Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

  [20]

  ‘Sir knight,’ said the King, ‘leave that quest and suffer me to have it, and I will follow it another twelvemonth.’

  ‘Ah, fool,’ said the king unto Arthur, ‘it is in vain thy desire, for it shall never be achieved but by me, or by my next kin.’ And therewith he started unto the King’s horse and mounted into the saddle, and said, ‘Gramercy,* for this horse is my own.’

  ‘Well,’ said the King, ‘thou mayst take my horse by force, but and I might prove it I would wit whether thou were better worthy to have him or I.’

  When the king heard him say so, he said, ‘Seek me here when thou wilt, and here nigh this well thou shalt find me,’ and so passed on his way.

  Then the King sat in a study, and bade his men fetch another horse as fast as they might.

  Right so came by him Merlin like a child of fourteen years of age, and saluted the King, and asked him why he was so pensive.

  ‘I may well be pensive,’ said the King, ‘for I have seen the most marvellous sight that ever I saw.’

  ‘That know I well,’ said Merlin, ‘as well as thyself, and of all thy thoughts, but thou art a fool to take thought for it: that will not amend thee. Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, and of whom thou were begotten; for King Uther was thy father, and begot thee on Igraine.’

  ‘That is false,’ said King Arthur. ‘How shouldst thou know it?—for thou art not so old of years to know my father.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Merlin, ‘I know it better than ye or any man living.’

  ‘I will not believe thee,’ said Arthur, and was wroth with the child.

  So departed Merlin, and came again in the likeness of an old man of fourscore years of age, whereof the King was passing glad, for he seemed to be right wise. Then said the old man, ‘Why are ye so sad?’

  ‘I may well be sad,’ said Arthur, ‘for many things; for right now there was a child here, and told me many things that me seemeth he should not know, for he was not of age to know my father.’

  ‘Yes,’ said the old man, ‘the child told you truth, and more would he have told you and ye would have suffered him. But ye have done a thing late that God is displeased with you, for ye have lain by your sister, and on her ye have begotten a child that shall destroy you and all the knights of your realm.’

  ‘What are ye,’ said Arthur, ‘that tell me these tidings?’

  ‘Sir, I am Merlin, and I was he in the child’s likeness.’

  ‘Ah,’ said the King, ‘ye are a marvellous man! But I marvel much of thy words that I must die in battle.’

  ‘Marvel not,’ said Merlin, ‘for it is God’s will that your body should be punished for your foul deeds. But I ought ever to be heavy,’ said Merlin, ‘for I shall die a shameful death, to be put in the earth quick,* and ye shall die a worshipful death.’

  And as they talked thus, came one with the King’s horse, and so the King mounted on his horse and Merlin on another, and so rode unto Caerleon. And anon the King asked Ector and Ulfius how he was begotten; and they told him how King Uther was his father and Queen Igraine his mother.

  ‘So Merlin told me. I will that my mother be sent for, that I might speak with her; and if she say so herself, then will I believe it.’

  [21]

  So in all haste the queen was sent for, and she brought with her Morgan le Fay, her daughter, that was a fair lady as any might be; and the King welcomed Igraine in the best manner. Right so came in Ulfius, and said openly that the King and all might hear that were feasted that day, ‘Ye are the falsest lady of the world, and the most treacherous unto the King’s person.’

  ‘Beware,’ said King Arthur, ‘what thou sayest; thou speakest a great word.’

  ‘Sir, I am well aware’, said Ulfius, ‘what I speak, and here is my glove to prove it upon any man that will say the contrary,* that this Queen Igraine is the causer of your great damage, and of your great war; for, and she would have uttered it in the life of Uther, of the birth of you and how ye were begotten, then had ye never had the mortal wars that ye have had; for the most part of your barons of your realm knew never whose son ye were, nor of whom ye were begotten. And she that bore you of her body should have made it known openly in excusing of her worship and yours, and in like wise to all the realm. Wherefore I prove her false to God and to you and to all your realm; and who will say the contrary I will prove it on his body.’

  Then spoke Igraine and said, ‘I am a woman and I may not fight; but rather than I should be dishonoured, there would some good man take my quarrel! But thus,’ she said, ‘Merlin knoweth well, and ye, Sir Ulfius, how King Uther came to me into the castle of Tintagel in the likeness of my lord, that was dead three hours before, and there begot a child that night upon me; and after the thirteenth day King Uther wedded me. And by his commandment, when the child was born it was delivered unto Merlin and fostered by him, and so I saw the child never after, nor wot not what is his name, for I knew him never yet.’

  Then Ulfius said unto Merlin, ‘Ye are then more to blame than the queen.’

  ‘Sir, well I wot I bore a child by my lord King Uther; but I wot never where he is become.’

  Then the King took Merlin by the hand, saying these words, ‘Is this my mother?’

  ‘For sooth, sir, yea.’

  And therewith came in Sir Ector, and bore witness how he fostered him by King Uther’s commandment. And therewith King Arthur took his mother Queen Igraine in his arms and kissed her, and either wept upon other. Then the King let make a feast that lasted eight days.

  So on a day there came into the court a squire on horseback leading a knight before him wounded to the death, and told how there was a knight in the forest that had reared up a pavilion* by a well, ‘that hath slain my master, a good knight—his name was Miles—wherefore I beseech you that my master may be buried; and that some knight may revenge my master’s death.’

  Then the noise was great of that knight’s death in the court, and every man said his advice. Then came Griflet that was but a squire, and he was but young of age. So he besought the King, for all his service that he had done him, to give him the order of knighthood.

  [22]

  ‘Thou art but young and tender of age,’ said Arthur, ‘for to take so high an order upon you.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Griflet, ‘I beseech you to make me knight.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin, ‘it were pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a passing good man when he is of age, and he shall abide with you the term of his life. And if he adventure his body with yonder knight at the fountain, it is in great peril if ever he come again, for he is one of the best knights of the world and the strongest man of arms.’

  ‘Well,’ said Arthur, ‘at thy own desire thou shalt be made knight. Now,’ said Arthur unto Griflet, ‘sith* I have made thee knight thou must give me a gift.’

  ‘What ye will,’ said Griflet.

  ‘Thou shalt promise me by thy faith of thy body, when thou hast jousted with that knight at the fountain, whether it fall ye be on horseback or on foot, that right so ye shall come again unto me without making any more debate.’

  ‘I will promise you,’ said Griflet, ‘as your desire is.’

  Then took Griflet his horse in great haste, and dressed* his shield and took a spear in his hand, and so he rode a great gallop till he came to the fountain. And thereby he saw a rich pavilion, and thereby under a cloth stood a horse well saddled and bridled, and on a tree hung a shield of divers* colours and a great spear thereby. Then Griflet smote on the shield with the butt of his spear, that the shield fell down.

  With that the knight came out of the pavilion, and said, ‘Fair knight, why smote ye down my shield?’

  ‘Sir, for I will joust with you,’ said Griflet.

  ‘Sir, it is better ye do not,’ said the knight, ‘for ye are but young, and late made knight, and your might is naught to mine.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Griflet, ‘I will joust with you.’

  ‘That is me l
oath,’ said the knight, ‘but sithen I must needs, I will dress me thereto. Of whence be ye?’ said the knight.

  ‘Sir, I am of King Arthur’s court.’

  So the two knights ran together that Griflet’s spear all to-shivered.* And therewith he smote Griflet through the shield and the left side, and broke the spear that the truncheon* stuck in his body, and horse and man fell down to the earth.

  [23]

  When the knight saw him lie so on the ground, he alit, and was passing heavy for he weened he had slain him; and then he unlaced his helm and got him wind. And so with the truncheon set him on his horse and got him wind, and so betook* him to God, and said he had a mighty heart; and said, if he might live, he would prove a passing good knight. And so rode forth Sir Griflet unto the court, whereof passing great dole was made for him. But through good leeches* he was healed and saved.

  Right so came into the court twelve knights that were aged men, which came from the Emperor of Rome. And they asked of Arthur truage* for his realm, or else the emperor would destroy him and all his land.

  ‘Well,’ said King Arthur, ‘ye are messengers, therefore ye may say what ye will, or else ye should die therefor. But this is my answer: I owe the emperor no truage, nor none will I yield him, but on a fair field I shall yield him my truage: that shall be with a sharp spear or else with a sharp sword. And that shall not be long, by my father’s soul, Uther.’ And therewith the messengers departed passingly wroth, and King Arthur as wroth, for in an evil time came they.

  But the King was passingly wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber that or it were day his best horse and armour, ‘and all that longeth to my person, be without the city or tomorrow day.’

  Right so he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again. And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day. And then was he ware of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain him. Then the King rode unto them, and bade them, ‘Flee, churls!’ Then they feared sore when they saw a knight come, and fled.

  ‘Ah, Merlin,’ said Arthur, ‘here hadst thou been slain for all thy crafts had not I been.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Merlin, ‘not so, for I could have saved myself and I had willed. But thou art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest to thy death ward and God be not thy friend.’

  So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain and the rich pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was ware where sat a knight armed in a chair.

  ‘Sir knight,’ said Arthur, ‘for what cause abidest thou here, that there may no knight ride this way but if he joust with thee? I rede* thee to leave that custom.’

  ‘This custom,’ said the knight, ‘have I used and will use maugre* who saith nay. And who that is aggrieved with my custom, let him amend it.’

  ‘That shall I amend,’ said Arthur.

  ‘And I shall defend* thee,’ said the knight.

  And anon he took his horse and dressed his shield and took a great spear in his hand, and they came together so hard that either smote other in midst the shields, that all to-shivered their spears. Therewith anon Arthur pulled out his sword.

  ‘Nay, not so,’ said the knight, ‘it is better that we twain run more together with sharp spears.’

  ‘I will well,’ said Arthur, ‘and I had any more spears here.’

  ‘I have enough,’ said the knight. So there came a squire and brought forth two spears; and Arthur chose one and he another. So they spurred their horses and came together with all their might, that either broke their spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand on his sword.

  ‘Nay,’ said the knight, ‘ye shall do better, ye are a passing good jouster as ever I met with; and once for the high order of knighthood let us joust again.’

  ‘I assent me,’ said Arthur.

  And anon there were brought forth two great spears, and anon every knight got a spear, and therewith they ran together that Arthur’s spear all to-shivered. But this other knight smote him so hard in midst the shield that horse and man fell to the earth. And therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword and said, ‘I will assay thee, sir knight, on foot; for I have lost the honour on horseback,’ said the King.

  ‘Sir, I will be on horseback still to assay thee.’

  Then was Arthur wroth, and dressed his shield toward him with his sword drawn. When the knight saw that, he alit; for him thought no worship to have a knight at such avail, he to be on horseback and his adversary on foot, and so he alit and dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong battle with many great strokes, and so they hewed with their swords that the cantles* flew unto the fields, and much blood they bled both, that all the place there as they fought was overbled with blood; and thus they fought long and rested them. And then they went to the battle again, and so hurtled together like two rams, that either fell to the earth. So at the last they smote together that both their swords met even together. But King Arthur’s sword broke in two pieces, wherefore he was heavy.

  Then said the knight unto Arthur, ‘Thou art in my danger* whether me list* to save thee or slay thee; and but thou yield thee to me as overcome and recreant,* thou shalt die.’

  ‘As for that,’ said King Arthur, ‘death is welcome to me when it cometh; but to yield me unto thee, I will not.’

  And therewith the King leapt unto King Pellinore, and took him by the middle and overthrew him, and rased* off his helm. So when the knight felt that, he was adread, for he was a passing big man of might. And so forthwith he wrothe* Arthur under him, and rased off his helm and would have smitten off his head.

  [24]

  And therewith came Merlin and said, ‘Knight, hold thy hand, for and thou slay that knight thou puttest this realm in the greatest damage that ever was realm, for this knight is a man of more worship than thou wotest of

  ‘Why, what is he?’ said the knight.

  ‘For it is King Arthur,’ said Merlin.

  Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and so he lifted up his sword. And therewith Merlin cast an enchantment on the knight, that he fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, and rode forth on the knight’s horse.

  ‘Alas,’ said Arthur, ‘what hast thou done, Merlin? Hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts?—for there liveth not so worshipful a knight as he was. For I had liever* than the stint* of my land a year that he were alive.’

  ‘Care ye not,’ said Merlin, ‘for he is wholer than ye; he is but asleep, and will awake within this hour. I told you’, said Merlin, ‘what a knight he was. Now here had ye been slain had I not been. Also there liveth not a bigger knight than he is one; and after this he shall do you good service. And his name is King Pellinore; and he shall have two sons that shall be passing good men as any living—save one, in this world they shall have no fellows of prowess and of good living, and their names shall be Percival and Sir Lamorak of Gales. And he shall tell you the name of your own son begotten of your sister that shall be the destruction of all this realm.’

  [25]

  Right so the King and he departed and went unto a hermitage, and there was a good man and a great leech; so the hermit searched the King’s wounds and gave him good salves. And so the King was there three days; and then were his wounds well mended, that he might ride and go,* and so departed.

  And as they rode, King Arthur said, ‘I have no sword.’

  ‘No force,’* said Merlin, ‘hereby is a sword that shall be yours, and I may.’*

  So they rode till they came to a lake that was a fair water and broad. And in the midst Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite,* that held a fair sword in that hand.

  ‘Lo,’ said Merlin, ‘yonder is the sword that I spoke of.’

  So with that they saw a damosel going upon the lake.

  ‘What damosel is that?’ said Arthur.

  ‘That is the Lady of the Lake,’ said Merlin.
‘And within that lake there is a great rock, and therein is as fair a palace as any on earth, and richly beseen. And this damosel will come to you anon; and then speak ye fair to her that she may give you that sword.’

  So anon came this damosel to Arthur and saluted him, and he her again.

  ‘Damosel,’ said Arthur, ‘what sword is that yonder that the arm holdeth above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword.’

  ‘Sir Arthur,’ said the damosel, ‘that sword is mine. And if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it.’

  ‘By my faith,’ said Arthur, ‘I will give you what gift that ye will ask.’

  ‘Well,’ said the damosel. ‘Go ye into yonder barge and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you; and I will ask my gift when I see my time.’

  So King Arthur and Merlin alit and tied their horses unto two trees, and so they went into the barge; and when they came to the sword that the hand held, then King Arthur took it up by the handles and bore it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. And so he came unto the land and rode forth. And King Arthur saw a rich pavilion.

  ‘What signified! yonder pavilion?’

  ‘Sir, that is the knight’s pavilions that ye fought with last, Sir Pellinore; but he is out, he is not at home, for he hath had ado with a knight of yours that hight Eglam, and they had fought together. But at the last Eglam fled, and else he had been dead; and he hath chased him even to Caerleon. And we shall meet with him anon in the highway.’

  ‘That is well said!’ said Arthur. ‘Now I have a sword, I will wage battle with him and be avenged on him.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin, ‘not so; for the knight is weary of fighting and chasing, that ye shall have no worship to have ado with him; also, he will not lightly be matched of one knight living. And therefore it is my counsel, let him pass, for he shall do you good service in short time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see that day in short space that ye shall be right glad to give him your sister to wed for his good service. Therefore have not ado with him when ye see him.’