‘Sir,’ said Sir Castor, ‘it may well be so. But ever me seemeth your name should be Sir Lancelot du Lake, for or now I have seen you.’
‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘ye are not gentle; for I put a case that my name were Sir Lancelot and that it list me not to discover my name, what should it grieve you here to keep my counsel, and ye not hurt thereby? But wit you well, and ever it lie in my power, I shall grieve you and ever I meet with you in my way.’
Then Sir Castor kneeled down and besought Sir Lancelot of mercy, ‘for I shall never utter what ye be while that ye are in these parts.’ Then Sir Lancelot pardoned him.
And so King Pelles with twenty knights and Dame Elaine with her twenty ladies rode unto the castle of Bliant, that stood in an island beclosed environ* with a fair water deep and large. And when they were there Sir Lancelot let call it the Joyous Isle; and there was he called none otherwise but Le Chevaler Malfait, ‘the knight that hath trespassed’.
Then Sir Lancelot let make him a shield all of sable, and a queen crowned in the midst of silver, and a knight clean armed kneeling before her. And every day once, for any mirths that all the ladies might make him, he would once every day look toward the realm of Logris, where King Arthur and Queen Guenivere was; and then would he fall upon a weeping as his heart should to-brast.
So it befell that time Sir Lancelot heard of a jousting fast by, within three leagues. Then he called unto him a dwarf, and he bade him go unto that jousting: ‘And or ever the knights depart, look that thou make there a cry in hearing of all knights, that there is one knight in Joyous Isle, which is the castle of Bliant, and say that his name is Le Chevaler Malfait, that will joust against knights all that will come. And who that putteth that knight to the worse, he shall have a fair maiden and a gerfalcon.’
[7]
So when this cry was cried, unto Joyous Isle drew the number of five hundred knights. And wit you well, there was never seen in King Arthur’s days one knight that did so much deeds of arms as Sir Lancelot did three days together; for as the book maketh truly mention, he had the better of all the five hundred knights, and there was not one slain of them. And after that Sir Lancelot made them all a great feast.
And in the meanwhile came Sir Percival de Gales and Sir Ector de Maris under that castle which was called the Joyous Isle. And as they beheld that gay castle they would have gone to that castle, but they might not for the broad water, and bridge could they find none. Then were they ware on the other side where stood a lady with a sparrowhawk on her hand, and Sir Percival called unto her and asked that lady who was in that castle.
‘Fair knights,’ she said, ‘here within this castle is the fairest lady in this land, and her name is Dame Elaine. Also we have in this castle one of the fairest knights and the mightiest man that is I dare say living, and he calleth himself Le Chevaler Malfait.’
‘How came he into these marches?’ said Sir Percival.
‘Truly,’ said the damosel, ‘he came into this country like a mad man, with dogs and boys chasing him through the city of Corbin, and by the holy vessel of the Sangrail he was brought into his wit again. But he will not do battle with no knight but by undern or noon. And if ye list to come into the castle,’ said the lady, ‘ye must ride unto the further side of the castle, and there shall ye find a vessel that will bear you and your horse.’
Then they departed, and came unto the vessel. And then Sir Percival alit, and said unto Sir Ector de Maris, ‘Ye shall abide me here until that I wit what manner a knight he is; for it were shame unto us, inasmuch as he is but one knight, and we should both do battle with him.’
‘Do as ye list,’ said Sir Ector, ‘and here I shall abide you until that I hear of you.’
Then passed Sir Percival the water, and when he came to the castle gate he said unto the porter, ‘Go thou to the good knight of this castle, and tell him here is come an errant knight to joust with him.’
Then the porter yode in and came again, and bade him ride ‘into the common place there as the jousting shall be, where lords and ladies may behold you’.
And so anon as Sir Lancelot had a warning he was soon ready, and there Sir Percival and Sir Lancelot were come both. They encountered with such a might, and their spears were so rude,* that both the horses and the knights fell to the ground. Then they avoided their horses and flung out their noble swords, and hewed away many cantles* of their shields, and so hurtled together like two boars, and either wounded other passing sore. And so at the last Sir Percival spoke first, when they had fought there long, more than two hours.
‘Now, fair knight,’ said Sir Percival, ‘I require you of your knight-hood to tell me your name, for I met never with such another knight.’
‘Sir, as for my name,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I will not hide it from you, but my name is Le Chevaler Malfait. Now tell me your name,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I require you.’
‘Truly,’ said Sir Percival, ‘my name is Sir Percival de Gales, that was brother unto the good knight Sir Lamorak de Gales; and King Pellinore was our father, and Sir Agloval is my brother.’
‘Alas,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘what have I done to fight with you, which are a knight of the Table Round?—and some time I was your fellow.’
[8]
And therewith Sir Lancelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw away his shield and his sword from him. When Sir Percival saw him do so, he marvelled what he meant, and then he said thus: ‘Sir knight, whatsoever ye be, I require you upon the high order of knighthood to tell me your true name.’
Then he answered and said, ‘So God me help, my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake, King Ban’s son of Benwick.’
‘Alas,’ then said Sir Percival, ‘what have I now done? For I was sent by the Queen for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh these two years; and yonder is Sir Ector de Maris, your brother, which abideth me on the yonder side of the water. And therefore, for God’s sake,’ said Sir Percival, ‘forgive me my offences that I have here done.’
‘Sir, it is soon forgiven,’ said Sir Lancelot.
Then Sir Percival sent for Sir Ector de Maris, and when Sir Lancelot had a sight of him, he ran unto him and took him in his arms; and then Sir Ector kneeled down, and either wept upon other, that all men had pity to behold them.
Then came forth Dame Elaine; and she made them great cheer as might be made. And there she told Sir Ector and Sir Percival how and in what manner Sir Lancelot came into that country, and how he was healed. And there it was known how long Sir Lancelot was with Sir Bliant and with Sir Selivant, and how he first met with them, and departed from them because he was hurt with a boar; and how the hermit healed him of his great wound, and how that he came to the city of Corbin.*
[9]
So it befell on a day that Sir Ector and Sir Percival came unto Sir Lancelot and asked of him what he would do, and whether he would go with them unto King Arthur.
‘Nay,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that may I not do by no means, for I was so vengeably defended* the court that I cast me* never to come there more.’
‘Sir,’ said Sir Ector, ‘I am your brother, and ye are the man in the world that I love most; and if I understood that it were your disworship, ye may understand I would never counsel you thereto. But King Arthur and all his knights, and in especial Queen Guenivere, maketh such dole and sorrow for you that it is marvel to hear and see. And ye must remember the great worship and renown that ye be of, how that ye have been more spoken of than any other knight that is now living; for there is none that beareth the name now but ye and Sir Tristram. And therefore, brother,’ said Sir Ector, ‘make you ready to ride to the court with us. And I dare say and make it good,’ said Sir Ector, ‘it hath cost my lady the queen twenty thousand pound the seeking of you.’*
‘Well, brother,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I will do after your counsel, and ride with you.’
So then they took their horses and made ready, and anon they took their leave at King Pelles and at Dame Elaine. And when Sir Lancelot should depa
rt, Dame Elaine made great sorrow.
‘My lord, Sir Lancelot,’ said Dame Elaine, ‘this same feast of Pentecost shall your son and mine, Galahad, be made knight, for he is fully now fifteen winters old.’
‘Madam, do as ye list,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘and God give him grace to prove a good knight.’
‘As for that,’ said Dame Elaine, ‘I doubt not he shall prove the best man of his kin, except one.’*
‘Then shall he be a good man enough,’ said Sir Lancelot.
[10]
So anon they departed, and within fifteen days’ journey they came unto Camelot, that is in English called Winchester. And when Sir Lancelot was come among them, the King and all the knights made great joy of his homecoming. And there Sir Percival and Sir Ector de Maris began and told the whole adventures: how Sir Lancelot had been out of his mind in the time of his absence, and how he called himself Le Chevaler Malfait, the knight that had trespassed; and in three days within Joyous Isle Sir Lancelot smote down five hundred knights. And ever as Sir Ector and Sir Percival told these tales of Sir Lancelot, Queen Guenivere wept as she should have died. Then the Queen made him great cheer.
‘Ah, Jesu,’ said King Arthur, ‘I marvel for what cause ye, Sir Lancelot, went out of your mind. For I and many other deem it was for the love of fair Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles, by whom ye are noised that ye have begotten a child, and his name is Galahad; and men say that he shall do many marvellous things.’
‘My lord,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘if I did any folly, I have that I sought.’*
And therewith the King spoke no more. But all Sir Lancelot’s kin knew for whom he went out of his mind.
And then there was made great feasts, and great joy was there among them; and all lords and ladies made great joy when they heard how Sir Lancelot was come again unto the court.
Of Sir Tristram and of Sir Palomides*
[11]
Now will we leave off this matter, and speak we of Sir Tristram, and of Sir Palomides that was the Saracen unchristened.
When Sir Tristram was come home unto Joyous Gard from his adventures (and all this while that Sir Lancelot was thus missed, two years and more, Sir Tristram bore the bruit* and renown through all the realm of Logris, and many strange adventures befell him, and full well and worshipfully he brought them to an end), so when he was come home La Belle Isode told him of the great feast that should be at Pentecost next following. And there she told him how Sir Lancelot had been missed two years, and all that while he had been out of his mind, and how he was helped by the holy vessel of the Sangrail.
‘Alas,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘That caused some debate betwixt him and Queen Guenivere.’
‘Sir,’ said Dame Isode, ‘I know it all, for Queen Guenivere sent me a letter all how it was done, for because I should require you to seek him. And now, blessed be God,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘he is whole and sound and come again to the court.’
‘Ah, Jesu, thereof am I fain,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘And now shall ye and I make us ready, for both ye and I will be at that feast.’
‘Sir,’ said Dame Isode, ‘and it please you, I will not be there, for through me ye be marked of many good knights, and that causeth you to have much more labour for my sake than needeth you to have.’
‘Then will I not be there,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘but if ye be there.’
‘God defend,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘for then shall I be spoken of shame among all queens and ladies of estate; for ye that are called one of the noblest knights of the world, and a knight of the Round Table, how may ye be missed at that feast? For what shall be said of you among all knights? “Ah, see how Sir Tristram hunteth, and hawketh, and cowereth within a castle with his lady, and forsaketh us. Alas,” shall some say, “it is pity that ever he was made knight, or ever he should have the love of a lady.” Also, what shall queens and ladies say of me? It is pity that I have my life, that I would hold so noble a knight as ye are from his worship.’*
‘So God me help,’ said Sir Tristram unto La Belle Isode, ‘it is passingly well said of you, and nobly counselled! And now I well understand that ye love me, and like as ye have counselled me I will do a part thereafter; but there shall no man nor child ride with me, but myself alone. And so I will ride on Tuesday next coming, and no more harness of war but my spear and my sword.’
And so when the day came Sir Tristram took his leave at La Belle Isode, and she sent with him four knights, and within half a mile he sent them again. And within a mile way after, Sir Tristram saw before him where Sir Palomides had struck down a knight, and almost wounded him to the death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not armed, and therewith he hoved still. And anon as Sir Palomides saw Sir Tristram he cried on high, ‘Sir Tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we shall redress all our old sores!’
‘As for that,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘there was never yet no Christian man that ever might make his boast that ever I fled from him. And wit ye well, Sir Palomides, thou that art a Saracen shall never make thy boast that ever Sir Tristram de Lyonesse shall flee from thee.’
And therewith Sir Tristram made his horse to run, and with all his might he came straight upon Sir Palomides and brast his spear upon him in a hundred pieces; and forthwith Sir Tristram drew his sword, and then he turned his horse and struck together six strokes upon his helm. And then Sir Palomides stood still and beheld Sir Tristram, and marvelled greatly at his woodness and of his folly.
And then Sir Palomides said unto himself, ‘And this Sir Tristram were armed, it were hard to cease him from his battle; and if I turn again and slay him, I am shamed wheresoever I go.’
Then Sir Tristram spoke and said, ‘Thou coward knight, what casteth thou to do? and why wilt thou not do battle with me? For have thou no doubt I shall endure thee and all thy malice.’
‘Ah, Sir Tristram,’ said Palomides, ‘full well thou wotest I may not have ado with thee for shame, for thou art here naked and I am armed; and if that I slay thee, dishonour shall be mine. And well thou wotest,’ said Sir Palomides unto Sir Tristram, ‘I know thy strength and thy hardiness to endure against a good knight.’
‘That is truth,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘I understand thy valiantness.’
‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Palomides. ‘Now, I require you, tell me a question that I shall say unto you.’
‘Then tell me what it is,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and I shall answer you of the truth, as God me help.’
‘Sir, I put a case,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘that ye were armed at all rights as well as I am, and I naked as ye be, what would ye do to me now, by your true knighthood?’
‘Ah,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘now I understand thee well, Sir Palomides, for now must I say my own judgement; and as God me bless, that I shall say shall not be said for no fear that I have of thee, Sir Palomides. But this is all: wit thou well, Sir Palomides, as at this time thou shouldst depart from me, for I would not have ado with thee.’
‘No more will I,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘and therefore ride forth on thy way.’
‘As for that,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I may choose either to ride or to abide. But Sir Palomides,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I marvel greatly of one thing, that thou that art so good a knight, that thou wilt not be christened—and thy brother, Sir Safer, hath been christened many a day.’
[13]
‘As for that,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I may not yet be christened for a vow that I have made many years ago, howbeit in my heart and in my soul I have had many a day a good belief in Jesu Christ and his mild mother Mary. But I have but one battle to do, and were that once done I would be baptized.’
‘By my head,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘as for one battle, thou shalt not seek it long! For God defend,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that through my default thou shouldst longer live thus a Saracen. For yonder is a knight that ye have hurt and smitten down: now help me then that I were armed in his armour, and I shall soon fulfil thy vows.’
‘As ye will,’ said Palomides, ‘so sha
ll it be.’
So they rode both unto that knight that sat upon a bank, and then Sir Tristram saluted him, and he weakly saluted him again.
‘Sir knight,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I require you tell me your right name.’
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘my right name is Sir Galleron of Galway, and a knight of the Table Round.’
‘So God me help,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I am right heavy of your hurts. But this is all, I must pray you to lend me your whole armour, for ye see I am unarmed, and I must do battle with this knight.’
‘Sir, ye shall have it with a good will, but ye must beware, for I warn you that knight is a hardy knight as ever I met withal. But, sir,’ said Sir Galleron, ‘I pray you tell me your name, and what is that knight’s name that hath beaten me.’
‘Sir, as for my name, wit you well it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse; and as for him, his name is Sir Palomides, brother unto the good knight Sir Safer, and yet is Sir Palomides unchristened.’
‘Alas,’ said Sir Galleron, ‘that is great pity that so good a knight and so noble a man of arms should be unchristened.’
‘So God me help,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘either he shall slay me or I him, but that he shall be christened or ever we depart in sunder.’
‘My lord Sir Tristram,’ said Sir Galleron, ‘your renown and worship is well known through many realms, and God save you this day from senship* and shame!’
[14]
Then Sir Tristram unarmed Sir Galleron, the which was a noble knight, and had done many deeds of arms; and he was a large knight of flesh and bone. And when he was unarmed he stood on his feet, for he was sore bruised in the back with a spear; yet as well as Sir Galleron might, he armed Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram mounted upon his horse, and in his hand he got Sir Galleron’s spear. And therewith Sir Palomides was ready, and so they came hurtling together, and either smote other in midst of their shields; and therewith Sir Palomides’ spear broke, and Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides, horse and man, to the earth. And then Sir Palomides as soon as he might avoided his horse, and dressed his shield and pulled out his sword. That saw Sir Tristram, and therewith he alit and tied his horse to a tree. And then they came together eagerly as two wild boars, and so they lashed together, tracing and traversing as noble men that often had been well proved in battle. But ever Sir Palomides dreaded passing sore the might of Sir Tristram, and therefore he suffered him to breathe him, and thus they fought more than two hours; but oftentimes Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palomides that he made him to kneel. And Sir Palomides brake and cut many pieces of Sir Tristram’s shield, and then Sir Palomides wounded Sir Tristram passing sore, for he was a well-fighting man.
Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics) Page 40