Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




Then came the queen unto Launcelot, and said:
Will ye leave us at this high feast? Madam, said the
gentlewoman, wit ye well he shall be with you to-morn by
dinner time. If I wist, said the queen, that he should
not be with us here to-morn he should not go with you
by my good will. Right so departed Sir Launcelot with
the gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a forest
and into a great valley, where they saw an abbey of nuns;
and there was a squire ready and opened the gates, and so
they entered and descended off their horses; and there
came a fair fellowship about Sir Launcelot, and welcomed
him, and were passing glad of his coming. And then
they led him unto the Abbess's chamber and unarmed him;
and right so he was ware upon a bed lying two of his
cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and then he waked them;
and when they saw him they made great joy. Sir, said
Sir Bors unto Sir Launcelot, what adventure hath brought
you hither, for we weened to-morn to have found you at
Camelot? As God me help, said Sir Launcelot, a gentlewoman
brought me hither, but I know not the cause.

In the meanwhile that they thus stood talking together,
therein came twelve nuns that brought with them Galahad,
the which was passing fair and well made, that unnethe in
the world men might not find his match: and all those
ladies wept. Sir, said they all, we bring you here this
child the which we have nourished, and we pray you to
make him a knight, for of a more worthier man's hand
may he not receive the order of knighthood. Sir Launcelot
beheld the young squire and saw him seemly and
demure as a dove, with all manner of good features, that
he weened of his age never to have seen so fair a man of
form. Then said Sir Launcelot: Cometh this desire of
himself? He and all they said yea. Then shall he, said
Sir Launcelot, receive the high order of knighthood as
to-morn at the reverence of the high feast. That night
Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer; and on the morn
at the hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him
knight and said: God make him a good man, for of
beauty faileth you not as any that liveth.



CHAPTER II

How the letters were found written in the Siege Perilous
and of the marvellous adventure of the sword in a stone.


NOW fair sir, said Sir Launcelot, will ye come with me
unto the court of King Arthur? Nay, said he, I will not
go with you as at this time. Then he departed from them
and took his two cousins with him, and so they came unto
Camelot by the hour of underne on Whitsunday. By that
time the king and the queen were gone to the minster to
hear their service. Then the king and the queen were
passing glad of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and so was all the
fellowship. So when the king and all the knights were
come from service, the barons espied in the sieges of the
Round Table all about, written with golden letters: Here
ought to sit he, and he ought to sit here. And thus they
went so long till that they came to the Siege Perilous,
where they found letters newly written of gold which said:
Four hundred winters and four and fifty accomplished
after the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ ought this siege
to be fulfilled. Then all they said: This is a marvellous
thing and an adventurous. In the name of God, said Sir
Launcelot; and then accompted the term of the writing
from the birth of our Lord unto that day. It seemeth me
said Sir Launcelot, this siege ought to be fulfilled this same
day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four hundred
and four and fifty year; and if it would please all parties,
I would none of these letters were seen this day, till he be
come that ought to enchieve this adventure. Then made
they to ordain a cloth of silk, for to cover these letters in
the Siege Perilous.

Then the king bade haste unto dinner. Sir, said Sir
Kay the Steward, if ye go now unto your meat ye shall
break your old custom of your court, for ye have not used
on this day to sit at your meat or that ye have seen some
adventure. Ye say sooth, said the king, but I had so
great joy of Sir Launcelot and of his cousins, which be
come to the court whole and sound, so that I bethought
me not of mine old custom. So, as they stood speaking,
in came a squire and said unto the king: Sir, I bring unto
you marvellous tidings. What be they? said the king.
Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone which
I saw fleet above the water, and therein I saw sticking a
sword. The king said: I will see that marvel. So all
the knights went with him, and when they came to the
river they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red
marble, and therein stuck a fair rich sword, and in the
pommel thereof were precious stones wrought with subtle
letters of gold. Then the barons read the letters which
said in this wise: Never shall man take me hence, but
only he by whose side I ought to hang, and he shall be the
best knight of the world.

When the king had seen the letters, he said unto Sir
Launcelot: Fair Sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I
am sure ye be the best knight of the world. Then Sir
Launcelot answered full soberly: Certes, sir, it is not my
sword; also, Sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set
my hand to it, for it longed not to hang by my side.
Also, who that assayeth to take the sword and faileth of
it, he shall receive a wound by that sword that he shall not
be whole long after. And I will that ye wit that this same
day shall the adventures of the Sangreal, that is called the
Holy Vessel, begin



CHAPTER III

How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the sword, and how
an old man brought in Galahad.


NOW, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, assay
ye, for my love. Sir, he said, save your good grace I
shall not do that. Sir, said the king, assay to take the
sword and at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine, your
commandment I will obey. And therewith he took up
the sword by the handles, but he might not stir it. I
thank you, said the king to Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir
Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, now wit ye well this sword
shall touch you so sore that ye shall will ye had never set
your hand thereto for the best castle of this realm. Sir, he
said, I might not withsay mine uncle's will and commandment.
But when the king heard this he repented it much,
and said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay, for his
love. And he said: Gladly, for to bear Sir Gawaine
fellowship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword
and drew it strongly, but he might not move it. Then
were there no[1] mo that durst be so hardy to set their hands
thereto. Now may ye go to your dinner, said Sir Kay
unto the king, for a marvellous adventure have ye seen.
So the king and all went unto the court, and every knight
knew his own place, and set him therein, and young men
that were knights served them.

So when they were served, and all sieges fulfilled save
only the Siege Perilous, anon there befell a marvellous
adventure, that all the doors and windows of the palace
shut by themself. Not for then the hall was not greatly
darked; and therewith they were[1] all[1] abashed both one and
other. Then King Arthur spake first and said: By God,
fair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but
or night I suppose we shall see greater marvels.

In the meanwhile came in a good old man, and an
ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no knight knew
from whence he came. And with him he brought a young
knight, both on foot, in red arms, without sword or shield,
save a scabbard hanging by his side. And these words he
said: Peace be with you, fair lords. Then the old man
said unto Arthur: Sir, I bring here a young knight, the
which is of king's lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of
Aramathie, whereby the marvels of this court, and of
strange realms, shall be fully accomplished.


[1] Omitted by Caxton, supplied from W. de Worde.



CHAPTER IV

How the old man brought Galahad to the Siege Perilous
and set him therein, and how all the knights marvelled.


THE king was right glad of his words, and said unto the
good man: Sir, ye be right welcome, and the young
knight with you. Then the old man made the young
man to unarm him, and he was in a coat of red sendal,
and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was furred with
ermine, and put that upon him. And the old knight said
unto the young knight: Sir, follow me. And anon he
led him unto the Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir
Launcelot; and the good man lift up the cloth, and found
there letters that said thus: This is the siege of Galahad,
the haut prince. Sir, said the old knight, wit ye well
that place is yours. And then he set him down surely in
that siege. And then he said to the old man: Sir, ye
may now go your way, for well have ye done that ye were
commanded to do; and recommend me unto my grandsire,
King Pelles, and unto my lord Petchere, and say
them on my behalf, I shall come and see them as soon as
ever I may. So the good man departed; and there met
him twenty noble squires, and so took their horses and
went their way.

Then all the knights of the Table Round marvelled
greatly of Sir Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege
Perilous, and was so tender of age; and wist not from
whence he came but all only by God; and said: This is
he by whom the Sangreal shall be enchieved, for there sat
never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir
Launcelot beheld his son and had great joy of him. Then
Bors told his fellows: Upon pain of my life this young
knight shall come unto great worship. This noise was
great in all the court, so that it came to the queen. Then
she had marvel what knight it might be that durst adventure
him to sit in the Siege Perilous. Many said unto the
queen he resembled much unto Sir Launcelot. I may
well suppose, said the queen, that Sir Launcelot begat him
on King Pelles' daughter, by the which he was made to lie
by, by enchantment, and his name is Galahad. I would
fain see him, said the queen, for he must needs be a noble
man, for so is his father that him begat, I report me unto
all the Table Round.

So when the meat was done that the king and all were
risen, the king yede unto the Siege Perilous and lift up
the cloth, and found there the name of Galahad; and then
he shewed it unto Sir Gawaine, and said: Fair nephew,
now have we among us Sir Galahad, the good knight that
shall worship us all; and upon pain of my life he shall
enchieve the Sangreal, right as Sir Launcelot had done us to
understand. Then came King Arthur unto Galahad and
said: Sir, ye be welcome, for ye shall move many good
knights to the quest of the Sangreal, and ye shall enchieve
that never knights might bring to an end. Then the
king took him by the hand, and went down from the
palace to shew Galahad the adventures of the stone.



CHAPTER V

How King Arthur shewed the stone hoving on the water to
Galahad, and how he drew out the sword.


THE queen heard thereof, and came after with many
ladies, and shewed them the stone where it hoved on the
water. Sir, said the king unto Sir Galahad, here is a great
marvel as ever I saw, and right good knights have assayed
and failed. Sir, said Galahad, that is no marvel, for this
adventure is not theirs but mine; and for the surety of
this sword I brought none with me, for here by my side
hangeth the scabbard. And anon he laid his hand on the
sword, and lightly drew it out of the stone, and put it in
the sheath, and said unto the king: Now it goeth better
than it did aforehand. Sir, said the king, a shield God
shall send you. Now have I that sword that sometime
was the good knight's, Balin le Savage, and he was a
passing good man of his hands; and with this sword he
slew his brother Balan, and that was great pity, for he was
a good knight, and either slew other through a dolorous
stroke that Balin gave unto my grandfather King Pelles,
the which is not yet whole, nor not shall be till I heal
him.

Therewith the king and all espied where came riding
down the river a lady on a white palfrey toward them.
Then she saluted the king and the queen, and asked if
that Sir Launcelot was there. And then he answered
himself: I am here, fair lady. Then she said all with
weeping: How your great doing is changed sith this day
in the morn. Damosel, why say you so? said Launcelot.
I say you sooth, said the damosel, for ye were this day the
best knight of the world, but who should say so now, he
should be a liar, for there is now one better than ye, and
well it is proved by the adventures of the sword whereto
ye durst not set to your hand; and that is the change
and leaving of your name. Wherefore I make unto you
a remembrance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth
that ye be the best knight of the world. As touching
unto that, said Launcelot, I know well I was never the
best. Yes, said the damosel, that were ye, and are yet, of
any sinful man of the world. And, Sir king, Nacien, the
hermit, sendeth thee word, that thee shall befall the
greatest worship that ever befell king in Britain; and I
say you wherefore, for this day the Sangreal appeared in
thy house and fed thee and all thy fellowship of the
Round Table. So she departed and went that same way
that she came.



CHAPTER VI

How King Arthur had all the knights together for to joust
in the meadow beside Camelot or they departed.


Now, said the king, I am sure at this quest of the
Sangreal shall all ye of the Table Round depart, and never
shall I see you again whole together; therefore I will see
you all whole together in the meadow of Camelot to joust
and to tourney, that after your death men may speak of
it that such good knights were wholly together such a
day. As unto that counsel and at the king's request
they accorded all, and took on their harness that longed
unto jousting. But all this moving of the king was for
this intent, for to see Galahad proved; for the king
deemed he should not lightly come again unto the court
after his departing. So were they assembled in the
meadow, both more and less. Then Sir Galahad, by the
prayer of the king and the queen, did upon him a noble
jesseraunce, and also he did on his helm, but shield would
he take none for no prayer of the king. And then Sir
Gawaine and other knights prayed him to take a spear.
Right so he did; and the queen was in a tower with all
her ladies, for to behold that tournament. Then Sir
Galahad dressed him in midst of the meadow, and began
to break spears marvellously, that all men had wonder of
him; for he there surmounted all other knights, for
within a while he had defouled many good knights of the
Table Round save twain, that was Sir Launcelot and Sir
Percivale.



CHAPTER VII

How the queen desired to see Galahad; and how after, all
the knights were replenished with the Holy Sangreal,
and how they avowed the enquest of the same.


THEN the king, at the queen's request, made him to
alight and to unlace his helm, that the queen might see
him in the visage. When she beheld him she said:
Soothly I dare well say that Sir Launcelot begat him, for
never two men resembled more in likeness, therefore it nis
no marvel though he be of great prowess. So a lady that
stood by the queen said: Madam, for God's sake ought
he of right to be so good a knight? Yea, forsooth, said
the queen, for he is of all parties come of the best knights
of the world and of the highest lineage; for Sir Launcelot
is come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu
Christ, and Sir Galahad is of the ninth degree from our
Lord Jesu Christ, therefore I dare say they be the greatest
gentlemen of the world.

And then the king and all estates went home unto
Camelot, and so went to evensong to the great minster,
and so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat in
his own place as they were toforehand. Then anon they
heard cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought
the place should all to-drive. In the midst of this blast
entered a sunbeam more clearer by seven times than ever
they saw day, and all they were alighted of the grace of
the Holy Ghost. Then began every knight to behold
other, and either saw other, by their seeming, fairer than
ever they saw afore. Not for then there was no knight
might speak one word a great while, and so they looked
every man on other as they had been dumb. Then there
entered into the hall the Holy Grail covered with white
samite, but there was none might see it, nor who bare it.
And there was all the hall fulfilled with good odours, and
every knight had such meats and drinks as he best loved
in this world. And when the Holy Grail had been borne
through the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly,
that they wist not where it became: then had they all
breath to speak. And then the king yielded thankings
to God, of His good grace that he had sent them. Certes,
said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu greatly
for that he hath shewed us this day, at the reverence of this
high feast of Pentecost.

Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have been served this day
of what meats and drinks we thought on; but one thing
beguiled us, we might not see the Holy Grail, it was so
preciously covered. Wherefore I will make here avow,
that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labour in the
quest of the Sangreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth
and a day, or more if need be, and never shall I
return again unto the court till I have seen it more openly
than it hath been seen here; and if I may not speed I
shall return again as he that may not be against the will of
our Lord Jesu Christ.

When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say
so, they arose up the most part and made such avows as
Sir Gawaine had made. Anon as King Arthur heard this
he was greatly displeased, for he wist well they might not
again-say their avows. Alas, said King Arthur unto
Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with the avow and
promise that ye have made; for through you ye have
bereft me the fairest fellowship and the truest of
knighthood that ever were seen together in any realm of the
world; for when they depart from hence I am sure they
all shall never meet more in this world, for they shall die
many in the quest. And so it forthinketh me a little, for
I have loved them as well as my life, wherefore it shall
grieve me right sore, the departition of this fellowship:
for I have had an old custom to have them in my fellowship.



CHAPTER VIII

How great sorrow was made of the king and the queen and
ladies for the departing of the knights, and how they
departed.


AND therewith the tears fell in his eyes. And then he
said: Gawaine, Gawaine, ye have set me in great sorrow,
for I have great doubt that my true fellowship shall never
meet here more again. Ah, said Sir Launcelot, comfort
yourself; for it shall be unto us a great honour and much
more than if we died in any other places, for of death we
be siker. Ah, Launcelot, said the king, the great love
that I have had unto you all the days of my life maketh
me to say such doleful words; for never Christian king
had never so many worthy men at his table as I have had
this day at the Round Table, and that is my great sorrow.

When the queen, ladies, and gentlewomen, wist these
tidings, they had such sorrow and heaviness that there
might no tongue tell it, for those knights had held them
in honour and chiert. But among all other Queen
Guenever made great sorrow. I marvel, said she, my
lord would suffer them to depart from him. Thus was
all the court troubled for the love of the departition of
those knights. And many of those ladies that loved
knights would have gone with their lovers; and so had
they done, had not an old knight come among them in
religious clothing; and then he spake all on high and
said: Fair lords, which have sworn in the quest of the
Sangreal, thus sendeth you Nacien, the hermit, word, that
none in this quest lead lady nor gentlewoman with him,
for it is not to do in so high a service as they labour in;
for I warn you plain, he that is not clean of his sins he
shall not see the mysteries of our Lord Jesu Christ. And
for this cause they left these ladies and gentlewomen.

After this the queen came unto Galahad and asked
him of whence he was, and of what country. He told
her of whence he was. And son unto Launcelot, she said
he was. As to that, he said neither yea nor nay. So God
me help, said the queen, of your father ye need not to
shame you, for he is the goodliest knight, and of the best
men of the world come, and of the strain, of all parties,
of kings. Wherefore ye ought of right to be, of your
deeds, a passing good man; and certainly, she said, ye
resemble him much. Then Sir Galahad was a little
ashamed and said: Madam, sith ye know in certain,
wherefore do ye ask it me? for he that is my father shall
be known openly and all betimes. And then they went
to rest them. And in the honour of the highness of
Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and
there rested in his own bed.

And as soon as it was day the king arose, for he had
no rest of all that night for sorrow. Then he went unto
Gawaine and to Sir Launcelot that were arisen for to hear
mass. And then the king again said: Ah Gawaine,
Gawaine, ye have betrayed me; for never shall my court
be amended by you, but ye will never be sorry for me as
I am for you. And therewith the tears began to run down
by his visage. And therewith the king said: Ah, knight
Sir Launcelot, I require thee thou counsel me, for I would
that this quest were undone, an it might be Sir, said Sir
Launcelot, ye saw yesterday so many worthy knights that
then were sworn that they may not leave it in no manner
of wise. That wot I well, said the king, but it shall so
heavy me at their departing that I wot well there shall no
manner of joy remedy me. And then the king and the
queen went unto the minster. So anon Launcelot and
Gawaine commanded their men to bring their arms. And
when they all were armed save their shields and their
helms, then they came to their fellowship, which were all
ready in the same wise, for to go to the minster to hear
their service.

Then after the service was done the king would wit
how many had undertaken the quest of the Holy Grail;
and to accompt them he prayed them all. Then found
they by the tale an hundred and fifty, and all were knights
of the Round Table. And then they put on their helms
and departed, and recommended them all wholly unto the
queen; and there was weeping and great sorrow. Then
the queen departed into her chamber and held her, so that
no man should perceive her great sorrows. When Sir
Launcelot missed the queen he went till her chamber, and
when she saw him she cried aloud: O Launcelot, Launcelot,
ye have betrayed me and put me to the death, for to
leave thus my lord. Ah, madam, I pray you be not
displeased, for I shall come again as soon as I may with
my worship. Alas, said she, that ever I saw you; but he
that suffered upon the cross for all mankind, he be unto
you good conduct and safety, and all the whole fellowship.

Right so departed Sir Launcelot, and found his fellowship
that abode his coming. And so they mounted upon
their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot; and
there was weeping of rich and poor, and the king turned
away and might not speak for weeping. So within a
while they came to a city, and a castle that hight Vagon.
There they entered into the castle, and the lord of that
castle was an old man that hight Vagon, and he was a
good man of his living, and set open the gates, and made
them all the cheer that he might. And so on the morn
they were all accorded that they should depart everych
from other; and on the morn they departed with weeping
cheer, and every knight took the way that him liked best.



CHAPTER IX

How Galahad gat him a shield, and how they sped that
presumed to take down the said shield.


NOW rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield, and so he
rode four days without any adventure. And at the
fourth day after evensong he came to a White Abbey, and
there he was received with great reverence, and led unto
a chamber, and there was he unarmed; and then was he
ware of two[1] knights of the Table Round, one was Sir
Bagdemagus, and[1] that[1] other[1] was Sir Uwaine. And when
they saw him they went unto Galahad and made of him
great solace, and so they went unto supper. Sirs, said Sir
Galahad, what adventure brought you hither? Sir, said
they, it is told us that within this place is a shield that
no man may bear about his neck but he be mischieved
outher dead within three days, or maimed for ever. Ah
sir, said King Bagdemagus, I shall it bear to-morrow for
to assay this adventure. In the name of God, said Sir
Galahad. Sir, said Bagdemagus, an I may not enchieve
the adventure of this shield ye shall take it upon you,
for I am sure ye shall not fail. Sir, said Galahad, I right
well agree me thereto, for I have no shield. So on the
morn they arose and heard mass. Then Bagdemagus
asked where the adventurous shield was. Anon a monk
led him behind an altar where the shield hung as white as
any snow, but in the midst was a red cross. Sir, said the
monk, this shield ought not to be hanged about no
knight's neck but he be the worthiest knight of the world;

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