle of Otranto, and Dr. Johnson's
Smollett's Peregrine Pickle. 2 vols. 838-9 [Rasselas). 856
„ Roderick Random. Introduction by H. W. Hodges. 790
L, Sterne's Tristram Shandy. Introduction by George Saintsbury. 617
(See also ESSAYS)
8
FICTION— continued
L Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Merry Men, and Other Tales.
L „ The Master of Ballantrae and The Black Arrow. 764 [767
L Treasure Island and Kidnapped. 763
St. Ives. Introduction hy Ernest Rhys. 904
(See also ESSAYS, POETRY, and TRAVEL)
Surtees' Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities. 817
L Tales of Detection. Edited, with Introduction, by Dorothy L. Sayers. 928
Thackeray's Rose and the Ring and other stories. Introduction by Walter
Jerrold. 359
L „ Esmond. Introduction by Walter Jerrold. 73
„ Newcomes. Introduction by Walter Jerrold. 2 vols. 465-6
„ Pendennis. Intro, by Walter Jerrold. 2 vols. 425-6
Roundabout Papers. 687
L Vanity Fair. Introduction by Hon. Whitelaw Reid. 298
Virginians. Introduction by Walter Jerrold. 2 vols. 507-8
(See also ESSAYS)
L Tolstoi's Anna Karenina. Trans, by Rochelle S. Townsend. 2 vols. 612-13
Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth. Trans, by G. J. Hogarth. 591
„ Master and Man, and other Parables and Tales. 469
War and Peace. 3 vols. 525-7
Trollope's (Anthony) Barchester Towers. 30
„ Dr. Thorne. 360
„ „ Framley Parsonage. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 181
The Golden Lion of Granpere. Introduction by
Hugh Walpole. 761
The Last Chronicle of Barset. 2 vols. 391-2
„ „ Phineas Finn. Intro, by Hugh Walpole. 2 vols. 832-3
., „ The Small House at Allington. 361
„ „ The Warden. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 182
Turgenev's Fathers and Sons. Translated by C. J. Hogarth. 742
„ Liza. Translated by W. R. S. Ralston. 677
Virgin Soil. Translated by Rochelle S. Townsend. 528
L Walpole's (Hugh) Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill. 918
L Wells's (H. G.) The Time Machine and The Wheels of Chance. 915
Whyte-Melville's The Gladiators. Introduction by J. Mavrogordato. 523
Wood's (Mrs. Henry) The Channings. 84
Yonge's (Charlotte M.) The Dove in the Eagle's Nest. 329
„ The Heir of Redclyffe. Intro. Mrs. Meynell. 362
(See also FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
Zola's (Emile) Germinal. Translated by Havelock Ellis. 897
HISTORY
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, The. Translated by James Ingram. 624
Bede's Ecclesiastical History, etc. Introduction by Vida D. Scudder. 479
Burnet's History of His Own Times. 85
L Carlyle's French Revolution. Introduction by H. Belloc. 2 vols. 31-2
(See also BIOGRAPHY and ESSAYS)
L Creasy's Decisive Battles of the World. Introduction by E. Rhys. 300
De Joinville (See Villehardouin)
Duruy's (Jean Victor) A History of France. 2 vols. 737-8
Finlay's Byzantine Empire. 33
„ " Greece under the Romans. 185
Froude's Henry VIII. Intro, by Llewellyn Williams, M.P. 3 vols. 372-4
„ Edward VI. Intro, by Llewellyn Williams, M.P., B.C.L. 375
„ Mary Tudor. Intro, by Llewellyn Williams, M.P., B.C.L. 477
„ History of Queen Elizabeth's Reign. 5 vols. Completing
Froude's 'History of England', in 10 vols. 583-7
(See also ESSAYS and BIOGRAPHY)
Gibbon's Decline and P'all of the Roman Empire. Edited, with Introduc-
tion and Notes, by Oliphant Smeaton, M.A. 6 vols. 434-6, 474-6
(See also BIOGRAPHY)
Green's Short History of the English People. Edited and Revised by
L. Cecil Jane, with an Appendix by R. P. Farley, B.A. 2 vols. 727-8
Crete's History of Greece. Intro, by A. D. Lindsay. 12 vols. 186-97
Hallam's (Henry) Constitutional History of England. 3 vols. 621-3
Holinshed's Chronicle as used in Shakespeare's Plays. Introduction by
Professor Allardyce Nicoll. 800
Irving's (Washington) Conquest of Granada. 478
(See also ESSAYS and BIOGRAPHY)
Josephus' Wars of the Jews. Introduction by Dr. Jacob Hart. 712
Liitzow's History of Bohemia. 432
L Macaulay's History of England. 3 vols. 34-6
(See also ESSAYS and ORATORY)
HISTORY— continued
Machiavelli's History of Florence. 376 (See also ESSAYS)
Maine's (Sir Henry) Ancient Law. 734
Merivale's History of Rome. (An Introductory vol. to Gibbon.) 433
Mignet's (F. A. M.) The French Revolution. 713
Miknan's History of the Jews. 2 vols. 377-8
Momm sen's History of Rome. Translated by W. P. DIckson, LL.D.
With a review of the work by E. A. Freeman. 4 vols. 542-5
L Motley's Dutch Republic. 3 vols. 86-8
Parkinan's Conspiracy of Pontiac. 2 vols. 302-3
Paston Letters, The. Based on edition of Knight. Introduction by
Mrs. Archer-Hind, M.A. 2 vols. 752-3
Pilgrim Fathers, The. Introduction by John Masefleld. 480
L Pinnow's History of Germany. Translated by M. R. Brailsford. 929
Political Liberty, The Growth of. A Source-Book of English History.
Arranged by Ernest Rhys. 745
Prescott's Conquest of Mexico. With Introduction by Thomas Seccombe,
M.A. 2 vols. 397-8
,, Conquest of Peru. Intro, by Thomas Seccombe, M.A. 301
Sismondi's Italian Republics. 250
Stanley's Lectures on the Eastern Church. Intro, by A. J. Grieve. 251
„ Memorials of Canterbury. 89
Tacitus. Vol. I Annals. Introduction by E. H. Blakeney. 273
„ Vol. II. Agricola and Germania. Intro, by E. H. Blakeney. 274
Thierry's Norman Conquest. Intro, by J. A. Price, B.A. 2 vols. 198-9
Villehardouin and De Joinville's Chronicles of the Crusades. Translated.
with Introduction, by Sir F. Marzials, C.B. 333
Voltaire's Age of Louis XIV. Translated by Martyn P. Pollack. 780
ORATORY
Anthology of British Historical Speeches and Orations. Compiled by
Ernest Rhys. 714
Bright's (John) Speeches. Selected with Intro, by Joseph Sturge. 252
Burke's American Speeches and Letters. 340
(See also ESSAYS)
Demosthenes: Select Orations. 546
Fox (Charles James): Speeches (French Revolutionary War Period).
Edited with Introduction by Irene Cooper Willis, M.A. 759
Lincoln's Speeches, etc. Intro, by the Rt. Hon. James Bryce. 206
(See also BIOGRAPHY)
Macaulay's Speeches on Politics and Literature. 399
(See also ESSAYS and HISTORY)
Pitt's Orations on the War with France. 145
PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY
L A Kempis' Imitation of Christ. 484
Ancient Hebrew Literature. Being the Old Testament and Apocrypha
Arranged by the Rev. R. B. Taylor. 4 vols. 253-6
Aristotle, The Nicomacheau Ethics of. Translated by D. P. Chase.
Introduction by Professor J. A. Smith. 547
(See also CLASSICAL)
Bacon's The Advancement of Learning. 719
(See also ESSAYS)
Berkeley's (Bishop) Principles of Human Knowledge, New Theory of
Vision. With Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 483
Boehme's (Jacob) The Signature of All Things, with Other Writings.
Introduction by Clifford Bax. 569
Browne's Religio Medici, etc. Introduction by Professor C. H. Herford. 92
Bunyan's Grace Abounding and Mr. Badman. Introduction by G. B.
Harrison. 815 (See also ROMANCE)
Burton's (Robert) Anatomy of Melancholy. Introduction by Holbrook
Jackson. 3 vols. 886-8
Butler's Analogy of Religion. Introduction by Rev. Ronald Bayne. 90
Descartes' (Rene) A Discourse on Method. Translated by Professor Jolm
Vcitch. Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 570
L Ellis' (Havelock) Selected Essays. Introduction by J. S. Collis. 930
L Gore's (Charles) The Philosophy of the Good Life. 924
Hobbes' Leviathan. Edited, with Intro, by A. D. Lindsay, M.A. 691
Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. Intro, by Rev. H. Bayne. 2 vols. 201-2
Hume's Treatise of Human Nature, and other Philosophical Works.
Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 2 vols. 548-9
James (William): Selected Papers on Philosophy. 739
Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Translated by J. M. D. Meiklejohn.
Introduction by Dr. A. D. Lindsay. 909
IO
PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY— continued
Keble's The Christian Year. Introduction by J. O. Shairp. _ 690
King Edward VI. First and Second Prayer Books. Introduction by the
Right Rev. Bishop of Gloucester. 448
L Koran, The. Rodwell's Translation. 380
Latiruer's Sermons. Introduction by Can9n Beeching. 40
Law's Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. 91
Leibniz's Philosophical Writings Selected and trans, by Mary Morns.
Introduction by C. R. Morris, M.A. 905
Locke's Two Treatises of Civil Government. Introduction by Professor
William S. Carpenter. 751
Malthus on the Principles of Population. 2 vols. 692-3
Maurice's Kingdom of Christ. 2 vols. 146-7 (Vol. 146 J)
Mill's (John Stuart) Utilitarianism, Liberty, Representative Government.
With Introduction by A. D. Lindsay. 482
„ Subjection of Women. (See Wollstoneoraft, Mary, under SCIENCE.)
More's Utopia. Introduction by Judge O'Hagan. 461
L New Testament. Arranged in the order in which the books came to the
Christians of the First Century. 93
Newman's Apologia pro Vita Sua. Intro, by Dr. Charles Sarolea. 636
(See also ESSAYS)
Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra. Translated by A. Tille and
M. M. Bozman. 892
Paine's Rights of Man. Introduction by G. J. Holyoake. 718
Pascal's Pens6es. Translated by W. F. Trotter. Introduction by
T. S. Eliot. 874
L Ramayaua and the Mahabharata, The. Translated by Romesh Dutt,
C.I.E. 403
Renan's Life of Jesus. Introduction by Right Rev. Chas. Gore, D.D. 805
Robertson's (F. W.) Sermons on Religion and Life, Christian Doctrine,
and Bible Subjects. Each Volume with Introduction by Canon
Burnett. 3 vols. 37-9
Robinson's (Wade) The Philosophy of Atonement and Other Sermona.
Introduction by Rev. F. B. Meyer. 637
Rousseau's (J. J.) The Social Contract, etc. 660
(See also ESSAYS)
St. Augustine's Confessions. Dr. Pusey's Translation. 200
L St. Francis: The Little Flowers, and The Life of St. Francis. 485
Seeley's Ecce Homo. Introduction by Sir Oliver Lodge. 305
Spinoza's Ethics, etc. Translated by Andrew J. Boyle. With Intro-
duction by Professor Santayana. 481
Swedenborg's (Emmanuel) Heaven and Hell. 379
„ „ The Divine Love and Wisdom. 635
„ The Divine Providence. 658
L „ „ The True Christian Religion. 893
POETRY AND DRAMA
Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Edited by Professor R. K. Gordon. 794
Arnold's (Matthew) Poems, 1840-66, including Thyrsis. 334
L Ballads, A Book of British. Selected by R. B. Johnson. 572
Beaumont and Fletcher, The Select Plays of. Introduction by Professor
Baker, of Harvard University. 506
Bjornson's Plays. Vol. I. The Newly Married Couple, Leonardo, A
Gauntlet. Translated by B. Farquharson Sharp.
625
Vol. II. The Editor, The Bankrupt, and The King.
Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp. 696
Blake's Poems and Prophecies. Introduction by Max Plowman. 792
L Browning's Poems, 1833-44. Introduction by Arthur Waugh. 41
L Browning's Poems, 1844-64. 42
L „ The Ring and the Book. Intro, by Chas. W. Hodell. 502
L Burns' Poems and Songs. Introduction by J. Douglas. 94
Byron's Poetical and Dramatic Works. 3 vols. 486-8
Calderon: Six Plays, translated by Edward Fitzgerald. 819
L Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Edited by Principal Burrell, M.A. 307
Coleridge, Golden Book of. Edited by Stopford A. Brooke. 43
(See also ESSAYS)
Cowper (William). Poems of. Edited by H. I'Anson Fausset. 872
(See also BIOGRAPHY)
L Dante's Divine Comedy (Gary's Translation). Specially edited bj
Edmund Gardner. 308
Donne's Poems. Edited by H. I'Anson Fausset. 867
Dryden's Poems. Edited by Bonamy Dobree. 910
Eighteenth -Century Plays. Edited by John Hampden. 818
II
POETRY AND DRAMA— continued
Emerson's Poems. Introduction by Professor Bakewell, Yale, U.S.A. 71.5
Everyman and other Interludes, including eight Miracle Plays. Edited
by Ernest Rhys. 381
L Fitzgerald's (Edward) Omar Khayyam and Six Plays of Calderon. 819
L Goethe's Faust. Parts I and II. Trans, and Intro, by A. G. Latham. 335
(See also ESSAYS and FICTION) [well. 921
L Golden Book of Modern English Poetry, The. Edited by Thomas Cald-
L Golden Treasury of Longer Poems, The. Edited by Ernest Rhys. 746
Goldsmith's Poems and Plays. Introduction by Austin Dobson. 415
(See also ESSAYS and FICTION)
Gray's Poems and Letters. Introduction by John Drinkwater. 628
Hebbel's Plays. Translated with an Introduction by Dr. C. K. Allen. 691
Heine: Prose and Poetry. 911
Herbert's Temple. Introduction by Edward Thomas. 309
| Heroic Verse, A Volume of. Arranged by Arthur Burrell, M.A. 574
Herrick's Hesperides and Noble Numbers. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 310
L Ibsen's Brand. Translated by F. E. Garrett. 716
L „ Ghosts, The Warriors at Helgoland, and An Enemy of the People.
Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp. 552
L „ Lady Inger of Ostraat, Lore's Comedy, and The League of
Youth. Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp. 729
„ Peer Gynt. Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp. 747
L „ A Doll's House. The Wild Duck, and The Lady from the Sea.
Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp. 494
L „ The Pretenders, Pillars of Society, and Rosmersholm. Translated
by R. Farquharson Sharp. 659
Jonson's (Ben) Plays. Introduction by Professor Schelling. 2 vols. 489-90
Kalidasa: Shaknntala. Translated by Professor A. W. Ryder. 629
L Keats' Poems. 101
Kingsley's (Charles) Poems. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 793
(See also FICTION and FOR YOUNG PEOPLE)
L Langland's (William) Piers Plowman. 571
Lessing's Laocoon, Minna von Barnhelm, and Nathan the Wise. 843
L Longfellow's Poems. Introduction by Katherine Tynan. 382
L Marlowe's Plays and Poems. Introduction by Edward Thomas. 383
L Milton's Poems. Introdtiction by W. H. D. Rouse. 384
(See also ESSAYS)
Minor Elizabethan Drama. Vol. I. Tragedy. Selected, with Introduction.
by Professor Thorndike. Vol. II. Comedy. 491-2
L Minor Poets of the 18th Century. Edited by H. I'Anson Fausset. 844
Minor Poets of the 17th Century. Edited by R. G. Howarth. 873
Moliere's Comedies. Introduction by Prof. F. C. Green. 2 vols. 830-1
L, New Golden Treasury, The. An Anthology of Songs and Lyrics. 695
Old Yellow Book, The. Introduction by Charles E. Hodell/ 503
L Omar Khayyam (The Rubaiyat of). Trans, by Edward Fitzgerald. 819
L Palgrave's Golden Treasury. Introduction by Edward Hutton. 96
Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. 2 vols. 148-9
Poe's (Edgar Allan) Poems and Essays. Intro, by Andrew Lang. 791
(See also FICTION)
Pope (Alexander) : Collected Poems. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 760
Procter's (Adelaide A.) Legends and Lyrics. 150
Restoration Plays, A Volume of. Introduction by Edmund Gosse. 604
L Rossetti's Poems and Translations. Introduction by E. G. Gardner. 627
Scott's Poems and Plays. Intro, by Andrew Lang. 2 vols. 550-1
(See also BIOGRAPHY and FICTION)
L Shakespeare's Comedies. 153
L ,, Historical Plays, Poems, and Sonnets. 154
L ,, Tragedies. 155
L Shelley's Poetical Works. Introduction by A. H. Koszul. 2 vols. 257-8
L Sheridan's Plays. 95
Spenser's Faerie Queene. Intro, by Prof. J. W. Hales. 2 vols. 443-4
„ Shepherd's Calendar and Other Poems. Edited by Philip
Henderson. 879
Stevenson's Poems — A Child's Garden of Verses, Underwoods, Songs of
Travel, Ballads. 768
(See also ESSAYS, FICTION, and TRAVEL)
L Tennyson's Poems. Vol. I, 1830-56. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 44
L „ Vol. II, 1857-70. 626 [Harrison. 899
Webster and Ford. Plays. Selected, with Introduction, by Dr. G. B.
Whitman's (Walt) Leaves of Grass (I), Democratic Vistas, etc. 573
Wilde (Oscar), Plays, Prose Writings and Poems. 858
L Wordsworth's Shorter Poems. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 203
L „ Longer Poems. Note by Editor. 311
12
REFERENCE
Atlas of Ancient and Classical Geography. Many coloured and liua
Maps; Historical Gazetteer, Index, etc. 451
Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. 449
Biographical Dictionary of Foreign Literature. 900
Dates, Dictionary of. 554
Dictionary 01 Quotations and Proverbs. 2 vols. 809-10.
Everyman's English Dictionary. 776
Literary and Historical Atlas. I. Europe. Many coloured and line Maps ;
full Index and Gazetteer. 496
II. America. Do. 553
III. Asia. Do. 633
„ IV. Africa and Australia. Do. 662
Non-Classical Mythology, Dictionary of. 632
Reader's Guide to Everyman's Library. By R. Farquharson Sharp.
Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 889
Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases. 2 vols. 630-1.
Smith's Smaller Classical Dictionary. Revised and Edited by E. H.
Blakeney, M.A. 495
Wright's An Encyclopaedia of Gardening. 55o
ROMANCE
Aucassin and Nicolette, with other Medieval Romances. 497
Boccaccio's Decameron. (Unabridged.) Translated by J. M. Rigg.
Introduction by Edward Hutton. 2 vols. 845-6
L Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Introduction by Rev. H. E. Lewis. 204
Burnt Njal, The Story of. Translated by Sir George Dasent. 558
L Cervantes' Don Quixote. Motteux' Translation. Lockhart's Intro-
duction. 2 vols. 385-6
Chretien de Troyes: Eric and Enid. Translated, with Introduction and
Notes, by William Wistar Comfort. 698
French Medieval Romances. Translated by Eugene Mason. 557
Geoffrey of Monmouth's Histories of the Kings of Britain. 577
Grettir Saga, The. Newly Translated by G. Ainslie Hight. 699
Gudrun. Done into English by Margaret Armour. 880
Guest's (Lady) Mabinogion. Introduction by Rev. R. Williams. 97
Heimskringla": The Olaf Sagas. Translated by Samuel Laing. Intro-
duction and Notes by John Beveridge. 717
„ Sagas of the Norse Kings. Translated by Samuel Laing.
Introduction and Notes by John Beveridge. 847
Holy Graal, The High History of the. 445
Kalevala. Introduction by W. F. Kirby, F.L.S., F.E.S. 2 vols. 259-60
Le Sage's The Adventures of Gil Bias. Introduction by Anatole Lo
Bras. 2 vols. 437-8
MacDonald's (George) Phantastes: A Faerie Romance. 732
(See also FICTION)
L Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur. Intro, by Professor Rhys. 2 vols. 45-6
L Morris (William): Early Romances. Introduction by Alfred Noyes. 261
„ „ The Life and Death of Jason. 575
Morte d' Arthur Romances, Two. Introduction by Lucy A. Paton. 634
Nibelungs, The Fall of the. Translated by Margaret Armour. 312
Rabelais' The Heroid Deeds of Gargantua and Pantagruel. Introduction
by D. B. WTyndham Lewis. 2 vols. 826-7
Wace's Arthurian Romance. Translated by Eugene Mason. Laya-
mon's Brut. Introduction by Lucy A. Paton. 578
SCIENCE
Boyle's The Sceptical Chymist. 559
Darwin's The Origin of Species. Introduction by Sir Arthur Keith. 811
(See also TRAVEL) [E. F. Bozruan. 922
L Eddington's (Sir Arthur) The Nature of the Physical World. Intro, by
Euclid: the Elements of. Todhunter'a Edition. Introduction by Sir
Thomas Heath, K.C.B. 891
Faraday's (Michael) Experimental Researches in Electricity. 576
Galton's Inquiries into Human Faculty. Revised by Author. 263
George's (Henry) Progress and Poverty. 560
Hahnemann's (Samuel) The Organon of the Rational Art of Healing.
Introduction by C. E. Wheeler. 663
Harvey's Circulation of the Blood. Introduction by Ernest Parkyn. 262
Howard's State of the Prisons. Introduction by Kenneth Ruck. 835
Huxley's Essays. Introduction by Sir Oliver Lodge. 47
„ Select Lectures and Lay Sermons. Intro. Sir Oliver Lodge. 49S
Lyell's Antiquity of Man. With an Introduction by R. H. Rastall. 700
13
SCIENCE— continued
Marx's (Karl) Capital. Translated by Eden and Cedar Paul. Intro-
duction by G. D. H. Cole. 2 vols. 848-9
Miller's Old Red Sandstone. 103
Owen's (Robert) A New View of Society, etc. Intro, by G. D. H. Cole. 799
Ricardo's Principles of Political Economy and Taxation. 590
Smith's (Adam) The Wealth of Nations. 2 vols. 412-13
Tyndall's Glaciers of the Alps and Mountaineering in 1861. 98
White's Selborne. Introduction by Principal Windle. 48
Wollstonecraft (Mary), The Rights of Woman, with John Stuart Mill's
The Subjection of Women. 825
*
TRAVEL AND TOPOGRAPHY
Anson's Voyages. Introduction by John Masefleld. 510
Bates' Naturalist on the Amazon. With Illustrations. 446
Belt's The Naturalist in Nicaragua. Intro, by Anthony Belt, F.L.S. 561
Sorrow's (George) The Gypsies in Spain. Intro, by Edward Thomas. 697
L „ „ The Bible in Spain. Intro, by Edward Thomas. 151
„ „ Wild Wales. Intro, by Theodore Watts-Dunton. 49
(See also FICTION)
Boswell's Tour in the Hebrides with Dr. Johnson. 387
(See also BIOGRAPHY)
Burton's (Sir Richard) First Footsteps in East Africa. 500
£ Calderon de la Barca's (Mme.) Life in Mexico. 664
Cobbett's Rural Rides. Introduction by Edward Thomas. 2 vols. 638 9
L Cook's Voyages of Discovery. 99
Crevecceur's (H. St. John) Letters from an American Farmer. 640
Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle. 104
(See also SCIENCE)
Defoe's Tour Through England and Wales. Introduction by G. D. H.
(See also FICTION) [Cole. 820-1
Dennis' Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria. 2 vols. 183-4
Dufferin's (Lord) Letters from High Latitudes. 499
Ford's Gatherings from Spain. Introduction by Thomas Okoy. 152
Franklin's Journey to the Polar Sea. Intro, by Capfc. R. F. Scott. 447
Giraldus Cambrensis: Itinerary and Description of Wales. 272
Hakluyt's Voyages. 8 vols. 264, 265, 313, 314, 338, 339, 388, 389
Kinglake's Eothen. Introduction by Harold Spender, M.A. 337
Lane's Modern Egyptians. With many Illustrations. 315
t Lytton's Pilgrims of the Rhine. 390
(See also FICTION)
Mandeville's (Sir John) Travels. Introduction by Jules Bramont. 812
Park (Mungo): Travels. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 205
Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers. Selected by E. H. Blakeney, M.A. 778
L Polo's (Marco) Travels. Introduction by John Masefield. 306
Roberts' The Western Averuus. Intro, by Cunninghame Graham. 762
L Speke's Discovery of the Source of the Nile. 50
L Stevenson's An Inland Voyage, Travels with a Donkey, and Silverado
Squatters. 766
(See also ESSAYS, FICTION, and POETRY)
Stow's Survey of London. Introduction by H. B. Wheatley. 589
Wakefield's Letter from Sydney and Other Writings on Colonization. 828
Waterton's Wanderings in South America. Intro, by E. Selous. 772
Young's Travels in France and Italy. Intro, by Thomas Okey. 720
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
J Abbott's Rollo at Work and Rollo at Play. Intro, by Lucy Crump. 275
L, /Esop's and Other Fables: An Anthology from all sources. 657
L Alcott's Little Men. Introduction by Grace Rhys. 512
„ Little Women and Good Wives. Intro, by Grace Rhys. 248
Andersen's Fairy Tales. Illustrated by the Brothers Robinson. 4
„ More Fairy Tales. Illustrated by Mary Shillabeer. 822
Annals of Fairyland. The Reign of King Oberon. 365
„ The Reign of King Cole. 36 6
„ The Reign of King Herla. 541
Asgard and the Norse Heroes. Translated by Mrs. Boult. 689
Baker's Cast Up by the Sea. 539
L Baliantyne's Coral Island. 245
Martin Rattler. 246
Ungava. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 276
L Browne's (Frances) Granny's Wonderful Chair. Introduction by Dollie
Radford. 112
14
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE— continued
Bulflnch's (Thomas) The Age of Fable. 472
Legends of Charlemagne. Intro, by Ernest Rhys. 556
L Canton's A Child' Book of Saints. Illustrated by T. H. Robinson. Gl
(See also ESSAYS)
L Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, etc. Illus-
trated by the Author. Introduction by Ernest Rhys. 836
J Clarke's Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines. 3 vols. 109-11
„ Tales from Chaucer. 537
Collodi's Pinocchio; or, The Story of a Puppet. 538
L Converse's (Florence) The House of Prayer. 923 (See also FICTION)
Cox's (Sir G. W.) Tales of Ancient Greece. 721
L Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Illustrated by J. A. Symington. 59
(See also FICTION)
Dodge's (Mary Mapes) Hans Brinker; or, The Silver Skates. 620
Edgar's Heroes of England. 471
(See also FICTION)
L Swing's (Mrs.) Jackanapes, Daddy Darwin's Dovecot, illustrated by
R. Caldecott, and The Story of a Short Life. 731
Mrs. Overtheway's Remembrances. 730
L Fairy Gold. Illustrated by Herbert Cole. 157
L Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights. Illustrated. 249
Freeman's Old English History for Children. 540
Froissart's Chronicles. 57
Gatty's Parables from Nature. Introduction by Grace Rhys. 158
Grimm's Fairy Tales. Illustrated by R. Anning Bell. 56
L Hawthorne's Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales. 5
(See also FICTION)
Howard's Rattlin the Reefer. Introduction by Guy Pocock. 857
L Hughes' Tom Brown's School Days. Illustrated by T. Robinson. 58
Ingelow's (Jean) Mopsa the Fairy. Illustrated by Dora Curtis. 619
Jefferies's (Richard) Bevis, the Story of a Boy. Introduction by Guy
Pocock. 850
L Kingsley's Heroes. Introduction by Grace Rhys. 113
„ Madam How and Lady Why. Introduction by C. I. Gardiner,
L Water Babies and Glaucus. 277 [M.A. 777
(Sec, also POETRY and FICTION)
Kingston's Peter the Whaler. 6
„ Three Midshipmen. 7
L Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare. Illustrated by A. Rackham. 8
(See also BIOGRAPHY and ESSAYS)
L Lear (and Others): A Book of Nonsense. 806
Marryat's Children of the New Forest. 247
„ Little Savage. Introduction by R. Brimley Johnson. 159
„ Maeterman Ready. Introduction by R. Brimley Johnson. 160
„ Settlers in Canada. Introduction by R. Brimley Johnson. 370
„ (Edited by) Rattlin the Reefer. 857
(See also FICTION)
Martineau's Feats on the Fjords, etc. Illustrated by A. Rackham. 429
Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes. Illustrated. 473
Foetry Book for Boys and Girls. Edited by Guy Pocock. 894
Reid's (Mayne) The Boy Hunters of the Mississippi. 582
„ „ The Boy Slaves. Introduction by Guy Pocock. 797
Ruskin's The Two Boyhoods and Other Passages. 688
(See also ESSAYS)
L, Sewell's (Anna) Black Beauty. Illustrated by Lucy Kemp-Welch. 748
L Spyri's (Johanna) Heidi. Illustrations by Lizzie Lawson. 431
Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. 371
L Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Illustrated by A. Rackham. 60
(See also BIOGRAPHY and ESSAYS)
L Swiss Family Robinson. Illustrations by Chas. Folkard. 430
Verne's (Jules) Abandoned. 50 Illustrations. 368
„ „ Dropped from the Clouds. 50 Illustrations. 367
L „ „ Five Weeks in a Balloon and Around the World in Eighty
Days. Translated by Arthur Chambers and P. Desages.
L „ „ Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. 319 [779
„ „ The Secret of the Island. 50 Illustrations. 369
L Yonge's (Charlotte M.) The Book of Golden Deeds. 330
„ „ The Lances of Lynwood. Illustrated by Dora
Curtis. 579
L „ „ The Little Duke. Illustrated by Dora Curtis. 470
(See also FICTION)
15
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