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

by Malory, Thomas

  ‘It may be so,’ said the King, ‘but thereof saw we none, save that same day that he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse full well and richly beseen; and thereat all we had marvel from whence that riches came. Then we deemed all that he was come of men of worship.’

  ‘Brother,’ said the queen, ‘all that ye say we believe it, for ever sithen he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and true of his promise. But I marvel,’ said she, ‘that Sir Kay did mock and scorn him, and gave him to name Beaumains; yet Sir Kay’, said the queen, ‘named him more righteously than he weened; for I dare say he is as fair a handed man, and he be alive, as any living.’

  ‘Sister,’ said Arthur, ‘let this language now be still, and by the grace of God he shall be found and he be within these seven realms. And let all this pass, and be merry, for he is proved a man of worship, and that is my joy.’

  [26/7]

  Then said Sir Gawain and his brethren unto King Arthur, ‘Sir, and ye will give us leave, we will go seek our brother.’

  ‘Nay,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that shall not need.’ And so said Sir Baudwin of Britain: ‘for as by our advice, the King shall send unto Dame Lyonesse a messenger and pray her that she will come to the court in all haste that she may, and doubt ye not she will come; and then she may give you the best counsel where ye shall find Sir Gareth.’

  ‘This is well said of you,’ said the King.

  So then goodly letters were made, and the messenger sent forth, that went night and day till he came to the Castle Perilous. And then the lady Dame Lyonesse was sent for, there as she was with Sir Gringamore her brother and Sir Gareth. And when she understood this messenger, she bade him ride on his way unto King Arthur, and she would come after in all the most goodly haste. Then she came unto Sir Gringamore and to Sir Gareth, and told them all how King Athur had sent for her.

  ‘That is because of me,’ said Sir Gareth.

  ‘Now advise ye me,’ said Dame Lyonesse, ‘what I shall say, and in what manner I shall rule me.’

  ‘My lady and my love,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘I pray you in no wise be ye knowing where I am. But well I wot my mother is there and all my brethren, and they will take upon them to seek me; I will that they do. But this, madam, I will ye say and advise the King when he questions with you of me: then may ye say this is your advice, that and it like his good grace, ye will do make a cry* against the Assumption of Our Lady,* that what knight that proveth him best, he shall wield you and all your land. And if so be that he be a wedded man that wins the degree, he shall have a coronal of gold set with stones of virtue to the value of a thousand pounds, and a white gerfalcon.’

  So Dame Lyonesse departed. And to brief this tale: when she came to King Arthur she was nobly received, and there she was sore questioned of the King, and of the Queen of Orkney. And she answered, where Sir Gareth was she could not tell. But this much she said unto King Arthur: ‘Sir, by your advice I will let cry a tournament that shall be done before my castle at the Assumption of Our Lady, and the cry shall be this: that you, my lord Arthur, shall be there, and your knights, and I will purvey that my knights shall be against yours; and then I am sure I shall hear of Sir Gareth.’

  ‘This is well advised,’ said King Arthur.

  And so she departed; and the King and she made great provision to the tournament.

  When Dame Lyonesse was come to the Isle of Avilion—that was the same isle there as her brother Sir Gringamore dwelled—then she told them all how she had done, and what promise she had made to King Arthur.

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘I have been so sore wounded with unhappiness* sithen I came into this castle that I shall not be able to do at that tournament like a knight; for I was never thoroughly whole since I was hurt.’

  ‘Be ye of good cheer,’ said the damosel Lyonet, ‘for I undertake within these fifteen days to make you as whole and as lusty as ever ye were.’

  And then she laid an ointment and salve to him as it pleased her, that he was never so fresh nor so lusty as he was then.

  Then said the damosel Lyonet, ‘Send you unto Sir Persant of Inde, and summon him that he be ready there with his whole summons of knights like as he made his promise. Also, that ye send unto Ironside that is Knight of the Red Launds, and charge him that he be there with you with his whole sum of knights, and then shall ye be able to match with King Arthur and his knights.’

  So this was done, and all the knights were sent for unto the Castle Perilous.

  [The tournament is announced, and many knights prepare to come.]

  [27/8]

  Now let us speak of the great array that was made within the castle and about the castle; for this lady Dame Lyonesse ordained great array upon her part for her noble knights, for all manner of lodging and victual that came by land and by water, that there lacked nothing for her party nor for the other party; but there was plenty to be had for gold and silver for King Arthur and all his knights. And then there came the harbingers* from King Arthur for to harbour him and his kings, dukes, earls, barons, and knights.

  Then Sir Gareth prayed Dame Lyonesse and the Red Knight of the Red Launds, and Sir Persant and his brethren and Sir Gringamore, that in no wise there should none of them tell his name, and make no more of him than of the least knight that there was, ‘for,’ he said, ‘I will not be known of neither more nor less, neither at the beginning nor at the ending.’

  Then Dame Lyonesse said unto Sir Gareth, ‘Sir, I would leave with you a ring of mine; but I would pray you, as ye love me heartily, let me have it again when the tournament is done, for that ring increaseth my beauty much more than it is of myself. And the virtue of my ring is this: that that is green it will turn to red, and that that is red will turn in likeness to green, and that that is blue will turn to white, and that that is white will in likeness to blue, and so it will do of all manner of colours; also who that beareth this ring shall lose no blood. And for great love I will give you this ring.’

  ‘Gramercy,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘mine own lady, for this ring is passing meet for me; for it will turn all manner of likeness that I am in, and that shall cause me that I shall not be known.’

  Then Sir Gringamore gave Sir Gareth a bay courser that was a passing good horse; also he gave him good armour and sure, and a noble sword that sometime Sir Gringamore’s father won upon a heathen tyrant. And so thus every knight made him ready to that tournament.

  And King Arthur was come two days before the Assumption of Our Lady. And there was all manner of royalty, of all manner of minstrelsy that might be found. Also there came Queen Guenivere and the Queen of Orkney, Sir Gareth’s mother.

  And upon the Assumption Day, when Mass and matins was done, there were heralds with trumpets commanded to blow to the field. And so there came out Sir Epinogris, the king’s son of Northumberland, from the castle, and there encountered with him Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and either of them broke their spears to their hands. And then came in Sir Palomides out of the castle, and there encountered with him Sir Gawain, and either of them smote other so hard that both good knights and their horses fell to the earth. And then the knights of either party rescued other.*

  And then came in the Red Knight of the Red Launds and Sir Gareth from the castle, and there encountered with them Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Bleoberis. And there the Red Knight and Sir Bors smote other so hard that their spears brast and their horses fell grovelling to the earth. Then Sir Blamor broke another spear upon Sir Gareth, but of that stroke Sir Blamor fell to the earth.

  That saw Sir Galihodin, and bade Sir Gareth keep him; and Sir Gareth smote him anon to the earth. Then Sir Galihud got a spear to avenge his brother, and in the same wise Sir Gareth served him. And in the same manner Sir Gareth served Sir Dinadan and his brother, Sir La Cote Mai Taillé, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and Sir Dodinas le Savage. All these knights he bore down with one spear.

  When King Angwish of Irela
nd saw Sir Gareth fare so, he marvelled what knight he was; for at one time he seemed green, and another time at his again coming he seemed blue. And thus at every course that he rode to and fro he changed white to red and black, that there might neither king nor knight have ready cognizance of him.

  ‘So God me help,’ said King Arthur, ‘that same knight with the many colours is a good knight.’ Wherefore the King called unto him Sir Lancelot and prayed him to encounter with that knight.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I may well find in my heart for to forbear him as at this time, for he hath had travail enough this day. And when a good knight doth so well upon some day, it is no good knight’s part to let him of his worship,* and namely when he seeth a good knight hath done so great labour. For peradventure,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘his quarrel is here this day, and peradventure he is best beloved with this lady of all that be here; for I see well he paineth him and enforceth him to do great deeds. And therefore,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘as for me, this day he shall have the honour; though it lay in my power to put him from it, yet would I not.’

  [29/30]

  Then when this was done there was drawing of swords, and then there began a sore tournament. And there did Sir Lamorak marvellous deeds of arms; and betwixt Sir Lamorak and Sir Ironside, that was the Red Knight of the Red Launds, there was a strong battle. Then came in Sir Lancelot, and he smote Sir Tarquin and he him; and then came in Sir Carados his brother, and both at once they assailed him, and he as the most noblest knight of the world worshipfully fought with them both and held them hot, that all men wondered of the noblesse of Sir Lancelot.

  And then came in Sir Gareth, and knew that it was Sir Lancelot that fought with those perilous knights, and parted them in sunder; and no stroke would he smite Sir Lancelot. That espied Sir Lancelot, and deemed it should be the good knight Sir Gareth. And then Sir Gareth rode here and there, and smote on the right hand and on the left hand, that all folks might well espy where that he rode. And by fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawain, and there he put him to the worse, for he put off his helm; and so he served five or six knights of the Round Table, that all men said he put him in most pain, and best he did his devoir.* For when Sir Tristram beheld him how he first jousted and after fought so well with a sword, then he rode unto Sir Ironside and to Sir Persant of Inde, and asked them by their faith, ‘What manner a knight yonder knight is that seemeth in so many divers colours? Truly, me seemeth’, said Sir Tristram, ‘that he putteth himself in great pain, for he never ceaseth.’

  ‘Wot ye not what he is?’ said Ironside.

  ‘No,’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Then shall ye know that this is he that loveth the lady of the castle, and she him again; and this is he that won me when I besieged the lady of this castle; and this is he that won Sir Persant of Inde and his three brethren.’

  ‘What is his name,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and of what blood is he come?’

  ‘Sir, he was called in the court of King Arthur Beaumains; but his right name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, brother unto Sir Gawain.’

  ‘By my head,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘he is a good knight, and a big man of arms; and if he be young he shall prove a full noble knight.’

  ‘Sir, he is but a child,’ he said, ‘and of Sir Lancelot he was made knight.’

  ‘Therefore is he much the better,’ said Sir Tristram.

  And then Sir Tristram, Sir Ironside, Sir Persant, and his brethren rode together for to help Sir Gareth; and then there were many sad strokes.

  And then Sir Gareth rode out on the one side to amend his helm. Then said his dwarf, ‘Take* me your ring, that ye lose it not while that ye drink.’ And so when he had drunk, he got on his helm and eagerly took his horse and rode into the field, and left his ring with his dwarf; and the dwarf was glad the ring was from him, for then he wist well he should be known.

  [30/1]

  And when Sir Gareth was in the field, all folks saw him well and plainly that he was in yellow colours. And there he rased off helms and pulled down knights, that King Arthur had marvel what knight he was, for the King saw by his horse that it was the same knight, ‘but before he was in so many colours, and now he is but in one colour, and that is yellow. Now go,’ said King Arthur unto divers heralds, and bade them ride about him, ‘and espy if ye can see what manner of knight he is; for I have spered* of many knights this day that is upon his party, and all say they know him not.’

  But at the last a herald rode nigh Sir Gareth as he could; and there he saw written about his helm in gold, saying, ‘This helm is Sir Gareth’s of Orkney.’ Then the herald cried as he were wood, and many heralds with him: ‘This is Sir Gareth of Orkney in the yellow arms!’ Thereby all the kings and knights of King Arthur’s party beheld and awaited, and then they pressed all to behold him, and ever the heralds cried and said, ‘This is Sir Gareth, King Lot’s son of Orkney!’

  And when Sir Gareth espied that he was discovered, then he doubled his strokes and smote down there Sir Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawain.

  ‘Ah, brother,’ said Sir Gawain, ‘I weened ye would not have smitten me so.’*

  When he heard him say so he thrang* here and there, and so with great pain he got out of the press, and there he met with his dwarf.

  ‘Ah, boy,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘thou hast beguiled me foul this day of my ring. Give it me fast, that I may hide my body withal.’ And so he took* it him, and then they all wist not where he was become.

  And Sir Gawain had in manner espied where Sir Gareth rode, and then he rode after with all his might. That espied Sir Gareth and rode wightly* into the forest; for all that Sir Gawain could do, he wist not where he was become. And when Sir Gareth wist that Sir Gawain was passed, he asked the dwarf of best counsel.

  ‘Sir,’ said the dwarf, ‘me seemeth it were best, now that ye are escaped from spying, that ye send my lady Dame Lyonesse of the castle her ring.’

  ‘It is well advised,’ said Sir Gareth. ‘Now have it here and bear it her, and say that I recommend me unto her good grace; and say her I will come when I may, and pray her to be true and faithful to me as I will be to her.’

  ‘Sir,’ said the dwarf, ‘it shall be done as ye command.’ And so he rode his way, and did his errand unto the lady.

  Then said she, ‘Where is my knight, Sir Gareth?’

  ‘Madam, he bade me say that he would not be long from you.’

  And so lightly the dwarf came again unto Sir Gareth, that would full fain have had a lodging, for he had need to be reposed. And then fell there a thunder and a rain, as heaven and earth should go together. And Sir Gareth was not a little weary, for of all that day he had but little rest, neither his horse nor he.

  [Gareth proceeds to have various adventures in the forest.]

  [33/4]

  And as Sir Gareth stood he saw an armed knight on horseback coming toward him. Then Sir Gareth mounted upon horseback, and so with out any words they ran together as thunder. And there that knight hurt Sir Gareth under the side with his spear; and then they alit and drew their swords and gave great strokes, that the blood trailed down to the ground, and so they fought two hours. So at the last there came the damosel Lyonet, that some men call the Damosel Savage, and she came riding upon an ambling mule; and there she cried all on high, ‘Sir Gawain, leave thy fighting with thy brother Sir Gareth!’

  And when he heard her say so, he threw away his shield and his sword, and ran to Sir Gareth and took him in his arms, and sithen kneeled down and asked him mercy.

  ‘What are ye,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘that right now were so strong and so mighty, and now so suddenly is yielded to me?’

  ‘Ah, Sir Gareth, I am your brother Sir Gawain, that for your sake have had great labour and travail.’

  Then Sir Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled down to him and asked him mercy. Then they arose both, and embraced either other in their arms, and wept a great while or they might speak; and either of them gave other the prize of the battle, and there were many kind
words between them.

  ‘Alas, my fair brother,’ said Sir Gawain, ‘I ought of right to worship you and ye were not my brother;* for ye have worshipped* King Arthur and all his court, for ye have sent more worshipful knights this twelvemonth than five the best of the Round Table have done, except Sir Lancelot.’

  Then came the lady Savage that was the lady Lyonet that rode with Sir Gareth so long; and there she did staunch Sir Gareth’s wounds and Sir Gawain’s.

  ‘Now what will ye do?’ said the damosel Savage. ‘Me seemeth that it were best that King Arthur had witting of you both, for your horses are so bruised that they may not bear.’

  ‘Now, fair damosel,’ said Sir Gawain, ‘I pray you ride unto my lord, my uncle King Arthur, and tell him what adventure is betid* me here, and I suppose he will not tarry long.’

  Then she took her mule and lightly she rode to King Arthur, that was but two mile thence. And when she had told her tidings to the King, the King bade, ‘Get me a palfrey.’ And when he was on horseback he bade the lords and ladies come after and they would; and there was saddling and bridling of queens’ and princes’ horses, and well was he that soonest might be ready.

  So when the King came there, he saw Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth sit upon a little hillside. Then the King avoided his horse, and when he came nigh to Sir Gareth he would have spoken and might not; and therewith he sank down in a swoon for gladness. And so they started unto their uncle, and required him of his good grace to be of good comfort. Wit you well the King made great joy, and many a piteous complaint he made to Sir Gareth, and ever he wept as he had been a child.

  So with this came his mother, the Queen of Orkney, Dame Morgause; and when she saw Sir Gareth readily in the visage she might not weep, but suddenly fell down in a swoon, and lay there a great while like as she had been dead. And then Sir Gareth recomforted her in such wise that she recovered and made good cheer.