can ask, for if I do this battle for the queen I shall anger all my
fellows of the Table Round; nevertheless, for my lord Sir Lancelot's
sake, and for yours, I will that day be the queen's champion, unless
there chance to come a better knight than I am to do battle for her."
And this he promised on his faith.
Then were the king and queen passing glad, and thanked him heartily, and
so departed.
But Sir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage where Sir Lancelot was, and
told him all these tidings.
"It has chanced as I would have it," said Sir Lancelot; "yet make ye
ready for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come."
"Sir," said Sir Bors, "doubt not but ye shall have your will."
But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he
was to be the queen's champion, for there were few in the court but
deemed her guilty.
Then said Sir Bors, "Wit ye will, fair lords, it were a shame to us all
to suffer so fair and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion,
for ever hath she proved herself a lover of good knights; wherefore I
doubt not she is guiltless of this treason."
At that were some well pleased, but others rested passing wroth.
And when the day was come, the king and queen and all the knights went
to the meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be fought.
Then the queen was put in ward, and a great fire was made round the iron
stake, where she must be burnt if Sir Mador won the day.
So when the heralds blew, Sir Mador rode forth, and took oath that Queen
Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and his oath he would prove
with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth
Sir Bors, and said, "Queen Guinevere is in the right, and that will I
prove with my hands."
With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the
battle. But Sir Bors tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come, till
Sir Mador cried out to King Arthur, "Bid thy champion come forth, unless
he dare not." Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and rode to
the end of the lists.
But ere he could meet Sir Mador he was aware of a knight upon a white
horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield, who rode to him
and said, "I pray you withdraw from this quarrel, for it is mine, and I
have ridden far to fight in it."
Thereat Sir Bors rode to King Arthur, and told him that another knight
was come who would do battle for the queen.
"Who is he?" said King Arthur.
"I may not tell you," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to
be here to-day, wherefore I am discharged."
Then the king called that knight, and asked him if he would fight for
the queen.
"Therefore came I hither, Sir king," answered he; "but let us tarry no
longer, for anon I have other matters to do. But wit ye well," said he
to the Knights of the Round Table, "it is shame to ye for such a
courteous queen to suffer this dishonor."
And all men marveled who this knight might be, for none knew him save
Sir Bors.
Then Sir Mador and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and
couching their spears, ran one against the other with all their might;
and Sir Mador's spear broke short, but the strange knight bore both him
and his horse down to the ground. Then lightly they leaped from their
saddles and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and
either gave the other many sad strokes and sore and deep wounds.
Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Mador was a full strong and
valiant knight. But at last the strange knight smote him to the earth,
and gave him such a buffet on the helm as wellnigh killed him. Then did
Sir Mador yield, and prayed his life.
"I will but grant it thee," said the strange knight, "if thou wilt
release the queen from this quarrel forever, and promise that no mention
shall be made upon Sir Patrice's tomb that ever she consented to that
treason."
"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador.
Then the knights parters took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and
the other knight went straight to the stair foot of King Arthur's
throne; and by that time was the queen come to the king again, and
kissed him lovingly.
Then both the king and she stooped down, and thanked the knight, and
prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine.
And when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir
Lancelot. But when the queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground
weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness
when she had showed him such unkindness.
Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great
joy and mirth in the court. And Sir Mador and Sir Lancelot were soon
healed of their wounds; and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to
the court, and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinell, and
not the queen, was guilty of Sir Patrice's death. Whereat the queen was
held excused of all men, and Sir Pinell fled the country.
So Sir Patrice was buried in the church of Winchester, and it was
written on his tomb that Sir Pinell slew him with a poisoned apple, in
error for Sir Gawain. Then, through Sir Lancelot's favor, the queen was
reconciled to Sir Mador, and all was forgiven.
Now fifteen days before the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the
king proclaimed a tourney to be held that feast-day at Camelot, whereat
himself and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come
against them. So thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish
of Ireland, and Sir Galahaut the noble prince, and many other nobles of
divers countries.
And King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the queen go with
him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot, also, made excuses,
saying he was not yet whole of his wounds.
At that the king was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone
towards Camelot. And by the way he lodged in a town called Astolat, and
lay that night in the castle.
As soon as he had gone, Sir Lancelot said to the queen, "This night I
will rest, and to-morrow betimes will I take my way to Camelot; for at
these jousts I will be against the king and his fellowship."
"Ye may do as ye list," said Queen Guinevere; "but by my counsel ye will
not be against the king, for in his company are many hardy knights, as
ye well know."
"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray ye be not displeased with me, for I
will take the adventure that God may send me."
And on the morrow he went to the church and heard mass, and took his
leave of the queen, and so departed.
Then he rode long till he came to Astolat, and there lodged at the
castle of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astolat, which was near the
castle where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the king
espied him, and knew him. Then said he to the knights, "I have just seen
a knight who will fight full well at the joust toward which we go."
"Who is it?" asked they.
"As yet ye shall not know," he answered smiling.
When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming the old baron came to him,
saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was.
Now Sir Bernard had a daughter passing beautiful, called the Fair Maid
of Astolat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that
instant with her whole heart, and could not stay from gazing on him.
On the morrow, Sir Lancelot asked the old baron to lend him a strange
shield. "For," said he, "I would be unknown."
"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for here is the shield
of my eldest son, Sir Torre, who was hurt the day he was made knight, so
that he cannot ride; and his shield, therefore, is not known. And, if it
please you, my youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you to the
jousts, for he is of his age full strong and mighty; and I deem ye be a
noble knight, wherefore I pray ye tell me your name."
"As to that," said Sir Lancelot, "ye must hold me excused at this time,
but if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you; but
in anywise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and lend me his
brother's shield."
Then, ere they departed, came Elaine, the baron's daughter, and said to
Sir Lancelot, "I pray thee, gentle knight, to wear my token at
to-morrow's tourney."
"If I should grant you that, fair damsel," said he, "ye might say that I
did more for you than ever I have done for lady or damsel."
Then he bethought him that if he granted her request he would be the
more disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon
he said, "Fair damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet if thou wilt
show it me."
Thereat was she passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve broidered
with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took, and put upon his helm. Then he
prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking
Sir Torre's shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavaine towards Camelot.
On the morrow the trumpets blew for the tourney, and there was a great
press of dukes and earls and barons and many noble knights; and King
Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of
Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland rode forth on King
Arthur's side; and against them came the King of North Wales, the King
of a Hundred Knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince
Sir Galahaut.
But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood behind the
party which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove
the weakest.
Then was there a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a
Hundred Knights smote down the King of Scotland; and Sir Palomedes, who
was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galahaut. Then came fifteen
Knights of the Round Table and beat back the Kings of Northumberland and
North Wales with their knights.
"Now," said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "if ye will help me, ye shall
see yonder fellowship go back as fast as they came."
"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "I will do what I can."
Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there, with
one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five Knights of the Round Table, one
after other, and Sir Lavaine overthrew two. And taking another spear,
for his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and
Sir Lavaine a fifth. Then, drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought
fiercely on the right hand and the left, and unhorsed Sir Safire, Sir
Epinogris, and Sir Galleron. At that the Knights of the Round Table
withdrew themselves as well as they were able.
"Now, mercy," said Sir Gawain, who sat by King Arthur; "what knight is
that who doth such marvelous deeds of arms? I should deem him by his
force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's token on his helm
as never Lancelot doth."
"Let him be," said King Arthur; "he will be better known, and do more
ere he depart."
Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his
knights were sore ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel
called together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed
to join together in one band against the two strange knights. So they
encountered Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse
to the ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through
the shield into the side, and the spear broke off and left the head in
the wound.
When Sir Lavaine saw that, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck
him off his horse, and brought it to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to
mount. Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bors and his horse to the ground, and
in like manner served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and turning upon three
other knights he smote them down also; while Sir Lavaine did many
gallant deeds.
But feeling himself now sorely wounded Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and
proffered to fight with Sir Bors, who, by this time, was mounted anew.
And as they met, Sir Ector and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of
all three drave fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets, and
his wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while
he could yet endure, and smote Sir Bors a blow that bent his head down
nearly to the ground and razed his helmet off and pulled him from his
horse.
Then rushing at Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, he smote them down, and might
have slain all three, but when he saw their faces his heart forbade him.
Leaving them, therefore, on the field, he hurled into the thickest of
the press, and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before.
And Sir Lavaine was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights;
but Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them Knights
of the Round Table.
Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney,
and the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight with the white
shield who bore the red sleeve.
But ere Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the King of the
Hundred Knights, the King of North Wales, the King of Northumberland,
and Sir Galahaut, and said to him, "Fair knight, God bless thee, for
much have ye done this day for us; wherefore we pray ye come with us and
receive the honor and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it."
"My fair lords," said Sir Lancelot, "wit ye well if I have deserved
thanks, I have sore bought them, for I am like never to escape with my
life; therefore pray ye let me depart, for I am sore hurt. I take no
thought of honor, for I had rather rest me than be lord of all the
world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away
from them.
And Sir Lavaine rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still
stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from
the wound. Anon they came near a wood more than a mile from the lists,
where he knew he could be hidden.
Then said he to Sir Lavaine, "O gentle knight, help me to pull out this
spear-head from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me."
"Dear lord," said he, "I fain would help ye; but I dread to draw it
forth, lest ye should die for loss of blood."
"I charge you as you love me," said Sir Lancelot, "draw it out."
So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavaine drew the spear
forth from Sir Lancelot's side; whereat he gave a marvelous great shriek
and ghastly groan, and all his blood leaped forth in a full stream. Then
he sank swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death.
"Alas!" cried Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do now?"
And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him
nigh half an hour while he lay quiet as one dead. But at the last he
lifted up his eyes, and said, "I pray ye bear me on my horse again, and
lead me to a hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence, for he was
formerly a knight of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in
medicine and herbs."
So with great pain Sir Lavaine got him to his horse, and led him to the
hermitage within the wood, beside a stream. Then knocked he with his
spear upon the door, and prayed to enter. At that a child came out, to
whom he said, "Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither
and let in a knight who is sore wounded."
Anon came out the knight-hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked,
"Who is this wounded knight?"
"I know not," said Sir Lavaine, "save that he is the noblest knight I
ever met with, and hath done this day such marvelous deeds of arms
against King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the tourney."
Then the hermit gazed long on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him, so pale
he was with bleeding, yet said he at the last, "Who art thou, lord?"
Sir Lancelot answered feebly, "I am a stranger knight adventurous, who
laboreth through many realms to win worship."
"Why hidest thou thy name, dear lord, from me?" cried Sir Baldwin; "for
in sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world--my
lord Sir Lancelot du Lake, with whom I long had fellowship at the Round
Table."
"Since ye know me, fair sir," said he, "I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to
help me if ye may."
"Doubt not," replied he, "that ye shall live and fare right well."
Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials
till he was refreshed from his faintness and came to himself again.
Now after the jousting was done King Arthur held a feast, and asked to
see the knight with the red sleeve that he might take the prize. So they
told him how that knight had ridden from the field wounded nigh to
death. "These be the worst tidings I have heard for many years," cried
out the king; "I would not for my kingdom he were slain."
Then all men asked, "Know ye him, lord?"
"I may not tell ye at this time," said he; "but would to God we had good
tidings of him."
Then Sir Gawain prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the king
gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted and rode many leagues round
Camelot, but could hear no tidings.
Within two days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from
Camelot, and Sir Gawain chanced to lodge at Astolat, in the house of Sir
Bernard. And there came in the fair Elaine to him, and prayed him news
of the tournament, and who won the prize. "A knight with a white
shield," said he, "who bare a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all
comers and won the day."
At that the visage of Elaine changed suddenly from white to red, and
heartily she thanked our Lady.
Then said Sir Gawain, "Know ye that knight?" and urged her till she told
him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sir Gawain knew it was for love
that she had given it; and when he heard she kept his proper shield he
prayed to see it.
As soon as it was brought he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon, and cried,
"Alas! now am I heavier of heart than ever yet."
"Wherefore?" said fair Elaine.
"Fair damsel," answered he, "know ye not that the knight ye love is of
all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot du Lake? With all my
heart I pray ye may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think that
ye shall see him in this world again, for he is so sore wounded he may
scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him."
Then was Elaine nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words
she prayed her father that she might go seek Sir Lancelot and her
brother. So in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed.
And on the morrow came Sir Gawain to the court, and told how he had
found Sir Lancelot's shield in Elaine's keeping, and how it was her
sleeve which he had worn; whereat all marveled, for Sir Lancelot had
done for her more than he had ever done for any woman.
But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and
sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir
Lancelot had been hurt--"Have ye now heard," said she, "how falsely Sir
Lancelot hath betrayed me?"
"I beseech thee, madam," said he, "speak not so, for else I may not hear
thee."
"Shall I not call him traitor," cried she, "who hath worn another lady's
token at the jousting?"
"Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent," replied Sir Bors, "but
that he might be better hidden, for never did he in that wise before."
"Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him," cried the queen.
"Madam, say what ye will," said he; "but I must haste to seek him, and
God send me soon good tidings of him."
So with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot.
Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astolat, and come to Camelot,
and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot.
And so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the hermitage to
exercise his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud,
"How doth my lord Sir Lancelot fare?"
Then said Sir Lavaine, marveling greatly, "How know ye my lord's name,
fair sister?"
So she told him how Sir Gawain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir
Lancelot's shield.
Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came to the
hermitage and found him lying there sore sick and bleeding, she swooned
for sorrow. Anon, as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her, and said,
"Fair maid, I pray ye take comfort, for, by God's grace, I shall be
shortly whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me, I am heartily
bounden to your great kindness." Yet was he sore vexed to hear Sir
Gawain had discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full
wroth because of the red sleeve.
So Elaine rested in the hermitage, and ever night and day she watched
and waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as
she saw him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no
means withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "I pray thee
set some to watch for the good knight Sir Bors, for as he hurt me, so
will he surely seek for me."
Now Sir Bors by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir
Lancelot everywhere, so Sir Lavaine soon found him, and brought him to
the hermitage.
And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pity and
sorrow that he had given him that grievous wound. "God send thee a right
speedy cure, dear lord," said he; "for I am of all men most unhappy to
have wounded thee, who art our leader, and the noblest knight in all the
world."
"Fair cousin," said Sir Lancelot, "be comforted, for I have but gained
what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, for had I
warned ye of my coming it had not been; wherefore let us speak of other
things."
So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the queen's
anger. Then he asked Sir Lancelot, "Was it from this maid who tendeth
you so lovingly ye had the token?"
"Yea," said Sir Lancelot; "and would I could persuade her to withdraw
her love from me."
"Why should ye do so?" said Sir Bors; "for she is passing fair and
loving. I would to heaven ye could love her."
"That may not be," replied he; "but it repenteth me in sooth to grieve
her."
Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at
Allhallowtide next coming, between King Arthur and the King of North
Wales.
"Abide with me till then," said Sir Lancelot, "for by that time I trust
to be all whole again, and we will go together."
So Elaine daily and nightly tending him, within a month he felt so
strong he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day, when Sir Bors and
Sir Lavaine were from the hermitage, and the knight-hermit also was gone
forth, Sir Lancelot prayed Elaine to bring him some herbs from the
forest.
When she was gone he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he
were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh
with lack of labor for so long a time. But when he set his spear in the
rest and tried his armor, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so
that Sir Lancelot strained to keep him back. And therewith his wound,
which was not wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan
he sank down swooning on the ground.
At that came fair Elaine and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying
so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them
traitors to let him rise, or to know any rumor of the tournament. Anon
the hermit returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen, but within
a while he recovered him from his swoon and staunched the wound. Then
Sir Lancelot told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his
strength for the tournament. But the hermit bade him rest and let Sir
Bors go alone, for else would he sorely peril his life. And Elaine,
with tears, prayed him in the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end
consented.
So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of
arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Gawain, who did like
valiantly.
And when all was over he came back and told Sir Lancelot, and found him
so nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter
he departed from the hermitage and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavaine, and
fair Elaine to Astolat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them.
But after they had lodged there a few days Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors
must needs depart and return to King Arthur's court.
So when Elaine knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said,
"Have mercy on me, fair knight, and let me not die for your love."
Then said Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, "Fair maid, what would ye
that I should do for you?"
"If I may not be your wife, dear lord," she answered, "I must die."
"Alas!" said he, "I pray heaven that may not be; for in sooth I may not
be your husband. But fain would I show ye what thankfulness I can for
all your love and kindness to me. And ever will I be your knight, fair
maiden; and if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right
heartily will I give ye such a dower as half my lands will bring."
"Alas! what shall that aid me?" answered she; "for I must die," and
therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon.
Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard
and Sir Lavaine, "What shall I do for her?"
"Alas!" said Sir Bernard, "I know well that she will die for your sake."