CHAPTER VI.
LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE.
KING BAN, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur,
was attacked
by his enemy Claudas, and, after a long war, saw himself
reduced to
the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged
by his
enemy. In this extremity he determined to solicit the
assistance of
Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen
and his
infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands
of his
seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.
The
flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the
unfortunate
monarch during his flight, and he expired with grief.
The wretched
Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew
to receive the
last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived
the little
Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach
of the queen,
threw herself into the lake with the child. This nymph
was Viviane,
mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the
name of the Lady
of the Lake. Launcelot received his appellation from having
been
educated at the court of this enchantress, whose palace
was situated
in the midst, not of a real, but, like the appearance
which deceives
the African traveller, of an imaginary lake, whose deluding
resemblance served as a barrier to her residence. Here
she dwelt not
alone, but in the midst of a numerous retinue, and a splendid
court of
knights and damsels.
The queen, after her double loss, retired to a convent,
where she
was joined by the widow of Bohort, for this good king
had died of
grief on hearing of the death of his brother Ban. His
two sons, Lionel
and Bohort, were rescued by a faithful knight, and arrived
in the
shape of greyhounds at the palace of the lake, where,
having resumed
their natural form, they were educated along with their
cousin
Launcelot.
The fairy, when her pupil had attained the age of eighteen,
conveyed
him to the court of Arthur, for the purpose of demanding
his admission
to the honor of knighthood; and at the first appearance
of the
youthful candidate the graces of his person, which were
not inferior
to his courage and skill in arms, made an instantaneous
and
indelible impression on the heart of Guenever, while her
charms
inspired him with an equally ardent and constant passion.
The mutual
attachment of these lovers exerted, from that time forth,
an influence
over the whole history of Arthur. For the sake of Guenever
Launcelot
achieved the conquest of Northumberland, defeated Gallehaut,
King of
the Marches, who afterwards become his most faithful friend
and
ally, exposed himself in numberless encounters, and brought
hosts of
prisoners to the feet of his sovereign.
After King Arthur was come from Rome into England all
the knights of
the Table Round resorted unto him, and made him many jousts
and
tournaments. And in especial Sir Launcelot of the Lake,
in all
tournaments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life
and death,
passed all other knights, and was never overcome, except
it were by
treason or enchantment; and he increased marvellously
in worship,
wherefore Queen Guenever had him in great favor, above
all other
knights. And for certain he loved the queen again above
all other
ladies; and for her he did many deeds of arms, and saved
her from
peril through his noble chivalry. Thus Sir Launcelot rested
him long
with play and game, and then he thought to prove himself
in strange
adventures; so he bade his nephew, Sir Lionel, to make
him ready,-
"for we two will seek adventures." So they mounted
on their horses,
armed at all sights, and rode into a forest, and so into
a deep plain.
And the weather was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot
had great desire
to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree that
stood by a
hedge, and he said: "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow,-
there may we
rest us and our horses." "It is well said,"
replied Sir Launcelot.
So they there alighted, and Sir Launcelot laid him down,
and his
helm under his head, and soon was asleep passing fast.
And Sir
Lionel waked while he slept. And presently there came
three knights
riding as fast as ever they might ride, and there followed
them but
one knight. And Sir Lionel thought he never saw so great
a knight
before. So within a while this great knight overtook one
of those
knights, and smote him so that he fell to the earth. Then
he rode to
the second knight and smote him, and so he did to the
third knight.
Then he alighted down, and bound all the three knights
fast with their
own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do thus he thought
to assay
him, and made him ready, silently, not to awake Sir Launcelot,
and
rode after the strong knight, and bade him turn. And the
other smote
Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man fell to the earth;
and then he
alighted down, and bound Sir Lionel, and threw him across
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 put them in
a deep
prison, in which were many more knights in great distress.
Now while Sir Launcelot lay under the apple-tree sleeping
there came
by him four queens of great estate. And that the heat
should not
grieve 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 they were aware of a sleeping knight, that lay all
armed under an
apple-tree; and as the queens looked on his face they
knew it was
Sir Launcelot. Then they began to strive for that knight,
and each one
said she would have him for her love. "We will not
strive," said
Morgane le Fay, that was King Arthur's sister, "for
I will put an
enchantment upon him, that he shall not wake for six hours,
and we
will take him away to my castle; and then when he is surely
within
my hold I will take the enchantment from him, and then
let him
choose which of us he will have for his love." So
the enchantment
was cast upon Sir Launcelot. And then they laid him upon
his shield,
and bare him so on horseback between two knights, and
brought him unto
the castle and laid hint in a chamber, and at night they
sent him
his supper.
And on the morning came early those four queens, richly
dight, and
bade him good morning, and he them again. "Sir knight,"
they said,
"thou must understand that thou art our prisoner;
and we know thee
well, that thou art Sir Launcelot of the Lake, King Ban's
son, and
that thou art the noblest knight living. And we know well
that there
can no lady have thy love but one, and that is Queen Guenever;
and now
thou shalt lose her forever, and she thee; and therefore
it
behooveth thee now to choose one of us. I am the Queen
Morgane le Fay,
and here is the Queen of North Wales, and the Queen of
Eastland, and
the Queen of the Isles. Now choose one of us which thou
wilt have, for
if thou choose not in this prison thou shalt die."
"This is a 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
have to have one of you for my paramour, for ye be false
enchantresses." "Well," said the queens,
"is this your answer, that ye
will refuse us?" "Yea, on my life it is,"
said Sir Launcelot. Then
they departed, making great sorrow.
Then at noon came a damsel unto him with his dinner,
and asked
him, "What cheer?" "Truly, fair damsel,"
said Sir Launcelot, "never so
ill." "Sir," said she, "if you will
be ruled by me, I will help you
out of this distress. If ye will promise me to help my
father on
Tuesday next, who hath made a tournament betwixt him and
the king of
North Wales; for the last Tuesday my father lost the field."
"Fair
maiden," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me what is
your father's name,
and then will I give you an answer." "Sir knight,"
she said "my father
is King Bagdemagus." "I know him well,"
said Sir Launcelot, "for a
noble king and a good knight, and, by the faith of my
body, I will
be ready to do your father and you service at that day."
So she departed, and came on the next morning early
and found him
ready, and brought him out of twelve locks, and brought
him to his own
horse, and lightly he saddled him, and so rode forth.
And on the Tuesday next he came to a little wood where
the
tournament should be. And there were scaffolds and holds,
that lords
and ladies might look on, and give the prize. Then came
into the field
the king of North Wales, with eightscore helms, and King
Bagdemagus
came with fourscore helms. And then they couched their
spears, and
came together with a great dash, and there were overthrown
at the
first encounter twelve of King Bagdemagus's party and
six of the
king of North Wales's party, and King Bagdemagus's party
had the
worse.
With that came Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and thrust
in with his
spear in the thickest of the press; and he smote down
five knights ere
he held his hand; and he smote down the king of North
Wales, and he
brake his thigh in that fall. And then the knights of
the king of
North Wales would joust no more; and so the gree was given
to King
Bagdemagus.
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 on the morn he took his leave, and told
the king he
would go and seek his brother, Sir Lionel, that went from
him when
he slept. So he departed, and by adventure he came to
the same
forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the highway
be met a damsel
riding on a white palfrey, and they saluted each other.
"Fair damsel,"
said Sir Launcelot, "know ye in this country any
adventures?" "Sir
Knight," said the damsel, "here are adventures
near at hand, if thou
durst pursue them." "Why should I not prove
adventures?" said Sir
Launcelot, "since for that came I hither." "Sir,"
said she, "hereby
dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for any
man I know,
except thou overmatch him. His name is Sir Turquine, and,
as I
understand, he is a deadly enemy of King Arthur, and he
has in his
prison good knights of Arthur's court three score and
more, that he
hath won with his own hands." "Damsel,"
said Launcelot, "I pray you
bring me unto this knight." So she told him, "Hereby,
within this
mile, is his castle, and by it on the left hand is a ford
for horses
to drink of, and over that ford there groweth a fair tree,
and on that
tree hang many shields that good knights wielded aforetime,
that are
now prisoners: and on the tree hangeth a basin of copper
and latten,
and if thou strike upon that basin thou shalt hear tidings."
And Sir
Launcelot departed, and rode as the damsel had shown him,
and
shortly he came to the ford, and the tree where hung the
shields and
basin. And among the shields he saw Sir Lionel's and Sir
Hector's
shield, besides many others of knights that he knew.
Then Sir Launcelot struck on the basin with the butt
of his spear;
and long he did so, but he saw no man. And at length he
was ware of
a great knight that drove a horse before him, and across
the horse
there lay an armed knight bounden. And as they came near
Sir Launcelot
thought he should know the captive knight. Then Sir Launcelot
saw that
it was Sir Gaheris, Sir Gawain's brother, a knight of
the Table Round.
"Now, fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "put
that wounded knight off
the horse, and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove
our strength.
For, as it is told me, thou hast done great despite and
shame unto
knights of the Round Table, therefore now defend thee."
"If thou be of
the Table Round," said Sir Turquine, "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 each smote
the other in
the middle of their shields, so that their horses fell
under them, and
the knights were both staggered; and as soon as they could
clear their
horses, they drew out their swords and came together eagerly,
and each
gave the other many strong strokes, for neither shield
nor harness
might withstand their strokes. So within a while both
had grimly
wounds, and bled grievously. Then at the last they were
breathless
both, and stood leaning upon their swords. "Now,
fellow," said Sir
Turquine, "thou art the stoutest man that ever I
met with, and best
breathed; and so be it thou be not the knight that I hate
above all
other knights, the knight that slew my brother, Sir Caradoc,
I will
gladly accord with thee; and for thy love I will deliver
all the
prisoners that I have."
"What knight is he that thou hatest so above others?"
"Truly,"
said Sir Turquine, "his name is Sir Launcelot of
the Lake." "I am
Sir Launcelot of the Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick,
and very
knight of the Table Round; and now I defy thee do thy
best." "Ah" said
Sir Turquine, "Launcelot, thou art to me the most
welcome that ever
was knight; for we shall never part till the one of us
be dead." And
then they hurtled together like two wild bulls, rashing
and lashing
with their swords and shields, so that sometimes they
fell, as it
were, headlong. Thus they fought two hours and more, till
the ground
where they fought was all bepurpled with blood.
Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed sore faint, and
gave somewhat
aback, and bare his shield full low for weariness. That
spied Sir
Launcelot, and leapt then upon him fiercely as a lion,
and took him by
the beaver of his helmet, and drew him down on his knees.
And he rased
off his helm, and smote his neck in sunder.
And Sir Gaheris, when he saw Sir Turquine slain, said,
"Fair lord, I
pray you tell me your name, for 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." "Sir,
my name is Sir Launcelot du Lac, that ought to help you
of right for
King Arthur's sake, and in especial for Sir Gawain's sake,
your own
dear brother. Now I pray you, that ye go into yonder castle,
and set
free all the prisoners ye find there, for I am sure ye
shall find
there many knights of the Table Round, and especially
my brother Sir
Lionel. I pray you greet them all from me, and tell them
I bid them
take there such stuff as they find; and tell my brother
to go unto the
court and abide me there, for by the feast of Pentecost
I think to
be there; but at this time I may not stop, for I have
adventures on
hand." So he departed, and Sir Gaheris rode into
the castle, and
took the keys from the porter, and hastily opened the
prison door
and let out all the prisoners. There was Sir Kay, Sir
Brandeles, and
Sir Galynde, Sir Bryan and Sir Alyduke, Sir Hector de
Marys and Sir
Lionel, and many more. And when they saw Sir Gaheris,
they all thanked
him, for they thought, because he was wounded, that he
had slain Sir
Turquine. "Not so," said Sir Gaheris; "it
was Sir Launcelot that
slew him, right worshipfully; I saw it with mine eyes."
Sir Launcelot rode till at nightfall he came to a fair
castle, and
therein he found an old gentlewoman, who lodged him with
goodwill, and
there he had good cheer for him and his horse. And when
time was,
his host brought him to a fair chamber over the gate to
his bed.
Then Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his harness by
him, and went
to bed, and anon he fell asleep. And soon after, there
came one on
horseback and knocked at the gate in great haste; and
when Sir
Launcelot heard this, he arose and looked out of the window,
and saw
by the moonlight three knights riding after that one man,
and all
three lashed on him with their swords, and that one knight
turned on
them knightly again and defended himself. "Truly,"
said Sir Launcelot,
"yonder one knight will I help, for it is shame to
see three knights
on one." Then he took his harness and went out at
the window by a
sheet down to the four knights; and he said aloud, "Turn
you knights
unto me, and leave your fighting with that knight."
Then the knights
left Sir Kay, for it was he they were upon, and turned
unto Sir
Launcelot, and struck many great strokes at Sir Launcelot,
and
assailed him on every side. Then Sir Kay addressed him
to help Sir
Launcelot, but he said, "Nay, sir, I will none of
your help; let me
alone with them." So Sir Kay suffered him to do his
will, and stood
one side. And within six strokes, Sir Launcelot had stricken
them
down.
Then they all cried, "Sir knight, we yield us unto
you." "As to
that," said Sir Launcelot, "I will not take
your yielding unto me.
If so be ye will yield you unto Sir Kay the seneschal,
I will save
your lives, but else not." "Fair knight,"
then they said, "we will
do as thou commandest us." "Then shall ye,"
said Sir Launcelot, "on
Whitsunday next, go unto the court of King Arthur, and
there shall
ye yield you unto Queen Guenever, and say that Sir Kay
sent you
thither to be her prisoners." "Sir," they
said, "It shall be done,
by the faith of our bodies;" and then they swore,
every knight upon
his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suffered them to depart.
On the morn Sir Launcelot rose early and left Sir Kay
sleeping;
and Sir Launcelot took Sir Kay's armor and his shield,
and armed
him, and went to the stable and took his horse, and so
he departed.
Then soon after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot.
And then be
espied that he had taken his armor and his horse. "Now,
by my faith, I
know well," said Sir Kay, "that he will grieve
some of King Arthur's
knights, for they will deem that it is I, and will be
bold to meet
him. But by cause of his armor I am sure I shall ride
in peace."
Then Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.
Sir Launcelot rode in a deep forest, and there he saw
four knights
under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court. There was
Sir Sagramour
le Desirus and Hector de Marys, and Sir Gawain and Sir
Uwaine. As they
spied Sir Launcelot, they judged by his arms it had been
Sir Kay.
"Now, by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, "I
will prove Sir Kay's
might;" and got his spear in his hand, and came toward
Sir
Launcelot. Therewith Sir Launcelot couched his spear against
him,
and smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man fell
both to the
earth. Then said Sir Hector, "Now shall ye see what
I may do with
him." But he fared worse than Sir Sagramour, for
Sir Launcelot's spear
went through his shoulder and bare him from his horse
to the ground,
"By my faith," said Sir Uwaine, "yonder
is a strong knight, and I fear
he hath slain Sir Kay, and taken his armor." And
therewith Sir
Uwaine took his spear in hand, and rode toward Sir Launcelot;
and
Sir Launcelot met him on the plain and gave him such a
buffet that
he was staggered, and wist not where he was. "Now
see I well," said
Sir Gawain, "that I must encounter with that knight."
Then he adjusted
his shield, and took a good spear in his hand, and Sir
Launcelot
knew him well. Then they let run their horses with all
their mights,
and each knight smote the other in the middle of his shield.
But Sir
Gawain's spear broke, and Sir Launcelot charged so sore
upon him
that his horse fell over backward. Then Sir Launcelot
rode away
smiling with himself, and he said "Good luck be with
him that made
this spear, for never came a better into my hand."
Then the four
knights went each to the other and comforted one another.
"What say ye
to this adventure," said Sir Gawain, "that one
spear hath felled us
all four?" "I dare lay my head it is Sir Launcelot,"
said Sir
Hector; "I know it by his riding."
And Sir Launcelot rode through many strange countries,
till, by
fortune, he came to a fair castle; and as he passed beyond
the castle,
he thought he heard two bells ring. And then he perceived
how a falcon
came flying over his head toward a high elm; and she had
long lunys*
about her feet, and she flew unto the elm to take her
perch, and the
lunys got entangled in a bough; and when she would have
taken her
flight, she hung by the legs fast, and Sir Launcelot saw
how she
hung and beheld the fair falcon entangled, and he was
sorry for her.
Then came a lady out of the castle and cried aloud, "O
Launcelot,
Launcelot, as thou art the flower of all knights, help
me to get my
hawk; for if my hawk be lost, my lord will slay me, he
is so hasty."
"What is your lord's name?" said Sir Launcelot.
"His name is Sir
Phelot, a knight that belongeth to the king of North Wales."
"Well,
fair lady, since ye know my name, and require me of knighthood
to help
you, I will do what I may to get your hawk; and yet, in
truth, I am an
ill climber and the tree is passing high and few boughs
to help me."
And therewith Sir Launcelot alighted and tied his horse
to a tree, and
prayed the lady to unarm him. And when he was unarmed,
he put off
his jerkin, and with might and force he clomb up to the
falcon, and
tied the lunys to a rotten bough, and threw the hawk down
with it; and
the lady got the hawk in her hand. Then suddenly there
came out of the
castle her husband all armed, and with his naked sword
in his hand,
and said, "O Knight Launcelot, now have I got thee
as I would;" and
stood at the boll of the tree to slay him. "Ah, lady!"
said Sir
Launcelot, "why have ye betrayed me?" "She
hath done," said Sir
Phelot, "but as I commanded her; and therefore there
is none other way
but thine hour is come, and thou must die." "That
were shame unto
thee," said Sir Launcelot; "thou an armed knight
to slay a naked man
by treason." "Thou gettest none other grace,"
said Sir Phelot, "and
therefore help thyself if thou canst." "Alas!"
said Sir Launcelot,
"that ever a knight should die weaponless!"
And therewith he turned
his eyes upward and downward; and over his head he saw
a big bough
leafless, and he brake it off from the trunk. And then
he came
lower, and watched how his own horse stood; and suddenly
he leapt on
the further side of his horse from the knight. Then Sir
Phelot
lashed at him eagerly, meaning to have slain him. But
Sir Launcelot
put away the stroke with the big bough, and smote Sir
Phelot therewith
on the side of the head, so that he fell down in a swoon
to the
ground. Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his hand
and struck
his head from the body. Then said the lady, "Alas!
why hast thou slain
my husband?" "I am not the cause," said
Sir Launcelot, "for with
falsehood ye would have slain me, and now it is fallen
on yourselves."
Thereupon Sir Launcelot got all his armor and put it upon
him
hastily for fear of more resort, for the knight's castle
was so
nigh. And as soon as he might, he took his horse and departed;
and
thanked God he had escaped that adventure.
* Lunys, the string with which the falcon is held.
And two days before the feast of Pentecost, Sir Launcelot
came home;
and the king and all the court were passing glad of his
coming. And
when Sir Gawain, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramour, and Sir Hector
de Marys
saw Sir Launcelot in Sir Kay's armor, then they wist well
it was he
that smote them down, all with one spear. Then there was
laughing
and merriment among them; and from time to time came all
the knights
that Sir Turquine had prisoners, and they all honored
and worshipped
Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Gaheris said, "I saw all
the battle from the
beginning to the end," and he told King Arthur all
how it was. Then
Sir Kay told the king how Sir Launcelot had rescued him,
and how he
"made the knights yield to me, and not to him."
And there they were,
all three, and confirmed it all. "And by my faith,"
said Sir Kay,
"because Sir Launcelot took my harness and left me
his, I rode in
peace, and no man would have to do with me."
And so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name
of any
knight of the world, and most was he honored of high and
low.
CHAPTER VII.
THE STORY OF LAUNCELOT.- THE ADVENTURE OF THE CART.
SO it befell in the month of May, Queen Guenever called
unto her
knights of the Table Round, and she gave them warning
that early
upon the morrow she would ride on maying into the woods
and fields
beside Westminster. "And I warn you that there be
none of you but that
he be well horsed, and that ye be all clothed in green,
either in
silk, either in cloth, and I shall bring with me ten ladies,
and every
knight shall have a lady behind him, and every knight
shall have a
squire and two yeomen, and I will that ye all be well
horsed." So they
made them ready in the freshest manner, and these were
the names of
the knights: Sir Kay the seneschal, Sir Agravaine, Sir
Brandeles,
Sir Sagramour le Desirus, Sir Dodynas le Sauvage, Sir
Ozanna le Cure
Hardy, Sir Ladynas of the Forest Savage, Sir Perseant
of Inde, Sir
Ironside that was called the knight of the red lawns,
and Sir
Pelleas the lover; and these ten knights made them ready
in the
freshest manner to ride with the queen. And so upon the
morn they took
their horses, with the queen, and rode on maying in woods
and meadows,
as it pleased them, in great joy and delight; for the
queen had cast
to have been again with King Arthur at the furthest by
ten of the
clock, and so was that time her purpose. Then there was
a knight, that
knight Meleagans, and he was son unto King Bagdemagus,
and this knight
had at that time a castle, of the gift of King Arthur,
within seven
miles of Westminster; and this knight Sir Meleagans loved
passing well
Queen Guenever, and so had he done long and many years.
And he had
lain in a wait for to steal away the queen, but evermore
he forbore,
because of Sir Launcelot, for in no wise would he meddle
with the
queen if Sir Launcelot were in her company, or else if
he were near at
hand to her. And at that time was such a custom the queen
rode never
without a great fellowship of men of arms about her; and
they were
many good knights, and the most part were young men that
would have
worship, and they were called the queen's knights, and
never in no
battle, tournament, nor joust, they bare none of them
no manner of
acknowledging of their own arms, but plain white shields,
and
thereby they were called the queen's knights. And then
when it
happed any of them to be of great worship by his noble
deeds, then
at the next feast of Pentecost, if there were any slain
or dead, as
there was no year that these failed, but some were dead,
then was
there chosen in his stead the most men of worship that
were called the
queen's knights. And thus they came up all first, or they
were
renowned men of worship, both Sir Launcelot and the remnant
of them.
But this knight, Sir Meleagans, had espied the queen
well and her
purpose, and how Sir Launcelot was not with her, and how
she had no
men of arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed
in green
for maying. Then he provided him a twenty men of arms
and an hundred
archers, for to destroy the queen and her knights, for
he thought that
time was the best season to take the queen. So as the
queen had
mayed and all her knights, all were bedashed with herbs,
mosses, and
flowers, in the best manner and freshest. Right so came
out of a
wood Sir Meleagans with an eightscore men well harnessed,
as they
should fight in a battle of arrest, and bade the queen
and her knights
abide, for maugre their heads they should abide. "Traitor
knight,"
said Queen Guenever, "what castest thou for to do?
Wilt thou shame
thyself? Bethink thee how thou art a king's son, and knight
of the
Table Round, and thou to be about to dishonor the noble
king that made
thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself,
and me. I let
thee wit, me shalt thou never shame, for I had lever cut
my throat
in twain than thou shouldst dishonor me." "As
for all this
language," said Sir Meleagans, "be it as it
may, for wit you well,
madam, I have loved you many a year, and never or now
could I get
you at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I
will take you as
I find you." Then spake all the ten noble knights
at once, and said:
"Sir Meleagans, wit thou well ye are about to jeopard
your worship
to dishonor, and also ye cast to jeopard our persons;
howbeit we be
unarmed, ye have us at great avail, for it seemeth by
you that ye have
laid watch upon us; but rather than ye should put the
queen to
shame, find us all, we had as lief to depart from our
lives, for if we
other ways did we should be ashamed forever." Then
Sir Meleagans said,
"Dress you as well as you can, and keep the queen."
Then all the ten
knights of the Table Round drew their swords, and the
other let run at
them with their spears, and the ten knights manly abode
them, and
smote away their spears, that no spear did them none harm.
Then they
lashed together with swords, and anon Sir Kay, Sir Sagramour,
Sir
Agravaine, Sir Dodynas, Sir Ladynas, and Sir Ozanna were
smitten to
the earth with grimly wounds. Then Sir Brandiles, and
Sir Persant, Sir
Ironside, and Sir Pelleas fought long, and they were sorely
wounded;
for these ten knights or ever they were laid to the ground
slew
forty men of the boldest and best of them. So when the
queen saw her
knights thus dolefully wounded, and needs must be slain
at the last,
then for pity and sorrow she cried, "Sir Meleagans,
slay not my
noble knights, and I will go with thee upon this covenant,
that thou
save them, and suffer them to be no more hurt, with this,
that they be
led with me wheresoever thou leadest me; for I will rather
slay myself
than I will go with thee, unless that these my noble knights
may be in
my presence." "Madam," said Meleagans,
"for your sake they shall be
led with you into mine own castle, with that ye will be
ruled and ride
with me." Then the queen prayed the four knights
to leave their
fighting, and she and they would not part. "Madam,"
said Sir
Pelleas, "we will do as ye do, for as for me I take
no force of my
life nor death." for Sir Pelleas gave such buffets
that none armor
might hold him.
Then by the queen's commandment they left battle, and
dressed the
wounded knights on horseback, some sitting, some overthwart
their
horses, that it was pity to behold them. And then Sir
Meleagans
charged the queen and all her knights that none of all
her
fellowship should depart from her; for full sore he dreaded
Sir
Launcelot du Lac lest he should have any knowledging.
All this
espied the Queen and privily she called unto her a child
of her
chamber, that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said, "Go
thou, when
thou seest thy time, and bear this ring to Sir Launcelot
du Lac, and
pray him, as he loveth me, that he will see me, and rescue
me if
ever he will have joy of me; and spare thou not thy horse,"
said the
queen, "neither for water nor for land." So
the child espied his time,
and lightly he took his horse with the spurs, and departed
as fast
as he might. And when Sir Meleagans saw him so flee he
understood that
it was by the queen's commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot.
Then they
that were best horsed chased him, and shot at him, but
from them all
the child went suddenly; and then Sir Meleagans said unto
the queen,
"Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall ordain
for Sir
Launcelot that he shall not come lightly to you."
And then he rode
with her and them all to his castle in all the haste that
he might.
And by the way Sir Meleagans laid in an ambushment the
best archers
that he might get in his country, to the number of thirty,
to await
upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they saw such
a manner of
knight come by the way upon a white horse, that in any
wise they
slay his horse, but in no manner of wise have not ado
with him bodily,
for he was overhard to be overcome. So this was done,
and they were
come to his castle, but in no wise the queen would never
let none of
the ten knights and her ladies out of her sight, but always
they
were in her presence. So when the child was departed from
the
fellowship of Sir Meleagans, within awhile he came to
Westminster. And
anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when he had told him
his message, and
delivered him the queen's ring, "Alas!" said
Sir Launcelot, "now am
I shamed forever, unless that I may rescue that noble
lady from
dishonor." Then eagerly he asked his armor, and ever
the child told
Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously,
and how Sir
Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir
Persant of
Inde fought strongly, but as for Sir Pelleas there might
none
withstand him, and how they all fought till at last they
were laid
to the earth, and then the queen made appointment for
to save their
lives, and go with Sir Meleagans. "Alas!" said
Sir Launcelot, "that
most noble lady that she should be so destroyed! I had
lever," said
Sir Launcelot, "than all France that I had been there
well armed."
So when Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he prayed
the child of
the queen's chamber to warn Sir Lavaine how suddenly he
was
departed, and for what cause,- "and pray him, as
he loveth me, that he
will hie him after me, and that he stint not until he
come to the
castle where Sir Meleagans abideth or dwelleth, for there,"
said
Launcelot, "shall he hear of me if I am a man living,
and rescue the
queen and, her ten knights, the which he traitorously
hath taken,
and that shall I prove upon his head, and all them that
hold with
him."
Then Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and he
took the water
at Westminster, and made his horse to swim over Thames
at Lambeth. And
then within a while he came to the place where the ten
knights had
fought with Sir Meleagans, and then Sir Launcelot followed
that
track until he came to a wood, and there was a straight
way, and there
the thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot turn again, and
follow no longer
that track. "What commandment have ye thereto,"
said Sir Launcelot,
"to cause me, that am a knight of the Round Table,
to leave my right
way?" "This way shalt thou leave, or else thou
shalt go it on thy
foot, for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain."
"That is little
mastery," said Launcelot, "to slay my horse,
but as for myself, when
my horse is slain, I give right nought for you, not if
ye were five
hundred more." So then they shot Sir Launcelot's
horse, and smote
him with many arrows. And then Sir Launcelot avoided his
horse and
went on foot; but there were so many ditches and hedges
betwixt them
and him that he might meddle with none of them. "Alas,
for shame,"
said Sir Launcelot, "that ever one knight should
betray another
knight, but it is an old saw, 'A good man is never in
danger but
when he is in danger of a coward.'" Then Sir Launcelot
went a while,
and then he was foul cumbered of his armor, his shield,
and his spear,
and all that belonged to him. Wit ye well he was sore
annoyed, and
full loth he was to leave anything that belonged to him,
for he
dreaded sore the treason of Sir Meleagans. And then by
fortune there
came by a cart that came thither for to fetch wood.
Now at this time carts were but little used save for
carrying
offal or such like, and for conveying criminals to execution.
But
Sir Launcelot took no thought save of rescuing the queen.
"Say me,
carter," said he, "what shall I give thee for
to suffer me to leap
into thy cart, and that thou shalt bring me unto a castle
within
this two mile?" "Thou shalt not come within
my cart," said the carter,
"for I am sent for to fetch wood for my lord Sir
Meleagans." "With him
would I speak." "Thou shalt not go with me,"
said the carter. Then Sir
Launcelot lept to him, and "gave him such a buffet
that he fell to the
earth stark dead. Then the other carter, his fellow, thought
to have
gone the same way, and then he cried, "Fair lord,
save my life, and
I shall bring you where you will."
So then Sir Launcelot placed himself in the cart, and
only
lamented that with much jolting he made but little progress.
Then it
happened Sir Gawain passed by, and seeing an armed knight
travelling
in that unusual way, he drew near to see who it might
be. Then Sir
Launcelot told him how the queen had been carried off,
and how, in
hastening to her rescue, his horse had been disabled,
and he had
been compelled to avail himself of the cart rather than
give up Then
Sir Gawain said, "Surely it is unworthy of a to travel
in such
sort!" but Sir Launcelot heeded him not.
At nightfall they arrived at a castle, and the lady
thereof came out
at the head of her damsels to welcome Sir Gawain. But
to admit his
companion, whom she supposed to be a criminal, or at least
a prisoner,
it pleased her not; however, to oblige Sir Gawain, she
consented. At
supper Sir Launcelot came near being consigned to the
kitchen, and was
only admitted to the lady's table at the earnest solicitation
of Sir
Gawain. Neither would the damsels prepare a bed for him.
He seized the
first he found unoccupied, and was left undisturbed.
Next morning he saw from the turrets of the castle a
train
accompanying a lady, whom he imagined to be the queen.
Sir Gawain
thought it might be so, and became equally eager to depart.
The lady
of the castle supplied Sir Launcelot with a horse, and
they
traversed the plain at full speed. They learned from some
travellers
whom they met that there were two roads which led to the
castle of Sir
Meleagans. Here therefore the friends separated. Sir Launcelot
found
his way beset with obstacles, which he encountered successfully,
but
not without much loss of time. As evening approached he
was met by a
young and sportive damsel, who gayly proposed to him a
supper at her
castle. The knight, who was hungry and weary, accepted
the offer,
though with no very good grace. He followed the lady to
her castle,
and ate voraciously of her supper, but was quite impenetrable
to all
her amorous advances. Suddenly the scene changed, and
he was
assailed by six furious ruffians, whom he dealt with so
vigorously
that most of them were speedily disabled, when again there
was a
change, and he found himself alone with his fair hostess,
who informed
him that she was none other than his guardian fairy, who
had but
subjected him to tests of his courage and fidelity. The
next day the
fairy brought him on his road, and before parting gave
him a ring,
which she told him would by its changes of color disclose
to him all
enchantments, and enable him to subdue them.
Sir Launcelot pursued his journey, being but little
troubled save by
the taunts of travellers, who all seemed to have learned
by some means
his disgraceful drive in the cart. One, more insolent
than the rest,
had the audacity to interrupt him during dinner, and even
to risk a
battle in support of his pleasantry. Launcelot, after
an easy victory,
only doomed him to be carted in his turn.
At night he was received at another castle, with great
apparent
hospitality, but found himself in the morning in a dungeon
and
loaded with chains. Consulting his ring, and finding that
this was
an enchantment, he burst his chains, seized his armor
in spite of
the visionary monsters who attempted to defend it, broke
open the
gates of the tower, and continued his journey. At length
his
progress was checked by a wide and rapid torrent, which
could only
be passed on a narrow bridge, on which a false step would
prove his
destruction. Launcelot, leading his horse by the bridle,
and making
him swim by his side, passed over the bridge, and was
attacked, as
soon as he reached the bank, by a lion and a leopard,
both of which he
slew, and then, exhausted and bleeding, seated himself
on the grass,
and endeavored to bind up his bounds, when he was accosted
by
Brademagus, the father of Meleagans, whose castle was
then in sight,
and at no great distance. The king, no less courteous
than his son was
haughty and insolent, after complimenting Sir Launcelot
on the valor
and skill he had displayed in the perils of the bridge
and the wild
beasts, offered him his assistance, and informed him that
the queen
was safe in his castle, but could only be rescued by encountering
Meleagans. Launcelot demanded the battle for the next
day, and
accordingly it took place, at the foot of the tower, and
under the
eyes of the fair captive. Launcelot was enfeebled by his
wounds, and
fought not with his usual spirit, and the contest for
a time was
doubtful; till Guenever exclaimed, "Ah, Launcelot!
my knight, truly
have I been told that thou art no longer worthy of me!"
These words
instantly revived the drooping knight; be resumed at once
his usual
superiority, and soon laid at his feet his haughty adversary.
He was on the point of sacrificing him to his resentment
when
Guenever, moved by the entreaties of Brademagus, ordered
him to
withhold the blow, and he obeyed. The castle and its prisoners
were
now at his disposal. Launcelot hastened to the apartment
of the queen,
threw himself at her feet, and was about to kiss her hand,
when she
exclaimed, "Ah, Launcelot! why do I see thee again,
yet feel thee to
be no longer worthy of me, after having been disgracefully
drawn about
the country in a-" She had not time to finish the
phrase, for her
lover suddenly started from her, and bitterly lamenting
that he had
incurred the displeasure of his sovereign lady, rushed
out of the
castle, threw his sword and his shield to the right and
left, ran
furiously into the woods, and disappeared.
It seems that the story of the abominable cart, which
haunted
Launcelot at every step, had reached the ears of Sir Kay,
who had told
it to the queen, as a proof that her knight must have
been dishonored.
But Guenever had full leisure to repent the haste with
which she had
given credit to the tale. Three days elapsed, during which
Launcelot
wandered without knowing where he went, till at last he
began to
reflect that his mistress had doubtless been deceived
by
misrepresentation, and that it was his duty to set her
right. He
therefore returned, compelled Meleagans to release his
prisoners, and,
taking the road by which they expected the arrival of
Sir Gawain,
had the satisfaction of meeting him the next day; after
which the
whole company proceeded gayly towards Camelot.
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