she leaned, gazing and weeping, from her window. And when he saw the
sweetness of her smiling, all his heart was light and joyful, and
starting up, he bade the Knight of the Redlands make ready. Then did
they lace their helms and fight together yet afresh, as though they had
never fought before. And at the last, the Knight of the Redlands with a
sudden stroke smote Sir Beaumains on the hand, so that his sword fell
from it, and with a second stroke upon the helm he drove him to the
earth. Then cried aloud the damsel Linet, "Alas! Sir Beaumains, see how
my sister weepeth to behold thee fallen!" And when Sir Beaumains heard
her words, he sprang upon his feet with strength, and leaping to his
sword, he caught it; and with many heavy blows pressed so sorely on the
Knight of the Redlands, that in the end he smote his sword from out his
hand, and, with a mighty blow upon the head, hurled him upon the ground.
Then Sir Beaumains unlaced his helm, and would have straightway slain
him, but the Knight of the Redlands yielded, and prayed for mercy. "I
may not spare thee," answered he, "because of the shameful death which
thou hast given to so many noble knights." "Yet hold thy hand, Sir
knight," said he, "and hear the cause. I loved once a fair damsel, whose
brother was slain, as she told me, by a knight of Arthur's court, either
Sir Lancelot, or Sir Gawain; and she prayed me, as I truly loved her,
and by the faith of my knighthood, to labor daily in deeds of arms, till
I should meet with him; and to put all knights of the Round Table whom I
should overcome to a villainous death. And this I swore to her." Then
prayed the earls, and knights, and barons, who stood round Sir
Beaumains, to spare the Red Knight's life. "Truly," replied he, "I am
loth to slay him, notwithstanding he hath done such shameful deeds. And
inasmuch as what he did was done to please his lady and to gain her
love, I blame him less, and for your sakes I will release him. But on
this agreement only shall he hold his life--that straightway he depart
into the castle, and yield him to the lady there, and make her such
amends as she shall ask, for all the trespass he hath done upon her
lands; and afterwards, that he shall go unto King Arthur's court, and
ask the pardon of Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain for all the evil he hath
done against them." "All this, Sir knight, I swear to do," said the
Knight of the Redlands; and therewith he did him homage and fealty.
Then came the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains and the Knight of the
Redlands, and disarmed them, and staunched their wounds. And when the
Knight of the Redlands had made amends for all his trespasses, he
departed for the court.
Then Sir Beaumains, being healed of his wounds, armed himself, and took
his horse and spear and rode straight to the castle of Dame Lyones, for
greatly he desired to see her. But when he came to the gate they closed
it fast, and pulled the drawbridge up. And as he marveled thereat, he
saw the Lady Lyones standing at a window, who said, "Go thy way as yet,
Sir Beaumains, for thou shalt not wholly have my love until thou be
among the worthiest knights of all the world. Go, therefore, and labor
yet in arms for twelve months more, and then return to me." "Alas! fair
lady," said Sir Beaumains, "I have scarce deserved this of thee, for
sure I am that I have bought thy love with all the best blood in my
body." "Be not aggrieved, fair knight," said she, "for none of thy
service is forgot or lost. Twelve months will soon be passed in noble
deeds; and trust that to my death I shall love thee and not another."
With that she turned and left the window.
So Sir Beaumains rode away from the castle very sorrowful at heart, and
rode he knew not whither, and lay that night in a poor man's cottage.
On the morrow he went forward, and came at noon to a broad lake, and
thereby he alighted, being very sad and weary, and rested his head upon
his shield, and told his dwarf to keep watch while he slept.
Now, as soon as he had departed, the Lady Lyones repented, and greatly
longed to see him back, and asked her sister many times of what lineage
he was; but the damsel would not tell her, being bound by her oath to
Sir Beaumains, and said his dwarf best knew. So she called Sir
Gringamors, her brother, who dwelt with her, and prayed him to ride
after Sir Beaumains till he found him sleeping, and then to take his
dwarf away and bring him back to her. Anon Sir Gringamors departed, and
rode till he came to Sir Beaumains, and found him as he lay sleeping by
the water-side. Then stepping stealthily behind the dwarf he caught him
in his arms and rode off in haste. And though the dwarf cried loudly to
his lord for help, and woke Sir Beaumains, yet, though he rode full
quickly after him, he could not overtake Sir Gringamors.
When Dame Lyones saw her brother come back, she was passing glad of
heart, and forthwith asked the dwarf his master's lineage. "He is a
king's son," said the dwarf, "and his mother is King Arthur's sister.
His name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, and he is brother to the good knight,
Sir Gawain. But I pray you suffer me to go back to my lord, for truly he
will never leave this country till he have me again." But when the Lady
Lyones knew her deliverer was come of such a kingly stock, she longed
more than ever to see him again.
Now as Sir Beaumains rode in vain to rescue his dwarf, he came to a fair
green road and met a poor man of the country, and asked him had he seen
a knight on a black horse, riding with a dwarf of a sad countenance
behind him. "Yea," said the man, "I met with such a knight an hour
agone, and his name is Sir Gringamors. He liveth at a castle two miles
from hence; but he is a perilous knight, and I counsel ye not to follow
him save ye bear him goodwill." Then Sir Beaumains followed the path
which the poor man showed him, and came to the castle. And riding to the
gate in great anger, he drew his sword, and cried aloud, "Sir
Gringamors, thou traitor! deliver me my dwarf again, or by my knighthood
it shall be ill for thee!" Then Sir Gringamors looked out of a window
and said, "Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou wilt
not get thy dwarf again." But the Lady Lyones said to her brother, "Nay,
brother, but I will that he have his dwarf, for he hath done much for
me, and delivered me from the Knight of the Redlands, and well do I love
him above all other knights." So Sir Gringamors went down to Sir Gareth
and cried him mercy, and prayed him to alight and take good cheer.
Then he alighted, and his dwarf ran to him. And when he was in the hall
came the Lady Lyones dressed royally like a princess. And Sir Gareth was
right glad of heart when he saw her. Then she told him how she had made
her brother take away his dwarf and bring him back to her. And then she
promised him her love, and faithfully to cleave to him and none other
all the days of her life. And so they plighted their troth to each
other. Then Sir Gringamors prayed him to sojourn at the castle, which
willing he did. "For," said he, "I have promised to quit the court for
twelve months, though sure I am that in the meanwhile I shall be sought
and found by my lord King Arthur and many others." So he sojourned long
at the castle.
Anon the knights, Sir Perseant, Sir Perimones, and Sir Pertolope, whom
Sir Gareth had overthrown, went to King Arthur's court with all the
knights who did them service, and told the king they had been conquered
by a knight of his named Beaumains. And as they yet were talking, it was
told the king there came another great lord with five hundred knights,
who, entering in, did homage, and declared himself to be the Knight of
the Redlands. "But my true name," said he, "is Ironside, and I am hither
sent by one Sir Beaumains, who conquered me, and charged me to yield
unto your grace." "Thou art welcome," said King Arthur, "for thou hast
been long a foe to me and mine, and truly I am much beholden to the
knight who sent thee. And now, Sir Ironside, if thou wilt amend thy life
and hold of me, I will entreat thee as a friend, and make thee Knight of
the Round Table; but thou mayst no more be a murderer of noble knights."
Then the Knight of the Redlands knelt to the king, and told him of his
promise to Sir Beaumains to use never more such shameful customs; and
how he had so done but at the prayer of a lady whom he loved. Then knelt
he to Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, and prayed their pardon for the
hatred he had borne them.
But the king and all the court marveled greatly who Sir Beaumains was.
"For," said the king, "he is a full noble knight." Then said Sir
Lancelot, "Truly he is come of honorable blood, else had I not given him
the order of knighthood; but he charged me that I should conceal his
secret."
Now as they talked thus it was told King Arthur that his sister, the
Queen of Orkney, was come to the court with a great retinue of knights
and ladies. Then was there great rejoicing, and the king rose and
saluted his sister. And her sons, Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
Gaheris knelt before her and asked her blessing, for during fifteen
years last past they had not seen her. Anon she said, "Where is my
youngest son, Sir Gareth? for I know that he was here a twelve-month
with you, and that ye made a kitchen knave of him." Then the king and
all the knights knew that Sir Beaumains and Sir Gareth were the same.
"Truly," said the king, "I knew him not." "Nor I," said Sir Gawain and
both his brothers. Then said the king, "God be thanked, fair sister,
that he is proved as worshipful a knight as any now alive, and by the
grace of Heaven he shall be found forthwith if he be anywhere within
these seven realms." Then said Sir Gawain and his brethren, "Lord, if ye
will give us leave we will go seek him." But Sir Lancelot said, "It
were better that the king should send a messenger to Dame Lyones and
pray her to come hither with all speed, and she will counsel where ye
shall find him." "It is well said," replied the king; and sent a
messenger quickly unto Dame Lyones.
When she heard the message she promised she would come forthwith, and
told Sir Gareth what the messenger had said, and asked him what to do.
"I pray you," said he, "tell them not where I am, but when my lord King
Arthur asketh for me, advise him thus--that he proclaim a tournament
before this castle on Assumption Day, and that the knight who proveth
best shall win yourself and all your lands." So the Lady Lyones departed
and came to King Arthur's court, and there was right nobly welcomed. And
when they asked her where Sir Gareth was, she said she could not tell.
"But, lord," said she, "with thy goodwill I will proclaim a tournament
before my castle on the Feast of the Assumption, whereof the prize shall
be myself and all my lands. Then if it be proclaimed that you, lord, and
your knights will be there, I will find knights on my side to fight you
and yours, and thus am I sure ye will hear tidings of Sir Gareth." "Be
it so done," replied the king.
So Sir Gareth sent messengers privily to Sir Perseant and Sir Ironside,
and charged them to be ready on the day appointed, with their companies
of knights to aid him and his party against the king. And when they were
arrived he said, "Now be ye well assured that we shall be matched with
the best knights of the world, and therefore must we gather all the
good knights we can find."
So proclamation was made throughout all England, Wales, Scotland,
Ireland, and Cornwall, and in the out isles and other countries, that at
the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, next coming, all knights who
came to joust at Castle Perilous should make choice whether they would
side with the king or with the castle. Then came many good knights on
the side of the castle. Sir Epinogris, the son of the King of
Northumberland, and Sir Palomedes the Saracen, and Sir Grummore
Grummorsum, a good knight of Scotland, and Sir Brian des Iles, a noble
knight, and Sir Carados of the Tower Dolorous, and Sir Tristram, who as
yet was not a knight of the Round Table, and many others. But none among
them knew Sir Gareth, for he took no more upon him than any mean person.
And on King Arthur's side there came the King of Ireland and the King of
Scotland, the noble prince Sir Galahaut, Sir Gawain and his brothers Sir
Agravain and Sir Gaheris, Sir Ewaine, Sir Tor, Sir Perceval, and Sir
Lamoracke, Sir Lancelot also and his kindred, Sir Lionel, Sir Ector, Sir
Bors and Sir Bedivere, likewise Sir Key and the most part of the Table
Round. The two queens also, Queen Guinevere and the Queen of Orkney, Sir
Gareth's mother, came with the king. So there was a great array both
within and without the castle, with all manner of feasting and
minstrelsy.
Now before the tournament began, Sir Gareth privily prayed Dame Lyones,
Sir Gringamors, Sir Ironside, and Sir Perseant, that they would in
nowise disclose his name, nor make more of him than of any common
knight. Then said Dame Lyones, "Dear lord, I pray thee take this ring,
which hath the power to change the wearer's clothing into any color he
may will, and guardeth him from any loss of blood. But give it me again,
I pray thee, when the tournament is done, for it greatly increaseth my
beauty whensoever I wear it." "Gramercy, mine own lady," said Sir
Gareth, "I wished for nothing better, for now I may be certainly
disguised as long as I will." Then Sir Gringamors gave Sir Gareth a bay
courser that was a passing good horse, with sure armor, and a noble
sword, won by his father from a heathen tyrant. And then every knight
made him ready for the tournament.
So on the day of the Assumption, when mass and matins were said, the
heralds blew their trumpets and sounded for the tourney. Anon came out
the knights of the castle and the knights of King Arthur, and matched
themselves together.
Then Sir Epinogris, son of the King of Northumberland, a knight of the
castle, encountered Sir Ewaine, and both broke off their spears short to
their hands. Then came Sir Palomedes from the castle, and met Sir
Gawain, and they so hardly smote each other, that both knights and
horses fell to the earth. Then Sir Tristram, from the castle,
encountered with Sir Bedivere, and smote him to the earth, horse and
man. Then the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Gareth met with Sir Bors
and Sir Bleoberis; and the Knight of the Redlands and Sir Bors smote
together so hard that their spears burst, and their horses fell
groveling to the ground. And Sir Bleoberis brake his spear upon Sir
Gareth, but himself was hurled upon the ground. When Sir Galihodin saw
that, he bade Sir Gareth keep him, but Sir Gareth lightly smote him to
the earth. Then Sir Galihud got a spear to avenge his brother, but was
served in like manner. And Sir Dinadam, and his brother
La-cote-male-taile, and Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Dodinas le
Savage, he bore down all with one spear.
When King Anguish of Ireland saw this, he marveled what that knight
could be who seemed at one time green and at another blue; for so at
every course he changed his color that none might know him. Then he ran
towards him and encountered him, and Sir Gareth smote the king from his
horse, saddle and all. And in like manner he served the King of
Scotland, and King Urience of Gore, and King Bagdemagus.
Then Sir Galahaut, the noble prince, cried out, "Knight of the many
colors! thou hast jousted well; now make thee ready to joust with me."
When Sir Gareth heard him, he took a great spear and met him swiftly.
And the prince's spear broke off, but Sir Gareth smote him on the left
side of the helm, so that he reeled here and there, and had fallen down
had not his men recovered him. "By my faith," said King Arthur, "that
knight of the many colors is a good knight. I pray thee, Sir Lancelot
du Lake, encounter with him." "Lord," said Sir Lancelot, "by thy leave I
will forbear. I find it in my heart to spare him at this time, for he
hath done enough work for one day; and when a good knight doth so well
it is no knightly part to hinder him from this honor. And peradventure
his quarrel is here to-day, and he may be the best beloved of the Lady
Lyones of all that be here; for I see well he paineth and forceth
himself to do great deeds. Therefore, as for me, this day he shall have
the honor; for though I were able to put him from it, I would not." "You
speak well and truly," said the king.
Then after the tilting, they drew swords, and there began a great
tournament, and there Sir Lancelot did marvelous deeds of arms, for
first he fought with both Sir Tristram and Sir Carados, albeit they were
the most perilous in all the world. Then came Sir Gareth and put them
asunder, but would not smite a stroke against Sir Lancelot, for by him
he had been knighted. Anon Sir Gareth's helm had need of mending, and he
rode aside to see to it and to drink water, for he was sore athirst with
all his mighty feats of strength. And while he drank, his dwarf said to
him, "Give me your ring, lest ye lose it while ye drink." So Sir Gareth
took it off. And when he had finished drinking, he rode back eagerly to
the field, and in his haste forgot to take the ring again. Then all the
people saw that he wore yellow armor. And King Arthur told a herald,
"Ride and espy the cognizance of that brave knight, for I have asked
many who he is, and none can tell me."
Then the herald rode near, and saw written round about his helmet in
letters of gold, "Sir Gareth of Orkney." And instantly the herald cried
his name aloud, and all men pressed to see him.
But when he saw he was discovered, he pushed with haste through all the
crowd, and cried to his dwarf, "Boy, thou hast beguiled me foully in
keeping my ring; give it me again, that I may be hidden." And as soon as
he had put it on, his armor changed again, and no man knew where he had
gone. Then he passed forth from the field; but Sir Gawain, his brother,
rode after him.
And when Sir Gareth had ridden far into the forest, he took off his
ring, and sent it back by the dwarf to the Lady Lyones, praying her to
be true and faithful to him while he was away.
Then rode Sir Gareth long through the forest, till night fell, and
coming to a castle he went up to the gate, and prayed the porter to let
him in. But churlishly he answered "that he should not lodge there."
Then said Sir Gareth, "Tell thy lord and lady that I am a knight of King
Arthur's court, and for his sake I pray their shelter." With that the
porter went to the duchess who owned the castle. "Let him in
straightway," cried she; "for the king's sake he shall not be
harborless!" and went down to receive him. When Sir Gareth saw her
coming, he saluted her, and said, "Fair lady, I pray you give me shelter
for this night, and if there be here any champion or giant with whom I
must needs fight, spare me till to-morrow, when I and my horse shall
have rested, for we are full weary." "Sir knight," she said, "thou
speakest boldly; for the lord of this castle is a foe to King Arthur and
his court, and if thou wilt rest here to-night thou must agree, that
wheresoever thou mayest meet my lord, thou must yield to him as a
prisoner." "What is thy lord's name, lady?" said Sir Gareth. "The Duke
de la Rowse," said she. "I will promise thee," said he, "to yield to
him, if he promise to do me no harm; but if he refuse, I will release
myself with my sword and spear."
"It is well," said the duchess; and commanded the drawbridge to be let
down. So he rode into the hall and alighted. And when he had taken off
his armor, the duchess and her ladies made him passing good cheer. And
after supper his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested that
night. On the morrow he rose and heard mass, and having broken his fast,
took his leave and departed.
And as he rode past a certain mountain there met him a knight named Sir
Bendelaine, and cried unto him, "Thou shalt not pass unless thou joust
with me or be my prisoner!" "Then will we joust," replied Sir Gareth. So
they let their horses run at full speed, and Sir Gareth smote Sir
Bendelaine through his body so sorely that he scarcely reached his
castle ere he fell dead. And as Sir Gareth presently came by the castle,
Sir Bendelaine's knights and servants rode out to revenge their lord.
And twenty of them fell on him at once, although his spear was broken.
But drawing his sword he put his shield before him. And though they
brake their spears upon him, one and all, and sorely pressed on him, yet
ever he defended himself like a noble knight. Anon, finding they could
not overcome him, they agreed to slay his horse; and having killed it
with their spears, they set upon Sir Gareth as he fought on foot. But
every one he struck he slew, and drave at them with fearful blows, till
he had slain them all but four, who fled. Then taking the horse of one
of those that lay there dead, he rode upon his way.
Anon he came to another castle and heard from within a sound as of many
women moaning and weeping. Then said he to a page who stood without,
"What noise is this I hear?" "Sir knight," said he, "there be within
thirty ladies, the widows of thirty knights who have been slain by the
lord of this castle. He is called the Brown Knight without pity, and is
the most perilous knight living, wherefore I warn thee to flee." "That
will I never do," said Sir Gareth, "for I fear him not." Then the page
saw the Brown Knight coming and said to Gareth, "Lo! my lord is near."
So both knights made them ready and galloped their horses towards each
other, and the Brown Knight brake his spear upon Sir Gareth's shield;
but Sir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fell dead. At that
he rode into the castle and told the ladies he had slain their foe. Then
were they right glad of heart and made him all the cheer they could,
and thanked him out of measure. But on the morrow as he went to mass he
found the ladies weeping in the chapel upon divers tombs that were
there. And he knew that in those tombs their husbands lay. Then he bade
them be comforted, and with noble and high words he desired and prayed
them all to be at Arthur's court on the next Feast of Pentecost.
So he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight
waiting, who said to him, "Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!" "How
are ye named?" said Sir Gareth. "I am the Duke de la Rowse," answered
he. "In good sooth," then said Sir Gareth, "not long ago I lodged within
your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might
meet." "Art thou that proud knight," said the duke, "who was ready to
fight with me? Guard thyself therefore and make ready." So they ran
together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke from his horse. Then they
alighted and drew their swords, and fought full sorely for the space of
an hour; and at the last Sir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and
would have slain him, but he yielded. "Then must ye go," said Sir
Gareth, "to my lord King Arthur at the next Feast of Pentecost and say
that I, Sir Gareth, sent ye." "As ye will be it," said the duke; and
gave him up his shield for pledge.
And as Sir Gareth rode alone he saw an armed knight coming towards him.
And putting the duke's shield before him he rode fast to tilt with him;
and so they ran together as it had been thunder, and brake their spears
upon each other. Then fought they fiercely with their swords, and lashed
together with such mighty strokes that blood ran to the ground on every
side. And after they had fought together for two hours and more, it
chanced the damsel Linet passed that way; and when she saw them, she
cried out, "Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, leave your fighting, for ye are
brethren!" At that they threw away their shields and swords, and took
each other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they could speak.
And each gave to the other the honor of the battle, and there was many a
kind word between them. Then said Sir Gawain, "O my brother, for your
sake have I had great sorrow and labor! But truly I would honor you
though ye were not my brother, for ye have done great worship to King
Arthur and his court, and sent more knights to him than any of the Table
Round, except Sir Lancelot."
Then the damsel Linet staunched their wounds, and their horses being
weary she rode her palfrey to King Arthur and told him of this strange
adventure. When she had told her tidings, the king himself mounted his
horse and bade all come with him to meet them. So a great company of
lords and ladies went forth to meet the brothers. And when King Arthur
saw them he would have spoken hearty words, but for gladness he could
not. And both Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth fell down at their uncle's knees
and did him homage, and there was passing great joy and gladness among
them all.