The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Legends Of King Arthur And His Knights by James Kno !

es This eBook is for the use of anyone any here at no cost and ith a!most no restrictions hatsoe"er# $ou may co%y it& gi"e it a ay or re'use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License inc!uded ith this eBook or on!ine at #gutenberg#net Tit!e( The Legends Of King Arthur And His Knights Author( James Kno !es )e!ease *ate( June +,& +--. /EBook 01+2345 Language( Eng!ish 666 7TA)T O8 TH97 P)OJE:T G;TE<BE)G EBOOK K9<G A)TH;) A<* H97 K<9GHT7 666

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The Legends of

KING ARTHUR
and his

KNIGHTS
Sir James Knowles

Illustrated by Lan elot S!eed

T"

AL#R$% T$NN&S"N' %()(L(

*"$T LAUR$AT$ THIS ATT$+*T AT A *"*ULAR ,$RSI"N "# TH$ ARTHUR L$G$N%S IS -& HIS *$R+ISSI"N %$%I)AT$% AS A TRI-UT$ "# TH$ SIN)$R$ST AN% .AR+$ST R$S*$)T /012

The Marriage of King Arthur

*R$#A)$ T" TH$ $IGHTH $%ITI"N

he Pub!ishers ha"e asked me to authorise a ne edition& in my o n name& of this !itt!e book?no !ong out of %rint? hich as ritten by me thirty'fi"e years ago under the initia!s J#T#K# 9n acceding to their re@uest 9 ish to say that the book as no %ub!ished is mere!y a ord'for' ord re%rint of my ear!y effort to he!% to %o%u!arise the Arthur !egends# 9t is !itt!e e!se than an abridgment of 7ir Thomas Aa!oryBs "ersion of them as %rinted by :aCton? ith a fe additions from Geoffrey of Aonmouth and other sources?and an endea"our to arrange the many ta!es into a more or !ess consecuti"e story# The chief %!easure hich came to me from it as& and is& that it began for me a !ong and intimate ac@uaintance ith Lord Tennyson& to hom& by his %ermission& 9 *edicated it before 9 as %ersona!!y kno n to him# JAAE7 K<ODLE7# Addendum by Lady Knowles 9n res%onse to a ide!y eC%ressed ish for a fresh edition of this !itt!e book?no for some years out of %rint?a ne and ninth edition has been %re%ared# 9n his %reface my husband says that the intimacy ith Lord Tennyson to hich it !ed as the chief %!easure the book brought him# 9 ha"e been asked to furnish a fe more %articu!ars on this %oint that may be genera!!y interesting& and fee! that 9 cannot do better than gi"e some eCtracts from a !etter ritten by himse!f to a friend in Ju!y 1,EF# G*EA) ??& G9 am so very g!ad you a%%ro"e of my !itt!e effort to %o%u!arise the Arthur Legends# Tennyson had ritten his first four H9dy!!s of the KingB before my book a%%eared& hich as in 1,F1# 9ndeed& it as in conse@uence of the first four 9dy!!s that 9 sought and obtained& hi!e yet a stranger to him& !ea"e to dedicate my "enture to him# He as eCtreme!y kind about it?dec!ared Hit ought to go through forty editionsB?and hen 9 came to kno him %ersona!!y ta!ked "ery fre@uent!y about it and Arthur ith me& and made constant use of it hen he at !ength yie!ded to my %er%etua! urgency and took u% again his forsaken %roject of treating the ho!e subject of King Arthur#

GHe discussed and rediscussed at any amount of !ength the ay in hich this cou!d no be done?and the 7ymbo!ism& hich had from his ear!iest time haunted him as the inner meaning to be gi"en to it& brought him back to the Poem in its changed sha%e of se%arate %ictures# GHe used often to say that it as entire!y my doing that he re"i"ed his o!d %!an& and added& H9 kno more about Arthur than any other man in Eng!and& and 9 think you kno neCt most#B 9t ou!d amuse you to see in hat intimate detai! he used to consu!t ith me?and often ith my !itt!e book in front of us?o"er the "arious ta!es& and hen 9 rote an artic!e Iin the sha%e of a !ong !etterJ in the Spectator of January 1,2- he asked to re%rint it& and %ub!ished it ith the co!!ected 9dy!!s# G8or years& hi!e his boys ere at schoo! and co!!ege& 9 acted as his confidentia! friend in business and many other matters& and 9 su%%ose he to!d me more about himse!f and his !ife than any other man no !i"ing kno s#K 97ABEL K<ODLE7#

)"NT$NTS
1

)HA*T$R I The 8inding of Aer!in ? The 8ight of the *ragons ? The GiantsB *ance ? The Pro%hecies of Aer!in and the Birth of Arthur ? ;ther attacks the 7aCons ? The *eath of ;ther

+
4

)HA*T$R II Aer!inBs Ad"ice to the Archbisho% ? The Airac!e of the 7 ord and 7tone ? The :oronation of King Arthur ? The O%%osition of the 7iC Kings ? The 7 ord ECca!ibur ? The *efeat of the 7iC Kings ? The Dar ith the E!e"en Kings

.
3

)HA*T$R III The Ad"enture of the Luesting Beast ? The 7iege of $ork ? The Batt!es of :e!idon 8orest and Badon Hi!! ? King Arthur dri"es the 7aCons from the )ea!m ? The Embassy from )ome ? The King rescues Aer!in ? The Knight of the 8ountain

F
2

)HA*T$R I, King Arthur con@uers 9re!and and <or ay ? 7!ays the Giant

of 7t# Aichae!Bs Aount and con@uers Gau! ? King )yenceBs 9nso!ent Aessage ? The *amse! and the 7 ord ? The Lady of the Lake ? The Ad"entures of 7ir Ba!in
,
E

)HA*T$R , 7ir Ba!in ki!!s 7ir Lancear ? The 7u!!en Knight ? The Knight 9n"isib!e is ki!!ed ? 7ir Ba!in smites the *o!orous 7troke& and fights ith his brother 7ir Ba!an

111

)HA*T$R ,I The Aarriage of King Arthur and Guine"ere ? The :oronation of the Lueen ? The 8ounding of the )ound Tab!e ? The Luest of the Dhite Hart ? The Ad"entures of 7ir Ga ain ? The Luest of the Dhite Hound ? 7ir Tor ki!!s Abe!!ius ? The Ad"entures of 7ir Pe!!inore ? The *eath of 7ir HantM!ake ? Aer!in sa"es King Arthur

1+
14

)HA*T$R ,II King Arthur and 7ir Acco!on of Gau! are entra%%ed by 7ir *amas ? They fight each other through Enchantment of Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay ? 7ir *amas is com%e!!ed to surrender a!! his Lands to 7ir OutM!ake his Brother their )ightfu! O ner ? Lueen Aorgan essays to ki!! King Arthur ith a Aagic Garment ? Her *amse! is com%e!!ed to ear it and is thereby burned to :inders

1.
13

)HA*T$R ,III A 7econd Embassy from )ome ? King ArthurBs Ans er ? The Em%eror assemb!es his Armies ? King Arthur s!ays the Em%eror ? 7ir Ga ain and 7ir Prianius ? The Lombards are defeated ? King Arthur cro ned at )ome

1F
12

)HA*T$R I3 The Ad"entures of 7ir Lance!ot ? He and his :ousin 7ir Lione! set forth ? The 8our Ditch'Lueens ? King Bagdemagus ? 7ir Lance!ot s!ays 7ir Tur@uine and de!i"ers his :a%ti"e Knights ? The 8ou! Knight ? 7ir Gaunter attacks 7ir Lance!ot ? The 8our Knights ? 7ir Lance!ot

comes to the :ha%e! Peri!ous ? E!!a es the 7orceress ? The Lady and the 8a!con ? 7ir Bedi"ere and the *ead Lady
1,
1E

)HA*T$R 3 Beaumains is made a Kitchen Page by 7ir Key ? He c!aims the Ad"enture of the *amse! Linet ? He fights ith 7ir Lance!ot and is knighted by him in his True <ame of Gareth ? 9s f!outed by the *amse! Linet ? But o"erthro s a!! Knights he meets and sends them to King ArthurBs :ourt ? He de!i"ers the Lady Lyones from the Knight of the )ed!ands ? The Tournament before :ast!e Peri!ous ? Aarriage of 7ir Gareth and the Lady Lyones

++1

)HA*T$R 3I The Ad"entures of 7ir Tristram ? His 7te%mother ? He is knighted ? 8ights ith 7ir Aarhaus ? 7ir Pa!omedes and La Be!!e 9sau!t ? 7ir B!eoberis and 7ir 7eg arides ? 7ir TristramBs Luest ? His )eturn ? The :ast!e P!uere ? 7ir Bre nor is s!ain ? 7ir Kay Hedius ? La Be!!e 9sau!tBs Hound ? 7ir *inedan refuses to fight ? 7ir Pe!!inore fo!!o s 7ir Tristram ? 7ir Bre se' ithout'%ity ? The Tournament at the AaidenBs :ast!e ? 7ir Pa!omedes and 7ir Tristram

++
+4

)HA*T$R 3II Aer!in is be itched by a *amse! of the Lady of the Lake ? Ga!ahad knighted by 7ir Lance!ot ? The Peri!ous 7eat ? The Aar"e!!ous 7 ord ? 7ir Ga!ahad in the Peri!ous 7eat ? The 7angrea! ? The Knights "o themse!"es to its Luest ? The 7hie!d of the Dhite Knight ? The 8iend of the Tomb ? 7ir Ga!ahad at the AaidenBs :ast!e ? The 7ick Knight and the 7angrea! ? 7ir Lance!ot dec!ared un orthy to find the Ho!y Nesse! ? 7ir Perci"a! seeks 7ir Ga!ahad ? The B!ack 7teed ? 7ir Bors and the Hermit ? 7ir Pridan !e <oir ? 7ir Lione!Bs Anger ? He meets 7ir Perci"a! ? The shi% G8aithK ? 7ir Ga!ahad and Ear! HernoC ? The Le%rous Lady ? 7ir Ga!ahad disc!oses himse!f to 7ir Lance!ot ? They %art ? The B!ind King E"e!ake ? 7ir Ga!ahad finds the 7angrea! ? His *eath

+.

+3

)HA*T$R 3III The Lueen @uarre!s ith 7ir Lance!ot ? 7he is accused of Aurder ? Her :ham%ion %ro"es her innocence ? The Tourney at :ame!ot ? 7ir Lance!ot in the Tourney ? 7ir Ba!d in the Knight'Hermit ? E!aine& the Aaid of Asto!at& seeks for 7ir Lance!ot ? 7he tends his Dounds ? Her *eath ? The Lueen and 7ir Lance!ot are reconci!ed

+F
+2

)HA*T$R 3I, 7ir Lance!ot attacked by 7ir Agra"aine& 7ir Aodred& and thirteen other Knights ? He s!ays them a!! but 7ir Aodred ? He !ea"es the :ourt ? 7ir Aodred accuses him to the King ? The Lueen condemned to be burnt ? Her rescue by 7ir Lance!ot and f!ight ith him ? The Dar bet een 7ir Lance!ot and the King ? The Enmity of 7ir Ga ain ? The ;sur%ation of 7ir Aodred ? The Lueen retires to a <unnery ? 7ir Lance!ot goes on Pi!grimage ? The Batt!e of Barham *o ns ? 7ir Bedi"ere and the 7 ord ECca!ibur ? The *eath of King Arthur

ILLUSTRAT"R4S N"T$

f scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the )ound Tab!e many !o"e!y %ictures ha"e been %ainted& sho ing much di"ersity of figures and surroundings& some being definite!y siCth'century British or 7aCon& as in B!air LeightonBs fine %ainting of the dead E!aineO others?for eCam%!e& DattsB 7ir Ga!ahad? sho knight and charger in fifteenth'century armourO hi!e the arriors of Burne Jones ear strange!y im%racticab!e armour of some mystic %eriod# Each of these %ainters as free to fo!!o his o n conce%tion& %utting the figures into hate"er %eriod most a%%ea!ed to his imaginationO for he as not i!!ustrating the actua! ta!es ritten by 7ir Thomas Aa!ory& other ise he ou!d ha"e found himse!f face to face ith a difficu!ty# King Arthur and his knights fought& endured& and toi!ed in the siCth century& hen the 7aCons ere o"errunning BritainO but

their achie"ements ere not chronic!ed by 7ir Thomas Aa!ory unti! !ate in the fifteenth century# 7ir Thomas& as 8roissart has done before him& described the habits of !ife& the dresses& ea%ons& and armour that his o n eyes !ooked u%on in the e"ery'day scenes about him& regard!ess of the fact that a!most e"ery detai! mentioned as something !ike a thousand years too !ate# Had Aa!ory undertaken an account of the !anding of Ju!ius :aesar he ou!d& as a matter of course& ha"e %rotected the )oman !egions ith bascinet or sa!ade& breast%!ate& %au!dron and %a!ette& coudiPre& taces and the rest& and ha"e armed them ith !ance and shie!d& je e!'hi!ted s ord and s!im misericordeO hi!e the Em%eror himse!f might ha"e been gi"en the "ery suit of armour stri%%ed from the *uke of :!arence before his fatefu! encounter ith the butt of ma!msey# *id not e"en 7hakes%eare ca!m!y gi"e cannon to the )omans and su%%ose e"ery continenta! city to !ie majestica!!y beside the seaQ By the o!d riters& accuracy in these matters as disregarded& and anachronisms ere not so much to!erated as un%ercei"ed# 9n i!!ustrating this edition of GThe Legends of King Arthur and his Knights&K it has seemed best& and indeed una"oidab!e if the teCt and the %ictures are to ta!!y& to dra hat Aa!ory describes& to %!ace the fashion of the costumes and armour some here about A#*# 1.F-& and to arm the knights in accordance ith the Tabard Period# LA<:ELOT 7PEE*#

LIST "# ILLUSTRATI"NS

The Aarriage of King Arthur

Then fe!! 7ir Ector do n u%on his knees u%on the ground before young Arthur& and 7ir Key a!so ith him#
+

4
.

The Lady of the Lake

The giant sat at su%%er& gna ing on a !imb of a man& and baking his huge frame by the fire
F

The cast!e rocked and ro"e throughout& and a!! the crashed and breaking to the earth
,

a!!s fe!!

:ame forth t e!"e fair damse!s& and sa!uted King Arthur by his name
1-

11

Prianius )ound Tab!e

1+

as christened& and made a duke and knight of the

14

7ir Lance!ot smote do n ith one s%ear fi"e knights& and brake the backs of four& and cast do n the King of <orthga!es
1.

13

Beyond the cha%e!& he met a fair damse!& ho said& G7ir Lance!ot& !ea"e that s ord behind thee& or thou diestK
1F

12

GLady&K re%!ied 7ir Beaumains& Ga knight is !itt!e may not bear ith a damse!K
1,

orth

ho

1E
+-

7o he rode into the ha!! and a!ighted

+1

Then they began the batt!e& and ti!ted at their hardest against each other
++

+4

And running to her chamber& she sought in her casket for the %iece of iron ### and fitted it in TristramBs s ord
+.

+3

By the time they had finished drinking they !o"ed each other so e!! that their !o"e ne"er more might !ea"e them
+F

+2

Da"ing her hands and muttering the charm& and %resent!y enc!osed him fast ithin the tree
+,

+E

Ga!ahad ### @uick!y !ifted u% the stone& and forth ith came out a fou! smoke
4-

41

GThis gird!e& !ords&K said she& Gis made for the most %art of mine o n hair& hich& hi!e 9 as yet in the or!d& 9 !o"ed fu!! e!!K
4+

44

At !ast the strange knight smote him to the earth& and ga"e him such a buffet on the he!m as e!!nigh ki!!ed him
4.

43

Then a c!erk
4F

as 7ir Lance!ot sent for& and the !etter read a!oud by

42

But sti!! the knights cried mighti!y come forthRK

4,

ithout the door& GTraitor&

TH$ L$G$N%S "# KING ARTHUR

)HA*T$R I
The Prophecies of Merlin, and the Birth of Arthur

ing Nortigern the usur%er sat u%on his throne in London& hen& sudden!y& u%on a certain day& ran in a breath!ess messenger& and cried a!oud? GArise& Lord King& for the enemy is comeO e"en Ambrosius and ;ther& u%on hose throne thou sittest?and fu!! t enty thousand ith them?and they ha"e s orn by a great oath& Lord& to s!ay thee& ere this year be doneO and e"en no they march to ards thee as the north ind of inter for bitterness and haste#K At those ords NortigernBs face gre hite as ashes& and& rising in confusion and disorder& he sent for a!! the best artificers and craftsmen and mechanics& and commanded them "ehement!y to go and bui!d him straight ay in the furthest est of his !ands a great and strong cast!e& here he might f!y for refuge and esca%e the "engeance of his masterBs sons?Gand& moreo"er&K cried he& G!et the ork be done ithin a hundred days from no & or 9 i!! sure!y s%are no !ife amongst you a!!#K Then a!! the host of craftsmen& fearing for their !i"es& found out a %ro%er site hereon to bui!d the to er& and eager!y began to !ay in the foundations# But no sooner ere the a!!s raised u% abo"e the ground than a!! their ork as o"er he!med and broken do n by night in"isib!y& no man %ercei"ing ho & or by hom& or hat# And the same thing ha%%ening again& and yet again& a!! the orkmen& fu!! of terror& sought out the king& and thre themse!"es u%on their faces before him& beseeching him to interfere and he!% them or to de!i"er them from their dreadfu! ork# 8i!!ed ith miCed rage and fear& the king ca!!ed for the astro!ogers and iMards& and took counse! ith them hat these things might be& and ho to o"ercome them# The iMards orked their s%e!!s and incantations& and in the end dec!ared that nothing but the b!ood of a youth born ithout morta! father& smeared on the foundations of the cast!e& cou!d a"ai! to make it stand# Aessengers ere therefore sent forth ith through a!! the !and to find& if it ere %ossib!e& such a chi!d# And& as some of them ent do n a certain "i!!age street& they sa a band of !ads fighting and @uarre!!ing& and heard them shout at one?GA"aunt& thou im%R? a"auntR 7on of no morta! manR go& find thy father& and !ea"e us in %eace#K At that the messengers !ooked steadfast!y on the !ad& and asked ho he as# One said his name as Aer!inO another& that his birth

and %arentage ere kno n by no manO a third& that the fou! fiend a!one as his father# Hearing the things& the officers seiMed Aer!in& and carried him before the king by force# But no sooner as he brought to him than he asked in a !oud "oice& for hat cause he as thus dragged thereQ GAy magicians&K ans ered Nortigern& Gto!d me to seek out a man that had no human father& and to s%rink!e my cast!e ith his b!ood& that it may stand#K GOrder those magicians&K said Aer!in& Gto come before me& and 9 i!! con"ict them of a !ie#K The king as astonished at his ords& but commanded the magicians to come and sit do n before Aer!in& ho cried to them ? GBecause ye kno not hat it is that hinders the foundation of the cast!e& ye ha"e ad"ised my b!ood for a cement to it& as if that ou!d a"ai!O but te!! me no rather hat there is be!o that ground& for something there is sure!y underneath that i!! not suffer the to er to standQK The iMards at these ords began to fear& and made no ans er# Then said Aer!in to the king? G9 %ray& Lord& that orkmen may be ordered to dig dee% do n into the ground ti!! they sha!! come to a great %oo! of ater#K This then as done& and the %oo! disco"ered far beneath the surface of the ground# Then& turning again to the magicians& Aer!in said& GTe!! me no & fa!se syco%hants& hat there is underneath that %oo!QK?but they ere si!ent# Then said he to the king& G:ommand this %oo! to be drained& and at the bottom sha!! be found t o dragons& great and huge& hich no are s!ee%ing& but hich at night a ake and fight and tear each other# At their great strugg!e a!! the ground shakes and tremb!es& and so casts do n thy to ers& hich& therefore& ne"er yet cou!d find secure foundations#K The king as amaMed at these ords& but commanded the %oo! to be forth ith drainedO and sure!y at the bottom of it did they %resent!y disco"er the t o dragons& fast as!ee%& as Aer!in had dec!ared# But Nortigern sat u%on the brink of the %oo! ti!! night to see hat e!se ou!d ha%%en# Then those t o dragons& one of hich as hite& the other red& rose u% and came near one another& and began a sore fight& and cast forth fire ith their breath# But the hite dragon had the ad"antage& and chased the other to the end of the !ake# And he& for grief at his f!ight& turned back u%on his foe& and rene ed the combat& and forced him to retire in turn# But in the end the red dragon as orsted& and the hite dragon disa%%eared no man kne here# Dhen their batt!e as done& the king desired Aer!in to te!! him hat it meant# Dhereat he& bursting into tears& cried out this %ro%hecy& hich first foreto!d the coming of King Arthur#

GDoe to the red dragon& hich figureth the British nation& for his banishment cometh @uick!yO his !urkingho!es sha!! be seiMed by the hite dragon?the 7aCon hom thou& O king& hast ca!!ed to the !and# The mountains sha!! be !e"e!!ed as the "a!!eys& and the ri"ers of the "a!!eys sha!! run b!oodO cities sha!! be burned& and churches !aid in ruinsO ti!! at !ength the o%%ressed sha!! turn for a season and %re"ai! against the strangers# 8or a Boar of :orn a!! sha!! arise and rend them& and tram%!e their necks beneath his feet# The is!and sha!! be subject to his %o er& and he sha!! take the forests of Gau!# The house of )omu!us sha!! dread him?a!! the or!d sha!! fear him?and his end sha!! no man kno O he sha!! be immorta! in the mouths of the %eo%!e& and his orks sha!! be food to those that te!! them# GBut as for thee& O Nortigern& f!ee thou the sons of :onstantine& for they sha!! burn thee in thy to er# 8or thine o n ruin ast thou traitor to their father& and didst bring the 7aCon heathens to the !and# Aure!ius and ;ther are e"en no u%on thee to re"enge their fatherBs murderO and the brood of the hite dragon sha!! aste thy country& and sha!! !ick thy b!ood# 8ind out some refuge& if thou i!tR but ho may esca%e the doom of GodQK The king heard a!! this& tremb!ing great!yO and& con"icted of his sins& said nothing in re%!y# On!y he hasted the bui!ders of his to er by day and night& and rested not ti!! he had f!ed thereto# 9n the meantime& Aure!ius& the rightfu! king& as hai!ed ith joy by the Britons& ho f!ocked to his standard& and %rayed to be !ed against the 7aCons# But he& ti!! he had first ki!!ed Nortigern& ou!d begin no other ar# He marched therefore to :ambria& and came before the to er hich the usur%er had bui!t# Then& crying out to a!! his knights& GA"enge ye on him ho hath ruined Britain and s!ain my father and your kingRK he rushed ith many thousands at the cast!e a!!s# But& being dri"en back again and yet again& at !ength he thought of fire& and ordered b!aMing brands to be cast into the bui!ding from a!! sides# These finding soon a %ro%er fue!& ceased not to rage& ti!! s%reading to a mighty conf!agration& they burned do n the to er and Nortigern ithin it# Then did Aure!ius turn his strength against Hengist and the 7aCons& and& defeating them in many %!aces& eakened their %o er for a !ong season& so that the !and had %eace# Anon the king& making many journeys to and fro& restoring ruined churches and& creating order& came to the monastery near 7a!isbury& here a!! those British knights !ay buried ho had been s!ain there by the treachery of Hengist# 8or hen in former times Hengist had made a so!emn truce ith Nortigern& to meet in %eace and sett!e terms& hereby himse!f and a!! his 7aCons shou!d de%art from Britain& the 7aCon so!diers carried e"ery one of them beneath his garment a !ong dagger& and& at a gi"en signa!& fe!! u%on the Britons& and s!e them& to the number of near!y fi"e hundred#

The sight of the %!ace here the dead !ay mo"ed Aure!ius to great sorro & and he cast about in his mind ho to make a orthy tomb o"er so many nob!e martyrs& ho had died there for their country# Dhen he had in "ain consu!ted many craftsmen and bui!ders& he sent& by the ad"ice of the archbisho%& for Aer!in& and asked him hat to do# G9f you ou!d honour the burying'%!ace of these men&K said Aer!in& G ith an e"er!asting monument& send for the GiantsB *ance hich is in Ki!!araus& a mountain in 9re!andO for there is a structure of stone there hich none of this age cou!d raise ithout a %erfect kno !edge of the arts# They are stones of a "ast siMe and ondrous nature& and if they can be %!aced here as they are there& round this s%ot of ground& they i!! stand for e"er#K At these ords of Aer!in& Aure!ius burst into !aughter& and said& GHo is it %ossib!e to remo"e such "ast stones from so great a distance& as if Britain& a!so& had no stones fit for the orkQK G9 %ray the king&K said Aer!in& Gto forbear "ain !aughterO hat 9 ha"e said is true& for those stones are mystica! and ha"e hea!ing "irtues# The giants of o!d brought them from the furthest coast of Africa& and %!aced them in 9re!and hi!e they !i"ed in that country( and their design as to make baths in them& for use in time of grie"ous i!!ness# 8or if they ashed the stones and %ut the sick into the ater& it certain!y hea!ed them& as a!so it did them that ere ounded in batt!eO and there is no stone among them but hath the same "irtue sti!!#K Dhen the Britons heard this& they reso!"ed to send for the stones& and to make ar u%on the %eo%!e of 9re!and if they offered to ithho!d them# 7o& hen they had chosen ;ther the kingBs brother for their chief& they set sai!& to the number of 13&--- men& and came to 9re!and# There Gi!!omanius& the king& ithstood them fierce!y& and not ti!! after a great batt!e cou!d they a%%roach the GiantsB *ance& the sight of hich fi!!ed them ith joy and admiration# But hen they sought to mo"e the stones& the strength of a!! the army as in "ain& unti! Aer!in& !aughing at their fai!ures& contri"ed machines of ondrous cunning& hich took them do n ith ease& and %!aced them in the shi%s# Dhen they had brought the ho!e to 7a!isbury& Aure!ius& ith the cro n u%on his head& ke%t for four days the feast of Pentecost ith roya! %om%O and in the midst of a!! the c!ergy and the %eo%!e& Aer!in raised u% the stones& and set them round the se%u!chre of the knights and barons& as they stood in the mountains of 9re!and# Then as the monument ca!!ed G7tonehenge&K hich stands& as a!! men kno & u%on the %!ain of 7a!isbury to this "ery day# 7oon thereafter it befe!! that Aure!ius as s!ain by %oison at Dinchester& and as himse!f buried ithin the GiantsB *ance# At the same time came forth a comet of amaMing siMe and brightness& darting out a beam& at the end hereof as a c!oud of fire sha%ed !ike a dragon& from hose mouth ent out t o rays& one stretching o"er Gau!& the other ending in se"en !esser rays o"er the 9rish sea#

At the a%%earance of this star a great dread fe!! u%on the %eo%!e& and ;ther& marching into :ambria against the son of Nortigern& himse!f as "ery troub!ed to !earn hat it might mean# Then Aer!in& being ca!!ed before him& cried ith a !oud "oice( GO mighty !ossR O stricken BritainR A!asR the great %rince is gone from us# Aure!ius Ambrosius is dead& hose death i!! be ours a!so& un!ess God he!% us# Haste& therefore& nob!e ;ther& to destroy the enemyO the "ictory sha!! be thine& and thou sha!t be king of a!! Britain# 8or the star ith the fiery dragon signifies thyse!fO and the ray o"er Gau! %ortends that thou sha!t ha"e a son& most mighty& hom a!! those kingdoms sha!! obey hich the ray co"ers#K Thus& for the second time& did Aer!in forete!! the coming of King Arthur# And ;ther& hen he as made king& remembered Aer!inBs ords& and caused t o dragons to be made in go!d& in !ikeness of the dragon he had seen in the star# One of these he ga"e to Dinchester :athedra!& and had the other carried into a!! his ars before him& hence he as e"er after ca!!ed ;ther Pendragon& or the dragonBs head# <o & hen ;ther Pendragon had %assed through a!! the !and& and sett!ed it?and e"en "oyaged into a!! the countries of the 7cots& and tamed the fierceness of that rebe! %eo%!e?he came to London& and ministered justice there# And it befe!! at a certain great ban@uet and high feast hich the king made at Easter'tide& there came& ith many other ear!s and barons& Gor!oSs& *uke of :orn a!!& and his ife 9gerna& ho as the most famous beauty in a!! Britain# And soon thereafter& Gor!oSs being s!ain in batt!e& ;ther determined to make 9gerna his o n ife# But in order to do this& and enab!e him to come to her?for she as shut u% in the high cast!e of Tintagi!& on the furthest coast of :orn a!!?the king sent for Aer!in& to take counse! ith him and to %ray his he!%# This& therefore& Aer!in %romised him on one condition?name!y& that the king shou!d gi"e him u% the first son born of the marriage# 8or Aer!in by his arts forekne that this firstborn shou!d be the !ong' ished %rince& King Arthur# Dhen ;ther& therefore& as at !ength ha%%i!y edded& Aer!in came to the cast!e on a certain day& and said& G7ir& thou must no %ro"ide thee for the nourishing of thy chi!d#K And the king& nothing doubting& said& GBe it as thou i!t#K G9 kno a !ord of thine in this !and&K said Aer!in& G ho is a man both true and faithfu!O !et him ha"e the nourishing of the chi!d# His name is 7ir Ector& and he hath fair %ossessions both in Eng!and and in Da!es# Dhen& therefore& the chi!d is born& !et him be de!i"ered unto me& unchristened& at yonder %ostern'gate& and 9 i!! besto him in the care of this good knight#K 7o hen the chi!d as born& the king bid t o knights and t o !adies to take it& bound in rich c!oth of go!d& and de!i"er it to a %oor man hom they shou!d disco"er at the %ostern'gate# And the chi!d being de!i"ered thus to Aer!in& ho himse!f took the guise of a %oor man& as carried by him to a ho!y %riest and christened by the name of Arthur& and then as taken to 7ir

EctorBs house& and nourished at 7ir EctorBs ifeBs o n breasts# And in the same house he remained %ri"i!y for many years& no man soe"er kno ing here he as& sa"e Aer!in and the king# Anon it befe!! that the king as seiMed by a !ingering distem%er& and the 7aCon heathens& taking their occasion& came back from o"er sea& and s armed u%on the !and& asting it ith fire and s ord# Dhen ;ther heard thereof& he fe!! into a greater rage than his eakness cou!d bear& and commanded a!! his nob!es to come before him& that he might u%braid them for their co ardice# And hen he had shar%!y and hot!y rebuked them& he s ore that he himse!f& nigh unto death a!though he !ay& ou!d !ead them forth against the enemy# Then causing a horse'!itter to be made& in hich he might be carried?for he as too faint and eak to ride ?he ent u% ith a!! his army s ift!y against the 7aCons# But they& hen they heard that ;ther as coming in a !itter& disdained to fight ith him& saying it ou!d be shame for bra"e men to fight ith one ha!f dead# 7o they retired into their cityO and& as it ere in scorn of danger& !eft the gates ide o%en# But ;ther straight ay commanding his men to assau!t the to n& they did so ithout !oss of time& and had a!ready reached the gates& hen the 7aCons& re%enting too !ate of their haughty %ride& rushed forth to the defence# The batt!e raged ti!! night& and as begun again neCt dayO but at !ast& their !eaders& Octa and Eosa& being s!ain& the 7aCons turned their backs and f!ed& !ea"ing the Britons a fu!! trium%h# The king at this fe!t so great joy& that& hereas before he cou!d scarce raise himse!f ithout he!%& he no sat u%right in his !itter by himse!f& and said& ith a !aughing and merry face& GThey ca!!ed me the ha!f'dead king& and so indeed 9 asO but "ictory to me ha!f dead is better than defeat and the best hea!th# 8or to die ith honour is far better than to !i"e disgraced#K But the 7aCons& a!though thus defeated& ere ready sti!! for ar# ;ther ou!d ha"e %ursued themO but his i!!ness had by no so gro n& that his knights and barons ke%t him from the ad"enture# Dhereat the enemy took courage& and !eft nothing undone to destroy the !andO unti!& descending to the "i!est treachery& they reso!"ed to ki!! the king by %oison# To this end& as he !ay sick at Neru!am& they sent and %oisoned stea!thi!y a s%ring of c!ear ater& hence he as ont to drink dai!yO and so& on the "ery neCt day& he as taken ith the %ains of death& as ere a!so a hundred others after him& before the "i!!ainy as disco"ered& and hea%s of earth thro n o"er the e!!# The knights and barons& fu!! of sorro & no took counse! together& and came to Aer!in for his he!% to !earn the kingBs i!! before he died& for he as by this time s%eech!ess# G7irs& there is no remedy&K said Aer!in& Gand GodBs i!! must be doneO but be ye a!! to'morro before him& for God i!! make him s%eak before he die#K

7o on the morro a!! the barons& ith Aer!in& stood round the bedside of the kingO and Aer!in said a!oud to ;ther& GLord& sha!! thy son Arthur be the king of a!! this rea!m after thy daysQK Then ;ther Pendragon turned him about& and said& in the hearing of them a!!& GGodBs b!essing and mine be u%on him# 9 bid him %ray for my sou!& and a!so that he c!aim my cro n& or forfeit a!! my b!essingOK and ith those ords he died# Then came together a!! the bisho%s and the c!ergy& and great mu!titudes of %eo%!e& and be ai!ed the kingO and carrying his body to the con"ent of Ambrius& they buried it c!ose by his brotherBs gra"e& ithin the GGiantsB *ance#K

)HA*T$R II
The Miracle of the Sword and Stone, and the oronation of King Arthur ! The Sword "#calilur ! The $ar with the "leven Kings

o Arthur the %rince had a!! this time been nourished in 7ir EctorBs house as his o n son& and as fair and ta!! and come!y& being of the age of fifteen years& great in strength& gent!e in manner& and accom%!ished in a!! eCercises %ro%er for the training of a knight# But as yet he kne not of his fatherO for Aer!in had so dea!t& that none sa"e ;ther and himse!f kne aught about him# Dherefore it befe!!& that many of the knights and barons ho heard King ;ther s%eak before his death& and ca!! his son Arthur his successor& ere in great amaMementO and some doubted& and others ere dis%!eased# Anon the chief !ords and %rinces set forth each to his o n !and& and& raising armed men and mu!titudes of fo!!o ers& determined e"ery one to gain the cro n for himse!fO for they said in their hearts& G9f there be any such a son at a!! as he of hom this iMard forced the king to s%eak& ho are e that a beard!ess boy shou!d ha"e ru!e o"er usQK 7o the !and stood !ong in great %eri!& for e"ery !ord and baron sought but his o n ad"antageO and the 7aCons& gro ing e"er

more ad"enturous& asted and o"erran the to ns and "i!!ages in e"ery %art# Then Aer!in ent to Brice& the Archbisho% of :anterbury& and ad"ised him to re@uire a!! the ear!s and barons of the rea!m and a!! knights and gent!emen'at'arms to come to him at London& before :hristmas& under %ain of cursing& that they might !earn the i!! of Hea"en ho shou!d be king# This& therefore& the archbisho% did& and u%on :hristmas E"e ere met together in London a!! the greatest %rinces& !ords& and baronsO and !ong before day they %rayed in 7t# Pau!Bs :hurch& and the archbisho% besought Hea"en for a sign ho shou!d be !a fu! king of a!! the rea!m# And as they %rayed& there as seen in the churchyard& set straight before the door ays of the church& a huge s@uare stone ha"ing a naked s ord stuck in the midst of it# And on the s ord as ritten in !etters of go!d& GDhoso %u!!eth out the s ord from this stone is born the rightfu! King of Britain#K At this a!! the %eo%!e ondered great!yO and& hen Aass as o"er& the nob!es& knights& and %rinces ran out eager!y from the church to see the stone and s ordO and a !a as forth ith made that hoso shou!d %u!! out the s ord shou!d be ackno !edged straight ay King of Britain# Then many knights and barons %u!!ed at the s ord ith a!! their might& and some of them tried many times& but none cou!d stir or mo"e it# Dhen a!! had tried in "ain& the archbisho% dec!ared the man hom Hea"en had chosen as not yet there# GBut God&K said he& G i!! doubt!ess make him kno n ere many days#K 7o ten knights ere chosen& being men of high reno n& to atch and kee% the s ordO and there as %roc!amation made through a!! the !and that hosoe"er ou!d& had !ea"e and !iberty to try and %u!! it from the stone# But though great mu!titudes of %eo%!e came& both gent!e and sim%!e& for many days& no man cou!d e"er mo"e the s ord a hairBs breadth from its %!ace# <o & at the <e $earBs E"e a great tournament as to be he!d in London& hich the archbisho% had de"ised to kee% together !ords and commons& !est they shou!d gro estranged in the troub!ous and unsett!ed times# To the hich tournament there came& ith many other knights& 7ir Ector& ArthurBs foster'father& ho had great %ossessions near to LondonO and ith him came his son& 7ir Key& but recent!y made knight& to take his %art in the jousting& and young Arthur a!so to itness a!! the s%orts and fighting# But as they rode to ards the jousts& 7ir Key found sudden!y he had no s ord& for he had !eft it at his fatherBs houseO and turning to young Arthur& he %rayed him to ride back and fetch it for him# G9 i!! ith a good i!!&K said ArthurO and rode fast back after the s ord# But hen he came to the house he found it !ocked and em%ty& for a!! ere gone forth to see the tournament# Dhereat& being angry and im%atient& he said ithin himse!f& G9 i!! ride to the

churchyard and take ith me the s ord that sticketh in the stone& for my brother sha!! not go ithout a s ord this day#K 7o he rode and came to the churchyard& and a!ighting from his horse he tied him to the gate& and ent to the %a"i!ion& hich as %itched near the stone& herein abode the ten knights ho atched and ke%t itO but he found no knights there& for a!! ere gone to see the jousting# Then he took the s ord by its hand!e& and !ight!y and fierce!y he %u!!ed it out of the stone& and took his horse and rode unti! he came to 7ir Key and de!i"ered him the s ord# But as soon as 7ir Key sa it he kne e!! it as the s ord of the stone& and& riding s ift!y to his father& he cried out& GLoR here& sir& is the s ord of the stone& herefore it is 9 ho must be king of a!! this !and#K Dhen 7ir Ector sa the s ord& he turned back straight ith Arthur and 7ir Key and came to the churchyard& and there a!ighting& they ent a!! three into the church& and 7ir Key as s orn to te!! tru!y ho he came by the s ord# Then he confessed it as his brother Arthur ho had brought it to him# Dhereat 7ir Ector& turning to young Arthur& asked him?GHo gottest thou the s ordQK G7ir&K said he& G9 i!! te!! you# Dhen 9 ent home to fetch my brotherBs s ord& 9 found nobody to de!i"er it to me& for a!! ere abroad to the jousts# $et as 9 !oath to !ea"e my brother s ord!ess& and& bethinking me of this one& 9 came hither eager!y to fetch it for him& and %u!!ed it out of the stone ithout any %ain#K Then said 7ir Ector& much amaMed and !ooking steadfast!y on Arthur& G9f this indeed be thus& Btis thou ho sha!t be king of a!! this !and?and God i!! ha"e it so?for none but he ho shou!d be rightfu! Lord of Britain might e"er dra this s ord forth from that stone# But !et me no ith mine o n eyes see thee %ut back the s ord into its %!ace and dra it forth again#K GThat is no mystery&K said ArthurO and straight ay set it in the stone# And then 7ir Ector %u!!ed at it himse!f& and after him 7ir Key& ith a!! his might& but both of them in "ain( then Arthur reaching forth his hand and gras%ing at the %omme!& %u!!ed it out easi!y& and at once#

Then fe!! 7ir Ector do n u%on his knees u%on the ground before young Arthur& and 7ir Key a!so ith him& and straight ay did him homage as their so"ereign !ord# But Arthur cried a!oud& GA!asR mine o n dear father and my brother& hy knee! ye thus to meQK G<ay& my Lord Arthur&K ans ered then 7ir Ector& G e are of no b!ood'kinshi% ith thee& and !itt!e though 9 thought ho high thy kin might be& yet ast thou ne"er more than foster'chi!d of mine#K And then he to!d him a!! he kne about his infancy& and

ho a stranger had de!i"ered him& ith a great sum of go!d& into his hands to be brought u% and nourished as his o n born chi!d& and then had disa%%eared# But hen young Arthur heard of it& he fe!! u%on 7ir EctorBs neck& and e%t& and made great !amentation& G8or no &K said he& G9 ha"e in one day !ost my father and my mother and my brother#K G7ir&K said 7ir Ector %resent!y& G hen thou sha!t be made king be good and gracious unto me and mine#K G9f not&K said Arthur& G9 ere no true manBs son at a!!& for thou art he in a!! the or!d to hom 9 o e the mostO and my good !ady and mother& thy ife& hath e"er ke%t and fostered me as though 9 ere her o nO so if it be GodBs i!! that 9 be king hereafter as thou sayest& desire of me hate"er thing thou i!t and 9 i!! do itO and God forbid that 9 shou!d fai! thee in it#K G9 i!! but %ray&K re%!ied 7ir Ector& Gthat thou i!t make my son 7ir Key& thy foster'brother& senescha! of a!! the !ands#K GThat sha!! he be&K said ArthurO Gand ne"er sha!! another ho!d that office& sa"e thy son& hi!e he and 9 do !i"e#K Anon& they !eft the church and ent to the archbisho% to te!! him that the s ord had been achie"ed# And hen he sa the s ord in ArthurBs hand he set a day and summoned a!! the %rinces& knights& and barons to meet again at 7t# Pau!Bs :hurch and see the i!! of Hea"en signified# 7o hen they came together& the s ord as %ut back in the stone& and a!! tried& from the greatest to the !east& to mo"e itO but there before them a!! not one cou!d take it out sa"e Arthur on!y# But then befe!! a great confusion and dis%ute& for some cried out it as the i!! of Hea"en& and& GLong !i"e King Arthur&K but many more ere fu!! of rath and said& GDhatR ou!d ye gi"e the ancient sce%tre of this !and unto a boy born none kno ho QK And the contention gro ing great!y& ti!! nothing cou!d be done to %acify their rage& the meeting as at !ength broken u% by the archbisho% and adjourned ti!! :and!emas& hen a!! shou!d meet again# But hen :and!emas as come& Arthur a!one again %u!!ed forth the s ord& though more than e"er came to in itO and the barons& sore!y "eCed and angry& %ut it in de!ay ti!! Easter# But as he had s%ed before so he did at Easter& and the barons yet once more contri"ed de!ays ti!! Pentecost# But no the archbisho%& fu!!y seeing GodBs i!!& ca!!ed together& by Aer!inBs counse!& a band of knights and gent!emen'at'arms& and set them about Arthur to kee% him safe!y ti!! the feast of Pentecost# And hen at the feast Arthur sti!! again a!one %re"ai!ed to mo"e the s ord& the %eo%!e a!! ith one accord cried out& GLong !i"e King ArthurR e i!! ha"e no more de!ay& nor any other king& for so it is GodBs i!!O and e i!! s!ay hoso resisteth Him and ArthurOK and here itha! they knee!ed do n a!! at once& and cried for ArthurBs grace and %ardon that they had so !ong de!ayed him from his cro n# Then he fu!! s eet!y and majestica!!y

%ardoned themO and taking in his hand the s ord& he offered it u%on the high a!tar of the church# Anon as he so!emn!y knighted ith great %om% by the most famous knight there %resent& and the cro n as %!aced u%on his headO and& ha"ing taken oath to a!! the %eo%!e& !ords and commons& to be true king and dea! in justice on!y unto his !ifeBs end& he recei"ed homage and ser"ice from a!! the barons ho he!d !ands and cast!es from the cro n# Then he made 7ir Key& High 7te ard of Eng!and& and 7ir Bade aine of Britain& :onstab!e& and 7ir ;!fius& :hamber!ain( and after this& ith a!! his court and a great retinue of knights and armed men& he journeyed into Da!es& and as cro ned again in the o!d city of :aer!eon'u%on';sk# Aean hi!e those knights and barons ho had so !ong de!ayed him from the cro n& met together and ent u% to the coronation feast at :aer!eon& as if to do him homageO and there they ate and drank such things as ere set before them at the roya! ban@uet& sitting ith the others in the great ha!!# But hen after the ban@uet Arthur began& according to the ancient roya! custom& to besto great boons and fiefs on hom he ou!d& they a!! ith one accord rose u%& and scornfu!!y refused his gifts& crying that they ou!d take nothing from a beard!ess boy come of !o or unkno n birth& but ou!d instead gi"e him good gifts of hard s ord'strokes bet een neck and shou!ders# Dhereat arose a dead!y tumu!t in the ha!!& and e"ery man there made him ready to fight# But Arthur !ea%ed u% as a f!ame of fire against them& and a!! his knights and barons dra ing their s ords& rushed after him u%on them and began a fu!! sore batt!eO and %resent!y the kingBs %arty %re"ai!ed& and dra"e the rebe!s from the ha!! and from the city& c!osing the gates behind themO and King Arthur brake his s ord u%on them in his eagerness and rage# But amongst them ere siC kings of great reno n and might& ho more than a!! raged against Arthur and determined to destroy him& name!y& King Lot& King <anters& King ;rien& King :arados& King $der& and King Anguisant# These siC& therefore& joining their armies together& !aid c!ose siege to the city of :aer!eon& herefrom King Arthur had so shamefu!!y dri"en them# And after fifteen days Aer!in came sudden!y into their cam% and asked them hat this treason meant# Then he dec!ared to them that Arthur as no base ad"enturer& but King ;therBs son& hom they ere bound to ser"e and honour e"en though Hea"en had not "ouchsafed the ondrous mirac!e of the s ord# 7ome of the kings& hen they heard Aer!in s%eak thus& mar"e!!ed and be!ie"ed himO but others& as King Lot& !aughed him and his ords to scorn& and mocked him for a conjurer and iMard# But it as agreed ith Aer!in that Arthur shou!d come forth and s%eak ith the kings# 7o he ent forth to them to the city gate& and ith him the archbisho% and Aer!in& and 7ir Key& 7ir Brastias& and a great com%any of others# And he s%ared them not in his s%eech& but s%oke to them as king and chieftain te!!ing them %!ain!y he ou!d

make them a!! bo to him if he !i"ed& un!ess they choose to do him homage there and thenO and so they %arted in great rath& and each side armed in haste# GDhat i!! ye doQK said Aer!in to the kingsO Gye had best ho!d your hands& for ere ye ten times as many ye shou!d not %re"ai!#K G7ha!! e be afraid of a dream'readerQK @uoth King Lot in scorn# Dith that Aer!in "anished a ay and came to King Arthur# Then Arthur said to Aer!in& G9 ha"e need no of a s ord that sha!! chastise these rebe!s terrib!y#K G:ome then ith me&K said Aer!in& Gfor hard by there is a s ord that 9 can gain for thee#K 7o they rode out that night ti!! they came to a fair and broad !ake& and in the midst of it King Arthur sa an arm thrust u%& c!othed in hite samite& and ho!ding a great s ord in the hand# GLoR yonder is the s ord 9 s%oke of&K said Aer!in# Then sa they a damse! f!oating on the !ake in the Aoon!ight# GDhat damse! is thatQK said the king#

GThe !ady of the !ake&K said Aer!inO Gfor u%on this !ake there is a rock& and on the rock a nob!e %a!ace& here she abideth& and she i!! come to ards thee %resent!y& thou sha!t ask her courteous!y for the s ord#K There ith the damse! came to King Arthur& and sa!uted him& and he sa!uted her& and said& GLady& hat s ord is that the arm ho!deth abo"e the aterQ 9 ou!d that it ere mine& for 9 ha"e no s ord#K

G7ir King&K said the !ady of the !ake& Gthat s ord is mine& and if thou i!t gi"e me in return a gift hene"er 9 sha!! ask it of thee& thou sha!t ha"e it#K GBy my faith&K said he& G9 i!! gi"e thee any gift that thou sha!t ask#K GDe!!&K said the damse!& Ggo into yonder barge& and ro thyse!f unto the s ord& and take it and the scabbard ith thee& and 9 i!! ask my gift of thee hen 9 see my time#K 7o King Arthur and Aer!in a!ighted& and tied their horses to t o trees& and ent into the bargeO and hen they came to the s ord that the hand he!d& King Arthur took it by the hand!e and bore it ith him& and the arm and hand ent do n under the aterO and so they came back to !and& and rode again to :aer!eon# On the morro Aer!in bade King Arthur to set fierce!y on the enemyO and in the mean hi!e three hundred good knights ent o"er to King Arthur from the rebe!sB side# Then at the s%ring of day& hen they had scarce !eft their tents& he fe!! on them ith might and main& and 7ir Bade aine& 7ir Key& and 7ir Brastias s!e on the right hand and on the !eft mar"e!!ous!yO and e"er in the thickest of the fight King Arthur raged !ike a young !ion& and !aid on ith his s ord& and did ondrous deeds of arms& to the joy and admiration of the knights and barons ho behe!d him# Then King Lot& King :arados& and the King of the Hundred Knights ? ho a!so rode ith them?going round to the rear& set on King Arthur fierce!y from behindO but Arthur& turning to his knights& fought e"er in the foremost %ress unti! his horse as s!ain beneath him# At that& King Lot rode furious!y at him& and smote him do nO but rising straight ay& and being set again on horseback& he dre his s ord ECca!ibur that he had gained by Aer!in from the !ady of the !ake& hich& shining bright!y as the !ight of thirty torches& daMM!ed the eyes of his enemies# And there ith fa!!ing on them afresh ith a!! his knights& he dro"e them back and s!e them in great numbers& and Aer!in by his arts scattered among them fire and %itchy smoke& so that they broke and f!ed# Then a!! the common %eo%!e of :aer!eon& seeing them gi"e ay& rose u% ith one accord& and rushed at them ith c!ubs and sta"es& and chased them far and ide& and s!e many great knights and !ords& and the remainder of them f!ed and ere seen no more# Thus on King Arthur his first batt!e and %ut his enemies to shame# But the siC kings& though sore!y routed& %re%ared for a ne ar& and joining to themse!"es fi"e others s ore together that& hether for ea! or oe& they ou!d kee% steadfast a!!iance ti!! they had destroyed King Arthur# Then& ith a host of 3-&--- men' at'arms on horseback& and 1-&--- foot& they ere soon ready& and sent forth their fore'riders& and dre from the northern country to ards King Arthur& to the cast!e of Bedgraine# But he by Aer!inBs counse! had sent o"er sea to King Ban of Ben ick and King Bors of Gau!& %raying them to come and he!% him in his ars& and %romising to he!% in return against King

:!audas& their foe# To hich those kings made ans er that they ou!d joyfu!!y fu!fi! his ish& and short!y after came to London ith 4-- knights& e!! arrayed for both %eace and ar& !ea"ing behind them a great army on the other side of the sea ti!! they had consu!ted ith King Arthur and his ministers ho they might best dis%ose of it# And Aer!in being asked for his ad"ice and he!%& agreed to go himse!f and fetch it o"er sea to Eng!and& hich in one night he didO and brought ith him 1-&--- horsemen and !ed them north ard %ri"ate!y to the forest of Bedgraine& and there !odged them in a "a!!ey secret!y# Then& by the counse! of Aer!in& hen they kne hich ay the e!e"en kings ou!d ride and s!ee%& King Arthur ith Kings Ban and Bors made themse!"es ready ith their army for the fight& ha"ing yet but 4-&--- men& counting the 1-&--- ho had come from Gau!# G<o sha!! ye do my ad"ice&K said Aer!inO G9 ou!d that King Ban and King Bors& ith a!! their fe!!o shi% of 1-&--- men& ere !ed to ambush in this ood ere day!ight& and stir not therefrom unti! the batt!e hath been !ong aged# And thou& Lord Arthur& at the s%ring of day dra forth thine army before the enemy& and dress the batt!e so that they may at once see a!! thy host& for they i!! be the more rash and hardy hen they see you ha"e but +-&--men#K To this the three knights and the barons hearti!y consented& and it as done as Aer!in had de"ised# 7o on the morro hen the hosts behe!d each other& the host of the north as great!y cheered to find so fe !ed out against them# Then ga"e King Arthur the command to 7ir ;!fius and 7ir Brastias to take 4--- men'at'arms& and to o%en batt!e# They therefore setting fierce!y on the enemy s!e them on the right hand and the !eft ti!! it as onderfu! to see their s!aughter# Dhen the e!e"en kings behe!d so sma!! a band doing such mighty deeds of arms they ere ashamed& and charged them fierce!y in return# Then as 7ir ;!fiusB horse s!ain under himO but he fought e!! and mar"e!!ous!y on foot against *uke Eustace and King :!arience& ho set u%on him grie"ous!y& ti!! 7ir Brastias& seeing his great %eri!& %ricked to ards them s ift!y& and so smote the duke through ith his s%ear that horse and man fe!! do n and ro!!ed o"er# Dhereat King :!arience turned u%on 7ir Brastias& and rushing furious!y together they each unhorsed the other and fe!! both to the ground& and there !ay a !ong time stunned& their horsesB knees being cut to the bone# Then came 7ir Key the senescha! ith siC com%anions& and did ondrous e!!& ti!! the e!e"en kings ent out against them and o"erthre 7ir Grif!et and 7ir Lucas the but!er# And hen 7ir Key sa 7ir Grif!et unhorsed and on foot& he rode against King <anters hot!y and smote him do n& and !ed his horse to Grif!et and horsed him againO ith the same s%ear did 7ir Key smite do n King Lot and ounded him fu!! sore#

But seeing that& the King of the Hundred Knights rushed at 7ir Key and o"erthre him in return& and took his horse and ga"e it to King Lot# And hen 7ir Grif!et sa 7ir KeyBs mischance& he set his s%ear in rest& and riding at a mighty man'at'arms& he cast him do n head!ong and caught his horse and !ed it straight ay to 7ir Key# By no the batt!e as gro ing %eri!ous and hard& and both sides fought ith rage and fury# And 7ir ;!fius and 7ir Brastias ere both afoot and in great danger of their death& and fou!!y stained and tram%!ed under horsesB feet# Then King Arthur& %utting s%urs to his horse& rushed for ard !ike a !ion into the midst of a!! the m%l&e& and sing!ing out King :rad!emont of <orth Da!es& smote him through the !eft side and o"erthre him& and taking his horse by the rein he brought it to 7ir ;!fius in haste and said& GTake this horse& mine o!d friend& for thou hast great need of one& and charge by side of me#K And e"en as he s%oke he sa 7ir Ector& 7ir KeyBs father& smitten to the earth by the King of the Hundred Knights& and his horse taken to King :rad!emont# But hen King Arthur sa him ride u%on 7ir EctorBs horse his rath as "ery great& and ith his s ord he smote King :rad!emont u%on the he!m& and shore off the fourth %art thereof and of the shie!d& and dra"e the s ord on ard to the horseBs neck and s!e the horse& and hur!ed the king u%on the ground# And no the batt!e aCed so great and furious that a!! the noise and sound thereof rang out by ater and by ood& so that Kings Ban and Bors& ith a!! their knights and men'at'arms in ambush& hearing the tumu!t and the cries& tremb!ed and shook for eagerness& and scarce cou!d stay in secret& but made them ready for the fray and dressed their shie!ds and harness# But hen King Arthur sa the fury of the enemy& he raged !ike a mad !ion& and stirred and dro"e his horse no here& no there& to the right hand and to the !eft& and stayed not in his rath ti!! he had s!ain fu!! t enty knights# He ounded a!so King Lot so sore!y in the shou!der that he !eft the fie!d& and in great %ain and do!our cried out to the other kings& G*o ye as 9 de"ise& or e sha!! be destroyed# 9& ith the King of the Hundred Knights& King Anguisant& King $der& and the *uke of :ambinet& i!! take fifteen thousand men and make a circuit& mean hi!e that ye do ho!d the batt!e ith t e!"e thousand# Then coming sudden!y e i!! fa!! fierce!y on them from behind and %ut them to the rout& but e!se sha!! e ne"er stand against them#K 7o Lot and four kings de%arted ith their %arty to one side& and the siC other kings dressed their ranks against King Arthur and fought !ong and stout!y# But no Kings Ban and Bors& ith a!! their army fresh and eager& broke from their ambush and met face to face the fi"e kings and their host as they came round behind& and then began a frantic strugg!e ith breaking of s%ears and c!ashing of s ords and s!aying of men and horses# Anon King Lot& es%ying in the midst King Bors& cried out in great dismay& GOur Lady no defend us

from our death and fearfu! oundsO our %eri! gro eth great& for yonder cometh one of the orshi%fu!!est kings and best knights in a!! the or!d#K GDho is heQK said the King of the Hundred Knights# G9t is King Bors of Gau!&K re%!ied King Lot& Gand much 9 mar"e! ho he may ha"e come ith a!! his host into this !and ithout our kno !edge#K GAhaRK cried King :arados& G9 i!! encounter ith this king if ye i!! rescue me hen there is need#K G)ide on&K said they# 7o King :arados and a!! his host rode soft!y ti!! they came ithin a bo 'shot of King Bors& and then both hosts& s%urring their horses to their greatest s iftness& rushed at each other# And King Bors encountered in the onset ith a knight& and struck him through ith a s%ear& so that he fe!! dead u%on the earthO then dra ing his s ord& he did such mighty feats of arms that a!! ho sa him gaMed ith onder# Anon King Ban came a!so forth u%on the fie!d ith a!! his knights& and added yet more fury& sound& and s!aughter& ti!! at !ength both hosts of the e!e"en kings began to @uake& and dra ing a!! together into one body& they %re%ared to meet the orst& hi!e a great mu!titude a!ready f!ed# Then said King Lot& GLords& e must take yet other means& or orse !oss sti!! a aits us# 7ee ye not hat %eo%!e e ha"e !ost in aiting on the footmen& and that it costs ten horsemen to sa"e one of themQ Therefore it is my counse! to %ut a ay our footmen from us& for it is a!most night& and King Arthur i!! not stay to s!aughter them# 7o they can sa"e their !i"es in this great ood hard by# Then !et us gather into one band a!! the horsemen that remain& and hoso breaketh rank or !ea"eth us& !et him be straight ay s!ain by him that seeth him& for it is better that e s!ay a co ard than through a co ard be a!! s!ain# Ho say yeQK said King LotO Gans er me& a!! ye kings#K G9t is e!! said&K re%!ied they a!!# And s earing they ou!d ne"er fai! each other& they mended and set right their armour and their shie!ds& and took ne s%ears and set them steadfast!y against their thighs& aiting& and so stood sti!! as a c!um% of trees stands on the %!ainO and no assau!ts cou!d shake them& they he!d so hard togetherO hich hen King Arthur sa he mar"e!!ed great!y& and as "ery roth# G$et&K cried he& G9 may not b!ame them& by my faith& for they do as bra"e men ought to do& and are the best fighting men and knights of most %ro ess that 9 e"er sa or heard te!! of#K And so said a!so Kings Ban and Bors& and %raised them great!y for their nob!e chi"a!ry# But no came forty nob!e knights out of King ArthurBs host& and %rayed that he ou!d suffer them to break the enemy# And hen they ere a!!o ed& they rode forth ith their s%ears u%on their thighs& and s%urred their horses to their hottest# Then the e!e"en kings& ith a %arty of their knights& rushed ith set s%ears as fast and mighti!y to meet themO and hen they ere encountered& a!! the crash and s%!inter of their s%ears and armour rang ith a

mighty din& and so fierce and b!oody as their onset that in a!! that day there had been no such crue! %ress& and rage& and smiting# At that same moment rode fierce!y into the thickest of the strugg!e King Arthur and Kings Ban and Bors& and s!e do nright on both hands right and !eft& unti! their horses ent in b!ood u% to the fet!ocks# And hi!e the s!aughter and the noise and shouting ere at their greatest& sudden!y there came do n through the batt!e Aer!in the DiMard& u%on a great b!ack horse& and riding to King Arthur& he cried out& GA!as& my LordR i!! ye ha"e ne"er doneQ Of siCty thousand ha"e ye !eft but fifteen thousand men a!i"e# 9s it not time to stay this s!ayingQ for God is i!! %!eased ith ye that ye ha"e ne"er ended& and yonder kings sha!! not be a!together o"erthro n this time# But if ye fa!! u%on them any more& the fortune of this day i!! turn& and go to them# Dithdra & Lord& therefore& to thy !odging& and there no take thy rest& for to'day thou hast on a great "ictory& and o"ercome the nob!est chi"a!ry of a!! the or!d# And no for many years those kings sha!! not disturb thee# Therefore& 9 te!! thee& fear them no more& for no they are sore beaten& and ha"e nothing !eft them but their honourO and hy shou!dest thou s!ay them to take thatQK Then said King Arthur& GThou sayest e!!& and 9 i!! take thy counse!#K Dith that he cried out& GHoRK for the batt!e to cease& and sent forth hera!ds through the fie!d to stay more fighting# And gathering a!! the s%oi!& he ga"e it not amongst his o n host& but to Kings Ban and Bors and a!! their knights and men'at'arms& that he might treat them ith the greater courtesy as strangers# Then Aer!in took his !ea"e of Arthur and the t o other kings& and ent to see his master& B!aise& a ho!y hermit& d e!!ing in <orthumber!and& ho had nourished him through a!! his youth# And B!aise as %assing g!ad to see him& for there as a great !o"e e"er bet een themO and Aer!in to!d him ho King Arthur had s%ed in the batt!e& and ho it had endedO and to!d him the names of e"ery king and knight of orshi% ho as there# 7o B!aise rote do n the batt!e& ord for ord& as Aer!in to!d himO and in the same ay e"er after& a!! the batt!es of King ArthurBs days Aer!in caused B!aise& his master& to record#

)HA*T$R III
The Adventure of the 'uesting Beast ! King Arthur drives the Sa#ons from the (ealm ! The Battles of elidon )orest and Badon *ill

non& thereafter& came ord to King Arthur that )yence& King of <orth Da!es& as making ar u%on King Leodegrance of :ame!gardO hereat he as %assing roth& for he !o"ed Leodegrance e!!& and hated )yence# 7o he de%arted ith Kings Ban and Bors and t enty thousand men& and came to :ame!gard& and rescued Leodegrance& and s!e ten thousand of )yenceBs men and %ut him to f!ight# Then Leodegrance made a great festi"a! to the three kings& and treated them ith e"ery manner of mirth and %!easure hich cou!d be de"ised# And there had King Arthur the first sight of Guine"ere& daughter of Leodegrance& hom in the end he married& as sha!! be to!d hereafter# Then did Kings Ban and Bors take !ea"e& and ent to their o n country& here King :!audas orked great mischief# And King Arthur ou!d ha"e gone ith them& but they refused him& saying& G<ay& ye sha!! not at this time& for ye ha"e yet much to do in these !ands of your o nO and e ith the riches e ha"e on here by your gifts sha!! hire many good knights& and& by the grace of God& ithstand the ma!ice of King :!audasO and if e ha"e need e i!! send to ye for succourO and !ike ise ye& if ye ha"e need& send for us& and e i!! not tarry& by the faith of our bodies#K Dhen the t o kings had !eft& King Arthur rode to :aer!eon& and thither came to him his ha!f'sister Be!isent& ife to King Lot& sent as a messenger& but in truth to es%y his %o erO and ith her came a nob!e retinue& and a!so her four sons?Ga ain& Gaheris& Agra"aine& and Gareth# But hen she sa King Arthur and his nob!eness& and a!! the s%!endour of his knights and ser"ice& she forbore to s%y u%on him as a foe& and to!d him of her husbandBs %!ots against him and his throne# And the king& not kno ing that she as his ha!f'sister& made great court to herO and being fu!! of admiration for her beauty& !o"ed her out of measure& and ke%t her a !ong season at :aer!eon# Dherefore her husband& King Lot& as more than e"er King ArthurBs enemy& and hated him ti!! death ith a %assing great hatred# At that time King Arthur had a mar"e!!ous dream& hich ga"e him great dis@uietness of heart# He dreamed that the ho!e !and as fu!! of many fiery griffins and ser%ents& hich burnt and s!e the %eo%!e e"ery hereO and then that he himse!f fought ith them& and that they did him mighty injuries& and ounded him nigh to

death& but that at !ast he o"ercame and s!e them a!!# Dhen he oke& he sat in great hea"iness of s%irit and %ensi"eness& thinking hat this dream might signify& but by'and'by& hen he cou!d by no means satisfy himse!f hat it might mean& to rid himse!f of a!! his thoughts of it& he made ready ith a great com%any to ride out hunting# As soon as he as in the forest& the king sa a great hart before him& and s%urred his horse& and rode !ong eager!y after it& and chased unti! his horse !ost breath and fe!! do n dead from under him# Then& seeing the hart esca%ed and his horse dead& he sat do n by a fountain& and fe!! into dee% thought again# And as he sat there a!one& he thought he heard the noise of hounds& as it ere some thirty cou%!e in number& and !ooking u% he sa coming to ards him the strangest beast that e"er he had seen or heard te!! of& hich ran to ards the fountain and drank of the ater# 9ts head as !ike a ser%entBs& ith a !eo%ardBs body and a !ionBs tai!& and it as footed !ike a stagO and the noise as in its be!!y& as it ere the baying or @uesting of thirty cou%!e of hounds# Dhi!e it drank there as no noise ithin itO but %resent!y& ha"ing finished& it de%arted ith a greater sound than e"er# The king as amaMed at a!! thisO but being great!y earied& he fe!! as!ee%& and as before !ong aked u% by a knight on foot& ho said& GKnight& fu!! of thought and s!ee%y& te!! me if thou sa est a strange beast %ass this ayQK G7uch a one 9 sa &K said King Arthur to the knight& Gbut that is no t o mi!es distant at the !east# Dhat ou!d you ith that beastQK G7ir&K said the knight& G9 ha"e fo!!o ed it for a !ong time& and ha"e ki!!ed my horse& and ou!d to hea"en 9 had another to %ursue my @uest itha!#K At that moment came a yeoman ith another horse for the king& hich& hen the knight sa & he earnest!y %rayed to be gi"en him# G8or 9 ha"e fo!!o ed this @uest&K said he& Gt e!"e months& and either 9 sha!! achie"e him or b!eed of the best b!ood of my body#K 9t as King Pe!!inore ho at that time fo!!o ed the @uesting beast& but neither he nor King Arthur kne each other# G7ir Knight&K said King Arthur& G!ea"e that @uest and suffer me to ha"e it& and 9 i!! fo!!o it other t e!"e months#K GAh& foo!&K said the knight& Gthy desire is utter!y in "ain& for it sha!! ne"er be achie"ed but by me& or by my neCt of kin#K There ith he started to the kingBs horse& and mounted to the sadd!e& crying out& GGrammercy& this horse is mineRK GDe!!&K said the king& Gthou mayest take my horse by force& and 9 i!! not say nayO but ti!! e %ro"e hether thou or 9 be best on horseback& 9 sha!! not rest content#K G7eek me here&K said the knight& G hene"er thou i!t& and here by this fountain thou sha!t find meOK and so he %assed forth on his ay# Then sat King Arthur in a dee% fit of study& and bade his yeomen fetch him yet another horse as @uick!y as they cou!d# And hen

they !eft him a!! a!one came Aer!in& disguised as a chi!d of fourteen years of age& and sa!uted the king& and asked him hy he as so %ensi"e and hea"y# G9 may e!! be %ensi"e and hea"y&K he re%!ied& Gfor here e"en no 9 ha"e seen the strangest sight 9 e"er sa #K GThat kno 9 e!!&K said Aer!in& Gas e!! as thyse!f& and a!so a!! thy thoughtsO but thou art foo!ish to take thought& for it i!! not amend thee# A!so 9 kno hat thou art& and kno thy father and thy mother#K GThat is fa!se&K said King ArthurO Gho shou!dst thou kno Q thy years are not enough#K G$ea&K said Aer!in& Gbut 9 kno better than thou ho thou ast born& and better than any man !i"ing#K G9 i!! not be!ie"e thee&K said King Arthur& and as roth ith the chi!d# 7o Aer!in de%arted& and came again in the !ikeness of an o!d man of fourscore years of ageO and the king as g!ad at his coming& for he seemed ise and "enerab!e# Then said the o!d man& GDhy art thou so sadQK G8or di"ers reasons&K said King ArthurO Gfor 9 ha"e seen strange things to'day& and but this moment there as here a chi!d ho to!d me things beyond his years to kno #K G$ea&K said the o!d man& Gbut he to!d thee truth& and more he ou!d ha"e to!d thee hadst thou suffered him# But 9 i!! te!! thee herefore thou art sad& for thou hast done a thing of !ate for hich God is dis%!eased ith thee& and hat it is thou kno est in thy heart& though no man e!se may kno #K GDhat art thou&K said King Arthur& starting u% a!! %a!e& Gthat te!!est me these tidingsQK G9 am Aer!in&K said he& Gand 9 as he in the chi!dBs !ikeness& a!so#K GAh&K said King Arthur& Gthou art a mar"e!!ous and right fearfu! man& and 9 ou!d ask and te!! thee many things this day#K As they ta!ked came one ith the kingBs horses& and so& King Arthur mounting one& and Aer!in another& they rode together to :aer!eonO and Aer!in %ro%hesied to Arthur of his death& and a!so foreto!d his o n end# And no King Arthur& ha"ing utter!y dis%ersed and o"er he!med those kings ho had so !ong de!ayed his coronation& turned a!! his mind to o"erthro the 7aCon heathens ho yet in many %!aces s%oi!ed the !and# :a!!ing together& therefore& his knights and men' at'arms& he rode ith a!! his hosts to $ork& here :o!grin& the 7aCon& !ay ith a great armyO and there he fought a mighty batt!e& !ong and b!oody& and dro"e him into the city& and besieged him# Then Ba!du!%h& :o!grinBs brother& came secret!y ith siC thousand men to assai! King Arthur and to raise the siege# But King Arthur as a are of him& and sent siC hundred horsemen and three thousand foot to meet and fa!! on him instead# This therefore they did& encountering them at midnight& and utter!y defeated them& ti!! they f!ed a ay for !ife# But Ba!du!%h& fu!! of grief& reso!"ed to share his brotherBs %eri!O herefore he sha"ed

his head and beard& and disguised himse!f as a jester& and so %assed through King ArthurBs cam%& singing and %!aying on a har%& ti!! by degrees he dre near to the city a!!s& here %resent!y he made himse!f kno n& and as dra n u% by ro%es into the to n# Anon& hi!e Arthur c!ose!y atched the city& came ne s that fu!! siC hundred shi%s had !anded count!ess s arms of 7aCons& under :he!dric& on the eastern coast# At that he raised the siege& and marched straight to London& and there increased his army& and took counse! ith his barons ho to dri"e the 7aCons from the !and for e"ermore# Then ith his ne%he & Hoe!& King of the Armorican Britons& ho came ith a great force to he!% him& King Arthur& ith a mighty mu!titude of barons& knights& and fighting men& ent s ift!y u% to Linco!n& hich the 7aCons !ay besieging# And there he fought a %assing fierce batt!e& and made grie"ous s!aughter& ki!!ing abo"e siC thousand men& ti!! the main body of them turned and f!ed# But he %ursued them hot!y into the ood of :e!idon& here& she!tering themse!"es among the trees from his arro s& they made a stand& and for a !ong season bra"e!y defended themse!"es# Anon& he ordered a!! the trees in that %art of the forest to be cut do n& !ea"ing no she!ter or ambushO and ith their trunks and branches made a mighty barricade& hich shut them in and hindered their esca%e# After three days& brought nigh to death by famine& they offered to gi"e u% their ea!th of go!d and si!"er s%oi!s& and to de%art forth ith in their em%ty shi%sO moreo"er& to %ay tribute to King Arthur hen they reached their home& and to !ea"e him hostages ti!! a!! as %aid# This offer& therefore& he acce%ted& and suffered them to de%art# But hen they had been a fe hours at sea& they re%ented of their shamefu! f!ight& and turned their shi%s back again& and !anding at Totnes& ra"aged a!! the !and as far as the 7e"ern& and& burning and s!aying on a!! sides& bent their ste%s to ards Bath# Dhen King Arthur heard of their treachery and their return& he burned ith anger ti!! his eyes shone !ike t o torches& and then he s ore a mighty oath to rest no more unti! he had utter!y destroyed those enemies of God and man& and had rooted them for e"er out of the !and of Britain# Then marching hot!y ith his armies on to Bath& he cried a!oud to them& G7ince these detestab!e im%ious heathens disdain to kee% their faith ith me& to kee% faith ith God& to hom 9 s are to cherish and defend this rea!m& i!! no this day a"enge on them the b!ood of a!! that they ha"e s!ain in BritainRK 9n !ike manner after him s%oke the archbisho%& standing u%on a hi!!& and crying that to'day they shou!d fight both for their country and for Paradise& G8or hoso&K he said& Gsha!! in this ho!y ar be s!ain& the ange!s sha!! forth ith recei"e himO for death in this cause sha!! be %enance and abso!ution for a!! sins#K At these ords e"ery man in the ho!e army raged ith hatred& and %ressed eager!y to rush u%on those sa"ages#

Anon King Arthur& dressed in armour shining ith go!d and je e!s& and earing on his head a he!met ith a go!den dragon& took a shie!d %ainted ith the !ikeness of the b!essed Aary# Then girding on ECca!ibur and taking in his right hand his great !ance )on& he %!aced his men in order and !ed them out against the enemy& ho stood for batt!e on the s!o%e of Badon Hi!!& ranged in the form of a edge& as their custom as# And they& resisting a!! the ons!aughts of King Arthur and his host& made that day a stout defence& and at night !ay do n u%on the hi!!# But on the neCt day Arthur !ed his army once again to the attack& and ith ounds and s!aughter such as no man had e"er seen before& he dro"e the heathen ste% by ste% before him& back ards and u% ards& ti!! he stood ith a!! his nob!est knights u%on the summit of the hi!!# And then men sa him& Gred as the rising sun from s%ur to %!ume&K !ift u% his s ord& and& knee!ing& kiss the cross of itO and after& rising to his feet& set might and main ith a!! his fe!!o shi% u%on the foe& ti!!& as a troo% of !ions roaring for their %rey& they dro"e them !ike a scattered herd a!ong the %!ains& and cut them do n ti!! they cou!d cut no more for eariness# That day King Arthur by himse!f a!one s!e ith his ord ECca!ibur four hundred and se"enty heathens# :o!grin a!so& and his brother Ba!du!%h& ere s!ain# Then the king bade :ador& *uke of :orn a!!& fo!!o :he!dric& the chief !eader& and the remnant of his hosts& unto the uttermost# He& therefore& hen he had first seiMed their f!eet& and fi!!ed it ith chosen men& to beat them back hen they shou!d f!y to it at !ast& chased them and s!e them ithout mercy so !ong as he cou!d o"ertake them# And though they cre%t ith tremb!ing hearts for she!ter to the co"erts of the oods and dens of mountains& yet e"en so they found no safety& for :ador s!e them& e"en one by one# Last of a!! he caught and s!e :he!dric himse!f& and s!aughtering a great mu!titude took hostages for the surrender of the rest# Aean hi!e& King Arthur turned from Badon Hi!!& and freed his ne%he Hoe! from the 7cots and Picts& ho besieged him in A!c!ud# And hen he had defeated them in three sore batt!es& he dro"e them before him to a !ake& hich as one of the most ondrous !akes in a!! the or!d& for it as fed by siCty ri"ers& and had siCty is!ands& and siCty rocks& and on e"ery is!and siCty eag!esB nests# But King Arthur ith a great f!eet sai!ed round the ri"ers and besieged them in the !ake for fifteen days& so that many thousands died of hunger# Anon the King of 9re!and came ith an army to re!ie"e themO but Arthur& turning on him fierce!y& routed him& and com%e!!ed him to retreat in terror to his !and# Then he %ursued his %ur%ose& hich as no !ess to destroy the race of Picts and 7cots& ho& beyond memory& had been a cease!ess torment to the Britons by their barbarous ma!ice#

7o bitter!y& therefore& did he treat them& gi"ing @uarter to none& that at !ength the bisho%s of that miserab!e country ith the c!ergy met together& and& bearing a!! the ho!y re!ics& came barefooted to the king to %ray his mercy for their %eo%!e# As soon as they ere !ed before him they fe!! do n u%on their knees& and %iteous!y besought him to s%are the fe sur"i"ors of their countrymen& and grant them any corner of the !and here they might !i"e in %eace# Dhen he thus heard them& and kne that he had no fu!!y %unished them& he consented to their %rayer& and ithdre his hosts from any further s!aughter# Then turned he back to his o n rea!m& and came to $ork for :hristmas& and there ith high so!emnity obser"ed that ho!y tideO and being %assing grie"ed to see the ruin of the churches and houses& hich the rage or the %agans had destroyed& he rebui!t them& and restored the city to its ancient ha%%y state# And on a certain day& as the king sat ith his barons& there came into the court a s@uire on horseback& carrying a knight before him ounded to the death& and to!d the king that hard by in the forest as a knight ho had reared u% a %a"i!ion by the fountain& Gand hath s!ain my master& a "a!iant knight& hose name as <ir!esO herefore 9 beseech thee& Lord& my master may be buried& and that some good knight may a"enge his death#K At that ste%%ed forth a s@uire named Grif!et& ho as "ery young& being of the same age ith King Arthur& and besought the king& for a!! the ser"ice he had done& to gi"e him knighthood# GThou art fu!! young and tender of age&K said King Arthur& Gto take so high an order u%on thee#K G7ir&K said Grif!et& G9 beseech thee make me a knightOK and Aer!in a!so ad"ising the king to grant his re@uest& GDe!!&K said Arthur& Gbe it then so&K and knighted him forth ith# Then said he to him& G7ince 9 ha"e granted thee this fa"our& thou must in turn grant me a gift#K GDhatsoe"er thou i!t& my !ord&K re%!ied 7ir Grif!et# GPromise me&K said King Arthur& Gby the faith of thy body& that hen thou hast jousted ith this knight at the fountain& thou i!t return to me straight ay& un!ess he s!ay thee#K G9 %romise&K said 7ir Grif!etO and taking his horse in haste& he dressed his shie!d& and took a s%ear in his hand and rode fu!! ga!!o% ti!! he came to the fountain& by the side of hich he sa a rich %a"i!ion& and a great horse standing e!! sadd!ed and brid!ed& and on a tree c!ose by there hung a shie!d of many co!ours and a !ong !ance# Then 7ir Grif!et smote u%on the shie!d ith the butt of his s%ear unti! he cast it to the ground# At that a knight came out of the %a"i!ion and said& G8air knight& hy smote ye do n my shie!dQK GBecause&K said Grif!et& G9 ou!d joust ith thee#K G9t ere better not&K re%!ied the knightO Gfor thou art young and but !ate!y made a knight& and thy strength is sma!! com%ared to mine#K G8or a!! that&K said 7ir Grif!et& G9 i!! joust ith ye#K

G9 am fu!! !oath&K re%!ied the knightO Gbut if 9 must 9 must#K Then did they hee! their horses far a%art& and running them together& the strange knight shi"ered 7ir Grif!etBs s%ear to fragments& and smote him through the shie!d and the !eft side& and broke his o n s%ear into 7ir Grif!etBs body& so that the truncheon stuck there& and 7ir Grif!et and his horse fe!! do n# But hen the strange knight sa him o"erthro n& he as sore grie"ed& and hasti!y a!ighted& for he thought that he had s!ain him# Then he un!aced his he!m and ga"e him air& and tended him carefu!!y ti!! he came out of his s oon& and !ea"ing the truncheon of his s%ear in his body& he set him u%on horse& and commended him to God& and said he had a mighty heart& and if he !i"ed ou!d %ro"e a %assing good knight# And so 7ir Grif!et rode to the court& here& by aid of good %hysicians& he as hea!ed in time and his !ife sa"ed# At that same time there came before the king t e!"e o!d men& ambassadors from Lucius Tiberius& Em%eror of )ome& and demanded of Arthur tribute unto :aesar for his rea!m& or e!se& said they& the em%eror ou!d destroy both him and his !and# To hom King Arthur ans ered that he o ed the em%eror no tribute& nor ou!d send him anyO but said he& GOn a fair fie!d 9 i!! %ay him his %ro%er tribute? ith a shar% s%ear and s ordO and by my fatherBs sou! that tribute sha!! he take from me& hether he i!! or not#K 7o the ambassadors de%arted %assing roth& and King Arthur as as roth as they# But on the morro of 7ir Grif!etBs hurt& the king commanded to take his horse and armour secret!y outside the city a!!s before sunrise of the neCt morning& and& rising a !ong hi!e before da n& he mounted u% and took his shie!d and s%ear& and bade his chamber!ain tarry ti!! he came againO but he forbore to take ECca!ibur& for he had gi"en it for safety into charge of his sister& Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay# And as the king rode at a soft %ace he sa sudden!y three "i!!ains chasing Aer!in and making to attack and s!ay him# :!a%%ing s%urs to his horse& he rushed to ards them& and cried out in a terrib!e "oice& G8!ee& chur!s& or take your deathsOK but they& as soon as they %ercei"ed a knight& f!ed a ay ith the haste of hares# GO Aer!in&K said the kingO Ghere hadst thou been ki!!ed& des%ite thy many crafts& had 9 not chanced to %ass#K G<ot so&K said Aer!in& Gfor hen 9 ou!d& 9 cou!d ha"e sa"ed myse!fO but thou art nearer to thy death than 9& for ithout s%ecia! he!% from hea"en thou ridest no to ards thy gra"e#K And as they ere thus ta!king& they came to the fountain and the rich %a"i!ion %itched beside it& and sa a knight sitting a!! armed on a chair in the o%ening of the tent# G7ir knight&K said King Arthur& Gfor hat cause abidest thou hereQ to joust ith any knight that %asseth byQ 9f so& 9 caution thee to @uit that custom#K GThat custom&K said the knight& Gha"e 9 fo!!o ed and i!! fo!!o & !et hosoe"er i!! say nay& and if any is aggrie"ed at it& !et him ho i!! amend it#K

G9 i!! amend it&K said King Arthur# GAnd 9 i!! defend it&K ans ered the knight# Then the knight mounted his horse and made himse!f ready& and charging at each other they met so hard that both their !ances s%!intered into %ieces# Then King Arthur dre his s ord& but the knight cried out& G<ot soO but !et us run another ti!t together ith shar% s%ears#K G9 ou!d ith a good i!!&K said King ArthurO Gbut 9 ha"e no more s%ears#K G9 ha"e enough of s%ears&K re%!ied the knight& and ca!!ed a s@uire& ho brought t o good ne !ances# Then s%urring their horses& they rushed together ith a!! their might& and broke each one his o n s%ear short off in his hand# Then the king again %ut his hand to his s ord& but the knight once more cried out& G<ay& yet abide a hi!eO ye are the best jouster that 9 e"er met ithO for the !o"e of knighthood& !et us joust yet once again#K 7o once again they ti!ted ith their fu!!est force& and this time King ArthurBs s%ear as shi"ered& but the knightBs he!d ho!e& and dro"e so furious!y against the king that both his horse and he ere hur!ed to the ground# At that& King Arthur as enraged and dre his s ord and said& G9 i!! attack thee no & 7ir knight& on foot& for on horseback 9 ha"e !ost the honour#K G9 i!! be on horseback&K said the knight# But hen he sa him come on foot& he !ighted from his horse& thinking it shame to ha"e so great ad"antage# And then began they a strong batt!e& ith many great strokes and grie"ous b!o s& and so he ed ith their s ords that the fragments of their armour f!e about the fie!ds& and both so b!ed that a!! the ground around as !ike a marsh of b!ood# Thus they fought !ong and mighti!y& and anon& after brief rest fe!! to again& and so hurt!ed together !ike t o i!d boars that they both ro!!ed to the ground# At !ast their s ords c!ashed furious!y together& and the knightBs s ord shi"ered the kingBs in t o# Then said the knight& G<o art thou in my %o er& to sa"e thee or to s!ay# $ie!d therefore as defeated& and a recreant knight& or thou sha!! sure!y die#K GAs for death&K re%!ied King Arthur& G e!come be it hen it comethO but as for yie!ding me to thee as a recreant because of this %oor accident u%on my s ord& 9 had far !iefer die than be so shamed#K 7o saying& he s%rang on the knight& and took him by the midd!e and thre him do n& and tore off his he!m# But the knight& being a huge man& rest!ed and strugg!ed in a frenMy ith the king unti! he brought him under& and tore off his he!m in turn& and ou!d ha"e smitten off his head# At that came Aer!in and said& GKnight& ho!d thy hand& for if thou s!ayest yonder knight& thou %uttest a!! this rea!m to greater !oss

and damage than e"er rea!m as inO for he is a man of greater orshi% than thou dreamest of#K GDho then is heQK cried the knight# GArthur PendragonRK ans ered Aer!in# Then ou!d he ha"e s!ain him for dread of his rath& but Aer!in cast a s%e!! u%on the knight& so that he fe!! sudden!y to the earth in a dee% s!ee%# Then raising u% the king& he took the knightBs horse for himse!f and rode a ay# GA!as&K said King Arthur& G hat hast thou done& Aer!inQ hast thou s!ain this good knight by thy craftsQ There ne"er !i"ed a better knightO 9 had rather !ose my kingdom for a year than ha"e him dead#K GBe not afraid&K said Aer!inO Ghe is more ho!e and sound than thou art& and is but in a s!ee%& herefrom in three hoursB time he i!! a ake# 9 to!d thee hat a knight he as& and ho near thou ast to death# There !i"eth not a better knight than he in a!! the or!d& and hereafter he sha!! do thee good ser"ice# His name is King Pe!!inore& and he sha!! ha"e t o sons& ho sha!! be %assing "a!iant men& and& sa"e one another& sha!! ha"e no e@ua! in %ro ess and in %urity of !ife# The one sha!! be named Perci"a!& and the other Lamoracke of Da!es#K 7o they rode on to :aer!eon& and a!! the knights grie"ed great!y hen they heard of this ad"enture& that the king ou!d jeo%ardise his %erson thus a!one# $et cou!d they not hide their joy at ser"ing under such a nob!e chief& ho ad"entured his o n !ife as much as did the %oorest knight among them a!!#

)HA*T$R I,
King Arthur on+uers ,reland and -orway, Slays the .iant of St/ Michael0s Mount, and on+uers .aul ! The Adventures of Sir Balin

he !and of Britain being no in %eace& and many great and "a!iant knights therein ready to take %art in hatsoe"er batt!es or ad"entures might arise& King Arthur reso!"ed to fo!!o a!! his enemies to their o n coasts# Anon he fitted out a great f!eet& and sai!ing first to 9re!and& in one batt!e he miserab!y routed the

%eo%!e of the country# The King of 9re!and a!so he took %risoner& and forced a!! ear!s and barons to %ay him homage# Ha"ing con@uered 9re!and& he ent neCt to 9ce!and and subdued it a!so& and the inter being then arri"ed& returned to Britain# 9n the neCt year he set forth to <or ay& hence many times the heathen had descended on the British coastsO for he as determined to gi"e so terrib!e a !esson to those sa"ages as shou!d be to!d through a!! their tribes both far and near& and make his name fearfu! to them# As soon as he as come& )icu!f& the king& ith a!! the %o er of that country& met and ga"e him batt!eO but& after mighty s!aughter& the Britons had at !ength the ad"antage& and s!e )icu!f and a count!ess mu!titude besides# Ha"ing thus defeated them& they set the cities on fire& dis%ersed the country %eo%!e& and %ursued the "ictory ti!! they had reduced a!! <or ay& as a!so *acia& under the dominion of King Arthur# <o & therefore& ha"ing thus chastised those %agans ho so !ong had harassed Britain& and %ut his yoke u%on them& he "oyaged on to Gau!& being steadfast!y set u%on defeating the )oman go"ernor of that %ro"ince& and so beginning to make good the threats hich he had sent the em%eror by his ambassadors# 7o soon as he as !anded on the shores of Gau!& there came to him a countryman ho to!d him of a fearfu! giant in the !and of Brittany& ho had s!ain& murdered& and de"oured many %eo%!e& and had !i"ed for se"en years u%on young chi!dren on!y& Ginsomuch&K said the man& Gthat a!! the chi!dren of the country are destroyedO and but the other day he seiMed u%on our duchess& as she rode out ith her men& and took her a ay to his !odging in a ca"e of a mountain& and though fi"e hundred %eo%!e fo!!o ed her& yet cou!d they gi"e her no he!% or rescue& but !eft her shrieking and crying !amentab!y in the giantBs handsO and& Lord& she is thy cousin Hoe!Bs ife& ho is of thy near kindredO herefore& as thou art a rightfu! king& ha"e %ity on this !adyO and as thou art a "a!iant con@ueror& a"enge us and de!i"er us#K GA!asRK said King Arthur& Gthis is a great mischief that ye te!! of# 9 had rather than the best rea!m 9 ha"e& that 9 had rescued that !ady ere the giant !aid his hand on herO but te!! me no & good fe!!o & canst thou bring me here this giant hauntethQK G$ea& LordRK re%!ied the manO G!o& yonder& here thou seest t o great fires& there sha!! thou find him& and more treasure a!so than is in a!! Gau! besides#K Then the king returned to his tent& and& ca!!ing 7ir Key and 7ir Bed in& desired them to get horses ready for himse!f and them& for that after e"ensong he ou!d ride a %i!grimage ith them a!one to 7t# Aichae!Bs Aount# 7o in the e"ening they de%arted& and rode as fast as they cou!d ti!! they came near the mount& and there a!ightedO and the king commanded the t o knights to a ait him at the hi!! foot& hi!e he ent u% a!one# Then he ascended the mountain ti!! he came to a great fire# And there he found a sorro fu! ido ringing her hands and

ee%ing miserab!y& sitting by a ne 'made gra"e# And sa!uting her& King Arthur %rayed her herefore she made such hea"y !amentations# G7ir knight&K she said& Gs%eak soft!y& for yonder is a de"i!& ho& if he hear thy "oice& i!! come and straight ay s!ay thee# A!asR hat dost thou hereQ 8ifty such men as thou ere %o er!ess to resist him# Here !ieth dead my !ady& *uchess of Brittany& ife to 7ir Hoe!& ho as the fairest !ady in the or!d& fou!!y and shamefu!!y s!aughtered by that fiendR Be are that thou go not too nigh& for he hath o"ercome and "an@uished fifteen kings& and hath made himse!f a coat of %recious stones& embroidered ith their beardsO but if thou art hardy& and i!t s%eak ith him& at yonder great fire he is at su%%er#K

GDe!!&K said King Arthur& G9 i!! accom%!ish mine errand& for a!! thy fearfu! ordsOK and so ent forth to the crest of the hi!!& and sa here the giant sat at su%%er& gna ing on a !imb of a man& and baking his huge frame by the fire& hi!e three damse!s turned three s%its hereon ere s%itted& !ike !arks& t e!"e young chi!dren !ate!y born# Dhen King Arthur sa a!! that& his heart b!ed for sorro & and he tremb!ed for rage and indignationO then !ifting u% his "oice he cried a!oud?GGod& that ie!deth a!! the or!d& gi"e thee short !ife

and shamefu! death& and may the de"i! ha"e thy sou!R Dhy hast thou s!ain those chi!dren and that fair !adyQ Dherefore arise& and %re%are thee to %erish& thou g!utton and fiend& for this day thou sha!t die by my hands#K Then the giant& mad ith fury at these ords& started u%& and seiMing a great c!ub& smote the king& and struck his cro n from off his head# But King Arthur smote him ith his s ord so mighti!y in return& that a!! his b!ood gushed forth in streams# At that the giant& ho !ing in great anguish& thre a ay his c!ub of iron& and caught the king in both his arms and stro"e to crush his ribs together# But King Arthur strugg!ed and rithed& and t isted him about& so that the giant cou!d not ho!d him tight!yO and as they fierce!y rest!ed& they both fe!!& and ro!!ing o"er one another& tumb!ed? rest!ing& and strugg!ing& and fighting frantica!!y?from rock to rock& ti!! they came to the sea# And as they tore and stro"e and tumb!ed& the king e"er and anon smote at the giant ith his dagger& ti!! his arms stiffened in death around King ArthurBs body& and groaning horrib!y& he died# 7o %resent!y the t o knights came and found the king !ocked fast in the giantBs arms& and "ery faint and eary& and !oosed him from their ho!d# Then the king bade 7ir Key to Gsmite off the giantBs head and set it on the truncheon of a s%ear& and bear it to 7ir Hoe!& and te!! him that his enemy is s!ainO and after ards !et it be fastened to the cast!e gate& that a!! the %eo%!e may beho!d it# And go ye t o u% on the mountain and fetch me my shie!d and s ord& and a!so the great c!ub of iron ye i!! see thereO and as for the treasure& ye sha!! find there ea!th beyond counting& but take as much as ye i!!& for if 9 ha"e his kirt!e and the c!ub& 9 desire no more#K Then the knights fetched the c!ub and kirt!e& as the king had ordered& and took the treasure to themse!"es& as much as they cou!d carry& and returned to the army# But hen this deed as noised abroad& a!! the %eo%!e came in mu!titudes to thank the king& ho to!d them Gto gi"e thanks to God& and to di"ide the giantBs s%oi!s amongst them e@ua!!y#K And King Arthur desired 7ir Hoe! to bui!d a church u%on the mount& and dedicate it to the Archange! Aichae!# On the morro & a!! the host mo"ed on ards into the country of :ham%agne& and 8!o!!o& the )oman tribune& retired before them into Paris# But hi!e he as %re%aring to co!!ect more forces from the neighbouring countries& King Arthur came u%on him una ares& and besieged him in the to n# And hen a month had %assed& 8!o!!o?fu!! of grief at the star"ation of his %eo%!e& ho died in hundreds day by day?sent to King Arthur& and desired that they t o might fight togetherO for he as a man of mighty stature and courage& and thought himse!f sure of the "ictory# This cha!!enge& King Arthur& fu!! eary the siege& acce%ted ith great joy& and sent back ord to 8!o!!o that he ou!d meet him hensoe"er he a%%ointed#

And a truce being made on both sides& they met together the neCt day on the is!and ithout the city& here a!! the %eo%!e a!so ere gathered to see the issue# And as the king and 8!o!!o rode u% to the !ists& each as so nob!y armed and horsed& and sat so mighti!y u%on his sadd!e& that no man cou!d te!! hich ay the batt!e ou!d end# Dhen they had sa!uted one another& and %resented themse!"es against each other ith their !ances a!oft& they %ut s%urs to their horses and began a fierce encounter# But King Arthur& carrying his s%ear more ari!y& struck it on the u%%er %art of 8!o!!oBs breast& and f!ung him from his sadd!e to the earth# Then dra ing his s ord& he cried to him to rise& and rushed u%on himO but 8!o!!o& starting u%& met him ith his s%ear couched& and %ierced the breast of King ArthurBs horse& and o"erthre both horse and man# The Britons& hen they sa their king u%on the ground& cou!d scarce!y kee% themse!"es from breaking u% the truce and fa!!ing on the Gau!s# But as they ere about to burst the barriers& and rush u%on the !ists& King Arthur hasti!y arose& and& guarding himse!f ith his shie!d& ran ith s%eed on 8!o!!o# And no they rene ed the assau!t ith great rage& being sore!y bent u%on each otherBs death# At !ength& 8!o!!o& seiMing his ad"antage& ga"e King Arthur a huge stroke u%on the he!m& hich nigh o"erthre him& and dre forth his b!ood in streams# But hen King Arthur sa his armour and shie!d red ith b!ood& he as inf!amed ith fury& and !ifting u% ECca!ibur on high& ith a!! his might& he struck straight through the he!met into 8!o!!oBs head& and smote it into ha!"esO and 8!o!!o fa!!ing back ards& and tearing u% the ground ith his s%urs& eC%ired# As soon as this ne s s%read& the citiMens a!! ran together& and& o%ening the gates& surrendered the city to the con@ueror# And hen he had o"errun the ho!e %ro"ince ith his arms& and reduced it e"ery here to subjection& he returned again to Britain& and he!d his court at :aer!eon& ith greater state than e"er# Anon he in"ited thereto a!! the kings& dukes& ear!s& and barons& ho o ed him homage& that he might treat them roya!!y& and reconci!e them to each other& and to his ru!e# And ne"er as there a city more fit and %!easant for such festi"a!s# 8or on one side it as ashed by a nob!e ri"er& so that the kings and %rinces from the countries beyond sea might con"enient!y sai! u% to itO and on the other side& the beauty of the gro"es and meado s& and the state!iness and magnificence of the roya! %a!aces& ith !ofty gi!ded roofs& made it e"en ri"a! the grandeur of )ome# 9t as famous a!so for t o great and nob!e churches& hereof one as bui!t in honour of the martyr Ju!ius& and adorned ith a choir of "irgins ho had de"oted themse!"es ho!!y to the ser"ice of GodO and the other& founded in memory of 7t# Aaron& his com%anion& maintained a con"ent of canons& and as the third metro%o!itan church of Britain# Besides& there as a

co!!ege of t o hundred %hi!oso%hers& !earned in astronomy& and a!! the other sciences and arts# 9n this %!ace& therefore& fu!! of such de!ights& King Arthur he!d his court& ith many jousts and tournaments& and roya! huntings& and rested for a season after a!! his ars# And on a certain day there came into the court a messenger from )yence& King of <orth Da!es& bearing this message from his master( That King )yence had discomfited e!e"en kings& and had com%e!!ed each one of them to cut off his beardO that he had trimmed a mant!e ith these beards& and !acked but one more beard to finish itO and that he therefore no sent for King ArthurBs beard& hich he re@uired of him forth ith& or e!se he ou!d enter his !ands and burn and s!ay& and ne"er !ea"e them ti!! he had taken by force not his beard on!y& but his head a!so# Dhen King Arthur heard these ords he f!ushed a!! scar!et& and rising in great anger said& GDe!! is it for thee that thou s%eakest another manBs ords ith thy !i%s& and not thine o n# Thou hast said thy message& hich is the most inso!ent and "i!!ainous that e"er man heard sent to any king( no hear my re%!y# Ay beard is yet too young to trim that mant!e of thy masterBs ithO yet& young a!though 9 be& 9 o e no homage either to him or any man?nor i!! e"er o e# But& young a!though 9 be& 9 i!! ha"e thy masterBs homage u%on both his knees before this year be %ast& or e!se he sha!! !ose his head& by the faith of my body& for this message is the shamefu!!est 9 e"er heard s%eak of# 9 see e!! thy king hath ne"er yet met ith a orshi%fu! manO but te!! that King Arthur i!! ha"e his head or his orshi% right soon#K Then the messenger de%arted& and Arthur& !ooking round u%on his knights& demanded of them if any there kne this King )yence# G$ea&K ans ered 7ir <oran& G9 kno him e!!& and there be fe better or stronger knights u%on a fie!d than heO and he is %assing %roud and haughty in his heartO herefore 9 doubt not& Lord& he i!! make ar on thee ith mighty %o er#K GDe!!&K said King Arthur& G9 sha!! be ready for him& and that sha!! he find#K Dhi!e the king thus s%oke& there came into the ha!! a damse! ha"ing on a mant!e rich!y furred& hich she !et fa!! and sho ed herse!f to be girded ith a nob!e s ord# The king being sur%rised at this& said& G*amse!& herefore art thou girt ith that s ord& for it beseemeth thee notQK G7ir&K said she& G9 i!! te!! thee# This s ord here ith 9 am thus girt gi"es me great sorro and encumbrance& for 9 may not be de!i"ered from it ti!! 9 find a knight faithfu! and %ure and true& strong of body and of "a!iant deeds& ithout gui!e or treachery& ho sha!! be ab!e to dra it from its scabbard& hich no man e!se can do# And 9 ha"e but just no come from the court of King )yence& for there they to!d me many great and good knights ere to be e"er foundO but he and a!! his knights ha"e tried to dra it forth in "ain?for none of them can mo"e it#K

GThis is a great mar"e!&K said King ArthurO G9 i!! myse!f try to dra forth this s ord& not thinking in my heart that 9 am the best knight& but rather to begin and gi"e eCam%!e that a!! may try after me#K 7aying this& he took the s ord and %u!!ed at it ith a!! his might& but cou!d not shake or mo"e it# GThou needest not stri"e so hard& Lord&K said the damse!& Gfor hoe"er may be ab!e to %u!! it forth sha!! do so "ery easi!y#K GThou sayest e!!&K re%!ied the king& remembering ho he had himse!f dra n forth the s ord from the stone before 7t# Pau!Bs# G<o try ye& a!! my baronsO but be are ye be not stained ith shame& or any treachery& or gui!e#K And turning a ay his face from them& King Arthur mused fu!! hea"i!y of sins ithin his breast he kne of& and hich his fai!ure brought to mind right sad!y# Then a!! the barons %resent tried each after other& but cou!d none of them succeedO hereat the damse! great!y e%t& and said& GA!as& a!asR 9 thought in this court to ha"e found the best knight& ithout shame or treachery or treason#K <o by chance there as at that time a %oor knight ith King Arthur& ho had been %risoner at his court for ha!f a year and more& charged ith s!aying una ares a knight ho as a cousin of the kingBs# He as named Ba!in !e 7a"age& and had been by the good offices of the barons de!i"ered from %rison& for he as of good and "a!iant address and gent!e b!ood# He being secret!y %resent at the court sa this ad"enture& and fe!t his heart rise high ithin him& and !onged to try the s ord as did the othersO but being %oor and %oor!y c!ad& he as ashamed to come for ard in the %ress of knights and nob!es# But in his heart he fe!t assured that he cou!d do better?if Hea"en i!!ed?than any knight among them a!!# 7o as the damse! !eft the king& he ca!!ed to her and said& G*amse!& 9 %ray thee of thy courtesy& suffer me to try the s ord as e!! as a!! these !ordsO for though 9 be but %oor!y c!ad& 9 fee! assurance in my heart#K The damse! !ooking at him& sa in him a !ike!y an honest man& but because of his %oor garments cou!d not think him to be any knight of orshi%& and said& G7ir& there is no need to %ut me to any more %ain or !abourO hy shou!dst thou succeed here so many orthy ones ha"e fai!edQK GAh& fair !ady&K ans ered Ba!in& G orthiness and bra"e deeds are not sho n by fair raiment& but manhood and truth !ie hid ithin the heart# There be many orshi%fu! knights unkno n to a!! the %eo%!e#K GBy my faith& thou sayest truth&K re%!ied the damse!O Gtry therefore& if thou i!t& hat thou canst do#K 7o Ba!in took the s ord by the gird!e and hi!t& and dre it !ight!y out& and !ooking on its orkmanshi% and brightness& it %!eased him great!y# But the king and a!! the barons mar"e!!ed at 7ir Ba!inBs fortune& and many knights ere en"ious of him& for& GTru!y&K said the damse!& Gthis is a %assing good knight& and the best man 9 ha"e

e"er found& and the most orshi%fu!!y free from treason& treachery& or "i!!ainy& and many onders sha!! he achie"e#K G<o & gent!e and courteous knight&K continued she& turning to Ba!in& Ggi"e me the s ord again#K G<ay&K said 7ir Ba!in& Gsa"e it be taken from me by force& 9 sha!! %reser"e this s ord for e"ermore#K GThou art not ise&K re%!ied the damse!& Gto kee% it from meO for if thou i!t do so& thou sha!t s!ay ith it the best friend thou hast& and the s ord sha!! be thine destruction a!so#K G9 i!! take hate"er ad"enture God may send&K said Ba!inO Gbut the s ord i!! 9 kee%& by the faith of my body#K GThou i!! re%ent it short!y&K said the damse!O G9 ou!d take the s ord for thy sake rather than for mine for 9 am %assing grie"ed and hea"y for thy sake& ho i!t not be!ie"e the %eri! 9 forete!! thee#K Dith that she de%arted& making great !amentation# Then Ba!in sent for his horse and armour& and took his !ea"e of King Arthur& ho urged him to stay at his court# G8or&K said he& G9 be!ie"e that thou art dis%!eased that 9 sho ed thee unkindnessO b!ame me not o"ermuch& for 9 as misinformed against thee& and kne not tru!y hat a knight of orshi% thou art# Abide in this court ith my good knights& and 9 i!! so ad"ance thee that thou sha!t be e!! %!eased#K GGod thank thee& Lord&K said Ba!in& Gfor no man can re ard thy bounty and thy nob!enessO but at this time 9 must needs de%art& %raying thee e"er to ho!d me in thy fa"our#K GTru!y&K said King Arthur& G9 am grie"ed for thy de%artureO but tarry not !ong& and thou sha!t be right e!come to me and a!! my knights hen thou returnest& and 9 i!! re%air my neg!ect and a!! that 9 ha"e done amiss against thee#K GGod thank thee& Lord&K again said Ba!in& and made ready to de%art# But mean hi!e came into the court a !ady u%on horseback& fu!! rich!y dressed& and sa!uted King Arthur& and asked him for the gift that he had %romised her hen she ga"e him his s ord ECca!ibur& Gfor&K said she& G9 am the !ady of the !ake#K GAsk hat thou i!t&K said the king& Gand thou sha!t ha"e it& if 9 ha"e %o er to gi"e#K G9 ask&K said she& Gthe head of that knight ho hath just achie"ed the s ord& or e!se the damse!Bs head ho brought it& or e!se bothO for the knight s!e my brother& and the !ady caused my fatherBs death#K GTru!y&K said King Arthur& G9 cannot grant thee this desireO it ere against my nature and against my nameO but ask hate"er e!se thou i!t& and 9 i!! do it#K G9 i!! demand no other thing&K said she# And as she s%ake came Ba!in& on his ay to !ea"e the court& and sa her here she stood& and kne her straight ay for his motherBs murderess& hom he had sought in "ain three years# And hen they to!d him that she had asked King Arthur for his head& he ent u% straight to her and said& GAay e"i! ha"e theeR

Thou desirest my head& therefore sha!t thou !ose thineOK and ith his s ord he !ight!y smote her head off& in the %resence of the king and a!! the court# GA!as& for shameRK cried out King Arthur& rising u% in rathO G hy hast thou done this& shaming both me and my courtQ 9 am beho!den great!y to this !ady& and under my safe conduct came she hereO thy deed is %assing shamefu!O ne"er sha!! 9 forgi"e thy "i!!ainy#K GLord&K cried 7ir Ba!in& Ghear meO this !ady as the fa!sest !i"ing& and by her itchcraft hath destroyed many& and caused my mother a!so to be burnt to death by her fa!se arts and treachery#K GDhat cause soe"er thou mightest ha"e had&K said the king& Gthou shou!dst ha"e forborne her in my %resence# *ecei"e not thyse!f& thou sha!t re%ent this sin& for such a shame as ne"er brought u%on my courtO de%art no from my face ith a!! the haste thou mayest#K Then Ba!in took u% the head of the !ady and carried it to his !odgings& and rode forth ith his s@uire from out the to n# Then said he& G<o must e %artO take ye this head and bear it to my friends in <orthumber!and& and te!! them ho 9 s%eed& and that our orst foe is deadO a!so te!! them that 9 am free from %rison& and of the ad"enture of my s ord#K GA!asRK said the s@uire& Gye are great!y to b!ame to ha"e so dis%!eased King Arthur#K GAs for that&K said 7ir Ba!in& G9 go no to find King )yence& and destroy him or !ose my !ifeO for shou!d 9 take him %risoner& and !ead him to the court& %erchance King Arthur ou!d forgi"e me& and become my good and gracious !ord#K GDhere sha!! 9 meet thee againQK said the s@uire# G9n King ArthurBs court&K said Ba!in#

)HA*T$R ,
Sir Balin Smites the 1olorous Stro2e, and )ights with his Brother, Sir Balan

o there as a knight at the court more en"ious than the others of 7ir Ba!in& for he counted himse!f one of the best knights in Britain# His name as LancearO and going to the king& he begged !ea"e to fo!!o after 7ir Ba!in and a"enge the insu!t he had %ut u%on the court# G*o thy best&K re%!ied the king& Gfor 9 am %assing roth ith Ba!in#K 9n the meantime came Aer!in& and as to!d of this ad"enture of the s ord and !ady of the !ake# G<o hear me&K said he& G hen 9 te!! ye that this !ady ho hath brought the s ord is the fa!sest damse! !i"ing#K G7ay not so&K they ans ered& Gfor she hath a brother a good knight& ho s!e another knight this damse! !o"edO so she& to be re"enged u%on her brother& ent to the Lady Li!e& of A"i!ion& and besought her he!%# Then Lady Li!e ga"e her the s ord& and to!d her that no man shou!d dra it forth but one& a "a!iant knight and strong& ho shou!d a"enge her on her brother# This& therefore& as the reason hy the damse! came here#K G9 kno it a!! as e!! as ye do&K ans ered Aer!inO Gand ou!d to God she had ne"er come hither& for ne"er came she into any com%any but to do harmO and that good knight ho hath achie"ed the s ord sha!! be himse!f s!ain by it& hich sha!! be great harm and !oss& for a better knight there !i"eth notO and he sha!! do unto my !ord the king great honour and ser"ice#K Then 7ir Lancear& ha"ing armed himse!f at a!! %oints& mounted& and rode after 7ir Ba!in& as fast as he cou!d go& and o"ertaking him& he cried a!oud& GAbide& 7ir knightR ait yet a hi!e& or 9 sha!! make thee do so#K Hearing him cry& 7ir Ba!in fierce!y turned his horse& and said& G8air knight& hat i!t thou ith meQ i!t thou joustQK G$ea&K said 7ir Lancear& Git is for that 9 ha"e %ursued thee#K GPerad"enture&K ans ered Ba!in& Gthou hadst best ha"e staid at home& for many a man ho thinketh himse!f a!ready "ictor& endeth by his o n do nfa!!# Of hat court art thouQK GOf King ArthurBs court&K cried Lancear& Gand 9 am come to re"enge the insu!t thou hast %ut on it this day#K GDe!!&K said 7ir Ba!in& G9 see that 9 must fight thee& and 9 re%ent to be ob!iged to grie"e King Arthur or his knightsO and thy @uarre! seemeth fu!! foo!ish to me& for the damse! that is dead orked end!ess e"i!s through the !and& or e!se 9 had been !oath as any knight that !i"eth to ha"e s!ain a !ady#K GAake thee ready&K shouted Lancear& Gfor one of us sha!! rest for e"er in this fie!d#K But at their first encounter 7ir LancearBs s%ear f!e into s%!inters from 7ir Ba!inBs shie!d& and 7ir Ba!inBs !ance %ierced ith such might through 7ir LancearBs shie!d that it ro"e the hauberk a!so& and %assed through the knightBs body and the horseBs cru%%er# And 7ir Ba!in turning fierce!y round again& dre out his s ord& and kne not that he had a!ready s!ain himO and then he sa him !ie a cor%se u%on the ground#

At that same moment came a damse! riding to ards him as fast as her horse cou!d ga!!o%& ho& hen she sa 7ir Lancear dead& e%t and sorro ed out of measure& crying& GO& 7ir Ba!in& t o bodies hast thou s!ain& and one heartO and t o hearts in one bodyO and t o sou!s a!so hast thou !ost#K There ith she took the s ord from her dead !o"erBs side?for she as 7ir LancearBs !ady'!o"e?and setting the %omme! of it on the ground& ran herse!f through the body ith the b!ade# Dhen 7ir Ba!in sa her dead he as sore!y hurt and grie"ed in s%irit& and re%ented the death of Lancear& hich had a!so caused so fair a !adyBs death# And being unab!e to !ook on their bodies for sorro & he turned aside into a forest& here %resent!y as he rode& he sa the arms of his brother& 7ir Ba!an# And hen they ere met they %ut off their he!ms& and embraced each other& kissing& and ee%ing for joy and %ity# Then 7ir Ba!in to!d 7ir Ba!an a!! his !ate ad"entures& and that he as on his ay to King )yence& ho at that time as besieging :ast!e Terrabi!# G9 i!! be ith thee&K ans ered 7ir Ba!an& Gand e i!! he!% each other& as brethren ought to do#K Anon by chance& as they ere ta!king& came King Aark& of :orn a!!& by that ay& and hen he sa the t o dead bodies of 7ir Lancear and his !ady !ying there& and heard the story of their death& he "o ed to bui!d a tomb to them before he !eft that %!ace# 7o %itching his %a"i!ion there& he sought through a!! the country round to find a monument& and found at !ast a rich and fair one in a church& hich he took and raised abo"e the dead knight and his damse!& riting on it?GHere !ieth Lancear& son of the King of 9re!and& ho& at his o n re@uest& as s!ain by Ba!inO and here beside him a!so !ieth his !ady :o!ombe& ho s!e herse!f ith her !o"erBs s ord for grief and sorro #K Then as 7ir Ba!in and 7ir Ba!an rode a ay& Aer!in met ith them& and said to Ba!in& GThou hast done thyse!f great harm not to ha"e sa"ed that !adyBs !ife ho s!e herse!fO and because of it& thou sha!t strike the most *o!orous 7troke that e"er man struck& sa"e he that smote our Lord# 8or thou sha!t smite the truest and most orshi%fu! of !i"ing knights& ho sha!! not be reco"ered from his ounds for many years& and through that stroke three kingdoms sha!! be o"er he!med in %o"erty and misery#K G9f 9 be!ie"ed&K said Ba!in& G hat thou sayest& 9 ou!d s!ay myse!f to make thee a !iar#K At that Aer!in "anished sudden!y a ayO but after ards he met them in disguise to ards night& and to!d them he cou!d !ead them to King )yence& hom they sought# G8or this night he is to ride ith siCty !ances on!y through a ood hard by#K 7o 7ir Ba!in and 7ir Ba!an hid themse!"es ithin the ood& and at midnight came out from their ambush among the !ea"es by the high ay& and aited for the king& hom %resent!y they heard a%%roaching ith his com%any# Then did they sudden!y !ea% forth and smote at him and o"erthre him and !aid him on the ground& and turning on his com%any ounded and s!e forty of them& and

%ut the rest to f!ight# And returning to King )yence they ou!d ha"e s!ain him there& but he cra"ed mercy& and yie!ded to their grace& crying& GKnights fu!! of %ro ess& s!ay me notO for by my !ife ye may in something?but my death can a"ai! ye nought#K G$e say truth&K said the t o knights& and %ut him in a horse'!itter& and ent s ift!y through a!! the night& ti!! at cock'cro they came to King ArthurBs %a!ace# There they de!i"ered him to the arders and %orters& to be brought before the king& ith this message ?GThat he as sent to King Arthur by the knight of the t o s ords Ifor so as Ba!in kno n by name& since his ad"enture ith the damse!J and by his brother#K And so they rode a ay again ere sunrise# Dithin a month or t o thereafter& King Arthur being some hat sick& ent forth outside the to n& and had his %a"i!ion %itched in a meado & and there abode& and !aid him do n on a %a!!et to s!ee%& but cou!d get no rest# And as he !ay he heard the sound of a great horse& and !ooking out of the tent door& sa a knight ride by& making great !amentation# GAbide& fair sir&K said King Arthur& Gand te!! me herefore thou makest this sorro #K G$e may !itt!e amend it&K said the knight& and so %assed on# Present!y after 7ir Ba!in& rode& by chance& %ast that meado & and hen he sa the king he a!ighted and came to him on foot& and knee!ed and sa!uted him# GBy my head&K said King Arthur& Gye be e!come& 7ir Ba!inOK and then he thanked him hearti!y for re"enging him u%on King )yence& and for sending him so s%eedi!y a %risoner to his cast!e& and to!d him ho King <ero& )yenceBs brother& had attacked him after ards to de!i"er )yence from %risonO and ho he had defeated him and s!ain him& and a!so King Lot& of Orkney ho as joined ith <ero& and hom King Pe!!inore had ki!!ed in the batt!e# Then hen they had thus ta!ked& King Arthur to!d 7ir Ba!in of the su!!en knight that had just %assed his tent& and desired him to %ursue him and to bring him back# 7o 7ir Ba!in rode and o"ertook the knight in a forest ith a damse!& and said& G7ir knight& thou must come back ith me unto my !ord& King Arthur& to te!! him the cause of thy sorro & hich thou hast refused e"en no to do#K GThat i!! 9 not&K re%!ied the knight& Gfor it ou!d harm me much& and do him no ad"antage#K G7ir&K said 7ir Ba!in& G9 %ray thee make ready& for thou must needs go ith me?or e!se 9 must fight ith thee and take thee by force#K GDi!t thou be arrant for safe conduct& if 9 go ith theeQK in@uired the knight# G$ea& sure!y&K ans ered Ba!in& G9 i!! die e!se#K 7o the knight made ready to go ith 7ir Ba!in& and !eft the damse! in the ood# But as they ent& there came one in"isib!e& and smote the knight through the body ith a s%ear# GA!as&K cried 7ir Her!eus Ifor so

as he namedJ& G9 am s!ain under thy guard and conduct& by that traitor knight ca!!ed Gar!on& ho through magic and itchcraft rideth in"isib!y# Take& therefore& my horse& hich is better than thine& and ride to the damse! hom e !eft& and the @uest 9 had in hand& as she i!! !ead thee?and re"enge my death hen thou best mayest#K GThat i!! 9 do&K said 7ir Ba!in& Gby my knighthood& and so 9 s ear to thee#K Then ent 7ir Ba!in to the damse!& and rode forth ith herO she carrying e"er ith her the truncheon of the s%ear here ith 7ir Her!eus had been s!ain# And as they ent& a good knight& Perin de Aountbe!gard& joined their com%any& and "o ed to take ad"enture ith them heresoe"er they might go# But %resent!y as they %assed a hermitage fast by a churchyard& came the knight Gar!on& again in"isib!e& and smote 7ir Perin through the body ith a s%ear& and s!e him as he had s!ain 7ir Her!eus# Dhereat& 7ir Ba!in great!y raged& and s ore to ha"e 7ir Gar!onBs !ife& hene"er neCt he might encounter and beho!d him in his bodi!y sha%e# Anon& he and the hermit buried the good knight 7ir Perin& and rode on ith the damse! ti!! they came to a great cast!e& hereinto they ere about to enter# But hen 7ir Ba!in had %assed through the gate ay& the %ortcu!!is fe!! behind him sudden!y& !ea"ing the damse! on the outer side& ith men around her& dra ing their s ords as if to s!ay her# Dhen he sa that& 7ir Ba!in c!imbed ith eager haste by a!! and to er& and !ea%ed into the cast!e moat& and rushed to ards the damse! and her enemies& ith his s ord dra n& to fight and s!ay them# But they cried out& GPut u% thy s ord& 7ir knight& e i!! not fight thee in this @uarre!& for e do nothing but an ancient custom of this cast!e#K Then they to!d him that the !ady of the cast!e as sick& and had !ain i!! for many years& and might ne"er more be cured& un!ess she had a si!"er dish fu!! of the b!ood of a %ure maid and a kingBs daughter# Dherefore the custom of the cast!e as& that ne"er shou!d a damse! %ass that ay but she must gi"e a dish fu!! of her b!ood# Then 7ir Ba!in suffered them to b!eed the damse! ith her o n consent& but her b!ood he!%ed not the !ady of the cast!e# 7o on the morro they de%arted& after right good cheer and rest# Then they rode three or four days ithout ad"enture and came at !ast to the abode of a rich man& ho sum%tuous!y !odged and fed them# And hi!e they sat at su%%er 7ir Ba!in heard a "oice of some one groaning grie"ous!y# GDhat noise is thisQK said he# G8orsooth&K said the host& G9 i!! te!! you# 9 as !ate!y at a tournament& and there 9 fought a knight ho is brother to King Pe!!es& and o"erthre him t ice& for hich he s ore to be re"enged on me through my best friend& and so he ounded my son& ho cannot be reco"ered ti!! 9 ha"e that knightBs b!ood& but he rideth through itchcraft a! ays in"isib!y& and 9 kno not his name#K

GAh&K said 7ir Ba!in& Gbut 9 kno himO his name is Gar!on& and he hath s!ain t o knights& com%anions of mine o n& in the same fashion& and 9 ou!d rather than a!! the riches in this rea!m that 9 might meet him face to face#K GDe!!&K said his host& G!et me no te!! thee that King Pe!!es hath %roc!aimed in a!! the country a great festi"a!& to be he!d at Listeniss& in t enty days from no & hereto no knight may come ithout a !ady# At that great feast e might %erchance find out this Gar!on& for many i!! be thereO and if it %!ease thee e i!! set forth together#K 7o on the morro they rode a!! three to ards Listeniss& and tra"e!!ed fifteen days& and reached it on the day the feast began# Then they a!ighted and stab!ed their horses& and ent u% to the cast!e& and 7ir Ba!inBs host as denied entrance& ha"ing no !ady ith him# But 7ir Ba!in as right hearti!y recei"ed& and taken to a chamber& here they unarmed him& and dressed him in rich robes& of any co!our that he chose& and to!d him he must !ay aside his s ord# This& ho e"er& he refused& and said& G9t is the custom of my country for a knight to kee% his s ord e"er ith himO and if 9 may not kee% it here& 9 i!! forth ith de%art#K Then they ga"e him !ea"e to ear his s ord# 7o he ent to the great ha!!& and as set among knights of rank and orshi%& and his !ady before him# 7oon he found means to ask one ho sat near him& G9s there not here a knight hose name is Gar!onQK G$onder he goeth&K said his neighbour& Ghe ith that b!ack faceO he is the most mar"e!!ous knight a!i"e& for he rideth in"isib!y& and destroyeth hom he i!!#K GAh& e!!&K said Ba!in& dra ing a !ong breath& Gis that indeed the manQ 9 ha"e aforetime heard of him#K Then he mused !ong ithin himse!f& and thought& G9f 9 sha!! s!ay him here and no & 9 sha!! not esca%e myse!fO but if 9 !ea"e him& %erad"enture 9 sha!! ne"er meet ith him again at such ad"antageO and if he !i"e& ho much more harm and mischief i!! he doRK But hi!e he dee%!y thought& and cast his eyes from time to time u%on 7ir Gar!on& that fa!se knight sa that he atched him& and thinking that he cou!d at such a time esca%e re"enge& he came and smote 7ir Ba!in on the face ith the back of his hand& and said& GKnight& hy dost thou so atch meQ be ashamed& and eat thy meat& and do that hich thou camest for#K GThou sayest e!!&K cried 7ir Ba!in& rising fierce!yO Gno i!! 9 straight ay do that hich 9 came to do& as thou sha!t find#K Dith that he hir!ed his s ord a!oft and struck him do nright on the head& and c!o"e his sku!! asunder to the shou!der# GGi"e me the truncheon&K cried out 7ir Ba!in to his !ady& G here ith he s!e thy knight#K And hen she ga"e it him?for she had a! ays carried it about ith her& here"er she had gone ?he smote him through the body ith it& and said& GDith that

truncheon didst thou treacherous!y murder a good knight& and no it sticketh in thy fe!on body#K Then he ca!!ed to the father of the ounded son& ho had come ith him to Listeniss& and said& G<o take as much b!ood as thou i!t& to hea! thy son itha!#K But no arose a terrib!e confusion& and a!! the knights !ea%ed from the tab!e to s!ay Ba!in& King Pe!!es himse!f the foremost& ho cried out& GKnight& thou hast s!ain my brother at my boardO die& therefore& die& for thou sha!t ne"er !ea"e this cast!e#K G7!ay me& thyse!f& then&K shouted Ba!in# G$ea&K said the king& Gthat i!! 9R for no other man sha!! touch thee& for the !o"e 9 bear my brother#K Then King Pe!!es caught in his hand a grim ea%on and smote eager!y at Ba!in& but Ba!in %ut his s ord bet een his head and the kingBs stroke& and sa"ed himse!f but !ost his s ord& hich fe!! do n smashed and shi"ered into %ieces by the b!o # 7o being ea%on!ess he ran to the neCt room to find a s ord& and so from room to room& ith King Pe!!es after him& he in "ain e"er eager!y casting his eyes round e"ery %!ace to find some ea%on# At !ast he ran into a chamber ondrous rich!y decked& here as a bed a!! dressed ith c!oth of go!d& the richest that cou!d be thought of& and one ho !ay @uite sti!! ithin the bedO and by the bedside stood a tab!e of %ure go!d borne on four si!"er %i!!ars& and on the tab!e stood a mar"e!!ous s%ear& strange!y rought# Dhen 7ir Ba!in sa the s%ear he seiMed it in his hand& and turned u%on King Pe!!es& and smote at him so fierce!y and so sore that he dro%%ed s ooning to the ground#

But at that *o!orous and a fu! 7troke the cast!e rocked and ro"e throughout& and a!! the a!!s fe!! crashed and breaking to the earth& and Ba!in himse!f fe!! a!so in their midst& struck as it ere to stone& and %o er!ess to mo"e a hand or foot# And so three days he !ay amidst the ruins& unti! Aer!in came and raised him u% and brought him a good horse& and bade him ride out of that !and as s ift!y as he cou!d# GAay 9 not take the damse! ith me 9 brought hitherQK said 7ir Ba!in#

GLoR here she !ieth dead&K said Aer!in# GAh& !itt!e kno est thou& 7ir Ba!in& hat thou hast doneO for in this cast!e and that chamber hich thou didst defi!e& as the b!ood of our Lord :hristR and a!so that most ho!y cu%?the 7angrea!? herefrom the ine as drunk at the !ast su%%er of our Lord# Jose%h of Arimathea brought it to this !and& hen first he came here to con"ert and sa"e it# And on that bed of go!d it as himse!f ho !ay& and tne strange s%ear beside him as the s%ear here ith the so!dier Longus smote our Lord& hich e"ermore had dri%%ed ith b!ood# King Pe!!es is the nearest kin to Jose%h in direct descent& herefore he he!d these ho!y things in trustO but no ha"e they a!! gone at thy do!orous stroke& no man kno eth hitherO and great is the damage to this !and& hich unti! no hath been the ha%%iest of a!! !ands& for by that stroke thou hast s!ain thousands& and by the !oss and %arting of the 7angrea! the safety of this rea!m is %ut in %eri!& and its great ha%%iness is gone for e"ermore#K Then Ba!in de%arted from Aer!in& struck to his sou! ith grief and sorro & and said& G9n this or!d sha!! e meet ne"er more#K 7o he rode forth through the fair cities and the country& and found the %eo%!e !ying dead on e"ery side# And a!! the !i"ing cried out on him as he %assed& GO Ba!in& a!! this misery hast thou doneR 8or the do!orous stroke thou ga"est King Pe!!es& three countries are destroyed& and doubt not but re"enge i!! fa!! on thee at !astRK Dhen he had %assed the boundary of those countries& he as some hat comforted& and rode eight days ithout ad"enture# Anon he came to a cross& hereon as ritten in !etters of go!d& G9t is not for a knight a!one to ride to ards this cast!e#K Looking u%& he sa a hoary ancient man come to ards him& ho said& G7ir Ba!in !e 7a"age& thou %assest thy bounds this ayO therefore turn back again& it i!! be best for theeOK and ith these ords he "anished# Then did he hear a horn b!o as it ere the deathnote of some hunted beast# GThat b!ast&K said Ba!in& Gis b!o n for me& for 9 am the %reyO though yet 9 be not dead#K But as he s%oke he sa a hundred !adies ith a great troo% of knights come forth to meet him& ith bright faces and great e!come& ho !ed him to the cast!e and made a great feast& ith dancing and minstre!sy and a!! manner of joy# Then the chief !ady of the cast!e said& GKnight ith the t o s ords& thou must encounter and fight ith a knight hard by& ho d e!!eth on an is!and& for no man may %ass this ay ithout encountering him#K G9t is a grie"ous custom&K ans ered 7ir Ba!in# GThere is but one knight to defeat&K re%!ied the !ady# GDe!!&K said 7ir Ba!in& Gbe it as thou i!t# 9 am ready and @uite i!!ing& and though my horse and my body be fu!! eary& yet is my heart not eary& sa"e of !ife# And tru!y 9 ere g!ad if 9 might meet my death#K G7ir&K said one standing by& Gmethinketh your shie!d is not goodO 9 i!! !end you a bigger#K

G9 thank thee& sir&K said Ba!in& and took the unkno n shie!d and !eft his o n& and so rode forth& and %ut himse!f and horse into a boat and came to the is!and# As soon as he had !anded& he sa come riding to ards him& a knight dressed a!! in red& u%on a horse tra%%ed in the same co!our# Dhen the red knight sa 7ir Ba!in& and the t o s ords he ore& he thought it must ha"e been his brother Ifor the red knight as 7ir Ba!anJ& but hen he sa the strange arms on his shie!d& he forgot the thought& and came against him fierce!y# At the first course they o"erthre each other& and both !ay s ooning on the groundO but 7ir Ba!in as the most hurt and bruised& for he as eary and s%ent ith tra"e!!ing# 7o 7ir Ba!an rose u% first to his feet and dre his s ord& and 7ir Ba!in %ainfu!!y rose against him and raised his shie!d# Then 7ir Ba!an smote him through the shie!d and brake his he!metO and 7ir Ba!in& in return& smote at him ith his fated s ord& and had e!!nigh s!ain his brother# 7o they fought ti!! their breaths fai!ed# Then 7ir Ba!in& !ooking u%& sa a!! the cast!e to ers stand fu!! of !adies# 7o they ent again to batt!e& and ounded each other fu!! sore& and %aused& and breathed again& and then again began the fightO and this for many times they did& ti!! a!! the ground as red ith b!ood# And by no & each had fu!! grie"ous!y ounded the other ith se"en great ounds& the !east of hich might ha"e destroyed the mightiest giant in the or!d# But sti!! they rose against each other& a!though their hauberks no ere a!! unnai!ed& and they smiting at each otherBs naked bodies ith their shar% s ords# At the !ast& 7ir Ba!an& the younger brother& ithdre a !itt!e s%ace and !aid him do n# Then said 7ir Ba!in !e 7a"age& GDhat knight art thouQ for ne"er before ha"e 9 found a knight to match me thus#K GAy name&K said he& a!! faint!y& Gis Ba!an& brother to the good knight 7ir Ba!in#K GAh& GodRK cried Ba!in& Gthat e"er 9 shou!d see this dayRK and there ith fe!! do n back ards in a s oon# Then 7ir Ba!an cre%t ith %ain u%on his feet and hands& and %ut his brotherBs he!met off his head& but cou!d not kno him by his face& it as so he ed and b!oody# But %resent!y& hen 7ir Ba!in came to& he said& GOhR Ba!an& mine o n brother& thou hast s!ain me& and 9 theeR A!! the ide or!d sa ne"er greater griefRK GA!asRK said 7ir Ba!an& Gthat 9 e"er sa this dayO and through misha% a!one 9 kne thee not& for hen 9 sa thy t o s ords& if it had not been for thy strange shie!d& 9 shou!d ha"e kno n thee for my brother#K GA!asRK said Ba!in& Ga!! this sorro !ieth at the door of one unha%%y knight ithin the cast!e& ho made me change my shie!d# 9f 9 might !i"e& 9 ou!d destroy that cast!e and its e"i! customs#K G9t ere e!! done&K said Ba!an& Gfor since 9 first came hither 9 ha"e ne"er been ab!e to de%art& for here they made me fight ith

one ho ke%t this is!and& hom 9 s!e & and by enchantment 9 might ne"er @uit it moreO nor cou!dst thou& brother& hadst thou s!ain me& and esca%ed ith thine o n !ife#K Anon came the !ady of the cast!e& and hen she heard their ta!k& and sa their e"i! case& she rung her hands and e%t bitter!y# 7o 7ir Ba!an %rayed the !ady of her gent!eness that& for his true ser"ice& she ou!d bury them both together in that %!ace# This she granted& ee%ing fu!! sore& and said it shou!d be done right so!emn!y and rich!y& and in the nob!est manner %ossib!e# Then did they send for a %riest& and recei"ed the ho!y sacrament at his hands# And Ba!in said& GDrite o"er us u%on our tomb& that here t o brethren s!e each otherO then sha!! ne"er good knight or %i!grim %ass this ay but he i!! %ray for both our sou!s#K And anon 7ir Ba!an died& but 7ir Ba!in died not ti!! the midnight afterO and then they both ere buried# On the morro of their death came Aer!in& and took 7ir Ba!inBs s ord and fiCed on it a ne %omme!& and set it in a mighty stone& hich then& by magic& he made f!oat u%on the ater# And so& for many years& it f!oated to and fro around the is!and& ti!! it s am do n the ri"er to :ame!ot& here young 7ir Ga!ahad achie"ed it& as sha!! be to!d hereafter#

)HA*T$R ,I
The Marriage of King Arthur and 'ueen .uinevere, and the )ounding of the (ound Table ! The Adventure of the *art and *ound

t befe!! u%on a certain day& that King Arthur said to Aer!in& GAy !ords and knights do dai!y %ray me no to take a ifeO but 9 i!! ha"e none ithout thy counse!& for thou hast e"er he!%ed me since 9 came first to this cro n#K G9t is e!!&K said Aer!in& Gthat thou shou!dst take a ife& for no man of bounteous and nob!e nature shou!d !i"e ithout oneO but is there any !ady hom thou !o"est better than anotherQK

G$ea&K said King Arthur& G9 !o"e Guine"ere& the daughter of King Leodegrance& of :ame!gard& ho a!so ho!deth in his house the )ound Tab!e that he had from my father ;therO and as 9 think& that damse! is the gent!est and the fairest !ady !i"ing#K G7ir&K ans ered Aer!in& Gas for her beauty& she is one of the fairest that do !i"eO but if ye had not !o"ed her as ye do& 9 ou!d fain ha"e had ye choose some other ho as both fair and good# But here a manBs heart is set& he i!! be !oath to !ea"e#K This Aer!in said& kno ing the misery that shou!d hereafter ha%%en from this marriage# Then King Arthur sent ord to King Leodegrance that he mighti!y desired to ed his daughter& and ho that he had !o"ed her since he sa her first& hen ith Kings Ban and Bors he rescued Leodegrance from King )yence of <orth Da!es# Dhen King Leodegrance heard the message& he cried out GThese be the best tidings 9 ha"e heard in a!! my !ife?so great and orshi%fu! a %rince to seek my daughter for his ifeR 9 ou!d fain gi"e him ha!f my !ands ith her straight ay& but that he needeth none?and better i!! it %!ease him that 9 send him the )ound Tab!e of King ;ther& his father& ith a hundred good knights to ards the furnishing of it ith guests& for he i!! soon find means to gather more& and make the tab!e fu!!#K Then King Leodegrance de!i"ered his daughter Guine"ere to the messengers of King Arthur& and a!so the )ound Tab!e ith the hundred knights# 7o they rode roya!!y and fresh!y& sometimes by ater and sometimes by !and& to ards :ame!ot# And as they rode a!ong in the s%ring eather& they made fu!! many s%orts and %astimes# And& in a!! those s%orts and games& a young knight !ate!y come to ArthurBs court& 7ir Lance!ot by name& as %assing strong& and on %raise from a!!& being fu!! of grace and hardihoodO and Guine"ere a!so e"er !ooked on him ith joy# And a! ays in the e"entide& hen the tents ere set beside some stream or forest& many minstre!s came and sang before the knights and !adies as they sat in the tent'doors& and many knights ou!d te!! ad"enturesO and sti!! 7ir Lance!ot as foremost& and to!d the knight!iest ta!es& and sang the good!iest songs& of a!! the com%any# And hen they came to :ame!ot& King Arthur made great joy& and a!! the city ith himO and riding forth ith a great retinue he met Guine"ere and her com%any& and !ed her through the streets a!! fi!!ed ith %eo%!e& and in the midst of a!! their shoutings and the ringing of church be!!s& to a %a!ace hard by his o n# Then& in a!! haste& the king commanded to %re%are the marriage and the coronation ith the state!iest and most honourab!e %om% that cou!d be made# And hen the day as come& the archbisho%s !ed the king to the cathedra!& hereto he a!ked& c!ad in his roya! robes& and ha"ing four kings& bearing four go!den s ords& before himO a choir of %assing s eet music going a!so ith him#

9n another %art& as the @ueen dressed in her richest ornaments& and !ed by archbisho%s and bisho%s to the :ha%e! of the Nirgins& the four @ueens a!so of the four kings !ast mentioned a!ked before her& bearing four hite do"es& according to ancient customO and after her there fo!!o ed many damse!s& singing and making e"ery sign of joy# And hen the t o %rocessions ere come to the churches& so ondrous as the music and the singing& that a!! the knights and barons ho ere there %ressed on each other& as in the cro d of batt!e& to hear and see the most they might# Dhen the king as cro ned& he ca!!ed together a!! the knights that came ith the )ound Tab!e from :ame!gard& and t enty' eight others& great and "a!iant men& chosen by Aer!in out of a!! the rea!m& to ards making u% the fu!! number of the tab!e# Then the Archbisho% of :anterbury b!essed the seats of a!! the knights& and hen they rose again therefrom to %ay their homage to King Arthur there as found u%on the back of each knightBs seat his name& ritten in !etters of go!d# But u%on one seat as found ritten& GThis is the 7iege Peri!ous& herein if any man sha!! sit sa"e him hom Hea"en hath chosen& he sha!! be de"oured by fire#K Anon came young Ga ain& the kingBs ne%he & %raying to be made a knight& hom the king knighted then and there# 7oon after came a %oor man& !eading ith him a ta!! fair !ad of eighteen years of age& riding on a !ean mare# And fa!!ing at the kingBs feet& the %oor man said& GLord& it as to!d me& that at this time of thy marriage thou ou!dst gi"e to any man the gift he asked for& so it ere not unreasonab!e#K GThat is the truth&K re%!ied King Arthur& Gand 9 i!! make it good#K GThou sayest gracious!y and nob!y&K said the %oor man# GLord& 9 ask nothing e!se but that thou i!t make my son here a knight#K G9t is a great thing that thou askest&K said the king# GDhat is thy nameQK GAries& the co herd&K ans ered he# G:ometh this %rayer from thee or from thy sonQK in@uired King Arthur# G<ay& !ord& not from myse!f&K said he& Gbut from him on!y& for 9 ha"e thirteen other sons& and a!! of them i!! fa!! to any !abour that 9 %ut them to# But this one i!! do no such ork for anything that 9 or my ife may do& but is for e"er shooting or fighting& and running to see knights and joustings& and torments me both night and day that he be made a knight#K GDhat is thy nameQK said the king to the young man# GAy name is Tor&K said he# Then the king& !ooking at him steadfast!y& as e!! %!eased ith his face and figure& and ith his !ook of nob!eness and strength# G8etch a!! thy other sons before me&K said the king to Aries# But hen he brought them& none of them resemb!ed Tor in siMe or sha%e or feature#

Then the king knighted Tor& saying& GBe thou to thy !ifeBs end a good knight and a true& as 9 %ray God thou mayest beO and if thou %ro"est orthy& and of %ro ess& one day thou sha!! be counted in the )ound Tab!e#K Then turning to Aer!in& Arthur said& GPro%hesy no & O Aer!in& sha!! 7ir Tor become a orthy knight& or notQK G$ea& !ord&K said Aer!in& Gso he ought to be& for he is the son of that King Pe!!inore hom thou hast met& and %ro"ed to be one of the best knights !i"ing# He is no co herdBs son#K Present!y after came in King Pe!!inore& and hen he sa 7ir Tor he kne him for his son& and as more %!eased than ords can te!! to find him knighted by the king# And Pe!!inore did homage to King Arthur& and as g!ad!y and gracious!y acce%ted of the kingO and then as !ed by Aer!in to a high seat at the Tab!e )ound& near to the Peri!ous 7eat# But 7ir Ga ain as fu!! of anger at the honour done King Pe!!inore& and said to his brother Gaheris& GHe s!e our father& King Lot& therefore i!! 9 s!ay him#K G*o it not yet&K said heO G ait ti!! 9 a!so be a knight& then i!! 9 he!% ye in it( it is best ye suffer him to go at this time& and not troub!e this high feast ith b!oodshed#K GAs ye i!!& be it&K said 7ir Ga ain# Then rose the king and s%ake to a!! the Tab!e )ound& and charged them to be e"er true and nob!e knights& to do neither outrage nor murder& nor any unjust "io!ence& and a! ays to f!ee treasonO a!so by no means e"er to be crue!& but gi"e mercy unto him that asked for mercy& u%on %ain of forfeiting the !iberty of his court for e"ermore# Aoreo"er& at a!! times& on %ain of death& to gi"e a!! succour unto !adies and young damse!sO and !ast!y& ne"er to take %art in any rongfu! @uarre!& for re ard or %ayment# And to a!! this he s ore them knight by knight# Then he ordained that& e"ery year at Pentecost& they shou!d a!! come before him& heresoe"er he might a%%oint a %!ace& and gi"e account of a!! their doings and ad"entures of the %ast t e!"emonth# And so& ith %rayer and b!essing& and high ords of cheer& he instituted the most nob!e order of the )ound Tab!e& hereto the best and bra"est knights in a!! the or!d sought after ards to find admission# Then as the high feast made ready& and the king and @ueen sat side by side& before the ho!e assemb!yO and great and roya! as the ban@uet and the %om%# And as they sat& each man in his %!ace& Aer!in ent round and said& G7it sti!! a hi!e& for ye sha!! see a strange and mar"e!!ous ad"enture#K 7o as they sat& there sudden!y came running through the ha!!& a hite hart& ith a hite hound neCt after him& and thirty cou%!e of b!ack running hounds& making fu!! cryO and the hart made circuit of the Tab!e )ound& and %ast the other tab!esO and sudden!y the hite hound f!e u%on him and bit him fierce!y& and tore out a %iece from his haunch# Dhereat the hart s%rang sudden!y ith a great !ea%& and o"erthre a knight sitting at the tab!e& ho rose

forth ith& and& taking u% the hound& mounted& and rode fast a ay# But no sooner had he !eft& than there came in a !ady& mounted on a hite %a!frey& ho cried out to the king& GLord& suffer me not to ha"e this injuryR?the hound is mine hich that knight taketh#K And as she s%ake& a knight rode in a!! armed& on a great horse& and sudden!y took u% the !ady and rode a ay ith her by force& a!though she great!y cried and moaned# Then the king desired 7ir Ga ain& 7ir Tor& and King Pe!!inore to mount and fo!!o this ad"enture to the uttermostO and to!d 7ir Ga ain to bring back the hart& 7ir Tor the hound and knight& and King Pe!!inore the knight and the !ady# 7o 7ir Ga ain rode forth at a s ift %ace& and ith him Gaheris& his brother& for a s@uire# And as they ent& they sa t o knights fighting on horseback& and hen they reached them they di"ided them and asked the reason of their @uarre!# GDe fight for a foo!ish matter&K one re%!ied& Gfor e be brethrenO but there came by a hite hart this ay& chased by many hounds& and thinking it as an ad"enture for the high feast of King Arthur& 9 ou!d ha"e fo!!o ed it to ha"e gained orshi%O hereat my younger brother here dec!ared he as the better knight and ou!d go after it instead& and so e fight to %ro"e hich of us be the better knight#K GThis is a foo!ish thing&K said 7ir Ga ain# G8ight ith a!! strangers& if ye i!!& but not brother ith brother# Take my ad"ice& set on against me& and if ye yie!d to me& as 9 sha!! do my best to make ye& ye sha!! go to King Arthur and yie!d ye to his grace#K G7ir knight&K re%!ied the brothers& G e are eary& and i!! do thy ish ithout encountering theeO but by hom sha!! e te!! the king that e ere sentQK GBy the knight that fo!!o eth the @uest of the hite hart&K said 7ir Ga ain# GAnd no te!! me your names& and !et us %art#K G7or!ous and Brian of the 8orest&K they re%!iedO and so they ent their ay to the kingBs court# Then 7ir Ga ain& sti!! fo!!o ing his @uest by the distant baying of the hounds& came to a great ri"er& and sa the hart s imming o"er and near to the further bank# And as he as about to %!unge in and s im after& he sa a knight u%on the other side& ho cried& G:ome not o"er here& 7ir knight& after that hart& sa"e thou i!t joust ith me#K G9 i!! not fai! for that&K said 7ir Ga ainO and s am his horse across the stream# Anon they got their s%ears& and ran against each other fierce!yO and 7ir Ga ain smote the stranger off his horse& and turning& bade him yie!d# G<ay&K re%!ied he& Gnot soO for though ye ha"e the better of me on horseback& 9 %ray thee& "a!iant knight& a!ight& and !et us match together ith our s ords on foot#K GDhat is thy nameQK @uoth Ga ain# GA!!ardin of the 9s!es&K re%!ied the stranger#

Then they fe!! on each otherO but soon 7ir Ga ain struck him through the he!m& so dee%!y and so hard& that a!! his brains ere scattered& and 7ir A!!ardin fe!! dead# GAh&K said Gaheris& Gthat as a mighty stroke for a young knightRK Then did they turn again to fo!!o the hite hart& and !et s!i% three cou%!e of greyhounds after himO and at the !ast they chased him to a cast!e& and there they o"ertook and s!e him& in the chief courtyard# At that there rushed a knight forth from a chamber& ith a dra n s ord in his hand& and s!e t o of the hounds before their eyes& and chased the others from the cast!e& crying& GOh& my hite hartR a!as& that thou art deadR for thee my so"ereign !ady ga"e to me& and e"i! ha"e 9 ke%t theeO but if 9 !i"e& thy death sha!! be dear bought#K Anon he ent ithin and armed& and came out fierce!y& and met 7ir Ga ain face to face# GDhy ha"e ye s!ain my houndsQK said 7ir Ga ainO Gthey did but after their nature( and ye had better ha"e taken "engeance on me than on the %oor dumb beasts#K G9 i!! a"enge me on thee& a!so&K said the other& Gere thou de%art this %!ace#K Then did they fight ith each other sa"age!y and mad!y& ti!! the b!ood ran do n to their feet# But at !ast 7ir Ga ain had the better& and fe!!ed the knight of the cast!e to the ground# Then he cried out for mercy& and yie!ded to 7ir Ga ain& and besought him as he as a knight and gent!eman to sa"e his !ife# GThou sha!t die&K said 7ir Ga ain& Gfor s!aying my hounds#K G9 i!! make thee a!! amends ithin my %o er&K re%!ied the knight# But 7ir Ga ain ou!d ha"e no mercy& and un!aced his he!m to strike his head offO and so b!ind as he ith rage& that he sa not here a !ady ran out from her chamber and fe!! do n u%on his enemy# And making a fierce b!o at him& he smote off by mischance the !adyBs head# GA!asRK cried Gaheris& Gfou!!y and shamefu!!y ha"e ye done?the shame sha!! ne"er !ea"e yeR Dhy gi"e ye not your mercy unto them that ask itQ a knight ithout mercy is ithout orshi% a!so#K Then 7ir Ga ain as sore amaMed at that fair !adyBs death& and kne not hat to do& and said to the fa!!en knight& GArise& for 9 i!! gi"e thee mercy#K G<ay& nay&K said he& G9 care not for thy mercy no & for thou hast s!ain my !ady and my !o"e?that of a!! earth!y things 9 !o"ed the best#K G9 re%ent me sore!y of it&K said 7ir Ga ain& Gfor 9 meant to ha"e struck thee( but no sha!t thou go to King Arthur and te!! him this ad"enture& and ho thou hast been o"ercome by the knight that fo!!o eth the @uest of the hite hart#K G9 care not hether 9 !i"e or die& or here 9 go&K re%!ied the knight# 7o 7ir Ga ain sent him to the court to :ame!ot& making him bear one dead greyhound before and one behind him on his horse# GTe!! me thy name before e %art&K said he# GAy name is Athmore of the Aarsh&K he ans ered#

Then ent 7ir Ga ain into the cast!e& and %re%ared to s!ee% there and began to unarmO but Gaheris u%braided him& saying& GDi!! ye disarm in this strange countryQ bethink ye& ye must needs ha"e many enemies about#K <o sooner had he s%oken than there came out sudden!y four knights& e!! armed& and assai!ed them hard& saying to 7ir Ga ain& GThou ne 'made knight& ho hast thou shamed thy knighthoodR a knight ithout mercy is dishonouredR 7!ayer of fair !adies& shame to thee e"ermoreR *oubt not thou sha!t thyse!f ha"e need of mercy ere e !ea"e thee#K Then ere the brothers in great jeo%ardy& and feared for their !i"es& for they ere but t o to four& and eary ith tra"e!!ingO and one of the four knights shot 7ir Ga ain ith a bo!t& and hit him through the arm& so that he cou!d fight no more# But hen there as nothing !eft for them but death& there came four !adies forth and %rayed the four knightsB mercy for the strangers# 7o they ga"e 7ir Ga ain and Gaheris their !i"es& and made them yie!d themse!"es %risoners# On the morro & came one of the !adies to 7ir Ga ain& and ta!ked ith him& saying& G7ir knight& hat cheerQK G<ot good&K said he# G9t is your o n defau!t& sir&K said the !ady& Gfor ye ha"e done a %assing fou! deed in s!aying that fair damse! yesterday?and e"er sha!! it be great shame to you# But ye be not of King ArthurBs kin#K G$ea& tru!y am 9&K said heO Gmy name is Ga ain& son of King Lot of Orkney& hom King Pe!!inore s!e ?and my mother& Be!isent& is ha!f'sister to the king#K Dhen the !ady heard that& she ent and %resent!y got !ea"e for him to @uit the cast!eO and they ga"e him the head of the hite hart to take ith him& because it as in his @uestO but made him a!so carry the dead !ady ith him?her head hung round his neck and her body !ay before him on his horseBs neck# 7o in that fashion he rode back to :ame!otO and hen the king and @ueen sa him& and heard te!! of his ad"entures& they ere hea"i!y dis%!eased& and& by the order of the @ueen& he as %ut u%on his tria! before a court of !adies? ho judged him to be e"ermore& for a!! his !ife& the knight of !adiesB @uarre!s& and to fight a! ays on their side& and ne"er against any& eCce%t he fought for one !ady and his ad"ersary for anotherO a!so they charged him ne"er to refuse mercy to him that asked it& and s ore him to it on the Ho!y Gos%e!s# Thus ended the ad"enture of the hite hart# Aean hi!e& 7ir Tor had made him ready& and fo!!o ed the knight ho rode a ay ith the hound# And as he ent& there sudden!y met him in the road a d arf& ho struck his horse so "icious!y u%on the head ith a great staff& that he !ea%ed back ards a s%earBs !ength# GDherefore so smitest thou my horse& fou! d arfQK shouted 7ir Tor#

GBecause thou sha!! not %ass this ay&K re%!ied the d arf& Gun!ess thou fight for it ith yonder knights in those %a"i!ions&K %ointing to t o tents& here t o great s%ears stood out& and t o shie!ds hung u%on t o trees hard by# G9 may not tarry& for 9 am on a @uest 9 needs must fo!!o &K said 7ir Tor# GThou sha!t not %ass&K re%!ied the d arf& and there ith b!e his horn# Then rode out @uick!y at 7ir Tor one armed on horseback& but 7ir Tor as @uick as he& and riding at him bore him from his horse& and made him yie!d# *irect!y after came another sti!! more fierce!y& but ith a fe great strokes and buffets 7ir Tor unhorsed him a!so& and sent them both to :ame!ot to King Arthur# Then came the d arf and begged 7ir Tor to take him in his ser"ice& Gfor&K said he& G9 i!! ser"e no more recreant knights#K GTake then a horse& and come ith me&K said Tor# G)ide ye after the knight ith the hite houndQK said the d arfO G9 can soon bring ye here he is#K 7o they rode through the forest ti!! they came to t o more tents# And 7ir Tor a!ighting& ent into the first& and sa three damse!s !ie there& s!ee%ing# Then ent he to the other& and found another !ady a!so s!ee%ing& and at her feet the hite hound he sought for& hich instant!y began to bay and bark so !oud!y& that the !ady oke# But 7ir Tor had seiMed the hound and gi"en it to the d arfs charge# GDhat i!! ye do& 7ir knightQK cried out the !adyO G i!! ye take a ay my hound from me by forceQK G$ea& !ady&K said 7ir TorO Gfor so 9 must& ha"ing the kingBs commandO and 9 ha"e fo!!o ed it from King ArthurBs court& at :ame!ot& to this %!ace#K GDe!!K said the !ady& Gye i!! not go far before ye be i!! hand!ed& and i!! re%ent ye of the @uest#K G9 sha!! cheerfu!!y abide hatsoe"er ad"enture cometh& by the grace of God&K said 7ir TorO and so mounted his horse and began to ride back on his ay# But night coming on& he turned aside to a hermitage that as in the forest& and there abode ti!! the neCt day& making but sorro fu! cheer of such %oor food as the hermit had to gi"e him& and hearing a Aass de"out!y before he !eft on the morro # And in the ear!y morning& as he rode forth ith the d arf to ards :ame!ot& he heard a knight ca!! !oud!y after him& GTurn& turnR Abide& 7ir knight& and yie!d me u% the hound thou tookest from my !ady#K At hich he turned& and sa a great and strong knight& armed fu!! s%!endid!y& riding do n u%on him fierce!y through a g!ade of the forest# <o 7ir Tor as "ery i!! %ro"ided& for he had but an o!d courser& hich as as eak as himse!f& because of the hermitBs scanty fare# He aited& ne"erthe!ess& for the strange knight to come& and at the first onset ith their s%ears& each unhorsed the other& and then fe!! to ith their s ords !ike t o mad !ions# Then did they smite through one anotherBs shie!ds and he!mets ti!! the

fragments f!e on a!! sides& and their b!ood ran out in streamsO but yet they car"ed and ro"e through the thick armour of the hauberks& and ga"e each other great and ghast!y ounds# But in the end& 7ir Tor& finding the strange knight faint& doub!ed his strokes unti! he beat him to the earth# Then did he bid him yie!d to his mercy# GThat i!! 9 not&K re%!ied Abe!!ius& G hi!e my !ife !asteth and my sou! is in my body& un!ess thou gi"e me first the hound#K G9 cannot&K said 7ir Tor& Gand i!! not& for it as my @uest to bring again that hound and thee unto King Arthur& or other ise to s!ay thee#K Dith that there came a damse! riding on a %a!frey& as fast as she cou!d dri"e& and cried out to 7ir Tor ith a !oud "oice& G9 %ray thee& for King ArthurBs !o"e& gi"e me a gift#K GAsk&K said 7ir Tor& Gand 9 i!! gi"e thee#K GGrammercy&K said the !ady& G9 ask the head of this fa!se knight Abe!!ius& the most outrageous murderer that !i"eth#K G9 re%ent me of the gift 9 %romised&K said 7ir Tor# GLet him make thee amends for a!! his tres%asses against thee#K GHe cannot make amends&K re%!ied the damse!& Gfor he hath s!ain my brother& a far better knight than he& and scorned to gi"e him mercy& though 9 knee!ed for ha!f an hour before him in the mire& to beg it& and though it as but by a chance they fought& and for no former injury or @uarre!# 9 re@uire my gift of thee as a true knight& or e!se i!! 9 shame thee in King ArthurBs courtO for this Abe!!ius is the fa!sest knight a!i"e& and a murderer of many#K Dhen Abe!!ius heard this& he tremb!ed great!y& and as sore afraid& and yie!ded to 7ir Tor& and %rayed his mercy# G9 cannot no & 7ir knight&K said he& G!est 9 be fa!se to my %romise# $e ou!d not take my mercy hen 9 offered itO and no it is too !ate#K There ith he un!aced his he!met& and took it offO but Abe!!ius& in disma! fear& strugg!ed to his feet& and f!ed& unti! 7ir Tor o"ertook him& and smote off his head entire!y ith one b!o # G<o & sir&K said the damse!& Git is near night& 9 %ray ye come and !odge at my cast!e hard by#K G9 i!!& ith a good i!!&K said he& for both his horse and he had fared but %oor!y since they !eft :ame!ot# 7o he ent to the !adyBs cast!e and fared sum%tuous!y& and sa her husband& an o!d knight& ho great!y thanked him for his ser"ice& and urged him oftentimes to come again# On the morro he de%arted& and reached :ame!ot by noon& here the king and @ueen rejoiced to see him& and the king made him Ear!O and Aer!in %ro%hesied that these ad"entures ere but !itt!e to the things he shou!d achie"e hereafter# <o hi!e 7ir Ga ain and 7ir Tor had fu!fi!!ed their @uests& King Pe!!inore %ursued the !ady hom the knight had seiMed a ay from the edding'feast# And as he rode through the oods& he sa in a "a!!ey a fair young damse! sitting by a e!!'side& and a ounded

knight !ying in her arms& and King Pe!!inore sa!uted her as he %assed by# As soon as she %ercei"ed him she cried out& GHe!%& he!% me& knight& for our LordBs sakeRK But Pe!!inore as far too eager in his @uest to stay or turn& a!though she cried a hundred times to him for he!%O at hich she %rayed to hea"en he might ha"e such sore need before he died as she had no # And %resent!y thereafter her knight died in her armsO and she& for grief and !o"e s!e herse!f ith his s ord# But King Pe!!inore rode on ti!! he met a %oor man and asked him had he seen a knight %ass by that ay !eading by force a !ady ith him# G$ea& sure!y&K said the man& Gand great!y did she moan and cryO but e"en no another knight is fighting ith him to de!i"er the !adyO ride on and thou sha!t find them fighting sti!!#K At that King Pe!!inore rode s ift!y on& and came to here he sa the t o knights fighting& hard by here t o %a"i!ions stood# And hen he !ooked in one of them he sa the !ady that as his @uest& and ith her the t o s@uires of the t o knights ho fought# G8air !ady&K said he& Gye must come ith me unto ArthurBs court#K G7ir knight&K said the t o s@uires& Gyonder be t o knights fighting for this !adyO go %art them& and get their consent to take her& ere thou touch her#K G$e say e!!&K said King Pe!!inore& and rode bet een the combatants& and asked them hy they fought# G7ir knight&K said the one& Gyon !ady is my cousin& mine auntBs daughter& hom 9 met borne a ay against her i!!& by this knight here& ith hom 9 therefore fight to free her#K G7ir knight&K re%!ied the other& hose name as HantM!ake of Dent!and& Gthis !ady got 9& by my arms and %ro ess& at King ArthurBs court to'day#K GThat is fa!se&K said King Pe!!inoreO Gye sto!e the !ady sudden!y& and f!ed a ay ith her& before any knight cou!d arm to stay thee# But it is my ser"ice to take her back again# <either of ye sha!! therefore ha"e herO but if ye i!! fight for her& fight ith me no and here#K GDe!!&K said the knights& Gmake ready& and e i!! assai! thee ith a!! our might#K Then 7ir HantM!ake ran King Pe!!inoreBs horse through ith his s ord& so that they might be a!! a!ike on foot# But King Pe!!inore at that as %assing roth& and ran u%on 7ir HantM!ake& ith a cry& GKee% e!! thy headRK and ga"e him such a stroke u%on the he!m as c!o"e him to the chin& so that he fe!! dead to the ground# Dhen he sa that& the other knight refused to fight& and knee!ing do n said& GTake my cousin the !ady ith thee& as thy @uest isO but as thou art a true knight& suffer her to come to neither shame nor harm#K 7o the neCt day King Pe!!inore de%arted for :ame!ot& and took the !ady ith himO and as they rode in a "a!!ey fu!! of rough stones&

the damse!Bs horse stumb!ed and thre her& so that her arms ere sore!y bruised and hurt# And as they rested in the forest for the %ain to !essen& night came on& and there they ere com%e!!ed to make their !odging# A !itt!e before midnight they heard the trotting of a horse# GBe ye sti!!&K said King Pe!!inore& Gfor no e may hear of some ad"enture&K and there ith he armed him# Then he heard t o knights meet and sa!ute each other& in the darkO one riding from :ame!ot& the other from the north# GDhat tidings at :ame!otQK said one# GBy my head&K said the other& G9 ha"e but just !eft there& and ha"e es%ied King ArthurBs court& and such a fe!!o shi% is there as ne"er may be broke or o"ercomeO for e!!nigh a!! the chi"a!ry of the or!d is there& and a!! fu!! !oya! to the king& and no 9 ride back home ards to the north to te!! our chiefs& that they aste not their strength in ars against him#K GAs for a!! that&K re%!ied the other knight& G9 am but no from the north& and bear ith me a remedy& the dead!iest %oison that e"er as heard te!! of& and to :ame!ot i!! 9 ith itO for there e ha"e a friend c!ose to the king& and great!y cherished of him& ho hath recei"ed gifts from us to %oison him& as he hath %romised soon to do#K GBe are&K said the first knight& Gof Aer!in& for he kno eth a!! things& by the de"i!Bs craft#K G9 i!! not fear for that&K re%!ied the other& and so rode on his ay# Anon King Pe!!inore and the !ady %assed on againO and hen they came to the e!! at hich the !ady ith the ounded knight had sat& they found both knight and *amse! utter!y de"oured by !ions and i!d beasts& a!! sa"e the !adyBs head# Dhen King Pe!!inore sa that& he e%t bitter!y& saying& GA!asR 9 might ha"e sa"ed her !ife had 9 but tarried a fe moments in my @uest#K GDherefore make so much sorro no QK said the !ady# G9 kno not&K ans ered he& Gbut my heart grie"eth great!y for this %oor !adyBs death& so fair she as and young#K Then he re@uired a hermit to bury the remains of the bodies& and bare the !adyBs head ith him to :ame!ot& to the court# Dhen he as arri"ed& he as s orn to te!! the truth of his @uest before the King and Lueen& and hen he had entered the Lueen some hat u%braided him& saying& G$e ere much to b!ame that ye sa"ed not that !adyBs !ife#K GAadam&K said he& G9 sha!! re%ent it a!! my !ife#K GAy& king&K @uoth Aer!in& ho sudden!y came in& Gand so ye ought to do& for that !ady as your daughter& not seen since infancy by thee# And she as on her ay to court& ith a right good young knight& ho ou!d ha"e been her husband& but as s!ain by treachery of a fe!on knight& Lorraine !e 7a"age& as they cameO and because thou ou!dst not abide and he!% her& thy best friend sha!! fai! thee in thine hour of greatest need& for such is the %enance ordained thee for that deed#K

Then did King Pe!!inore te!! Aer!in secret!y of the treason he had heard in the forest& and Aer!in by his craft so ordered that the knight ho bare the %oison as himse!f soon after s!ain by it& and so King ArthurBs !ife as sa"ed#

)HA*T$R ,II
King Arthur and Sir Accolon of .aul

eing no ha%%i!y married& King Arthur for a season took his %!easure& ith great tournaments& and jousts& and huntings# 7o once u%on a time the king and many of his knights rode hunting in a forest& and Arthur& King ;rience& and 7ir Acco!on of Gau!& fo!!o ed after a great hart& and being a!! three e!! mounted& they chased so fast that they outs%ed their com%any& and !eft them many mi!es behindO but riding sti!! as ra%id!y as they cou!d go& at !ength their horses fe!! dead under them# Then being a!! three on foot& and seeing the stag not far before them& "ery eary and nigh s%ent?GDhat sha!! e do&K said King Arthur& Gfor e are hard bestedQK GLet us go on afoot&K said King ;rience& Gti!! e can find some !odging#K At that they sa the stag !ying u%on the bank of a great !ake& ith a hound s%ringing at his throat& and many other hounds troo%ing to ards him# 7o& running for ard& Arthur b!e the death'note on his horn& and s!e the hart# Then !ifting u% his eyes he sa before him on the !ake a barge& a!! dra%ed do n to the aterBs edge& ith si!ken fo!ds and curtains& hich s ift!y came to ards him& and touched u%on the sandsO but hen he ent u% c!ose and !ooked in& he sa no earth!y creature# Then he cried out to his com%anions& G7irs& come ye hither& and !et us see hat there is in this shi%#K 7o they a!! three ent in& and found it e"ery here throughout furnished& and hung ith rich dra%eries of si!k and go!d#

By this time e"entide had come& hen sudden!y a hundred torches ere set u% on a!! sides of the barge& and ga"e a daMM!ing !ight& and at the same time came forth t e!"e fair damse!s& and sa!uted King Arthur by his name& knee!ing on their knees& and te!!ing him that he as e!come& and shou!d ha"e their nob!est cheer& for hich the king thanked them courteous!y# Then did they !ead him and his fe!!o s to a s%!endid chamber& here as a tab!e s%read ith a!! the richest furniture& and cost!iest ines and "iandsO and there they ser"ed them ith a!! kinds of ines and

meats& ti!! Arthur ondered at the s%!endour of the feast& dec!aring he had ne"er in his !ife su%%ed better& or more roya!!y# After su%%er they !ed him to another chamber& than hich he had ne"er behe!d a richer& here he as !eft to rest# King ;rience& a!so& and 7ir Acco!on ere each conducted into rooms of !ike magnificence# And so they a!! three fe!! as!ee%& and being "ery eary s!e%t dee%!y a!! that night# But hen the morning broke& King ;rience found himse!f in his o n house in :ame!ot& he kne not ho O and Arthur a aking found himse!f in a dark dungeon& and heard around him nothing but the groans of ofu! knights& %risoners !ike himse!f# Then said King Arthur& GDho are ye& thus groaning and com%!ainingQK And some one ans ered him& GA!as& e be a!! %risoners& e"en t enty good knights& and some of us ha"e !ain here se"en years?some more?nor seen the !ight of day for a!! that time#K G8or hat causeQK said King Arthur# GKno ye not then yourse!fQK they ans ered?G e i!! soon te!! you# The !ord of this strong cast!e is 7ir *amas& and is the fa!sest and most traitorous knight that !i"ethO and he hath a younger brother& a good and nob!e knight& hose name is OutM!ake# This traitor *amas& a!though %assing rich& i!! gi"e his brother nothing of his ea!th& and sa"e hat OutM!ake kee%eth to himse!f by force& he hath no share of the inheritance# He o neth& ne"erthe!ess& one fair rich manor& hereu%on he !i"eth& !o"ed of a!! men far and near# But *amas is as a!together hated as his brother is be!o"ed& for he is merci!ess and co ard!y( and no for many years there hath been ar bet een these brothers& and 7ir OutM!ake e"ermore defieth *amas to come forth and fight ith him& body to body& for the inheritanceO and if he be too co ard!y& to find some cham%ion knight that i!! fight for him# And *amas hath agreed to find some cham%ion& but ne"er yet hath found a knight to take his e"i! cause in hand& or ager batt!e for him# 7o ith a strong band of men'at'arms he !ieth e"er in ambush& and taketh ca%ti"e e"ery %assing knight ho may un ari!y go near& and bringeth him into this cast!e& and desireth him either to fight 7ir OutM!ake& or to !ie for e"ermore in durance# And thus hath he dea!t ith a!! of us& for e a!! scorned to take u% such a cause for such a fa!se fou! knight ?but rather one by one came here& here many a good knight hath died of hunger and disease# But if one of us ou!d fight& 7ir *amas ou!d de!i"er a!! the rest#K GGod of his mercy send you de!i"erance&K said King Arthur& and sat turning in his mind ho a!! these things shou!d end& and ho he might himse!f gain freedom for so many nob!e hearts# Anon there came a damse! to the king& saying& G7ir if thou i!t fight for my !ord thou sha!t be de!i"ered out of %rison& but e!se ne"ermore sha!t thou esca%e ith thy !ife#K G<ay&K said King Arthur& Gthat is but a hard choice& yet had 9 rather fight than die in %rison& and if 9 may de!i"er not myse!f a!one& but a!! these others& 9 i!! do the batt!e#K G$ea&K said the damse!& Git sha!! be e"en so#K GThen&K said King Arthur& G9 am ready no & if but 9 had a horse

and armour#K G8ear not&K said she& Gthat sha!t thou ha"e %resent!y& and sha!t !ack nothing %ro%er for the fight#K GHa"e 9 not seen thee&K said the king& Gat King ArthurBs courtQ for it seemeth that thy face is kno n to me#K G<ay&K said the damse!& G9 as ne"er thereO 9 am 7ir *amasB daughter& and ha"e ne"er been but a dayBs journey from this cast!e#K But she s%oke fa!se!y& for she as one of the damse!s of Aorgan !e 8ay& the great enchantress& ho as King ArthurBs ha!f'sister# Dhen 7ir *amas kne that there had been at !ength a knight found ho ou!d fight for him& he sent for Arthur& and finding him a man so ta!! and strong& and straight of !imb& he as %assing!y e!! %!eased& and made a co"enant ith him& that he shou!d fight unto the uttermost for his cause& and that a!! the other knights shou!d be de!i"ered# And hen they ere s orn to each other on the ho!y gos%e!s& a!! those im%risoned knights ere straight ay !ed forth and de!i"ered& but abode there one and a!! to see the batt!e# 9n the mean hi!e there had ha%%ened to 7ir Acco!on of Gau! a strange ad"entureO for hen he a oke from his dee% s!ee% u%on the si!ken barge& he found himse!f u%on the edge of a dee% e!!& and in instant %eri! of fa!!ing thereinto# Dhereat& !ea%ing u% in great affright& he crossed himse!f and cried a!oud& GAay God %reser"e my !ord King Arthur and King ;rience& for those damse!s in the shi% ha"e betrayed us& and ere doubt!ess de"i!s and no omenO and if 9 may esca%e this misad"enture& 9 i!! certain!y destroy them heresoe"er 9 may find them#K Dith that there came to him a d arf ith a great mouth& and a f!at nose& and sa!uted him& saying that he came from Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay# GAnd she greeteth you e!!&K said he& Gand biddeth you be strong of heart& for to'morro you sha!! do batt!e ith a strange knight& and therefore she hath sent you here ECca!ibur& King ArthurBs s ord& and the scabbard !ike ise# And she desireth you as you do !o"e her to fight this batt!e to the uttermost& and ithout any mercy& as you ha"e %romised her you ou!d fight hen she shou!d re@uire it of youO and she i!! make a rich @ueen for e"er of any damse! that sha!! bring her that knightBs head ith hom you are to fight#K GDe!!&K said 7ir Acco!on& Gte!! you my !ady Lueen Aorgan& that 9 sha!! ho!d to that 9 %romised her& no that 9 ha"e this s ord? and&K said he& G9 su%%ose it as to bring about this batt!e that she made a!! these enchantments by her craft#K G$ou ha"e guessed right!y&K said the d arf& and there itha! he !eft him# Then came a knight and !ady& and siC s@uires& to 7ir Acco!on& and took him to a manor house hard by& and ga"e him nob!e cheerO and the house be!onged to 7ir OutM!ake& the brother of 7ir *amas& for so had Aorgan !e 8ay contri"ed ith her enchantments# <o 7ir OutM!ake himse!f as at that time sore!y ounded and disab!ed& ha"ing been %ierced through both his thighs by a s%ear' thrust# Dhen& therefore& 7ir *amas sent do n messengers to his brother& bidding him make ready by to'morro morning& and be

in the fie!d to fight ith a good knight& for that he had found a cham%ion ready to do batt!e at a!! %oints& 7ir OutM!ake as sore!y annoyed and distressed& for he kne he had sma!! chance of "ictory& hi!e yet he as disab!ed by his oundsO not ithstanding& he determined to take the batt!e in hand& a!though he as so eak that he must needs be !ifted to his sadd!e# But hen 7ir Acco!on of Gau! heard this& he sent a message to 7ir OutM!ake offering to take the batt!e in his stead& hich cheered 7ir OutM!ake mighti!y& ho thanked 7ir Acco!on ith a!! his heart& and joyfu!!y acce%ted him# 7o& on the morro & King Arthur as armed and e!! horsed& and asked 7ir *amas& GDhen sha!! e go to the fie!dQK G7ir&K said 7ir *amas& Gyou sha!! first hear mass#K And hen mass as done& there came a s@uire on a great horse& and asked 7ir *amas if his knight ere ready& Gfor our knight is a!ready in the fie!d#K Then King Arthur mounted on horseback& and there around ere a!! the knights& and barons& and %eo%!e of the countryO and t e!"e of them ere chosen to ait u%on the t o knights ho ere about to fight# And as King Arthur sat on horseback& there came a damse! from Aorgan !e 8ay& and brought to him a s ord& made !ike ECca!ibur& and a scabbard a!so& and said to him& GAorgan !e 8ay sendeth you here your s ord for her great !o"eBs sake#K And the king thanked her& and be!ie"ed it to be as she saidO but she traitorous!y decei"ed him& for both s ord and scabbard ere counterfeit& britt!e& and fa!se& and the true s ord ECca!ibur as in the hands of 7ir Acco!on# Then& at the sound of a trum%et& the cham%ions set themse!"es on o%%osite sides of the fie!d& and gi"ing rein and s%ur to their horses urged them to so great a s%eed that each smiting the other in the midd!e of the shie!d& ro!!ed his o%%onent to the ground& both horse and man# Then starting u% immediate!y& both dre their s ords and rushed s ift!y together# And so they fe!! to eager!y& and ga"e each other many great and mighty strokes# And as they ere thus fighting& the damse! Ni"ien& !ady of the !ake& ho !o"ed King Arthur& came u%on the ground& for she kne by her enchantments ho Aorgan !e 8ay had crafti!y de"ised to ha"e King Arthur s!ain by his o n s ord that day& and therefore came to sa"e his !ife# And Arthur and 7ir Acco!on ere no gro n hot against each other& and s%ared not strength nor fury in their fierce assau!tsO but the kingBs s ord ga"e ay continua!!y before 7ir Acco!onBs& so that at e"ery stroke he as sore ounded& and his b!ood ran from him so fast that it as a mar"e! he cou!d stand# Dhen King Arthur sa the ground so sore be'b!ooded& he bethought him in dismay that there as magic treason orked u%on him& and that his o n true s ord as changed& for it seemed to him that the s ord in 7ir Acco!onBs hand as ECca!ibur& for fearfu!!y it dre his b!ood at e"ery b!o & hi!e hat he he!d himse!f ke%t no shar% edge& nor fe!! ith any force u%on his foe#

G<o & knight& !ook to thyse!f& and kee% thee e!! from me&K cried out 7ir Acco!on# But King Arthur ans ered not& and ga"e him such a buffet on the he!m as made him stagger and nigh fa!! u%on the ground# Then 7ir Acco!on ithdre a !itt!e& and came on ith ECca!ibur on high& and smote King Arthur in return ith such a mighty stroke as a!most fe!!ed himO and both being no in hottest rath& they ga"e each other grie"ous and sa"age b!o s# But Arthur a!! the time as !osing so much b!ood that scarce!y cou!d he kee% u%on his feet yet so fu!! as he of knighthood& that knight!y he endured the %ain& and sti!! sustained himse!f& though no he as so feeb!e that he thought himse!f about to die# 7ir Acco!on& as yet& had !ost no dro% of b!ood& and being "ery bo!d and confident in ECca!ibur& e"en gre more "igorous and hasty in his assau!ts# But a!! men ho behe!d them said they ne"er sa a knight fight ha!f so e!! as did King ArthurO and a!! the %eo%!e ere so grie"ed for him that they besought 7ir *amas and 7ir OutM!ake to make u% their @uarre! and so stay the fightO but they ou!d not# 7o sti!! the batt!e raged& ti!! Arthur dre a !itt!e back for breath and a fe momentsB restO but Acco!on came on after him& fo!!o ing fierce!y and crying !oud& G9t is no time for me to suffer thee to rest&K and there ith set u%on him# Then Arthur& fu!! of scorn and rage& !ifted u% his s ord and struck 7ir Acco!on u%on the he!m so mighti!y that he dro"e him to his kneesO but ith the force of that great stroke his britt!e& treacherous s ord broke short off at the hi!t& and fe!! do n in the grass among the b!ood& !ea"ing the %omme! on!y in his hand# At that& King Arthur thought ithin himse!f that a!! as o"er& and secret!y %re%ared his mind for death& yet ke%t himse!f so knight!y she!tered by his shie!d that he !ost no ground& and made as though he yet had ho%e and cheer# Then said 7ir Acco!on& G7ir knight& thou no art o"ercome and canst endure no !onger& seeing thou art ea%on!ess& and hast !ost a!ready so much b!ood# $et am 9 fu!!y !oth to s!ay theeO yie!d& then& therefore& to me as recreant#K G<ay&K said King Arthur& Gthat may 9 not& for 9 ha"e %romised to do batt!e to the uttermost by the faith of my body hi!e my !ife !astethO and 9 had rather die ith honour than !i"e ith shameO and if it ere %ossib!e for me to die an hundred times& 9 had rather die as often than yie!d me to thee& for though 9 !ack ea%ons& 9 sha!! !ack no orshi%& and it sha!! be to thy shame to s!ay me ea%on!ess#K GAha&K shouted then 7ir Acco!on& Gas for the shame& 9 i!! not s%areO !ook to thyse!f& sir knight& for thou art e"en no but a dead man#K There ith he dro"e at him ith %iti!ess force& and struck him near!y do nO but Arthur e"ermore aCing in "a!our as he aned in b!ood& %ressed on 7ir Acco!on ith his shie!d& and hit at him so fierce!y ith the %omme! in his hand& as hur!ed him three strides back ards# This& therefore& so confused 7ir Acco!on& that rushing u%& a!! diMMy& to de!i"er once again a furious b!o & e"en as he struck& ECca!ibur& by Ni"ienBs magic& fe!! from out his hands u%on the earth# Beho!ding hich& King Arthur !ight!y s%rang to it& and gras%ed it&

and forth ith fe!t it as his o n good s ord& and said to it& GThou hast been from me a!! too !ong& and done me too much damage#K Then s%ying the scabbard hanging by 7ir Acco!onBs side& he s%rang and %u!!ed it from him& and cast it a ay as far as he cou!d thro itO for so !ong as he had orn it& Arthur ne his !ife ou!d ha"e been ke%t secure# GOh& knightRK then said the king& Gthou hast this day rought me much damage by this s ord& but no art thou come to thy death& for 9 sha!! not arrant thee but that thou sha!t suffer& ere e %art& some hat of that thou hast made me suffer#K And there itha! King Arthur f!e at him ith a!! his might& and %u!!ed him to the earth& and then struck off his he!m& and ga"e him on the head a fearfu! buffet& ti!! the b!ood !ea%ed forth# G<o i!! 9 s!ay theeRK cried King ArthurO for his heart as hardened& and his body a!! on fire ith fe"er& ti!! for a moment he forgot his knight!y mercy# G7!ay me thou mayest&K said 7ir Acco!on& Gfor thou art the best knight 9 e"er found& and 9 see e!! that God is ith theeO and 9& as thou hast& ha"e %romised to fight this batt!e to the uttermost& and ne"er to be recreant hi!e 9 !i"eO therefore sha!! 9 ne"er yie!d me ith my mouth& and God must do ith my body hat he i!!#K And as 7ir Acco!on s%oke& King Arthur thought he kne his "oiceO and %arting a!! his b!ood'stained hair from out his eyes& and !eaning do n to ards him& sa & indeed& it as his friend and o n true knight# Then said he?kee%ing his o n "isor do n?G9 %ray thee te!! me of hat country art thou& and hat courtQK G7ir knight&K he ans ered& G9 am of King ArthurBs court& and my name is 7ir Acco!on of Gau!#K Then said the king& GOh& sir knightR 9 %ray thee te!! me ho ga"e thee this s ordQ and from hom thou hadst itQK Then said 7ir Acco!on& GDoe orth this s ord& for by it 9 ha"e gotten my death# This s ord hath been in my kee%ing no for a!most t e!"e months& and yesterday Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay& ife of King ;rience& sent it to me by a d arf& that there ith 9 might in some ay s!ay her brother& King ArthurO for thou must understand that King Arthur is the man she hateth most in a!! the or!d& being fu!! of en"y and jea!ousy because he is of greater orshi% and reno n than any other of her b!ood# 7he !o"eth me a!so as much as she doth hate himO and if she might contri"e to s!ay King Arthur by her craft and magic& then ou!d she straight ay ki!! her husband a!so& and make me the king of a!! this !and& and herse!f my @ueen& to reign ith meO but no &K said he& Ga!! that is o"er& for this day 9 am come to my death#K G9t ou!d ha"e been sore treason of thee to destroy thy !ord&K said Arthur# GThou sayest tru!y&K ans ered heO Gbut no that 9 ha"e to!d thee& and o%en!y confessed to thee a!! that fou! treason hereof 9 no do bitter!y re%ent& te!! me& 9 %ray thee& hence art thou& and of hat courtQK GO& 7ir Acco!onRK said King Arthur& G!earn that 9 am myse!f King Arthur#K Dhen 7ir Acco!on heard this he cried a!oud& GA!as& my gracious !ordR ha"e mercy on me& for 9 kne thee not#K GThou sha!t ha"e mercy&K said he& Gfor thou kne est not my %erson at this timeO and though by thine o n

confession thou art a traitor& yet do 9 b!ame thee !ess& because thou hast been b!inded by the fa!se crafts of my sister Aorgan !e 8ay& hom 9 ha"e trusted more than a!! others of my kin& and hom 9 no sha!! kno e!! ho to %unish#K Then did 7ir Acco!on cry !oud!y& GO& !ords& and a!! good %eo%!eR this nob!e knight that 9 ha"e fought ith is the nob!est and most orshi%fu! in a!! the or!dO for it is King Arthur& our !iege !ord and so"ereign kingO and fu!! sore!y 9 re%ent that 9 ha"e e"er !ifted !ance against him& though in ignorance 9 did it#K Then a!! the %eo%!e fe!! do n on their knees and %rayed the %ardon of the king for suffering him to come to such a strait# But he re%!ied& GPardon ye cannot ha"e& for& tru!y& ye ha"e nothing sinnedO but here ye see hat i!! ad"enture may ofttimes befa!! knights'errant& for to my o n hurt& and his danger a!so& 9 ha"e fought ith one of my o n knights#K Then the king commanded 7ir *amas to surrender to his brother the ho!e manor& 7ir OutM!ake on!y yie!ding him a %a!frey e"ery yearO Gfor&K said he scornfu!!y& Git ou!d become thee better to ride on than a courserOK and ordered *amas& u%on %ain of death& ne"er again to touch or to distress knights'errant riding on their ad"enturesO and a!so to make fu!! com%ensation and satisfaction to the t enty knights hom he had he!d in %rison# GAnd if any of them&K said the king& Gcome to my court com%!aining that he hath not had fu!! satisfaction of thee for his injuries& by my head& thou sha!t die therefor#K After ards& King Arthur asked 7ir OutM!ake to come ith him to his court& here he shou!d become a knight of his& and& if his deeds ere nob!e& be ad"anced to a!! he might desire# 7o then he took his !ea"e of a!! the %eo%!e and mounted u%on horseback& and 7ir Acco!on ent ith him to an abbey hard by& here both their ounds ere dressed# But 7ir Acco!on died ithin four days after# And hen he as dead& the king sent his body to Lueen Aorgan& to :ame!ot& saying that he sent her a %resent in return for the s ord ECca!ibur hich she had sent him by the damse!# 7o& on the morro & there came a damse! from Lueen Aorgan to the king& and brought ith her the richest mant!e that e"er as seen& for it as set as fu!! of %recious stones as they cou!d stand against each other& and they ere the richest stones that e"er the king sa # And the damse! said& G$our sister sendeth you this mant!e& and %rayeth you to take her gift& and in hatsoe"er thing she hath offended you& she i!! amend it at your %!easure#K To this the king re%!ied not& a!though the mant!e %!eased him much# Dith that came in the !ady of the !ake& and said& G7ir& %ut not on this mant!e ti!! thou hast seen moreO and in no ise !et it be %ut u%on thee& or any of thy knights& ti!! ye ha"e made the bringer of it first %ut it on her#K G9t sha!! be done as thou dost counse!&K said the king# Then said he to the damse! that came from his sister& G*amse!& 9 ou!d see this mant!e ye ha"e brought me u%on yourse!f#K G7ir&K said she& Git i!! not beseem me to ear a

knightBs garment#K GBy my head&K said King Arthur& Gthou sha!! ear it ere it go on any other %ersonBs backRK And so they %ut it on her by force& and forth ith the garment burst into a f!ame and burned the damse! into cinders# Dhen the king sa that& he hated that fa!se itch Aorgan !e 8ay ith a!! his heart& and e"ermore as dead!y @uarre! bet een her and Arthur to their !i"esB end#

)HA*T$R ,III
King Arthur con+uers (ome, and is crowned "mperor

nd no again the second time there came ambassadors from Lucius Tiberius& Em%eror of )ome& demanding& under %ain of ar& tribute and homage from King Arthur& and the restoration of a!! Gau!& hich he had con@uered from the tribune 8!o!!o# Dhen they had de!i"ered their message& the king bade them ithdra hi!e he consu!ted ith his knights and barons hat re%!y to send# Then some of the younger knights ou!d ha"e s!ain the ambassadors& saying that their s%eech as a rebuke to a!! ho heard the king insu!ted by it# But hen King Arthur heard that& he ordered none to touch them u%on %ain of deathO and sending officers& he had them taken to a nob!e !odging& and there entertained ith the best cheer# GAnd&K said he& G!et no dainty be s%ared& for the )omans are great !ordsO and though their message %!ease me not& yet must 9 remember mine honour#K Then the !ords and knights of the )ound Tab!e ere ca!!ed on to dec!are their counse!? hat shou!d be done u%on this matterO and 7ir :ador of :orn a!! s%eaking first& said& G7ir& this message is the best ne s 9 ha"e heard for a !ong time& for e ha"e been no id!e and at rest for many days& and 9 trust that thou i!t make shar% ar u%on the )omans& herein& 9 doubt not& e sha!! a!! gain honour#K G9 be!ie"e e!!&K said Arthur& Gthat thou art %!eased& 7ir :adorO but that is scarce an ans er to the Em%eror of )ome& and his demand doth grie"e me sore!y& for tru!y 9 i!! ne"er %ay him tributeO herefore& !ords& 9 %ray ye counse! me# <o & 9 ha"e understood that Be!inus and Brennius& knights of Britain& he!d the )oman Em%ire in their hands for many days& and a!so :onstantine& the son of He!en& hich is o%en e"idence& not on!y that e o e )ome no tribute& but that 9& being descended from them& may& of right& myse!f c!aim the em%ire#K Then said King Anguish of 7cot!and& G7ir& thou oughtest of right to be abo"e a!! other kings& for in a!! :hristendom is there not thine

e@ua!O and 9 counse! thee ne"er to obey the )omans# 8or hen they reigned here they grie"ous!y distressed us& and %ut the !and to great and hea"y burdensO and here& for my %art& 9 s ear to a"enge me on them hen 9 may& and i!! furnish thee ith t enty thousand men'at'arms& hom 9 i!! %ay and kee%& and ho sha!! ait on thee ith me& hen it sha!! %!ease thee#K Then the King of Litt!e Britain rose and %romised King Arthur thirty thousand menO and !ike ise many other kings& and dukes& and barons& %romised aid?as the !ord of Dest Da!es thirty thousand men& 7ir E aine and his cousin thirty thousand men& and so forthO 7ir Lance!ot a!so& and e"ery other knight of the )ound Tab!e& %romised each man a great host# 7o the king& %assing joyfu! at their courage and good i!!& thanked them a!! hearti!y& and sent for the ambassadors again& to hear his ans er# G9 i!!&K said he& Gthat ye no go back straight ay unto the Em%eror your master and te!! him that 9 gi"e no heed to his ords& for 9 ha"e con@uered a!! my kingdoms by the i!! of God and by my o n right arm& and 9 am strong enough to kee% them& ithout %aying tribute to any earth!y creature# But& on the other hand& 9 c!aim both tribute and submission from himse!f& and a!so c!aim the so"ereignty of a!! his em%ire& hereto 9 am entit!ed by the right of my o n ancestors?sometime kings of this !and# And say to him that 9 i!! short!y come to )ome& and by GodBs grace i!! take %ossession of my em%ire and subdue a!! rebe!s# Dherefore& !ast!y& 9 command him and a!! the !ords of )ome that they forth ith %ay me their homage& under %ain of my chastisement and rath#K Then he commanded his treasurers to gi"e the ambassadors great gifts& and defray a!! their charges& and a%%ointed 7ir :ador to con"ey them orshi%fu!!y out of the !and# 7o hen they returned to )ome and came before Lucius& he as sore angry at their ords& and said& G9 thought this Arthur ou!d ha"e instant!y obeyed my orders and ha"e ser"ed me as humb!y as any other kingO but because of his fortune in Gau!& he hath gro n inso!ent#K GAh& !ord&K said one of the ambassadors& Grefrain from such "ain ords& for tru!y 9 and a!! ith me ere fearfu! at his roya! majesty and angry countenance# 9 fear me thou hast made a rod for thee more shar% than thou hast counted on# He meaneth to be master of this em%ireO and is another kind of man than thou su%%osest& and ho!deth the most nob!e court of a!! the or!d# De sa him on the ne yearBs day& ser"ed at his tab!e by nine kings& and the nob!est com%any of other %rinces& !ords& and knights that e"er as in a!! the or!dO and in his %erson he is the most man!y' seeming man that !i"eth& and !ooketh !ike to con@uer a!! the earth#K Then Lucius sent messengers to a!! the subject countries of )ome& and brought together a mighty army& and assemb!ed siCteen kings& and many dukes& %rinces& !ords& and admira!s& and a ondrous great mu!titude of %eo%!e# 8ifty giants a!so& born of

fiends& ere set around him for a body'guard# Dith a!! that host he straight ay ent from )ome& and %assed beyond the mountains into Gau!& and burned the to ns and ra"aged a!! the country of that %ro"ince& in rage for its submission to King Arthur# Then he mo"ed on to ards Litt!e Britain# Aean hi!e& King Arthur ha"ing he!d a %ar!iament at $ork& !eft the rea!m in charge of 7ir Bade ine and 7ir :onstantine& and crossed the sea from 7and ich to meet Lucius# And so soon as he as !anded& he sent 7ir Ga ain& 7ir Bors& 7ir Lione!& and 7ir Bedi"ere to the Em%eror& commanding him Gto mo"e s ift!y and in haste out of his !and& and& if not& to make himse!f ready for batt!e& and not continue ra"aging the country and s!aying harm!ess %eo%!e#K Anon& those nob!e knights attired themse!"es and set forth on horseback to here they sa & in a meado & many si!ken tents of di"ers co!ours& and the Em%erorBs %a"i!ion in the midst& ith a go!den eag!e set abo"e it# Then 7ir Ga ain and 7ir Bors rode for ard& !ea"ing the other t o behind in ambush& and ga"e King ArthurBs message# To hich the Em%eror re%!ied& G)eturn& and te!! your !ord that 9 am come to con@uer him and a!! his !and#K At this& 7ir Ga ain burned ith anger& and cried out& G9 had rather than a!! 8rance that 9 might fight ith thee a!oneRK GAnd 9 a!so&K said 7ir Bors# Then a knight named Ganius& a near cousin of the Em%eror& !aughed out a!oud& and said& GLoR ho these Britons boast and are fu!! of %ride& bragging as though they bare u% a!! the or!dRK At these ords& 7ir Ga ain cou!d refrain no !onger& but dre forth his s ord and ith one b!o shore oft GaniusB headO then ith 7ir Bors& he turned his horse and rode o"er aters and through oods& back to the ambush& here 7ir Lione! and 7ir Bedi"ere ere aiting# The )omans fo!!o ed fast behind them ti!! the knights turned and stood& and then 7ir Bors smote the foremost of them through the body ith a s%ear& and s!e him on the s%ot# Then came on :a!ibere& a huge Pa"ian& but 7ir Bors o"erthre him a!so# And then the com%any of 7ir Lione! and 7ir Bedi"ere brake from their ambush and fe!! on the )omans& and s!e and he ed them do n& and forced them to return and f!ee& chasing them to their tents# But as they neared the cam%& a great host more rushed forth& and turned the batt!e back ards& and in the turmoi!& 7ir Bors and 7ir Bere! fe!! into the )omansB hands# Dhen 7ir Ga ain sa that& he dre his good s ord Ga!otine& and s ore to see King ArthurBs face no more if those t o knights ere not de!i"eredO and then& ith good 7ir 9drus& made so sore an ons!aught that the )omans f!ed and !eft 7ir Bors and 7ir Bere! to their friends# 7o the Britons returned in trium%h to King Arthur& ha"ing s!ain more than ten thousand )omans& and !ost no man of orshi% from amongst themse!"es# Dhen the Em%eror Lucius heard of that discomfiture he arose& ith a!! his army& to crush King Arthur& and met him in the "a!e of

7oissons# Then s%eaking to a!! his host& he said& G7irs& 9 admonish you that this day ye fight and ac@uit yourse!"es as menO and remembering ho )ome is chief of a!! the earth& and mistress of the uni"ersa! or!d& suffer not these barbarous and sa"age Britons to abide our onset#K At that& the trum%ets b!e so !oud& that the ground tremb!ed and shook# Then did the ri"a! hosts dra near each other ith great shoutingsO and hen they c!osed& no tongue can te!! the fury of their smiting& and the sore strugg!ing& ounds& and s!aughter# Then King Arthur& ith his mightiest knights& rode do n into the thickest of the fight& and dre ECca!ibur& and s!e as !ightning s!ays for s iftness and for force# And in the midmost cro d he met a giant& Ga!a%as by name& and struck off both his !egs at the knee'jointsO then saying& G<o art thou a better siMe to dea! ithRK smote his head off at a second b!o ( and the body ki!!ed siC men in fa!!ing do n# Anon& King Arthur s%ied here Lucius fought and orked great deeds of %ro ess ith his o n hands# 8orth ith he rode at him& and each attacked the other %assing fierce!yO ti!! at the !ast& Lucius struck King Arthur ith a fearfu! ound across the face& and Arthur& in return& !ifting u% ECca!ibur on high& dro"e it ith a!! his force u%on the Em%erorBs head& shi"ering his he!met& crashing his head in ha!"es& and s%!itting his body to the breast# And hen the )omans sa their Em%eror dead they f!ed in hosts of thousandsO and King Arthur and his knights& and a!! his army fo!!o ed them& and s!e one hundred thousand men# Then returning to the fie!d& King Arthur rode to the %!ace here Lucius !ay dead& and round him the kings of Egy%t and Ethio%ia& and se"enteen other kings& ith siCty )oman senators& a!! nob!e men# A!! these he ordered to be carefu!!y emba!med ith aromatic gums& and !aid in !eaden coffins& co"ered ith their shie!ds and arms and banners# Then ca!!ing for three senators ho ere taken %risoners& he said to them& GAs the ransom of your !i"es& 9 i!! that ye take these dead bodies and carry them to )ome& and there %resent them for me& ith these !etters saying 9 i!! myse!f be short!y there# And 9 su%%ose the )omans i!! be are ho they again ask tribute of meO for te!! them& these dead bodies that 9 send them are for the tribute they ha"e dared to ask of meO and if they ish for more& hen 9 come 9 i!! %ay them the rest#K 7o& ith that charge& the three senators de%arted ith the dead bodies& and ent to )omeO the body of the Em%eror being carried in a chariot b!aMoned ith the arms of the em%ire& a!! a!one& and the bodies of the kings t o and t o in chariots fo!!o ing# After the batt!e& King Arthur entered Lorraine& Brabant& and 8!anders& and thence& subduing a!! the countries as he ent& %assed into Germany& and so beyond the mountains into Lombardy and Tuscany# At !ength he came before a city hich refused to obey him& herefore he sat do n before it to besiege it# And after a !ong time thus s%ent& King Arthur ca!!ed 7ir

8!orence& and to!d him they began to !ack food for his hosts?GAnd not far from hence&K said he& Gare great forests fu!! of catt!e be!onging to my enemies# Go then& and bring by force a!! that thou canst findO and take ith thee 7ir Ga ain& my ne%he & and 7ir :!egis& 7ir :!aremond the :a%tain of :ardiff& and a strong band#K Anon& those knights made ready& and rode o"er ho!ts and hi!!s& and through forests and oods& ti!! they came to a great meado fu!! of fair f!o ers and grass& and there they rested themse!"es and their horses that night# And at the da n of the neCt day& 7ir Ga ain took his horse and rode a ay from his fe!!o s to seek some ad"enture# 7oon he sa an armed knight a!king his horse by a oodBs side& ith his shie!d !aced to his shou!der& and no attendant ith him sa"e a %age& bearing a mighty s%earO and on his shie!d ere b!aMoned three go!d griffins# Dhen 7ir Ga ain s%ied him& he %ut his s%ear in rest& and riding straight to him& asked ho he as# GA Tuscan&K said heO Gand they mayest %ro"e me hen thou i!t& for thou sha!t be my %risoner ere e %art#K Then said 7ir Ga ain& GThou "auntest thee great!y& and s%eakest %roud ordsO yet 9 counse! thee& for a!! thy boastings& !ook to thyse!f the best thou canst#K At that they took their s%ears and ran at each other ith a!! the might they had& and smote each other through their shie!ds into their shou!dersO and then dra ing s ords smote ith great strokes& ti!! the fire s%rang out of their he!ms# Then as 7ir Ga ain enraged& and ith his good s ord Ga!otine struck his enerny through shie!d and hauberk& and s%!intered into %ieces a!! the %recious stones of it& and made so huge a ound that men might see both !ungs and !i"er# At that the Tuscan& groaning !oud!y& rushed on to 7ir Ga ain& and ga"e him a dee% s!anting stroke& and made a mighty ound and cut a great "ein asunder& so that he b!ed fast# Then he cried out& GBind thy ound @uick!y u%& 7ir knight& for thou be'b!oodest a!! thy horse and thy fair armour& and a!! the surgeons of the or!d sha!! ne"er staunch thy b!oodO for so sha!! it be to homsoe"er is hurt ith this good s ord#K Then ans ered 7ir Ga ain& G9t grie"eth me but !itt!e& and thy boastfu! ords gi"e me no fear& for thou sha!t suffer greater grief and sorro ere e %artO but te!! me @uick!y ho can staunch this b!ood#K GThat can 9 do&K said the strange knight& Gand i!!& if thou i!t aid and succour me to become christened& and to be!ie"e on God& hich no 9 do re@uire of thee u%on thy manhood#K G9 am content&K said 7ir Ga ainO Gand may God he!% me to grant a!! thy ishes# But te!! mefirst& hat soughtest thou thus here a!one& and of hat !and art thouQK G7ir&K said the knight& Gmy name is Prianius& and my father is a great %rince& ho hath rebe!!ed against )ome# He is descended from A!eCander and Hector& and of our !ineage a!so ere Joshua and Aaccabaeus# 9 am of right the king of A!eCandria& and Africa&

and a!! the outer is!es& yet 9 ou!d be!ie"e in the Lord thou orshi%%est& and for thy !abour 9 i!! gi"e thee treasure enough# 9 as so %roud in heart that 9 thought none my e@ua!& but no ha"e 9 encountered ith thee& ho hast gi"en me my fi!! of fightingO herefore& 9 %ray thee& 7ir knight& te!! me of thyse!f#K G9 am no knight&K said 7ir Ga ainO G9 ha"e been brought u% many years in the ardrobe of the nob!e %rince King Arthur& to mind his armour and array#K GAh&K said Prianius& Gif his "ar!ets be so keen and fierce& his knights must be %assing goodR <o & for the !o"e of hea"en& hether thou be knight or kna"e& te!! me thy name#K GBy hea"enRK said Ga ain& Gno i!! 9 te!! thee the truth# Ay name is 7ir Ga ain& and 9 am a knight of the )ound Tab!e#K G<o am 9 better %!eased&K said Prianius& Gthan if thou hadst gi"en me a!! the %ro"ince of Paris the rich# 9 had rather ha"e been torn by i!d horses than that any "ar!et shou!d ha"e on such "ictory o"er me as thou hast done# But no & 7ir knight& 9 arn thee that c!ose by is the *uke of Lorraine& ith siCty thousand good men of arO and e had both best f!ee at once& for he i!! find us e!se& and e be sore!y ounded and ne"er !ike!y to reco"er# And !et my %age be carefu! that he b!o no horn& for hard by are a hundred knights& my ser"antsO and if they seiMe thee& no ransom of go!d or si!"er ou!d ac@uit thee#K Then 7ir Ga ain rode o"er a ri"er to sa"e himse!f& and 7ir Prianius after him& and so they both f!ed ti!! they came to his com%anions ho ere in the meado & here they s%ent the night# Dhen 7ir Dhishard sa 7ir Ga ain so hurt& he ran to him ee%ing& and asked him ho it as had ounded himO and 7ir Ga ain to!d him ho he had fought ith that man?%ointing to Prianius? ho had sa!"es to hea! them both# GBut 9 can te!! ye other tidings&K said he ?Gthat soon e must encounter many enemies& for a great army is c!ose to us in our front#K Then Prianius and 7ir Ga ain a!ighted and !et their horses graMe hi!e they unarmed& and hen they took their armour and their c!othing off& the hot b!ood ran do n fresh!y from their ounds ti!! it as %iteous to see# But Prianius took from his %age a "ia! fi!!ed from the four ri"ers that f!o out of Paradise& and anointed both their ounds ith a certain ba!m& and ashed them ith that ater& and ithin an hour after ards they ere both as sound and ho!e as e"er they had been# Then& at the sound of a trum%et& a!! the knights ere assemb!ed to counci!O and after much ta!king& Prianius said& G:ease your ords& for 9 arn you in yonder ood ye sha!! find knights out of number& ho i!! %ut out catt!e for a decoy to !ead you onO and ye are not se"en hundredRK G<e"erthe!ess&K said 7ir Ga ain& G!et us at once encounter them& and see hat they can doO and may the best ha"e the "ictory#K Then they sa sudden!y an ear! named 7ir Ethe! o!d& and the *uke of *uchmen come !ea%ing out of ambush of the oods in front& ith many a thousand after them& and a!! rode straight do n to the batt!e# And 7ir Ga ain& fu!! of ardour and courage&

comforted his knights& saying& GThey a!! are ours#K Then the se"en hundred knights& in one c!ose com%any& set s%urs to their horses and began to ga!!o%& and fierce!y met their enemies# And then ere men and horses s!ain and o"erthro n on e"ery side& and in and out amidst them a!!& the knights of the )ound Tab!e %ressed and thrust& and smote do n to the earth a!! ho ithstood them& ti!! at !ength the ho!e of them turned back and f!ed# GBy hea"enRK said 7ir Ga ain& Gthis g!addeneth e!! my heart& for no beho!d them as they f!eeR they are fu!! se"enty thousand !ess in number than they ere an hour agoRK Thus as the batt!e @uick!y ended& and a great host of high !ords and knights of Lombardy and 7aracens !eft dead u%on the fie!d# Then 7ir Ga ain and his com%any co!!ected a great %!enty of catt!e& and of go!d and si!"er& and a!! kind of treasure& and returned to King Arthur& here he sti!! ke%t the siege# G<o God be thanked&K cried heO Gbut ho is he that standeth yonder by himse!f& and seemeth not a %risonerQK G7ir&K said 7ir Ga ain& Ghe is a good man ith his ea%ons& and hath matched meO but cometh hither to be made a :hristian# Had it not been for his arnings& e none of us shou!d ha"e been here this day# 9 %ray thee& therefore& !et him be ba%tiMed& for there can be fe nob!er men& or better knights#K

7o Prianius as christened& and made a duke and knight of the )ound Tab!e# Present!y after ards& they made a !ast attack u%on the city& and entered by the a!!s on e"ery sideO and as the men ere rushing to the %i!!age& came the *uchess forth& ith many !adies and damse!s& and knee!ed before King ArthurO and besought him to recei"e their submission# To hom the king made ans er& ith a nob!e countenance& GAadam& be e!! assured that none sha!! harm ye& or your !adiesO neither sha!! any that be!ong to thee be

hurtO but the *uke must abide my judgment#K Then he commanded to stay the assau!t and took the keys from the *ukeBs e!dest son& ho brought them knee!ing# Anon the *uke as sent a %risoner to *o"er for his !ife& and rents and taCes ere assigned for do ry of the *uchess and her chi!dren# Then ent he on ith a!! his hosts& inning a!! to ns and cast!es& and asting them that refused obedience& ti!! he came to Niterbo# 8rom thence he sent to )ome& to ask the senators hether they ou!d recei"e him for their !ord and go"ernor# 9n ans er& came out to him a!! the 7enate ho remained a!i"e& and the :ardina!s& ith a majestic retinue and %rocessionO and !aying great treasures at his feet& they %rayed him to come in at once to )ome& and there be %eaceab!y cro ned as Em%eror# GAt this neCt :hristmas&K said King Arthur& G i!! 9 be cro ned& and ho!d my )ound Tab!e in your city#K Anon he entered )ome& in mighty %om% and stateO and after him came a!! his hosts& and his knights& and %rinces& and great !ords& arrayed in go!d and je e!s& such as ne"er ere behe!d before# And then as he cro ned Em%eror by the Po%eBs hands& ith a!! the highest so!emnity that cou!d be made# Then after his coronation& he abode in )ome for a season& sett!ing his !ands and gi"ing kingdoms to his knights and ser"ants& to each one after his deser"ing& and in such ise fashion that no man among them a!! com%!ained# A!so he made many dukes and ear!s& and !oaded a!! his men'at'arms ith riches and great treasures# Dhen a!! this as done& the !ords and knights& and a!! the men of great estate& came together before him& and said& G<ob!e Em%erorR by the b!essing of Eterna! God& thy morta! arfare is a!! finished& and thy con@uests a!! achie"edO for no in a!! the or!d is none so great and mighty as to dare make ar ith thee# Dherefore e beseech and hearti!y %ray thee of thy nob!e grace& to turn thee home ard& and to gi"e us a!so !ea"e to see our i"es and homes again& for no e ha"e been from them a !ong season& and a!! thy journey is com%!eted ith great honour and orshi%#K G$e say e!!&K re%!ied he& Gand to tem%t God is no isdomO therefore make ready in a!! haste& and turn e home to Eng!and#K 7o King Arthur returned ith his knights and !ords and armies& in great trium%h and joy& through a!! the countries he had con@uered& and commanded that no man& u%on %ain of death& shou!d rob or do any "io!ence by the ay# And crossing the sea& he came at !ength to 7and ich& here Lueen Guine"ere recei"ed him& and made great joy at his arri"a!# And through a!! the rea!m of Britain as there such rejoicing as no tongue can te!!#

)HA*T$R I3

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot du La2e

hen& at the fo!!o ing Pentecost& as he!d a feast of the )ound Tab!e at :aer!eon& ith high s%!endourO and a!! the knights thereof resorted to the court& and he!d many games and jousts# And therein 7ir Lance!ot increased in fame and orshi% abo"e a!! men& for he o"erthre a!! comers& and ne"er as unhorsed or orsted& sa"e by treason and enchantment# Dhen Lueen Guine"ere had seen his ondrous feats& she he!d him in great fa"our& and smi!ed more on him than on any other knight# And e"er since he first had gone to bring her to King Arthur& had Lance!ot thought on her as fairest of a!! !adies& and done his best to in her grace# 7o the @ueen often sent for him& and bade him te!! of his birth and strange ad"entures( ho he as on!y son of great King Ban of Brittany& and ho & one night& his father& ith his mother He!en and himse!f& f!ed from his burning cast!eO ho his father& groaning dee%!y& fe!! to the ground and died of grief and ounds& and ho his mother& running to her husband& !eft himse!f a!oneO ho & as he thus !ay ai!ing& came the !ady of the !ake& and took him in her arms and ent ith him into the midst of the aters& here& ith his cousins Lione! and Bors he had been cherished a!! his chi!dhood unti! he came to King ArthurBs courtO and ho this as the reason hy men ca!!ed him Lance!ot du Lake# Anon it as ordained by King Arthur& that in e"ery year at Pentecost there shou!d be he!d a festi"a! of a!! the knights of the )ound Tab!e at :aer!eon& or such other %!ace as he shou!d choose# And at those festi"a!s shou!d be to!d %ub!ic!y the most famous ad"entures of any knight during the %ast year# 7o& hen 7ir Lance!ot sa Lueen Guine"ere rejoiced to hear his anderings and ad"entures& he reso!"ed to set forth yet again& and in more orshi% sti!!& that he might more increase her fa"our# Then he bade his cousin 7ir Lione! make ready& Gfor&K said he& G e t o i!! seek ad"enture#K 7o they mounted their horses? armed at a!! %oints?and rode into a "ast forestO and hen they had %assed through it& they came to a great %!ain& and the eather being "ery hot about noontide& 7ir Lance!ot great!y !onged to s!ee%# Then 7ir Lione! es%ied a great a%%!e'tree

standing by a hedge& and said& GBrother& yonder is a fair shado here e may rest ourse!"es and horses#K G9 am fu!! g!ad of it&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gfor a!! these se"en years 9 ha"e not been so s!ee%y#K 7o they a!ighted there& and tied their horses u% to sundry treesO and 7ir Lione! aked and atched hi!e 7ir Lance!ot fe!! as!ee%& and s!e%t %assing fast# 9n the mean hi!e came three knights& riding as fast f!ying as e"er they cou!d ride& and after them fo!!o ed a sing!e knightO but hen 7ir Lione! !ooked at him& he thought he had ne"er seen so great and strong a man& or so e!! furnished and a%%are!!ed# Anon he sa him o"ertake the !ast of those ho f!ed& and smite him to the groundO then came he to the second& and smote him such a stroke that horse and man ent to the earthO then rode he to the third& !ike ise& and struck him off his horse more than a s%earBs !ength# Dith that he !ighted from his horse& and bound a!! three knights fast ith the reins of their o n brid!es# Dhen 7ir Lione! sa this he thought the time as come to %ro"e himse!f against him& so @uiet!y and cautious!y& !est he shou!d ake 7ir Lance!ot& he took his horse and mounted and rode after him# Present!y o"ertaking him& he cried a!oud to him to turn& hich instant!y he did& and smote 7ir Lione! so hard that horse and man ent do n forth ith# Then took he u% 7ir Lione!& and thre him bound o"er his o n horseBs backO and so he ser"ed the three other knights& and rode them a ay to his o n cast!e# There they ere disarmed& stri%%ed naked& and beaten ith thorns& and after ards thrust into a dee% %rison& here many more knights& a!so& made great moans and !amentations& saying& GA!as& a!asR there is no man can he!% us but 7ir Lance!ot& for no other knight can match this tyrant Tur@uine& our con@ueror#K But a!! this hi!e& 7ir Lance!ot !ay s!ee%ing sound!y under the a%%!e'tree# And& as it chanced& there %assed that ay four @ueens& of high estate& riding u%on four hite mu!es& under four cano%ies of green si!k borne on s%ears& to kee% them from the sun# As they rode thus& they heard a great horse grim!y neigh& and& turning them about& soon sa a s!ee%ing knight that !ay a!! armed under an a%%!e'treeO and hen they sa his face& they kne it as Lance!ot of the Lake# Then they began to stri"e hich of them shou!d ha"e the care of him# But Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay& King ArthurBs ha!f sister& the great sorceress& as one of them& and said GDe need not stri"e for him& 9 ha"e enchanted him& so that for siC hours more he sha!! not ake# Let us take him to my cast!e& and& hen he akes& himse!f sha!! choose hich one of us he ou!d rather ser"e#K 7o 7ir Lance!ot as !aid u%on his shie!d and borne on horseback bet een t o knights& to the cast!e& and there !aid in a co!d chamber& ti!! the s%e!! shou!d %ass# Anon& they sent him a fair damse!& bearing his su%%er& ho asked him& GDhat cheerQK

G9 cannot te!!& fair damse!&K said he& Gfor 9 kno not ho 9 came into this cast!e& if it ere not by enchantment#K G7ir&K said she& Gbe of good heart& and to'morro at the da n of day& ye sha!! kno more#K And so she !eft him a!one& and there he !ay a!! night# 9n the morning ear!y came the four @ueens to him& %assing rich!y dressedO and said& G7ir knight& thou must understand that thou art our %risoner& and that e kno thee e!! for King BanBs son& 7ir Lance!ot du Lake# And though e kno fu!! e!! there is one !ady on!y in this or!d may ha"e thy !o"e& and she Lueen Guine"ere? King ArthurBs ife?yet no are e reso!"ed to ha"e thee to ser"e one of usO choose& therefore& of us four hich thou i!t ser"e# 9 am Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay& Lueen of the !and of Gore& and here a!so is the Lueen of <orthga!es& and the Lueen of East!and& and the Lueen of the Out 9s!es# :hoose& then& at once& for e!se sha!! thou abide here& in this %rison& ti!! thy death#K G9t is a hard case&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gthat either 9 must die& or choose one of you for my mistressR $et had 9 rather die in this %rison than ser"e any !i"ing creature against my i!!# 7o take this for my ans er# 9 i!! ser"e none of ye& for ye be fa!se enchantresses# And as for my !ady& Lueen Guine"ere& hom !ight!y ye ha"e s%oken of& ere 9 at !iberty 9 ou!d %ro"e it u%on you or u%on yours she is the truest !ady !i"ing to her !ord the king#K GDe!!&K said the @ueen& Gis this your ans er& that ye refuse us a!!QK G$ea& on my !ife&K said Lance!ot& Grefused ye be of me#K 7o they de%arted from him in great rath& and !eft him sorro fu!!y grie"ing in his dungeon# At noon the damse! came to him and brought his dinner& and asked him as before& GDhat cheerQK GTru!y& fair damse!&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gin a!! my !ife ne"er so i!!#K G7ir&K re%!ied she& G9 grie"e to see ye so& but if ye do as 9 ad"ise& 9 can he!% ye out of this distress& and i!! do so if you %romise me a boon#K G8air damse!&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gright i!!ing!y i!! 9 grant it thee& for sore!y do 9 dread these four itch'@ueens& ho ha"e destroyed and s!ain many a good knight ith their enchantments#K Then said the damse!& G7ir& i!t thou %romise me to he!% my father on neCt Tuesday& for he hath a tournament ith the King of <orthga!es& and !ast Tuesday !ost the fie!d through three knights of King ArthurBs court& ho came against him# And if neCt Tuesday thou i!t aid him& to'morro & before day!ight& by GodBs grace& 9 i!! de!i"er thee#K G8air maiden&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gte!! me thy fatherBs name and 9 i!! ans er thee#K GAy father is King Bagdemagus&K said she# G9 kno him e!!&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!ot& Gfor a nob!e king and a good knightO and by the faith of my body 9 i!! do him a!! the ser"ice 9 am ab!e on that day#K

GGrammercy to thee& 7ir knight&K said the damse!# GTo'morro & hen thou art de!i"ered from this %!ace& ride ten mi!es hence unto an abbey of hite monks& and there abide unti! 9 bring my father to thee#K G7o be it&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gas 9 am a true knight#K 7o she de%arted& and on the morro & ear!y& came again& and !et him out of t e!"e gates& different!y !ocked& and brought him to his armourO and hen he as a!! armed& she brought him his horse a!so& and !ight!y he sadd!ed him& and took a great s%ear in his hand& and mounted and rode forth& saying& as he ent& G8air damse!& 9 sha!! not fai! thee& by the grace of God#K And a!! that day he rode in a great forest& and cou!d find no high ay& and s%ent the night in the oodO but the neCt morning found his road& and came to the abbey of hite monks# And there he sa King Bagdemagus and his daughter aiting for him# 7o hen they ere together in a chamber& 7ir Lance!ot to!d the king ho he had been betrayed by an enchantment& and ho his brother Lione! as gone he kne not here& and ho the damse! had de!i"ered him from the cast!e of Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay# GDherefore hi!e 9 !i"e&K said he& G9 sha!! do ser"ice to herse!f and a!! her kindred#K GThen am 9 sure of thy aid&K said the king& Gon Tuesday no neCt comingQK G$ea& sir& 9 sha!! not fai! thee&K said 7ir Lance!otO Gbut hat knights ere they ho !ast eek defeated thee& and took %art ith the King of <orthga!esQK G7ir Aador de !a Port& 7ir Aodred& and 7ir Gaha!atine&K re%!ied the king# G7ir&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gas 9 understand& the tournament sha!! take %!ace but three mi!es from this abbeyO send then to me here& three knights of thine& the best thou hast& and !et them a!! ha"e %!ain hite shie!ds& such as 9 a!so i!!O then i!! e four come sudden!y into the midst bet een both %arties& and fa!! u%on thy enemies& and grie"e them a!! e can& and none i!! kno us ho e are#K 7o& on the Tuesday& 7ir Lance!ot and the three knights !odged themse!"es in a sma!! gro"e hard by the !ists# Then came into the fie!d the King of <orthga!es& ith one hundred and siCty he!ms& and the three knights of King ArthurBs court& ho stood a%art by themse!"es# And hen King Bagdemagus had arri"ed& ith eighty he!ms& both com%anies set a!! their s%ears in rest and came together ith a mighty c!ash& herein ere s!ain t e!"e knights of King Bagdemagus& and siC of the King of <orthga!esO and the %arty of King Bagdemagus as dri"en back#

Dith that& came 7ir Lance!ot& and thrust into the thickest of the %ress& and smote do n ith one s%ear fi"e knights& and brake the backs of four& and cast do n the King of <orthga!es& and brake his thigh by the fa!!# Dhen the three knights of ArthurBs court sa this& they rode at 7ir Lance!ot& and each after other attacked himO but he o"erthre them a!!& and smote them nigh to death# Then taking a ne s%ear& he bore do n to the ground siCteen more knights& and hurt them a!! so sore!y& that they cou!d carry arms no more that day# And hen his s%ear at !ength as broken& he took

yet another& and smote do n t e!"e knights more& the most of hom he ounded morta!!y& ti!! in the end the %arty of the King of <orthga!es ou!d joust no more& and the "ictory as cried to King Bagdemagus# Then 7ir Lance!ot rode forth ith King Bagdemagus to his cast!e& and there he feasted ith great cheer and e!come& and recei"ed many roya! gifts# And on the morro he took !ea"e and ent to find his brother Lione!# Anon& by chance& he came to the same forest here the four @ueens had found him s!ee%ing& and there he met a damse! riding on a hite %a!frey# Dhen they had sa!uted each other& 7ir Lance!ot said& G8air damse!& kno est thou here any ad"entures may be had in this countryQK G7ir knight&K said she& Gthere are ad"entures great enough c!ose by if thou darest %ro"e them#K GDhy shou!d 9 not&K said he& Gsince for that cause 9 came hereQK G7ir&K said the damse!& Ghard by this %!ace there d e!!eth a knight that cannot be defeated by any man& so great and %eri!ous!y strong he is# His name is 7ir Tur@uine& and in the %risons of his cast!e !ie three score knights and four& most!y from King ArthurBs court& hom he hath taken ith his o n hands# But %romise me& ere thou undertakest their de!i"erance& to go and he!% me after ards& and free me and many other !adies that are distressed by a fa!se knight#K GBring me but to this fe!on Tur@uine&K @uoth 7ir Lance!ot& Gand 9 i!! after ards fu!fi! a!! your ishes#K 7o the damse! ent before& and brought him to a ford& and a tree hereon a great brass basin hungO and 7ir Lance!ot beat ith his s%ear'end u%on the basin& !ong and hard& unti! he beat the bottom of it out& but he sa nothing# Then he rode to and fro before the cast!e gates for e!!'nigh ha!f an hour& and anon sa a great knight riding from the distance& dri"ing a horse before him& across hich hung an armed man bound# And hen they came near& 7ir Lance!ot kne the %risoner for a knight of the )ound Tab!e# By that time& the great knight ho dro"e the %risoner sa 7ir Lance!ot& and each of them began to sett!e his s%ear& and to make ready# G8air sir&K then said 7ir Lance!ot& G%ut off that ounded knight& 9 %ray thee& from his horse& and !et him rest hi!e thou and 9 sha!! %ro"e our strength u%on each otherO for& as 9 am to!d& thou doest& and hast done& great shame and injury to knights of the )ound Tab!e# Dherefore& 9 arn thee no & defend thyse!f#K G9f thou mayest be of the )ound Tab!e&K ans ered Tur@uine& G9 defy thee& and a!! thy fe!!o s#K GThat is saying o"ermuch&K said 7ir Lance!ot# Then& setting their !ances in rest& they s%urred their horses to ards each other& as fast as they cou!d go& and smote so fearfu!!y u%on each otherBs shie!ds& that both their horsesB backs brake under them# As soon as they cou!d c!ear their sadd!es& they took their shie!ds before them& and dre their s ords& and came

together eager!y& and fought ith great and grie"ous strokesO and soon they both had many grim and fearfu! ounds& and b!ed in streams# Thus they fought t o hours and more& thrusting and smiting at each other& here"er they cou!d hit# Anon& they both ere breath!ess& and stood !eaning on their s ords# G<o & comrade&K said 7ir Tur@uine& G!et us ait a hi!e& and ans er me hat 9 sha!! ask thee#K G7ay on&K said Lance!ot# GThou art&K said Tur@uine& Gthe best man 9 e"er met& and seemest !ike one that 9 hate abo"e a!! other knights that !i"eO but if thou be not he& 9 i!! make %eace ith thee& and for sake of thy great "a!our& i!! de!i"er a!! the three score %risoners and four ho !ie ithin my dungeons& and thou and 9 i!! be com%anions e"ermore# Te!! me& then& thy name#K GThou sayest e!!&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!otO Gbut ho is he thou hatest so abo"e a!! othersQK GHis name&K said Tur@uine& Gis 7ir Lance!ot of the LakeO and he s!e my brother 7ir :arados& at the do!orous to erO herefore& if e"er 9 sha!! meet ith him& one of us t o sha!! s!ay the otherO and thereto 9 ha"e s orn by a great oath# And to disco"er and destroy him 9 ha"e s!ain a hundred knights& and cri%%!ed utter!y as many more& and many ha"e died in my %risonsO and no & as 9 ha"e to!d thee& 9 ha"e many more therein& ho a!! sha!! be de!i"ered& if thou te!! me thy name& and it be not 7ir Lance!ot#K GDe!!&K said Lance!ot& G9 am that knight& son of King Ban of Ben ick& and Knight of the )ound Tab!eO so no 9 defy thee to do thy bestRK GAhaRK said Tur@uine& ith a shout& Gis it then so at !astR Thou art more e!come to my s ord than e"er knight or !ady as to feast& for ne"er sha!! e %art ti!! one of us be dead#K Then did they hurt!e together !ike t o i!d bu!!s& s!ashing and !ashing ith their shie!ds and s ords& and sometimes fa!!ing both on to the ground# 8or t o more hours they fought so& and at the !ast 7ir Tur@uine gre "ery faint& and ga"e a !itt!e back& and bare his shie!d fu!! !o for eariness# Dhen 7ir Lance!ot sa him thus& he !ea%ed u%on him fierce!y as a !ion& and took him by the crest of his he!met& and dragged him to his kneesO and then he tore his he!met off and smote his neck asunder# Then he arose& and ent to the damse! ho had brought him to 7ir Tur@uine& and said& G9 am ready& fair !ady& to go ith thee u%on thy ser"ice& but 9 ha"e no horse#K G8air sir&K said she& Gtake ye this horse of the ounded knight hom Tur@uine but just no as carrying to his %risons& and send that knight on to de!i"er a!! the %risoners#K 7o 7ir Lance!ot ent to the knight and %rayed him for the !oan of his horse# G8air !ord&K said he& Gye are right e!come& for to'day ye ha"e sa"ed both me and my horseO and 9 see that ye are the best

knight in a!! the or!d& for in my sight ha"e ye s!ain the mightiest man and the best knight& eCce%t thyse!f& 9 e"er sa #K G7ir&K said 7ir Lance!ot& G9 thank thee e!!O and no go into yonder cast!e& here thou sha!! find many nob!e knights of the )ound Tab!e& for 9 ha"e seen their shie!ds hung on the trees around# On yonder tree a!one there are 7ir KeyBs& 7ir Brande!Bs& 7ir AarhausB& 7ir Ga!indBs& and 7ir A!idukeBs& and many moreO and a!so my t o kinsmenBs shie!ds& 7ir Ector de AarisB and 7ir Lione!Bs# And 9 %ray you greet them a!! from me& 7ir Lance!ot of the Lake& and te!! them that 9 bid them he!% themse!"es to any treasures they can find ithin the cast!eO and that 9 %ray my brethren& Lione! and Ector& to go to King ArthurBs court and stay there ti!! 9 come# And by the high feast at Pentecost 9 must be thereO but no 9 must ride forth ith this damse! to fu!fi! my %romise#K 7o& as they ent& the damse! to!d him& G7ir& e are no near the %!ace here the fou! knight haunteth& ho robbeth and distresseth a!! !adies and gent!e omen tra"e!!ing %ast this ay& against hom 9 ha"e sought thy aid#K Then they arranged that she shou!d ride on foremost& and 7ir Lance!ot shou!d fo!!o under co"er of the trees by the roadside& and if he sa her come to any misha%& he shou!d ride forth and dea! ith him that troub!ed her# And as the damse! rode on at a soft amb!ing %ace& a knight and %age burst forth from the roadside and forced the damse! from her horse& ti!! she cried out for he!%# Then came 7ir Lance!ot rushing through the ood as fast as he might f!y& and a!! the branches of the trees crack!ed and a"ed around him# GO thou fa!se knight and traitor to a!! knighthoodRK shouted he& G ho taught thee to distress fair !adies thusQK The fou! knight ans ered nothing& but dre out his s ord and rode at 7ir Lance!ot& ho thre his s%ear a ay and dre his o n s ord !ike ise& and struck him such a mighty b!o as c!a"e his head do n to the throat# G<o hast thou the ages thou !ong hast earnedRK said heO and so de%arted from the damse!# Then for t o days he rode in a great forest& and had but scanty food and !odging& and on the third day he rode o"er a !ong bridge& hen sudden!y there started u% a %assing fou! chur!& and smote his horse across the nose& so that he started and turned back& rearing ith %ain# GDhy ridest thou o"er here ithout my !ea"eQK said he# GDhy shou!d 9 notQK said 7ir Lance!otO Gthere is no other ay to ride#K GThou sha!t not %ass by here&K cried out the chur!& and dashed at him ith a great c!ub fu!! of iron s%ikes& ti!! 7ir Lance!ot as fain to dra his s ord and smite him dead u%on the earth# At the end of the bridge as a fair "i!!age& and a!! the %eo%!e came and cried& GAh& sirR a orse deed for thyse!f thou ne"er didst& for thou hast s!ain the chief %orter of the cast!e yonderRK But he !et them ta!k as they %!eased& and rode straight for ard to the cast!e#

There he a!ighted& and tied his horse to a ring in the a!!O and going in& he sa a ide green court& and thought it seemed a nob!e %!ace to fight in# And as he !ooked about& he sa many %eo%!e atching him from doors and indo s& making signs of arning& and saying& G8air knight& thou art unha%%y#K 9n the neCt moment came u%on him t o great giants& e!! armed sa"e their heads& and ith t o horrib!e c!ubs in their hands# Then he %ut his shie!d before him& and ith it arded off one giantBs stroke& and c!o"e the other ith his s ord from the head do n ard to the chest# Dhen the first giant sa that& he ran a ay mad ith fearO but 7ir Lance!ot ran after him& and smote him through the shou!der& and shore him do n his back& so that he fe!! dead# Then he a!ked on ard to the cast!e ha!!& and sa a band of siCty !adies and young damse!s coming forth& ho kne!t to him& and thanked him for their freedom# G8or& sir&K said they& Gthe most of us ha"e been %risoners here these se"en yearsO and ha"e been ke%t at a!! manner of ork to earn our meat& though e be a!! great gent!e omen born# B!essed be the time that thou ast born& for ne"er did a knight a deed of greater orshi% than thou hast this day& and thereto i!! e a!! bear itness in a!! times and %!acesR Te!! us& therefore& nob!e knight& thy name and court& that e may te!! them to our friendsRK And hen they heard it& they a!! cried a!oud& GDe!! may it be so& for e kne that no knight sa"e thou shou!dst e"er o"ercome those giantsO and many a !ong day ha"e e sighed for theeO for the giants feared no other name among a!! knights but thine#K Then he to!d them to take the treasures of the cast!e as a re ard for their grie"ances& and to return to their homes& and so rode a ay into many strange and i!d countries# And at !ast& after many days& by chance he came& near the night time& to a fair mansion& herein he found an o!d gent!e oman& ho ga"e him and his horse good cheer# And hen bed time as come& his host brought him to a chamber o"er a gate& and there he unarmed& and ent to bed and fe!! as!ee%# But soon thereafter came one riding in great haste& and knocking "ehement!y at the gate be!o & hich hen 7ir Lance!ot heard& he rose and !ooked out of the indo & and& by the moon!ight& sa three knights come riding fierce!y after one man& and !ashing on him a!! at once ith their s ords& hi!e the one knight nob!y fought a!!# Then 7ir Lance!ot @uick!y armed himse!f& and getting through the indo & !et himse!f do n by a sheet into the midst of them& crying out& GTurn ye on me& ye co ards& and !ea"e fighting ith that knightRK Then they a!! !eft 7ir Key& for the first knight as he& and began to fa!! u%on 7ir Lance!ot furious!y# And hen 7ir Key ou!d ha"e come for ard to assist him& 7ir Lance!ot refused& and cried& GLea"e me a!one to dea! ith them#K And %resent!y& ith siC great strokes& he fe!!ed them a!!# Then they cried out& G7ir knight& e yie!d us unto thee& as to a man of mightRK

G9 i!! not take your yie!dingRK said heO Gyie!d ye to 7ir Key& the senescha!& or 9 i!! ha"e your !i"es#K G8air knight&K said they& GeCcuse us in that thing& for e ha"e chased 7ir Key thus far& and shou!d ha"e o"ercome him but for thee#K GDe!!&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gdo as ye i!!& for ye may !i"e or dieO but& if ye !i"e& ye sha!! be ho!den to 7ir Key#K Then they yie!ded to himO and 7ir Lance!ot commanded them to go unto King ArthurBs court at the neCt Pentecost& and say& 7ir Key had sent them %risoners to Lueen Guine"ere# And this they s are to do u%on their s ords# Then 7ir Lance!ot knocked at the gate ith his s ord'hi!t ti!! his hostess came and !et him in again& and 7ir Key a!so# And hen the !ight came& 7ir Key kne 7ir Lance!ot& and kne!t and thanked him for his courtesy& and gent!eness& and kindness# G7ir&K said he& G9 ha"e done no more than hat 9 ought to do& and ye are e!comeO therefore !et us no take rest#K 7o hen 7ir Key had su%%ed& they ent to s!ee%& and 7ir Lance!ot and he s!e%t in the same bed# On the morro & 7ir Lance!ot rose ear!y& and took 7ir KeyBs shie!d and armour and set forth# Dhen 7ir Key arose& he found 7ir Lance!otBs armour by his bedside& and his o n arms gone# G<o & by my faith&K thought he& G9 kno that he i!! grie"e some knights of our kingBs courtO for those ho meet him i!! be bo!d to joust ith him& mistaking him for me& hi!e 9& dressed in his shie!d and armour& sha!! sure!y ride in %eace#K Then 7ir Lance!ot& dressed in 7ir KeyBs a%%are!& rode !ong in a great forest& and came at !ast to a !o country& fu!! of ri"ers and fair meado s& and sa a bridge before him& hereon ere three si!k tents of di"ers co!ours& and to each tent as hung a hite shie!d& and by each shie!d stood a knight# 7o 7ir Lance!ot ent by ithout s%eaking a ord# And hen he had %assed& the three knights said it as the %roud 7ir Key& G ho thinketh no knight e@ua! to himse!f& a!though the contrary is fu!! often %ro"ed u%on him#K GBy my faithRK said one of them& named Gaunter& G9 i!! ride after and attack him for a!! his %ride& and ye sha!! atch my s%eed#K Then& taking shie!d and s%ear& he mounted and rode after 7ir Lance!ot& and cried& GAbide& %roud knight& and turn& for thou sha!t not %ass freeRK 7o 7ir Lance!ot turned& and each one %ut his s%ear in rest and came ith a!! his might against the other# And 7ir GaunterBs s%ear brake short& but 7ir Lance!ot smote him do n& both horse and man# Dhen the other knights sa this& they said& G$onder is not 7ir Key& but a bigger man#K G9 dare ager my head&K said 7ir Gi!mere& Gyonder knight hath s!ain 7ir Key& and taken his horse and harness#K GBe it so& or not&K said 7ir )eyno!d& the third brotherO G!et us no go to our brother GaunterBs rescueO e sha!! ha"e enough to do to

match that knight& for& by his stature& 9 be!ie"e it is 7ir Lance!ot or 7ir Tristram#K Anon& they took their horses and ga!!o%ed after 7ir Lance!otO and 7ir Gi!mere first assai!ed him& but as smitten do n forth ith& and !ay stunned on the earth# Then said 7ir )eyno!d& G7ir knight& thou art a strong man& and& 9 be!ie"e& hast s!ain my t o brothers& herefore my heart is sore against theeO yet& if 9 might ith honour& 9 ou!d a"oid thee# <e"erthe!ess& that cannot be& so kee% thyse!f#K And so they hurt!ed together ith a!! their might& and each man shi"ered his s%ear to %iecesO and then they dre their s ords and !ashed out eager!y# And as they fought& 7ir Gaunter and 7ir Gi!mere %resent!y arose and mounted once again& and came do n at fu!! ti!t u%on 7ir Lance!ot# But& hen he sa them coming& he %ut forth a!! his strength& and struck 7ir )eyno!d off his horse# Then& ith t o other strokes& he ser"ed the others !ike ise# Anon& 7ir )eyno!d cre%t a!ong the ground& ith his head a!! b!oody& and came to ards 7ir Lance!ot# G9t is enough&K said Lance!ot& G9 as not far from thee hen thou ast made a knight& 7ir )eyno!d& and kno thee for a good and "a!iant man& and as fu!! !oth to s!ay thee#K GGrammercy for thy gent!enessRK said 7ir )eyno!d# G9 and my brethren i!! straight ay yie!d to thee hen e kno thy name& for e!! e kno that thou art not 7ir Key#K GAs for that&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gbe it as it may& but ye sha!! yie!d to Lueen Guine"ere at the neCt feast of Pentecost as %risoners& and say that 7ir Key sent ye#K Then they s ore to him it shou!d be done as he commanded# And so 7ir Lance!ot %assed on& and the three brethren he!%ed each otherBs ounds as best they might# Then rode 7ir Lance!ot for ard into a dee% forest& and came u%on four knights of King ArthurBs court& under an oak tree?7ir 7agramour& 7ir Ector& 7ir Ga ain& and 7ir E aine# And hen they s%ied him& they thought he as 7ir Key# G<o by my faith&K said 7ir 7agramour& G9 i!! %ro"e 7ir KeyBs mightRK and taking his s%ear he rode to ards 7ir Lance!ot# But 7ir Lance!ot as a are of him& and& setting his s%ear in rest& smote him so sore!y& that horse and man fe!! to the earth# GLoRK cried 7ir Ector& G9 see by the buffet that knight hath gi"en our fe!!o he is stronger than 7ir Key# <o i!! 9 try hat 9 can do against himRK 7o 7ir Ector took his s%ear& and ga!!o%ed at 7ir Lance!otO and 7ir Lance!ot met him as he came& and smote him through shie!d and shou!der& so that he fe!!& but his o n s%ear as not broken# GBy my faith&K cried 7ir E aine& Gyonder is a strong knight& and must ha"e s!ain 7ir Key& and taken his armourR By his strength& 9 see it i!! be hard to match him#K 7o saying he rode to ards 7ir Lance!ot& ho met him ha!f ay and struck him so fierce!y& that at one b!o he o"erthre him a!so#

G<o &K said 7ir Ga ain& G i!! 9 encounter him#K 7o he took a good s%ear in his hand& and guarded himse!f ith his shie!d# And he and 7ir Lance!ot rode against each other& ith their horses at fu!! s%eed& and furious!y smote each other on the midd!e of their shie!dsO but 7ir Ga ainBs s%ear broke short asunder& and 7ir Lance!ot charged so mighti!y u%on him& that his horse and he both fe!!& and ro!!ed u%on the ground# GAh&K said 7ir Lance!ot& smi!ing& as he rode a ay from the four knights& Ghea"en gi"e joy to him ho made this s%ear& for ne"er he!d 9 better in my hand#K But the four knights said to each other& GTru!y one s%ear hath fe!!ed us a!!#K G9 dare !ay my !ife&K said 7ir Ga ain& Git is 7ir Lance!ot# 9 kno him by his riding#K 7o they a!! de%arted for the court# And as 7ir Lance!ot rode sti!! in the forest& he sa a b!ack b!oodhound& running ith its head to ards the ground& as if it tracked a deer# And fo!!o ing after it& he came to a great %oo! of b!ood# But the hound& e"er and anon !ooking behind& ran through a great marsh& and o"er a bridge& to ards an o!d manor house# 7o 7ir Lance!ot fo!!o ed& and ent into the ha!!& and sa a dead knight !ying there& hose ounds the hound !icked# And a !ady stood behind him& ee%ing and ringing her hands& ho cried& GO knightR too great is the sorro hich thou hast brought meRK GDhy say ye soQK re%!ied 7ir Lance!otO Gfor 9 ne"er harmed this knight& and am fu!! sore!y grie"ed to see thy sorro #K G<ay& sir&K said the !ady& G9 see it is not thou hast s!ain my husband& for he that tru!y did that deed is dee%!y ounded& and sha!! ne"er more reco"er#K GDhat is thy husbandBs nameQK said 7ir Lance!ot# GHis name&K she ans ered& G as 7ir Gi!bert?one of the best knights in a!! the or!dO but 9 kno not his name ho hath s!ain him#K GGod send thee comfort&K said 7ir Lance!ot& and de%arted again into the forest# And as he rode& he met ith a damse! ho kne him& ho cried out& GDe!! found& my !ordR 9 %ray ye of your knighthood he!% my brother& ho is sore ounded and ceases not to b!eed& for he fought this day ith 7ir Gi!bert& and s!e him& but as himse!f e!! nigh s!ain# And there is a sorceress& ho d e!!eth in a cast!e hard by& and she this day hath to!d me that my brotherBs ound sha!! ne"er be made ho!e unti! 9 find a knight to go into the :ha%e! Peri!ous& and bring from thence a s ord and the b!oody c!oth in hich the ounded knight as ra%%ed#K GThis is a mar"e!!ous thingRK said 7ir Lance!otO Gbut hat is your brotherBs nameQK GHis name& sir&K she re%!ied& Gis 7ir Ae!iot de Logres#K GHe is a 8e!!o of the )ound Tab!e&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gand tru!y i!! 9 do my best to he!% him#K

GThen& sir&K said she& Gfo!!o this ay& and it i!! bring ye to the :ha%e! Peri!ous# 9 i!! abide here ti!! God send ye hither againO for if ye s%eed not& there is no !i"ing knight ho may achie"e that ad"enture#K 7o 7ir Lance!ot de%arted& and hen he came to the :ha%e! Peri!ous he a!ighted& and tied his horse to the gate# And as soon as he as ithin the churchyard& he sa on the front of the cha%e! many shie!ds of knights hom he had kno n& turned u%side do n# Then sa he in the %ath ay thirty mighty knights& ta!!er than any men hom he had e"er seen& a!! armed in b!ack armour& ith their s ords dra nO and they gnashed their teeth u%on him as he came# But he %ut his shie!d before him& and took his s ord in hand& ready to do batt!e ith them# And hen he ou!d ha"e cut his ay through them& they scattered on e"ery side and !et him %ass# Then he ent into the cha%e!& and sa therein no !ight but of a dim !am% burning# Then he as a are of a cor%se in the midst of the cha%e!& co"ered ith a si!ken c!oth& and so stoo%ed do n and cut off a %iece of the c!oth& hereat the earth beneath him tremb!ed# Then sa he a s ord !ying by the dead knight& and taking it in his hand& he hied him from the cha%e!# As soon as he as in the churchyard again& a!! the thirty knights cried out to him ith fierce "oices& G7ir Lance!otR !ay that s ord from thee& or thou diestRK GDhether 9 !i"e or die&K said he& Gye sha!! fight for it ere ye take it from me#K Dith that they !et him %ass#

And further on& beyond the cha%e!& he met a fair damse!& ho said& G7ir Lance!ot& !ea"e that s ord behind thee& or thou diest#K G9 i!! not !ea"e it&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gfor any asking#K GThen& gent!e knight&K said the damse!& G9 %ray thee kiss me once#K G<ay&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gthat God forbidRK GA!asRK cried she& G9 ha"e !ost a!! my !abourR but hadst thou kissed me& thy !ifeBs days had been a!! doneRK

GHea"en sa"e me from thy subt!e craftsRK said 7ir Lance!otO and there ith took his horse and ga!!o%ed forth# And hen he as de%arted& the damse! sorro ed great!y& and died in fifteen days# Her name as E!!a es& the sorceress# Then came 7ir Lance!ot to 7ir Ae!iotBs sister& ho& hen she sa him& c!a%%ed her hands and e%t for joy& and took him to the cast!e hard by& here 7ir Ae!iot as# And hen 7ir Lance!ot sa 7ir Ae!iot& he kne him& though he as %a!e as ashes for !oss of b!ood# And 7ir Ae!iot& hen he sa 7ir Lance!ot& knee!ed to him and cried a!oud& GO !ord& 7ir Lance!otR he!% meRK And thereu%on& 7ir Lance!ot ent to him and touched his ounds ith the s ord& and i%ed them ith the %iece of b!oody c!oth# And immediate!y he as as ho!e as though he had been ne"er ounded# Then as there great joy bet een him and 7ir Ae!iotO and his sister made 7ir Lance!ot good cheer# 7o on the morro & he took his !ea"e& that he might go to King ArthurBs court& Gfor&K said he& Git dra eth nigh the feast of Pentecost& and there& by GodBs grace& sha!! ye then find me#K And riding through many strange countries& o"er marshes and "a!!eys& he came at !ength before a cast!e# As he %assed by he heard t o !itt!e be!!s ringing& and !ooking u%& he sa a fa!con f!ying o"erhead& ith be!!s tied to her feet& and !ong strings dang!ing from them# And as the fa!con f!e %ast an e!m'tree& the strings caught in the boughs& so that she cou!d f!y no further# 9n the mean hi!e& came a !ady from the cast!e and cried& GOh& 7ir Lance!otR as thou art the f!o er of a!! knights in the or!d& he!% me to get my ha k& for she hath s!i%%ed a ay from me& and if she be !ost& my !ord my husband is so hasty& he i!! sure!y s!ay meRK GDhat is thy !ordBs nameQK said 7ir Lance!ot# GHis name&K said she& Gis 7ir Phe!ot& a knight of the King of <orthga!es#K G8air !ady&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gsince you kno my name& and re@uire me& on my knighthood& to he!% you& 9 i!! do hat 9 can to get your ha k#K And thereu%on a!ighting& he tied his horse to the same tree& and %rayed the !ady to unarm him# 7o hen he as unarmed& he c!imbed u% and reached the fa!con& and thre it to the !ady# Then sudden!y came do n& out of the ood& her husband& 7ir Phe!ot& a!! armed& ith a dra n s ord in his hand& and said& GOh& 7ir Lance!otR no ha"e 9 found thee as 9 ou!d ha"e theeRK and stood at the trunk of the tree to s!ay him# GAh& !adyRK cried 7ir Lance!ot& G hy ha"e ye betrayed meQK G7he hath done as 9 commanded her&K said 7ir Phe!ot& Gand thine hour is come that thou must die#K G9t ere shame&K said Lance!ot& Gfor an armed to s!ay an unarmed man#K GThou hast no other fa"our from me&K said 7ir Phe!ot# GA!asRK cried 7ir Lance!ot& Gthat e"er any knight shou!d die ea%on!essRK And !ooking o"erhead& he sa a great bough

ithout !ea"es& and renched it off the tree& and sudden!y !ea%ed do n# Then 7ir Phe!ot struck at him eager!y& thinking to ha"e s!ain him& but 7ir Lance!ot %ut aside the stroke ith the bough& and there ith smote him on the side of the head& ti!! he fe!! s ooning to the ground# And tearing his s ord from out his hands& he shore his neck through from the body# Then did the !ady shriek disma!!y& and s ooned as though she ou!d die# But 7ir Lance!ot %ut on his armour& and ith haste took his horse and de%arted thence& thanking God he had esca%ed that %eri!# And as he rode through a "a!!ey& among many i!d ays& he sa a knight& ith a dra n s ord& chasing a !ady to s!ay her# And seeing 7ir Lance!ot& she cried and %rayed to him to come and rescue her# At that he ent u%& saying& G8ie on thee& knightR hy i!t thou s!ay this !adyQ Thou doest shame to thyse!f and a!! knights#K GDhat hast thou to do bet een me and my ifeQK re%!ied the knight# G9 i!! s!ay her in s%ite of thee#K GThou sha!! not harm her&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gti!! e ha"e first fought together#K G7ir&K ans ered the knight& Gthou doest i!!& for this !ady hath betrayed me#K GHe s%eaketh fa!se!y&K said the !ady& Gfor he is jea!ous of me ithout cause& as 9 sha!! ans er before Hea"enO but as thou art named the most orshi%fu! knight in the or!d& 9 %ray thee of thy true knighthood to sa"e me& for he is ithout mercy#K GBe of good cheer&K said 7ir Lance!otO Git sha!! not !ie ithin his %o er to harm thee#K G7ir&K said the knight& G9 i!! be ru!ed as ye i!! ha"e me#K 7o 7ir Lance!ot rode bet een the knight and the !ady# And hen they had ridden a hi!e& the knight cried out sudden!y to 7ir Lance!ot to turn and see hat men they ere ho came riding after themO and hi!e 7ir Lance!ot& thinking not of treason& turned to !ook& the knight& ith one great stroke& smote off the !adyBs head# Then as 7ir Lance!ot %assing roth& and cried& GThou traitorR Thou hast shamed me for e"erRK and& a!ighting from his horse& he dre his s ord to ha"e s!ain him instant!yO but the knight fe!! on the ground and c!as%ed 7ir Lance!otBs knees& and cried out for mercy# GThou shamefu! knight&K ans ered Lance!ot& Gthou mayest ha"e no mercy& for thou sho edst none& therefore arise and fight ith me#K G<ay&K said the knight& G9 i!! not rise ti!! thou dost grant me mercy#K G<o i!! 9 dea! fair!y by thee&K said 7ir Lance!otO G9 i!! unarm me to my shirt& and ha"e my s ord on!y in my hand& and if thou canst s!ay me thou sha!! be @uit for e"er#K GThat i!! 9 ne"er do&K said the knight# GThen&K ans ered 7ir Lance!ot& Gtake this !ady and the head& and bear it ith thee& and s ear to me u%on thy s ord ne"er to rest unti! thou comest to Lueen Guine"ere#K

GThat i!! 9 do&K said he# G<o &K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gte!! me thy name#K G9t is Pedi"ere&K ans ered the knight# G9n a shamefu! hour ert thou born&K said 7ir Lance!ot# 7o 7ir Pedi"ere de%arted& bearing ith him the dead !ady and her head# And hen he came to Dinchester& here the Lueen as ith King Arthur& he to!d them a!! the truthO and after ards did great and hea"y %enance many years& and became an ho!y hermit# 7o& t o days before the 8east of Pentecost& 7ir Lance!ot returned to the court& and King Arthur as fu!! g!ad of his coming# And hen 7ir Ga ain& 7ir E aine& 7ir 7agramour& and 7ir Ector& sa him in 7ir KeyBs armour& they kne e!! it as he ho had smitten them a!! do n ith one s%ear# Anon& came a!! the knights 7ir Tur@uine had taken %risoners& and ga"e orshi% and honour to 7ir Lance!ot# Then 7ir Key to!d the King ho 7ir Lance!ot had rescued him hen he as in near danger of his deathO Gand&K said 7ir Key& Ghe made the knights yie!d& not to himse!f& but me# And by Hea"enR because 7ir Lance!ot took my armour and !eft me his& 9 rode in %eace& and no man ou!d ha"e aught to do ith me#K Then came the knights ho fought ith 7ir Lance!ot at the !ong bridge and yie!ded themse!"es a!so to 7ir Key& but he said nay& he had not fought ith them# G9t is 7ir Lance!ot&K said he& Gthat o"ercame ye#K <eCt came 7ir Ae!iot de Logres& and to!d King Arthur ho 7ir Lance!ot had sa"ed him from death# And so a!! 7ir Lance!otBs deeds and great ad"entures ere made kno nO ho the four sorceress'@ueens had him in %risonO ho he as de!i"ered by the daughter of King Bagdemagus& and hat deeds of arms he did at the tournament bet een the King of <orth Da!es and King Bagdemagus# And so& at that festi"a!& 7ir Lance!ot had the greatest name of any knight in a!! the or!d& and by high and !o as he the most honoured of a!! men#

)HA*T$R 3
Adventures of Sir Beaumains or Sir .areth

gain King Arthur he!d the 8east of Pentecost& ith a!! the Tab!e )ound& and after his custom sat in the ban@uet ha!!& before beginning meat& aiting for some ad"enture# Then came there to the king a s@uire and said& GLord& no may ye go to meat& for here a damse! cometh ith some strange ad"enture#K 7o the king as g!ad& and sat do n to meat# Anon the damse! came in and sa!uted him& %raying him for succour# GDhat i!t thouQK said the king# GLord&K ans ered she& Gmy mistress is a !ady of great reno n& but is at this time besieged by a tyrant& ho i!! not suffer her to go out of her cast!eO and because here in thy court the knights are ca!!ed the nob!est in the or!d& 9 come to %ray thee for thy succour#K GDhere d e!!eth your !adyQK ans ered the king# GDhat is her name& and ho is he that hath besieged herQK G8or her name&K re%!ied the damse!& Gas yet 9 may not te!! itO but she is a !ady of orshi% and great !ands# The tyrant that besiegeth her and asteth her !ands is ca!!ed the )ed Knight of the )ed!ands#K G9 kno him not&K said Arthur# GBut 9 kno him& !ord&K said 7ir Ga ain& Gand he is one of the most %eri!ous knights in a!! the or!d# Aen say he hath the strength of se"enO and from him 9 myse!f once hard!y esca%ed ith !ife#K G8air damse!&K said the king& Gthere be here many knights that ou!d g!ad!y do their uttermost to rescue your !ady& but un!ess ye te!! me her name& and here she d e!!eth& none of my knights sha!! go ith you by my !ea"e#K <o & there as a stri%!ing at the court ca!!ed Beaumains& ho ser"ed in the kingBs kitchen& a fair youth and of great stature# T e!"e months before this time he had come to the king as he sat at meat& at Dhitsuntide& and %rayed three gifts of him# And being asked hat gifts& he ans ered& GAs for the first gift 9 i!! ask it no & but the other t o gifts 9 i!! ask on this day t e!"e months& heresoe"er ye ho!d your high feast#K Then said King Arthur& GDhat is thy first re@uestQK GThis& !ord&K said he& Gthat thou i!t gi"e me meat and drink enough for t e!"e months from this time& and then i!! 9 ask my other t o gifts#K And the king seeing that he as a good!y youth& and deeming that he as come of honourab!e b!ood& had granted his desire& and gi"en him into the charge of 7ir Key& the ste ard# But 7ir Key scorned and mocked the youth& ca!!ing him Beaumains& because his hands ere !arge and fair& and %utting him into the kitchen& here he had ser"ed for t e!"e months as a scu!!ion& and& in s%ite of a!! his chur!ish treatment& had faithfu!!y obeyed 7ir Key# But 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Ga ain ere angered hen they sa 7ir Key so chur!ish to a youth that had so orshi%fu! a bearing& and ofttimes had they gi"en him go!d and c!othing# And no at this time came young Beaumains to the king& hi!e the damse! as there& and said& GLord& no 9 thank thee e!! and hearti!y that 9 ha"e been t e!"e months ke%t in thy kitchen& and ha"e had fu!! sustenance# <o i!! 9 ask my t o remaining gifts#K GAsk&K said King Arthur& Gon my good faith#K GThese& !ord&K said he& Gsha!! be my t o gifts?the one& that thou i!t grant me this

ad"enture of the damse!& for to me of right it be!ongethO and the other& that thou i!t bid 7ir Lance!ot make me a knight& for of him on!y i!! 9 ha"e that honourO and 9 %ray that he may ride after me and make me a knight hen 9 re@uire him#K GBe it as thou i!t&K re%!ied the king# But thereu%on the damse! as fu!! roth& and said& G7ha!! 9 ha"e a kitchen %age for this ad"entureQK and so she took horse and de%arted# Then came one to Beaumains& and to!d him that a d arf ith a horse and armour ere aiting for him# And a!! men mar"e!!ed hence these things came# But hen he as on horseback and armed& scarce any one at the court as a good!ier man than he# And coming into the ha!!& he took his !ea"e of the king and 7ir Ga ain& and %rayed 7ir Lance!ot to fo!!o him# 7o he rode after the damse!& and many of the court ent out to see him& so rich!y arrayed and horsedO yet he had neither shie!d nor s%ear# Then 7ir Key cried& G9 a!so i!! ride after the kitchen boy& and see hether he i!! obey me no #K And taking his horse& he rode after him& and said& GKno ye not me& BeaumainsQK G$ea&K said he& G9 kno thee for an ungent!e knight& therefore be are of me#K Then 7ir Key %ut his s%ear in rest and ran at him& but Beaumains rushed u%on him ith his s ord in his hand& and there ith& %utting aside the s%ear& struck 7ir Key so sore!y in the side& that he fe!! do n& as if dead# Then he a!ighted& and took his shie!d and s%ear& and bade his d arf ride u%on 7ir KeyBs horse# By this time& 7ir Lance!ot had come u%& and Beaumains offering to ti!t ith him& they both made ready# And their horses came together so fierce!y that both fe!! to the earth& fu!! sore!y bruised# Then they arose& and Beaumains& %utting u% his shie!d before him& offered to fight 7ir Lance!ot& on foot# 7o they rushed u%on each other& striking& and thrusting& and %arrying& for the s%ace of an hour# And Lance!ot mar"e!!ed at the strength of Beaumains& for he fought more !ike a giant than a man& and his fighting as %assing fierce and terrib!e# 7o& at the !ast& he said& G8ight not so sore!y& BeaumainsO our @uarre! is not such that e may not no cease#K GTrue&K ans ered BeaumainsO Gyet it doth me good to fee! thy might& though 9 ha"e not yet %ro"ed my uttermost#K GBy my faith&K said Lance!ot& G9 had as much as 9 cou!d do to sa"e myse!f from you unshamed& therefore be in no doubt of any earth!y knight#K GAay 9& then& stand as a %ro"ed knightQK said Beaumains# G8or that i!! 9 be thy arrant&K ans ered Lance!ot# GThen& 9 %ray thee&K said he& Ggi"e me the order of knighthood#K G8irst& then& must thou te!! me of thy name and kindred&K said 7ir Lance!ot# G9f thou i!t te!! them to no other& 9 i!! te!! thee&K ans ered he# GAy name is Gareth of Orkney& and 9 am o n brother to 7ir Ga ain#K GAhRK said 7ir Lance!ot& Gat that am 9 fu!! g!adO for& tru!y& 9 deemed thee to be of gent!e b!ood#K 7o then he knighted Beaumains& and& after that& they %arted com%any& and 7ir Lance!ot& returning to the court& took u% 7ir Key on his shie!d# And hard!y did 7ir Key esca%e ith his !ife& from the ound Beaumains had gi"en himO

but a!! men b!amed him for his ungent!e treatment of so bra"e a knight# Then 7ir Beaumains rode for ard& and soon o"ertook the damse!O but she said to him& in scorn& G)eturn again& base kitchen %ageR Dhat art thou& but a asher'u% of dishesRK G*amse!&K said he& Gsay to me hat thou i!t& 9 i!! not !ea"e theeO for 9 ha"e undertaken to King Arthur to re!ie"e thy ad"enture& and 9 i!! finish it to the end& or die#K GThou finish my ad"entureRK said she ?Ganon& thou sha!t meet one& hose face thou i!t not e"en dare to !ook at#K G9 sha!! attem%t it&K ans ered he# 7o& as they rode thus& into a ood& there met them a man& f!eeing& as for his !ife# GDhither f!eest thouQK said 7ir Beaumains# GO !ordRK he ans ered& Ghe!% meO for& in a "a!!ey hard by& there are siC thie"es& ho ha"e taken my !ord& and bound him& and 9 fear i!! s!ay him#K GBring me thither&K said 7ir Beaumains# 7o they rode to the %!ace& and 7ir Beaumains rushed after the thie"es& and smote one& at the first stroke& so that he diedO and then& ith t o other b!o s& s!e a second and third# Then f!ed the other three& and 7ir Beaumains rode after them& and o"ertook and s!e them a!!# Then he returned and unbound the knight# And the knight thanked him& and %rayed him to ride to his cast!e& here he ou!d re ard him# G7ir&K ans ered 7ir Beaumains& G9 i!! ha"e no re ard of thee& for but this day as 9 made knight by the most nob!e 7ir Lance!otO and besides& 9 must go ith this damse!#K Then the knight begged the damse! to rest that night at his cast!e# 7o they a!! rode thither& and e"er the damse! scoffed at 7ir Beaumains as a kitchen boy& and !aughed at him before the knight their host& so that he set his meat before him at a !o er tab!e& as though he ere not of their com%any# And on the morro & the damse! and 7ir Beaumains took their !ea"e of the knight& and thanking him de%arted# Then they rode on their ay ti!! they came to a great forest& through hich f!o ed a ri"er& and there as but one %assage o"er it& hereat stood t o knights armed to hinder the ay# GDi!t thou match those t o knights&K said the damse! to 7ir Beaumains& Gor return againQK G9 ou!d not return&K said he& Gthough they ere siC#K There ith he ga!!o%ed into the ater& and s am his horse into the midd!e of the stream# And there& in the ri"er& one of the knights met him& and they brake their s%ears together& and then dre their s ords& and smote fierce!y at each other# And at the !ast& 7ir Beaumains struck the other mighti!y u%on the he!m& so that he fe!! do n stunned into the ater& and as dro ned# Then 7ir Beaumains s%urred his horse on to the !and& here instant!y the other knight fe!! on him# And they a!so brake their s%ears u%on each other& and then dre their s ords& and fought sa"age!y and !ong together# And after many b!o s& 7ir Beaumains c!o"e through the knightBs sku!! do n to the shou!ders# Then rode 7ir Beaumains to the damse!& but e"er she sti!! scoffed at him& and said& GA!asR that a kitchen %age shou!d chance to s!ay t o such bra"e knightsR Thou deemest no that thou hast done a mighty deed& but it is not soO

for the first knightBs horse stumb!ed& and thus as he dro ned? not by thy strengthO and as for the second knight& thou entest by chance behind him& and didst ki!! him shamefu!!y#K G*amse!&K said 7ir Beaumains& Gsay hat ye !ist& 9 care not so 9 may in your !adyO and ou!dst thou gi"e me but fair !anguage& a!! my care ere %astO for hatsoe"er knights 9 meet& 9 fear them not#K GThou sha!t see knights that sha!! abate thy boast& base kitchen kna"e&K re%!ied sheO Gyet say 9 this for thine ad"antage& for if thou fo!!o est me thou i!t be sure!y s!ain& since 9 see a!! thou doest is but by chance& and not by thy o n %ro ess#K GDe!! damse!&K said he& Gsay hat ye i!!& here"er ye go 9 i!! fo!!o #K 7o they rode on unti! the e"entide& and sti!! the damse! e"ermore ke%t chiding 7ir Beaumains# Then came they to a b!ack s%ace of !and& hereon as a b!ack ha thorn tree& and on the tree there hung a b!ack banner& and on the other side as a b!ack shie!d and s%ear& and by them a great b!ack horse& co"ered ith si!kO and hard by sat a knight armed in b!ack armour& hose name as the Knight of the B!ack!ands# Dhen the damse! sa him& she cried out to Beaumains& G8!ee do n the "a!!ey& for thy horse is not sadd!edRK GDi!t thou for e"er deem me co ardQK ans ered he# Dith that came the B!ack Knight to the damse!& and said& G8air damse!& hast thou brought this knight from ArthurBs court to be thy cham%ionQK G<ot so& fair knight&K said sheO Ghe is but a kitchen kna"e#K GThen herefore cometh he in such arrayQK said heO Git is a shame that he shou!d bear thee com%any#K G9 cannot be de!i"ered from him&K ans ered she( Gfor in s%ite of me he rideth ith meO and ou!d to Hea"en you ou!d %ut him from me& or no s!ay him& for he hath s!ain t o knights at the ri"er %assage yonder& and done many mar"e!!ous deeds through %ure mischance#K G9 mar"e!&K said the B!ack Knight& Gthat any man of orshi% i!! fight ith him#K GThey kno him not&K said the damse!& Gand think& because he rideth ith me& that he is e!! born#K GTru!y& he hath a good!y %erson& and is !ike!y to be a strong man&K re%!ied the knightO Gbut since he is no man of orshi%& he sha!! !ea"e his horse and armour ith me& for it ere a shame for me to do him more harm#K Dhen 7ir Beaumains heard him s%eak thus& he said& GHorse or armour gettest thou none of me& 7ir knight& sa"e thou innest them ith thy handsO therefore defend thyse!f& and !et me see hat thou canst do#K GHo sayest thouQK ans ered the B!ack Knight# G<o @uit this !ady a!so& for it beseemeth not a kitchen kna"e !ike thee to ride ith such a !ady#K G9 am of higher !ineage than thou&K said 7ir Beaumains& Gand i!! straight ay %ro"e it on thy body#K Then furious!y they dro"e their horses at each other& and came together as it had been thunder# But the B!ack KnightBs s%ear brake short& and 7ir Beaumains thrust him through the side& and his s%ear breaking at the head& !eft its %oint sticking fast in the B!ack KnightBs body# $et did the B!ack Knight dra his s ord& and smite at 7ir Beaumains ith many fierce and bitter b!o sO but after they had fought an hour and more& he fe!! do n from his

horse in a s oon& and forth ith died# Then 7ir Beaumains !ighted do n and armed himse!f in the B!ack KnightBs armour& and rode on after the damse!# But not ithstanding a!! his "a!our& sti!! she scoffed at him& and said& GA ayR for thou sa"ourest e"er of the kitchen# A!asR that such a kna"e shou!d by misha% destroy so good a knightO yet once again 9 counse! thee to f!ee& for hard by is a knight ho sha!! re%ay theeRK G9t may chance that 9 am beaten or s!ain&K ans ered 7ir Beaumains& Gbut 9 arn thee& fair damse!& that 9 i!! not f!ee a ay& nor !ea"e thy com%any or my @uest& for a!! that ye can say#K Anon& as they rode& they sa a knight come s ift!y to ards them& dressed a!! in green& ho& ca!!ing to the damse! said& G9s that my brother& the B!ack Knight& that ye ha"e brought ith youQK G<ay& and a!asRK said she& Gthis kitchen kna"e hath s!ain thy brother through mischance#K GA!asRK said the Green Knight& Gthat such a nob!e knight as he as shou!d be s!ain by a kna"eBs hand# TraitorRK cried he to 7ir Beaumains& Gthou sha!t die for thisR 7ir Pereard as my brother& and a fu!! nob!e knight#K G9 defy thee&K said 7ir Beaumains& Gfor 9 s!e him knight!y and not shamefu!!y#K Then the Green Knight rode to a thorn hereon hung a green horn& and& hen he b!e three notes& there came three damse!s forth& ho @uick!y armed him& and brought him a great horse and a green shie!d and s%ear# Then did they run at one another ith their fu!!est might& and break their s%ears asunderO and& dra ing their s ords& they c!osed in fight& and sore!y smote and ounded each other ith many grie"ous b!o s# At !ast& 7ir BeaumainsB horse jost!ed against the Green KnightBs horse& and o"erthre him# Then both a!ighted& and& hurt!ing together !ike mad !ions& fought a great hi!e on foot# But the damse! cheered the Green Knight& and said& GAy !ord& hy i!t thou !et a kitchen kna"e so !ong stand u% against theeQK Hearing these ords& he as ashamed& and ga"e 7ir Beaumains such a mighty stroke as c!a"e his shie!d asunder# Dhen 7ir Beaumains heard the damse!Bs ords& and fe!t that b!o & he aCed %assing roth& and ga"e the Green Knight such a buffet on the he!m that he fe!! on his knees& and ith another b!o 7ir Beaumains thre him on the ground# Then the Green Knight yie!ded& and %rayed him to s%are his !ife# GA!! thy %rayers are "ain&K said he& Gun!ess this damse! ho came ith me %ray for thee#K GThat i!! 9 ne"er do& base kitchen kna"e&K said she# GThen sha!! he die&K said Beaumains# GA!asR fair !ady&K said the Green Knight& Gsuffer me not to die for a ordR O& 7ir knight&K cried he to Beaumains& Ggi"e me my !ife& and 9 i!! e"er do thee homageO and thirty knights& ho o e me ser"ice& sha!! gi"e a!!egiance to thee#K GA!! a"ai!eth not&K ans ered 7ir Beaumains& Gun!ess the damse! ask me for thy !ifeOK and thereu%on he made as though he ou!d ha"e s!ain him# Then cried the damse!& G7!ay him notO for if thou do thou sha!t re%ent it#K G*amse!&K said 7ir Beaumains& Gat thy command& he sha!! obtain his !ife# Arise& 7ir knight of the green armour& 9 re!ease theeRK Then the Green Knight kne!t at his feet& and did him

homage ith his ords# GLodge ith me this night&K said he& Gand to'morro i!! 9 guide ye through the forest#K 7o& taking their horses& they rode to his cast!e& hich as hard by# $et sti!! did the damse! rebuke and scoff at 7ir Beaumains& and ou!d not suffer him to sit at her tab!e# G9 mar"e!&K said the Green Knight to her& Gthat ye thus chide so nob!e a knight& for tru!y 9 kno none to match himO and be sure& that hatsoe"er he a%%eareth no & he i!! %ro"e& at the end& of nob!e b!ood and roya! !ineage#K But of a!! this ou!d the damse! take no heed& and ceased not to mock at 7ir Beaumains# On the morro & they arose and heard massO and hen they had broken their fast& took their horses and rode on their ay& the Green Knight con"eying them through the forest# Then& hen he had !ed them for a hi!e& he said to 7ir Beaumains& GAy !ord& my thirty knights and 9 sha!! a! ays be at thy command hensoe"er thou sha!t send for us#K G9t is e!! said&K re%!ied heO Gand hen 9 ca!! u%on you& you sha!! yie!d yourse!f and a!! your knights unto King Arthur#K GThat i!! e g!ad!y do&K said the Green Knight& and so de%arted# And the damse! rode on before 7ir Beaumains& and said to him& GDhy dost thou fo!!o me& thou kitchen boyQ 9 counse! thee to thro aside thy s%ear and shie!d& and f!ee betimes& for ert thou as mighty as 7ir Lance!ot or 7ir Tristram& thou shou!dest not %ass a "a!!ey near this %!ace& ca!!ed the Pass Peri!ous#K G*amse!&K ans ered he& G!et him that feareth f!eeO as for me& it ere indeed a shamefu! thing to turn after so !ong a journey#K As he s%ake& they came u%on a to er as hite as sno & ith mighty batt!ements& and doub!e moats round it& and o"er the to er'gate hung fifty shie!ds of di"ers co!ours# Before the to er a!!s& they sa a fair meado & herein ere many knights and s@uires in %a"i!ions& for on the morro there as a tournament at that cast!e# Then the !ord of the cast!e& seeing a knight armed at a!! %oints& ith a damse! and a %age& riding to ards the to er& came forth to meet themO and his horse and harness& ith his shie!d and s%ear& ere a!! of a red co!our# Dhen he came near 7ir Beaumains& and sa his armour a!! of b!ack& he thought him his o n brother& the B!ack Knight& and so cried a!oud& GBrotherR hat do ye here& ithin these bordersQK G<ayRK said the damse!& Git is not thy brother& but a kitchen kna"e of ArthurBs court& ho hath s!ain thy brother& and o"ercome thy other brother a!so& the Green Knight#K G<o do 9 defy theeRK cried the )ed Knight to 7ir Beaumains& and %ut his s%ear in rest and s%urred his horse# Then both knights turned back a !itt!e s%ace& and ran together ith a!! their might& ti!! their horses fe!! to the earth# Then& ith their s ords& they fought fierce!y for the s%ace of three hours# And at !ast& 7ir Beaumains o"ercame his foe& and smote him to the ground# Then the )ed Knight %rayed his mercy& and said& G7!ay me not& nob!e knight& and 9 i!! yie!d to thee ith siCty knights that do my bidding#K GA!! a"ai!s not&K ans ered 7ir Beaumains& Gsa"e this damse! %ray me to re!ease thee#K Then did he !ift his s ord to

s!ay himO but the damse! cried a!oud& G7!ay him not& Beaumains& for he is a nob!e knight#K Then 7ir Beaumains bade him rise u% and thank the damse!& hich straight ay he did& and after ards in"ited them to his cast!e& and made them good!y cheer# But not ithstanding a!! 7ir BeaumainsB mighty deeds& the damse! ceased not to re"i!e and chide him& at hich the )ed Knight mar"e!!ed muchO and caused his siCty knights to atch 7ir Beaumains& that no "i!!ainy might ha%%en to him# And on the morro & they heard mass and broke their fast& and the )ed Knight came before 7ir Beaumains& ith his siCty knights& and %roffered him homage and fea!ty# G9 thank thee&K ans ered heO Gand hen 9 ca!! u%on thee thou sha!t come before my !ord King Arthur at his court& and yie!d yourse!"es to him#K GThat i!! e sure!y do&K said the )ed Knight# 7o 7ir Beaumains and the damse! de%arted# And as she constant!y re"i!ed him and tormented him& he said to her& G*amse!& ye are discourteous thus a! ays to rebuke me& for 9 ha"e done you ser"iceO and for a!! your threats of knights that sha!! destroy me& a!! they ho come !ie in the dust before me# <o & therefore& 9 %ray you rebuke me no more ti!! you see me beaten or a recreant& and then bid me go from you#K GThere sha!! soon meet thee a knight ho sha!! re%ay thee a!! thy deeds& thou boaster&K ans ered she& Gfor& sa"e King Arthur& he is the man of most orshi% in the or!d#K G9t i!! be the greater honour to encounter him&K said 7ir Beaumains# 7oon after& they sa before them a city %assing fair& and bet een them and the city as a meado ne !y mo n& herein ere many good!y tents# G7eest thou yonder b!ue %a"i!ionQK said the damse! to 7ir BeaumainsO Git is 7ir PerseantBs& the !ord of that great city& hose custom is& in a!! fair eather& to !ie in this meado & and joust ith his knights#K And as she s%ake& 7ir Perseant& ho had es%ied them coming& sent a messenger to meet 7ir Beaumains& and to ask him if he came in ar or %eace# G7ay to thy !ord&K he ans ered& Gthat 9 care not hether of the t ain it be#K 7o hen the messenger ga"e this re%!y& 7ir Perseant came out to fight ith 7ir Beaumains# And making ready& they rode their steeds against each otherO and hen their s%ears ere shi"ered asunder& they fought ith their s ords# And for more than t o hours did they hack and he at each other& ti!! their shie!ds and hauberks ere a!! dinted ith many b!o s& and they themse!"es ere sore!y ounded# And at the !ast& 7ir Beaumains smote 7ir Perseant on the he!m& so that he fe!! gro"e!!ing on the earth# And hen he un!aced his he!m to s!ay him& the damse! %rayed for his !ife# GThat i!! 9 grant g!ad!y&K ans ered 7ir Beaumains& Gfor it ere %ity such a nob!e knight shou!d die#K GGrammercyRK said 7ir Perseant& Gfor no 9 certain!y kno that it as thou ho s!e est my brother& the B!ack Knight& 7ir PereardO and o"ercame my brothers& the Green Knight& 7ir Perto!o%e& and the )ed Knight& 7ir PerimonesO and since thou hast

o"ercome me a!so& 9 i!! do thee homage and fea!ty& and %!ace at thy command one hundred knights to do thy bidding#K But hen the damse! sa 7ir Perseant o"erthro n& she mar"e!!ed great!y at the might of 7ir Beaumains& and said& GDhat manner of man may ye be& for no am 9 sure that ye be come of nob!e b!oodQ And tru!y& ne"er did oman re"i!e knight as 9 ha"e done thee& and yet ye ha"e e"er courteous!y borne ith me& hich sure!y ne"er had been ere ye not of gent!e b!ood and !ineage#K

GLady&K re%!ied 7ir Beaumains& Ga knight is !itt!e orth ho may not bear ith a damse!O and so hatsoe"er ye said to me 9 took no heed& sa"e on!y that at times hen your scorn angered me& it made me a!! the stronger against those ith hom 9 fought& and thus ha"e ye furthered me in my batt!es# But hether 9 be born of gent!e b!ood or no& 9 ha"e done you gent!e ser"ice& and %erad"enture i!! do better sti!!& ere 9 de%art from you#K GA!asRK said she& ee%ing at his courtesy& Gforgi"e me& fair 7ir Beaumains& a!! that 9 ha"e missaid and misdone against you#K GDith a!! my heart&K said heO Gand since you no s%eak fair!y to me& 9 am %assing g!ad of heart& and methinks 9 ha"e the strength to o"ercome hate"er knights 9 sha!! henceforth encounter#K Then 7ir Perseant %rayed them to come to his %a"i!ion& and set before them ines and s%ices& and made them great cheer# 7o they rested that nightO and on the morro & the damse! and 7ir Beaumains rose& and heard mass# And hen they had broken their fast& they took their !ea"e of 7ir Perseant# G8air damse!&K said he G hither !ead ye this knightQK G7ir&K ans ered she& Gto the :ast!e *angerous& here my sister is besieged by the Knight of the )ed!ands#K G9 kno him e!!&K said 7ir Perseant& Gfor the most %eri!ous knight a!i"e?a man ithout mercy& and ith the strength of se"en men# God sa"e thee& 7ir Beaumains& from himR and enab!e thee to o"ercome him& for the Lady Lyones& hom he besiegeth& is as fair a !ady as there !i"eth in this or!d#K GThou sayest truth& sir&K said the damse!O Gfor 9 am her sisterO and men ca!! me Linet& or the Di!d Aaiden#K G<o & 9 ou!d ha"e thee kno &K said 7ir Perseant to 7ir Beaumains& Gthat the Knight of the )ed!ands hath ke%t that siege more than t o years& and %ro!ongeth the time ho%ing that 7ir Lance!ot& or 7ir Tristram& or 7ir Lamoracke& may come and batt!e ith himO for these three knights di"ide bet een them a!! knighthoodO and thou if thou mayest match the Knight of the )ed!ands& sha!! e!! be ca!!ed the fourth knight of the or!d#K G7ir&K said 7ir Beaumains& G9 ou!d fain ha"e that good fameO and tru!y& 9 am come of great and honourab!e !ineage# And so that you and this fair damse! i!! concea! it& 9 i!! te!! ye my descent#K And hen they s ore to kee% it secret& he to!d them& GAy name is 7ir Gareth of Orkney& my father as King Lot& and my mother the Lady Be!isent& King ArthurBs sister# 7ir Ga ain& 7ir Agra"ain& and 7ir Gaheris& are my brethren& and 9 am the youngest of them a!!# But& as yet King Arthur and the court kno me not& ho 9 am#K Dhen he had thus to!d them& they both ondered great!y# And the damse! Linet sent the d arf for ard to her sister& to te!! her of their coming# Then did *ame Lyones in@uire hat manner of man the knight as ho as coming to her rescue# And the d arf to!d her of a!! 7ir BeaumainsB deeds by the ay( ho he had o"erthro n 7ir Key& and !eft him for deadO ho he had batt!ed ith 7ir Lance!ot& and as knighted of himO ho he had fought ith& and s!ain& the thie"esO ho he had o"ercome the t o knights ho ke%t the ri"er %assageO ho he had fought ith& and

s!ain& the B!ack KnightO and ho he had o"ercome the Green Knight& the )ed Knight& and !ast of a!!& the B!ue Knight& 7ir Perseant# Then as *ame Lyones %assing g!ad& and sent the d arf back to 7ir Beaumains ith great gifts& thanking him for his courtesy& in taking such a !abour on him for her sake& and %raying him to be of good heart and courage# And as the d arf returned& he met the Knight of the )ed!ands& ho asked him hence he came# G9 came here ith the sister of my !ady of the cast!e&K said the d arf& G ho hath been no to King ArthurBs court and brought a knight ith her to take her batt!e on him#K GThen is her tra"ai! !ost&K re%!ied the knightO Gfor& though she had brought 7ir Lance!ot& 7ir Tristram& 7ir Lamoracke& or 7ir Ga ain& 9 count myse!f their e@ua!& and ho besides sha!! be so ca!!edQK Then the d arf to!d the knight hat deeds 7ir Beaumains had doneO but he ans ered& G9 care not for him& hosoe"er he be& for 9 sha!! short!y o"ercome him& and gi"e him shamefu! death& as to so many others 9 ha"e done#K Then the damse! Linet and 7ir Beaumains !eft 7ir Perseant& and rode on through a forest to a !arge %!ain& here they sa many %a"i!ions& and hard by& a cast!e %assing fair# But as they came near 7ir Beaumains sa u%on the branches of some trees hich gre there& the dead bodies of forty knights hanging& ith rich armour on them& their shie!ds and s ords about their necks& and go!den s%urs u%on their hee!s# GDhat meaneth thisQK said he& amaMed# GLose not thy courage& fair sir&K re%!ied the damse!& Gat this shamefu! sight& for a!! these knights came hither to rescue my sisterO and hen the Knight of the )ed!ands had o"ercome them& he %ut them to this %iteous death& ithout mercyO and in such ise i!! he treat thee a!so un!ess thou bearest thee more "a!iant!y than they#K GTru!y he useth shamefu! customs&K said 7ir BeaumainsO Gand it is a mar"e! that he hath endured so !ong#K 7o they rode on ard to the cast!e a!!s& and found them doub!e' moated& and heard the sea a"es dashing on one side the a!!s# Then said the damse!& G7ee you that i"ory horn hanging u%on the sycamore'treeQ The Knight of the )ed!ands hath hung it there& that any knight may b!o thereon& and then i!! he himse!f come out and fight ith him# But 9 %ray thee sound it not ti!! high noontide& for no it is but daybreak& and ti!! noon his strength increases to the might of se"en men#K GLet that be as it may& fair damse!&K ans ered he& Gfor ere he stronger knight than e"er !i"ed& 9 ou!d not fai! him# Either i!! 9 defeat him at his mightiest& or die knight!y in the fie!d#K Dith that he s%urred his horse unto the sycamore& and b!e the i"ory horn so eager!y& that a!! the cast!e rang its echoes# 9nstant!y& a!! the knights ho ere in the %a"i!ions ran forth& and those ithin the cast!e !ooked out from the indo s& or abo"e the a!!s# And the Knight of the )ed!ands& arming himse!f @uick!y in b!ood'red armour& ith s%ear& and shie!d& and horseBs tra%%ings of !ike co!our& rode forth into a !itt!e

"a!!ey by the cast!e a!!s& so that a!! in the cast!e& and at the siege& might see the batt!e# GBe of good cheer&K said the damse! Linet to 7ir Beaumains& Gfor thy dead!y enemy no comethO and at yonder indo is my !ady and sister& *ame Lyones#K G9n good sooth&K said 7ir Beaumains& Gshe is the fairest !ady 9 ha"e e"er seen& and 9 ou!d ish no better @uarre! than to fight for her#K Dith that& he !ooked u% to the indo & and sa the Lady Lyones& ho a"ed her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer them# Then ca!!ed the Knight of the )ed!ands to 7ir Beaumains& GLea"e no thy gaMing& 7ir knight& and turn to me& for 9 arn thee that !ady is mine#K G7he !o"eth none of thy fe!!o shi%&K he ans eredO Gbut kno this& that 9 !o"e her& and i!! rescue her from thee& or die#K G7ay ye soRK said the )ed Knight# GTake ye no arning from those knights that hang on yonder treesQK G8or shame that thou so boastestRK said 7ir Beaumains# GBe sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that i!! not !ight!y be %ut out& and gi"en me not fear& but rage#K G7ir knight& defend thyse!f&K said the Knight of the )ed!ands& Gfor e i!! ta!k no !onger#K Then did they %ut their s%ears in rest& and came together at the fu!!est s%eed of their horses& and smote each other in the midst of their shie!ds& so that their horsesB harness sundered by the shock& and they fe!! to the ground# And both !ay there so !ong time& stunned& that many deemed their necks ere broken# And a!! men said the strange knight as a strong man& and a nob!e jouster& for none had e"er yet so matched the Knight of the )ed!ands# Then& in a hi!e& they rose& and %utting u% their shie!ds before them& dre their s ords& and fought ith fury& running at each other !ike i!d beasts?no striking such buffets that both ree!ed back ards& no he ing at each other ti!! they shore the harness off in %ieces& and !eft their bodies naked and unarmed# And thus they fought ti!! noon as %ast& hen& for a time they rested to get breath& so sore!y staggering and b!eeding& that many ho behe!d them e%t for %ity# Then they rene ed the batt!e?sometimes rushing so furious!y together& that both fe!! to the ground& and anon changing s ords in their confusion# Thus they endured& and !ashed& and strugg!ed& unti! e"entide& and none ho sa kne hich as the !ike!iest to inO for though the Knight of the )ed!ands as a i!y and subt!e arrior& his subt!ety made 7ir Beaumains i!ier and iser too# 7o once again they rested for a !itt!e s%ace& and took their he!ms off to find breath# But hen 7ir BeaumainsB he!m as off& he !ooked u% to *ame Lyones& here she !eaned& gaMing and ee%ing& from her indo # And hen he sa the s eetness of her smi!ing& a!! his heart as !ight and joyfu!& and starting u%& he bade the Knight of the )ed!ands make ready# Then did they !ace their he!ms and fight together yet afresh& as though they had ne"er fought before# And at the !ast& the Knight of the )ed!ands ith a sudden stroke smote 7ir Beaumains on the hand& so that his s ord fe!! from it& and ith a second stroke u%on the he!m he dro"e him to the earth# Then

cried a!oud the damse! Linet& GA!asR 7ir Beaumains& see ho my sister ee%eth to beho!d thee fa!!enRK And hen 7ir Beaumains heard her ords& he s%rang u%on his feet ith strength& and !ea%ing to his s ord& he caught itO and ith many hea"y b!o s %ressed so sore!y on the Knight of the )ed!ands& that in the end he smote his s ord from out his hand& and& ith a mighty b!o u%on the head& hur!ed him u%on the ground# Then 7ir Beaumains un!aced his he!m& and ou!d ha"e straight ay s!ain him& but the Knight of the )ed!ands yie!ded& and %rayed for mercy# G9 may not s%are thee&K ans ered he& Gbecause of the shamefu! death hich thou hast gi"en to so many nob!e knights#K G$et ho!d thy hand& 7ir knight&K said he& Gand hear the cause# 9 !o"ed once a fair damse!& hose brother as s!ain& as she to!d me& by a knight of ArthurBs court& either 7ir Lance!ot& or 7ir Ga ainO and she %rayed me& as 9 tru!y !o"ed her& and by the faith of my knighthood& to !abour dai!y in deeds of arms& ti!! 9 shou!d meet ith himO and to %ut a!! knights of the )ound Tab!e hom 9 shou!d o"ercome to a "i!!ainous death# And this 9 s ore to her#K Then %rayed the ear!s& and knights& and barons& ho stood round 7ir Beaumains& to s%are the )ed KnightBs !ife# GTru!y&K re%!ied he& G9 am !oth to s!ay him& not ithstanding he hath done such shamefu! deeds# And inasmuch as hat he did as done to %!ease his !ady and to gain her !o"e& 9 b!ame him !ess& and for your sakes 9 i!! re!ease him# But on this agreement on!y sha!! he ho!d his !ife ?that straight ay he de%art into the cast!e& and yie!d him to the !ady there& and make her such amends as she sha!! ask& for a!! the tres%ass he hath done u%on her !andsO and after ards& that he sha!! go unto King ArthurBs court& and ask the %ardon of 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Ga ain for a!! the e"i! he hath done against them#K GA!! this& 7ir knight& 9 s ear to do&K said the Knight of the )ed!andsO and there ith he did him homage and fea!ty# Then came the damse! Linet to 7ir Beaumains and the Knight of the )ed!ands& and disarmed them& and staunched their ounds# And hen the Knight of the )ed!ands had made amends for a!! his tres%asses& he de%arted for the court# Then 7ir Beaumains& being hea!ed of his ounds& armed himse!f& and took his horse and s%ear and rode straight to the cast!e of *ame Lyones& for great!y he desired to see her# But hen he came to the gate they c!osed it fast& and %u!!ed the dra bridge u%# And as he mar"e!!ed thereat& he sa the Lady Lyones standing at a indo & ho said& GGo thy ay as yet& 7ir Beaumains& for thou sha!t not ho!!y ha"e my !o"e unti! thou be among the orthiest knights of a!! the or!d# Go& therefore& and !abour yet in arms for t e!"e months more& and then return to me#K GA!asR fair !ady&K said 7ir Beaumains& G9 ha"e scarce deser"ed this of thee& for sure 9 am that 9 ha"e bought thy !o"e ith a!! the best b!ood in my body#K GBe not aggrie"ed& fair knight&K said she& Gfor none of thy ser"ice is forgot or !ost# T e!"e months i!! soon be %assed in nob!e deedsO and trust that to my

death 9 sha!! !o"e thee and not another#K Dith that she turned and !eft the indo # 7o 7ir Beaumains rode a ay from the cast!e "ery sorro ru! at heart& and rode he kne not hither& and !ay that night in a %oor manBs cottage# On the morro he ent for ard& and came at noon to a broad !ake& and thereby he a!ighted& being "ery sad and eary& and rested his head u%on his shie!d& and to!d his d arf to kee% atch hi!e he s!e%t# <o & as soon as he had de%arted& the Lady Lyones re%ented& and great!y !onged to see him back& and asked her sister many times of hat !ineage he asO but the damse! ou!d not te!! her& being bound by her oath to 7ir Beaumains& and said his d arf best kne & 7o she ca!!ed 7ir Gringamors& her brother& ho d e!t ith her& and %rayed him to ride after 7ir Beaumains ti!! he found him s!ee%ing& and then to take his d arf a ay and bring him back to her# Anon 7ir Gringamors de%arted& and rode ti!! he came to 7ir Beaumains& and found him as he !ay s!ee%ing by the ater'side# Then ste%%ing stea!thi!y behind the d arf he caught him in his arms and rode off in haste# And though the d arf cried !oud!y to his !ord for he!%& and oke 7ir Beaumains& yet& though he rode fu!! @uick!y after him& he cou!d not o"ertake 7ir Gringamors# Dhen *ame Lyones sa her brother come back& she as %assing g!ad of heart& and forth ith asked the d arf his masterBs !ineage# GHe is a kingBs son&K said the d arf& Gand his mother is King ArthurBs sister# His name is 7ir Gareth of Orkney& and he is brother to the good knight& 7ir Ga ain# But 9 %ray you suffer me to go back to my !ord& for tru!y he i!! ne"er !ea"e this country ti!! he ha"e me again#K But hen the Lady Lyones kne her de!i"erer as come of such a king!y stock& she !onged more than e"er to see him again# <o as 7ir Beaumains rode in "ain to rescue his d arf& he came to a fair green road and met a %oor man of the country& and asked him had he seen a knight on a b!ack horse& riding ith a d arf of a sad countenance behind him# G$ea&K said the man& G9 met ith such a knight an hour agone& and his name is 7ir Gringamors# He !i"eth at a cast!e t o mi!es from henceO but he is a %eri!ous knight& and 9 counse! ye not to fo!!o him sa"e ye bear him good i!!#K Then 7ir Beaumains fo!!o ed the %ath hich the %oor man sho ed him& and came to the cast!e# And riding to the gate in great anger& he dre his s ord& and cried a!oud& G7ir Gringamors& thou traitorR de!i"er me my d arf again& or by my knighthood it sha!! be i!! for theeRK Then 7ir Gringamors !ooked out of a indo and said& G7ir Gareth of Orkney& !ea"e thy boasting ords& for thou i!t not get thy d arf again#K But the Lady Lyones said to her brother& G<ay brother& but 9 i!! that he ha"e his d arf& for he hath done much for me& and de!i"ered me from the Knight of the )ed!ands& and e!! do 9 !o"e him abo"e a!! other knights#K 7o 7ir Gringamors ent do n to 7ir Gareth and cried him mercy& and %rayed him to a!ight and take good cheer#

Then he a!ighted& and his d arf ran to him# And hen he as in the ha!! came the Lady Lyones dressed roya!!y !ike a %rincess# And 7ir Gareth as right g!ad of heart hen he sa her# Then she to!d him ho she had made her brother take a ay his d arf and bring him back to her# And then she %romised him her !o"e& and faithfu!!y to c!ea"e to him and none other a!! the days of her !ife# And so they %!ighted their troth to each other# Then 7ir Gringamors %rayed him to sojourn at the cast!e& hich i!!ing!y he did# G8or&K said he& G9 ha"e %romised to @uit the court for t e!"e months& though sure 9 am that in the mean hi!e 9 sha!! be sought and found by my !ord King Arthur and many others#K 7o he sojourned !ong at the cast!e# Anon the knights& 7ir Perseant& 7ir Perimones& and 7ir Perto!o%e& hom 7ir Gareth had o"erthro n& ent to King ArthurBs court ith a!! the knights ho did them ser"ice& and to!d the king they had been con@uered by a knight of his named Beaumains# And as they yet ere ta!king& it as to!d the king there came another great !ord ith fi"e hundred knights& ho& entering in& did homage& and dec!ared himse!f to be the Knight of the )ed!ands# GBut my true name&K said he& Gis 9ronside& and 9 am hither sent by one 7ir Beaumains& ho con@uered me& and charged me to yie!d unto your grace#K GThou art e!come&K said King Arthur& Gfor thou hast been !ong a foe to me and mine& and tru!y 9 am much beho!den to the knight ho sent thee# And no & 7ir 9ronside& if thou i!t amend thy !ife and ho!d of me& 9 i!! entreat thee as a friend& and make thee Knight of the )ound Tab!eO but thou mayst no more be a murderer of nob!e knights#K Then the Knight of the )ed!ands kne!t to the king& and to!d him of his %romise to 7ir Beaumains to use ne"er more such shamefu! customsO and ho he had so done but at the %rayer of a !ady hom he !o"ed# Then kne!t he to 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Ga ain& and %rayed their %ardon for the hatred he had borne them# But the king and a!! the court mar"e!!ed great!y ho 7ir Beaumains as# G8or&K said the king& Ghe is a fu!! nob!e knight#K Then said 7ir Lance!ot& GTru!y he is come of honourab!e b!ood& e!se had 9 not gi"en him the order of knighthoodO but he charged me that 9 shou!d concea! his secret#K <o as they ta!ked thus it as to!d King Arthur that his sister& the Lueen of Orkney& as come to the court ith a great retinue of knights and !adies# Then as there great rejoicing& and the king rose and sa!uted his sister# And her sons& 7ir Ga ain& 7ir Agra"ain& and 7ir Gaheris kne!t before her and asked her b!essing& for during fifteen years !ast %ast they had not seen her# Anon she said& GDhere is my youngest son& 7ir GarethQ for 9 kno that he as here a t e!"emonth ith you& and that ye made a kitchen kna"e of him#K Then the king and a!! the knights kne that 7ir Beaumains and 7ir Gareth ere the same# GTru!y&K said the king& G9 kne him not#K G<or 9&K said 7ir Ga ain and both his brothers# Then said the king& GGod be thanked& fair sister& that he is %ro"ed as orshi%fu! a knight as any no a!i"e& and by the grace of

Hea"en he sha!! be found forth ith if he be any here ithin these se"en rea!ms#K Then said 7ir Ga ain and his brethren& GLord& if ye i!! gi"e us !ea"e e i!! go seek him#K But 7ir Lance!ot said& G9t ere better that the king shou!d send a messenger to *ame Lyones and %ray her to come hither ith a!! s%eed& and she i!! counse! here ye sha!! find him#K G9t is e!! said&K re%!ied the kingO and sent a messenger @uick!y unto *ame Lyones# Dhen she heard the message she %romised she ou!d come forth ith& and to!d 7ir Gareth hat the messenger had said& and asked him hat to do# G9 %ray you&K said he& Gte!! them not here 9 am& but hen my !ord King Arthur asketh for me& ad"ise him thus?that he %roc!aim a tournament before this cast!e on Assum%tion *ay& and that the knight ho %ro"eth best sha!! in yourse!f and a!! your !ands#K 7o the Lady Lyones de%arted and came to King ArthurBs court& and there as right nob!y e!comed# And hen they asked her here 7ir Gareth as& she said she cou!d not te!!# GBut& !ord&K said she& G ith thy good i!! 9 i!! %roc!aim a tournament before my cast!e on the 8east of the Assum%tion& hereof the %riMe sha!! be myse!f and a!! my !ands# Then if it be %roc!aimed that you& !ord& and your knights i!! be there& 9 i!! find knights on my side to fight you and yours& and thus am 9 sure ye i!! hear tidings of 7ir Gareth#K GBe it so done&K re%!ied the king# 7o 7ir Gareth sent messengers %ri"i!y to 7ir Perseant and 7ir 9ronside& and charged them to be ready on the day a%%ointed& ith their com%anies of knights to aid him and his %arty against the king# And hen they ere arri"ed he said& G<o be ye e!! assured that e sha!! be matched ith the best knights of the or!d& and therefore must e gather a!! the good knights e can find#K 7o %roc!amation as made throughout a!! Eng!and& Da!es& 7cot!and& 9re!and& and :orn a!!& and in the out is!es and other countries& that at the 8east of the Assum%tion of our Lady& neCt coming& a!! knights ho came to joust at :ast!e Peri!ous shou!d make choice hether they ou!d side ith the king or ith the cast!e# Then came many good knights on the side of the cast!e# 7ir E%inogris& the son of the King of <orthumber!and& and 7ir Pa!omedes the 7aracen& and 7ir Grummore Grummorsum& a good knight of 7cot!and& and 7ir Brian des 9!es& a nob!e knight& and 7ir :arados of the To er *o!orous& and 7ir Tristram& ho as yet as not a knight of the )ound Tab!e& and many others# But none among them kne 7ir Gareth& for he took no more u%on him than any mean %erson# And on King ArthurBs side there came the King of 9re!and and the King of 7cot!and& the nob!e %rince 7ir Ga!ahaut& 7ir Ga ain and his brothers 7ir Agra"ain and 7ir Gaheris& 7ir E aine& 7ir Tor& 7ir Perce"a!& and 7ir Lamoracke& 7ir Lance!ot a!so and his kindred& 7ir Lione!& 7ir Ector& 7ir Bors and 7ir Bedi"ere& !ike ise 7ir Key and the most %art of the Tab!e )ound# The t o @ueens a!so& Lueen

Guine"ere and the Lueen of Orkney& 7ir GarethBs mother& came ith the king# 7o there as a great array both ithin and ithout the cast!e& ith a!! manner of feasting and minstre!sy# <o before the tournament began& 7ir Gareth %ri"i!y %rayed *ame Lyones& 7ir Gringamors& 7ir 9ronside& and 7ir Perseant& that they ou!d in no ise disc!ose his name& nor make more of him than of any common knight# Then said *ame Lyones& G*ear !ord& 9 %ray thee take this ring& hich hath the %o er to change the earerBs c!othing into any co!our he may i!!& and guardeth him from any !oss of b!ood# But gi"e it me again& 9 %ray thee& hen the tournament is done& for it great!y increaseth my beauty hensoe"er 9 ear it#K GGrammercy& mine o n !ady&K said 7ir Gareth& G9 ished for nothing better& for no 9 may be certain!y disguised as !ong as 9 i!!#K Then 7ir Gringamors ga"e 7ir Gareth a bay courser that as a %assing good horse& ith sure armour& and a nob!e s ord& on by his father from a heathen tyrant# And then e"ery knight made him ready for the tournament# 7o on the day of the Assum%tion& hen mass and matins ere said& the hera!ds b!e their trum%ets and sounded for the tourney# Anon came out the knights of the cast!e and the knights of King Arthur& and matched themse!"es together# Then 7ir E%inogris& son of the King of <orthumber!and& a knight of the cast!e& encountered 7ir E aine& and both broke off their s%ears short to their hands# Then came 7ir Pa!omedes from the cast!e& and met 7ir Ga ain& and they so hard!y smote each other& that both knights and horses fe!! to the earth# Then 7ir Tristram& from the cast!e& encountered ith 7ir Bedi"ere& and smote him to the earth& horse and man# Then the Knight of the )ed!ands and 7ir Gareth met ith 7ir Bors and 7ir B!eoberisO and the Knight of the )ed!ands and 7ir Bors smote together so hard that their s%ears burst& and their horses fe!! gro"e!!ing to the ground# And 7ir B!eoberis brake his s%ear u%on 7ir Gareth& but himse!f as hur!ed u%on the ground# Dhen 7ir Ga!ihodin sa that& he bade 7ir Gareth kee% him& but 7ir Gareth !ight!y smote him to the earth# Then 7ir Ga!ihud got a s%ear to a"enge his brother& but as ser"ed in !ike manner# And 7ir *inadam& and his brother La'cote' ma!e'tai!e& and 7ir 7agramour !e *esirous& and *odinas !e 7a"age& he bore do n a!! ith one s%ear# Dhen King Anguish of 9re!and sa this& he mar"e!!ed hat that knight cou!d be ho seemed at one time green and at another b!ueO for so at e"ery course he changed his co!our that none might kno him# Then he ran to ards him and encountered him& and 7ir Gareth smote the king from his horse& sadd!e and a!!# And in !ike manner he ser"ed the King of 7cot!and& and King ;rience of Gore& and King Bagdemagus# Then 7ir Ga!ahaut& the nob!e %rince& cried out& GKnight of the many co!oursR thou hast jousted e!!O no make thee ready to joust ith me#K Dhen 7ir Gareth heard him& he took a great s%ear and met him s ift!y# And the %rinceBs s%ear broke off& but 7ir Gareth smote him on the !eft side of the he!m& so that he ree!ed

here and there& and had fa!!en do n had not his men reco"ered him# GBy my faith&K said King Arthur& Gthat knight of the many co!ours is a good knight# 9 %ray thee& 7ir Lance!ot du Lake& encounter ith him#K GLord&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gby thy !ea"e 9 i!! forbear# 9 find it in my heart to s%are him at this time& for he hath done enough ork for one dayO and hen a good knight doth so e!! it is no knight!y %art to hinder him from this honour# And %erad"enture his @uarre! is here to'day& and he may be the best be!o"ed of the Lady Lyones of a!! that be hereO for 9 see e!! he %aineth and forceth himse!f to do great deeds# Therefore& as for me& this day he sha!! ha"e the honourO for though 9 ere ab!e to %ut him from it& 9 ou!d not#K G$ou s%eak e!! and tru!y&K said the king# Then after the ti!ting& they dre s ords& and there began a great tournament& and there 7ir Lance!ot did mar"e!!ous deeds of arms& for first he fought ith both 7ir Tristram and 7ir :arados& a!beit they ere the most %eri!ous in a!! the or!d# Then came 7ir Gareth and %ut them asunder& but ou!d not smite a stroke against 7ir Lance!ot& for by him he had been knighted# Anon 7ir GarethBs he!m had need of mending& and he rode aside to see to it and to drink ater& for he as sore athirst ith a!! his mighty feats of strength# And hi!e he drank& his d arf said to him& GGi"e me your ring& !est ye !ose it hi!e ye drink#K 7o 7ir Gareth took it off# And hen he had finished drinking& he rode back eager!y to the fie!d& and in his haste forgot to take the ring again# Then a!! the %eo%!e sa that he ore ye!!o armour# And King Arthur to!d a hera!d& G)ide and es%y the cogniMance of that bra"e knight& for 9 ha"e asked many ho he is& and none can te!! me#K Then the hera!d rode near& and sa ritten round about his he!met in !etters of go!d& G7ir Gareth of Orkney#K And instant!y the hera!d cried his name a!oud& and a!! men %ressed to see him# But hen he sa he as disco"ered& he %ushed ith haste through a!! the cro d& and cried to his d arf& GBoy& thou hast begui!ed me fou!!y in kee%ing my ringO gi"e it me again& that 9 may be hidden#K And as soon as he had %ut it on& his armour changed again& and no man kne here he had gone# Then he %assed forth from the fie!dO but 7ir Ga ain& his brother& rode after him# And hen 7ir Gareth had ridden far into the forest& he took off his ring& and sent it back by the d arf to the Lady Lyones& %raying her to be true and faithfu! to him hi!e he as a ay# Then rode 7ir Gareth !ong through the forest& ti!! night fe!!& and coming to a cast!e he ent u% to the gate& and %rayed the %orter to !et him in# But chur!ish!y he ans ered Gthat he shou!d not !odge there#K Then said 7ir Gareth& GTe!! thy !ord and !ady that 9 am a knight of King ArthurBs court& and for his sake 9 %ray their she!ter#K Dith that the %orter ent to the duchess ho o ned the cast!e# GLet him in straight ay&K cried sheO Gfor the kingBs sake he sha!! not be harbour!essRK and ent do n to recei"e him# Dhen 7ir Gareth sa her coming& he sa!uted her& and said& G8air !ady& 9

%ray you gi"e me she!ter for this night& and if there be here any cham%ion or giant ith hom 9 must needs fight& s%are me ti!! to' morro & hen 9 and my horse sha!! ha"e rested& for e are fu!! eary#K G7ir knight&K she said& Gthou s%eakest bo!d!yO for the !ord of this cast!e is a foe to King Arthur and his court& and if thou i!t rest here to'night thou must agree& that heresoe"er thou mayest meet my !ord& thou must yie!d to him as a %risoner#K GDhat is thy !ordBs name& !adyQK said 7ir Gareth# GThe *uke de !a )o se&K said she# G9 i!! %romise thee&K said he& Gto yie!d to him& if he %romise to do me no harmO but if he refuse& 9 i!! re!ease myse!f ith my s ord and s%ear#K

G9t is e!!&K said the duchessO and commanded the dra bridge to be !et do n# 7o he rode into the ha!! and a!ighted# And hen he had taken off his armour& the duchess and her !adies made him %assing good cheer# And after su%%er his bed as made in the ha!!& and there he rested that night# On the morro he rose and heard mass& and ha"ing broken his fast& took his !ea"e and de%arted# And as he rode %ast a certain mountain there met him a knight named 7ir Bende!aine& and cried unto him GThou sha!t not %ass

un!ess thou joust ith me or be my %risonerRK GThen i!! e joust&K re%!ied 7ir Gareth# 7o they !et their horses run at fu!! s%eed& and 7ir Gareth smote 7ir Bende!aine through his body so sore!y that he scarce!y reached his cast!e ere he fe!! dead# And as 7ir Gareth %resent!y came by the cast!e& 7ir Bende!aineBs knights and ser"ants rode out to re"enge their !ord# And t enty of them fe!! on him at once& a!though his s%ear as broken# But dra ing his s ord he %ut his shie!d before him# And though they brake their s%ears u%on him& one and a!!& and sore!y %ressed on him& yet e"er he defended himse!f !ike a nob!e knight# Anon& finding they cou!d not o"ercome him& they agreed to s!ay his horseO and ha"ing ki!!ed it ith their s%ears& they set u%on 7ir Gareth as he fought on foot# But e"ery one he struck he s!e & and dra"e at them ith fearfu! b!o s& ti!! he had s!ain them a!! but four& ho f!ed# Then taking the horse of one of those that !ay there dead& he rode u%on his ay# Anon he came to another cast!e and heard from ithin a sound as of many omen moaning and ee%ing# Then said he to a %age ho stood ithout& GDhat noise is this 9 hearQK G7ir knight&K said he& Gthere be ithin thirty !adies& the ido s of thirty knights ho ha"e been s!ain by the !ord of this cast!e# He is ca!!ed the Bro n Knight ithout %ity& and is the most %eri!ous knight !i"ing& herefore 9 arn thee to f!ee#K GThat i!! 9 ne"er do&K said 7ir Gareth& Gfor 9 fear him not#K Then the %age sa the Bro n Knight coming and said to Gareth& GLoR my !ord is near#K 7o both knights made them ready and ga!!o%ed their horses to ards each other& and the Bro n Knight brake his s%ear u%on 7ir GarethBs shie!dO but 7ir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fe!! dead# At that he rode into the cast!e and to!d the !adies he had s!ain their foe# Then ere they right g!ad of heart and made him a!! the cheer they cou!d& and thanked him out of measure# But on the morro as he ent to mass he found the !adies ee%ing in the cha%e! u%on di"ers tombs that ere there# And he kne that in those tombs their husbands !ay# Then he bade them be comforted& and ith nob!e and high ords he desired and %rayed them a!! to be at ArthurBs court on the neCt 8east of Pentecost# 7o he de%arted and rode %ast a mountain here as a good!y knight aiting& ho said to him& GAbide& 7ir knight& and joust ith meRK GHo are ye namedQK said 7ir Gareth# G9 am the *uke de !a )o se&K ans ered he# G9n good sooth&K then said 7ir Gareth& Gnot !ong ago 9 !odged ithin your cast!e& and there %romised 9 ou!d yie!d to you hene"er e might meet#K GArt thou that %roud knight&K said the duke& G ho as ready to fight ith meQ Guard thyse!f therefore and make ready#K 7o they ran together& and 7ir Gareth smote the duke from his horse# Then they a!ighted and dre their s ords& and fought fu!! sore!y for the s%ace of an hourO and at the !ast 7ir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and ou!d ha"e s!ain him& but he yie!ded# GThen must ye go&K said 7ir Gareth& Gto my !ord King Arthur at the neCt 8east of Pentecost and

say that 9& 7ir Gareth& sent ye#K GAs ye i!! be it&K said the dukeO and ga"e him u% his shie!d for %!edge# And as 7ir Gareth rode a!one he sa an armed knight coming to ards him# And %utting the dukeBs shie!d before him he rode fast to ti!t ith himO and so they ran together as it had been thunder& and brake their s%ears u%on each other# Then fought they fierce!y ith their s ords and !ashed together ith such mighty strokes that b!ood ran to the ground on e"ery side# And after they had fought together for t o hours and more& it chanced the damse! Linet %assed that ayO and hen she sa them she cried out& G7ir Ga ain and 7ir Gareth& !ea"e your fighting& for ye are brethrenRK At that they thre a ay their shie!ds and s ords& and took each other in their arms and e%t a great hi!e ere they cou!d s%eak# And each ga"e to the other the honour of the batt!e& and there as many a kind ord bet een them# Then said 7ir Ga ain& GO my brother& for your sake ha"e 9 had great sorro and !abourR But tru!y 9 ou!d honour you though ye ere not my brother& for ye ha"e done great orshi% to King Arthur and his court& and sent more knights to him than any of the Tab!e )ound& eCce%t 7ir Lance!ot#K Then the damse! Linet staunched their ounds& and their horses being eary she rode her %a!frey to King Arthur and to!d him of this strange ad"enture# Dhen she had to!d her tidings& the king himse!f mounted his horse and bade a!! come ith him to meet them# 7o a great com%any of !ords and !adies ent forth to meet the brothers# And hen King Arthur sa them he ou!d ha"e s%oken hearty ords& but for g!adness he cou!d not# And both 7ir Ga ain and 7ir Gareth fe!! do n at their unc!eBs knees and did him homage& and there as %assing great joy and g!adness among them a!!# Then said the king to the damse! Linet& GDhy cometh not the Lady Lyones to "isit her knight& 7ir Gareth& ho hath had such tra"ai! for her !o"eQK G7he kno eth not& my !ord& that he is here&K re%!ied the damse!& Gfor tru!y she desireth great!y to see him#K GGo ye and bring her hither&K said the king# 7o the damse! rode to te!! her sister here 7ir Gareth as& and hen she heard it she rejoiced fu!! hearti!y and came ith a!! the s%eed she cou!d# And hen 7ir Gareth sa her& there as great joy and comfort bet een them# Then the king asked 7ir Gareth hether he ou!d ha"e that !ady for his ifeQ GAy !ord&K re%!ied 7ir Gareth& Gkno e!! that 9 !o"e her abo"e a!! !adies !i"ing#K G<o & fair !ady&K said King Arthur& G hat say yeQK GAost nob!e king&K she ans ered& Gmy !ord& 7ir Gareth& is my first !o"e and sha!! be my !ast& and if 9 may not ha"e him for my husband 9 i!! ha"e none#K Then said the king to them& GBe e!! assured that for my cro n 9 ou!d not be the cause of %arting your t o hearts#K Then as high %re%aration made for the marriage& for the king desired it shou!d be at the Aichae!mas neCt fo!!o ing& at Kinkenadon'by'the'7ea#

7o 7ir Gareth sent out messages to a!! the knights hom he had o"ercome in batt!e that they shou!d be there u%on his marriage' day# Therefore& at the neCt Aichae!mas& came a good!y com%any to Kinkenadon'by'the'7ea# And there did the Archbisho% of :anterbury marry 7ir Gareth and the Lady Lyones ith a!! so!emnity# And a!! the knights hom 7ir Gareth had o"ercome ere at the feastO and e"ery manner of re"e!s and games as he!d ith music and minstre!sy# And there as a great jousting for three days# But because of his bride the king ou!d not suffer 7ir Gareth to joust# Then did King Arthur gi"e great !ands and fair& ith store of go!d& to 7ir Gareth and his ife& that so they might !i"e roya!!y together to their !i"esB end#

)HA*T$R 3I
The Adventures of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse

gain King Arthur he!d high festi"a! at :aer!eon& at Pentecost& and gathered round him a!! the fe!!o shi% of the )ound Tab!e& and so& according to his custom& sat and aited ti!! some ad"enture shou!d arise& or some knight return to court hose deeds and %eri!s might be to!d# Anon he sa 7ir Lance!ot and a cro d of knights coming through the doors and !eading in their midst the mighty knight& 7ir Tristram# As soon as King Arthur sa him& he rose u% and ent through ha!f the ha!!& and he!d out both his hands and cried& G)ight e!come to thee& good 7ir Tristram& as e!come art thou as any knight that e"er came before into this court# A !ong time ha"e 9 ished for thee amongst my fe!!o shi%#K Then a!! the knights and barons rose u% ith one accord and came around& and cried out& GDe!come#K Lueen Guine"ere came a!so& and many !adies ith her& and a!! ith one "oice said the same# Then the king took 7ir Tristram by the hand and !ed him to the )ound Tab!e and said& GDe!come again for one of the best and gent!est knights in a!! the or!dO a chief in ar& a chief in %eace& a

chief in fie!d and forest& a chief in the !adiesB chamber?right hearti!y e!come to this court& and mayest thou !ong abide in it#K Dhen he had so said he !ooked at e"ery em%ty seat unti! he came to hat had been 7ir AarhausB& and there he found ritten in go!d !etters& GThis is the seat of the nob!e knight& 7ir Tristram#K Dhereat they made him& ith great cheer and g!adness& a 8e!!o of the )ound Tab!e# <o the story of 7ir Tristram as as fo!!o s(? There as a king of Lyonesse& named Ae!iodas& married to the sister of King Aark of :orn a!!& a right fair !ady and a good# And so it ha%%ened that King Ae!iodas hunting in the oods as taken by enchantment and made %risoner in a cast!e# Dhen his ife E!iMabeth heard it she as nigh mad ith grief& and ran into the forest to seek out her !ord# But after many days of andering and sorro she found no trace of him& and !aid her do n in a dee% "a!!ey and %rayed to meet her death# And so indeed she did& but ere she died she ga"e birth in the midst of a!! her sorro to a chi!d& a boy& and ca!!ed him ith her !atest breath TristramO for she said& GHis name sha!! sho ho sad!y he hath come into this or!d#K There ith she ga"e u% her ghost& and the gent!e oman ho as ith her took the chi!d and ra%%ed it from the co!d as e!! as she as ab!e& and !ay do n ith it in her arms beneath the shado of a tree hard by& eC%ecting death to come to her in turn# But short!y after came a com%any of !ords and barons seeking for the @ueen& and found the !ady and the chi!d and took them home# And on the neCt day came King Ae!iodas& hom Aer!in had de!i"ered& and hen he heard of the @ueenBs death his sorro as greater than tongue can te!!# And anon he buried her so!emn!y and nob!y& and ca!!ed the chi!d Tristram as she had desired# Then for se"en years King Ae!iodas mourned and took no comfort& and a!! that time young Tristram as e!! nourishedO but in a hi!e he edded ith the daughter of Ho e!!& King of Brittany& ho& that her o n chi!dren might enjoy the kingdom& cast about in her mind ho she might destroy Tristram# 7o on a certain day she %ut %oison in a si!"er cu%& here Tristram and her chi!dren ere together %!aying& that hen he as athirst he might drink of it and die# But so it ha%%ened that her o n son sa the cu%& and& thinking it must ho!d good drink& he c!imbed and took it& and drank dee%!y of it& and sudden!y thereafter burst and fe!! do n dead# Dhen the @ueen heard that& her grief as "ery great& but her anger and en"y ere fiercer than before& and soon again she %ut more %oison in the cu%# And by chance one day her husband finding it hen thirsty& took it u% and as about to drink therefrom& hen& seeing him& she s%rang u% ith a mighty cry and dashed it from his hands#

At that King Ae!iodas& ondering great!y& ca!!ed to mind the sudden death of his young chi!d& and taking her fierce!y by the hand he cried( GTraitress& te!! me hat drink is in this cu% or 9 i!! s!ay thee in a momentOK and there ith %u!!ing out his s ord he s ore by a great oath to s!ay her if she straight ay to!d him not the truth# GAh& mercy& !ord&K said she& and fe!! do n at his feetO Gmercy& and 9 i!! te!! thee a!!#K And then she to!d him of her %!ot to murder Tristram& that her o n sons might enjoy the kingdom# GThe !a sha!! judge thee&K said the king# And so anon she as tried before the barons& and condemned to be burnt to death# But hen the fire as made& and she brought out& came Tristram knee!ing at his fatherBs feet and besought of him a fa"our# GDhatsoe"er thou desirest 9 i!! gi"e thee&K said the king# GGi"e me the !ife& then& of the @ueen& my ste%mother&K said he# GThou doest rong to ask it&K said Ae!iodasO Gfor she ou!d ha"e s!ain thee ith her %oisons if she cou!d& and chief!y for thy sake she ought to die#K G7ir&K said he& Gas for that& 9 beseech thee of thy mercy to forgi"e it her& and for my %art may God %ardon her as 9 doO and so 9 %ray thee grant me my boon& and for GodBs sake ho!d thee to thy %romise#K G9f it must be so&K said the king& Gtake thou her !ife& for to thee 9 gi"e it& and go and do ith her as thou i!t#K Then ent young Tristram to the fire and !oosed the @ueen from a!! her bonds and de!i"ered her from death# And after a great hi!e by his good means the king again forga"e and !i"ed in %eace ith her& though ne"er more in the same !odgings# Anon as Tristram sent abroad to 8rance in care of one named Go"erna!e# And there for se"en years he !earned the !anguage of the !and& and a!! knight!y eCercises and gent!e crafts& and es%ecia!!y as he foremost in music and in hunting& and as a har%er beyond a!! others# And hen at nineteen years of age he came back to his father& he as as !usty and strong of body and as nob!e of heart as e"er man as seen# <o short!y after his return it befe!! that King Anguish of 9re!and sent to King Aark of :orn a!! for the tribute due to 9re!and& but hich as no se"en years behindhand# To hom King Aark sent ans er& if he ou!d ha"e it he must send and fight for it& and they ou!d find a cham%ion to fight against it# 7o King Anguish ca!!ed for 7ir Aarhaus& his ifeBs brother& a good knight of the )ound Tab!e& ho !i"ed then at his court& and sent him ith a knight!y retinue in siC great shi%s to :orn a!!# And& casting anchor by the cast!e of Tintagi!& he sent u% dai!y to King Aark for the tribute or the cham%ion# But no knight there ou!d "enture to assai! him& for his fame as "ery high in a!! the rea!m for strength and hardihood#

Then made King Aark a %roc!amation throughout :orn a!!& that if any knight ou!d fight 7ir Aarhaus he shou!d stand at the kingBs right hand for e"ermore& and ha"e great honour and riches a!! the rest of his days# Anon this ne s came to the !and of Lyonesse& and hen young Tristram heard it he as angry and ashamed to think no knight of :orn a!! durst assai! the 9rish cham%ion# GA!as&K said he& Gthat 9 am not a knight& that 9 might match this AarhausR 9 %ray you gi"e me !ea"e& sir& to de%art to King AarkBs court and beg of his grace to make me knight#K GBe ru!ed by thy o n courage&K said his father# 7o Tristram rode a ay forth ith to Tintagi! to King Aark& and ent u% bo!d!y to him and said& G7ir& gi"e me the order of knighthood and 9 i!! fight to the uttermost ith 7ir Aarhaus of 9re!and#K GDhat are ye& and hence come yeQK said the king& seeing he as but a young man& though strong and e!! made both in body and !imb# GAy name is Tristram&K said he& Gand 9 as born in the country of Lyonesse#K GBut kno ye&K said the king& Gthis 9rish knight i!! fight ith none ho be not come of roya! b!ood and near of kin to kings or @ueens& as he himse!f is& for his sister is the Lueen of 9re!and#K Then said Tristram& GLet him kno that 9 am come both on my fatherBs and my motherBs side of b!ood as good as his& for my father is King Ae!iodas and my mother as that Lueen E!iMabeth& thy sister& ho died in the forest at my birth#K Dhen King Aark heard that he e!comed him ith a!! his heart& and knighted him forth ith& and made him ready to go forth as soon as he ou!d choose& and armed him roya!!y in armour co"ered ith go!d and si!"er# Then he sent 7ir Aarhaus ord& GThat a better man than he shou!d fight ith him& 7ir Tristram of Lyonesse& son of King Ae!iodas and of King AarkBs o n sister#K 7o the batt!e as ordained to be fought in an is!and near 7ir AarhausB shi%s& and there 7ir Tristram !anded on the morro & ith Go"erna!e a!one attending him for s@uire& and him he sent back to the !and hen he had made himse!f ready# Dhen 7ir Aarhaus and 7ir Tristram ere thus !eft a!one& 7ir Aarhaus said& G$oung knight 7ir Tristram hat doest thou hereQ 9 am fu!! sorry for thy rashness& for ofttimes ha"e 9 been assai!ed in "ain& and by the best knights of the or!d# Be arned in time& return to them that sent thee#K G8air knight& and e!!'%ro"ed knight&K re%!ied 7ir Tristram& Gbe sure that 9 sha!! ne"er @uit this @uarre! ti!! one of us be o"ercome# 8or this cause ha"e 9 been made knight& and thou sha!t kno before e %art that though as yet un%ro"ed& 9 am a kingBs son and first'born of a @ueen# Aoreo"er 9 ha"e %romised to de!i"er :orn a!! from this ancient burden& or to die# A!so& thou shou!dst ha"e kno n& 7ir Aarhaus& that thy "a!our and thy might are but the better reasons hy 9 shou!d assai! theeO for hether 9 in or

!ose 9 sha!! gain honour to ha"e met so great a knight as thou art#K

Then they began the batt!e& and ti!ted at their hardest against each other& so that both knights and horses fe!! to the earth# But 7ir AarhausB s%ear smote 7ir Tristram a great ound in the side# Then& s%ringing u% from their horses& they !ashed together ith their s ords !ike t o i!d boars# And hen they had stricken together a great hi!e they !eft off strokes and !unged at one

anotherBs breasts and "isorsO but seeing this a"ai!ed not they hurt!ed together again to bear each other do n# Thus fought they more than ha!f the day& ti!! both ere sore!y s%ent and b!ood ran from them to the ground on e"ery side# But by this time 7ir Tristram remained fresher than 7ir Aarhaus and better inded& and ith a mighty stroke he smote him such a buffet as cut through his he!m into his brain'%an& and there his s ord stuck in so fast that thrice 7ir Tristram %u!!ed ere he cou!d get it from his head# Then fe!! 7ir Aarhaus do n u%on his knees& and the edge of 7ir TristramBs s ord broke off into his brain'%an# And sudden!y hen he seemed dead& 7ir Aarhaus rose and thre his s ord and shie!d a ay from him and ran and f!ed into his shi%# And Tristram cried out after him& GAhaR 7ir knight of the )ound Tab!e& dost thou ithdra thee from so young a knightQ it is a shame to thee and a!! thy kinO 9 ou!d rather ha"e been he n into a hundred %ieces than ha"e f!ed from thee#K But 7ir Aarhaus ans ered nothing& and sore!y groaning f!ed a ay# G8are e!!& 7ir knight& fare e!!&K !aughed Tristram& hose o n "oice no as hoarse and faint ith !oss of b!oodO G9 ha"e thy s ord and shie!d in my safe kee%ing& and i!! ear them in a!! %!aces here 9 ride on my ad"entures& and before King Arthur and the Tab!e )ound#K Then as 7ir Aarhaus taken back to 9re!and by his com%anyO and as soon as he arri"ed his ounds ere searched& and hen they searched his head they found therein a %iece of TristramBs s ordO but a!! the ski!! of surgeons as in "ain to mo"e it out# 7o anon 7ir Aarhaus died# But the @ueen& his sister& took the %iece of s ord'b!ade and %ut it safe!y by& for she thought that some day it might he!% her to re"enge her brotherBs death# Aean hi!e& 7ir Tristram& being sore!y ounded& sat do n soft!y on a !itt!e mound and b!ed %assing fastO and in that e"i! case as found anon by Go"erna!e and King AarkBs knights# Then they gent!y took him u% and brought him in a barge back to the !and& and !ifted him into a bed ithin the cast!e& and had his ounds dressed carefu!!y# But for a great hi!e he !ay sore!y sick& and as !ike!y to ha"e died of the first stroke 7ir Aarhaus had gi"en him ith the s%ear& for the %oint of it as %oisoned# And& though the isest surgeons and !eeches?both men and omen?came from e"ery %art& yet cou!d he be by no means cured# At !ast came a ise !ady& and said %!ain!y that 7ir Tristram ne"er shou!d be hea!ed& unti! he ent and stayed in that same country hence the %oison came# Dhen this as understood& the king sent 7ir Tristram in a fair and good!y shi% to 9re!and& and by fortune he arri"ed fast by a cast!e here the king and @ueen ere# And as the shi% as being anchored& he sat u%on his bed and har%ed a merry !ay& and made so s eet a music as as ne"er e@ua!!ed#

Dhen the king heard that the s eet har%er as a ounded knight& he sent for him& and asked his name# G9 am of the country of Lyonesse&K he ans ered& Gand my name is TramtristOK for he dared not te!! his true name !est the "engeance of the @ueen shou!d fa!! u%on him for her brotherBs death# GDe!!&K said King Anguish& Gthou art right e!come here& and sha!t ha"e a!! the he!% this !and can gi"e theeO but be not anCious if 9 am at times cast do n and sad& for but !ate!y in :orn a!! the best knight in the or!d& fighting for my cause& as s!ainO his name as 7ir Aarhaus& a knight of King ArthurBs )ound Tab!e#K And then he to!d 7ir Tristram a!! the story of 7ir AarhausB batt!e& and 7ir Tristram made %retence of great sur%rise and sorro & though he kne a!! far better than the king himse!f# Then as he %ut in charge of the kingBs daughter& La Be!!e 9sau!t& to be hea!ed of his ound& and she as as fair and nob!e a !ady as menBs eyes might see# And so mar"e!!ous!y as she ski!!ed in medicine& that in a fe days she fu!!y cured himO and in return 7ir Tristram taught her the har%O so& before !ong& they t o began to !o"e each other great!y# But at that time a heathen knight& 7ir Pa!omedes& as in 9re!and& and much cherished by the king and @ueen# He a!so !o"ed mighti!y La Be!!e 9sau!t& and ne"er earied of making her great gifts& and seeking for her fa"our& and as ready e"en to be christened for her sake# 7ir Tristram therefore hated him out of measure& and 7ir Pa!omedes as fu!! of rage and en"y against Tristram# And so it befe!! that King Anguish %roc!aimed a great tournament to be he!d& the %riMe hereof shou!d be a !ady ca!!ed the Lady of the Launds& of near kindred to the king( and her the inner of the tournament shou!d ed in three days after ards& and %ossess a!! her !ands# Dhen La Be!!e 9sau!t to!d 7ir Tristram of this tournament& he said& G8air !adyR 9 am yet a feeb!e knight& and but for thee had been a dead man no ( hat ou!dest thou 9 shou!d doQ Thou kno est e!! 9 may not joust#K GAh& Tristram&K said she& G hy i!t thou not fight in this tournamentQ 7ir Pa!omedes i!! be there& and i!! do his mightiestO and therefore be thou there& 9 %ray thee& or e!se he i!! be inner of the %riMe#K GAadam&K said Tristram& G9 i!! go& and for thy sake i!! do my bestO but !et me go unkno n to a!! menO and do thou& 9 %ray thee& kee% my counse!& and he!% me to a disguise#K 7o on the day of jousting came 7ir Pa!omedes& ith a b!ack shie!d& and o"erthre many knights# And a!! the %eo%!e ondered at his %ro essO for on the first day he %ut to the orse 7ir Ga ain& 7ir Gaheris& 7ir Agra"aine& 7ir Key& and many more from far and near# And on the morro he as con@ueror again& and o"erthre the king ith a hundred knights and the King of 7cot!and# But %resent!y 7ir Tristram rode u% to the !ists& ha"ing been !et out at a %ri"y %ostern of the cast!e& here none cou!d see# La Be!!e 9sau!t had dressed him in hite armour and gi"en him a hite horse

and shie!d& and so he came sudden!y into the fie!d as it had been a bright ange!# As soon as 7ir Pa!omedes sa him he ran at him ith a great s%ear in rest& but 7ir Tristram as ready& and at the first encounter hur!ed him to the ground# Then there arose a great cry that the knight ith the b!ack shie!d as o"erthro n# And Pa!omedes sore!y hurt and shamed& sought out a secret ay and ou!d ha"e !eft the fie!dO but Tristram atched him& and rode after him& and bade him stay& for he had not yet done ith him# Then did 7ir Pa!omedes turn ith fury& and !ash at 7ir Tristram ith his s ordO but at the first stroke 7ir Tristram smote him to the earth& and cried& G*o no a!! my commands& or take thy death#K Then he yie!ded to 7ir TristramBs mercy& and %romised to forsake La Be!!e 9sau!t& and for t e!"e months to ear no arms or armour# And rising u%& he cut his armour off him into shreds ith rage and madness& and turned and !eft the fie!d( and 7ir Tristram a!so !eft the !ists& and rode back to the cast!e through the %ostern gate# Then as 7ir Tristram !ong cherished by the King and Lueen of 9re!and& and e"er ith La Be!!e 9sau!t# But on a certain day& hi!e he as bathing& came the @ueen ith La Be!!e 9sau!t by chance into his chamber& and sa his s ord !ie naked on the bed( anon she dre it from the scabbard and !ooked at it a !ong hi!e& and both thought it a %assing fair s ordO but ithin a foot and a ha!f of the end there as a great %iece broken out& and hi!e the @ueen as !ooking at the ga%& she sudden!y remembered the %iece of s ord'b!ade that as found in the brain'%an of her brother 7ir Aarhaus#

There ith she turned and cried& GBy my faith& this is the fe!on knight ho s!e thy unc!eRK And running to her chamber she sought in her casket for the %iece of iron from 7ir AarhausB head and brought it back& and fitted it in TristramBs s ordO and sure!y did it fit therein as c!ose!y as it had been but yesterday broke out# Then the @ueen caught the s ord u% fierce!y in her hand& and ran into the room here 7ir Tristram as yet in his bath& and making straight for him& had run him through the body& had not his

s@uire& 7ir Hebes& got her in his arms& and %u!!ed the s ord a ay from her# Then ran she to the king& and fe!! u%on her knees before him& saying& GLord and husband& thou hast here in thy house that fe!on knight ho s!e my brother AarhausRK GDho is itQK said the king# G9t is 7ir TristramRK said she& G hom 9sau!t hath hea!ed#K GA!asRK re%!ied the king& G9 am fu!! grie"ed thereat& for he is a good knight as e"er 9 ha"e seen in any fie!dO but 9 charge thee !ea"e thou him& and !et me dea! ith him#K Then the king ent to 7ir TristramBs chamber and found him a!! armed and ready to mount his horse& and said to him& G7ir Tristram& it is not to %ro"e me against thee 9 come& for it ere shamefu! of thy host to seek thy !ife# *e%art in %eace& but te!! me first thy name& and hether thou s!e est my brother& 7ir Aarhaus#K Then 7ir Tristram to!d him a!! the truth& and ho he had hid his name& to be unkno n in 9re!andO and hen he had ended& the king dec!ared he he!d him in no b!ame# GHo beit& 9 cannot for mine honourBs sake retain thee at this court& for so 9 shou!d dis%!ease my barons& and my ife& and a!! her kin#K G7ir&K said 7ir Tristram& G9 thank thee for the goodness thou hast sho n me here& and for the great goodness my !ady& thy daughter& hath sho n meO and it may chance to be more for thy ad"antage if 9 !i"e than if 9 dieO for heresoe"er 9 may be& 9 sha!! e"er seek thy ser"ice& and sha!! be my !ady thy daughterBs ser"ant in a!! %!aces& and her knight in right and rong& and sha!! ne"er fai! to do for her as much as knight can do#K Then 7ir Tristram ent to La Be!!e 9sau!t& and took his !ea"e of her# GO gent!e knight&K said she& Gfu!! of grief am 9 at your de%arting& for ne"er yet 9 sa a man to !o"e so e!!#K GAadam&K said he& G9 %romise faithfu!!y that a!! my !ife 9 sha!! be your knight#K Then 7ir Tristram ga"e her a ring& and she ga"e him another& and after that he !eft her& ee%ing and !amenting& and ent among the barons& and o%en!y took his !ea"e of them a!!& saying& G8air !ords& it so befa!!eth that 9 no must de%art henceO therefore& if there be any here hom 9 ha"e offended or ho is grie"ed ith me& !et him no say it& and before 9 go 9 i!! amend it to the utmost of my %o er# And if there be but one ho ou!d s%eak shame of me behind my back& !et him say it no or ne"er& and here is my body to %ro"e it on?body against body#K And a!! stood sti!! and said no ord& though some there ere of the @ueenBs kindred ho ou!d ha"e assai!ed him had they dared# 7o 7ir Tristram de%arted from 9re!and and took the sea and came ith a fair ind to Tintagi!# And hen the ne s came to King Aark that 7ir Tristram as returned& hea!ed of his ound& he as %assing g!ad& and so ere a!! his barons# And hen he had "isited the king his unc!e& he rode to his father& King Ae!iodas& and there

had a!! the heartiest e!come that cou!d be made him# And both the king and @ueen ga"e !arge!y to him of their !ands and goods# Anon he came again to King AarkBs court& and there !i"ed in great joy and %!easure& ti!! ithin a hi!e the king gre jea!ous of his fame& and of the !o"e and fa"our sho n him by a!! damse!s# And as !ong as King Aark !i"ed& he ne"er after !o"ed 7ir Tristram& though there as much fair s%eech bet een them# Then it befe!! u%on a certain day that the good knight 7ir B!eoberis de Ganis& brother to 7ir B!amor de Ganis& and nigh cousin to 7ir Lance!ot of the Lake& came to King AarkBs court and asked of him a fa"our# And though the king mar"e!!ed& seeing he as a man of great reno n& and a knight of the )ound Tab!e& he granted him a!! his asking# Then said 7ir B!eoberis& G9 i!! ha"e the fairest !ady in your court& at my o n choosing#K G9 may not say thee nay&K re%!ied the kingO Gchoose therefore& but take a!! the issues of thy choice#K 7o hen he had !ooked around& he chose the ife of Ear! 7eg arides& and took her by the hand& and set her u%on horseback behind his s@uire& and rode forth on his ay# Present!y thereafter came in the ear!& and rode out straight ay after him in rage# But a!! the !adies cried out shame u%on 7ir Tristram that he had not gone& and one rebuked him fou!!y and ca!!ed him co ard knight& that he ou!d stand and see a !ady forced a ay from his unc!eBs court# But 7ir Tristram ans ered her& G8air !ady& it is not my %!ace to take %art in this @uarre! hi!e her !ord and husband is here to do it# Had he not been at this court& %erad"enture 9 had been her cham%ion# And if it so befa!! that he s%eed i!!& then may it ha%%en that 9 s%eak ith that fou! knight before he %ass out of this rea!m#K Anon ran in one of 7ir 7eg aridesB s@uires& and to!d that his master as sore ounded& and at the %oint of death# Dhen 7ir Tristram heard that& he as soon armed and on his horse& and Go"erna!e& his ser"ant& fo!!o ed him ith shie!d and s%ear# And as he rode& he met his cousin 7ir Andret& ho had been commanded by King Aark to bring home to him t o knights of King ArthurBs court ho roamed the country thereabouts seeking ad"entures# GDhat tidingsQK said 7ir Tristram# GGod he!% me& ne"er orse&K re%!ied his cousinO Gfor those 9 ent to bring ha"e beaten and defeated me& and set my message at naught#K G8air cousin&K said 7ir Tristram& Gride ye on your ay& %erchance if 9 shou!d meet them ye may be re"enged#K 7o 7ir Andret rode into :orn a!!& but 7ir Tristram rode after the t o knights ho had misused him& name!y& 7ir 7agramour !e *esirous& and 7ir *odinas !e 7a"age# And before !ong he sa them but a !itt!e ay before him# G7ir&K said Go"erna!e& Gby my ad"ice thou i!t !ea"e them a!one& for they be t o e!!'%ro"ed knights of ArthurBs court#K

G7ha!! 9 not therefore rather meet themQK said 7ir Tristram& and& riding s ift!y after them& he ca!!ed to them to sto%& and asked them hence they came& and hither they ere going& and hat they ere doing in those marches# 7ir 7agramour !ooked haughti!y at 7ir Tristram& and made mocking of his ords& and said& G8air knight& be ye a knight of :orn a!!QK GDherefore askest thou thatQK said Tristram# GTru!y& because it is fu!! se!dom seen&K re%!ied 7ir 7agramour& Gthat :ornish knights are "a!iant ith their arms as ith their tongues# 9t is but t o hours since there met us such a :ornish knight& ho s%oke great ords ith might and %ro ess& but anon& ith !itt!e mastery& he as !aid on earth& as 9 tro i!t thou be a!so#K G8air !ords&K said 7ir Tristram& Git may chance 9 be a better man than heO but& be that as it may& he as my cousin& and for his sake 9 i!! assai! ye bothO one :ornish knight against ye t o#K Dhen 7ir *odinas !e 7a"age heard this s%eech& he caught at his s%ear and said& G7ir knight& kee% e!! thyse!fOK and then they %arted and came together as it had been thunder& and 7ir *odinasB s%ear s%!it asunderO but 7ir Tristram smote him ith so fu!! a stroke as hur!ed him o"er his horseBs cru%%er& and near!y brake his neck# 7ir 7agramour& seeing his fe!!o Bs fa!!& mar"e!!ed ho this ne knight might be& and dressed his s%ear& and came against 7ir Tristram as a hir! indO but 7ir Tristram smote him a mighty buffet& and ro!!ed him ith his horse do n on the groundO and in the fa!!ing he brake his thigh# Then& !ooking at them both as they !ay gro"e!!ing on the grass& 7ir Tristram said& G8air knights& i!! ye joust any moreQ Are there no bigger knights in King ArthurBs courtQ Di!! ye soon again s%eak shame of :ornish knightsQK GThou hast defeated us& in truth&K re%!ied 7ir 7agramour& Gand on the faith of knighthood 9 re@uire thee te!! us thy right nameQK G$e charge me by a great thing&K said 7ir Tristram& Gand 9 i!! ans er ye#K And hen they heard his name the t o knights ere right g!ad that they had met 7ir Tristram& for his deeds ere kno n through a!! the !and& and they %rayed him to abide in their com%any# G<ay&K said he& G9 must find a fe!!o 'knight of yours& 7ir B!eoberis de Ganis& hom 9 seek#K GGod s%eed you e!!&K said the t o knightsO and 7ir Tristram rode a ay# 7oon he sa before him in a "a!!ey 7ir B!eoberis ith 7ir 7eg aridesB ife riding behind his s@uire u%on a %a!frey# At that he cried out a!oud& GAbide& 7ir knight of King ArthurBs court& bring back again that !ady or de!i"er her to me#K G9 i!! not&K said B!eoberis& Gfor 9 dread no :ornish knight#K GDhy&K said 7ir Tristram& Gmay not a :ornish knight do e!! as any otherQ This day& but three mi!es back& t o knights of thy o n

court met me& and found one :ornish knight enough for both before e %arted#K GDhat ere their namesQK said 7ir B!eoberis# G7ir 7agramour !e *esirous and 7ir *odinas !e 7a"age&K said 7ir Tristram# GAh&K said 7ir B!eoberis& amaMedO Ghast thou then met ith themQ By my faith& they ere t o good knights and men of orshi%& and if thou hast beat both thou must needs be a good knightO but for a!! that thou sha!t beat me a!so ere thou hast this !ady#K G*efend thee& then&K cried out 7ir Tristram& and came u%on him s ift!y ith his s%ear in rest# But 7ir B!eoberis as as s ift as he& and each bore do n the other& horse and a!!& on to the earth# Then they s%rang c!ear of their horses& and !ashed together fu!! eager!y and mighti!y ith their s ords& tracing and tra"ersing on the right hand and on the !eft more than t o hours& and sometimes rushing together ith such fury that they both !ay gro"e!!ing on the ground# At !ast 7ir B!eoberis started back and said& G<o & gent!e knight& ho!d hard a hi!e& and !et us s%eak together#K G7ay on&K said 7ir Tristram& Gand 9 i!! ans er thee#K G7ir&K said 7ir B!eoberis& G9 ou!d kno thy name& and court& and country#K G9 ha"e no shame to te!! them&K said 7ir Tristram# G9 am King Ae!iodasB son& and my mother as sister to King Aark& from hose court 9 no come# Ay name is 7ir Tristram de Lyonesse#K GTru!y&K said 7ir B!eoberis& G9 am right g!ad to hear it& for thou art he that s!e 7ir Aarhaus hand'to'hand& fighting for the :ornish tributeO and o"ercame 7ir Pa!omedes at the great 9rish tournament& here a!so thou didst o"erthro 7ir Ga ain and his nine com%anions#K G9 am that knight&K said 7ir Tristram& Gand no 9 %ray thee te!! me thy name#K G9 am 7ir B!eoberis de Ganis& cousin of 7ir Lance!ot of the Lake& one of the best knights in a!! the or!d&K he ans ered# GThou sayest truth&K said 7ir TristramO Gfor 7ir Lance!ot& as a!! men kno & is %eer!ess in courtesy and knighthood& and for the great !o"e 9 bear to his name 9 i!! not i!!ing!y fight more ith thee his kinsman#K G9n good faith& sir&K said 7ir B!eoberis& G9 am as !oth to fight thee moreO but since thou hast fo!!o ed me to in this !ady& 9 %roffer thee kindness& courtesy& and gent!enessO this !ady sha!! be free to go ith hich of us she %!easeth best#K G9 am content&K said 7ir Tristram& Gfor 9 doubt not she i!! come to me#K GThat sha!t thou short!y %ro"e&K said he& and ca!!ed his s@uire& and set the !ady in the midst bet een them& ho forth ith a!ked to 7ir B!eoberis and e!ected to abide ith him# Dhich& hen 7ir Tristram sa & he as in ondrous anger ith her& and fe!t that he cou!d scarce for shame return to King AarkBs court# But 7ir B!eoberis said& GHearken to me& good knight& 7ir Tristram&

because King Aark ga"e me free choice of any gift& and because this !ady chose to go ith me& 9 took herO but no 9 ha"e fu!fi!!ed my @uest and my ad"enture& and for thy sake she sha!! be sent back to her husband at the abbey here he !ieth#K 7o 7ir Tristram rode back to Tintagi!& and 7ir B!eoberis to the abbey here 7ir 7eg arides !ay ounded& and there de!i"ered u% his !ady& and de%arted as a nob!e knight# After this ad"enture 7ir Tristram abode sti!! at his unc!eBs court& ti!! in the en"y of his heart King Aark de"ised a %!an to be rid of him# 7o on a certain day he desired him to de%art again for 9re!and& and there demand La Be!!e 9sau!t on his beha!f& to be his @ueen?for e"er had 7ir Tristram %raised her beauty and her goodness& ti!! King Aark desired to ed her for himse!f# Aoreo"er& he be!ie"ed his ne%he sure!y ou!d be s!ain by the @ueenBs kindred if he once ere found again in 9re!and# But 7ir Tristram& scorning fear& made ready to de%art& and took ith him the nob!est knights that cou!d be found& arrayed in the richest fashion# And hen they ere come to 9re!and& u%on a certain day 7ir Tristram ga"e his unc!eBs message& and King Anguish consented thereto# But hen La Be!!e 9sau!t as to!d the tidings she as "ery sorro fu! and !oth?yet made she ready to set forth ith 7ir Tristram& and took ith her *ame Brag aine& her chief gent!e oman# Then the @ueen ga"e *ame Brag aine& and Go"erna!e& 7ir TristramBs ser"ant& a !itt!e f!ask& and charged them that La Be!!e 9sau!t and King Aark shou!d both drink of it on their marriage day& and then shou!d they sure!y !o"e each other a!! their !i"es#

Anon& 7ir Tristram and 9sau!t& ith a great com%any& took the sea and de%arted# And so it chanced that one day sitting in their cabin they ere athirst& and sa a !itt!e f!ask of go!d hich seemed to ho!d good ine# 7o 7ir Tristram took it u%& and said& G8air !ady& this !ooketh to be the best of ines& and your maid& *ame Brag aine& and my ser"ant& Go"erna!e& ha"e ke%t it for themse!"es#K Thereat they both !aughed merri!y& and drank each after other from the f!ask& and ne"er before had they tasted any ine hich seemed so good and s eet# But by the time they had

finished drinking they !o"ed each other so e!! that their !o"e ne"ermore might !ea"e them for ea! or oe# And thus it came to %ass that though 7ir Tristram might ne"er ed La Be!!e 9sau!t& he did the mightiest deeds of arms for her sake on!y a!! his !ife# Then they sai!ed on ards ti!! they came to a cast!e ca!!ed P!uere& here they ou!d ha"e rested# But anon there ran forth a great com%any and took them %risoners# And hen they ere in %rison& 7ir Tristram asked a knight and !ady hom they found therein herefore they ere so shamefu!!y dea!t ithO Gfor&K said he& Git as ne"er the custom of any %!ace of honour that 9 e"er came unto to seiMe a knight and !ady asking she!ter and thrust them into %rison& and a fu!! e"i! and discourteous custom is it#K G7ir&K said the knight& Gkno ye not that this is ca!!ed the :ast!e P!uere& or the ee%ing cast!e& and that it is an ancient custom here that hatsoe"er knight abideth in it must needs fight the !ord of it& 7ir Bre nor& and he that is the eakest sha!! !ose his head# And if the !ady he hath ith him be !ess fair than the !ordBs ife& she sha!! !ose her headO but if she be fairer& then must the !ady of the cast!e !ose her head#K G<o Hea"en he!% me&K said 7ir Tristram& Gbut this is a fou! and shamefu! custom# $et ha"e 9 one ad"antage& for my !ady is the fairest that doth !i"e in a!! the or!d& so that 9 nothing fear for herO and as for me& 9 i!! fu!! g!ad!y fight for my o n head in a fair fie!d#K Then said the knight& GLook ye be u% betimes to'morro & and make you ready and your !ady#K And on the morro came 7ir Bre nor to 7ir Tristram& and %ut him and 9sau!t forth out of %rison& and brought him a horse and armour& and bade him make ready& for a!! the commons and estates of that !ordshi% aited in the fie!d to see and judge the batt!e# Then 7ir Bre nor& ho!ding his !ady by the hand& a!! muff!ed& came forth& and 7ir Tristram ent to meet him ith La Be!!e 9sau!t beside him& muff!ed a!so# Then said 7ir Bre nor& G7ir knight& if thy !ady be fairer than mine& ith thy s ord smite off my !adyBs headO but if my !ady be fairer than thine& ith my s ord 9 i!! smite off thy !adyBs head# And if 9 o"ercome thee thy !ady sha!! be mine& and thou sha!t !ose thy head#K G7ir knight&K re%!ied 7ir Tristram& Gthis is a right fou! and fe!on custom& and rather than my !ady sha!! !ose her head i!! 9 !ose my o n#K G<ay&K said 7ir Bre nor& Gbut the !adies sha!! be no com%ared together and judgment sha!! be had#K G9 consent not&K cried 7ir Tristram& Gfor ho is here that i!! gi"e rightfu! judgmentQ $et doubt not that my !ady is far fairer than thine o n& and that i!! 9 %ro"e and make good#K There ith 7ir Tristram !ifted u% the "ei! from off La Be!!e 9sau!t& and stood beside her ith his naked s ord dra n in his hand# Then 7ir Bre nor unmuff!ed his !ady and did in !ike manner# But hen he sa La Be!!e 9sau!t he kne that none cou!d be so fair&

and a!! there %resent ga"e their judgment so# Then said 7ir Tristram& GBecause thou and thy !ady ha"e !ong used this e"i! custom& and ha"e s!ain many good knights and !adies& it ere a just thing to destroy thee both#K G9n good sooth&K said 7ir Bre nor& Gthy !ady is fairer than mine& and of a!! omen 9 ne"er sa any so fair# Therefore& s!ay my !ady if thou i!t& and 9 doubt not but 9 sha!! s!ay thee and ha"e thine#K GThou sha!t in her&K said 7ir Tristram& Gas dear!y as e"er knight on !adyO and because of thy o n judgment and of the e"i! custom that thy !ady hath consented to& 9 i!! s!ay her as thou sayest#K And there itha! 7ir Tristram ent to him and took his !ady from him& and smote off her head at a stroke# G<o take thy horse&K cried out 7ir Bre nor& Gfor since 9 ha"e !ost my !ady 9 i!! in thine and ha"e thy !ife#K 7o they took their horses and came together as fast as they cou!d f!y& and 7ir Tristram !ight!y smote 7ir Bre nor from his horse# But he rose right @uick!y& and hen 7ir Tristram came again he thrust his horse through both the shou!ders& so that it ree!ed and fe!!# But 7ir Tristram as !ight and nimb!e& and "oided his horse& and rose u% and dressed his shie!d before him& though mean hi!e& ere he cou!d dra out his s ord& 7ir Bre nor ga"e him three or four grie"ous strokes# Then they rushed furious!y together !ike t o i!d boars& and fought hurt!ing and he ing here and there for nigh t o hours& and ounded each other fu!! sore!y# Then at the !ast 7ir Bre nor rushed u%on 7ir Tristram and took him in his arms to thro him& for he trusted great!y in his strength# But 7ir Tristram as at that time ca!!ed the strongest and biggest knight of the or!dO for he as bigger than 7ir Lance!ot& though 7ir Lance!ot as better breathed# 7o anon he thrust 7ir Bre nor gro"e!!ing to the earth& and then un!aced his he!m and struck off his head# Then a!! they that be!onged to the cast!e came and did him homage and fea!ty& and %rayed him to abide there for a season and %ut an end to that fou! custom# But ithin a hi!e he de%arted and came to :orn a!!& and there King Aark as forth ith edded to La Be!!e 9sau!t ith great joy and s%!endour# And 7ir Tristram had high honour& and e"er !odged at the kingBs court# But for a!! he had done him such ser"ices King Aark hated him& and on a certain day he set t o knights to fa!! u%on him as he rode in the forest# But 7ir Tristram !ight!y smote oneBs head off& and sore!y ounded the other& and made him bear his fe!!o Bs body to the king# At that the king dissemb!ed and hid from 7ir Tristram that the knights ere sent by himO yet more than e"er he hated him in secret& and sought to s!ay him# 7o on a certain day& by the assent of 7ir Andret& a fa!se knight& and forty other knights& 7ir Tristram as taken %risoner in his s!ee% and carried to a cha%e! on the rocks abo"e the sea to be cast do n# But as they ere about to cast him in& sudden!y he brake his bonds asunder& and rushing at 7ir Andret& took his

s ord and smote him do n there ith# Then& !ea%ing do n the rocks here none cou!d fo!!o & he esca%ed them# But one shot after him and ounded him fu!! sore!y ith a %oisoned arro in the arm# Anon& his ser"ant Go"erna!e& ith 7ir Lambegus sought him and found him safe among the rocks& and to!d him that King Aark had banished him and a!! his fo!!o ers to a"enge 7ir AndretBs death# 7o they took shi% and came to Brittany# <o 7ir Tristram& suffering great anguish from his ound& as to!d to seek 9soude& the daughter of the King of Brittany& for she a!one cou!d cure such ounds# Dherefore he ent to King Ho e!!Bs court& and said& GLord& 9 am come into this country to ha"e he!% from thy daughter& for men te!! me none but she may he!% me#K And 9soude g!ad!y offering to do her best& ithin a month he as made ho!e# Dhi!e he abode sti!! at that court& an ear! named Gri% made ar u%on King Ho e!!& and besieged himO and 7ir Kay Hedius& the kingBs son& ent forth against him& but as beaten in batt!e and sore ounded# Then the king %raying 7ir Tristram for his he!%& he took ith him such knights as he cou!d find& and on the morro & in another batt!e& did such deeds of arms that a!! the !and s%ake of him# 8or there he s!e the ear! ith his o n hands& and more than a hundred knights besides# Dhen he came back King Ho e!! met him& and sa!uted him ith e"ery honour and rejoicing that cou!d be thought of& and took him in his arms& and said& G7ir Tristram& a!! my kingdom i!! 9 resign to thee#K G<ay&K ans ered he& GGod forbid& for tru!y am 9 beho!den to you for e"er for your daughterBs sake#K Then the king %rayed him to take 9soude in marriage& ith a great do er of !ands and cast!es# To this 7ir Tristram %resent!y consenting anon they ere edded at the court# But ithin a hi!e 7ir Tristram great!y !onged to see :orn a!!& and 7ir Kay Hedius desired to go ith him# 7o they took shi%O but as soon as they ere at sea the ind b!e them u%on the coast of <orth Da!es& nigh to :ast!e Peri!ous& hard by a forest herein ere many strange ad"entures ofttimes to be met# Then said 7ir Tristram to 7ir Kay Hedius& GLet us %ro"e some of them ere e de%art#K 7o they took their horses and rode forth# Dhen they had ridden a mi!e or more& 7ir Tristram s%ied a good!y knight before him e!! armed& ho sat by a c!ear fountain ith a strong horse near him& tied to an oak'tree# G8air sir&K said he& hen they came near& Gye seem to be a knight errant by your arms and harness& therefore make ready no to joust ith one of us& or both#K Thereat the knight s%ake not& but took his shie!d and buck!ed it round his neck& and !ea%ing on his horse caught a s%ear from his s@uireBs hand# Then said 7ir Kay Hedius to 7ir Tristram& GLet me assay him#K G*o thy best&K said he#

7o the t o knights met& and 7ir Kay Hedius fe!! sore!y ounded in the breast# GThou hast e!! jousted&K cried 7ir Tristram to the knightO Gno make ready for meRK G9 am ready&K ans ered he& and encountered him& and smote him so hea"i!y that he fe!! do n from his horse# Dhereat& being ashamed& he %ut his shie!d before him& and dre his s ord& crying to the strange knight to do !ike ise# Then they fought on foot for e!! nigh t o hours& ti!! they ere both eary# At !ast 7ir Tristram said& G9n a!! my !ife 9 ne"er met a knight so strong and e!!'breathed as ye be# 9t ere a %ity e shou!d further hurt each other# Ho!d thy hand& fair knight& and te!! me thy name#K GThat i!! 9&K ans ered he& Gif thou i!t te!! me thine#K GAy name&K said he& Gis 7ir Tristram of Lyonesse#K GAnd mine& 7ir Lamoracke of Gau!#K Then both cried out together& GDe!! metOK and 7ir Lamoracke said& G7ir& for your great reno n& 9 i!! that ye ha"e a!! the orshi% of this batt!e& and therefore i!! 9 yie!d me unto you#K And there ith he took his s ord by the %oint to yie!d him# G<ay&K said 7ir Tristram& Gye sha!! not do so& for e!! 9 kno ye do it of courtesy& and not of dread#K And there ith he offered his s ord to 7ir Lamoracke& saying& G7ir& as an o"ercome knight& 9 yie!d me unto you as unto the man of nob!est %o ers 9 ha"e e"er met ith#K GHo!d&K said 7ir Lamoracke& G!et us no s ear together ne"ermore to fight against each other#K Then did they s ear as he said# Then 7ir Tristram returned to 7ir Kay Hedius& and hen he as ho!e of his ounds& they de%arted together in a shi%& and !anded on the coast of :orn a!!# And hen they came ashore& 7ir Tristram eager!y sought ne s of La Be!!e 9sau!t# And one to!d him in mistake that she as dead# Dhereat& for sore and grie"ous sorro & he fe!! do n in a s oon& and so !ay for three days and nights# Dhen he a oke therefrom he as craMed& and ran into the forest and abode there !ike a i!d man many daysO hereby he aCed !ean and eak of body& and ou!d ha"e died& but that a hermit !aid some meat beside him as he s!e%t# <o in that forest as a giant named Tau!eas& ho& for fear of Tristram& had hid himse!f ithin a cast!e& but hen they to!d him he as mad& came forth and ent at !arge again# And on a certain day he sa a knight of :orn a!!& named 7ir *inaunt& %ass by ith a !ady& and hen he had a!ighted by a e!! to rest& the giant !ea%ed out from his ambush& and took him by the throat to s!ay him# But 7ir Tristram& as he andered through the forest& came u%on them as they strugg!edO and hen the knight cried out for he!%& he rushed u%on the giant& and taking u% 7ir *inauntBs s ord& struck off there ith the giantBs head& and straight ay disa%%eared among the trees#

Anon& 7ir *inaunt took the head of Tau!eas& and bare it ith him to the court of King Aark& hither he as bound& and to!d of his ad"entures# GDhere had ye this ad"entureQK said King Aark# GAt a fair fountain in thy forest&K ans ered he# G9 ou!d fain see that i!d man&K said the king# 7o ithin a day or t o he commanded his knights to a great hunting in the forest# And hen the king came to the e!!& he sa a i!d man !ying there as!ee%& ha"ing a s ord beside himO but he kne not that it as 7ir Tristram# Then he b!e his horn& and summoned a!! his knights to take him gent!y u% and bear him to the court# And hen they came thereto they bathed and ashed him& and brought him some hat to his right mind# <o La Be!!e 9sau!t kne not that 7ir Tristram as in :orn a!!O but hen she heard that a i!d man had been found in the forest& she came to see him# And so sore!y as he changed& she kne him not# G$et&K said she to *ame Brag aine& Gin good faith 9 seem to ha"e behe!d him ofttimes before#K As she thus s%oke a !itt!e hound& hich 7ir Tristram had gi"en her hen she first came to :orn a!!& and hich as e"er ith her& sa 7ir Tristram !ying there& and !ea%t u%on him& !icking his hands and face& and hined and barked for joy# GA!as&K cried out La Be!!e 9sau!t& Git is my o n true knight& 7ir Tristram#K And at her "oice 7ir TristramBs senses ho!!y came again& and e!!nigh he e%t for joy to see his !ady !i"ing# But ne"er ou!d the hound de%art from TristramO and hen King Aark and other knights came u% to see him& it sat u%on his body and bayed at a!! ho came too near# Then one of the knights said& G7ure!y this is 7ir TristramO 9 see it by the hound#K G<ay&K said the king& Git cannot be&K and asked 7ir Tristram on his faith ho he as# GAy name&K said he& Gis 7ir Tristram of Lyonesse& and no ye may do hat ye !ist ith me#K Then the king said& G9t re%ents me that ye are reco"ered&K and sought to make his barons s!ay him# But most of them ou!d not assent thereto& and counse!!ed him instead to banish Tristram for ten years again from :orn a!!& for returning ithout orders from the king# 7o he as s orn to de%art forth ith# And as he ent to ards the shi% a knight of King Arthur& named 7ir *inadan& ho sought him& came and said& G8air knight& ere that you %ass out of this country& 9 %ray you joust ith meRK GDith a good i!!&K said he# Then they ran together& and 7ir Tristram !ight!y smote him from his horse# Anon he %rayed 7ir TristramBs !ea"e to bear him com%any& and hen he had consented they rode together to the shi%# Then as 7ir Tristram fu!! of bitterness of heart& and said to a!! the knights ho took him to the shore& GGreet e!! King Aark and a!! mine enemies from me& and te!! them 9 i!! come again hen 9

may# De!! am 9 no re arded for s!aying 7ir Aarhaus& and de!i"ering this kingdom from its bondage& and for the %eri!s here itha! 9 brought La Be!!e 9sau!t from 9re!and to the king& and rescued her at the :ast!e P!uere& and for the s!aying of the giant Tau!eas& and a!! the other deeds that 9 ha"e done for :orn a!! and King Aark#K Thus angri!y and %assing bitter!y he s%ake& and ent his ay# And after sai!ing a hi!e the shi% stayed at a !anding'%!ace u%on the coast of Da!esO and there 7ir Tristram and 7ir *inadan a!ighted& and on the shore they met t o knights& 7ir Ector and 7ir Bors# And 7ir Ector encountered ith 7ir *inadan and smote him to the groundO but 7ir Bors ou!d not encounter ith 7ir Tristram& G8or&K said he& Gno :ornish knights are men of orshi%#K Thereat 7ir Tristram as fu!! roth& but %resent!y there met them t o more knights& 7ir B!eoberis and 7ir *riantO and 7ir B!eoberis %roffered to joust ith 7ir Tristram& ho short!y smote him do n# G9 had not thought&K cried out 7ir Bors& Gthat any :ornish knight cou!d do so "a!iant!y#K Then 7ir Tristram and 7ir *inadan de%arted& and rode into a forest& and as they rode a damse! met them& ho for 7ir Lance!otBs sake as seeking any nob!e knights to rescue him# 8or Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay& ho hated him& had ordered thirty men'at' arms to !ie in ambush for him as he %assed& ith the intent to ki!! him# 7o the damse! %rayed them to rescue him# Then said 7ir Tristram& GBring me to that %!ace& fair damse!#K But 7ir *inadan cried out& G9t is not %ossib!e for us to meet ith thirty knightsR 9 i!! take no %art in such a hardihood& for to match one or t o or three knights is enoughO but to match fifteen 9 i!! ne"er assay#K G8or shame&K re%!ied 7ir Tristram& Gdo but your %art#K GThat i!! 9 not&K said heO G herefore& 9 %ray ye& !end me your shie!d& for it is of :orn a!!& and because men of that country are deemed co ards& ye are but !itt!e troub!ed as ye ride ith knights to joust ith#K G<ay&K said 7ir Tristram& G9 i!! ne"er gi"e my shie!d u% for her sake ho ga"e it meO but if thou i!t not stand by me to'day 9 i!! sure!y s!ay theeO for 9 ask no more of thee than to fight one knight& and if thy heart i!! not ser"e thee that much& thou sha!t stand by and !ook on me and them#K GDou!d God that 9 had ne"er met ith yeRK cried 7ir *inadanO Gbut 9 %romise to !ook on and do a!! that 9 may to sa"e myse!f#K Anon they came to here the thirty knights !ay aiting& and 7ir Tristram rushed u%on them& saying& GHere is one ho fights for !o"e of Lance!otRK Then s!e he t o of them at the first onset ith his s%ear& and ten more s ift!y after ith his s ord# At that 7ir *inadan took courage& and assai!ed the others ith him& ti!! they turned and f!ed# But 7ir Tristram and 7ir *inadan rode on ti!! nightfa!!& and meeting ith a she%herd& asked him if he kne of any !odging thereabouts#

GTru!y& fair !ords&K said he& Gthere is good !odging in a cast!e hard by& but it is a custom there that none sha!! !odge therein sa"e ye first joust ith t o knights& and as soon as ye be ithin& ye sha!! find your match#K GThat is an e"i! !odging&K said 7ir *inadanO G!odge here ye i!!& 9 i!! not !odge there#K G7hame on theeRK said 7ir TristramO Gart thou a knight at a!!QK Then he re@uired him on his knighthood to go ith him& and they rode together to the cast!e# As soon as they ere near& t o knights came out and ran fu!! s%eed against themO but both of them they o"erthre & and ent ithin the cast!e& and had nob!e cheer# <o & hen they ere unarmed and ready to take rest& there came to the cast!e'gate t o knights& 7ir Pa!omedes and 7ir Gaheris& and desired the custom of the cast!e# G9 ou!d far rather rest than fight&K said 7ir *inadan# GThat may not be&K re%!ied 7ir Tristram& Gfor e must needs defend the custom of the cast!e& seeing e ha"e o"ercome its !ordsO therefore& make ready#K GA!as that 9 e"er came into your com%any&K said 7ir *inadan# 7o they made ready& and 7ir Gaheris encountered 7ir Tristram and fe!! before himO but 7ir Pa!omedes o"erthre 7ir *inadan# Then ou!d a!! fight on foot sa"e 7ir *inadan& for he as sore!y bruised and frighted by his fa!!# And hen 7ir Tristram %rayed him to fight& G9 i!! not&K ans ered he& Gfor 9 as ounded by those thirty knights ith hom e fought this morningO and as to you& ye are in truth !ike one gone mad& and ho ou!d cast himse!f a ayR There be but t o knights in the or!d so mad& and the other is 7ir Lance!ot& ith hom 9 once rode forth& ho ke%t me e"ermore at batt!ing so that for a @uarter of a year thereafter 9 !ay in my bed# Hea"en defend me again from either of your fe!!o shi%sRK GDe!!&K said 7ir Tristram& Gif it must be& 9 i!! fight them both#K There ith he dre his s ord and assai!ed 7ir Pa!omedes and 7ir Gaheris togetherO but 7ir Pa!omedes said& G<ay& but it is a shame for t o to fight ith one#K 7o he bade 7ir Gaheris stand by& and he and 7ir Tristram fought !ong togetherO but in the end 7ir Tristram dra"e him back ard& hereat 7ir Gaheris and 7ir *inadan ith one accord sundered them# Then 7ir Tristram %rayed the t o knights to !odge thereO but 7ir *inadan de%arted and rode a ay into a %riory hard by& and there he !odged that night# And on the morro came 7ir Tristram to the %riory to find him& and seeing him so eary that he cou!d not ride& he !eft him& and de%arted# At that same %riory as !odged 7ir Pe!!inore& ho asked 7ir *inadan 7ir TristramBs name& but cou!d not !earn it& for 7ir Tristram had charged that he shou!d remain unkno n# Then said 7ir Pe!!inore& G7ince ye i!! not te!! it me& 9 i!! ride after him and find it myse!f#K GBe are& 7ir knight&K said 7ir *inadan& Gye i!! re%ent it if ye fo!!o him#K

But 7ir Pe!!inore straight ay mounted and o"ertook him& and cried to him to joustO hereat 7ir Tristram forth ith turned and smote him do n& and ounded him fu!! sore!y in the shou!der# On the day after& 7ir Tristram met a hera!d& ho to!d him of a tournament %roc!aimed bet een King :arados of 7cot!and& and the King of <orth Da!es& to be he!d at the AaidenBs :ast!e# <o King :arados sought 7ir Lance!ot to fight there on his side& and the King of <orth Da!es sought 7ir Tristram# And 7ir Tristram %ur%osed to be there# 7o as he rode& he met 7ir Key& the senescha!& and 7ir 7agramour& and 7ir Key %roffered to joust ith him# But he refused& desiring to kee% himse!f un earied for the tourney# Then 7ir Key cried& G7ir knight of :orn a!!& joust ith me& or yie!d as recreant#K Dhen 7ir Tristram heard that& he fierce!y turned and set his s%ear in rest& and s%urred his horse to ards him# But hen 7ir Key sa him so mad!y coming on& he in his turn refused& hereat 7ir Tristram ca!!ed him co ard& ti!! for shame he as com%e!!ed to meet him# Then 7ir Tristram !ight!y smote him do n& and rode a ay# But 7ir 7agramour %ursued him& crying !oud!y to joust ith him a!so# 7o 7ir Tristram turned and @uick!y o"erthre him !ike ise& and de%arted# Anon a damse! met him as he rode& and to!d him of a knight ad"enturous ho did great harm thereby& and %rayed him for his he!%# But as he ent ith her he met 7ir Ga ain& ho kne the damse! for a maiden of Lueen Aorgan !e 8ay# Kno ing& therefore& that she needs must ha"e e"i! %!ots against 7ir Tristram& 7ir Ga ain demanded of him courteous!y hither he ent# G9 kno not hither&K said he& Gsa"e as this damse! !eadeth me#K G7ir&K said 7ir Ga ain& Gye sha!! not ride ith her& for she and her !ady ne"er yet did good to anyOK and& dra ing his s ord& he said to the damse!& GTe!! me no straight ay for hat cause thou !eadest this knight or e!se sha!t thou dieO for 9 kno of o!d thy !adyBs treason#K GAercy& 7ir Ga ain&K cried the damse!& Gand 9 i!! te!! thee a!!#K Then she to!d him that Lueen Aorgan had ordained thirty fair damse!s to seek out 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Tristram& and by their i!es %ersuade them to her cast!e& here she had thirty knights in ait to s!ay them# GOh shameRK cried 7ir Ga ain& Gthat e"er such fou! treason shou!d be rought by a @ueen& and a kingBs sister#K Then said he to 7ir Tristram& G7ir knight& if ye i!! stand ith me& e i!! together %ro"e the ma!ice of these thirty knights#K G9 i!! not fai! you&K ans ered he& Gfor but fe days since 9 had to do ith thirty knights of that same @ueen& and trust e may in honour as !ight!y no as then#K 7o they rode together& and hen they came to the cast!e& 7ir Ga ain cried a!oud& GLueen Aorgan !e 8ay& send out thy knights that e may fight ith them#K Then the @ueen urged her knights to issue forth& but they durst not& for they e!! kne 7ir Tristram& and feared him great!y#

7o 7ir Tristram and 7ir Ga ain ent on their ay& and as they rode they sa a knight& named 7ir Bre se' ithout'%ity& chasing a !ady& ith intent to s!ay her# Then 7ir Ga ain %rayed 7ir Tristram to ho!d sti!! and !et him assai! that knight# 7o he rode u% bet een 7ir Bre se and the !ady& and cried& G8a!se knight& turn thee to me and !ea"e that !ady#K Then 7ir Bre se turned and set his s%ear in rest& and rushed against 7ir Ga ain and o"erthre him& and rode his horse u%on him as he !ay& hich hen 7ir Tristram sa & he cried& G8orbear that "i!!ainy&K and ga!!o%ed at him# But hen 7ir Bre se sa by the shie!d it as 7ir Tristram& he turned and f!ed# And though 7ir Tristram fo!!o ed s ift!y after him& yet he as so e!! horsed that he esca%ed# Anon 7ir Tristram and 7ir Ga ain came nigh the AaidenBs :ast!e& and there an o!d knight named 7ir Pe!!onnes ga"e them !odging# And 7ir Persides& the son of 7ir Pe!!onnes& a good knight& came out to e!come them# And& as they stood ta!king at a bay indo of the cast!e& they sa a good!y knight ride by on a b!ack horse& and carrying a b!ack shie!d# GDhat knight is thatQK asked Tristram# GOne of the best knights in a!! the or!d&K said 7ir Persides# G9s he 7ir Lance!otQK said 7ir Tristram# G<ay&K ans ered 7ir Persides& Git is 7ir Pa!omedes& ho is yet unchristened#K Dithin a hi!e one came and to!d them that a knight ith a b!ack shie!d had smitten do n thirteen knights# GLet us go and see this jousting&K said 7ir Tristram# 7o they armed themse!"es and ent do n# And hen 7ir Pa!omedes sa 7ir Persides& he sent a s@uire to him and %roffered him to joust# 7o they jousted& and 7ir Persides as o"erthro n# Then 7ir Tristram made ready to joust& but ere he had his s%ear in rest& 7ir Pa!omedes took him at ad"antage& and struck him on the shie!d so that he fe!!# At that 7ir Tristram as roth out of measure and sore ashamed& herefore he sent a s@uire and %rayed 7ir Pa!omedes to joust once again# But he ou!d not& saying& GTe!! thy master to re"enge himse!f to' morro at the AaidenBs :ast!e& here he sha!! see me again#K 7o on the morro 7ir Tristram commanded his ser"ant to gi"e him a b!ack shie!d ith no cogniMance thereon& and he and 7ir Persides rode into the tournament and joined King :aradosB side# Then the knights of the King of <orth Da!es came forth& and there as a great fighting and breaking of s%ears& and o"erthro of men and horses# <o King Arthur sat abo"e in a high ga!!ery to see the tourney and gi"e the judgment& and 7ir Lance!ot sat beside him# Then came against 7ir Tristram and 7ir Persides& t o knights ith them of <orth Da!es& 7ir B!eoberis and 7ir GaherisO and 7ir Persides as smitten do n and nigh s!ain& for four horsemen rode o"er him# But 7ir Tristram rode against 7ir Gaheris and smote him from his horse& and hen 7ir B!eoberis neCt encountered him& he o"erthre him a!so# Anon they horsed themse!"es again& and ith them came 7ir *inadan& hom 7ir Tristram forth ith smote so

sore!y& that he ree!ed off his sadd!e# Then cried he& GAhR 7ir knight& 9 kno ye better than ye deem& and %romise ne"ermore to come against ye#K Then rode 7ir B!eoberis at him the second time& and had a buffet that fe!!ed him to the earth# And soon thereafter the king commanded to cease for that day& and a!! men mar"e!!ed ho 7ir Tristram as& for the %riMe of the first day as gi"en him in the name of the Knight of the B!ack 7hie!d# <o 7ir Pa!omedes as on the side of the King of <orth Da!es& but kne not 7ir Tristram again# And& hen he sa his mar"e!!ous deeds& he sent to ask his name# GAs to that&K said 7ir Tristram& Ghe sha!! not kno at this time& but te!! him he sha!! kno hen 9 ha"e broken t o s%ears u%on him& for 9 am the knight he smote do n yesterday& and hate"er side he taketh& 9 i!! take the other#K 7o hen they to!d him that 7ir Pa!omedes ou!d be on King :aradosB side?for he as kindred to King Arthur?GThen i!! 9 be on the King of <orth Da!esB side&K said he& Gbut e!se ou!d 9 be on my !ord King ArthurBs#K Then on the morro & hen King Arthur as come& the hera!ds b!e unto the tourney# And King :arados jousted ith the King of a Hundred Knights and fe!! before him& and then came in King ArthurBs knights and bare back those of <orth Da!es# But anon 7ir Tristram came to aid them and bare back the batt!e& and fought so mighti!y that none cou!d stand against him& for he smote do n on the right and on the !eft& so that a!! the knights and common %eo%!e shouted his %raise# G7ince 9 bare arms&K said King Arthur& Gne"er sa 9 a knight do more mar"e!!ous deeds#K Then the King of the Hundred Knights and those of <orth Da!es& set u%on t enty knights ho ere of 7ir Lance!otBs kin& ho fought a!! together& none fai!ing the others# Dhen 7ir Tristram behe!d their nob!eness and "a!our& he mar"e!!ed much# GDe!! may he be "a!iant and fu!! of %ro ess&K said he& G ho hath such nob!e knights for kindred#K 7o& hen he had !ooked on them a hi!e& he thought it shame to see t o hundred men assai!ing t enty& and riding to the King of a Hundred Knights& he said& G9 %ray thee& 7ir king& !ea"e your fighting ith those t enty knights& for ye be too many and they be too fe # 8or ye sha!! gain no honour if ye in& and that 9 see "eri!y ye i!! not do un!ess ye s!ay themO but if ye i!! not stay& 9 i!! ride ith them and he!% them#K G<ay&K said the king& Gye sha!! not do soO for fu!! g!ad!y 9 i!! do you courtesy&K and ith that he ithdre his knights# Then 7ir Tristram rode his ay into the forest& that no man might kno him# And King Arthur caused the hera!ds to b!o that the tourney shou!d end that day& and he ga"e the King of <orth Da!es the %riMe& because 7ir Tristram as on his side# And in a!! the fie!d there as such a cry that the sound thereof as heard t o mi!es a ay?GThe knight ith the b!ack shie!d hath on the fie!d#K GA!asRK said King Arthur& G here is that knightQ it is shame to !et him thus esca%e us#K Then he comforted his knights& and said&

GBe not dismayed& my friends& ho beit ye ha"e !ost the dayO be of good cheerO to'morro 9 myse!f i!! be in the fie!d& and fare ith you#K 7o they a!! rested that night# And on the morro the hera!ds b!e unto the fie!d# 7o the King of <orth Da!es and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered ith King :arados and the King of 9re!and& and o"erthre them# Dith that came King Arthur& and did mighty deeds of arms& and o"erthre the King of <orth Da!es and his fe!!o s& and %ut t enty "a!iant knights to the orse# Anon came in 7ir Pa!omedes& and made great fight u%on King ArthurBs side# But 7ir Tristram rode furious!y against him& and 7ir Pa!omedes as thro n from his horse# Then cried King Arthur& GKnight of the B!ack 7hie!d& kee% thyse!f#K And as he s%ake he came u%on him& and smote him from his sadd!e to the ground& and so %assed on to other knights# Then 7ir Pa!omedes ha"ing no another horse rushed at 7ir Tristram& as he as on foot& thinking to run o"er him# But he as a are of him& and ste%%ed aside& and gras%ed 7ir Pa!omedes by the arms& and %u!!ed him off his horse# Then they rushed together ith their s ords& and many stood sti!! to gaMe on them# And 7ir Tristram smote 7ir Pa!omedes ith three mighty strokes u%on the he!m& crying at each stroke& GTake this for 7ir TristramBs sake&K and ith that 7ir Pa!omedes fe!! to the earth# Anon the King of <orth Da!es brought 7ir Tristram another horse& and 7ir Pa!omedes found one a!so# Then did they joust again ith %assing rage& for both by no ere !ike mad !ions# But 7ir Tristram a"oided his s%ear& and seiMed 7ir Pa!omedes by the neck& and %u!!ed him from his sadd!e& and bore him on ard ten s%earsB !ength& and so !et him fa!!# Then King Arthur dre forth his s ord and smote the s%ear asunder& and ga"e 7ir Tristram t o or three sore strokes ere he cou!d get at his o n s ord# But hen he had it in his hand he mighti!y assai!ed the king# Dith that e!e"en knights of Lance!otBs kin ent forth against him& but he smote them a!! do n to the earth& so that men mar"e!!ed at his deeds# And the cry as no so great that 7ir Lance!ot got a s%ear in his hand& and came do n to assay 7ir Tristram& saying& GKnight ith the b!ack shie!d& make ready#K Dhen 7ir Tristram heard him he !e"e!!ed his s%ear& and both stoo%ing their heads& they ran together mighti!y& as it had been thunder# And 7ir TristramBs s%ear brake short& but 7ir Lance!ot struck him ith a dee% ound in the side and broke his s%ear& yet o"erthre him not# There ith 7ir Tristram& smarting at his ound& dre forth his s ord& and rushing at 7ir Lance!ot& ga"e him mighty strokes u%on the he!m& so that the s%arks f!e from it& and 7ir Lance!ot stoo%ed his head do n to the sadd!e'bo # But then 7ir Tristram turned and !eft the fie!d& for he fe!t his ound so grie"ous that he deemed he shou!d soon die# Then did 7ir Lance!ot ho!d the fie!d against a!! comers& and %ut the King of <orth Da!es and his %arty to the orse# And because he as the !ast knight in the fie!d the %riMe as gi"en him#

But he refused to take it& and hen the cry as raised& G7ir Lance!ot hath on the day&K he cried out& G<ay& but 7ir Tristram is the "ictor& for he first began and !ast endured& and so hath he done each day#K And a!! men honoured Lance!ot more for his knight!y ords than if he had taken the %riMe# Thus as the tournament ended& and King Arthur de%arted to :aer!eon& for the Dhitsun feast as no nigh come& and a!! the knights ad"enturous ent their ays# And many sought 7ir Tristram in the forest hither he had gone& and at !ast 7ir Lance!ot found him& and brought him to King ArthurBs court& as hath been to!d a!ready#

)HA*T$R 3II
The 'uest of the Sangreal, and the Adventures of Sir Percival, Sir Bors, and Sir .alahad

fter these things& Aer!in fe!! into a dotage of !o"e for a damse! of the Lady of the Lake& and ou!d !et her ha"e no rest& but fo!!o ed her in e"ery %!ace# And e"er she encouraged him& and made him e!come ti!! she had !earned a!! his crafts that she desired to kno # Then u%on a time she ent ith him beyond the sea to the !and of Ben icke& and as they ent he sho ed her many onders& ti!! at !ength she as afraid& and ou!d fain ha"e been de!i"ered from him#

And as they ere in the forest of Broce!iande& they sat together under an oak'tree& and the damse! %rayed to see a!! that charm hereby men might be shut u% yet a!i"e in rocks or trees# But he refused her a !ong time& fearing to !et her kno & yet in the end& her %rayers and kisses o"ercame him& and he to!d her a!!# Then did she make him great cheer& but anon& as he !ay do n to s!ee%& she soft!y rose& and a!ked about him a"ing her hands and muttering the charm& and %resent!y enc!osed him fast ithin the tree hereby he s!e%t# And therefrom ne"ermore he cou!d by any

means come out for a!! the crafts that he cou!d do# And so she de%arted and !eft Aer!in# At the "igi! of the neCt 8east of Pentecost& hen a!! the Knights of the )ound Tab!e ere met together at :ame!ot& and had heard mass& and ere about to sit do n to meat& there rode into the ha!! a fair !ady on horseback& ho ent straight u% to King Arthur here he sat u%on his throne& and re"erent!y sa!uted him# GGod be ith thee& fair damse!&K @uoth the kingO G hat desirest thou of meQK G9 %ray thee te!! me& !ord&K she ans ered& G here 7ir Lance!ot is#K G$onder may ye see him&K said King Arthur# Then ent she to 7ir Lance!ot and said& G7ir& 9 sa!ute thee in King Pe!!esB name& and re@uire thee to come ith me into the forest hereby#K Then asked he her ith hom she d e!t& and hat she ished of him# G9 d e!! ith King Pe!!es&K said she& G hom Ba!in erst so sore!y ounded hen he smote the do!orous stroke# 9t is he ho hath sent me to ca!! thee#K G9 i!! go ith thee g!ad!y&K said 7ir Lance!ot& and bade his s@uire straight ay sadd!e his horse and bring his armour# Then came the @ueen to him and said& G7ir Lance!ot& i!! ye !ea"e me thus at this high feastQK GAadam&K re%!ied the damse!& Gby dinner'time to'morro he sha!! be ith you#K G9f 9 thought not&K said the @ueen& Ghe shou!d not go ith thee by my good i!!#K Then 7ir Lance!ot and the !ady rode forth ti!! they came to the forest& and in a "a!!ey thereof found an abbey of nuns& hereby a s@uire stood ready to o%en the gates# Dhen they had entered& and descended from their horses& a joyfu! cro d %ressed round 7ir Lance!ot and hearti!y sa!uted him& and !ed him to the abbessBs chamber& and unarmed him# Anon he sa his cousins !ike ise there& 7ir Bors and 7ir Lione!& ho a!so made great joy at seeing him& and said& GBy hat ad"enture art thou here& for e thought to ha"e seen thee at :ame!ot to'morro QK GA damse! brought me here&K said he& Gbut as yet 9 kno not for hat ser"ice#K As they thus ta!ked t e!"e nuns came in& ho brought ith them a youth so %assing fair and e!! made& that in a!! the or!d his match cou!d not be found# His name as Ga!ahad& and though he kne him not& nor Lance!ot him& 7ir Lance!ot as his father# G7ir&K said the nuns& G e bring thee here this chi!d hom e ha"e nourished from his youth& and %ray thee to make him a knight& for from no orthier hand can he recei"e that order#K Then 7ir Lance!ot& !ooking on the youth& sa that he as seem!y and demure as a do"e& ith e"ery feature good and nob!e& and thought he ne"er had behe!d a better fashioned man of his years# G:ometh this desire from himse!fQK said he# G$ea&K ans ered Ga!ahad and a!! the nuns#

GTo'morro & then& in re"erence for the feast& he sha!! ha"e his ish&K said 7ir Lance!ot# And the neCt day at the hour of %rime& he knighted him& and said& GGod make of thee as good a man as He hath made thee beautifu!#K Then ith 7ir Lione! and 7ir Bors he returned to the court& and found a!! gone to the minster to hear ser"ice# Dhen they came into the ban@uet'ha!! each knight and baron found his name ritten in some seat in !etters of go!d& as Ghere ought to sit 7ir Lione!&K Ghere ought to sit 7ir Ga ain&K?and so forth# And in the Peri!ous 7eat& at the high centre of the tab!e& a name as a!so ritten& hereat they mar"e!!ed great!y& for no !i"ing man had e"er yet dared sit u%on that seat& sa"e one& and him a f!ame !ea%ed forth and dre do n under earth& so that he as no more seen# Then came 7ir Lance!ot and read the !etters in that seat& and said& GAy counse! is that this inscri%tion be no co"ered u% unti! the knight be come ho sha!! achie"e this great ad"enture#K 7o they made a "ei! of si!k and %ut it o"er the !etters# 9n the mean hi!e came 7ir Ga ain to the court and to!d the king he had a message to him from beyond the sea& from Aer!in# G8or&K said he& Gas 9 rode through the forest of Broce!iande but fi"e days since& 9 heard the "oice of Aer!in s%eaking to me from the midst of an oak'tree& hereat& in great amaMement& 9 besought him to come forth# But he& ith many groans& re%!ied he ne"er more might do so& for that none cou!d free him& sa"e the damse! of the Lake& ho had enc!osed him there by his o n s%e!!s hich he had taught her# HBut go&B said he& Hto King Arthur& and te!! him& that he no %re%are his knights and a!! his Tab!e )ound to seek the 7angrea!& for the time is come hen it sha!! be achie"ed#BK Dhen 7ir Ga ain had s%oken thus& King Arthur sat %ensi"e in s%irit& and mused dee%!y of the Ho!y Gra!e an hat saint!y knight shou!d come ho might achie"e it# Anon he bade them hasten to set on the ban@uet# G7ir&K said 7ir Key& the senescha!& Gif ye go no to meat ye i!! break the ancient custom of your court& for ne"er ha"e ye dined at this high feast ti!! ye ha"e seen some strange ad"enture#K GThou sayest tru!y&K said the king& Gbut my mind as fu!! of onders and musings& ti!! 9 bethought me not of mine o!d custom#K As they stood s%eaking thus& a s@uire ran in and cried& GLord& 9 bring thee mar"e!!ous tidings#K GDhat be theyQK said King Arthur# GLord&K said he& Ghereby at the ri"er is a mar"e!!ous great stone& hich 9 myse!f sa s im do n hither ards u%on the ater& and in it there is set a s ord& and e"er the stone hea"eth and s ayeth on the ater& but f!oateth do n no further ith the stream#K G9 i!! go and see it&K said the king# 7o a!! the knights ent ith him& and hen they came to the ri"er& there sure!y found they a

mighty stone of red marb!e f!oating on the ater& as the s@uire had said& and therein stuck a fair and rich s ord& on the %omme! hereof ere %recious stones rought ski!fu!!y ith go!d into these ords( G<o man sha!! take me hence but he by hose side 9 shou!d hang& and he sha!! be the best knight in the or!d#K Dhen the king read this& he turned round to 7ir Lance!ot& and said& G8air sir& this s ord ought sure!y to be thine& for thou art the best knight in a!! the or!d#K But Lance!ot ans ered sober!y& G:ertain!y& sir& it is not for meO nor i!! 9 ha"e the hardihood to set my hand u%on it# 8or he that toucheth it and fai!eth to achie"e it sha!! one day be ounded by it morta!!y# But 9 doubt not& !ord& this day i!! sho the greatest mar"e!s that e yet ha"e seen& for no the time is fu!!y come& as Aer!in hath fore arned us& hen a!! the %ro%hecies about the 7angrea! sha!! be fu!fi!!ed#K Then ste%%ed 7ir Ga ain for ard and %u!!ed at the s ord& but cou!d not mo"e it& and after him 7ir Perci"a!& to kee% him fe!!o shi% in any %eri! he might suffer# But no other knight durst be so hardy as to try# G<o may ye go to your dinner&K said 7ir Key& Gfor a mar"e!!ous ad"enture ye ha"e had#K 7o a!! returned from the ri"er& and e"ery knight sat do n in his o n %!ace& and the high feast and ban@uet then as sum%tuous!y begun& and a!! the ha!! as fu!! of !aughter and !oud ta!k and jests& and running to and fro of s@uires ho ser"ed their knights& and noise of jo!!ity and mirth# Then sudden!y befe!! a ondrous thing& for a!! the doors and indo s of the ha!! shut "io!ent!y of themse!"es& and made thick darknessO and %resent!y there came a fair and gent!e !ight from out the Peri!ous 7eat& and fi!!ed the %a!ace ith its beams# Then a dead si!ence fe!! on a!! the knights& and each man anCious!y behe!d his neighbour# But King Arthur rose and said& GLords and fair knights& ha"e ye no fear& but rejoiceO e ha"e seen strange things to'day& but stranger yet remain# 8or no 9 kno e sha!! to'day see him ho may sit in the 7iege Peri!ous& and sha!! achie"e the 7angrea!# 8or as ye a!! e!! kno & that ho!y "esse!& herefrom at the 7u%%er of our Lord before His death He drank the ine ith His disci%!es& hath been he!d e"er since the ho!iest treasure of the or!d& and heresoe"er it hath rested %eace and %ros%erity ha"e rested ith it on the !and# But since the do!orous stroke hich Ba!in ga"e King Pe!!es none ha"e seen it& for Hea"en& roth ith that %resum%tuous b!o & hath hid it none kno here# $et some here in the or!d it sti!! may be& and may be it is !eft to us& and to this nob!e order of the Tab!e )ound& to find and bring it home& and make of this our rea!m the ha%%iest in the earth# Aany great @uests and %eri!ous ad"entures ha"e ye a!! taken and achie"ed& but this high @uest he on!y sha!! attain ho hath c!ean hands and a %ure heart& and "a!our and hardihood beyond a!! othermen#K

Dhi!e the king s%oke there came in soft!y an o!d man robed a!! in hite& !eading ith him a young knight c!ad in red from to% to toe& but ithout armour or shie!d& and ha"ing by his side an em%ty scabbard# The o!d man ent u% to the king& and said& GLord& here 9 bring thee this young knight of roya! !ineage& and of the b!ood of Jose%h of Arimathea& by hom the mar"e!s of thy court sha!! fu!!y be accom%!ished#K The king as right g!ad at his ords& and said& G7ir& ye be right hearti!y e!come& and the young knight a!so#K Then the o!d man %ut on 7ir Ga!ahad Ifor it as heJ a crimson robe trimmed ith fine ermine& and took him by the hand and !ed him to the Peri!ous 7eat& and !ifting u% the si!ken c!oth hich hung u%on it& read these ords ritten in go!d !etters& GThis is the seat of 7ir Ga!ahad& the good knight#K G7ir&K said the o!d man& Gthis %!ace is thine#K Then sat 7ir Ga!ahad do n firm!y and sure!y& and said to the o!d man& G7ir& ye may no go your ay& for ye ha"e done e!! and tru!y a!! ye ere commanded& and commend me to my grandsire& King Pe!!es& and say that 9 sha!! see him soon#K 7o the o!d man de%arted ith a retinue of t enty nob!e s@uires# But a!! the knights of the )ound Tab!e mar"e!!ed at 7ir Ga!ahad& and at his tender age& and at his sitting there so sure!y in the Peri!ous 7eat# Then the king !ed 7ir Ga!ahad forth from the %a!ace& to sho him the ad"enture of the f!oating stone# GHereK said he& Gis as great a mar"e! as 9 e"er sa & and right good knights ha"e tried and fai!ed to gain that s ord#K G9 mar"e! not thereat&K said Ga!ahad& Gfor this ad"enture is not theirs& but mineO and for the certainty 9 had thereof& 9 brought no s ord ith me& as thou mayst see here by this em%ty scabbard#K Anon he !aid his hand u%on the s ord& and !ight!y dre it from the stone& and %ut it in his sheath& and said& GThis s ord as that enchanted one hich erst be!onged to the good knight& 7ir Ba!in& here ith he s!e through %iteous mistake his brother Ba!anO ho a!so s!e him at the same time( a!! hich great oe befe!! him through the do!orous stroke he ga"e my grandsire& King Pe!!es& the ound hereof is not yet ho!e& nor sha!! be ti!! 9 hea! him#K As he stood s%eaking thus& they sa a !ady riding s ift!y do n the ri"erBs bank to ards them& on a hite %a!freyO ho& sa!uting the king and @ueen& said& GLord king& <acien the hermit sendeth thee ord that to thee sha!! come to'day the greatest honour and orshi% that hath yet e"er befa!!en a king of BritainO for this day sha!! the 7angrea! a%%ear in thy house#K Dith that the damse! took her !ea"e& and de%arted the same ay she came# G<o &K said the king& G9 kno that from to'day the @uest of the 7angrea! sha!! begin& and a!! ye of the )ound Tab!e i!! be scattered so that ne"ermore sha!! 9 see ye again together as ye

are no O !et me then see a joust and tournament amongst ye for the !ast time before ye go#K 7o they a!! took their harness and met together in the meado s by :ame!ot& and the @ueen and a!! her !adies sat in a to er to see# Then 7ir Ga!ahad& at the %rayer of the king and @ueen& %ut on a coat of !ight armour& and a he!met& but shie!d he ou!d take none& and gras%ing a !ance& he dro"e into the midd!e of the %ress of knights& and began to break s%ears mar"e!!ous!y& so that a!! men ere fu!! of onder# And in so short a time he had surmounted and eCceeded the rest& sa"e 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Perci"a!& that he took the chief orshi% of the fie!d# Then the king and a!! the court and fe!!o shi% of knights ent back to the %a!ace& and so to e"ensong in the great minster& a roya! and good!y com%any& and after that sat do n to su%%er in the ha!!& e"ery knight in his o n seat& as they had been before# Anon sudden!y burst o"erhead the cracking and crying of great %ea!s of thunder& ti!! the %a!ace a!!s ere shaken sore!y& and they thought to see them ri"en a!! to %ieces# And in the midst of the b!ast there entered in a sunbeam& c!earer by se"en times than e"er they sa day& and a mar"e!!ous great g!ory fe!! u%on them a!!# Then each knight& !ooking on his neighbour& found his face fairer than he had e"er seen& and so? a!! standing on their feet?they gaMed as dumb men on each other& not kno ing hat to say# Then entered into the ha!! the 7angrea!& borne a!oft ithout hands through the midst of the sunbeam& and co"ered ith hite samite& so that none might see it# And a!! the ha!! as fi!!ed ith %erfume and incense& and e"ery knight as fed ith the food he best !o"ed# And hen the ho!y "esse! had been thus borne through the ha!!& it sudden!y de%arted& no man sa hither# Dhen they reco"ered breath to s%eak& King Arthur first rose u%& and yie!ded thanks to God and to our Lord# Then 7ir Ga ain s%rang u% and said& G<o ha"e e a!! been fed by mirac!e ith hatsoe"er food e thought of or desiredO but ith our eyes e ha"e not seen the b!essed "esse! hence it came& so carefu!!y and %recious!y it as concea!ed# Therefore& 9 make a "o & that from to'morro 9 sha!! !abour t e!"e months and a day in @uest of the 7angrea!& and !onger if need beO nor i!! 9 come again into this court unti! mine eyes ha"e seen it e"ident!y#K Dhen he had s%oken thus& knight after knight rose u% and "o ed himse!f to the same @uest& ti!! the most %art of the )ound Tab!e had thus s orn# But hen King Arthur heard them a!!& he cou!d not refrain his eyes from tears& and said& G7ir Ga ain& 7ir Ga ain& thou hast set me in great sorro & for 9 fear me my true fe!!o shi% sha!! ne"er meet together here againO and sure!y ne"er :hristian king had such a com%any of orthy knights around his tab!e at one time#K

And hen the @ueen and her !adies and gent!e omen heard the "o s& they had such grief and sorro as no tongue cou!d te!!O and Lueen Guine"ere cried out& G9 mar"e! that my !ord i!! suffer them to de%art from him#K And many of the !adies ho !o"ed knights ou!d ha"e gone ith them& but ere forbidden by the hermit <acien& ho sent this message to a!! ho had s orn themse!"es to the @uest( GTake ith ye no !ady nor gent!e oman& for into so high a ser"ice as ye go in& no thought but of our Lord and hea"en may enter#K On the morro morning a!! the knights rose ear!y& and hen they ere fu!!y armed& sa"e shie!ds and he!ms& they ent in ith the king and @ueen to ser"ice in the minster# Then the king counted a!! ho had taken the ad"enture on themse!"es& and found them a hundred and fifty knights of the )ound Tab!eO and so they a!! %ut on their he!ms& and rode a ay together in the midst of cries and !amentations from the court& and from the !adies& and from a!! the to n# But the @ueen ent a!one to her chamber& that no man might see her sorro O and 7ir Lance!ot fo!!o ed her to say fare e!!# Dhen she sa him she cried out& GOh& 7ir Lance!ot& thou hast betrayed meO thou hast %ut me to death thus to de%art and !ea"e my !ord the king#K GAh& madam&K said he& Gbe not dis%!eased or angry& for 9 sha!! come again as soon as 9 can ith honour#K GA!asRK said she& Gthat e"er 9 sa theeO but He that suffered death u%on the cross for a!! mankind be to thee safety and good conduct& and to a!! thy com%any#K Then 7ir Lance!ot sa!uted her and the king& and ent forth ith the rest& and came ith them that night to :ast!e Nagon& here they abode& and on the morro they de%arted from each other on their se%arate ays& e"ery knight taking the ay that %!eased him best# <o 7ir Ga!ahad ent forth ithout a shie!d& and rode so four days ithout ad"entureO and on the fourth day& after e"ensong& he came to an abbey of hite monks& here he as recei"ed in the house& and !ed into a chamber# And there he as unarmed& and met t o knights of the )ound Tab!e& King Bagdemagus& and 7ir ; aine# G7irs&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& G hat ad"enture hath brought ye hereQK GDithin this %!ace& as e are to!d&K they ans ered& Gthere is a shie!d no man may bear around his neck ithout recei"ing sore mischance& or death ithin three days#K GTo'morro &K said King Bagdemagus& G9 sha!! attem%t the ad"entureO and if 9 fai!& do thou& 7ir Ga!ahad& take it u% after me#K G9 i!! i!!ing!y&K said heO Gfor as ye see 9 ha"e no shie!d as yet#K 7o on the morro they arose and heard mass& and after ards King Bagdemagus asked here the shie!d as ke%t# Then a monk !ed him behind the a!tar& here the shie!d hung& as hite as any sno & and ith a b!ood'red cross in the midst of it#

G7ir&K said the monk& Gthis shie!d shou!d hang from no knightBs neck un!ess he be the orthiest in the or!d# 9 arn ye& therefore& knightsO consider e!! before ye dare to touch it#K GDe!!&K said King Bagdemagus& G9 kno e!! that 9 am far from the best knight in a!! the or!d& yet sha!! 9 make the tria!OK and so he took the shie!d& and bore it from the monastery# G9f it %!ease thee&K said he to 7ir Ga!ahad& Gabide here ti!! thou hearest ho 9 s%eed#K G9 i!! abide thee&K said he# Then taking ith him a s@uire ho might return ith any tidings to 7ir Ga!ahad& the king rode forthO and before he had gone t o mi!es& he sa in a fair "a!!ey a hermitage& and a knight ho came forth dressed in hite armour& horse and a!!& ho rode fast against him# Dhen they encountered& Bagdemagus brake his s%ear u%on the Dhite KnightBs shie!d& but as himse!f struck through the shou!der ith a sore ound& and hur!ed do n from his horse# Then the Dhite Knight a!ighting& came and took the hite shie!d from the king& and said& GThou hast done great fo!!y& for this shie!d ought ne"er to be borne but by one ho hath no !i"ing %eer#K And turning to the s@uire& he said& GBear thou this shie!d to the good knight& 7ir Ga!ahad& and greet him e!! from me#K G9n hose name sha!! 9 greet himQK said the s@uire# GTake thou no heed of that&K he ans eredO Git is not for thee or any earth!y man to kno #K G<o te!! me& fair sir& at the !east&K said the s@uire& G hy may this shie!d be ne"er borne eCce%t its earer come to injury or deathQK GBecause it sha!! be!ong to no man sa"e its rightfu! o ner& Ga!ahad&K re%!ied the knight# Then the s@uire ent to his master& and found him ounded nigh to death& herefore he fetched his horse& and bore him back ith him to the abbey# And there they !aid him in a bed& and !ooked to his oundsO and hen he had !ain many days grie"ous!y sick& he at the !ast bare!y esca%ed ith his !ife# G7ir Ga!ahad&K said the s@uire& Gthe knight ho o"erthre King Bagdemagus sent you greeting& and bade you bear this shie!d#K G<o b!essed be God and fortune&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& and hung the shie!d about his neck& and armed him& and rode forth# Anon he met the Dhite Knight by the hermitage& and each sa!uted courteous!y the other# G7ir&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& Gthis shie!d 9 bear hath sure!y a fu!! mar"e!!ous history#K GThou sayest right!y&K ans ered he# GThat shie!d as made in the days of Jose%h of Arimathea& the gent!e knight ho took our Lord do n from the cross# He& hen he !eft Jerusa!em ith his kindred& came to the country of King E"e!ake& ho arred continua!!y ith one To!!omeO and hen& by the teaching of Jose%h& King E"e!ake became a :hristian& this shie!d as made for him in our LordBs nameO and through its aid King To!!ome as defeated# 8or hen King E"e!ake met him neCt in batt!e& he hid it in a "ei!& and

sudden!y unco"ering it& he sho ed his enemies the figure of a b!eeding man nai!ed to a cross& at sight of hich they ere discomfited and f!ed# Present!y after that& a man hose hand as smitten off touched the cross u%on the shie!d& and had his hand restored to himO and many other mirac!es it orked# But sudden!y the cross that as u%on it "anished a ay# Anon both Jose%h and King E"e!ake came to Britain& and by the %reaching of Jose%h the %eo%!e ere made :hristians# And hen at !ength he !ay u%on his death'bed& King E"e!ake begged of him some token ere he died# Then& ca!!ing for his shie!d& he di%%ed his finger in his o n b!ood& for he as b!eeding fast& and none cou!d staunch the ound& and marked that cross u%on it& saying& HThis cross sha!! e"er sho as bright as no & and the !ast of my !ineage sha!! ear this shie!d about his neck& and go forth to a!! the mar"e!!ous deeds he i!! achie"e#BK Dhen the Dhite Knight had thus s%oken he "anished sudden!y a ay& and 7ir Ga!ahad returned to the abbey# As he a!ighted& came a monk& and %rayed him to go see a tomb in the churchyard& herefrom came such a great and hideous noise& that none cou!d hear it but they ent nigh mad& or !ost a!! strength# GAnd sir&K said he& G9 deem it is a fiend#K GLead me thither&K said 7ir Ga!ahad# Dhen they ere come near the %!ace& G<o &K said the monk& Ggo thou to the tomb& and !ift it u%#K

And Ga!ahad& nothing afraid& @uick!y !ifted u% the stone& and forth ith came out a fou! smoke& and from the midst thereof !ea%ed u% the !oath!iest figure that e"er he had seen in the !ikeness of manO and Ga!ahad b!essed himse!f& for he kne it as a fiend of he!!# Then he heard a "oice crying out& GOh& Ga!ahad& 9 cannot tear thee as 9 ou!dO 9 see so many ange!s round thee& that 9 may not come at thee#K Then the fiend sudden!y disa%%eared ith a mar"e!!ous great cryO and 7ir Ga!ahad& !ooking in the tomb& sa there a body a!! armed& ith a s ord beside it# G<o & fair brother&K said he to the monk&

G!et us remo"e this cursed body& hich is not fit to !ie in a churchyard& for hen it !i"ed& a fa!se and %erjured :hristian man d e!t in it# :ast it a ay& and there sha!! come no more hideous noises from the tomb#K GAnd no must 9 de%art&K he added& Gfor 9 ha"e much in hand& and am u%on the ho!y @uest of the 7angrea!& ith many more good knights#K 7o he took his !ea"e& and rode many journeys back ards and for ards as ad"enture ou!d !ead himO and at !ast one day he de%arted from a cast!e ithout first hearing mass& hich as it e"er his custom to hear before he !eft his !odging# Anon he found a ruined cha%e! on a mountain& and ent in and knee!ed before the a!tar& and %rayed for ho!esome counse! hat to doO and as he %rayed he heard a "oice& hich said& G*e%art& ad"enturous knight& unto the AaidenBs :ast!e& and redress the "io!ence and rongs there doneRK Hearing these ords he cheerfu!!y arose& and mounted his horse& and rode but ha!f a mi!e& hen he sa before him a strong cast!e& ith dee% ditches round it& and a fair ri"er running %ast# And seeing an o!d chur! hard by& he asked him hat men ca!!ed that cast!e# G8air sir&K said he& Git is the AaidenBs :ast!e#K G9t is a cursed %!ace&K said Ga!ahad& Gand a!! its masters are but fe!ons& fu!! of mischief and hardness and shame#K G8or that good reason&K said the o!d man& Gthou ert e!!'ad"ised to turn thee back#K G8or that same reason&K @uoth 7ir Ga!ahad& G i!! 9 the more certain!y ride on#K Then& !ooking at his armour carefu!!y& to see that nothing fai!ed him& he ent for ard& and %resent!y there met him se"en damse!s& ho cried out& G7ir knight& thou ridest in great %eri!& for thou hast t o aters to %ass o"er#K GDhy shou!d 9 not %ass o"er themQK said he& and rode straight on# Anon he met a s@uire& ho said& G7ir knight& the masters of this cast!e defy thee& and bid thee go no further& ti!! thou sho est them thy business here#K G8air fe!!o &K said 7ir Ga!ahad& G9 am come here to destroy their icked customs#K G9f that be thy %ur%ose&K ans ered he& Gthou i!t ha"e much to do#K GGo thou&K said Ga!ahad& Gand hasten ith my message#K 9n a fe minutes after rode forth furious!y from the gate ays of the cast!e se"en knights& a!! brothers& and crying out& GKnight& kee% thee&K bore do n a!! at once u%on 7ir Ga!ahad# But thrusting forth his s%ear& he smote the foremost to the earth& so that his neck as a!most broken& and arded ith his shie!d the s%ears of a!! the others& hich e"ery one brake off from it& and shi"ered into %ieces# Then he dre out his s ord& and set u%on them hard and fierce!y& and by his ondrous force dra"e them before him& and chased them to the cast!e gate& and there he s!e them#

At that came out to him an ancient man& in %riestBs "estments& saying& GBeho!d& sir& here& the keys of this cast!e#K Then he un!ocked the gates& and found ithin a mu!titude of %eo%!e& ho cried out& G7ir knight& ye be e!come& for !ong ha"e e aited thy de!i"erance&K and to!d him that the se"en fe!ons he had s!ain had !ong ens!a"ed the %eo%!e round about& and ki!!ed a!! knights ho %assed that ay& because the maiden hom they had robbed of the cast!e had foreto!d that by one knight they shou!d themse!"es be o"erthro n# GDhere is the maidenQK asked 7ir Ga!ahad# G7he !ingereth be!o in a dungeon&K said they# 7o 7ir Ga!ahad ent do n and re!eased her& and restored her her inheritanceO and hen he had summoned the barons of the country to do her homage& he took his !ea"e& and de%arted# Present!y thereafter& as he rode& he entered a great forest& and in a g!ade thereof met t o knights& disguised& ho %roffered him to joust# These ere 7ir Lance!ot& his father& and 7ir Perci"a!& but neither kne the other# 7o he and 7ir Lance!ot encountered first& and 7ir Ga!ahad smote do n his father# Then dra ing his s ord& for his s%ear as broken& he fought ith 7ir Perci"a!& and struck so mighti!y that he c!a"e 7ir Perci"a!Bs he!m& and smote him from his horse# <o hard by here they fought there as a hermitage& here d e!t a %ious oman& a rec!use& ho& hen she heard the sound& came forth& and seeing 7ir Ga!ahad ride& she cried& GGod be ith thee& the best knight in the or!dO had yonder knights kno n thee as e!! as 9 do& they ou!d not ha"e encountered ith thee#K Dhen 7ir Ga!ahad heard that& fearing to be made kno n& he forth ith smote his horse ith his s%urs& and de%arted at a great %ace# 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Perci"a! heard her ords a!so& and rode fast after him& but ithin a hi!e he as out of their sight# Then 7ir Perci"a! rode back to ask his name of the rec!useO but 7ir Lance!ot ent for ard on his @uest& and fo!!o ing any %ath his horse ou!d take& he came by'and'by after nightfa!! to a stone cross hard by an ancient cha%e!# Dhen he had a!ighted and tied his horse u% to a tree& he ent and !ooked in through the cha%e! door& hich as a!! ruinous and asted& and there ithin he sa an a!tar& rich!y decked ith si!k& hereon there stood a fair cand!estick of si!"er& bearing siC great !ights# And hen 7ir Lance!ot sa the !ight& he tried to get ithin the cha%e!& but cou!d find no %!ace# 7o& being %assing eary and hea"y& he came again to his horse& and hen he had unsadd!ed him& and set him free to %asture& he un!aced his he!m& and ungirded his s ord& and !aid him do n to s!ee% u%on his shie!d before the cross# And hi!e he !ay bet een aking and s!ee%ing& he sa come by him t o hite %a!freys bearing a !itter& herein a sick knight !ay& and the %a!freys stood sti!! by the cross# Then 7ir Lance!ot heard the sick man say& GO s eet Lord& hen sha!! this sorro !ea"e me&

and the ho!y "esse! %ass by me& herethrough 9 sha!! be b!essedQ for 9 ha"e !ong endured#K Dith that 7ir Lance!ot sa the cha%e! o%en& and the cand!estick ith the siC ta%ers come before the cross& but he cou!d see none ho bare it# Then came there a!so a tab!e of si!"er& and thereon the ho!y "esse! of the 7angrea!# And hen the sick knight sa that& he sat u%& and !ifting both his hands& said& G8air Lord& s eet Lord& ho art here ithin this ho!y "esse!& ha"e mercy on me& that 9 may be ho!eOK and there ith he cre%t u%on his hands and knees so nigh& that he might touch the "esse!O and hen he had kissed it& he !ea%ed u%& and stood and cried a!oud& GLord God& 9 thank Thee& for 9 am made ho!e#K Then the Ho!y Gra!e de%arted ith the tab!e and the si!"er cand!estick into the cha%e!& so that 7ir Lance!ot sa it no more& nor for his sinsB sake cou!d he fo!!o it# And the knight ho as hea!ed ent on his ay# Then 7ir Lance!ot a ake& and mar"e!!ed hether he had seen aught but a dream# And as he mar"e!!ed& he heard a "oice saying& G7ir Lance!ot& thou are un orthy& go thou hence& and ithdra thee from this ho!y %!ace#K And hen he heard that& he as %assing hea"y& for he bethought him of his sins# 7o he de%arted ee%ing& and cursed the day of his birth& for the ords ent into his heart& and he kne herefore he as thus dri"en forth# Then he ent to seek his arms and horse& but cou!d not find themO and then he ca!!ed himse!f the retchedest and most unha%%y of a!! knights& and said& GAy sin hath brought me unto great dishonour( for hen 9 sought earth!y honours& 9 achie"ed them e"erO but no 9 take u%on me ho!y things& my gui!t doth hinder me& and shameth meO therefore had 9 no %o er to stir or s%eak hen the ho!y b!ood a%%eared before me#K 7o thus he sorro ed ti!! it as day& and he heard the birds singO then as he some hat comforted& and de%arting from the cross on foot& he came into a i!d forest& and to a high mountain& and there he found a hermitageO and& knee!ing before the hermit do n u%on both his knees& he cried for mercy for his icked orks& and %rayed him to hear his confession# But hen he to!d his name& the hermit mar"e!!ed to see him in so sore a case& and said& G7ir& ye ought to thank God more than any knight !i"ing& for He hath gi"en thee more honour than anyO yet for thy %resum%tion& hi!e in dead!y sin to come into the %resence of His f!esh and b!ood& He suffered thee neither to see nor fo!!o it# Dherefore& be!ie"e that a!! thy strength and manhood i!! a"ai! thee !itt!e& hen God is against thee#K Then 7ir Lance!ot e%t and said& G<o kno 9 e!! ye te!! me truth#K Then he confessed to him& and to!d him a!! his sins& and ho he had for fourteen years ser"ed but Lueen Guine"ere on!y& and forgotten God& and done great deeds of arms for her& and not for Hea"en& and had !itt!e or nothing thanked God for the honour that he on# And then 7ir Lance!ot said& G9 %ray you counse! me#K

G9 i!! counse! thee&K said he( Gne"er more enter into that @ueenBs com%any hen ye can a"oid it#K 7o 7ir Lance!ot %romised him# GLook that your heart and your mouth accord&K said the good man& Gand ye sha!! ha"e more honour and more nob!eness than e"er ye ha"e had#K Then ere his arms and horse restored to him& and so he took his !ea"e& and rode forth& re%enting great!y# <o 7ir Perci"a! had ridden back to the rec!use& to !earn ho that knight as hom she had ca!!ed the best in the or!d# And hen he had to!d her that he as 7ir Perci"a!& she made %assing great joy of him& for she as his motherBs sister& herefore she o%ened her door to him& and made him good cheer# And on the morro she to!d him of her kindred to him& and they both made great rejoicing# Then he asked her ho that knight as& and she to!d him& GHe it is ho on Dhit 7unday !ast as c!ad in the red robe& and bare the red armsO and he hath no %eer& for he orketh a!! by mirac!e& and sha!! be ne"er o"ercome by any earth!y hands#K GBy my good i!!&K said 7ir Perci"a!& G9 i!! ne"er after these tidings ha"e to do ith 7ir Ga!ahad but in the ay of kindnessO and 9 ou!d fain !earn here 9 may find him#K G8air ne%he &K said she& Gye must ride to the :ast!e of Goth& here he hath a cousinO by him ye may be !odged& and he i!! teach you the ay to goO but if he can te!! you no tidings& ride straight to the :ast!e of :arbonek& here the ounded king is !ying& for there sha!! ye sure!y hear true tidings of him#K 7o 7ir Perci"a! de%arted from his aunt& and rode ti!! e"ensong time& hen he as are of a monastery c!osed round ith a!!s and dee% ditches& here he knocked at the gate& and anon as !et in# And there he had good cheer that night& and on the morro heard mass# And beside the a!tar here the %riest stood& as a rich bed of si!k and c!oth of go!dO and on the bed there !ay a man %assing o!d& ha"ing a cro n of go!d u%on his head& and a!! his body as fu!! of great ounds& and his eyes a!most ho!!y b!indO and e"er he he!d u% his hands and said& G7 eet Lord& forget not meRK Then 7ir Perci"a! asked one of the brethren ho he as# G7ir&K said the good man& Gye ha"e heard of Jose%h of Arimathea& ho he as sent of Jesus :hrist into this !and to %reach and teach the :hristian faith# <o & in the city of 7arras he con"erted a king named E"e!ake& and this is he# He came ith Jose%h to this !and& and e"er desired great!y to see the 7angrea!O so on a time he came nigh thereto& and as struck a!most b!ind# Then he cried out for mercy& and said& H8air Lord& 9 %ray thee !et me ne"er die unti! a good knight of my b!ood achie"e the 7angrea!& and 9 may see and kiss him#B Dhen he had thus %rayed& he heard a "oice that said& HThy %rayers be heard and ans ered& for thou sha!t not die ti!! that knight kiss theeO and hen he cometh sha!! thine eyes be o%ened and thy ounds be hea!ed#B And no hath he !i"ed

here for three hundred inters in a ho!y !ife& and men say a certain knight of King ArthurBs court sha!! short!y hea! him#K Thereat 7ir Perci"a! mar"e!!ed great!y& for he e!! kne ho that knight shou!d beO and so& taking his !ea"e of the monk& de%arted# Then he rode on ti!! noon& and came into a "a!!ey here he met t enty men'at'arms bearing a dead knight on a bier# And they cried to him& GDhence comest thouQK G8rom King ArthurBs court&K he ans ered# Then they a!! cried together& G7!ay him&K and set u%on him# But he smote do n the first man to the ground& and his horse u%on himO hereat se"en of them a!! at once assai!ed him& and others s!e his horse# Thus he had been either taken or s!ain& but by good chance 7ir Ga!ahad as %assing by that ay& ho& seeing t enty men attacking one& cried& G7!ay him not&K and rushed u%on themO and& as fast as his horse cou!d dri"e& he encountered ith the foremost man& and smote him do n# Then& his s%ear being broken& he dre forth his s ord and struck out on the right hand and on the !eft& at each b!o smiting do n a man& ti!! the remainder f!ed& and he %ursued them# Then 7ir Perci"a!& kno ing that it as 7ir Ga!ahad& ou!d fain ha"e o"ertaken him& but cou!d not& for his horse as s!ain# $et fo!!o ed he on foot as fast as he cou!d goO and as he ent there met him a yeoman riding on a %a!frey& and !eading in his hand a great b!ack steed# 7o 7ir Perci"a! %rayed him to !end him the steed& that he might o"ertake 7ir Ga!ahad# But he re%!ied& GThat can 9 not do& fair sir& for the horse is my masterBs& and shou!d 9 !end it he ou!d s!ay me#K 7o he de%arted& and 7ir Perci"a! sat do n beneath a tree in hea"iness of heart# And as he sat& anon a knight ent riding %ast on the b!ack steed hich the yeoman had !ed# And %resent!y after came the yeoman back in haste& and asked 7ir Perci"a! if he had seen a knight riding his horse# G$ea&K said 7ir Perci"a!# GA!as&K said the yeoman& Ghe hath reft him from me by strength& and my master i!! s!ay me#K Then he besought 7ir Perci"a! to take his hackney and fo!!o & and get back his steed# 7o he rode @uick!y& and o"ertook the knight& and cried& GKnight& turn again#K Dhereat he turned and set his s%ear& and smote 7ir Perci"a!Bs hackney in the breast& so that it fe!! dead& and then ent on his ay# Then cried 7ir Perci"a! after him& GTurn no & fa!se knight& and fight ith me on footOK but he ou!d not& and rode out of sight# Then as 7ir Perci"a! %assing roth and hea"y of heart& and !ay do n to rest beneath a tree& and s!e%t ti!! midnight# Dhen he a oke he sa a oman standing by him& ho said to him right fierce!y& G7ir Perci"a!& hat doest thou hereQK G9 do neither good nor e"i!&K said he# G9f thou i!t %romise me&K said she& Gto do my i!! hene"er 9 sha!! ask thee& 9 i!! bring thee here a horse that i!! bear thee heresoe"er thou desirest#K

At that he as fu!! g!ad& and %romised as she asked# Then anon she came again& ith a great b!ack steed& strong and e!! a%%are!!ed# 7o 7ir Perci"a! mounted& and rode through the c!ear moon!ight& and ithin !ess than an hour had gone a four daysB journey& ti!! he came to a rough ater that roaredO and his horse ou!d ha"e borne him into it& but 7ir Perci"a! ou!d not suffer him& yet cou!d he scarce restrain him# And seeing the ater so furious& he made the sign of the cross u%on his forehead& hereat the horse sudden!y shook him off& and ith a terrib!e sound !ea%ed into the ater and disa%%eared& the a"es a!! burning u% in f!ames around him# Then 7ir Perci"a! kne it as a fiend hich had brought him the horseO so he commended himse!f to God& and %rayed that he might esca%e tem%tations& and continued in %rayer ti!! it as day# Then he sa that he as on a i!d mountain& nigh surrounded on a!! sides by the sea& and fi!!ed ith i!d beastsO and going on into a "a!!ey& he sa a ser%ent carrying a young !ion by the neck# Dith that came another !ion& crying and roaring after the ser%ent& and anon o"ertook him& and began to batt!e ith him# And 7ir Perci"a! he!%ed the !ion& and dre his s ord& and ga"e the ser%ent such a stroke that it fe!! dead# Thereat the !ion fa ned u%on him !ike a dog& !icking his hands& and crouching at his feet& and at night !ay do n by him and s!e%t at his side# And at noon the neCt day 7ir Perci"a! sa a shi% come sai!ing before a strong ind u%on the sea to ards him& and he rose and ent to ards it# And hen it came to shore& he found it co"ered ith hite samite& and on the deck there stood an o!d man dressed in %riestBs robes& ho said& GGod be ith you& fair sirO hence come yeQK G9 am a knight of King ArthurBs court&K said he& Gand fo!!o the @uest of the 7angrea!O but here ha"e 9 !ost myse!f in this i!derness#K G8ear nothing&K said the o!d man& Gfor 9 ha"e come from a strange country to comfort thee#K Then he to!d 7ir Perci"a! it as a fiend of he!! u%on hich he had ridden to the sea& and that the !ion& hom he had de!i"ered from the ser%ent& meant the :hurch# And 7ir Perci"a! rejoiced at these tidings& and entered into the shi%& hich %resent!y sai!ed from the shore into the sea# <o hen 7ir Bors rode forth from :ame!ot to seek the 7angrea!& anon he met a ho!y man riding on an ass& and courteous!y sa!uted him# GDho are ye& sonQK said the good man# G9 am a knight&K said he& Gin @uest of the 7angrea!& and ou!d fain ha"e thy counse!& for he sha!! ha"e much earth!y honour ho may bring it to a fa"ourab!e end#K GThat is truth&K said the good man& Gfor he sha!! be the best knight of the or!dO yet kno that none sha!! gain it sa"e by sin!ess !i"ing#K

7o they rode to his hermitage together& and there he %rayed 7ir Bors to abide that night& and anon they ent into the cha%e!& and 7ir Bors as confessed# And they eat bread and drank ater together# G<o &K said the hermit& G9 %ray thee eat no other food ti!! thou sit at the tab!e here the 7angrea! sha!! be#K Thereto 7ir Bors agreed# GA!so&K said the hermit& Git ere ise that ye shou!d ear a sackc!oth garment neCt your skin& for %enanceOK and in this a!so did 7ir Bors as he as counse!!ed# And after ards he armed himse!f and took his !ea"e# Then rode he on ards a!! that day& and as he rode he sa a %assing great bird sit in an o!d dry tree& hereon no !ea"es ere !eftO and many !itt!e birds !ay round the great one& nigh dead ith hunger# Then did the big bird smite himse!f ith his o n bi!!& and b!ed ti!! he died amongst his !itt!e ones& and they reco"ered !ife in drinking u% his b!ood# Dhen 7ir Bors sa this he kne it as a token& and rode on fu!! of thought# And about e"entide he came to a to er& hereto he %rayed admission& and he as recei"ed g!ad!y by the !ady of the cast!e# But hen a su%%er of many meats and dainties as set before him& he remembered his "o & and bade a s@uire to bring him ater& and therein he di%%ed his bread& and ate# Then said the !ady& G7ir Bors& 9 fear ye !ike not my meat#K G$ea& tru!y&K said heO GGod thank thee& madamO but 9 may eat no other meat this day#K After su%%er came a s@uire& and said& GAadam& bethink thee to %ro"ide a cham%ion for thee to'morro for the tourney& or e!se sha!! thy sister ha"e thy cast!e#K At that the !ady e%t& and made great sorro # But 7ir Bors %rayed her to be comforted& and asked her hy the tournament as he!d# Then she to!d him ho she and her sister ere the daughters of King Anianse& ho !eft them a!! his !ands bet een themO and ho her sister as the ife of a strong knight& named 7ir Pridan !e <oir& ho had taken from herse!f a!! her !ands& sa"e the one to er herein she d e!t# GAnd no &K said she& Gthis a!so i!! they take& un!ess 9 find a cham%ion by to'morro #K Then said 7ir Bors& GBe comfortedO to'morro 9 i!! fight for theeOK hereat she rejoiced not a !itt!e& and sent ord to 7ir Pridan that she as %ro"ided and ready# And 7ir Bors !ay on the f!oor& and in no bed& nor e"er ou!d do other ise ti!! he had achie"ed his @uest# On the morro he arose and c!othed himse!f& and ent into the cha%e!& here the !ady met him& and they heard mass together# Anon he ca!!ed for his armour& and ent ith a good!y com%any of knights to the batt!e# And the !ady %rayed him to refresh himse!f ere he shou!d fight& but he refused to break his fast unti! the tournament ere done# 7o they a!! rode together to the !ists& and there they sa the !adyBs e!dest sister& and her husband& 7ir

Pridan !e <oir# And a cry as made by the hera!ds that& hiche"er shou!d in& his !ady shou!d ha"e a!! the otherBs !ands# Then the t o knights de%arted asunder a !itt!e s%ace& and came together ith such force& that both their s%ears ere shi"ered& and their shie!ds and hauberks %ierced throughO and both fe!! to the ground sore!y ounded& ith their horses under them# But s ift!y they arose& and dre their s ords& and smote each other on the head ith many great and hea"y b!o s& ti!! the b!ood ran do n their bodiesO and 7ir Pridan as a fu!! good knight& so that 7ir Bors had more ado than he had thought for to o"ercome him# But at !ast 7ir Pridan gre a !itt!e faintO that instant!y %ercei"ed 7ir Bors& and rushed u%on him the more "ehement!y& and smote him fierce!y& ti!! he rent off his he!m& and then ga"e him great strokes u%on his "isage ith the f!at of his s ord& and bade him yie!d or be s!ain# And then 7ir Pridan cried him mercy& and said& G8or GodBs sake s!ay me not& and 9 i!! ne"er ar against thy !ady more#K 7o 7ir Bors !et him go& and his ife f!ed a ay ith a!! her knights# Then a!! those ho had he!d !ands of the !ady of the to er came and did homage to her again& and s ore fea!ty# And hen the country as at %eace 7ir Bors de%arted& and rode forth into a forest unti! it as midday& and there befe!! him a mar"e!!ous ad"enture# 8or at a %!ace here t o ays %arted& there met him t o knights& bearing 7ir Lione!& his brother& a!! naked& bound on a horse& and as they rode& they beat him sore!y ith thorns& so that the b!ood trai!ed do n in more than a hundred %!aces from his bodyO but for a!! this he uttered no ord or groan& so great he as of heart# As soon as 7ir Bors kne his brother& he %ut his s%ear in rest to run and rescue himO but in the same moment heard a omanBs "oice cry c!ose beside him in the ood& G7t# Aary& succour thy maidOK and& !ooking round& he sa a damse! hom a fe!on knight dragged after him into the thicketsO and she& %ercei"ing him& cried %iteous!y for he!%& and adjured him to de!i"er her as he as a s orn knight# Then as 7ir Bors sore troub!ed& and kne not hat to do& for he thought ithin himse!f& G9f 9 !et my brother be& he i!! be murderedO but if 9 he!% not the maid& she is shamed for e"er& and my "o com%e!!eth me to set her freeO herefore must 9 first he!% her& and trust my brother unto God#K 7o& riding to the knight ho he!d the damse!& he cried out& G7ir knight& !ay your hand off that maid& or e!se ye be but dead#K At that the knight set do n the maid& and dro%%ed his shie!d& and dre forth his s ord against 7ir Bors& ho ran at him& and smote him through both shie!d and shou!der& and thre him to the earthO and hen he %u!!ed his s%ear forth& the knight s ooned# Then the maid thanked 7ir Bors hearti!y& and he set her on the knightBs horse& and brought her to her men'at'arms& ho %resent!y came riding after her# And they made much joy& and besought him to come to her father& a great !ord& and he shou!d be right e!come# But Gtru!y&K said he& G9 may not at this time& for

9 ha"e a great ad"enture yet to doOK and commending them to God& he de%arted in great haste to find his brother# 7o he rode& seeking him by the track of the horses a great hi!e# Anon he met a seeming ho!y man riding u%on a strong b!ack horse& and asked him& had he seen %ass by that ay a knight !ed bound and beaten ith thorns by t o others# G$ea& tru!y& such an one 9 sa &K said the manO Gbut he is dead& and !oR his body is hard by in a bush#K Then he sho ed him a ne !y s!ain body !ying in a thick bush& hich seemed indeed to be 7ir Lione!# Then made 7ir Bors such mourning and sorro that by'and'by he fe!! into a s oon u%on the ground# And hen he came to himse!f again& he took the body in his arms and %ut it on his horseBs sadd!e& and bore it to a cha%e! hard by& and ou!d ha"e buried it# But hen he made the sign of the cross& he heard a fu!! great noise and cry as though a!! the fiends of he!! had been about him& and sudden!y the body and the cha%e! and the o!d man "anished a!! a ay# Then he kne that it as the de"i! ho had thus begui!ed him& and that his brother yet !i"ed# Then he!d he u% his hands to hea"en& and thanked God for his o n esca%e from hurt& and rode on ardsO and anon& as he %assed by an hermitage in a forest& he sa his brother sitting armed by the door# And hen he sa him he as fi!!ed ith joy& and !ighted from his horse& and ran to him and said& G8air brother& hen came ye hitherQK But 7ir Lione! ans ered& ith an angry face& GDhat "ain ords be these& hen for you 9 might ha"e been s!ainQ *id ye not see me bound and !ed a ay to death& and !eft me in that %eri! to go succouring a gent!e oman& the !ike hereof no brother e"er yet hath doneQ <o & for thy fa!se misdeed& 9 do defy thee& and ensure thee s%eedy death#K Then 7ir Bors %rayed his brother to abate his anger& and said& G8air brother& remember the !o"e that shou!d be bet een us t ain#K But 7ir Lione! ou!d not hear& and %re%ared to fight and mounted his horse and came before him& crying& G7ir Bors& kee% thee from me& for 9 sha!! do to thee as a fe!on and a traitorO therefore& start u%on thy horse& for if thou i!t not& 9 i!! run u%on thee as thou standest#K But for a!! his ords 7ir Bors ou!d not defend himse!f against his brother# And anon the fiend stirred u% 7ir Lione! to such rage& that he rushed o"er him and o"erthre him ith his horseBs hoofs& so that he !ay s ooning on the ground# Then ou!d he ha"e rent off his he!m and s!ain him& but the hermit of that %!ace ran out& and %rayed him to forbear& and shie!ded 7ir Bors ith his body# Then 7ir Lione! cried out& G<o & God so he!% me& sir %riest& but 9 sha!! s!ay thee e!se thou de%art& and him too after thee#K And hen the good man utter!y refused to !ea"e 7ir Bors& he smote him on the head unti! he died& and then he took his brother by the he!m and un!aced it& to ha"e stricken off his head& and so

he ou!d ha"e done& but sudden!y as %u!!ed off back ards by a knight of the )ound Tab!e& ho& by the i!! of Hea"en& as %assing by that %!ace?7ir :o!gre"ance by name# G7ir Lione!&K he cried& G i!! ye s!ay your brother& one of the best knights of a!! the or!dQ That ought no man to suffer#K GDhy&K said 7ir Lione!& G i!! ye hinder me and medd!e in this strifeQ be are& !est 9 sha!! s!ay both thee and him#K And hen 7ir :o!gre"ance refused to !et them be& 7ir Lione! defied him& and ga"e him a great stroke through the he!met& hereat 7ir :o!gre"ance dre his s ord& and smote again right manfu!!y# And so !ong they fought together that 7ir Bors a oke from his s oon& and tried to rise and %art them& but had no strength to stand u%on his feet# Anon 7ir :o!gre"ance sa him& and cried out to him for he!%& for no 7ir Lione! had nigh defeated him# Dhen 7ir Bors heard that& he strugg!ed to his feet& and %ut his he!met on& and took his s ord# But before he cou!d come to him& 7ir Lione! had smitten off 7ir :o!gre"anceBs he!m& and thro n him to the earth and s!ain him# Then turned he to his brother as a man %ossessed by fiends& and ga"e him such a stroke as bent him near!y doub!e# But sti!! 7ir Bors %rayed him for GodBs sake to @uit that batt!e& G8or if it befe!! us that e either s!e the other e shou!d die for care of that sin#K G<e"er i!! 9 s%are thee if 9 master thee&K cried out 7ir Lione!# Then 7ir Bors dre his s ord a!! ee%ing& and said& G<o & God ha"e mercy on me& though 9 defend my !ife against my brotherOK ith that he !ifted u% his s ord to strike& but sudden!y he heard a mighty "oice& GPut u% thy s ord& 7ir Bors& and f!ee& or thou sha!t sure!y s!ay him#K And then there fe!! u%on them both a fiery c!oud& hich f!amed and burned their shie!ds& and they fe!! to the earth in sore dread# Anon 7ir Bors rose to his feet& and sa that 7ir Lione! had taken no harm# Then came the "oice again& and said& G7ir Bors& go hence and !ea"e thy brother& and ride thou for ard to the sea& for there 7ir Perci"a! abideth thee#K Then he said to his brother& GBrother& forgi"e me a!! my tres%ass against thee#K And 7ir Lione! ans ered& GGod forgi"e it thee& as 9 do#K Then he de%arted and rode to the sea& and on the strand he found a shi% a!! co"ered ith hite samite& and as soon as he had entered thereinto& it %ut forth from the shore# And in the midst of the shi% there stood an armed knight& hom he kne to be 7ir Perci"a!# Then they rejoiced great!y o"er each other& and said& GDe !ack nothing no but the good knight 7ir Ga!ahad#K <o hen 7ir Ga!ahad had rescued 7ir Perci"a! from the t enty knights he rode into a "ast forest# And after many days it befe!! that he came to a cast!e hereat as a tournament# And the knights of the cast!e ere %ut to the orseO hich hen he sa & he set his s%ear in rest and ran to he!% them& and smote do n many of their ad"ersaries# And as it chanced& 7ir Ga ain as

amongst the stranger knights& and hen he sa the hite shie!d ith the red cross& he kne it as 7ir Ga!ahad& and %roffered to joust ith him# 7o they encountered& and ha"ing broken their s%ears& they dre their s ords& and 7ir Ga!ahad smote 7ir Ga ain so sore!y on the he!m that he c!o"e it through& and struck on s!anting to the earth& car"ing the horseBs shou!der in t ain& and 7ir Ga ain fe!! to the earth# Then 7ir Ga!ahad beat back a!! ho arred against the cast!e& yet ou!d he not ait for thanks& but rode a ay that no man might kno him# And he rested that night at a hermitage& and hen he as as!ee%& he heard a knocking at the door# 7o he rose& and found a damse! there& ho said& G7ir Ga!ahad& 9 i!! that ye arm you& and mount u%on your horse and fo!!o me& for 9 i!! sho you ithin these three days the highest ad"enture that e"er any knight sa #K Anon 7ir Ga!ahad armed him& and took his horse& and commended himse!f to God& and bade the gent!e oman go& and he ou!d fo!!o here she !iked# 7o they rode on ards to the sea as fast as their horses might ga!!o%& and at night they came to a cast!e in a "a!!ey& inc!osed by running ater& and by strong and high a!!s& hereinto they entered and had great cheer& for the !ady of the cast!e as the damse!Bs mistress# And hen he as unarmed& the damse! said to her !ady& GAadam& sha!! e abide here this nightQK G<ay&K said she& Gbut on!y ti!! he hath dined and s!e%t a !itt!e#K 7o he ate and s!e%t a hi!e& ti!! the maid ca!!ed him& and armed him by torch!ightO and hen he had sa!uted the !ady of the cast!e& the damse! and 7ir Ga!ahad rode on# Anon they came to the seaside& and !oR the shi%& herein ere 7ir Perci"a! and 7ir Bors& abode by the shore# Then they cried& GDe!come& 7ir Ga!ahad& for e ha"e a aited thee !ong#K Then they rejoiced to see each other& and to!d of a!! their ad"entures and tem%tations# And the damse! ent into the shi% ith them& and s%ake to 7ir Perci"a!( G7ir Perci"a!& kno ye not ho 9 amQK And he re%!ied& G<ay& certain!y& 9 kno thee not#K Then said she& G9 am thy sister& the daughter of King Pe!!inore& and am sent to he!% thee and these knights& thy fe!!o s& to achie"e the @uest hich ye a!! fo!!o #K 7o 7ir Perci"a! rejoiced to see his sister& and they de%arted from the shore# And after a hi!e they came u%on a hir!%oo!& here their shi% cou!d not !i"e# Then sa they another greater shi% hard by and ent to ards it& but sa neither man nor oman therein# And on the end of it these ords ere ritten& GThou ho sha!t enter me& be are that thou be in steadfast be!ief& for 9 am 8aithO and if thou doubtest& 9 cannot he!% thee#K Then ere they a!! adread& but& commending themse!"es to God& they entered in# As soon as they ere on board they sa a fair bedO hereon !ay a cro n of si!k& and at the foot as a fair and rich s ord dra n from its scabbard ha!f a foot and more# The %omme! as of %recious

stones of many co!ours& e"ery co!our ha"ing a different "irtue& and the sca!es of the haft ere of t o ribs of different beasts# The one as bone of a ser%ent from :a!idone forest& named the ser%ent of the fiendO and its "irtue sa"eth a!! men ho ho!d it from eariness# The other as of a fish that haunteth the f!oods of Eu%hrates& named ErtanaCO and its "irtue causeth hoe"er ho!deth it to forget a!! other things& hether of joy or %ain& sa"e the thing he seeth before him# G9n the name of God&K said 7ir Perci"a!& G9 sha!! assay to hand!e this s ordOK and set his hand to it& but cou!d not gras% it# GBy my faith&K said he& Gno ha"e 9 fai!ed#K 7ir Bors set his hand to it& and fai!ed a!so# Then came 7ir Ga!ahad& and sa these !etters ritten red as b!ood& G<one sha!! dra me forth sa"e the hardiest of a!! menO but he that dra eth me sha!! ne"er be shamed or ounded to death#K GBy my faith&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& G9 ou!d dra it forth& but dare not try#K G$e may try safe!y&K said the gent!e oman& 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister& Gfor be ye e!! assured the dra ing of this s ord is forbid to a!! but you# 8or this as the s ord of *a"id& King of 9srae!& and 7o!omon his son made for it this mar"e!!ous %omme! and this ondrous sheath& and !aid it on this bed ti!! thou shou!dest come and take it u%O and though before thee some ha"e dared to raise it& yet ha"e they a!! been maimed or ounded for their daring#K GDhere&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& Gsha!! e find a gird!e for itQK

G8air sir&K said she& Gdismay you notOK and there ith took from out a boC a gird!e& nob!y rought ith go!den thread& set fu!! of %recious stones and ith a rich go!d buck!e# GThis gird!e& !ords&K said she& Gis made for the most %art of mine o n hair& hich& hi!e 9 as yet in the or!d& 9 !o"ed fu!! e!!O but hen 9 kne that this ad"enture as ordained me& 9 cut off and o"e as ye no see#K Then they a!! %rayed 7ir Ga!ahad to take the s ord& and so anon he gri%%ed it in his fingersO and the maiden girt it round his aist&

saying& G<o reck 9 not though 9 die& for 9 ha"e made thee the orthiest knight of a!! the or!d#K G8air damse!&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& Gye ha"e done so much that 9 sha!! be your knight a!! the days of my !ife#K Then the shi% sai!ed a great ay on the sea& and brought them to !and near the :ast!e of :arte!oise# Dhen they ere !anded came a s@uire and asked them& GBe ye of King ArthurBs courtQK GDe are&K said they# G9n an e"i! hour are ye come&K said he& and ent back s ift!y to the cast!e# Dithin a hi!e they heard a great horn b!o & and sa a mu!titude of e!!'armed knights come forth& ho bade them yie!d or die# At that they ran together& and 7ir Perci"a! smote one to the earth and mounted his horse& and so !ike ise did 7ir Bors and 7ir Ga!ahad& and soon had they routed a!! their enemies and a!ighted on foot& and ith their s ords s!e them do nright& and entered into the cast!e# Then came there forth a %riest& to hom 7ir Ga!ahad knee!ed and said& G9n sooth& good father& 9 re%ent me of this s!aughterO but e ere first assai!ed& or e!se it had not been#K G)e%ent ye not&K said the good man& Gfor if ye !i"ed as !ong as the or!d !asted ye cou!d do no better deed& for these ere a!! the fe!on sons of a good knight& Ear! HernoC& hom they ha"e thro n into a dungeon& and in his name ha"e s!ain %riests and c!erks& and beat do n cha%e!s far and near#K Then 7ir Ga!ahad %rayed the %riest to bring him to the ear!O ho& hen he sa 7ir Ga!ahad& cried out& GLong ha"e 9 aited for thy coming& and no 9 %ray thee ho!d me in thine arms that 9 may die in %eace#K And there ith& hen 7ir Ga!ahad had taken him in his arms& his sou! de%arted from his body# Then came a "oice in the hearing of them a!!& G*e%art no & 7ir Ga!ahad& and go @uick!y to the maimed king& for he hath !ong abided to recei"e hea!th from thy hand#K 7o the three knights de%arted& and 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister ith them& and came to a "ast forest& and sa before them a hite hart& eCceeding fair& !ed by four !ionsO and mar"e!!ing great!y at that sight& they fo!!o ed# Anon they came to a hermitage and a cha%e!& hereunto the hart entered& and the !ions ith it# Then a %riest offered mass& and %resent!y they sa the hart change into the figure of a man& most s eet and come!y to beho!dO and the four !ions a!so changed and became a man& an eag!e& a !ion& and an oC# And sudden!y a!! those fi"e figures "anished ithout sound# Then the knights mar"e!!ed great!y& and fe!! u%on their knees& and hen they rose they %rayed the %riest to te!! them hat that sight might mean# GDhat sa ye& sirsQK said he& Gfor 9 sa nothing#K Then they to!d him# GAh& !ordsRK said he& Gye are fu!! e!comeO no kno 9 e!! ye be the knights ho sha!! achie"e the 7angrea!& for unto them a!one

such mysteries are re"ea!ed# The hart ye sa is One abo"e a!! men& hite and ithout b!emish& and the four !ions ith Him are the four e"ange!ists#K Dhen they heard that they hearti!y rejoiced& and thanking the %riest& de%arted# Anon& as they %assed by a certain cast!e& an armed knight sudden!y came after them& and cried out to the damse!& GBy the ho!y cross& ye sha!! not go ti!! ye ha"e yie!ded to the custom of the cast!e#K GLet her go&K said 7ir Perci"a!& Gfor a maiden& heresoe"er she cometh& is free#K GDhate"er maiden %asseth here&K re%!ied the knight& Gmust gi"e a dishfu! of her b!ood from her right arm#K G9t is a fou! and shamefu! custom&K cried 7ir Ga!ahad and both his fe!!o s& Gand sooner i!! e die than !et this maiden yie!d thereto#K GThen sha!! ye die&K re%!ied the knight& and as he s%ake there came out from a gate hard by& ten or t e!"e more& and encountered ith them& running u%on them "ehement!y ith a great cry# But the three knights ithstood them& and set their hands to their s ords& and beat them do n and s!e them# At that came forth a com%any of threescore knights& a!! armed# G8air !ords&K said 7ir Ga!ahad& Gha"e mercy on yourse!"es and kee% from us#K G<ay& fair !ords&K they ans ered& Grather be ad"ised by us& and yie!d ye to our custom#K G9t is an id!e ord&K said Ga!ahad& Gin "ain ye s%eak it#K GDe!!&K said they& G i!! ye dieQK GDe be not come thereto as yet&K re%!ied 7ir Ga!ahad# Then did they fa!! u%on each other& and 7ir Ga!ahad dre forth his s ord& and smote on the right hand and on the !eft& and s!e so mighti!y that a!! ho sa him thought he as a monster and no earth!y man# And both his comrades he!%ed him e!!& and so they he!d the fie!d against that mu!titude ti!! it as night# Then came a good knight for ard from the enemy and said& G8air knights& abide ith us to'night and be right e!comeO by the faith of our bodies as e are true knights& to'morro ye sha!! rise unharmed& and mean hi!e maybe ye i!!& of your o n accord& acce%t the custom of the cast!e hen ye kno it better#K 7o they entered and a!ighted and made great cheer# Anon& they asked them hence that custom came# GThe !ady of this cast!e is a !e%er&K said they& Gand can be no ay cured sa"e by the b!ood of a %ure "irgin and a kingBs daughterO therefore to sa"e her !ife are e her ser"ants bound to stay e"ery maid that %asseth by& and try if her b!ood may not cure our mistress#K Then said the damse!& GTake ye of my b!ood as much as ye i!!& if it may a"ai! your !ady#K And though the three knights urged her not to %ut her !ife in that great %eri!& she re%!ied& G9f 9 die to hea! anotherBs body& 9 sha!! get hea!th to my sou!&K and ou!d not be %ersuaded to refuse#

7o on the morro she as brought to the sick !ady& and her arm as bared& and a "ein thereof as o%ened& and the dish fi!!ed ith her b!ood# Then the sick !ady as anointed there ith& and anon she as ho!e of her ma!ady# Dith that 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister !ifted u% her hand and b!essed her& saying& GAadam& 9 am come to my death to make you ho!eO for GodBs !o"e %ray for meOK and thus saying she fe!! do n in a s oon# Then 7ir Ga!ahad& 7ir Perci"a!& and 7ir Bors started to !ift her u% and staunch her b!ood& but she had !ost too much to !i"e# 7o hen she came to herse!f she said to 7ir Perci"a!& G8air brother& 9 must die for the hea!ing of this !ady& and no & 9 %ray thee& bury me not here& but hen 9 am dead %ut me in a boat at the neCt ha"en and !et me f!oat at "enture on the sea# And hen ye come to the city of 7arras& to achie"e the 7angrea!& sha!! ye find me aiting by a to er& and there 9 %ray thee bury me& for there sha!! 7ir Ga!ahad and ye a!so be !aid#K Thus ha"ing said& she died# Then 7ir Perci"a! rote a!! the story of her !ife and %ut it in her right hand& and so !aid her in a barge and co"ered it ith si!k# And the ind arising dro"e the barge from !and& and a!! the knights stood atching it ti!! it as out of sight# Anon they returned to the cast!e& and forth ith fe!! a sudden tem%est of thunder and !ightning and rain& as if the earth ere broken u%( and ha!f the cast!e as thro n do n# Then came a "oice to the three knights hich said& G*e%art ye no asunder ti!! ye meet again here the maimed king is !ying#K 7o they %arted and rode di"ers ays# <o after 7ir Lance!ot had !eft the hermit& he rode a !ong hi!e ti!! he kne not hither to turn& and so he !ay do n to s!ee%& if ha%!y he might dream hither to go# And in his s!ee% a "ision came to him saying& GLance!ot& rise u% and take thine armour& and enter the first shi% that thou sha!t find#K Dhen he a oke he obeyed the "ision& and rode ti!! he came to the sea'shore& and found there a shi% ithout sai!s or oars& and as soon as he as in it he sme!t the s eetest sa"our he had e"er kno n& and seemed fi!!ed ith a!! things he cou!d think of or desire# And !ooking round he sa a fair bed& and thereon a gent!e oman !ying dead& ho as 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister# And as 7ir Lance!ot !ooked on her he s%ied the riting in her right hand& and& taking it& he read therein her story# And more than a month thereafter he abode in that shi% and as nourished by the grace of Hea"en& as 9srae! as fed ith manna in the desert# And on a certain night he ent ashore to %ass the time& for he as some hat eary& and& !istening& he heard a horse come to ards him& from hich a knight a!ighted and ent u% into the shi%O ho& hen he sa 7ir Lance!ot& said& G8air sir& ye be right e!come to mine eyes& for 9 am thy son Ga!ahad& and !ong time 9 ha"e sought for thee#K Dith that he knee!ed and asked his b!essing& and took off his he!m and kissed him& and the great joy there as bet een them no tongue can te!!#

Then for ha!f a year they d e!t together in the shi%& and ser"ed God night and day ith a!! their %o ers& and ent to many unkno n is!ands& here none but i!d beasts haunted& and there found many strange and %eri!ous ad"entures# And u%on a time they came to the edge of a forest& before a cross of stone& and sa a knight armed a!! in hite& !eading a hite horse# Then the knight sa!uted them& and said to Ga!ahad& G$e ha"e been !ong time enough ith your fatherO no & therefore& !ea"e him and ride this horse ti!! ye achie"e the Ho!y Luest#K Then ent 7ir Ga!ahad to his father and kissed him fu!! courteous!y& and said& G8air father& 9 kno not hen 9 sha!! see thee again#K And as he took his horse a "oice s%ake in their hearing& G$e sha!! meet no more in this !ife#K G<o & my son& 7ir Ga!ahad&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gsince e must so %art and see each other ne"er more& 9 %ray the High 8ather of Hea"en to %reser"e both you and me#K Then they bade fare e!!& and 7ir Ga!ahad entered the forest& and 7ir Lance!ot returned to the shi%& and the ind rose and dro"e him more than a month through the sea& hereby he s!e%t but !itt!e& yet e"er %rayed that he might see the 7angrea!# 7o it befe!! u%on a certain midnight& the moon shining c!ear& he came before a fair and rich cast!e& hereof the %ostern gate as o%en to ards the sea& ha"ing no kee%er sa"e t o !ions in the entry# Anon 7ir Lance!ot heard a "oice( GLea"e no thy shi% and go ithin the cast!e& and thou sha!t see a %art of thy desire#K Then he armed and ent to ards the gate& and coming to the !ions he dre out his s ord& but sudden!y a d arf rushed out and smote him on the arm& so that he dro%t his s ord& and heard again the "oice& GOh& man of e"i! faith& and %oor be!ief& herefore trustest thou thine arms abo"e thy AakerQK Then he %ut u% his s ord and signed the cross u%on his forehead& and so %assed by the !ions ithout hurt# And going in& he found a chamber ith the door shut& hich in "ain he tried to o%en# And !istening thereat he heard a "oice ithin& hich sang so s eet!y that it seemed no earth!y thing& GJoy and honour be to the 8ather of Hea"enRK Then he knee!ed do n at the door& for he kne e!! the 7angrea! as there ithin# Anon the door as o%ened ithout hands& and forth ith came thereout so great a s%!endour as if a!! the torches of the or!d had been a!ight together# But hen he ou!d ha"e entered in& a "oice forbad himO herefore he dre back& and !ooked& standing u%on the thresho!d of the door# And there he sa a tab!e of si!"er& and the ho!y "esse! co"ered ith red samite& and many ange!s round it ho!ding burning cand!es and a cross and a!! the ornaments of the a!tar# Then a %riest stood u% and offered mass& and hen he took the "esse! u%& he seemed to sink beneath that burden# At that 7ir Lance!ot cried& GO 8ather& take it not for sin that 9 go in to he!% the

%riest& ho hath much need thereof#K 7o saying& he ent in& but hen he came to ards the tab!e he fe!t a breath of fire hich issued out therefrom and smote him to the ground& so that he had no %o er to rise# Then fe!t he many hands about him& hich took him u% and !aid him do n outside the cha%e! door# There !ay he in a s oon a!! through that night& and on the morro certain %eo%!e found him sense!ess& and bore him to an inner chamber and !aid him on a bed# And there he rested& !i"ing& but mo"ing no !imbs& t enty'four days and nights# On the t enty'fifth day he o%ened his eyes and sa those standing round& and said& GDhy ha"e ye aked meQ for 9 ha"e seen mar"e!s that no tongue can te!!& and more than any heart can think#K Then he asked here he as& and they to!d him& G9n the :ast!e of :arbonek#K GTe!! your !ord& King Pe!!es&K said he& Gthat 9 am 7ir Lance!ot#K At that they mar"e!!ed great!y& and to!d their !ord it as 7ir Lance!ot ho had !ain there so !ong# Then as King Pe!!es ondrous g!ad and ent to see him& and %rayed him to abide there for a season# But 7ir Lance!ot said& G9 kno e!! that 9 ha"e no seen as much as mine eyes may beho!d of the 7angrea!O herefore 9 i!! return to my o n country#K 7o he took !ea"e of King Pe!!es& and de%arted to ards Logris# <o after 7ir Ga!ahad had %arted from 7ir Lance!ot& he rode many days& ti!! he came to the monastery here the b!ind King E"e!ake !ay& hom 7ir Perci"a! had seen# And on the morro & hen he had heard mass& 7ir Ga!ahad desired to see the king& ho cried out& GDe!come& 7ir Ga!ahad& ser"ant of the LordR !ong ha"e 9 abided thy coming# Take me no in thine arms& that 9 may die in %eace#K At that 7ir Ga!ahad embraced himO and hen he had so done the kingBs eyes ere o%ened& and he said& G8air Lord Jesus& suffer me no to come to TheeOK and anon his sou! de%arted# Then they buried him roya!!y& as a king shou!d beO and 7ir Ga!ahad ent on his ay# Dithin a hi!e he came to a cha%e! in a forest& in the cry%t hereof he sa a tomb hich a! ays b!aMed and burnt# And asking the brethren hat that might mean& they to!d him& GJose%h of ArimatheaBs son did found this monastery& and one ho ronged him hath !ain here these three hundred and fifty years and burneth e"ermore& unti! that %erfect knight ho sha!! achie"e the 7angrea! doth @uench the fire#K Then said he& G9 %ray ye bring me to the tomb#K And hen he touched the %!ace immediate!y the fire as @uenched& and a "oice came from the gra"e and cried& GThanks be to God& ho no hath %urged me of my sin& and dra eth me from earth!y %ains into the joys of %aradise#K

Then 7ir Ga!ahad took the body in his arms and bore it to the abbey& and on the morro %ut it in the earth before the high a!tar# Anon he de%arted from thence and rode fi"e days in a great forestO and after that he met 7ir Perci"a!& and a !itt!e further on 7ir Bors# Dhen they had to!d each other their ad"entures& they rode together to the :ast!e of :arbonek( and there King Pe!!es ga"e them hearty e!come& for he kne they shou!d achie"e the Ho!y Luest# As soon as they ere come into the cast!e& a "oice cried in the midst of the chamber& GLet them ho ought not no to sit at the tab!e of the Lord rise and de%art henceRK Then a!!& sa"e those three knights& de%arted# Anon they sa other knights come in ith haste at the ha!! doors and take their harness off& ho said to 7ir Ga!ahad& G7ir& e ha"e tried sore to be ith you at this tab!e#K G$e be e!come&K said he& Gbut hence are yeQK 7o three of them said they ere from Gau!O and three from 9re!andO and three from *enmark# Then came forth the !ikeness of a bisho%& ith a cross in his hand& and four ange!s stood by him& and a tab!e of si!"er as before them& hereon as set the "esse! of the 7angrea!# Then came forth other ange!s a!so?t o bearing burning cand!es& and the third a to e!& and the fourth a s%ear hich b!ed mar"e!!ous!y& the dro%s herefrom fe!! into a boC he he!d in his !eft hand# Anon the bisho% took the afer u% to consecrate it& and at the !ifting u%& they sa the figure of a :hi!d& hose "isage as as bright as any fire& hich smote itse!f into the midst of the afer and "anished& so that a!! sa the f!esh made bread# Thereat the bisho% ent to Ga!ahad and kissed him& and bade him go and kiss his fe!!o sO and said& G<o & ser"ants of the Lord& %re%are for food such as none e"er yet ere fed ith since the or!d began#K Dith that he "anished& and the knights ere fi!!ed ith a great dread and %rayed de"out!y# Then sa they come forth from the ho!y "esse! the "ision of a man b!eeding a!! o%en!y& hom they kne e!! by the tokens of His %assion for the Lord Himse!f# At that they fe!! u%on their faces and ere dumb# Anon he brought the Ho!y Gra!e to them and s%ake high ords of comfort& and& hen they drank therefrom& the taste thereof as s eeter than any tongue cou!d te!! or heart desire# Then a "oice said to Ga!ahad& G7on& ith this b!ood hich dri%%eth from the s%ear anoint thou the maimed king and hea! him# And hen thou hast this done& de%art hence ith thy brethren in a shi% that ye sha!! find& and go to the city of 7arras# And bear ith thee the ho!y "esse!& for it sha!! no more be seen in the rea!m of Logris#K At that 7ir Ga!ahad a!ked to the b!eeding s%ear& and therefrom anointing his fingers ent out straight ay to the maimed King Pe!!es& and touched his ound# Then sudden!y he u%rose from his

bed as ho!e a man as e"er he as& and %raised God %assing thankfu!!y ith a!! his heart# Then 7ir Ga!ahad& 7ir Bors& and 7ir Perci"a! de%arted as they had been to!dO and hen they had ridden three days they came to the sea'shore& and found the shi% a aiting them# Therein they entered& and sa in the midst the si!"er tab!e and the "esse! of the 7angrea!& co"ered ith red samite# Then ere they %assing g!ad& and made great re"erence thereto# And 7ir Ga!ahad %rayed that no he might !ea"e the or!d and %ass to God# And %resent!y& the hi!e he %rayed& a "oice said to him& GGa!ahad& thy %rayer is heard& and hen thou asketh the death of the body thou sha!t ha"e it& and find the !ife of thy sou!#K But hi!e they %rayed and s!e%t the shi% sai!ed on& and hen they oke they sa the city of 7arras before them& and the other shi% herein as 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister# Then the three knights took u% the ho!y tab!e and the 7angrea! and ent into the cityO and there& in a cha%e!& they buried 7ir Perci"a!Bs sister right so!emn!y# <o at the gate of the to n they sa an o!d cri%%!e sitting& hom 7ir Ga!ahad ca!!ed to he!% them bear their eight# GTru!y&K said the o!d man& Git is ten years since 9 ha"e gone a ste% ithout these crutches#K G:are ye not&K said 7ir Ga!ahadO Grise no and sho good i!!#K 7o he assayed to mo"e& and found his !imbs as strong as any manBs might be& and running to the tab!e he!%ed to carry it# Anon there rose a rumour in the city that a cri%%!e had been hea!ed by certain mar"e!!ous strange knights# But the king& named Estouranse& ho as a heathen tyrant& hen he heard thereof took 7ir Ga!ahad and his fe!!o s& and %ut them in %rison in a dee% ho!e# Therein they abode a great hi!e& but e"er the 7angrea! as ith them and fed them ith mar"e!!ous s eet food& so that they fainted not& but had a!! joy and comfort they cou!d ish# At the yearBs end the king fe!! sick and fe!t that he shou!d die# Then sent he for the three knights& and hen they came before him %rayed their mercy for his tres%asses against them# 7o they forga"e him g!ad!y& and anon he died# Then the chief men of the city took counse! together ho shou!d be king in his stead& and as they ta!ked& a "oice cried in their midst& G:hoose ye the youngest of the three knights King Estouranse cast into %rison for your king#K At that they sought 7ir Ga!ahad and made him king ith the assent of a!! the city& and e!se they ou!d ha"e s!ain him# But ithin a t e!"emonth came to him& u%on a certain day& as he %rayed before the 7angrea!& a man in !ikeness of a bisho%& ith a great com%any of ange!s round about him& ho offered mass& and after ards ca!!ed to 7ir Ga!ahad& G:ome forth& thou ser"ant of the Lord& for the time hath come thou hast desired so !ong#K Then 7ir Ga!ahad !ifted u% his hands and %rayed& G<o & b!essed LordR ou!d 9 no !onger !i"e if it might %!ease Thee#K

Anon the bisho% ga"e him the sacrament& and hen he had recei"ed it ith uns%eakab!e g!adness& he said& GDho art thou& fatherQK G9 am Jose%h of Arimathea&K ans ered he& G hom our Lord hath sent to bear thee fe!!o shi%#K Dhen he heard that& 7ir Ga!ahad ent to 7ir Perci"a! and 7ir Bors and kissed them and commended them to God& saying& G7a!ute for me 7ir Lance!ot& my father& and bid him remember this unstab!e or!d#K There ith he knee!ed do n and %rayed& and sudden!y his sou! de%arted& and a mu!titude of ange!s bare it u% to hea"en# Then came a hand from hea"en and took the "esse! and the s%ear and bare them out of sight# 7ince then as ne"er man so hardy as to say that he had seen the 7angrea!# And after a!! these things& 7ir Perci"a! %ut off his armour and betook him to an hermitage& and ithin a !itt!e hi!e %assed out of this or!d# And 7ir Bors& hen he had buried him beside his sister& returned& ee%ing sore for the !oss of his t o brethren& to King Arthur& at :ame!ot#

)HA*T$R 3III
Sir Lancelot and the )air Maid of Astolat

after the @uest of the 7angrea! as fu!fi!!ed and a!! the knights ho ere !eft a!i"e ere come again to the )ound Tab!e& there as great joy in the court# And %assing g!ad ere King Arthur and Lueen Guine"ere to see 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Bors& for they had been !ong absent in that @uest# And so great!y as 7ir Lance!otBs fame no s%read abroad that many !adies and damse!s dai!y resorted to him and besought him for their cham%ionO and a!! right @uarre!s did he g!ad!y undertake for the %!easure of our Lord :hrist# And a! ays as much as he might he ithdre him from the @ueen# Dherefore Lueen Guine"ere& ho counted him for her o n knight& gre roth ith him& and on a certain day she ca!!ed him

to her chamber& and said thus( G7ir Lance!ot& 9 dai!y see thy !oya!ty to me doth s!ack& for e"er thou art absent from this court& and takest other !adiesB @uarre!s on thee more than e"er thou ert ont# <o do 9 understand thee& fa!se knight& and therefore sha!! 9 ne"er trust thee more# *e%art no from my sight& and come no more ithin this court u%on %ain of thy head#K Dith that she turned from him and ou!d hear no eCcuses# 7o 7ir Lance!ot de%arted in hea"iness of heart& and ca!!ing 7ir Bors& 7ir Ector& and 7ir Lione!& he to!d them ho the @ueen had dea!t ith him# G8air sir&K re%!ied 7ir Bors& Gremember hat honour ye ha"e in this country& and ho ye are ca!!ed the nob!est knight in the or!dO herefore go not& for omen are hasty& and do often hat they sore re%ent of after ards# Be ru!ed by my ad"ice# Take horse and ride to the hermitage beside Dindsor& and there abide ti!! 9 send ye better tidings#K To that 7ir Lance!ot consented& and de%arted ith a sorro fu! countenance# <o hen the @ueen heard of his !ea"ing she as in ard!y sorry& but made no sho of grief& bearing a %roud "isage out ard!y# And on a certain day she made a cost!y ban@uet to a!! the knights of the )ound Tab!e& to sho she had as great joy in a!! others as in 7ir Lance!ot# And at the ban@uet ere 7ir Ga ain& and his brothers 7ir Agra"aine& 7ir Gaheris& and 7ir GarethO a!so 7ir Aodred& 7ir Bors& 7ir B!amor& 7ir B!eoberis& 7ir Ector& 7ir Lione!& 7ir Pa!omedes& 7ir Aador de !a Port& and his cousin 7ir Patrice?a knight of 9re!and& 7ir Pine!! !e 7a"age& and many more# <o 7ir Pine!! hated 7ir Ga ain because he had s!ain one of his kinsmen by treasonO and 7ir Ga ain had a great !o"e for a!! kinds of fruit& hich& hen 7ir Pine!! kne & he %oisoned certain a%%!es that ere set u%on the tab!e& ith intent to s!ay him# And so it chanced as they ate and made merry& 7ir Patrice& ho sat neCt to 7ir Ga ain& took one of the %oisoned a%%!es and eat it& and hen he had eaten he sudden!y s e!!ed u% and fe!! do n dead# At that e"ery knight !ea%t from the board ashamed and enraged nigh out of their its& for they kne not hat to say& yet seeing that the @ueen had made the ban@uet they a!! had sus%icion of her# GAy !ady the @ueen&K said 7ir Ga ain& G9 it e!! this fruit as meant for me& for a!! men kno my !o"e for it& and no had 9 been near!y s!ainO herefore& 9 fear me& ye i!! be ashamed#K GThis sha!! not end so&K cried 7ir Aador de !a PortO Gno ha"e 9 !ost a nob!e knight of my o n b!ood& and for this des%ite and shame 9 i!! be re"enged to the uttermost#K Then he cha!!enged Lueen Guine"ere concerning the death of his cousin& but she stood sti!!& sore abashed& and anon ith her sorro and dread& she s ooned# At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur& and to him a%%ea!ed 7ir Aador& and im%eached the @ueen#

G8air !ords&K said he& Gfu!! sore!y am 9 troub!ed at this matter& for 9 must be rightfu! judge& and therein it re%enteth me 9 may not do batt!e for my ife& for& as 9 deem& this deed as none of hers# But 9 su%%ose she i!! not !ack a cham%ion& and some good knight sure!y i!! %ut his body in jeo%ardy to sa"e her#K But a!! ho had been bidden to the ban@uet said they cou!d not ho!d the @ueen eCcused& or be her cham%ions& for she had made the feast& and either by herse!f or ser"ants must it ha"e come# GA!asRK said the @ueen& G9 made this dinner for a good intent& and no e"i!& so God he!% me in my need#K GAy !ord the king&K said 7ir Aador& G9 re@uire you hearti!y as you be a righteous king gi"e me a day hen 9 may ha"e justice#K GDe!!&K said the king& G9 gi"e ye this day fifteen days& hen ye sha!! be ready and armed in the meado beside Destminster& and if there be a knight to fight ith you& God s%eed the right& and if not& then must my @ueen be burnt#K Dhen the king and @ueen ere a!one together he asked her ho this case befe!!# G9 ot not ho or in hat manner&K ans ered she# GDhere is 7ir Lance!otQK said King Arthur& Gfor he ou!d not grudge to do batt!e for thee#K G7ir&K said she& G9 cannot te!! you& but a!! his kinsmen deem he is not in this rea!m#K GThese be sad tidings&K said the kingO G9 counse! ye to find 7ir Bors& and %ray him for 7ir Lance!otBs sake to do this batt!e for you#K 7o the @ueen de%arted and sent for 7ir Bors to her chamber& and besought his succour# GAadam&K said he& G hat ou!d you ha"e me doQ for 9 may not ith my honour take this matter on me& for 9 as at that same dinner& and a!! the other knights ou!d ha"e me e"er in sus%icion# <o do ye miss 7ir Lance!ot& for he ou!d not ha"e fai!ed you in right nor yet in rong& as ye ha"e often %ro"ed& but no ye ha"e dri"en him from the country#K GA!asR fair knight&K said the @ueen& G9 %ut me ho!!y at your mercy& and a!! that is done amiss 9 i!! amend as ye i!! counse! me#K And there ith she knee!ed do n u%on both her knees before 7ir Bors& and besought him to ha"e mercy on her# Anon came in King Arthur a!so& and %rayed him of his courtesy to he!% her& saying& G9 re@uire you for the !o"e of Lance!ot#K GAy !ord&K said he& Gye re@uire the greatest thing of me that any man can ask& for if 9 do this batt!e for the @ueen 9 sha!! anger a!! my fe!!o s of the Tab!e )oundO ne"erthe!ess& for my !ord 7ir Lance!otBs sake& and for yours& 9 i!! that day be the @ueenBs cham%ion& un!ess there chance to come a better knight than 9 am to do batt!e for her#K And this he %romised on his faith# Then ere the king and @ueen %assing g!ad& and thanked him hearti!y& and so de%arted#

But 7ir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage here 7ir Lance!ot as& and to!d him a!! these tidings# G9t has chanced as 9 ou!d ha"e it&K said 7ir Lance!otO Gyet make ye ready for the batt!e& but tarry ti!! ye see me come#K G7ir&K said 7ir Bors& Gdoubt not but ye sha!! ha"e your i!!#K But many of the knights ere great!y roth ith him hen they heard he as to be the @ueenBs cham%ion& for there ere fe in the court but deemed her gui!ty# Then said 7ir Bors& GDit ye e!!& fair !ords& it ere a shame to us a!! to suffer so fair and nob!e a !ady to be burnt for !ack of a cham%ion& for e"er hath she %ro"ed herse!f a !o"er of good knightsO herefore 9 doubt not she is gui!t!ess of this treason#K At that ere some e!! %!eased& but others rested %assing roth# And hen the day as come& the king and @ueen and a!! the knights ent to the meado beside Destminster& here the batt!e shou!d be fought# Then the @ueen as %ut in ard& and a great fire as made round the iron stake& here she must be burnt if 7ir Aador on the day# 7o hen the hera!ds b!e & 7ir Aador rode forth& and took oath that Lueen Guine"ere as gui!ty of 7ir PatriceBs death& and his oath he ou!d %ro"e ith his body against any ho ou!d say the contrary# Then came forth 7ir Bors& and said& GLueen Guine"ere is in the right& and that i!! 9 %ro"e ith my hands#K Dith that they both de%arted to their tents to make ready for the batt!e# But 7ir Bors tarried !ong& ho%ing 7ir Lance!ot ou!d come& ti!! 7ir Aador cried out to King Arthur& GBid thy cham%ion come forth& un!ess he dare not#K Then as 7ir Bors ashamed& and took his horse and rode to the end of the !ists# But ere he cou!d meet 7ir Aador he as are of a knight u%on a hite horse& armed at a!! %oints& and ith a strange shie!d& ho rode to him and said& G9 %ray you ithdra from this @uarre!& for it is mine& and 9 ha"e ridden far to fight in it#K Thereat 7ir Bors rode to King Arthur& and to!d him that another knight as come ho ou!d do batt!e for the @ueen# GDho is heQK said King Arthur# G9 may not te!! you&K said 7ir BorsO Gbut he made a co"enant ith me to be here to'day& herefore 9 am discharged#K Then the king ca!!ed that knight& and asked him if he ou!d fight for the @ueen# GTherefore came 9 hither& 7ir king&K ans ered heO Gbut !et us tarry no !onger& for anon 9 ha"e other matters to do# But it ye e!!&K said he to the Knights of the )ound Tab!e& Git is shame to ye for such a courteous @ueen to suffer this dishonour#K And a!! men mar"e!!ed ho this knight might be& for none kne him sa"e 7ir Bors# Then 7ir Aador and the knight rode to either end of the !ists& and couching their s%ears& ran one against the other ith a!! their mightO and 7ir AadorBs s%ear broke short& but the strange knight bore both him and his horse do n to the ground# Then !ight!y they !ea%ed from their sadd!es and dre their s ords& and so

came eager!y to the batt!e& and either ga"e the other many sad strokes and sore and dee% ounds#

Thus they fought nigh an hour& for 7ir Aador as a fu!! strong and "a!iant knight# But at !ast the strange knight smote him to the earth& and ga"e him such a buffet on the he!m as e!!nigh ki!!ed him# Then did 7ir Aador yie!d& and %rayed his !ife# G9 i!! but grant it thee&K said the strange knight& Gif thou i!t re!ease the @ueen from this @uarre! for e"er& and %romise that no

mention sha!! be made u%on 7ir PatriceBs tomb that e"er she consented to that treason#K GA!! this sha!! be done&K said 7ir Aador# Then the knights %arters took u% 7ir Aador and !ed him to his tent& and the other knight ent straight to the stair foot of King ArthurBs throneO and by that time as the @ueen come to the king again& and kissed him !o"ing!y# Then both the king and she stoo%ed do n& and thanked the knight& and %rayed him to %ut off his he!m and rest him& and to take a cu% of ine# And hen he %ut his he!met off to drink& a!! %eo%!e sa it as 7ir Lance!ot# But hen the @ueen behe!d him she sank a!most to the ground ee%ing for sorro and for joy& that he had done her such great goodness hen she had sho ed him such unkindness# Then the knights of his b!ood gathered round him& and there as great joy and mirth in the court# And 7ir Aador and 7ir Lance!ot ere soon hea!ed of their oundsO and not !ong after came the Lady of the Lake to the court& and to!d a!! there by her enchantments ho 7ir Pine!!& and not the @ueen& as gui!ty of 7ir PatriceBs death# Dhereat the @ueen as he!d eCcused of a!! men& and 7ir Pine!! f!ed the country# 7o 7ir Patrice as buried in the church of Dinchester& and it as ritten on his tomb that 7ir Pine!! s!e him ith a %oisoned a%%!e& in error for 7ir Ga ain# Then& through 7ir Lance!otBs fa"our& the @ueen as reconci!ed to 7ir Aador& and a!! as forgi"en# <o fifteen days before the 8east of the Assum%tion of our Lady& the king %roc!aimed a tourney to be he!d that feast'day at :ame!ot& hereat himse!f and the King of 7cot!and ou!d joust ith a!! ho shou!d come against them# 7o thither ent the King of <orth Da!es& and King Anguish of 9re!and& and 7ir Ga!ahaut the nob!e %rince& and many other nob!es of di"ers countries# And King Arthur made ready to go& and ou!d ha"e had the @ueen go ith him& but she said that she as sick# 7ir Lance!ot& a!so& made eCcuses& saying he as not yet ho!e of his ounds# At that the king as %assing hea"y and grie"ed& and so de%arted a!one to ards :ame!ot# And by the ay he !odged in a to n ca!!ed Asto!at& and !ay that night in the cast!e# As soon as he had gone& 7ir Lance!ot said to the @ueen& GThis night 9 i!! rest& and to'morro betimes i!! 9 take my ay to :ame!otO for at these jousts 9 i!! be against the king and his fe!!o shi%#K G$e may do as ye !ist&K said Lueen Guine"ereO Gbut by my counse! ye i!! not be against the king& for in his com%any are many hardy knights& as ye e!! kno #K GAadam&K said 7ir Lance!ot& G9 %ray ye be not dis%!eased ith me& for 9 i!! take the ad"enture that God may send me#K And on the morro he ent to the church and heard mass& and took his !ea"e of the @ueen& and so de%arted# Then he rode !ong ti!! he came to Asto!at& and there !odged at the cast!e of an o!d baron ca!!ed 7ir Bernard of Asto!at& hich as

near the cast!e here King Arthur !odged# And as 7ir Lance!ot entered the king es%ied him& and kne him# Then said he to the knights& G9 ha"e just seen a knight ho i!! fight fu!! e!! at the joust to ard hich e go#K GDho is itQK asked they# GAs yet ye sha!! not kno &K he ans ered smi!ing# Dhen 7ir Lance!ot as in his chamber unarming& the o!d baron came to him sa!uting him& though as yet he kne not ho he as# <o 7ir Bernard had a daughter %assing beautifu!& ca!!ed the 8air Aaid of Asto!at& and hen she sa 7ir Lance!ot she !o"ed him from that instant ith her ho!e heart& and cou!d not stay from gaMing on him# On the morro & 7ir Lance!ot asked the o!d baron to !end him a strange shie!d# G8or&K said he& G9 ou!d be unkno n#K G7ir&K said his host& Gye sha!! ha"e your desire& for here is the shie!d of my e!dest son& 7ir Torre& ho as hurt the day he as made knight& so that he cannot rideO and his shie!d& therefore& is not kno n# And& if it %!ease you& my youngest son& 7ir La"aine& sha!! ride ith you to the jousts& for he is of his age fu!! strong and mightyO and 9 deem ye be a nob!e knight& herefore 9 %ray ye te!! me your name#K GAs to that&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gye must ho!d me eCcused at this time& but if 9 s%eed e!! at the jousts& 9 i!! come again and te!! youO but in any ise !et me ha"e your son& 7ir La"aine& ith me& and !end me his brotherBs shie!d#K Then& ere they de%arted& came E!aine& the baronBs daughter& and said to 7ir Lance!ot& G9 %ray thee& gent!e knight& to ear my token at to'morro Bs tourney#K G9f 9 shou!d grant you that& fair damse!&K said he& Gye might say that 9 did more for you than e"er 9 ha"e done for !ady or damse!#K Then he bethought him that if he granted her re@uest he ou!d be the more disguised& for ne"er before had he orn any !adyBs token# 7o anon he said& G8air damse!& 9 i!! ear thy token on my he!met if thou i!t sho it me#K Thereat as she %assing g!ad& and brought him a scar!et s!ee"e broidered ith %ear!s& hich 7ir Lance!ot took& and %ut u%on his he!m# Then he %rayed her to kee% his shie!d for him unti! he came again& and taking 7ir TorreBs shie!d instead& rode forth ith 7ir La"aine to ards :ame!ot# On the morro the trum%ets b!e for the tourney& and there as a great %ress of dukes and ear!s and barons and many nob!e knightsO and King Arthur sat in a ga!!ery to beho!d ho did the best# 7o the King of 7cot!and and his knights& and King Anguish of 9re!and rode forth on King ArthurBs sideO and against them came the King of <orth Da!es& the King of a Hundred Knights& the King of <orthumber!and& and the nob!e %rince 7ir Ga!ahaut# But 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir La"aine rode into a !itt!e ood behind the %arty hich as against King Arthur& to atch hich side shou!d %ro"e the eakest#

Then as there a strong fight bet een the t o %arties& for the King of a Hundred Knights smote do n the King of 7cot!andO and 7ir Pa!omedes& ho as on King ArthurBs side& o"erthre 7ir Ga!ahaut# Then came fifteen Knights of the )ound Tab!e and beat back the Kings of <orthumber!and and <orth Da!es ith their knights# G<o &K said 7ir Lance!ot to 7ir La"aine& Gif ye i!! he!% me& ye sha!! see yonder fe!!o shi% go back as fast as they came#K G7ir&K said 7ir La"aine& G9 i!! do hat 9 can#K Then they rode together into the thickest of the %ress& and there& ith one s%ear& 7ir Lance!ot smote do n fi"e Knights of the )ound Tab!e& one after other& and 7ir La"aine o"erthre t o# And taking another s%ear& for his o n as broken& 7ir Lance!ot smote do n four more knights& and 7ir La"aine a fifth# Then& dra ing his s ord& 7ir Lance!ot fought fierce!y on the right hand and the !eft& and unhorsed 7ir 7afire& 7ir E%inogris& and 7ir Ga!!eron# At that the Knights of the )ound Tab!e ithdre themse!"es as e!! as they ere ab!e# G<o & mercy&K said 7ir Ga ain& ho sat by King ArthurO G hat knight is that ho doth such mar"e!!ous deeds of armsQ 9 shou!d deem him by his force to be 7ir Lance!ot& but that he ears a !adyBs token on his he!m as ne"er Lance!ot doth#K GLet him be&K said King ArthurO Ghe i!! be better kno n& and do more ere he de%art#K Thus the %arty against King Arthur %ros%ered at this time& and his knights ere sore ashamed# Then 7ir Bors& 7ir Ector& and 7ir Lione! ca!!ed together the knights of their b!ood& nine in number& and agreed to join together in one band against the t o strange knights# 7o they encountered 7ir Lance!ot a!! at once& and by main force smote his horse to the groundO and by misfortune 7ir Bors struck 7ir Lance!ot through the shie!d into the side& and the s%ear broke off and !eft the head in the ound# Dhen 7ir La"aine sa that& he ran to the King of 7cot!and and struck him off his horse& and brought it to 7ir Lance!ot& and he!%ed him to mount# Then 7ir Lance!ot bore 7ir Bors and his horse to the ground& and in !ike manner ser"ed 7ir Ector and 7ir Lione!O and turning u%on three other knights he smote them do n a!soO hi!e 7ir La"aine did many ga!!ant deeds# But fee!ing himse!f no sore!y ounded 7ir Lance!ot dre his s ord& and %roffered to fight ith 7ir Bors& ho& by this time& as mounted ane # And as they met& 7ir Ector and 7ir Lione! came a!so& and the s ords of a!! three dra"e fierce!y against him# Dhen he fe!t their buffets& and his ound that as so grie"ous& he determined to do a!! his best hi!e he cou!d yet endure& and smote 7ir Bors a b!o that bent his head do n near!y to the ground and raMed his he!met off and %u!!ed him from his horse# Then rushing at 7ir Ector and 7ir Lione!& he smote them do n& and might ha"e s!ain a!! three& but hen he sa their faces his heart forbade him# Lea"ing them& therefore& on the fie!d& he hur!ed into

the thickest of the %ress& and did such feats of arms as ne"er ere behe!d before# And 7ir La"aine as ith him through it a!!& and o"erthre ten knightsO but 7ir Lance!ot smote do n more than thirty& and most of them Knights of the )ound Tab!e# Then the king ordered the trum%ets to b!o for the end of the tourney& and the %riMe to be gi"en by the hera!ds to the knight ith the hite shie!d ho bore the red s!ee"e# But ere 7ir Lance!ot as found by the hera!ds& came the King of the Hundred Knights& the King of <orth Da!es& the King of <orthumber!and& and 7ir Ga!ahaut& and said to him& G8air knight& God b!ess thee& for much ha"e ye done this day for usO herefore e %ray ye come ith us and recei"e the honour and the %riMe as ye ha"e orshi%fu!!y deser"ed it#K GAy fair !ords&K said 7ir Lance!ot& G it ye e!! if 9 ha"e deser"ed thanks& 9 ha"e sore bought them& for 9 am !ike ne"er to esca%e ith my !ifeO therefore 9 %ray ye !et me de%art& for 9 am sore hurt# 9 take no thought of honour& for 9 had rather rest me than be !ord of a!! the or!d#K And there ith he groaned %iteous!y& and rode a great ga!!o% a ay from them# And 7ir La"aine rode after him& sad at heart& for the broken s%ear sti!! stuck fast in 7ir Lance!otBs side& and the b!ood streamed sore!y from the ound# Anon they came near a ood more than a mi!e from the !ists& here he kne he cou!d be hidden# Then said he to 7ir La"aine& GO gent!e knight& he!% me to %u!! out this s%ear'head from my side& for the %ain thereof nigh ki!!eth me#K G*ear !ord&K said he& G9 fain ou!d he!% yeO but 9 dread to dra it forth& !est ye shou!d die for !oss of b!ood#K G9 charge you as you !o"e me&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gdra it out#K 7o they dismounted& and ith a mighty rench 7ir La"aine dre the s%ear forth from 7ir Lance!otBs sideO hereat he ga"e a mar"e!!ous great shriek and ghast!y groan& and a!! his b!ood !ea%ed forth in a fu!! stream# Then he sank s ooning to the earth& ith a "isage %a!e as death# GA!asRK cried 7ir La"aine& G hat sha!! 9 do no QK And then he turned his masterBs face to ards the ind& and sat by him nigh ha!f an hour hi!e he !ay @uiet as one dead# But at the !ast he !ifted u% his eyes& and said& G9 %ray ye bear me on my horse again& and !ead me to a hermit ho d e!!eth ithin t o mi!es hence& for he as former!y a knight of ArthurBs court& and no hath mighty ski!! in medicine and herbs#K 7o ith great %ain 7ir La"aine got him to his horse& and !ed him to the hermitage ithin the ood& beside a stream# Then knocked he ith his s%ear u%on the door& and %rayed to enter# At that a chi!d came out& to hom he said& G8air chi!d& %ray the good man thy master to come hither and !et in a knight ho is sore ounded#K Anon came out the knight'hermit& hose name as 7ir Ba!d in& and asked& GDho is this ounded knightQK

G9 kno not&K said 7ir La"aine& Gsa"e that he is the nob!est knight 9 e"er met ith& and hath done this day such mar"e!!ous deeds of arms against King Arthur that he hath on the %riMe of the tourney#K Then the hermit gaMed !ong on 7ir Lance!ot& and hard!y kne him& so %a!e he as ith b!eeding& yet said he at the !ast& GDho art thou& !ordQK 7ir Lance!ot ans ered feeb!y& G9 am a stranger knight ad"enturous& ho !aboureth through many rea!ms to in orshi%#K GDhy hidest thou thy name& dear !ord& from meQK cried 7ir Ba!d inO Gfor in sooth 9 kno thee no to be the nob!est knight in a!! the or!d?my !ord 7ir Lance!ot du Lake& ith hom 9 !ong had fe!!o shi% at the )ound Tab!e#K G7ince ye kno me& fair sir&K said he& G9 %ray ye& for :hristBs sake& to he!% me if ye may#K G*oubt not&K re%!ied he& Gthat ye sha!! !i"e and fare right e!!#K Then he staunched his ound& and ga"e him strong medicines and cordia!s ti!! he as refreshed from his faintness and came to himse!f again# <o after the jousting as done King Arthur he!d a feast& and asked to see the knight ith the red s!ee"e that he might take the %riMe# 7o they to!d him ho that knight had ridden from the fie!d ounded nigh to death# GThese be the orst tidings 9 ha"e heard for many years&K cried out the kingO G9 ou!d not for my kingdom he ere s!ain#K Then a!! men asked& GKno ye him& !ordQK G9 may not te!! ye at this time&K said heO Gbut ou!d to God e had good tidings of him#K Then 7ir Ga ain %rayed !ea"e to go and seek that knight& hich the king g!ad!y ga"e him# 7o forth ith he mounted and rode many !eagues round :ame!ot& but cou!d hear no tidings# Dithin t o days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from :ame!ot& and 7ir Ga ain chanced to !odge at Asto!at& in the house of 7ir Bernard# And there came in the fair E!aine to him& and %rayed him ne s of the tournament& and ho on the %riMe# GA knight ith a hite shie!d&K said he& G ho bare a red s!ee"e in his he!m& smote do n a!! comers and on the day#K At that the "isage of E!aine changed sudden!y from hite to red& and hearti!y she thanked our Lady# Then said 7ir Ga ain& GKno ye that knightQK and urged her ti!! she to!d him that it as her s!ee"e he ore# 7o 7ir Ga ain kne it as for !o"e that she had gi"en itO and hen he heard she ke%t his %ro%er shie!d he %rayed to see it# As soon as it as brought he sa 7ir Lance!otBs arms thereon& and cried& GA!asR no am 9 hea"ier of heart than e"er yet#K GDhereforeQK said fair E!aine# G8air damse!&K ans ered he& Gkno ye not that the knight ye !o"e is of a!! knights the nob!est in the or!d& 7ir Lance!ot du LakeQ Dith a!! my heart 9 %ray ye may ha"e joy of each other& but hard!y

dare 9 think that ye sha!! see him in this or!d again& for he is so sore ounded he may scarce!y !i"e& and is gone out of sight here none can find him#K Then as E!aine nigh mad ith grief and sorro & and ith %iteous ords she %rayed her father that she might go seek 7ir Lance!ot and her brother# 7o in the end her father ga"e her !ea"e& and she de%arted# And on the morro came 7ir Ga ain to the court& and to!d ho he had found 7ir Lance!otBs shie!d in E!aineBs kee%ing& and ho it as her s!ee"e hich he had ornO hereat a!! mar"e!!ed& for 7ir Lance!ot had done for her more than he had e"er done for any oman# But hen Lueen Guine"ere heard it she as beside herse!f ith rath& and sending %ri"i!y for 7ir Bors& ho sorro ed sore!y that through him 7ir Lance!ot had been hurt?GHa"e ye no heard&K said she& Gho fa!se!y 7ir Lance!ot hath betrayed meQK G9 beseech thee& madam&K said he& Gs%eak not so& for e!se 9 may not hear thee#K G7ha!! 9 not ca!! him traitor&K cried she& G ho hath orn another !adyBs token at the joustingQK GBe sure he did it& madam& for no i!! intent&K re%!ied 7ir Bors& Gbut that he might be better hidden& for ne"er did he in that ise before#K G<o shame on him& and thee ho ou!dest he!% him&K cried the @ueen# GAadam& say hat ye i!!&K said heO Gbut 9 must haste to seek him& and God send me soon good tidings of him#K 7o ith that he de%arted to find 7ir Lance!ot# <o E!aine had ridden ith fu!! haste from Asto!at& and come to :ame!ot& and there she sought throughout the country for any ne s of Lance!ot# And so it chanced that 7ir La"aine as riding near the hermitage to eCercise his horse& and hen she sa him she ran u% and cried a!oud& GHo doth my !ord 7ir Lance!ot fareQK Then said 7ir La"aine& mar"e!!ing great!y& GHo kno ye my !ordBs name& fair sisterQK 7o she to!d him ho 7ir Ga ain had !odged ith 7ir Bernard& and kne 7ir Lance!otBs shie!d# Then %rayed she to see his !ord forth ith& and hen she came to the hermitage and found him !ying there sore sick and b!eeding& she s ooned for sorro # Anon& as she re"i"ed& 7ir Lance!ot kissed her& and said& G8air maid& 9 %ray ye take comfort& for& by GodBs grace& 9 sha!! be short!y ho!e of this ound& and if ye be come to tend me& 9 am hearti!y bounden to your great kindness#K $et as he sore "eCed to hear 7ir Ga ain had disco"ered him& for he kne Lueen Guine"ere ou!d be fu!! roth because of the red s!ee"e# 7o E!aine rested in the hermitage& and e"er night and day she atched and aited on 7ir Lance!ot& and ou!d !et none other tend him# And as she sa him more& the more she set her !o"e u%on him& and cou!d by no means ithdra it# Then said 7ir

Lance!ot to 7ir La"aine& G9 %ray thee set some to atch for the good knight 7ir Bors& for as he hurt me& so i!! he sure!y seek for me#K <o 7ir Bors by this time had come to :ame!ot& and as seeking for 7ir Lance!ot e"ery here& so 7ir La"aine soon found him& and brought him to the hermitage# And hen he sa 7ir Lance!ot %a!e and feeb!e& he e%t for %ity and sorro that he had gi"en him that grie"ous ound# GGod send thee a right s%eedy cure& dear !ord&K said heO Gfor 9 am of a!! men most unha%%y to ha"e ounded thee& ho art our !eader& and the nob!est knight in a!! the or!d#K G8air cousin&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gbe comforted& for 9 ha"e but gained hat 9 sought& and it as through %ride that 9 as hurt& for had 9 arned ye of my coming it had not beenO herefore !et us s%eak of other things#K 7o they ta!ked !ong together& and 7ir Bors to!d him of the @ueenBs anger# Then he asked 7ir Lance!ot& GDas it from this maid ho tendeth you so !o"ing!y ye had the tokenQK G$ea&K said 7ir Lance!otO Gand ou!d 9 cou!d %ersuade her to ithdra her !o"e from me#K GDhy shou!d ye do soQK said 7ir BorsO Gfor she is %assing fair and !o"ing# 9 ou!d to hea"en ye cou!d !o"e her#K GThat may not be&K re%!ied heO Gbut it re%enteth me in sooth to grie"e her#K Then they ta!ked of other matters& and of the great jousting at A!!ha!!o tide neCt coming& bet een King Arthur and the King of <orth Da!es# GAbide ith me ti!! then&K said 7ir Lance!ot& Gfor by that time 9 trust to be a!! ho!e again& and e i!! go together#K 7o E!aine dai!y and night!y tending him& ithin a month he fe!t so strong he deemed himse!f fu!! cured# Then on a day& hen 7ir Bors and 7ir La"aine ere from the hermitage& and the knight' hermit a!so as gone forth& 7ir Lance!ot %rayed E!aine to bring him some herbs from the forest# Dhen she as gone he rose and made haste to arm himse!f& and try if he ere ho!e enough to joust& and mounted on his horse& hich as fresh ith !ack of !abour for so !ong a time# But hen he set his s%ear in the rest and tried his armour& the horse bounded and !ea%t beneath him& so that 7ir Lance!ot strained to kee% him back# And there ith his ound& hich as not ho!!y hea!ed& burst forth again& and ith a mighty groan he sank do n s ooning on the ground# At that came fair E!aine and e%t and %iteous!y moaned to see him !ying so# And hen 7ir Bors and 7ir La"aine came back& she ca!!ed them traitors to !et him rise& or to kno any rumour of the tournament# Anon the hermit returned and as roth to see 7ir Lance!ot risen& but ithin a hi!e he reco"ered him from his s oon and staunched the ound# Then 7ir Lance!ot to!d him ho he had risen of his o n i!! to assay his strength for the tournament# But the hermit bad him rest and !et 7ir Bors go

a!one& for e!se ou!d he sore!y %eri! his !ife# And E!aine& ith tears& %rayed him in the same ise& so that 7ir Lance!ot in the end consented# 7o 7ir Bors de%arted to the tournament& and there he did such feats of arms that the %riMe as gi"en bet een him and 7ir Ga ain& ho did !ike "a!iant!y# And hen a!! as o"er he came back and to!d 7ir Lance!ot& and found him so nigh e!! that he cou!d rise and a!k# And ithin a hi!e thereafter he de%arted from the hermitage and ent ith 7ir Bors& 7ir La"aine& and fair E!aine to Asto!at& here 7ir Bernard joyfu!!y recei"ed them# But after they had !odged there a fe days 7ir Lance!ot and 7ir Bors must needs de%art and return to King ArthurBs court# 7o hen E!aine kne 7ir Lance!ot must go& she came to him and said& GHa"e mercy on me& fair knight& and !et me not die for your !o"e#K Then said 7ir Lance!ot& "ery sad at heart& G8air maid& hat ou!d ye that 9 shou!d do for youQK G9f 9 may not be your ife& dear !ord&K she ans ered& G9 must die#K GA!asRK said he& G9 %ray hea"en that may not beO for in sooth 9 may not be your husband# But fain ou!d 9 sho ye hat thankfu!ness 9 can for a!! your !o"e and kindness to me# And e"er i!! 9 be your knight& fair maidenO and if it chance that ye sha!! e"er ed some nob!e knight& right hearti!y i!! 9 gi"e ye such a do er as ha!f my !ands i!! bring#K GA!asR hat sha!! that aid meQK ans ered sheO Gfor 9 must die&K and there ith she fe!! to the earth in a dee% s oon# Then as 7ir Lance!ot %assing hea"y of heart& and said to 7ir Bernard and 7ir La"aine& GDhat sha!! 9 do for herQK GA!asRK said 7ir Bernard& G9 kno e!! that she i!! die for your sake#K And 7ir La"aine said& G9 mar"e! not that she so sore!y mourneth your de%arture& for tru!y 9 do as she doth& and since 9 once ha"e seen you& !ord& 9 cannot !ea"e you#K 7o anon& ith a fu!! sorro fu! heart& 7ir Lance!ot took his !ea"e& and 7ir La"aine rode ith him to the court# And King Arthur and the Knights of the )ound Tab!e joyed great!y to see him ho!e of his ound& but Lueen Guine"ere as sore!y roth& and neither s%ake ith him nor greeted him# <o hen 7ir Lance!ot had de%arted& the Aaid of Asto!at cou!d neither eat& nor drink& not s!ee% for sorro O and ha"ing thus endured ten days& she fe!t ithin herse!f that she must die# Then sent she for a ho!y man& and as shri"en and recei"ed the sacrament# But hen he to!d her she must !ea"e her earth!y thoughts& she ans ered& GAm 9 not an earth!y omanQ Dhat sin is it to !o"e the nob!est knight of a!! the or!dQ And& by my truth& 9 am not ab!e to ithstand the !o"e hereof 9 dieO herefore& 9 %ray the High 8ather of Hea"en to ha"e mercy on my sou!#K Then she besought 7ir Bernard to indite a !etter as she shou!d de"ise& and said& GDhen 9 am dead %ut this ithin my hand& and

dress me in my fairest c!othes& and !ay me in a barge a!! co"ered ith b!ack samite& and steer it do n the ri"er ti!! it reach the court# Thus& father& 9 beseech thee !et it be#K Then& fu!! of grief& he %romised her it shou!d be so# And anon she died& and a!! the househo!d made a bitter !amentation o"er her# Then did they as she had desired& and !aid her body& rich!y dressed& u%on a bed ithin the barge& and a trusty ser"ant steered it do n the ri"er to ards the court# <o King Arthur and Lueen Guine"ere sat at a indo of the %a!ace& and sa the barge come f!oating ith the tide& and mar"e!!ed hat as !aid therein& and sent a messenger to see& ho& soon returning& %rayed them to come forth# Dhen they came to the shore they mar"e!!ed great!y& and the king asked of the ser"ing'men ho steered the barge hat this might mean# But he made signs that he as dumb& and %ointed to the !etter in the damse!Bs hands# 7o King Arthur took the !etter from the hand of the cor%se& and found thereon ritten& GTo the nob!e knight& 7ir Lance!ot du Lake#K

Then as 7ir Lance!ot sent for& and the !etter read a!oud by a c!erk& and thus it as ritten(? GAost nob!e knight& my !ord 7ir Lance!ot& no hath death for e"er %arted us# 9& hom men ca!! the Aaid of Asto!at& set my !o"e u%on you& and ha"e died for your sake# This is my !ast re@uest& that ye %ray for my sou! and gi"e me buria!# Grant me this& 7ir Lance!ot& as thou art a %eer!ess knight#K At these ords the @ueen and a!! the knights e%t sore for %ity#

Then said 7ir Lance!ot& GAy !ord& 9 am right hea"y for the death of this fair damse!O and God kno eth that right un i!!ing!y 9 caused it& for she as good as she as fair& and much as 9 beho!den to herO but she !o"ed me beyond measure& and asked me that 9 cou!d not gi"e her#K G$e might ha"e sho n her gent!eness enough to sa"e her !ife&K ans ered the @ueen# GAadam&K said he& Gshe ou!d but be re%aid by my taking her to ife& and that 9 cou!d not grant her& for !o"e cometh of the heart and not by constraint#K GThat is true&K said the kingO Gfor !o"e is free#K G9 %ray you&K said 7ir Lance!ot& G!et me no grant her !ast asking& to be buried by me#K 7o on the morro & he caused her body to be buried rich!y and so!emn!y& and ordained masses for her sou!& and made great sorro o"er her# Then the @ueen sent for 7ir Lance!ot& and %rayed his %ardon for her rath against him ithout cause# GThis is not the first time it hath been so&K ans ered heO Gyet must 9 e"er bear ith ye& and so do 9 no forgi"e you#K 7o Lueen Guine"ere and 7ir Lance!ot ere made friends againO but anon such fa"our did she sho him& as in the end brought many e"i!s on them both and a!! the rea!m#

)HA*T$R 3I,
The $ar between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot and the 1eath of King Arthur

ithin a hi!e thereafter as a jousting at the court& herein 7ir Lance!ot on the %riMe# And t o of those he smote do n ere 7ir Agra"aine& the brother of 7ir Ga ain& and 7ir Aodred& his fa!se brother?King ArthurBs son by Be!isent# And because of his "ictory they hated 7ir Lance!ot& and sought ho they might injure him# 7o on a night& hen King Arthur as hunting in the forest& and the @ueen sent for 7ir Lance!ot to her chamber& they t o es%ied himO and thinking no to make a scanda! and a @uarre! bet een

Lance!ot and the king& they found t e!"e others& and said 7ir Lance!ot as e"er no in the @ueenBs chamber& and King Arthur as dishonoured# Then& a!! armed& they came sudden!y round the @ueenBs door& and cried& GTraitorR no art thou taken#K GAadam& e be betrayed&K said 7ir Lance!otO Gyet sha!! my !ife cost these men dear#K Then did the @ueen ee% sore& and disma!!y she cried& GA!asR there is no armour here hereby ye might ithstand so manyO herefore ye i!! be s!ain& and 9 be burnt for the dread crime they i!! charge on me#K But hi!e she s%ake the shouting of the knights as heard ithout& GTraitor& come forth& for no thou art snaredRK GBetter ere t enty deaths at once than this "i!e outcry&K said 7ir Lance!ot# Then he kissed her and said& GAost nob!e !ady& 9 beseech ye& as 9 ha"e e"er been your o n true knight& take courageO %ray for my sou! if 9 be no s!ain& and trust my faithfu! friends& 7ir Bors and 7ir La"aine& to sa"e you from the fire#K But e"er bitter!y she e%t and moaned& and cried& GDou!d God that they ou!d take and s!ay me& and that thou cou!dest esca%e#K GThat sha!! ne"er be&K said he# And ra%%ing his mant!e round his arm he unbarred the door a !itt!e s%ace& so that but one cou!d enter# Then first rushed in 7ir :ha!aunce& a fu!! strong knight& and !ifted u% his s ord to smite 7ir Lance!otO but !ight!y he a"oided him& and struck 7ir :ha!aunce& ith his hand& such a sore buffet on the head as fe!!ed him dead u%on the f!oor# Then 7ir Lance!ot %u!!ed in his body and barred the door again& and dressed himse!f in his armour& and took his dra n s ord in his hand#

But sti!! the knights cried mighti!y ithout the door& GTraitor& come forthRK GBe si!ent and de%art&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!otO Gfor be ye sure ye i!! not take me& and to'morro i!! 9 meet ye face to face before the king#K G$e sha!! ha"e no such grace&K they criedO Gbut e i!! s!ay thee& or take thee as e !ist#K GThen sa"e yourse!"es ho may&K he thundered& and there ith sudden!y unbarred the door and rushed forth at them# And at the

first b!o he s!e 7ir Agra"aine& and after him t e!"e other knights& ith t e!"e more mighty buffets# And none of a!! esca%ed him sa"e 7ir Aodred& ho& sore!y ounded& f!ed a ay for !ife# Then returned he to the @ueen& and said& G<o & madam& i!! 9 de%art& and if ye be in any danger 9 %ray ye come to me#K G7ure!y i!! 9 stay here& for 9 am @ueen&K she ans eredO Gyet if to' morro any harm come to me 9 trust to thee for rescue#K GHa"e ye no doubt of me&K said he& Gfor e"er hi!e 9 !i"e am 9 your o n true knight#K There ith he took his !ea"e& and ent and to!d 7ir Bors and a!! his kindred of this ad"enture# GDe i!! be ith thee in this @uarre!&K said they a!!O Gand if the @ueen be sentenced to the fire& e certain!y i!! sa"e her#K Aean hi!e 7ir Aodred& in great fear and %ain& f!ed from the court& and rode unti! he found King Arthur& and to!d him a!! that had befa!!en# But the king ou!d scarce be!ie"e him ti!! he came and sa the bodies of 7ir Agra"aine and a!! the other knights# Then fe!t he in himse!f that a!! as true& and ith his %assing grief his heart nigh broke# GA!asRK cried he& Gno is the fe!!o shi% of the )ound Tab!e for e"er broken( yea& oe is meR 9 may not ith my honour s%are my @ueen#K Anon it as ordained that Lueen Guine"ere shou!d be burned to death& because she had dishonoured King Arthur# But hen 7ir Ga ain heard thereof& he came before the king& and said& GAy !ord& 9 counse! thee be not too hasty in this matter& but stay the judgment of the @ueen a season& for it may e!! be that 7ir Lance!ot as in her chamber for no e"i!& seeing she is great!y beho!den to him for so many deeds done for her sake& and %erad"enture she had sent to him to thank him& and did it secret!y that she might a"oid s!ander#K But King Arthur ans ered& fu!! of grief& GA!asR 9 may not he!% herO she is judged as any other oman#K Then he re@uired 7ir Ga ain and his brethren& 7ir Gaheris and 7ir Gareth& to be ready to bear the @ueen to'morro to the %!ace of eCecution# G<ay& nob!e !ord&K re%!ied 7ir Ga ain& Gthat can 9 ne"er doO for neither i!! my heart suffer me to see the @ueen die& nor sha!! men e"er say 9 as of your counse! in this matter#K Then said his brothers& G$e may command us to be there& but since it is against our i!!& e i!! be ithout arms& that e may do no batt!e against her#K 7o on the morro as Lueen Guine"ere !ed forth to die by fire& and a mighty cro d as there& of knights and nob!es& armed and unarmed# And a!! the !ords and !adies e%t sore at that %iteous sight# Then as she shri"en by a %riest& and the men came nigh to bind her to the stake and !ight the fire# At that 7ir Lance!otBs s%ies rode hasti!y and to!d him and his kindred& ho !ay hidden in a ood hard byO and sudden!y& ith t enty knights& he rushed into the midst of a!! the throng to rescue her#

But certain of King ArthurBs knights rose u% and fought ith them& and there as a fu!! great batt!e and confusion# And 7ir Lance!ot dra"e fierce!y here and there among the %ress& and smote on e"ery side& and at e"ery b!o struck do n a knight& so that many ere s!ain by him and his fe!!o s# Then as the @ueen set free& and caught u% on 7ir Lance!otBs sadd!e and f!ed a ay ith him and a!! his com%any to the :ast!e of La Joyous Garde# <o so it chanced that& in the turmoi! of the fighting& 7ir Lance!ot had una ares struck do n and s!ain the t o good knights 7ir Gareth and 7ir Gaheris& kno ing it not& for he fought i!d!y& and sa not that they ere unarmed# Dhen King Arthur heard thereof& and of a!! that batt!e& and the rescue of the @ueen& he sorro ed hea"i!y for those good knights& and as %assing roth ith Lance!ot and the @ueen# But hen 7ir Ga ain heard of his brethrenBs death he s ooned for sorro and rath& for he ist that 7ir Lance!ot had ki!!ed them in ma!ice# And as soon as he reco"ered he ran in to the king& and said& GLord king and unc!e& hear this oath hich no 9 s ear& that from this day 9 i!! not fai! 7ir Lance!ot ti!! one of us hath s!ain the other# And no & un!ess ye haste to ar ith him& that e may be a"enged& i!! 9 myse!f a!one go after him#K Then the king& fu!! of rath and grief& agreed thereto& and sent !etters throughout the rea!m to summon a!! his knights& and ent ith a "ast army to besiege the :ast!e of La Joyous Garde# And 7ir Lance!ot& ith his knights& mighti!y defended itO but ne"er ou!d he suffer any to go forth and attack one of the kingBs army& for he as right !oth to fight against him# 7o hen fifteen eeks ere %assed& and King ArthurBs army asted itse!f in "ain against the cast!e& for it as %assing strong& it chanced u%on a day 7ir Lance!ot as !ooking from the a!!s and es%ied King Arthur and 7ir Ga ain c!ose beside# G:ome forth& 7ir Lance!ot&K said King Arthur right fierce!y& Gand !et us t o meet in the midst of the fie!d#K GGod forbid that 9 shou!d encounter ith thee& !ord& for thou didst make me a knight&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!ot# Then cried 7ir Ga ain& G7hame on thee& traitor and fa!se knight& yet be ye e!! assured e i!! regain the @ueen and s!ay thee and thy com%anyO yea& doub!e shame on ye to s!ay my brother Gaheris unarmed& 7ir Gareth a!so& ho !o"ed ye so e!!# 8or that treachery& be sure 9 am thine enemy ti!! death#K GA!asRK cried 7ir Lance!ot& Gthat 9 hear such tidings& for 9 kne not 9 had s!ain those nob!e knights& and right sore!y no do 9 re%ent it ith a hea"y heart# $et abate thy rath& 7ir Ga ain& for ye kno fu!! e!! 9 did it by mischance& for 9 !o"ed them e"er as my o n brothers#K GThou !iest& fa!se recreant&K cried 7ir Ga ain& fierce!y# At that 7ir Lance!ot as roth& and said& G9 e!! see thou art no mine enemy& and that there can be no more %eace ith thee& or ith my !ord the king& e!se ou!d 9 g!ad!y gi"e back the @ueen#K

Then the king ou!d fain ha"e !istened to 7ir Lance!ot& for more than a!! his o n rong did he grie"e at the sore aste and damage of the rea!m& but 7ir Ga ain %ersuaded him against it& and e"er cried out fou!!y on 7ir Lance!ot# Dhen 7ir Bors and the other knights of Lance!otBs %arty heard the fierce ords of 7ir Ga ain& they ere %assing roth& and %rayed to ride forth and be a"enged on him& for they ere eary of so !ong aiting to no good# And in the end 7ir Lance!ot& ith a hea"y heart& consented# 7o on the morro the hosts on either side met in the fie!d& and there as a great batt!e# And 7ir Ga ain %rayed his knights chief!y to set u%on 7ir Lance!otO but 7ir Lance!ot commanded his com%any to forbear King Arthur and 7ir Ga ain# 7o the t o armies jousted together right fierce!y& and 7ir Ga ain %roffered to encounter ith 7ir Lione!& and o"erthre him# But 7ir Bors& and 7ir B!amor& and 7ir Pa!omedes& ho ere on 7ir Lance!otBs side& did great feats of arms& and o"erthre many of King ArthurBs knights# Then the king came forth against 7ir Lance!ot& but 7ir Lance!ot forbore him and ou!d not strike again# At that 7ir Bors rode u% against the king and smote him do n# But 7ir Lance!ot cried& GTouch him not on %ain of thy head&K and going to King Arthur he a!ighted and ga"e him his o n horse& saying& GAy !ord& 9 %ray thee forbear this strife& for it can bring to neither of us any honour#K And hen King Arthur !ooked on him the tears came to his eyes as he thought of his nob!e courtesy& and he said ithin himse!f& GA!asR that e"er this ar began#K But on the morro 7ir Ga ain !ed forth the army again& and 7ir Bors commanded on 7ir Lance!otBs side# And they t o struck together so fierce!y that both fe!! to the ground sore!y oundedO and a!! the day they fought ti!! night fe!!& and many ere s!ain on both sides& yet in the end neither gained the "ictory# But by no the fame of this fierce ar s%read through a!! :hristendom& and hen the Po%e heard thereof he sent a Bu!!& and charged King Arthur to make %eace ith Lance!ot& and recei"e back Lueen Guine"ereO and for the offence im%uted to her abso!ution shou!d be gi"en by the Po%e# Thereto ou!d King Arthur straight ay ha"e obeyed& but 7ir Ga ain e"er urged him to refuse# Dhen 7ir Lance!ot heard thereof& he rote thus to the king( G9t as ne"er in my thought& !ord& to ithho!d thy @ueen from theeO but since she as condemned for my sake to death& 9 deemed it but a just and knight!y %art to rescue her therefromO herefore 9 recommend me to your grace& and ithin eight days i!! 9 come to thee and bring the @ueen in safety#K Then& ithin eight days& as he had said& 7ir Lance!ot rode from out the cast!e ith Lueen Guine"ere& and a hundred knights for com%any& each carrying an o!i"e branch& in sign of %eace# And so they came to the court& and found King Arthur sitting on his

throne& ith 7ir Ga ain and many other knights around him# And hen 7ir Lance!ot entered ith the @ueen& they both knee!ed do n before the king# Anon 7ir Lance!ot rose and said& GAy !ord& 9 ha"e brought hither my !ady the @ueen again& as right re@uireth& and by commandment of the Po%e and you# 9 %ray ye take her to your heart again and forget the %ast# 8or myse!f 9 may ask nothing& and for my sin 9 sha!! ha"e sorro and sore %unishmentO yet 9 ou!d to hea"en 9 might ha"e your grace#K But ere the king cou!d ans er& for he as mo"ed ith %ity at his ords& 7ir Ga ain cried a!oud& GLet the king do as he i!!& but be sure& 7ir Lance!ot& thou and 9 sha!! ne"er be accorded hi!e e !i"e& for thou has s!ain my brethren traitorous!y and unarmed#K GAs hea"en is my he!%&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!ot& G9 did it ignorant!y& for 9 !o"ed them e!!& and hi!e 9 !i"e 9 sha!! be ai! their deathO but to make ar ith me ere no a"ai!& for 9 must needs fight ith thee if thou assai!est& and %erad"enture 9 might ki!! thee a!so& hich 9 ere right !oth to do#K G9 i!! forgi"e thee ne"er&K cried 7ir Ga ain& Gand if the king accordeth ith thee he sha!! !ose my ser"ice#K Then the knights ho stood near tried to reconci!e 7ir Ga ain to 7ir Lance!ot& but he ou!d not hear them# 7o& at the !ast& 7ir Lance!ot said& G7ince %eace is "ain& 9 i!! de%art& !est 9 bring more e"i! on my fe!!o shi%#K And as he turned to go& the tears fe!! from him& and he said& GA!as& most nob!e :hristian rea!m& hich 9 ha"e !o"ed abo"e a!! others& no sha!! 9 see thee ne"er moreRK Then said he to the @ueen& GAadam& no must 9 !ea"e ye and this nob!e fe!!o shi% for e"er# And& 9 beseech ye& %ray for me& and if ye e"er be defamed of any& !et me hear thereof& and as 9 ha"e been e"er thy true knight in right and rong& so i!! 9 be again#K Dith that he knee!ed and kissed King ArthurBs hands& and de%arted on his ay# And there as none in a!! that court& sa"e 7ir Ga ain a!one& but e%t to see him go# 7o he returned ith a!! his knights to the :ast!e of La Joyous Garde& and& for his sorro Bs sake& he named it *o!orous Garde thenceforth# Anon he !eft the rea!m& and ent ith many of his fe!!o shi% beyond the sea to 8rance& and there di"ided a!! his !ands among them e@ua!!y& he sharing but as the rest# And from that time for ard %eace had been bet een him and King Arthur& but for 7ir Ga ain& ho !eft the king no rest& but constant!y %ersuaded him that Lance!ot as raising mighty hosts against him# 7o in the end his ma!ice o"ercame the king& ho !eft the go"ernment in charge of Aodred& and made him guardian of the @ueen& and ent ith a great army to in"ade 7ir Lance!otBs !ands# $et 7ir Lance!ot ou!d make no ar u%on the king& and sent a message to gain %eace on any terms King Arthur chose# But 7ir Ga ain met the hera!d ere he reached the king& and sent him

back ith taunting and bitter ords# Dhereat 7ir Lance!ot sorro fu!!y ca!!ed his knights together and fortified the :ast!e of Ben icke& and there as short!y besieged by the army of King Arthur# And e"ery day 7ir Ga ain rode u% to the a!!s& and cried out fou!!y on 7ir Lance!ot& ti!!& u%on a time& 7ir Lance!ot ans ered him that he ou!d meet him in the fie!d and %ut his boasting to the %roof# 7o it as agreed on both sides that there shou!d none come nigh them or se%arate them ti!! one had fa!!en or yie!dedO and they t o rode forth# Then did they hee! their horses a%art& and turning& came together as it had been thunder& so that both horses fe!!& and both their !ances broke# At that they dre their s ords and set u%on each other fierce!y& ith %assing grie"ous strokes# <o 7ir Ga ain had through magic a mar"e!!ous great gift# 8or e"ery day& from morning ti!! noon& his strength aCed to the might of se"en men& but after that aned to his natura! force# Therefore ti!! noon he ga"e 7ir Lance!ot many mighty buffets& hich scarce!y he endured# $et great!y he forbore 7ir Ga ain& for he as a are of his enchantment& and smote him s!ight!y ti!! his o n knights mar"e!!ed# But after noon 7ir Ga ainBs strength sank fast& and then& ith one fu!! b!o & 7ir Lance!ot !aid him on the earth# Then 7ir Ga ain cried out& GTurn not a ay& thou traitor knight& but s!ay me if thou i!t& or e!se 9 i!! arise and fight ith thee again some other time#K G7ir knight&K re%!ied 7ir Lance!ot& G9 ne"er yet smote a fa!!en man#K At that they bore 7ir Ga ain sore!y ounded to his tent& and King Arthur ithdre his men& for he as !oth to shed the b!ood of so many knights of his o n fe!!o shi%# But no came tidings to King Arthur from across the sea& hich caused him to return in haste# 8or thus the ne s ran& that no sooner as 7ir Aodred set u% in his regency& than he had forged fa!se tidings from abroad that the king had fa!!en in a batt!e ith 7ir Lance!ot# Dhereat he had %roc!aimed himse!f the king& and had been cro ned at :anterbury& here he had he!d a coronation feast for fifteen days# Then he had gone to Dinchester& here Lueen Guine"ere abode& and had commanded her to be his ifeO hereto& for fear and sore %er%!eCity& she had feigned consent& but& under %reteCt of %re%aring for the marriage& had f!ed in haste to London and taken she!ter in the To er& fortifying it and %ro"iding it ith a!! manner of "ictua!s& and defending it against 7ir Aodred& and ans ering to a!! his threats that she ou!d rather s!ay herse!f than be his @ueen# Thus as it ritten to King Arthur# Then& in %assing great rath and haste& he came ith a!! his army s ift!y back from 8rance and sai!ed to Eng!and# But hen 7ir Aodred heard thereof& he !eft the To er and marched ith a!! his host to meet the king at *o"er# Then f!ed Lueen Guine"ere to Amesbury to a nunnery& and there she c!othed herse!f in sackc!oth& and s%ent her time in %raying for

the king and in good deeds and fasting# And in that nunnery e"ermore she !i"ed& sore!y re%enting and mourning for her sin& and for the ruin she had brought on a!! the rea!m# And there anon she died# And hen 7ir Lance!ot heard thereof& he %ut his knight!y armour off& and bade fare e!! to a!! his kin& and ent a mighty %i!grimage for many years& and after !i"ed a hermit ti!! his death# Dhen 7ir Aodred came to *o"er& he found King Arthur and his army but just !andedO and there they fought a fierce and b!oody batt!e& and many great and nob!e knights fe!! on both sides# But the kingBs side had the "ictory& for he as beyond himse!f ith might and %assion& and a!! his knights so fierce!y fo!!o ed him& that& in s%ite of a!! their mu!titude& they dro"e 7ir AodredBs army back ith fearfu! ounds and s!aughter& and s!e%t that night u%on the batt!e'fie!d# But 7ir Ga ain as smitten by an arro in the ound 7ir Lance!ot ga"e him& and ounded to the death# Then as he borne to the kingBs tent& and King Arthur sorro ed o"er him as it had been his o n son# GA!asRK said heO Gin 7ir Lance!ot and in you 9 had my greatest earth!y joy& and no is a!! gone from me#K And 7ir Ga ain ans ered& ith a feeb!e "oice& GAy !ord and king& 9 kno e!! my death is come& and through my o n i!fu!ness& for 9 am smitten in the ound 7ir Lance!ot ga"e me# A!asR that 9 ha"e been the cause of a!! this ar& for but for me thou hadst been no at %eace ith Lance!ot& and then had Aodred ne"er done this treason# 9 %ray ye& therefore& my dear !ord& be no agreed ith Lance!ot& and te!! him& that a!though he ga"e me my death' ound& it as through my o n seekingO herefore 9 beseech him to come back to Eng!and& and here to "isit my tomb& and %ray for my sou!#K Dhen he had thus s%oken& 7ir Ga ain ga"e u% his ghost& and the king grie"ous!y mourned for him# Then they to!d him that the enemy had cam%ed on Barham *o ns& hereat& ith a!! his hosts& he straight ay marched there& and fought again a b!oody batt!e& and o"erthre 7ir Aodred utter!y# Ho beit& he raised yet another army& and retreating e"er from before the king& increased his numbers as he ent& ti!! at the farthest est in Lyonesse& he once more made a stand# <o & on the night of Trinity 7unday& being the e"e of the batt!e& King Arthur had a "ision& and sa 7ir Ga ain in a dream& ho arned him not to fight ith Aodred on the morro & e!se he ou!d be sure!y s!ainO and %rayed him to de!ay ti!! Lance!ot and his knights shou!d come to aid him# 7o hen King Arthur oke he to!d his !ords and knights that "ision& and a!! agreed to ait the coming of 7ir Lance!ot# Then a hera!d as sent ith a message of truce to 7ir Aodred& and a treaty as made that neither army shou!d assai! the other# But hen the treaty as agreed u%on& and the hera!ds returned& King Arthur said to his knights& GBe are& !est 7ir Aodred decei"e us& for 9 in no ise trust him& and if s ords be dra n be ready to

encounterRK And 7ir Aodred !ike ise ga"e an order& that if any man of the kingBs army dre his s ord& they shou!d begin to fight# And as it chanced& a knight of the kingBs side as bitten by an adder in the foot& and hasti!y dre forth his s ord to s!ay it# That sa 7ir Aodred& and forth ith commanded a!! his army to assai! the kingBs# 7o both sides rushed to batt!e& and fought %assing fierce!y# And hen the king sa there as no ho%e to stay them& he did right mighti!y and nob!y as a king shou!d do& and e"er& !ike a !ion& raged in the thickest of the %ress& and s!e on the right hand and on the !eft& ti!! his horse ent fet!ock dee% in b!ood# 7o a!! day !ong they fought& and stinted not ti!! many a nob!e knight as s!ain# But the king as %assing sorro fu! to see his trusty knights !ie dead on e"ery side# And at the !ast but t o remained beside him& 7ir Lucan& and his brother& 7ir Bedi"ere& and both ere sore!y ounded# G<o am 9 come to mine end&K said King ArthurO Gbut& !oR that traitor Aodred !i"eth yet& and 9 may not die ti!! 9 ha"e s!ain him# <o & gi"e me my s%ear& 7ir Lucan#K GLord& !et him be&K re%!ied 7ir LucanO Gfor if ye %ass through this unha%%y day& ye sha!! be right e!! re"enged u%on him# Ay good !ord& remember e!! your dream& and hat the s%irit of 7ir Ga ain did fore arn ye#K GBetide me !ife& betide me death&K said the kingO Gno 9 see him yonder a!one& he sha!! ne"er esca%e my hands& for at a better "antage sha!! 9 ne"er ha"e him#K GGod s%eed you e!!&K said 7ir Bedi"ere# Then King Arthur got his s%ear in both his hands& and ran to ards 7ir Aodred& crying& GTraitor& no is thy death'day comeRK And hen 7ir Aodred heard his ords& and sa him come& he dre his s ord and stood to meet him# Then King Arthur smote 7ir Aodred through the body more than a fathom# And hen 7ir Aodred fe!t he had his death ound& he thrust himse!f ith a!! his might u% to the end of King ArthurBs s%ear& and smote his father& Arthur& ith his s ord u%on the head& so that it %ierced both he!m and brain' %an# And there ith 7ir Aodred fe!! do n stark dead to the earth& and King Arthur fe!! do n a!so in a s oon& and s ooned many times# Then 7ir Lucan and 7ir Bedi"ere came and bare him a ay to a !itt!e cha%e! by the sea'shore# And there 7ir Lucan sank do n ith the b!eeding of his o n ounds& and fe!! dead# And King Arthur !ay !ong in a s oon& and hen he came to himse!f& he found 7ir Lucan !ying dead beside him& and 7ir Bedi"ere ee%ing o"er the body of his brother# Then said the king to 7ir Bedi"ere& GDee%ing i!! a"ai! no !onger& e!se ou!d 9 grie"e for e"ermore# A!asR no is the fe!!o shi% of the )ound Tab!e disso!"ed for e"er& and a!! my rea!m 9 ha"e so !o"ed is asted ith ar# But my time hieth fast& herefore take

thou ECca!ibur& my good s ord& and go there ith to yonder ater'side and thro it in& and bring me ord hat thing thou seest#K 7o 7ir Bedi"ere de%artedO but as he ent he !ooked u%on the s ord& the hi!t hereof as a!! in!aid ith %recious stones eCceeding rich# And %resent!y he said ithin himse!f& G9f 9 no thro this s ord into the ater& hat good shou!d come of itQK 7o he hid the s ord among the reeds& and came again to the king# GDhat sa est thouQK said he to 7ir Bedi"ere# GLord&K said he& G9 sa nothing e!se but ind and a"es#K GThou hast untru!y s%oken&K said the kingO G herefore go !ight!y back and thro it in& and s%are not#K Then 7ir Bedi"ere returned again& and took the s ord u% in his handO but hen he !ooked on it& he thought it sin and shame to thro a ay a thing so nob!e# Dherefore he hid it yet again& and ent back to the king# GDhat sa yeQK said King Arthur# GLord&K ans ered he& G9 sa nothing but the ater ebbing and f!o ing#K GOh& traitor and untrueRK cried out the kingO Gt ice hast thou no betrayed me# Art thou ca!!ed of men a nob!e knight& and ou!dest betray me for a je e!!ed s ordQ <o & therefore& go again for the !ast time& for thy tarrying hath %ut me in sore %eri! of my !ife& and 9 fear my ound hath taken co!dO and if thou do it not this time& by my faith 9 i!! arise and s!ay thee ith my hands#K Then 7ir Bedi"ere ran @uick!y and took u% the s ord& and ent do n to the aterBs edge& and bound the gird!e round the hi!t and thre it far into the ater# And !oR an arm and hand came forth abo"e the ater& and caught the s ord& and brandished it three times& and "anished# 7o 7ir Bedi"ere came again to the king and to!d him hat he had seen# GHe!% me from hence&K said King ArthurO Gfor 9 dread me 9 ha"e tarried o"er !ong#K Then 7ir Bedi"ere took the king u% in his arms& and bore him to the aterBs edge# And by the shore they sa a barge ith three fair @ueens therein& a!! dressed in b!ack& and hen they sa King Arthur they e%t and ai!ed# G<o %ut me in the barge&G said he to 7ir Bedi"ere& and tender!y he did so# Then the three @ueens recei"ed him& and he !aid his head u%on the !a% of one of them& ho cried& GA!asR dear brother& hy ha"e ye tarried so !ong& for your ound hath taken co!dQK Dith that the barge %ut from the !and& and hen 7ir Bedi"ere sa it de%arting& he cried ith a bitter cry& GA!asR my !ord King Arthur& hat sha!! become of me no ye ha"e gone from meQK G:omfort ye&K said King Arthur& Gand be strong& for 9 may no more he!% ye# 9 go to the Na!e of A"i!ion to hea! me of my grie"ous ound& and if ye see me no more& %ray for my sou!#K

Then the three @ueens knee!ed do n around the king and sore!y e%t and ai!ed& and the barge ent forth to sea& and de%arted s!o !y out of 7ir Bedi"ereBs sight#

TH$ $N%