who gave it me; but if thou wilt not stand by me to-day I will surely
slay thee; for I ask no more of thee than to fight one knight, and if
thy heart will not serve thee that much, thou shalt stand by and look on
me and them."
"Would God that I had never met with ye!" cried Sir Dinadan; "but I
promise to look on and do all that I may to save myself."
Anon they came to where the thirty knights lay waiting, and Sir Tristram
rushed upon them, saying, "Here is one who fights for love of Lancelot!"
Then slew he two of them at the first onset with his spear, and ten more
swiftly after with his sword. At that Sir Dinadan took courage, and
assailed the others with him, till they turned and fled.
But Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode on till nightfall, and meeting
with a shepherd, asked him if he knew of any lodging thereabouts.
"Truly, fair lords," said he, "there is good lodging in a castle hard
by, but it is a custom there that none shall lodge therein save ye first
joust with two knights, and as soon as ye be within, ye shall find your
match."
"That is an evil lodging," said Sir Dinadan; "lodge where ye will, I
will not lodge there."
"Shame on thee!" said Sir Tristram; "art thou a knight at all?"
Then he required him on his knighthood to go with him, and they rode
together to the castle. As soon as they were near, two knights came out
and ran full speed against them; but both of them they overthrew, and
went within the castle, and had noble cheer. Now, when they were unarmed
and ready to take rest, there came to the castle-gate two knights, Sir
Palomedes and Sir Gaheris, and desired the custom of the castle.
"I would far rather rest than fight," said Sir Dinadan.
"That may not be," replied Sir Tristram, "for we must needs defend the
custom of the castle, seeing we have overcome its lords; therefore, make
ready."
"Alas that I ever came into your company," said Sir Dinadan.
So they made ready, and Sir Gaheris encountered Sir Tristram and fell
before him; but Sir Palomedes overthrew Sir Dinadan. Then would all
fight on foot save Sir Dinadan, for he was sorely bruised and frighted
by his fall. And when Sir Tristram prayed him to fight, "I will not,"
answered he, "for I was wounded by those thirty knights with whom we
fought this morning; and as to you, ye are in truth like one gone mad,
and who would cast himself away! There be but two knights in the world
so mad, and the other is Sir Lancelot, with whom I once rode forth, who
kept me evermore at battling so that for a quarter of a year thereafter
I lay in my bed. Heaven defend me again from either of your
fellowships!"
"Well," said Sir Tristram, "if it must be, I will fight them both."
Therewith he drew his sword and assailed Sir Palomedes and Sir Gaheris
together; but Sir Palomedes said, "Nay, but it is a shame for two to
fight with one." So he bade Sir Gaheris stand by, and he and Sir
Tristram fought long together; but in the end Sir Tristram drave him
backward, whereat Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan with one accord sundered
them. Then Sir Tristram prayed the two knights to lodge there; but
Dinadan departed and rode away into a priory hard by, and there he
lodged that night.
And on the morrow came Sir Tristram to the priory to find him, and
seeing him so weary that he could not ride, he left him, and departed.
At that same priory was lodged Sir Pellinore, who asked Sir Dinadan Sir
Tristram's name, but could not learn it, for Sir Tristram had charged
that he should remain unknown. Then said Sir Pellinore, "Since ye will
not tell it me, I will ride after him and find it myself."
"Beware, Sir knight," said Sir Dinadan, "ye will repent it if ye follow
him."
But Sir Pellinore straightway mounted and overtook him, and cried to him
to joust; whereat Sir Tristram forthwith turned and smote him down; and
wounded him full sorely in the shoulder.
On the day after, Sir Tristram met a herald, who told him of a
tournament proclaimed between King Carados of Scotland, and the King of
North Wales, to be held at the Maiden's Castle. Now King Carados sought
Sir Lancelot to fight there on his side, and the King of North Wales
sought Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram purposed to be there. So as he
rode, he met Sir Key, the seneschal, and Sir Sagramour, and Sir Key
proffered to joust with him. But he refused, desiring to keep himself
unwearied for the tourney. Then Sir Key cried, "Sir knight of Cornwall,
joust with me, or yield as recreant." When Sir Tristram heard that, he
fiercely turned and set his spear in rest, and spurred his horse towards
him. But when Sir Key saw him so madly coming on, he in his turn
refused, whereat Sir Tristram called him coward, till for shame he was
compelled to meet him. Then Sir Tristram lightly smote him down, and
rode away. But Sir Sagramour pursued him, crying loudly to joust with
him also. So Sir Tristram turned and quickly overthrew him likewise, and
departed.
Anon a damsel met him as he rode, and told him of a knight adventurous
who did great harm thereby, and prayed him for his help. But as he went
with her he met Sir Gawain, who knew the damsel for a maiden of Queen
Morgan le Fay. Knowing, therefore, that she needs must have evil plots
against Sir Tristram, Sir Gawain demanded of him courteously whither he
went.
"I know not whither," said he, "save as this damsel leadeth me."
"Sir," said Sir Gawain, "ye shall not ride with her, for she and her
lady never yet did good to any;" and, drawing his sword, he said to the
damsel, "Tell me now straightway for what cause thou leadest this
knight, or else shalt thou die; for I know of old thy lady's treason."
"Mercy, Sir Gawain," cried the damsel, "and I will tell thee all." Then
she told him that Queen Morgan had ordained thirty fair damsels to seek
out Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram, and by their wiles persuade them to
her castle, where she had thirty knights in wait to slay them.
"Oh shame!" cried Sir Gawain, "that ever such foul treason should be
wrought by a queen, and a king's sister." Then said he to Sir Tristram,
"Sir knight, if ye will stand with me, we will together prove the malice
of these thirty knights."
"I will not fail you," answered he, "for but few days since I had to do
with thirty knights of that same queen, and trust we may win honor as
lightly now as then."
So they rode together, and when they came to the castle, Sir Gawain
cried aloud, "Queen Morgan le Fay, send out thy knights that we may
fight with them."
Then the queen urged her knights to issue forth, but they durst not, for
they well knew Sir Tristram, and feared him greatly.
So Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain went on their way, and as they rode they
saw a knight, named Sir Brewse-without-pity, chasing a lady, with intent
to slay her. Then Sir Gawain prayed Sir Tristram to hold still and let
him assail that knight. So he rode up between Sir Brewse and the lady,
and cried, "False knight, turn thee to me and leave that lady." Then Sir
Brewse turned and set his spear in rest, and rushed against Sir Gawain
and overthrew him, and rode his horse upon him as he lay, which when Sir
Tristram saw, he cried, "Forbear that villainy," and galloped at him.
But when Sir Brewse saw by the shield it was Sir Tristram, he turned and
fled. And though Sir Tristram followed swiftly after him, yet he was so
well horsed that he escaped.
Anon Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain came nigh the Maiden's Castle, and
there an old knight named Sir Pellonnes gave them lodging. And Sir
Persides, the son of Sir Pellonnes, a good knight, came out to welcome
them. And, as they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw
a goodly knight ride by on a black horse, and carrying a black shield.
"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
"One of the best knights in all the world," said Sir Persides.
"Is he Sir Lancelot?" said Sir Tristram.
"Nay," answered Sir Persides, "it is Sir Palomedes, who is yet
unchristened."
Within a while one came and told them that a knight with a black shield
had smitten down thirteen knights. "Let us go and see this jousting,"
said Sir Tristram. So they armed themselves and went down. And when Sir
Palomedes saw Sir Persides, he sent a squire to him and proffered him to
joust. So they jousted, and Sir Persides was overthrown. Then Sir
Tristram made ready to joust, but ere he had his spear in rest, Sir
Palomedes took him at advantage, and struck him on the shield so that he
fell. At that Sir Tristram was wroth out of measure and sore ashamed,
wherefore he sent a squire and prayed Sir Palomedes to joust once again.
But he would not, saying, "Tell thy master to revenge himself to-morrow
at the Maiden's Castle, where he shall see me again."
So on the morrow Sir Tristram commanded his servant to give him a black
shield with no cognizance thereon, and he and Sir Persides rode into the
tournament and joined King Carados' side.
Then the knights of the King of North Wales came forth, and there was a
great fighting and breaking of spears, and overthrow of men and horses.
Now King Arthur sat above in a high gallery to see the tourney and give
the judgment, and Sir Lancelot sat beside him. Then came against Sir
Tristram and Sir Persides, two knights with them of North Wales, Sir
Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris; and Sir Persides was smitten down and nigh
slain, for four horsemen rode over him. But Sir Tristram rode against
Sir Gaheris and smote him from his horse, and when Sir Bleoberis next
encountered him, he overthrew him also. Anon they horsed themselves
again, and with them came Sir Dinadan, whom Sir Tristram forthwith smote
so sorely, that he reeled off his saddle. Then cried he, "Ah! Sir
knight, I know ye better than ye deem, and promise nevermore to come
against ye." Then rode Sir Bleoberis at him the second time, and had a
buffet that felled him to the earth. And soon thereafter the king
commanded to cease for that day, and all men marveled who Sir Tristram
was, for the prize of the first day was given him in the name of the
Knight of the Black Shield.
Now Sir Palomedes was on the side of the King of North Wales, but knew
not Sir Tristram again. And, when he saw his marvelous deeds, he sent to
ask his name. "As to that," said Sir Tristram, "he shall not know at
this time, but tell him he shall know when I have broken two spears upon
him, for I am the knight he smote down yesterday, and whatever side he
taketh, I will take the other."
So when they told him that Sir Palomedes would be on King Carados'
side--for he was kindred to King Arthur--"Then will I be on the King of
North Wales' side," said he, "but else would I be on my lord King
Arthur's."
Then on the morrow, when King Arthur was come, the heralds blew unto the
tourney. And King Carados jousted with the King of a Hundred Knights and
fell before him, and then came in King Arthur's knights and bare back
those of North Wales. But anon Sir Tristram came to aid them and bare
back the battle, and fought so mightily that none could stand against
him, for he smote down on the right and on the left, so that all the
knights and common people shouted his praise.
"Since I bare arms," said King Arthur, "never saw I a knight do more
marvelous deeds."
Then the King of the Hundred Knights and those of North Wales set upon
twenty knights who were of Sir Lancelot's kin, who fought all together,
none failing the others. When Sir Tristram beheld their nobleness and
valor, he marveled much. "Well may he be valiant and full of prowess,"
said he, "who hath such noble knights for kindred." So, when he had
looked on them awhile, he thought it shame to see two hundred men
assailing twenty, and riding to the King of a Hundred Knights, he said,
"I pray thee, Sir king, leave your fighting with those twenty knights,
for ye be too many and they be too few. For ye shall gain no honor if ye
win, and that I see verily ye will not do unless ye slay them; but if ye
will not stay, I will ride with them and help them."
"Nay," said the king, "ye shall not do so; for full gladly I will do
your courtesy," and with that he withdrew his knights.
Then Sir Tristram rode his way into the forest, that no man might know
him. And King Arthur caused the heralds to blow that the tourney should
end that day, and he gave the King of North Wales the prize, because Sir
Tristram was on his side. And in all the field there was such a cry that
the sound thereof was heard two miles away--"The knight with the black
shield hath won the field."
"Alas!" said King Arthur, "where is that knight? it is shame to let him
thus escape us." Then he comforted his knights, and said, "Be not
dismayed, my friends, howbeit ye have lost the day; be of good cheer;
to-morrow I myself will be in the field, and fare with you." So they all
rested that night.
And on the morrow the heralds blew unto the field. So the King of North
Wales and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered with King Carados
and the King of Ireland, and overthrew them. With that came King Arthur,
and did mighty deeds of arms, and overthrew the King of North Wales and
his fellows, and put twenty valiant knights to the worse. Anon came in
Sir Palomedes, and made great fight upon King Arthur's side. But Sir
Tristram rode furiously against him, and Sir Palomedes was thrown from
his horse. Then cried King Arthur, "Knight of the Black Shield, keep
thyself." And as he spake he came upon him, and smote him from his
saddle to the ground, and so passed on to other knights. Then Sir
Palomedes having now another horse rushed at Sir Tristram, as he was on
foot, thinking to run over him. But he was aware of him, and stepped
aside, and grasped Sir Palomedes by the arms, and pulled him off his
horse. Then they rushed together with their swords, and many stood still
to gaze on them. And Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomedes with three mighty
strokes upon the helm, crying at each stroke, "Take this for Sir
Tristram's sake," and with that Sir Palomedes fell to the earth.
Anon the King of North Wales brought Sir Tristram another horse, and Sir
Palomedes found one also. Then did they joust again with passing rage,
for both by now were like mad lions. But Sir Tristram avoided his spear,
and seized Sir Palomedes by the neck, and pulled him from his saddle,
and bore him onward ten spears' length, and so let him fall. Then King
Arthur drew forth his sword and smote the spear asunder, and gave Sir
Tristram two or three sore strokes ere he could get at his own sword.
But when he had it in his hand he mightily assailed the king. With that
eleven knights of Lancelot's kin went forth against him, but he smote
them all down to the earth, so that men marveled at his deeds.
And the cry was now so great that Sir Lancelot got a spear in his hand,
and came down to assay Sir Tristram, saying, "Knight with the black
shield, make ready." When Sir Tristram heard him he leveled his spear,
and both stooping their heads, they ran together mightily, as it had
been thunder. And Sir Tristram's spear brake short, but Sir Lancelot
struck him with a deep wound in the side and broke his spear, yet
overthrew him not. Therewith Sir Tristram, smarting at his wound, drew
forth his sword, and rushing at Sir Lancelot, gave him mighty strokes
upon the helm, so that the sparks flew from it, and Sir Lancelot stooped
his head down to the saddle-bow. But then Sir Tristram turned and left
the field, for he felt his wound so grievous that he deemed he should
soon die. Then did Sir Lancelot hold the field against all comers, and
put the King of North Wales and his party to the worse. And because he
was the last knight in the field the prize was given him.
But he refused to take it, and when the cry was raised, "Sir Lancelot
hath won the day," he cried out, "Nay, but Sir Tristram is the victor,
for he first began and last endured, and so hath he done each day." And
all men honored Lancelot more for his knightly words than if he had
taken the prize.
This was the tournament ended, and King Arthur departed to Caerleon, for
the Whitsun feast was now nigh come, and all the knights adventurous
went their ways. And many sought Sir Tristram in the forest whither he
had gone, and at last Sir Lancelot found him, and brought him to King
Arthur's court, as hath been told already.
SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL
XIII
THE KNIGHTS GO TO SEEK THE GRAIL
After these things Merlin fell into a dotage of love for a damsel of the
lady of the lake, and would let her have no rest, but followed her in
every place. And ever she encouraged him, and made him welcome till she
had learned all his crafts that she desired to know.
Then upon a time she went with him beyond the sea to the land of
Benwicke, and as they went he showed her many wonders, till at length
she was afraid, and would fain have been delivered from him.
And as they were in the forest of Broceliande, they sat together under
an oak-tree, and the damsel prayed to see all that charm whereby men
might be shut up yet alive in rocks or trees. But he refused her a long
time, fearing to let her know, yet in the end, her prayers and kisses
overcame him, and he told her all. Then did she make him great cheer,
but anon, as he lay down to sleep, she softly rose, and walked about him
waving her hands and muttering the charm, and presently enclosed him
fast within the tree whereby he slept. And therefrom nevermore he could
by any means come out for all the crafts that he could do. And so she
departed and left Merlin.
At the vigil of the next Feast of Pentecost, when all the Knights of the
Round Table were met together at Camelot, and had heard mass, and were
about to sit down to meat, there rode into the hall a fair lady on
horseback, who went straight up to King Arthur where he sat upon his
throne, and reverently saluted him.
"God be with thee, fair damsel," quoth the king; "what desirest thou of
me?"
"I pray thee tell me, lord," she answered, "where Sir Lancelot is."
"Yonder may ye see him," said King Arthur.
Then went she to Sir Lancelot and said, "Sir, I salute thee in King
Pelles' name, and require thee to come with me into the forest hereby."
Then asked he her with whom she dwelt, and what she wished of him.
"I dwell with King Pelles," said she, "whom Balin erst so sorely wounded
when he smote the dolorous stroke. It is he who hath sent me to call
thee."
"I will go with thee gladly," said Sir Lancelot, and bade his squire
straightway saddle his horse and bring his armor.
Then came the queen to him and said, "Sir Lancelot, will ye leave me
thus at this high feast?"
"Madam," replied the damsel, "by dinner-time to-morrow he shall be with
you."
"If I thought not," said the queen, "he should not go with thee by my
goodwill."
Then Sir Lancelot and the lady rode forth till they came to the forest,
and in a valley thereof found an abbey of nuns, whereby a squire stood
ready to open the gates. When they had entered, and descended from their
horses, a joyful crowd pressed round Sir Lancelot and heartily saluted
him, and led him to the abbess's chamber, and unarmed him. Anon he saw
his cousins likewise there, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who also made great
joy at seeing him, and said, "By what adventure art thou here, for we
thought to have seen thee at Camelot to-morrow?"
"A damsel brought me here," said he, "but as yet I know not for what
service."
As they thus talked twelve nuns came in, who brought with them a youth
so passing fair and well made, that in all the world his match could not
be found. His name was Galahad, and though he knew him not, nor Lancelot
him, Sir Lancelot was his father.
"Sir," said the nuns, "we bring thee here this child whom we have
nourished from his youth, and pray thee to make him a knight, for from
no worthier hand can he receive that order."
Then Sir Lancelot, looking on the youth, saw that he was seemly and
demure as a dove, with every feature good and noble, and thought he
never had beheld a better fashioned man of his years. "Cometh this
desire from himself?" said he.
"Yea," answered Galahad and all the nuns.
"To-morrow, then, in reverence for the feast, he shall have his wish,"
said Sir Lancelot.
And the next day at the hour of prime, he knighted him, and said, "God
make of thee as good a man as He hath made thee beautiful."
Then with Sir Lionel and Sir Bors he returned to the court, and found
all gone to the minster to hear service. When they came into the
banquet-hall each knight and baron found his name written in some seat
in letters of gold, as "here ought to sit Sir Lionel," "here ought to
sit Sir Gawain,"--and so forth. And in the Perilous Seat, at the high
center of the table, a name was also written, whereat they marveled
greatly, for no living man had ever yet dared sit upon that seat, save
one, and him a flame leaped forth and drew down under earth, so that he
was no more seen.
Then came Sir Lancelot and read the letters in that seat, and said, "My
counsel is that this inscription be now covered up until the knight be
come who shall achieve this great adventure." So they made a veil of
silk and put it over the letters.
In the meanwhile came Sir Gawain to the court and told the king he had a
message to him from beyond the sea, from Merlin.
"For," said he, "as I rode through the forest of Broceliande but five
days since, I heard the voice of Merlin speaking to me from the midst of
an oak-tree, whereat, in great amazement, I besought him to come forth.
But he, with many groans, replied he never more might do so, for that
none could free him, save the damsel of the Lake, who had enclosed him
there by his own spells which he had taught her. 'But go,' said he, 'to
King Arthur, and tell him, that he now prepare his knights and all his
Table Round to seek the Sangreal, for the time is come when it shall be
achieved.'"
When Sir Gawain had spoken thus, King Arthur sat pensive in spirit, and
mused deeply of the Holy Grail and what saintly knight should come who
might achieve it.
Anon he bade them hasten to set on the banquet. "Sir," said Sir Key, the
seneschal, "if we go now to meat ye will break the ancient custom of
your court, for never have ye dined at this high feast till ye have seen
some strange adventure."
"Thou sayest truly," said the king, "but my mind was full of wonders and
musings, till I bethought me not of mine old custom."
As they stood speaking thus, a squire ran in and cried, "Lord, I bring
thee marvelous tidings."
"What be they?" said King Arthur.
"Lord," said he, "hereby at the river is a marvelous great stone, which
I myself saw swim down hither-wards upon the water, and in it there is
set a sword, and ever the stone heaveth and swayeth on the water, but
floateth down no further with the stream."
"I will go and see it," said the king. So all the knights went with him,
and when they came to the river, there surely found they a mighty stone
of red marble floating on the water, as the squire had said, and
therein stuck a fair and rich sword, on the pommel whereof were precious
stones wrought skillfully with gold into these words: "No man shall take
me hence but he by whose side I should hang, and he shall be the best
knight in the world."
When the king read this, he turned round to Sir Lancelot, and said,
"Fair sir, this sword ought surely to be thine, for thou art the best
knight in all the world."
But Lancelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not for me; nor
will I have the hardihood to set my hand upon it. For he that toucheth
it and faileth to achieve it shall one day be wounded by it mortally.
But I doubt not, lord, this day will show the greatest marvels that we
yet have seen, for now the time is fully come, as Merlin hath forewarned
us, when all the prophecies about the Sangreal shall be fulfilled."
Then stepped Sir Gawain forward and pulled at the sword, but could not
move it, and after him Sir Percival, to keep him fellowship in any peril
he might suffer. But no other knight durst be so hardy as to try.
"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Key, "for a marvelous adventure
ye have had."
So all returned from the river, and every knight sat down in his own
place, and the high feast and banquet then was sumptuously begun, and
all the hall was full of laughter and loud talk and jests, and running
to and fro of squires who served their knights, and noise of jollity and
mirth.
Then suddenly befell a wondrous thing, for all the doors and windows of
the hall shut violently of themselves, and made thick darkness; and
presently there came a fair and gentle light from out the Perilous Seat,
and filled the palace with its beams. Then a dead silence fell on all
the knights, and each man anxiously beheld his neighbor.