Then he looked by him, and was ware of a damosel that came riding full

fast as the horse might ride, on a fair palfrey. And when she espied

that Lanceor was slain, she made sorrow out of measure, and said, O

Balin, two bodies thou hast slain and one heart, and two hearts in one

body, and two souls thou hast lost. And therewith she took the sword

from her love that lay dead, and fell to the ground in a swoon. And

when she arose she made great dole out of measure, the which sorrow

grieved Balin passingly sore, and he went unto her for to have taken

the sword out of her hand, but she held it so fast he might not take it

out of her hand unless he should have hurt her, and suddenly she set

the pommel to the ground, and rove herself through the body. When Balin

espied her deeds, he was passing heavy in his heart, and ashamed that

so fair a damosel had destroyed herself for the love of his death.

Alas, said Balin, me repenteth sore the death of this knight, for the

love of this damosel, for there was much true love betwixt them both,

and for sorrow might not longer behold him, but turned his horse and

looked toward a great forest, and there he was ware, by the arms, of

his brother Balan. And when they were met they put off their helms and

kissed together, and wept for joy and pity. Then Balan said, I little

weened to have met with you at this sudden adventure; I am right glad

of your deliverance out of your dolorous prisonment, for a man told me,

in the castle of Four Stones, that ye were delivered, and that man had

seen you in the court of King Arthur, and therefore I came hither into

this country, for here I supposed to find you. Anon the knight Balin

told his brother of his adventure of the sword, and of the death of the

Lady of the Lake, and how King Arthur was displeased with him.

Wherefore he sent this knight after me, that lieth here dead, and the

death of this damosel grieveth me sore. So doth it me, said Balan, but

ye must take the adventure that God will ordain you. Truly, said Balin,

I am right heavy that my Lord Arthur is displeased with me, for he is

the most worshipful knight that reigneth now on earth, and his love

will I get or else will I put my life in adventure. For the King Rience

lieth at a siege at the Castle Terrabil, and thither will we draw in

all haste, to prove our worship and prowess upon him. I will well, said

Balan, that we do, and we will help each other as brethren ought to do.

CHAPTER VII. How a dwarf reproved Balin for the death of Lanceor, and

how King Mark of Cornwall found them, and made a tomb over them.

Now go we hence, said Balin, and well be we met. The meanwhile as they

talked, there came a dwarf from the city of Camelot on horseback, as

much as he might; and found the dead bodies, wherefore he made great

dole, and pulled out his hair for sorrow, and said, Which of you

knights have done this deed? Whereby askest thou it? said Balan. For I

would wit it, said the dwarf. It was I, said Balin, that slew this

knight in my defence, for hither he came to chase me, and either I must

slay him or he me; and this damosel slew herself for his love, which

repenteth me, and for her sake I shall owe all women the better love.

Alas, said the dwarf, thou hast done great damage unto thyself, for

this knight that is here dead was one of the most valiantest men that

lived, and trust well, Balin, the kin of this knight will chase you

through the world till they have slain you. As for that, said Balin, I

fear not greatly, but I am right heavy that I have displeased my lord

King Arthur, for the death of this knight. So as they talked together,

there came a king of Cornwall riding, the which hight King Mark. And

when he saw these two bodies dead, and understood how they were dead,

by the two knights above said, then made the king great sorrow for the

true love that was betwixt them, and said, I will not depart till I

have on this earth made a tomb, and there he pight his pavilions and

sought through all the country to find a tomb, and in a church they

found one was fair and rich, and then the king let put them both in the

earth, and put the tomb upon them, and wrote the names of them both on

the tomb. How here lieth Lanceor the king’s son of Ireland, that at his

own request was slain by the hands of Balin; and how his lady, Colombe,

and paramour, slew herself with her love’s sword for dole and sorrow.

CHAPTER VIII. How Merlin prophesied that two the best knights of the

world should fight there, which were Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram.

The meanwhile as this was a-doing, in came Merlin to King Mark, and

seeing all his doing, said, Here shall be in this same place the

greatest battle betwixt two knights that was or ever shall be, and the

truest lovers, and yet none of them shall slay other. And there Merlin

wrote their names upon the tomb with letters of gold that should fight

in that place, whose names were Launcelot de Lake, and Tristram. Thou

art a marvellous man, said King Mark unto Merlin, that speakest of such

marvels, thou art a boistous man and an unlikely to tell of such deeds.

What is thy name? said King Mark. At this time, said Merlin, I will not

tell, but at that time when Sir Tristram is taken with his sovereign

lady, then ye shall hear and know my name, and at that time ye shall

hear tidings that shall not please you. Then said Merlin to Balin, Thou

hast done thyself great hurt, because that thou savest not this lady

that slew herself, that might have saved her an thou wouldest. By the

faith of my body, said Balin, I might not save her, for she slew

herself suddenly. Me repenteth, said Merlin; because of the death of

that lady thou shalt strike a stroke most dolorous that ever man

struck, except the stroke of our Lord, for thou shalt hurt the truest

knight and the man of most worship that now liveth, and through that

stroke three kingdoms shall be in great poverty, misery and

wretchedness twelve years, and the knight shall not be whole of that

wound for many years. Then Merlin took his leave of Balin. And Balin

said, If I wist it were sooth that ye say I should do such a perilous

deed as that, I would slay myself to make thee a liar. Therewith Merlin

vanished away suddenly. And then Balan and his brother took their leave

of King Mark. First, said the king, tell me your name. Sir, said Balan,

ye may see he beareth two swords, thereby ye may call him the Knight

with the Two Swords. And so departed King Mark unto Camelot to King

Arthur, and Balin took the way toward King Rience; and as they rode

together they met with Merlin disguised, but they knew him not. Whither

ride you? said Merlin. We have little to do, said the two knights, to

tell thee. But what is thy name? said Balin. At this time, said Merlin,

I will not tell it thee. It is evil seen, said the knights, that thou

art a true man that thou wilt not tell thy name. As for that, said

Merlin, be it as it be may, I can tell you wherefore ye ride this way,

for to meet King Rience; but it will not avail you without ye have my

counsel. Ah! said Balin, ye are Merlin; we will be ruled by your

counsel. Come on, said Merlin, ye shall have great worship, and look

that ye do knightly, for ye shall have great need. As for that, said

Balin, dread you not, we will do what we may.

CHAPTER IX. How Balin and his brother, by the counsel of Merlin, took

King Rience and brought him to King Arthur.

Then Merlin lodged them in a wood among leaves beside the highway, and

took off the bridles of their horses and put them to grass and laid

them down to rest them till it was nigh midnight. Then Merlin bade them

rise, and make them ready, for the king was nigh them, that was stolen

away from his host with a three score horses of his best knights, and

twenty of them rode to-fore to warn the Lady de Vance that the king was

coming; for that night King Rience should have lain with her. Which is

the king? said Balin. Abide, said Merlin, here in a strait way ye shall

meet with him; and therewith he showed Balin and his brother where he

rode.

Anon Balin and his brother met with the king, and smote him down, and

wounded him fiercely, and laid him to the ground; and there they slew

on the right hand and the left hand, and slew more than forty of his

men, and the remnant fled. Then went they again to King Rience and

would have slain him had he not yielded him unto their grace. Then said

he thus: Knights full of prowess, slay me not, for by my life ye may

win, and by my death ye shall win nothing. Then said these two knights,

Ye say sooth and truth, and so laid him on a horse-litter. With that

Merlin was vanished, and came to King Arthur aforehand, and told him

how his most enemy was taken and discomfited. By whom? said King

Arthur. By two knights, said Merlin, that would please your lordship,

and to-morrow ye shall know what knights they are. Anon after came the

Knight with the Two Swords and Balan his brother, and brought with them

King Rience of North Wales, and there delivered him to the porters, and

charged them with him; and so they two returned again in the dawning of

the day. King Arthur came then to King Rience, and said, Sir king, ye

are welcome: by what adventure come ye hither? Sir, said King Rience, I

came hither by an hard adventure. Who won you? said King Arthur. Sir,

said the king, the Knight with the Two Swords and his brother, which

are two marvellous knights of prowess. I know them not, said Arthur,

but much I am beholden to them. Ah, said Merlin, I shall tell you: it

is Balin that achieved the sword, and his brother Balan, a good knight,

there liveth not a better of prowess and of worthiness, and it shall be

the greatest dole of him that ever I knew of knight, for he shall not

long endure. Alas, said King Arthur, that is great pity; for I am much

beholden unto him, and I have ill deserved it unto him for his

kindness. Nay, said Merlin, he shall do much more for you, and that

shall ye know in haste. But, sir, are ye purveyed, said Merlin, for

to-morn the host of Nero, King Rience’s brother, will set on you or

noon with a great host, and therefore make you ready, for I will depart

from you.

CHAPTER X. How King Arthur had a battle against Nero and King Lot of

Orkney, and how King Lot was deceived by Merlin, and how twelve kings

were slain.

Then King Arthur made ready his host in ten battles and Nero was ready

in the field afore the Castle Terrabil with a great host, and he had

ten battles, with many more people than Arthur had. Then Nero had the

vanguard with the most part of his people, and Merlin came to King Lot

of the Isle of Orkney, and held him with a tale of prophecy, till Nero

and his people were destroyed. And there Sir Kay the seneschal did

passingly well, that the days of his life the worship went never from

him; and Sir Hervis de Revel did marvellous deeds with King Arthur, and

King Arthur slew that day twenty knights and maimed forty. At that time

came in the Knight with the Two Swords and his brother Balan, but they

two did so marvellously that the king and all the knights marvelled of

them, and all they that beheld them said they were sent from heaven as

angels, or devils from hell; and King Arthur said himself they were the

best knights that ever he saw, for they gave such strokes that all men

had wonder of them.

In the meanwhile came one to King Lot, and told him while he tarried

there Nero was destroyed and slain with all his people. Alas, said King

Lot, I am ashamed, for by my default there is many a worshipful man

slain, for an we had been together there had been none host under the

heaven that had been able for to have matched with us; this faiter with

his prophecy hath mocked me. All that did Merlin, for he knew well that

an King Lot had been with his body there at the first battle, King

Arthur had been slain, and all his people destroyed; and well Merlin

knew that one of the kings should be dead that day, and loath was

Merlin that any of them both should be slain; but of the twain, he had

liefer King Lot had been slain than King Arthur. Now what is best to

do? said King Lot of Orkney; whether is me better to treat with King

Arthur or to fight, for the greater part of our people are slain and

destroyed? Sir, said a knight, set on Arthur for they are weary and

forfoughten and we be fresh. As for me, said King Lot, I would every

knight would do his part as I would do mine. And then they advanced

banners and smote together and all to-shivered their spears; and

Arthur’s knights, with the help of the Knight with the Two Swords and

his brother Balan put King Lot and his host to the worse. But always

King Lot held him in the foremost front, and did marvellous deeds of

arms, for all his host was borne up by his hands, for he abode all

knights. Alas he might not endure, the which was great pity, that so

worthy a knight as he was one should be overmatched, that of late time

afore had been a knight of King Arthur’s, and wedded the sister of King

Arthur; and for King Arthur lay by King Lot’s wife, the which was

Arthur’s sister, and gat on her Mordred, therefore King Lot held

against Arthur. So there was a knight that was called the Knight with

the Strange Beast, and at that time his right name was called

Pellinore, the which was a good man of prowess, and he smote a mighty

stroke at King Lot as he fought with all his enemies, and he failed of

his stroke, and smote the horse’s neck, that he fell to the ground with

King Lot. And therewith anon Pellinore smote him a great stroke through

the helm and head unto the brows. And then all the host of Orkney fled

for the death of King Lot, and there were slain many mothers’ sons. But

King Pellinore bare the wite of the death of King Lot, wherefore Sir

Gawaine revenged the death of his father the tenth year after he was

made knight, and slew King Pellinore with his own hands. Also there

were slain at that battle twelve kings on the side of King Lot with

Nero, and all were buried in the Church of Saint Stephen’s in Camelot,

and the remnant of knights and of others were buried in a great rock.

CHAPTER XI. Of the interment of twelve kings, and of the prophecy of

Merlin, and how Balin should give the dolorous stroke.

So at the interment came King Lot’s wife Margawse with her four sons,

Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth. Also there came thither King

Uriens, Sir Ewaine’s father, and Morgan le Fay his wife that was King

Arthur’s sister. All these came to the interment. But of all these

twelve kings King Arthur let make the tomb of King Lot passing richly,

and made his tomb by his own; and then Arthur let make twelve images of

latten and copper, and over-gilt it with gold, in the sign of twelve

kings, and each one of them held a taper of wax that burnt day and

night; and King Arthur was made in sign of a figure standing above them

with a sword drawn in his hand, and all the twelve figures had

countenance like unto men that were overcome. All this made Merlin by

his subtle craft, and there he told the king, When I am dead these

tapers shall burn no longer, and soon after the adventures of the

Sangreal shall come among you and be achieved. Also he told Arthur how

Balin the worshipful knight shall give the dolorous stroke, whereof

shall fall great vengeance. Oh, where is Balin and Balan and Pellinore?

said King Arthur. As for Pellinore, said Merlin, he will meet with you

soon; and as for Balin he will not be long from you; but the other

brother will depart, ye shall see him no more. By my faith, said

Arthur, they are two marvellous knights, and namely Balin passeth of

prowess of any knight that ever I found, for much beholden am I unto

him; would God he would abide with me. Sir, said Merlin, look ye keep

well the scabbard of Excalibur, for ye shall lose no blood while ye

have the scabbard upon you, though ye have as many wounds upon you as

ye may have. So after, for great trust, Arthur betook the scabbard to

Morgan le Fay his sister, and she loved another knight better than her

husband King Uriens or King Arthur, and she would have had Arthur her

brother slain, and therefore she let make another scabbard like it by

enchantment, and gave the scabbard Excalibur to her love; and the

knight’s name was called Accolon, that after had near slain King

Arthur. After this Merlin told unto King Arthur of the prophecy that

there should be a great battle beside Salisbury, and Mordred his own

son should be against him. Also he told him that Bagdemegus was his

cousin, and germain unto King Uriens.

CHAPTER XII. How a sorrowful knight came before Arthur, and how Balin

fetched him, and how that knight was slain by a knight invisible.

Within a day or two King Arthur was somewhat sick, and he let pitch his

pavilion in a meadow, and there he laid him down on a pallet to sleep,

but he might have no rest. Right so he heard a great noise of an horse,

and therewith the king looked out at the porch of the pavilion, and saw

a knight coming even by him, making great dole. Abide, fair sir, said

Arthur, and tell me wherefore thou makest this sorrow. Ye may little

amend me, said the knight, and so passed forth to the castle of Meliot.

Anon after there came Balin, and when he saw King Arthur he alighted

off his horse, and came to the King on foot, and saluted him. By my

head, said Arthur, ye be welcome. Sir, right now came riding this way a

knight making great mourn, for what cause I cannot tell; wherefore I

would desire of you of your courtesy and of your gentleness to fetch

again that knight either by force or else by his good will. I will do

more for your lordship than that, said Balin; and so he rode more than

a pace, and found the knight with a damosel in a forest, and said, Sir

knight, ye must come with me unto King Arthur, for to tell him of your

sorrow. That will I not, said the knight, for it will scathe me

greatly, and do you none avail. Sir, said Balin, I pray you make you

ready, for ye must go with me, or else I must fight with you and bring

you by force, and that were me loath to do. Will ye be my warrant, said

the knight, an I go with you? Yea, said Balin, or else I will die

therefore. And so he made him ready to go with Balin, and left the

damosel still. And as they were even afore King Arthur’s pavilion,

there came one invisible, and smote this knight that went with Balin

throughout the body with a spear. Alas, said the knight, I am slain

under your conduct with a knight called Garlon; therefore take my horse

that is better than yours, and ride to the damosel, and follow the

quest that I was in as she will lead you, and revenge my death when ye

may. That shall I do, said Balin, and that I make vow unto knighthood;

and so he departed from this knight with great sorrow. So King Arthur

let bury this knight richly, and made a mention on his tomb, how there

was slain Herlews le Berbeus, and by whom the treachery was done, the

knight Garlon. But ever the damosel bare the truncheon of the spear

with her that Sir Herlews was slain withal.

CHAPTER XIII. How Balin and the damosel met with a knight which was in

likewise slain, and how the damosel bled for the custom of a castle.

So Balin and the damosel rode into a forest, and there met with a

knight that had been a-hunting, and that knight asked Balin for what

cause he made so great sorrow. Me list not to tell you, said Balin.

Now, said the knight, an I were armed as ye be I would fight with you.

That should little need, said Balin, I am not afeard to tell you, and

told him all the cause how it was. Ah, said the knight, is this all?

here I ensure you by the faith of my body never to depart from you

while my life lasteth. And so they went to the hostelry and armed them,

and so rode forth with Balin. And as they came by an hermitage even by

a churchyard, there came the knight Garlon invisible, and smote this

knight, Perin de Mountbeliard, through the body with a spear. Alas,

said the knight, I am slain by this traitor knight that rideth

invisible. Alas, said Balin, it is not the first despite he hath done

me; and there the hermit and Balin buried the knight under a rich stone

and a tomb royal. And on the morn they found letters of gold written,

how Sir Gawaine shall revenge his father’s death, King Lot, on the King

Pellinore. Anon after this Balin and the damosel rode till they came to

a castle, and there Balin alighted, and he and the damosel went to go

into the castle, and anon as Balin came within the castle’s gate the

portcullis fell down at his back, and there fell many men about the

damosel, and would have slain her. When Balin saw that, he was sore

aggrieved, for he might not help the damosel. Then he went up into the

tower, and leapt over walls into the ditch, and hurt him not; and anon

he pulled out his sword and would have foughten with them. And they all

said nay, they would not fight with him, for they did nothing but the

old custom of the castle; and told him how their lady was sick, and had

lain many years, and she might not be whole but if she had a dish of

silver full of blood of a clean maid and a king’s daughter; and

therefore the custom of this castle is, there shall no damosel pass

this way but she shall bleed of her blood in a silver dish full. Well,

said Balin, she shall bleed as much as she may bleed, but I will not

lose the life of her whiles my life lasteth. And so Balin made her to

bleed by her good will, but her blood helped not the lady. And so he

and she rested there all night, and had there right good cheer, and on

the morn they passed on their ways. And as it telleth after in the

Sangreal, that Sir Percivale’s sister helped that lady with her blood,

whereof she was dead.

CHAPTER XIV. How Balin met with that knight named Garlon at a feast,

and there he slew him, to have his blood to heal therewith the son of

his host.

Then they rode three or four days and never met with adventure, and by

hap they were lodged with a gentle man that was a rich man and well at

ease. And as they sat at their supper Balin overheard one complain

grievously by him in a chair. What is this noise? said Balin. Forsooth,

said his host, I will tell you. I was but late at a jousting, and there

I jousted with a knight that is brother unto King Pellam, and twice

smote I him down, and then he promised to quit me on my best friend;

and so he wounded my son, that cannot be whole till I have of that

knight’s blood, and he rideth alway invisible; but I know not his name.

Ah! said Balin, I know that knight, his name is Garlon, he hath slain

two knights of mine in the same manner, therefore I had liefer meet

with that knight than all the gold in this realm, for the despite he

hath done me. Well, said his host, I shall tell you, King Pellam of

Listeneise hath made do cry in all this country a great feast that

shall be within these twenty days, and no knight may come there but if

he bring his wife with him, or his paramour; and that knight, your

enemy and mine, ye shall see that day. Then I behote you, said Balin,

part of his blood to heal your son withal. We will be forward to-morn,

said his host. So on the morn they rode all three toward Pellam, and

they had fifteen days’ journey or they came thither; and that same day

began the great feast. And so they alighted and stabled their horses,

and went into the castle; but Balin’s host might not be let in because

he had no lady. Then Balin was well received and brought unto a chamber

and unarmed him; and there were brought him robes to his pleasure, and

would have had Balin leave his sword behind him. Nay, said Balin, that

do I not, for it is the custom of my country a knight always to keep

his weapon with him, and that custom will I keep, or else I will depart

as I came. Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went

unto the castle, and was set among knights of worship, and his lady

afore him.

Soon Balin asked a knight, Is there not a knight in this court whose

name is Garlon? Yonder he goeth, said a knight, he with the black face;

he is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many

good knights, for he goeth invisible. Ah well, said Balin, is that he?

Then Balin advised him long: If I slay him here I shall not escape, and

if I leave him now, peradventure I shall never meet with him again at

such a steven, and much harm he will do an he live. Therewith this

Garlon espied that this Balin beheld him, and then he came and smote

Balin on the face with the back of his hand, and said, Knight, why

beholdest me so? for shame therefore, eat thy meat and do that thou

came for. Thou sayest sooth, said Balin, this is not the first despite

that thou hast done me, and therefore I will do what I came for, and

rose up fiercely and clave his head to the shoulders. Give me the

truncheon, said Balin to his lady, wherewith he slew your knight. Anon

she gave it him, for alway she bare the truncheon with her. And

therewith Balin smote him through the body, and said openly, With that

truncheon thou hast slain a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy

body. And then Balin called unto him his host, saying, Now may ye fetch

blood enough to heal your son withal.

CHAPTER XV. How Balin fought with King Pellam, and how his sword brake,

and how he gat a spear wherewith he smote the dolorous stroke.

Anon all the knights arose from the table for to set on Balin, and King

Pellam himself arose up fiercely, and said, Knight, hast thou slain my

brother? thou shalt die therefore or thou depart. Well, said Balin, do

it yourself. Yes, said King Pellam, there shall no man have ado with

thee but myself, for the love of my brother. Then King Pellam caught in

his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at Balin; but Balin put the

sword betwixt his head and the stroke, and therewith his sword burst in

sunder. And when Balin was weaponless he ran into a chamber for to seek

some weapon, and so from chamber to chamber, and no weapon he could

find, and always King Pellam after him. And at the last he entered into

a chamber that was marvellously well dight and richly, and a bed

arrayed with cloth of gold, the richest that might be thought, and one

lying therein, and thereby stood a table of clean gold with four

pillars of silver that bare up the table, and upon the table stood a

marvellous spear strangely wrought. And when Balin saw that spear, he

gat it in his hand and turned him to King Pellam, and smote him

passingly sore with that spear, that King Pellam fell down in a swoon,

and therewith the castle roof and walls brake and fell to the earth,

and Balin fell down so that he might not stir foot nor hand. And so the

most part of the castle, that was fallen down through that dolorous

stroke, lay upon Pellam and Balin three days.

CHAPTER XVI. How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight that

would have slain himself for love.

Then Merlin came thither and took up Balin, and gat him a good horse,

for his was dead, and bade him ride out of that country. I would have

my damosel, said Balin. Lo, said Merlin, where she lieth dead. And King

Pellam lay so, many years sore wounded, and might never be whole till

Galahad the haut prince healed him in the quest of the Sangreal, for in

that place was part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, that Joseph

of Arimathea brought into this land, and there himself lay in that rich

bed. And that was the same spear that Longius smote our Lord to the

heart; and King Pellam was nigh of Joseph’s kin, and that was the most

worshipful man that lived in those days, and great pity it was of his

hurt, for through that stroke, turned to great dole, tray and tene.

Then departed Balin from Merlin, and said, In this world we meet never

no more. So he rode forth through the fair countries and cities, and

found the people dead, slain on every side. And all that were alive

cried, O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries; for

the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are

destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the

last. When Balin was past those countries he was passing fain.

So he rode eight days or he met with adventure. And at the last he came

into a fair forest in a valley, and was ware of a tower, and there

beside he saw a great horse of war, tied to a tree, and there beside

sat a fair knight on the ground and made great mourning, and he was a

likely man, and a well made. Balin said, God save you, why be ye so

heavy? tell me and I will amend it, an I may, to my power. Sir knight,

said he again, thou dost me great grief, for I was in merry thoughts,

and now thou puttest me to more pain. Balin went a little from him, and

looked on his horse; then heard Balin him say thus: Ah, fair lady, why

have ye broken my promise, for thou promisest me to meet me here by

noon, and I may curse thee that ever ye gave me this sword, for with

this sword I slay myself, and pulled it out. And therewith Balin stert

unto him and took him by the hand. Let go my hand, said the knight, or

else I shall slay thee. That shall not need, said Balin, for I shall

promise you my help to get you your lady, an ye will tell me where she

is. What is your name? said the knight. My name is Balin le Savage. Ah,

sir, I know you well enough, ye are the Knight with the Two Swords, and

the man of most prowess of your hands living. What is your name? said

Balin. My name is Garnish of the Mount, a poor man’s son, but by my

prowess and hardiness a duke hath made me knight, and gave me lands;

his name is Duke Hermel, and his daughter is she that I love, and she

me as I deemed. How far is she hence? said Balin. But six mile, said

the knight. Now ride we hence, said these two knights. So they rode

more than a pace, till that they came to a fair castle well walled and

ditched. I will into the castle, said Balin, and look if she be there.

So he went in and searched from chamber to chamber, and found her bed,

but she was not there. Then Balin looked into a fair little garden, and

under a laurel tree he saw her lie upon a quilt of green samite and a

knight in her arms, fast halsing either other, and under their heads

grass and herbs. When Balin saw her lie so with the foulest knight that

ever he saw, and she a fair lady, then Balin went through all the

chambers again, and told the knight how he found her as she had slept

fast, and so brought him in the place there she lay fast sleeping.

CHAPTER XVII. How that knight slew his love and a knight lying by her,

and after, how he slew himself with his own sword, and how Balin rode

toward a castle where he lost his life.

And when Garnish beheld her so lying, for pure sorrow his mouth and

nose burst out a-bleeding, and with his sword he smote off both their

heads, and then he made sorrow out of measure, and said, O Balin, much

sorrow hast thou brought unto me, for hadst thou not shewed me that

sight I should have passed my sorrow. Forsooth, said Balin, I did it to

this intent that it should better thy courage, and that ye might see

and know her falsehood, and to cause you to leave love of such a lady;

God knoweth I did none other but as I would ye did to me. Alas, said

Garnish, now is my sorrow double that I may not endure, now have I

slain that I most loved in all my life; and therewith suddenly he rove

himself on his own sword unto the hilts. When Balin saw that, he

dressed him thenceward, lest folk would say he had slain them; and so

he rode forth, and within three days he came by a cross, and thereon

were letters of gold written, that said, It is not for no knight alone

to ride toward this castle. Then saw he an old hoar gentleman coming

toward him, that said, Balin le Savage, thou passest thy bounds to come

this way, therefore turn again and it will avail thee. And he vanished

away anon; and so he heard an horn blow as it had been the death of a

beast. That blast, said Balin, is blown for me, for I am the prize and

yet am I not dead. Anon withal he saw an hundred ladies and many

knights, that welcomed him with fair semblant, and made him passing

good cheer unto his sight, and led him into the castle, and there was

dancing and minstrelsy and all manner of joy. Then the chief lady of

the castle said, Knight with the Two Swords, ye must have ado and joust

with a knight hereby that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass

this way but he must joust or he pass. That is an unhappy custom, said

Balin, that a knight may not pass this way but if he joust. Ye shall

not have ado but with one knight, said the lady.

Well, said Balin, since I shall thereto I am ready, but travelling men

are oft weary and their horses too, but though my horse be weary my

heart is not weary, I would be fain there my death should be. Sir, said

a knight to Balin, methinketh your shield is not good, I will lend you

a bigger. Thereof I pray you. And so he took the shield that was

unknown and left his own, and so rode unto the island, and put him and

his horse in a great boat; and when he came on the other side he met

with a damosel, and she said, O knight Balin, why have ye left your own

shield? alas ye have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield

ye should have been known; it is great pity of you as ever was of

knight, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou hast no fellow living. Me

repenteth, said Balin, that ever I came within this country, but I may

not turn now again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to me, be

it life or death, I will take the adventure that shall come to me. And

then he looked on his armour, and understood he was well armed, and

therewith blessed him and mounted upon his horse.

CHAPTER XVIII. How Balin met with his brother Balan, and how each of

them slew other unknown, till they were wounded to death.

Then afore him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight, and his

horse trapped all red, and himself in the same colour. When this knight

in the red beheld Balin, him thought it should be his brother Balin by

cause of his two swords, but by cause he knew not his shield he deemed

it was not he. And so they aventryd their spears and came marvellously

fast together, and they smote each other in the shields, but their

spears and their course were so big that it bare down horse and man,

that they lay both in a swoon. But Balin was bruised sore with the fall

of his horse, for he was weary of travel. And Balan was the first that

rose on foot and drew his sword, and went toward Balin, and he arose

and went against him; but Balan smote Balin first, and he put up his

shield and smote him through the shield and tamed his helm. Then Balin

smote him again with that unhappy sword, and well-nigh had felled his

brother Balan, and so they fought there together till their breaths

failed. Then Balin looked up to the castle and saw the towers stand

full of ladies. So they went unto battle again, and wounded everych

other dolefully, and then they breathed ofttimes, and so went unto

battle that all the place there as they fought was blood red. And at

that time there was none of them both but they had either smitten other

seven great wounds, so that the least of them might have been the death

of the mightiest giant in this world.

Then they went to battle again so marvellously that doubt it was to

hear of that battle for the great blood-shedding, and their hauberks

unnailed that naked they were on every side. At last Balan the younger

brother withdrew him a little and laid him down. Then said Balin le

Savage, What knight art thou? for or now I found never no knight that

matched me. My name is, said he, Balan, brother unto the good knight,

Balin. Alas, said Balin, that ever I should see this day, and therewith

he fell backward in a swoon. Then Balan yede on all four feet and

hands, and put off the helm off his brother, and might not know him by

the visage it was so ful hewn and bled; but when he awoke he said, O

Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me and I thee, wherefore all the

wide world shall speak of us both. Alas, said Balan, that ever I saw

this day, that through mishap I might not know you, for I espied well

your two swords, but by cause ye had another shield I deemed ye had

been another knight. Alas, said Balin, all that made an unhappy knight

in the castle, for he caused me to leave my own shield to our both’s

destruction, and if I might live I would destroy that castle for ill

customs. That were well done, said Balan, for I had never grace to

depart from them since that I came hither, for here it happed me to

slay a knight that kept this island, and since might I never depart,

and no more should ye, brother, an ye might have slain me as ye have,

and escaped yourself with the life.

Right so came the lady of the tower with four knights and six ladies

and six yeomen unto them, and there she heard how they made their moan

either to other, and said, We came both out of one tomb, that is to say

one mother’s belly, and so shall we lie both in one pit. So Balan

prayed the lady of her gentleness, for his true service, that she would

bury them both in that same place there the battle was done. And she

granted them, with weeping, it should be done richly in the best

manner. Now, will ye send for a priest, that we may receive our

sacrament, and receive the blessed body of our Lord Jesus Christ? Yea,

said the lady, it shall be done; and so she sent for a priest and gave

them their rights. Now, said Balin, when we are buried in one tomb, and

the mention made over us how two brethren slew each other, there will

never good knight, nor good man, see our tomb but they will pray for

our souls. And so all the ladies and gentlewomen wept for pity. Then

anon Balan died, but Balin died not till the midnight after, and so

were they buried both, and the lady let make a mention of Balan how he

was there slain by his brother’s hands, but she knew not Balin’s name.

CHAPTER XIX. How Merlin buried them both in one tomb, and of Balin’s

sword.

In the morn came Merlin and let write Balin’s name on the tomb with

letters of gold, that Here lieth Balin le Savage that was the Knight

with the Two Swords, and he that smote the Dolorous Stroke. Also Merlin

let make there a bed, that there should never man lie therein but he

went out of his wit, yet Launcelot de Lake fordid that bed through his

noblesse. And anon after Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword, and

took off the pommel and set on another pommel. So Merlin bade a knight

that stood afore him handle that sword, and he assayed, and he might

not handle it. Then Merlin laughed. Why laugh ye? said the knight. This

is the cause, said Merlin: there shall never man handle this sword but

the best knight of the world, and that shall be Sir Launcelot or else

Galahad his son, and Launcelot with this sword shall slay the man that

in the world he loved best, that shall be Sir Gawaine. All this he let

write in the pommel of the sword. Then Merlin let make a bridge of iron

and of steel into that island, and it was but half a foot broad, and

there shall never man pass that bridge, nor have hardiness to go over,

but if he were a passing good man and a good knight without treachery

or villainy. Also the scabbard of Balin’s sword Merlin left it on this

side the island, that Galahad should find it. Also Merlin let make by

his subtilty that Balin’s sword was put in a marble stone standing

upright as great as a mill stone, and the stone hoved always above the

water and did many years, and so by adventure it swam down the stream

to the City of Camelot, that is in English Winchester. And that same

day Galahad the haut prince came with King Arthur, and so Galahad

brought with him the scabbard and achieved the sword that was there in

the marble stone hoving upon the water. And on Whitsunday he achieved

the sword as it is rehearsed in the book of Sangreal.

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the

dolorous stroke that Balin gave to King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan

fought together the marvellest battle that ever was heard of, and how

they were buried both in one tomb. Alas, said King Arthur, this is the

greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the world I

know not such two knights. Thus endeth the tale of Balin and of Balan,

two brethren born in Northumberland, good knights.

Sequitur iii. liber.

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I. How King Arthur took a wife, and wedded Guenever, daughter

to Leodegrance, King of the Land of Cameliard, with whom he had the

Round Table.

In the beginning of Arthur, after he was chosen king by adventure and

by grace; for the most part of the barons knew not that he was Uther

Pendragon’s son, but as Merlin made it openly known. But yet many kings

and lords held great war against him for that cause, but well Arthur

overcame them all, for the most part the days of his life he was ruled

much by the counsel of Merlin. So it fell on a time King Arthur said

unto Merlin, My barons will let me have no rest, but needs I must take

a wife, and I will none take but by thy counsel and by thine advice. It

is well done, said Merlin, that ye take a wife, for a man of your

bounty and noblesse should not be without a wife. Now is there any that

ye love more than another? Yea, said King Arthur, I love Guenever the

king’s daughter, Leodegrance of the land of Cameliard, the which

holdeth in his house the Table Round that ye told he had of my father

Uther. And this damosel is the most valiant and fairest lady that I

know living, or yet that ever I could find. Sir, said Merlin, as of her

beauty and fairness she is one of the fairest alive, but, an ye loved

her not so well as ye do, I should find you a damosel of beauty and of

goodness that should like you and please you, an your heart were not

set; but there as a man’s heart is set, he will be loath to return.

That is truth, said King Arthur. But Merlin warned the king covertly

that Guenever was not wholesome for him to take to wife, for he warned

him that Launcelot should love her, and she him again; and so he turned

his tale to the adventures of Sangreal.

Then Merlin desired of the king for to have men with him that should

enquire of Guenever, and so the king granted him, and Merlin went forth

unto King Leodegrance of Cameliard, and told him of the desires of the

king that he would have unto his wife Guenever his daughter. That is to

me, said King Leodegrance, the best tidings that ever I heard, that so

worthy a king of prowess and noblesse will wed my daughter. And as for

my lands, I will give him, wist I it might please him, but he hath

lands enow, him needeth none; but I shall send him a gift shall please

him much more, for I shall give him the Table Round, the which Uther

Pendragon gave me, and when it is full complete, there is an hundred

knights and fifty. And as for an hundred good knights I have myself,

but I faute fifty, for so many have been slain in my days. And so

Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, and the Table

Round with the hundred knights, and so they rode freshly, with great

royalty, what by water and what by land, till that they came nigh unto

London.

CHAPTER II. How the Knights of the Round Table were ordained and their

sieges blessed by the Bishop of Canterbury.

When King Arthur heard of the coming of Guenever and the hundred

knights with the Table Round, then King Arthur made great joy for her

coming, and that rich present, and said openly, This fair lady is

passing welcome unto me, for I have loved her long, and therefore there

is nothing so lief to me. And these knights with the Round Table please

me more than right great riches. And in all haste the king let ordain

for the marriage and the coronation in the most honourable wise that

could be devised. Now, Merlin, said King Arthur, go thou and espy me in

all this land fifty knights which be of most prowess and worship.

Within short time Merlin had found such knights that should fulfil

twenty and eight knights, but no more he could find. Then the Bishop of

Canterbury was fetched, and he blessed the sieges with great royalty

and devotion, and there set the eight and twenty knights in their

sieges. And when this was done Merlin said, Fair sirs, ye must all

arise and come to King Arthur for to do him homage; he will have the

better will to maintain you. And so they arose and did their homage,

and when they were gone Merlin found in every sieges letters of gold

that told the knights’ names that had sitten therein. But two sieges

were void. And so anon came young Gawaine and asked the king a gift.

Ask, said the king, and I shall grant it you. Sir, I ask that ye will

make me knight that same day ye shall wed fair Guenever. I will do it

with a good will, said King Arthur, and do unto you all the worship

that I may, for I must by reason ye are my nephew, my sister’s son.

CHAPTER III. How a poor man riding upon a lean mare desired King Arthur

to make his son knight.

Forthwithal there came a poor man into the court, and brought with him

a fair young man of eighteen years of age riding upon a lean mare; and

the poor man asked all men that he met, Where shall I find King Arthur?

Yonder he is, said the knights, wilt thou anything with him? Yea, said

the poor man, therefore I came hither. Anon as he came before the king,

he saluted him and said: O King Arthur, the flower of all knights and

kings, I beseech Jesu save thee. Sir, it was told me that at this time

of your marriage ye would give any man the gift that he would ask, out

except that were unreasonable. That is truth, said the king, such cries

I let make, and that will I hold, so it apair not my realm nor mine

estate. Ye say well and graciously, said the poor man; Sir, I ask

nothing else but that ye will make my son here a knight. It is a great

thing thou askest of me, said the king. What is thy name? said the king

to the poor man. Sir, my name is Aries the cowherd. Whether cometh this

of thee or of thy son? said the king. Nay, sir, said Aries, this desire

cometh of my son and not of me, for I shall tell you I have thirteen

sons, and all they will fall to what labour I put them, and will be

right glad to do labour, but this child will not labour for me, for

anything that my wife or I may do, but always he will be shooting or

casting darts, and glad for to see battles and to behold knights, and

always day and night he desireth of me to be made a knight. What is thy

name? said the king unto the young man. Sir, my name is Tor. The king

beheld him fast, and saw he was passingly well-visaged and passingly

well made of his years. Well, said King Arthur unto Aries the cowherd,

fetch all thy sons afore me that I may see them. And so the poor man

did, and all were shaped much like the poor man. But Tor was not like

none of them all in shape nor in countenance, for he was much more than

any of them. Now, said King Arthur unto the cow herd, where is the

sword he shall be made knight withal? It is here, said Tor. Take it out

of the sheath, said the king, and require me to make you a knight.

Then Tor alighted off his mare and pulled out his sword, kneeling, and

requiring the king that he would make him knight, and that he might be

a knight of the Table Round. As for a knight I will make you, and

therewith smote him in the neck with the sword, saying, Be ye a good

knight, and so I pray to God so ye may be, and if ye be of prowess and

of worthiness ye shall be a knight of the Table Round. Now Merlin, said

Arthur, say whether this Tor shall be a good knight or no. Yea, sir, he

ought to be a good knight, for he is come of as good a man as any is

alive, and of kings’ blood. How so, sir? said the king. I shall tell

you, said Merlin: This poor man, Aries the cowherd, is not his father;

he is nothing sib to him, for King Pellinore is his father. I suppose

nay, said the cowherd. Fetch thy wife afore me, said Merlin, and she

shall not say nay. Anon the wife was fetched, which was a fair

housewife, and there she answered Merlin full womanly, and there she

told the king and Merlin that when she was a maid, and went to milk

kine, there met with her a stern knight, and half by force he had my

maidenhead, and at that time he begat my son Tor, and he took away from

me my greyhound that I had that time with me, and said that he would

keep the greyhound for my love. Ah, said the cowherd, I weened not

this, but I may believe it well, for he had never no tatches of me.

Sir, said Tor unto Merlin, dishonour not my mother. Sir, said Merlin,

it is more for your worship than hurt, for your father is a good man

and a king, and he may right well advance you and your mother, for ye

were begotten or ever she was wedded. That is truth, said the wife. It

is the less grief unto me, said the cowherd.

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Tor was known for son of King Pellinore, and how

Gawaine was made knight.

So on the morn King Pellinore came to the court of King Arthur, which

had great joy of him, and told him of Tor, how he was his son, and how

he had made him knight at the request of the cowherd. When Pellinore

beheld Tor, he pleased him much. So the king made Gawaine knight, but

Tor was the first he made at the feast. What is the cause, said King

Arthur, that there be two places void in the sieges? Sir, said Merlin,

there shall no man sit in those places but they that shall be of most

worship. But in the Siege Perilous there shall no man sit therein but

one, and if there be any so hardy to do it he shall be destroyed, and

he that shall sit there shall have no fellow. And therewith Merlin took

King Pellinore by the hand, and in the one hand next the two sieges and

the Siege Perilous he said, in open audience, This is your place and

best ye are worthy to sit therein of any that is here. Thereat sat Sir

Gawaine in great envy and told Gaheris his brother, yonder knight is

put to great worship, the which grieveth me sore, for he slew our

father King Lot, therefore I will slay him, said Gawaine, with a sword

that was sent me that is passing trenchant. Ye shall not so, said

Gaheris, at this time, for at this time I am but a squire, and when I

am made knight I will be avenged on him, and therefore, brother, it is

best ye suffer till another time, that we may have him out of the

court, for an we did so we should trouble this high feast. I will well,

said Gawaine, as ye will.

CHAPTER V. How at feast of the wedding of King Arthur to Guenever, a

white hart came into the hall, and thirty couple hounds, and how a

brachet pinched the hart which was taken away.

Then was the high feast made ready, and the king was wedded at Camelot

unto Dame Guenever in the church of Saint Stephen’s, with great

solemnity. And as every man was set after his degree, Merlin went to

all the knights of the Round Table, and bade them sit still, that none

of them remove. For ye shall see a strange and a marvellous adventure.

Right so as they sat there came running in a white hart into the hall,

and a white brachet next him, and thirty couple of black running hounds

came after with a great cry, and the hart went about the Table Round as

he went by other boards. The white brachet bit him by the buttock and

pulled out a piece, wherethrough the hart leapt a great leap and

overthrew a knight that sat at the board side; and therewith the knight

arose and took up the brachet, and so went forth out of the hall, and

took his horse and rode his way with the brachet. Right so anon came in

a lady on a white palfrey, and cried aloud to King Arthur, Sir, suffer

me not to have this despite, for the brachet was mine that the knight

led away. I may not do therewith, said the king.

With this there came a knight riding all armed on a great horse, and

took the lady away with him with force, and ever she cried and made

great dole. When she was gone the king was glad, for she made such a

noise. Nay, said Merlin, ye may not leave these adventures so lightly;

for these adventures must be brought again or else it would be

disworship to you and to your feast. I will, said the king, that all be

done by your advice. Then, said Merlin, let call Sir Gawaine, for he

must bring again the white hart. Also, sir, ye must let call Sir Tor,

for he must bring again the brachet and the knight, or else slay him.

Also let call King Pellinore, for he must bring again the lady and the

knight, or else slay him. And these three knights shall do marvellous

adventures or they come again. Then were they called all three as it

rehearseth afore, and each of them took his charge, and armed them

surely. But Sir Gawaine had the first request, and therefore we will

begin at him.

CHAPTER VI. How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch again the hart, and how

two brethren fought each against other for the hart.

Sir Gawaine rode more than a pace, and Gaheris his brother that rode

with him instead of a squire to do him service. So as they rode they

saw two knights fight on horseback passing sore, so Sir Gawaine and his

brother rode betwixt them, and asked them for what cause they fought

so. The one knight answered and said, We fight for a simple matter, for

we two be two brethren born and begotten of one man and of one woman.

Alas, said Sir Gawaine, why do ye so? Sir, said the elder, there came a

white hart this way this day, and many hounds chased him, and a white

brachet was alway next him, and we understood it was adventure made for

the high feast of King Arthur, and therefore I would have gone after to

have won me worship; and here my younger brother said he would go after

the hart, for he was better knight than I: and for this cause we fell

at debate, and so we thought to prove which of us both was better

knight. This is a simple cause, said Sir Gawaine; uncouth men ye should

debate withal, and not brother with brother; therefore but if you will

do by my counsel I will have ado with you, that is ye shall yield you

unto me, and that ye go unto King Arthur and yield you unto his grace.

Sir knight, said the two brethren, we are forfoughten and much blood

have we lost through our wilfulness, and therefore we would be loath to

have ado with you. Then do as I will have you, said Sir Gawaine. We

will agree to fulfil your will; but by whom shall we say that we be

thither sent? Ye may say, By the knight that followeth the quest of the

hart that was white. Now what is your name? said Gawaine. Sorlouse of

the Forest, said the elder. And my name is, said the younger, Brian of

the Forest. And so they departed and went to the king’s court, and Sir

Gawaine on his quest.

And as Gawaine followed the hart by the cry of the hounds, even afore

him there was a great river, and the hart swam over; and as Sir Gawaine

would follow after, there stood a knight over the other side, and said,

Sir knight, come not over after this hart but if thou wilt joust with

me. I will not fail as for that, said Sir Gawaine, to follow the quest

that I am in, and so made his horse to swim over the water. And anon

they gat their spears and ran together full hard; but Sir Gawaine smote

him off his horse, and then he turned his horse and bade him yield him.

Nay, said the knight, not so, though thou have the better of me on

horseback. I pray thee, valiant knight, alight afoot, and match we

together with swords. What is your name? said Sir Gawaine. Allardin of

the Isles, said the other. Then either dressed their shields and smote

together, but Sir Gawaine smote him so hard through the helm that it

went to the brains, and the knight fell down dead. Ah! said Gaheris,

that was a mighty stroke of a young knight.

CHAPTER VII How the hart was chased into a castle and there slain, and

how Sir Gawaine slew a lady.

Then Gawaine and Gaheris rode more than a pace after the white hart,

and let slip at the hart three couple of greyhounds, and so they chased

the hart into a castle, and in the chief place of the castle they slew

the hart; Sir Gawaine and Gaheris followed after. Right so there came a

knight out of a chamber with a sword drawn in his hand and slew two of

the greyhounds, even in the sight of Sir Gawaine, and the remnant he

chased them with his sword out of the castle. And when he came again,

he said, O my white hart, me repenteth that thou art dead, for my

sovereign lady gave thee to me, and evil have I kept thee, and thy

death shall be dear bought an I live. And anon he went into his chamber

and armed him, and came out fiercely, and there met he with Sir

Gawaine. Why have ye slain my hounds? said Sir Gawaine, for they did

but their kind, and liefer I had ye had wroken your anger upon me than

upon a dumb beast. Thou sayest truth, said the knight, I have avenged

me on thy hounds, and so I will on thee or thou go. Then Sir Gawaine

alighted afoot and dressed his shield, and struck together mightily,

and clave their shields, and stoned their helms, and brake their

hauberks that the blood ran down to their feet.

At the last Sir Gawaine smote the knight so hard that he fell to the

earth, and then he cried mercy, and yielded him, and besought him as he

was a knight and gentleman, to save his life. Thou shalt die, said Sir

Gawaine, for slaying of my hounds. I will make amends, said the knight,

unto my power. Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to

have stricken off his head. Right so came his lady out of a chamber and

fell over him, and so he smote off her head by misadventure. Alas, said

Gaheris, that is foully and shamefully done, that shame shall never

from you; also ye should give mercy unto them that ask mercy, for a

knight without mercy is without worship. Sir Gawaine was so stonied of

the death of this fair lady that he wist not what he did, and said unto

the knight, Arise, I will give thee mercy. Nay, nay, said the knight, I

take no force of mercy now, for thou hast slain my love and my lady

that I loved best of all earthly things. Me sore repenteth it, said Sir

Gawaine, for I thought to strike unto thee; but now thou shalt go unto

King Arthur and tell him of thine adventures, and how thou art overcome

by the knight that went in the quest of the white hart. I take no

force, said the knight, whether I live or I die; but so for dread of

death he swore to go unto King Arthur, and he made him to bear one

greyhound before him on his horse, and another behind him. What is your

name? said Sir Gawaine, or we depart. My name is, said the knight,

Ablamar of the Marsh. So he departed toward Camelot.

CHAPTER VIII. How four knights fought against Gawaine and Gaheris, and

how they were overcome, and their lives saved at request of four

ladies.

And Sir Gawaine went into the castle, and made him ready to lie there

all night, and would have unarmed him. What will ye do, said Gaheris,

will ye unarm you in this country? Ye may think ye have many enemies

here. They had not sooner said that word but there came four knights

well armed, and assailed Sir Gawaine hard, and said unto him, Thou

new-made knight, thou hast shamed thy knighthood, for a knight without

mercy is dishonoured. Also thou hast slain a fair lady to thy great

shame to the world’s end, and doubt thou not thou shalt have great need

of mercy or thou depart from us. And therewith one of them smote Sir

Gawaine a great stroke that nigh he fell to the earth, and Gaheris

smote him again sore, and so they were on the one side and on the

other, that Sir Gawaine and Gaheris were in jeopardy of their lives;

and one with a bow, an archer, smote Sir Gawaine through the arm that

it grieved him wonderly sore. And as they should have been slain, there

came four fair ladies, and besought the knights of grace for Sir

Gawaine; and goodly at request of the ladies they gave Sir Gawaine and

Gaheris their lives, and made them to yield them as prisoners. Then

Gawaine and Gaheris made great dole. Alas! said Sir Gawaine, mine arm

grieveth me sore, I am like to be maimed; and so made his complaint

piteously.

Early on the morrow there came to Sir Gawaine one of the four ladies

that had heard all his complaint, and said, Sir knight, what cheer? Not

good, said he. It is your own default, said the lady, for ye have done

a passing foul deed in the slaying of the lady, the which will be great

villainy unto you. But be ye not of King Arthur’s kin? said the lady.

Yes truly, said Sir Gawaine. What is your name? said the lady, ye must

tell it me or ye pass. My name is Gawaine, the King Lot of Orkney’s

son, and my mother is King Arthur’s sister. Ah! then are ye nephew unto

King Arthur, said the lady, and I shall so speak for you that ye shall

have conduct to go to King Arthur for his love. And so she departed and

told the four knights how their prisoner was King Arthur’s nephew, and

his name is Sir Gawaine, King Lot’s son of Orkney. And they gave him

the hart’s head because it was in his quest. Then anon they delivered

Sir Gawaine under this promise, that he should bear the dead lady with

him in this manner; the head of her was hanged about his neck, and the

whole body of her lay before him on his horse’s mane. Right so rode he

forth unto Camelot. And anon as he was come, Merlin desired of King

Arthur that Sir Gawaine should be sworn to tell of all his adventures,

and how he slew the lady, and how he would give no mercy unto the

knight, wherethrough the lady was slain. Then the king and the queen

were greatly displeased with Sir Gawaine for the slaying of the lady.

And there by ordinance of the queen there was set a quest of ladies on

Sir Gawaine, and they judged him for ever while he lived to be with all

ladies, and to fight for their quarrels; and that ever he should be

courteous, and never to refuse mercy to him that asketh mercy. Thus was

Gawaine sworn upon the Four Evangelists that he should never be against

lady nor gentlewoman, but if he fought for a lady and his adversary

fought for another. And thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine that

he did at the marriage of King Arthur. Amen.

CHAPTER IX. How Sir Tor rode after the knight with the brachet, and of

his adventure by the way.

When Sir Tor was ready, he mounted upon his horseback, and rode after

the knight with the brachet. So as he rode he met with a dwarf suddenly

that smote his horse on the head with a staff, that he went backward

his spear length. Why dost thou so? said Sir Tor. For thou shalt not

pass this way, but if thou joust with yonder knights of the pavilions.

Then was Tor ware where two pavilions were, and great spears stood out,

and two shields hung on trees by the pavilions. I may not tarry, said

Sir Tor, for I am in a quest that I must needs follow. Thou shalt not

pass, said the dwarf, and therewithal he blew his horn. Then there came

one armed on horseback, and dressed his shield, and came fast toward

Tor, and he dressed him against him, and so ran together that Tor bare

him from his horse. And anon the knight yielded him to his mercy. But,

sir, I have a fellow in yonder pavilion that will have ado with you

anon. He shall be welcome, said Sir Tor. Then was he ware of another

knight coming with great raundon, and each of them dressed to other,

that marvel it was to see; but the knight smote Sir Tor a great stroke

in midst of the shield that his spear all to-shivered. And Sir Tor

smote him through the shield below of the shield that it went through

the cost of the knight, but the stroke slew him not. And therewith Sir

Tor alighted and smote him on the helm a great stroke, and therewith

the knight yielded him and besought him of mercy. I will well, said Sir

Tor, but thou and thy fellow must go unto King Arthur, and yield you

prisoners unto him. By whom shall we say are we thither sent? Ye shall

say by the knight that went in the quest of the knight that went with

the brachet. Now, what be your two names? said Sir Tor. My name is,

said the one, Sir Felot of Langduk; and my name is, said the other, Sir

Petipase of Winchelsea. Now go ye forth, said Sir Tor, and God speed

you and me. Then came the dwarf and said unto Sir Tor, I pray you give

me a gift. I will well, said Sir Tor, ask. I ask no more, said the

dwarf, but that ye will suffer me to do you service, for I will serve

no more recreant knights. Take an horse, said Sir Tor, and ride on with

me. I wot ye ride after the knight with the white brachet, and I shall

bring you where he is, said the dwarf. And so they rode throughout a

forest, and at the last they were ware of two pavilions, even by a

priory, with two shields, and the one shield was enewed with white, and

the other shield was red.

CHAPTER X. How Sir Tor found the brachet with a lady, and how a knight

assailed him for the said brachet.

Therewith Sir Tor alighted and took the dwarf his glaive, and so he

came to the white pavilion, and saw three damosels lie in it, on one

pallet, sleeping, and so he went to the other pavilion, and found a

lady lying sleeping therein, but there was the white brachet that bayed

at her fast, and therewith the lady yede out of the pavilion and all

her damosels. But anon as Sir Tor espied the white brachet, he took her

by force and took her to the dwarf. What, will ye so, said the lady,

take my brachet from me? Yea, said Sir Tor, this brachet have I sought

from King Arthur’s court hither. Well, said the lady, knight, ye shall

not go far with her, but that ye shall be met and grieved. I shall

abide what adventure that cometh by the grace of God, and so mounted

upon his horse, and passed on his way toward Camelot; but it was so

near night he might not pass but little further. Know ye any lodging?

said Tor. I know none, said the dwarf, but here beside is an hermitage,

and there ye must take lodging as ye find. And within a while they came

to the hermitage and took lodging; and was there grass, oats and bread

for their horses; soon it was sped, and full hard was their supper; but

there they rested them all night till on the morn, and heard a mass

devoutly, and took their leave of the hermit, and Sir Tor prayed the

hermit to pray for him. He said he would, and betook him to God. And so

mounted upon horseback and rode towards Camelot a long while.

With that they heard a knight call loud that came after them, and he

said, Knight, abide and yield my brachet that thou took from my lady.

Sir Tor returned again, and beheld him how he was a seemly knight and

well horsed, and well armed at all points; then Sir Tor dressed his

shield, and took his spear in his hands, and the other came fiercely

upon him, and smote both horse and man to the earth. Anon they arose

lightly and drew their swords as eagerly as lions, and put their

shields afore them, and smote through the shields, that the cantels

fell off both parties. Also they tamed their helms that the hot blood

ran out, and the thick mails of their hauberks they carved and rove in

sunder that the hot blood ran to the earth, and both they had many

wounds and were passing weary. But Sir Tor espied that the other knight

fainted, and then he sued fast upon him, and doubled his strokes, and

gart him go to the earth on the one side. Then Sir Tor bade him yield

him. That will I not, said Abelleus, while my life lasteth and the soul

is within my body, unless that thou wilt give me the brachet. That will

I not do, said Sir Tor, for it was my quest to bring again thy brachet,

thee, or both.

CHAPTER XI. How Sir Tor overcame the knight, and how he lost his head

at the request of a lady.

With that came a damosel riding on a palfrey as fast as she might

drive, and cried with a loud voice unto Sir Tor. What will ye with me?

said Sir Tor. I beseech thee, said the damosel, for King Arthur’s love,

give me a gift; I require thee, gentle knight, as thou art a gentleman.

Now, said Tor, ask a gift and I will give it you. Gramercy, said the

damosel; now I ask the head of the false knight Abelleus, for he is the

most outrageous knight that liveth, and the greatest murderer. I am

loath, said Sir Tor, of that gift I have given you; let him make amends

in that he hath trespassed unto you. Now, said the damosel, he may not,

for he slew mine own brother before mine own eyes, that was a better

knight than he, an he had had grace; and I kneeled half an hour afore

him in the mire for to save my brother’s life, that had done him no

damage, but fought with him by adventure of arms, and so for all that I

could do he struck off his head; wherefore I require thee, as thou art

a true knight, to give me my gift, or else I shall shame thee in all

the court of King Arthur; for he is the falsest knight living, and a

great destroyer of good knights. Then when Abelleus heard this, he was

more afeard, and yielded him and asked mercy. I may not now, said Sir

Tor, but if I should be found false of my promise; for while I would

have taken you to mercy ye would none ask, but if ye had the brachet

again, that was my quest. And therewith he took off his helm, and he

arose and fled, and Sir Tor after him, and smote off his head quite.

Now sir, said the damosel, it is near night; I pray you come and lodge

with me here at my place, it is here fast by. I will well, said Sir

Tor, for his horse and he had fared evil since they departed from

Camelot, and so he rode with her, and had passing good cheer with her;

and she had a passing fair old knight to her husband that made him

passing good cheer, and well eased both his horse and him. And on the

morn he heard his mass, and brake his fast, and took his leave of the

knight and of the lady, that besought him to tell them his name. Truly,

he said, my name is Sir Tor that was late made knight, and this was the

first quest of arms that ever I did, to bring again that this knight

Abelleus took away from King Arthur’s court. O fair knight, said the

lady and her husband, an ye come here in our marches, come and see our

poor lodging, and it shall be always at your commandment. So Sir Tor

departed and came to Camelot on the third day by noon, and the king and

the queen and all the court was passing fain of his coming, and made

great joy that he was come again; for he went from the court with

little succour, but as King Pellinore his father gave him an old

courser, and King Arthur gave him armour and a sword, and else had he

none other succour, but rode so forth himself alone. And then the king

and the queen by Merlin’s advice made him to swear to tell of his

adventures, and so he told and made proofs of his deeds as it is afore

rehearsed, wherefore the king and the queen made great joy. Nay, nay,

said Merlin, these be but japes to that he shall do; for he shall prove

a noble knight of prowess, as good as any is living, and gentle and

courteous, and of good tatches, and passing true of his promise, and

never shall outrage. Wherethrough Merlin’s words King Arthur gave him

an earldom of lands that fell unto him. And here endeth the quest of

Sir Tor, King Pellinore’s son.

CHAPTER XII. How King Pellinore rode after the lady and the knight that

led her away, and how a lady desired help of him, and how he fought

with two knights for that lady, of whom he slew the one at the first

stroke.

Then King Pellinore armed him and mounted upon his horse, and rode more

than a pace after the lady that the knight led away. And as he rode in

a forest, he saw in a valley a damosel sit by a well, and a wounded

knight in her arms, and Pellinore saluted her. And when she was ware of

him, she cried overloud, Help me, knight; for Christ’s sake, King

Pellinore. And he would not tarry, he was so eager in his quest, and

ever she cried an hundred times after help. When she saw he would not

abide, she prayed unto God to send him as much need of help as she had,

and that he might feel it or he died. So, as the book telleth, the

knight there died that there was wounded, wherefore the lady for pure

sorrow slew herself with his sword. As King Pellinore rode in that

valley he met with a poor man, a labourer. Sawest thou not, said

Pellinore, a knight riding and leading away a lady? Yea, said the man,

I saw that knight, and the lady that made great dole; and yonder

beneath in a valley there shall ye see two pavilions, and one of the

knights of the pavilions challenged that lady of that knight, and said

she was his cousin near, wherefore he should lead her no farther. And

so they waged battle in that quarrel, the one said he would have her by

force, and the other said he would have the rule of her, by cause he

was her kinsman, and would lead her to her kin. For this quarrel he

left them fighting. And if ye will ride a pace ye shall find them

fighting, and the lady was beleft with the two squires in the

pavilions. God thank thee, said King Pellinore.

Then he rode a wallop till he had a sight of the two pavilions, and the

two knights fighting. Anon he rode unto the pavilions, and saw the lady

that was his quest, and said, Fair lady, ye must go with me unto the

court of King Arthur. Sir knight, said the two squires that were with

her, yonder are two knights that fight for this lady, go thither and

depart them, and be agreed with them, and then may ye have her at your

pleasure. Ye say well, said King Pellinore. And anon he rode betwixt

them, and departed them, and asked them the causes why that they

fought? Sir knight, said the one, I shall tell you, this lady is my

kinswoman nigh, mine aunt’s daughter, and when I heard her complain

that she was with him maugre her head, I waged battle to fight with

him. Sir knight, said the other, whose name was Hontzlake of Wentland,

and this lady I gat by my prowess of arms this day at Arthur’s court.

That is untruly said, said King Pellinore, for ye came in suddenly

there as we were at the high feast, and took away this lady or any man

might make him ready; and therefore it was my quest to bring her again

and you both, or else the one of us to abide in the field; therefore

the lady shall go with me, or I will die for it, for I have promised it

King Arthur. And therefore fight ye no more, for none of you shall have

no part of her at this time; and if ye list to fight for her, fight

with me, and I will defend her. Well, said the knights, make you ready,

and we shall assail you with all our power. And as King Pellinore would

have put his horse from them, Sir Hontzlake rove his horse through with

a sword, and said: Now art thou on foot as well as we are. When King

Pellinore espied that his horse was slain, lightly he leapt from his

horse and pulled out his sword, and put his shield afore him, and said,

Knight, keep well thy head, for thou shalt have a buffet for the

slaying of my horse. So King Pellinore gave him such a stroke upon the

helm that he clave the head down to the chin, that he fell to the earth

dead.

CHAPTER XIII. How King Pellinore gat the lady and brought her to

Camelot to the court of King Arthur.

And then he turned him to the other knight, that was sore wounded. But

when he saw the other’s buffet, he would not fight, but kneeled down

and said, Take my cousin the lady with you at your request, and I

require you, as ye be a true knight, put her to no shame nor villainy.

What, said King Pellinore, will ye not fight for her? No, sir, said the

knight, I will not fight with such a knight of prowess as ye be. Well,

said Pellinore, ye say well; I promise you she shall have no villainy

by me, as I am true knight; but now me lacketh an horse, said

Pellinore, but I will have Hontzlake’s horse. Ye shall not need, said

the knight, for I shall give you such an horse as shall please you, so

that you will lodge with me, for it is near night. I will well, said

King Pellinore, abide with you all night. And there he had with him

right good cheer, and fared of the best with passing good wine, and had

merry rest that night. And on the morn he heard a mass and dined; and

then was brought him a fair bay courser, and King Pellinore’s saddle

set upon him. Now, what shall I call you? said the knight, inasmuch as

ye have my cousin at your desire of your quest. Sir, I shall tell you,

my name is King Pellinore of the Isles and knight of the Table Round.

Now I am glad, said the knight, that such a noble man shall have the

rule of my cousin. Now, what is your name? said Pellinore, I pray you

tell me. Sir, my name is Sir Meliot of Logurs, and this lady my cousin

hight Nimue, and the knight that was in the other pavilion is my sworn

brother, a passing good knight, and his name is Brian of the Isles, and

he is full loath to do wrong, and full loath to fight with any man, but

if he be sore sought on, so that for shame he may not leave it. It is

marvel, said Pellinore, that he will not have ado with me. Sir, he will

not have ado with no man but if it be at his request. Bring him to the

court, said Pellinore, one of these days. Sir, we will come together.

And ye shall be welcome, said Pellinore, to the court of King Arthur,

and greatly allowed for your coming. And so he departed with the lady,

and brought her to Camelot.

So as they rode in a valley it was full of stones, and there the lady’s

horse stumbled and threw her down, that her arm was sore bruised and

near she swooned for pain. Alas! sir, said the lady, mine arm is out of

lithe, wherethrough I must needs rest me. Ye shall well, said King

Pellinore. And so he alighted under a fair tree where was fair grass,

and he put his horse thereto, and so laid him under the tree and slept

till it was nigh night. And when he awoke he would have ridden. Sir,

said the lady, it is so dark that ye may as well ride backward as

forward. So they abode still and made there their lodging. Then Sir

Pellinore put off his armour; then a little afore midnight they heard

the trotting of an horse. Be ye still, said King Pellinore, for we

shall hear of some adventure.

CHAPTER XIV. How on the way he heard two knights, as he lay by night in

a valley, and of their adventures.

And therewith he armed him. So right even afore him there met two

knights, the one came froward Camelot, and the other from the north,

and either saluted other. What tidings at Camelot? said the one. By my

head, said the other, there have I been and espied the court of King

Arthur, and there is such a fellowship they may never be broken, and

well-nigh all the world holdeth with Arthur, for there is the flower of

chivalry. Now for this cause I am riding into the north, to tell our

chieftains of the fellowship that is withholden with King Arthur. As

for that, said the other knight, I have brought a remedy with me, that

is the greatest poison that ever ye heard speak of, and to Camelot will

I with it, for we have a friend right nigh King Arthur, and well

cherished, that shall poison King Arthur; for so he hath promised our

chieftains, and received great gifts for to do it. Beware, said the

other knight, of Merlin, for he knoweth all things by the devil’s

craft. Therefore will I not let it, said the knight. And so they

departed asunder. Anon after Pellinore made him ready, and his lady,

[and] rode toward Camelot; and as they came by the well there as the

wounded knight was and the lady, there he found the knight, and the

lady eaten with lions or wild beasts, all save the head, wherefore he

made great sorrow, and wept passing sore, and said, Alas! her life

might I have saved; but I was so fierce in my quest, therefore I would

not abide. Wherefore make ye such dole? said the lady. I wot not, said

Pellinore, but my heart mourneth sore of the death of her, for she was

a passing fair lady and a young. Now, will ye do by mine advice? said

the lady, take this knight and let him be buried in an hermitage, and

then take the lady’s head and bear it with you unto Arthur. So King

Pellinore took this dead knight on his shoulders, and brought him to

the hermitage, and charged the hermit with the corpse, that service

should be done for the soul; and take his harness for your pain. It

shall be done, said the hermit, as I will answer unto God.

CHAPTER XV. How when he was come to Camelot he was sworn upon a book to

tell the truth of his quest.

And therewith they departed, and came there as the head of the lady lay

with a fair yellow hair that grieved King Pellinore passingly sore when

he looked on it, for much he cast his heart on the visage. And so by

noon they came to Camelot; and the king and the queen were passing fain

of his coming to the court. And there he was made to swear upon the

Four Evangelists, to tell the truth of his quest from the one to the

other. Ah! Sir Pellinore, said Queen Guenever, ye were greatly to blame

that ye saved not this lady’s life. Madam, said Pellinore, ye were

greatly to blame an ye would not save your own life an ye might, but,

save your pleasure, I was so furious in my quest that I would not

abide, and that repenteth me, and shall the days of my life. Truly,

said Merlin, ye ought sore to repent it, for that lady was your own

daughter begotten on the lady of the Rule, and that knight that was

dead was her love, and should have wedded her, and he was a right good

knight of a young man, and would have proved a good man, and to this

court was he coming, and his name was Sir Miles of the Launds, and a

knight came behind him and slew him with a spear, and his name is

Loraine le Savage, a false knight and a coward; and she for great

sorrow and dole slew herself with his sword, and her name was Eleine.

And because ye would not abide and help her, ye shall see your best

friend fail you when ye be in the greatest distress that ever ye were

or shall be. And that penance God hath ordained you for that deed, that

he that ye shall most trust to of any man alive, he shall leave you

there ye shall be slain. Me forthinketh, said King Pellinore, that this

shall me betide, but God may fordo well destiny.

Thus, when the quest was done of the white hart, the which followed Sir

Gawaine; and the quest of the brachet, followed of Sir Tor, Pellinore’s

son; and the quest of the lady that the knight took away, the which

King Pellinore at that time followed; then the king stablished all his

knights, and them that were of lands not rich he gave them lands, and

charged them never to do outrageousity nor murder, and always to flee

treason; also, by no means to be cruel, but to give mercy unto him that

asketh mercy, upon pain of forfeiture of their worship and lordship of

King Arthur for evermore; and always to do ladies, damosels, and

gentlewomen succour, upon pain of death. Also, that no man take no

battles in a wrongful quarrel for no law, nor for no world’s goods.

Unto this were all the knights sworn of the Table Round, both old and

young. And every year were they sworn at the high feast of Pentecost.

Explicit the Wedding of King Arthur. Sequitur quartus liber.

BOOK IV.

CHAPTER I. How Merlin was assotted and doted on one of the ladies of

the lake, and how he was shut in a rock under a stone and there died.

So after these quests of Sir Gawaine, Sir Tor, and King Pellinore, it

fell so that Merlin fell in a dotage on the damosel that King Pellinore

brought to court, and she was one of the damosels of the lake, that

hight Nimue. But Merlin would let her have no rest, but always he would

be with her. And ever she made Merlin good cheer till she had learned

of him all manner thing that she desired; and he was assotted upon her,

that he might not be from her. So on a time he told King Arthur that he

should not dure long, but for all his crafts he should be put in the

earth quick. And so he told the king many things that should befall,

but always he warned the king to keep well his sword and the scabbard,

for he told him how the sword and the scabbard should be stolen by a

woman from him that he most trusted. Also he told King Arthur that he

should miss him,—Yet had ye liefer than all your lands to have me

again. Ah, said the king, since ye know of your adventure, purvey for

it, and put away by your crafts that misadventure. Nay, said Merlin, it

will not be; so he departed from the king. And within a while the

Damosel of the Lake departed, and Merlin went with her evermore

wheresomever she went. And ofttimes Merlin would have had her privily

away by his subtle crafts; then she made him to swear that he should

never do none enchantment upon her if he would have his will. And so he

sware; so she and Merlin went over the sea unto the land of Benwick,

whereas King Ban was king that had great war against King Claudas, and

there Merlin spake with King Ban’s wife, a fair lady and a good, and

her name was Elaine, and there he saw young Launcelot. There the queen

made great sorrow for the mortal war that King Claudas made on her lord

and on her lands. Take none heaviness, said Merlin, for this same child

within this twenty year shall revenge you on King Claudas, that all

Christendom shall speak of it; and this same child shall be the most

man of worship of the world, and his first name is Galahad, that know I

well, said Merlin, and since ye have confirmed him Launcelot. That is

truth, said the queen, his first name was Galahad. O Merlin, said the

queen, shall I live to see my son such a man of prowess? Yea, lady, on

my peril ye shall see it, and live many winters after.

And so, soon after, the lady and Merlin departed, and by the way Merlin

showed her many wonders, and came into Cornwall. And always Merlin lay

about the lady to have her maidenhood, and she was ever passing weary

of him, and fain would have been delivered of him, for she was afeard

of him because he was a devil’s son, and she could not beskift him by

no mean. And so on a time it happed that Merlin showed to her in a rock

whereas was a great wonder, and wrought by enchantment, that went under

a great stone. So by her subtle working she made Merlin to go under

that stone to let her wit of the marvels there; but she wrought so

there for him that he came never out for all the craft he could do. And

so she departed and left Merlin.

CHAPTER II. How five kings came into this land to war against King

Arthur, and what counsel Arthur had against them.

And as King Arthur rode to Camelot, and held there a great feast with

mirth and joy, so soon after he returned unto Cardoile, and there came

unto Arthur new tidings that the king of Denmark, and the king of

Ireland that was his brother, and the king of the Vale, and the king of

Soleise, and the king of the Isle of Longtains, all these five kings

with a great host were entered into the land of King Arthur, and burnt

and slew clean afore them, both cities and castles, that it was pity to

hear. Alas, said Arthur, yet had I never rest one month since I was

crowned king of this land. Now shall I never rest till I meet with

those kings in a fair field, that I make mine avow; for my true liege

people shall not be destroyed in my default, go with me who will, and

abide who that will. Then the king let write unto King Pellinore, and

prayed him in all haste to make him ready with such people as he might

lightliest rear and hie him after in all haste. All the barons were

privily wroth that the king would depart so suddenly; but the king by

no mean would abide, but made writing unto them that were not there,

and bade them hie after him, such as were not at that time in the

court. Then the king came to Queen Guenever, and said, Lady, make you

ready, for ye shall go with me, for I may not long miss you; ye shall

cause me to be the more hardy, what adventure so befall me; I will not

wit my lady to be in no jeopardy. Sir, said she, I am at your

commandment, and shall be ready what time so ye be ready. So on the

morn the king and the queen departed with such fellowship as they had,

and came into the north, into a forest beside Humber, and there lodged

them. When the word and tiding came unto the five kings above said,

that Arthur was beside Humber in a forest, there was a knight, brother

unto one of the five kings, that gave them this counsel: Ye know well

that Sir Arthur hath the flower of chivalry of the world with him, as

it is proved by the great battle he did with the eleven kings; and

therefore hie unto him night and day till that we be nigh him, for the

longer he tarrieth the bigger he is, and we ever the weaker; and he is

so courageous of himself that he is come to the field with little

people, and therefore let us set upon him or day and we shall slay

down; of his knights there shall none escape.

CHAPTER III. How King Arthur had ado with them and overthrew them, and

slew the five kings and made the remnant to flee.

Unto this counsel these five kings assented, and so they passed forth

with their host through North Wales, and came upon Arthur by night, and

set upon his host as the king and his knights were in their pavilions.

King Arthur was unarmed, and had laid him to rest with his Queen

Guenever. Sir, said Sir Kay, it is not good we be unarmed. We shall

have no need, said Sir Gawaine and Sir Griflet, that lay in a little

pavilion by the king. With that they heard a great noise, and many

cried, Treason, treason! Alas, said King Arthur, we be betrayed! Unto

arms, fellows, then he cried. So they were armed anon at all points.

Then came there a wounded knight unto the king, and said, Sir, save

yourself and my lady the queen, for our host is destroyed, and much

people of ours slain. So anon the king and the queen and the three

knights took their horses, and rode toward Humber to pass over it, and

the water was so rough that they were afraid to pass over. Now may ye

choose, said King Arthur, whether ye will abide and take the adventure

on this side, for an ye be taken they will slay you. It were me liefer,

said the queen, to die in the water than to fall in your enemies’ hands

and there be slain.

And as they stood so talking, Sir Kay saw the five kings coming on

horseback by themselves alone, with their spears in their hands even

toward them. Lo, said Sir Kay, yonder be the five kings; let us go to

them and match them. That were folly, said Sir Gawaine, for we are but

three and they be five. That is truth, said Sir Griflet. No force, said

Sir Kay, I will undertake for two of them, and then may ye three

undertake for the other three. And therewithal, Sir Kay let his horse

run as fast as he might, and struck one of them through the shield and

the body a fathom, that the king fell to the earth stark dead. That saw

Sir Gawaine, and ran unto another king so hard that he smote him

through the body. And therewithal King Arthur ran to another, and smote

him through the body with a spear, that he fell to the earth dead. Then

Sir Griflet ran unto the fourth king, and gave him such a fall that his

neck brake. Anon Sir Kay ran unto the fifth king, and smote him so hard

on the helm that the stroke clave the helm and the head to the earth.

That was well stricken, said King Arthur, and worshipfully hast thou

holden thy promise, therefore I shall honour thee while that I live.

And therewithal they set the queen in a barge into Humber; but always

Queen Guenever praised Sir Kay for his deeds, and said, What lady that

ye love, and she love you not again she were greatly to blame; and

among ladies, said the queen, I shall bear your noble fame, for ye

spake a great word, and fulfilled it worshipfully. And therewith the

queen departed.

Then the king and the three knights rode into the forest, for there

they supposed to hear of them that were escaped; and there he found the

most part of his people, and told them all how the five kings were

dead. And therefore let us hold us together till it be day, and when

their host have espied that their chieftains be slain, they will make

such dole that they shall no more help themselves. And right so as the

king said, so it was; for when they found the five kings dead, they

made such dole that they fell from their horses. Therewithal came King

Arthur but with a few people, and slew on the left hand and on the

right hand, that well-nigh there escaped no man, but all were slain to

the number thirty thousand. And when the battle was all ended, the king

kneeled down and thanked God meekly. And then he sent for the queen,

and soon she was come, and she made great joy of the overcoming of that

battle.

CHAPTER IV. How the battle was finished or he came, and how King Arthur

founded an abbey where the battle was.

Therewithal came one to King Arthur, and told him that King Pellinore

was within three mile with a great host; and he said, Go unto him, and

let him understand how we have sped. So within a while King Pellinore

came with a great host, and saluted the people and the king, and there

was great joy made on every side. Then the king let search how much

people of his party there was slain; and there were found but little

past two hundred men slain and eight knights of the Table Round in

their pavilions. Then the king let rear and devise in the same place

whereat the battle was done a fair abbey, and endowed it with great

livelihood, and let it call the Abbey of La Beale Adventure. But when

some of them came into their countries, whereof the five kings were

kings, and told them how they were slain, there was made great dole.

And all King Arthur’s enemies, as the King of North Wales, and the

kings of the North, [when they] wist of the battle, they were passing

heavy. And so the king returned unto Camelot in haste.

And when he was come to Camelot he called King Pellinore unto him, and

said, Ye understand well that we have lost eight knights of the best of

the Table Round, and by your advice we will choose eight again of the

best we may find in this court. Sir, said Pellinore, I shall counsel

you after my conceit the best: there are in your court full noble

knights both of old and young; and therefore by mine advice ye shall

choose half of the old and half of the young. Which be the old? said

King Arthur. Sir, said King Pellinore, meseemeth that King Uriens that

hath wedded your sister Morgan le Fay, and the King of the Lake, and

Sir Hervise de Revel, a noble knight, and Sir Galagars, the fourth.

This is well devised, said King Arthur, and right so shall it be. Now,

which are the four young knights? said Arthur. Sir, said Pellinore, the

first is Sir Gawaine, your nephew, that is as good a knight of his time

as any is in this land; and the second as meseemeth best is Sir Griflet

le Fise de Dieu, that is a good knight and full desirous in arms, and

who may see him live he shall prove a good knight; and the third as

meseemeth is well to be one of the knights of the Round Table, Sir Kay

the Seneschal, for many times he hath done full worshipfully, and now

at your last battle he did full honourably for to undertake to slay two

kings. By my head, said Arthur, he is best worth to be a knight of the

Round Table of any that ye have rehearsed, an he had done no more

prowess in his life days.

CHAPTER V. How Sir Tor was made knight of the Round Table, and how

Bagdemagus was displeased.

Now, said King Pellinore, I shall put to you two knights, and ye shall

choose which is most worthy, that is Sir Bagdemagus, and Sir Tor, my

son. But because Sir Tor is my son I may not praise him, but else, an

he were not my son, I durst say that of his age there is not in this

land a better knight than he is, nor of better conditions and loath to

do any wrong, and loath to take any wrong. By my head, said Arthur, he

is a passing good knight as any ye spake of this day, that wot I well,

said the king; for I have seen him proved, but he saith little and he

doth much more, for I know none in all this court an he were as well

born on his mother’s side as he is on your side, that is like him of

prowess and of might: and therefore I will have him at this time, and

leave Sir Bagdemagus till another time. So when they were so chosen by

the assent of all the barons, so were there found in their sieges every

knights’ names that here are rehearsed, and so were they set in their

sieges; whereof Sir Bagdemagus was wonderly wroth, that Sir Tor was

advanced afore him, and therefore suddenly he departed from the court,

and took his squire with him, and rode long in a forest till they came

to a cross, and there alighted and said his prayers devoutly. The

meanwhile his squire found written upon the cross, that Bagdemagus

should never return unto the court again, till he had won a knight’s

body of the Round Table, body for body. So, sir, said the squire, here

I find writing of you, therefore I rede you return again to the court.

That shall I never, said Bagdemagus, till men speak of me great

worship, and that I be worthy to be a knight of the Round Table. And so

he rode forth, and there by the way he found a branch of an holy herb

that was the sign of the Sangreal, and no knight found such tokens but

he were a good liver.

So, as Sir Bagdemagus rode to see many adventures, it happed him to

come to the rock whereas the Lady of the Lake had put Merlin under the

stone, and there he heard him make great dole; whereof Sir Bagdemagus

would have holpen him, and went unto the great stone, and it was so

heavy that an hundred men might not lift it up. When Merlin wist he was

there, he bade leave his labour, for all was in vain, for he might

never be holpen but by her that put him there. And so Bagdemagus

departed and did many adventures, and proved after a full good knight,

and came again to the court and was made knight of the Round Table. So

on the morn there fell new tidings and other adventures.

CHAPTER VI. How King Arthur, King Uriens, and Sir Accolon of Gaul,

chased an hart, and of their marvellous adventures.

Then it befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode a-hunting into

a great forest, and it happed King Arthur, King Uriens, and Sir Accolon

of Gaul, followed a great hart, for they three were well horsed, and so

they chased so fast that within a while they three were then ten mile

from their fellowship. And at the last they chased so sore that they

slew their horses underneath them. Then were they all three on foot,

and ever they saw the hart afore them passing weary and enbushed. What

will we do? said King Arthur, we are hard bestead. Let us go on foot,

said King Uriens, till we may meet with some lodging. Then were they

ware of the hart that lay on a great water bank, and a brachet biting

on his throat, and more other hounds came after. Then King Arthur blew

the prise and dight the hart.

Then the king looked about the world, and saw afore him in a great

water a little ship, all apparelled with silk down to the water, and

the ship came right unto them and landed on the sands. Then Arthur went

to the bank and looked in, and saw none earthly creature therein. Sirs,

said the king, come thence, and let us see what is in this ship. So

they went in all three, and found it richly behanged with cloth of

silk. By then it was dark night, and there suddenly were about them an

hundred torches set upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave

great light; and therewithal there came out twelve fair damosels and

saluted King Arthur on their knees, and called him by his name, and

said he was right welcome, and such cheer as they had he should have of

the best. The king thanked them fair. Therewithal they led the king and

his two fellows into a fair chamber, and there was a cloth laid, richly

beseen of all that longed unto a table, and there were they served of

all wines and meats that they could think; of that the king had great

marvel, for he fared never better in his life as for one supper. And so

when they had supped at their leisure, King Arthur was led into a

chamber, a richer beseen chamber saw he never none, and so was King

Uriens served, and led into such another chamber, and Sir Accolon was

led into the third chamber passing richly and well beseen; and so they

were laid in their beds easily. And anon they fell asleep, and slept

marvellously sore all the night. And on the morrow King Uriens was in

Camelot abed in his wife’s arms, Morgan le Fay. And when he awoke he

had great marvel, how he came there, for on the even afore he was two

days’ journey from Camelot. And when King Arthur awoke he found himself

in a dark prison, hearing about him many complaints of woful knights.

CHAPTER VII. How Arthur took upon him to fight to be delivered out of

prison, and also for to deliver twenty knights that were in prison.

What are ye that so complain? said King Arthur. We be here twenty

knights, prisoners, said they, and some of us have lain here seven

year, and some more and some less. For what cause? said Arthur. We

shall tell you, said the knights; this lord of this castle, his name is

Sir Damas, and he is the falsest knight that liveth, and full of

treason, and a very coward as any liveth, and he hath a younger

brother, a good knight of prowess, his name is Sir Ontzlake; and this

traitor Damas, the elder brother will give him no part of his

livelihood, but as Sir Ontzlake keepeth thorough prowess of his hands,

and so he keepeth from him a full fair manor and a rich, and therein

Sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully, and is well beloved of all people.

And this Sir Damas, our master is as evil beloved, for he is without

mercy, and he is a coward, and great war hath been betwixt them both,

but Ontzlake hath ever the better, and ever he proffereth Sir Damas to

fight for the livelihood, body for body, but he will not do; other-else

to find a knight to fight for him. Unto that Sir Damas had granted to

find a knight, but he is so evil beloved and hated, that there is never

a knight will fight for him. And when Damas saw this, that there was

never a knight would fight for him, he hath daily lain await with many

knights with him, and taken all the knights in this country to see and

espy their adventures, he hath taken them by force and brought them to

his prison. And so he took us separately as we rode on our adventures,

and many good knights have died in this prison for hunger, to the

number of eighteen knights; and if any of us all that here is, or hath

been, would have foughten with his brother Ontzlake, he would have

delivered us, but for because this Damas is so false and so full of

treason we would never fight for him to die for it. And we be so lean

for hunger that unnethe we may stand on our feet. God deliver you, for

his mercy, said Arthur.

Anon, therewithal there came a damosel unto Arthur, and asked him, What

cheer? I cannot say, said he. Sir, said she, an ye will fight for my

lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never the

life. Now, said Arthur, that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a

knight than to die in prison; with this, said Arthur, I may be

delivered and all these prisoners, I will do the battle. Yes, said the

damosel. I am ready, said Arthur, an I had horse and armour. Ye shall

lack none, said the damosel. Meseemeth, damosel, I should have seen you

in the court of Arthur. Nay said the damosel, I came never there, I am

the lord’s daughter of this castle. Yet was she false, for she was one

of the damosels of Morgan le Fay.

Anon she went unto Sir Damas, and told him how he would do battle for

him, and so he sent for Arthur. And when he came he was well coloured,

and well made of his limbs, that all knights that saw him said it were

pity that such a knight should die in prison. So Sir Damas and he were

agreed that he should fight for him upon this covenant, that all other

knights should be delivered; and unto that was Sir Damas sworn unto

Arthur, and also to do the battle to the uttermost. And with that all

the twenty knights were brought out of the dark prison into the hall,

and delivered, and so they all abode to see the battle.

CHAPTER VIII. How Accolon found himself by a well, and he took upon him

to do battle against Arthur.

Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that when he awoke he found himself

by a deep well-side, within half a foot, in great peril of death. And

there came out of that fountain a pipe of silver, and out of that pipe

ran water all on high in a stone of marble. When Sir Accolon saw this,

he blessed him and said, Jesus save my lord King Arthur, and King

Uriens, for these damosels in this ship have betrayed us, they were

devils and no women; and if I may escape this misadventure, I shall

destroy all where I may find these false damosels that use

enchantments. Right with that there came a dwarf with a great mouth and

a flat nose, and saluted Sir Accolon, and said how he came from Queen

Morgan le Fay, and she greeteth you well, and biddeth you be of strong

heart, for ye shall fight to morrow with a knight at the hour of prime,

and therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, Arthur’s sword, and the

scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to

the uttermost, without any mercy, like as ye had promised her when ye

spake together in privity; and what damosel that bringeth her the

knight’s head, which ye shall fight withal, she will make her a queen.

Now I understand you well, said Accolon, I shall hold that I have

promised her now I have the sword: when saw ye my lady Queen Morgan le

Fay? Right late, said the dwarf. Then Accolon took him in his arms and

said, Recommend me unto my lady queen, and tell her all shall be done

that I have promised her, and else I will die for it. Now I suppose,

said Accolon, she hath made all these crafts and enchantments for this

battle. Ye may well believe it, said the dwarf. Right so there came a

knight and a lady with six squires, and saluted Accolon, and prayed him

for to arise, and come and rest him at his manor. And so Accolon

mounted upon a void horse, and went with the knight unto a fair manor

by a priory, and there he had passing good cheer.

Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ontzlake, and bade make him

ready by to-morn at the hour of prime, and to be in the field to fight

with a good knight, for he had found a good knight that was ready to do

battle at all points. When this word came unto Sir Ontzlake he was

passing heavy, for he was wounded a little to-fore through both his

thighs with a spear, and made great dole; but as he was wounded, he

would have taken the battle on hand. So it happed at that time, by the

means of Morgan le Fay, Accolon was with Sir Ontzlake lodged; and when

he heard of that battle, and how Ontzlake was wounded, he said that he

would fight for him. Because Morgan le Fay had sent him Excalibur and

the sheath for to fight with the knight on the morn: this was the cause

Sir Accolon took the battle on hand. Then Sir Ontzlake was passing

glad, and thanked Sir Accolon with all his heart that he would do so

much for him. And therewithal Sir Ontzlake sent word unto his brother

Sir Damas, that he had a knight that for him should be ready in the

field by the hour of prime.

So on the morn Sir Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir

Damas, When shall we to the field? Sir, said Sir Damas, ye shall hear

mass. And so Arthur heard a mass, and when mass was done there came a

squire on a great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready,

for our knight is ready in the field. Then Sir Arthur mounted upon

horseback, and there were all the knights and commons of that country;

and so by all advices there were chosen twelve good men of the country

for to wait upon the two knights. And right as Arthur was on horseback

there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir Arthur a

sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur,

Morgan le Fay sendeth here your sword for great love. And he thanked

her, and weened it had been so, but she was false, for the sword and

the scabbard was counterfeit, and brittle, and false.

CHAPTER IX. Of the battle between King Arthur and Accolon.

And then they dressed them on both parties of the field, and let their

horses run so fast that either smote other in the midst of the shield

with their spear-heads, that both horse and man went to the earth; and

then they started up both, and pulled out their swords. The meanwhile

that they were thus at the battle, came the Damosel of the Lake into

the field, that put Merlin under the stone; and she came thither for

love of King Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le Fay had so ordained

that King Arthur should have been slain that day, and therefore she

came to save his life. And so they went eagerly to the battle, and gave

many great strokes, but always Arthur’s sword bit not like Accolon’s

sword; but for the most part, every stroke that Accolon gave he wounded

sore Arthur, that it was marvel he stood, and always his blood fell

from him fast.

When Arthur beheld the ground so sore be-bled he was dismayed, and then

he deemed treason that his sword was changed; for his sword bit not

steel as it was wont to do, therefore he dreaded him sore to be dead,

for ever him seemed that the sword in Accolon’s hand was Excalibur, for

at every stroke that Accolon struck he drew blood on Arthur. Now,

knight, said Accolon unto Arthur, keep thee well from me; but Arthur

answered not again, and gave him such a buffet on the helm that it made

him to stoop, nigh falling down to the earth. Then Sir Accolon withdrew

him a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, and smote Sir Arthur

such a buffet that he fell nigh to the earth. Then were they wroth

both, and gave each other many sore strokes, but always Sir Arthur lost

so much blood that it was marvel he stood on his feet, but he was so

full of knighthood that knightly he endured the pain. And Sir Accolon

lost not a deal of blood, therefore he waxed passing light, and Sir

Arthur was passing feeble, and weened verily to have died; but for all

that he made countenance as though he might endure, and held Accolon as

short as he might. But Accolon was so bold because of Excalibur that he

waxed passing hardy. But all men that beheld him said they saw never

knight fight so well as Arthur did considering the blood that he bled.

So was all the people sorry for him, but the two brethren would not

accord. Then always they fought together as fierce knights, and Sir

Arthur withdrew him a little for to rest him, and Sir Accolon called

him to battle and said, It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest.

And therewith he came fiercely upon Arthur, and Sir Arthur was wroth

for the blood that he had lost, and smote Accolon on high upon the

helm, so mightily, that he made him nigh to fall to the earth; and

therewith Arthur’s sword brast at the cross, and fell in the grass

among the blood, and the pommel and the sure handles he held in his

hands. When Sir Arthur saw that, he was in great fear to die, but

always he held up his shield and lost no ground, nor bated no cheer.

CHAPTER X. How King Arthur’s sword that he fought with brake, and how

he recovered of Accolon his own sword Excalibur, and overcame his

enemy.

Then Sir Accolon began with words of treason, and said, Knight, thou

art overcome, and mayst not endure, and also thou art weaponless, and

thou hast lost much of thy blood, and I am full loath to slay thee,

therefore yield thee to me as recreant. Nay, said Sir Arthur, I may not

so, for I have promised to do the battle to the uttermost by the faith

of my body, while me lasteth the life, and therefore I had liefer to

die with honour than to live with shame; and if it were possible for me

to die an hundred times, I had liefer to die so oft than yield me to

thee; for though I lack weapon, I shall lack no worship, and if thou

slay me weaponless that shall be thy shame. Well, said Accolon, as for

the shame I will not spare, now keep thee from me, for thou art but a

dead man. And therewith Accolon gave him such a stroke that he fell

nigh to the earth, and would have had Arthur to have cried him mercy.

But Sir Arthur pressed unto Accolon with his shield, and gave him with

the pommel in his hand such a buffet that he went three strides aback.

When the Damosel of the Lake beheld Arthur, how full of prowess his

body was, and the false treason that was wrought for him to have had

him slain, she had great pity that so good a knight and such a man of

worship should so be destroyed. And at the next stroke Sir Accolon

struck him such a stroke that by the damosel’s enchantment the sword

Excalibur fell out of Accolon’s hand to the earth. And therewithal Sir

Arthur lightly leapt to it, and gat it in his hand, and forthwithal he

knew that it was his sword Excalibur, and said, Thou hast been from me

all too long, and much damage hast thou done me; and therewith he

espied the scabbard hanging by his side, and suddenly he sterte to him

and pulled the scabbard from him, and threw it from him as far as he

might throw it. O knight, said Arthur, this day hast thou done me great

damage with this sword; now are ye come unto your death, for I shall

not warrant you but ye shall as well be rewarded with this sword, or

ever we depart, as thou hast rewarded me; for much pain have ye made me

to endure, and much blood have I lost. And therewith Sir Arthur rushed

on him with all his might and pulled him to the earth, and then rushed

off his helm, and gave him such a buffet on the head that the blood

came out at his ears, his nose, and his mouth. Now will I slay thee,

said Arthur. Slay me ye may well, said Accolon, an it please you, for

ye are the best knight that ever I found, and I see well that God is

with you. But for I promised to do this battle, said Accolon, to the

uttermost, and never to be recreant while I lived, therefore shall I

never yield me with my mouth, but God do with my body what he will.

Then Sir Arthur remembered him, and thought he should have seen this

knight. Now tell me, said Arthur, or I will slay thee, of what country

art thou, and of what court? Sir Knight, said Sir Accolon, I am of the

court of King Arthur, and my name is Accolon of Gaul. Then was Arthur

more dismayed than he was beforehand; for then he remembered him of his

sister Morgan le Fay, and of the enchantment of the ship. O sir knight,

said he, I pray you tell me who gave you this sword, and by whom ye had

it.

CHAPTER XI. How Accolon confessed the treason of Morgan le Fay, King

Arthur’s sister, and how she would have done slay him.

Then Sir Accolon bethought him, and said, Woe worth this sword, for by

it have I got my death. It may well be, said the king. Now, sir, said

Accolon, I will tell you; this sword hath been in my keeping the most

part of this twelvemonth; and Morgan le Fay, King Uriens’ wife, sent it

me yesterday by a dwarf, to this intent, that I should slay King

Arthur, her brother. For ye shall understand King Arthur is the man in

the world that she most hateth, because he is most of worship and of

prowess of any of her blood; also she loveth me out of measure as

paramour, and I her again; and if she might bring about to slay Arthur

by her crafts, she would slay her husband King Uriens lightly, and then

had she me devised to be king in this land, and so to reign, and she to

be my queen; but that is now done, said Accolon, for I am sure of my

death. Well, said Sir Arthur, I feel by you ye would have been king in

this land. It had been great damage to have destroyed your lord, said

Arthur. It is truth, said Accolon, but now I have told you truth,

wherefore I pray you tell me of whence ye are, and of what court? O

Accolon, said King Arthur, now I let thee wit that I am King Arthur, to

whom thou hast done great damage. When Accolon heard that he cried

aloud, Fair, sweet lord, have mercy on me, for I knew not you. O Sir

Accolon, said King Arthur, mercy shalt thou have, because I feel by thy

words at this time thou knewest not my person; but I understand well by

thy words that thou hast agreed to the death of my person, and

therefore thou art a traitor; but I wite thee the less, for my sister

Morgan le Fay by her false crafts made thee to agree and consent to her

false lusts, but I shall be sore avenged upon her an I live, that all

Christendom shall speak of it; God knoweth I have honoured her and

worshipped her more than all my kin, and more have I trusted her than

mine own wife and all my kin after.

Then Sir Arthur called the keepers of the field, and said, Sirs, come

hither, for here are we two knights that have fought unto a great

damage unto us both, and like each one of us to have slain other, if it

had happed so; and had any of us known other, here had been no battle,

nor stroke stricken. Then all aloud cried Accolon unto all the knights

and men that were then there gathered together, and said to them in

this manner, O lords, this noble knight that I have fought withal, the

which me sore repenteth, is the most man of prowess, of manhood, and of

worship in the world, for it is himself King Arthur, our alther liege

lord, and with mishap and with misadventure have I done this battle

with the king and lord that I am holden withal.

CHAPTER XII. How Arthur accorded the two brethren, and delivered the

twenty knights, and how Sir Accolon died.

Then all the people fell down on their knees and cried King Arthur

mercy. Mercy shall ye have, said Arthur: here may ye see what

adventures befall ofttime of errant knights, how that I have fought

with a knight of mine own unto my great damage and his both. But, sirs,

because I am sore hurt, and he both, and I had great need of a little

rest, ye shall understand the opinion betwixt you two brethren: As to

thee, Sir Damas, for whom I have been champion and won the field of

this knight, yet will I judge because ye, Sir Damas, are called an

orgulous knight, and full of villainy, and not worth of prowess your

deeds, therefore I will that ye give unto your brother all the whole

manor with the appurtenance, under this form, that Sir Ontzlake hold

the manor of you, and yearly to give you a palfrey to ride upon, for

that will become you better to ride on than upon a courser. Also I

charge thee, Sir Damas, upon pain of death, that thou never distress no

knights errant that ride on their adventure. And also that thou restore

these twenty knights that thou hast long kept prisoners, of all their

harness, that they be content for; and if any of them come to my court

and complain of thee, by my head thou shalt die therefore. Also, Sir

Ontzlake, as to you, because ye are named a good knight, and full of

prowess, and true and gentle in all your deeds, this shall be your

charge I will give you, that in all goodly haste ye come unto me and my

court, and ye shall be a knight of mine, and if your deeds be

thereafter I shall so prefer you, by the grace of God, that ye shall in

short time be in ease for to live as worshipfully as your brother Sir

Damas. God thank your largeness of your goodness and of your bounty, I

shall be from henceforward at all times at your commandment; for, sir,

said Sir Ontzlake, as God would, as I was hurt but late with an

adventurous knight through both my thighs, that grieved me sore, and

else had I done this battle with you. God would, said Arthur, it had

been so, for then had not I been hurt as I am. I shall tell you the

cause why: for I had not been hurt as I am, had it not been mine own

sword, that was stolen from me by treason; and this battle was ordained

aforehand to have slain me, and so it was brought to the purpose by

false treason, and by false enchantment. Alas, said Sir Ontzlake, that

is great pity that ever so noble a man as ye are of your deeds and

prowess, that any man or woman might find in their hearts to work any

treason against you. I shall reward them, said Arthur, in short time,

by the grace of God. Now, tell me, said Arthur, how far am I from

Camelot? Sir, ye are two days’ journey therefrom. I would fain be at

some place of worship, said Sir Arthur, that I might rest me. Sir, said

Sir Ontzlake, hereby is a rich abbey of your elders’ foundation, of

nuns, but three miles hence. So the king took his leave of all the

people, and mounted upon horseback, and Sir Accolon with him. And when

they were come to the abbey, he let fetch leeches and search his wounds

and Accolon’s both; but Sir Accolon died within four days, for he had

bled so much blood that he might not live, but King Arthur was well

recovered. So when Accolon was dead he let send him on an horse-bier

with six knights unto Camelot, and said: Bear him to my sister Morgan

le Fay, and say that I send her him to a present, and tell her I have

my sword Excalibur and the scabbard; so they departed with the body.

CHAPTER XIII. How Morgan would have slain Sir Uriens her husband, and

how Sir Uwaine her son saved him.

The meanwhile Morgan le Fay had weened King Arthur had been dead. So on

a day she espied King Uriens lay in his bed sleeping. Then she called

unto her a maiden of her counsel, and said, Go fetch me my lord’s

sword, for I saw never better time to slay him than now. O madam, said

the damosel, an ye slay my lord ye can never escape. Care not you, said

Morgan le Fay, for now I see my time in the which it is best to do it,

and therefore hie thee fast and fetch me the sword. Then the damosel

departed, and found Sir Uwaine sleeping upon a bed in another chamber,

so she went unto Sir Uwaine, and awaked him, and bade him, Arise, and

wait on my lady your mother, for she will slay the king your father

sleeping in his bed, for I go to fetch his sword. Well, said Sir

Uwaine, go on your way, and let me deal. Anon the damosel brought

Morgan the sword with quaking hands, and she lightly took the sword,

and pulled it out, and went boldly unto the bed’s side, and awaited how

and where she might slay him best. And as she lifted up the sword to

smite, Sir Uwaine leapt unto his mother, and caught her by the hand,

and said, Ah, fiend, what wilt thou do? An thou wert not my mother,

with this sword I should smite off thy head. Ah, said Sir Uwaine, men

saith that Merlin was begotten of a devil, but I may say an earthly

devil bare me. O fair son, Uwaine, have mercy upon me, I was tempted

with a devil, wherefore I cry thee mercy; I will never more do so; and

save my worship and discover me not. On this covenant, said Sir Uwaine,

I will forgive it you, so ye will never be about to do such deeds. Nay,

son, said she, and that I make you assurance.

CHAPTER XIV. How Queen Morgan le Fay made great sorrow for the death of

Accolon, and how she stole away the scabbard from Arthur.

Then came tidings unto Morgan le Fay that Accolon was dead, and his

body brought unto the church, and how King Arthur had his sword again.

But when Queen Morgan wist that Accolon was dead, she was so sorrowful

that near her heart to-brast. But because she would not it were known,

outward she kept her countenance, and made no semblant of sorrow. But

well she wist an she abode till her brother Arthur came thither, there

should no gold go for her life.

Then she went unto Queen Guenever, and asked her leave to ride into the

country. Ye may abide, said Queen Guenever, till your brother the king

come home. I may not, said Morgan le Fay, for I have such hasty

tidings, that I may not tarry. Well, said Guenever, ye may depart when

ye will. So early on the morn, or it was day, she took her horse and

rode all that day and most part of the night, and on the morn by noon

she came to the same abbey of nuns whereas lay King Arthur; and she

knowing he was there, she asked where he was. And they answered how he

had laid him in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little rest these

three nights. Well, said she, I charge you that none of you awake him

till I do, and then she alighted off her horse, and thought for to

steal away Excalibur his sword, and so she went straight unto his

chamber, and no man durst disobey her commandment, and there she found

Arthur asleep in his bed, and Excalibur in his right hand naked. When

she saw that she was passing heavy that she might not come by the sword

without she had awaked him, and then she wist well she had been dead.

Then she took the scabbard and went her way on horseback. When the king

awoke and missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and he asked who had been

there, and they said his sister, Queen Morgan had been there, and had

put the scabbard under her mantle and was gone. Alas, said Arthur,

falsely ye have watched me. Sir, said they all, we durst not disobey

your sister’s commandment. Ah, said the king, let fetch the best horse

may be found, and bid Sir Ontzlake arm him in all haste, and take

another good horse and ride with me. So anon the king and Ontzlake were

well armed, and rode after this lady, and so they came by a cross and

found a cowherd, and they asked the poor man if there came any lady

riding that way. Sir, said this poor man, right late came a lady riding

with a forty horses, and to yonder forest she rode. Then they spurred

their horses, and followed fast, and within a while Arthur had a sight

of Morgan le Fay; then he chased as fast as he might. When she espied

him following her, she rode a greater pace through the forest till she

came to a plain, and when she saw she might not escape, she rode unto a

lake thereby, and said, Whatsoever come of me, my brother shall not

have this scabbard. And then she let throw the scabbard in the deepest

of the water so it sank, for it was heavy of gold and precious stones.

Then she rode into a valley where many great stones were, and when she

saw she must be overtaken, she shaped herself, horse and man, by

enchantment unto a great marble stone. Anon withal came Sir Arthur and

Sir Ontzlake whereas the king might know his sister and her men, and

one knight from another. Ah, said the king, here may ye see the

vengeance of God, and now am I sorry that this misadventure is

befallen. And then he looked for the scabbard, but it would not be

found, so he returned to the abbey where he came from. So when Arthur

was gone she turned all into the likeliness as she and they were

before, and said, Sirs, now may we go where we will.

CHAPTER XV. How Morgan le Fay saved a knight that should have been

drowned, and how King Arthur returned home again.

Then said Morgan, Saw ye Arthur, my brother? Yea, said her knights,

right well, and that ye should have found an we might have stirred from

one stead, for by his armyvestal countenance he would have caused us to

have fled. I believe you, said Morgan. Anon after as she rode she met a

knight leading another knight on his horse before him, bound hand and

foot, blindfold, to have drowned him in a fountain. When she saw this

knight so bound, she asked him, What will ye do with that knight? Lady,

said he, I will drown him. For what cause? she asked. For I found him

with my wife, and she shall have the same death anon. That were pity,

said Morgan le Fay. Now, what say ye, knight, is it truth that he saith

of you? she said to the knight that should be drowned. Nay truly,

madam, he saith not right on me. Of whence be ye, said Morgan le Fay,

and of what country? I am of the court of King Arthur, and my name is

Manassen, cousin unto Accolon of Gaul. Ye say well, said she, and for

the love of him ye shall be delivered, and ye shall have your adversary

in the same case ye be in. So Manassen was loosed and the other knight

bound. And anon Manassen unarmed him, and armed himself in his harness,

and so mounted on horseback, and the knight afore him, and so threw him

into the fountain and drowned him. And then he rode unto Morgan again,

and asked if she would anything unto King Arthur. Tell him that I

rescued thee, not for the love of him but for the love of Accolon, and

tell him I fear him not while I can make me and them that be with me in

likeness of stones; and let him wit I can do much more when I see my

time. And so she departed into the country of Gore, and there was she

richly received, and made her castles and towns passing strong, for

always she dreaded much King Arthur.