Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his sword, and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment to the knight, that he fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, and rode forth on the Knight's horse. Alas! said Arthur, what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts? There liveth not so worshipful a knight as he was; I had liefer than the stint of my land a year that he were alive. 10 He hath ado with a knight of yours that hight Care ye not, said Merlin, for he is wholler than ye; for he is but asleep, and will awake within three hours. I told you, said Merlin, what a knight he was; here had ye been slain had I not ship, and when they came to the sword that the hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. And so they 5 came unto the land and rode forth, and then Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion. What signifieth yonder pavilion? That is the knight's pavilion, said Merlin, that ye fought with last, Sir Pellinore; but he is out, he is not there. Egglame, and they have foughten together, but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had been dead, and he hath chased him even to Carleon, and we shall meet with him anon in the high been. Also there liveth not a bigger knight 15 way. That is well said, said Arthur, now have than he is one, and he shall hereafter do you right good service; and his name is Pellinore. HOW ARTHUR GOT THE SWORD FROM I a sword, now will I wage battle with him, and be avenged on him. Sir, ye shall not so, said Merlin, for the knight is weary of fighting and chasing, so that ye shall have no worship 20 to have ado with him; also he will not be lightly matched of one knight living, and therefore it is my counsel, let him pass, for he shall do you good service in short time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see that day in short space, ye shall be right glad to give him your sister to wed. When I see him, I will do as ye advise, said Arthur. Then Sir Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it passing well. Whether liketh you better, said Merlin, the sword or the scabbard? Me liketh better the sword, said Arthur. Ye are more unwise, said Merlin, for the scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall never lose no blood, be ye never so sore wounded; therefore keep well the scabbard always with you. So they rode unto Carleon, and by the way they met with Sir Pellinore; but Merlin had done such a craft, that Pellinore saw not Arthur, and he passed by without any words. I marvel, said Arthur, that the knight would not speak. Sir, said Merlin, he saw you not, for an he had seen you, ye had not lightly departed. So they came unto Carleon, whereof his knights were passing Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an hermit that was a good man and a great leech. So the hermit searched all his wounds and gave him good salves; so the king 25 was there three days, and then were his wounds well amended that he might ride and go, and so departed. And as they rode, Arthur said, I have no sword. No force,' said Merlin, hereby is a sword that shall be yours, an I may. 30 So they rode till they came to a lake, the which was a fair water and broad. And in the midst of the lake Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite,2 that held a fair sword in that hand. Lo! said Merlin, yonder is that sword 35 that I spake of. With that they saw a damosel going upon the lake. What damosel is that? said Arthur. That is the Lady of the lake, said Merlin; and within that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place as any on earth, and 40 richly besene; and this damosel will come to you anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you that sword. Anon withal came the damosel unto Arthur, and saluted him, and he her again. Damosel, said Arthur, what 45 glad. And when they heard of his adventures, sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword. Sir Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it. 50 By my faith, said Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said the damosel, go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my gift when I see my time. So 55 Sir Arthur and Merlin alit and tied their horses to two trees, and so they went into the • Himself. 7 Income. It matters not. 2 Rich silk. i. e. Beautiful to be seen. they marvelled that he would jeopard his person so alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be under such a chieftan, that would put his person in adventure as other poor knights did. SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTS OUT OF ENGLAND My fair fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I must depart out of this most noble realm, and now I shall depart it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no worship, for a flemyd1 man 1 Banished. departed never out of a realm with no worship; vengenace of Sir Gawaine, all that they might overrun. TIDINGS MAKE ARTHUR RETURN TO Alas, said the King, that ever this unhappy war was begun; for ever Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, and in likewise my kin, Sir Gawaine. Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was so sore hurt, and by cause of the war betwixt him and Sir Launcelot. So then they on King Arthur's Lavaine, with many others, Sir, an ye be so 10 and that is seen well this day by my nephew lords, said Sir Launcelot, I well understand you KING ARTHUR MAKES MORDRED CHIEF RULER 40 forth; and they withinforth kept their walls, and defended them when need was. Thus as this siege endured, and as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month; and when he days to do battle again with Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto Arthur from England that made King Arthur and all his host to remove. As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did so make letters as though that they came from beyond the sea and the letters specified that King Arthur was slain in battle with Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a parliament, and called the lords together, and there he made them to choose him King; and so was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteen days. Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had araised the siege for Sir Launcelot, and he was coming homeward with a great host, to be avenged upon Sir Mordred; wherefore Sir Mordred made write writs to all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him. For then was the common voice among them that with Arthur was none other life but war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus was Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of. And many there were that So leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and 45 King Arthur had made up of naught, and his noble knights with him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that made a great host ready, to the number of threescore thousand; and all thing was made ready for their shipping to pass over the sea, 50 and so they shipped at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all England, and also he put Queen Guenever under his governance; by cause Sir Mordred was King Arthur's son, he gave him the rule of 55 his land and of his wife; and so the king passed the sea and landed upon Sir Launcelot's lands, and there he brent and wasted, through the 2 Since. given them lands, might not then say him a good word. Lo ye all Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was, for he that was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden, now might not these Englishmen hold them content with him. Lo thus was the old custom and usage of this land; and also men say that we of this land have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this is a great default of us Englishmen, for there may no thing please us And so fared the people at that 2 Denounced. now term. 1 Side. time, they were better pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur; and much people drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for better and for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own father from his lands; and the most party of all England held with Sir Mordred, the people were so new fangle. field. And when Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that an they see any sword drawn, Look ye come on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him. 5 In likewise Sir Mordred warned his host that, An ye see any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever before you standeth; for in no wise I will not trust for this treatise, for I know well my father will be 10 avenged on me. And so they met as their appointment was, and so they were agreed and accorded thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank. Right soon came an adder out of a little heath bush and it stung a knight on the And so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came King Arthur with a great navy of ships, and galleys, and carracks.3 And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landing, to let his own father to land 15 foot. And when the knight felt him stung, he upon the land that he was King over. Then looked down and saw the adder, and then he there was launching of great boats and small, drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought and full of noble men of arms; and there was of none other harm. And when the host on much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a both parties saw that sword drawn, then they full bold baron was laid full low, on both 20 blew beamous, trumpets, and horns, and parties. But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no manner of knights let him to land, and his knights fiercely followed him; and so they landed maugre Sir Mordred and all his power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that 25 wise. And never was there seen a more dolehe fled and all his people. THE DEATH OF ARTHUR 3 shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them together. And King Arthur took his horse and said, Alas this unhappy day, and so rode to his party. And Sir Mordred in like fuller battle in no Christian land; for there was but rushing and riding, feigning and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to other, and many a deadly stroke. But ever Sir Mordred many times, and did full nobly as a noble knight should, and at all times he fainted never; and Sir Mordred that day put him in devoir, and in great peril. And thus they Then was it told the King that Sir Mordred 30 King Arthur rode throughout the battle of had pyghte1 a new field upon Barham Down. And upon the morn the King rode thither to him, and there was a great battle betwixt them, and much people was slain on both parties; but at the last Sir Arthur's party stood best, and 35 fought all the long day, and never stinted till Sir Mordred and his party fled unto Canterbury. . . . the noble knights were laid to the cold earth; and ever they fought still till it was near night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon the ground. Then was Then the King commanded Sir Lucan the Butler and his brother Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and charged them in any 40 Arthur wood" wroth out of measure, when he saw his people so slain from him. Then the king looked about him, and then was he ware, of all his host and of all his good knights, were left no more alive but two knights; that one wise, an they might, take a treaty for a month day with Sir Mordred, and spare not, proffer him lands and goods as much as ye think best. So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of an hundred 45 was Sir Lucan the Butler, and his brother Sir thousand men. And there they entreated Sir Mordred long time; and at the last Sir Mordred was agreed for to have Cornwall and Kent, by Arthur's days: after, all England, after the days of King Arthur. Bedivere, and they were full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where are all my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day, for now, said Arthur, I am 50 come to mine end. But would to God that I wist where were that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this mischief. Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon his sword among a great heap of dead Then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen persons; and they came with this word unto Arthur. Then said he, I am 55 men. Now give me my spear, said Arthur unto glad that this is done: and so he went into the * Large merchant ships. 4 Prohibit. Sir Lucan, for yonder I have espied the traitor But I may not stand, mine head works so. Ah Sir Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day have I sore missed thee; alas that ever I was against thee, for now have I my death, whereof 5 Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream. Then Sir Lucan took up the king, the one part, and Sir Bedivere the other part, and in the lifting the king swooned; and Sir Lucan fell in a swoon with the lift, . . . and therewith the king awoke, he beheld Sir Lucan, how he lay foaming at the mouth. . . . Alas, said the king, this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would than I. Alas he would not complain him, his heart was so set to help me; now Jesu have mercy upon his soul. Then Sir Bedivere wept for the death of his brother. Leave this mourning and weeping, said the king, for all this will not avail me, for wit thou well that an I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore; but my time hieth fast, said the king. Therefore, said Arthur unto Sir Bedivere, take thou Excalibur my good sword, and go with it to yonder water side, and when thou comest there I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou there seest. My lord, said that all this woe hath wrought. Sir, let him be, said Sir Lucan, for he is unhappy; and if ye pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged upon him. Good lord remember ye of your night's dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this night, yet God of His great goodness hath preserved you hitherto. Therefore, for God's sake, leave off by this, for blessed be God ye have won the field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is 10 noble knight's heart brast.12 And when the none alive; and if ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is past. Tide me death, betide me life,' said the king, now I see him yonder alone, he shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I never have him. God 15 have holpen me that had more need of help speed you well, said Sir Bedivere. Then the King gat his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying, Traitor, now is thy death day come. And when Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran unto him with his 20 sword drawn in his hand. And there King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the shield, with a foins of his spear, throughout the body, more than a fathom; and when Sir Mordred felt that he had his death's wound he thrust 25 himself with the might that he had up to the bur9 of King Arthur's spear; and right so he smote his father Arthur, with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain 30 Bedivere, your commandment shall be done, pan, and therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the earth; and the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he swooned ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heave him up. And so 35 said to himself, if I throw this rich sword in the weakly they led him betwixt them both, to a little chapel not far from the sea side. And when the king was there he thought him well eased. Then heard they people cry in the field. Now go thou Sir Lucan, said the King, 40 and do me to wit what betokens that noise in the field. So Sir Lucan departed, for he was grieveously wounded in many places. And so as he went he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how that pillers 10 and robbers were 45 come into the field, to pill and rob many a full noble knight of brooches, and beads, and many a good ring, and of many a rich jewel; and who that were not dead all out, they slew them for their harness and their riches. When Sir 50 Lucan understood this work, he came to the king as soon as he might and told him all what he had heard and seen. Therefore by my rede,11 said Sir Lucan, it is best that we bring you to some town. I would it were so, said the king. 55 and lightly bring you word again. So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble sword, that the pommel and the haft was all of precious stones; and then he water, thereof shall never come good, but a noble knight, and would betray me for the riches of the sword. But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold. And but if1 thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay thee with mine own hands; for thou wouldst for my rich sword see me dead. Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took it up, and Sir Bedivere, what man is there interred that ye pray so fast for? Fair son, said the hermit, I wot not verily, but by my deeming.18 But this night, at midnight, here came a number of 5 ladies, and brought hither a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him; and here they offered an hundred tapers, and they gave me an hundred besants.19 Alas, said Sir Bedivere, that was my lord King Arthur, that here lieth buried went to the water side; and there he bound the 10 in this chapel. Then Sir Bedivere swooned; and when he awoke he prayed the hermit he might abide with him still there, to live with fasting and prayers. For from hence will I never go, said Sir Bedivere, by my will, but all Arthur. Ye are welcome to me, said the hermit, for I know you better than ye ween that I do. Ye are the bold Bedivere, and the full noble duke Sir Lucan the Butler was your girdle about the hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water as he might; and there came an arm and an hand above the water and met it, and caught it, and shook it thrice and brandished, and then vanished away the 15 the days of my life here to pray for my lord hand with the sword in the water. So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and told him what he saw. Alas, said the king, help me hence, for I dread me I have tarried over long. Then Sir Bedivere took the king upon his 20 brother. back, and so went with him to that water side. And when they were at the water side, even fast by the bank hoved a little barge with many fair ladies in it, and among them all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and all 25 they wept and shrieked when they saw King Arthur. Now put me into the barge, said the king. And so he did softly; and there received him three queens with great mourning; and so they set them down, and in one of their laps 30 King Arthur laid his head. And then that queen said, Ah, dear brother, why have ye tarried so long from me? Alas, this wound on your head hath caught over much cold. And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir 35 life. But many men say that there is written More of the death of King Arthur could I never find, but that ladies brought him to his burial; and such one was buried there, that the hermit bare witness that sometime was Bishop of Canterbury, but yet the hermit knew not in certain that he was verily the body of King Arthur: for this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of the Table Round, made it to be written. Yet some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesu into another place; and men say that he shall come again, and he shall win the Holy Cross. I will not say it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he changed his upon his tomb this verse: Hic jacet Arthurus Rex, quondam Rex que futurus.20 SIR LAUNCELOT And when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the choir of Joyous Gard, he alit and put his horse from him, and came into the Bedivere beheld all those ladies go from him. Then Sir Bedivere cried, Ah, my lord Arthur, what shall become of me, now ye go from me and leave me here alone among mine enemies? Comfort thyself, said the king, and do as well 40 as thou mayest, for in me is no trust for to trust in, for I will into the vale of Avalon to heal me of my grievous wounds: and if thou hear never more of me, pray for my soul. But ever the queens and ladies wept and 45 choir, and there he saw men sing and weep. shrieked, that it was pity to hear. And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge, he wept and wailed, and so took the forest; and so he went all that night, and in the morning he was ware betwixt two holts 50 sword, and helm from him. And when he hoar, 16 of a chapel and an hermitage. And all they knew Sir Ector, but he knew not them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector, and told him how there lay his brother Sir Launcelot dead; and then Sir Ector threw his shield, beheld Sir Launcelot's visage, he fell down in a swoon. And when he waked it were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for his brother. Ah, Launcelot, he said, Then was Sir Bedivere glad, and thither he went; and when he came into the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit grovelling on all four, there fast by a tomb was new graven. When 55 thou wert head of all christian knights. And the hermit saw Sir Bedivere he knew him well, for he was but little tofore Bishop of Canterbury, that Sir Mordred flemed. 17 Sir, said 15 Unless. 16 Hoary woods or groves. 17 Banished. now I dare say, said Sir Ector, thou Sir Launce 18 Judging, i. e. I know not certainly, but I judge so. 19 Gold coins. 20 Here lies King Arthur, one time King, and King to be. |