Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




Sir, said Sir Bors unto King Pelles, this castle may be
named the Castle Adventurous, for here be many strange
adventures. That is sooth, said the king, for well may
this place be called the adventures place, for there come
but few knights here that go away with any worship; be
he never so strong, here he may be proved; and but late
Sir Gawaine, the good knight, gat but little worship here.
For I let you wit, said King Pelles, here shall no knight
win no worship but if he be of worship himself and of
good living, and that loveth God and dreadeth God, and
else he getteth no worship here, be he never so hardy.
That is wonderful thing, said Sir Bors. What ye mean in
this country I wot not, for ye have many strange adventures,
and therefore I will lie in this castle this night. Ye
shall not do so, said King Pelles, by my counsel, for it is
hard an ye escape without a shame. I shall take the
adventure that will befall me, said Sir Bors. Then I
counsel you, said the king, to be confessed clean. As for
that, said Sir Bors, I will be shriven with a good will. So
Sir Bors was confessed, and for all women Sir Bors was a
virgin, save for one, that was the daughter of King Brangoris,
and on her he gat a child that hight Elaine, and save
for her Sir Bors was a clean maiden.

And so Sir Bors was led unto bed in a fair large
chamber, and many doors were shut about the chamber.
When Sir Bors espied all those doors, he avoided all the
people, for he might have nobody with him; but in no
wise Sir Bors would unarm him, but so he laid him down
upon the bed. And right so he saw come in a light, that
he might well see a spear great and long that came straight
upon him pointling, and to Sir Bors seemed that the head
of the spear brent like a taper. And anon, or Sir Bors
wist, the spear head smote him into the shoulder an
hand-breadth in deepness, and that wound grieved Sir Bors passing
sore. And then he laid him down again for pain; and
anon therewithal there came a knight armed with his shield
on his shoulder and his sword in his hand, and he bade Sir
Bors: Arise, sir knight, and fight with me. I am sore
hurt, he said, but yet I shall not fail thee. And then Sir
Bors started up and dressed his shield; and then they
lashed together mightily a great while; and at the last Sir
Bors bare him backward until that he came unto a chamber
door, and there that knight yede into that chamber and
rested him a great while. And when he had reposed him
he came out freshly again, and began new battle with Sir
Bors mightily and strongly.



CHAPTER V

How Sir Bors made Sir Pedivere to yield him, and of
marvellous adventures that he had, and how he achieved
them.


THEN Sir Bors thought he should no more go into that
chamber to rest him, and so Sir Bors dressed him betwixt
the knight and that chamber door, and there Sir Bors
smote him down, and then that knight yielded him
What is your name? said Sir Bors. Sir, said he, my name
is Pedivere of the Straight Marches. So Sir Bors made
him to swear at Whitsunday next coming to be at the
court of King Arthur, and yield him there as a prisoner
as an overcome knight by the hands of Sir Bors. So thus
departed Sir Pedivere of the Straight Marches. And then
Sir Bors laid him down to rest, and then he heard and felt
much noise in that chamber; and then Sir Bors espied
that there came in, he wist not whether at the doors nor
windows, shot of arrows and of quarrels so thick that he
marvelled, and many fell upon him and hurt him in the
bare places.

And then Sir Bors was ware where came in an hideous
lion; so Sir Bors dressed him unto the lion, and anon the
lion bereft him his shield, and with his sword Sir Bors
smote off the lion's head. Right so Sir Bors forthwithal
saw a dragon in the court passing horrible, and there
seemed letters of gold written in his forehead; and Sir Bors
thought that the letters made a signification of King
Arthur. Right so there came an horrible leopard and an
old, and there they fought long, and did great battle
together. And at the last the dragon spit out of his
mouth as it had been an hundred dragons; and lightly all
the small dragons slew the old dragon and tare him all to
pieces.

Anon withal there came an old man into the hall, and
he sat him down in a fair chair, and there seemed to be
two adders about his neck; and then the old man had
an harp, and there he sang an old song how Joseph of
Armathie came into this land. Then when he had sung, the
old man bade Sir Bors go from thence. For here shall ye
have no more adventures; and full worshipfully have ye
done, and better shall ye do hereafter. And then Sir Bors
seemed that there came the whitest dove with a little golden
censer in her mouth. And anon therewithal the tempest
ceased and passed, that afore was marvellous to hear. So
was all that court full of good savours. Then Sir Bors saw
four children bearing four fair tapers, and an old man in
the midst of the children with a censer in his own hand,
and a spear in his other hand, and that spear was called the
Spear of Vengeance.



CHAPTER VI

How Sir Bors departed; and how Sir Launcelot was
rebuked of Queen Guenever, and of his excuse.


NOW, said that old man to Sir Bors, go ye to your cousin,
Sir Launcelot, and tell him of this adventure the which
had been most convenient for him of all earthly knights;
but sin is so foul in him he may not achieve such holy
deeds, for had not been his sin he had passed all the
knights that ever were in his days; and tell thou Sir
Launcelot, of all worldly adventures he passeth in manhood
and prowess all other, but in this spiritual matters he shall
have many his better. And then Sir Bors saw four gentlewomen
come by him, purely beseen: and he saw where
that they entered into a chamber where was great light as
it were a summer light; and the women kneeled down
afore an altar of silver with four pillars, and as it had been
a bishop kneeled down afore that table of silver. And as
Sir Bors looked over his head he saw a sword like silver,
naked, hoving over his head, and the clearness thereof
smote so in his eyes that as at that time Sir Bors was blind;
and there he heard a voice that said: Go hence, thou Sir
Bors, for as yet thou art not worthy for to be in this place.
And then he yede backward to his bed till on the morn.
And on the morn King Pelles made great joy of Sir Bors;
and then he departed and rode to Camelot, and there he
found Sir Launcelot du Lake, and told him of the adventures
that he had seen with King Pelles at Corbin.

So the noise sprang in Arthur's court that Launcelot
had gotten a child upon Elaine, the daughter of King
Pelles, wherefore Queen Guenever was wroth, and gave
many rebukes to Sir Launcelot, and called him false knight.
And then Sir Launcelot told the queen all, and how he
was made to lie by her by enchantment in likeness of the
queen. So the queen held Sir Launcelot excused. And
as the book saith, King Arthur had been in France, and
had made war upon the mighty King Claudas, and had
won much of his lands. And when the king was come
again he let cry a great feast, that all lords and ladies of
all England should be there, but if it were such as were
rebellious against him.



CHAPTER VII

How Dame Elaine, Galahad's mother, came in great estate
unto Camelot, and how Sir Launcelot behaved him
there.


AND when Dame Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles,
heard of this feast she went to her father and required
him that he would give her leave to ride to that feast.
The king answered: I will well ye go thither, but in any
wise as ye love me and will have my blessing, that ye be
well beseen in the richest wise; and look that ye spare
not for no cost; ask and ye shall have all that you needeth.
Then by the advice of Dame Brisen, her maiden, all thing
was apparelled unto the purpose, that there was never
no lady more richlier beseen. So she rode with twenty
knights, and ten ladies, and gentlewomen, to the number
of an hundred horses. And when she came to Camelot,
King Arthur and Queen Guenever said, and all the
knights, that Dame Elaine was the fairest and the best
beseen lady that ever was seen in that court. And anon
as King Arthur wist that she was come he met her and
saluted her, and so did the most part of all the knights of
the Round Table, both Sir Tristram, Sir Bleoberis, and
Sir Gawaine, and many more that I will not rehearse.
But when Sir Launcelot saw her he was so ashamed, and
that because he drew his sword on the morn when he had
lain by her, that he would not salute her nor speak to her;
and yet Sir Launcelot thought she was the fairest woman
that ever he saw in his life-days.

But when Dame Elaine saw Sir Launcelot that would
not speak unto her she was so heavy that she weened her
heart would have to-brast; for wit you well, out of measure
she loved him. And then Elaine said unto her woman,
Dame Brisen: the unkindness of Sir Launcelot slayeth
me near. Ah, peace, madam, said Dame Brisen, I will
undertake that this night he shall lie with you, an ye
would hold you still. That were me liefer, said Dame
Elaine, than all the gold that is above the earth. Let me
deal, said Dame Brisen. So when Elaine was brought
unto Queen Guenever either made other good cheer by
countenance, but nothing with hearts. But all men and
women spake of the beauty of Dame Elaine, and of her
great riches.

Then, at night, the queen commanded that Dame
Elaine should sleep in a chamber nigh her chamber, and
all under one roof; and so it was done as the queen
commanded. Then the queen sent for Sir Launcelot and
bade him come to her chamber that night: Or else I am
sure, said the queen, that ye will go to your lady's bed,
Dame Elaine, by whom ye gat Galahad. Ah, madam,
said Sir Launcelot, never say ye so, for that I did was
against my will. Then, said the queen, look that ye
come to me when I send for you. Madam, said Launcelot,
I shall not fail you, but I shall be ready at your
commandment. This bargain was soon done and made
between them, but Dame Brisen knew it by her crafts,
and told it to her lady, Dame Elaine. Alas, said she,
how shall I do? Let me deal, said Dame Brisen, for I
shall bring him by the hand even to your bed, and he
shall ween that I am Queen Guenever's messenger. Now
well is me, said Dame Elaine, for all the world I love not
so much as I do Sir Launcelot.



CHAPTER VIII

How Dame Brisen by enchantment brought Sir Launcelot to
Dame Elaine's bed, and how Queen Guenever rebuked
him.


SO when time came that all folks were abed, Dame
Brisen came to Sir Launcelot's bed's side and said: Sir
Launcelot du Lake, sleep you? My lady, Queen Guenever,
lieth and awaiteth upon you. O my fair lady, said
Sir Launcelot, I am ready to go with you where ye will
have me. So Sir Launcelot threw upon him a long gown,
and his sword in his hand; and then Dame Brisen took
him by the finger and led him to her lady's bed, Dame
Elaine; and then she departed and left them in bed
together. Wit you well the lady was glad, and so was Sir
Launcelot, for he weened that he had had another in his
arms.

Now leave we them kissing and clipping, as was kindly
thing; and now speak we of Queen Guenever that sent
one of her women unto Sir Launcelot's bed; and when
she came there she found the bed cold, and he was away;
so she came to the queen and told her all. Alas, said the
queen, where is that false knight become? Then the
queen was nigh out of her wit, and then she writhed and
weltered as a mad woman, and might not sleep a four or
five hours. Then Sir Launcelot had a condition that he
used of custom, he would clatter in his sleep, and speak
oft of his lady, Queen Guenever. So as Sir Launcelot
had waked as long as it had pleased him, then by course
of kind he slept, and Dame Elaine both. And in his sleep
he talked and clattered as a jay, of the love that had been
betwixt Queen Guenever and him. And so as he talked
so loud the queen heard him thereas she lay in her
chamber; and when she heard him so clatter she was nigh
wood and out of her mind, and for anger and pain wist
not what to do. And then she coughed so loud that Sir
Launcelot awaked, and he knew her hemming. And then
he knew well that he lay not by the queen; and therewith
he leapt out of his bed as he had been a wood man, in his
shirt, and the queen met him in the floor; and thus she
said: False traitor knight that thou art, look thou never
abide in my court, and avoid my chamber, and not so
hardy, thou false traitor knight that thou art, that ever
thou come in my sight. Alas, said Sir Launcelot; and
therewith he took such an heartly sorrow at her words
that he fell down to the floor in a swoon. And therewithal
Queen Guenever departed. And when Sir Launcelot
awoke of his swoon, he leapt out at a bay window into a
garden, and there with thorns he was all to-scratched in
his visage and his body; and so he ran forth he wist not
whither, and was wild wood as ever was man; and so he
ran two year, and never man might have grace to know
him.



CHAPTER IX

How Dame Elaine was commanded by Queen Guenever to
avoid the court, and how Sir Launcelot became mad.


NOW turn we unto Queen Guenever and to the fair
Lady Elaine, that when Dame Elaine heard the queen so
to rebuke Sir Launcelot, and also she saw how he swooned,
and how he leaped out at a bay window, then she said unto
Queen Guenever: Madam, ye are greatly to blame for Sir
Launcelot, for now have ye lost him, for I saw and heard
by his countenance that he is mad for ever. Alas, madam,
ye do great sin, and to yourself great dishonour, for ye
have a lord of your own, and therefore it is your part to
love him; for there is no queen in this world hath such
another king as ye have. And, if ye were not, I might
have the love of my lord Sir Launcelot; and cause I have
to love him for he had my maidenhood, and by him I have
borne a fair son, and his name is Galahad, and he shall be
in his time the best knight of the world. Dame Elaine,
said the queen, when it is daylight I charge you and
command you to avoid my court; and for the love ye owe
unto Sir Launcelot discover not his counsel, for an ye do,
it will be his death. As for that, said Dame Elaine, I dare
undertake he is marred for ever, and that have ye made;
for ye, nor I, are like to rejoice him; for he made the most
piteous groans when he leapt out at yonder bay window
that ever I heard man make. Alas, said fair Elaine, and
alas, said the Queen Guenever, for now I wot well we
have lost him for ever.

So on the morn Dame Elaine took her leave to depart,
and she would no longer abide. Then King Arthur
brought her on her way with mo than an hundred
knights through a forest. And by the way she told Sir
Bors de Ganis all how it betid that same night, and how
Sir Launcelot leapt out at a window, araged out of his
wit. Alas, said Sir Bors, where is my lord, Sir Launcelot,
become? Sir, said Elaine, I wot ne'er. Alas, said Sir Bors,
betwixt you both ye have destroyed that good knight. As
for me, said Dame Elaine, I said never nor did never
thing that should in any wise displease him, but with
the rebuke that Queen Guenever gave him I saw him
swoon to the earth; and when he awoke he took his sword
in his hand, naked save his shirt, and leapt out at a window
with the grisliest groan that ever I heard man make. Now
farewell, Dame Elaine, said Sir Bors, and hold my lord
Arthur with a tale as long as ye can, for I will turn again
to Queen Guenever and give her a hete; and I require
you, as ever ye will have my service, make good watch and
espy if ever ye may see my lord Sir Launcelot. Truly,
said fair Elaine, I shall do all that I may do, for as fain
would I know and wit where he is become, as you, or any
of his kin, or Queen Guenever; and cause great enough
have I thereto as well as any other. And wit ye well, said
fair Elaine to Sir Bors, I would lose my life for him rather
than he should be hurt; but alas, I cast me never for to
see him, and the chief causer of this is Dame Guenever.
Madam, said Dame Brisen, the which had made the
enchantment before betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, I pray
you heartily, let Sir Bors depart, and hie him with all his
might as fast as he may to seek Sir Launcelot, for I warn
you he is clean out of his mind; and yet he shall be well
holpen an but by miracle.

Then wept Dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis;
and so they departed, and Sir Bors rode straight unto
Queen Guenever. And when she saw Sir Bors she wept
as she were wood. Fie on your weeping, said Sir Bors de
Ganis, for ye weep never but when there is no bote. Alas,
said Sir Bors, that ever Sir Launcelot's kin saw you, for
now have ye lost the best knight of our blood, and he
that was all our leader and our succour; and I dare say
and make it good that all kings, christian nor heathen, may
not find such a knight, for to speak of his nobleness and
courtesy, with his beauty and his gentleness. Alas, said
Sir Bors, what shall we do that be of his blood? Alas,
said Sir Ector de Maris. Alas, said Lionel.



CHAPTER X

What sorrow Queen Guenever made for Sir Launcelot, and
how he was sought by knights of his kin.


AND when the queen heard them say so she fell to the
earth in a dead swoon. And then Sir Bors took her up,
and dawed her; and when she was awaked she kneeled
afore the three knights, and held up both her hands, and
besought them to seek him. And spare not for no goods
but that he be found, for I wot he is out of his mind. And
Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel departed from the
queen, for they might not abide no longer for sorrow.
And then the queen sent them treasure enough for their
expenses, and so they took their horses and their armour,
and departed. And then they rode from country to
country, in forests, and in wilderness, and in wastes; and
ever they laid watch both at forests and at all manner of
men as they rode, to hearken and spere after him, as he
that was a naked man, in his shirt, with a sword in his
hand. And thus they rode nigh a quarter of a year,
endlong and overthwart, in many places, forests and wilderness,
and oft-times were evil lodged for his sake; and yet for all
their labour and seeking could they never hear word of
him. And wit you well these three knights were passing
sorry.

Then at the last Sir Bors and his fellows met with
a knight that hight Sir Melion de Tartare. Now fair
knight, said Sir Bors, whither be ye away? for they knew
either other afore time. Sir, said Melion, I am in the way
toward the court of King Arthur. Then we pray you,
said Sir Bors, that ye will tell my lord Arthur, and my lady,
Queen Guenever, and all the fellowship of the Round
Table, that we cannot in no wise hear tell where Sir
Launcelot is become. Then Sir Melion departed from them,
and said that he would tell the king, and the queen, and
all the fellowship-of the Round Table, as they had desired
him. So when Sir Melion came to the court of King
Arthur he told the king, and the queen, and all the
fellowship of the Round Table, what Sir Bors had said of
Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramore
le Desirous, Sir Aglovale, and Sir Percivale de Galis
took upon them by the great desire of King Arthur, and
in especial by the queen, to seek throughout all England,
Wales, and Scotland, to find Sir Launcelot, and with them
rode eighteen knights mo to bear them fellowship; and
wit ye well, they lacked no manner of spending; and so
were they three and twenty knights.

Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of his
care and woe, and what pain he there endured; for cold,
hunger, and thirst, he had plenty. And thus as these
noble knights rode together, they by one assent departed,
and then they rode by two, by three, and by four, and by
five, and ever they assigned where they should meet. And so
Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together unto their
mother that was a queen in those days. And when she
saw her two sons, for joy she wept tenderly. And then
she said: Ah, my dear sons, when your father was slain
he left me four sons, of the which now be twain slain.
And for the death of my noble son, Sir Lamorak, shall my
heart never be glad. And then she kneeled down upon
her knees to-fore Aglovale and Sir Percivale, and besought
them to abide at home with her. Ah, sweet mother, said
Sir Percivale, we may not, for we be come of king's blood
of both parties, and therefore, mother, it is our kind to
haunt arms and noble deeds. Alas, my sweet sons, then
she said, for your sakes I shall lose my liking and lust, and
then wind and weather I may not endure, what for the
death of your father, King Pellinore, that was shamefully
slain by the hands of Sir Gawaine, and his brother, Sir
Gaheris: and they slew him not manly but by treason.
Ah, my dear sons, this is a piteous complaint for me of
your father's death, considering also the death of Sir
Lamorak, that of knighthood had but few fellows. Now,
my dear sons, have this in your mind. Then there was but
weeping and sobbing in the court when they should depart,
and she fell a-swooning in midst of the court.



CHAPTER XI

How a servant of Sir Aglovale's was slain, and what vengeance
Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale did therefore.


AND when she was awaked she sent a squire after them
with spending enough. And so when the squire had overtaken
them, they would not suffer him to ride with them,
but sent him home again to comfort their mother, praying
her meekly of her blessing. And so this squire was
benighted, and by misfortune he happened to come to a
castle where dwelled a baron. And so when the squire
was come into the castle, the lord asked him from whence
he came, and whom he served. My lord, said the squire,
I serve a good knight that is called Sir Aglovale: the
squire said it to good intent, weening unto him to have
been more forborne for Sir Aglovale's sake, than he had
said he had served the queen, Aglovale's mother. Well,
my fellow, said the lord of that castle, for Sir Aglovale's
sake thou shalt have evil lodging, for Sir Aglovale slew my
brother, and therefore thou shalt die on part of payment.
And then that lord commanded his men to have him away
and slay him; and so they did, and so pulled him out of
the castle, and there they slew him without mercy.

Right so on the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale
riding by a churchyard, where men and women were
busy, and beheld the dead squire, and they thought to bury
him. What is there, said Sir Aglovale, that ye behold so
fast? A good man stert forth and said: Fair knight, here
lieth a squire slain shamefully this night. How was he
slain, fair fellow? said Sir Aglovale. My fair sir, said the
man, the lord of this castle lodged this squire this night;
and because he said he was servant unto a good knight
that is with King Arthur, his name is Sir Aglovale,
therefore the lord commanded to slay him, and for this cause is
he slain. Gramercy, said Sir Aglovale, and ye shall see
his death revenged lightly; for I am that same knight for
whom this squire was slain.

Then Sir Aglovale called unto him Sir Percivale, and
bade him alight lightly; and so they alighted both, and
betook their horses to their men, and so they yede on foot
into the castle. And all so soon as they were within the
castle gate Sir Aglovale bade the porter: Go thou unto thy
lord and tell him that I am Sir Aglovale for whom this
squire was slain this night. Anon the porter told this to
his lord, whose name was Goodewin. Anon he armed him,
and then he came into the court and said: Which of you
is Sir Aglovale? Here I am, said Aglovale: for what
cause slewest thou this night my mother's squire? I slew
him, said Sir Goodewin, because of thee, for thou slewest
my brother, Sir Gawdelin. As for thy brother, said Sir
Aglovale, I avow it I slew him, for he was a false knight
and a betrayer of ladies and of good knights; and for the
death of my squire thou shalt die. I defy thee, said Sir
Goodewin. Then they lashed together as eagerly as it
had been two lions, and Sir Percivale he fought with all the
remnant that would fight. And within a while Sir Percivale
had slain all that would withstand him; for Sir Percivale
dealt so his strokes that were so rude that there durst
no man abide him. And within a while Sir Aglovale had
Sir Goodewin at the earth, and there he unlaced his helm,
and struck off his head. And then they departed and took
their horses; and then they let carry the dead squire unto
a priory, and there they interred him.



CHAPTER XII

How Sir Pervivale departed secretly from his brother, and
how he loosed a knight bound with a chain, and of
other doings.


AND when this was done they rode into many countries,
ever inquiring after Sir Launcelot, but never they could
hear of him; and at the last they came to a castle that
hight Cardican, and there Sir Percivale and Sir Aglovale
were lodged together. And privily about midnight Sir
Percivale came to Aglovale's squire and said: Arise and
make thee ready, for ye and I will ride away secretly.
Sir, said the squire, I would full fain ride with you where
ye would have me, but an my lord, your brother, take me
he will slay me. As for that care thou not, for I shall be
thy warrant.

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