Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur






CHAPTER V

How the queen required Sir Bors to fight for her, and how
he granted upon condition; and how he warned Sir
Launcelot thereof.


SO the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir
Bors into her chamber. And when he was come she
besought him of succour. Madam, said he, what would
ye that I did? for I may not with my worship have ado
in this matter, because I was at the same dinner, for dread
that any of those knights would have me in suspicion.
Also, madam, said Sir Bors, now miss ye Sir Launcelot,
for he would not have failed you neither in right nor in
wrong, as ye have well proved when ye have been in
danger; and now ye have driven him out of this country,
by whom ye and all we were daily worshipped by; therefore,
madam, I marvel how ye dare for shame require
me to do any thing for you, in so much ye have chased
him out of your country by whom we were borne up and
honoured. Alas, fair knight, said the queen, I put me
wholly in your grace, and all that is done amiss I will
amend as ye will counsel me. And therewith she kneeled
down upon both her knees, and besought Sir Bors to have
mercy upon her: Outher I shall have a shameful death,
and thereto I never offended.

Right so came King Arthur, and found the queen
kneeling afore Sir Bors; then Sir Bors pulled her up, and
said: Madam, ye do me great dishonour. Ah, gentle
knight, said the king, have mercy upon my queen, courteous
knight, for I am now in certain she is untruly
defamed. And therefore, courteous knight, said the king,
promise her to do battle for her, I require you for the
love of Sir Launcelot. My lord, said Sir Bors, ye require
me the greatest thing that any man may require me; and
wit ye well if I grant to do battle for the queen I shall
wrath many of my fellowship of the Table Round. But
as for that, said Bors, I will grant my lord that for my
lord Sir Launcelot's sake, and for your sake I will at that
day be the queen's champion unless that there come by
adventure a better knight than I am to do battle for her.
Will ye promise me this, said the king, by your faith?
Yea sir, said Sir Bors, of that I will not fail you, nor her
both, but if there come a better knight than I am, and
then shall he have the battle. Then was the king and the
queen passing glad, and so departed, and thanked him
heartily.

So then Sir Bors departed secretly upon a day, and
rode unto Sir Launcelot thereas he was with the hermit,
Sir Brasias, and told him of all their adventure. Ah Jesu,
said Sir Launcelot, this is come happily as I would have
it, and therefore I pray you make you ready to do battle,
but look that ye tarry till ye see me come, as long as ye
may. For I am sure Mador is an hot knight when he is
enchafed, for the more ye suffer him the hastier will he
be to battle. Sir, said Bors, let me deal with him, doubt
ye not ye shall have all your will. Then departed Sir
Bors from him and came to the court again. Then was
it noised in all the court that Sir Bors should do battle
for the queen; wherefore many knights were displeased
with him, that he would take upon him to do battle in
the queen's quarrel; for there were but few knights in
all the court but they deemed the queen was in the
wrong, and that she had done that treason.

So Sir Bors answered thus to his fellows of the Table
Round: Wit ye well, my fair lords, it were shame to us
all an we suffered to see the most noble queen of the
world to be shamed openly, considering her lord and our
lord is the man of most worship in the world, and most
christened, and he hath ever worshipped us all in all
places. Many answered him again: As for our most
noble King Arthur, we love him and honour him as well
as ye do, but as for Queen Guenever we love her not,
because she is a destroyer of good knights. Fair lords,
said Sir Bors, meseemeth ye say not as ye should say, for
never yet in my days knew I never nor heard say that
ever she was a destroyer of any good knight. But at all
times as far as ever I could know she was a maintainer of
good knights; and ever she hath been large and free of
her goods to all good knights, and the most bounteous
lady of her gifts and her good grace, that ever I saw or
heard speak of. And therefore it were shame, said Sir
Bors, to us all to our most noble king's wife, an we
suffered her to be shamefully slain. And wit ye well,
said Sir Bors, I will not suffer it, for I dare say so much,
the queen is not guilty of Sir Patrise's death, for she owed
him never none ill will, nor none of the four-and-twenty
knights that were at that dinner; for I dare say for good
love she bade us to dinner, and not for no mal engine,
and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for
howsomever the game goeth, there was treason among us.
Then some said to Sir Bors: We may well believe your
words. And so some of them were well pleased, and
some were not so.



CHAPTER VI

How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the
queen; and when he would fight how another discharged
him.


THE day came on fast until the even that the battle
should be. Then the queen sent for Sir Bors and asked
him how he was disposed. Truly madam, said he, I am
disposed in likewise as I promised you, that is for to say
I shall not fail you, unless by adventure there come a
better knight than I am to do battle for you, then,
madam, am I discharged of my promise. Will ye, said
the queen, that I tell my lord Arthur thus? Do as
it shall please you, madam. Then the queen went unto
the king and told him the answer of Sir Bors. Have ye
no doubt, said the king, of Sir Bors, for I call him now
one of the best knights of the world, and the most
profitablest man. And thus it passed on until the morn, and
the king and the queen and all manner of knights that
were there at that time drew them unto the meadow
beside Westminster where the battle should be. And
so when the king was come with the queen and many
knights of the Round Table, then the queen was put
there in the Constable's ward, and a great fire made about
an iron stake, that an Sir Mador de la Porte had the
better, she should be burnt: such custom was used in
those days, that neither for favour, neither for love nor
affinity, there should be none other but righteous
judgment, as well upon a king as upon a knight, and as well
upon a queen as upon another poor lady.

So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la Porte,
and took his oath afore the king, that the queen did this
treason until his cousin Sir Patrise, and unto his oath he
would prove it with his body, hand for hand, who that
would say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors de
Ganis, and said: That as for Queen Guenever she is in
the right, and that will I make good with my hands that
she is not culpable of this treason that is put upon her.
Then make thee ready, said Sir Mador, and we shall prove
whether thou be in the right or I. Sir Mador, said Sir
Bors, wit thou well I know you for a good knight. Not
for then I shall not fear you so greatly, but I trust to God
I shall be able to withstand your malice. But this much
have I promised my lord Arthur and my lady the queen,
that I shall do battle for her in this case to the uttermost,
unless that there come a better knight than I am and
discharge me. Is that all? said Sir Mador, either come thou
off and do battle with me, or else say nay. Take your
horse, said Sir Bors, and as I suppose, ye shall not tarry
long but ye shall be answered.

Then either departed to their tents and made them
ready to horseback as they thought best. And anon Sir
Mador came into the field with his shield on his shoulder
and his spear in his hand; and so rode about the place
crying unto Arthur: Bid your champion come forth an
he dare. Then was Sir Bors ashamed and took his horse
and came to the lists' end. And then was he ware where
came from a wood there fast by a knight all armed, upon
a white horse, with a strange shield of strange arms; and
he came riding all that he might run, and so he came to
Sir Bors, and said thus: Fair knight, I pray you be not
displeased, for here must a better knight than ye are have
this battle, therefore I pray you withdraw you. For wit
ye well I have had this day a right great journey, and this
battle ought to be mine, and so I promised you when I
spake with you last, and with all my heart I thank you
of your good will. Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur
and told him how there was a knight come that would
have the battle for to fight for the queen. What knight
is he? said the king. I wot not, said Sir Bors, but such
covenant he made with me to be here this day. Now my
lord, said Sir Bors, here am I discharged.



CHAPTER VII
How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir Mador for the queen,
and how he overcame Sir Mador, and discharged the
queen.


THEN the king called to that knight, and asked him if
he would fight for the queen. Then he answered to the
king: Therefore came I hither, and therefore, sir king, he
said, tarry me no longer, for I may not tarry. For anon
as I have finished this battle I must depart hence, for I
have ado many matters elsewhere. For wit you well, said
that knight, this is dishonour to you all knights of the
Round Table, to see and know so noble a lady and so
courteous a queen as Queen Guenever is, thus to be
rebuked and shamed amongst you. Then they all marvelled
what knight that might be that so took the battle upon
him. For there was not one that knew him, but if it were
Sir Bors.

Then said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the king: Now
let me wit with whom I shall have ado withal. And then
they rode to the lists' end, and there they couched their
spears, and ran together with all their might, and Sir
Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's spear
held, and bare Sir Mador's horse and all backward to the
earth a great fall. But mightily and suddenly he avoided
his horse and put his shield afore him, and then drew his
sword, and bade the other knight alight and do battle
with him on foot. Then that knight descended from his
horse lightly like a valiant man, and put his shield afore
him and drew his sword; and so they came eagerly unto
battle, and either gave other many great strokes, tracing
and traversing, racing and foining, and hurtling together
with their swords as it were wild boars. Thus were they
fighting nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong
knight, and mightily proved in many strong battles. But
at the last this knight smote Sir Mador grovelling upon
the earth, and the knight stepped near him to have pulled
Sir Mador flatling upon the ground; and therewith
suddenly Sir Mador arose, and in his rising he smote that
knight through the thick of the thighs that the blood ran
out fiercely. And when he felt himself so wounded, and
saw his blood, he let him arise upon his feet. And then
he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell to
the earth flatling, and therewith he strode to him to have
pulled off his helm off his head. And then Sir Mador
prayed that knight to save his life, and so he yielded him
as overcome, and released the queen of his quarrel. I will
not grant thee thy life, said that knight, only that thou
freely release the queen for ever, and that no mention be
made upon Sir Patrise's tomb that ever Queen Guenever
consented to that treason. All this shall be done, said Sir
Mador, I clearly discharge my quarrel for ever.

Then the knights parters of the lists took up Sir
Mador, and led him to his tent, and the other knight
went straight to the stair-foot where sat King Arthur;
and by that time was the queen come to the king, and
either kissed other heartily. And when the king saw that
knight, he stooped down to him, and thanked him, and
in likewise did the queen; and the king prayed him to
put off his helmet, and to repose him, and to take a sop
of wine. And then he put off his helm to drink, and then
every knight knew him that it was Sir Launcelot du Lake.
Anon as the king wist that, he took the queen in his hand,
and yode unto Sir Launcelot, and said: Sir, grant mercy
of your great travail that ye have had this day for me and
for my queen. My lord, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well I
ought of right ever to be in your quarrel, and in my lady
the queen's quarrel, to do battle; for ye are the man that
gave me the high order of knighthood, and that day my
lady, your queen, did me great worship, and else I had
been shamed; for that same day ye made me knight,
through my hastiness I lost my sword, and my lady, your
queen, found it, and lapped it in her train, and gave me
my sword when I had need thereto, and else had I been
shamed among all knights; and therefore, my lord Arthur, I
promised her at that day ever to be her knight in right outher
in wrong. Grant mercy, said the king, for this journey;
and wit ye well, said the king, I shall acquit your goodness.

And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept so
tenderly that she sank almost to the ground for sorrow
that he had done to her so great goodness where she
shewed him great unkindness. Then the knights of his
blood drew unto him, and there either of them made great
joy of other. And so came all the knights of the Table
Round that were there at that time, and welcomed him.
And then Sir Mador was had to leech-craft, and Sir
Launcelot was healed of his wound. And then there was
made great joy and mirths in that court.



CHAPTER VIII

How the truth was known by the Maiden of the Lake,
and of divers other matters.


AND so it befell that the damosel of the lake, her name
was Nimue, the which wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas,
and so she came to the court; for ever she did great
goodness unto King Arthur and to all his knights through her
sorcery and enchantments. And so when she heard how
the queen was an-angered for the death of Sir Patrise,
then she told it openly that she was never guilty; and
there she disclosed by whom it was done, and named him,
Sir Pinel; and for what cause he did it, there it was openly
disclosed; and so the queen was excused, and the knight
Pinel fled into his country. Then was it openly known
that Sir Pinel enpoisoned the apples at the feast to that
intent to have destroyed Sir Gawaine, because Sir Gawaine
and his brethren destroyed Sir Lamorak de Galis, to the
which Sir Pinel was cousin unto. Then was Sir Patrise
buried in the church of Westminster in a tomb, and
thereupon was written: Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland,
slain by Sir Pinel le Savage, that enpoisoned apples to
have slain Sir Gawaine, and by misfortune Sir Patrise ate
one of those apples, and then suddenly he brast. Also
there was written upon the tomb that Queen Guenever
was appealed of treason of the death of Sir Patrise, by Sir
Mador de la Porte; and there was made mention how
Sir Launcelot fought with him for Queen Guenever, and
overcame him in plain battle. All this was written upon
the tomb of Sir Patrise in excusing of the queen. And
then Sir Mador sued daily and long, to have the queen's
good grace; and so by the means of Sir Launcelot he
caused him to stand in the queen's good grace, and all
was forgiven

Thus it passed on till our Lady Day, Assumption.
Within a fifteen days of that feast the king let cry a great
jousts and a tournament that should be at that day at
Camelot, that is Winchester; and the king let cry that he
and the King of Scots would joust against all that would
come against them. And when this cry was made, thither
came many knights. So there came thither the King of
Northgalis, and King Anguish of Ireland, and the King
with the Hundred Knights, and Galahad, the haut prince,
and the King of Northumberland, and many other noble
dukes and earls of divers countries. So King Arthur
made him ready to depart to these jousts, and would have
had the queen with him, but at that time she would not,
she said, for she was sick and might not ride at that time.
That me repenteth, said the king, for this seven year ye
saw not such a noble fellowship together except at
Whitsuntide when Galahad departed from the court. Truly,
said the queen to the king, ye must hold me excused, I
may not be there, and that me repenteth. And many
deemed the queen would not be there because of Sir
Launcelot du Lake, for Sir Launcelot would not ride with
the king, for he said that he was not whole of the wound
the which Sir Mador had given him; wherefore the king
was heavy and passing wroth. And so he departed
toward Winchester with his fellowship; and so by the
way the king lodged in a town called Astolat, that is now
in English called Guildford, and there the king lay in the
castle.

So when the king was departed the queen called Sir
Launcelot to her, and said thus: Sir Launcelot, ye are
greatly to blame thus to hold you behind my lord; what,
trow ye, what will your enemies and mine say and deem?
nought else but, See how Sir Launcelot holdeth him ever
behind the king, and so doth the queen, for that they
would have their pleasure together. And thus will they
say, said the queen to Sir Launcelot, have ye no doubt
thereof.



CHAPTER IX

How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and received a sleeve to
wear upon his helm at the request of a maid.


MADAM, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit, it is of late
come since ye were wise. And therefore, madam, at this
time I will be ruled by your counsel, and this night I will
take my rest, and to-morrow by time I will take my way
toward Winchester. But wit you well, said Sir Launcelot
to the queen, that at that jousts I will be against the king,
and against all his fellowship. Ye may there do as ye
list, said the queen, but by my counsel ye shall not be
against your king and your fellowship. For therein
be full many hard knights of your blood, as ye wot well
enough, it needeth not to rehearse them. Madam, said
Sir Launcelot, I pray you that ye be not displeased with
me, for I will take the adventure that God will send me.

And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass
and brake his fast, and so took his leave of the queen and
departed. And then he rode so much until he came to
Astolat, that is Guildford; and there it happed him in the
eventide he came to an old baron's place that hight Sir
Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into
his lodging, King Arthur espied him as he did walk in a
garden beside the castle, how he took his lodging, and
knew him full well. It is well, said King Arthur unto the
knights that were with him in that garden beside the
castle, I have now espied one knight that will play his play
at the jousts to the which we be gone toward; I undertake
he will do marvels. Who is that, we pray you tell
us? said many knights that were there at that time. Ye
shall not wit for me, said the king, as at this time. And
so the king smiled, and went to his lodging.

So when Sir Launcelot was in his lodging, and unarmed
him in his chamber, the old baron and hermit came
to him making his reverence, and welcomed him in the
best manner; but the old knight knew not Sir Launcelot.
Fair sir, said Sir Launcelot to his host, I would pray you
to lend me a shield that were not openly known, for mine
is well known. Sir, said his host, ye shall have your
desire, for meseemeth ye be one of the likeliest knights of
the world, and therefore I shall shew you friendship. Sir,
wit you well I have two sons that were but late made
knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt
that same day he was made knight, that he may not ride,
and his shield ye shall have; for that is not known I dare
say but here, and in no place else. And my youngest son
hight Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride with you
unto that jousts; and he is of his age strong and wight,
for much my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a
noble knight, therefore I pray you, tell me your name,
said Sir Bernard. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, ye
must hold me excused as at this time, and if God give me
grace to speed well at the jousts I shall come again and
tell you. But I pray you, said Sir Launcelot, in any wise
let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and that I
may have his brother's shield. All this shall be done,
said Sir Bernard.

This old baron had a daughter that was called that
time the Fair Maiden of Astolat. And ever she beheld
Sir Launcelot wonderfully; and as the book saith, she
cast such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she could never
withdraw her love, wherefore she died, and her name was
Elaine le Blank. So thus as she came to and fro she was
so hot in her love that she besought Sir Launcelot to wear
upon him at the jousts a token of hers. Fair damosel,
said Sir Launcelot, an if I grant you that, ye may say I
do more for your love than ever I did for lady or damosel.
Then he remembered him he would go to the jousts
disguised. And because he had never fore that time
borne no manner of token of no damosel, then he bethought
him that he would bear one of her, that none of
his blood thereby might know him, and then he said:
Fair maiden, I will grant you to wear a token of yours
upon mine helmet, and therefore what it is, shew it me.
Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well
embroidered with great pearls: and so she brought it
him. So Sir Launcelot received it, and said: Never did
I erst so much for no damosel. And then Sir Launcelot
betook the fair maiden his shield in keeping, and prayed
her to keep that until that he came again; and so that night
he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the damosel
Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while she might be
suffered.



CHAPTER X

How the tourney began at Winchester, and what knights
were at the jousts; and other things.


SO upon a day, on the morn, King Arthur and all his
knights departed, for their king had tarried three days to
abide his noble knights. And so when the king was
ridden, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them ready to
ride, and either of them had white shields, and the red
sleeve Sir Launcelot let carry with him. And so they
took their leave at Sir Bernard, the old baron, and at his
daughter, the Fair Maiden of Astolat. And then they rode
so long till that they came to Camelot, that time called
Winchester; and there was great press of kings, dukes
earls, and barons, and many noble knights. But there Sir
Launcelot was lodged privily by the means of Sir Lavaine
with a rich burgess, that no man in that town was ware
what they were. And so they reposed them there till our
Lady Day, Assumption, as the great feast should be. So
then trumpets blew unto the field, and King Arthur was
set on high upon a scaffold to behold who did best. But
as the French book saith, the king would not suffer Sir
Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine the
better an Sir Launcelot were in the field; and many times
was Sir Gawaine rebuked when Launcelot came into any
jousts disguised.

Then some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland
and the King of Scots, were that time turned upon the
side of King Arthur. And then on the other party was
the King of Northgalis, and the King with the Hundred
Knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir
Galahad, the haut prince. But these three kings and this
duke were passing weak to hold against King Arthur's
party, for with him were the noblest knights of the world.
So then they withdrew them either party from other, and
every man made him ready in his best manner to do what
he might.

Then Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red
sleeve upon his head, and fastened it fast; and so Sir
Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out of Winchester
privily, and rode until a little leaved wood behind the
party that held against King Arthur's party, and there
they held them still till the parties smote together. And
then came in the King of Scots and the King of Ireland
on Arthur's party, and against them came the King of
Northumberland, and the King with the Hundred Knights
smote down the King of Northumberland, and the King
with the Hundred Knights smote down King Anguish of
Ireland. Then Sir Palomides that was on Arthur's party
encountered with Sir Galahad, and either of them smote
down other, and either party halp their lords on horseback
again. So there began a strong assail upon both parties.
And then came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore le Desirous,
Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le
Fise de Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir
Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, Sir
Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen knights were
knights of the Table Round. So these with more other
came in together, and beat aback the King of Northumberland
and the King of Northgalis. When Sir Launcelot
saw this, as he hoved in a little leaved wood, then he said
unto Sir Lavaine: See yonder is a company of good
knights, and they hold them together as boars that were
chafed with dogs. That is truth, said Sir Lavaine.



CHAPTER XI

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field
against them of King Arthur's court, and how Launcelot
was hurt.

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