SIR LAUNCELOT AND TARQUIN
There is a mound in Penrith churchyard, in the Cumberland county
of England, which is still called "The Giant's Grave." A pair of
twelve-foot, round stone pillars stand for head and foot stone, fifteen
feet apart--a prodigious suggestion as to the size of him who lies
there.
Legend has it that there was buried here a fell giant named Tarquin,
who ravaged the country far and wide, in defiance of King Arthur, until
on a day he met with Sir Launcelot du Lake. Which takes us back at one
leap some fifteen hundred years.
* * * * *
In all tournaments and jousts Sir Launcelot was never overcome, but it
were by treason or enchantment. On a time, having long diverted him at
the court he rode forth with his brother Sir Lionel to seek adventures.
So they mounted upon their horses armed at all points, and rode into
a deep forest; and after they came into a great plain, and then the
weather was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had great list 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 of all this
seven year I was not so sleepy as now."
And as they there alighted and tied their horses under sundry trees,
and so Sir Launcelot laid him down under the apple tree, 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, fleeing as fast as ever they might ride. And
there followed them three but one knight.
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. (For
he was truly a giant in size.) So within a while this strong knight had
overtaken one of these knights, and then he smote him to the cold earth
that he lay still. Then he rode unto the second knight and smote him as
that man and horse fell down. And then straight to the third knight he
rode, and he smote him behind his horse's tail a spear's length. And 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 this, 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 on 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
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 made unarm them, and beat them with thorns all
naked, and after put them in a deep prison where there were many more
knights that made great dolor.
When Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Launcelot was past 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 that 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 diked, 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 hangeth many fair shields
that wielded sometime good knights: and at the bole of the tree hangeth
a basin of copper and brass. Strike upon that basin with the butt of
thy spear thrice, and soon after thou shall 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 he promised to revenge
his brother. Then anon Sir Ector beat upon the basin as he were wood,
and then he gave his horse drink at the ford: and there came a very
tall knight behind him and bade him come out of the water and make him
ready; and Sir Ector anon turned him shortly and in rest placed his
spear, and smote the knight a great buffet that his horse turned twice
about.
"This was well done," said the huge knight, "and knightly thou hast
stricken me."
Therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and caught 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 the midst of the floor. The
name of this strong knight was Sir Tarquin.
Then he said to Sir Ector: "For thou hast done this day more unto me
than any knight did these twelve years, now I will 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 Tarquin.
And then he made to unarm him, and beat him with thorns all naked, and
after put him down in that same 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 on sleep when that I from him went, 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
Tarquin."
While these knights were thus prisoners Sir Launcelot du Lake lay under
the apple tree sleeping.
Even about the noon, there came by him four queens of great estate;
and, for the heat of the sun 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, and
then they were ware of a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an
apple tree; anon as these queens looked on his face they knew that it
was Sir Launcelot. Then they began to strive for that knight; every one
said she 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 for his love."
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 damsel 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 damsel," 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 tomorn by prime of the day."
"Gramercy, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "of your good will I
requite 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 here
our prisoner; and we here know thee well, that thou art Sir Launcelot
du Lake, King Ban's son. And truly we understand your worthiness that
thou art the noblest knight living; 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 ye one of us which
thou wilt have to thy love, for thou mayst not but 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 liever to die in this prison
with worship, than to have one of you to my love maugre my head. And
therefore ye be answered, for I will have none of you, for ye be false
enchantresses."
"Well," said the queens, "is this your answer, that you will refuse us?"
"Yea, upon my life," said Sir Launcelot, "refused ye be of me."
So they departed and left him there alone that made great sorrow!
Right so at noon came the damsel to him, and brought him his dinner,
and asked him what cheer.
"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "in all my life-days never so
ill."
"Sir," said she, "that me repenteth; but an ye will be ruled by me, I
shall keep you out of this distress, and ye shall have no shame nor
villainy, so that ye hold me a promise."
"Fair damsel, that I will grant you, and sore I am afeared of these
queen's witches, for they have destroyed many a good knight."
"Sir," said she, "that is sooth, and for the renoun and bounty they
hear of you they would have your love, and, sir, they say that your
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all the knights that been
living, and they been passing wroth with you that ye have refused them;
but, sir, an ye would promise me for to help my father on Tuesday
next coming, that hath made a tournament between him and the king of
Northgalis; for the Tuesday last past my father lost the field through
three knights of King Arthur's court, and if ye will be there upon
Tuesday next coming and help my father, tomorrow 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 I shall give you an answer."
"Sir Knight," said the damsel, "my father is King Bagdemagus, that was
foully 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 that day."
"Sir," said the damsel, "gramercy; tomorrow await that ye be ready
betimes, and I shall deliver you; and take you your armor and your
horse, shield and spear; and hereby within these ten miles is an abbey
of white monks, and there I pray you to abide, and thither shall I
bring my father unto you."
"All this shall be done," said Launcelot, "as I am a true knight."
And so she departed, and came on the morrow early and found him ready.
Then she brought him out of twelve locks, and brought him unto his
armor. And when he was all armed and arrayed, she brought him unto his
own horse, and lightly he saddled him, and took a great spear in his
hand, and so rode forth, and said, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail you,
by the grace of God."
So the knight rode forth and performed that adventure, according as
he had promised; and Sir Launcelot overthrew the three knights of King
Arthur's court, one after the other; and with one great spear he bare
down sixteen knights of the king of Northgalis' party, and with another
spear he smote down twelve knights. Then the knights of Northgalis
would joust no more, and the prize was given unto King Bagdemagus.
And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventures he came into the same
forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the midst of an highway he
met a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other.
"Fair damsel," said Launcelot, "know ye in this country any adventures?"
"Sir knight," said the damsel, "here are adventures near hand, an thou
durst prove them."
"Why should I not prove adventures?" said Sir Launcelot; "for that
cause came 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 foundest, so thou wilt tell me
what is thy name, and what knight thou art."
"Damsel, 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 he adventures by that fall for thee,
for hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man
that I know, unless ye overmatch him, and his name is Sir Tarquin. 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 day's work ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight
for to go with me, and to help me and other damsels that are distressed
daily with a false knight."
"All your intent, damsel, and desire I will fulfill, so ye will bring
me unto this knight."
"Now, fair knight, come on your way."
And so she brought him unto the ford, and unto 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 along the gates of that manor nigh half an hour. And then
he was ware of a great knight that drove on horse before 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 he
was ware that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawain's brother, a knight of the
Table Round.
"Now, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "I see yonder cometh a knight
fast bound that is a fellow of mine. And at the first beginning I
promise you, by the leave of God, to rescue that knight; and unless his
master sit better in the saddle I shall deliver all the prisoners that
he hath out of danger, for I am sure that 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."
"And thou be of the Table Round," said Tarquin, "I defy thee and all
thy fellowship."
"That is overmuch said," said Sir Launcelot.
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 the midst
of their shields, that both their horses' backs brast under them; and
the knights were both astonied, 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
they had both grimly wounds, and bled passing grievously.
Thus they fared two hours or more, trasing and rasing each 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 Tarquin, "hold thy hand awhile, and tell me
what I shall ask thee."
"Say on."
Then Tarquin said: "Thou art the stoutest 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
will be fellows together, and never to fail the while that I live."
"It is well said," said Sir Launcelot; "but since it is so that I may
have thy friendship, what knight is he that thou so hatest above all
other?"
"Truly," said Sir Tarquin, "his name is Launcelot du Lake, for he slew
my brother Sir Carados at the Dolorous Tower, which was one of the best
knights then living; and therefore him I except of all knights, for an
I may once meet with him, that one of us shall make an end of another,
and to that I make a vow. And for Sir Launcelot's sake I have slain an
hundred good knights, and as many I have utterly maimed, that never
after they might help themselves, and many have died in my prison; and
yet I have three-score and four, and all shall be delivered so thou
wilt tell me thy name, and so it be 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 there should be between
us two mortal war; and now, sir knight, at thy request, I will that
thou wit and know that I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of
Berwick, and knight of the Round Table. And now I defy thee do thy
best."
"Ah!" said Sir Tarquin. "Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome, as
ever was any knight, for we shall never depart till the one of us be
dead."
Then hurtled they together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing with
their shields and swords, that sometime they fell both on their faces.
Thus they fought still two hours and more, and never would rest, and
Sir Tarquin gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground there as
they fought was all besprinkled with blood.
Then at last Sir Tarquin waxed very faint, and gave somewhat back, and
bare his shield full low for weariness.
That soon espied Sir Launcelot, and then leaped upon him fiercely as a
lion, and got him by the banner of his helmet, and as he plucked him
down on his knees, and anon he raised his helm, and then he smote his
neck asunder.
Sir Launcelot freed all the prisoners from that loathsome prison; and
despite his grievous wounds on the third day after he rode forth in
quest of further adventures.
As he rode over a long bridge, there started upon him suddenly a
passing foul churl, and he smote his horse on the nose that he turned
about, and asked him why he rode over that bridge without his license.
"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot. "I may not ride
beside."
"Thou shalt not choose," said the churl, and lashed at him with a great
club shod with iron. Then Sir Launcelot drew a sword, and put the
stroke aback, and clave his head unto the breast.
At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all the people, men
and women, cried on Sir Launcelot, and said: "A worse deed didst thou
never for thyself, for thou hast slain the chief porter of our castle."
Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and straight he went into
the castle; and when he came into the castle he alighted, and tied his
horse to a ring on the wall; and there he saw a fair green court, and
thither he dressed himself, for there him thought was a fair place to
fight in.
So he looked about, and saw much people in doors and windows, that
said, "Fair knight, thou art unhappy."
Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save
the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands.
Sir Launcelot put his shield afore him, and put the stroke away of
the one giant, and with his sword he clave his head asunder. When his
fellow saw that he ran away as he were wood, for fear of the horrible
strokes; and Sir Launcelot after him with all his might, and smote him
on the shoulder, and clave him to the middle.
Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall, and there came before him
threescore ladies and damsels, and all kneeled unto him, and thanked
God and him of their deliverance.
"For, sir," said they, "the most part of us have been here this seven
year their prisoners, and we have worked all manner of silk works for
our meat, and we are all great gentlewomen born; for thou hast done
the most worship that ever knight did in the world, that will we bear
record, and we all pray you to tell us your name, that we may tell our
friends who delivered us out of prison."
"Fair damsels," he said, "my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake."
"Ah, sir," said they all, "well mayst thou be he, for else save
yourself, as we deemed, there might never knight have the better of
these two giants, for many fair knights have assayed it, and here have
ended; and many times have we wished after you, and these two giants
dread never knight but you."
"Now may you say," said Sir Launcelot, "unto your friends how and who
hath delivered you, and greet them all for me; and if that I come in
any of your marches show me such cheer as ye have cause; and what
treasure that there is in this castle I give it you for a reward for
your grievances. And the lord that is the owner of this castle I would
that he received it as is right."
"Fair sir," said they, "the name of this castle is Tintagil, and a duke
owned it that some time wedded fair Igraine, and after wedded her Uther
Pendragon."
"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I understand to whom this castle
belongeth."
And so he departed and betaught them unto God. And then he mounted upon
his horse and rode into many strange and wild countries and through
many waters and valleys.