PART III

The Madness of Sir Tristram

_Here followeth the story of how Sir Tristram was driven out of Cornwall

and of how he went mad because of his troubles. Likewise it shall be told

how he performed several very wonderful adventures whilst he was in that

state, and of how he was brought back into his senses again._

[Illustration: Sir Tristram assaults King Mark]

Chapter First

_How Sir Tristram was discovered with the Lady Belle Isoult; how he

assaulted King Mark, and how he escaped from Tintagel into the forest._

After Sir Tristram had thus rescued the Lady Belle Isoult from the hand of

Sir Palamydes, he dwelt very peacefully at the court of Cornwall for all of

that winter and until the spring that followed, and during that time he was

given every meed of praise and honor. But although King Mark and his court

gave praise to Sir Tristram with the lips, yet he and many of his people

hated Sir Tristram at heart, and there were many mischief-makers about the

court who were ever ready to blow the embers of the King's wrath into a

flame.

Now the chiefest of all these mischief-makers was Sir Andred, who was

nephew unto King Mark, and cousin-germaine unto Sir Tristram. Sir Andred

was a fierce strong knight, and one very dextrous at arms; but he was as

mean and as treacherous as Sir Tristram was generous and noble, wherefore

he hated Sir Tristram with great bitterness (though he dissembled that

hatred) and sought for every opportunity to do Sir Tristram a harm by

bringing him and the King into conflict.

[Sidenote: Sir Andred of Cornwall sets spies upon Sir Tristram] So Sir

Andred set spies upon Sir Tristram, and he himself spied upon his cousin,

yet neither he nor they were able to find anything with which to accuse Sir

Tristram. Then one day Sir Andred came to Sir Tristram and said: "Sir, the

Lady Belle Isoult wishes to see you to talk with you." Sir Tristram said,

"Where is she?"

And Sir Andred said, "She is in her bower." Then Sir Tristram said, "Very

well, I will go to her."

So Sir Tristram arose and departed from where he was with intent to find

the lady; and therewith Sir Andred hurried to where King Mark was, and

said: "Lord, arise, for Sir Tristram and the Lady Isoult are holding

converse together."

King Mark said, "Where are they?" And Sir Andred said, "They are in the

bower of the Queen." At that King Mark's rage and jealousy blazed up into a

flame, so that he was like one seized with a sudden frensy. So, in that

madness of rage, he looked about for some weapon with which to destroy Sir

Tristram, and he perceived a great sword where it hung against the wall.

Thereupon he ran to the sword and took it down from where it was, and ran

with all speed to that place where Sir Tristram and the Lady Isoult were,

and Sir Andred guided him thither.

[Sidenote: King Mark assaults Sir Tristram] And when King Mark reached the

bower of the Lady Isoult he flung open the door and found Sir Tristram and

the Lady Isoult sitting together in the seat of a deep window. And he

perceived that the Lady Isoult wept and that Sir Tristram's face was very

sorrowful because of her sorrow. Then King Mark twisted him about and bent

double as with a great pain, and then he cried out thrice in a voice very

hoarse and loud: "Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" Saying those words three

times. Therewith he ran at Sir Tristram and struck furiously at him with

that sword he held, with intent to slay him.

Now Sir Tristram was at that time altogether without armor and was clad in

clothes of scarlet silk. Accordingly, he was able to be very quick and

alert in his movements. So perceiving King Mark rushing upon him with

intent to slay him he leaped aside and so avoided the blow. Then

immediately he rushed in upon King Mark and catched him by the wrist and

wrenched the sword out of his hand.

Then Sir Tristram was blinded with his rage and might have slain his uncle,

but the Lady Isoult, beholding the fury in his face, shrieked in a very

piercing voice, "Forbear! Forbear!" And therewith he remembered him how

that King Mark was his mother's brother and that it was his hand that had

made him a knight.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram beats King Mark] So he turned the sword in his

hand and he smote King Mark with the flat thereof again and again, and at

those blows King Mark was filled with terror so that he howled like a wild

beast. And King Mark fled away from that place, striving to escape, but Sir

Tristram ever pursued him, grinding his teeth like a wild boar in rage, and

smiting the King as he ran, over and over again, with the flat of the sword

so that the whole castle was filled with the tumult and uproar of that

assault.

Then many of the knights of Cornwall came running with intent to defend the

King, and with them came Sir Andred. But when Sir Tristram saw them, his

rage suddenly left the King and went out toward them; so therewith, naked

of armor as he was, he rushed at them, and he struck at them so fiercely

that they were filled with the terror of his fury, and fled away from

before his face. And Sir Tristram chased them through the courts of the

castle, striking right and left until he was weary with striking, and many

he struck down with the fierceness of his blows, and amongst them was Sir

Andred who was sorely wounded. So after a while Sir Tristram grew weary of

that battle, and he cried out, "Certes, these are not knights, but swine!"

And therewith he ceased striking, and allowed those who could do so to

escape.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram departs from Tintagel] Thereafter he went to his

chamber and armed himself without summoning Gouvernail, and after that he

took horse and rode away altogether from that place. And not even

Gouvernail went with him, but only his favorite hound, hight Houdaine,

which same followed him into the forest as he rode thitherward. And in his

going Sir Tristram looked neither to the right nor to the left but straight

before him very proudly and haughtily, and no one dared to stay him in his

going.

Yet, though he appeared so steadfast, he was like one who was

brokenhearted, for he wist that in going away from that place he was

leaving behind him all that he held dear in the world, wherefore he was

like one who rode forth from a pleasant garden into an empty wilderness of

sorrow and repining.

[Sidenote: Gouvernail finds Sir Tristram in the forest] Then, some little

while after Sir Tristram had gone, Gouvernail also took horse and rode into

the forest, and he searched for a long while in the forest without finding

his master. But after a while he came upon Sir Tristram seated under a tree

with his head hanging down upon his breast. And Houdaine lay beside Sir

Tristram and licked his hand, but Sir Tristram paid no heed to him, being

so deeply sunk in his sorrow that he was unaware that Houdaine licked his

hand in that wise.

Then Gouvernail dismounted from his horse and came to where Sir Tristram

was, and Gouvernail wept at beholding the sorrow of Sir Tristram. And

Gouvernail said: "Messire, look up and take cheer, for there must yet be

joy for thee in the world."

Then Sir Tristram raised his eyes very slowly (for they were heavy and dull

like lead) and he looked at Gouvernail for some while as though not seeing

him. Then by and by he said: "Gouvernail, what evil have I done that I

should have so heavy a curse laid upon me?" Gouvernail said, still weeping:

"Lord, thou hast done no ill, but art in all wise a very noble, honorable

gentleman." "Alas!" quoth Sir Tristram, "I must unwittingly have done some

great evil in God's sight, for certes the hand of God lieth grievously

heavy upon me." Gouvernail said: "Lord, take heart, and tell me whither

shall we go now?" And Sir Tristram said, "I know not."

Then Gouvernail said: "Lord, let us go hence, I care not where, for I

reckon nothing of storm or rain or snow or hail if it so be that I am with

you."

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram bids Gouvernail return to Tintagel] Then Sir

Tristram looked upon Gouvernail and smiled, and he said: "Gouvernail, it is

great joy to me that you should love me so greatly as you do. But this time

you may not go with me whither I go, for the Lady Belle Isoult hath few

friends at the court of Cornwall, and many enemies, wherefore I would have

you return unto her for my sake, so that you may befriend her and cherish

her when that I am no longer by her for to stand her friend in her hour of

need. And take this dog Houdaine with you and bid the Lady Belle Isoult for

to keep him by her to remind her of my faithfulness unto her. For even as

this creature is faithful unto me under all circumstances, so am I faithful

unto her whether she be glad or sorry, or in good or evil case. So return

to Tintagel as I bid thee, and see that thou pay thy duty unto that lady

even as thou payst it unto me. For she is so singularly dear unto me that,

even as a man's heart is the life of his body, so is her happiness the life

of my life."

Then Gouvernail wept again in very great measure, and he said, "Lord, I

obey." Therewith he mounted his horse, still weeping with a great passion

of sorrow, and rode away from that place, and Houdaine followed after him

and Sir Tristram was left sitting alone in the deep forest.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram wanders in the forest mad] After that Sir Tristram

wandered for several days in the forest, he knew not whither for he was

bewildered with that which had happened; so that he ate no food and took no

rest of any sort for all that time. Wherefore, because of the hardship he

then endured, he by and by became distraught in his mind. So, after a

while, he forgot who he himself was, and what was his condition, or whence

he came or whither he wended. And because his armor weighed heavily upon

him, he took it off and cast it away from him, and thereafter roamed half

naked through the woodlands.

Now upon the sixth day of this wandering he came to the outskirts of the

forest and nigh to the coast of the sea at a spot that was not very far

away was the castle of the Lady Loise, where he had once stayed at the time

that he undertook the adventure against Sir Nabon as aforetold. There,

being exhausted with hunger and weariness, he laid himself down in the

sunlight out beyond the borders of the forest and presently fell into a

deep sleep that was like to a swoon.

Now it chanced at that time that there came that way a certain damsel

attendant upon the Lady Loise. She perceiving that a man lay there on the

grass at the edge of the forest was at first of a mind to quit that place.

Then, seeing that the man lay very strangely still as though he were dead,

she went forward very softly and looked into his face.

Now that damsel had beheld Sir Tristram a great many times when he was at

the castle of the Lady Loise; wherefore now, in spite of his being so

starved and shrunken, and so unkempt and unshaved, she remembered his face

and she knew that this was Sir Tristram.

Therewith the damsel hurried away to the Lady Loise (and the lady was not a

very great distance away) and she said: "Lady, yonder way there lieth a man

by the forest side and I believe that it is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse. Yet

he is but half-clad and in great distress of body so that I know not of a

surety whether it is really Sir Tristram or not. Now I pray you come with

me and look upon his face and see if you may know him."

So the Lady Loise went with the damsel to where Sir Tristram lay and looked

into his face, and she knew Sir Tristram in spite of his ill condition.

[Sidenote: The Lady Loise finds Sir Tristram] Then the Lady Loise touched

Sir Tristram upon the shoulder and shook him, and thereupon Sir Tristram

awoke and sat up. Then the Lady Loise said, "Sir Tristram, is it thou who

liest here?" And Sir Tristram said, "I know not who I am." The Lady Loise

said, "Messire, how came you here in this sad case?" And Sir Tristram said:

"I know not whence I came, nor how I came hither, nor who I am, nor what it

is that ails me, for I cannot hold my mind with enough steadiness to

remember those things." Then the lady sighed for sorrow of Sir Tristram,

and she said: "Alas, Sir Tristram, that I should find you thus! Now I pray

you, lord, for to come with me to my castle which is hard by. There we may

care for you and may perhaps bring you back to health again."

To this Sir Tristram said: "Lady, I may not go with you. For though I

cannot remember whence I came, nor who I am, this much I know--I know that

I am mad, and that the forest is the only fit place for such as I am come

to be."

The lady said: "Alas, Sir Tristram, thou wilt die if thou art left alone

here in the forest." And Sir Tristram said: "Lady, I know not what you mean

when you say I am to die. What is it to die?" So at these words the Lady

Loise saw how it was with Sir Tristram; that his brains were altogether

turned; and she wist that some sore trouble must have befallen to bring him

to such a pass. Then she bethought her of how dearly he loved the music of

the harp, and she said to herself: "Mayhap by means of music I may bring

him back into his senses again." So she said to that damsel who had brought

her thither: "Go thou and bring hither my little harp of gold, and let us

see if music may charm him to remembrance."

So the damsel ran to the castle and brought the harp thence, and the Lady

Loise took the harp and tuned it and struck it and played upon it. And the

lady sang very sweetly a ballad that she knew Sir Tristram loved.

[Sidenote: The Lady Loise harps to Sir Tristram] Then when Sir Tristram

heard the sound of the music and singing he aroused himself. For first he

listened with great pleasure, and then he said, "Give it to me! Give it to

me!" and he reached out his hands and would have taken the harp from the

lady.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram comes to the Lady's castle] But the Lady Loise

laughed and shook her head, and she walked away from Sir Tristram and

toward the castle, still playing upon the little harp and singing; and Sir

Tristram followed close after, saying ever, "Give it to me! Give it to me!"

and reaching out his hands for the harp. So the Lady Loise led him away

from that place across the meadows; and she led him to the castle and into

the castle; and ever Sir Tristram followed after her, beseeching her for to

give the harp unto him. And the lady led Sir Tristram that way until she

had brought him to a fair room, and there she gave him the harp, and Sir

Tristram took it very eagerly into his hands and struck upon it and played

and sang most sweetly and with great joy and pleasure.

Afterward, being so much comforted, he ate and drank with appetite, and

then fell into a fair sound sleep.

Yet, though he so slept, still Sir Tristram's wits in no wise recovered

themselves; for when he awoke from that slumber he still could not remember

who he was or whence he came, neither could he remember the faces of any of

those who were around about him. But, though he was thus mad, he was still

gentle and kind in his madness and courteous and civil to all those who

came nigh him.

So Sir Tristram remained a gentle captive in the castle of the Lady Loise

for nigh upon a month, and somewhiles she would sing and harp to him, and

otherwhiles he himself would harp and sing. But ever and anon, when he

found the chance for to do so, he would escape from the captivity of the

castle and seek the forest; for he was aware of his madness and he ever

sought to hide that madness in the deep and shady woodland where only the

wild creatures of the forest might see him.

Yet always when he so escaped the Lady Loise would take her little golden

harp and go forth to the skirts of the forest and play upon it, and when

the music thereof would reach Sir Tristram's ears he would return to the

castle, being led thither by the music.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram quits the Lady's castle] But one day he wandered

so far astray that the music of the harp could not reach his ears, and then

he wandered on farther and farther until he was altogether lost. At that

Lady Loise took much sorrow for she had much love for Sir Tristram. So she

sent many of her people to search the forest for him, but none of these

were able to find him and thereafter he came no more to the castle.

Thus Sir Tristram escaped from that castle and after that he wandered in

the forest as he had done at the first. And in that time he took no food

and but little rest. And the brambles tore his clothes, so that in a short

time he was wellnigh altogether naked.

And somewhiles during this time of wandering he would be seized as with a

fury of battle, and in such case he would shout aloud as though in

challenge to an enemy. And then he would rend and tear great branches from

the trees in the fury of his imaginings. But otherwhiles he would wander

through the leafy aisles of the forest in gentler mood, singing so sweetly

that had you heard him you would have thought that it was some fairy spirit

of the forest chanting in those solitudes.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram dwells with the swineherds] So he wandered until

he failed with faintness, and sank down into the leaves; and I believe that

he would then have died, had it not been that there chanced to come that

way certain swineherds of the forest who fed their swine upon acorns that

were to be therein found. These found Sir Tristram lying there as though

dead, and they gave him to eat and to drink so that he revived once more.

After that they took him with them, and he dwelt with them in those

woodlands. There these forest folk played with him and made merry with him,

and he made them great sport. For he was ever gentle and mild like a little

child for innocence so that he did no harm to anyone, but only talked in

such a way that the swineherds found great sport in him.

Now Sir Andred of Cornwall very greatly coveted the possessions of Sir

Tristram, so that when several months had passed by and Sir Tristram did

not return to Tintagel, he said to himself: "Of a surety, Tristram must now

be dead in the forest, and, as there is no one nigher of kin to him than I,

it is altogether fitting that I should inherit his possessions."

But as Sir Andred could not inherit without proof of the death of Sir

Tristram, he suborned a certain very beautiful but wicked lady who dwelt in

the forest, persuading her that she should give false evidence of Sir

Tristram's death. Accordingly, he one day brought that lady before King

Mark, and she gave it as her evidence that Sir Tristram had died in the

forest and that she had been with him when he died. And she showed them a

new-made grave in the forest, and she said: "That is the grave of Sir

Tristram, for I saw him die and I saw him buried there with mine own eyes."

[Sidenote: Sir Adred seizes Sir Tristram's possessions] So everybody

believed this evidence, and thought that Sir Tristram was really dead, and

so Sir Andred seized upon all the possessions of Sir Tristram. And there

were many who were very sorry that Sir Tristram was dead and there were

others who were glad thereof in the same measure. But when the news was

brought to Belle Isoult that Sir Tristram was dead, she shrieked aloud and

swooned away. And she lay in that swoon so long that they thought for a

while she would never recover from it. But by and by she awoke therefrom,

crying, "Would to God that I were dead with Tristram and had never

awakened!"

And thereafter she mourned continually for Sir Tristram and would not be

comforted; for she was like to a woman who hath been widowed from a lover

of her youth.

And now it shall be told of how it fared with Sir Tristram in the forest

where he dwelt with the swineherds, and of how he achieved a very notable

adventure therein.

[Illustration: Sir Kay and the Forest Madman]

Chapter Second

_How Sir Tristram got him a sword from Sir Kay and how he slew therewith a

huge knight in the forest and rescued a lady in very great distress. Also

how Sir Launcelot found Sir Tristram in the forest and brought him thence

to Tintagel again._

Now it chanced one day that Sir Kay the Seneschal came riding through those

parts of the forest where Sir Tristram abided with the swineherds, and with

Sir Kay there came a considerable court of esquires. And with him besides

there travelled Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's Fool.

[Sidenote: Sir Kay and Sir Dagonet come to the forest] Now, you are to

know that though Sir Dagonet was the King's jester, and though he was slack

of wit, yet he was also a knight of no mean prowess. For he had performed

several deeds of good repute and was well held in all courts of chivalry.

So Sir Dagonet always went armed; though he bore upon his shield the device

of a cockerel's head as a symbol of his calling.

The time that Sir Kay and his court travelled as aforesaid was in the

summer season and the day was very warm, so that Sir Kay was minded to take

rest during the midday and until the coolness of the afternoon should come.

So they all dismounted from their horses and sat them down under the shade

of the trees where it was cool and pleasant and where the breezes reached

them to breathe upon their faces.

[Sidenote: Sir Dagonet wanders in the woodland] But whilst Sir Kay and his

court thus rested themselves, Sir Dagonet must needs be gadding, for he was

of a very restless, meddlesome disposition. So, being at that time clad

only in half armor, he wandered hither and thither through the forest as

his fancy led him. For somewhiles he would whistle and somewhiles he would

gape, and otherwhiles he would cut a caper or two. So, as chance would have

it, he came by and by to that open glade of the forest where the swineherds

were gathered; and at that time they were eating their midday meal of black

bread and cheese, and were drinking beer; some talking and laughing and

others silent as they ate their food. Unto these Sir Dagonet appeared,

coming out of the forest in very gay attire, and shining in the half armor

he wore, so that he appeared like a bright bird of the woodland.

Then Sir Dagonet, seeing where those rude boors were eating their meal of

food, came to them and stood amongst them. And he said, "Who are ye

fellows?" Whereunto they replied, "We are swineherds, Messire; who be ye?"

Quoth Sir Dagonet: "I am King Arthur's Fool. And whilst there are haply

many in the world with no more wits than I possess, yet there are few so

honest as I to confess that they are fools."

At these words those swineherds laughed very loudly. "Well," quoth one, "if

King Arthur hath his fool, so have we, and yonder he is," and therewith he

pointed to where Sir Tristram lay in the shade of the trees some distance

away and beside a deep well of the forest.

Upon that Sir Dagonet must needs go to where Sir Tristram lay, nearly

naked, upon the ground. And when he had come there he said, "Arise, fool."

Whereunto Sir Tristram replied: "Why should I arise? Lo! I am weary."

Then Sir Dagonet said: "It is not fitting that thou, who art the fool of

swineherds shouldst lie upon the grass, whilst I who am the fool of a king

stand upright upon my shanks. So, fool, I bid thee bestir thyself and

arise."

But Sir Tristram said, "I will not arise." And therewith Sir Dagonet took

his sword and pricked the thigh of Sir Tristram with the point thereof with

intent to make him bestir himself.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram souses Sir Dagonet in the well] Now when Sir

Tristram felt the prick of Sir Dagonet's sword, a certain part of his

memory of knighthood came back to him and he was seized with a sudden fury

against Sir Dagonet. So he arose and ran at Sir Dagonet and catched him in

his arms, and lifted Sir Dagonet off his feet and he soused him in the well

four or five times so that he was like to have drowned him.

As for those swineherds, when they saw what their fool did to that other

fool, they roared with laughter so that some of them rolled down upon the

ground and lay grovelling there for pure mirth. But others of them called

out to Sir Tristram, "Let be, or thou wilt drown that man"; and therewith

Sir Tristram let Sir Dagonet go, and Sir Dagonet ran away.

Nor did Sir Dagonet cease to run until he came to his party under the shade

of the trees. But when Sir Kay perceived what a sorry plight it was in

which Sir Dagonet appeared, he said, "What hath befallen thee?"

To this Sir Dagonet replied as follows: "Messire, I, who am a fool, went

into the forest and met another fool. I fool would have a jest with he

fool, but he fool catched I fool and soused I fool in a well of cold water.

So it came about that while I fool had the jest, he fool had the sport of

the jest."

[Sidenote: Sir Kay seeks to avenge Sir Dagonet] Then Sir Kay understood in

some manner what had befallen, and he was very angry that Sir Dagonet

should have been so served. Wherefore he said, "Where did this befall

thee?" And Sir Dagonet said, "Over yonder ways." Then Sir Kay said: "I will

avenge thee for the affront that hath been put upon thee. For no boor shall

serve a knight of King Arthur's court in such a fashion!" So therewith Sir

Kay arose and put on his armor and mounted his horse and rode away; and

after a while he came to that place where the swineherds were.

Then Sir Kay said very sternly: "Which of ye is that boor who put so

grievous an affront upon a gentleman of my party?" The swineherds say:

"Yonder he is lying by the well; but he is slack of wit, wherefore we

beseech you to do him no harm."

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram souses Sir Kay in the water] Then Sir Kay rode to

where Sir Tristram was, and he said: "Sirrah, why did you souse Sir Dagonet

into the water?" To this Sir Tristram did not reply, but only looked at Sir

Kay and laughed, for it pleased him wonderfully to behold that knight all

in shining armor. But when Sir Kay beheld Sir Tristram laugh in that wise,

he waxed exceedingly wroth. Wherefore he drew his sword straightway, and

rode at Sir Tristram with intent to strike him with the blade thereof. But

when Sir Tristram saw the sword of Sir Kay shining like lightning in the

sunlight, somewhat of his knightly spirit arose within him and took wing

like to a bird springing up out of the marish grass into the clear air. For

beholding that bright flashing sword he cried out aloud and arose and came

very steadily toward Sir Kay, and Sir Kay rode toward Sir Tristram. Then

when Sir Kay had come near enough to strike, he arose in his stirrups and

lifted the blade on high with intent to strike Sir Tristram with it. But

therewith Sir Tristram ran very quickly in beneath the blow, so that the

stroke of Sir Kay failed of its mark. Then Sir Tristram leaped up and

catched Sir Kay around the body and dragged him down from off his horse

very violently upon the ground, and with that the sword of Sir Kay fell

down out of his hands and lay in the grass. Then Sir Tristram lifted up Sir

Kay very easily and ran with him to the well of water and soused him

therein several times until Sir Kay cried out, "Fellow, spare me or I

strangle!" Upon that Sir Tristram let go Sir Kay, and Sir Kay ran to his

horse and mounted thereon and rode away from that place with might and

main, all streaming with water like to a fountain.

And all that while those swineherds roared with great laughter, ten times

louder than they had laughed when Sir Tristram had soused Sir Dagonet into

the well.

Then Sir Tristram beheld the sword of Sir Kay where it lay in the grass and

forthwith he ran to it and picked it up. And when he held it in his hands

he loved it with a great passion of love, wherefore he hugged it to his

bosom and kissed the pommel thereof.

But when the swineherds beheld the sword in Sir Tristram's hands, they

said, "That is no fit plaything for a madman to have," and they would have

taken it from him, but Sir Tristram would not permit them, for he would not

give them the sword, and no one dared to try to take it from him.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram keeps the sword of Sir Kay] So thereafter he kept

that sword ever by him both by night and by day, and ever he loved it and

kissed it and fondled it; for, as aforesaid, it aroused his knightly spirit

to life within him, wherefore it was he loved it.

So it hath been told how Sir Tristram got him a sword, and now it shall be

told how well he used it.

Now there was at that time in the woodlands of that part of Cornwall a

gigantic knight hight Sir Tauleas, and he was the terror of all that

district. For not only was he a head and shoulders taller than the tallest

of Cornish men, but his strength and fierceness were great in the same

degree that he was big of frame. Many knights had undertaken to rid the

world of this Sir Tauleas, but no knight had ever yet encountered him

without meeting some mishap at his hands.

(Yet it is to be said that heretofore no such knight as Sir Launcelot or

Sir Lamorack had come against Sir Tauleas, but only the knights of Cornwall

and Wales, whose borders marched upon that district where Sir Tauleas

ranged afield.)

[Sidenote: Sir Daynant and his lady come to the forest] Now one day there

came riding through the forest a very noble, gallant young knight, hight

Sir Daynant, and with him rode his lady, a beautiful dame to whom he had

lately been wedded with a great deal of love. These wayfarers in their

travelling came to that part of the forest where the swineherds abode, and

where were the open glade of grass and the fair well of water aforespoken

of.

Hereunto coming, and the day being very warm, these two travellers

dismounted and besought refreshment of the swineherds who were there, and

those rude good fellows gladly gave them to eat and to drink of the best

they had.

[Sidenote: Sir Daynant regards Sir Tristam] Whilst they ate, Sir Tristram

came and sat nigh to Sir Daynant and his lady and smiled upon them, for he

loved them very greatly because of their nobility and beauty. Then Sir

Daynant looked upon Sir Tristram and beheld how strong and beautiful of

body and how noble of countenance he was, and he saw that beautiful shining

sword that Sir Tristram carried ever with him. And Sir Daynant said, "Fair

friend, who are you, and where gat ye that sword?"

"I know not who I am," said Sir Tristram, "nor know I whence I came nor

whither I go. As for this sword, I had it from a gentleman who came hither

to us no great while ago."

Then the chiefest of the swineherds said: "Lord, this is a poor madman whom

we found naked and starving in the forest. As for that sword, I may tell

you that he took it away from a knight who came hither to threaten his

life, and he soused that knight into the well so that he was wellnigh

drowned."

Sir Daynant said: "That is a very strange story, that a naked madman should

take the sword out of the hands of an armed knight and treat that knight as

ye tell me. Now maybe this is some famous hero or knight who hath lost his

wits through sorrow or because of some other reason, and who hath so come

to this sorry pass."

(So said Sir Daynant, and it may here be said that from that time those

rude swineherds began to look upon Sir Tristram with different eyes than

before, saying amongst themselves: "Maybe what that knight said is true,

and this is indeed no common madman.")

Now whilst Sir Daynant sat there with his lady, holding converse with the

swineherds concerning Sir Tristram in that wise, there came a great noise

in the forest, and out therefrom there came riding with great speed that

huge savage knight Sir Tauleas aforetold of. Then Sir Daynant cried out,

"Alas, here is misfortune!" And therewith he made all haste to put his

helmet upon his head.

[Sidenote: Sir Tauleas strikes down Sir Daynant] But ere he could arm

himself in any sufficient wise, Sir Tauleas drave down very fiercely upon

him. And Sir Tauleas rose up in his stirrups and lashed so terrible a blow

at Sir Daynant that it struck through Sir Daynant's helmet and into his

brain-pan, wherefore Sir Daynant immediately fell down to the ground as

though he had been struck dead.

[Sidenote: Sir Tauleas bears away the lady] Then Sir Tauleas rode

straightway to where the lady of Sir Daynant was, and he said: "Lady, thou

art a prize that it is very well worth while fighting for! And lo! I have

won thee." Therewith he catched her and lifted her up, shrieking and

screaming and struggling, and sat her upon the saddle before him and held

her there maugre all her struggles. Then straightway he rode away into the

forest, carrying her with him; and all that while Sir Tristram stood as

though in a maze, gazing with a sort of terror upon what befell and not

rightly knowing what it all meant. For there lay Sir Daynant as though dead

upon the ground, and he could yet hear the shrieks of the lady sounding out

from the forest whither Sir Tauleas had carried her.

Then the chief of the swineherds came to Sir Tristram, and said: "Fellow,

as thou hast a sword, let us see if thou canst use it. If thou art a hero

as that knight said of thee a while since, and not a pure madman, then

follow after that knight and bring that lady back hither again."

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram follows Sir Tauleas] Then Sir Tristram awoke from

that maze and said, "I will do so." And therewith he ran away very rapidly

into the forest, pursuing the direction that Sir Tauleas had taken. And he

ran for a great distance, and by and by, after a while, he beheld Sir

Tauleas before him where he rode. And by that time the lady was in a deep

swoon and lay as though dead across the saddle of Sir Tauleas. Then Sir

Tristram cried out in a great voice: "Stay, Sir Knight, and turn this way,

for I come to take that lady away from thee and to bring her back unto her

friend again!"

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram slays Sir Tauleas] Then Sir Tauleas turned him and

beheld a naked man running after him with a sword in his hand, whereupon he

was seized with a great rage of anger, so that he put that lady he carried

down to the ground. And he drew his sword and rushed at Sir Tristram very

violently with intent to slay him. And when he came nigh to Sir Tristram he

arose up on his stirrups and lashed so terrible a blow at him that, had it

met its mark, it would have cloven Sir Tristram in twain. But Sir Tristram

leaped aside and turned the blow very skilfully; and therewith a memory of

his knightly prowess came upon him and he, upon his part, lashed a blow at

Sir Tauleas that Sir Tauleas received very unexpectedly. And that blow

struck Sir Tauleas so terrible a buffet upon the head that the brain of Sir

Tauleas swam, and he swayed about and then fell down from off his horse.

Therewith Sir Tristram ran to him and rushed his helmet from off his head.

And when he beheld the naked head of Sir Tauleas he catched it by the hair

and drew the neck of Sir Tauleas forward. Then Sir Tauleas cried out,

"Spare me, fellow!" But Sir Tristram said, "I will not spare thee for thou

art a wicked man!" And therewith he lifted his sword on high and smote off

the head of Sir Tauleas so that it rolled down upon the ground.

After that, Sir Tristram went to the Lady and he chafed her hands and her

face so that she revived from her swoon. And when she was revived, he said:

"Lady, take cheer; for look yonder and thou wilt see thy enemy is dead, and

so now I may take thee back again unto thy friend." And therewith the lady

smiled upon Sir Tristram and catched his hand in hers and kissed it.

Then Sir Tristram lifted the lady upon the horse of Sir Tauleas, and after

that he went back again to where he had left Sir Daynant and the

swineherds; and he led the horse of Sir Tauleas by the bridle with the lady

upon the back thereof and he bore the head of Sir Tauleas in his hand by

the hair.

But when those swineherds saw Sir Tristram come forth thus out of the

forest bringing that lady and bearing the head of Sir Tauleas, they were

amazed beyond measure, and they said to one another: "Of a certainty what

this young knight hath just said is sooth and this madman is indeed some

great champion in distress. But who he is no one may know, since he himself

doth not know."

And when Sir Daynant had recovered from that blow that Sir Tauleas had

given him, he also gave Sir Tristram great praise for what he had done. And

Sir Tristram was abashed at all the praise that was bestowed upon him.

Then Sir Daynant and his lady besought Sir Tristram that he would go with

them to their castle so that they might care for him, but Sir Tristram

would not, for he said: "I wist very well that I am mad, and so this forest

is a fit place for me to dwell and these kind rude fellows are fit

companions for me at this time whilst my wits are wandering."

Thus it was with this adventure. And now you shall hear how Sir Launcelot

found Sir Tristram in the forest and how he brought him out thence and

likewise what befell thereafter.

[Sidenote: Sir Launcelot enters the forest] For only the next day after

all these things had happened, Sir Launcelot came riding through the forest

that way, seeking for Sir Tauleas with intent to do battle with him because

of his many evil deeds. For Sir Launcelot purposed either to slay him or

else to bring him captive to King Arthur.

So it came to pass that Sir Launcelot came to that place where Sir Tristram

and the swineherds abode.

There Sir Launcelot made pause for to rest and to refresh himself, and

whilst he sat with his helmet lying beside him so that the breezes might

cool his face, all those rude swineherds gathered about and stared at him.

And Sir Launcelot smiled upon them, and he said: "Good fellows, I pray you

tell me; do you know where, hereabouts, I shall find a knight whom men call

Sir Tauleas?"

Unto this the chief swineherd made reply, saying: "Lord, if you come hither

seeking Sir Tauleas, you shall seek him in vain. For yesterday he was

slain, and if you look yonder way you may see his head hanging from a

branch of a tree at the edge of the glade."

Upon this Sir Launcelot cried out in great amazement, "How hath that come

to pass?" and therewith he immediately arose from where he sat and went to

that tree where the head hung. And he looked into the face of the head, and

therewith he saw that it was indeed the head of Sir Tauleas that hung

there. Then Sir Launcelot said: "This is very wonderful. Now I pray you,

tell me what knight was it who slew this wicked wretch, and how his head

came to be left hanging here?"

To this the chief of the swineherds made reply: "Messire, he who slew Sir

Tauleas was no knight, but a poor madman whom we found in the forest and

who has dwelt with us now for a year past. Yonder you may see him, lying

half naked, sleeping beside that well of water."

Sir Launcelot said, "Was it he who did indeed slay Sir Tauleas?" And the

swineherd said, "Yea, lord, it was he."

Sir Launcelot said, "Do ye not then know who he is?" The swineherd replied:

"No, lord, we only know that one day we found him lying in the forest naked

and nigh to death from hunger and that we fed him and clothed him, and that

since then he hath dwelt ever with us, showing great love for us all."

Then Sir Launcelot went to where Sir Tristram lay, and he looked upon him

as he slept and he knew him not; for the beard and the hair of Sir Tristram

had grown down all over his breast and shoulders and he was very ragged and

beaten by the weather. But though Sir Launcelot knew him not, yet he beheld

that the body of Sir Tristram was very beautiful and strong, for he saw how

all the muscles and thews thereof were cut very smooth and clean as you

might cut them out of wax, wherefore Sir Launcelot gazed for a long while

and felt great admiration for his appearance.

[Sidenote: Sir Launcelot regards Sir Tristam] Then Sir Launcelot beheld

how the sleeping man held a naked sword in his arms very caressingly, as

though he loved it, and thereat he was very much surprised to find such a

sword as that in the hands of this forest madman. Wherefore he said to

those swineherds, "Where got this man that sword?"

"Messire," said the swineherd who had afore spoken, "some while since there

came a knight hitherward who ill-treated him. Thereupon this poor man ran

at the knight and overthrew him and took the sword away from him and soused

him several times in the well. After that he hath ever held fast to this

sword and would not give it up to any of us."

"Ha!" said Sir Launcelot, "that is a very wonderful story, that a naked man

should overthrow an armed knight and take his sword away from him. Now I

deem that this is no mere madman, but some noble knight in misfortune."

[Sidenote: Sir Launcelot awakens Sir Tristram] Therewith he reached

forward and touched Sir Tristram very gently on the shoulder, and at that

Sir Tristram awoke and opened his eyes and sat up. And Sir Tristram looked

upon Sir Launcelot, but knew him not, albeit some small memory moved very

deeply within him. Nevertheless, though he knew not Sir Launcelot, yet he

felt great tenderness for that noble knight in arms, and he smiled very

lovingly upon him. And Sir Launcelot felt in return a very great deal of

regard for Sir Tristram, but wist not why that was; yet it seemed to Sir

Launcelot that he should know the face of Sir Tristram, and that it was not

altogether strange to him.

Then Sir Launcelot said, "Fair friend, was it thou who slew Sir Tauleas?"

And Sir Tristram said, "Ay." Sir Launcelot said, "Who art thou?" Whereunto

Sir Tristram made reply: "I know not who I am, nor whence I come, nor how I

came hither."

Then Sir Launcelot felt great pity and tenderness for Sir Tristram, and he

said: "Friend, wilt thou go with me away from this place and into the

habitations of men? There I believe thy mind maybe made whole again, and

that it may be with thee as it was beforetime. And verily, I believe that

when that shall come to pass, the world shall find in thee some great

knight it hath lost."

Sir Tristram said: "Sir Knight, though I know not who I am, yet I know that

I am not sound in my mind; wherefore I am ashamed to go out in the world

and amongst mankind, but would fain hide myself away in this forest. Yet I

love thee so much that, if thou wert to bid me go with thee to the ends of

the world, I believe I would go with thee."

Then Sir Launcelot smiled upon Sir Tristram very kindly and said, "I do bid

thee come with me away from here," and Sir Tristram said, "I will go."

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram quits the forest with Sir Launcelot] So Sir

Launcelot bade the swineherds clothe Sir Tristram in such a wise that his

nakedness might be covered, and he bade them give Sir Tristram hosen and

shoon, and when Sir Tristram was thus decently clad, Sir Launcelot made

ready to take his departure from that place.

But ere the two left, all those good fellows crowded around Sir Tristram,

and embraced him and kissed him upon the cheek; for they had come to love

him a very great deal.

Then the two went away through the forest, Sir Launcelot proudly riding

upon his great horse and Sir Tristram running very lightly beside him.

But Sir Launcelot had other business at that time than to seek out Sir

Tauleas as aforetold. For at that time there were three knights of very

ill-repute who harried the west coast of that land that overlooked the sea

toward the Kingdom of Ireland, and Sir Launcelot was minded to seek them

out after he had finished with Sir Tauleas. So ere he returned to the court

of King Arthur he had first of all to go thitherward.

Now you are to know that the castle of Tintagel lay upon the way that he

was to take upon that adventure, and so it was that he brought Sir Tristram

to the castle of Tintagel, where King Mark of Cornwall was then holding

court. For Sir Launcelot was minded to leave Sir Tristram there whilst he

went upon that adventure aforetold of.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram comes to Tintagel] And Sir Launcelot was received

in Tintagel with very great honor and acclaim, for it was the first time he

had ever been there. And King Mark besought Sir Launcelot for to abide a

while in Tintagel; but Sir Launcelot refused this hospitality, saying: "I

have an adventure to do for the sake of my master, King Arthur, and I may

not abide here at this present. But I pray you to grant me a favor, and it

is this: that you cherish this poor madman whom I found in the forest, and

that you keep him here, treating him kindly until I shall return from the

quest I am upon. For I have great love for this poor fellow and I would not

have any harm befall him whilst I am away."

Then King Mark said: "I am sorry you will not remain with us, but as to

this thing it shall be done as you desire, for we will cherish and care for

this man while you are away." So said King Mark, speaking with great

cheerfulness and courtesy; for neither he nor any of his court at that time

wist who Sir Tristram was.

So Sir Launcelot went upon his way, and King Mark gave orders that Sir

Tristram should be well-clothed and fed, and it was done as he commanded.

* * * * *

Thus it was that Sir Tristram was brought back to the castle of Tintagel

again. And now it shall be told how it befell with him thereat.

[Illustration: Sir Tristram leaps into ye Sea]

Chapter Third

_How Sir Tristram was discovered at Tintagel and of what befell thereby._

Now during the time that Sir Tristram abode thus unknown at the court of

Tintagel, he was allowed to wander thereabouts whithersoever he chose, and

no one hindered him either in going or in coming. For none in all that

place suspected who he was, but everyone thought that he was only a poor

gentle madman of the forest; so he was allowed to wander at will as his

fancy led him.

[Sidenote: How Sir Tristram dwelt at Tintagel] And Sir Tristram's memory

never awoke; but though it awoke not, yet it stirred within him. For though

he could not remember what this place was whereunto he had come, yet it was

very strangely familiar to him, so that whithersoever he went, he felt that

those places were not altogether strange to him. And in some of those

places he felt great pleasure and in other places somewhat of pain, yet he

knew not why he should have the one feeling or the other.

Now of all those places whereunto he wandered, Sir Tristram found most

pleasure in the pleasance of the castle where was a fair garden and fruit

trees; for it was there that he and the Lady Belle Isoult had walked

together aforetime ere his affliction had befallen him, and he remembered

this place better than any other, and took more pleasure in it. Now one day

Sir Tristram came wandering thus into that pleasance and, the day being

warm, he sat under the shade of an appletree beside a marble fountain of

water; and the appletree above his head was all full of red and golden

fruit. So Sir Tristram sat there, striving to remember how it was that he

had once aforetime beheld that fountain and that garden and that appletree

beneath which he sat.

So whilst he sat there pondering in that wise, there came the Lady Belle

Isoult into the garden of that pleasance and her lady, the dame Bragwaine,

was with her, and the hound, hight Houdaine, which Sir Tristram had sent to

her by Gouvernail, walked beside her on the other side. Then Belle Isoult

perceived that there was a man sitting under the appletree, and she said to

dame Bragwaine: "Who is yonder man who hath dared to come hither into our

privy garden?" Unto this, dame Bragwaine replied: "That, lady, is the

gentle madman of the forest whom Sir Launcelot brought hither two days

ago."

Then the Lady Belle Isoult said, "Let us go nearer and see what manner of

man he is"; and so they went forward toward where Sir Tristram sat, and the

dog Houdaine went with them.

Then Sir Tristram was aware that someone was nigh; and therewith he turned

his face and beheld the Lady Isoult for the first time since he had gone

mad in the forest; and the lady was looking at him, but knew him not.

Then of a sudden, because of his great love for Belle Isoult, the memory of

Sir Tristram came all back to him in the instant, and upon that instant he

knew who he was and all that had befallen him, and how he had been brought

there as a madman out of the forest. But though he knew her in that wise,

yet, as has been said, she knew not him.

Then Sir Tristram was all overwhelmed with shame that he should be thus

found by that dear lady; wherefore he turned away his face and bowed his

head so that she might not remember him, for he perceived that as yet she

did not know him who he was.

Now at that moment the dog, Houdaine, was aware of the savor of Sir

Tristram; wherefore he leaped away from the Lady Belle Isoult and ran to

Sir Tristram and smelt very eagerly of him. And with that he knew his

master.

[Sidenote: Houdaine knoweth Sir Tristram] Then the two ladies who looked

beheld Houdaine fall down at the feet of Sir Tristram and grovel there with

joy. And they beheld that he licked Sir Tristram's feet and his hands, and

that he leaped upon Sir Tristram and licked his neck and face, and at that

they were greatly astonished.

Then of a sudden a thought came to dame Bragwaine, and she catched the Lady

Isoult by the arm and she said: "Lady, know you not who yonder madman is?"

But the Lady Belle Isoult said: "Nay, I know not who he is. Who is he,

Bragwaine?" And Bragwaine said: "Certes, that is Sir Tristram, and no one

else in all the world."

[Sidenote: Belle Isoult knows Sir Tristram] Therewith, at those words, the

scales suddenly fell from Lady Belle Isoult's eyes and she knew him. Then,

for a little space, she stood as though turned into stone; then she emitted

a great loud cry of joy and ran to Sir Tristram where he sat, and flung

herself down upon the ground at the feet of Sir Tristram and embraced him

about the knees. And she cried out in a voice of great passion: "Tristram!

Tristram! Is it thou? They told me thou wert dead, and lo! thou art come to

life again!" And with that she fell to weeping with such fury of passion

that it was as though the soul of her were struggling to escape from her

body.

Then Sir Tristram got to his feet in great haste and agitation and he said:

"Lady! Lady! This must not be--arise, and stay your passion or else it will

be our ruin. For behold, I am alone and unarmed in this castle, and there

are several herein who seek my life. So if it be discovered who I am, both

thou and I are lost."

Then, perceiving how that Belle Isoult was in a way distracted and out of

her mind with joy and grief and love, he turned him unto Bragwaine and said

to her: "Take thy lady hence and by and by I will find means whereby I may

come to speech with her in private. Meanwhile it is death both for her and

for me if she remain here to betray me unto the others of this castle."

So Bragwaine and Sir Tristram lifted up the Lady Belle Isoult, and

Bragwaine led her thence out of that place; for I believe that Belle Isoult

knew not whither she went but walked like one walking half in a swoon.

[Sidenote: Sir Andred knoweth Sir Tristram] Now it chanced at that time

that Sir Andred was in a balcony overlooking that pleasance, and, hearing

the sound of voices and the sound of a disturbance that was suppressed, he

looked out and beheld all that passed. Then he also wist who was that

madman whom Sir Launcelot had fetched to that place out of the forest, and

that he was Sir Tristram.

Therewith he was filled with a great rage and fury and was likewise

overwhelmed with great fear lest, if Sir Tristram should escape from that

castle with his life, he would reclaim those possessions that he, Sir

Andred, had seized upon.

[Sidenote: Sir Andres betrays Sir Tristram to King Mark] So therewith he

withdrew himself from that balcony very softly, into the apartment behind.

And he sat down in that apartment for a little while as though not knowing

rightly what to do. But after a little while he arose and went to King

Mark; and King Mark looked up and beheld him and said, "What news do you

bring, Messire?" Thereunto Sir Andred made reply: "Lord, know you who that

madman is whom Sir Launcelot hath fetched hither?" King Mark said, "Nay, I

know not who he is." But with that he fell to trembling throughout his

entire body, for he began to bethink him who that madman was. "Lord," said

Sir Andred, "it is Sir Tristram, and me-seems Sir Launcelot was aware who

it was, and that he was plotting treason when he fetched him hither."

At that King Mark smote his hands together and he cried in a terrible

voice, "I know it! I know it!" And then he said: "Blind! Blind! How was it

that I knew him not?" Then after a little he fell to laughing and he said

to Sir Andred: "Lo! God hath assuredly delivered that traitor, Sir

Tristram, into mine hands so that I may punish him for his treasons. For,

behold! he is here in our midst and he is altogether unarmed. Go, Messire,

with all haste, gather together such force as may be needful, and seize

upon him and bind him so that he may do no further harm to any man. Then

let justice be executed upon him so soon as it is possible to do so." And

Sir Andred said: "Lord, it shall be done according to your demands and upon

the instant."

Therewith Sir Andred went forth from where the King was, and he armed

himself in complete armor, and he gathered together a number of knights and

esquires and he led them to that place where he knew Sir Tristram would be;

and there he found Sir Tristram sitting sunk in thought. And when Sir

Tristram beheld those armed men come in thus upon him, he arose to defend

himself. But then Sir Andred cried out in a loud voice: "Seize him ere he

can strike and bind him fast, for he is unarmed and may do you no harm!"

[Sidenote: The castle folk seize Sir Tristram] With that a dozen or more

of those who were with Sir Andred flung themselves upon Sir Tristram,

shouting and roaring like wild beasts. And they bore him to the earth by

numbers, and after a while, by dint of great effort, they held him and

bound his hands together by the wrists. Then they lifted up Sir Tristram

and stood him upon his feet, and lo! his bosom heaved with his struggles,

and his eyes were all shot with blood and his lips afroth with the fury of

his fighting; and his clothes were torn in that struggle so that his body

was half naked. And they held him there, a knight in armor with a naked

sword standing upon his right hand and another armed knight with a naked

sword standing upon his left hand.

Then Sir Andred came and stood in front of Sir Tristram and taunted him,

saying: "Ha, Tristram, how is it with thee now? Lo! thou camest like a spy

into this place, and now thou art taken with all thy treason upon thee. So

thou shalt die no knightly death, but, in a little while, thou shalt be

hanged like a thief."

Then he came close to Sir Tristram, and he laughed and said: "Tristram

where is now the glory of thy strength that one time overcame all thine

enemies? Lo! thou art helpless to strike a single blow in defence of thine

honor." And therewith Sir Andred lifted his hand and smote Sir Tristram

upon the face with the palm thereof.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram slays Sir Andred] At that blow the rage of Sir

Tristram so flamed up in him that his eyes burned as with pure green fire.

And in an instant, so quickly that no man wist what he did, he turned with

amazing suddenness upon that knight who stood at his left hand, and he

lifted up both hands that were bound, and he smote that knight such a blow

upon the face that the knight fell down upon the ground and his sword fell

out of his hand. Then Sir Tristram snatched the sword and, turning with

astonishing quickness, he smote the knight upon his right hand such a

buffet that he instantly fell down upon his knees and then rolled over upon

the ground in a swoon. Then Sir Tristram turned upon Sir Andred, and

lifting high the sword with both hands tied, he smote him so terrible a

blow that the blade cut through his epulier and half through his body as

far as the paps. At that great terrible blow the breath fled out of Sir

Andred with a deep groan, and he fell down upon the ground and immediately

died.

Now all this had happened so suddenly that they who beheld it were

altogether amazed and stood staring as though bewitched by some spell. But

when they beheld Sir Tristram turn upon them and make at them with that

streaming sword lifted on high, the terror of his fury so seized upon them

that they everywhere broke from before him and fled, yelling, and with the

fear of death clutching them in the vitals. And Sir Tristram chased them

out of that place and into the courtyard of the castle, and some he smote

down and others escaped; but all who could do so scattered away before him

like chaff before the wind.

Then, when they were gone, Sir Tristram stood panting and glaring about him

like a lion at bay. Then he set the point of his sword upon the pavement of

the court and the pommel thereof he set against his breast, and he drew the

bonds that held his wrists across the edge of the sword so that they were

cut and he was free.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram defends the chapel] But Sir Tristram wist that in

a little the whole castle would be aroused against him, and that he would

certainly be overwhelmed by dint of numbers, wherefore he looked about him

for some place of refuge; and he beheld that the door of the chapel which

opened upon the courtyard stood ajar. So he ran into the chapel and shut to

that door and another door and locked and bolted them both, and set a heavy

bar of wood across both of them so that for a while he was safe.

But yet he was only safe for a little while, for about the time of early

nightfall, which came not long thereafter, a great party of several score

of King Mark's people came against the chapel where he was. And when they

found that the doors were locked and barred, they brought rams for to

batter in the chief door of the chapel.

Then Sir Tristram beheld how parlous was his case, and that he must in a

little while die if he did not immediately do something to save himself. So

with that he ran to a window of the chapel and opened it and looked out

thence. And lo! below him and far beneath was the sea, and the rocks of the

shore upon which the castle was built; and the sea and the rocks lay twelve

fathoms beneath him.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram leaps into the sea] But Sir Tristram said, "Better

death there than here;" and therewith finding that the door was now falling

in beneath the rams, he leaped out from the window-ledge, and thence he

dived down into the sea; and no one saw that terrible leap that he made. So

he sank down deep into the sea, but met no rocks, so that he presently came

up again safe and sound. Then, looking about him, he perceived in the

twilight a cave in the rocks, and thither he swam with the intent to find

shelter for a little.

Now when they who had come against him had broken into the chapel they all

ran in in one great crowd, for they expected to find Sir Tristram and to do

battle with him. But lo! Sir Tristram was not there, but only the empty

walls. Then at first they were greatly astonished, and knew not what to

think. And some who came cried out: "Is that man then a spirit that he can

melt away into thin air?" But after a little, one of them perceived where

the window of the chapel stood open, and therewith several of them ran

thereunto and looked out, and they wist that Sir Tristram had leaped out

thence into the sea.

Then they said to one another: "Either that knight is now dead, or else he

will perish when the tide rises and covers the rocks; so to-night we will

do no more with this business; but to-morrow we will go and find his body

where it lies among the rocks of the shore." So thereupon they shut the

window and went their ways.

Now Gouvernail was not at that time at Tintagel, nor did he return

thereunto until all this affair was over and done. But when he came there,

there were many voices to tell him what had befallen, and to all of them

Gouvernail listened without saying anything.

But afterward Gouvernail went and sought out a certain knight hight Sir

Santraille de Lushon, who, next to himself, was the most faithful friend to

Sir Tristram at that place. To him Gouvernail said: "Messire, I do not

think that Sir Tristram is dead, for he hath always been a most wonderful

swimmer and diver. But if he be alive, and we do not save him, he will

assuredly perish when the tide comes up and covers over those rocks amongst

which he may now be hidden."

So Gouvernail and Sir Santraille went to that chapel unknown to anyone, and

they went to that window whence Sir Tristram had leaped, and they opened

the window, and leaned out and called upon Sir Tristram in low voices: "Sir

Tristram, if thou art alive, arise and answer us, for we are friends!"

Then after a while Sir Tristram recognized Gouvernail's voice and answered

them: "I am alive; but save me, or I perish in a little while." Then

Gouvernail said: "Lord, are you hurt, or are you whole?" Sir Tristram

replied, "I am strong and well in body, but the tide rises fast."

Gouvernail said, "Messire, can you wait a little?" Sir Tristram said, "Ay;

for a little, but not for too long."

[Sidenote: Gouvernail and Sir Santraille rescue Sir Tristram] Then

Gouvernail and Sir Santraille withdrew from where they were and they made

all haste, and they got together a great number of sheets and napkins, and

tied these together and made a rope, and lowered the rope down to the rocks

where Sir Tristram was. Then Sir Tristram climbed up the rope of linen and

so reached the chapel in safety. And at that time it was nigh to midnight

and very dark.

But when Sir Tristram stood with them in the chapel, he gave them hardly

any greeting, but said at once: "Messires, how doth it fare with the Lady

Belle Isoult?" For he thought of her the first of all and above all things

else.

To this Sir Santraille made reply: "Sir, the lady hath been shut into a

tower, and the door thereof hath been locked upon her, and she is a close

prisoner."

Then Sir Tristram said: "How many knights are there in the place who are my

friends, and who will stand with me to break out hence?" To this Gouvernail

said: "Lord, there are twelve besides ourselves, and that makes fourteen in

all who are with thee in this quarrel unto life or death."

Sir Tristram said: "Provide me presently with arms and armor and bring

those twelve hither armed at all points. But first let them saddle horses

for themselves and for us, and for the Lady Belle Isoult and for her

waiting-woman, Dame Bragwaine. When this is done, we will depart from this

place unto some other place of refuge, and I do not think there will be any

in the castle will dare stop or stay us after we are armed."

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram arms himself] So it was done as Sir Tristram

commanded, and when all those were gathered together, and their horses

ready, Sir Tristram and several of the knights of his party went openly to

that tower where the Lady Belle Isoult was prisoner. And they burst open

the doors and went in with torches, and found Belle Isoult and her

attendant in the upper part of the castle.

But when Belle Isoult beheld the face of Sir Tristram, she said: "Is it

thou, my love; and art thou still alive, and art thou come tome?" Sir

Tristram said: "Yea, I am still alive nor will I die, God willing, until I

have first brought thee out of this wicked castle and into some place of

safety. And never again will I entrust thee unto King Mark's hands; for I

have great fear that if he have thee in his hands he will work vengeance

upon thee so as to strike at my heart through thee. So, dear love, I come

to take thee away from this place; and never again right or wrong, shalt

thou be without the shelter of my arm."

Then the Lady Belle Isoult smiled very wonderfully upon Sir Tristram so

that her face appeared to shine with a great illumination of love. And she

said: "Tristram, I will go with thee whithersoever thou wilt. Yea, I would

go with thee even to the grave, for I believe that I should be happy even

there, so that thou wert lying beside me."

Then Sir Tristram groaned in spirit and he said: "Isoult, what have I done,

that I should always bring unhappiness upon thee?" But the Lady Belle

Isoult spake very steadily, saying: "Never unhappiness, Tristram, but

always happiness; for I have thy love for aye, and thou hast mine in the

same measure, and in that is happiness, even in tears and sorrow, and never

unhappiness."

With that Sir Tristram kissed Belle Isoult upon the forehead, and then he

lifted her up and carried her in his arms down the stairs of the tower and

sat her upon her horse. And Bragwaine followed after, and Gouvernail lifted

her up upon her horse.

[Sidenote: Sir Tristram taketh Belle Isoult away from Tintagel] Now all

they of that castle were amazed beyond measure to find all those knights

armed and prepared for battle so suddenly in their midst. And most of all

were they filled with terror to find Sir Tristram at the head of these

knights. Wherefore when Sir Tristram made demand that they should open the

portcullis of the castle and let fall the drawbridge, the porters thereof

dared not refuse him, but did as he said.

So Sir Tristram and his knights rode forth with the Lady Belle Isoult and

Bragwaine and no one stayed them. And they rode into the forest, betaking

their way toward a certain castle of Sir Tristram's, which they reached in

the clear dawning of the daytime.

And so Sir Tristram brought the Lady Belle Isoult away from Tintagel and

into safety.

[Illustration: King Mark broods mischief]

Chapter Fourth

_How Sir Tristram and the Lady Belle Isoult returned to Cornwall and how

they ended their days together._

And now remaineth to be told the rest of these adventures of Sir Tristram

as briefly as may be.

For indeed I thought not, when I began this history, to tell you as much

concerning him as I have done. But as I have entered into this history I

have come so strongly to perceive how noble and true and loyal was the

knighthood of Sir Tristram, that I could not forbear telling you of many

things that I had not purposed to speak of.

Yet, as I have said before this, there are a great many adventures that I

have not spoken of in this book. For I have told only those things that

were necessary for to make you understand how it fared with him in his

life.

So now shall be told those last things that concerned him.

[Sidenote: Sir Launcelot reproves King Mark] Now two days after those

things aforesaid had come to pass, Sir Launcelot returned unto Tintagel

from that quest which he had been upon, and so soon as he came thither he

made inquiry of King Mark concerning the welfare of that madman of the

forest whom he had left in the care of King Mark. But when he heard that

that madman was Sir Tristram, he was astonished beyond all measure; but

when he heard how Sir Tristram had been served by King Mark and by the

people of the castle under the lead of Sir Andred, he was filled with a

great and violent indignation. So he arose and stood before King Mark and

said: "Lord King, I have heard much ill said of thee and shameful things

concerning thy unknightliness in several courts of chivalry where I have

been; and now I know that those things were true; for I have heard from the

lips of many people here, how thou didst betray Sir Tristram into bringing

the Lady Belle Isoult unto thee; and I have heard from many how thou dost

ever do ill and wickedly by him, seeking to take from him both his honor

and his life. And yet Sir Tristram hath always been thy true and faithful

knight, and hath served thee in all ways thou hast demanded of him. I know

that thou hast jealousy for Sir Tristram in thy heart and that thou hast

ever imputed wickedness and sin unto him. Yet all the world knoweth that

Sir Tristram is a true knight and altogether innocent of any evil. For all

the evil which thou hast imputed to him hath no existence saving only in

thine own evil heart. Now I give thee and all thy people to know that had

ill befallen Sir Tristram at your hands I should have held you accountable

therefor and should have punished you in such a way that you would not soon

have forgotten it. But of that there is no need, for Sir Tristram himself

hath punished you in full measure without any aid from me. So now I will go

away from this place and will never come hither again; nor will I

acknowledge you should I meet you in court or in field."

So saying, Sir Launcelot turned and went away from that place very proudly

and haughtily, leaving them all abashed at his rebuke.

[Sidenote: Sir Launcelot findeth Sir Tristram and Belle Isoult in the

forest] So that day Sir Launcelot went forward through the forest until he

reached that castle whereunto Sir Tristram had taken the Lady Belle Isoult,

and there he was received by Sir Tristram with all joy and honor. And Sir

Launcelot abided at that place for two days, with great pleasure to himself

and to Sir Tristram and to Belle Isoult.

At the end of that time Sir Launcelot said to Sir Tristram: "Messire, it is

not well that you and this dear lady should abide here so nigh to Tintagel.

For, certes, King Mark will some time work some grievous ill upon you. So I

beseech you to come with me unto my castle of Joyous Gard. There this lady

shall reign queen paramount and we shall be her very faithful servants to

do her pleasure in all ways. That castle is a very beautiful place, and

there she may dwell in peace and safety and tranquillity all the days of

her life if she chooses to do so."

[Sidenote: They depart for Joyous Gard] Now that saying of Sir Launcelot's

seemed good to Sir Tristram and to Belle Isoult; wherefore in three days

all they and their court made ready to depart. And they did depart from

that castle in the forest unto Joyous Gard, where they were received with

great honor and rejoicing.

So the Lady Belle Isoult abided for three years at Joyous Gard, dwelling

there as queen paramount in all truth and innocence of life; and Sir

Launcelot and Sir Tristram were her champions and all their courts were her

servants. And during those three years there were many famous joustings

held at Joyous Gard, and several bel-adventures were performed both by Sir

Launcelot and Sir Tristram in her honor.

And indeed I believe that this was the happiest time of all the Lady Belle

Isoult's life, for she lived there in peace and love and tranquillity and

she suffered neither grief nor misfortune in all that time.

[Sidenote: King Arthur comes to Joyous Gard] Then one day there came King

Arthur to Joyous Gard, and he was received with such joy and celebration as

that place had never before beheld. A great feast was set in his honor, and

after the feast King Arthur and Sir Tristram and Belle Isoult withdrew to

one side and sat together in converse.

Then after a while King Arthur said, "Lady, may I ask you a question?" And

at that Lady Belle Isoult lifted up her eyes and looked very strangely upon

the King, and after a while she said, "Ask thy question, Lord King, and I

will answer it if I can." "Lady," said King Arthur, "answer me this

question: is it better to dwell in honor with sadness or in dishonor with

joy?"

Then Belle Isoult began to pant with great agitation, and by and by she

said, "Lord, why ask you me that?" King Arthur said: "Because, lady, I

think your heart hath sometimes asked you the selfsame question." Then the

Lady Belle Isoult clasped her hands together and cried out: "Yea, yea, my

heart hath often asked me that question, but I would not answer it." King

Arthur said: "Neither shalt thou answer me, for I am but a weak and erring

man as thou art a woman. But answer thou that question to God, dear lady,

and then thou shalt answer it in truth."

Therewith King Arthur fell to talking of other things with Sir Tristram,

but the lady could not join them in talk, but sat thenceforth in silence,

finding it hard to breathe because of the oppression of tears that lay upon

her bosom.

And Belle Isoult said no more concerning that question that King Arthur had

asked. But three days after that time she came to Sir Tristram and said:

"Dear lord, I have bethought me much of what King Arthur said, and this

hath come of it, that I must return again unto Cornwall."

Then Sir Tristram turned away his face so that she might not see it, and he

said, "Methought it would come to that." And then in a little he went away

from that place, leaving her standing there.

So it came about that peace was made betwixt Sir Tristram and King Mark,

and Belle Isoult and King Mark, and King Arthur was the peacemaker.

[Sidenote: Belle Isoult scorns King Mark] Thereafter Sir Tristram and his

court and the Lady Belle Isoult returned unto Cornwall, and there they

dwelt for some time in seeming peace. But in that time the Lady Belle

Isoult would never see King Mark nor exchange a word with him, but lived

entirely apart from him and in her own life in a part of the castle; and at

that King Mark was struck with such bitterness of despair that he was like

to a demon in torment. For he saw, as it were, a treasure very near and yet

afar, for he could not come unto it. And the more he suffered that torment,

the more he hated Sir Tristram, for in his suffering it appeared to him

that Sir Tristram was the cause of that suffering.

So it came about that King Mark set spies to watch Sir Tristram, for in his

evil heart he suspected Sir Tristram of treason, and he hoped that his

spies might discover Sir Tristram in some act for which he might be

punished. So those spies watched Sir Tristram both night and day, but they

could find nothing that he did that was amiss.

Now one day Belle Isoult felt such a longing for Sir Tristram that she

could not refrain from sending a note to him beseeching him for to come to

her so that they might see one another again; and though Sir Tristram

misdoubted what he did, yet he went as she desired, even if it should mean

the peril of death to him.

Then came those spies to King Mark and told him that Sir Tristram was gone

to the bower of the Lady Belle Isoult, and that she had bidden him to come

thither.

At that the vitals of King Mark were twisted with such an agony of hatred

and despair that he bent him double and cried out, "Woe! Woe! I suffer

torments!"

[Sidenote: King Mark spies upon Sir Tristram and Isoult] Therewith he

arose and went very quickly to that part of the castle where the Lady Belle

Isoult inhabited; and he went very softly up by a back way and through a

passage to where was a door with curtains hanging before it; and when he

had come there he parted the curtains and peeped within. And he beheld that

the Lady Belle Isoult and Sir Tristram sat at a game of chess, and he

beheld that they played not at the game but that they sat talking together

very sadly; and he beheld that Dame Bragwaine sat in a deep window to one

side--for Belle Isoult did not wish it to be said that she and Sir Tristram

sat alone.

All this King Mark saw and trembled with a torment of jealousy. So by and

by he left that place and went very quietly back into that passageway

whence he had come. And when he had come there he perceived a great glaive

upon a pole two ells long. This he took into his hand and returned unto

that curtained doorway again.

Then being in all ways prepared he parted the curtains silently and stepped

very quickly and without noise into the room. And the back of Sir Tristram

was toward him.

Then King Mark lifted the glaive on high and he struck; and Sir Tristram

sank without a sound.

Yea, I believe that that good knight knew naught of what had happened until

he awoke in Paradise to find himself in that realm of happiness and peace.

[Sidenote: Of the passing of Tristram and Isoult] Then Belle Isoult arose,

overturning the table of chessmen as she did so, but she made no outcry nor

sound of any sort. But she stood looking down at Sir Tristram for a little

space, and then she kneeled down beside his body and touched the face

thereof as though to make sure that it was dead. Therewith, as though being

assured, she fell down with her body upon his; and King Mark stood there

looking down upon them.

All this had passed so quickly that Dame Bragwaine hardly knew what had

befallen; but now, upon an instant, she suddenly fell to shrieking so

piercingly that the whole castle rang with the sound thereof.

Now there were in the outer room several of the knights of the court of Sir

Tristram who had come thither with him as witnesses that he performed no

treason to the King. These, when Dame Bragwaine shrieked in that wise, came

running into the room and therewith beheld what had happened. Then all they

stood aghast at that sight.

[Sidenote: Sir Alexander slays King Mark] But there was in the court of

Sir Tristram a very young, gallant knight hight Sir Alexander. This knight

came to where King Mark stood looking down upon his handiwork as though

entranced with what he had done. Then Sir Alexander said to King Mark, "Is

this thy work?" And King Mark raised his eyes very heavily and looked at

Sir Alexander and he answered, "Ay!" Then Sir Alexander cried out, "Thou

hast lived too long!" And therewith drawing his misericordia, he catched

King Mark by the left wrist and lifted his arm. And Sir Alexander drave the

dagger into the side of King Mark, and King Mark groaned and sank down upon

the ground, and in a little while died where he lay.

Then those knights went to where the Lady Belle Isoult lay and lifted her

up; but, lo! the soul had left her, and she was dead. For I believe that it

was not possible for one of those loving souls to leave its body with out

the other quitting its body also, so that they might meet together in

Paradise. For there never were two souls in all the history of chivalry

that clave to one another so tenderly as did the souls of Tristram and

Isoult.

So endeth this story of Sir Tristram, with only this to say, that they two

were buried with the graves close together, and that it is said by many who

have written of them that there grew a rose-tree up from Sir Tristram's

grave, and down upon the grave of Belle Isoult; and it is said that this

rose-tree was a miracle, for that upon his grave there grew red roses, and

upon her grave there grew pure white roses. For her soul was white like to

thrice-carded wool, and so his soul was red with all that was of courage or

knightly pride.

And I pray that God may rest the souls of those two as I pray He may rest

the souls of all of us who must some time go the way that those two and so

many others have travelled before us. Amen.

The Book of Sir Percival

_Here beginneth the story of Sir Percival of Gales, who was considered to

be one of the three great knights of the Round Table at that time. For, if

Sir Launcelot was the chiefest of all the knights who ever came unto King

Arthur's court, then it is hard to say whether Sir Tristram of Lyonesse or

Sir Percival of Gales was second unto him in renown_.

_And I pray that it shall be given unto all of ye to live as brave and

honorable and pure a life as he did; and that you, upon your part, may

claim a like glory and credit in the world in which you dwell by such noble

behavior as he exhibited_.

[Illustration: Sir Percival of Gales]

Prologue.

The father of Sir Percival was that king hight Pellinore who fought so

terrible a battle with King Arthur as has been told in the Book of King

Arthur. For it was after that fight that King Arthur obtained his famous

sword Excalibur, as was therein told.

Now, King Pellinore was one of those eleven kings who, in the beginning of

King Arthur's reign, were in rebellion against King Arthur as hath been

told in the book aforesaid, and he was one of the last of all those kings

to yield when he was overcome. So King Arthur drove him from town to town

and from place to place until, at last, he was driven away from the

habitations of men and into the forests like to a wild beast.

[Sidenote: King Pellinore fleeth to the wilderness] Now, King Pellinore

took with him into the wilderness his wife and his four sons; to wit,

Lamorack and Aglaval and Dornar and Percival. Of these, Percival was but

three years of age; the others, excepting Dornar, being nigh to the estate

of manhood. Thereafter that noble family dwelt in the forest like hunted

animals, and that was a very great hardship for the lady who had been

queen; and, likewise, it was greatly to the peril of the young child,

Percival.

Now, Percival was extraordinarily beautiful and his mother loved him above

all her other sons. Wherefore she feared lest the young child should die of

those hardships in the wilderness.

So one day King Pellinore said: "Dear love, I am now in no wise prepared

for to defend thee and this little one. Wherefore, for a while, I shall put

ye away from me so that ye may remain in secret hiding until such time as

the child shall have grown in years and stature to the estate of manhood

and may so defend himself.

"Now of all my one-time possessions I have only two left to me. One of

these is a lonely castle in this forest (unto which I am now betaking my

way), and the other is a solitary tower at a great distance from this, and

in a very desolate part of the world where there are many mountains. Unto

that place I shall send ye, for it will not be likely that mine enemies

will ever find ye there.

"So my will is this: that if this child groweth in that lonely place to

manhood, and if he be weak in body or timid in spirit, thou shalt make of

him a clerk of holy orders. But if when he groweth, he shall prove to be

strong and lusty of frame and high of spirit, and shall desire to undertake

deeds of knighthood, thou then shalt not stay him from his desires, but

shall let him go forth into the world as he shall have a mind to do.

"And if a time should come when he desireth to go thus into the world

behold! here is a ring set with a very precious ruby; let him bring that

ring to me or to any of our sons wheresoever he may find us, and by that

ring we shall know that he is my son and their brother, and we will receive

him with great gladness."

[Sidenote: Percival's mother taketh him to the mountains] And King

Pellinore's lady said, "It shall be done as thou dost ordain." So it was

that King Pellinore betook himself to that lonely castle where King Arthur

found him and fought with him; and Percival's mother betook herself to that

dwelling-place in the mountains of which King Pellinore had spoken--which

was a single tower that reached up into the sky, like unto a finger of

stone.

There she abided with Percival for sixteen years, and in all that time

Percival knew naught of the world nor of what sort it was, but grew

altogether wild and was entirely innocent like to a little child.

In the mean time, during those years, it happened very ill to the house of

King Pellinore. For though King Arthur became reconciled to King Pellinore,

yet there were in King Arthur's court many who were bitter enemies to that

good, worthy knight. So it came about that first King Pellinore was slain

by treachery, and then Sir Aglaval and Sir Dornar were slain in the same

way, so that Sir Lamorack alone was left of all that noble family.

(And it was said that Sir Gawaine and his brothers were implicated in those

murders--they being enemies unto King Pellinore--and great reproach hath

always clung to them for the treacherous, unknightly way in which those

noble knights of the house of Pellinore were slain.)

[Sidenote: Percival's mother grieveth for the death of her dear ones] Now

the news of those several deaths was brought to that lonely tower of the

mountain wilderness and to Sir Percival's mother; and when she heard how

her husband and two of her sons were dead she gave great outcry of grief,

and smote her hands together and wept with great passion. And she cried

out: "Mefeareth it will be the time of Lamorack next to be slain. As for

Percival; never shall I be willing for him to go out into that cruel world

of wicked murderers. For if he should perish also, my heart would surely

break."

[Sidenote: How Percival dwelt in the mountains] So she kept Percival

always with her and in ignorance of all that concerned the world of

knighthood. And though Percival waxed great of body and was beautiful and

noble of countenance, yet he dwelt there among those mountains knowing no

more of the world that lay beyond that place in which he dwelt than would a

little innocent child. Nor did he ever see anyone from the outside world,

saving only an old man who was a deaf-mute. And this old man came and went

betwixt that tower where Percival and his mother dwelt and the outer world,

and from the world he would come back with clothing and provisions loaded

upon an old sumpter horse for Percival and his mother and their few

attendants. Yet Percival marvelled many times whence those things came, but

no one told him and so he lived in entire ignorance of the world.

And Percival's mother would not let him touch any weapon saving only a

small Scot's spear which same is a sort of javelin. But with this Percival

played every day of his life until he grew so cunning in handling it that

he could pierce with it a bird upon the wing in the air.

Now it chanced upon a time when Percival was nineteen years of age that he

stood upon a pinnacle of rock and looked down into a certain valley. And it

was very early in the spring-time, so that the valley appeared, as it were,

to be carpeted all with clear, thin green. There was a shining stream of

water that ran down through the midst of the valley, and it was a very fair

and peaceful place to behold.

[Sidenote: Percival beholds a knight-rider] So Percival stood and gazed

into that low-land, and lo! a knight rode up through that valley, and the

sun shone out from behind a cloud of rain and smote upon his armor so that

it appeared to be all ablaze as with pure light, and Percival beheld that

knight and wist not what it was he saw. So, after the knight had gone away

from the valley, he ran straightway to his mother, all filled with a great

wonder, and he said: "Mother! Mother! I have beheld a very wonderful

thing." She said, "What was it thou didst see?" Percival said: "I beheld

somewhat that was like a man, and he rode upon a horse, and he shone very

brightly and with exceeding splendor. Now, I prithee tell me what it was I

saw?"

Then Percival's mother knew very well what it was he had seen, and she was

greatly troubled at heart, for she wist that if Percival's knightly spirit

should be awakened he would no longer be content to dwell in those peaceful

solitudes. Wherefore she said to herself: "How is this? Is it to be that

this one lamb also shall be taken away from me and nothing left to me of

all my flock?" Then she said to Percival: "My son, that which thou didst

behold was doubtless an angel." And Percival said, "I would that I too were

an angel!" And at that speech the lady, his mother, sighed very deeply.

Now it chanced upon the next day after that that Percival and his mother

went down into the forest that lay at the foot of the mountain whereon that

tower stood, and they had intent to gather such early flowers of the

spring-time as were then abloom. And whilst they were there, lo! there came

five knights riding through the forest, and, the leaves being thin like to

a mist of green, Percival perceived them a great way off. So he cried out

in a loud voice: "Mother! Mother! Behold! Yonder is a whole company of

angels such as I saw yesterday! Now I will go and give them greeting."

But his mother said: "How now! How now! Wouldst thou make address unto

angels!" And Percival said: "Yea; for they appear to be both mild of face

and gentle of mien." So he went forward for to greet those knights.

[Sidenote: Percival holds discourse with five knights] Now the foremost of

that party of knights was Sir Ewaine, who was always both gentle and

courteous to everybody. Wherefore, when Sir Ewaine saw Percival nigh at

hand, he gave him greeting and said, "Fair youth, what is thy name?" Unto

this Percival made reply: "My name is Percival." Sir Ewaine said: "That is

a very good name, and thy face likewise is so extraordinarily comely that I

take thee to be of some very high lineage. Now tell me, I prithee, who is

thy father?" To this Percival said, "I cannot tell thee what is my lineage,

for I do not know," and at that Sir Ewaine marvelled a very great deal.

Then, after a little while, he said: "I prithee tell me, didst thou see a

knight pass this way to-day or yesterday?" And Percival said, "I know not

what sort of a thing is a knight." Sir Ewaine said, "A knight is such a

sort of man as I am."

Upon this Percival understood many things that he did not know before, and

he willed with all his soul to know more than those. Wherefore he said: "If

thou wilt answer several questions for me, I will gladly answer thine."

Upon this Sir Ewaine smiled very cheerfully (for he liked Percival

exceedingly), and he said: "Ask what thou wilt and I will answer thee in so

far as I am able."

So Percival said, "I prithee tell me what is this thing?" And he laid his

hand thereon. And Sir Ewaine said, "That is a saddle." And Percival said,

"What is this thing?" And Sir Ewaine said, "That is a sword." And Percival

said, "What is this thing?" And Sir Ewaine said, "That is a shield." And so

Percival asked him concerning all things that appertained to the

accoutrements of a knight, and Sir Ewaine answered all his questions. Then

Percival said: "Now I will answer thy question. I saw a knight ride past

this way yesterday, and he rode up yonder valley and to the westward."

Upon this Sir Ewaine gave gramercy to Percival and saluted him, and so did

the other knights, and they rode their way.

After they had gone Percival returned to his mother, and he beheld that she

sat exactly where he had left her, for she was in great travail of soul

because she perceived that Percival would not now stay with her very much

longer. And when Percival came to where she sat he said to her: "Mother,

those were not angels, but very good, excellent knights." And upon this the

lady, his mother, burst into a great passion of weeping, so that Percival

stood before her all abashed, not knowing why she wept. So by and by he

said, "Mother, why dost thou weep?" But she could not answer him for a

while, and after a while she said, "Let us return homeward." And so they

walked in silence.

Now when they had come to the tower where they dwelt, the lady turned of a

sudden unto Percival and she said to him, "Percival, what is in thy heart?"

And he said, "Mother, thou knowest very well what is there." She said, "Is

it that thou wouldst be a knight also?" And he said, "Thou sayst it." And

upon that she said, "Thou shalt have thy will; come with me."

So Percival's mother led him to the stable and to where was that poor

pack-horse that brought provisions to that place, and she said: "This is a

sorry horse but I have no other for thee. Now let us make a saddle for

him." So Percival and his mother twisted sundry cloths and wisps of hay and

made a sort of a saddle thereof. And Percival's mother brought him a scrip

with bread and cheese for his refreshment and she hung it about his

shoulder. And she brought him his javelin which he took in his hand. And

then she gave him the ring of King Pellinore with that precious ruby jewel

inset into it, and she said: "Take thou this, Percival, and put it upon thy

finger, for it is a royal ring. Now when thou leavest me, go unto the court

of King Arthur and make diligent inquiry for Sir Lamorack of Gales. And

when thou hast found him, show him that ring, and he will see that thou art

made a very worthy knight; for, Percival, Sir Lamorack is thy brother. One

time thou hadst a father alive, and thou hadst two other brothers. But all

they were slain by treachery of our enemies, and only thou and Lamorack are

left; so look to it that thou guard thyself when thou art in the world and

in the midst of those enemies; for if thou shouldst perish at their hands,

I believe my heart would break."

[Sidenote: Percival's mother giveth him advice] Then she gave Percival

advice concerning the duty of one who would make himself worthy of

knighthood, and that advice was as follows: "In thy journeying thou art to

observe these sundry things: When thou comest to a church or a shrine say a

pater-noster unto the glory of God; and if thou hearest a cry of anyone in

trouble, hasten to lend thine aid--especially if it be a woman or a child

who hath need of it; and if thou meet a lady or a damosel, salute her in

seemly fashion; and if thou have to do with a man, be both civil and

courageous unto him; and if thou art an-hungered or athirst and findest

food and wine, eat and drink enough to satisfy thee, but no more; and if

thou findest a treasure or a jewel of price and canst obtain those things

without injustice unto another, take that thing for thine own--but give

that which thou hast with equal freedom unto others. So, by obeying these

precepts, thou shalt become worthy to be a true knight and, haply, be also

worthy of thy father, who was a true knight before thee."

And Percival said, "All these things will I remember and observe to do."

And Percival's mother said, "But thou wilt not forget me, Percival?"

[Sidenote: Percival departs from the mountain] And he said: "Nay, mother;

but when I have got me power and fame and wealth, then will I straightway

return thitherward and take thee away from this place, and thou shalt be

like to a Queen for all the glory that I shall bestow upon thee." Upon this

the lady, his mother, both laughed and wept; and Percival stooped and

kissed her upon the lips. Then he turned and left her, and he rode away

down the mountain and into the forest, and she stood and gazed after him as

long as she could see him. And she was very lonely after he had gone.

So I have told you how it came that Percival went out into the world for to

become a famous knight.

[Illustration: The Lady Yvette the Fair]

Chapter First

_How Percival departed into the world and how he found a fair damsel in a

pavilion; likewise how he came before Queen Guinevere and how he undertook

his first adventure_.

[Sidenote: Percival maketh himself armor of willow twigs] Now after

Percival had ridden upon his way for a very long time, he came at last out

of that part of the forest and unto a certain valley where were many osiers

growing along beside a stream of water. So he gathered branches of the

willow-trees and peeled them and wove them very cunningly into the likeness

of armor such as he had seen those knights wear who had come into his

forest. And when he had armed himself with wattled osiers he said unto

himself, "Now am I accoutred as well as they." Whereupon he rode upon his

way with an heart enlarged with joy.

By and by he came out of the forest altogether and unto a considerable

village where were many houses thatched with straw. And Percival said to

himself: "Ha! how great is the world; I knew not that there were so many

people in the world."

[Sidenote: How Percival rode in the world] But when the folk of that place

beheld what sort of a saddle was upon the back of the pack-horse; and when

they beheld what sort of armor it was that Percival wore--all woven of

osier twigs; and when they beheld how he was armed with a javelin and with

no other weapon, they mocked and laughed at him and jeered him. But

Percival understood not their mockery, whereupon he said: "Lo! how pleasant

and how cheerful is the world. I knew not it was so merry a place." So he

laughed and nodded and gave them greeting who mocked him in that manner.

And some of them said, "That is a madman." And others said, "Nay, he is a

silly fool." And when Percival heard these he said to himself: "I wonder

whether there are other sorts of knights that I have not yet heard tell

of?"

So he rode upon his way very happy, and whenever he met travellers, they

would laugh at him; but he would laugh louder than they and give them

greeting because of pure pleasure that the great world was so merry and

kind.

Now in the declining of the afternoon, he came to a certain pleasant glade,

and there he beheld a very noble and stately pavilion in among the trees,

And that pavilion was all of yellow satin so that it shone like to gold in

the light of the declining sun.

Then Percival said to himself: "Verily, this must be one of those churches

concerning which my mother spake to me." So he descended from his horse and

went to that pavilion and knelt down and said a pater-noster.

[Sidenote: Percival enters the golden pavilion] And when he had ended that

prayer, he arose and went into the pavilion, and lo! he beheld there a

wonderfully beautiful young damsel of sixteen years of age who sat in the

pavilion upon a carved bench and upon a cushion of cloth of gold, and who

bent over a frame of embroidery, which she was busy weaving in threads of

silver and gold. And the hair of that damosel was as black as ebony and her

cheeks were like rose leaves for redness, and she wore a fillet of gold

around her head, and she was clad in raiment of sky blue silk. And near by

was a table spread with meats of divers sorts and likewise with several

wines, both white and red. And all the goblets were of silver and all the

pattens were of gold, and the table was spread with a napkin embroidered

with threads of gold.

Now you are to know that the young lady who sat there was the Lady Yvette

the Fair, the daughter of King Pecheur.

When Percival came to that pavilion the Lady Yvette looked up and beheld

him with great astonishment, and she said to herself: "That must either be

a madman or a foolish jester who comes hither clad all in armor of wattled

willow twigs." So she said to him, "Sirrah, what dost thou here?" He said,

"Lady, is this a church?" Upon that she was angered thinking that he had

intended to make a jest and she said: "Begone, fool, for if my father, who

is King Pecheur, cometh and findeth thee here, he will punish thee for this

jest." But Percival replied, "Nay; I think he will not, lady."

Then the damosel looked at Percival more narrowly and she beheld how noble

and beautiful was his countenance and she said to herself: "This is no fool

nor a jester, but who he is or what he is I know not."

[Sidenote: Percival breaks bread in the golden pavilion] So she said to

Percival, "Whence comest thou?" and he said, "From the mountains and the

wilderness." Then he said: "Lady, when I left my mother she told me that

whenever I saw good food and drink and was an-hungered, I was to take what

I needed. Now I will do so in this case." Whereupon he sat him down to that

table and fell to with great appetite.

Then when that damosel beheld what he did she laughed in great measure and

clapped her hands together in sport. And she said: "If my father and

brothers should return and find thee at this, they would assuredly punish

thee very sorely, and thou couldst not make thyself right with them."

Percival said, "Why would they do that, lady?" And she said: "Because that

is their food and drink, and because my father is a king and my brethren

are his sons." Then Percival said, "Certes, they would be uncourteous to

begrudge food to a hungry man"; and thereat the damsel laughed again.

Now when Percival had eaten and drunk his fill, he arose from where he sat.

And he beheld that the damsel wore a very beautiful ring of carved gold set

with a pearl of great price. So he said to her: "Lady, my mother told me

that if I beheld a jewel or treasure and desired it for my own, I was to

take it if I could do so without offence to anyone. Now I prithee give me

that ring upon thy finger, for I desire it a very great deal." At this the

maiden regarded Percival very strangely, and she beheld that he was comely

beyond any man whom she had ever seen and that his countenance was very

noble and exalted and yet exceedingly mild and gentle. So she said to him,

speaking very gently, "Why should I give thee my ring?" Whereunto he made

reply: "Because thou art the most beautiful lady whom mine eyes ever beheld

and I find that I love thee more than I had thought possible to love

anyone."

At that the damosel smiled upon him and said, "What is thy name?" And he

said, "It is Percival." She said, "That is a good name; who is thy father?"

Whereunto he said: "That I cannot tell thee for my mother hath bidden me

tell his name to no one yet whiles." She said, "I think he must be some

very noble and worthy knight," and Percival said, "He is all that, for he

too was a king."

[Sidenote: The damsel giveth Percival her ring] Then the damsel said,

"Thou mayst have my ring," and she gave it to him. And when Percival had

placed it upon his finger he said: "My mother also told me that I should

give freely of what is mine own, wherefore I do give thee this ring of mine

in exchange for thine, and I do beseech thee to wear it until I have proved

myself worthy of thy kindness. For I hope to win a very famous knighthood

and great praise and renown, all of which, if I so accomplish my desires,

shall be to thy great glory. I would fain come to thee another time in that

wise instead of as I am at this present."

At that the damsel said: "I know not what thou art or whence thou comest

who should present thyself in such an extraordinary guise as thou art

pleased to do, but, certes, thou must be of some very noble strain.

Wherefore I do accept thee for my knight, and I believe that I shall some

time have great glory through thee."

[Sidenote: Percival salutes the damsel of the golden pavilion] Then

Percival said: "Lady, my mother said to me that if I met a damosel I was to

salute her with all civility. Now have I thy leave to salute thee?" And she

said, "Thou hast my leave." So Percival took her by the hand, and kissed

her upon the lips (for that was the only manner in which he knew how to

salute a woman) and, lo! her face grew all red like to fire. Thereupon

Percival quitted that pavilion and mounted his horse and rode away. And it

seemed to him that the world was assuredly a very beautiful and wonderful

place for to live in.

Yet he knew not what the world was really like nor of what a sort it was

nor how passing wide, else had he not been so certainly assured that he

would win him credit therein, or that he could so easily find that young

damsel again after he had thus parted from her.

That night Percival came to a part of the forest where were many huts of

folk who made their living by gathering fagots. These people gave him

harborage and shelter for the night, for they thought that he was some

harmless madman who had wandered afar. And they told him many things he had

never known before that time, so that it appeared to him that the world was

still more wonderful than he had thought it to be at first.

So he abided there for the night, and when the next morning had come he

arose and bathed himself and went his way; and, as he rode upon his poor

starved horse, he brake his fast with the bread and cheese that his mother

had put into his wallet, and he was very glad at heart and rejoiced

exceedingly in the wonderfulness and the beauty of the world in which he

found himself to be.

[Sidenote: How Percival travelled in the forest] So Percival journeyed on

into that forest, and he took such great delight in the beauty of the world

in which he travelled that he was at times like to shed tears of pure

happiness because of the joy he felt in being alive. For that forest path

he travelled led beneath the trees of the woodland; and the trees at that

time were in their early tender leaf, so that they appeared to shed showers

of golden light everywhere down upon the earth. And the birds of the

woodland sang in every bush and thicket; and, anon, the wood pigeon cooed

so softly that the heart of Percival yearned with great passion for he knew

not what.

Thus he rode, somewhiles all in a maze of green, and somewhiles out thence

into an open glade where the light was wide and bright; and other whiles he

came to some forest stream where was a shallow pool of golden gravel, and

where the water was so thin and clear that you might not tell where it

ended and the pure air began. And therethrough he would drive his horse,

splashing with great noise, whilst the little silvery fish would dart away

upon all sides, hither and thither, like sparks of light before his coming.

So, because of the beauty of this forest land in its spring-time verdure

and pleasantness, the heart of Percival was uplifted with so much joy and

delight that he was like to weep for pure pleasure as aforesaid.

Now it chanced at that time that King Arthur and several of his court had

come into that forest ahawking; but, the day being warm, the Queen had

grown weary of the sport, so she had commanded her attendants to set up a

pavilion for her whilst the King continued his hawking. And the pavilion

was pitched in an open glade of the forest whereunto Percival came riding.

Then Percival perceived that pavilion set up among the trees, and likewise

he saw that the pavilion was of rose colored silk. Also he perceived that

not far from him was a young page very gayly and richly clad.

[Sidenote: Percival bespeaketh the Lady Guinevere's page] Now when the

page beheld Percival and what a singular appearance he presented, he

laughed beyond all measure, and Percival, not knowing that he laughed in

mockery, laughed also and gave him a very cheerful greeting in return. Then

Percival said to the page: "I prithee tell me, fair youth, whose is that

pavilion yonder?" And the page said: "It belongeth to Queen Guinevere; for

King Arthur is coming hither into the forest with his court."

At this Percival was very glad, for he deemed that he should now find Sir

Lamorack. So he said: "I pray thee tell me, is Sir Lamorack of Gales with

the court of the King, for I come hither seeking that good worthy knight?"

Then the page laughed a very great deal, and said: "Who art thou to seek

Sir Lamorack? Art thou then a jester?" And Percival said, "What sort of a

thing is a jester?" And the page said, "Certes, thou art a silly fool." And

Percival said, "What is a fool?"

Upon this the page fell alaughing as though he would never stint his mirth

so that Percival began to wax angry for he said to himself: "These people

laugh too much and their mirth maketh me weary." So, without more ado, he

descended from his horse with intent to enter the Queen's pavilion and to

make inquiry there for Sir Lamorack.

Now when that page saw what Percival had a mind to do, he thrust in to

prevent him, saying, "Thou shalt not go in!" Upon that Percival said, "Ha!

shall I not so?" And thereupon he smote the page such a buffet that the

youth fell down without any motion, as though he had gone dead.

Then Percival straightway entered the Queen's pavilion.

[Sidenote: Percival beholdeth Queen Guinevere] And the first thing he saw

was a very beautiful lady surrounded by a court of ladies. And the Queen

was eating a mid-day repast whilst a page waited upon her for to serve her,

bearing for her refreshment pure wine in a cup of entire gold. And he saw

that a noble lord (and the lord was Sir Kay the Seneschal), stood in the

midst of that beautiful rosy pavilion directing the Queen's repast; for Sir

Kay of all the court had been left in charge of the Queen and her ladies.

Now when Percival entered the tent Sir Kay looked up, and when he perceived

what sort of a figure was there, he frowned with great displeasure. "Ha!"

he said, "what mad fool is this who cometh hitherward?"

Unto him Percival made reply: "Thou tall man, I prithee tell me, which of

these ladies present here is the Queen?" Sir Kay said, "What wouldst thou

have with the Queen?" To this Percival said: "I have come hither for to lay

my case before King Arthur, and my case is this: I would fain obtain

knighthood, and meseems that King Arthur may best help me thereunto."

[Sidenote: Sir Kay chides Percival] When the Queen heard the words of

Percival she laughed with great merriment. But Sir Kay was still very

wroth, and he said: "Sirrah, thou certainly art some silly fool who hath

come hither dressed all in armor of willow twigs and without arms or

equipment of any sort save only a little Scots spear. Now this is the

Queen's court and thou art not fit to be here."

"Ha," said Percival, "it seems to me that thou art very foolish--thou tall

man--to judge of me by my dress and equipment. For, even though I wear such

poor apparel as this, yet I may easily be thy superior both in birth and

station."

[Sidenote: Sir Boindegardus enters the Queen's pavilion] Then Sir Kay was

exceedingly wroth and would have made a very bitter answer to Percival, but

at that moment something of another sort befell. For, even as Percival

ceased speaking, there suddenly entered the pavilion a certain very large

and savage knight of an exceedingly terrible appearance; and his

countenance was very furious with anger. And this knight was one Sir

Boindegardus le Savage, who was held in terror by all that part of King

Arthur's realm. For Sir Boindegardus was surnamed the Savage because he

dwelt like a wild man in the forest in a lonely dismal castle of the

woodland; and because that from this castle he would issue forth at times

to rob and pillage the wayfarers who passed by along the forest byways.

Many knights had gone against Sir Boindegardus, with intent either to slay

him or else to make him prisoner; but some of these knights he had

overcome, and from others he had escaped, so that he was as yet free to

work his evil will as he chose.

So now this savage knight entered that pavilion with his helmet upon his

hip and his shield upon his shoulder, and all those ladies who were there

were terrified at his coming, for they wist that he came in anger with

intent of mischief.

As for Sir Kay (he being clad only in a silken tunic of green color and

with scarlet hosen and velvet shoes, fit for the court of a lady) he was

afraid, and he wist not how to bear himself in the presence of Sir

Boindegardus. Then Sir Boindegardus said, "Where is King Arthur?" And Sir

Kay made no reply because of fear. Then one of the Queen's damsels said,

"He is hawking out beyond here in the outskirts of the forest." Then Sir

Boindegardus said: "I am sorry for that, for I had thought to find him here

at this time and to show challenge to him and his entire court, for I fear

no one of them. But, as King Arthur is not here, I may, at least, affront

his Queen."

[Sidenote: Sir Boindegardus affronts the Queen] With that he smote the

elbow of the page who held the goblet for the Queen, and the wine was

splashed all in the Queen's face and over her stomacher.

Thereupon the Queen shrieked with terror, and one of her maidens ran to her

aid and others came with napkins and wiped her face and her apparel and

gave her words of cheer.

Then Sir Kay found courage to say: "Ha! thou art a churlish knight to so

affront a lady."