"Shall I tell this to my lord Arthur?" said the Queen.
"If it pleases you, Madam," answered Sir Bors. So the Queen went to the King, and told him what Sir Bors had said, and the King bade her to be comforted, as Sir Bors was one of the best Knights of the Round Table.
The next morning the King and Queen, and all manner of Knights, rode into the meadow of Westminster, where the battle was to be; and the Queen was put into the Guard of the High Constable, and a stout iron stake was planted, and a great fire made about it, at which the Queen should be burned if Sir Mador de la Porte won the fight. For it was the custom in those days that neither fear nor favour, love nor kinship, should hinder right judgment. Then came Sir Mador de la Porte, and made oath before the King that the Queen had done to death his cousin Sir Patrise, and he would prove it on her Knight"s body, let who would say the contrary. Sir Bors likewise made answer that Queen Guenevere had done no wrong, and that he would make good with his two hands. "Then get you ready," said Sir Mador. "Sir Mador,"
answered Sir Bors, "I know you for a good Knight, but I trust to be able to withstand your malice; and I have promised King Arthur and my Lady the Queen that I will do battle for her to the uttermost, unless there come forth a better Knight than I am."
"Is that all?" asked Sir Mador; "but you must either fight now or own that you are beaten."
"Take your horse," said Sir Bors, "for I shall not tarry long," and Sir Mador forthwith rode into the field with his shield on his shoulder, and his spear in his hand, and he went up and down crying unto King Arthur, "Bid your champion come forth if he dare." At that Sir Bors was ashamed, and took his horse, and rode to the end of the lists. But from a wood hard by appeared a Knight riding fast on a white horse, bearing a shield full of strange devices. When he reached Sir Bors he drew rein and said, "Fair Knight, be not displeased, but this battle must be to a better Knight than you. For I have come a great journey to fight this fight, as I promised when I spoke with you last, and I thank you heartily for your goodwill." So Sir Bors went to King Arthur and told him that a Knight had come who wished to do battle for the Queen. "What Knight is he?" asked the King.
"That I know not," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to be here this day, and now I am discharged," said Sir Bors.
Then the King called to that Knight and asked him if he would fight for the Queen. "For that purpose I came hither," replied he, "and therefore, Sir King, delay me no longer, for as soon as I have ended this battle I must go hence, as I have many matters elsewhere. And I would have you know that it is a dishonour to all the Knights of the Round Table to let so n.o.ble a lady and so courteous a Queen as Queen Guenevere be shamed amongst you."
[Ill.u.s.tration: ARTHUR AND GUENEVERE KISS BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE]
The Knights who were standing round looked at each other at these words, and wondered much what man this was who took the battle upon him, for none knew him save Sir Bors.
"Sir," said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the King, "let me know the name of him with whom I have to do." But the King answered nothing, and made a sign for the fight to begin. They rode to the end of the lists, and couched their spears and rushed together with all their force, and Sir Mador"s spear broke in pieces. But the other Knight"s spear held firm, and he pressed on Sir Mador"s horse till it fell backward with a great fall. Sir Mador sprang from his horse, and, placing his shield before him, drew his sword, and bade his foe dismount from his horse also, and do battle with him on foot, which the unknown Knight did.
For an hour they fought thus, as Sir Mador was a strong man, and had proved himself the victor in many combats. At last the Knight smote Sir Mador grovelling to his knees, and the Knight stepped forward to have struck him flat upon the ground. Therewith Sir Mador suddenly rose, and smote the Knight upon the thigh, so that the blood ran out fiercely. But when the Knight felt himself wounded, and saw his blood, he let Sir Mador rise to his feet, and then he gave him such a buffet on the helm that this time Sir Mador fell his length on the earth, and the Knight sprang to him, to unloose his helm. At this Sir Mador prayed for his life, acknowledging that he was overcome, and confessed that the Queen"s innocence had been proved. "I will only grant you your life," said the Knight, "if you will proclaim publicly that you have foully slandered the Queen, and that you make no mention, on the tomb of Sir Patrise, that ever Queen Guenevere consented to his murder." "All that will I do," said Sir Mador, and some Knights took him up, and carried him away to heal his wounds. And the other Knight went straight to the foot of the steps where sat King Arthur, and there the Queen had just come, and the King and the Queen kissed each other before all the people. When King Arthur saw the Knight standing there he stooped down to him and thanked him, and so likewise did the Queen; and they prayed him to put off his helmet, and commanded wine to be brought, and when he unlaced his helmet to drink they knew him to be Sir Lancelot du Lake. Then Arthur took the Queen"s hand and led her to Sir Lancelot and said, "Sir, I give you the most heartfelt thanks of the great deed you have done this day for me and my Queen."
"My lord," answered Sir Lancelot, "you know well that I ought of right ever to fight your battles, and those of my lady the Queen. For it was you who gave me the high honour of Knighthood, and that same day my lady the Queen did me a great service, else I should have been put to shame before all men. Because in my hastiness I lost my sword, and my lady the Queen found it and gave it to me when I had sore need of it.
And therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her that day that I would be her Knight in right or in wrong."
"I owe you great thanks," said the King, "and some time I hope to repay you." The Queen, beholding Sir Lancelot, wept tears of joy for her deliverance, and felt bowed to the ground with sorrow at the thought of what he had done for her, when she had sent him away with unkind words. Then all the Knights of the Round Table and his kinsmen drew near to him and welcomed him, and there was great mirth in the Court.
_THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT_
Soon after this it befell that the damsel of the lake, called by some Nimue and by others Vivien, wedded Sir Pelleas, and came to the Court of King Arthur. And when she heard the talk of the death of Sir Patrise and how the Queen had been accused of it, she found out by means of her magic that the tale was false, and told it openly that the Queen was innocent and that it was Sir Pinel who had poisoned the apple. Then he fled into his own country, where none might lay hands on him. So Sir Patrise was buried in the Church of Westminster, and on his tomb was written, "Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir Pinel le Savage, that empoisoned apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and by misfortune Sir Patrise ate one of those apples and then suddenly he burst." Also there was put upon the tomb that Queen Guenevere was accused of the death of Sir Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and how Sir Lancelot fought with him and overcame him in battle. All this was written on the tomb.
And daily Sir Mador prayed to have the Queen"s grace once more, and by means of Sir Lancelot he was forgiven. It was now the middle of the summer, and King Arthur proclaimed that in fifteen days a great tourney should be held at Camelot, which is now called Winchester, and many Knights and Kings made ready to do themselves honour. But the Queen said she would stay behind, for she was sick, and did not care for the noise and bustle of a tourney. "It grieves me you should say that," said the King, for you will not have seen so n.o.ble a company gathered together this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when Galahad departed from the Court."
"Truly," answered the Queen, "the sight will be grand. Nevertheless you must hold me excused, for I cannot be there."
Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and that he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At this the King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or his best Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by the way lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And when the King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told him he was to blame for having excused himself from going with the King, who set such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he would be ruled by her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to Winchester; "but I should have you know," said he, "that at the tourney I shall be against the King and his Knights."
"You must do as you please," replied the Queen, "but if you will be ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side."
"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray you not to be displeased with me.
I will take the adventure as it comes," and early next morning he rode away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town till he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of Astolat, and as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from the gardens of the castle. "It is well," he said smiling to the Knights that were beside him, "I see one man who will play his part in the jousts, and I will undertake that he will do marvels."
"Who is that?" asked they all. "You must wait to know that," replied the King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered his lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not it was Sir Lancelot. "Fair Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray you lend me, if you can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they know well."
"Sir," answered Sir Bernard, "you shall have your wish, for you seem one of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons, both but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the jousts. For my heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you, what name I shall call you by."
"You must hold me excused as to that, just now," said Sir Lancelot, "but if I speedwell at the jousts, I will come again and tell you. But let me have Sir Lavaine with me, and lend me, as you have offered, his brother"s shield." "This shall be done," replied Sir Bernard.
Besides these two sons, Sir Bernard had a daughter whom everyone called The Fair Maid of Astolat, though her real name was Elaine le Blanc. And when she looked on Sir Lancelot, her love went forth to him and she could never take it back, and in the end it killed her. As soon as her father told her that Sir Lancelot was going to the tourney she besought him to wear her token in the jousts, but he was not willing. "Fair damsel," he said, "if I did that, I should have done more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel." But then he remembered that he was to go disguised to the tourney, and because he had before never worn any manner of token of any damsel, he bethought him that, if he should take one of hers, none would know him. So he said to her, "Fair damsel, I will wear your token on my helmet, if you will show me what it is."
"Sir," she answered, "it is a red sleeve, embroidered in great pearls," and she brought it to him. "Never have I done so much for any damsel," said he, and gave his own shield into her keeping, till he came again. Sir Arthur had waited three days in Astolat for some Knights who were long on the road, and when they had arrived they all set forth, and were followed by Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine, both with white shields, and Sir Lancelot bore besides the red sleeve that was a token. Now Camelot was filled with a great number of Kings and Lords and Knights, but Sir Lavaine found means to lodge both himself and Sir Lancelot secretly with a rich burgess, and no man knew who they were or whence they came. And there they stayed till the day of the tourney. At earliest dawn the trumpets blew, and King Arthur took his seat upon a high scaffold, so that he might see who had done best; but he would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from his side, for Sir Gawaine never won the prize when Sir Lancelot was in the field, and as King Arthur knew, Sir Lancelot oftentimes disguised himself.
Then the Knights formed into two parties and Sir Lancelot made him ready, and fastened the red sleeve upon his helmet, and he and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood that lay behind the Knights who should fight against those of the Round Table. "Sir," said Sir Lancelot, "yonder is a company of good Knights and they hold together as boars that are vexed with dogs."
"That is truth," said Sir Lavaine.
"Now," said Sir Lancelot, "if you will help me a little, you shall see King Arthur"s side, which is winning, driven back as fast as they came."
"Spare not, Sir," answered Sir Lavaine, "for I shall do what I may."
So they rode into the thickest of the press, and smote so hard both with spear and sword that the Knights of the Round Table fell back. "O mercy!" cried Sir Gawaine, "what Knight is that yonder who does such marvellous deeds?"
"I know well who it is," said King Arthur, "but I will not tell you yet."
"Sir," answered Sir Gawaine, "I should say it was Sir Lancelot by the blows he deals and the manner that he rides, but it cannot be he, for this man has a red sleeve upon his helmet, and Sir Lancelot has never borne the token of any lady."
[Ill.u.s.tration: ELAINE TIES HER SLEEVE ROUND SIR LANCELOT"S HELMET]
"Let him be," said Sir Arthur, "you will find out his name, and see him do greater deeds yet, before he departs." And the Knights that were fighting against the King"s party took heart again, for before they feared they would be beaten. But when Sir Bors saw this, he called unto him the Knights that were of kin to Sir Lancelot, and they banded together to make a great charge, and threw Sir Lancelot"s horse to the ground, and by misfortune the spear of Sir Bors broke, and its head was left in Sir Lancelot"s side. When Sir Lavaine saw that, he unhorsed the King of Scots, and brought his horse to Sir Lancelot, and helped him mount thereon and gave him a spear, with which Sir Lancelot smote Sir Bors to the earth and Sir Ector de Maris, the foster-father of King Arthur, and buffeted sorely the Knights that were with them.
Afterward he hurled himself into the thick _melee_ of them all, and did the most wonderful deeds that ever were heard of. And Sir Lavaine likewise did well that day, for he smote down full two Knights of the Round Table. "Mercy," again cried Sir Gawaine to Arthur, "I marvel what Knight that is with the red sleeve."
"That you shall know soon," said King Arthur, and commanded that the trumpets should be blown, and declared that the prize belonged to the Knight with the white shield, who bare the red sleeve, for he had unhorsed more than thirty Knights. And the Kings and Lords who were of his party came round him and thanked him for the help he had given them, by which means the honours of the day had been theirs.
"Fair Lords," said Sir Lancelot, "if I have deserved thanks, I have paid for them sorely, for I shall hardly escape with my life, therefore I pray you let me depart, for my hurt is grievous." Then he groaned piteously, and galloped from them to a wood"s side, followed by Sir Lavaine. "Oh help me, Sir Lavaine," said he, "to get this spear"s head out of my side, for it is killing me." But Sir Lavaine feared to touch it, lest Sir Lancelot should bleed to death. "I charge you," said Sir Lancelot, "if you love me draw out the head," so Sir Lavaine drew it out. And Sir Lancelot gave a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly groan, and his blood flowed out so fast, that he fell into a swoon. "Oh what shall I do?" cried Sir Lavaine, and he loosed Sir Lancelot"s helm and coat of mail, and turned him so that the wind might blow on him, but for full half an hour he lay as if he had been dead. And at last Sir Lancelot opened his eyes, and said, "O Lavaine, help me on my horse, for two miles from this place there lives a hermit who once was a Knight of the Round Table, and he can heal my wounds." Then Sir Lavaine, with much ado, helped him on his horse, and brought him bleeding to the hermit. The hermit looked at him as he rode up, leaning piteously on his saddle-bow, and he thought that he should know him, but could not tell who he was for the paleness of his face, till he saw by a wound on his cheek that it was Sir Lancelot.
"You cannot hide your name from me," said the hermit, "for you are the n.o.blest Knight in the world, and well I know you to be Sir Lancelot."
"Since you know me, Sir," said he, "help me for G.o.d"s sake, and for death or life put me out of this pain."
"Fear nothing," answered the hermit, "your pain will soon be gone,"
and he called his servants to take the armour off the Knight, and laid him in bed. After that he dressed the wound, and gave him good wine to drink, and Sir Lancelot slept and awoke free of his pain. So we will leave him to be healed of his wound, under the care of the hermit, and go back to King Arthur.
Now it was the custom in those days that after a tourney was finished, a great feast should be held at which both parties were a.s.sembled, so King Arthur sent to ask the King of Northgalis, where was the Knight with the red sleeve, who had fought on his side. "Bring him before me," he said, "that he may have the prize he has won, which is his right." Then answered the King with the hundred Knights, "we fear the Knight must have been sore hurt, and that neither you nor we are ever like to see him again, which is grievous to think of."
"Alas!" said King Arthur, "is he then so badly wounded? What is his name?"
"Truly," said they all, "we know not his name, nor whence he came, nor whither he went."
"As for me," answered King Arthur, "these tidings are the worst that I have heard these seven years, for I would give all the lands I hold that no harm had befallen this Knight."
"Do you know him?" asked they all.
"Whether I know him or not," said King Arthur, "I shall not tell you, but may Heaven send me good news of him." "Amen," answered they.
"By my head," said Sir Gawaine, "if this good Knight is really wounded unto death, it is a great evil for all this land, for he is one of the n.o.blest that ever I saw for handling a sword or spear. And if he may be found, I shall find him, for I am sure he is not far from this town," so he took his Squire with him, and they rode all round Camelot, six or seven miles on every side, but nothing could they hear of him. And he returned heavily to the Court of King Arthur.