by Howard Pyle
Then he put the brim of the flagon to his lips and drank off the entire draught of wine ere he removed it again.
Then King Arthur said, “Let us go visit that wounded knight, for I have something that I would say to him.” So Sir Launcelot and the constable and King Arthur went across the meadow of battle to the pavilion of Sir Mador. And they entered the pavilion and Sir Mador was lying upon a couch and the surgeon was searching his wounds.
King Arthur dismisseth Sir Mador from the court.
King Arthur said to him, “Sir, who besides yourself were the accusers of the Queen?” Sir Mador said, “Lord, I was her only accuser.” The King said, “Thou liest, for there was a conspiracy against her to undo her, and thou wert but the instrument of that conspiracy. I will ask thee no further to betray those who were with thee in this affair. Only I have this to say to thee, that if by to-morrow morning thou art within the purlieus of this court, or if at any future time thou comest into my power again, or if ever I meet thee in battle or out of battle, that time spells for thee thy death. Bear my words well in mind; for though I spare thee this time upon behest of the Queen, yet will I not spare thee again upon the beseeching of anyone in all of the world.”
Sir Mador said very bitterly to the King, “My Lord, thou speakest as a sound man to one who is very grievously wounded and who may not defend himself.” “Not so,” said the King very calmly, “I speak, first of all, as a king to his knight, and next I speak as one knight to another knight who hath wrought him a grievous injury. For thou canst not undo what thou hast done; for thy quarrel hath sowed dissension and evil thought among my entire court, so that I, who was one time loved by my entire court, know not now who are my friends and who mine enemies.” Then the King turned to the constable, and he said, “Lord Constable, thou hearest what I have said. If this man is found hereabouts to-morrow day, cast him immediately into prison and report the same to me. For if after this day he falleth into my power, then he shall himself suffer destruction by the flames, as he would have consigned his own Queen to the flames.”
Thereupon the King turned upon his heel and left Sir Mador de la Porte gnawing his finger nails.
The servant telleth how Sir Pinal placed the apple.
That day the King held a council of his chief lords and subordinate kings. And before this council came that servant who had hidden behind the screen as aforetold of. And this servant told of how he had beheld Sir Pinal place the apple upon the table whereon the feast was to be held. This evidence they all heard and listened to, and when it was ended the King said, “Send for this Sir Pinal and let us hear what he hath to say to this.”
So they sent for Sir Pinal, but he was nowhere to be found, for the Queen’s enemies had told him that that evidence was to be admitted and he had fled away from the court into the wilderness, never to return again.
Yet is the Queen accused by many.
So was the innocence of the Queen proven. But still there were some who disbelieved that evidence, for they said, “See ye not how it is? For first they overthrow Sir Mador and then they drive him away from this court. Then they bring in this evidence to clear the Queen from guilt and they lay that guilt upon poor Sir Pinal, who is not of the Round Table. Thus there is no one to contradict the evidence of this poor knave, and so the Queen is to be cleared of the suspicion of guilt.”
So spake several, and the news of this was brought to the ears of Sir Gawaine. But Sir Gawaine would say no word upon the matter, for whilst he felt bitter enmity toward the Queen, and whilst he suspected the worst things of her, yet he would not give voice to that which he suspected. Neither would he give accusation against her, but went his own way thinking his own thoughts and keeping those thoughts within his own bosom.
Of the dissensions at the court.
Thus have I told you the history of these things as I myself have read of them in the ancient books that treat of them. For this was the first beginning of the end. For now that the Grail had been lifted from the earth, there was naught to hold together the Court of King Arthur as it had been held together before. But each knight began now to think of his own glory and of himself, and not of the glory of the King and the Good of the world.
So now begin we with the history of those dissensions that presently broke forth in the Court of the King.
Chapter Fourth
How there came quarrels at the court, and how Sir Launcelot of the Lake was assaulted by the brothers of Sir Gawaine.
NOW THERE WAS at court at that time much dissension and many angry recriminations back and forth between the one party and the other party. For the one party maintained that the Queen had been ill-used and had suffered much, and would have suffered death, saving only for the defence of Sir Launcelot of the Lake; and the other party maintained that the Queen possessed an evil soul, and that Sir Launcelot was her dishonorable lover and that it was for this reason that he had fought for her.
Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine accuse Sir Launcelot of treason.
Of this latter party were some of the brothers of Sir Gawaine, who were at the head of that party; to wit, there was Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine. These knights spoke very boldly and openly, saying that Sir Launcelot practised treachery with the Queen against the King’s high honor. Sir Agravaine said, “Well is it that Sir Launcelot is the greatest knight now living on the earth (for this is true now that Sir Galahad had departed in glory), yet it is not to be forgotten that he is not greater in his strength than several knights who might come against him at once. So when Sir Launcelot next visits the Queen, if a number of us shall fall upon him, it can scarcely be but that those knights should overcome him, and that so the King’s honor should be revenged.”
Sir Gawaine will not join with them.
Whilst he so spoke, Sir Gawaine sat at one side gnawing his mustache. Then he up and spake, saying, “What is this you would do? Would you practise treachery against Sir Launcelot and against the Queen? God knows I have no love for the Queen, and never have had love for her, but neither would I practise treachery against her, but would assail her openly and against the entire world. As for Sir Launcelot of the Lake; long hath he been my dearest friend and companion at arms; am I then to practise treason against him?” Then turning to Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth, he said, “What say you, my brothers? Speak!” Then Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth said, “What thou sayst, Gawaine, we also say.” And Sir Gareth said upon his part, “I cannot now forget and I can never fail to remember that it was Sir Launcelot of the Lake who made me a knight. Shall I then sit in judgment upon my godfather in knighthood, and undertake to practise evil against him?”
Quoth Sir Mordred, “I say with my brother Agravaine that the Queen is altogether evil and that Sir Launcelot is her lover, and that saying I am ready to maintain to the peril of my life.”
Sir Mordred declares that he will arrest Sir Launcelot.
Said Sir Gawaine, “I pray you tell me; what is it you seek to do?” Him answered Sir Mordred, “We seek to spy upon Sir Launcelot and, when next he visits the Queen in her apartments, we would make assault upon him. When we have thus espied upon him, then we and several others will fall upon him and seize him and hale him before the King for trial.” Said Sir Gawaine, “That is no such easy matter for to do. And when you have done it, it will be but of little avail; for the King will not condemn Sir Launcelot upon such uncertain accusation. For what accusation shall you bring against Sir Launcelot and the Queen that you dare mention to the King?”
Then Sir Mordred made no immediate answer, but when he was come to a place apart from those three, he said to Sir Agravaine, “Sir Launcelot is guilty of thou knowest what treason against the King. Now I told Gawaine that we would arrest him and bring him to the King. What I really purpose is this: that we assault Sir Launcelot in the Queen’s apartments, and that we slay him. For once he is dead the King will quickly forgive us and will believe the Queen to have been guilty, but if Sir Launcelot is alive he will never forgive us. Hah, brother, a dead lio
n is a less dangerous enemy to a man than a living fox. So it were best that Sir Launcelot died.” In this Sir Agravaine agreed with him; so after that they set watch upon Sir Launcelot to take him when next he should visit the Queen. But Sir Launcelot was warned by one who overheard them, and for that while he did not visit the Queen in her apartments.
Sir Mordred betrayeth Sir Launcelot.
So one night Sir Mordred called to him a page of the Queen’s court when the page was passing, and he said to him, “Lanadel” (for such was the page’s name)— “Lanadel, go you to Sir Launcelot of the Lake and tell him that the Queen would fain speak with him in her bower.” Thereupon the page, suspecting no evil, went to Sir Launcelot, and delivered that message to him, and Sir Launcelot, suspecting no evil, fulfilled the terms of that message, and went secretly thither to the Queen’s apartments.
Sir Launcelot goeth to the Queen’s bower.
Finding the Queen there, Sir Launcelot said to her, “Lady, what is it thou wouldst say to me?” She looked upon him in astonishment and said, “Sir, I did not send for you to say anything to you.” Sir Launcelot said, “How is this? Your page, Lanadel, came to me and brought it to me as a message that you would speak to me at this place.” She said, “Launcelot, I sent no such message as that to thee. Yet, in very truth, it hath been long since thou hast been hither to speak to me. Art thou affronted with me, Launcelot?”
He said to her, “Lady, thou knowest that I am not affronted with thee. But there is this: I must consider thine honor and reputation as I do mine own. But, Lady, touching this message of late delivered to me, here is treachery of some sort, for certes that message came to me as from thee, wherefore I know that some treachery is brewing against us, though I know not what that treachery is.”
Now turn we to those enemies of Sir Launcelot to see what they did upon this occasion. For Sir Mordred watched at the entrance of the Queen’s apartments until that he beheld Sir Launcelot enter them. Upon that he ran to Sir Agravaine, and said to him, “Brother, wit ye that Sir Launcelot is at this time in the Queen’s chamber. Let us now make haste to take him.” So those two called about them certain knights who were at enmity with Sir Launcelot, and they said to them, “Gentlemen, let us hasten and take that traitor knight who is even now in the Queen’s bower.”
Now those knights whom they called upon to accompany them were as follows: There were Sir Colgrance and Sir Gingaline, and Sir Melyot of Logris, and Sir Galleron of Galway; there were Sir Melion of the Mountain, and Sir Petypas of Winchelsea; there were Sir Gromer Somerjour and Sir Astamore, Sir Cuselaine, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovel. And these last two were sons to Sir Gawaine.
The Queen is warned.
These eleven knights, together with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, making thirteen in all, went together in a party to the apartments of the Queen. And the ladies of the Queen beheld them coming, and wist that they came for no good purpose. Wherefore these ladies ran screaming and in haste and bolted and barred the door. Then they ran to the Queen’s apartment and they found that Sir Launcelot was there and they cried out, “Lady, arouse you, for your enemies are upon you!”
The thirteen knights challenge Sir Launcelot to appear.
By this those knights were at the door, and Sir Agravaine knocked and cried aloud in a very loud and thunderous voice, “Thou traitor knight! What doest thou here? Why liest thou behind locked doors in the Queen’s apartments? Come forth to us who are thy fellows of the court and of the Round Table, and render an account to us. For we are here to receive thine account!”
These words were uttered so loudly and so powerfully that they echoed and re-echoed throughout that entire part of the castle, and when they struck upon the Queen’s ears, she fell as white as an ash of wood and sank back upon a couch, placing her hand above her heart.
Then Sir Launcelot stood up from where he sat and he cast his eyes around him from side to side, but he could see no armor for defence, and no way of escape. And ever those knights without smote upon the door, and ever Sir Agravaine cried out, “Sir Launcelot of the Lake; what doest thou there in the Queen’s chamber? Come forth and deliver thyself to us.”
Then Sir Launcelot said, “Lady, I prithee tell me, is there ere a suit of armor in this place as I could clothe myself withal?” She said, “Nay, Launcelot, there is no armor in this room.” Then Sir Launcelot said to her, “Then must I defend myself without armor; for I know that these knights have no purpose for to take me prisoner to the King. Otherwise, that which they purpose is to take my life.” Then the Queen sank down terrified upon her knees before him, and said, “Launcelot, go not forth to them, for assuredly they mean thy death.” He said to her, “Lady, I must go; but this I beseech of thee, that thou wilt pray for me. And this also I beseech of thee, that, should I fall in this encounter, thou wilt go with my relatives, Sir Ector and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and Sir Ure, and bid them that they shall take thee to an asylum of refuge at my castle of Joyous Gard. For there is now no safety for thee at this place, and only great and continual dangers. For ever there is growing at this court against thee a rooted jealousy of all that thou sayest or doest, and if so be I lose my life, then these, mine enemies, will overwhelm thee.” Then the Queen wept, and she cried out, “Launcelot! Launcelot! Go not forth to them!”
The thirteen knights threaten to burst in the door.
As thus they spake, those knights without continually beat upon the door, crying ever in louder and more violent tones, “Traitor! Open to us!” And the door was not opened, but remained closed. Then they cast their eyes about and they beheld a great form that stood there in the hall. And Sir Agravaine said to certain of the others, “Bring hither yonder form, and let us beat down the door with it. For thus alone may we hope to come at this traitor!” So they brought that form and they beat with it upon the door, and the door cracked and bent beneath their blows.
Sir Launcelot defendeth himself with a cloak.
Then Sir Launcelot wrapped his cloak about his arm, and he took his sword in his hand, and he said to those who were beating upon the door, “Messire, cease your uproar and I will come forth to you.” Then he turned the key in the lock of the door, and he opened the door a little, but not very far, setting his foot against it lest they should burst it open from without and so rush in, many at once, upon him.
But when the door was opened and they beheld Sir Launcelot standing there without any armor of defence whatsoever saving only the cloak that was wrapped about his arm, they took heart of grace that they should easily overcome him. Then there came forward a tall and very powerful knight, hight Sir Colgrance of Gore, and he struck a terrible strong and powerful blow at Sir Launcelot with intent to hew him down. This blow Sir Launcelot put aside with his sword and immediately delivered a blow in return.
He slayeth Sir Colgrance.
In that blow he smote Sir Colgrance upon the head, and the blow bit through the bascinet upon his head and it smote deep into the bone of the brain so that Sir Colgrance fell down grovelling to the earth, and immediately he died.
Then Sir Launcelot seized Sir Colgrance’s body by the shoulders and dragged it into the room ere the others had recovered, and immediately he bolted and barred the door as it was before. And Sir Launcelot said to the Queen, “Lady, here hath Providence delivered armor into my hands. I prithee aid me to arm myself.”
Sir Launcelot armeth himself in Sir Colgrance’s armor.
So the Queen and her affrighted ladies hastened to Sir Launcelot and together they stripped the armor off the body of Sir Colgrance. And they assisted Sir Launcelot to clothe himself very quickly and nimbly in that armor. Then, having thus armed himself in the armor of Sir Colgrance, Sir Launcelot came to the door of the room and he spoke to those without, and he said to them, “Messires, what is it you would have with me?” They say, “We would have you come forth and surrender yourself to us so that we may take you to King Arthur.” Sir Launcelot said, “I cannot surrender myself to you, but this I will promise to do: if y
ou will go hence and leave me in peace, I will surrender myself to King Arthur to-morrow morning, and will then abide by his justice.” Sir Agravaine said, “We will not do this. We will not trust thee. Deliver thyself to us immediately, or we will slay thee.”
Sir Launcelot assaileth his enemies.
Then Sir Launcelot said, “I come!” and therewith he flung wide open the door. And Sir Launcelot strode out amongst them like to a lion into the midst of a pack of dogs. And they beheld that Sir Launcelot was clad all in the armor of Sir Colgrance. And Sir Launcelot fronted Sir Agravaine and the eyes of Sir Launcelot flashed forth pure fire from under the vizor of his bascinet. And Sir Launcelot strode to Sir Agravaine, crying out, “Thou first!” And therewith he smote Sir Agravaine with might and main.
Sir Agravaine warded the blow, but so wonderfully powerful was it that it smote down that ward; and it smote Sir Agravaine upon the bascinet; and it cut through the iron of the bascinet and through the bone of the brain pan and into the brain itself.
He slayeth Sir Agravaine and several others.
Then Sir Agravaine cried out very terribly and fell down dying to the earth; and Sir Launcelot put his foot upon the neck of Sir Agravaine, and wrenched forth the sword out of the cut that he had made. Then Sir Launcelot smote to the right hand and to the left; and of those eleven knights who were with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred he slew nine in that little room. And he smote Sir Mordred upon the shoulder so that he sheared the flesh of the arm, a great slice from the bone, and the other two knights were more or less wounded, so that anon they fled in tumult from that place.