Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur





NOW, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye
shall see yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in
our side, that they shall go as fast backward as they went
forward. Sir, spare not, said Sir Lavaine, for I shall do
what I may. Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came
in at the thickest of the press, and there Sir Launcelot
smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir
Kay, Sir Griflet, and all this he did with one spear; and
Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir
Bedevere. And then Sir Launcelot gat another spear,
and there he smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris; and Sir Lavaine
smote Ozanna le Cure Hardy. And then Sir Launcelot
drew his sword, and there he smote on the right hand and
on the left hand, and by great force he unhorsed Sir
Safere, Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron; and then the
knights of the Table Round withdrew them aback, after
they had gotten their horses as well as they might. O
mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is yonder that
doth so marvellous deeds of arms in that field? I wot
well what he is, said King Arthur, but as at this time I
will not name him. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I would say it
were Sir Launcelot by his riding and his buffets that I see
him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not be he, for that
he beareth the red sleeve upon his head; for I wist him
never bear token at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman.
Let him be, said King Arthur, he will be better known,
and do more, or ever he depart.

Then the party that was against King Arthur were
well comforted, and then they held them together that
beforehand were sore rebuked. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector
de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them the knights of
their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir
Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le
Beuse. So these nine knights of Sir Launcelot's kin
thrust in mightily, for they were all noble knights; and
they, of great hate and despite that they had unto him,
thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and
Sir Lavaine, for they knew them not; and so they came
hurling together, and smote down many knights of Northgalis
and of Northumberland. And when Sir Launcelot
saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand; and there
encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and
Sir Lionel, and all they three smote him at once with
their spears. And with force of themself they smote Sir
Launcelot's horse to the earth; and by misfortune Sir
Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the shield into the side,
and the spear brake, and the head left still in his side.

When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground,
he ran to the King of Scots and smote him to the earth;
and by great force he took his horse, and brought him to
Sir Launcelot, and maugre of them all he made him to
mount upon that horse. And then Launcelot gat a spear
in his hand, and there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man,
to the earth. In the same wise he served Sir Ector and
Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Blamore de
Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, for he
felt himself so sore y-hurt that he weened there to have
had his death. And then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a
buffet on the helm that he fell down to the earth in a
swoon. And in the same wise he served Sir Aliduke and
Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere,
that was the son of Alisander le Orphelin.

And by this was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came
with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and all they three smote
with swords upon Sir Launcelot's helmet. And when he
felt their buffets and his wound, the which was so grievous,
then he thought to do what he might while he might
endure. And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet that he
made him bow his head passing low; and therewithal he
raced off his helm, and might have slain him; and so
pulled him down, and in the same wise he served Sir
Ector and Sir Lionel. For as the book saith he might
have slain them, but when he saw their visages his heart
might not serve him thereto, but left them there. And
then afterward he hurled into the thickest press of them
all, and did there the marvelloust deeds of arms that ever
man saw or heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine, the
good knight, with him. And there Sir Launcelot with
his sword smote down and pulled down, as the French
book maketh mention, mo than thirty knights, and the
most part were of the Table Round; and Sir Lavaine did
full well that day, for he smote down ten knights of the
Table Round.



CHAPTER XII

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out of the
field, and in what jeopardy Launcelot was.


MERCY Jesu, said Sir Gawaine to Arthur, I marvel what
knight that he is with the red sleeve. Sir, said King
Arthur, he will be known or he depart. And then the
king blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
heralds unto the knight with the white shield that bare
the red sleeve. Then came the King with the Hundred
Knights, the King of Northgalis, and the King of Northumberland,
and Sir Galahad, the haut prince, and said
unto Sir Launcelot: Fair knight, God thee bless, for
much have ye done this day for us, therefore we pray you
that ye will come with us that ye may receive the honour
and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it. My
fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well if I have deserved
thanks I have sore bought it, and that me repenteth, for
I am like never to escape with my life; therefore, fair
lords, I pray you that ye will suffer me to depart where
me liketh, for I am sore hurt. I take none force of none
honour, for I had liefer to repose me than to be lord of
all the world. And therewithal he groaned piteously, and
rode a great wallop away-ward from them until he came
under a wood's side.

And when he saw that he was from the field nigh a
mile, that he was sure he might not be seen, then he said
with an high voice: O gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, help me
that this truncheon were out of my side, for it sticketh so
sore that it nigh slayeth me. O mine own lord, said Sir
Lavaine, I would fain do that might please you, but I
dread me sore an I pull out the truncheon that ye shall be
in peril of death. I charge you, said Sir Launcelot, as ye
love me, draw it out. And therewithal he descended from
his horse, and right so did Sir Lavaine; and forthwithal
Sir Lavaine drew the truncheon out of his side, and he
gave a great shriek and a marvellous grisly groan, and the
blood brast out nigh a pint at once, that at the last he
sank down upon his buttocks, and so swooned pale and
deadly. Alas, said Sir Lavaine, what shall I do? And
then he turned Sir Launcelot into the wind, but so he lay
there nigh half an hour as he had been dead.

And so at the last Sir Launcelot cast up his eyes, and
said: O Lavaine, help me that I were on my horse, for
here is fast by within this two mile a gentle hermit that
sometime was a full noble knight and a great lord of
possessions. And for great goodness he hath taken him
to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands, and his name
is Sir Baudwin of Brittany, and he is a full noble surgeon
and a good leech. Now let see, help me up that I were
there, for ever my heart giveth me that I shall never die
of my cousin-germain's hands. And then with great pain
Sir Lavaine halp him upon his horse. And then they
rode a great wallop together, and ever Sir Launcelot bled
that it ran down to the earth; and so by fortune they
came to that hermitage the which was under a wood, and
a great cliff on the other side, and a fair water running
under it. And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate with
the butt of his spear, and cried fast: Let in for Jesu's
sake.

And there came a fair child to them, and asked them
what they would. Fair son, said Sir Lavaine, go and pray
thy lord, the hermit, for God's sake to let in here a knight
that is full sore wounded; and this day tell thy lord I saw
him do more deeds of arms than ever I heard say that any
man did. So the child went in lightly, and then he brought
the hermit, the which was a passing good man. When Sir
Lavaine saw him he prayed him for God's sake of succour.
What knight is he? said the hermit. Is he of the house
of King Arthur, or not? I wot not, said Sir Lavaine,
what is he, nor what is his name, but well I wot I saw him
do marvellously this day as of deeds of arms. On whose
party was he? said the hermit. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, he
was this day against King Arthur, and there he won the
prize of all the knights of the Round Table. I have seen
the day, said the hermit, I would have loved him the
worse because he was against my lord, King Arthur, for
sometime I was one of the fellowship of the Round Table,
but I thank God now I am otherwise disposed. But
where is he? let me see him. Then Sir Lavaine brought
the hermit to him.



CHAPTER XIII

How Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed
of his wound, and of other matters.


AND when the hermit beheld him, as he sat leaning upon
his saddle-bow ever bleeding piteously, and ever the
knight-hermit thought that he should know him, but
he could not bring him to knowledge because he was
so pale for bleeding. What knight are ye, said the
hermit, and where were ye born? My fair lord, said Sir
Launcelot, I am a stranger and a knight adventurous,
that laboureth throughout many realms for to win worship.
Then the hermit advised him better, and saw by a wound
on his cheek that he was Sir Launcelot. Alas, said the
hermit, mine own lord why lain you your name from
me? Forsooth I ought to know you of right, for ye
are the most noblest knight of the world, for well I know
you for Sir Launcelot. Sir, said he, sith ye know me, help
me an ye may, for God's sake, for I would be out of this
pain at once, either to death or to life. Have ye no
doubt, said the hermit, ye shall live and fare right well.
And so the hermit called to him two of his servants, and
so he and his servants bare him into the hermitage, and
lightly unarmed him, and laid him in his bed. And then
anon the hermit staunched his blood, and made him to
drink good wine, so that Sir Launcelot was well refreshed
and knew himself; for in those days it was not the guise
of hermits as is nowadays, for there were none hermits in
those days but that they had been men of worship and of
prowess; and those hermits held great household, and
refreshed people that were in distress.

Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave we Sir
Launcelot in the hermitage. So when the kings were
come together on both parties, and the great feast should
be holden, King Arthur asked the King of Northgalis and
their fellowship, where was that knight that bare the red
sleeve: Bring him afore me that he may have his laud,
and honour, and the prize, as it is right. Then spake
Sir Galahad, the haut prince, and the King with the
Hundred Knights: We suppose that knight is mischieved,
and that he is never like to see you nor none
of us all, and that is the greatest pity that ever we wist
of any knight. Alas, said Arthur, how may this be, is he
so hurt? What is his name? said King Arthur. Truly,
said they all, we know not his name, nor from whence he
came, nor whither he would. Alas, said the king, this be
to me the worst tidings that came to me this seven year,
for I would not for all the lands I wield to know and wit
it were so that that noble knight were slain. Know ye
him? said they all. As for that, said Arthur, whether
I know him or know him not, ye shall not know for me
what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good tidings
of him. And so said they all. By my head, said Sir
Gawaine, if it so be that the good knight be so sore hurt,
it is great damage and pity to all this land, for he is one
of the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle a
spear or a sword; and if he may be found I shall find
him, for I am sure he nis not far from this town. Bear
you well, said King Arthur, an ye may find him, unless
that he be in such a plight that he may not wield himself.
Jesu defend, said Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he is,
an I may find him.

Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon
hackneys, and rode all about Camelot within six or seven
mile, but so he came again and could hear no word of
him. Then within two days King Arthur and all the
fellowship returned unto London again. And so as they
rode by the way it happed Sir Gawaine at Astolat to
lodge with Sir Bernard thereas was Sir Launcelot lodged.
And so as Sir Gawaine was in his chamber to repose him
Sir Bernard, the old baron, came unto him, and his
daughter Elaine, to cheer him and to ask him what
tidings, and who did best at that tournament of Winchester.
So God me help, said Sir Gawaine, there were
two knights that bare two white shields, but the one of
them bare a red sleeve upon his head, and certainly he
was one of the best knights that ever I saw joust in field.
For I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, that one knight with the
red sleeve smote down forty knights of the Table Round,
and his fellow did right well and worshipfully. Now
blessed be God, said the Fair Maiden of Astolat, that that
knight sped so well, for he is the man in the world that
I first loved, and truly he shall be last that ever I shall
love. Now, fair maid, said Sir Gawaine, is that good
knight your love? Certainly sir, said she, wit ye well he
is my love. Then know ye his name? said Sir Gawaine.
Nay truly, said the damosel, I know not his name nor
from whence he cometh, but to say that I love him, I
promise you and God that I love him. How had ye
knowledge of him first? said Sir Gawaine.



CHAPTER XIV

How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the lord of Astolat, and
there had knowledge that it was Sir Launcelot that bare
the red sleeve.


THEN she told him as ye have heard to-fore, and how her
father betook him her brother to do him service, and how
her father lent him her brother's, Sir Tirre's, shield: And
here with me he left his own shield. For what cause did
he so? said Sir Gawaine. For this cause, said the damosel,
for his shield was too well known among many noble
knights. Ah fair damosel, said Sir Gawaine, please it you
let me have a sight of that shield. Sir, said she, it is
in my chamber, covered with a case, and if ye will come
with me ye shall see it. Not so, said Sir Bernard till his
daughter, let send for it.

So when the shield was come, Sir Gawaine took off the
case, and when he beheld that shield he knew anon that it
was Sir Launcelot's shield, and his own arms. Ah Jesu
mercy, said Sir Gawaine, now is my heart more heavier
than ever it was to-fore. Why? said Elaine. For I have
great cause, said Sir Gawaine. Is that knight that oweth
this shield your love? Yea truly, said she, my love he is,
God would I were his love. So God me speed, said Sir
Gawaine, fair damosel ye have right, for an he be your
love ye love the most honourable knight of the world, and
the man of most worship. So me thought ever, said the
damosel, for never or that time, for no knight that ever
I saw, loved I never none erst. God grant, said Sir
Gawaine, that either of you may rejoice other, but that
is in a great adventure. But truly, said Sir Gawaine unto
the damosel, ye may say ye have a fair grace, for why
I have known that noble knight this four-and-twenty year,
and never or that day, I nor none other knight, I dare
make good, saw nor heard say that ever he bare token or
sign of no lady, gentlewoman, ne maiden, at no jousts nor
tournament. And therefore fair maiden, said Sir Gawaine,
ye are much beholden to him to give him thanks. But
I dread me, said Sir Gawaine, that ye shall never see him
in this world, and that is great pity that ever was of
earthly knight. Alas, said she, how may this be, is he
slain? I say not so, said Sir Gawaine, but wit ye well
he is grievously wounded, by all manner of signs, and by
men's sight more likelier to be dead than to be alive;
and wit ye well he is the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, for
by this shield I know him. Alas, said the Fair Maiden
of Astolat, how may this be, and what was his hurt?
Truly, said Sir Gawaine, the man in the world that loved
him best hurt him so; and I dare say, said Sir Gawaine,
an that knight that hurt him knew the very certainty that
he had hurt Sir Launcelot, it would be the most sorrow
that ever came to his heart.

Now fair father, said then Elaine, I require you
give me leave to ride and to seek him, or else I wot well
I shall go out of my mind, for I shall never stint till that
I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine. Do as it liketh
you, said her father, for me sore repenteth of the hurt of
that noble knight. Right so the maid made her ready,
and before Sir Gawaine, making great dole.

Then on the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur,
and told him how he had found Sir Launcelot's shield in
the keeping of the Fair Maiden of Astolat. All that
knew I aforehand, said King Arthur, and that caused me
I would not suffer you to have ado at the great jousts,
for I espied, said King Arthur, when he came in till his
lodging full late in the evening in Astolat. But marvel
have I, said Arthur, that ever he would bear any sign of
any damosel, for or now I never heard say nor knew that
ever he bare any token of none earthly woman. By my
head, said Sir Gawaine, the Fair Maiden of Astolat loveth
him marvellously well; what it meaneth I cannot say, and
she is ridden after to seek him. So the king and all came
to London, and there Sir Gawaine openly disclosed to all
the court that it was Sir Launcelot that jousted best.



CHAPTER XV

Of the sorrow that Sir Bors had for the hurt of Launcelot;
and of the anger that the queen had because Launcelot
bare the sleeve.


AND when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was an
heavy man, and so were all his kinsmen. But when
Queen Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red
sleeve of the Fair Maiden of Astolat she was nigh out of
her mind for wrath. And then she sent for Sir Bors de
Ganis in all the haste that might be. So when Sir Bors
was come to-fore the queen, then she said: Ah Sir Bors,
have ye heard say how falsely Sir Launcelot hath betrayed
me? Alas madam, said Sir Bors, I am afeard he hath
betrayed himself and us all. No force, said the queen,
though he be destroyed, for he is a false traitor-knight.
Madam, said Sir Bors, I pray you say ye not so, for wit
you well I may not hear such language of him. Why Sir
Bors, said she, should I not call him traitor when he bare
the red sleeve upon his head at Winchester, at the great
jousts? Madam, said Sir Bors, that sleeve-bearing
repenteth me sore, but I dare say he did it to none evil
intent, but for this cause he bare the red sleeve that none
of his blood should know him. For or then we, nor none of
us all, never knew that ever he bare token or sign of maid,
lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on him, said the queen, yet
for all his pride and bobaunce there ye proved yourself his
better. Nay madam, say ye never more so, for he beat
me and my fellows, and might have slain us an he had
would. Fie on him, said the queen, for I heard Sir
Gawaine say before my lord Arthur that it were marvel to
tell the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of
Astolat and him. Madam, said Sir Bors, I may not warn
Sir Gawaine to say what it pleased him; but I dare say,
as for my lord, Sir Launcelot, that he loveth no lady,
gentlewoman, nor maid, but all he loveth in like much.
And therefore madam, said Sir Bors, ye may say what
ye will, but wit ye well I will haste me to seek him, and
find him wheresomever he be, and God send me good
tidings of him. And so leave we them there, and speak
we of Sir Launcelot that lay in great peril.

So as fair Elaine came to Winchester she sought there
all about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play
him, to enchafe his horse. And anon as Elaine saw him
she knew him, and then she cried aloud until him. And
when he heard her anon he came to her, and then she asked
her brother how did my lord, Sir Launcelot. Who told
you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Launcelot? Then
she told him how Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him.
So they rode together till that they came to the hermitage,
and anon she alighted.

So Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot; and
when she saw him lie so sick and pale in his bed she might
not speak, but suddenly she fell to the earth down suddenly
in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when
she was relieved, she shrieked and said: My lord, Sir
Launcelot, alas why be ye in this plight? and then she
swooned again. And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir
Lavaine to take her up: And bring her to me. And
when she came to herself Sir Launcelot kissed her, and
said: Fair maiden, why fare ye thus? ye put me to pain;
wherefore make ye no more such cheer, for an ye be come
to comfort me ye be right welcome; and of this little hurt
that I have I shall be right hastily whole by the grace of
God. But I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, who told you my
name? Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir
Gawaine was lodged with her father: And there by your
shield he discovered your name. Alas, said Sir Launcelot,
that me repenteth that my name is known, for I am sure
it will turn unto anger. And then Sir Launcelot compassed
in his mind that Sir Gawaine would tell Queen
Guenever how he bare the red sleeve, and for whom; that
he wist well would turn into great anger.

So this maiden Elaine never went from Sir Launcelot,
but watched him day and night, and did such attendance
to him, that the French book saith there was never woman
did more kindlier for man than she. Then Sir Launcelot
prayed Sir Lavaine to make aspies in Winchester for Sir
Bors if he came there, and told him by what tokens he
should know him, by a wound in his forehead. For well
I am sure, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Bors will seek me,
for he is the same good knight that hurt me.



CHAPTER XVI

How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found him in the
hermitage, and of the lamentation between them.


NOW turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis that came unto
Winchester to seek after his cousin Sir Launcelot. And
so when he came to Winchester, anon there were men
that Sir Lavaine had made to lie in a watch for such a
man, and anon Sir Lavaine had warning; and then Sir
Lavaine came to Winchester and found Sir Bors, and
there he told him what he was, and with whom he was,
and what was his name. Now fair knight, said Sir Bors,
I require you that ye will bring me to my lord, Sir
Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, take your horse, and
within this hour ye shall see him. And so they departed,
and came to the hermitage.

And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot lie in his bed
pale and discoloured, anon Sir Bors lost his countenance,
and for kindness and pity he might not speak, but wept
tenderly a great while. And then when he might speak
he said thus: O my lord, Sir Launcelot, God you bless,
and send you hasty recover; and full heavy am I of my
misfortune and of mine unhappiness, for now I may call
myself unhappy. And I dread me that God is greatly
displeased with me, that he would suffer me to have such
a shame for to hurt you that are all our leader, and all our
worship; and therefore I call myself unhappy. Alas that
ever such a caitiff-knight as I am should have power by
unhappiness to hurt the most noblest knight of the world.
Where I so shamefully set upon you and overcharged you,
and where ye might have slain me, ye saved me; and so
did not I, for I and your blood did to you our utterance.
I marvel, said Sir Bors, that my heart or my blood would
serve me, wherefore my lord, Sir Launcelot, I ask your
mercy. Fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot, ye be right
welcome; and wit ye well, overmuch ye say for to please
me, the which pleaseth me not, for why I have the same I
sought; for I would with pride have overcome you all,
and there in my pride I was near slain, and that was in
mine own default, for I might have given you warning of
my being there. And then had I had no hurt, for it is an
old said saw, there is hard battle thereas kin and friends
do battle either against other, there may be no mercy but
mortal war. Therefore, fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot,
let this speech overpass, and all shall be welcome that God
sendeth; and let us leave off this matter and let us speak
of some rejoicing, for this that is done may not be
undone; and let us find a remedy how soon that I may
be whole.

Then Sir Bors leaned upon his bedside, and told Sir
Launcelot how the queen was passing wroth with him,
because he wore the red sleeve at the great jousts; and
there Sir Bors told him all how Sir Gawaine discovered it:
By your shield that ye left with the Fair Maiden of
Astolat. Then is the queen wroth, said Sir Launcelot
and therefore am I right heavy, for I deserved no wrath,
for all that I did was because I would not be known.
Right so excused I you, said Sir Bors, but all was in vain,
for she said more largelier to me than I to you now. But
is this she, said Sir Bors, that is so busy about you, that
men call the Fair Maiden of Astolat? She it is, said Sir
Launcelot, that by no means I cannot put her from me.
Why should ye put her from you? said Sir Bors, she is a
passing fair damosel, and a well beseen, and well taught;
and God would, fair cousin, said Sir Bors, that ye could
love her, but as to that I may not, nor I dare not, counsel
you. But I see well, said Sir Bors, by her diligence about
you that she loveth you entirely. That me repenteth,
said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Bors, she is not the first
that hath lost her pain upon you, and that is the more
pity: and so they talked of many more things. And so
within three days or four Sir Launcelot was big and strong
again.

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