SIR AGRIVAIN’S TREASON
WHEN Sir Perceval and Sir Bohort saw Sir Galahad dead they made as much
sorrow as ever did two men. And if they had not been good men they might
have fallen into despair. As soon as Sir Galahad was buried Sir Perceval
retired to a hermitage out of the city, and took a religious clothing;
and Sir Bohort was always with him, but did not change his secular
clothing, because he purposed to return to the realm of Loegria. Thus a
year and two months lived Sir Perceval in the hermitage a full holy
life, and then passed out of this world, and Sir Bohort buried him by
his sister and Sir Galahad. Then Sir Bohort armed himself and departed
from Sarras, and entered into a ship, and sailed to the kingdom of
Loegria, and in due time arrived safe at Camelot, where the king was.
Then was there great joy made of him in the whole court, for they feared
he had been dead. Then the king made great clerks to come before him,
that they should chronicle of the high adventures of the good knights.
And Sir Bohort told him of the adventures that had befallen him, and his
two fellows, Sir Perceval and Sir Galahad. And Sir Launcelot told the
adventures of the Sangreal that he had seen. All this was made in great
books, and put up in the church at Salisbury.
So King Arthur and Queen Guenever made great joy of the remnant that
were come home, and chiefly of Sir Launcelot and Sir Bohort. Then Sir
Launcelot began to resort unto Queen Guenever again, and forgot the
promise that he made in the quest; so that many in the court spoke of
it, and in especial Sir Agrivain, Sir Gawain’s brother, for he was ever
open-mouthed. So it happened Sir Gawain and all his brothers were in
King Arthur’s chamber, and then Sir Agrivain said thus openly, “I marvel
that we all are not ashamed to see and to know so noble a knight as King
Arthur so to be shamed by the conduct of Sir Launcelot and the queen.”
Then spoke Sir Gawain, and said, “Brother, Sir Agrivain, I pray you and
charge you move not such matters any more before me, for be ye assured I
will not be of your counsel.” “Neither will we,” said Sir Gaheris and
Sir Gareth. “Then will I,” said Sir Modred. “I doubt you not,” said Sir
Gawain, “for to all mischief ever were ye prone; yet I would that ye
left all this, for I know what will come of it.”
“Modred’s narrow foxy face,
Heart-hiding smile, and gray persistent eye:
Henceforward, too, the Powers that tend the soul
To help it from the death that cannot die,
And save it even in extremes, began
To vex and plague.”
—_Guinevere._
“Fall of it what fall may,” said Sir Agrivain, “I will disclose it to
the king.” With that came to them King Arthur. “Now, brothers, hold your
peace,” said Sir Gawain. “We will not,” said Sir Agrivain. Then said Sir
Gawain, “I will not hear your tales nor be of your counsel.” “No more
will I,” said Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, and therewith they departed,
making great sorrow.
Then Sir Agrivain told the king all that was said in the court of the
conduct of Sir Launcelot and the queen, and it grieved the king very
much. But he would not believe it to be true without proof. So Sir
Agrivain laid a plot to entrap Sir Launcelot and the queen, intending to
take them together unawares. Sir Agrivain and Sir Modred led a party for
this purpose, but Sir Launcelot escaped from them, having slain Sir
Agrivain and wounded Sir Modred. Then Sir Launcelot hastened to his
friends, and told them what had happened, and withdrew with them to the
forest; but he left spies to bring him tidings of whatever might be
done.
So Sir Launcelot escaped, but the queen remained in the king’s power,
and Arthur could no longer doubt of her guilt. And the law was such in
those days that they who committed such crimes, of what estate or
condition soever they were, must be burned to death, and so it was
ordained for Queen Guenever. Then said King Arthur to Sir Gawain, “I
pray you make you ready, in your best armor, with your brethren, Sir
Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring my queen to the fire, there to receive
her death.” “Nay, my most noble lord,” said Sir Gawain, “that will I
never do; for know thou well, my heart will never serve me to see her
die, and it shall never be said that I was of your counsel in her
death.” Then the king commanded Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth to be there,
and they said, “We will be there, as ye command us, sire, but in
peaceable wise, and bear no armor upon us.”
So the queen was led forth, and her ghostly father was brought to her to
shrive her, and there was weeping and wailing of many lords and ladies.
And one went and told Sir Launcelot that the queen was led forth to her
death. Then Sir Launcelot and the knights that were with him fell upon
the troop that guarded the queen, and dispersed them, and slew all who
withstood them. And in the confusion Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris were
slain, for they were unarmed and defenceless. And Sir Launcelot carried
away the queen to his castle of La Joyeuse Garde.
Then there came one to Sir Gawain and told him how that Sir Launcelot
had slain the knights and carried away the queen. “O Lord, defend my
brethren!” said Sir Gawain. “Truly,” said the man, “Sir Gareth and Sir
Gaheris are slain.” “Alas!” said Sir Gawain, “now is my joy gone.” And
then he fell down and swooned, and long he lay there as he had been
dead.
When he arose out of his swoon Sir Gawain ran to the king, crying, “O
King Arthur, mine uncle, my brothers are slain.” Then the king wept and
he both. “My king, my lord, and mine uncle,” said Sir Gawain, “bear
witness now that I make you a promise that I shall hold by my
knighthood, and from this day I will never fail Sir Launcelot until the
one of us have slain the other. I will seek Sir Launcelot throughout
seven kings’ realms, but I shall slay him or he shall slay me.” “Ye
shall not need to seek him,” said the king, “for as I hear, Sir
Launcelot will abide me and you in the Joyeuse Garde; and much people
draweth unto him, as I hear say.” “That may I believe,” said Sir Gawain;
“but, my lord, summon your friends, and I will summon mine.” “It shall
be done,” said the king. So then the king sent letters and writs
throughout all England, both in the length and breadth, to summon all
his knights. And unto Arthur drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so
that he had a great host. Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and collected all
whom he could; and many good knights held with him, both for his sake
and for the queen’s sake. But King Arthur’s host was too great for Sir
Launcelot to abide him in the field; and he was full loath to do battle
against the king. So Sir Launcelot drew him to his strong castle, with
all manner of provisions. Then came King Arthur with Sir Gawain, and
laid siege all about La Joyeuse Garde, both the town and the castle; but
in no wise would Sir Launcelot ride out of his castle, neither suffer
any of his knights to issue out, until many weeks were past.
Then it befell upon a day in harvest-time, Sir Launcelot looked over the
wall, and spoke aloud to King Arthur and Sir Gawain, “My lords both, all
is in vain that ye do at this siege, for here ye shall win no worship,
but only dishonor; for if I list to come out, and my good knights, I
shall soon make an end of this war.” “Come forth,” said Arthur, “if thou
darest, and I promise thee I shall meet thee in the midst of the field.”
“God forbid me,” said Sir Launcelot, “that I should encounter with the
most noble king that made me knight.” “Fie upon thy fair language,” said
the king, “for know thou well I am thy mortal foe, and ever will be to
my dying day.” And Sir Gawain said, “What cause hadst thou to slay my
brother, Sir Gaheris, who bore no arms against thee, and Sir Gareth,
whom thou madest knight, and who loved thee more than all my kin?
Therefore know thou well I shall make war to thee all the while that I
may live.”
When Sir Bohort, and Sir Hector de Marys, and Sir Lionel heard this
outcry, they called to them Sir Palamedes, and Sir Saffire his brother,
and Sir Lawayn, with many more, and all went to Sir Launcelot. And they
said, “My lord, Sir Launcelot, we pray you, if you will have our service
keep us no longer within these walls, for know well all your fair speech
and forbearance will not avail you.” “Alas!” said Sir Launcelot, “to
ride forth and to do battle I am full loath.” Then he spake again unto
the king and Sir Gawain, and willed them to keep out of the battle; but
they despised his words. So then Sir Launcelot’s fellowship came out of
the castle in full good array. And always Sir Launcelot charged all his
knights, in any wise, to save King Arthur and Sir Gawain.
Then came forth Sir Gawain from the king’s host and offered combat, and
Sir Lionel encountered with him, and there Sir Gawain smote Sir Lionel
through the body, that he fell to the earth as if dead. Then there began
a great conflict, and much people were slain; but ever Sir Launcelot did
what he might to save the people on King Arthur’s party, and ever King
Arthur followed Sir Launcelot to slay him; but Sir Launcelot suffered
him, and would not strike again. Then Sir Bohort encountered with King
Arthur, and smote him down; and he alighted and drew his sword, and said
to Sir Launcelot, “Shall I make an end of this war?” for he meant to
have slain King Arthur. “Not so,” said Sir Launcelot, “touch him no
more, for I will never see that most noble king that made me knight
either slain or shamed;” and therewith Sir Launcelot alighted off his
horse, and took up the king, and horsed him again, and said thus: “My
lord Arthur, for God’s love, cease this strife.” And King Arthur looked
upon Sir Launcelot, and the tears burst from his eyes, thinking on the
great courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than in any other man; and
therewith the king rode his way. Then anon both parties withdrew to
repose them, and buried the dead.
But the war continued, and it was noised abroad through all Christendom,
and at last it was told afore the pope; and he, considering the great
goodness of King Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot, called unto him a noble
clerk, which was the Bishop of Rochester, who was then in his dominions,
and sent him to King Arthur, charging him that he take his queen, dame
Guenever, unto him again, and make peace with Sir Launcelot.
So, by means of this bishop, peace was made for the space of one year;
and King Arthur received back the queen, and Sir Launcelot departed from
the kingdom with all his knights, and went to his own country. So they
shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick, which some men call
Bayonne. And all the people of those lands came to Sir Launcelot, and
received him home right joyfully. And Sir Launcelot stablished and
garnished all his towns and castles, and he greatly advanced all his
noble knights, Sir Lionel and Sir Bohort, and Sir Hector de Marys, Sir
Blamor, Sir Lawayne, and many others, and made them lords of lands and
castles; till he left himself no more than any one of them.
“Then Arthur made vast banquets, and strange knights
From the four winds came in: and each one sat,
Tho’ served with choice from air, land, stream and sea,
Oft in mid-banquet measuring with his eyes
His neighbor’s make and might.”
—_Pelleas and Ettarre._
But when the year was passed, King Arthur and Sir Gawain came with a
great host, and landed upon Sir Launcelot’s lands, and burned and wasted
all that they might overrun. Then spake Sir Bohort and said, “My lord,
Sir Launcelot, give us leave to meet them in the field, and we shall
make them rue the time that ever they came to this country.” Then said
Sir Launcelot, “I am full loath to ride out with my knights for shedding
of Christian blood; so we will yet a while keep our walls, and I will
send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, to propose a treaty; for better is
peace than always war.” So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damsel, and a
dwarf with her, requiring King Arthur to leave his warring upon his
lands; and so she started on a palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side.
And when she came to the pavilion of King Arthur, she alighted, and
there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan, the butler, and said, “Fair
damsel, come ye from Sir Launcelot du Lac?” “Yea, sir,” she said, “I
come hither to speak with the king.” “Alas!” said Sir Lucan, “my lord
Arthur would be reconciled to Sir Launcelot, but Sir Gawain will not
suffer him.” And with this Sir Lucan led the damsel to the king, where
he sat with Sir Gawain, to hear what she would say. So when she had told
her tale, the tears ran out of the king’s eyes; and all the lords were
forward to advise the king to be accorded with Sir Launcelot, save only
Sir Gawain; and he said, “My lord, mine uncle, what will ye do? Will you
now turn back, now you are so far advanced upon your journey? If ye do
all the world will speak shame of you.” “Nay,” said King Arthur, “I will
do as ye advise me; but do thou give the damsel her answer, for I may
not speak to her for pity.”
Then said Sir Gawain, “Damsel, say ye to Sir Launcelot, that it is waste
labor to sue to mine uncle for peace, and say that I, Sir Gawain, send
him word that I promise him, by the faith I owe unto God and to
knighthood, I shall never leave him till he have slain me or I him.” So
the damsel returned; and when Sir Launcelot had heard this answer the
tears ran down his cheeks.
Then it befell on a day Sir Gawain came before the gates, armed at all
points, and cried with a loud voice, “Where art thou now, thou false
traitor, Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself within holes and walls
like a coward? Look out now, thou traitor knight, and I will avenge upon
thy body the death of my three brethren.” All this language heard Sir
Launcelot, and the knights which were about him; and they said to him,
“Sir Launcelot, now must ye defend you like a knight, or else be shamed
for ever, for you have slept overlong and suffered overmuch.” Then Sir
Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said, “My lord Arthur, now
I have forborne long, and suffered you and Sir Gawain to do what ye
would, and now must I needs defend myself, inasmuch as Sir Gawain hath
appealed me of treason.” Then Sir Launcelot armed him and mounted upon
his horse, and the noble knights came out of the city, and the host
without stood all apart; and so the covenant was made that no man should
come near the two knights, nor deal with them, till one were dead or
yielded.
Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawain departed a great way asunder, and then
they came together with all their horses’ might, and each smote the
other in the middle of their shields, but neither of them was unhorsed,
but their horses fell to the earth. And then they leapt from their
horses, and drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, so that the
blood burst out in many places. Now Sir Gawain had this gift from a holy
man, that every day in the year, from morning to noon, his strength was
increased threefold, and then it fell again to its natural measure. Sir
Launcelot was aware of this, and therefore, during the three hours that
Sir Gawain’s strength was at the height, Sir Launcelot covered himself
with his shield, and kept his might in reserve. And during that time Sir
Gawain gave him many sad brunts, that all the knights that looked on
marvelled how Sir Launcelot might endure them. Then, when it was past
noon, Sir Gawain had only his own might; and when Sir Launcelot felt him
so brought down he stretched himself up, and doubled his strokes, and
gave Sir Gawain such a buffet that he fell down on his side; and Sir
Launcelot drew back and would strike no more. “Why withdrawest thou,
false traitor?” then said Sir Gawain; “now turn again and slay me, for
if thou leave me thus when I am whole again, I shall do battle with thee
again.” “I shall endure you, sir, by God’s grace,” said Sir Launcelot,
“but know thou well Sir Gawain, I will never smite a felled knight.” And
so Sir Launcelot went into the city, and Sir Gawain was borne into King
Arthur’s pavilion, and his wounds were looked to.
Thus the siege endured, and Sir Gawain lay helpless near a month; and
when he was near recovered came tidings unto King Arthur that made him
return with all his host to England.
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