THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN.
So the quest of the Holy Graal had been fulfilled, and the few Knights
that had been left alive returned to the Round Table, and there was
great joy in the Court. To do them honour the Queen made them a dinner;
and there were four and twenty Knights present, and among them Sir
Patrise of Ireland, and Sir Gawaine and his brethren, the King’s
nephews, which were Sir Agrawaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir
Mordred. Now it was the custom of Sir Gawaine daily at dinner and supper
to eat all manner of fruit, and especially pears and apples, and this
the Queen knew, and set fruit of all sorts before him. And there was
present at the dinner one Sir Pinel le Savage, who hated Sir Gawaine
because he and his brethren had slain Sir Lamorak du Galis, cousin to
Sir Pinel; so he put poison into some of the apples, hoping that Sir
Gawaine would eat one and die. But by ill fortune it befell that the
good Knight Sir Patrise took a poisoned apple, and in a few moments he
lay dead and stark in his seat. At this sight all the Knights leapt to
their feet, but said nothing, for they bethought them that Queen
Guenevere had made them the dinner, and feared that she had poisoned the
fruit.
“My lady, the Queen,” said Sir Gawaine, who was the first to speak,
“this fruit was brought for me, for all know how well I love it;
therefore, Madam, the shame of this ill deed is yours.” The Queen stood
still, pale and trembling, but kept silence, and next spoke Sir Mador de
la Porte.
“This shall not be ended so,” said he, “for I have lost a noble Knight
of my blood, and I will be avenged of the person who has wrought this
evil.” And he turned to the Queen and said “Madam, it is you who have
brought about the death of my cousin Sir Patrise!” The Knights round
listened in silence, for they too thought Sir Mador spake truth. And the
Queen still said nothing, but fell to weeping bitterly, till King Arthur
heard and came to look into the matter. And when they told him of their
trouble his heart was heavy within him.
“Fair lords,” said the King at last, “I grieve for this ill deed; but I
cannot meddle therein, or do battle for my wife, for I have to judge
justly. Sure I am that this deed is none of hers, therefore many a good
Knight will stand her champion that she be not burned to death in a
wrong quarrel. And Sir Mador, hold not your head so high, but fix the
day of battle, when you shall find a Knight to answer you, or else it
were great shame to all my Court.”
“My gracious lord,” said Sir Mador, “you must hold me excused. But
though you are a King you are also a Knight, and must obey the laws of
Knighthood. Therefore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that none
of the four and twenty Knights here present will fight that battle. What
say you, my lords?” Then the Knights answered that they could not hold
the Queen guiltless, for as the dinner was made by her either she or her
servants must have done this thing.
“Alas!” said the Queen, “no evil was in my heart when I prepared this
feast, for never have I done such foul deeds.”
“My lord the King,” cried Sir Mador, “I require of you, as you are a
just King, to fix a day that I may get ready for the fight!”
“Well,” answered the King, “on the fifteenth day from this come on
horseback to the meadow that is by Westminster. And if it happens that
there be a Knight to fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God
will speed the right. But if no Knight is there, then must my Queen be
burned, and a fire shall be made in the meadow.”
“I am answered,” said Sir Mador, and he and the rest of the Knights
departed.
When the King and Queen were left alone he asked her what had brought
all this about. “God help me, that I know not,” said the Queen, “nor how
it was done.”
“Where is Sir Lancelot?” said King Arthur, looking round. “If he were
here he would not grudge to do battle for you.”
“Sir,” replied the Queen, “I know not where he is, but his brother and
his kinsmen think he is not in this realm.”
“I grieve for that,” said the King, “for he would soon stop this strife.
But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and he will not refuse you. For well I
see that none of the four and twenty Knights who were with you at dinner
will be your champion, and none will say well of you, but men will speak
evil of you at the Court.”
“Alas!” sighed the Queen, “I do indeed miss Sir Lancelot, for he would
soon ease my heart.”
“What ails you?” asked the King, “that you cannot keep Sir Lancelot at
your side, for well you know that he who Sir Lancelot fights for has the
best Knight in the world for his champion. Now go your way, and command
Sir Bors to do battle with you for Sir Lancelot’s sake.” So the Queen
departed from the King, and sent for Sir Bors into her chamber, and when
he came she besought his help.
[Illustration: SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE]
“Madam,” said he, “what can I do? for I may not meddle in this matter
lest the Knights who were at the dinner have me in suspicion, for I was
there also. It is now, Madam, that you miss Sir Lancelot, whom you have
driven away, as he would have done battle for you were you right or
wrong, and I wonder how for shame’s sake you can ask me, knowing how I
love and honour him.”
“Alas,” said the Queen, “I throw myself on your grace,” and she went
down on her knees and besought Sir Bors to have mercy on her, “else I
shall have a shameful death, and one I have never deserved.” At that
King Arthur came in, and found her kneeling before Sir Bors. “Madame!
you do me great dishonour,” said Sir Bors, raising her up.
“Ah, gentle Knight,” cried the King, “have mercy on my Queen, for I am
sure that they speak falsely. And I require by the love of Sir Lancelot
that you do battle for her instead of him.”
“My lord,” answered Sir Bors, “you require of me the hardest thing that
ever any one asked of me, for well you know that if I fight for the
Queen I shall anger all my companions of the Round Table; but I will not
say nay, my lord, for Sir Lancelot’s sake and for your own sake! On that
day I will be the Queen’s champion, unless a better Knight is found to
do battle for her.”
“Will you promise me this?” asked the King.
“Yes,” answered Sir Bors, “I will not fail you nor her, unless there
should come a better Knight than I, then he shall have the battle.” Then
the King and Queen rejoiced greatly, and thanked Sir Bors with all their
hearts.
So Sir Bors departed and rode unto Sir Lancelot, who was with the hermit
Sir Brasias, and told him of this adventure. “Ah,” said Sir Lancelot,
“this has befallen as I would have it, and therefore I pray you make
ready to do battle, but delay the fight as long as you can that I may
appear. For I am sure that Sir Mador is a hot Knight, and the longer he
waits the more impatient he will be for the combat.”
“Sir,” answered Sir Bors, “let me deal with him. Doubt not you shall
have all your will.” And he rode away, and came again to the Court.
It was soon noised about that Sir Bors would be the Queen’s champion,
and many Knights were displeased with him; but there were a few who held
the Queen to be innocent. Sir Bors spoke unto them all and said, “It
were shameful, my fair lords, if we suffered the most noble Queen in the
world to be disgraced openly, not only for her sake, but for the
King’s.” But they answered him: “As for our lord King Arthur, we love
him and honour him as much as you; but as for Queen Guenevere, we love
her not, for she is the destroyer of good Knights.”
“Fair lords,” said Sir Bors, “you shall not speak such words, for never
yet have I heard that she was the destroyer of good Knights. But at all
times, as far as I ever knew, she maintained them and gave them many
gifts. And therefore it were a shame to us all if we suffered our noble
King’s wife to be put to death, and I will not suffer it. So much I will
say, that the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise’s death; for she owed
him no ill will, and bade him and us to the dinner for no evil purpose,
which will be proved hereafter. And in any case there was foul dealing
among us.”
“We may believe your words,” said some of the Knights, but others held
that he spoke falsely.
The days passed quickly by until the evening before the battle, when the
Queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him if he was ready to keep his
promise.
“Truly, Madam,” answered he, “I shall not fail you, unless a better
Knight than I am come to do battle for you. Then, Madam, I am discharged
of my promise.”
“Shall I tell this to my lord Arthur?” said the Queen.
“If it pleases you, Madam,” answered Sir Bors. So the Queen went to the
King, and told him what Sir Bors had said, and the King bade her to be
comforted, as Sir Bors was one of the best Knights of the Round Table.
The next morning the King and Queen, and all manner of Knights, rode
into the meadow of Westminster, where the battle was to be; and the
Queen was put into the charge of the High Constable, and a stout iron
stake was planted, and a great fire made about it, at which the Queen
should be burned if Sir Mador de la Porte won the fight. For it was the
custom in those days that neither fear nor favour, love nor kinship,
should hinder right judgment. Then came Sir Mador de la Porte, and made
oath before the King that the Queen had done to death his cousin Sir
Patrise and he would prove it on her Knight’s body, let who would say
the contrary. Sir Bors likewise made answer that Queen Guenevere had
done no wrong, and that he would make good with his two hands. “Then get
you ready,” said Sir Mador. “Sir Mador,” answered Sir Bors, “I know you
for a good Knight, but I trust to be able to withstand your malice; and
I have promised King Arthur and my Lady the Queen that I will do battle
for her to the uttermost, unless there come forth a better Knight than I
am.”
“Is that all?” asked Sir Mador; “but you must either fight now or own
that you are beaten.”
“Take your horse,” said Sir Bors, “for I shall not tarry long,” and Sir
Mador forthwith rode into the field with his shield on his shoulder, and
his spear in his hand, and he went up and down crying unto King Arthur,
“Bid your champion come forth if he dare.” At that Sir Bors was ashamed,
and took his horse, and rode to the end of the lists. But from a wood
hard by appeared a Knight riding fast on a white horse, bearing a shield
full of strange devices. When he reached Sir Bors he drew rein and said,
“Fair Knight, be not displeased, but this battle must be to a better
Knight than you. For I have come a great journey to fight this fight, as
I promised when I spoke with you last, and I thank you heartily for your
goodwill.” So Sir Bors went to King Arthur and told him that a Knight
had come who wished to do battle for the Queen. “What Knight is he?”
asked the King.
“That I know not,” said Sir Bors; “but he made a covenant with me to be
here this day, and now I am discharged,” said Sir Bors.
Then the King called to that Knight and asked him if he would fight for
the Queen. “For that purpose I came hither,” replied he, “and therefore,
Sir King, delay me no longer, for as soon as I have ended this battle I
must go hence, as I have many matters elsewhere. And I would have you
know that it is a dishonour to all the Knights of the Round Table to let
so noble a lady and so courteous a Queen as Queen Guenevere be shamed
amongst them.”
The Knights who were standing round looked at each other at these words,
and wondered much what man this was who took the battle upon him, for
none knew him save Sir Bors.
[Illustration: ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE]
“Sir,” said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the King, “let me know the name
of him with whom I have to do.” But the King answered nothing, and made
a sign for the fight to begin. They rode to the end of the lists, and
couched their spears and rushed together with all their force, and Sir
Mador’s spear broke in pieces. But the other Knight’s spear held firm,
and he pressed on Sir Mador’s horse till it fell backward with a great
fall. Sir Mador sprang from his horse, and, placing his shield before
him, drew his sword, and bade his foe dismount from his horse also, and
do battle with him on foot, which the unknown Knight did. For an hour
they fought thus, as Sir Mador was a strong man, and had proved himself
the victor in many combats. At last the Knight smote Sir Mador
grovelling to his knees, and the Knight stepped forward to have struck
him flat upon the ground. Therewith Sir Mador suddenly rose, and smote
the Knight upon the thigh, so that the blood ran out fiercely. But when
the Knight felt himself wounded, and saw his blood, he let Sir Mador
rise to his feet, and then he gave him such a buffet on the helm that
this time Sir Mador fell his length on the earth, and the Knight sprang
to him, to unloose his helm. At this Sir Mador prayed for his life,
acknowledging that he was overcome, and confessed that the Queen’s
innocence had been proved. “I will only grant you your life,” said the
Knight, “if you will proclaim publicly that you have foully slandered
the Queen, and that you make no mention, on the tomb of Sir Patrise,
that ever Queen Guenevere consented to his murder.” “All that will I
do,” said Sir Mador, and some Knights took him up, and carried him away
to heal his wounds. And the other knight went straight to the foot of
the steps where sat King Arthur, and there the Queen had just come, and
the King and the Queen kissed each other before all the people. When
King Arthur saw the Knight standing there he stooped down to him and
thanked him, and so likewise did the Queen; and they prayed him to put
off his helmet, and commanded wine to be brought, and when he unlaced
his helmet to drink they knew him to be Sir Lancelot du Lake. Then
Arthur took the Queen’s hand and led her to Sir Lancelot and said, “Sir,
I give you the most heartfelt thanks of the great deed you have done
this day for me and my Queen.”
“My lord,” answered Sir Lancelot, “you know well that I ought of right
ever to fight your battles, and those of my lady the Queen. For it was
you who gave me the high honour of Knighthood, and that same day my lady
the Queen did me a great service, else I should have been put to shame
before all men. Because in my hastiness I lost my sword, and my lady the
Queen found it and gave it to me when I had sore need of it. And
therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her that day that I would be her
Knight in right or in wrong.”
“I owe you great thanks,” said the King, “and some time I hope to repay
you.” The Queen, beholding Sir Lancelot, wept tears of joy for her
deliverance, and felt bowed to the ground with sorrow at the thought of
what he had done for her, when she had sent him away with unkind words.
Then all the Knights of the Round Table and his kinsmen drew near to him
and welcomed him, and there was great mirth in the Court.
THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT.
Soon after this it befell that the damsel of the lake, called by some
Nimue and by others Vivien, wedded Sir Pelleas, and came to the Court of
King Arthur. And when she heard the talk of the death of Sir Patrise and
how the Queen had been accused of it, she found out by means of her
magic that the tale was false, and told it openly that the Queen was
innocent and that it was Sir Pinel who had poisoned the apple. Then he
fled into his own country, where none might lay hands on him. So Sir
Patrise was buried in the Church of Westminster, and on his tomb was
written, “Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir Pinel le
Savage, that empoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and by
misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples and then suddenly he
burst.” Also there was put upon the tomb that Queen Guenevere was
accused of the death of Sir Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and how
Sir Lancelot fought with him and overcame him in battle. All this was
written on the tomb.
And daily Sir Mador prayed to have the Queen’s grace once more, and by
means of Sir Lancelot he was forgiven. It was now the middle of the
summer, and King Arthur proclaimed that in fifteen days a great tourney
should be held at Camelot, which is now called Winchester, and many
Knights and Kings made ready to do themselves honour. But the Queen said
she would stay behind, for she was sick, and did not care for the noise
and hustle of a tourney. “It grieves me you should say that,” said the
King, “for you will not have seen so noble a company gathered together
this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when Galahad departed
from the Court.”
“Truly,” answered the Queen, “the sight will be grand. Nevertheless you
must hold me excused, for I cannot be there.”
Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and that
he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At this the
King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or his best
Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by the way
lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And when the
King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told him he was
to blame for having excused himself from going with the King, who set
such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he would be ruled by
her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to Winchester; “but I
should have you know,” said he, “that at the tourney I shall be against
the King and his Knights.”
“You must do as you please,” replied the Queen, “but if you will be
ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side.”
“Madam,” said Sir Lancelot, “I pray you not to be displeased with me. I
will take the adventure as it comes,” and early next morning he rode
away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town till
he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of Astolat, and
as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from the gardens of
the castle. “It is well,” he said, smiling to the Knights that were
beside him, “I see one man who will play his part in the jousts, and I
will undertake that he will do marvels.”
“Who is that?” asked they all. “You must wait to know that,” replied the
King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered his
lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not it was Sir
Lancelot. “Fair Sir,” said Sir Lancelot, “I pray you lend me, if you
can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they know
well.”
“Sir,” answered Sir Bernard, “you shall have your wish, for you seem one
of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons, both
but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his
Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir Lavaine,
shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the jousts. For my
heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you, what name I
shall call you by.”
“You must hold me excused as to that, just now,” said Sir Lancelot, “but
if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you. But let
me have Sir Lavaine with me, and lend me, as you have offered, his
brother’s shield.” “This shall be done,” replied Sir Bernard.
Besides these two sons, Sir Bernard had a daughter whom every one called
The Fair Maid of Astolat, though her real name was Elaine le Blanc. And
when she looked on Sir Lancelot, her love went forth to him and she
could never take it back, and in the end it killed her. As soon as her
father told her that Sir Lancelot was going to the tourney she besought
him to wear her token in the jousts, but he was not willing. “Fair
damsel,” he said, “if I did that, I should have done more for your sake
than ever I did for lady or damsel.” But then he remembered that he was
to go disguised to the tourney, and because he had before never worn any
manner of token of any damsel, he bethought him that, if he should take
one of hers, none would know him. So he said to her, “Fair damsel, I
will wear your token on my helmet, if you will show me what it is.”
“Sir,” she answered, “it is a red sleeve, embroidered in great pearls,”
and she brought it to him. “Never have I done so much for any damsel,”
said he, and gave his own shield into her keeping, till he came again.
Sir Arthur had waited three days in Astolat for some Knights who were
long on the road, and when they had arrived they all set forth, and were
followed by Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine, both with white shields, and
Sir Lancelot bore besides the red sleeve that was a token. Now Camelot
was filled with a great number of Kings and Lords and Knights, but Sir
Lavaine found means to lodge both himself and Sir Lancelot secretly with
a rich burgess, and no man knew who they were or whence they came. And
there they stayed till the day of the tourney. At earliest dawn the
trumpets blew, and King Arthur took his seat upon a high scaffold, so
that he might see who had done best; but he would not suffer Sir Gawaine
to go from his side, for Sir Gawaine never won the prize when Sir
Lancelot was in the field, and as King Arthur knew, Sir Lancelot
oftentimes disguised himself.
[Illustration: ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROVND SIR LANCELOT’S HELMET]
Then the Knights formed into two parties and Sir Lancelot made him
ready, and Elaine fastened the red sleeve upon his helmet. Then he and
Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood that lay behind the Knights who
should fight against those of the Round Table. “Sir,” said Sir Lancelot,
“yonder is a company of good Knights and they hold together as boars
that are vexed with dogs.”
“That is truth,” said Sir Lavaine.
“Now,” said Sir Lancelot, “if you will help me a little, you shall see
King Arthur’s side, which is winning, driven back as fast as they came.”
“Spare not, Sir,” answered Sir Lavaine, “for I shall do what I may.” So
they rode into the thickest of the press, and smote so hard both with
spear and sword that the Knights of the Round Table fell back. “O
mercy!” cried Sir Gawaine, “what Knight is that yonder who does such
marvellous deeds?”
“I know well who it is,” said King Arthur, “but I will not tell you
yet.”
“Sir,” answered Sir Gawaine, “I should say it was Sir Lancelot by the
blows he deals and the manner that he rides, but it cannot be he, for
this man has a red sleeve upon his helmet, and Sir Lancelot has never
borne the token of any lady.”
“Let him be,” said Sir Arthur, “you will find out his name, and see him
do greater deeds yet, before he departs.” And the Knights that were
fighting against the King’s party took heart again, for before they
feared they would be beaten. But when Sir Bors saw this, he called unto
him the Knights that were of kin to Sir Lancelot, and they banded
together to make a great charge, and threw Sir Lancelot’s horse to the
ground, and by misfortune the spear of Sir Bors broke, and its head was
left in Sir Lancelot’s side. When Sir Lavaine saw that, he unhorsed the
King of Scots, and brought his horse to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to
mount thereon and gave him a spear, with which Sir Lancelot smote Sir
Bors to the earth and Sir Ector de Maris, the foster-father of King
Arthur, and buffeted sorely the Knights that were with them. Afterward
he hurled himself into the thick _mêlée_ of them all, and did the most
wonderful deeds that ever were heard of. And Sir Lavaine likewise did
well that day, for he smote down full two Knights of the Round Table.
“Mercy,” again cried Sir Gawaine to Arthur, “I marvel what Knight that
is with the red sleeve.”
“That you shall know soon,” said King Arthur, and commanded that the
trumpets should be blown, and declared that the prize belonged to the
Knight with the white shield, who bare the red sleeve, for he had
unhorsed more than thirty Knights. And the Kings and Lords who were of
his party came round him and thanked him for the help he had given them,
by which means the honours of the day had been theirs.
“Fair Lords,” said Sir Lancelot, “if I have deserved thanks, I have paid
for them sorely, for I shall hardly escape with my life, therefore I
pray you let me depart, for my hurt is grievous.” Then he groaned
piteously, and galloped from them to a wood’s side, followed by Sir
Lavaine. “Oh help me, Sir Lavaine,” said he, “to get this spear’s head
out of my side, for it is killing me.” But Sir Lavaine feared to touch
it, lest Sir Lancelot should bleed to death. “I charge you,” said Sir
Lancelot, “if you love me, draw out the head,” so Sir Lavaine drew it
out. And Sir Lancelot gave a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly
groan, and his blood flowed out so fast that he fell into a swoon. “Oh
what shall I do?” cried Sir Lavaine, and he loosed Sir Lancelot’s helm
and coat of mail, and turned him so that the wind might blow on him, but
for full half an hour he lay as if he had been dead. And at last Sir
Lancelot opened his eyes, and said, “O Lavaine, help me on my horse, for
two miles from this place there lives a hermit who once was a Knight of
the Round Table, and he can heal my wounds.” Then Sir Lavaine, with much
ado, helped him on his horse, and brought him bleeding to the hermit.
The hermit looked at him as he rode up, leaning piteously on his
saddle-bow, and he thought that he should know him, but could not tell
who he was for the paleness of his face, till he saw by a wound on his
cheek that it was Sir Lancelot.
“You cannot hide your name from me,” said the hermit, “for you are the
noblest Knight in the world, and well I know you to be Sir Lancelot.”
“Since you know me, Sir,” said he, “help me for God’s sake, and for
death or life put me out of this pain.”
“Fear nothing,” answered the hermit, “your pain will soon be gone,” and
he called his servants to take the armour off the Knight, and laid him
in bed. After that he dressed the wound, and gave him good wine to
drink, and Sir Lancelot slept and awoke free of his pain. So we will
leave him to be healed of his wound, under the care of the hermit, and
go back to King Arthur.
Now, it was the custom in those days that after a tourney was finished,
a great feast should be held at which both parties were assembled, so
King Arthur sent to ask the King of Northgalis, where was the Knight
with the red sleeve, who had fought on his side. “Bring him before me,”
he said, “that he may have the prize he has won, which is his right.”
Then answered the King with the hundred Knights, “We fear the Knight
must have been sore hurt, and that neither you nor we are ever like to
see him again, which is grievous to think of.”
“Alas!” said King Arthur, “is he then so badly wounded? What is his
name?”
“Truly,” said they all, “we know not his name, nor whence he came, nor
whither he went.”
“As for me,” answered King Arthur, “these tidings are the worst that I
have heard these seven years, for I would give all the lands I hold that
no harm had befallen this Knight.”
“Do you know him?” asked they all.
“Whether I know him or not,” said King Arthur, “I shall not tell you,
but may Heaven send me good news of him.” “Amen,” answered they.
“By my head,” said Sir Gawaine, “if this good Knight is really wounded
unto death, it is a great evil for all this land, for he is one of the
noblest that ever I saw for handling a sword or spear. And if he may be
found, I shall find him, for I am sure he is not far from this town;” so
he took his Squire with him, and they rode all round Camelot, six or
seven miles on every side, but nothing could they hear of him. And he
returned heavily to the Court of King Arthur.
Two days after the King and all his company set out for London, and by
the way, it happened to Sir Gawaine to lodge with Sir Bernard at
Astolat. And when he was in his chamber, Sir Bernard and his daughter
Elaine came unto Sir Gawaine, to ask him tidings of the Court, and who
did best in the tourney at Winchester.
“Truly,” said Sir Gawaine, “there were two Knights that bare white
shields, but one of them had a red sleeve upon his helm, and he was one
of the best Knights that ever I saw joust in the field, for I dare say
he smote down forty Knights of the Table Round.”
“Now blessed be God,” said the Maid of Astolat, “that that Knight sped
so well, for he is the man in the world that I loved first, and he will
also be the last that ever I shall love.”
“Fair Maid,” asked Sir Gawaine, “is that Knight your love?”
“Certainly he is my love,” said she.
“Then you know his name?” asked Sir Gawaine.
“Nay, truly,” answered the damsel, “I know neither his name, nor whence
he cometh, but I love him for all that.”
“How did you meet him first?” asked Sir Gawaine. At that she told him
the whole story, and how her brother went with Sir Lancelot to do him
service, and lent him the white shield of her brother Sir Tirre and left
his own shield with her. “Why did he do that?” asked Sir Gawaine.
“For this cause,” said the damsel, “his shield was too well known among
many noble Knights.”
“Ah, fair damsel,” said Sir Gawaine, “I beg of you to let me have a
sight of that shield.”
“Sir,” answered she, “it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if
you will come with me, you shall see it.”
“Not so,” said Sir Bernard, and sent his Squire for it. And when Sir
Gawaine took off the case and beheld the shield, and saw the arms, he
knew it to be Sir Lancelot’s. “Ah mercy,” cried he, “my heart is heavier
than ever it was before!”
“Why?” asked Elaine.
“I have great cause,” answered Sir Gawaine. “Is that Knight who owns
this shield your love?”
“Yes, truly,” said she; “I would I were his love.”
“You are right, fair damsel,” replied Gawaine, “for if you love him, you
love the most honourable Knight in the world. I have known him for four
and twenty years, and never did I or any other Knight see him wear a
token of either lady or damsel at a tournament. Therefore, damsel, he
has paid you great honour. But I fear that I may never behold him again
upon earth, and that is grievous to think of.”
“Alas!” said she, “how may this be? Is he slain?”
“I did not say that,” replied Sir Gawaine, “but he is sorely wounded,
and is more likely to be dead than alive. And, maiden, by this shield I
know that he is Sir Lancelot.”
“How can this be?” said the Maid of Astolat, “and what was his hurt?”
“Truly,” answered Sir Gawaine, “it was the man that loved him best who
hurt him so, and I am sure that if that man knew that it was Sir
Lancelot whom he had wounded, he would think it was the darkest deed
that ever he did.”
“Now, dear father,” said Elaine, “give me leave to ride and to seek him,
for I shall go out of my mind unless I find him and my brother.”
“Do as you will,” answered her father, “for I am grieved to hear of the
hurt of that noble Knight.” So the damsel made ready.
On the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur and told him how he had
found the shield in the keeping of the Maid of Astolat. “All that I knew
beforehand,” said the King, “and that was why I would not suffer you to
fight at the tourney, for I had espied him when he entered his lodging
the night before. But this is the first time that ever I heard of his
bearing the token of some lady, and much I marvel at it.”
“By my head,” answered Sir Gawaine, “the Fair Maiden of Astolat loves
him wondrous well. What it all means, or what will be the end, I cannot
say, but she has ridden after him to seek him.” So the King and his
company came to London, and every one in the Court knew that it was Sir
Lancelot who had jousted the best.
And when the tidings came to Sir Bors, his heart grew heavy, and also
the hearts of his kinsmen. But when the Queen heard that Sir Lancelot
bore the red sleeve of the Fair Maid of Astolat, she was nearly mad with
wrath, and summoned Sir Bors before her in haste.
“Ah, Sir Bors,” she cried when he was come, “have the tidings reached
you that Sir Lancelot has been a false Knight to me?”
“Madam,” answered Sir Bors, “I pray you say not so, for I cannot hear
such language of him.”
“Why, is he not false and a traitor when, after swearing that for right
or wrong he would be my Knight and mine only, he bore the red sleeve
upon his helm at the great jousts at Camelot?”
“Madam,” said Sir Bors, “I grieve bitterly as to that sleeve-bearing,
but I think he did it that none of his kin should know him. For no man
before that had seen him bear the token of any lady, be she what she
may.”
“Fie on him!” said the Queen, “I myself heard Sir Gawaine tell my lord
Arthur of the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of Astolat and
him.”
“Madam,” answered Sir Bors, “I cannot hinder Sir Gawaine from saying
what he pleases, but as for Sir Lancelot, I am sure that he loves no one
lady or maiden better than another. And therefore I will hasten to seek
him wherever he be.”
Meanwhile fair Elaine came to Winchester to find Sir Lancelot, who lay
in peril of his life in the hermit’s dwelling. And when she was riding
hither and thither, not knowing where she should turn, she fell on her
brother Sir Lavaine, who was exercising his horse. “How doth my lord Sir
Lancelot?” asked she.
“Who told you, sister, that my lord’s name was Sir Lancelot?” answered
Sir Lavaine.
“Sir Gawaine, who came to my father’s house to rest after the tourney,
knew him by his shield,” said she, and they rode on till they reached
the hermitage, and Sir Lavaine brought her to Sir Lancelot. And when she
saw him so pale, and in such a plight, she fell to the earth in a swoon,
but by-and-by she opened her eyes and said, “My lord Sir Lancelot, what
has brought you to this?” and swooned again. When she came to herself
and stood up, Sir Lancelot prayed her to be of good cheer, for if she
had come to comfort him she was right welcome, and that his wound would
soon heal. “But I marvel,” said he, “how you know my name.” Then the
maiden told him how Sir Gawaine had been at Astolat and had seen his
shield.
“Alas!” sighed Sir Lancelot, “it grieves me that my name is known, for
trouble will come of it.” For he knew full well that Sir Gawaine would
tell Queen Guenevere, and that she would be wroth. And Elaine stayed and
tended him, and Sir Lancelot begged Sir Lavaine to ride to Winchester
and ask if Sir Bors was there, and said that he should know him by token
of a wound which Sir Bors had on his forehead. “For well I am sure,”
said Sir Lancelot, “that Sir Bors will seek me, as he is the same good
Knight that hurt me.”
Therefore as Sir Lancelot commanded, Sir Lavaine rode to Winchester and
inquired if Sir Bors had been seen there, so that when he entered the
town Sir Lavaine readily found him. Sir Bors was overjoyed to hear good
tidings of Sir Lancelot, and they rode back together to the hermitage.
At the sight of Sir Lancelot lying in his bed, pale and thin, Sir Bors’
heart gave way, and he wept long without speaking. “Oh, my lord Sir
Lancelot,” he said at last, “God send you hasty recovery; great is my
shame for having wounded you thus, you who are the noblest Knight in the
world. I wonder that my arm would lift itself against you, and I ask
your mercy.”
“Fair cousin,” answered Sir Lancelot, “such words please me not at all,
for it is the fault of my pride which would overcome you all, that I lie
here to-day. We will not speak of it any more, for what is done cannot
be undone, but let us find a cure so that I may soon be whole.” Then Sir
Bors leaned upon his bed, and told him how the Queen was filled with
anger against him, because he wore the red sleeve at the jousts.
“I am sorrowful at what you tell me,” replied Sir Lancelot, “for all I
did was to hinder my being known.”
“That I said to excuse you,” answered Sir Bors, “though it was all in
vain. But is this damsel that is so busy about you the Fair Maid of
Astolat?”
“She it is, and she will not go from me!”
“Why should she go from you?” asked Sir Bors. “She is a passing fair
damsel, and of gentle breeding, and I would that you could love her, for
it is easy to see by her bearing that she loves you entirely.”
“It grieves me to hear that,” said Sir Lancelot.
After this they talked of other things, till in a few days Sir
Lancelot’s wounds were whole again. When Sir Lancelot felt his strength
return, Sir Bors made him ready, and departed for the Court of King
Arthur, and told them how he had left Sir Lancelot. And there was on All
Hallows a great tournament, and Sir Bors won the prize for the unhorsing
of twenty Knights, and Sir Gareth did great deeds also, but vanished
suddenly from the field, and no man knew where he had gone. After the
tourney was over, Sir Bors rode to the hermitage to see Sir Lancelot,
whom he found walking on his feet, and on the next morning they bade
farewell to the hermit, taking with them Elaine le Blanc. They went
first to Astolat, where they were well lodged in the house of Sir
Bernard, but when the morrow came, and Sir Lancelot would have departed
from them, Elaine called to her father and to her brothers Sir Tirre and
Sir Lavaine, and thus she said—
“My lord Sir Lancelot, fair Knight, leave me not, I pray you, but have
mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die of love of thee.”
“What do you wish me to do?” asked Sir Lancelot.
“I would have you for my husband,” answered she.
“Fair damsel, I thank you,” said Sir Lancelot, “but truly I shall never
have a wife. But in token and thanks of all your good will towards me,
gladly will I give a thousand pounds yearly when you set your heart upon
some other Knight.”
“Of such gifts I will have none,” answered Elaine, “and I would have you
know, Sir Lancelot, that if you refuse to wed me, my good days are
done.”
“Fair damsel,” said Sir Lancelot, “I cannot do the thing that you ask.”
At these words she fell down in a swoon, and her maids bore her to her
chamber, where she made bitter sorrow. Sir Lancelot thought it would be
well for him to depart before she came to her senses again, and he asked
Sir Lavaine what he would do.
“What should I do?” asked Sir Lavaine, “but follow you, if you will have
me.” Then Sir Bernard came and said to Sir Lancelot, “I see well that my
daughter Elaine will die for your sake.”
“I cannot marry her,” answered Sir Lancelot, “and it grieves me sorely,
for she is a good maiden, fair and gentle.”
“Father,” said Sir Lavaine, “she is as pure and good as Sir Lancelot has
said, and she is like me, for since first I saw him I can never leave
him.” And after that they bade the old man farewell and came unto
Winchester, where the King and all the Knights of the Round Table made
great joy of him, save only Sir Agrawaine and Sir Mordred. But the Queen
was angry and would not speak to him, though he tried by all means to
make her. Now when the Fair Maid of Astolat knew he was gone, she would
neither eat nor sleep, but cried after Sir Lancelot all the day long.
And when she had spent ten days in this manner, she grew so weak that
they thought her soul must quit this world, and the priest came to her,
and bade her dwell no more on earthly things. She would not listen to
him, but cried ever after Sir Lancelot, and how she had loved none
other, no, nor ever would, and that her love would be her death. Then
she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir Tirre, and begged
her brother to write her a letter as she should tell him, and her father
that he would have her watched till she was dead. “And while my body is
warm,” said she, “let this letter be put in my right hand, and my hand
bound fast with the letter until I be cold, and let me be dressed in my
richest clothes and be lain on a fair bed, and driven in a chariot to
the Thames. There let me be put on a barge, and a dumb man with me, to
steer the barge, which shall be covered over with black samite. Thus,
father, I beseech you, let it be done.” And her father promised her
faithfully that so it should be done to her when she was dead.
[Illustration: THE BLACK BARGET]
Next day she died, and her body was lain on the bed, and placed in a
chariot, and driven to the Thames, where the man awaited her with the
barge. When she was put on board, he steered the barge to Westminster
and rowed a great while to and fro, before any espied it. At last King
Arthur and Queen Guenevere withdrew into a window, to speak together,
and espied the black barge, and wondered greatly what it meant. The King
summoned Sir Kay, and bade him take Sir Brandiles and Sir Agrawaine, and
find out who was lying there, and they ran down to the river side, and
came and told the King. “That fair corpse will I see,” returned the
King, and he took the Queen’s hand and led her thither. Then he ordered
the barge to be made fast, and he entered it, and the Queen likewise,
and certain Knights with them. And there he saw a fair woman on a rich
bed, and her clothing was of cloth of gold, and she lay smiling. While
they looked, all being silent, the Queen spied a letter in her right
hand, and pointed it out to the King, who took it saying, “Now I am sure
this letter will tell us what she was, and why she came hither.” So
leaving the barge in charge of a trusty man, they went into the King’s
chamber, followed by many Knights, for the King would have the letter
read openly. He then broke the seal himself, and bade a clerk read it,
and this was what it said—
“Most noble Knight Sir Lancelot, I was your lover, whom men called the
Fair Maid of Astolat: therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet pray
for my soul, and bury me. This is my last request. Pray for my soul, Sir
Lancelot, as thou art peerless.”
This was all the letter, and the King and Queen and all the Knights wept
when they heard it.
“Let Sir Lancelot be sent for,” presently said the King, and when Sir
Lancelot came the letter was read to him also.
“My lord Arthur,” said he, after he had heard it all, “I am right
grieved at the death of this damsel. God knows I was not, of my own
will, guilty of her death, and that I will call on her brother, Sir
Lavaine, to witness. She was both fair and good, and much was I beholden
to her, but she loved me out of measure.”
“You might have been a little gentle with her,” answered the Queen, “and
have found some way to save her life.”
“Madam,” said Sir Lancelot, “she would have nothing but my love, and
that I could not give her, though I offered her a thousand pounds yearly
if she should set her heart on any other Knight. For, Madam, I love not
to be forced to love; love must arise of itself, and not by command.”
“That is truth,” replied the King, “love is free in himself, and never
will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth himself. But, Sir
Lancelot, be it your care to see that the damsel is buried as is
fitting.”