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

by Malory, Thomas

  Then the King and they started upon their horses; and so they rode from thence there as they came from. And anon the clamour was huge about all the country; and then they went with one voice before the King, and thanked God and him that their enemy was destroyed.

  ‘All thank ye God,’ said Arthur, ‘and no man else.’*

  Then he commanded his cousin, Sir Howell, to make a church on that same crag in the worship of St Michael.

  [Arthur and his forces leave Barfleet and engage in various skirmishes with the Emperor’s supporters, culminating in a great battle against Lucius himself in which Lancelot, Gawain, Kay, Cador, and many others notably distinguish themselves, Arthur himself kills Lucius in hand-to-hand combat, and a hundred thousand of their enemies are killed.]

  [8]

  Then the King rode straight there as the Emperor lay, and gart lift him up lordly* with barons full bold. And the Sultan of Syria and the King of Ethiopia, and two knights full noble of Egypt and of India, with seventeen other kings were taken up also, and also sixty senators of Rome that were honoured full noble men, and all the elders. The King let embalm all these with many good gums, and sithen let lap them in sixtyfold of sendal large,* and then let lap them in lead that for chafing or changing* they should never savour; and sithen let close them in chests full cleanly arrayed, and their banners above on their bodies and their shields turned upwards, that every man might know of what country they were.

  So on the morn they found in the heath three senators of Rome. When they were brought to the King, he said these words:

  ‘Now to save your lives I take no great force, with that ye will move on my message* unto great Rome and present these corpses unto the proud Potentate, and after them my letters and my whole intent. And tell them in haste they shall see me, and I trow they will beware how they bourde* with me and my knights.’

  Then the Emperor himself was dressed in a chariot, and every two knights in a chariot sued* after other, and the senators came after by couples in accord.

  ‘Now say ye to the Potentate and all the lords after, that I send them the tribute that I owe to Rome; for this is the true tribute that I and mine elders have lost these ten score winters. And say them as me seems I have sent them the whole sum; and if they think it not enough, I shall amend it when that I come.’

  So on the morrow these senators raked* unto Rome; and within eighteen days they came to the Potentate and told him how they had brought the tax and the truage often score winters, both of England, Ireland, and of all the East lands. ‘For King Arthur commands you, neither tribute nor tax ye never none ask, upon pain of your heads, but if your title be the truer than ever any of your elders owned. And for these causes we have fought in France, and there us is foul happed;* for all is chopped to the death, both the better and the worse. Therefore I rede you, store you with stuff, for war is at hand.’*

  [9]

  Now turn we to Arthur and his noble knights, that entered straight into Luxemburg; and so through Flanders and then to Lorraine he laught up* all the lordships, and sithen he drew him into Almain and unto Lombardy the rich, and set laws in that land that endured long after; and so into Tuscany, and there destroyed the tyrants. And there were captains full keen that kept* Arthur’s coming, and at strait passages* slew much of his people. And there they victualled and garnished many good towns.*

  [12]

  But soon after, on a Saturday, sought unto King Arthur all the senators that were alive, and of the cunningest* cardinals that dwelled in the court, and prayed him of peace and proffered him full large;* and besought him as a sovereign, most governor under God, for to give them licence for six weeks large that they might be assembled all, and then in the city of Syon that is called Rome to crown him there kindly with chrismed hands,* with sceptre for sooth as an emperor should.

  ‘I assent me,’ said the King, ‘as ye have devised, and comely by Christmas to be crowned; hereafter to reign in my estate and to keep my Round Table, with the rents of Rome to rule as me likes; and then, as I am advised, to get me over the salt sea with good men of arms, to deem for* His death that for us all on the Rood* died.’*

  When the senators had this answer, unto Rome they turned and made ready for his crowning in the most noble wise; and at the day assigned, as the romance tells,* he was crowned Emperor by the Pope’s hands, with all the royalty in the world to wield for ever. There they sojourned that season till after the time and established all the lands from Rome unto France, and gave lands and rents unto knights that had them well deserved: there was none that complained on his part, rich nor poor.

  Then he commanded Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors to take keep unto their fathers’ lands that King Ban and King Bors wielded, and their fathers: ‘Look that ye take seisin* in all your broad lands and cause your liege men to know you as for their kind lord; and suffer never your sovereignty to be alledged with* your subjects, nor the sovereignty of your person and lands. Also, the mighty King Claudas I give you for to part betwixt you even,* for to maintain your kindred that be noble knights, so that ye and they to the Round Table make your repair.’

  Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors de Ganis thanked the King fair, and said their hearts and service should ever be his own.* Thus the King gave many lands; there was none that would ask that might complain of his part, for of riches and wealth they had all at their will.

  Then the knights and lords that longed to the King called a council upon a fair morn, and said, ‘Sir King, we beseech thee for to hear us all. We are under your lordship well stuffed,* blessed be God, of many things, and also we have wives wedded. We will beseech your good grace to release us to sport with our wives, for, worshipped be Christ, this journey is well overcome.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said the King, ‘for enough is as good as a feast; for to tempt God overmuch, I hold it not wisdom. And therefore make you all ready, and return we into England.’

  Then there was trussing of harness with carriage* full noble. And the King took his leave of the Holy Father the Pope, and patriarchs and cardinals and senators full rich, and left good governance in that noble city and all the countries of Rome for to ward and to keep on pain of death, that in no wise his commandment be broken. Thus he passeth through the countries of all parts; and so King Arthur passed over the sea unto Sandwich haven.

  When Queen Guenivere heard of his coming, she met with him at London, and so did all other queens and noble ladies. For there was never a solemner meeting in one city together, for all manner of riches they brought with them at the full.

  Here endeth the tale of the noble King Arthur that was, emperor himself through the dignity of his hands; and here followeth after many noble tales of Sir Lancelot du Lake.

  Explicit the noble tale betwixt King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor of Rome.

  A NOBLE TALE OF SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE

  [VI.I]

  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, increased in arms and worship that passed all other of their fellows in prowess and noble deeds, and that was well proved on many. But in especial it was proved on Sir Lancelot du Lake, for in all tournaments, jousts, and deeds of arms, both for life and death, he passed all other knights; and at no time was he overcome but if it were by treason or enchantment. So this Sir Lancelot increased so marvellously in worship and honour: therefore he is the first knight that the French book maketh mention of after King Arthur came from Rome. Where-fore Queen Guenivere had him in great favour above all other knights, and so he loved the Queen again above all other ladies days of his life, and for her he did many deeds of arms, and saved her from the fire through his noble chivalry.

  Thus Sir Lancelot rested him long with play and game; and then he thought to prove himself in strange adventures, and bade his nephew, Sir Lionel, for to make him ready, ‘for we must go seek adventures.’ So they mounted on their horses, armed at a
ll rights, and rode into a deep forest and so into a plain.

  So the weather was hot about noon, and Sir Lancelot had great lust to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple tree that stood by a hedge, and said, ‘Sir, yonder is a fair shadow; there may we rest us and our horses.’

  ‘It is truth,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for these seven years I was not so sleepy as I am now.’

  So there they alit and tied their horses unto sundry trees, and Sir Lancelot laid him down under this apple tree, and his helmet under his head. And Sir Lionel waked while he slept.

  So Sir Lancelot slept passing fast; and in the meanwhile came there three knights riding, as fast fleeing as they might ride, and there followed them three but one knight. And when Sir Lionel saw him, he thought he saw never so great a knight, nor so well-faring a man and well apparelled unto all rights. So within a while this strong knight had overtaken one of the three 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 so straight unto the third knight, and smote him behind his horse’s arse a spear-length. And then he alit down and reined his horse on the bridle, and bound all three knights fast with the reins of their own bridles.

  When Sir Lionel had seen him do thus, he thought to assay him, and made him ready, and privily he took his horse, and thought not for to awake Sir Lancelot; and so mounted upon his horse and overtook the strong knight. He bade him turn, and so he turned and smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man he bore to the earth; and so he alit down and bound him fast and threw him overthwart his own horse as he had served the other three, and so rode with them till he came to his own castle. Then he unarmed them and beat them with thorns all naked, and after put them in deep prison where were many more knights that made great dole.

  [2]

  So when Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Lancelot was passed out of the court to seek adventures, he was wroth with himself and made him ready to seek Sir Lancelot. And as he had ridden long in a great forest, he met with a man was like a forester.

  ‘Fair fellow,’ said Sir Ector, ‘dost thou know this country, or any adventures that be 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 grows a fair tree, and thereon hangeth many fair shields that good knights sometime wielded, and at the body of the tree hangs a basin of copper and latten.* And strike upon that basin with the butt of thy spear three times, and soon after thou shalt hear new tidings; and else hast thou the fairest grace that ever had knight this many years that passed through this forest.’

  ‘Gramercy,’ said Sir Ector, and departed and came unto this tree, and saw many fair shields. And among them all he saw his brother’s shield, Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew that were of 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. Sir Ector turned him shortly, and in fewter cast* his spear, and smote the other knight a great buffet that his horse turned twice about.

  ‘That was well done,’ said the strong knight, ‘and knightly thou hast struck me!’ And therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and caught him under his right arm and bore him clean out of the saddle; and so rode with him away into his castle and threw him down in the middle of the floor.

  Then this said Tarquin 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 true prisoner.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Sir Ector, ‘that will I never promise thee, but that I will do my advantage.’*

  ‘That me repents,’ said Sir Tarquin. Then he gan unarm him, and beat him with thorns all naked, and sithen put him down into a deep dungeon; and there he knew many of his fellows. But when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he great sorrow.

  ‘Alas, brother,’ said Sir Ector, ‘how may this be, and where is my brother, Sir Lancelot?’

  ‘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 prisoners, ‘but if Sir Lancelot* help us we shall never be delivered, for we know now no knight that is able to match with our master Tarquin.’

  [3]

  Now leave we these knights prisoners, and speak we of Sir Lancelot du Lake that lieth under the apple tree sleeping about the noon. So there came by him four queens of great estate; and, for the heat should not nigh them, there rode four knights about them and bore 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 a great horse beside them grimly neigh. Then they looked and were ware of a sleeping knight lay all armed under an apple tree. And anon as they looked on his face, they knew well it was Sir Lancelot, and began to strive for that knight; and each of them 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 of all these seven 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 Lancelot, and then they laid him upon his shield and bore 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 Lancelot, ‘for I wot not how I came into this castle but it be by enchantment.’

  ‘Sir,’ said she, ‘ye must make good cheer, and if ye be such a knight as is said ye be, I shall tell you more to-morrow by prime of the day.’

  ‘Gramercy, fair damosel,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘of your good will.’

  And so she departed; and there he lay all that night without any comfort. And on the morn early came these four queens passingly well beseen,* and all they bidding him good morrow, and he them again.

  ‘Sir knight,’ the four queens said, ‘thou must understand thou art our prisoner. And we know thee well that thou art Sir Lancelot du Lake, King Ban’s son; and because that we understand your worthiness, that thou art the noblest knight living, and also we know well there can no lady have thy love but one, and that is Queen Guenivere, and now thou shalt lose her love for ever, and she thine. For it behoveth thee now to choose one of us four: for I am Queen Morgan le Fay, queen of the land of Gore; and here is the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles. Now choose one of us which that thou wilt have to thy paramour, or else to die in this prison.’

  ‘This is a hard case,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that either I must die or to choose one of you. Yet had I liever 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 enchanters. And as for my lady, Dame Guenivere, were I at my liberty as I was, I would prove it 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 Lancelot, ‘refused ye be of me.’ So they departed and left him there alone that made great sorrow.

  [4]

  So after that noon came the damosel unto him with his dinner, and asked him what cheer.

  ‘Truly, damosel,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘never so ill.’

  ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘that me repents; but and ye will be ruled by me, I s
hall help you out of this distress, and ye shall have no shame nor villainy, so that ye hold me a promise.’

  ‘Fair damosel, I grant you; but sore I am afraid of these queens’ crafts, 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 will have your love. And, sir, they say your name is Sir Lancelot du Lake, the flower of knights; and they be passing wroth with you that ye have refused them. But sir, and ye would promise me to help my father on Tuesday next coming, that hath made a tournament betwixt him and the King of Northgales, for the last Tuesday past my father lost the field through three knights of Arthur’s court—and if ye will be there on Tuesday next coming and help my father, tomorrow by prime by the grace of God I shall deliver you clean.’

  ‘Now, fair damosel,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘tell me your father’s name, and then shall I give you an answer.’

  ‘Sir knight,’ she said, ‘my father’s name is King Bagdemagus, that was foul rebuked at the last tournament.’

  ‘I know your father well,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for a noble king and a good knight; and by the faith of my body, your father shall have my service, and you both, at that day.’

  ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘gramercy, and tomorrow look ye be ready betimes, and I shall deliver you and take you your armour, your horse, shield, and spear. And hereby within these ten miles is an abbey of white monks;* and there I pray you to abide me, and thither shall I bring my father unto you.’

  ‘And all this shall be done,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘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 took him his armour and his own horse; and lightly he saddled him, and took his spear in his hand and so rode forth, and said, ‘Damosel, I shall not fail, by the grace of God.’