Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




And so Sir Percivale rode till it was after noon, and then
he came upon a bridge of stone, and there he found a
knight that was bound with a chain fast about the waist
unto a pillar of stone. O fair knight, said that bound
knight, I require thee loose me of my bonds. What
knight are ye, said Sir Percivale, and for what cause are
ye so bound? Sir, I shall tell you, said that knight:
I am a knight of the Table Round, and my name is Sir
Persides; and thus by adventure I came this way, and
here I lodged in this castle at the bridge foot, and therein
dwelleth an uncourteous lady; and because she proffered
me to be her paramour, and I refused her, she set her men
upon me suddenly or ever I might come to my weapon;
and thus they bound me, and here I wot well I shall die but
if some man of worship break my bands. Be ye of good
cheer, said Sir Percivale, and because ye are a knight of the
Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to break your
bands. And therewith Sir Percivale pulled out his sword
and struck at the chain with such a might that he cut
a-two the chain, and through Sir Persides' hauberk and hurt
him a little. O Jesu, said Sir Persides, that was a mighty
stroke as ever I felt one, for had not the chain been ye
had slain me.

And therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming out
of a castle all that ever he might fling. Beware, sir, said
Sir Persides, yonder cometh a man that will have ado with
you. Let him come, said Sir Percivale. And so he met
with that knight in midst of the bridge; and Sir Percivale
gave him such a buffet that he smote him quite from his
horse and over a part of the bridge, that, had not been
a little vessel under the bridge, that knight had been
drowned. And then Sir Percivale took the knight's horse
and made Sir Persides to mount up him; and so they rode
unto the castle, and bade the lady deliver Sir Persides'
servants, or else he would slay all that ever he found;
and so for fear she delivered them all. Then was Sir
Percivale ware of a lady that stood in that tower. Ah,
madam, said Sir Percivale, what use and custom is that in
a lady to destroy good knights but if they will be your
paramour? Forsooth this is a shameful custom of a lady,
and if I had not a great matter in my hand I should fordo
your evil customs.

And so Sir Persides brought Sir Percivale unto his own
castle, and there he made him great cheer all that night.
And on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard mass and
broken his fast, he bade Sir Persides ride unto King
Arthur: And tell the king how that ye met with me; and
tell my brother, Sir Aglovale, how I rescued you; and
bid him seek not after me, for I am in the quest to seek
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and though he seek me he shall
not find me; and tell him I will never see him, nor the
court, till I have found Sir Launcelot. Also tell Sir Kay
the Seneschal, and to Sir Mordred, that I trust to Jesu to
be of as great worthiness as either of them, for tell them
I shall never forget their mocks and scorns that they did
to me that day that I was made knight; and tell them I
will never see that court till men speak more worship of
me than ever men did of any of them both. And so Sir
Persides departed from Sir Percivale, and then he rode
unto King Arthur, and told there of Sir Percivale. And
when Sir Aglovale heard him speak of his brother Sir
Percivale, he said: He departed from me unkindly.



CHAPTER XIII

How Sir Percivale met with Sir Ector, and how they fought
long, and each had almost slain other.


SIR, said Sir Persides, on my life he shall prove a noble
knight as any now is living. And when he saw Sir Kay
and Sir Mordred, Sir Persides said thus: My fair lords
both, Sir Percivale greeteth you well both, and he sent you
word by me that he trusteth to God or ever he come to
the court again to be of as great noblesse as ever were ye
both, and mo men to speak of his noblesse than ever
they did of you. It may well be, said Sir Kay and Sir
Mordred, but at that time when he was made knight he
was full unlike to prove a good knight. As for that, said
King Arthur, he must needs prove a good knight, for his
father and his brethren were noble knights

And now will we turn unto Sir Percivale that rode
long; and in a forest he met a knight with a broken
shield and a broken helm; and as soon as either saw other
readily they made them ready to joust, and so hurtled
together with all the might of their horses, and met together
so hard, that Sir Percivale was smitten to the earth. And
then Sir Percivale arose lightly, and cast his shield on his
shoulder and drew his sword, and bade the other knight
Alight, and do we battle unto the uttermost. Will ye
more? said that knight. And therewith he alighted, and
put his horse from him; and then they came together an
easy pace, and there they lashed together with noble
swords, and sometime they struck and sometime they
foined, and either gave other many great wounds. Thus
they fought near half a day, and never rested but right
little, and there was none of them both that had less wounds
than fifteen, and they bled so much that it was marvel
they stood on their feet. But this knight that fought
with Sir Percivale was a proved knight and a wise-fighting
knight, and Sir Percivale was young and strong, not
knowing in fighting as the other was.

Then Sir Percivale spoke first, and said: Sir knight,
hold thy hand a while still, for we have fought for a
simple matter and quarrel overlong, and therefore I require
thee tell me thy name, for I was never or this time matched.
So God me help, said that knight, and never or this time
was there never knight that wounded me so sore as thou
hast done, and yet have I fought in many battles; and now
shalt thou wit that I am a knight of the Table Round, and
my name is Sir Ector de Maris, brother unto the good
knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Percivale,
and my name is Sir Percivale de Galis that hath made
my quest to seek Sir Launcelot, and now I am siker
that I shall never finish my quest, for ye have slain me
with your hands. It is not so, said Sir Ector, for I am
slain by your hands, and may not live. Therefore I
require you, said Sir Ector unto Sir Percivale, ride ye hereby
to a priory, and bring me a priest that I may receive my
Saviour, for I may not live. And when ye come to the
court of King Arthur tell not my brother, Sir Launcelot,
how that ye slew me, for then he would be your mortal
enemy, but ye may say that I was slain in my quest as I
sought him. Alas, said Sir Percivale, ye say that never
will be, for I am so faint for bleeding that I may unnethe
stand, how should I then take my horse?



CHAPTER XIV

How by miracle they were both made whole by the coming
of the holy vessel of Sangreal.


THEN they made both great dole out of measure. This
will not avail, said Sir Percivale. And then he kneeled
down and made his prayer devoutly unto Almighty Jesu,
for he was one of the best knights of the world that at
that time was, in whom the very faith stood most in.
Right so there came by the holy vessel of the Sangreal
with all manner of sweetness and savour; but they could
not readily see who that bare that vessel, but Sir Percivale
had a glimmering of the vessel and of the maiden that
bare it, for he was a perfect clean maiden; and forthwithal
they both were as whole of hide and limb as ever they
were in their life-days: then they gave thankings to God
with great mildness. O Jesu, said Sir Percivale, what
may this mean, that we be thus healed, and right now we
were at the point of dying? I wot full well, said Sir Ector,
what it is; it is an holy vessel that is borne by a maiden,
and therein is part of the holy blood of our Lord Jesu
Christ, blessed mote he be. But it may not be seen, said
Sir Ector, but if it be by a perfect man. So God me
help, said Sir Percivale, I saw a damosel, as me thought,
all in white, with a vessel in both her hands, and forthwithal
I was whole.

So then they took their horses and their harness, and
amended their harness as well as they might that was
broken; and so they mounted upon their horses, and rode
talking together. And there Sir Ector de Maris told Sir
Percivale how he had sought his brother, Sir Launcelot,
long, and never could hear witting of him: In many
strange adventures have I been in this quest. And so
either told other of their adventures.

the twelfth book.>



BOOK XII


CHAPTER I

How Sir Launcelot in his madness took a sword and fought
with a knight, and leapt in a bed.


AND now leave we of a while of Sir Ector and of Sir
Percivale, and speak we of Sir Launcelot that suffered and
endured many sharp showers, that ever ran wild wood
from place to place, and lived by fruit and such as he
might get, and drank water two year; and other clothing
had he but little but his shirt and his breech. Thus as
Sir Launcelot wandered here and there he came in a fair
meadow where he found a pavilion; and there by, upon
a tree, there hung a white shield, and two swords hung
thereby, and two spears leaned there by a tree. And
when Sir Launcelot saw the swords, anon he leapt to the
one sword, and took it in his hand, and drew it out. And
then he lashed at the shield, that all the meadow rang of
the dints, that he gave such a noise as ten knights had
foughten together.

Then came forth a dwarf, and leapt unto Sir Launcelot,
and would have had the sword out of his hand. And
then Sir Launcelot took him by the both shoulders and
threw him to the ground upon his neck, that he had
almost broken his neck; and therewithal the dwarf cried
help. Then came forth a likely knight, and well
apparelled in scarlet furred with minever. And anon as
he saw Sir Launcelot he deemed that he should be out of
his wit. And then he said with fair speech: Good man,
lay down that sword, for as meseemeth thou hadst more
need of sleep and of warm clothes than to wield that
sword. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, come not too
nigh, for an thou do, wit thou well I will slay thee.

And when the knight of the pavilion saw that, he
stert backward within the pavilion. And then the dwarf
armed him lightly; and so the knight thought by force
and might to take the sword from Sir Launcelot, and so
he came stepping out; and when Sir Launcelot saw him
come so all armed with his sword in his hand, then Sir
Launcelot flew to him with such a might, and hit him
upon the helm such a buffet, that the stroke troubled his
brains, and therewith the sword brake in three. And the
knight fell to the earth as he had been dead, the blood
brasting out of his mouth, the nose, and the ears. And
then Sir Launcelot ran into the pavilion, and rushed even
into the warm bed; and there was a lady in that bed, and
she gat her smock, and ran out of the pavilion. And when
she saw her lord lie at the ground like to be dead, then
she cried and wept as she had been mad. Then with her
noise the knight awaked out of his swoon, and looked up
weakly with his eyes; and then he asked her, where was
that mad man that had given him such a buffet: For
such a buffet had I never of man's hand. Sir, said the
dwarf, it is not worship to hurt him, for he is a man out
of his wit; and doubt ye not he hath been a man of great
worship, and for some heartly sorrow that he hath taken,
he is fallen mad; and me beseemeth, said the dwarf, he
resembleth much unto Sir Launcelot, for him I saw at the
great tournament beside Lonazep. Jesu defend, said
that knight, that ever that noble knight, Sir Launcelot,
should be in such a plight; but whatsomever he be, said
that knight, harm will I none do him: and this knight's
name was Bliant. Then he said unto the dwarf: Go
thou fast on horseback, unto my brother Sir Selivant, that
is at the Castle Blank, and tell him of mine adventure,
and bid him bring with him an horse litter, and then will
we bear this knight unto my castle.



CHAPTER II

How Sir Lancelot was carried in an horse litter, and how
Sir Launcelot rescued Sir Bliant, his host.


SO the dwarf rode fast, and he came again and brought
Sir Selivant with him, and six men with an horse litter;
and so they took up the feather bed with Sir Launcelot,
and so carried all away with them unto the Castle Blank,
and he never awaked till he was within the castle. And
then they bound his hands and his feet, and gave him
good meats and good drinks, and brought him again to
his strength and his fairness; but in his wit they could
not bring him again, nor to know himself. Thus was Sir
Launcelot there more than a year and a half, honestly
arrayed and fair faren withal.

Then upon a day this lord of that castle, Sir Bliant,
took his arms, on horseback, with a spear, to seek
adventures. And as he rode in a forest there met with
him two knights adventurous, the one was Breuse Saunce
Pit, and his brother, Sir Bertelot; and these two ran
both at once upon Sir Bliant, and brake their spears upon
his body. And then they drew out swords and made
great battle, and fought long together. But at the last
Sir Bliant was sore wounded, and felt himself faint; and
then he fled on horseback toward his castle. And as they
came hurling under the castle whereas Sir Launcelot lay in
a window, [he] saw how two knights laid upon Sir Bliant
with their swords. And when Sir Launcelot saw that,
yet as wood as he was he was sorry for his lord, Sir Bliant.
And then Sir Launcelot brake the chains from his legs
and off his arms, and in the breaking he hurt his hands
sore; and so Sir Launcelot ran out at a postern, and
there he met with the two knights that chased Sir Bliant;
and there he pulled down Sir Bertelot with his bare hands
from his horse, and therewithal he wrothe his sword out
of his hand; and so he leapt unto Sir Breuse, and gave
him such a buffet upon the head that he tumbled backward
over his horse's croup. And when Sir Bertelot saw
there his brother have such a fall, he gat a spear in his
hand, and would have run Sir Launcelot through: that
saw Sir Bliant, and struck off the hand of Sir Bertelot.
And then Sir Breuse and Sir Bertelot gat their horses and
fled away.

When Sir Selivant came and saw what Sir Launcelot
had done for his brother, then he thanked God, and so
did his brother, that ever they did him any good. But
when Sir Bliant saw that Sir Launcelot was hurt with the
breaking of his irons, then was he heavy that ever he
bound him. Bind him no more, said Sir Selivant, for he
is happy and gracious. Then they made great joy of Sir
Launcelot, and they bound him no more; and so he
abode there an half year and more. And on the morn
early Sir Launcelot was ware where came a great boar
with many hounds nigh him. But the boar was so big
there might no hounds tear him; and the hunters came
after, blowing their horns, both upon horseback and some
upon foot; and then Sir Launcelot was ware where one
alighted and tied his horse to a tree, and leaned his spear
against the tree.



CHAPTER III

How Sir Launcelot fought against a boar and slew him, and
how he was hurt, and brought unto an hermitage.


SO came Sir Launcelot and found the horse bounden till a
tree, and a spear leaning against a tree, and a sword tied
to the saddle bow; and then Sir Launcelot leapt into the
saddle and gat that spear in his hand, and then he rode
after the boar; and then Sir Launcelot was ware where
the boar set his arse to a tree fast by an hermitage.
Then Sir Launcelot ran at the boar with his spear, and
therewith the boar turned him nimbly, and rove out the
lungs and the heart of the horse, so that Launcelot fell to
the earth; and, or ever Sir Launcelot might get from the
horse, the boar rove him on the brawn of the thigh up to
the hough bone. And then Sir Launcelot was wroth, and
up he gat upon his feet, and drew his sword, and he smote
off the boar's head at one stroke. And therewithal came
out the hermit, and saw him have such a wound. Then
the hermit came to Sir Launcelot and bemoaned him, and
would have had him home unto his hermitage; but when
Sir Launcelot heard him speak, he was so wroth with his
wound that he ran upon the hermit to have slain him,
and the hermit ran away. And when Sir Launcelot might
not overget him, he threw his sword after him, for Sir
Launcelot might go no further for bleeding; then the
hermit turned again, and asked Sir Launcelot how he was
hurt. Fellow, said Sir Launcelot, this boar hath bitten
me sore. Then come with me, said the hermit, and I
shall heal you. Go thy way, said Sir Launcelot, and deal
not with me.

Then the hermit ran his way, and there he met with a
good knight with many men. Sir, said the hermit, here
is fast by my place the goodliest man that ever I saw, and
he is sore wounded with a boar, and yet he hath slain the
boar. But well I wot, said the hermit, and he be not
holpen, that goodly man shall die of that wound, and that
were great pity. Then that knight at the desire of the
hermit gat a cart, and in that cart that knight put the boar
and Sir Launcelot, for Sir Launcelot was so feeble that
they might right easily deal with him; and so Sir Launcelot
was brought unto the hermitage, and there the hermit
healed him of his wound. But the hermit might not find
Sir Launcelot's sustenance, and so he impaired and waxed
feeble, both of his body and of his wit: for the default of
his sustenance he waxed more wooder than he was aforehand.

And then upon a day Sir Launcelot ran his way into
the forest; and by adventure he came to the city of
Corbin, where Dame Elaine was, that bare Galahad, Sir
Launcelot's son. And so when he was entered into the
town he ran through the town to the castle; and then all
the young men of that city ran after Sir Launcelot, and
there they threw turves at him, and gave him many sad
strokes. And ever as Sir Launcelot might overreach any
of them, he threw them so that they would never come in
his hands no more; for of some he brake the legs and
the arms, and so fled into the castle; and then came out
knights and squires and rescued Sir Launcelot. And
when they beheld him and looked upon his person, they
thought they saw never so goodly a man. And when
they saw so many wounds upon him, all they deemed that
he had been a man of worship. And then they ordained
him clothes to his body, and straw underneath him, and a
little house. And then every day they would throw him
meat, and set him drink, but there was but few would
bring him meat to his hands.



CHAPTER IV

How Sir Launcelot was known by Dame Elaine, and was
borne into a chamber and after healed by the Sangreal.


SO it befell that King Pelles had a nephew, his name was
Castor; and so he desired of the king to be made knight,
and so at the request of this Castor the king made him
knight at the feast of Candlemas. And when Sir Castor
was made knight, that same day he gave many gowns.
And then Sir Castor sent for the fool--that was Sir
Launcelot. And when he was come afore Sir Castor, he
gave Sir Launcelot a robe of scarlet and all that longed
unto him. And when Sir Launcelot was so arrayed like
a knight, he was the seemliest man in all the court, and
none so well made. So when he saw his time he went
into the garden, and there Sir Launcelot laid him down
by a well and slept. And so at-after noon Dame Elaine
and her maidens came into the garden to play them;
and as they roamed up and down one of Dame Elaine's
maidens espied where lay a goodly man by the well
sleeping, and anon showed him to Dame Elaine. Peace,
said Dame Elaine, and say no word: and then she brought
Dame Elaine where he lay. And when that she beheld
him, anon she fell in remembrance of him, and knew him
verily for Sir Launcelot; and therewithal she fell
a-weeping so heartily that she sank even to the earth; and when
she had thus wept a great while, then she arose and called
her maidens and said she was sick.

And so she yede out of the garden, and she went
straight to her father, and there she took him apart by
herself; and then she said: O father, now have I need of
your help, and but if that ye help me farewell my good
days for ever. What is that, daughter? said King Pelles.
Sir, she said, thus is it: in your garden I went for to
sport, and there, by the well, I found Sir Launcelot du
Lake sleeping. I may not believe that, said King Pelles.
Sir, she said, truly he is there, and meseemeth he should
be distract out of his wit. Then hold you still, said the
king, and let me deal. Then the king called to him such
as he most trusted, a four persons, and Dame Elaine, his
daughter. And when they came to the well and beheld
Sir Launcelot, anon Dame Brisen knew him. Sir, said
Dame Brisen, we must be wise how we deal with him, for
this knight is out of his mind, and if we awake him rudely
what he will do we all know not; but ye shall abide, and
I shall throw such an enchantment upon him that he shall
not awake within the space of an hour; and so she did.

Then within a little while after, the king commanded
that all people should avoid, that none should be in that
way thereas the king would come. And so when this was
done, these four men and these ladies laid hand on Sir
Launcelot, and so they bare him into a tower, and so into
a chamber where was the holy vessel of the Sangreal, and
by force Sir Launcelot was laid by that holy vessel; and
there came an holy man and unhilled that vessel, and so
by miracle and by virtue of that holy vessel Sir Launcelot
was healed and recovered. And when that he was awaked
he groaned and sighed, and complained greatly that he
was passing sore.



CHAPTER V

How Sir Launcelot, after that he was whole and had his
mind, he was ashamed, and how that Elaine desired a
castle for him.


AND when Sir Launcelot saw King Pelles and Elaine, he
waxed ashamed and said thus: O Lord Jesu, how came I
here? for God's sake, my lord, let me wit how I came
here. Sir, said Dame Elaine, into this country ye came
like a madman, clean out of your wit, and here have ye
been kept as a fool; and no creature here knew what ye
were, until by fortune a maiden of mine brought me unto
you whereas ye lay sleeping by a well, and anon as I
verily beheld you I knew you. And then I told my
father, and so were ye brought afore this holy vessel, and
by the virtue of it thus were ye healed. O Jesu, mercy,
said Sir Launcelot; if this be sooth, how many there be
that know of my woodness! So God me help, said
Elaine, no more but my father, and I, and Dame Brisen.
Now for Christ's love, said Sir Launcelot, keep it in
counsel, and let no man know it in the world, for I am
sore ashamed that I have been thus miscarried; for I am
banished out of the country of Logris for ever, that is for
to say the country of England.

And so Sir Launcelot lay more than a fortnight or
ever that he might stir for soreness. And then upon a
day he said unto Dame Elaine these words: Lady Elaine,
for your sake I have had much travail, care, and anguish,
it needeth not to rehearse it, ye know how. Notwithstanding
I know well I have done foul to you when that
I drew my sword to you, to have slain you, upon the
morn when I had lain with you. And all was the cause,
that ye and Dame Brisen made me for to lie by you
maugre mine head; and as ye say, that night Galahad
your son was begotten. That is truth, said Dame Elaine.
Now will ye for my love, said Sir Launcelot, go unto
your father and get me a place of him wherein I may
dwell? for in the court of King Arthur may I never
come. Sir, said Dame Elaine, I will live and die with
you, and only for your sake; and if my life might not
avail you and my death might avail you, wit you well I
would die for your sake. And I will go to my father
and I am sure there is nothing that I can desire of him
but I shall have it. And where ye be, my lord Sir
Launcelot, doubt ye not but I will be with you with all
the service that I may do. So forthwithal she went to
her father and said, Sir, my lord, Sir Launcelot, desireth
to be here by you in some castle of yours. Well daughter,
said the king, sith it is his desire to abide in these marches
he shall be in the Castle of Bliant, and there shall ye be
with him, and twenty of the fairest ladies that be in the
country, and they shall all be of the great blood, and ye
shall have ten knights with you; for, daughter, I will that
ye wit we all be honoured by the blood of Sir Launcelot.



CHAPTER VI

How Sir Launcelot came into the joyous Isle, and there he
named himself Le Chevaler Mal Fet.


THEN went Dame Elaine unto Sir Launcelot, and told
him all how her father had devised for him and her.
Then came the knight Sir Castor, that was nephew unto
Kong Pelles, unto Sir Launcelot, and asked him what was
his name. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, my name is Le Chevaler
Mal Fet, that is to say the knight that hath trespassed.
Sir, said Sir Castor, it may well be so, but ever meseemeth
your name should be Sir Launcelot du Lake, for or now
I have seen you. Sir, said Launcelot, ye are not as a
gentle knight: I put case my name were Sir Launcelot,
and that it list me not to discover my name, what should
it grieve you here to keep my counsel, and ye be not hurt
thereby? but wit thou well an ever it lie in my power I
shall grieve you, and that I promise you truly. Then Sir
Castor kneeled down and besought Sir Launcelot of
mercy: For I shall never utter what ye be, while that ye
be in these parts. Then Sir Launcelot pardoned him.

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