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

by Malory, Thomas

  And then Sir Lancelot and Sir Meliagaunt dressed them together with spears as thunder, and there Sir Lancelot bore him quite over his horse’s croup. And then Sir Lancelot alit and dressed his shield on his shoulder and took his sword in his hand, and so they dressed to each other and smote many great strokes together. And at the last Sir Lancelot smote him such a buffet upon the helmet that he fell on the one side to the earth.

  And then he cried upon him loud and said, ‘Most noble knight Sir Lancelot, save my life, for I yield me unto you, and I require you, as ye be a knight and fellow of the Table Round, slay me not, for I yield me as overcome. And whether I shall live or die I put me in the King’s hands and yours.’

  Then Sir Lancelot wist not what to do, for he had had liever than all the goods in the world that he might be revenged upon him. So Sir Lancelot looked upon the Queen, if he might espy by any sign or countenance what she would have done. And anon the Queen wagged her head upon Sir Lancelot, as who saith, ‘Slay him.’ And full well knew Sir Lancelot by her signs that she would have him dead.

  Then Sir Lancelot bade him, ‘Arise, for shame, and perform this battle with me to the utterance.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Sir Meliagaunt, ‘I will never arise until that ye take me as yielded and recreant.’

  ‘Well, I shall proffer you a large proffer,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that is for to say I shall unarm my head and my left quarter of my body, all that may be unarmed as for that quarter, and I will let bind my left hand behind me where it shall not help me, and right so I shall do battle with you.’

  Then Sir Meliagaunt started up and said on high, ‘Take heed, my lord Arthur, of this proffer, for I will take it, and let him be disarmed and bound according to his proffer.’

  ‘What say ye?’ said King Arthur unto Sir Lancelot. ‘Will ye abide by your proffer?’

  ‘Yea, my lord,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for I will never go from that I have once said.’

  Then the knights parters of the field* disarmed Sir Lancelot, first his head and then his left arm and his left side, and they bound his left arm fast to his left side behind his back, without shield or anything; and anon they yode together. Wit you well there was many a lady and many a knight marvelled that Sir Lancelot would jeopardy himself in such wise.

  Then Sir Meliagaunt came with sword all on high, and Sir Lancelot showed him openly his bare head and the bare left side; and when he weened to have smitten him upon the bare head, then lightly he avoided the left leg and the left side, and put his hand and his sword to that stroke, and so put it aside with great sleight. And then with great force Sir Lancelot smote him on the helmet such a buffet that the stroke carved the head in two parts. Then there was no more to do, but he was drawn out of the field.

  And at the great instance of the knights of the Table Round, the King suffered him to be interred, and the mention made upon him who slew him and for what cause he was slain. And then the King and the Queen made more of Sir Lancelot, and more he was cherished than ever he was beforehand.

  [10]

  Then as the French book maketh mention,* there was a good knight in the land of Hungary whose name was Sir Urry; and he was an adventurous knight, and in all places where he might hear of any adventurous deeds and of worship, there would he be. So it happened in Spain there was an earl, and his son’s name was called Sir Alpheus; and at a great tournament in Spain this Sir Urry, knight of Hungary, and Sir Alpheus of Spain encountered together for very envy, and so either undertook other to the utterance. And by fortune this Sir Urry slew Sir Alpheus, the earl’s son of Spain; but this knight that was slain had given Sir Urry, or ever he were slain, seven great wounds, three on the head and three on his body and one upon his left hand. And this Sir Alpheus had a mother which was a great sorceress; and she, for the despite of her son’s death, wrought by her subtle crafts that Sir Urry should never be whole, but ever his wounds should one time fester and another time bleed, so that he should never be whole until the best knight of the world had searched his wounds. And thus she made her avaunt,* wherethrough it was known that this Sir Urry should never be whole.

  Then his mother let make a horse litter, and put him therein with two palfreys carrying him; and then she took with him his sister, a full fair damosel whose name was Filelolie, and a page with them to keep their horses; and so they led Sir Urry through many countries. For as the French book saith, she led him so seven years through all lands christened, and never could find no knight that might ease her son. So she came into Scotland and into the bounds of England; and by fortune she came unto the feast of Pentecost unto King Arthur’s court, that at that time was held at Carlisle. And when she came there, she made it to be openly known how that she was come into that land for to heal her son.

  Then King Arthur let call that lady and ask her the cause why she brought that hurt knight into that land.

  ‘My most noble king,’ said that lady, ‘wit you well I brought him hither to be healed of his wounds, that of all these seven years might never be whole.’ And thus she told the King, and where he was wounded and with whom, and how his mother discovered* it in her pride how she had wrought by enchantment that he should never be whole until the best knight of the world had searched his wounds. ‘And so I have passed all the lands christened through to have him healed, except this land; and if I fail here in this land, I will never take more pain upon me, and that is great pity, for he was a good knight and of great noblesse.’

  ‘What is his name?’ said King Arthur.

  ‘My good and gracious lord,’ she said, ‘his name is Sir Urry of the Mount.’

  ‘In good time,’ said the King, ‘and sithen ye are come into this land, ye are right welcome. And wit you well, here shall your son be healed and ever any Christian man may heal him. And for to give all other men of worship courage, I myself will assay to handle your son, and so shall all the kings, dukes, and earls that be here present at this time; not presuming upon me that I am so worthy to heal your son by my deeds, but I will courage other men of worship to do as I will do.’

  And then the King commanded all the kings, dukes, and earls and all noble knights of the Round Table that were there that time present to come into the meadow of Carlisle. And so at that time there were but a hundred and ten of the Round Table, for forty knights were that time away.* And so here we must begin at King Arthur, as is kindly* to begin at him that was that time the most man of worship christened.

  [11]

  Then King Arthur looked upon Sir Urry, and he thought he was a full likely man when he was whole. And then the King made to take him down off the litter and laid him upon the earth, and anon there was laid a cushion of gold that he should kneel upon.

  And then King Arthur said, ‘Fair knight, me rueth of* thy hurt; and for to courage all other knights, I will pray thee softly to suffer me to handle thy wounds.’

  ‘My most noble christened king, do as ye list,’ said Sir Urry, ‘for I am at the mercy of God, and at your commandment.’

  So then King Arthur softly handled him, and then some of his wounds renewed upon bleeding.

  Then King Clariance of Northumberland searched, and it would not be. And then Sir Barrant le Apres that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, he assayed and failed. So did King Uriens of the land of Gore; so did King Angwish of Ireland, and so did King Nentres of Garlot. So did King Carados of Scotland; so did the duke Sir Galahalt, the Haut Prince; so did Duke Chalance of Clarence; so did the Earl of Ulbawes; so did the Earl Lambaile; so did the Earl Aristance.

  Then came in Sir Gawain with his three sons, Sir Gingalin, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovell—these two were begotten upon Sir Brandiles’ sister—and all they failed. Then came in Sir Agravain, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, and the good knight Sir Gareth that was of very knighthood worth all the brethren.

  So came in the knights of Sir Lancelot’s kin, but Sir Lancelot was not that time in the court, for he was that time upon his adventures. Then Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors d
e Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalantine, Sir Galihodin, Sir Menaduke, Sir Villiars the Valiant, Sir Hebes le Renowne—all these were of Sir Lancelot’s kin, and all they failed.

  Then came in Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir Dinadan, Sir Breunor le Noir that Sir Kay named La Cote Mai Taillé, and Sir Kay le Seneschal; Sir Kay I’Estrange, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Petipace of Winchelsea, Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of the Mountain, Sir Cardok, Sir Uwain le Avoutres, and Sir Ozanna le Coeur Hardi. Then came in Sir Ascamore and Sir Grummor Grummorson; Sir Crosselm; Sir Severause le Breuse, that was called a passing strong knight—for as the book saith, the chief Lady of the Lake feasted Sir Lancelot and Sir Severause le Breuse, and when she had feasted them both at sundry times she prayed them to give her a done,* and anon they granted her. And then she prayed Sir Severause that he would promise her never to do battle against Sir Lancelot, and in the same wise she prayed Sir Lancelot never to do battle against Sir Severause, and so either promised her. For the French book saith that Sir Severause had never courage nor great lust to do battle against no man but if it were against giants, and against dragons and wild beasts.

  So leave we this matter, and speak we of them that at the King’s request were at the high feast as knights of the Round Table for to search Sir Urry. And to this intent the King did it, to wit which was the most noblest knight among them all.

  Then came in Sir Agloval, Sir Dornar, and Sir Tor that was begotten upon the cowherd’s wife (but he was begotten before Aries wedded her; and King Pellinore begat them all—first Sir Tor; Sir Agloval; Sir Dornar; Sir Lamorak, the most noblest knight alone of them that ever was in King Arthur’s days as for a worldly knight; and Sir Percival that was peerless, except Sir Galahad, in holy deeds, but they died in the quest of the Sangrail).

  Then came in Sir Griflet le Fils de Dieu; Sir Lucan the Butler; Sir Bedivere, his brother; Sir Brandiles; Sir Constantine, Sir Cador’s son of Cornwall, that was king after Arthur’s days; and Sir Clegis, Sir Sadok, Sir Dinas le Seneschal de Cornwall, Sir Fergus, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir Clarrus of Cleremont, Sir Clodrus, Sir Hectimere; Sir Edward of Caernarvon, Sir Dinas, Sir Priamus which was christened by means of Sir Tristram the noble knight, and these three were brethren; Sir Helian le Blanc that was son unto Sir Bors, for he begot him upon King Brandegoris’ daughter; and Sir Brian de Listinoise; Sir Gauter, Sir Reynold, Sir Gillimer, were three brethren which Sir Lancelot won upon a bridge in Sir Kay’s arms; Sir Gumret le Petit; Sir Bellenger le Beau, that was son to the good knight Sir Alexander le Orphelin, that was slain by the treason of King Mark.

  Also that traitor king slew the noble knight Sir Tristram, as he sat harping before his lady La Belle Isode, with a trenchant glaive,* for whose death was the most wailing of any knight that ever was in King Arthur’s days; for there was never none so bewailed as was Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak, for they were with treason slain, Sir Tristram by King Mark, and Sir Lamorak by Sir Gawain and his brethren.

  And this Sir Bellenger revenged the death of his father Sir Alexander, and Sir Tristram, for he slew King Mark. And La Belle Isode died swooning upon the corpse* of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity. And all that were with King Mark which were of assent of the death of Sir Tristram were slain, as Sir Andret and many others.

  Then came Sir Hebes, Sir Morganor, Sir Sentrail, Sir Suppinabiles; Sir Belliance le Orgulous, that the good knight Sir Lamorak won in plain battle; Sir Neroveus and Sir Plenorius, two good knights that Sir Lancelot won; Sir Damas; Sir Harry le Fils Lake; Sir Herminde, brother to King Hermance, for whom Sir Palomides fought at the Red City with two brethren; and Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower; Sir Edward of Orkney; Sir Ironside, that was called the noble Knight of the Red Launds that Sir Gareth won for the love of Dame Lyonesse; Sir Arrok; Sir Degrevant*; Sir Degrave sans Villainy that fought with the giant of the Black Lowe; Sir Epinogris, that was the King’s son of Northumberland; Sir Pelleas, that loved the lady Ettard (and he had died for her sake had not been one of the ladies of the lake whose name was Dame Nenive, and she wedded Sir Pelleas; and she saved him ever after, that he was never slain by her days, and he was a full noble knight); and Sir Lamiel of Cardiff that was a great lover, Sir Plaine de Fors, Sir Melias de l’Isle, Sir Borre le Coeur Hardi that was King Arthur’s son, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Colgrevance, Sir Hervis de la Forest Savage; Sir Marrok, the good knight that was betrayed by his wife, for she made him seven year a werewolf; Sir Persant, Sir Pertolepe his brother that was called the Green Knight, and Sir Perimones, brother unto them both, which was called the Red Knight, that Sir Gareth won when he was called Beaumains.

  All these hundred knights and ten searched Sir Urry’s wounds by the commandment of King Arthur.

  [12]

  ‘Mercy Jesu,’ said King Arthur, ‘where is Sir Lancelot du Lake, that he is not here at this time?’

  And thus, as they stood and spoke of many things, there one espied Sir Lancelot that came riding toward them, and anon they told the King.

  ‘Peace,’ said the King, ‘let no man say nothing until he be come to us.’

  So when Sir Lancelot had espied King Arthur, he descended down from his horse and came to the King and saluted him and them all. And anon as the damsel, Sir Urry’s sister, saw Sir Lancelot, she roamed to her brother there as he lay in his litter, and said, ‘Brother, here is come a knight that my heart giveth greatly unto.’

  ‘Fair sister,’ said Sir Urry, ‘so doth my heart light greatly against him, and my heart giveth me more unto him more than to all these that have searched me.’

  Then said King Arthur unto Sir Lancelot, ‘Sir, ye must do as we have done,’ and told him what they had done, and showed him them all that had searched him.

  ‘Jesu defend me,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘while so many noble kings and knights have failed, that I should presume upon me to achieve that all ye, my lords, might not achieve.’

  ‘Ye shall not choose,’ said King Arthur, ‘for I command you to do as we all have done.’

  ‘My most renowned lord,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I know well I dare not nor may not disobey you; but and I might or durst,* wit you well I would not take upon me to touch that wounded knight in that intent that I should pass all other knights—Jesu defend me from that shame.’

  ‘Sir, ye take it wrong,’ said King Arthur, ‘for ye shall not do it for no presumption, but for to bear us fellowship in so much as ye be a fellow of the Round Table. And wit you well,’ said King Arthur, ‘and ye prevail not and heal him, I dare say there is no knight in this land that may heal him. And therefore I pray you, do as we have done.’

  And then all the kings and knights for the most part prayed Sir Lancelot to search him. And then the wounded knight, Sir Urry, set him up weakly, and said unto Sir Lancelot, ‘Now, courteous knight, I require thee for God’s sake heal my wounds, for methinks ever sithen ye came here my wounds grieve me not so much as they did.’

  ‘Ah, my fair lord,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘Jesu would that I might help you! For I shame sore with myself that I should be thus required, for never was I able in worthiness to do so high a thing.’

  Then Sir Lancelot kneeled down by the wounded knight, saying, ‘My lord Arthur, I must do your commandment, which is sore against my heart.’

  And then he held up his hands and looked unto the east, saying secretly unto himself, ‘Now blessed Father and Son and Holy Ghost, I beseech Thee of Thy mercy that my simple worship and honesty be saved; and Thou blessed Trinity, Thou mayst give me power to heal this sick knight by the great virtue and grace of Thee, but, good Lord, never of myself.’

  And then Sir Lancelot prayed Sir Urry to let him see his head. And then, devoutly kneeling, he ransacked* the three wounds that they bled a little; and forthwith the wounds fair healed, and seemed as they had been whole seven years. And in like wise he searched his body of other three wounds, and they healed in like wise. And then the last of all he searched his hand, and anon it fair healed. Then King
Arthur and all the kings and knights kneeled down and gave thankings and loving* unto God and unto His blessed Mother. And ever Sir Lancelot wept as he had been a child that had been beaten.

  Then King Arthur let ravish* priests and clerks in the most devoutest wise to bring in Sir Urry into Carlisle, with singing and loving to God. And when this was done, the King let clothe him in rich manner; and then were there but few better made knights in all the court, for he was passingly well made and bigly. Then King Arthur asked Sir Urry how he felt himself.

  ‘Ah, my good and gracious lord, I felt myself never so lusty.’

  ‘Then will ye joust and do any arms?’ said King Arthur.

  ‘Sir, and I had all that longed unto jousts I would be soon ready.’

  [13]

  Then King Arthur made a party of a hundred knights to be against a hundred; and so upon the morn they jousted for a diamond, but there jousted none of the dangerous knights. And so, for to shorten this tale, Sir Urry and Sir Lavain jousted best that day, for there was none of them but he overthrew and pulled down thirty knights. And then, by assent of all the kings and lords, Sir Urry and Sir Lavain were made knights of the Table Round. And then Sir Lavain cast his love unto Dame Filelolie, Sir Urry’s sister, and then they were wedded with great joy. And so King Arthur gave to each of them a barony of lands.

  And this Sir Urry would never go from Sir Lancelot, but he and Sir Lavain waited evermore upon him. And they were in all the court accounted for good knights, and full desirous in arms; and many noble deeds they did, for they would have no rest, but ever sought upon their deeds.*

  Thus they lived in all that court with great noblesse and joy long time. But every night and day Sir Agravain, Sir Gawain’s brother, awaited Queen Guenivere and Sir Lancelot to put them both to a rebuke and a shame.