ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
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THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR AND 
 HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE 
 
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 
 
 NKW YORIC • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
 ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 
 
 LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
 MELBOURNE 
 
 THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Lto. 
 
 TORONTO 
 
THE ROMANCE OF 
 
 KING ARTHUR 
 
 AND HIS KNIGHTS OF 
 THE ROUND TABLE 
 
 ABRIDGED FROM 
 MALORY'S MORTE D'ARTHUR 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED W. POLLARD 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 ARTHUR RACKHAM 
 
 THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 
 
 64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 
 
 1917 
 
|qi7 
 
 Copyright, 1917, 
 
 BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. 
 
 Set up and electrotyped. Published October, 1917- 
 
 KottaooB Wt«» 
 
 J. 8. OuBhlng Co. —Berwick & Smitli Co. 
 
 Norwood, MasB., U.S.A. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The story of King Arthur and his Knights is one of the 
 greatest that men have ever made, greater by far than that 
 of Charlemagne, which had come into fashion a Httle earHer, 
 greater perhaps even than the Tale of Troy, already some 
 two thousand years old, which for some centuries it eclipsed. 
 It is through the fifteenth-century prose of Sir Thomas 
 Malory, in which homeliness and nobility go hand-in-hand, 
 that it holds its place in our hearts, but the story itself was 
 the outcome of the second half of the twelfth century and 
 the beginning of the thirteenth, the days in England of 
 Henry II. and his three turbulent sons, Geoffrey, Richard 
 Cceur de Lion, and John, the days in France of trouvere 
 
vi THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 and troubadour, the days in Italy of S. Francis of Assisi 
 and the worldliness against which he strove. Something of 
 the spirit of all these entered into the story, together with 
 some contemporary theology, while the stuff of which it 
 was woven was largely derived from the Celtic borderland 
 with which the Norman rulers of England had come in con- 
 tact in Wales and Brittany. 
 
 In the days when the Arthurian romances were coming 
 into existence, violence, cruelty, and luxury were rampant, 
 and the story bears many traces of them ; but the greatness 
 of these evils called forth some great virtues to counter them, 
 and the story bears traces of these also and strives gallantly 
 to be true to its ideals, though when primitive notions, more 
 especially the old belief in magic, crop up in it, it sometimes 
 stumbles. Despite such stumblings, It is penetrated to its 
 very core by the special virtues of days in which men were 
 content to live dangerously (dangerously for themselves, 
 not merely dangerously as against others), carrying their 
 lives in their hands and willing to lay them down lightly 
 rather than break the rules of the game or be faithless to 
 word or friend. 
 
 A wandering knight challenges a great lord in a trial 
 of skill, to be fought out to death or exhaustion, beneath 
 the walls of the lord's castle. The wandering knight wins 
 the day, and the lord becomes his vassal, takes him into his 
 castle, feasts him, appoints a guard for his protection, and, 
 when the victor bids him report himself at Arthur's court, 
 comes on the appointed day attended by all his retinue. 
 That the lord's men should interfere in the fight, or the 
 
PREFACE vii 
 
 lord himself break his promise, was unthinkable to these 
 romancers; and on this simple basis of gallantry and good 
 faith there was built up a code full of fine courtesies, such 
 as those which forbade a great jouster to interfere with a 
 lesser one on a day when he was outdoing himself, or a 
 fresh knight to challenge one already tired with many 
 victories. 
 
 The determination to live dangerously brought a strange 
 and evil convention into the relations between knights and 
 their ladies. A good knight held himself at the service of 
 every woman who asked his help — to rescue a woman he 
 must needs leave even his own brother in jeopardy — but 
 he also owed a special service to the lady whose badge, if 
 she so graced him, he wore, whose presence spurred him to 
 excel himself, and whose pre-eminence over the ladies of 
 other knights he maintained at the risk of his life. This 
 lady might not be his own wife, if he had one, and she 
 might quite properly be some one else's wife, her knight's 
 homage be approved by her husband as a tribute to her 
 worth, and the whole relation be treated as part of the great 
 game of chivalry. But if it passed beyond a game and 
 the husband hated to see his wife caring more for another 
 man than for himself, then it became dangerous, and because 
 it was dangerous, although every one knew it was wrong, 
 it made a story more exciting, and all the writers of these 
 Arthurian romances chose this exciting subject as a literary 
 fashion. In the story of Tristram and Isoud, which forms 
 oue section of this book, we see clearly how overmastering 
 the fashion had become. Tristram had taken Isoud as his 
 
viii THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 lady, while she was still unmarried ; Isoud was (openly 
 and humbly) in love with him ; her father, the King of Ire- 
 land, was eager for the match; but the romancer thought 
 that their marriage would spoil the story, so he made Tris- 
 tram, after he had gained Isoud's love, woo her, not for 
 himself, but for his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, and then 
 made Tristram and Isoud drink, by mischance, a magic 
 love-potion, to excuse them for loving each other ever after. 
 
 The literary fashion or convention which imposed itself 
 in this way on the romancers was thoroughly bad ; but 
 the saving merit in this respect of the Arthurian romances 
 is that, though they insist on this situation in order to show 
 the hero daring all sorts of dangers, they make it perfectly 
 clear that the situation was wrong and could not go un- 
 punished. With one exception every knight who yielded 
 to this sin is shown as paying for it with his life. The one 
 exception is Sir Launcelot, and him we see maimed and 
 marred by thus setting his love where he should not, and 
 atoning for it, as much as a man may atone for wrecking 
 the lives of others, by bitter repentance. 
 
 The story of the Arthurian romances is a great story, 
 because it shows us the effect on many different characters 
 of this obligation to live dangerously. The men and women 
 who fill its pages are not just names or figures to which adven- 
 tures are tacked on. They are men and women of real flesh 
 and blood, no two of them alike (save when the writer of 
 one section deliberately copied another), each with his own 
 virtues and failings. King Arthur himself is, as we say 
 nowadays, a typical sportsman. He loves jousting — to take 
 
PREFACE ix 
 
 part in it, to see it, and to talk about it — more than anything 
 else, as some men now love less dangerous games. He cares 
 for the men with whom he shares his sport, but he cares for 
 them as his fellow-jousters, and he never gets much further. 
 He falls below lesser knights who had borne imprisonment 
 rather than fight in a bad cause, for which he cheerfully 
 does battle ; he is so keen on his own side winning that he 
 overrides the etiquette that forbade a strong knight to attack 
 a good fighter tired by his own successes ; he is weak in 
 his own life and weak in suffering the outrages of his neph- 
 ews. His great merit is that, though a king, he never 
 spared to take his risks, and by that courage he held men's 
 hearts, so that "all men of worship said it was merry to 
 be under such a chieftain, that would put his person in adven- 
 ture as other poor knights did." Also, to the very last, 
 he could be trusted to keep his word. 
 
 Sir Launcelot is made of much finer stuff than Arthur. 
 He is perhaps the most splendid study of a great gentleman 
 in all our literature, generous to friend and foe, courteous 
 to every one, eager to set himself ever harder adventures, 
 unwilling to be praised above his fellows, always bearing 
 himself with an easy dignity which lets him use very straight 
 speech and yet is no whit impaired. He is more than a 
 great gentleman ; he is a very subtle study of a soul in which 
 spirit and flesh, aspiration and evil habit, strive for the mas- 
 tery, and now and again he is pourtrayed with a rare knowl- 
 edge of the human heart. More wonderful even than the 
 closing scenes with Guenevere seems to me the story of the 
 coming of Sir Urre to have his wounds healed by "the 
 
X THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 best knight of the world," and how when all others in 
 Arthur's court had failed Launcelot touched the wounds in all 
 humility, and when his touch brought healing, while King 
 Arthur and all the kings and knights gave thanks, "ever 
 Sir Launcelot wept as he had been a child that had been 
 beaten." 
 
 Sir Tristram is a curiously different study. Perhaps 
 because of the love-potion, his fault sits lightly upon him ; 
 he has a most detailed memory for the services he renders, 
 and is quite unconscious of there being any set off. But he 
 is delightfully easy-tempered and forgiving, joyous and 
 humorous, and deserves kindly remembrance for much else 
 than his harping and his nicety of skill in ordering the techni- 
 cal terms of the chase, which so impressed his chroniclers. 
 But he never touches greatness. 
 
 Tristram's assiduous opponent, Sir Palomides, the Saracen, 
 is a rather laboured but quite successful portrait. Probably 
 because he was a Saracen he is represented as not quite a 
 gentleman, but pathetically anxious to become one. He 
 is constantly doing things which Sir Launcelot, or even Sir 
 Tristram, would have died sooner than do, and then he pulls 
 himself together and apologises and tries manfully to play 
 the game. His final appearance, when he is badly mauled 
 by Sir Tristram as a preliminary to being christened, 
 is singularly successful, none the less so for its touches of 
 humour. 
 
 To attempt to study here others of the men and women 
 who live in Malory's story would give to this preface too 
 great a resemblance to the page in school magazines headed 
 
PREFACE xi 
 
 "Characters of -the Team." It remains to say a brief word 
 as to what has been done in this abridgment. There is 
 good reason to believe that Sir Thomas Malory was a Lan- 
 castrian knight who himself knew the pains of sickness and 
 imprisonment, as to which he wrote so feelingly. He had 
 to make his compilation from such books as he could get 
 (he apparently never obtained the last volume of the romance 
 of Sir Tristram), and it is probable that when his version 
 was made his life was drawing to a close, and that, even if 
 he had the wish, he had not time or strength to revise it. 
 That version is so great a book, written, as I have said, in a 
 style in which homely charm and nobility are so closely inter- 
 linked, that to tamper with it may seem a crime. But dur- 
 ing the last few years there have been many complete texts of 
 the Morte d' Arthur — I have passed one through the press 
 myself — and an invitation to act as Malory's abridger, 
 even as Malory had abridged the romances themselves, found 
 me daring enough to think that such a further abridgment 
 would be a very interesting experiment. There is much repe- 
 tition in the Morte (T Arthur, as Malory left it. How often 
 Sir Breuse sans Pitie played his ugly tricks, or Tristram res- 
 cued Palomides, or minor knights met at adventure and emu- 
 lated their betters, it is not easy to count. I have tried to 
 clear away some of the underwoods that the great trees may 
 be better seen, and though I know that I have cleared away 
 some small timber that is fine stuff in itself, if the great trees 
 stand out the better, the experiment may be forgiven. In 
 attempting it I have introduced, I think, not more than a 
 hundred words of my own, but in certain places I have taken 
 
xu 
 
 THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 over the readings devised half a century ago for the well-known 
 Globe edition by Sir Edward Strachey, which has justified 
 itself by passing through some twenty editions, and has prob- 
 ably brought Malory more readers than all other texts put 
 together. 
 
 Alfred W. Pollard. 
 
 ?P*»5t*-^ 
 
PAGE 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 m Itinfl artijur 
 
 Of the birth of King Arthur and of his nurture i 
 
 Of the death of King Uther Pendragon, and how Arthur was chosen king . 6 
 
 How King Arther was crowned, and how he made officers and held a great 
 
 feast, and of the war that he had, and how he held the field . . .12 
 
 Of King Arthur and King Pellinore and how Arthur sent for his mother . 16 
 
 How Arthur fought with King Pellinore and how Merlin saved Arthur's 
 
 life, and Arthur by the mean of Merlin gat his sword Excalibur . . 19 
 
 How King Arthur wedded Guenever, daughter to Leodegrance, king of 
 the land of Cameliard, with whom he had the Round Table, and how 
 Tor and Gawaine were made knights 26 
 
 How Merlin was assotted and doted on one of the ladies of the lake, and 
 
 how he was shut in a rock under a stone and there died . . '31 
 
 How King Arthur, King Uriens, and Sir Accolon of Gaul, chased an hart, 
 and of their marvellous adventures, and how King Arthur and Accolon 
 took upon them to do battle 33 
 
 Of the battle between King Arthur and Accolon, and how Accolon con- 
 fessed the treason of Morgan le Fay 39 
 
 How Queen Morgan le Fay made great sorrow for the death of Accolon, 
 and how she stole away the scabbard from Arthur, and of the mantle 
 
 she sent to him 45 
 
 xiii 
 
xiv THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 ©f Sir ILauncelot 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel departed from the court, and how Sir 
 Lionel was taken, and how four queens found Sir Launcelot sleeping 
 and led him to a castle 50 
 
 How Sir Launcelot was delivered by the mean of a damosel, and fought for 
 
 her father. King Bagdemagus, in a tournament 54 
 
 How Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Turquine and slew him, and sent Sir 
 
 Gaheris to deliver all Sir Turquine's prisoners ..... 58 
 
 How Sir Launcelot rode with a damosel and slew a knight that distressed 
 
 all ladies and how he delivered Sir Kay 63 
 
 How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay's harness and overthrew four 
 knights of the Round Table, and how he was required of a damosel to 
 heal her brother ........... 67 
 
 How Sir Launcelot came into the Chapel Perilous and how he healed the 
 
 damosel's brother and returned to King Arthur's court .... 70 
 
 ©f Sir ®areti| 
 
 How Beaumains came to King Arthur's court and asked three gifts of King 
 Arthur, and of a damosel that desired a knight to fight for a lady, and 
 how Beaumains desired the battle ........ 74 
 
 How Beaumains departed, and how he gat of Sir Kay a spear and a shield, 
 
 and how he jousted with Sir Launcelot, and of him was dubbed knight 79 
 
 How Beaumains fought and slew two knights at a passage, and how he slew 
 
 also the Knight of the Black Launds 82 
 
 How two brothers of the Black Knight met with Beaumains, and fought 
 with Beaumains till they were yielden, and how the damosel still re- 
 buked him ............ 86 
 
 How Sir Beaumains answered the damosel patiently, and how he fought 
 with the fourth brother, Sir Persant of Inde, and made him to be 
 yielden ............. 92 
 
 Of the goodly communication between Sir Persant and Beaumains, and how 
 the lady that was besieged had word from her sister that she had 
 brought a knight to fight for her 96 
 
CONTENTS XV 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How Beaumains blew a horn, and then the Knight of the Red Launds came 
 to light with him, and how Beaumains made him yield to the lady and 
 go unto King Arthur's court and cry Sir Launcelot mercy, and of the 
 troth plight of Beaumains and the lady 99 
 
 How the Queen of Orkney came to King Arthur's court, and how King 
 
 Arthur sent for Dame Lionesse and of the tourney held at her castle . loj 
 
 How Sir Gareth came to a castle where he was well lodged, and how he 
 jousted with the lord of the castle, and how Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine 
 fought each against other and knew each other by the damosel Linet . 112 
 
 Of the wedding of Sir Gareth and Dame Lionesse and of the officers made 
 
 at the feast 1 16 
 
 ©f S>ix Kvistxam 
 
 How Sir Tristram de Liones was born, and how his mother died at his 
 birth, wherefore she named him Tristram, and how his stepmother 
 would have poisoned him and how he was sent into France . . .120 
 
 How Sir Marhaus came out of Ireland for to ask truage of Cornwall, and 
 
 how Sir Tristram enterprized to fight with him 125 
 
 How Sir Tristram fought against Sir Marhaus and achieved his battle, and 
 
 how Sir Marhaus fled to his ship 128 
 
 How Sir Tristram went to Ireland to be healed of the poison of his wound 
 and there was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud, and how he won 
 the degree at a tournament and made Sir Palamides bear no harness 
 of war for a year 131 
 
 How the queen espied that Sir Tristram had slain her brother Sir Marhaus 
 by his sword, and in what jeopardy he was, and how the king suffered 
 him to return to Cornwall 136 
 
 How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and 
 how by fortune he arrived into England, and fought for King Anguish 
 against Sir Blamore 139 
 
 How Sir Tristram demanded La Beale Isoud for King Mark, and how Sir 
 Tristram and Isoud drank the love drink, and how Sir Tristram rescued 
 Isoud from Sir Palamides 146 
 
xvi THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 FACE 
 
 Of the debate of King Mark and Sir Tristram, and how Sir Tristram smote 
 down Sir Lamorak, and in despite of Sir Tristram Sir Lamorak sent 
 an horn to King Mark IS3 
 
 How Sir Tristram was taken with La Beale Isoud, and he escaped to 
 
 Brittany and served in war King Howel . . . . . . .158 
 
 How Sir Tristram was married to King Howel's daughter, Isoud La Blanche 
 Mains, and how he returned to Cornwall and of the love of Sir Kehydius 
 for La Beale Isoud 161 
 
 How Sir Tristram departed from Tintagil, and how he sorrowed and was 
 so long in a forest till he was out of his mind, and it was noised that 
 he was dead, and how La Beale Isoud would have slain herself . .163 
 
 How Sir Tristram slew the giant Tauleas, and how King Mark found Sir 
 Tristram naked, and caused him to be borne to Tintagil, and how he 
 was known by a brachet and was banished from Cornwall for the term 
 of ten years 166 
 
 How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan fought for Sir Launcelot against thirty 
 knights, and how Sir Tristram rode to a tournament and lodged with 
 an old knight named Sir Pellounes, and of the jousting before the 
 tournament 170 
 
 How Sir Launcelot jousted with Palomides and overthrew him, and after 
 
 he was assailed with twelve knights 176 
 
 Of the tournament at the Castle of Maidens, and of how Sir Tristram, Sir 
 
 Palomides, and Sir Launcelot behaved them . . . . .178 
 
 Of the rage of Sir Palomides for despite of Sir Tristram, and how Sir Tris- 
 tram, Sir Dinadan, and Sir Palomides lodged with Sir Darras, and 
 how Sir Darras put them in his prison for the death of his sons, but at 
 the last he let them go 187 
 
 How Sir Tristram saved Sir Palomides' life, and how they promised to fight 
 together within a fortnight, and how they were both smitten down by 
 a strong knight 190 
 
 How Sir Tristram met at the Peron with Sir Launcelot, and how they fought 
 together unknown, and how Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to 
 the court, and of the great joy that the king and other made for the com- 
 ing of Sir Tristram 196 
 
CONTENTS xvii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How for the despite of Sir Tristram King Mark came with two knights 
 into England, and how he slew one of the knights, and how he was 
 scorned by Sir Lamorak and Sir Dinadan 200 
 
 How King Mark slew Sir Amant wrongfully to-fore King Arthur, and Sir 
 
 Launcelot fetched King Mark again to King Arthur .... 204 
 
 How King Arthur made a jousting, and how Sir Lamorak came in, and 
 overthrew Sir Gawaine, and how King Arthur made King Mark to be 
 accorded with Sir Tristram and they rode together to Cornwall . . 206 
 
 How Sir Percivale was made Knight of King Arthur, and how a dumb maid 
 
 spake, and brought him to the Round Table 210 
 
 How at a great feast that King Mark made an harper came and sang a lay 
 
 of Sir Dinadan's against King Mark 212 
 
 How by treason Sir Tristram was brought to a tournament for to have 
 been slain, and how he was put in prison, and how he and La Beale 
 Isoud came to England and were lodged by Sir Launcelot at Joyous 
 Gard 215 
 
 How by the counsel of La Beale Isoud Sir Tristram rode armed, and how 
 he met with Sir Palomides, and Sir Breuse Saunce Pite beguiled three 
 good knights 220 
 
 How Sir Tristram met with Sir Dinadan, and of their devices, and how Sir 
 Dinadan was sent for by La Beale Isoud, and how Sir Tristram in jousting 
 with Sir Palomides was known by Sir Dinadan 225 
 
 How they approached the Castle Lonazep, and how they talked of the death 
 of Sir Lamorak, and how on Humber Bank they found a ship, wherein 
 lay the body of King Hermance . . 232 
 
 How Palomides went for to fight with two brethren for the death of King 
 
 Hermance, and slew them, and came unto Joyous Gard . . .235 
 
 Of the tournament at Lonazep, and how the prize on the first day was given 
 
 to Sir Palomides 243 
 
 How King Arthur and Sir Launcelot came to see La Beale Isoud, and how 
 Palomides smote down King Arthur, and of the second day of the 
 tournament and of the treason of Sir Palomides to Sir Tristram . . 250 
 
 How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how Palomides fol- 
 lowed and excused him, and how King Arthur and Sir Launcelot came 
 unto their pavilions as they sat at supper, and of Sir Palomides . . 259 
 
xviii THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides did the third day of the tournament, 
 and how Sir Tristram turned to King Arthur's side, and of the sorrow 
 of Sir Palomides ........... 264 
 
 How on a day Sir Tristram departed unarmed and met with Sir Palomides, 
 and how they smote each other, and how Sir Palomides forbare him, 
 and how Sir Tristram gat harness of a hurt knight and overthrew Sir 
 Palomides and made him be christened 268 
 
 (Bi S>ix HauncElot anU Wame "Elaine 
 
 How Sir Launcelot holp a dolorous lady from her pain, and fought with a 
 
 dragon, and of the begetting of Sir Galahad ...... 274 
 
 Of the adventures of Sir Bors at the Castle of Corbin, and how he was fed 
 
 with the Sangreal 280 
 
 How Dame Elaine, Galahad's mother, came in great estate unto Camelot, 
 
 and how Sir Launcelot behaved him there 285 
 
 How Dame Elaine was commanded by Queen Guenever to avoid the court, 
 and how Sir Launcelot became mad, and of the sorrow of Queen 
 Guenever 288 
 
 How Sir Percivale sought for Sir Launcelot, how he fought with Sir 
 Ector, and how they were both made whole by the coming of the 
 Sangreal ............. 293 
 
 Of the madness of Sir Launcelot, and how he was healed by the Sangreal . 297 
 
 How Sir Launcelot, after that he was whole and had his mind, he was 
 
 ashamed, and how he came to the Joyous Isle ..... 305 
 
 Of a great tourneying in the Joyous Isle, and how Sir Launcelot fought with 
 
 Sir Percivale, and how they returned to King Arthur's court . -307 
 
 How Sir Launcelot with Sir Percivale and Sir Ector came to the court, and 
 
 of the great joy of him 311 
 
 ©f Sir ffialafjalr anti rtje ®UE0t of tte f^olg ffirail 
 
 How at the vigil of the feast of Pentecost a damosel desired Sir Launcelot 
 for to come and dub a knight, and of the marvellous adventure of the 
 sword in a stone 312 
 
CONTENTS xix 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the sword, and how an old man 
 brought in Galahad, and set him in the Siege Perilous, and how he drew 
 out the sword 316 
 
 How a damosel announced to King Arthur that the Sangreal should appear 
 in his house, and how King Arthur had all his knights together for to 
 joust or they departed, and how the Sangreal appeared as they sat at 
 supper, and how all the knights took upon them the quest, and of the 
 sorrow of the king and queen at their departing 320 
 
 How Galahad gat him a shield, and how they sped that presumed to take 
 down the said shield,'*&nd how King Evelake had received that shield 
 of Joseph of Aramathie 326 
 
 How Sir Galahad destroyed the wicked custom of the Castle of Maidens, and 
 
 how he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale and smote them down 330 
 
 How Sir Launcelot, half sleeping and half waking, saw a sick man healed 
 with the Sangreal, and how a voice spake to Sir Launcelot, and how 
 he was shriven, and how a good man gave him a hair shirt to wear, and 
 how he was overcome at a jousting and at last came to a river . . 335 
 
 How Sir Percivale found King Evelake, and how he was rescued from twenty 
 knights by Sir Galahad, and how the fiend disguised as the lady of a 
 ship beguiled him, and of his penance . . . . . . -342 
 
 How Sir Bors rescued a damosel rather than his brother Sir Lionel, and how 
 
 thereafter Sir Lionel would fight with Sir Bors, but Sir Bors would not 347 
 
 How when Sir Bors would not fight with him Sir Lionel would have slain 
 him, and how he slew a hermit and Sir Colgrevance who would have 
 saved Sir Bors, and how Sir Bors and Sir Lionel were parted by a cloud 350 
 
 How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and of the stroke that he gave 
 Sir Gawaine, and how he rode with a damosel and came to a ship 
 wherein were Sir Bors and Sir Percivale 355 
 
 How Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percivale entered into the ship, and of 
 a fair bed therein, and of a sword, and of how King Pelles had been 
 maimed for drawing it 358 
 
 How Sir Galahad gripped the sword, and of the custom of a castle, and 
 how Sir Percivale's sister bled a dish full of blood for to heal a lady, 
 wherefore she died ; and how that her body was put in a ship . . 360 
 
XX THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship where Sir Percivale's sister lay 
 dead, and how he came to a castle and was before the door of a chamber 
 wherein was the Sangreal 364 
 
 How after that Sir Launcelot had lain four-and-twenty days and nights as 
 a dead man, it was told him that he had achieved all he might of the 
 quest of the Sangreal, and he returned to King Arthur's court . . 367 
 
 How Galahad came to King Mordrains, and how Sir Percivale and Sir Bors 
 
 met with him, and how they came to the castle of Carbonek . -370 
 
 How Galahad and his fellows were fed of the Holy Sangreal, and how our 
 Lord appeared to them, and how Galahad anointed the maimed king, 
 and how they departed and took ship and came to the city of Sarras, 
 and found there the ship with the body of Percivale's sister . . -373 
 
 How they buried Percivale's sister and were put in prison by the king of 
 the city, and how they were fed with the Sangreal and how Galahad 
 was made king, and how Galahad and Percivale died .... 377 
 
 ©f i-auncelot, ffiuenebcr, mti Ittng ^rtfjur 
 
 How Launcelot fell to his old love again, but withdrew him from Guenever 
 to eschew slander, and how the queen commanded him to avoid the 
 court ............. 382 
 
 How at a dinner that the queen made there was a knight enpoisoned, which 
 Sir Mador laid on the queen, and appeached her for it and how Sir Bors 
 took on him to fight for the queen upon condition ..... 385 
 
 How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the queen, but Sir 
 Launcelot discharged him, and overcame Sir Mador, and how the truth 
 was known by the damosel of the lake ....... 391 
 
 How King Arthur let cry a tournament at Camelot or Winchester, and 
 how Sir Launcelot, riding thither, lodged at Astolat, and received a 
 sleeve to wear on his helm at request of a maid ..... 395 
 
 Of the tourney at Winchester, and how Sir Launcelot was sore wounded . 399 
 
 How Sir Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed, and how it 
 became known that it was he that bare the red sleeve, and of the anger 
 of the queen 404 
 
CONTENTS xxi 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How the maiden Elaine did attendance unto Sir Launcelot, and of her 
 lamentation that he should depart, and how she died for his love, and 
 how her body was brought to the court and of her burying . . . 409 
 
 How Sir Launcelot went to repose him at a hermitage, and how he was hurt 
 
 of a gentlewoman, and of a great tourney ordained by King Arthur . 416 
 
 Of the month of May and of true lovers, and how Queen Guenever rode 
 a-Maying with certain knights of the Round Table, and clad all in green, 
 and how Sir Meliagrance took the queen and her knights . . . 424 
 
 How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and how Sir Melia- 
 grance laid a bushment for Launcelot, so that his horse was slain, and 
 he rode in a cart to save the queen 429 
 
 How Sir Meliagrance required forgiveness of the queen, and how she ap- 
 peased Sir Launcelot, and how Sir Launcelot came in the night to the 
 queen, and how Sir Meliagrance appeached her of treason . . -433 
 
 How Sir Launcelot answered for the queen, to wage battle against Sir Melia- 
 grance; and how Sir Launcelot was taken in a trap, but was delivered 
 of a lady, and how he fought with Sir Meliagrance, half unarmed, and 
 slew him 438 
 
 How Sir Urre came into Arthur's court for to be healed of his wounds by 
 
 the best knight of the world, and how he was healed by Sir Launcelot 445 
 
 How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred were busy upon Sir Gawaine for to 
 
 disclose the love between Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever . . 450 
 
 How Sir Launcelot was espied in the queen's chamber, and how Sir Agra- 
 vaine and Sir Mordred came with twelve knights to slay him . . 454 
 
 Of the counsel and advice that was taken by Sir Launcelot and his friends for 
 
 to save the queen ..... .... 458 
 
 How Sir Launcelot and his kinsmen rescued the queen from the fire, and 
 
 how he slew many knights, and of the sorrow of King Arthur . . 463 
 
 How King Arthur at the request of Sir Gawaine concluded to make war 
 
 against Sir Launcelot, and laid siege to his castle called Joyous Gard . 468 
 
 How the Pope sent down his bulls to make peace, and how Sir Launcelot 
 
 brought the queen to King Arthur - 477 
 
 How Sir Launcelot departed from the King and from Joyous Gard over 
 seaward, and how King Arthur and Sir Gawaine with a great host made 
 war on Sir Launcelot 481 
 
xxii THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 PAGE 
 
 How Sir Mordred took on him to be king of England, and how King Arthur 
 returned to Dover, and of the battle there, and how Sir Gawaine was 
 slain ............. 486 
 
 How Sir Gawaine's ghost appeared to King Arthur, and warned him not 
 to fight on the day assigned, and how by misadventure of an adder a 
 battle began, where Mordred was slain and Arthur hurt to the death 490 
 
 How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into the water, 
 and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge, and as to the death of 
 King Arthur, and how Queen Guenever made her a nun . . . 493 
 
 How when Sir Launcelot heard of the death of King Arthur, he came to 
 England, and found Queen Guenever at Almesbury, and how Sir 
 Launcelot took the habit on him as a hermit ..... 498 
 
 How Sir Launcelot went with his eight fellows to Almesbury, and found 
 there Queen Guenever dead, whom they brought to Glastonbury, and 
 how Sir Launcelot sickened and died, and was borne to Joyous Gard 
 for to be buried, and how Constantine reigned next after Arthur, and 
 of the end of this book 503 
 
 Glossary 511 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 IN COLOUR 
 
 FACE PAGE 
 
 How Arthur drew his sword ExcaUbur for the first time (page 14) . Frontispiece 
 
 Merlin and Nimue. How by her subtle working she made Merlin to go 
 under the stone to let her wit of the marvels there : and she wrought 
 so there for him that he came never out for all the craft he could do . 30 
 
 How Sir Launcelot slew the knight Sir Peris de Forest Savage that did 
 
 distress ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen 64 
 
 How Beaumains defeated the Red Knight, and always the damosel spake 
 
 many foul words unto him 90 
 
 How Dame Lionesse came forth arrayed like a princess .... 104 
 
 How Tristram and Isoud drank the love drink 146 
 
 How Tristram was known by the little brachet in the garden of King 
 
 Mark's castle 168 
 
 How at a great feast that King Mark made came Eliot the harper and sang 
 
 the lay that Dinadan had made 214 
 
 The Questing Beast 220 
 
 How Sir Launcelot fought with a fiendly dragon 276 
 
 How at the Castle of Corbin a maiden bare in the Sangreal and foretold the 
 
 achievements of Galahad 280 
 
 How Galahad drew out the sword from the floating stone at Camelot . .318 
 
 How King Arthur and Queen Guenever went to see the barge that bore 
 
 the corpse of Elaine the Fair Maiden of Astolat 410 
 
xxiv THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 FACE PAGE 
 
 How Sir Launcelot was shot by a gentlewoman hunting .... 416 
 
 How Queen Guenever rode a-Maying into the woods and fields beside 
 
 Westminster ............ 424 
 
 How Mordred was slain by Arthur and how by him Arthur was hurt to the 
 
 death 492 
 
 IN BLACK AND WHITE 
 
 So the child was delivered to Merlin 6 
 
 How Queen Morgan le Fay stole away the scabbard from Arthur . . 45 
 
 When she saw she must be overtaken, she shaped herself, horse and man, by 
 
 enchantment unto a great marble stone ...... 46 
 
 Sir Beaumains espied upon great trees how there hung full goodly armed 
 
 knights by the neck 99 
 
 Dagonet, King Arthur's Fool . . . . . . . . .164 
 
 They saw on the other side a lady with a sperhawk on her hand . . . 309 
 
 Sir Mordred went and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and 
 
 shot great guns 487 
 
THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR AND 
 HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE 
 
Of this large paper edition two hundred and fifty copies 
 
 have been printed, of which this is 
 
 number. I -7-^- 
 
OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR AND OF 
 HIS NURTURE. It befell in the days of Uther 
 Pendragon, when he was king of all England, and so 
 reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held 
 war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke 
 of Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, 
 charging him to bring his wife with him, for she was called a 
 fair lady, and a passing wise, and her name was called Igraine. 
 So when the duke and his wife were come unto the 
 king, by the means of great lords they were accorded both. 
 The king liked and loved this lady well, and he made them 
 great cheer out of measure, and desired to have had her love. 
 But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent 
 unto the king. And then she told the duke her husband, 
 and said, I suppose that we were sent for that I should be 
 
2 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 dishonoured ; wherefore, husband, I counsel you, that we 
 depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all night 
 unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so they 
 departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were 
 ware of their departing. All so soon as King Uther knew 
 of their departing so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. 
 Then he called to him his privy council, and told them of 
 the sudden departing of the duke and his wife. 
 
 Then they advised the king to send for the duke and 
 his wife by a great charge ; and if he will not come at your 
 summons, then may ye do your best, then have ye cause 
 to make mighty war upon him. So that was done, and 
 the messengers had their answers ; and that was this shortly, 
 that neither he nor his wife would not come at him. 
 
 Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then the 
 king sent him plain word again, and bade him be ready 
 and stuff him and garnish him, for within forty days he 
 would fetch him out of the biggest castle that he hath. 
 
 When the duke had this warning, anon he went and 
 furnished and garnished two strong castles of his, of the 
 which the one hight Tintagil, and the other castle hight 
 Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine he put in the castle 
 of Tintagil, and himself he put in the castle of Terrabil, 
 the which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all 
 haste came Uther with a great host, and laid a siege about 
 the castle of Terrabil. Then for pure anger and for great 
 love of fair Igraine the king Uther fell sick. So came to 
 the king Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the 
 king why he was sick. I shall tell thee, said the king, I am 
 sick for anger and for love of fair Igraine, that I may not 
 be whole. Well, my lord, said Sir Ulfius, I shall seek 
 
HOW UTHER PENDRAGON MADE WAR 3 
 
 Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your heart shall 
 be pleased. So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met 
 Merlin in a beggar's array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius 
 whom he sought. And he said he had little ado to tell 
 him. Well, said Merlin, I know whom thou seekest, for 
 thou seekest Merlin ; therefore seek no farther, for I am 
 he ; and if King Uther will well reward me, and be sworn 
 unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be his honour and 
 profit more than mine ; for I shall cause him to have all his 
 desire. All this will I undertake, said Ulfius, that there shall 
 be nothing reasonable but thou shalt have thy desire. Well, 
 said Merlin, he shall have his intent and desire. And therefore, 
 said Merlin, ride on your way, for I will not be long behind. 
 Then Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a pace till 
 that he came to King Uther Pendragon, and told him he 
 had met with Merlin. Where is he ? said the king. Sir, 
 said Ulfius, he will not dwell long. Therewithal Ulfius 
 was ware where Merlin stood at the porch of the pavilion's 
 door. And then Merlin was bound to come to the king. 
 When King Uther saw him, he said he was welcome. Sir, 
 said Merlin, I know all your heart every deal ; so ye will 
 be sworn unto me, as ye be a true king anointed, to fulfil 
 my desire, ye shall have your desire. Then the king was 
 sworn upon the Four Evangelists. Sir, said Merlin, this 
 is my desire : after that ye shall win Igraine ye shall have 
 a child by her, and when that is born, that it shall be 
 delivered to me for to nourish there as I will have it ; for 
 it shall be your worship, and the child's avail, as mickle 
 as the child is worth. I will well, said the king, as thou 
 wilt have it. Now make you ready, said Merlin, this 
 night ye shall be with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil ; 
 
4 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 and ye shall be like the duke her husband, Ulfius shall be 
 like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke's, and I will be like 
 a knight that hight Sir Jordanus, a knight of the duke's. 
 But wait ye make not many questions with her nor her 
 men, but say ye are diseased, and so hie you to bed, and 
 rise not on the morn till I come to you, for the castle of 
 Tintagil is but ten miles hence ; so this was done as they 
 devised. But the duke of Tintagil espied how the king 
 rode from the siege of Terrabil, and therefore that night he 
 issued out of the castle at a postern, for to have distressed the 
 king's host. And so, through his own issue, the duke himself 
 was slain or ever the king came at the castle of Tintagil. 
 
 So after the death of the duke. King Uther came to 
 the castle more than three hours after his death, and there 
 he found Igraine, and before day came Merlin to the 
 king, and bade him make him ready, and so he kissed the 
 lady Igraine and departed in all haste. But when the lady 
 heard tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he 
 was dead or ever King Uther came to her, then she mar- 
 velled who that might be that came to her in likeness of 
 her lord ; so she mourned privily and held her peace. 
 Then all the barons by one assent prayed the king of accord 
 betwixt the lady Igraine and him ; the king gave them 
 leave, for fain would he have been accorded with her. So 
 the king put all the trust in Ulfius to entreat between them, 
 so by the entreaty at the last the king and she met together. 
 Now will we do well, said Ulfius, our king is a lusty knight 
 and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady ; 
 it were great joy unto us all, an it might please the king to 
 make her his queen. Unto that they all well accorded 
 and moved it to the king. And anon, like a lusty knight. 
 
OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR s 
 
 he assented thereto with good will, and so in all haste they 
 were married in a morning with great mirth and joy. 
 
 And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney then wedded 
 Margawse that was Gawaine's mother, and King Nentres 
 of the land of Garlot wedded Elaine. All this was done 
 at the request of King Uther. And the third sister Morgan 
 le Fay was put to school in a nunnery, and there she learned 
 so much that she was a great clerk of necromancy. And 
 after she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore. 
 
 Then the time came that Queen Igraine should bear a 
 child. So it befell after within half a year, as King Uther was 
 with his queen, he asked her, by the faith she owed to him, 
 whose was the child that should be born ; then was she sore 
 abashed to give answer. Dismay you not, said the king, but 
 tell me the truth, and I shall love you the better, by the faith 
 of my body. Sir, said she, I shall tell you the truth. The 
 same night that my lord was dead, the hour of his death, as 
 his knights record, there came into my castle of Tintagil a 
 man like my lord in speech and in countenance, and two 
 knights with him in likeness of his two knights Brastias 
 and Jordanus, and so I welcomed him as I ought to welcome 
 my lord, and the same night, as I shall answer unto God, 
 this child was begotten. That is truth, said the king, as ye 
 say ; for it was I myself that came in the likeness, and 
 therefore dismay you not, for I am father of the child ; and 
 there he told her all the cause, how it was by Merlin's counsel. 
 Then the queen made great joy when she knew who was 
 the father of her child. 
 
 Soon came Merlin unto the king, and said. Sir, ye must 
 purvey you for the nourishing of your child. As thou 
 wilt, said the king, be it. Well, said Merlin, I know a 
 
6 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 lord of yours in this land, that is a passing true man and a 
 faithful, and he shall have the nourishing of your child, 
 and his name is Sir Ector, and he is a lord of fair livelihood 
 in many parts in England and Wales ; and this lord. Sir 
 Ector, let him be sent for, for to come and speak with you, 
 and desire him yourself, as he loveth you, that he will put 
 his own child to nourishing to another woman, and that 
 his wife nourish yours. And when the child is born let it 
 be delivered to me at yonder privy postern unchristened. 
 So like as Merlin devised it was done. And when Sir 
 Ector was come he made fiaunce to the king for to nourish 
 the child like as the king desired ; and there the king 
 granted Sir Ector great rewards. Then when the lady 
 was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two 
 ladies to take the child, bound in a cloth of gold, and that 
 ye deliver him to what poor man ye meet at the postern 
 gate of the castle. So the child was delivered unto Merlin, 
 and so he bare it forth unto Sir Ector, and made an holy 
 man to christen him, and named him Arthur ; and so Sir 
 Ector's wife nourished him with her own breast. 
 
 OF THE DEATH OF KING UTHER 
 PENDRAGON, AND HOW ARTHUR 
 WAS CHOSEN KING. Then within 
 two years King Uther fell sick of a 
 great malady. And in the meanwhile his 
 enemies usurped upon him, and did a 
 great battle upon his men, and slew many 
 of his people. Sir, said Merlin, ye may 
 not lie so as ye do, for ye must to the field 
 though ye ride on an horse-litter : for ye 
 
S0-THECmLT)-WAS-Pi:UYEKt:p-U/\TOiN\ERLlN 
 
HOW ARTHUR WAS CHOSEN KING 7 
 
 shall never have the better of your enemies but if your person 
 be there, and then shall ye have the victory. So it was done 
 as Merlin had devised, and they carried the king forth in an 
 horse-litter with a great host towards his enemies. And at 
 St. Albans there met with the king a great host of the North. 
 And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds of 
 arms, and King Uther's men overcame the Northern battle 
 and slew many people, and put the remnant to flight. And 
 then the king returned unto London, and made great joy 
 of his victory. And then he fell passing sore sick, so that 
 three days and three nights he was speechless : wherefore 
 all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what 
 counsel were best. There is none other remedy, said Merlin, 
 but God will have his will. But look ye all barons be before 
 King Uther to-morn, and God and I shall make him to 
 speak. So on the morn all the barons with Merlin came 
 to-fore the king ; then Merlin said aloud unto King Uther, 
 Sir, shall your son Arthur be king after your days, of this 
 realm with all the appurtenance ? Then Uther Pendragon 
 turned him, and said in hearing of them all, I give him God's 
 blessing and mine, and bid him pray for my soul, and 
 righteously and worshipfully that he claim the crown, upon 
 forfeiture of my blessing ; and therewith he yielded up 
 the ghost, and then was he interred as longed to a king. 
 Wherefore the queen, fair Igraine, made great sorrow, and 
 all the barons. 
 
 Then stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for 
 every lord that was mighty of men made him strong, and 
 many weened to have been king. Then Merlin went to 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury, and counselled him for to 
 send for all the lords of the realm, and all the gentlemen 
 
8 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 of arms, that they should to London come by Christmas, 
 upon pain of cursing; and for this cause, that Jesus, that 
 was born on that night, that he would of his great mercy, 
 as he was come to be king of mankind, show some miracle 
 who should be rightwise king of this realm. So the Arch- 
 bishop, by the advice of Merlin, sent for all the Lords and 
 gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas 
 even unto London. And many of them made them clean 
 of their life, that their prayer might be the more acceptable 
 unto God. So in the greatest church of London, whether 
 it were Paul's or not the French book maketh no mention, 
 all the estates were long ere day in the church for to pray. 
 And when matins and the first mass was done, there was 
 seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone 
 four square, like unto a marble stone ; and in midst thereof 
 was like an anvil of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck 
 a fair sword naked by the point, and letters there were 
 written in gold about the sword that said thus : — Whoso 
 pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise 
 king born of all England. Then the people marvelled, 
 and told it to the Archbishop. I command, said the Arch- 
 bishop, that ye keep you within your church and pray unto 
 God still, that no man touch the sword till the high mass 
 be all done. So when all masses were done all the lords 
 went to behold the stone and the sword. And when they 
 saw the scripture some assayed, such as would have been 
 king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He is 
 not here, said the Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword, 
 but doubt not God will make him known. But this is 
 my counsel, said the Archbishop, that we let purvey ten 
 knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword. 
 
HOW HE PULLED OUT THE SWORD 9 
 
 So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry, that 
 every man should assay that would, for to win the sword. 
 And upon New Year's Day the barons let make a jousts 
 and a tournament, that all knights that would joust or 
 tourney there might play, and all this was ordained for to 
 keep the lords together and the commons, for the Arch- 
 bishop trusted that God would make him known that 
 should win the sword. 
 
 So upon New Year's Day, when the service was done, 
 the barons rode unto the field, some to joust and some to 
 tourney, and so it happed that Sir Ector, that had great 
 livelihood about London, rode unto the jousts, and with 
 him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his 
 nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made knight at All 
 Hallowmas afore. So as they rode to the jousts-ward. Sir 
 Kay lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's lodging, 
 and so he prayed young Arthur for to ride for his sword. 
 I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword, and 
 when he came home, the lady and all were out to see the 
 jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, 
 I will ride to the churchyard, and take the sword with me 
 that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall 
 not be without a sword this day. So when he came to 
 the churchyard. Sir Arthur alighted and tied his horse to 
 the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights 
 there, for they were at the jousting. And so he handled 
 the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled 
 it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode his way 
 until he came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered him 
 the sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist 
 well it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his 
 
lo OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 father Sir Ector, and said : Sir, lo here is the sword of the 
 stone, wherefore I must be king of this land. When Sir 
 Ector beheld the sword, he returned again and came to the 
 church, and there they alighted all three, and went into 
 the church. And anon he made Sir Kay swear upon a 
 book how he came to that sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by 
 my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me. How gat 
 ye this sword ? said Sir Ector to Arthur. Sir, I will tell 
 you. When I came home for my brother's sword, I found 
 nobody at home to deliver me his sword ; and so I thought 
 my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless, and so I came 
 hither eagerly and pulled it out of the stone without any 
 pain. Found ye any knights about this sword .? said Sir 
 Ector. Nay, said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector to Arthur, 
 I understand ye must be king of this land. Wherefore I, 
 said Arthur, and for what cause ? Sir, said Ector, for 
 God will have it so ; for there should never man have 
 drawn out this sword, but he that shall be rightwise king 
 of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the sword 
 there as it was, and pull it out again. That is no mastery, 
 said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone ; wherewithal 
 Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword and failed. 
 
 Now assay, said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anon 
 he pulled at the sword with all his might ; but it would not 
 be. Now shall ye assay, said Sir Ector to Arthur. I 
 will well, said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And there- 
 withal Sir Ector knelt down to the earth, and Sir Kay. 
 Alas, said Arthur, my own dear father and brother, why 
 kneel ye to me ? Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so ; 
 I was never your father nor of your blood, but I wot well 
 ye are of an higher blood than I weened ye were. And 
 
HOW HE PULLED OUT THE SWORD ii 
 
 then Sir Ector told him all, how he was betaken him for 
 to nourish him, and by whose commandment, and by 
 Merlin's deliverance. 
 
 Then Arthur made great dole when he understood 
 that Sir Ector was not his father. Therewithal they went 
 unto the Archbishop, and told him how the sword was 
 achieved, and by whom ; and on Twelfth-day all the barons 
 came thither, and to assay to take the sword, who that would 
 assay. But there afore them all, there might none take it 
 out but Arthur ; wherefore there were many lords wroth, 
 and said it was great shame unto them all and the realm, 
 to be over governed with a boy of no high blood born. And 
 so they fell out at that time that it was put off till Candlemas, 
 and then all the barons should meet there again ; but 
 always the ten knights were ordained to watch the sword 
 day and night, and so they set a pavilion over the stone 
 and the sword, and five always watched. So at Candlemas 
 many more great lords came thither for to have won the 
 sword, but there might none prevail. And right as Arthur 
 did at Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the 
 sword easily, whereof the barons were sore aggrieved and 
 put it off in delay till the high feast of Easter. And as 
 Arthur sped before, so did he at Easter ; yet there were 
 some of the great lords had indignation that Arthur should 
 be king, and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost. 
 
12 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR WAS 
 CROWNED, AND HOW HE MADE 
 OFFICERS AND HELD A GREAT 
 FEAST, & OF THE WAR THAT HE 
 HAD, AND HOW HE HELD THE 
 FIELD. And at the feast of Pentecost all 
 manner of men assayed to pull at the sword 
 that would assay ; but none might prevail 
 but Arthur, and pulled it out afore all the 
 lords and commons that were there, where- 
 fore all the commons cried at once. We will 
 have Arthur unto our king, we will put him 
 no more in delay, for we all see that it is God's will that he shall 
 be our king, and who that holdeth against it, we will slay him. 
 And therewithal they kneeled at once, both rich and poor, 
 and cried Arthur mercy because they had delayed him so 
 long, and Arthur forgave them, and took the sword between 
 both his hands, and offered it upon the altar where the Arch- 
 bishop was, and so was he made knight of the best man 
 that was there. And so anon was the coronation made. 
 And there was he sworn unto his lords and the commons 
 for to be a true king, to stand with true justice from 
 thenceforth the days of this life. 
 
 When this was done, that the king had stablished all 
 the countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay 
 seneschal of England ; and Sir Baudwin of Britain was 
 made constable ; and Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain ; 
 and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the north 
 from Trent forwards, for it was that time the most party 
 the king's enemies. But within few years after Arthur 
 won all the north, Scotland, and all that were under their 
 
HOW KING ARTHUR HELD FEAST 13 
 
 obeissance. Also Wales, a part of it, held against Arthur, 
 but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant, through 
 the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round 
 Table. 
 
 Then the king removed into Wales, and let cry a great 
 feast that it should be holden at Pentecost after the incoro- 
 nation of him at the city of Carlion. Unto the feast came 
 King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with five hundred 
 knights with him. Also there came to the feast King 
 Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also 
 there came to that feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven 
 hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast 
 the king of Scotland with six hundred knights with him, 
 and he was but a young man. Also there came to the feast 
 a king that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, 
 but he and his men were passing well beseen at all points. 
 Also there came the king of Carados with five hundred 
 knights. And King Arthur was glad of their coming, for 
 he weened that all the kings and knights had come for great 
 love, and to have done him worship at his feast ; wherefore 
 the king made great joy, and sent the kings and knights 
 great presents. But the kings would none receive, but 
 rebuked the messengers shamefully, and said they had no 
 joy to receive no gifts of a beardless boy that was come of 
 low blood, and sent him word they would none of his gifts, 
 but that they were come to give him gifts with hard swords 
 betwixt the neck and the shoulders : and therefore they 
 came thither, so they told to the messengers plainly, for it 
 was great shame to all them to see such a boy to have a rule 
 of so noble a realm as this land was. With this answer the 
 messengers departed and told to King Arthur this answer. 
 
14 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 Wherefore, by the advice of his barons, he took him to a 
 strong tower with five hundred good men with him. And 
 all the kings aforesaid in a manner laid a siege to-fore him, 
 but King Arthur was well victualed. And within fifteen 
 days there came Merlin among them into the city of Carlion. 
 Then all the kings were passing glad of Merlin, and asked 
 him. For what cause is that boy Arthur made your king ? 
 Sirs, said Merlin, I shall tell you the cause, for he is King 
 Uther Pendragon's son, born in wedlock of Igraine, the 
 duke's wife of Tintagil. After the death of the duke, 
 thirteen days, King Uther wedded Igraine. And who saith 
 nay, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies. Some 
 of the kings had marvel of Merlin's words, and deemed well 
 that it should be as he said ; and some of them laughed him 
 to scorn, as King Lot ; and more other called him a witch. 
 But then were they accorded with Merlin, that King Arthur 
 should come out and speak with the kings, and to come 
 safe and to go safe, such surance there was made. 
 
 Then King Arthur came out of his tower, and had under 
 his gown a jesseraunt of double mail, and there went with 
 him the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of 
 Britain, and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias : these were the men 
 of most worship that were with him. And when they 
 were met there was no meekness, but stout words on both 
 sides ; but always King Arthur answered them, and said 
 he would make them to bow an he lived. Wherefore 
 they departed with wrath, and King Arthur bade keep 
 them well, and they bade the king keep him well. So the 
 king returned him to the tower again and armed him and 
 all his knights. With that Merlin came to King Arthur, 
 and bade him set on them fiercely ; and in the meanwhile 
 
HOW KING ARTHUR HELD THE FIELD 15 
 
 there were three hundred good men, of the best that were 
 with the kings, that went straight unto King Arthur, and 
 that comforted him greatly. Sir, said Merhn to Arthur, 
 fight not with the sword that ye had by miracle, till that 
 ye see ye go unto the worse, then draw it out and do your 
 best. So forthwithal King Arthur set upon them in their 
 lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew 
 on the right hand and on the left hand that it was marvel ; 
 and always King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword, 
 and did marvellous deeds of arms, that many of the kings 
 had great joy of his deeds and hardiness. 
 
 Then King Lot brake out on the back side, and the 
 King with the Hundred Knights, and King Carados, and 
 set on Arthur fiercely behind him. With that Sir Arthur 
 turned with his knights, and smote behind and before, and 
 ever Sir Arthur was in the foremost press till his horse 
 was slain underneath him. And therewith King Lot 
 smote down King Arthur. With that his four knights 
 received him and set him on horseback. Then he drew 
 his sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies' 
 eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches. And there- 
 with he put them a-back, and slew much people. And 
 then the commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves 
 and slew many knights ; but all the kings held them 
 together with their knights that were left alive, and so fled 
 and departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur and coun- 
 selled him to follow them no further. 
 
i6 
 
 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 OF KING ARTHUR AND 
 KING PELLINORE AND 
 HOW ARTHUR SENT FOR 
 HIS MOTHER. Then came to 
 King Arthur, King Lot's wife, of 
 Orkney, in manner of a message, 
 but she was sent thither to espy 
 the court of King Arthur ; and 
 she came richly beseen, with her 
 four sons, Gawaine, Gaheris, Agra- 
 vine, and Gareth, with many other 
 knights and ladies, and she was a passing fair lady, 
 wherefore the king cast great love unto her, and so was 
 Mordred born, and she was his sister, on his mother's 
 side, Igraine. So there she rested her a month, and at 
 the last departed. Then the king dreamed a marvellous 
 dream whereof he was sore adread. But all this time King 
 Arthur knew not that King Lot's wife was his sister. Thus 
 was the dream of Arthur : Him thought there was come 
 into this land griffins and serpents, and him thought they 
 burnt and slew all the people in the land, and then him 
 thought he fought with them, and they did him passing 
 great harm, and wounded him full sore, but at the last he 
 slew them. When the king awaked, he was passing heavy 
 of his dream, and so to put it out of thoughts, he made him 
 ready with many knights to ride a-hunting. As soon as 
 he was in the forest the king saw a great hart afore him. 
 This hart will I chase, said King Arthur, and so he spurred 
 the horse, and rode after long, and so by fine force oft he 
 was like to have smitten the hart ; whereas the king had 
 chased the hart so long, that his horse lost his breath, and 
 
OF KING PELLINORE 17 
 
 fell down dead. Then a yeoman fetched the king another 
 horse. 
 
 So the king saw the hart embushed, and his horse dead, 
 he set him down by a fountain, and there he fell in great 
 thoughts. And as he sat so, him thought he heard a noise 
 of hounds, to the sum of thirty. And with that the king 
 saw coming toward him the strangest beast that ever he 
 saw or heard of; so the beast went to the well and drank, 
 and the noise was in the beast's belly like unto the questing 
 of thirty couple hounds ; but all the while the beast drank 
 there was no noise in the beast's belly: and therewith the 
 beast departed with a great noise, whereof the king had 
 great marvel. And so he was in a great thought, and 
 therewith he fell asleep. Right so there came a knight 
 afoot unto Arthur and said. Knight full of thought and 
 sleepy, tell me if thou sawest a strange beast pass this way. 
 Such one saw I, said King Arthur, that is past two mile ; 
 what would ye with the beast ? said Arthur. Sir, I have 
 followed that beast long time, and killed mine horse, so 
 would I had another to follow my quest. Right so 
 came one with the king's horse, and when the knight saw 
 the horse, he prayed the king to give him the horse : for 
 I have followed this quest this twelvemonth, and either I 
 shall achieve him, or bleed of the best blood of my body. 
 Pellinore, that time king, followed the Questing Beast, and 
 after his death Sir Palamides followed it. 
 
 Sir knight, said the king, leave that quest, and suffer me 
 to have it, and I will follow it another twelvemonth. Ah, 
 fool, said the knight unto Arthur, it is in vain thy desire, 
 for it shall never be achieved but by me, or my next kin. 
 Therewith he started unto the king's horse and mounted 
 
1 8 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 into the saddle, and said, Gramercy, this horse is my own. 
 Well, said the king, thou mayst take my horse by force, 
 but an I might prove thee whether thou were better on 
 horseback or I. — Well, said the knight, seek me here when 
 thou wilt, and here nigh this well thou shalt find me, and 
 so passed on his way. Then the king sat in a study, and 
 bade his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might. 
 Right so came by him Merlin like a child of fourteen year 
 of age, and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so 
 pensive. I may well be pensive, said the king, for I have 
 seen the marvellest sight that ever I saw. That know I 
 well, said Merlin, as well as thyself, and of all thy thoughts, 
 but thou art but a fool to take thought, for it will not amend 
 thee. Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, 
 and of whom thou wert born ; King Uther Pendragon 
 was thy father, and had thee of Igraine. That is false, 
 said King Arthur, how shouldest thou know it, for thou art 
 not so old of years to know my father .? Yes, said Merlin, 
 I know it better than ye or any man living. I will not 
 believe thee, said Arthur, and was wroth with the child. 
 So departed Merlin, and came again in the likeness of an 
 old man of fourscore year of age, whereof the king was 
 right glad, for he seemed to be right wise. 
 
 Then said the old man. Why are ye so sad ? I may 
 well be heavy, said Arthur, for many things. Also here 
 was a child, and told me many things that meseemeth he 
 should not know, for he was not of age to know my father. 
 Yes, said the old man, the child told you truth, and more 
 would he have told you an ye would have suffered him. 
 But ye have done a thing late that God is displeased with you, 
 and your sister shall have a child that shall destroy you and 
 
ARTHUR AND KING PELLINORE 19 
 
 all the knights of your realm. What are ye, said Arthur, that 
 tell me these tidings ? I am Merlin, and I was he in the child's 
 likeness. Ah, said King Arthur, ye are a marvellous man, but 
 I marvel much of thy words that I must die in battle. Marvel 
 not, said Merlin, for it is God's will your body to be punished 
 for your foul deeds ; but I may well be sorry, said Merlin, 
 for I shall die a shameful death, to be put in the earth quick, 
 and ye shall die a worshipful death. And as they talked 
 thus, came one with the king's horse, and so the king mounted 
 on his horse, and Merlin on another, and so rode unto 
 Carlion. And anon the king asked Ector and Ulfius how 
 he was begotten, and they told him Uther Pendragon was 
 his father and Queen Igraine his mother. Then he said to 
 Merlin, I will that my mother be sent for, that I may speak 
 with her. Then in all haste, the queen was sent for, and 
 she came and brought with her Morgan le Fay, her daughter, 
 that was as fair a lady as any might be, and the king welcomed 
 Igraine in the best manner. 
 
 Then Merlin took the king by the hand, saying, This is 
 your mother. And therewith Sir Ector bare witness how 
 he nourished him by Uther's commandment. And there- 
 with King Arthur took his mother. Queen Igraine, in his 
 arms and kissed her, and either wept upon other. And 
 then the king let make a feast that lasted eight days. 
 
 HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH KING 
 PELLINORE AND HOW MERLIN SAVED 
 ARTHUR'S LIFE, AND ARTHUR BY THE 
 MEAN OF MERLIN GAT HIS SWORD 
 EXCALIBUR. Then on a day there came in 
 the court a squire on horseback, leading a knight before 
 
20 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 him wounded to the death, and told him how there was a 
 knight in the forest had reared up a pavilion by a well, and 
 hath slain my master, a good knight, his name was Miles ; 
 wherefore I beseech you that my master may be buried, and 
 that some knight may revenge my master's death. Then 
 the noise was great of that knight's death in the court, and 
 every man said his advice. Then came Griflet that was but 
 a squire, and he was but young, of the age of the king Arthur, 
 so he besought the king for all his service that he had done 
 him to give the order of knighthood. 
 
 Thou art full young and tender of age, said Arthur, 
 for to take so high an order on thee. Sir, said Griflet, I 
 beseech you make me knight. Sir, said Merlin, it were 
 great pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a passing good 
 man when he is of age, abiding with you the term of his 
 life. And if he adventure his body with yonder knight at 
 the fountain, it is in great peril if ever he come again, for 
 he is one of the best knights of the world, and the strongest 
 man of arms. Well, said Arthur. So at the desire of 
 Griflet the king made him knight. Now, said Arthur 
 unto Sir Griflet, sith I have made you knight thou must 
 give me a gift. What ye will, said Griflet. Thou shalt 
 promise me by the faith of thy body, when thou hast jousted 
 with the knight at the fountain, whether it fall ye be on 
 foot or on horseback, that right so ye shall come again unto 
 me without making any more debate. I will promise you, 
 said Griflet, as you desire. Then took Griflet his horse 
 in great haste, and dressed his shield and took a spear in his 
 hand, and so he rode a great wallop till he came to the 
 fountain, and thereby he saw a rich pavilion, and thereby 
 under a cloth stood a fair horse well saddled and bridled. 
 
GRIFLET JOUSTS WITH A KNIGHT 21 
 
 and on a tree a shield of divers colours and a great spear. 
 Then Griflet smote on the shield with the butt of his spear, 
 that the shield fell down to the ground. With that the 
 knight came out of the pavilion, and said. Fair knight, 
 why smote ye down my shield ? For I will joust with you, 
 said Griflet. It is better ye do not, said the knight, for 
 ye are but young, and late made knight, and your might 
 is nothing to mine. As for that, said Griflet, I will joust 
 with you. That is me loath, said the knight, but sith I 
 must needs, I will dress me thereto. Of whence be ye ? 
 said the knight. Sir, I am of Arthur's court. So the two 
 knights ran together that Griflet's spear all to-shivered ; 
 and therewithal he smote Griflet through the shield and the 
 left side, and brake the spear that the truncheon stuck in 
 his body, that horse and knight fell down. 
 
 When the knight saw him lie so on the ground, he 
 alighted, and was passing heavy, for he weened he had 
 slain him, and then he unlaced his helm and gat him wind, 
 and so with the truncheon he set him on his horse, and 
 so betook him to God, and said he had a mighty heart, 
 and if he might live he would prove a passing good knight. 
 And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where great dole was 
 made for him. But through good leeches he was healed 
 and saved. Then King Arthur was passingly wroth for 
 the hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he commanded a privy 
 man of his chamber that ere it be day his best horse and 
 armour, with all that longeth unto his person, be without 
 the city or to-morrow day. Right so or to-morrow day 
 he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and 
 dressed his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamber- 
 lain tarry there till he came again. And so Arthur rode 
 
22 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 a soft pace till it was day, and then was he ware of three 
 churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain him. Then 
 the king rode unto them, and bade them : Flee, churls ! 
 then were they afeard when they saw a knight, and fled. 
 
 Merlin, said Arthur, here hadst thou been slain for all 
 thy crafts had I not been. Nay, said Merlin, not so, for 
 
 1 could save myself an I would ; and thou art more near 
 thy death than I am, for thou goest to the deathward, an 
 God be not thy friend. 
 
 So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain, 
 and the rich pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was 
 ware where sat a knight armed in a chair. Sir knight, said 
 Arthur, for what cause abidest thou here, that there may 
 no knight ride this way but if he joust with thee ? said the 
 king. I rede thee leave that custom, said Arthur. This 
 custom, said the knight, have I used and will use maugre 
 who saith nay, and who is grieved with my custom let 
 him amend it that will. I will amend it, said Arthur. I 
 shall defend thee, said the knight. Anon he took his horse 
 and dressed his shield and took a spear, and they met so 
 hard either in other's shields, that all to-shivered their 
 spears. Therewith anon Arthur pulled out his sword. 
 Nay, not so, said the knight ; it is fairer, said the knight, 
 that we twain run more together with sharp spears. I 
 will well, said Arthur, an I had any more spears. I have 
 enow, said the knight ; so there came a squire and brought 
 two good spears, and Arthur chose one and he another ; 
 so they spurred their horses and came together with all 
 their mights, that either brake their spears to their hands. 
 Then Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, said the knight, 
 ye shall do better, ye are a passing good jouster as ever I 
 
ARTHUR'S FIGHT WITH A KNIGHT 23 
 
 met withal, and for the love of the high order of knighthood 
 , let us joust once again. I assent me, said Arthur. Anon 
 there were brought two great spears, and every knight gat 
 a spear, and therewith they ran together that Arthur's spear 
 all to-shivered. But the other knight hit him so hard in 
 midst of the shield, that horse and man fell to the earth, 
 and therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, 
 and said, I will assay thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost 
 the honour on horseback. Then the knight alighted and 
 dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong 
 battle with many great strokes, and so hewed with their 
 swords that the cantels flew in the fields. So at the last they 
 smote together that both their swords met even together. 
 But the sword of the knight smote King Arthur's sword in 
 two pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight 
 unto Arthur, Thou art in my danger whether me list to 
 save thee or slay thee, and but thou yield thee as overcome 
 and recreant, thou shalt die. As for death, said King 
 Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh, but to yield me 
 unto thee as recreant I had liefer die than to be so shamed. 
 And therewithal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took 
 him by the middle and threw him down, and raced off his 
 helm. When the knight felt that he was adread, and anon 
 he brought Arthur under him, for he was a passing big 
 man of might, and raced off his helm and would have 
 smitten off his head. 
 
 Therewithal came Merlin and said. Knight, hold thy 
 hand, for an thou slay that knight thou puttest this realm 
 in the greatest damage that ever was realm : for this knight 
 is a man of more worship than thou wotest of. Why, who 
 is he .? said the knight. It is King Arthur. Then would 
 
24 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up 
 his sword, and therewith Merhn cast an enchantment to 
 the knight, that he fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then 
 Merlin took up King Arthur, and rode forth on the knight's 
 horse. Alas ! said Arthur, what hast thou done, Merlin ? 
 hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts .? There 
 liveth not so worshipful a knight as he was ; I had liefer 
 than the stint of my land a year that he were alive. Care 
 ye not, said Merlin, for he is wholer than ye ; for he is but 
 asleep, and will awake within three hours. I told you, said 
 Merlin, what a knight he was ; here had ye been slain had 
 I not been. 
 
 Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an 
 hermit that was a good man and a great leech. So the 
 hermit searched all his wounds and gave him good salves ; 
 so the king was there three days, and then were his wounds 
 well amended that he might ride and go, and so departed. 
 And as they rode, Arthur said, I have no sword. No 
 force, said Merlin, hereby is a sword that shall be yours, 
 an I may. So they rode till they came to a lake, the which 
 was a fair water and broad, and in the midst of the lake 
 Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite, that 
 held a fair sword in that hand. Lo ! said Merlin, yonder 
 is that sword that I spake of. With that they saw a damosel 
 going upon the lake. What damosel is that ? said Arthur. 
 That is the Lady of the Lake, said Merlin ; and within 
 that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place as any on 
 earth, and richly beseen ; and this damosel will come to you 
 anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you 
 that sword. Anon withal came the damosel unto Arthur, 
 and saluted him, and he her again. Damosel, said Arthur, 
 
ARTHUR AND THE LADY OF THE LAKE 25 
 
 what sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth above the 
 water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword. Sir 
 Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if 
 ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it. 
 By my faith, said Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will 
 ask. Well ! said the daniosel, go ye into yonder barge, 
 and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard 
 with you, and I will ask my gift when I see my time. So 
 Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two 
 trees, and so they went into the ship, and when they came 
 to the sword that the hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by 
 the handles, and took it with him, and the arm and the 
 hand went under the water. And so they came unto the 
 land and rode forth. 
 
 Then Sir Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it 
 passing well. Whether liketh you better, said Merlin, the 
 sword or the scabbard ? Me liketh better the sword, said 
 Arthur. Ye are more unwise, said Merlin, for the scabbard 
 is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard 
 upon you, ye shall never lose no blood, be ye never so sore 
 wounded ; therefore keep well the scabbard always with 
 you. So they came unto Carlion, whereof his knights 
 were passing glad. And when they heard of his adventures, 
 they marvelled that he would jeopard his person so, alone. 
 But all men of worship said it was merry to be under such 
 a chieftain, that would put his person in adventure as other 
 poor knights did. 
 
26 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR WEDDED GUENEVER, 
 DAUGHTER TO LEODEGRANCE, KING OF 
 THE LAND OF CAMELIARD, WITH WHOM 
 HE HAD THE ROUND TABLE, AND HOW TOR 
 AND GAWAINE WERE MADE KNIGHTS. So it 
 fell on a time King Arthur said unto Merlin, My barons 
 will let me have no rest, but needs I must take a wife, 
 and I will none take but by thy counsel and by thine 
 advice. It is well done, said Merlin, that ye take a wife, 
 for a man of your bounty and noblesse should not be without 
 a wife. Now is there any that ye love more than another ? 
 Yea, said King Arthur, I love Guenever the king's daughter, 
 Leodegrance of the land of Cameliard, the which holdeth 
 in his house the Table Round that ye told he had of my 
 father Uther. And this damosel is the most valiant and 
 fairest lady that I know living, or yet that ever I could find. 
 Sir, said Merlin, as of her beauty and fairness she is one 
 of the fairest alive, but, an ye loved her not so well as ye 
 do, I should find you a damosel of beauty and of goodness 
 that should like you and please you, an your heart were 
 not set ; but there as a man's heart is set, he will be loath to 
 return. That is truth, said King Arthur. 
 
 Then Merlin went forth unto King Leodegrance of 
 Cameliard, and told him of the desire of the king that he 
 would have unto his wife Guenever his daughter. That 
 is to me, said King Leodegrance, the best tidings that ever 
 I heard, that so worthy a king of prowess and noblesse will 
 wed my daughter. And as for my lands, I will give him, 
 wist I it might please him, but he hath lands enow, him 
 needeth none ; but I shall send him a gift shall please him 
 much more, for I shall give him the Table Round, the which 
 
HOW KING ARTHUR WEDDED GUENEVER 27 
 
 Uther Pendragon gave me, and when it is full complete, 
 there is an hundred knights and fifty. And as for an hun- 
 dred good knights I have myself, but I faute fifty, for so 
 many have been slain in my days. And so Leodegrance 
 delivered his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, and the Table 
 Round with the hundred knights, and so they rode freshly, 
 with great royalty, what by water and what by land, till 
 that they came nigh unto London. 
 
 When King Arthur heard of the coming of Guenever and 
 the hundred knights with the Table Round, then King 
 Arthur made great joy for her coming, and that rich present, 
 and said openly, This fair lady is passing welcome unto me, 
 for I have loved her long, and therefore there is nothing 
 so lief to me. And these knights with the Round Table 
 please me more than right great riches. And in all haste 
 the king let ordain for the marriage and the coronation 
 in the most honourable wise that could be devised. Now, 
 Merlin, said King Arthur, go thou and espy me in all this 
 land fifty knights which be of most prowess and worship. 
 Within short time Merlin had found such knights that 
 should fulfil twenty and eight knights, but no more he could 
 find. Then the Bishop of Canterbury was fetched, and 
 he blessed the sieges with great royalty and devotion, and 
 there set the eight and twenty knights in their sieges. And 
 when this was done Merlin said. Fair sirs, ye must all arise 
 and come to King Arthur for to do him homage ; he will 
 have the better will to maintain you. And so they arose 
 and did their homage, and when they were gone Merlin 
 found in every sieges letters of gold that told the knights' 
 names that had sitten therein. But two sieges were void. 
 And so anon came young Gawaine and asked the king a 
 
28 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 gift. Ask, said the king, and I shall grant it you. Sir, I 
 ask that ye will make me knight that same day ye shall wed 
 fair Guenever. I will do it with a good will, said King 
 Arthur, and do unto you all the worship that I may, for I 
 must by reason ye are my nephew, my sister's son. 
 
 Forthwithal there came a poor man into the court, and 
 brought with him a fair young man of eighteen years of 
 age riding upon a lean mare ; and the poor man asked all 
 men that he met. Where shall I find King Arthur ? Yon- 
 der he is, said the knights, wilt thou anything with him ? 
 Yea, said the poor man, therefore I came hither. Anon 
 as he came before the king, he saluted him and said : O 
 King Arthur, the flower of all knights and kings, I beseech 
 Jesu save thee. Sir, it was told me that at this time of 
 your marriage ye would give any man the gift that he would 
 ask, out except that were unreasonable. That is truth, 
 said the king, such cries I let make, and that will I hold, 
 so it apair not my realm nor mine estate. Ye say well and 
 graciously, said the poor man ; Sir, I ask nothing else but 
 that ye will make my son here a knight. It is a great thing 
 thou askest of me, said the king. What is thy name ? said 
 the king to the poor man. Sir, my name is Aries the cow- 
 herd. Whether cometh this of thee or of thy son ? said 
 the king. Nay, sir, said Aries, this desire cometh of my 
 son and not of me, for I shall tell you I have thirteen sons, 
 and all they will fall to what labour I put them, and will 
 be right glad to do labour, but this child will not labour 
 for me, for anything that my wife or I may do, but always 
 he will be shooting or casting darts, and glad for to see 
 battles and to behold knights, and always day and night 
 he desireth of me to be made a knight. What is thy name ? 
 
HOW SIR TOR WA^ MADE KNIGHT 29 
 
 said the king unto the young man. Sir, my name is Tor. 
 The king beheld him fast, and saw he was passingly well- 
 visaged and passingly well made of his years. Well, said 
 King Arthur unto Aries the cowherd, fetch all thy sons 
 afore me that I may see them. And so the poor man did, 
 and all were shaped much like the poor man. But Tor 
 was not like none of them all in shape nor in countenance, 
 for he was much more than any of them. Now, said King 
 Arthur unto the cowherd, where is the sword he shall be 
 made knight withal ? It is here, said Tor. Take it out of 
 the sheath, said the king, and require me to make you a 
 knight. 
 
 Then Tor alighted off his mare and pulled out his 
 sword, kneeling, and requiring the king that he would 
 make him knight, and that he might be a knight of the 
 Table Round. As for a knight I will make you, and there- 
 with smote him in the neck with the sword, saying. Be ye 
 a good knight, and so I pray to God so ye may be, and if 
 ye be of prowess and of worthiness ye shall be a knight of 
 the Table Round. Now Merlin, said Arthur, saj'^ whether 
 this Tor shall be a good knight or no. Yea, sir, he ought 
 to be a good knight, for he is come of as good a man as any 
 is alive, and of kings' blood. How so, sir ? said the king. 
 I shall tell you, said Merlin : This poor man, Aries the 
 cowherd, is not his father ; he is nothing sib to him, for 
 King Pellinore is his father. I suppose nay, said the cow- 
 herd. Fetch thy wife afore me, said Merlin, and she shall 
 not say nay. Anon the wife was fetched, which was a fair 
 housewife, and there she answered Merlin full womanly, 
 and there she told the king and Merlin that when she was 
 a maid, and went to milk kine, there met with her a stern 
 
30 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 knight, and half by force he held me, and after that time was 
 born my son Tor, and the knight took away from me my 
 greyhound that I had that time with me, and said that he 
 would keep the greyhound for my love. Ah, said the cow- 
 herd, I weened not this, but I may believe it well, for he had 
 never no tatches of me. Sir, said Tor unto Merlin, dishonour 
 not my mother. Sir, said Merlin, it is more for your wor- 
 ship than hurt, for your father is a good man and a king, and 
 he may right well advance you and your mother, for ye 
 were begotten or ever she was wedded. That is truth, said 
 the wife. It is the less grief unto me, said the cowherd. 
 
 So on the morn King Pellinore came to the court of 
 King Arthur, which had great joy of him, and told him 
 of Tor, how he was his son, and how he had made him knight 
 at the request of the cowherd. When Pellinore beheld 
 Tor, he pleased him much. So the king made Gawaine 
 knight, but Tor was the first he made at the feast. What 
 is the cause, said King Arthur, that there be two places 
 void in the sieges ? Sir, said Merlin, there shall no man 
 sit in those places but they that shall be of most worship. 
 But in the Siege Perilous there shall no man sit therein but 
 one, and if there be any so hardy to do it he shall be de- 
 stroyed, and he that shall sit there shall have no fellow. 
 And therewith Merlin took King Pellinore by the hand, 
 and in the one next the two sieges and the Siege Perilous 
 he said, in open audience. This is your place and best ye 
 are worthy to sit therein of any that is here. Thereat sat 
 Sir Gawaine in great envy and told Gaheris his brother, 
 yonder knight is put to great worship, the which grieveth 
 me sore, for he slew our father King Lot, therefore I will 
 slay him, said Gawaine, with a sword that was sent me that 
 
Merlin and Nimue 
 
 How by her subtle working she made Merlin to go under the stone to 
 let her wit of the marvels there : and she wrought so there for him that 
 he came never out for all the craft he could do. 
 
HOW MERLIN WAS ASSOTTED 
 
 31 
 
 is passing trenchant. Ye shall not so, said Gaheris, at this 
 time, for at this time I am but a squire, and when I am 
 made knight I will be avenged on him, and therefore, 
 brother, it is best ye suffer till another time, that we may 
 have him out of the court, for an we did so we should trouble 
 this high feast. I will well, said Gawaine, as ye will. 
 
 Then was the high feast made ready, and the king was 
 wedded at Camelot unto Dame Guenever in the church of 
 Saint Stephen's, with great solemnity. 
 
 HOW MERLIN WAS ASSOTTED 
 AND DOTED ON ONE OF THE 
 LADIES OF THE LAKE, AND 
 HOW HE WAS SHUT IN A 
 ROCK UNDER A STONE AND 
 THERE DIED. So after this Merlin 
 fell in a dotage on one of the damosels 
 of the lake, that hight Nimue. But 
 Merlin would let her have no rest, 
 but always he would be with her. And ever she made 
 Merlin good cheer till she had learned of him all manner 
 thing that she desired ; and he was assotted upon her, that 
 he might not be from her. So on a time he told King Arthur 
 that he should not dure long, but for all his crafts he should 
 be put in the earth quick. And so he told the king many 
 things that should befall, but always he warned the king to 
 keep well his sword and the scabbard, for he told him how 
 the sword and the scabbard should be stolen by a woman 
 from him that he most trusted. Also he told King Arthur 
 that he should miss him, — Yet, had ye liefer than all your 
 lands to have me again. Ah, said the king, since ye know 
 
32 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 of your adventure, purvey for it, and put away by your 
 crafts that misadventure. Nay, said Merlin, it will not be ; 
 so he departed from the king. And within a while the Dam- 
 osel of the Lake departed, and Merlin went with her ever 
 more wheresomever she went. And ofttimes Merlin would 
 have had her privily away by his subtle crafts ; then she 
 made him to swear that he should never do none enchantment 
 upon her if he would have his will. And so he sware ; so 
 she and Merlin went over the sea unto the land of Benwick, 
 whereas King Ban was king that had great war against King 
 Claudas, and there Merlin spake with King Ban's wife, a 
 fair lady and a good, and her name was Elaine, and there 
 he saw young Launcelot. There the queen made great 
 sorrow for the mortal war that King Claudas made on her 
 lord and on her lands. Take none heaviness, said Merlin, 
 for this same child within this twenty year shall revenge you 
 on King Claudas, that all Christendom shall speak of it ; 
 and this same child shall be the most man of worship of the 
 world, and his first name is Galahad, that know I well, said 
 Merlin, and since ye have confirmed him Launcelot. That 
 is truth, said the queen, his first name was Galahad. O 
 Merlin, said the queen, shall I live to see my son such a 
 man of prowess ? Yea, lady, on my peril ye shall see it, 
 and live many winters after. 
 
 And so, soon after, the lady and Merlin departed, and 
 by the way Merlin showed her many wonders, and came 
 into Cornwall. And always Merlin lay about the lady to 
 have her love, and she was ever passing weary of him, and 
 fain would have been delivered of him, for she was afeard 
 of him because he was a devil's son, and she could not put 
 him away by no means. And so on a time it happed 
 
HOW ARTHUR CHASED AN HART 33 
 
 that Merlin showed to her in a rock whereas was a great 
 wonder, and wrought by enchantment, that went under 
 a great stone. So by her subtle working she made Merhn 
 to go under that stone to let her wit of the marvels there ; 
 but she wrought so there for him that he came never out 
 for all the craft he could do. And so she departed and left 
 Merlin. 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR, KING 
 URIENS, AND SIR ACCOLON 
 OF GAUL, CHASED AN HART, 
 AND OF THEIR MARVELLOUS 
 ADVENTURES, AND HOW KING 
 ARTHUR AND ACCOLON TOOK 
 UPON THEM TO DO BATTLE. 
 Then it befell that Arthur and many 
 of his knights rode a-hunting into a 
 great forest, and it happed King Arthur, King Uriens, and 
 Sir Accolon of Gaul, followed a great hart, for they three 
 were well horsed, and so they chased so fast that within a 
 while they three were then ten mile from their fellowship. 
 And at the last they chased so sore that they slew their horses 
 underneath them. Then were they all three on foot, and 
 ever they saw the hart afore them passing weary and em- 
 bushed. What will we do ? said King Arthur, we are hard 
 bestead. Let us go on foot, said King Uriens, till we may 
 meet with some lodging. Then were they ware of the hart 
 that lay on a great water bank, and a brachet biting on 
 his throat, and more other hounds came after. Then King 
 Arthur blew the prise and dight the hart. 
 
 Then the king looked about the world, and saw afore 
 
34 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 him in a great water a little ship, all apparelled with silk 
 down to the water, and the ship came right unto them and 
 landed on the sands. Then Arthur went to the bank and 
 looked in, and saw none earthly creature therein. Sirs, 
 said the king, come thence, and let us see what is in this 
 ship. So they went in all three, and found it richly be- 
 hanged with cloth of silk. By then it was dark night, and 
 there suddenly were about them an hundred torches set 
 upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave great light ; 
 and therewithal there came out twelve fair damosels and 
 saluted King Arthur on their knees, and called him by his 
 name, and said he was right welcome, and such cheer as 
 they had he should have of the best. The king thanked 
 them fair. Therewithal they led the king and his two fel- 
 lows into a fair chamber, and there was a cloth laid, richly 
 beseen of all that longed unto a table, and there were they 
 served of all wines and meats that they could think ; of 
 that the king had great marvel, for he fared never better 
 in his life as for one supper. And so when they had supped 
 at their leisure. King Arthur was led into a chamber, a richer 
 beseen chamber saw he never none, and so was King Uriens 
 served, and led into such another chamber, and Sir Accolon 
 was led into the third chamber passing richly and well be- 
 seen ; and so they were laid in their beds easily. And anon 
 they fell asleep, and slept marvellously sore all the night. 
 And on the morrow King Uriens was in Camelot with his 
 wife, Morgan le Fay. And when he awoke he had great 
 marvel, how he came there, for on the even afore he was 
 two days' journey from Camelot. And when King Arthur 
 awoke he found himself in a dark prison, hearing about 
 him many complaints of woful knights. 
 
HOW ARTHUR WAS A PRISONER 35 
 
 What are ye that so complain ? said King Arthur. We 
 be here twenty knights, prisoners, said they, and some of us 
 have lain here seven year, and some more and some less. 
 For what cause ? said Arthur. We shall tell you, said the 
 knights ; this lord of this castle, his name is Sir Damas, and 
 he is the falsest knight that liveth, and full of treason, and 
 a very coward as any liveth, and he hath a younger brother, 
 a good knight of prowess, his name is Sir Ontzlake ; and 
 this traitor Damas, the elder brother will give him no part 
 of his livelihood, but as Sir Ontzlake keepeth thorough 
 prowess of his hands, and so he keepeth from him a full 
 fair manor and a rich, and therein Sir Ontzlake dwelleth 
 worshipfuUy, and is well beloved of all people. And this 
 Sir Damas, our master, is as evil beloved, for he is without 
 mercy, and he is a coward, and great war hath been betwixt 
 them both, but Ontzlake hath ever the better, and ever he 
 proffereth Sir Damas to fight for the livelihood, body for 
 body, but he will not do ; other-else to find a knight to fight 
 for him. Unto that Sir Damas hath granted to find a knight, 
 but he is so evil beloved and hated, that there is never a 
 knight will fight for him. And when Damas saw this, that 
 there was never a knight would fight for him, he hath daily 
 lain await with many knights with him, and taken all the 
 knights in this country to see and espy their adventures, he 
 hath taken them by force and brought them to his prison. 
 And so he took us severally as we rode on our adventures, 
 and many good knights have died in this prison for hunger, 
 to the number of eighteen knights ; and if any of us all that 
 here is, or hath been, would have foughten with his brother 
 Ontzlake, he would have delivered us, but for because this 
 Damas is so false and so full of treason we would never fight 
 
36 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 for him to die for it. And we be so lean for hunger that 
 unnethe we may stand on our feet. God deHver you, for 
 his mercy, said Arthur. 
 
 Anon, therewithal there came a damosel unto Arthur, 
 and asked him. What cheer ? I cannot say, said he. Sir, 
 said she, an ye will fight for my lord, ye shall be delivered 
 out of prison, and else ye escape never the life. Now, said 
 Arthur, that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a knight 
 than to die in prison ; with this, said Arthur, I may be de- 
 livered and all these prisoners, 1 will do the battle. Yes, 
 said the damosel. I am ready, said Arthur, an I had horse 
 and armour. Ye shall lack none, said the damosel. Me- 
 seemeth, damosel, I should have seen you in the court of 
 Arthur. Nay, said the damosel, I came never there, I am 
 the lord's daughter of this castle. Yet was she false, for she 
 was one of the damosels of Morgan le Fay. 
 
 Anon she went unto Sir Damas, and told him how he 
 would do battle for him, and so he sent for Arthur. And 
 when he came he was well coloured, and well made of his 
 limbs, that all knights that saw him said it were pity that 
 such a knight should die in prison. So Sir Damas and he 
 were agreed that he should fight for him upon this covenant, 
 that all other knights should be delivered ; and unto that 
 was Sir Damas sworn unto Arthur, and also to do the battle 
 to the uttermost. And with that all the twenty knights 
 were brought out of the dark prison into the hall, and de- 
 livered, and so they all abode to see the battle. 
 
 Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that when he awoke 
 he found himself by a deep well-side, within half a foot, in 
 great peril of death. And there came out of that fountain 
 a pipe of silver, and out of that pipe ran water all on high 
 
HOW ARTHUR AGREED TO FIGHT 37 
 
 in a stone of marble. When Sir Accolon saw this, he blessed 
 him and said, Jesus save my lord King Arthur, and King 
 Uriens, for these damosels in this ship have betrayed us, 
 they were devils and no women ; and if I may escape this 
 misadventure, I shall destroy all where I may find these 
 false damosels that use enchantments. Right with that 
 there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose, and 
 saluted Sir Accolon, and said how he came from Queen 
 Morgan le Fay, and she greeteth you well, and biddeth 
 you be of strong heart, for ye shall fight to-morrow with 
 a knight at the hour of prime, and therefore she hath sent 
 you here Excalibur, Arthur's sword, and the scabbard, and 
 she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to the 
 uttermost, without any mercy, like as ye had promised 
 her when ye spake together in privity ; and what damosel 
 that bringeth her the knight's head, which ye shall fight 
 withal, she will make her a queen. Now I understand 
 you well, said Accolon, I shall hold that I have promised 
 her now I have the sword : when saw ye my Lady Queen 
 Morgan le Fay ? Right late, said the dwarf. Then Accolon 
 took him in his arms and said. Recommend me unto my 
 lady queen, and tell her all shall be done that I have promised 
 her, and else I will die for it. Now I suppose, said Accolon, 
 she hath made all these crafts and enchantments for this 
 battle. Ye may well believe it, said the dwarf. Right 
 so there came a knight and a lady with six squires, and 
 saluted Accolon, and prayed him for to arise, and come 
 and rest him at his manor. And so Accolon mounted upon 
 a void horse, and went with the knight unto a fair manor 
 by a priory, and there he had passing good cheer. 
 
 Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ontzlake, 
 
38 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 and bade make him ready by to-morn at the hour of prime, 
 and to be in the field to fight with a good knight, for he 
 had found a good knight that was ready to do battle at all 
 points. When this word came unto Sir Ontzlake he was 
 passing heavy, for he was wounded a little to-fore through 
 both his thighs with a spear, and made great dole ; but as 
 he was wounded, he would have taken the battle on hand. 
 So it happed at that time, by the means of Morgan le Fay, 
 Accolon was with Sir Ontzlake lodged ; and when he heard 
 of that battle, and how Ontzlake was wounded, he said that 
 he would fight for him. Because Morgan le Fay had sent 
 him Excalibur and the sheath for to fight with the knight 
 on the morn : this was the cause Sir Accolon took the battle 
 on hand. Then Sir Ontzlake was passing glad, and thanked 
 Sir Accolon with all his heart that he would do so much 
 for him. And therewithal Sir Ontzlake sent word unto his 
 brother Sir Damas, that he had a knight that for him should 
 be ready in the field by the hour of prime. 
 
 So on the morn Sir Arthur was armed and well horsed, 
 and asked Sir Damas, When shall we to the field ? Sir, 
 said Sir Damas, ye shall hear mass. And so Arthur heard 
 a mass, and when mass was done there came a squire on a 
 great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready, 
 for our knight is ready in the field. Then Sir Arthur 
 mounted upon horseback, and there were all the knights 
 and commons of that country ; and so by all advices there 
 were chosen twelve good men of the country for to wait 
 upon the two knights. And right as Arthur was on horse- 
 back there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought 
 unto Sir Arthur a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scab- 
 bard, and said unto Arthur, Morgan le Fay sendeth here 
 
HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT ACCOLON 39 
 
 your sword for great love. And he thanked her, and weened 
 it had been so ; but she was false, for the sword and the 
 scabbard was counterfeit, and brittle, and false. 
 
 OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN KING ARTHUR 
 AND ACCOLON, AND HOW ACCOLON 
 CONFESSED THE TREASON OF MORGAN 
 LE FAY. And then they dressed them on both parties of 
 the field, and let their horses run so fast that either smote 
 other in the midst of the shield with their spear-heads, that 
 both horse and man went to the earth ; and then they started 
 up both, and pulled out their swords. The meanwhile 
 that they were thus at the battle, came the Damosel of the 
 Lake into the field, that put Merlin under the stone ; and 
 she came thither for love of King Arthur, for she knew how 
 Morgan le Fay had so ordained that King Arthur should 
 have been slain that day, and therefore she came to save 
 his life. And so they went eagerly to the battle, and gave 
 many great strokes, but always Arthur's sword bit not like 
 Accolon's sword ; but for the most part, every stroke that 
 Accolon gave he wounded sore Arthur, that it was marvel 
 he stood, and always his blood fell from him fast. 
 
 When Arthur beheld the ground so sore be-bled he 
 was dismayed, and then he deemed treason that his sword 
 was changed ; for his sword bit not steel as it was wont to 
 do, therefore he dreaded him sore to be dead, for ever him 
 seemed that the sword in Accolon's hand was Excalibur, 
 for at every stroke that Accolon struck he drew blood on 
 Arthur. Now, knight, said Accolon unto Arthur, keep 
 thee well from me ; but Arthur answered not again, and 
 gave him such a buffet on the helm that it made him to 
 
40 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 stoop, nigh falling down to the earth. Then Sir Accolon 
 withdrew him a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, 
 and smote Sir Arthur such a buffet that he fell nigh to the 
 earth. Then were they wroth both, and gave each other 
 many sore strokes, but always Sir Arthur lost so much 
 blood that it was marvel he stood on his feet, but he was 
 so full of knighthood that knightly he endured the pain. 
 Then always they fought together as fierce knights, and 
 Sir Arthur withdrew him a little for to rest him, and Sir 
 Accolon called him to battle and said. It is no time for me 
 to suffer thee to rest. And therewith he came fiercely 
 upon Arthur, and Sir Arthur was wroth for the blood that 
 he had lost, and smote Accolon on high upon the helm, so 
 mightily, that he made him nigh to fall to the earth ; and 
 therewith Arthur's sword brast at the cross, and fell in the 
 grass among the blood, and the pommel and the sure handles 
 he held in his hands. When Sir Arthur saw that, he was in 
 great fear to die, but always he held up his shield and lost no 
 ground, nor bated no cheer. 
 
 Then Sir Accolon began with words of treason, and said, 
 Knight, thou art overcome, and mayst not endure, and 
 also thou art weaponless, and thou hast lost much of thy 
 blood, and I am full loath to slay thee, therefore yield thee 
 to me as recreant. Nay, said Sir Arthur, I may not so, 
 for I have promised to do the battle to the uttermost, by 
 the faith of my body, while me lasteth the life, and there- 
 fore I had liefer to die with honour than to live with shame ; 
 and if it were possible for me to die an hundred times, I 
 had liefer to die so oft than yield me to thee ; for though 
 I lack weapon, I shall lack no worship, and if thou slay me 
 weaponless that shall be thy shame. Well, said Accolon, 
 
HOW ARTHUR'S SWORD BRAKE 41 
 
 as for the shame I will not spare : now keep thee from me, 
 for thou art but a dead man. And therewith Accolon gave 
 , , him such a stroke that he fell nigh to the earth, and would 
 have had Arthur to have cried him mercy. But Sir Arthur 
 pressed unto Accolon with his shield, and gave him with the 
 pommel in his hand such a buffet that he went three strides 
 aback. 
 
 When the Damosel of the Lake beheld Arthur, how 
 full of prowess his body was, and the false treason that 
 was wrought for him to have had him slain, she had great 
 pity that so good a knight and such a man of worship should 
 so be destroyed. And at the next stroke Sir Accolon 
 struck him, such a stroke that by the damosel's enchantment 
 the sword Excalibur fell out of Accolon's hand to the earth. 
 And therewithal Sir Arthur lightly leapt to it, and gat it 
 in his hand, and forthwithal he knew that it was his sword 
 Excalibur, and said. Thou hast been from me all too long, 
 and much damage hast thou done me ; and therewith he 
 espied the scabbard hanging by his side, and suddenly he 
 sterte to him and pulled the scabbard from him, and threw 
 it from him as far as he might throw it. O knight, said 
 Arthur, this day hast thou done me great damage with this 
 sword ; now are ye come unto your death, for I shall not 
 warrant you but ye shall as well be rewarded with this sword, 
 or ever we depart, as thou hast rewarded me ; for much 
 pain have ye made me to endure, and much blood have I 
 lost. And therewith Sir Arthur rushed on him with all his 
 might and pulled him to the earth, and then rushed off 
 his helm, and gave him such a buffet on the head that the 
 blood came out at his ears, his nose, and his mouth. Now 
 will I slay thee, said Arthur. Slay me ye may well, said 
 
42 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 Accolon, an it please you, for ye are the best knight that 
 ever I found, and I see well that God is with you. But 
 for I promised to do this battle, said Accolon, to the utter- 
 most, and never to be recreant while I lived, therefore shall 
 I never yield me with my mouth, but God do with my body 
 what he will. Then Sir Arthur remembered him, and 
 thought he should have seen this knight. Now tell me, 
 said Arthur, or I will slay thee, of what country art thou, 
 and of what court ? Sir Knight, said Sir Accolon, I am of 
 the court of King Arthur, and my name is Accolon of Gaul. 
 Then was Arthur more dismayed than he was beforehand ; 
 for then he remembered him of his sister Morgan le Fay, and 
 of the enchantment of the ship. O sir knight, said he, I pray 
 you tell me who gave you this sword, and by whom ye had it. 
 Then Sir Accolon bethought him, and said. Woe worth 
 this sword, for by it have I got my death. It may well 
 be, said the king. Now, sir, said Accolon, I will tell you ; 
 this sword hath been in my keeping the most part of this 
 twelvemonth ; and Morgan le Fay, King Uriens' wife, 
 sent it me yesterday by a dwarf, to this intent, that I should 
 slay King Arthur, her brother. For ye shall understand 
 King Arthur is the man in the world that she most hateth, 
 because he is most of worship and of prowess of any of her 
 blood ; also she loveth me out of measure as paramour, 
 and I her again ; and if she might bring about to slay 
 Arthur by her crafts, she would slay her husband King 
 Uriens lightly, and then had she me devised to be king in 
 this land, and so to reign, and she to be my queen ; but 
 that is now done, said Accolon, for I am sure of my death. 
 Well, said Sir Arthur, I feel by you ye would have been 
 king in this land. It had been great damage to have de- 
 
HOW ACCOLON CONFESSED TREASON 43 
 
 stroyed your lord, said Arthur. It is truth, said Accolon, 
 but now I have told you truth, wherefore I pray you tell 
 me of whence ye are, and of what court ? O Accolon, said 
 King Arthur, now I let thee wit that I am King Arthur, 
 to whom thou hast done great damage. When Accolon 
 heard that he cried aloud. Fair, sweet lord, have mercy 
 on me, for I knew not you. O Sir Accolon, said King 
 Arthur, mercy shalt thou have, because I feel by thy words 
 at this time thou knewest not my person ; but I understand 
 well by thy words that thou hast agreed to the death of my 
 person, and therefore thou art a traitor ; but I wite thee 
 the less, for my sister Morgan le Fay by her false crafts 
 made thee to agree and consent to her false lusts, but I shall 
 be sore avenged upon her an I live, that all Christendom 
 shall speak of it ; God knoweth I have honoured her and 
 worshipped her more than all my kin, and more have I 
 trusted her than mine own wife and all my kin after. 
 
 Then Sir Arthur called the keepers of the field, and 
 said. Sirs, come hither, for here are we two knights that 
 have fought unto a great damage unto us both, and like 
 each one of us to have slain other, if it had happed so ; and 
 had any of us known other, here had been no battle, nor 
 stroke stricken. Then all aloud cried Accolon unto all 
 the knights and men that were then there gathered together, 
 and said to them in this manner, O lords, this noble knight 
 that I have fought withal, the which me sore repenteth, is 
 the most man of prowess, of manhood, and of worship in 
 the world, for it is himself King Arthur, our alther liege 
 lord, and with mishap and with misadventure have I done 
 this battle with the king and lord that I am holden withal. 
 
 Then all the people fell down on their knees and cried 
 
44 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 King Arthur mercy. Mercy shall ye have, said Arthur: 
 here may ye see what adventures befall ofttime of errant 
 knights, how that I have fought with a knight of mine own 
 unto my great damage and his both. But, sirs, because I 
 am sore hurt, and he both, and I had great need of a little 
 rest, ye shall understand the opinion betwixt you two 
 brethren : As to thee, Sir Damas, for whom I have been 
 champion and won the field of this knight, yet will I judge, 
 because ye. Sir Damas, are called an orgulous knight, and 
 full of villainy and not worth of prowess of your deeds, there- 
 fore I will that ye give unto your brother all the whole manor 
 with the appurtenance, under this form, that Sir Ontzlake 
 hold the manor of you, and yearly to give you a palfrey 
 to ride upon, for that will become you better to ride on 
 than upon a courser. Also I charge thee. Sir Damas, upon 
 pain of death, that thou never distress no knights errant 
 that ride on their adventure. And also that thou restore 
 these twenty knights that thou hast long kept prisoners, 
 of all their harness, that they be content for ; and if any 
 of them come to my court and complain of thee, by my 
 head thou shalt die therefore. Also, Sir Ontzlake, as to 
 you, because ye are named a good knight, and full of prow- 
 ess, and true and gentle in all your deeds, this shall be your 
 charge I will give you, that in all goodly haste ye come unto 
 me and my court, and ye shall be a knight of mine, and 
 if your deeds be thereafter I shall so prefer you, by the grace 
 of God, that ye shall in short time be in ease for to live as 
 worshipfuUy as your brother Sir Damas. God thank your 
 largeness of your goodness and of your bounty, I shall be 
 from henceforward at all times at your commandment, 
 said Sir Ontzlake. Now, tell me, said Arthur, how far 
 
HOW SIR ACCOLON DIED 45 
 
 am I from Camelot ? Sir, ye are two days' journey there- 
 from. I would fain be at some place of worship, said Sir 
 Arthur, that I might rest me. Sir, said Sir Ontzlake, hereby 
 is a rich abbey of your elders' foundation, of nuns, but three 
 miles hence. So the king took his leave of all the people, 
 and mounted upon horseback, and Sir Accolon with him. 
 And when they were come to the abbey, he let fetch leeches 
 and search his wounds and Accolon's both ; but Sir Accolon 
 died within four days, for he had bled so much blood that 
 he might not live, but King Arthur was well recovered. So 
 when Accolon was dead he let send him on an horse-bier 
 with six knights unto Camelot, and said : Bear him to my 
 sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I send her him to a 
 present, and tell her I have my sword Excalibur and the 
 scabbard ; so they departed with the body. 
 
 HOW QUEEN MORGAN LE 
 FAY MADE GREAT SORROW 
 FOR THE DEATH OF ACCO- 
 LON, AND HOW SHE STOLE 
 AWAY THE SCABBARD FROM 
 ARTHUR, AND OF THE 
 MANTLE SHE SENT TO HIM. Then came tidings 
 unto Morgan le Fay that Accolon was dead, and his body 
 brought unto the church, and how King Arthur had his 
 sword again. But when Queen Morgan wist that Accolon 
 was dead, she was so sorrowful that near her heart to-brast. 
 But because she would not it were known, outward she kept 
 her countenance, and made no semblant of sorrow. But well 
 she wist an she abode till her brother Arthur came thither, 
 there should no gold go for her life. 
 
46 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 So early on the morn, or it was day, she took her horse 
 and rode all that day and most part of the night, and on the 
 morn by noon she came to the same abbey of nuns whereas 
 lay King Arthur ; and she knowing he was there, asked 
 where he was. And they answered how he had laid him 
 in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little rest these three 
 nights. Well, said she, I charge you that none of you awake 
 him till I do, and then she alighted off her horse, and thought 
 for to steal away Excalibur his sword, and so she went 
 straight unto his chamber, and no man durst disobey her 
 commandment, and there she found Arthur asleep in his 
 bed, and Excalibur in his right hand naked. When she 
 saw that she was passing heavy that she might not come 
 by the sword without she had awaked him, and then she 
 wist well she had been dead. Then she took the scabbard 
 and went her way on horseback. When the king awoke 
 and missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and he asked who 
 had been there, and they said his sister. Queen Morgan, had 
 been there, and had put the scabbard under her mantle 
 and was gone. Alas, said Arthur, falsely ye have watched 
 me. Sir, said they all, we durst not disobey your sister's 
 commandment. Ah, said the king, let fetch the best horse 
 may be found, and bid Sir Ontzlake arm him in all haste, 
 and take another good horse and ride with me. So anon 
 the king and Ontzlake were well armed, and rode after 
 this lady, and so they came by a cross and found a cowherd, 
 and they asked the poor man if there came any lady riding 
 that way. Sir, said this poor man, right late came a lady 
 riding with a forty horses, and to yonder forest she rode. 
 Then they spurred their horses, and followed fast, and 
 within a while Arthur had a sight of Morgan le Fay; then 
 
MORGAN LE FAY'S TREASON 47 
 
 he chased as fast as he might. When she espied him follow- 
 ing her, she rode a greater pace through the forest till she 
 came to a plain, and when she saw she might not escape, 
 she rode unto a lake thereby, and said, Whatsoever come 
 of me, my brother shall not have this scabbard. And then 
 she let throw the scabbard in the deepest of the water so it 
 sank, for it was heavy of gold and precious stones. 
 
 Then she rode into a valley where many great stones 
 were, and when she saw she must be overtaken, she shaped 
 herself, horse and man, by enchantment unto a great 
 marble stone. Anon withal came Sir Arthur and Sir 
 Ontzlake whereas the king might know his sister and her 
 men, and one knight from another. Ah, said the king, 
 here may ye see the vengeance of God, and now am I 
 sorry that this misadventure is befallen. And then he 
 looked for the scabbard, but it would not be found, so he 
 returned to the abbey where he came from. So when 
 Arthur was gone she turned all into the likeliness as she 
 and they were before, and said. Sirs, now may we go where 
 we will. And so she departed into the country of Gore, 
 and there was she richly received, and made her castles 
 and towns passing strong, for always she dreaded much 
 King Arthur. 
 
 When the king had well rested him at the abbey, he 
 rode unto Camelot, and found his queen and his barons 
 right glad of his coming. And when they heard of his 
 strange adventures as is afore rehearsed, then all had marvel 
 of the falsehood of Morgan le Fay ; many knights wished 
 her burnt. So on the morn there came a damosel from 
 Morgan to the king, and she brought with her the richest 
 mantle that ever was seen in that court, for it was set as 
 
48 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 full of precious stones as one might stand by another, and 
 there were the richest stones that ever the king saw. And 
 the damosel said, Your sister sendeth you this mantle, and 
 desireth that ye should take this gift of her; and in what 
 thing she hath offended you, she will amend it at your own 
 pleasure. When the king beheld this mantle it pleased 
 him much, but he said but little. 
 
 With that came the Damosel of the Lake unto the king, 
 and said. Sir, I must speak with you in privity. Say on, 
 said the king, what ye will. Sir, said the damosel, put not 
 on you this mantle till ye have seen more, and in no wise 
 let it not come on you, nor on no knight of yours, till ye 
 command the bringer thereof to put it upon her. Well, 
 said King Arthur, it shall be done as ye counsel me. And 
 then he said unto the damosel that came from his sister, 
 Damosel, this mantle that ye have brought me, I will see 
 it upon you. Sir, she said. It will not beseem me to wear 
 a king's garment. By my head, said Arthur, ye shall wear 
 it ere it come on my back, or any man's that here is. And 
 so the king made it to be put upon her, and forthwithal 
 she fell down dead, and never more spake word after and 
 burnt to coals. Then was the king wonderly wroth, more 
 than he was to-forehand, and said unto King Uriens, My 
 sister, your wife, is alway about to betray me, and well I 
 wot either ye, or my nephew, your son, is of counsel with 
 her to have me destroyed ; but as for you, said the king 
 to King Uriens, I deem not greatly that ye be of her counsel, 
 for Accolon confessed to me by his own mouth, that she 
 would have destroyed you as well as me, therefore I hold 
 you excused ; but as for your son. Sir Uwaine, I hold him 
 suspect, therefore I charge you put him out of my court. 
 
HOW ARTHUR WAS SAVED FROM BURNING 49 
 
 So Sir Uwaine was discharged. And when Sir Gawaine 
 wist that, he made him ready to go with him ; and said, 
 Whoso banisheth my cousin-germain shall banish me. So 
 they two departed. 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LIONEL 
 DEPARTED FROM THE COURT, AND HOW 
 SIR LIONEL WAS TAKEN, AND HOW FOUR 
 QUEENS FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT SLEEPING AND 
 LED HIM TO A CASTLE. Then all the knights of 
 the Table Round resorted unto the king, and made many 
 jousts and tournaments, and some there were that were 
 but knights, which increased so in arms and worship that 
 they passed all their fellows in prowess and noble deeds, 
 and that was well proved on many ; but in especial it 
 was proved on Sir Launcelot du Lake, for in all tourna- 
 ments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and death, 
 he passed all other knights, and at no time he was never 
 overcome but if it were by treason or enchantment. Where- 
 fore Queen Guenever had him in great favour above all 
 other knights, and in certain he loved the queen again above 
 all other ladies and damosels of his life. 
 
 Thus Sir Launcelot rested him long with play and 
 game. And then he thought himself to prove himself in 
 strange adventures ; then he bade his nephew, Sir Lionel, 
 for to make him ready, for we two will seek adventures. 
 
 so 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LIONEL 51 
 
 So they mounted on their horses, armed at all rights, and 
 rode into a deep forest and so into a deep plain. And then 
 the weather was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had 
 great lust to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple- 
 tree that stood by an hedge, and said. Brother, yonder is 
 a fair shadow, there may we rest us and our horses. It 
 is well said, fair brother, said Sir Launcelot, for this eight 
 year I was not so sleepy as I am now ; and so they there 
 alighted and tied their horses unto sundry trees, and so Sir 
 Launcelot laid him down under an apple-tree, and his helm 
 he laid under his head. And Sir Lionel waked while he 
 slept. So Sir Launcelot was asleep passing fast. 
 
 And in the meanwhile there came three knights riding, 
 as fast fleeing as ever they might ride. And there followed 
 them three but one knight. And when Sir Lionel saw him, 
 him thought he saw never so great a knight, nor so well 
 faring a man, neither so well apparelled unto all rights. 
 So within a while this strong knight had overtaken one of 
 these knights, and there he smote him to the cold earth 
 that he lay still. And then he rode unto the second knight, 
 and smote him so that man and horse fell down. And then 
 straight to the third knight he rode, and smote him behind 
 his horse's arse a spear length. And then he alighted down 
 and reined his horse on the bridle, and bound all the three 
 knights fast with the reins of their own bridles. When 
 Sir Lionel saw him do thus, he thought to assay him, and 
 made him ready, and stilly and privily he took his horse, 
 and thought not for to awake Sir Launcelot. And when 
 he was mounted upon his horse, he overtook this strong 
 knight, and bade him turn, and the other smote Sir Lionel 
 so hard that horse and man he bare to the earth, and so 
 
52 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 he alighted down and bound him fast, and threw him over- 
 thwart his own horse, and so he served them all four, and 
 rode with them away to his own castle. And when he came 
 there he gart unarm them, and beat them with thorns all 
 naked, and after put them in a deep prison where were many 
 more knights, that made great dolour. 
 
 Now leave we these knights prisoners, and speak we of 
 Sir Launcelot du Lake that lieth under the apple-tree sleep- 
 ing. Even about the noon there came by him four queens 
 of great estate ; and, for the heat should not annoy them, 
 there rode four knights about them, and bare a cloth of 
 green silk on four spears, betwixt them and the sun, and 
 the queens rode on four white mules. Thus as they rode 
 they heard by them a great horse grimly neigh ; then were 
 they ware of a sleeping knight, that lay all armed under an 
 apple-tree ; anon as these queens looked on his face, they 
 knew it was Sir Launcelot. Then they began for to strive 
 for that knight, everych one said they would have him to 
 her love. We shall not strive, said Morgan le Fay, that 
 was King Arthur's sister, I shall put an enchantment upon 
 him that he shall not awake in six hours, and then I will 
 lead him away unto my castle, and when he is surely within 
 my hold, I shall take the enchantment from him, and then 
 let him choose which of us he will have for his love. 
 
 So this enchantment was cast upon Sir Launcelot, and 
 then they laid him upon his shield, and bare him so on horse- 
 back betwixt two knights, and brought him unto the castle 
 Chariot, and there they laid him in a chamber cold, and 
 at night they sent unto him a fair damosel with his supper 
 ready dight. By that the enchantment was past, and 
 when she came she saluted him, and asked him what cheer. 
 
OF FOUR QUEENS AND SIR LAUNCELOT 53 
 
 I cannot say, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, for I wot 
 not how I came into this castle but it be by an enchant- 
 ment. Sir, said she, ye must make good cheer, and if ye 
 be such a knight as it is said ye be, I shall tell you more 
 to-morn by prime of the day. Gramercy, fair damosel, 
 said Sir Launcelot, of your good will I require you. And 
 so she departed. And there he lay all that night without 
 comfort of anybody. And on the morn early came these 
 four queens, passingly well beseen, all they bidding him 
 good morn, and he them again. 
 
 Sir knight, the four queens said, thou must understand 
 thou art our prisoner, and we here know thee well that thou 
 art Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son, and because 
 we understand your worthiness, that thou art the noblest 
 knight living, and as we know well there can no lady have 
 thy love but one, and that is Queen Guenever, and now 
 thou shalt lose her for ever, and she thee, and therefore 
 thee behoveth now to choose one of us four. I am the 
 Queen Morgan le Fay, queen of the land of Gore, and here 
 is the queen of Northgalis, and the queen of Eastland, and 
 the queen of the Out Isles ; now choose one of us which 
 thou wilt have to thy love, or else in this prison to die. This 
 is an hard case, said Sir Launcelot, that either I must die 
 or else choose one of you, yet I had liefer to die in this prison 
 with worship, than to have one of you to my love maugre 
 my head. And therefore ye be answered, I will none of you, 
 for ye be false enchantresses, and as for my lady. Dame 
 Guenever, were I at my liberty as I was, I would prove it 
 on you or on yours, that she is the truest lady unto her lord 
 living. Well, said the queens, is this your answer, that 
 ye will refuse us .? Yea, on my life, said Sir Launcelot, 
 
54 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 refused ye be of me. So they departed and left him there 
 alone that made great sorrow. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS DELIVERED BY 
 THE MEAN OF A DAMOSEL, AND FOUGHT 
 FOR HER FATHER, KING BAGDEMA- 
 GUS, IN A TOURNAMENT. Right so at the noon 
 came the damosel unto him with his dinner, and asked him 
 what cheer. Truly, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, in 
 my life days never so ill. Sir, she said, that me repenteth, 
 but an ye will be ruled by me, I shall help you out of this 
 distress, and ye shall have no shame nor villainy, so that ye 
 hold me a promise. Fair damosel, I will grant you, and sore 
 I am of these queen-sorceresses afeard, for they have de- 
 stroyed many a good knight. Sir, said she, that is sooth, 
 and for the renown and bounty that they hear of you they 
 would have your love, and Sir, they say, your name is Sir 
 Launcelot du Lake, the flower of knights, and they be pass- 
 ing wroth with you that ye have refused them. But Sir, an 
 ye would promise me to help my father on Tuesday next 
 coming, that hath made a tournament betwixt him and the 
 King of Northgalis — for the last Tuesday past my father 
 lost the field through three knights of Arthur's court — an 
 ye will be there on Tuesday next coming, and help my father, 
 to-morn ere prime, by the grace of God, I shall deliver you 
 clean. Fair maiden, said Sir Launcelot, tell me what is your 
 father's name, and then shall I give you an answer. Sir 
 knight, she said, my father is King Bagdemagus, that was 
 foul rebuked at the last tournament. I know your father 
 well, said Sir Launcelot, for a noble king and a good knight, 
 and by the faith of my body, ye shall have my body ready 
 
HOW A DAMOSEL RELEASED LAUNCELOT 55 
 
 to do your father and you service at that day. Sir, she 
 said, gramercy, and to-morn await ye be ready betimes, and 
 I shall be she that shall deliver you and take you your 
 armour and your horse, shield and spear, and hereby, 
 within this ten mile, is an abbey of white monks, there I 
 pray you that ye me abide, and thither shall I bring my 
 father unto you. AH this shall be done, said Sir Launcelot, 
 as I am true knight. 
 
 And so she departed, and came on the morn early, and 
 found him ready; then she brought him out of twelve 
 locks, and brought him unto his armour, and when he was 
 clean armed, she brought him until his own horse, and 
 lightly he saddled him and took a great spear in his hand, 
 and so rode forth, and said. Fair damosel, I shall not fail 
 you, by the grace of God. And so he rode in a great forest 
 all that day and never could find no highway, but the next 
 day he came to the abbey. 
 
 And soon as Sir Launcelot came within the abbey yard, 
 the daughter of King Bagdemagus heard a great horse go 
 on the pavement. And she then arose and went unto a 
 window, and there she saw Sir Launcelot, and anon she 
 made men fast to take his horse from him and let lead him 
 into a stable, and himself was led into a fair chamber, and 
 unarmed him, and the lady sent him a long gown, and anon 
 she came herself. And then she made Launcelot passing 
 good cheer, and she said he was the knight in the world 
 was most welcome to her. Then in all haste she sent for 
 her father Bagdemagus that was within twelve mile of that 
 Abbey, and afore even he came, with a fair fellowship of 
 knights with him. And when the king was alighted off 
 his horse he went straight unto Sir Launcelot's chamber 
 
56 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 and there he found his daughter, and then the king embraced 
 Sir Launcelot in his arms, and either made other good cheer. 
 
 Anon Sir Launcelot made his complaint unto the king 
 how he was betrayed, and how his brother Sir Lionel was 
 departed from him he wist not where, and how his daughter 
 had deHvered him out of prison ; Therefore while I live 
 I shall do her service and all her kindred. Then am I sure 
 of your help, said the king, on Tuesday next coming. Yea, 
 sir, said Sir Launcelot, I shall not fail you, for so I have 
 promised my lady your daughter. But, sir, what knights 
 be they of my lord Arthur's that were with the King of 
 Northgalis ? And the king said it was Sir Mador de la 
 Porte, and Sir Mordred and Sir Gahalantine that all for- 
 fared my knights, for against them three I nor my knights 
 might bear no strength. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, as I hear 
 say that the tournament shall be here within this three mile 
 of this abbey, ye shall send unto me three knights of yours, 
 such as ye trust, and look that the three knights have all 
 white shields, and I also, and no painture on the shields, 
 and we four will come out of a little wood in midst of both 
 parties, and we shall fall in the front of our enemies and 
 grieve them that we may; and thus shall I not be known 
 what knight I am. 
 
 So they took their rest that night, and this was on the 
 Sunday, and so the king departed, and sent unto Sir Launce- 
 lot three knights with the four white shields. And on the 
 Tuesday they lodged them in a little leaved wood beside 
 there the tournament should be. And there were scaffolds 
 and holes that lords and ladies might behold and to give 
 the prize. Then came into the field the King of North- 
 galis with eight score helms. And then the three knights 
 
SIR LAUNCELOT IN A TOURNAMENT 57 
 
 of Arthur's stood by themselves. Then came into the field 
 King Bagdemagus with four score of helms. And then 
 they feutred their spears, and came together with a great 
 dash, and there were slain of knights at the first recounter 
 twelve of King Bagdemagus' party, and six of the King of 
 Northgalis' party, and King Bagdemagus' party was far 
 set aback. 
 
 With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in 
 with his spear in the thickest of the press, and there he smote 
 down with one spear five knights, and of four of them he 
 brake their backs. And in that throng he smote down the 
 king of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in that fall. All 
 this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of Arthur's. 
 Yonder is a shrewd' guest, said Sir Mador de la Porte, there- 
 fore have here once at him. So they encountered, and Sir 
 Launcelot bare him down horse and man, so that his shoul- 
 der went out of lith. Now befalleth it to me to joust, said 
 Mordred, for Sir Mador hath a sore fall. Sir Launcelot was 
 ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand, and met him, 
 and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot 
 gave him such a buff^et that the arson of his saddle brake, 
 and so he flew over his horse's tail, that his helm butted into 
 the earth a foot and more, that nigh his neck was broken, 
 and there he lay long in a swoon. 
 
 Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a great spear and 
 Launcelot against him, with all their strength that they 
 might drive, that both their spears to-brast even to their 
 hands, and then they flang out with their swords and gave 
 many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out 
 of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on the helm 
 that his nose brast out on blood, and ears and mouth both. 
 
58 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 and therewith his head hung low. And therewith his horse 
 ran away with him, and he fell down to the earth. Anon 
 therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his hand, 
 and or ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the 
 earth sixteen knights, some horse and man, and some the 
 man and not the horse, and there was none but that he 
 hit surely, he bare none arms that day. And then he gat 
 another great spear, and smote down twelve knights, and 
 the most part of them never throve after. And then the 
 knights of the King of Northgalis would joust no more. 
 And there the gree was given to King Bagdemagus. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUGHT WITH 
 SIR TURQUINE AND SLEW HIM, AND 
 SENT SIR GAHERIS TO DELIVER ALL 
 SIR TURQUINE'S PRISONERS. So either 
 party departed unto his own place, and Sir 
 Launcelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus unto his castle, 
 and there he had passing good cheer both with the king 
 and with his daughter, and they proffered him great gifts. 
 And on the morn he took his leave, and told the king that 
 he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel, that went from 
 him when that he slept ; so he took his horse, and betaught 
 them all to God. And there he said unto the king's daughter, 
 If ye have need any time of my service I pray you let me 
 have knowledge, and I shall not fail you as I am true knight. 
 And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he came 
 into the same forest there he was taken sleeping. And in 
 the midst of a highway he met a damosel riding on a 
 white palfrey, and there either saluted other. Fair damosel, 
 said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this country any adventures ? 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT SIR TURQUINE 59 
 
 Sir knight, said that damosel, here are adventures near hand, 
 an thou durst prove them. Why should I not prove adven- 
 tures ? said Sir Launcelot, for that cause jcome I hither. 
 Well, said she, thou seemest well to be a good knight, and if 
 thou dare meet with a good knight, I shall bring thee where 
 is the best knight, and the mightiest that ever thou found, so 
 thou wilt tell me what is thy name, and what knight thou 
 art. Damosel, as for to tell thee my name I take no great 
 force ; truly my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir, thou 
 beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, for 
 hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for 
 no man I know but ye overmatch him, and his name is Sir 
 Turquine. And, as I understand, he hath in his prison, of 
 Arthur's court, good knights three score and four, that he 
 hath won with his own hands. But when ye have done that 
 journey ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go 
 with me, and to help me and other damosels that are dis- 
 tressed daily with a false knight. All your intent, damosel, 
 and desire I will fulfil, so ye will bring me unto this knight. 
 Now, fair knight, come on your way ; and so she brought 
 him unto the ford and the tree where hung the basin. 
 
 So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat 
 on the basin with the butt of his spear so hard with all his 
 might till the bottom fell out, and long he did so, but he 
 saw nothing. Then he rode endlong the gates of that 
 manor nigh half-an-hour. And then was he ware of a 
 great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart 
 the horse there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as 
 they came near and near. Sir Launcelot thought he should 
 know him. Then Sir Launcelot was ware that it was Sir 
 Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, a knight of the Table Round. 
 
6o OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 Now, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh 
 a knight fast bounden that is a fellow of mine, and brother 
 he is unto Sir Gawaine. And at the first beginning I prom- 
 ise you, by the leave of God, to rescue that knight ; but 
 if his master sit better in the saddle I shall deliver all the 
 prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am sure he hath 
 two brethren of mine prisoners with him. By that time 
 that either had seen other, they gripped their spears unto 
 them. Now, fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that 
 wounded knight off the horse, and let him rest awhile, and 
 let us two prove our strengths ; for as it is informed me, thou 
 doest and hast done great despite and shame unto knights 
 of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee. An 
 thou be of the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy thee and 
 all thy fellowship. That is overmuch said, said Sir Launcelot. 
 
 And then they put their spears in the rests, and came 
 together with their horses as fast as they might run, and either 
 smote other in midst of their shields, that both their horses* 
 backs brast under them, and the knights were both astonied. 
 And as soon as they might avoid their horses, they took their 
 shields afore them, and drew out their swords, and came 
 together eagerly, and either gave other many strong strokes, 
 for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. 
 And so within a while they had both grimly wounds, and 
 bled passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours or 
 more trasing and rasing either other, where they might hit 
 any bare place. 
 
 Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood 
 leaning on their swords. Now, fellow, said Sir Turquine, 
 hold thy hand a while, and tell me what I shall ask thee. 
 Say on. Then Turquine said. Thou art the biggest man 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT SIR TURQUINE 6i 
 
 that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and Hke one 
 knight that I hate above all other knights ; so be it that 
 thou be not he I will lightly accord with thee, and for thy 
 love I will deliver all the prisoners that I have, that is three 
 score and four, so thou wilt tell me thy name. And thou 
 and I we will be fellows together, and never to fail thee 
 while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot, but 
 sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight 
 is he that thou so hatest above all other ? Faithfully, said 
 Sir Turquine, his name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, for he 
 slew my brother. Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower, that was 
 one of the best knights alive ; and therefore him I except of 
 all knights, for may I once meet with him, the one of us 
 shall make an end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir 
 Launcelot's sake I have slain an hundred good knights, and 
 as many I have maimed all utterly that they might never 
 after help themselves, and many have died in prison, and 
 yet have I three score and four, and all shall be delivered so 
 thou wilt tell me thy name, so be it that thou be not Sir 
 Launcelot. 
 
 Now see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I 
 might be, I might have peace, and such a man I might be, 
 that there should be war mortal betwixt us. And now, 
 sir knight, at thy request I will that thou wit and know 
 that I am Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, 
 and very knight of the Table Round. And now I defy 
 thee, and do thy best. Ah, said Turquine, Launcelot, thou 
 art unto me most welcome that ever was knight, for we 
 shall never depart till the one of us be dead. Then they 
 hurtled together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing with 
 their shields and swords, that sometime they fell both over 
 
62 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 their noses. Thus they fought still two hours and more, 
 and never would have rest, and Sir Turquine gave Sir Launce- 
 lot many wounds that all the ground thereas they fought 
 was all bespeckled with blood. 
 
 Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed faint, and gave 
 somewhat aback, and bare his shield low for weariness. 
 That espied Sir Launcelot, and leapt upon him fiercely 
 and gat him by the beaver of his helmet, and plucked him 
 down on his knees, and anon he raced off his helm, and smote 
 his neck in sunder. And when Sir Launcelot had done 
 this, he went unto the damosel and said, Damosel, I am 
 ready to go with you where ye will have me, but I have 
 no horse. Fair sir, said she, take this wounded knight's 
 horse and send him into this manor, and command him to 
 deliver all the prisoners. So Sir Launcelot went unto 
 Gaheris, and prayed him not to be aggrieved for to lend 
 him his horse. Nay, fair lord, said Gaheris, I will that ye 
 take my horse at your own commandment, for ye have both 
 saved me and my horse, and this day I say ye are the best 
 knight in the world, for ye have slain this day in my sight 
 the mightiest man and the best knight except you that ever 
 I saw, and, fair sir, said Gaheris, I pray you tell me your 
 name. Sir, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, that ought 
 to help you of right for King Arthur's sake, and in especial 
 for my lord Sir Gawaine's sake, your own dear brother ; 
 and when that ye come within yonder manor, I am sure 
 ye shall find there many knights of the Round Table, for 
 I have seen many of their shields that I know on yonder 
 tree. Wherefore I pray you greet them all from me, and 
 say that I bid them take such stuffs there as they find, and 
 that in any wise my brethren go unto the court and abide 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT RODE WITH A DAMOSEL 63 
 
 me there till that I come, for by the feast of Pentecost I cast 
 me to be there, for as at this time I must ride with this 
 damosel for to save my promise. 
 
 And so he departed from Gaheris, and Gaheris went 
 into the manor, and there he found a yeoman porter keeping 
 there many keys. Anon withal Sir Gaheris threw the por- 
 ter unto the ground and took the keys from him, and hastily 
 he opened the prison door, and there he let out all the pris- 
 oners, and every man loosed other of their bonds. And 
 when they saw Sir Gaheris, all they thanked him, for they 
 weened that he was wounded. Not so, said Gaheris, it was 
 Launcelot that slew him worshipfuUy with his own hands. 
 I saw it with mine own eyes. And he greeteth you all well, 
 and prayeth you to haste you to the court. 
 
 Then all those knights sought the house thereas the 
 armour was, and then they armed them, and every knight 
 found his own horse, and all that ever longed unto him. 
 And when this was done, there came a forester with four 
 horses laden with fat venison. Anon, Sir Kay said. Here 
 is good meat for us for one meal, for we had not many a 
 day no good repast. And so that venison was roasted, 
 baken, and sodden, and so after supper some abode there 
 all night, but Sir Lionel and Ector de Maris and Sir Kay 
 rode after Sir Launcelot to find him if they might. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE WITH A 
 DAMOSEL AND SLEW A KNIGHT THAT 
 DISTRESSED ALL LADIES AND HOW HE 
 DELIVERED SIR KAY. Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot, 
 that rode with the damosel in a fair highway. Sir, said the 
 damosel, here by this way haunteth a knight that distresseth 
 
64 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth them 
 or lieth by them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief 
 and a knight and a ravisher of women ? he doth shame unto 
 the order of knighthood, and contrary unto his oath ; it is 
 pity that he liveth. But, fair damosel, ye shall ride on afore, 
 yourself, and I will keep myself in covert, and if that he 
 trouble you or distress you I shall be your rescue and learn 
 him to be ruled as a knight. 
 
 So the maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace, 
 and within a while came out that knight on horseback out 
 of the wood, and his page with him, and there he put the 
 damosel from her horse, and then she cried. With that 
 came Launcelot as fast as he might till he came to that 
 knight, saying, O thou false knight and traitor unto knight- 
 hood, who did learn thee to distress ladies and gentlewomen ? 
 When the knight saw Sir Launcelot thus rebuking him he 
 answered not, but drew his sword and rode unto Sir Launcelot, 
 and Sir Launcelot threw his spear from him, and drew out 
 his sword, and struck him such a buffet on the helmet that 
 he clave his head and neck unto the throat. Now hast thou 
 thy payment that long thou hast deserved ! That is truth, 
 said the damosel, for like as Sir Turquine watched to destroy 
 knights, so did this knight attend to destroy and distress 
 ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen, and his name was Sir 
 Peris de Forest Savage. Now, damosel, said Sir Launcelot, 
 will ye any more service of me ? Nay, sir, she said, at this 
 time, but almighty Jesu preserve you wheresomever ye ride 
 or go, for the curteist knight thou art, and meekest unto all 
 ladies and gentlewomen, that now liveth. 
 
 Then Sir Launcelot mounted upon his horse, and rode 
 into many strange and wild countries, and through many 
 
How Sir Launcelot slew the knight Sir Peris de Forest Savage that did 
 distress ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen. 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT DELIVERED SIR KAY 65 
 
 waters and valleys, and evil was he lodged. And at the 
 last by fortune him happened, against a night, to come to 
 a fair courtelage, and therein he found an old gentlewoman 
 that lodged him with good will, and there he had good cheer 
 for him and his horse. And when time was, his host brought 
 him into a fair garret, over the gate, to his bed. There 
 Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his harness by him, and 
 went to bed, and anon he fell asleep. So, soon after, there 
 came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great 
 haste, and when Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and 
 looked out at the window, and saw by the moonlight three 
 knights came riding after that one man, and all three lashed 
 on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned 
 on them knightly again, and defended him. Truly, said 
 Sir Launcelot, yonder one knight shall I help, for it were 
 shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slain 
 I am partner of his death ; and therewith he took his harness, 
 and went out at a window by a sheet down to the four 
 knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high. Turn you 
 knights unto me, and leave your fighting with that knight. 
 And then they all three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir 
 Launcelot, and there began great battle, for they alighted 
 all three, and struck many great strokes at Sir Launcelot, 
 and assailed him on every side. Then Sir Kay dressed 
 him for to have holpen Sir Launcelot. Nay, sir, said he, 
 I will none of your help ; therefore as ye will have my help, 
 let me alone with them. Sir Kay, for the pleasure of the 
 knight, suffered him for to do his will, and so stood aside. 
 And then anon within six strokes, Sir Launcelot had stricken 
 them to the earth. 
 
 And then they all three cried : Sir knight, we yield us 
 
66 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 unto you as a man of might makeless. As to that, said 
 Sir Launcelot, I will not take your yielding unto me. But 
 so that ye will yield you unto Sir Kay the Seneschal, on 
 that covenant I will save your lives, and else not. Fair 
 knight, said they, that were we loath to do ; for as for Sir 
 Kay, we chased him hither, and had overcome him had 
 not ye been, therefore to yield us unto him it were no reason. 
 Well, as to that, said Launcelot, advise you well, for ye 
 may choose whether ye will die or live, for an ye be yolden 
 it shall be unto Sir Kay. Fair knight, then they said, in 
 saving of our lives we will do as thou commandest us. Then 
 shall ye, said Sir Launcelot, on Whitsunday next coming, 
 go unto the court of King Arthur, and there shall ye yield 
 you unto Queen Guenever, and put you all three in her 
 grace and mercy, and say that Sir Kay sent you thither 
 to be her prisoners. Sir, they said, it shall be done by the 
 faith of our bodies, an we be living, and there they swore 
 every knight upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suffered 
 them so to depart. And then Sir Launcelot knocked at the 
 gate with the pommel of his sword, and with that came his 
 host, and in they entered Sir Kay and he. Sir, said his host, 
 I weened ye had been in your bed. So I was, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, but I rose and leapt out at my window for to help an 
 old fellow of mine. And so when they came nigh the light. 
 Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir Launcelot, and therewith 
 he kneeled down and thanked him of all his kindness that he 
 had holpen him twice from the death. Sir, he said, I have 
 nothing done but that I ought to do, and ye are welcome, and 
 here shall ye repose you and take your rest. 
 
 So when Sir Kay was unarmed, he asked after meat ; 
 so there was meat fetched him, and he ate strongly. And 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE DISGUISED 6j 
 
 when he had supped they went to their beds and were 
 lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir Launcelot 
 arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping, and Sir Launcelot 
 took Sir Kay's armour and his shield, and armed him, and 
 so he went to the stable^ and took his horse, and took his 
 leave of his host, and so he departed. Then soon after 
 arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot. And then he 
 espied that he had his armour and his horse. Now by my 
 faith I know well that he will grieve some of the court of 
 King Arthur; for on him knights will be bold, and deem 
 that it is I, and that will beguile them. And because of 
 his armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace. And 
 then soon after departed Sir Kay and thanked his host. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE DIS- 
 GUISED IN SIR KAY'S HARNESS AND 
 OVERTHREW FOUR KNIGHTS OF THE 
 ROUND TABLE, AND HOW HE WAS 
 REQUIRED OF A DAMOSEL TO HEAL 
 HER BROTHER. Now turn we unto Sir 
 Launcelot that rode into a deep forest, and 
 thereby in a slade he saw four knights hoving under an oak, 
 and they were of Arthur's court, one was Sir Sagramour 
 le Desirous, and Ector de Maris, and Sir Gawaine, and Sir 
 Uwaine. Anon as these four knights had espied Sir Launce- 
 lot they weened by his arms it had been Sir Kay. Now 
 by my faith, said Sir Sagramour, I will prove Sir Kay's might, 
 and gat his spear in his hand, and came toward Sir Launce- 
 lot. Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware and knew him well, 
 and feutred his spear against him, and smote Sir Sagramour 
 so sore that horse and man fell both to the earth. Lo, my 
 
68 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 fellows, said Sir Ector, yonder ye may see what a buffet he 
 hath ; that knight is much bigger than ever was Sir Kay. 
 Now shall ye see what I may do to him. So Sir Ector gat 
 his spear in his hand and galloped toward Sir Launcelot, 
 and Sir Launcelot smote him through the shield and shoulder 
 that man and horse went to the earth, and ever his spear 
 held. 
 
 By my faith, said Sir Uwaine, yonder is a strong knight, 
 and I am sure he hath slain Sir Kay ; and I see by his great 
 strength it will be hard to match him. And therewithal, 
 Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand and rode toward Sir 
 Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot knew him well, and so he met 
 him on the plain, and gave him such a buffet that he was 
 astonied, that long he wist not where he was. Now see I 
 well, said Sir Gawaine, I must encounter with that knight. 
 Then he dressed his shield and gat a good spear in his hand, 
 and Sir Launcelot knew him well ; and then they let run 
 their horses with all their mights, and either knight smote 
 other in midst of the shield. But Sir Gawaine's spear to- 
 brast, and Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his 
 horse reversed up-so-down. And much sorrow had Sir 
 Gawaine to avoid his horse, and so Sir Launcelot passed on 
 a pace and smiled, and said, God give him joy that this 
 spear made, for there came never a better in my hand. 
 
 Then the four knights went each one to other and com- 
 forted each other. What say ye by this guest ? said Sir 
 Gawaine, that one spear hath felled us all four. We com- 
 mend him unto the devil, they said all, for he is a man of 
 great might. Ye may well say it, said Sir Gawaine, that 
 he is a man of might, for I dare lay my head it is Sir Launce- 
 lot, I know it by his riding. Let him go, said Sir Gawaine, 
 
HOW HE FOLLOWED A BRACHET 69 
 
 for when we come to the court then shall we wit ; and then 
 had they much sorrow to get their horses again. 
 
 Now leave we there and speak of Sir Launcelot that rode 
 a great while in a deep forest, where he saw a black brachet, 
 seeking in manner as it had been in the feute of an hurt 
 deer. And therewith he rode after the brachet, and he 
 saw lie on the ground a large feute of blood. And then 
 Sir Launcelot rode after. And ever the brachet looked 
 behind her, and so she went through a great marsh, and 
 ever Sir Launcelot followed. And then was he ware of 
 an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so over the 
 bridge. So Sir Launcelot rode over that bridge that was 
 old and feeble ; and when he came in midst of a great hall, 
 there he saw lie a dead knight that was a seemly man, and 
 that brachet licked his wounds. And therewithal came 
 out a lady weeping and wringing her hands ; and then she 
 said, O knight, to much sorrow hast thou brought me. Why 
 say ye so ? said Sir Launcelot, I did never this knight 
 no harm, for hither by feute of blood this brachet brought 
 me ; and therefore, fair lady, be not displeased with me, 
 for I am full sore aggrieved of your grievance. Truly, sir, 
 she said, I trow it be not ye that hath slain my husband, 
 for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never 
 likely to recover, that shall I ensure him. What was your 
 husband's name ? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said she, his 
 name was called Sir Gilbert the Bastard, one of the best 
 knights of the world, and he that hath slain him I know 
 not his name. Now God send you better comfort, said 
 Sir Launcelot ; and so he departed and went into the forest 
 again, and there he met with a damosel, the which knew him 
 well, and she said aloud. Well be ye found, my lord ; and now 
 
70 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 I require thee, on thy knighthood, help my brother that is 
 sore wounded, and never stinteth bleeding ; for this day he 
 fought with Sir Gilbert the Bastard and slew him in plain 
 battle, and there was my brother sore wounded, and there 
 is a lady, a sorceress, that dwelleth in a castle here beside, 
 and this day she told me my brother's wounds should never 
 be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the 
 Chapel Perilous, and there he should find a sword and a 
 bloody cloth that the wounded knight was lapped in, and 
 a piece of that cloth and sword should heal my brother's 
 wounds, so that his wounds were searched with the sword 
 and the cloth. This is a marvellous thing, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, but what is your brother's name ? Sir, she said, his name 
 was Sir Meliot de Logres. That me repenteth, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, for he is a fellow of the Table Round, and to his help I 
 will do my power. Then, sir, said she, follow even this high- 
 way, and it will bring you into the Chapel Perilous ; and here 
 I shall abide till God send you here again, and, but you speed, 
 I know no knight living that may achieve that adventure. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE 
 CHAPEL PERILOUS AND HOW HE HEALED 
 THE DAMOSEL'S BROTHER AND RE- 
 TURNED TO KING ARTHUR'S COURT. Right so Sir 
 Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel 
 Perilous he alighted down, and tied his horse unto a little 
 gate. And as soon as he was within the churchyard he 
 saw on the front of the chapel many fair rich shields turned 
 up-so-down, and many of the shields Sir Launcelot had 
 seen knights bear beforehand. With that he saw by him 
 there stand a thirty great knights, more by a yard than 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT GAT A SWORD 71 
 
 any man that ever he had seen, and all those grinned and 
 gnashed at Sir Launcelot. And when he saw their counte- 
 nance he dreaded him sore, and so put his shield afore him, 
 and took his sword ready in his hand, ready unto battle, 
 and they were all armed in black harness ready with their 
 shields and their swords drawn. And when Sir Launcelot 
 would have gone throughout them, they scattered on every 
 side of him, and gave him the way, and therewith he waxed 
 all bold, and entered into the chapel, and then he saw no 
 light but a dim lamp burning, and then was he ware of a 
 corpse covered with a cloth of silk. Then Sir Launcelot 
 stooped down, and cut a piece away of that cloth, and then 
 it fared under him as the earth had quaked a little ; there- 
 withal he feared. And then he saw a fair sword lie by the 
 dead knight, and that he gat in his hand and hied him out 
 of the chapel. 
 
 Anon as ever he was in the chapel yard all the knights 
 spake to him with a grimly voice, and said. Knight, Sir Launce- 
 lot, lay that sword from thee or else thou shalt die. Whether 
 that 1 live or die, said Sir Launcelot, with no great word 
 get ye it again, therefore fight for it an ye list. Then right 
 so he passed throughout them, and beyond the chapel yard 
 there met him a fair damosel, and said, Sir Launcelot, leave 
 that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die for it. I leave it 
 not, said Sir Launcelot, for no treaties. No, said she, an 
 thou didst leave that sword. Queen Guenever should thou 
 never see. Then were I a fool an I would leave this sword, 
 said Launcelot. Now, gentle knight, said the damosel, 
 I require thee to kiss me but once. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, 
 that God me forbid. Well, sir, said she, an thou hadst kissed 
 me thy life days had been done, but now, alas, she said, I 
 
72 OF SIR LAUNCELOT 
 
 have lost all my labour, for I ordained this chapel for thy sake, 
 and for Sir Gawaine. And once I had Sir Gawaine within 
 me, and at that time he fought with that knight that lieth 
 there dead in yonder chapel. Sir Gilbert the Bastard ; and 
 at that time he smote the left hand off of Sir Gilbert the 
 Bastard. And, Sir Launcelot, now I tell thee, I have loved 
 thee this seven year, but there may no woman have thy love 
 but Queen Guenever. But sithen I may not rejoice thee 
 to have thy body alive, I had kept no more joy in this world 
 but to have thy body dead. Then would I have balmed 
 it and preserved it, and so have kept it my life days, and 
 daily I should have clipped thee, and kissed thee, in despite 
 of Queen Guenever. Ye say well, said Sir Launcelot, Jesu 
 preserve me from your subtle crafts. And therewithal 
 he took his horse and so departed from her. And as the 
 book saith, when Sir Launcelot was departed she took such 
 sorrow that she died within a fourteen night, and her name 
 was Hellawes the sorceress. Lady of the Castle Nigramous. 
 Anon Sir Launcelot met with the damosel. Sir Meliot's 
 sister. And when she saw him she clapped her hands, and 
 wept for joy. And then they rode unto a castle thereby 
 where lay Sir Meliot. And anon as Sir Launcelot saw him 
 he knew him, but he was passing pale, as the earth, for bleed- 
 ing. When Sir Meliot saw Sir Launcelot he kneeled upon 
 his knees and cried on high : O lord Sir Launcelot, help 
 me ! Anon Sir Launcelot leapt unto him and touched his 
 wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword. And then he wiped his 
 wounds with a part of the bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert 
 was wrapped in, and anon an wholer man in his life was he 
 never. And then there was great joy between them, and 
 they made Sir Launcelot all the cheer that they might, and 
 
HIS RETURN TO ARTHUR'S COURT 73 
 
 so on the morn Sir Launcelot took his leave, and bade Sir 
 Meliot hie him to the court of my lord Arthur, and there 
 by the grace of God ye shall find me. And therewith they 
 departed. 
 
 Then Sir Launcelot du Lake came home two days afore 
 the Feast of Pentecost ; and the king and all the court were 
 passing fain of his coming. And when Sir Gawaine, Sir 
 Uwaine, Sir Sagramore, Sir Ector de Maris, saw Sir Launce- 
 lot in Kay's armour, then they wist well it was he that smote 
 them down all with one spear. Then there was laughing 
 and smiling among them. And ever now and now came 
 all the knights home that Sir Turquine had prisoners, and 
 they all honoured and worshipped Sir Launcelot. 
 
 Then Sir Kay told the king how Sir Launcelot had res- 
 cued him when he should have been slain, and how he made 
 the knights yield them to me, and not to him. And there 
 they were all three, and bare record. And in truth, said 
 Sir Kay, because Sir Launcelot took my harness and left 
 me his I rode in good peace, and no man would have ado 
 with me. 
 
 And then Sir Meliot de Logres came home, and told the 
 king how Sir Launcelot had saved him from the death. And 
 so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any 
 knight of the world, and most he was honoured of high and 
 low. 
 
OF SIR GARETH 
 
 HOW BEAUMAINS CAME TO KING 
 ARTHUR'S COURT AND ASKED 
 THREE GIFTS OF KING ARTHUR, 
 AND OF A DAMOSEL THAT DE- 
 SIRED A KNIGHT TO FIGHT FOR 
 A LADY, AND HOW BEAUMAINS 
 DESIRED THE BATTLE. When Arthur 
 held his Round Table most plenour, it 
 fortuned that he commanded that the high 
 feast of Pentecost should be holden at a city 
 and a castle, the which in those days was 
 called Kynke Kenadonne, upon the sands 
 that marched nigh Wales. So ever the king had a custom 
 that at the feast of Pentecost in especial, afore other feasts 
 in the year, he would not go that day to meat until he had 
 heard or seen of a great marvel. And for that custom all 
 manner of strange adventures came before Arthur as at 
 that feast before all other feasts. And so Sir Gawaine, a 
 little to-fore noon of the day of Pentecost, espied at a window 
 three men upon horseback, and a dwarf on foot, and so the 
 three men alighted, and the dwarf kept their horses, and 
 one of the three men was higher than the other twain by a 
 foot and an half. Then Sir Gawaine went unto the king 
 and said. Sir, go to your meat, for here at the hand come 
 
 74 
 
BEAUMAINS AT KING ARTHUR'S COURT 75 
 
 strange adventures. So Arthur went unto his meat with 
 many other kings. 
 
 Right so came into the hall two men well beseen and richly, 
 and upon their shoulders there leaned the goodliest young 
 man and the fairest that ever they all saw, and he was large 
 and long, and broad in the shoulders, and well visaged, and 
 the fairest and the largest handed that ever man saw, but 
 he fared as though he might not go nor bear himself but 
 if he leaned upon their shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw him 
 there was made peace and room, and right so they went 
 with him unto the high dais, without saying of any words. 
 Then this much young man pulled him aback, and easily 
 stretched up straight, saying. King Arthur, God you bless 
 and all your fair fellowship, and in especial the fellowship of 
 the Table Round. And for this cause I am come hither, 
 to pray you and require you to give me three gifts, and they 
 shall not be unreasonably asked, but that ye may worship- 
 fully and honourably grant them me, and to you no great 
 hurt nor loss. And the first don and gift I will ask now, 
 and the other two gifts I will ask this day twelvemonth, 
 wheresomever ye hold your high feast. Now ask, said 
 Arthur, and ye shall have your asking. 
 
 Now, sir, this is my petition for this feast, that ye will 
 give me meat and drink sufficiently for this twelvemonth, 
 and at that day I will ask mine other two gifts. 
 
 My fair son, said Arthur, ask better, I counsel thee, 
 for this is but a simple asking ; for my heart giveth me to 
 thee greatly, that thou art come of men of worship, and 
 greatly my conceit faileth me but thou shalt prove a man 
 of right great worship. Sir, he said, thereof be as it be may, 
 I have asked that I will ask. Well, said the king, ye shall 
 
76 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 have meat and drink enough ; I never defended that none, 
 neither my friend nor my foe. But what is thy name I 
 would wit ? I cannot tell you, said he. That is marvel, 
 said the king, that thou knowest not thy name, and thou 
 art the goodliest young man that ever I saw. Then the king 
 betook him to Sir Kay the steward, and charged him that 
 he should give him of all manner of meats and drinks of the 
 best, and also that he had all manner of finding as though 
 he were a lord's son. That shall little need, said Sir Kay, 
 to do such cost upon him ; for I dare undertake he is a villain 
 born, and never will make man, for an he had come of gentle- 
 men he would have asked of you horse and armour, but 
 such as he is, so he asketh. And sithen he hath no name, 
 I shall give him a name that shall be Beaumains, that is 
 Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall bring him, and there 
 he shall have fat brose every day, that he shall be as fat 
 by the twelve-months' end as a pork hog. Right so the two 
 men departed and beleft him to Sir Kay, that scorned him 
 and mocked him. 
 
 Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launce- 
 lot bade Sir Kay leave his mocking, for I dare lay my head 
 he shall prove a man of great worship. Let be, said Sir 
 Kay, it may not be by no reason, for as he is, so he hath 
 asked. 
 
 And so Sir Kay bade get him a place, and sit down to 
 meat ; so Beaumains went to the hall door, and set him down 
 among boys and lads, and there he ate sadly. And then 
 Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his chamber, 
 and there he should have meat and drink enough. And 
 so did Sir Gawaine : but he refused them all ; he would 
 do none other but as Sir Kay commanded him, for no proffer. 
 
HOW A DAMOSEL PRAYED FOR SUCCOUR -jj 
 
 But as touching Sir Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him 
 lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer came of his blood, 
 for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that as Sir 
 Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy. 
 
 So thus he was put into the kitchen, and lay nightly as 
 the boys of the kitchen did. And so he endured all that 
 twelvemonth, and never displeased man nor child, but always 
 he was meek and mild. But ever when that he saw any 
 jousting of knights, that would he see an he might. And 
 ever Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and clothes, 
 and so did Sir Gawaine, and where there were any masteries 
 done, thereat would he be, and there might none cast bar 
 nor stone to him by two yards. Then would Sir Kay say. 
 How liketh you my boy of the kitchen t So it passed on till 
 the feast of Whitsuntide. And at that time the king held 
 it at Carlion in the most royallest wise that might be, like 
 as he did yearly. But the king would no meat eat upon 
 the Whitsunday, until he heard some adventures.' Then 
 came there a squire to the king and said. Sir, ye may go to 
 your meat, for here cometh a damosel with some strange 
 adventures. Then was the king glad and sat him down. 
 
 Right so there came a damosel into the hall and saluted 
 the king, and prayed him of succour. For whom ? said 
 the king, what is the adventure ? 
 
 Sir, she said, I have a lady of great worship and renown, 
 and she is besieged with a tyrant, so that she may not out 
 of her castle ; and because here are called the noblest knights 
 of the world, I come to you to pray you of succour. What 
 bight your lady, and where dwelleth she, and who is she, 
 and what is his name that hath besieged her ? Sir king, 
 she said, as for my lady's name that shall not ye know for 
 
78 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 me as at this time, but I let you wit she is a lady of great 
 worship and of great lands ; and as for the tyrant that be- 
 siegeth her and destroyeth her lands, he is called the Red 
 Knight of the Red Launds. I know him not, said the king. 
 Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I know him well, for he is one of the 
 periloust knights of the world ; men say that he hath seven 
 men's strength, and from him I escaped once full hard with 
 my life. Fair damosel, said the king, there be knights here 
 would do their power for to rescue your lady, but because 
 you will not tell her name, nor where she dwelleth, there- 
 fore none of my knights that here be now shall go with you 
 by my will. Then must I speak further, said the damosel. 
 
 With these words came before the king Beaumains, while 
 the damosel was there, and thus he said, Sir king, God thank 
 you, I have been this twelvemonth in your kitchen, and have 
 had my full sustenance, and now I will ask my two gifts 
 that be behind. Ask, upon my peril, said the king. Sir, 
 this shall be my two gifts, first that ye will grant me to have 
 this adventure of the damosel, for it belongeth unto me. 
 Thou shalt have it, said the king, I grant it thee. Then, 
 sir, this is the other gift, that ye shall bid Launcelot du Lake 
 to make me knight, for of him I will be made knight and 
 else of none. And when I am passed I pray you let him ride 
 after me, and make me knight when I require him. All 
 this shall be done, said the king. Fie on thee, said the damosel, 
 shall I have none but one that is your kitchen page ? Then 
 was she wroth, and took her horse and departed. And 
 with that there came one to Beaumains and told him his 
 horse and armour was come for him ; and there was the dwarf 
 come with all thing that him needed, in the richest manner ; 
 thereat all the court had much marvel from whence came 
 
HOW BEAUMAINS FOUGHT SIR BCAY 79 
 
 all that gear. So when he was armed there was none but 
 few so goodly a man as he was ; and right so he came into 
 the hall and took his leave of King Arthur, and Sir Gawaine, 
 and Sir Launcelot, and prayed that he would hie after him, 
 and so departed and rode after the damosel. 
 
 HOW BEAUMAINS DEPARTED, AND HOW 
 HE GAT OF SIR KAY A SPEAR AND A 
 SHIELD, AND HOW HE JOUSTED WITH 
 SIR LAUNCELOT, AND OF HIM WAS DUBBED 
 KNIGHT. But there went many after to behold how well 
 he was horsed and trapped in cloth of gold, but he had neither 
 shield nor spear. Then Sir Kay said all open in the hall, 
 I will ride after my boy in the kitchen, to wit whether he 
 will know me for his better. Said Sir Launcelot and Sir 
 Gawaine, Yet abide at home. So Sir Kay made him ready 
 and took his horse and his spear, and rode after him. And 
 right as Beaumains overtook the damosel, right so came Sir 
 Kay and said, Beaumains, what, sir, know ye not me ? Then 
 he turned his horse, and knew it was Sir Kay, that had done 
 him all the despite as ye have heard afore. Yea, said Beau- 
 mains, I know you for an ungentle knight of the court, and 
 therefore beware of me. Therewith Sir Kay put his spear 
 in the rest, and ran straight upon him ; and Beaumains 
 came as fast upon him with his sword in his hand, and so 
 he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin thrust 
 him through the side, that Sir Kay fell down as he had been 
 dead ; and he alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and 
 his spear, and stert upon his own horse and rode his way. 
 
 All that saw Sir Launcelot, and so did the damosel. And 
 then he bade his dwarf stert upon Sir Kay's horse, and so 
 
8o OF SIR GARETH 
 
 he did. By that Sir Launcelot was come, then he proffered 
 Sir Launcelot to joust ; and either made them ready, and 
 they came together so fiercely that either bare down other 
 to the earth, and sore were they bruised. Then Sir Launcelot 
 arose and helped him from his horse. And then Beaumains 
 threw his shield from him, and proffered to fight with Sir 
 Launcelot on foot ; and so they rashed together like boars, 
 tracing, racing, and foining to the mountenance of an hour ; 
 and Sir Launcelot felt him so big that he marvelled of his 
 strength, for he fought more liker a giant than a knight, 
 and that his fighting was durable and passing perilous. For 
 Sir Launcelot had so much ado with him that he dreaded 
 himself to be shamed, and said, Beaumains, fight not so sore, 
 your quarrel and mine is not so great but we may leave off. 
 Truly that is truth, said Beaumains, but it doth me good to 
 feel your might, and yet, my lord, I showed not the utterance. 
 In God's name, said Sir Launcelot, for I promise you, by 
 the faith of my body, I had as much to do as I might to 
 save myself from you unshamed, and therefore have ye no 
 doubt of none earthly knight. Hope ye so that I may any 
 while stand a proved knight ? said Beaumains. Yea, said 
 Launcelot, do as ye have done, and I shall be your warrant. 
 Then, I pray you, said Beaumains, give me the order of 
 knighthood. Then must ye tell me your name, said Launce- 
 lot, and of what kin ye be born. Sir, so that ye will not 
 discover me I shall, said Beaumains. Nay, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, and that I promise you by the faith of my body, until 
 it be openly known. Then, sir, he said, my name is Gareth, 
 and brother unto Sir Gawaine of father and mother. Ah, 
 sir, said Sir Launcelot, I am more gladder of you than I was ; 
 for ever me thought ye should be of a great blood, and that 
 
HOW HE WAS DUBBED KNIGHT 8i 
 
 ye came not to the court neither for meat nor for drink. And 
 then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood, and 
 then Sir Gareth prayed him for to depart and let him go. 
 
 So Sir Launcelot departed from him and came to Sir 
 Kay, and made him to be borne home upon his shield, and 
 so he was healed hard with the life; and all men scorned 
 Sir Kay, and in especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot; 
 and so we leave Sir Kay and turn we unto Beaumains. 
 
 When he had overtaken the damosel, anon she said. 
 What dost thou here ? thou stinkest all of the kitchen, thy 
 clothes be bawdy of the grease and tallow that thou gainest 
 in King Arthur's kitchen; weenest thou, said she, that I 
 allow thee, for yonder knight that thou killest. Nay truly, 
 for thou slewest him unhappily and cowardly ; therefore 
 turn again, bawdy kitchen page, I know thee well, for Sir 
 Kay named thee Beaumains. What art thou but a lusk 
 and a turner of broaches and a ladle-washer ? Damosel, 
 said Beaumains, say to me what ye will, I will not go from 
 you whatsomever ye say, for I have undertaken to King 
 Arthur for to achieve your adventure, and so shall I finish 
 it to the end, either I shall die therefore. 
 
 So thus as they rode in the wood, there came a man fly- 
 ing all that ever he might. Whither wilt thou ? said Beau- 
 mains. O lord, he said, help me, for here by in a slade are 
 six thieves that have taken my lord and bound him, so I 
 am afeard lest they will slay him. Bring me thither, said 
 Beaumains. And so they rode together until they came there 
 as was the knight bounden ; and then he rode unto them, 
 and struck one unto the death, and then another, and at the 
 third stroke he slew the third thief, and then the other three 
 fled. And he rode after them, and he overtook them ; and 
 
82 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 then those three thieves turned again and assailed Beaumains 
 hard, but at the last he slew them, and returned and unbound 
 the knight. And the knight thanked him, and prayed him 
 to ride with him to his castle there a little beside, and he should 
 worshipfuUy reward him for his good deeds. Sir, said Beau- 
 mains, I will no reward have : I was this day made knight 
 of noble Sir Launcelot, and therefore I will no reward have, 
 but God reward me. And also I must follow this damosel. 
 
 And when he came nigh her she bade him ride from her, 
 For thou smellest all of the kitchen : weenest thou that 
 I have joy of thee, for all this deed that thou hast done is 
 but mishapped thee : but thou shalt see a sight shall make 
 thee turn again, and that lightly. Then the same knight 
 which was rescued of the thieves rode after that damosel, 
 and prayed her to lodge with him all that night. And be- 
 cause it was near night the damosel rode with him to his 
 castle, and there they had great cheer, and at supper the 
 knight sat Sir Beaumains afore the damosel. Fie, fie, said 
 she. Sir knight, ye are uncourteous to set a kitchen page 
 afore me ; him beseemeth better to stick a swine than to 
 sit afore a damosel of high parage. Then the knight was 
 ashamed at her words, and took him up, and set him at a 
 sideboard, and set himself afore him, and so all that night 
 they had good cheer and merry rest. 
 
 HOW BEAUMAINS FOUGHT AND 
 SLEW TWO KNIGHTS AT A PAS- 
 SAGE, AND HOW HE SLEW ALSO 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE BLACK 
 LAUNDS. And on the morn the damosel and he took their 
 leave and thanked the knight, and so departed, and rode on 
 
 »li 
 
 ^pr 
 
 'iim\ii. 
 
 
HOW HE SLEW TWO KNIGHTS 83 
 
 their way until they came to a great forest. And there was 
 a great river and but one passage, and there were ready two 
 knights on the farther side to let them the passage. What 
 sayest thou, said the damosel, wilt thou match yonder knights 
 or turn again ? Nay, said Sir Beaumains, I will not turn 
 again an they were six more. And therewithal he rushed 
 into the water, and in midst of the water either brake their 
 spears upon other to their hands, and then they drew their 
 swords, and smote eagerly at other. And at the last Sir 
 Beaumains smote the other upon the helm that his head 
 stonied, and therewithal he fell down in the water, and there 
 was he drowned. And then Sir Beaumains spurred his horse 
 upon the land, where the other knight fell upon him, and 
 brake his spear, and so they drew their swords and fought 
 long together. At the last Sir Beaumains clave his helm 
 and his head down to the shoulders ; and so he rode unto 
 the damosel and bade her ride forth on her way. 
 
 Alas, she said, that ever a kitchen page should have 
 that fortune to destroy such two doughty knights : thou 
 weenest thou hast done doughtily, that is not so ; for the 
 first knight his horse stumbled, and there he was drowned 
 in the water, and never it was by thy force, nor by thy might. 
 And the last knight by mishap thou camest behind him and 
 mishappily thou slew him. 
 
 Damosel, said Beaumains, ye may say what ye will, but 
 with whomsomever I have ado withal, I trust to God to 
 serve him or he depart. And therefore I reck not what 
 ye say, so that I may win your lady. Fie, fie, foul kitchen 
 knave, thou shalt see knights that shall abate thy boast. 
 Fair damosel, give me goodly language, and then my care 
 is past, for what knights somever they be, I care not, nor 
 
84 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 I doubt them not. Also, said she, I say it for thine avail, 
 yet mayest thou turn again with thy worship ; for an thou 
 follow me, thou art but slain, for I see all that ever thou 
 dost is but by misadventure, and not by prowess of thy 
 hands. Well, damosel, ye may say what ye will, but where- 
 somever ye go I will follow you. So this Beaumains rode 
 with that lady till evensong time, and ever she chid him, 
 and would not rest. And they came to a black laund ; and 
 there was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung a black banner, 
 and on the other side there hung a black shield, and by it 
 stood a black spear great and long, and a great black horse 
 covered with silk, and a black stone fast by. 
 
 There sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his 
 name was the Knight of the Black Laund. Then the damosel, 
 when she saw that knight, she bade Beaumains flee down that 
 valley, for the knight's horse was not saddled. Gramercy, 
 said Beaumains, for always ye would have me a coward. 
 With that the Black Knight, when she came nigh him, spake 
 and said, Damosel, have ye brought this knight of King 
 Arthur to be your champion ? Nay, fair knight, said she, 
 this is but a kitchen knave that was fed in King Arthur's 
 kitchen for alms. Why cometh he, said the knight, in such 
 array ? it is shame that he beareth you company. Sir, 
 I cannot be delivered of him, said she, for with me he rideth 
 maugre mine head : would that ye should put him from me, 
 other to slay him an ye may, for he is an unhappy knave, 
 and unhappily he hath done this day : through mishap I 
 saw him slay two knights at the passage of the water ; and 
 other deeds he did before right marvellous and through un- 
 happiness. That marvelleth me, said the Black Knight, 
 that any man that is of worship will have ado with him. 
 
BEAUMAINS AND THE BLACK KNIGHT 85 
 
 They know him not, said the damosel, and for because he 
 rideth with me, they ween that he be some man of worship 
 born. That may be, said the Black Knight ; howbeit as ye 
 say that he be no man of worship, he is a full likely person, 
 and full like to be a strong man : but thus much shall I grant 
 you, said the Black Knight ; I shall put him down upon one 
 foot, and his horse and his harness he shall leave with me, 
 for it were shame to me to do him any more harm. 
 
 When Sir Beaumains heard him say thus, he said. Sir 
 knight, thou art full large of my horse and my harness ; I 
 let thee wit it cost thee nought, and whether it liketh thee 
 or not, this laund will I pass maugre thine head. And horse 
 nor harness gettest thou none of mine, but if thou win them 
 with thy hands; and therefore let see what thou canst do. 
 Sayest thou that ? said the Black Knight, now yield thy lady 
 from thee, for it beseemeth never a kitchen page to ride with 
 such a lady. Thou liest, said Beaumains, I am a gentleman 
 born, and of more high lineage than thou, and that will I 
 prove on thy body. 
 
 Then in great wrath they departed with their horses, 
 and came together as it had been the thunder, and the Black 
 Knight's spear brake, and Beaumains thrust him through 
 both his sides, and therewith his spear brake, and the trun- 
 cheon left still in his side. But nevertheless the Black Knight 
 drew his sword, and smote many eager strokes, and of great 
 might, and hurt Beaumains full sore. But at the last the 
 Black Knight, within an hour and an half, he fell down off 
 his horse in swoon, and there he died. And when Beaumains 
 saw him so well horsed and armed, then he alighted down and 
 armed him in his armour, and so took his horse and rode 
 after the damosel. 
 
86 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 When she saw him come nigh, she said. Away, kitchen 
 knave, out of the wind, for the smell of thy bawdy clothes 
 grieveth me. Alas, she said, that ever such a knave should 
 by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done, but all 
 this is thine unhappiness. But here by is one shall pay 
 thee all thy payment, and therefore yet I counsel thee, flee. 
 It may happen me, said Beaumains, to be beaten or slain, 
 but I warn you, fair damosel, I will not flee away, nor leave 
 your company, for all that ye can say ; for ever ye say that 
 they will kill me or beat me, but howsomever it happeneth 
 I escape, and they lie on the ground. 
 
 HOW TWO BROTHERS OF THE BLACK 
 KNIGHT MET WITH BEAUMAINS, AND 
 FOUGHT WITH BEAUMAINS TILL THEY 
 WERE YIELDEN, AND HOW THE DAMOSEL STILL 
 REBUKED HIM. Thus as they rode together, they saw 
 a knight come driving by them all in green, both his horse 
 and his harness ; and when he came nigh the damosel, he 
 asked her, Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye 
 have brought with you f Nay, nay, she said, this unhappy 
 kitchen knave hath slain your brother through unhappiness. 
 Alas, said the Green Knight, that is great pity, that so noble 
 a knight as he was should so unhappily be slain, and namely 
 of a knave's hand, as ye say that he is. Ah ! traitor, said 
 the Green Knight, thou shalt die for slaying of my brother ; 
 he was a full noble knight, and his name was Sir Pereard. 
 I defy thee, said Beaumains, for I let thee wit I slew him 
 knightly and not shamefully. 
 
 Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto an horn that 
 was green, and it hung upon a thorn, and there he blew 
 
BEAUMAINS AND THE GREEN KNIGHT 87 
 
 three deadly motes, and there came two damosels and armed 
 him hghtly. And then he took a great horse, and a green 
 shield and a green spear. And then they ran together with 
 all their mights, and brake their spears unto their hands. 
 And then they drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, 
 and either of them wounded other full ill. And at the last, 
 at an overthwart, Beaumains with his horse struck the Green 
 Knight's horse upon the side, that he fell to the earth. And 
 then the Green Knight avoided his horse lightly, and dressed 
 him upon foot. That saw Beaumains, and therewithal he 
 alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty kemps 
 a long while, and sore they bled both. With that came the 
 damosel, and said. My lord the Green Knight, why for shame 
 stand ye so long fighting with the kitchen knave ? Alas, 
 it is shame that ever ye were made knight, to see such a lad 
 to match such a knight, as the weed overgrew the corn. 
 Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and therewithal 
 he gave a great stroke of might, and clave his shield through. 
 When Beaumains saw his shield cloven asunder he was a 
 little ashamed of that stroke and of her language ; and then 
 he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell on his 
 knees. And so suddenly Beaumains pulled him upon the 
 ground grovelling. And then the Green Knight cried him 
 mercy, and yielded him unto Sir Beaumains, and prayed 
 him to slay him not. All is in vain, said Beaumains, for thou 
 shalt die but if this damosel that came with me pray me to 
 save thy life. And therewithal he unlaced his helm like as 
 he would slay him. Fie upon thee, false kitchen page, I will 
 never pray thee to save his life, for I will never be so much 
 in thy danger. Then shall he die, said Beaumains. Not 
 so hardy, thou bawdy knave, said the damosel, that thou 
 
88 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 slay him. Alas, said the Green knight, suffer me not to die 
 for a fair word may save me. Fair Knight, said the Green 
 Knight, save my hfe, and I will forgive thee the death of my 
 brother, and for ever to become thy man, and thirty knights 
 that hold of me for ever shall do you service. In the devil's 
 name, said the damosel, that such a bawdy kitchen knave 
 should have thee and thirty knights' service. 
 
 Sir knight, said Beaumains, all this availeth thee not, 
 but if my damosel speak with me for thy life. And there- 
 withal he made a semblant to slay him. Let be, said the 
 damosel, thou bawdy knave ; slay him not, for an thou 
 do thou shalt repent it. Damosel, said Beaumains, your 
 charge is to me a pleasure, and at your commandment his 
 life shall be saved, and else not. Then he said, Sir knight 
 with the green arms, I release thee quit at this damosel's 
 request, for I will not make her wroth, I will fulfil all that 
 she chargeth me. And then the Green Knight kneeled down, 
 and did him homage with his sword. Then said the damosel, 
 Me repenteth. Green Knight, of your damage, and of your 
 brother's death, the Black Knight, for of your help I had 
 great need, for I dread me sore to pass this forest. Nay, 
 dread you not, said the Green Knight, for ye shall lodge 
 with me this night, and to-morn I shall help you through 
 this forest. So they took their horses and rode to his manor, 
 which was fast there beside. 
 
 And ever she rebuked Beaumains, and would not suffer 
 him to sit at her table, but as the Green Knight took him 
 and sat him at a side table. Marvel methinketh, said the 
 Green Knight to the damosel, why ye rebuke this noble 
 knight as ye do, for I warn you, damosel, he is a full noble 
 knight, and I know no knight is able to match him ; there- 
 
HOW THE DAMOSEL REBUKED HIM 89 
 
 fore ye do great wrong to rebuke him, for he shall do you 
 right good service, for whatsomever he maketh himself, 
 ye shall prove at the end that he is come of a noble blood 
 and of king's lineage. Fie, fie, said the damosel, it is shame 
 for you to say of him such worship. 
 
 And so on the morn they all arose, and heard their mass 
 and brake their fast ; and then they took their horses and 
 rode on their way, and the Green Knight conveyed them 
 through the forest ; and there the Green Knight said. My 
 lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be always 
 at your summons, both early and late, at your calling and 
 whither that ever ye will send us. It is well said, said Beau- 
 mains ; when that I call upon you ye must yield you unto 
 King Arthur, and all your knights. If that ye so command 
 us, we shall be ready at all times, said the Green Knight. 
 Fie, fie upon thee, in the devil's name, said the damosel, that 
 any good knights should be obedient unto a kitchen knave. 
 So then departed the Green Knight and the damosel. And 
 then she said unto Beaumains, Why foUowest thou me, thou 
 kitchen boy ? Cast away thy shield and thy spear, and 
 flee away, yet I counsel thee, betimes, or thou shalt say right 
 soon, alas ; for wert thou as wight as ever was Wade or Launce- 
 lot, Tristram, or the good knight Sir Lamorak, thou shalt not 
 pass a pass here that is called the Pass Perilous. Damosel, 
 said Beaumains, who is afeard let him flee, for it were shame 
 to turn again sithen I have ridden so long with you. Well, 
 said the damosel, ye shall soon, whether ye will or not. 
 
 So within a while they saw a tower as white as any snow, 
 well matchecold all about, and double dyked. And over 
 the tower gate there hung a fifty shields of divers colours, 
 and under that tower there was a fair meadow. And therein 
 
90 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 were many knights and squires to behold, scaffolds and 
 pavilions ; for there upon the morn should be a great tourna- 
 ment : and the lord of the tower was in his castle and looked 
 out at a window, and saw a damosel, a dwarf, and a knight 
 armed at all points. With that knight will I joust, said the 
 lord, for I see that he is a knight-errant. And so he armed 
 him and horsed him hastily. And when he was on horse- 
 back with his shield and his spear, it was all red, both his 
 horse and his harness, and all that to him longeth. And 
 when that he came nigh him he weened it had been his brother 
 the Black Knight ; and then he cried aloud, Brother, what 
 do ye in these marches ? Nay, nay, said the damosel, it is 
 not he ; this is but a kitchen knave that was brought up for 
 alms in King Arthur's court. Nevertheless, said the Red 
 Knight, I will speak with him or he depart. Ah, said the 
 damosel, this knave hath killed thy brother, and Sir Kay 
 named him Beaumains, and this horse and this harness was 
 thy brother's, the Black Knight. Also I saw thy brother the 
 Green Knight overcome of his hands. Now may ye be re- 
 venged upon him, for I may never be quit of him. 
 
 With this either knights departed in sunder, and they 
 came together with all their might, and either of their horses 
 fell to the earth, and they avoided their horses, and put their 
 shields afore them and drew their swords, and either gave 
 other sad strokes, now here, now there, racing, tracing, 
 foining, and hurling like two boars, the space of two hours. 
 And then she cried on high to the Red Knight, Alas, thou 
 noble Red Knight, think what worship hath followed thee, 
 let never a kitchen knave endure thee so long as he doth. 
 Then the Red Knight waxed wroth and doubled his strokes, 
 and hurt Beaumains wonderly sore, that the blood ran down 
 
How Beaumains defeated the Red Knight, and always the damosel spake 
 many foul words unto him. 
 
OF THE RED KNIGHT AND BEAUMAINS 91 
 
 to the ground, that it was wonder to see that strong battle. 
 Yet at the last Sir Beaumains struck him to the earth, and as 
 he would have slain the Red Knight, he cried mercy, saying, 
 Noble knight, slay me not, and I shall yield me to thee with 
 fifty knights with me that be at my commandment. And 
 I forgive thee all the despite that thou hast done to me, and 
 the death of my brother the Black Knight. All this availeth 
 not, said Beaumains, but if my damosel pray me to save thy 
 life. And therewith he made semblant to strike off his head. 
 Let be, thou Beaumains, slay him not, for he is a noble 
 knight, and not so hardy, upon thine head, but thou save 
 him. 
 
 Then Beaumains bade the Red Knight, Stand up, and 
 thank the damosel now of thy life. Then the Red Knight 
 prayed him to see his castle, and to be there all night. So 
 the damosel then granted him, and there they had merry 
 cheer. But always the damosel spake many foul words 
 unto Beaumains, whereof the Red Knight had great marvel ; 
 and all that night the Red Knight made three score knights 
 to watch Beaumains, that he should have no shame nor 
 villainy. And upon the morn they heard mass and dined, 
 and the Red Knight came before Beaumains with his three 
 score knights, and there he proffered him his homage and 
 fealty at all times, he and his knights to do him service. I 
 thank you, said Beaumains, but this ye shall grant me : 
 when I call upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur, 
 and yield you unto him to be his knights. Sir, said the 
 Red Knight, I will be ready, and my fellowship, at your 
 summons. So Sir Beaumains departed and the damosel, 
 and ever she rode chiding him in the foulest manner. 
 
92 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 HOW SIR BEAUMAINS ANSWERED 
 THE DAMOSEL PATIENTLY, AND 
 HOW HE FOUGHT WITH THE 
 FOURTH BROTHER, SIR PERSANT 
 OF INDE, AND MADE HIM TO BE 
 YOLDEN. Damosel, said Beaumains, ye 
 are uncourteous so to rebuke me as ye do, for meseemeth 
 I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten me I shall 
 be beaten with knights that we meet, but ever for all your 
 boast they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray 
 you rebuke me no more ; and when ye see me beaten or 
 yolden as recreant, then may ye bid me go from you shame- 
 fully ; but first I let you wit I will not depart from you, 
 for I were worse than a fool an I would depart from you all 
 the while that I win worship. Well, said she, right soon 
 there shall meet a knight shall pay thee all thy wages, for 
 he is the most man of worship of the world, except King 
 Arthur. I will well, said Beaumains, the more he is of wor- 
 ship, the more shall be my worship to have ado with him. 
 
 Then anon they were ware where was afore them a city 
 rich and fair. And betwixt them and the city a mile and 
 an half there was a fair meadow that seemed new mown, 
 and therein were many pavilions fair to behold. Lo, said 
 the damosel, yonder is a lord that owneth yonder city, and 
 his custom is, when the weather is fair, to lie in this meadow 
 to joust and tourney. And ever there be about him an 
 hundred knights and gentlemen of arms, and there be all 
 manner of games that any gentleman can devise. That 
 goodly lord, said Beaumains, would I fain see. Thou shalt 
 see him time enough, said the damosel, and so as she rode 
 near she espied the pavilion where he was. Lo, said she. 
 
BEAUMAINS AND THE DAMOSEL 93 
 
 seest thou yonder pavilion that is all of the colour of Inde, 
 and all manner of thing that there is about men and women, 
 and horses trapped, shields and spears were all of the colour 
 of Inde, and his name is Sir Persant of Inde, the most lordliest 
 knight that ever thou lookedst on. It may well be, said 
 Beaumains, but be he never so stout a knight, in this field 
 I shall abide till that I see him under his shield. Ah, fool, 
 said she, thou wert better flee betimes. Why, said Beau- 
 mains, an he be such a knight as ye make him, he will not 
 set upon me with all his men, or with his hundred knights. 
 For an there come no more but one at once, I shall him not 
 fail whilst my life lasteth. Fie, fie, said the damosel, that 
 ever such a stinking knave should blow such a boast. Damo- 
 sel, he said, ye are to blame so to rebuke me, for I had 
 liefer do five battles than so to be rebuked ; let him come 
 and then let him do his worst. 
 
 Sir, she said, I marvel what thou art and of what kin 
 thou art come ; boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou hast 
 done, that have I seen ; therefore I pray thee save thyself 
 an thou mayest, for thy horse and thou have had great tra- 
 vail, and I dread we dwell over long from the siege, for it 
 is but hence seven mile, and all perilous passages we are 
 passed save all only this passage, and there I dread me sore 
 lest ye shall catch some hurt ; therefore I would ye were 
 hence, that ye were not bruised nor hurt with this strong 
 knight. But I let you wit this Sir Persant of Inde is nothing 
 of might nor strength unto the knight that laid the siege 
 about my lady. As for that, said Sir Beaumains, be it as 
 it be may. For sithen I am come so nigh this knight I will 
 prove his might or I depart from him, and else I shall be 
 shamed an I now withdraw me from him. And therefore, 
 
94 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 damosel, have ye no doubt by the grace of God I shall so 
 deal with this knight that within two hours after noon I 
 shall deliver him. And then shall we come to the siege by 
 daylight. O Jesu, marvel have I, said the damosel, what 
 manner a man ye be, for it may never be otherwise but that 
 ye be come of a noble blood, for so foul nor shamefully did 
 never woman rule a knight as I have done you, and ever 
 courteously ye have suffered me, and that came never but 
 of a gentle blood. 
 
 Damosel, said Beaumains, a knight may little do that 
 may not suffer a damosel, for whatsomever ye said unto 
 me I took none heed to your words, for the more ye said 
 the more ye angered me, and my wrath I wreaked upon 
 them that I had ado withal. And therefore all the mis- 
 saying that ye missaid me furthered me in my battle, and 
 caused me to think to show and prove myself at the end 
 what I was ; for peradventure though I had meat in King 
 Arthur's kitchen, yet I might have had meat enough in 
 other places, but all that I did it for to prove and assay my 
 friends, and that shall be known another day ; and whether 
 that I be a gentleman born or none, I let you wit, fair damo- 
 sel, I have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure 
 better service yet will I do or I depart from you. Alas, she 
 said, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have missaid or 
 done against thee. With all my heart, said he, I forgive 
 it you, for ye did nothing but as ye should do, for all your 
 evil words pleased me ; and damosel, said Beaumains, since 
 it liketh you to say thus fair unto me, wit ye well it gladdeth 
 my heart greatly, and now meseemeth there is no knight 
 living but I am able enough for him. 
 
 With this Sir Persant of Inde had espied them as they 
 
BEAUMAINS FIGHTS SIR PERSANT 95 
 
 hoved in the field, and knightly he sent to them whether 
 he came in war or in peace. Say to thy lord, said Beau- 
 mains, I take no force, but whether as him list himself. So 
 the messenger went again unto Sir Persant and told him 
 all his answer. Well then will I have ado with him to the 
 utterance, and so he purveyed him and rode against him. 
 And Beaumains saw him and made him ready, and there 
 they met with all that ever their horses might run, and brast 
 their spears either in three pieces, and their horses rushed so 
 together that both their horses fell dead to the earth ; and lightly 
 they avoided their horses and put their shields afore them, 
 and drew their swords, and gave many great strokes that 
 sometime they hurtled together that they fell grovelling 
 on the ground. And at the last Beaumains smote Sir Persant 
 above upon the helm, that he fell grovelling to the earth ; and 
 then he leapt upon him overthwart and unlaced his helm to 
 have slain him. 
 
 Then Sir Persant yielded him and asked him mercy. With 
 that came the damosel and prayed to save his life. I will 
 well, for it were pity this noble knight should die. Gramercy, 
 said Persant, gentle knight and damosel. For certainly 
 now I wot well it was ye that slew my brother the Black 
 Knight at the black thorn ; he was a full noble knight, his 
 name was Sir Pereard. Also I am sure that ye are he that 
 won mine other brother the Green Knight, his name was Sir 
 Pertolepe. Also ye won my brother the Red Knight, Sir 
 Perimones. And now since ye have won these, this shall I 
 do for to please you : ye shall have homage and fealty of me, 
 and an hundred knights to be always at your command- 
 ment, to go and ride where ye will command us. And 
 so they went unto Sir Persant's pavilion and drank the wine. 
 
96 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 and ate spices, and afterward Sir Persant made him to rest 
 upon a bed until supper time, and after supper to bed again. 
 
 OF THE GOODLY COMMUNICATION BE- 
 TWEEN SIR PERSANT AND BEAUMAINS, 
 AND HOW THE LADY THAT WAS BE- 
 SIEGED HAD WORD FROM HER SISTER THAT 
 SHE HAD BROUGHT A KNIGHT TO FIGHT FOR 
 HER. And so on the morn the damosel and Sir Beaumains 
 heard mass and brake their fast, and so took their leave. Fair 
 damosel, said Persant, whitherward are ye way-leading this 
 knight ? Sir, she said, this knight is going to the siege that 
 besiegeth my sister in the Castle Dangerous. Ah, ah, said 
 Persant, that is the Knight of the Red Laund, the which 
 is the most perilous knight that I know now living, and a 
 man that is without mercy, and men say that he hath seven 
 men's strength. God save you, said he to Beaumains, from 
 that knight, for he doth great wrong to that lady, and that 
 is great pity, for she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, 
 and meseemeth that your damosel is her sister : is not your 
 name Linet .? said he. Yea, sir, said she, and my lady my 
 sister's name is Dame Lionesse. Now shall I tell you, said 
 Sir Persant, this Red Knight of the Red Laund hath lain 
 long at the siege, well-nigh this two years, and many times 
 he might have had her an he had would, but he prolongeth 
 the time to this intent, for to have Sir Launcelot du Lake to 
 do battle with him, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Lamorak de Galis, 
 or Sir Gawalne, and this is his tarrying so long at the siege. 
 Now my lord Sir Persant of Inde, said the damosel Linet, 
 I require you that ye will make this gentleman knight or ever 
 he fight with the Red Knight. I will with all my heart. 
 
OF SIR PERSANT AND BEAUMAINS 97 
 
 said Sir Persant, an it please him to take the order of knight- 
 hood of so simple a man as I am. Sir, said Beaumains, 
 I thank you for your good will, for I am better sped, for 
 certainly the noble knight Sir Launcelot made me knight. 
 Ah, said Sir Persant, of a more renowned knight might ye 
 not be made knight ; for of all knights he may be called chief 
 of knighthood ; and so all the world saith, that betwixt 
 three knights is departed clearly knighthood, that is Launce- 
 lot du Lake, Sir Tristram de Liones, and Sir Lamorak de 
 Galis : these bear now the renown. Therefore God speed 
 you well, said Sir Persant, for an ye may match the Red 
 Knight ye shall be called the fourth of the world. 
 
 Sir, said Beaumains, I would fain be of good fame and 
 of knighthood. And I let you wit I came of good men, 
 for I dare say my father was a noble man, and so that ye 
 will keep it in close, and this damosel, I will tell you of what 
 kin I am. We will not discover you, said they both, till ye 
 command us, by the faith we owe unto God. Truly then, 
 said he, my name is Gareth of Orkney, and King Lot was 
 my father, and my mother is King Arthur's sister, her name 
 is Dame Morgawse, and Sir Gawaine is my brother, and 
 Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and I am the youngest of 
 them all. And yet wot not King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine 
 what I am. 
 
 So the book saith that the lady that was besieged had 
 word of her sister's coming by the dwarf, and a knight with 
 her, and how he had passed all the perilous passages. What 
 manner a man is he .? said the lady. He is a noble knight, 
 truly, madam, said the dwarf, and but a young man, but 
 he. is as likely a man as ever ye saw any. What is he ? said 
 the damosel, and of what kin is he come, and of whom was 
 
98 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 he made knight ? Madam, said the dwarf, he is the king's 
 son of Orkney, but his name I will not tell you as at this 
 time ; but wit ye well, of Sir Launcelot was he made 
 knight. 
 
 Dwarf, said the lady, I am glad of these tidings, there- 
 fore go thou in an hermitage of mine hereby, and there shalt 
 thou bear with thee of my wine in two flagons of silver, they 
 are of two gallons, and also two cast of bread with fat venison 
 baked, and dainty fowls ; and a cup of gold here I deliver 
 thee, that is rich and precious ; and bear all this to mine 
 hermitage, and put it in the hermit's hands. And sithen 
 go thou unto my sister and greet her well, and commend 
 me unto that gentle knight, and pray him to eat and to 
 drink and make him strong, and say ye him I thank him 
 of his courtesy and goodness, that he would take upon him 
 such labour for me that never did him bounty nor courtesy. 
 Also pray him that he be of good heart and courage, for 
 he shall meet with a full noble knight, but he is neither of 
 bounty, courtesy, nor gentleness ; for he attendeth unto 
 nothing but to murder, and that is the cause I cannot praise 
 him nor love him. 
 
 So this dwarf departed, and came to Sir Persant, where 
 he found the damosel Linet and Sir Beaumains, and there 
 he told them all as ye have heard ; and then they took their 
 leave, but Sir Persant took an ambling hackney and con- 
 veyed them on their ways, and then beleft them to God ; 
 and so within a little while they came to that hermitage, 
 and there they drank the wine, and ate the venison and the 
 fowls baken. 
 
BEAUMAINS COMES TO THE SIEGE 99 
 
 HOW BEAUMAINS BLEW A HORN, 
 AND THEN THE KNIGHT OF THE 
 RED LAUNDS CAME TO FIGHT 
 WITH HIM, AND HOW BEAUMAINS MADE HIM 
 YIELD TO THE LADY AND GO UNTO KING 
 ARTHUR'S COURT AND CRY SIR LAUNCELOT 
 MERCY, AND OF THE TROTH PLIGHT OF BEAU- 
 MAINS AND THE LADY. Upon the morn Beaumains 
 and the damosel Linet heard their mass and brake their fast. 
 And then they took their horses and came to a plain, and saw 
 where were many paviHons and tents, and a fair castle, and 
 there was much smoke and great noise ; and when they came 
 near the siege Sir Beaumains espied upon great trees, as he 
 rode, how there hung full goodly armed knights by the neck, 
 and their shields about their necks with their swords, and 
 gilt spurs upon their heels, and so there hung nigh a forty 
 knights shamefully with full rich arms. 
 
 Then Sir Beaumains abated his countenance and said, 
 What meaneth this ? Fair sir, said the damosel, abate not 
 your cheer for all this sight, for ye must courage yourself, 
 or else ye be all shent, for all these knights came hither to 
 this siege to rescue my sister Dame Lionesse, and when the 
 Red Knight of the Red Launds had overcome them, he put 
 them to this shameful death without mercy and pity. And in 
 the same wise he will serve you, but if you quit you the better. 
 Now Jesu defend me, said Beaumains, from such a villain- 
 ous death and shenship of arms. For rather than I should 
 so be faren withal, I would be slain manly in plain battle. 
 So were ye better, said the damosel ; for trust not, in him is 
 no courtesy, but all goeth to the death or shameful murder, 
 and that is pity, for he is a full noble knight of prowess. 
 
loo OF SIR GARETH 
 
 And then they rode to the dykes, and saw them double 
 dyked with full warlike walls ; and there were lodged many 
 great lords nigh the walls ; and there was great noise of 
 minstrelsy ; and the sea beat upon the one side of the walls, 
 where were many ships and mariners' noise with "hale and 
 how." And also there was fast by a sycamore tree, and there 
 hung an horn, the greatest that ever they saw, of an elephant's 
 bone ; and this Knight of the Red Launds had hanged it up 
 there, that if there came any errant-knight, he must blow that 
 horn, and then will he make him ready and come to him to do 
 battle. But, sir, I pray you, said the damosel Linet, blow ye 
 not the horn till it be high noon, for now it is about prime, 
 and now increaseth his might, that as men say he hath seven 
 men's strength. Ah, fie for shame, fair damosel, say ye never 
 so more to me ; for, an he were as good a knight as ever was, 
 I shall never fail him in his most might, for either I will win 
 worship worshipfully, or die knightly in the field. And 
 therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree, 
 and blew so the horn eagerly that all the siege and the castle 
 rang thereof. And then there leapt out knights out of their 
 tents and pavilions, and they within the castle looked over 
 the walls and out at windows. 
 
 Then the Red Knight of the Red Launds armed him 
 hastily, and two barons set on his spurs upon his heels, and 
 all was blood red, his armour, spear and shield. And an 
 earl buckled his helm upon his head, and then they brought 
 him a red spear and a red steed, and so he rode into a little 
 vale under the castle, that all that were in the castle and at 
 the siege might behold the battle. 
 
 Sir, said the damosel Linet unto Sir Beaumains, look ye 
 be glad and light, for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at 
 
THE KNIGHT OF THE RED LAUNDS loi 
 
 yonder window is my lady sister, Dame Lionesse. Where ? 
 said Beaumains. Yonder, said the damosel, and pointed 
 with her finger. That is truth, said Beaumains. She be- 
 seemeth afar the fairest lady that ever I looked upon ; and 
 truly, he said, I ask no better quarrel than now for to do 
 battle, for truly she shall be my lady, and for her I will fight. 
 And ever he looked up to the window with glad countenance, 
 and the Lady Lionesse made curtsey to him down to the 
 earth, with holding up both their hands. 
 
 With that the Red Knight of the Red Launds called to 
 Sir Beaumains, Leave, sir knight, thy looking, and behold 
 me, I counsel thee ; for I warn thee well she is my lady, 
 and for her I have done many strong battles. If thou have 
 so done, said Beaumains, meseemeth it was but waste labour, 
 for she loveth none of thy fellowship, and thou to love that 
 loveth not thee is but great folly. For an I understood 
 that she were not glad of my coming, I would be advised or 
 I did battle for her. But I understand by the besieging 
 of this castle she may forbear thy fellowship. And therefore 
 wit thou well, thou Red Knight of the Red Launds, I love 
 her, and will rescue her, or else to die. Sayst thou that ? 
 said the Red Knight, meseemeth thou ought of reason to be 
 ware by yonder knights that thou sawest hang upon yonder 
 trees. Fie for shame, said Beaumains, that ever thou shouldest 
 say or do so evil, for in that thou shamest thyself and knight- 
 hood, and thou mayst be sure there will no lady love thee that 
 knoweth thy wicked customs. And now thou weenest that 
 the sight of these hanged knights should fear me. Nay truly, 
 not so ; that shameful sight causeth me to have courage and 
 hardiness against thee, more than I would have had against 
 thee an thou wert a well-ruled knight. Make thee ready. 
 
I02 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 said the Red Knight of the Red Launds, and talk no longer 
 with me. 
 
 Then Sir Beaumains bade the damosel go from him ; and 
 then they put their spears in their rests, and came together 
 with all their might that they had both, and either smote other 
 in midst of their shields that the paitrelles, surcingles, and 
 cruppers brast, and fell to the earth both, and the reins of 
 their bridles in their hands ; and so they lay a great while 
 sore astonied. Then they avoided their horses and put their 
 shields afore them, and drew their swords and ran together like 
 two fierce lions. 
 
 Thus they fought till it was past noon, and never would 
 stint, till at the last they lacked wind both ; and when they 
 had rested them a while they went to battle again, tracing, 
 racing, foining as two boars. And thus they endured till 
 evensong time, that there was none that beheld them might 
 know whether was like to win the battle ; and their armour 
 was so far hewn that men might see their naked sides ; and 
 in other places they were naked, but ever the naked places 
 they did defend. And the Red Knight was a wily knight 
 of war, and his wily fighting taught Sir Beaumains to be 
 wise ; but he abought it full sore ere he did espy his fighting. 
 
 And thus by assent of them both they granted either 
 other to rest ; and so they set them down upon two mole- 
 hills there beside the fighting place, and either of them un- 
 laced his helm, and took the cold wind. And then when 
 Sir Beaumains' helm was off, he looked up to the window, 
 and there he saw the fair lady Dame Lionesse, and she made 
 him such countenance that his heart waxed light and jolly ; 
 and therewith he bade the Red Knight of the Red Launds 
 make him ready, and let us do the battle to the utterance. 
 
BEAUMAINS OVERCOMES THE RED KNIGHT 103 
 
 I will well, said the knight, and then they laced up their 
 helms and fought freshly ; but the Red Knight of the Red 
 Launds awaited him, and at an overthwart smote him within 
 the hand, that his sword fell out of his hand ; and yet he gave 
 him another buffet upon the helm that he fell grovelling to 
 the earth, and the Red Knight fell over him, for to hold him 
 down. 
 
 Then cried the maiden Linet on high : O Sir Beaumains, 
 where is thy courage become ? Alas, my lady my sister 
 beholdeth thee, and she sobbeth and weepeth, that maketh 
 mine heart heavy. When Sir Beaumains heard her say so, 
 he abraid up with a great might and gat him upon his feet, 
 and lightly he leapt to his sword and gripped it in his hand, and 
 doubled his pace unto the Red Knight, and there they fought 
 a new battle together. But Sir Beaumains then doubled his 
 strokes, and smote so thick that he smote the sword out of 
 his hand, and then he smote him upon the helm that he fell to 
 the earth, and Sir Beaumains fell upon him, and unlaced his 
 helm to have slain him ; and then he yielded him and asked 
 mercy, and said with a loud voice : O noble knight, I yield 
 me to thy mercy. 
 
 Then Sir Beaumains bethought him upon the knights 
 that the Red Knight had made to be hanged shamefully, 
 and then he said : I may not with my worship save thy life, 
 for the shameful deaths that thou hast caused many full good 
 knights to die. Sir, said the Red Knight of the Red Launds, 
 hold your hand and ye shall know the causes why I put 
 them to so shameful a death. Say on, said Sir Beaumains. 
 Sir, I loved once a lady, a fair damosel, and she had her brother 
 slain ; and she said it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, or else Sir 
 Gawaine; and she prayed me as that I loved her heartily, 
 
I04 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 that I would make her a promise by the faith of my knight- 
 hood, for to labour daily in arms until I met with one of them ; 
 and all that I might overcome I should put them unto a villain- 
 ous death ; and this is the cause that I have put all these 
 knights to death, and so I ensured her to do all the villainy 
 unto King Arthur's knights, and that I should take vengeance 
 upon all these knights 
 
 Then came there many earls, and barons, and noble 
 knights, and prayed that knight to save his life, and take him 
 to your prisoner. Fair lords, said Beaumains, wit you well I 
 am full loath to slay this knight, nevertheless he hath done 
 passing ill and shamefully ; but insomuch all that he did was 
 at a lady's request I blame him the less ; and so for your sake 
 I will release him that he shall have his life upon this covenant, 
 that he go within the castle, and yield him there to the lady, 
 and if she will forgive and quit him, I will well ; with this he 
 make her amends of all the trespass he hath done against her 
 and her lands. And also, when that is done, that ye go unto 
 the court of King Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir Launcelot 
 mercy, and Sir Gawaine, for the evil will ye have had against 
 them. Sir, said the Red Knight of the Red Launds, all this 
 will I do as ye command, and siker assurance and borrows ye 
 shall have. And so then when the assurance was made, he 
 made his homage and fealty, and all those earls and barons 
 with him. 
 
 And then the maiden Linet came to Sir Beaumains, and 
 unarmed him and searched his wounds, and stinted his 
 blood, and in like wise she did to the Red Knight of the 
 Red Launds. And there they sojourned ten days in their 
 tents ; and the Red Knight made his lords and servants 
 to do all the pleasure that they might unto Sir Beaumains. 
 
How Dame Lionesse came forth arrayed like a princess. 
 
OF THE QUEEN OF ORKNEY 105 
 
 And so within a while the Red Knight of the Red Launds 
 went unto the castle, and put him in her grace. And so she 
 received him upon sufficient surety, so all her hurts were well 
 restored of all that she could complain. And then came forth 
 Dame Lionesse arrayed like a princess, and there she made Sir 
 Gareth passing good cheer, and he her again ; and they had 
 goodly language and lovely countenance together. And then 
 she let fetch to-fore him Linet, the damosel that had ridden 
 with him many wildsome ways. Then was Sir Gareth more 
 gladder than he was to-fore. And then they troth-plight 
 each other to love and never to fail whiles their life lasteth. 
 
 HOW THE QUEEN OF ORKNEY CAME 
 TO KING ARTHUR'S COURT, AND HOW 
 KING ARTHUR SENT FOR DAME LIO- 
 NESSE AND OF THE TOURNEY HELD AT 
 HER CASTLE. So turn we unto King Arthur, 
 that at the next feast of Pentecost held his feast. 
 And there came the Green Knight with thirty knights and 
 yielded them all unto King Arthur. And so there came the 
 Red Knight, his brother, and yielded him to King Arthur and 
 threescore knights with him. Also there came the Blue 
 Knight, brother to them, with an hundred knights. These 
 three brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by 
 a knight that a damosel had with her, and called him Beau- 
 mains. I marvel, said the King, what knight he is and of what 
 lineage he is come. He was with me a twelvemonth and 
 poorly and shamefully he was fostered, and Sir Kay in scorn 
 named him Beaumains. So right as the king stood so talk- 
 ing with these three brethren there came Sir Launcelot du 
 Lake and told the king there was come a goodly lord with 
 
io6 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 five hundred knights with him. Then the king went out of 
 Carlion, for there was the feast, and there came to him this 
 lord, and saluted the king in the most goodly manner. Sir, 
 he said, my name is the Red Knight of the Red Launds, and 
 I am sent to you of a knight that is called Beaumains, for he 
 won me in pleyn battle, and both I and these five hundred 
 knights shall always be at your summons to do you service 
 as may lie in our powers. Well, my fair lords, said King 
 Arthur, wit you well I shall do you honour for the love of Sir 
 Beaumains. So then the king and they went to meat, and 
 were served in the best manner. And as they sat at the meat, 
 there came in the Queen of Orkney, with ladies and knights a 
 great number. And then Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, and 
 Gaheris arose, and went to her and saluted her upon their knees, 
 and asked her blessing ; for in fifteen year they had not seen 
 her. Then she spake on high to her brother King Arthur : 
 Where have ye done my young son Sir Gareth .? He was here 
 amongst you a twelvemonth, and ye made a kitchen knave of 
 him, the which is shame to you all. Alas, where have ye 
 done my dear son that was my joy and bliss ? O dear mother, 
 said Sir Gawaine, I knew him not. Nor I, said the king, that 
 now me repenteth, but thanked be God he is proved a worship- 
 ful knight as any is now living of his years, and I shall never 
 be glad till I may find him. 
 
 Ah, brother, said the Queen unto King Arthur, and unto 
 Sir Gawaine, and to all her sons, ye did yourself great shame 
 when ye amongst you kept my son in the kitchen and fed 
 him like a poor hog. Fair sister, said King Arthur, ye shall 
 right well wit I knew him not, nor no more did Sir Gawaine, 
 nor his brethren ; but sithen it is so, said the king, that he 
 is thus gone from us all, we must shape a remedy to find him. 
 
HOW LIONESSE CRIED A TOURNEY 107 
 
 So then goodly letters were made, and a messenger sent 
 forth, that night and day he went till he came unto the Castle 
 Perilous. And then the lady Dame Lionesse was sent for. 
 And when she understood this message, she bade him ride on 
 his way unto King Arthur, and she would come after in all 
 goodly haste. 
 
 So Dame Lionesse departed and came to King Arthur, 
 where she was nobly received, and there she was sore ques- 
 tioned of the king and of the Queen of Orkney. And she 
 answered, where Sir Gareth was she could not tell. But thus 
 much she said unto Arthur : Sir, I will let cry a tournament 
 that shall be done before my castle at the Assumption of our 
 Lady, and the cry shall be this : that you, my lord Arthur, 
 shall be there, and your knights, and I will purvey that my 
 knights shall be against yours ; and then I am sure ye shall 
 hear of Sir Gareth. This is well advised, said King Arthur ; 
 and so she departed. And the king and she made great 
 provision to that tournament. 
 
 And so the cry was made in England, Wales, and Scot- 
 land, Ireland, Cornwall, and in all the Out Isles, and in 
 Brittany and in many countries ; that at the feast of our Lady 
 the Assumption next coming, men should come to the Castle 
 Perilous beside the Isle of Avilion ; and there all the knights 
 that there came should have the choice whether them list to 
 be on the one party with the knights of the castle, or on the 
 other party with King Arthur. And two months was to the 
 day that the tournament should be. And so there came 
 many good knights that were at their large, and held them 
 for the most part against King Arthur and his knights of the 
 Round Table and came on the side of them of the castle. 
 
 And then Sir Gareth prayed Dame Lionesse and the Red 
 
io8 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 Knight of the Red Launds, and Sir Persant and his brother, 
 and Sir Gringamore, that in no wise there should none of 
 them tell not his name, and make no more of him than of the 
 least knight that there was, For, he said, I will not be known of 
 neither more nor less, neither at the beginning neither at the 
 ending. Then Dame Lionesse said unto Sir Gareth : Sir, 
 I will lend you a ring, but I would pray you as you love me 
 heartily let me have it again when the tournament is done, 
 for that ring increaseth my beauty much more than it is of 
 itself. And the virtue of my ring is that that is green it will 
 turn to red, and that is red it will turn in likeness to green, 
 and that is blue it will turn to likeness of white, and that is 
 white it will turn in likeness to blue, and so it will do of all 
 manner of colours. Also who that beareth my ring shall lose 
 no blood, and for great love I will give you this ring. 
 Gramercy, said Sir Gareth, mine own lady, for this ring is pass- 
 ing meet for me, for it will turn all manner of likeness that 
 I am in, and that shall cause me that I shall not be known. 
 And upon the Assumption Day, when mass and matins 
 were done, there were heralds with trumpets commanded 
 to blow to the field. And so there came out Sir Tristram, 
 Sir Sadok, and Sir Dinas, knights of the castle, and there en- 
 countered Sir Tristram with Sir Bedivere, and there Sir 
 Bedivere was smitten to the earth both horse and man. 
 And Sir Sadok encountered with Sir Petipase, and there Sir 
 Sadok was overthrown. And there Uwaine les Avoutres 
 smote down Sir Dinas, the Seneschal. Then came in Sir 
 Persant of Inde, a knight of the castle, and there encountered 
 with him Sir Launcelot du Lake, and there he smote Sir 
 Persant, horse and man, to the earth. Then came Sir Perto- 
 lepe, the Green Knight, and smote down Sir Lionel, brother 
 
OF THE KNIGHTS IN BATTLE 109 
 
 to Sir Launcelot. All this was marked by noble heralds, who 
 bare him best, and their names. 
 
 And then came into the field Sir Perimones, the Red 
 Knight, Sir Persant's brother, that was a knight of the castle, 
 and he encountered with Sir Ector de Maris, and either smote 
 other so hard that both their horses and they fell to the earth. 
 And then came in the Red Knight of the Red Launds, and Sir 
 Gareth, from the castle, and there encountered with them Sir 
 Bors de Ganis and Sir Bleoberis, and there the Red Knight and 
 Sir Bors either smote other so hard that their spears brast, and 
 their horses fell grovelling to the earth. Then Sir Bleoberis 
 brake his spear upon Sir Gareth, but of that stroke Sir Bleo- 
 beris fell to the earth. When Sir Galihodin saw that he bade 
 Sir Gareth keep him, and Sir Gareth smote him to the earth. 
 Then Sir Galihud gat a spear to avenge his brother, and in the 
 same wise Sir Gareth served him, and Sir Dinadan and his 
 brother. La Cote Male Taile, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and 
 Sir Dodinas le Savage. AH these he bare down with one spear. 
 
 When King Agwisance of Ireland saw Sir Gareth fare so, 
 he marvelled what he might be that one time seemed green, 
 and another time, at his again coming, he seemed blue. And 
 thus at every course that he rode to and fro he changed his 
 colour, so that there might neither king nor knight have ready 
 cognisance of him. Then Sir Agwisance, the King of Ireland, 
 encountered with Sir Gareth, and there Sir Gareth smote him 
 from his horse, saddle and all. And then came King Carados 
 of Scotland, and Sir Gareth smote him down horse and man. 
 And in the same wise he served King Uriens of the land of 
 Gore. And then Sir Galahault, the noble prince, cried on 
 high : Knight with the many colours, well hast thou jousted ; 
 now make thee ready that I may joust with thee. Sir Gareth 
 
no OF SIR GARETH 
 
 heard him, and he gat a great spear, and so thej'- encountered 
 together, and there the prince brake his spear ; but Sir Gareth 
 smote him upon the left side of the helm that he reeled here and 
 there, and he had fallen down had not his men recovered him. 
 
 That same knight with the many colours is a good knight, 
 said King Arthur. Wherefore the king called unto him Sir 
 Launcelot, and prayed him to encounter with that knight. 
 Sir, said Launcelot, I may well find in my heart for to forbear 
 him as at this time, for he hath had travail enough this day ; 
 and when a good knight doth so well upon some day, it is no 
 good knight's part to let him of his worship, and namely, 
 when he seeth a knight hath done so great labour ; for per- 
 adventure, said Sir Launcelot, his quarrel is here this day, and 
 peradventure he is best beloved with this lady of all that be 
 here ; for I see well he paineth him and enforceth him to do 
 great deeds, and therefore, said Sir Launcelot, as for me, 
 this day he shall have the honour ; though it lay in my power 
 to put him from it I would not. 
 
 Then Sir Gareth rode out on the one side to amend his 
 helm ; and then said his dwarf : Give me your ring, that ye 
 lose it not while that ye drink. And so when he had drunk he 
 gat on his helm, and eagerly took his horse and rode into the 
 field, and left his ring with his dwarf; and the dwarf was 
 glad the ring was from him, for then he wist well he should be 
 known. And then when Sir Gareth was in the field all folks 
 saw him well and plainly that he was in yellow colours ; and 
 there he rased off^ helms and pulled down knights, that King 
 Arthur had marvel what knight he was, for the king saw by 
 his hair that it was the same knight. But before he was in 
 so many colours, and now he is but in one colour ; that is 
 yellow. Now go, said King Arthur unto divers heralds, and 
 
HOW THE HERALDS DISCOVER SIR GARETH in 
 
 ride about him, and espy what manner knight he is, for I 
 have spered of many knights this day that be upon his party, 
 and all say they know him not. And so an herald rode nigh 
 Gareth as he could ; and there he saw written about his 
 helm in gold, This helm is Sir Gareth of Orkney. Then 
 the herald cried as he were wood, and many heralds with 
 him : — This is Sir Gareth of Orkney in the yellow arms ; 
 wherby all kings and knights of Arthur's beheld him and 
 awaited ; and then they pressed all to behold him, and ever 
 the heralds cried : This is Sir Gareth of Orkney, King Lot's 
 son. And when Sir Gareth espied that he was discovered, 
 then he doubled his strokes, and smote down Sir Sagramore, 
 and his brother Sir Gawaine. O brother, said Sir Gawaine, I 
 weened ye would not have stricken me. 
 
 So when he heard him say so he thrang here and there, 
 and so with great pain he gat out of the press, and there 
 he met with his dwarf. O boy, said Sir Gareth, thou hast 
 beguiled me foul this day that thou kept my ring ; give it 
 me anon again, that I may hide my body withal ; and so 
 he took it him. And then they all wist not where he was 
 become ; and Sir Gawaine had in manner espied where Sir 
 Gareth rode, and then he rode after with all his might. That 
 espied Sir Gareth, and rode lightly into the forest, that Sir 
 Gawaine wist not where he was become. And then fell there 
 a thunder and a rain, as heaven and earth should go together. 
 And Sir Gareth was not a little weary, for of all that day he 
 had but little rest, neither his horse nor he. So this Sir 
 Gareth rode so long in that forest until the night came. And 
 ever it lightened and thundered, as it had been wood. At 
 the last by fortune he came to a castle, and there he heard 
 the waits upon the walls. 
 
112 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 HOW SIR GARETH CAME TO A CASTLE 
 WHERE HE WAS WELL LODGED, AND 
 HOW HE JOUSTED WITH THE LORD 
 OF THE CASTLE, AND HOW SIR 
 GARETH AND SIR GAWAINE FOUGHT 
 EACH AGAINST OTHER AND KNEW 
 EACH OTHER BY THE DAMOSEL LINET. Then Sir 
 Gareth rode unto the barbican, and prayed the porter fair to 
 let him into the castle. The porter answered ungoodly again, 
 and said. Thou gettest no lodging here. Fair sir, say not so, 
 for I am a knight of King Arthur's, and pray the lord or the 
 lady of this castle to give me harbour for the love of King 
 Arthur. Then the porter went unto the duchess, and told 
 her how there was a knight of King Arthur's would have har- 
 bour. Let him in, said the duchess, for I will see that knight, 
 and for King Arthur's sake he shall not be harbourless. Then 
 she went up into a tower over the gate, with great torch-light. 
 When Sir Gareth saw that torch-light he cried on high : 
 Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, I take no 
 force so that I may have harbour this night ; and if it so be 
 that I must needs fight, spare me not to-morn when I have 
 rested me, for both I and mine horse be weary. Sir knight, 
 said the lady, thou speakest knightly and boldly ; but wit 
 thou well the lord of this castle loveth not King Arthur, nor 
 none of his court, for my lord hath ever been against him ; 
 and therefore thou were better not to come within this castle ; 
 for an thou come in this night, thou must come in under such 
 form, that wheresomever thou meet my lord, by stigh or by 
 street, thou must yield thee to him as prisoner. Madam, 
 said Sir Gareth, what is your lord, and what is his name ? 
 Sir, my lord's name is the Duke de la Rowse. Well madam, 
 
HOW SIR GARETH CAME TO A CASTLE 113 
 
 said Sir Gareth, I shall promise you in what place I meet 
 your lord I shall yield me unto him and to his good grace ; with 
 that I understand he will do me no harm : and if I under- 
 stand that he will, I will release myself, an I can, with my 
 spear and my sword. Ye say well, said the duchess ; and then 
 she let the drawbridge down, and so he rode into the hall, 
 and there he alighted, and his horse was led into a stable ; 
 and in the hall he unarmed him and said. Madam, I will not 
 out of this hall this night ; and when it is daylight, let see 
 who will have ado with me, he shall find me ready. Then 
 was he set unto supper, and had many good dishes. Then 
 Sir Gareth list well to eat, and knightly he ate his meat, and 
 eagerly; there was many a fair lady by him, and some 
 said they never saw a goodlier man nor so well of eating. 
 Then they made him passing good cheer, and shortly when 
 he had supped his bed was made there ; so he rested him 
 all night. 
 
 And on the morn he heard mass, and brake his fast and 
 took his leave at the duchess, and at them all ; and thanked 
 her goodly of her lodging, and of his good cheer. So Sir 
 Gareth departed and rode up into a mountain, and there he 
 found a goodly knight that bade him, Abide sir knight, and 
 joust with me. What are ye ? said Sir Gareth. My name 
 is, said he, the Duke de la Rowse. Ah sir, ye are the same 
 knight that I lodged in your castle ; and there I made promise 
 unto your lady that I should yield me unto you. Make thee 
 ready, said the duke, for I will have ado with you. So they 
 let their horses run, and there Sir Gareth smote the duke down 
 from his horse. But the duke lightly avoided his horse, and 
 dressed his shield and drew his sword, and bade Sir Gareth 
 alight and fight with him. So he did alight, and they did 
 
114 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 great battle together more than an hour, and either hurt other 
 full sore. At the last Sir Gareth gat the duke to the earth, 
 and then he yield him to him. Then must ye go, said Sir 
 Gareth, unto Sir Arthur my lord at the next feast, and say 
 that I, Sir Gareth of Orkney, sent you unto him. It shall 
 be done, said the duke, and I will do to you homage and fealty 
 with an hundred knights with me ; and all the days of my life 
 to do you service where ye will command me. 
 
 So the duke departed, and Sir Gareth stood there alone ; 
 and there he saw an armed knight coming toward him. Then 
 Sir Gareth took the duke's shield, and mounted upon horse- 
 back, and so without biding they ran together as it had been 
 the thunder. And there that knight hurt Sir Gareth under 
 the side with his spear. And then they alighted and drew 
 their swords, and gave great strokes that the blood trailed 
 to the ground. And so they fought two hours. 
 
 At the last there came the damosel Linet, that some men 
 called the damosel Savage, riding upon an ambling mule ; 
 and there she cried all on high. Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, 
 leave thy fighting with thy brother Sir Gareth. And when he 
 heard her say so he threw away his shield and his sword, and 
 ran to Sir Gareth, and took him in his arms, and sithen kneeled 
 down and asked him mercy. What are ye, said Sir Gareth, 
 that right now were so strong and so mighty, and now so 
 suddenly yield you to me ? Gareth, I am your brother Sir 
 Gawaine, that for your sake have had great sorrow and labour. 
 Then Sir Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled down to him, 
 and asked him mercy. Then they rose both, and embraced 
 either other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they 
 might speak, and either of them gave other the prize of the 
 battle. And there were many kind words between them. 
 
GARETH AND GAWAINE ENCOUNTER 115 
 
 Alas, my fair brother, said Sir Gawaine, perdy I owe of right 
 to worship you an ye were not my brother, for ye have wor- 
 shipped King Arthur and all his court, for ye have sent him 
 more worshipful knights this twelvemonth than six the best 
 of the Round Table have done, except Sir Launcelot. 
 
 Then came the damosel Savage that was the Lady Linet, 
 that rode with Sir Gareth so long, and there she did staunch 
 Sir Gareth's wounds and Sir Gawaine's. Now what will ye 
 do ? said the damosel Savage ; meseemeth that it were well 
 done that Arthur had witting of you both, for your horses 
 are so brised that they may not bear. Now, fair damosel, 
 said Sir Gawaine, I pray you ride unto my lord mine uncle, 
 King Arthur, and tell him what adventure is to me betid here, 
 and I suppose he will not tarry long. Then she took her mule, 
 and lightly she came to King Arthur that was but two mile 
 thence. And when she had told him tidings the king bade 
 get him a palfrey. And when he was upon his back he bade 
 the lords and ladies come after, who that would ; and there 
 was saddling and bridling of queens' horses and princes' 
 horses, and well was him that soonest might be ready. 
 
 So when the king came thereas they were, he saw Sir 
 Gawaine and Sir Gareth sit upon a little hill-side, and then 
 the king avoided his horse. Wit ye well the king made 
 great joy, and many a piteous complaint he made to Sir 
 Gareth, and ever he wept as he had been a child. With 
 that came his mother, the Queen of Orkney, Dame Morgawse, 
 and when she saw Sir Gareth readily in the visage she might 
 not weep, but suddenly fell down in a swoon, and lay there a 
 great while like as she had been dead. And then Sir Gareth 
 recomforted his mother in such wise that she recovered and 
 made good cheer. 
 
ii6 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 OF THE WEDDING OF SIR GARETH AND 
 DAME LIONESSE AND OF THE OFFICERS 
 MADE AT THE FEAST. Then said King Arthur 
 unto the damosel Savage : I marvel that your sister. Dame 
 Lionesse, cometh not to visit her knight, my nephew Sir 
 Gareth, that hath had so much travail for her love. My 
 lord, said the damosel Linet, ye must of your good grace hold 
 her excused, for she knoweth not that my lord, Sir Gareth, 
 is here. Go then for her, said King Arthur, that we may be 
 appointed what is best to be done, according to the pleasure 
 of my nephew. Sir, said the damosel, that shall be done, and 
 so she rode unto her sister. And as lightly as she might she 
 made her ready ; and she came on the morn with her brother 
 Sir Gringamore, and with her forty knights. And so when she 
 was come she had all the cheer that might be done, both of 
 the king, and of many other kings and queens. 
 
 And among all these ladies she was named the fairest, 
 and peerless. Then the king asked his nephew. Sir Gareth, 
 whether he would have that lady to his wife. My lord, wit 
 you well that I love her above all ladies living. Now, fair 
 lady, said King Arthur, what say ye .'' Most noble King, said 
 Dame Lionesse, wit you well that my lord. Sir Gareth, is to 
 me more liefer to have and wield as my husband, than any 
 king or prince that is christened ; and if I may not have him 
 I promise you I will never have none. For, my lord Arthur, 
 said Dame Lionesse, wit ye well he is my first love, and he 
 shall be the last ; and if ye will suffer him to have his will and 
 free choice I dare say he will have me. That is truth, said 
 Sir Gareth ; an I have not you and wield not you as my wife, 
 there shall never lady nor gentlewoman rejoice me. What, 
 nephew, said the king, is the wind in that door ? for wit ye 
 
OF THE WEDDING OF SIR GARETH 117 
 
 well I would not for the stint of my crown to be causer to 
 withdraw your hearts ; and wit ye well ye cannot love so 
 well but I shall rather increase it than distress it. And also 
 ye shall have my love and my lordship in the uttermost 
 wise that may lie in my power. And in the same wise said 
 Sir Gareth's mother. 
 
 Then there was made a provision for the day of marriage ; 
 and by the king's advice it was provided that it should be 
 at Michaelmas following, at Kink Kenadon by the seaside, 
 for there is a plentiful country. And so it was cried in all 
 the places through the realm. And then Sir Gareth sent 
 his summons to all these knights and ladies that he had won 
 in battle to-fore, that they should be at his day of marriage 
 at Kink Kenadon by the sands. And then Dame Lionesse, 
 and the damosel Linet with Sir Gringamore, rode to their 
 castle ; and a goodly and a rich ring she gave to Sir Gareth, 
 and he gave her another. And King Arthur gave her a rich 
 pair of beads of gold ; and so she departed ; and King Arthur 
 and his fellowship rode toward' Kink Kenadon, and Sir Gareth 
 brought his lady on the way, and so came to the king again 
 and rode with him. Lord ! the great cheer that Sir Launcelot 
 made of Sir Gareth and he of him, for there was never no 
 knight that Sir Gareth loved so well as he did Sir Launcelot ; 
 and ever for the most part he would be in Sir Launcelot's 
 company ; for after Sir Gareth had espied Sir Gawaine's 
 conditions, he withdrew himself from his brother. Sir 
 Gawaine's, fellowship, for he was vengeable, and where he 
 hated he would be avenged with murder, and that hated Sir 
 Gareth. 
 
 So it drew fast to Michaelmas ; and thither came Dame 
 Lionesse, the lady of the Castle Perilous, and her sister, 
 
ii8 OF SIR GARETH 
 
 Dame Linet, with Sir Gringamore, her brother, with them, 
 for he had the conduct of these ladies. And there they 
 were lodged at the device of King Arthur. And upon 
 Michaelmas Day the Bishop of Canterbury made the wedding 
 betwixt Sir Gareth and the Lady Lionesse with great solem- 
 nity. And King Arthur made Gaheris to wed the Damosel 
 Savage, that was Dame Linet ; and King Arthur made Sir 
 Agravaine to wed Dame Lionesse's niece, a fair lady, her name 
 was Dame Laurel. 
 
 And so when this solemnization was done, then came in 
 the Green Knight, Sir Pertolepe, with thirty knights, and 
 there he did homage and fealty to Sir Gareth, and these knights 
 to hold of him for evermore. Also Sir Pertolepe said : I pray 
 you that at this feast I may be your chamberlain. With a 
 good will, said Sir Gareth, sith it liketh you to take so simple 
 an office. Then came in the Red Knight, with three score 
 knights with him, and did to Sir Gareth homage and fealty, 
 and all those knights to hold of him for evermore. And then 
 this Sir Perimones prayed Sir Gareth to grant him to be his 
 chief butler at that high feast. I will well, said Sir Gareth, 
 that ye have this office, and it were better. Then came in 
 Sir Persant of Inde, with an hundred knights with him, and 
 there he did homage and fealty, and all his knights should do 
 him service, and hold their lands of him for ever ; and there 
 he prayed Sir Gareth to make him his sewer-chief at the feast. 
 I will well, said Sir Gareth, that ye have it, and it were better. 
 Then came the Duke de la Rowse, with an hundred knights 
 with him, and there he did homage and fealty to Sir Gareth, 
 and so to hold their lands of him for ever. And he required 
 Sir Gareth that he might serve him of the wine that day of 
 that feast. I will well, said Sir Gareth, and it were better. 
 
OF THE JOUSTS AT THE FEAST 119 
 
 Then came in the Red Knight of the Red Launds, that was 
 Sir Ironside, and he brought with him five hundred knights, 
 and there he did homage and feahy, and all these knights 
 to hold their lands of him for ever. And then he asked Sir 
 Gareth to be his carver. I will well, said Sir Gareth, an 
 it please you. 
 
 So then the kings and queens, princes and earls, barons 
 and many bold knights, went unto meat ; and well may ye 
 wit there were all manner of meat plenteously, all manner 
 revels and games, with all manner of minstrelsy that was 
 used in those days. Also there was great jousts three days. 
 But the king would not suffer Sir Gareth to joust, because 
 of his new bride ; for, as the French book saith, that Dame 
 Lionesse desired of the king that none that were wedded 
 should joust at that feast. 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM DE LIONES 
 WAS BORN, AND HOW HIS 
 MOTHER DIED AT HIS BIRTH, 
 WHEREFORE SHE NAMED HIM 
 TRISTRAM, AND HOW HIS 
 STEPMOTHER WOULD HAVE 
 POISONED HIM AND HOW HE 
 WAS SENT INTO FRANCE. It was 
 a king that hight Meliodas, and he was 
 lord and king of the country of Liones, 
 and this Meliodas was a likely knight as any was that time 
 living. And by fortune he wedded King Mark's sister of 
 Cornwall, and she was called Elizabeth, that was called both 
 good and fair. 
 
 So the time came when she should bear a child, and she 
 was a full meek lady, and well she loved her lord, and he 
 her again, so there was great joy betwixt them. Then there 
 was a lady in that country that had loved King Meliodas 
 long, and by no mean she never could get his love ; there- 
 fore she let ordain upon a day, as King Meliodas rode 
 a-hunting, for he was a great chaser, and there by an enchant- 
 ment she made him chase an hart by himself alone till that 
 he came to an old castle and there anon he was taken prisoner 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM 121 
 
 by the lady that him loved. When Elizabeth, King Meliodas' 
 wife, missed her lord, she was nigh out of her wit, and she 
 took a gentlewoman with her, and ran into the forest to seek 
 her lord. And when she was far in the forest she might no 
 farther, for she began to travail fast of her child ; and so by 
 miracle of Our Lady of Heaven she was delivered with great 
 pains. But she had taken such cold for the default of help 
 that deep draughts of death took her, that needs she must 
 die and depart out of this world ; there was none other bote. 
 And when this Queen Elizabeth saw that there was none 
 other bote, then she made great dole, and said unto her 
 gentlewoman : When ye see my lord, King Meliodas, recom- 
 mend me unto him, and tell him what pains I endure here 
 for his love, and how I must die here for his sake for default 
 of good help ; and let him wit that I am full sorry to depart 
 out of this world from him, therefore pray him to be friend 
 to my soul. Now let me see my little child, for whom I 
 have had all this sorrow. And when she saw him she said 
 thus : Ah, my little son, thou hast murdered thy mother, and 
 therefore I suppose, thou that art a murderer so young, thou 
 art full likely to be a manly man in thine age. And because 
 I shall die of the birth of thee, I charge thee, gentlewoman, 
 that thou pray my lord, King Meliodas, that when he is 
 christened let call him Tristram, that is as much to say as a 
 sorrowful birth. And therewith this queen gave up the ghost 
 and died. Then the gentlewoman laid her under an umbre 
 of a great tree, and then she lapped the child as well as she 
 might for cold. Right so there came the barons, following 
 after the queen, and when they saw that she was dead, then 
 they let carry home the dead queen, and much dole was made 
 for her. 
 
122 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Then this meanwhile MerHn delivered King Meliodas 
 out of prison on the morn after his queen was dead. But 
 the sorrow that the king made for his queen that might no 
 tongue tell. So then the king let inter her richly, and after 
 he let christen his child as his wife had commanded afore 
 her death. And then he let call him Tristram, the sorrowful 
 born child. Then the King Meliodas endured seven years 
 without a wife, and all this time Tristram was nourished well. 
 Then it befell that King Meliodas wedded King Howell's 
 daughter of Brittany, and anon she had children of King 
 Meliodas : then was she heavy and wroth that her children 
 should not rejoice the country of Liones, wherefore this 
 queen ordained for to poison young Tristram. So she let 
 poison be put in a piece of silver in the chamber whereas 
 Tristram and her children were together, unto that intent 
 that when Tristram was thirsty he should drink that drink. 
 And so it fell upon a day, the queen's son, as he was in that 
 chamber, espied the piece with poison, and he weened it had 
 been good drink, and because the child was thirsty he took the 
 piece with poison and drank freely ; and therewithal suddenly 
 the child brast and was dead. 
 
 When the queen of Meliodas wist of the death of her son, 
 wit ye well that she was heavy. But yet the king understood 
 nothing of her treason. Notwithstanding the queen would 
 not leave this, but eft she let ordain more poison, and put it 
 in a piece. And by fortune King Meliodas, her husband, 
 found the piece with wine where was the poison, and he that 
 was much thirsty took the piece for to drink thereout. And 
 as he would have drunken thereof the queen espied him, and 
 then she ran unto him, and pulled the piece from him suddenly. 
 The king marvelled why she did so, and remembered him how 
 
OF THE STEPMOTHER OF TRISTRAM 123 
 
 her son was suddenly slain with poison. And then he took 
 her by the hand, and said : Thou false traitress, thou shalt tell 
 me what manner of drink this is, or else I shall slay thee. 
 And therewith he pulled out his sword, and sware a great 
 oath that he should slay her but if she told him truth. Ah ! 
 mercy, my lord, said she, and I shall tell you all. And then 
 she told him why she would have slain Tristram, because her 
 children should rejoice his land. Well, said King Meliodas, 
 and therefore shall ye have the law. And so she was con- 
 demned by the assent of the barons to be burnt ; and then was 
 there made a great fire, and right as she was at the fire to take 
 her execution, young Tristram kneeled afore King Meliodas, 
 and besought him to give him a boon. I will well, said the 
 king again. Then said young Tristram, Give me the life of 
 thy queen, my stepmother. That is unrightfully asked, said 
 King Meliodas, for thou ought of right to hate her, for she 
 would have slain thee with that poison an she might have had 
 her will ; and for thy sake most is my cause that she should die. 
 
 Sir, said Tristram, as for that, I beseech you of your 
 mercy that you will forgive it her, and as for my part, God 
 forgive it her, and I do ; and so much it liked your highness 
 to grant me my boon, for God's love I require you hold your 
 promise. Sithen it is so, said the king, I will that ye have 
 her life. Then, said the king, I give her to you, and go ye 
 to the fire and take her, and do with her what ye will. So 
 Sir Tristram went to the fire, and by the commandment of 
 the king delivered her from the death. But after that King 
 Meliodas would not suff^er young Tristram to abide no longer 
 in his court. 
 
 And then he let ordain a gentleman that was well learned 
 and taught, his name was Gouvernail ; and then he sent 
 
124 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 young Tristram with Gouvernail into France to learn the 
 language, and nurture, and deeds of arms. And there was 
 Tristram more than seven years. And then when he well 
 could speak the language, and had learned all that he might 
 learn in that country, then he came home to his father. King 
 Meliodas, again. And so Tristram learned to be an harper 
 passing all other, that there was none such called in no country, 
 and so on harping and in instruments of music he applied 
 him in his youth for to learn. 
 
 And after, as he grew in might and strength, he laboured 
 ever in hunting and in hawking, so that never gentleman 
 more, that ever we heard read of. And as the book saith, 
 he began good measures of blowing of beasts of venery, and 
 beasts of chase, and all manner of vermin, and all these 
 terms we have yet of hawking and hunting. And therefore 
 the book of venery, of hawking, and hunting, is called the 
 book of Sir Tristram. Wherefore, as meseemeth, all gentle- 
 men that bear old arms ought of right to honour Sir Tristram 
 for the goodly terms that gentlemen have and use, and 
 shall to the day of doom, that thereby in a manner all men 
 of worship may dissever a gentleman from a yeoman, and 
 from a yeoman a villain. Por he that gentle is will draw 
 him unto gentle tatches, and to follow the customs of noble 
 gentlemen. 
 
 Thus Sir Tristram endured in Cornwall until he was 
 big and strong, of the age of eighteen years. And then 
 the King Meliodas had great joy of Sir Tristram, and so 
 had the queen, his wife. For ever after in her life, because 
 Sir Tristram saved her from the fire, she did never hate him 
 more after, but loved him ever after, and gave Tristram many 
 great gifts ; for every estate loved him, where that he went. 
 
HOW SIR MARHAUS ASKED TRUAGE 125 
 
 HOW SIR MARHAUS CAME OUT OF IRELAND 
 FOR TO ASK TRUAGE OF CORNWALL, 
 AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM ENTERPRIZED 
 TO FIGHT WITH HIM. Then it befell that King An- 
 guish of Ireland sent unto King Mark of Cornwall for his tru- 
 age, that Cornwall had paid many winters. And all that time 
 King Mark was behind of the truage for seven years. And 
 King Mark and his barons gave unto the messenger of Ireland 
 these words and answer, that they would none pay ; and bade 
 the messenger go unto his King Anguish, and tell him we will 
 pay him no truage, but tell your lord, an he will always have 
 truage of us of Cornwall, bid him send a trusty knight of his 
 land, that will fight for his right, and we shall find another 
 for to defend our right. With this answer the messengers 
 departed into Ireland. And when King Anguish under- 
 stood the answer of the messengers he was wonderly wroth. 
 And then he called unto him Sir Marhaus, the good knight, 
 that was nobly proved, and a Knight of the Table Round. 
 And this Marhaus was brother unto the queen of Ireland. 
 Then the king said thus : Fair brother. Sir Marhaus, I pray 
 you go into Cornwall for my sake, and do battle for our truage 
 that of right we ought to have ; and whatsomever ye spend 
 ye shall have sufficiently, more than ye shall need. Sir, said 
 Marhaus, wit ye well that I shall not be loath to do battle in 
 the right of you and your land with the best knight of the 
 Table Round ; for I know them, for the most part, what be 
 their deeds ; and for to advance my deeds and to increase 
 my worship I will right gladly go unto this journey for our 
 right. 
 
 So in all haste there was made purveyance for Sir Mar- 
 haus, and he had all things that to him needed ; and so he 
 
126 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 departed out of Ireland, and arrived up in Cornwall even 
 fast by the Castle of Tintagil. And when King Mark under- 
 stood that he was there arrived to fight for Ireland, then made 
 King Mark great sorrow when he understood that the good 
 and noble knight Sir Marhaus was come. For they knew no 
 knight that durst have ado with him. For at that time Sir 
 Marhaus was called one of the famousest and renowned knights 
 of the world. And thus Sir Marhaus abode in the sea, and 
 every day he sent unto King Mark for to pay the truage 
 that was behind of seven year, other else to find a knight 
 to fight with him for the truage. This manner of message 
 Sir Marhaus sent daily unto King Mark. 
 
 When young Tristram heard of this he was wroth, and 
 sore ashamed that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado 
 with Sir Marhaus of Ireland. As for that, said King Meliodas, 
 wit you well, son Tristram, that Sir Marhaus is called one of 
 the best knights of the world, and Knight of the Table Round ; 
 and therefore I know no knight in this country that is able to 
 match with him. Alas, said Sir Tristram, that I am not made 
 knight ; and if Sir Marhaus should thus depart into Ireland, 
 God let me never have worship : an I were made knight I 
 should match him. And sir, said Tristram, I pray you give 
 me leave to ride to King Mark ; and, so ye be not displeased, 
 of King Mark will I be made knight. I will well, said King 
 Meliodas, that ye be ruled as your courage will rule you. 
 Then Sir Tristram thanked his father much. And then he 
 made him ready to ride into Cornwall. 
 
 In the meanwhile there came a messenger with letters 
 of love from King Faramon of France's daughter unto Sir 
 Tristram, that were full piteous letters, and in them were 
 written many complaints of love ; but Sir Tristram had no 
 
HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS MADE KNIGHT 127 
 
 joy of her letters nor regard unto her. Also she sent him 
 a little brachet that was passing fair. But when the king's 
 daughter understood that Sir Tristram would not love her, 
 as the book saith she died for sorrow. And then the same 
 squire that brought the letter and the brachet came again 
 unto Sir Tristram, as after ye shall hear in the tale. 
 
 So this young Sir Tristram rode unto his eme. King 
 Mark of Cornwall, and said : Sir, if ye will give me the order 
 of knighthood, I will do battle with Sir Marhaus. What are 
 ye, said the king, and from whence be ye come ? Sir, said 
 Tristram, I come from King Meliodas that wedded your sister, 
 and a gentleman wit ye well I am. King Mark beheld Sir 
 Tristram and saw that he was but a young man of age, but 
 he was passingly well made and big. Fair sir, said the king, 
 what is your name, and where were ye born ? Sir, said he 
 again, my name is Tristram, and in the country of Liones was 
 I born. Ye say well, said the king ; and if ye will do this 
 battle I shall make you knight. Therefore I come to you, said 
 Sir Tristram, and for none other cause. But then King Mark 
 made him knight. And therewithal, anon as he had made him 
 knight, he sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters 
 that said that he had found a young knight ready for to take 
 the battle to the uttermost. It may well be, said Sir Marhaus ; 
 but tell King Mark I will not fight with no knight but he be of 
 blood royal, that is to say, other king's son, other queen's son, 
 born of a prince or princess. 
 
 When King Mark understood that, he sent for Sir Tristram 
 de Liones and told him what was the answer of Sir Marhaus. 
 Then said Sir Tristram : Sithen that he saith so, let him wit 
 that I am come of father side and mother side of as noble blood 
 as he is : for, sir, now shall ye know that I am King Meliodas' 
 
128 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 son, born of your own sister, Dame Elizabeth, that died in 
 the forest in the birth of me. Fair nephew, said King Mark, 
 ye are welcome to me. Then in all the haste the king let horse 
 Sir Tristram, and armed him in the best manner that might 
 be had or gotten for gold or silver. And then King Mark 
 sent unto Sir Marhaus, and did him to wit that a better born 
 man than he was himself should fight with him, and his name 
 is Sir Tristram de Liones, gotten of King Meliodas, and 
 born of King Mark's sister. Then was Sir Marhaus glad 
 and blithe that he should fight with such a gentleman. And 
 so by the assent of King Mark and of Sir Marhaus they let 
 ordain that they should fight within an island nigh Sir Mar- 
 haus' ships ; and so was Sir Tristram put into a vessel, both 
 his horse and he, and all that to him longed both for his body 
 and for his horse. And when King Mark and his barons of 
 Cornwall beheld how young Sir Tristram departed with such 
 a carriage to fight for the right of Cornwall, there was neither 
 man nor woman of worship but they wept to see and under- 
 stand so young a knight to jeopardy himself for their right. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM FOUGHT 
 AGAINST SIR MARHAUS AND 
 ACHIEVED HIS BATTLE, AND 
 HOW SIR MARHAUS FLED TO HIS 
 SHIP. So when Sir Tristram was arrived 
 within the island he looked to the farther 
 side, and there he saw at an anchor six ships nigh to the land ; 
 and under the shadow of the ships upon the land, there hoved 
 the noble knight. Sir Marhaus of Ireland. Then Sir Tristram 
 commanded his servant Gouvernail to bring his horse to the 
 land, and dress his harness at all manner of rights. And then 
 
HOW HE MEETS WITH SIR MARHAUS 129 
 
 when he had so done he mounted upon his horse ; and when 
 he was in his saddle well apparelled, and his shield dressed 
 upon his shoulder, Tristram asked Gouvernail, Where is this 
 knight that I shall have ado withal ? Sir, said Gouvernail, 
 see ye him not ? I weened ye had seen him ; yonder he 
 hoveth under the shadow of his ships on horseback, with his 
 spear in his hand and his shield upon his shoulder. That is 
 truth, said the noble knight. Sir Tristram, now I see him well 
 enough. 
 
 Then he commanded his servant Gouvernail to go to 
 his vessel again : And commend me unto mine eme King 
 Mark, and pray him, if that I be slain in this battle, for 
 to inter my body as him seemeth best ; and as for me, let 
 him wit that I will never yield me for cowardice ; and if I 
 be slain and flee not, then they have lost no truage for me ; 
 and if so be that I flee or yield me as recreant, bid mine 
 eme never bury me in Christian burials. And upon thy life, 
 said Sir Tristram to Gouvernail, come thou not nigh this 
 island till that thou see me overcome or slain, or else that 
 I win yonder knight. So either departed from other sore 
 weeping. 
 
 And then Sir Marhaus avised Sir Tristram, and said thus : 
 Young knight. Sir Tristram, what dost thou here ? me sore 
 repenteth of thy courage, for wit thou well I have matched 
 with the best knights of the world, and therefore by my counsel 
 return again unto thy vessel. And fair knight, and well-proved 
 knight, said Sir Tristram, thou shalt well wit I may not for- 
 sake thee in this quarrel, for I am for thy sake made knight. 
 And now wit thou well. Sir Marhaus, that I cast me to get 
 worship on thy body ; and if that I be not proved, I trust to 
 God that I shall be worshipfully proved upon thy body, and 
 
I30 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 to deliver the country of Cornwall for ever from all manner 
 of truage from Ireland for ever. 
 
 When Sir Marhaus had heard him say what he would, 
 he said then thus again : Fair knight, sithen it is so that 
 thou castest to win worship of me, I let thee wit worship 
 may thou none lose by me if thou mayest stand me three 
 strokes ; for I let thee wit for my noble deeds, proved and 
 seen, King Arthur made me Knight of the Table Round. 
 
 Then they began to feutre their spears, and they met so 
 fiercely together that they smote either other down, both 
 horse and all. But Sir Marhaus smote Sir Tristram a great 
 wound in the side with his spear, and then they avoided their 
 horses, and pulled out their swords, and threw their shields 
 afore them. And then they lashed together as men that were 
 wild and courageous. Thus they fought still more than half 
 a day, and either were wounded passing sore. By then Sir 
 Tristram waxed more fresher than Sir Marhaus, and better 
 winded and bigger ; and with a mighty stroke he smote Sir 
 Marhaus upon the helm such a buffet that it went through 
 his helm, and through the coif of steel, and through the brain- 
 pan, and the sword stuck so fast in the helm and in his brain- 
 pan that Sir Tristram pulled thrice at his sword or ever he 
 might pull it out from his head ; and there Marhaus fell down 
 on his knees, the edge of Tristram's sword left in his brain-pan. 
 And suddenly Sir Marhaus rose grovelling, and threw his sword 
 and his shield from him, and so ran to his ships and fled his 
 way, and Sir Tristram had ever his shield and his sword. 
 
 And when Sir Tristram saw Sir Marhaus withdraw him, 
 he said : Ah ! Sir Knight of the Round Table, why with- 
 drawest thou thee ? thou dost thyself and thy kin great 
 shame, for I am but a young knight, or now I was never 
 
HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS HURT 131 
 
 proved, and rather than I should withdraw me from thee, 
 I had rather be hewn in an hundred pieces. Sir Marhaus 
 answered no word, but went his way sore groaning, and 
 anon he and his fellowship departed into Ireland. And 
 as soon as he came to the king, his brother, he let search 
 his wounds. And when his head was searched a piece of 
 Sir Tristram's sword was found therein, and might never 
 be had out of his head for no surgeons, and so he died of 
 Sir Tristram's sword ; and that piece of the sword the queen, 
 his sister, kept it for ever with her, for she thought to be 
 revenged an she might. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM WENT TO IRELAND 
 TO BE HEALED OF THE POISON OF HIS 
 WOUND AND THERE WAS PUT TO THE 
 KEEPING OF LA BEALE ISOUD, AND HOW HE 
 WON THE DEGREE AT A TOURNAMENT AND 
 MADE SIR PALAMIDES BEAR NO HARNESS OF 
 WAR FOR A YEAR. Now turn we again unto Sir Tris- 
 tram, that was sore wounded. Then anon came Gouvernail, 
 his man, with his vessel. And when Sir Tristram was come 
 unto the land. King Mark took him in his arms, and the king 
 and Sir Dinas, the seneschal, led him into the castle of Tin- 
 tagil. And then was he searched in the best manner, and 
 laid in his bed. And when King Mark saw his wounds he 
 wept heartily, and so did all his lords. So God me help, said 
 King Mark, I would not for all my lands that my nephew 
 died. So Sir Tristram lay there a month and more, and ever 
 he was like to die of that stroke that Sir Marhaus smote him 
 first with the spear. For, as the French book saith, the spear's 
 head was envenomed, that Sir Tristram might not be whole. 
 
132 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Then came there a lady that was a right wise lady, and she 
 said plainly that Sir Tristram should never be whole but if 
 he went in the same country that the venom came from, and 
 in that country should he be holpen or else never. 
 
 When King Mark understood that, he let purvey for Sir 
 Tristram a fair vessel, well victualled, and therein was put 
 Sir Tristram, and Gouvernail with him, and Sir Tristram 
 took his harp with him, and so he was put into the sea to 
 sail into Ireland ; and so by good fortune he arrived up 
 in Ireland, even fast by a castle where the king and the queen 
 was ; and at his arrival he sat and harped in his bed a merry 
 lay, such one heard they never none in Ireland before that 
 time. 
 
 And when it was told the king and the queen of such a 
 knight that was such an harper, anon the king sent for him, 
 and let search his wounds, and then asked him his name. 
 Then he answered, I am of the country of Liones, and 
 my name is Tramtrist, that thus was wounded in a battle 
 as I fought for a lady's right. So God me help, said King 
 Anguish, ye shall have all the help in this land that ye may 
 have here ; but I let you wit, in Cornwall I had a great loss 
 as ever had king, for there I lost the best knight of the world ; 
 his name was Marhaus, a full noble knight, and Knight of the 
 Table Round ; and there he told Sir Tristram wherefore Sir 
 Marhaus was slain. Sir Tristram made semblant as he had 
 been sorry, and better knew he how it was than the king. 
 
 Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be 
 put in his daughter's ward and keeping, because she was a 
 noble surgeon. And when she had searched him she found 
 in the bottom of his wound that therein was poison, and so 
 she healed him within a while ; and therefore Tramtrist 
 
OF TRISTRAM AND LA BEALE ISOUD 133 
 
 cast great love to La Beale Isoud, for she was at that time 
 the fairest maid and lady of the world. And there Tramtrist 
 learned her to harp, and she began to have a great fantasy 
 unto him. And at that time Sir Palamides, the Saracen, 
 was in that country, and well cherished with the king and 
 the queen. And every day Sir Palamides drew unto La 
 Beale Isoud and proffered her many gifts, for he loved her 
 passingly well. All that espied Tramtrist, and full well knew 
 he Sir Palamides for a noble knight and a mighty man. And 
 wit you well Sir Tramtrist had great despite at Sir Palamides, 
 for La Beale Isoud told Tramtrist that Palamides was in will 
 to be christened for her sake. Thus was there great envy 
 betwixt Tramtrist and Sir Palamides. 
 
 Then it befell that King Anguish let cry a great jousts 
 and a great tournament for a lady that was called the Lady 
 of the Launds, and she was nigh cousin unto the king. And 
 what man won her, three days after he should wed her and 
 have all her lands. This cry was made in England, Wales, 
 Scotland, and also in France and in Brittany. It befell upon 
 a day La Beale Isoud came unto Sir Tramtrist, and told 
 him of this tournament. He answered and said : Fair lady, 
 I am but a feeble knight, and but late I had been dead had 
 not your good ladyship been. Now, fair lady, what would 
 ye I should do in this matter ? well ye wot, my lady, that I 
 may not joust. Ah, Tramtrist, said La Beale Isoud, why will 
 ye not have ado at that tournament ? well I wot Sir Palamides 
 shall be there, and to do what he may ; and therefore Tram- 
 trist, I pray you for to be there, for else Sir Palamides is like 
 to win the degree. Madam, said Tramtrist, as for that, it 
 may be so, for he is a proved knight, and I am but a young 
 knight and late made ; and the first battle that I did it mis- 
 
134 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 happed me to be sore wounded as ye see. But an I wist ye 
 would be my better lady, at that tournament I will be, so 
 that ye will keep my counsel and let no creature have knowl- 
 edge that I shall joust but yourself, and such as ye will to 
 keep your counsel. My poor person shall I jeopard there 
 for your sake, that, peradventure. Sir Palamides shall know 
 when that I come. Thereto, said La Beale Isoud, do your 
 best, and as I can, said La Beale Isoud, I shall purvey horse 
 and armour for you at my device. As ye will so be it, said 
 Sir Tramtrist, I will be at your commandment. 
 
 So at the day of jousts there came Sir Palamides with a 
 black shield, and he overthrew many knights, that all the 
 people had marvel of him. For he put to the worse Sir 
 Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus, Kay, Dodinas 
 le Savage, Sagramore le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and 
 Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Pala- 
 mides struck down to the earth. And then all manner of 
 knights were adread of Sir Palamides, and many called him 
 the Knight with the Black Shield. So that day Sir Palamides 
 had great worship. 
 
 Then came there the same squire that was sent from the 
 king's daughter to France unto Sir Tristram. And when he 
 had espied Sir Tristram he fell flat to his feet. AH that espied 
 La Beale Isoud, what courtesy the squire made unto Sir 
 Tristram. And therewithal suddenly Sir Tristram ran unto 
 his squire, whose name was Hebes le Renoumes, and prayed 
 him heartily in no wise to tell his name. Sir, said Hebes, I 
 will not discover your name but if ye command me. 
 
 And on the morn Sir Palamides made him ready to come 
 into the field as he did the first day. And there he smote 
 down the King with the Hundred Knights, and the King 
 
SIR TRISTRAM AND PALAMIDES 13S 
 
 of Scots. Then had La Beale Isoud ordained and well 
 arrayed Sir Tristram in white horse and harness. And right 
 so she let put him out at a privy postern, and so he came into 
 the field as it had been a bright angel. And anon Sir Pala- 
 mides espied him, and therewith he feutred a spear unto 
 Sir Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there Sir Tris- 
 tram smote down Sir Palamides unto the earth. And then 
 there was a great noise of people : and wit you well La Beale 
 Isoud was passing glad. 
 
 And when Sir Palamides had received this fall, he was 
 sore ashamed, and as privily as he might he withdrew him 
 out of the field. All that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly 
 he rode after Sir Palamides and overtook him, and bade him 
 turn, for better he would assay him or ever he departed. 
 Then Sir Palamides turned him, and either lashed at other 
 with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir Tristram smote 
 down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head 
 that he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him, 
 and do his commandment, or else he would slay him. When 
 Sir Palamides beheld his countenance, he dread his buffets 
 so, that he granted all his askings. Well said, said Sir Tris- 
 tram, this shall be your charge. First, upon pain of your 
 life that ye forsake my lady La Beale Isoud, and in no 
 manner wise that ye draw not to her. Also this twelve- 
 month and a day that ye bear none armour nor none harness 
 of war. Now promise me this, or here shalt thou die. Alas, 
 said Palamides, for ever am I ashamed. Then he sware as 
 Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for despite and anger 
 Sir Palamides cut off his harness, and threw them away. 
 
 And so Sir Tristram turned again to the castle and rode 
 privily unto the postern, where kept him La Beale Isoud, 
 
136 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 and there she made him good cheer, and thanked God of 
 his good speed. So anon, within a while, the king and the 
 queen understood that it was Tramtrist that smote down Sir 
 Palamides ; then was he much made of, more than he was 
 before. 
 
 HOW THE QUEEN ESPIED THAT SIR 
 TRISTRAM HAD SLAIN HER BROTHER 
 SIR MARHAUS BY HIS SWORD, AND 
 IN WHAT JEOPARDY HE WAS, AND 
 HOW THE KING SUFFERED HIM TO 
 RETURN TO CORNWALL. Thus was Sir 
 Tramtrist long there well cherished with the king and the 
 queen, and namely with La Beale Isoud. So upon a day the 
 queen and La Beale Isoud made a bath for Sir Tramtrist. 
 And when he was in his bath the queen and Isoud, her daugh- 
 ter, roamed up and down in the chamber ; and therewhiles 
 Gouvernail and Hebes attended upon Tramtrist, and the 
 queen beheld his sword thereas it lay upon his bed. And 
 then by unhap the queen drew out his sword and beheld it 
 a long while, and both they thought it a passing fair sword ; 
 but within a foot and an half of the point there was a great 
 piece thereof out-broken of the edge. And when the queen 
 espied that gap in the sword, she remembered her of a piece 
 of a sword that was found in the brain-pan of Sir Marhaus, 
 the good knight that was her brother. Alas then, said she 
 unto her daughter, La Beale Isoud, this is the same traitor 
 knight that slew my brother, thine erne. When Isoud heard 
 her say so she was passing sore abashed, for passing well she 
 loved Tramtrist, and full well she knew the cruelness of her 
 mother the queen. 
 
SIR TRISTRAM IN JEOPARDY 137 
 
 Anon therewithal the queen went unto her own chamber, 
 and sought her coffer, and there she took out the piece of 
 the sword that was pulled out of Sir Marhaus' head after 
 that he was dead. And then she ran with that piece of 
 iron to the sword that lay upon the bed. And when she 
 put that piece of steel and iron unto the sword, it was as meet 
 as it might be when it was new broken. And then the queen 
 gripped that sword in her hand fiercely, and with all her 
 might she ran straight upon Tramtrist where he sat in his 
 bath, and there she had rived him through had not Sir Hebes 
 gotten her in his arms, and pulled the sword from her, and 
 else she had thrust him through. 
 
 Then when she was let of her evil will she ran to the King 
 Anguish, her husband, and said on her knees : O my lord, 
 here have ye in your house that traitor knight that slew my 
 brother and your servant, that noble knight. Sir Marhaus. 
 Who is that, said King Anguish, and where is he ? Sir, she 
 said, it is Sir Tramtrist, the same knight that my daughter 
 healed. Alas, said the king, therefore am I right heavy, for 
 he is a full noble knight as ever I saw in field. B.ut I charge 
 you, said the king to the queen, that ye have not ado with 
 that knight, but let me deal with him. 
 
 Then the king went into the chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, 
 and then was he gone unto his chamber, and the king found 
 him all ready armed to mount upon his horse. When the 
 king saw him all ready armed to go unto horseback, the king 
 said : Nay, Tramtrist, it will not avail to compare thee against 
 me ; but thus much I shall do for my worship and for thy 
 love ; in so much as thou art within my court it were no 
 worship for me to slay thee : therefore upon this condition 
 I will give thee leave for to depart from this court in safety. 
 
138 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 so thou wilt tell me who was thy father, and what is thy 
 name, and if thou slew Sir Marhaus, my brother. 
 
 Sir, said Tristram, now I shall tell you all the truth : my 
 father's name is Sir Meliodas, King of Liones, and my mother 
 hight Elizabeth, that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall ; 
 and my mother died of me in the forest, and because thereof 
 she commanded, or she died, that when I were christened 
 they should christen me Tristram ; and because I would not 
 be known in this country I turned my name and let me call 
 Tramtrist ; and for the truage of Cornwall I fought for my eme's 
 sake, and for the right of Cornwall that ye had posseded many 
 years. And wit ye well, said Tristram unto the king, I did the 
 battle for the love of mine uncle. King Mark, and for the love 
 of the country of Cornwall, and for to increase mine honour ; 
 for that same day that I fought with Sir Marhaus I was made 
 knight, and never or then did I battle with no knight, and from 
 me he went alive, and left his shield and his sword behind. 
 
 Truly, said the king, I may not say but ye did as a knight 
 should, and it was your part to do for your quarrel, and to 
 increase your worship as a knight should ; howbeit I may not 
 maintain you in this country with my worship, unless that I 
 should displease my barons, and my wife and her kin. Sir, 
 said Tristram, I thank you of your good lordship that I have 
 had with you here, and the great goodness my lady, your 
 daughter, hath shewed me, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, it 
 may so happen that ye shall win more by my life than by my 
 death, for in the parts of England it may happen I may do 
 you service at some season, that ye shall be glad that ever ye 
 shewed me your good lordship. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram went unto La Beale Isoud and took 
 his leave of her. And then he told her all, what he was. 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND KING MARK 139 
 
 and how he had changed his name because he would not be 
 known, and how a lady told him that he should never be whole 
 till he came into this country where the poison was made, 
 wherethrough I was near my death had not your ladyship 
 been. O gentle knight, said La Beale Isoud, full woe am I 
 of thy departing, for I saw never man that I owed so good will 
 to. And therewithal she wept heartily. Madam, said Sir 
 Tristram, ye shall understand that my name is Sir Tristram 
 de Liones, son of King Meliodas and of his queen. And I 
 promise you faithfully that I shall be all the days of my life 
 your knight. Gramercy, said La Beale Isoud, and I promise 
 you there-against that I shall not be married this seven 
 years but by your assent ; and to whom that ye will I shall be 
 married him will I have, and he will have me if ye will consent. 
 
 And then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave 
 him another ; and therewith he departed from her, leaving 
 her making great dole and lamentation. 
 
 So Sir Tristram departed, and took the sea, and with 
 good wind he arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall ; and when 
 there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived, and whole 
 of his wounds, thereof was King Mark passing glad, and so 
 were all the barons ; and when Sir Tristram saw his time he 
 rode unto his father. King Meliodas, and there he had all 
 the cheer that the king and the queen could make him. And 
 then largely King Meliodas and his queen departed of their 
 lands and goods to Sir Tristram. 
 
 HOW KING MARK SENT SIR TRISTRAM 
 FOR LA BEALE ISOUD TOWARD IRELAND, 
 AND HOW BY FORTUNE HE ARRIVED 
 INTO ENGLAND AND FOUGHT FOR KING AN- 
 
I40 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 GUISH AGAINST SIR BLAMORE. Then King Mark 
 imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram into Ireland for La 
 Beale Isoud. For Sir Tristram had so praised her beauty and 
 her goodness that King Mark said that he would wed her, 
 whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland 
 for him on message. So Sir Tristram departed and took the 
 sea with all his fellowship. And anon, as he was in the broad 
 sea a tempest took him and his fellowship, and drove them 
 back into the coast of England ; and there they arrived fast 
 by Camelot, and when they were landed Sir Tristram set 
 up his pavilion. 
 
 Then it fell that Sir Bleoberis and Sir Blamore de Ganis, 
 that were brethren, they had summoned the King Anguish 
 of Ireland for to come to Arthur's court upon pain of for- 
 feiture of King Arthur's good grace. And if the King of 
 Ireland came not in, at the day assigned and set, the king 
 should lose his lands. So it happened that at the day assigned, 
 King Arthur neither Sir Launcelot might not be there for to 
 give the judgment, for King Arthur was with Sir Launcelot 
 at the Castle Joyous Garde. And so King Arthur assigned 
 King Carados and the King of Scots to be there that day as 
 judges. So when the kings were at Camelot King Anguish 
 of Ireland was come to know his accusers. Then was there 
 Sir Blamore de Ganis, and appealed the King of Ireland of 
 treason, that he had slain a cousin of his in his court in Ireland 
 b}'^ treason. The king was sore abashed of his accusation, for- 
 why he was come at the summons of King Arthur, and ere 
 that he came at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was sent 
 after. And when the king heard Sir Blamore say his will, 
 he understood well there was none other remedy but to 
 answer him knightly ; for the custom was such in those days, 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND KING ANGUISH 141 
 
 that an any man were appealed of any treason or murder he 
 should fight body for body, or else to find another knight for 
 him. And all manner of murders in those days were called 
 treason. 
 
 So when King Anguish understood his accusing he was 
 passing heavy, for he knew Sir Blamore de Ganis that he was 
 a noble knight, and of noble knights come. Then the King 
 of Ireland was simply purveyed of his answer ; therefore the 
 judges gave him respite by the third day to give his answer. 
 So the king departed unto his lodging. 
 
 Then when Sir Tristram was in his pavilion Gouvernail, 
 his man, came and told him how that King Anguish of Ire- 
 land was come thither, and was summoned and appealed of 
 murder. These be the best tidings, said Sir Tristram, that 
 ever came to me this seven years, for now shall the King of 
 Ireland have need of my help ; for I daresay there is no 
 knight in this country that is not of Arthur's court dare do 
 battle with Sir Blamore de Ganis ; and for to win the love of 
 the King of Ireland I will take the battle upon me ; and there- 
 fore Gouvernail bring me, I charge thee, to the king. 
 
 Then Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, 
 and saluted him fair. The king welcomed him and asked 
 him what he would. Sir, said Gouvernail, here is a knight 
 near hand that desireth to speak with you : he bade me say 
 he would do you service. What knight is he .'' said the king. 
 Sir, said he, it is Sir Tristram de Liones, that for your good 
 grace that ye showed him in your lands will reward you in 
 this country. Come on, fellow, said the king, with me anon 
 and show me unto Sir Tristram. So the king took a little 
 hackney and but few fellowship with him, until he came unto 
 Sir Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the 
 
142 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 king he ran unto him and would have holden his stirrup. 
 But the king leapt from his horse Hghtly, and either halsed 
 other in arms. My gracious lord, said Sir Tristram, gra- 
 mercy of your great goodnesses showed unto me in your 
 marches and lands : and at that time I promised you to do 
 my service an ever it lay in my power. And, gentle knight, 
 said the king unto Sir Tristram, now have I great need of 
 you, never had I so great need of no knight's help. How so, 
 my good lord .? said Sir Tristram. I shall tell you, said the 
 king : I am assummoned and appealed from my country for 
 the death of a knight that was kin unto the good knight Sir 
 Launcelot ; wherefore Sir Blamore de Ganis, brother to Sir 
 Bleoberis, hath appealed me to fight with him, outher to find 
 a knight in my stead. And well I wot, said the king, these 
 that are come of King Ban's blood, as Sir Launcelot and these 
 other, are passing good knights, and hard men for to win in 
 battle as any that I know now living. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
 for the good lordship ye showed me in Ireland, and for my 
 lady your daughter's sake, La Beale Isoud, I will take the 
 battle for you upon this condition that ye shall grant me two 
 things : that one is that ye shall swear to me that ye are in 
 the right, that ye were never consenting to the knight's death ; 
 then, when that I have done this battle, if God give me grace 
 that I speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing 
 reasonable that I will ask of you. So God me help, said the 
 king, ye shall have whatsomever ye will ask. It is well said, 
 said Sir Tristram. Now make your answer that your cham- 
 pion is ready, for I shall die in your quarrel rather than to be 
 recreant. 
 
 So King Anguish departed unto King Carados and the 
 kings that were that time as judges, and told them that he 
 
SIR TRISTRAM FIGHTS SIR BLAMORE 143 
 
 had found his champion ready. Then by the commandment 
 of the kings Sir Blamore de Ganis and Sir Tristram were 
 sent for to hear the charge. And when they were come 
 before the judges there were many kings and knights beheld 
 Sir Tristram, and much speech they had of him because that 
 he slew Sir Marhaus, the good knight, and because he for- 
 jousted Sir Palamides the good knight. So when they had 
 taken their charge they withdrew them to make them ready 
 to do battle. 
 
 Then said Sir Bleoberis unto his brother, Sir Blamore : 
 Fair dear brother, remember of what kin we be come of, 
 and what a man is Sir Launcelot du Lake, neither farther 
 nor nearer but brother's children, and there was never none 
 of our kin that ever was shamed in battle ; and rather suffer 
 death, brother, than to be shamed. Brother, said Blamore, 
 have ye no doubt of me, for I shall never shame none of my 
 blood ; howbeit I am sure that yonder knight is called a 
 passing good knight, as of his time one of the world, yet shall 
 I never yield me, nor say the loath word : well may he happen 
 to smite me down with his great might of chivalry, but rather 
 shall he slay me than I shall yield me as recreant. God speed 
 you well, said Sir Bleoberis, for ye shall find him the mightiest 
 knight that ever ye had ado withal, for I know him, for I 
 have had ado with him. God me speed, said Sir Blamore 
 de Ganis ; and therewith he took his horse at the one end of 
 the lists, and Sir Tristram at the other end of the lists, and so 
 they feutred their spears and came together as it had been 
 thunder ; and there Sir Tristram through great might smote 
 down Sir Blamore and his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir 
 Blamore avoided his horse and pulled out his sword and threw 
 his shield afore him, and bade Sir Tristram alight : For 
 
144 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 though an horse hath failed me, I trust to God the earth will 
 not fail me. And then Sir Tristram alighted, and dressed 
 him unto battle ; and there they lashed together strongly as 
 racing and tracing, foining and dashing, many sad strokes, 
 and at the last, Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamore such a buffet 
 upon the helm that he there fell down upon his side, and Sir 
 Tristram stood and beheld him. 
 
 Then when Sir Blamore might speak, he said thus : Sir 
 Tristram de Liones, I require thee, as thou art a noble knight, 
 and the best knight that ever I found, that thou wilt slay 
 me out, for I would not live to be made lord of all the earth, 
 for I have liefer die with worship than live with shame ; and 
 needs. Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou shalt 
 never win the field, for I will never say the loath word. And 
 therefore if thou dare slay me, slay me, I require thee. When 
 Sir Tristram heard him say so knightly, he wist not what 
 to do with him ; he remembering him of both parties, of 
 what blood he was come, and for Sir Launcelot's sake he 
 would be loath to slay him ; and in the other party in no wise 
 he might not choose, but that he must make him to say the 
 loath word, or else to slay him. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram stert aback, and went to the kings 
 that were judges, and there he kneeled down to-fore them, 
 and besought them for their worships, and for King Arthur's 
 and Sir Launcelot's sake, that they would take this matter in 
 their hands. For, my fair lords, said Sir Tristram, it were 
 shame and pity that this noble knight that yonder lieth 
 should be slain ; for ye hear well, shamed will he not be, 
 and I pray to God that he never be slain nor shamed for 
 me. And as for the king for whom I fight for, I shall require 
 him, as I am his true champion and true knight in this field, 
 
SIR TRISTRAM SPARES SIR BLAMORE 145 
 
 that he will have mercy upon this good knight. So God me 
 help, said King Anguish, I will for your sake. Sir Tristram, be 
 ruled as ye will have me, for I know you for my true knight ; 
 and therefore I will heartily pray the kings that be here as 
 judges to take it in their hands. And the kings that were 
 judges called Sir Bleoberis to them, and asked him his advice. 
 My lords, said Bleoberis, though my brother be beaten, and 
 hath the worse through might of arms, I dare say, though Sir 
 Tristram hath beaten his body he hath not beaten his heart, 
 and I thank God he is not shamed this day ; and rather than 
 he should be shamed I require you, said Bleoberis, let Sir 
 Tristram slay him out. It shall not be so, said the kings, for 
 his part adversary, both the king and the champion, have 
 pity of Sir Blamore's knighthood. My lords, said Bleoberis, 
 I will right well as ye will. 
 
 Then the kings called the King of Ireland, and found him 
 goodly and treatable. And then, by all their advices. 
 Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir Blamore, and the 
 two brethren were accorded with King Anguish, and kissed 
 and made friends for ever. And then Sir Blamore and Sir 
 Tristram kissed together, and there they made their oaths 
 that they would never none of them two brethren fight with 
 Sir Tristram, and Sir Tristram made the same oath. And 
 for that gentle battle all the blood of Sir Launcelot loved 
 Sir Tristram for ever. 
 
 Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram took their leave, 
 and sailed into Ireland with great noblesse and joy. So 
 when they were in Ireland the king let make it known through- 
 out all the land how and in what manner Sir Tristram had 
 done for him. Then the queen and all that there were made 
 the most of him that they might. But the joy that La Beale 
 
146 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Isoud made of Sir Tristram there might no tongue tell, for 
 of all men earthly she loved him most. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED LA 
 BEALE ISOUD FOR KING MARK, AND 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND ISOUD DRANK 
 THE LOVE DRINK, AND HOW SIR TRIS- 
 TRAM RESCUED ISOUD FROM SIR 
 PALAMIDES. Then upon a day King An- 
 guish asked Sir Tristram why he asked not 
 his boon, for whatsomever he had promised 
 him he should have it without fail. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
 now is it time ; this is all that I will desire, that ye will give 
 me La Beale Isoud, your daughter, not for myself, but for 
 mine uncle. King Mark, that shall have her to wife, for so 
 have I promised him. Alas, said the king, I had liefer than 
 all the land that I have ye would wed her yourself. Sir, 
 an I did, then I were shamed for ever in this world, and false 
 of my promise. Therefore, said Sir Tristram, I pray you hold 
 your promise that ye promised me ; for this is my desire, 
 that ye will give me La Beale Isoud to go with me into Cornwall 
 for to be wedded to King Mark, mine uncle. As for that, said 
 King Anguish, ye shall have her with you to do with her 
 what it please you ; that is for to say if that ye list to wed her 
 yourself, that is me liefest, and if ye will give her unto King 
 Mark, your uncle, that is in your choice. So, to make short 
 conclusion. La Beale Isoud was made ready to go with Sir 
 Tristram, and Dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief 
 gentlewoman, with many other. 
 
 Then the queen, Isoud's mother, gave to her and Dame 
 Bragwaine, her daughter's gentlewoman, and unto Gouver- 
 
How Tristram and Isoud drank the love drink. 
 
OF THE WEDDING OF KING MARK 147 
 
 nail, a drink, and charged them that what day King Mark 
 should wed, that same day they should give him that drink, 
 so that King Mark should drink to La Beale Isoud, and then, 
 said the queen, I undertake either shall love other the days 
 of their life. So this drink was given unto Dame Bragwaine, 
 and unto Gouvernail. And then anon Sir Tristram took 
 the sea, and La Beale Isoud ; and when they were in their 
 cabin, it happed so that they were thirsty, and they saw a 
 little flasket of gold stand by them, and it seemed by the 
 colour and the taste that it was noble wine. Then Sir Tris- 
 tram took the flasket in his hand, and said. Madam Isoud, 
 here is the best drink that ever ye drank, that Dame Brag- 
 waine, your maiden, and Gouvernail, my servant, have kept 
 for themselves. Then they laughed and made good cheer, 
 and either drank to other freely, and they thought never drink 
 that ever they drank to other was so sweet nor so good. But 
 by that their drink was in their bodies, they loved either other 
 so well that never their love departed for weal neither for woe. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud came into Corn- 
 wall, and there all the barons met them. And anon King 
 Mark and La Beale Isoud were richly wedded with great 
 noblesse. Then was there great jousts and great tourney- 
 ing, and many lords and ladies were at that feast, and Sir 
 Tristram was most praised of all other. 
 
 Thus dured the feast long, and after the feast was done, 
 within a little while after, by the assent of two ladies that were 
 with Queen Isoud, they ordained for hate and envy for to de- 
 stroy Dame Bragwaine, that was maiden and lady unto La 
 Beale Isoud ; and she was sent into the forest for to fetch 
 herbs, and there she was met, and bound feet and hand to a 
 tree, and so she was bounden three days. And by fortune. 
 
148 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Sir Palamides found Dame Bragwaine, and there he delivered 
 her from the death, and brought her to a nunnery there beside, 
 for to be recovered. When Isoud the queen missed her 
 maiden, wit ye well she was right heavy as ever was any 
 queen, for of all earthly women she loved her best : the cause 
 was for she came with her out of her country. And so upon 
 a day Queen Isoud walked into the forest to put away her 
 thoughts, and there she went herself unto a well and made 
 great moan. And suddenly there came Palamides to her, 
 and had heard all her complaint, and said : Madam Isoud, 
 an ye will grant me my boon, I shall bring to you Dame Brag- 
 waine safe and sound. And the queen was so glad of his 
 proffer that suddenly unadvised she granted all his asking. 
 Well, Madam, said Palamides, I trust to your promise, and if 
 ye will abide here half an hour I shall bring her to you. I 
 shall abide you, said La Beale Isoud. And Sir Palamides 
 rode forth his way to that nunnery, and lightly he came again 
 with Dame Bragwaine ; but by her good will she would not 
 have come again, because for love of the queen she stood in 
 adventure of her life. Notwithstanding, half against her 
 will, she went with Sir Palamides unto the queen. And when 
 the queen saw her she was passing glad. Now, Madam, 
 said Palamides, remember upon your promise, for I have 
 fulfilled my promise. Sir Palamides, said the queen, I wot 
 not what is your desire, but I will that ye wit, howbeit I 
 promised you largely, I thought none evil, nor I warn you 
 none evil will I do. Madam, said Sir Palamides, as at this 
 time, ye shall not know my desire, but before my lord your 
 husband there shall ye know that I will have my desire that 
 ye have promised me. And therewith the queen departed, 
 and rode home to the king, and Sir Palamides rode after her. 
 
HOW PALAMIDES DEMANDED ISOUD 149 
 
 And when Sir Palamides came before the king, he said: 
 Sir King, I require you, as ye be a righteous king, that ye 
 will judge me the right. Tell me your cause, said the king, 
 and ye shall have right. Sir, said Palamides, I promised your 
 Queen Isoud to bring again Dame Bragwaine that she had 
 lost, upon this covenant, that she should grant me a boon that 
 I would ask, and without grudging, outher advisement, she 
 granted me. What say ye, my lady ? said the king. It is as 
 he saith, said the queen ; to say thee sooth I promised him his 
 asking for love and joy that I had to see her. Well, Madam, 
 said the king, and if ye were hasty to grant him what boon he 
 would ask, I will well that ye perform your promise. Then, 
 said Palamides, I will that ye wit that 1 will have your queen 
 to lead her and govern her whereas me list. Therewith 
 the king stood still, and bethought him of Sir Tristram, and 
 deemed that he would rescue her. And then hastily the 
 king answered : Take her with the adventures that shall 
 fall of it, for as I suppose thou wilt not enjoy her no while. 
 As for that, said Palamides, I dare right well abide the adven- 
 ture. And so, to make short tale, Sir Palamides took her by 
 the hand and said : Madam, grudge not to go with me, for 
 I desire nothing but your own promise. As for that, said 
 the queen, I fear not greatly to go with thee, howbeit thou 
 hast me at advantage upon my promise, for I doubt not I 
 shall be worshipfuUy rescued from thee. As for that, said 
 Sir Palamides, be it as it be may. So Queen Isoud was set 
 behind Palamides, and rode his way. 
 
 Anon the king sent after Sir Tristram, but in no wise 
 he could be found, for he was in the forest a-hunting; for 
 that was always his custom, but if he used arms, to chase 
 and to hunt in the forests. Alas, said the king, now I am 
 
ISO OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 shamed for ever, that by mine own assent my lady and my 
 queen shall be devoured. Then came forth a knight, his 
 name was Lambegus, and he was a knight of Sir Tristram. 
 My lord, said this knight, sith ye have trust in my lord, 
 Sir Tristram, wit ye well for his sake I will ride after your 
 queen and rescue her, or else I shall be beaten. Gramercy, 
 said the king, as I live, Sir Lambegus, I shall deserve it. And 
 then Sir Lambegus armed him, and rode after as fast as he 
 might. And then within a while he overtook Sir Palamides. 
 And then Sir Palamides left the queen. What art thou, said 
 Palamides, art thou Tristram ? Nay, he said, I am his 
 servant, and my name is Sir Lambegus. That me repenteth, 
 said Palamides. I had liefer thou hadst been Sir Tristram. 
 I believe you well, said Lambegus, but when thou meetest 
 with Sir Tristram thou shalt have thy hands full. And then 
 they hurtled together and all to-brast their spears, and then 
 they pulled out their swords, and hewed on helms and hau- 
 berks. At the last Sir Palamides gave Sir Lambegus such a 
 wound that he fell down like a dead knight to the earth. 
 
 Then he looked after La Beale Isoud, and then she was 
 gone he nist where. Wit ye well Sir Palamides was never 
 so heavy. So the queen ran into the forest, and there she 
 found a well, and therein she had thought to have drowned 
 herself. And as good fortune would, there came a knight 
 to her that had a castle thereby, his name was Sir Adtherp. 
 And when he found the queen in that mischief he rescued 
 her, and brought her to his castle. And when he wist what 
 she was he armed him, and took his horse, and said he would 
 be avenged upon Palamides ; and so he rode on till he met 
 with him, and there Sir Palamides wounded him sore, and 
 by force he made him to tell him the cause why he did battle 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND PALAMIDES 151 
 
 with him, and how he had led the queen unto his castle. 
 Now bring me there, said Palamides, or thou shalt die of my 
 hands. Sir, said Sir Adtherp, I am so wounded I may not 
 follow, but ride you this way and it shall bring you into my 
 castle, and there within is the queen. Then Sir Palamides 
 rode still till he came to the castle. And at a window La 
 Beale Isoud saw Sir Palamides ; then she made the gates to 
 be shut strongly. And when he saw he might not come within 
 the castle, he put off his bridle and his saddle, and put his 
 horse to pasture, and set himself down at the gate like a man 
 that was out of his wit that recked not of himself. 
 
 Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that when he was come 
 home and wist La Beale Isoud was gone with Sir Palamides, 
 wit ye well he was wroth out of measure. Alas, said Sir 
 Tristram, I am this day shamed. Then he cried to Gouver- 
 nail his man : Haste thee that I were armed and on horse- 
 back, for well I wot Lambegus hath no might nor strength 
 to withstand Sir Palamides : alas that I have not been in 
 his stead ! So anon as he was armed and horsed Sir Tristram 
 and Gouvernail rode after into the forest, and within a while 
 he found his knight Lambegus almost wounded to the death ; 
 and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, and charged him to 
 keep him well. And then he rode forth, and there he found 
 Sir Adtherp sore wounded, and he told him how the queen 
 would have drowned herself had he not been, and how for 
 her sake and love he had taken upon him to do battle with 
 Sir Palamides. Where is my lady ? said Sir Tristram. Sir, 
 said the knight, she is sure enough within my castle, an she 
 can hold her within it. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, of thy 
 great goodness. And so he rode till he came nigh to that 
 castle ; and then Sir Tristram saw where Sir Palamides sat 
 
152 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 at the gate sleeping, and his horse pastured fast afore him. 
 Now go thou, Gouvernail, said Sir Tristram, and bid him 
 awake, and make him ready. So Gouvernail rode unto him 
 and said : Sir Palamides, arise, and take to thee thine harness. 
 But he was in such a study he heard not what Gouvernail 
 said. So Gouvernail came again and told Sir Tristram he 
 slept, or else he was mad. Go thou again, said Sir Tristram, 
 and bid him arise, and tell him that I am here, his mortal 
 foe. So Gouvernail rode again and put upon him the butt 
 of his spear, and said : Sir Palamides, make thee ready, for 
 wit ye well Sir Tristram hoveth yonder, and sendeth thee 
 word he is thy mortal foe. 
 
 And therewithal Sir Palamides arose stilly, without words, 
 and gat his horse, and saddled him and bridled him, and lightly 
 he leapt upon, and gat his spear in his hand, and either feutred 
 their spears and hurtled fast together ; and there Tristram 
 smote down Sir Palamides over his horse's tail. Then lightly 
 Sir Palamides put his shield afore him and drew his sword. 
 And there began strong battle on both parts, for both they 
 fought for the love of one lady, and ever she lay on the walls 
 and beheld them how they fought out of measure, and either 
 were wounded passing sore, but Palamides was much sorer 
 wounded. Thus they fought tracing and traversing more 
 than two hours, that well-nigh for dole and sorrow La Beale 
 Isoud swooned. Alas, she said, that one I loved and yet do, 
 and the other I love not, yet it were great pity that I should 
 see Sir Palamides slain ; for well I know by that time the end 
 be done Sir Palamides is but a dead knight : because he is 
 not christened I would be loath that he should die a Saracen. 
 And therewithal she came down and besought Sir Tristram 
 to fight no more. Ah, madam, said he, what mean you. 
 
SIR TRISTRAM ACCUSED AS TRAITOR 153 
 
 will ye have me shamed ? Well ye know I will be ruled 
 by you. I will not your dishonour, said La Beale Isoud, but 
 I would that ye would for my sake spare this unhappy Saracen 
 Palamides. Madam, said Sir Tristram, I will leave fighting 
 at this time for your sake. Then she said to Sir Palamides : 
 This shall be your charge, that thou shalt go out of this 
 country while I am therein. I will obey your commandment, 
 said Sir Palamides, the which is sore against my will. Then take 
 thy way, said La Beale Isoud, unto the court of King Arthur, 
 and there recommend me unto Queen Guenever, and tell her 
 that I send her word that there ,be within this land but four 
 lovers, that is. Sir Launcelot du Lake and Queen Guenever, 
 and Sir Tristram de Liones and Queen Isoud. 
 
 OF THE DEBATE OF KING MARK AND 
 SIR TRISTRAM, AND HOW SIR TRIS- 
 TRAM SMOTE DOWN SIR LAMORAK, 
 AND IN DESPITE OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 SIR LAMORAK SENT AN HORN TO 
 KING MARK. And so Sir Palamides de- 
 parted with great heaviness. And Sir Tristram 
 took the queen and brought her again to King 
 Mark, and then was there made great joy of 
 her home-coming. Who was cherished but Sir Tristram ! 
 But ever Sir Andred, that was nigh cousin to Sir Tristram, 
 lay in a watch to wait betwixt Sir Tristram and La Beale 
 Isoud, for to take them and slander them. So upon a day Sir 
 Tristram talked with La Beale Isoud in a window, and that 
 espied Sir Andred, and told it to the King. Then King 
 Mark took a sword in his hand and came to Sir Tristram, 
 and called him false traitor, and would have stricken him. 
 
154 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 But Sir Tristram was nigh him, and ran under his sword, 
 and took it out of his hand. And then the King cried : Where 
 are my knights and my men ? I charge you slay this traitor. 
 But at that time there was not one would move for his 
 words. When Sir Tristram saw.that there was not one would 
 be against him, he shook the sword to the king, and made 
 countenance as though he would have stricken him. And 
 then King Mark fled, and Sir Tristram followed him, and 
 smote upon him five or six strokes flatling on the neck, that 
 he made him to fall upon the nose. And then Sir Tristram 
 went his way and armed him, and took his horse and his 
 man, and so he rode into that forest. 
 
 Then King Mark called his council unto him, and asked 
 advice of his barons what was best to do with Sir Tristram. 
 Sir, said the barons, in especial Sir Dinas, the Seneschal, 
 Sir, we will give you counsel for to send for Sir Tristram, 
 for we will that ye wit many men will hold with Sir Tris- 
 tram an he were hard bestead. And sir, said Sir Dinas, ye 
 shall understand that Sir Tristram is called peerless and 
 makeless of any Christian knight, and of his might and hardi- 
 ness we knew none so good a knight, but if it be Sir Launcelot 
 du Lake. And if he depart from your court and go to King 
 Arthur's court, wit ye well he will get him such friends there 
 that he will not set by your malice. And therefore, sir, I 
 counsel you to take him to your grace. I will well, said the 
 king, that he be sent for, that we may be friends. Then the 
 barons sent for Sir Tristram under a safe conduct. And so 
 when Sir Tristram came to the king he was welcome, and no 
 rehearsal was made, and there was game and play. And 
 then the king and the queen went a-hunting, and Sir 
 Tristram. 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR LAMORAK 155 
 
 The king and the queen made their paviUons and their 
 tents in that forest beside a river, and there was daily hunting 
 and jousting, for there were ever thirty knights ready to 
 joust unto all them that came in at that time. And there 
 by fortune came Sir Lamorak de Galis and Sir Driant ; 
 and there Sir Driant jousted right well, but at the last he 
 had a fall. Then Sir Lamorak proffered to joust. And 
 when he began he fared so with the thirty knights that there 
 was not one of them but that he gave him a fall, and some 
 of them were sore hurt. I marvel, said King Mark, what 
 knight he is that doth such deeds of arms. Sir, said Sir 
 Tristram, I know him well for a noble knight as few now 
 be living, and his name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. It were 
 great shame, said the king, that he should go thus away, 
 unless that some of you meet with him better. Sir, said 
 Sir Tristram, meseemeth it were no worship for a noble 
 man to have ado with him, insomuch as he and his horse are 
 weary both ; for the deeds of arms that he hath done this 
 day, and they be well considered, it were enough for Sir 
 Launcelot du Lake. As for that, said King Mark, I require 
 you, as ye love me and my lady the queen. La Beale Isoud, 
 take your arms and joust with Sir Lamorak de Galis. Sir, 
 said Sir Tristram, ye bid me do a thing that is against knight- 
 hood ; but because I will not displease you, as ye require 
 me so will I do, and obey your commandment. 
 
 And so Sir Tristram armed him and took his horse, and 
 put him forth, and there Sir Lamorak met him mightily, and 
 what with the might of his own spear, and of Sir Tristram's 
 spear. Sir Lamorak's horse fell to the earth, and he sitting 
 in the saddle. Then anon as lightly as he might he avoided 
 the saddle and his horse, and put his shield afore him and 
 
iS6 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 drew his sword. And then he bade Sir Tristram : Alight, 
 thou knight, an thou durst. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will no 
 more have ado with thee, for I have done to thee over much 
 unto my dishonour and to thy worship. As for that, said Sir 
 Lamorak, I can thee no thank ; since thou hast for-jousted 
 me on horseback I require thee and I beseech thee, an thou be 
 Sir Tristram, fight with me on foot. I will not so, said Sir 
 Tristram ; and wit ye well my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, 
 and well I know ye be Sir Lamorak de Galis, and this that I 
 have done to you was against my will, but I was required there- 
 to ; but to say that I will do at your request as at this time, 
 I will have no more ado with you, for me shameth of that I 
 have done. As for the shame, said Sir Lamorak, on thy part 
 or on mine, bear thou it an thou wilt, for though a mare's 
 son hath failed me, now a queen's son shall not fail thee ; 
 and therefore, an thou be such a knight as men call thee, I 
 require thee, alight, and fight with me. Sir Lamorak, said 
 Sir Tristram, I understand your heart is great, and cause why 
 ye have, to say thee sooth ; for it would grieve me an any 
 knight should keep him fresh and then to strike down a weary 
 knight, for that knight nor horse was never formed that alway 
 might stand or endure. And therefore, said Sir Tristram, 
 I will not have ado with you, for me forthinketh of that I 
 have done. As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I shall quit you, 
 an ever I see my time. So he departed from him with Sir 
 Driant, and by the way they met with a knight that was 
 sent from Morgan le Fay unto King Arthur ; and this knight 
 had a fair horn harnessed with gold, and the horn had such a 
 virtue that there might no lady nor gentlewoman drink of 
 that horn but if she were true to her husband, and if she 
 were false she should spill all the drink, and if she were true 
 
OF SIR LAMORAK AND KING MARK 157 
 
 to her lord she might drink peaceable. And because of the 
 Queen Guenever, and in the despite of Sir Launcelot, this 
 horn was sent unto King Arthur ; and by force Sir Lamorak 
 made that knight to tell all the cause why he bare that horn. 
 Now shalt thou bear this horn, said Lamorak, unto King 
 Mark, or else choose thou to die for it ; for I tell thee plainly, 
 in despite and reproof of Sir Tristram thou shalt bear that horn 
 unto King Mark, his uncle, and say thou to him that I sent 
 it him for to assay his lady, and if she be true to him he shall 
 prove her. So the knight went his way unto King Mark, 
 and brought him that rich horn, and said that Sir Lamorak 
 sent it him, and thereto he told him the virtue of that horn. 
 Then the king made Queen Isoud to drink thereof, and an 
 hundred ladies, and there were but four ladies of all those 
 that drank clean. Alas, said King Mark, this is a great 
 despite, and sware a great oath that she should be burnt and 
 the other ladies. 
 
 Then the barons gathered them together, and said plainly 
 they would not have those ladies burnt for an horn made by 
 sorcery, that came from as false a sorceress and witch as then 
 was living. For that horn did never good, but caused strife 
 and debate, and always in her days she had been an enemy 
 to all true lovers. So there were many knights made their 
 avow, an ever they met with Morgan le Fay, that they 
 would show her short courtesy. Also Sir Tristram was passing 
 wroth that Sir Lamorak sent that horn unto King Mark, for 
 well he knew that it was done in the despite of him. And 
 therefore he thought to quite Sir Lamorak. 
 
158 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS TAKEN WITH LA 
 BEALE ISOUD, AND HOW HE ESCAPED TO 
 BRITTANY AND SERVED IN WAR KING 
 HOWEL. Then, always, Sir Tristram used to go to Queen 
 Isoud when he might, and ever Sir Andred his cousin watched 
 him night and day for to take him with La Beale Isoud. And 
 so upon a day Sir Andred espied the hour and the time when 
 Sir Tristram went to his lady. Then Sir Andred gat unto 
 him twelve knights, and he set upon Sir Tristram secretly 
 and suddenly, and there Sir Tristram was taken with La Beale 
 Isoud, and then was he bound hand and foot, and so was he 
 kept until the next day. And then by the assent of King 
 Mark, and of Sir Andred, and of some of the barons, Sir 
 Tristram was led unto a chapel that stood upon the sea rocks, 
 there for to take his judgment : and so he was led bounden 
 with forty knights. And when Sir Tristram saw that there 
 was none other remedy but needs that he must die, then said 
 he : Fair lords, remember what I have done for the country 
 of Cornwall, and in what jeopardy I have been in for the 
 weal of you all. Fie upon thee, said Sir Andred, false traitor 
 that thou art, with thine avaunting ; for all thy boast thou 
 shalt die this day ; and therewith he drew his sword, and 
 would have slain him. 
 
 When Sir Tristram saw him make such countenance he 
 looked upon both his hands that were fast bounden unto two 
 knights, and suddenly he pulled them both to him, and un- 
 wrast his hands, and then he leapt unto his cousin, Sir Andred, 
 and writhed his sword out of his hands ; then he smote Sir 
 Andred that he fell to the earth, and so Sir Tristram fought 
 till that he had killed ten knights. So then Sir Tristram gat 
 the chapel and kept it mightily. Then the cry was great, 
 
HOW SIR TRISTRAM ESCAPED 159 
 
 and the people drew fast unto Sir Andred, mo than an hun- 
 dred. When Sir Tristram saw the people draw unto him, 
 he brake the bars of a window, and so he leapt out and fell 
 upon the crags in the sea. And so at that time Sir Andred 
 nor none of his fellows might get to him, at that time. 
 
 So when Gouvernail, and Sir Lambegus, and Sir Sentraille 
 de Lushon, that were Sir Tristram's men, heard he was 
 escaped then they were passing glad ; and on the rocks 
 they found him, and with towels they pulled him up. And 
 then Sir Tristram asked them where was La Beale Isoud, for 
 he weened she had been had away of Andred's people. Sir, 
 said Gouvernail, she is put in a lazar-cote. Alas, said Sir 
 Tristram, this is a full ungoodly place for such a fair lady, 
 and if I may she shall not be long there. And so he took his 
 men and went thereas was La Beale Isoud, and fetched her 
 away, and brought her into a forest to a fair manor, and 
 Sir Tristram there abode with her. So the good knight 
 bade his men go from him : For at this time I may not help 
 you. So they departed all save Gouvernail. And so upon 
 a day Sir Tristram went into the forest for to disport him, 
 and then it happened that there he fell asleep ; and there 
 came a man that Sir Tristram aforehand had slain his brother, 
 and when this man had found him he shot him through the 
 shoulder with an arrow, and Sir Tristram leapt up and killed 
 that man. And in the meantime it was told King Mark 
 how Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud were in that same 
 manor, and as soon as ever he might thither he came with 
 many knights to slay Sir Tristram. And when he came there 
 he found him gone ; and there he took La Beale Isoud home 
 with him, and kept her strait that by no means never she 
 might wit nor send unto Tristram, nor he unto her. And then 
 
i6o OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 when Sir Tristram came toward the old manor he found the 
 track of many horses, and thereby he wist his lady was gone. 
 And then Sir Tristram took great sorrow, and endured with 
 great pain long time, for the arrow that he was hurti withal 
 was envenomed. 
 
 Then by the mean of La Beale Isoud a lady that was 
 cousin unto Dame Bragwaine, came to Sir Tristram, and 
 told him that he might not be whole by no means. For 
 thy lady. La Beale Isoud, may not help thee, therefore 
 she biddeth you haste into Brittany to King Howel, and there 
 ye shall find his daughter, Isoud la Blanche Mains, and she 
 shall help thee. Then Sir Tristram and Gouvernail gat 
 them shipping, and so sailed into Brittany. And when 
 King Howel wist that it was Sir Tristram he was full glad 
 of him. Sir, he said, I am come into this country to have 
 help of your daughter, for it is told me that there is none other 
 may heal me but she ; and so within a while she healed him. 
 
 There was an earl that hight Grip, and this earl made 
 great war upon the king, and put the king to the worse, 
 and besieged him. And on a time Sir Kehydius, that was son 
 to King Howel, as he issued out he was sore wounded, nigh 
 to the death. Then the king went unto Sir Tristram, and 
 prayed him in his wars to help him : For my son, Kehydius, 
 may not go into the field. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I will go 
 to the field and do what I may. Then Sir Tristram issued 
 out of the town, and by great might and force slew the Earl 
 Grip with his own hands, and more than an hundred knights 
 he slew that day. Then King Howel embraced him in his 
 arms, and said : Sir Tristram, all my kingdom I will resign 
 to thee. God defend, said Sir Tristram, for I am beholden 
 unto you for your daughter's sake to do for you. 
 
HOW HE RETURNED TO CORNWALL i6i 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS MARRIED 
 TO KING HOWEL'S DAUGHTER, 
 ISOUD LA BLANCHE MAINS, AND 
 HOW HE RETURNED TO CORNWALL 
 AND OF THE LOVE OF SIR KEHYDIUS 
 FOR LA BEALE ISOUD. Then by the 
 means of King Howel and Kehydius his son, 
 there grew great love betwixt Isoud and Sir 
 Tristram, for that lady was both good and fair, and a woman 
 of noble blood and fame. And for because Sir Tristram had 
 such cheer and riches, and all other pleasaunce that he had, 
 almost he had forsaken La Beale Isoud. And so upon a 
 time Sir Tristram agreed to wed Isoud la Blanche Mains. 
 And at the last they were wedded, and solemnly held their 
 marriage. 
 
 But when La Beale Isoud understood that he was wedded 
 she sent to him by her maiden Bragwaine as piteous letters 
 as could be thought and made, and her conclusion was that, 
 an it pleased Sir Tristram, that he would come to her court, 
 and bring with him Isoud la Blanche Mains, and they should 
 be kept as well as she herself. Then Sir Tristram called 
 unto him Sir Kehydius, and asked him whether he would go 
 with him into Cornwall secretly. He answered him that 
 he was ready at all times. And then he let ordain privily a 
 little vessel, and therein they went, Sir Tristram, Kehydius, 
 Dame Bragwaine, and Gouvernail, Sir Tristram's squire, and 
 so they sailed into Cornwall. And by assent and information 
 of Dame Bragwaine when they were landed they rode unto 
 Sir Dinas, the Seneschal, a trusty friend of Sir Tristram's. 
 And so Dame Bragwaine and Sir Dinas rode to the court 
 of King Mark, and told the queen. La Beale Isoud, that Sir 
 
i62 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Tristram was nigh her in that country. Then for very pure 
 joy La Beale Isoud swooned ; and when she might speak 
 she said : Gentle knight Seneschal, help that I might speak 
 with him, outher my heart will brast. Then Sir Dinas and 
 Dame Bragwaine brought Sir Tristram and Kehydius privily 
 unto the court, unto a chamber whereas La Beale Isoud had 
 assigned it ; and to tell the joy that was betwixt La Beale 
 Isoud and Sir Tristram, there is no tongue can tell it, nor 
 heart think it, nor pen write it. And as the French book 
 maketh mention, at the first time that ever Sir Kehydius saw 
 La Beale Isoud he was so enamoured upon her that for very 
 pure love he might never withdraw it. And then privily 
 he wrote unto her letters and ballads of the most goodliest 
 that were used in those days. And when La Beale Isoud 
 understood his letters she had pity of his complaint, and 
 unavised she wrote another letter to comfort him withal. 
 
 And Sir Tristram was all this while in a turret at the 
 commandment of La Beale Isoud, and when she might she 
 came unto Sir Tristram. So on a day King Mark played at 
 the chess under a chamber window ; and at that time Sir 
 Tristram and Sir Kehydius were within the chamber over 
 King Mark, and as it mishapped Sir Tristram found the 
 letter that Kehydius sent unto La Beale Isoud, also he had 
 found the letter that she wrote unto Kehydius, and at that 
 same time La Beale Isoud was in the same chamber. Then 
 Sir Tristram came unto La Beale Isoud and said : Madam, here 
 is a letter that was sent unto you, and here is the letter that ye 
 sent unto him that sent you that letter. Alas, Madam, the 
 good love that I have loved you ; and many lands and riches 
 have I forsaken for your love, and now ye are a traitress to 
 me, the which doth me great pain. But as for thee. Sir 
 
SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTS FROM TINTAGIL 163 
 
 Kehydius, I brought thee out of Brittany into this country, 
 and thy father, King Howel, I won his lands, howbeit I wedded 
 thy sister Isoud la Blanche Mains for the goodness she did 
 unto me ; but wit thou well. Sir Kehydius, for this falsehood 
 and treason thou hast done me, I will revenge it upon thee. 
 And therewithal Sir Tristram drew out his sword and said : 
 Sir Kehydius, keep thee, and then La Beale Isoud swooned 
 to the earth. And when Sir Kehydius saw Sir Tristram come 
 upon him he saw none other remedy, but leapt out at a 
 bay-window even over the head where sat King Mark playing 
 at the chess. And when the king saw one come hurling 
 over his head he said : Fellow, what art thou, and what is 
 the cause thou leapest out at that window ? My lord the 
 king, said Kehydius, it fortuned me that I was asleep in the 
 window above your head, and as I slept I slumbered, and so 
 I fell down. And thus Sir Kehydius excused him. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM 
 TINTAGIL, AND HOW HE SORROWED AND 
 WAS SO LONG IN A FOREST TILL HE WAS 
 OUT OF HIS MIND, AND IT WAS NOISED THAT HE 
 WAS DEAD, AND HOW LA BEALE ISOUD WOULD 
 HAVE SLAIN HERSELF. Then Sir Tristram dread sore 
 lest he were discovered unto the king that he was there ; where- 
 fore he drew him to the strength of the Tower, and armed 
 him in such armour as he had for to fight with them that 
 would withstand him. And so when Sir Tristram saw there 
 was no resistance against him he sent Gouvernail for his 
 horse and his spear, and knightly he rode forth out of the 
 castle openly, that was called the Castle of Tintagil. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram made great sorrow, and upon a night 
 
i64 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 he put his horse from him, and then he unlaced his armour, 
 and then Sir Tristram would go into the wilderness, and 
 brast down the trees and boughs. Thus he there endured 
 a quarter of a year. And then was he naked and waxed 
 lean and poor of flesh ; and so he fell in the fellowship of 
 herdmen and shepherds, and daily they would give him 
 some of their meat and drink. And when he did any shrewd 
 deed they would beat him with rods, and so they clipped 
 him with shears and made him like a fool. 
 
 And upon a day Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, came into 
 Cornwall with two squires with him ; and as they rode 
 through that forest they came by a fair well where Sir Tris- 
 tram was wont to be ; and the weather was hot, and they 
 alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile their 
 horses brake loose. Right so Sir Tristram came unto them, 
 and first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and after his 
 squires, and thereat laughed the shepherds ; and forth- 
 withal he ran after their horses and brought them again 
 one by one, and right so, wet as they were, he made them 
 leap up and ride their ways. 
 
 Now Sir Dagonet deemed that the shepherds had sent that 
 fool to array them so, because that they laughed at them, 
 and so they rode unto the keepers of beasts and all to-beat 
 them. Sir Tristram saw them beat that were wont to give 
 him meat and drink, then he ran thither and gat Sir Dagonet 
 by the head, and gave him such a fall to the earth that he 
 bruised him sore so that he lay still. And then he wrast 
 his sword out of his hand, and therewith he ran to one of 
 his squires and smote off his head, and the other fled. And 
 so Sir Tristram took his way with that sword in his hand, 
 running as he had been wild wood. Then Sir Dagonet 
 
SIR TRISTRAM NOISED TO BE DEAD 165 
 
 rode to King Mark and told him how he had sped in that 
 forest. And therefore, said Sir Dagonet, beware, King 
 Mark, that thou come not about that well in the forest, for 
 there is a fool naked, and that fool and I fool met together, 
 and he had almost slain me. Ah, said King Mark, that is 
 Sir Matto le Breune, that fell out of his wit because he lost 
 his lady ; for when Sir Gaheris smote down Sir Matto and 
 won his lady of him, never since was he in his mind, and that 
 was pity, for he was a good knight. 
 
 Then Sir Andred, that was cousin unto Sir Tristram, 
 made a lady that was his paramour to say and to noise it 
 that she was with Sir Tristram or ever he died. And this 
 tale she brought unto King Mark's court, that she buried 
 him by a well, and that or he died he besought King Mark to 
 make his cousin. Sir Andred, king of the country of Liones, of 
 the which Sir Tristram was lord of. All this did Sir Andred 
 because he would have had Sir Tristram's lands. And when 
 King Mark heard tell that Sir Tristram was dead he wept 
 and made great dole. But when Queen Isoud heard of these 
 tidings she made such sorrow that she was nigh out of her 
 mind ; and so upon a day she thought to slaj'^ herself and never 
 to live after Sir Tristram's death. And so upon a day La 
 Beale Isoud gat a sword privily and bare it into her garden, 
 and there she pight the sword through a plum tree up to the 
 hilt, so that it stuck fast, and it stood breast high. And as 
 she would have run upon the sword and to have slain herself 
 all this espied King Mark, how she kneeled down and said : 
 Sweet Lord Jesu, have mercy upon me, for I may not live 
 after the death of Sir Tristram de Liones, for he was my first 
 love and he shall be the last. And with these words came 
 King Mark and took her in his arms, and then he took up 
 
i66 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 the sword, and bare her away with him into a tower ; and 
 there he made her to be kept, and watched her surely, and 
 after that she lay long sick, nigh at the point of death. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM SLEW THE GIANT 
 TAULEAS, AND HOW KING MARK FOUND 
 SIR TRISTRAM NAKED, AND CAUSED 
 HIM TO BE BORNE TO TINTAGIL, AND HOW HE 
 WAS KNOWN BY A BRACHET AND WAS BANISHED 
 FROM CORNWALL FOR THE TERM OF TEN YEARS. 
 This meanwhile ran Sir Tristram naked in the forest with the 
 sword in his hand, and so he came to an hermitage, and there 
 he laid him down and slept ; and in the meanwhile the hermit 
 stole away his sword, and laid meat down by him. Thus was 
 he kept there a ten days ; and at the last he departed and 
 came to the herdmen again. And there was a giant in that 
 country that hight Tauleas, and for fear of Sir Tristram more 
 than seven year he durst never much go at large, but for the 
 most part he kept him in a sure castle of his own ; and so this 
 Tauleas heard tell that Sir Tristram was dead, by the noise of 
 the court of King Mark. Then this Tauleas went daily at 
 large. And so he happed upon a day he came to the herd- 
 men wandering and langering, and there he set him down to 
 rest among them. The meanwhile there came a knight of 
 Cornwall that led a lady with him, and his name was Sir 
 Dinant ; and when the giant saw him he went from the herd- 
 men and hid him under a tree, and so the knight came to 
 that well, and there he alighted to repose him. And as soon 
 as he was from his horse this giant Tauleas came betwixt 
 this knight and his horse, and took the horse and leapt upon 
 him. So forthwith he rode unto Sir Dinant and took him 
 
SIR TRISTRAM SLAYS TAULEAS 167 
 
 by the collar, and pulled him afore him upon his horse, and 
 there would have stricken off his head. Then the herdmen 
 said unto Sir Tristram : Help yonder knight. Help ye him, 
 said Sir Tristram. We dare not, said the herdmen. Then 
 Sir Tristram was ware of the sword of the knight thereas it 
 lay ; and so thither he ran and took up the sword and struck 
 off Sir Tauleas' head, and so he went his way to the herdmen. 
 
 Then the knight took up the giant's head and bare it 
 with him unto King Mark, and told him what adventure be- 
 tid him in the forest , and how a naked man rescued him from 
 the grimly giant, Tauleas. Where had ye this adventure .'' 
 said King Mark. Forsooth, said Sir Dinant, at the fair foun- 
 tain in your forest where many adventurous knights meet, 
 and there is the mad man. Well, said King Mark, I will 
 see that wild man. So within a day or two King Mark com- 
 manded his knights and his hunters that they should be ready 
 on the morn for to hunt, and so upon the morn he went unto 
 that forest. And when the king came to that well he found 
 there lying by that well a fair naked man, and a sword by 
 him. Then King Mark blew and straked, and therewith his 
 knights came to him ; and then the king commanded his knights 
 to : Take that naked man with fairness, and bring him to my 
 castle. So they did safely and fair, and cast mantles upon Sir 
 Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil ; and there they bathed 
 him, and washed him, and gave him hot suppings till they had 
 brought him well to his remembrance ; but all this while there 
 was no creature that knew Sir Tristram, nor what man he was. 
 
 So it fell upon a day that the queen. La Beale Isoud, 
 heard of such a man, that ran naked in the forest, and how 
 the king had brought him home to the court. Then La 
 Beale Isoud called unto her Dame Bragwaine and said : 
 
i68 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Come on with me, for we will go see this man that my lord 
 brought from the forest the last day. So they passed forth, 
 and asked where was the sick man. And then a squire told 
 the queen that he was in the garden taking his rest, and 
 reposing him against the sun. 
 
 Then the queen had always a little brachet with her 
 that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that ever she came 
 into Cornwall, and never would that brachet depart from 
 her but if Sir Tristram was nigh thereas was La Beale Isoud ; 
 and this brachet was sent from the king's daughter of France 
 unto Sir Tristram for great love. And anon as this little 
 brachet felt a savour of Sir Tristram, she leapt upon him 
 and licked his lears and his ears, and then she whined and 
 quested, and she smelled at his feet and at his hands, and 
 on all parts of his body that she might come to. Ah, my 
 lady, said Dame Bragwaine unto La Beale Isoud. Alas, alas, 
 said she, I see it is mine own lord. Sir Tristram. And there- 
 upon Isoud fell down in a swoon, and so lay a great while. 
 And when she might speak she said : My lord Sir Tristram, 
 blessed be God ye have your life, and now I am sure ye shall 
 be discovered by this little brachet, for she will never leave 
 you. And also I am sure as soon as my lord. King Mark, 
 do know you he will banish you out of the country of Corn- 
 wall, or else he will destroy you ; for God's sake, mine own 
 lord, grant King Mark his will, and then draw you unto the 
 court of King Arthur, for there are ye beloved, and ever when 
 I may I shall send unto you ; and when ye list ye may come 
 to me, and at all times early and late I will be at your com- 
 mandment, to live as poor a life as ever did queen or lady. O 
 Madam, said Sir Tristram, go from me, for mickle anger and 
 danger have I escaped for your love. 
 
I / ' ""^^^ ^iix iliM.* 
 
HOW KING MARK FOUND SIR TRISTRAM 169 
 
 Then the queen departed, but the brachet would not 
 from him ; and therewithal came King Mark, and the brachet 
 set upon him, and bayed at them all. Therewithal Sir Andred 
 spake and said : Sir, this is Sir Tristram, I see by the brachet. 
 Nay, said the king, I cannot suppose that. Then the king 
 asked him upon his faith what he was, and what was his 
 name. So God me help, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de 
 Liones ; now do by me what ye list. Ah, said King Mark, 
 me repenteth of your recovery. And then he let call his 
 barons to judge Sir Tristram to the death. Then many of 
 his barons would not assent thereto, and in especial Sir Dinas, 
 the Seneschal, and Sir Fergus. And so by the advice of them 
 all Sir Tristram was banished out of the country for ten 
 year, and thereupon he took his oath upon a book before the 
 king and his barons. And so he was made to depart out of 
 the country of Cornwall ; and there were many barons brought 
 him unto his ship, of the which some were his friends and some 
 his foes. And in the meanwhile there came a knight of King 
 Arthur's, his name was Dinadan, and his coming was for to 
 seek after Sir Tristram ; then they showed him where he was 
 armed at all points going to the ship. Now fair knight, said 
 Sir Dinadan, ere ye pass this court that ye will joust with me 
 I require thee. With a good will, said Sir Tristram, an these 
 lords will give me leave Then the barons granted thereto, 
 and so they ran together, and there Sir Tristram gave Sir 
 Dinadan a fall. And then he prayed Sir Tristram to give him 
 leave to go in his fellowship. Ye shall be right welcome, said 
 then Sir Tristram. 
 
 And so they took their horses and rode to their ships to- 
 gether, and when Sir Tristram was in the sea he said : Greet 
 well King Mark and all mine enemies, and say them I will 
 
I70 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 come again when I may ; and well am I rewarded for the fight- 
 ing with Sir Marhaus, and delivered all this country from 
 servage ; and well am I rewarded for the fetching and costs of 
 Queen Isoud out of Ireland, and the danger that I was in first 
 and last ; and well am I rewarded when I fought with Sir 
 Blamore de Ganis for King Anguish, father unto La Beale 
 Isoud ; and well am I rewarded when I smote down the good 
 knight. Sir Lamorak de Galis, at King Mark's request ; and 
 well am I rewarded for the slaying of Tauleas, the mighty giant, 
 and many other deeds have I done for him, and now have I 
 my warison. And tell King Mark that many noble knights 
 of the Table Round have spared the barons of this country 
 for my sake. And forthwithal he took the sea. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR 
 DINADAN FOUGHT FOR SIR 
 LAUNCELOT AGAINST THIRTY 
 KNIGHTS, AND HOW SIR TRIS- 
 TRAM RODE TO A TOURNA- 
 MENT AND LODGED WITH AN 
 OLD KNIGHT NAMED SIR PEL- 
 LOUNES, AND OF THE JOUSTING BEFORE THE 
 TOURNAMENT. And at the next landing, fast by the 
 sea, there met with Sir Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, Sir 
 Ector de Maris and Sir Bors de Ganis ; and there Sir Ector 
 jousted with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him and his horse 
 down. And then Sir Tristram would have jousted with Sir 
 Bors, and Sir Bors said that he would not joust with no Cor- 
 nish knights, for they are not called men of worship ; and all 
 this was done upon a bridge. And with this came Sir Bleo- 
 beris and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with 
 
A DAMOSEL ASKS FOR TRISTRAM'S HELP 171 
 
 Sir Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Bleo- 
 beris. Then said Sir Bors de Ganis : I wist never Cornish 
 knight of so great valour nor so vahant as that knight that 
 beareth the trappings embroidered with crowns. And then 
 Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed from them into a 
 forest, and there met them a damosel that came for the love 
 of Sir Launcelot to seek after some noble knights of King 
 Arthur's court for to rescue Sir Launcelot. And so Sir 
 Launcelot was ordained for, by the treason of Queen Morgan 
 le Fay to have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she 
 ordained thirty knights to lie in await for Sir Launcelot, and 
 this damosel knew this treason. And for this cause the damo- 
 sel came for to seek noble knights to help Sir Launcelot. For 
 that night, or the day after. Sir Launcelot should come where 
 these thirty knights were. And so this damosel met with Sir 
 Bors and Sir Ector and with Sir Driant, and there she told 
 them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay ; and then they 
 promised her that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot 
 should meet with the thirty knights. And if so be they set 
 upon him we will do rescues as we can. 
 
 So the damosel departed, and by adventure the damosel 
 met with Sir Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there 
 the damosel told them all the treason that was ordained for 
 Sir Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir Tristram, bring me to 
 that same place where they should meet with Sir Launcelot. 
 
 So then anon these thirty knights came fast by these 
 four knights, and they were ware of them, and either of 
 other. And so these thirty knights let them pass, for this 
 cause, that they would not wrath them, if case be that they 
 had ado with Sir Launcelot ; and the four knights let them 
 pass to this intent, that they would see and behold what they 
 
172 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 would do with Sir Launcelot. And so the thirty knights 
 passed on and came by Sir Tristram and by Sir Dinadan, and 
 then Sir Tristram cried on high : Lo, here is a knight against 
 you for the love of Sir Launcelot. And there he slew two with 
 one spear and ten with his sword. And then came in Sir 
 Dinadan and he did passing well, and so of the thirty knights 
 there went but ten away, and they fled. All this battle saw 
 Sir Bors de Ganis and his three fellows, and then they saw 
 well it was the same knight that jousted with them at the 
 bridge ; then they took their horses and rode unto Sir 
 Tristram, and praised him and thanked him of his good 
 deeds, and they all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to 
 their lodging ; and he said : Nay, he would not go to no lodg- 
 ing. Then they all four knights prayed him to tell them his 
 name. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will 
 not tell you my name. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode forth their way, 
 and came to a lodging two mile thence with a good man 
 in a priory, and there they were well at ease. And that 
 same night Sir Bors and Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Ector and 
 Sir Driant, abode still in the same place thereas Sir Tristram 
 fought with the thirty knights ; and there they met with 
 Sir Launcelot the same night, and had made promise to 
 lodge with Sir Colgrevance the same night. 
 
 But anon as the noble knight. Sir Launcelot, heard of 
 the shield of Cornwall, then wist he well that it was Sir 
 Tristram that fought with his enemies. And then Sir 
 Launcelot praised Sir Tristram, and called him the man 
 of most worship in the world. Then Sir Tristram departed 
 and left Sir Dinadan in the priory, for he was so weary and 
 so sore bruised that he might not ride. And on the next 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PERSIDES 173 
 
 day following Sir Tristram met with pursuivants, and they 
 told him that there was made a great cry of tournament 
 between King Carados of Scotland and the King of North 
 Wales, and either should joust against other at the Castle 
 of Maidens ; and these pursuivants sought all the country 
 after the good knights, and in especial King Carados let 
 make seeking for Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the King of 
 Northgalis let seek after Sir Tristram de Liones. And at 
 that time Sir Tristram thought to be at that jousts. And 
 then Sir Tristram took his horse and sought lodging, and 
 there he met with a good ancient knight and prayed him to 
 lodge with him. So this old knight's name was Sir Pellounes, 
 and he told of the great tournament that should be at the 
 Castle of Maidens. And there Sir Launcelot and thirty- 
 two knights of his blood had ordained shields of Cornwall. 
 And right so there came one unto Sir Pellounes, and told him 
 that Sir Persides de Bloise was come home ; then that knight 
 held up his hands and thanked God of his coming home. 
 And there Sir Pellounes told Sir Tristram that in two years 
 he had not seen his son, Sir Persides. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
 I know your son well enough for a good knight. 
 
 So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir Persides came to their 
 lodging both at once, and so they unarmed them, and put 
 upon them their clothing. And then these two knights each 
 welcomed other. And when Sir Persides understood that Sir 
 Tristram was of Cornwall, he said he was once in Cornwall : 
 And there I jousted afore King Mark ; and so it happed me 
 at that time to overthrow ten knights, and then came to me 
 Sir Tristram de Liones and overthrew me, and took my 
 lady away from me, and that shall I never forget, but I shall 
 remember me an ever I see my time. Ah, said Sir Tristram, 
 
174 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 now I understand that ye hate Sir Tristram. What deem ye, 
 ween ye that Sir Tristram is not able to withstand your malice ? 
 Yes, said Sir Persides, I know well that Sir Tristram is a 
 noble knight and a much better knight than I, yet shall I not 
 owe him my good will. Right as they stood thus talking 
 at a bay-window of that castle, they saw many knights 
 riding to and fro toward the tournament. And then was 
 Sir Tristram ware of a likely knight riding upon a great black 
 horse, and a black-covered shield. What knight is that, said 
 Sir Tristram, with the black horse and the black shield ? he 
 seemeth a good knight. I know him well, said Sir Persides, 
 he is one of the best knights of the world. Then is it Sir 
 Launcelot, said Tristram. Nay, said Sir Persides, it is Sir 
 Palomides, that is yet unchristened. 
 
 Then they saw much people of the country salute Sir 
 Palomides. And within a while after there came a squire 
 of the castle, that told Sir Pellounes that was lord of that 
 castle, that a knight with a black shield had smitten down 
 thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir Tristram unto 
 Sir Persides, let us cast upon us cloaks, and let us go see 
 the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like 
 knaves thither, but we will ride like men and good knights 
 to withstand our enemies. So they armed them, and took 
 their horses and great spears, and thither they went thereas 
 many knights assayed themselves before the tournament. 
 And anon Sir Palomides saw Sir Persides, and then he sent 
 a squire unto him and said : Go thou to the yonder knight 
 with the green shield and therein a lion of gold, and say 
 him I require him to joust with me, and tell him that my 
 name is Sir Palomides. When Sir Persides understood 
 that request of Sir Palomides, he made him ready, and there 
 
HOW SIR TRISTRAM HAD A FALL 17S 
 
 anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then 
 Sir Tristram dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palomides, 
 and that saw Sir Palomides that was ready and so was not 
 Sir Tristram, and took him at an advantage and smote him 
 over his horse's tail when he had no spear in his rest. Then 
 stert up Sir Tristram and took his horse lightly, and was 
 wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall. Then 
 Sir Tristram sent unto Sir Palomides by Gouvernail, and 
 prayed him to joust with him at his request. Nay, said 
 Sir Palomides, as at this time I will not joust with that 
 knight, for I know him better than he weeneth. And if 
 he be wroth he may right it to-morn at the Castle of Maidens, 
 where he may see me and many other knights. 
 
 With that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tris- 
 tram wroth he list not to jape. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here 
 may a man prove, be a man never so good yet may he have 
 a fall, and he was never so wise but he might be overseen, 
 and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was passing 
 wroth, and said to Sir Persides and to Sir Dinadan : I will 
 revenge me. Right so as they stood talking there, there 
 came by Sir Tristram a likely knight riding passing soberly 
 and heavily with a black shield. What knight is that ? said 
 Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides. I know him well, said Sir 
 Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North Wales ; so he 
 passed on among other knights of North Wales. And there 
 came in Sir Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of 
 Cornwall, and he sent a squire unto Sir Briant, and required 
 him to joust with him. Well, said Sir Briant, sithen I am 
 required to joust I will do what I may ; and there Sir Launcelot 
 smote down Sir Briant from his horse a great fall. And then 
 Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was that bare the 
 
176 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 shield of Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I 
 warrant you he is of King Ban's blood, the which be knights 
 of the most noble prowess in the world, for to account so many 
 for so many. Then there came two knights of Northgalis, 
 that one hight Hew de la Montaine, and the other Sir Madok 
 de la Montaine, and they challenged Sir Launcelot foot-hot. 
 Sir Launcelot not refusing them but made him ready, with one 
 spear he smote them down both over their horses' croups ; 
 and so Sir Launcelot rode his way. By the good lord, said 
 Sir Tristram, he is a good knight that beareth the shield of 
 Cornwall, and meseemeth he rideth in the best manner that 
 ever I saw knight ride. 
 
 Then the King of Northgalis rode unto Sir Palomides 
 and prayed him heartily for his sake to joust with that knight 
 that hath done us of Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir Palo- 
 mides, I am full loath to have ado with that knight, and cause 
 why is, for as to-morn the great tournament shall be ; and 
 therefore I will keep myself fresh by my will. Nay, said the 
 King of Northgalis, I pray you require him of jousts. Sir, 
 said Sir Palomides, I will joust at your request, and require 
 that knight to joust with me, and often I have seen a man 
 have a fall at his own request. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT JOUSTED WITH 
 PALOMIDES AND OVERTHREW HIM, AND 
 AFTER HE WAS ASSAILED WITH TWELVE 
 KNIGHTS. Then Sir Palomides sent unto Sir Launcelot a 
 squire, and required him of jousts. Fair fellow, said Sir 
 Launcelot, tell me thy lord's name. Sir, said the squire, my 
 lord's name is Sir Palomides, the good knight. In good 
 hour, said Sir Launcelot, for there is no knight that I saw 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR PALOMIDES 177 
 
 this seven years that I had liefer have ado withal than with 
 him. And so either knights made them ready with two 
 great spears. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, ye shall see that Sir 
 Palomides will quit him right well. It may be so, said Sir 
 Tristram, but I undertake that knight with the shield of 
 Cornwall shall give him a fall. I believe it not, said Sir 
 Dinadan. Right so they spurred their horses and feutred 
 their spears, and either hit other, and Sir Palomides brake 
 a spear upon Sir Launcelot, and he sat and moved not ; 
 but Sir Launcelot smote him so lightly that he made his 
 horse to avoid the saddle, and the stroke brake his shield 
 and the hauberk, and had he not fallen he had been slain. 
 How now, said Sir Tristram, I wist well by the manner of 
 their riding both that Sir Palomides should have a fall. 
 
 Right so Sir Launcelot rode his way, and rode to a well 
 to drink and to repose him, and they of Northgalis espied 
 him whither he rode ; and then there followed him twelve 
 knights for to have mischieved him, for this cause that upon 
 the morn at the tournament of the Castle of Maidens that he 
 should not win the victory. So they came upon Sir Launcelot 
 suddenly, and unnethe he might put upon him his helm and 
 take his horse, but they were in hands with him ; and then Sir 
 Launcelot gat his spear, and rode through them, and there he 
 slew a knight and brake a spear in his body. Then he drew 
 his sword and smote upon the right hand and upon the left 
 hand, so that within a few strokes he had slain other three 
 knights, and the remnant that abode he wounded them sore, 
 all that did abide. Thus Sir Launcelot escaped from his 
 enemies of North Wales, and then Sir Launcelot rode his way 
 to a friend, and lodged him till on the morn ; for he would not 
 the first day have ado in the tournament because of his 
 
178 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 great labour. And on the first day he was with King Arthur, 
 there as he was set on high upon a scaffold to discern who was 
 best worthy of his deeds. So Sir Launcelot was with King 
 Arthur, and jousted not the first day. 
 
 OF THE TOURNAMENT AT THE 
 CASTLE OF MAIDENS, AND OF HOW 
 SIR TRISTRAM, SIR PALOMIDES, 
 AND SIR LAUNCELOT BEHAVED 
 THEM. Now turn we unto Sir Tristram 
 de Liones, that commanded Gouvernail, his 
 servant, to ordain him a black shield with none other 
 remembrance therein. And so Sir Persides and Sir Tris- 
 tram departed from their host Sir Pellounes, and they rode 
 early toward the tournament, and then they drew them 
 to King Carados' side, of Scotland ; and anon knights began 
 the field what of King Northgalis' part, and what of King 
 Carados' part, and there began great party. Then there was 
 hurling and rashing. Right so came in Sir Persides and Sir 
 Tristram, and so they did fare that they put the King of North- 
 galis aback. Then came in Sir Bleoberis de Ganis and Sir 
 Gaheris with them of Northgalis, and then was Sir Persides 
 smitten down and almost slain, for more than forty horse- 
 men went over him. For Sir Bleoberis did great deeds of 
 arms, and Sir Gaheris failed him not. When Sir Tristram 
 beheld them, and saw them do such deeds of arms he marvelled 
 what they were. Also Sir Tristram thought shame that 
 Sir Persides was so done to ; and then he gat a great spear in 
 his hand, and then he rode to Sir Gaheris and smote him down 
 from his horse. And then was Sir Bleoberis wroth, and gat 
 a spear and rode against Sir Tristram in great ire ; and there 
 
THE TOURNEY AT MAIDENS CASTLE 179 
 
 Sir Tristram met with him, and smote Sir Bleoberis from his 
 horse. So then the King with the Hundred Knights was 
 wroth, and he horsed Sir Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris again, 
 and there began a great medley ; and ever Sir Tristram held 
 them passing short, and ever Sir Bleoberis was passing busy 
 upon Sir Tristram ; and there came Sir Dinadan against Sir 
 Tristram, and Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet that he 
 swooned in his saddle. Then anon Sir Dinadan came to Sir 
 Tristram and said : Sir, I know thee better than thou weenest ; 
 but here I promise thee my troth I will never come against 
 thee more, for I promise thee that sword of thine shall never 
 come on mine helm. 
 
 With that came Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Tristram gave 
 him such a buffet that down he laid his head ; and then 
 he raught him so sore by the helm that he pulled him under 
 his horse's feet. And then King Arthur blew to lodging. 
 Then Sir Tristram departed to his pavilion, and Sir Dinadan 
 rode with him ; and Sir Persides and King Arthur then, 
 and the kings upon both parties, marvelled what knight 
 that was with the black shield. Many said their advice, 
 and some knew him for Sir Tristram, and held their peace 
 and would nought say. So that first day King Arthur, 
 and all the kings and lords that were judges, gave Sir Tris- 
 tram the prize ; howbeit they knew him not, but named 
 him the Knight with the Black Shield. 
 
 Then upon the morn Sir Palomides returned from the 
 King of Northgalis, and rode to King Arthur's side, where 
 was King Carados, and the King of Ireland, and Sir Launce- 
 lot's kin, and Sir Gawaine's kin. Then will I be with the 
 King of Northgalis, said Sir Tristram, because Sir Palomides 
 will be on King Arthur's side, and else I would not but for 
 
i8o OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 his sake. So when King Arthur was come they blew unto 
 the field ; and then there began a great party, and so King 
 Carados jousted with the King of the Hundred Knights, 
 and there King Carados had a fall : then was there hurling 
 and rashing, and right so came in knights of King Arthur's, 
 and they bare aback the King of Northgalis' knights. 
 
 Then Sir Tristram came in, and began so roughly and so 
 bigly that there was none might withstand him, and thus 
 Sir Tristram dured long. And at the last Sir Tristram fell 
 among the fellowship of King Ban, and there fell upon him 
 Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Blamore 
 de Ganis, and many other knights. And then Sir Tristram 
 smote on the right hand and on the left hand, that all lords 
 and ladies spake of his noble deeds. But at the last Sir Tris- 
 tram should have had the worse had not the King with the 
 Hundred Knights been. And then he came with his fellow- 
 ship and rescued Sir Tristram, and brought him away from 
 those knights that bare the shields of Cornwall. And then 
 Sir Tristram saw another fellowship by themselves, and there 
 were a forty knights together, and Sir Kay, the Seneschal, 
 was their governor. Then Sir Tristram rode in amongst them, 
 and there he smote down Sir Kay from his horse ; and there 
 he fared among those knights like a greyhound among conies. 
 
 Then Sir Launcelot found a knight that was sore wounded 
 upon the head. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, who wounded you 
 so sore .? Sir, he said, a knight that beareth a black shield, 
 and I may curse the time that ever I met with him, for he is 
 a devil and no man. So Sir Launcelot departed from him 
 and thought to meet with Sir Tristram, and so he rode with 
 his sword drawn in his hand to seek Sir Tristram ; and then 
 he espied him how he hurled here and there, and at every 
 
TRISTRAM HELPS LAUNCELOT'S KIN i8i 
 
 stroke Sir Tristram well-nigh smote down a knight. O mercy ! 
 said the king, sith the times I bare arms saw I never no 
 knight do so marvellous deeds of arms. And if I should set 
 upon this knight, said Sir Launcelot to himself, I did shame to 
 myself, and therewithal Sir Launcelot put up his sword. And 
 then the King with the Hundred Knights and an hundred 
 more of North Wales set upon the twenty of Sir Launcelot's 
 kin : and they twenty knights held them ever together as 
 wild swine, and none would fail other. And so when Sir 
 Tristram beheld the noblesse of these twenty knights he mar- 
 velled of their good deeds, for he saw by their fare and by 
 their rule that they had liefer die than avoid the field. Now 
 truly, said Sir Tristram, well may he be valiant and full of 
 prowess that hath such a sort of noble knights unto his kin, 
 and full like is he to be a noble man that is their leader and 
 governor. He meant it by Sir Launcelot du Lake. So when 
 Sir Tristram had beholden them long he thought shame to 
 see two hundred knights battering upon twenty knights. 
 Then Sir Tristram rode unto the King with the Hundred 
 Knights and said : Sir, leave your fighting with those twenty 
 knights, for ye win no worship of them, ye be so many and they 
 so few ; and wit ye well they will not out of the field I see by 
 their cheer and countenance ; and worship get ye none an ye 
 slay them. Therefore leave your fighting with them, for I, 
 to increase my worship, I will ride to the twenty knights and 
 help them with all my might and power. Nay, said the King 
 with the Hundred Knights, ye shall not do so ; now I see your 
 courage and courtesy I will withdraw my knights for your 
 pleasure, for evermore a good knight will favour another, 
 and like will draw to like. 
 
 Then the King with the Hundred Knights withdrew 
 
i82 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 his knights. And all this while, and long to-fore, Sir Launce- 
 lot had watched upon Sir Tristram with a very purpose to 
 have fellowshipped with him. And then suddenly Sir Tris- 
 tram, Sir Dinadan, and Gouvernail, his man, rode their way 
 into the forest, that no man perceived where they went. 
 So then King Arthur blew unto lodging, and gave the King 
 of Northgalis the prize because Sir Tristram was upon his side. 
 And upon the morn the king blew unto the tournament upon 
 the third day. 
 
 So the King of Northgalis and the King with the Hundred 
 Knights, they two encountered with King Carados and with 
 the King of Ireland ; and there the King with the Hundred 
 Knights smote down King Carados, and the King of North- 
 galis smote down the King of Ireland. With that came in 
 Sir Palomides, and when he came he made great work, for by 
 his indented shield he was well known. So came in King 
 Arthur, and did great deeds of arms together, and put the 
 King of Northgalis and the King with the Hundred Knights 
 to the worse. With this came in Sir Tristram with his black 
 shield, and anon he jousted with Sir Palomides, and there by 
 fine force Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomides over his horse's 
 croup. Then King Arthur cried : Knight with the Black 
 Shield, make thee ready to me, and in the same wise Sir Tris- 
 tram smote King Arthur. And then by force of King Arthur's 
 knights the King and Sir Palomides were horsed again. Then 
 King Arthur with a great eager heart he gat a spear in his 
 hand, and there upon the one side he smote Sir Tristram 
 over his horse. Then foot-hot Sir Palomides came upon Sir 
 Tristram, as he was upon foot, to have overridden him. 
 Then Sir Tristram was ware of him, and there he stooped 
 aside, and with great ire he gat him by the arm, and pulled 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND KING ARTHUR 183 
 
 him down from his horse. Then Sir Palomides lightly 
 arose, and then they dashed together mightily with their 
 swords ; and many kings, queens, and lords stood and 
 beheld them. And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir Palo- 
 mides upon the helm three mighty strokes, and at every stroke 
 that he gave him he said : This for Sir Tristram's sake. With 
 that Sir Palomides fell to the earth grovelling. 
 
 Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, and 
 brought Sir Tristram an horse, and so was he horsed again. 
 By then was Sir Palomides horsed, and with great ire he 
 jousted upon Sir Tristram with his spear as it was in the 
 rest, and gave him a great dash with his sword. Then Sir 
 Tristram avoided his spear, and gat him by the neck with 
 his both hands, and pulled him clean out of his saddle, and 
 so he bare him afore him the length of ten spears, and then 
 in the presence of them all he let him fall at his adventure. 
 Then Sir Tristram was ware of King Arthur with a naked 
 sword in his hand, and with his spear Sir Tristram ran upon 
 King Arthur ; and then King Arthur boldly abode him and 
 with his sword he smote a-two his spear, and therewithal Sir 
 Tristram stonied ; and so King Arthur gave him three or four 
 strokes or he might get out his sword, and at the last Sir 
 Tristram drew his sword and either assailed other passing 
 hard. With that the great press departed them. Then Sir 
 Tristram rode here and there and did his great pain, that 
 eleven of the good knights of the blood of King Ban, that was 
 of Sir Launcelot's kin, that day Sir Tristram smote down, 
 that all the estates marvelled of his great deeds and all 
 cried upon the Knight with the Black Shield. 
 
 Then this cry was so large that Sir Launcelot heard it. 
 And then he gat a great spear in his hand and came towards 
 
i84 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 the cry. Then Sir Launcelot cried : The Knight with the 
 Black Shield, make thee ready to joust with me. When 
 Sir Tristram heard him say so he gat his spear in his hand, 
 and either abashed down their heads, and came together 
 as thunder ; and Sir Tristram's spear brake in pieces, and 
 Sir Launcelot by malfortune struck Sir Tristram on the side 
 a deep wound nigh to the death ; but yet Sir Tristram avoided 
 not his saddle, and so the spear brake. Therewithal Sir 
 Tristram that was wounded gat out his sword, and he rushed 
 to Sir Launcelot, and gave him three great strokes upon the 
 helm that the fire sprang thereout, and Sir Launcelot abashed 
 his head lowly toward his saddle-bow. And therewithal Sir 
 Tristram departed from the field, for he felt him so wounded 
 that he weened he should have died ; and Sir Dinadan espied 
 him and followed him into the forest. Then Sir Launcelot 
 abode and did many marvellous deeds. 
 
 So when Sir Tristram was departed by the forest's side 
 he alighted, and unlaced his harness and freshed his wound ; 
 then weened Sir Dinadan that he should have died. Nay, 
 nay, said Sir Tristram, Dinadan never dread thee, for I 
 am heart-whole, and of this wound I shall soon be whole, 
 by the mercy of God. By that Sir Dinadan was ware where 
 came Palomides riding straight upon them. And then Sir 
 Tristram was ware that Sir Palomides came to have destroyed 
 him. And so Sir Dinadan gave him warning, and said : Sir 
 Tristram, my lord, ye are so sore wounded that ye may not 
 have ado with him, therefore I will ride against him and do 
 to him what I may, and if I be slain ye may pray for my 
 soul ; and in the meanwhile ye may withdraw you and go 
 into the castle, or in the forest, that he shall not meet with 
 you. Sir Tristram smiled and said : I thank you. Sir Dina- 
 
HOW TRISTRAM SMOTE PALOMIDES 185 
 
 dan, of your good will, but ye shall wit that I am able to 
 handle him. And then anon hastily he armed him, and took 
 his horse, and a great spear in his hand, and said to Sir Dina- 
 dan : Adieu ; and rode toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. 
 Then when Sir Palomides saw that, he made countenance to 
 amend his horse, but he did it for this cause, for he abode 
 Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when he was come 
 he rode toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram sent unto 
 Sir Palomides, and required him to joust with him ; and if he 
 smote down Sir Palomides he would do no more to him ; and 
 if it so happened that Sir Palomides smote down Sir Tristram, 
 he bade him do his utterance. So they were accorded. Then 
 they met together, and Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides 
 that he had a grievous fall, so that he lay still as he had been 
 dead. And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he 
 would not have jousted ; but whether he would or not Sir 
 Tristram smote him over his horse's croup, that he lay still as 
 though he had been dead. And then Sir Tristram rode his 
 way and left Sir Persides' squire within the pavilions, and Sir 
 Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight's place to 
 lodge them. And that old knight had five sons at the tourna- 
 ment, for whom he prayed God heartily for their coming home. 
 And when Sir Tristram departed into the forest Sir 
 Launcelot held alway the stour like hard, as a man araged 
 that took no heed to himself, and wit ye well there was 
 many a noble knight against him. And when King Arthur 
 saw Sir Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of arms he then 
 armed him, and took his horse and his armour, and rode 
 into the field to help Sir Launcelot ; and so many knights 
 came in with King Arthur. And to make short tale in 
 conclusion, the King of Northgalis and the King of the Hun- 
 
i86 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 dred Knights were put to the worse ; and because Sir Launce- 
 lot abode and was the last in the field the prize was given 
 him. But Sir Launcelot would neither for king, queen, nor 
 knight, have the prize, but where the cry was cried through 
 the field : Sir Launcelot, Sir Launcelot hath won the field 
 this day. Sir Launcelot let make another cry contrary : Sir 
 Tristram hath won the field, for he began first, and last he 
 hath endured, and so hath he done the first day, the second, 
 and the third day. 
 
 Then all the estates and degrees high and low said of Sir 
 Launcelot great worship, for the honour that he did unto Sir 
 Tristram ; and for that honour doing to Sir Tristram he was 
 at that time more praised and renowned than an he had over- 
 thrown five hundred knights ; and all the people wholly for 
 this gentleness, first the estates both high and low, and after 
 the commonalty cried at once : Sir Launcelot hath won the 
 field, whosoever say nay. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth and 
 ashamed, and so therewithal he rode to King Arthur. Alas, 
 said the king, we are all dismayed that Sir Tristram is thus 
 departed from us. He is one of the noblest knights that 
 ever I saw hold spear or sword in hand, and the most cour- 
 teoust knight in his fighting. Then King Arthur, Sir Launce- 
 lot, and Sir Dodinas le Savage took their horses to seek Sir 
 Tristram, and Sir Persides had told King Arthur where Sir 
 Tristram was in his pavilion. But when they came there. 
 Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan were gone. 
 
 Then King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were heavy, and 
 returned again to the Castle of Maidens making great dole 
 for the hurt of Sir Tristram, and his sudden departing. 
 
OF THE RAGE OF SIR PALOMIDES 187 
 
 OF THE RAGE OF SIR PALO- 
 MIDES FOR DESPITE OF SIR 
 TRISTRAM, AND HOW SIR TRIS- 
 TRAM, SIR DINADAN, AND SIR 
 PALOMIDES LODGED WITH SIR 
 DARRAS, AND HOW SIR DAR- 
 RAS PUT THEM IN HIS PRISON 
 FOR THE DEATH OF HIS SONS, 
 BUT AT THE LAST HE LET 
 THEM GO. And thus we let pass King Arthur, and a Httle 
 we will turn unto Sir Palomides, that after he had a fall of 
 Sir Tristram, he was nigh-hand araged out of his wit for 
 despite of Sir Tristram. And so he followed him by adven- 
 ture. And as he came by a river, in his woodness he would 
 have made his horse to have leapt over ; and the horse failed 
 footing and fell in the river, wherefore Sir Palomides was 
 adread lest he should have been drowned ; and then he 
 avoided his horse, and swam to the land, and let his horse 
 go down by adventure. 
 
 And when he came to the land he took off his harness, 
 and sat roaring and crying as a man out of his mind. Right 
 so came a damosel even by Sir Palomides, that was sent 
 from Sir Gawaine and his brother unto Sir Mordred, that 
 lay sick in the same place with that old knight where Sir 
 Tristram was. For, as the French book saith. Sir Persides 
 hurt so Sir Mordred a ten days afore ; and had it not been 
 for the love of Sir Gawaine and his brother. Sir Persides 
 had slain Sir Mordred. And so this damosel came by Sir 
 Palomides, and she and he had language together, the which 
 pleased neither of thern ; and so the damosel rode her ways 
 till she came to the old knight's place, and there she told that 
 
i88 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 old knight how she met with the woodest knight by adven- 
 ture that ever she met withal. What bare he in his shield ? 
 said Sir Tristram. It was indented with white and black, 
 said the damosel. Ah, said Sir Tristram, that was Sir Palo- 
 mides, the good knight. For well I know him, said Sir 
 Tristram, for one of the best knights living in this realm. 
 Then that old knight took a little hackney, and rode for Sir 
 Palomides, and brought him unto his own manor ; and full 
 well knew Sir Tristram Sir Palomides, but he said but little, 
 for at that time Sir Tristram was walking upon his feet, and 
 well amended of his hurts ; and always when Sir Palomides 
 saw Sir Tristram he would behold him full marvellously, and 
 ever him seemed that he had seen him. Then would he say 
 unto Sir Dinadan : An ever I may meet with Sir Tristram 
 he shall not escape mine hands. I marvel, said Sir Dinadan, 
 that ye boast behind Sir Tristram, for it is but late that he 
 was in your hands, and ye in his hands ; why would ye not 
 hold him when ye had him ? for I saw myself twice or thrice 
 that ye gat but little worship of Sir Tristram. Then was 
 Sir Palomides ashamed. 
 
 And then there came a damosel that told Sir Darras 
 that three of his sons were slain at that tournament, and 
 two grievously wounded that they were never like to help 
 themself. And all this was done by a noble knight that 
 bare the black shield, and that was he that bare the prize. 
 Then came there one and told Sir Darras that the same 
 knight was within, him that bare the black shield. Then 
 Sir Darras went unto Sir Tristram's chamber, and there 
 he found his shield and showed it to the damosel. Ah sir, 
 said the damosel, that same is he that slew your three sons. 
 Then without any tarrying Sir Darras put Sir Tristram, and 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR DARRAS 189 
 
 Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan, within a strong prison, and 
 there Sir Tristram was Hke to have died of great sickness ; 
 and every day Sir Palomides would reprove Sir Tristram 
 of old hate betwixt them. And ever Sir Tristram spake 
 fair and said little. So Sir Tristram endured there great 
 pain, for sickness had undertaken him, and that is the greatest 
 pain a prisoner may have. For all the while a prisoner may 
 have his health of body he may endure under the mercy of 
 God and in hope of good deliverance ; but when sickness 
 toucheth a prisoner's body, then may a prisoner say all wealth 
 is him bereft, and then he hath cause to wail and to weep. 
 Right so did Sir Tristram when sickness had undertaken 
 him, for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain 
 himself. 
 
 So a damosel came in to them and found them mourning. 
 Then she went unto Sir Darras, and told him how that mighty 
 knight that bare the black shield was likely to die. That 
 shall not be, said Sir Darras, for God defend when knights 
 come to me for succour that I should suffer them to die within 
 my prison. Therefore, said Sir Darras to the damosel, fetch 
 that knight and his fellows afore me. And then anon when 
 Sir Darras saw Sir Tristram brought afore him, he said : Sir 
 knight, me repenteth of thy sickness, for thou art called a 
 full noble knight, and so it seemeth by thee ; and wit ye well 
 it shall never be said that Sir Darras shall destroy such a 
 noble knight as thou art in prison, howbeit that thou hast 
 slain three of my sons, whereby I was greatly aggrieved. 
 But now shalt thou go and thy fellows, and your harness and 
 horses have been fair and clean kept, and ye shall go where 
 it liketh you, upon this covenant, that thou, knight, wilt 
 promise me to be good friend to my sons two that be now 
 
I90 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 alive, and also that thou tell me thy name. Sir, said he, as 
 for me, my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and in Cornwall 
 was I born, and nephew I am unto King Mark. And as for 
 the death of your sons I might not do withal, for an they had 
 been the next kin that I have I might have done none other- 
 wise. And if I had slain them by treason or treachery I had 
 been worthy to have died. All this I consider, said Sir 
 Darras, that all that ye did was by force of knighthood, and 
 that was the cause I would not put you to death. But sith 
 ye be Sir Tristram, the good knight, I pray you heartily to 
 be my good friend and to my sons. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
 I promise you by the faith of my body, ever while I live I will 
 do you service, for ye have done to us but as a natural knight 
 ought to do. Then Sir Tristram reposed him there till that 
 he was amended of his sickness ; and when he was big and 
 strong they took their leave, and every knight took their 
 horses and so departed and rode together till they came to a 
 crossway. Now fellows, said Sir Tristram, here will we 
 depart in sundry ways. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM SAVED SIR PALOMIDES' 
 LIFE, AND HOW THEY PROMISED TO FIGHT 
 TOGETHER WITHIN A FORTNIGHT, AND 
 HOW THEY WERE BOTH SMITFEN DOWN BY A 
 STRONG KNIGHT. Then in every place Sir Tristram asked 
 and demanded after Sir Launcelot, but in no place he could 
 not hear of him whether he were dead or alive ; wherefore 
 Sir Tristram made great dole and sorrow. So Sir Tristram 
 rode by a forest, and then was he ware of a fair tower by a 
 marsh on that one side, and on that other side a fair meadow. 
 And there he saw ten knights fighting together. And ever 
 
HOW TRISTRAM SAVED PALOMIDES 191 
 
 the nearer he came he saw how there was but one knight did 
 battle against nine knights, and that one did so marvellously 
 that Sir Tristram had great wonder that ever one knight 
 might do so great deeds of arms. And then within a little 
 while he had slain half their horses and unhorsed them, and 
 their horses ran in the fields and forest. Then Sir Tristram 
 had so great pity of that one knight that endured so great 
 pain, and ever he thought it should be Sir Palomides, by his 
 shield. And so he rode unto the knights and cried unto 
 them, and bade them cease of their battle, for they did them- 
 selves great shame so many knights to fight with one. Then 
 answered the master of those knights, his name was called 
 Breuse Saunce Pite, that was at that time the most mis- 
 chievoust knight living, and said thus : Sir knight, what 
 have ye ado with us to meddle ? and therefore, an ye be wise, 
 depart on your way as ye came, for this knight shall not 
 escape us. That were pity, said Sir Tristram, that so good 
 a knight as he is should be slain so cowardly ; and therefore 
 I warn you I will succour him with all my puissance. 
 
 So Sir Tristram alighted off his horse because they were 
 on foot, that they should not slay his horse, and then dressed 
 his shield, with his sword in his hand, and he smote on the 
 right hand and on the left hand passing sore, that well-nigh 
 at every stroke he struck down a knight. And when they 
 espied his strokes they fled all with Breuse Saunce Pite unto 
 the tower, and Sir Tristram followed fast after with his sword 
 in his hand, but they escaped into the tower, and shut Sir 
 Tristram without the gate. And when Sir Tristram saw this 
 he returned aback unto Sir Palomides, and found him sitting 
 under a tree sore wounded. Ah, fair knight, said Sir Tris- 
 tram, well be ye found. Gramercy, said Sir Palomides, of 
 
192 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 your great goodness, for ye have rescued me of my life, and 
 saved me from my death. What is your name ? said Sir 
 Tristram. He said : My name is Sir Palomides. O Jesu, 
 said Sir Tristram, thou hast a fair grace of me this day that 
 I should rescue thee, and thou art the man in the world that 
 I most hate ; but now make thee ready, for I will do battle 
 with thee. What is your name ? said Sir Palomides. My 
 name is Sir Tristram, your mortal enemy. It may be so, 
 said Sir Palomides ; but ye have done over much for me this 
 day that I should fight with you ; for inasmuch as ye have 
 saved my life it will be no worship for you to have ado with 
 me, for ye are fresh and I am wounded sore, and therefore, an 
 ye will needs have ado with me, assign me a day and then I 
 shall meet with you without fail. Ye say well, said Sir Tris- 
 tram, now I assign you to meet me in the meadow by the river 
 of Camelot, where Merlin set the peron. So they were agreed. 
 Then Sir Tristram asked Sir Palomides why the nine 
 knights did battle with him. For this cause, said Sir Palo- 
 mides ; as I rode upon mine adventures in a forest here be- 
 side I espied where lay a dead knight, and a lady weeping 
 beside him. And when I saw her making such dole, I asked 
 her who slew her lord. Sir, she said, the falsest knight of 
 the world now living, and he is the most villain that ever 
 man heard speak of, and his name is Sir Breuse Saunce Pite. 
 Then for pity I made the damosel to leap on her palfrey, and 
 I promised her to be her warrant, and to help her to inter her 
 lord. And so, suddenly, as I came riding by this tower, there 
 came out Sir Breuse Saunce Pite, and suddenly he struck me 
 from my horse. And then or I might recover my horse this 
 Sir Breuse slew the damosel. And so I took my horse again, 
 and I was sore ashamed, and so began the medley betwixt 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES 193 
 
 us : and this is the cause wherefore we did this battle. Well, 
 said Sir Tristram, now I understand the manner of your battle, 
 but in any wise have remembrance of your promise that ye 
 have made with me to do battle with me this day fortnight, 
 I shall not fail you, said Sir Palomides. Well, said Sir Tris- 
 tram, as at this time I will not fail you till that ye be out of 
 the danger of your enemies. 
 
 So they mounted upon their horses, and rode together 
 unto that forest, and there they found a fair well, with clear 
 water burbling. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, to drink of that 
 water have I courage ; and then they alighted off their horses. 
 And then were they ware by them where stood a great horse 
 tied to a tree, and ever he neighed. And then were they ware 
 of a fair knight armed, under a tree, lacking no piece of harness, 
 save his helm lay under his head. By the good lord, said 
 Sir Tristram, yonder lieth a well-faring knight ; what is best 
 to do ? Awake him, said Sir Palomides. So Sir Tristram 
 awaked him with the butt of his spear. And so the knight 
 rose up hastily and put his helm upon his head, and gat a 
 great spear in his hand ; and without any more words he 
 hurled unto Sir Tristram, and smote him clean from his 
 saddle to tlie earth, and hurt him on the left side, that Sir 
 Tristram lay in great peril. Then he walloped farther, and 
 fetched his course, and came hurling upon Sir Palomides, and 
 there he struck him a part through the body, that he fell 
 from his horse to the earth. And then this strange knight 
 left them there, and took his way through the forest. With 
 this Sir Palomides and Sir Tristram were on foot, and gat 
 their horses again, and either asked counsel of other, what 
 was best to do. By my head, said Sir Tristram, I will follow 
 this strong knight that thus hath shamed us. Well, said 
 
194 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Sir Palomides, and I will repose me hereby with a friend of 
 mine. Beware, said Sir Tristram unto Palomides, that ye 
 fail not that day that ye have set with me to do battle, for, 
 as I deem, ye will not hold your day, for I am much bigger 
 than ye. As for that, said Sir Palomides, be it as it be may, 
 for I fear you not, for an I be not sick nor prisoner, I will not 
 fail you ; but I have cause to have much more doubt of you 
 that ye will not meet with me, for ye ride after yonder strong 
 knight. And if ye meet with him it is an hard adventure an 
 ever ye escape his hands. Right so Sir Tristram and Sir 
 Palomides departed, and either took their ways diverse. 
 
 And by fortune in a meadow Sir Tristram met with Sir 
 Kay, the Seneschal, and Sir Dinadan. What tidings with 
 you, said Sir Tristram, with you knights ? Not good, said 
 these knights. Why so ? said Sir Tristram ; I pray you 
 tell me, for I ride to seek a knight. What cognisance beareth 
 he ? said Sir Kay. He beareth, said Sir Tristram, a covered 
 shield close with cloth. By my head, said Sir Kay, that is 
 the same knight that met with us, for this night we were 
 lodged within a widow's house, and there was that knight 
 lodged ; and when he wist we were of Arthur's court he spoke 
 great villainy by the king, and specially by the Queen Guen- 
 ever, and then on the morn was waged battle with him for that 
 cause. And at the first recounter, said Sir Kay, he smote 
 me down from my horse and hurt me passing sore ; and when 
 my fellow. Sir Dinadan, saw me smitten down and hurt he 
 would not revenge me, but fled from me ; and thus he de- 
 parted. And then Sir Tristram asked them their names, and 
 so either told other their names. And so Sir Tristram de- 
 parted from Sir Kay, and from Sir Dinadan, and so he passed 
 through a great forest into a plain, till he was ware of a priory, 
 
HOW TRISTRAM SMOTE SAGRAMORE 195 
 
 and there he reposed him with a good man six days. And 
 then he sent his man that hight Gouvernail, and commanded 
 him to go to a city thereby to fetch him new harness ; for it was 
 long time afore that that Sir Tristram had been refreshed, his 
 harness was brised and broken. And when Gouvernail, his 
 servant, was come with his apparel, he mounted upon his 
 horse, and rode his way early on the morn. And by sudden 
 adventure Sir Tristram met with Sir Sagramore le Desirous, 
 and with Sir Dodinas le Savage. And these two knights met 
 with Sir Tristram and questioned with him, and asked him 
 if he would joust with them. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, 
 with a good will I would joust with you, but I have promised 
 at a day set, near hand, to do battle with a strong knight ; 
 and therefore I am loath to have ado with you, for an it mis- 
 fortuned me here to be hurt I should not be able to do my 
 battle which I promised. As for that, said Sagramore, maugre 
 your head, ye shall joust with us or ye pass from us. Well, 
 said Sir Tristram, if ye enforce me thereto I must do what I 
 may. And then they dressed their shields, and came running 
 together with great ire. But through Sir Tristram's great 
 force he struck Sir Sagramore from his horse. Then he hurled 
 his horse farther, and said to Sir Dodinas : Knight, make 
 thee ready; and so through fine force Sir Tristram struck 
 Dodinas from his horse. And when he saw them lie on the 
 earth he took his bridle, and rode forth on his way, and his 
 man Gouvernail with him. 
 
196 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM MET AT THE 
 PERON WITH SIR LAUNCELOT, AND 
 HOW THEY FOUGHT TOGETHER UN- 
 KNOWN, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT 
 BROUGHT SIR TRISTRAM TO THE 
 COURT, AND OF THE GREAT JOY THAT 
 THE KING AND OTHER MADE FOR THE COMING 
 OF SIR TRISTRAM. Then departed Sir Tristram and 
 rode straight unto Camelot, to the peron that MerKn had 
 made to-fore, where Sir Lanceor, that was the king's son 
 of Ireland, was slain by the hands of Balin. And in that 
 same place was the fair lady Colombe slain, that was love 
 unto Sir Lanceor ; for after he was dead she took his sword 
 and thrust it through her body. And by the craft of Merlin 
 he made to inter this knight, Lanceor, and his lady, Colombe, 
 under one stone. And at that time Merlin prophesied that 
 in that same place should fight two the best knights that ever 
 were in Arthur's days, and the best lovers. So when Sir 
 Tristram came to the tomb where Lanceor and his lady were 
 buried he looked about him after Sir Palomides. Then was 
 he ware of a seemly knight came riding against him all in 
 white, with a covered shield. When he came nigh Sir Tris- 
 tram he said on high : Ye be welcome, sir knight, and well 
 and truly have ye holden your promise. And then they 
 dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all 
 their might of their horses ; and they met so fiercely that both 
 their horses and knights fell to the earth, and as fast as they 
 might avoided their horses, and put their shields afore them : 
 and they struck together with bright swords, as men that 
 were of might, and either wounded other wonderly sore, that 
 the blood ran out upon the grass. And thus they fought the 
 
HOW TRISTRAM FOUGHT LAUNCELOT 197 
 
 space of four hours, that never one would speak to other one 
 word, and of their harness they had hewn off many pieces. 
 I marvel greatly of the strokes my master hath given to your 
 master, said Gouvernail. By my head, said Sir Launcelot's 
 servant, your master hath not given so many but your master 
 has received as many or more. So they stood and wept 
 both, and made great dole when they saw the bright swords 
 over-covered with blood of their bodies. 
 
 Then at the last spake Sir Launcelot and said : Knight, 
 thou lightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight, therefore, 
 an it please you, tell me your name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
 that is me loath to tell any man my name. Truly, said Sir 
 Launcelot, an I were required I was never loath to tell my 
 name. It is well said, said Sir Tristram, then I require 
 you to tell me your name ? Fair knight, he said, my name 
 is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Tristram, what 
 have I done 1 for ye are the man in the world that I love 
 best. Fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, tell me your name ? 
 Truly, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de Liones. O Jesu, 
 said Sir Launcelot, what adventure is befallen me ! And 
 therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up 
 his sword. And therewith Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and 
 yielded him up his sword. And so either gave other the 
 degree. And then they both forthwithal went to the stone, 
 and set them down upon it, and took off their helms to cool 
 them, and either kissed other an hundred times. And then 
 anon after they took off their helms and rode to Camelot. 
 And there they met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris 
 that had made promise to Arthur never to come again to the 
 court till they had brought Sir Tristram with them. 
 
 Return again, said Sir Launcelot, for your quest is done. 
 
198 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 for I have met with Sir Tristram : lo, here is his own person ! 
 Then was Sir Gawaine glad, and said to Sir Tristram : Ye 
 are welcome, for now have ye eased me greatly of my labour. 
 For what cause, said Sir Gawaine, came ye into this court ? 
 Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, I came into this country because 
 of Sir Palomides ; for he and I had assigned at this day to 
 have done battle together at the peron, and I marvel I hear 
 not of him.^ And thus by adventure my lord. Sir Launcelot, 
 and I met together. With this came King Arthur, and when 
 he wist that there was Sir Tristram, then he ran unto him 
 and took him by the hand and said : Sir Tristram, ye are 
 as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court. And 
 when the king had heard how Sir Launcelot and he had 
 foughten, and either had wounded other wonderly sore, then 
 the king made great dole. Then Sir Tristram told the king 
 how he came thither for to have had ado with Sir Palomides. 
 And then he told the king how he had rescued him from the 
 nine knights and Breuse Saunce Pite ; and how he found a 
 knight lying by a well, and that knight smote down Sir Palo- 
 mides and me, but his shield was covered with a cloth. So 
 Sir Palomides left me, and I followed after that knight ; and 
 in many places I found where he had slain knights, and for- 
 jousted many. By my head, said Sir Gawaine, that same 
 knight smote me down and Sir Bleoberis, and hurt us sore 
 both, he with the covered shield. Ah, said Sir Kay, that 
 knight smote me adown and hurt me passing sore, and fain 
 would I have known him, but I might not. Mercy, said 
 Arthur, what knight was that with the covered shield ? I 
 know not, said Sir Tristram ; and so said they all. Now, 
 
 * The cause of this was that Palomides was made prisoner by a lord, so that he could 
 not keep his day. 
 
HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO THE COURT 199 
 
 said King Arthur, then wot I, for it is Sir Launcelot. Then 
 they all looked upon Sir Launcelot and said : Ye have be- 
 guiled us with your covered shield. It is not the first time, 
 said Arthur, he hath done so. My lord, said Sir Launcelot, 
 truly wit ye well I was the same knight that bare the covered 
 shield ; and because I would not be known that I was of your 
 court I said no worship of your house. That is truth, said 
 Sir Gawaine, Sir Kay, and Sir Bleoberis. 
 
 Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand and 
 went to the Table Round. Then came Queen Guenever 
 and many ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one voice : 
 Welcome, Sir Tristram ! Welcome, said the damosels. Wel- 
 come, said knights. Welcome, said Arthur, for one of the 
 best knights, and the gentlest of the world, and the man of 
 most worship ; for of all manner of hunting thou bearest the 
 prize, and of all measures of blowing thou art the beginning, 
 and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye are the be- 
 ginner, of all instruments of music ye are the best ; therefore, 
 gentle knight, said Arthur, ye are welcome to this court. 
 And also, I pray you, said Arthur, grant me a boon. It shall 
 be at your commandment, said Tristram. Well, said Arthur, 
 I will desire of you that ye will abide in my court. Sir, said 
 Sir Tristram, thereto is me loath, for I have ado in many 
 countries. Not so, said Arthur, ye have promised it me, ye 
 may not say nay. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I will as ye will. 
 Then went Arthur unto the sieges about the Round Table, 
 and looked in every siege the which were void that lacked 
 knights. And then the king saw in the siege of Marhaus 
 letters that said : This is the siege of the noble knight. Sir 
 Tristram. And then Arthur made Sir Tristram Knight of 
 the Table Round, with great nobley and great feast as might 
 
200 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 be thought. For Sir Marhaus was slain afore by the hands 
 of Sir Tristram in an island ; and that was well known at that 
 time in the court of Arthur, for this Marhaus was a worthy 
 knight. So leave we of Sir Tristram and speak we of King 
 Mark. 
 
 HOW FOR THE DESPITE OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 KING MARK CAME WITH TWO KNIGHTS 
 INTO ENGLAND, AND HOW HE SLEW ONE 
 OF THE KNIGHTS, AND HOW HE WAS SCORNED 
 BY SIR LAMORAK AND SIR DINADAN. When Sir 
 Tristram departed out of Cornwall into England King Mark 
 heard of the great prowess that Sir Tristram did there, the 
 which grieved him sore. So he sent on his part men to espy 
 what deeds he did. And the queen sent privily on her part 
 spies to know what deeds he had done, for great love was 
 between them twain. So when the messengers were come 
 home they told the truth as they had heard, that he passed all 
 other knights but if it were Sir Launcelot. Then King Mark 
 was right heavy of these tidings, and as glad was La Beale 
 Isoud. Then in great despite he took with him two good 
 knights and two squires, and disguised himself, and took his 
 way into England, to the intent for to slay Sir Tristram. 
 And one of these two knights hight Bersules, and the other 
 knight was called Amant. So as they rode King Mark asked 
 a knight that he met, where he should find King Arthur. 
 He said : At Camelot. Also he asked that knight after Sir 
 Tristram, whether he heard of him in the court of King 
 Arthur. Wit you well, said that knight, ye shall find Sir 
 Tristram there for a man of as great worship as is now living ; 
 for through his prowess he won the tournament of the Castle 
 
OF KING MARK'S TREASONS 201 
 
 of Maidens that standeth by the Hard Rock. And sithen 
 he hath won with his own hands thirty knights that were 
 men of great honour. And the last battle that ever he did 
 he fought with Sir Launcelot ; and that was a marvellous 
 battle. And not by force Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram 
 to the court, and of him King Arthur made passing great 
 joy, and so made him Knight of the Table Round ; and his 
 seat was where the good knight's, Sir Marhaus, seat was. 
 Then was King Mark passing sorry when he heard of the 
 honour of Sir Tristram ; and so they departed. 
 
 Then said King Mark unto his two knights : Now will 
 I tell you my counsel : ye are the men that I trust most to 
 alive, and I will that ye wit my coming hither is to this in- 
 tent, for to destroy Sir Tristram by wiles or by treason ; and 
 it shall be hard if ever he escape our hands. Alas, said Sir 
 Bersules, what mean you ? for ye be set in such a way ye are 
 disposed shamefully ; for Sir Tristram is the knight of most 
 worship that we know living, and therefore I warn you plainly 
 I will never consent to do him to the death ; and therefore I 
 will yield my service, and forsake you. When King Mark 
 heard him say so, suddenly he drew his sword and said : 
 Ah, traitor ; and smote Sir Bersules on the head, that the 
 sword went to his teeth. When Amant, the knight, saw 
 him do that villainous deed, and his squires, they said it was 
 foul done, and mischievously : Wherefore we will do thee 
 no more service, and wit ye well, we will appeach thee of 
 treason afore Arthur. Then was King Mark wonderly wroth 
 and would have slain Amant ; but he and the two squires 
 held them together, and set nought by his malice. When 
 King Mark saw he might not be revenged on them, he said 
 thus unto the knight, Amant : Wit thou well, an thou ap- 
 
202 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 peach me of treason I shall thereof defend me afore King 
 Arthur ; but I require thee that thou tell not my name, that 
 I am King Mark, whatsomever come of me. As for that, 
 said Sir Amant, I will not discover your name ; and so they 
 departed, and Amant and his fellows took the body of 
 Bersules and buried it. 
 
 Then King Mark rode till he came to a fountain, and 
 there he rested him, and stood in a doubt whether he would 
 ride to Arthur's court or none, or return again to his country. 
 And as he thus rested him by that fountain there came by 
 him a knight well armed on horseback ; and he alighted, and 
 tied his horse until a tree, and set him down by the brink of 
 the fountain ; and there he made great languor and dole, and 
 made the dolefullest complaint of love that ever man heard ; 
 and all this while was he not ware of King Mark. And this 
 was a great part of his complaint : he cried and wept, saying : 
 
 fair Queen of Orkney, King Lot's wife, and mother of Sir 
 Gawaine, and to Sir Gaheris, and mother to many other, for 
 thy love I am in great pains. Then King Mark arose and 
 went near him and said : Fair knight, ye have made piteous 
 complaint. Truly, said the knight, it is an hundred part 
 more ruefuUer than my heart can utter. I require you, said 
 King Mark, tell me your name. Sir, said he, as for my name 
 
 1 will not hide it from no knight that beareth a shield, and 
 my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. But when Sir Lamorak 
 heard King Mark speak, then wist he well by his speech that 
 he was a Cornish knight. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, I under- 
 stand by your tongue ye be of Cornwall, wherein there dwelleth 
 the shamefullest king that is now living, for he is a great enemy 
 to all good knights ; and that proveth well, for he hath chased 
 out of that country Sir Tristram, that is the worshipfuUest 
 
OF KING MARK AND SIR LAMORAK 203 
 
 knight that now is Hving, and all knights speak of him wor- 
 ship ; and for jealousness of his queen he hath chased him out 
 of his country. It is pity, said Sir Lamorak, that ever any 
 such false knight-coward as King Mark is, should be matched 
 with such a fair lady and good as La Beale Isoud is, for all 
 the world of him speaketh shame, and of her worship that 
 any queen may have. I have not ado in this matter, said 
 King Mark, neither nought will I speak thereof. 
 
 Then there came Sir Dinadan, and saluted them both. 
 And when he wist that King Mark was a knight of Corn- 
 wall he reproved him for the love of King Mark a thousand 
 fold more than did Sir Lamorak. Then he proffered to 
 joust with King Mark. And he was full loath thereto, but 
 Sir Dinadan edged him so, that he jousted with Sir Lamorak. 
 And Sir Lamorak smote King Mark so sore that he bare him 
 on his spear end over his horse's tail. And then King Mark 
 arose again, and followed after Sir Lamorak. But Sir Dina- 
 dan would not joust with Sir Lamorak, but he told King Mark 
 that Sir Lamorak was Sir Kay, the Seneschal. That is not 
 so, said King Mark, for he is much bigger than Sir Kay ; and 
 so he followed and overtook him, and bade him abide. What 
 will you do ? said Sir Lamorak. Sir, he said, I will fight with 
 a sword, for ye have shamed me with a spear ; and therewith 
 they dashed together with swords, and Sir Lamorak suffered 
 him and forbare him. And King Mark was passing hasty, 
 and smote thick strokes. Sir Lamorak saw he would not 
 stint, and waxed somewhat wroth, and doubled his strokes, 
 for he was one of the noblest knights of the world ; and he 
 beat him so on the helm that his head hung nigh on the saddle 
 bow. When Sir Lamorak saw him fare so, he said : Sir 
 knight, what cheer ? meseemeth ye have nigh your fill of 
 
204 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 fighting, it were pity to do you any more harm, for ye are but 
 a mean knight, therefore I give you leave to go where ye list. 
 Gramercy, said King Mark, for ye and I be not matches. 
 
 HOW KING MARK SLEW SIR AMANT 
 WRONGFULLY TO-FORE KING 
 ARTHUR, AND SIR LAUNCELOT 
 FETCHED KING MARK AGAIN TO 
 KING ARTHUR. Then King Mark rode 
 as fast as he might unto Camelot ; and the same day he 
 found there Amant, the knight, ready, that afore Arthur had 
 appealed him of treason ; and so, lightly the king commanded 
 them to do battle. And by misadventure King Mark smote 
 Amant through the body. And yet was Amant in the 
 righteous quarrel. And right so he took his horse and de- 
 parted from the court for dread of Sir Dinadan, that he 
 would tell Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides what he was. 
 Then were there maidens that La Beale Isoud had sent to 
 Sir Tristram, that knew Sir Amant well. 
 
 Then by the license of King Arthur they went to him 
 and spake with him ; for while the truncheon of the spear 
 stuck in his body he spake : Ah, fair damosels, said Amant, 
 recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and tell her that I am 
 slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And there he 
 told the damosels how cowardly King Mark had slain him, 
 and Sir Bersules, his fellow. And for that deed I appealed 
 him of treason, and here am I slain in a righteous quarrel ; 
 and all was because Sir Bersules and I would not consent by 
 treason to slay the noble knight, Sir Tristram. Then the 
 two maidens cried aloud that all the court might hear it, and 
 said : O sweet Lord Jesu, that knowest all hid things, why 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND KING MARK 205 
 
 sufferest thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true 
 knight that fought in a righteous quarrel ? Then anon it 
 was sprung to the king, and the queen, and to all the lords, 
 that it was King Mark that had slain Sir Amant, and Sir 
 Bersules aforehand ; wherefore they did their battle. Then 
 was King Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were all the 
 other knights. But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter he 
 made great dole and sorrow out of measure, and wept for sorrow 
 for the loss of the noble knights, Sir Bersules and Sir Amant. 
 When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep he went 
 hastily to King Arthur, and said : Sir, I pray you give me 
 leave to return again to yonder false king and knight. I 
 pray you, said King Arthur, fetch him again, but I would 
 not that ye slew him, for my worship. Then Sir Launcelot 
 armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a great horse, 
 and took a spear in his hand and rode after King Mark. 
 And from thence a three mile EngHsh Sir Launcelot over- 
 took him, and bade him : Turn recreant king and knight, 
 for whether thou wilt or not thou shalt go with me to King 
 Arthur's court. King Mark returned and looked upon Sir 
 Launcelot, and said : Fair sir, what is your name ? Wit 
 thou well, said he, my name is Sir Launcelot, and therefore 
 defend thee. And when King Mark wist that it was Sir 
 Launcelot, and came so fast upon him with a spear, he cried 
 then aloud : I yield me to thee. Sir Launcelot, honourable 
 knight. But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, but came fast 
 upon him. King Mark saw that, and made no defence, but 
 tumbled adown out of his saddle to the earth as a sack, and 
 there he lay still, and cried Sir Launcelot mercy. Arise, 
 recreant knight and king. I will not fight, said King Mark, 
 but whither that ye will I will go with you. Alas, alas, said 
 
2o6 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Sir Launcelot, that I may not give thee one buffet for the love 
 of Sir Tristram and of La Beale Isoud, and for the two knights 
 that thou hast slain traitorly. And so he mounted upon his 
 horse and brought him to King Arthur ; and there King Mark 
 alighted in that same place, and threw his helm from him 
 upon the earth, and his sword, and fell flat to the earth of 
 King Arthur's feet, and put him in his grace and mercy. So 
 God me help, said Arthur, ye are welcome in a manner, and 
 in a manner ye are not welcome. In this manner ye are 
 welcome, that ye come hither maugre thy head, as I suppose. 
 That is truth, said King Mark, and else I had not been here, 
 for my lord, Sir Launcelot, brought me hither through his 
 fine force, and to him am I yolden to as recreant. Well, said 
 Arthur, ye understand ye ought to do me service, homage, 
 and fealty. And never would ye do me none, but ever ye 
 have been against me, and a destroyer of my knights ; now, 
 how will ye acquit you ? Sir, said King Mark, right as your 
 lordship will require me, unto my power, I will make a large 
 amends. For he was a fair speaker, and false thereunder. 
 Then for great pleasure of Sir Tristram, to make them twain 
 accorded, the king withheld King Mark as at that time, and 
 made a broken love-day between them. 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR MADE A JOUSTING, 
 AND HOW SIR LAMORAK CAME IN, AND 
 OVERTHREW SIR GAWAINE, AND HOW KING 
 ARTHUR MADE KING MARK TO BE ACCORDED 
 WITH SIR TRISTRAM AND THEY RODE TOGETHER 
 TO CORNWALL. 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 
 
OF SIR LAMORAK AND SIR GAWAINE 207 
 
 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 this hurtling he 
 lost the covering of his shield : then was the king and all 
 other ware that he bare a red shield. See where rideth a stout 
 knight, said King Arthur, 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. Truly, said King Arthur, me- 
 seemeth yonder is the best jouster 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 the 
 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, 
 
2o8 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 and brised him sore. And in the sight of King Arthur he 
 smote down twenty knights, beside Sir Gawaine and his breth- 
 ren. And so clearly was the prize given him as a knight peer- 
 less. Then slyly and marvellously Sir Lamorak withdrew 
 him from all the fellowship into the forest side. AH 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 be ye found. When he saw the 
 king he put off his helm and saluted him, and when he saw 
 Sir Tristram he alighted down off his horse and ran to him to 
 take him by the thighs, but Sir Tristram would not suffer 
 him, but he alighted 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 wroth with him that he had put Gawaine to dis- 
 honour 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. 
 
HOW KING MARK WENT TO CORNWALL 209 
 
 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 owed 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 
 
2IO OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 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, over-much 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 over-much 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 Tris- 
 tram'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. 
 
 HOW SIR PERCIVALE WAS MADE KNIGHT 
 OF KING ARTHUR, AND HOW A DUMB 
 MAID SPAKE, AND BROUGHT HIM TO THE 
 ROUND TABLE. 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 
 
HOW PERCIVALE WAS MADE KNIGHT 211 
 
 with a young squire with him. And when this knight was un- 
 armed, 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 PelUnore, 
 that did you some time good service, and he is a brother unto 
 Sir Lamorak de Gahs, 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 Arthur, for the love of Sir Lam- 
 orak, and for his father's love, he shall be made knight to-mor- 
 row. 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 ere 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 com- 
 manded him to be set among mean knights ; and so was 
 Sir Percivale set as the king commanded. Then 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. 
 
212 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 HOW AT A GREAT FEAST THAT 
 KING MARK MADE AN HARPER 
 CAME AND SANG A LAY OF SIR 
 DINADAN'S AGAINST KING MARK. 
 Then there came a knight out of Corn- 
 wall, 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 pass- 
 ing good cheer of the king, and of the Queen Guenever, and 
 of Sir Launcelot. Then they wrote goodly letters again. 
 But Sir Launcelot bade 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 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 Launce- 
 
OF LETTERS FROM KING MARK 213 
 
 lot in a manner threated King Mark. And as King Mark 
 read these letters he deemed treason by Sir Tristram. 
 
 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 themselves. 
 And the beginning of the king's letters spake wonderly short 
 unto King Arthur, and bade him entermete with himself and 
 with his wife, and of his knights ; for he was able enough to 
 rule and keep his wife. 
 
 When King Arthur understood the letter, he mused of 
 many things, and thought on his sister's words. Queen Mor- 
 gan 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 
 
214 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 : forsooth ye wot well I owe you good will, how- 
 beit 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 knew it, he 
 taught it to many harpers. And so by the will of Sir Launce- 
 lot, and of Arthur, the harpers 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. 
 
 And at a great feast that King Mark made came Eliot 
 the harper with the lay that Dinadan had made, and secretly 
 brought it unto Sir Tristram, and told him the lay that Dina- 
 dan had made by King Mark. And when Sir Tristram heard 
 it, he said : That Dinadan can make wonderly well and ill, 
 thereas 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 because he was a curious harper men heard him sing 
 the same lay that Dinadan had made, the which spake the 
 
How at a great feast that King Mark made came Eliot the harper and 
 sang the lay that Dinadan had made. 
 
OF KING MARK AND SIR DINADAN'S LAY 215 
 
 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 because 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 Tristram 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. 
 
 HOW BY TREASON SIR TRISTRAM WAS 
 BROUGHT TO A TOURNAMENT FOR TO 
 HAVE BEEN SLAIN, AND HOW HE WAS PUT 
 IN PRISON, AND HOW HE AND LA BEALE ISOUD 
 CAME TO ENGLAND AND WERE LODGED BY SIR 
 LAUNCELOT AT JOYOUS GARD. Then 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, because Sir Launcelot had always the 
 higher degree ; therefore this prince and this king made this 
 
2i6 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 brised them, 
 and they hurt him and brised him wonderly sore. So when 
 the jousts were all done they knew well that it was Sir Tris- 
 tram 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 Tristram to eat. And then after 
 he gave him a drink, the which as soon as he had drunk he 
 fell asleep. And when it was night he made him to be carried 
 to another castle, and there he put him in a strong prison, and 
 
HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO ENGLAND 217 
 
 there he ordained a man and a woman to give him his meat 
 and drink. So there he was a great while. 
 
 When Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in 
 prison she made as great sorrow as ever made lady or gentle- 
 woman. Then Sir Tristram sent a letter unto La Beale 
 Isoud, and prayed her to be his good lady ; and if it pleased 
 her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he would go with 
 her unto the realm of Logris, that is this land. When La 
 Beale Isoud understood Sir Tristram's letters and his intent, 
 she sent him another, and bade 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. 
 
 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 
 tournament 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 
 conclusion, he overthrew fourteen knights of the Round 
 
2i8 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Table. When Sir Launcelot saw these knights thus over- 
 thrown, 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 bade 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 went, 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 
 there Sir Launcelot put them in to wield 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 because 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 Listinoise, and they of Northumberland, and all they that 
 
HOW TRISTRAM ABODE AT JOYOUS CARD 219 
 
 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 a-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 long to all manner of games. First to the uncoupling, 
 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 Tris- 
 tram, and to pray for his soul. 
 
220 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 HOW BY THE COUNSEL OF LA BEALE 
 ISOUD SIR TRISTRAM RODE ARMED, AND 
 HOW HE MET WITH SIR PALOMIDES, AND 
 SIR BREUSE SAUNCE PITE BEGUILED 
 THREE GOOD KNIGHTS. 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 a-hunting armed, and his men bear- 
 ing 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 Tristram 
 alighted and put off his helm to drink of that burbly 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 Pite. 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 Palomides, 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 
 in prison, and Queen La Beale Isoud delivered him, and went 
 
The Questing Beast. 
 
OF SIR BREUSE SAUNCE PITE 221 
 
 dearly 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 I dare make good 
 that 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 Tris- 
 tram, 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 Launcelot. 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 
 
222 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 him three knights of the Table Round, of the which the one 
 hight Sir Ector de Maris, the other hight Sir Percivale de 
 Gahs, 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 foUoweth 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 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 Percivale 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 
 
OF SIR BREUSE SAUNCE PITE 223 
 
 him as he lay on the ground. Then Sir Harry le Fise Lake 
 arose Hghtly, 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 thereas he lieth on the 
 ground he hath done worshipfully, and put to the worse pass- 
 ing 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 Maris 
 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 coward and a felonious knight. 
 Sir, said Bleoberis, he is the most coward knight, and a de- 
 vourer of ladies and a destroyer of good knights, and especially 
 of Arthur's. What is your name ? said Sir Ector. My name 
 
224 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 is Sir Bleoberis de Ganis. Alas, fair cousin, said Ector, for- 
 give it me, 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. 
 
 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 with 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 Palo- 
 mides, 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 
 hardier man there liveth no knight now such, and his name 
 was Sir Lamorak de Galis. And as he had jousted at a tour- 
 nament 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 feloniously, unto all good knights' great damage. 
 Anon as Sir Percivale heard that his brother was dead. Sir 
 
HOW DINADAN MOCKED AT LOVERS 225 
 
 Lamorak, he fell over his horse's mane swooning, and there 
 he made the greatest dole that ever made knight. And when 
 Sir Percivale 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, Corn- 
 wall and Northgalis, should be against all them that would 
 come. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM MET WITH SIR DINA- 
 DAN, AND OF THEIR DEVICES, AND HOW 
 SIR DINADAN WAS SENT FOR BY LA BEALE 
 ISOUD, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM IN JOUSTING 
 WITH SIR PALOMIDES WAS KNOWN BY SIR DINA- 
 DAN. Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that as he rode 
 a-hunting he met with Sir Dinadan, that was come 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? 
 Mary, fie on that craft ! said Sir Dinadan. That is evil 
 said, said Sir Tristram, for a knight may never be of prowess 
 
226 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 for that my 
 name shall ye not wit as at this time. Fie for 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 Tristram, 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 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 Tristram, 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. 
 
OF LA BEALE ISOUD AND SIR DINADAN 227 
 
 meseemeth 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. Defend me, said Sir Dina- 
 dan, from thy fellowship, for I never sped well since I met 
 with thee : and so they departed. Well, said Sir Tristram, 
 peradventure I could tell you tidings of Sir Tristram. God 
 defend me, said Dinadan, from thy fellowship, for Sir Tris- 
 tram 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 told La 
 Beale Isoud of all his adventure, as ye have heard to-fore. 
 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 
 
228 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 alighted, 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 Dina- 
 dan, I marvel of Sir Tristram and mo 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. Defend me, said Dina- 
 dan, 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 once 
 for a damosel's sake, and he won her afore the King of North- 
 umberland. 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 Launce- 
 lot du Lake. 
 
 Now I pray you, said La Beale Isoud, tell me will you 
 fight for my love with three knights that do 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 
 
HOW SIR DINADAN MET SIR TRISTRAM 229 
 
 fairer than is my lady Queen Guenever, but wit ye well at 
 one word, I will not fight for you with three knights. 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 into 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. 
 
 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 
 with 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 a-purpose, and Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon 
 Sir Tristram, 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 protec- 
 tion ; for because 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 
 
230 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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, and proffered 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, Dinadan, 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 en- 
 countered 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 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES 231 
 
 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 was Sir Tris- 
 tram. 
 
 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 enter- 
 prises 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. 
 
232 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 said Sir Tristram. And so they rode forth on their ways 
 talking of many things. O my lord Sir Tristram, said Dina- 
 dan, 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. 
 
 HOW THEY APPROACHED THE CASTLE 
 LONAZEP, AND HOW THEY TALKED 
 OF THE DEATH OF SIR LAMORAK, 
 AND HOW ON HUMBER BANK THEY 
 FOUND A SHIP, WHEREIN LAY THE 
 BODY OF KING HERMANCE. 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 Palo- 
 mides, meseemeth that there 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 Gala- 
 halt 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 
 
OF THE DEATH OF SIR LAMORAK 233 
 
 say he was the cleanest mighted man and the best winded 
 of his age that was aHve ; for I knew him that he was the 
 biggest knight that ever I met withal, but if it were Sir Launce- 
 lot. 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 consent- 
 ing 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 Tristram 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 liefer than all the gold betwixt this and Rome 
 I had been there. Y-wis, said Palomides, and so would I 
 had been there, and yet had I never the degree at no jousts 
 nor tournament thereas he was, but he put me to the worse, 
 or on foot or on horseback ; 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 : for one of his 
 squires told me that saw it. Fie upon treason, said Sir Tris- 
 
234 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 tram, 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. 
 
 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 covered over with 
 red silk, and the vessel landed fast by them. Therewith Sir 
 Tristram alighted 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 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 re- 
 venge 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, recommending 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, and feloniously and traitorly they 
 have slain me ; wherefore I beseech one good knight to re- 
 
HOW PALOMIDES SAILED ALONG HUMBER 235 
 
 venge my death. And he that revengeth 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. 
 Here is a piteous case, said Sir Tristram, 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 wor- 
 shipfuUy, 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 I be unslain or unmaimed. 
 
 HOW PALOMIDES WENT FOR TO FIGHT WITH 
 TWO BRETHREN FOR THE DEATH OF KING 
 HERMANCE, AND SLEW THEM, AND CAME 
 UNTO JOYOUS GARD. Then Sir Palomides sailed even 
 long 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 Palomides ; 
 and therewithal he arrived. And then he blew his horn that 
 
236 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 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 because 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 
 
HOW KING HERMANCE WAS SLAIN 237 
 
 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 deceivable, 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 then 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 gentleman 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 alighted, and drank at 
 a well. And when he was alighted, by the assent of these 
 two traitors, that one that 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. 
 
 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 
 
238 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 wielded 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 worshipfully 
 revenge his death, and then may ye wield 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 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 
 
PALOMIDES AT THE DELECTABLE ISLE 239 
 
 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. 
 
 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 
 foUoweth the beast Glatisant. Then all the city made great 
 joy, for mickle had they heard of Sir Palomides, and of his 
 noble prowess. So let they ordain a messenger, and sent 
 unto the two brethren, and bade 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 ; 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. 
 
 So within the third day there came to the city these two 
 brethren, the one bight Helius, the other bight Helake, the 
 which were men of great prowess ; howbeit that they were 
 false and full of treason, and but poor men born, yet were 
 
240 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 Hsts, 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 ere 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. 
 
 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 
 
HOW KING HERMANCE WAS AVENGED 241 
 
 areared, and Sir Palomides halp after, and so they fell both 
 to the earth ; but anon Sir HeHus stert up Hghtly, 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 pdrty 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 an- 
 other. And then he smote Sir Helius with such a might that 
 he fell to the earth 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 joyfuUest 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 : 
 
242 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 prof- 
 fered 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 thereas Sir Ebel was lieutenant. And when they 
 in the castle wist how Sir Palomides had sped, there was a 
 joyful company ; and so Sir Palomides departed, and came 
 to the castle of Lonazep. And when he wist that Sir Tris- 
 tram was not there he took his way over Humber, and came 
 unto Joyous Gard, whereas Sir Tristram was and La Beale 
 Isoud ; and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir 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 worshipfuUy. 
 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 Lona- 
 zep, 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 : notwith- 
 standing 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 scarce 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 
 
OF THE TOURNEY OF LONAZEP 243 
 
 to ride toward Lonazep, and came to the well where Sir 
 Tristram's two paviHons were set ; and there they aHghted, 
 and there they saw many paviHons and great array. 
 
 OF THE TOURNAMENT AT LONA- 
 ZEP, AND HOW THE PRIZE ON THE 
 FIRST DAY WAS GIVEN TO SIR 
 PALOMIDES. 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. So that night 
 they were lodged with the best. And on the morn when it 
 was day they were arrayed all in green trappings, 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 might 
 see her visage. And then these four knights rode straight 
 unto the party of the King of Scots. 
 
 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 en- 
 countered with the King of Scots, in whose party was Sir 
 
244 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 Palo- 
 mides smote down Sir Sadok over his horse's croup. 
 
 This meanwhile 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 everych 
 of them smote down a good knight. Then Sir Tristram made 
 to horse again the two kings that Edward and Sadok had un- 
 horsed 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. But ever 
 Sir Tristram did so much deeds of arms that they of Orkney 
 waxed weary of him, and so withdrew them unto Lonazep. 
 
 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 num- 
 bered that Sir Tristram that sat upon the black horse had 
 smitten down with spears and swords thirty knights ; and 
 
SIR TRISTRAM UNHORSED 245 
 
 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. This is a great shame to us, 
 said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, to see four knights beat 
 so many knights of nline ; and therefore make you ready, 
 for we will have ado with them. Sir, said Launcelot, wit 
 ye well that these 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 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 
 
246 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 Northgalis 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 alighted 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 I may ; for 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 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 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND HIS HARNESS 247 
 
 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. 
 
 And when the queen La Beale Isoud saw that Sir Tris- 
 tram 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 knew not him, 
 because 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 horse-back 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 rejoic- 
 ing 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 both Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot had been both 
 against him they should have won no worship of him. And 
 
248 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 in his heart, as the book saith, Sir Palomides wished that with 
 his worship he might have ado with Sir Tristram before all 
 men, because 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 : 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 or 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 aside, and smote it a-two 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR PALOMIDES 249 
 
 with his sword. And Sir Palomides rashed unto Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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 because he had done 
 that deed ; therefore many knights held there against that 
 it was unknightly done in a tournament to kill an horse wil- 
 fully, but that it had been done in plain battle, life for life. 
 
 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. Ah, 
 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 
 
2SO OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 mis- 
 tress. And 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 ; consider- 
 ing 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. And then the king let blow 
 to lodging ; and because Sir Palomides 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 Palo- 
 mides the honour and the gree as for that day. 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR 
 LAUNCELOT CAME TO SEE LA 
 BEALE ISOUD, AND HOW PALO- 
 MIDES SMOTE DOWN KING 
 ARTHUR, AND OF THE SECOND 
 DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT 
 AND OF THE TREASON OF SIR 
 PALOMIDES TO SIR TRISTRAM. So on the morn 
 Sir Tristram was ready, and La Beale Isoud with Sir Palo- 
 mides and Sir Gareth. And so they rode all in green full 
 freshly beseen unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir 
 
 2 
 
PALOMIDES SMITES DOWN ARTHUR 251 
 
 Dinadan sleeping in his bed. And so as they rode it happed 
 the king and Launcelot stood in a window, and saw Sir Tris- 
 tram ride and Isoud. Sir, said Launcelot, yonder rideth 
 the fairest lady of the world except your queen, Dame Guen- 
 ever. 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 these 
 are two as good knights as now are living, and therefore, sir, I 
 pray you be not too hasty. For peradventure 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 ad- 
 venture. Right so anon the king rode even to her, and 
 saluted her, and said : God you save. Sir, said she, ye are wel- 
 come. 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 un- 
 courteous to come upon a lady thus suddenly, therefore with- 
 draw thee. Sir Arthur took none heed of Sir Palomides' 
 words, but ever he looked still upon Queen Isoud. Then 
 was Sir Palomides wroth, and therewith 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 Palo- 
 mides, he said to himself: I am loath 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 
 
252 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 hve or I die, needs must I re- 
 venge 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 loath to have ado with you an I might choose, for 
 I will that ye wit that I must revenge my 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 horse- 
 back, and Sir Launcelot put King Arthur on horseback and 
 so departed. Ye did not worshipfuUy, said Sir Tristram 
 unto Palomides, when ye smote down that knight so sud- 
 denly 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 
 
SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNEY 253 
 
 knight Sir Launcelot. But I shall not forget the words of 
 Sir Launcelot when that he called him a man of great wor- 
 ship, 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 kindness ; and of all knights, I out-take 
 nojie, say what men will say, he beareth the flower of all 
 chivalry, say it him whosomever will. An he be well angered, 
 and that him list to do his utterance without any favour, I 
 know him not alive 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 un- 
 kindly 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. 
 
 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. 
 
254 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 When Sir Tristram saw them so begin, he said to Palo- 
 mides : 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 ; where- 
 fore 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 little 
 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, let me know this day what ye be ; and 
 wonder ye not so upon Sir Palomides, for he enforceth him- 
 self to win all the worship and honour from you. I may 
 well believe it, said Sir Tristram. And sithen 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 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR DINADAN 255 
 
 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. 
 
 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. 
 
 Then 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 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 Tris- 
 tram, and come off, that we were 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. What aileth you this day ? said Dinadan, 
 meseemeth ye be wilder than ye were yesterday. Then 
 
2s6 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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. 
 
 Then when Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was 
 disguised, then he thought to do him a shame. So Sir Palo- 
 mides rode to a knight that was sore wounded, that sat 
 under a fair well from the field. Sir knight, said Sir Palo- 
 mides, 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 eagerly. Then Sir Tristram had marvel 
 what knight he was that did battle so knightly with him. 
 Then was Sir Tristram wroth, for he felt him passing strong, 
 so that he deemed he might not have ado with the remnant 
 of the knights, because 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 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT TRISTRAM 257 
 
 encountered 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 Launcelot, 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 Tris- 
 tram and Sir Palomides, and Sir Launcelot said to Palo- 
 mides : Sir knight, let me have the battle, for ye have need 
 to be reposed. Sir Palomides knew Sir Launcelot well, and 
 so did Sir Tristram, but because Sir Launcelot was a far 
 hardier knight than himself therefore he was glad, and suf- 
 fered 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 Tris- 
 tram, 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 fighteth with him, that must needs have the better of 
 him, for Sir Tristram hath had too much travail this day. 
 
258 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 Then let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth. So it is better 
 that we do, said Sir Dinadan, than Sir Tristram be shamed, 
 for yonder hoveth the strong knight with the silver shield 
 to fall upon Sir Tristram if need be. Then forthwithal 
 Gareth rushed upon Sir Launcelot, and gave 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 Launce- 
 lot such a buffet that horse and all fell to the earth. Fie 
 for shame, said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, 
 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 disworship ; 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, assailed 
 Sir Dinadan passing sore, and Sir Dinadan defended him 
 mightily. But well understood Sir Tristram that Sir Dina- 
 dan might not endure Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Tristram 
 was sorry. Then came Sir Palomides fresh upon Sir Tris- 
 tram. And when Sir Tristram saw him come, he thought to 
 deliver him at once, because that he would help Sir Dinadan, 
 because 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 underneath 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 Tris- 
 
SIR TRISTRAM THE BEST KNIGHT 259 
 
 tram, take your horse. And when Sir Launcelot heard him 
 name Sir Tristram : Alas ! said Launcelot, what have I done ? 
 I am dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, said Launce- 
 lot, 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 Tris- 
 tram my voice and my name, 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. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED 
 WITH LA BEALE ISOUD, AND HOW 
 PALOMIDES FOLLOWED AND EX- 
 CUSED HIM, AND HOW KING 
 ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCELOT 
 CAME UNTO THEIR PAVILIONS 
 AS THEY SAT AT SUPPER, AND 
 OF SIR PALOMIDES. 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 
 
26o OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 ungentle- 
 ness, 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 had been the King of Ireland, for well I 
 wot ye bare his arms. His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES 261 
 
 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 yolden 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 alighted they unarmed them and washed their faces 
 and hands, and so went 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, 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 deal, 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 knighthood I knew 
 
262 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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. 
 
 And therewithal two knights armed came unto the pa- 
 vilion, and there they alighted 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, 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 seemeth 
 ye are well beset together. Sir, God thank you, said the 
 noble knight. Sir Tristram, and Isoud ; of your great good- 
 ness and largess ye are peerless. Thus they talked of many 
 things and of all the whole jousts. But for what cause, said 
 
OF KING ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCELOT 263 
 
 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 Dina- 
 dan, for this unhappy Sir Tristram brought us to this 
 tournament, and many great buffets he 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. 
 Truly, said Arthur, that was unknightly done of you of so 
 good a knight, for I have heard many people call you a cour- 
 teous knight. Sir, said Palomides, I knew not Sir Tris- 
 tram, for he was so disguised. It may well be, said Launce- 
 lot, for I knew not Sir Tristram ; but I marvel why ye turned 
 on our party. That was done for the same cause, said Palo- 
 mides. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I have pardoned him, 
 and I would be right loath 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 de- 
 parted 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 asleep, for he had all night watched, and it was 
 
264 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES 
 DID THE THIRD DAY OF THE TOURNA- 
 MENT, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM TURNED 
 TO KING ARTHUR'S SIDE, AND OF THE SORROW 
 OF SIR PALOMIDES. Then Sir Tristram let call Sir 
 Palomides, and bade 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 forthwithal 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. Truly, said Ar- 
 thur, he is a passing good knight. And right as they stood 
 talking thus, in came Sir Tristram as thunder, and he en- 
 countered 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 Tris- 
 
THE THIRD DAY OF THE TOURNEY 265 
 
 tram, and all the people cried : O Tristram, O Tristram. 
 And then was Sir Palomides clean forgotten. 
 
 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 Ar- 
 thur 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 
 bade him 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 
 
266 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 them so fast together that King Arthur and his knights were 
 overmatched. And when Sir Tristram saw that, what 
 labour King Arthur and his knights, and in especial the noble 
 deeds that Sir Launcelot did with his own hands, he mar- 
 velled greatly. 
 
 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 de- 
 parted Sir Palomides from them. Then Sir Tristram, Ga- 
 reth, 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, and 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 worship that I won ; 
 and then Sir Palomides went his way wailing, and so with- 
 drew 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 
 
HOW SIR PALOMIDES MADE DOLE 267 
 
 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 
 vpice. 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 fleeing the 
 kings of Wales and of Scotland, and they saw Sir Palomides 
 in that arage. 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 
 thereas 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 wite 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 
 
268 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 by land, they brought La Beale Isoud unto Joyous Gard, 
 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 La Beale Isoud, but he was a part as sorrow- 
 ful 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. 
 
 HOW ON A DAY SIR TRISTRAM 
 DEPARTED UNARMED AND MET 
 WITH SIR PALOMIDES, AND HOW 
 THEY SMOTE EACH OTHER, AND 
 HOW SIR PALOMIDES FORBARE 
 HIM, AND HOW SIR TRISTRAM GAT HARNESS 
 OF A HURT KNIGHT AND OVERTHREW SIR 
 PALOMIDES AND MADE HIM BE CHRISTENED. 
 And so on a day Sir Tristram was riding with no more harness 
 of war but his spear and his sword, and 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 Palo- 
 mides knew Sir Tristram, and cried on high : Sir Tristram, 
 now be we well met, for ere 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, 
 
OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALOMIDES 269 
 
 and with all his might he came straight upon Sir Palomides, 
 and brast his spear upon him an hundred pieces. And forth- 
 withal Sir Tristram drew his sword. And then he turned his 
 horse' and struck at Palomides six great strokes upon his helm ; 
 and then Sir Palornides 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 cease 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 Palomides, full well thou wottest 
 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. 
 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. 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 Palo- 
 mides, 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 Palo- 
 mides, 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. 
 
270 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 As for that, said Sir Palomides, I may not yet be chris- 
 tened, 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, my name is Sir Galleron 
 of Galway, and knight of the Table Round. Truly, said 
 Sir Tristram, I am right heavy of your hurts ; but this is all, 
 I must pray you 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, I 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 It 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. Either he 
 shall slay me, said Sir Tristram, or I him, but that he shall 
 be christened or ever we depart Insunder. My lord Sir Tris- 
 tram, said Sir Galleron, your renown and worship Is well 
 
HOW SIR TRISTRAM GAT HARNESS 271 
 
 known through many realms, and God save you this day 
 from shenship 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 brised 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 midst 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 alighted and tied his horse to a tree. 
 
 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 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 there- 
 withal he leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tris- 
 tram wounded Palomides sore through the shoulder. And 
 ever Sir Tristram fought still in like hard, and Sir Palomides 
 
272 OF SIR TRISTRAM 
 
 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 Palo- 
 mides 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 Palo- 
 mides, 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 clean 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 
 
HOW SIR PALOMIDES WAS CHRISTENED 273 
 
 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 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 clean 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 therewithal 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. 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME 
 
 ELAINE 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HOLP A 
 DOLOROUS LADY FROM HER 
 PAIN, AND FOUGHT WITH A 
 DRAGON, AND OF THE BE- 
 GETTING OF SIR GALAHAD. 
 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 born, and in what manner, 
 as the book of French rehearseth. Afore the time that Sir 
 Galahad was born, there came in an hermit unto King Ar- 
 thur 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 Ar- 
 thur 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 this same year he shall be born 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. 
 
 274 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT 275 
 
 And then after this feast Sir Launcelot rode on his adven- 
 ture, till on a time by adventure he passed over the bridge 
 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, 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 de- 
 liver 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 unlocked and unbolted. And so Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 enchant- 
 ment Queen Morgan le Fay and the Queen of Northgalis 
 had put her there in that pains, because 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. 
 
276 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 lewd, gave thankings unto God and him, 
 and said : Sir knight, since 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 Sir Launcelot, and he him again. Fair knight, 
 said the king, what is your name .? I require you of your 
 knighthood tell me ! Sir, said Launcelot, wit you well my 
 name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. And my name is, said the 
 king, Pelles, king of the foreign country, and cousin nigh 
 unto Joseph of Aramathie. 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 
 
How Sir Launcelot fought with a fiendly dragon. 
 

 
 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO PELLES 277 
 
 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. Then, 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 love his daughter, fair 
 Elaine. And for this intent : the king knew well that 
 Sir Launcelot should have a child by 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 see 
 your daughter, and he shall not wit but that he seeth 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 enchant- 
 resses that 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 
 
278 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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. 
 
 So when Sir Launcelot was alighted, then Dame Brisen 
 brought him a cup full of wine ; and anon as he had drunken 
 that wine he was so assotted that he weened that maiden 
 Elaine had been Queen Guenever. Wit you well that Sir 
 Launcelot was glad, and so was that lady Elaine, for well 
 she knew that of them should be born Galahad that should 
 prove the best knight of the world ; 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. 
 
 And anon as he had unshut the window the enchantment 
 was gone ; then he knew himself that he had been deceived. 
 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 traitress, 
 what art thou .? thou shalt die right here of my hands. Then 
 this fair lady Elaine 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 shall have 
 a son by thee that shall be the most noblest knight of the 
 world. Ah, false traitress, said Sir Launcelot, why hast 
 thou betrayed me ? anon tell me what thou art. Sir, she 
 
OF THE BIRTH OF GALAHAD 279 
 
 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. I may not wite this to you, said Sir 
 Launcelot ; 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 de- 
 livered 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 because 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 
 
28o OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 du Lake that I 
 love and none other, and therefore woo me no longer. Ye 
 say well, said Sir Bromel, and sithen 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 pont of 
 Corbin for Sir Launcelot's sake, that he shall neither come nor 
 go unto you, but I shall meet with him. 
 
 OF THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BORS AT 
 THE CASTLE OF CORBIN, 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 alighted 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 
 
How at the Castle of Corbin a maiden bare in the Sangreai and foretold 
 the achievements of Galahad. 
 
'A ■ 
 
 
OF KING PELLES AND SIR BORS 281 
 
 sware upon the cross of the sword. And so Sir Bors let him 
 depart, and 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 Sir Bors 
 beheld that child in her arms, and ever him seemed it was 
 passing like Sir Launcelot. Truly, said Elaine, wit ye well 
 this is his child. Then Sir Bors wept for joy, and he prayed 
 to God it might prove as good a knight 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, 
 that 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 adventurous 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 
 
282 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 wor- 
 ship here, be he never so hardy. That is a 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 clean. 
 As for that, said Sir Bors, I 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 Bran- 
 goris, and their child hight Elaine, and save for her Sir Bors 
 was a clean 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, ere Sir Bors wist, the spear head smote 
 him into the shoulder an handbreadth 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 bade 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 
 
OF SIR BORS AND HIS ADVENTURES 283 
 
 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 went 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. 
 
 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. And at 
 the last the dragon spit out of his mouth as it had been an 
 
284 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 
 bade Sir Bors go from thence. For here shall ye have no 
 more adventures ; and full worshipfully have ye done, and 
 better shall ye do hereafter. 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 
 midst of the children with a censer in his one hand, and a 
 spear in his other hand, and that spear was called the Spear 
 of Vengeance. 
 
 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 adventures he passeth in manhood and prowess 
 all other, but in these spiritual matters he shall have many 
 his better. And then Sir Bors saw four gentlewomen come 
 by him, purely beseen : 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 
 
HOW DAME ELAINE CAME TO CAMELOT 285 
 
 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 clearness thereof smote so in his eyes that as 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 went backward to his 
 bed till on the morn. 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 adventures that he had seen with King Pelles at Corbin. 
 So the noise sprang in Arthur's court that Launcelot 
 had a child by Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles, where- 
 fore 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 
 meet 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. 
 
 HOW DAME ELAINE, GALAHAD'S MOTHER, 
 CAME IN GREAT ESTATE UNTO CAME- 
 LOT, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BE- 
 HAVED 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 
 
286 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 ye be well beseen 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 beseen. 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 beseen 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 because he drew his sword on her, that 
 he would not salute her nor speak to her ; and yet Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 he shall come to you, an ye would hold you 
 still. That were me liefer, 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. 
 
OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 287 
 
 Then 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 bade him come to her : 
 Or else I am sure, said the queen, that ye will go to your 
 lady, Dame Elaine, by whom ye had Galahad. Ah, madam, 
 said Sir Launcelot, never say ye so, for that 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 you, 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. 
 
 So then Dame Brisen came to Sir Launcelot and said : 
 Sir Launcelot du Lake, my lady. Queen Guenever, awaiteth 
 upon you. O my fair lady, said Sir Launcelot, I am ready 
 to go with you where ye will have me. So Sir Launcelot 
 took his sword in his hand ; and then Dame Brisen took him 
 by the finger and led him to her lady. Dame Elaine ; and 
 then she departed and left them together. Wit ye well the 
 lady was glad, and so was Sir Launcelot, for he weened that 
 it was the queen. 
 
 Then Queen Guenever sent one of her women unto Sir 
 Launcelot ; and when she came there she found 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 
 
288 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 as a mad woman, and at the last the queen met with Sir 
 Launcelot ; and thus she said : False traitor knight that 
 thou art, look thou never abide in my court, 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. 
 
 HOW DAME ELAINE WAS COM- 
 MANDED BY QUEEN GUENEVER TO 
 AVOID THE COURT, AND HOW SIR 
 LAUNCELOT BECAME MAD, AND OF 
 THE SORROW OF QUEEN GUEN- 
 EVER. Now turn we unto Queen Guenever and to the fair 
 Lady Elaine. 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 Launce- 
 lot, 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 
 
OF QUEEN GUENEVER AND ELAINE 289 
 
 I am his, 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 mo than an hundred knights through 
 a forest. And by the way she told Sir Bors de Ganis all 
 how it betid, 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 never. 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 and leapt out at a window with the grisliest groan 
 that ever I heard man 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 
 
290 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 bote. 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. 
 
 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 
 
OF THE SORROW FOR SIR LAUNCELOT 291 
 
 Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel departed from the queen, 
 for they 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 wilderness, 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 oft-times 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 bight 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, 
 
292 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 Wales, and Scotland, to find Sir Launcelot, and with them 
 rode eighteen knights mo to bear them fellowship ; and 
 wit ye well, they lacked no manner of spending ; and so 
 were they three and twenty knights. 
 
 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 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 to-fore Aglovale and Sir Percivale, and be- 
 sought 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 
 a-swooning in midst of the court. 
 
OF SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR PERSIDES 293 
 
 HOW SIR PERCIVALE SOUGHT FOR SIR 
 LAUNCELOT, HOW HE FOUGHT WITH SIR 
 ECTOR, AND HOW THEY WERE BOTH 
 MADE WHOLE BY THE COMING OF THE SAN- 
 GREAL. Then Sir Percivale and Sir Aglovale 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 they 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 adven- 
 ture I came this way, and here I lodged in this castle at the 
 bridge foot, and therein dwelleth an uncourteous lady ; 
 and because 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 
 because ye are a knight of the Round Table as well as I, I 
 trust to God to break your bands. And therewith Sir Per- 
 
294 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 civale pulled out his sword and struck at the chain with 
 such a might that he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir 
 Persides' hauberk and hurt him a little. That was a mighty 
 stroke as ever I felt one, said Sir Persides, 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 midst of the bridge ; and Sir 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 bade 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 f Forsooth this is a shame- 
 ful 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 bade 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 
 
OF SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR ECTOR 295 
 
 tell him I will never see him, nor the court, till I have found 
 Sir Launcelot. And so Sir Persides departed from Sir Per- 
 civale, 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. 
 
 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 Perci- 
 vale arose lightly, and cast his shield on his shoulder and 
 drew his sword, and bade the other knight : Alight, and 
 do we battle unto the uttermost. Will ye more ? said that 
 knight. And therewith he alighted, 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 
 
296 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 sure that I shall never 
 finish my quest, for ye have slain me with your hands. It 
 is not so, said Sir Ector, 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 never will be, for I am so faint for bleeding that 
 I may unnethe stand, how should I then take my horse ? 
 
 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 glimmer- 
 ing of the vessel and of the maiden that bare it, for he was 
 a perfect clean 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. O 
 Jesu, said Sir Percivale, what may this mean, that we be 
 
OF THE MADNESS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 297 
 
 thus healed, and right now we were at the point of dying ? 
 I 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. Truly, 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. Sir Launcelot, long, and 
 never could hear witting of him : In many strange adven- 
 tures have I been in this quest. And so either told other 
 of their adventures. 
 
 OF THE MADNESS OF SIR 
 LAUNCELOT, AND HOW HE 
 WAS HEALED BY THE SAN- 
 GREAL. And now leave we off 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 breech. Thus as Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 
 
298 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 knight of the pavilion saw that, he stert 
 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, 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR BLIANT 299 
 
 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. 
 
 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 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 faren 
 withal. 
 
 Then upon a day this lord of that castle. Sir Bliant, took 
 his arms, on horseback, with a spear, to seek adventures. 
 
300 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 Bhant, 
 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 
 as they came hurling under the castle whereas Sir Launcelot 
 lay in a window, he 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 break- 
 ing 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 
 
OF THE MADNESS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 301 
 
 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 
 horseback and some upon foot ; and then Sir Launcelot 
 was ware where one alighted and tied his horse to a tree, 
 and leaned his spear against the tree. 
 
 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 back to a tree fast by an hermitage. Then Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 
 
302 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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, 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 Launce- 
 lot'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 threw 
 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 res- 
 cued Sir Launcelot. And when they beheld him and looked 
 upon his person, they thought they saw never so goodly 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 303 
 
 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 under- 
 neath 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. 
 
 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 Launce- 
 lot 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, and there 
 Sir Launcelot laid him down by a well and slept. And so 
 at afternoon 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 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 therewithal she fell a-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 
 
304 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 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 enchantment 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 Launce- 
 lot, 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 unbilled 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. 
 
LAUNCELOT COMES TO JOYOUS ISLE 305 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, AFTER THAT 
 HE WAS WHOLE AND HAD HIS MIND, 
 HE WAS ASHAMED, AND HOW HE 
 CAME TO THE JOYOUS ISLE. And 
 when Sir Launcelot saw King Pelles and 
 Elaine, he waxed ashamed and said thus : O 
 Lord Jesu, how came I 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 wood- 
 ness ! 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 
 for ever, 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 I drew my sword 
 to you, to have slain you. And all was the cause, that ye 
 and Dame Brisen deceived me. Now will ye for my love, 
 said Sir Launcelot, go unto your father and get me a place of 
 
3o6 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 him wherein I may dwell ? for in the court of King Arthui 
 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 be with you with all the service that 
 I may do. So forthwithal she went to her father and said. Sir, 
 my lord, Sir Launcelot, 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. 
 
 Then went Dame Elaine unto Sir Launcelot, and told 
 him all how her father had devised for him and her. 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 clean armed kneeling afore her. And every day 
 once, for any mirths that all the ladies might make him, he 
 would once 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. 
 
OF SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR ECTOR 307 
 
 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 bade 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. 
 
 OF A GREAT TOURNEYING IN THE JOYOUS 
 ISLE, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUGHT 
 WITH SIR PERCIVALE, AND HOW THEY 
 RETURNED TO KING ARTHUR'S COURT. 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 on 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 
 
3o8 OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 man that is I dare say living, and he calleth himself Le Chev- 
 aler 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 again ; but he will 
 not do battle with no knight, but by underne 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 Per- 
 civale alighted, 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 bade the porter : Go thou to the good 
 knight within the castle, and tell him here is come an errant 
 knight to joust with him. Sir, 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 Per- 
 civale spake first when they had foughten there more than 
 
SIR LAUNCELOT RETURNS TO COURT 309 
 
 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 Ag- 
 lovale 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 ? 
 
 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 
 meant. And then thus he said : Sir knight, whatsomever 
 thou be, I require thee upon the high order of knighthood, 
 tell nie 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, 
 I pray you, said Sir Percivale, forgive me mine offence 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. 
 
 Then it befell upon a day Sir Ector and Sir Percivale came 
 to Sir Launcelot and asked him what he would do, and whether 
 
3IO OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND DAME ELAINE 
 
 he would go with them unto King Arthur or not. Nay, 
 said Sir Launcelot, 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 
 dare say 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 you. Well brother, said Sir Launcelot, I will 
 do after your 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 Pentecost 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 Launce- 
 lot. 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO COURT 311 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WITH SIR PERCI- 
 VALE AND SIR ECTOR CAME 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 him- 
 self 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. I marvel, 
 said King Arthur, 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 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. 
 
OF SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST 
 OF THE HOLY GRAIL 
 
 HOW AT THE VIGIL OF THE - FEAST OF 
 PENTECOST A DAMOSEL DESIRED SIR 
 LAUNCELOT FOR TO COME AND DUB A 
 KNIGHT, AND OF THE MARVELLOUS ADVENTURE 
 OF THE SWORD IN A STONE. At the vigil of Pen- 
 tecost, 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 alighted, and came before the king and saluted 
 him ; and he said : Damosel, God thee bless. Sir, said 
 she, I pray you say me where Sir Launcelot is. Yon- 
 der ye may see him, said the king. Then she went unto 
 Launcelot and said : Sir Launcelot, I salute you on King 
 
 312 
 
OF LETTERS IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS 313 
 
 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 bade 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 gentle- 
 woman, wit ye well he shall be with you to-morn by dinner 
 time. If I wist, said the queen, that he should not be with 
 us here to-morn he should not go with you by my good 
 will. Right so departed Sir Launcelot with the gentle- 
 woman, 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 fel- 
 lowship 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 Launce- 
 lot, what adventure hath brought you hither, for we weened 
 to-morn to have found you at Camelot ? Truly, 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 
 
314 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 be- 
 held 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 to-morn at the rever- 
 ence of the high feast. That night Sir Launcelot had pass- 
 ing 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. 
 
 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 Sir Launcelot departed 
 from them and took his two cousins with him, and so they 
 came unto Camelot 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. 
 
OF LETTERS IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS 315 
 
 Then all they said : This is a marvellous thing and an adven- 
 turous. In the name of God, said Sir Launcelot ; and then 
 he accompted 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 endhieve this adventure. Then made they to ordain a 
 cloth of silk, for to cover these letters in the Siege Perilous. 
 
 Then the king bade haste unto dinner. Sir, said Sir 
 Kay the Steward, if ye go now unto 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 adven- 
 ture. 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 
 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 subtle 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 
 
3i6 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 Launcelot : Fair Sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I 
 am sure ye be the best knight of the world. Then Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 longeth 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 of the Sangreal, that is called the Holy Ves- 
 sel, begin. 
 
 HOW SIR GAWAINE ASSAYED TO DRAW 
 OUT THE SWORD, AND HOW AN OLD MAN 
 BROUGHT IN GALAHAD, AND SET HIM 
 IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS, AND HOW HE DREW 
 OUT THE SWORD. Now, fair nephew, said the king unto 
 Sir Gawaine, assay ye, for my love. Sir, he said, save your 
 good grace I shall not do that. Sir, said the king, assay to 
 take the sword and at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine, 
 your commandment 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 Launcelot, 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 assay, for his love. And he said : 
 Gladly, for to bear Sir Gawaine fellowship. And therewith 
 he set his hand on the sword and drew it strongly, but he 
 might not move it. Then were there no mo that durst be 
 
OF SIR GAWAINE AND THE SWORD 317 
 
 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 ad- 
 venture, that all the doors and windows of the palace shut 
 by themself. Not for then the hall was not greatly darked ; 
 and therewith they were all abashed both one and other. 
 Then King Arthur spake first and said : Fair fellows and 
 lords, we have seen this day marvels, but ere night I suppose 
 we shall see greater marvels. 
 
 In the meanwhile 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. 
 
 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 un- 
 arm him, and he was in a coat of red sendal, 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 Perilous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot ; and the 
 
3i8 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 that ye were commanded to do ; and recom- 
 mend 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 enchieved, 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 Peri- 
 lous. Many said unto the queen he resembled much unto 
 Sir Launcelot. I may well suppose, said the queen, that 
 he is son of Sir Launcelot and King Pelles' daughter, 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, I 
 report me unto all the Table Round. 
 
 So when the meat was done that the king and all were 
 risen, the king went unto the Siege Perilous and lift up the 
 cloth, and found there the name of Galahad ; and then he 
 
How Galahad drew out the sword from the floating stone at Camelot. 
 
OF KING ARTHUR AND SIR GALAHAD 319 
 
 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 Ufe he shall enchieve 
 the Sangreal, right as Sir Launcelot hath done us to under- 
 stand. Then came King Arthur unto Galahad and said : 
 Sir, ye be welcome, for ye shall move many good knights 
 to the quest of the Sangreal, and ye shall enchieve 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. 
 
 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 assayed 
 and failed. Sir, said Galahad, that is no marvel, for this 
 adventure is not theirs but mine ; and for the surety of 
 this sword I brought none with me, for here by my side 
 hangeth the scabbard. 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 aforehand. 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. 
 
320 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 HOW A DAMOSEL ANNOUNCED TO 
 KING ARTHUR THAT THE SAN- 
 GREAL SHOULD APPEAR IN HIS 
 HOUSE, AND HOW KING ARTHUR 
 HAD ALL HIS KNIGHTS TOGETHER 
 FOR TO JOUST OR THEY DEPARTED, 
 AND HOW THE SANGREAL APPEARED 
 AS THEY SAT AT SUPPER, AND HOW ALL THE 
 KNIGHTS TOOK UPON THEM THE QUEST, AND 
 OF THE SORROW OF THE KING AND QUEEN AT 
 THEIR DEPARTING. 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 weep- 
 ing : How your great doing is changed sith this day in the 
 morn. Damosel, why say you so ? said Launcelot. 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 that ye be the best 
 knight of the world. As touching unto that, said Launce- 
 lot, 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, for this day the San- 
 greal shall appear in thy house and shall feed thee and all 
 
OF THE TOURNAMENT AT CAMELOT 321 
 
 thy fellowship of the Round Table. So she departed and 
 went that same way that she came. 
 
 Now, said the king, I am sure at this quest of the San- 
 greal 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 midst 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. 
 
 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 dare well say that Sir Launcelot is his father, for never 
 two men resembled more in likeness, therefore it nis no 
 marvel though he be of great prowess. So a lady that stood 
 
322 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 by the queen said : Madam, 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 
 Grail 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 
 Grail 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. 
 
OF THE VOW OF THE KNIGHTS 323 
 
 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 pre- 
 ciously covered. Wherefore I will make here avow, that 
 to-morn, 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 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 there 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. And therewith the tears 
 fell in his eyes. 
 
 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 chierte. But among all other Queen Guenever made 
 great sorrow. I marvel, said she, my lord would suffer 
 
324 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 them to depart from him. Thus was all the court troubled 
 for the departition of those knights. 
 
 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 nor 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. Where- 
 fore 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 ; for 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 un- 
 done, an it might be. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, ye saw yester- 
 day 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 de- 
 parting that I wot well there shall no manner of joy remedy 
 
THE DEPARTURE OF THE KNIGHTS 325 
 
 me. And then the king and the queen went unto the min- 
 ster. 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 
 accompt them he prayed them all. Then found they by 
 the tale an hundred and fifty, and all were knights of the 
 Round Table. And then they put on their helms and de- 
 parted, and recommended them all wholly unto the queen ; 
 and there was weeping and great sorrow. Then the queen 
 departed into her chamber and held her, so that no man 
 should perceive her great sorrows. When Sir Launcelot 
 missed the queen he went to her chamber, and when she 
 saw him she cried aloud : O Launcelot, Launcelot, ye have 
 betrayed me and put me to the death, for to leave thus my 
 lord. Ah, madam, I pray you be not displeased, for I shall 
 come again as soon as I may with my worship. Alas, said 
 she, that ever I saw you ; but he that suffered upon the cross 
 for all mankind, he be unto you good conduct and safety, 
 and to all the whole fellowship. 
 
 Right so departed Sir Launcelot, and found his fellow- 
 ship that abode his coming. And so they mounted upon 
 their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot ; and 
 there was weeping of rich and poor, and the king turned 
 away and might not speak for weeping. 
 
326 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD, 
 AND HOW THEY SPED THAT PRE- 
 SUMED TO TAKE DOWN THE SAID 
 SHIELD, AND HOW KING EVELAKE 
 HAD RECEIVED THAT SHIELD OF 
 JOSEPH OF ARAMATHIE. Now rideth Sir Galahad yet 
 without shield, and so he rode four days without any adven- 
 ture. And at the fourth day after evensong he came to a 
 White Abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, 
 and led unto a chamber, and there was he unarmed ; and then 
 was he ware of two knights of the Table Round, one was Sir 
 Bagdemagus, and that other was Sir Uwaine. And when 
 they saw him they went unto Galahad and made of him 
 great solace, and so they went unto 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 he be mischieved outher 
 dead within three days, or maimed for ever. Ah sir, said 
 King Bagdemagus, I shall it bear to-morrow for to assay this 
 adventure. In the name of God, said Sir Galahad. Sir, 
 said Bagdemagus, an I may not enchieve the adventure of 
 this shield ye shall take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall 
 not fail. Sir, said Galahad, I right well agree me thereto, for 
 I have no shield. So on the morn they arose and heard mass. 
 Then Bagdemagus asked where the adventurous shield 
 was. Anon a monk led him behind an altar where the shield 
 hung as white as any snow, but in the midst was a red cross. 
 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 ; 
 therefore I counsel you knights to be well advised. Well, 
 said Bagdemagus, I wot well that I am not the best knight 
 
HOW SIR GALAHAD GAT A SHIELD 327 
 
 of the world, but yet I shall assay to bear it, and so bare it 
 out of the minster. And then he said unto Galahad : An it 
 please you, abide here still, till ye wit how that I speed. I 
 shall abide you, said Galahad. Then King Bagdemagus took 
 with him a good squire, to bring tidings unto Sir Galahad 
 how he sped. 
 
 Then when they had ridden a two mile and came to a 
 fair valley afore an hermitage, then they saw a knight come 
 from that part in white armour, horse and all ; and he came 
 as fast as his horse might run, and his spear in his rest, and 
 Bagdemagus dressed his spear against him and brake it 
 upon the white knight. But the other struck him so hard 
 that he brast the mails, and sheef 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 Bagdemagus' squire and said : Bear 
 this shield unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou 
 left in the abbey, and greet him well by 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 cause this 
 shield may not be borne but if the bearer thereof be mis- 
 chieved. 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 
 
328 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 
 Sir Galahad, said the squire, that knight that wounded 
 Bagdemagus sendeth you greeting, and bade that ye should 
 bear this shield, wherethrough great adventures should 
 befall. Now blessed be God 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 
 fellowship if it pleased him. Sir, said Galahad, that may 
 ye not, for I must go alone, save this squire shall bear me 
 fellowship : and so departed Uwaine. 
 
 Then within a while came Galahad thereas the White 
 Knight abode him by the hermitage, and everych 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 ofiF 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 be discomfit and 
 
OF JOSEPH AND THE WHITE SHIELD 329 
 
 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 Eve- 
 lake, in the name of Him that died upon the Cross. And 
 then through his good belief he had the better of King Tol- 
 leme. 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, wherethrough 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 to-fore. 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 wold 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 for- 
 tune 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 disherited 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. 
 Not long after that Joseph was laid in his deadly bed. 
 
330 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 And when King Evelake 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 went into battle against King ToUeme. Then 
 Joseph bled 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, 
 bear 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 thereas 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 knighthood. And so that day that they set 
 is this time that ye have his shield, and in the same abbey 
 lieth Nacien, the hermit. And then the White Knight 
 vanished away. 
 
 HOW SIR GALAHAD DESTROYED THE 
 WICKED CUSTOM OF THE CASTLE OF 
 MAIDENS, AND HOW HE MET WITH SIR 
 LAUNCELOT AND SIR PERCIVALE AND SMOTE 
 THEM DOWN. Now departed Galahad, and rode many 
 journeys forward and backward, as adventure would lead 
 him. And at the last Sir Galahad came unto a mountain 
 
THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS 331 
 
 where he found an old chapel, and found there nobody, for 
 all, all was desolate ; and there he kneeled to-fore 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. 
 
 When Sir Galahad heard this he thanked God, and took 
 his horse ; and he had not ridden but half a mile, he saw 
 in the 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 there- 
 in. Therefore, I counsel you, sir knight, to turn again. 
 Sir, said 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 : 
 
332 
 
 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 mayst 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 deliver- 
 ance. Then came to him a gentlewoman 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 this 
 castle, and harboured with the lord of this castle, that hight 
 the Duke Lianour, and he was lord of all this country. And 
 
OF SIR GALAHAD AND THE KNIGHTS 333 
 
 when they espied the duke's daughter, that was a full fair 
 woman, then by their false covin they made debate betwixt 
 themselves, 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 obeissance, and in great 
 service and truage, robbing and pilling 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 therefore, till that knight be come by whom 
 we shall lose this castle. And therefore is 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 many 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. 
 
334 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 
 Sir Percivale had been slain, and with the stroke he fell out 
 of his saddle. This jousts was done to-fore 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 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 de- 
 parted 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S VISION 335 
 
 then went to the chapel door, and found it waste and broken. 
 And within he found a fair altar, full richly arrayed with 
 cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick, 
 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 dis- 
 mayed. 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 to-fore the cross. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, HALF SLEEP- 
 ING AND HALF WAKING, SAW A SICK 
 MAN HEALED WITH THE SANGREAL, 
 AND HOW A VOICE SPAKE TO SIR 
 LAUNCELOT, AND HOW HE WAS 
 SHRIVEN, AND HOW A GOOD MAN 
 GAVE HIM A HAIR SHIRT TO WEAR, AND HOW 
 HE WAS OVERCOME AT A JOUSTING AND AT LAST 
 CAME TO A RIVER. And so he fell asleep; 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, wherethrough 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 
 
336 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 again 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 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 clean armed he took Sir Launcelot's horse. 
 
OF THE GRIEF OF SIR LAUNCELOT 337 
 
 for he was better than his ; and so departed they from the 
 cross. 
 
 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 with- 
 draw thee from this holy place. And when Sir Launce- 
 lot 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. Then Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 dis- 
 honour. For when I sought worldly adventures for worldly 
 desires, I ever enchieved 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 her- 
 mitage and a hermit therein which was going unto mass. 
 
338 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 And then Launcelot kneeled down and cried on Our Lord 
 mercy for his wicked works. So when mass was done Launce- 
 lot called the hermit, 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. 
 
 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 loath to discover. For this fourteen year I 
 never discovered one thing that I have used, and that may 
 I now wite my shame and my disadventure. 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE HERMIT 339 
 
 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 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 en- 
 sure you ye shall have more worship than ever ye had. 
 
 Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot such penance 
 as he might do and to sewe knighthood, and so assoiled 
 him, and when he had kept Sir Launcelot three days, he 
 gat him an horse, an helm, and a sword. And then Sir 
 Launcelot 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. Be ye not Sir Launcelot ? Yea, sir, 
 said he. What seek ye in this country ? Sir, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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, and said : Father, what shall I 
 do ? Now, said the good man, I require you take this hair 
 that was an holy man's and put it next thy skin, and it shall 
 
340 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 Then he rode till that he came to a Cross, and took that for 
 his host as for that night, and made his prayers unto the 
 Cross that he never fall in deadly sin again. 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, 
 his 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 aforehand, 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 into a forest, and held no high- 
 way. 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 divers 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 trappings black, and they that were 
 without were all on white horses and trappings, and everych 
 hurtled to other that it marvelled Sir Launcelot. And at the 
 last him thought they of the castle were put to the worse. 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS OVERCOME 341 
 
 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 rashed 
 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 
 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, that 
 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 tourna- 
 ment 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 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 
 
342 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR PERCIVALE FOUND KING 
 EVELAKE, AND HOW HE WAS RES- 
 CUED FROM TWENTY KNIGHTS 
 BY SIR GALAHAD, AND HOW THE 
 FIEND DISGUISED AS THE LADY OF A SHIP 
 BEGUILED HIM, AND OF HIS PENANCE. Now 
 saith the tale that, when Sir Launcelot was ridden after 
 Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale rode till 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 alighted 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 service. And when it came to the 
 sacring, he that lay within that parclos 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 uncovered unto his middle. And 
 then Sir Percivale 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 
 
HOW SIR PERCIVALE FOUND EVELAKE 343 
 
 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 there- 
 fore he suffered many persecutions the which the enemies 
 of Christ did unto him, and in the city of Sarras he con- 
 verted 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 de- 
 gree be come, that I may see him openly that he shall enchieve 
 the Sangreal, that I may kiss him. 
 
 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 befell of King Evelake, 
 and this same king hath lived this three hundred winters 
 this holy life, 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 
 
344 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 slain. 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 sufi^er 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. 
 
 Then Sir Percivale came to a rough water and saw a ship 
 
OF SIR PERCIVALE AND THE LADY 345 
 
 come rowing in the sea, as all the wind of the world had 
 driven it. And so it drove under a 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 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 gentle- 
 woman 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 so clear that there was none like me ; and 
 of that great beauty I had a little pride more than I ought 
 to have had. Also I said a word that pleased him not. And 
 then he would not suffer me to be any longer in his com- 
 pany, 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, through me and mine I have taken from 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 war 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 for 
 ye be a fellow of the Round Table, wherefore ye ought not to 
 
346 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 fail no gentlewoman which is disherited, an she besought 
 you of help. 
 
 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 bade her bring forth a pavilion ; and so she did, and 
 pight 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 re- 
 fused 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 henceforth 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 whatso it please you ; and now wit ye well 
 ye are the knight in the world that I have most desire to. 
 
 And then Sir Percivale by adventure and grace saw his 
 sword lie on the ground naked, in whose pommel was a red 
 
SIR PERCIVALE SAVED FROM THE FIEND 347 
 
 cross and the sign of the crucifix therein, and bethought him 
 on his knighthood, and then he made a sign of the cross in 
 his forehead, and there with the pavihon turned up-so-down, 
 and then it changed unto a smoke, and a black cloud, and 
 then he was adread and cried aloud : 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 roar- 
 ing 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 himself through the thigh 
 that the blood stert 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 vir- 
 ginity, 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 a ship come from 
 Orient covered within and without with white samite. Then 
 Sir Percivale took his arms, and entered into the ship, and so 
 departed from thence. 
 
 HOW SIR BORS RESCUED A DAMOSEL 
 RATHER THAN HIS BROTHER SIR 
 LIONEL, AND HOW THEREAFTER SIR 
 LIONEL WOULD FIGHT WITH SIR BORS, BUT 
 SIR BORS WOULD NOT. Now turn we to Sir Bors 
 
348 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 that when he was departed from Camelot rode into a forest, 
 and there befell him a marvellous adventure. So he met at 
 the departing of two ways two knights that led Lionel, his 
 brother, all naked, bounden upon a strong hackney, and his 
 hands bounden to-fore his breast. And everych 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 to-fore 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 ye owe 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 suppose 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 nist 
 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. 
 
HOW SIR BORS MET SIR LIONEL 349 
 
 Then lift he up his eyes and said weeping: Fair sweet Lord 
 Jesu Christ, whose Hege 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. 
 
 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 thereas this knight had me. So shall I do gladly : and 
 took the horse of the wounded knight, and set the gentle- 
 woman upon him, and so brought her as she desired. 
 
 Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel, his brother, by the trace 
 of their horses. Thus he rode seeking a great while, and 
 then he turned to an hermitage that was in the entry of a 
 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 a tour- 
 nament should 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 alighted 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 beat- 
 
3 so OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 ing 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 misdeed 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 forgive 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 to-fore him and said : Bors, keep 
 thee from me, for I shall do to thee as I would to a felon 
 or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight that ever came out 
 of so worthy an house as was King Bors de 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 thereas ye stand upon foot, and so the shame shall be 
 mine and the harm yours, but of that shame ne reck I nought. 
 
 ^1 HOW WHEN SIR BORS WOULD NOT 
 i Jr \ FIGHT WITH HIM SIR LIONEL WOULD 
 3^i^ HAVE SLAIN HIM, AND HOW HE SLEW 
 aL^IM a HERMIT AND SIR COLGREVANCE 
 WHO WOULD HAVE SAVED SIR BORS, AND HOW 
 SIR BORS AND SIR LIONEL WERE PARTED BY A 
 CLOUD. 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 
 
OF SIR LIONEL AND SIR COLGREVANCE 351 
 
 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 rashed 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 himself to have died without confession. 
 So when Lionel saw this, he alighted 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. 
 
 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 me help, 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 liefer 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 greed ; and set his hand to his 
 sword and smote him so hard that his head went backward. 
 Not for that he restrained him of his evil will, but took his 
 brother by the helm, and unlaced it to have stricken off his 
 head, and had slain him without fail, but 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 
 
352 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 stert he down and 
 took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew him strongly aback 
 from Bors, and said : Lionel, will ye slay your brother, one 
 of the worthiest knights of the world ? and that should no good 
 man suffer. Why, said Lionel, will ye let me .? therefore if 
 ye entermete 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 de- 
 fended him right manfully. So long dured the battle that 
 Bors rose up all anguishly, and beheld how Colgrevance, 
 the good knight, fought with his brother for his quarrel ; 
 then was he full sorry and heavy, and thought if Colgrevance 
 slew him that was his brother he should never have joy; 
 and if his brother slew Colgrevance the shame should ever 
 be his. 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 
 
HOW LIONEL SLEW COLGREVANCE 353 
 
 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 
 other's 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. 
 
 Then oft 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 Jesu, that I have misdone 
 have mercy upon my soul, for such sorrow that my heart 
 suffereth for goodness, and for alms deed that I would have 
 done here, be to me aligement of penance unto my soul's 
 health. At these words Lionel smote him so sore that he 
 bare him to the earth. So when he had slain Colgrevance 
 he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such 
 a stroke that he made him stoop. And he that was full of 
 humility prayed him for God's love to leave this battle : 
 For an it befell, 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 afeard of you 
 
354 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 
 And then he heard a voice that said : Flee Bors, and 
 touch him not, or else thou shalt slay him. Right so alighted 
 a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire and a marvellous 
 flame, that both their two shields brent. Then were they 
 sore afraid, that they fell both to the earth, and lay there a 
 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 bade him go 
 to the sea. Then he stert up and made a sign of the cross 
 in the midst of his forehead, and took his harness, and made 
 ready his horse, and mounted upon him ; and at a broken 
 wall 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 alighted, 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 
 
OF SIR GALAHAD AT A TOURNAMENT 355 
 
 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 midst 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 ; and either told other of their 
 temptations, as ye have heard to-forehand. So went they 
 downward in the sea, one while backward, another while 
 forward, and everych comforted other, and oft were in their 
 prayers. Then said Sir Percivale : We lack nothing but 
 Galahad, the good knight. 
 
 HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUGHT AT A TOUR- 
 NAMENT, AND OF THE STROKE THAT HE 
 GAVE SIR GAWAINE, AND HOW HE RODE 
 WITH A DAMOSEL AND CAME TO A SHIP 
 WHEREIN WERE SIR BORS AND SIR PERCIVALE. 
 Now saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale 
 from the twenty knights, he went 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 befell 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 thereas they were thickest, and so he 
 did wonderful deeds of arms that all they marvelled. Then 
 
3s6 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 coif 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 Galahad, 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 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 un- 
 armed him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech found that 
 he might live, and to be whole within a month. Thus Ga- 
 waine 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 befell him 
 
HOW GALAHAD RODE WITH A DAMOSEL 357 
 
 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 bade 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. Gala- 
 had, 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 commended 
 him to God, and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would 
 follow thereas she liked. 
 
 So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till that 
 she came to the sea ; 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 everych knew other ; and so the wind arose, and drove 
 them through the sea in a marvellous pace. And within a 
 while it dawned. 
 
 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 
 
358 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 witting. 
 Wit ye well, said she, that I am thy sister, which am daughter 
 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 un- 
 true knight, there shall I perish. 
 
 HOW SIR GALAHAD, SIR BORS, AND 
 SIR PERCIVALE ENTERED INTO THE 
 SHIP, AND OF A FAIR BED THEREIN, 
 AND OF A SWORD, AND OF HOW 
 KING PELLES HAD BEEN MAIMED 
 FOR DRAWING IT. 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 
 
HOW SIR GALAHAD GRIPPED THE SWORD 359 
 
 marvellous fair and rich that they marvelled ; and in midst 
 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 pom- 
 mel was of stone, and there was in him all manner of colours 
 that any man might find, and everych of the colours had 
 divers virtues. 
 
 Then Galahad beheld the sword and saw letters like 
 blood that said : Let see who shall assay 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. In the name of God, said Galahad, ye are 
 right wise of these works. 
 
 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 per- 
 fect of his life, but his knight had none hardiness to enter ; 
 and there found he this sword, and drew it out as much as 
 ye may see. So therewith entered a spear wherewith he 
 was smitten him through both the thighs, and never sith 
 
36o OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 might he be healed, nor nought shall to-fore 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. 
 
 HOW SIR GALAHAD GRIPPED THE SWORD, 
 AND OF THE CUSTOM OF A CASTLE, AND 
 HOW SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER BLED A 
 DISH FULL OF BLOOD FOR TO HEAL A LADY, 
 WHEREFORE SHE DIED; AND HOW THAT HER 
 BODY WAS PUT IN A SHIP. 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 
 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, and passed by. So there came a knight armed 
 after them and said : Lordsj hark what I shall say to you. 
 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 to-fore 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 
 
THE STRANGE CUSTOM OF A CASTLE 361 
 
 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 shall fail while that I live. So 
 God me help, said Percivale, I had liefer be slain. And I 
 also, said Sir Bors. By my troth, said the knight, then shall 
 ye die, for ye may not endure against us though ye were 
 the best knights of the world. 
 
 Then let they 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 
 everych in like hard till it was night : then must they needs 
 depart. 
 
 So came in a good knight, and said to the three fellows : 
 
362 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 gen- 
 tlewoman, go thither and spare not for me. Go we, said 
 Galahad ; and so they entered into the chapel. And when 
 they were alighted 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. 
 
 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 she might have a dish full of blood of a maid and a clean 
 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 to-morn I shall yield you your 
 custom of this castle. And then there was great joy more 
 than there was to-fore, for else had there been mortal war 
 upon the morn ; notwithstanding she would none other, 
 v/hether they wold or nold. 
 
 That night were the three fellows eased with the best ; 
 
HOW SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER DIED 363 
 
 and on the morn they heard mass, and Sir Percivale's sister 
 bade 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 I 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 enchieve 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 everych 
 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 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 
 
364 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ENTERED INTO THE 
 SHIP WHERE SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER 
 LAY DEAD, AND HOW HE CAME TO A 
 CASTLE AND WAS BEFORE THE DOOR OF A 
 CHAMBER WHEREIN WAS THE SANGREAL. 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 ad- 
 venture 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 clearness about him. And then he 
 lifted 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 
 sweetness 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE SANGREAL 365 
 
 him all the adventures that ye have heard to-fore, and of 
 what lineage she was come. 
 
 Then 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 : Launce- 
 lot, 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 
 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 semblaunt 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 en- 
 tered 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. 
 
 Then he enforced him mickle to undo the door. Then 
 
366 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 to-fore the chamber, for well wist 
 he that there was the Sangreal within that chamber. Then 
 said he : Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that 
 pleased Thee, Lord for Thy pity ne have me not in despite for 
 my sins done aforetime, 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 clearness, 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 for-think it. Then he withdrew him aback right heavy. 
 Then looked he up in the midst of the chamber, and saw a 
 table of silver, and the Holy Vessel, covered with red samite, 
 and many angels about it, 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 
 lifted 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. 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT LAY IN A TRANCE 367 
 
 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 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 cham- 
 ber 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 alive, 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. 
 
 HOW AFTER THAT SIR LAUNCELOT 
 HAD LAIN FOUR-AND-TWENTY DAYS 
 AND NIGHTS AS A DEAD MAN, IT WAS 
 TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD ACHIEVED 
 ALL HE MIGHT OF THE QUEST OF 
 THE SANGREAL, AND HE RETURNED 
 TO KING ARTHUR'S COURT. In such manner they 
 
368 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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. 
 
 Then they told him how he had lain there four-and- 
 twenty days and nights. Then him thought it was punish- 
 ment for the four-and-twenty years that he had been a sin- 
 ner, wherefore Our Lord put him in penance four-and-twenty 
 days and nights. Then looked Sir Launcelot afore him, 
 and saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for that 
 he for-thought him right much that he had broken his prom- 
 ise 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 gentlewoman 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 San- 
 greal 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 enchieve that I have 
 done. And therewith he took the hair and clothed him in 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT CAME TO CAMELOT 369 
 
 it, and above that he put a Hnen 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 : my lord Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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. 
 
 So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his arms, and said 
 he would go see the realm of Logris, which I have not seen 
 in 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 a fore an altar he found a rich tomb, 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 not he a little sorry, for Launce- 
 lot loved him much more than any other, and had it been 
 any other than Gawaine he should not have escaped from 
 
370 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 Gala- 
 had 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 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 adventures that 
 had befallen him since 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 Gal- 
 ahad 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. 
 
 Now leave we this story and speak of Galahad. 
 
 HOW GALAHAD CAME TO KING MOR- 
 DRAINS, AND HOW SIR PERCIVALE AND 
 SIR BORS MET WITH HIM, AND HOW 
 THEY CAME TO THE CASTLE OF CARBONEK. 
 
 Now, saith the story, 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, the which had lain blind of long time. And then 
 he dressed him against him, and said : Galahad, the servant 
 
OF PERCIVALE, BORS, AND GALAHAD 371 
 
 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 clean 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 all dead of 
 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 then Galahad put him in the earth as a king ought 
 to be, and so departed and rode till that he came to the 
 Maimed King. And ever followed Percivale, asking where 
 he had been. 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 everych told other. Then said 
 Bors : It is mo 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 to-fore them the broken sword wherewith Joseph 
 was stricken through the thigh. Then Bors set his hand 
 
372 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 enchieved 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 enchieved, 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 mar- 
 vellous, and was full of great heat that many men fell for 
 dread. And anon alighted 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 mo. Anon they 
 saw knights all armed came 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 
 midst of the place they set him down, and went again their 
 way. Then he lifted up his head, and said : Galahad, Knight, 
 ye be welcome, for much have I desired your coming, for in 
 
OF SIR GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS 373 
 
 such pain and in such anguish I have been long. But now 
 I trust to God the term is come that my pain shall be al- 
 layed, that I shall pass out of this world so as it was promised 
 me long ago. Therewith a voice said : There be two among 
 you that be not in the quest of the Sangreal, and therefore 
 depart ye. 
 
 HOW GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS 
 WERE FED OF THE HOLY SANGREAL, 
 AND HOW OUR LORD APPEARED 
 TO THEM, AND HOW GALAHAD 
 ANOINTED THE MAIMED KING, AND HOW 
 THEY DEPARTED AND TOOK SHIP AND CAME 
 TO THE CITY OF SARRAS, AND FOUND THERE 
 THE SHIP WITH THE BODY OF PERCIVALE'S 
 SISTER. 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 up in a 
 chair, and set him down before the table of silver where- 
 upon the Sangreal was ; and it seemed that he had in midst 
 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 hundred year to-fore. 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 
 
374 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 then the bishop made semblaunt 
 as though he would have gone to the sacring of the mass. 
 And then he took an ubblie 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 bade 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 sweet meats 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 signs 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, wottest 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 Sheer-Thurs- 
 
SIR GALAHAD ANOINTS THE KING 375 
 
 day. 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 wottest thou where- 
 fore ? 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 disherit 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 Per- 
 civale 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 Galahad, 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. 
 
 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 there- 
 with he clothed him anon, and started 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 worldward, 
 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 
 
376 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 where ye hope best to do and as I bade you. 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 everych of them, that if they come 
 to King Arthur's court that they should salute my lord, 
 Sir Launcelot, my father, and all the fellowship 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 
 to-fore. And when they came to the board they found in 
 the midst the table of 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 rev- 
 erence 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 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. 
 
HOW SIR GALAHAD WAS MADE KING 377 
 
 So long were they in the ship that they said to Galahad : 
 Sir, in this bed ought ye to he, 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 Percivale and to Bors, to go to-fore, 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 bade 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 Gala- 
 had, and arise up and shew thy good will. And so he as- 
 sayed, 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. 
 
 HOW THEY BURIED PERCIVALE'S SISTER 
 AND WERE PUT IN PRISON BY THE KING 
 OF THE CITY, AND HOW THEY WERE FED 
 WITH THE SANGREAL AND HOW GALAHAD WAS 
 MADE KING, AND HOW GALAHAD AND PERCI- 
 VALE DIED. 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 
 
378 OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 upon the table of silver. And they told him the truth of 
 the Sangreal, and the power which that God had sent 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. 
 
 But as soon as they were there Our Lord sent them the 
 Sangreal, through whose grace they were always fulfilled 
 while that they were in prison. So at the year's end it 
 befell 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 bade 
 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 covered the 
 Holy Vessel. And every day early the three fellows would 
 come afore it, and make their prayers. 
 
 Now at the year's end, and the self day after Galahad 
 had borne the crown of gold, he arose up early and his fel- 
 lows, and came to the palace, and saw to-fore 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 sac- 
 rament of the mass, and had done, anon he called Galahad, 
 
OF THE DEATH OF SIR GALAHAD 379 
 
 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 re- 
 ceived it right gladly and meekly. Now wottest 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 wottest thou 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 clean 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 Launce- 
 lot, my father, and as soon as ye see him, bid him remem- 
 ber of this unstable world. And therewith he kneeled down 
 to-fore 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. 
 
38o OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 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 Hghtly 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 her- 
 mitage 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 countries 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 be- 
 fell 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 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 fel- 
 lows, 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 
 almeries at Salisbury. And anon Sir Bors said to Sir Laun- 
 celot : Galahad, your own son, saluted you by me, and 
 after you King Arthur and all the court, and so did Sir Per- 
 
OF THE DEATH OF SIR GALAHAD 
 
 381 
 
 civale, for I buried them with mine own hands in the city 
 of Sarras. Also, Sir Launcelot, Galahad prayed you to 
 remember of this unsiker world. Now I trust to God, said 
 Launcelot, his prayer shall avail me. 
 
OF LAUNCELOT, GUENEVER, AND 
 KING ARTHUR 
 
 HOW LAUNCELOT FELL TO HIS 
 OLD LOVE AGAIN, BUT WITHDREW 
 HIM FROM GUENEVER TO ESCHEW 
 SLANDER, AND HOW THE QUEEN 
 COMMANDED HIM TO AVOID THE 
 COURT. So after the quest of the Sangreal 
 was fulfilled, and all knights that were left alive 
 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, and so they loved 
 together more hotter than they did to-forehand, that many 
 in the court spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir 
 Gawaine's brother, for he was ever open-mouthed. 
 
 So befell that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of ladies 
 and damosels that daily resorted unto him, that besought 
 
 382 
 
OF THE QUEEN AND SIR LAUNCELOT 383 
 
 him to be their champion, and in all such matters of right 
 Sir Launcelot appHed 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 be- 
 ginneth to slake, for thou hast no joy to be in my presence, 
 but ever thou art of this court, and quarrels and matters 
 thou hast nowadays for ladies and gentlewomen more than 
 ever thou wert wont to have aforehand. 
 
 Ah madam, said Launcelot, in this ye 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 await, as Sir Agravaine and Sir Mor- 
 dred ; 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 
 
384 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 ye well, madam, the boldness of you and me will bring us 
 to great shame and slander ; and that were me loath, 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 
 to-fore, that men should understand my joy and my delight 
 is my pleasure to have ado for damosels and maidens. 
 
 All this while the queen stood still and let Sir Launcelot 
 say what he would. And when he had all said she brast 
 out a-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 lovest 
 and boldest 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 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 hermit here beside Windsor, 
 that sometime was a good knight, his name is Sir Brasias, 
 
HOW THE QUEEN MADE A DINNER 385 
 
 and there shall ye abide till I send you word of better tidings. 
 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. 
 
 HOW AT A DINNER THAT THE QUEEN 
 MADE THERE WAS A KNIGHT EN- 
 POISONED, WHICH SIR MADOR LAID ON 
 THE QUEEN, AND APPEACHED HER FOR IT AND 
 HOW SIR BORS TOOK ON HIM TO FIGHT FOR 
 THE QUEEN UPON CONDITION. 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, Sir 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 
 
386 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 v^^ell 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 because 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 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 me 
 lest ye will be shamed. Then the queen stood still and was 
 sore abashed, that she 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 appealed the queen of the death 
 
THE QUEEN APPEACHED OF TREASON 387 
 
 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 because 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. 
 
 And ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever 
 he appealed 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 
 brent in a wrong quarrel. And therefore. Sir Mador, be 
 not so hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless ; 
 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 ex- 
 cused, 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 
 that were bidden to this dinner but all they have great sus- 
 picion 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, forwhy she made the dinner, and 
 
388 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 help me 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 mayst 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, I wot not how or 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, send unto 
 Sir Bors, that he will do battle for you 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 were with you at your dinner where Sir Patrise 
 was slain, 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 
 
THE QUEEN APPEACHED OF TREASON 389 
 
 now I miss Sir Launcelot, 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 
 party 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. 
 
 So the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir 
 Bors into her chamber. And when he was come she be- 
 sought him of succour. Madam, said he, what would ye 
 that I did ? for I may not with my worship have ado in this 
 matter, because 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 ; 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 be- 
 sought 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 kneel- 
 ing 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- 
 
390 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 
 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 I 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. 
 
THE QUEEN AND SIR BORS 391 
 
 HOW AT THE DAY SIR BORS MADE HIM 
 READY FOR TO FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN, 
 BUT SIR LAUNCELOT DISCHARGED HIM, 
 «_AND OVERCAME SIR MADOR, AND HOW 
 THE TRUTH WAS KNOWN BY THE DAMOSEL OF 
 THE LAKE. The day came on fast that the battle should 
 be, and the king and the queen and all manner of knights 
 that were there at that time drew them unto the meadow 
 beside Westminster. 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 the 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 
 
392 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 cry- 
 ing 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 displeased, 
 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. 
 
 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 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT DISCHARGED BORS 393 
 
 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 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 fshamed 
 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 backward 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 bade 
 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. 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 
 
394 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 prayed that knight to save his Hfe, 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 knights parters of the lists took up Sir Mador, 
 and led him to his tent, and the other knight went straight 
 to the stair-foot where sat King Arthur ; and by that time 
 was the queen come to the king, and either kissed other 
 heartily. 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, grand merci of your great travail that ye 
 have had this day for me and for my queen. My lord, said 
 Sir Launcelot, 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 knight- 
 hood, and that day my lady, your queen, did me great wor- 
 ship, 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 or in wrong. Grand merci, said the king, for this 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE QUEEN 395 
 
 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 Launcelot was healed of his 
 wound. And then there was made great joy and mirths 
 in that court. 
 
 And so it befell that the damosel of the lake, her name 
 was Nimue, the which wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas, 
 when she heard how the queen was an-angered for the death 
 of Sir Patrise, 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 ; and 
 so the queen was excused, and the knight Pinel fled into 
 his country. 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. 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR LET CRY A TOURNA- 
 MENT AT CAMELOT OR WINCHESTER, 
 AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT, RIDING 
 THITHER, LODGED AT ASTOLAT, AND RE- 
 CEIVED A SLEEVE TO WEAR ON HIS HELM 
 AT REQUEST OF A MAID. Thus it passed on till our 
 Lady Day, Assumption. Within a fifteen days of that 
 
396 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 Ire- 
 land, and the King with the Hundred Knights, and Galahad, 
 the haut prince, and the King of Northumberland, 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. 
 And many deemed the queen would not be there because of 
 Sir Launcelot du Lake ; for Sir Launcelot would not ride 
 with the king, for he said that he was not whole of the wound 
 the which Sir Mador had given him. Wherefore 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 
 Guildford, 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 be 
 together. And thus will they say, said the queen to Sir 
 Launcelot, have ye no doubt thereof. 
 
 Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit ; it is of late 
 come since ye were wise. And therefore, madam, at this 
 time I will be ruled by your counsel, and this night I will 
 
OF THE MAID OF ASTOLAT 397 
 
 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 displeased 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 Guildford ; and there it happed him in the 
 eventide he came to an old baron's place that hight Sir Ber- 
 nard 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 
 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 came to him making his 
 reverence, and welcomed him in the best manner ; but the 
 old knight knew not Sir Launcelot. Fair sir, said Sir Laun- 
 celot to his host, I would pray you to lend me a shield that 
 
398 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 therefore 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 Launce- 
 lot wonderfully, 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 because he had 
 never before that time borne no manner of token of no dam- 
 osel, then he bethought him that he would bare 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 
 
OF THE TOURNEY AT WINCHESTER 399 
 
 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. 
 
 OF THE TOURNEY AT WINCHESTER, 
 AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS SORE 
 WOUNDED. So upon a day, on the morn. 
 King Arthur and all his knights departed, for the 
 king had tarried there 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 bur- 
 gess, that no man in that town was ware what they were. 
 And so they reposed them there till our Lady Day, Assump- 
 tion, 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. King Arthur would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from 
 
400 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came in at the thick- 
 est 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 de 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. What knight is yonder, said Sir Gawaine, 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 before- 
 hand 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 Gali- 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S WOUND 401 
 
 hud. 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 Launcelot, 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 Launcelot 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 themselves they smote 
 Sir Launcelot'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 of Scots and smote him to the earth ; and by 
 great force he took his horse, and brought him to Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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 the same wise he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel ; and 
 Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Blamore de Ganis. And there 
 Sir Launcelot with his sword smote down and pulled down, 
 as the French book maketh mention, mo 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. 
 
 Mercy, 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 the knight 
 
402 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 with the white shield that bare the red sleeve. Then came 
 the King with the Hundred Knights, the King of NorthgaHs, 
 and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the 
 haut prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot : Fair knight, God 
 bless thee, 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 worshipfuUy deserved it. 
 My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well if I have de- 
 served 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 liefer 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 trun- 
 cheon out of his side, and he gave a great shriek and a mar- 
 vellous grisly groan, and the blood brast out nigh a pint at 
 once, that at the last he sank down, and so swooned pale and 
 deadly. Alas, said Sir Lavaine, what shall I do ? And then 
 he turned Sir Launcelot into the wind, but so he lay there 
 nigh half an hour as he had been dead. 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS HEALED 403 
 
 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 some- 
 time 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 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 mar- 
 vellously 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 
 
404 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 the knights of the Round Table. I have seen the day, said 
 the hermit, I would have loved him the worse because 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. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS BROUGHT TO 
 AN HERMIT FOR TO BE HEALED, AND 
 HOW IT BECAME KNOWN THAT IT WAS 
 HE THAT BARE THE RED SLEEVE, AND OF 
 THE ANGER OF THE QUEEN. And when the hermit 
 beheld him, as he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow ever bleed- 
 ing piteously, and ever the knight-hermit thought that he 
 should know him, but he could not bring him to knowledge 
 because he was so pale for bleeding. 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 adven- 
 turous, 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 hide you your 
 name from me ? Forsooth I ought to know 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 
 
OF SIR GAWAINE AT ASTOLAT 405 
 
 the hermit staunched his blood, and made him to drink 
 good wine, so that Sir Launcelot was well refreshed and knew 
 himself; for in those 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 sup- 
 pose 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, these be to me the worst tidings that came to me 
 this seven year, for I would not for all the lands I wield 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 
 
4o6 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 or a sword ; and if he may be found I shall find him, for I 
 am sure he nis not far from this town. 
 
 Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon hack- 
 neys, 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 
 thereas 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 worshipfuUy. 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 ? Cer- 
 tainly 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 
 say that I love him, I promise you and God that I love him. 
 How had ye knowledge of him first ? said Sir Gawaine. 
 
 Then she told him as ye have heard to-fore, 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 
 
OF SIR GAWAINE AT ASTOLAT 407 
 
 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 to his daughter, let send 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 to-fore. 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 Ga- 
 waine, fair damosel ye have right, for an he be your love 
 ye love the most honourable knight of the world, and the 
 man of most worship. 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 alive ; and wit ye well he is the noble knight. Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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. 
 
4o8 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 the maid 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 Maiden of Astolat. So the king 
 and all came to London, and there Sir Gawaine openly dis- 
 closed to all the court that it was Sir Launcelot that jousted 
 best. 
 
 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 to-fore 
 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 afeard 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 ere then we, nor 
 
LAUNCELOT AND THE MAID OF ASTOLAT 409 
 
 none of us all, never knew that ever he bare token or sign of 
 maid, lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on him, said the queen, 
 for I heard 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 Launce- 
 lot that lay in great peril. 
 
 HOW THE MAIDEN ELAINE 
 DID ATTENDANCE UNTO SIR 
 LAUNCELOT, AND OF HER 
 LAMENTATION THAT HE 
 SHOULD DEPART, AND HOW 
 SHE DIED FOR HIS LOVE, AND HOW HER BODY 
 WAS BROUGHT TO THE COURT AND OF HER 
 BURYING. 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 aloud unto 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 alighted. 
 
4IO OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 So Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot ; and 
 when she saw him He 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 Launce- 
 lot, 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 her- 
 self 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 book saith there was never woman 
 did more kindlier for man than she. And so Sir Launcelot 
 was big and strong again. 
 
 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 
 
How King Arthur and Queen Guenever went fo see the barge that bore 
 the corpse of Elaine the Fair Maiden of Astolat. 
 
WIMtriqiri 
 
LAUNCELOT AND THE MAID OF ASTOLAT 411 
 
 morn when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair Elaine brought 
 her father with her, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Tirre, and thus 
 she said : 
 
 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 lover ? 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 because, 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 lover 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 there she 
 made overmuch sorrow; and then Sir Launcelot would 
 depart, and there he asked Sir Lavaine what he would do. 
 
412 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 : 
 I cannot see but that my daughter Elaine will die for your 
 sake. Father, said Sir Lavaine, she doth as I do, for sithen 
 I 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 
 Sir 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 her- 
 self 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 clean, and received her Creator. And ever she com- 
 plained still upon Sir Launcelot. Then her ghostly father 
 bade her leave such thoughts. Then she said, why should 
 I leave such thoughts ? An 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 clean maiden 
 I am for him and for all other ; and sithen it is the sufferance 
 of God that I shall die for the love of so noble a knight, I 
 
HOW THE MAID OF ASTOLAT DIED 413 
 
 beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy upon 
 my soul, and that 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 the corpse and the bed were borne 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 ere any espied it. 
 
414 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 
 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 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 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 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 
 
OF ARTHUR AND THE DEAD MAID 415 
 
 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 clean maiden I died, I take God to 
 witness : pray for my soul. Sir Launcelot, as thou art peer- 
 less. 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 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, or else my love ; and of these 
 two I would not grant her, but I proffered her, for her good 
 love that she shewed 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 knights : love is free in himself, 
 and never will be bounden, for where he is bounden he looseth 
 himself. 
 
 Then said the king unto Sir Launcelot : It will be your 
 
4i6 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 worship that ye oversee that she be interred worshipfully. 
 Sir, said Sir Launcelot, that shall be done as I can best de- 
 vise. And so many knights went 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 Launce- 
 lot, that ye have been displeased with me causeless ; but, 
 madam, ever I must suffer you, but what sorrow I endure 
 I take no force. So thus 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. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WENT TO RE- 
 POSE HIM AT A HERMITAGE, AND 
 HOW HE WAS HURT OF A GENTLE- 
 WOMAN, AND OF A GREAT TOURNEY 
 ORDAINED BY KING ARTHUR. 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 knight 
 of the Table Round at the next feast of Pentecost. So 
 at-after Christmas King Arthur let call unto him many 
 
How Sir Launcelot was shot by a gentlewoman hunting. 
 
OF GREAT JOUSTS AT CHRISTMAS 417 
 
 knights, and there they advised together to make a party and 
 a great tournament and jousts, beside Westminster upon 
 Candlemas Day. 
 
 Then Queen Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and said 
 thus : I warn you that ye ride no more in no jousts nor tour- 
 naments 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 kinsmen 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, because 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 hermitage, 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 burble, 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 
 
41 8 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 the string and for a bate. So it happed this lady the hunt- 
 ress had abated her dog for the bow at a barren hind, and 
 so this barren hind took the flight over hedges and 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 slumber- 
 ing. 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 they had lost the very 
 perfect feute of the hind. Right so came that lady the hunt- 
 ress, 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 thigh, 
 over the barbs. When Sir Launcelot felt himself 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. 
 
 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 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. Then with great pain the hermit gat 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS HURT 419 
 
 out the arrow's head out of Sir Launcelot's thigh, 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. Now so heaven me help, said Sir Launcelot, 
 I shall be in the field upon Candlemas 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. 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 North- 
 umberland smote down King Howel of Brittany ; and Sir 
 Galahad, 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. 
 
 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 apaid, 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 
 
420 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 Bedevere, 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 Launce- 
 lot, for to help him, fall of him 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 
 
OF THE JOUSTS AT CANDLEMAS 421 
 
 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 shewed 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 encountered 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 encountered 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. 
 
 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 be 
 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 
 
422 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 there he and his blood do 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 Launcelot, 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, because 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 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 into 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 alighted 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 
 
HOW ARTHUR FOUND LAUNCELOT 423 
 
 Launcelot, Sir Lavaine, and Sir Gareth, Ah, Sir Launcelot, 
 said King Arthur, this day ye have heated me and my 
 knights. 
 
 So they went unto Arthur's lodging all together, and there 
 was a great feast and great revel, and the prize was given 
 unto Sir Launcelot ; 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 
 Arthur blamed Sir Gareth because he left his fellowship and 
 held with Sir Launcelot. My lord, said Sir Gareth, he made 
 me a knight, and when I saw him so hard bestead, 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 worshipfuUy 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 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. 
 
424 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 OF THE MONTH OF MAY AND OF TRUE 
 LOVERS, AND HOW QUEEN GUENEVER 
 RODE A-MAYING WITH CERTAIN 
 KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE, AND 
 CLAD ALL IN GREEN, AND HOW SIR 
 MELIAGRANCE TOOK THE QUEEN AND HER 
 KNIGHTS. And thus it passed on from Candlemas 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 like wise 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 divers causes. 
 For then all herbs and trees renew a man and woman, and 
 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, whosomever 
 useth this. Therefore, like as May month flowereth and 
 flourisheth in many gardens, so in like wise 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 or worshipful 
 woman, but they loved one better than another ; and worship 
 
How Queen Guenever rode a-maying into the woods and fields beside 
 
 Westminster. 
 
7 J^sSh^ ><^^^ 
 
HOW LOVE IS LIKENED TO SUMMER 425 
 
 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 old love was not 
 so ; men and women could love together seven years, and 
 no wanton lusts were between them, and then was love truth 
 and faithfulness : and lo, in like wise was used love in King 
 Arthur's days. Wherefore I liken love nowadays unto sum- 
 mer 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. 
 
 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 a-May- 
 ing 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, outher 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 
 
426 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 a-Maying in woods 
 and meadows as it pleased them, in great joy and 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 
 Westminster. And this knight. Sir Meliagrance, loved pass- 
 ing well Queen Guenever, and so had he done long and many 
 years. And the book saith he had lain in await for to steal 
 away the queen, but evermore he forbare for because of Sir 
 Launcelot ; for in no wise he would meddle with the queen 
 an Sir Launcelot were in her company, or 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, tourna- 
 ment, nor jousts, they bare none of them no manner of knowl- 
 edging 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. 
 
HOW THE QUEEN WAS TAKEN 427 
 
 And thus they came up all first, ere 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 Sir 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. 
 
 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 bade 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 liefer 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 
 
428 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 Melia- 
 grance : 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 to- 
 gether 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 knights thus dolefully wounded, 
 and needs must be slain at the last, then for pity and sorrow 
 she cried Sir Meliagrance : Slay not my noble knights, and 
 I will go with thee upon this covenant, that thou save them, 
 and suffer them not to be 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 Melia- 
 grance, 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. 
 
HOW THE QUEEN SENT FOR LAUNCELOT 429 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HAD WORD HOW 
 THE QUEEN WAS TAKEN, AND HOW SIR 
 MELIAGRANCE LAID A BUSHMENT FOR 
 LAUNCELOT, SO THAT HIS HORSE WAS SLAIN, 
 AND HE RODE IN A CART TO SAVE THE QUEEN. 
 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 Melia- 
 grance said to the queen : Madam, ye are about to betray 
 me, but I shall 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 
 
43 o OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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-hardy 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, insomuch 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 Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Pers- 
 ant 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 liefer, 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 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT'S HORSE WAS SLAIN 431 
 
 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. 
 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 strait way, and there the thirty archers 
 bade Sir Launcelot turn again, and follow no longer that 
 track. What commandment have ye thereto, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, to cause me that am a knight of the Round Table to 
 leave my right way ? This way shalt thou leave, other-else 
 thou shalt go it on thy foot, for wit thou well thy horse shall 
 be slain. That is little mastery, said Sir Launcelot, 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 Melia- 
 grance. 
 
432 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 Then by fortune there came by him a chariot that came 
 thither for to fetch wood. Say me, carter, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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 afeard, and weened to have 
 gone the same way ; 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 Guenever 
 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 came 
 his horse ever after that chariot, with the forty arrows in 
 him. 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 bestead 
 when thou ridest in a chariot. Then she rebuked that lady 
 that likened Sir Launcelot to ride in a chariot to hanging. 
 
OF MELIAGRANCE AND THE QUEEN 433 
 
 It was foul mouthed, said the queen, and evil likened, so for 
 to liken the most noble knight of the world unto such a shame- 
 ful 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 fellow- 
 ship 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 a-sunder. 
 
 HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE REQUIRED 
 FORGIVENESS OF THE QUEEN, AND 
 HOW SHE APPEASED SIR LAUNCE- 
 LOT, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT 
 CAME IN THE NIGHT TO THE QUEEN, 
 AND HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE AP- 
 PEACHED HER OF TREASON. When Sir Meliagrance 
 heard that Sir Launcelot was there he ran unto Queen Guen- 
 ever, and fell upon his knee, and said : Mercy, madam, now 
 I put me wholly into your grace. 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 Melia- 
 grance, but that ye would take all in your own hands, and 
 that ye will rule my lord Sir Launcelot ; and such cheer as 
 
434 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 bade : 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 dishonour, 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE QUEEN 435 
 
 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. 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 Launce- 
 lot, 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 everych to other ; and full fain they would have 
 been revenged, but they peaced themselves because 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 y-barred with iron, and there 
 Sir Launcelot promised to meet her when all folks were asleep. 
 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 bestead, for I have found your 
 
436 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 horse that was slain with arrows. As for that, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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. 
 
 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 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 to-forehand, 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 com- 
 plaints of many divers 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 
 
THE QUEEN APPEACHED OF TREASON 437 
 
 them with such a might that he brast them clean out of the 
 stone walls, and therewithal one of the bars of iron cut the 
 brawn of his hand 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. 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. What aileth you, 
 madam, said Sir Meliagrance, that ye sleep thus long ? And 
 right therewithal he opened the curtain for to behold her ; 
 and then was he ware of the blood of Sir Launcelot's hurt 
 hand. When Sir Meliagrance espied that blood, then he 
 deemed in himself that she was false to the king, and that 
 it was the blood of some of the wounded knights. 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 
 hath been here. 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- 
 
438 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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, that a wounded 
 knight hath been here. Then were they all ashamed when they 
 saw that blood ; and wit you well Sir Meliagrance was passing 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ANSWERED 
 FOR THE QUEEN, TO WAGE BATTLE 
 AGAINST SIR MELIAGRANCE; AND 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS TAKEN 
 IN A TRAP, BUT WAS DELIVERED 
 OF A LADY, AND HOW HE FOUGHT 
 WITH SIR MELIAGRANCE, HALF UN- 
 ARMED, AND SLEW HIM. What array is this.? said 
 Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Meliagrance told him what he had 
 found, and showed him the blood, And well I am sure, said 
 Sir Meliagrance, here hath been one of her wounded knights, 
 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 
 
OF LAUNCELOT AND MELIAGRANCE 439 
 
 I say nay plainly, that this night none of these ten wounded 
 knights was here with my lady Queen Guenever, and that 
 will I 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 was here. And I receive your glove, 
 said Sir Launcelot. And so they were sealed with their sig- 
 nets, 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 Westminster. I will well, 
 said Sir Launcelot. 
 
 Then Sir Meliagrance 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 Meliagrance he trod on a trap and the 
 board rolled, and there Sir Launcelot fell down more than 
 
440 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 ten fathom into a cave full of straw ; and then Sir Melia- 
 grance 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 aside Sir Lavaine's horse, that they might all under- 
 stand 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 Westminster ; and there the knights told King 
 Arthur how Meliagrance had appealed 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 Melia- 
 grance 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. 
 
 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 love her ; 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT IN PRISON 441 
 
 day of battle. God defend, said Sir Launcelot, that she 
 should be brent in my default ; and if it be so, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, that I may not be there, it shall be well understanded, 
 both at the king and at the queen, and with all men of wor- 
 ship, that I am dead, sick, or 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 would not say you otherwise. 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 wouldst 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 Launce- 
 lot, 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 bade 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 bade. 
 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. 
 
442 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 Now leave we Sir Launcelot wallop all that he might, and 
 speak we of Queen Guenever that was brought to a jfire to 
 be brent ; for Sir Meliagrance was sure, him thought, that 
 Sir Launcelot should not be at that battle ; therefore he ever 
 cried upon King Arthur to do him justice, or else bring forth 
 Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then was 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 alive, so he be not sick 
 or 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. Gra- 
 mercy, 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 Launce- 
 lot called on horseback to-fore King Arthur, and there he told 
 
LAUNCELOT FIGHTS FOR THE QUEEN 443 
 
 openly to-fore the king and all, how Sir Meliagrance had 
 served him first and 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 alighted 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 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 
 liefer 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 bade him rise for shame and perform 
 that battle to the utterance. Nay, said Sir Mehagrance, I 
 will never arise until ye take me as yolden and recreant. 
 
444 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 patters of the field disarmed Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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 Launce- 
 lot would jeopardy himself in such wise. Then Sir Melia- 
 grance 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 Launce- 
 lot 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 in- 
 stance of the knights of the Table Round, the king suffered 
 him to 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. 
 
HOW SIR URRE GAT HIS WOUNDS 445 
 
 HOW SIR URRE CAME INTO ARTHUR'S 
 COURT FOR TO BE HEALED OF HIS 
 WOUNDS BY THE BEST KNIGHT OF THE 
 WORLD, AND HOW HE WAS HEALED BY SIR 
 LAUNCELOT. 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 
 
446 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 ease her son. So she came into Scotland and into the lands 
 of England, and by fortune she came nigh the feast of Pente- 
 cost until King Arthur's court, that at that time was holden 
 at Carlisle. And when she came there, then she made it 
 openly to be 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 made known 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 assay 
 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 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND KING ARTHUR 447 
 
 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. All these hundred knights and ten 
 searched Sir Urre's wounds by the commandment of King 
 Arthur. 
 
 Mercy, 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 de- 
 scended 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 thereas 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 assayed and failed, that I should presume upon 
 me to enchieve that all ye, my lords, might not enchieve. 
 Ye shall not choose, said King Arthur, for I will command 
 you for to do as we all have done. My most renowned lord, 
 
448 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 said Sir Launcelot, ye know well I dare not nor may not dis- 
 obey 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 fellow- 
 ship, 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 Launce- 
 lot heartily, saying : Courteous knight, I require thee for 
 God's sake heal my wounds, for methinketh ever sithen ye 
 came here my wounds grieve me not. Ah, my fair lord, 
 said Sir Launcelot, Jesu would that I might help you ; I 
 shame me sore that I 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 commandment, 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 
 forthwith all the wounds fair healed, and seemed as they 
 
HOW SIR URRE WAS HEALED 449 
 
 had been whole a seven year. And in Ukewise he searched 
 his body of other three wounds, and they healed in likewise ; 
 and then the last of all he searched that 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, and I had all that longed 
 unto jousts I would be soon ready. 
 
 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 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. Sir 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 everych 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 
 
450 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MOR- 
 DRED WERE BUSY UPON SIR GAWAINE 
 FOR TO DISCLOSE THE LOVE BETWEEN 
 SIR LAUNCELOT AND QUEEN GUENEVER. 
 In May when every lusty heart flourisheth and 
 bourgeoneth — for as the season is lusty to behold and com- 
 fortable, 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, 
 befell a great anger and unhap that stinted not till the flower 
 of chivalry of all the world was destroyed and slain ; 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 Launce- 
 lot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon Sir Launce- 
 lot. 
 
 So it mishapped. Sir Gawaine and all his brethren were in 
 King Arthur's chamber; 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 goeth with the queen, and 
 all we know it so ; and it is shamefully suff^ered of us all, 
 that we all should suff^er so noble a king as King Arthur is 
 so to be shamed. 
 
 Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said : Brother Sir Agra- 
 
OF SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MORDRED 451 
 
 vaine, 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 lieve 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 by my 
 counsel, said Sir Gawaine, for an there rise war and wrack 
 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 Launce- 
 lot rescued you both, and threescore and two, from Sir Tur- 
 quin. Methinketh brother, such kind deeds and kindness 
 should be remembered. Do as ye list, said Sir Agravaine, 
 for I will hide it no longer. With these words came to them 
 King Arthur. Now, brother, stint your noise, said Sir Ga- 
 waine. 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 
 
452 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 by that man ; for because, said Sir Gareth, Sir Launcelot 
 made me knight, by no manner owe I to say ill of him. And 
 therewithal they three departed, 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 disparpled : so they departed. 
 
 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 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 thereto, 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 a-hunting, and 
 doubt ye not Sir Launcelot will not go with you. Then 
 
OF SIR AGRAVAINE AND KING ARTHUR 453 
 
 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 a-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 Moun- 
 tain, Sir Astamore, Sir Gromore Somir Joure, Sir Curselaine, 
 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 I mistrust that 
 the king is out this night from the queen because peradven- 
 ture he hath lain some watch for you and the queen, and 
 therefore I dread me sore of treason. Have ye no dread, 
 
454 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS ESPIED IN THE 
 QUEEN'S CHAMBER, AND HOW SIR AGRA- 
 VAINE 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, as the French book saith, 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 I 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 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS ESPIED 455 
 
 ye may make no resistance. Wherefore ye are likely to be 
 slain, and then shall I be brent. For an ye might escape 
 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 I never bestead, 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 your- 
 self, whatsomever come of me, that ye go with Sir Bors, my 
 nephew, and Sir Urre, and they all will do you all the pleasure 
 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 my- 
 
456 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 self. And now I had liefer than to be lord of all Christen- 
 dom, 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 ! 
 
 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 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT SLEW THE KNIGHTS 457 
 
 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 engin, 
 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 thee or to slay thee. Ah sirs, said Sir 
 Launcelot, is there none other grace with you .'' then keep 
 yourselves. 
 
 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, 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 to-morn 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 
 
4S8 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 
 OF THE COUNSEL AND ADVICE 
 THAT WAS TAKEN BY SIR LAUNCE- 
 LOT AND HIS FRIENDS FOR TO 
 
 SAVE THE QUEEN. When Sir Bors saw 
 Sir Launcelot he was never so glad of his home-coming as 
 he was then. 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 bestead 
 than ever I was in my life, and yet I escaped. And so he 
 told them all how and in what manner, as ye have heard 
 to-fore. 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 nis no bands of knights 
 under heaven but we shall be able to grieve them as much 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT TOOK COUNSEL 459 
 
 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. Gramercy, said Sir Launcelot, of your 
 good comfort, for 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 of 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 was kin unto Sir Launcelot, 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 
 
46o OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 and of Cornwall, for Sir Lamorak's sake and for Sir Tristram's 
 sake, to the number of a fourscore 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 because 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, notwith- 
 standing 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 bestead 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 
 nis but war unto me and mine. And for because 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 I am sure of mortal war, for these knights 
 were sent and ordained by King Arthur to betray me. 
 And therefore the king will in his 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. 
 
 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, than an my 
 
OF THE COUNSEL TO SAVE THE QUEEN 461 
 
 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 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-morn 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, and ye might be handled, ye 
 should have the same death, or a more shamefuUer 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, inso- 
 much 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 ere I rescue her; and peradventure I shall 
 there destroy some of my best friends, that should much 
 
462 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 ? and that same place is your own ; and in like wise 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 
 thank for her bringing home, and love and thank where other 
 shall have maugre. 
 
 That is 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 befell on the end, how shame- 
 fully that false traitor King 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 grieveth 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 of 
 his promise. 
 
 So to make short tale, they were all consented that for 
 better or for worse, if so were that the queen were on that 
 morn brought to the fire, shortly they all would rescue her. 
 
HOW SIR MORDRED TOLD KING ARTHUR 463 
 
 And so by the advice of Sir Launcelot, they put them all 
 in an embushment in a wood, as nigh Carhsle as they might, 
 and there they abode still, to wit what the king would do. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS KINSMEN 
 RESCUED THE QUEEN FROM THE FIRE, 
 AND HOW HE SLEW MANY KNIGHTS, 
 AND OF THE SORROW OF KING ARTHUR. 
 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 un- 
 armed, 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 marvel- 
 lous knight of prowess. Alas, me sore r&penteth, 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 outher the men or the 
 taking with the deed should be causer of their hasty judg- 
 
464 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 ment. And right so was it ordained for Queen Guenever, 
 because 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 Launcelot 
 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 
 peradventure 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 there- 
 
HOW QUEEN GUENEVER WAS RESCUED 465 
 
 fore 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 Launce- 
 lot, for this night last past he slew your brother. Sir Agra- 
 vaine, 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 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 bote 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 oft- 
 times I warned my brother Sir Agravaine, and I told him the 
 perils the which be now fallen. 
 
 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 
 
466 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth to be there. My lord, said Sir 
 Gawaine, wit you well they will be loath to be there present, 
 because 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 strait 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 wringing of hands, 
 of many lords and ladies, but there were but few in compar- 
 ison 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 warn- 
 ing. Then was there but spurring 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, 
 
OF THE KING'S SORROW FOR SIR GARETH 467 
 
 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 rashing and hurling, as Sir Launcelot thrang 
 here and there, it mishapped him to slay Gaheris and Sir 
 Gareth, the noble knight, for they were unarmed and un- 
 ware. For as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot smote Sir 
 Gareth and Sir Gaheris upon the brain-pans, where-through 
 they were slain in the field ; howbeit in very truth Sir Launce- 
 lot 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 Joy- 
 ous 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. 
 
468 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR AT THE RE- 
 QUEST OF SIR GAWAINE CON- 
 CLUDED TO MAKE WAR AGAINST SIR 
 LAUNCELOT, AND LAID SIEGE TO 
 HIS CASTLE CALLED JOYOUS GARD. 
 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 Christian king held 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 
 
OF KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE 469 
 
 Sir Launcelot's kin and himself both, or 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 I should be at debate. Ah Agravaine, 
 Agravaine, 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. 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 my- 
 self an I had stood in Hke 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 de- 
 fend, 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 
 
470 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 
 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, and so is my 
 brother Sir Gaheris, the which were two noble knights. Then 
 the king wept, and he both ; and so they fell a-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 Launcelot 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 
 
HOW ARTHUR BESIEGED LAUNCELOT 471 
 
 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 Launce- 
 lot ; and therefore, as ye will have my service and my love, 
 now haste you thereto, and assay your friends. For I prom- 
 ise 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 
 hear say. Sir Launcelot will abide me and you in the Joyous 
 Gard ; and much people draweth unto him, as I hear say. 
 That may I believe, said Sir Gawaine ; but my lord, he said, 
 assay your friends, and I will assay 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 waits throughout all 
 England, both in the length and the breadth, for to assummon 
 all his knights. Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and purveyed 
 him of many good knights, for with him held many knights, 
 and some for his own sake, and some for the queen's sake. 
 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 they 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. 
 
 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 
 
472 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 midst 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 dishonoured 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 ; 
 but I was enforced to do battle with them in saving of my 
 life, or else I 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 a traitor unto your person. And where it please 
 you to say that I have holden my lady your queen many 
 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 like her good grace to have me in chierte, and to 
 cherish me more than any other knight ; and unto my power 
 I again have deserved her love, for ofttimes, my lord, ye 
 
HOW GAWAINE BLEW UPON LAUNCELOT 473 
 
 have consented that she should be brent and destroyed, in 
 your heat, and then it fortuned me to do battle for her, 
 and ere 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 
 methinketh ye reward me full ill for my good service. And 
 my good lord, meseemeth I had lost a great part of my wor- 
 ship 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, meseemeth 
 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 knight 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 the faith that I 
 
474 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 And then Sir Gawaine made many men to blow upon Sir 
 Launcelot ; and all at once they called him false recreant 
 knight. 
 
 Then when Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, and 
 Sir Lionel heard this outcry, they called to them Sir Palo- 
 mides, 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 afeard, 
 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. 
 
 Then either party made them ready on the morn for to 
 do battle, and great purveyance 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 underne 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 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT HORSED ARTHUR 475 
 
 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. 
 
 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 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 alighted 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 alighted 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, an 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. 
 
476 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 either parties of the 
 battles withdrew 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 underne they made them ready to do battle. And then 
 Sir Bors led the forward. 
 
 So upon the morn there came Sir Gawaine as brim 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 themselves, they met 
 together so felonously 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. 
 
 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 afore 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 the Pope gave him bulls under lead unto 
 King Arthur of England, charging him upon pain of inter- 
 dicting of all England, that he take his queen Dame Guenever 
 unto him again, and accord with Sir Launcelot. 
 
HOW THE POPE MADE PEACE 
 
 477 
 
 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 nist 
 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. 
 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 
 
478 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 never for no thing that hath been surmised afore this time, 
 she never from this day stand in no peril. 
 
 So the Bishop departed and came to the king at Carhsle, 
 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 gentle- 
 women 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 sarps of gold about their quarters, and the horse 
 trapped in the same wise down to the heels, with many 
 ouches, y-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 
 throughout 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 alighted 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 knights there with King Arthur that wept 
 as tenderly 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. 
 
OF SIR GAWAINE AND SIR LAUNCELOT 479 
 
 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 clean 
 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 ere 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. And as Jesu be my help, said Sir Launce- 
 lot, 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, 
 barefoot ; and at every ten miles' end I will found and gar 
 make 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 per- 
 
48o OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 form while I have any hvelihood in Christendom ; and there 
 nis none of all these religious places, but they shall be per- 
 formed, 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 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 pleaseth him, I will never forgive my brothers' 
 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 camest. 
 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 ere thou camest. 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, 
 
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED 481 
 
 and to me both ; and that shall I prove upon thy body, when 
 thou art departed from hence, wheresomever I find thee. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM 
 THE KING AND FROM JOYOUS CARD 
 OVER SEAWARD, AND HOW KING ARTHUR 
 AND SIR GAWAINE WITH A GREAT HOST MADE 
 WAR ON SIR LAUNCELOT. 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. Make 
 thou no more language, said Sir Gawaine, but deliver the queen 
 from thee, and pike thee lightly out of this court. Well, said 
 Sir Launcelot, an I had wist of this short coming, 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 a 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 fellowship for ever ; and sithen it is so, I 
 beseech you to pray for me, and say me well ; and if ye be 
 hard bestead by any false tongues, lightly, my lady, let send 
 me word, and if any knight's hands may deliver you by 
 battle, I shall deliver you. 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 
 
482 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 weep- 
 ing for pure dole of his departing ; and so he took his way 
 unto Joyous Gard. And then ever after he called it the 
 Dolorous Gard. 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 
 banished man departed never out of no realm with worship, 
 and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear after my days that 
 men shall chronicle upon me that I was banished 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 nis none of the good 
 knights that here be will fail you. 
 
 Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I thank you all of your good 
 saying. 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. 
 
ARTHUR LAYS SIEGE TO BENWICK 483 
 
 And so they shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick : 
 some men call it Bayonne, and some men call it Beaume, 
 where the wine of Beaume is. And then Sir Launcelot 
 stuffed and furnished and garnished all his noble towns and 
 castles. 
 
 Then King Arthur and Sir Gawaine made a great host 
 ready, to the 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 ; because 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. 
 
 And upon the morn early, in the dawning of the day, 
 as Sir Launcelot's knights looked out, they saw the city of 
 Benwick besieged round about ; and fast they began to set 
 up ladders, and then they defied them out of the town, and 
 beat them from the walls wightly. 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 encoun- 
 tered 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 
 
484 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 thus 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. 
 
 Then Sir Launcelot bade saddle his strongest horse, and 
 bade 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 forbear you, 
 for an I would have been vengeable, I might have met you 
 in midst of the field, and there to have made your boldest 
 knights full tame. And 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 I needs 
 defend myself, insomuch Sir Gawaine hath appealed mc 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 to bay. 
 
 Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great 
 way asunder, and then they came together with all their 
 
HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT GAWAINE 485 
 
 horses' might as they might run, and either smote other 
 in midst 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 
 afore 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, 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 braid 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 
 
486 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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 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. 
 
 HOW SIR MORDRED TOOK ON HIM TO BE 
 KING OF ENGLAND, AND HOW KING 
 ARTHUR RETURNED TO DOVER, AND OF 
 THE BATTLE THERE, AND HOW SIR GAWAINE 
 WAS SLAIN. As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he 
 
^l-RMORpKy-DWENTANPLAlD- AMI CHTV-S lEGE- ABOUT 
 THE,- TOWER- OT ■ LQNT>ON • ANP- SHOT- GREAT-GXJAJ5 ■ 
 
OF QUEEN GUENEVER AND SIR MORDRED 487 
 
 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 Canter- 
 bury, and held a feast there fifteen days ; and afterward 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 because of her fair 
 speech Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her 
 leave to go. And so when she came to London she took 
 the Tower of London, and suddenly in all haste possible 
 she stuffed it with all manner of victual, and well garnished 
 it with men, and so kept it. 
 
 Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood how he 
 was beguiled, he was passing wroth out of measure. And 
 a short tale for to make, he went and laid a mighty siege 
 about the Tower of London, and made many great assaults 
 thereat, and threw many great engines unto them, and 
 shot great guns. But all might not prevail Sir Mordred, 
 for Queen Guenever, for fair speech nor for foul, would never 
 trust to come in his hands again. 
 
 Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the which was a 
 noble clerk and an holy man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred : 
 Sir, what will ye do ? will ye first displease God and sithen 
 
488 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 shame yourself, and all knighthood ? Sir, said the noble 
 clerk, leave this opinion or else I shall curse you with book 
 and bell and candle. Do thou thy worst, said Sir Mordred, 
 wit thou well I shall defy thee. 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 
 mischievous war was at hand. 
 
 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 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. 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 content 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 for- 
 gotten 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. And so Sir Mordred 
 drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say that 
 Sir Arthur would arrive. 
 
HOW SIR GAWAINE DIED 489 
 
 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 of 
 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 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 
 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 Launcelot 
 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 
 
490 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 and his blood, through their prowess, held all your cankered 
 enemies in subjection and daunger. 
 
 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 pitched 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. 
 
 ffA^, 
 
 
 HOW SIR GAWAINE'S GHOST AP- 
 PEARED TO KING ARTHUR, AND 
 WARNED HIM NOT TO FIGHT ON 
 THE DAY ASSIGNED, AND HOW 
 BY MISADVENTURE OF AN ADDER 
 A BATTLE BEGAN, WHERE MOR- 
 DRED WAS SLAIN AND ARTHUR 
 HURT TO THE DEATH. Then much 
 people drew unto King Arthur. And then 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. 
 
HOW THE BATTLE BEGAN 491 
 
 So upon Trinity Sunday at night, King Arthur dreamed 
 that Sir Gawaine had 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. 
 
 Then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir 
 Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and everych 
 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 
 like wise Sir Mordred warned his host. And so they met 
 as their appointment was, and so they 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 beams, trumpets, and horns, 
 and shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them 
 
492 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 together. 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 
 alive but two knights ; that 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 ? 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 ojff by this, for 
 blessed be God ye have won the field, for here we be three 
 alive, and with Sir Mordred is none alive ; 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 
 
How Mordred was slain by Arthur, and how by him Arthur was hurt 
 
 to the death. 
 
OF KING ARTHUR'S SWORD EXCALIBUR 493 
 
 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 heaved him up. And so weakly they led 
 him betwixt them both, to a little chapel not far from the sea- 
 side. And when the king was there he thought him well eased. 
 Then Sir Lucan saw by the moonlight, how that pillers and 
 robbers were come into the field, 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. I would it were 
 so, said the king. 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. 
 
 HOW KING ARTHUR COMMANDED TO 
 CAST HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR INTO THE 
 WATER, AND HOW HE WAS DELIVERED 
 TO LADIES IN A BARGE, AND AS TO THE 
 DEATH OF KING ARTHUR, AND HOW QUEEN 
 
494 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 GUENEVER MADE HER A NUN. Then Sir Lucan 
 took up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere the other 
 part, and in the hfting Sir Lucan fell in a swoon, and therewith 
 the noble knight's heart brast. 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. 
 
 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 ; 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 
 
OF THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 495 
 
 noble sword, and so eft 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 wap and waves 
 wan. 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, would betray me for the richness 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, 
 and 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 
 
496 OF 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 mayst, for in 
 me is no trust for to trust in ; for I will into the vale of 
 Avilion to heal me of my grievous wound : and if thou 
 hear never more of me, pray for my soul. But ever the 
 queens and ladies wept and shrieked, that it was pity to hear. 
 And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge, 
 he wept and wailed, and so took the forest ; and so he went 
 all that night, and in the morning he was ware betwixt two 
 holts hoar, of a chapel and an hermitage. 
 
 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 to-fore Bishop of Canterbury, that Sir 
 Mordred banished. 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 mid- 
 night, 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 
 
HOW QUEEN GUENEVER BECAME A NUN 497 
 
 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. So there bode Sir Bedivere 
 with the hermit that was to-fore 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 North- 
 galis ; the third was the Queen of the Waste Lands. Also 
 there was Nimue, the chief lady of the lake, that had done 
 much for King Arthur. 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. 
 
 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 : J^ic fatct ^rt^umg, HXtv quonUam, JXtvqvLt 
 futum0. 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 
 
 2K 
 
498 OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, 
 and all the noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, 
 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. 
 
 HOW WHEN SIR LAUNCELOT HEARD 
 OF THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR, 
 HE CAME TO ENGLAND, AND FOUND 
 QUEEN GUENEVER AT ALMESBURY, 
 AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT TOOK 
 THE HABIT ON HIM AS A HERMIT. 
 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, that 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 how that Sir Mordred had 
 laid siege about the Tower of London, because the queen 
 would not wed him ; then was he 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. 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. 
 
OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S RETURN 499 
 
 Then they made them ready in all the haste that might 
 be, with ships and galleys, for 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 
 enquired of men of Dover where was King Arthur become. 
 Then the people told him how 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 off^ered 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. 
 
500 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 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. 
 
 So 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 gentlewomen 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 to- 
 gether is my most noble lord slain. Therefore, Sir Launce- 
 lot, wit thou well I am set in such a plight to get my soul- 
 heal ; and yet I trust through God's grace 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 
 
SIR LAUNCELOT AT THE HERMITAGE 501 
 
 in heaven. Therefore, Sir Launcelot, I require thee and be- 
 seech thee heartily, for all the love that ever was betwixt 
 us, that thou never see me more in the visage ; 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 Launcelot, 
 would ye that I should now return again unto my 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. For 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 me to have 
 had you into mine own realm. 
 
 But sithen I find you thus disposed, I ensure you faith- 
 fully, 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. 
 
502 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 and rode all that day and all night in a forest, weeping. 
 And at the last he was ware of an hermitage and a chapel 
 stood betwixt two cliffs ; and then he heard a little bell 
 ring to mass, and thither he rode and alighted, and tied his 
 horse to the gate, and heard mass. And he that sang mass 
 was the Bishop of Canterbury. Both the 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 Launce- 
 lot threw his arms abroad, and said : Alas, who may trust this 
 world 1 And then he kneeled down on his knee, and prayed 
 the Bishop to shrive him and assoil him. And then he be- 
 sought 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 alighted 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 
 
OF THE DEATH OF QUEEN GUENEVER 503 
 
 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 lust 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 Launce- 
 lot, and charged 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 avision came to Sir Launcelot thrice in one night. 
 
 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WENT WITH HIS 
 EIGHT FELLOWS TO ALMESBURY, AND 
 FOUND THERE QUEEN GUENEVER DEAD, 
 WHOM THEY BROUGHT TO GLASTONBURY, 
 AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT SICKENED AND 
 
S04 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 DIED, AND WAS BORNE TO JOYOUS CARD FOR 
 TO BE BURIED, AND HOW CONSTANTINE 
 REIGNED NEXT AFTER ARTHUR, AND OF THE 
 END OF THIS BOOK. 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 avision. Then Sir Launcelot took his eight 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 dirige, and on the morn he sang mass. And 
 there was ordained an horse bier, with an hundred torches 
 ever brenning about the corpse of the queen, and ever Sir 
 Launcelot with his eight fellows went about the horse bier, 
 singing and reading many an holy orison, and frankincense 
 upon the corpse incensed. Thus Sir Launcelot and his eight 
 fellows went on foot from Almesbury unto Glastonbury. 
 
 And when they were come to the chapel and the hermit- 
 age, there she had a dirige, with great devotion. And on 
 
OF THE DEATH OF SIR LAUNCELOT 505 
 
 the morn the hermit that sometime was Bishop of Canterbury 
 sang the mass of Requiem with great devotion. And Sir 
 Launcelot was the first that offered, and then also his eight 
 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 orgule 
 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 sus- 
 tain myself. So the French book maketh mention. 
 
 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 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. 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 Launcelot said with dreary voice : Sir Bishop, I 
 
So6 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 pray you give to me all my rights 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 to-morn. 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 
 rights. So when he was houseled and anealed, 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 Bamborough. 
 Howbeit, said Sir Launcelot, me repenteth sore, but I made 
 mine avow sometime, that in Joyous Gard I would be buried. 
 And because 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 then was hermit, as he lay in 
 his bed asleep, he fell upon a great laughter. And there- 
 with all 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 mo 
 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 dreams, 
 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 
 
SIR CONSTANTINE CHOSEN KING 507 
 
 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 Genever was laid in to-fore 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 ; and ever they had an hundred torches brenning 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. 
 
 And when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the quire 
 of Joyous Gard, he alighted 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 
 
So8 OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 Sir Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou Uest, 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 ever 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. 
 Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse aloft 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, but Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Blamore, 
 and Sir Bleoberis, went into the Holy Land thereas Jesu Christ 
 was quick and dead. 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. 
 
OF LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER 
 
 509 
 
 l^ere is tlie enH of tfjc 6ooit of Ittng ^rt|jur, antr of ijts noftle 
 
 imtgfjts of tije Eounft Eaile, tijat toljen tJjeg ton:e iuJjole 
 
 togetijcr t^txt luas cber an ijunlirelj anli fiftg. ^nli 
 
 ijerc is ttje enli of tfj^ Ireatt) of ^rti^ur. I prag gou 
 
 all, gentlemen anli gentlewomen ttjat reaietl) tljis 
 
 ftooltof ^rtJjur anU Ijts itnigljts, from tlje begin' 
 
 ning to tlje enlring, prag for me Swijile I am 
 
 ali&e, tijat ffioii sentj me gooi Ireliberance, 
 
 antr iwljen I am lieatr, I prag gou all 
 
 prag for mg souL JFor tljis boolt iuas 
 
 eniieli tfte nintlj gear of tlje reign 
 
 of fting ISlrSjjarti tlje jFourtlj, 6g 
 
 Sir €^amas Haleore, fenigljt, 
 
 as 3esu trip fjitn for tiis 
 
 great migljt, as l)e is tlje 
 
 ser&ant of 3esu 6otlj 
 
 trag anlr nigljt. 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 Abate, depress, calm. 
 
 Abought, paid for. 
 
 Accompt, account. 
 
 Accorded, agreed. 
 
 Ado, business. 
 
 Adoubted, afraid. 
 
 Again, against, in the presence of. 
 
 Againsay, retract. 
 
 Aligement, alieviation. 
 
 AUegeance, alleviation. 
 
 Allow, approve. 
 
 Almeries, chests. 
 
 Alther, gen. pi., of all. 
 
 Amounted, mounted. 
 
 An, if. 
 
 An-angered, made the object of anger. 
 
 Anealed, anointed. 
 
 Apair, weaken. 
 
 Appeach, impeach. 
 
 Appealed, challenged, accused. 
 
 Araged, enraged, confused. 
 
 Araised, raised. 
 
 Arase, obUterate. 
 
 Areared, reared. 
 
 Array, plight, state of affairs. 
 
 Arson, saddle-bow. 
 
 Assoil, absolve. 
 
 Assotted, infatuated. 
 
 At, of, by. 
 
 At-after, after. 
 
 Aiunbries, chests. 
 
 Avail (at), at an advantage. 
 
 Avision, vision. 
 
 Avoid, quit, get clear of. 
 
 Avow, vow. 
 
 Await, watch for. 
 
 Bachelors, probationers for knighthood. 
 Barbican, gate-tower. 
 Battle, division of an army. 
 Bawdy, dirty. 
 Beale, beautiful. 
 
 2L 
 
 Beams, tnmipets. 
 
 Be-closed, enclosed. 
 
 Become, pp., befallen, gone to. 
 
 Bedashed, splashed. 
 
 Behests, promises. 
 
 Behight, promised. 
 
 Beholden (beholding) to, obliged to. 
 
 Behote, promised. 
 
 Beseen, appointed, arrayed. 
 
 Bestead, beset, placed. 
 
 Betake, entrust. 
 
 Betaught, entrusted, recommended. 
 
 Betid, happened. 
 
 Betook, committed, entrusted. 
 
 Blank, white. 
 
 Bobaunce, boasting, pride. 
 
 Borrows, pledges. 
 
 Bote, remedy. 
 
 Bound, ready. 
 
 Bourder, jester. 
 
 Braced, embraced. 
 
 Brachet, little hound. 
 
 Braid, quick movement. 
 
 Brake, communicated. 
 
 Brast, burst, break. 
 
 Breaths, breathing holes. 
 
 Brief, shorten. 
 
 Brim, fierce, furious. 
 
 Brised, broke. 
 
 Bur, hand-guard of a spear. 
 
 Burble, bubble. 
 
 Burbling, bubbUng. 
 
 Burgenetts, buds, blossoms. 
 
 Bushment, ambush. 
 
 By and by, immediately. 
 
 Cankered, malignant. 
 Cantel, slice, strip. 
 Careful, sorrowful, full of troubles. 
 Cast (of bread), batch. 
 Cere, wax over, embalm. 
 I Certes, certainly. 
 
 S13 
 
SH 
 
 THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 Chafe, heat. 
 
 Charged, burdened. 
 
 Chariot, cart. 
 
 Cheer, countenance, entertainment. 
 
 Chierte, dearness. 
 
 Cognisance, badge, mark of distinction. 
 
 Coif, head-piece. 
 
 Comfort, strengthen, help. 
 
 Comphshed, complete. 
 
 Condescended, agreed. 
 
 Conserve, preserve. 
 
 Cost, side. 
 
 Costed, kept up with. 
 
 Courage, disposition. 
 
 Courage, v., encourage. 
 
 Courtelage, courtyard. 
 
 Covin, deceit. 
 
 Croup, crupper. 
 
 Daffish, foolish. 
 
 Danger (in), in the power of. 
 
 Dawed, v. tr., revived ; intr.t dawned. 
 
 Deadly, mortal, human. 
 
 Deal, part, whit. 
 
 Debate, quarrel, strife. 
 
 Deceivable, deceitful. 
 
 Defend, forbid. 
 
 Defoiled, trodden down, deflowered. 
 
 Degree (win or yield the), rank, superiority. 
 
 Deliverly, adroitly. 
 
 Departed, divided, parted. 
 
 Departition, departure, sundering. 
 
 Descrive, describe. 
 
 Did off, doffed. 
 
 Dight, prepared. 
 
 Disadventure, misfortune. 
 
 Discover, reveal. 
 
 Diseased, unwell. 
 
 Disherited, disinherited. 
 
 Disparpled, scattered. 
 
 Dissever, distinguish. 
 
 Distained, sullied, dishonoured. 
 
 Disworship, shame. 
 
 Do, cause. 
 
 Dole, gift of alms. 
 
 Dole, sorrow. 
 
 Dolour, grief. 
 
 Don, gift. 
 
 Doted, foohsh. 
 
 Draughts, recesses. 
 
 Drenched, drowned. 
 
 Dress, make ready. 
 
 Dressed up, raised. 
 
 Dretching, being troubled in sleep. 
 
 Driving, riding fast. 
 Dure, endure, last. 
 Duresse, bondage, hardship. 
 Dwine, dwindle. 
 
 Eased, entertained. 
 
 Eft, after, again. 
 
 Eftures, passages. 
 
 Embushed, concealed in the woods. 
 
 Em, uncle. 
 
 Empoison, poison. 
 
 Enchafe, heat. 
 
 Enchieve, achieve. 
 
 Endlong, alongside of, along. 
 
 Enforce, constrain. 
 
 Engine, device. 
 
 Enow, enough. 
 
 Ensured, assured. 
 
 Entermete, meddle. 
 
 Errant, wandering. 
 
 Estates, ranks. 
 
 Evenlong, along. 
 
 Everych, each, every one. 
 
 Fain, gladly. 
 
 Fare, sb., ado, commotion 
 
 Faren, pp., treated. 
 
 Faute, v., lack. 
 
 Fealty, oath of fideUty. 
 
 Fear, frighten. 
 
 Feute, trace, track. 
 
 Feuter, set in rest, couch. 
 
 Fiaunce, affiance, promise. 
 
 Flang, flung, rushed. 
 
 Flatling, prostrate. 
 
 Fleet, float. 
 
 Flemed, put to flight. 
 
 Foiled, defeated, shamed. 
 
 Foin, thrust. 
 
 Foot-hot, hastily. 
 
 For-bled, spent with bleeding. 
 
 Force (no), no concern. 
 
 Fordo, destroy. 
 
 Forecast, preconcerted plot. 
 
 For-fared, worsted. 
 
 Forfend, forbid. 
 
 Forfoughten, weary with fightng. 
 
 Forhewn, hewn to pieces. 
 
 Forjousted, tired with jousting, worsted. 
 
 Forthdays, far advanced in the day. 
 
 Forthink, repent. 
 
 Fortuned, happened. 
 
 Forward, vanguard. 
 
 Forwhy, because. 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 S15 
 
 Free, noble. 
 Freshed, refreshed. 
 
 Gar, cause. 
 
 Germane, closely allied. 
 
 Gest, deed, story. 
 
 Glaive, sword. 
 
 Glasting, barking. 
 
 Glatisant, barking, yelping. 
 
 Gree, degree, superiority. 
 
 Greed, pp., pleased, content. 
 
 Grimly, ugly. 
 
 Grovelling, lying face downwards. 
 
 Hair, a hair-shirt. 
 
 Hale and how, a sailor's cry, heave-ho. 
 
 Halp, stumbled. 
 
 Halse, embrace. 
 
 Harbingers, messengers sent to prepare lodgings. 
 
 Harness, armour. 
 
 Haut, high, noble. 
 
 Hauteyn, haughty. 
 
 Heavy, sad. 
 
 Hete, command. 
 
 Hied, hurried. 
 
 High (on), aloud. 
 
 Hight, called. 
 
 Hilled, covered, concealed. 
 
 Holp, helped. 
 
 Holts, woods. 
 
 Hough-bone, back part of knee-joint. 
 
 Houselled, given the Eucharist. 
 
 Hove, hover, wait about. 
 
 Hurled, dashed, staggered. 
 
 Intermeddled, mixed. 
 
 Japer, joker. 
 Japes, jests. 
 
 Jesseraunt, a short cuirass. 
 Journey, day of battle. 
 
 Keep, v., care, reck. 
 
 Kemps, champions. 
 
 Kind, nature. 
 
 Kindly, natural. 
 
 Knights parters, marshals. 
 
 Knowledging, acknowledgment, confession. 
 
 Lain, conceal. 
 Langering, sauntering. 
 Large, generous. 
 Largess, liberality. 
 Laund, waste, plain. 
 Lazar-cot, leper-house. 
 
 Lead, sb., leaden seal. 
 
 Learn, teach. 
 
 Lears, cheeks. 
 
 Leaved, leafy. 
 
 Leech, physician. 
 
 Let, caused to. 
 
 Let, hinder. 
 
 Lief, dear. 
 
 Lieve, believe. 
 
 List, desire, pleasure. 
 
 Lith, joint. 
 
 Livelihood, income, estate. 
 
 Long unto, belong to, fit. 
 
 Long on (upon), because of. 
 
 Loos, praise. 
 
 Loveday, day for settling disputes. 
 
 Loving, praising. 
 
 Lusk, lubber. 
 
 Lusts, inclination, pleasure. 
 
 Makeless, matchless. 
 
 Makers, authors, poets. 
 
 Mai engine, evil intent. 
 
 Mal-fortime, ill-luck, mishap. 
 
 Marches, borders. 
 
 Mass-peimy, offering at mass for the dead. 
 
 Masteries, feats. 
 
 Matchecold, machicolated, with holes for defence. 
 
 Maugre, sh., despite. 
 
 Measle, disease. 
 
 Meddle, engage in battle. 
 
 Mickle, much. 
 
 Minever, ermine. 
 
 Mischieved, hurt. 
 
 Mischievous, painful. 
 
 Miscreature, unbeliever. 
 
 Mo, more. 
 
 More and less, rich and poor. 
 
 Mote, may. 
 
 Motes, notes on a horn. 
 
 Moimtenance, amount of, extent. 
 
 Moved, suggested. 
 
 Much, great. 
 
 Naked, unarmed. 
 
 Namely, especially. 
 
 Ne, nor. 
 
 Near-hand, near, nearly. 
 
 Nesh, soft, tender. 
 
 Nill, will not. 
 
 Nis, ne is, is not. 
 
 Nist, ne wist, knew not. 
 
 Noblesse, nobleness. 
 
 Nobley, nobiUty, splendour. 
 
Si6 
 
 THE ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR 
 
 Noised, reported. 
 Nold, would not. 
 Not for then, nevertheless. 
 
 Obeissance, obedience. 
 Or, before. 
 Orgule, haughtiness. 
 Orgulist, haughtiest. 
 Orgulit^, pride, arrogance. 
 Orgulous, proud. 
 Orison, prayer. 
 Other, or. 
 Ouches, jewels. 
 Ought, owned. 
 Outcept, except. 
 Outher, or. 
 Out-take, except. 
 Overthwart, adj., cross. 
 Overthwart, sb., mischance. 
 Overthwart and endlong, by the breadth and 
 length. 
 
 Painture, painting. 
 
 Pair of beads, rosary. 
 
 Paitrelles, breastplate of a horse. 
 
 Parage, dignity. 
 
 Parclos, partition. 
 
 Pareil, like. 
 
 Passing, surpassingly. 
 
 Pavilion, tent. 
 
 Peaced, quieted, 
 
 Perdy, par Dieu. 
 
 Perish, destroy. 
 
 Peron, tombstone. 
 
 Pight, pitched. 
 
 Pike, steal away. 
 
 Pill, plunder. 
 
 Fillers, plunderers. 
 
 Pleasaunce, pleasure. 
 
 Plenour, complete. 
 
 Pointling, aiming. 
 
 Pont, bridge. 
 
 Posseded, possessed. 
 
 Press, throng, crowd. 
 
 Prime, 6.0 a.m. 
 
 Prise, capture. 
 
 Puissance, power. 
 
 Purvey, provide. 
 
 Purveyance, provision. 
 
 Quarrels, arrowheads. 
 Questing, barking. 
 Quick, alive. 
 
 Raced (rased), tore. 
 Raines, Rennes. 
 
 Ransacked, searched. 
 
 Rash, rush. 
 
 Rasing, rushing. 
 
 Rasure, cuttingness. 
 
 Raught, reached, fetched. 
 
 Rechate, bugle-note of recall. 
 
 Recover, rescue. 
 
 Rede, sb., counsel, v. advise. 
 
 Rejoice, enjoy. 
 
 Religion, religious order. 
 
 Reneye, deny. 
 
 Report, refer. 
 
 Retrayed, drew back. 
 
 Rightwise, rightly. 
 
 Sacring, consecrating. 
 
 Sad, serious. 
 
 Sadly, heartily, earnestly. 
 
 Samite, silk stuff with gold or silver threads. 
 
 Sangreal, Holy Grail. 
 
 Sarps, girdles. 
 
 Saw, proverb. 
 
 Scripture, writing. 
 
 Search, probe wounds. 
 
 Semblant, semblance, appearance. 
 
 Sewe, follow. 
 
 Sewer, officer who served and tasted dishes. 
 
 Sheef, thrust. 
 
 Sheer-Thursday, Thursday in Holy Week. 
 
 Shend, harm. 
 
 Shenship, disgrace. 
 
 Shent, undone, disgraced, blamed. 
 
 Shrew, sturdy knave. 
 
 Shrewd, knavish. 
 
 Sib, akin to. 
 
 SideUng, sideways. 
 
 Siege, seat. 
 
 Siker, sure. 
 
 Sith, since. 
 
 Slade, valley. 
 
 Soil (to go to), hunting term for taking to water. 
 
 Sort, company. 
 
 Sperd, bolted. 
 
 Spere, ask, inquire. 
 
 Sperhawk, sparrowhawk. 
 
 Spiritualites, sacred places. 
 
 Stead, place. 
 
 Stert, started, rose quickly. 
 
 Steven, voice. 
 
 Stigh, path. 
 
 Stilly, silently. 
 
 Stint, sb., fixed revenue. 
 
 Stint, ». stop. 
 
 Stonied, astonished, became confused. 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 S17 
 
 Stour, battle. 
 Strait, narrow. 
 Strake, blow a horn. 
 Sue, pursue. 
 
 Surcingles, saddle girths. 
 Sweven, dream. 
 
 Tatches, qualities. 
 
 Term, period of time. 
 
 Tho, then. 
 
 Thrang, pushed. 
 
 Till, to. 
 
 To-brast, burst. 
 
 To-drive, be carried away. 
 
 To-fore, before. 
 
 To-hew, hewed. 
 
 Took, gave. 
 
 To-shivered, broken to pieces. 
 
 Traced, advanced and retreated. 
 
 Trasing, pressing forward. 
 
 Traverse, move sideways. . 
 
 Trenchant, cutting, sharp.' 
 
 Trest, hunting term. 
 
 Truage, tribute. 
 
 Trussed, packed. 
 
 UbbKe, sacred wafer. Host. 
 Umbecast, cast about. 
 Umbre, shade. 
 Unavised, thoughtlessly. 
 Undeme, 9—12 a.m. 
 Ungoodly, rudely. 
 Unhappy, unlucky. 
 Unbilled, uncovered. 
 Unnethe, scarcely. 
 Unsiker, unstable. 
 Unwarly, at unawares. 
 Unwrast, untwisted, unbound. 
 Up-so-down, upside down. 
 Usurped, encroached. 
 Utterance, uttermost. 
 
 Veuery, hunting. 
 
 Villain, man of low birth. 
 
 Visors, the perforated parts of helmets. 
 
 Void, empty. 
 
 Wagging, shaking. 
 
 Waits, watches. 
 
 Wake, watch. 
 
 Wallop, gallop. 
 
 Wan, ebb. 
 
 Wap, ripple. 
 
 Ware, aware. 
 
 Warison, reward. 
 
 Warn, forbid, refuse. 
 
 Weeds, garments. 
 
 Weltered, rolled about. 
 
 Where, whereas. 
 
 Wield, possess, have power over. 
 
 Wight, brave, strong. 
 
 Wite, s., blame. 
 
 Withsay, oppose. 
 
 Witting, knowledge. 
 
 Wold or nold, would or would not. 
 
 Wonder, adj., wondrous. 
 
 Wonder, adv., wondrously. 
 
 Wonderly, wonderfully. 
 
 Wood, mad. 
 
 Woodness, madness. 
 
 Wood shaw, thicket of the wood. 
 
 Worship, honour. 
 
 Worship, v., cause to be honoured. 
 
 Worth, befall (woe worth, woe befall). 
 
 Wot, know. 
 
 Wrack, destruction. 
 
 Writhe, twist. 
 
 Wrothe, twisted. 
 
 Yede, ran, went. 
 Yelden, yielded. 
 Yolden, yielded. 
 Y-wis, certainly. 
 
 THE END 
 
 Printed in the United States of America.