Book: Le Morte Darthur

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FAIR knight, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Launcelot, of
whence be ye? I am a knight errant, said Sir Launcelot,
that rideth to seek many adventures. What is your name?
said Sir Tristram. Sir, at this time I will not tell you.
Then Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Tristram and to Palomides:
Now either of you are met together I will depart
from you. Not so, said Sir Tristram; I pray you of
knighthood to ride with me unto my castle. Wit you
well, said Sir Launcelot, 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 Launcelot: howbeit though
he had not desired him he would have ridden with them,
outher soon have come after them; for Sir Launcelot came
for none other cause into that country but for to see Sir
Tristram. And when they were come within Joyous
Gard they alighted, and their horses were led into a stable;
and then they unarmed them. And when Sir Launcelot
was unhelmed, Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides knew him.
Then Sir Tristram took Sir Launcelot in arms, and so did
La Beale Isoud; and Palomides kneeled down upon his
knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. When Sir Launcelot
saw Sir Palomides kneel he lightly took him up and said
thus: Wit thou well, Sir Palomides, I and any knight in
this land, of worship ought of very right succour and
rescue so noble a knight as ye are proved and renowned,
throughout all this realm endlong and overthwart. And
then was there joy among them, and the oftener that
Sir Palomides saw La Beale Isoud the heavier he waxed
day by day.

Then Sir Launcelot within three or four days departed,
and with him rode Sir Ector de Maris; and Dinadan and
Sir Palomides were there left 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 disturbed and defaded,
nothing like that he was. What may this mean? said Sir
Palomides, and thus he said to himself: Ah, Palomides,
Palomides, why art thou defaded, thou that was wont to be
called one of the fairest knights of the world? I will no
more lead this life, for I love that I may never get nor
recover. And therewithal he laid him down by the well.
And then he began to make a rhyme of La Beale Isoud
and him.

And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same day
ridden into the forest to chase the hart of greese; but Sir
Tristram would not ride a-hunting never more unarmed,
because of Sir Breuse Saunce Pit. And so as Sir Tristram
rode into that forest up and down, he heard one sing
marvellously loud, and that was Sir Palomides that lay by
the well. And then Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for
he deemed there was some knight errant that was at the
well. And when Sir Tristram came nigh him he descended
down from his horse and tied his horse fast till a tree, and
then he came near him on foot; and anon he was ware
where lay Sir Palomides by the well and sang loud and
merrily; and ever the complaints were of that noble
queen, La Beale Isoud, the which was marvellously and
wonderfully well said, and full dolefully and piteously
made. And all the whole song the noble knight, Sir
Tristram, heard from the beginning to the ending, the
which grieved and troubled him sore.

But then at the last, when Sir Tristram had heard all
Sir Palomides' complaints, he was wroth out of measure,
and thought for to slay him thereas he lay. Then Sir
Tristram remembered himself that Sir Palomides was
unarmed, and of the noble name that Sir Palomides had,
and the noble name that himself had, and 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 thy treason that thou hast owed me
so long, and wit thou well therefore thou shalt die; and
if it were not for shame of knighthood thou shouldest
not escape my hands, for now I know well thou hast
awaited me with treason. Tell me, said Sir Tristram,
how thou wilt acquit thee? Sir, said Palomides, thus I
will acquit me: as for Queen La Beale Isoud, ye shall wit
well that I love her above all other ladies in this world;
and well I wot it shall befall me as for her love as befell
to the noble knight Sir Kehydius, that died for the love
of La Beale Isoud. And now, Sir Tristram, I will that
ye wit that I have loved La Beale Isoud many a 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 La Beale Isoud I won the
worship wheresomever I came for the most part; and yet
had I never reward nor bount of her the days of my life,
and yet have I been her knight guerdonless. And therefore,
Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread not, for I had
as lief die as to live. And if I were armed as thou art, I
should lightly do battle with thee. Well have ye uttered
your treason, said Tristram. I have done to you no
treason, said Palomides, for love is free for all men, and
though I have loved your lady, she is my lady as well as
yours; howbeit 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.



CHAPTER LXXXVII

How there was a day set between Sir Tristram and Sir
Palomides for to fight, and how Sir Tristram was hurt.


THEN said Sir Tristram: I will fight with you to the
uttermost. I grant, said Palomides, for in a better
quarrel keep I never to fight, for an I die of your hands,
of a better knight's hands may I not be slain. And sithen
I understand that I shall never rejoice La Beale Isoud, I
have as good will to die as to live. Then set ye a day,
said Sir Tristram, that we shall do battle. This day
fifteen days, said Palomides, will I meet with you hereby,
in the meadow under Joyous Gard. Fie for shame, said
Sir Tristram, will ye set so long day? let us fight
to-morn. Not so, said Palomides, for I am meagre, and
have been long sick for the love of La Beale Isoud, and
therefore I will repose me till I have my strength again.
So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides promised faith
fully to meet at the well that day fifteen days. I am
remembered, said Sir Tristram to Palomides, that ye
brake me once a promise when that I rescued you from
Breuse Saunce Pit and nine knights; and then ye
promised me to meet me at the peron and the grave
beside Camelot, whereas at that time ye failed of your
promise. Wit you well, said Palomides unto Sir Tristram,
I was at that day in prison, so that I might not hold my
promise. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, an ye
had holden your promise this work had not been here
now at this time.

Right so departed Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides.
And so Sir Palomides took his horse and his harness, and
he rode unto King Arthur's court; and there Sir Palomides
gat him four knights and four sergeants-of-arms,
and so he returned againward unto Joyous Gard. And
in the meanwhile Sir Tristram chased and hunted at all
manner of venery; and about three days afore the battle
should be, as Sir Tristram chased an hart, there was an
archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he smote Sir
Tristram in the thick of the thigh, and the arrow slew
Sir Tristram's horse and hurt him. When Sir Tristram
was so hurt he was passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled
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, as to do battle with
him within three days after, than for any hurt of his thigh.
Wherefore there was neither man nor woman that could
cheer him with anything that they could make to him,
neither Queen La Beale Isoud; for ever he deemed that
Sir Palomides had smitten him so that he should not be
able to do battle with him at the day set.



CHAPTER LXXXVIII

How Sir Palomides kept his day to have foughten, but Sir
Tristram might not come; and other things.


BUT in no wise there was no knight about Sir Tristram
that would believe that ever Sir Palomides would hurt Sir
Tristram, neither by his own hands nor by none other
consenting. Then when the fifteenth day was come, Sir
Palomides came to the well with four knights with him
of Arthur's court, and three sergeants-of-arms. And for
this intent Sir Palomides brought the knights with him
and the sergeants-of-arms, for they should bear record of
the battle betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides. And
the one sergeant brought in his helm, the other his spear,
the third his sword. So thus 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 to Joyous Gard, anon as
Sir Tristram heard of his coming he let command that the
squire should come to his presence thereas he lay in his
bed. My lord Sir Tristram, said Palomides' squire, wit
you well my lord, 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 thou well that
I am right heavy for these tidings; therefore tell Sir
Palomides an I were well at ease I would not lie here, nor
he should have no need to send for me an I might either
ride or go; and for thou shalt say that I am no liar--Sir
Tristram showed him his thigh that 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
liefer than all the gold of King Arthur that I were whole;
and tell Palomides as soon as I am whole I shall seek him
endlong and overthwart, and that I promise you as I am true
knight; and if ever I may meet with him, he shall have
battle of me his fill. And with this the squire departed;
and when Palomides wist that Tristram was hurt he was
glad and said: Now I am sure I shall have no shame, for
I wot well I should have had hard handling of him, and
by likely I must needs have had the worse, for he is the
hardest knight in battle that now is living except Sir
Launcelot.

And then departed Sir Palomides whereas 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
wheresomever 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 fell to Sir Tristram, and it ceased of Sir
Launcelot; and therefore Sir Launcelot's brethren and his
kinsmen would have slain Sir Tristram because of his
fame. But when Sir Launcelot wist how his kinsmen
were set, he said to them openly: Wit you well, that an
the envy of you all be so hardy to wait upon my lord, Sir
Tristram, with any hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true
knight I shall slay the best of you with mine own hands
Alas, fie for shame, should ye for his noble deeds await
upon him to slay him. Jesu defend, said Launcelot, that
ever any noble knight as Sir Tristram is should be
destroyed with treason. Of this noise and fame sprang
into Cornwall, and among them of Liones, whereof they
were passing glad, and made great joy. And then they
of Liones 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
whereas La Beale Isoud was, that loved him as her life.

And here followeth the eleventh book which is of
Sir Launcelot.>



BOOK XI


CHAPTER I

How Sir Launcelot rode on his adventure, and how he holp
a dolorous lady from her pain, and how that he fought
with a dragon.


NOW leave we Sir Tristram de Liones, and speak we of
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and of Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot's
son, how he was gotten, and in what manner, as the book
of French rehearseth. Afore the time that Sir Galahad
was gotten or born, there came in an 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. Sir Arthur and all the knights answered: There
shall never none sit in that siege but one, but if he be
destroyed. Then said the hermit: Wot ye what is he?
Nay, said Arthur and all the knights, we wot not who is
he that shall sit therein. Then wot I, said the hermit,
for he that shall sit there is unborn and ungotten, and
this same year he shall be gotten that shall sit there in
that Siege Perilous, and he shall win the Sangreal. When
this hermit had made this mention he departed from the
court of King Arthur.

And then after this feast Sir Launcelot rode on his
adventure, till on a time by adventure he passed over the
pont of Corbin; and there he saw the fairest tower that ever
he saw, and there-under was a fair town full of people; and
all the people, men and women, cried at once: Welcome,
Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all knighthood,
for by thee all we shall be holpen out of danger. What
mean ye, said Sir Launcelot, that ye cry so 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 Gawaine was here and he
might not help her, and so he left her in pain. So may
I, said Sir Launcelot, leave her in pain as well as Sir
Gawaine did. Nay, said the people, we know well that
it is Sir Launcelot that shall deliver her. Well, said
Launcelot, then shew me what I shall do.

Then they brought Sir Launcelot into the tower; and
when he came to the chamber thereas this lady was, the
doors of iron unlocked and unbolted. And so Sir Launcelot
went into the chamber that was as hot as any stew.
And there Sir Launcelot took the fairest lady by the hand
that ever he saw, and she was naked as a needle; and by
enchantment Queen Morgan le Fay and the Queen of
Northgalis 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 great 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
Launcelot thought she was the fairest lady of the world,
but if it were Queen Guenever.

Then this lady said to Sir Launcelot: Sir, if it please
you will ye go with me hereby into a chapel that we may
give loving and thanking unto God? Madam, said Sir
Launcelot, come on with me, I will go with you. So
when they came there and gave thankings to God all the
people, both learned and lewd, gave thankings unto God
and him, and said: Sir knight, since ye have delivered
this lady, ye shall deliver us from a serpent there is here
in a tomb. Then Sir Launcelot took his shield and said:
Bring me thither, and what I may do unto the pleasure
of God and you I will do. So when Sir Launcelot came
thither he saw written upon the tomb letters of gold that
said thus: Here shall come a leopard of king's blood, and
he shall slay this serpent, and this leopard shall engender
a lion in this foreign country, the which lion shall pass all
other knights. So then Sir Launcelot lift up the tomb,
and there came out an horrible and a fiendly dragon,
spitting fire out of his mouth. Then Sir Launcelot drew
his sword and fought with the dragon long, and at the
last with great pain Sir Launcelot slew that dragon.
Therewithal came King Pelles, the good and noble knight,
and saluted Sir Launcelot, and he him again. Fair knight,
said the king, what is your name? I require you of your
knighthood tell me!



CHAPTER II

How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and of the Sangreal, and
of Elaine, King Pelles' daughter.


SIR, said Launcelot, wit you well my name is Sir Launcelot
du Lake. And my name is, said the king, Pelles,
king of the foreign country, and cousin nigh unto Joseph
of Armathie. 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
herewithal there was such a savour as all the spicery of
the world had been there. And forthwithal there was
upon the table all manner of meats and drinks that they
could think upon. So came in a damosel passing fair and
young, and she bare a vessel of gold betwixt her hands;
and thereto the king kneeled devoutly, and said his
prayers, and so did all that were there. O Jesu, said Sir
Launcelot, what may this mean? This is, said the king,
the richest thing that any man hath living. And when
this thing goeth about, the Round Table shall be broken;
and wit thou well, said the king, this is the holy Sangreal
that ye have here seen. So the king and Sir Launcelot
led their life the most part of that day. And fain would
King Pelles have found the mean to have had Sir Launcelot
to have lain by his daughter, fair Elaine. And for
this intent: the king knew well that Sir Launcelot should
get a child upon his daughter, the which should be named
Sir Galahad the good knight, by whom all the foreign
country should be brought out of danger, and by him the
Holy Greal should be achieved.

Then came forth a lady that hight Dame Brisen, and
she said unto the king: Sir, wit ye well Sir Launcelot
loveth no lady in the world but all only Queen Guenever;
and therefore work ye by counsel, and I shall make him
to lie with your daughter, and he shall not wit but that
he lieth with Queen Guenever. O fair lady, Dame Brisen,
said the king, hope ye to bring this about? Sir, said she,
upon pain of my life let me deal; for this Brisen was one
of the greatest enchantresses that was at that time in the
world living. Then anon by Dame Brisen's wit she made
one to come to Sir Launcelot that he knew well. And
this man brought him a ring from Queen Guenever like
as it had come from her, and such one as she was wont for
the most part to wear; and when Sir Launcelot saw that
token wit ye well he was never so fain. Where is my
lady? said Sir Launcelot. In the Castle of Case, said the
messenger, but five mile hence. Then Sir Launcelot
thought to be there the same might. And then this
Brisen by the commandment of King Pelles let send
Elaine to this castle with twenty-five knights unto the
Castle of Case. Then Sir Launcelot against night rode
unto that castle, and there anon he was received worshipfully
with such people, to his seeming, as were about Queen
Guenever secret.

So when Sir Launcelot was alighted, he asked where
the queen was. So Dame Brisen said she was in her bed;
and then the people were avoided, and Sir Launcelot was
led unto his chamber. And then Dame Brisen brought Sir
Launcelot a cup full of wine; and anon as he had drunken
that wine he was so assotted and mad that he might make
no delay, but withouten any let he went to bed; and he
weened that maiden Elaine had been Queen Guenever.
Wit you well that Sir Launcelot was glad, and so was that
lady Elaine that she had gotten Sir Launcelot in her arms.
For well she knew that same night should be gotten upon
her Galahad that should prove the best knight of the
world; and so they lay together until underne of the'
morn; and all the windows and holes of that chamber
were stopped that no manner of day might be seen. And
then Sir Launcelot remembered him, and he arose up and
went to the window.



CHAPTER III

How Sir Launcelot was displeased when he knew that he
had lain by Dame Elaine, and how she was delivered
of Galahad.


AND anon as he had unshut the window the enchantment
was gone; then he knew himself that he had done amiss.
Alas, he said, that I have lived so long; now I am
shamed. So then he gat his sword in his hand and said:
Thou traitress, what art thou that I have lain by all this
night? thou shalt die right here of my hands. Then this
fair lady Elaine skipped out of her bed all naked, and
kneeled down afore Sir Launcelot, and said: Fair courteous
knight, come of king's blood, I require you have mercy
upon me, and as thou art renowned the most noble knight
of the world, slay me not, for I have in my womb him by
thee that shall be the most noblest knight of the world.
Ah, false traitress, said Sir Launcelot, why hast thou
betrayed me? anon tell me what thou art. Sir, she said,
I am Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles. Well, said Sir
Launcelot, I will forgive you this deed; and therewith he
took her up in his arms, and kissed her, for she was as fair
a lady, and thereto lusty and young, and as wise, as any
was that time living. So God me help, said Sir Launcelot,
I may not wite this to you; but her that made this
enchantment upon me as between you and me, an I may
find her, that same Lady Brisen, she shall lose her head
for witchcrafts, for there was never knight deceived so as
I am this night. And so Sir Launcelot arrayed him, and
armed him, and took his leave mildly at that lady young
Elaine, and so he departed. Then she said: My lord Sir
Launcelot, I beseech you see me as soon as ye may, for I
have obeyed me unto the prophecy that my father told
me. And by his commandment to fulfil this prophecy I
have given the greatest riches and the fairest flower that
ever I had, and that is my maidenhood that I shall never
have again; and therefore, gentle knight, owe me your
good will.

And so Sir Launcelot arrayed him and was armed,
and took his leave mildly at that young lady Elaine; and
so he departed, and rode till he came to the Castle of
Corbin, where her father was. And as fast as her time
came she was delivered of a fair child, and they christened
him Galahad; and wit ye well that child was well kept
and well nourished, and he was named Galahad because
Sir Launcelot was so named at the fountain stone; and
after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot
du Lake.

Then after this lady was delivered and churched, there
came a knight unto her, his name was Sir Bromel la Pleche,
the which was a great lord; and he had loved that lady
long, and he evermore desired her to wed her; and so by
no mean she could put him off, till on a day she said to Sir
Bromel: Wit thou well, sir knight, I will not love you,
for my love is set upon the best knight of the world.
Who is he? said Sir Bromel. Sir, she said, it is Sir
Launcelot du Lake that I love and none other, and therefore
woo me no longer. Ye say well, said Sir Bromel, and
sithen ye have told me so much, ye shall have but little joy
of Sir Launcelot, for I shall slay him wheresomever I meet
him. Sir, said the Lady Elaine, do to him no treason.
Wit ye well, my lady, said Bromel, and I promise you
this twelvemonth I shall keep the pont of Corbin for Sir
Launcelot's sake, that he shall neither come nor go unto
you, but I shall meet with him.



CHAPTER IV

How Sir Bors came to Dame Elaine and saw Galahad,
and how he was fed with the Sangreal.


THEN as it fell by fortune and adventure, Sir Bors de
Ganis, that was nephew unto Sir Launcelot, came over that
bridge; and there Sir Bromel and Sir Bors jousted, and
Sir Bors smote Sir Bromel such a buffet that he bare him
over his horse's croup. And then Sir Bromel, as an hardy
knight, pulled out his sword, and dressed his shield to do
battle with Sir Bors. And then Sir Bors alighted and
avoided his horse, and there they dashed together many sad
strokes; and long thus they fought, till at the last Sir
Bromel was laid to the earth, and there Sir Bors began to
unlace his helm to slay him. Then Sir Bromel cried Sir
Bors mercy, and yielded him. Upon this covenant thou
shalt have thy life, said Sir Bors, so thou go unto Sir
Launcelot upon Whitsunday that next cometh, and yield
thee unto him as knight recreant. I will do it, said Sir
Bromel, and that he sware upon the cross of the sword.
And so he let him depart, and Sir Bors rode unto King
Pelles, that was within Corbin.

And when the king and Elaine his daughter wist that
Sir Bors was nephew unto Sir Launcelot, they made him
great cheer. Then said Dame Elaine: We marvel where
Sir Launcelot is, for he came never here but once. Marvel
not, said Sir Bors, for this half year he hath been in prison
with Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister. Alas,
said Dame Elaine, that me repenteth. And ever Sir Bors
beheld that child in her arms, and ever him seemed it was
passing like Sir Launcelot. Truly, said Elaine, wit ye well
this child he gat upon me. Then Sir Bors wept for joy,
and he prayed to God it might prove as good a knight as
his father was. And so came in a white dove, and she
bare a little censer of gold in her mouth, and there was all
manner of meats and drinks; and a maiden bare that
Sangreal, and she said openly: Wit you well, Sir Bors,
that this child is Galahad, that shall sit in the Siege Perilous,
and achieve the Sangreal, and he shall be much better than
ever was Sir Launcelot du Lake, that is his own father.
And then they kneeled down and made their devotions,
and there was such a savour as all the spicery in the world
had been there. And when the dove took her flight, the
maiden vanished with the Sangreal as she came.

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