Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

  ‘I will do as ye advise me.’

  Then King Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it passing well. Then said Merlin, ‘Whether like ye better the sword or the scabbard?’

  ‘I like better the sword,’ said Arthur.

  ‘Ye are the more unwise, for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword; for while ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood be ye never so sore wounded. Therefore keep well the scabbard always with you.’

  So they rode unto Caerleon, and by the way they met with King Pellinore; but Merlin had done such a craft unto him that King Pellinore saw not King Arthur, and so passed by without any words.

  ‘I marvel’, said Arthur, ‘that the knight would not speak.’

  ‘Sir, he saw you not, for had he seen you, he had not lightly parted.’

  So they came unto Caerleon, whereof his knights were passing glad. And when they heard of his adventures, they marvelled that he would jeopard his person so, alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be under such a chieftain that would put his person in adventure as other poor knights did.

  [26]

  So this meanwhile came a messenger from King Roince of North Wales, and king he was of all Ireland and of the Isles. And this was his message, greeting well King Arthur in this manner of wise, saying that King Roince had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and each of them did him homage. And that was thus to say, they gave their beards clean flayed off, as much beard as there was; wherefore the messenger came for King Arthur’s beard. For King Roince had purfiled* a mantle with kings’ beards, and there lacked one place of the mantle; wherefore he sent for his beard, or else he would enter into his lands and burn and slay, and never leave till he have the head and the beard both.

  ‘Well,’ said Arthur, ‘thou hast said thy message, the which is the most orgulous and lewdest* message that ever man had sent unto a king. Also, thou mayest see my beard is full young yet to make of a purfile. But tell thou thy king thus, that I owe him no homage, nor none of my elders; but or it be long, he shall do me homage on both his knees, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this is the most shamefullest message that ever I heard speak of. I have espied thy king never yet met with worshipful man. But tell him I will have his head without* he do me homage.’ Then this messenger departed.

  ‘Now is there any here that knoweth King Roince?’

  Then answered a knight that hight Naram, ‘Sir, I know the king well; he is a passing good man of his body as few be living, and a passing proud man. And sir, doubt ye not, he will make war on you with a mighty puissance.’*

  ‘Well,’ said Arthur. ‘I shall ordain for him in short time.’

  [27]

  Then King Arthur let send for all the children that were born on May-day, begotten of lords and born of ladies; for Merlin told King Arthur that he that should destroy him and all the land should be born on Mayday. Wherefore he sent for them all, on pain of death; and so there were found many lords’ sons and many knights’ sons, and all were sent unto the King. And so was Mordred sent by King Lot’s wife; and all were put in a ship to the sea, and some were four weeks old, and some less. And so by fortune the ship drove unto a castle and was all to-riven,* and destroyed the most part save that Mordred was cast up; and a good man found him and fostered him till he was fourteen years of age, and then brought him to the court, as it rehearseth afterwards and toward the end of the Morte Arthur*

  So many lords and barons of this realm were displeased for their children were so lost, and many put the wite* on Merlin more than on Arthur. So what for dread and for love, they held their peace.

  But when the messenger came to the King Roince, then was he wood out of measure, and purveyed him for a great host, as it rehearseth after in the book of Balin le Savage that followeth next after: that was the adventure how Balin got the sword.

  The Tale of Balin and Balan

  [11.1]

  So it befell on a time when King Arthur was at London, there came a knight and told the King tidings how the King Roince of North Wales had reared* a great number of people, and were entered in the land, and burnt and slew the King’s true liege people.

  ‘If this be true,’ said Arthur, ‘it were great shame unto my estate but that he were* mightily withstood.’

  ‘It is truth,’ said the knight, ‘for I saw the host myself’.

  ‘Well,’ said the King, ‘I shall ordain to withstand his malice.’

  Then the King let make a cry* that all the lords, knights, and gentlemen of arms should draw unto the castle called Camelot in those days, and there the King would let make a council-general and a great jousts. So when the King was come thither with all his baronage, and lodged as they seemed best, also there was come a damosel the which was sent from the great Lady l’Isle of Avilion. And when she came before King Arthur, she told from whence she came, and how she was sent on message unto him for these causes. Then she let her mantle fall that was richly furred; and then was she girt with a noble sword, whereof the King had marvel, and said, ‘Damosel, for what cause are ye girt with that sword? It beseemeth you not.’*

  ‘Now shall I tell you,’ said the damosel. ‘This sword that I am girt withal doth me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered of this sword but by a knight, and he must be a passing good man of his hands and of his deeds, and without villainy or treachery, and without treason. And if I may find such a knight that hath all these virtues, he may draw out this sword out of the sheath. For I have been at King Roince’s, for it was told me, there were passing good knights; and he and all his knights have assayed and none can speed.’

  ‘This is a great marvel,’ said Arthur. ‘If this be sooth, I will assay myself to draw out the sword, not presuming myself that I am the best knight, but I will begin to draw your sword in giving an example to all the barons that they shall assay every one after other when I have assayed.’

  Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and girdle and pulled at it eagerly, but the sword would not out.

  ‘Sir,’ said the damosel, ‘you need not for to pull half so sore, for he that shall pull it out shall do it with little might.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Arthur. ‘Now assay ye, all my barons.’

  ‘But beware ye be not defiled with shame, treachery, nor guile, for then it will not avail,’ said the damosel, ‘for he must be a clean knight without villainy, and of gentle* strain of father side and of mother side.’

  The most part of all the barons of the Round Table that were there at that time assayed all by row, but there might none speed. Wherefore the damosel made great sorrow out of measure, and said, ‘Alas! I weened in this court had been the best knights of the world without treachery or treason.’

  ‘By my faith,’ said Arthur, ‘here are good knights, as I deem, as any be in the world. But their grace is not to help you, wherefore I am sore displeased.’

  [2]

  Then it befell so that time there was a poor knight with King Arthur, that had been prisoner with him half a year for slaying of a knight which was cousin unto King Arthur. And the name of this knight was called Balin, and by good means of the barons he was delivered out of prison, for he was a good man named of his body, and he was born in Northumberland. And so he went privily into the court, and saw this adventure; whereof it raised his heart, and would have assayed as other knights did, but for he was poor and poorly arrayed he put him not far in press.* But in his heart he was fully assured to do as well, if his grace happed him, as any knight that there was. And as the damosel took her leave of Arthur and of all the barons, so departing, this knight Balin called unto her, and said,

  ‘Damosel, I pray of your courtesy, suffer me as well to assay as these other lords; though that I be poorly arrayed, yet in my heart me seemeth I am fully assured as some of these other, and me seemeth in my heart to speed right well.’

  This damosel then beheld this poor knight, and saw he was a likely man; but for his poor arrayment she thought he sh
ould not be of no worship without villainy or treachery. And then she said unto that knight, ‘Sir, it needeth not you to put me to no more pain, for it seemeth not you* to speed there as all these other knights have failed.’

  ‘Ah, fair damosel,’ said Balin, ‘worthiness, and good tatches* and also good deeds, is not only in arrayment;* but manhood and worship is within a man’s person, and many a worshipful knight is not known unto all people. And therefore worship and hardiness is not in arrayment.’

  ‘By God,’ said the damosel, ‘ye say sooth; therefore ye shall assay to do what ye may.’

  Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out easily; and when he looked on the sword it pleased him much. Then had the king and all the barons great marvel that Balin had done that adventure; many knights had great despite at him.

  ‘Certes,’ said the damosel, ‘this is a passing good knight, and the best that ever I found, and most of worship without treason, treachery, or felony, and many marvels shall he do. Now, gentle and courteous knight, give me the sword again.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Balin, ‘for this sword will I keep, but it be taken from me with force.’

  ‘Well,’ said the damosel, ‘ye are not wise to keep the sword from me, for ye shall slay with that sword the best friend that ye have, and the man that ye most love in the world, and that sword shall be your destruction.’

  ‘I shall take the adventure,’ said Balin, ‘that God will ordain for me. But the sword ye shall not have at this time, by the faith of my body.’

  ‘Ye shall repent it within short time,’ said the damosel, ‘for I would have the sword more for your advantage than for mine, for I am passing heavy for your sake; for and ye will not leave that sword, it shall be your destruction, and that is great pity.’ So with that departed the damosel, and great sorrow she made.

  And anon after, Balin sent for his horse and armour, and so would depart from the court, and took his leave of King Arthur.

  ‘Nay,’ said the King, ‘I suppose ye will not depart so lightly from this fellowship. I suppose that ye are displeased that I have showed you unkindness; but blame me the less, for I was misinformed against you. But I weened ye had not been such a knight as ye are of worship and prowess. And if ye will abide in this court among my fellowship, I shall so advance you as ye shall be pleased.’

  ‘God thank your highness,’ said Balin, ‘your bounty may no man praise half unto the value; but at this time I must needs depart, beseeching you always of your good grace.’

  ‘Truly,’ said the King, ‘I am right wroth of your departing. But I pray you, fair knight, that ye tarry not long from me; and ye shall be right welcome unto me and to my barons, and I shall amend all miss* that I have done against you.’

  ‘God thank your good grace,’ said Balin, and therewith made him ready to depart. Then the most part of the knights of the Round Table said that Balin did not this adventure only by might, but by witchcraft.

  [3]

  So the meanwhile that this knight was making him ready to depart, there came into the court the Lady of the Lake. And she came on horseback, richly beseen, and saluted King Arthur, and there asked him a gift that he promised her when she gave him the sword.

  ‘That is sooth,’ said Arthur, ‘a gift I promised you; but I have forgotten the name of my sword that ye gave me.’

  ‘The name of it,’ said the lady, ‘is Excalibur, that is as much to say as Cut-steel.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said the King, ‘ask what ye will and ye shall have it, and it lie in my power to give it.’

  ‘Well,’ said this lady, ‘then I ask the head of this knight that hath won the sword, or else the damosel’s head that brought it; I take no force though* I have both their heads, for he slew my brother, a good knight and a true, and that gentlewoman was causer of my father’s death.’

  ‘Truly,’ said King Arthur, ‘I may not grant you neither of their heads with my worship, therefore ask what ye will else, and I shall fulfil your desire.’

  ‘I will ask no other thing,’ said the lady.

  So when Balin was ready to depart, he saw the Lady of the Lake, which by her means had slain his mother; and he had sought her three years before. And when it was told him how she had asked his head of King Arthur, he went to her straight and said, ‘Evil be ye found; ye would have my head, and therefore ye shall lose yours.’ And with his sword lightly he smote off her head before King Arthur.

  ‘Alas, for shame!’ said the King. ‘Why have ye done so? Ye have shamed me and all my court, for this lady was a lady that I was much beholden to, and hither she came under my safe-conduct. Therefore I shall never forgive you that trespass.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Balin, ‘me forthinketh* of your displeasure, for this same lady was the untruest lady living, and by enchantment and by sorcery she hath been the destroyer of many good knights. And she was causer that my mother was burnt, through her falsehood and treachery.’

  ‘For what cause soever ye had,’ said Arthur, ‘ye should have forborne in my presence. Therefore, think not the contrary, ye shall repent it, for such another despite had I never in my court; therefore withdraw you out of my court in all the haste that ye may.’

  Then Balin took up the head of the lady and bore it with him to his hostelry, and there met with his squire, that was sorry he had displeased King Arthur; and so they rode forth out of town.

  ‘Now,’ said Balin, ‘we must part; therefore take thou this head and bear it to my friends, and tell them how I have sped, and tell them in Northumberland how my most foe is dead. Also tell them how I am out of prison, and what adventure befell me at the getting of this sword.’

  ‘Alas!’ said the squire, ‘ye are greatly to blame for to displease King Arthur.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Balin, ‘I will hie me in all haste that I may to meet with King Roince and destroy him, or else to die therefor. And if it may hap me to win him, then will King Arthur be my good friend.’

  ‘Sir, where shall I meet with you?’ said the squire.

  ‘In King Arthur’s court,’ said Balin. So his squire and he parted at that time.

  Then King Arthur and all the court made great dole and had great shame of the Lady of the Lake. Then the King buried her richly.*

  [6]

  And Balin turned his horse and looked towards a fair forest. And then was he ware, by his arms, that there came riding his brother Balan. And when they were met they put off their helms and kissed together, and wept for joy and pity.* Anon the knight Balin told his brother of his adventure of the sword, and of the death of the Lady of the Lake.

  ‘Truly,’ said Balin, ‘I am right heavy that my lord Arthur is displeased with me, for he is the most worshipful king that reigneth now in earth, and his love will I get or else I will put my life in adventure, for King Roince lieth at the siege of the Castle Terrabil, and thither will we draw in all goodly haste to prove our worship and prowess upon him.’

  ‘I will well,’ said Balan, ‘that ye so do, and I will ride with you and put my body in adventure with you, as a brother ought to do.’

  [8]

  And as they rode together they met with Merlin, disguised so that they knew him not.

  ‘But whitherward ride ye?’ said Merlin.

  ‘We had little ado to tell you,’ said these two knights. ‘But what is thy name?’ said Balin.

  ‘At this time’, said Merlin, ‘I will not tell.’

  ‘It is an evil sign’, said the knights, ‘that thou art a true man, that thou wilt not tell thy name.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Merlin, ‘be as it be may. But I can tell you wherefore ye ride this way, for to meet with King Roince; but it will not avail you without ye have my counsel.’

  ‘Ah,’ said Balin, ‘ye are Merlin; we will be ruled by your counsel.’

  ‘Come on,’ said Merlin, ‘and ye shall have great worship, and look that ye do knightly, for ye shall have need.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Balin, ‘dread you not, for we
will do what we may.’

  [9]

  Then there lodged Merlin and these two knights in a wood among the leaves beside the highway, and took off the bridles of their horses and put them to grass, and laid them down to rest till it was nigh midnight. Then Merlin bade them rise and make them ready, ‘For here cometh the king nigh hand,’ that was stolen away from his host with three score horses of his best knights; and twenty of them rode before the lord to warn the Lady de Vance that the king was coming, for that night King Roince should have lain with her.

  ‘Which is the king?’ said Balin.

  ‘Abide,’ said Merlin, ‘for here in a strait* ye shall meet with him.’ And therewith he showed Balin and his brother the king. And anon they met with him and smote him down, and wounded him freshly,* and laid him to the ground; and there they slew on the right hand and on the left hand more than forty of his men, and the remnant fled. Then went they again to King Roince and would have slain him had he not yielded him unto their grace.

  Then said he thus, ‘Knights full of prowess, slay me not, for by my life ye may win,* and by my death little.’

  ‘Ye say sooth,’ said the knights, and so laid him on a horse-litter.

  So with that Merlin vanished, and came to King Arthur beforehand and told him how his most enemy was taken and discomfited.

  ‘By whom?’ said King Arthur.

  ‘By two knights’, said Merlin, ‘that would fain have your lordship, and tomorrow ye shall know what knights they are.’

  So anon after came the Knight with the Two Swords and his brother, and brought with them King Roince of North Wales, and there delivered him to the porters* and charged them with him; and so they two returned again in the dawning of the day. Then King Arthur came to King Roince and said, ‘Sir king, ye are welcome. By what adventure came ye hither?’