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

by Malory, Thomas

  And thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawain that he did at the marriage of Arthur.*

  [15]

  Then the King established all the knights, and gave them riches and lands; and charged them never to do outrage nor murder, and always to flee treason, and to give mercy unto him that asketh mercy, upon pain of forfeiture of their worship and lordship of King Arthur for evermore; and always to do ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen and widows succour; strengthen them in their rights, and never to enforce* them, upon pain of death. Also, that no man take no battles in a wrongful quarrel for no love, nor for no worldly goods. So unto this were all the knights sworn of the Table Round, both old and young.* And every year so were they sworn at the high feast of Pentecost.

  Explicit the Wedding of King Arthur

  Of Nenive and Morgan le Fay

  [IV.I]

  Then it befell that Merlin fell in a dotage on the damosel that King Pellinore brought to court, and she was one of the damosels of the Lady of the Lake, that hight Nenive. But Merlin would not let her have no rest, but always he would be with her. And ever she made Merlin good cheer till she had learned of him all manner of thing that she desired; and he was besotted upon her, that he might not be from her.

  So on a time he told to King Arthur that he should not endure long, but for all his crafts he should be put into the earth quick.* And so he told the King many things that should befall, but always he warned the King to keep well his sword and the scabbard, for he told him how the sword and the scabbard should be stolen by a woman from him, that he most trusted. Also he told King Arthur that he should miss him, ‘And yet had ye liever than all your lands have me again.’

  ‘Ah,’ said the King, ‘since ye know of your evil adventure, purvey for it, and put it away by your crafts, that misadventure.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Merlin, ‘it will not be.’

  He departed from the King; and within a while the damosel of the Lake departed, and Merlin went with her evermore wheresoever she yede, and oftentimes Merlin would have had her privily away by his subtle crafts. Then she made him to swear that he should never do no enchantment upon her if he would have his will, and so he swore. Then she and Merlin went over the sea unto the land of Benwick, there as King Ban was king that had great war against King Claudas.

  And there Merlin spoke with King Ban’s wife, a fair lady and a good, her name was Elaine; and there he saw young Lancelot. And there the queen made great sorrow for the mortal war that King Claudas made on her lord.

  ‘Take no heaviness,’* said Merlin, ‘for this same child young Lancelot shall within these twenty years revenge you on King Claudas, that all Christendom shall speak of it; and this same child shall be the most man of worship of the world. And his first name is Galahad, that know I well,’ said Merlin, ‘and since ye have confirmed him Lancelot.’

  ‘That is truth,’ said the queen, ‘his name was first Galahad. Ah, Merlin,’ said the queen, ‘shall I live to see my son such a man of prowess?’

  ‘Yea, hardily, lady, on my peril ye shall see it, and live many winters after.’

  Then soon after the lady and Merlin departed. And by ways he showed her many wonders, and so came into Cornwall. And always he lay about to have her maidenhood, and she was ever passing weary of him and would have been delivered of him, for she was afraid of him for cause he was a devil’s son,* and she could not be shift* of him by no mean. And so on a time Merlin did show her in a rock where as was a great wonder, and wrought by enchantment, that went under a great stone. So by her subtle working she made Merlin to go under that stone to let her wit of the marvels there, but she wrought so there for him that he came never out for all the craft he could do. And so she departed and left Merlin.

  [There follows a brief war against five kings, in which Sir Kay, Sir Gawain, and Sir Griflet particularly distinguish themselves.]

  [4]

  And King Arthur called King Pellinore unto him and said, ‘Ye understand well that we have lost eight knights of the best of the Table Round, and by your advice we must choose eight knights of the best we may find in this court.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Pellinore, ‘I shall counsel you after my conceit* the best wise. There are in your court full noble knights both of old and young; and by my advice ye shall choose half of the old and half of the young.’

  ‘Which be the old?’ said King Arthur.

  ‘Sir, me seemeth King Uriens that hath wedded your sister Morgan le Fay; and the King of the Lake; and Sir Hervis de Revel, a noble knight; and Sir Galagars, the fourth.’

  ‘This is well devised,’ said Arthur, ‘and right so shall it be. Now, which are the four young knights?’

  ‘Sir, the first is Sir Gawain, your nephew, that is as good a knight of his time as is any in this land. And the second as me seemeth best is Sir Griflet le Fils de Dieu, that is a good knight and full desirous in arms, and who may see him live he shall prove a good knight. And the third as me seemeth is well worthy to be one of the Table Round, Sir Kay the Seneschal, for many times he hath done full worshipfully; and now at your last battle he did full honourably for to undertake to slay two kings.’

  ‘By my head,’ said Arthur, ‘ye say sooth: he is best worthy to be a knight of the Round Table of any that is rehearsed yet, and he had done* no more prowess his life days.’

  [5]

  ‘Now,’ said King Pellinore, ‘choose you of two knights that I shall rehearse which is most worthy, of Sir Bagdemagus, and Sir Tor, my son. But for because he is my son I may not praise him, but else, and he were not my son, I durst say that of his age there is not in this land a better knight than he is, nor of better conditions, and loath to do any wrong, and loath to take any wrong.’

  ‘By my head,’ said Arthur, ‘he is a passing good knight as any ye spoke of this day. That wot I well,’ said the King, ‘for I have seen him proved; but he saith but little, but he doth much more, for I know none in all this court, and he were as well born on his mother’s side as he is on your side, that is like him of prowess and of might. And therefore I will have him at this time, and leave Sir Bagdemagus till another time.’

  So when they were chosen by the assent of the barons, so were there found in their sieges every knight’s name that here are rehearsed, and so were they set in their sieges; whereof Sir Bagdemagus was wonderly wroth that Sir Tor was advanced before him, and therefore suddenly he departed from the court and took his squire with him, and rode long in a forest.*

  So, as Sir Bagdemagus rode to see many adventures, so it happed him to come to the rock there as the Lady of the Lake had put Merlin under the stone, and there he heard him make a great dole; wherefore Sir Bagdemagus would have helped him, and went unto the great stone, and it was so heavy that a hundred men might not lift it up. When Merlin wist that he was there, he bade him leave his labour, for all was in vain, for he might never be helped but by her that put him there. And so Bagdemagus departed and did many adventures, and proved after a full good knight, and came again to the court and was made knight of the Round Table.

  [6]

  So on the morn there befell new tidings and many other adventures. Then it befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode on hunting into a great forest. And it happed King Arthur and King Uriens and Sir Accolon of Gaul followed a great hart, for they three were well horsed; and so they chased so fast that within a while they three were more than ten miles from their fellowship. And at the last they chased so sore that they slew their horses underneath them, and the horses were so free* that they fell down dead. Then were they all three on foot, and ever they saw the hart before them passing weary and imbossed.*

  ‘What shall we do?’ said King Arthur. ‘We are hard bestead.’

  ‘Let us go on foot,’ said King Uriens, ‘till we may meet with some lodging.’

  Then were they ware of the hart that lay on a great water bank, and a brachet biting on his throat, and more other hounds came after. Then King Arthur blew the prize and dight* the hart. Then the King looked ab
out the world, and saw before him in a great water a little ship, all apparelled with silk down to the water; and the ship came right unto them and landed on the sands. Then Arthur went to the bank and looked in, and saw no earthly creature therein.

  ‘Sirs,’ said the King, ‘come thence, and let us see what is in this ship.’

  So at the last they went into the ship all three, and found it richly behung with cloth of silk. So by that time it was dark night, there suddenly was about them a hundred torches set upon all the ship-boards, and it gave great light. And therewith there came twelve fair damosels and saluted King Arthur on their knees, and called him by his name, and said he was right welcome, and such cheer as they had he should have of the best. Then the King thanked them fair. Therewith they led the King and his fellows into a fair chamber, and there was a cloth laid richly beseen of all that longed unto a table,* and there were they served of all wines and meats that they could think of. But of that the King had great marvel, for he never fared better in his life as for one supper.

  And so when they had supped at their leisure, King Arthur was led into a chamber—a richer beseen chamber saw he never none. And so was King Uriens served, and led into such another chamber; and Sir Accolon was led into the third chamber passing richly and well beseen. And so they were laid in their beds easily, and anon they fell asleep and slept marvellously sore* all the night.

  And on the morn King Uriens was in Camelot abed in his wife’s arms, Morgan le Fay. And when he woke he had great marvel how he came there, for on the even before he was two days’ journey from Camelot. And when King Arthur awoke he found himself in a dark prison, hearing about him many complaints of woeful knights.

  ‘What are ye that so complain?’ said King Arthur.

  [7]

  ‘We be here twenty knights, prisoners, and some of us have lain here eight year, and some more and some less.’

  ‘For what cause?’ said Arthur.

  ‘We shall tell you,’ said the knights. ‘This lord of this castle, his name is Sir Damas; and he is the falsest knight that liveth and full of treason, and a very coward as liveth. And he hath a younger brother, a good knight of prowess; his name is Sir Outlake. And this traitor Damas, the elder brother, will give him no part of his lands, but as* Sir Outlake keepeth through prowess of his hands; and so he keepeth from him a full fair manor and a rich, and therein Sir Outlake dwelleth worshipfully, and is well beloved with all people. And this Sir Damas our master is as evil beloved, for he is without mercy, and he is a coward, and great war hath been betwixt them. But Outlake hath ever the better, and ever he proffereth Sir Damas to fight for the livelihood, body for body, but he will not of it; or else to find a knight to fight for him. Unto that Sir Damas hath granted, to find a knight, but he is so evil beloved and hated that there is no knight will fight for him. And when Damas saw this, that there was never a knight would fight for him, he hath daily lain await with many a knight with him, and taken all the knights in this country to see and espy their adventures; he hath taken them by force and brought them to his prison. And so he took us severally* as we rode on our adventures; and many good knights have died in this prison for hunger, to the number of eighteen knights. And if any of us all that here is, or hath been, would have fought with his brother Outlake, he would have delivered us. But for because this Damas is so false and so full of treason we would never fight for him to die for it. And we be so meagre for hunger that uneath* we may stand on our feet. God deliver you, for His great mercy!’

  Anon withal there came a damosel unto Arthur, and asked him what cheer.

  ‘I cannot say,’ said Arthur.

  ‘Sir,’ said she, ‘and ye will fight for my lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never with the life.’

  ‘Now,’ said Arthur, ‘that is hard, yet had I liever to fight with a knight than to die in prison. With this,’* said Arthur, ‘I may be delivered and all these prisoners, I will do the battle.’

  ‘Yes,’ said the damosel.

  ‘Then I am ready,’ said Arthur, ‘and I had horse and armour.’

  ‘Ye shall lack none,’ said the damosel.

  ‘Me seemeth, damosel, I should have seen you in the court of Arthur.’

  ‘Nay,’ said the damosel, ‘I came never there. I am the lord’s daughter of this castle.’ Yet was she false, for she was one of the damosels of Morgan le Fay.

  Anon she went unto Sir Damas, and told him how he would do battle for him; and so he sent for Arthur. And when he came, he was well coloured and well made of his limbs, that all knights that saw him said it were pity that such a knight should die in prison. So Sir Damas and he were agreed that he should fight for him upon this covenant, that all the other knights should be delivered; and unto that was Sir Damas sworn unto Arthur, and also he to do the battle to the uttermost. And with that all the twenty knights were brought out of the dark prison into the hall and delivered, and so they all abode to see the battle.

  [8]

  Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that when he awoke he found him-self by a deep well’s side, within half a foot, in great peril of death. And there came out of that fountain a pipe of silver, and out of that pipe ran water all on high in a stone of marble. When Sir Accolon saw this, he blessed him and said, ‘Jesu save my lord King Arthur and King Uriens, for these damosels in this ship have betrayed us—they were fiends and no women, and if I may escape this misadventure I shall destroy them all that I may find of these false damosels that fare thus with their enchantments.’

  And right with that there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose, and saluted Sir Accolon, and told him how he came from Queen Morgan le Fay. ‘And she greets you well, and biddeth you be of strong heart, for ye shall fight tomorrow with a knight at the hour of prime. And therefore she hath sent thee Excalibur, Arthur’s sword, and the scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her that ye do that battle to the uttermost, without any mercy, like as ye promised her when ye spoke last together in private. And what damosel that bringeth her the knight’s head, which ye shall fight withal, she will make her a queen.’

  ‘Now I understand you,’ said Accolon, ‘I shall hold that I have promised her now I have the sword. Sir, when saw ye my lady Morgan le Fay?’

  ‘Right late,’ said the dwarf.

  Then Accolon took him in his arms and said, ‘Recommend me unto my lady the queen, and tell her all shall be done that I promised her, and else I will die for it. Now I suppose,’ said Accolon, ‘she hath made all these crafts and enchantment for this battle.’

  ‘Sir, ye may well believe it,’ said the dwarf.

  Right so there came a knight and a lady with six squires, and saluted Accolon, and prayed him to arise, and come and rest him at his manor. And so Accolon mounted upon a void* horse and went with the knight unto a fair manor by a priory; and there he had passing good cheer.

  Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Outlake, and bade make him ready by tomorrow at the hour of prime, and to be in the field to fight with a good knight, for he had found a knight that was ready to do battle at all points. When this word came to Sir Outlake he was passing heavy, for he was wounded a little before through both his thighs with a glaive,* and he made great dole; but as he was, wounded, he would have taken the battle on hand.

  So it happed at that time, by the means of Morgan le Fay, Accolon was lodged with Sir Outlake. And when he heard of that battle, and how Outlake was wounded, he said that he would fight for him, because that Morgan le Fay had sent him Excalibur and the sheath for to fight with the knight on the morn. This was the cause Sir Accolon took the battle upon him. Then Sir Outlake was passing glad, and thanked Sir Accolon with all his heart that he would do so much for him. And therewith Sir Outlake sent unto his brother Sir Damas that he had a knight ready that should fight with him in the field by the hour of prime.

  So on the morn Sir Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir Damas, ‘When shall we to the field?’

  ‘Sir,’ said
Sir Damas, ‘ye shall hear Mass.’

  And so Arthur heard a Mass; and when Mass was done there came a squire and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready, ‘for our knight is ready in the field.’

  Then Sir Arthur mounted upon horseback; and there were all the knights and commons of that country, and so by all their advice there were chosen twelve good men of the country for to wait upon the two knights. And right as Arthur was on horseback there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir Arthur a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur, ‘She sends here your sword for great love.’ And he thanked her, and weened it had been so; but she was false, for the sword and the scabbard was counterfeit, and brittle, and false.

  [9]

  Then they dressed them on two parts of the field, and let their horses run so fast that either smote other in the midst of the shield; and their spears held, that both horse and man went to the earth. And then they started up both, and pulled out their swords.

  The meanwhile that they were thus at the battle, came the Damosel of the Lake into the field, that put Merlin under the stone; and she came thither for the love of King Arthur; for she knew how Morgan le Fay had ordained, for Arthur should have been slain that day, and therefore she came to save his life.

  And so they went eagerly to the battle, and gave many great strokes. But always Arthur’s sword bit not like Accolon’s sword; and for the most part, every stroke that Accolon gave, he wounded Sir Arthur sore, that it was marvel he stood, and always his blood fell from him fast. When Arthur beheld the ground so sore be-bled he was dismayed, and then he deemed treason that his sword was changed; for his sword bit not steel as it was wont to do, therefore he dread him sore to be dead, for ever him seemed that the sword in Accolon’s hand was Excalibur, for at every stroke that Accolon struck he drew blood on Arthur.*