When the king had well rested him at the abbey, he rode unto Camelot,

and found his queen and his barons right glad of his coming. And when

they heard of his strange adventures as is afore rehearsed, then all

had marvel of the falsehood of Morgan le Fay; many knights wished her

burnt. Then came Manassen to court and told the king of his adventure.

Well, said the king, she is a kind sister; I shall so be avenged on her

an I live, that all Christendom shall speak of it. So on the morn there

came a damosel from Morgan to the king, and she brought with her the

richest mantle that ever was seen in that court, for it was set as full

of precious stones as one might stand by another, and there were the

richest stones that ever the king saw. And the damosel said, Your

sister sendeth you this mantle, and desireth that ye should take this

gift of her; and in what thing she hath offended you, she will amend it

at your own pleasure. When the king beheld this mantle it pleased him

much, but he said but little.

CHAPTER XVI. How the Damosel of the Lake saved King Arthur from mantle

that should have burnt him.

With that came the Damosel of the Lake unto the king, and said, Sir, I

must speak with you in privity. Say on, said the king, what ye will.

Sir, said the damosel, put not on you this mantle till ye have seen

more, and in no wise let it not come on you, nor on no knight of yours,

till ye command the bringer thereof to put it upon her. Well, said King

Arthur, it shall be done as ye counsel me. And then he said unto the

damosel that came from his sister, Damosel, this mantle that ye have

brought me, I will see it upon you. Sir, she said, It will not beseem

me to wear a king’s garment. By my head, said Arthur, ye shall wear it

or it come on my back, or any man’s that here is. And so the king made

it to be put upon her, and forth withal she fell down dead, and never

more spake word after and burnt to coals. Then was the king wonderly

wroth, more than he was to-forehand, and said unto King Uriens, My

sister, your wife, is alway about to betray me, and well I wot either

ye, or my nephew, your son, is of counsel with her to have me

destroyed; but as for you, said the king to King Uriens, I deem not

greatly that ye be of her counsel, for Accolon confessed to me by his

own mouth, that she would have destroyed you as well as me, therefore I

hold you excused; but as for your son, Sir Uwaine, I hold him suspect,

therefore I charge you put him out of my court. So Sir Uwaine was

discharged. And when Sir Gawaine wist that, he made him ready to go

with him; and said, Whoso banisheth my cousin-germain shall banish me.

So they two departed, and rode into a great forest, and so they came to

an abbey of monks, and there were well lodged. But when the king wist

that Sir Gawaine was departed from the court, there was made great

sorrow among all the estates. Now, said Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, we

have lost two good knights for the love of one. So on the morn they

heard their masses in the abbey, and so they rode forth till that they

came to a great forest. Then was Sir Gawaine ware in a valley by a

turret [of] twelve fair damosels, and two knights armed on great

horses, and the damosels went to and fro by a tree. And then was Sir

Gawaine ware how there hung a white shield on that tree, and ever as

the damosels came by it they spit upon it, and some threw mire upon the

shield.

CHAPTER XVII. How Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine met with twelve fair

damosels, and how they complained on Sir Marhaus.

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine went and saluted them, and asked why

they did that despite to the shield. Sir, said the damosels, we shall

tell you. There is a knight in this country that owneth this white

shield, and he is a passing good man of his hands, but he hateth all

ladies and gentlewomen, and therefore we do all this despite to the

shield. I shall say you, said Sir Gawaine, it beseemeth evil a good

knight to despise all ladies and gentlewomen, and peradventure though

he hate you he hath some certain cause, and peradventure he loveth in

some other places ladies and gentlewomen, and to be loved again, an he

be such a man of prowess as ye speak of. Now, what is his name? Sir,

said they, his name is Marhaus, the king’s son of Ireland. I know him

well, said Sir Uwaine, he is a passing good knight as any is alive, for

I saw him once proved at a jousts where many knights were gathered, and

that time there might no man withstand him. Ah! said Sir Gawaine,

damosels, methinketh ye are to blame, for it is to suppose, he that

hung that shield there, he will not be long therefrom, and then may

those knights match him on horseback, and that is more your worship

than thus; for I will abide no longer to see a knight’s shield

dishonoured. And therewith Sir Uwaine and Gawaine departed a little

from them, and then were they ware where Sir Marhaus came riding on a

great horse straight toward them. And when the twelve damosels saw Sir

Marhaus they fled into the turret as they were wild, so that some of

them fell by the way. Then the one of the knights of the tower dressed

his shield, and said on high, Sir Marhaus, defend thee. And so they ran

together that the knight brake his spear on Marhaus, and Marhaus smote

him so hard that he brake his neck and the horse’s back. That saw the

other knight of the turret, and dressed him toward Marhaus, and they

met so eagerly together that the knight of the turret was soon smitten

down, horse and man, stark dead.

CHAPTER XVIII. How Sir Marhaus jousted with Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine,

and overthrew them both.

And then Sir Marhaus rode unto his shield, and saw how it was defouled,

and said, Of this despite I am a part avenged, but for her love that

gave me this white shield I shall wear thee, and hang mine where thou

wast; and so he hanged it about his neck. Then he rode straight unto

Sir Gawaine and to Sir Uwaine, and asked them what they did there? They

answered him that they came from King Arthur’s court to see adventures.

Well, said Sir Marhaus, here am I ready, an adventurous knight that

will fulfil any adventure that ye will desire; and so departed from

them, to fetch his range. Let him go, said Sir Uwaine unto Sir Gawaine,

for he is a passing good knight as any is living; I would not by my

will that any of us were matched with him. Nay, said Sir Gawaine, not

so, it were shame to us were he not assayed, were he never so good a

knight. Well, said Sir Uwaine, I will assay him afore you, for I am

more weaker than ye, and if he smite me down then may ye revenge me. So

these two knights came together with great raundon, that Sir Uwaine

smote Sir Marhaus that his spear brast in pieces on the shield, and Sir

Marhaus smote him so sore that horse and man he bare to the earth, and

hurt Sir Uwaine on the left side.

Then Sir Marhaus turned his horse and rode toward Gawaine with his

spear, and when Sir Gawaine saw that he dressed his shield, and they

aventred their spears, and they came together with all the might of

their horses, that either knight smote other so hard in midst of their

shields, but Sir Gawaine’s spear brake, but Sir Marhaus’ spear held;

and therewith Sir Gawaine and his horse rushed down to the earth. And

lightly Sir Gawaine rose on his feet, and pulled out his sword, and

dressed him toward Sir Marhaus on foot, and Sir Marhaus saw that, and

pulled out his sword and began to come to Sir Gawaine on horseback. Sir

knight, said Sir Gawaine, alight on foot, or else I will slay thy

horse. Gramercy, said Sir Marhaus, of your gentleness ye teach me

courtesy, for it is not for one knight to be on foot, and the other on

horseback. And therewith Sir Marhaus set his spear against a tree and

alighted and tied his horse to a tree, and dressed his shield, and

either came unto other eagerly, and smote together with their swords

that their shields flew in cantels, and they bruised their helms and

their hauberks, and wounded either other. But Sir Gawaine from it

passed nine of the clock waxed ever stronger and stronger, for then it

came to the hour of noon, and thrice his might was increased. All this

espied Sir Marhaus and had great wonder how his might increased, and so

they wounded other passing sore. And then when it was past noon, and

when it drew toward evensong, Sir Gawaine’s strength feebled, and waxed

passing faint that unnethes he might dure any longer, and Sir Marhaus

was then bigger and bigger. Sir knight, said Sir Marhaus, I have well

felt that ye are a passing good knight and a marvellous man of might as

ever I felt any, while it lasteth, and our quarrels are not great, and

therefore it were pity to do you hurt, for I feel ye are passing

feeble. Ah, said Sir Gawaine, gentle knight, ye say the word that I

should say. And therewith they took off their helms, and either kissed

other, and there they swore together either to love other as brethren.

And Sir Marhaus prayed Sir Gawaine to lodge with him that night. And so

they took their horses, and rode toward Sir Marhaus’ house. And as they

rode by the way, Sir knight, said Sir Gawaine, I have marvel that so

valiant a man as ye be love no ladies nor damosels. Sir, said Sir

Marhaus, they name me wrongfully those that give me that name, but well

I wot it be the damosels of the turret that so name me, and other such

as they be. Now shall I tell you for what cause I hate them: for they

be sorceresses and enchanters many of them, and be a knight never so

good of his body and full of prowess as man may be, they will make him

a stark coward to have the better of him, and this is the principal

cause that I hate them; and to all good ladies and gentlewomen I owe my

service as a knight ought to do.

As the book rehearseth in French, there were many knights that

overmatched Sir Gawaine, for all the thrice might that he had: Sir

Launcelot de Lake, Sir Tristram, Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Percivale, Sir

Pelleas, and Sir Marhaus, these six knights had the better of Sir

Gawaine. Then within a little while they came to Sir Marhaus’ place,

which was in a little priory, and there they alighted, and ladies and

damosels unarmed them, and hastily looked to their hurts, for they were

all three hurt. And so they had all three good lodging with Sir

Marhaus, and good cheer; for when he wist that they were King Arthur’s

sister’s sons he made them all the cheer that lay in his power, and so

they sojourned there a sennight, and were well eased of their wounds,

and at the last departed. Now, said Sir Marhaus, we will not depart so

lightly, for I will bring you through the forest; and rode day by day

well a seven days or they found any adventure. At the last they came

into a great forest, that was named the country and forest of Arroy,

and the country of strange adventures. In this country, said Sir

Marhaus, came never knight since it was christened but he found strange

adventures; and so they rode, and came into a deep valley full of

stones, and thereby they saw a fair stream of water; above thereby was

the head of the stream a fair fountain, and three damosels sitting

thereby. And then they rode to them, and either saluted other, and the

eldest had a garland of gold about her head, and she was three score

winter of age or more, and her hair was white under the garland. The

second damosel was of thirty winter of age, with a circlet of gold

about her head. The third damosel was but fifteen year of age, and a

garland of flowers about her head. When these knights had so beheld

them, they asked them the cause why they sat at that fountain? We be

here, said the damosels, for this cause: if we may see any errant

knights, to teach them unto strange adventures; and ye be three knights

that seek adventures, and we be three damosels, and therefore each one

of you must choose one of us; and when ye have done so we will lead you

unto three highways, and there each of you shall choose a way and his

damosel with him. And this day twelvemonth ye must meet here again, and

God send you your lives, and thereto ye must plight your troth. This is

well said, said Sir Marhaus.

CHAPTER XIX. How Sir Marhaus, Sir Gawaine, and Sir Uwaine met three

damosels, and each of them took one.

Now shall everych of us choose a damosel. I shall tell you, said Sir

Uwaine, I am the youngest and most weakest of you both, therefore I

will have the eldest damosel, for she hath seen much, and can best help

me when I have need, for I have most need of help of you both. Now,

said Sir Marhaus, I will have the damosel of thirty winter age, for she

falleth best to me. Well, said Sir Gawaine, I thank you, for ye have

left me the youngest and the fairest, and she is most liefest to me.

Then every damosel took her knight by the reins of his bridle, and

brought him to the three ways, and there was their oath made to meet at

the fountain that day twelvemonth an they were living, and so they

kissed and departed, and each knight set his lady behind him. And Sir

Uwaine took the way that lay west, and Sir Marhaus took the way that

lay south, and Sir Gawaine took the way that lay north. Now will we

begin at Sir Gawaine, that held that way till that he came unto a fair

manor, where dwelled an old knight and a good householder, and there

Sir Gawaine asked the knight if he knew any adventures in that country.

I shall show you some to-morn, said the old knight, and that

marvellous. So, on the morn they rode into the forest of adventures to

a laund, and thereby they found a cross, and as they stood and hoved

there came by them the fairest knight and the seemliest man that ever

they saw, making the greatest dole that ever man made. And then he was

ware of Sir Gawaine, and saluted him, and prayed God to send him much

worship. As to that, said Sir Gawaine, gramercy; also I pray to God

that he send you honour and worship. Ah, said the knight, I may lay

that aside, for sorrow and shame cometh to me after worship.

CHAPTER XX. How a knight and a dwarf strove for a lady.

And therewith he passed unto the one side of the laund; and on the

other side saw Sir Gawaine ten knights that hoved still and made them

ready with their shields and spears against that one knight that came

by Sir Gawaine.

Then this one knight aventred a great spear, and one of the ten knights

encountered with him, but this woful knight smote him so hard that he

fell over his horse’s tail. So this same dolorous knight served them

all, that at the leastway he smote down horse and man, and all he did

with one spear; and so when they were all ten on foot, they went to

that one knight, and he stood stone still, and suffered them to pull

him down off his horse, and bound him hand and foot, and tied him under

the horse’s belly, and so led him with them. O Jesu! said Sir Gawaine,

this is a doleful sight, to see the yonder knight so to be entreated,

and it seemeth by the knight that he suffereth them to bind him so, for

he maketh no resistance. No, said his host, that is truth, for an he

would they all were too weak so to do him. Sir, said the damosel unto

Sir Gawaine, meseemeth it were your worship to help that dolorous

knight, for methinketh he is one of the best knights that ever I saw. I

would do for him, said Sir Gawaine, but it seemeth he will have no

help. Then, said the damosel, methinketh ye have no lust to help him.

Thus as they talked they saw a knight on the other side of the laund

all armed save the head. And on the other side there came a dwarf on

horseback all armed save the head, with a great mouth and a short nose;

and when the dwarf came nigh he said, Where is the lady should meet us

here? and therewithal she came forth out of the wood. And then they

began to strive for the lady; for the knight said he would have her,

and the dwarf said he would have her. Will we do well? said the dwarf;

yonder is a knight at the cross, let us put it both upon him, and as he

deemeth so shall it be. I will well, said the knight, and so they went

all three unto Sir Gawaine and told him wherefore they strove. Well,

sirs, said he, will ye put the matter in my hand? Yea, they said both.

Now damosel, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall stand betwixt them both, and

whether ye list better to go to, he shall have you. And when she was

set between them both, she left the knight and went to the dwarf, and

the dwarf took her and went his way singing, and the knight went his

way with great mourning.

Then came there two knights all armed, and cried on high, Sir Gawaine!

knight of King Arthur’s, make thee ready in all haste and joust with

me. So they ran together, that either fell down, and then on foot they

drew their swords, and did full actually. The meanwhile the other

knight went to the damosel, and asked her why she abode with that

knight, and if ye would abide with me, I will be your faithful knight.

And with you will I be, said the damosel, for with Sir Gawaine I may

not find in mine heart to be with him; for now here was one knight

discomfited ten knights, and at the last he was cowardly led away; and

therefore let us two go whilst they fight. And Sir Gawaine fought with

that other knight long, but at the last they accorded both. And then

the knight prayed Sir Gawaine to lodge with him that night. So as Sir

Gawaine went with this knight he asked him, What knight is he in this

country that smote down the ten knights? For when he had done so

manfully he suffered them to bind him hand and foot, and so led him

away. Ah, said the knight, that is the best knight I trow in the world,

and the most man of prowess, and he hath been served so as he was even

more than ten times, and his name hight Sir Pelleas, and he loveth a

great lady in this country and her name is Ettard. And so when he loved

her there was cried in this country a great jousts three days, and all

the knights of this country were there and gentlewomen, and who that

proved him the best knight should have a passing good sword and a

circlet of gold, and the circlet the knight should give it to the

fairest lady that was at the jousts. And this knight Sir Pelleas was

the best knight that was there, and there were five hundred knights,

but there was never man that ever Sir Pelleas met withal but he struck

him down, or else from his horse; and every day of three days he struck

down twenty knights, therefore they gave him the prize, and forthwithal

he went thereas the Lady Ettard was, and gave her the circlet, and said

openly she was the fairest lady that there was, and that would he prove

upon any knight that would say nay.

CHAPTER XXI. How King Pelleas suffered himself to be taken prisoner

because he would have a sight of his lady, and how Sir Gawaine promised

him to get to him the love of his lady.

And so he chose her for his sovereign lady, and never to love other but

her, but she was so proud that she had scorn of him, and said that she

would never love him though he would die for her. Wherefore all ladies

and gentlewomen had scorn of her that she was so proud, for there were

fairer than she, and there was none that was there but an Sir Pelleas

would have proffered them love, they would have loved him for his noble

prowess. And so this knight promised the Lady Ettard to follow her into

this country, and never to leave her till she loved him. And thus he is

here the most part nigh her, and lodged by a priory, and every week she

sendeth knights to fight with him. And when he hath put them to the

worse, then will he suffer them wilfully to take him prisoner, because

he would have a sight of this lady. And always she doth him great

despite, for sometime she maketh her knights to tie him to his horse’s

tail, and some to bind him under the horse’s belly; thus in the most

shamefullest ways that she can think he is brought to her. And all she

doth it for to cause him to leave this country, and to leave his

loving; but all this cannot make him to leave, for an he would have

fought on foot he might have had the better of the ten knights as well

on foot as on horseback. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, it is great pity of

him; and after this night I will seek him to-morrow, in this forest, to

do him all the help I can. So on the morn Sir Gawaine took his leave of

his host Sir Carados, and rode into the forest; and at the last he met

with Sir Pelleas, making great moan out of measure, so each of them

saluted other, and asked him why he made such sorrow. And as it is

above rehearsed, Sir Pelleas told Sir Gawaine: But always I suffer her

knights to fare so with me as ye saw yesterday, in trust at the last to

win her love, for she knoweth well all her knights should not lightly

win me, an me list to fight with them to the uttermost. Wherefore an I

loved her not so sore, I had liefer die an hundred times, an I might

die so oft, rather than I would suffer that despite; but I trust she

will have pity upon me at the last, for love causeth many a good knight

to suffer to have his entent, but alas I am unfortunate. And therewith

he made so great dole and sorrow that unnethe he might hold him on

horseback.

Now, said Sir Gawaine, leave your mourning and I shall promise you by

the faith of my body to do all that lieth in my power to get you the

love of your lady, and thereto I will plight you my troth. Ah, said Sir

Pelleas, of what court are ye? tell me, I pray you, my good friend. And

then Sir Gawaine said, I am of the court of King Arthur, and his

sister’s son, and King Lot of Orkney was my father, and my name is Sir

Gawaine. And then he said, My name is Sir Pelleas, born in the Isles,

and of many isles I am lord, and never have I loved lady nor damosel

till now in an unhappy time; and, sir knight, since ye are so nigh

cousin unto King Arthur, and a king’s son, therefore betray me not but

help me, for I may never come by her but by some good knight, for she

is in a strong castle here, fast by within this four mile, and over all

this country she is lady of. And so I may never come to her presence,

but as I suffer her knights to take me, and but if I did so that I

might have a sight of her, I had been dead long or this time; and yet

fair word had I never of her, but when I am brought to-fore her she

rebuketh me in the foulest manner. And then they take my horse and

harness and put me out of the gates, and she will not suffer me to eat

nor drink; and always I offer me to be her prisoner, but that she will

not suffer me, for I would desire no more, what pains so ever I had, so

that I might have a sight of her daily. Well, said Sir Gawaine, all

this shall I amend an ye will do as I shall devise: I will have your

horse and your armour, and so will I ride unto her castle and tell her

that I have slain you, and so shall I come within her to cause her to

cherish me, and then shall I do my true part that ye shall not fail to

have the love of her.

CHAPTER XXII. How Sir Gawaine came to the Lady Ettard, and how Sir

Pelleas found them sleeping.

And therewith Sir Gawaine plight his troth unto Sir Pelleas to be true

and faithful unto him; so each one plight their troth to other, and so

they changed horses and harness, and Sir Gawaine departed, and came to

the castle whereas stood the pavilions of this lady without the gate.

And as soon as Ettard had espied Sir Gawaine she fled in toward the

castle. Sir Gawaine spake on high, and bade her abide, for he was not

Sir Pelleas; I am another knight that have slain Sir Pelleas. Do off

your helm, said the Lady Ettard, that I may see your visage. And so

when she saw that it was not Sir Pelleas, she bade him alight and led

him unto her castle, and asked him faithfully whether he had slain Sir

Pelleas. And he said her yea, and told her his name was Sir Gawaine of

the court of King Arthur, and his sister’s son. Truly, said she, that

is great pity, for he was a passing good knight of his body, but of all

men alive I hated him most, for I could never be quit of him; and for

ye have slain him I shall be your woman, and to do anything that might

please you. So she made Sir Gawaine good cheer. Then Sir Gawaine said

that he loved a lady and by no means she would love him. She is to

blame, said Ettard, an she will not love you, for ye that be so well

born a man, and such a man of prowess, there is no lady in the world

too good for you. Will ye, said Sir Gawaine, promise me to do all that

ye may, by the faith of your body, to get me the love of my lady? Yea,

sir, said she, and that I promise you by the faith of my body. Now,

said Sir Gawaine, it is yourself that I love so well, therefore I pray

you hold your promise. I may not choose, said the Lady Ettard, but if I

should be forsworn; and so she granted him to fulfil all his desire.

So it was then in the month of May that she and Sir Gawaine went out of

the castle and supped in a pavilion, and there was made a bed, and

there Sir Gawaine and the Lady Ettard went to bed together, and in

another pavilion she laid her damosels, and in the third pavilion she

laid part of her knights, for then she had no dread of Sir Pelleas. And

there Sir Gawaine lay with her in that pavilion two days and two

nights. And on the third day, in the morning early, Sir Pelleas armed

him, for he had never slept since Sir Gawaine departed from him; for

Sir Gawaine had promised him by the faith of his body, to come to him

unto his pavilion by that priory within the space of a day and a night.

Then Sir Pelleas mounted upon horseback, and came to the pavilions that

stood without the castle, and found in the first pavilion three knights

in three beds, and three squires lying at their feet. Then went he to

the second pavilion and found four gentlewomen lying in four beds. And

then he yede to the third pavilion and found Sir Gawaine lying in bed

with his Lady Ettard, and either clipping other in arms, and when he

saw that his heart well-nigh brast for sorrow, and said: Alas! that

ever a knight should be found so false; and then he took his horse and

might not abide no longer for pure sorrow. And when he had ridden nigh

half a mile he turned again and thought to slay them both; and when he

saw them both so lie sleeping fast, unnethe he might hold him on

horseback for sorrow, and said thus to himself, Though this knight be

never so false, I will never slay him sleeping, for I will never

destroy the high order of knighthood; and therewith he departed again.

And or he had ridden half a mile he returned again, and thought then to

slay them both, making the greatest sorrow that ever man made. And when

he came to the pavilions, he tied his horse unto a tree, and pulled out

his sword naked in his hand, and went to them thereas they lay, and yet

he thought it were shame to slay them sleeping, and laid the naked

sword overthwart both their throats, and so took his horse and rode his

way.

And when Sir Pelleas came to his pavilions he told his knights and his

squires how he had sped, and said thus to them, For your true and good

service ye have done me I shall give you all my goods, for I will go

unto my bed and never arise until I am dead. And when that I am dead I

charge you that ye take the heart out of my body and bear it her

betwixt two silver dishes, and tell her how I saw her lie with the

false knight Sir Gawaine. Right so Sir Pelleas unarmed himself, and

went unto his bed making marvellous dole and sorrow.

When Sir Gawaine and Ettard awoke of their sleep, and found the naked

sword overthwart their throats, then she knew well it was Sir Pelleas’

sword. Alas! said she to Sir Gawaine, ye have betrayed me and Sir

Pelleas both, for ye told me ye had slain him, and now I know well it

is not so, he is alive. And if Sir Pelleas had been as uncourteous to

you as ye have been to him ye had been a dead knight; but ye have

deceived me and betrayed me falsely, that all ladies and damosels may

beware by you and me. And therewith Sir Gawaine made him ready, and

went into the forest. So it happed then that the Damosel of the Lake,

Nimue, met with a knight of Sir Pelleas, that went on his foot in the

forest making great dole, and she asked him the cause. And so the woful

knight told her how his master and lord was betrayed through a knight

and lady, and how he will never arise out of his bed till he be dead.

Bring me to him, said she anon, and I will warrant his life he shall

not die for love, and she that hath caused him so to love, she shall be

in as evil plight as he is or it be long to, for it is no joy of such a

proud lady that will have no mercy of such a valiant knight. Anon that

knight brought her unto him, and when she saw him lie in his bed, she

thought she saw never so likely a knight; and therewith she threw an

enchantment upon him, and he fell asleep. And therewhile she rode unto

the Lady Ettard, and charged no man to awake him till she came again.

So within two hours she brought the Lady Ettard thither, and both

ladies found him asleep: Lo, said the Damosel of the Lake, ye ought to

be ashamed for to murder such a knight. And therewith she threw such an

enchantment upon her that she loved him sore, that well-nigh she was

out of her mind. O Lord Jesu, said the Lady Ettard, how is it befallen

unto me that I love now him that I have most hated of any man alive?

That is the righteous judgment of God, said the damosel. And then anon

Sir Pelleas awaked and looked upon Ettard; and when he saw her he knew

her, and then he hated her more than any woman alive, and said: Away,

traitress, come never in my sight. And when she heard him say so, she

wept and made great sorrow out of measure.

CHAPTER XXIII. How Sir Pelleas loved no more Ettard by means of the

Damosel of the Lake, whom he loved ever after.

Sir knight Pelleas, said the Damosel of the Lake, take your horse and

come forth with me out of this country, and ye shall love a lady that

shall love you. I will well, said Sir Pelleas, for this Lady Ettard

hath done me great despite and shame, and there he told her the

beginning and ending, and how he had purposed never to have arisen till

that he had been dead. And now such grace God hath sent me, that I hate

her as much as ever I loved her, thanked be our Lord Jesus! Thank me,

said the Damosel of the Lake. Anon Sir Pelleas armed him, and took his

horse, and commanded his men to bring after his pavilions and his stuff

where the Damosel of the Lake would assign. So the Lady Ettard died for

sorrow, and the Damosel of the Lake rejoiced Sir Pelleas, and loved

together during their life days.

CHAPTER XXIV. How Sir Marhaus rode with the damosel, and how he came to

the Duke of the South Marches.

Now turn we unto Sir Marhaus, that rode with the damosel of thirty

winter of age, southward. And so they came into a deep forest, and by

fortune they were nighted, and rode long in a deep way, and at the last

they came unto a courtelage, and there they asked harbour. But the man

of the courtelage would not lodge them for no treatise that they could

treat, but thus much the good man said, An ye will take the adventure

of your lodging, I shall bring you where ye shall be lodged. What

adventure is that that I shall have for my lodging? said Sir Marhaus.

Ye shall wit when ye come there, said the good man. Sir, what adventure

so it be, bring me thither I pray thee, said Sir Marhaus; for I am

weary, my damosel, and my horse. So the good man went and opened the

gate, and within an hour he brought him unto a fair castle, and then

the poor man called the porter, and anon he was let into the castle,

and so he told the lord how he brought him a knight errant and a

damosel that would be lodged with him. Let him in, said the lord, it

may happen he shall repent that they took their lodging here.

So Sir Marhaus was let in with torchlight, and there was a goodly sight

of young men that welcomed him. And then his horse was led into the

stable, and he and the damosel were brought into the hall, and there

stood a mighty duke and many goodly men about him. Then this lord asked

him what he hight, and from whence he came, and with whom he dwelt.

Sir, he said, I am a knight of King Arthur’s and knight of the Table

Round, and my name is Sir Marhaus, and born I am in Ireland. And then

said the duke to him, That me sore repenteth: the cause is this, for I

love not thy lord nor none of thy fellows of the Table Round; and

therefore ease thyself this night as well as thou mayest, for as

to-morn I and my six sons shall match with you. Is there no remedy but

that I must have ado with you and your six sons at once? said Sir

Marhaus. No, said the duke, for this cause I made mine avow, for Sir

Gawaine slew my seven sons in a recounter, therefore I made mine avow,

there should never knight of King Arthur’s court lodge with me, or come

thereas I might have ado with him, but that I would have a revenging of

my sons’ death. What is your name? said Sir Marhaus; I require you tell

me, an it please you. Wit thou well I am the Duke of South Marches. Ah,

said Sir Marhaus, I have heard say that ye have been long time a great

foe unto my lord Arthur and to his knights. That shall ye feel to-morn,

said the duke. Shall I have ado with you? said Sir Marhaus. Yea, said

the duke, thereof shalt thou not choose, and therefore take you to your

chamber, and ye shall have all that to you longeth. So Sir Marhaus

departed and was led to a chamber, and his damosel was led unto her

chamber. And on the morn the duke sent unto Sir Marhaus and bade make

him ready. And so Sir Marhaus arose and armed him, and then there was a

mass sung afore him, and brake his fast, and so mounted on horseback in

the court of the castle where they should do the battle. So there was

the duke all ready on horseback, clean armed, and his six sons by him,

and everych had a spear in his hand, and so they encountered, whereas

the duke and his two sons brake their spears upon him, but Sir Marhaus

held up his spear and touched none of them.

CHAPTER XXV. How Sir Marhaus fought with the duke and his four sons and

made them to yield them.

Then came the four sons by couple, and two of them brake their spears,

and so did the other two. And all this while Sir Marhaus touched them

not. Then Sir Marhaus ran to the duke, and smote him with his spear

that horse and man fell to the earth, and so he served his sons; and

then Sir Marhaus alighted down and bade the duke yield him or else he

would slay him. And then some of his sons recovered, and would have set

upon Sir Marhaus; then Sir Marhaus said to the duke, Cease thy sons, or

else I will do the uttermost to you all. Then the duke saw he might not

escape the death, he cried to his sons, and charged them to yield them

to Sir Marhaus; and they kneeled all down and put the pommels of their

swords to the knight, and so he received them. And then they helped up

their father, and so by their cominal assent promised to Sir Marhaus

never to be foes unto King Arthur, and thereupon at Whitsuntide after

to come, he and his sons, and put them in the king’s grace.

Then Sir Marhaus departed, and within two days his damosel brought him

whereas was a great tournament that the Lady de Vawse had cried. And

who that did best should have a rich circlet of gold worth a thousand

besants. And there Sir Marhaus did so nobly that he was renowned, and

had sometime down forty knights, and so the circlet of gold was

rewarded him. Then he departed from them with great worship; and so

within seven nights his damosel brought him to an earl’s place, his

name was the Earl Fergus, that after was Sir Tristram’s knight; and

this earl was but a young man, and late come into his lands, and there

was a giant fast by him that hight Taulurd, and he had another brother

in Cornwall that hight Taulas, that Sir Tristram slew when he was out

of his mind. So this earl made his complaint unto Sir Marhaus, that

there was a giant by him that destroyed all his lands, and how he durst

nowhere ride nor go for him. Sir, said the knight, whether useth he to

fight on horseback or on foot? Nay, said the earl, there may no horse

bear him. Well, said Sir Marhaus, then will I fight with him on foot;

so on the morn Sir Marhaus prayed the earl that one of his men might

bring him whereas the giant was; and so he was, for he saw him sit

under a tree of holly, and many clubs of iron and gisarms about him. So

this knight dressed him to the giant, putting his shield afore him, and

the giant took an iron club in his hand, and at the first stroke he

clave Sir Marhaus’ shield in two pieces. And there he was in great

peril, for the giant was a wily fighter, but at last Sir Marhaus smote

off his right arm above the elbow.

Then the giant fled and the knight after him, and so he drove him into

a water, but the giant was so high that he might not wade after him.

And then Sir Marhaus made the Earl Fergus’ man to fetch him stones, and

with those stones the knight gave the giant many sore knocks, till at

the last he made him fall down into the water, and so was he there

dead. Then Sir Marhaus went unto the giant’s castle, and there he

delivered twenty-four ladies and twelve knights out of the giant’s

prison, and there he had great riches without number, so that the days

of his life he was never poor man. Then he returned to the Earl Fergus,

the which thanked him greatly, and would have given him half his lands,

but he would none take. So Sir Marhaus dwelled with the earl nigh half

a year, for he was sore bruised with the giant, and at the last he took

his leave. And as he rode by the way, he met with Sir Gawaine and Sir

Uwaine, and so by adventure he met with four knights of Arthur’s court,

the first was Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Osanna, Sir Dodinas le

Savage, and Sir Felot of Listinoise; and there Sir Marhaus with one

spear smote down these four knights, and hurt them sore. So he departed

to meet at his day aforeset.

CHAPTER XXVI. How Sir Uwaine rode with the damosel of sixty year of

age, and how he gat the prize at tourneying.

Now turn we unto Sir Uwaine, that rode westward with his damosel of

three score winter of age, and she brought him thereas was a tournament

nigh the march of Wales. And at that tournament Sir Uwaine smote down

thirty knights, therefore was given him the prize, and that was a

gerfalcon, and a white steed trapped with cloth of gold. So then Sir

Uwaine did many strange adventures by the means of the old damosel, and

so she brought him to a lady that was called the Lady of the Rock, the

which was much courteous. So there were in the country two knights that

were brethren, and they were called two perilous knights, the one

knight hight Sir Edward of the Red Castle, and the other Sir Hue of the

Red Castle; and these two brethren had disherited the Lady of the Rock

of a barony of lands by their extortion. And as this knight was lodged

with this lady she made her complaint to him of these two knights.

Madam, said Sir Uwaine, they are to blame, for they do against the high

order of knighthood, and the oath that they made; and if it like you I

will speak with them, because I am a knight of King Arthur’s, and I

will entreat them with fairness; and if they will not, I shall do

battle with them, and in the defence of your right. Gramercy said the

lady, and thereas I may not acquit you, God shall. So on the morn the

two knights were sent for, that they should come thither to speak with

the Lady of the Rock, and wit ye well they failed not, for they came

with an hundred horse. But when this lady saw them in this manner so

big, she would not suffer Sir Uwaine to go out to them upon no surety

nor for no fair language, but she made him speak with them over a

tower, but finally these two brethren would not be entreated, and

answered that they would keep that they had. Well, said Sir Uwaine,

then will I fight with one of you, and prove that ye do this lady

wrong. That will we not, said they, for an we do battle, we two will

fight with one knight at once, and therefore if ye will fight so, we

will be ready at what hour ye will assign. And if ye win us in battle

the lady shall have her lands again. Ye say well, said Sir Uwaine,

therefore make you ready so that ye be here to-morn in the defence of

the lady’s right.

CHAPTER XXVII. How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights and overcame

them.

So was there sikerness made on both parties that no treason should be

wrought on neither party; so then the knights departed and made them

ready, and that night Sir Uwaine had great cheer. And on the morn he

arose early and heard mass, and brake his fast, and so he rode unto the

plain without the gates, where hoved the two brethren abiding him. So

they rode together passing sore, that Sir Edward and Sir Hue brake

their spears upon Sir Uwaine. And Sir Uwaine smote Sir Edward that he

fell over his horse and yet his spear brast not. And then he spurred

his horse and came upon Sir Hue and overthrew him, but they soon

recovered and dressed their shields and drew their swords and bade Sir

Uwaine alight and do his battle to the uttermost. Then Sir Uwaine

devoided his horse suddenly, and put his shield afore him and drew his

sword, and so they dressed together, and either gave other such

strokes, and there these two brethren wounded Sir Uwaine passing

grievously that the Lady of the Rock weened he should have died. And

thus they fought together five hours as men raged out of reason. And at

the last Sir Uwaine smote Sir Edward upon the helm such a stroke that

his sword carved unto his canel bone, and then Sir Hue abated his

courage, but Sir Uwaine pressed fast to have slain him. That saw Sir

Hue: he kneeled down and yielded him to Sir Uwaine. And he of his

gentleness received his sword, and took him by the hand, and went into

the castle together. Then the Lady of the Rock was passing glad, and

the other brother made great sorrow for his brother’s death. Then the

lady was restored of all her lands, and Sir Hue was commanded to be at

the court of King Arthur at the next feast of Pentecost. So Sir Uwaine

dwelt with the lady nigh half a year, for it was long or he might be

whole of his great hurts. And so when it drew nigh the term-day that

Sir Gawaine, Sir Marhaus, and Sir Uwaine should meet at the cross-way,

then every knight drew him thither to hold his promise that they had

made; and Sir Marhaus and Sir Uwaine brought their damosels with them,

but Sir Gawaine had lost his damosel, as it is afore rehearsed.

CHAPTER XXVIII. How at the year’s end all three knights with their

three damosels met at the fountain.

Right so at the twelvemonths’ end they met all three knights at the

fountain and their damosels, but the damosel that Sir Gawaine had could

say but little worship of him so they departed from the damosels and

rode through a great forest, and there they met with a messenger that

came from King Arthur, that had sought them well-nigh a twelvemonth

throughout all England, Wales, and Scotland, and charged if ever he

might find Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine to bring them to the court again.

And then were they all glad, and so prayed they Sir Marhaus to ride

with them to the king’s court. And so within twelve days they came to

Camelot, and the king was passing glad of their coming, and so was all

the court. Then the king made them to swear upon a book to tell him all

their adventures that had befallen them that twelvemonth, and so they

did. And there was Sir Marhaus well known, for there were knights that

he had matched aforetime, and he was named one of the best knights

living.

Against the feast of Pentecost came the Damosel of the Lake and brought

with her Sir Pelleas; and at that high feast there was great jousting

of knights, and of all knights that were at that jousts, Sir Pelleas

had the prize, and Sir Marhaus was named the next; but Sir Pelleas was

so strong there might but few knights sit him a buffet with a spear.

And at that next feast Sir Pelleas and Sir Marhaus were made knights of

the Table Round, for there were two sieges void, for two knights were

slain that twelvemonth, and great joy had King Arthur of Sir Pelleas

and of Sir Marhaus. But Pelleas loved never after Sir Gawaine, but as

he spared him for the love of King Arthur; but ofttimes at jousts and

tournaments Sir Pelleas quit Sir Gawaine, for so it rehearseth in the

book of French. So Sir Tristram many days after fought with Sir Marhaus

in an island, and there they did a great battle, but at the last Sir

Tristram slew him, so Sir Tristram was wounded that unnethe he might

recover, and lay at a nunnery half a year. And Sir Pelleas was a

worshipful knight, and was one of the four that achieved the Sangreal,

and the Damosel of the Lake made by her means that never he had ado

with Sir Launcelot de Lake, for where Sir Launcelot was at any jousts

or any tournament, she would not suffer him be there that day, but if

it were on the side of Sir Launcelot.

Explicit liber quartus.

Incipit liber quintus.

BOOK V.

CHAPTER I. How twelve aged ambassadors of Rome came to King Arthur to

demand truage for Britain.

When King Arthur had after long war rested, and held a royal feast and

Table Round with his allies of kings, princes, and noble knights all of

the Round Table, there came into his hall, he sitting in his throne

royal, twelve ancient men, bearing each of them a branch of olive, in

token that they came as ambassadors and messengers from the Emperor

Lucius, which was called at that time, Dictator or Procuror of the

Public Weal of Rome. Which said messengers, after their entering and

coming into the presence of King Arthur, did to him their obeisance in

making to him reverence, and said to him in this wise: The high and

mighty Emperor Lucius sendeth to the King of Britain greeting,

commanding thee to acknowledge him for thy lord, and to send him the

truage due of this realm unto the Empire, which thy father and other

to-fore thy precessors have paid as is of record, and thou as rebel not

knowing him as thy sovereign, withholdest and retainest contrary to the

statutes and decrees made by the noble and worthy Julius Cesar,

conqueror of this realm, and first Emperor of Rome. And if thou refuse

his demand and commandment know thou for certain that he shall make

strong war against thee, thy realms and lands, and shall chastise thee

and thy subjects, that it shall be ensample perpetual unto all kings

and princes, for to deny their truage unto that noble empire which

domineth upon the universal world. Then when they had showed the effect

of their message, the king commanded them to withdraw them, and said he

should take advice of council and give to them an answer. Then some of

the young knights, hearing this their message, would have run on them

to have slain them, saying that it was a rebuke to all the knights

there being present to suffer them to say so to the king. And anon the

king commanded that none of them, upon pain of death, to missay them

nor do them any harm, and commanded a knight to bring them to their

lodging, and see that they have all that is necessary and requisite for

them, with the best cheer, and that no dainty be spared, for the Romans

be great lords, and though their message please me not nor my court,

yet I must remember mine honour.

After this the king let call all his lords and knights of the Round

Table to counsel upon this matter, and desired them to say their

advice. Then Sir Cador of Cornwall spake first and said, Sir, this

message liketh me well, for we have many days rested us and have been

idle, and now I hope ye shall make sharp war on the Romans, where I

doubt not we shall get honour. I believe well, said Arthur, that this

matter pleaseth thee well, but these answers may not be answered, for

the demand grieveth me sore, for truly I will never pay truage to Rome,

wherefore I pray you to counsel me. I have understood that Belinus and

Brenius, kings of Britain, have had the empire in their hands many

days, and also Constantine the son of Heleine, which is an open

evidence that we owe no tribute to Rome but of right we that be

descended of them have right to claim the title of the empire.

CHAPTER II. How the kings and lords promised to King Arthur aid and

help against the Romans.

Then answered King Anguish of Scotland, Sir, ye ought of right to be

above all other kings, for unto you is none like nor pareil in

Christendom, of knighthood nor of dignity, and I counsel you never to

obey the Romans, for when they reigned on us they distressed our

elders, and put this land to great extortions and tallies, wherefore I

make here mine avow to avenge me on them; and for to strengthen your

quarrel I shall furnish twenty thousand good men of war, and wage them

on my costs, which shall await on you with myself when it shall please

you. And the king of Little Britain granted him to the same thirty

thousand; wherefore King Arthur thanked them. And then every man agreed

to make war, and to aid after their power; that is to wit, the lord of

West Wales promised to bring thirty thousand men, and Sir Uwaine, Sir

Ider his son, with their cousins, promised to bring thirty thousand.

Then Sir Launcelot with all other promised in likewise every man a

great multitude.

And when King Arthur understood their courages and good wills he

thanked them heartily, and after let call the ambassadors to hear their

answer. And in presence of all his lords and knights he said to them in

this wise: I will that ye return unto your lord and Procuror of the

Common Weal for the Romans, and say ye to him, Of his demand and

commandment I set nothing, and that I know of no truage nor tribute

that I owe to him, nor to none earthly prince, Christian nor heathen;

but I pretend to have and occupy the sovereignty of the empire, wherein

I am entitled by the right of my predecessors, sometime kings of this

land; and say to him that I am delibered and fully concluded, to go

with mine army with strength and power unto Rome, by the grace of God,

to take possession in the empire and subdue them that be rebel.

Wherefore I command him and all them of Rome, that incontinent they

make to me their homage, and to acknowledge me for their Emperor and

Governor, upon pain that shall ensue. And then he commanded his

treasurer to give to them great and large gifts, and to pay all their

dispenses, and assigned Sir Cador to convey them out of the land. And

so they took their leave and departed, and took their shipping at

Sandwich, and passed forth by Flanders, Almaine, the mountains, and all

Italy, until they came unto Lucius. And after the reverence made, they

made relation of their answer, like as ye to-fore have heard.

When the Emperor Lucius had well understood their credence, he was sore

moved as he had been all araged, and said, I had supposed that Arthur

would have obeyed to my commandment, and have served you himself, as

him well beseemed or any other king to do. O Sir, said one of the

senators, let be such vain words, for we let you wit that I and my

fellows were full sore afeard to behold his countenance; I fear me ye

have made a rod for yourself, for he intendeth to be lord of this

empire, which sore is to be doubted if he come, for he is all another

man than ye ween, and holdeth the most noble court of the world, all

other kings nor princes may not compare unto his noble maintenance. On

New Year’s Day we saw him in his estate, which was the royalest that

ever we saw, for he was served at his table with nine kings, and the

noblest fellowship of other princes, lords, and knights that be in the

world, and every knight approved and like a lord, and holdeth Table

Round: and in his person the most manly man that liveth, and is like to

conquer all the world, for unto his courage it is too little: wherefore

I advise you to keep well your marches and straits in the mountains;

for certainly he is a lord to be doubted. Well, said Lucius, before

Easter I suppose to pass the mountains, and so forth into France, and

there bereave him his lands with Genoese and other mighty warriors of

Tuscany and Lombardy. And I shall send for them all that be subjects

and allied to the empire of Rome to come to mine aid. And forthwith

sent old wise knights unto these countries following: first to Ambage

and Arrage, to Alexandria, to India, to Armenia, whereas the river of

Euphrates runneth into Asia, to Africa, and Europe the Large, to

Ertayne and Elamye, to Araby, Egypt, and to Damascus, to Damietta and

Cayer, to Cappadocia, to Tarsus, Turkey, Pontus and Pamphylia, to Syria

and Galatia. And all these were subject to Rome and many more, as

Greece, Cyprus, Macedonia, Calabria, Cateland, Portugal, with many

thousands of Spaniards. Thus all these kings, dukes, and admirals,

assembled about Rome, with sixteen kings at once, with great multitude

of people. When the emperor understood their coming he made ready his

Romans and all the people between him and Flanders.

Also he had gotten with him fifty giants which had been engendered of

fiends; and they were ordained to guard his person, and to break the

front of the battle of King Arthur. And thus departed from Rome, and

came down the mountains for to destroy the lands that Arthur had

conquered, and came unto Cologne, and besieged a castle thereby, and

won it soon, and stuffed it with two hundred Saracens or Infidels, and

after destroyed many fair countries which Arthur had won of King

Claudas. And thus Lucius came with all his host, which were disperplyd

sixty mile in breadth, and commanded them to meet with him in Burgoyne,

for he purposed to destroy the realm of Little Britain.

CHAPTER III. How King Arthur held a parliament at York, and how he

ordained the realm should be governed in his absence.

Now leave we of Lucius the Emperor and speak we of King Arthur, that

commanded all them of his retinue to be ready at the utas of Hilary for

to hold a parliament at York. And at that parliament was concluded to

arrest all the navy of the land, and to be ready within fifteen days at

Sandwich, and there he showed to his army how he purposed to conquer

the empire which he ought to have of right. And there he ordained two

governors of this realm, that is to say, Sir Baudwin of Britain, for to

counsel to the best, and Sir Constantine, son to Sir Cador of Cornwall,

which after the death of Arthur was king of this realm. And in the

presence of all his lords he resigned the rule of the realm and

Guenever his queen to them, wherefore Sir Launcelot was wroth, for he

left Sir Tristram with King Mark for the love of Beale Isould. Then the

Queen Guenever made great sorrow for the departing of her lord and

other, and swooned in such wise that the ladies bare her into her

chamber. Thus the king with his great army departed, leaving the queen

and realm in the governance of Sir Baudwin and Constantine. And when he

was on his horse he said with an high voice, If I die in this journey I

will that Sir Constantine be mine heir and king crowned of this realm

as next of my blood. And after departed and entered into the sea at

Sandwich with all his army, with a great multitude of ships, galleys,

cogs, and dromounds, sailing on the sea.

CHAPTER IV. How King Arthur being shipped and lying in his cabin had a

marvellous dream and of the exposition thereof.

And as the king lay in his cabin in the ship, he fell in a slumbering

and dreamed a marvellous dream: him seemed that a dreadful dragon did

drown much of his people, and he came flying out of the west, and his

head was enamelled with azure, and his shoulders shone as gold, his

belly like mails of a marvellous hue, his tail full of tatters, his

feet full of fine sable, and his claws like fine gold; and an hideous

flame of fire flew out of his mouth, like as the land and water had

flamed all of fire. After, him seemed there came out of the orient, a

grimly boar all black in a cloud, and his paws as big as a post; he was

rugged looking roughly, he was the foulest beast that ever man saw, he

roared and romed so hideously that it were marvel to hear. Then the

dreadful dragon advanced him and came in the wind like a falcon giving

great strokes on the boar, and the boar hit him again with his grizzly

tusks that his breast was all bloody, and that the hot blood made all

the sea red of his blood. Then the dragon flew away all on an height,

and came down with such a swough, and smote the boar on the ridge,

which was ten foot large from the head to the tail, and smote the boar

all to powder both flesh and bones, that it flittered all abroad on the

sea.

And therewith the king awoke anon, and was sore abashed of this dream,

and sent anon for a wise philosopher, commanding to tell him the

signification of his dream. Sir, said the philosopher, the dragon that

thou dreamedst of betokeneth thine own person that sailest here, and

the colours of his wings be thy realms that thou hast won, and his tail

which is all to-tattered signifieth the noble knights of the Round

Table; and the boar that the dragon slew coming from the clouds

betokeneth some tyrant that tormenteth the people, or else thou art

like to fight with some giant thyself, being horrible and abominable,

whose peer ye saw never in your days, wherefore of this dreadful dream

doubt thee nothing, but as a conqueror come forth thyself.

Then after this soon they had sight of land, and sailed till they

arrived at Barflete in Flanders, and when they were there he found many

of his great lords ready, as they had been commanded to wait upon him.

CHAPTER V. How a man of the country told to him of a marvellous giant,

and how he fought and conquered him.

Then came to him an husbandman of the country, and told him how there

was in the country of Constantine beside Brittany, a great giant which

had slain, murdered and devoured much people of the country, and had

been sustained seven year with the children of the commons of that

land, insomuch that all the children be all slain and destroyed; and

now late he hath taken the Duchess of Brittany as she rode with her

meiny, and hath led her to his lodging which is in a mountain, for to

ravish and lie by her to her life’s end, and many people followed her,

more than five hundred, but all they might not rescue her, but they

left her shrieking and crying lamentably, wherefore I suppose that he

hath slain her in fulfilling his foul lust of lechery. She was wife

unto thy cousin Sir Howell, whom we call full nigh of thy blood. Now,

as thou art a rightful king, have pity on this lady, and revenge us all

as thou art a noble conqueror. Alas, said King Arthur, this is a great

mischief, I had liefer than the best realm that I have that I had been

a furlong way to-fore him for to have rescued that lady. Now, fellow,

said King Arthur, canst thou bring me thereas this giant haunteth? Yea,

Sir, said the good man, look yonder whereas thou seest those two great

fires, there shalt thou find him, and more treasure than I suppose is

in all France. When the king had understood this piteous case, he

returned into his tent.

Then he called to him Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere, and commanded them

secretly to make ready horse and harness for himself and them twain;

for after evensong he would ride on pilgrimage with them two only unto

Saint Michael’s mount. And then anon he made him ready, and armed him

at all points, and took his horse and his shield. And so they three

departed thence and rode forth as fast as ever they might till that

they came to the foreland of that mount. And there they alighted, and

the king commanded them to tarry there, for he would himself go up into

that mount. And so he ascended up into that hill till he came to a

great fire, and there he found a careful widow wringing her hands and

making great sorrow, sitting by a grave new made. And then King Arthur

saluted her, and demanded of her wherefore she made such lamentation,

to whom she answered and said, Sir knight, speak soft, for yonder is a

devil, if he hear thee speak he will come and destroy thee; I hold thee

unhappy; what dost thou here in this mountain? for if ye were such

fifty as ye be, ye were not able to make resistance against this devil:

here lieth a duchess dead, the which was the fairest of all the world,

wife to Sir Howell, Duke of Brittany, he hath murdered her in forcing

her, and hath slit her unto the navel.

Dame, said the king, I come from the noble conqueror King Arthur, for

to treat with that tyrant for his liege people. Fie on such treaties,

said she, he setteth not by the king nor by no man else; but an if thou

have brought Arthur’s wife, dame Guenever, he shall be gladder than

thou hadst given to him half France. Beware, approach him not too nigh,

for he hath vanquished fifteen kings, and hath made him a coat full of

precious stones embroidered with their beards, which they sent him to

have his love for salvation of their people at this last Christmas. And

if thou wilt, speak with him at yonder great fire at supper. Well, said

Arthur, I will accomplish my message for all your fearful words; and

went forth by the crest of that hill, and saw where he sat at supper

gnawing on a limb of a man, baking his broad limbs by the fire, and

breechless, and three fair damosels turning three broaches whereon were

broached twelve young children late born, like young birds.

When King Arthur beheld that piteous sight he had great compassion on

them, so that his heart bled for sorrow, and hailed him, saying in this

wise: He that all the world wieldeth give thee short life and shameful

death; and the devil have thy soul; why hast thou murdered these young

innocent children, and murdered this duchess? Therefore, arise and

dress thee, thou glutton, for this day shalt thou die of my hand. Then

the glutton anon started up, and took a great club in his hand, and

smote at the king that his coronal fell to the earth. And the king hit

him again that he carved his belly and cut off his genitours, that his

guts and his entrails fell down to the ground. Then the giant threw

away his club, and caught the king in his arms that he crushed his

ribs. Then the three maidens kneeled down and called to Christ for help

and comfort of Arthur. And then Arthur weltered and wrung, that he was

other while under and another time above. And so weltering and

wallowing they rolled down the hill till they came to the sea mark, and

ever as they so weltered Arthur smote him with his dagger.

And it fortuned they came to the place whereas the two knights were and

kept Arthur’s horse; then when they saw the king fast in the giant’s

arms they came and loosed him. And then the king commanded Sir Kay to

smite off the giant’s head, and to set it upon a truncheon of a spear,

and bear it to Sir Howell, and tell him that his enemy was slain; and

after let this head be bound to a barbican that all the people may see

and behold it; and go ye two up to the mountain, and fetch me my

shield, my sword, and the club of iron; and as for the treasure, take

ye it, for ye shall find there goods out of number; so I have the

kirtle and the club I desire no more. This was the fiercest giant that

ever I met with, save one in the mount of Araby, which I overcame, but

this was greater and fiercer. Then the knights fetched the club and the

kirtle, and some of the treasure they took to themselves, and returned

again to the host. And anon this was known through all the country,

wherefore the people came and thanked the king. And he said again, Give

the thanks to God, and depart the goods among you.

And after that King Arthur said and commanded his cousin Howell, that

he should ordain for a church to be builded on the same hill in the

worship of Saint Michael. And on the morn the king removed with his

great battle, and came into Champayne and in a valley, and there they

pight their tents; and the king being set at his dinner, there came in

two messengers, of whom that one was Marshal of France, and said to the

king that the emperor was entered into France, and had destroyed a

great part, and was in Burgoyne, and had destroyed and made great

slaughter of people, and burnt towns and boroughs; wherefore, if thou

come not hastily, they must yield up their bodies and goods.

CHAPTER VI. How King Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and other to Lucius, and

how they were assailed and escaped with worship.

Then the king did do call Sir Gawaine, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir

Bedivere, and commanded them to go straight to Sir Lucius, and say ye

to him that hastily he remove out of my land; and if he will not, bid

him make him ready to battle and not distress the poor people. Then

anon these noble knights dressed them to horseback, and when they came

to the green wood, they saw many pavilions set in a meadow, of silk of

divers colours, beside a river, and the emperor’s pavilion was in the

middle with an eagle displayed above. To the which tent our knights

rode toward, and ordained Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors to do the message,

and left in a bushment Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere. And then Sir

Gawaine and Sir Bors did their message, and commanded Lucius, in

Arthur’s name to avoid his land, or shortly to address him to battle.

To whom Lucius answered and said, Ye shall return to your lord, and say

ye to him that I shall subdue him and all his lands. Then Sir Gawaine

was wroth and said, I had liefer than all France fight against thee;

and so had I, said Sir Bors, liefer than all Brittany or Burgoyne.

Then a knight named Sir Gainus, nigh cousin to the emperor, said, Lo,

how these Britons be full of pride and boast, and they brag as though

they bare up all the world. Then Sir Gawaine was sore grieved with

these words, and pulled out his sword and smote off his head. And

therewith turned their horses and rode over waters and through woods

till they came to their bushment, whereas Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere

were hoving. The Romans followed fast after, on horseback and on foot,

over a champaign unto a wood; then Sir Bors turned his horse and saw a

knight come fast on, whom he smote through the body with a spear that

he fell dead down to the earth; then came Caliburn one of the strongest

of Pavie, and smote down many of Arthur’s knights. And when Sir Bors

saw him do so much harm, he addressed toward him, and smote him through

the breast, that he fell down dead to the earth. Then Sir Feldenak

thought to revenge the death of Gainus upon Sir Gawaine, but Sir

Gawaine was ware thereof, and smote him on the head, which stroke

stinted not till it came to his breast. And then he returned and came

to his fellows in the bushment. And there was a recounter, for the

bushment brake on the Romans, and slew and hew down the Romans, and

forced the Romans to flee and return, whom the noble knights chased

unto their tents.

Then the Romans gathered more people, and also footmen came on, and

there was a new battle, and so much people that Sir Bors and Sir Berel

were taken. But when Sir Gawaine saw that, he took with him Sir Idrus

the good knight, and said he would never see King Arthur but if he

rescued them, and pulled out Galatine his good sword, and followed them

that led those two knights away; and he smote him that led Sir Bors,

and took Sir Bors from him and delivered him to his fellows. And Sir

Idrus in likewise rescued Sir Berel. Then began the battle to be great,

that our knights were in great jeopardy, wherefore Sir Gawaine sent to

King Arthur for succour, and that he hie him, for I am sore wounded,

and that our prisoners may pay goods out of number. And the messenger

came to the king and told him his message. And anon the king did do

assemble his army, but anon, or he departed the prisoners were come,

and Sir Gawaine and his fellows gat the field and put the Romans to

flight, and after returned and came with their fellowship in such wise

that no man of worship was lost of them, save that Sir Gawaine was sore

hurt. Then the king did do ransack his wounds and comforted him. And

thus was the beginning of the first journey of the Britons and Romans,

and there were slain of the Romans more than ten thousand, and great

joy and mirth was made that night in the host of King Arthur. And on

the morn he sent all the prisoners into Paris under the guard of Sir

Launcelot, with many knights, and of Sir Cador.

CHAPTER VII. How Lucius sent certain spies in a bushment for to have

taken his knights being prisoners, and how they were letted.

Now turn we to the Emperor of Rome, which espied that these prisoners

should be sent to Paris, and anon he sent to lie in a bushment certain

knights and princes with sixty thousand men, for to rescue his knights

and lords that were prisoners. And so on the morn as Launcelot and Sir

Cador, chieftains and governors of all them that conveyed the

prisoners, as they should pass through a wood, Sir Launcelot sent

certain knights to espy if any were in the woods to let them. And when

the said knights came into the wood, anon they espied and saw the great

embushment, and returned and told Sir Launcelot that there lay in await

for them three score thousand Romans. And then Sir Launcelot with such

knights as he had, and men of war to the number of ten thousand, put

them in array, and met with them and fought with them manly, and slew

and detrenched many of the Romans, and slew many knights and admirals

of the party of the Romans and Saracens; there was slain the king of

Lyly and three great lords, Aladuke, Herawd, and Heringdale. But Sir

Launcelot fought so nobly that no man might endure a stroke of his

hand, but where he came he showed his prowess and might, for he slew

down right on every side; and the Romans and Saracens fled from him as

the sheep from the wolf or from the lion, and put them, all that abode

alive, to flight.

And so long they fought that tidings came to King Arthur, and anon he

graithed him and came to the battle, and saw his knights how they had

vanquished the battle, he embraced them knight by knight in his arms,

and said, Ye be worthy to wield all your honour and worship; there was

never king save myself that had so noble knights. Sir, said Cador,

there was none of us failed other, but of the prowess and manhood of

Sir Launcelot were more than wonder to tell, and also of his cousins

which did that day many noble feats of war. And also Sir Cador told who

of his knights were slain, as Sir Berel, and other Sir Moris and Sir

Maurel, two good knights. Then the king wept, and dried his eyes with a

kerchief, and said, Your courage had near-hand destroyed you, for

though ye had returned again, ye had lost no worship; for I call it

folly, knights to abide when they be overmatched. Nay, said Launcelot

and the other, for once shamed may never be recovered.

CHAPTER VIII. How a senator told to Lucius of their discomfiture, and

also of the great battle between Arthur and Lucius.

Now leave we King Arthur and his noble knights which had won the field,

and had brought their prisoners to Paris, and speak we of a senator

which escaped from the battle, and came to Lucius the emperor, and said

to him, Sir emperor, I advise thee for to withdraw thee; what dost thou

here? thou shalt win nothing in these marches but great strokes out of

all measure, for this day one of Arthur’s knights was worth in the

battle an hundred of ours. Fie on thee, said Lucius, thou speakest

cowardly; for thy words grieve me more than all the loss that I had

this day. And anon he sent forth a king, which hight Sir Leomie, with a

great army, and bade him hie him fast to-fore, and he would follow

hastily after. King Arthur was warned privily, and sent his people to

Sessoine, and took up the towns and castles from the Romans. Then the

king commanded Sir Cador to take the rearward, and to take with him

certain knights of the Round Table, and Sir Launcelot, Sir Bors, Sir

Kay, Sir Marrok, with Sir Marhaus, shall await on our person. Thus the

King Arthur disperpled his host in divers parties, to the end that his

enemies should not escape.

When the emperor was entered into the vale of Sessoine, he might see

where King Arthur was embattled and his banner displayed; and he was

beset round about with his enemies, that needs he must fight or yield

him, for he might not flee, but said openly unto the Romans, Sirs, I

admonish you that this day ye fight and acquit you as men, and remember

how Rome domineth and is chief and head over all the earth and

universal world, and suffer not these Britons this day to abide against

us; and therewith he did command his trumpets to blow the bloody

sounds, in such wise that the ground trembled and dindled.

Then the battles approached and shoved and shouted on both sides, and

great strokes were smitten on both sides, many men overthrown, hurt,

and slain; and great valiances, prowesses and appertices of war were

that day showed, which were over long to recount the noble feats of

every man, for they should contain an whole volume. But in especial,

King Arthur rode in the battle exhorting his knights to do well, and

himself did as nobly with his hands as was possible a man to do; he

drew out Excalibur his sword, and awaited ever whereas the Romans were

thickest and most grieved his people, and anon he addressed him on that

part, and hew and slew down right, and rescued his people; and he slew

a great giant named Galapas, which was a man of an huge quantity and

height, he shorted him and smote off both his legs by the knees,

saying, Now art thou better of a size to deal with than thou were, and

after smote off his head. There Sir Gawaine fought nobly and slew three

admirals in that battle. And so did all the knights of the Round Table.

Thus the battle between King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor endured

long. Lucius had on his side many Saracens which were slain. And thus

the battle was great, and oftsides that one party was at a fordeal and

anon at an afterdeal, which endured so long till at the last King

Arthur espied where Lucius the Emperor fought, and did wonder with his

own hands. And anon he rode to him. And either smote other fiercely,

and at last Lucius smote Arthur thwart the visage, and gave him a large

wound. And when King Arthur felt himself hurt, anon he smote him again

with Excalibur that it cleft his head, from the summit of his head, and

stinted not till it came to his breast. And then the emperor fell down

dead and there ended his life.

And when it was known that the emperor was slain, anon all the Romans

with all their host put them to flight, and King Arthur with all his

knights followed the chase, and slew down right all them that they

might attain. And thus was the victory given to King Arthur, and the

triumph; and there were slain on the part of Lucius more than an

hundred thousand. And after King Arthur did do ransack the dead bodies,

and did do bury them that were slain of his retinue, every man

according to the estate and degree that he was of. And them that were

hurt he let the surgeons do search their hurts and wounds, and

commanded to spare no salves nor medicines till they were whole.

Then the king rode straight to the place where the Emperor Lucius lay

dead, and with him he found slain the Soudan of Syria, the King of

Egypt and of Ethiopia, which were two noble kings, with seventeen other

kings of divers regions, and also sixty senators of Rome, all noble

men, whom the king did do balm and gum with many good gums aromatic,

and after did do cere them in sixty fold of cered cloth of sendal, and

laid them in chests of lead, because they should not chafe nor savour,

and upon all these bodies their shields with their arms and banners

were set, to the end they should be known of what country they were.

And after he found three senators which were alive, to whom he said,

For to save your lives I will that ye take these dead bodies, and carry

them with you unto great Rome, and present them to the Potestate on my

behalf, shewing him my letters, and tell them that I in my person shall

hastily be at Rome. And I suppose the Romans shall beware how they

shall demand any tribute of me. And I command you to say when ye shall

come to Rome, to the Potestate and all the Council and Senate, that I

send to them these dead bodies for the tribute that they have demanded.

And if they be not content with these, I shall pay more at my coming,

for other tribute owe I none, nor none other will I pay. And methinketh

this sufficeth for Britain, Ireland and all Almaine with Germany. And

furthermore, I charge you to say to them, that I command them upon pain

of their heads never to demand tribute nor tax of me nor of my lands.

Then with this charge and commandment, the three senators aforesaid

departed with all the said dead bodies, laying the body of Lucius in a

car covered with the arms of the Empire all alone; and after alway two

bodies of kings in a chariot, and then the bodies of the senators after

them, and so went toward Rome, and showed their legation and message to

the Potestate and Senate, recounting the battle done in France, and how

the field was lost and much people and innumerable slain. Wherefore

they advised them in no wise to move no more war against that noble

conqueror Arthur, for his might and prowess is most to be doubted, seen

the noble kings and great multitude of knights of the Round Table, to

whom none earthly prince may compare.

CHAPTER IX. How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the

Romans, entered into Almaine, and so into Italy.

Now turn we unto King Arthur and his noble knights, which, after the

great battle achieved against the Romans, entered into Lorraine,

Brabant and Flanders, and sithen returned into Haut Almaine, and so

over the mountains into Lombardy, and after, into Tuscany wherein was a

city which in no wise would yield themself nor obey, wherefore King

Arthur besieged it, and lay long about it, and gave many assaults to

the city; and they within defended them valiantly. Then, on a time, the

king called Sir Florence, a knight, and said to him they lacked

victual, And not far from hence be great forests and woods, wherein be

many of mine enemies with much bestial: I will that thou make thee

ready and go thither in foraying, and take with thee Sir Gawaine my

nephew, Sir Wisshard, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond, and the Captain of

Cardiff with other, and bring with you all the beasts that ye there can

get.

And anon these knights made them ready, and rode over holts and hills,

through forests and woods, till they came into a fair meadow full of

fair flowers and grass; and there they rested them and their horses all

that night. And in the springing of the day in the next morn, Sir

Gawaine took his horse and stole away from his fellowship, to seek some

adventures. And anon he was ware of a man armed, walking his horse

easily by a wood’s side, and his shield laced to his shoulder, sitting

on a strong courser, without any man saving a page bearing a mighty

spear. The knight bare in his shield three griffins of gold, in sable

carbuncle, the chief of silver. When Sir Gawaine espied this gay

knight, he feutred his spear, and rode straight to him, and demanded of

him from whence that he was. That other answered and said he was of

Tuscany, and demanded of Sir Gawaine, What, profferest thou, proud

knight, thee so boldly? here gettest thou no prey, thou mayest prove

what thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner or thou depart. Then said

Gawaine, thou avauntest thee greatly and speakest proud words, I

counsel thee for all thy boast that thou make thee ready, and take thy

gear to thee, to-fore greater grame fall to thee.

CHAPTER X. Of a battle done by Sir Gawaine against a Saracen, which

after was yielden and became Christian.

Then they took their spears and ran each at other with all the might

they had, and smote each other through their shields into their

shoulders, wherefore anon they pulled out their swords, and smote great

strokes that the fire sprang out of their helms. Then Sir Gawaine was

all abashed, and with Galatine his good sword he smote through shield

and thick hauberk made of thick mails, and all to-rushed and break the

precious stones, and made him a large wound, that men might see both

liver and lung. Then groaned that knight, and addressed him to Sir

Gawaine, and with an awk stroke gave him a great wound and cut a vein,

which grieved Gawaine sore, and he bled sore. Then the knight said to

Sir Gawaine, bind thy wound or thy blee[ding] change, for thou

be-bleedest all thy horse and thy fair arms, for all the barbers of

Brittany shall not con staunch thy blood, for whosomever is hurt with

this blade he shall never be staunched of bleeding. Then answered

Gawaine, it grieveth me but little, thy great words shall not fear me

nor lessen my courage, but thou shalt suffer teen and sorrow or we

depart, but tell me in haste who may staunch my bleeding. That may I

do, said the knight, if I will, and so will I if thou wilt succour and

aid me, that I may be christened and believe on God, and thereof I

require thee of thy manhood, and it shall be great merit for thy soul.

I grant, said Gawaine, so God help me, to accomplish all thy desire,

but first tell me what thou soughtest here thus alone, and of what land

and liegiance thou art of. Sir, he said, my name is Priamus, and a

great prince is my father, and he hath been rebel unto Rome and

overridden many of their lands. My father is lineally descended of

Alexander and of Hector by right line. And Duke Joshua and Maccabaeus

were of our lineage. I am right inheritor of Alexandria and Africa, and

all the out isles, yet will I believe on thy Lord that thou believest

on; and for thy labour I shall give thee treasure enough. I was so

elate and hauteyn in my heart that I thought no man my peer, nor to me

semblable. I was sent into this war with seven score knights, and now I

have encountered with thee, which hast given to me of fighting my fill,

wherefore sir knight, I pray thee to tell me what thou art. I am no

knight, said Gawaine, I have been brought up in the guardrobe with the

noble King Arthur many years, for to take heed to his armour and his

other array, and to point his paltocks that long to himself. At Yule

last he made me yeoman, and gave to me horse and harness, and an

hundred pound in money; and if fortune be my friend, I doubt not but to

be well advanced and holpen by my liege lord. Ah, said Priamus, if his

knaves be so keen and fierce, his knights be passing good: now for the

King’s love of Heaven, whether thou be a knave or a knight, tell thou

me thy name. By God, said Sir Gawaine, now I will say thee sooth, my

name is Sir Gawaine, and known I am in his court and in his chamber,

and one of the knights of the Round Table, he dubbed me a duke with his

own hand. Therefore grudge not if this grace is to me fortuned, it is

the goodness of God that lent to me my strength. Now am I better

pleased, said Priamus, than thou hadst given to me all the Provence and

Paris the rich. I had liefer to have been torn with wild horses, than

any varlet had won such loos, or any page or priker should have had

prize on me. But now sir knight I warn thee that hereby is a Duke of

Lorraine with his army, and the noblest men of Dolphiny, and lords of

Lombardy, with the garrison of Godard, and Saracens of Southland,

y-numbered sixty thousand of good men of arms; wherefore but if we hie

us hence, it will harm us both, for we be sore hurt, never like to

recover; but take heed to my page, that he no horn blow, for if he do,

there be hoving here fast by an hundred knights awaiting on my person,

and if they take thee, there shall no ransom of gold nor silver acquit

thee.

Then Sir Gawaine rode over a water for to save him, and the knight

followed him, and so rode forth till they came to his fellows which

were in the meadow, where they had been all the night. Anon as Sir

Wisshard was ware of Sir Gawaine and saw that he was hurt, he ran to

him sorrowfully weeping, and demanded of him who had so hurt him; and

Gawaine told how he had foughten with that man, and each of them had

hurt other, and how he had salves to heal them; but I can tell you

other tidings, that soon we shall have ado with many enemies.

Then Sir Priamus and Sir Gawaine alighted, and let their horses graze

in the meadow, and unarmed them, and then the blood ran freshly from

their wounds. And Priamus took from his page a vial full of the four

waters that came out of Paradise, and with certain balm anointed their

wounds, and washed them with that water, and within an hour after they

were both as whole as ever they were. And then with a trumpet were they

all assembled to council, and there Priamus told unto them what lords

and knights had sworn to rescue him, and that without fail they should

be assailed with many thousands, wherefore he counselled them to

withdraw them. Then Sir Gawaine said, it were great shame to them to

avoid without any strokes; Wherefore I advise to take our arms and to

make us ready to meet with these Saracens and misbelieving men, and

with the help of God we shall overthrow them and have a fair day on

them. And Sir Florence shall abide still in this field to keep the

stale as a noble knight, and we shall not forsake yonder fellows. Now,

said Priamus, cease your words, for I warn you ye shall find in yonder

woods many perilous knights; they will put forth beasts to call you on,

they be out of number, and ye are not past seven hundred, which be over

few to fight with so many. Nevertheless, said Sir Gawaine, we shall

once encounter them, and see what they can do, and the best shall have

the victory.

CHAPTER XI. How the Saracens came out of a wood for to rescue their

beasts, and of a great battle.

Then Sir Florence called to him Sir Floridas, with an hundred knights,

and drove forth the herd of beasts. Then followed him seven hundred men

of arms; and Sir Ferant of Spain on a fair steed came springing out of

the woods, and came to Sir Florence and asked him why he fled. Then Sir

Florence took his spear and rode against him, and smote him in the

forehead and brake his neck bone. Then all the other were moved, and

thought to avenge the death of Sir Ferant, and smote in among them, and

there was great fight, and many slain and laid down to ground, and Sir

Florence with his hundred knights alway kept the stale, and fought

manly.

Then when Priamus the good knight perceived the great fight, he went to

Sir Gawaine, and bade him that he should go and succour his fellowship,

which were sore bestead with their enemies. Sir, grieve you not, said

Sir Gawaine, for their gree shall be theirs. I shall not once move my

horse to them ward, but if I see more than there be; for they be strong

enough to match them.

And with that he saw an earl called Sir Ethelwold and the duke of

Dutchmen, came leaping out of a wood with many thousands, and Priamus’

knights, and came straight unto the battle. Then Sir Gawaine comforted

his knights, and bade them not to be abashed, for all shall be ours.

Then they began to wallop and met with their enemies, there were men

slain and overthrown on every side. Then thrust in among them the

knights of the Table Round, and smote down to the earth all them that

withstood them, in so much that they made them to recoil and flee. By

God, said Sir Gawaine, this gladdeth my heart, for now be they less in

number by twenty thousand. Then entered into the battle Jubance a

giant, and fought and slew down right, and distressed many of our

knights, among whom was slain Sir Gherard, a knight of Wales. Then our

knights took heart to them, and slew many Saracens. And then came in

Sir Priamus with his pennon, and rode with the knights of the Round

Table, and fought so manfully that many of their enemies lost their

lives. And there Sir Priamus slew the Marquis of Moises land, and Sir

Gawaine with his fellows so quit them that they had the field, but in

that stour was Sir Chestelaine, a child and ward of Sir Gawaine slain,

wherefore was much sorrow made, and his death was soon avenged. Thus

was the battle ended, and many lords of Lombardy and Saracens left dead

in the field.

Then Sir Florence and Sir Gawaine harboured surely their people, and

took great plenty of bestial, of gold and silver, and great treasure

and riches, and returned unto King Arthur, which lay still at the

siege. And when they came to the king they presented their prisoners

and recounted their adventures, and how they had vanquished their

enemies.

CHAPTER XII. How Sir Gawaine returned to King Arthur with his

prisoners, and how the King won a city, and how he was crowned Emperor.

Now thanked be God, said the noble King Arthur. But what manner man is

he that standeth by himself, him seemeth no prisoner. Sir, said

Gawaine, this is a good man of arms, he hath matched me, but he is

yielden unto God, and to me, for to become Christian; had not he have

been we should never have returned, wherefore I pray you that he may be

baptised, for there liveth not a nobler man nor better knight of his

hands. Then the king let him anon be christened, and did do call him

his first name Priamus, and made him a duke and knight of the Table

Round. And then anon the king let do cry assault to the city, and there

was rearing of ladders, breaking of walls, and the ditch filled, that

men with little pain might enter into the city. Then came out a

duchess, and Clarisin the countess, with many ladies and damosels, and

kneeling before King Arthur, required him for the love of God to

receive the city, and not to take it by assault, for then should many

guiltless be slain. Then the king avaled his visor with a meek and

noble countenance, and said, Madam, there shall none of my subjects

misdo you nor your maidens, nor to none that to you belong, but the

duke shall abide my judgment. Then anon the king commanded to leave the

assault, and anon the duke’s oldest son brought out the keys, and

kneeling delivered them to the king, and besought him of grace; and the

king seized the town by assent of his lords, and took the duke and sent

him to Dover, there for to abide prisoner term of his life, and

assigned certain rents for the dower of the duchess and for her

children.

Then he made lords to rule those lands, and laws as a lord ought to do

in his own country; and after he took his journey toward Rome, and sent

Sir Floris and Sir Floridas to-fore, with five hundred men of arms, and

they came to the city of Urbino and laid there a bushment, thereas them

seemed most best for them, and rode to-fore the town, where anon issued

out much people and skirmished with the fore-riders. Then brake out the

bushment and won the bridge, and after the town, and set upon the walls

the king’s banner. Then came the king upon an hill, and saw the city

and his banner on the walls, by which he knew that the city was won.

And anon he sent and commanded that none of his liege men should defoul

nor lie by no lady, wife nor maid; and when he came into the city, he

passed to the castle, and comforted them that were in sorrow, and

ordained there a captain, a knight of his own country.

And when they of Milan heard that thilk city was won, they sent to King

Arthur great sums of money, and besought him as their lord to have pity

on them, promising to be his subjects for ever, and yield to him homage

and fealty for the lands of Pleasance and Pavia, Petersaint, and the

Port of Tremble, and to give him yearly a million of gold all his

lifetime. Then he rideth into Tuscany, and winneth towns and castles,

and wasted all in his way that to him will not obey, and so to Spolute

and Viterbe, and from thence he rode into the Vale of Vicecount among

the vines. And from thence he sent to the senators, to wit whether they

would know him for their lord. But soon after on a Saturday came unto

King Arthur all the senators that were left alive, and the noblest

cardinals that then dwelt in Rome, and prayed him of peace, and

proferred him full large, and besought him as governor to give licence

for six weeks for to assemble all the Romans, and then to crown him

emperor with chrism as it belongeth to so high estate. I assent, said

the king, like as ye have devised, and at Christmas there to be

crowned, and to hold my Round Table with my knights as me liketh. And

then the senators made ready for his enthronization. And at the day

appointed, as the romance telleth, he came into Rome, and was crowned

emperor by the pope’s hand, with all the royalty that could be made,

and sojourned there a time, and established all his lands from Rome

into France, and gave lands and realms unto his servants and knights,

to everych after his desert, in such wise that none complained, rich

nor poor. And he gave to Sir Priamus the duchy of Lorraine; and he

thanked him, and said he would serve him the days of his life; and

after made dukes and earls, and made every man rich.

Then after this all his knights and lords assembled them afore him, and

said: Blessed be God, your war is finished and your conquest achieved,

in so much that we know none so great nor mighty that dare make war

against you: wherefore we beseech you to return homeward, and give us

licence to go home to our wives, from whom we have been long, and to

rest us, for your journey is finished with honour and worship. Then

said the king, Ye say truth, and for to tempt God it is no wisdom, and

therefore make you ready and return we into England. Then there was

trussing of harness and baggage and great carriage. And after licence

given, he returned and commanded that no man in pain of death should

not rob nor take victual, nor other thing by the way but that he should

pay therefore. And thus he came over the sea and landed at Sandwich,

against whom Queen Guenever his wife came and met him, and he was nobly

received of all his commons in every city and burgh, and great gifts

presented to him at his home-coming to welcome him with.

Thus endeth the fifth book of the conquest that King Arthur had against

Lucius the Emperor of Rome, and here followeth the sixth book, which is

of Sir Launcelot du Lake.

BOOK VI.

CHAPTER I. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel departed from the court,

and how Sir Lionel left him sleeping and was taken.

Soon after that King Arthur was come from Rome into England, then all

the knights of the Table Round resorted unto the king, and made many

jousts and tournaments, and some there were that were but knights,

which increased so in arms and worship that they passed all their

fellows in prowess and noble deeds, and that was well proved on many;

but in especial it was proved on Sir Launcelot du Lake, for in all

tournaments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and death, he

passed all other knights, and at no time he was never overcome but if

it were by treason or enchantment; so Sir Launcelot increased so

marvellously in worship, and in honour, therefore is he the first

knight that the French book maketh mention of after King Arthur came

from Rome. Wherefore Queen Guenever had him in great favour above all

other knights, and in certain he loved the queen again above all other

ladies and damosels of his life, and for her he did many deeds of arms,

and saved her from the fire through his noble chivalry.

Thus Sir Launcelot rested him long with play and game. And then he

thought himself to prove himself in strange adventures, then he bade

his nephew, Sir Lionel, for to make him ready; for we two will seek

adventures. So they mounted on their horses, armed at all rights, and

rode into a deep forest and so into a deep plain. And then the weather

was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had great lust to sleep. Then Sir

Lionel espied a great apple-tree that stood by an hedge, and said,

Brother, yonder is a fair shadow, there may we rest us [and] our

horses. It is well said, fair brother, said Sir Launcelot, for this

eight year I was not so sleepy as I am now; and so they there alighted

and tied their horses unto sundry trees, and so Sir Launcelot laid him

down under an appletree, and his helm he laid under his head. And Sir

Lionel waked while he slept. So Sir Launcelot was asleep passing fast.

And in the meanwhile there came three knights riding, as fast fleeing

as ever they might ride. And there followed them three but one knight.

And when Sir Lionel saw him, him thought he saw never so great a

knight, nor so well faring a man, neither so well apparelled unto all

rights. So within a while this strong knight had overtaken one of these

knights, and there he smote him to the cold earth that he lay still.

And then he rode unto the second knight, and smote him so that man and

horse fell down. And then straight to the third knight he rode, and

smote him behind his horse’s arse a spear length. And then he alighted

down and reined his horse on the bridle, and bound all the three

knights fast with the reins of their own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw

him do thus, he thought to assay him, and made him ready, and stilly

and privily he took his horse, and thought not for to awake Sir

Launcelot. And when he was mounted upon his horse, he overtook this

strong knight, and bade him turn, and the other smote Sir Lionel so

hard that horse and man he bare to the earth, and so he alighted down

and bound him fast, and threw him overthwart his own horse, and so he

served them all four, and rode with them away to his own castle. And

when he came there he gart unarm them, and beat them with thorns all

naked, and after put them in a deep prison where were many more

knights, that made great dolour.

CHAPTER II. How Sir Ector followed for to seek Sir Launcelot, and how

he was taken by Sir Turquine.

When Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Launcelot was passed out of the

court to seek adventures, he was wroth with himself, and made him ready

to seek Sir Launcelot, and as he had ridden long in a great forest he

met with a man was like a forester. Fair fellow, said Sir Ector,

knowest thou in this country any adventures that be here nigh hand?

Sir, said the forester, this country know I well, and hereby, within

this mile, is a strong manor, and well dyked, and by that manor, on the

left hand, there is a fair ford for horses to drink of, and over that

ford there groweth a fair tree, and thereon hang many fair shields that

wielded sometime good knights, and at the hole of the tree hangeth a

basin of copper and latten, and strike upon that basin with the butt of

thy spear thrice, and soon after thou shalt hear new tidings, and else

hast thou the fairest grace that many a year had ever knight that

passed through this forest. Gramercy, said Sir Ector, and departed and

came to the tree, and saw many fair shields. And among them he saw his

brother’s shield, Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew that were his

fellows of the Round Table, the which grieved his heart, and promised

to revenge his brother.

Then anon Sir Ector beat on the basin as he were wood, and then he gave

his horse drink at the ford, and there came a knight behind him and

bade him come out of the water and make him ready; and Sir Ector anon

turned him shortly, and in feuter cast his spear, and smote the other

knight a great buffet that his horse turned twice about. This was well

done, said the strong knight, and knightly thou hast stricken me; and

therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector, and cleight him under his

right arm, and bare him clean out of the saddle, and rode with him away

into his own hall, and threw him down in midst of the floor. The name

of this knight was Sir Turquine. Then he said unto Sir Ector, For thou

hast done this day more unto me than any knight did these twelve years,

now will I grant thee thy life, so thou wilt be sworn to be my prisoner

all thy life days. Nay, said Sir Ector, that will I never promise thee,

but that I will do mine advantage. That me repenteth, said Sir

Turquine. And then he gart to unarm him, and beat him with thorns all

naked, and sithen put him down in a deep dungeon, where he knew many of

his fellows. But when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he great

sorrow. Alas, brother, said Sir Ector, where is my brother Sir

Launcelot? Fair brother, I left him asleep when that I from him yode,

under an apple-tree, and what is become of him I cannot tell you. Alas,

said the knights, but Sir Launcelot help us we may never be delivered,

for we know now no knight that is able to match our master Turquine.

CHAPTER III. How four queens found Launcelot sleeping, and how by

enchantment he was taken and led into a castle.

Now leave we these knights prisoners, and speak we of Sir Launcelot du

Lake that lieth under the apple-tree sleeping. Even about the noon

there came by him four queens of great estate; and, for the heat should

not annoy them, there rode four knights about them, and bare a cloth of

green silk on four spears, betwixt them and the sun, and the queens

rode on four white mules. Thus as they rode they heard by them a great

horse grimly neigh, then were they ware of a sleeping knight, that lay

all armed under an apple-tree; anon as these queens looked on his face,

they knew it was Sir Launcelot. Then they began for to strive for that

knight, everych one said they would have him to her love. We shall not

strive, said Morgan le Fay, that was King Arthur’s sister, I shall put

an enchantment upon him that he shall not awake in six hours, and then

I will lead him away unto my castle, and when he is surely within my

hold, I shall take the enchantment from him, and then let him choose

which of us he will have unto paramour.

So this enchantment was cast upon Sir Launcelot, and then they laid him

upon his shield, and bare him so on horseback betwixt two knights, and

brought him unto the castle Chariot, and there they laid him in a

chamber cold, and at night they sent unto him a fair damosel with his

supper ready dight. By that the enchantment was past, and when she came

she saluted him, and asked him what cheer. I cannot say, fair damosel,

said Sir Launcelot, for I wot not how I came into this castle but it be

by an enchantment. Sir, said she, ye must make good cheer, and if ye be

such a knight as it is said ye be, I shall tell you more to-morn by

prime of the day. Gramercy, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, of your

good will I require you. And so she departed. And there he lay all that

night without comfort of anybody. And on the morn early came these four

queens, passingly well beseen, all they bidding him good morn, and he

them again.

Sir knight, the four queens said, thou must understand thou art our

prisoner, and we here know thee well that thou art Sir Launcelot du

Lake, King Ban’s son, and because we understand your worthiness, that

thou art the noblest knight living, and as we know well there can no

lady have thy love but one, and that is Queen Guenever, and now thou

shalt lose her for ever, and she thee, and therefore thee behoveth now

to choose one of us four. I am the Queen Morgan le Fay, queen of the

land of Gore, and here is the queen of Northgalis, and the queen of

Eastland, and the queen of the Out Isles; now choose one of us which

thou wilt have to thy paramour, for thou mayest not choose or else in

this prison to die. This is an hard case, said Sir Launcelot, that

either I must die or else choose one of you, yet had I liefer to die in

this prison with worship, than to have one of you to my paramour maugre

my head. And therefore ye be answered, I will none of you, for ye be

false enchantresses, and as for my lady, Dame Guenever, were I at my

liberty as I was, I would prove it on you or on yours, that she is the

truest lady unto her lord living. Well, said the queens, is this your

answer, that ye will refuse us. Yea, on my life, said Sir Launcelot,

refused ye be of me. So they departed and left him there alone that

made great sorrow.

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Launcelot was delivered by the mean of a damosel.

Right so at the noon came the damosel unto him with his dinner, and

asked him what cheer. Truly, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, in my

life days never so ill. Sir, she said, that me repenteth, but an ye

will be ruled by me, I shall help you out of this distress, and ye

shall have no shame nor villainy, so that ye hold me a promise. Fair

damosel, I will grant you, and sore I am of these queen-sorceresses

afeard, for they have destroyed many a good knight. Sir, said she, that

is sooth, and for the renown and bounty that they hear of you they

would have your love, and Sir, they say, your name is Sir Launcelot du

Lake, the flower of knights, and they be passing wroth with you that ye

have refused them. But Sir, an ye would promise me to help my father on

Tuesday next coming, that hath made a tournament betwixt him and the

King of Northgalis—for the last Tuesday past my father lost the field

through three knights of Arthur’s court—an ye will be there on Tuesday

next coming, and help my father, to-morn or prime, by the grace of God,

I shall deliver you clean. Fair maiden, said Sir Launcelot, tell me

what is your father’s name, and then shall I give you an answer. Sir

knight, she said, my father is King Bagdemagus, that was foul rebuked

at the last tournament. I know your father well, said Sir Launcelot,

for a noble king and a good knight, and by the faith of my body, ye

shall have my body ready to do your father and you service at that day.

Sir, she said, gramercy, and to-morn await ye be ready betimes and I

shall be she that shall deliver you and take you your armour and your

horse, shield and spear, and hereby within this ten mile, is an abbey

of white monks, there I pray you that ye me abide, and thither shall I

bring my father unto you. All this shall be done, said Sir Launcelot as

I am true knight.

And so she departed, and came on the morn early, and found him ready;

then she brought him out of twelve locks, and brought him unto his

armour, and when he was clean armed, she brought him until his own

horse, and lightly he saddled him and took a great spear in his hand

and so rode forth, and said, Fair damosel, I shall not fail you, by the

grace of God. And so he rode into a great forest all that day, and

never could find no highway and so the night fell on him, and then was

he ware in a slade, of a pavilion of red sendal. By my faith, said Sir

Launcelot, in that pavilion will I lodge all this night, and so there

he alighted down, and tied his horse to the pavilion, and there he

unarmed him, and there he found a bed, and laid him therein and fell

asleep sadly.

CHAPTER V. How a knight found Sir Launcelot lying in his leman’s bed,

and how Sir Launcelot fought with the knight.

Then within an hour there came the knight to whom the pavilion ought,

and he weened that his leman had lain in that bed, and so he laid him

down beside Sir Launcelot, and took him in his arms and began to kiss

him. And when Sir Launcelot felt a rough beard kissing him, he started

out of the bed lightly, and the other knight after him, and either of

them gat their swords in their hands, and out at the pavilion door went

the knight of the pavilion, and Sir Launcelot followed him, and there

by a little slake Sir Launcelot wounded him sore, nigh unto the death.

And then he yielded him unto Sir Launcelot, and so he granted him, so

that he would tell him why he came into the bed. Sir, said the knight,

the pavilion is mine own, and there this night I had assigned my lady

to have slept with me, and now I am likely to die of this wound. That

me repenteth, said Launcelot, of your hurt, but I was adread of

treason, for I was late beguiled, and therefore come on your way into

your pavilion and take your rest, and as I suppose I shall staunch your

blood. And so they went both into the pavilion, and anon Sir Launcelot

staunched his blood.

Therewithal came the knight’s lady, that was a passing fair lady, and

when she espied that her lord Belleus was sore wounded, she cried out

on Sir Launcelot, and made great dole out of measure. Peace, my lady

and my love, said Belleus, for this knight is a good man, and a knight

adventurous, and there he told her all the cause how he was wounded;

And when that I yielded me unto him, he left me goodly and hath

staunched my blood. Sir, said the lady, I require thee tell me what

knight ye be, and what is your name? Fair lady, he said, my name is Sir

Launcelot du Lake. So me thought ever by your speech, said the lady,

for I have seen you oft or this, and I know you better than ye ween.

But now an ye would promise me of your courtesy, for the harms that ye

have done to me and my Lord Belleus, that when he cometh unto Arthur’s

court for to cause him to be made knight of the Round Table, for he is

a passing good man of arms, and a mighty lord of lands of many out

isles.

Fair lady, said Sir Launcelot, let him come unto the court the next

high feast, and look that ye come with him, and I shall do my power, an

ye prove you doughty of your hands, that ye shall have your desire. So

thus within a while, as they thus talked, the night passed, and the day

shone, and then Sir Launcelot armed him, and took his horse, and they

taught him to the Abbey, and thither he rode within the space of two

hours.

CHAPTER VI. How Sir Launcelot was received of King Bagdemagus’

daughter, and how he made his complaint to her father.

And soon as Sir Launcelot came within the abbey yard, the daughter of

King Bagdemagus heard a great horse go on the pavement. And she then

arose and yede unto a window, and there she saw Sir Launcelot, and anon

she made men fast to take his horse from him and let lead him into a

stable, and himself was led into a fair chamber, and unarmed him, and

the lady sent him a long gown, and anon she came herself. And then she

made Launcelot passing good cheer, and she said he was the knight in

the world was most welcome to her. Then in all haste she sent for her

father Bagdemagus that was within twelve mile of that Abbey, and afore

even he came, with a fair fellowship of knights with him. And when the

king was alighted off his horse he yode straight unto Sir Launcelot’s

chamber and there he found his daughter, and then the king embraced Sir

Launcelot in his arms, and either made other good cheer.

Anon Sir Launcelot made his complaint unto the king how he was

betrayed, and how his brother Sir Lionel was departed from him he wist

not where, and how his daughter had delivered him out of prison;

Therefore while I live I shall do her service and all her kindred. Then

am I sure of your help, said the king, on Tuesday next coming. Yea,

sir, said Sir Launcelot, I shall not fail you, for so I have promised

my lady your daughter. But, sir, what knights be they of my lord

Arthur’s that were with the King of Northgalis? And the king said it

was Sir Mador de la Porte, and Sir Mordred and Sir Gahalantine that all

for-fared my knights, for against them three I nor my knights might

bear no strength. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, as I hear say that the

tournament shall be here within this three mile of this abbey, ye shall

send unto me three knights of yours, such as ye trust, and look that

the three knights have all white shields, and I also, and no painture

on the shields, and we four will come out of a little wood in midst of

both parties, and we shall fall in the front of our enemies and grieve

them that we may; and thus shall I not be known what knight I am.

So they took their rest that night, and this was on the Sunday, and so

the king departed, and sent unto Sir Launcelot three knights with the

four white shields. And on the Tuesday they lodged them in a little

leaved wood beside there the tournament should be. And there were

scaffolds and holes that lords and ladies might behold and to give the

prize. Then came into the field the King of Northgalis with eight score

helms. And then the three knights of Arthur’s stood by themselves. Then

came into the field King Bagdemagus with four score of helms. And then

they feutred their spears, and came together with a great dash, and

there were slain of knights at the first recounter twelve of King

Bagdemagus’ party, and six of the King of Northgalis’ party, and King

Bagdemagus’ party was far set aback.

CHAPTER VII. How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he

met with Sir Turquine leading Sir Gaheris.

With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in with his spear

in the thickest of the press, and there he smote down with one spear

five knights, and of four of them he brake their backs. And in that

throng he smote down the King of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in

that fall. All this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of

Arthur’s. Yonder is a shrewd guest, said Sir Mador de la Porte,

therefore have here once at him. So they encountered, and Sir Launcelot

bare him down horse and man, so that his shoulder went out of lith. Now

befalleth it to me to joust, said Mordred, for Sir Mador hath a sore

fall. Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand,

and met him, and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot

gave him such a buffet that the arson of his saddle brake, and so he

flew over his horse’s tail, that his helm butted into the earth a foot

and more, that nigh his neck was broken, and there he lay long in a

swoon.

Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a great spear and Launcelot against

him, with all their strength that they might drive, that both their

spears to-brast even to their hands, and then they flang out with their

swords and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of

measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on the helm that his nose

brast out on blood, and ears and mouth both, and therewith his head

hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with him, and he fell down

to the earth. Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his

hand, and or ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth

sixteen knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not the

horse, and there was none but that he hit surely, he bare none arms

that day. And then he gat another great spear, and smote down twelve

knights, and the most part of them never throve after. And then the

knights of the King of Northgalis would joust no more. And there the

gree was given to King Bagdemagus.

So either party departed unto his own place, and Sir Launcelot rode

forth with King Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he had passing

good cheer both with the king and with his daughter, and they proffered

him great gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and told the king

that he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel, that went from him

when that he slept, so he took his horse, and betaught them all to God.

And there he said unto the king’s daughter, If ye have need any time of

my service I pray you let me have knowledge, and I shall not fail you

as I am true knight. And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he

came into the same forest there he was taken sleeping. And in the midst

of a highway he met a damosel riding on a white palfrey, and there

either saluted other. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this

country any adventures? Sir knight, said that damosel, here are

adventures near hand, an thou durst prove them. Why should I not prove

adventures? said Sir Launcelot for that cause come I hither. Well, said

she, thou seemest well to be a good knight, and if thou dare meet with

a good knight, I shall bring thee where is the best knight, and the

mightiest that ever thou found, so thou wilt tell me what is thy name,

and what knight thou art. Damosel, as for to tell thee my name I take

no great force; truly my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir, thou

beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, for hereby

dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man I know but ye

overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. And, as I understand, he

hath in his prison, of Arthur’s court, good knights three score and

four, that he hath won with his own hands. But when ye have done that

journey ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go with me,

and to help me and other damosels that are distressed daily with a

false knight. All your intent, damosel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye

will bring me unto this knight. Now, fair knight, come on your way; and

so she brought him unto the ford and the tree where hung the basin.

So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the basin

with the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the bottom

fell out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode endlong

the gates of that manor nigh half-an-hour. And then was he ware of a

great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse

there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and near,

Sir Launcelot thought he should know him. Then Sir Launcelot was ware

that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, a knight of the Table

Round. Now, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh a

knight fast bounden that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto

Sir Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of

God, to rescue that knight; but if his master sit better in the saddle

I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am

sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him. By that time that

either had seen other, they gripped their spears unto them. Now, fair

knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that wounded knight off the horse, and

let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths; for as it is

informed me, thou doest and hast done great despite and shame unto

knights of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee. An thou be

of the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy thee and all thy fellowship.

That is overmuch said, said Sir Launcelot.

CHAPTER VIII. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together.

And then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with

their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in midst

of their shields, that both their horses’ backs brast under them, and

the knights were both stonied. And as soon as they might avoid their

horses, they took their shields afore them, and drew out their swords,

and came together eagerly, and either gave other many strong strokes,

for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. And so

within a while they had both grimly wounds, and bled passing

grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more trasing and rasing either

other, where they might hit any bare place.

Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood leaning on their

swords. Now fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold thy hand a while, and tell

me what I shall ask thee. Say on. Then Turquine said, Thou art the

biggest man that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and like one

knight that I hate above all other knights; so be it that thou be not

he I will lightly accord with thee, and for thy love I will deliver all

the prisoners that I have, that is three score and four, so thou wilt

tell me thy name. And thou and I we will be fellows together, and never

to fail thee while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot,

but sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is he

that thou so hatest above all other? Faithfully, said Sir Turquine, his

name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, for he slew my brother, Sir Carados, at

the dolorous tower, that was one of the best knights alive; and

therefore him I except of all knights, for may I once meet with him,

the one of us shall make an end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir

Launcelot’s sake I have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I

have maimed all utterly that they might never after help themselves,

and many have died in prison, and yet have I three score and four, and

all shall be delivered so thou wilt tell me thy name, so be it that

thou be not Sir Launcelot.

Now, see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I might be, I

might have peace, and such a man I might be, that there should be war

mortal betwixt us. And now, sir knight, at thy request I will that thou

wit and know that I am Launcelot du Lake, King Ban’s son of Benwick,

and very knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, and do thy

best. Ah, said Turquine, Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome that

ever was knight, for we shall never depart till the one of us be dead.

Then they hurtled together as two wild bulls rushing and lashing with

their shields and swords, that sometime they fell both over their

noses. Thus they fought still two hours and more, and never would have

rest, and Sir Turquine gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the

ground thereas they fought was all bespeckled with blood.

CHAPTER IX. How Sir Turquine was slain, and how Sir Launcelot bade Sir

Gaheris deliver all the prisoners.

Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed faint, and gave somewhat aback, and

bare his shield low for weariness. That espied Sir Launcelot, and leapt

upon him fiercely and gat him by the beaver of his helmet, and plucked

him down on his knees, and anon he raced off his helm, and smote his

neck in sunder. And when Sir Launcelot had done this, he yode unto the

damosel and said, Damosel, I am ready to go with you where ye will have

me, but I have no horse. Fair sir, said she, take this wounded knight’s

horse and send him into this manor, and command him to deliver all the

prisoners. So Sir Launcelot went unto Gaheris, and prayed him not to be

aggrieved for to lend him his horse. Nay, fair lord, said Gaheris, I

will that ye take my horse at your own commandment, for ye have both

saved me and my horse, and this day I say ye are the best knight in the

world, for ye have slain this day in my sight the mightiest man and the

best knight except you that ever I saw, and, fair sir, said Gaheris, I

pray you tell me your name. Sir, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, that

ought to help you of right for King Arthur’s sake, and in especial for

my lord Sir Gawaine’s sake, your own dear brother; and when that ye

come within yonder manor, I am sure ye shall find there many knights of

the Round Table, for I have seen many of their shields that I know on

yonder tree. There is Kay’s shield, and Sir Brandel’s shield, and Sir

Marhaus’ shield, and Sir Galind’s shield, and Sir Brian de Listnois’

shield, and Sir Aliduke’s shield, with many more that I am not now

advised of, and also my two brethren’s shields, Sir Ector de Maris and

Sir Lionel; wherefore I pray you greet them all from me, and say that I

bid them take such stuff there as they find, and that in any wise my

brethren go unto the court and abide me there till that I come, for by

the feast of Pentecost I cast me to be there, for as at this time I

must ride with this damosel for to save my promise.

And so he departed from Gaheris, and Gaheris yede in to the manor, and

there he found a yeoman porter keeping there many keys. Anon withal Sir

Gaheris threw the porter unto the ground and took the keys from him,

and hastily he opened the prison door, and there he let out all the

prisoners, and every man loosed other of their bonds. And when they saw

Sir Gaheris, all they thanked him, for they weened that he was wounded.

Not so, said Gaheris, it was Launcelot that slew him worshipfully with

his own hands. I saw it with mine own eyes. And he greeteth you all

well, and prayeth you to haste you to the court; and as unto Sir Lionel

and Ector de Maris he prayeth you to abide him at the court. That shall

we not do, says his brethren, we will find him an we may live. So shall

I, said Sir Kay, find him or I come at the court, as I am true knight.

Then all those knights sought the house thereas the armour was, and

then they armed them, and every knight found his own horse, and all

that ever longed unto him. And when this was done, there came a

forester with four horses laden with fat venison. Anon, Sir Kay said,

Here is good meat for us for one meal, for we had not many a day no

good repast. And so that venison was roasted, baken, and sodden, and so

after supper some abode there all night, but Sir Lionel and Ector de

Maris and Sir Kay rode after Sir Launcelot to find him if they might.

CHAPTER X. How Sir Launcelot rode with a damosel and slew a knight that

distressed all ladies and also a villain that kept a bridge.

Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot, that rode with the damosel in a fair

highway. Sir, said the damosel, here by this way haunteth a knight that

distressed all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth them

or lieth by them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief and a knight

and a ravisher of women? he doth shame unto the order of knighthood,

and contrary unto his oath; it is pity that he liveth. But, fair

damosel, ye shall ride on afore, yourself, and I will keep myself in

covert, and if that he trouble you or distress you I shall be your

rescue and learn him to be ruled as a knight.

So the maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace, and within a while

came out that knight on horseback out of the wood, and his page with

him, and there he put the damosel from her horse, and then she cried.

With that came Launcelot as fast as he might till he came to that

knight, saying, O thou false knight and traitor unto knighthood, who

did learn thee to distress ladies and gentlewomen? When the knight saw

Sir Launcelot thus rebuking him he answered not, but drew his sword and

rode unto Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot threw his spear from him,

and drew out his sword, and struck him such a buffet on the helmet that

he clave his head and neck unto the throat. Now hast thou thy payment

that long thou hast deserved! That is truth, said the damosel, for like

as Sir Turquine watched to destroy knights, so did this knight attend

to destroy and distress ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen, and his name

was Sir Peris de Forest Savage. Now, damosel, said Sir Launcelot, will

ye any more service of me? Nay, sir, she said, at this time, but

almighty Jesu preserve you wheresomever ye ride or go, for the curteist

knight thou art, and meekest unto all ladies and gentlewomen, that now

liveth. But one thing, sir knight, methinketh ye lack, ye that are a

knight wifeless, that he will not love some maiden or gentlewoman, for

I could never hear say that ever ye loved any of no manner degree, and

that is great pity; but it is noised that ye love Queen Guenever, and

that she hath ordained by enchantment that ye shall never love none

other but her, nor none other damosel nor lady shall rejoice you;

wherefore many in this land, of high estate and low, make great sorrow.