Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




All this doing saw Sir Launcelot, and then he came
into the field with Sir Lavaine as it had been thunder.
And then anon Sir Bors and the knights of his blood
espied Sir Launcelot, and said to them all: I warn you
beware of him with the sleeve of gold upon his head, for
he is himself Sir Launcelot du Lake; and for great
goodness Sir Bors warned Sir Gareth. I am well apaid, said
Sir Gareth, that I may know him. But who is he, said
they all, that rideth with him in the same array? That is
the good and gentle knight Sir Lavaine, said Sir Bors. So
Sir Launcelot encountered with Sir Gawaine, and there by
force Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Gawaine and his horse
to the earth, and so he smote down Sir Agravaine and Sir
Gaheris, and also he smote down Sir Mordred, and all this
was with one spear. Then Sir Lavaine met with Sir
Palomides, and either met other so hard and so fiercely
that both their horses fell to the earth. And then were
they horsed again, and then met Sir Launcelot with Sir
Palomides, and there Sir Palomides had a fall; and so Sir
Launcelot or ever he stint, as fast as he might get spears,
he smote down thirty knights, and the most part of them
were knights of the Table Round; and ever the knights
of his blood withdrew them, and made them ado in other
places where Sir Launcelot came not.

And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw Sir
Launcelot do such deeds; and then the king called unto
him Sir Gawaine, Sir Mordred, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, Sir
Lucan the Butler, Sir Bedivere, Sir Palomides, Sir Safere,
his brother; and so the king with these nine knights
made them ready to set upon Sir Launcelot, and upon Sir
Lavaine. All this espied Sir Bors and Sir Gareth. Now
I dread me sore, said Sir Bors, that my lord, Sir Launcelot,
will be hard matched. By my head, said Sir Gareth,
I will ride unto my lord Sir Launcelot, for to help him,
fall of him what fall may, for he is the same man that
made me knight. Ye shall not so, said Sir Bors, by my
counsel, unless that ye were disguised. Ye shall see me
disguised, said Sir Gareth; and therewithal he espied a
Welsh knight where he was to repose him, and he was
sore hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and to him Sir Gareth
rode, and prayed him of his knighthood to lend him his
shield for his. I will well, said the Welsh knight. And
when Sir Gareth had his shield, the book saith it was
green, with a maiden that seemed in it.

Then Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot all
that he might and said: Knight, keep thyself, for yonder
cometh King Arthur with nine noble knights with him
to put you to a rebuke, and so I am come to bear you
fellowship for old love ye have shewed me. Gramercy,
said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Gareth, encounter ye
with Sir Gawaine, and I shall encounter with Sir Palomides;
and let Sir Lavaine match with the noble King
Arthur. And when we have delivered them, let us three
hold us sadly together. Then came King Arthur with
his nine knights with him, and Sir Launcelot encountered
with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such a buffet that the
arson of his saddle brast, and Sir Gawaine fell to the
earth. Then Sir Gareth encountered with the good
knight Sir Palomides, and he gave him such a buffet that
both his horse and he dashed to the earth. Then encountered
King Arthur with Sir Lavaine, and there either of
them smote other to the earth, horse and all, that they
lay a great while. Then Sir Launcelot smote down Sir
Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred; and Sir
Gareth smote down Sir Kay, and Sir Safere, and Sir
Griflet. And then Sir Lavaine was horsed again, and he
smote down Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedevere and
then there began great throng of good knights.

Then Sir Launcelot hurtled here and there, and raced
and pulled off helms, so that at that time there might
none sit him a buffet with spear nor with sword; and Sir
Gareth did such deeds of arms that all men marvelled
what knight he was with the green shield, for he smote
down that day and pulled down mo than thirty knights
And, as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot marvelled;
when he beheld Sir Gareth do such deeds, what knight he
might be; and Sir Lavaine pulled down and smote down
twenty knights. Also Sir Launcelot knew not Sir Gareth
for an Sir Tristram de Liones, outher Sir Lamorak de
Galis had been alive, Sir Launcelot would have deemed he
had been one of them twain. So ever as Sir Launcelot
Sir Gareth, Sir Lavaine fought, and on the one side Sir
Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir Lamorak de
Galis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Pelleas,
and with mo other of King Ban's blood fought upon
another party, and held the King with the Hundred
Knights and the King of Northumberland right strait.



CHAPTER XXIV

How King Arthur marvelled much of the jousting in the field,
and how he rode and found Sir Launcelot.


SO this tournament and this jousts dured long, till it was
near night, for the knights of the Round Table relieved
ever unto King Arthur; for the king was wroth out of
measure that he and his knights might not prevail that
day. Then Sir Gawaine said to the king: I marvel where
all this day [be] Sir Bors de Ganis and his fellowship of Sir
Launcelot's blood, I marvel all this day they be not about
you: it is for some cause said Sir Gawaine. By my head,
said Sir Kay, Sir Bors is yonder all this day upon the right
hand of this field, and there he and his blood do more
worshipfully than we do. It may well be, said Sir Gawaine,
but I dread me ever of guile; for on pain of my life, said
Sir Gawaine, this knight with the red sleeve of gold is
himself Sir Launcelot, I see well by his riding and by his
great strokes; and the other knight in the same colours
is the good young knight, Sir Lavaine. Also that knight
with the green shield is my brother, Sir Gareth, and yet
he hath disguised himself, for no man shall never make
him be against Sir Launcelot, because he made him
knight. By my head, said Arthur, nephew, I believe
you; therefore tell me now what is your best counsel.
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall have my counsel: let blow
unto lodging, for an he be Sir Launcelot du Lake, and
my brother, Sir Gareth, with him, with the help of that
good young knight, Sir Lavaine, trust me truly it will be
no boot to strive with them but if we should fall ten or
twelve upon one knight, and that were no worship, but
shame. Ye say truth, said the king; and for to say
sooth, said the king, it were shame to us so many as we
be to set upon them any more; for wit ye well, said King
Arthur, they be three good knights, and namely that
knight with the sleeve of gold.

So then they blew unto lodging; but forthwithal King
Arthur let send unto the four kings, and to the mighty
duke, and prayed them that the knight with the sleeve of
gold depart not from them, but that the king may speak
with him. Then forthwithal King Arthur alighted and
unarmed him, and took a little hackney and rode after
Sir Launcelot, for ever he had a spy upon him. And so
he found him among the four kings and the duke; and
there the king prayed them all unto supper, and they
said they would with good will. And when they were
unarmed then King Arthur knew Sir Launcelot, Sir
Lavaine, and Sir Gareth. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said King
Arthur, this day ye have heated me and my knights.

So they yede unto Arthur's lodging all together, and
there was a great feast and great revel, and the prize was
given unto Sir Launcelot; and by heralds they named
him that he had smitten down fifty knights, and Sir
Gareth five-and-thirty, and Sir Lavaine four-and-twenty
knights. Then Sir Launcelot told the king and the
queen how the lady huntress shot him in the forest of
Windsor, in the buttock, with an broad arrow, and how
the wound thereof was that time six inches deep, and in
like long. Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth because he
left his fellowship and held with Sir Launcelot. My lord,
said Sir Gareth, he made me a knight, and when I saw
him so hard bestead, methought it was my worship to
help him, for I saw him do so much, and so many noble
knights against him; and when I understood that he was
Sir Launcelot du Lake, I shamed to see so many knights
against him alone. Truly, said King Arthur unto Sir
Gareth, ye say well, and worshipfully have ye done and
to yourself great worship; and all the days of my life,
said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, wit you well I shall
love you, and trust you the more better. For ever, said
Arthur, it is a worshipful knight's deed to help another
worshipful knight when he seeth him in a great danger;
for ever a worshipful man will be loath to see a worshipful
man shamed; and he that is of no worship, and fareth
with cowardice, never shall he show gentleness, nor no
manner of goodness where he seeth a man in any danger,
for then ever will a coward show no mercy; and always a
good man will do ever to another man as he would be
done to himself. So then there were great feasts unto
kings and dukes, and revel, game, and play, and all
manner of noblesse was used; and he that was courteous,
true, and faithful, to his friend was that time cherished.




CHAPTER XXV

How true love is likened to summer.


AND thus it passed on from Candlemass until after Easter,
that the month of May was come, when every lusty heart
beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit; for like
as herbs and trees bring forth fruit and flourish in May,
in like wise every lusty heart that is in any manner a lover,
springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds. For it giveth
unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May, in
something to constrain him to some manner of thing
more in that month than in any other month, for divers
causes. For then all herbs and trees renew a man and
woman, and likewise lovers call again to their mind old
gentleness and old service, and many kind deeds that
were forgotten by negligence. For like as winter rasure
doth alway arase and deface green summer, so fareth it
by unstable love in man and woman. For in many persons
there is no stability; for we may see all day, for a little
blast of winter's rasure, anon we shall deface and lay apart
true love for little or nought, that cost much thing; this
is no wisdom nor stability, but it is feebleness of nature
and great disworship, whosomever useth this. Therefore,
like as May month flowereth and flourisheth in many
gardens, so in like wise let every man of worship flourish
his heart in this world, first unto God, and next unto the
joy of them that he promised his faith unto; for there
was never worshipful man or worshipful woman, but
they loved one better than another; and worship in arms
may never be foiled, but first reserve the honour to God,
and secondly the quarrel must come of thy lady: and
such love I call virtuous love.

But nowadays men can not love seven night but they
must have all their desires: that love may not endure by
reason; for where they be soon accorded and hasty heat,
soon it cooleth. Right so fareth love nowadays, soon hot
soon cold: this is no stability. But the old love was not
so; men and women could love together seven years, and
no licours lusts were between them, and then was love,
truth, and faithfulness: and lo, in like wise was used love
in King Arthur's days. Wherefore I liken love nowadays
unto summer and winter; for like as the one is hot and the
other cold, so fareth love nowadays; therefore all ye that
be lovers call unto your remembrance the month of May,
like as did Queen Guenever, for whom I make here a little
mention, that while she lived she was a true lover, and
therefore she had a good end.


And here followeth liber xix.>



BOOK XIX


CHAPTER I

How Queen Guenever rode a-Maying with certain knights of
the Round Table and clad all in green.


SO it befell in the month of May, Queen Guenever called
unto her knights of the Table Round; and she gave them
warning that early upon the morrow she would ride a-Maying
into woods and fields beside Westminster. And I
warn you that there be none of you but that he be well
horsed, and that ye all be clothed in green, outher in silk
outher in cloth; and I shall bring with me ten ladies, and
every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every
knight shall have a squire and two yeomen; and I will
that ye all be well horsed. So they made them ready in
the freshest manner. And these were the names of the
knights: Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Agravaine, Sir Brandiles,
Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir
Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Ladinas of the Forest Savage,
Sir Persant of Inde, Sir Ironside, that was called the Knight
of the Red Launds, and Sir Pelleas, the lover; and these
ten knights made them ready in the freshest manner to ride
with the queen. And so upon the morn they took their
horses with the queen, and rode a-Maying in woods and
meadows as it pleased them, in great joy and delights; for
the queen had cast to have been again with King Arthur
at the furthest by ten of the clock, and so was that time
her purpose.

Then there was a knight that hight Meliagrance, and
he was son unto King Bagdemagus, and this knight had at
that time a castle of the gift of King Arthur within seven
mile of Westminster. And this knight, Sir Meliagrance,
loved passing well Queen Guenever, and so had he done
long and many years. And the book saith he had lain in
await for to steal away the queen, but evermore he forbare
for because of Sir Launcelot; for in no wise he would
meddle with the queen an Sir Launcelot were in her company,
outher else an he were near-hand her. And that
time was such a custom, the queen rode never without a
great fellowship of men of arms about her, and they were
many good knights, and the most part were young men
that would have worship; and they were called the Queen's
Knights, and never in no battle, tournament, nor jousts,
they bare none of them no manner of knowledging of their
own arms, but plain white shields, and thereby they were
called the Queen's Knights. And then when it happed
any of them to be of great worship by his noble deeds,
then at the next Feast of Pentecost, if there were any slain
or dead, as there was none year that there failed but some
were dead, then was there chosen in his stead that was
dead the most men of worship, that were called the Queen's
Knights. And thus they came up all first, or they were
renowned men of worship, both Sir Launcelot and all the
remnant of them.

But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the queen
well and her purpose, and how Sir Launcelot was not with
her, and how she had no men of arms with her but the ten
noble knights all arrayed in green for Maying. Then he
purveyed him a twenty men of arms and an hundred
archers for to destroy the queen and her knights, for he
thought that time was best season to take the queen.



CHAPTER II

How Sir Meliagrance took the queen and her knights, which
were sore hurt in fighting


SO as the queen had Mayed and all her knights, all were
bedashed with herbs, mosses and flowers, in the best
manner and freshest. Right so came out of a wood Sir
Meliagrance with an eight score men well harnessed, as
they should fight in a battle of arrest, and bade the queen
and her knights abide, for maugre their heads they should
abide. Traitor knight, said Queen Guenever, what cast
thou for to do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink thee
how thou art a king's son, and knight of the Table Round,
and thou to be about to dishonour the noble king that
made thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself,
and me, I let thee wit, shalt thou never shame, for I had
liefer cut mine own throat in twain rather than thou
shouldest dishonour me. As for all this language, said Sir
Meliagrance, be it as it be may, for wit you well, madam,
I have loved you many a year, and never or now could I
get you at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I
will take you as I find you.

Then spake all the ten noble knights at once and said:
Sir Meliagrance, wit thou well ye are about to jeopard your
worship to dishonour, and also ye cast to jeopard our
persons howbeit we be unarmed. Ye have us at a great
avail, for it seemeth by you that ye have laid watch upon
us; but rather than ye should put the queen to a shame
and us all, we had as lief to depart from our lives, for an if
we other ways did, we were shamed for ever. Then said
Sir Meliagrance: Dress you as well ye can, and keep the
queen. Then the ten knights of the Table Round drew
their swords, and the other let run at them with their
spears, and the ten knights manly abode them, and smote
away their spears that no spear did them none harm. Then
they lashed together with swords, and anon Sir Kay, Sir
Sagramore, Sir Agravaine, Sir Dodinas, Sir Ladinas, and
Sir Ozanna were smitten to the earth with grimly wounds.
Then Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant, Sir Ironside, Sir
Pelleas fought long, and they were sore wounded, for
these ten knights, or ever they were laid to the ground,
slew forty men of the boldest and the best of them.

So when the queen saw her knights thus dolefully
wounded, and needs must be slain at the last, then for pity
and sorrow she cried Sir Meliagrance: Slay not my noble
knights, and I will go with thee upon this covenant, that
thou save them, and suffer them not to be no more hurt,
with this, that they be led with me wheresomever thou
leadest me, for I will rather slay myself than I will go
with thee, unless that these my noble knights may be in my
presence. Madam, said Meliagrance, for your sake they
shall be led with you into mine own castle, with that ye will
be ruled, and ride with me. Then the queen prayed the
four knights to leave their fighting, and she and they
would not depart. Madam, said Sir Pelleas, we will do as
ye do, for as for me I take no force of my life nor death.
For as the French book saith, Sir Pelleas gave such buffets
there that none armour might hold him.



CHAPTER III

How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and
how Sir Meliagrance laid a bushment for Launcelot


THEN by the queen's commandment they left battle, and
dressed the wounded knights on horseback, some sitting,
some overthwart their horses, that it was pity to behold
them. And then Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and
all her knights that none of all her fellowship should
depart from her; for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du
Lake, lest he should have any knowledging. All this
espied the queen, and privily she called unto her a child of
her chamber that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said:
Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that
he will see me and rescue me, if ever he will have joy of
me; and spare not thy horse, said the queen, neither for
water, neither for land. So the child espied his time, and
lightly he took his horse with the spurs, and departed as
fast as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so
flee, he understood that it was by the queen's commandment
for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were
best horsed chased him and shot at him, but from them all
the child went suddenly. And then Sir Meliagrance said
to the queen: Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I
shall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly
at you. And then he rode with her, and they all, to his
castle, in all the haste that they might. And by the way
Sir Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best archers
that he might get in his country, to the number of thirty,
to await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they
saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a
white horse, that in any wise they slay his horse, but in no
manner of wise have not ado with him bodily, for he is
over-hardy to be overcome.

So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but
in no wise the queen would never let none of the ten
knights and her ladies out of her sight, but always they
were in her presence; for the book saith, Sir Meliagrance
durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot, insomuch
he deemed that he had warning. So when the child
was departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance,
within a while he came to Westminster, and anon he found
Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his message, and
delivered him the queen's ring: Alas, said Sir Launcelot,
now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that
noble lady from dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his
armour; and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the
ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir Pelleas, and
Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde,
fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none
withstand him; and how they all fought till at the last they
were laid to the earth; and then the queen made appointment
for to save their lives, and go with Sir Meliagrance.

Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she
should be so destroyed; I had liefer, said Sir Launcelot,
than all France, that I had been there well armed. So
when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he
prayed the child of the queen's chamber to warn Sir
Lavaine how suddenly he was departed, and for what cause.
And pray him as he loveth me, that he will hie him after
me, and that he stint not until he come to the castle where
Sir Meliagrance abideth, or dwelleth; for there, said Sir
Launcelot, he shall hear of me an I am a man living, and
rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously
hath taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and
all them that hold with him.



CHAPTER IV

How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain, and how Sir Launcelot
rode in a cart for to rescue the queen


THEN Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and the
book saith he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and
made his horse to swim over Thames unto Lambeth.
And then within a while he came to the same place thereas
the ten noble knights fought with Sir Meliagrance. And
then Sir Launcelot followed the track until that he came
to a wood, and there was a straight way, and there the
thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot turn again, and follow
no longer that track. What commandment have ye
thereto, said Sir Launcelot, to cause me that am a knight
of the Round Table to leave my right way? This way
shalt thou leave, other-else thou shalt go it on thy foot,
for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain. That is little
mastery, said Sir Launcelot, to slay mine horse; but as
for myself, when my horse is slain, I give right nought
for you, not an ye were five hundred more. So then they
shot Sir Launcelot's horse, and smote him with many
arrows; and then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and
went on foot; but there were so many ditches and hedges
betwixt them and him that he might not meddle with
none of them. Alas for shame, said Launcelot, that ever
one knight should betray another knight; but it is an old
saw, A good man is never in danger but when he is in the
danger of a coward. Then Sir Launcelot went a while,
and then he was foul cumbered of his armour, his shield,
and his spear, and all that longed unto him. Wit ye well
he was full sore annoyed, and full loath he was for to leave
anything that longed unto him, for he dread sore the
treason of Sir Meliagrance.

Then by fortune there came by him a chariot that
came thither for to fetch wood. Say me, carter, said Sir
Launcelot, what shall I give thee to suffer me to leap
into thy chariot, and that thou bring me unto a castle
within this two mile? Thou shalt not come within my
chariot, said the carter, for I am sent for to fetch wood
for my lord, Sir Meliagrance. With him would I speak.
Thou shalt not go with me, said the carter. Then Sir
Launcelot leapt to him, and gave him such a buffet that
he fell to the earth stark dead. Then the other carter,
his fellow, was afeard, and weened to have gone the same
way; and then he cried: Fair lord, save my life, and I
shall bring you where ye will. Then I charge thee, said
Sir Launcelot, that thou drive me and this chariot even
unto Sir Meliagrance's gate. Leap up into the chariot, said
the carter, and ye shall be there anon. So the carter drove on
a great wallop, and Sir Launcelot's horse followed the chariot,
with more than a forty arrows broad and rough in him.

And more than an hour and an half Dame Guenever
was awaiting in a bay window with her ladies, and espied
an armed knight standing in a chariot. See, madam, said
a lady, where rideth in a chariot a goodly armed knight;
I suppose he rideth unto hanging. Where? said the
queen. Then she espied by his shield that he was there
himself, Sir Launcelot du Lake. And then she was ware
where came his horse ever after that chariot, and ever he
trod his guts and his paunch under his feet. Alas, said
the queen, now I see well and prove, that well is him that
hath a trusty friend. Ha, ha, most noble knight, said
Queen Guenever, I see well thou art hard bestead when thou
ridest in a chariot. Then she rebuked that lady that likened
Sir Launcelot to ride in a chariot to hanging. It was foul
mouthed, said the queen, and evil likened, so for to liken the
most noble knight of the world unto such a shameful death.
O Jesu defend him and keep him, said the queen, from
all mischievous end. By this was Sir Launcelot come to
the gates of that castle, and there he descended down, and
cried, that all the castle rang of it: Where art thou, false
traitor, Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the Table Round?
now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy
fellowship with thee; for here I am, Sir Launcelot du
Lake, that shall fight with you. And therewithal he bare
the gate wide open upon the porter, and smote him under
his ear with his gauntlet, that his neck brast a-sunder.

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