The Story of Sir Launcelot and Elaine the Fair
_Here followeth the history of Sir Launcelot's wanderings and of how he
came to the town of Corbin, and of how he slew the great Worm of Corbin
that for somewhiles brought sorrow and death to the folk of Corbin. Here
you shall also read the history of Elaine the Fair, the King's daughter
of Corbin, and of how for her sake Sir Launcelot fought in the
tournament at Astolat.
All these and several other things are herein duly set forth, so that,
should you please to read that which is hereafter written, I believe you
shall find a great deal of pleasure and entertainment in that history._
[Illustration: How Sir Launcelot held discourse with ye merry
Minstrels.]
[Illustration]
Chapter First
_How Sir Launcelot rode errant and how he assumed to undertake the
Adventure of the Worm of Corbin._
And now you shall be told how it befell Sir Launcelot after that he had
fought with Sir Gareth and had made him knight as told in the history of
Sir Gareth.
* * * * *
You are to know that after Sir Launcelot left Sir Gareth he went his way
very cheerfully, and many times he bethought him of how the damsel
Lynette had taken Sir Gareth to be a kitchen knave, and at that thought
he would laugh with great joy of so excellent a jest.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot rideth errant._]
So with great cheerfulness of spirit he rode ever onward upon his way,
whilst the daylight slanted farther and farther toward sunset. And,
after awhile, the sun sunk in the West, and the silence of the twilight
fell like to a soft mantle of silence upon the entire earth. The
darkness fell, the earth melted here and there into shadow and every
sound came very clear and loud as though the bright and luminous sky
that arched overhead was a great hollow bell of crystal that echoed back
every sudden noise with extraordinary clearness. Then Sir Launcelot was
both hungry and athirst and he wist not where he might find refreshment
to satisfy the needs of his body.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot meeteth the strolling minstrels._]
So, thinking of food and drink, he was presently aware of the light of
a fire shining in the gray of the falling twilight and thitherward he
directed his way, and in a little pass, he came to where there was a
merry party of strolling minstrels gathered around about that bright and
cheerful fire. Some of these fellows were clad in blue and some in
yellow and some in red and some in green and some in raiment pied of
many colors. And all they were eating with great appetite a savory stew
of mutton and lentils seasoned with onions and washed down with lusty
draughts of ale and wine which they poured forth, ever and anon, from
big round-bellied skins into horns and cups that were held to catch it.
These jolly fellows, beholding Sir Launcelot coming to them through the
dusk, gave him welcome with loud voices of acclaim and besought him to
descend from horseback and to eat with them, and Sir Launcelot was right
glad to do so.
So he dismounted from his horse and eased it of its saddle and turned it
loose to browse as it listed upon the grass of the wayside. And he laid
aside his shield and his spear and his sword and his helmet and he sat
him down with those minstrels and fell to eating and drinking with might
and main. And the minstrels bade him to take good cheer and to eat and
drink all that he desired and Sir Launcelot did so.
[Sidenote: _The minstrels chaunt._]
Then, after Sir Launcelot and the minstrels had supped their fill, those
lusty fellows brought forth other skins of wine and filling again the
several cups and flagons they all fell to drinking and making merry. And
several of the minstrels brought forth lutes and others brought forth
viols, and anon he who was the chief minstrel called upon one to stand
forth and sing, and that fellow did so, chaunting a rondel in praise of
his sweetheart's eyes. After that, another sang of battle and still
another sang in praise of pleasant living; meantime the others
accompanied, with lute and viol, those who sang, and Sir Launcelot
listened to their music with great pleasure of heart.
All about them lay the deep silence of the moonlit night with only that
one red spot of fire and of cheerful mirth in the midst of it, and the
fire shone very bright upon the armor of the knight and lit up all those
quaint fellows in red and green and yellow and blue and pied so that
they stood forth against the blackness behind them as though they had
been carved out from it with a sharp knife.
Then he who was chief among the minstrels said to Sir Launcelot,
"Messire, will ye not also sing?" At this Sir Launcelot laughed, and
quoth he: "Nay, good fellows, I cannot sing as ye do, but I will tell ye
a story an ye list to hear me."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot telleth a conte._]
At that they all cried out to tell them that story and thereupon he did
so, telling them a certain goodly conte of two knights who loved a lady,
but she loved neither of them, having set her heart upon an esquire of
low degree. So of these two knights the one became an hermit and the
other by force of his knighthood brought it to pass that the esquire was
exalted from his squirehood to become a king. But when the esquire
became a king the lady would have none of him, but turned her love to
the knight who had exalted him to his high estate. So the lady left the
esquire who was king and married the noble knight who had made him king,
and so, having made choice of the greatest and the noblest of all the
three, she dwelt happily with him to the end of her life.
To this the minstrels listed in silence and when Sir Launcelot had
finished they gave him great applause without measure.
After that the minstrels sang again and Sir Launcelot told them another
tale of chivalry; and so with good cheer the night passed pleasantly
away until the great round moon, bright and full like to a bubble of
shining silver, floated high in the sky above their heads, very bright
and as glorious as day and bathing all the world in a flood of still
white light, most wonderful to behold.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot would leave the minstrels._]
Then perceiving it to be midnight, Sir Launcelot bestirred himself, and
he said: "Good fellows, I thank ye with all my heart for the
entertainment ye have given me, but now I am refreshed I must go again
upon my way."
To this he who was chief among the minstrels said: "Sir Knight, we would
fain that you would remain with us to-night and would travel with us
upon our way to-morrow, for indeed you are the pleasantest and
cheerfulest knight that ever we met in all of our lives."
[Sidenote: _He asketh of some adventure._]
At this Sir Launcelot laughed with great good will, and he said: "Good
fellows, I give you gramercy for your fair regard. Ye are indeed a merry
company and were I not a knight methinks I would rather be one of your
party than one of any other company that ever I fell in with. But it may
not be, for, lo! I am a knight and I must e'en go about my business as
becometh one who weareth spurs of gold. So here and now we part.
Ne'theless you may haply do me one service, and that is to tell me
whether anywhere hereabout is to be found an adventure such as may
beseem a knight of good credit to undertake."
Upon this one of those minstrels spake saying: "Messire, I know where
there is an adventure, which, if you achieve it, will bring you such
great credit that I believe Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself would not
have greater credit than you."
At this Sir Launcelot laughed with great good will. "Well," quoth he, "I
would not be overbold, yet this I may say, that anything Sir Launcelot
of the Lake might not fear to undertake, that also I shall not fear to
assume, and whatever he might find strength to do that also I may hope
to accomplish. For indeed I may tell ye that I hold myself to be
altogether as good and worthy a knight as ever is Sir Launcelot of the
Lake."
"Ha!" quoth the chief minstrel, "I perceive, Sir Knight, that thou hast
a very good opinion of thyself. Now, were Sir Launcelot here, haply thou
wouldst not venture to reckon thyself so high as thou now dost."
At that all those minstrels laughed in great measure, and Sir Launcelot
laughed with them as loud as any. "Good fellows," said he, "I believe I
reckon myself to be no better than another man born of woman, yet this I
have to say: Oftentimes have I beheld Sir Launcelot and sometimes have I
contended against his will, but never at any time have I found him to be
stronger or worthier than am I myself. But let us not debate so small a
matter as this. Let us instead learn what is that adventure concerning
which yonder good fellow hath to advise us."
"Messire," quoth the minstrel, "have ye ever heard tell of the Worm of
Corbin?"
"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "but tell thou me of it."
[Sidenote: _The minstrel telleth of the Worm of Corbin._]
"Sir," said the minstrel, "I will do so. You are to know that some ways
to a considerable distance to the eastward of this place there is a very
large fair noble town hight Corbin; and the King of that country is King
Pelles. Now one time it chanced that Queen Morgana le Fay and the Queen
of North Wales were upon a visit to Corbin, and whilst they were there
there was given in that place a great jousting and feast in their honor.
[Sidenote: _Of the damsel who came to the feast of the King._]
"Whilst King Pelles sat at table with the two queens (all of his court
and his daughter Elaine the Fair being with him) there came into the
pavilion where the feast was held a wonderfully fair damsel, tall and
straight and clad from top to toe in flame-colored satin. In her hand
she bare a paten of silver and upon the paten was a napkin, and on the
napkin there was a wonderful ring of gold set with a clear blue stone.
And the damsel spoke in a voice both high and clear, saying: 'Lords and
Ladies, here have I a ring that may only be worn by the fairest and
worthiest lady in this room.'
"At these words, as you may suppose, there was a great deal of wonder
and much expectation, and a great deal of talk. For some said that one
lady should by rights have that ring and some said that another lady
should have it.
[Sidenote: _Of how Queen Morgana tryeth the ring._]
"Now the first to essay that ring was Queen Morgana le Fay, for she
supposed that this was a masque devised by King Pelles in honor of her.
So she took the ring in her hand and essayed to pass it upon her finger,
but lo! it would not pass the first joint thereof.
"At that Queen Morgana was filled with wrath, but still she dissembled
her anger and sat, waiting to see what would next befall.
[Sidenote: _Of how the Queen of North Wales tryeth the ring._]
"So after Queen Morgana le Fay had thus failed to wear that ring, the
Queen of North Wales said unto herself, 'Haply King Pelles may intend
this ring for me.' So she also took the ring and would have placed it
upon her finger, but lo! it grew so large that it would not stay where
it was placed, but fell off upon the table before the whole court of the
King.
"At this many who were there laughed aloud, and thereat the Queen of
North Wales was filled with anger and mortification as much as Queen
Morgana le Fay had been. But she also dissembled her anger before the
court and sat to watch what would befall.
"So after these two queens had so essayed, several others of the ladies
who were there each tried to put the ring upon her finger, but no one
could do so, for either it was too large, or else it was too small. Then
last of all the Lady Elaine the Fair, the King's daughter, essayed the
adventure of the ring, and lo! it fitted her as exactly as though it had
been made for her.
"At this both of those two queens aforesaid were more angered than ever,
for each said to herself, 'Certes, this King hath done this to put
affront upon us.' So that night they communed together what they should
do to punish King Pelles of Corbin and the Town of Corbin for that
affront which they deemed themselves to have suffered.
[Sidenote: _Of how Queen Morgana layeth a curse upon the town._]
"Now the next morning those two queens quitted the court, and as they
and their attendants passed by the market-place of the town they
perceived where there lay a great flat stone that marked the centre of
the town. Then Queen Morgana le Fay cried out: 'See ye yonder stone!
Beneath that slab there shall breed a great Worm and that Worm shall
bring sorrow and dole to this place ten thousand times more than the
shame which I suffered here yesterday. For that stone shall be enchanted
so that no man may lift it. And beneath that stone the Worm shall live;
and ever and anon it shall come forth and seize some fair young virgin
of this town and shall bear her away to its hiding-place and shall there
devour her for its food.'
"So it was as the Queen said, and now that Worm dwelleth at Corbin
beneath the stone, and ever bringeth sorrow and death to that place. And
it cometh out only at night, so that the terror of the Worm of Corbin is
greater than it would otherwise be, for no eye hath ever beheld it in
its comings and its goings. So if any champion shall achieve the death
of that Worm, he shall be held to have done a deed worthy of Sir
Launcelot of the Lake himself."
"Friend," said Sir Launcelot, "thou sayest true and that were indeed a
most worthy quest for any knight to undertake. As for me, I am so eager
to enter upon that quest that I can hardly stay my patience."
With this saying, Sir Launcelot rose from where he sat; and he whistled
his horse to him and when his horse had come to where he was he put the
saddle upon its back. And he took his shield and spear in his hand and
mounted upon his charger and made him ready to leave that place.
But ere he departed, the chief minstrel and several others came to him,
and the chief minstrel laid his hand upon the horse's neck and he said:
"I pray you, Messire, tell us who you are who have seen Sir Launcelot of
the Lake so often and who declare yourself to be as good a knight as
he."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot revealeth himself to the minstrels._]
Then Sir Launcelot laughed and he said: "Good friend, I am riding errant
as you behold. In these my travels I would fain withhold my name from
the knowledge of men. Nevertheless, since we have eaten and drunk
together, and since we have cohabited in good fellowship together, I
will tell you that I myself am that very Sir Launcelot whom ye appear to
hold in such high regard. Wherefore it is that I am, certes, as good as
he could possibly be, let that be saying much or saying little."
So saying, Sir Launcelot set spurs to his horse and rode away and left
them astonished at his words. And long after he had left those merry
fellows he could hear their voices in the distance babbling together
very loud with wonder that Sir Launcelot of the Lake had been amongst
them for all that time without any one of them suspecting him who he
was. For by this time all the world knew Sir Launcelot of the Lake to be
the greatest champion that ever the world had seen from the very
beginning unto that time.
* * * * *
After that, Sir Launcelot rode forward upon his way toward the eastward
through the moonlit night, and by and by he entered a great space of
forest land. And somewhile after he had entered that woodland the summer
day began to dawn and all the birds began at first to chirp and then to
sing very blithely and with a great multitude of happy voices from out
of every leafy thicket. Then up leapt the jolly sun and touched all the
upper leafage of the trees and turned them into gold.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot beholdeth Corbin._]
And anon the sun rose high and higher and when it was very high in the
heavens Sir Launcelot came out of the forest into an open country of
level meadows and of pasture-lands. And in the midst of that place, a
great way off, he beheld where there was a fair walled town set upon a
hill with a smooth shining river at its foot, and he wist that this must
be the Town of Corbin of which the strolling minstrels had told him the
night before.
So Sir Launcelot rode forward and drew near the town. And as he drew
closer to it he thought that this was one of the fairest towns that ever
he had beheld in all of his life. For the castle of the town and the
houses of the town were all built else of stone or else of brick, and a
thousand windows sparkled in the brightness of the day, shining like to
stars in heaven. And the river that flowed beside the town wound down
between fair green meadows which lay upon either side, and betwixt banks
of reeds and rushes and pollard willows, and it was like to a great
serpent of pure silver lying in the grass. The walls of the castle and
the walls of the town came down to the river, and stood with their feet,
as it were, in the clear and crystal-bright water, and there were trees
that overhung the water upon this side and upon that, and there was a
bridge with three arches that crossed over the river and led to the
town. All these things Sir Launcelot beheld and so it was that the town
appeared exceedingly pleasant to his eyes.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot bespeaks the town's folk._]
Now when Sir Launcelot had come pretty close to the town he met a party
of town-folk with several pack-mules hung with bells and laden with
parcels of goods. These Sir Launcelot bespoke, saying, "I pray ye, fair
folk, tell me, is this the Town of Corbin?" Thereunto they replied,
"Yea, Sir Knight, this is that town." Sir Launcelot said, "Why are ye so
sad and downcast?" Whereunto the chief of that party--a right reverend
man with a long white beard--made reply: "Sir Knight, wherefore do you
ask us why we are sad? Whence come you that you have not heard how we
are cursed in this town by a Worm that torments us very grievously; and
how is it that you have not heard tell how that Worm devoureth every now
and then a tender virgin from our midst?"
"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "I have indeed heard of this Worm that
bringeth you so much woe and dole. Know ye that it is because of this
very Worm that I have come hither. For I purpose, if God's grace be with
me, to destroy that vile thing and so to set ye all free from the curse
that lies upon you!"
"Alas, Sir Knight," quoth the old man, speaking very sorrowfully, "I do
not doubt that you are possessed of all the courage necessary for this
undertaking, yet for all that you may not hope to succeed in your quest.
For even if you were able to slay the Worm, yet you could not come at
it. For you are to know that it lyeth beneath a great stone and that the
stone is sealed by magic which Queen Morgana le Fay set upon it so that
no man may raise it from where it lyeth."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot speaketh words of cheer._]
Then Sir Launcelot spoke words of good cheer to that old man and to his
companions, saying: "Let that be as it may, yet for all that ye need not
despair of succor. Know ye not that naught can be achieved until it
first be essayed? As for that enchantment that lyeth upon the stone, I
tell ye this: Behold this ring which I wear upon my finger! It is
sovereign against all magic whatsoever, wherefore I know that the spells
which bind this stone into its place cannot prevail against the counter
magic of this ring. So ye shall be well assured that I shall lift that
stone, and after that, when it shall be lifted and when it shall come to
battle betwixt me and that Worm, then shall the issue lie altogether
with God, His Grace and Mercy."
[Sidenote: _How Sir Launcelot entered Corbin._]
Now when those who were there heard what Sir Launcelot said, their
hearts were filled with hope and joy, for it seemed to them that here
indeed might be a champion who should deliver them out of their
distresses. Wherefore when they heard his words they presently lifted up
their voices in loud acclaim, some crying, "God be with you!" and some
crying, "God save you from destruction!" some crying this, and some
crying that.
Then Sir Launcelot smiled upon them and said, "Save you good people,"
and therewith set spurs to flank and rode away.
But many of those who were there went with him, running beside his
horse, seeking to touch him and even to touch the horse which he rode.
And all the time they gave him loud acclaim without measure and without
stint.
For the virtue of Sir Launcelot went forth from him like a shining light
wherefore it seemed to them that here was one who should certainly free
them from the curse that lay upon them.
* * * * *
And thus it was that Sir Launcelot of the Lake rode across that
three-spanned bridge and into the Town of Corbin and so to his adventure
with the Worm of Corbin.
[Illustration: Sir Launcelot slayeth the Worm of Corbin:]
[Illustration]
Chapter Second
_How Sir Launcelot slew the Worm of Corbin, and how he was carried
thereafter to the Castle of Corbin and to King Pelles and to the Lady
Elaine the Fair._
[Sidenote: _The folk of the town welcome Sir Launcelot._]
So thus it was that Sir Launcelot entered the town of Corbin to slay the
Dragon that lay beneath the stone. And with his coming a great multitude
gathered very quickly, hurrying from all sides, crying out and blessing
him as he rode forward upon his way. And ever a great roar of voices
sounded all about him like to the noise of many waters.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot cometh to the place of the Dragon._]
So, upborn by that multitude, Sir Launcelot went forward very
steadfastly toward the market-place of the town, in the midst of which
lay that great stone, aforetold of, with the Worm beneath it. And when
he had reached the place, he bade the multitude abide where they were.
So, upon that command, the people stood afar off, and Sir Launcelot went
forward alone to where was the slab of stone. And he looked down upon
the slab and beheld that it was very flat and wide and so big that three
men might hardly hope to lift it. Besides this, he beheld that it had
been sealed by magic as had been reported to him, for many strange
letters and figures had been engraved into the face of the stone.
Now you are to remember that it was aforetold of in the "Book of the
Champions of the Round Table" that Sir Launcelot wore upon his finger a
ring which the Lady of the Lake had given him when he quitted the Lake;
and you all remember that that ring was of such a sort that he who wore
it might dissolve all evil magic or enchantment against which he should
direct his efforts. Wherefore it was that Sir Launcelot was aware, as he
had already told the people outside of the walls of the town, that he
might lift that stone even if another, because of the magic that was
upon it, should not be able to stir it where it lay.
So Sir Launcelot put aside his sword and his shield and he went forward
to the slab and he seized the slab in both of his hands. And he bent his
back and lifted, and lo! the bands of enchantment that lay upon the
stone were snapped and the slab moved and stirred in the bed wherein it
lay.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot lifteth the stone._]
Then when the multitude of the people who gazed upon him beheld the slab
how it moved and stirred in its bed, a great shout went up from several
thousand lips like to one mighty voice of outcry. Therewith Sir
Launcelot bent again to the stone and heaved with all his might. And lo!
he lifted the stone and he raised it and he rolled it over upon the
earth.
Then he looked down into the hole that was beneath the stone and he was
aware that there lay something in the hole that moved. And anon he
beheld two green and glassy eyes that opened upon him and looked up at
him from out of the hole; and he beheld that those eyes were covered
over as with a thin film to shelter them from the dazzling light of the
daytime. And as Sir Launcelot gazed he beheld that that thing which lay
within the hole began to crawl out of the hole, and Sir Launcelot beheld
that it was a huge worm, covered all over with livid scales as hard as
flint. And the Worm lifted the fore part of its body to the height of a
tall man and gaped very dreadfully with a great mouth an ell wide, and
all glistening with three rows of white and shining teeth. And Sir
Launcelot beheld that the Worm had as many as a thousand feet, and that
each foot was armed with a great claw like the claw of a lion, as hard
as flint, and very venomous with poison. And the Worm hissed at Sir
Launcelot. And its breath was like the odor of Death.
[Sidenote: _The Worm of Corbin cometh forth._]
Such was that dreadful terrible Worm that lay beneath the stone at
Corbin. And when the people of the town saw it thus appear before them
in the broad light of day, they shrieked aloud with the terror of that
which they beheld. For it was like to something that had come to life
out of a dreadful dream, and it did not seem possible that such a thing
should ever have been beheld by the living eyes of man.
But Sir Launcelot beholding the Worm in all its terror leaped to where
was his sword and he seized his sword in both hands and he ran at the
Worm and lashed at it a blow so mighty that it might easily have split
an oak tree. But the scales of the Worm were like adamant for hardness
wherefore the stroke of the sword pierced them not but glanced aside
without harming the creature.
Then when the Worm felt itself thus smitten, it hissed again in a manner
very terrible and loud, and it reached out toward Sir Launcelot and
strove to catch him into the embrace of a hundred of its sharp claws.
But Sir Launcelot sprang aside from the embraces of the Worm and he
smote it again and again, yet could not in any wise cut through the
scales that covered its body. And at every blow the Worm hissed more
terribly and sought to catch Sir Launcelot into its embraces.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot doeth battle with the Worm._]
Thus for a long time Sir Launcelot avoided the Worm, but, by and by it
came to pass that he began to wax faint and weary with leaping from side
to side, weighed down as he was with his armor. So, at last, it befell
that the Worm catched Sir Launcelot in the hook of one of its claws, and
thereupon they who looked on at that battle beheld how in a moment it
had embraced Sir Launcelot in several hundred of its claws so that his
body was wellnigh hidden in that embrace. And the Worm, when it so held
Sir Launcelot in its embrace, tore at him with its claws and strove to
bite him with its shining teeth. And anon it catched its claws in the
armor of Sir Launcelot and it tore away the epaulier upon the left side
of Sir Launcelot's shoulder, and it tore away the iron boot that covered
his left thigh, and it cut with its claws through the flesh of the left
shoulder of Sir Launcelot and through the flesh of his thigh to the very
bone, so that the blood gushed out in a crimson stream and ran down over
his armor and over the claws of the Worm.
Then Sir Launcelot, finding himself as it were thus in the very embrace
of Death, put forth all his strength and tore away free from the
clutches of the Worm ere it was able to do him further harm. And seeing
how that the case was now so ill with him, he catched the haft of his
sword in both of his hands, and he rushed at the creature and he stabbed
with his sword into the gaping mouth of the creature and down into its
gullet so that the cross-piece of the sword smote against the teeth of
the creature's mouth.
Then when the Worm felt that dreadful terrible stroke driven thus into
its very vitals, it roared like a bull in its torments, and it
straightway rolled over upon the ground writhing and lashing the entire
length of its body, bellowing so that those who heard it felt the marrow
in their bones melt for terror.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot slayeth the Worm._]
But Sir Launcelot, looking down upon the lashings of the Worm, beheld
where there appeared to be a soft place nigh to the belly and beneath
the scales of the back and sides, and therewith he rushed at the Worm
and plunged his sword twice and thrice into that soft spot, whereupon,
lo! thick blood, as black as ink, gushed forth after those strokes. Then
again Sir Launcelot pierced the Worm twice and thrice in such another
place and thereafter it presently ceased to bellow in that wise and lay
shuddering and writhing in death, rustling its dry scales upon the earth
in its last throes of life.
Then Sir Launcelot beheld that his work was done and he stood leaning
upon his sword, panting and covered all over with the blood and slime of
that dreadful battle. And the people beholding how that the Worm was now
slain, fell to shouting aloud beyond measure. And they came running from
all sides to that place like to a flood so that they filled the entire
market-place. And they crowded around and gazed upon the Worm with
horror, and they gazed upon Sir Launcelot in wonder that Heaven should
have sent so wonderful a Champion to save them out of their distresses.
And ever Sir Launcelot stood there leaning upon his sword panting and
with the blood flowing down from his shoulder and his thigh so that all
that side of his body was ensanguined with shining red.
[Sidenote: _The knights of Corbin do honor to Sir Launcelot._]
So as he stood there, there came a party of knights riding into that
place. These thrust their way through the multitude to where Sir
Launcelot was in the midst of the crowd as aforesaid. When they had come
to Sir Launcelot the chief of those knights said, "Sir, art thou he who
hath slain the Worm?" Sir Launcelot said, "Thou seest that I am he."
Then he who spoke to Sir Launcelot said, "Messire, I fear me you are
sorely hurt in this battle." Quoth Sir Launcelot: "I am hurt indeed, but
not more hurt than I have been several times before and yet live as you
behold me."
Then those knights went and looked upon the Worm where it lay and they
gazed upon it with wonder and with loathing. And they gave great praise
beyond measure to the knight who had slain it.
After that they sent for a litter and they laid Sir Launcelot upon the
litter and bare him away into the Castle of Corbin where King Pelles of
Corbin was then holding his court in royal pomp of circumstance. And
they brought Sir Launcelot to a fair chamber of the castle where a
number of attendants came to him and eased him of his armor and led him
to a bath of tepid water steeped with healing herbs. And there came a
skilful leech and searched the wounds of Sir Launcelot and spread
soothing unguents upon them and bound them up with swathings of linen.
And after that they bare Sir Launcelot to a fair soft couch spread with
snow-white linen and laid him thereon, and he was greatly at ease and
much comforted in body.
[Sidenote: _King Pelles of Corbin doeth honor to Sir Launcelot._]
Then after all this was done in that wise, there came King Pelles of
Corbin to that place for to visit Sir Launcelot, and with him came his
son, Sir Lavaine, and his daughter, the Lady Elaine the Fair. And Sir
Launcelot beheld that King Pelles was a very noble haughty lord, for his
beard and his hair were long and amplelike to the mane of a lion, and
resembled threads of gold sprinkled with threads of silver. And he was
clad all in a robe of purple studded over with shining jewels and he
wore a fillet of gold about his head set with several gems of great
price. Upon the right hand of King Pelles there came his son, Sir
Lavaine--a very noble young knight, newly created by the bath--and upon
his left hand there came his daughter, the Lady Elaine the Fair.
[Sidenote: _Of the Lady Elaine the Fair._]
Then Sir Launcelot looked upon the Lady Elaine the Fair and it seemed to
him that she was the most beautiful maiden that ever he had beheld in
all of his life. For he saw that her hair was soft and yellow and
shining like to the finest silk; that her eyebrows were curved and very
fine, as though they had been marked with a sharp and delicate pencil;
that her eyes were very large and perfectly blue and very lustrous, and
as bright as precious jewels; that her forehead was like cream for
whiteness; that her cheeks were like roses for softness of blush; that
her lips were like coral for redness, and that betwixt her lips her
teeth were white, like to pearls for whiteness.
Such was the Lady Elaine, as Sir Launcelot beheld her, and he was amazed
at her surpassing beauty, and at the tender grace of her virgin youth.
Then King Pelles and Sir Lavaine and the Fair Elaine came close to where
Sir Launcelot lay upon his couch, and there they kneeled them down upon
the ground. And King Pelles spake, saying: "Messire, what thanks shall
we find fit to give to you who have freed this entire land from the
dreadful curse that lay upon it?" "Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "thank not
me but give your thanks to God whose tool and instrument I was in this
undertaking." "Messire," quoth King Pelles, "I have not forgot to give
thanks to God. Nevertheless seeing the instrument which He hath fitted
to His hand is so perfect an instrument, one may praise that also. So we
do praise you and give thanks from our heart to you for the deliverance
which you have brought to us. Now I pray you tell me who you are who
have brought this great succor to our state, for methinks you must be
some famous hero, and I would fain thank you in your own name for what
you have done to benefit us."
"Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "this you must forgive me if I tell you not
my name. For there is supposed to be shame upon my name, wherefore I am
now known as le Chevalier Malfait, because in the eyes of those to whom
I am accountable I have done amiss."
"Well," quoth King Pelles, "I dare be sworn you have not at any time
done greatly amiss in that which you have done. Nevertheless an you will
have it so, so it shall be as you will, and with us all of this place
you shall be known as le Chevalier Malfait until such time as it
pleases you to assume your proper name and title."
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot lyeth sick in Corbin._ ]
Thus I have told you all the circumstances of that famous adventure of
the Worm of Corbin and there remaineth now only this to say: That Sir
Launcelot did not recover from his hurt as soon as he had supposed he
would. For the venom of the Dragon had got into his blood, wherefore
even after a twelvemonth had gone by, he still remained in the castle of
King Pelles at Corbin, albeit he was by that time quite healed in his
body.
And also there is this to tell--that at the end of the twelvemonth
aforesaid, King Pelles came to Sir Launcelot and said to him: "Messire,
I would that you would henceforth dwell with us at this court. For not
only would you be a great credit to any court in which you live, but
here we all love you as one loveth the apple of his eye."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot remaineth at Corbin._]
"Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "ye cannot love me more than I love ye all
who have been so good to me in the days of my sickness and disease. So I
will be exceedingly rejoiced to remain with ye yet a while longer; for
this is indeed a pleasant haven in which to rest in the long and
toilsome journey of life, and I have nowhere else to go."
Then King Pelles took Sir Launcelot into his arms and kissed him upon
the brow and so they became plighted in friendship unto one another.
So Sir Launcelot remained at Corbin and went not any farther errant at
that time.
But meantime, and for all that while, there was great wonder at the
court of King Arthur whither Sir Launcelot had gone and what had become
of him that no one in all of the world heard tell aught of him.
[Illustration: Sir Launcelot confideth his Shield to Elaine the Fair]
[Illustration]
Chapter Third
_How King Arthur proclaimed a tournament at Astolat, and how King Pelles
of Corbin went with his court thither to that place. Also how Sir
Launcelot and Sir Lavaine had encounter with two knights in the highway
thitherward._
[Sidenote: _King Arthur proclaimeth a tournament._]
Now it fell upon a time that King Arthur proclaimed a great tournament
to be held at Astolat, upon Lady's Day Assumption. And the King sent
word of this tournament throughout all the land, both east and west and
north and south. So it came about that word of the tournament was
brought one day by herald to King Pelles at Corbin, and when this news
came to him he ordained that his court should make them ready to go to
Astolat to that passage of arms, in pursuance of the word that the
herald of King Arthur had brought to Corbin.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is troubled._]
Then Sir Launcelot was much troubled in his mind for he said to himself,
"I fear me that if I go unto Astolat with this court there may be some
one there who will know me." For Sir Launcelot was still very bitterly
affronted at his kinsmen because that they had chid him so greatly for
the manner in which he had ridden in a cart upon that adventure to
rescue Queen Guinevere as aforetold of. For the pride of Sir Launcelot
was stiff and stubborn and he could not bring himself to bend it or to
break it. Neither could he bring himself to overlook such an affront as
that which he had suffered from the words that Sir Lionel and Sir Ector
de Marishad said to him. Wherefore, until full justification had been
rendered unto him, he was unwilling that any of his former companions
should behold him or know him who he was.
Yet did he not see how he could refuse to obey the behest of King
Pelles, for as he was now become a knight of the court of the King of
Corbin he was bound to obey whatsoever that King should command him to
do. Wherefore he wist not what to do in this case, and so was much
troubled in mind.
[Sidenote: _King Pelles talketh with Sir Launcelot._]
Now King Pelles was aware how it was with le Chevalier Malfait and that
he was unwilling to go to the tournament at Astolat. So one day the King
took Sir Launcelot aside and he said to him: "Messire, will you not also
go with our court to this tournament that King Arthur hath proclaimed?"
To this Sir Launcelot said, "Lord, I would rather that I did not go."
King Pelles said: "Sir Knight, far be it from me to urge you to go if it
be greatly against your wishes; yet you are to know that it will be a
very sad thing for all of us if you do not go with us. For it is the
truth that you are, beyond all others, the foremost of our court, and
its most bright and shining light; wherefore it will be sad for us if we
go thither without you."
Then Sir Launcelot looked very steadfastly at King Pelles and his heart
went out toward the King and he said, "Do you then desire my company so
very greatly?" King Pelles said, "Yea." "Well," said Sir Launcelot, "let
it be so and I will go with you." And at that saying King Pelles was
glad beyond measure.
So when the time came Sir Launcelot made him ready to go with the others
to Astolat, and when the day of departure arrived he went with them.
[Sidenote: _King Pelles and his court journey to Astolat._]
Thereafter they travelled by easy stages toward Astolat, and upon the
third day after their departure from Corbin they came to the castle of a
certain Earl, which castle stood about three leagues or a little more
from the town. This Earl was a kinsman of King Pelles and in great amity
with him, wherefore he was glad to have the King and his court to lodge
with him at that time. And they of Corbin were also glad, for this was a
very noble excellent place in which to lodge and all the other castles
and inns nigh to Astolat were at that time very full of folk.
So it came about that King Pelles and his court remained several days at
that place, and in all that time Sir Launcelot kept himself ever in
retreat, lest some one with whom he was acquainted should chance to see
him and know him who he was. To this end, and that he might conceal
himself, Sir Launcelot was most often with the court of the Lady Elaine
the Fair and not often with the court of the King.
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine and Sir Launcelot talk together._]
Now the Lady Elaine was not very well pleased with this, for she held
Sir Launcelot in great admiration above all other men, and she would
fain have had him stand forth with the other knights who were there, so
that his nobility might be manifested amongst them. So one day whilst
they two sat together in the garden of the castle of that Earl (the
court of the Lady Elaine and several lords of the King's court being
near by playing at ball) the Lady Elaine spake her mind to Sir Launcelot
upon this point saying: "Fair Sir, will you not take part in this noble
and knightly tournament the day after to-morrow?"
To this Sir Launcelot replied, "Nay, Lady."
She said to him: "Why will you not so, Messire? Methinks with your
prowess you might win yourself very great credit thereat."
Then for a little Sir Launcelot was silent, and after a little he said
to her: "Lady, do you disremember that I call myself le Chevalier
Malfait? That name I have assumed because my friends and my kinsmen deem
that I have done amiss in a certain thing. Now, since they are of that
opinion I am very greatly displeased with them, and would fain avoid
them until I am justified in their sight. At this tournament there will
be many of those who knew me aforetime and I would fain avoid them if I
am able to do so. Wherefore it is that I am disinclined to take part in
the battle which the King hath ordained."
After this they were silent for a little, and then by and by the Lady
Elaine said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I would I knew who you really are and
who are your fellows of whom you speak." At that Sir Launcelot smiled
and said: "Lady, I may not tell you at this present who I am nor who
they are, but only that they are very good worthy knights and
gentlemen." "Aye," quoth the Lady Elaine, "that I may very well
believe."
So at that time no more was said concerning this matter but ever the
mind of the Lady Elaine rested upon that thing--to wit, that Sir
Launcelot should take part in that tournament aforesaid. So at another
time when they were alone together, she said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I
would that thou wouldst do me a great favor." Sir Launcelot said: "Lady,
ask whatsoever thou wilt, and if it is in my power to do that thing, and
if it is according to the honor of my knighthood, then I shall assuredly
do whatsoever thou dost ask of me."
"Sir," quoth the Lady Elaine, "this is what I would fain ask of thee if
I might have it. It is that thou wouldst suffer me to purvey thee a suit
of strange armor so that thy friends might not know thee therein, and
that thou wouldst go to the tournament disguised in that wise. And I
would that thou wouldst wear my favor at that tournament so that I might
have glory in that battle because of thee."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot will take part in the tournament._]
Then Sir Launcelot sighed very deeply, and he looked steadfastly at the
Lady Elaine, and he said: "Lady, you know not how great a thing it is
you ask of my pride, for I would fain remain unknown as I am at this
present. And you know not what it is you ask of my knighthood, for wit
ye it must be against my one-time friends and companions-in-arms that
you would have me contend. So it is that if I should have success in
such an affair as this, whatsoever credit I should win therein shall
bring discredit unto them. Moreover, I must tell you that never in all
of my life have I worn the favor of any lady, having vowed my knighthood
to one who is a queen and the wife of a king. Natheless, though all this
is so, yet far be it from me to refuse a boon when it is you who ask it
of me. For I speak the truth, Lady, when I say that I would freely lay
down my life at your bidding. So in this case, maugre all that I have
said, I will even do as you ask me, wherefore, if you will purvey me
that armor of which you speak, I will do your will in all ways that I am
able."
So spake Sir Launcelot, and thereat the Lady Elaine smiled upon him in
such wise and with such great loving-kindness that it was as though both
her joy and her great love stood revealed in the midst of that smile.
Quoth she: "Assuredly I shall gain great honor and glory at thy hands.
For I believe that thou art indeed one of the very greatest and foremost
knights in all of the world, as well as the perfect peer of all noble
gentlemen."
Now the Earl, the lord of that castle, had a son hight Sir Tyre, who was
then lying abed, ill of a flux, and the armor of Sir Tyre was at that
place. So the Lady Elaine went to the Earl and she besought him to lend
her that armor for the use of Sir Launcelot, and the Earl listened to
her and gave it to her.
So she had the armor of Sir Tyre brought to Sir Launcelot and thus the
Lady Elaine purveyed him in all wise for that tournament so that no one
might know him who he was.
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine giveth her sleeve to Sir Launcelot._]
Then, after all this had been accomplished, the Lady Elaine came to the
chamber where Sir Launcelot was, and her brother Sir Lavaine was with
her. And the Lady bore in her hand a sleeve of flame-colored satin very
richly bedight with many pearls of great price. And she said to Sir
Launcelot: "I beseech you to take this sleeve, Sir Knight, and I beseech
you that you wear it as a favor for my sake."
Then Sir Launcelot smiled very kindly upon the Lady Elaine and he said,
"Will this give you pleasure?" and she said, "Yea." Then Sir Launcelot
smiled again and he said, "It shall be in all things as you will have
it." So he took the sleeve, and he wound it about the crest of the
helmet he was to wear at the tournament, and the sleeve formed a wreath
of satin about the helmet like to a wreath of fire. And the pearls upon
the wreath were like to drops of dew as you behold them of an early
morning. Wherefore because of the brightness of that wreath and because
of the pearls upon it, the favor of the Lady Elaine was of such a sort
that all the world could not but see it what it was. And so Sir
Launcelot accepted the favor of the Lady Elaine the Fair.
Then after Sir Launcelot had thus accepted that favor, Sir Lavaine spake
and said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I beseech you that you will take me with
you unto this tournament as your knight-companion. For I believe that in
your company I shall assuredly gain me great honor and much glory and
renown, wherefore I ask of you that you will grant me this great
courtesy."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot accepteth Sir Lavaine as his companion._]
Then Sir Launcelot looked upon Sir Lavaine and smiled upon him and loved
him exceedingly, and he said to Sir Lavaine: "Friend, I will gladly
accept thee as my companion-in-arms, and I believe in very sooth that it
would be hard for me to find any one whom I would be better pleased to
have with me at such a time." And so it was that Sir Lavaine also had
his will with Sir Launcelot.
Then Sir Launcelot turned him to the Lady Elaine and said, "Lady, see
you this shield and this armor of mine?" And she said, "Yea, I see
them."
Sir Launcelot said: "Lady, this shield is a very precious thing to me,
for it and all mine armor was given to me by a very wonderful lady who
is not of this world in which we mortals dwell. Since that time she gave
mine armor to me I have sought ever and in all wise to use those
defences as became a gentleman so that whatever mark of battle there
should be upon them there should be no mark of dishonor to mar their
brightness. Now I beseech you for to take this shield and that armor to
your maiden bower and to hold them there in trust for me and that as
sacredly as though they were your very life." Therewith Sir Launcelot
gave the Lady Elaine his shield and he said: "I charge you, Lady, for to
let no one touch this shield or to meddle with it until I return hither
to reclaim it and mine armor of you." And the Lady Elaine said: "It
shall be as you say, and I shall hold this shield and this armor as
sacred as my life."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine depart for Astolat._]
So these matters were all brought to settlement and the next day Sir
Launcelot in the armor of Sir Tyre, and Sir Lavaine in his own armor,
rode out from the castle of that Earl and away from that place and so
betook their way toward Astolat.
Now it chanced that same day that two very worthy knights of King
Arthur's court were upon that road on which Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine travelled to Astolat, and these two knights were Sir Gawaine and
Sir Mador de la Porte. With these were several lords who paid homage and
respect to them, and all that party stood beneath the shade of several
trees nigh to a water-mill where it was very cool and pleasant. And some
of those who were there sat upon their horses, and some had dismounted
therefrom and were lying in the cool and pleasant grass beneath the
shade.
Then Sir Gawaine perceived where Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came
riding and he said to those who were with him: "Behold yonder two
knights coming hitherward. Now I am of a mind that Sir Mador de la Porte
and I shall try a fall with them, so stand ye by and see what
happeneth."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador bespeak Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine._]
So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador took horse and rode a little forward and
met the two and saluted them very courteously, and Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine saluted those others in like manner. Then Sir Gawaine said:
"Messires, I pray ye tell me who ye are and whither ye go upon this
pass."
Now Sir Launcelot knew very well who those two knights were because of
the devices upon their shields. Wherefore he changed his voice a little
when he answered Sir Gawaine so that Sir Gawaine should not know him.
And he said: "Messire, I know not by what right ye demand such knowledge
of us, nevertheless I may tell you that I am called le Chevalier
Malfait, and this, my comrade, is hight Sir Lavaine of Corbin. As for
our journey and its purpose, I may furthermore tell you that we intend,
God willing, to enter the tournament at Astolat to-morrow, in which
friendly battle you also, doubtless, intend to take a part."
Then Sir Gawaine said: "Tell me, Sir Knight Malfait, will you and your
companion try a fall with me and my companions-in-arms?"
Now Sir Launcelot had no very great relish for such an encounter as that
for he feared by some hap he should betray himself who he was. Yet he
wist that he must accept the challenge of Sir Gawaine, wherefore after a
little while of silence he said: "Sir Knight, we two would fain go our
way in peace, but an it cannot be otherwise we must needs accept your
challenge. But will you not let be and suffer us to pass onward?"
"Well," said Sir Gawaine, "this is a strange thing that you should
pretend to aspire to that tournament of to-morrow and yet have no heart
to meet in friendly tilt two knights whom you encounter upon the way."
"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "we fear you not in any wise, wherefore,
make yourselves ready in God's name, and we upon our side will do our
endeavor."
[Sidenote: _The four knights run a tilt._]
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine is overthrown._]
So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador de la Porte made themselves ready as Sir
Launcelot had advised, and when they were in all ways prepared they
withdrew to a little distance so as to have a good course to run. Then
when all were ready for that encounter, each knight shouted and set
spurs to his horse, and all four thundered together with such violence
that the ground trembled beneath them. So they met in the middle of the
course and so furious was the meeting of those four good knights that
you might have heard the roar of that encounter for half a mile away or
more. In that encounter both Sir Lavaine and Sir Mador broke each his
spear upon his enemy and neither of them suffered a fall. But Sir
Gawaine had no such fortune for his spear broke into splinters unto the
very truncheon thereof, and the spear of Sir Launcelot held, so that Sir
Gawaine was lifted out from his saddle and flung upon the ground with
such violence that he rolled thrice or four times over and over before
he ceased to fall.
Now those who looked upon that encounter were well assured that Sir
Gawaine would easily overthrow his opponent into the dust, for Sir
Gawaine was held to be one of the very greatest knights in all of the
world. Wherefore it was that when they beheld how violently he had been
flung to earth by that unknown knight against whom he had tilted, they
were astonished beyond all bounds of wonderment.
But Sir Mador de la Porte, when he beheld how Sir Gawaine lay there in
the dust as though dead, voided his horse and ran to the fallen knight
where he lay. And he raised the umbril of Sir Gawaine's helmet, and lo!
the face of Sir Gawaine was like to the face of one who was dead. And at
first Sir Mador thought that he was dead, but after a while Sir Gawaine
sighed and then sighed again, and thereupon Sir Mador knew that he was
not dead, but in a swoon from the violence of the fall. And Sir Mador
rejoiced very greatly that no more ill had come of that encounter.
Then Sir Mador turned to Sir Launcelot, and cried out: "Sir Knight
Malfait, go thy way in the fiend's name. For indeed thou art well named
Malfait, seeing what an evil thing it is that thou hast done to this
worshipful knight. For wit you that this is none other than Sir Gawaine,
the nephew of King Arthur himself, whom you have overthrown; and had you
slain him, as at first I believed you had, it would have been a very ill
thing for you. Moreover, you are to know that this knight was to have
been the leader of all those upon King Arthur's side in the battle
to-morrow-day, but now God knows if he will be able to wear armor again
for many days to come. Wherefore go thy way and trouble us no more."
Quoth Sir Launcelot: "Well, Sir Knight, this quarrel was altogether of
your own seeking, and not of ours. Wherefore, if ill hath befallen this
worshipful knight, it is of his own devising and not of mine."
But Sir Mador only cried out the more vehemently: "Go your way! Go your
way, and leave us in peace!" And thereupon Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine
drew their bridle reins and set heel to horse and rode away from that
place, leaving Sir Mador and those others who were there to cherish Sir
Gawaine and to revive him from his swoon as best they might.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bernard of Astolat followeth Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine._]
Now there was among those knights who were with Sir Gawaine and Sir
Mador a certain old and very worthy knight of Astolat, hight Sir
Bernard, surnamed of Astolat. Seeing Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine
departing in that wise, Sir Bernard hied him after them and when he had
come up with them he saluted them, and said, "Messires, I pray ye tell
me where it is ye lodge this night."
Sir Launcelot said: "Fair Sir, we know not where we lodge for we go to
seek such lodging as we may find in Astolat."
Sir Bernard said: "You will find no lodging in Astolat this night, for
all places are full. Now I pray ye that you will lodge with me, for I
have a very good and comely house and I shall be greatly honored for to
have you lodge with me. For I make my vow, Sir Knight Malfait, that
never saw I such a buffet as that which you gave to Sir Gawaine anon.
Nor do I believe that ever Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself could have
done more doughtily than you did in that encounter. Wherefore, I think
that you will win you great glory to-morrow-day, and that I shall have
due worship if so be that ye two shall have lodged with me over this
night."
Then Sir Launcelot laughed, and he said to Sir Bernard: "Well, Sir
Knight, I give you gramercy for your courtesy, and so we will gladly
take up our inn with you until the time of the tournament. Only this I
demand, that we shall be privily lodged apart from any one else, for we
wish it that we shall not be known until to-morrow and after this
tournament shall have transpired."
"Messire," quoth Sir Bernard, "it shall all be as you desire."
So those three rode on their way together until they had come to Astolat
and to the habitation of Sir Bernard of Astolat.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot lodgeth with Sir Bernard._]
[Sidenote: _King Arthur knoweth Sir Launcelot._]
Now the habitation of Sir Bernard was a very fair house over against the
castle of Astolat where King Arthur and his court had taken up their
inn. And there was a high terraced garden belonging to the castle of
Astolat, and the garden overlooked the garden of the house of Sir
Bernard. That day it chanced that King Arthur was walking back and forth
in that terraced garden where the air blew cool over the plats of
flowers and grass. As the King so walked he chanced to look down over
the edge of the terrace into the garden of Sir Bernard's house, and at
that time Sir Launcelot was walking privily in the garden for to refresh
himself, and no one was with him. At that time Sir Launcelot had laid
aside his armor for the sake of coolness and was walking in light
raiment and bareheaded to the air, wherefore it befell that King Arthur
immediately knew him who he was.
Then the King was much astonished to see Sir Launcelot in that place,
and he said to himself, "What does Sir Launcelot here?" And at first the
King was of a mind to send word to Sir Launcelot, bidding him to come to
where he was. But afterward he bethought him that mayhap Sir Launcelot
would be displeased at being thus summoned to declare himself. For the
King perceived that Sir Launcelot did not choose to be known to any one
at that time. So King Arthur said to himself: "Well, let be! To-morrow,
I dare say, Sir Launcelot will declare himself in such a wise as shall
astonish a great many knights who shall do battle against him upon
yonder meadow-of-battle. Wherefore, let him e'en declare himself in his
own fashion."
Thus it was that King Arthur communed within himself. Wherefore he did
not betray the presence of Sir Launcelot to anybody at that time, but
kept that matter shut in his own bosom.
Nevertheless, when he had come again to where was his court, he said to
the knights there assembled: "Messires, I have this day beheld a certain
knight who hath come hither who will I believe play his play with the
best of you all at the jousts to-morrow." The knights who were there
said to the King: "We pray you, Lord, tell us who that knight is, so
that we may pay him such regard as he is worthy of." "Nay," quoth King
Arthur, "I will not tell you at this time who is that knight, but haply
you will know to-morrow who he is."
Then one of the knights who was there said: "Mayhap that was the knight
who overthrew Sir Gawaine this day in the highroad over against the town
a little distance away. He calleth himself le Chevalier Malfait, and
hath for his companion a youthful knight hight Sir Lavaine, the King's
son of Corbin."
Then King Arthur laughed, and said, "Like enough that was he." And so
the King departed into his lodging, leaving all those knights much
wondering who that knight could be of whom the King spoke to them.
* * * * *
Thus it was that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came to Astolat, and now
followeth the history of that famous bout at arms so far as it affected
Sir Launcelot of the Lake and his companion-at-arms, Sir Lavaine of
Corbin. For in that affair at arms, as you shall presently hear tell,
Sir Lavaine gained him such great glory and renown that thereafter he
was regarded as one of the great heroes of chivalry, and by and by
received that crowning honor of becoming a knight-companion of the Round
Table.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine overlook the Field of
Astolat:]
[Illustration]
Chapter Fourth
_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine fought in the tournament at Astolat.
How Sir Launcelot was wounded in that affair, and how Sir Lavaine
brought him unto a place of safety._
[Sidenote: _Of the lists at Astolat._]
So it is true that in these days one may not hope ever to behold a sight
like to the field-of-battle at Astolat upon Lady's Day Assumption, when
that tournament proclaimed by King Arthur was about to be fought before
the eyes of the King. For upon that morning--which was wonderfully
bright and clear and warm--the entire green meadow was altogether
covered over with a moving throng of people of all degrees--lords and
ladies, knights and dames, esquires, burghers, yeomen and
tradesfolk--all moving, each toward some stand from whence he might view
the battle that was about to take place. And here were gay attires and
bright colors and the fluttering of silk and the flash and sparkle of
shining baubles, and because of the sheen and sparkle of all these the
whole world appeared to be quick with life and motion.
Yet ever by little and little this confusion of many people pushing
themselves hither and thither resolved itself to order as one by one
that multitude took seat and brought itself to quietness. And so it came
to pass at last that the field prepared for battle was cleared of all
save a few who lingered and whom the guardians of the lists pushed back
into their places.
[Sidenote: _The knights-contestant enter the field-of-battle._]
Then, all being thus brought to order, the Marshal of the Tourney blew
his trumpet, and straightway there entered upon this side of that wide
meadow and upon that side thereof the two companies of knights who were
to contend the one against the other.
Then, lo! how the sunlight flashed upon shining armor! How it catched
the pens and bannerets so that they twinkled at tips of lances like to
sparks of fire! How war-horses neighed for love of battle! How armor
clashed and shield plates rang as those goodly companies of knights
brought themselves by degrees into array for battle!
Upon the one end of the meadow there gathered the knights-champion who
were of the party of King Arthur, and the chiefs of that party were the
King of Scots and the King of Ireland, and with them were many knights
of the Round Table, much renowned both in song and battle. And the
number of knights of that company were two hundred and ten in all.
[Sidenote: _Of the two parties-contestant._]
Upon the other end of the meadow of battle there assembled the party of
those who were to withstand the party of King Arthur; and the chiefs of
that company were the King of North Wales and the King of an Hundred
Knights, and the King of Northumberland and Galahaut the High Prince.
And though there were no knights of the Round Table in that company, yet
there were many champions of very great renown and high credit in courts
of chivalry. And the number of that party were two hundred thirty and
two.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine overlook the field of
Astolat._]