The Story of Sir Galahad
_Here beginneth the Story of Sir Galahad, which same includes the
history of the recovery of the Grail and its deposit in the Minster of
Sarras, also its exaltation into Paradise, as follows:--_
[Illustration: Sir Galahad cometh with the Hermit of the Forest]
[Illustration] Chapter First
_How Sir Galahad was made a knight; how he came to the Court of King
Arthur, and of the several miracles that happened at that time._
[Sidenote: _A damsel comes to the Court of the King._]
One day Sir Launcelot sat at court with many lords and ladies of high
degree who were gathered there at that time. Suddenly there entered that
place a maiden clad in a long, straight robe of white, girdled about the
middle of the body with a crimson girdle of leather. And the girdle was
embroidered with threads of gold. This maiden stood at the door of the
hall and called out in a high and very clear voice, “Sir Launcelot of
the Lake--which knight is he?”
To this Sir Launcelot made reply, “I am he; what seekest thou of me?”
The maiden said, “Sir Launcelot, I bid thee arise and follow me.” Quoth
he, “To what purpose?” She said, “Thou shalt see.”
So Sir Launcelot arose and, clad as he was and without armor of any
sort, he followed her.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot rides with her._]
Outside of the hall were two horses standing; one of them was a white
palfrey, the other was a black stallion. Sir Launcelot assisted the
maiden to mount upon the white palfrey and he himself mounted upon the
black stallion, and so together they rode away from Camelot.
They travelled for some while until they came to the skirts of the
forest. Then they rode into the forest, and all day they traversed the
woodlands. Toward eventide of that same day they came to an open place
amidst the surrounding trees, where was a quiet and very fruitful
valley, stretched out wide to the length and breadth of a league. In
that valley Sir Launcelot beheld orchards and fields of wheat and
barley, and meadow-lands where cattle were browsing in numbers. For it
was a very beautiful and fertile spot.
In the midst of this valley there stood a nunnery, with white walls and
green trees all about it. Above the nunnery was the clear and radiant
sky, very blue and all full of floating clouds. A soft wind blew up the
length of the valley, and upon the breeze there came the remote sound of
a crowing cock and the voice of the ploughboy as he drave the plough
horses along the smoking, upturned furrows, the ploughman following
laboring behind them.
Quoth the maiden, “Thither is where I am taking thee.” Said Sir
Launcelot, “To what end?” “That thou shalt presently see,” said the
maiden.
[Sidenote: _They come to the nunnery._]
So the maiden rode down into the valley and Sir Launcelot rode after
her. Thus, anon, they came to that pleasant and secluded convent. Here
the gate was opened to them by a fair and youthful esquire, and they
entered the portals of the place. Then several came and assisted them to
dismount, and took the horses of Sir Launcelot and the maiden.
After that the maiden led Sir Launcelot across the quadrangle of the
convent and so to the chapel, and they entered the chapel. Here Sir
Launcelot beheld four ladies kneeling upon four cushions before the
altar; and he beheld that beside these ladies there were two knights
kneeling, each upon a cushion. Of the four ladies, one was the Lady
Abbess of that convent; and of the two knights, one was Sir Bors de
Ganis and the other was Sir Lionel.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot finds two whom he knows._]
Anon they who kneeled there ceased their orisons and arose, and Sir
Launcelot beheld the faces of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and knew them, and
they knew him. Then Sir Launcelot said to them, “Messires, what is it
brings you hitherward?” To this Sir Bors replied, “Sir, we were in
distant places and to each of us came a fair maiden who was the
messenger who brought each of us to this place. Since our coming we have
been waiting for thee, and now thou art here.” Sir Launcelot said, “For
what purpose have I been brought hither?” Sir Lionel said, “Thou shalt
see.” Then Sir Lionel said to the Abbess, “Bring him forth that Sir
Launcelot may behold him.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot finds his son._]
Upon this the Lady Abbess turned to one of the nuns who stood beside
her and she spake aside to her, and with that the nun left them and went
away. For a little while she was gone, and then in a little while she
returned, bringing with her a youth of eighteen years of age, very tall
and fair, and clad from top to toe in clothes of white silk. Said Sir
Launcelot to the Abbess, “Lady, what youth is this?” The Abbess replied
to him, “Sir, this is thine own son, hight Galahad, and his mother was
the Lady Elaine the Fair.”
Then Sir Launcelot cried out in a loud voice, “How is this? I knew not
that I had a son. I beheld the Lady Elaine the Fair upon a certain black
and terrible day, lying dead in a boat at Camelot, and I stood upon the
quay and the boat floated beneath my feet. All this I beheld, and never
shall I forget it; but I knew not that she left a son behind her.” Said
the Abbess, “Ne’ertheless she did so, and this is that son. Here hath he
lived with us since the time of his birth when Sir Bors fetched him
hither, and no one knew that he dwelt with us saving only Sir Bors de
Ganis. But now hath the time come that he must quit us, for the period
is imminent when the search for the Holy Grail shall be begun, and this
is he who shall achieve the Grail. He is now to be knighted, and for
that purpose thou hast been sent for that thou mightest make him a
knight. This is the reason for thy being brought hither.” Quoth Sir
Launcelot, “Let me then make him a knight. For I know of no joy that
would be greater than that, that I should make him a knight.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot makes Galahad a knight._]
So that night Galahad watched his armor in the chapel, and Sir Bors and
Sir Lionel sat near to him to support him in his watch. And when the
morning was come, they two took him thence and bathed him, and Sir Bors
marked the sign of the cross upon his right shoulder and Sir Lionel
marked the sign of the cross upon his left shoulder, each with the water
of the bath. Thereafter that, they clad him in a robe of white, pure and
spotless, and they brought him to where Sir Launcelot was, and Sir
Launcelot made a knight of him, according to the accepted custom.
So was Sir Galahad made a knight by the hand of his own father, Sir
Launcelot of the Lake.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot returns to the court._]
Now, after this ceremony was completed, Sir Launcelot besought Sir
Galahad that he would accompany them to the Court of King Arthur, so
that the King might behold him (for Sir Launcelot desired that Sir
Galahad should be manifested to the entire world of chivalry). But to
this Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I cannot yet go to the Court of the
King, for all is not yet accomplished to prepare me for that going.
Anon, however, I shall come thither; meantime, do thou wait for me at
King Arthur’s Court.” So, shortly after this, Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lionel and Sir Bors de Ganis departed from that convent, and that same
day they reached the Court of the King at Camelot.
But they said nothing to that court concerning the knighting of Galahad,
for at that present it was not to be made known to the world that there
was such an one as Galahad, and that he was Sir Launcelot’s son and a
knight of Sir Launcelot’s making.
* * * * *
So it befell Pentecost Day, what time the Feast of the Round Table was
held. Upon this day those miracles happened that are here written of,
and that were afterward so much talked of and concerning which so much
was written.
[Sidenote: _Concerning the miracle of the sword._]
For it happened upon that day, early in the morning when the
water-carriers went down to the river to draw water, they there beheld
at that place a very strange, and wonderful sight. For beside the river
they beheld where there stood a great block of red marble--cubical in
shape, and polished until it was smooth as glass. And into that cube of
stone there was thrust a sword, half way down its blade into the marble.
And the hilt of the sword and the haft, thereof, was studded all over
with precious stones of divers sizes and colors, very rich and glorious
to behold. And the blade of that sword (so much thereof as could be
seen) shone like to lightning for brightness.
Then they who beheld the wonder that appeared before them made all haste
to the castle of the King, and straightway told the news of what they
had seen. Anon this reached the ears of the King and of several of those
lords who were in attendance upon him. Then the King spoke to those
lords, saying, “What is this I hear tell of? Let us straightway go and
see.”
[Sidenote: _The King and his lords view the sword._]
So the King, and those lords of the court who were in his company, went
down to the river to look upon that wonder, and amongst those lords were
Sir Launcelot of the Lake and Sir Percival of Gales and Sir Bors de
Ganis and Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir Gawaine, and several other
high lords of chivalry.
When they had come to that place where the sword was they beheld that
there were words written around about the blade thereof. So King Arthur
commanded Sir Launcelot that he should read those words, and Sir
Launcelot read as follows:
“=This sword is for the greatest knight in the world and for him who
shall win the Holy Grail.=”
Then he read:
“=Whoso draweth forth this sword from the stone, to him shall that
sword belong; but upon him who shall endeavor to draw it forth and
shall not be able to do so, shall fall a wound from the blade
thereof.=”
Then King Arthur said to Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Messire, thou art
the greatest knight in the world, and perhaps thou shalt win the Holy
Grail. Let me see thee draw forth that blade.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot will not attempt the sword._]
Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Lord, I know not that I am the greatest knight in
the world, and I fear me that I shall not be able to win the Grail, for
I am a sinful man. Look you; it saith here that he who shall endeavor to
draw it forth from the marble and shall fail to do so, he shall be
wounded by the blade thereof. So I would fain not endeavor to draw forth
this sword.”
Then King Arthur turned him to Sir Gawaine, and he said, “Sir, let me
see thee attempt that sword, for mayhap thou mayst be able to draw it
forth out of the marble.” Sir Gawaine said, “Lord, if Sir Launcelot dare
not attempt that sword, so, also, do I not dare to do so.” King Arthur
said to him, “Gawaine, I command thee upon thy fealty to attempt that
sword.” Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Dear my Lord, if thou dost command me upon
my fealty, then I must attempt to obey thy command.” King Arthur said,
“I do command thee thus.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine attempts the sword._]
So Sir Gawaine came forth and he laid hand to the hilt of the sword and
drew strongly upon it, but the sword did not move a hair’s breadth in
the marble stone in which it stood emplanted.
Then Sir Launcelot spoke and said, “Alas, Sir Gawaine, that thou
shouldst have made that attempt and failed therein. For if thou art
wounded by that bright-shining blade it may be of more injury to thee
than it would be if thou shouldst lose three several castles.” Quoth Sir
Gawaine, “That may well be, Sir Launcelot, but yet it was incumbent upon
me to do that which the King’s command called upon me to do.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Percival attempts the sword._]
Then up spake Sir Percival, “Lord,” said he, “let me also attempt that
sword, for if it should be turned against Sir Gawaine I would have it
that it should be turned equally against me. Else I would endeavor to
draw it forth from the stone for mine own.” The King said, “Try thou for
the sword.” So Sir Percival laid his hand to the sword and drew upon it
very strongly, but neither could he move it so much as the breadth of a
single hair.
After that no other lord of all those present chose to attempt the
sword, but all avoided it from a distance, no one coming nigh enough to
it to touch it.
So, thereafter, they all withdrew from that place and went away,
marvelling at the miracle. And all that day many came to where was that
sword and the block of marble, and these stood to look upon that sight
and to marvel at it.
Such is the story of the sword so far as this, and so have I told it to
you as I have read of it in an ancient book of olden days, wherein these
adventures and several other adventures are spoken of.
* * * * *
Thus that day of marvels began, and by and by came the time of the Feast
of the Round Table.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad is brought to the Feast of the Round Table._]
Now all they of the Round Table were gathered about that board and every
man sat in his place, and behind every knight stood a young knight to
serve him with meat and drink. Thus, as they all sat there, there came,
of a sudden, a commotion at the doorway, and after that commotion there
appeared at the doorway an old man clad all in white. That old man was
the Hermit of the Forest, and with him he brought a tall, fair young
knight and that knight was Sir Galahad. At that time Sir Galahad was
clad in flame-colored armor from top to toe, but he bare no shield for
his defence upon his shoulder, nor was there any sword within the sheath
that hung empty and hollow at his side. From his shoulders there hung a
long mantle of flame-colored cloth, and the mantle was lined with sable
and trimmed and bordered with sable.
The old man lifted up his voice and spake aloud to all who were there,
saying, “Lords, here by the grace of God come I amongst you with him who
is to be the greatest knight that ever the world beheld. Also, he is to
be the one who shall achieve the Holy Grail. So I have brought him
hither to this place.”
Him answered King Arthur, saying, “Holy Sir, if thou sayest sooth, then
this is a very great and marvellous thing. But soon shall we put it to
the test; yonder is the Seat Perilous wherein no one hath dared to seat
himself for all this while of the Round Table. Let this youth take there
his seat, for that seat is for him who is without sin of the flesh--then
will we believe that which thou tellest us. Also, down beside the river
there is a strange and marvellous sword in a cube of marble. Let him
draw that sword and then shall we certes believe in him.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad assumes the Seat Perilous._]
The old hermit said, “Sir King, it shall be done as thou desirest. Let
him take that seat.” So the old man took him by one hand and King Arthur
arose and took him by the other, and so together they led Sir Galahad to
the Seat Perilous. Here he took his seat, and lo! no harm of any sort
befell him. Then, anon, Sir Launcelot reached forward and drew aside the
silken coverlet that hung at the back of the seat upon which Sir Galahad
sat, and, behold! there was a word estamped upon the back of the seat in
letters of gold; and that word was:
=SIR GALAHAD=
Then a great shout went up from all the Knights of the Round Table, for
thus was the Seat Perilous achieved, and so was the Round Table
completed.
Then King Arthur said, “Lo! this youth is he for whom we have been
waiting for all this time. For so the miracle of the Round Table is
fulfilled. Let us now take him to the sword thrust into the marble
stone, for certes he shall draw forth that sword, and it shall be his.
For, wit ye, that this is he who shall indeed achieve the Holy Grail.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad draweth the sword._]
So all they arose from their seats and went forth, and they conducted
Sir Galahad down to the river. There he beheld the stone of marble and
the sword thrust into the stone, and he said to those who stood about
that place, “This sword is assuredly mine, for I have no sword, and for
that sword I have come hitherward.” So Sir Galahad went to where was the
sword and he set hand to the sword and drew it forth from the stone very
smoothly and easily, and where the sword came forth it left no mark upon
the stone, for, lo! it was solid and whole and without any blemish
whatsoever. Then Sir Galahad thrust the bright-shining blade into the
scabbard that hung beside him, and it fitted to the scabbard, and so he
was armed.
Thereafter King Arthur took him by the hand and kissed him upon either
cheek, and the King said, “Hail, Sir Galahad! All hail to thee! For thou
art to be the crowning glory of my entire reign. For many mysteries and
miracles have befallen in that reign, but thy coming is the greatest
miracle of all.” And he said, “Come, let us go up to the castle that I
may present thee to the Queen.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad will not stay at Camelot._]
Then Sir Galahad said, “Not so, O Lord! I cannot go with thee now. For
one cometh and is nigh to here at this present, and with her I must go.
For I go first to seek for the shield of Balan, who slew his brother
Balin unwittingly at the time of Uther Pendragon. Through him the Holy
Grail was lost to the earth, so that I must recover first his shield and
then the Holy Grail. After I have thus armed me with that shield, then
must I go to search for the Holy Grail, for that same is my mission here
in life. Likewise I have this news to tell thee, that two of those
knights here present shall win the Grail along with me; but who those
two shall be, I may not relate to you at this time.”
[Sidenote: _A maiden cometh for Galahad._]
Thus said Sir Galahad, and even as he ceased speaking there appeared in
the distance a damsel clad all in white raiment, and the maiden came
thitherward, riding upon a white palfrey, and by her hand she led by its
bridle-rein a coal-black charger of great size and girth. So as she drew
near, Sir Galahad went forward to meet her, and to him the maiden said,
speaking very high and clear, “Art thou ready, Sir Galahad?” Whereunto
he said, “Yea, I am ready.” And she said, “Come!” So Sir Galahad mounted
upon the black charger, and he saluted King Arthur and he saluted Sir
Launcelot and he saluted Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and after that he rode
away from that place, leaving them all in great wonder and amazement,
both at his coming and at his going, and at all that had befallen.
So, when he had gone, King Arthur turned to his court of lords, and he
said, “This is certes a very wonderful visitation, for this youth came
to us like an angel from heaven, and, like an angel, he hath gone. Let
us now go and hear the mass ere we return to the Hall of the Round
Table.”
So all they who were there went to the mass, and as they were going Sir
Gawaine said to Sir Launcelot, “Messire, this is a sad day for thee, for
now there is a greater knight than thou art in the world.” Him answered
Sir Launcelot, “Not so, Messire, there is no sadness in this for me,
for, wit you, that this is mine own and well-beloved son. Wherefore I,
being his father, may well surrender unto him that glory which I cannot
carry with me into paradise, but which I would not be willing to yield
to any other man.”
So said Sir Launcelot, and thus all the world became acquainted with
that fact that no one but Sir Bors and Sir Lionel knew until then; to
wit, that Sir Galahad was the true son of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.
[Sidenote: _The knights vow to attempt the Grail._]
Now, after the mass in the minster was over, all they of the Knights of
the Round Table retired to the Hall of the Round Table, and there they
took their seats in due order. Then, when all were seated, King Arthur
up and said, “Messires and Lords of the Round Table, all ye have heard
what Sir Galahad hath said but a little while since; to wit, that two of
you who are here should achieve the Grail with him. Now it doth seem to
me that several of you who are the chief of all the knights should go
forth in search of that Holy Chalice, so as to be able to join him. For,
by not going, those two may miss the chance of achieving that great
glory.”
So said King Arthur, and, in answer, all those who were there arose,
each man in his place. And each man drew his sword and each held up the
handle of his sword before his eyes as a crucifix. And each man swore
upon that crucifix that he would presently depart from the Court of the
King, and that he would search for the Holy Grail either until he
discovered it or until he should perish, or until the Grail should have
been achieved.
[Sidenote: _King Arthur takes sorrow._]
Then King Arthur was filled with sorrow, for he would not that all of
his knights should go in that wise, for many of them he would have kept
with him at his court. And most of all he was grieved that Sir Gawaine
should go, for he loved Sir Gawaine above all the knights of his court,
because Sir Gawaine was the son of the well-beloved sister of the King.
So he said to Sir Gawaine, “Alas, Gawaine, you have slain the joy of my
life! For with this oath that ye all have uttered there departeth from
this court all that was of joy therein. Until now there hath been great
joy and good content at this Court of Camelot, but now that joy hath
taken wing and hath flown away. For, though many of you shall return to
this place, yet I foresee that many shall die; and I foresee that from
this time there shall follow great bitterness and rancor, and anon that
death and devastation shall overtake us all. For this is the time
foretold by Merlin, of which ye all have heard tell. For, according to
that prophecy, this day the Round Table hath been filled to its
completion, so that hereafter it shall soon fall apart into warring and
contention until it be altogether destroyed.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot comforts King Arthur._]
Then Sir Launcelot said to the King, “Comfort you, my lord, for though
the Round Table may indeed perish thus, yet, ere it be dissolved, there
shall come great honor and a great glory unto you and unto us all. For
what greater glory can there be to you than that the knights of your
Round Table should achieve the Holy Grail? And what greater honor can
there be than that we should endanger our lives in that quest? For we
all seek death hither and thither, and if it so befall that death cometh
to us in this cause, how much better is it to die in that wise than to
have death come to us in some vain quarrel or adventure.”
Quoth King Arthur, “That which thou sayest, Launcelot, is very true, yet
do I greatly grieve for this happening. For though we may look forward
to a glorious sorrow, yet when that sorrow cometh to us it appeareth to
be so much greater than the glory that it hides that glory from our
eyes. So, Launcelot, is it with me; for though I may take glory that my
knights shall achieve the Holy Grail, yet is the sorrow very great to me
that this Round Table should be dissolved. Alas, and alas, that it
should be so!”
* * * * *
Thus the Knights of the Round Table went forth in quest of the
Grail--fifty of them in all. All of those who thus went had adventures,
and many of them lost their lives and did never return again. But of
those of whom this history telleth there is only Sir Launcelot, Sir
Gawaine, Sir Percival, Sir Bors, and Sir Galahad, and one or two others.
Of them and of their adventures it remains now to be told; wherefore,
followeth the history of those things hereinafter written.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: The Lady of the Lake and Sir Galahad]
[Illustration] Chapter Second
_How Sir Galahad was led by a strange lady to a monastery of White
Friars. How he met there two other Knights of the Round Table. How King
Bagdemagus wore the shield, and how it was taken from him and given unto
Sir Galahad. Also the story of the shield._
Sir Galahad rode away from Camelot, where was the Court of King Arthur,
following after the maiden clad all in white. Thus they wended onward
until they reached the skirts of the forest. At this place the maiden
said, “Sir Galahad, I must here leave you. But go you farther upon
yonder path, and by and by you will be met and entertained.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad comes to a strange country._]
So Sir Galahad rode forward upon that path as the maiden directed. And
he rode a great distance into the forest until at last he reached the
Forest of Arroy, otherwise called the Forest of Adventure. Here, after
he had ridden for a considerable time, he came at last to a very strange
place. For he found the trees grew thin and thinner about him. Then, at
last, the trees ceased around him, and he found himself upon the edge of
a wide and open plain. And he beheld that all about him in this plain
there were great quantities of lilies, and there were also daffodils,
and all those flowers moved this way and that, very slowly in the gentle
air, as though they saluted him in coming. And Sir Galahad beheld that
this was a very wonderful place indeed, for the light that illumined it
was not the light of the sun nor of the moon, but it was a radiant and
golden glory that was not due to the light of either of those
luminaries.
And in the midst of that flowery plain Sir Galahad beheld that there was
a wide and very placid lake that was in no wise troubled by the soft
breeze that blew across it, but that was otherwise like a smooth mirror
of clear water.
So as Sir Galahad beheld all these things and marvelled at them, he was
aware that this was not the land of common earth, but that it was fay.
Then anon he was aware that voices were calling aloud, saying, “Welcome,
welcome, Sir Galahad!” as it were with great rejoicing. So he looked,
and lo! he beheld to one side a fair and shining pavilion of green silk.
And there were many people gathered in the field near the pavilion, and
some of them were ladies and some were lords and others were pages, and
all were clad in very gay and rainbow colors, so that it appeared as
though it were a flock of gaudy birds of various plumage that was
gathered in that place.
So Sir Galahad turned him toward that gay and jocund company, and as he
drew near to them he beheld that they were weaving garlands and wreaths
of fair flowers.
(For these, you are to know, were the attendants of the Lady of the
Lake, and that was the lake in which was her habitation, and he had been
led to that place for a certain purpose that they and others might see
and know him.)
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad abides there for four days._]
So this place pleased Sir Galahad very greatly, and he remained for
three days, taking great joy in that jocund company. For somewhiles they
feasted and somewhiles they sang; somewhiles they danced and somewhiles
they related pleasant tales and contes of several kinds. So it was that
these three days passed very pleasantly and very quickly with Sir
Galahad.
[Sidenote: _There cometh the Lady of the Lake._]
Then, upon the morning of the fourth day, there appeared a lady in their
midst to whom all who were there paid great deference and high respect;
and this lady was of a very wonderful appearance. For she was clad in
green samite from head to foot, and her hair was long and
extraordinarily black, and very soft and glossy. And her face was pale,
like to ivory, and her eyes were bright, like to jewels set in ivory.
And upon her neck and around her arms were chains and bracelets of gold
inset with emerald stones. Wherefore, from these things, and from the
appearance of all about him, Sir Galahad was aware that that lady was
not mortal, but that she was fay.
(For this was indeed the Lady of the Lake, although he knew it not then
nor afterward.)
So Sir Galahad kneeled in the grass before the lady and he set his palms
together. But she smiled upon him and she said to him, “Arise, Galahad,
and kneel not to me, who am not of the spirit, but of the earth.” And
she said to him, “Where is thy shield?” He said to her, “Lady, I have no
shield.” She said to him, “Let us go and find thee a shield.”
So straightway there came several attendants, and some of these brought
Sir Galahad his black charger, and others brought for the lady a
beautiful janet as white as milk. And upon the back of the janet was a
saddle of scarlet Spanish leather, embossed with gold and jewels, so
that it shone and glistered with great splendor.
Then Sir Galahad mounted his horse and the lady mounted herself upon the
janet, and so together they rode away from that place.
[Sidenote: _The Lady of the Lake leadeth Sir Galahad to a shield._]
Thus they rode for all that day, and against the sloping of the
afternoon they had come to the edge of the forest opposite to that part
of the forest where was the town of Camelot. At this place there was a
monastery of White Friars, and to this the lady pointed and said to Sir
Galahad, “Thither thou wilt find a shield.”
Then Sir Galahad would have thanked her for bringing him thither, but
lo! she was gone from his sight and he was alone. Then the monastery
bell began ringing, and Sir Galahad rode down to that holy house.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad enters the monastery._]
So he came to the monastery and smote with the butt of his lance upon
the gate. Then the porters came and opened the gate to him, and when
they beheld him they gave him welcome to that place. So he entered the
courtyard of the monastery, and several came and gathered about him.
Some of these took his horse and led it away to the stable; others
conducted him into the house and afterward brought him to the chamber
wherein he was to be lodged. Here they removed his armor and brought him
to a bath of tepid water. After that they clad him in raiment that was
soft and warm so that he had great ease and comfort.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad findeth Sir Bagdemagus and Sir Ewaine._]
Then, when he was thus clad, they conducted him to the hall of that
monastery, and there he beheld that there were two other knights then
present. The one of these was Sir Ewaine, and the other was Sir
Bagdemagus, erstwhile called King Bagdemagus. These were both Knights of
the Round Table, wherefore they greeted him and gave him great welcome.
Sir Ewaine said to him, “I pray you, sir, tell us how you came hither.”
Sir Galahad said, “I will tell you.” So he told them how he had abided
in the midst of the forest near to that magic lake for the space of
three days. And he told them how that lady, who was fay, had conducted
him to that place, and had told him that there was here a shield with
which he might provide himself. To all this Sir Ewaine and King
Bagdemagus listened, and then Sir Ewaine said to Sir Galahad, “Messire,
no doubt that lady who accompanied thee hitherward was the Lady of the
Lake, for so hath she appeared to several of King Arthur’s Court as she
hath appeared to thee.”
[Sidenote: _The Abbot tells of the shield._]
Just then came the Abbot of that place, and King Bagdemagus said to him,
“Sir, I pray you tell us, is there at this place a shield of such and
such a sort?” The Abbot replied to him, “Aye, sir, there is here a
strange and miraculous shield, and it hangeth behind the altar, and it
hath hung there for God knoweth how long.” King Bagdemagus said, “I
would fain see that shield.” The Abbot replied, “I will show it to you
to-morrow morning, but not to-night. For I am come to conduct you to
supper, and not to show you a shield.”
So, when they were seated at supper, Sir Galahad said to the two
knights, “I pray you tell me how you came hitherward to this place.”
“That I will do,” quoth Sir Ewaine. And he said, “Sir Bagdemagus and I
set forth from Camelot in search of the Grail. After we had journeyed
for a long distance, we came to that part of the forest that is called
the Forest of Arroy, or otherwise the Forest of Adventure. Here we
wandered for some while without being freed from it, for the Forest of
Adventure is not very difficult to find, but is often very difficult to
escape from. After a while, however, we found a way to escape from that
forest, and so came out upon the further side of it. There we beheld,
below us, this place and so we came to it. Such, sir, is the way in
which we came hither.”
Thus these three knights and the high officers of that monastery ate and
drank together, discoursing very pleasantly the while. And when they had
ceased eating and drinking and talking together, they were weary, and
each withdrew to his couch and to sleep.
[Sidenote: _The Abbot takes the three knights to the shield._]
Now, when the next morning had come and when they had broken their fast,
King Bagdemagus said to the Abbot, “I pray you now to show us that
shield concerning which we spoke last night.” The Abbot said, “I will do
so. Come with me.” So he led them to the chapel and he led them behind
the altar, and there they beheld the shield where it hung. And the
shield was exceedingly white and shining, as it were of brightly
polished silver. And upon the shield was marked a red cross, very strong
and bold in its marking.
[Sidenote: _King Bagdemagus covets the shield._]
But when King Bagdemagus beheld the shield, he coveted it exceedingly,
and he said, “That is a very beautiful shield. I pray you let me have
that shield for mine own, and I will give my shield to Sir Galahad.” To
him the Abbot replied, “Messire, I would gladly give you that shield,
but there is said of it that whoever taketh it except the one man for
whom it is destined, harm shall come to him, and great suffering.” King
Bagdemagus said, “That may be so, but, haply, I am he for whom it is
destined. At any rate, I am a tried and well-approved knight, wherefore
if I take it I will essay to keep it, as a knight of standing may hope
to keep his shield.” The Abbot said to him, “Then take it, sir, in God’s
name.”
So King Bagdemagus took the shield and hung it about his neck. And he
said to those other two knights, “Messires, I know not whether there is
any malaventure appertaining to this shield, but, at any rate, I shall
essay to keep and to hold it. Nevertheless, I pray you to await me here
for this day. And if anything happeneth to me, I will return and give
you report as to that happening.”
To this Sir Galahad and Sir Ewaine replied that they would remain at
that place until the following morning.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bagdemagus rides errant into the forest._]
After that Sir Bagdemagus mounted horse and rode away. And he directed
his horse into the forest, and rode there a considerable distance away
from the monastery. So, by and by, he came to a place where two highways
parted, and where there was a cross of stone, and at that place he
beheld a knight in white armor, seated upon a white horse. This White
Knight stood across the way upon which Sir Bagdemagus was travelling,
and he appeared to be very threatening and austere. So, when Sir
Bagdemagus came pretty close to that White Knight, the White Knight said
to him, “Messire, I prithee tell me, where got you that shield that I
behold hanging upon your neck?” Sir Bagdemagus said to him, “I got this
shield at a monastery of White Friars, at some distance from this.” The
White Knight said to him, “I bid you take back that shield, and return
it whence you got it, for it belongeth not to you.” Quoth Sir
Bagdemagus, “That will I not do until I am compelled. For now that I
have this shield I propose to keep it for mine own, unless it is taken
away from me in battle.” To this the White Knight replied, “Very well,
then, thou shalt do battle for it, and that anon. Now prepare thyself
straightway for battle with me.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Bagdemagus is overthrown by the White Knight._]
Upon this each knight made himself ready, and when they were in all ways
prepared, they dashed together with great violence. In that encounter
the spear of Sir Bagdemagus passed very smoothly from the shield of the
White Knight, but the spear of the White Knight pierced the shoulder of
Sir Bagdemagus, over above the shield which protected not that part of
his body. And the point of the spear of the White Knight passed through
the shoulder of Sir Bagdemagus, so that he was flung with great violence
to the earth.
Then anon the White Knight came to where Sir Bagdemagus lay, and he said
to him, “Sir, how fares it with you?” Quoth Sir Bagdemagus, “Alas,
Messire, I am very grievously hurt, for thou hast pierced through my
shoulder with thy lance, and I suffer very greatly.”
Therewith the White Knight dismounted from his horse and he lifted and
raised Sir Bagdemagus. And after that he had beheld the wound, he laid
Sir Bagdemagus upon his horse. Then he took the bridle-rein of Sir
Bagdemagus’ horse, and he led the horse and the wounded man back to the
monastery whence he had that morning come.
[Sidenote: _The White Knight bringeth Sir Bagdemagus to the monastery._]
So, by and by, they two arrived there, and several came and took the
horse of Sir Bagdemagus. And they lifted him from his horse and carried
him into the house, and laid him upon a bed, and searched his wound. But
when they came to look for the White Knight, he was gone, nor wist they
whither he went. And the wound of Sir Bagdemagus was very deep, so that
for a long while he hung, as it were, balanced betwixt life and death.
But Sir Bagdemagus did not die; otherwise, the next day, he summoned Sir
Galahad to him. And when Sir Galahad had come to him, Sir Bagdemagus
said to him, “Messire, I had no right to that shield and I suffered for
taking it. I believe that it belongeth, indeed, to you; wherefore I pray
you for to take it and to wear it, henceforth, for your own. But who
that White Knight was who met me, or whence he came, or how he knew that
I had that shield, I know not, nor perhaps ever shall know.”
To this Sir Galahad answered, “Sir, I will assume that shield and all
the dangers that appertain to it, trusting that it belongs to me, and
doing battle to retain it if need be.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad takes the shield._]
So Sir Galahad took the shield and hung it about his neck. Then he
called for his horse, and mounting upon it he rode away from that place.
But King Bagdemagus lay there at the monastery for many days and for
several weeks ere he was fit to travel again.
After that Sir Galahad travelled for all that day, and anon, toward the
sloping of the afternoon, he was an hungered, and he wist not where he
should come at refreshment for to eat. At that time he passed through a
little woodland, and when he had traversed it he came out of it upon a
small, open place upon the other side of it, where there was a fair
meadow of short green grass.
Here he beheld a pavilion of particolored silks, and he beheld that
before the pavilion there stood a tall and noble-appearing knight, clad
in white armor. This knight, beholding Sir Galahad, said to him, “Sir,
whence come you?”
To this Sir Galahad made answer, “Sir, I came from a monastery over
yonderways, where I got me this shield.” Quoth the White Knight, “Art
thou Sir Galahad?” and Sir Galahad replied, “Yea, I am he.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad meets the White Knight._]
Then the White Knight said to him, “I pray you, sir, to dismount from
your horse and to come in and refresh yourself, for I have been awaiting
you this long while.” And Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I give you
grammercy for your kindness.”
So the White Knight assisted Sir Galahad to dismount from his horse. And
he brought him into the pavilion, and Sir Galahad beheld that there was
there set a feast spread ready for his coming. So they seated themselves
at table, and three esquires clad in green samite waited upon them, and
they both ate and drank of the food and drink that was set before them,
and which was very excellent.
Then the White Knight said, “Sir, to-morrow we shall ride together for a
little way, meanwhile let us rest here to-night.” And Sir Galahad said,
“So let it be.”
So, by and by, there came two other esquires who took Sir Galahad and
brought him to where was a soft and luxurious couch of down, and there
he rested and slept for the night.
And when the morrow had come, Sir Galahad arose and the White Knight
arose and the esquires came and armed them. Then they each mounted his
horse, and so they rode away together.
[Sidenote: _The White Knight tells Sir Galahad of the shield._]
Now when these two, to wit, Sir Galahad and the White Knight, were thus
upon their way, the White Knight said to Sir Galahad, “Sir, wit you what
is the story of the Grail, and what is the history of that shield that
you wear at your neck?” Sir Galahad said, “Nay, but I pray you to tell
me that story.” Quoth the White Knight, “I will do so. It is as follows:
“In the old days of Uther Pendragon there were two knights who were twin
brothers. One of these knights was hight Balan and the other was hight
Balin.
“Now at that time there was in the enchanted city of Sarras two very
great marvels; one of these was the spear with which the blessed side
was wounded at the time of the crucifixion, and the other was the
chalice into which the blood was drained from that deep and pitiful
wound. But how they came to the city of Sarras is too long a story to
tell.
[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan came to Sarras._]
“Now Sir Balan was in the city of Sarras, and he was entertained at the
castle of the king of that country, whose name was King Pischer. This
King was at enmity with Sir Balan, whom he very greatly hated. So that
night when Sir Balan lay upon his bed, King Pischer, at the head of
several men, attacked Sir Balan where he lay unarmed. He, starting up
from his sleep, beheld them coming, and so he fled away from those who
would assail him, and so he escaped into the chapel of the castle, where
those two holy relics--to wit, the spear and the chalice--were kept.
Hither his enemies followed him and would have slain him, even upon the
steps of the altar, only that, beholding the spear, Sir Balan seized
upon it and ran with it against them. In that assault he smote King
Pischer with the spear, a very great and bitter stroke. For the point of
the spear penetrated the corselet of King Pischer, and inflicted a deep
wound in the shoulder. And after that Sir Balan attacked the others who
were with King Pischer, and drave them all before him. So Sir Balan used
that holy spear for his own preservation.
“But as Sir Balan stood holding the spear and beholding his enemies
retreat from that place, there came to him a voice as from heaven,
saying to him, ‘Balan! Balan! what hast thou done?’
[Sidenote: _How there came an earthquake._]
“And as the voice ceased its words there came, as from beneath, a deep
and hollow rumbling. And the rumbling grew louder and louder, until it
became a great earthquake, so that the earth rocked beneath the feet.
Then the chapel and the castle and all that place reeled, and the castle
fell, one stone upon another, so that all who were within it were buried
beneath the ruins. At the same time the spear and the chalice
disappeared from that place, and neither have they ever been seen from
that time--saving only that in visions they have been seen. For Sir
Percival beheld both the spear and the chalice, and others have beheld
them from time to time.
[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan escapes._]
“Sir Balan was not killed by the fall of that castle, nor was King
Pischer killed, but all others in the castle perished in its fall. But
rather had King Pischer been killed, for that wound in his shoulder
remained unhealed, and King Pischer could not die for a long while,
though he suffered very greatly from that wound every day that he lived.
Such, O Galahad! is the story of the Grail.
“Now touching this shield; wit you it is the shield of Sir Balan, and
the way in which it came to the monastery of the White Friars is as
followeth:
[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan fought with the Knight of the Ford._]
“One day Sir Balan came to a certain part of the country where was a
monastery of White Friars, and where he had news of a knight who guarded
the ford of a river at that place. So Sir Balan went to that river and
he beheld there the knight guarding the ford. Then Sir Balan attempted
to pass the ford, but the knight would not allow him to do so, wherefore
they came to battle with one another. They fought for an entire morning,
and for longer than that, and each gave the other many grievous wounds,
and what with loss of blood and with continuous fighting they grew ever
weaker and weaker, so that neither of them could stand without great
ado. But at last Sir Balan gave to his enemy a deadly blow that brought
him to the earth. Then he rushed off his helmet to make an end of him,
but when the face beneath was free from its helmet he beheld it, and saw
that it was the face of his twin brother, Sir Balin, whom he was about
to slay.
“Then he cried out in horror, ‘Alas, and woe is me! Is it thou, Balin,
whom I am about to slay? Lo! I am thy brother Balan!’
[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan slew his brother Balin._]
“Then Balin, feeling that he was near to death, wept a great deal. And
he forgave his brother Balan, and he bade Balan, when he was dead, to
bury him at that place beneath a thorn tree that grew there and that was
covered all over with spikes, as it were a chevaux de frise. Then he
died, and Balan performed that task--to wit, to bury him there.
“Anon came several White Friars from a monastery that was near by, and
these took Balan to the monastery and there he died, for he was very
sorely wounded, and his heart was broken.
[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan marked the shield._]
“But ere he died he took his shield to him and he drew upon it a great
cross in his own blood. And he told the friars of that place to keep
that shield until he should come who was to achieve the Holy Grail and
to return it unto Sarras again. And Sir Balan predicted of that shield
that it should always remain bright as silver until that time, and that
the cross of blood should ever remain as red as it was that day; and he
predicted of it that no one should be able to wear that shield saving
only that one for whom it was intended; and he predicted of that shield
that it should never be pierced by the point of any weapon forged by the
hand of man. So it was and such is that shield which thou carriest, Sir
Galahad.”
All this Sir Galahad listened to and heard, and when the White Knight
had ended his words, he said, “Sir, I would that I knew who thou art. I
pray thee to tell me that.” But to this the White Knight only smiled and
made reply, “I may not tell thee who I am, only this I may say, that I
am he who hath had that shield under continual surveillance until now,
and now I find that it hath fallen into hands that are even better able
to care for it and to cherish it than were the hands of Sir Balan of
old.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad parts from the White Knight._]
Thus these two knights travelled forward together until night to the
setting of the sun. Then at last they came to a place where the roadway
divided, and at that place the White Knight said to Sir Galahad,
“Messire, here I must leave thee. Continue upon that way and anon thou
wilt come to a chapel where thou mayst be refreshed, and where thou
mayst lodge for the night.” So saying, the White Knight saluted Sir
Galahad, and he saluted the White Knight again. Then the White Knight
rode down one path into the woods, and Sir Galahad entered upon the
other path as he had been directed to do. But Sir Galahad turned his
head to look after the White Knight ere he should reach the forest, but
lo! he was not there, nor was anything to be seen, saving only the trees
of the woodland and the red light of the sunset that lay upon the
ground, falling through the leaves of the trees like to liquid gold
spread there upon the earth in small, round, and brightly shining discs.
After that Sir Galahad continued upon his way until, anon, he heard the
ringing of a bell, and with that he wist where he was, and that he was
not far distant from the chapel of the Hermit of the Forest. So Sir
Galahad spurred forward and in a little while he beheld the chapel, and
he beheld the Hermit of the Forest, ringing the bell for vespers.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad lodges with the Hermit of the Forest._]
So he came to that place that was very quiet and innocent, for he beheld
that many birds sat perched upon the branches of the trees coadjacent to
that place, and that several of the wild creatures of the woods,
together with a wild doe and its fawn, were also there. For these things
loved the Hermit of the Forest, and followed him whithersoever he went
about that place.
Then the Hermit of the Forest beheld Sir Galahad and gave him welcome,
and he brought him to eat and drink and prepared a lodging for him for
the night.
* * * * *
Thus, then, was Sir Galahad armed with his shield, and therewith was he
armed completely, for he needed no other thing to arm him for his
defence.
So I have told you the history of these doings that you might know of
them how they were. Now, having thus armed him entirely, so shall we
turn to the further history of the adventures relating to these things.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Sir Galahad meets Sir Melyas]
[Illustration] Chapter Third
_How Sir Galahad met with Sir Melyas. How Sir Melyas was overthrown, and
how Sir Galahad overthrew his enemies. Also how Sir Galahad did at the
Castle of Maidens._
Now Sir Galahad departed next morning betimes, after he had broken his
fast. And he wended his way through the forest, he knew not whitherward.
After a considerable while he came to where two roads crossed one
another, and where there was a cross of stone. Here was a clear, limpid
fountain of cold water, and at the fountain Sir Galahad beheld that
there sat a young knight.
This young knight had been refreshing himself with draughts of the
water, and now sat with his helmet beside him, whilst the soft and
gentle wind blew upon his forehead and his hair.
[Sidenote: Sir _Galahad meets Sir Melyas._]
Anon, when Sir Galahad had come nigh to him he said to the youthful
knight, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are.” “I will do so,” replied
the young knight. “But you must also tell me your name and degree.”
“That I will do,” said Sir Galahad. “Wit you that I am called Galahad,
and that I am lately made a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table.” “And
I,” said the other, “am hight Melyas, and I am the son of the King of
Denmark.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “I give you grammercy for your
information.” And he said, “I pray you tell me, what do you here in the
forest alone?”
“Last night,” said Sir Melyas, “I came hitherward, and since then I have
been travelling through the forest. I slept in the woodland then and I
have not broken my fast since the prime of yesterday.” “Hah!” said Sir
Galahad. “Now I will give you advice. Journey whence I came and by this
road, and you will, by and by, come to the chapel of the Hermit of the
Forest, which is not very far distant. He will give you to eat and to
drink.”
Quoth Sir Melyas, “I give you thanks, Messire.” Thereupon he arose, and
assuming his helmet he mounted his horse; and, having saluted Sir
Galahad and Sir Galahad having saluted him, they parted company, each
going upon his way.
[Sidenote: _Sir Melyas meets two strange knights._]
Now Sir Melyas had not gone half a mile from that place when he met two
knights, and as Sir Melyas approached them, one of the knights set his
horse athwart the way and he said, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are
and whither you go.” Him answered Sir Melyas very mildly, “Messire, my
name is Melyas, and I travel toward the chapel of the Hermit of the
Forest.”
Quoth the knight, “Well, sir, since you come hitherward, I will have it
that you try a pass with me. So prepare yourself to encounter me
forthwith.”
Him answered Sir Melyas, “Messire, I have naught against you, but if it
is your will that I do battle with you, then I must do so.”
[Sidenote: _The strange knight overthrows Sir Melyas._]
So Sir Melyas prepared himself in all ways for that encounter, and the
other knight likewise prepared himself, and when both were in all ways
ready they launched themselves the one against the other with the utmost
violence. So they met in the midst of the course and the spear of Sir
Melyas was broken into a great many pieces in that encounter, but the
spear of the other knight held, so that it pierced through the shield of
Sir Melyas, wounding him in the side, and casting him with such violence
to the earth that he lay there without motion, like one who is dead.
Then the other knight leaped from his horse and he ran to Sir Melyas and
rushed the helmet from his head and he set his misericordia to his
throat, saying, “Yield thee, Sir Knight, or I shall presently slay
thee.” And Sir Melyas reviving from his swoon said, “Sir, slay me not,
for I am sorely hurt.”
Now turn we to Sir Galahad:
As he rode onward upon his way, a voice suddenly spoke within him, as it
were in his very ears. And the voice said, “Return, Sir Galahad, for Sir
Melyas is in peril of his life.” And again it said, “Return in haste,
for Sir Melyas is in peril of his life.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad rides to rescue Sir Melyas._]
Thereupon Sir Galahad turned his horse about and set it to the gallop,
for he thought that were he mistaken in the voice, then was there no
great harm done in returning. So he rode back whence he had come. And
anon he reached that place where Sir Melyas had fallen, and he beheld
the knight kneeling upon Sir Melyas with the misericordia at his throat,
and he heard the words that the knight uttered and that Sir Melyas
uttered. Then Sir Galahad cried out in a loud voice, “Sir Knight,
withhold thy hand. Turn thou to me, for I am here to defend that
knight.”
Then the knight withheld his hand, and he cried out, “Who art thou, Sir
Knight, who cometh hither?” Sir Galahad replied, “It matters not who I
am, saving only that I am here to defend that fallen knight.” “Well,”
quoth the other, “let it be that way if such is your will. Make you
ready.” So the knight arose and ran to his horse and mounted thereon;
and he took his spear in hand, and when he was in all ways prepared,
each knight took stand for the assault.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overthrows the strange knight._]
Then they rushed together like a thunderbolt and each knight smote the
other in the midst of the shield. But the spear of the knight could not
penetrate the shield of Sir Galahad; otherwise, it slid away from it as
though it had been made of adamant, and in sliding away the spear was
broken into several pieces. But the spear of Sir Galahad held, so that
with it he pierced through the shield of the other, and pierced through
his body until the spear’s point stood a hand’s breadth out behind his
back. With that the knight was flung to the earth with such violence
that his neck was broken and he lay dead.
When the other knight beheld him fall, he cried out, “Hah, Messire, what
have you done? You have slain my brother.” Therewith he drew his sword
and rushed at Sir Galahad, and Sir Galahad threw aside his spear and
drew his sword in defence. Then the knight launched a blow at Sir
Galahad, which he turned with his sword and his shield. Then rising in
his stirrups he launched a blow at the knight that was like a stroke of
lightning for speed and force.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the other knight._]
The other knight tried to turn that blow, and he did turn it from his
head, but the blow fell upon his left shoulder with great and terrible
force, so that the edge of the sword cut through the epulier of the
shoulder and it cut through the flesh and the bone of the arm so that
the arm was severed from the trunk.
Then the knight emitted a great loud and bitter cry, and casting aside
his sword he set spurs to his horse and sped away through the forest,
crying aloud as he spurred, “Oh, God! Alas, and woe is me!”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bringeth Sir Melyas to the Hermit of the
Forest._]
Then Sir Galahad wiped his sword and thrust it back into its scabbard.
And he turned to Sir Melyas, and he said, “Sir, how fares it with you?”
Quoth Sir Melyas, “Messire, I am sorely wounded, but you have saved me;
for never did I behold so fierce and terrible a blow as that which you
struck just now, nor did I think it possible that anyone could strike
with such dreadful force as that.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “Nor could I have
struck such a blow were it not that meseemed that those two knights
represented two great sins; the one of the sin of pride, the other the
sin of cruelty. So that thought gave me, as it were, the strength of
ten, wherefore when I struck I struck with the strength as of ten.”
After that he turned to the knight lying upon the ground and found him
dead. And he raised Sir Melyas and set him upon his horse. And he upheld
him in that wise and returned with him to the chapel of the Hermit of
the Forest. There the Hermit received Sir Melyas, and laid him upon a
couch. And he searched his wound and dressed it, and Sir Melyas was put
to all possible ease with him.
This was Sir Galahad’s first adventure, and so I have told it to you as
it happened, for so have I read it in the ancient history of these
things.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad heareth of the Castle of the Maidens._]
Now, after Sir Galahad had quitted that forest he came out the next day
upon a fair and fertile plain. Anon he met an old man and a young lad.
These he saluted, and he said to the old man, “Reverend Sir, I pray you
tell me, is there any adventure hereabouts that a young knight such as I
am might undertake to his honor?” Quoth the old man, “Aye, I know of
such an adventure.” And he said, “Know you that there is not far from
this a castle called the Castle of Maidens. At that castle there are ten
knights dwelling, who exact tribute from every passer-by. Moreover,
these knights are very cruel and unruly, for they now govern all this
land as with a rod of iron, exacting taxes from the people thereof where
no taxes are due, so that all in this country groan beneath the burden
laid upon them. Pass you by that castle, fair sir, and you will have
adventure enough and to spare from those ten knights.”
Then Sir Galahad inquired, “Whither is that castle whereof thou
speakest?” And the old man pointed in a certain direction with his hand,
saying, “Yonderway you will find it.” So Sir Galahad gave the old man
grammercy for that which he had told him, and he rode away whitherward
the other pointed.
Anon he came to the crest of a high, steep hill of no very great extent,
and from that hilltop he beheld beneath him a large and noble castle.
And the castle had tall, red roofs of tile, and great quantities of
rooks and daws flew about those roofs like bees about a beehive. And a
river ran down past the castle and beyond it, and where it ran past the
castle the pollard willows were pressed close against the castle walls,
because of the narrowness of the space between the castle wall and the
waters of the river. Beside the walls of the castle there was a town,
and the town was very populous, for Sir Galahad, from the hilltop where
he sat, could behold many people coming and going along the stony
streets thereof. Then Sir Galahad surmised that this must be the Castle
of Maidens (though why it was so called he did not know then nor till
afterward).
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad cometh to that castle._]
So Sir Galahad gathered up his reins and he rode down that hill and
toward the castle, and he was not aware that anyone knew of his coming.
But as he rode past the castle beneath the walls thereof, he was of a
sudden called to from above. And when he looked up he beheld there a
small turret, and he beheld that upon that turret there stood ten fair
maidens, and these were they who called to him. Beholding these ten fair
young ladies at that place, he bespoke them, saying, “Ladies, heaven
keep and defend you. Now, I pray you tell me, what is the name of this
castle, and what is it you do here?” They say to him, “Fair Sir, this
castle is called the Castle of Maidens. We are prisoners here, and are
kept in this duress by ten wicked and discourteous knights, from whom
heaven keep you. For if you travel on the road upon which you are
journeying, you will pass by the bridge-head of this castle, and they
will maybe come down to assail you.” To them Sir Galahad said, “Ladies,
I know not whether I could do battle with success as one against
ten--yet if I considered these knights as being the ten deadly sins,
methinks I would have strength given to me to do combat with them. Now I
pray you tell me, how may I assure myself to meet these knights?”
Quoth one of the ladies upon the turret, “Sir, assuredly thou hast a
great heart within thee. Now if thou wilt pursue the way thou art going,
thou wilt by and by come by the bridge-head. Thereby thou wilt find an
iron horn hanging from a stone pillar. If those knights do not appear,
set thou that horn to thy lips and blow upon it, and anon thou wilt
behold those ten warriors of whom we have been speaking.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bloweth the castle horn._]
So Sir Galahad saluted them and rode away, and anon he came to where the
bridge crossed the stream, and there he beheld the post of stone and
from it, hanging by a chain, he beheld the horn of iron. This horn he
set to his lips and blew very loud and shrilly upon it, so that the
walls of the castle echoed back the bleat of that horn.
Soon after that the gates of the castle were opened and the portcullis
let fall, and there came thundering forth from that place ten knights,
armed cap-a-pie in shining armor.
The foremost of those knights rode up to Sir Galahad and said to him,
“Sir, art thou shriven?” “Why ask you that?” said Sir Galahad.
“Because,” said that knight, “thou art presently to die, therefore thou
shouldst be shriven.” “So far as that is concerned,” said Sir Galahad,
“I am not unready to die.” “Then,” said the other, “thou shalt presently
awaken in paradise, since thou art ready for it.”
So each knight assumed such stand as appeared to him to be fitting, and
each set his spear in rest, and then each dashed at the other with might
and main. So they met in the middle of the course with such violence and
uproar as was wonderful to see and to hear.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the first knight._]
In that encounter the spear of the knight of the castle slipped from the
shield of Sir Galahad, and was broken into many pieces, but the spear of
Sir Galahad held, wherefore he overthrew that knight with such terrible
violence that his neck was broken in his fall, and he lay dead upon the
earth.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad doeth battle with nine._]
Then when the other knights beheld the fall of that knight, they cried
out, “Hah! A rescue! a rescue!” Therewith they all nine made at Sir
Galahad to overwhelm him with numbers. All nine of them struck him upon
the shield at one time, but their spears glanced from the shield of Sir
Galahad and could not penetrate it, nor was he overthrown by their
assault, nor did he lose even a foot from his stirrup.
Then Sir Galahad cast aside his spear and drew his bright, shining
sword, and he rode at those nine knights and he rode in amongst them,
striking with his blade to the right hand and to the left. Nor could
their blows harm him, for in that short time he struck down to the
ground three of those knights, so that there were but six of them left.
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the knights._]
Then the hearts of those six knights began to fail them, and they bore
back across the bridge with intent to enter the castle once more. But
meantime the people of the castle, seeing how affairs went with them,
had raised the bridge and had closed the castle gates against them. Nor
would they lower the bridge nor open the gates again, wherefore those
knights wist not what to do in their hour of need. Then Sir Galahad was
upon them and smote down two more of them and with that the four who
were left fled with great speed and he pursued them back across the
bridge. And Sir Galahad still pursued them, and he struck once and
again, now to the right and now to the left, so that ere they could
escape from him and in those two blows Sir Galahad had struck down two
more of them. Then the two who were left made their escape and they fled
from that place with might and main. And Sir Galahad pursued them also
with might and main, but their horses were fresher than his, and so they
escaped away from him.
So Sir Galahad rode back again slowly to the castle, and at his coming
the gates were opened with great sound of rejoicing. For the streets
were full of people of all sorts and conditions, and these lifted up
their voices with loud and prolonged applause. And of those eight whom
he had overthrown, all of them were dead. For those who had not died by
their fall, the people had put to death upon their own account.
Then Sir Galahad said to the chief magistrate of that town, “Where are
those ten maidens who bespoke me ere I came to this place?” And the
chief magistrate answered him, “Sir, we will bring them to you.” So anon
came those ladies, and when they had come to Sir Galahad they kneeled
before him and kissed his hand and gave him great praise and loud
acclaim. Sir Galahad said to them, “Why do you kneel to me, and why do
you kiss my hand?” They say to him, “Because of your strength and your
prowess.” He said, “Nay, that strength and that prowess I gave not to
myself; therefore, if I have shown strength and prowess, give praise
therefor unto the God who gave them to me, and not to me who am their
continent.” And he said, “Where is the chief lord of this town?”
[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad liberates the captive lord._]
The ten maidens said, “Sir, he is our father, and he is a prisoner now
in the dungeon of this place. For those ten knights overthrew him and
made him prisoner, wherefore he now lieth in duress.” Sir Galahad said,
“Bring him forth that I may behold him.” So several ran to where he was,
and anon they returned with him, and the chains that bound him were
still upon his hands and feet. Sir Galahad said, “Let these chains be
removed.” And when they were taken off of that knight, he said to him,
“Take back that which is thine own and oppress not thy people. For so
have they been oppressed of late by their ten masters, who were the ten
knights whom I have overthrown. But now thine enemies are either slain
or put to flight, so that thou art free. Nor shall you ever be put to
such pain again.”
Then, again, was there great applause.
Then the eldest of those ten maidens said to him, “Sir, will you not
rest here awhile with us?” Sir Galahad said, “I may not rest with you,
for my time is short and there is much to do in that time; wherefore I
must be again upon my way.”
So he bade them farewell, and after that he departed from that place,
taking with him the thanks and the blessings of all the people dwelling
therein. Yet for many long years afterward, the memory of Sir Galahad
was held at that place, and parents told to their children, and those
children to their children for several generations, how that Sir Galahad
of the Grail had come thither and had done those great and redoubtable
actions at arms that are herein told of and recounted. For it was not
until afterward that he became known as the greatest knight that the
world had ever beheld until that time.
Such is the story of Sir Galahad and of the Castle of the Maidens; so
he, one knight, overcame the ten knights of that castle, and thus he
departed thereafter.
Now turn we from Sir Galahad and take we up the adventures of Sir
Launcelot at this time. Wherefore I pray you to read that which
followeth.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: The Grail is manifested, and Sir Launcelot sleepeth:]
[Illustration] Chapter Fourth
_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival met Sir Galahad, and what befell
them. Also how Sir Launcelot beheld the Grail in a dream._
After Sir Launcelot left the Court of the King of Camelot, he wended his
way from place to place, meeting no adventure anywhere. So, upon a
certain day, he came to a farmhouse, close to the borders of the forest,
and there sought shelter for the night.
She who met him was the farmer’s wife, and she was both brown and buxom.
Beside her stood two children, holding by the skirts of her garments.
She gave Sir Launcelot welcome, and said to him, “Here, to-day, hath
come another knight who hath sought shelter as you now beseech it.” Sir
Launcelot said, “Who is he?” She said, “I know not, only that he is
gentle and kind.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot meets Sir Percival at the farmhouse._]
So Sir Launcelot entered the house, and he whom he beheld there was Sir
Percival, and at that he was very glad. And Sir Percival was also very
glad to behold Sir Launcelot. So the next morning early, and after they
had broken their fast, they took horse and rode away very lovingly
together.
So they journeyed for the great part of that morning, and about high
noontide they had come to a very pleasant part of the country where were
hills covered with green fields rising up against the sky; where were
many pleasant streams and watercourses; and where were flocks and herds
browsing in the long, damp grass of the pasture lands.
Here in a dale where there was a small wooden bridge crossing a glassy
and smooth-flowing river, they beheld a knight coming from the other
direction, and Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival were upon one side of the
bridge, and that knight was upon the other side. And that other knight
was Sir Galahad, though neither of those two knew who he was.
Then Sir Launcelot held up his hand, and he cried out, “Messire, I pray
you for to wait until we have crossed the bridge, for three of us cannot
cross it at the same time.”
“Nay, sir,” quoth Sir Galahad, “my business does not allow me to wait,
so I pray you to let me pass.”
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot challenges Sir Galahad at the bridge._]
“Not so,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I cannot let you pass until you have
proven your right to pass. You must run a tilt with me, and if I
overthrow you, then will you wait to let us pass; but if you overthrow
me, then will we wait to let you pass.” So said Sir Launcelot, for it
did not seem to him to be possible that the strange knight could
overthrow him.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is overthrown._]
So each knight set his spear in rest, and anon each charged with great
violence at each other. Thus they swept together like a hurricane, and
so met in the centre of the bridge. In that encounter the spear of Sir
Launcelot struck the shield of Sir Galahad, directly in the centre
thereof; but the blow that he gave glanced aside as if the shield had
been a polished mirror. But the spear of Sir Galahad struck Sir
Launcelot in the middle of the shield and it held, and so violent was
the blow of Sir Galahad that both Sir Launcelot and his steed were
overthrown upon the planking of the bridge.
[Sidenote: _Sir Percival is wounded._]
Sir Percival looked with great amazement at the overthrow of Sir
Launcelot. Then, crying out in a great voice, “Sir, what have you done?
Defend yourself from me!” he drew his sword and rushed forward upon the
bridge. And Sir Galahad, when he beheld Sir Percival approach in that
manner, cast aside his spear and drew his sword likewise. So, when they
met in the middle of the bridge, Sir Percival smote Sir Galahad a great
buffet with his sword, which stroke Sir Galahad turned with his shield.
Then Sir Galahad rose up in his stirrups and he launched a blow like a
thunderbolt against Sir Percival. Sir Percival endeavored to turn that
blow with his shield, but he could not turn it, for it smote through his
shield and it smote through his helmet and it smote through the iron cap
beneath the helmet, and, had the blade not turned in the hand of Sir
Galahad, it would have slain Sir Percival. As it was, Sir Percival’s
head swam beneath that blow and he swooned away, swaying from side to
side in his saddle until he fell from his saddle and lay upon the bridge
without life or motion, like one who was dead.
But Sir Galahad did not stop to inquire who were those two knights whom
he had overthrown, nor did he pause to inquire how badly he had hurt
them; but regaining his spear and setting spurs to his horse he rode
away from that place, leaving them lying upon the bridge.
Anon Sir Launcelot aroused himself, and he beheld Sir Percival where he
lay. Then Sir Launcelot arose and went to Sir Percival, and removed his
helmet. And he cast water into the face of Sir Percival so that, in a
little while, Sir Percival was aroused from his swoon. Then Sir
Launcelot said, “I would God I knew who that knight was, for never have
I felt such a blow as I just now received, nor have I ever been so
shamed as I was shamed this day.” Said Sir Percival, “Wit ye not who
that knight was?” and he said, “Meseems it was none other than your son,
Sir Galahad.” Quoth Sir Launcelot, “At that I would take comfort were he
my son, but not at anything else.”
Then each knight mounted his horse, and so together they presently rode
away from that place. But Sir Launcelot’s head hung down upon his
breast, for the memory of that blow which had overthrown him, and for
the shame thereof; for never had he been overthrown from his horse
before this day in all of his life. And, somewhiles, he thought that he
who had overthrown him was, maybe, Sir Galahad, and at that he took
comfort, because Sir Galahad was his son. But otherwhiles he thought
that it was not Sir Galahad, and then he was filled with shame because
of his overthrow.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival part company._]
So riding in that wise they, by and by, came to where the road divided
into two ways, and here Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, let us part company,
for you shall take one road and I will take the other.” Quoth Sir
Percival, “Are you then weary of riding with me?” “Nay,” said Sir
Launcelot, “but I have been overthrown and I am ashamed.” Said Sir
Percival, “What shame do you take in that, seeing it was your own son
that overthrew you?” But to this Sir Launcelot made no reply.
Then, seeing that Sir Launcelot was determined to quit him, Sir Percival
took the left-hand road, and Sir Launcelot took the right-hand road, and
so they parted.
Now follow we Sir Launcelot after they had thus separated.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot findeth a deserted chapel._]
Sir Launcelot rode for the rest of that day without meeting further
adventure, until about evening time, when he came to a bare and naked
knoll covered with furze bushes. Here, in the midst of that wild, he
beheld an ancient ruined chapel, and he said to himself, “Here will I
rest me for the night.” So he rode around that chapel, seeking for the
door thereof, but he could find no door upon any side of the chapel, but
only windows, very high raised from the ground. And he could not enter
that chapel by any of its windows, because they were built in the wall
so far beyond his reach that he could not attain to them. Then Sir
Launcelot said, “This is a very strange chapel that it should have no
doors, but only windows so high that I cannot enter by them. Now I will
rest here and see what is the meaning of this place.”
So saying, he dismounted from his horse, and lay down beneath a
thornbush that was not far distant from the chapel.
Now, as Sir Launcelot lay there, a drowsiness began to descend upon him,
and though he could not sleep yet it was as though he did sleep, for he
could move nor hand nor foot. Yet was he conscious of all that passed
about him as though he had been wide awake. For he was conscious of the
dark and silent vaults of sky, sprinkled all over with an incredible
number of stars, and he was conscious of his horse cropping the herbage
beside him in the darkness, and he was conscious of the wind that blew
across his face, and that moved the corner of his cloak in the silence
of the night time. Of all these things was he conscious, and yet he
could not move of his own will so much as a single hair.
[Sidenote: _There cometh a wounded knight._]
Anon, whilst he lay in that wise he was presently aware that some people
were approaching the chapel in the darkness, for he heard the sound of
voices and of the feet of horses moving upon the road. So, in a little
while, there came to that place a knight and an esquire. And the knight
was very sorely wounded, for his armor was broken and shattered by
battle, and the esquire sustained him in the saddle so that, except for
the upholding of the esquire’s arm and hand, he would have fallen
prostrate down upon the ground.
Then Sir Launcelot, as he lay in that waking sleep, heard the knight say
to the esquire, “Floradaine, is the chapel near at hand, for mine eyes
are failing and I cannot see.” And the esquire wept and he said, “Yea,
Lord, it is here. Sustain yourself but for a little and you will be
there.”
To this the knight made answer, “Floradaine, I cannot sustain myself for
long.” And the esquire said, “It is here.” The knight said, “Give thanks
to God for that, for had it been a little farther I would have fallen
from my horse. Now, Floradaine, lift me to earth.”
Therewith the esquire drew rein and he dismounted from his horse and he
lifted the knight down from his charger, and the knight groaned very
dolorously as the esquire lifted him down. Then, breathing very heavily
and with great labor, the knight said, “Floradaine, is there a light?”
And the esquire said, “Not yet, Messire.” Again, after a little, the
knight said, “Is there yet a light?” And again the esquire answered,
“Not yet, Messire.” And again, after awhile, the knight said for the
third time, “Floradaine, is there yet a light?” And this time the knight
breathed the words as in a whisper of death. Then of a sudden the
esquire called out in a loud and joyful voice, “Yea, Lord, now I behold
a light!”
[Sidenote: _There cometh a light._]