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

by Malory, Thomas

  And so he rode into a great forest all that day and never could find no highway, and so the night fell on him; and then was he ware in a slade* of a pavilion of red sendal.*

  ‘By my faith,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘in that pavilion will I lodge all this night.’ And so he there alit down and tied his horse to the pavilion, and there he unarmed him. And there he found a bed, and laid him therein and fell asleep sadly.*

  [5]

  Then within an hour there came that knight that owned the pavilion; he weened that his leman* had lain in that bed, and so laid him down by Sir Lancelot and took him in his arms and began to kiss him. And when Sir Lancelot felt a rough beard kissing him, he started out of the bed lightly, and the other knight after him; and either of them got their swords in their hands, and out at the pavilion door went the knight of the pavilion. And Sir Lancelot followed him; and there by a little slade Sir Lancelot wounded him sore, nigh unto the death. And then he yielded him unto Sir Lancelot, and so he granted him, so that he would tell him why he came into the bed.

  ‘Sir,’ said the knight, ‘the pavilion is my own; and as this night, I had assigned my lady to have slept with her, and now I am likely to die of this wound.’

  ‘That me repenteth,’ said Lancelot, ‘of your hurt, but I was adread of treason, for I was late beguiled. And therefore come on your way into your pavilion and take your rest, and as I suppose I shall staunch your blood.’

  And so they went both into the pavilion, and anon Sir Lancelot staunched his blood. Therewith came the knight’s lady, that was a passing fair lady; and when she espied that her lord Belleus was sore wounded, she cried out on Sir Lancelot, and made great dole out of measure.

  ‘Peace, my lady and my love,’ said Belleus, ‘for this knight is a good man, and a knight of adventures.’ And there he told her all the case how he was wounded. ‘And when that I yielded me unto him, he left me goodly, and hath staunched my blood.’

  ‘Sir,’ said the lady, ‘I require thee, tell me what knight thou art, and what is your name.’

  ‘Fair lady,’ he said, ‘my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.’

  ‘So me thought ever by your speech,’ said the lady, ‘for I have seen you often or this, and I know you better than ye ween. But now would ye promise me of your courtesy, for the harms that ye have done to me and to my lord Sir Belleus, that when ye come unto King Arthur’s court for to cause him to be made knight of the Round Table? For he is a passing good man of arms, and a mighty lord of lands of many out isles.’

  ‘Fair lady,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘let him come unto the court the next high feast, and look ye come with him, and I shall do my power; and he prove him doughty of his hands,* he shall have his desire.’

  So within a while the night passed, and the day shone.

  [6]

  Then Sir Lancelot armed him and took his horse, and so he was taught* to the abbey. And soon as he came thither, the daughter of King Bagdemagus heard a great horse trot on the pavement; and she then arose and yode to a window, and there she saw Sir Lancelot. And anon she made men fast to take his horse from him and let lead him into a stable, and himself unto a chamber, and unarmed him. And this lady sent him a long gown, and came herself and made him good cheer; and she said he was the knight in the world that was most welcome unto her.

  Then in all haste she sent for her father Bagdemagus, that was within twelve miles of that abbey; and before eve he came with a fair fellowship of knights with him. And when the king was alit off his horse, he yode straight unto Sir Lancelot’s chamber, and there he found his daughter. And then the king took him in his arms, and either made other good cheer.

  Then Sir Lancelot made his complaint unto the king how he was betrayed, and how he was brother unto Sir Lionel, which was departed from him he wist not where, and how his daughter had delivered him out of prison. ‘Therefore while that I live I shall do her service and all her kindred.’

  ‘Then am I sure of your help’, said the king, ‘on Tuesday next coming?’

  ‘Yea, sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I shall not fail you, for so have I promised my lady your daughter. But, sir, what knights be those of my lord King Arthur’s that were with the King of Northgales?’

  ‘Sir, it was Sir Mador de la Porte, and Sir Mordred, and Sir Gahalantine that all forfared* my knights, for against them three I nor none of mine might bear no strength.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘as I hear say, that the tournament shall be here within these three miles of this abbey. But sir, ye shall send unto me three knights of yours such as ye trust, and look that the three knights have all white shields, and no picture on their shields, and ye shall send me another of the same suit; and we four will come out of a little wood in midst of both parties, and we shall fall on the front of our enemies and grieve them that we may. And thus shall I not be known what manner a knight I am.’

  So they took their rest that night, and this was on the Sunday; and so the king departed, and sent unto Sir Lancelot three knights with four white shields. And on the Tuesday they lodged them in a little leaved wood beside where the tournament should be. And there were scaffolds* and towers, that lords and ladies might behold and give the prize.

  Then came into the field the King of Northgales with nine score helms; and then the three knights of King Arthur’s stood by themselves. Then came into the field King Bagdemagus with four score helms. And then they fewtered their spears, and came together with a great dash, and there were slain of knights at the first encounter twelve knights of King Badgemagus’ party, and six of the King of Northgales’ side and party; and King Bagdemagus’ party were far set aside and aback.

  [7]

  With that came in Sir Lancelot, and he thrust in with his spear in the thickest of the press; and there he smote down with one spear five knights, and of four of them he broke their backs. And in that throng he smote down the King of Northgales, and broke his thigh in that fall. All this doing of Sir Lancelot saw the three knights of Arthur’s.

  ‘Yonder is a shrewd guest,’ said Sir Mador de la Porte, ‘therefore have here once at him.’

  So they encountered, and Sir Lancelot bore him down horse and man, that his shoulder went out of joint.

  ‘Now it befalleth me,’ said Mordred, ‘to stir me, for Sir Mador hath a sore fall.’

  And then Sir Lancelot was ware of him, and got a spear in his hand and met with him. And Sir Mordred broke his spear upon him, and Sir Lancelot gave him such a buffet that the arson* of the saddle broke, and so he drove over the horse’s tail that his helm smote into the earth a foot and more, that nigh his neck was broken; and there he lay long in a swoon.

  Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a great spear, and Sir Lancelot against him in all that they might drive, that both their spears to-brast* even to their hands; and then they flung out with their swords and gave many sore strokes. Then was Sir Lancelot wroth out of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on the helm that his nose, ears, and mouth brast out on blood, and therewith his head hung low; and with that his horse ran away with him, and he fell down to the earth.

  Anon therewith Sir Lancelot got a spear in his hand, and or ever that spear broke he bore down to the earth sixteen knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not the horse; and there was none that he hit surely but that he bore no arms that day. And then he got a spear and smote down twelve knights, and the most part of them never throve after. And then the knights of the King of Northgales’ party would joust no more; and there the gree* was given to King Bagdemagus.

  So either party departed unto his own, and Sir Lancelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus unto his castle; and there he had passing good cheer both with the king and with his daughter, and they proffered him great gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and told the king that he would seek his brother Sir Lionel that went from him when he slept. So he took his horse, and betaught* them all to God. And there he said unto the king’s daughter, ‘If that ye have need any time of my service, I pray you l
et me have knowledge, and I shall not fail you as I am true knight.’

  And so Sir Lancelot departed, and by adventure he came into the same forest where he was taking his sleep before. And in the midst of a highway he met a damosel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other.

  ‘Fair damosel,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘know ye in this country any adventures near hand?’

  ‘Sir knight,’ said the damosel, ‘here are adventures nigh, and thou durst prove them.’

  ‘Why should I not prove?’ said Sir Lancelot. ‘For 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 found, so thou wilt tell me thy name and what knight thou art.’

  ‘Damosel, as for to tell you my name, I take no great force:* truly, my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.’

  ‘Sir, thou seemest well; here is adventures fast by that falleth for thee.* For hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man I know but ye do 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 journey,* ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go and help me and other damosels that are distressed daily with a false knight.’

  ‘All your intent, damosel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye will bring me unto this knight.’

  ‘Now, fair knight, come on your way.’

  And so she brought him unto the ford and the tree where hung the basin. So Sir Lancelot let his horse drink, and sithen he beat on the basin with the butt of his spear till the bottom fell out; and long did he so, but he saw no man. Then he rode endlong* the gates of that manor nigh half an hour. And then was he ware of a great knight that drove a horse before him, and overthwart the horse lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and near, Sir Lancelot thought he should know him. Then was he ware that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawain’s brother, a knight of the Table Round.

  ‘Now, fair damosel,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I see yonder a knight fast bound that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto Sir Gawain. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of God, for to rescue that knight. But if* his master sit the better in his saddle, I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him.’

  But by that time that either had seen other, they gripped their spears unto them.

  ‘Now, fair knight,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘put that wounded knight off that horse and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths; for as it is informed me, thou dost and hast done me great despite and shame unto knights of the Round Table; and therefore now defend thee.’

  ‘And thou be of the Round Table,’ said Tarquin, ‘I defy thee and all thy fellowship.’

  ‘That is overmuch said’, Sir Lancelot said, ‘of thee at this time.’

  [8]

  And then they put their spears in their rests, and came together with their horses as fast as they might run; and either smote other in midst of their shields that both their horses’ backs brast under them, and the knights were both astoned. And as soon as they might, they avoided their horses,* and took their shields before them and drew out their swords, and came together eagerly; and either gave other many strong strokes, for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. And so within a while they had both many grim wounds, and bled passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours and more, tracing and razing* 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 a while, and tell me what I shall ask of thee.’

  ‘Say on,’ said Sir Lancelot.

  Then Sir Tarquin said, ‘Thou art the biggest man that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and as 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 would tell me thy name. And thou and I will be fellows together, and never to fail thee while that I live.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘but sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is that that thou hatest above all thing?’

  ‘Faithfully,’ said Sir Tarquin, ‘his name is Sir Lancelot du Lake; for he slew my brother, Sir Carados, at the Dolorous Tower, that was one of the best knights alive. And therefore him I except of all knights, for may I him once meet, the one shall make an end, I make my avow. And for Sir Lancelot’s sake I have slain a hundred good knights, and as many I have maimed all utterly that they might never after help themselves; and many have died in prison. And yet have I three score and four, and all shall be delivered so thou wilt tell me thy name, so be it that thou be not Sir Lancelot.’

  ‘Now see I well,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that such a man I might be, I might have peace; and such a man I might be, that there should be mortal war betwixt us. And now, sir knight, at thy request I will that thou wit and know that I am Lancelot du Lake, King Ban’s son of Benwick, and very knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, and do thy best.’

  ‘Ah,’ said Sir Tarquin, ‘thou art to me most welcome of any knight, for we shall never depart till the one of us be dead.’

  Then they hurtled together as two wild bulls, rushing and lashing with their shields and swords, that sometimes they fell both on their noses. Thus they fought still two hours and more and never would have rest; and Sir Tarquin gave Sir Lancelot many wounds, that all the ground there as they fought was all besparkled with blood.

  Then at the last Sir Tarquin waxed faint, and gave somewhat aback, and bore his shield low for weariness. That espied Sir Lancelot, and leapt upon him fiercely and got him by the beaver* of his helmet, and plucked him down on his knees; and anon he rased off his helm and smote his neck in sunder. And when Sir Lancelot had done this, he yode unto the damosel and said, ‘Damosel, I am ready to go with you where ye will have me, but I have no horse.’

  ‘Fair sir,’ said this wounded knight, ‘take my horse; and then let me go into this manor, and deliver all these prisoners.’ So he took Sir Gaheris’ horse, and prayed him not to be grieved.

  ‘Nay, fair lord, I will that ye have him at your commandment, for ye have both saved me and my horse. And this day I say ye are the best knight in the world, for ye have slain this day in my sight the mightiest man and the best knight except you that ever I saw. But, fair sir,’ said Gaheris, ‘I pray you tell me your name.’

  ‘Sir, my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake, that ought to help you of right for King Arthur’s sake, and in especial for my lord Sir Gawain’s sake, your own brother. And when that ye come within yonder manor, I am sure ye shall find there many knights of the Round Table, for I have seen many of their shields that I know hanging on yonder tree. There is Sir Kay’s shield, and Sir Galihud’s shield, and Sir Brian de Listenoise’s shield, and Sir Aliduke’s shield, with many more that I am not now advised of; and Sir Marhalt’s, and also my two brethren’s shields, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Lionel. Wherefore I pray you greet them all from me, and say that I bid them to take such stuff there as they find, that in any wise my two brethren go unto the court and abide me there till that I come. For by the feast of Pentecost I cast me to be there; for as at this time I must ride with this damosel for to save my promise.’

  And so they departed from Gaheris; and Gaheris yode into the manor, and there he found a yeoman porter keeping many keys. Then Sir Gaheris threw the porter unto the ground and took the keys from him, and hastily he opened the prison door, and there he let all the prisoners out, and every man loosed other of their bonds. And when they saw Sir Gaheris, all they thanked him, for they weened that he had slain Sir Tarquin because that he was wounded.

  ‘Not
so, sirs,’ said Sir Gaheris, ‘it was Sir Lancelot that slew him worshipfully with his own hands. And he greets you all well, and prayeth you to haste you to the court; and as unto you, Sir Lionel and Sir Ector de Maris, he prayeth you to abide him at the court of King Arthur.’

  ‘That shall we not do,’ said his brethren, ‘we will find him and we may live.’

  ‘So shall I’, said Sir Kay, ‘find him or I come to the court, as I am true knight.’

  Then they sought the house there as the armour was, and then they armed them; and every knight found his own horse and all that longed unto him.

  So forthwith there came a forester with four horses laden with fat venison. And anon Sir Kay said, ‘Here is good meat for us for one meal, for we had not many a day no good repast.’ And so that venison was roasted, seethed,* and baked; and so after supper some abode there all night. But Sir Lionel and Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Kay rode after Sir Lancelot to find him if they might.

  [10]

  Now turn we to Sir Lancelot, that rode with the damosel in a fair highway.

  ‘Sir,’ said the damosel, ‘here by this way haunts a knight that distresses all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth them or lieth by them.’

  ‘What,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘is he a thief and a knight and a ravisher of women? He doth shame unto the order of knighthood, and contrary unto his oath; it is pity that he liveth. But, fair damosel, ye shall ride on before, yourself, and I will keep myself in covert; and if that he trouble you or distress you, I shall be your rescue and learn him to be ruled as a knight.’

  So this maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace. And within a while came out a knight on horseback out of the wood, and his page with him; and there he put the damosel from her horse, and then she cried. With that came Sir Lancelot as fast as he might till he came to the knight, saying, ‘Ah, false knight and traitor unto knighthood, who did learn thee to distress ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen?’