Lis, who did not evade the blow, but met it boldly, and shivered his
lance. On his part Sir Gawain smote so hard that he grieved Meliance,
whom he flung on the field; the steed he grasped by the rein and gave to
a varlet, bidding him take it to the lady on whose account he had
entered the tourney, and say that his master had sent her the first
spoil he had made that day. The youth took the charger, saddled as it
was, and led it towards the girl, who was sitting at the window of the
tower, whence she had watched the joust, and when she saw the encounter
she cried to her sister, "Sister, there lies Meliance of Lis, whom you
praised so highly! A wise man ought to give praise where it is due. You
see, I was right yesterday when I said I saw a better knight."
Thus she teased her sister, who grew angry, and cried, "Child, hold your
tongue! If you say another word, I will slap you so that you will not
have a foot to stand on!" "Oh, sister," answered the little girl,
"remember God! You ought not to beat me because I told you the truth. I
saw him tumble as well as you; I think he will not be able to get up. Be
as cross as you please, I must say that there is not a lady here who did
not see him fall flat on the ground."
Her sister would have struck her, had she been able, but the ladies
around would not allow it.
With that came the squire, who held the rein in his right hand. He saw
the girl sitting at the window and presented the steed. She thanked him
a hundred times, and bade the steed be taken in charge. The squire
returned to tell his master, who seemed the lord of the tournament, for
there was no knight so gallant that he did not cast from the saddle, if
he reached him with the lance. On that day he captured four steeds. The
first he sent to the little girl, the second to the wife of the nobleman
who had been so kind, and the third and fourth to his own daughters.
The tourney was over and the knights entered the city. On both sides the
honor belonged to Sir Gawain. It was not yet noon when he returned from
the encounter; the city was full of knights, who ran after him, asking
who he was and of what land. At the gate of his hostel he was met by the
damsel, who did naught but grasp his stirrup, salute him, and cry, "A
thousand mercies, fair sweet sir!" He answered frankly, "Friend, before
I am recreant to your service, may I be aged and bald! I shall never be
so remote, but a message will bring me. If I know your need, I shall
come at the first summons, whatever business be mine!"
While they talked her father came and wished Sir Gawain to stay with him
for that night; but first he begged, that if his guest pleased, he would
tell his name. Sir Gawain answered, "Sir, I am called Gawain. My name
was never concealed, nor have I ever told it before it hath been asked."
When Thiébault knew that the knight was Sir Gawain his heart was full of
joy, and he exclaimed, "Sir, be pleased to lodge with me, and accept my
service. Hitherto I have done you little worship, and never did I set
eyes on a knight whom so much I longed to honor."
In spite of urging, Sir Gawain refused to stay. The little girl, who was
good and clever, clasped his foot and kissed it, commending him to God.
Sir Gawain asked why she had done that, and the girl replied that she
had kissed his foot in order that he should remember her wherever he
went. He answered, "Doubt it not, fair sweet friend! I shall never
forget you, after I have parted hence."
With that Sir Gawain took leave of his host and the others, who one and
all commended him to God. That night he slept in an abbey, and had all
that was necessary.
THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE
X
THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT
Then, at the following Pentecost, was held a feast of the Round Table at
Caerleon, with high splendor; and all the knights thereof resorted to
the court, and held many games and jousts. And therein Sir Lancelot
increased in fame and worship above all men, for he overthrew all
comers, and never was unhorsed or worsted, save by treason and
enchantment.
When Queen Guinevere had seen his wondrous feats, she held him in great
favor, and smiled more on him than on any other knight. And ever since
he first had gone to bring her to King Arthur, had Lancelot thought on
her as fairest of all ladies, and done his best to win her grace. So the
queen often sent for him, and bade him tell of his birth and strange
adventures: how he was only son of great King Ban of Brittany, and how,
one night, his father, with his mother Helen and himself, fled from his
burning castle; how his father, groaning deeply, fell to the ground and
died of grief and wounds, and how his mother, running to her husband,
left himself alone; how, as he thus lay wailing, came the lady of the
lake, and took him in her arms and went with him into the midst of the
waters, where, with his cousins Lionel and Bors, he had been cherished
all his childhood until he came to King Arthur's court; and how this
was the reason why men called him Lancelot du Lake.
Anon it was ordained by King Arthur, that in every year at Pentecost
there should be held a festival of all the knights of the Round Table at
Caerleon, or such other place as he should choose. And at those
festivals should be told publicly the most famous adventures of any
knight during the past year.
So, when Sir Lancelot saw Queen Guinevere rejoiced to hear his
wanderings and adventures, he resolved to set forth yet again, and win
more worship still, that he might more increase her favor. Then he bade
his cousin Sir Lionel make ready, "for," said he, "we two will seek
adventure." So they mounted their horses--armed at all points--and rode
into a vast forest; and when they had passed through it, they came to a
great plain, and the weather being very hot about noontide, Sir Lancelot
greatly longed to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree
standing by a hedge, and said, "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow where
we may rest ourselves and horses."
"I am full glad of it," said Sir Lancelot, "for all these seven years I
have not been so sleepy."
So they alighted there, and tied their horses up to sundry trees; and
Sir Lionel waked and watched while Sir Lancelot fell asleep, and slept
passing fast.
In the meanwhile came three knights, riding as fast flying as ever they
could ride, and after them followed a single knight; but when Sir Lionel
looked at him, he thought he had never seen so great and strong a man,
or so well furnished and appareled. Anon he saw him overtake the last of
those who fled, and smite him to the ground; then came he to the second,
and smote him such a stroke that horse and man went to the earth; then
rode he to the third, likewise, and struck him off his horse more than a
spear's length. With that he lighted from his horse, and bound all three
knights fast with the reins of their own bridles.
When Sir Lionel saw this he thought the time was come to prove himself
against him, so quietly and cautiously, lest he should wake Sir
Lancelot, he took his horse and mounted and rode after him. Presently
overtaking him, he cried aloud to him to turn, which instantly he did,
and smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man went down forthwith.
Then took he up Sir Lionel, and threw him bound over his own horse's
back; and so he served the three other knights, and rode them away to
his own castle. There they were disarmed, stripped naked, and beaten
with thorns, and afterwards thrust into a deep prison, where many more
knights, also, made great moans and lamentations, saying, "Alas, alas!
there is no man can help us but Sir Lancelot, for no other knight can
match this tyrant Turquine, our conqueror."
But all this while, Sir Lancelot lay sleeping soundly under the
apple-tree. And, as it chanced, there passed that way four queens, of
high estate, riding upon four white mules, under four canopies of green
silk borne on spears, to keep them from the sun. As they rode thus,
they heard a great horse grimly neigh, and, turning them about, soon saw
a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an apple-tree; and when they
saw his face, they knew it was Sir Lancelot of the Lake.
Then they began to strive which of them should have the care of him. But
Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half sister, the great sorceress, was
one of them, and said, "We need not strive for him, I have enchanted
him, so that for six hours more he shall not wake. Let us take him to my
castle, and, when he wakes, himself shall choose which one of us he
would rather serve." So Sir Lancelot was laid upon his shield and borne
on horseback between two knights, to the castle, and there laid in a
cold chamber, till the spell should pass.
Anon, they sent him a fair damsel, bearing his supper, who asked him,
"What cheer?"
"I cannot tell, fair damsel," said he, "for I know not how I came into
this castle, if it were not by enchantment."
"Sir," said she, "be of good heart, and to-morrow at dawn of day, ye
shall know more."
And so she left him alone, and there he lay all night. In the morning
early came the four queens to him, passing richly dressed; and said,
"Sir knight, thou must understand that thou art our prisoner, and that
we know thee well for King Ban's son, Sir Lancelot du Lake. And though
we know full well there is one lady only in this world may have thy
love, and she Queen Guinevere--King Arthur's wife--yet now are we
resolved to have thee to serve one of us; choose, therefore, of us four
which thou wilt serve. I am Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the land of
Gore, and here also is the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of
Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles. Choose, then, at once, for
else shalt thou abide here, in this prison, till thy death."
"It is a hard case," said Sir Lancelot, "that either I must die, or
choose one of you for my mistress! Yet had I rather die in this prison
than serve any living creature against my will. So take this for my
answer. I will serve none of ye, for ye be false enchantresses. And as
for my lady, Queen Guinevere, whom lightly ye have spoken of, were I at
liberty I would prove it upon you or upon yours she is the truest lady
living to her lord the king."
"Well," said the queen, "is this your answer, that ye refuse us all?"
"Yea, on my life," said Lancelot, "refused ye be of me."
So they departed from him in great wrath, and left him sorrowfully
grieving in his dungeon.
At noon the damsel came to him and brought his dinner, and asked him as
before, "What cheer?"
"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "in all my life never so ill."
"Sir," replied she, "I grieve to see ye so, but if ye do as I advise, I
can help ye out of this distress, and will do so if you promise me a
boon."
"Fair damsel," said Sir Lancelot, "right willingly will I grant it
thee, for sorely do I dread these four witch-queens, who have destroyed
and slain many a good knight with their enchantments."
Then said the damsel, "Sir, wilt thou promise me to help my father on
next Tuesday, for he hath a tournament with the King of Northgales, and
last Tuesday lost the field through three knights of King Arthur's
court, who came against him. And if next Tuesday thou wilt aid him,
to-morrow, before daylight, by God's grace, I will deliver thee."
"Fair maiden," said Sir Lancelot, "tell me thy father's name and I will
answer thee."
"My father is King Bagdemagus," said she.
"I know him well," replied Sir Lancelot, "for a noble king and a good
knight; and by the faith of my body I will do him all the service I am
able on that day."
"Gramercy to thee, Sir knight," said the damsel. "To-morrow, when thou
art delivered from this place, ride ten miles hence unto an abbey of
white monks, and there abide until I bring my father to thee."
"So be it," said Sir Lancelot, "as I am a true knight."
So she departed, and on the morrow, early, came again, and let him out
of twelve gates, differently locked, and brought him to his armor; and
when he was all armed, she brought him his horse also, and lightly he
saddled him, and took a great spear in his hand, and mounted and rode
forth, saying, as he went, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail thee, by the
grace of God."
And all that day he rode in a great forest, and could find no highway,
and spent the night in the wood; but the next morning found his road,
and came to the abbey of white monks. And there he saw King Bagdemagus
and his daughter waiting for him. So when they were together in a
chamber, Sir Lancelot told the king how he had been betrayed by an
enchantment, and how his brother Lionel was gone he knew not where, and
how the damsel had delivered him from the castle of Queen Morgan le Fay.
"Wherefore while I live," said he, "I shall do service to herself and
all her kindred."
"Then am I sure of thy aid," said the king, "on Tuesday now next
coming?"
"Yea, sir, I shall not fail thee," said Sir Lancelot; "but what knights
were they who last week defeated thee, and took part with the King of
Northgales?"
"Sir Mador de la Port, Sir Modred, and Sir Gahalatine," replied the
king.
"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "as I understand, the tournament shall take
place but three miles from this abbey; send then to me here, three
knights of thine, the best thou hast, and let them all have plain white
shields, such as I also will; then will we four come suddenly into the
midst between both parties, and fall upon thy enemies, and grieve them
all we can, and none will know us who we are."
So, on the Tuesday, Sir Lancelot and the three knights lodged themselves
in a small grove hard by the lists. Then came into the field the King of
Northgales, with one hundred and sixty helms, and the three knights of
King Arthur's court, who stood apart by themselves. And when King
Bagdemagus had arrived, with eighty helms, both companies set all their
spears in rest and came together with a mighty clash, wherein were slain
twelve knights of King Bagdemagus, and six of the King of Northgales;
and the party of King Bagdemagus was driven back.
With that, came Sir Lancelot, and thrust into the thickest of the press,
and smote down with one spear five knights, and brake the backs of four,
and cast down the King of Northgales, and brake his thigh by the fall.
When the three knights of Arthur's court saw this, they rode at Sir
Lancelot, and each after other attacked him; but he overthrew them all,
and smote them nigh to death. Then, taking a new spear, he bore down to
the ground sixteen more knights, and hurt them all so sorely, that they
could carry arms no more that day. And when his spear at length was
broken, he took yet another, and smote down twelve knights more, the
most of whom he wounded mortally, till in the end the party of the King
of Northgales would joust no more, and the victory was cried to King
Bagdemagus.
Then Sir Lancelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus to his castle, and
there he feasted with great cheer and welcome, and received many royal
gifts. And on the morrow he took leave and went to find his brother
Lionel.
Anon, by chance, he came to the same forest where the four queens had
found him sleeping, and there he met a damsel riding on a white
palfrey. When they had saluted each other, Sir Lancelot said, "Fair
damsel, knowest thou where any adventures may be had in this country?"
"Sir knight," said she, "there are adventures great enough close by if
thou darest prove them."
"Why should I not," said he, "since for that cause I came here?"
"Sir," said the damsel, "hard by this place there dwelleth a knight that
cannot be defeated by any man, so great and perilously strong he is. His
name is Sir Turquine, and in the prisons of his castle lie three score
knights and four, mostly from King Arthur's court, whom he hath taken
with his own hands. But promise me, ere thou undertakest their
deliverance, to go and help me afterwards, and free me and many other
ladies that are distressed by a false knight."
"Bring me but to this felon Turquine," quoth Sir Lancelot, "and I will
afterwards fulfill all your wishes."
So the damsel went before, and brought him to a ford, and a tree whereon
a great brass basin hung; and Sir Lancelot beat with his spear-end upon
the basin, long and hard, until he beat the bottom of it out, but he saw
nothing. Then he rode to and fro before the castle gates for wellnigh
half an hour, and anon saw a great knight riding from the distance,
driving a horse before him, across which hung an armed man bound. And
when they came near, Sir Lancelot knew the prisoner for a knight of the
Round Table. By that time, the great knight who drove the prisoner saw
Sir Lancelot, and each of them began to settle his spear, and to make
ready.
"Fair sir," then said Sir Lancelot, "put off that wounded knight, I pray
thee, from his horse, and let him rest while thou and I shall prove our
strength upon each other; for, as I am told, thou doest, and hast done,
great shame and injury to knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, I warn
thee now, defend thyself."
"If thou mayest be of the Round Table," answered Turquine, "I defy thee,
and all thy fellows."
"That is saying overmuch," said Sir Lancelot.
Then, setting their lances in rest, they spurred their horses towards
each other, as fast as they could go, and smote so fearfully upon each
other's shields, that both their horses' backs brake under them. As soon
as they could clear their saddles, they took their shields before them,
and drew their swords, and came together eagerly, and fought with great
and grievous strokes; and soon they both had many grim and fearful
wounds, and bled in streams. Thus they fought two hours and more,
thrusting and smiting at each other, wherever they could hit.
Anon, they both were breathless, and stood leaning on their swords.
"Now, comrade," said Sir Turquine, "let us wait awhile, and answer me
what I shall ask thee."
"Say on," said Lancelot.
"Thou art," said Turquine, "the best man I ever met, and seemest like
one that I hate above all other knights that live; but if thou be not
he, I will make peace with thee, and for sake of thy great valor, will
deliver all the three score prisoners and four who lie within my
dungeons, and thou and I will be companions evermore. Tell me, then, thy
name."
"Thou sayest well," replied Sir Lancelot; "but who is he thou hatest so
above all others?"
"His name," said Turquine, "is Sir Lancelot of the Lake; and he slew my
brother Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower; wherefore, if ever I shall
meet with him, one of us two shall slay the other; and thereto I have
sworn by a great oath. And to discover and destroy him I have slain a
hundred knights, and crippled utterly as many more, and many have died
in my prisons; and now, as I have told thee, I have many more therein,
who all shall be delivered, if thou tell me thy name, and it be not Sir
Lancelot."
"Well," said Lancelot, "I am that knight, son of King Ban of Benwick,
and Knight of the Round Table; so now I defy thee to do thy best!"
"Aha!" said Turquine, with a shout, "is it then so at last! Thou art
more welcome to my sword than ever knight or lady was to feast, for
never shall we part till one of us be dead."
Then did they hurtle together like two wild bulls, slashing and lashing
with their shields and swords, and sometimes falling both on to the
ground. For two more hours they fought so, and at the last Sir Turquine
grew very faint, and gave a little back, and bare his shield full low
for weariness. When Sir Lancelot saw him thus, he leaped upon him
fiercely as a lion, and took him by the crest of his helmet, and dragged
him to his knees; and then he tore his helmet off and smote his neck
asunder.
Then he arose, and went to the damsel who had brought him to Sir
Turquine, and said, "I am ready, fair lady, to go with thee upon thy
service, but I have no horse."
"Fair sir," said she, "take ye this horse of the wounded knight whom
Turquine but just now was carrying to his prisons, and send that knight
on to deliver all the prisoners."
So Sir Lancelot went to the knight and prayed him for the loan of his
horse.
"Fair lord," said he, "ye are right welcome, for to-day ye have saved
both me and my horse; and I see that ye are the best knight in all the
world, for in my sight have ye slain the mightiest man and the best
knight, except thyself, I ever saw."
"Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "I thank thee well; and now go into yonder
castle, where thou shalt find many noble knights of the Round Table, for
I have seen their shields hung on the trees around. On yonder tree alone
there are Sir Key's, Sir Brandel's, Sir Marhaus', Sir Galind's, and Sir
Aliduke's, and many more; and also my two kinsmen's shields, Sir Ector
de Maris' and Sir Lionel's. And I pray you greet them all from me, Sir
Lancelot of the Lake, and tell them that I bid them help themselves to
any treasures they can find within the castle; and that I pray my
brethren, Lionel and Ector, to go to King Arthur's court and stay there
till I come. And by the high feast at Pentecost I must be there; but now
I must ride forth with this damsel to fulfill my promise."
So, as they went, the damsel told him, "Sir, we are now near the place
where the foul knight haunteth, who robbeth and distresseth all ladies
and gentlewomen traveling past this way, against whom I have sought thy
aid."
Then they arranged that she should ride on foremost, and Sir Lancelot
should follow under cover of the trees by the roadside, and if he saw
her come to any mishap, he should ride forth and deal with him that
troubled her. And as the damsel rode on at a soft ambling pace, a knight
and page burst forth from the roadside and forced the damsel from her
horse, till she cried out for help.
Then came Sir Lancelot rushing through the wood as fast as he might fly,
and all the branches of the trees crackled and waved around him. "O thou
false knight and traitor to all knighthood!" shouted he, "who taught
thee to distress fair ladies thus?"
The foul knight answered nothing, but drew out his sword and rode at Sir
Lancelot, who threw his spear away and drew his own sword likewise, and
struck him such a mighty blow as clave his head down to the throat. "Now
hast thou the wages thou long hast earned!" said he; and so departed
from the damsel.
Then for two days he rode in a great forest, and had but scanty food and
lodging, and on the third day he rode over a long bridge, when suddenly
there started up a passing foul churl, and smote his horse across the
nose, so that he started and turned back, rearing with pain. "Why ridest
thou over here without my leave?" said he.
"Why should I not?" said Sir Lancelot; "there is no other way to ride."
"Thou shalt not pass by here," cried out the churl, and dashed at him
with a great club full of iron spikes, till Sir Lancelot was fain to
draw his sword and smite him dead upon the earth.
At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all the people came and
cried, "Ah, sir! a worse deed for thyself thou never didst, for thou
hast slain the chief porter of the castle yonder!" But he let them talk
as they pleased, and rode straight forward to the castle.
There he alighted, and tied his horse to a ring in the wall; and going
in, he saw a wide green court, and thought it seemed a noble place to
fight in. And as he looked about, he saw many people watching him from
doors and windows, making signs of warning, and saying, "Fair knight,
thou art unhappy." In the next moment came upon him two great giants,
well armed save their heads, and with two horrible clubs in their hands.
Then he put his shield before him, and with it warded off one giant's
stroke, and clove the other with his sword from the head downward to the
chest. When the first giant saw that, he ran away mad with fear; but Sir
Lancelot ran after him, and smote him through the shoulder, and shore
him down his back, so that he fell dead.
Then he walked onward to the castle hall, and saw a band of sixty ladies
and young damsels coming forth, who knelt to him, and thanked him for
their freedom. "For, sir," said they, "the most of us have been
prisoners here these seven years; and have been kept at all manner of
work to earn our meat, though we be all great gentlewomen born. Blessed
be the time that thou wast born, for never did a knight a deed of
greater worship than thou hast this day, and thereto will we all bear
witness in all times and places! Tell us, therefore, noble knight, thy
name and court, that we may tell them to our friends!" And when they
heard it, they all cried aloud, "Well may it be so, for we knew that no
knight save thou shouldst ever overcome those giants; and many a long
day have we sighed for thee; for the giants feared no other name among
all knights but thine."
Then he told them to take the treasures of the castle as a reward for
their grievances; and to return to their homes, and so rode away into
many strange and wild countries. And at last, after many days, by chance
he came, near the night time, to a fair mansion, wherein he found an old
gentlewoman, who gave him and his horse good cheer. And when bed time
was come, his host brought him to a chamber over a gate, and there he
unarmed, and went to bed and fell asleep.