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

by Malory, Thomas

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘what misadventure is befallen him that he is thus led toward his death? Yet, pardieu,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘it were shame to me to suffer this noble knight thus to die and I might help him; and therefore I will help him whatsoever come of it, or else I shall die for his sake.’

  And then Sir Lancelot mounted on his horse and got his spear in his hand, and rode after the twelve knights which led Sir Palomides.

  ‘Fair knights,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘whither lead ye that knight? For it beseemeth him full evil to ride bound.’

  Then these twelve knights turned suddenly their horses and said to Sir Lancelot, ‘Sir knight, we counsel thee not to meddle of this knight, for he hath deserved death, and unto death he is judged.’

  ‘That me repenteth,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that I may not borrow* him with fairness, for he is over good a knight to die such a shameful death. And therefore, fair knights,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘then keep you as well as ye can, for I will rescue that knight or else die for it.’

  Then they began to dress their spears, and Sir Lancelot smote the foremost down, horse and man, and so he served three more with one spear; and then that spear brast, and therewith Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and then he smote on the right hand and on the left hand. And so within a while he left none of those knights but he had laid them to the earth, and the most part of them were sore wounded. And then Sir Lancelot took the best horse, and loosed Sir Palomides and set him upon that horse; and so they returned again unto Joyous Gard. And then was Sir Palomides ware of Sir Tristram, how he came riding. And when Sir Lancelot saw him he knew him well, but Sir Tristram knew not him because he had on his shoulder a golden shield. So Sir Lancelot made him ready to joust with Sir Tristram, because he should not ween that he were Sir Lancelot.

  Then Sir Palomides cried aloud to Sir Tristram and said, ‘Ah, my lord, I require you, joust not with this knight, for he hath saved me from my death.’

  When Sir Tristram heard him say so he came a soft trotting pace toward him. And then Sir Palomides said, ‘My lord Sir Tristram, much am I beholden unto you of your great goodness, that would proffer your noble body to rescue me undeserved, for I have greatly offended you. Notwithstanding,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘here met we with this noble knight that worshipfully and manly rescued me from twelve knights, and smote them down all and sore wounded them.’

  [86]

  ‘Fair knight,’ said Sir Tristram unto Sir Lancelot, ‘of whence be ye?’

  ‘I am a knight errant,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that rideth to seek many deeds.’

  ‘Sir, what is your name?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir, at this time I will not tell you.’ Then Sir Lancelot said unto Sir Tristram and to Sir Palomides, ‘Now are ye met together either with other, and now I will depart from you.’

  ‘Not so,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I pray you and require you of knight-hood to ride with me unto my castle.’

  ‘Wit you well,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I may not ride with you, for I have many deeds to do in other places, that at this time I may not abide with you.’

  ‘Ah, mercy Jesu,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I require you as ye be a true knight to the order of knighthood, play* you with me this night.’

  Then Sir Tristram had a grant* of Sir Lancelot; howbeit, though he had not desired him, he would have ridden with them or soon have come after him, for Sir Lancelot came for no other cause into that country but for to see Sir Tristram.

  And when they were come within Joyous Gard they alit, and their horses were led into a stable. And then they unarmed them; for Sir Lancelot, as soon as his helm was off, Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides knew him. Then Sir Tristram took Sir Lancelot in his arms, and so did La Belle Isode; and Sir Palomides kneeled down upon his knees and thanked Sir Lancelot. And when he saw Sir Palomides kneel, he lightly took him up and said thus: ‘Wit thou well, Sir Palomides, that I, and any knight of worship in this land, must of very right succour and rescue so noble a knight as ye are proved and renowned, throughout all this realm endlong and overthwart.’

  Then was there great joy among them. And the oftener that Sir Palomides saw La Belle Isode, the heavier he waxed day by day. Then Sir Lancelot within three or four days departed, and with him rode Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Dinadan; and Sir Palomides was left there with Sir Tristram a two months and more. But ever Sir Palomides faded and mourned, that all men had marvel wherefore he faded so away. So upon a day, in the dawning, Sir Palomides went into the forest by himself alone; and there he found a well, and then he looked into the well, and in the water he saw his own visage, how he was discoloured and defaded,* nothing like as he was.

  ‘Lord Jesu, what may this mean?’ said Sir Palomides; and thus he said to himself: ‘Ah, Palomides, Palomides, why art thou thus defaded, and ever was wont to be called one of the fairest knights of the world? Forsooth, I will no more live this life, for I love that I may never get nor recover.’

  And therewith he laid him down by the well, and so began to make a rhyme of La Belle Isode. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram was ridden into the same forest to chase a hart of grease;* but Sir Tristram would not ride an-hunting never more unarmed, because of Sir Breunis sans Pité. And so Sir Tristram rode into the forest up and down, and as he rode he heard one sing marvellously loud, and that was Sir Palomides which lay by the well. And then Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for he deemed there was some knight errant which was at the well. And when Sir Tristram came nigh he descended down from his horse and tied his horse fast to a tree; and so he came near on foot, and soon after he was ware where lay Sir Palomides by the well and sang loud and merrily. And ever the complaints were of La Belle Isode, which was marvellously well said, and piteously and full dolefully. And all the whole song Sir Tristram heard word by word; and when he had heard all Sir Palomides’ complaint, he was wroth out of measure, and thought for to slay him there as he lay.

  Then Sir Tristram remembered himself that Sir Palomides was unarmed, and of so noble a name that Sir Palomides had, and also the noble name that himself had, then he made a restraint of his anger. And so he went unto Sir Palomides a soft pace and said, ‘Sir Palomides, I have heard your complaint, and of your treason that ye have owed me long, and wit you well, therefore ye shall die. And if it were not for shame of knighthood thou shouldst not escape my hands, for now I know well thou hast awaited me with treason. And therefore,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘tell me how thou wilt acquit thee.’

  ‘Sir, I shall acquit me thus: as for Queen La Belle Isode, thou shalt wit that I love her above all other ladies in this world; and well I wot it shall befall by me as for her love as befell the noble knight Sir Kehydius, that died for the love of La Belle Isode. And now, Sir Tristram, I will that ye wit that I have loved La Belle Isode many a long day, and she hath been the causer of my worship; and else I had been the most simplest knight in the world, for by her, and because of her, I have won the worship that I have. For when I remembered me of Queen Isode I won the worship wheresoever I came, for the most part, and yet I had never reward nor bounty of her days of my life, and yet I have been her knight long guerdonless.* And therefore, Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread not, for I had as lief die as live. And if I were armed as ye are, I should lightly do battle with thee.’

  ‘Sir, well have ye uttered your treason,’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir, I have done to you no treason,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘for love is free for all men, and though I have loved your lady, she is my lady as well as yours. Howbeit that I have wrong if any wrong be, for ye rejoice* her and have your desire of her; and so had I never, nor never am like to have, and yet shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as well as ye.’

  [87]

  Then said Sir Tristram, ‘I will fight with you to the uttermost.’

  ‘I grant,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘for in a better quarrel keep* I never to fight. For and I die of your hands, of a better knight’s hands might I never be slain. And sithen I unders
tand that I shall never rejoice La Belle Isode, I have as good will to die as to live.’

  ‘Then set ye a day,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that we shall do battle.’

  ‘Sir, this day fifteen days,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I will meet with you hereby, in the meadow under Joyous Gard.’

  ‘Now fie, for shame,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘will ye set so long a day? Let us fight tomorrow.’

  ‘Not so,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘for I am meagre, and have been long sick for the love of La Belle Isode; and therefore I will repose me till I have my strength again.’

  So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides promised faithfully to meet at the well that day fifteen days.*

  Right so departed Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides.

  And so in the meanwhile Sir Tristram chased and hunted at all manner of venery; and about three days before the battle that should be, as Sir Tristram chased a hart, there was an archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he smote Sir Tristram in the thick of the thigh, and the same arrow slew Sir Tristram’s horse under him. When Sir Tristram was so hurt he was passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled passing sore; and then he took another horse and rode unto Joyous Gard with great heaviness, more for the promise that he had made with Sir Palomides to do battle with him within three days after.

  [88]

  And so when the fifteenth day was come, Sir Palomides came to the well with four knights with him of King Arthur’s court and three sergeants-of-arms. And for this intent Sir Palomides brought those knights with him and the sergeants-of-arms, for they should bear record of the battle betwixt Sir Tristram and him. And one sergeant brought in his helm, and the other his spear, and the third his sword. So Sir Palomides came into the field, and there he abode nigh two hours; and then he sent a squire unto Sir Tristram and desired him to come into the field to hold his promise.

  When the squire was come unto Joyous Gard, anon as Sir Tristram heard of his coming he let command that the squire should come to his presence there as he lay in his bed.

  ‘My lord Sir Tristram,’ said Sir Palomides’ squire, ‘wit you well, my lord Sir Palomides abideth you in the field, and he would wit whether ye would do battle or not.’

  ‘Ah, my fair brother,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘wit you well that I am right heavy for these tidings. But tell your lord Sir Palomides, and I were well at ease I would not lie here, neither he should have no need to send for me and I might either ride or go.* And for thou shalt see that I am no liar’—Sir Tristram showed him his thigh, and the deepness of the wound was six inches deep. ‘And now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this is no feigned matter, and tell him that I had liever than all the gold that King Arthur hath that I were whole. And let him wit that as for me, as soon as I may ride I shall seek him endlong and overthwart this land, and that I promise you as I am a true knight. And if ever I may meet him, tell your lord Sir Palomides, he shall have of me his fill of battle.’

  And so the squire departed. And when Sir Palomides knew that Sir Tristram was hurt, then he said thus: ‘Truly, I am glad of his hurt, and for this cause: for now I am sure I shall have no shame. For I wot well, and we had meddled, I should have had hard handling of him; and by likelihood I must needs have had the worse, for he is the hardest knight in battle that now is living except Sir Lancelot.’ And then departed Sir Palomides where as fortune led him.

  And within a month Sir Tristram was whole of his hurt; and then he took his horse and rode from country to country, and all strange adventures he achieved wheresoever he rode. And always he enquired for Sir Palomides, but of all that quarter of summer Sir Tristram could never meet with Sir Palomides.*

  But thus as Sir Tristram sought and enquired after Sir Palomides, Sir Tristram achieved many great battles, wherethrough all the noise and bruit* fell to Sir Tristram, and the name ceased of Sir Lancelot. And therefore Sir Lancelot’s brethren and his kinsmen would have slain Sir Tristram because of his fame. But when Sir Lancelot wist how his kinsmen were set, he said to them openly, ‘Wit you well that and any of you all be so hardy to await my lord Sir Tristram with any hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true knight I shall slay the best of you all with mine own hands. Alas, fie for shame, should ye for his noble deeds await to slay him! Jesu defend’, said Sir Lancelot, ‘that ever any noble knight as Sir Tristram is should be destroyed with treason.’

  So of this noise and fame sprang into Cornwall and unto them of Lyonesse, whereof they were passing glad and made great joy. And then they of Lyonesse sent letters unto Sir Tristram of recommendation,* and many great gifts to maintain Sir Tristram’s estate. And ever between, Sir Tristram resorted unto Joyous Gard where as La Belle Isode was, that loved him ever.

  Of Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot’s son,

  how he was begotten*

  [XI.I]

  Now leave we Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and speak we of Sir Lancelot du Lake, and of Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot’s son, how he was begotten, and in what manner, as the book of French maketh mention.

  Before the time that Sir Galahad was begotten or born, there came in a hermit unto King Arthur upon Whitsunday, as the knights sat at the Table Round. And when the hermit saw the Siege Perilous, he asked the King and all the knights why that siege was void. Then King Arthur for all the knights answered and said, ‘There shall never none sit in that siege but one, but if he be* destroyed.’

  Then said the hermit, ‘Sir, wot ye what he is?’

  ‘Nay,’ said King Arthur and all the knights, ‘we know not who he is yet that shall sit there.’

  ‘Then wot I,’ said the hermit. ‘For he that shall sit there is yet unborn and unbegotten, and this same year he shall be begotten that shall sit in that Siege Perilous, and he shall win the Sangrail.’

  When this hermit had made this mention, he departed from the court of King Arthur.

  And so after this feast Sir Lancelot rode on his adventure, till on a time by adventure he passed over the Pont de Corbin; and there he saw the fairest tower that ever he saw, and thereunder was a fair little town full of people. And all the people, men and women, cried at once, ‘Welcome, Sir Lancelot, the flower of knighthood, for by thee we shall be helped out of danger.’

  ‘What mean ye,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that ye cry thus upon me?’

  ‘Ah, fair knight,’ said they all, ‘here is within this tower a dolorous lady that hath been there in pains many winters and days, for ever she boileth in scalding water. And but late,’ said all the people, ‘Sir Gawain was here and he might not help her, and so he left her in pain still.’

  ‘Peradventure so may I,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘leave her in pain as well as Sir Gawain.’

  ‘Nay,’ said the people, ‘we know well that it is ye, Sir Lancelot, that shall deliver her.’

  ‘Well,’ said Lancelot, ‘then tell me what I shall do.’

  And so anon they brought Sir Lancelot into the tower; and when he came to the chamber there as this lady was, the doors of iron unlocked and unbolted. And so Sir Lancelot went into the chamber that was as hot as any stew;* and there Sir Lancelot took the fairest lady by the hand that ever he saw, and she was as naked as a needle. And by enchantment Queen Morgan le Fay and the Queen of Northgales had put her there in that pains, because she was called the fairest lady of that country; and there she had been five years, and never might she be delivered out of her pains unto the time the best knight of the world had taken her by the hand.

  Then the people brought her clothes; and when she was arrayed, Sir Lancelot thought she was the fairest lady that ever he saw, but if it were Queen Guenivere.

  Then this lady said to Sir Lancelot, ‘Sir, if it please you, will ye go with me hereby into a chapel, that we may give loving* to God?’

  ‘Madam,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘cometh on with me, and I will go with you.’

  So when they came there they gave thankings to God, all the people both learned and lewd,* and said, ‘Sir knight, since ye have delivered this lady, ye must deliver us also from a serpent, which is h
ere in a tomb.’

  Then Sir Lancelot took his shield and said, ‘Sirs, bring me thither, and what that I may do to the pleasure of God and of you I shall do.’

  So when Sir Lancelot came thither he saw written upon the tomb with letters of gold that said thus: ‘Here shall come a leopard of kings’ blood, and he shall slay this serpent; and this leopard shall engender a lion in this foreign country, which lion shall pass all other knights.’

  So when Sir Lancelot had lifted up the tomb, there came out a horrible and a fiendly dragon spitting wild fire out of his mouth. Then Sir Lancelot drew his sword and fought with that dragon long, and at the last with great pain Sir Lancelot slew that dragon.

  And therewith came King Pelles, the good and noble king, and saluted Sir Lancelot, and he him again.

  ‘Now, fair knight,’ said the king, ‘what is your name? I require you of your knighthood, tell ye me.’

  [2]

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘wit you well my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.’

  ‘And my name is King Pelles, king of the foreign country, and cousin nigh unto Joseph of Arimathea.’

  And then either of them made much of other, and so they went into the castle to take their repast. And anon there came in a dove at a window, and in her mouth there seemed a little censer of gold; and there-with there was such a savour as all the spicery of the world had been there. And forthwith there was upon the table all manner of meats and drinks that they could think upon.

  So there came in a damosel passing fair and young, and she bore a vessel of gold betwixt her hands; and thereto the king kneeled devoutly and said his prayers, and so did all that were there.

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘what may this mean?’

  ‘Sir,’ said the king, ‘this is the richest thing that any man hath living, and when this thing goeth abroad, the Round Table shall be broken for a season. And wit you well,’ said the king, ‘this is the Holy Sangrail that ye have here seen.’